   Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary

   10th edition

   The dictionary is freely available at http://www.m-w.com

              Parts of a Dictionary Entry

   Dictionaries provide more than just spellings and definitions
of terms. This  topic outlines the types of information provided
by a dictionary entry.

An entry may include the following elements:

   Main entry heading
   Spelling
   Functional (part-of-speech) label
   Inflected forms
   Etymology
   Dates (first recorded use in English)
   Definitions
   Usage notes (word used in context)

Entries may also include the following information:

   Derivative words
   Idiomatic phrases
   Paragraphs discussing distinctions in meaning among synonyms

              Main entry heading

   In the Dictionary, the defined word is the  main entry. These
entries  look  similar  to  those  that  appear  in  the printed
dictionary. Main  entry words are  shown in boldface type at the
beginning  of  the  entry.  For  example,  the  main  entry  for
invaluable is:

   in.valu.able  adj  [[1]in-  +  value,  v.  +  -able]  (1576):
valuable  beyond   estimation:  priceless  in.valu.able.ness   n
in.valu.ably adv

   If  the  main entry  is  one of  several  homographs (one  of
several main entries  that are spelled  alike), it will  have  a
homograph number,  which  appears  as  a  superscript before the
boldface word.

[1]fence. . . n
[2]fence. . . vb

              Spelling

   Variant  spellings  of   the   entry  term  are  listed  with
end-of-line hyphenation points.

mea.ger or mea.gre
quin.tet also quin.tette

              Functional (part-of-speech) label

   The functional label  follows  the entry (and inflected forms
of the entry) in italics.

   adj adjective

   adv adverb

   conj conjunction

   interj interjection

   n noun

   prep preposition

   pron pronoun

   vb verb

   vi verb intransitive

   vt verb transitive

              Hyphenation

   Hyphenation points in a  main  entry are indicated by periods
within the word. These points show the places you would normally
hyphenate the word at the end of a line. Hyphenation  points are
shown in the first homograph but are not repeated in  later ones
if all homographs are divided in the same place.

              Inflected forms

   If inflection is not regular and predictable, different forms
are listed. Regular inflected forms, such as those formed simply
by adding -s to a noun or -ing to a verb, are not listed because
they are covered explicitly or implicitly at the  main entry for
the base form.  Inflected forms of  the main entry  are  usually
shown after the part-of-speech label.

in.valu.able adj . . . in.valu.able.ness n in.valu.ably adv

Inflected forms generally are listed under the following conditions:

Main entries when the inflected forms are irregular
Variant inflected forms
When the inflections involve a spelling change from the base word
If there may be doubts about how to spell the inflected form

              Etymology

   Word  origin  of  the  term is listed. Etymology  traces  the
history of the word and discusses what language and in what form
the  word first  came  into English. For  words  in the  general
English vocabulary,  the  etymology  also traces the pre-English
source of the words as far  back as possible if the source is an
Indo-European language. This dictionary includes etymologies for
many words,  but it does  not give etymologies for words created
in English by combining existing words or if the origin  is most
likely self-evident to the user. For example, it is  clear that
the word  bookshelf is a combination of book  and shelf and that
the noun commute comes from  the  verb  commute. Etymologies for
the base word are given at their own entries.

   The etymology appears inside square brackets  and may contain
language  names  and words from those languages,  along  with  a
brief definition of such words in their language of origin.

[1]equal . . . adj [ME, fr. L aequalis, fr. Aequus level, equal]

   When the source of a main entry is unknown, the phrase origin
unknown usually  appears  in  square  brackets.  Scientific  and
technical terms  have  the etymological label ISV (International
Scientific Vocabulary) to recognize  their  international status
and  to  indicate  the  possibility  that  they originated in  a
language other than English.

phy.lo.ge.net.ic . . . adj [ISV, fr. NL phylogenesis . . . ]

              Dates

   A  special  feature  of  the  dictionary  is  that  dates are
included for the  first recorded use  in English of  main  entry
words. The date appears  before  the first definition and always
refers to the  first  known use of the  first  definition of the
word in the dictionary. When a date is  uncertain, circa (about)
precedes  the date.  Dates  before 1501 are  given  in terms  of
centuries rather than years because the dates for texts produced
before that time are often uncertain.

(14c) fourteenth century
(bef. 12c) before the twelfth century
(ca. 1890) circa (about) 1890

              Definitions

   The  definitions  for a  word  appear in  roman  type, and  a
boldface colon is used to introduce each sense. When a  word has
multiple senses, boldface Arabic numerals separate them; letters
and parenthesized  numerals  indicate subsenses. The word senses
are usually listed in chronological order, with the oldest sense
appearing first.

   Some  definitions  include  examples  of the word used  in  a
context typical for  that  meaning. These examples appear inside
angle brackets, <  >.  In these examples, a  swung  dash (~) may
represent the main entry word.

              Usages notes and paragraphs

   Entries may include  usage  notes that give information about
matters  such  as  idiom,  syntax,  semantic  relationship,  and
status.  They  may also  include  brief  usage  paragraphs  that
discuss terms  considered  to  present  problems  of confused or
disputed usage.
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   1080
          [1080] also ten-eighty n [fr. its laboratory serial number]
          (1945): a poisonous preparation of sodium fluoroacetate used as
          a rodenticide and pesticide

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   2,4,5-T
          [2,4,5-T] n [tri-] (1946): an irritant compound used esp.
          as an herbicide and defoliant

   2,4-D
          [2,4-D] n [di-] (ca. 1945): a white crystalline irritant
          compound used esp. as a weed killer

   2WD
          [2WD] abbreviation two-wheel drive

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   3-D
          [3-D] n [D, abbr. of dimensional] (1951): the three-dimensional
          form; also: an image or a picture produced in it -- 3-D
          adj

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   4-F
          [4-F] n (1944): classification as unfit for military service;
          also: a person having this classification

   4-H
          [4-H] adj [fr. the fourfold aim of improving the head, heart,
          hands, and health] (1926): of or relating to a program
          set up by the U.S. Department of Agriculture orig. in
          rural areas to help young people become productive citizens
          by instructing them in useful skills (as in agriculture,
          animal husbandry, and carpentry), community service,
          and personal development -- 4-H'.er also 4-H.er n

   4WD
          [4WD] abbreviation four-wheel drive

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   800 number
          [800 number] n (1979): a toll-free telephone number for
          long-distance calls (as to a business) that is prefixed by the
          number 800

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   [1]a
          [a] n, pl a's or as often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 1st letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic a 2: the 6th tone of a C-major scale
          3: a graphic device for reproducing the letter a 4: one
          designated a esp. as the 1st in order or class 5 a: a
          grade rating a student's work as superior in quality
          b: one graded or rated with an A 6: something shaped
          like the letter A [2]a indefinite article [ME, fr. OE
          an one--more at one] (bef. 12c) 1--used as a function
          word before singular nouns when the referent is unspecified
          <a man overboard> and before number collectives and some
          numbers <a dozen> 2: the same <birds of a feather> <swords
          all of a length> 3 a--used as a function word before
          a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier <a
          man who was here yesterday> b: any <a man who is sick
          can't work> c--used as a function word before a mass
          noun to denote a particular type or instance <a bronze
          made in ancient times> <glucose is a simple sugar> d--used
          as a function word before a proper noun representing
          an example or type <the attractions of a Boston or a
          Cleveland> 4--used as a function word with nouns to form
          adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree <felt
          a little tired> usage In speech and writing a is used
          before a consonant sound <a door> <a human>. Before a
          vowel sound an is usual <an icicle> <an honor> but esp.
          in speech a is used occasionally, more often in some
          dialects than in others <a apple> <a hour> <a obligation>.
          Before a consonant sound represented by a vowel letter
          a is usual <a one> <a union> but an also occurs though
          less frequently now than formerly <an unique> <such an
          one>. Before unstressed or weakly stressed syllables
          with initial h both a and an are used in writing <a historic>
          <an historic> but in speech an is more frequent whether
          /h/ is pronounced or not. In the King James Version of
          the Old Testament and occasionally in writing and speech
          an is used before h in a stressed syllable <an huntress>
          <an hundred> <children are an heritage of the Lord --Ps
          127:3(AV)>. [3]a prep [ME, fr. OE a-, an, on] (bef. 12c)
          1 chiefly dial: on, in, at 2: in, to, or for each <twice
          a week> <five dollars a dozen> usage see [2]a [4]a vb
          [ME, contr. of have] (14c) archaic: have <I might a had
          husbands afore now --John Bunyan> [5]a prep [ME, by contr.]
          (15c): of--often attached to the preceding word <kinda>
          <lotta>

   [1]a-
          [a-] prefix [ME, fr. OE] 1: on: in: at <abed> 2: in (such)
          a state or condition <afire> 3: in (such) a manner <aloud>
          4: in the act or process of <gone a-hunting> <atingle>
          [2]a- or an- prefix [L & Gk; L, fr. Gk--more at un-]:
          not: without <asexual>--a- before consonants other than
          h and sometimes even before h, an- before vowels and
          usu. before h <achromatic> <ahistorical> <anastigmatic>
          <anhydrous>

   -a-
          [-a-] comb form [ISV]: replacing carbon esp. in a ring <aza->

   a
          [a] abbreviation absent, acceleration, acre, adult, alto,
          anode, answer, ante, anterior, are, area, atto-, author
          A abbreviation ace, adenine, ampere, argon  A abbreviation
          angstrom unit

   -a
          [-a] n suffix [NL, fr. -a (as in magnesia)]: oxide <silica>

   A1
          [A1] adj (1837) 1: having the highest possible classification--used
          of a ship 2: of the finest quality: first-rate

   A/1C
          [A/1C] abbreviation airman first class

   A/D
          [A/D] abbreviation analog/digital

   A and M
          [A and M] abbreviation agricultural and mechanical, ancient
          and modern

   A and R
          [A and R] abbreviation artists and repertory

   a bas
          [a bas] [F] (ca. 1897): down with <a bas the profiteers>

   a bientot
          [a bien.tot] [F] foreign term : so long

   A-bomb
          [A-bomb] n (1945): atomic bomb 1

   a bon chat, bon rat
          [a bon chat, bon rat] [F] foreign term : to a good cat, a
          good rat: retaliation in kind

   a bouche ouverte
          [a bouche ou.verte] [F] foreign term : with open mouth: eagerly:
          uncritically

   a bras ouverts
          [a bras ou.verts] [F] foreign term : with open arms: cordially

   a cappella
          [a cap.pel.la] also a ca.pel.la adv or adj [It a cappella
          in chapel style] (ca. 1864): without instrumental accompaniment

   a cheval
          [a che.val] adv [F, lit., on horseback] (1832) 1: with a
          leg on each side: astride 2: in such a way as to be played
          or chanced simultaneously on two numbers or events (as
          in roulette)

   a compte
          [a compte] [F] foreign term : on account

   a coup sur
          [a coup sur] [F] foreign term : with sure stroke: surely

   [1]a deux
          [a deux] adj [F] (1886): involving two people esp. in private
          <a cozy evening a deux> [2]a deux adv (1927): privately
          or intimately with only two present <dined a deux>

   a droite
          [a droite] [F] foreign term : to or on the right hand

   a fortiori
          [a for.ti.o.ri] adv [NL, lit., from the stronger (argument)]
          (1588): with greater reason or more convincing force--used
          in drawing a conclusion that is inferred to be even more
          certain than another <the man of prejudice is, a fortiori,
          a man of limited mental vision>

   A-frame
          [A-frame] n (ca. 1909) 1: a support structure shaped like
          the letter A 2: a building typically having triangular
          front and rear walls and a roof reaching to the ground

   a gauche
          [a gauche] [F] foreign term : to or on the left hand

   [1]a-go-go
          [a-go-go] n [Whisky a Gogo, cafe and discotheque in Paris,
          France, from F a gogo galore, fr. MF] (1965): a nightclub
          for dancing to pop music: disco [2]a-go-go adj (1965)
          1: go-go 1 2: being in a whirl of motion 3: being up-to-date--often
          used postpositively

   a grands frais
          [a grands frais] [F] foreign term : at great expense

   A horizon
          [A horizon] n (1936): the uppermost dark-colored layer of
          a soil consisting largely of partly disintegrated organic
          debris

   a huis clos
          [a huis clos] [F] foreign term : with closed doors

   a la
          [a la] prep [F a la] (1589): in the manner of

   a l'abandon
          [a l'aban.don] [F] foreign term : carelessly: in disorder

   a la belle etoile
          [a la belle etoile] [F] foreign term : under the beautiful
          star: in the open air at night

   a la bonne heure
          [a la bonne heure] [F] foreign term : at a good time: well
          and good: all right

   a la carte
          [a la carte] adv or adj [F, by the bill of fare] (1826):
          according to a menu that prices each item separately

   a la francaise
          [a la fran.caise] [F] foreign term : in the French manner

   a la grecque
          [a la grecque] adj, often cap G [F, in the Greek manner]
          (ca. 1925): served in a sauce made of olive oil, lemon
          juice, and several seasonings (as fennel, coriander,
          sage, and thyme)

   a la king
          [a la king] adj (1919): served in a cream sauce with mushrooms
          and pimiento or green peppers <chicken a la king>

   a l'americaine
          [a l'ame.ri.caine] [F] foreign term : in the American manner:
          of the American kind

   a la mode
          [a la mode] adj [F, according to the fashion] (1650)
          1: fashionable, stylish 2: topped with ice cream

   a l'anglaise
          [a l'an.glaise] [F] foreign term : in the English manner

   a la page
          [a la page] [F] foreign term : at the page: up-to-the-minute

   a la russe
          [a la russe] [F] foreign term : in the Russian manner

   A level
          [A level] n (1951) 1: the second of three standardized British
          examinations in a secondary school subject used as a
          qualification for university entrance; also: successful
          completion of an A-level examination in a particular
          subject--called also Advanced level--compare o level,
          s level 2 a: the level of education required to pass
          an A-level examination b: a course leading to an A-level
          examination

   a l'improviste
          [a l'im.pro.viste] [F] foreign term : unexpectedly

   A-line
          [A-line] adj (1964): having a flared bottom and a close-fitting
          top--used of a garment <an ~ skirt>

   A-list
          [A-list] n (1980): a list or group of individuals of the
          highest level of society, excellence, or eminence

   a maximis ad minima
          [a max.i.mis ad mi.ni.ma] [L] foreign term : from the greatest
          to the least

   a merveille
          [a mer.veille] [F] foreign term : marvelously

   A-OK
          [A-OK] adv or adj (1959): very definitely OK

   a outrance
          [a ou.trance] adv [F] (1883): to the limit: unsparingly

   a peu pres
          [a peu pres] [F] foreign term : nearly: approximately

   a pied
          [a pied] [F] foreign term : on foot

   a posteriori
          [a pos.te.ri.o.ri] adj [L, lit., from the latter] (1588)
          1: inductive 2: relating to or derived by reasoning from
          observed facts--compare a priori -- a posteriori adv

   a priori
          [a pri.o.ri] adj [L, lit., from the former] (1652) 1 a: deductive
          b: relating to or derived by reasoning from self-evident
          propositions--compare a posteriori c: presupposed by
          experience 2 a: being without examination or analysis:
          presumptive b: formed or conceived beforehand -- a priori
          adv -- apri.or.i.ty n

   a propos de bottes
          [a pro.pos de bottes] [F] foreign term : apropos of boots--used
          to change the subject

   a propos de rien
          [a pro.pos de rien] [F] foreign term : apropos of nothing

   a tempo
          [a tem.po] adv or adj [It] (ca. 1740): in time--used as a
          direction in music to return to the original tempo

   a tergo
          [a ter.go] [L] foreign term : from behind

   a tort et a travers
          [a tort et a tra.vers] [F] foreign term : wrong and crosswise:
          at random: without rhyme or reason

   A-V node
          [A-V node] n (1949): atrioventricular node

   a votre sante
          [a vo.tre san.te] [F] foreign term : to your health--used
          as a toast

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   aa
          [aa] abbreviation ana  AA abbreviation administrative assistant,
          Alcoholics Anonymous, antiaircraft, associate in arts,
          author's alterations

   AAA
          [AAA] abbreviation Agricultural Adjustment Administration,
          American Automobile Association

   AAAL
          [AAAL] abbreviation American Academy of Arts and Letters

   AAAS
          [AAAS] abbreviation American Association for the Advancement
          of Science

   AAFP
          [AAFP] abbreviation American Academy of Family Physicians

   aah
          [aah] vi (1953): to exclaim in amazement, joy, or surprise
          <one finds oneself oohing and ~ing over the exciting
          new TV commercials --Walter Goodman> -- aah n

   AAMC
          [AAMC] abbreviation American Association of Medical Colleges

   AAR
          [AAR] abbreviation against all risks

   aardvark
          [aard.vark] n [obs. Afrik, fr. Afrik aard earth + vark pig]
          (1827): a large burrowing nocturnal ungulate mammal (Orycteropus
          afer) of sub-Saharan Africa that has a long snout, extensile
          tongue, powerful claws, large ears, and heavy tail and
          feeds esp. on termites and ants

   aardwolf
          [aard.wolf] n [Afrik, fr. aard + wolf] (1833): a maned striped
          nocturnal mammal (Proteles cristatus) of southern and
          eastern Africa that resembles the related hyenas and
          feeds chiefly on insects and esp. termites

   Aaron
          [Aar.on] n [LL, fr. Gk Aaron, fr. Heb Aharon]: a brother
          of Moses and high priest of the Hebrews

   Aaronic
          [Aa.ron.ic] adj (ca. 1828) 1: of or stemming from Aaron 2:
          of or relating to the lower order of the Mormon priesthood

   AARP
          [AARP] abbreviation American Association of Retired Persons

   AAS
          [AAS] abbreviation associate in applied science

   AASCU
          [AASCU] abbreviation American Association of State Colleges
          and Universities

   AAU
          [AAU] abbreviation Amateur Athletic Union

   AAUP
          [AAUP] abbreviation American Association of University Professors

   AAUW
          [AAUW] abbreviation American Association of University Women

   ab...
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   Ab
          [Ab] n [Heb Abh] (ca. 1771): the 11th month of the civil
          year or the 5th month of the ecclesiastical year in the
          Jewish calendar

   ab
          [ab] abbreviation about  AB abbreviation able-bodied seaman,
          airborne, airman basic, Alberta, [NL artium baccalaureus]
          bachelor of arts

   ab-
          [ab-] prefix [ME, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L ab-, abs-, a-, fr.
          ab, a--more at of]: from: away: off <abaxial>

   aba
          [aba] n [Ar 'aba'] (1811) 1: a loose sleeveless outer garment
          worn as traditional dress by men in the Middle East 2:
          a fabric woven from the hair of camels or goats

   ABA
          [ABA] abbreviation Amateur Boxing Association, American Bankers
          Association, American Bar Association, American Booksellers
          Association

   abaca
          [ab.a.ca] n [Sp abaca, fr. Tag abaka] (ca. 1818) 1: a strong
          fiber obtained from the leafstalk of a banana (Musa textilis)
          native to the Philippines--called also Manila hemp 2:
          the plant that yields abaca

   aback
          [aback] adv (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: backward, back 2: in a
          position to catch the wind upon the forward surface of
          a square sail 3: by surprise: unawares <was taken ~ by
          her sharp retort>

   abacterial
          [abac.te.ri.al] adj (ca. 1935): not caused by or characterized
          by the presence of bacteria <~ prostatitis>

   abacus
          [aba.cus] n, pl aba.ci or aba.cus.es [L, fr. Gk abak-, abax,
          lit., slab] (14c) 1: an instrument for performing calculations
          by sliding counters along rods or in grooves 2: a slab
          that forms the uppermost member or division of the capital
          of a column

   [1]abaft
          [abaft] prep [[1]a- + baft(aft)] (1594): to the rear of;
          specif: toward the stern from [2]abaft adv (1628): toward
          or at the stern: aft

   abalone
          [ab.a.lo.ne] n [AmerSp abulon, fr. Rumsen (American Indian
          language of Monterey Bay, Calif.) aulon] (1850): any
          of a genus (Haliotis) of edible rock-clinging gastropod
          mollusks that have a flattened shell slightly spiral
          in form, lined with mother-of-pearl, and with a row of
          apertures along its outer edge

   [1]abandon
          [aban.don] vt [ME abandounen, fr. MF abandoner, fr. abandon,
          n., surrender, fr. a bandon in one's power] (14c) 1 a:
          to give up to the control or influence of another person
          or agent b: to give up with the intent of never again
          claiming a right or interest in 2: to withdraw from often
          in the face of danger or encroachment <~ ship> 3: to
          withdraw protection, support, or help from 4: to give
          (oneself) over unrestrainedly 5 a: to cease from maintaining,
          practicing, or using <~ed their native language> b: to
          cease intending or attempting to perform <~ed the escape>
          -- aban.don.er n -- aban.don.ment n syn abandon, desert,
          forsake mean to leave without intending to return. abandon
          suggests that the thing or person left may be helpless
          without protection <abandoned children>. desert implies
          that the object left may be weakened but not destroyed
          by one's absence <a deserted town>. forsake suggests
          an action more likely to bring impoverishment or bereavement
          to that which is forsaken than its exposure to physical
          dangers <a forsaken lover>. syn see in addition relinquish
          [2]abandon n (1822): a thorough yielding to natural impulses;
          esp: enthusiasm, exuberance <with reckless ~>

   abandoned
          [aban.doned] adj (14c) 1: wholly free from restraint 2: given
          up: forsaken

   abase
          [abase] vt abased ; abas.ing [ME abassen, fr. MF abaisser,
          fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + (assumed) VL bassiare to lower]
          (15c) 1 archaic: to lower physically 2: to lower in rank,
          office, prestige, or esteem -- abase.ment n

   abash
          [abash] vt [ME abaishen, fr. (assumed) MF abaiss-, abair
          to astonish, alter. of MF esbair, fr. ex- + baer to yawn--more
          at abeyance] (14c): to destroy the self-possession or
          self-confidence of: disconcert syn see embarrass -- abash.ment
          n

   abate
          [abate] vb abat.ed ; abat.ing [ME, fr. OF abattre to beat
          down--more at rebate] vt (13c) 1 a: to put an end to
          <~ a nuisance> b: nullify <~ a writ> 2 a: to reduce in
          degree or intensity: moderate b: to reduce in value or
          amount: make less esp. by way of relief <~ a tax> 3:
          deduct, omit <~ part of the price> 4 a: to beat down
          or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief b obs:
          blunt 5: deprive ~ vi 1: to decrease in force or intensity
          2 a: to become defeated or become null or void b: to
          decrease in amount or value -- abat.er n syn abate, subside,
          wane, ebb mean to die down in force or intensity. abate
          stresses the idea of progressive diminishing <the storm
          abated>. subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or
          agitation <the protests subsided after a few days>. wane
          suggests the fading or weakening of something good or
          impressive <waning enthusiasm>. ebb suggests the receding
          of something (as the tide) that commonly comes and goes
          <the ebbing of daylight>. syn see in addition decrease

   abatement
          [abate.ment] n (14c) 1: the act or process of abating: the
          state of being abated 2: an amount abated; esp: a deduction
          from the full amount of a tax

   abatis
          [ab.a.tis] n, pl ab.a.tis or ab.a.tis.es [F, fr. abattre]
          (1766): a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with
          sharpened branches facing the enemy

   abattoir
          [ab.at.toir] n [F, fr. abattre] (1820): slaughterhouse

   abaxial
          [ab.ax.i.al] adj (1857): situated out of or directed away
          from the axis <the ~ or lower surface of a leaf>

   abbacy
          [ab.ba.cy] n, pl -cies [ME abbatie, fr. LL abbatia] (15c):
          the office, dignity, jurisdiction, or tenure of an abbot

   Abbasid
          [Ab.bas.id] n (1788): a member of a dynasty of caliphs (7501258)
          ruling the Islamic empire esp. from their capital Baghdad
          and claiming descent from Abbas the uncle of Muhammad

   abbatial
          [ab.ba.tial] adj (ca. 1642): of or relating to an abbot,
          abbess, or abbey

   abbe
          [ab.be] n [F, fr. LL abbat-, abbas] (1530): a member of the
          French secular clergy in major or minor orders--used
          as a title

   abbess
          [ab.bess] n [ME abbesse, fr. OF, fr. LL abbatissa, fem. of
          abbat-, abbas] (13c): a woman who is the superior of
          a convent of nuns

   Abbevillian
          [Abbe.vil.li.an] adj [Abbeville, France] (ca. 1934): of or
          relating to an early Lower Paleolithic culture of Europe
          characterized by bifacial stone hand axes

   abbey
          [ab.bey] n, pl abbeys [ME, fr. OF abaie, fr. LL abbatia abbey,
          fr. abbat-, abbas] (13c) 1 a: a monastery ruled by an
          abbot b: a convent ruled by an abbess 2: an abbey church

   abbot
          [ab.bot] n [ME abbod, fr. OE, fr. LL abbat-, abbas, fr. L
          Gk abbas, fr. Aram abba father] (bef. 12c): the superior
          of a monastery for men

   abbr
          [abbr] abbreviation abbreviation

   abbreviate
          [ab.bre.vi.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME, fr. LL abbreviatus,
          pp. of abbreviare--more at abridge] (15c): to make briefer;
          esp: to reduce to a shorter form intended to stand for
          the whole syn see shorten -- ab.bre.vi.a.tor n

   abbreviation
          [ab.bre.vi.a.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or result of abbreviating:
          abridgment 2: a shortened form of a written word or phrase
          used in place of the whole <amt is an ~ for amount>

   ABC
          [ABC] abbreviation American Bowling Congress, American Broadcasting
          Companies, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

   ABC
          [ABC] n, pl ABC's or ABCs (13c) 1: alphabet--usu. used in
          pl. 2 a: the rudiments of reading, writing, and spelling--usu.
          used in pl. b: the rudiments of a subject

   ABCD
          [ABCD] abbreviation accelerated business collection and delivery

   abd
          [abd] or abdom abbreviation abdomen, abdominal

   ABD
          [ABD] n, pl ABDs also ABD's [all but dissertation] (1965):
          a doctoral candidate who has completed required courses
          and examinations but not a dissertation

   Abdias
          [Ab.di.as] n [LL, fr. Gk]: obadiah

   abdicate
          [ab.di.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L abdicatus, pp. of abdicare,
          fr. ab- + dicare to proclaim--more at diction] vt (1541)
          1: to cast off: discard 2: to relinquish (as sovereign
          power) formally ~ vi: to renounce a throne, high office,
          dignity, or function -- ab.di.ca.ble adj -- ab.di.ca.tion
          n -- ab.di.ca.tor n syn abdicate, renounce, resign mean
          to give up a position with no possibility of resuming
          it. abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or
          sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of
          a parent <abdicated the throne>. renounce may replace
          it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater
          end <renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner>.
          resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office
          or trust <resigned from the board>.

   abdomen
          [ab.do.men] n [MF & L; MF, fr. L] (1615) 1: the part of the
          body between the thorax and the pelvis; also: the cavity
          of this part of the trunk containing the chief viscera
          2: the posterior section of the body behind the thorax
          in an arthropod--see insect illustration -- ab.dom.i.nal
          adj -- ab.dom.i.nal.ly adv

   abducens nerve
          [ab.du.cens nerve] n [NL abducent-, abducens, fr. L, prp.
          of abducere] (1947): either of the 6th pair of cranial
          nerves that are motor nerves supplying the rectus on
          the outer and lateral side of each eye--called also abducens

   abducent nerve
          [ab.du.cent nerve] n (1875): abducens nerve

   abduct
          [ab.duct] vt [L abductus, pp. of abducere, lit., to lead
          away, fr. ab- + ducere to lead--more at tow] (1834) 1:
          to carry off (as a person) by force 2: to draw or spread
          away (as a limb or the fingers) from a position near
          or parallel to the median axis of the body or from the
          axis of a limb -- ab.duc.tor n

   abduction
          [ab.duc.tion] n (1666) 1: the action of abducting: the condition
          of being abducted 2: the unlawful carrying away of a
          woman for marriage or intercourse

   abeam
          [abeam] adv or adj (ca. 1836): off to the side of a ship
          or plane esp. at a right angle to the middle of the ship
          or plane's length

   [1]abecedarian
          [abe.ce.dar.i.an] n [ME abecedary, fr. ML abecedarium alphabet,
          fr. LL, neut. of abecedarius of the alphabet, fr. the
          letters a + b + c + d] (1603): one learning the rudiments
          of something (as the alphabet) [2]abecedarian adj (1665)
          1 a: of or relating to the alphabet b: alphabetically
          arranged 2: rudimentary

   abed
          [abed] adv or adj (13c): in bed

   Abel
          [Abel] n [LL, fr. Gk, fr. Heb Hebhel]: a son of Adam and
          Eve killed by his brother Cain

   abelia
          [abe.lia] n [NL, fr. Clarke Abel d. 1826 Eng. botanist] (ca.
          1899): any of a genus (Abelia) of shrubs of Asian or
          Mexican origin having opposite leaves and white, red,
          or pink flowers

   abelian
          [abe.li.an] adj, often cap [Niels Abel d. 1829 Norw. mathematician]
          (ca. 1909): commutative 2 <~ group> <~ ring>

   Abenaki
          [Abe.na.ki] n, pl Abenaki or Abenakis (1721) 1: a member
          of a group of American Indian peoples of northern New
          England and adjoining parts of Quebec 2: either of the
          two Algonquian languages spoken by the Abenaki peoples

   Aberdeen Angus
          [Ab.er.deen An.gus] n [Aberdeen & Angus, counties in Scotland]
          (1862): angus

   [1]aberrant
          [ab.er.rant] adj [L aberrant-, aberrans, prp. of aberrare
          to go astray, fr. ab- + errare to wander, err] (ca. 1780)
          1: straying from the right or normal way 2: deviating
          from the usual or natural type: atypical -- ab.er.rance
          n -- ab.er.ran.cy n -- ab.er.rant.ly adv [2]aberrant
          n (1938) 1: an aberrant group, individual, or structure
          2: a person whose behavior departs substantially from
          the standard

   aberrated
          [ab.er.rat.ed] adj [L aberratus, pp. of aberrare] (1893):
          aberrant

   aberration
          [ab.er.ra.tion] n [L aberrare] (1594) 1: the fact or an instance
          of being aberrant esp. from a moral standard or normal
          state 2: failure of a mirror, refracting surface, or
          lens to produce exact point-to-point correspondence between
          an object and its image 3: unsoundness or disorder of
          the mind 4: a small periodic change of apparent position
          in celestial bodies due to the combined effect of the
          motion of light and the motion of the observer 5: an
          aberrant individual -- ab.er.ra.tion.al adj

   abet
          [abet] vt abet.ted ; abet.ting [ME abetten, fr. MF abeter,
          fr. OF, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + beter to bait, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE baetan to bait] (14c) 1: to actively second
          and encourage (as an activity or plan): forward 2: to
          assist or support in the achievement of a purpose <abetted
          the thief in his getaway> syn see incite -- abet.ment
          n -- abet.tor or abet.ter n

   abeunt studia in mores
          [ab.eunt stu.dia in mo.res] [L] foreign term : practices
          zealously pursued pass into habits

   abeyance
          [abey.ance] n [MF abeance expectation, fr. abaer to desire,
          fr. a- + baer to yawn, fr. ML batare] (1660) 1: temporary
          inactivity: suspension 2: a lapse in succession during
          which there is no person in whom a title is vested

   abeyant
          [abey.ant] adj [back-formation fr. abeyance] (ca. 1859):
          being in abeyance

   abhor
          [ab.hor] vt ab.horred ; ab.hor.ring [ME abhorren, fr. L abhorrere,
          fr. ab- + horrere to shudder--more at horror] (15c): to regard with
          extreme repugnance: loathe syn see hate -- ab.hor.rer n

   abhorrence
          [ab.hor.rence] n (1660) 1 a: the act or state of abhorring
          b: the feeling of one who abhors 2: one that is abhorred

   abhorrent
          [ab.hor.rent] adj [L abhorrent-, abhorrens, prp. of abhorrere]
          (1599) 1 a archaic: strongly opposed b: feeling or showing
          abhorrence 2: not agreeable: contrary <a notion ~ to
          their philosophy> 3: being so repugnant as to stir up
          positive antagonism <acts ~ to every right-minded person>
          -- ab.hor.rent.ly adv

   Abib
          [Abib] n [Heb Abhibh, lit., ear of grain] (1535): the 1st
          month of the ancient Hebrew calendar corresponding to
          Nisan--see month table

   abidance
          [abid.ance] n (1647) 1: an act or state of abiding: continuance
          2: compliance <~ by the rules>

   abide
          [abide] vb abode or abid.ed ; abid.ing [ME, fr. OE abidan,
          fr. a-, perfective prefix + bidan to bide; akin to OHG
          ir-, perfective prefix] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to wait for:
          await 2 a: to endure without yielding: withstand b: to
          bear patiently: tolerate <cannot ~ such bigots> 3: to
          accept without objection <will ~ your decision> ~ vi
          1: to remain stable or fixed in a state 2: to continue
          in a place: sojourn syn see bear, continue -- abid.er
          n -- abide by 1: to conform to 2: to acquiesce in

   abiding
          [abid.ing] adj (14c): enduring, continuing <an ~ interest
          in nature> -- abid.ing.ly adv

   abigail
          [ab.i.gail] n [Abigail, servant in The Scornful Lady, a play
          by Francis Beaumont & John Fletcher] (1671): a lady's
          personal maid

   -ability
          [-ability] also -ibility n suffix [ME -abilite, -ibilite,
          fr. MF -abilite, -ibilite, fr. L -abilitas, -ibilitas,
          fr. -abilis, -ibilis -able + -tas -ty]: capacity, fitness,
          or tendency to act or be acted on in a (specified) way
          <agglutinability>

   ability
          [abil.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME abilite, fr. MF habilite, fr.
          L habilitat-, habilitas, fr. habilis apt, skillful--more
          at able] (14c) 1 a: the quality or state of being able
          <~ of the soil to hold water>; esp: physical, mental,
          or legal power to perform b: competence in doing: skill
          2: natural aptitude or acquired proficiency <children
          whose abilities warrant higher education>

   ab incunabulis
          [ab in.cu.na.bu.lis] [L] foreign term : from the cradle:
          from infancy

   ab initio
          [ab in.i.tio] adv [L] (1599): from the beginning

   abiogenesis
          [abio.gen.e.sis] n [NL, fr. [2]a- + bio- + L genesis] (1870):
          the supposed spontaneous origination of living organisms
          directly from lifeless matter -- abi.og.e.nist n

   abiogenic
          [abio.gen.ic] adj (1891): not produced by the action of living
          organisms -- abio.gen.i.cal.ly adv

   abiological
          [abi.o.log.i.cal] adj (1868): not biological; esp: not involving
          or produced by organisms <~ synthesis of amino acids>

   abiotic
          [abi.ot.ic] adj (ca. 1893): not biotic: abiological <the
          ~ environment> -- abi.ot.i.cal.ly adv

   abject
          [ab.ject] adj [ME, fr. L abjectus, fr. pp. of abicere to
          cast off, fr. ab- + jacere to throw--more at jet] (15c)
          1: sunk to or existing in a low state or condition <to
          lowest pitch of ~ fortune thou art fallen --John Milton>
          2 a: cast down in spirit: servile, spiritless <a man
          made ~ by suffering> b: showing utter hopelessness or
          resignation <~ surrender> 3: expressing or offered in
          a humble and often ingratiating spirit <~ flattery> <an
          ~ apology> syn see mean -- ab.ject.ly adv -- ab.ject.ness
          n

   abjection
          [ab.jec.tion] n (14c) 1: a low or downcast state: degradation
          2: the act of making abject: humbling, rejection <I protest
          ... this vile ~ of youth to age --G. B. Shaw>

   abjuration
          [ab.ju.ra.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of abjuring
          2: an oath of abjuring

   abjure
          [ab.jure] vt ab.jured ; ab.jur.ing [ME, fr. MF or L; MF abjurer,
          fr. L abjurare, fr. ab- + jurare to swear--more at jury]
          (15c) 1 a: to renounce upon oath b: to reject solemnly
          2: to abstain from: avoid <~ extravagance> -- ab.jur.er
          n syn abjure, renounce, forswear, recant, retract mean
          to withdraw one's word or professed belief. abjure implies
          a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under
          oath <abjured the errors of his former faith>. renounce
          often equals abjure but may carry the meaning of disclaim
          or disown <renounced abstract art and turned to portrait
          painting>. forswear may add to abjure an implication
          of perjury or betrayal <I cannot forswear my principles>.
          recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something
          professed or taught <if they recant they will be spared>.
          retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer,
          or an accusation <the newspaper had to retract its allegations
          against the mayor>.

   abl
          [abl] abbreviation ablative

   ablate
          [ab.late] vb ab.lat.ed ; ab.lat.ing [L ablatus (pp. of auferre
          to remove), fr. ab- + latus, pp. of ferre--more at ukase,
          bear, tolerate] vt (1542): to remove esp. by cutting,
          abrading, or evaporating ~ vi: to become ablated; esp:
          vaporize 1

   ablation
          [ab.la.tion] n (15c): the process of ablating: as a: surgical
          removal b: loss of a part (as ice from a glacier or the
          outside of a nose cone) by melting or vaporization

   [1]ablative
          [ab.la.tive] adj (15c): of, relating to, or constituting
          a grammatical case expressing typically the relations
          of separation and source and also frequently such relations
          as cause or instrument -- ablative n [2]ab.la.tive adj
          (ca. 1569) 1: of or relating to ablation 2: tending to
          ablate <~ material on a nose cone> -- ab.la.tive.ly adv

   ablative absolute
          [ablative absolute] n (ca. 1828): a construction in Latin
          in which a noun or pronoun and its adjunct both in the
          ablative case form together an adverbial phrase expressing
          generally the time, cause, or an attendant circumstance
          of an action

   ablaut
          [ab.laut] n [G, fr. ab away from + Laut sound] (1849): a
          systematic variation of vowels in the same root or affix
          or in related roots or affixes esp. in the Indo-European
          languages that is usu. paralleled by differences in use
          or meaning (as in sing, sang, sung, song)

   ablaze
          [ablaze] adj or adv (1801) 1: being on fire 2: radiant with
          light or emotion <his face all ~ with excitement --Bram
          Stoker>

   able
          [able] adj abler ; ablest [ME, fr. MF, fr. L habilis apt,
          fr. habere to have--more at habit] (14c) 1 a: having
          sufficient power, skill, or resources to accomplish an
          object b: susceptible to action or treatment 2: marked
          by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence -- ably
          adv

   -able
          [-able] also -ible adj suffix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L -abilis,
          -ibilis, fr. -a-, -i-, verb stem vowels + -bilis capable
          or worthy of] 1: capable of, fit for, or worthy of (being
          so acted upon or toward)--chiefly in adjectives derived
          from verbs <breakable> <collectible> 2: tending, given,
          or liable to <agreeable> <perishable> -- -ably also -ibly
          adv suffix

   able-bodied
          [able-bod.ied] adj (ca. 1622): having a sound strong body

   able-bodied seaman
          [able-bodied seaman] n (ca. 1909): able seaman

   able seaman
          [able seaman] n (1702): an experienced deck-department seaman
          qualified to perform routine duties at sea

   abloom
          [abloom] adj (1855): abounding with blooms: blooming <parks
          ~ with roses>

   abluted
          [ab.lut.ed] adj [back-formation fr. ablution] (1650): washed
          clean

   ablution
          [ab.lu.tion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L ablution-, ablutio,
          fr. abluere to wash away, fr. ab- + luere to wash; akin
          to L lavere to wash--more at lye] (1533) 1 a: the washing
          of one's body or part of it (as in a religious rite)
          b pl: the act or action of bathing 2 pl, Brit: a building
          housing bathing and toilet facilities on a military base
          -- ab.lu.tion.ary adj

   ABM
          [ABM] n, pl ABM's or ABMs (1963): antiballistic missile

   abn
          [abn] abbreviation airborne

   Abnaki
          [Ab.na.ki] var of abenaki

   abnegate
          [ab.ne.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [back-formation fr. abnegation]
          (1623) 1: deny, renounce <abnegated their God> 2: surrender,
          relinquish <abnegated her powers> -- ab.ne.ga.tor n

   abnegation
          [ab.ne.ga.tion] n [LL abnegation-, abnegatio, fr. L abnegare
          to refute, fr. ab- + negare to deny--more at negate]
          (14c): denial; esp: self-denial

   [1]abnormal
          [ab.nor.mal] adj [alter. of F anormal, fr. ML anormalis,
          fr. L a- + LL normalis normal] (ca. 1836): deviating
          from the normal or average: unusual, exceptional <~ behavior>
          -- ab.nor.mal.ly adv [2]abnormal n (1912): an abnormal
          person

   abnormality
          [ab.nor.mal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1854) 1: the quality or state
          of being abnormal 2: something abnormal

   abnormal psychology
          [abnormal psychology] n (ca. 1903): a branch of psychology
          concerned with mental and emotional disorders (as neuroses,
          psychoses, and mental deficiency) and with certain incompletely
          understood normal phenomena (as dreams and hypnosis)

   abo
          [abo] n, pl ab.os (1908) Austral: aborigine--often used
          disparagingly

   [1]aboard
          [aboard] adv or adj (14c) 1: alongside 2 a: on, onto, or
          within a vehicle (as a car or ship) b: in or into a group,
          association, or organization <her second promotion since
          coming ~> 3 baseball: on base [2]aboard prep (15c): on,
          onto, within <go ~ ship> <~ a plane>

   ABO blood group
          [ABO blood group] n (1949): any of the four blood groups
          A, B, AB, and O comprising the ABO system

   abode
          [abode] n [ME abod, fr. abiden to abide] (13c) 1 obs: wait,
          delay 2: a temporary stay: sojourn 3: the place where
          one abides: home

   aboil
          [aboil] adj or adv (1810) 1: being at the boiling point:
          boiling 2: intensely excited or stirred up <the meeting
          was ~ with controversy>

   abolish
          [abol.ish] vt [ME abolisshen, fr. MF aboliss-, stem of abolir,
          fr. L abolere; prob. akin to adolescere to grow up--more
          at adult] (15c) 1: to end the observance or effect of:
          annul 2: destroy -- abol.ish.able adj -- abol.ish.er
          n -- abol.ish.ment n

   abolition
          [ab.o.li.tion] n [MF, fr. L abolition-, abolitio, fr. abolere]
          (1529) 1: the act of abolishing: the state of being abolished
          2: the abolishing of slavery -- ab.o.li.tion.ary adj

   abolitionism
          [ab.o.li.tion.ism] n (1808): principles or measures fostering
          abolition esp. of slavery -- ab.o.li.tion.ist n or adj

   abomasum
          [ab.oma.sum] n, pl -sa [NL, fr. L ab- + omasum ox's tripe]
          (ca. 1706): the fourth compartment of the ruminant stomach
          that follows the omasum and has a true digestive function--compare
          rumen, reticulum -- ab.oma.sal adj

   abominable
          [abom.i.na.ble] adj (14c) 1: worthy of or causing disgust
          or hatred: detestable <the ~ treatment of the poor> 2:
          quite disagreeable or unpleasant <~ weather> -- abom.i.na.bly
          adv

   abominable snowman
          [abominable snow.man] n, often cap A&S (1921): a mysterious
          creature with human or apelike characteristics reported
          to exist in the high Himalayas--called also yeti

   abominate
          [abom.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L abominatus, pp. of
          abominari, lit., to deprecate as an ill omen, fr. ab-
          + omin-, omen omen] (1644): to hate or loathe intensely:
          abhor syn see hate -- abom.i.na.tor n

   abomination
          [abom.i.na.tion] n (14c) 1: something abominable 2: extreme
          disgust and hatred: loathing

   aboral
          [ab.oral] adj (1857): situated opposite to or away from the
          mouth <a sea urchin's ~ surface> -- ab.oral.ly adv

   [1]aboriginal
          [ab.orig.i.nal] adj (1667) 1: being the first or earliest
          known of its kind present in a region <~ forests> <~
          rocks> 2 a: of or relating to aborigines b often cap:
          of or relating to the indigenous peoples of Australia
          syn see native -- ab.orig.i.nal.ly adv [2]aboriginal
          n (1767) 1: aborigine 1 2 often cap: aborigine 2

   aborigine
          [ab.orig.i.ne] n [L aborigines, pl., fr. ab origine from
          the beginning] (1533) 1: an aboriginal inhabitant esp.
          as contrasted with an invading or colonizing people 2
          often cap: a member of any of the indigenous peoples
          of Australia

   [1]aborning
          [aborn.ing] adv [[1]a- + E dial. borning (birth)] (1916):
          while being born or produced <a resolution that died
          ~> [2]aborning adj (1943): being born or produced <the
          ~ fiasco>

   [1]abort
          [abort] vb [L abortus, pp. of aboriri to miscarry, fr. ab-
          + oriri to rise, be born--more at orient] vi (1580) 1:
          to bring forth premature or stillborn offspring 2: to
          become checked in development so as to degenerate or
          remain rudimentary ~ vt 1 a: to induce the abortion of
          or give birth to prematurely b: to terminate the pregnancy
          of before term 2 a: to terminate prematurely: cancel
          <~ a project> <~ a spaceflight> b: to stop in the early
          stages <~ a disease> -- abort.er n [2]abort n (1944):
          the premature termination of a flight (as of an aircraft
          or spacecraft), a mission, or an action or procedure
          relating to a flight <a launch ~>

   abortifacient
          [abor.ti.fa.cient] n (1873): an agent (as a drug) that induces
          abortion -- abortifacient adj

   abortion
          [abor.tion] n (1547) 1: the termination of a pregnancy after,
          accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by
          the death of the embryo or fetus: as a: spontaneous expulsion
          of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation--compare
          miscarriage b: induced expulsion of a human fetus c:
          expulsion of a fetus by a domestic animal often due to
          infection at any time before completion of pregnancy--compare
          contagious abortion 2: monstrosity 3: arrest of development
          (as of a part or process) resulting in imperfection;
          also: a result of such arrest

   abortionist
          [abor.tion.ist] n (1871): one who induces abortions

   abortive
          [abor.tive] adj (14c) 1 obs: prematurely born 2: fruitless,
          unsuccessful 3: imperfectly formed or developed 4: tending
          to cut short -- abor.tive.ly adv -- abor.tive.ness n

   ABO system
          [ABO system] n (1944): the basic system of antigens of human
          blood behaving in heredity as an allelic unit to produce
          any of the ABO blood groups

   abound
          [abound] vi [ME, fr. MF abonder, fr. L abundare, fr. ab-
          + unda wave--more at water] (14c) 1: to be present in
          large numbers or in great quantity: be prevalent 2: to
          be copiously supplied <life ~ed in mysteries --Norman
          Mailer> <institutions ~ with evidence of his success
          --Johns Hopkins Mag.>

   [1]about
          [about] adv [ME, fr. OE abutan, fr. [1]a- + butan outside--more
          at but] (bef. 12c) 1 a: reasonably close to <~ a year
          ago> b: almost <~ starved> c: on the verge of--usu. used
          with be and a following infinitive <is ~ to join the
          army>--used with a negative to express intention or determination
          <not ~ to quit> 2: on all sides: around 3 a: in rotation
          b: around the outside 4: here and there 5: in the vicinity:
          near 6: in succession: alternately <turn ~ is fair play>
          7: in the opposite direction <face ~> <the other way
          ~> [2]about prep (bef. 12c) 1: in a circle around: on
          every side of: around 2 a: in the immediate neighborhood
          of: near b: on or near the person of c: in the makeup
          of <a mature wisdom ~ him> d: at the command of <has
          his wits ~ him> 3: engaged in <act as if they know what
          they're ~ --T. S. Matthews> 4 a: with regard to: concerning
          b: concerned with c: fundamentally concerned with or
          directed toward <poker is ~ money --David Mamet> 5: over
          or in different parts of [3]about adj (1815) 1: moving
          from place to place; specif: being out of bed 2: around
          2

   about-face
          [about-face] n [fr. the imper. phrase about face] (1861)
          1: a 180 degree turn to the right from the position of
          attention 2: a reversal of direction 3: a reversal of
          attitude, behavior, or point of view -- about-face vi

   about-turn
          [about-turn] n (1893) Brit: about-face

   [1]above
          [above] adv [ME, fr. OE abufan, fr. a- + bufan above, fr.
          be- + ufan above; akin to OE ofer over] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: in the sky: overhead b: in or to heaven 2 a: in or
          to a higher place b: higher on the same page or on a
          preceding page c: upstairs d: above zero <10 degrees
          ~> 3: in or to a higher rank or number <30 and ~> 4 archaic:
          in addition: besides 5: upstage [2]above prep (bef. 12c)
          1: in or to a higher place than: over 2 a: superior to
          (as in rank, quality, or degree) b: out of reach of c:
          in preference to d: too proud or honorable to stoop to
          3: exceeding in number, quantity, or size: more than
          4: as distinct from and in addition to <heard the whistle
          ~ the roar of the crowd> [3]above n, pl above (13c) 1
          a: something that is above b: a person whose name is
          written above 2 a: a higher authority b: heaven usage
          Although still objected to by some, the use of above
          as a noun in sense 1a <none of the above> <the above
          is Theseus's opinion --William Blake> and as an adjective
          <without the above reserve --O. W. Holmes d.1935> <I
          was brought up on the above words --Viscount Montgomery>
          has been long established as standard. [4]above adj (1604):
          written or discussed higher on the same page or on a
          preceding page usage see [3]above

   above all
          [above all] adv (14c): before every other consideration:
          especially

   [1]aboveboard
          [above.board] adv [fr. the difficulty of cheating at cards
          when the hands are above the table] (1594): in a straightforward
          manner: openly [2]aboveboard adj (1648): free from all
          traces of deceit or duplicity

   aboveground
          [above.ground] adj (1878) 1: located or occurring on or above
          the surface of the ground 2: existing, produced, or published
          by or within the establishment <~ movies>

   ab ovo
          [ab ovo] adv [L, lit., from the egg] (ca. 1586): from the
          beginning

   ab ovo usque ad mala
          [ab ovo us.que ad ma.la] [L] foreign term : from egg to apples:
          from soup to nuts: from beginning to end

   abp
          [abp] abbreviation archbishop

   abr
          [abr] abbreviation abridged, abridgment

   abracadabra
          [ab.ra.ca.dab.ra] n [LL] (1565) 1: a magical charm or incantation
          2: unintelligible language

   abrade
          [abrade] vb abrad.ed ; abrad.ing [L abradere to scrape off,
          fr. ab- + radere to scrape--more at rodent] vt (1677)
          1 a: to rub or wear away esp. by friction: erode b: to
          irritate or roughen by rubbing 2: to wear down in spirit:
          irritate, weary ~ vi: to undergo abrasion -- abrad.able
          adj -- abrad.er n

   Abraham
          [Abra.ham] n [LL, fr. Gk Abraam, fr. Heb 'Abhraham]: an Old
          Testament patriarch regarded by Jews as the founder of
          the Hebrew people through his son Isaac and by Muslims
          as the founder of the Arab peoples through his son Ishmael

   abrasion
          [abra.sion] n [ML abrasion-, abrasio, fr. L abradere] (ca.
          1656) 1 a: a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction
          b: irritation 2: an abraded area of the skin or mucous
          membrane

   [1]abrasive
          [abra.sive] n (1853): a substance (as emery or pumice) used
          for abrading, smoothing, or polishing [2]abrasive adj
          (1875) 1: tending to abrade 2: causing irritation <~
          manners> -- abra.sive.ly adv -- abra.sive.ness n

   abreaction
          [ab.re.ac.tion] n [part trans. of G Abreagierung catharsis,
          fr. ab off, away (fr. OHG aba) + Reagierung reaction,
          fr. L reagere to react--more at of, react] (1912): the
          expression and emotional discharge of unconscious material
          (as a repressed idea or emotion) by verbalization esp.
          in the presence of a therapist -- ab.re.act vb

   abreast
          [abreast] adv or adj (15c) 1: beside one another with bodies
          in line <columns of men five ~> 2: up to a particular
          standard or level esp. of knowledge of recent developments
          <keeps ~ of the latest trends>

   abridge
          [abridge] vt abridged ; abridg.ing [ME abregen, fr. MF abregier,
          fr. LL abbreviare, fr. L ad- + brevis short--more at
          brief] (14c) 1 a archaic: deprive b: to reduce in scope:
          diminish <attempts to ~ the right of free speech> 2:
          to shorten in duration or extent <modern transportation
          that ~s distance> 3: to shorten by omission of words
          without sacrifice of sense: condense syn see shorten
          -- abridg.er n

   abridgment
          [abridg.ment] or abridge.ment n (15c) 1: the action of abridging:
          the state of being abridged 2: a shortened form of a
          work retaining the general sense and unity of the original

   abroach
          [abroach] adv or adj (14c) 1: in a condition for letting
          out a liquid (as wine) <a cask set ~> 2: in action or
          agitation: astir <mischiefs that I set ~ --Shak.>

   abroad
          [abroad] adv or adj (13c) 1: over a wide area: widely 2:
          away from one's home 3: beyond the boundaries of one's
          country 4: in wide circulation: about 5: wide of the
          mark: astray

   abrogate
          [ab.ro.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L abrogatus, pp. of abrogare,
          fr. ab- + rogare to ask, propose a law--more at right]
          (1526) 1: to abolish by authoritative action: annul 2:
          to treat as nonexistent <abrogating their responsibilities>
          syn see nullify -- ab.ro.ga.tion n

   abrupt
          [abrupt] adj [L abruptus, fr. pp. of abrumpere to break off,
          fr. ab- + rumpere to break--more at reave] (1591) 1 a:
          characterized by or involving action or change without
          preparation or warning: unexpected <came to an ~ stop>
          <an ~ turn to the left> <an ~ decision to retire> b:
          unceremoniously curt <an ~ manner> c: lacking smoothness
          or continuity <an ~ transition> 2: giving the impression
          of being cut or broken off; esp: involving a sudden steep
          rise or drop <~ hills> <a high ~ bank bounded the stream>
          syn see precipitate, steep -- abrupt.ly adv -- abrupt.ness
          n

   abruption
          [abrup.tion] n (1606): a sudden breaking off or away

   abs
          [abs] abbreviation absolute, abstract  ABS abbreviation American
          Bible Society, antilock braking system

   ABS
          [ABS] n [acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene] (1966): a tough
          rigid plastic used esp. for automobile parts and building
          materials

   abscess
          [ab.scess] n, pl ab.scess.es [L abscessus, lit., act of going
          away, fr. abscedere to go away, fr. abs-, ab- + cedere
          to go] (1615): a localized collection of pus surrounded
          by inflamed tissue -- ab.scessed adj

   abscise
          [ab.scise] vb ab.scised ; ab.scis.ing [L abscisus, pp. of
          abscidere, fr. abs- + caedere to cut] vt (1612): to cut
          off by abscission ~ vi: to separate by abscission

   abscisic acid
          [ab.scis.ic acid] n [abscision (var. of abscission) + -ic]
          (1968): a plant hormone that is a sesquiterpene widespread
          in nature and that typically promotes leaf abscission
          and dormancy and has an inhibitory effect on cell elongation

   abscisin
          [ab.sci.sin] n [abscision + -in] (1961): abscisic acid

   abscissa
          [ab.scis.sa] n, pl abscissas also ab.scis.sae [NL, fr. L,
          fem. of abscissus, pp. of abscindere to cut off, fr.
          ab- + scindere to cut--more at shed] (1694): the horizontal
          coordinate of a point in a plane Cartesian coordinate
          system obtained by measuring parallel to the x-axis--compare
          ordinate

   abscission
          [ab.scis.sion] n [L abscission-, abscissio, fr. abscindere]
          (15c) 1: the act or process of cutting off: removal 2:
          the natural separation of flowers, fruit, or leaves from
          plants at a special separation layer

   abscond
          [ab.scond] vi [L abscondere to hide away, fr. abs- + condere
          to store up, conceal--more at condiment] (ca. 1578):
          to depart secretly and hide oneself -- ab.scond.er n

   abseil
          [ab.seil] vi [G abseilen, fr. ab down, off + Seil rope] (1941)
          chiefly Brit: rappel

   absence
          [ab.sence] n (14c) 1: the state of being absent 2: the period
          of time that one is absent 3: want, lack <an ~ of detail>
          4: inattention to present surroundings or occurrences
          <~ of mind>

   [1]absent
          [ab.sent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L absent-, absens, prp. of
          abesse to be absent, fr. ab- + esse to be--more at is]
          (14c) 1: not present or attending: missing 2: not existing:
          lacking <danger in a situation where power is ~ --M.
          H. Trytten> 3: inattentive, preoccupied -- ab.sent.ly
          adv [2]ab.sent vt (15c): to keep (oneself) away [3]ab.sent
          prep (1945): in the absence of: without

   absentee
          [ab.sen.tee] n (1605): one that is absent: as a: a proprietor
          that lives away from his or her estate or business b:
          one missing from work or school -- absentee adj

   absentee ballot
          [absentee ballot] n (1932): a ballot submitted (as by mail)
          in advance of an election by a voter who is unable to
          be present at the polls

   absenteeism
          [ab.sen.tee.ism] n (1829) 1: prolonged absence of an owner
          from his or her property 2: chronic absence (as from
          work or school); also: the rate of such absence

   absentminded
          [ab.sent.mind.ed] adj (1854) 1: lost in thought and unaware
          of one's surroundings or actions: preoccupied; also:
          given to absence of mind 2: indicative of or resulting
          from preoccupation or absence of mind -- ab.sent.mind.ed.ly
          adv -- ab.sent.mind.ed.ness n

   absent without leave
          [absent without leave] adj (ca. 1919): absent without authority
          from one's place of duty in the armed forces

   absinthe
          [ab.sinthe] also ab.sinth n [F absinthe, fr. L absinthium,
          fr. Gk apsinthion] (1612) 1: wormwood 1; esp: a common
          European wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) 2: a green liqueur
          flavored with wormwood or a substitute, anise, and other
          aromatics

   absit invidia
          [ab.sit in.vi.dia] [L] foreign term : let there be no envy
          or ill will

   absolute
          [ab.so.lute] adj [ME absolut, fr. L absolutus, fr. pp. of
          absolvere to set free, absolve] (14c) 1 a: free from
          imperfection: perfect b: free or relatively free from
          mixture: pure <~ alcohol> c: outright, unmitigated <an
          ~ lie> 2: being, governed by, or characteristic of a
          ruler or authority completely free from constitutional
          or other restraint 3 a: standing apart from a normal
          or usual syntactical relation with other words or sentence
          elements <the ~ construction this being the case in the
          sentence "this being the case, let us go"> b of an adjective
          or possessive pronoun: standing alone without a modified
          substantive <blind in "help the blind" and ours in "your
          work and ours" are ~> c of a verb: having no object in
          the particular construction under consideration though
          normally transitive <kill in "if looks could kill" is
          an ~ verb> 4: having no restriction, exception, or qualification
          <an ~ requirement> <~ freedom> 5: positive, unquestionable
          <~ proof> 6 a: independent of arbitrary standards of
          measurement b: relating to or derived in the simplest
          manner from the fundamental units of length, mass, and
          time <~ electric units> c: relating to, measured on,
          or being a temperature scale based on absolute zero <~
          temperature>; specif: kelvin <10 degrees ~> 7: fundamental,
          ultimate <~ knowledge> 8: perfectly embodying the nature
          of a thing <~ justice> 9: being self-sufficient and free
          of external references or relationships <an ~ term in
          logic> <~ music> 10: being the true distance from an
          aircraft to the earth's surface <~ altitude> -- absolute
          n -- ab.so.lute.ness n

   absolute ceiling
          [absolute ceiling] n (ca. 1920): the maximum height above
          sea level at which a particular airplane can maintain
          horizontal flight under standard air conditions--called
          also ceiling

   absolute convergence
          [absolute convergence] n (ca. 1909): convergence of a mathematical
          series when the absolute values of the terms are taken

   absolute humidity
          [absolute humidity] n (1867): the amount of water vapor present
          in a unit volume of air--compare relative humidity

   absolutely
          [ab.so.lute.ly] adv (14c) 1: in an absolute manner
          or condition--often used as an intensive <~ brilliant> 2: with
          respect to absolute values <an ~ convergent series>

   absolute magnitude
          [absolute magnitude] n (1902): the intrinsic luminosity of
          a celestial body (as a star) if viewed from a distance
          of 10 parsecs--compare apparent magnitude

   absolute pitch
          [absolute pitch] n (1864) 1: the position of a tone in a
          standard scale independently determined by its rate of
          vibration 2: the ability to recognize or sing a given
          isolated note

   absolute space
          [absolute space] n (ca. 1889): space 4b

   absolute value
          [absolute value] n (1907) 1: a nonnegative number equal in
          numerical value to a given real number 2: the positive
          square root of the sum of the squares of the real and
          imaginary parts of a complex number

   absolute zero
          [absolute zero] n (1848): a theoretical temperature characterized
          by complete absence of heat and equivalent to exactly
          -273.15 degrees C or -459.67 degrees F

   absolution
          [ab.so.lu.tion] n (13c): the act of absolving; specif: a
          remission of sins pronounced by a priest (as in the sacrament
          of reconciliation)

   absolutism
          [ab.so.lut.ism] n (1830) 1 a: a political theory that absolute
          power should be vested in one or more rulers b: government
          by an absolute ruler or authority: despotism 2: advocacy
          of a rule by absolute standards or principles 3: an absolute
          standard or principle -- ab.so.lut.ist n or adj -- ab.so.lu.tis.tic
          adj

   absolutive
          [ab.so.lu.tive] adj (1952): of, being, or relating to an
          inflectional morpheme that typically marks the subject
          of an intransitive verb or the direct object of a transitive
          verb in an ergative language

   absolutize
          [ab.so.lut.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1919): to make absolute:
          convert into an absolute

   absolve
          [ab.solve] vt ab.solved ; ab.solv.ing [ME, fr. L absolvere,
          fr. ab- + solvere to loosen--more at solve] (15c) 1:
          to set free from an obligation or the consequences of
          guilt 2: to remit (a sin) by absolution syn see exculpate
          -- ab.solv.er n

   absorb
          [ab.sorb] vt [MF absorber, fr. L absorbere, fr. ab- + sorbere
          to suck up; akin to Lith surbti to sip, Gk rophein to
          gulp down] (15c) 1: to take in and make part of an existent
          whole <the capacity of China to ~ invaders> 2 a: to suck
          up or take up <a sponge ~s water> <charcoal ~s gas> <plant
          roots ~ water> b: to take in: acquire, learn <convictions
          ~ed in youth --M. R. Cohen> c: use up, consume <the fever
          ~ed her strength> 3: to engage or engross wholly <~ed
          in thought> 4 a (1): to receive without recoil or echo
          <provided with a sound-absorbing surface> (2): endure,
          sustain <~ing hardships> (3): assume, bear <the expenses
          were ~ed by the company> b: to transform (radiant energy)
          into a different form usu. with a resulting rise in temperature
          <the earth ~s the sun's rays> -- ab.sorb.abil.i.ty n
          -- ab.sorb.able adj -- ab.sorb.er n

   absorbance
          [ab.sor.bance] n (1947): the ability of a layer of a substance
          to absorb radiation expressed mathematically as the negative
          common logarithm of transmittance

   absorbency
          [ab.sor.ben.cy] n, pl -cies (1859) 1: the quality or state
          of being absorbent 2 or ab.sor.ban.cy : absorbance

   absorbent
          [ab.sor.bent] also ab.sor.bant adj [L absorbent-, absorbens,
          prp. of absorbere] (1718): able to absorb <as ~ as a
          sponge> -- absorbent also absorbant n

   absorbing
          [ab.sorb.ing] adj (1876): fully taking one's attention: engrossing
          <an ~ novel> -- ab.sorb.ing.ly adv

   absorptance
          [ab.sorp.tance] n [absorption + -ance] (ca. 1931): the ratio
          of the radiant energy absorbed by a body to that incident
          upon it

   absorption
          [ab.sorp.tion] n [F & L; F, fr. L absorption-, absorptio,
          fr. absorbere] (1741) 1 a: the process of absorbing or
          of being absorbed--compare adsorption b: interception
          of radiant energy or sound waves 2: entire occupation
          of the mind <~ in his work> -- ab.sorp.tive adj

   absorption band
          [absorption band] n (1867): a dark band in an absorption
          spectrum

   absorption line
          [absorption line] n (ca. 1889): a dark line in an absorption
          spectrum

   absorption spectrum
          [absorption spectrum] n (1879): an electromagnetic spectrum
          in which a decrease in intensity of radiation at specific
          wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths characteristic of
          an absorbing substance is manifested esp. as a pattern
          of dark lines or bands

   absorptivity
          [ab.sorp.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1859): the property of
          a body that determines the fraction of incident radiation
          absorbed by the body

   abstain
          [ab.stain] vi [ME absteinen, fr. MF abstenir, fr. L abstinere,
          fr. abs-, ab- + tenere to hold--more at thin] (14c):
          to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial
          from an action or practice -- ab.stain.er n

   abstemious
          [ab.ste.mi.ous] adj [L abstemius, fr. abs- + -temius; akin
          to L temetum intoxicating drink] (1609): marked by restraint
          esp. in the consumption of food or alcohol; also: reflecting
          such restraint <an ~ diet> -- ab.ste.mi.ous.ly adv --
          ab.ste.mious.ness n

   abstention
          [ab.sten.tion] n [LL abstention-, abstentio, fr. L abstinere]
          (1521): the act or practice of abstaining -- ab.sten.tious
          adj

   abstinence
          [ab.sti.nence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L abstinentia, fr. abstinent-,
          abstinens, prp. of abstinere] (14c) 1: voluntary forbearance
          esp. from indulgence of an appetite or craving or from
          eating some foods: abstention 2: habitual abstaining
          from intoxicating beverages -- ab.sti.nent adj -- ab.sti.nent.ly
          adv

   abstr
          [abstr] abbreviation abstract

   [1]abstract
          [ab.stract] adj [ML abstractus, fr. L, pp. of abstrahere
          to drag away, fr. abs-, ab- + trahere to pull, draw]
          (14c) 1 a: disassociated from any specific instance <~
          entity> b: difficult to understand: abstruse <~ problems>
          c: insufficiently factual: formal <possessed only an
          ~ right> 2: expressing a quality apart from an object
          <the word poem is concrete, poetry is ~> 3 a: dealing
          with a subject in its abstract aspects: theoretical <~
          science> b: impersonal, detached <the ~ compassion of
          a surgeon --Time> 4: having only intrinsic form with
          little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative
          content <~ painting> -- ab.stract.ly adv -- ab.stract.ness
          n [2]ab.stract n [ME, fr. L abstractus] (15c) 1: a summary
          of points (as of a writing) usu. presented in skeletal
          form; also: something that summarizes or concentrates
          the essentials of a larger thing or several things 2:
          an abstract thing or state 3: abstraction 4a [3]ab.stract
          vt (1542) 1: remove, separate 2: to consider apart from
          application to or association with a particular instance
          3: to make an abstract of: summarize 4: to draw away
          the attention of 5: steal, purloin ~ vi: to make an abstraction
          -- ab.stract.able adj -- ab.strac.tor or ab.stract.er
          n

   abstracted
          [ab.stract.ed] adj (1643) 1: preoccupied, absentminded <the
          ~ look of a professor> 2: abstract 4 <~ geometric shapes>
          -- ab.stract.ed.ly adv -- ab.stract.ed.ness n

   abstract expressionism
          [abstract expressionism] n (1951): an artistic movement of
          the mid-20th century comprising diverse styles and techniques
          and emphasizing esp. an artist's liberty to convey attitudes
          and emotions through nontraditional and usu. nonrepresentational
          means -- abstract expressionist n or adj

   abstraction
          [ab.strac.tion] n (1549) 1 a: the act or process of abstracting:
          the state of being abstracted b: an abstract idea or
          term 2: absence of mind or preoccupation 3: abstract
          quality or character 4 a: an abstract composition or
          creation in art b: abstractionism -- ab.strac.tion.al
          adj -- ab.strac.tive adj

   abstractionism
          [ab.strac.tion.ism] n (1926): the principles or practice
          of creating abstract art -- ab.strac.tion.ist  adj or
          n

   abstract of title
          [abstract of title] (1858): a summary statement of the successive
          conveyances and other facts on which a title to a piece
          of land rests

   abstruse
          [ab.struse] adj [L abstrusus, fr. pp. of abstrudere to conceal,
          fr. abs-, ab- + trudere to push--more at threat] (1599):
          difficult to comprehend: recondite <the ~ calculations
          of mathematicians> -- ab.struse.ly adv -- ab.struse.ness
          n

   abstrusity
          [ab.stru.si.ty] n, pl -ties (1646) 1: the quality or state
          of being abstruse: abstruseness 2: something that is
          abstruse

   [1]absurd
          [ab.surd] adj [MF absurde, fr. L absurdus, fr. ab- + surdus
          deaf, stupid] (1557) 1: ridiculously unreasonable, unsound,
          or incongruous 2: having no rational or orderly relationship
          to human life: meaningless; also: lacking order or value
          3: dealing with the absurd or with absurdism -- ab.surd.ly
          adv -- ab.surd.ness n [2]absurd n (1946): the state or
          condition in which human beings exist in an irrational
          and meaningless universe and in which human life has
          no ultimate meaning--usu. used with the

   absurdism
          [ab.surd.ism] n (1946): a philosophy based on the belief
          that the universe is irrational and meaningless and that
          the search for order brings the individual into conflict
          with the universe--compare existentialism -- ab.surd.ist
          n or adj

   absurdity
          [ab.sur.di.ty] n, pl -ties (1528) 1: the quality or state
          of being absurd: absurdness 2: something that is absurd

   abubble
          [abub.ble] adj (ca. 1869) 1: being in the process of bubbling
          2: being in a state of agitated activity or motion: astir

   abuilding
          [abuild.ing] adj (1535): being in the process of building
          or of being built

   abulia
          [abu.lia] n [NL, fr. [2]a- + Gk boule will] (ca. 1864): abnormal
          lack of ability to act or to make decisions -- abu.lic
          adj

   abundance
          [abun.dance] n (14c) 1: an ample quantity: profusion 2: affluence,
          wealth 3: relative degree of plentifulness <low ~s of uranium and
          thorium --H. C. Urey>

   abundant
          [abun.dant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L abundant-, abundans, prp.
          of abundare to abound] (14c) 1 a: marked by great plenty
          (as of resources) <a fair and ~ land> b: amply supplied:
          abounding <an area ~ with bird life> 2: occurring in
          abundance: ample <~ rainfall> syn see plentiful -- abun.dant.ly
          adv

   ab uno disce omnes
          [ab uno dis.ce om.nes] [L] foreign term : from one learn
          to know all

   ab urbe condita
          [ab ur.be con.di.ta] [L] foreign term : from the founding
          of the city (Rome, founded 753 b.c.)--used by the Romans
          in reckoning dates

   [1]abuse
          [abuse] n [ME, fr. MF abus, fr. L abusus, fr. abuti to consume,
          fr. ab- + uti to use] (15c) 1: a corrupt practice or
          custom 2: improper or excessive use or treatment: misuse
          <drug ~> 3 obs: a deceitful act: deception 4: language
          that condemns or vilifies usu. unjustly, intemperately,
          and angrily 5: physical maltreatment syn abuse, vituperation,
          invective, obloquy, billingsgate mean vehemently expressed
          condemnation or disapproval. abuse, the most general
          term, usu. implies the anger of the speaker and stresses
          the harshness of the language <scathing verbal abuse>.
          vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse <a torrent
          of vituperation>. invective implies a comparable vehemence
          but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and
          may apply to a public denunciation <blistering political
          invective>. obloquy suggests defamation and consequent
          shame and disgrace <subjected to obloquy and derision>.
          billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of
          profane or obscene abuse <directed a stream of billingsgate
          at the cabdriver>. [2]abuse vt abused ; abus.ing (15c)
          1: to put to a wrong or improper use <~ a privilege>
          2 obs: deceive 3: to use so as to injure or damage: maltreat
          4: to attack in words: revile -- abus.able adj -- abus.er
          n

   abusive
          [abu.sive] adj (1583) 1: characterized by wrong or improper
          use or action; esp: corrupt <~ financial practices> 2
          a: using harsh insulting language: characterized by or
          serving for abuse b: physically injurious <~ behavior>
          -- abu.sive.ly adv -- abu.sive.ness n

   abusus non tollit usum
          [ab.usus non tol.lit usum] [L] foreign term : abuse does
          not take away use, i.e., is not an argument against proper
          use

   abut
          [abut] vb abut.ted ; abut.ting [ME abutten, partly fr. OF
          aboter to border on, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + bout blow,
          end, fr. boter to strike; partly fr. OF abuter to come
          to an end, fr. a- + but end, aim--more at [1]butt, [4]butt]
          vi (15c) 1: to touch along a border or with a projecting
          part <land ~s on the road> 2 a: to terminate at a point
          of contact b: to lean for support ~ vt 1: to border on
          2: to cause to abut

   abutilon
          [abu.ti.lon] n [NL, genus name, fr. Ar awbutilun abutilon]
          (ca. 1578): any of a genus (Abutilon) of plants of the
          mallow family often having lobed leaves and solitary
          bell-shaped flowers

   abutment
          [abut.ment] n (1644) 1: the place at which abutting occurs
          2: the part of a structure (as an arch or a bridge) that
          directly receives thrust or pressure

   abuttals
          [abut.tals] n pl (1630): the boundaries of lands with respect
          to adjacent lands

   abutter
          [abut.ter] n (1673): one that abuts; specif: the owner of
          a contiguous property

   abutting
          [abut.ting] adj (1599): that abuts or serves as an abutment:
          adjoining, bordering

   abuzz
          [abuzz] adj (1859): filled or resounding with or as if with
          a buzzing sound <a lake ~ with outboards> <a town ~ with
          excitement>

   aby
          [aby] or abye vt [ME abien, fr. OE abycgan, fr. a- + bycgan
          to buy--more at abide, buy] (bef. 12c) archaic: to suffer
          a penalty for

   abysm
          [abysm] n [ME abime, fr. MF abisme, modif. of LL abyssus]
          (14c): abyss <the dark backward and ~ of time --Shak.>

   abysmal
          [abys.mal] adj (ca. 1656) 1 a: having immense or fathomless
          extension downward, backward, or inward <an ~ cliff>
          b: immeasurably great: profound <~ ignorance> c: immeasurably
          low or wretched <~ living conditions of the poor> 2:
          abyssal -- abys.mal.ly adv

   abyss
          [abyss] n [ME abissus, fr. LL abyssus, fr. Gk abyssos, fr.
          abyssos, adj., bottomless, fr. a- + byssos depth; perh.
          akin to Gk bathys deep] (14c) 1: the bottomless gulf,
          pit, or chaos of the old cosmogonies 2 a: an immeasurably
          deep gulf or great space b: intellectual or moral depths

   abyssal
          [abys.sal] adj (1691) 1: unfathomable a 2: of or relating
          to the bottom waters of the ocean depths

   abyssal plain
          [abyssal plain] n (1954): any of the great flat areas of
          ocean floor

   Abyssinian cat
          [Ab.ys.sin.i.an cat] n [Abyssinia, kingdom in Africa] (1876):
          any of a breed of small slender cats of African origin
          with short brownish hair ticked with bands of darker
          color

   ac...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   -ac
          [-ac] n suffix [NL -acus, fr. Gk -akos, var. of -ikos -ic
          after stems ending in -i-]: one affected with <hemophiliac>

   ac
          [ac] abbreviation account, acre  Ac abbreviation actinium,
          altocumulus  AC abbreviation air-conditioning, alternating
          current, [ML ante Christum] before Christ; [L ante cibum]
          before meals; area code, athletic club

   ac-
          [ac-] --see ad-

   AC/DC
          [AC/DC] adj [fr. the likening of a bisexual person to an
          electrical appliance which can operate on either alternating
          or direct current] (ca. 1960): bisexual 1b

   acacia
          [aca.cia] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, acacia tree, fr. Gk akakia]
          (14c) 1: gum arabic 2: any of a large genus (Acacia)
          of leguminous shrubs and trees of warm regions with leaves
          pinnate or reduced to phyllodes and white or yellow flower
          clusters

   acad
          [acad] abbreviation academic, academy

   academe
          [ac.a.deme] n [L Academus (in the phrase inter silvas Academi
          among the groves of Academus), fr. Gk Akademos--more
          at academy] (1588) 1 a: a place of instruction: school
          b: the academic life, community, or world <in the halls
          of ~> 2: academic; esp: pedant

   academia
          [ac.a.de.mia] n [NL, fr. L, academy] (1946): academe 1b

   [1]academic
          [ac.a.dem.ic] n (1587) 1: a member of an institution of learning
          2: one who is academic in background, outlook, or methods
          3 pl: academic subjects [2]academic also ac.a.dem.i.cal
          adj (1588) 1 a: of, relating to, or associated with an
          academy or school esp. of higher learning b: of or relating
          to performance in academic courses <~ excellence> c:
          very learned but inexperienced in practical matters <~
          thinkers> d: based on formal study esp. at an institution
          of higher learning 2: of or relating to literary or artistic
          rather than technical or professional studies 3 a: theoretical,
          speculative <an ~ question> b: having no practical or
          useful significance 4: conforming to the traditions or
          rules of a school (as of literature or art) or an official
          academy: conventional -- ac.a.dem.i.cal.ly adv

   academic freedom
          [academic freedom] n (1901): freedom to teach or to learn
          without interference (as by government officials)

   academician
          [ac.a.de.mi.cian] n (1748) 1 a: a member of an academy for
          promoting science, art, or literature b: a follower of
          an artistic or philosophical tradition or a promoter
          of its ideas 2: academic

   academicism
          [ac.a.dem.i.cism] also acad.e.mism n (1610) 1: the doctrines
          of Plato's Academy; specif: the skeptical doctrines of
          the later Academy holding that nothing can be known--compare
          pyrrhonism 2: a formal academic quality (as in art or
          music) 3: purely speculative thoughts and attitudes

   academic year
          [academic year] n (ca. 1934): the annual period of sessions
          of an educational institution usu. beginning in September
          and ending in June

   academy
          [acad.e.my] n, pl -mies [L academia, fr. Gk Akademeia, fr.
          Akademeia, gymnasium where Plato taught, fr. Akademos
          Attic mythological hero] (1549) 1 a: a school usu. above
          the elementary level; esp: a private high school b: a
          high school or college in which special subjects or skills
          are taught c: higher education--used with the <the functions
          of the ~ in modern society> 2 cap a: the school for advanced
          education founded by Plato b: the philosophical doctrines
          associated with Plato's Academy 3: a society of learned
          persons organized to advance art, science, or literature
          4: a body of established opinion widely accepted as authoritative
          in a particular field

   Acadian
          [Aca.di.an] n (1705) 1: a native or inhabitant of Acadia
          2: a descendant of the French-speaking inhabitants of
          Acadia expelled after the French loss of the colony in
          1755; esp: cajun -- Acadian adj

   acanthocephalan
          [acan.tho.ceph.a.lan] n [ultim. fr. Gk akantha thorn, spine
          + kephale head--more at cephalic] (ca. 1909): spiny-headed
          worm -- acanthocephalan adj

   acanthus
          [acan.thus] n, pl acanthus [NL, genus name, fr. Gk akanthos,
          an acanthus, fr. akantha thorn] (1616) 1: any of a genus
          (Acanthus of the family Acanthaceae, the acanthus family)
          of prickly herbs of the Mediterranean region 2: an ornamentation
          (as in a Corinthian capital) representing or suggesting
          the leaves of the acanthus

   acariasis
          [ac.a.ri.a.sis] n (1828): infestation with or disease caused
          by mites

   acaricide
          [acar.i.cide] n [acarus + -i- + -cide] (ca. 1879): a pesticide
          that kills mites and ticks -- acar.i.cid.al adj

   acarid
          [ac.a.rid] n (1881): any of an order (Acarina) of arachnids
          including the mites and ticks; esp: a typical mite (family
          Acaridae) -- acarid adj

   acarus
          [ac.a.rus] n, pl -ri [NL, genus name, fr. Gk akari, a mite]
          (1658): mite; esp: one of a formerly extensive genus
          (Acarus)

   acatalectic
          [acat.a.lec.tic] adj [LL acatalecticus, fr. acatalectus,
          fr. Gk akatalektos, fr. a- + katalegein to leave off--more
          at catalectic] (1589): not catalectic <~ verse> -- acatalectic
          n

   acaulescent
          [acau.les.cent] adj [a- + L caulis stem--more at hole] (1854):
          having no stem or appearing to have none

   acc
          [acc] abbreviation accusative

   accede
          [ac.cede] vi ac.ced.ed ; ac.ced.ing [ME, fr. L accedere to
          go to, be added, fr. ad- + cedere to go] (15c) 1 a: to
          become a party (as to an agreement) b: to express approval
          or give consent: give in to a request or demand 2 archaic:
          approach 3: to enter upon an office or position syn see
          assent

   accel
          [accel] abbreviation accelerando

   [1]accelerando
          [ac.ce.le.ran.do] adv or adj [It, lit., accelerating, fr.
          L accelerandum, gerund of accelerare] (ca. 1842): gradually
          faster--used as a direction in music [2]accelerando n,
          pl -dos (1889): a gradual increase in tempo

   accelerant
          [ac.cel.er.ant] n (1916): a substance used to accelerate
          a process (as the spreading of a fire)

   accelerate
          [ac.cel.er.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L acceleratus, pp. of
          accelerare, fr. ad- + celer swift--more at hold] vt (ca.
          1530) 1: to bring about at an earlier time 2: to cause
          to move faster; also: to cause to undergo acceleration
          3 a: to hasten the progress or development of b: increase
          <~ food production> 4 a: to enable (a student) to complete
          a course in less than usual time b: to speed up (as a
          course of study) ~ vi 1 a: to move faster: gain speed
          b: grow, increase <inflation was accelerating> 2: to
          follow an accelerated educational program -- ac.cel.er.at.ing.ly
          adv

   acceleration
          [ac.cel.er.a.tion] n (1531) 1: the act or process of accelerating:
          the state of being accelerated 2: the rate of change of velocity
          with respect to time; broadly: change of velocity

   acceleration of gravity
          [acceleration of gravity] (ca. 1889): the acceleration of
          a freely falling body under the influence of earth's
          gravity expressed as the rate of increase of velocity
          per unit of time with the value at sea level in latitude
          45 degrees being 980.616 centimeters per second per second

   acceleration principle
          [acceleration principle] n (ca. 1941): a theory in economics:
          an increase or decrease in income induces a corresponding
          but magnified change in investment

   accelerative
          [ac.cel.er.a.tive] adj (1751): of, relating to, or tending
          to cause acceleration: accelerating

   accelerator
          [ac.cel.er.a.tor] n (1611): one that accelerates: as a: a
          muscle or nerve that speeds the performance of an action
          b: a device (as a pedal) for controlling the speed of
          a motor vehicle engine c: a substance that speeds a chemical
          reaction d: an apparatus for imparting high velocities
          to charged particles (as electrons)

   accelerometer
          [ac.cel.er.om.e.ter] n [ISV acceleration + -o- + -meter]
          (ca. 1890): an instrument for measuring acceleration
          or for detecting and measuring vibrations

   [1]accent
          [ac.cent] vt [MF accenter, fr. accent intonation, fr. L accentus,
          fr. ad- + cantus song--more at chant] (1530) 1 a: to
          pronounce with accent: stress b: to mark with a written
          or printed accent 2: to give prominence to: make more
          prominent [2]ac.cent n (1538) 1: a distinctive manner
          of expression: as a: an individual's distinctive or characteristic
          inflection, tone, or choice of words--usu. used in pl. b: a way
          of speaking typical of a particular group of people and esp. of the
          natives or residents of a region 2: an articulative effort giving
          prominence to one syllable over adjacent syllables; also: the
          prominence thus given a syllable 3: rhythmically significant stress
          on the syllables of a verse usu. at regular intervals 4 archaic:
          utterance 5 a: a mark (as an acute mark, grave, or circumflex) used
          in writing or printing to indicate a specific sound value, stress,
          or pitch, to distinguish words otherwise identically spelled,
          or to indicate that an ordinarily mute vowel should be pronounced
          b: an accented letter 6 a: greater stress given to one musical tone
          than to its neighbors b: accent mark 2 7 a: emphasis laid on a part
          of an artistic design or composition b: an emphasized detail
          or area; esp: a small detail in sharp contrast with its
          surroundings c: a substance or object used for emphasis 8: a mark
          placed to the right of a letter or number and usu. slightly above
          it: as a: a double prime b: prime 9: special concern or attention:
          emphasis <an ~ on youth> -- ac.cent.less adj

   accent mark
          [accent mark] n (ca. 1889) 1: accent 5a, 8 2 a: a symbol
          used to indicate musical stress b: a mark placed after
          a letter designating a note of music to indicate in which
          octave the note occurs

   accentual
          [ac.cen.tu.al] adj [L accentus] (1610): of, relating to,
          or characterized by accent; specif: based on accent rather
          than on quantity or syllabic recurrence <~ poetry> --
          ac.cen.tu.al.ly adv

   accentuate
          [ac.cen.tu.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML accentuatus, pp.
          of accentuare, fr. L accentus] (ca. 1731): accent, emphasize;
          also: intensify <~s the feeling of despair> -- ac.cen.tu.a.tion
          n

   accept
          [ac.cept] vb [ME, fr. MF accepter, fr. L acceptare, freq.
          of accipere to receive, fr. ad- + capere to take--more
          at heave] vt (14c) 1 a: to receive willingly <~ a gift>
          b: to be able or designed to take or hold (something
          applied or added) <a surface that will not ~ ink> 2:
          to give admittance or approval to <~ her as one of the
          group> 3 a: to endure without protest or reaction <~
          poor living conditions> b: to regard as proper, normal,
          or inevitable <the idea is widely ~ed> c: to recognize
          as true: believe <refused to ~ the explanation> 4 a:
          to make a favorable response to <~ an offer> b: to agree
          to undertake (a responsibility) <~ a job> 5: to assume
          an obligation to pay; also: to take in payment <we don't
          ~ personal checks> 6: to receive (a legislative report)
          officially ~ vi: to receive favorably something offered--usu.
          used with of -- ac.cept.ing.ly adv -- ac.cept.ing.ness
          n

   acceptable
          [ac.cept.able] adj (14c) 1: capable or worthy of being accepted
          <no compromise would be ~> 2 a: welcome, pleasing <compliments
          are always ~> b: barely satisfactory or adequate <performances
          varied from excellent to ~> -- ac.cept.abil.i.ty n --
          ac.cept.able.ness n -- ac.cept.ably adv

   acceptance
          [ac.cep.tance] n (1574) 1: an agreeing either expressly or
          by conduct to the act or offer of another so that a contract
          is concluded and the parties become legally bound 2:
          the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable
          3: the act of accepting: the fact of being accepted:
          approval 4 a: the act of accepting a time draft or bill
          of exchange for payment when due according to the specified
          terms b: an accepted draft or bill of exchange 5: acceptation
          2

   acceptant
          [ac.cep.tant] adj (1851): willing to accept: receptive

   acceptation
          [ac.cep.ta.tion] n (15c) 1: acceptance; esp: favorable reception
          or approval 2: a generally accepted meaning of a word
          or understanding of a concept

   accepted
          [ac.cept.ed] adj (15c): generally approved or used -- ac.cept.ed.ly
          adv

   accepter
          [ac.cept.er] n (1585) 1: one that accepts 2: acceptor 2

   acceptive
          [ac.cep.tive] adj (1596) 1: acceptable 2: receptive

   acceptor
          [ac.cep.tor] n (14c) 1: accepter 1 2: one that accepts an
          order or a bill of exchange 3: an atom, molecule, or
          subatomic particle capable of receiving another entity
          (as an electron) esp. to form a compound--compare donor
          3a

   [1]access
          [ac.cess] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF acces arrival, fr. L accessus
          approach, fr. accedere to approach--more at accede] (14c)
          1 a: onset 2 b: a fit of intense feeling: outburst 2
          a: permission, liberty, or ability to enter, approach,
          communicate with, or pass to and from b: freedom or ability
          to obtain or make use of c: a way or means of access
          d: the act or an instance of accessing 3: an increase
          by addition <a sudden ~ of wealth> [2]access vt (1962):
          to get at: gain access to <~ed the computer by phone>

   accessible
          [ac.ces.si.ble] adj (15c) 1: providing access 2 a: capable
          of being reached <~ by rail>; also: being within reach
          <fashions at ~ prices> b: easy to speak or deal with
          <~ people> 3: capable of being influenced: open 4: capable
          of being used or seen: available 5: capable of being
          understood or appreciated <the author's most ~ stories>
          <an ~ film> -- ac.ces.si.bil.i.ty n -- ac.ces.si.ble.ness
          n -- ac.ces.si.bly adv

   [1]accession
          [ac.ces.sion] n (1588) 1 a: increase by something added b:
          acquisition of additional property (as by growth or increase
          of existing property) 2: something added: acquisition
          3: the act of assenting or agreeing 4 a: the act of becoming
          joined: adherence b: the act by which one nation becomes
          party to an agreement already in force between other
          powers 5 a: an act of coming near or to: approach, admittance
          b: the act of coming to high office or a position of
          honor or power 6: a sudden fit or outburst: access --
          ac.ces.sion.al adj [2]accession vt (1892): to record
          in order of acquisition

   accessorial
          [ac.ces.so.ri.al] adj (1726) 1: of or relating to an accessory
          <~ liability> 2: of, relating to, or constituting an
          accession: supplementary <~ services>

   accessorise
          [ac.ces.so.rise] Brit var of accessorize

   accessorize
          [ac.ces.so.rize] vb -rized ; -riz.ing vt (1939): to furnish
          with accessories ~ vi: to wear clothing accessories

   [1]accessory
          [ac.ces.so.ry] also ac.ces.sa.ry n, pl -ries (15c) 1 a: a
          person not actually or constructively present but contributing
          as an assistant or instigator to the commission of an
          offense--called also accessory before the fact b: a person
          who knowing that a crime has been committed aids or shelters
          the offender with intent to defeat justice--called also
          accessory after the fact 2 a: a thing of secondary or
          subordinate importance: adjunct b: an object or device
          not essential in itself but adding to the beauty, convenience,
          or effectiveness of something else <auto accessories>
          <clothing accessories> [2]accessory adj (1607) 1: assisting
          as a subordinate; esp: contributing to a crime but not
          as the chief agent 2: aiding or contributing in a secondary
          way: supplementary 3: present in a minor amount and not
          essential as a constituent <an ~ mineral in a rock>

   accessory fruit
          [accessory fruit] n (ca. 1900): a fruit (as the apple) of
          which a conspicuous part consists of tissue other than
          that of the ripened ovary

   accessory nerve
          [accessory nerve] n (ca. 1842): either of a pair of motor
          nerves that are the 11th cranial nerves of higher vertebrates,
          arise from the medulla and the upper part of the spinal
          cord, and supply chiefly the pharynx and muscles of the
          upper chest, back, and shoulders

   access time
          [access time] n (1950): the time lag between the time stored
          information (as in a computer) is requested and the time
          it is delivered

   acciaccatura
          [ac.ciac.ca.tu.ra] n [It, lit., crushing] (ca. 1819): a discordant
          note sounded with a principal note or chord and immediately
          released

   accidence
          [ac.ci.dence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L accidentia inflections
          of words, nonessential qualities, pl. of accident-, accidens,
          n.] (15c): a part of grammar that deals with inflections

   accident
          [ac.ci.dent] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L accident-, accidens nonessential
          quality, chance, fr. prp. of accidere to happen, fr. ad- + cadere
          to fall--more at chance] (14c) 1 a: an unforeseen and unplanned
          event or circumstance b: lack of intention or necessity: chance
          <met by ~ rather than by design> 2 a: an unfortunate event
          resulting esp. from carelessness or ignorance b: an unexpected and
          medically important bodily event esp. when injurious
          <a cerebrovascular ~> c: an unexpected happening causing loss
          or injury which is not due to any fault or misconduct on the part
          of the person injured but for which legal relief may be sought
          3: a nonessential property or quality of an entity or circumstance
          <the ~ of nationality>

   [1]accidental
          [ac.ci.den.tal] adj (14c) 1: arising from extrinsic causes:
          incidental, nonessential 2 a: occurring unexpectedly
          or by chance b: happening without intent or through carelessness
          and often with unfortunate results -- ac.ci.den.tal.ly
          also ac.ci.dent.ly adv -- ac.ci.den.tal.ness n syn accidental,
          fortuitous, casual, contingent mean not amenable to planning
          or prediction. accidental stresses chance <any resemblance
          to actual persons is entirely accidental>. fortuitous
          so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire
          absence of cause <a series of fortuitous events>. casual
          stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent
          <a casual encounter with a stranger>. contingent suggests
          possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and
          dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence
          <the contingent effects of the proposed law>. [2]accidental
          n (1651) 1: a nonessential property 2 a: a note foreign
          to a key indicated by a signature b: a prefixed sign
          indicating an accidental

   accident insurance
          [accident insurance] n (1866): insurance against loss through
          accidental bodily injury to the insured

   accident-prone
          [accident-prone] adj (1926) 1: having a greater than average
          number of accidents 2: having personality traits that
          predispose to accidents

   accidie
          [ac.cid.ie] n (13c): acedia

   accipiter
          [ac.cip.i.ter] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, hawk] (ca. 1828):
          any of a genus (Accipiter) of medium-sized forest-inhabiting
          hawks that have short broad wings and a long tail and
          a characteristic flight pattern of several quick flaps
          and a glide -- ac.cip.i.trine adj or n

   [1]acclaim
          [ac.claim] vb [L acclamare, lit., to shout at, fr. ad- +
          clamare to shout--more at claim] vt (1633) 1: applaud,
          praise 2: to declare by acclamation ~ vi: to shout praise
          or applause -- ac.claim.er n [2]acclaim n (1667) 1: the
          act of acclaiming 2: praise, applause

   acclamation
          [ac.cla.ma.tion] n [L acclamation-, acclamatio, fr. acclamare]
          (1585) 1: a loud eager expression of approval, praise,
          or assent 2: an overwhelming affirmative vote by cheers,
          shouts, or applause rather than by ballot

   acclimate
          [ac.cli.mate] vb -mat.ed ; -mat.ing [F acclimater, fr. a-
          (fr. L ad-) + climat climate] (1792): acclimatize

   acclimation
          [ac.cli.ma.tion] n (1826): acclimatization; esp: physiological
          adjustment by an organism to environmental change

   acclimatise
          [ac.cli.ma.tise] Brit var of acclimatize

   acclimatization
          [ac.cli.ma.ti.za.tion] n (1830): the process or result of
          acclimatizing

   acclimatize
          [ac.cli.ma.tize] vb -tized ; -tiz.ing vt (1836): to adapt
          to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment,
          or situation ~ vi: to become acclimatized -- ac.cli.ma.tiz.er
          n

   acclivity
          [ac.cliv.i.ty] n, pl -ties [L acclivitas, fr. acclivis ascending,
          fr. ad- + clivus slope--more at declivity] (1614): an
          ascending slope (as of a hill)

   accolade
          [ac.co.lade] n [F, fr. accoler to embrace, fr. (assumed)
          VL accollare, fr. L ad- + collum neck--more at collar]
          (1623) 1 a: a ceremonial embrace b: a ceremony or salute
          conferring knighthood 2 a: a mark of acknowledgment:
          award b: an expression of praise 3: a brace or a line
          used in music to join two or more staffs carrying simultaneous
          parts

   accommodate
          [ac.com.mo.date] vb -dat.ed ; -dat.ing [L accommodatus, pp.
          of accommodare, fr. ad- + commodare to make fit, fr.
          commodus suitable--more at commode] vt (1550) 1: to make
          fit, suitable, or congruous 2: to bring into agreement
          or concord: reconcile 3: to provide with something desired,
          needed, or suited (as a helpful service, a loan, or lodgings)
          4 a: to make room for b: to hold without crowding or
          inconvenience 5: to give consideration to: allow for
          <~ the special interests of various groups> ~ vi: to
          adapt oneself; also: to undergo visual accommodation
          syn see adapt, contain -- ac.com.mo.da.tive adj --
          ac.com.mo.da.tive.ness n

   accommodating
          [ac.com.mo.dat.ing] adj (1775): helpful, obliging --
          ac.com.mo.dat.ing.ly adv

   accommodation
          [ac.com.mo.da.tion] n (1603) 1: something supplied for convenience
          or to satisfy a need: as a: lodging, food, and services
          or traveling space and related services--usu. used in pl. <tourist
          ~s on the boat> <overnight ~s> b: a public conveyance (as a train)
          that stops at all or nearly all points c: loan 2: the act
          of accommodating: the state of being accommodated: as a: the
          providing of what is needed or desired for convenience
          b: adaptation, adjustment c: a reconciliation of differences:
          settlement d: the automatic adjustment of the eye for seeing
          at different distances effected chiefly by changes in the convexity
          of the crystalline lens; also: the range over which such adjustment
          is possible -- ac.com.mo.da.tion.al adj

   [1]accommodationist
          [ac.com.mo.da.tion.ist] n (1964): a black who adapts to the
          ideals or attitudes of whites <making Uncle Toms, compromisers,
          and ~s ... thoroughly ashamed --Ossie Davis> [2]accommodationist
          adj (1964): favoring or practicing accommodation or compromise

   accommodation ladder
          [accommodation ladder] n (1769): a light ladder or stairway
          hung over the side of a ship for ascending from or descending
          to small boats

   accommodator
          [ac.com.mo.da.tor] n (ca. 1630): one that accommodates; esp:
          a part-time or special-occasion domestic worker

   accompaniment
          [ac.com.pa.ni.ment] n (ca. 1744) 1: an instrumental or vocal
          part designed to support or complement a melody 2 a:
          an addition (as an ornament) intended to give completeness
          or symmetry: complement b: an accompanying situation
          or occurrence: concomitant

   accompanist
          [ac.com.pa.nist] n (ca. 1828): one (as a pianist) who plays
          an accompaniment

   accompany
          [ac.com.pa.ny] vb -nied ; -ny.ing [ME accompanien, fr. MF
          acompaignier, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + compaing companion--more
          at companion] vt (15c) 1: to go with as an associate
          or companion 2: to perform an accompaniment to or for
          3 a: to cause to be in association <accompanied their
          advice with a warning> b: to be in association with <the
          pictures that ~ the text> ~ vi: to perform an accompaniment

   accomplice
          [ac.com.plice] n [alter. (fr. incorrect division of a complice)
          of complice] (1589): one associated with another esp.
          in wrongdoing

   accomplish
          [ac.com.plish] vt [ME accomplisshen, fr. MF acompliss-, stem
          of acomplir, fr. (assumed) VL accomplere, fr. L ad- +
          complere to fill up--more at complete] (14c) 1: to bring
          about (a result) by effort <have much to ~ today> <regretted
          that he had never ~ed a marriage for her --Francis Hackett>
          2: to bring to completion: fulfill <we can ~ the job
          in an hour> 3: to succeed in reaching (a stage in a progression)
          <would starve before ~ing half the distance --W. H. Hudson
          d. 1922> 4 archaic a: to equip thoroughly b: perfect
          syn see perform -- ac.com.plish.able adj -- ac.com.plish.er
          n

   accomplished
          [ac.com.plished] adj (15c) 1 a: proficient as the result
          of practice or training <an ~ dancer> b: having many
          social accomplishments 2: established beyond doubt or
          dispute <an ~ fact>

   accomplishment
          [ac.com.plish.ment] n (15c) 1: the act of accomplishing:
          completion 2: something that has been accomplished: achievement
          3 a: a quality or ability equipping one for society b:
          a special skill or ability acquired by training or practice

   [1]accord
          [ac.cord] vb [ME, fr. OF acorder, fr. (assumed) VL accordare,
          fr. L ad- + cord-, cor heart--more at heart] vt (12c)
          1: to bring into agreement: reconcile 2: to grant or
          give esp. as appropriate, due, or earned ~ vi 1 archaic:
          to arrive at an agreement 2 obs: to give consent 3: to
          be consistent or in harmony: agree syn see grant [2]accord
          n [ME, fr. OF acort, fr. acorder] (14c) 1 a: agreement,
          conformity <acted in ~ with the company's policy> b:
          a formal reaching of agreement: compact, treaty 2: balanced
          interrelationship: harmony 3 obs: assent 4: voluntary
          or spontaneous impulse to act <gave generously of their
          own ~>

   accordance
          [ac.cor.dance] n (14c) 1: agreement, conformity <in ~ with
          a rule> 2: the act of granting

   accordant
          [ac.cor.dant] adj (14c) 1: consonant, agreeing 2: harmonious,
          correspondent -- ac.cor.dant.ly adv

   according as
          [according as] conj (1500) 1: in accord with the way in which
          2 a: depending on how b: depending on whether: if

   accordingly
          [ac.cord.ing.ly] adv (14c) 1: in accordance: correspondingly
          2: consequently, so

   according to
          [according to] prep (14c) 1: in conformity with 2: as stated
          or attested by 3: depending on

   [1]accordion
          [ac.cor.di.on] n [G Akkordion, fr. Akkord chord, fr. F accord,
          fr. OF acort] (1831): a portable keyboard wind instrument
          in which the wind is forced past free reeds by means
          of a hand-operated bellows -- ac.cor.di.on.ist n [2]accordion
          adj (1885): folding or creased or hinged to fold like
          an accordion <an ~ pleat> <an ~ door>

   accost
          [ac.cost] vt [MF accoster, ultim. fr. L ad- + costa rib,
          side--more at coast] (1612): to approach and speak to
          often in a challenging or aggressive way

   accouchement
          [ac.couche.ment] n [F] (1803): the time or act of giving
          birth

   accoucheur
          [ac.cou.cheur] n [F] (1759): one that assists at a birth;
          esp: obstetrician

   [1]account
          [ac.count] n (14c) 1 archaic: reckoning, computation 2 a:
          a record of debit and credit entries to cover transactions
          involving a particular item or a particular person or
          concern b: a statement of transactions during a fiscal
          period and the resulting balance 3 a: a statement explaining
          one's conduct b: a statement or exposition of reasons,
          causes, or motives <no satisfactory ~ of these phenomena>
          c: a reason for an action: basis <on that ~ I must refuse>
          4 a: a formal business arrangement providing for regular
          dealings or services (as banking, advertising, or store
          credit) and involving the establishment and maintenance
          of an account; also: client, customer b: money deposited
          in a bank account and subject to withdrawal by the depositor
          5 a: value, importance <it's of no ~ to me> b: esteem
          <stood high in their ~> 6: advantage <turned her wit
          to good ~> 7 a: careful thought: consideration <have
          to take many things into ~> b: a usu. mental record:
          track <keep ~ of all you do> 8: a description of facts,
          conditions, or events: report, narrative <the newspaper
          ~ of the fire> <by all ~s they're well-off>; also: performance
          <a straightforward ~ of the sonata> -- on account : with
          the price charged to one's account -- on account of :
          for the sake of: by reason of -- on no account : under
          no circumstances -- on one's own account 1: on one's
          own behalf 2: at one's own risk 3: by oneself: on one's
          own [2]account vb [ME, fr. MF acompter, fr. a- (fr. L
          ad-) + compter to count] vt (14c) 1: to think of as:
          consider <~s himself lucky> 2: to probe into: analyze
          ~ vi 1: to furnish a justifying analysis or explanation--used
          with for <couldn't ~ for the loss> 2 a: to be the sole
          or primary factor--used with for <the pitcher ~ed for
          all three putouts> b: to bring about the capture, death,
          or destruction of something <~ed for two rabbits>

   accountability
          [ac.count.abil.i.ty] n (1794): the quality or state of being
          accountable; esp: an obligation or willingness to accept
          responsibility or to account for one's actions <public
          officials lacking ~>

   accountable
          [ac.count.able] adj (14c) 1: subject to giving an account:
          answerable 2: capable of being accounted for: explainable
          syn see responsible -- ac.count.able.ness n -- ac.count.ably
          adv

   accountancy
          [ac.coun.tan.cy] n (1854): the profession or practice of
          accounting

   [1]accountant
          [ac.coun.tant] n (15c) 1: one that gives an account or is
          accountable 2: one who is skilled in the practice of
          accounting or who is in charge of public or private accounts
          -- ac.coun.tant.ship n [2]accountant adj (15c) obs: accountable,
          answerable <I stand ~ for as great a sin --Shak.>

   account executive
          [account executive] n (1931): a business executive (as in
          an advertising agency) responsible for dealing with a
          client's account

   accounting
          [ac.count.ing] n (ca. 1716) 1: the system of recording and
          summarizing business and financial transactions and analyzing,
          verifying, and reporting the results; also: the principles
          and procedures of accounting 2 a: work done in accounting
          or by accountants b: an instance of applied accounting
          or of the settling or presenting of accounts

   account payable
          [account payable] n, pl accounts payable (ca. 1936): the
          balance due to a creditor on a current account

   account receivable
          [account receivable] n, pl accounts receivable (1936): a
          balance due from a debtor on a current account

   accoutre
          [ac.cou.tre] or ac.cou.ter vt -cou.tred or -cou.tered ; -cou.tring
          or -cou.ter.ing [F accoutrer, fr. MF acoustrer, fr. a- + costure
          seam, fr. (assumed) VL consutura--more at couture] (1596):
          to provide with equipment or furnishings: outfit syn see furnish

   accoutrement
          [ac.cou.tre.ment] or ac.cou.ter.ment n (1549) 1 a: equipment,
          trappings; specif: a soldier's outfit usu. not including
          clothes and weapons--usu. used in pl. b: an accessory
          item of clothing or equipment--usu. used in pl. 2 archaic:
          the act of accoutring 3: an identifying and often superficial
          characteristic or device--usu. used in pl. <~s of power
          that define our diplomacy --Elizabeth Drew>

   accredit
          [ac.cred.it] vt [L accreditus, pp. of accredere to give credence
          to, fr. ad- + credere to believe--more at creed] (1535)
          1: to give official authorization to or approval of:
          a: to provide with credentials; esp: to send (an envoy)
          with letters of authorization b: to recognize or vouch
          for as conforming with a standard c: to recognize (an
          educational institution) as maintaining standards that
          qualify the graduates for admission to higher or more
          specialized institutions or for professional practice
          2: to consider or recognize as outstanding 3: attribute,
          credit syn see approve -- ac.cred.i.table adj -- ac.cred.i.ta.tion
          n

   accrete
          [ac.crete] vb ac.cret.ed ; ac.cret.ing [back-formation fr.
          accretion] vi (1784): to grow or become attached by accretion
          ~ vt: to cause to adhere or become attached; also: accumulate

   accretion
          [ac.cre.tion] n [L accretion-, accretio, fr. accrescere--more
          at accrue] (1615) 1: the process of growth or enlargement
          by a gradual buildup: as a: increase by external addition
          or accumulation (as by adhesion of external parts or
          particles) b: the increase of land by the action of natural
          forces 2: a product of accretion; esp: an extraneous
          addition <~s of grime> -- ac.cre.tion.ary adj -- ac.cre.tive
          adj

   [1]accrual
          [ac.cru.al] n (1880) 1: the action or process of accruing
          2: something that accrues or has accrued [2]accrual adj
          (1917): being a method of accounting that recognizes
          income when earned and expenses when incurred regardless
          of when cash is received or disbursed

   accrue
          [ac.crue] vb ac.crued ; ac.cru.ing [ME acreuen, prob. fr.
          MF acreue increase, fr. acreistre to increase, fr. L
          accrescere, fr. ad- + crescere to grow--more at crescent]
          vi (15c) 1: to come into existence as a legally enforceable
          claim 2 a: to come about as a natural growth, increase,
          or advantage <the wisdom that ~s with age> b: to come
          as a direct result of some state or action <rewards due
          to the feminine will ~ to me --Germaine Greer> 3: to
          accumulate or be added periodically <interest ~s on a
          daily basis> ~ vt: to accumulate or have due after a
          period of time <~ vacation time> -- ac.cru.able adj --
          ac.crue.ment n

   acct
          [acct] abbreviation account, accountant

   acculturate
          [ac.cul.tur.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [back-formation fr.
          acculturation] (1930): to change through acculturation

   acculturation
          [ac.cul.tur.a.tion] n (1880) 1: cultural modification of
          an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing
          traits from another culture; also: a merging of cultures
          as a result of prolonged contact 2: the process by which
          a human being acquires the culture of a particular society
          from infancy -- ac.cul.tur.a.tion.al adj -- ac.cul.tur.a.tive
          adj

   accumulate
          [ac.cu.mu.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L accumulatus, pp.
          of accumulare, fr. ad- + cumulare to heap up--more at
          cumulate] vt (15c): to gather or pile up esp. little
          by little: amass <~ a fortune> ~ vi: to increase gradually
          in quantity or number

   accumulation
          [ac.cu.mu.la.tion] n (15c) 1: something that has accumulated
          or has been accumulated 2: the action or process of accumulating:
          the state of being or having accumulated 3: increase
          or growth by addition esp. when continuous or repeated
          <~ of interest>

   accumulative
          [ac.cu.mu.la.tive] adj (ca. 1651) 1: cumulative <an age of
          rapid and ~ change> 2: tending or given to accumulation
          -- ac.cu.mu.la.tive.ly adv -- ac.cu.mu.la.tive.ness n

   accumulator
          [ac.cu.mu.la.tor] n (1748): one that accumulates: as a: a
          device (as in a hydraulic system) in which a fluid is
          collected and esp. in which it is kept under pressure
          as a means of storing energy b Brit: storage battery
          c: a part (as in a computer) where numbers are totaled
          or stored

   accuracy
          [ac.cu.ra.cy] n, pl -cies (1662) 1: freedom from mistake
          or error: correctness 2 a: conformity to truth or to
          a standard or model: exactness b: degree of conformity
          of a measure to a standard or a true value--compare precision
          2a

   accurate
          [ac.cu.rate] adj [L accuratus, fr. pp. of accurare to take
          care of, fr. ad- + cura care] (1596) 1: free from error
          esp. as the result of care <an ~ diagnosis> 2: conforming
          exactly to truth or to a standard: exact <providing ~
          color> 3: able to give an accurate result <an ~ gauge>
          syn see correct -- ac.cu.rate.ly adv -- ac.cu.rate.ness
          n

   accursed
          [ac.cursed] or ac.curst adj [ME acursed, fr. pp. of acursen
          to consign to destruction with a curse, fr. a- (fr. OE
          a, perfective prefix) + cursen to curse--more at abide]
          (13c) 1: being under or as if under a curse 2: damnable
          -- ac.curs.ed.ly adv -- ac.curs.ed.ness n

   accus
          [accus] abbreviation accusative

   accusal
          [ac.cus.al] n (1594): accusation

   accusation
          [ac.cu.sa.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of accusing: the state
          or fact of being accused 2: a charge of wrongdoing

   [1]accusative
          [ac.cu.sa.tive] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF accusatif, fr. L
          accusativus, fr. accusatus, pp. of accusare] (15c) 1:
          of, relating to, or being the grammatical case that marks
          the direct object of a verb or the object of any of several
          prepositions 2: accusatory [2]accusative n (ca. 1620):
          the accusative case of a language: a form in the accusative
          case

   accusatory
          [ac.cu.sa.to.ry] adj (14c): containing or expressing accusation:
          accusing

   accuse
          [ac.cuse] vb ac.cused ; ac.cus.ing [ME, fr. OF acuser, fr.
          L accusare to call to account, fr. ad- + causa lawsuit]
          vt (14c) 1: to charge with a fault or offense: blame
          2: to charge with an offense judicially or by a public
          process ~ vi: to bring an accusation -- ac.cus.er n --
          ac.cus.ing.ly adv

   accused
          [ac.cused] n, pl accused (1593): one charged with an offense;
          esp: the defendant in a criminal case

   accustom
          [ac.cus.tom] vt [ME, fr. MF acostumer, fr. a- (fr. L ad-)
          + costume custom] (15c): to make familiar with something
          through use or experience -- ac.cus.tom.ation n

   accustomed
          [ac.cus.tomed] adj (15c) 1: often used or practiced: customary
          <her ~ cheerfulness> 2: adapted to existing conditions
          <eyes ~ to the dark> 3: being in the habit or custom
          <~ to making decisions> syn see usual -- ac.cus.tomed.ness
          n

   [1]ace
          [ace] n [ME as, fr. MF, fr. L, unit, a copper coin] (14c)
          1 a: a die face marked with one spot b: a playing card
          marked in its center with one pip c: a domino end marked
          with one spot 2: a very small amount or degree: particle
          3: a point scored esp. on a service (as in tennis or
          handball) that an opponent fails to touch 4: a golf score
          of one stroke on a hole; also: a hole made in one stroke
          5: a combat pilot who has brought down at least five
          enemy airplanes 6: one that excels at something -- ace
          in the hole 1: an ace dealt face down to a player (as
          in stud poker) and not exposed until the showdown 2:
          an effective and decisive argument or resource held in
          reserve -- within an ace of : on the point of: very near
          to <came within an ace of winning> [2]ace vt aced ; ac.ing
          (1923) 1: to score an ace against (an opponent) 2: to
          make (a hole in golf) in one stroke 3: to gain a decisive
          advantage over: defeat--usu. used with out 4: to earn
          a high grade on (as an examination); esp: to get an A
          on [3]ace adj (1926): of first or high rank or quality

   ACE
          [ACE] abbreviation American Council on Education

   -aceae
          [-aceae] n pl suffix [NL, fr. L, fem. pl. of -aceus -aceous]:
          plants of the nature of <Rosaceae>--in names of families
          of plants

   acedia
          [ace.dia] n [LL, fr. Gk akedeia, fr. a- + kedos care, grief--more
          at hate] (1607): apathy, boredom

   ACE inhibitor
          [ACE inhibitor] n [angiotensin converting enzyme] (1985):
          any of a group of antihypertensive drugs (as captopril)
          that relax arteries and promote renal excretion of salt
          and water by inhibiting the activity of angiotensin converting
          enzyme

   Aceldama
          [Acel.da.ma] n [Gk Akeldama, fr. Aram haqel dema, lit., field
          of blood]: the potter's field bought with the money Judas
          had been paid for betraying Christ

   acellular
          [acel.lu.lar] adj (1940) 1: containing no cells <~ vaccines>
          2: not divided into cells: consisting of a single complex
          cell--used esp. of protozoa and ciliates

   acentric
          [acen.tric] adj (1937): lacking a centromere <~ chromosomes>

   -aceous
          [-aceous] adj suffix [L -aceus] 1 a: characterized by: full
          of <setaceous> b: consisting of <diatomaceous>: having
          the nature or form of <tuffaceous> 2 a: of or relating
          to a group of animals typified by (such) a form <cetaceous>
          or characterized by (such) a feature <crustaceous> b:
          of or relating to a plant family <solanaceous>

   acephalous
          [aceph.a.lous] adj [Gk akephalos, fr. a- + kephale head--more
          at cephalic] (ca. 1731) 1: lacking a head or having the
          head reduced 2: lacking a governing head or chief

   acequia
          [ace.quia] n [Sp, fr. Ar as-saqiyah the irrigation stream]
          (1844) Southwest: an irrigation ditch or canal

   acerb
          [acerb] adj [F or L; F acerbe, fr. L acerbus; akin to L acer
          sharp--more at edge] (1622): acerbic

   acerbate
          [ac.er.bate] vt -bat.ed ; -bat.ing (ca. 1731): irritate,
          exasperate

   acerbic
          [acer.bic] adj (1865): acid in temper, mood, or tone
          -- acer.bi.cal.ly adv

   acerbity
          [acer.bi.ty] n, pl -ties (1572): the quality of being acerbic

   acerola
          [ac.er.o.la] n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, fruit of a shrub (Crataegus
          azarolus), fr. Ar az-zu'rur] (1945): any of various West
          Indian shrubs (genus Malpighia) with mildly acid cherrylike
          fruits very rich in vitamin C

   acet-
          [acet-] or aceto- comb form [F & L; F acet-, fr. L acet-,
          fr. acetum vinegar; akin to acere to be sour, acer sharp--more
          at edge]: acetic acid: acetic <acetyl>

   acetabulum
          [ac.e.tab.u.lum] n, pl -lums or -la [L, lit., vinegar cup,
          fr. acetum vinegar] (1661) 1: a ventral sucker of a trematode
          2: the cup-shaped socket in the hipbone -- ac.e.tab.u.lar
          adj

   acetal
          [ac.e.tal] n [G Azetal, fr. azet- acet- + Alkohol alcohol]
          (1853): any of various compounds having a carbon atom
          with two ether linkages and obtained esp. by heating
          aldehydes or ketones with alcohols

   acetaldehyde
          [ac.et.al.de.hyde] n [ISV] (1877): a colorless volatile
          water-soluble liquid aldehyde used chiefly in organic synthesis

   acetamide
          [acet.amide] n [ISV] (1873): a white crystalline amide of
          acetic acid used esp. as a solvent and in organic synthesis

   acetaminophen
          [acet.amin.o.phen] n [acet- + amino + phenol] (1958): a crystalline
          compound that is a hydroxy derivative of acetanilide and is used
          in chemical synthesis and in medicine to relieve pain and fever

   acetanilide
          [ac.et.an.i.lide] or ac.et.an.i.lid n [ISV] (ca. 1864): a
          white crystalline compound that is derived from aniline
          and acetic acid and is used esp. to relieve pain or fever

   acetate
          [ac.e.tate] n (1827) 1: a salt or ester of acetic acid 2:
          cellulose acetate; also: something (as a textile fiber)
          made from cellulose acetate 3: a phonograph recording
          disk made of an acetate or coated with cellulose acetate

   acetazolamide
          [ac.et.azol.amide] n [acet- + azole + amide] (1954): a diuretic
          drug used esp. in the treatment of edema associated with
          congestive heart failure and of glaucoma

   acetic acid
          [ace.tic acid] n [prob. fr. F acetique, fr. L acetum vinegar]
          (1808): a colorless pungent liquid acid that is the chief
          acid of vinegar and that is used esp. in synthesis (as
          of plastics)

   acetic anhydride
          [acetic anhydride] n (1876): a colorless liquid with a pungent
          odor used in organic synthesis (as of cellulose acetate
          and aspirin)

   acetify
          [ace.ti.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (ca. 1828): to turn into acetic
          acid or vinegar -- ace.ti.fi.ca.tion n

   acetoacetic acid
          [ace.to.ace.tic acid] n [part trans. of G Azetessigsaure,
          fr. azet- acet- + Essigsaure acetic acid] (ca. 1900):
          an unstable acid that is a ketone body found in abnormal
          quantities in the blood and urine in some conditions
          (as diabetes)

   acetone
          [ac.e.tone] n [G Azeton, fr. L acetum] (ca. 1839): a volatile
          fragrant flammable liquid ketone used chiefly as a solvent
          and in organic synthesis and found in abnormal quantities
          in diabetic urine -- ac.e.ton.ic adj

   acetonitrile
          [ace.to.ni.trile] n (ca. 1869): the colorless liquid nitrile
          of acetic acid used chiefly in organic synthesis and
          as a solvent

   acetophenetidin
          [ace.to.phe.net.i.din] n [ISV] (1910): phenacetin

   acetous
          [ace.tous] adj (1778): relating to or producing vinegar <~
          fermentation>; also: sour, vinegary

   acetyl
          [ace.tyl] n (ca. 1864): a monovalent chemical group derived
          from acetic acid and consisting of a carbon atom to which
          are attached an oxygen atom by a double bond and a methyl
          group--often used in combination

   acetylate
          [acet.y.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing (ca. 1900): to introduce
          the acetyl radical into (a compound) -- acet.y.la.tion
          n -- acet.y.la.tive adj

   acetylcholine
          [ace.tyl.cho.line] n [ISV] (1906): a neurotransmitter released
          at autonomic synapses and neuromuscular junctions and
          formed enzymatically in the tissues from choline

   acetylcholinesterase
          [ace.tyl.cho.lin.es.ter.ase] n (1947): an enzyme that occurs
          esp. in some nerve endings and in the blood and promotes
          the hydrolysis of acetylcholine

   acetyl CoA
          [acetyl CoA] n (ca. 1959): acetyl coenzyme a

   acetyl coenzyme A
          [acetyl coenzyme A] n (1952): a compound formed as an intermediate
          in metabolism and active as a coenzyme in biological acetylations

   acetylene
          [acet.y.lene] n (1864): a colorless gaseous hydrocarbon used
          chiefly in organic synthesis and as a fuel (as in welding
          and soldering) -- acet.y.le.nic adj

   acetylsalicylate
          [ace.tyl.sa.lic.y.late] n (ca. 1960): a salt or ester of
          acetylsalicylic acid

   acetylsalicylic acid
          [ace.tyl.sal.i.cyl.ic acid] n [ISV] (1897): aspirin 1

   acey-deucey
          [ac.ey-deuc.ey] also ac.ey-deu.cy n (1925): a variation of
          backgammon in which a throw of a 1-2 wins extra turns

   [1]Achaean
          [Achae.an] or Achai.an adj (1567): of, relating to,
          or characteristic of Achaea; broadly: of or relating to Greece
          [2]Achaean or Achaian n (1607): a native or inhabitant of Achaea;
          broadly: greek

   Achaemenian
          [Ach.ae.me.ni.an] adj (1717): of or relating to the Achaemenids

   Achaemenid
          [Achae.me.nid] n, pl -menids also -men.i.dae [Gk Achaimenides,
          fr. Achaimenes, 7th cent. b.c. Pers. king, founder of
          the dynasty + -ides (patronymic suffix)] (1889): a member
          of the ruling house of ancient Persia generally considered
          historically important from the assumption of power by
          Cyrus the Great (559 b.c.) to the overthrow of Darius
          III (330 b.c.)

   achalasia
          [acha.la.sia] n [NL, fr. a- + Gk chalasis slackening + NL
          -ia] (1914): failure of a ring of muscle (as the anal
          sphincter or one of the esophagus) to relax

   Achates
          [Acha.tes] n [L]: a faithful companion of Aeneas in Virgil's
          Aeneid

   [1]ache
          [ache] vi ached ; ach.ing [ME aken, fr. OE acan] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to suffer a usu. dull persistent pain b: to become
          distressed or disturbed (as with anxiety or regret) c:
          to feel compassion 2: to experience a painful eagerness
          or yearning [2]ache n (bef. 12c) 1: a usu. dull persistent
          pain 2: a condition marked by aching

   achene
          [achene] n [NL achaenium, fr. a- + Gk chainein to yawn--more
          at yawn] (1855): a small dry indehiscent one-seeded fruit
          (as of a sunflower) developing from a simple ovary and
          usu. having a thin pericarp attached to the seed at only
          one point

   Acheron
          [Ach.er.on] n [Gk Acheron]: a river in Hades

   Acheulean
          [Acheu.le.an] or Acheu.li.an adj [F acheuleen, fr. St. Acheul,
          near Amiens, France] (ca. 1909): of or relating to a
          Lower Paleolithic culture typified by bifacial tools
          with round cutting edges

   achieve
          [achieve] vb achieved ; achiev.ing [ME acheven, fr. MF achever
          to finish, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + chief end, head--more
          at chief] vt (14c) 1: to carry out successfully: accomplish
          <~ a gradual increase in production> 2: to get or attain
          as the result of exertion: reach <achieved a high degree
          of skill> <achieved greatness> ~ vi: to attain a desired
          end or aim: become successful syn see perform -- achiev.able
          adj -- achiev.er n

   achieved
          [achieved] adj (1918): brought to or marked by a high degree
          of development or refinement: finished <fully ~ poems>

   achievement
          [achieve.ment] n (15c) 1: the act of achieving: accomplishment
          2 a: a result gained by effort b: a great or heroic deed
          3: the quality and quantity of a student's work syn see
          feat

   Achilles
          [Achil.les] n [L, fr. Gk Achilleus]: the greatest warrior
          among the Greeks at Troy and slayer of Hector

   Achilles' heel
          [Achilles' heel] n [fr. the story that Achilles was vulnerable
          only in the heel] (1864): a vulnerable point

   Achilles tendon
          [Achilles tendon] n (ca. 1879): the strong tendon joining
          the muscles in the calf of the leg to the bone of the
          heel

   aching
          [ach.ing] adj (13c) 1: that aches <an ~ back> 2: causing
          or reflecting distress, deep emotion, or longing <~ country
          ballads> -- ach.ing.ly adv

   achlorhydria
          [achlor.hyd.ria] n [NL, fr. a- + ISV chlor- + hydr- + NL
          -ia] (1898): absence of hydrochloric acid from the gastric
          juice -- achlor.hy.dric adj

   achondrite
          [achon.drite] n (ca. 1904): a stony meteorite without rounded
          grains -- achon.drit.ic adj

   achondroplasia
          [achon.dro.pla.sia] n [NL, fr. a- + chondr- + -plasia] (ca.
          1893): a genetic disorder disturbing normal growth of
          cartilage, resulting in a form of dwarfism characterized
          by a usu. normal torso and shortened limbs, and usu.
          inherited as an autosomal dominant -- achon.dro.plas.tic
          adj

   achromat
          [ach.ro.mat] n (1900): achromatic lens

   achromatic
          [ach.ro.mat.ic] adj (1766) 1: refracting light without dispersing
          it into its constituent colors: giving images practically
          free from extraneous colors <an ~ telescope> 2: not readily
          colored by the usual staining agents 3: possessing no
          hue: being or involving black, gray, or white: neutral
          <~ visual sensations> 4: being without accidentals or
          modulation: diatonic -- ach.ro.mat.i.cal.ly adv -- achro.ma.tism
          n -- achro.ma.tize vt

   achromatic lens
          [achromatic lens] n (ca. 1864): a lens made by combining
          lenses of different glasses having different focal powers
          so that the light emerging from the lens forms an image
          practically free from unwanted colors

   achy
          [achy] adj ach.i.er ; ach.i.est (1875): afflicted with aches
          -- ach.i.ness n

   acicular
          [acic.u.lar] adj [LL acicula (dim. of L acus needle) + E
          -ar--more at acute] (1794): shaped like a needle <~ leaves>
          <~ crystals>

   [1]acid
          [ac.id] adj [F or L; F acide, fr. L acidus, fr. acere to
          be sour--more at acet-] (1626) 1 a: sour, sharp, or biting
          to the taste b: sharp, biting, or sour in manner, disposition,
          or nature <an ~ individual> c: sharply clear, discerning,
          or pointed <an ~ wit> d: piercingly intense and often
          jarring <~ yellow> 2 a: of, relating to, or being an
          acid; also: having the reactions or characteristics of
          an acid <~ soil> <an ~ solution> b of salts and esters:
          derived by partial exchange of replaceable hydrogen c:
          containing or involving the use of an acid (as in manufacture)
          d: marked by or resulting from an abnormally high concentration
          of acid <~ indigestion> 3: relating to or made by a process
          (as in making steel) in which the furnace is lined with
          acidic material and an acidic slag is used 4: rich in
          silica <~ rocks> -- ac.id.ly adv -- ac.id.ness n [2]acid
          n (1696) 1: a sour substance; specif: any of various
          typically water-soluble and sour compounds that in solution
          are capable of reacting with a base to form a salt, redden
          litmus, and have a pH less than 7, that are hydrogen-containing
          molecules or ions able to give up a proton to a base,
          or that are substances able to accept an unshared pair
          of electrons from a base 2: something incisive, biting,
          or sarcastic <a social satire dripping with ~> 3: lsd
          -- ac.idy adj

   acid-fast
          [ac.id-fast] adj (1903): not easily decolorized by acids

   acidhead
          [ac.id.head] n (1966): an individual who uses LSD

   acidic
          [acid.ic] adj (1880) 1: acid-forming 2: acid

   acidifier
          [acid.i.fi.er] n (ca. 1828): one that acidifies; esp: a substance
          used to increase soil acidity

   acidify
          [acid.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1797) 1: to make acid 2:
          to convert into an acid -- acid.i.fi.ca.tion n

   acidimetric
          [acid.i.met.ric] adj (1900): of or relating to the precise
          determination of the amount of acid present in a solution
          -- ac.i.dim.e.ter n -- ac.i.dim.e.try n

   acidity
          [acid.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1620) 1: the quality, state, or
          degree of being acid 2: the state of being excessively
          acid

   acidophil
          [acid.o.phil] also acid.o.phile n (ca. 1900): a substance,
          tissue, or organism that stains readily with acid stains
          -- acidophil also acidophile adj

   acidophilic
          [ac.i.do.phil.ic] adj (ca. 1900) 1: staining readily with
          acid stains: acidophil 2: preferring or thriving in a
          relatively acid environment

   acidophilus milk
          [ac.i.doph.i.lus milk] n [NL Lactobacillus acidophilus, lit.,
          acidophilic lactobacillus] (1921): milk fermented by
          any of several bacteria and used therapeutically to change
          the intestinal flora

   acidosis
          [ac.i.do.sis] n [NL] (1900): an abnormal condition characterized
          by reduced alkalinity of the blood and of the body tissues
          -- ac.i.dot.ic adj

   acid phosphatase
          [acid phosphatase] n (1949): a phosphatase (as the
          phosphomonoesterase from the prostate gland) optimally active
          in acid medium

   acid precipitation
          [acid precipitation] n (1979): precipitation (as rain or
          snow) having increased acidity caused by environmental
          factors (as atmospheric pollutants)

   acid rain
          [acid rain] n (1858): acid precipitation in the form of rain

   acid rock
          [acid rock] n (1966): rock music with lyrics and sound relating
          to or suggestive of drug-induced experiences

   acid test
          [acid test] n (1912): a severe or crucial test

   acidulate
          [acid.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L acidulus] (1732):
          to make acid or slightly acid -- acid.u.la.tion n

   acidulent
          [acid.u.lent] adj [F acidulant, fr. prp. of aciduler to acidulate,
          fr. L acidulus] (1834): acidulous

   acidulous
          [acid.u.lous] adj [L acidulus, fr. acidus] (1769): somewhat
          acid or harsh in taste or manner

   acinar
          [ac.i.nar] adj (1936): of, relating to, or comprising an
          acinus <pancreatic ~ cells>

   acinus
          [ac.i.nus] n, pl -ni [NL, fr. L, berry, berry seed] (ca.
          1751): any of the small sacs terminating the ducts of
          some exocrine glands and lined with secretory cells --
          ac.i.nous adj

   ack
          [ack] abbreviation acknowledge, acknowledgment

   ack-ack
          [ack-ack] n [Brit. signalmen's former telephone pron. of
          AA, abbr. of antiaircraft] (1926): an antiaircraft gun;
          also: antiaircraft fire

   ackee
          [ackee] var of akee

   acknowledge
          [ac.knowl.edge] vt -edged ; -edg.ing [ac- (as in accord)
          + knowledge] (15c) 1: to recognize the rights, authority,
          or status of 2: to disclose knowledge of or agreement
          with 3 a: to express gratitude or obligation for b: to
          take notice of c: to make known the receipt of 4: to
          recognize as genuine or valid <~ a debt> syn acknowledge,
          admit, own, avow, confess mean to disclose against one's
          will or inclination. acknowledge implies the disclosing
          of something that has been or might be concealed <acknowledged
          an earlier peccadillo>. admit implies reluctance to disclose,
          grant, or concede and refers usu. to facts rather than
          their implications <admitted the project was over budget>.
          own implies acknowledging something in close relation
          to oneself <must own I know little about computers>.
          avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility,
          what one might be expected to be silent about <avowed
          that he was a revolutionary>. confess may apply to an
          admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt
          <confessed a weakness for sweets>.

   acknowledged
          [ac.knowl.edged] adj (1598): generally recognized, accepted,
          or admitted -- ac.knowl.edged.ly adv

   acknowledgment
          [ac.knowl.edg.ment] or ac.knowl.edge.ment n (1594) 1 a: the
          act of acknowledging b: recognition or favorable notice
          of an act or achievement 2: a thing done or given in
          recognition of something received 3: a declaration or
          avowal of one's act or of a fact to give it legal validity

   ACLU
          [ACLU] abbreviation American Civil Liberties Union

   acme
          [ac.me] n [Gk akme point, highest point--more at edge] (1620):
          the highest point or stage; also: one that represents
          perfection of the thing expressed syn see summit

   acne
          [ac.ne] n [Gk akne eruption of the face, MS var. of akme,
          lit., point] (ca. 1828): a disorder of the skin caused
          by inflammation of the skin glands and hair follicles;
          specif: a form found chiefly in adolescents and marked
          by pimples esp. on the face -- ac.ned adj

   acock
          [acock] adj or adv (1846): being in a cocked position

   acoelomate
          [acoe.lo.mate] n (ca. 1889): an invertebrate lacking a coelom;
          esp: one belonging to the group comprising the flatworms
          and nemerteans and characterized by bilateral symmetry
          and a digestive cavity that is the only internal cavity
          -- acoelomate adj

   acold
          [acold] adj (14c) archaic: cold, chilled <the owl, for all
          his feathers, was ~ --John Keats>

   acolyte
          [ac.o.lyte] n [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF, fr. ML acoluthus, fr.
          MGk akolouthos, fr. Gk, adj., following, fr. a-, ha-
          together (akin to Gk homos same) + keleuthos path] (14c)
          1: one who assists the clergyman in a liturgical service
          by performing minor duties 2: one who attends or assists:
          follower

   aconite
          [ac.o.nite] n [MF or L; fr. L aconitum, fr. Gk akoniton]
          (1578) 1: monkshood 2: the dried tuberous root of a common
          monkshood (Aconitum napellus) formerly used as a sedative
          and anodyne

   acorn
          [acorn] n [ME akern, fr. OE aecern; akin to OE aecer field,
          MHG ackeran acorns collectively, OIr airne sloe, Lith
          uoga berry] (bef. 12c): the nut of the oak usu. seated
          in or surrounded by a hard woody cupule of indurated
          bracts

   acorn squash
          [acorn squash] n (1937): an acorn-shaped dark green winter
          squash with a ridged surface and sweet yellow to orange
          flesh

   acorn worm
          [acorn worm] n (ca. 1889): any of a class (Enteropneusta)
          of burrowing wormlike marine animals having an acorn-shaped
          proboscis and classified with the hemichordates

   acoustic
          [acous.tic] or acous.ti.cal adj [Gk akoustikos of hearing,
          fr. akouein to hear--more at hear] (1605) 1: of or relating
          to the sense or organs of hearing, to sound, or to the
          science of sounds <~ apparatus of the ear> <~ energy>:
          as a: deadening or absorbing sound <~ tile> b: operated
          by or utilizing sound waves 2: of, relating to, or being
          a musical instrument whose sound is not electronically
          modified -- acous.ti.cal.ly adv

   acoustician
          [ac.ous.ti.cian] n (1859): a specialist in acoustics

   acoustics
          [acous.tics] n pl (1683) 1 sing in constr: a science that
          deals with the production, control, transmission, reception,
          and effects of sound 2 also acoustic : the qualities
          that determine the ability of an enclosure (as an auditorium)
          to reflect sound waves in such a way as to produce distinct
          hearing

   ACP
          [ACP] abbreviation African, Caribbean and Pacific (states),
          American College of Physicians

   acpt
          [acpt] abbreviation acceptance

   acquaint
          [ac.quaint] vt [ME, fr. OF acointier, fr. acointe familiar,
          fr. L accognitus, pp. of accognoscere to recognize, fr.
          ad- + cognoscere to know--more at cognition] (14c) 1:
          to cause to know personally <was ~ed with the mayor>
          2: to make familiar: cause to know firsthand syn see
          inform

   acquaintance
          [ac.quain.tance] n (14c) 1 a: the state of being acquainted
          b: personal knowledge: familiarity 2 a: the persons with
          whom one is acquainted <should auld ~ be forgot --Robert
          Burns> b: a person whom one knows but who is not a particularly
          close friend -- ac.quain.tance.ship n

   acquiesce
          [ac.qui.esce] vi -esced ; -esc.ing [F acquiescer, fr.
          L acquiescere, fr. ad- + quiescere to be quiet--more at quiescent]
          (ca. 1620): to accept, comply, or submit tacitly
          or passively--often used with in and sometimes with to syn see
          assent

   acquiescence
          [ac.qui.es.cence] n (1612) 1: the act of acquiescing: the
          state of being acquiescent 2: an instance of acquiescing

   acquiescent
          [ac.qui.es.cent] adj [L acquiescent-, acquiescens, prp. of
          acquiescere] (1753): inclined to acquiesce -- ac.qui.es.cent.ly
          adv

   acquirable
          [ac.quir.able] adj (1646): capable of being acquired

   acquire
          [ac.quire] vt ac.quired ; ac.quir.ing [ME aqueren, fr. MF
          aquerre, fr. L acquirere, fr. ad- + quaerere to seek,
          obtain] (15c) 1: to get as one's own: a: to come into
          possession or control of often by unspecified means b:
          to come to have as a new or added characteristic, trait,
          or ability (as by sustained effort or natural selection)
          <~ fluency in French> <bacteria that ~ tolerance to antibiotics>
          2: to locate and hold (a desired object) in a detector
          <~ a target by radar>

   acquired immune deficiency syndrome
          [acquired immune deficiency syndrome] n (1982): aids

   acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
          [acquired immunodeficiency syndrome] n (1982): aids

   acquired taste
          [acquired taste] n (1858): one that is not easily or immediately
          liked or appreciated

   acquirement
          [ac.quire.ment] n (1630) 1: a skill of mind or body usu.
          resulting from continued endeavor 2: the act of acquiring

   acquisition
          [ac.qui.si.tion] n [ME acquisicioun, fr. MF or L; MF acquisition,
          fr. L acquisition-, acquisitio, fr. acquirere] (14c)
          1: the act of acquiring 2: something acquired or gained
          -- ac.qui.si.tion.al adj -- ac.quis.i.tor n

   acquisitive
          [ac.quis.i.tive] adj (1846): strongly desirous of acquiring
          and possessing syn see covetous -- ac.quis.i.tive.ly
          adv -- ac.quis.i.tive.ness n

   acquit
          [ac.quit] vt ac.quit.ted ; ac.quit.ting [ME aquiten, fr.
          OF aquiter, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + quite free of--more
          at quit] (13c) 1 a archaic: to pay off (as a claim or
          debt) b obs: repay, requite 2: to discharge completely
          (as from an obligation or accusation) <the court acquitted
          the prisoner> 3: to conduct (oneself) usu. satisfactorily
          esp. under stress <the recruits acquitted themselves
          like veterans> syn see behave, exculpate -- ac.quit.ter
          n

   acquittal
          [ac.quit.tal] n (15c): a setting free from the charge of
          an offense by verdict, sentence, or other legal process

   acquittance
          [ac.quit.tance] n (14c): a document evidencing a discharge
          from an obligation; esp: a receipt in full

   acr-
          [acr-] or acro- comb form [MF or Gk; MF acro-, fr. Gk akr-,
          akro-, fr. akros topmost, extreme; akin to Gk akme point--more
          at edge] 1: beginning: end: tip <acronym> 2 a: top: peak:
          summit <acropetal> b: height <acrophobia>

   acre
          [acre] n [ME, fr. OE aecer; akin to OHG ackar field, L ager,
          Gk agros, and perh. to L agere to drive--more at agent]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: a field esp. of arable land or
          pastureland b pl: lands, estate 2: any of various units
          of area; specif: a unit in the U.S. and England equal
          to 43,560 square feet (4047 square meters) 3: a broad
          expanse or great quantity <~s of free publicity>

   acreage
          [acre.age] n (1859): area in acres: acres

   acre-foot
          [acre-foot] n (1900): the volume (as of irrigation water)
          that would cover one acre to a depth of one foot

   acre-inch
          [acre-inch] n (ca. 1909): one twelfth of an acre-foot

   acrid
          [ac.rid] adj [modif. of L acr-, acer sharp--more at edge]
          (1712) 1: sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in
          taste or odor: irritating 2: deeply or violently bitter:
          acrimonious <an ~ denunciation> syn see caustic -- acrid.i.ty
          n -- ac.rid.ly adv -- ac.rid.ness n

   acridine
          [ac.ri.dine] n (ca. 1877): a colorless crystalline compound
          occurring in coal tar and important as the parent compound
          of dyes and pharmaceuticals

   acridine orange
          [acridine orange] n (ca. 1909): a basic orange dye structurally
          related to acridine and used esp. to stain nucleic acids

   acriflavine
          [ac.ri.fla.vine] n [acridine + flavine] (1917): a yellow
          dye used as an antiseptic esp. for wounds

   Acrilan
          [Ac.ri.lan] trademark--used for an acrylic fiber

   acrimonious
          [ac.ri.mo.ni.ous] adj (1775): caustic, biting, or rancorous
          esp. in feeling, language, or manner <an ~ dispute> --
          ac.ri.mo.ni.ous.ly adv -- ac.ri.mo.ni.ous.ness n

   acrimony
          [ac.ri.mo.ny] n, pl -nies [MF or L; MF acrimonie, fr. L acrimonia,
          fr. acr-, acer] (1542): harsh or biting sharpness esp. of words,
          manner, or disposition

   acritarch
          [ac.ri.tarch] n [Gk akritos uncertain (fr. a- + kritos, verbal
          of krinein to decide) + arche beginning--more at certain,
          arch-] (1963): any of a group of fossil one-celled marine
          planktonic organisms of uncertain and possibly various
          taxonomic affinities held to represent the earliest known
          eukaryotes

   acrobat
          [ac.ro.bat] n [F & Gk; F acrobate, fr. Gk akrobates, fr.
          akros + bainein to go--more at come] (1825) 1: one that
          performs gymnastic feats requiring skillful control of
          the body 2 a: one skillful at exercises of intellectual
          or artistic dexterity b: one adept at swiftly changing
          or adapting a position or viewpoint <a political ~> --
          ac.ro.bat.ic adj -- ac.ro.bat.i.cal.ly adv

   acrobatics
          [ac.ro.bat.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1882) 1: the
          art, performance, or activity of an acrobat 2: a spectacular,
          showy, or startling performance or demonstration involving
          great agility or complexity

   acrocentric
          [ac.ro.cen.tric] adj (1945): having the centromere situated
          so that one chromosomal arm is much shorter than the
          other -- acrocentric n

   acrolect
          [ac.ro.lect] n [acr- + -lect (as in dialect)] (1964): the
          language variety of a speech community closest to the
          standard or prestige form of a language

   acrolein
          [acro.le.in] n [ISV acr- (fr. L acr-, acer) + L olere to
          smell--more at odor] (ca. 1857): a colorless irritant
          pungent liquid aldehyde used chiefly in organic synthesis

   acromegaly
          [ac.ro.meg.a.ly] n [ISV] (1889): chronic hyperpituitarism
          marked by progressive enlargement of hands, feet, and
          face -- ac.ro.me.gal.ic adj or n

   acronym
          [ac.ro.nym] n [acr- + -onym] (1943): a word (as radar or
          snafu) formed from the initial letter or letters of each
          of the successive parts or major parts of a compound
          term -- ac.ro.nym.ic adj -- ac.ro.nym.i.cal.ly adv

   acropetal
          [acrop.e.tal] adj [acr- + -petal (as in centripetal)] (1875):
          proceeding from the base toward the apex or from below
          upward <~ development of floral buds> -- acrop.e.tal.ly
          adv

   acrophobia
          [ac.ro.pho.bia] n [NL] (ca. 1892): abnormal dread of being
          at a great height -- ac.ro.phobe n

   acropolis
          [acrop.o.lis] n [Gk akropolis, fr. akr- acr- + polis city--more
          at police] (1662): the upper fortified part of an ancient
          Greek city (as Athens); also: a usu. fortified height
          of a city or district elsewhere (as in Central America)

   acrosome
          [ac.ro.some] n [ISV] (1899): an anterior prolongation of
          a spermatozoon that releases egg-penetrating enzymes
          -- ac.ro.so.mal adj

   [1]across
          [across] adv [ME acros, fr. AF an crois, fr. an in (fr. L
          in) + crois cross, fr. L crux] (14c) 1: in a position
          reaching from one side to the other: crosswise 2: to
          or on the opposite side 3: so as to be understandable,
          acceptable, or successful <get an argument ~> [2]across
          prep (1591) 1 a: from one side to the opposite side of:
          over, through <swam ~ the river> b: on the opposite side
          of <lives ~ the street from us> 2: so as to intersect
          or pass through at an angle <sawed ~ the grain of the
          wood> 3: so as to find or meet <came ~ your football
          in the hall closet> 4 a: throughout <obvious interest
          ~ the nation --Robert Goralski> b: so as to include or
          take into consideration all classes or categories <~
          differences, they insist, there can be no rational dialogue
          --Huston Smith> [3]across adj (1646): being in a crossed
          position

   across-the-board
          [across-the-board] adj (1945) 1: placed to win if a competitor
          wins, places, or shows <an ~ racing bet> 2: embracing
          or affecting all classes or categories: blanket <an ~
          price increase>

   acrostic
          [acros.tic] n [MF & Gk; MF acrostiche, fr. Gk akrostichis,
          fr. akr- acr- + stichos line; akin to steichein to go--more
          at stair] (1530) 1: a composition usu. in verse in which
          sets of letters (as the initial or final letters of the
          lines) taken in order form a word or phrase or a regular
          sequence of letters of the alphabet 2: acronym -- acrostic
          also acros.ti.cal adj -- acros.ti.cal.ly adv

   acrylamide
          [ac.ryl.am.ide] n [acrylic + amide] (1946): an amide that
          is derived from acrylic acid, that polymerizes readily,
          and that is used in the manufacture of synthetic textile
          fibers

   acrylate
          [ac.ry.late] n (1873) 1: a salt or ester of acrylic acid
          2: acrylic resin

   [1]acrylic
          [acryl.ic] adj [ISV acrolein + -yl + [1]-ic] (1855) 1: of
          or relating to acrylic acid or its derivatives <~ polymers>
          2: made or consisting of an acrylic <an ~ window> [2]acrylic
          n (1942) 1 a: acrylic resin b: a paint in which the vehicle
          is an acrylic resin c: a painting done in an acrylic
          resin 2: acrylic fiber

   acrylic acid
          [acrylic acid] n (ca. 1855): an unsaturated liquid acid that
          polymerizes readily to form useful products (as constituents
          for varnishes and lacquers)

   acrylic fiber
          [acrylic fiber] n (1951): a quick-drying synthetic textile
          fiber made by polymerization of acrylonitrile usu. with
          other monomers

   acrylic resin
          [acrylic resin] n (1936): a glassy thermoplastic made by
          polymerizing acrylic or methacrylic acid or a derivative
          of either and used for cast and molded parts or as coatings
          and adhesives

   acrylonitrile
          [ac.ry.lo.ni.trile] n (1893): a colorless volatile flammable
          liquid nitrile used chiefly in organic synthesis and
          for polymerization

   ACS
          [ACS] abbreviation American Chemical Society, American College
          of Surgeons

   [1]act
          [act] n [ME, partly fr. L actus doing, act, fr. agere to
          drive, do; partly fr. L actum thing done, record, fr.
          neut. of actus, pp. of agere--more at agent] (14c) 1
          a: the doing of a thing: deed b: something done voluntarily
          2: a state of real existence rather than possibility
          3: the formal product of a legislative body: statute;
          also: a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative
          council, or a court of justice 4: the process of doing:
          action <caught in the ~> 5 often cap: a formal record
          of something done or transacted 6: one of the principal
          divisions of a theatrical work (as a play or opera) 7
          a: one of successive parts or performances (as in a variety
          show or circus) b: the performer or performers in such
          an act c: a performance or presentation identified with
          a particular individual or group d: the sum of a person's
          actions or effects that serve to create an impression
          or set an example <a hard ~ to follow> 8: a display of
          affected behavior: pretense [2]act vt (1594) 1 a: to
          represent or perform by action esp. on the stage b: feign,
          simulate c: impersonate 2 obs: actuate, animate 3: to
          play the part of as if in a play <~ the man of the world>
          4: to behave in a manner suitable to <~ your age> ~ vi
          1 a: to perform on the stage b: to behave as if performing
          on the stage: pretend 2: to take action: move <think
          before ~ing> <~ed favorably on the recommendation> 3:
          to conduct oneself: behave <~ like a fool> 4: to perform
          a specified function: serve <trees ~ing as a windbreak>
          5: to produce an effect: work <wait for a medicine to
          ~> 6 of a play: to be capable of being performed <the
          play ~s well> 7: to give a decision or award <adjourned
          without ~ing on the bill> -- act.abil.i.ty n -- act.able
          adj

   act
          [act] abbreviation active, actor, actual  ACT abbreviation
          Action for Children's Television, American College Test,
          Association of Classroom Teachers, Australian Capital
          Territory

   Actaeon
          [Ac.tae.on] n [L, fr. Gk Aktaion]: a hunter turned into a
          stag and killed by his own hounds for having seen Artemis
          bathing

   acte gratuit
          [acte gra.tuit] [F] foreign term : gratuitous impulsive act

   actg
          [actg] abbreviation acting

   ACTH
          [ACTH] n [adrenocorticotropic hormone] (1944): a protein
          hormone of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that
          stimulates the adrenal cortex--called also adrenocorticotropic
          hormone

   actin-
          [actin-] or actini- or actino- comb form [NL, ray, fr. Gk
          aktin-, aktino-, fr. aktin-, aktis; perh. akin to OE
          uhte morning twilight, L noct-, nox night--more at night]
          1: having a radiate form <actinolite> 2: actinic radiation
          (as X rays) <actinometer>

   actin
          [ac.tin] n [ISV, fr. L actus] (1942): a cellular protein
          found esp. in microfilaments (as those comprising myofibrils)
          and active in muscular contraction, cellular movement,
          and maintenance of cell shape

   [1]acting
          [act.ing] n (1664): the art or practice of representing a
          character on a stage or before cameras [2]acting adj
          (1797) 1: holding a temporary rank or position: performing
          services temporarily <~ president> 2 a: suitable for
          stage performance <an ~ play> b: prepared with directions
          for actors <an ~ text of a play>

   actinian
          [ac.tin.i.an] n [NL actinia, fr. Gk aktin-, aktis] (1888):
          sea anemone

   actinic
          [ac.tin.ic] adj (1844): of, relating to, resulting from,
          or exhibiting actinism -- ac.tin.i.cal.ly adv

   actinide
          [ac.ti.nide] n [ISV] (1945): any of the members of the series
          of elements that begins with actinium or thorium and
          ends with lawrencium

   actinism
          [ac.ti.nism] n (1844): the property of radiant energy esp.
          in the visible and ultraviolet spectral regions by which
          chemical changes are produced

   actinium
          [ac.tin.i.um] n [NL] (1900): a radioactive trivalent metallic
          element that resembles lanthanum in chemical properties
          and that is found esp. in pitchblende

   actinolite
          [ac.tin.o.lite] n (ca. 1828): a bright or grayish green amphibole
          occurring in fibrous, radiate, or columnar forms

   actinometer
          [ac.ti.nom.e.ter] n (1833): any of various instruments for
          measuring the intensity of incident radiation; esp: one
          in which the intensity of radiation is measured by the
          speed of a photochemical reaction -- ac.ti.no.me.tric
          adj -- ac.ti.nom.e.try n

   actinomorphic
          [ac.ti.no.mor.phic] adj [ISV] (1900): being radially symmetrical
          and capable of division by any longitudinal plane into
          essentially symmetrical halves <an ~ tulip flower> --
          ac.ti.no.mor.phy n

   actinomyces
          [ac.ti.no.my.ces] n, pl actinomyces [NL, genus name, fr.
          actin- + Gk myket-, mykes fungus; akin to Gk myxa mucus--more
          at mucus] (1882): any of a genus (Actinomyces) of filamentous
          or rod-shaped bacteria that includes usu. commensal and
          sometimes pathogenic forms inhabiting mucosal surfaces
          esp. of the oral cavity of warm-blooded vertebrates

   actinomycete
          [ac.ti.no.my.cete] n [ultim. fr. Gk aktin-, aktis + myket-,
          mykes] (1911): any of an order (Actinomycetales) of filamentous
          or rod-shaped bacteria (as the actinomyces and streptomyces)
          -- ac.ti.no.my.ce.tous adj

   actinomycin
          [ac.ti.no.my.cin] n (1940): any of various red or yellow-red
          mostly toxic polypeptide antibiotics isolated from soil
          bacteria (esp. Streptomyces antibioticus); specif: one
          used to inhibit DNA or RNA synthesis

   actinomycosis
          [ac.ti.no.my.co.sis] n [NL] (1882): infection with or disease
          caused by actinomycetes; esp: a chronic disease of cattle,
          swine, and humans characterized by hard granulomatous
          masses usu. in the mouth and jaw -- ac.ti.no.my.cot.ic
          adj

   actinon
          [ac.ti.non] n [NL, fr. actinium] (1926): a gaseous radioactive
          isotope of radon that has a half-life of about 4 seconds

   action
          [ac.tion] n (14c) 1: the initiating of a proceeding in a
          court of justice by which one demands or enforces one's
          right; also: the proceeding itself 2: the bringing about
          of an alteration by force or through a natural agency
          3: the manner or method of performing: a: the deportment
          of an actor or speaker or his expression by means of
          attitude, voice, and gesture b: the style of movement
          of the feet and legs (as of a horse) c: a function of
          the body or one of its parts 4: an act of will 5 a: a
          thing done: deed b: the accomplishment of a thing usu.
          over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility
          of repetition c pl: behavior, conduct <unscrupulous ~s>
          d: initiative, enterprise <a man of ~> 6 a (1): an engagement
          between troops or ships (2): combat in war <gallantry
          in ~> b (1): an event or series of events forming a literary
          composition (2): the unfolding of the events of a drama
          or work of fiction: plot (3): the movement of incidents
          in a plot c: the combination of circumstances that constitute
          the subject matter of a painting or sculpture 7 a: an
          operating mechanism b: the manner in which a mechanism
          or instrument operates 8 a: the price movement and trading
          volume of a commodity, security, or market b: the process
          of betting including the offering and acceptance of a
          bet and determination of a winner c: an opportunity for
          financial gain <a piece of the ~> 9: the most vigorous,
          productive, or exciting activity in a particular field,
          area, or group <they itch to go where the ~ is --D. J.
          Henahan>

   actionable
          [ac.tion.able] adj (1591): subject to or affording ground
          for an action or suit at law -- ac.tion.ably adv

   actionless
          [ac.tion.less] adj (ca. 1817): marked by inaction: immobile

   action painting
          [action painting] n (1952): abstract expressionism marked
          esp. by the use of spontaneous techniques (as dribbling,
          splattering, or smearing) -- action painter n

   action potential
          [action potential] n (1926): a momentary change in electrical
          potential (as between the inside of a nerve cell and
          the extracellular medium) that occurs when a cell or
          tissue has been activated by a stimulus

   activate
          [ac.ti.vate] vb -vat.ed ; -vat.ing vt (1626): to make active
          or more active: as a (1): to make (as molecules) reactive
          or more reactive (2): to convert (as a provitamin) into
          a biologically active derivative b: to make (a substance)
          radioactive c: to treat (as carbon or alumina) so as
          to improve adsorptive properties d (1): to set up or
          formally institute (as a military unit) with the necessary
          personnel and equipment (2): to put (an individual or
          unit) on active duty ~ vi: to become active -- ac.ti.va.tion
          n -- ac.ti.va.tor n

   activated carbon
          [activated carbon] n (1921): a highly adsorbent powdered
          or granular carbon made usu. by carbonization and chemical
          activation and used chiefly for purifying by adsorption--called
          also activated charcoal

   activation analysis
          [activation analysis] n (1949): neutron activation analysis

   activation energy
          [activation energy] n (1940): the minimum amount of energy
          required to convert a normal stable molecule into a reactive
          molecule

   active
          [ac.tive] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF actif, fr. L activus,
          fr. actus, pp. of agere to drive, do--more at agent]
          (14c) 1: characterized by action rather than by contemplation
          or speculation 2: producing or involving action or movement
          3 a of a verb form or voice: asserting that the person
          or thing represented by the grammatical subject performs
          the action represented by the verb <hits in "he hits
          the ball" is ~> b: expressing action as distinct from
          mere existence or state 4: quick in physical movement:
          lively 5: marked by vigorous activity: busy <the stock
          market was ~> 6: requiring vigorous action or exertion
          <~ sports> 7: having practical operation or results:
          effective <an ~ law> 8 a: disposed to action: energetic
          <took an ~ interest> b: engaged in an action or activity
          <an ~ club member> c of a volcano: currently erupting
          or likely to erupt--compare dormant 2a, extinct 1b d:
          characterized by emission of large amounts of electromagnetic
          energy <an ~ galactic nucleus> 9: engaged in full-time
          service esp. in the armed forces <~ duty> 10: marked
          by present operation, transaction, movement, or use <~
          account> 11 a: capable of acting or reacting: reacting
          readily <~ nitrogen> b: tending to progress or to cause
          degeneration <~ tuberculosis> c of an electronic circuit
          element: capable of controlling voltages or currents
          d (1): requiring the expenditure of energy <~ calcium
          ion uptake> (2): functioning by the emission of radiant
          energy <radar is an ~ sensor> 12: still eligible to win
          the pot in poker 13: moving down the line: visiting in
          the set--used of couples in contredanses or square dances
          -- active n -- ac.tive.ly adv -- ac.tive.ness n

   active immunity
          [active immunity] n (ca. 1903): usu. long-lasting immunity
          that is acquired through production of antibodies within
          the organism in response to the presence of antigens--compare
          passive immunity

   active transport
          [active transport] n (1963): movement of a chemical substance
          by the expenditure of energy through a gradient (as across
          a cell membrane) in concentration or electrical potential
          and opposite to the direction of normal diffusion

   activism
          [ac.tiv.ism] n (1915): a doctrine or practice that emphasizes
          direct vigorous action esp. in support of or opposition
          to one side of a controversial issue -- ac.tiv.ist n
          or adj -- ac.tiv.is.tic adj

   activity
          [ac.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1530) 1: the quality or state
          of being active 2: vigorous or energetic action: liveliness
          3: natural or normal function: as a: a process (as digestion)
          that an organism carries on or participates in by virtue
          of being alive b: a similar process actually or potentially
          involving mental function; specif: an educational procedure
          designed to stimulate learning by firsthand experience
          4: an active force 5 a: a pursuit in which a person is
          active b: a form of organized, supervised, often extracurricular
          recreation 6: an organizational unit for performing a
          specific function; also: its function or duties

   act of God
          [act of God] (ca. 1859): an extraordinary interruption by
          a natural cause (as a flood or earthquake) of the usual
          course of events that experience, prescience, or care
          cannot reasonably foresee or prevent

   actomyosin
          [ac.to.my.o.sin] n [ISV actin + -o- + myosin] (1942): a viscous
          contractile complex of actin and myosin concerned together
          with ATP in muscular contraction

   actor
          [ac.tor] n (15c) 1: one that acts: doer 2 a: one who represents
          a character in a dramatic production b: a theatrical
          performer c: one that behaves as if acting a part 3:
          one that takes part in any affair -- ac.tor.ish adj

   act out
          [act out] vt (1611) 1 a: to represent in action <children
          act out what they read> b: to translate into action <unwilling
          to act out their beliefs> 2: to express (as an impulse
          or a fantasy) directly in overt behavior without modification
          to comply with social norms

   actress
          [ac.tress] n (1676): a woman who is an actor -- ac.tressy
          adj

   Acts
          [Acts] n pl but sing in constr: a book in the New Testament
          narrating the beginnings of the Christian Church--called
          also Acts of the Apostles

   actual
          [ac.tu.al] adj [ME actuel, fr. MF, fr. LL actualis, fr. L
          actus act] (14c) 1 obs: active 2 a: existing in act and
          not merely potentially b: existing in fact or reality
          <~ and imagined conditions> c: not false or apparent
          <~ costs> 3: existing or occurring at the time: current
          <caught in the ~ commission of a crime>

   actual cash value
          [actual cash value] n (ca. 1946): money equal to the cost
          of replacing lost, stolen, or damaged property after
          depreciation

   actuality
          [ac.tu.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1652) 1: the quality or state
          of being actual 2: something that is actual: fact, reality
          <possible risks which have been seized upon as actualities
          --T. S. Eliot>

   actualize
          [ac.tu.al.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1701): to make actual:
          realize ~ vi: to become actual -- ac.tu.al.iza.tion n

   actually
          [ac.tu.al.ly] adv (15c) 1: in act or in fact: really <nominally
          but not ~ independent --Karl Loewenstein> <don't know
          how old they ~ are> <~, they just arrived> 2: in point
          of fact: in truth--used to suggest something unexpected
          <I have ~ been invited> <he could ~ read the Greek>

   actuarial
          [ac.tu.ar.i.al] adj (1869) 1: of or relating to actuaries
          2: relating to statistical calculation esp. of life expectancy
          -- ac.tu.ar.i.al.ly adv

   actuary
          [ac.tu.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [L actuarius shorthand writer,
          alter. of actarius, fr. actum record--more at act] (1553)
          1 obs: clerk, registrar 2: one who calculates insurance
          and annuity premiums, reserves, and dividends

   actuate
          [ac.tu.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML actuatus, pp. of actuare
          to execute, fr. L actus act] (1645) 1: to put into mechanical
          action or motion 2: to move to action syn see move --
          ac.tu.a.tion n

   actuator
          [ac.tu.a.tor] n (ca. 1864): one that actuates; specif: a
          mechanical device for moving or controlling something

   act up
          [act up] vi (1903) 1: to act in a way different from that
          which is normal or expected: as a: to behave in an unruly,
          recalcitrant, or capricious manner b: show off c: to
          function improperly <this typewriter is acting up again>
          2: to become active or acute after being quiescent <her
          rheumatism started to act up>

   acuity
          [acu.ity] n, pl -ities [MF acuite, fr. LL acuitat-, acuitas,
          fr. L acuere] (1543): keenness of perception: sharpness

   aculeate
          [acu.le.ate] adj [L aculeatus having stings, fr. aculeus
          sting, fr. acus] (1875): relating to or being hymenopterans
          (as bees, ants, and many wasps) of a division (Aculeata)
          typically having the ovipositor modified into a sting

   acumen
          [acu.men] n [L acumin-, acumen, lit., point, fr. acuere]
          (ca. 1580): keenness and depth of perception, discernment,
          or discrimination esp. in practical matters: shrewdness
          syn see discernment

   acuminate
          [acu.mi.nate] adj (1646): tapering to a slender point

   acupressure
          [acu.pres.sure] n (1859): shiatsu

   acupuncture
          [acu.punc.ture] n [L acus + E puncture] (1684): an orig.
          Chinese practice of puncturing the body (as with needles)
          at specific points to cure disease or relieve pain (as
          in surgery) -- acu.punc.tur.ist n

   acute
          [acute] adj acut.er ; acut.est [L acutus, pp. of acuere to
          sharpen, fr. acus needle; akin to L acer sharp--more
          at edge] (14c) 1 a (1): characterized by sharpness or
          severity <~ pain> (2): having a sudden onset, sharp rise,
          and short course <~ disease> b: lasting a short time
          <~ experiments> 2: ending in a sharp point: as a: being
          or forming an angle measuring less than 90 degrees <~
          angle> b: composed of acute angles <~ triangle> 3 a of
          an accent mark: having the form of a single slanting
          stroke whose right end is higher than its left b: marked
          with an acute accent c: of the variety indicated by an
          acute accent 4 a: marked by keen discernment or intellectual
          perception esp. of subtle distinctions: penetrating <an
          ~ thinker> b: responsive to slight impressions or stimuli
          <~ hearing> 5: felt, perceived, or experienced intensely
          <~ distress> 6: seriously demanding urgent attention
          -- acute.ly adv -- acute.ness n syn acute, critical,
          crucial mean of uncertain outcome. acute stresses intensification
          of conditions leading to a culmination or breaking point
          <an acute housing shortage>. critical adds to acute implications
          of imminent change, of attendant suspense, and of decisiveness
          in the outcome <the war has entered a critical phase>.
          crucial suggests a dividing of the ways and often a test
          or trial involving the determination of a future course
          or direction <a crucial vote>. syn see in addition sharp

   ACV
          [ACV] abbreviation actual cash value, air-cushion vehicle

   acyclic
          [acy.clic] adj (1878): not cyclic: as a: not disposed in
          whorls or cycles b: having an open-chain structure: aliphatic
          <an ~ compound>

   acyclovir
          [acy.clo.vir] n [[2]a- + cycl- + virus] (1979): a cyclic
          nucleoside used esp. to treat the symptoms of the genital
          form of herpes simplex

   acyl
          [ac.yl] n, often attrib [ISV, fr. acid] (1899): a radical
          derived usu. from an organic acid by removal of the hydroxyl
          from all acid groups--often used in combination

   acylate
          [ac.yl.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1907): to introduce an acyl
          group into -- ac.yl.a.tion n

   ad...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]-ad
          [-ad] adv suffix [L ad]: in the direction of: toward <cephalad>
          [2]-ad n suffix [prob. fr. NL -ad-, -as, fr. Gk, suffix
          denoting descent from or connection with]: member of
          a botanical group <bromeliad>

   [1]ad
          [ad] n, often attrib (1841) 1: advertisement 2 2: advertising
          [2]ad n (1947): advantage 4

   AD
          [AD] abbreviation active duty, after date, anno Domini--often
          printed in small capitals and often punctuated; assembly
          district, assistant director, athletic director

   ad-
          [ad-] or ac- or af- or ag- or al- or ap- or as- or at- prefix
          [ME, fr. MF, OF & L; MF, fr. OF, fr. L, fr. ad--more
          at at] 1: to: toward--usu. ac- before c, k, or q <acculturation>
          and af- before f <affluent> and ag- before g <aggradation>
          and al- before l <alliteration> and ap- before p <apportion>
          and as- before s <assuasive> and at- before t <attune>
          and ad- before other sounds but sometimes ad- even before
          one of the listed consonants <adsorb> 2: near: adjacent
          to--in this sense always in the form ad- <adrenal>

   Ada
          [Ada] trademark--used for a structured computer programming
          language

   ADA
          [ADA] abbreviation American Dental Association, Americans
          for Democratic Action, average daily attendance

   adage
          [ad.age] n [MF, fr. L adagium, fr. ad- + -agium (akin to
          aio I say); akin to Gk e he said] (1548): a saying often
          in metaphorical form that embodies a common observation

   [1]adagio
          [ada.gio] adv or adj [It, fr. ad to + agio ease] (1724):
          at a slow tempo--used chiefly as a direction in music
          [2]adagio n, pl -gios (1754) 1: a musical composition
          or movement in adagio tempo 2: a ballet duet by a man
          and woman or a mixed trio displaying difficult feats
          of balance, lifting, or spinning

   [1]Adam
          [Ad.am] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr. Heb Adham] 1: the first
          man and father by Eve of Cain and Abel 2: the unregenerate
          nature of man--used esp. in the phrase the old Adam --
          Adam.ic or Adam.i.cal adj [2]Adam adj [Robert Adam &
          James Adam] (1872): of, relating to, or being an 18th
          century decorative style (as of furniture) characterized
          by straight lines, surface decoration, and conventional
          designs (as festooned garlands and medallions)

   adamance
          [ad.a.mance] n (1954): adamancy

   adamancy
          [ad.a.man.cy] n [[2]adamant + -cy] (1937): obstinacy

   adam-and-eve
          [adam-and-eve] n (1807): puttyroot

   [1]adamant
          [ad.a.mant] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L adamant-, adamas hardest
          metal, diamond, fr. Gk] (14c) 1: a stone (as a diamond)
          formerly believed to be of impenetrable hardness 2: an
          unbreakable or extremely hard substance [2]adamant adj
          (1923): unshakable or immovable esp. in opposition: unyielding
          syn see inflexible -- ad.a.mant.ly adv

   adamantine
          [ad.a.man.tine] adj [ME, fr. L adamantinus, fr. Gk adamantinos,
          fr. adamant-, adamas] (13c) 1: made of or having the
          quality of adamant 2: rigidly firm: unyielding 3: resembling
          the diamond in hardness or luster

   Adam's apple
          [Adam's apple] n (ca. 1775): the projection in the front
          of the neck formed by the largest cartilage of the larynx

   Adam's needle
          [Adam's needle] n (ca. 1760): an often cultivated yucca (Yucca
          filamentosa) of coastal pine barrens of the eastern U.S.
          with a basal rosette of sharp-tipped leaves having loose
          threads along the margins

   adapt
          [adapt] vb [F or L; F adapter, fr. L adaptare, fr. ad- +
          aptare to fit, fr. aptus apt, fit] vt (15c): to make
          fit (as for a specific or new use or situation) often
          by modification ~ vi: to become adapted -- adapt.ed.ness
          n syn adapt, adjust, accommodate, conform, reconcile
          mean to bring one thing into correspondence with another.
          adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances
          <adapted themselves to the warmer climate>. adjust suggests
          bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony
          such as exists between parts of a mechanism <adjusted
          the budget to allow for inflation>. accommodate may suggest
          yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence <accommodated
          his political beliefs in order to win>. conform applies
          to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example,
          or principle <refused to conform to society's idea of
          morality>. reconcile implies the demonstration of the
          underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible
          <tried to reconcile what they said with what I knew>.

   adaptable
          [adapt.able] adj (1800): capable of being adapted: suitable
          syn see plastic -- adapt.abil.i.ty n

   adaptation
          [ad.ap.ta.tion] n (1610) 1: the act or process of adapting:
          the state of being adapted 2: adjustment to environmental
          conditions: as a: adjustment of a sense organ to the
          intensity or quality of stimulation b: modification of
          an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence
          under the conditions of its environment 3: something
          that is adapted; specif: a composition rewritten into
          a new form -- ad.ap.ta.tion.al adj -- ad.ap.ta.tion.al.ly
          adv

   adapter
          [adapt.er] also adap.tor n (1801) 1: one that adapts 2 a:
          a device for connecting two parts (as of different diameters)
          of an apparatus b: an attachment for adapting apparatus
          for uses not orig. intended

   adaption
          [adap.tion] n (1704): adaptation

   adaptive
          [adap.tive] adj (1824): showing or having a capacity for
          or tendency toward adaptation -- adap.tive.ly adv --
          adap.tive.ness n -- ad.ap.tiv.i.ty n

   adaptive radiation
          [adaptive radiation] n (1902): evolutionary diversification
          of a generalized ancestral form with production of a
          number of adaptively specialized forms

   Adar
          [Adar] n [ME, fr. Heb Adhar] (14c): the 6th month of the
          civil year or the 12th month of the ecclesiastical year
          in the Jewish calendar

   ad arbitrium
          [ad ar.bi.tri.um] [L] foreign term : at will: arbitrarily

   Adar Sheni
          [Adar She.ni] n [Heb Adhar Sheni second Adar] (ca. 1901):
          veadar

   ad astra per aspera
          [ad as.tra per as.pe.ra] [L] foreign term : to the stars
          by hard ways--motto of Kansas

   adaxial
          [ad.ax.i.al] adj (ca. 1900): situated on the same side as
          or facing the axis (as of an organ) <the ~ or upper surface
          of a leaf>

   ADC
          [ADC] abbreviation aide-de-camp, Aid to Dependent Children,
          Air Defense Command, assistant division commander

   add
          [add] vb [ME, fr. L addere, fr. ad- + -dere to put--more
          at do] vt (14c) 1: to join or unite so as to bring about
          an increase or improvement <~s 60 acres to his land>
          <wine ~s a creative touch to cooking> 2: to say further:
          append 3: to combine (numbers) into an equivalent simple
          quantity or number 4: to include as a member of a group
          <don't forget to ~ me in> ~ vi 1 a: to perform addition
          b: to come together or unite by addition 2 a: to serve
          as an addition <the movie will ~ to his fame> b: to make
          an addition <~ed to her savings> -- add.able or add.ible
          adj

   ADD
          [ADD] abbreviation American Dialect Dictionary, attention
          deficit disorder

   addax
          [ad.dax] n, pl ad.dax.es [L] (1693): a large light-colored
          Saharan antelope (Addax nasomaculatus) that has long
          spiralling horns

   addend
          [ad.dend] n [short for addendum] (1674): a number to be added
          to another

   addendum
          [ad.den.dum] n, pl -den.da [L, neut. of addendus, gerundive
          of addere] (1684) 1: a thing added: addition 2: a supplement
          to a book--often used in pl. but sing. in constr.

   [1]adder
          [ad.der] n [ME, alter. (by false division of a naddre) of
          naddre, fr. OE naedre; akin to OHG natara adder, L natrix
          water snake] (14c) 1: the common venomous viper (Vipera
          berus) of Europe; broadly: a terrestrial viper (family
          Viperidae) 2: any of several No. American snakes (as
          the hognose snakes) that are harmless but are popularly
          believed to be venomous [2]add.er n (1580): one that
          adds; esp: a device (as in a computer) that performs
          addition

   adder's-tongue
          [ad.der's-tongue] n (1578) 1: any of a genus (Ophioglossum,
          family Ophioglossaceae) of small ferns having a spore-bearing
          stalk resembling a serpent's tongue 2: dogtooth violet

   [1]addict
          [ad.dict] vt [L addictus, pp. of addicere to favor, fr. ad-
          + dicere to say--more at diction] (1534) 1: to devote
          or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively
          <~ed to gambling> 2: to cause addiction to a substance
          in [2]ad.dict n (1909) 1: one who is addicted to a substance
          2: devotee <a detective novel ~>

   addiction
          [ad.dic.tion] n (1599) 1: the quality or state of being addicted
          <~ to reading> 2: compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming
          substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized
          by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms
          upon withdrawal; broadly: persistent compulsive use of
          a substance known by the user to be harmful

   addictive
          [ad.dic.tive] adj (1939): causing or characterized by addiction

   Addison's disease
          [Ad.di.son's disease] n [Thomas Addison d. 1860 Eng. physician]
          (ca. 1856): a destructive disease marked by deficient
          adrenocortical secretion and characterized by extreme
          weakness, loss of weight, low blood pressure, gastrointestinal
          disturbances, and brownish pigmentation of the skin and
          mucous membranes

   addition
          [ad.di.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L addition-, additio, fr.
          addere] (14c) 1: a part added (as to a building or residential
          section) 2: the result of adding: increase 3: the act
          or process of adding; esp: the operation of combining
          numbers so as to obtain an equivalent simple quantity
          4: direct chemical combination of substances into a single
          product -- in addition : [2]besides, also -- in addition
          to : combined or associated with: [1]besides 2

   additional
          [ad.di.tion.al] adj (1646): existing by way of addition:
          added

   additionally
          [ad.di.tion.al.ly] adv (ca. 1665): in or by way of addition:
          furthermore

   [1]additive
          [ad.di.tive] adj (1699) 1: of, relating to, or characterized
          by addition 2: produced by addition 3: characterized
          by, being, or producing effects (as drug responses or
          gene products) that when the causative factors act together
          are the sum of their individual effects -- ad.di.tive.ly
          adv -- ad.di.tiv.i.ty n [2]additive n (1945): a substance
          added to another in relatively small amounts to effect
          a desired change in properties <food ~s>

   additive identity
          [additive identity] n (1960): an identity element (as 0 in
          the group of whole numbers under the operation of addition)
          that in a given mathematical system leaves unchanged
          any element to which it is added

   additive inverse
          [additive inverse] n (1958): a number that when added to
          a given number gives zero <the additive inverse of 4
          is -4>--compare opposite 3

   [1]addle
          [ad.dle] adj [ME adel filth, fr. OE adela; akin to MLG adele
          liquid manure] (1592) 1 of an egg: rotten 2: confused
          [2]addle vb ad.dled ; ad.dling vt (ca. 1712): to throw
          into confusion: confound ~ vi 1: to become rotten: spoil
          2: to become confused

   addlepated
          [ad.dle.pat.ed] adj (1630) 1: being mixed up: confused 2:
          eccentric

   addn
          [addn] abbreviation addition

   addnl
          [addnl] abbreviation additional

   [1]add-on
          [add-on] n (1946): something added on: as a: a sum or amount
          added on b: something (as an accessory or added feature)
          that enhances the thing it is added to [2]add-on adj
          (1955) 1: being or able to be added on 2: able to be
          added to <~ certificates of deposit>

   [1]address
          [ad.dress] vb [ME adressen, fr. MF adresser, fr. a- (fr.
          L ad-) + dresser to arrange--more at dress] vt (14c)
          1 archaic a: direct, aim b: to direct to go: send 2 a:
          to direct the efforts or attention of (oneself) <will
          ~ himself to the problem> b: to deal with: treat <intrigued
          by the chance to ~ important issues --I. L. Horowitz>
          3 archaic: to make ready; esp: dress 4 a: to communicate
          directly <~es his thanks to his host> b: to speak or
          write directly to; esp: to deliver a formal speech to
          5 a: to mark directions for delivery on <~ a letter>
          b: to consign to the care of another (as an agent or
          factor) 6: to greet by a prescribed form 7: to adjust
          the club preparatory to hitting (a golf ball) 8: to identify
          (as a peripheral or memory location) by an address or
          a name for information transfer ~ vi, obs: to direct
          one's speech or attentions -- ad.dress.er n [2]ad.dress
          n (1539) 1: dutiful and courteous attention esp. in courtship--usu.
          used in pl. 2 a: readiness and capability for dealing (as with
          a person or problem) skillfully and smoothly: adroitness b obs:
          a making ready; also: a state of preparedness 3 a: manner
          of bearing oneself <a man of rude ~> b: manner of speaking
          or singing: delivery 4: a formal communication; esp: a prepared
          speech delivered to a special audience or on a special occasion
          5 a: a place where a person or organization may be communicated
          with b: directions for delivery on the outside of an object (as
          a letter or package) c: the designation of place of delivery placed
          between the heading and salutation on a business letter
          6: a preparatory position of the player and club in golf
          7: a location (as in the memory of a computer) where particular
          information is stored; also: the digits that identify such
          a location syn see tact

   addressable
          [ad.dress.able] adj (1953) 1: able to be addressed: directly
          accessible <~ registers in a computer> 2: of or relating
          to a subscription television system that uses decoders
          addressable by the system operator -- ad.dress.abil.i.ty
          n

   addressee
          [ad.dress.ee] n (1810): one to whom something is addressed

   adduce
          [ad.duce] vt ad.duced ; ad.duc.ing [L adducere, lit., to
          lead to, fr. ad- + ducere to lead--more at tow] (15c):
          to offer as example, reason, or proof in discussion or
          analysis -- ad.duc.er n

   [1]adduct
          [ad.duct] vt [L adductus, pp. of adducere] (ca. 1839): to
          draw (as a limb) toward or past the median axis of the
          body; also: to bring together (similar parts) <~ the
          fingers> -- ad.duc.tive adj [2]ad.duct n [G Addukt, fr.
          L adductus] (1941): a chemical addition product

   adduction
          [ad.duc.tion] n (14c) 1: the action of adducting: the state
          of being adducted 2: the act or action of adducing

   adductor
          [ad.duc.tor] n [NL, fr. L, one that draws to, fr. adductus]
          (1615) 1: a muscle that draws a part toward the median
          line of the body or toward the axis of an extremity 2:
          a muscle that closes the valves of a bivalve mollusk

   add up
          [add up] vi (1850) 1 a: to come to the expected total <the
          bill doesn't add up> b: to form an intelligible pattern:
          make sense <her story just doesn't add up> 2 a: amount
          1b--used with to <the play adds up to a lot of laughs>
          b: to amount to a lot <just a little each time, but it
          all adds up> ~ vt: to form an opinion of <added him up
          at a glance>

   -ade
          [-ade] n suffix [ME, fr. MF, fr. OProv -ada, fr. LL -ata,
          fr. L, fem. of -atus -ate] 1: act: action <blockade>
          2: product; esp: sweet drink <limeade>

   Adelie penguin
          [Ade.lie penguin] n [Adelie Coast, Antarctica] (1907): a
          small antarctic penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)--called
          also Adelie

   -adelphous
          [-adelphous] adj comb form [prob. fr. NL -adelphus, fr. Gk
          adelphos brother, fr. ha-, a- together (akin to homos
          same) + delphys womb--more at same, dolphin]: having
          (such or so many) stamen fascicles <monadelphous>

   aden-
          [aden-] or adeno- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. aden-, aden;
          akin to L inguen groin]: gland <adenine>: adenoid <adenovirus>

   adenine
          [ad.e.nine] n [ISV, fr. its presence in glandular tissue]
          (1885): a purine base that codes hereditary information
          in the genetic code in DNA and RNA--compare cytosine,
          guanine, thymine, uracil

   adenitis
          [ad.e.ni.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1848): inflammation of a gland;
          esp: lymphadenitis

   adenocarcinoma
          [ad.e.no.car.ci.no.ma] n [NL] (ca. 1889): a malignant tumor
          originating in glandular epithelium -- ad.e.no.car.ci.no.ma.tous
          adj

   adenohypophysis
          [ad.e.no.hy.poph.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL] (1935): the anterior
          glandular lobe of the pituitary gland -- ad.e.no.hy.poph.y.se.al
          or ad.e.no.hy.po.phys.i.al adj

   [1]adenoid
          [ad.e.noid] n [Gk adenoeides glandular, fr. aden] (ca. 1890):
          an enlarged mass of lymphoid tissue at the back of the
          pharynx characteristically obstructing breathing--usu.
          used in pl. [2]adenoid adj (ca. 1947) 1: of or relating
          to the adenoids 2: relating to, affected with, or associated
          with abnormally enlarged adenoids <a severe ~ condition>
          <~ facies>

   adenoidal
          [ad.e.noi.dal] adj (1919): exhibiting the characteristics
          (as snoring, mouth breathing, and voice nasality) of
          one affected with abnormally enlarged adenoids: adenoid
          <an ~ tenor>--not usu. used technically

   adenoma
          [ad.e.no.ma] n, pl -mas also -ma.ta [NL adenomat-, adenoma]
          (1870): a benign tumor of a glandular structure or of
          glandular origin -- ad.e.no.ma.tous adj

   adenosine
          [aden.o.sine] n [ISV, blend of adenine and ribose] (ca. 1909):
          a nucleoside that is a constituent of RNA yielding adenine
          and ribose on hydrolysis

   adenosine 3,5-monophosphate
          [adenosine 3,5-monophosphate] n (1970): cyclic amp

   adenosine diphosphate
          [adenosine diphosphate] n (1938): adp

   adenosine monophosphate
          [adenosine mo.no.phos.phate] n (1950): amp

   adenosine triphosphatase
          [adenosine tri.phos.pha.tase] n (1943): atpase

   adenosine triphosphate
          [adenosine tri.phos.phate] n (1938): atp

   adenovirus
          [ad.e.no.vi.rus] n (1956): any of a group of DNA-containing
          viruses orig. identified in human adenoid tissue, causing
          respiratory diseases (as catarrh), and including some
          capable of inducing malignant tumors in experimental
          animals -- ad.e.no.vi.ral adj

   adenylate cyclase
          [ad.e.nyl.ate cy.clase] n (1968): an enzyme that catalyzes
          the formation of cyclic AMP from ATP

   adenyl cyclase
          [ad.e.nyl cyclase] n [adenine + -yl] (1968): adenylate cyclase

   adenylic acid
          [ad.e.nyl.ic acid] n (1894): amp

   [1]adept
          [ad.ept] n [NL adeptus alchemist who has attained the knowledge
          of how to change base metals into gold, fr. L, pp. of
          adipisci to attain, fr. ad- + apisci to reach--more at
          apt] (1709): a highly skilled or well-trained individual:
          expert <an ~ at chess> [2]adept adj (ca. 1691): thoroughly
          proficient: expert syn see proficient -- adept.ly adv
          -- adept.ness n

   adequacy
          [ad.e.qua.cy] n, pl -cies (1808): the quality or state of
          being adequate

   adequate
          [ad.e.quate] adj [L adaequatus, pp. of adaequare to make
          equal, fr. ad- + aequare to equal--more at equable] (ca.
          1617) 1: sufficient for a specific requirement <~ taxation
          of goods>; also: barely sufficient or satisfactory <her
          first performance was merely ~> 2: lawfully and reasonably
          sufficient syn see sufficient -- ad.e.quate.ly adv --
          ad.e.quate.ness n

   ad eundem
          [ad eun.dem] or ad eundem gra.dum adv or adj [NL ad eundem
          gradum] (1711): to, in, or of the same rank--used esp.
          of the honorary granting of academic standing or a degree
          by a university to one whose actual work was done elsewhere

   ad extremum
          [ad ex.tre.mum] [L] foreign term : to the extreme: at last

   ADF
          [ADF] abbreviation automatic direction finder

   adhere
          [ad.here] vb ad.hered ; ad.her.ing [MF or L; MF adherer,
          fr. L adhaerere, fr. ad- + haerere to stick] vi (1536)
          1: to give support or maintain loyalty 2 obs: accord
          3 3: to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction,
          grasping, or fusing 4: to bind oneself to observance
          ~ vt: to cause to stick fast syn see stick

   adherence
          [ad.her.ence] n (1531) 1: the act, action, or quality of
          adhering 2: steady or faithful attachment: fidelity

   [1]adherent
          [ad.her.ent] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF adherent, fr. L adhaerent-,
          adhaerens, prp. of adhaerere] (15c) 1: able or tending
          to adhere 2: connected or associated with esp. by contract
          3: adnate -- ad.her.ent.ly adv [2]adherent n (15c): one
          that adheres: as a: a follower of a leader, party, or
          profession b: a believer in or advocate esp. of a particular
          idea or church syn see follower

   adhesion
          [ad.he.sion] n [F or L; F adhesion, fr. L adhaesion-, adhaesio,
          fr. adhaerere] (1624) 1: steady or firm attachment: adherence
          2: the action or state of adhering 3: the abnormal union
          of separate tissue surfaces by new fibrous tissue resulting
          from an inflammatory process; also: the newly formed
          uniting tissue 4: agreement to join <~ of all nations
          to a copyright convention> 5: the molecular attraction
          exerted between the surfaces of bodies in contact --
          ad.he.sion.al adj

   [1]adhesive
          [ad.he.sive] adj (1670) 1: tending to remain in association
          or memory 2: tending to adhere or cause adherence 3:
          prepared for adhering -- ad.he.sive.ly adv -- ad.he.sive.ness
          n [2]adhesive n (1912) 1: an adhesive substance (as glue
          or cement) 2: a postage stamp with a gummed back

   adhesive binding
          [adhesive binding] n (1955): perfect binding -- ad.he.sive-bound
          adj

   adhesive tape
          [adhesive tape] n (1928): tape coated on one side with an
          adhesive mixture; esp: one used for covering wounds

   [1]ad hoc
          [ad hoc] adv [L, for this] (1659): for the particular end
          or case at hand without consideration of wider application
          [2]ad hoc adj (1879) 1 a: concerned with a particular
          end or purpose <an ad hoc investigating committee> b:
          formed or used for specific or immediate problems or
          needs <ad hoc solutions> 2: fashioned from whatever is
          immediately available: improvised <large ad hoc parades
          and demonstrations --Nat Hentoff>

   [1]ad hominem
          [ad ho.mi.nem] adj [NL, lit., to the person] (1598) 1: appealing
          to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect 2: marked
          by an attack on an opponent's character rather than by
          an answer to the contentions made [2]ad hominem adv (1962):
          in an ad hominem manner <was arguing ad hominem>

   ADIZ
          [ADIZ] abbreviation air defense identification zone

   adiabatic
          [adi.a.bat.ic] adj [Gk adiabatos impassable, fr. a- + diabatos
          passable, fr. diabainein to go across, fr. dia- + bainein
          to go--more at come] (1870): occurring without loss or
          gain of heat <~ expansion of a body of air> -- adi.a.bat.i.cal.ly
          adv

   adieu
          [adieu] n, pl adieus or adieux [ME, fr. MF, fr. a (fr. L
          ad) + Dieu God, fr. L Deus--more at deity] (14c): farewell--often
          used interjectionally

   ad infinitum
          [ad in.fi.ni.tum] adv or adj [L] (1610): without end or limit

   ad int
          [ad int] abbreviation ad interim

   [1]ad interim
          [ad in.ter.im] adv [L] (1787): for the intervening time:
          temporarily [2]ad interim adj (1818): made or serving
          ad interim

   adios
          [adi.os] interj [Sp adios, fr. a (fr. L ad) + Dios God, fr.
          L Deus] (1837)--used to express farewell

   adip-
          [adip-] or adipo- comb form [L adip-, adeps, prob. fr. Gk
          aleipha fat, oil, fr. aleiphein to rub with oil--more
          at aliphatic]: fat <adipocyte>

   adipic acid
          [adip.ic acid] n [ISV] (1877): a white crystalline dicarboxylic
          acid formed by oxidation of various fats and also made
          synthetically for use esp. in the manufacture of nylon

   adipocyte
          [ad.i.po.cyte] n (1959): fat cell

   adipose
          [ad.i.pose] adj [NL adiposus, fr. L adip-, adeps] (1743):
          of or relating to animal fat; broadly: fat -- ad.i.pos.i.ty
          n

   adipose tissue
          [adipose tissue] n (1854): connective tissue in which fat
          is stored and which has the cells distended by droplets
          of fat

   adit
          [ad.it] n [L aditus approach, fr. adire to go to, fr. ad-
          + ire to go--more at issue] (1602): a nearly horizontal
          passage from the surface in a mine

   adj
          [adj] abbreviation adjective, adjunct, adjustment, adjutant

   adjacency
          [ad.ja.cen.cy] n, pl -cies (1646) 1: something that is adjacent
          2: the quality or state of being adjacent: contiguity

   adjacent
          [ad.ja.cent] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L adjacent-, adjacens,
          prp. of adjacere to lie near, fr. ad- + jacere to lie;
          akin to L jacere to throw--more at jet] (15c) 1 a: not
          distant: nearby <the city and ~ suburbs> b: having a
          common endpoint or border <~ lots> <~ sides of a triangle>
          c: immediately preceding or following 2 of two angles:
          having the vertex and one side in common -- ad.ja.cent.ly
          adv syn adjacent, adjoining, contiguous, juxtaposed mean
          being in close proximity. adjacent may or may not imply
          contact but always implies absence of anything of the
          same kind in between <a house with an adjacent garage>.
          adjoining definitely implies meeting and touching at
          some point or line <had adjoining rooms at the hotel>.
          contiguous implies having contact on all or most of one
          side <offices in all 48 contiguous states>. juxtaposed
          means placed side by side esp. so as to permit comparison
          and contrast <a skyscraper juxtaposed to a church>.

   adjectival
          [ad.jec.ti.val] adj (1797) 1: adjective 2: characterized
          by the use of adjectives -- ad.jec.ti.val.ly adv

   [1]adjective
          [ad.jec.tive] adj [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF adjectif, fr. LL
          adjectivus, fr. L adjectus, pp. of adjicere to throw
          to, fr. ad- + jacere to throw--more at jet] (14c) 1:
          of, relating to, or functioning as an adjective <an ~
          clause> 2: not standing by itself: dependent 3: requiring
          or employing a mordant <~ dyes> 4: procedural <~ law>
          -- ad.jec.tive.ly adv [2]adjective n (14c): a word belonging
          to one of the major form classes in any of numerous languages
          and typically serving as a modifier of a noun to denote
          a quality of the thing named, to indicate its quantity
          or extent, or to specify a thing as distinct from something
          else

   adjoin
          [ad.join] vb [ME, fr. MF adjoindre, fr. L adjungere, fr.
          ad- + jungere to join--more at yoke] vt (14c) 1: to add
          or attach by joining 2: to lie next to or in contact
          with ~ vi: to be close to or in contact with one another

   adjoining
          [ad.join.ing] adj (15c): touching or bounding at a point
          or line syn see adjacent

   adjoint
          [ad.joint] n [F, fr. pp. of adjoindre to adjoin] (1907):
          the transpose of a matrix in which each element is replaced
          by its cofactor

   adjourn
          [ad.journ] vb [ME ajournen, fr. MF ajourner, fr. a- (fr.
          L ad-) + jour day--more at journey] vt (15c): to suspend
          indefinitely or until a later stated time ~ vi 1: to
          suspend a session indefinitely or to another time or
          place 2: to move to another place

   adjournment
          [ad.journ.ment] n (1607) 1: the act of adjourning 2: the
          state or interval of being adjourned

   adjudge
          [ad.judge] vt ad.judged ; ad.judg.ing [ME ajugen, fr. MF
          ajugier, fr. L adjudicare, fr. ad- + judicare to judge--more
          at judge] (14c) 1 a: to decide or rule upon as a judge:
          adjudicate b: to pronounce judicially: rule 2 archaic:
          sentence, condemn 3: to hold or pronounce to be: deem
          <~ the book a success> 4: to award or grant judicially
          in a case of controversy

   adjudicate
          [ad.ju.di.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing vt (1775): to settle
          judicially ~ vi: to act as judge -- ad.ju.di.ca.tive
          adj -- ad.ju.di.ca.tor n

   adjudication
          [ad.ju.di.ca.tion] n [F or LL; F, fr. LL adjudicatio, fr.
          L adjudicare] (1691) 1: the act or process of adjudicating
          2 a: a judicial decision or sentence b: a decree in bankruptcy
          -- ad.ju.di.ca.to.ry adj

   [1]adjunct
          [ad.junct] n [L adjunctum, fr. neut. of adjunctus, pp. of
          adjungere] (1588) 1: something joined or added to another
          thing but not essentially a part of it 2 a: a word or
          word group that qualifies or completes the meaning of
          another word or other words and is not itself a main
          structural element in its sentence b: an adverb or adverbial
          (as heartily in "Most children eat heartily" or at noon
          in "We will leave at noon") attached to the verb of a
          clause esp. to express a relation of time, place, frequency,
          degree, or manner--compare disjunct 2 3: an associate
          or assistant of another -- ad.junc.tive adj [2]adjunct
          adj (1595) 1: added or joined as an accompanying object
          or circumstance 2: attached in a subordinate or temporary
          capacity to a staff <an ~ psychiatrist> -- ad.junct.ly
          adv

   adjunction
          [ad.junc.tion] n (1618): the act or process of adjoining

   adjuration
          [ad.ju.ra.tion] n (1611) 1: a solemn oath 2: an earnest urging
          or advising -- ad.jur.a.to.ry adj

   adjure
          [ad.jure] vt ad.jured ; ad.jur.ing [ME, fr. MF & L; MF ajurer,
          fr. L adjurare, fr. ad- + jurare to swear--more at jury]
          (14c) 1: to command solemnly under or as if under oath
          or penalty of a curse 2: to urge or advise earnestly
          syn see beg

   adjust
          [ad.just] vb [ME ajusten, fr. MF ajuster to gauge, adjust,
          fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + juste right, exact--more at just]
          vt (14c) 1 a: to bring to a more satisfactory state:
          (1): settle, resolve (2): rectify b: to make correspondent
          or conformable: adapt c: to bring the parts of to a true
          or more effective relative position <~ a carburetor>
          2: to reduce to a system: regulate 3: to determine the
          amount to be paid under an insurance policy in settlement
          of (a loss) ~ vi 1: to adapt or conform oneself (as to
          new conditions) 2: to achieve mental and behavioral balance
          between one's own needs and the demands of others syn
          see adapt -- ad.just.abil.i.ty n -- ad.just.able adj
          -- ad.jus.tive adj

   adjustable rate mortgage
          [adjustable rate mortgage] n (1981): a mortgage having an
          interest rate which is usu. initially lower than that
          of a mortgage with a fixed rate but is adjusted periodically
          according to the cost of funds to the lender

   adjusted
          [ad.just.ed] adj (ca. 1674) 1: accommodated to suit a particular
          set of circumstances or requirements 2: having achieved
          an often specified and usu. harmonious relationship with
          the environment or with other individuals <a well-adjusted
          schoolchild>

   adjuster
          [ad.just.er] also ad.jus.tor n (1673): one that adjusts;
          esp: an insurance agent who investigates personal or
          property damage and makes estimates for effecting settlements

   adjustment
          [ad.just.ment] n (1644) 1: the act or process of adjusting
          2: a settlement of a claim or debt in a case in which
          the amount involved is uncertain or full payment is not
          made 3: the state of being adjusted 4: a means (as a
          mechanism) by which things are adjusted one to another
          5: a correction or modification to reflect actual conditions
          -- ad.just.men.tal adj

   adjutancy
          [ad.ju.tan.cy] n (1775): the office or rank of an adjutant

   adjutant
          [ad.ju.tant] n [L adjutant-, adjutans, prp. of adjutare to
          help--more at aid] (1539) 1: a staff officer in the army,
          air force, or marine corps who assists the commanding
          officer and is responsible esp. for correspondence 2:
          one who helps: assistant

   adjutant general
          [adjutant general] n, pl adjutants general (1645) 1: the
          chief administrative officer of an army who is responsible
          esp. for the administration and preservation of personnel
          records 2: the chief administrative officer of a major
          military unit (as a division or corps)

   [1]adjuvant
          [ad.ju.vant] adj [F or L; F, fr. L adjuvant-, adjuvans, prp.
          of adjuvare to aid--more at aid] (1574) 1: serving to
          aid or contribute: auxiliary 2: assisting in the prevention,
          amelioration, or cure of disease <~ chemotherapy following
          surgery> [2]adjuvant n (1609): one that helps or facilitates:
          as a: an ingredient (as in a prescription or a solution)
          that modifies the action of the principal ingredient
          b: something (as a drug or method) that enhances the
          effectiveness of medical treatment c: a substance enhancing
          the immune response to an antigen

   ad kalendas Graecas
          [ad ka.len.das Grae.cas] [L] foreign term : at the Greek
          calends: never (since the Greeks had no calends)

   Adlerian
          [Ad.le.ri.an] adj [Alfred Adler] (1924): of, relating to,
          or being a theory and technique of psychotherapy emphasizing
          the importance of feelings of inferiority, a will to
          power, and overcompensation in neurotic processes

   [1]ad-lib
          [ad-lib] vb ad-libbed ; ad-lib.bing [ad lib] vt (1919): to
          deliver spontaneously ~ vi: to improvise esp. lines or
          a speech -- ad-lib n [2]ad-lib adj (1935): spoken, composed,
          or performed without preparation

   ad lib
          [ad lib] adv [NL ad libitum] (ca. 1811) 1: in accordance
          with one's wishes 2: without restraint or limit

   [1]ad libitum
          [ad li.bi.tum] adv [NL, in accordance with desire] (1610):
          ad lib <rats fed ad libitum> [2]ad libitum adj (ca. 1801):
          omissible according to a performer's wishes--used as
          a direction in music--compare obbligato

   ad loc
          [ad loc] [L ad locum] abbreviation to or at the place

   adm
          [adm] abbreviation administration, administrative ADM abbreviation
          admiral

   ad majorem Dei gloriam
          [ad ma.jo.rem Dei glo.ri.am] [L] foreign term : to the greater
          glory of God--motto of the Society of Jesus

   adman
          [ad.man] n (1909): a person who writes, solicits, or places
          advertisements

   admass
          [ad.mass] n, often attrib [advertising + mass] (1955) chiefly
          Brit: mass-media advertising; also: the society influenced
          by it

   admeasure
          [ad.mea.sure] vt -sured ; -sur.ing [ME amesuren, fr. MF amesurer,
          fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + mesurer to measure] (1641): to determine
          the proper share of: apportion

   admeasurement
          [ad.mea.sure.ment] n (1523) 1: determination and apportionment
          of shares 2: determination or comparison of dimensions
          3: dimensions, size

   Admetus
          [Ad.me.tus] n [L, fr. Gk Admetos]: a king of Pherae who is
          saved by Apollo from his fated death when his wife Alcestis
          offers to die in his place

   admin
          [admin] abbreviation administration, administrative

   administer
          [ad.min.is.ter] vb -is.tered ; -is.ter.ing [ME administren,
          fr. MF administrer, fr. L administrare, fr. ad- + ministrare
          to serve, fr. minister servant--more at minister] vt
          (14c) 1: to manage or supervise the execution, use, or
          conduct of <~ a trust fund> 2 a: to mete out: dispense
          <~ punishment> b: to give ritually <~ the last rites>
          c: to give remedially <~ a dose of medicine> ~ vi 1:
          to perform the office of administrator 2: to furnish
          a benefit: minister <~ to an ailing friend> 3: to manage
          affairs -- ad.min.is.tra.ble adj -- ad.min.is.trant n

   administrate
          [ad.min.is.trate] vb -trat.ed ; -trat.ing [L administratus,
          pp. of administrare] (ca. 1617): administer

   administration
          [ad.min.is.tra.tion] n (14c) 1: performance of executive
          duties: management 2: the act or process of administering
          3: the execution of public affairs as distinguished from
          policy-making 4 a: a body of persons who administer b
          often cap: a group constituting the political executive
          in a presidential government c: a governmental agency
          or board 5: the term of office of an administrative officer
          or body

   administrative
          [ad.min.is.tra.tive] adj (ca. 1731): of or relating
          to administration or an administration: executive --
          ad.min.is.tra.tive.ly adv

   administrative county
          [administrative county] n (1949): a British local administrative
          unit often not coincident with an older county

   administrative law
          [administrative law] n (1896): law dealing with the establishment,
          duties, and powers of and available remedies against authorized
          agencies in the executive branch of the government

   administrator
          [ad.min.is.tra.tor] n (15c) 1: a person legally vested with
          the right of administration of an estate 2 a: one that
          administers esp. business, school, or governmental affairs
          b: a priest appointed to administer a diocese or parish
          temporarily

   administratrix
          [ad.min.is.tra.trix] n, pl -tra.tri.ces [NL] (ca. 1623):
          a woman administrator esp. of an estate

   admirable
          [ad.mi.ra.ble] adj (15c) 1: deserving the highest esteem:
          excellent 2 obs: exciting wonder: surprising -- ad.mi.ra.bil.i.ty
          n -- ad.mi.ra.ble.ness n -- ad.mi.ra.bly adv

   admiral
          [ad.mi.ral] n [ME, fr. MF amiral admiral & ML admiralis emir,
          admirallus admiral, fr. Ar amir-al- commander of the
          (as in amir-al-bahr commander of the sea)] (15c) 1 archaic:
          the commander in chief of a navy 2 a: flag officer b:
          a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard who
          ranks above a vice admiral and whose insignia is four
          stars--compare general 3 archaic: flagship 4: any of
          several brightly colored butterflies (family Nymphalidae)

   admiral of the fleet
          [admiral of the fleet] (1660): the highest-ranking officer
          of the British navy

   admiralty
          [ad.mi.ral.ty] n (15c) 1 cap: the executive department or
          officers formerly having general authority over British
          naval affairs 2: the court having jurisdiction over questions
          of maritime law; also: the system of law administered
          by admiralty courts

   admiration
          [ad.mi.ra.tion] n (15c) 1 archaic: wonder 2: an object of
          esteem 3: delighted or astonished approbation

   admire
          [ad.mire] vb ad.mired ; ad.mir.ing [MF admirer, fr. L admirari,
          fr. ad- + mirari to wonder, fr. mirus astonishing] vt
          (1579) 1 archaic: to marvel at 2: to regard with admiration
          ~ vi, dial: to like very much <I would ~ to know why
          not --A. H. Lewis> syn see regard -- ad.mir.er n -- ad.mir.ing.ly
          adv

   admissible
          [ad.mis.si.ble] adj [F, fr. ML admissibilis, fr. L admissus,
          pp. of admittere] (ca. 1611) 1: capable of being allowed
          or conceded: permissible <evidence legally ~ in court>
          2: capable or worthy of being admitted <~ to the university>
          -- ad.mis.si.bil.i.ty n

   admission
          [ad.mis.sion] n (15c) 1 a: the act or process of admitting
          b: the state or privilege of being admitted c: a fee
          paid at or for admission 2 a: the granting of an argument
          or position not fully proved b: acknowledgment that a
          fact or statement is true syn see admittance -- ad.mis.sive
          adj

   admit
          [ad.mit] vb ad.mit.ted ; ad.mit.ting [ME admitten, fr. L
          admittere, fr. ad- + mittere to send] vt (15c) 1 a: to
          allow scope for: permit <~s no possibility of misunderstanding>
          b: to concede as true or valid <admitted making a mistake>
          2: to allow entry (as to a place, fellowship, or privilege)
          <an open window had admitted rain> <admitted to the club>
          ~ vi 1: to give entrance or access 2 a: allow, permit
          <~s of two interpretations> b: to make acknowledgment--used
          with to syn see acknowledge

   admittance
          [ad.mit.tance] n (1536) 1: permission to enter (as a place
          or office): entrance 2: the reciprocal of the impedance
          of a circuit syn admittance, admission mean permitted
          entrance. admittance is usu. applied to mere physical
          entrance to a locality or a building <members must show
          their cards upon admittance to the club>. admission applies
          to entrance or formal acceptance (as into a club) that
          carries with it rights, privileges, standing, or membership
          <two recommendations are required for admission to the
          club>.

   admittedly
          [ad.mit.ted.ly] adv (1804) 1: as has been or must be admitted
          <an ~ inadequate treatment> 2: it must be admitted <~,
          we took a chance>

   admix
          [ad.mix] vt [back-formation fr. obs. admixt mingled (with),
          fr. ME, fr. L admixtus] (1533): to mix in

   admixture
          [ad.mix.ture] n [L admixtus, pp. of admiscere to mix with,
          fr. ad- + miscere to mix--more at mix] (1605) 1 a: the
          action of mixing b: the fact of being mixed 2 a: something
          added by mixing b: a product of mixing: mixture

   admonish
          [ad.mon.ish] vt [ME admonesten, fr. MF admonester, fr. (assumed)
          VL admonestare, alter. of L admonere to warn, fr. ad-
          + monere to warn--more at mind] (14c) 1 a: to indicate
          duties or obligations to b: to express warning or disapproval
          to esp. in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner 2:
          to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to syn
          see reprove -- ad.mon.ish.er n -- ad.mon.ish.ing.ly adv
          -- ad.mon.ish.ment n

   admonition
          [ad.mo.ni.tion] n [ME amonicioun, fr. MF amonition, fr. L
          admonition-, admonitio, fr. admonere] (14c) 1: gentle
          or friendly reproof 2: counsel or warning against fault
          or oversight

   admonitory
          [ad.mon.i.to.ry] adj (1594): expressing admonition: warning
          -- ad.mon.i.to.ri.ly adv

   adnate
          [ad.nate] adj [L adnatus, adgnatus, pp. of adgnasci to be
          born in addition, grow later--more at agnate] (1661):
          grown to a usu. unlike part esp. along a margin <a calyx
          ~ to the ovary> -- ad.na.tion n

   ad nauseam
          [ad nau.se.am] adv [L] (1647): to a sickening or excessive
          degree

   adnexa
          [ad.nexa] n pl [NL, fr. L annexa, neut. pl. of annexus, pp.
          of annectere to bind to--more at annex] (1899): conjoined,
          subordinate, or associated anatomic parts -- ad.nex.al
          adj

   ado
          [ado] n [ME, fr. at do, fr. at + don, do to do] (14c) 1:
          fussy bustling excitement: to-do 2: time-wasting bother
          over trivial details <wrote the paper without further
          ~> 3: trouble, difficulty

   adobe
          [ado.be] n [Sp, fr. Ar at-tub the brick, fr. Copt tobe brick]
          (1748) 1: a brick or building material of sun-dried earth
          and straw 2: a structure made of adobe bricks 3: a heavy
          clay used in making adobe bricks; broadly: alluvial or
          playa clay in desert or arid regions -- ado.be.like adj

   adobo
          [ado.bo] n, pl -bos [Sp] (ca. 1951): a Philippine dish of
          fish or meat marinated in a sauce usu. containing vinegar
          and garlic, browned in fat, and simmered in the marinade

   adolescence
          [ad.o.les.cence] n (15c) 1: the state or process of growing
          up 2: the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating
          legally at the age of majority 3: a stage of development
          (as of a language or culture) prior to maturity

   [1]adolescent
          [ad.o.les.cent] n [F, fr. L adolescent-, adolescens, prp.
          of adolescere to grow up--more at adult] (15c): one that
          is in the state of adolescence [2]adolescent adj (1785)
          1: of, relating to, or being in adolescence 2: emotionally
          or intellectually immature -- ad.o.les.cent.ly adv

   Adonai
          [Ado.nai] n [Heb 'adhonay] (14c)--used as a name of the God
          of the Hebrews

   Adonis
          [Ado.nis] n [L, fr. Gk Adonis] 1: a youth loved by Aphrodite
          who is killed at hunting by a wild boar and restored
          to Aphrodite from Hades for a part of each year 2: a
          very handsome young man

   adopt
          [adopt] vt [ME, fr. MF or L; MF adopter, fr. L adoptare,
          fr. ad- + optare to choose] (1500) 1: to take by choice
          into a relationship; esp: to take voluntarily (a child
          of other parents) as one's own child 2: to take up and
          practice or use <~ed a moderate tone> 3: to accept formally
          and put into effect <~ a constitutional amendment> 4:
          to choose (a textbook) for required study in a course
          -- adopt.abil.i.ty n -- adopt.able adj -- adopt.er n
          syn adopt, embrace, espouse mean to take an opinion,
          policy, or practice as one's own. adopt implies accepting
          something created by another or foreign to one's nature
          <forced to adopt new policies>. embrace implies a ready
          or happy acceptance <embraced the customs of their new
          homeland>. espouse adds an implication of close attachment
          to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes <espoused the
          cause of women's rights>.

   adoptee
          [adopt.ee] n (1892): one that is adopted

   adoption
          [adop.tion] n (14c): the act of adopting: the state of being
          adopted

   adoptionism
          [adop.tion.ism] or adop.tian.ism n, often cap (1874): the
          doctrine that Jesus of Nazareth became the Son of God
          by adoption -- adop.tion.ist n, often cap

   adoptive
          [adop.tive] adj (15c) 1: made or acquired by adoption <the
          ~ father> 2: tending to adopt 3: of or relating to adoption
          -- adop.tive.ly adv

   adorable
          [ador.able] adj (1611) 1: worthy of being adored 2: extremely
          charming <an ~ child> -- ador.abil.i.ty n -- ador.able.ness
          n -- ador.ably adv

   adoration
          [ad.o.ra.tion] n (1528): the act of adoring: the state of
          being adored

   adore
          [adore] vt adored ; ador.ing [ME adouren, fr. MF adorer,
          fr. L adorare, fr. ad- + orare to speak, pray--more at
          oration] (14c) 1: to worship or honor as a deity or as
          divine 2: to regard with loving admiration and devotion
          <adored his daughter> 3: to be extremely fond of <~s
          pecan pie> syn see revere -- ador.er n -- ador.ing.ly
          adv

   adorn
          [adorn] vt [ME, fr. MF adorner, fr. L adornare, fr. ad- +
          ornare to furnish--more at ornate] (14c) 1: to enhance
          the appearance of esp. with beautiful objects 2: to enliven
          or decorate as if with ornaments <people of fashion who
          ~ed the Court> syn adorn, decorate, ornament, embellish,
          beautify, deck, garnish mean to enhance the appearance
          of something by adding something unessential. adorn implies
          an enhancing by something beautiful in itself <a diamond
          necklace adorned her neck>. decorate suggests relieving
          plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design
          <decorate a birthday cake>. ornament and embellish imply
          the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing
          the heightening or setting off of the original <a white
          house ornamented with green shutters>, embellish often
          stressing the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament
          <embellish a page with floral borders>. beautify adds
          to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness
          or ugliness <will beautify the grounds with flower beds>.
          deck implies the addition of something that contributes
          to gaiety, splendor, or showiness <a house all decked
          out for Christmas>. garnish suggests decorating with
          a small final touch and is used esp. in referring to
          the serving of food <an entree garnished with parsley>.

   adornment
          [adorn.ment] n (14c) 1: the action of adorning: the state
          of being adorned 2: something that adorns

   ADP
          [ADP] n [adenosine diphosphate] (1944): an ester of adenosine
          that is reversibly converted to ATP for the storing of
          energy by the addition of a high-energy phosphate group--called
          also adenosine diphosphate

   ad patres
          [ad pa.tres] [L] foreign term : (gathered) to his fathers:
          deceased

   ad referendum
          [ad re.fe.ren.dum] [L] foreign term : for reference: for
          further consideration by one having the authority to
          make a final decision

   ad rem
          [ad rem] adv or adj [L, to the thing] (1599): to the point
          or purpose: relevantly

   adren-
          [adren-] or adreno- comb form [adrenal] 1: adrenal glands
          <adrenocortical> 2: adrenaline <adrenergic>

   [1]adrenal
          [ad.re.nal] adj [ad- + renal] (1875): of, relating to, or
          derived from the adrenal glands or their secretions <~
          steroids> [2]adrenal n (1882): adrenal gland

   adrenalectomy
          [ad.re.nal.ec.to.my] n (ca. 1910): surgical removal of one
          or both adrenal glands -- ad.re.nal.ec.to.mized adj

   adrenal gland
          [adrenal gland] n (1875): either of a pair of complex endocrine
          organs near the anterior medial border of the kidney
          consisting of a mesodermal cortex that produces glucocorticoid,
          mineralocorticoid, and androgenic hormones and an ectodermal
          medulla that produces epinephrine and norepinephrine--called
          also adrenal, suprarenal gland

   Adrenalin
          [Adren.a.lin] trademark--used for a preparation of levorotatory
          epinephrine

   adrenaline
          [adren.a.line] n (1901): epinephrine--often used in nontechnical
          contexts <the fans were jubilant, raucous, their ~ running
          high --W. P. Kinsella>

   adrenergic
          [ad.ren.er.gic] adj [adren- + ergic] (1934) 1: liberating
          or activated by adrenaline or a substance like adrenaline
          <an ~ nerve> 2: resembling adrenaline esp. in physiological
          action <~ drugs> -- ad.ren.er.gi.cal.ly adv

   adrenochrome
          [ad.re.no.chrome] n (ca. 1913): a red-colored mixture of
          quinones derived from epinephrine by oxidation

   adrenocortical
          [ad.re.no.cor.ti.cal] adj (1936): of, relating to, or derived
          from the cortex of the adrenal glands

   adrenocorticosteroid
          [ad.re.no.cor.ti.co.ste.roid] n (1960): a steroid obtained
          from, resembling, or having physiological effects like
          those of the adrenal cortex

   adrenocorticotropic
          [ad.re.no.cor.ti.co.tro.pic] also ad.re.no.cor.ti.co.tro.phic
          adj (1936): acting on or stimulating the adrenal cortex
          <~ activity>

   adrenocorticotropic hormone
          [adrenocorticotropic hormone] n (1937): acth

   adrenocorticotropin
          [ad.re.no.cor.ti.co.tro.pin] also ad.re.no.cor.ti.co.tro.phin
          n (1952): acth

   Adriamycin
          [Adria.my.cin] trademark--used for a preparation of the
          hydrochloride of doxorubicin

   adrift
          [adrift] adv or adj (1624) 1: without motive power and without
          anchor or mooring 2: without ties, guidance, or security
          3: free from restraint or support

   adroit
          [adroit] adj [F, fr. OF, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + droit right,
          droit] (1652): having or showing skill, cleverness, or
          resourcefulness in handling situations <an ~ leader>
          syn see clever, dexterous -- adroit.ly adv -- adroit.ness
          n

   adscititious
          [ad.sci.ti.tious] adj [L adscitus, fr. pp. of adsciscere
          to admit, adopt, fr. ad- + sciscere to get to know, fr.
          scire to know--more at science] (1620): derived or acquired
          from something extrinsic: adventitious

   adsorb
          [ad.sorb] vb [ad- + absorb] vt (1882): to take up and hold
          by adsorption ~ vi: to become adsorbed -- ad.sorb.able
          adj -- ad.sorb.er n

   adsorbate
          [ad.sor.bate] n (1928): an adsorbed substance

   adsorbent
          [ad.sor.bent] n (1917): a usu. solid substance that adsorbs
          another substance -- adsorbent adj

   adsorption
          [ad.sorp.tion] n [ad- + absorption] (1882): the adhesion
          in an extremely thin layer of molecules (as of gases,
          solutes, or liquids) to the surfaces of solid bodies
          or liquids with which they are in contact--compare absorption
          -- ad.sorp.tive adj

   adularia
          [ad.u.lar.ia] n [It, fr. F adulaire, fr. Adula, Swiss mountain
          group] (1798): a transparent or translucent orthoclase

   adulate
          [ad.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [back-formation fr. adulation,
          fr. ME, fr. MF, fr. L adulation-, adulatio, fr. adulari
          to fawn on (of dogs), flatter] (1777): to flatter or
          admire excessively or slavishly -- ad.u.la.tion n --
          ad.u.la.tor n -- ad.u.la.to.ry adj

   [1]adult
          [adult] adj [L adultus, pp. of adolescere to grow up, fr.
          ad- + -olescere (fr. alescere to grow)--more at old]
          (1531) 1: fully developed and mature: grown-up 2: of,
          relating to, intended for, or befitting adults <an ~
          approach to a problem> 3: dealing in or with explicitly
          sexual material <~ bookstores> <~ movies> -- adult.hood
          n -- adult.ly adv -- adult.ness n [2]adult n (1658):
          one that is adult; esp: a human being after an age (as
          21) specified by law -- adult.like adj

   adult education
          [adult education] n (1851): continuing education

   adulterant
          [adul.ter.ant] n (ca. 1755): an adulterating substance or
          agent -- adulterant adj

   [1]adulterate
          [adul.ter.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L adulteratus, pp. of
          adulterare, fr. ad- + alter other--more at else] (1531):
          to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of
          a foreign or inferior substance or element; esp: to prepare
          for sale by replacing more valuable with less valuable
          or inert ingredients -- adul.ter.a.tor n [2]adul.ter.ate
          adj (1590) 1: tainted with adultery: adulterous 2: being
          adulterated: spurious

   adulteration
          [adul.ter.a.tion] n (1506) 1: the process of adulterating:
          the condition of being adulterated 2: an adulterated
          product

   adulterer
          [adul.ter.er] n (1513): a person who commits adultery; esp:
          a man who commits adultery

   adulteress
          [adul.ter.ess] n (1611): a woman who commits adultery

   adulterine
          [adul.ter.ine] adj (1542) 1 a: marked by adulteration: spurious
          b: illegal 2: born of adultery

   adulterous
          [adul.ter.ous] adj (1606): relating to, characterized by,
          or given to adultery -- adul.ter.ous.ly adv

   adultery
          [adul.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME, alter. of avoutrie, fr. MF,
          fr. L adulterium, fr. adulter adulterer, back-formation
          fr. adulterare] (15c): voluntary sexual intercourse between
          a married man and someone other than his wife or between
          a married woman and someone other than her husband; also:
          an act of adultery

   adumbrate
          [ad.um.brate] vt -brat.ed ; -brat.ing [L adumbratus, pp.
          of adumbrare, fr. ad- + umbra shadow--more at umbrage]
          (1581) 1: to foreshadow vaguely: intimate 2 a: to give
          a sketchy representation or outline of b: to suggest
          or disclose partially 3: overshadow, obscure -- ad.um.bra.tion
          n -- ad.um.bra.tive adj -- ad.um.bra.tive.ly adv

   ad unguem
          [ad un.guem] [L] foreign term : to the fingernail: to a nicety:
          exactly (from the use of the fingernail to test the smoothness
          of marble)

   adust
          [adust] adj [ME, fr. L adustus, pp. of adurere to set fire
          to, fr. ad- + urere to burn--more at ember] (15c) 1:
          scorched, burned 2 archaic: of a sunburned appearance
          3 archaic: of a gloomy appearance or disposition

   ad utrumque paratus
          [ad utrum.que pa.ra.tus] [L] foreign term : prepared for
          either (event)

   adv
          [adv] abbreviation adverb, [L adversus] against; advertisement,
          advertising, advisory

   ad val
          [ad val] abbreviation ad valorem

   ad valorem
          [ad va.lo.rem] adj [L, according to the value] (1698): imposed
          at a rate percent of value <ad valorem tax on goods>

   [1]advance
          [ad.vance] vb ad.vanced ; ad.vanc.ing [ME advauncen, fr.
          OF avancier, fr. (assumed) VL abantiare, fr. LL abante
          in front, fr. L ab- + ante before--more at ante-] vt
          (15c) 1: to accelerate the growth or progress of 2: to
          bring or move forward 3: to raise to a higher rank 4
          archaic: to lift up: raise 5 a: to bring forward in time;
          esp: to make earlier <~ the date of the meeting> b: to
          place later in time 6: to bring forward for notice, consideration,
          or acceptance: propose 7: to supply or furnish in expectation
          of repayment 8: to raise in rate: increase <~ the rent>
          ~ vi 1: to move forward: proceed 2: to make progress: increase
          <~ in age> 3: to rise in rank, position, or importance 4: to rise
          in rate or price -- ad.vanc.er n syn advance, promote, forward,
          further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead. advance
          stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing
          about a desired end <advance the cause of peace>. promote suggests
          an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status
          or rank <a campaign to promote better health>. forward implies
          an impetus forcing something ahead <a wage increase would forward
          productivity>. further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way
          of a desired advance <used the marriage to further his career>.
          [2]advance n (1668) 1: a moving forward 2 a: progress
          in development <mistaking material ~ for spiritual enrichment --H.
          J. Laski> b: a progressive step: improvement <an ~ in medical
          technique> 3: a rise in price, value, or amount 4: a first step
          or approach made <her attitude discouraged all ~s> 5: a provision
          of something (as money or goods) before a return is received; also:
          the money or goods supplied -- in advance : before a deadline
          or an anticipated event -- in advance of : ahead of [3]advance adj
          (1701) 1: made, sent, or furnished ahead of time <~ sales> 2: going
          or situated before <an ~ party of soldiers>

   advanced
          [ad.vanced] adj (1534) 1: far on in time or course <a man
          ~ in years> 2 a: being beyond others in progress or ideas
          <tastes a bit too ~ for the times> b: being beyond the
          elementary or introductory <~ chemistry> c: greatly developed
          beyond an initial stage <the most ~ scientific methods>
          <~ weapons systems>

   advanced degree
          [advanced degree] n (1928): a university degree (as a master's
          or doctor's degree) higher than a bachelor's

   Advanced level
          [Advanced level] n (1947): a level

   advance man
          [advance man] n (1906): an employee who makes arrangements
          and handles publicity in advance of an appearance or
          engagement by the employer (as a political candidate
          or a circus)

   advancement
          [ad.vance.ment] n (1599) 1: the action of advancing: the
          state of being advanced: a: promotion or elevation to
          a higher rank or position b: progression to a higher
          stage of development 2: an improved feature: improvement

   [1]advantage
          [ad.van.tage] n [ME avantage, fr. MF, fr. avant before, fr.
          LL abante] (1523) 1: superiority of position or condition
          <higher ground gave the enemy the ~> 2: a factor or circumstance
          of benefit to its possessor <lacked the ~s of an education>
          3 a: benefit, gain; esp: benefit resulting from some
          course of action <a mistake which turned out to our ~>
          b obs: interest 2a 4: the first point won in tennis after
          deuce -- to advantage : so as to produce a favorable
          impression or effect [2]advantage vt -taged ; -tag.ing
          (1549): to give an advantage to: benefit

   advantageous
          [ad.van.ta.geous] adj (1598): giving an advantage: favorable
          -- ad.van.ta.geous.ly adv -- ad.van.ta.geous.ness n

   advection
          [ad.vec.tion] n [L advection-, advectio act of bringing,
          fr. advehere to carry to, fr. ad- + vehere to carry--more
          at way] (1910): the usu. horizontal movement of a mass
          of fluid (as air or an ocean current); also: transport
          (as of pollutants or plankton) by such movement -- ad.vect
          vt -- ad.vec.tive adj

   Advent
          [Ad.vent] n [ME, fr. ML adventus, fr. L, arrival, fr. advenire]
          (12c) 1: the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas
          and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer
          and fasting 2 a: the coming of Christ at the Incarnation
          b: second coming 3 not cap: a coming into being or use
          <the ~ of spring> <the ~ of pasteurization> <the ~ of
          personal computers>

   Adventism
          [Ad.vent.ism] n (1874) 1: the doctrine that the second coming
          of Christ and the end of the world are near at hand 2:
          the principles and practices of Seventh-Day Adventists
          -- Ad.vent.ist adj or n

   adventitia
          [ad.ven.ti.tia] n [NL, alter. of L adventicia, neut. pl.
          of adventicius coming from outside, fr. adventus, pp.]
          (1876): an external chiefly connective tissue covering
          of an organ; esp: the external coat of a blood vessel
          -- ad.ven.ti.tial adj

   adventitious
          [ad.ven.ti.tious] adj [L adventicius] (1603) 1: coming from
          another source and not inherent or innate 2: arising
          or occurring sporadically or in other than the usual
          location <~ roots> -- ad.ven.ti.tious.ly adv

   adventive
          [ad.ven.tive] adj (ca. 1859) 1: introduced but not fully
          naturalized 2: adventitious 2 -- adventive n

   Advent Sunday
          [Advent Sunday] n (15c): the first Sunday in Advent

   [1]adventure
          [ad.ven.ture] n [ME aventure, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL adventura,
          fr. L adventus, pp. of advenire to arrive, fr. ad- +
          venire to come--more at come] (14c) 1 a: an undertaking
          usu. involving danger and unknown risks b: the encountering
          of risks <the spirit of ~> 2: an exciting or remarkable
          experience <an ~ in exotic dining> 3: an enterprise involving
          financial risk [2]adventure vb ad.ven.tured ; ad.ven.tur.ing
          vt (14c) 1: to expose to danger or loss: venture 2: to
          venture upon: try ~ vi 1: to proceed despite risk 2:
          to take the risk

   adventurer
          [ad.ven.tur.er] n (1539) 1: one that adventures: as a: soldier
          of fortune b: one that engages in risky commercial enterprises
          for profit 2: one who seeks unmerited wealth or position
          esp. by playing on the credulity or prejudice of others

   adventuresome
          [ad.ven.ture.some] adj (ca. 1731): inclined to take risks:
          venturesome -- ad.ven.ture.some.ness n

   adventuress
          [ad.ven.tur.ess] n (1754): a female adventurer; esp: one
          who seeks position or livelihood by questionable means

   adventurism
          [ad.ven.tur.ism] n (1932): improvisation or experimentation
          (as in politics or military or foreign affairs) in the
          absence or in defiance of accepted plans or principles
          -- ad.ven.tur.ist n -- ad.ven.tur.is.tic adj

   adventurous
          [ad.ven.tur.ous] adj (14c) 1 a: disposed to seek adventure
          or to cope with the new and unknown <an ~ explorer> b:
          innovative <an ~ artistic style> 2: characterized by
          unknown dangers and risks <an ~ journey> -- ad.ven.tur.ous.ly
          adv -- ad.ven.tur.ous.ness n syn adventurous, venturesome,
          daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing
          oneself to danger more than required by good sense. adventurous
          implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily
          imprudence <adventurous pioneers>. venturesome implies
          a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings <venturesome
          stunt pilots>. daring heightens the implication of fearlessness
          in courting danger <daring mountain climbers>. daredevil
          stresses ostentation in daring <daredevil motorcyclists>.
          rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought <a rash
          decision>. reckless implies heedlessness of probable
          consequences <a reckless driver>. foolhardy suggests
          a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense <only
          a foolhardy sailor would venture into this storm>.

   [1]adverb
          [ad.verb] n [ME adverbe, fr. MF, fr. L adverbium, fr. ad-
          + verbum word--more at word] (14c): a word belonging
          to one of the major form classes in any of numerous languages,
          typically serving as a modifier of a verb, an adjective,
          another adverb, a preposition, a phrase, a clause, or
          a sentence, expressing some relation of manner or quality,
          place, time, degree, number, cause, opposition, affirmation,
          or denial, and in English also serving to connect and
          to express comment on clause content--compare adjunct,
          conjunct, disjunct [2]adverb adj (1879): adverbial

   adverbial
          [ad.ver.bi.al] adj (1611): of, relating to, or having the
          function of an adverb -- adverbial n -- ad.ver.bi.al.ly
          adv

   ad verbum
          [ad ver.bum] adv [L] (ca. 1580): to a word: verbatim

   adversarial
          [ad.ver.sar.i.al] adj (1926): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of an adversary or adversary procedures: adversary

   [1]adversary
          [ad.ver.sary] n, pl -sar.ies (14c): one that contends with,
          opposes, or resists: enemy -- ad.ver.sari.ness n [2]adversary
          adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or involving an adversary
          2: having or involving antagonistic parties or opposing
          interests <divorce can be an ~ proceeding>

   adversative
          [ad.ver.sa.tive] adj (15c): expressing antithesis, opposition,
          or adverse circumstance <the ~ conjunction but> -- adversative
          n -- ad.ver.sa.tive.ly adv

   adverse
          [ad.verse] adj [ME, fr. MF advers, fr. L adversus, pp. of
          advertere] (14c) 1: acting against or in a contrary direction:
          hostile <hindered by ~ winds> 2 a: opposed to one's interests
          <an ~ verdict> <heard testimony ~ to their position>;
          esp: unfavorable <~ criticism> b: causing harm: harmful
          <~ drug effects> 3 archaic: opposite in position -- ad.verse.ly
          adv -- ad.verse.ness n

   adversity
          [ad.ver.si.ty] n, pl -ties (13c) 1: a state or condition
          contrary to one of well-being 2: an instance of adversity
          syn see misfortune

   [1]advert
          [ad.vert] vi [ME adverten, fr. MF & L; MF advertir, fr. L
          advertere, fr. ad- + vertere to turn--more at worth]
          (15c) 1: to turn the mind or attention--used with to
          <~ed to the speaker> 2: to call attention in the course
          of speaking or writing: make reference--used with to
          <~ed to foreign-language sources> [2]ad.vert n (1860)
          chiefly Brit: advertisement

   advertence
          [ad.ver.tence] n (14c) 1: the action or process of adverting:
          attention 2: advertency 1

   advertency
          [ad.ver.ten.cy] n, pl -cies (1646) 1: the quality or state
          of being advertent: heedfulness 2: advertence 1

   advertent
          [ad.ver.tent] adj [L advertent-, advertens, prp. of advertere]
          (1671): giving attention: heedful -- ad.ver.tent.ly adv

   advertise
          [ad.ver.tise] vb -tised ; -tis.ing [ME, fr. MF advertiss-,
          stem of advertir] vt (15c) 1: to make something known
          to: notify 2 a: to make publicly and generally known
          <advertising their readiness to make concessions> b:
          to announce publicly esp. by a printed notice or a broadcast
          c: to call public attention to esp. by emphasizing desirable
          qualities so as to arouse a desire to buy or patronize:
          promote ~ vi: to issue or sponsor advertising <~ for
          a secretary> -- ad.ver.tis.er n

   advertisement
          [ad.ver.tise.ment] n (15c) 1: the act or process of advertising
          2: a public notice; esp: one published in the press or
          broadcast over the air

   advertising
          [ad.ver.tis.ing] n (1762) 1: the action of calling something
          to the attention of the public esp. by paid announcements
          2: advertisements <the magazine contains much ~> 3: the
          business of preparing advertisements for publication
          or broadcast

   advertize, advertizement
          [ad.ver.tize, ad.ver.tize.ment] Brit var of advertise,
          advertisement

   advertorial
          [ad.ver.to.ri.al] n [blend of advertisement and editorial]
          (1946): an advertisement that imitates editorial format

   advice
          [ad.vice] n [ME, fr. MF avis opinion, prob. fr. the phrase
          ce m'est a vis that appears to me, part trans. of L mihi
          visum est it seemed so to me, I decided] (14c) 1: recommendation
          regarding a decision or course of conduct: counsel <he
          shall have power, by and with the ~ and consent of the
          Senate, to make treaties --U.S. Constitution> 2: information
          or notice given--usu. used in pl. 3: an official notice
          concerning a business transaction

   advisable
          [ad.vis.able] adj (1647): fit to be advised or done: prudent
          syn see expedient -- ad.vis.abil.i.ty n -- ad.vis.able.ness
          n -- ad.vis.ably adv

   advise
          [ad.vise] vb ad.vised ; ad.vis.ing [ME, fr. MF aviser, fr.
          avis] vt (14c) 1 a: to give advice to: counsel <~ her
          to try a drier climate> b: caution, warn <~ them of the
          consequences> c: recommend <~ prudence> 2: to give information
          or notice to: inform <~ them of their rights> ~ vi 1:
          to give advice <~ on legal matters> 2: to take counsel:
          consult <~ with your parents> -- ad.vis.er also ad.vi.sor
          n

   advised
          [ad.vised] adj (14c): thought out: considered--often used
          in combination <ill-advised plans> -- ad.vis.ed.ly adv

   advisee
          [ad.vis.ee] n (1824): one that is advised

   advisement
          [ad.vise.ment] n (14c) 1: careful consideration: deliberation
          2: the act or process of advising (as a college student)

   [1]advisory
          [ad.vi.so.ry] adj (1778) 1: having or exercising power to
          advise 2: containing or giving advice [2]advisory n,
          pl -ries (1936): a report giving information (as on the
          weather) and often recommending action to be taken

   ad vivum
          [ad vi.vum] [L] foreign term : to the life

   advocacy
          [ad.vo.ca.cy] n (15c): the act or process of advocating or
          supporting a cause or proposal

   advocacy journalism
          [advocacy journalism] n (1970): journalism that advocates
          a cause or expresses a viewpoint -- advocacy journalist
          n

   [1]advocate
          [ad.vo.cate] n [ME advocat, fr. MF, fr. L advocatus, fr.
          pp. of advocare to summon, fr. ad- + vocare to call,
          fr. voc-, vox voice--more at voice] (14c) 1: one that
          pleads the cause of another; specif: one that pleads
          the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court
          2: one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal
          [2]ad.vo.cate vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (1599): to plead
          in favor of syn see support -- ad.vo.ca.tion n -- ad.vo.ca.tive
          adj -- ad.vo.ca.tor n

   advowson
          [ad.vow.son] n [ME, fr. OF avoueson, fr. ML advocation-,
          advocatio, fr. L, act of calling, fr. advocare] (14c):
          the right in English law of presenting a nominee to an
          ecclesiastical benefice

   advt
          [advt] abbreviation advertisement

   adynamic
          [ady.nam.ic] adj [Gk adynamia lack of strength, fr. a- +
          dynamis power, fr. dynasthai to be able] (1829): characterized
          by or causing a loss of strength or function <~ ileus>

   adytum
          [ad.y.tum] n, pl -ta [L, fr. Gk adyton, neut. of adytos not
          to be entered, fr. a- + dyein to enter] (1611): the innermost
          sanctuary in an ancient temple open only to priests:
          sanctum

   adze
          [adze] also adz n [ME adse, fr. OE adesa] (bef. 12c): a cutting
          tool that has a thin arched blade set at right angles
          to the handle and is used chiefly for shaping wood

   adzuki bean
          [ad.zu.ki bean] n [Jp azuki] (1795): an annual bushy leguminous
          plant (Vignis angularis syn. Phaseolus angularis) widely
          grown in Japan and China for its seeds which are used
          as food and to produce a flour; also: its seed--called
          also adzuki

   ae...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ae
          [ae] adj [ME (northern dial.) a, alter. of an] (1737) chiefly
          Scot: one

   Aeacus
          [Ae.a.cus] n [L, fr. Gk Aiakos]: a son of Zeus who is given
          the Myrmidons as followers and becomes on his death a
          judge of the underworld

   AEC
          [AEC] abbreviation Atomic Energy Commission

   aeciospore
          [ae.cio.spore] n (1905): one of the spores arranged within
          an aecium in a series like a chain

   aecium
          [ae.ci.um] n, pl -cia [NL, fr. Gk aikia outrage, assault,
          fr. aikes, aeikes unseemly, fr. a- + -eikes, fr. eikenai
          to seem] (1905): the fruiting body of a rust fungus in
          which the first binucleate spores are usu. produced --
          ae.cial adj

   aedes
          [ae.des] n, pl aedes [NL, genus name, fr. Gk aedes unpleasant,
          fr. a- + edos pleasure; akin to Gk hedys sweet--more
          at sweet] (ca. 1909): any of a genus (Aedes) of mosquitoes
          including the vector of yellow fever, dengue, and other
          diseases -- ae.dine adj

   aedile
          [ae.dile] n [L aedilis, fr. aedes temple--more at edify]
          (1540): an official in ancient Rome in charge of public
          works and games, police, and the grain supply

   AEF
          [AEF] abbreviation American Expeditionary Force

   Aegean
          [Ae.ge.an] adj [L Aegaeus, fr. Gk Aigaios] (1550) 1: of or
          relating to the arm of the Mediterranean Sea east of
          Greece 2: of or relating to the chiefly Bronze Age civilization
          of the islands of the Aegean Sea and the countries adjacent
          to it

   aegis
          [ae.gis] n [L, fr. Gk aigis, lit., goatskin, fr. aig-, aix
          goat; akin to Arm ayc goat] (1611) 1: a shield or breastplate
          emblematic of majesty that was associated with Zeus and
          Athena 2 a: protection <under the ~ of the constitution>
          b: controlling or conditioning influence <many American
          mothers, under the ~ of benevolent permissiveness ...
          actually neglect their children --Time> 3 a: auspices,
          sponsorship <under the ~ of the museum> b: control or
          guidance esp. by an individual, group, or system <the
          plan unfolded under the general's ~>

   Aegisthus
          [Ae.gis.thus] n [L, fr. Gk Aigisthos]: a lover of Clytemnestra
          slain with her by her son Orestes

   aegri somnia
          [ae.gri som.nia] [L] foreign term : a sick man's dreams

   -aemia
          [-aemia] chiefly Brit var of -emia

   Aeneas
          [Ae.ne.as] n [L, fr. Gk Aineias]: a son of Anchises and Aphrodite,
          defender of Troy, and hero of Virgil's Aeneid

   Aeneolithic
          [Ae.ne.o.lith.ic] adj [L aeneus of copper or bronze, fr.
          aes copper, bronze--more at ore] (1901): of or relating
          to a transitional period between the Neolithic and Bronze
          ages in which some copper was used

   [1]aeolian
          [ae.o.lian] adj (1605) 1 often cap: of or relating to Aeolus
          2: giving forth or marked by a moaning or sighing sound
          or musical tone produced by or as if by the wind [2]aeolian
          var of eolian [1]Ae.o.lian adj (1589): of or relating
          to Aeolis or its inhabitants [2]Aeolian n (ca. 1889)
          1: a member of a group of Greek peoples of Thessaly and
          Boeotia that colonized Lesbos and the adjacent coast
          of Asia Minor 2: aeolic

   aeolian harp
          [aeolian harp] n (1791): a box-shaped musical instrument
          having stretched strings usu. tuned in unison on which
          the wind produces varying harmonics over the same fundamental
          tone

   [1]Aeolic
          [Ae.ol.ic] adj (1674): aeolian [2]Aeolic n (1902): a group
          of ancient Greek dialects used by the Aeolians

   Aeolus
          [Ae.o.lus] n [L, fr. Gk Aiolos]: the Greek god of the winds

   aeon
          [ae.on] n [L, fr. Gk aion--more at aye] (1647) 1: an immeasurably
          or indefinitely long period of time: age 2: a unit of
          time equal to one billion years--used in geology

   aeonian
          [ae.o.ni.an] or ae.on.ic adj (1765): lasting for an immeasurably
          or indefinitely long period of time

   aepyornis
          [ae.py.or.nis] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk aipys high + ornis
          bird--more at erne] (1851): any of a group (genus Aepyornis
          or order Aepyornithiformes) of gigantic ratite birds
          known only from remains found in Madagascar--called also
          elephant bird

   aeq
          [aeq] [L aequalis] abbreviation equal

   aequam servare mentem
          [ae.quam ser.va.re men.tem] [L] foreign term : to preserve
          a calm mind

   aequo animo
          [ae.quo ani.mo] [L] foreign term : with even mind: calmly

   aer-
          [aer-] or aero- comb form [ME aero-, fr. MF, fr. L, fr. Gk
          aer-, aero-, fr. aer] 1 a: air: atmosphere <aerate> <aerobiology>
          b: air and <aerospace> 2: gas <aerosol> 3: aviation <aerodrome>

   aerate
          [aer.ate] vt aer.at.ed ; aer.at.ing (1794) 1: to supply (the
          blood) with oxygen by respiration 2: to supply or impregnate
          (as the soil or a liquid) with air 3 a Brit: carbonate
          2 b: to make light or sparkling -- aer.a.tion n

   aerator
          [aer.a.tor] n (1861): one that aerates; esp: an apparatus
          for aerating something (as sewage)

   aerenchyma
          [aer.en.chy.ma] n [NL] (ca. 1893): the spongy modified cork
          tissue of many aquatic plants that facilitates gaseous
          exchange and maintains buoyancy

   aere perennius
          [ae.re per.en.ni.us] [L] foreign term : more lasting than
          bronze

   [1]aerial
          [ae.ri.al] adj [L aerius, fr. Gk aerios, fr. aer] (1604)
          1 a: of, relating to, or occurring in the air or atmosphere
          b: existing or growing in the air rather than in the
          ground or in water c: high in the air <~ spires> d: operating
          or operated overhead on elevated cables or rails <an
          ~ tram> 2: suggestive of air: as a: lacking substance:
          thin <fine and ~ distinctions> b: fanciful, ethereal
          <visions of ~ joy --P. B. Shelley> 3 a: of or relating
          to aircraft <~ navigation> b: designed for use in, taken
          from, or operating from or against aircraft <~ photo>
          c: effected by means of aircraft <~ transportation> 4:
          of, relating to, or gained by the forward pass in football
          -- ae.ri.al.ly adv [2]aer.i.al n (1902) 1: antenna 2
          2: forward pass

   aerialist
          [ae.ri.al.ist] n (1905): one that performs feats in the air
          or above the ground esp. on the flying trapeze

   aerial ladder
          [aerial ladder] n (1904): a mechanically operated extensible
          ladder usu. mounted on a fire truck

   aerial perspective
          [aerial perspective] n (1720): the expression of space in
          painting by gradation of color and distinctness

   aerie
          [ae.rie] n [ML aerea, fr. OF aire, prob. fr. (assumed) VL
          agrum origin, nest, lair, fr. L ager field--more at acre]
          (1581) 1: the nest of a bird on a cliff or a mountaintop
          2 obs: a brood of birds of prey 3: an elevated often
          secluded dwelling, structure, or position

   aero
          [aero] abbreviation aeronautical, aeronautics

   aero
          [aero] adj [aero-] (1874): of or relating to aircraft or
          aeronautics <an ~ engine>

   aerobatics
          [aer.o.bat.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [aer- + acrobatics]
          (ca. 1911): spectacular flying feats and maneuvers (as
          rolls and dives) -- aer.o.bat.ic adj

   aerobe
          [aer.obe] n [F aerobie, fr. aero- aer- + -bie (fr. Gk -bion,
          fr. bios life)--more at quick] (1886): an organism (as
          a bacterium) that lives only in the presence of oxygen

   aerobic
          [aer.o.bic] adj (1884) 1: living, active, or occurring only
          in the presence of oxygen <~ respiration> 2: of, relating
          to, or induced by aerobes 3: involving, utilizing, or
          used in aerobics <an ~ workout> <~ fitness> -- aer.o.bi.cal.ly
          adv

   aerobics
          [aer.o.bics] n pl (1967) 1 sing or pl in constr: a system
          of physical conditioning involving exercises (as running,
          walking, swimming, or calisthenics) strenuously performed
          so as to cause marked temporary increase in respiration
          and heart rate 2: aerobic exercises

   aerobiology
          [aero.bi.ol.o.gy] n [aer- + biology] (ca. 1937): the science
          dealing with the occurrence, transportation, and effects
          of airborne materials (as viruses, pollen, or pollutants)
          -- aero.bi.o.log.i.cal adj

   aerobiosis
          [aero.bi.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [NL] (ca. 1900): life in the
          presence of air or oxygen

   aerodrome
          [aero.drome] n (1908) chiefly Brit: airfield

   aerodynamicist
          [aero.dy.nam.i.cist] n (1926): one who specializes in aerodynamics

   aerodynamics
          [aero.dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1837):
          a branch of dynamics that deals with the motion of air
          and other gaseous fluids and with the forces acting on
          bodies in motion relative to such fluids -- aero.dy.nam.ic
          also aero.dy.nam.i.cal adj -- aero.dy.nam.i.cal.ly adv

   aerodyne
          [aero.dyne] n [aerodynamic] (ca. 1906): a heavier-than-air
          aircraft (as an airplane, helicopter, or glider)--compare
          aerostat

   aeroelasticity
          [aero.elas.tic.i.ty] n (1935): distortion (as from bending
          or flexing) in a structure (as an airplane wing or a
          building) caused by aerodynamic forces -- aero.elas.tic
          adj

   aeroembolism
          [aero.em.bo.lism] n (ca. 1939): a condition equivalent to
          bends caused by rapid ascent to high altitudes and resulting
          exposure to rapidly lowered air pressure

   aerofoil
          [aero.foil] n (1907) chiefly Brit: airfoil

   aerogram
          [aero.gram] or aero.gramme n (1899): air letter 2

   aerographer's mate
          [aer.og.ra.pher's mate] n (ca. 1952): a navy petty officer
          specializing in meteorology

   aerolite
          [aer.o.lite] n (ca. 1815): a stony meteorite

   aeromagnetic
          [aero.mag.net.ic] adj (1948): of, relating to, or derived
          from a study of the earth's magnetic field esp. from
          the air <an ~ survey>

   aeromechanics
          [aero.me.chan.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1909):
          mechanics that deals with the equilibrium and motion
          of gases and of solid bodies immersed in them

   aeromedicine
          [aero.med.i.cine] n (1942): a branch of medicine that deals
          with the diseases and disturbances arising from flying
          and the associated physiological and psychological problems
          -- aero.med.i.cal adj

   aerometer
          [aer.om.e.ter] n [prob. fr. F aerometre, fr. aer- + -metre
          -meter] (1794): an instrument for ascertaining the weight
          or density of air or other gases

   aeronaut
          [aero.naut] n [F aeronaute, fr. aeraer- + Gk nautes sailor--more
          at nautical] (1784): one that operates or travels in an airship
          or balloon

   aeronautics
          [aero.nau.tics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1824) 1: a science
          dealing with the operation of aircraft 2: the art or
          science of flight -- aero.nau.ti.cal also aero.nau.tic
          adj -- aero.nau.ti.cal.ly adv

   aeronomy
          [aer.on.o.my] n (1957): a science that deals with the physics
          and chemistry of the upper atmosphere of planets -- aer.on.o.mer
          n -- aer.o.nom.ic or aer.o.nom.i.cal adj -- aer.on.o.mist
          n

   aeroplane
          [aero.plane] n [F aeroplane, fr. aero- aer- + -plane, prob.
          fr. fem. of plan flat, level, fr. L planus--more at floor]
          (1873) chiefly Brit: airplane

   aerosol
          [aero.sol] n (1923) 1: a suspension of fine solid or liquid
          particles in gas <smoke, fog, and mist are ~s> 2: a substance
          (as an insecticide or cosmetic) dispensed from a pressurized
          container esp. as an aerosol; also: the container for
          this

   aerosolize
          [aero.sol.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1944): to disperse as
          an aerosol -- aero.sol.iza.tion n

   [1]aerospace
          [aero.space] n (ca. 1958) 1: space comprising the earth's
          atmosphere and the space beyond 2: a physical science
          that deals with aerospace 3: the aerospace industry [2]aerospace
          adj (1958): of or relating to aerospace, to vehicles
          used in aerospace or the manufacture of such vehicles,
          or to travel in aerospace <~ research> <~ profits> <~
          medicine>

   aerospace plane
          [aerospace plane] n (1960): an airplane designed to be able
          to reach low earth orbit

   aerostat
          [aero.stat] n [F aerostat, fr. aer- + -stat] (1784):
          a lighter-than-air aircraft (as a balloon or blimp)--compare
          aerodyne

   aerostatics
          [aero.stat.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [modif. of
          NL aerostatica, fr. aer- + statica statics] (1784): a
          branch of statics that deals with the equilibrium of
          gaseous fluids and of solid bodies immersed in them

   aerothermodynamics
          [aero.ther.mo.dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1949):
          the thermodynamics of gases and esp. of air --
          aero.ther.mo.dy.nam.ic adj

   [1]aery
          [aery] adj aer.i.er ; -est [L aerius--more at aerial] (14c):
          having an aerial quality: ethereal <~ visions> -- aer.i.ly
          adv [2]aery var of aerie

   Aesculapian
          [Aes.cu.la.pi.an] adj [Aesculapius, Greco-Roman god of medicine,
          fr. L, fr. Gk Asklepios] (1605): of or relating to Aesculapius
          or the healing art

   Aesir
          [Ae.sir] n pl [ON AEsir, pl. of ass god]: the principal race
          of Norse gods

   Aesopian
          [Ae.so.pi.an] also Ae.sop.ic adj (1728) 1: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of Aesop or his fables 2: conveying
          an innocent meaning to an outsider but a hidden meaning
          to a member of a conspiracy or underground movement <~
          language>

   aesthete
          [aes.thete] n [back-formation fr. aesthetic] (1881): one
          having or affecting sensitivity to the beautiful esp.
          in art

   [1]aesthetic
          [aes.thet.ic] or aes.thet.i.cal adj [G asthetisch, fr. NL
          aestheticus, fr. Gk aisthetikos of sense perception,
          fr. aisthanesthai to perceive--more at audible] (1798)
          1 a: of, relating to, or dealing with aesthetics or the
          beautiful <~ theories> b: artistic <a work of ~ value>
          c: pleasing in appearance: attractive <easy-to-use keyboards,
          clear graphics, and other ergonomic and ~ features --Mark
          Mehler> 2: appreciative of, responsive to, or zealous
          about the beautiful; also: responsive to or appreciative
          of what is pleasurable to the senses -- aes.thet.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]aesthetic n (1822) 1 pl but sing or pl in constr:
          a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty,
          art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation
          of beauty 2: a particular theory or conception of beauty
          or art: a particular taste for or approach to what is
          pleasing to the senses and esp. sight <modernist ~s>
          <staging new ballets which reflected the ~ of the new
          nation --Mary Clarke & Clement Crisp> 3 pl: a pleasing
          appearance or effect: beauty <appreciated the ~s of the
          gemstones>

   aesthetic distance
          [aesthetic distance] n (1938): the frame of reference that
          an artist creates by the use of technical devices in
          and around the work of art to differentiate it psychologically
          from reality

   aesthetician
          [aes.the.ti.cian] n (1829): a specialist in aesthetics

   aestheticism
          [aes.thet.i.cism] n (1855) 1: a doctrine that the principles
          of beauty are basic to other and esp. moral principles
          2: devotion to or emphasis on beauty or the cultivation
          of the arts

   aestheticize
          [aes.thet.i.cize] vt -cized ; -cizing (1864): to make aesthetic

   aestival
          [aes.ti.val] var of estival

   aestivate, aestivation
          [aes.ti.vate, aes.ti.va.tion] var of estivate, estivation

   aet
          [aet] or aetat [L aetatis] abbreviation of age, aged

   aether
          [aether] var of ether 2a

   aetiology
          [ae.ti.ol.o.gy] chiefly Brit var of etiology

   af...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   af-
          [af-] --see ad-

   af
          [af] abbreviation affix  AF abbreviation air force, audio
          frequency

   [1]afar
          [afar] adv [ME afer, fr. on fer at a distance and of fer
          from a distance] (14c): from, to, or at a great distance
          <roamed ~> [2]afar n (14c): a great distance <saw him
          from ~>

   AFB
          [AFB] abbreviation air force base

   AFC
          [AFC] abbreviation American Football Conference, automatic
          frequency control

   AFDC
          [AFDC] abbreviation Aid to Families with Dependent Children

   afeard
          [afeard] or afeared adj [ME afered, fr. OE afaered, pp. of
          afaeran to frighten, fr. a-, perfective prefix + faeran
          to frighten--more at abide, fear] (bef. 12c) dial: afraid

   afebrile
          [afe.brile] adj (1875): not marked by fever

   aff
          [aff] abbreviation affirmative

   affable
          [af.fa.ble] adj [MF, fr. L affabilis, fr. affari to speak
          to, fr. ad- + fari to speak--more at ban] (15c) 1: being
          pleasant and at ease in talking to others 2: characterized
          by ease and friendliness syn see gracious -- af.fa.bil.i.ty
          n -- af.fa.bly adv

   affair
          [af.fair] n [ME & MF; ME affaire, fr. MF, fr. a faire to
          do] (14c) 1 a pl: commercial, professional, public, or
          personal business b: matter, concern 2: a procedure,
          action, or occasion only vaguely specified; also: an
          object or collection of objects only vaguely specified
          <their house was a 2-story ~> 3 also af.faire a: a romantic
          or passionate attachment typically of limited duration:
          liaison 2b b: a matter occasioning public anxiety, controversy,
          or scandal: case

   [1]affect
          [af.fect] n [ME, fr. L affectus, fr. afficere] (14c) 1 obs:
          feeling, affection 2: the conscious subjective aspect
          of an emotion considered apart from bodily changes usage
          see effect [2]af.fect vb [ME, fr. MF & L; MF affecter,
          fr. L affectare, freq. of afficere to influence, fr.
          ad- + facere to do--more at do] vt (15c) 1 archaic: to
          aim at 2 a archaic: to have affection for b: to be given
          to: fancy <~ flashy clothes> 3: to make a display of
          liking or using: cultivate <~ a worldly manner> 4: to
          put on a pretense of: feign <~ indifference, though deeply
          hurt> 5: to tend toward <drops of water ~ roundness>
          6: frequent ~ vi, obs: incline 2 syn see assume usage
          see effect [3]affect vt [ME, fr. affectus, pp. of afficere]
          (15c): to produce an effect upon: as a: to produce a
          material influence upon or alteration in <paralysis ~ed
          his limbs> b: to act upon (as a person or a person's
          mind or feelings) so as to effect a response: influence
          usage see effect -- af.fect.abil.i.ty n -- af.fect.able
          adj syn affect, influence, touch, impress, strike, sway
          mean to produce or have an effect upon. affect implies
          the action of a stimulus that can produce a response
          or reaction <the sight affected her to tears>. influence
          implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature
          or behavior) <our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing>
          <a drug that influences growth rates>. touch may carry
          a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring,
          arousing, or harming <plants touched by frost> <his emotions
          were touched by her distress>. impress stresses the depth
          and persistence of the effect <only one of the plans
          impressed him>. strike, similar to but weaker than impress,
          may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation
          <struck by the solemnity of the occasion>. sway implies
          the acting of influences that are not resisted or are
          irresistible, with resulting change in character or course
          of action <politicians who are swayed by popular opinion>.

   affectation
          [af.fec.ta.tion] n (1548) 1 a: the act of taking on or displaying
          an attitude or mode of behavior not natural to oneself
          or not genuinely felt b: speech or conduct not natural
          to oneself: artificiality 2 obs: a striving after syn
          see pose

   affected
          [af.fect.ed] adj (1587) 1: inclined, disposed <was well ~
          toward her> 2 a: given to affectation b: assumed artificially
          or falsely: pretended <an ~ interest in art> -- af.fect.ed.ly
          adv -- af.fect.ed.ness n

   affecting
          [af.fect.ing] adj (1720): evoking a strong emotional response
          syn see moving -- af.fect.ing.ly adv

   affection
          [af.fec.tion] n [ME, fr. OF affection, fr. L affection-,
          affectio, fr. afficere] (13c) 1: a moderate feeling or
          emotion 2: tender attachment: fondness <she had a deep
          ~ for her parents> 3 a (1): a bodily condition (2): disease,
          malady b: attribute <shape and weight are ~s of bodies>
          4 obs: partiality, prejudice 5: the feeling aspect (as
          in pleasure) of consciousness 6 a: propensity, disposition
          b archaic: affectation 1 7: the action of affecting:
          the state of being affected syn see feeling -- af.fec.tion.less
          adj

   affectional
          [af.fec.tion.al] adj (1859): of or relating to the affections
          -- af.fec.tion.al.ly adv

   affectionate
          [af.fec.tion.ate] adj (15c) 1 obs: inclined, disposed 2:
          having affection or warm regard: loving 3: proceeding
          from affection: tender <~ care> -- af.fec.tion.ate.ly
          adv

   affectioned
          [af.fec.tioned] adj (1555) archaic: having a tendency, disposition,
          or inclination: disposed

   affective
          [af.fec.tive] adj (1623) 1: relating to, arising from, or
          influencing feelings or emotions: emotional <~ disorders>
          2: expressing emotion <~ language> -- af.fec.tive.ly
          adv -- af.fec.tiv.i.ty n

   affectless
          [af.fect.less] adj (1967): showing or expressing no emotion;
          also: unfeeling <a ruthless ~ society> -- af.fect.less.ness
          n

   affenpinscher
          [af.fen.pin.scher] n [G, fr. Affe ape + Pinscher, a breed
          of hunting dog] (1903): any of a breed of toy dogs with
          a wiry black, red, tan, or gray coat, erect ears, large
          round eyes, and bushy eyebrows, chin tuft, and mustache

   [1]afferent
          [af.fer.ent] adj [L afferent-, afferens, prp. of afferre
          to bring to, fr. ad- + ferre to bear--more at bear] (ca.
          1847): bearing or conducting inward; specif: conveying
          impulses toward a nerve center (as the brain or spinal
          cord)--compare efferent -- af.fer.ent.ly adv [2]afferent
          n (1949): an afferent anatomical part (as a nerve)

   [1]affiance
          [af.fi.ance] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. affier to pledge, trust,
          fr. ML affidare to pledge, fr. L ad- + (assumed) VL fidare
          to trust--more at fiance] (14c) archaic: trust, confidence
          [2]affiance vt -anced ; -anc.ing (1555): to solemnly
          promise (oneself or another) in marriage: betroth

   affiant
          [af.fi.ant] n [MF, fr. prp. of affier] (1807): one that swears
          to an affidavit; broadly: deponent

   afficionado
          [af.fi.cio.na.do] var of aficionado

   affidavit
          [af.fi.da.vit] n [ML, he has made an oath, fr. affidare]
          (1593): a sworn statement in writing made esp. under
          oath or an affirmation before an authorized magistrate
          or officer

   [1]affiliate
          [af.fil.i.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML affiliatus, pp. of
          affiliare to adopt as a son, fr. L ad- + filius son--more
          at feminine] vt (1761) 1 a: to bring or receive into
          close connection as a member or branch b: to associate
          as a member <~s herself with the local club> 2: to trace
          the origin of ~ vi: to connect or associate oneself:
          combine -- af.fil.i.a.tion n [2]af.fil.i.ate n (1879):
          an affiliated person or organization

   affiliated
          [af.fil.i.at.ed] adj (1795): closely associated with another
          typically in a dependent or subordinate position <the
          university and its ~ medical school>

   [1]affine
          [af.fine] n [MF affin, fr. L affinis, fr. affinis related]
          (ca. 1509): a relative by marriage [2]affine adj [L affinis,
          adj.] (1918): of, relating to, or being a transformation
          (as a translation, a rotation, or a uniform stretching)
          that carries straight lines into straight lines and parallel
          lines into parallel lines but may alter distance between
          points and angles between lines <~ geometry> -- af.fine.ly
          adv

   affined
          [af.fined] adj (1597) 1: joined in a close relationship:
          connected 2: bound by obligation

   affinity
          [af.fin.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME affinite, fr. MF or L; MF afinite,
          fr. L affinitas, fr. affinis bordering on, related by
          marriage, fr. ad- + finis end, border] (14c) 1: relationship
          by marriage 2 a: sympathy marked by community of interest:
          kinship b (1): an attraction to or liking for something
          <people with an ~ to darkness --Mark Twain> <pork and
          fennel have a natural ~ for each other --Abby Mandel>
          (2): an attractive force between substances or particles
          that causes them to enter into and remain in chemical
          combination c: a person esp. of the opposite sex having
          a particular attraction for one 3 a: likeness based on
          relationship or causal connection <found an ~ between
          the teller of a tale and the craftsman --Mary McCarthy>
          <this investigation, with affinities to a case history,
          a psychoanalysis, a detective story --Oliver Sachs> b:
          a relation between biological groups involving resemblance
          in structural plan and indicating a common origin syn
          see attraction

   affinity chromatography
          [affinity chromatography] n (1970): chromatography in which
          a macromolecule (as a protein) is isolated and purified
          by passing it in solution through a column treated with
          a substance having a ligand for which the macromolecule
          has an affinity that causes it to be retained on the
          column

   affinity group
          [affinity group] n (1970): a group of people having a common
          interest or goal or acting together for a specific purpose
          (as for a chartered tour)

   affirm
          [af.firm] vb [ME affermen, fr. MF afermer, fr. L affirmare,
          fr. ad- + firmare to make firm, fr. firmus firm--more
          at firm] vt (14c) 1 a: validate, confirm b: to state
          positively 2: to assert (as a judgment or decree) as
          valid or confirmed 3: to express dedication to ~ vi 1:
          to testify or declare by affirmation as distinguished
          from swearing an oath 2: to uphold a judgment or decree
          of a lower court syn see assert -- af.firm.able adj --
          af.fir.mance n

   affirmation
          [af.fir.ma.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act of affirming b: something
          affirmed: a positive assertion 2: a solemn declaration
          made under the penalties of perjury by a person who conscientiously
          declines taking an oath

   [1]affirmative
          [af.fir.ma.tive] adj (15c) 1: asserting a predicate of a
          subject 2: asserting that the fact is so 3: positive
          <~ approach> 4: favoring or supporting a proposition
          or motion -- af.fir.ma.tive.ly adv [2]affirmative n (15c)
          1: an expression (as the word yes) of affirmation or
          assent 2: an affirmative proposition 3: the side that
          upholds the proposition stated in a debate

   affirmative action
          [affirmative action] n (1965): an active effort to improve
          the employment or educational opportunities of members
          of minority groups and women

   [1]affix
          [af.fix] vt [L affixus, pp. of affigere to fasten to, fr.
          ad- + figere to fasten--more at fix] (1533) 1: to attach
          physically <~ a stamp to a letter> 2: to attach in any
          way: add, append <~ a signature to a document> 3: impress
          <~ed my seal> syn see fasten -- af.fix.able adj -- af.fix.a.tion
          n -- af.fix.ment n [2]af.fix n (1612) 1: one or more
          sounds or letters occurring as a bound form attached
          to the beginning or end of a word, base, or phrase or
          inserted within a word or base and serving to produce
          a derivative word or an inflectional form 2: appendage
          -- af.fix.al or af.fix.i.al adj

   afflatus
          [af.fla.tus] n [L, act of blowing or breathing on, fr. afflare
          to blow on, fr. ad- + flare to blow--more at blow] (1660):
          a divine imparting of knowledge or power: inspiration

   afflict
          [af.flict] vt [ME, fr. L afflictus, pp. of affligere to cast
          down, fr. ad- + fligere to strike--more at profligate]
          (14c) 1 obs a: humble b: overthrow 2 a: to distress so
          severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish
          b: trouble, injure syn afflict, try, torment, torture,
          rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard
          to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the
          causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment,
          or any distress <ills that afflict the elderly>. try suggests
          imposing something that strains the powers of endurance
          or of self-control <children often try their parents' patience>.
          torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting
          of suffering or annoyance <a horse tormented by flies>. torture
          adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering
          <tortured by a sense of guilt>. rack stresses straining
          or wrenching <a body racked by pain>.

   affliction
          [af.flic.tion] n (14c) 1: the state of being afflicted 2:
          the cause of persistent pain or distress 3: great suffering

   afflictive
          [af.flic.tive] adj (ca. 1611): causing affliction: distressing,
          troublesome -- af.flic.tive.ly adv

   affluence
          [af.flu.ence] n (14c) 1 a: an abundant flow or supply: profusion
          b: abundance of property: wealth 2: a flowing to or toward
          a point: influx

   affluency
          [af.flu.en.cy] n, pl -cies (1664): affluence

   [1]affluent
          [af.flu.ent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L affluent-, affluens,
          prp. of affluere to flow to, flow abundantly, fr. ad-
          + fluere to flow--more at fluid] (15c) 1: flowing in
          abundance <~ streams> <~ creativity> 2: having a generously
          sufficient and typically increasing supply of material
          possessions <our ~ society> syn see rich -- af.flu.ent.ly
          adv [2]affluent n (1833) 1: a tributary stream 2: an
          affluent person

   afford
          [af.ford] vt [ME aforthen, fr. OE geforthian to carry out,
          fr. ge-, perfective prefix + forthian to carry out, fr.
          forth--more at co-, forth] (14c) 1 a: to manage to bear
          without serious detriment <you can't ~ to neglect your
          health> b: to be able to bear the cost of <can't ~ to
          be out of work long> <able to ~ a new car> 2: to make
          available, give forth, or provide naturally or inevitably
          <the sun ~s warmth to the earth> <the roof ~ed a fine
          view> syn see give -- af.ford.abil.i.ty n -- af.ford.able
          adj -- af.ford.ably adv

   afforestation
          [af.for.es.ta.tion] n [ML afforestation-, afforestatio, fr.
          afforestare to put under forest laws, fr. L ad- + ML
          foresta, forestis forest] (1615): the act or process
          of establishing a forest esp. on land not previously
          forested -- af.for.est vt

   [1]affray
          [af.fray] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. affreer to startle] (14c): fray,
          brawl [2]affray vt [ME affraien, fr. MF affreer] (14c)
          archaic: startle, frighten

   affricate
          [af.fri.cate] n [prob. fr. G Affrikata, fr. L affricata,
          fem. of affricatus, pp. of affricare to rub against,
          fr. ad- + fricare to rub--more at friction] (1880): a
          stop and its immediately following release into a fricative
          that are considered to constitute a single phoneme (as
          the /t/ and /sh/ of /ch/ in choose) -- af.fric.a.tive
          n or adj

   [1]affright
          [af.fright] vt [ME afyrht, afright frightened, fr. OE afyrht,
          pp. of afyrhtan to frighten, fr. a-, perfective prefix
          + fyrhtan to fear; akin to OE fyrhto fright--more at
          abide, fright] (bef. 12c): frighten, alarm [2]affright
          n (1596): sudden and great fear: terror

   [1]affront
          [af.front] vt [ME afronten, fr. MF afronter to defy, fr.
          (assumed) VL affrontare, fr. L ad- + front-, frons forehead]
          (14c) 1 a: to insult esp. to the face by behavior or
          language b: to cause offense to <a system of law about
          both family and marriage that ~ed lay society --J. H.
          Mundy> 2 a: to face in defiance: confront <~ death> b
          obs: to encounter face-to-face 3: to appear directly
          before syn see offend [2]affront n (1533) 1 obs: a hostile
          encounter 2: a deliberate offense: insult <an ~ to his
          dignity>

   afft
          [afft] abbreviation affidavit

   affusion
          [af.fu.sion] n [LL affusion-, affusio, fr. L affundere to
          pour on, fr. ad- + fundere to pour--more at found] (1615):
          an act of pouring a liquid on (as in baptism)

   Afghan
          [Af.ghan] n [Per afghan Pashtun] (1767) 1 a (1): pashtun
          (2): pashto b: a native or inhabitant of Afghanistan
          2 not cap: a blanket or shawl of colored wool knitted
          or crocheted in strips or squares 3 not cap: a Turkoman
          carpet of large size and long pile woven in geometric
          designs 4: afghan hound -- Afghan adj

   Afghan hound
          [Afghan hound] n (1925): any of a breed of tall slim swift
          hunting dogs of Near Eastern origin with a coat of silky
          thick hair and a long silky topknot

   afghani
          [af.ghani] n [Per afghani, lit., of the Pashtuns] (1927):
          the basic monetary unit of Afghanistan

   aficionada
          [afi.cio.na.da] n [Sp, fem. of aficionado] (1952): a female
          aficionado

   aficionado
          [afi.cio.na.do] n, pl -dos [Sp, fr. pp. of aficionar to inspire
          affection, fr. aficion affection, fr. L affection-, affectio--more
          at affection] (1845): a person who likes, knows about, and
          appreciates a usu. fervently pursued interest or activity: devotee
          <~s of the bullfight> <movie ~s>

   afield
          [afield] adv or adj (bef. 12c) 1: to, in, or on the field
          <was weak at bat but strong ~> 2: away from home: abroad
          3: out of the way: astray <irrelevant remarks that carried
          us far ~>

   afire
          [afire] adj or adv (13c): being on fire: blazing

   AFL
          [AFL] abbreviation American Football League

   aflame
          [aflame] adj or adv (1555): afire

   aflatoxin
          [af.la.tox.in] n [NL Aspergillus flavus, species of mold
          + E toxin] (1962): any of several carcinogenic mycotoxins
          that are produced esp. in stored agricultural crops (as
          peanuts) by molds (as Aspergillus flavus)

   AFL-CIO
          [AFL-CIO] abbreviation American Federation of Labor and Congress
          of Industrial Organizations

   afloat
          [afloat] adj or adv [ME aflot, fr. OE on flot, fr. on + flot,
          fr. flot deep water, sea; akin to OE fleotan to float--more
          at fleet] (bef. 12c) 1 a: borne on or as if on the water
          b: being at sea 2: free of difficulties: self-sufficient
          <the inheritance kept them ~ for years> 3 a: circulating
          about <nasty stories were ~> b: adrift

   aflutter
          [aflut.ter] adj (1830) 1: being in a flutter: fluttering
          2: nervously excited 3: filled with or marked by the
          presence of fluttering things <roofs ~ with flags>

   afoot
          [afoot] adv or adj (13c) 1: on foot 2: in the process of
          development: under way <something out of the ordinary
          was ~ --Hamilton Basso>

   afore
          [afore] adv or conj or prep [ME, fr. OE onforan, fr. on +
          foran before--more at before] (bef. 12c) chiefly dial:
          before

   aforementioned
          [afore.men.tioned] adj (1587): mentioned previously

   aforesaid
          [afore.said] adj (14c): said or named before or above

   aforethought
          [afore.thought] adj (1581): previously in mind: premeditated,
          deliberate <with malice ~>

   afoul of
          [afoul of] prep (1824) 1: in or into conflict with 2: in
          or into collision or entanglement with

   AFP
          [AFP] abbreviation alpha-fetoprotein

   Afr
          [Afr] abbreviation Africa, African

   Afr-
          [Afr-] or Afrocomb form [L Afr-, Afer]: African <Afro-American>:
          African and <Afro-Asiatic>

   afraid
          [afraid] adj [ME affraied, fr. pp. of affraien to frighten--more
          at affray] (14c) 1: filled with fear or apprehension
          <~ of machines> <~ for his job> 2: filled with concern
          or regret over an unwanted situation <I'm ~ I won't be
          able to go> 3: having a dislike for something <~ of hard
          work> syn see fearful

   afreet
          [afreet] or afrit n [Ar 'ifrit] (1786): a powerful evil jinni,
          demon, or monstrous giant in Arabic mythology

   afresh
          [afresh] adv (15c): from a fresh beginning: anew, again

   [1]African
          [Af.ri.can] n (bef. 12c) 1: a native or inhabitant of Africa
          2: a person and esp. a black person of African ancestry
          [2]African adj (1564): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the continent of Africa or its people -- Af.ri.can.ness
          n

   Africana
          [Af.ri.ca.na] n pl (1908): materials (as books, documents,
          or artifacts) relating to African history and culture

   African-American
          [Af.ri.can-Amer.i.can] n (1984): afro-american -- African-American
          adj

   African buffalo
          [African buffalo] n (1902): cape buffalo

   African daisy
          [African daisy] n (ca. 1889): any of a genus (Arctotis) of
          widely cultivated composite herbs

   Africander
          [Af.ri.can.der] or Af.ri.kan.der n [Afrik Afrikaner, Afrikaander,
          lit., Afrikaner] (1852): any of a breed of tall red large-horned
          humped southern African cattle used chiefly for meat
          or draft

   African elephant
          [African elephant] n (1607): elephant 1a

   Africanise
          [Af.ri.can.ise] Brit var of africanize

   Africanism
          [Af.ri.can.ism] n (1641) 1: a characteristic feature (as
          a custom or belief) of African culture 2: a characteristic
          feature of an African language occurring in a non-African
          language 3: allegiance to the traditions, interests,
          or ideals of Africa

   Africanist
          [Af.ri.can.ist] n (1895): a specialist in African languages
          or cultures

   Africanize
          [Af.ri.can.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1853) 1: to cause to
          acquire a distinctively African trait 2: to bring under
          the influence, control, or cultural or civil supremacy
          of Africans and esp. black Africans -- Af.ri.can.iza.tion
          n

   Africanized bee
          [Africanized bee] n (1974): a honeybee that originated in
          Brazil as an accidental hybrid between an aggressive
          African subspecies (Apis mellifera scutellata) and previously
          established European honeybees and has spread to Mexico
          and the southernmost U.S. by breeding with local bees
          producing populations retaining most of the African bee's
          traits--called also Africanized honeybee, killer bee

   African mahogany
          [African mahogany] n (1842): mahogany 1b

   African violet
          [African violet] n (1902): any of several tropical African
          gesneriads (esp. Saintpaulia ionantha) widely grown as
          houseplants for their velvety fleshy leaves and showy
          purple, pink, or white flowers

   [1]Afrikaans
          [Af.ri.kaans] n [Afrik, fr. afrikaans, adj., African, fr.
          obs. Afrik afrikanisch, fr. L africanus] (1908): a language
          developed from 17th century Dutch that is one of the
          official languages of the Republic of So. Africa [2]Afrikaans
          adj (1923): of or relating to Afrikaners or Afrikaans

   Afrikaner
          [Af.ri.ka.ner] n, often attrib [Afrik, lit., African, fr.
          L africanus] (1824): a South African of European descent
          whose native language is Afrikaans -- Af.ri.ka.ner.dom
          n

   [1]Afro
          [Af.ro] adj [prob. fr. Afro-American] (1938): characterized
          by or being a hairstyle of tight curls in a full evenly
          rounded shape [2]Afro n, pl Afros (1968): an Afro hairstyle

   Afro-American
          [Af.ro-Amer.i.can] n (1853): an American of African and esp.
          of black African descent -- Afro-American adj

   Afro-Asiatic
          [Af.ro-Asi.at.ic] adj (1953): of, relating to, or being a
          family of languages widely distributed over southwestern
          Asia and Africa comprising the Semitic, Egyptian, Berber,
          Cushitic, and Chadic subfamilies

   Afrocentric
          [Af.ro.cen.tric] adj (1966): centered on or derived from
          Africa or the Africans -- Af.ro.cen.trism n

   [1]aft
          [aft] adv [ME afte back, fr. OE aeftan from behind, behind;
          akin to OE aefter] (1628): near, toward, or in the stern
          of a ship or the tail of an aircraft: abaft <called all
          hands ~> [2]aft adj (1816): rearward, after 2 <the ~
          decks> [3]aft Scot var of oft

   aft
          [aft] abbreviation afternoon AFT abbreviation American Federation
          of Teachers, automatic fine tuning

   [1]after
          [af.ter] adv [ME, fr. OE aefter; akin to OHG aftar after,
          and prob. to OE of of] (bef. 12c): following in time
          or place: afterward, behind, later <we arrived shortly
          ~> <returned 20 years ~> [2]after prep (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          behind in place b (1): subsequent to in time or order
          (2): subsequent to and in view of <~ all our advice>
          2--used as a function word to indicate the object of
          a stated or implied action <go ~ gold> <was asking ~
          you> 3: so as to resemble: as a: in accordance with b:
          with the name of or a name derived from that of c: in
          the characteristic manner of d: in imitation of [3]after
          conj (bef. 12c): subsequently to the time when [4]after
          adj (bef. 12c) 1: later in time <in ~ years> 2: located
          toward the rear and esp. toward the stern of a ship or
          tail of an aircraft [5]af.ter verbal auxiliary (1800)
          chiefly Irish--used with a present participle to indicate
          action completed and esp. just completed <the poor old
          man is ~ dying on me --J. M. Synge> [6]after n (ca. 1902):
          afternoon

   after all
          [after all] adv (1846) 1: in spite of considerations
          or expectations to the contrary: nevertheless <decided to take the
          train after all> <didn't rain after all> 2--used as a sentence
          modifier to emphasize something to be taken into consideration
          <literature which is after all only a special department of reading
          --W. W. Watt>

   afterbirth
          [af.ter.birth] n (1587): the placenta and fetal membranes
          that are expelled after delivery

   afterburner
          [af.ter.burn.er] n (1947) 1: a device incorporated into the
          tail pipe of a turbojet engine for injecting fuel into
          the hot exhaust gases and burning it to provide extra
          thrust 2: a device for burning or catalytically destroying
          unburned or partially burned carbon compounds in exhaust
          (as from an automobile)

   aftercare
          [af.ter.care] n (1894): the care, treatment, help, or supervision
          given to persons discharged from an institution (as a
          hospital)

   afterclap
          [af.ter.clap] n (14c): an unexpected damaging or unsettling
          event following a supposedly closed affair

   afterdeck
          [af.ter.deck] n (1897): the part of a deck abaft amidships

   aftereffect
          [af.ter.ef.fect] n (1817): an effect that follows its cause
          after an interval

   afterglow
          [af.ter.glow] n (1871) 1: a reflection of past splendor,
          success, or emotion 2: a glow remaining where a light
          has disappeared

   after-hours
          [af.ter-hours] adj (1929): engaged in or operating after
          a legal or conventional closing time <~ drinking> <an
          ~ club>

   afterimage
          [af.ter.im.age] n (1874): a usu. visual sensation occurring
          after stimulation by its external cause has ceased

   afterlife
          [af.ter.life] n (ca. 1593) 1: an existence after death 2:
          a later period in one's life

   aftermarket
          [af.ter.mar.ket] n (1940) 1: the market for parts and accessories
          used in the repair or enhancement of a product (as an
          automobile) 2: a secondary market available after sales
          in the original market are finished <a movie in the videocassette
          ~>

   aftermath
          [af.ter.math] n [[4]after + math (mowing, crop)] (1523) 1:
          a second-growth crop--called also rowen 2: consequence,
          result <stricken with guilt as an ~ of the accident>
          3: the period immediately following a usu. ruinous event
          <in the ~ of the war>

   aftermost
          [af.ter.most] adj (1773): farthest aft

   afternoon
          [af.ter.noon] n (13c) 1: the part of day between noon and
          sunset 2: a relatively late period (as of time or life)
          <in the ~ of the 19th century> -- afternoon adj

   afternoons
          [af.ter.noons] adv (1896): in the afternoon repeatedly: on
          any afternoon

   afterpiece
          [af.ter.piece] n (1779): a short usu. comic entertainment
          performed after a play

   afters
          [af.ters] n pl (ca. 1909) Brit: dessert

   aftershave
          [af.ter.shave] n (1946): a usu. scented lotion for use on
          the face after shaving

   aftershock
          [af.ter.shock] n (1894) 1: a minor shock following the main
          shock of an earthquake 2: an aftereffect of a distressing
          or traumatic event

   aftertaste
          [af.ter.taste] n (ca. 1798): persistence of a sensation (as
          of flavor or an emotion) after the stimulating agent
          or experience has gone

   after-tax
          [af.ter-tax] adj (1954): remaining after payment of taxes
          and esp. of income tax <an ~ profit>

   afterthought
          [af.ter.thought] n (ca. 1661) 1: an idea occurring later
          2: a part, feature, or device not thought of originally

   aftertime
          [af.ter.time] n (1597): future

   afterward
          [af.ter.ward] or af.ter.wards adv (13c): at a later or succeeding
          time: subsequently, thereafter

   afterword
          [af.ter.word] n (1890): epilogue 1

   afterworld
          [af.ter.world] n (1596): a future world: a world after death

   AFTRA
          [AFTRA] abbreviation American Federation of Television and
          Radio Artists

   ag...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ag
          [ag] adj (ca. 1918): of or relating to agriculture <~ schools>

   Ag
          [Ag] [L argentum] abbreviation silver  AG abbreviation adjutant
          general, attorney general

   ag-
          [ag-] --see ad-

   Agada
          [Aga.da] var of haggadah

   again
          [again] adv [ME, opposite, again, fr. OE ongean opposite,
          back, fr. on + gen, gean still, again; akin to OE gean-
          against, OHG gegin against, toward] (13c) 1: in return:
          back <swore he would pay him ~ when he was able --Shak.>
          2: another time: once more: anew <I shall not look upon
          his like ~ --Shak.> 3: on the other hand <he might go,
          and ~ he might not> 4: in addition: besides <~, there
          is another matter to consider>

   again and again
          [again and again] adv (1604): often, repeatedly

   [1]against
          [against] prep [ME, alter. of againes, fr. again] (13c) 1
          a: in opposition or hostility to b: contrary to <~ the
          law> c: in competition with d: as a basis for disapproval
          of <had nothing ~ him> 2 a: directly opposite: facing
          b obs: exposed to 3: compared or contrasted with 4 a:
          in preparation or provision for b: as a defense or protection
          from 5 a: in the direction of and into contact with b:
          in contact with 6: in a direction opposite to the motion
          or course of: counter to 7 a: as a counterbalance to
          b: in exchange for c: as a charge on 8: before the background
          of [2]against conj (14c) archaic: in preparation for
          the time when <throw on another log of wood ~ father
          comes home --Charles Dickens>

   Agamemnon
          [Ag.a.mem.non] n [L, fr. Gk Agamemnon]: a king of Mycenae
          and leader of the Greeks in the Trojan War

   agamete
          [aga.mete] n [ISV, fr. Gk agametos unmarried, fr. a- + gamein
          to marry, fr. gamos marriage] (ca. 1920): an asexual
          reproductive cell (as a spore)

   agamic
          [agam.ic] adj [Gk agamos unmarried, fr. a- + gamos] (1850):
          asexual, parthenogenetic

   agammaglobulinemia
          [agam.ma.glob.u.lin.emia] n [NL, fr. a- + ISV gamma globulin
          + NL -emia] (ca. 1952): a condition in which the body
          forms few or no gamma globulins or antibodies --
          agam.ma.glob.u.lin.emic adj

   agamospermy
          [aga.mo.sper.my] n [Gk agamos + E -spermy] (1944): apogamy;
          specif: apogamy in which sexual union is not completed
          and the embryo is produced from the innermost layer of
          the integument of the female gametophyte

   agapanthus
          [ag.a.pan.thus] n, pl -thus also -thuses [NL, genus name,
          fr. Gk agape + anthos flower--more at anthology] (ca.
          1789): any of several African plants (genus Agapanthus)
          of the lily family cultivated for their umbels of showy
          blue or purple flowers

   [1]agape
          [aga.pe] n [LL, fr. Gk agape, lit., love] (1607) 1: love
          feast 2: love 4a [2]agape adj or adv (1667) 1: wide open:
          gaping 2: being in a state of wonder

   agar
          [agar] n [Malay agar-agar] (1889) 1: a gelatinous colloidal
          extractive of a red alga (as of the genera Gelidium,
          Gracilaria, and Eucheuma) used esp. in culture media
          or as a gelling and stabilizing agent in foods 2: a culture
          medium containing agar

   agar-agar
          [agar-agar] n [Malay] (1820): agar

   agaric
          [aga.ric] n [L agaricum, a fungus, fr. Gk agarikon] (15c)
          1: the dried fruiting body of a fungus (Fomes officinalis
          syn. Polyporus officinalis) formerly used in medicine
          2: any of a family (Agaricaceae) of fungi with the sporophore
          usu. resembling an umbrella and with numerous gills on
          the underside of the cap

   agarose
          [aga.rose] n (1964): a polysaccharide obtained from agar
          and used esp. as a supporting medium in gel electrophoresis

   agate
          [ag.ate] n, often attrib [MF, fr. L achates, fr. Gk achates]
          (1570) 1: a fine-grained variegated chalcedony having
          its colors arranged in stripes, blended in clouds, or
          showing mosslike forms 2: something made of or fitted
          with agate: as a: a drawplate used by gold-wire drawers
          b: a playing marble of agate 3: a size of type approximately
          5 1/2 points

   agate line
          [agate line] n (ca. 1935): a space one column wide and 1/14
          inch deep used as a unit of measurement in classified
          advertising

   agate ware
          [agate ware] n (1857) 1: pottery veined and mottled to resemble
          agate 2: an enameled iron or steel ware for household
          utensils

   agave
          [aga.ve] n [NL Agave, genus name, fr. L, a daughter of Cadmus,
          fr. Gk Agaue] (ca. 1797): any of a genus (Agave of the
          family Agavraceae, the agave family) of plants having
          spiny-margined leaves and flowers in tall spreading panicles
          and including some cultivated for their fiber or sap
          or for ornament

   agaze
          [agaze] adj (ca. 1902): engaged in the act of gazing

   AGC
          [AGC] abbreviation advanced graduate certificate

   agcy
          [agcy] abbreviation agency

   -age
          [-age] n suffix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L -aticum] 1: aggregate:
          collection <trackage> 2 a: action: process <haulage>
          b: cumulative result of <breakage> c: rate of <dosage>
          3: house or place of <orphanage> 4: state: rank <peonage>
          5: charge <postage>

   [1]age
          [age] n [ME, fr. OF aage, fr. (assumed) VL aetaticum, fr.
          L aetat-, aetas, fr. aevum lifetime--more at aye] (13c)
          1 a: the time of life at which some particular qualification,
          power, or capacity arises or rests <the voting ~ is 18>;
          specif: majority b: one of the stages of life c: the
          length of an existence extending from the beginning to
          any given time <a boy 10 years of ~> d: lifetime e: an
          advanced stage of life 2: a period of time dominated
          by a central figure or prominent feature <the ~ of Pericles>:
          as a: a period in history or human progress <the ~ of
          reptiles> <the ~ of exploration> b: a cultural period
          marked by the prominence of a particular item <entering
          the atomic ~> c: a division of geologic time that is
          usu. shorter than an epoch 3 a: the period contemporary
          with a person's lifetime or with his or her active life
          b: a long time--usu. used in pl. <haven't seen him in
          ~s> c: generation 4: an individual's development measured
          in terms of the years requisite for like development
          of an average individual syn see period [2]age vb aged
          ; ag.ing or age.ing vi (14c) 1: to become old: show the
          effects or the characteristics of increasing age 2: to
          acquire a desirable quality (as mellowness or ripeness)
          by standing undisturbed for some time <letting cheese
          ~> ~ vt 1: to cause to become old 2: to bring to a state
          fit for use or to maturity -- ag.er n

   aged
          [aged] adj (15c) 1: grown old: as a: of an advanced age b:
          having attained a specified age <a man ~ 40 years> 2:
          typical of old age -- ag.ed.ness n

   age-group
          [age-group] n (1904): a segment of a population that is of
          approximately the same age or is within a specified range
          of ages

   ageism
          [age.ism] also ag.ism n (1969): prejudice or discrimination
          against a particular age-group and esp. the elderly --
          age.ist also ag.ist adj

   ageless
          [age.less] adj (1651) 1: not growing old or showing the effects
          of age 2: timeless, eternal <~ truths> -- age.less.ly
          adv -- age.less.ness n

   agelong
          [age.long] adj (1810): lasting for an age: everlasting

   age-mate
          [age-mate] n (1583): one who is of about the same age as
          another

   agency
          [agen.cy] n, pl -cies (1658) 1: the capacity, condition,
          or state of acting or of exerting power: operation 2:
          a person or thing through which power is exerted or an
          end is achieved: instrumentality <communicated through
          the ~ of the ambassador> 3 a: the office or function
          of an agent b: the relationship between a principal and
          his agent 4: an establishment engaged in doing business
          for another <an advertising ~> 5: an administrative division
          (as of a government) <the ~ for consumer protection>

   agency shop
          [agency shop] n (ca. 1946): a shop in which the union serves
          as the agent for and receives dues and assessments from
          all employees in the bargaining unit regardless of union
          membership

   agenda
          [agen.da] n [L, neut. pl. of agendum, gerundive of agere]
          (1871) 1: a list or outline of things to be considered
          or done <~s of faculty meetings> 2: an underlying often
          ideological plan or program <a political ~> -- agen.da.less
          adj

   agendum
          [agen.dum] n, pl -da or -dums [L] (ca. 1847) 1: agenda 2:
          an item on an agenda

   agenesis
          [agen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1879): lack or failure of development
          (as of a body part)

   agent
          [agent] n [ME, fr. ML agent-, agens, fr. L, prp. of agere
          to drive, lead, act, do; akin to ON aka to travel in
          a vehicle, Gk agein to drive, lead] (15c) 1: one that
          acts or exerts power 2 a: something that produces or
          is capable of producing an effect: an active or efficient
          cause b: a chemically, physically, or biologically active
          principle 3: a means or instrument by which a guiding
          intelligence achieves a result 4: one who is authorized
          to act for or in the place of another: as a: a representative,
          emissary, or official of a government <crown ~> <federal
          ~> b: one engaged in undercover activities (as espionage):
          spy <secret ~> c: a business representative (as of an
          athlete or entertainer) <a theatrical ~>

   agent-general
          [agent-general] n, pl agents-general (1833): a chief agent;
          specif: the representative in England of a British dominion

   agenting
          [agent.ing] n (1681): the business or activities of an agent

   Agent Orange
          [Agent Orange] n [so called fr. the identifying color stripe
          on its container] (1970): an herbicide widely used as
          a defoliant in the Vietnam War that is composed of 2,4-D
          and 2,4,5-T and contains dioxin as a contaminant

   agent provocateur
          [agent pro.vo.ca.teur] n, pl agents provocateurs [F, lit.,
          provoking agent] (1877): one employed to associate with
          suspected persons and by pretending sympathy with their
          aims to incite them to some incriminating action

   agentry
          [agent.ry] n, pl -ries (1925): the office, duties, or activities
          of an agent

   age of consent
          [age of consent] (1504): the age at which one is legally
          competent to give consent esp. to marriage or to sexual
          intercourse

   age of reason
          [age of reason] (ca. 1794) 1: a period characterized by a
          prevailing belief in the use of reason; esp: the 18th
          century in England and France 2: the time of life when
          one begins to be able to distinguish right from wrong

   age-old
          [age-old] adj (1904): having existed for ages: ancient

   age quod agis
          [age quod agis] [L] foreign term : do what you are doing:
          to the business at hand

   ageratum
          [ag.er.a.tum] n, pl -tum also -tums [NL, genus name, fr.
          Gk ageratos ageless, fr. a- + geras old age--more at
          geront-] (1866): any of a genus (Ageratum) of tropical
          American composite herbs often cultivated for their small
          showy heads of blue or white flowers; also: a related
          blue-flowered plant (Eupatorium coelestinum)

   Aggadah
          [Ag.ga.dah] var of haggadah

   Aggeus
          [Ag.ge.us] n [LL Aggaeus, fr. Gk Aggaios, fr. Heb Haggai]:
          haggai

   [1]aggie
          [ag.gie] n, often cap [agricultural + -ie] (1902): an agricultural
          school or college; also: a student at such an institution [2]aggie
          n [agate + -ie] (1915): a playing marble; specif: agate 2b

   aggiornamento
          [ag.gior.na.men.to] n, pl -tos [It, fr. aggiornare to bring
          up to date, fr. a to (fr. L ad-) + giorno day, fr. LL
          diurnum day--more at journey] (1963): a bringing up to
          date: modernization <dedicated to the ~ of the church>

   [1]agglomerate
          [ag.glom.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L agglomeratus, pp.
          of agglomerare to heap up, join, fr. ad- + glomer-, glomus
          ball--more at clam] (1684): to gather into a ball, mass,
          or cluster [2]ag.glom.er.ate adj (1828): gathered into
          a ball, mass, or cluster; specif: clustered or growing
          together but not coherent <an ~ flower head> [3]ag.glom.er.ate
          n (1830) 1: a rock composed of volcanic fragments of
          various sizes and degrees of angularity 2: a jumbled
          mass or collection: agglomeration

   agglomeration
          [ag.glom.er.a.tion] n (1774) 1: the action or process of
          collecting in a mass 2: a heap or cluster of usu. disparate
          elements <urban ~s knit together by the new railways
          --Times Lit. Supp.> -- ag.glom.er.a.tive adj

   agglutinability
          [ag.glu.ti.na.bil.i.ty] n (1901): capacity (as of red blood
          cells) to be agglutinated -- ag.glu.ti.na.ble adj

   [1]agglutinate
          [ag.glu.ti.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L agglutinatus, pp.
          of agglutinare to glue to, fr. ad- + glutinare to glue,
          fr. glutin-, gluten glue--more at clay] vt (1586) 1:
          to cause to adhere: fasten 2: to combine into a compound:
          attach to a base as an affix 3: to cause to undergo agglutination
          ~ vi 1: to unite or combine into a group or mass 2: to
          form words by agglutination [2]ag.glu.ti.nate n (1952):
          a clump of agglutinated material (as blood cells or mineral
          particles in soil)

   agglutination
          [ag.glu.ti.na.tion] n (1541) 1: the action or process of
          agglutinating 2: a mass or group formed by the union
          of separate elements 3: the formation of derivational
          or inflectional words by putting together constituents
          of which each expresses a single definite meaning 4:
          a reaction in which particles (as red blood cells or
          bacteria) suspended in a liquid collect into clumps and
          which occurs esp. as a serologic response to a specific
          antibody

   agglutinative
          [ag.glu.ti.na.tive] adj (1634) 1: adhesive 2: characterized
          by linguistic agglutination

   agglutinin
          [ag.glu.ti.nin] n [ISV agglutination + -in] (1902): a substance
          (as an antibody) producing agglutination

   agglutinogen
          [ag.glu.ti.no.gen] n [agglutinin + -o- + -gen] (1904): an
          antigen whose presence results in the formation of an
          agglutinin -- ag.glu.ti.no.gen.ic adj

   aggradation
          [ag.gra.da.tion] n [ad- + gradation] (1898): a modification
          of the earth's surface in the direction of uniformity
          of grade by deposition

   aggrandise
          [ag.gran.dise] Brit var of aggrandize

   aggrandize
          [ag.gran.dize] vt -dized ; -diz.ing [F agrandiss-, stem of
          agrandir, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + grandir to increase, fr.
          L grandire, fr. grandis great] (1634) 1: to make great
          or greater: increase, enlarge 2: to make appear great
          or greater: praise highly 3: to enhance the power, wealth,
          position, or reputation of <exploited the situation to
          ~ himself> -- ag.gran.dize.ment n -- ag.gran.diz.er n

   aggravate
          [ag.gra.vate] vt -vat.ed ; -vat.ing [L aggravatus, pp. of
          aggravare to make heavier, fr. ad- + gravare to burden,
          fr. gravis heavy--more at grieve] (1530) 1 obs a: to
          make heavy: burden b: increase 2: to make worse, more
          serious, or more severe: intensify unpleasantly <problems
          have been aggravated by neglect> 3 a: to rouse to displeasure
          or anger by usu. persistent and often petty goading b:
          to produce inflammation in usage Although aggravate has
          been used in sense 3a since the 17th century, it has
          been the object of disapproval only since about 1870.
          It is used in expository prose <when his silly conceit
          ... about his not-very-good early work has begun to aggravate
          us --William Styron> but seems to be more common in speech
          and casual writing <a good profession for him, because
          bus drivers get aggravated --Jackie Gleason (interview,
          1986)> <& now this letter comes to aggravate me a thousand
          times worse --Mark Twain (letter, 1864)>. Sense 2 is
          far more common than sense 3a in published prose. Such
          is not the case, however, with aggravation and aggravating.
          Aggravation is used in sense 3 somewhat more than in
          its earlier senses; aggravating has practically no use
          other than to express annoyance.

   aggravated assault
          [aggravated assault] n (1925): an assault that is more serious
          than a common assault: as a: an assault combined with
          an intent to commit a crime b: any of various assaults
          so defined by statute

   aggravating
          [aggravating] adj (1775): arousing displeasure, impatience,
          or anger usage see aggravate

   aggravation
          [ag.gra.va.tion] n (ca. 1555) 1: an act or circumstance that
          intensifies or makes worse 2: the act, action, or result
          of aggravating; esp: an increasing in seriousness or
          severity 3: irritation, provocation usage see aggravate

   [1]aggregate
          [ag.gre.gate] adj [ME aggregat, fr. L aggregatus, pp. of
          aggregare to add to, fr. ad- + greg-, grex flock] (15c):
          formed by the collection of units or particles into a
          body, mass, or amount: collective: as a (1): clustered
          in a dense mass or head <an ~ flower> (2): formed from
          several separate ovaries of a single flower <~ fruit>
          b: composed of mineral crystals of one or more kinds
          or of mineral rock fragments c: taking all units as a
          whole <~ sales> -- ag.gre.gate.ly adv -- ag.gre.gate.ness
          n [2]ag.gre.gate vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing (15c) 1: to collect
          or gather into a mass or whole 2: to amount in the aggregate
          to: total [3]ag.gre.gate n (15c) 1: a mass or body of
          units or parts somewhat loosely associated with one another
          2: the whole sum or amount: sum total 3 a: an aggregate
          rock b: any of several hard inert materials (as sand,
          gravel, or slag) used for mixing with a cementing material
          to form concrete, mortar, or plaster c: a clustered mass
          of individual soil particles varied in shape, ranging
          in size from a microscopic granule to a small crumb,
          and considered the basic structural unit of soil 4: set
          21 5: monetary aggregate -- in the aggregate : considered
          as a whole: collectively <dividends for the year amounted
          in the aggregate to 25 million dollars>

   aggregation
          [ag.gre.ga.tion] n (1547) 1: a group, body, or mass composed
          of many distinct parts or individuals 2 a: the collecting
          of units or parts into a mass or whole b: the condition
          of being so collected -- ag.gre.ga.tion.al adj

   aggregative
          [ag.gre.ga.tive] adj (1644) 1: of or relating to an aggregate
          2: tending to aggregate -- ag.gre.ga.tive.ly adv

   aggress
          [ag.gress] vi (ca. 1714): to commit aggression: act aggressively

   aggression
          [ag.gres.sion] n [L aggression-, aggressio attack, fr. aggredi
          to attack, fr. ad- + gradi to step, go--more at grade]
          (1611) 1: a forceful action or procedure (as an unprovoked
          attack) esp. when intended to dominate or master 2: the
          practice of making attacks or encroachments; esp: unprovoked
          violation by one country of the territorial integrity
          of another 3: hostile, injurious, or destructive behavior
          or outlook esp. when caused by frustration

   aggressive
          [ag.gres.sive] adj (1824) 1 a: tending toward or exhibiting
          aggression <~ behavior> b: marked by combative readiness
          <an ~ fighter> 2 a: marked by obtrusive energy b: marked
          by driving forceful energy or initiative: enterprising
          <an ~ salesman> 3: strong or emphatic in effect or intent
          <~ colors> <~ flavors> 4: more severe, intensive, or
          comprehensive than usual esp. in dosage or extent <~
          chemotherapy> -- ag.gres.sive.ly adv -- ag.gres.sive.ness
          n -- ag.gres.siv.i.ty n syn aggressive, militant, assertive,
          self-assertive mean obtrusively energetic esp. in pursuing
          particular goals. aggressive implies a disposition to
          dominate often in disregard of others' rights or in determined
          and energetic pursuit of one's ends <was taught to be
          aggressive in his business dealings>. militant also implies
          a fighting disposition but suggests not self-seeking
          but devotion to a cause, movement, or principle <militant
          protesters held a rally against racism>. assertive suggests
          bold self-confidence in expression of opinion <the more
          assertive speakers dominated the forum>. self-assertive
          connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence <a self-assertive
          young executive climbing the corporate ladder>.

   aggressor
          [ag.gres.sor] n (1646): one that commits or practices aggression

   aggrieve
          [ag.grieve] vt ag.grieved ; ag.griev.ing [ME agreven, fr.
          MF agrever, fr. L aggravare to make heavier] (14c) 1:
          to give pain or trouble to: distress 2: to inflict injury
          on syn see wrong

   aggrieved
          [ag.grieved] adj (14c) 1: troubled or distressed in spirit
          2 a: suffering from an infringement or denial of legal
          rights <~ minority groups> b: showing or expressing grief,
          injury, or offense <an ~ plea> -- ag.griev.ed.ly adv

   aggrievement
          [ag.grieve.ment] n (1847): the quality or state of being
          aggrieved

   aggro
          [ag.gro] n, pl aggros [prob. aggravation + [1]-o] (1969)
          1 Brit: deliberately aggressive, provoking, or violent
          behavior 2 Brit: exasperation, irritation

   aghast
          [aghast] adj [ME agast, fr. pp. of agasten to frighten, fr.
          a- (perfective prefix) + gasten to frighten--more at
          abide, gast] (13c): struck with terror, amazement, or
          horror: shocked

   agile
          [ag.ile] adj [MF, fr. L agilis, fr. agere to drive, act--more
          at agent] (1581) 1: marked by ready ability to move with
          quick easy grace 2: having a quick resourceful and adaptable
          character <an ~ mind> -- ag.ile.ly adv

   agility
          [agil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c): the quality or state of being
          agile: nimbleness, dexterity <played with increasing
          ~>

   agin
          [agin] dial var of against

   aging
          [aging] pres part of age

   agism
          [ag.ism] var of ageism

   agitate
          [ag.i.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L agitatus, pp. of agitare,
          freq. of agere to drive--more at agent] vt (15c) 1 a
          obs: to give motion to b: to move with an irregular,
          rapid, or violent action <the storm agitated the sea>
          2: to excite and often trouble the mind or feelings of:
          disturb 3 a: to discuss excitedly and earnestly b: to
          stir up public discussion of ~ vi: to attempt to arouse
          public feeling <agitated for better schools> syn see
          shake, discompose -- ag.i.tat.ed.ly adv -- ag.i.ta.tion
          n -- ag.i.ta.tion.al adj

   agitative
          [ag.i.ta.tive] adj (1687): causing or tending to cause agitation

   agitato
          [ag.i.ta.to] adv or adj [It, lit., agitated, fr. L agitatus]
          (ca. 1801): in a restless and agitated manner--used as
          a direction in music

   agitator
          [ag.i.ta.tor] n (ca. 1734): one that agitates: as a: one
          who stirs up public feeling on controversial issues <political
          ~s> b: a device or an apparatus for stirring or shaking

   agitprop
          [ag.it.prop] n [Russ, fr. agitatsiya agitation + propaganda]
          (1935): propaganda; esp: political propaganda promulgated
          chiefly in literature, drama, music, or art -- agitprop
          adj

   agl
          [agl] abbreviation above ground level

   Aglaia
          [Aglaia] n [L, fr. Gk]: one of the three Graces

   aglare
          [aglare] adj (1872): glaring <his eyes ~ with fury>

   agleam
          [agleam] adj (1870): gleaming esp. with reflected light

   aglet
          [ag.let] n [ME, fr. MF aguillette, aiguillette, dim. of aguille,
          aiguille needle, fr. LL acicula, acucula ornamental pin,
          dim. of L acus needle, pin--more at acute] (15c) 1: the
          plain or ornamental tag covering the ends of a lace or
          point 2: any of various ornamental studs, cords, or pins
          worn on clothing

   agley
          [agley] adv [Sc, fr. [1]a- + gley to squint] (1785) chiefly
          Scot: awry, wrong <the best-laid schemes o' mice an'
          men gang aft ~ --Robert Burns>

   aglitter
          [aglit.ter] adj (1865): glittering esp. with reflected light

   aglow
          [aglow] adj (1817): glowing esp. with warmth or excitement

   aglycone
          [agly.cone] also agly.con n [ISV a- (fr. Gk ha-, a- together)
          + glyc- + -one, -on] (1925): an organic compound (as
          a phenol or alcohol) combined with the sugar portion
          of a glycoside

   [1]agnate
          [ag.nate] n [L agnatus, fr. pp. of agnasci to be born in
          addition to, fr. ad- + nasci to be born--more at nation]
          (1534) 1: a relative whose kinship is traceable exclusively
          through males 2: a paternal kinsman [2]agnate adj (1782)
          1: allied, akin 2: related through male descent or on
          the father's side -- ag.nat.ic adj

   Agnean
          [Ag.ne.an] n [Agni, ancient kingdom in Turkestan] (1939):
          tocharian a

   agnize
          [ag.nize] vt ag.nized ; ag.niz.ing [L agnoscere to acknowledge
          (fr. ad- + noscere to know) + E -ize (as in recognize)--more
          at know] (1535) archaic: recognize, acknowledge

   agnomen
          [ag.no.men] n, pl -nom.i.na or -no-mens [L, irreg. fr. ad-
          + nomen name--more at name] (1665): an additional cognomen
          given to a person by the ancient Romans (as in honor
          of some achievement)

   agnosia
          [ag.no.sia] n [NL, fr. Gk agnosia ignorance, fr. a- + gnosis
          knowledge, fr. gignoskein] (ca. 1900): loss or diminution
          of the ability to recognize familiar objects or stimuli
          usu. as a result of brain damage

   [1]agnostic
          [ag.nos.tic] n [Gk agnostos unknown, unknowable, fr. a- +
          gnostos known, fr. gignoskein to know--more at know]
          (1869): a person who holds the view that any ultimate
          reality (as God) is unknown and prob. unknowable; broadly:
          one who is not committed to believing in either the existence
          or the nonexistence of God or a god -- ag.nos.ti.cism
          n [2]agnostic adj (1873) 1: of, relating to, or being
          an agnostic or the beliefs of agnostics 2: noncommittal,
          undogmatic

   Agnus Dei
          [Ag.nus Dei] n [ME, fr. LL, lamb of God; fr. its opening
          words] (14c) 1: a liturgical prayer addressed to Christ
          as Savior 2: an image of a lamb often with a halo and
          a banner and cross used as a symbol of Christ

   ago
          [ago] adj or adv [ME agon, ago, fr. pp. of agon to pass away,
          fr. OE agan, fr. a- (perfective prefix) + gan to go--more
          at abide, go] (14c): earlier than the present time <10
          years ~>

   agog
          [agog] adj [MF en gogues in mirth] (1559): full of intense
          interest or excitement: eager <kids all ~ over new toys>

   -agogue
          [-agogue] n comb form [F & NL; F, fr. LL -agogus promoting
          the expulsion of, fr. Gk -agogos, fr. agein to lead;
          NL -agogon, fr. Gk, neut. of -agogos--more at agent]:
          substance that promotes the secretion or expulsion of
          <emmenagogue>

   agon
          [agon] n [Gk agon] (1600): contest, conflict; esp: the dramatic
          conflict between the chief characters in a literary work

   agonal
          [ag.o.nal] adj (1901): of, relating to, or associated with
          agony and esp. the death agony

   agone
          [agone] adj or adv (14c) archaic: ago

   agonise, agonised, agonising
          [ag.o.nise, agonised, agonising] Brit var of agonize, agonized,
          agonizing

   agonist
          [ag.o.nist] n [LL agonista competitor, fr. Gk agonistes,
          fr. agonizesthai to contend, fr. agon] (ca. 1623) 1:
          one that is engaged in a struggle 2 [fr. antagonist]
          a: a muscle that is controlled by the action of an antagonist
          with which it is paired b: a chemical substance capable
          of combining with a receptor on a cell and initiating
          a reaction or activity--compare antagonist 2b

   agonistic
          [ag.o.nis.tic] adj (1648) 1: of or relating to the athletic
          contests of ancient Greece 2: argumentative 3: striving
          for effect: strained 4: of, relating to, or being aggressive
          or defensive social interaction (as fighting, fleeing,
          or submitting) between individuals usu. of the same species
          -- ag.o.nis.ti.cal.ly adv

   agonize
          [ag.o.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vt (1583): to cause to suffer
          agony: torture ~ vi 1: to suffer agony, torture, or anguish
          <~s over every decision> 2: struggle

   agonized
          [agonized] adj (1583): characterized by, suffering, or expressing
          agony

   agonizing
          [agonizing] adj (1593): causing agony: painful -- ag.o.niz.ing.ly
          adv

   agony
          [ag.o.ny] n, pl -nies [ME agonie, fr. LL agonia, fr. Gk agonia
          struggle, anguish, fr. agon gathering, contest for a
          prize, fr. agein to lead, celebrate--more at agent] (14c)
          1 a: intense pain of mind or body: anguish, torture b:
          the struggle that precedes death 2: a violent struggle
          or contest 3: a strong sudden display (as of joy or delight):
          outburst syn see distress

   agony column
          [agony column] n (1863): a newspaper column of personal
          advertisements relating esp. to missing relatives or friends

   [1]agora
          [ag.o.ra] n, pl -ras or -rae [Gk, fr. ageirein to gather]
          (1589): a gathering place; esp: the marketplace in ancient
          Greece [2]ago.ra n, pl ago.rot [NHeb agorah, fr. Heb,
          a small coin] (1963): a monetary unit of Israel equal
          to 1/100 shekel

   agoraphobia
          [ag.o.ra.pho.bia] n [NL, fr. Gk agora + NL -phobia] (1873):
          abnormal fear of being helpless in an embarrassing or
          unescapable situation that is characterized esp. by the
          avoidance of open or public places -- ag.o.ra.phobe n
          -- ag.o.ra.pho.bic adj or n

   agouti
          [agou.ti] n [F, fr. Sp. aguti, fr. Tupi] (1625) 1: any of
          a genus (Dasyprocta) of tropical American rodents about
          the size of a rabbit 2: a grizzled color of fur resulting
          from the barring of each hair in several alternate dark
          and light bands

   agr
          [agr] or agric abbreviation agricultural, agriculture

   agrafe
          [agrafe] or agraffe n [F agrafe] (1643): a hook-and-loop
          fastening; esp: an ornamental clasp used on armor or
          costumes

   agranulocyte
          [agran.u.lo.cyte] n (ca. 1923): a white blood cell without
          cytoplasmic granules

   agranulocytosis
          [agran.u.lo.cy.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL] (1927): an acute
          febrile condition marked by severe decrease in blood
          granulocytes and often associated with the use of certain
          drugs

   agrapha
          [ag.ra.pha] n pl [Gk, neut. pl. of agraphos unwritten, fr.
          a- + graphein to write--more at carve] (1890): sayings
          of Jesus not in the canonical gospels but found in other
          New Testament or early Christian writings

   agraphia
          [agraph.ia] n [NL, fr. [2]a- + Gk graphein to write] (1871):
          the pathologic loss of the ability to write

   [1]agrarian
          [agrar.i.an] adj [L agrarius, fr. agr-, ager field--more
          at acre] (1618) 1: of or relating to fields or lands
          or their tenure 2 a: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of farmers or their way of life b: organized or designed
          to promote agricultural interests <an ~ political party>
          <~ reforms> [2]agrarian n (1818): a member of an agrarian
          party or movement

   agrarianism
          [agrar.i.an.ism] n (1830): a social or political movement
          designed to bring about land reforms or to improve the
          economic status of the farmer

   agree
          [agree] vb agreed ; agree.ing [ME, fr. MF agreer, fr. a gre
          at will, fr. a (fr. L ad) + gre will, pleasure, fr. L
          gratum, neut. of gratus pleasing, agreeable--more at
          grace] vt (15c) 1: admit, concede <~s that he is right>
          2 chiefly Brit: to settle on by common consent: arrange
          <I agreed rental terms with him --Eric Bennett> ~ vi
          1: to accept or concede something (as the views or wishes
          of another) <~ to a plan> 2 a: to achieve or be in harmony
          (as of opinion, feeling, or purpose) <we ~ in our taste
          in music> b: to get along together c: to come to terms
          3 a: to be similar: correspond <both copies ~> b: to
          be consistent <the story ~s with the facts> 4: to be
          fitting, pleasing, or healthful: suit <this climate ~s
          with him> 5: to have an inflectional form denoting identity
          or other regular correspondence in a grammatical category
          (as gender, number, case, or person) syn agree, concur,
          coincide mean to come into or be in harmony regarding
          a matter of opinion. agree implies complete accord usually
          attained by discussion and adjustment of differences
          <on some points we all can agree>. concur tends to suggest
          cooperative thinking or acting toward an end but sometimes
          implies no more than approval (as of a decision reached
          by others) <if my wife concurs, it's a deal>. coincide,
          used more often of opinions, judgments, wishes, or interests
          than of people, implies an agreement amounting to identity
          <their wishes coincide exactly with my desire>. syn see
          in addition assent

   agreeable
          [agree.able] adj (14c) 1: pleasing to the mind or senses
          esp. as according well with one's tastes or needs <an
          ~ companion> <an ~ change> 2: ready or willing to agree
          or consent 3: being in harmony: consonant -- agree.abil.i.ty
          n -- agree.able.ness n -- agree.ably adv

   agreement
          [agree.ment] n (15c) 1 a: the act or fact of agreeing b:
          harmony of opinion, action, or character: concord 2 a:
          an arrangement as to a course of action b: compact, treaty
          3 a: a contract duly executed and legally binding b:
          the language or instrument embodying such a contract

   agribusiness
          [ag.ri.busi.ness] n [agriculture + business] (ca. 1955):
          an industry engaged in the producing operations of a
          farm, the manufacture and distribution of farm equipment
          and supplies, and the processing, storage, and distribution
          of farm commodities

   agribusinessman
          [ag.ri.busi.ness.man] n (1961): a person who works in or
          manages an agribusiness

   agricultural
          [ag.ri.cul.tur.al] adj (1776): of, relating to, used in,
          or concerned with agriculture -- ag.ri.cul.tur.al.ly
          adv

   agriculture
          [ag.ri.cul.ture] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L agricultura, fr. ager
          field + cultura cultivation--more at acre, culture] (15c):
          the science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil,
          producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying
          degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting
          products: farming -- ag.ri.cul.tur.ist or ag.ri.cul.tur.al.ist
          n

   agrimony
          [ag.ri.mo.ny] n, pl -nies [ME, fr. MF & L; MF aigremoine,
          fr. L agrimonia, MS var. of argemonia, fr. Gk argemone]
          (14c): any of a genus (Agrimonia and esp. A. eupatoria)
          of herbs of the rose family having compound leaves, slender
          spikes of small yellow flowers, and fruits like burs

   agro-
          [agro-] comb form [F, fr. Gk, fr. agros field--more at acre]
          1: of or belonging to fields or soil: agricultural <agrochemical>
          2: agricultural and <agro-industrial>

   agrochemical
          [ag.ro.chem.i.cal] also ag.ri.chem.i.cal n (1956): an agricultural
          chemical (as an herbicide or an insecticide)

   agroforestry
          [ag.ro.for.est.ry] n (1977): land management for the simultaneous
          production of food, crops, and trees; also: the science
          of agroforestry -- ag.ro.for.est.er n

   agro-industrial
          [ag.ro-in.dus.tri.al] adj (1940): of or relating to production
          (as of power for industry and water for irrigation) for
          both industrial and agricultural purposes

   agronomy
          [agron.o.my] n [prob. fr. F agronomie, fr. agro- + -nomie
          -nomy] (1814): a branch of agriculture dealing with field-crop
          production and soil management -- ag.ro.nom.ic adj --
          ag.ro.nom.i.cal.ly adv -- agron.o.mist n

   aground
          [aground] adv or adj (14c) 1: on the ground <planes aloft
          and ~> 2: on or onto the shore or the bottom of a body
          of water <a ship run ~>

   agt
          [agt] abbreviation agent

   ague
          [ague] n [ME, fr. MF ague, fr. ML (febris) acuta, lit., sharp
          fever, fr. L, fem. of acutus sharp--more at acute] (14c)
          1: a fever (as malaria) marked by paroxysms of chills,
          fever, and sweating that recur at regular intervals 2:
          a fit of shivering: chill -- agu.ish adj

   ah...
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   ah
          [ah] interj [ME] (13c)--used to express delight, relief,
          regret, or contempt

   AH
          [AH] abbreviation ampere-hour, anno hegirae, arts and humanities

   aha
          [aha] interj [ME] (14c)--used to express surprise, triumph,
          or derision

   ahead
          [ahead] adv or adj (1596) 1 a: in a forward direction or
          position: forward b: in front 2: in, into, or for the
          future <plan ~> 3: in or toward a more advantageous position
          <helped others to get ~> 4: at or to an earlier time:
          in advance <make payments ~>

   ahead of
          [ahead of] prep (1748) 1: in front or advance of 2: in excess
          of

   ahem
          [ahem] interj [imit.] (1763)--used esp. to attract attention

   ahimsa
          [ahim.sa] n [Skt ahimsa noninjury] (1875): the Hindu and
          Buddhist doctrine of refraining from harming any living
          being

   ahistorical
          [ahis.tor.i.cal] or ahis.tor.ic adj (1945): not concerned
          with or related to history, historical development, or
          tradition <the ~ attitudes of the radicals>

   AHL
          [AHL] abbreviation American Hockey League

   ahold
          [ahold] n [prob. fr. the phrase a hold] (1872): hold <if
          you could get ~ of a representative --Norman Mailer>

   ahoy
          [ahoy] interj [a- (as in aha) + hoy] (1751)--used in hailing
          <ship ~>

   Ahriman
          [Ah.ri.man] n [Per, modif. of Av anro mainyus hostile spirit]:
          Ahura Mazda's antagonist who is a spirit of darkness
          and evil in Zoroastrianism

   Ahura Mazda
          [Ahu.ra Maz.da] n [Av Ahuramazda, lit., wise god]: the Supreme
          Being represented as a deity of goodness and light in
          Zoroastrianism

   ai...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   AI
          [AI] abbreviation ad interim, airborne intercept, air interception,
          artificial insemination, artificial intelligence

   AIA
          [AIA] abbreviation American Institute of Architects

   Aias
          [Ai.as] n [Gk]: ajax

   aiblins
          [ai.blins] adv [able + -lings, -lins -lings] (ca. 1605) chiefly
          Scot: perhaps

   [1]aid
          [aid] vb [ME eyden, fr. MF aider, fr. L adjutare, freq. of
          adjuvare, fr. ad- + juvare to help] vt (15c): to provide
          with what is useful or necessary in achieving an end
          ~ vi: to give assistance -- aid.er n [2]aid n (15c) 1:
          a subsidy granted to the king by the English parliament
          until the 18th century for an extraordinary purpose 2
          a: the act of helping b: help given: assistance; specif:
          tangible means of assistance (as money or supplies) 3
          a: an assisting person or group--compare aide b: something
          by which assistance is given: an assisting device <an
          ~ to understanding> <a visual ~>; esp: hearing aid 4:
          a tribute paid by a vassal to his lord

   AID
          [AID] abbreviation Agency for International Development,
          artificial insemination by donor

   aide
          [aide] n [short for aide-de-camp] (1777): a person who acts
          as an assistant; specif: a military officer acting as
          assistant to a superior

   aide-de-camp
          [aide-de-camp] n, pl aides-de-camp [F aide de camp, lit.,
          camp assistant] (1670): a military aid; also: a civilian
          aide usu. to an executive

   aide-memoire
          [aide-me.moire] n, pl aide-memoire [F, fr. aider to aid +
          memoire memory] (1846) 1: an aid to the memory; esp:
          a mnemonic device 2: a written summary or outline of
          important items of a proposed agreement or diplomatic
          communication

   aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera
          [aide-toi, le ciel t'ai.dera] [F] foreign term : help yourself
          (and) heaven will help you

   aidman
          [aid.man] n (1944): an army medical corpsman attached to
          a field unit

   AIDS
          [AIDS] n [acquired immunodeficiency syndrome] (1982): a disease
          of the human immune system that is caused by infection
          with HIV, that is characterized cytologically esp. by
          severe reduction in the numbers of helper T cells, that
          in modern industrialized nations occurs esp. in homosexual
          and bisexual men and in intravenous users of illicit
          drugs, that is commonly transmitted in blood and bodily
          secretions (as semen), and that renders the subject highly
          vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (as Pneumocystis
          carinii pneumonia) and to some that become life-threatening
          (as Kaposi's sarcoma)

   AIDS-related complex
          [AIDS-related complex] n (1984): a group of symptoms (as
          fever, weight loss, and lymphadenopathy) that is associated
          with the presence of antibodies to HIV and is followed
          by the development of AIDS in a certain proportion of
          cases

   AIDS virus
          [AIDS virus] n (1985): hiv

   aigrette
          [ai.grette] n [F, plume, egret, fr. MF--more at egret] (1630)
          1: a spray of feathers (as of the egret) for the head
          2: a spray of gems worn on a hat or in the hair

   aiguille
          [ai.guille] n [F, lit., needle--more at aglet] (1816): a
          sharp-pointed pinnacle of rock

   aiguillette
          [ai.guil.lette] n [F--more at aglet] (1816): aglet; specif:
          a shoulder cord worn by designated military aides--compare
          fourragere

   aikido
          [ai.ki.do] n [Jp aikido, fr. ai- match, coordinate + ki breath,
          spirit + do art, way] (1956): a Japanese art of self-defense
          employing locks and holds and utilizing the principle
          of nonresistance to cause an opponent's own momentum
          to work against him

   [1]ail
          [ail] vb [ME eilen, fr. OE eglan; akin to Goth agljan to
          harm] vt (bef. 12c): to give physical or emotional pain,
          discomfort, or trouble to ~ vi: to have something the
          matter; esp: to suffer ill health [2]ail n (13c): ailment

   ailanthus
          [ai.lan.thus] n [NL, fr. Ambonese ai lanito, lit., tree (of)
          heaven] (1807): any of a small Asian genus (Ailanthus
          of the family Simaroubaceae, the ailanthus family) of
          chiefly tropical trees and shrubs with bitter bark, pinnate
          leaves, and terminal panicles of ill-scented greenish
          flowers

   aileron
          [ai.le.ron] n [F, fr. dim. of aile wing--more at aisle] (1909):
          a movable airfoil at the trailing edge of an airplane
          wing that is used for imparting a rolling motion esp.
          in banking for turns--see airplane illustration

   ailment
          [ail.ment] n (ca. 1706) 1: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
          2: unrest, uneasiness

   ailurophile
          [ai.lu.ro.phile] n [Gk ailouros cat] (1927): a cat fancier:
          a lover of cats

   ailurophobe
          [ai.lu.ro.phobe] n (1905): a person who hates or fears cats

   AIM
          [AIM] abbreviation American Indian Movement

   [1]aim
          [aim] vb [ME, fr. MF aesmer & esmer; MF aesmer, fr. OF, fr.
          a- (fr. L ad-) + esmer to estimate, fr. L aestimare]
          vi (14c) 1: to direct a course; specif: to point a weapon
          at an object 2: aspire, intend <~s to reform the government>
          ~ vt 1 obs: guess, conjecture 2 a: point b: to direct
          to or toward a specified object or goal <a program ~ed
          at reducing pollution> [2]aim n (14c) 1 obs: mark, target
          2 a: the pointing of a weapon at a mark b: the ability
          to hit a target c: a weapon's accuracy or effectiveness
          3 obs a: conjecture, guess b: the directing of effort
          toward a goal 4: a clearly directed intent or purpose
          syn see intention -- aim.less adj -- aim.less.ly adv
          -- aim.less.ness n

   ain
          [ain] adj [prob. fr. ON eiginn] (1721) Scot: own

   aine
          [ai.ne] [F] foreign term : elder: senior (masc.)

   ainee
          [ai.nee] [F] foreign term : elder: senior (fem.)

   ain't
          [ain't] [contr. of are not] (1778) 1: am not: are not: is
          not 2: have not: has not 3: do not: does not: did not--used
          in some varieties of Black English usage Although widely
          disapproved as nonstandard and more common in the habitual
          speech of the less educated, ain't in senses 1 and 2
          is flourishing in American English. It is used in both
          speech and writing to catch attention and to gain emphasis
          <the wackiness of movies, once so deliciously amusing,
          ain't funny anymore --Richard Schickel> <I am telling
          you--there ain't going to be any blackmail --R. M. Nixon>.
          It is used esp. in journalistic prose as part of a consistently
          informal style <the creative process ain't easy --Mike
          Royko>. This informal ain't is commonly distinguished
          from habitual ain't by its frequent occurrence in fixed
          constructions and phrases <well--class it ain't --Cleveland
          Amory> <for money? say it ain't so, Jimmy] --Andy Rooney>
          <you ain't seen nothing yet> <that ain't hay> <two out
          of three ain't bad> <if it ain't broke, don't fix it>.
          In fiction ain't is used for purposes of characterization;
          in familiar correspondence it tends to be the mark of
          a warm personal friendship. It is also used for metrical
          reasons in popular songs <Ain't She Sweet> <It Ain't
          Necessarily So>. Our evidence shows British use to be
          much the same as American.

   Ainu
          [Ai.nu] n, pl Ainu or Ainus [Ainu aynu person] (1819) 1:
          a member of an indigenous people of the Japanese archipelago,
          the Kuril Islands, and part of Sakhalin Island 2: the
          language of the Ainu people

   aioli
          [ai.o.li] n [Prov, fr. ai garlic + oli oil] (ca. 1900): a
          sauce made of crushed garlic, egg yolks, olive oil, and
          lemon juice and sometimes potato: garlic mayonnaise

   [1]air
          [air] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF, fr. L aer, fr. Gk aer]
          (14c) 1 a archaic: breath b: the mixture of invisible
          odorless tasteless gases (as nitrogen and oxygen) that
          surrounds the earth c: a light breeze 2 a: empty space
          b: nothingness <vanished into thin ~> c: a sudden severance
          of relations <she gave me the ~> 3 [prob. trans. of It
          aria] a: tune, melody b Elizabethan & Jacobean music:
          an accompanied song or melody in usu. strophic form c:
          the chief voice part or melody in choral music 4 a: outward
          appearance of a thing <an ~ of luxury> b: a surrounding
          or pervading influence: atmosphere <an ~ of mystery>
          c: the look, appearance, or bearing of a person esp.
          as expressive of some personal quality or emotion: demeanor
          <an ~ of dignity> d: an artificial or affected manner
          <put on ~s> 5: public utterance <he gave ~ to his opinion>
          6: compressed air 7 a (1): aircraft <go by ~> (2): aviation
          <~ safety> <~ rights> (3): air force <~ headquarters>
          b: the medium of transmission of radio waves; also: radio,
          television <went on the ~> 8: a football offense utilizing
          primarily the forward pass <trailing by 20 points, the
          team took to the ~> 9: an air-conditioning system syn
          see pose -- air.less adj -- air.less.ness n -- in the
          air : in wide circulation: about -- up in the air : not
          yet settled [2]air vt (1530) 1: to expose to the air
          for drying, purifying, or refreshing: ventilate--often
          used with out 2: to expose to public view or bring to
          public notice 3: to transmit by radio or television <~
          a program> ~ vi 1: to become exposed to the open air
          2: to become broadcast <the program ~s daily> syn see
          express

   air bag
          [air bag] n (1969): an automobile safety device consisting
          of a bag designed to inflate automatically in front of
          an occupant in case of collision

   air ball
          [air ball] n (1981): a missed shot in basketball that fails
          to touch the rim and backboard

   air base
          [air base] n (1915): a military base intended chiefly for
          the operation of aircraft

   air bladder
          [air bladder] n (1731): a sac containing gas and esp. air;
          esp: a hydrostatic organ present in most fishes that
          serves as an accessory respiratory organ

   airboat
          [air.boat] n (1946): a shallow-draft boat driven by an airplane
          propeller and steered by an airplane rudder

   airborne
          [air.borne] adj (1641) 1: done or being in the air: being
          off the ground: as a: carried through the air (as by
          an aircraft) b: supported esp. by aerodynamic forces
          or propelled through the air by force 2: trained for
          deployment by air and esp. by parachute

   air brake
          [air brake] n (1871) 1: a brake operated by a piston driven
          by compressed air 2: a surface that may be projected
          into the airstream for increasing drag and lowering the
          speed of an airplane

   [1]airbrush
          [air.brush] n (ca. 1889): an atomizer for applying by compressed
          air a fine spray (as of paint or liquid color) [2]airbrush
          vt (1938): to paint, treat, or alter with an airbrush

   airburst
          [air.burst] n (1917): the burst of a shell or bomb in the
          air

   airbus
          [air.bus] n (1945): a short-range or medium-range subsonic
          jet passenger airplane

   air chief marshal
          [air chief marshal] n (1919): a commissioned officer in the
          British air force who ranks with a general in the army

   air commodore
          [air commodore] n (1919): a commissioned officer in the British
          air force who ranks with a brigadier in the army

   air-condition
          [air-con.di.tion] vt [back-formation fr. air conditioning]
          (1933): to equip (as a building) with an apparatus for
          washing air and controlling its humidity and temperature;
          also: to subject (air) to these processes -- air con.di.tion.er
          n -- air-con.di.tion.ing n

   aircraft
          [air.craft] n, pl aircraft often attrib (1850): a vehicle
          (as an airplane or balloon) for traveling through the
          air

   aircraft carrier
          [aircraft carrier] n (1919): a warship with a flight deck
          on which airplanes can be launched and landed

   aircrew
          [air.crew] n (1921): the crew manning an airplane

   air-cushion vehicle
          [air-cush.ion vehicle] n (ca. 1962): hovercraft

   air dam
          [air dam] n (1965): a device attached to the underside of
          the front of an automobile to improve stability, aerodynamic
          performance, and engine cooling by redirecting the flow
          of air

   airdate
          [air.date] n (1971): the scheduled date of a broadcast

   airdrome
          [air.drome] n [alter. of aerodrome] (1917): airport

   airdrop
          [air.drop] n (ca. 1945): delivery of cargo or personnel by
          parachute from an airplane in flight -- air-drop vt --
          air-drop.pa.ble adj

   air-dry
          [air-dry] adj (1856): dry to such a degree that no further
          moisture is given up on exposure to air

   Airedale terrier
          [Aire.dale terrier] n [Airedale, valley of the Aire river,
          England] (1880): any of a breed of large terriers with
          a hard, wiry, black-and-tan coat--called also Airedale

   airer
          [air.er] n (ca. 1847) Brit: a frame on which clothes are
          aired or dried

   airfare
          [air.fare] n (1918): fare for travel by airplane

   airfield
          [air.field] n (1927): an area of land from which aircraft
          operate: as a: airport b: air base

   airflow
          [air.flow] n (ca. 1911): a flow of air; specif: the motion
          of air (as around parts of an airplane in flight) relative
          to the surface of a body immersed in it

   airfoil
          [air.foil] n (ca. 1922): a body (as an airplane wing or propeller
          blade) designed to provide a desired reaction force when
          in motion relative to the surrounding air

   air force
          [air force] n (1917) 1: the military organization of a nation
          for air warfare 2: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher
          than a division and lower than a command

   airframe
          [air.frame] n (1931): the structure of an aircraft, rocket
          vehicle, or missile without the power plant

   airfreight
          [air.freight] n (1929): freight transport by air in volume;
          also: the charge for this service -- airfreight vt

   airglow
          [air.glow] n (ca. 1950): light that is observed esp. during
          the night, that originates in the high atmosphere of
          a planet (as the earth), and that is associated with
          photochemical reactions of gases caused by solar radiation

   air gun
          [air gun] n (ca. 1753) 1: a gun from which a projectile is
          propelled by compressed air 2: any of various hand tools
          that work by compressed air; esp: airbrush

   [1]airhead
          [air.head] n [[1]air + -head (as in beachhead)] (ca. 1944):
          an area in hostile territory secured usu. by airborne
          troops for further use in bringing in troops and materiel
          by air [2]airhead n (1972): a mindless or stupid person
          -- air.head.ed adj

   airhole
          [air.hole] n (1766): a hole to admit or discharge air

   airing
          [air.ing] n (ca. 1606) 1: exposure to air or heat for drying
          or freshening 2: exposure to or exercise in the open
          air esp. to promote health or fitness 3: exposure to
          public view or notice 4: a radio or television broadcast

   air lane
          [air lane] n (ca. 1910): a path customarily followed by airplanes

   air letter
          [air letter] n (1920) 1: an airmail letter 2: a sheet of
          airmail stationery that can be folded and sealed with
          the message inside and the address outside

   airlift
          [air.lift] n (1945): a system of transporting cargo or passengers
          by aircraft usu. to or from an otherwise inaccessible
          area -- airlift vt

   air line
          [air line] n (1813): a straight line through the air between
          two points

   airline
          [air.line] n (1910): an air transportation system including
          its equipment, routes, operating personnel, and management

   airliner
          [air.lin.er] n (1908): an airplane operated by an airline

   air lock
          [air lock] n (1857) 1: an intermediate chamber with two airtight
          doors or openings to permit passage between two dissimilar
          spaces (as two places of unequal atmospheric pressure)
          2: a stoppage of flow caused by air being in a part where
          liquid ought to circulate

   airmail
          [air.mail] n (1913): the system of transporting mail by aircraft;
          also: the mail thus transported -- airmail vt

   airman
          [air.man] n (1873) 1: a civilian or military pilot, aviator,
          or aviation technician 2: an enlisted man in the air
          force: as a: an enlisted man of one of the three ranks
          below sergeant b: an enlisted man ranking above an airman
          basic and below an airman first class

   airman basic
          [airman basic] n (ca. 1961): an enlisted man of the lowest
          rank in the air force

   airman first class
          [airman first class] n (1952): an enlisted man in the air
          force ranking above an airman and below a sergeant

   airmanship
          [air.man.ship] n (1908): skill in piloting or navigating
          airplanes

   air marshal
          [air marshal] n (1919): a commissioned officer in the British
          air force who ranks with a lieutenant general in the
          army

   air mass
          [air mass] n (1893): a body of air extending hundreds or
          thousands of miles horizontally and sometimes as high
          as the stratosphere and maintaining as it travels nearly
          uniform conditions of temperature and humidity at any
          given level

   air mattress
          [air mattress] n (1926): mattress 1b

   Air Medal
          [Air Medal] n (1942): a U.S. military decoration awarded
          for meritorious achievement while participating in an
          aerial flight

   air mile
          [air mile] n (1919): a mile in air travel

   air-minded
          [air-mind.ed] adj (1924): interested in aviation or in air
          travel -- air-mind.ed.ness n

   airmobile
          [air.mo.bile] adj (1965): of, relating to, or being a military
          unit whose members are transported to combat areas usu.
          by helicopter

   airpark
          [air.park] n (1929): a small airport usu. near an industrial
          area

   air piracy
          [air piracy] n (1948): the hijacking of a flying airplane:
          skyjacking

   airplane
          [air.plane] n [alter. of aeroplane] (1907): a powered
          heavier-than-air aircraft that has fixed wings from which
          it derives most of its lift

   air plant
          [air plant] n (1842) 1: epiphyte 2: bryophyllum

   airplay
          [air.play] n (1966): the playing of a musical recording on
          the air by a radio station

   air pocket
          [air pocket] n (1912): a condition of the atmosphere (as
          a local down current) that causes an airplane to drop
          suddenly

   air police
          [air police] n (1944): the military police of an air force

   airport
          [air.port] n (1919): a place from which aircraft operate
          that usu. has paved runways and maintenance facilities
          and often serves as a terminal

   airpost
          [air.post] n (ca. 1927): airmail

   airpower
          [air.pow.er] n (1908): the military strength of a nation's
          air force

   air pump
          [air pump] n (1660): a pump for exhausting air from a closed
          space or for compressing air or forcing it through other
          apparatus

   air raid
          [air raid] n (1914): an attack by armed airplanes on a surface
          target--usu. hyphened when used attributively <air-raid
          shelter>

   air rifle
          [air rifle] n (1886): a rifle whose projectile (as a BB or
          pellet) is propelled by compressed air or carbon dioxide

   air right
          [air right] n (1922): a property right to the space above
          a surface area or object

   air sac
          [air sac] n (ca. 1828) 1: one of the air-filled spaces in
          the body of a bird connected with the air passages of
          the lungs 2: alveolus 1b 3: a thin-walled dilation of
          a trachea occurring in many insects

   airscrew
          [air.screw] n (1894) chiefly Brit: an airplane propeller

   airship
          [air.ship] n (1819): a lighter-than-air aircraft having propulsion
          and steering systems

   air show
          [air show] n (1950): an exhibition of aircraft and aviation
          skills

   airsick
          [air.sick] adj (1785): affected with motion sickness associated
          with flying -- air.sick.ness n

   airspace
          [air.space] n (1911): the space lying above the earth or
          above a certain area of land or water; esp: the space
          lying above a nation and coming under its jurisdiction

   airspeed
          [air.speed] n (ca. 1909): the speed (as of an airplane) with
          relation to the air--compare ground speed

   airstream
          [air.stream] n (1869): a current of air; specif: airflow

   airstrip
          [air.strip] n (1942): a runway without normal air base or
          airport facilities

   [1]airt
          [airt] n [ME art, fr. ScGael airt] (15c) chiefly Scot: compass
          point: direction [2]airt vt (ca. 1782) chiefly Scot:
          direct, guide

   air taxi
          [air taxi] n (1920): a small commercial airplane used for
          short flights between localities not served by scheduled
          airlines

   airtight
          [air.tight] adj (1760) 1: impermeable to air or nearly so
          2 a: having no noticeable weakness, flaw, or loophole
          <an ~ argument> b: permitting no opportunity for an opponent
          to score <an ~ defense> -- air.tight.ness n

   airtime
          [air.time] n (1942) 1: the time at which a radio or television
          broadcast is scheduled to begin 2: the time or any part
          thereof that a radio or television station is on the
          air

   air-to-air
          [air-to-air] adj (1941): launched from one airplane in flight
          at another <~ missiles>; also: involving aircraft in
          flight <~ combat>

   air vice-marshal
          [air vice-marshal] n (1919): a commissioned officer in the
          British air force who ranks with a major general in the
          army

   airwave
          [air.wave] adj (1944): of, created for, or heard on the airwaves

   airwaves
          [air.waves] n pl (1928): the medium of radio and television
          transmission--not used technically

   airway
          [air.way] n (1849) 1: a passage for a current of air (as
          in a mine or to the lungs) 2: a designated route along
          which airplanes fly from airport to airport; esp: such
          a route equipped with navigational aids 3: airline 4:
          a channel of a designated radio frequency for broadcasting
          or other radio communication

   airworthy
          [air.wor.thy] adj (1829): fit for operation in the air <an
          ~ airplane> -- air.wor.thi.ness n

   airy
          [airy] adj air.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: of or relating to air:
          atmospheric b: high in the air: lofty <~ perches> c:
          performed in air: aerial <~ leaps> 2: unreal, illusory
          <~ romances> 3 a: being light and graceful in movement
          or manner: sprightly, vivacious b: ethereal 4 a: open
          to the free circulation of air b: having openings or
          spaces <~ lacework> 5: affected, proud <~ condescension>
          -- air.i.ly adv -- air.i.ness n

   airy-fairy
          [airy-fairy] adj (1869) 1 chiefly Brit: delicate, fairylike
          2 chiefly Brit: lacking substance or purpose <in ...
          an ~, unserious, insufficiently careful fashion --Times
          Lit. Supp.>

   aisle
          [aisle] n [ME ile, alter. of ele, fr. MF, wing, fr. L ala;
          akin to OE eaxl shoulder, L axis axletree--more at axis]
          (15c) 1: the side of a church nave separated by piers
          from the nave proper 2 a: a passage (as in a theater
          or railroad passenger car) separating sections of seats
          b: a passage (as in a store or warehouse) for inside
          traffic

   aisleway
          [aisle.way] n (1926): aisle 2b

   ait
          [ait] n [ME eyt, alter. of OE iggoth, fr. ig island--more
          at island] (bef. 12c) Brit: a little island

   aitch
          [aitch] n [F hache, fr. (assumed) VL hacca] (ca. 1580): the
          letter h

   aitchbone
          [aitch.bone] n [ME hachbon, alter. (resulting from incorrect
          division of a nachebon) of (assumed) ME nachebon, fr.
          ME nache buttock (fr. MF, fr. LL natica, fr. L natis)
          + bon bone] (15c) 1: the hipbone esp. of cattle 2: the
          cut of beef containing the aitchbone

   aj...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ajar
          [ajar] adj or adv [earlier on char, fr. on + char turn--more
          at chare] (15c): slightly open <a door ~>

   Ajax
          [Ajax] n [L, fr. Gk Aias] 1: a Greek hero in the Trojan War
          who kills himself because the armor of Achilles is awarded
          to Odysseus 2: a fleet-footed Greek hero in the Trojan
          War

   ajuga
          [aju.ga] n, pl -ga or -gas [NL, fr. [2]a- + L jugum yoke--more
          at yoke] (ca. 1899): [1]bugle

   ak...
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   AK
          [AK] abbreviation Alaska

   AK-47
          [AK-47] n [Russ avtomat Kalashnikova 1947 Kalashnikov automatic
          rifle of 1947] (1968): a Soviet-designed 7.62 mm (.30
          cal.) gas-operated magazine-fed rifle for automatic or
          semiautomatic fire

   aka
          [aka] abbreviation also known as

   Akan
          [Akan] n, pl Akan or Akans (1694) 1: a member of any of the
          Akan-speaking peoples (as the Ashanti) 2: a Kwa language
          of southern Ghana and the southeast Ivory Coast

   AKC
          [AKC] abbreviation American Kennel Club

   akee
          [akee] n [origin unknown] (1794): the fleshy fruit of an
          African tree (Blighia sapida) of the soapberry family
          grown in the Caribbean area, Florida, and Hawaii that
          is edible when ripe but has a toxic pink raphe attaching
          the aril to the seed and toxic arils when immature or
          overripe; also: the tree

   akimbo
          [akim.bo] adj or adv [ME in kenebowe] (15c) 1: having the
          hand on the hip and the elbow turned outward 2: set in
          a bent position <a tailor sitting with legs ~>

   akin
          [akin] adj (1586) 1: related by blood: descended from a common
          ancestor or prototype 2: essentially similar, related,
          or compatible

   Akita
          [Aki.ta] n [fr. Akita, Japan] (1928): any of a breed of large
          muscular dogs of Japanese origin

   Akkadian
          [Ak.ka.di.an] n (ca. 1855) 1: an extinct Semitic language
          of ancient Mesopotamia 2: a Semitic inhabitant of central
          Mesopotamia before 2000 b.c. -- Akkadian adj

   akvavit
          [ak.va.vit] var of aquavit

   al...
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   [1]-al
          [-al] adj suffix [ME, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L -alis]: of, relating
          to, or characterized by <directional> <fictional> [2]-al
          n suffix [ME -aille, fr. OF, fr. L -alia, neut. pl. of
          -alis]: action: process <rehearsal> [3]-al n suffix [F,
          fr. alcool alcohol, fr. ML alcohol]: aldehyde <furfural>

   Al
          [Al] abbreviation aluminum  AL abbreviation Alabama, American
          League, American Legion

   al-
          [al-] --see ad-

   ala
          [ala] n, pl alae [L--more at aisle] (1738): a wing or a winglike
          anatomic process or part -- alar adj -- ala.ry adj

   Ala
          [Ala] abbreviation Alabama  ALA abbreviation American Library
          Association

   alabaster
          [al.a.bas.ter] n [ME alabastre, fr. MF, fr. L alabaster vase
          of alabaster, fr. Gk alabastros] (14c) 1: a compact fine-textured
          usu. white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases
          and ornaments 2: a hard compact calcite or aragonite
          that is translucent and sometimes banded -- alabaster
          or al.a.bas.trine adj

   alack
          [alack] interj [ME] (15c)--used to express sorrow or regret

   alacrity
          [alac.ri.ty] n [L alacritas, fr. alacr-, alacer lively, eager]
          (15c): promptness in response: cheerful readiness <accepted
          the invitation with ~> -- alac.ri.tous adj

   Aladdin
          [Alad.din] n: a youth in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments
          who comes into possession of a magic lamp

   alameda
          [al.a.me.da] n [Sp, fr. alamo poplar] (1797): a public promenade
          bordered with trees

   alanine
          [al.a.nine] n [G Alanin, irreg. fr. Aldehyd aldehyde] (ca.
          1879): a simple nonessential crystalline amino acid

   alanyl
          [al.a.nyl] n [ISV alanine + -yl] (ca. 1928): an acyl radical
          of alanine

   [1]alarm
          [alarm] also ala.rum n [ME alarme, alarom, fr. MF alarme,
          fr. OIt all'arme, lit., to the arms] (14c) 1 usu alarum,
          archaic: a call to arms <the angry trumpet sounds alarum
          --Shak.> 2: a signal (as a loud noise or flashing light)
          that warns or alerts; also: a device that signals <set
          the ~ to wake me at seven> 3: sudden sharp apprehension
          and fear resulting from the perception of imminent danger
          4: a warning notice syn see fear [2]alarm also alarum
          vt (1605) 1: disturb, excite 2: to give warning to 3:
          to strike with fear -- alarm.ing.ly adv

   alarm clock
          [alarm clock] n (1697): a clock that can be set to sound
          an alarm at a desired time

   alarmism
          [alarm.ism] n (1867): the often unwarranted exciting of fears
          or warning of danger -- alarm.ist n or adj

   alarm reaction
          [alarm reaction] n (1936): the initial reaction of an organism
          (as increased hormonal activity) to stress

   alarums and excursions
          [alarums and excursions] n pl (1592) 1: martial sounds and
          the movement of soldiers across the stage--used as a
          stage direction in Elizabethan drama 2: clamor, excitement,
          and feverish or disordered activity

   alas
          [alas] interj [ME, fr. OF, fr. a ah + las weary, fr. L lassus--more
          at lassitude] (13c)--used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern

   Alaskan malamute
          [Alas.kan malamute] n (1938): any of a breed of powerful
          heavy-coated deep-chested dogs of Alaskan origin that
          have erect ears, heavily cushioned feet, and a plumy
          tail

   Alaska time
          [Alas.ka time] n (1945): the time of the 9th time zone west
          of Greenwich that includes most of Alaska

   [1]alate
          [alate] adj [L alatus, fr. ala] (1668): having wings or a
          winglike part [2]alate n (1941): a winged insect (as
          an aphid) of a kind having winged and wingless forms

   Alb
          [Alb] abbreviation Albania, Albanian

   alb
          [alb] n [ME albe, fr. OE, fr. ML alba, fr. L, fem. of albus
          white; akin to Gk alphos white leprous spot] (bef. 12c):
          a full-length white linen ecclesiastical vestment with
          long sleeves that is gathered at the waist with a cincture

   albacore
          [al.ba.core] n, pl -core or -cores [Pg albacor, fr. Ar al-bakurah
          the albacore] (1579): a large pelagic tuna (Thunnus alalunga)
          with long pectoral fins that is a source of canned tuna;
          broadly: any of various tunas (as a bonito)

   Albanian
          [Al.ba.nian] n (1579) 1: a native or inhabitant of Albania
          2: the Indo-European language of the Albanian people
          -- Albanian adj

   albatross
          [al.ba.tross] n, pl -tross or -tross.es [prob. alter. of
          obs. alcatrace frigate bird, fr. Sp or Pg alcatraz pelican,
          fr. Ar al-ghattas, a kind of sea eagle] (1672) 1: any
          of a family (Diomedeidae) of large web-footed seabirds
          that have long slender wings, are excellent gliders,
          and include the largest seabirds 2 a: something that
          causes persistent deep concern or anxiety b: something
          that greatly hinders accomplishment: encumbrance

   albedo
          [al.be.do] n, pl -dos [LL, whiteness, fr. L albus] (ca. 1859):
          reflective power; specif: the fraction of incident radiation
          (as light) that is reflected by a surface or body (as
          the moon or a cloud)

   albeit
          [al.be.it] conj [ME, lit., all though it be] (14c): conceding
          the fact that: even though

   Albigenses
          [Al.bi.gen.ses] n pl [ML, pl. of Albigensis, lit., inhabitant
          of Albi, fr. Albiga (Albi), France] (1625): members of
          a Catharistic sect of southern France flourishing primarily
          in the 12th and 13th centuries -- Al.bi.gen.sian adj
          or n -- Al.bi.gen.sian.ism n

   albinism
          [al.bi.nism] n (1836): the condition of an albino -- al.bi.nis.tic
          adj

   albino
          [al.bi.no] n, pl -nos [Pg, fr. Sp, fr. albo white, fr. L
          albus] (1777): an organism exhibiting deficient pigmentation;
          esp: a human being or nonhuman mammal that is congenitally
          deficient in pigment and usu. has a milky or translucent
          skin, white or colorless hair, and eyes with pink or
          blue iris and deep-red pupil

   albinotic
          [al.bi.not.ic] adj [albino + -tic (as in melanotic)] (1872)
          1: of, relating to, or affected with albinism 2: tending
          toward albinism

   Albion
          [Al.bi.on] n [L] (bef. 12c) 1: Great Britain 2: England

   albite
          [al.bite] n [Sw albit, fr. L albus] (ca. 1843): a triclinic
          usu. white feldspar consisting of a sodium aluminum silicate
          -- al.bit.ic adj

   album
          [al.bum] n [L, a white tablet, fr. neut. of albus] (1612)
          1 a: a book with blank pages used for making a collection
          (as of autographs, stamps, or photographs) b: a paperboard
          container for a phonograph record: jacket c: one or more
          recordings (as on tape or disc) produced as a single
          unit <a 2-record ~> 2: a collection usu. in book form
          of literary selections, musical compositions, or pictures:
          anthology

   albumen
          [al.bu.men] n [LL, fr. albus] (1599) 1: the white of an egg--see
          egg illustration 2: albumin

   albumin
          [al.bu.min] n [ISV albumen + -in] (1869): any of numerous
          simple heat-coagulable water-soluble proteins that occur
          in blood plasma or serum, muscle, the whites of eggs,
          milk, and other animal substances and in many plant tissues
          and fluids

   albuminous
          [al.bu.min.ous] adj (1791): relating to, containing, or having
          the properties of albumen or albumin

   albuminuria
          [al.bu.min.uria] n [NL] (ca. 1842): the presence of albumin
          in the urine often symptomatic of kidney disease -- al.bu.min.uric
          adj

   alc
          [alc] abbreviation alcohol

   alcaic
          [al.ca.ic] adj, often cap [LL Alcaicus of Alcaeus, fr. Gk
          Alkaikos, fr. Alkaios Alcaeus, fl ab 600 b.c. Greek poet]
          (ca. 1637): relating to or written in a verse or strophe
          marked by complicated variation of a dominant iambic
          pattern -- alcaic n, often cap

   alcaide
          [al.cai.de] or al.cay.de n [Sp alcaide, fr. Ar al-qa'id the
          captain] (1502): a commander of a castle or fortress
          (as among Spaniards, Portuguese, or Moors)

   alcalde
          [al.cal.de] n [Sp, fr. Ar al-qadi the judge] (1565): the
          chief administrative and judicial officer of a Spanish
          town

   alcazar
          [al.ca.zar] n [Sp alcazar, fr. Ar al-qasr the castle] (ca.
          1615): a Spanish fortress or palace

   Alcestis
          [Al.ces.tis] n [L, fr. Gk Alkestis]: the wife of Admetus
          who dies for her husband and is restored to him by Hercules

   alchemist
          [al.che.mist] n (15c): a person who studies or practices
          alchemy -- al.che.mis.tic also al.che.mis.ti.cal adj

   alchemize
          [al.che.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1597): to change by alchemy:
          transmute

   alchemy
          [al.che.my] n [ME alkamie, alquemie, fr. MF or ML; MF alquemie,
          fr. ML alchymia, fr. Ar al-kimiya', fr. al the + kimiya'
          alchemy, fr. LGk chemeia] (14c) 1: a medieval chemical
          science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve
          the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery
          of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of
          a means of indefinitely prolonging life 2: a power or
          process of transforming something common into something
          special 3: an inexplicable or mysterious transmuting
          -- al.chem.i.cal also al.chem.ic adj -- al.chem.i.cal.ly
          adv

   Alcmene
          [Alc.me.ne] n [Gk Alkmene]: the mother of Hercules by Zeus
          in the form of her husband Amphitryon

   alcohol
          [al.co.hol] n [NL, fr. ML, powdered antimony, fr. OSp, fr.
          Ar al-kuhul the powdered antimony, fr. kuhl kohl] (1672)
          1 a: ethanol esp. when considered as the intoxicating
          agent in fermented and distilled liquors b: drink (as
          whiskey or beer) containing ethanol c: a mixture of ethanol
          and water that is usu. 95 percent ethanol 2: any of various
          compounds that are analogous to ethanol in constitution
          and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons

   [1]alcoholic
          [al.co.hol.ic] adj (1790) 1 a: of, relating to, or caused
          by alcohol b: containing alcohol 2: affected with alcoholism
          -- al.co.hol.i.cal.ly adv [2]alcoholic n (ca. 1890):
          a person affected with alcoholism

   alcoholism
          [al.co.hol.ism] n (1860) 1: continued excessive or compulsive
          use of alcoholic drinks 2: poisoning by alcohol; esp:
          a complex chronic psychological and nutritional disorder
          associated with excessive and usu. compulsive drinking

   Alcoran
          [Al.co.ran] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF & ML, fr. Ar al-qur'an,
          lit., the reading] (14c) archaic: koran

   alcove
          [al.cove] n [F alcove, fr. Sp alcoba, fr. Ar al-qubbah the
          arch] (1676) 1 a: a small recessed section of a room:
          nook b: an arched opening (as in a wall): niche 2: summerhouse
          2 -- al.coved adj

   ALCS
          [ALCS] abbreviation American League Championship Series

   alcyonarian
          [al.cy.o.nar.ian] n [ultim. fr. Gk alkyoneion, a zoophyte,
          fr. neut. of alkyoneios of a kingfisher, fr. alkyon kingfisher;
          fr. its resemblance to a kingfisher's nest] (1878): any
          of a subclass (Alcyonaria) of colonial anthozoans (as
          the sea pen) having polyps with eight branched tentacles
          and eight septa

   Alcyone
          [Al.cy.o.ne] n [L, fr. Gk Alkyone]: the brightest star in
          the Pleiades

   ald
          [ald] abbreviation alderman

   Aldebaran
          [Al.deb.a.ran] n [Ar al-dabaran, lit., the follower]: a red
          star of the first magnitude that is seen in the eye of
          Taurus and is the brightest star in the Hyades

   aldehyde
          [al.de.hyde] n [G Aldehyd, fr. NL al. dehyd., abbr. of alcohol
          dehydrogenatum dehydrogenated alcohol] (ca. 1846): acetaldehyde;
          broadly: any of various highly reactive compounds typified
          by acetaldehyde and characterized by the group CHO --
          al.de.hy.dic adj

   al dente
          [al den.te] adj [It; lit., to the tooth] (1935): cooked just
          enough to retain a somewhat firm texture

   alder
          [al.der] n [ME, fr. OE alor; akin to OHG elira alder, L alnus]
          (bef. 12c): any of a genus (Alnus) of toothed-leaved
          trees or shrubs of the birch family that have catkins
          which become woody, that grow in moist ground, and that
          have wood used in turnery

   alderman
          [al.der.man] n [ME, fr. OE ealdorman, fr. ealdor parent (fr.
          eald old) + man--more at old] (bef. 12c) 1: a person
          governing a kingdom, district, or shire as viceroy for
          an Anglo-Saxon king 2 a: a magistrate formerly ranking
          next below the mayor in an English or Irish city or borough
          b: a high-ranking member of a borough or county council
          in Ireland or formerly in England chosen by elected members
          3: a member of a city legislative body -- al.der.man.ic
          adj

   alderwoman
          [al.der.wom.an] n [alder- (as in alderman) + woman] (1768):
          a female member of a city legislative body

   aldol
          [al.dol] n [ISV aldehyde + [1]-ol] (1874): a colorless beta-hydroxy
          aldehyde used esp. in organic synthesis; broadly: any of various
          similar aldehydes -- al.dol.iza.tion n

   aldolase
          [al.dol.ase] n [aldol + -ase] (1940): a crystalline enzyme
          that occurs widely in living systems and catalyzes reversibly
          the cleavage of a phosphorylated fructose into triose
          sugars

   aldose
          [al.dose] n [ISV aldehyde + -ose] (1894): a sugar containing
          one aldehyde group per molecule

   aldosterone
          [al.do.ste.rone] n [aldehyde + -o- + -sterone] (1954): a
          steroid hormone of the adrenal cortex that functions
          in the regulation of the salt and water balance of the
          body

   aldosteronism
          [al.do.ste.ron.ism] n (1955): a condition that is characterized
          by excessive secretion of aldosterone and typically by
          loss of body potassium, muscular weakness, and elevated
          blood pressure

   aldrin
          [al.drin] n [Kurt Alder d. 1958 G chemist + E [1]-in] (1949):
          an exceedingly poisonous cyclodiene insecticide

   ale
          [ale] n [ME, fr. OE ealu; akin to ON ol ale, Lith alus] (bef.
          12c) 1: an alcoholic beverage brewed esp. by rapid fermentation
          from an infusion of malt with the addition of hops 2:
          an English country festival at which ale is the principal
          beverage

   alea jacta est
          [alea jac.ta est] [L] foreign term : the die is cast

   aleatoric
          [ale.a.tor.ic] adj [L aleatorius] (1961): characterized by
          chance or indeterminate elements <~ music>

   aleatory
          [ale.a.to.ry] adj [L aleatorius of a gambler, fr. aleator
          gambler, fr. alea a dice game] (1693) 1: depending on
          an uncertain event or contingency as to both profit and
          loss <an ~ contract> 2: relating to luck and esp. to
          bad luck 3: aleatoric

   alee
          [alee] adv (14c): on or toward the lee--compare aweather

   alehouse
          [ale.house] n (bef. 12c): a place where ale is sold to be
          drunk on the premises

   Alemannic
          [Al.e.man.nic] n [LL alemanni, of Gmc origin; akin to Goth
          alamans totality of people] (ca. 1797): the group of
          dialects of German spoken in Alsace, Switzerland, and
          southwestern Germany

   alembic
          [alem.bic] n [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF alambic & ML alembicum,
          fr. Ar al-anbiq, fr. al the + anbiq still, fr. LGk ambik-,
          ambix alembic, fr. Gk, cap of a still] (14c) 1: an apparatus
          used in distillation 2: something that refines or transmutes
          as if by distillation <philosophy ... filtered through
          the ~ of Plato's mind --B. T. Shropshire>

   alencon
          [alen.con] n, often cap [Alencon, France] (1865): a delicate
          needlepoint lace

   aleph
          [aleph] n [Heb aleph, prob. fr. eleph ox] (14c): the 1st
          letter of the Hebrew alphabet

   aleph-null
          [aleph-null] n (ca. 1909): the number of elements in the
          set of all integers which is the smallest transfinite
          cardinal number

   [1]alert
          [alert] adj [It all' erta, lit., on the ascent] (1618) 1
          a: watchful and prompt to meet danger or emergency b:
          quick to perceive and act 2: active, brisk syn see watchful,
          intelligent -- alert.ly adv -- alert.ness n [2]alert
          n (1796) 1: the state of readiness of those warned by
          an alert 2: an alarm or other signal of danger 3: the
          period during which an alert is in effect -- on the alert
          : on the lookout esp. for danger or opportunity [3]alert
          vt (ca. 1868) 1: to call to a state of readiness: warn
          2: to make aware of <~ed the public to the dangers of
          pesticides>

   -ales
          [-ales] n pl suffix [NL, fr. L, pl. of -alis -al]: plants
          consisting of or related to--in the names of orders of
          plants <Coniferales>

   aleurone
          [al.eu.rone] n [G Aleuron, fr. Gk, flour; akin to Arm alam
          I grind] (1869): protein matter in the form of minute
          granules or grains occurring in seeds in endosperm or
          in a special peripheral layer

   Aleut
          [Aleut] n [Russ] (1780) 1: a member of a people of the Aleutian
          and Shumagin islands and the western part of Alaska Peninsula
          2: the language of the Aleuts

   alevin
          [al.e.vin] n [F, fr. OF, fr. alever to lift up, rear (offspring),
          fr. L allevare, fr. ad- + levare to raise--more at lever]
          (1868): a young fish; esp: a newly hatched salmon when
          still attached to the yolk sac

   [1]alewife
          [ale.wife] n (15c): a woman who keeps an alehouse [2]alewife
          n [perh. alter. of obs. allowes, a kind of shad, fr.
          F alose shad, fr. OF, fr. LL alausa] (1633): a clupeid
          food fish (Alosa pseudoharengus) very abundant along
          the Atlantic coast; also: any of several related fishes
          (as the menhaden)

   alexander
          [al.ex.an.der] n, often cap (1928): an iced cocktail made
          from creme de cacao, sweet cream, and gin or brandy

   Alexandrian
          [Al.ex.an.dri.an] adj (ca. 1860) 1: of or relating to Alexander
          the Great 2: hellenistic

   alexandrine
          [al.ex.an.drine] n, often cap [MF alexandrin, adj., fr. Alexandre
          Alexander the Great; fr. its use in a poem on Alexander]
          (1667): a line of verse of 12 syllables consisting regularly
          of 6 iambs with a caesura after the 3d iamb -- alexandrine
          adj

   alexandrite
          [al.ex.an.drite] n [G Alexandrit, fr. Alexander I Russ. emperor]
          (ca. 1880): a grass-green chrysoberyl that shows a red
          color by transmitted or artificial light

   alexia
          [alex.ia] n [NL, fr. a- + Gk lexis speech, fr. legein to
          speak--more at legend] (1878): aphasia marked by loss
          of ability to read

   Alfa
          [Al.fa] (1952)--a communications code word for the letter
          a

   alfalfa
          [al.fal.fa] n [Sp, modif. of Ar dial. al-fasfasah the alfalfa]
          (1845): a deep-rooted European leguminous plant (Medicago
          sativa) widely grown for hay and forage

   alfalfa weevil
          [alfalfa weevil] n (1912): a small dark brown European weevil
          (Hypera postica) that is now a widespread pest of alfalfa
          in No. America

   alfilaria
          [al.fil.a.ria] n [AmerSp alfilerillo, fr. Sp, dim. of alfiler
          pin, modif. of Ar al-khilal the thorn] (1868): a European
          weed (Erodium cicutarium) of the geranium family grown
          for forage in the western U.S.

   alforja
          [al.for.ja] n [Sp, fr. Ar al-khurj] (1611) West: saddlebag

   alfresco
          [al.fres.co] adj or adv [It] (1753): taking place or located
          in the open air: outdoor, outdoors <an ~ lunch> <an ~
          restaurant>

   alg
          [alg] abbreviation algebra

   alga
          [al.ga] n, pl al.gae also algas [L, seaweed] (1551): a plant
          or plantlike organism of any of several phyla, divisions,
          or classes of chiefly aquatic usu. chlorophyll-containing
          nonvascular organisms of polyphyletic origin that usu.
          include the green, yellow-green, brown, and red algae
          in the eukaryotes and the blue-green algae in the prokaryotes
          -- al.gal adj

   algaroba
          [al.ga.ro.ba] also al.gar.ro.ba n [Sp algarroba, fr.
          Ar al-kharrubah the carob] (1577) 1: carob 1 2 [MexSp, fr. Sp]:
          mesquite; also: its pods

   algebra
          [al.ge.bra] n [ML, fr. Ar al-jabr, lit., the reduction] (1551)
          1: a generalization of arithmetic in which letters representing
          numbers are combined according to the rules of arithmetic
          2: any of various systems or branches of mathematics
          or logic concerned with the properties and relationships
          of abstract entities (as complex numbers, matrices, sets,
          vectors, groups, rings, or fields) manipulated in symbolic
          form under operations often analogous to those of
          arithmetic--compare boolean algebra -- al.ge.bra.ist n

   algebraic
          [al.ge.bra.ic] adj (1662) 1: relating to, involving, or according
          to the laws of algebra 2: involving only a finite number
          of repetitions of addition, subtraction, multiplication,
          division, extraction of roots, and raising to powers
          <~ equation>--compare transcendental -- al.ge.bra.i.cal.ly
          adv

   algebraic number
          [algebraic number] n (1904): a root of an algebraic equation
          with rational coefficients

   -algia
          [-algia] n comb form [Gk, fr. algos pain]: pain <neuralgia>

   algicide
          [al.gi.cide] or al.gae.cide n (1904): an agent used to kill
          algae -- al.gi.cid.al adj

   algid
          [al.gid] adj [L algidus, fr. algere to feel cold] (ca. 1623):
          cold

   algin
          [al.gin] n (1883): any of various colloidal substances (as
          an alginate or alginic acid) derived from marine brown
          algae and used esp. as emulsifiers or thickeners

   alginate
          [al.gi.nate] n (ca. 1909): a salt or ester of alginic acid

   alginic acid
          [al.gin.ic acid] n [ISV algin + [1]-ic] (1885): an insoluble
          colloidal acid that in the form of its salts is a constituent
          of the cell walls of brown algae

   Algol
          [Al.gol] n [Ar al-ghul, lit., the ghoul]: a binary star in
          the constellation Perseus whose larger member orbits
          and eclipses the smaller brighter star causing periodic
          variation in brightness AL.GOL or Al.gol n [algorithmic
          language] (1959): an algebraic computer programming language
          used esp. in mathematical and scientific applications

   algolagnia
          [al.go.lag.nia] n [NL, fr. Gk algos pain + Gk lagneia lust,
          from lagnos lustful--more at slack] (ca. 1900): a perversion
          (as sadism or masochism) characterized by pleasure and
          esp. sexual gratification in inflicting or suffering
          pain -- al.go.lag.ni.ac n

   algology
          [al.gol.o.gy] n (1849): the study or science of algae--called
          also phycology -- al.go.log.i.cal adj -- al.gol.o.gist
          n

   Algonquian
          [Al.gon.qui.an] or Al.gon.quin or Al.gon.ki.an also Al.gon.kin
          n [CanF Algonquin] (1625) 1 usu Algonquin a: an American
          Indian people of the Ottawa river valley b: the dialect
          of Ojibwa spoken by these people 2 usu Algonquian a:
          a family of American Indian languages spoken by peoples
          from Labrador to Carolina and westward into the Great
          Plains b: a member of the peoples speaking Algonquian
          languages

   algorithm
          [al.go.rithm] n [alter. of ME algorisme, fr. OF & ML; OF,
          fr. ML algorismus, fr. Ar al-khuwarizmi, fr. al-Khuwarizmi
          fl a.d. 825 Arab mathematician] (ca. 1894): a procedure
          for solving a mathematical problem (as of finding the
          greatest common divisor) in a finite number of steps
          that frequently involves repetition of an operation;
          broadly: a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem
          or accomplishing some end esp. by a computer -- al.go.rith.mic
          adj -- al.go.rith.mi.cal.ly adv

   Alhambra
          [Al.ham.bra] n [Sp, fr. Ar al-hamra' the red house] (1612):
          the palace of the Moorish kings at Granada, Spain

   [1]alias
          [alias] adv [L, otherwise, fr. alius other--more at else]
          (15c): otherwise called: otherwise known as [2]alias
          n (1605): an assumed or additional name

   Ali Baba
          [Ali Ba.ba] n: a woodcutter in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments
          who enters the cave of the Forty Thieves by using the
          password Sesame

   [1]alibi
          [al.i.bi] n [L, elsewhere, fr. alius] (1743) 1: the plea
          of having been at the time of the commission of an act
          elsewhere than at the place of commission; also: the
          fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time 2:
          an excuse usu. intended to avert blame or punishment
          (as for failure or negligence) syn see apology [2]alibi
          vb -bied ; -bi.ing vt (1909): to exonerate by an alibi:
          furnish an excuse for ~ vi: to offer an excuse

   Alice-in-Wonderland
          [Al.ice-in-Won.der.land] adj [fr. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
          (1865) by Lewis Carroll] (1925): suitable to a world of fantasy
          or illusion: unreal

   alicyclic
          [ali.cy.clic] adj [ISV aliphatic + cyclic] (1891): of, relating
          to, or being an organic compound that contains a ring
          but is not aromatic--compare aliphatic

   alidade
          [al.i.dade] n [ME allidatha, fr. ML alhidada, fr. Ar al-'idadah
          the revolving radius of a circle] (15c): a rule equipped
          with simple or telescopic sights and used for determination
          of direction: as a: a part of an astrolabe b: a part
          of a surveying instrument consisting of the telescope
          and its attachments

   [1]alien
          [alien] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L alienus, fr. alius] (14c)
          1 a: belonging or relating to another person, place,
          or thing: strange b: relating, belonging, or owing allegiance
          to another country or government: foreign 2: differing
          in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility
          syn see extrinsic -- alienly adv -- alien.ness n [2]alien
          n (14c) 1: a person of another family, race, or nation
          2: a foreign-born resident who has not been naturalized
          and is still a subject or citizen of a foreign country;
          broadly: a foreign-born citizen 3: extraterrestrial [3]alien
          vt (14c) 1: alienate, estrange 2: to make over (as property)

   alienable
          [alien.able] adj (1611): transferable to another's ownership
          -- alien.abil.i.ty n

   alienage
          [alien.age] n (1809): the status of an alien

   alienate
          [alien.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1509) 1: to make unfriendly,
          hostile, or indifferent where attachment formerly existed
          2: to convey or transfer (as property or a right) usu.
          by a specific act rather than the due course of law 3:
          to cause to be withdrawn or diverted syn see estrange
          -- alien.ator n

   alienation
          [alien.ation] n (14c) 1: a withdrawing or separation of a
          person or a person's affections from an object or position
          of former attachment: estrangement <~ ... from the values
          of one's society and family --S. L. Halleck> 2: a conveyance
          of property to another

   alienee
          [alien.ee] n (1531): one to whom property is transferred

   alienism
          [alien.ism] n (1808): alienage

   alienist
          [alien.ist] n [F alieniste, fr. aliene insane, fr. L alienatus,
          pp. of alienare to estrange, fr. alienus] (1864): psychiatrist

   alienor
          [alien.or] n (ca. 1552): one who transfers property to another

   [1]alight
          [alight] vi alight.ed also alit ; alight.ing [ME, fr. OE
          alihtan, fr. a- (perfective prefix) + lihtan to alight--more
          at abide, light] (bef. 12c) 1: to come down from something
          (as a vehicle): as a: dismount b: deplane 2: to descend
          from or as if from the air and come to rest: land, settle
          3 archaic: to come by chance -- alight.ment n [2]alight
          adj (15c) 1 chiefly Brit: being on fire 2: lighted up

   align
          [align] also aline vb [F aligner, fr. OF, fr. a- (fr. L ad-)
          + ligne line, fr. L linea] vt (ca. 1693) 1: to bring
          into line or alignment 2: to array on the side of or
          against a party or cause ~ vi 1: to get or fall into
          line 2: to be in or come into precise adjustment or correct
          relative position -- align.er n

   alignment
          [align.ment] also aline.ment n (1790) 1: the act of aligning
          or state of being aligned; esp: the proper positioning
          or state of adjustment of parts (as of a mechanical or
          electronic device) in relation to each other 2 a: a forming
          in line b: the line thus formed 3: the ground plan (as
          of a railroad or highway) in distinction from the profile
          4: an arrangement of groups or forces in relation to
          one another <new ~s within the political party>

   [1]alike
          [alike] adv (14c): in the same manner, form, or degree: equally
          <was denounced by teachers and students ~> [2]alike adj
          [ME ilik, ilich (fr. OE gelic) & alik, alter. of OE onlic,
          fr. on + lic body--more at like] (15c): exhibiting close
          resemblance without being identical <~ in their beliefs>
          -- alike.ness n

   [1]aliment
          [al.i.ment] n [ME, fr. L alimentum, fr. alere to nourish--more
          at old] (15c): food, nutriment; also: sustenance <there
          was nothing there of conversational ~ --Kingsley Amis>
          [2]al.i.ment vt (15c): to give aliment to: nourish, sustain

   alimentary
          [al.i.men.ta.ry] adj (1615) 1: of or relating to nourishment
          or nutrition 2: furnishing sustenance or maintenance

   alimentary canal
          [alimentary canal] n (1764): the tubular passage that extends
          from mouth to anus and functions in digestion and absorption
          of food and elimination of residual waste

   alimentation
          [al.i.men.ta.tion] n (ca. 1656): the act or process of affording
          nutriment or nourishment <intravenous ~>

   alimony
          [al.i.mo.ny] n, pl -nies [L alimonia sustenance, fr. alere]
          (1656) 1: an allowance made to one spouse by the other
          for support pending or after legal separation or divorce
          2: the means of living: maintenance

   aliphatic
          [al.i.phat.ic] adj [ISV, fr. Gk aleiphat-, aleiphar oil,
          fr. aleiphein to smear; perh. akin to Gk lipos fat--more
          at leave] (1889): of, relating to, or being an organic
          compound having an open-chain structure (as an alkane)--compare
          alicyclic, aromatic 2

   aliquando bonus dormitat Homerus
          [ali.quan.do bo.nus dor.mi.tat Ho.me.rus] [L] foreign term
          : sometimes (even) good Homer nods

   aliquot
          [al.i.quot] adj [ML aliquotus, fr. L aliquot some, several,
          fr. alius other + quot how many--more at else, quote]
          (1570) 1: contained an exact number of times in something
          else--used of a divisor or part <5 is an ~ part of 15>
          <an ~ portion of a solution> 2: fractional <an ~ part
          of invested capital> -- aliquot n

   alis volat propriis
          [alis vo.lat pro.pri.is] [L] foreign term : she flies with
          her own wings--motto of Oregon

   aliteracy
          [alit.er.a.cy] n (1984): the quality or state of being able
          to read but uninterested in doing so -- alit.er.ate adj
          or n

   alive
          [alive] adj [ME, fr. OE on life, fr. on + lif life] (bef.
          12c) 1: having life: not dead or inanimate 2: still in
          existence, force, or operation: active <kept hope ~>
          3: knowing or realizing the existence of: sensitive <~
          to the danger> 4: marked by alertness, energy, or briskness
          5: marked by much life, animation, or activity: swarming
          <streets ~ with traffic> 6--used as an intensive following
          the noun <the proudest boy ~> syn see aware -- alive.ness
          n

   aliyah
          [ali.yah] or ali.ya n [NHeb 'aliyah, fr. Heb, ascent] (ca.
          1934): the immigration of Jews to Israel

   alizarin
          [aliz.a.rin] n [prob. fr. F alizarine] (ca. 1835) 1: an orange
          or red crystalline compound formerly prepared from madder
          and now made synthetically and used esp. to dye Turkey
          reds and in making red pigments 2: any of various acid,
          mordant, and solvent dyes derived like alizarin proper
          from anthraquinone

   alk
          [alk] abbreviation alkaline

   alkahest
          [al.ka.hest] n [NL alchahest] (1641): the universal solvent
          believed by alchemists to exist -- al.ka.hes.tic adj

   alkali
          [al.ka.li] n, pl -lies or -lis [ME, fr. ML, fr. Ar al-qili
          the ashes of the plant saltwort] (14c) 1: a soluble salt
          obtained from the ashes of plants and consisting largely
          of potassium or sodium carbonate; broadly: a substance
          (as a hydroxide or carbonate of an alkali metal) having
          marked basic properties--compare base 7a 2: alkali metal
          3: a soluble salt or a mixture of soluble salts present
          in some soils of arid regions in quantity detrimental
          to agriculture

   alkali metal
          [alkali metal] n (ca. 1885): any of the univalent mostly
          basic metals of group I of the periodic table comprising
          lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium--see
          periodic table table

   alkalimeter
          [al.ka.lim.e.ter] n [F alcalimetre, fr. alcali alkali + -metre
          -meter] (ca. 1828): an apparatus for measuring the strength
          or the amount of alkali in a mixture or solution -- al.ka.lim.e.try
          n

   alkaline
          [al.ka.line] adj (1677): of, relating to, containing, or
          having the properties of an alkali or alkali metal: basic;
          esp, of a solution: having a pH of more than 7 -- al.ka.lin.i.ty
          n

   alkaline battery
          [alkaline battery] n (1941): a long-lived dry cell that has
          an alkaline electrolyte which decreases corrosion of
          the cell--called also alkaline cell

   alkaline earth metal
          [alkaline earth metal] n (ca. 1903): any of the bivalent
          strongly basic metals of group II of the periodic table
          comprising beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium,
          barium, and radium--called also alkaline earth--see periodic
          table table

   alkaline phosphatase
          [alkaline phosphatase] n (1949): any of the phosphatases
          that are optimally active in alkaline medium and occur
          in esp. high concentrations in bone, the liver, the kidneys,
          and the placenta

   alkalinize
          [al.ka.lin.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1800): to make alkaline
          -- al.ka.lin.iza.tion n

   alkaloid
          [al.ka.loid] n (ca. 1831): any of numerous usu. colorless,
          complex, and bitter organic bases (as morphine or codeine)
          containing nitrogen and usu. oxygen that occur esp. in
          seed plants -- al.ka.loi.dal adj

   alkalosis
          [al.ka.lo.sis] n (1911): an abnormal condition of increased
          alkalinity of the blood and tissues -- al.ka.lot.ic adj

   alkane
          [al.kane] n [alkyl + -ane] (1899): any of numerous saturated
          hydrocarbons; specif: any of a series of open-chain hydrocarbons
          (as methane and butane)--called also paraffin

   alkanet
          [al.ka.net] n [ME, fr. OSp alcaneta, dim. of alcana henna
          shrub, fr. ML alchanna, fr. Ar al-hinna' the henna] (14c)
          1 a: a European plant (Alkanna tinctoria) of the borage
          family; also: its root b: a red dyestuff prepared from
          the root 2: a plant (Anchusa officinalis) of the borage
          family with delicate usu. blue flowers

   alkene
          [al.kene] n [ISV alkyl + -ene] (1899): any of numerous unsaturated
          hydrocarbons having one double bond; specif: any of a series
          of open-chain hydrocarbons (as ethylene)

   al-ki
          [al-ki] [Chinook Jargon] foreign term : by and by--motto
          of Washington

   alkoxide
          [alk.ox.ide] n [alkyl + oxide] (ca. 1889): a basic salt derived
          from an alcohol by the replacement of the hydroxyl hydrogen
          with a metal

   alkoxy
          [alk.oxy] adj [ISV alkyl + oxygen] (ca. 1925): of, relating
          to, or containing a univalent radical composed of an
          alkyl group united with oxygen--often used in combination

   alky
          [alky] abbreviation alkalinity

   alkyd
          [al.kyd] n [blend of alkyl and acid] (1929) 1: any of numerous
          synthetic resins that are used esp. for protective coatings
          and in paint 2: a paint in which the vehicle is an alkyd
          resin

   [1]alkyl
          [al.kyl] adj (1882): having a monovalent organic group (as
          methyl) derived from an alkane (as methane) [2]alkyl
          n [prob. fr. G, fr. Alkohol alcohol] (1952): a compound
          of one or more alkyl groups with a metal <mercury ~s>

   alkylating agent
          [alkylating agent] n (1900): a substance that causes replacement
          of hydrogen by an alkyl group esp. in a biologically
          important molecule; specif: one with mutagenic activity
          that inhibits cell division and growth and is used to
          treat some cancers

   alkylation
          [al.kyl.ation] n (1900): the act or process of introducing
          one or more alkyl groups into a compound (as to increase
          octane number in a motor fuel) -- al.kyl.ate vt

   alkyne
          [al.kyne] n [alkyl + -yne, alter. of -ine] (ca. 1909): any
          of a series of open-chain hydrocarbons (as acetylene)
          having one triple bond

   all-
          [all-] or allo- comb form [Gk, fr. allos other--more at else]
          1: other: different: atypical <allogamous> <allotropy>
          2 allo-: isomeric form or variety of (a specified chemical
          compound) <allopurinol> 3 allo-: being one of a group
          whose members together constitute a structural unit esp.
          of a language <allophone>

   [1]all
          [all] adj [ME all, al, fr. OE eall; akin to OHG all all]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: the whole amount or quantity of <needed
          ~ the courage they had> <sat up ~ night> b: as much as
          possible <spoke in ~ seriousness> 2: every member or
          individual component of <~ men will go> <~ five children
          were present> 3: the whole number or sum of <~ the angles
          of a triangle are equal to two right angles> 4: every
          <~ manner of hardship> 5: any whatever <beyond ~ doubt>
          6: nothing but: only: a: completely taken up with, given
          to, or absorbed by <became ~ attention> b: having or
          seeming to have (some physical feature) in conspicuous
          excess or prominence <~ legs> c: paying full attention
          with <~ ears> 7 dial: used up: entirely consumed--used
          esp. of food and drink 8: being more than one person
          or thing <who ~ is coming> syn see whole -- all the :
          as much of... as: as much of a... as <all the home I
          ever had> [2]all adv (bef. 12c) 1 a: wholly, quite <sat
          ~ alone>--often used as an intensive <~ out of proportion>
          <~ over the yard> b: selected as the best (as at a sport)
          within an area or organization--used in combination <all-league
          halfback> 2 obs: only, exclusively 3 archaic: just 4:
          so much <~ the better for it> 5: for each side: apiece
          <the score is two ~> [3]all pron (bef. 12c) 1: the whole
          number, quantity, or amount: totality <~ that I have>
          <~ of us> <~ of the books> 2: everybody, everything <gave
          equal attention to ~> <that is ~> -- all in all : on
          the whole: generally <all in all, things might have been
          worse> -- and all : and everything else esp. of a kind
          suggested by a previous context <cards to fill out with...
          numbers and all --Sally Quinn> [4]all n (1593): the whole
          of one's possessions, resources, or energy <gave his
          ~ for the cause>

   [1]alla breve
          [al.la breve] n [It, lit., according to the breve] (ca. 1740):
          the sign marking a piece or passage to be played alla
          breve; also: a passage so marked [2]alla breve adv or
          adj (ca. 1823): in duple or quadruple time with the beat
          represented by the half note

   Allah
          [Al.lah] n [Ar allah] (1584): god 1a--used in Islam

   all along
          [all along] adv (1670): all the time <knew the truth all
          along>

   [1]all-American
          [all-Amer.i.can] adj (1888) 1 a also all-Amer.i.ca : selected
          (as by a poll of journalists) as one of the best in the
          U.S. in a particular category at a particular time <an
          ~ quarterback> b: having only all-American participants
          <an ~ basketball team> 2: composed wholly of American
          elements 3: representative or typical of the U.S. or
          its ideals <an ~ boy> <her ~ optimism> 4: of or relating
          to the American nations as a group [2]all-American n
          (1920): one (as an athlete) that is voted all-American

   allantoin
          [al.lan.to.in] n [prob. fr. G, fr. NL allantois + G -in]
          (ca. 1845): a crystalline oxidation product of uric acid
          used to promote healing of local wounds and infections

   allantois
          [al.lan.to.is] n, pl al.lan.to.ides [NL, ultim. fr. Gk allant-,
          allas sausage] (1646): a vascular fetal membrane of reptiles,
          birds, and mammals that is formed as a pouch from the
          hindgut and that in placental mammals is intimately associated
          with the chorion in formation of the placenta -- al.lan.to.ic
          adj

   allargando
          [al.lar.gan.do] adj or adv [It, widening, verbal of allargare
          to widen, fr. al- (fr. L ad-) + largare to widen] (ca.
          1893): becoming gradually slower and more stately--used
          as a direction in music

   all-around
          [all-around] adj (1867) 1: considered in or encompassing
          all aspects: comprehensive <the best ~ performance so
          far> 2: competent in many fields <an ~ performer> 3:
          having general utility or merit

   allay
          [al.lay] vb [ME alayen, fr. OE alecgan, fr. a- (perfective
          prefix) + lecgan to lay--more at abide, lay] vt (14c)
          1: to subdue or reduce in intensity or severity: alleviate
          <expect a breeze to ~ the heat> 2: to make quiet: calm
          ~ vi, obs: to diminish in strength: subside syn see relieve

   all but
          [all but] adv (1593): very nearly: almost <would be all but
          impossible>

   all clear
          [all clear] n (1902): a signal that a danger has passed

   all-day
          [all-day] adj (ca. 1870): lasting for, occupying, or appearing
          throughout an entire day <an ~ trip>

   allee
          [al.lee] n [F, fr. MF alee--more at alley] (1759): a walkway
          lined with trees or tall shrubs

   allegation
          [al.le.ga.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of alleging 2: a positive
          assertion; specif: a statement by a party to a legal
          action of what the party undertakes to prove 3: an assertion
          unsupported and by implication regarded as unsupportable
          <vague ~s of misconduct>

   allege
          [al.lege] vt al.leged ; al.leg.ing [ME alleggen, fr. MF alleguer,
          fr. L allegare to dispatch, cite, fr. ad- + legare to
          depute--more at legate] (14c) 1 archaic: to adduce or
          bring forward as a source or authority 2: to assert without
          proof or before proving <the newspaper ~s the mayor's
          guilt> 3: to bring forward as a reason or excuse

   alleged
          [al.leged] adj (1509) 1: asserted to be true or to exist
          <an ~ miracle> 2: questionably true or of a specified
          kind: supposed, so-called <bought an ~ antique vase>
          3: accused but not proven or convicted <an ~ gangster>
          -- al.leg.ed.ly adv

   Allegheny spurge
          [Al.le.ghe.ny spurge] n [Allegheny Mountains, U.S.A.] (ca.
          1936): a low herb or subshrub (Pachysandra procumbens)
          of the box family widely grown as a ground cover

   allegiance
          [al.le.giance] n [ME allegeaunce, modif. of MF ligeance,
          fr. OF, fr. lige liege] (14c) 1 a: the obligation of
          a feudal vassal to his liege lord b (1): the fidelity
          owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government
          (2): the obligation of an alien to the government under
          which the alien resides 2: devotion or loyalty to a person,
          group, or cause syn see fidelity -- al.le.giant adj

   allegorical
          [al.le.gor.i.cal] adj (1528) 1: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of allegory 2: having hidden spiritual
          meaning that transcends the literal sense of a sacred
          text -- al.le.gor.i.cal.ly adv -- al.le.gor.i.cal.ness
          n

   allegorise
          [al.le.go.rise] Brit var of allegorize

   allegorist
          [al.le.go.rist] n (1684): a creator of allegory

   allegorization
          [al.le.go.ri.za.tion] n (1847): allegorical representation
          or interpretation

   allegorize
          [al.le.go.rize] vb -rized ; -riz.ing vi (1581) 1: to give
          allegorical explanations 2: to compose or use allegory
          ~ vt 1: to treat or explain as an allegory 2: to make
          into allegory -- al.le.go.riz.er n

   allegory
          [al.le.go.ry] n, pl -ries [ME allegorie, fr. L allegoria,
          fr. Gk allegoria, fr. allegorein to speak figuratively,
          fr. allos other + -egorein to speak publicly, fr. agora
          assembly--more at else, agora] (14c) 1: the expression
          by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of
          truths or generalizations about human existence; also:
          an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression
          2: a symbolic representation: emblem 2

   [1]allegretto
          [al.le.gret.to] adv or adj [It, dim. of allegro] (ca. 1740):
          faster than andante but not so fast as allegro--used
          as a direction in music [2]allegretto n, pl -tos (ca.
          1846): a musical composition or movement in allegretto
          tempo

   [1]allegro
          [al.le.gro] n, pl -gros (1683): a musical composition or
          movement in allegro tempo [2]allegro adv or adj [It,
          merry, fr. (assumed) VL alecrus lively, alter. of L alacr-,
          alacer] (ca. 1721): at a brisk lively tempo--used as
          a direction in music

   allele
          [al.lele] n [G Allel, short for Allelomorph] (1928) 1: any
          of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at
          a given locus 2: either of a pair of alternative Mendelian
          characters (as smooth and wrinkled seed in the pea) --
          al.le.lic adj -- al.lel.ism n

   allelo-
          [allelo-] comb form [Gk allelon of each other, fr. allos...
          allos one... the other, fr. allos other--more at else]
          1: alternative <allelomorph> 2: reciprocal <allelopathy>

   allelomorph
          [al.le.lo.morph] n (1902): allele -- al.le.lo.mor.phic adj
          -- al.le.lo.mor.phism n

   allelopathy
          [al.le.lop.a.thy] n [ISV] (1948): the suppression of growth
          of one plant species by another due to the release of
          toxic substances -- al.le.lo.path.ic adj

   alleluia
          [al.le.lu.ia] interj [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk allelouia, fr. Heb
          halaluyah praise ye Jehovah] (14c): hallelujah

   allemande
          [al.le.mande] n, often cap [F, fr. fem. of allemand German]
          (1685) 1: a musical composition or movement (as in a
          baroque suite) in moderate tempo and duple or quadruple
          time 2 a: a 17th and 18th century court dance developed
          in France from a German folk dance b: a dance step with
          arms interlaced

   all-embracing
          [all-em.brac.ing] adj (ca. 1649): complete, sweeping

   Allen wrench
          [Al.len wrench] n [Allen Manufacturing Co., Hartford, Conn.]
          (1943): an L-shaped hexagonal metal bar either end of
          which fits the socket of a screw or bolt

   allergen
          [al.ler.gen] n [ISV allergy + -gen] (1910): a substance that
          induces allergy -- al.ler.gen.ic adj -- al.ler.ge.nic.i.ty
          n

   allergic
          [al.ler.gic] adj (1911) 1: of, relating to, inducing, or
          affected by allergy 2: having an aversion <~ to work>

   allergist
          [al.ler.gist] n (1928): a specialist in allergy

   allergy
          [al.ler.gy] n, pl -gies [G Allergie, fr. all- + Gk ergon
          work--more at work] (1910) 1: altered bodily reactivity
          (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a
          first exposure <a bee venom ~ so severe that a second
          sting may be fatal> 2: exaggerated or pathological reaction
          (as by sneezing, respiratory embarrassment, itching,
          or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical
          states that are without comparable effect on the average
          individual 3: medical practice concerned with allergies
          4: a feeling of antipathy or repugnance

   allethrin
          [al.le.thrin] n [allyl + pyrethrin] (1950): a light yellow
          viscous oily synthetic insecticide used esp. in household
          aerosols

   alleviate
          [al.le.vi.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL alleviatus, pp. of
          alleviare, fr. L ad- + levis light--more at light] (15c):
          relieve, lessen: as a: to make (as suffering) more bearable
          <her sympathy alleviated his distress> b: to partially
          remove or correct syn see relieve -- al.le.vi.a.tion
          n -- al.le.vi.a.tor n

   [1]alley
          [al.ley] n, pl alleys [ME, fr. MF alee, fr. OF, fr. aler
          to go] (14c) 1: a garden or park walk bordered by trees
          or bushes 2 a (1): a grassed enclosure for bowling or
          skittles (2): a hardwood lane for bowling; also: a room
          or building housing a group of such lanes b: the space
          on each side of a tennis doubles court between the sideline
          and the service sideline c: an area in a baseball outfield
          between two outfielders when they are in normal positions
          3: a narrow street; esp: a thoroughfare through the middle
          of a block giving access to the rear of lots or buildings
          -- up one's alley also down one's alley : suited to one's
          own tastes or abilities [2]alley n, pl alleys [by shortening
          and alter. fr. alabaster] (1720): a playing marble; esp:
          one of superior quality

   alley-oop
          [al.ley-oop] n [alter. of allez-oop, cry of a circus acrobat
          about to leap, prob. fr. F allez, 2d pers. pl. imper.
          of aller to go + E -oop, perh. alter. of up] (1967):
          a basketball play in which a leaping player catches a
          pass above the basket and immediately dunks the ball;
          also: the usu. looping pass thrown on such a play

   alleyway
          [al.ley.way] n (1788) 1: a narrow passageway 2: alley 3

   All Fools' Day
          [All Fools' Day] n (1712): april fools' day

   all fours
          [all fours] n pl (1563) 1 a: all four legs of a quadruped
          b: the two legs and two arms of a person when used to
          support the body 2 sing in constr: any of various card
          games in which points are scored for the high trump,
          low trump, jack of trumps, and game

   all get-out
          [all get-out] n (1884): the utmost conceivable degree--used
          in comparisons to suggest something superlative <is handsome
          as all get-out and has a deft way with the ladies --John
          McCarten>

   all hail
          [all hail] interj (14c)--used to express greeting, welcome,
          or acclamation

   Allhallows
          [All.hal.lows] n, pl Allhallows [short for All Hallows' Day]
          (1503): all saints' day

   alliaceous
          [al.li.a.ceous] adj [L allium garlic] (1792): resembling
          garlic or onion esp. in smell or taste

   alliance
          [al.li.ance] n (13c) 1 a: the state of being allied: the
          action of allying b: a bond or connection between families,
          states, parties, or individuals <a closer ~ between government
          and industry> 2: an association to further the common
          interests of the members; specif: a confederation of
          nations by treaty 3: union by relationship in qualities:
          affinity 4: a treaty of alliance

   allied
          [al.lied] adj (14c) 1: having or being in close association:
          connected <a strong personal pride ~ with the utmost
          probity> <two families ~ by marriage> 2: joined in alliance
          by compact or treaty; specif, cap: of or relating to
          the nations united against Germany and its allies in
          World War I or those united against the Axis powers in
          World War II 3 a: related esp. by common properties or
          qualities <heraldry and ~ subjects> b: related genetically

   allies
          [allies] pl of ally

   alligator
          [al.li.ga.tor] n [Sp el lagarto the lizard, fr. el the (fr.
          L ille that) + lagarto lizard, fr. (assumed) VL lacartus,
          fr. L lacertus, lacerta--more at lizard] (1579) 1 a:
          either of two crocodilians (genus Alligator) having broad
          heads not tapering to the snout and a special pocket
          in the upper jaw for reception of the enlarged lower
          fourth tooth b: crocodilian 2: leather made from alligator
          hide

   alligator clip
          [alligator clip] n (ca. 1941): a spring-loaded clip that
          has jaws resembling an alligator's and is used for making
          temporary electrical connections

   alligator pear
          [alligator pear] n [by folk etymology fr. Sp aguacate--more
          at avocado] (1763): avocado

   alligator snapper
          [alligator snapper] n (1884): a snapping turtle (Macrochelys
          temminckii) of the rivers of the Gulf states that may
          reach nearly 150 pounds (68 kilograms) in weight and
          5 feet (1.5 meters) in length

   all-important
          [all-im.por.tant] adj (1839): of very great or greatest importance
          <an ~ question>

   all-in
          [all-in] adj (1890) 1 chiefly Brit: all-inclusive 2 chiefly
          Brit: being almost without restrictions <~ wrestling>

   all in
          [all in] adj (1903): tired, exhausted <after a day
          of wood-splitting he was all in>

   all-inclusive
          [all-in.clu.sive] adj (ca. 1855): including everything <a
          broader and more nearly ~ view> -- all-in.clu.sive.ness
          n

   alliterate
          [al.lit.er.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [back-formation fr.
          alliteration] vi (1816) 1: to form an alliteration 2: to write
          or speak alliteratively ~ vt: to arrange or place so as to make
          alliteration <~ syllables in a sentence>

   alliteration
          [al.lit.er.a.tion] n [ad- + L littera letter] (ca. 1656):
          the repetition of usu. initial consonant sounds in two
          or more neighboring words or syllables (as wild and woolly,
          threatening throngs)--called also head rhyme, initial
          rhyme

   alliterative
          [al.lit.er.a.tive] adj (1764): of, relating to, or marked
          by alliteration -- al.lit.er.a.tive.ly adv

   allium
          [al.li.um] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, garlic] (1807): any
          of a large genus (Allium) of bulbous herbs of the lily
          family including the onion, garlic, chive, leek, and
          shallot

   all-night
          [all-night] adj (1888) 1: lasting throughout the night <an
          ~ poker game> 2: open throughout the night <an ~ diner>

   all-nighter
          [all-night.er] n (1967): something that lasts all night;
          specif: an all-night study session

   allo-
          [allo-] --see all-

   alloantibody
          [al.lo.an.ti.body] n (1964): an antibody produced following
          introduction of an alloantigen into the system of an
          individual of a species lacking that particular antigen--called
          also isoantibody

   alloantigen
          [al.lo.an.ti.gen] n (1964): an antigen present only in some
          individuals (as of a particular blood group) of a species
          and capable of inducing the production of an isoantibody
          by individuals which lack it--called also isoantigen

   allocable
          [al.lo.ca.ble] adj (1916): capable of being allocated

   allocate
          [al.lo.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ML allocatus, pp. of
          allocare, fr. L ad- + locare to place, fr. locus place--more
          at stall] (ca. 1641) 1: to apportion for a specific purpose
          or to particular persons or things: distribute <~ tasks
          among human and automated components> 2: to set apart
          or earmark: designate <~ a section of the building for
          special research purposes> -- al.lo.cat.able adj -- al.lo.ca.tion
          n -- al.lo.ca.tor n

   allocution
          [al.lo.cu.tion] n [L allocution-, allocutio, fr. alloqui
          to speak to, fr. ad- + loqui to speak] (1615): a formal
          speech; esp: an authoritative or hortatory address

   all of
          [all of] adv (1829): fully <she's all of 20 years old>

   allogamous
          [al.log.a.mous] adj (ca. 1890): reproducing by cross-fertilization
          -- al.log.a.my n

   allogeneic
          [al.lo.ge.ne.ic] also al.lo.gen.ic adj [all- + -geneic (as
          in syngeneic)] (1961): involving, derived from, or being
          individuals of the same species that are sufficiently
          unlike genetically to interact antigenically

   allograft
          [al.lo.graft] n (1961): a homograft between allogeneic individuals
          -- allograft vt

   allograph
          [al.lo.graph] n (1951) 1: a letter of an alphabet in a particular
          shape (as A or a) 2: a letter or combination of letters
          that is one of several ways of representing one phoneme
          (as pp in hopping representing the phoneme /p/) -- al.lo.graph.ic
          adj

   allometry
          [al.lom.e.try] n (1936): relative growth of a part in relation
          to an entire organism or to a standard; also: the measure
          and study of such growth -- al.lo.me.tric adj

   allomorph
          [allomorph] n [allo- + morpheme] (1945): one of a set of
          forms that a morpheme may take in different contexts
          <the -s of cats, the -en of oxen, and the zero suffix
          of sheep are ~s of the English plural morpheme> -- al.lo.mor.phic
          adj -- al.lo.mor.phism n

   allonge
          [al.longe] n [F, lit., lengthening] (ca. 1859): rider 2a

   allopatric
          [al.lo.pat.ric] adj [all- + Gk patra fatherland, fr. pater
          father--more at father] (1942): occurring in different
          geographical areas or in isolation <~ speciation>--compare
          sympatric -- al.lo.pat.ri.cal.ly adv -- al.lop.a.try
          n

   allophane
          [al.lo.phane] n [Gk allophanes appearing otherwise, fr. all-
          + phainesthai to appear, middle voice of phainein to
          show--more at fancy] (ca. 1821): an amorphous translucent
          mineral of various colors often occurring in incrustations
          or stalactite forms and consisting of a hydrous aluminum
          silicate

   allophone
          [al.lo.phone] n [allo- + phone] (1938): one of two or more
          variants of the same phoneme <the aspirated /p/ of pin
          and the unaspirated /p/ of spin are ~s of the phoneme
          /p/> -- al.lo.phon.ic adj

   allopolyploid
          [al.lo.poly.ploid] n (1928): a polyploid individual or strain
          having a chromosome set composed of two or more chromosome
          sets derived more or less complete from different species
          -- allopolyploid adj -- al.lo.poly.ploi.dy n

   allopurinol
          [al.lo.pu.ri.nol] n [all- + purine + [1]-ol] (1964): a drug
          used to promote excretion of uric acid

   all-or-none
          [all-or-none] adj (1900): marked either by entire or complete
          operation or effect or by none at all <~ response of
          a nerve cell>

   all-or-nothing
          [all-or-noth.ing] adj (1765) 1: all-or-none 2 a: accepting
          no less than everything <he's an ~ perfectionist> b:
          risking everything <an ~ combat strategy>

   allosaurus
          [al.lo.sau.rus] n [NL, fr. Gk all- + sauros lizard] (1899):
          any of a genus (Allosaurus) of huge carnivorous No. American
          theropod dinosaurs of the Upper Jurassic period

   allosteric
          [al.lo.ste.ric] adj [all- + steric] (1962): of, relating
          to, or being a change in the shape and activity of a
          protein (as an enzyme) that results from combination
          with another substance at a point other than the chemically
          active site -- al.lo.ste.ri.cal.ly adv -- al.lo.ste.ry
          n

   allot
          [al.lot] vt al.lot.ted ; al.lot.ting [ME alotten, fr. MF
          aloter, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + lot, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE hlot lot] (15c) 1: to assign as a share or portion
          <~ 10 minutes for the speech> 2: to distribute by or
          as if by lot <~ seats to the press> -- al.lot.ter n

   allotetraploid
          [al.lo.te.tra.ploid] n (1930): amphidiploid -- al.lo.te.tra.ploi.dy
          n

   allotment
          [al.lot.ment] n (1574) 1: the act of allotting: apportionment
          2: something that is allotted; esp, chiefly Brit: a plot
          of land let to an individual for cultivation

   allotrope
          [al.lo.trope] n [ISV, back-formation fr. allotropy] (ca.
          1889): a form showing allotropy

   allotropy
          [al.lot.ro.py] n, pl -pies (1850): the existence of a substance
          and esp. an element in two or more different forms (as
          of crystals) usu. in the same phase -- al.lo.trop.ic
          adj

   all' ottava
          [all' ot.ta.va] adv or adj [It, at the octave] (ca. 1823):
          ottava

   allottee
          [al.lot.tee] n (1846): one to whom an allotment is made

   allotype
          [al.lo.type] n (1960): an alloantigen that is part of a plasma
          protein (as an antibody) -- al.lo.typ.ic adj -- al.lo.typ.i.cal.ly
          adv -- al.lo.typy n

   all-out
          [all-out] adj (1908) 1: made with maximum effort: thoroughgoing
          <an ~ effort to win the contest> 2: full-blown 2

   all out
          [all out] adv (1895): with full determination or enthusiasm:
          with maximum effort--used chiefly in the phrase go all
          out

   [1]allover
          [all.over] adj (1859): covering the whole extent or surface
          <a sweater with an ~ pattern> [2]allover n (1838) 1:
          an embroidered, printed, or lace fabric with a design
          covering most of the surface 2: a pattern or design in
          which a single unit is repeated so as to cover an entire
          surface

   all over
          [all over] adv (1577) 1: over the whole extent <decorated
          all over with a flower pattern> 2: everywhere <looked
          all over for the book> 3: in every respect: thoroughly
          <she is her mother all over>

   allow
          [al.low] vb [ME, fr. MF alouer to place, (fr. ML allocare)
          & allouer to approve, fr. L allaudare to extol, fr. ad-
          + laudare to praise--more at allocate] vt (14c) 1 a:
          to assign as a share or suitable amount (as of time or
          money) <~ an hour for lunch> b: to reckon as a deduction
          or an addition <~ a gallon for leakage> 2 a chiefly Southern
          & Midland: to be of the opinion: think b dial: say, state
          c: to express an opinion--usu. used with as how or that
          3 chiefly Southern & Midland: intend, plan 4: admit,
          concede <must ~ that money causes problems in marriage>
          5 a: permit <doesn't ~ people to smoke in his home> b:
          to forbear or neglect to restrain or prevent <~ the dog
          to roam> ~ vi 1: to make a possibility: admit--used with
          of <evidence that ~s of only one conclusion> 2: to give
          consideration to circumstances or contingencies--used
          with for <~ for expansion>

   allowable
          [al.low.able] adj (15c): permissible -- al.low.ably adv

   [1]allowance
          [al.low.ance] n (14c) 1 a: a share or portion allotted or
          granted b: a sum granted as a reimbursement or bounty
          or for expenses <salary includes cost-of-living ~>; esp:
          a sum regularly provided for personal or household expenses
          <each child has an ~> c: a fixed or available amount
          <provide an ~ of time for recreation> d: a reduction
          from a list price or stated price <a trade-in ~> 2: an
          imposed handicap (as in a horse race) 3: an allowed dimensional
          difference between mating parts of a machine 4: the act
          of allowing: permission 5: a taking into account of mitigating
          circumstances or contingencies [2]allowance vt -anced
          ; -anc.ing (ca. 1828) 1 archaic: to put on a fixed allowance
          (as of food and drink) 2 archaic: to supply in a fixed
          or regular quantity

   allowedly
          [al.low.ed.ly] adv (1602): by allowance: admittedly

   alloxan
          [al.lox.an] n [G, fr. Allantoin + Oxalsaure oxalic acid +
          -an] (1853): a crystalline compound causing diabetes
          mellitus when injected into experimental animals

   [1]alloy
          [al.loy] n [F aloi, fr. OF alei, fr. aleir to combine, fr.
          L alligare to bind--more at ally] (1604) 1: the degree
          of mixture with base metals: fineness 2: a substance
          composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal
          intimately united usu. by being fused together and dissolving
          in each other when molten; also: the state of union of
          the components 3 a: an admixture that lessens value b:
          an impairing alien element 4: a compound, mixture, or
          union of different things <an ethnic ~ of many peoples>
          5 archaic: a metal mixed with a more valuable metal to
          give durability or some other desired quality [2]al.loy
          vt (1661) 1 a: temper, moderate b: to impair or debase
          by admixture 2: to reduce the purity of by mixing with
          a less valuable metal 3: to mix so as to form an alloy
          ~ vi: to lend itself to being alloyed <iron ~s well>

   all-powerful
          [all-pow.er.ful] adj (1667): having complete or sole power

   all-purpose
          [all-pur.pose] adj (1928): suited for many purposes or uses

   [1]all right
          [all right] adj (1701) 1: satisfactory, agreeable <whatever
          you decide is all right with me> 2: safe, well <he was
          ill but he's all right now> 3: good, pleasing--often
          used as a generalized term of approval <an all right
          guy> usage see alright [2]all right adv (1837) 1: very
          well <all right, let's go> 2: beyond doubt: certainly
          <she has pneumonia all right> 3: well enough: satisfactorily
          <does all right in school> usage see alright

   all-round
          [all-round] var of all-around

   all-rounder
          [all-round.er] n (1875) Brit: one that is all-around

   All Saints' Day
          [All Saints' Day] n (ca. 1798): November 1 observed in Western
          liturgical churches as a Christian feast in honor of
          all the saints

   All Souls' Day
          [All Souls' Day] n (14c): November 2 observed in some Christian
          churches as a day of prayer for the souls of the faithful
          departed

   allspice
          [all.spice] n (1621) 1: the berry of a West Indian tree (Pimenta
          dioica) of the myrtle family; also: the allspice tree
          2: a mildly pungent and aromatic spice prepared from
          allspice berries

   [1]all-star
          [all-star] adj (1889): composed wholly or chiefly of stars
          or of outstanding performers or participants <an ~ cast>
          [2]all-star n (ca. 1934): a member of an all-star team

   all that
          [all that] adv (1945): to an indicated or suggested extent
          or degree: so <didn't take his threats all that seriously>

   all-time
          [all-time] adj (1914) 1: full-time 1 2: being for or of all
          time up to and including the present; esp: exceeding
          all others of all time <an ~ best-seller>

   all told
          [all told] adv (1850): with everything taken into account:
          in all

   allude
          [al.lude] vi al.lud.ed ; al.lud.ing [L alludere, lit., to
          play with, fr. ad- + ludere to play--more at ludicrous]
          (1533): to make indirect reference; broadly: refer

   [1]allure
          [al.lure] vt al.lured ; al.lur.ing [ME aluren, fr. MF alurer,
          fr. OF, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + loire lure--more at lure]
          (15c): to entice by charm or attraction syn see attract
          -- al.lure.ment n -- al.lur.ing.ly adv [2]allure n (1548):
          power of attraction or fascination: charm

   allusion
          [al.lu.sion] n [LL allusion-, allusio, fr. L alludere] (1548)
          1: an implied or indirect reference esp. in literature;
          also: the use of such references 2: the act of alluding
          or hinting at -- al.lu.sive adj -- al.lu.sive.ly adv
          -- al.lu.sive.ness n

   [1]alluvial
          [al.lu.vi.al] adj (1802): relating to, composed of, or found
          in alluvium <~ soil> <~ diamonds> [2]alluvial n (1866):
          an alluvial deposit

   alluvial fan
          [alluvial fan] n (1873): the alluvial deposit of a stream
          where it issues from a gorge upon a plain or of a tributary
          stream at its junction with the main stream

   alluvion
          [al.lu.vi.on] n [L alluvion-, alluvio, fr. alluere to flow
          past, deposit (of water), fr. ad- + lavere to wash--more
          at lye] (1536) 1: the wash or flow of water against a
          shore 2: flood, inundation 3: alluvium 4: an accession
          to land by the gradual addition of matter (as by deposit
          of alluvium) that then belongs to the owner of the land
          to which it is added; also: the land so added

   alluvium
          [al.lu.vi.um] n, pl -vi.ums or -via [ML, alter. of L alluvio]
          (ca. 1656): clay, silt, sand, gravel, or similar detrital
          material deposited by running water

   [1]ally
          [al.ly] vb al.lied ; al.ly.ing [ME allien, fr OF alier, fr.
          L alligare to bind to, fr. ad- + ligare to bind--more
          at ligature] vt (14c) 1: to unite or form a connection
          between: associate <allied himself with a wealthy family
          by marriage> 2: to connect or form a relation between
          (as by likeness or compatibility): relate ~ vi: to form
          or enter into an alliance [2]al.ly n, pl allies (1598)
          1: a sovereign or state associated with another by treaty
          or league 2: a plant or animal linked to another by genetic
          or taxonomic proximity 3: one that is associated with
          another as a helper: auxiliary

   -ally
          [-ally] adv suffix [[1]-al + -ly]: [2]-ly <terrifically>--in
          adverbs formed from adjectives in -ic with no alternative
          form in -ical

   allyl
          [al.lyl] adj [ISV, fr. L allium garlic] (1854): being or
          containing a monovalent chemical group having three carbon
          atoms and one double bond

   allylic
          [al.lyl.ic] adj (1857): involving or characteristic of an
          allyl group

   almagest
          [al.ma.gest] n [ME almageste, fr. MF & ML, fr. Ar al-majusti,
          the Arabic version of Ptolemy's astronomy treatise, fr.
          al the + Gk megiste (syntaxis), lit., greatest (composition)]
          (14c): any of several early medieval treatises on a branch
          of knowledge

   alma mater
          [al.ma ma.ter] n [L, fostering mother] (1696) 1: a school,
          college, or university which one has attended or from
          which one has graduated 2: the song or hymn of a school,
          college, or university

   almanac
          [al.ma.nac] n [ME almenak, fr. ML almanach, prob. fr. Ar
          al-manakh the almanac] (14c) 1: a publication containing
          astronomical and meteorological data for a given year
          and often including a miscellany of other information
          2: a usu. annual publication containing statistical,
          tabular, and general information

   almandine
          [al.man.dine] n [ME alemaundine, fr. MF alemandine, alter.
          of alabandine, fr. ML alabandina, fr. Alabanda, ancient
          city in Asia Minor] (15c): almandite

   almandite
          [al.man.dite] n [alter. of almandine] (ca. 1868): a deep
          red garnet consisting of an iron aluminum silicate

   [1]almighty
          [al.mighty] adj [ME, fr. OE ealmihtig, fr. eall all + mihtig
          mighty] (bef. 12c) 1 often cap: having absolute power
          over all <Almighty God> 2: relatively unlimited in power
          3: great in magnitude or seriousness -- al.mighti.ness
          n [2]almighty adv (1833): to a great degree: extremely
          <although he did not precisely starve, he was ~ hungry
          --W. A. Swanberg> Almighty n (bef. 12c): god 1--used
          with the

   almond
          [al.mond] n [ME almande, fr. MF, fr. LL amandula, alter.
          of L amygdala, fr. Gk amygdale] (14c) 1 a: the drupaceous
          fruit of a small tree (Prunus dulcis syn. P. amygdalus)
          of the rose family with flowers and young fruit resembling
          those of the peach; esp: its ellipsoidal edible kernel
          used as a nut b: any of several similar fruits 2: a tree
          that produces almonds

   almond-eyed
          [al.mond-eyed] adj (1870): having narrow slant almond-shaped
          eyes

   almoner
          [al.mo.ner] n [ME almoiner, fr. MF almosnier, fr. almosne
          alms, fr. LL eleemosyna] (15c) 1: one who distributes
          alms 2 Brit: a social-service worker in a hospital

   [1]almost
          [al.most] adv [ME, fr. OE ealmaest, fr. eall + maest most]
          (bef. 12c): very nearly but not exactly or entirely [2]almost
          adj (1709): very near but not quite <an ~ failure>

   alms
          [alms] n, pl alms [ME almesse, almes, fr. OE aelmesse, aelmes,
          fr. LL eleemosyna alms, fr. Gk eleemosyne pity, alms,
          fr. eleemon merciful, fr. eleos pity] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic:
          charity 2: something (as money or food) given freely
          to relieve the poor -- alms.giv.er n -- alms.giv.ing
          n

   almshouse
          [alms.house] n (14c) 1 Brit: a privately financed home for
          the poor 2: poorhouse

   almsman
          [alms.man] n (bef. 12c): a recipient of alms

   alnico
          [al.ni.co] n [aluminum + nickel + cobalt] (1935): a powerful
          permanent-magnet alloy containing iron, nickel, aluminum,
          and one or more of the elements cobalt, copper, and titanium

   aloe
          [al.oe] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. L, dried juice of aloe leaves,
          fr. Gk aloe] (bef. 12c) 1 pl: the fragrant wood of an
          East Indian tree (Aquilaria agallocha) of the mezereon
          family 2 a: any of a large genus (Aloe) of succulent
          chiefly southern African plants of the lily family with
          basal leaves and spicate flowers b: the dried juice of
          the leaves of various aloes used esp. formerly as a purgative--usu.
          used in pl. but sing. in constr.

   aloe vera
          [aloe vera] n [NL, species name, fr. Aloe + L vera, fem.
          of verus true--more at very] (ca. 1936): an aloe (Aloe
          barbadensis syn. A. vera) whose leaves furnish an emollient
          extract used esp. in cosmetics and skin creams; also:
          such a preparation

   [1]aloft
          [aloft] adv [ME, fr. ON a lopt, fr. a on, in + lopt air--more
          at on, loft] (13c) 1: at or to a great height 2: in the
          air; esp: in flight (as in an airplane) <meals served
          ~> 3: at, on, or to the masthead or the higher rigging
          [2]aloft prep (14c): on top of: above <bright signs ~
          hotels>

   alogical
          [alog.i.cal] adj (1694): being outside the bounds of that
          to which logic can apply -- alog.i.cal.ly adv

   aloha
          [alo.ha] interj [Hawaiian, fr. aloha love] (1820)--used as
          a greeting or farewell

   aloha oe
          [alo.ha oe] [Hawaiian] foreign term : love to you: greetings:
          farewell

   aloha shirt
          [aloha shirt] n (1940): hawaiian shirt

   [1]alone
          [alone] adj [ME, fr. al all + one one] (13c) 1: separated
          from others: isolated 2: exclusive of anyone or anything
          else: only 3 a: considered without reference to any other
          <the children ~ would eat that much> b: incomparable,
          unique <~ among their contemporaries in this respect>
          -- alone.ness n syn alone, solitary, lonely, lonesome,
          lone, forlorn, desolate mean isolated from others. alone
          stresses the objective fact of being by oneself with
          slighter notion of emotional involvement than most of
          the remaining terms <everyone needs to be alone sometimes>.
          solitary may indicate isolation as a chosen course <glorying
          in the calm of her solitary life> but more often it suggests
          sadness and a sense of loss <left solitary by the death
          of his wife>. lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of
          longing for companionship <felt lonely and forsaken>.
          lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy
          <an only child often leads a lonesome life>. lone may
          replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective
          as alone <a lone robin pecking at the lawn>. forlorn
          stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation
          from one held dear <a forlorn lost child>. desolate implies
          inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement <desolate after
          her brother's death>. [2]alone adv (13c) 1: solely, exclusively
          2: without aid or support

   [1]along
          [along] prep [ME, fr. OE andlang, fr. and- against + lang
          long--more at ante-] (bef. 12c) 1: in a line parallel
          with the length or direction of 2: in the course of 3:
          in accordance with: in [2]along adv (14c) 1: forward,
          on <move ~> 2: from one to another <word was passed ~>
          3 a: in company: as a companion <brought his wife ~>--often
          used with with <walked to school ~ with her friends>
          b: in association--used with with <work ~ with colleagues>
          4 a: sometime within a specified or implied extent of
          time--usu. used with about <~ about July 17> b: at or
          to an advanced point <plans are far ~> 5: in addition:
          also--often used with with <a bill came ~ with the package>
          6: at hand: as a necessary or useful item <brought an
          extra one ~> <had his gun ~> 7: on hand: there <tell
          him I'll be ~ to see him>

   along of
          [along of] prep [ME ilong on, fr. OE gelang on, fr. ge-,
          associative prefix + lang--more at co-] (bef. 12c) dial:
          because of

   alongshore
          [along.shore] adv or adj (1779): along the shore or coast
          <walked ~> <~ currents>

   [1]alongside
          [along.side] adv (1707) 1: along the side: in parallel position
          2: at the side: close by <a guard with a prisoner ~>
          [2]alongside prep (1793) 1 a: along the side of b: beside
          1 2 a: in company with <men she has been working ~ --Richard
          Halloran> b: in addition to <a special category ~ the
          awards it annually presents --Horizon>

   alongside of
          [alongside of] prep (1781): alongside

   [1]aloof
          [aloof] adv [obs. aloof to windward, fr. [1]a- + louf, luf
          luff] (ca. 1540): at a distance [2]aloof adj (1608):
          removed or distant either physically or emotionally <the
          ~ composer neither worried nor cared about public opinion
          --Mary Jane Matz> <he stood ~ from worldly success --John
          Buchan> syn see indifferent -- aloof.ly adv -- aloof.ness
          n

   alopecia
          [al.o.pe.cia] n [ME allopicia, fr. L alopecia, fr. Gk alopekia,
          fr. alopek-, alopex fox; akin to Arm alues fox, Skt lopasa]
          (14c): loss of hair, wool, or feathers: baldness -- al.o.pe.cic
          adj

   aloud
          [aloud] adv [ME, fr. [1]a- + loud] (13c) 1 archaic: in a
          loud manner: loudly 2: with the speaking voice

   alow
          [alow] adv [ME, fr. [1]a- + low] (13c): below <~ in the ship's
          hold>

   alp
          [alp] n [back-formation fr. Alps, mountain system of Europe]
          (15c) 1: a high rugged mountain 2: something suggesting
          an alp in height, size, or ruggedness

   alpaca
          [al.paca] n [Sp, fr. Aymara allpaqa] (1811) 1: a domesticated
          mammal (Lama pacos) esp. of Peru that is prob. descended
          from the guanaco 2 a: wool of the alpaca b (1): a thin
          cloth made of or containing this wool (2): a rayon or
          cotton imitation of this cloth

   alpenglow
          [al.pen.glow] n [part trans. of G Alpengluhen, fr. Alpen
          Alps + Gluhen glow] (1871): a reddish glow seen near
          sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains

   alpenhorn
          [al.pen.horn] or alp.horn n [G, fr. Alpen + Horn horn] (1864):
          a straight wooden horn 5 to 14 feet (about 1.5 to 4.3
          meters) in length used chiefly by Swiss herdsmen

   alpenstock
          [al.pen.stock] n [G, fr. Alpen + Stock staff] (1829): a long
          iron-pointed staff used in mountain climbing

   [1]alpha
          [al.pha] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk, of Sem origin; akin to Heb
          aleph aleph] (13c) 1: the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet
          2: something that is first: beginning 3: alpha wave 4:
          alpha particle [2]alpha adj (1863) 1: closest in the
          structure of an organic molecule to a particular group
          or atom <alpha-substitution> 2: socially dominant esp.
          in a group of animals 3: alphabetic

   alpha-adrenergic
          [al.pha-ad.ren.er.gic] adj (1966): of, relating to, or being
          an alpha-receptor <~ blocking action>

   alpha and omega
          [alpha and omega] n [fr. the fact that alpha and omega are
          respectively the first and last letters of the Greek
          alphabet] (1526) 1: the beginning and ending 2: the principal
          element

   alphabet
          [al.pha.bet] n [ME alphabete, fr. LL alphabetum, fr. Gk alphabetos,
          fr. alpha + beta beta] (1513) 1 a: a set of letters or other
          characters with which one or more languages are written esp.
          if arranged in a customary order b: a system of signs or signals
          that serve as equivalents for letters 2: rudiments, elements

   alphabetic
          [al.pha.bet.ic] or al.pha.bet.i.cal adj (1567) 1: arranged
          in the order of the letters of the alphabet 2: of, relating
          to, or employing an alphabet -- al.pha.bet.i.cal.ly adv

   alphabetization
          [al.pha.bet.iza.tion] n (1889) 1: the act or process
          of alphabetizing 2: an alphabetically arranged series, list,
          or file

   alphabetize
          [al.pha.bet.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1796) 1: to arrange
          alphabetically 2: to furnish with an alphabet -- al.pha.bet.iz.er
          n

   alphabet soup
          [alphabet soup] n (1934): a hodgepodge esp. of initials (as
          of the names of organizations)

   alpha-fetoprotein
          [al.pha-fe.to.pro.tein] n (1968): a fetal blood protein present
          abnormally in adults with some cancers (as of the liver)
          and normally in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women
          with high or low levels tending to be associated with
          certain birth defects (as spina bifida or Down's syndrome)

   alpha globulin
          [alpha globulin] n [ISV] (1923): any of several globulins
          of plasma or serum that have at alkaline pH the greatest
          electrophoretic mobility next to albumin--compare beta
          globulin, gamma globulin

   alpha-helix
          [al.pha-he.lix] n (1955): the coiled structural arrangement
          of many proteins consisting of a single chain of amino
          acids stabilized by hydrogen bonds -- al.pha-he.li.cal
          adj

   alpha iron
          [alpha iron] n (1902): the form of iron stable below 910
          degrees C

   alphameric
          [al.pha.mer.ic] adj [alphabetic + numeric] (ca. 1952): alphanumeric

   alphanumeric
          [al.pha.nu.mer.ic] also al.pha.nu.mer.i.cal adj [alphabetic
          + numeric, numerical] (1950) 1: consisting of both letters
          and numbers and often other symbols (as punctuation marks
          and mathematical symbols) <an ~ code>; also: being a
          character in an alphanumeric system 2: capable of using
          or displaying alphanumeric characters -- al.pha.nu.mer.i.cal.ly
          adv -- al.pha.nu.mer.ics n pl

   alpha particle
          [alpha particle] n (1903): a positively charged nuclear particle
          identical with the nucleus of a helium atom that consists
          of two protons and two neutrons and is ejected at high
          speed in certain radioactive transformations--called
          also alpha, alpha ray

   alpha privative
          [alpha privative] n (1590): the prefix a- or an- expressing
          negation in Greek and in English

   alpha-receptor
          [al.pha-re.cep.tor] n (1961): any of a group of receptors
          postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic
          nervous system to explain the specificity of certain
          adrenergic agents in affecting only some sympathetic
          activities (as vasoconstriction, relaxation of intestinal
          muscle, and contraction of most smooth muscle)

   alpha wave
          [alpha wave] n (1936): an electrical rhythm of the brain
          with a frequency of 8 to 13 cycles per second that is
          often associated with a state of wakeful relaxation--called
          also alpha, alpha rhythm

   Alpheus
          [Al.phe.us] n [L, fr. Gk Alpheios]: a Greek river-god who
          pursues the nymph Arethusa and is finally united with
          her

   alpine
          [al.pine] n (ca. 1828) 1: a plant native to alpine or boreal
          regions that is often grown for ornament 2 cap: a person
          possessing Alpine physical characteristics Alpine adj
          (15c) 1 often not cap: of, relating to, or resembling
          the Alps or any mountains 2 often not cap: of, relating
          to, or growing in the biogeographic zone including the
          elevated slopes above timberline 3: of or relating to
          a physical type characterized by a broad head, stockiness,
          medium height, and brown hair or eyes often regarded
          as constituting a branch of the Caucasian race 4: of
          or relating to competitive ski events consisting of slalom
          and downhill racing--compare nordic

   alpinism
          [al.pin.ism] n, often cap (1884): mountain climbing in the
          Alps or other high mountains -- al.pin.ist n

   already
          [al.ready] adv [ME al redy, fr. al redy, adj., wholly ready,
          fr. al all + redy ready] (14c) 1: prior to a specified
          or implied past, present, or future time: by this time:
          previously <he had ~ left when I called> 2--used as an
          intensive <all right ~> <enough ~>

   alright
          [al.right] adv or adj (1887): all right usage The one-word
          spelling alright appeared some 75 years after all right
          itself had reappeared from a 400-year-long absence. Since
          the early 20th century some critics have insisted alright
          is wrong, but it has its defenders and its users. It
          is less frequent than all right but remains in common
          use esp. in journalistic and business publications. It
          is quite common in fictional dialogue, and is used occas.
          in other writing <the first two years of medical school
          were alright --Gertrude Stein>.

   ALS
          [ALS] abbreviation amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autographed
          letter signed

   Alsatian
          [Al.sa.tian] n [ML Alsatia Alsace] (1917): german shepherd

   alsike clover
          [al.sike clover] n [Alsike, Sweden] (1852): a European perennial
          clover (Trifolium hybridum) much used as a forage plant

   also
          [al.so] adv [ME, fr. OE eallswa, fr. eall all + swa so--more
          at so] (bef. 12c) 1: likewise 1 2: in addition: besides,
          too

   also-ran
          [al.so-ran] n (1896) 1: a horse or dog that finishes out
          of the money in a race 2: a contestant that does not
          win 3: one that is of little importance esp. competitively
          <was just an ~ in the scramble for... privileges --C.
          A. Buss>

   alt
          [alt] abbreviation alternate, altitude, alto

   Alta
          [Alta] abbreviation Alberta

   Altaic
          [Al.ta.ic] adj (ca. 1828) 1: of or relating to the Altai
          Mountains 2: of, relating to, or constituting the Turkic,
          Tungusic, and Mongolian language families collectively

   Altair
          [Al.tair] n [Ar al-ta'ir, lit., the flier]: the brightest
          star in the constellation Aquila

   altar
          [al.tar] n, often attrib [ME alter, fr. OE altar, fr. L altare;
          prob. akin to L adolere to burn up] (bef. 12c) 1: a usu.
          raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered
          or incense is burned in worship 2: a table on which the
          eucharistic elements are consecrated or which serves
          as a center of worship or ritual

   altar boy
          [altar boy] n (1772): a boy who assists the celebrant in
          a liturgical service

   altar call
          [altar call] n (1946): an appeal by an evangelist to worshipers
          to come forward to signify their decision to commit their
          lives to Christ

   altar of repose
          [altar of repose] often cap A&R (ca. 1872): repository 2

   altarpiece
          [al.tar.piece] n (1644): a work of art that decorates the
          space above and behind an altar

   altar rail
          [altar rail] n (1860): a railing in front of an altar separating
          the chancel from the body of the church

   altar stone
          [altar stone] n (14c): a stone slab with a compartment containing
          the relics of martyrs that forms an essential part of
          a Roman Catholic altar

   altazimuth
          [alt.az.i.muth] n, often attrib [ISV altitude + azimuth]
          (1860): a telescope mounted so that it can swing horizontally
          and vertically; also: any of several other similarly
          mounted instruments

   alter
          [al.ter] vb al.tered ; al.ter.ing [ME, fr. MF alterer, fr.
          ML alterare, fr. L alter other (of two); akin to L alius
          other--more at else] vt (14c) 1: to make different without
          changing into something else 2: castrate, spay ~ vi:
          to become different syn see change -- al.ter.abil.i.ty
          n -- al.ter.able adj -- al.ter.ably adv -- al.ter.er
          n

   alteration
          [al.ter.ation] n (14c) 1: the act or process of altering:
          the state of being altered 2: the result of altering:
          modification

   altercate
          [al.ter.cate] vi -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L altercatus, pp. of
          altercari, fr. alter] (1530): to dispute angrily or noisily:
          wrangle

   altercation
          [al.ter.ca.tion] n (14c): a noisy heated angry dispute; also:
          noisy controversy syn see quarrel

   alter Christus
          [al.ter Chris.tus] [L] foreign term : another Christ

   alter ego
          [al.ter ego] n [L, lit., second I] (1537): a second self:
          as a: a trusted friend b: the opposite side of a personality
          c: counterpart 3

   alter idem
          [al.ter idem] [L] foreign term : second self

   [1]alternate
          [al.ter.nate] adj [L alternatus, pp. of alternare, fr. alternus
          alternate, fr. alter] (1513) 1: occurring or succeeding
          by turns <a day of ~ sunshine and rain> 2 a: arranged
          first on one side and then on the other at different
          levels or points along an axial line <~ leaves>--compare
          opposite b: arranged one above or alongside the other
          3: every other: every second <he works on ~ days> 4:
          constituting an alternative <took the ~ route home> 5:
          alternative 3 -- al.ter.nate.ly adv [2]al.ter.nate vb
          -nat.ed ; -nat.ing vt (1599) 1: to perform by turns or
          in succession 2: to cause to alternate ~ vi: to change
          from one to another repeatedly <rain alternated with
          sun> [3]al.ter.nate n (1717) 1: alternative 2: one that
          substitutes for or alternates with another

   alternate angle
          [alternate angle] n (1660): one of a pair of angles with
          different vertices and on opposite sides of a transversal
          at its intersection with two other lines: a: one of a
          pair of angles inside the two intersected lines--called
          also alternate interior angle b: one of a pair of angles
          outside the two intersected lines--called also alternate
          exterior angle

   alternating current
          [alternating current] n (1839): an electric current that
          reverses its direction at regularly recurring intervals--abbr.
          AC

   alternating group
          [alternating group] n (1904): a permutation group whose elements
          comprise those permutations of n objects which can be
          formed from the original order by making consecutively
          an even number of interchanges of pairs of objects

   alternating series
          [alternating series] n (ca. 1909): a mathematical series
          in which consecutive terms are alternatively positive
          and negative

   alternation
          [al.ter.na.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act or process of alternating
          or causing to alternate b: alternating occurrence: succession
          2: inclusive disjunction 3: the occurrence of different
          allomorphs or allophones

   alternation of generations
          [alternation of generations] (1858): the occurrence of two
          or more forms differently produced in the life cycle
          of a plant or animal usu. involving the regular alternation
          of a sexual with an asexual generation

   [1]alternative
          [al.ter.na.tive] adj (1540) 1: alternate 1 2: offering or
          expressing a choice <several ~ plans> 3: existing or
          functioning outside the established cultural, social,
          or economic system <~ newspaper> <~ lifestyles>; also:
          different from the usual or conventional <~ fuels> --
          al.ter.na.tive.ly adv -- al.ter.na.tive.ness n [2]alternative
          n (1624) 1 a: a proposition or situation offering a choice
          between two or more things only one of which may be chosen
          b: an opportunity for deciding between two or more courses
          or propositions 2 a: one of two or more things, courses,
          or propositions to be chosen b: something which can be
          chosen instead <the only ~ to intervention> syn see choice

   alternative school
          [alternative school] n (1972): an elementary or secondary
          school with a nontraditional curriculum

   alternator
          [al.ter.na.tor] n (1892): an electric generator for producing
          alternating current

   althorn
          [alt.horn] n [G, fr. alt alto + Horn horn] (1859): an alto
          saxhorn

   although
          [al.though] also al.tho conj [ME although, fr. al all + though]
          (14c): in spite of the fact that: even though

   altimeter
          [al.tim.e.ter] n [L altus + E -meter] (ca. 1828): an instrument
          for measuring altitude; esp: an aneroid barometer designed
          to register changes in atmospheric pressure accompanying
          changes in altitude -- al.tim.e.try n

   altiplano
          [al.ti.pla.no] n, pl -nos [AmerSp, fr. L altus + planum plain]
          (1919): a high plateau or plain: tableland

   altitude
          [al.ti.tude] n [ME, fr. L altitudo height, depth, fr. altus
          high, deep--more at old] (14c) 1 a: the angular elevation
          of a celestial object above the horizon b: the vertical
          elevation of an object above a surface (as sea level
          or land) of a planet or natural satellite c (1): a perpendicular
          line segment from a vertex of a geometric figure (as
          a triangle or a pyramid) to the opposite side or the
          opposite side extended or from a side or face to a parallel
          side or face or the side or face extended (2): the length
          of an altitude 2: a high level (as of quality or feeling)
          <the ~s of his anger> 3 a: vertical distance or extent
          b: position at a height c: an elevated region: eminence--usu.
          used in pl. syn see height -- al.ti.tu.di.nal adj --
          al.ti.tu.di.nous adj

   altitude sickness
          [altitude sickness] n (1920): the effects (as nosebleed or
          nausea) of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues
          developed in rarefied air at high altitudes

   [1]alto
          [al.to] n, pl altos [It, lit., high, fr. L altus] (ca. 1724)
          1 a: countertenor b: contralto 2: the second highest
          voice part in a 4-part chorus 3: a member of a family
          of instruments having a range lower than that of the
          treble or soprano; esp: an alto saxophone [2]alto adj
          (ca. 1724): relating to or having the range or part of
          an alto

   altocumulus
          [al.to.cu.mu.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. L altus + NL -o- + cumulus]
          (1894): a fleecy cloud formation consisting of large
          whitish globular cloudlets with shaded portions--see
          cloud illustration

   [1]altogether
          [al.to.geth.er] adv [ME altogedere, fr. al all + togedere
          together] (13c) 1: wholly, completely <an ~ different
          problem> <stopped crying ~> 2: in all: all told <spent
          a hundred dollars ~> 3: on the whole: in the main <~
          their efforts were successful> [2]altogether n (1894):
          nude--used with the <posed in the ~>

   alto-relievo
          [al.to-re.lie.vo] or al.to-ri.lie.vo n, pl alto-relievos
          or al.to-ri.lie.vi [It altorilievo] (1664) 1: high relief
          2: a sculpture in high relief

   altostratus
          [al.to.stra.tus] n, pl -ti [NL, fr. L altus + NL -o- + stratus]
          (1894): a cloud formation similar to cirrostratus but
          darker and at a lower level--see cloud illustration

   altricial
          [al.tri.cial] adj [L altric-, altrix, fem. of altor one who
          nourishes, fr. alere to nourish--more at old] (1872):
          being hatched or born or having young that are hatched
          or born in a very immature and helpless condition so
          as to require care for some time <~ birds>--compare precocial

   altruism
          [al.tru.ism] [F altruisme, fr. autrui other people, fr. OF,
          oblique case form of autre other, fr. L alter] (1853)
          1: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of
          others 2: behavior by an animal that is not beneficial
          to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others
          of its species -- al.tru.ist n -- al.tru.is.tic adj --
          al.tru.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   alula
          [al.u.la] n, pl -lae [NL, fr. L, dim. of ala wing--more at
          aisle] (1772): the process of a bird's wing corresponding
          to the thumb and bearing a few short quills--called also
          bastard wing

   [1]alum
          [al.um] n [ME, fr. MF alum, alun, fr. L alumen] (14c) 1:
          a potassium aluminum sulfate or an ammonium aluminum
          sulfate used esp. as an emetic and as an astringent and
          styptic 2: any of various double salts isomorphous with
          potassium aluminum sulfate 3: aluminum sulfate [2]alum
          n [by shortening] (1930): alumnus, alumna

   alum
          [alum] abbreviation aluminum

   alumina
          [alu.mi.na] n [NL, fr. L alumin-, alumen alum] (1801): aluminum
          oxide occuring native as corundum and in hydrated forms
          (as in bauxite)

   aluminate
          [alu.mi.nate] n (1841): a compound of alumina with a metallic
          oxide

   aluminium
          [al.u.min.i.um] n [NL, fr. alumina] (1812) chiefly Brit:
          aluminum

   aluminize
          [alu.mi.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1934): to treat or coat
          with aluminum

   aluminosilicate
          [alu.mi.no.sil.i.cate] n [L alumin-, alumen + -o- + ISV silicate]
          (1907): a combined silicate and aluminate

   aluminous
          [alu.mi.nous] adj (15c): of, relating to, or containing alum
          or aluminum

   aluminum
          [alu.mi.num] n, often attrib [NL, fr. alumina] (1812): a
          bluish silver-white malleable ductile light trivalent
          metallic element that has good electrical and thermal
          conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation
          and is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust where
          it always occurs in combination

   aluminum sulfate
          [aluminum sulfate] n (1873): a white salt usu. made by treating
          bauxite with sulfuric acid and used in making paper,
          in water purification, and in tanning

   alumna
          [alum.na] n, pl -nae [L, fem. of alumnus] (1879) 1: a girl
          or woman who has attended or has graduated from a particular
          school, college, or university 2: a girl or woman who
          is a former member, employee, contributor, or inmate

   alumnus
          [alum.nus] n, pl -ni [L, foster son, pupil, fr. alere to
          nourish--more at old] (1645) 1: one who has attended
          or has graduated from a particular school, college, or
          university 2: one who is a former member, employee, contributor,
          or inmate

   alumroot
          [al.um.root] n (1813): any of a genus (Heuchera) of No. American
          herbs of the saxifrage family having basal rounded or
          lobed toothed leaves; esp: one (H. americana) of eastern
          No. America

   alunite
          [al.u.nite] n [F, fr. alun alum] (1868): a mineral that consists
          of a hydrous potassium aluminum sulfate and occurs in
          massive form or in rhombohedral crystals

   alveolar
          [al.ve.o.lar] adj (1799) 1: of, relating to, resembling,
          or having alveoli; esp: of, relating to, or constituting
          the part of the jaws where the teeth arise, the air-containing
          cells of the lungs, or glands with secretory cells about
          a central space 2: articulated with the tip of the tongue
          touching or near the teethridge -- al.ve.o.lar.ly adv

   alveolate
          [al.ve.o.late] adj (ca. 1823): pitted like a honeycomb <~
          pollen>

   alveolus
          [al.ve.o.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. L, dim. of alveus cavity,
          hollow, fr. alvus belly, beehive; akin to Lith aulys
          beehive, Gk aulos tube, flute] (ca. 1706) 1: a small
          cavity or pit: as a: a socket for a tooth b: an air-containing
          cell of the lungs c: an acinus of a compound gland d:
          a cell or compartment of a honeycomb 2: teethridge

   alw
          [alw] abbreviation allowance

   alway
          [al.way] adv [ME alwey, alneway, fr. OE ealne weg, lit.,
          all the way, fr. ealne (acc. of eall all) + weg (acc.)
          way--more at way] (14c) archaic: always

   always
          [al.ways] adv [ME alwayes, fr. alwey] (14c) 1: at all times:
          invariably 2: forever, perpetually 3: at any rate: in
          any event <as a last resort one can ~ work>

   Alyce clover
          [Al.yce clover] n [prob. by folk etymology fr. NL Alysicarpus,
          genus name, fr. Gk halysis chain + karpos fruit] (1941):
          a low spreading annual Old World legume (Alysicarpus
          vaginalis) used in the southern U.S. as a cover crop
          and for hay and forage

   alyssum
          [alys.sum] n [NL, fr. Gk alysson, plant believed to cure
          rabies, fr. neut. of alyssos curing rabies, fr. a- +
          lyssa rabies] (1548) 1: any of a genus (Alyssum) of Old
          World herbs of the mustard family with small usu. yellow
          racemose flowers 2: sweet alyssum

   Alzheimer's disease
          [Alz.hei.mer's disease] n [Alois Alzheimer d. 1915 Ger. physician]
          (1912): a degenerative disease of the central nervous system
          characterized esp. by premature senile mental deterioration--called
          also Alzheimer's

   am...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   am
          [am] [ME, fr. OE eom; akin to ON em am, L sum, Gk eimi] pres
          1st sing of be AM n, often attrib [amplitude modulation]
          (1940): a broadcasting system using amplitude modulation;
          also: a radio receiver of such a system

   Am
          [Am] abbreviation America, American, americium  AM abbreviation
          airmail, Air Medal, [L anno mundi] in the year of the
          world--often printed in small capitals; ante meridiem--often
          not cap and often punctuated; [NL artium magister] master
          of arts

   AMA
          [AMA] abbreviation American Medical Association

   ama
          [ama] n, pl amas or ama [Jp] (1946): a Japanese diver esp.
          for pearls

   amah
          [amah] n [Pg ama wet nurse, fr. ML amma] (1839): an Oriental
          female servant; esp: a Chinese nurse

   amain
          [amain] adv (1540) 1: with all one's might <attacking a huge
          rack of beef with a cleaver, she flailed away ~ --Jay
          Jacobs> 2 archaic a: at full speed b: in great haste
          3 archaic: to a high degree: exceedingly <they whom I
          favour thrive in wealth ~ --John Milton>

   Amalekite
          [Ama.le.kite] n [Heb 'Amaleqi, pl. fr. 'Amaleq Amalek, grandson
          of Esau] (1560): a member of an ancient nomadic people
          living south of Canaan

   amalgam
          [amal.gam] n [ME amalgame, fr. MF, fr. ML amalgama] (15c)
          1: an alloy of mercury with another metal that is solid
          or liquid at room temperature according to the proportion
          of mercury present and is used esp. in making tooth cements
          2: a mixture of different elements: combination

   amalgamate
          [amal.gam.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1617): to unite in or
          as if in an amalgam; esp: to merge into a single body
          syn see mix -- amal.gam.ator n

   amalgamation
          [amal.gam.ation] n (1612) 1 a: the action or process
          of amalgamating: uniting b: the state of being amalgamated 2: the
          result of amalgamating: amalgam 3: consolidation, merger <~ of two
          corporations>

   amandine
          [aman.dine] adj [F] (1945): prepared or served with almonds

   amanita
          [am.a.ni.ta] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk amanitai, pl., a kind
          of fungus] (1899): any of a genus (Amanita) of white-spored
          fungi that typically have a volva and an annulus about
          the stipe and that includes some deadly poisonous forms

   amanitin
          [am.a.ni.tin] n [amanita + -in] (ca. 1847): a highly toxic
          peptide that is produced by the death cap and that selectively
          inhibits mammalian RNA polymerase

   amantadine
          [aman.ta.dine] n [ISV amantad- (alter. of adamantane) + amine]
          (1964): a drug used to prevent infection (as by an influenza
          virus) by interfering with virus penetration into host
          cells

   amanuensis
          [aman.u.en.sis] n, pl -en.ses [L, fr. (servus) a manu slave
          with secretarial duties] (1619): one employed to write
          from dictation or to copy manuscript

   amaranth
          [am.a.ranth] n [L amarantus, a flower, fr. Gk amaranton,
          fr. neut. of amarantos unfading, fr. a- + marainein to
          waste away] (1548) 1: any of a large genus (Amaranthus
          of the family Amaranthaceae, the amaranth family) of
          coarse herbs including forms cultivated as food crops
          and various pigweeds 2: a flower that never fades 3:
          a red azo dye

   amaranthine
          [am.a.ran.thine] adj (1667) 1 a: of or relating to an amaranth
          b: undying 2: of the color amaranth

   amaretto
          [am.a.ret.to] n [It, dim. of amaro bitter, fr. L amarus]
          (1945) 1 am.a.ret.ti pl: macaroons made with bitter almonds
          2 often cap: an almond-flavored liqueur

   amaryllis
          [am.a.ryl.lis] n [NL, genus name, prob. fr. L, name of a
          shepherdess in Virgil's Eclogues] (ca. 1794): an autumn-flowering
          So. African bulbous herb (Amaryllis belladonna of the
          family Amaryllidaceae, the amaryllis family) widely grown
          for its deep red to whitish umbellate flowers; also:
          a plant of any of several related genera (as Hippeastrum
          or Sprekelia)

   amass
          [amass] vb [MF amasser, fr. OF, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + masser
          to gather into a mass, fr. masse mass] vt (15c) 1: to
          collect for oneself: accumulate <~ a great fortune> 2:
          to collect into a mass: gather <must select rather than
          simply ~ details> ~ vi: to come together: assemble --
          amass.er n -- amass.ment n

   amateur
          [am.a.teur] n, often attrib [F, fr. L amator lover, fr. amare
          to love] (1784) 1: devotee, admirer 2: one who engages
          in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather
          than as a profession 3: one lacking in experience and
          competence in an art or science -- am.a.teur.ish adj
          -- am.a.teur.ish.ly adv -- am.a.teur.ish.ness n -- am.a.teur.ism
          n syn amateur, dilettante, dabbler, tyro mean a person
          who follows a pursuit without attaining proficiency or
          professional status. amateur often applies to one practicing
          an art without mastery of its essentials <a painting
          obviously done by an amateur>; in sports it may also
          suggest not so much lack of skill but avoidance of direct
          remuneration <remained an amateur despite lucrative offers>.
          dilettante may apply to the lover of an art rather than
          its skilled practitioner but usu. implies elegant trifling
          in the arts and an absence of serious commitment <had
          no patience for dilettantes>. dabbler suggests desultory
          habits of work and lack of persistence <a dabbler who
          started novels but never finished them>. tyro implies
          inexperience often combined with audacity with resulting
          crudeness or blundering <shows talent but is still a
          mere tyro>.

   Amati
          [Ama.ti] n, pl Amatis (1833): a violin made by a member of
          the Amati family of Cremona

   amative
          [am.a.tive] adj [ML amativus, fr. L amatus, pp. of amare]
          (1636): amorous 1, 3 -- am.a.tive.ly adv -- am.a.tive.ness
          n

   amatory
          [am.a.to.ry] adj (1599): of, relating to, or expressing sexual
          love

   amaurosis
          [am.au.ro.sis] n, pl -ro.ses [NL, fr. Gk amaurosis, lit.,
          dimming, fr. amauroun to dim, fr. amauros dim] (ca. 1657):
          partial or complete loss of sight occurring esp. without
          an externally perceptible change in the eye -- am.au.rot.ic
          adj

   amaurotic idiocy
          [amaurotic idiocy] n (1896): any of several recessive genetic
          conditions characterized by the accumulation of lipid-containing
          cells in the viscera and nervous system, mental retardation,
          and impaired vision or blindness; esp: tay-sachs disease

   [1]amaze
          [amaze] vb amazed ; amaz.ing [ME amasen, fr. OE amasian,
          fr. a- (perfective prefix) + (assumed) masian to confuse--more
          at abide] vt (bef. 12c) 1 obs: bewilder, perplex 2: to
          fill with wonder: astound ~ vi: to show or cause astonishment
          syn see surprise -- amaz.ed.ly adv [2]amaze n (15c):
          amazement

   amazement
          [amaze.ment] n (1595) 1 obs: consternation, bewilderment
          2: the quality or state of being amazed 3: something
          that amazes

   amazingly
          [amaz.ing.ly] adv (1673) 1: to an amazing degree <~ low prices>
          2: what is amazing <~, the runnerup was only two seconds
          behind --Jim Doherty>

   amazon
          [am.a.zon] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk Amazon] (14c) 1 cap: a member
          of a race of female warriors of Greek mythology 2: a
          tall strong often masculine woman

   Amazonian
          [Am.a.zo.nian] adj (1594) 1: relating to, resembling, or
          befitting an Amazon or an amazon 2: of or relating to
          the Amazon River or its valley

   amazonite
          [am.a.zon.ite] n [Amazon River] (ca. 1879): an apple-green
          or bluish-green microcline

   amazonstone
          [am.a.zon.stone] n (1836): amazonite

   amb
          [amb] abbreviation ambassador

   ambage
          [am.bage] n, pl am.ba.ges [back-formation fr. ME ambages,
          fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L, fr. ambi- + agere to drive--more
          at agent] (14c) 1 archaic: ambiguity, circumlocution--usu.
          used in pl. 2 pl, archaic: indirect ways or proceedings

   ambassador
          [am.bas.sa.dor] n [ME ambassadour, fr. MF ambassadeur, ultim.
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG ambaht service] (14c) 1: an
          official envoy; esp: a diplomatic agent of the highest
          rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign
          as the resident representative of his own government
          or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary
          diplomatic assignment 2 a: an authorized representative
          or messenger b: an unofficial representative <traveling
          abroad as ~s of goodwill> -- am.bas.sa.do.ri.al adj --
          am.bas.sa.dor.ship n

   ambassador-at-large
          [ambassador-at-large] n, pl ambassadors-at-large (1908):
          a minister of the highest rank not accredited to a particular
          foreign government or sovereign

   ambassadress
          [am.bas.sa.dress] n (1594) 1: a woman who is an ambassador
          2: the wife of an ambassador

   ambeer
          [am.beer] n [prob. alter. of amber; fr. its color] (1848)
          chiefly Southern & southern Midland: tobacco juice

   [1]amber
          [am.ber] n [ME ambre, fr. MF, fr. ML ambra, fr. Ar 'anbar
          ambergris] (14c) 1: a hard yellowish to brownish translucent
          fossil resin that takes a fine polish and is used chiefly
          in making ornamental objects (as beads) 2: a variable
          color averaging a dark orange yellow [2]amber adj (15c)
          1: consisting of amber 2: resembling amber; esp: having
          the color amber

   ambergris
          [am.ber.gris] n [ME ambregris, fr. MF ambre gris, fr. ambre
          + gris gray--more at grizzle] (15c): a waxy substance
          found floating in or on the shores of tropical waters,
          believed to originate in the intestines of the sperm
          whale, and used in perfumery as a fixative

   amberina
          [am.ber.i.na] n [fr. Amberina, a trademark] (1885): a late
          19th century American clear glassware of a graduated
          color that shades from ruby to amber

   amberjack
          [am.ber.jack] n [fr. its color] (ca. 1893): any of several
          carangid fishes (genus Seriola); esp: a large vigorous
          sport fish (S. dumerili) of the western Atlantic

   ambi-
          [ambi-] prefix [L ambi-, amb- both, around; akin to L ambo
          both, Gk ampho both, amphi around--more at by]: both
          <ambivalence>

   ambidexterity
          [am.bi.dex.ter.i.ty] n (1593): the quality or state of being
          ambidextrous

   ambidextrous
          [am.bi.dex.trous] adj [LL ambidexter, fr. L ambi- + dexter
          right-hand--more at dexter] (1646) 1: using both hands
          with equal ease 2: unusually skillful: versatile 3: characterized
          by duplicity: double-dealing -- am.bi.dex.trous.ly adv

   ambience
          [am.bi.ence] or am.bi.ance n [F ambiance, fr. ambiant ambient]
          (1889): a feeling or mood associated with a particular
          place, person, or thing: atmosphere

   [1]ambient
          [am.bi.ent] adj [L ambient-, ambiens, prp. of ambire to go
          around, fr. ambi- + ire to go--more at issue] (1596):
          existing or present on all sides: encompassing [2]ambient
          n (1624): an encompassing atmosphere: environment

   ambiguity
          [am.bi.gu.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being ambiguous esp. in meaning b: an ambiguous word
          or expression 2: uncertainty

   ambiguous
          [am.big.u.ous] adj [L ambiguus, fr. ambigere to be undecided,
          fr. ambi- + agere to drive--more at agent] (1528) 1 a:
          doubtful or uncertain esp. from obscurity or indistinctness
          <eyes of an ~ color> b: inexplicable 2: capable of being
          understood in two or more possible senses or ways syn
          see obscure -- am.big.u.ous.ly adv -- am.big.u.ous.ness
          n

   ambisexual
          [am.bi.sex.u.al] adj (1939): bisexual -- ambisexual n --
          am.bi.sex.u.al.i.ty n

   ambit
          [am.bit] n [ME, fr. L ambitus, fr. ambire] (1597) 1: circuit,
          compass 2: the bounds or limits of a place or district
          3: a sphere of action, expression, or influence: scope

   [1]ambition
          [am.bi.tion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L ambition-, ambitio,
          lit., act of soliciting for votes, fr. ambire] (14c)
          1 a: an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power b: desire
          to achieve a particular end 2: the object of ambition
          3: a desire for activity or exertion <felt sick and had
          no ~> -- am.bi.tion.less adj syn ambition, aspiration,
          pretension mean strong desire for advancement. ambition
          applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment
          and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate
          desire <driven by ambition>. aspiration implies a striving
          after something higher than oneself and usu. implies
          that the striver is thereby ennobled <an aspiration to
          become president someday>. pretension suggests ardent
          desire for recognition of accomplishment often without
          actual possession of the necessary ability and therefore
          may imply presumption <has literary pretensions>. [2]ambition
          vt (1664): to have as one's ambition: desire

   ambitious
          [am.bi.tious] adj (14c) 1 a: having or controlled by ambition
          b: having a desire to achieve a particular goal: aspiring
          2: resulting from, characterized by, or showing ambition
          -- am.bi.tious.ly adv -- am.bi.tious.ness n

   ambivalence
          [am.biv.a.lence] n [ISV] (1918) 1: simultaneous and contradictory
          attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward
          an object, person, or action 2 a: continual fluctuation
          (as between one thing and its opposite) b: uncertainty
          as to which approach to follow -- am.biv.a.lent adj --
          am.biv.a.lent.ly adv

   ambiversion
          [am.bi.ver.sion] n [ambi- + -version (as in introversion)]
          (1927): the personality configuration of an ambivert

   ambivert
          [am.bi.vert] n [ambi- + -vert (as in introvert)] (1927):
          a person having characteristics of both extrovert and
          introvert

   [1]amble
          [am.ble] vi am.bled ; am.bling [ME, fr. MF ambler, fr. L
          ambulare to walk, fr. ambi- + -ulare (verb base akin
          to MW el he may go, Gk elythe he went)--more at elastic]
          (14c): to go at or as if at an amble: saunter -- am.bler
          n [2]amble n (14c) 1 a: an easy gait of a horse in which
          the legs on the same side of the body move together b:
          [7]rack b 2: an easy gait 3: a leisurely walk

   amblygonite
          [am.blyg.o.nite] n [G Amblygonit, fr. Gk amblygonios obtuse-angled,
          fr. amblys blunt, dull + gonia angle--more at mollify, -gon] (ca.
          1828): a mineral that consists of basic lithium aluminum phosphate
          commonly containing sodium and fluorine and occurs in white
          cleavable masses

   amblyopia
          [am.bly.opia] n [NL, fr. Gk amblyopia, fr. amblys + -opia
          -opia] (ca. 1706): dimness of sight esp. in one eye without
          apparent change in the eye structures--called also lazy
          eye -- am.bly.opic adj

   Amboinese
          [Am.boi.nese] or Am.bo.nese n, pl Amboinese or Ambonese (ca.
          1864) 1: a native or inhabitant of Ambon 2: the group
          of closely related Austronesian languages spoken on Ambon
          -- Amboinese or Ambonese adj

   amboyna
          [am.boy.na] or am.boi.na n [Amboina, Moluccas, Indonesia]
          (ca. 1859): a mottled curly-grained wood of a leguminous
          tree (Pterocarpus indicus) of southeastern Asia

   ambrosia
          [am.bro.sia] n [L, fr. Gk, lit., immortality, fr. ambrotos
          immortal, fr. a- + -mbrotos (akin to brotos mortal)--more
          at murder] (15c) 1 a: the food of the Greek and Roman
          gods b: the ointment or perfume of the gods 2: something
          extremely pleasing to taste or smell 3: a dessert made
          of oranges and shredded coconut -- am.bro.sial adj --
          am.bro.sial.ly adv

   ambrosia beetle
          [ambrosia beetle] n (ca. 1900): any of various small wood-boring
          beetles (family Scolytidae) that cultivate a fungus on
          which they feed and raise their larvae

   ambrotype
          [am.bro.type] n [Gk ambrotos + E type] (1858): a positive
          picture made of a photographic negative on glass backed
          by a dark surface

   ambry
          [am.bry] n, pl ambries [ME almery, fr. MF almarie, armarie,
          fr. L armarium, fr. arma weapons--more at arm] (14c)
          1 dial chiefly Brit: pantry 2: a recess in a church wall
          (as for holding sacramental vessels)

   ambsace
          [ambs.ace] n [ME ambes as, fr. OF, fr. ambes both + as aces]
          (13c) archaic: the lowest throw at dice; also: something
          worthless or unlucky

   ambulacral
          [am.bu.la.cral] adj (1836): of, relating to, or being any
          of the radial areas of echinoderms along which run the
          principal nerves, blood vessels, and elements of the
          water-vascular system <~ grooves>

   ambulacrum
          [am.bu.la.crum] n, pl -cra [NL, fr. L, alley, fr. ambulare
          to walk--more at amble] (1837): an ambulacral area or
          part

   ambulance
          [am.bu.lance] n [F, fr. (hopital) ambulant, lit., ambulant
          field hospital, fr. ambulant itinerant, fr. L ambulant-,
          ambulans, prp. of ambulare] (1809): a vehicle equipped
          for transporting the injured or sick

   ambulance chaser
          [ambulance chaser] n (1897): a lawyer or lawyer's agent who
          incites accident victims to sue for damages -- ambulance
          chasing n

   ambulant
          [am.bu.lant] adj (1619): moving about: ambulatory

   ambulate
          [am.bu.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L ambulatus, pp. of ambulare]
          (ca. 1623): to move from place to place: walk -- am.bu.la.tion
          n

   [1]ambulatory
          [am.bu.la.to.ry] adj (1622) 1: of, relating to, or adapted
          to walking; also: occurring during a walk 2: moving from
          place to place: itinerant 3: capable of being altered
          <a will is ~ until the testator's death> 4 a: able to
          walk about and not bedridden b: performed on or involving
          an ambulatory patient or an outpatient <~ medical care>
          <an ~ electrocardiogram> -- am.bu.la.to.ri.ly adv [2]ambulatory
          n, pl -ries (ca. 1616): a sheltered place (as in a cloister
          or church) for walking

   ambuscade
          [am.bus.cade] n [MF embuscade, modif. of OIt imboscata, fr.
          imboscare to place in ambush, fr. in (fr. L) + bosco
          forest, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG busc forest--more
          at in, bush] (ca. 1588): ambush -- ambuscade vb -- am.bus.cad.er
          n

   [1]ambush
          [am.bush] vb [ME embushen, fr. MF embuschier, fr. en in (fr.
          L in) + busche stick of firewood] vt (14c) 1: to station
          in ambush 2: to attack from an ambush: waylay ~ vi: to
          lie in wait: lurk -- am.bush.er n -- am.bush.ment n [2]ambush
          n (15c) 1: a trap in which concealed persons lie in wait
          to attack by surprise 2: the persons stationed in ambush;
          also: their concealed position 3: an attack esp. from
          an ambush

   amdt
          [amdt] abbreviation amendment

   AmE
          [AmE] abbreviation American English

   ameba, ameboid
          [ame.ba, ame.boid] var of amoeba, amoeboid

   amebiasis
          [am.e.bi.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses (1905): infection with or disease
          caused by amoebas (esp. Entamoeba histolytica)

   amebic dysentery
          [ame.bic dysentery] n (1891): acute human intestinal amebiasis
          caused by an amoeba (Entamoeba histolytica) and marked
          by dysentery, gripes, and erosion of the intestinal wall

   amebocyte
          [ame.bo.cyte] var of amoebocyte

   ameer
          [ameer] var of emir

   ameliorate
          [ame.lio.rate] vb -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [alter. of meliorate]
          vt (1767): to make better or more tolerable ~ vi: to
          grow better syn see improve -- ame.lio.ra.tion n -- ame.lio.ra.tive
          adj -- ame.lio.ra.tor n -- ame.lio.ra.to.ry adj

   ameloblast
          [am.e.lo.blast] n [obs. amel enamel (ME, ultim. fr. OF esmail)
          + -o- + -blast--more at enamel] (1882): one of a group
          of columnar cells that produce and deposit enamel on
          the surface of a developing vertebrate tooth

   amen
          [amen] interj [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL, fr. Gk amen, fr. Heb amen]
          (bef. 12c)--used to express solemn ratification (as of
          an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an
          assertion)

   amenable
          [ame.na.ble] adj [prob. fr. (assumed) AF, fr. MF amener to
          lead up, fr. OF, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + mener to lead,
          fr. LL minare to drive, fr. L minari to threaten--more
          at mount] (1596) 1: liable to be brought to account:
          answerable <citizens ~ to the law> 2 a: capable of submission
          (as to judgment or test): suited <the data is ~ to analysis>
          b: readily brought to yield, submit, or cooperate c:
          willing 1 <was ~ to spending more time at home> syn see
          responsible, obedient -- ame.na.bil.i.ty n -- ame.na.bly
          adv

   amen corner
          [amen corner] n (1860): a conspicuous corner in a church
          occupied by fervent worshipers

   amend
          [amend] vb [ME, fr. OF amender, modif. of L emendare, fr.
          e, ex out + menda fault; akin to L mendax lying, mendicus
          beggar, and perh. to Skt minda physical defect] vt (13c)
          1: to put right; esp: to make emendations in (as a text)
          2 a: to change or modify for the better: improve <~ the
          situation> b: to alter esp. in phraseology; esp: to alter
          formally by modification, deletion, or addition <~ the
          constitution> ~ vi: to reform oneself syn see correct
          -- amend.able adj -- amend.er n

   amendatory
          [amen.da.to.ry] adj [amend + -atory (as in emendatory)] (ca.
          1828): corrective

   amendment
          [amend.ment] n (13c) 1: the act of amending: correction 2:
          a material (as compost or sand) that aids plant growth
          indirectly by improving the condition of the soil 3 a:
          the process of amending by parliamentary or constitutional
          procedure b: an alteration proposed or effected by this
          process <the 18th ~>

   amends
          [amends] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME amendes, fr. MF,
          pl. of amende reparation, fr. amender] (14c): compensation
          for a loss or injury: recompense <make ~>

   amenity
          [ame.ni.ty] n, pl -ties [ME amenite, fr. L amoenitat-, amoenitas,
          fr. amoenus pleasant] (14c) 1 a: the quality of being
          pleasant or agreeable b (1): the attractiveness and value
          of real estate or of a residential structure (2): a feature
          conducive to such attractiveness and value 2: something
          (as a conventional social gesture) that conduces to smoothness
          or pleasantness of social relationships 3: something
          that conduces to comfort, convenience, or enjoyment

   amenorrhea
          [amen.or.rhea] n [NL, fr. a- + Gk men month + NL -o- + -rrhea--more
          at moon] (1804): abnormal absence or suppression of menses
          -- amen.or.rhe.ic adj

   ament
          [ament] n [NL amentum, fr. L, thong, strap] (1791): catkin
          -- amen.tif.er.ous adj

   amentia
          [amen.tia] n [NL, fr. L, madness, fr. ament-, amens mad,
          fr. a- (fr. ab-) + ment-, mens mind--more at mind] (14c):
          mental retardation; specif: a condition of lack of development
          of intellectual capacity

   Amer
          [Amer] abbreviation America, American

   Amerasian
          [Am.er.asian] n [American + Asian] (1953): a person of mixed
          American and Asian descent; esp: one fathered by an American
          and esp. an American serviceman in Asia

   amerce
          [amerce] vt amerced ; amerc.ing [ME amercien, fr. AF amercier,
          fr. OF a merci at (one's) mercy] (15c): to punish by
          a fine whose amount is fixed by the court; broadly: punish
          -- amerce.ment n -- amer.cia.ble adj

   [1]American
          [Amer.i.can] n (1578) 1: an American Indian of No. America
          or So. America 2: a native or inhabitant of No. America
          or So. America 3: a citizen of the U.S. 4: american english
          [2]American adj (1598) 1: of or relating to America 2:
          of or relating to the U.S. or its possessions or original
          territory -- Amer.i.can.ness n

   Americana
          [Amer.i.ca.na] n pl (1841) 1: materials concerning
          or characteristic of America, its civilization, or its culture;
          broadly: things typical of America 2: American culture

   American chameleon
          [American chameleon] n (1881): a lizard (Anolis carolinensis)
          of the southeastern U.S. that can vary its skin color
          from green to brown and is often kept as a pet

   American cheese
          [American cheese] n (1804): a process cheese made from American
          cheddar

   American dog tick
          [American dog tick] n (1927): a common No. American ixodid
          tick (Dermacentor variabilis) esp. of dogs and humans
          that is an important vector of Rocky Mountain spotted
          fever and tularemia--called also dog tick

   American dream
          [American dream] n, often cap D (1931): an American social
          ideal that stresses egalitarianism and esp. material
          prosperity

   American eel
          [American eel] n (ca. 1949): a yellow to greenish-brown eel
          (Anguilla rostrata) that is lighter below, has 103 to
          111 vertebrae, is found in fresh and coastal waters along
          the Atlantic coasts of No. America, and is held to spawn
          in or near the Sargasso Sea

   American elm
          [American elm] n (1813): a large elm (Ulmus americana) with
          gradually spreading branches and pendulous branchlets
          that is common in eastern No. America

   American English
          [American English] n (1806): the English language as spoken
          in the U.S.--used esp. with the implication that it is
          clearly distinguishable from British English yet not
          so divergent as to be a separate language

   Americanese
          [Amer.i.ca.nese] n (1882): american english

   American foxhound
          [American foxhound] n (ca. 1891): any of an American breed
          of foxhounds smaller than the English foxhound but with
          longer ears and a short glossy coat usu. of black, tan,
          and white

   American Indian
          [American Indian] n (1732): a member of any of the aboriginal
          peoples of the western hemisphere except usu. the Eskimos;
          esp: an American Indian of North America and esp. the
          U.S.

   Americanisation, Americanise
          [Amer.i.can.isa.tion, Amer.i.can.ise] Brit var of americanization,
          americanize

   Americanism
          [Amer.i.can.ism] n (1781) 1: a characteristic feature of
          American English esp. as contrasted with British English
          2: attachment or allegiance to the traditions, interests,
          or ideals of the U.S. 3 a: a custom or trait peculiar
          to America b: the political principles and practices
          essential to American culture

   Americanist
          [Amer.i.can.ist] n (1881) 1: a specialist in American culture
          or history 2: a specialist in the languages or cultures
          of the aboriginal inhabitants of America

   Americanization
          [Amer.i.can.iza.tion] n (1858) 1: the act or process
          of Americanizing 2: instruction of foreigners (as immigrants)
          in English and in U.S. history, government, and culture

   Americanize
          [Amer.i.can.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1797) 1: to cause
          to acquire or conform to American characteristics 2:
          to bring (as an area) under the political, cultural,
          or commercial influence of the U.S. ~ vi: to acquire
          or conform to American traits

   American pit bull terrier
          [American pit bull terrier] n (1950): any of a breed of dogs
          developed to combine the traits of terriers and bulldogs
          that have extremely powerful jaws and great strength
          and tenacity--called also pit bull terrier

   American plan
          [American plan] n (1856): a hotel plan whereby the daily
          rates cover the costs of the room and three meals--compare
          european plan

   American saddlebred
          [American saddlebred] n (1948): any of a breed of 3-gaited
          or 5-gaited saddle horses developed chiefly in Kentucky
          from Thoroughbreds and smooth-gaited stock--called also
          American saddle horse

   American shorthair
          [American shorthair] n (1974): any of a breed of cats with
          a usu. solid-colored or tabby coat; broadly: shorthair

   American Sign Language
          [American Sign Language] n (1960): a sign language for the
          deaf in which meaning is conveyed by a system of articulated
          hand gestures and their placement relative to the upper
          body

   American Staffordshire terrier
          [American Staffordshire terrier] n (1971): a strong stocky
          terrier of a breed orig. developed for dogfighting

   American Standard Version
          [American Standard Version] n (1901): an American version
          of the Bible based on the Revised Version and published
          in 1901--called also American Revised Version

   American trotter
          [American trotter] n (1894): standardbred

   American water spaniel
          [American water spaniel] n (1947): any of a breed of medium-sized
          spaniels of American origin that have a thick curly chocolate
          or liver-colored coat

   americium
          [am.er.i.ci.um] n [NL, fr. America + NL -ium] (1946): a radioactive
          metallic element produced by bombardment of plutonium with
          high-energy neutrons

   AmerInd
          [AmerInd] abbreviation American Indian

   Amerindian
          [Am.er.in.di.an] n [American + Indian] (ca. 1898): american
          indian -- Am.er.ind n or adj -- Amerindian adj

   Ameslan
          [Ame.slan] n (1972): american sign language

   Ames test
          [Ames test] n [Bruce N. Ames b1928 Am. biochemist] (1977):
          a test for identifying potential carcinogens by studying
          their mutagenic effect on bacteria

   amethyst
          [am.e.thyst] n [ME amatiste, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L amethystus,
          fr. Gk amethystos, lit., remedy against drunkenness,
          fr. a- + methyein to be drunk, fr. methy wine--more at
          mead] (13c) 1 a: a clear purple or bluish violet variety
          of crystallized quartz that is much used as a jeweler's
          stone b: a deep purple variety of corundum 2: a moderate
          purple -- am.e.thys.tine adj

   ametropia
          [am.e.tro.pia] n [NL, fr. Gk ametros without measure (fr.
          a- + metron measure) + NL -opia--more at measure] (1875):
          an abnormal refractive condition (as myopia, hyperopia,
          or astigmatism) of the eye in which images fail to focus
          upon the retina -- am.e.tro.pic adj

   AMG
          [AMG] abbreviation allied military government

   Amharic
          [Am.har.ic] n (1813): a Semitic language that is the official
          language of Ethiopia -- Amharic adj

   amiable
          [ami.a.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL amicabilis friendly,
          fr. L amicus friend; akin to L amare to love] (14c) 1
          archaic: pleasing, admirable 2 a: generally agreeable
          <an ~ comedy> b: being friendly, sociable, and congenial
          -- ami.a.bil.i.ty n -- ami.a.ble.ness n -- ami.a.bly
          adv syn amiable, good-natured, obliging, complaisant
          mean having the desire or disposition to please. amiable
          implies having qualities that make one liked and easy
          to deal with <an amiable teacher not easily annoyed>.
          good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and
          sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon <a good-natured
          girl who was always willing to pitch in>. obliging stresses
          a friendly readiness to be helpful <our obliging innkeeper
          found us a bigger room>. complaisant often implies passivity
          or a yielding to others because of weakness <was too
          complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair>.

   amicable
          [am.i.ca.ble] adj [ME, fr. LL amicabilis] (15c): characterized
          by friendly goodwill: peaceable -- am.i.ca.bil.i.ty n
          -- am.i.ca.ble.ness n -- am.i.ca.bly adv syn amicable,
          neighborly, friendly mean exhibiting goodwill and an
          absence of antagonism. amicable implies a state of peace
          and a desire on the part of the parties not to quarrel
          <maintained amicable relations>. neighborly implies a
          disposition to live on good terms with others and to
          be helpful on principle <neighborly concern>. friendly
          stresses cordiality and often warmth or intimacy of personal
          relations <sought friendly advice>.

   amice
          [am.ice] n [ME amis, prob. fr. MF, pl. of amit, fr. ML amictus,
          fr. L, cloak, fr. amicire to wrap around, fr. am-, amb-
          around + jacere to throw--more at ambi-, jet] (13c):
          a liturgical vestment made of an oblong piece of cloth
          usu. of white linen and worn about the neck and shoulders
          and partly under the alb

   amicus
          [ami.cus] n, pl ami.ci (1951): amicus curiae

   amicus curiae
          [amicus cu.ri.ae] n, pl amici curiae [NL, lit., friend of
          the court] (1612): one (as a professional person or organization)
          that is not a party to a particular litigation but that
          is permitted by the court to advise it in respect to
          some matter of law that directly affects the case in
          question

   amicus humani generis
          [ami.cus hu.ma.ni ge.ne.ris] [L] foreign term : friend of
          the human race

   amicus usque ad aras
          [ami.cus us.que ad aras] [L] foreign term : a friend as far
          as to the altars, i.e., except in what is contrary to
          one's religion; also: a friend to the last extremity

   amid
          [amid] or amidst prep [amid fr. ME amidde, fr. OE onmiddan,
          fr. on + middan, dat. of midde mid; amidst fr. ME amiddes,
          fr. amidde + -es -s] (bef. 12c) 1: in or into the middle
          of: surrounded by: among 2 a: during b: with the accompaniment
          of <resigned ~ rumors of misconduct>

   amidase
          [am.i.dase] n [ISV] (1921): an enzyme that hydrolyzes acid
          amides usu. with the liberation of ammonia

   amide
          [am.ide] n [ISV, fr. NL ammonia] (ca. 1847) 1: an inorganic
          compound derived from ammonia by replacement of an atom
          of hydrogen with another element (as a metal) 2: an organic
          compound derived from ammonia or an amine by replacement
          of ammoniacal hydrogen with an acyl group--compare amine,
          imide

   ami de cour
          [ami de cour] [F] foreign term : court friend: insincere
          friend

   amido
          [ami.do] adj [ISV amide + -o-] (1877): relating to or containing
          an organic amide group--often used in combination

   amidol
          [am.i.dol] n [G, fr. Amidol, a trademark] (1892): a colorless
          crystalline salt used chiefly as a photographic developer

   amidships
          [amid.ships] adv (1692) 1: in or toward the part of a ship
          midway between bow and stern 2: in or toward the middle

   amigo
          [ami.go] n, pl -gos [Sp, fr. L amicus--more at amiable] (1837):
          friend

   amine
          [amine] n [ISV, fr. NL ammonia] (1863): any of a class of
          organic compounds derived from ammonia by replacement
          of hydrogen with one or more alkyl groups--compare amide
          2

   amino
          [ami.no] adj [ISV amine + -o-] (1904): relating to, being,
          or containing an amine group--often used in combination

   amino acid
          [amino acid] n (1898): an amphoteric organic acid containing
          the amino group HNH; esp: any of the alpha-amino acids
          that are the chief components of proteins and are synthesized
          by living cells or are obtained as essential components
          of the diet

   aminoaciduria
          [ami.no.ac.id.uria] n [NL] (ca. 1923): a condition in which
          one or more amino acids are excreted in excessive amounts

   aminobenzoic acid
          [ami.no.ben.zo.ic acid] n [ISV] (1904): any of three crystalline
          derivatives of benzoic acid; esp: para-aminobenzoic acid

   aminopeptidase
          [ami.no.pep.ti.dase] n (1943): an enzyme that hydrolyzes
          peptides by acting on the peptide bond next to a terminal
          amino acid containing a free amino group

   aminophylline
          [am.i.noph.yl.line] n [amino + theophylline] (1934): a theophylline
          derivative used esp. to stimulate the heart in congestive heart
          failure and to dilate the air passages in respiratory disorders

   aminopterin
          [am.i.nop.ter.in] n [amino + pteroylglutamic acid + -in]
          (1948): a derivative of glutamic acid used esp. as a
          rodenticide

   aminopyrine
          [ami.no.py.rine] n [ISV, fr. amino + antipyrine] (ca. 1936):
          a crystalline compound formerly used to relieve pain
          and fever but now largely abandoned for this purpose
          because of the occurrence of fatal agranulocytosis as
          a side effect in some users

   aminosalicylic acid
          [ami.no.sal.i.cyl.ic acid] n (1925): any of four isomeric
          derivatives of salicylic acid that have a single amino
          group; esp: para-aminosalicylic acid

   aminotransferase
          [ami.no.trans.fer.ase] n (ca. 1965): transaminase

   amir
          [amir] var of emir

   Amish
          [Amish] adj [prob. fr. G amisch, fr. Jacob Amman or Amen
          fl 1693 Swiss Mennonite bishop] (1844): of or relating
          to a strict sect of Mennonite followers of Amman that
          settled in America chiefly in the 18th century -- Amish
          n

   [1]amiss
          [amiss] adv (13c) 1 a: in a mistaken way: wrongly <if you
          think he is guilty, you judge ~> b: astray <something
          had gone ~> 2: in a faulty way: imperfectly [2]amiss
          adj (14c) 1: not being in accordance with right order
          2: faulty, imperfect 3: out of place in given circumstances--usu.
          used with a negative <a few remarks may not be ~ here>

   amitosis
          [ami.to.sis] n [NL, fr. [2]a- + mitosis] (1894): cell division
          by simple cleavage of the nucleus and division of the
          cytoplasm without spindle formation or appearance of
          chromosomes -- ami.tot.ic adj -- ami.tot.i.cal.ly adv

   amitriptyline
          [am.i.trip.ty.line] n [amino + tryptophan + -yl + [2]-ine]
          (1961): a tricyclic antidepressant drug

   amitrole
          [am.i.trole] n [amino + triazole] (ca. 1960): a systemic
          herbicide used in areas other than food croplands

   amity
          [am.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME amite, fr. MF amite, fr. ML amicitas,
          fr. L amicus friend--more at amiable] (15c): friendship;
          esp: friendly relations between nations

   ammeter
          [am.me.ter] n [ampere + -meter] (1882): an instrument for
          measuring electric current in amperes

   ammine
          [am.mine] n [ISV ammonia + [2]-ine] (1897) 1: a molecule
          of ammonia as it exists in a coordination complex 2:
          a compound that contains an ammine

   ammo
          [am.mo] n [by shortening & alter.] (1911): ammunition

   ammonia
          [am.mo.nia] n [NL, fr. L sal ammoniacus sal ammoniac, lit.,
          salt of Ammon, fr. Gk ammoniakos of Ammon, fr. Ammon
          Ammon, Amen, an Egyptian god near one of whose temples
          it was prepared] (ca. 1799) 1: a pungent colorless gaseous
          alkaline compound of nitrogen and hydrogen that is very
          soluble in water and can easily be condensed to a liquid
          by cold and pressure 2: ammonia water

   ammoniac
          [am.mo.ni.ac] n [ME & L; ME, fr. L ammoniacum, fr. Gk ammoniakon,
          fr. neut. of ammoniakos of Ammon] (15c): the aromatic
          gum resin of a Persian herb (Dorema ammoniacum) of the
          carrot family used as an expectorant and stimulant and
          in plasters

   ammoniacal
          [am.mo.ni.a.cal] also am.mo.ni.ac adj (1798): of, relating
          to, containing, or having the properties of ammonia

   ammoniate
          [am.mo.ni.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1928) 1: to combine
          or impregnate with ammonia or an ammonium compound 2:
          to subject to ammonification -- am.mo.ni.a.tion n

   ammonia water
          [ammonia water] n (ca. 1928): a water solution of ammonia

   ammonification
          [am.mo.ni.fi.ca.tion] n (1886) 1: the act or process of ammoniating
          2: decomposition with production of ammonia or ammonium compounds
          esp. by the action of bacteria on nitrogenous organic matter
          -- am.mo.ni.fy vb

   ammonite
          [am.mo.nite] n [NL ammonites, fr. L cornu Ammonis, lit.,
          horn of Ammon] (1758): any of a subclass (Ammonoidea)
          of extinct cephalopods with flat spiral shells that were
          esp. abundant in the Mesozoic age -- am.mo.nit.ic adj
          Am.mon.ite n [LL Ammonites, fr. Heb 'Ammon Ammon (son
          of Lot), descendant of Ammon] (1537): a member of a Semitic
          people who in Old Testament times lived east of the Jordan
          between the Jabbok and the Arnon -- Ammonite adj

   ammonium
          [am.mo.ni.um] n [NL, fr. ammonia] (1808): an ion derived
          from ammonia by combination with a hydrogen ion and known
          in compounds (as salts) that resemble in properties the
          compounds of the alkali metals

   ammonium carbonate
          [ammonium carbonate] n (ca. 1881): a carbonate of ammonium;
          specif: the commercial mixture of the bicarbonate and
          carbamate used esp. in smelling salts

   ammonium chloride
          [ammonium chloride] n (1869): a white crystalline volatile
          salt that is used in dry cells and as an expectorant--called
          also sal ammoniac

   ammonium cyanate
          [ammonium cyanate] n (ca. 1881): an inorganic white crystalline
          salt that can be converted into organic urea

   ammonium hydroxide
          [ammonium hydroxide] n (1904): a weakly basic compound that
          is formed when ammonia dissolves in water and that exists
          only in solution

   ammonium nitrate
          [ammonium nitrate] n (ca. 1881): a colorless crystalline
          salt used in explosives and fertilizers and in veterinary
          medicine

   ammonium phosphate
          [ammonium phosphate] n (ca. 1881): a phosphate of ammonium;
          esp: diammonium phosphate

   ammonium sulfate
          [ammonium sulfate] n (ca. 1881): a colorless crystalline
          salt used chiefly as a fertilizer

   ammonoid
          [am.mo.noid] n (1884): ammonite

   ammunition
          [am.mu.ni.tion] n [obs. F amunition, fr. MF, alter. of munition]
          (ca. 1626) 1 a: the projectiles with their fuses, propelling
          charges, or primers fired from guns b: cartridges c:
          explosive military items (as grenades or bombs) 2: material
          for use in attacking or defending a position <~ for the
          defense lawyers>

   Amn
          [Amn] abbreviation airman

   amnesia
          [am.ne.sia] n [NL, fr. Gk amnesia forgetfulness, alter. of
          amnestia] (1786) 1: loss of memory due usu. to brain
          injury, shock, fatigue, repression, or illness 2: a gap
          in one's memory 3: the selective overlooking or ignoring
          of those events or acts that are not favorable or useful
          to one's purpose or position -- am.ne.si.ac or am.ne.sic
          adj or n

   amnesty
          [am.nes.ty] n, pl -ties [Gk amnestia forgetfulness, fr. amnestos
          forgotten, fr. a- + mnasthai to remember--more at mind]
          (1580): the act of an authority (as a government) by
          which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals
          -- amnesty vt

   amniocentesis
          [am.nio.cen.te.sis] n, pl -te.ses [NL, fr. amnion + centesis
          puncture, fr. Gk kentesis, fr. kentein to prick--more
          at center] (1957): the surgical insertion of a hollow
          needle through the abdominal wall and into the uterus
          to obtain amniotic fluid esp. for the determination of
          fetal sex or chromosomal abnormality

   amnion
          [am.ni.on] n, pl amnions or am.nia [NL, fr. Gk, caul, fr.
          amnos lamb--more at yean] (1667) 1: a thin membrane forming
          a closed sac about the embryos of reptiles, birds, and
          mammals and containing a serous fluid in which the embryo
          is immersed 2: a membrane analogous to the amnion and
          occurring in various invertebrates -- am.ni.ot.ic adj

   amniote
          [am.ni.ote] n [NL Amniota, fr. amnion] (ca. 1909): any of
          a group (Amniota) of vertebrates that undergo embryonic
          development within an amnion and include the birds, reptiles,
          and mammals -- amniote adj

   amniotic fluid
          [amniotic fluid] n (1855): the serous fluid in which the
          embryo is suspended within the amnion

   amniotic sac
          [amniotic sac] n (ca. 1881): amnion

   amobarbital
          [amo.bar.bi.tal] n [amyl + -o- + barbital] (1949): a barbiturate
          used as a hypnotic and sedative; also: its sodium salt

   amoeba
          [amoe.ba] n, pl -bas or -bae [NL, genus name, fr. Gk amoibe
          change, fr. ameibein to change--more at migrate] (1855):
          any of a large genus (Amoeba) of naked rhizopod protozoans
          with lobed and never anastomosing pseudopodia, without
          permanent organelles or supporting structures, and of
          wide distribution in fresh and salt water and moist terrestrial
          environments; broadly: a naked rhizopod or other amoeboid
          protozoan -- amoe.bic adj

   amoebiasis
          [am.oe.bi.a.sis] var of amebiasis

   amoebocyte
          [amoe.bo.cyte] n (1892): a cell (as a phagocyte) having amoeboid
          form or movements

   amoeboid
          [amoe.boid] adj (1856): resembling an amoeba specif. in moving
          or changing in shape by means of protoplasmic flow

   [1]amok
          [amok] n [Malay amok] (1665): a murderous frenzy that occurs
          chiefly among Malays [2]amok adv (1672) 1: in a murderously
          frenzied state 2 a: in a violently raging manner <a virus
          that had run ~> b: in an undisciplined, uncontrolled,
          or faulty manner <films ... about computers run ~ --People>
          [3]amok adj (1944): possessed with or motivated by a
          murderous or violently uncontrollable frenzy

   amole
          [amo.le] n [AmerSp, fr. Nahuatl ahmolli soap] (1831): a plant
          part (as a root) possessing detergent properties and
          serving as a substitute for soap; also: a plant (as a
          yucca or agave) so used

   among
          [among] also amongst prep [among fr. ME, fr. OE on gemonge,
          fr. on + gemonge, dat. of gemong crowd, fr. ge- (associative
          prefix) + -mong (akin to OE mengan to mix); amongst fr.
          ME amonges, fr. among + -es -s--more at co-, mingle]
          (bef. 12c) 1: in or through the midst of: surrounded
          by 2: in company or association with <living ~ artists>
          3: by or through the aggregate of <discontent ~ the poor>
          4: in the number or class of <wittiest ~ poets> <~ other
          things she was president of her college class> 5: in
          shares to each of <divided ~ the heirs> 6 a: through
          the reciprocal acts of <quarrel ~ themselves> b: through
          the joint action of <made a fortune ~ themselves> usage
          see between

   amontillado
          [amon.til.la.do] n, pl -dos [Sp, lit., done in the manner
          of Montilla, town in Andalusia] (1825): a medium dry
          sherry

   amoral
          [amor.al] adj (1882) 1 a: being neither moral nor immoral;
          specif: lying outside the sphere to which moral judgments
          apply <science as such is completely ~ --W. S. Thompson>
          b: lacking moral sensibility <infants are ~> 2: being
          outside or beyond the moral order or a particular code
          of morals <~ customs> -- amor.al.ism n -- amo.ral.i.ty
          n -- amor.al.ly adv

   amoretto
          [amo.ret.to] n, pl -ti or -tos [It, dim. of amore love, cupid,
          fr. L amor] (1622): cupid, cherub 2

   amorist
          [am.or.ist] n (1581) 1: a devotee of love and esp. sexual
          love: gallant 2: one that writes about romantic love
          -- am.or.is.tic adj

   Amorite
          [Am.o.rite] n [Heb Emori] (1535): a member of one of various
          Semitic peoples living in Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine
          during the 3d and 2d millennia b.c. -- Amorite adj

   amorous
          [am.o.rous] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML amorosus, fr. L amor
          love, fr. amare to love] (14c) 1: strongly moved by love
          and esp. sexual love <~ women> 2: being in love: enamored--usu.
          used with of <~ of the girl> 3 a: indicative of love
          <received ~ glances from her partner> b: of or relating
          to love <an ~ novel> -- am.o.rous.ly adv -- am.o.rous.ness
          n

   amor patriae
          [amor pa.tri.ae] [L] foreign term : love of one's country

   amorphous
          [amor.phous] adj [Gk amorphos, fr. a- + morphe form] (ca.
          1731) 1 a: having no definite form: shapeless <an ~ cloud
          mass> b: being without definite character or nature:
          unclassifiable <an ~ segment of society> c: lacking organization
          or unity <an ~ style> 2: having no real or apparent crystalline
          form: uncrystallized <an ~ mineral> -- amor.phous.ly
          adv -- amor.phous.ness n

   amort
          [amort] adj [short for all-a-mort, by folk etymology fr.
          MF a la mort to the death] (1590) archaic: being at the
          point of death

   amortization
          [am.or.ti.za.tion] n (ca. 1859) 1: the act or process of
          amortizing 2: the result of amortizing

   amortize
          [am.or.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing [ME amortisen to deaden,
          alienate in mortmain, modif. of MF amortiss-, stem of
          amortir, fr. (assumed) VL admortire to deaden, fr. L
          ad- + mort-, mors death--more at murder] (1882) 1: to
          provide for the gradual extinguishment of (as a mortgage)
          usu. by contribution to a sinking fund at the time of
          each periodic interest payment 2: to amortize an expenditure
          for <~ intangibles> <~ the new factory> -- am.or.tiz.able
          adj

   amor vincit omnia
          [amor vin.cit om.nia] [L] foreign term : love conquers all
          things

   Amos
          [Amos] n [Heb 'Amos] 1: a Hebrew prophet of the 8th century
          b.c. 2: a prophetic book of canonical Jewish and Christian
          Scripture

   amosite
          [am.o.site] n [Amosa (fr. Asbestos Mines of South Africa)
          + [1]-ite] (ca. 1918): an iron-rich amphibole that is
          a variety of asbestos

   [1]amount
          [amount] vi [ME, fr. MF amonter, fr. amont upward, fr. a-
          (fr. L ad-) + mont mountain--more at mount] (14c) 1 a:
          to be equivalent <acts that ~ to treason> b: to reach
          in kind or quality <wants her son to ~ to something>
          <doesn't ~ to much> 2: to reach a total: add up <the
          bill ~s to $10> [2]amount n (1710) 1 a: the total number
          or quantity: aggregate b: the quantity at hand or under
          consideration <has an enormous ~ of energy> 2: the whole
          effect, significance, or import 3: a principal sum and
          the interest on it usage Number is regularly used with
          count nouns <a large number of mistakes> <any number
          of times> while amount is mainly used with mass nouns
          <annual amount of rainfall> <a substantial amount of
          money>. The use of amount with count nouns has been frequently
          criticized; it usu. occurs when the number of things
          is thought of as a mass or collection <glad to furnish
          any amount of black pebbles --New Yorker> <a substantial
          amount of film offers --Lily Tomlin> or when money is
          involved <a substantial amount of loans --E. R. Black>.

   amour
          [amour] n [ME, love, affection, fr. MF, fr. OProv amor, fr.
          L, fr. amare to love] (14c): a usu. illicit love affair;
          also: lover

   amour propre
          [amour pro.pre] n [F amour-propre, lit., love of oneself]
          (1775): self-esteem

   amoxicillin
          [amox.i.cil.lin] n [amino + ox- + penicillin] (1973):
          a semisynthetic penicillin derived from ampicillin

   amoxycillin
          [amox.y.cil.lin] Brit var of amoxicillin

   Amoy
          [Amoy] n (1904): the dialect of Chinese spoken in and near
          Amoy in southeastern China

   amp
          [amp] abbreviation ampere

   amp
          [amp] n [by shortening] (1962): amplifier; also: a unit consisting
          of an electronic amplifier and a loudspeaker AMP n [adenosine
          monophosphate] (1951): a mononucleotide of adenine that was orig.
          isolated from mammalian muscle and is reversibly convertible to ADP
          and ATP in metabolic reactions--called also adenosine
          monophosphate, adenylic acid--compare cyclic amp

   amperage
          [am.per.age] n (1893): the strength of a current of electricity
          expressed in amperes

   ampere
          [am.pere] n [Andre-Marie Ampere] (1881) 1: the practical
          meter-kilogram-second unit of electric current that is
          equivalent to a flow of one coulomb per second or to
          the steady current produced by one volt applied across
          a resistance of one ohm 2: the base unit of electric
          current in the International System of Units that is
          equal to a constant current which when maintained in
          two straight parallel conductors of infinite length and
          negligible circular sections one meter apart in a vacuum
          produces between the conductors a force equal to 2E-7
          newton per meter of length

   ampere-hour
          [ampere-hour] n (1885): a unit quantity of electricity equal
          to the quantity carried past any point of a circuit in
          one hour by a steady current of one ampere

   ampere-turn
          [ampere-turn] n (1884): the meter-kilogram-second unit of
          magnetomotive force equal to the magnetomotive force
          around a path that links with one turn of wire carrying
          an electric current of one ampere

   amperometric
          [am.per.o.met.ric] adj [ampere + -o- + -metric] (1940): relating
          to or being a chemical titration in which the measurement
          of the electric current flowing under an applied potential
          between two electrodes in a solution is used for detecting
          the end point

   ampersand
          [am.per.sand] n [alter. of and (&) per se and, lit., (the
          character) & by itself (is the word) and] (1835): a character
          typically & standing for the word and

   amphetamine
          [am.phet.amine] n [ISV alpha + methyl + phen- + ethyl + amine]
          (1938): a racemic compound or one of its derivatives
          (as dextroamphetamine or methamphetamine) frequently
          abused as a stimulant of the central nervous system but
          used clinically esp. as the sulfate or hydrochloride
          salt to treat hyperactive children and the symptoms of
          narcolepsy and as a short-term appetite suppressant in
          dieting

   amphi-
          [amphi-] or amph- prefix [L amphi- around, on both sides,
          fr. Gk amphi-, amph-, fr. amphi--more at ambi-]: on both
          sides: of both kinds: both <amphibrach> <amphidiploid>

   amphibia
          [am.phib.ia] n pl (1607): amphibians

   amphibian
          [am.phib.i.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk amphibion amphibious being,
          fr. neut. of amphibios] (1835) 1: an amphibious organism;
          esp: any of a class (Amphibia) of cold-blooded vertebrates
          (as frogs, toads, or salamanders) intermediate in many
          characters between fishes and reptiles and having gilled
          aquatic larvae and air-breathing adults 2: an airplane
          designed to take off from and land on either land or
          water -- amphibian adj

   amphibious
          [am.phib.i.ous] adj [Gk amphibios, lit., living a double
          life, fr. amphi- + bios mode of life--more at quick]
          (1643) 1: combining two characteristics 2 a: relating
          to or adapted for both land and water <~ vehicles> b:
          executed by coordinated action of land, sea, and air
          forces organized for invasion; also: trained or organized
          for such action <~ forces> 3: able to live both on land
          and in water <~ plants> -- am.phib.i.ous.ly adv --
          am.phib.i.ous.ness n

   amphibole
          [am.phi.bole] n [F, fr. LL amphibolus, fr. Gk amphibolos
          ambiguous, fr. amphiballein to throw round, doubt, fr.
          amphi- + ballein to throw--more at devil] (ca. 1823)
          1: hornblende 2: any of a group of complex silicate minerals
          with like crystal structures that contain calcium, sodium,
          magnesium, aluminum, and iron ions or a combination of
          them

   amphibolite
          [am.phib.o.lite] n (1833): a usu. metamorphic rock consisting
          essentially of amphibole

   amphibology
          [am.phi.bol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [ME amphibologie, fr.
          LL amphibologia, alter. of L amphibolia, fr. Gk, fr. amphibolos]
          (14c): a sentence or phrase (as "nothing is good enough for you")
          susceptible of more than one interpretation

   amphiboly
          [am.phib.o.ly] n, pl -lies [LL amphibolia] (ca. 1588): amphibology

   amphibrach
          [am.phi.brach] n [L amphibrachys, fr. Gk, lit., short at
          both ends, fr. amphi- + brachys short--more at brief]
          (1589): a metrical foot consisting of a long syllable
          between two short syllables in quantitative verse or
          of a stressed syllable between two unstressed syllables
          in accentual verse <romantic is an accentual ~> -- am.phi.brach.ic
          adj

   amphictyony
          [am.phic.ty.o.ny] n, pl -nies [Gk amphiktyonia] (1835): an
          association of neighboring states in ancient Greece to
          defend a common religious center; broadly: an association
          of neighboring states for their common interest -- am.phic.ty.on.ic
          adj

   amphidiploid
          [am.phi.dip.loid] n (1930): an interspecific hybrid having
          a complete diploid chromosome set from each parent form--called
          also allotetraploid -- amphidiploid adj -- am.phi.dip.loi.dy
          n

   amphimacer
          [am.phim.a.cer] n [L amphimacrus, fr. Gk amphimakros, lit.,
          long at both ends, fr. amphi- + makros long--more at
          meager] (1589): a metrical foot consisting of a short
          syllable between two long syllables in quantitative verse
          or of an unstressed syllable between two stressed syllables
          in accentual verse <twenty-two is an accentual ~>

   amphimixis
          [am.phi.mix.is] n, pl -mix.es [NL, fr. amphi- + Gk mixis
          mingling, fr. mignynai to mix--more at mix] (1893): the
          union of gametes in sexual reproduction

   Amphion
          [Am.phi.on] n [L, fr. Gk Amphion]: a musician of Greek mythology
          who builds the walls of Thebes by charming the stones
          into place with his lyre

   amphioxus
          [am.phi.ox.us] n, pl -oxi or -ox.us.es [NL, fr. amphi- +
          Gk oxys sharp] (1847): any of a genus (Branchiostoma)
          of lancelets; broadly: lancelet

   amphipathic
          [am.phi.path.ic] adj [amphi- + -pathic (as in empathic)]
          (1945): amphiphilic

   amphiphilic
          [am.phi.phil.ic] adj (1950): of, relating to, or being a
          compound (as a surfactant) consisting of molecules having
          a polar water-soluble group attached to a water-insoluble
          hydrocarbon chain; also: being a molecule of such a compound
          -- am.phi.phile n

   amphiploid
          [am.phi.ploid] adj (1945) of an interspecific hybrid: having
          at least one complete diploid set of chromosomes derived
          from each parent species -- amphiploid n -- am.phi.ploi.dy
          n

   amphipod
          [am.phi.pod] n [ultim. fr. Gk amphi- + pod-, pous foot--more
          at foot] (1835): any of a large order (Amphipoda) of
          small crustaceans (as the beach flea) with a laterally
          compressed body -- amphipod adj

   amphiprostyle
          [am.phi.pro.style] adj [L amphiprostylos, fr. Gk, fr. amphi-
          + prostylos having pillars in front, fr. pro- + stylos
          pillar--more at steer] (1850): having columns at each
          end only <an ~ building> -- amphiprostyle n

   amphisbaena
          [am.phis.bae.na] n [L, fr. Gk amphisbaina, fr. amphis on
          both sides (fr. amphi around) + bainein to walk, go--more
          at by, come] (14c): a serpent in classical mythology
          having a head at each end and capable of moving in either
          direction -- am.phis.bae.nic adj

   amphitheater
          [am.phi.the.ater] n [L amphitheatrum, fr. Gk amphitheatron,
          fr. amphi- + theatron theater] (14c) 1: an oval or circular
          building with rising tiers of seats ranged about an open
          space and used in ancient Rome esp. for contests and
          spectacles 2 a: a very large auditorium b: a room with
          a gallery from which doctors and students may observe
          surgical operations c: a rising gallery in a modern theater
          d: a flat or gently sloping area surrounded by abrupt
          slopes 3: a place of public games or contests -- am.phi.the.at.ric
          or am.phi.the.at.ri.cal adj -- am.phi.the.at.ri.cal.ly adv

   Amphitryon
          [Am.phit.ry.on] n [Gk Amphitryon]: the husband of Alcmene

   amphora
          [am.pho.ra] n, pl -rae or -ras [L, modif. of Gk amphoreus,
          amphiphoreus, fr. amphi- + phoreus bearer, fr. pherein
          to bear--more at bear] (14c) 1: an ancient Greek jar
          or vase with a large oval body, narrow cylindrical neck,
          and two handles that rise almost to the level of the
          mouth 2: a 2-handled vessel shaped like an amphora

   amphoteric
          [am.pho.ter.ic] adj [ISV, fr. Gk amphoteros each of two,
          fr. ampho both--more at ambi-] (ca. 1849): partly one
          and partly the other; specif: capable of reacting chemically
          either as an acid or as a base

   amphotericin B
          [am.pho.ter.i.cin B] n [amphoteric + [1]-in] (1955): an antifungal
          antibiotic obtained from a soil actinomycete (Streptomyces nodosus)
          and used esp. to treat systemic fungal infections

   amp hr
          [amp hr] abbreviation ampere-hour

   ampicillin
          [am.pi.cil.lin] n [amino + penicillin] (1961): a penicillin
          that is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive
          bacteria and is used to treat various infections of the
          urinary, respiratory, and intestinal tracts

   ample
          [am.ple] adj am.pler ; am.plest [MF, fr. L amplus] (15c)
          1: generous or more than adequate in size, scope, or
          capacity <there was room for an ~ garden> 2: generously
          sufficient to satisfy a requirement or need <they had
          ~ money for the trip> 3: buxom, portly <an ~ figure>
          syn see spacious, plentiful -- am.ple.ness n -- am.ply
          adv

   amplexus
          [am.plex.us] n [NL, fr. L, embrace, fr. amplecti to embrace,
          fr. am-, amb- around + plectere to braid--more at ambi-,
          ply] (ca. 1927): the mating embrace of a frog or toad
          during which eggs are shed into the water and there fertilized

   amplidyne
          [am.pli.dyne] n [amplifier + Gk dynamis power--more at dynamic]
          (1940): a direct-current generator that precisely controls
          a large power output whenever a small power input is
          varied in the field winding of the generator

   amplification
          [am.pli.fi.ca.tion] n (1546) 1 a: an act, example, or product
          of amplifying b: a usu. massive replication esp. of a
          gene or DNA sequence (as in a polymerase chain reaction)
          2 a: the particulars by which a statement is expanded
          b: an expanded statement

   amplifier
          [am.pli.fi.er] n (1542): one that amplifies; specif: an electronic
          device (as in a stereo system) for amplifying voltage, current,
          or power

   amplify
          [am.pli.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME amplifien, fr. MF amplifier,
          fr. L amplificare, fr. amplus] vt (15c) 1: to expand
          (as a statement) by the use of detail or illustration
          or by closer analysis 2 a: to make larger or greater
          (as in amount, importance, or intensity): increase b:
          to increase the strength or amount of; esp: to make louder
          c: to cause (a gene or DNA sequence) to undergo amplification
          ~ vi: to expand one's remarks or ideas syn see expand

   amplitude
          [am.pli.tude] n (1542) 1: the quality or state of being ample:
          fullness 2: the extent or range of a quality, property,
          process, or phenomenon: as a: the extent of a vibratory
          movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the mean position
          to an extreme b: the maximum departure of the value of
          an alternating current or wave from the average value
          3: argument 6b

   amplitude modulation
          [amplitude modulation] n (1921): modulation of the amplitude
          of a radio carrier wave in accordance with the strength
          of the audio or other signal; also: a broadcasting system
          using such modulation--compare frequency modulation

   ampoule
          [am.poule] or am.pule also am.pul n [ME ampulle flask, fr.
          OE & OF; OE ampulle & OF ampoule, fr. L ampulla] (1886)
          1: a hermetically sealed small bulbous glass vessel that
          is used to hold a solution for hypodermic injection 2:
          a vial resembling an ampoule

   ampulla
          [am.pul.la] n, pl -lae [ME, fr. OE, fr. L, dim. of amphora]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a glass or earthenware flask with a globular
          body and two handles used esp. by the ancient Romans
          to hold ointment, perfume, or wine 2: a saccular anatomic
          swelling or pouch -- am.pul.la.ry adj

   amputate
          [am.pu.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L amputatus, pp. of amputare,
          fr. am-, amb- around + putare to cut, prune--more at
          ambi-] (1638): to remove by or as if by cutting; esp:
          to cut (as a limb) from the body -- am.pu.ta.tion n

   amputee
          [am.pu.tee] n (1910): one that has had a limb amputated

   AMSLAN
          [AMSLAN] abbreviation American Sign Language

   amt
          [amt] abbreviation amount

   amtrac
          [am.trac] or am.track n [amphibious + tractor] (1944): a
          flat-bottomed military vehicle that moves on tracks on
          land or water

   AMU
          [AMU] abbreviation atomic mass unit

   amuck
          [amuck] var of amok

   amulet
          [am.u.let] n [L amuletum] (1584): a charm (as an ornament)
          often inscribed with a magic incantation or symbol to
          protect the wearer against evil (as disease or witchcraft)
          or to aid him

   amuse
          [amuse] vb amused ; amus.ing [MF amuser, fr. OF, fr. a- (fr.
          L ad-) + muser to muse] vt (15c) 1 a archaic: to divert
          the attention of so as to deceive b obs: to occupy the
          attention of: absorb c obs: distract, bewilder 2 a: to
          entertain or occupy in a light, playful, or pleasant
          manner <~ the child with a story> b: to appeal to the
          sense of humor of <the joke doesn't ~ me> ~ vi, obs:
          muse -- amus.ed.ly adv -- amus.er n -- amus.ive adj syn
          amuse, divert, entertain mean to pass or cause to pass
          the time pleasantly. amuse suggests that one's attention
          is engaged lightly or frivolously <amuse yourselves while
          I prepare dinner>. divert implies the distracting of
          the attention from worry or routine occupation esp. by
          something funny <a light comedy to divert the tired businessman>.
          entertain suggests supplying amusement or diversion by
          specially prepared or contrived methods <a magician entertaining
          children at a party>.

   amusement
          [amuse.ment] n (1603) 1: a means of amusing or entertaining
          <what are her favorite ~s> 2: the condition of being
          amused <his ~ knew no bounds> 3: pleasurable diversion:
          entertainment <plays the piano for ~>

   amusement park
          [amusement park] n (1909): a commercially operated park having
          various devices for entertainment (as a merry-go-round
          and roller coaster) and usu. booths for the sale of food
          and drink

   amusing
          [amus.ing] adj (1712): giving amusement: diverting -- amus.ing.ly
          adv -- amus.ing.ness n

   AMVETS
          [AMVETS] abbreviation American Veterans (of World War II)

   amygdala
          [amyg.da.la] n, pl -lae [NL, fr. L, almond, fr. Gk amygdale]
          (ca. 1860): the one of the four basal ganglia in each
          cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system
          and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter
          in the anterior extremity of the temporal lobe--called
          also amygdaloid nucleus

   amygdalin
          [amyg.da.lin] n [L amygdala] (1651): a white crystalline
          cyanogenetic glucoside found esp. in the seeds of the
          apricot, peach, and bitter almond

   amygdaloid
          [amyg.da.loid] adj [Gk amygdaloeides, fr. amygdale] (1836)
          1: almond-shaped 2: of, relating to, or affecting an
          amygdala

   amygdaloidal
          [amyg.da.loi.dal] adj (1813): of, being, or containing small
          cavities in igneous rock that are filled with deposits
          of different minerals (as chalcedony or calcite) -- amyg.da.loid
          n

   amyl
          [am.yl] n [L amylum + E -yl] (1850): a univalent hydrocarbon
          radical that occurs in various isomeric forms and is
          derived from pentane

   amyl-
          [amyl-] or amylo- comb form [L amylum, fr. Gk amylon, fr.
          neut. of amylos unmilled (of grain), fr. a- + myle mill--more
          at meal]: starch <amyloplast>

   amyl acetate
          [amyl acetate] n (ca. 1881): banana oil

   amyl alcohol
          [amyl alcohol] n (1863): any of eight isomeric alcohols used
          esp. as solvents and in making esters; also: a commercially
          produced mixture of amyl alcohols used esp. as a solvent

   amylase
          [am.y.lase] n (1893): any of a group of enzymes (as amylopsin)
          that catalyze the hydrolysis of starch and glycogen or
          their intermediate hydrolysis products

   amyl nitrite
          [amyl nitrite] n (ca. 1881): a pale yellow pungent flammable
          liquid ester of commercial amyl alcohol and nitrous acid--compare
          popper 2

   amyloid
          [am.y.loid] n (1872): a waxy translucent substance consisting
          of protein in combination with polysaccharides that is
          deposited in some animal organs and tissues under abnormal
          conditions (as Alzheimer's disease) -- amyloid adj

   amyloidosis
          [am.y.loid.osis] n [NL] (ca. 1900): a disorder characterized
          by the deposition of amyloid in bodily organs and tissues

   amylolytic
          [am.y.lo.lyt.ic] adj [NL amylolysis, fr. amyl- + -lysis]
          (1876): characterized by or capable of the enzymatic
          splitting of starch into soluble products <~ enzymes>
          <~ activity>

   amylopectin
          [am.y.lo.pec.tin] n (1905): a component of starch that has
          a high molecular weight and branched structure and does
          not tend to gel in aqueous solutions

   amyloplast
          [am.y.lo.plast] n (1886): a colorless plastid that forms
          and stores starch

   amylopsin
          [am.y.lop.sin] n [amyl- + -psin (as in trypsin)] (ca. 1881):
          the amylase of the pancreatic juice

   amylose
          [am.y.lose] n (1877): a component of starch characterized
          by its straight chains of glucose units

   amyotonia
          [amyo.to.nia] n [NL] (ca. 1919): deficiency of muscle tone

   amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
          [amyo.tro.phic lateral sclerosis] n [[2]a- + my- + -trophic]
          (ca. 1889): a rare progressive degenerative fatal disease
          affecting the spinal cord, usu. beginning in middle age,
          and characterized esp. by increasing and spreading muscular
          weakness--called also Lou Gehrig's disease

   Amytal
          [Am.y.tal] trademark--used for amobarbital

   an...
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   [1]-an
          [-an] or -ian also -ean n suffix [-an & -ian fr. ME -an,
          -ian, fr. OF & L; OF -ien, fr. L -ianus, fr. -i- + -anus,
          fr. -anus, adj. suffix; -ean fr. such words as Mediterranean,
          European] 1: one that is of or relating to <American>
          <Bostonian> 2: one skilled in or specializing in <phonetician>
          [2]-an or -ian also -ean adj suffix 1: of or belonging
          to <American> <Floridian> 2: characteristic of: resembling
          <Mozartean> [3]-an n suffix [ISV -an, -ane, alter. of
          -ene, -ine, & -one] 1: unsaturated organic compound <furan>
          2: anhydride of a carbohydrate <dextran>

   an-
          [an-] --see [2]a-

   an
          [an] abbreviation annum  AN abbreviation airman (Navy)

   [1]an
          [an] indefinite article [ME, fr. OE an one--more at one]
          (bef. 12c): [2]a usage see [2]a [2]an prep (bef. 12c):
          [3]a 2 usage see [2]a [3]an or an' conj (12c) 1: and
          2 archaic: if

   [1]ana
          [ana] adv [ME, fr. ML, fr. Gk, at the rate of, lit., up]
          (14c): of each an equal quantity--used in prescriptions
          [2]ana n, pl ana or anas [-ana] (ca. 1751) 1: a collection
          of the memorable sayings of a person 2: a collection
          of anecdotes or interesting information about a person
          or a place

   ana-
          [ana-] or an- prefix [L, fr. Gk, up, back, again, fr. ana
          up--more at on] 1: up: upward <anabolism> 2: back: backward
          <anatropous>

   ANA
          [ANA] abbreviation American Nurses Association

   -ana
          [-ana] or -iana n pl suffix [NL, fr. L, neut. pl. of -anus
          -an & -ianus -ian]: collected items of information esp.
          anecdotal or bibliographical concerning <Americana>

   anabaptism
          [ana.bap.tism] n [NL anabaptismus, fr. LGk anabaptismos rebaptism,
          fr. anabaptizein to rebaptize, fr. Gk anaagain + baptizein
          to baptize] (1577) 1 cap a: the doctrine or practices of the
          Anabaptists b: the Anabaptist movement 2: the baptism of one
          previously baptized

   Anabaptist
          [Ana.bap.tist] n (1532): a Protestant sectarian of a radical
          movement arising in the 16th century and advocating the
          baptism and church membership of adult believers only,
          nonresistance, and the separation of church and state
          -- Anabaptist adj

   anabasis
          [anab.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [Gk, inland march, fr. anabainein
          to go up or inland, fr. ana- + bainein to go--more at
          come] (ca. 1706) 1: a going or marching up: advance;
          esp: a military advance 2 [fr. the retreat of Greek mercenaries
          in Asia Minor described in the Anabasis of Xenophon]:
          a difficult and dangerous military retreat

   anabatic
          [an.a.bat.ic] adj [Gk anabatos, verbal of anabainein] (1853):
          moving upward: rising <an ~ wind>

   anabolic steroid
          [anabolic steroid] n (1961): any of a group of usu. synthetic
          hormones that increase constructive metabolism and are
          sometimes abused by athletes in training to increase
          temporarily the size of their muscles

   anabolism
          [anab.o.lism] n [ISV ana- + metabolism] (1886): the constructive
          part of metabolism concerned esp. with macromolecular
          synthesis--compare catabolism -- an.a.bol.ic adj

   anachronism
          [anach.ro.nism] n [prob. fr. MGk anachronismos, fr.
          anachronizesthai to be an anachronism, fr. LGk anachronizein
          to be late, fr. Gk ana- + chronos time] (ca. 1646) 1: an error
          in chronology; esp: a chronological misplacing of persons, events,
          objects, or customs in regard to each other 2: a person or a thing
          that is chronologically out of place; esp: one from a former age
          that is incongruous in the present -- anach.ro.nis.tic also
          ana.chron.ic adj -- anach.ro.nis.ti.cal.ly adv -- anach.ro.nous adj
          -- anach.ro.nous.ly adv

   anaclitic
          [an.a.clit.ic] adj [Gk anaklitos, verbal of anaklinein to
          lean upon, fr. ana- + klinein to lean--more at lean]
          (1922): of, relating to, or characterized by the direction
          of love toward an object (as the mother) that satisfies
          nonsexual needs (as hunger)

   anacoluthon
          [an.a.co.lu.thon] n, pl -tha also -thons [LL, fr. LGk anakolouthon
          inconsistency in logic, fr. Gk, neut. of anakolouthos inconsistent,
          fr. an- + akolouthos following, fr. ha-, atogether + keleuthos
          path] (ca. 1706): syntactical inconsistency or incoherence within
          a sentence; esp: a shift in an unfinished sentence from one
          syntactic construction to another (as in "you really ought--well,
          do it your own way") -- an.a.co.lu.thic adj --
          an.a.co.lu.thi.cal.ly adv

   anaconda
          [an.a.con.da] n [prob. modif. of Sinhalese henakandaya, a
          slender green snake] (1768): a large semiaquatic constricting
          snake (Eunectes murinus) of the boa family of tropical
          So. America that may reach a length of 30 feet (9.1 meters);
          broadly: any of the large constricting snakes

   anacreontic
          [anac.re.on.tic] n (1656): a poem in the manner of Anacreon;
          esp: a drinking song or light lyric Anacreontic adj [L
          anacreonticus, fr. Anacreont-, Anacreon Anacreon, fr.
          Gk Anakreont-, Anakreon] (1611) 1: of, relating to, or
          resembling the poetry of Anacreon 2: convivial or amatory
          in tone or theme

   anacrusis
          [an.a.cru.sis] n, pl -cru.ses [NL, fr. Gk anakrousis beginning
          of a song, fr. anakrouein to begin a song, fr. ana- +
          krouein to strike, beat; akin to Lith krausyti to strike]
          (1830) 1: one or more syllables at the beginning of a
          line of poetry that are regarded as preliminary to and
          not a part of the metrical pattern 2: upbeat; specif:
          one or more notes or tones preceding the first downbeat
          of a musical phrase

   anadama bread
          [an.a.dama bread] n [origin unknown] (1954): a leavened bread
          made with flour, cornmeal, and molasses

   anadem
          [an.a.dem] n [L anadema, fr. Gk anadema, fr. anadein to wreathe,
          fr. ana- + dein to bind--more at diadem] (1604) archaic:
          a wreath for the head: garland

   anadiplosis
          [ana.di.plo.sis] n, pl -plo.ses [LL, fr. Gk anadiplosis,
          lit., repetition, fr. anadiploun to double, fr. ana-
          + diploun to double--more at diploma] (ca. 1550): repetition
          of a prominent and usu. the last word in one phrase or
          clause at the beginning of the next (as in "rely on his
          honor--honor such as his?")

   anadromous
          [anad.ro.mous] adj [Gk anadromos running upward, fr. anadramein
          to run upward, fr. ana- + dramein to run--more at dromedary]
          (ca. 1753): ascending rivers from the sea for breeding
          <shad are ~>--compare catadromous

   anaemia, anaemic
          [anae.mia, anae.mic] chiefly Brit var of anemia, anemic

   anaerobe
          [an.aer.obe] n [ISV] (1884): an anaerobic organism

   anaerobic
          [an.aer.o.bic] adj (ca. 1881) 1 a: living, active, occurring,
          or existing in the absence of free oxygen <~ respiration>
          b: of, relating to, or being activity in which the body
          incurs an oxygen debt <~ exercise> 2: relating to or
          induced by anaerobes -- an.aer.o.bi.cal.ly adv

   anaerobiosis
          [an.aero.bi.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [NL] (ca. 1889): life in
          the absence of air or free oxygen

   anaesthesia, anaesthetic
          [an.aes.the.sia, an.aes.thet.ic] chiefly Brit var of anesthesia,
          anesthetic

   anagenesis
          [ana.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1889): evolutionary change producing
          a single lineage in which one taxon replaces another
          without branching--compare cladogenesis

   anaglyph
          [ana.glyph] n [LL anaglyphus embossed, fr. Gk anaglyphos,
          fr. anaglyphein to emboss, fr. ana- + glyphein to carve--more
          at cleave] (1651) 1: a sculptured, chased, or embossed
          ornament worked in low relief 2: a stereoscopic motion
          or still picture in which the right component of a composite
          image usu. red in color is superposed on the left component
          in a contrasting color to produce a three-dimensional
          effect when viewed through correspondingly colored filters
          in the form of spectacles -- ana.glyph.ic adj

   anagnorisis
          [an.ag.no.ri.sis] n, pl -ri.ses [Gk anagnorisis, fr. anagnorizein
          to recognize, fr. ana- + gnorizein to make known; akin
          to Gk gnorimos well-known, gignoskein to come to know--more
          at know] (ca. 1800): the point in the plot esp. of a
          tragedy at which the protagonist recognizes his or her
          or some other character's true identity or discovers
          the true nature of his or her own situation

   anagoge
          [an.a.go.ge] or an.a.go.gy n, pl -ges or -gies [LL anagoge,
          fr. LGk anagoge, fr. Gk, reference, fr. anagein to refer,
          fr. ana- + agein to lead--more at agent] (15c): interpretation
          of a word, passage, or text (as of Scripture or poetry)
          that finds beyond the literal, allegorical, and moral
          senses a fourth and ultimate spiritual or mystical sense
          -- an.a.gog.ic or an.a.gog.i.cal adj -- an.a.gog.i.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]anagram
          [an.a.gram] n [prob. fr. MF anagramme, fr. NL anagrammat-,
          anagramma, modif. of Gk anagrammatismos, fr. anagrammatizein
          to transpose letters, fr. ana- + grammat-, gramma letter--more
          at gram] (1589) 1: a word or phrase made by transposing
          the letters of another word or phrase 2 pl but sing in
          constr: a game in which words are formed by rearranging
          the letters of other words or by arranging letters taken
          (as from a stock of cards or blocks) at random -- an.a.gram.mat.ic
          also an.a.gram.mat.i.cal adj -- an.a.gram.mat.i.cal.ly adv
          [2]anagram vt -grammed ; -gram.ming (1630) 1: anagrammatize
          2: to rearrange (the letters of a text) in order to discover
          a hidden message

   anagrammatize
          [an.a.gram.ma.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1588): to transpose
          (as letters in a word) so as to form an anagram --
          an.a.gram.ma.ti.za.tion n

   anal
          [anal] adj (1769) 1: of, relating to, or situated near the
          anus <~ fin> 2 a: of, relating to, characterized by,
          or being the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic
          theory during which the child is concerned esp. with
          its feces b: of, relating to, characterized by, or being
          personality traits (as parsimony, meticulousness, and
          ill humor) considered typical of fixation at the anal
          stage of development <~ disposition> <~ neatness> --
          anal.ly adv

   anal
          [anal] abbreviation analogy, analysis, analytic

   analcime
          [anal.cime] n [F, fr. Gk analkimos weak, fr. an- + alkimos
          strong, fr. alke strength] (1803): a white or slightly
          colored mineral that consists of hydrated silicate of
          sodium and aluminum and occurs in various igneous rocks
          in massive form or in crystals

   analcite
          [anal.cite] n (1868): analcime

   analects
          [an.a.lects] also an.a.lec.ta n pl [NL analecta, fr. Gk analekta,
          neut. pl. of analektos, verbal of analegein to collect,
          fr. ana- + legein to gather--more at legend] (1652):
          selected miscellaneous written passages

   analemma
          [an.a.lem.ma] n [L, sundial on a pedestal, fr. Gk analemma,
          lofty structure, sundial, fr. analambanein to take up,
          restore, fr. ana- + lambanein to take--more at latch]
          (1832): a plot or graph of the position of the sun in
          the sky at a certain time of day (as noon) at one locale
          measured at regular intervals throughout the year that
          has the shape of a figure 8; also: a scale (as on a globe
          or sundial) based on such a plot that shows the sun's
          position for each day of the year or that allows local
          mean time to be determined -- an.a.lem.mat.ic adj

   analeptic
          [an.a.lep.tic] n [Gk analeptikos, fr. analambanein] (1671):
          a drug that stimulates the central nervous system --
          analeptic adj

   analgesia
          [an.al.ge.sia] n [NL, fr. Gk analgesia, fr. an- + algesis
          sense of pain, fr. algein to suffer pain, fr. algos pain]
          (ca. 1706): insensibility to pain without loss of consciousness
          -- an.al.ge.sic adj or n -- an.al.get.ic adj or n

   anality
          [anal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1939): the psychological state or
          quality of being anal

   analog
          [an.a.log] adj (1948) 1: of, relating to, or being an analogue
          2 a: of, relating to, or being a mechanism in which data
          is represented by continuously variable physical quantities
          b: of or relating to an analog computer c: being a timepiece
          having hour and minute hands

   analog computer
          [analog computer] n (1948): a computer that operates with
          numbers represented by directly measurable quantities
          (as voltages or rotations)--compare digital computer,
          hybrid computer

   analogical
          [an.a.log.i.cal] also an.a.log.ic adj (1609) 1: of, relating
          to, or based on analogy 2: expressing or implying analogy
          -- an.a.log.i.cal.ly adv

   analogist
          [anal.o.gist] n (ca. 1828): one who searches for or reasons
          from analogies

   analogize
          [anal.o.gize] vb -gized ; -giz.ing vi (1655): to use or exhibit
          analogy ~ vt: to compare by analogy

   analogous
          [anal.o.gous] adj [L analogus, fr. Gk analogos, lit.,
          proportionate, fr. ana- + logos reason, ratio, fr. legein
          to gather, speak--more at legend] (1646) 1: showing an analogy
          or a likeness that permits one to draw an analogy 2: being
          or related to as an analogue syn see similar -- anal.o.gous.ly adv
          -- anal.o.gous.ness n

   [1]analogue
          [an.a.logue] or an.a.log n [F analogue, fr. analogue analogous,
          fr. Gk analogos] (1826) 1: something that is analogous
          or similar to something else 2: an organ similar in function
          to an organ of another animal or plant but different
          in structure and origin 3 usu analog: a chemical compound
          that is structurally similar to another but differs slightly
          in composition (as in the replacement of one atom by
          an atom of a different element or in the presence of
          a particular functional group) 4: a food product made
          by combining a less expensive food (as soybeans or whitefish)
          with additives to give the appearance and taste of a
          more expensive food (as beef or crab) [2]an.a.logue chiefly
          Brit var of analog

   analogy
          [anal.o.gy] n, pl -gies (15c) 1: inference that if two or
          more things agree with one another in some respects they
          will prob. agree in others 2 a: resemblance in some particulars
          between things otherwise unlike: similarity b: comparison
          based on such resemblance 3: correspondence between the
          members of pairs or sets of linguistic forms that serves
          as a basis for the creation of another form 4: correspondence
          in function between anatomical parts of different structure
          and origin--compare homology syn see likeness

   analphabet
          [an.al.pha.bet] n [Gk analphabetos not knowing the alphabet,
          fr. an- + alphabetos alphabet] (ca. 1889): one who cannot
          read: illiterate -- an.al.pha.bet.ic adj or n -- an.al.pha.bet.ism
          n

   analysand
          [anal.y.sand] n [analyse + -and (as in multiplicand)] (1917):
          one who is undergoing psychoanalysis

   analyse
          [an.a.lyse] chiefly Brit var of analyze

   analysis
          [anal.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL, fr. Gk, fr. analyein to break
          up, fr. ana- + lyein to loosen--more at lose] (1581)
          1: separation of a whole into its component parts 2 a:
          the identification or separation of ingredients of a
          substance b: a statement of the constituents of a mixture
          3 a: proof of a mathematical proposition by assuming
          the result and deducing a valid statement by a series
          of reversible steps b (1): a branch of mathematics concerned
          mainly with functions and limits (2): calculus 1b 4 a:
          an examination of a complex, its elements, and their
          relations b: a statement of such an analysis 5 a: a method
          in philosophy of resolving complex expressions into simpler
          or more basic ones b: clarification of an expression
          by an elucidation of its use in discourse 6: the use
          of function words instead of inflectional forms as a
          characteristic device of a language 7: psychoanalysis

   analysis of variance
          [analysis of variance] (ca. 1939): analysis of variation
          in an experimental outcome and esp. of a statistical
          variance in order to determine the contributions of given
          factors or variables to the variance

   analysis situs
          [analysis si.tus] n [NL, lit., analysis of situation] (ca.
          1909): topology 2a(1)

   analyst
          [an.a.lyst] n [F analyste, fr. analyse analysis] (1656) 1:
          a person who analyzes or who is skilled in analysis 2:
          psychoanalyst

   analytic
          [an.a.lyt.ic] or an.a.lyt.i.cal adj [LL analyticus, fr. Gk
          analytikos, fr. analyein] (1601) 1: of or relating to
          analysis or analytics; esp: separating something into
          component parts or constituent elements 2: being a proposition
          (as "no bachelor is married") whose truth is evident
          from the meaning of the words it contains--compare synthetic
          3: skilled in or using analysis esp. in thinking or reasoning
          <a keenly ~ person> 4: characterized by analysis rather
          than inflection <~ languages> 5: psychoanalytic 6: treated
          or treatable by or using the methods of algebra and calculus
          7 a of a function of a real variable: capable of being
          expanded in a Taylor's series in powers of x - h in some
          neighborhood of the point h b of a function of a complex
          variable: differentiable at every point in some neighborhood
          of a given point or points -- an.a.lyt.i.cal.ly adv --
          an.a.ly.tic.i.ty n

   analytic geometry
          [analytic geometry] n (ca. 1886): the study of geometric
          properties by means of algebraic operations upon symbols
          defined in terms of a coordinate system--called also
          coordinate geometry

   analytic philosophy
          [analytic philosophy] n (1936): a philosophical movement
          that seeks the solution of philosophical problems in
          the analysis of propositions or sentences--called also
          philosophical analysis--compare ordinary-language philosophy

   analytics
          [an.a.lyt.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1590):
          the method of logical analysis

   analyzation
          [an.a.ly.za.tion] n (1742): analysis

   analyze
          [an.a.lyze] vt -lyzed ; -lyz.ing [prob. irreg. fr. analysis]
          (1587) 1: to study or determine the nature and relationship
          of the parts of by analysis <~ a traffic pattern> 2:
          to subject to scientific or grammatical analysis 3: psychoanalyze
          -- an.a.lyz.abil.i.ty n -- an.a.lyz.able adj -- an.a.lyz.er
          n syn analyze, dissect, break down mean to divide a complex
          whole into its parts or elements. analyze suggests separating
          or distinguishing the component parts of something (as
          a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover
          its true nature or inner relationships <analyzed the
          problem of the trade deficit>. dissect suggests a searching
          analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual
          scrutiny <commentators dissected every word of the President's
          statement>. break down implies a reducing to simpler
          parts or divisions <break down the budget>.

   anamnesis
          [an.am.ne.sis] n, pl -ne.ses [NL, fr. Gk anamnesis, fr.
          anamimneskesthai to remember, fr. ana- + mimneskesthai
          to remember--more at mind] (ca. 1593) 1: a recalling to mind:
          reminiscence 2: a preliminary case history of a medical
          or psychiatric patient

   anamnestic
          [an.am.nes.tic] adj [Gk anamnestikos easily recalled, fr.
          anamimneskesthai] (ca. 1753) 1: of or relating to an
          anamnesis 2: of or relating to a secondary response to
          an immunogenic substance after serum antibodies can no
          longer be detected in the blood

   anamorphic
          [ana.mor.phic] adj [NL anamorphosis distorted optical image]
          (ca. 1925): producing, relating to, or marked by intentional
          distortion (as by unequal magnification along perpendicular
          axes) of an image <an ~ lens>

   Ananias
          [An.a.ni.as] n [Gk, prob. fr. Heb Hananyah] 1: an early Christian
          struck dead for lying 2: liar

   anapest
          [an.a.pest] n [L anapaestus, fr. Gk anapaistos, lit., struck
          back (a dactyl reversed), fr. ana- + -paistos, verbal
          of paiein to strike] (ca. 1678): a metrical foot consisting
          of two short syllables followed by one long syllable
          or of two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed
          syllable (as unabridged) -- an.a.pes.tic adj or n

   anaphase
          [ana.phase] n [ISV] (1887): the stage of mitosis and meiosis
          in which the chromosomes move toward the poles of the
          spindle -- ana.pha.sic adj

   anaphor
          [ana.phor] n, pl anaphors also anaph.o.ra [back-formation
          fr. anaphoric] (1975): a word or phrase with an anaphoric
          function

   anaphora
          [anaph.o.ra] n [LL, fr. LGk, fr. Gk, act of carrying back,
          reference, fr. anapherein to carry back, refer, fr. ana-
          + pherein to carry--more at bear] (ca. 1589) 1: repetition
          of a word or expression at the beginning of successive
          phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses esp. for rhetorical
          or poetic effect <Lincoln's "we cannot dedicate--we cannot
          consecrate--we cannot hallow--this ground" is an example
          of ~>--compare epistrophe 2: use of a grammatical substitute
          (as a pronoun or a pro-verb) to refer to the denotation
          of a preceding word or group of words; also: the relation
          between a grammatical substitute and its antecedent

   anaphoric
          [an.a.phor.ic] adj (1904): of or relating to anaphora <an
          ~ usage>; esp: being a word or phrase that takes its
          reference from another word or phrase and esp. from a
          preceding word or phrase--compare cataphoric -- ana.phor.i.cal.ly
          adv

   anaphrodisiac
          [an.aph.ro.di.si.ac] adj (1823): inhibiting or discouraging
          sexual desire -- anaphrodisiac n

   anaphylactic
          [ana.phy.lac.tic] adj (1907): of, relating to, affected by,
          or causing anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock --
          ana.phy.lac.ti.cal.ly adv -- ana.phy.lac.toid adj

   anaphylactic shock
          [anaphylactic shock] n (1910): an often severe and sometimes
          fatal systemic reaction in a susceptible individual upon
          exposure to a specific antigen (as wasp venom or penicillin)
          after previous sensitization that is characterized esp.
          by respiratory symptoms, fainting, itching, and urticaria

   anaphylaxis
          [ana.phy.lax.is] n, pl -lax.es [NL, fr. ana- + prophylaxis]
          (1907) 1: hypersensitivity (as to foreign proteins or
          drugs) resulting from sensitization following prior contact
          with the causative agent 2: anaphylactic shock

   anaplasia
          [an.a.pla.sia] n [NL] (ca. 1909): reversion of cells to a
          more primitive or undifferentiated form -- an.a.plas.tic
          adj

   anaplasmosis
          [an.a.plas.mo.sis] n, pl -mo.ses [NL, fr. Anaplasma, genus
          name, fr. ana- + plasma (protoplasm)] (1920): a tick-borne
          disease of cattle and sheep caused by a bacterium (Anaplasma
          marginale) and characterized esp. by anemia without blood-tinged
          urine and by jaundice

   anarch
          [an.arch] n [back-formation fr. anarchy] (1667): a leader
          or advocate of revolt or anarchy

   anarchic
          [an.ar.chic] also an.ar.chi.cal adj (1649) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or advocating anarchy b: likely to bring about anarchy
          <~ violence> 2: lacking order, regularity, or definiteness
          <~ art forms> -- an.ar.chi.cal.ly adv

   anarchism
          [an.ar.chism] n (1642) 1: a political theory holding all
          forms of governmental authority to be unnecessary and
          undesirable and advocating a society based on voluntary
          cooperation and free association of individuals and groups
          2: the advocacy or practice of anarchistic principles

   anarchist
          [an.ar.chist] n (1678) 1: one who rebels against any authority,
          established order, or ruling power 2: one who believes
          in, advocates, or promotes anarchism or anarchy; esp:
          one who uses violent means to overthrow the established
          order -- anarchist or an.ar.chis.tic adj

   anarcho-syndicalism
          [an.ar.cho-syn.di.cal.ism] n (ca. 1928):
          syndicalism -- an.ar.cho-syn.di.cal.ist n or adj

   anarchy
          [an.ar.chy] n [ML anarchia, fr. Gk, fr. anarchos having no
          ruler, fr. an- + archos ruler--more at arch-] (1539)
          1 a: absence of government b: a state of lawlessness
          or political disorder due to the absence of governmental
          authority c: a utopian society of individuals who enjoy
          complete freedom without government 2 a: absence or denial
          of any authority or established order b: absence of order:
          disorder <not manicured plots but a wild ~ of nature
          --Israel Shenker> 3: anarchism

   anasarca
          [ana.sar.ca] n [NL, fr. ana- + Gk sark-, sarx flesh--more
          at sarcasm] (14c): generalized edema with accumulation
          of serum in the connective tissue -- ana.sar.cous adj

   Anasazi
          [An.a.sa.zi] n, pl Anasazi [Navajo anaasazi, lit., enemy
          ancestors] (1938): a prehistoric American Indian inhabitant
          of the canyons of northern Arizona and New Mexico and
          southwestern Colorado

   anastigmat
          [an.as.tig.mat] n [G, back-formation fr. anastigmatisch
          anastigmatic] (1890): an anastigmatic lens

   anastigmatic
          [an.a.stig.mat.ic] adj [ISV] (1890): not astigmatic--used
          esp. of lenses that are able to form approximately point
          images of object points

   anastomose
          [anas.to.mose] vb -mosed ; -mos.ing [prob. back-formation
          fr. anastomosis] vt (1697): to connect or join by anastomosis
          ~ vi: to communicate by anastomosis

   anastomosis
          [anas.to.mo.sis] n, pl -mo.ses [LL, fr. Gk anastomosis, fr.
          anastomoun to provide with an outlet, fr. ana- + stoma
          mouth, opening--more at stomach] (1541) 1: the union
          of parts or branches (as of streams, blood vessels, or
          leaf veins) so as to intercommunicate: inosculation 2:
          a product of anastomosis: network -- anas.to.mot.ic adj

   anastrophe
          [anas.tro.phe] n [ML, fr. Gk anastrophe, lit., turning back,
          fr. anastrephein to turn back, fr. ana- + strephein to
          turn] (ca. 1550): inversion of the usual syntactical
          order of words for rhetorical effect--compare hysteron
          proteron

   anat
          [anat] abbreviation anatomical, anatomy

   anatase
          [an.a.tase] n [F, fr. Gk anatasis extension, fr. anateinein
          to extend, fr. ana- + teinein to stretch--more at thin]
          (ca. 1828): a tetragonal form of titanium dioxide used
          esp. as a white pigment

   anathema
          [anath.e.ma] n [LL anathemat-, anathema, fr. Gk, thing devoted
          to evil, curse, fr. anatithenai to set up, dedicate,
          fr. ana- + tithenai to place, set--more at do] (1526)
          1 a: one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority b:
          someone or something intensely disliked or loathed--usu.
          used as a predicate nominative <this notion was ~ to
          most of his countrymen --S. J. Gould> 2 a: a ban or curse
          solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied
          by excommunication b: the denunciation of something as
          accursed c: a vigorous denunciation: curse

   anathematize
          [anath.e.ma.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1566): to pronounce
          an anathema upon syn see execrate

   Anatolian
          [An.a.to.lian] n (1590) 1: a native or inhabitant of Anatolia
          and specif. of the western plateau lands of Turkey in
          Asia 2: a branch of the Indo-European language family
          that includes a group of extinct languages of ancient
          Anatolia -- Anatolian adj

   anatomise
          [anat.o.mise] Brit var of anatomize

   anatomist
          [anat.o.mist] n (1543) 1: a student of anatomy; esp: one
          skilled in dissection 2: one who analyzes minutely and
          critically <an ~ of urban society>

   anatomize
          [anat.o.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (15c) 1: to cut in pieces
          in order to display or examine the structure and use
          of the parts: dissect 2: analyze

   anatomy
          [anat.o.my] n, pl -mies [LL anatomia dissection, fr. Gk anatome,
          fr. anatemnein to dissect, fr. ana- + temnein to cut]
          (14c) 1: a branch of morphology that deals with the structure
          of organisms 2: a treatise on anatomic science or art
          3: the art of separating the parts of an organism in
          order to ascertain their position, relations, structure,
          and function: dissection 4 obs: a body dissected or to
          be dissected 5: structural makeup esp. of an organism
          or any of its parts 6: a separating or dividing into
          parts for detailed examination: analysis 7 a (1): skeleton
          (2): mummy b: the human body -- an.a.tom.ic or an.a.tom.i.cal
          adj -- an.a.tom.i.cal.ly adv

   anatropous
          [anat.ro.pous] adj (ca. 1846): having or being an ovule inverted
          so that the micropyle is bent down to the funiculus to
          which the body of the ovule is united

   anc
          [anc] abbreviation ancient  ANC abbreviation African National
          Congress

   -ance
          [-ance] n suffix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L -antia, fr. -ant-, -ans
          -ant + -ia -y] 1: action or process <furtherance>: instance
          of an action or process <performance> 2: quality or state:
          instance of a quality or state <protuberance> 3: amount
          or degree <conductance>

   ancestor
          [an.ces.tor] n [ME ancestre, fr. OF, fr. L antecessor predecessor,
          fr. antecedere to go before, fr. ante- + cedere to go--more
          at cede] (13c) 1 a: one from whom a person is descended and who
          is usu. more remote in the line of descent than a grandparent
          b: forefather 2 2: forerunner, prototype 3: a progenitor of a more
          recent or existing species or group

   ancestor worship
          [ancestor worship] n (1854): the custom of venerating deceased
          ancestors who are considered still a part of the family
          and whose spirits are believed to have the power to intervene
          in the affairs of the living

   ancestral
          [an.ces.tral] adj (15c): of, relating to, or inherited from
          an ancestor <~ estates> -- an.ces.tral.ly adv

   ancestress
          [an.ces.tress] n (1580): a female ancestor

   ancestry
          [an.ces.try] n (14c) 1: line of descent: lineage; esp: honorable,
          noble, or aristocratic descent 2: persons initiating
          or comprising a line of descent: ancestors

   Anchises
          [An.chi.ses] n [L, fr. Gk Anchises]: the father of Aeneas
          rescued by his son from the burning city of Troy

   [1]anchor
          [an.chor] n, often attrib [ME ancre, fr. OE ancor, fr. L
          anchora, fr. Gk ankyra; akin to OE anga hook--more at
          angle] (bef. 12c) 1: a device usu. of metal attached
          to a ship or boat by a cable and cast overboard to hold
          it in a particular place by means of a fluke that digs
          into the bottom 2: a reliable or principal support: mainstay
          3: something that serves to hold an object firmly 4:
          an object shaped like a ship's anchor 5: an anchorman
          or anchorwoman 6: the member of a team (as a relay team)
          that competes last 7: a large business (as a department
          store) that attracts customers and other businesses to
          a shopping center or mall -- an.chor.less adj -- at anchor
          : being anchored [2]anchor vb an.chored ; an.chor.ing
          vt (13c) 1: to hold in place in the water by an anchor
          2: to secure firmly: fix 3: to act or serve as an anchor
          for <it is she who is ~ing the rebuilding campaign --G.
          D. Boone> <~ing the evening news> ~ vi 1: to cast anchor
          2: to become fixed

   anchorage
          [an.chor.age] n (15c) 1 a: a place where vessels anchor:
          a place suitable for anchoring b: the act of anchoring:
          the condition of being anchored 2: a means of securing:
          a source of reassurance <this ~ of Christian hope --T.
          O. Wedel> 3: something that provides a secure hold

   anchoress
          [an.cho.ress] or an.cress n [ME ankeresse, fr. anker hermit,
          fr. OE ancor, fr. OIr anchara, fr. LL anachoreta] (14c):
          a woman who is an anchorite

   anchorite
          [an.cho.rite] also an.cho.ret n [ME, fr. ML anchorita, alter.
          of LL anachoreta, fr. LGk anachoretes, fr. Gk anachorein
          to withdraw, fr. ana- + chorein to make room, fr. choros
          place] (15c): one who lives in seclusion usu. for religious
          reasons -- an.cho.rit.ic adj -- an.cho.rit.i.cal.ly adv

   anchorman
          [an.chor.man] n (1911) 1: one who is last: as a: the member
          of a team who competes last <the ~ on a relay team> b:
          one who has the lowest scholastic standing in a graduating
          class 2: a broadcaster (as on a news program) who introduces
          reports by other broadcasters and usu. reads the news
          3: moderator 2c

   anchorpeople
          [an.chor.peo.ple] n pl (1974): anchorpersons

   anchorperson
          [an.chor.per.son] n (1973): an anchorman or anchorwoman

   anchorwoman
          [an.chor.wom.an] n (1973): a woman who anchors a broadcast

   anchoveta
          [an.cho.veta] also an.cho.vet.ta n [Sp anchoveta, dim. of
          anchova] (1940): a small anchovy (Cetengraulis mysticetus)
          of the Pacific coast of No. America

   anchovy
          [an.cho.vy] n, pl -vies or -vy [Sp anchova] (1596): any of
          a family (Engraulidae) of small fishes resembling herrings;
          esp: a common Mediterranean fish (Engraulis encrasicholus)
          used esp. in appetizers, as a garnish, and for making
          sauces and relishes

   ancienne noblesse
          [an.cienne no.blesse] [F] foreign term : old-time nobility:
          the French nobility before the Revolution of 1789

   ancien regime
          [an.cien re.gime] n [F, lit., old regime] (1794) 1: the political
          and social system of France before the Revolution of
          1789 2: a system or mode no longer prevailing

   [1]ancient
          [an.cient] adj [ME ancien, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL anteanus,
          fr. L ante before--more at ante-] (14c) 1: having had
          an existence of many years 2: of or relating to a remote
          period, to a time early in history, or to those living
          in such a period or time; esp: of or relating to the
          historical period beginning with the earliest known civilizations
          and extending to the fall of the western Roman Empire
          in a.d. 476 3: having the qualities of age or long existence:
          a: venerable b: old-fashioned, antique syn see old --
          an.cient.ness n [2]ancient n (1502) 1: an aged living
          being <a penniless ~> 2: one who lived in ancient times:
          a pl: the civilized people of antiquity; esp: those of
          the classical nations b: one of the classical authors
          <Plutarch and other ~s> 3: an ancient coin [3]ancient
          n [alter. of ensign] (1554) 1 archaic: ensign, standard,
          flag 2 obs: the bearer of an ensign

   ancient history
          [ancient history] n (1595) 1: the history of ancient times
          2: knowledge or information that is widespread and has
          lost its initial freshness or importance: common knowledge

   anciently
          [an.cient.ly] adv (1502): in ancient times: long ago

   ancientry
          [an.cient.ry] n (1580): antiquity, ancientness

   ancilla
          [an.cil.la] n, pl -lae [L, female servant] (1902): an aid
          to achieving or mastering something difficult

   ancillary
          [an.cil.lary] adj (1667) 1: subordinate, subsidiary <the
          main factory and its ~ plants> 2: auxiliary, supplementary
          <the need for ~ evidence> -- ancillary n

   ancon
          [an.con] n, pl an.co.nes [L, fr. Gk ankon elbow; akin to
          OE anga hook--more at angle] (ca. 1706): a bracket, elbow,
          or console used as an architectural support

   -ancy
          [-ancy] n suffix [L -antia--more at -ance]: quality or state
          <piquancy>

   ancylostomiasis
          [an.cy.lo.sto.mi.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL, fr. Ancylostoma,
          genus of hookworms, fr. Gk ankylos hooked (akin to OE
          anga hook) + stoma mouth--more at angle, stomach] (1887):
          infestation with or disease caused by hookworms; esp:
          a lethargic anemic state in humans due to blood loss
          from hookworms feeding in the small intestine

   and
          [and] conj [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG unti and] (bef. 12c)
          1--used as a function word to indicate connection or
          addition esp. of items within the same class or type--used
          to join sentence elements of the same grammatical rank
          or function 2 a--used as a function word to express logical
          modification, consequence, antithesis, or supplementary
          explanation b--used as a function word to join one finite
          verb (as go, come, try) to another so that together they
          are logically equivalent to an infinitive of purpose
          <come ~ see me> 3 obs: if 4--used in logic to form a
          conjunction -- and so forth 1: and others or more of
          the same or similar kind 2: further in the same or similar
          manner 3: and the rest 4: and other things -- and so
          on : and so forth AND n (1949): a logical operator that
          requires both of two inputs to be present or two conditions
          to be met for an output to be made or a statement to
          be executed

   and/or
          [and/or] conj (1853)--used as a function word to indicate
          that two words or expressions are to be taken together
          or individually <language comprehension and/or production
          --David Crystal>

   Andalusian
          [An.da.lu.sian] n [Andalusia, Spain] (1966): any of a breed
          of horses of Spanish origin that have a high-stepping
          gait

   andalusite
          [an.da.lu.site] n [F andalousite, fr. Andalousie Andalusia,
          region in Spain] (ca. 1828): a mineral consisting of
          a silicate of aluminum usu. in thick orthorhombic prisms
          of various colors

   [1]andante
          [an.dan.te] adv or adj [It, lit., going, prp. of andare to
          go] (1724): moderately slow--usu. used as a direction
          in music [2]andante n (1784): a musical composition or
          movement in andante tempo

   [1]andantino
          [an.dan.ti.no] adv or adj [It, dim. of andante] (1819): slightly
          faster than andante--used as a direction in music [2]andantino
          n, pl -nos (1845): a musical composition or movement
          in andantino tempo

   andesite
          [an.des.ite] n [G Andesit, fr. Andes] (1850): an extrusive
          usu. dark grayish rock consisting essentially of oligoclase
          or feldspar -- an.des.it.ic adj

   and how
          [and how] adv (1865)--used to emphasize the preceding idea
          <having a great time--and how]>

   andiron
          [and.iron] n [ME aundiren, modif. of MF andier] (14c): either
          of a pair of metal supports for firewood used on a hearth
          and made of a horizontal bar mounted on short legs with
          usu. a vertical shaft surmounting the front end

   andouille
          [an.dou.ille] n [F, fr. OF andoille, fr. (assumed) VL inductilia,
          neut. pl. of inductilis made by insertion, fr. L inductus,
          pp. of inducere to insert, bring in--more at induce]
          (1605): a highly spiced smoked pork sausage

   andouillette
          [an.douill.ette] n [F, dim. of andouille] (1611): a fresh
          pork sausage made with tripe or chitterlings

   andr-
          [andr-] or andro- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. andr-, aner;
          akin to Oscan ner- man, Skt nar-, OIr nert strength]
          1: male human being <androcentric> 2: male <androecium>

   andradite
          [an.dra.dite] n [Jose B. de Andrada e Silva d. 1838 Brazilian
          geologist] (1868): a garnet of any of various colors
          ranging from yellow and green to brown and black

   androcentric
          [an.dro.cen.tric] adj (1903): dominated by or emphasizing
          masculine interests or a masculine point of view

   Androcles
          [An.dro.cles] n [L, fr. Gk Androkles]: a fabled Roman slave
          spared in the arena by a lion from whose foot he had
          years before extracted a thorn

   androecium
          [an.droe.ci.um] n, pl -cia [NL, fr. andr- + Gk oikion, dim.
          of oikos house--more at vicinity] (ca. 1839): the aggregate
          of stamens in the flower of a seed plant

   androgen
          [an.dro.gen] n [ISV] (1936): a male sex hormone (as testosterone)
          -- an.dro.gen.ic adj

   androgenesis
          [an.dro.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1900): development of an embryo
          containing only paternal chromosomes due to failure of
          the egg to participate in fertilization -- an.dro.ge.net.ic
          adj

   androgyne
          [an.dro.gyne] n [MF, fr. L androgynus] (1552): one that is
          androgynous

   androgynous
          [an.drog.y.nous] adj [L androgynus hermaphrodite, fr. Gk
          androgynos, fr. andr- + gyne woman--more at queen] (1651)
          1: having the characteristics or nature of both male
          and female 2 a: neither specifically feminine nor masculine
          <the ~ pronoun them> b: suitable to or for either sex
          <~ clothing> 3: having traditional male and female roles
          obscured or reversed <an ~ marriage> -- an.drog.y.ny
          n

   android
          [an.droid] n [LGk androeides manlike, fr. Gk andr- + -oeides
          -oid] (ca. 1751): a mobile robot usu. with a human form

   Andromache
          [An.drom.a.che] n [L, fr. Gk Andromache]: the wife of Hector

   andromeda
          [an.drom.eda] n [NL Andromeda, genus name, fr. L] (ca. 1760):
          any of several evergreen shrubs (genera Pieris and Andromeda)
          of the heath family; esp: japanese andromeda An.drom.e.da
          n [L, fr. Gk Andromede] 1: an Ethiopian princess of Greek
          mythology rescued from a monster by her future husband
          Perseus 2 [L (gen. Andromedae)]: a northern constellation
          directly south of Cassiopeia between Pegasus and Perseus

   androsterone
          [an.dros.ter.one] n [ISV] (1934): an androgenic hormone that
          is a hydroxy ketone found in human male and female urine

   -ane
          [-ane] n suffix [ISV -an, -ane, alter. of -ene, -ine, & -one]
          1: [3]-an 1 <furane> 2: saturated hydrocarbon <alkane>
          <methane>

   ane
          [ane] adj or n or pron (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: one

   anecdotage
          [an.ec.dot.age] n (1823) 1: the telling of anecdotes; also:
          anecdotes 2: garrulous old age

   anecdotal
          [an.ec.dot.al] adj (1836) 1 a: of, relating to, or consisting
          of anecdotes <an ~ biography> b: anecdotic 2 <my ~ uncle>
          2: based on or consisting of reports or observations
          of usu. unscientific observers <~ evidence> 3: of, relating
          to, or being the depiction of a scene suggesting a story
          <~ painting> <~ detail> -- an.ec.dot.al.ly adv

   anecdotalist
          [an.ec.dot.al.ist] or an.ec.dot.ist n (1837): one who is
          given to or is skilled in telling anecdotes -- an.ec.dot.al.ism
          n

   anecdote
          [an.ec.dote] n, pl anecdotes also an.ec.dota [F, fr. Gk anekdota
          unpublished items, fr. neut. pl. of anekdotos unpublished,
          fr. a- + ekdidonai to publish, fr. ex out + didonai to
          give--more at ex-, date] (ca. 1721): a usu. short narrative
          of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident

   anecdotic
          [an.ec.dot.ic] or an.ec.dot.i.cal adj (ca. 1744) 1: anecdotal
          1a 2: given to or skilled in telling anecdotes
          -- an.ec.dot.i.cal.ly adv

   anechoic
          [an.echo.ic] adj (1946): free from echoes and reverberations
          <an ~ chamber>

   anelastic
          [an.elas.tic] adj (1947): relating to the property of a substance
          in which there is no definite relation between stress
          and strain -- an.elas.tic.i.ty n

   anem-
          [anem-] or anemo- comb form [Gk, fr. anemos--more at animate]:
          wind <anemometer>

   anemia
          [ane.mia] n [NL, fr. Gk anaimia bloodlessness, fr. a- + -aimia
          -emia] (1824) 1 a: a condition in which the blood is
          deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total
          volume b: ischemia 2: lack of vitality

   anemic
          [ane.mic] adj (1858) 1: relating to or affected with anemia
          2 a: lacking force, vitality, or spirit <an ~ rendition
          of the song> <~ efforts at enforcement> b: lacking interest
          or savor: insipid <~ wines> c: lacking in substance or
          quantity <~ returns on an investment> <~ attendance>
          -- ane.mi.cal.ly adv

   anemograph
          [anemo.graph] n (1865): a recording anemometer

   anemometer
          [an.e.mom.e.ter] n (ca. 1751): an instrument for measuring
          and indicating the force or speed of the wind

   anemometry
          [an.e.mom.e.try] n (1847): the process of ascertaining the
          force, speed, and direction of wind or an airflow

   anemone
          [anem.o.ne] n [L, fr. Gk anemone] (1548) 1: any of a large
          genus (Anemone) of the buttercup family having lobed
          or divided leaves and showy flowers without petals but
          with conspicuous often colored sepals--called also windflower
          2: sea anemone

   anemophilous
          [an.e.moph.i.lous] adj (1874): pollinated by wind

   anencephaly
          [an.en.ceph.a.ly] n, pl -lies [[2]a- + encephal- + [2]-y]
          (ca. 1889): congenital absence of all or a major part
          of the brain -- an.en.ce.phal.ic adj

   anent
          [anent] prep [ME onevent, anent, fr. OE on efen alongside,
          fr. on + efen even] (13c): about, concerning

   aneroid
          [an.er.oid] adj [F aneroide, fr. Gk a- + LGk neron water,
          fr. Gk, neut. of nearos, neros fresh; akin to Gk neos
          new--more at new] (ca. 1848): using no liquid; specif:
          operating by the effect of outside air pressure on a
          diaphragm forming one wall of an evacuated container
          <~ barometer>

   anesthesia
          [an.es.the.sia] n [NL, fr. Gk anaisthesia insensibility,
          fr. a- + aisthesis perception, fr. aisthanesthai to perceive--more
          at audible] (ca. 1721): loss of sensation with or without loss
          of consciousness

   anesthesiologist
          [an.es.the.si.ol.o.gist] n (1942): anesthetist; specif: a
          physician specializing in anesthesiology

   anesthesiology
          [an.es.the.si.ol.o.gy] n (ca. 1914): a branch of medical
          science dealing with anesthesia and anesthetics

   [1]anesthetic
          [an.es.thet.ic] adj (1846) 1: of, relating to, or capable
          of producing anesthesia 2: lacking awareness or sensitivity
          <unmoved and quite ~ to his presence --S. J. Perelman>
          -- an.es.thet.i.cal.ly adv [2]anesthetic n (1848) 1:
          a substance that produces anesthesia 2: something that
          brings relief: palliative

   anesthetist
          [anes.the.tist] n (1882): one who administers anesthetics

   anesthetize
          [anes.the.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1848): to subject to
          anesthesia

   anestrous
          [an.es.trous] adj (ca. 1909) 1: not exhibiting estrus 2:
          of or relating to anestrus

   anestrus
          [an.es.trus] n [NL] (1927): the period of sexual quiescence
          between two periods of sexual activity in cyclically
          breeding mammals

   aneuploid
          [an.eu.ploid] adj (1926): having or being a chromosome number
          that is not an exact multiple of the usu. haploid number--compare
          euploid -- aneuploid n -- an.eu.ploi.dy n

   aneurysm
          [an.eu.rysm] also an.eu.rism n [Gk aneurysma, fr. aneurynein
          to dilate, fr. ana- + eurynein to stretch, fr. eurys
          wide--more at eury-] (15c): an abnormal blood-filled
          dilatation of a blood vessel and esp. an artery resulting
          from disease of the vessel wall -- an.eu.rys.mal adj

   anew
          [anew] adv [ME of newe, fr. OE of niwe, fr. of + niwe new]
          (bef. 12c) 1: for an additional time: afresh 2: in a
          new or different form

   anfractuosity
          [an.frac.tu.os.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1596) 1: the quality or
          state of being anfractuous 2: a winding channel or course;
          esp: an intricate path or process (as of the mind)

   anfractuous
          [an.frac.tu.ous] adj [F anfractueux, fr. LL anfractuosus,
          fr. L anfractus coil, bend, fr. an- (fr. ambi- around)
          + -fractus, fr. frangere to break--more at ambi-, break]
          (1621): full of windings and intricate turnings: tortuous

   angel
          [an.gel] n [ME, fr. OE engel & OF angele; both fr. LL angelus,
          fr. Gk angelos, lit., messenger] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a spiritual
          being superior to man in power and intelligence; esp:
          one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchy b pl:
          an order of angels--see celestial hierarchy 2: an attendant
          spirit or guardian 3: a white-robed winged figure of
          human form in fine art 4: messenger, harbinger <~ of
          death> 5: a person like an angel (as in looks or behavior)
          6 Christian Science: inspiration from God 7: one (as
          a backer of a theatrical venture) who aids or supports
          with money or influence 8: angelfish -- an.gel.ic or
          an.gel.i.cal adj -- an.gel.i.cal.ly adv

   angel dust
          [angel dust] n (1973): phencyclidine

   Angeleno
          [An.ge.le.no] n, pl -nos [AmSp angeleno, fr. Los Angeles,
          Calif.] (1888): a native or resident of Los Angeles,
          Calif.

   angelfish
          [an.gel.fish] n (1668) 1: any of several compressed bright-colored
          bony fishes (family Pomacanthidae) of warm seas 2: scalare

   angel food cake
          [angel food cake] n (1920): a usu. white sponge cake made
          of flour, sugar, and whites of eggs

   angel-hair pasta
          [angel-hair pasta] n (1981): pasta smaller in diameter than
          vermicelli

   angelica
          [an.gel.i.ca] n [NL, genus name, fr. ML, fr. LL, fem. of
          angelicus angelic, fr. LGk angelikos, fr. Gk, of a messenger,
          fr. angelos] (1527) 1 a: any of a genus (Angelica) of
          herbs of the carrot family; esp: a Eurasian biennial
          or perennial (A. archangelica) whose roots and fruit
          yield a flavoring oil b: a confection prepared from angelica
          2 cap: a sweet fortified wine produced in California

   angelica tree
          [angelica tree] n (1785): hercules'-club 1

   angelology
          [an.gel.ol.o.gy] n, often cap (ca. 1828): the theological
          doctrine of angels or its study -- an.gel.ol.o.gist n

   Angelus
          [An.ge.lus] n [ML, fr. LL, angel; fr. the first word of the
          opening versicle] (1658) 1: a devotion of the Western
          church that commemorates the Incarnation and is said
          in the morning, at noon, and in the evening 2: a bell
          announcing the time for the Angelus

   [1]anger
          [anger] vb an.gered ; an.ger.ing vt (13c): to make angry
          ~ vi: to become angry [2]an.ger n [ME, affliction, anger,
          fr. ON angr grief; akin to OE enge narrow, L angere to
          strangle, Gk anchein] (14c) 1: a strong feeling of displeasure
          and usu. of antagonism 2: rage 2 -- an.ger.less adj syn
          anger, ire, rage, fury, indignation, wrath mean an intense
          emotional state induced by displeasure. anger, the most
          general term, names the reaction but in itself conveys
          nothing about intensity or justification or manifestation
          of the emotional state <tried to hide his anger>. ire,
          more frequent in literary contexts, may suggest greater
          intensity than anger, often with an evident display of
          feeling <cheeks flushed dark with ire>. rage suggests
          loss of self-control from violence of emotion <screaming
          with rage>. fury is overmastering destructive rage that
          can verge on madness <in her fury she accused everyone
          around her of betrayal>. indignation stresses righteous
          anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful
          <a refusal to listen that caused general indignation>.
          wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to revenge
          or punish <rose in his wrath and struck his tormentor
          to the floor>.

   Angevin
          [An.ge.vin] adj [F, fr. OF, fr. ML andegavinus, fr. Andegavia
          Anjou] (1769): of, relating to, or characteristic of
          Anjou or the Plantagenets -- Angevin n

   angi-
          [angi-] or angio- comb form [NL, fr. Gk angei-, angeio-,
          fr. angeion vessel, blood vessel, dim. of angos vessel]
          1: blood or lymph vessel: blood vessels and <angioma>
          <angiocardiography> 2: pericarp <angiosperm>

   angina
          [an.gi.na] n [L, throat inflammation, fr. Gk anchone strangling,
          fr. anchein to strangle] (1578): a disease marked by
          spasmodic attacks of intense suffocative pain: as a:
          a severe inflammatory or ulcerated condition of the mouth
          or throat b: angina pectoris -- an.gi.nal adj

   angina pectoris
          [angina pec.to.ris] n [NL, lit., angina of the chest] (1744):
          a disease marked by brief paroxysmal attacks of chest
          pain precipitated by deficient oxygenation of the heart
          muscles

   angiocardiography
          [an.gio.car.di.og.ra.phy] n (1938): the roentgenographic
          visualization of the heart and its blood vessels after
          injection of a radiopaque substance -- an.gio.car.dio.graph.ic
          adj

   angiogenesis
          [an.gio.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1899): the formation and differentiation
          of blood vessels -- an.gio.gen.ic adj

   angiogram
          [an.gio.gram] n (1933): a roentgenogram made by angiography

   angiography
          [an.gi.og.ra.phy] n (1933): the roentgenographic visualization
          of the blood vessels after injection of a radiopaque
          substance -- an.gio.graph.ic adj

   angioma
          [an.gi.o.ma] n [NL] (1871): a tumor composed chiefly of blood
          vessels or lymph vessels -- an.gi.o.ma.tous adj

   angioplasty
          [an.gio.plas.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1919): surgical repair
          of a blood vessel; esp: balloon angioplasty

   angiosperm
          [an.gio.sperm] n [ultim. fr. NL angi- + Gk sperma seed--more
          at sperm] (ca. 1828): any of a class (Angiospermae) or
          division (Magnoliophyta) of vascular plants (as magnolias,
          grasses, oaks, roses, and daisies) that have the ovules
          and seeds enclosed in an ovary, form the embryo and endosperm
          by double fertilization, and typically have each flower
          surrounded by a perianth composed of two sets of floral
          envelopes comprising the calyx and corolla--called also
          flowering plant -- an.gio.sper.mous adj

   angiotensin
          [an.gio.ten.sin] n [angi- + hypertension + -in] (ca. 1961):
          either of two forms of a kinin of which one has marked
          vasoconstrictive action; also: a synthetic amide derivative
          of the physiologically active form used to treat some
          forms of hypotension

   angiotensin converting enzyme
          [angiotensin converting enzyme] n (1970): a proteolytic enzyme
          that converts the physiologically inactive form of angiotensin
          to the active vasoconstrictive form

   Angl
          [Angl] abbreviation Anglican

   [1]angle
          [an.gle] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L angulus] (14c) 1: a corner
          whether constituting a projecting part or a partially
          enclosed space <they sheltered in an ~ of the building>
          2 a: the figure formed by two lines extending from the
          same point; also: dihedral angle b: a measure of an angle
          or of the amount of turning necessary to bring one line
          or plane into coincidence with or parallel to another
          3 a: the precise viewpoint from which something is observed
          or considered; also: the aspect seen from such an angle
          b (1): a special approach, point of attack, or technique
          for accomplishing an objective (2): an often improper
          or illicit method of obtaining advantage <he always had
          an ~ to beat the other fellow> 4: a sharply divergent
          course <the road went off at an ~> 5: a position to the
          side of an opponent in football from which a player may
          block his opponent more effectively or without penalty--usu.
          used in the phrases get an angle or have an angle --
          an.gled adj [2]angle vb an.gled ; an.gling vi (1741):
          to turn or proceed at an angle ~ vt 1: to turn, move,
          or direct at an angle 2: to present (as a news story)
          from a particular or prejudiced point of view: slant
          [3]angle vi an.gled ; an.gling [ME angelen, fr. angel
          fishhook, fr. OE, fr. anga hook; akin to OHG ango hook,
          L uncus, Gk onkos barbed hook, ankos glen] (15c) 1: to
          fish with a hook 2: to use artful means to attain an
          objective <angled for an invitation> An.gle n [L Angli,
          pl., of Gmc origin; akin to OE Engle Angles] (bef. 12c):
          a member of a Germanic people that invaded England along
          with the Saxons and Jutes in the 5th century a.d. and
          merged with them to form the Anglo-Saxon peoples

   angle bracket
          [angle bracket] n (ca. 1956): bracket 3b

   angle iron
          [angle iron] n (ca. 1853) 1: an iron cleat for joining parts
          of a structure at an angle 2: a piece of structural steel
          rolled with an L-shaped section

   angle of attack
          [angle of attack] (1908): the acute angle between the direction
          of the relative wind and the chord of an airfoil

   angle of depression
          [angle of depression] (1790): the angle formed by the line
          of sight and the horizontal plane for an object below
          the horizontal

   angle of elevation
          [angle of elevation] (ca. 1737): the angle formed by the
          line of sight and the horizontal plane for an object
          above the horizontal

   angle of incidence
          [angle of incidence] (1628): the angle that a line (as a
          ray of light) falling on a surface or interface makes
          with the normal drawn at the point of incidence--see
          critical angle illustration

   angle of reflection
          [angle of reflection] (1638): the angle between a reflected
          ray and the normal drawn at the point of incidence to
          a reflecting surface

   angle of refraction
          [angle of refraction] (ca. 1737): the angle between a refracted
          ray and the normal drawn at the point of incidence to
          the interface at which refraction occurs

   angler
          [an.gler] n (15c) 1: one that angles 2: anglerfish

   anglerfish
          [ang.ler.fish] n (ca. 1889): any of several pediculate fishes
          (as the goosefishes); esp: monkfish

   angle shot
          [angle shot] n (ca. 1922): a picture taken with the camera
          pointed at an angle from the horizontal

   anglesite
          [an.gle.site] n [F anglesite, fr. Anglesey Island, Wales]
          (ca. 1841): a mineral consisting of lead sulfate formed
          by the oxidation of galena

   angleworm
          [an.gle.worm] n (1832): earthworm

   Anglian
          [An.gli.an] n (1726) 1: a member of the Angles 2: the Old
          English dialects of Mercia and Northumbria -- Anglian
          adj

   Anglican
          [An.gli.can] adj [ML anglicanus, fr. anglicus English, fr.
          L Angli Angles] (1635) 1: of or relating to the established
          episcopal Church of England and churches of similar faith
          and order in communion with it 2: of or relating to England
          or the English nation -- Anglican n -- An.gli.can.ism
          n

   anglice
          [an.gli.ce] adv, often cap [ML, adv. of anglicus] (1602):
          in English; esp: in readily understood English <the city
          of Napoli, ~ Naples>

   anglicise
          [an.gli.cise] often cap var of anglicize

   anglicism
          [an.gli.cism] n, often cap [ML anglicus English] (1642) 1:
          a characteristic feature of English occurring in another
          language 2: adherence or attachment to English customs
          or ideas

   Anglicist
          [An.gli.cist] n (1930): a specialist in English linguistics

   anglicize
          [an.gli.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing often cap (1710) 1: to
          make English in quality or characteristics 2: to adapt
          (a foreign word or phrase) to English usage; esp: to
          borrow into English without alteration of form or spelling
          and with or without change in pronunciation -- an.gli.ci.za.tion
          n, often cap

   angling
          [an.gling] n (15c): the action of one who angles; esp: the
          action or sport of fishing with hook and line

   Anglist
          [An.glist] n (1888): anglicist

   Anglo-
          [An.glo-] comb form [NL, fr. LL Angli] 1: English <Anglo-Norman>
          2: English and <Anglo-Japanese>

   Anglo
          [An.glo] n, pl Anglos [in sense 2, fr. AmerSp, short for
          Sp angloamericano Anglo-American] (1800) 1: anglo-american
          2: a white inhabitant of the U.S. of non-Hispanic descent
          -- Anglo adj

   Anglo-American
          [An.glo-Amer.i.can] n (ca. 1782): a North American whose
          native language is English; esp: an inhabitant of the
          U.S. of English origin or descent -- Anglo-American adj

   Anglo-Catholic
          [An.glo-Cath.o.lic] adj (1838): of or relating to a High
          Church movement in Anglicanism emphasizing its continuity
          with historic Catholicism and fostering Catholic dogmatic
          and liturgical traditions -- Anglo-Catholic n --
          An.glo-Ca.thol.i.cism n

   Anglo-French
          [An.glo-French] n (ca. 1884): the French language used in
          medieval England

   Anglomania
          [An.glo.ma.nia] n (1787): an absorbing or pervasive interest
          in England or things English

   Anglo-Norman
          [An.glo-Nor.man] n (1735) 1: any of the Normans living in
          England after the Norman conquest of 1066 2: the form
          of Anglo-French used by Anglo-Normans -- Anglo-Norman
          adj

   Anglophile
          [An.glo.phile] also An.glo.phil n [F, fr. anglo- + -phile]
          (1883): one who greatly admires or favors England and
          things English -- Anglophile or An.glo.phil.ic adj

   Anglophilia
          [An.glo.phil.ia] n (1896): unusual admiration or partiality
          for England, English ways, or things English -- An.glo.phil.i.ac
          adj

   Anglophobe
          [An.glo.phobe] n [prob. fr. F, fr. anglo- + -phobe] (1866):
          one who is averse to or dislikes England and things English
          -- An.glo.pho.bia n -- An.glo.pho.bic adj

   anglophone
          [an.glo.phone] adj, often cap (1965): consisting of or belonging
          to an English-speaking population esp. in a country where
          two or more languages are spoken -- Anglophone n

   Anglo-Saxon
          [An.glo-Sax.on] n [NL Anglo-Saxones, pl., alter. of ML Angli
          Saxones, fr. L Angli Angles + LL Saxones Saxons] (bef.
          12c) 1: a member of the Germanic peoples conquering England
          in the 5th century a.d. and forming the ruling class
          until the Norman conquest--compare angle, jute, saxon
          2 a: englishman; specif: a person descended from the
          Anglo-Saxons b: a white gentile of an English-speaking
          nation 3: old english 1 4: direct plain English; esp:
          English using words considered crude or vulgar -- Anglo-Saxon
          adj

   angora
          [an.go.ra] n (1852) 1: the hair of the Angora rabbit or Angora
          goat--called also angora wool 2: a yarn of Angora rabbit
          hair used esp. for knitting 3 cap a: angora cat b: angora
          goat c: angora rabbit

   Angora cat
          [Angora cat] n [Angora (Ankara), Turkey] (1819): a long-haired
          domestic cat; specif: any of a breed that differs from
          the Persian in having a narrower head and slighter body

   Angora goat
          [Angora goat] n (1833): any of a breed or variety of the
          domestic goat raised for its long silky hair which is
          the true mohair

   Angora rabbit
          [Angora rabbit] n (1849): any of a breed of long-haired usu.
          white rabbits with red eyes that is raised for fine wool

   angry
          [an.gry] adj an.gri.er ; -est (14c) 1: feeling or showing
          anger: wrathful 2 a: indicative of or proceeding from
          anger <~ words> b: seeming to show anger or to threaten
          in an angry manner <an ~ sky> 3: painfully inflamed <an
          ~ rash> -- an.gri.ly adv -- an.gri.ness n

   angry young man
          [angry young man] n (1941) 1: an outspoken critic of or protester
          against an economic condition or social injustice 2:
          one of a group of mid-20th century British authors whose
          works express the bitterness of the lower classes toward
          the established sociopolitical system and toward the
          mediocrity and hypocrisy of the middle and upper classes

   angst
          [angst] n [Dan & G; Dan, fr. G] (ca. 1942): a feeling of
          anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity

   angstrom
          [ang.strom] n [Anders J. Angstrom] (1892): a unit of length
          equal to one ten-billionth of a meter

   [1]anguish
          [an.guish] n [ME angwisshe, fr. OF angoisse, fr. L angustiae,
          pl., straits, distress, fr. angustus narrow; akin to
          OE enge narrow--more at anger] (13c): extreme pain, distress,
          or anxiety syn see sorrow [2]anguish vi (14c): to suffer
          anguish ~ vt: to cause to suffer anguish

   anguished
          [an.guished] adj (14c) 1: suffering anguish: tormented <the
          ~ martyrs> 2: expressing anguish: agonized <~ cries>

   anguis in herba
          [an.guis in her.ba] [L] foreign term : snake in the grass

   angular
          [an.gu.lar] adj [MF or L; MF angulaire, fr. L angularis,
          fr. angulus angle] (15c) 1 a: forming an angle: sharp-cornered
          b: having one or more angles 2: measured by an angle
          <~ distance> 3 a: stiff in character or manner: lacking
          smoothness or grace b: lean and having prominent bone
          structure -- an.gu.lar.ly adv

   angular acceleration
          [angular acceleration] n (1883): the rate of change per unit
          time of angular velocity

   angularity
          [an.gu.lar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1642) 1: the quality of being
          angular 2 pl: angular outlines or characteristics

   angular momentum
          [angular momentum] n (1870): a vector quantity that is a
          measure of the rotational momentum of a rotating body
          or system, that is equal in classical physics to the
          product of the angular velocity of the body or system
          and its moment of inertia with respect to the rotation
          axis, and that is directed along the rotation axis

   angular velocity
          [angular velocity] n (1819): the rate of rotation around
          an axis usu. expressed in radians or revolutions per
          second or per minute

   angulation
          [an.gu.la.tion] n (1869) 1: the action of making angular
          2: an angular position, formation, or shape

   Angus
          [An.gus] n [Angus, county in Scotland] (1842): any of breed
          of usu. black hornless beef cattle originating in Scotland

   anhedonia
          [an.he.do.nia] n [NL, fr. [2]a- + Gk hedone pleasure--more
          at hedonism] (1897): a psychological condition characterized
          by inability to experience pleasure in normally pleasurable
          acts -- an.he.don.ic adj

   anhinga
          [an.hin.ga] n [Pg, fr. Tupi] (1769): any of a genus (Anhinga)
          of fish-eating birds related to the cormorants but distinguished
          by a longer neck and sharply pointed rather than hooked
          bill; esp: one (A. anhinga) occurring from the southern
          U.S. to Argentina

   anhyd
          [anhyd] abbreviation anhydrous

   anhydride
          [an.hy.dride] n (1863): a compound derived from another (as
          an acid) by removal of the elements of water

   anhydrite
          [an.hy.drite] n [G Anhydrit, fr. Gk anydros] (ca. 1823):
          a mineral consisting of an anhydrous calcium sulfate
          that is usu. massive and white or slightly colored

   anhydrous
          [an.hy.drous] adj [Gk anydros, fr. a- + hydor water--more
          at water] (1819): free from water and esp. water of crystallization

   ani
          [ani] n [Sp ani, or Pg ani, fr. Tupi ani] (ca. 1823): any
          of a genus (Crotophaga) of black cuckoos of the warmer
          parts of America

   anile
          [anile] adj [L anilis, fr. anus old woman] (1652): of or
          resembling a doddering old woman; esp: senile -- anil.i.ty
          n

   aniline
          [an.i.line] n [G Anilin, fr. Anil indigo, fr. F, fr. Pg,
          fr. Ar an-nil the indigo plant, fr. Skt nili indigo,
          fr. fem. of nila dark blue] (1850): an oily liquid poisonous
          amine obtained esp. by the reduction of nitrobenzene
          and used chiefly in organic synthesis (as of dyes)

   aniline dye
          [aniline dye] n (1864): a dye made by the use of aniline
          or one chemically related to such a dye; broadly: a synthetic
          organic dye

   anilingus
          [ani.lin.gus] or ani.linc.tus n [NL, fr. anus + -i- + -lingus,
          -linctus (as in cunnilingus, cunnilinctus)] (1949): erotic
          stimulation achieved by contact between mouth and anus

   anima
          [an.i.ma] n [NL, fr. L, soul] (1923): an individual's true
          inner self that in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung
          reflects archetypal ideals of conduct; also: an inner
          feminine part of the male personality--compare animus,
          persona

   animadversion
          [an.i.mad.ver.sion] n [L animadversion-, animadversio, fr.
          animadvertere] (1599) 1: a critical and usu. censorious
          remark--often used with on 2: adverse criticism

   animadvert
          [an.i.mad.vert] vb [L animadvertere to pay attention to,
          censure, fr. animum advertere, lit., to turn the mind
          to] vt (15c) archaic: notice, observe ~ vi: to make an
          animadversion

   [1]animal
          [an.i.mal] n [L, fr. animale, neut. of animalis animate,
          fr. anima soul--more at animate] (14c) 1: any of a kingdom
          (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms
          and often many of the single-celled ones (as protozoans)
          that typically differ from plants in having cells without
          cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity
          for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials
          (as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree
          of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous
          movement and rapid motor responses to stimulation 2 a:
          one of the lower animals as distinguished from human
          beings b: mammal; broadly: vertebrate 3: a human being
          considered chiefly as physical or nonrational; also:
          this nature 4: an individual with a particular interest
          or aptitude <a political ~> 5: matter, thing <the theater
          ... is an entirely different ~ --Arthur Miller>; also:
          creature 1c -- an.i.mal.like adj [2]animal adj (1615)
          1: of, relating to, resembling, or derived from animals
          2 a: of or relating to the physical or sentient as contrasted
          with the intellectual or rational b: sensual, fleshly
          3: of or relating to the animal pole of an egg or to
          the part from which ectoderm normally develops syn see
          carnal -- an.i.mal.ly adv

   animal bipes implume
          [ani.mal bi.pes im.plu.me] [L] foreign term : two-legged
          animal without feathers (i.e., the human race)

   animal control
          [animal control] n (1957): an office or department responsible
          for enforcing ordinances relating to the control, impoundment,
          and disposition of animals

   animal cracker
          [animal cracker] n (1898): a small cookie in the shape of
          an animal

   animalcule
          [an.i.mal.cule] also an.i.mal.cu.lum n, pl -cules also -cu.la
          [NL animalculum, dim. of L animal] (1662): a minute usu.
          microscopic organism

   animal heat
          [animal heat] n (1779): heat produced in the body of a living
          animal by functional chemical and physical activities

   animal husbandry
          [animal husbandry] n (1919): a branch of agriculture concerned
          with the production and care of domestic animals

   animalier
          [an.i.mal.ier] n [F, fr. animal animal, fr. L] (1912): a
          sculptor or painter of animal subjects

   animalism
          [an.i.mal.ism] n (1831): animality -- an.i.mal.is.tic adj

   animality
          [an.i.mal.i.ty] n (1615) 1: qualities associated with animals:
          a: vitality b: a natural unrestrained unreasoned response
          to physical drives or stimuli 2: the animal nature of
          human beings

   animalize
          [an.i.mal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1741) 1: to represent
          in animal form 2: to cause to be or act like an animal
          -- an.i.mal.iza.tion n

   animal kingdom
          [animal kingdom] n (1776): a basic group of natural objects
          that includes all living and extinct animals--compare
          mineral kingdom, plant kingdom

   animal magnetism
          [animal magnetism] n (1784) 1: a mysterious force claimed
          by Mesmer to enable him to hypnotize patients 2: a magnetic
          charm or appeal; esp: sex appeal

   animal model
          [animal model] n (1976): an animal sufficiently like humans
          in its anatomy, physiology, or response to a pathogen
          to be used in medical research in order to obtain results
          that can be extrapolated to human medicine

   animal pole
          [animal pole] n (1887): the point on the surface of an egg
          that is diametrically opposite to the vegetal pole and
          usu. marks the most active part of the protoplasm or
          the part containing least yolk

   animal rights
          [animal rights] n pl but sing in constr (1879): fair and
          humane treatment of animals--often used attributively

   animal spirits
          [animal spirits] n pl (1543) 1 sometimes animal spirit obs:
          the nervous energy that is the source of physical sensation
          and movement 2: vivacity arising from physical health
          and energy

   animal starch
          [animal starch] n (ca. 1860): glycogen

   [1]animate
          [an.i.mate] adj [ME, fr. L animatus, pp. of animare to give
          life to, fr. anima breath, soul; akin to OE othian to
          breathe, L animus spirit, Gk anemos wind, Skt aniti he
          breathes] (15c) 1: possessing or characterized by life:
          alive 2: full of life: animated 3: of or relating to
          animal life as opposed to plant life 4: referring to
          a living thing <an ~ noun> -- an.i.mate.ly adv -- an.i.mate.ness
          n [2]an.i.mate vt -mat.ed ; -mat.ing (15c) 1: to give
          spirit and support to: encourage 2 a: to give life to
          b: to give vigor and zest to 3: to move to action 4 a:
          to make or design in such a way as to create apparently
          spontaneous lifelike movement b: to produce in the form
          of an animated cartoon syn see quicken

   animated
          [an.i.mat.ed] adj (1534) 1 a: endowed with life or the qualities
          of life: alive <viruses that can behave as ~ bodies or
          inert crystals> b: full of movement and activity c: full
          of vigor and spirit: lively <an ~ discussion> 2: having
          the appearance of something alive 3: made in the form
          of an animated cartoon syn see lively -- an.i.mat.ed.ly
          adv

   animated cartoon
          [animated cartoon] n (1915) 1: a motion picture made from
          a series of drawings simulating motion by means of slight
          progressive changes in the drawings 2: animation 2a

   animation
          [an.i.ma.tion] n (1597) 1: the act of animating: the state
          of being animate or animated 2 a: a motion picture made
          by photographing successive positions of inanimate objects
          (as puppets or mechanical parts) b: animated cartoon
          1 3: the preparation of animated cartoons

   animato
          [an.i.ma.to] adv or adj [It, fr. L animatus] (ca. 1724):
          with animation--used as a direction in music

   animator
          [an.i.ma.tor] n (1611) 1: one that animates <the prime ~
          of the movement> 2: an artist who creates drawings for
          an animated cartoon

   animism
          [an.i.mism] n [G Animismus, fr. L anima soul] (1832) 1: a
          doctrine that the vital principle of organic development
          is immaterial spirit 2: attribution of conscious life
          to objects in and phenomena of nature or to inanimate
          objects 3: belief in the existence of spirits separable
          from bodies -- an.i.mist n -- an.i.mis.tic adj

   animis opibusque parati
          [ani.mis opi.bus.que pa.ra.ti] [L] foreign term : prepared
          in mind and resources--one of the mottoes of South Carolina

   animosity
          [an.i.mos.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME animosite, fr. MF or LL;
          MF animosite, fr. LL animositat-, animositas, fr. L animosus
          spirited, fr. animus] (1605): ill will or resentment
          tending toward active hostility: an antagonistic attitude
          syn see enmity

   animus
          [an.i.mus] n [L, spirit, mind, courage, anger] (1816) 1:
          basic attitude or governing spirit: disposition, intention
          2: a usu. prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent
          ill will 3: an inner masculine part of the female personality
          in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung--compare anima
          syn see enmity

   anion
          [an.ion] n [Gk, neut. of anion, prp. of anienai to go up,
          fr. ana- + ienai to go--more at issue] (1834): the ion
          in an electrolyzed solution that migrates to the anode;
          broadly: a negatively charged ion

   anionic
          [an.ion.ic] adj (ca. 1920) 1: of or relating to anions 2:
          characterized by an active and esp. surface-active anion

   anis-
          [anis-] or aniso- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. anisos, fr.
          a- + isos equal]: unequal <anisotropic>

   anise
          [an.ise] n [ME anis, fr. MF, fr. L anisum, fr. Gk anneson,
          anison] (14c): an herb (Pimpinella anisum) of the carrot
          family having carminative and aromatic seeds; also: aniseed

   aniseed
          [ani.seed] n [ME anis seed, fr. anis + seed] (14c): the seed
          of anise often used as a flavoring in liqueurs and in
          cooking

   aniseikonia
          [an.is.ei.ko.nia] n [NL, fr. anis- + Gk eikon image--more
          at icon] (1934): a defect of binocular vision in which
          the two retinal images of an object differ in size --
          an.is.ei.kon.ic adj

   anisette
          [an.is.ette] n [F, fr. anis] (1837): a usu. colorless sweet
          liqueur flavored with aniseed

   anisogamous
          [an.isog.a.mous] adj (1891): characterized by fusion
          of heterogamous gametes or of individuals that usu. differ chiefly
          in size <~ reproduction> -- an.isog.a.my n

   anisometropia
          [an.iso.me.tro.pia] n [NL, fr. Gk anisometros of unequal
          measure (fr. anis- + metron measure) + NL -opia--more
          at measure] (ca. 1880): unequal refractive power in the
          two eyes -- an.iso.me.tro.pic adj

   anisotropic
          [an.iso.trop.ic] adj (1879): exhibiting properties with different
          values when measured in different directions <an ~ crystal>
          -- an.iso.trop.i.cal.ly adv -- an.isot.ro.py also an.isot.ro.pism
          n

   ankerite
          [an.ker.ite] n [G Ankerit, fr. M. J. Anker d. 1843 Austrian
          mineralogist] (ca. 1843): a dolomitic iron-containing
          mineral

   ankh
          [ankh] n [Egypt 'nh live] (1888): a cross having a loop for
          its upper vertical arm and serving esp. in ancient Egypt
          as an emblem of life

   ankle
          [an.kle] n [ME ankel, fr. OE ancleow; akin to OHG anchlao
          ankle] (bef. 12c) 1: the joint between the foot and the
          leg; also: the region of this joint 2: the joint between
          the cannon bone and pastern (as in the horse)

   anklebone
          [an.kle.bone] n (14c): [2]talus 1

   anklet
          [an.klet] n (1819) 1: something (as an ornament) worn around
          the ankle 2: a short sock reaching slightly above the
          ankle

   ankylosaur
          [an.ky.lo.saur] n [NL Ankylosauria, fr. Ankylosaurus] (1949):
          any of a suborder (Ankylosauria) of herbivorous Cretaceous
          dinosaurs having a long low-lying thickset body covered
          dorsally with bony plates

   ankylosaurus
          [an.ky.lo.sau.rus] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk ankylos + sauros
          lizard] (1908): any of a No. American genus (Ankylosaurus)
          of large ankylosaurs having a bony club at the end of
          the tail

   ankylose
          [an.ky.lose] vb -losed ; -los.ing [back-formation fr. ankylosis]
          vt (1787): to unite or stiffen by ankylosis ~ vi: to
          undergo ankylosis

   ankylosis
          [an.ky.lo.sis] n, pl -lo.ses [NL, fr. Gk ankylosis, fr. ankyloun
          to make crooked, fr. ankylos crooked --more at angle]
          (1713) 1: stiffness or fixation of a joint by disease
          or surgery 2: union of separate bones or hard parts to
          form a single bone or part -- an.ky.lot.ic adj

   ankylostomiasis
          [an.ky.lo.sto.mi.a.sis] var of ancylostomiasis

   anlage
          [an.la.ge] n, pl -gen also -ges [G, lit., act of laying on]
          (1892): the foundation of a subsequent development; esp:
          primordium

   ann
          [ann] abbreviation annals, annual

   anna
          [an.na] n [Hindi ana] (1708) 1: a former monetary unit of
          Burma, India, and Pakistan equal to 1/16 rupee 2: a coin
          representing one anna

   annalist
          [an.nal.ist] n (ca. 1611): a writer of annals: chronicler
          -- an.nal.is.tic adj

   annals
          [an.nals] n pl [L annales, fr. pl. of annalis yearly--more
          at annual] (1542) 1: a record of events arranged in yearly
          sequence 2: historical records: chronicles 3: records
          of the activities of an organization

   Annamese
          [An.nam.ese] n, pl Annamese [Annam, region of Vietnam] (1826)
          1 or An.nam.ite : a native or inhabitant of Annam 2:
          vietnamese 2 -- Annamese adj -- Annamite adj

   annatto
          [an.nat.to] n [Carib annoto tree producing annatto] (1629):
          a yellowish red dyestuff made from the pulp around the
          seeds of a tropical tree (Bixa orellana, family Bixaceae);
          also: the tree that yields annatto

   anneal
          [an.neal] vb [ME anelen to set on fire, fr. OE onaelan, fr.
          on + aelan to set on fire, burn, fr. al fire; akin to
          OE aeled fire, ON eldr] vt (1664) 1 a: to heat and then
          cool (as steel or glass) usu. for softening and making
          less brittle; also: to cool slowly usu. in a furnace
          b: to heat and then cool (nucleic acid) in order to separate
          strands and induce combination at lower temperature esp.
          with complementary strands of a different species 2:
          strengthen, toughen ~ vi: to be capable of combining
          with complementary nucleic acid by a process of heating
          and cooling

   annelid
          [an.ne.lid] n [ultim. fr. L anellus little ring--more at
          annulet] (1834): any of a phylum (Annelida) of usu. elongated
          segmented coelomate invertebrates (as earthworms, various
          marine worms, and leeches) -- annelid adj -- an.nel.i.dan
          adj or n

   [1]annex
          [an.nex] vt [ME, fr. MF annexer, fr. OF, fr. annexe joined,
          fr. L annexus, pp. of annectere to bind to, fr. ad- +
          nectere to bind] (14c) 1: to attach as a quality, consequence,
          or condition 2 archaic: to join together materially:
          unite 3: to add to something earlier, larger, or more
          important 4: to incorporate (a country or other territory)
          within the domain of a state 5: to obtain or take for
          oneself -- an.nex.ation n -- an.nex.ation.al adj --
          an.nex.ation.ist n [2]an.nex n (1501): something annexed
          as an expansion or supplement: as a: an added stipulation
          or statement: appendix b: a subsidiary or supplementary structure:
          wing

   annexe
          [an.nexe] chiefly Brit var of [2]annex

   Annie Oakley
          [An.nie Oak.ley] n, pl Annie Oakleys [Annie Oakley d. 1926
          Am. markswoman; fr. the resemblance of a punched pass
          to a playing card with bullet holes through the spots]
          (ca. 1910): a free ticket

   annihilate
          [an.ni.hi.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [LL annihilatus, pp.
          of annihilare to reduce to nothing, fr. L ad- + nihil
          nothing--more at nil] vt (1525) 1 a: to cause to be of
          no effect: nullify b: to destroy the substance or force
          of 2: to regard as of no consequence 3: to cause to cease
          to exist; esp: kill 4 a: to destroy a considerable part
          of <bombs annihilated the city> b: to vanquish completely:
          rout <annihilated the visitors 56-0> ~ vi, of a particle
          and its antiparticle: to vanish or cease to exist by
          coming together and changing into other forms of energy
          (as radiation or particles) -- an.ni.hi.la.tion n --
          an.ni.hi.la.tor n -- an.ni.hi.la.to.ry adj

   anniversary
          [an.ni.ver.sa.ry] n, pl -ries [ME anniversarie, fr.
          ML anniversarium, fr. L, neut. of anniversarius returning annually,
          fr. annus year + versus, pp. of vertere to turn--more at annual,
          worth] (13c) 1: the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable
          event 2: the celebration of an anniversary

   anno aetatis suae
          [an.no ae.ta.tis su.ae] [L] foreign term : in the (specified)
          year of his (or her) age

   anno Domini
          [an.no Do.mi.ni] adv, often cap A [ML, in the year of the
          Lord] (1530)--used to indicate that a time division falls
          within the Christian era

   anno hegirae
          [an.no he.gi.rae] adv, often cap A&H [NL, in the year of
          the Hegira] (ca. 1889)--used to indicate that a time
          division falls within the Islamic era

   anno mundi
          [an.no mun.di] [L] foreign term : in the year of the world--used
          in reckoning dates from the supposed period of the creation
          of the world, esp. as fixed by James Ussher at 4004 b.c.
          or by the Jews at 3761 b.c.

   annotate
          [an.no.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L annotatus, pp. of annotare,
          fr. ad- + notare to mark--more at note] vi (1733): to
          make or furnish critical or explanatory notes or comment
          ~ vt: to make or furnish annotations for (as a literary
          work or subject) -- an.no.ta.tive adj -- an.no.ta.tor
          n

   annotation
          [an.no.ta.tion] n (15c) 1: a note added by way of comment
          or explanation 2: the act of annotating

   announce
          [an.nounce] vb -nounced ; -nounc.ing [ME, fr. MF annoncer,
          fr. L annuntiare, fr. ad- + nuntiare to report, fr. nuntius
          messenger] vt (15c) 1: to make known publicly: proclaim
          <announced the appointment> 2 a: to give notice of the
          arrival, presence, or readiness of <~ dinner> b: to indicate
          beforehand: foretell 3: to serve as an announcer of ~
          vi 1: to serve as an announcer 2 a: to declare one's
          candidacy b: to declare oneself politically--used with
          for or against syn see declare

   announcement
          [an.nounce.ment] n (1798) 1: the act of announcing or of
          being announced 2: a public notification or declaration
          3: a piece of formal stationery designed for a social
          or business announcement

   announcer
          [an.nounc.er] n (ca. 1611): one that announces: as a: a person
          who introduces television or radio programs, makes commercial
          announcements, or gives station identification b: a person
          who describes and comments on the action in a broadcast
          sports event

   anno urbis conditae
          [an.no ur.bis con.di.tae] [L] foreign term : in the year
          of the founded city (Rome, founded 753 b.c.)

   annoy
          [an.noy] vb [ME anoien, fr. MF enuier, fr. LL inodiare to
          make loathsome, fr. L in + odium hatred--more at odium]
          vt (13c) 1: to disturb or irritate esp. by repeated acts
          2: to harass esp. by quick brief attacks ~ vi: to cause
          annoyance -- an.noy.er n syn annoy, vex, irk, bother
          mean to upset a person's composure. annoy implies a wearing
          on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness <their
          constant complaining annoys us>. vex implies greater
          provocation and stronger disturbance and usu. connotes
          anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety <vexed by her
          teenager's failure to pick up his room>. irk stresses
          difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or
          impatience of spirit <careless waste irks the boss>.
          bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of
          mind <don't bother me while I'm reading>. syn see in
          addition worry

   annoyance
          [an.noy.ance] n (14c) 1: the act of annoying or of being
          annoyed 2: the state or feeling of being annoyed: vexation
          3: a source of vexation or irritation: nuisance

   annoying
          [an.noy.ing] adj (14c): causing vexation: irritating
          -- an.noy.ing.ly adv

   [1]annual
          [an.nu.al] adj [ME, fr. MF & LL; MF annuel, fr. LL annualis,
          blend of L annuus yearly (fr. annus year) and L annalis
          yearly (fr. annus year); prob. akin to Goth athnam (dat.
          pl.) years, Skt atati he walks, goes] (14c) 1: covering
          the period of a year <~ rainfall> 2: occurring or happening
          every year or once a year: yearly <an ~ reunion> 3: completing
          the life cycle in one growing season -- an.nu.al.ly adv
          [2]annual n (14c) 1: an event that occurs yearly 2: a
          publication appearing yearly 3: something that lasts
          one year or season; specif: an annual plant

   annualize
          [an.nu.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1918): to calculate or
          adjust to reflect a rate based on a full year <quarterly
          returns yielding at an annualized rate of 7 percent>

   annual ring
          [annual ring] n (ca. 1879): the layer of wood produced by
          a single year's growth of a woody plant

   annuitant
          [an.nu.itant] n (1720): a beneficiary of an annuity

   annuit coeptis
          [an.nu.it coep.tis] [L] foreign term : He (God) has approved
          our beginnings--motto on the reverse of the Great Seal
          of the United States

   annuity
          [an.nu.ity] n, pl -ities [ME annuite, fr. MF annuite, fr.
          ML annuitat-, annuitas, fr. L annuus yearly] (15c) 1:
          a sum of money payable yearly or at other regular intervals
          2: the right to receive an annuity 3: a contract or agreement
          providing for the payment of an annuity

   annul
          [an.nul] vt an.nulled ; an.nul.ling [ME annullen, fr. MF
          annuller, fr. LL annullare, fr. L ad- + nullus not any--more
          at null] (15c) 1: to reduce to nothing: obliterate 2:
          to make ineffective or inoperative: neutralize <~ the
          drug's effect> 3: to declare or make legally invalid
          or void <wants the marriage annulled> syn see nullify

   annular
          [an.nu.lar] adj [MF or ML; MF annulaire, fr. ML anularis,
          fr. L anulus] (1571): of, relating to, or forming a ring
          <an ~ skin lesion>

   annular eclipse
          [annular eclipse] n (1771): an eclipse in which a thin outer
          ring of the sun's disk is not covered by the apparently
          smaller dark disk of the moon

   annulate
          [an.nu.late] adj (ca. 1823): furnished with or composed of
          rings: ringed

   annulation
          [an.nu.la.tion] n (1829): a ringlike anatomical structure

   annulet
          [an.nu.let] n [modif. of MF annelet, dim. of anel, fr. L
          anellus, dim. of anulus] (1598) 1: a little ring 2: a
          small architectural molding or ridge forming a ring

   annulment
          [an.nul.ment] n (15c) 1: the act of annulling: the state
          of being annulled 2: a judicial pronouncement declaring
          a marriage invalid

   annulus
          [an.nu.lus] n, pl -li also -lus.es [ML, fr. L anulus finger
          ring, fr. anus ring--more at anus] (1563) 1: ring 2:
          a part, structure, or marking resembling a ring: as a:
          a line of cells around a fern sporangium that ruptures
          the sporangium by contracting b: a growth ring (as on
          the scale of a fish) that is used in estimating age

   annunciate
          [an.nun.ci.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1536): announce

   annunciation
          [an.nun.ci.a.tion] n [ME annunciacioun, fr. MF anunciation,
          fr. LL annuntiation-, annuntiatio, fr. L annuntiare--more
          at announce] (14c) 1 cap: March 25 observed as a church
          festival in commemoration of the announcement of the
          Incarnation to the Virgin Mary 2: the act of announcing
          or of being announced: announcement

   annunciator
          [an.nun.ci.a.tor] n (ca. 1753): one that annunciates; specif:
          a usu. electrically controlled signal board or indicator
          -- an.nun.ci.a.to.ry adj

   annus mirabilis
          [an.nus mi.ra.bi.lis] n, pl an.ni mi.ra.bi.les [NL, lit.,
          wonderful year] (1660): a remarkable or notable year

   anode
          [an.ode] n [Gk anodos way up, fr. ana- + hodos way] (1834)
          1: the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which
          oxidation occurs: as a: the positive terminal of an electrolytic
          cell b: the negative terminal of a galvanic cell 2: the
          electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube--compare
          cathode -- an.od.ic also an.od.al adj -- an.od.i.cal.ly
          also an.od.al.ly adv

   anodize
          [an.od.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1931): to subject (a metal)
          to electrolytic action as the anode of a cell in order
          to coat with a protective or decorative film -- an.od.iza.tion
          n

   [1]anodyne
          [an.o.dyne] adj [L anodynos, fr. Gk anodynos, fr. a- + odyne
          pain; prob. akin to OE etan to eat] (1543) 1: serving
          to assuage pain 2: not likely to offend or arouse tensions:
          innocuous [2]anodyne n (ca. 1550) 1: something that soothes,
          calms, or comforts <the ~ of bridge, a comfortable book,
          or sport --Harrison Smith> 2: a drug that allays pain

   anoint
          [anoint] vt [ME, fr. MF enoint, pp. of enoindre, fr. L inunguere,
          fr. in- + unguere to smear--more at ointment] (14c) 1:
          to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance 2 a: to
          apply oil to as a sacred rite esp. for consecration b:
          to choose by or as if by divine election; also: to designate
          as if by a ritual anointment -- anoint.er n -- anoint.ment
          n

   anointing of the sick
          [anointing of the sick] (ca. 1884): extreme unction

   anole
          [ano.le] n [prob. fr. F anolis, fr. Arawak of the Lesser
          Antilles] (ca. 1753): any of a genus (Anolis of the family
          Iguanidae) of arboreal American lizards (as the American
          chameleon) that have a brightly colored dewlap and the
          ability to change color

   anomalous
          [anom.a.lous] adj [LL anomalus, fr. Gk anomalos, lit., uneven,
          fr. a- + homalos even, fr. homos same--more at same]
          (1655) 1: inconsistent with or deviating from what is
          usual, normal, or expected: irregular, unusual 2 a: of
          uncertain nature or classification b: marked by incongruity
          or contradiction: paradoxical syn see irregular -- anom.a.lous.ly
          adv -- anom.a.lous.ness n

   anomaly
          [anom.a.ly] n, pl -lies (1603) 1: the angular distance of
          a planet from its perihelion as seen from the sun 2:
          deviation from the common rule: irregularity 3: something
          different, abnormal, peculiar, or not easily classified

   anomie
          [an.o.mie] also an.o.my n [F anomie, fr. MF, fr. Gk anomia
          lawlessness, fr. anomos lawless, fr. a- + nomos law,
          fr. nemein to distribute--more at nimble] (1933): social
          instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and
          values; also: personal unrest, alienation, and uncertainty
          that comes from a lack of purpose or ideals -- ano.mic
          adj

   anon
          [anon] abbreviation anonymous, anonymously

   anon
          [anon] adv [ME, fr. OE on an, fr. on in + an one--more at
          on, one] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: at once: immediately 2:
          soon, presently 3: after a while: later

   anonym
          [an.o.nym] n (1812) 1: one who is anonymous 2: pseudonym

   anonymity
          [an.o.nym.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1820) 1: the quality or state
          of being anonymous 2: one that is anonymous

   anonymous
          [anon.y.mous] adj [LL anonymus, fr. Gk anonymos, fr. a- +
          onyma name--more at name] (1631) 1: not named or identified
          <an ~ author> <they wish to remain ~> 2: of unknown authorship
          or origin <an ~ tip> 3: lacking individuality, distinction,
          or recognizability <the ~ faces in the crowd> <the gray
          ~ streets --William Styron> -- anon.y.mous.ly adv --
          anon.y.mous.ness n

   anopheles
          [anoph.e.les] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk anopheles useless,
          fr. a- + ophelos advantage, help; akin to Gk ophellein
          to increase, Arm aweli more] (1899): any of a genus (Anopheles)
          of mosquitoes that includes all mosquitoes which transmit
          malaria to humans -- anoph.e.line adj or n

   anorak
          [an.o.rak] n [Dan, fr. Inuit (Greenland) annoraaq] (1922):
          a usu. pullover hooded jacket long enough to cover the
          hips

   [1]anorectic
          [an.o.rec.tic] also an.o.ret.ic adj [Gk anorektos, fr. a-
          + oregein to reach after--more at right] (ca. 1894) 1
          a: lacking appetite b: anorexic 2 2: causing loss of
          appetite [2]anorectic also anoretic n (ca. 1957) 1: an
          anorectic agent 2: anorexic

   anorexia
          [an.orex.ia] n [NL, fr. Gk, fr. a- + orexis appetite, fr.
          oregein] (1598) 1: loss of appetite esp. when prolonged
          2: anorexia nervosa

   anorexia nervosa
          [anorexia ner.vo.sa] n [NL, nervous anorexia] (1873): a serious
          disorder in eating behavior primarily of young women
          in their teens and early twenties that is characterized
          esp. by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to
          faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usu. excessive
          weight loss

   [1]anorexic
          [an.orex.ic] adj (ca. 1907) 1: anorectic 2: affected with
          or as if with anorexia nervosa [2]anorexic n (1912):
          a person affected with anorexia nervosa

   anorexigenic
          [an.orex.i.gen.ic] adj (1948): anorectic 2

   anorthite
          [an.or.thite] n [F, fr. a- + Gk orthos straight] (1833):
          a white, grayish, or reddish feldspar occurring in many
          igneous rocks -- an.or.thit.ic adj

   anorthosite
          [an.or.tho.site] n [F anorthose, a feldspar, fr. a- + Gk
          orthos--more at orth-] (1863): a granular plutonic igneous
          rock composed almost exclusively of a soda-lime feldspar
          (as labradorite) -- an.or.tho.si.tic adj

   anosmia
          [an.os.mia] n [NL, fr. a- + Gk osme smell--more at odor]
          (ca. 1811): loss or impairment of the sense of smell
          -- an.os.mic adj

   [1]another
          [an.oth.er] adj (12c) 1: different or distinct from the one
          first considered <the same scene viewed from ~ angle>
          2: some other <do it ~ time> 3: being one more in addition
          to one or more of the same kind <have ~ piece of pie>
          [2]another pron (13c) 1: an additional one of the same
          kind: one more 2: one that is different from the first
          or present one 3: one of a group of unspecified or indefinite
          things <in one way or ~>

   another-guess
          [anoth.er-guess] adj [alter. of anothergates, fr. [1]another
          + gate] (1644) archaic: of another sort

   ANOVA
          [ANOVA] abbreviation analysis of variance

   anovulatory
          [an.ovu.la.to.ry] adj (1934) 1: not involving or accompanied
          by ovulation <~ bleeding> 2: suppressing ovulation

   anoxemia
          [an.ox.emia] n [NL] (ca. 1881): a condition of subnormal
          oxygenation of the arterial blood -- an.ox.emic adj

   anoxia
          [an.ox.ia] n [NL] (1931): hypoxia esp. of such severity as
          to result in permanent damage

   anoxic
          [an.ox.ic] adj (1920) 1: of, relating to, or affected with
          anoxia 2: greatly deficient in oxygen: oxygenless <~
          water>

   ans
          [ans] abbreviation answer

   anserine
          [an.ser.ine] adj [L anserinus, fr. anser goose--more at goose]
          (ca. 1828): of, relating to, or resembling a goose

   ANSI
          [ANSI] abbreviation American National Standards Institute

   [1]answer
          [an.swer] n [ME, fr. OE andswaru (akin to ON andsvar answer);
          akin to OE and- against, swerian to swear--more at ante-]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: something spoken or written in reply
          to a question b: a correct response 2: a reply to a legal
          charge or suit: plea; also: defense 3: something done
          in response or reaction <his only ~ was to walk out>
          4: a solution of a problem 5: one that imitates, matches,
          or corresponds to another <television's ~ to the news
          magazines> [2]answer vb an.swered ; an.swer.ing vi (bef.
          12c) 1: to speak or write in reply 2 a: to be or make
          oneself responsible or accountable b: to make amends:
          atone 3: to be in conformity or correspondence <~ed to
          the description> 4: to act in response to an action performed
          elsewhere or by another 5: to be adequate: serve ~ vt
          1 a: to speak or write in reply to b: to say or write
          by way of reply 2: to reply in rebuttal, justification,
          or explanation 3 a: to correspond to <~s the description>
          b: to be adequate or usable for: fulfill 4 obs: to atone
          for 5: to act in response to <~ed the call to arms> 6:
          to offer a solution for; esp: solve -- an.swer.er n syn
          answer, respond, reply, rejoin, retort mean to say, write,
          or do something in return. answer implies the satisfying
          of a question, demand, call, or need <answered all the
          questions>. respond may suggest an immediate or quick
          reaction <responded eagerly to a call for volunteers>.
          reply implies making a return commensurate with the original
          question or demand <an invitation that requires you to
          reply>. rejoin often implies sharpness or quickness in
          answering <"who asked you?" she rejoined>. retort suggests
          responding to an explicit charge or criticism by way
          of retaliation <he retorted to the attack with biting
          sarcasm>.

   answerable
          [an.swer.able] adj (1536) 1 archaic: suitable, adequate 2:
          liable to be called to account: responsible 3 archaic:
          corresponding, similar 4: capable of being refuted syn
          see responsible

   answering machine
          [answering machine] n (1961): a machine that receives telephone
          calls by playing a recorded message and usu. by recording
          messages from callers

   answering service
          [answering service] n (1941): a commercial service that answers
          telephone calls for its clients

   [1]-ant
          [-ant] n suffix [ME, fr. OF, fr. -ant, prp. suffix, fr. L
          -ant-, -ans, prp. suffix of first conjugation, fr. -a-
          (stem vowel of first conjugation) + -nt-, -ns, prp. suffix;
          akin to OE -nde, prp. suffix, Gk -nt-, -n, part. suffix]
          1 a: one that performs (a specified action): personal
          or impersonal agent <claimant> <coolant> b: thing that
          promotes (a specified action or process) <expectorant>
          2: one connected with <annuitant> 3: thing acted upon
          (in a specified manner) <inhalant> [2]-ant adj suffix
          1: performing (a specified action) or being (in a specified
          condition) <somnambulant> 2: promoting (a specified action
          or process) <expectorant>

   ant
          [ant] n [ME ante, emete, fr. OE aemette; akin to OHG ameiza
          ant] (bef. 12c): any of a family (Formicidae) of colonial
          hymenopterous insects with a complex social organization
          and various castes performing special duties -- ants
          in one's pants : impatience for action or activity: restlessness

   ant
          [ant] abbreviation antenna, antonym  Ant abbreviation Antarctica,
          Antrim

   ant-
          [ant-] --see anti-

   anta
          [an.ta] n, pl antas or an.tae [L; akin to ON ond anteroom]
          (1598): a pier produced by thickening a wall at its termination

   antacid
          [ant.ac.id] n (1732): an agent that counteracts or neutralizes
          acidity -- antacid adj

   Antaean
          [An.tae.an] adj [Antaeus, a giant overcome by Hercules] (1921)
          1: mammoth 2: having superhuman strength

   antagonism
          [an.tag.o.nism] n (ca. 1828) 1 a: opposition of a conflicting
          force, tendency, or principle <the ~ of democracy to
          dictatorship> b: actively expressed opposition or hostility
          <~ between factions> 2: opposition in physiological action;
          esp: interaction of two or more substances such that
          the action of any one of them on living cells or tissues
          is lessened syn see enmity

   antagonist
          [an.tag.o.nist] n (1594) 1: one that contends with or opposes
          another: adversary, opponent 2: an agent of physiological
          antagonism: as a: a muscle that contracts with and limits
          the action of an agonist with which it is paired--called
          also antagonistic muscle b: a chemical that acts within
          the body to reduce the physiological activity of another
          chemical substance (as an opiate); esp: one that opposes
          the action on the nervous system of a drug or a substance
          occurring naturally in the body by combining with and
          blocking its nervous receptor--compare agonist 2b

   antagonistic
          [an.tag.o.nis.tic] adj (1632): marked by or resulting from
          antagonism -- an.tag.o.nis.ti.cal.ly adv

   antagonize
          [an.tag.o.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing [Gk antagonizesthai,
          fr. anti- + agonizesthai to struggle, fr. agon contest--more
          at agony] (ca. 1742) 1: to act in opposition to: counteract
          2: to incur or provoke the hostility of

   antarctic
          [ant.arc.tic] adj, often cap [ME antartik, fr. L antarcticus,
          fr. Gk antarktikos, fr. anti- + arktikos arctic] (14c):
          of or relating to the south pole or to the region near
          it

   antarctic circle
          [antarctic circle] n, often cap A&C (1556): the parallel
          of latitude that is approximately 66 1/2 degrees south
          of the equator and that circumscribes the southern frigid
          zone

   Antares
          [An.tar.es] n [Gk Antares]: a giant red star of very low
          density that is the brightest star in Scorpio

   antbear
          [ant.bear] n (ca. 1889): aardvark

   ant cow
          [ant cow] n (1875): an aphid from which ants obtain honeydew

   [1]ante
          [an.te] n [ante-] (1838) 1: a poker stake usu. put up before
          the deal to build the pot <the dealer called for a dollar
          ~> 2: cost, price <these improvements would raise the
          ~> [2]ante vb an.ted ; an.te.ing vt (1845): to put up
          (an ante); also: pay, produce--often used with up ~ vi:
          pay up--often used with up

   ante-
          [ante-] prefix [ME, fr. L, fr. ante before, in front of;
          akin to OE and- against, Gk anti before, against--more
          at end] 1 a: prior: earlier <antedate> b: anterior: forward
          <anteroom> 2 a: prior to: earlier than <antediluvian>
          b: in front of <antechoir>

   anteater
          [ant.eat.er] n (1764): any of several mammals that feed largely
          or entirely on ants or termites: as a: any of a family
          (Myrmecophagidae) of New World edentates with a long
          narrow snout, a long tongue, and large salivary glands
          that includes the giant anteater and tamandua b: pangolin
          c: echidna d: aardvark

   antebellum
          [an.te.bel.lum] adj [L ante bellum before the war] (ca. 1847):
          existing before a war; esp: existing before the Civil
          War

   antecede
          [an.te.cede] vt -ced.ed ; -ced.ing [L antecedere] (1624):
          precede

   antecedence
          [an.te.ced.ence] n (1651): priority, precedence

   [1]antecedent
          [an.te.ced.ent] n [ME, fr. ML & L; ML antecedent-, antecedens,
          fr. L, what precedes, fr. neut. of antecedent-, antecedens,
          prp. of antecedere to go before, fr. ante- + cedere to
          go] (14c) 1: a substantive word, phrase, or clause whose
          denotation is referred to by a pronoun (as John in "Mary
          saw John and called to him"); broadly: a word or phrase
          replaced by a substitute 2: the conditional element in
          a proposition (as if A in "if A, then B") 3: the first
          term of a mathematical ratio 4 a: a preceding event,
          condition, or cause b pl: the significant events, conditions,
          and traits of one's earlier life 5 a: predecessor; esp:
          a model or stimulus for later developments b pl: ancestors,
          parents [2]antecedent adj (14c): prior syn see preceding
          -- an.te.ced.ent.ly adv

   antecessor
          [an.te.ces.sor] n [ME antecessour, fr. L antecessor--more
          at ancestor] (14c): one that goes before: predecessor

   antechamber
          [an.te.cham.ber] n [F antichambre, fr. MF, fr. It anti- (fr.
          L ante-) + MF chambre room] (ca. 1656): anteroom

   antechapel
          [an.te.chap.el] n (1703): a vestibule or anteroom to a chapel
          or church

   antechoir
          [an.te.choir] n (ca. 1889): a space enclosed or reserved
          for the clergy and choristers at the entrance to a choir

   [1]antedate
          [an.te.date] n (15c): a date assigned to an event or document
          earlier than the actual date of the event or document
          [2]an.te.date vt (1572) 1 a: to date as of a time prior
          to that of execution b: to assign to a date prior to
          that of actual occurrence 2 archaic: anticipate 3: to
          precede in time

   antediluvian
          [an.te.di.lu.vi.an] adj [ante- + L diluvium flood--more at
          deluge] (1646) 1: of or relating to the period before
          the flood described in the Bible 2: made, evolved, or
          developed a long time ago <an ~ automobile> -- antediluvian
          n

   antefix
          [an.te.fix] n, pl -fix.ae or -fix.es [L antefixum, fr. neut.
          of antefixus, pp. of antefigere to fasten before, fr.
          ante- + figere to fasten--more at fix] (1832): an ornament
          at the eaves of a classical building concealing the ends
          of the joint tiles of the roof

   antelope
          [an.te.lope] n, pl -lope or -lopes [ME, fabulous heraldic
          beast, prob. fr. MF antelop savage animal with sawlike
          horns, fr. ML anthalopus, fr. LGk antholop-, antholops]
          (15c) 1 a: any of various ruminant mammals (family Bovidae)
          chiefly of Africa and southwest Asia that differ from
          the true oxen esp. in lighter racier build and horns
          directed upward and backward b: pronghorn 2: leather
          from antelope hide

   ante meridiem
          [an.te me.ri.di.em] adj [L] (1563): being before noon--abbr.
          a.m.

   antemortem
          [an.te.mor.tem] adj [L ante mortem] (1883): preceding death

   antenatal
          [an.te.na.tal] adj (1817): prenatal <~ diagnosis of birth
          defects> -- an.te.na.tal.ly adv

   antenna
          [an.ten.na] n, pl -nae or -nas [ML, fr. L, sail yard] (1646)
          1 pl -nae : one of a pair of slender movable segmented
          sensory organs on the head of insects, myriapods, and
          crustaceans--see insect illustration 2: a usu. metallic
          device (as a rod or wire) for radiating or receiving
          radio waves 3 antennae pl: a special sensitivity or receptiveness
          <his political antennae proved to be shrewder than ever
          --Erich Segal> -- an.ten.nal adj

   antennule
          [an.ten.nule] n (1845): a small antenna or similar appendage
          -- an.ten.nu.lar adj

   antenuptial
          [an.te.nup.tial] adj (1818): prenuptial

   antependium
          [an.te.pen.di.um] n, pl -di.ums or -dia [ML, fr. L ante-
          + pendere to hang--more at pendant] (ca. 1696): a hanging
          for the front of an altar, pulpit, or lectern

   antepenult
          [an.te.pe.nult] also an.te.pen.ul.ti.ma n [LL antepaenultima,
          fem. of antepaenultimus preceding the next to last, fr.
          L ante- + paenultimus penultimate] (1581): the third
          syllable of a word counting from the end (as cu in accumulate)
          -- an.te.pen.ul.ti.mate adj or n

   ante-post
          [an.te-post] adj (1902) Brit: relating to or being wagers
          on a horse race made esp. before the day of the race

   anterior
          [an.te.ri.or] adj [L, compar. of ante before--more at ante-]
          (1541) 1 a: situated before or toward the front b: situated
          near or toward the head or part most nearly corresponding
          to a head 2: coming before in time or development syn
          see preceding -- an.te.ri.or.ly adv

   anteroom
          [an.te.room] n (1762): an outer room that leads to another
          room and that is often used as a waiting room

   anth-
          [anth-] --see anti-

   anthelmintic
          [an.thel.min.tic] adj [anti- + Gk helminth-, helmis worm]
          (1684): expelling or destroying parasitic worms esp.
          of the intestine -- anthelmintic n

   anthem
          [an.them] n [ME antem, fr. OE antefn, fr. LL antiphona, fr.
          LGk antiphona, pl. of antiphonon, fr. Gk, neut. of antiphonos
          responsive, fr. anti- + phone sound--more at ban] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively
          b: a sacred vocal composition with words usu. from the
          Scriptures 2: a song or hymn of praise or gladness

   anthemion
          [an.the.mi.on] n, pl -mia [Gk, fr. dim. of anthemon flower,
          fr. anthos--more at anthology] (1865): a flat ornament
          of floral form (as in relief sculpture or in painting)

   anther
          [an.ther] n [NL anthera, fr. L, medicine made fr. flowers,
          fr. Gk anthera, fr. fem. of antheros flowery, fr. anthos]
          (ca. 1706): the part of a stamen that produces and contains
          pollen and is usu. borne on a stalk--see flower illustration
          -- an.ther.al adj

   antheridium
          [an.ther.id.i.um] n, pl -id.ia [NL, fr. anthera] (1854):
          the male reproductive organ of some cryptogamous plants
          -- an.ther.id.i.al adj

   anthesis
          [an.the.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk anthesis bloom, fr. anthein to
          flower, fr. anthos] (ca. 1823): the action or period
          of opening of a flower

   anthill
          [ant.hill] n (14c): a mound of debris thrown up by ants or
          termites in digging their nest

   anthocyanin
          [an.tho.cy.a.nin] also an.tho.cy.an n [Gk anthos + kyanos
          dark blue] (1839): any of various soluble glycoside pigments
          producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants

   anthologist
          [an.thol.o.gist] n (1805): a compiler of an anthology

   anthologize
          [an.thol.o.gize] vt -gized ; -giz.ing (1892): to compile,
          publish, or include in an anthology -- an.thol.o.giz.er
          n

   anthology
          [an.thol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [NL anthologia collection of epigrams,
          fr. MGk, fr. Gk, flower gathering, fr. anthos flower
          + logia collecting, fr. legein to gather; akin to Skt
          andha herb--more at legend] (1640) 1: a collection of
          selected literary pieces or passages or works of art
          or music 2: assortment <an ~ of threadbare cliches of
          ... bistro cuisine --Jay Jacobs> -- an.tho.log.i.cal
          adj

   anthophilous
          [an.thoph.i.lous] adj [ISV, fr. Gk anthos + E -philous] (1883):
          feeding upon or living among flowers <~ insects>

   anthophyllite
          [an.tho.phyl.lite] n [G Anthophyllit, fr. NL anthophyllum,
          fr. Gk anthos + phyllon leaf--more at blade] (ca. 1828):
          an orthorhombic mineral of the amphibole group that is
          essentially a silicate of magnesium and iron and is usu.
          lamellar or fibrous and when fibrous is one of the less
          common forms of asbestos

   anthozoan
          [an.tho.zo.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk anthos + zoion animal; akin
          to Gk zoe life--more at quick] (ca. 1889): any of a class
          (Anthozoa) of marine coelenterates (as the corals and
          sea anemones) having polyps with radial partitions --
          anthozoan adj

   anthracene
          [an.thra.cene] n (1863): a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon
          obtained from coal-tar distillation

   anthracite
          [an.thra.cite] n [Gk anthrakitis, fr. anthrak-, anthrax coal]
          (1812): a hard natural coal of high luster differing
          from bituminous coal in containing little volatile matter
          and in burning very cleanly--called also hard coal --
          an.thra.cit.ic adj

   anthracnose
          [an.thrac.nose] n [F, fr. Gk anthrak-, anthrax + nosos disease]
          (1886): any of numerous destructive plant diseases caused
          by imperfect fungi and characterized esp. by necrotic
          lesions

   anthranilate
          [an.thra.ni.late] n (1921): a salt or ester of anthranilic
          acid

   anthranilic acid
          [an.thra.nil.ic acid] n [ISV anthracene + aniline] (1881):
          a crystalline acid used as an intermediate in the manufacture
          of dyes (as indigo), pharmaceuticals, and perfumes

   anthraquinone
          [an.thra.qui.none] n [prob. fr. F, fr. anthracene + quinone]
          (1869): a yellow crystalline ketone often derived from
          anthracene and used esp. in the manufacture of dyes

   anthrax
          [an.thrax] n [ME antrax carbuncle, fr. L anthrax, fr. Gk,
          coal, carbuncle] (1876): an infectious disease of warm-blooded
          animals (as cattle and sheep) caused by a spore-forming
          bacterium (Bacillus anthracis), transmissible to humans
          esp. by the handling of infected products (as wool),
          and characterized by external ulcerating nodules or by
          lesions in the lungs

   anthrop-
          [anthrop-] or anthropo- comb form [L anthropo-, fr. Gk anthrop-,
          anthropo-, fr. anthropos]: human being <anthropogenic>

   anthrop
          [anthrop] abbreviation anthropological, anthropology

   anthropic
          [an.throp.ic] or an.throp.i.cal adj [Gk anthropikos, fr.
          anthropos] (ca. 1806): of or relating to human beings
          or the period of their existence on earth

   anthropic principle
          [anthropic principle] n (1974): either of two principles
          in cosmology: a: conditions that are observed in the
          universe must allow the observer to exist--called also
          weak anthropic principle b: the universe must have properties
          that make inevitable the existence of intelligent life--called
          also strong anthropic principle

   anthropocentric
          [an.thro.po.cen.tric] adj (1863) 1: considering human beings
          as the most significant entity of the universe 2: interpreting
          or regarding the world in terms of human values and experiences
          -- an.thro.po.cen.tri.cal.ly adv -- an.thro.po.cen.tric.i.ty
          n -- an.thro.po.cen.trism n

   anthropogenic
          [an.thro.po.gen.ic] adj (1923): of, relating to, or resulting
          from the influence of human beings on nature <~ pollutants>

   anthropoid
          [an.thro.poid] n [Gk anthropoeides resembling a human, fr.
          anthropos] (1832) 1: ape 1b 2: a person resembling an
          ape <the howling ~s of the Hookworm Belt --H. L. Mencken>
          -- anthropoid adj

   anthropoid ape
          [anthropoid ape] n (ca. 1837): ape 1b

   anthropology
          [an.thro.pol.o.gy] n [NL anthropologia, fr. anthrop- + -logia
          -logy] (1593) 1: the science of human beings; esp: the
          study of human beings in relation to distribution, origin,
          classification, and relationship of races, physical character,
          environmental and social relations, and culture 2: theology
          dealing with the origin, nature, and destiny of human
          beings -- an.thro.po.log.i.cal adj -- an.thro.po.log.i.cal.ly
          adv -- an.thro.pol.o.gist n

   anthropometry
          [an.thro.pom.e.try] n [F anthropometrie, fr. anthrop- + -metrie
          -metry] (ca. 1839): the study of human body measurements
          esp. on a comparative basis -- an.thro.po.met.ric adj

   anthropomorph
          [an.thro.po.morph] n (1894): a stylized human figure (as
          in prehistoric art)

   anthropomorphic
          [an.thro.po.mor.phic] adj [LL anthropomorphus of human form,
          fr. Gk anthropomorphos, fr. anthrop- + -morphos -morphous]
          (1827) 1: described or thought of as having a human form
          or human attributes <~ deities> 2: ascribing human characteristics
          to nonhuman things <~ supernaturalism> -- an.thro.po.mor.phi.cal.ly
          adv

   anthropomorphism
          [an.thro.po.mor.phism] n (1753): an interpretation of what
          is not human or personal in terms of human or personal
          characteristics: humanization -- an.thro.po.mor.phist n

   anthropomorphize
          [an.thro.po.mor.phize] vb -phized ; -phiz.ing vt (1845):
          to attribute human form or personality to ~ vi: to attribute
          human form or personality to things not human --
          an.thro.po.mor.phi.za.tion n

   anthropopathism
          [an.thro.po.pa.thism] n [LGk anthropopatheia humanity, fr.
          Gk anthropopathes having human feelings, fr. anthrop-
          + pathos experience--more at pathos] (1847): the ascription
          of human feelings to something not human

   anthropophagous
          [an.thro.poph.a.gous] adj (ca. 1828): feeding on human flesh
          -- an.thro.poph.a.gy n

   anthropophagus
          [an.thro.poph.a.gus] n, pl -a.gi [L, fr. Gk anthropophagos,
          fr. anthrop- + -phagos -phagous] (1552): man-eater, cannibal

   anthroposophy
          [an.thro.pos.o.phy] n (1916): a 20th century religious system
          growing out of theosophy and centering on human development

   anthurium
          [an.thur.ium] n [NL, fr. Gk anthos flower + oura tail--more
          at anthology, ass] (ca. 1839): any of a genus (Anthurium)
          of tropical American plants of the arum family with large
          often highly colored leaves, a cylindrical spadix, and
          a colored spathe

   [1]anti
          [an.ti] n, pl antis [anti-] (1788): one that is opposed [2]anti
          adj (1857): opposed [3]anti prep (1953): opposed to:
          against

   anti-
          [anti-] or ant- or anth- prefix [anti- fr. ME, fr. MF & L;
          MF, fr. L, against, fr. Gk, fr. anti; ant- fr. ME, fr.
          L, against, fr. Gk, fr. anti; anth- fr. L, against, fr.
          Gk, fr. anti--more at ante-] 1 a: of the same kind but
          situated opposite, exerting energy in the opposite direction,
          or pursuing an opposite policy <anticlinal> b: one that
          is opposite in kind to <anticlimax> 2 a: opposing or
          hostile to in opinion, sympathy, or practice <anti-Semite>
          b: opposing in effect or activity <antacid> 3: serving
          to prevent, cure, or alleviate <antianxiety> 4: combating
          or defending against <antiaircraft> <antimissile>an.ti.ac.a.dem.ic
          an.ti-ac.ne an.ti.ad.min.is.tra.tion an.ti.ag.gres.sion
          an.ti.ag.ing an.ti-AIDS an.ti.al.co.hol an.ti.al.co.hol.ism
          an.ti.alien an.ti.al.ler.gen.ic an.ti.ane.mia an.ti.apart.heid
          an.ti.aph.ro.di.si.ac an.ti.aris.to.crat.ic an.ti.ar.thrit.ic
          an.ti.ar.thri.tis an.ti.as.sim.i.la.tion an.ti.asth.ma
          an.ti.au.thor.i.tar.i.an an.ti.au.thor.i.tar.i.an.ism
          an.ti.au.thor.i.ty an.ti.back.lash an.ti.bi.as an.ti.bill.board
          an.ti-Bol.she.vik an.ti.boss an.ti.bour.geois an.ti.boy.cott
          an.ti-Brit.ish an.ti.bug an.ti.bu.reau.crat.ic an.ti.bur.glar
          an.ti.bur.glary an.ti.cak.ing an.ti.cap.i.tal.ism
          an.ti.cap.i.tal.ist an.ti.car.cin.o.gen an.ti.car.ci.no.gen.ic
          an.ti.car.ies an.ti-Cath.o.lic an.ti-Ca.thol.i.cism
          an.ti.cel.lu.lite an.ti.cen.sor.ship an.ti.cho.les.ter.ol
          an.ti-Chris.tian an.ti-Chris.tian.i.ty an.ti.church
          an.ti.cig.a.rette an.ti.city an.ti.clas.si.cal an.ti.cling
          an.ti.clot.ting an.ti.cold an.ti.col.li.sion an.ti.co.lo.nial
          an.ti.co.lo.nial.ism an.ti.co.lo.nial.ist an.ti.com.mer.cial
          an.ti.com.mer.cial.ism an.ti.com.mu.nism an.ti.com.mu.nist
          an.ti.con.glom.er.ate an.ti.con.ser.va.tion
          an.ti.con.ser.va.tion.ist an.ti.con.sum.er an.ti.con.ven.tion.al
          an.ti.cor.po.rate an.ti.cor.ro.sion an.ti.cor.ro.sive
          an.ti.cor.rup.tion an.ti.coun.ter.feit.ing an.ti.crack
          an.ti.cre.ative an.ti.crime an.ti.cru.el.ty an.ti.cult
          an.ti.cul.tur.al an.ti.dan.druff an.ti-Dar.win.i.an
          an.ti-Dar.win.ism an.ti.def.a.ma.tion an.ti.de.pres.sion
          an.ti.de.seg.re.ga.tion an.ti.de.sert.i.fi.ca.tion
          an.ti.des.ic.cant an.ti.de.vel.op.ment an.ti.di.a.bet.ic
          an.ti.di.ar.rhe.al an.ti.di.lu.tion an.ti.dis.crim.i.na.tion
          an.ti.dog.mat.ic an.ti.draft an.ti.eco.nom.ic an.ti.ed.u.ca.tion.al
          an.ti.egal.i.tar.i.an an.ti.elite an.ti.elit.ism an.ti.elit.ist
          an.ti.emet.ic an.ti-En.glish an.ti.en.tro.pic an.ti.ep.i.lep.sy
          an.ti.ep.i.lep.tic an.ti.erot.ic an.ti.es.tab.lish.ment
          an.ti.es.tro.gen an.ti.evo.lu.tion an.ti.evo.lu.tion.ary
          an.ti.evo.lu.tion.ism an.ti.evo.lu.tion.ist an.ti.fam.i.ly
          an.ti.fas.cism an.ti.fas.cist an.ti.fash.ion an.ti.fash.ion.able
          an.ti.fa.tigue an.ti.fe.male an.ti.fem.i.nine an.ti.fem.i.nism
          an.ti.fem.i.nist an.ti.fil.i.bus.ter an.ti.flu an.ti.foam
          an.ti.foam.ing an.ti.fog.ging an.ti.fore.clo.sure an.ti.for.eign
          an.ti.for.eign.er an.ti.for.mal.ist an.ti.fraud an.ti-French
          an.ti.fric.tion an.ti.fur an.ti.gam.bling an.ti.gay an.ti-Ger.man
          an.ti.glare an.ti.gov.ern.ment an.ti.growth an.ti.guer.ril.la
          an.ti.gun an.ti.her.pes an.ti.hi.er.ar.chi.cal an.ti.hi.jack
          an.ti.his.tor.i.cal an.ti.ho.mo.sex.u.al an.ti.hu.man.ism
          an.ti.hu.man.is.tic an.ti.hu.man.i.tar.i.an an.ti.hunt.er
          an.ti.hunt.ing an.ti.hys.ter.ic an.ti-ic.ing an.ti-ideo.log.i.cal
          an.ti-im.pe.ri.al.ism an.ti-im.pe.ri.al.ist an.ti-in.cum.bent
          an.ti-in.fec.tive an.ti-in.fla.tion an.ti-in.fla.tion.ary
          an.ti-in.sti.tu.tion.al an.ti-in.te.gra.tion an.ti-in.tru.sion
          an.ti-Ital.ian an.ti.jam an.ti.jam.ming an.ti-Jap.a.nese
          an.ti-Jew.ish an.ti.kick.back an.ti.knock an.ti.la.bor an.ti.leak
          an.ti.lep.ro.sy an.ti.lib.er.al an.ti.lib.er.al.ism
          an.ti.lib.er.tar.i.an an.ti.lit.er.ate an.ti.lit.ter
          an.ti.lit.ter.ing an.ti.log.i.cal an.ti.lynch.ing an.ti.ma.cho
          an.ti.ma.lar.ia an.ti.male an.ti.man an.ti.man.age.ment
          an.ti.mar.i.jua.na an.ti.mar.ket an.ti.ma.te.ri.al.ism
          an.ti.ma.te.ri.al.ist an.ti.mech.a.nist an.ti.merg.er
          an.ti.met.a.bol.ic an.ti.meta.phys.i.cal an.ti.mil.i.ta.rism
          an.ti.mil.i.ta.rist an.ti.mil.i.tary an.ti.mis.ce.ge.na.tion
          an.ti.mis.sile an.ti.mod.ern an.ti.mod.ern.ist an.ti.mo.nar.chi.cal
          an.ti.mon.ar.chist an.ti.mo.nop.o.list an.ti.mo.nop.o.ly
          an.ti.mos.qui.to an.ti.mu.si.cal an.ti.nar.ra.tive an.ti.na.tion.al
          an.ti.na.tion.al.ist an.ti.nat.u.ral an.ti.na.ture an.ti.nau.sea
          an.ti-Na.zi an.ti-Ne.gro an.ti.nep.o.tism an.ti.noise
          an.ti.obe.si.ty an.ti.ob.scen.i.ty an.ti.or.ga.ni.za.tion
          an.ti.pa.pal an.ti.par.ty an.ti.pes.ti.cide an.ti.pi.ra.cy
          an.ti.plague an.ti.plaque an.ti.plea.sure an.ti.poach.ing
          an.ti.po.lice an.ti.po.lit.i.cal an.ti.pol.i.tics an.ti.pop.u.lar
          an.ti.porn an.ti.por.no.graph.ic an.ti.por.nog.ra.phy an.ti.pot
          an.ti.pov.er.ty an.ti.pred.a.tor an.ti.press an.ti.prof.i.teer.ing
          an.ti.pro.gres.sive an.ti.pros.ti.tu.tion an.ti.pru.rit.ic
          an.ti.ra.bies an.ti.rac.ism an.ti.rac.ist an.ti.rack.e.teer.ing
          an.ti.ra.dar an.ti.rad.i.cal an.ti.rad.i.cal.ism an.ti.rape
          an.ti.ra.tio.nal an.ti.ra.tio.nal.ism an.ti.ra.tio.nal.ist
          an.ti.ra.tio.nal.i.ty an.ti.re.al.ism an.ti.re.al.ist
          an.ti.re.ces.sion an.ti.re.ces.sion.ary an.ti.red
          an.ti.re.duc.tion.ism an.ti.re.duc.tion.ist an.ti.re.flec.tion
          an.ti.re.flec.tive an.ti.re.form an.ti.reg.u.la.to.ry
          an.ti.re.li.gion an.ti.re.li.gious an.ti.rev.o.lu.tion.ary
          an.ti.ri.ot an.ti.rit.u.al.ism an.ti.rock an.ti.roll
          an.ti.ro.man.tic an.ti.ro.man.ti.cism an.ti.roy.al.ist
          an.ti-Rus.sian an.ti.rust an.ti.sat.el.lite an.ti.schizo.phre.nia
          an.ti.schiz.o.phren.ic an.ti.sci.ence an.ti.sci.en.tif.ic
          an.ti.se.cre.cy an.ti.seg.re.ga.tion an.ti.sei.zure
          an.ti.sen.ti.men.tal an.ti.sep.a.rat.ist an.ti.sex an.ti.sex.ist
          an.ti.sex.u.al an.ti.sex.u.al.i.ty an.ti.shark an.ti.ship
          an.ti.shock an.ti.shop.lift.ing an.ti.skid an.ti.slav.ery
          an.ti.sleep an.ti.slip an.ti.smog an.ti.smoke an.ti.smok.er
          an.ti.smok.ing an.ti.smug.gling an.ti.smut an.ti.snob
          an.ti.so.cial.ist an.ti-So.vi.et an.ti-So.vi.et.ism
          an.ti.spec.u.la.tion an.ti.spec.u.la.tive an.ti.spend.ing
          an.ti-Sta.lin.ist an.ti.state an.ti.stick an.ti.sto.ry an.ti.stress
          an.ti.strike an.ti.stu.dent an.ti.sub.ma.rine an.ti.sub.si.dy
          an.ti.sub.ver.sion an.ti.sub.ver.sive an.ti.sui.cide
          an.ti.syph.i.lit.ic an.ti.take.over an.ti.tank an.ti.tar.nish
          an.ti.tax an.ti.tech.no.log.i.cal an.ti.tech.nol.o.gy
          an.ti.ter.ror.ism an.ti.ter.ror.ist an.ti.theft
          an.ti.the.o.ret.i.cal an.ti.to.bac.co an.ti.to.tal.i.tar.i.an
          an.ti.tra.di.tion.al an.ti.tu.ber.cu.lar an.ti.tu.ber.cu.lo.sis
          an.ti.tu.ber.cu.lous an.ti.tu.mor an.ti.tu.mor.al an.ti.ty.phoid
          an.ti.ul.cer an.ti.un.em.ploy.ment an.ti.union an.ti.uni.ver.si.ty
          an.ti.ur.ban an.ti.vi.o.lence an.ti.vi.ral an.ti.vi.rus
          an.ti.vivi.sec.tion an.ti.vivi.sec.tion.ist an.ti.war an.ti.wear
          an.ti.wel.fare an.ti-West an.ti-West.ern an.ti.whal.ing
          an.ti.wom.an an.ti.wrin.kle an.ti-Zi.on.ist

   antiabortion
          [an.ti.abor.tion] adj (1971): opposed to abortion <~ lobbyists>
          -- an.ti.abor.tion.ist n

   antiair
          [an.ti.air] adj (1925): antiaircraft

   [1]antiaircraft
          [an.ti.air.craft] adj (1914): designed for or concerned with
          defense against air attack [2]antiaircraft n (1926):
          antiaircraft guns or their fire

   anti-American
          [an.ti-Amer.i.can] adj (1773): opposed or hostile to the
          people or the government policies of the U.S. --
          an.ti-Amer.i.can.ism n

   antianxiety
          [an.ti.anx.i.ety] adj (1962): tending to prevent or relieve
          anxiety <~ drugs>

   antiarrhythmic
          [an.ti.ar.rhyth.mic] adj (1954): tending to prevent or relieve
          cardiac arrhythmia <an ~ agent>

   anti-art
          [an.ti-art] n (1937): art based on premises antithetical
          to traditional or popular art forms; specif: dada

   antiauxin
          [an.ti.aux.in] n (1949): a plant substance that opposes or
          suppresses the natural effect of an auxin

   antibacterial
          [an.ti.bac.te.ri.al] adj (ca. 1897): directed or effective
          against bacteria -- antibacterial n

   antiballistic missile
          [an.ti.bal.lis.tic missile] n (ca. 1959): a missile for
          intercepting and destroying ballistic missiles

   antibiosis
          [an.ti.bi.o.sis] n [NL] (1899): antagonistic association
          between organisms to the detriment of one of them or
          between one organism and a metabolic product of another

   [1]antibiotic
          [an.ti.bi.ot.ic] adj (1894) 1: tending to prevent, inhibit,
          or destroy life 2: of or relating to antibiotics or to
          antibiosis -- an.ti.bi.ot.i.cal.ly adv [2]antibiotic
          n (1943): a substance produced by or a semisynthetic
          substance derived from a microorganism and able in dilute
          solution to inhibit or kill another microorganism

   antiblack
          [an.ti.black] adj (1952): opposed or hostile to black people
          -- an.ti.black.ism n

   antibody
          [an.ti.body] n (1900): any of a large number of proteins
          of high molecular weight that are produced normally by
          specialized B cells after stimulation by an antigen and
          act specifically against the antigen in an immune response,
          that are produced abnormally by some cancer cells, and
          that typically consist of four subunits including two
          heavy chains and two light chains--called also immunoglobulin

   antibusiness
          [an.ti.busi.ness] adj (1938): antagonistic toward business
          and esp. big business

   antibusing
          [an.ti.bus.ing] adj (ca. 1969): opposed to the busing of
          schoolchildren <~ parents> <~ campaign>

   [1]antic
          [an.tic] n [It antico ancient thing or person, fr. antico
          ancient, fr. L antiquus--more at antique] (1529) 1: an
          attention-drawing often wildly playful or funny act or
          action: caper <childish ~s> 2 archaic: a performer of
          a grotesque or ludicrous part: buffoon [2]antic adj (1548)
          1 archaic: grotesque, bizarre 2 a: characterized by clownish
          extravagance or absurdity b: whimsically gay: frolicsome
          -- an.ti.cal.ly adv

   anticancer
          [an.ti.can.cer] adj (1926): used against or tending to arrest
          cancer <~ drugs> <~ activity> <~ effects>

   anticholinergic
          [an.ti.cho.lin.er.gic] adj (1942): opposing or blocking the
          physiologic action of acetylcholine -- anticholinergic
          n

   anticholinesterase
          [an.ti.cho.lin.es.ter.ase] n (1942): a substance (as neostigmine)
          that inhibits a cholinesterase by combination with it

   Antichrist
          [An.ti.christ] n [ME anticrist, fr. OE & LL; OE antecrist,
          fr. LL Antichristus, fr. Gk Antichristos, fr. anti- +
          Christos Christ] (bef. 12c) 1: one who denies or opposes
          Christ; specif: a great antagonist expected to fill the
          world with wickedness but to be conquered forever by
          Christ at his second coming 2: a false Christ

   anticipant
          [an.tic.i.pant] adj (1626): expectant, anticipating--usu.
          used with of -- anticipant n

   anticipate
          [an.tic.i.pate] vb -pat.ed ; -pat.ing [L anticipatus, pp.
          of anticipare, fr. ante- + -cipare (fr. capere to take)--more
          at heave] vt (1532) 1: to give advance thought, discussion,
          or treatment to 2: to meet (an obligation) before a due
          date 3: to foresee and deal with in advance: forestall
          4: to use or expend in advance of actual possession 5:
          to act before (another) often so as to check or counter
          6: to look forward to as certain: expect ~ vi: to speak
          or write in knowledge or expectation of later matter
          syn see foresee, prevent -- an.tic.i.pat.able adj --
          an.tic.i.pa.tor n

   anticipation
          [an.tic.i.pa.tion] n (14c) 1 a: a prior action that takes
          into account or forestalls a later action b: the act
          of looking forward; esp: pleasurable expectation 2: the
          use of money before it is available 3 a: visualization
          of a future event or state b: an object or form that
          anticipates a later type 4: the early sounding of one
          or more tones of a succeeding chord to form a temporary
          dissonance--compare suspension syn see prospect

   anticipatory
          [an.tic.i.pa.to.ry] adj (1669): characterized by anticipation:
          anticipating

   anticlerical
          [an.ti.cler.i.cal] adj (1845): opposed to clericalism or
          to the interference or influence of the clergy in secular
          affairs -- anticlerical n -- an.ti.cler.i.cal.ism n

   anticlimactic
          [an.ti.cli.mac.tic] also an.ti.cli.mac.ti.cal adj (1898):
          of, relating to, or marked by anticlimax -- an.ti.cli.mac.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   anticlimax
          [an.ti.cli.max] n (1710) 1: the usu. sudden transition in
          discourse from a significant idea to a trivial or ludicrous
          idea; also: an instance of this transition 2: an event
          (as at the end of a series) that is strikingly less important
          than what has preceded it

   anticlinal
          [an.ti.cli.nal] adj [anti- + Gk klinein to lean--more at
          lean] (1882): occurring at right angles to the surface
          or circumference of a plant organ <an ~ pattern of cell
          walls>

   anticline
          [an.ti.cline] n (ca. 1861): an arch of stratified rock in
          which the layers bend downward in opposite directions
          from the crest--compare syncline

   anticlockwise
          [an.ti.clock.wise] adj or adv (1898) chiefly Brit: counterclockwise

   anticoagulant
          [an.ti.co.ag.u.lant] n (ca. 1905): a substance that hinders
          the clotting of blood -- anticoagulant adj

   anticodon
          [an.ti.co.don] n (1965): a triplet of nucleotide bases in
          transfer RNA that identifies the amino acid carried and
          binds to a complementary codon in messenger RNA during
          protein synthesis at a ribosome

   anticompetitive
          [an.ti.com.pet.i.tive] adj (1952): tending to reduce or discourage
          competition

   anticonvulsant
          [an.ti.con.vul.sant] also an.ti.con.vul.sive adj (1734):
          used or tending to control or to prevent convulsions
          (as in epilepsy) -- anticonvulsant also anticonvulsive
          n

   anticyclone
          [an.ti.cy.clone] n (1877) 1: a system of winds that rotates
          about a center of high atmospheric pressure clockwise
          in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the
          southern, that usu. advances at 20 to 30 miles (about
          30 to 50 kilometers) per hour, and that usu. has a diameter
          of 1500 to 2500 miles (2400 to 4000 kilometers) 2: high
          2 -- an.ti.cy.clon.ic adj

   antidemocratic
          [an.ti.dem.o.crat.ic] adj (1837): opposed or hostile to the
          theories or policies of democracy

   [1]antidepressant
          [an.ti.de.pres.sant] adj (1961): used or tending to relieve
          or prevent psychic depression [2]antidepressant n (1962):
          an antidepressant drug--compare tricyclic antidepressant

   antiderivative
          [an.ti.de.riv.a.tive] n (ca. 1942): indefinite integral

   antidiuretic hormone
          [an.ti.di.uret.ic hormone] n (1942): vasopressin

   antidotal
          [an.ti.dot.al] adj (1646): of, relating to, or acting as
          an antidote -- an.ti.dot.al.ly adv

   antidote
          [an.ti.dote] n [ME antidot, fr. L antidotum, fr. Gk antidotos,
          fr. fem. of antidotos given as an antidote, fr. antididonai
          to give as an antidote, fr. anti- + didonai to give--more
          at date] (15c) 1: a remedy to counteract the effects
          of poison 2: something that relieves, prevents, or counteracts
          <an ~ to the mechanization of our society> -- antidote
          vt

   antidromic
          [an.ti.drom.ic] adj [anti- + Gk dromos racecourse, running--more
          at dromedary] (ca. 1927): proceeding or conducting in
          a direction opposite to the usual one--used esp. of a
          nerve impulse or fiber -- an.ti.drom.i.cal.ly adv

   antidrug
          [an.ti.drug] adj (1970): acting against or opposing illicit
          drugs or their use <~ activist> <~ program>

   antidumping
          [an.ti.dump.ing] adj (1915): designed to discourage the importation
          and sale of foreign goods at prices well below domestic prices
          <~ tariffs>

   antielectron
          [an.ti.elec.tron] n (1931): positron

   anti-federalist
          [an.ti-fed.er.al.ist] n, often cap A&F (1787): a member of
          the group that opposed the adoption of the U.S. Constitution

   antiferromagnetic
          [an.ti.fer.ro.mag.net.ic] adj (1936): ferrimagnetic --
          an.ti.fer.ro.mag.net n -- an.ti.fer.ro.mag.net.i.cal.ly adv --
          an.ti.fer.ro.mag.net.ism n

   antifertility
          [an.ti.fer.til.i.ty] adj (1953): capable of or tending to
          reduce or destroy fertility: contraceptive <~ agents>

   antifluoridationist
          [an.ti.flu.o.ri.da.tion.ist] n (1961): a person opposed to
          the fluoridation of public water supplies

   antifouling
          [an.ti.foul.ing] adj (1895): intended to prevent fouling
          of underwater structures (as the bottoms of ships) <~
          paint>

   antifreeze
          [an.ti.freeze] n (1924): a substance added to a liquid (as
          the water in an automobile engine) to lower its freezing
          point

   antifungal
          [an.ti.fun.gal] adj (1945): destroying fungi; also: inhibiting
          the growth of fungi -- antifungal n

   antigen
          [an.ti.gen] n [G, fr. F antigene, fr. anticorps antibody
          + -gene -gen] (1908): a usu. protein or carbohydrate
          substance (as a toxin or enzyme) capable of stimulating
          an immune response -- an.ti.gen.ic adj -- an.ti.gen.i.cal.ly
          adv -- an.ti.ge.nic.i.ty n

   antigenic determinant
          [antigenic determinant] n (1950): epitope

   antiglobulin
          [an.ti.glob.u.lin] n (ca. 1909): an antibody that combines
          with and precipitates globulin

   Antigone
          [An.tig.o.ne] n [Gk Antigone]: a daughter of Oedipus and
          Jocasta who buries her brother Polynices' body against
          the order of her uncle Creon

   [1]antigravity
          [an.ti.grav.i.ty] adj (1944): reducing, canceling, or protecting
          against the effect of gravity [2]antigravity n (1949):
          a hypothetical effect resulting from cancellation or
          reduction of a gravitational field

   antihemophilic factor
          [an.ti.he.mo.phil.ic factor] n (1947): factor viii

   antihero
          [an.ti.he.ro] n (1714): a protagonist or notable figure who
          is conspicuously lacking in heroic qualities -- an.ti.he.ro.ic
          adj

   antiheroine
          [an.ti.her.o.ine] n (1907): a female antihero

   antihistamine
          [an.ti.his.ta.mine] n (1946): any of various compounds that
          counteract histamine in the body and that are used for
          treating allergic reactions (as hay fever) and cold symptoms
          -- antihistamine adj -- an.ti.his.ta.min.ic adj or n

   antihuman
          [an.ti.hu.man] adj (1854) 1: acting or being against humanity
          2: reacting strongly with human antigens

   antihypertensive
          [an.ti.hy.per.ten.sive] n (ca. 1957): a substance that is
          effective against high blood pressure -- antihypertensive
          adj

   anti-idiotype
          [an.ti-id.io.type] n (1975): an antibody that treats another
          antibody as an antigen and suppresses its immunoreactivity
          -- an.ti-id.io.typ.ic adj

   anti-inflammatory
          [an.ti-in.flam.ma.to.ry] adj (ca. 1957): counteracting inflammation
          -- anti-inflammatory n

   anti-intellectual
          [an.ti-in.tel.lec.tu.al] adj (1936): opposing or hostile
          to intellectuals or to an intellectual view or approach
          -- anti-intellectual n -- an.ti-in.tel.lec.tu.al.ism
          n

   antileukemic
          [an.ti.leu.ke.mic] adj (1951): counteracting the effects
          of leukemia

   antilife
          [an.ti.life] adj (1929): antagonistic or antithetical to
          life or to normal human values

   antilock
          [an.ti.lock] adj (1974): being a braking system for a motor
          vehicle designed to keep the wheels from locking by electronically
          controlled pulsed application of the brake for each wheel

   antilog
          [an.ti.log] n (1910): antilogarithm

   antilogarithm
          [an.ti.log.a.rithm] n (1675): the number corresponding to
          a given logarithm

   antimacassar
          [an.ti.ma.cas.sar] n [anti- + Macassar (oil) (a hairdressing)]
          (1852): a cover to protect the back or arms of furniture

   antimagnetic
          [an.ti.mag.net.ic] adj (1946) of a watch: having a balance
          unit composed of alloys that will not remain magnetized

   antimalarial
          [an.ti.ma.lar.i.al] adj (ca. 1893): serving to prevent, check,
          or cure malaria -- antimalarial n

   antimatter
          [an.ti.mat.ter] n (1950): matter composed of antiparticles

   antimetabolite
          [an.ti.me.tab.o.lite] n (1945): a substance that replaces
          or inhibits an organism's utilization of a metabolite

   antimicrobial
          [an.ti.mi.cro.bi.al] adj (ca. 1910): destroying or inhibiting
          the growth of microorganisms -- antimicrobial n

   antimissile missile
          [an.ti.mis.sile missile] n (ca. 1956): antiballistic missile

   antimitotic
          [an.ti.mi.tot.ic] adj (1970): inhibiting or disrupting mitosis
          <~ agents> <~ activity> -- antimitotic n

   antimonial
          [an.ti.mo.ni.al] adj (1605): of, relating to, or containing
          antimony -- antimonial n

   antimonide
          [an.ti.mo.nide] n (1863): a binary compound of antimony with
          a more positive element

   antimony
          [an.ti.mo.ny] n [ME antimonie, fr. ML antimonium] (15c) 1:
          stibnite 2: a trivalent and pentavalent metalloid element
          that is commonly metallic silvery white, crystalline,
          and brittle and that is used esp. as a constituent of
          alloys and semiconductors

   antimycin A
          [an.ti.my.cin A] n [anti- + -mycin] (1949): a crystalline
          antibiotic used esp. as a fungicide, insecticide, and
          miticide--called also antimycin

   antineoplastic
          [an.ti.neo.plas.tic] adj (1954): inhibiting or preventing
          the growth and spread of neoplasms or malignant cells

   antineutrino
          [an.ti.neu.tri.no] n (1934): the antiparticle of the neutrino

   antineutron
          [an.ti.neu.tron] n (1942): the antiparticle of the neutron

   anting
          [ant.ing] n (1936): bird behavior in which ants are rubbed
          on the feathers to obtain chemicals (as formic acid)
          from the ants

   antinode
          [an.ti.node] n [ISV] (1882): a region of maximum amplitude
          situated between adjacent nodes in a vibrating body --
          an.ti.nod.al adj

   antinomian
          [an.ti.no.mi.an] n [ML antinomus, fr. L anti- + Gk nomos
          law] (1645) 1: one who holds that under the gospel dispensation
          of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because
          faith alone is necessary to salvation 2: one who rejects
          a socially established morality -- antinomian adj --
          an.ti.no.mi.an.ism n

   antinomy
          [an.tin.o.my] n, pl -mies [G Antinomie, fr. L antinomia conflict
          of laws, fr. Gk, fr. anti- + nomos law--more at nimble]
          (1592) 1: a contradiction between two apparently equally
          valid principles or between inferences correctly drawn
          from such principles 2: a fundamental and apparently
          unresolvable conflict or contradiction <antinomies of
          beauty and evil, freedom and slavery --Stephen Holden>
          -- an.ti.nom.ic adj

   antinovel
          [an.ti.nov.el] n (1958): a work of fiction that lacks most
          or all of the traditional features of the novel -- an.ti.nov.el.ist
          n

   antinuclear
          [an.ti.nu.cle.ar] adj (1958) 1: tending to react with cell
          nuclei or their components (as DNA) <~ antibodies> 2:
          opposing the use or production of nuclear power plants

   antinucleon
          [an.ti.nu.cle.on] n (1946): the antiparticle of a nucleon

   antinuke
          [an.ti.nuke] adj (1975): antinuclear 2

   antioxidant
          [an.ti.ox.i.dant] n (1926): a substance that inhibits oxidation
          or reactions promoted by oxygen or peroxides -- antioxidant
          adj

   antiozonant
          [an.ti.ozon.ant] n (1954): a substance that opposes ozonization
          or protects against it

   antiparallel
          [an.ti.par.al.lel] adj (ca. 1660): parallel but oppositely
          directed or oriented <~ electron spins> <two ~ chains
          of nucleotides comprise DNA>

   antiparasitic
          [an.ti.par.a.sit.ic] adj (ca. 1860): acting against parasites

   antiparticle
          [an.ti.par.ti.cle] n (1934): a subatomic particle identical
          to another subatomic particle in mass but opposite to
          it in electric and magnetic properties (as sign of charge)
          that when brought together with its counterpart produces
          mutual annihilation; esp: a subatomic particle not found
          in ordinary matter

   antipasto
          [an.ti.pas.to] n, pl -ti [It, fr. anti- (fr. L ante-) + pasto
          food, fr. L pastus, fr. pascere to feed--more at food]
          (1590): any of various typically Italian hors d'oeuvres;
          also: a plate of these served esp. as the first course
          of a meal

   antipathetic
          [an.ti.pa.thet.ic] adj (1640) 1: having a natural aversion;
          also: not sympathetic: hostile 2: arousing antipathy
          <mountains ... are ~ to me --Havelock Ellis> --
          an.ti.pa.thet.i.cal.ly adv

   antipathy
          [an.tip.a.thy] n, pl -thies [L antipathia, fr. Gk antipatheia,
          fr. antipathes of opposite feelings, fr. anti- + pathos
          experience--more at pathos] (1601) 1 obs: opposition
          in feeling 2: settled aversion or dislike: distaste 3:
          an object of aversion syn see enmity

   antipersonnel
          [an.ti.per.son.nel] adj (1939): designed for use against
          military personnel <an ~ mine>

   antiperspirant
          [an.ti.per.spi.rant] n (1943): a preparation used to check
          perspiration

   antiphlogistic
          [an.ti.phlo.gis.tic] adj (1769): anti-inflammatory

   antiphon
          [an.ti.phon] n [ME antiphone, fr. MF, fr. LL antiphona--more
          at anthem] (15c) 1: a psalm, anthem, or verse sung responsively
          2: a verse usu. from Scripture said or sung before and
          after a canticle, psalm, or psalm verse as part of the
          liturgy

   [1]antiphonal
          [an.tiph.o.nal] n (1537): antiphonary [2]antiphonal adj (1719):
          of, relating to, or suggesting an antiphon or antiphony
          -- an.tiph.o.nal.ly adv

   antiphonary
          [an.tiph.o.nary] n, pl -nar.ies (15c) 1: a book containing
          a collection of antiphons 2: a book containing the choral
          parts of the Divine Office

   antiphony
          [an.tiph.o.ny] n, pl -nies (1592): responsive alternation
          between two groups esp. of singers

   antiphrasis
          [an.tiph.ra.sis] n, pl -ra.ses [LL, fr. Gk, fr. anti- + phrasis
          diction--more at phrase] (1533): the usu. ironic or humorous
          use of words in senses opposite to the generally accepted
          meanings (as in "this giant of 3 feet 4 inches")

   [1]antipodal
          [an.tip.o.dal] adj (1646) 1: of or relating to the antipodes;
          specif: situated at the opposite side of the earth or
          moon <an ~ meridian> <an ~ continent> 2: diametrically
          opposite <an ~ point on a sphere> 3: entirely opposed
          <a system ~ to democracy> [2]antipodal n (1919): any
          of three cells in the female gametophyte of most angiosperms
          that are grouped at the end of the embryo sac farthest
          from the micropyle--called also antipodal cell

   antipode
          [an.ti.pode] n, pl an.tip.o.des [ME antipodes, pl., persons
          dwelling at opposite points on the globe, fr. L, fr.
          Gk, fr. pl. of antipod-, antipous with feet opposite,
          fr. anti- + pod-, pous foot--more at foot] (1549) 1:
          the parts of the earth diametrically opposite--usu. used
          in pl.--often used of Australia and New Zealand 2: the
          exact opposite or contrary -- an.tip.o.de.an adj or n

   antipoetic
          [an.ti.po.et.ic] adj (1847): of, relating to, or characterized
          by opposition to traditional poetic technique or style

   antipollution
          [an.ti.pol.lu.tion] adj (1924): designed to prevent, reduce,
          or eliminate pollution <~ laws> -- antipollution n

   antipope
          [an.ti.pope] n [ME antepope, fr. MF antipape, fr. ML antipapa,
          fr. anti- + papa pope] (15c): one elected or claiming
          to be pope in opposition to the pope canonically chosen

   antiproton
          [an.ti.pro.ton] n (1940): the antiparticle of the proton

   antipsychotic
          [an.ti.psy.chot.ic] n (1966): neuroleptic -- antipsychotic
          adj

   antipyretic
          [an.ti.py.ret.ic] n (ca. 1681): an agent that reduces fever
          -- antipyretic adj

   antipyrine
          [an.ti.py.rine] n [fr. Antipyrine, a trademark] (1884): an
          analgesic and antipyretic formerly widely used but now
          largely replaced in oral use by less toxic substances
          (as aspirin)

   antiq
          [antiq] abbreviation antiquarian, antiquary

   [1]antiquarian
          [an.ti.quar.i.an] n (1610): one who collects or studies antiquities
          [2]antiquarian adj (1771) 1: of or relating to antiquarians
          or antiquities 2: dealing in old or rare books
          -- an.ti.quar.i.an.ism n

   antiquark
          [an.ti.quark] n (1964): the antiparticle of the quark

   antiquary
          [an.ti.quary] n, pl -quar.ies (1586): antiquarian

   antiquate
          [an.ti.quate] vt -quat.ed ; -quat.ing [LL antiquatus, pp.
          of antiquare, fr. L antiquus] (1596): to make old or
          obsolete -- an.ti.qua.tion n

   antiquated
          [an.ti.quat.ed] adj (1623) 1: obsolete <an ~ calendar> 2:
          outmoded or discredited by reason of age: being out of
          style or fashion <~ methods of farming> 3: advanced in
          age syn see old

   [1]antique
          [an.tique] n (1530) 1: a relic or object of ancient times
          2 a: a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative
          object made at an earlier period and according to various
          customs laws at least 100 years ago b: a manufactured
          product (as an automobile) from an earlier period [2]an.tique
          adj [MF, fr. L antiquus, fr. ante before--more at ante-]
          (1534) 1: existing since or belonging to earlier times:
          ancient <~ trade routes to the Orient> 2 a: being in
          the style or fashion of former times <~ manners and graces>
          b: made in or representative of the work of an earlier
          period <~ mirrors>; also: being an antique 3: selling
          or exhibiting antiques <an ~ show> syn see old [3]an.tique
          vb -tiqued ; -tiqu.ing vt (1923): to finish or refinish
          in antique style: give an appearance of age to ~ vi:
          to shop around for antiques -- an.tiqu.er n

   antiquity
          [an.tiq.ui.ty] n, pl -ties (13c) 1: ancient times; esp: those
          before the Middle Ages 2: the quality of being ancient
          3 pl a: relics or monuments (as coins, statues, or buildings)
          of ancient times b: matters relating to the life or culture
          of ancient times 4: the people of ancient times

   antirachitic
          [an.ti.ra.chit.ic] adj (ca. 1860): used or tending to prevent
          the development of rickets <an ~ vitamin>

   antirejection
          [an.ti.re.jec.tion] adj (1968): used or tending to prevent
          organ transplant rejection <~ drugs> <~ treatment>

   antirheumatic
          [an.ti.rheu.mat.ic] adj (1817): alleviating or preventing
          rheumatism <~ therapy> <~ drugs> -- antirheumatic n

   anti-roll bar
          [an.ti-roll bar] n (1951): sway bar

   antirrhinum
          [an.tir.rhi.num] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, snapdragon, fr.
          Gk antirrhinon, fr. anti- like (fr. anti against, equivalent
          to) + rhin-, rhis nose--more at anti-] (1548): snapdragon

   antis
          [antis] pl of anti

   antiscorbutic
          [an.ti.scor.bu.tic] adj (1725): counteracting scurvy <the
          ~ vitamin is vitamin C> -- antiscorbutic n

   anti-Semitism
          [an.ti-Sem.i.tism] n (1882): hostility toward or discrimination
          against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group
          -- an.ti-Se.mit.ic adj -- an.ti-Sem.ite n

   antisense
          [an.ti.sense] adj [anti- + nonsense] (1984): having a complementary
          sequence to a segment of genetic material (as mRNA) and serving
          to inhibit gene function <~ nucleotides> <~ RNA>--compare missense,
          nonsense

   antisepsis
          [an.ti.sep.sis] n (1875): the inhibiting of the growth and
          multiplication of microorganisms by antiseptic means

   [1]antiseptic
          [an.ti.sep.tic] adj [anti- + Gk septikos putrefying, septic]
          (1751) 1 a: opposing sepsis, putrefaction, or decay;
          esp: preventing or arresting the growth of microorganisms
          (as on living tissue) b: acting or protecting like an
          antiseptic 2: relating to or characterized by the use
          of antiseptics 3 a: scrupulously clean: aseptic b: extremely
          neat or orderly; esp: neat to the point of being bare
          or uninteresting c: free from what is held to be contaminating
          4: coldly impersonal <an ~ greeting> -- an.ti.sep.ti.cal.ly
          adv [2]antiseptic n (1751): a substance that checks the
          growth or action of microorganisms esp. in or on living
          tissue; also: germicide

   antiserum
          [an.ti.se.rum] n [ISV] (1901): a serum containing antibodies

   antisocial
          [an.ti.so.cial] adj (1797) 1: averse to the society of others:
          unsociable 2: hostile or harmful to organized society;
          esp: being or marked by behavior deviating sharply from
          the social norm -- an.ti.so.cial.ly adv

   antisolar
          [an.ti.so.lar] n (ca. 1890): being or having a direction
          away from the sun <the ~ point>

   antispasmodic
          [an.ti.spas.mod.ic] adj (1763): capable of preventing or
          relieving spasms or convulsions -- antispasmodic n

   antistat
          [an.ti.stat] or an.ti.stat.ic adj (1952): reducing, removing,
          or preventing the buildup of static electricity

   antistrophe
          [an.tis.tro.phe] n [LL, fr. Gk antistrophe, fr. anti- + strophe
          strophe] (ca. 1550) 1 a: the repetition of words in reversed
          order b: the repetition of a word or phrase at the end
          of successive clauses 2 a: a returning movement in Greek
          choral dance exactly answering to a previous strophe
          b: the part of a choral song delivered during the antistrophe
          -- an.ti.stroph.ic adj -- an.ti.stroph.i.cal.ly adv

   antisymmetric
          [an.ti.sym.met.ric] adj (1923): relating to or being a relation
          (as "is a subset of") that implies equality of any two
          quantities for which it holds in both directions <the
          relation R is ~ if aRb and bRa implies a = b>

   antithesis
          [an.tith.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [LL, fr. Gk, lit., opposition,
          fr. antitithenai to oppose, fr. anti- + tithenai to set--more
          at do] (1529) 1 a (1): the rhetorical contrast of ideas
          by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses,
          or sentences (as in "action, not words" or "they promised
          freedom and provided slavery") (2): opposition, contrast
          <the ~ of prose and verse> b (1): the second of two opposing
          constituents of an antithesis (2): the direct opposite
          2: the second stage of a dialectic process

   antithetical
          [an.ti.thet.i.cal] also an.ti.thet.ic adj (1583) 1: constituting
          or marked by antithesis 2: being in direct and unequivocal
          opposition syn see opposite -- an.ti.thet.i.cal.ly adv

   antithrombin
          [an.ti.throm.bin] n (ca. 1911): any of a group of substances
          that inhibit blood clotting by inactivating thrombin

   antithyroid
          [an.ti.thy.roid] adj (1908): able to counteract excessive
          thyroid activity <~ drugs>

   antitoxic
          [an.ti.tox.ic] adj (ca. 1890) 1: counteracting toxins 2:
          being or containing antitoxins <~ serum>

   antitoxin
          [an.ti.tox.in] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): an antibody that is capable
          of neutralizing the specific toxin (as a specific causative
          agent of disease) that stimulated its production in the
          body and is produced in animals for medical purposes
          by injection of a toxin or toxoid with the resulting
          serum being used to counteract the toxin in other individuals;
          also: an antiserum containing antitoxins

   antitrades
          [an.ti.trades] n pl (1875): the westerly winds above the
          trade winds

   antitrust
          [an.ti.trust] adj (1890): of, relating to, or being legislation
          against or opposition to trusts or combinations; specif:
          consisting of laws to protect trade and commerce from
          unlawful restraints and monopolies or unfair business
          practices

   antitruster
          [an.ti.trust.er] n (1947): one who advocates or enforces
          antitrust provisions of the law

   antitussive
          [an.ti.tus.sive] n (ca. 1909): a cough suppressant -- antitussive
          adj

   anti-utopia
          [an.ti-uto.pia] n (1966) 1: dystopia 1 2: a work describing
          an anti-utopia -- an.ti-uto.pi.an adj or n

   antivenin
          [an.ti.ven.in] n [ISV] (1895): an antitoxin to a venom; also:
          an antiserum containing such antitoxin

   antivitamin
          [an.ti.vi.ta.min] n (1927): a substance that makes a vitamin
          metabolically ineffective

   antiwhite
          [an.ti.white] adj (1906): opposed or hostile to people belonging
          to a light-skinned race

   antler
          [ant.ler] n [ME aunteler, fr. MF antoillier, fr. (assumed)
          VL anteoculare, fr. neut. of anteocularis located before
          the eye, fr. L ante- + oculus eye--more at eye] (14c):
          one of the paired deciduous solid bone processes that
          arise from the frontal bone on the head of an animal
          of the deer family; also: a branch of an antler -- ant.lered
          adj

   ant lion
          [ant lion] n (1815): any of various neuropterous insects
          (as of the genus Myrmeleon) having a long-jawed larva
          that digs a conical pit in which it lies in wait to catch
          insects (as ants) on which it feeds

   Antonian
          [An.to.ni.an] n [L Antonius Anthony] (ca. 1907): a member
          of one of several monastic communities (as the Armenian
          Antonians) that follow a rule devised by St. Anthony

   antonomasia
          [an.ton.o.ma.sia] n [L, use of an epithet for a proper name,
          fr. Gk, fr. antonomazein to call by a new name, fr. anti-
          + onomazein to name, fr. onoma name--more at name] (ca.
          1550): the use of a proper name to designate a member
          of a class (as a Solomon for a wise ruler); also: the
          use of an epithet or title in place of a proper name
          (as the Bard for Shakespeare)

   antonym
          [an.to.nym] n (1870): a word of opposite meaning <the usual
          ~ of good is bad> -- an.to.nym.ic adj -- an.ton.y.mous
          adj -- an.ton.y.my n

   antre
          [an.tre] n [F, fr. L antrum] (1604): cave 1

   antrum
          [an.trum] n, pl an.tra [LL, fr. L, cave, fr. Gk antron; akin
          to Arm ayr cave] (ca. 1751): the cavity of a hollow organ
          or a sinus -- an.tral adj

   antsy
          [ant.sy] adj (1838) 1: impatient of restraint; esp: fidgety
          2: nervous, apprehensive

   Anubis
          [Anu.bis] n [L, fr. Gk Anoubis, fr. Egypt inpw]: a jackal-headed
          god in Egyptian mythology who leads the dead to judgment

   anuran
          [an.uran] adj or n [ultim. fr. Gk a- + oura tail--more at
          ass] (1900): any of an order (Anura) of amphibians comprising
          the frogs, toads, and tree toads all of which lack a
          tail in the adult stage and have long strong hind limbs
          suited to leaping and swimming -- anuran adj

   anuria
          [an.uria] n [NL] (1838): absence or defective excretion of
          urine -- an.uric adj

   anus
          [anus] n [L, ring, anus; perh. akin to OIr anne ring] (15c):
          the posterior opening of the alimentary canal

   anvil
          [an.vil] n [ME anfilt, fr. OE; akin to OHG anafalz anvil;
          akin to L pellere to beat--more at felt] (bef. 12c) 1:
          a heavy usu. steel-faced iron block on which metal is
          shaped (as by hand hammering) 2: incus

   anxiety
          [anx.i.ety] n, pl -eties [L anxietas, fr. anxius] (ca. 1525)
          1 a: painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usu.
          over an impending or anticipated ill b: fearful concern
          or interest c: a cause of anxiety 2: an abnormal and
          overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked
          by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased
          pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of
          the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to
          cope with it syn see care

   anxiolytic
          [an.xi.o.lyt.ic] n [anxiety + -o- + -lytic] (1965): a drug
          that relieves anxiety -- anxiolytic adj

   anxious
          [anx.ious] adj [L anxius; akin to L angere to strangle,
          distress--more at anger] (ca. 1616) 1: characterized by extreme
          uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency: worried
          2: characterized by, resulting from, or causing anxiety: worrying
          3: ardently or earnestly wishing syn see eager -- anx.ious.ly adv
          -- anx.ious.ness n

   [1]any
          [any] adj [ME, fr. OE aenig; akin to OHG einag any, OE an
          one--more at one] (bef. 12c) 1: one or some indiscriminately
          of whatever kind: a: one or another taken at random <ask
          ~ man you meet> b: every--used to indicate one selected
          without restriction <~ child would know that> 2: one,
          some, or all indiscriminately of whatever quantity: a:
          one or more--used to indicate an undetermined number
          or amount <have you ~ money> b: all--used to indicate
          a maximum or whole <needs ~ help he can get> c: a or
          some without reference to quantity or extent <grateful
          for ~ favor at all> 3 a: unmeasured or unlimited in amount,
          number, or extent <~ quantity you desire> b: appreciably
          large or extended <could not endure it ~ length of time>
          [2]any pron, sing or pl in constr (bef. 12c) 1: any person
          or persons: anyone 2 a: any thing or things b: any part,
          quantity, or number [3]any adv (14c): to any extent or
          degree: at all <was never ~ good>

   anybody
          [any.body] pron (14c): any person: anyone

   anyhow
          [any.how] adv (1690) 1 a: in any manner whatever b: in a
          haphazard manner 2 a: at any rate b: in any event

   anymore
          [any.more] adv (14c) 1: any longer <I was not moving ~ with
          my feet --Anais Nin> 2: at the present time: now <hardly
          a day passes without rain ~> usage Although both anymore
          and any more are found in written use, in the 20th century
          anymore is the more common styling. Anymore is regularly
          used in negative <no one can be natural anymore --May
          Sarton>, interrogative <do you read much anymore?>, and
          conditional <if you do that anymore, I'll leave> contexts
          and in certain positive constructions <the Washingtonian
          is too sophisticated to believe anymore in solutions
          --Russell Baker>. In many regions of the U.S. the use
          of anymore in sense 2 is quite common in positive constructions,
          esp. in speech <everybody's cool anymore --Bill White>
          <every time we leave the house anymore, I play a game
          called "Stump the Housebreaker" --Erma Bombeck>. The
          positive use appears to have been of Midland origin,
          but it is now reported to be widespread in all speech
          areas of the U.S. except New England.

   anyone
          [any.one] pron (1536): any person at all

   anyplace
          [any.place] adv (1916): in any place: anywhere

   [1]anything
          [any.thing] pron (bef. 12c): any thing whatever: any such
          thing [2]anything adv (bef. 12c): at all

   anytime
          [any.time] adv (1926): at any time whatever

   anyway
          [any.way] adv (13c) 1: anywise 2: in any case: anyhow

   anyways
          [any.ways] adv (13c) 1 a archaic: anywise b dial: to any
          degree at all 2 chiefly dial: anyhow, anyway

   [1]anywhere
          [any.where] adv (14c) 1: at, in, or to any place or point
          2: to any extent: at all 3--used as a function word to
          indicate limits of variation <~ from 40 to 60 students>
          [2]anywhere n (1924): any place

   anywheres
          [any.wheres] adv (1775) chiefly dial: anywhere

   anywise
          [any.wise] adv (13c): in any way whatever: at all

   Anzac
          [An.zac] n [Australian and New Zealand Army Corps] (1915):
          a soldier from Australia or New Zealand

   ao...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   AO
          [AO] abbreviation account of, and others

   aor
          [aor] abbreviation aorist

   aorist
          [ao.rist] n [LL & Gk; LL aoristos, fr. Gk, fr. aoristos undefined,
          fr. a + horistos definable, fr. horizein to define--more
          at horizon] (1581): an inflectional form of a verb typically
          denoting simple occurrence of an action without reference to its
          completeness, duration, or repetition -- aorist or ao.ris.tic adj
          -- ao.ris.ti.cal.ly adv

   aorta
          [aor.ta] n, pl -tas or -tae [NL, fr. Gk aorte, fr. aeirein
          to lift] (1543): the great arterial trunk that carries
          blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries
          through the body--see heart illustration -- aor.tic adj

   aortic arch
          [aortic arch] n (1903): one of the arterial branches in vertebrate
          embryos that exist in a series of pairs with one on each side
          of the embryo, connect the ventral arterial system lying anterior
          to the heart to the dorsal arterial system above the alimentary
          tract, and persist in adult fishes but are reduced or much modified
          in the adult of higher forms

   aortography
          [aor.tog.ra.phy] n (ca. 1935): arteriography of the aorta
          -- aor.to.graph.ic adj

   aoudad
          [aou.dad] n [F, fr. Berber audad] (1861): a wild bovine (Ammotragus
          lervia) of No. Africa that is closely related to goats and sheep
          and has been introduced into the southwestern U.S.

   ap...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]ap-
          [ap-] --see ad- [2]ap- --see apo-

   ap
          [ap] abbreviation apostle, apothecaries'  AP abbreviation
          additional premium, adjective phrase, airplane, American
          plan, antipersonnel, arithmetic progression, armor-piercing,
          Associated Press, author's proof

   apace
          [apace] adv [ME, prob. fr. MF a pas on step] (14c) 1: at
          a quick pace: swiftly 2: abreast--used with of or with

   Apache
          [Apache] n, pl Apache or Apach.es [AmerSp, perh. fr. Zuni
          'apachu Navajo, Apachean] (1745) 1: a member of a group
          of American Indian peoples of the southwestern U.S. 2:
          any of the Athabascan languages of the Apache people
          3 not cap [F, fr. Apache Apache Indian] a: a member of
          a gang of criminals esp. in Paris b: ruffian -- Apach.e.an
          adj or n

   apanage
          [ap.a.nage] var of appanage

   aparejo
          [ap.a.re.jo] n, pl -jos [AmerSp] (1844): a packsaddle of
          stuffed leather or canvas

   [1]apart
          [apart] adv [ME, fr. MF a part, lit., to the side] (14c)
          1 a: at a little distance <tried to keep ~ from the family
          squabbles> b: away from one another in space or time
          <towns 20 miles ~> 2 a: as a separate unit: independently
          <viewed ~, his arguments were unsound> b: so as to separate
          one from another <found it hard to tell the twins ~>
          3: excluded from consideration: aside <a few blemishes
          ~, the novel is excellent> 4: in or into two or more
          parts: to pieces <coming ~ at the seams> [2]apart adj
          (1786) 1: separate, isolated 2: holding different opinions:
          divided -- apart.ness n

   apart from
          [apart from] prep (1833): other than: besides

   apartheid
          [apart.heid] n [Afrik, fr. D, fr. apart apart + -heid -hood]
          (1947) 1: racial segregation; specif: a policy of segregation
          and political and economic discrimination against non-European
          groups in the Republic of So. Africa 2: separation, segregation
          <I favor ~ of smokers --L. E. Bellin> <sexual ~>

   apartment
          [apart.ment] n [F appartement, fr. It appartamento] (1641)
          1: a room or set of rooms fitted esp. with housekeeping
          facilities and usu. leased as a dwelling 2: a building
          containing several individual apartments -- apart.men.tal
          adj

   apartment hotel
          [apartment hotel] n (1909): a hotel containing apartments
          as well as accommodations for transients

   apartment house
          [apartment house] n (1874): a building containing separate
          residential apartments--called also apartment building

   apathetic
          [ap.a.thet.ic] adj (1744) 1: having or showing little or
          no feeling or emotion: spiritless 2: having little or
          no interest or concern: indifferent syn see impassive
          -- ap.a.thet.i.cal.ly adv

   apathy
          [ap.a.thy] n [Gk apatheia, fr. apathes without feeling, fr.
          a- + pathos emotion--more at pathos] (1603) 1: lack of
          feeling or emotion: impassiveness 2: lack of interest
          or concern: indifference

   apatite
          [ap.a.tite] n [G Apati t, fr. Gk apate deceit] (1803): any
          of a group of calcium phosphate minerals occurring variously
          as hexagonal crystals, as granular masses, or in fine-grained
          masses as the chief constituent of phosphate rock and
          of bones and teeth; esp: calcium phosphate fluoride

   apatosaurus
          [apato.sau.rus] n [NL, fr. Gk apate + sauros lizard] (ca.
          1899): brontosaurus

   APB
          [APB] abbreviation all points bulletin

   APC
          [APC] abbreviation armored personnel carrier

   [1]ape
          [ape] n [ME, fr. OE apa; akin to OHG affo ape] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: monkey; esp: one of the larger tailless or short-tailed
          Old World forms b: any of two families (Pongidae and
          Hylobatidae) of large tailless semierect primates (as
          the chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, or gibbon)--called
          also anthropoid, anthropoid ape 2 a: mimic b: a large
          uncouth person -- ape.like adj [2]ape vt aped ; ap.ing
          (1632): to copy closely but often clumsily and ineptly
          syn see copy -- ap.er n [3]ape adj (ca. 1955): being
          beyond restraint: crazy, wild--usu. used in the phrase
          go ape

   apeak
          [apeak] adj or adv [alter. of earlier apike, prob. fr. F
          a pic vertically] (1596): being in a vertical position
          <with oars ~>

   ape-man
          [ape-man] n (1879): a primate (as an australopithecine)
          intermediate in character between Homo sapiens and the higher apes

   apercu
          [aper.cu] n, pl apercus [F, fr. apercu, pp. of apercevoir
          to perceive, fr. OF aperceivre, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) +
          perceivre to perceive--more at perceive] (1828) 1: a
          brief survey or sketch: outline 2: an immediate impression;
          esp: insight 2

   aperient
          [ape.ri.ent] adj [L aperient-, aperiens, prp. of aperire]
          (1626): gently moving the bowels: laxative -- aperient
          n

   aperiodic
          [ape.ri.od.ic] adj (1879) 1: of irregular occurrence <~ floods>
          2: not having periodic vibrations: not oscillatory --
          ape.ri.od.i.cal.ly adv -- ape.ri.o.dic.i.ty n

   aperitif
          [aper.i.tif] n [F aperitif aperient, aperitif, fr. MF aperitif,
          adj., aperient, fr. ML aperitivus, irreg. fr. L aperire]
          (1894): an alcoholic drink taken before a meal as an
          appetizer

   aperture
          [ap.er.ture] n [ME, fr. L apertura, fr. apertus, pp. of aperire
          to open] (15c) 1: an opening or open space: hole 2 a:
          the opening in a photographic lens that admits the light
          b: the diameter of the stop in an optical system that
          determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing
          the instrument c: the diameter of the objective lens
          or mirror of a telescope

   apetalous
          [apet.al.ous] adj (ca. 1706): having no petals

   apex
          [apex] n, pl apex.es or api.ces [L] (1601) 1 a: the uppermost
          point: vertex <the ~ of a mountain> b: the narrowed or
          pointed end: tip <the ~ of the tongue> 2: the highest
          or culminating point <the ~ of his career> syn see summit

   Apgar score
          [Ap.gar score] n [Virginia Apgar d. 1974 Am. anesthesiologist]
          (1962): an index used to evaluate the condition of a
          newborn infant based on a rating of 0, 1, or 2 for each
          of the five characteristics of color, heart rate, response
          to stimulation of the sole of the foot, muscle tone,
          and respiration with 10 being a perfect score

   aphaeresis
          [aphaer.e.sis] or apher.e.sis n, pl -e.ses [LL, fr. Gk aphairesis,
          lit., taking off, fr. aphairein to take away, fr. apo- + hairein
          to take] (ca. 1550): the loss of one or more sounds or letters
          at the beginning of a word (as in round for around and coon for
          raccoon) -- aph.ae.ret.ic adj

   aphanite
          [aph.a.nite] n [F, fr. Gk aphanes invisible, fr. a- + phainesthai
          to appear--more at phenomenon] (ca. 1828): a dark rock
          of such close texture that its separate grains are invisible
          to the naked eye -- aph.a.nit.ic adj

   aphasia
          [apha.sia] n [NL, fr. Gk, fr. a- + -phasia] (1867): loss
          or impairment of the power to use or comprehend words
          usu. resulting from brain damage -- apha.sic n or adj

   aphelion
          [aph.elion] n, pl -elia [NL, fr. apo- + Gk helios sun--more
          at solar] (1656): the point in the path of a celestial
          body (as a planet) that is farthest from the sun--compare
          perihelion

   aphesis
          [aph.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [NL, fr. Gk, release, fr. aphienai
          to let go, fr. apo- + hienai to send--more at jet] (1880):
          aphaeresis consisting of the loss of a short unaccented
          vowel (as in lone for alone) -- aphet.ic adj -- aphet.i.cal.ly
          adv

   aphid
          [aphid] n (1884): any of numerous very small sluggish homopterous
          insects (superfamily Aphidoidea) that suck the juices
          of plants

   aphid lion
          [aphid lion] n (1949): any of several insect larvae (as a
          lacewing or ladybug larva) that feed on aphids--called
          also aphis lion

   aphis
          [aphis] n, pl aphi.des [NL Aphid-, Aphis, genus name] (1771):
          any of a genus (Aphis) of aphids; broadly: aphid

   aphonia
          [apho.nia] n [NL, fr. Gk aphonia, fr. aphonos voiceless,
          fr. a- + phone sound--more at ban] (1778): loss of voice
          and of all but whispered speech -- apho.nic adj

   aphorism
          [aph.o.rism] n [MF aphorisme, fr. LL aphorismus, fr. Gk aphorismos
          definition, aphorism, fr. aphorizein to define, fr. apo- + horizein
          to bound--more at horizon] (1528) 1: a concise statement
          of a principle 2: a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment:
          adage -- aph.o.rist n -- aph.o.ris.tic adj -- aph.o.ris.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   aphorize
          [aph.o.rize] vi -rized ; -riz.ing (1669): to write or speak
          in or as if in aphorisms

   aphotic
          [apho.tic] adj (ca. 1900): being the deep zone of an ocean
          or lake receiving too little light to permit photosynthesis

   aphrodisiac
          [aph.ro.di.si.ac] n [Gk aphrodisiakos sexual, gem with aphrodisiac
          properties, fr. aphrodisia heterosexual pleasures, fr. neut. pl.
          of aphrodisios of Aphrodite, fr. Aphrodite] (1719) 1: an agent (as
          a food or drug) that arouses or is held to arouse sexual desire
          2: something that excites -- aphrodisiac also aph.ro.di.si.a.cal
          adj

   Aphrodite
          [Aph.ro.di.te] n [Gk Aphrodite]: the Greek goddess of love
          and beauty--compare venus

   API
          [API] abbreviation air position indicator

   apiarian
          [api.ar.i.an] adj (1801): of or relating to beekeeping or
          bees

   apiarist
          [api.a.rist] n (1816): beekeeper

   apiary
          [api.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [L apiarium, fr. apis bee] (1654):
          a place where bees are kept; esp: a collection of hives
          or colonies of bees kept for their honey

   apical
          [api.cal] adj [prob. fr. NL apicalis, fr. L apic-, apex]
          (1828) 1: of, relating to, or situated at an apex 2:
          of, relating to, or formed with the tip of the tongue
          <n, l, and r are ~ consonants> -- api.cal.ly adv

   apical dominance
          [apical dominance] n (1947): inhibition of the growth of
          lateral buds by the terminal bud of a shoot

   apical meristem
          [apical meristem] n (ca. 1934): a meristem at the apex of
          a root or shoot that is responsible for increase in length

   apiculate
          [apic.u.late] adj [NL apiculus, dim. of L apic-, apex] (1830):
          ending abruptly in a small distinct point <an ~ leaf>

   apiculture
          [api.cul.ture] n [prob. fr. F, fr. L apis bee + F culture]
          (1864): the keeping of bees esp. on a large scale --
          api.cul.tur.al adj -- api.cul.tur.ist n

   apiece
          [apiece] adv (15c): for each one: individually

   Apis
          [Apis] n [L, fr. Gk, fr. Egypt hp]: a sacred bull worshiped
          by the ancient Egyptians

   apish
          [ap.ish] adj (1532): resembling an ape: as a: extremely silly
          or affected b: given to slavish imitation -- ap.ish.ly
          adv -- ap.ish.ness n

   APL
          [APL] n [a programming language] (1966): a computer programming
          language designed esp. for the concise representation
          of algorithms

   aplanatic
          [ap.la.nat.ic] adj [a- + Gk planasthai to wander--more at
          planet] (1794): free from or corrected for spherical
          aberration <an ~ lens>

   aplastic anemia
          [aplas.tic anemia] n (1928): anemia that is characterized
          by defective function of the blood-forming organs (as
          the bone marrow) and is caused by toxic agents (as chemicals
          or X rays) or is idiopathic in origin

   [1]aplenty
          [aplen.ty] adj (1830): being in plenty or abundance--used
          postpositively <money ~ for all his needs> [2]aplenty
          adv (1846) 1: in abundance: plentifully 2: very much:
          extremely <scared ~>

   aplite
          [ap.lite] n [prob. fr. G Aplit, fr. Gk haploos simple--more
          at hapl-] (1879): a fine-grained light-colored granite
          consisting almost entirely of quartz and feldspar --
          ap.lit.ic adj

   aplomb
          [aplomb] n [F, lit., perpendicularity, fr. MF, fr. a plomb,
          lit., according to the plummet] (1828): complete and
          confident composure or self-assurance: poise syn see
          confidence

   apnea
          [ap.nea] n [NL, fr. a- + -pnea] (ca. 1719) 1: transient cessation
          of respiration 2: asphyxia -- ap.ne.ic adj

   apnoea
          [ap.noea] chiefly Brit var of apnea

   APO
          [APO] abbreviation army post office

   apo-
          [apo-] or ap- prefix [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L, fr. Gk,
          fr. apo--more at of] 1: away from: off <aphelion> 2:
          detached: separate <apogamy> 3: formed from: related
          to <apomorphine>

   Apoc
          [Apoc] abbreviation Apocalypse, Apocrypha, apocryphal

   apocalypse
          [apoc.a.lypse] n [ME, revelation, Revelation, fr. LL apocalypsis,
          fr. Gk apokalypsis, fr. apokalyptein to uncover, fr.
          apo- + kalyptein to cover--more at hell] (13c) 1 a: one
          of the Jewish and Christian writings of 200 b.c. to a.d.
          150 marked by pseudonymity, symbolic imagery, and the
          expectation of an imminent cosmic cataclysm in which
          God destroys the ruling powers of evil and raises the
          righteous to life in a messianic kingdom b cap: revelation
          3 2 a: something viewed as a prophetic revelation b:
          armageddon

   apocalyptic
          [apoc.a.lyp.tic] also apoc.a.lyp.ti.cal adj (1663) 1: of,
          relating to, or resembling an apocalypse 2: forecasting
          the ultimate destiny of the world: prophetic 3: foreboding
          imminent disaster or final doom: terrible 4: wildly unrestrained:
          grandiose 5: ultimately decisive: climactic -- apoc.a.lyp.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   apocalypticism
          [apoc.a.lyp.ti.cism] or apoc.a.lyp.tism n (1884): apocalyptic
          expectation; esp: a doctrine concerning an imminent end
          of the world and an ensuing general resurrection and
          final judgment

   apocalyptist
          [apoc.a.lyp.tist] n (1835): the writer of an apocalypse

   apochromatic
          [apo.chro.mat.ic] adj [ISV] (1887): free from chromatic and
          spherical aberration <an ~ lens>

   apocope
          [apoc.o.pe] n [LL, fr. Gk apokope, lit., cutting off, fr.
          apokoptein to cut off, fr. apo- + koptein to cut--more
          at capon] (ca. 1550): the loss of one or more sounds
          or letters at the end of a word (as in sing from Old
          English singan)

   apocrine
          [apo.crine] adj [ISV apo- + Gk krinein to separate--more
          at certain] (1926): producing a fluid secretion by pinching
          off one end of the secretory cell while leaving the rest
          intact <an ~ gland>; also: produced by an apocrine gland

   apocrypha
          [apoc.ry.pha] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ML, fr. LL,
          neut. pl. of apocryphus secret, not canonical, fr. Gk
          apokryphos obscure, fr. apokryptein to hide away, fr.
          apo- + kryptein to hide--more at crypt] (14c) 1: writings
          or statements of dubious authenticity 2 cap a: books
          included in the Septuagint and Vulgate but excluded from
          the Jewish and Protestant canons of the Old Testament
          b: early Christian writings not included in the New Testament

   apocryphal
          [apoc.ry.phal] adj (1590) 1: of doubtful authenticity: spurious
          2 often cap: of or resembling the Apocrypha syn see fictitious
          -- apoc.ry.phal.ly adv -- apoc.ry.phal.ness n

   apodictic
          [apo.dic.tic] also apo.deic.tic adj [L apodicticus, fr. Gk
          apodeiktikos, fr. apodeiknynai to demonstrate, fr. apo-
          + deiknynai to show--more at diction] (ca. 1645): expressing
          or of the nature of necessary truth or absolute certainty
          -- apo.dic.ti.cal.ly adv

   apodosis
          [apod.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [NL, fr. Gk, fr. apodidonai to
          give back, deliver, fr. apo- + didonai to give--more
          at date] (ca. 1638): the main clause of a conditional
          sentence--compare protasis

   apoenzyme
          [apo.en.zyme] n [ISV] (1936): a protein that forms an active
          enzyme system by combination with a coenzyme and determines
          the specificity of this system for a substrate

   apogamy
          [apog.a.my] n [ISV] (ca. 1878): development of a sporophyte
          from a gametophyte without fertilization -- apog.a.mous
          adj

   apogee
          [apo.gee] n [F apogee, fr. NL apogaeum, fr. Gk apogaion,
          fr. neut. of apogeios, apogaios far from the earth, fr.
          apo- + ge, gaia earth] (1594) 1: the point in the orbit
          of an object (as a satellite) orbiting the earth that
          is at the greatest distance from the center of the earth;
          also: the point farthest from a planet or a satellite
          (as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it--compare
          perigee 2: the farthest or highest point: culmination
          <Aegean civilization reached its ~ in Crete> -- apo.ge.an
          adj

   apolipoprotein
          [apo.li.po.pro.tein] n (1970): a protein that combines with
          a lipid to form a lipoprotein

   apolitical
          [apo.lit.i.cal] adj (1935) 1: having no interest or involvement
          in political affairs; also: having an aversion to politics
          or political affairs 2: having no political significance
          -- apo.lit.i.cal.ly adv

   Apollinian
          [Ap.ol.lin.i.an] adj (1924): apollonian

   Apollo
          [Apol.lo] n [L Apollin-, Apollo, fr. Gk Apollon]: the Greek
          and Roman god of sunlight, prophecy, music, and poetry

   Apollonian
          [Ap.ol.lo.ni.an] adj (1663) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          the god Apollo 2: harmonious, measured, ordered, or balanced
          in character--compare dionysian

   Apollyon
          [Apol.lyon] n [Gk Apollyon]: the angel of the bottomless
          pit in the Book of Revelation

   [1]apologetic
          [apol.o.get.ic] n (15c): apologetics 1 [2]apologetic adj
          [Gk apologetikos, fr. apologeisthai to defend, fr. apo-
          + logos speech] (1649) 1 a: offered in defense or vindication
          <the ~ writings of the early Christians> b: offered by
          way of excuse or apology <an ~ smile> 2: regretfully
          acknowledging fault or failure: contrite <was ~ about
          his mistake> -- apol.o.get.i.cal.ly adv

   apologetics
          [apol.o.get.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1733)
          1: systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as
          of a doctrine) 2: a branch of theology devoted to the
          defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity

   apologia
          [ap.o.lo.gia] n [LL] (1784): a defense esp. of one's opinions,
          position, or actions <the finest ~ or explanation of
          what drives a man to devote his life to pure mathematics
          --Brit. Book News> syn see apology

   apologise
          [apol.o.gise] Brit var of apologize

   apologist
          [apol.o.gist] n (1640): one who speaks or writes in defense
          of someone or something

   apologize
          [apol.o.gize] vi -gized ; -giz.ing (1597): to make an apology
          -- apol.o.giz.er n

   apologue
          [ap.o.logue] n [F, fr. L apologus, fr. Gk apologos, fr. apo-
          + logos speech, narrative] (ca. 1555): an allegorical
          narrative usu. intended to convey a moral

   apology
          [apol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [MF or LL; MF apologie, fr. LL apologia,
          fr. Gk, fr. apo- + logos speech--more at legend] (1533)
          1 a: a formal justification: defense b: excuse 2a 2:
          an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an
          expression of regret 3: a poor substitute: makeshift
          syn apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean
          matter offered in explanation or defense. apology usu.
          applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong
          with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or
          without reference to palliating circumstances <said by
          way of apology that he would have met them if he could>.
          apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but
          a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief,
          or position <his speech was an apologia for his foreign
          policy>. excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove
          blame or censure <used illness as an excuse for missing
          the meeting>. plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding
          or sympathy or mercy <her usual plea that she was nearsighted>.
          pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false
          reasons or motives in excuse or explanation <used any
          pretext to get out of work>. alibi implies a desire to
          shift blame or evade punishment and imputes plausibility
          rather than truth to the explanation offered <his alibi
          failed to stand scrutiny>.

   apolune
          [apo.lune] n [apo- + L luna moon--more at lunar] (ca. 1968):
          the point in the path of a body orbiting the moon that
          is farthest from the center of the moon--compare perilune

   apomict
          [apo.mict] n [prob. back-formation fr. ISV apomictic, fr.
          apo- + Gk mignynai to mix--more at mix] (ca. 1938): one
          produced or reproducing by apomixis -- apo.mic.tic adj
          -- apo.mic.ti.cal.ly adv

   apomixis
          [apo.mix.is] n, pl -mix.es [NL, fr. apo- + Gk mixis act of
          mixing, fr. mignynai] (1913): reproduction (as apogamy
          or parthenogenesis) involving specialized generative
          tissues but not dependent on fertilization

   apomorphine
          [apo.mor.phine] n [ISV] (1888): a crystalline morphine derivative
          that is a dopamine agonist and is administered as the
          hydrochloride for its powerful emetic action

   aponeurosis
          [apo.neu.ro.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk aponeurosis, fr. aponeurousthai
          to pass into a tendon, fr. apo- + neuron sinew--more
          at nerve] (1676): a broad flat sheet of dense fibrous
          collagenous connective tissue that covers, invests, and
          forms the terminations and attachments of various muscles
          -- apo.neu.rot.ic adj

   apophthegm
          [ap.o.phthegm] var of apothegm

   apophyllite
          [apo.phyl.lite] n [F, fr. apo- + Gk phyllon leaf--more at
          blade] (1810): a mineral composed of a hydrous potassium
          calcium silicate that is related to the zeolites and
          is usu. found in transparent square prisms or white or
          grayish masses

   apophysis
          [apoph.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL, fr. Gk, fr. apo- + phyein
          to bring forth--more at be] (1646): an expanded or projecting
          part esp. of an organism -- apoph.y.se.al adj

   apoplectic
          [ap.o.plec.tic] adj [F or LL; F apoplectique, fr. LL apoplecticus,
          fr. Gk apoplektikos, fr. apoplessein] (1611) 1: of, relating to,
          or causing stroke 2: affected with, inclined to, or showing
          symptoms of stroke 3: of a kind to cause or apparently cause stroke
          <an ~ rage>; also: greatly excited or angered --
          ap.o.plec.ti.cal.ly adv

   apoplexy
          [ap.o.plexy] n [ME apoplexie, fr. MF & LL; MF, fr. LL apoplexia,
          fr. Gk apoplexia, fr. apoplessein to cripple by a stroke,
          fr. apo- + plessein to strike--more at plaint] (15c):
          stroke 5

   aport
          [aport] adv (1627): on or toward the left side of a ship
          <put the helm hard ~>

   aposematic
          [apo.se.mat.ic] adj (1890): being conspicuous and serving
          to warn <~ coloration> -- apo.se.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   aposiopesis
          [ap.o.si.o.pe.sis] n, pl -pe.ses [LL, fr. Gk aposiopesis,
          fr. aposiopan to be fully silent, fr. apo- + siopan to
          be silent, fr. siope silence] (1578): the leaving of
          a thought incomplete usu. by a sudden breaking off (as
          in "his behavior was--but I blush to mention that") --
          ap.o.si.o.pet.ic adj

   apospory
          [apos.po.ry] n (1884): production of gametophytes directly
          from diploid cells of the sporophytes without spore formation
          (as in certain ferns and mosses) -- apos.po.rous adj

   apostasy
          [apos.ta.sy] n, pl -sies [ME apostasie, fr. LL apostasia,
          fr. Gk, lit., revolt, fr. aphistasthai to revolt, fr.
          apo- + histasthai to stand--more at stand] (14c) 1: renunciation
          of a religious faith 2: abandonment of a previous loyalty:
          defection

   apostate
          [apos.tate] n (14c): one who commits apostasy -- apostate
          adj

   apostatise
          [apos.ta.tise] Brit var of apostatize

   apostatize
          [apos.ta.tize] vi -tized ; -tiz.ing (1611): to commit apostasy

   apostle
          [apos.tle] n [ME, fr. OF & OE; OF apostle & OE apostol, both
          fr. LL apostolus, fr. Gk apostolos, fr. apostellein to
          send away, fr. apo- + stellein to send] (bef. 12c) 1:
          one sent on a mission: as a: one of an authoritative
          New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and
          made up esp. of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paul
          b: the first prominent Christian missionary to a region
          or group 2 a: a person who initiates a great moral reform
          or who first advocates an important belief or system
          b: an ardent supporter: adherent <an ~ of liberty> 3:
          the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations
          4: one of a Mormon administrative council of 12 men --
          apos.tle.ship n

   Apostles' Creed
          [Apostles' Creed] n (ca. 1658): a Christian statement of
          belief ascribed to the Twelve Apostles and used esp.
          in public worship

   apostolate
          [apos.to.late] n [LL apostolatus, fr. apostolus] (14c) 1:
          the office or mission of an apostle 2: an association
          of persons dedicated to the propagation of a religion
          or a doctrine

   apostolic
          [ap.os.tol.ic] adj (13c) 1 a: of or relating to an apostle
          b: of, relating to, or conforming to the teachings of
          the New Testament apostles 2 a: of or relating to a succession
          of spiritual authority from the apostles held (as by
          Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox) to
          be perpetuated by successive ordinations of bishops and
          to be necessary for valid sacraments and orders b: papal
          -- apos.to.lic.i.ty n

   apostolic delegate
          [apostolic delegate] n (ca. 1907): an ecclesiastical representative
          of the Holy See to the Catholic hierarchy of another country

   Apostolic Father
          [Apostolic Father] n (1828): a church father of the first
          or second century a.d.

   [1]apostrophe
          [apos.tro.phe] n [L, fr. Gk apostrophe, lit., act of turning
          away, fr. apostrephein to turn away, fr. apo- + strephein
          to turn] (1533): the addressing of a usu. absent person
          or a usu. personified thing rhetorically <Carlyle's "O
          Liberty, what things are done in thy name]" is an example
          of ~> -- ap.os.troph.ic adj [2]apostrophe n [MF & LL;
          MF, fr. LL apostrophus, fr. Gk apostrophos, fr. apostrophos
          turned away, fr. apostrephein] (1727): a mark ' used
          to indicate the omission of letters or figures, the possessive
          case, or the plural of letters or figures -- apostrophic
          adj

   apostrophise
          [apos.tro.phise] Brit var of apostrophize

   apostrophize
          [apos.tro.phize] vb -phized ; -phiz.ing vt (1718): to address
          by or in apostrophe ~ vi: to make use of apostrophe

   apothecaries' measure
          [apothecaries' measure] n (ca. 1900): a system of liquid
          units of measure used chiefly by pharmacists

   apothecaries' weight
          [apothecaries' weight] n (1765): a system of weights used
          chiefly by pharmacists

   apothecary
          [apoth.e.cary] n, pl -car.ies [ME apothecarie, fr. ML apothecarius,
          fr. LL, shopkeeper, fr. L apotheca storehouse, fr. Gk apotheke, fr.
          apotithenai to put away, fr. apo- + tithenai to put--more at do]
          (14c) 1: one who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for
          medicinal purposes 2: pharmacy

   apothecium
          [apo.the.ci.um] n, pl -cia [NL, fr. L apotheca] (1830): a
          spore-bearing structure in many lichens and fungi consisting
          of a discoid or cupped body bearing asci on the exposed
          flat or concave surface -- apo.the.cial adj

   apothegm
          [ap.o.thegm] n [Gk apophthegmat-, apophthegma, fr. apophthengesthai
          to speak out, fr. apo- + phthengesthai to utter] (ca. 1587):
          a short, pithy, and instructive saying or formulation: aphorism
          -- ap.o.theg.mat.ic adj

   apothem
          [ap.o.them] n [ISV apo- + -them (fr. Gk thema something laid
          down, theme)] (ca. 1856): the perpendicular from the
          center of a regular polygon to one of the sides

   apotheosis
          [apo.the.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [LL, fr. Gk apotheosis, fr.
          apotheoun to deify, fr. apo- + theos god] (ca. 1580)
          1: elevation to divine status: deification 2: the perfect
          example: quintessence <this is the literary ~ of the
          shaggy dog story --Thomas Sutcliffe> -- apo.the.o.size
          vt

   apotropaic
          [apo.tro.pa.ic] adj [Gk apotropaios, fr. apotrepein to avert,
          fr. apo- + trepein to turn] (1883): designed to avert
          evil <an ~ ritual> -- apo.tro.pa.i.cal.ly adv

   app
          [app] abbreviation apparatus, appendix, appliance

   Appalachian
          [Ap.pa.la.chian] n (1888): a white native or resident of
          the Appalachian mountain area

   Appalachian dulcimer
          [Appalachian dulcimer] n (1962): dulcimer 2

   appall
          [ap.pall] also ap.pal vb ap.palled ; ap.pall.ing [ME, fr.
          MF apalir, fr. OF, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + palir to grow
          pale, fr. L pallescere, incho. of pallere to be pale--more
          at fallow] vi (14c) obs: weaken, fail ~ vt: to overcome
          with consternation, shock, or dismay syn see dismay

   appalling
          [ap.pall.ing] adj (1817): inspiring horror, dismay, or disgust
          <living under ~ conditions> -- ap.pall.ing.ly adv

   Appaloosa
          [Ap.pa.loo.sa] n [origin unknown] (1947): any of a breed
          of rugged saddle horses developed in western No. America
          and usu. having a white or solid-colored coat with small
          spots

   appanage
          [ap.pa.nage] n [F apanage, fr. OF, fr. apaner to provide
          for a younger offspring, fr. ML appanare, fr. L ad- +
          panis bread--more at food] (1602) 1 a: a grant (as of
          land or revenue) made by a sovereign or a legislative
          body to a dependent member of the royal family or a principal
          vassal b: a property or privilege appropriated to or
          by a person as something due 2: a rightful endowment
          or adjunct

   apparat
          [ap.pa.rat] n [Russ] (1941): apparatus 2

   apparatchik
          [ap.pa.rat.chik] n, pl -chiks also -chi.ki [Russ, fr. apparat]
          (1941) 1: a member of a Communist apparat 2: an official
          blindly devoted to superiors or to the organization

   apparatus
          [ap.pa.ra.tus] n, pl -tus.es or -tus [L, fr. apparare to
          prepare, fr. ad- + parare to prepare--more at pare] (ca.
          1628) 1 a: a set of materials or equipment designed for
          a particular use b: a group of anatomical or cytological
          parts functioning together <mitotic ~> c: an instrument
          or appliance designed for a specific operation 2: the
          functional processes by means of which a systematized
          activity is carried out: as a: the machinery of government
          b: the organization of a political party or an underground
          movement

   [1]apparel
          [ap.par.el] vt -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling [ME
          appareillen, fr. MF apareillier to prepare, fr. (assumed)
          VL appariculare, fr. L apparare] (14c) 1: to put clothes
          on: dress 2: adorn, embellish [2]apparel n (14c) 1: the
          equipment (as sails and rigging) of a ship 2: personal
          attire: clothing 3: something that clothes or adorns
          <the bright ~ of spring>

   apparent
          [ap.par.ent] adj [ME, fr. MF aparent, fr. L apparent-, apparens,
          prp. of apparere to appear] (14c) 1: open to view: visible
          2: clear or manifest to the understanding 3: appearing
          as actual to the eye or mind 4: having an indefeasible
          right to succeed to a title or estate 5: manifest to
          the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence
          that may or may not be factually valid <the air of spontaneity
          is perhaps more ~ than real --J. R. Sutherland> -- ap.par.ent.ness
          n syn apparent, illusory, seeming, ostensible mean not actually
          being what appearance indicates. apparent suggests appearance
          to unaided senses that is not or may not be borne out by more
          rigorous examination or greater knowledge <the apparent cause
          of the accident>. illusory implies a false impression based
          on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced
          by emotions that prevent a clear view <an illusory sense
          of security>. seeming implies a character in the thing observed
          that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent,
          of something else <the seeming simplicity of the story>. ostensible
          suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally
          implied aim or reason and the true one <the ostensible reason for
          their visit>. syn see in addition evident

   apparently
          [ap.par.ent.ly] adv (1566): it seems apparent <the window
          had ~ been forced open> <~, we're supposed to wait here>

   apparent magnitude
          [apparent magnitude] n (1875): the luminosity of a celestial
          body (as a star) as observed from the earth--compare
          absolute magnitude

   apparent time
          [apparent time] n (1694): the time of day indicated by the
          hour angle of the sun or by a sundial

   apparition
          [ap.pa.ri.tion] n [ME apparicioun, fr. LL apparition-, apparitio
          appearance, fr. L apparere] (15c) 1 a: an unusual or
          unexpected sight: phenomenon b: a ghostly figure 2: the
          act of becoming visible: appearance -- ap.pa.ri.tion.al
          adj

   apparitor
          [ap.par.i.tor] n [L, fr. apparere] (15c): an official formerly
          sent to carry out the orders of a magistrate, judge,
          or court

   [1]appeal
          [ap.peal] n (13c) 1: a legal proceeding by which a case is
          brought before a higher court for review of the decision
          of a lower court 2: a criminal accusation 3 a: an application
          (as to a recognized authority) for corroboration, vindication,
          or decision b: an earnest plea: entreaty 4: the power
          of arousing a sympathetic response: attraction <movies
          had a great ~ for him> [2]appeal vb [ME appelen to accuse,
          appeal, fr. MF apeler, fr. L appellare, fr. appellere
          to drive to, fr. ad- + pellere to drive--more at felt]
          vt (14c) 1: to charge with a crime: accuse 2: to take
          proceedings to have (a lower court's decision) reviewed
          in a higher court ~ vi 1: to take a lower court's decision
          to a higher court for review 2: to call upon another
          for corroboration, vindication, or decision 3: to make
          an earnest request 4: to arouse a sympathetic response
          -- ap.peal.abil.i.ty n -- ap.peal.able adj -- ap.peal.er
          n

   appealing
          [ap.peal.ing] adj (1813) 1: marked by earnest entreaty: imploring
          2: having appeal: pleasing -- ap.peal.ing.ly adv

   appear
          [ap.pear] vi [ME apperen, fr. OF aparoir, fr. L apparere,
          fr. ad- + parere to show oneself] (13c) 1 a: to be or
          come in sight <the sun ~s on the horizon> b: to show
          up <~s promptly at eight each day> 2: to come formally
          before an authoritative body <must ~ in court today>
          3: to have an outward aspect: seem <~s happy enough>
          4: to become evident or manifest <there ~s to be evidence
          to the contrary> 5: to come into public view <first ~ed
          on a television variety show> <the book ~ed in print
          a few years ago> 6: to come into existence <hominids
          ~ed late in the evolutionary chain>

   appearance
          [ap.pear.ance] n (14c) 1 a: external show: semblance <although
          hostile, he preserved an ~ of neutrality> b: outward
          aspect: look <had a fierce ~> c pl: outward indication
          <trying to keep up ~s> 2 a: a sense impression or aspect
          of a thing <the blue of distant hills is only an ~> b:
          the world of sensible phenomena 3 a: the act, action,
          or process of appearing b: the presentation of oneself
          in court as a party to an action often through the representation
          of an attorney 4 a: something that appears: phenomenon
          b: an instance of appearing: occurrence

   appease
          [ap.pease] vt ap.peased ; ap.peas.ing [ME appesen, fr. MF
          apaisier, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + pais peace--more at peace]
          (14c) 1: to bring to a state of peace or quiet: calm
          2: to cause to subside: allay <appeased my hunger> 3:
          pacify, conciliate; esp: to buy off (an aggressor) by
          concessions usu. at the sacrifice of principles syn see
          pacify -- ap.peas.able adj -- ap.pease.ment n -- ap.peas.er
          n

   [1]appellant
          [ap.pel.lant] adj (14c): of or relating to an appeal: appellate
          [2]appellant n (15c): one that appeals; specif: one that
          appeals from a judicial decision or decree

   appellate
          [ap.pel.late] adj [L appellatus, pp. of appellare] (1768):
          of, relating to, or recognizing appeals; specif: having
          the power to review the judgment of another tribunal
          <an ~ court>

   appellation
          [ap.pel.la.tion] n (15c) 1: an identifying name or title:
          designation 2 archaic: the act of calling by a name 3:
          a geographical name (as of a region, village or vineyard)
          under which a winegrower is authorized to identify and
          market wine

   appellative
          [ap.pel.la.tive] adj (15c) 1: of or relating to a common
          noun 2: of, relating to, or inclined to the giving of
          names -- ap.pel.la.tive n -- ap.pel.la.tive.ly adv

   appellee
          [ap.pel.lee] n (1531): one against whom an appeal is taken

   append
          [ap.pend] vt [ME, fr. MF appendre, fr. LL appendere, fr.
          L, to weigh, fr. ad- + pendere to weigh--more at pendant]
          (14c) 1: attach, affix 2: to add as a supplement or appendix
          (as in a book)

   appendage
          [ap.pend.age] n (1649) 1: an adjunct to something larger
          or more important: appurtenance 2: a subordinate or derivative
          body part; esp: a limb or analogous part (as a seta)
          3: a dependent or subordinate person

   appendant
          [ap.pen.dant] adj (15c) 1: belonging as a right by
          prescription--used of annexed land in English law 2: associated
          as an attendant circumstance 3: attached as an appendage <a seal
          ~ to a document> -- appendant n

   appendectomy
          [ap.pen.dec.to.my] n, pl -mies [L appendic-, appendix + E
          -ectomy] (ca. 1895): surgical removal of the vermiform
          appendix

   appendicectomy
          [ap.pen.di.cec.to.my] n, pl -mies (1894) Brit: appendectomy

   appendicitis
          [ap.pen.di.ci.tis] n [NL] (1886): inflammation of the vermiform
          appendix

   appendicular
          [ap.pen.dic.u.lar] adj (1651): of or relating to an appendage
          and esp. a limb <the ~ skeleton>

   appendix
          [ap.pen.dix] n, pl -dix.es or -di.ces [L appendic-, appendix,
          fr. appendere] (1542) 1 a: appendage b: supplementary
          material usu. attached at the end of a piece of writing
          2: a bodily outgrowth or process; specif: vermiform appendix

   apperceive
          [ap.per.ceive] vt -ceived ; -ceiv.ing [F apercevoir] (1876):
          to have apperception of

   apperception
          [ap.per.cep.tion] n [F aperception, fr. apercevoir, fr. MF
          aperceivre, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + perceivre to perceive]
          (1753) 1: introspective self-consciousness 2: mental
          perception; esp: the process of understanding something
          perceived in terms of previous experience -- ap.per.cep.tive
          adj

   appertain
          [ap.per.tain] vi [ME apperteinen, fr. MF apartenir, fr. LL
          appertinere, fr. L ad- + pertinere to belong--more at
          pertain] (14c): to belong or be connected as a rightful
          part or attribute: pertain

   appetence
          [ap.pe.tence] n (1610): appetency

   appetency
          [ap.pe.ten.cy] n, pl -cies [L appetentia, fr. appetent-,
          appetens, prp. of appetere] (1631): a fixed and strong
          desire: appetite -- ap.pe.tent adj

   appetiser, appetising
          [ap.pe.tis.er, ap.pe.tis.ing] Brit var of appetizer, appetizing

   appetite
          [ap.pe.tite] n [ME apetit, fr. MF, fr. L appetitus, fr. appetere
          to strive after, fr. ad- + petere to go to--more at feather]
          (14c) 1: any of the instinctive desires necessary to
          keep up organic life; esp: the desire to eat 2 a: an
          inherent craving <an insatiable ~ for work> b: taste,
          preference <the cultural ~s of the time --J. D. Hart>
          -- ap.pe.ti.tive adj

   appetizer
          [ap.pe.tiz.er] n (1859): a food or drink that stimulates
          the appetite and is usu. served before a meal

   appetizing
          [ap.pe.tiz.ing] adj (1653): appealing to the appetite esp.
          in appearance or aroma; also: appealing to one's taste
          <an ~ display of merchandise> syn see palatable -- ap.pe.tiz.ing.ly
          adv

   appl
          [appl] abbreviation applied

   applaud
          [ap.plaud] vb [ME, fr. MF or L; MF applaudir, fr. L applaudere,
          fr. ad- + plaudere to applaud] vi (15c): to express approval
          esp. by clapping the hands ~ vt 1: to express approval
          of: praise <~ her efforts to lose weight> 2: to show
          approval of esp. by clapping the hands -- ap.plaud.able
          adj -- ap.plaud.ably adv -- ap.plaud.er n

   applause
          [ap.plause] n [ML applausus, fr. L, beating of wings, fr.
          applaudere] (15c) 1: marked commendation: acclaim <the
          kind of ~ every really creative writer wants --Robert
          Tallant> 2: approval publicly expressed (as by clapping
          the hands)

   apple
          [ap.ple] n, often attrib [ME appel, fr. OE aeppel; akin to
          OHG apful apple, OIr ubull, OCS abluko] (bef. 12c) 1:
          the fleshy usu. rounded and red, yellow, or green edible
          pome fruit of a tree (genus Malus) of the rose family;
          also: an apple tree 2: a fruit or other vegetable production
          suggestive of an apple--compare oak apple -- apple of
          one's eye : one that is highly cherished <his daughter
          is the apple of his eye>

   apple butter
          [apple butter] n (ca. 1774): a thick brown spread made by
          cooking apples with sugar and spices usu. in cider

   applecart
          [ap.ple.cart] n (1788): a plan, system, situation, or undertaking
          that may be disrupted or terminated <upset the ~>

   apple-cheeked
          [ap.ple-cheeked] adj (1864): having cheeks the color of red
          apples

   applejack
          [ap.ple.jack] n (1816): brandy distilled from hard cider;
          also: an alcoholic beverage traditionally made by freezing
          hard cider and siphoning off the concentrated liquor

   apple-knocker
          [ap.ple-knock.er] n (1919): rustic

   apple maggot
          [apple maggot] n (1867): a dipteran fly (Rhagoletis pomonella)
          whose larva burrows in and feeds esp. on apples

   apple-pie
          [ap.ple-pie] adj (1780) 1: excellent, perfect <~ order> 2:
          of, relating to, or characterized by traditionally American
          values (as honesty or simplicity) <is the epitome of
          ~ wholesomeness>

   apple-polish
          [ap.ple-pol.ish] vb [fr. the traditional practice of schoolchildren
          bringing a shiny apple as a gift to their teacher] vi (1935):
          to attempt to ingratiate oneself: toady ~ vt: to curry favor with
          (as by flattery) -- ap.ple-pol.ish.er n

   applesauce
          [ap.ple.sauce] n (1739) 1: a relish or dessert made of apples
          stewed to a pulp and sweetened 2 slang: bunkum, nonsense

   apple scab
          [apple scab] n (ca. 1899): a disease of apple trees caused
          by a fungus (Venturia inaequalis) producing dark blotches
          or lesions on the leaves, fruit, and sometimes the young
          twigs

   appliance
          [ap.pli.ance] n (1561) 1: an act of applying 2 a: a piece
          of equipment for adapting a tool or machine to a special
          purpose: attachment b: an instrument or device designed
          for a particular use; specif: a household or office device
          (as a stove, fan, or refrigerator) operated by gas or
          electric current c Brit: fire engine 3 obs: compliance
          syn see implement

   applicable
          [ap.pli.ca.ble] adj (1660): capable of or suitable for being
          applied: appropriate <statutes ~ to the case> syn see
          relevant -- ap.pli.ca.bil.i.ty n

   applicant
          [ap.pli.cant] n (ca. 1782): one who applies <a job ~>

   application
          [ap.pli.ca.tion] n [ME applicacioun, fr. L application-,
          applicatio inclination, fr. applicare] (15c) 1: an act
          of applying: a (1): an act of putting to use <~ of new
          techniques> (2): a use to which something is put <new
          ~s for old remedies> b: an act of administering or superposing
          <~ of paint to a house> c: assiduous attention <succeeds
          by ~ to her studies> 2 a: request, petition <an ~ for
          financial aid> b: a form used in making a request 3:
          the practical inference to be derived from a discourse
          (as a moral tale) 4: a medicated or protective layer
          or material <an oily ~ for dry skin> 5: capacity for
          practical use <words of varied ~>

   applicative
          [ap.pli.ca.tive] adj (1638) 1: applicable, practical 2: put
          to use: applied -- ap.pli.ca.tive.ly adv

   applicator
          [ap.pli.ca.tor] n (1659): one that applies; specif: a device
          for applying a substance (as medicine or polish)

   applicatory
          [ap.pli.ca.to.ry] adj (1649): capable of being applied

   applied
          [ap.plied] adj (1656) 1: put to practical use <~ art>; esp:
          applying general principles to solve definite problems
          <~ sciences> 2: working in an applied science <an ~ physicist>

   [1]applique
          [ap.pli.que] n [F, pp. of appliquer to put on, fr. L applicare]
          (1801): a cutout decoration fastened to a larger piece
          of material [2]applique vt -qued ; -que.ing (1881): to
          apply (as a decoration or ornament) to a larger surface:
          overlay

   apply
          [ap.ply] vb ap.plied ; ap.ply.ing [ME applien, fr. MF aplier,
          fr. L applicare, fr. ad- + plicare to fold--more at ply]
          vt (14c) 1 a: to put to use esp. for some practical purpose
          <applies pressure to get what he wants> b: to bring into
          action <~ the brakes> c: to lay or spread on <~ varnish>
          d: to put into operation or effect <~ a law> 2: to employ
          diligently or with close attention <should ~ yourself
          to your work> ~ vi 1: to have relevance or a valid connection
          <this rule applies to freshmen only> 2: to make an appeal
          or request esp. in the form of a written application
          <~ for a job> -- ap.pli.er n

   appoggiatura
          [ap.pog.gia.tu.ra] n [It, lit., support] (1753): an embellishing
          note or tone preceding an essential melodic note or tone
          and usu. written as a note of smaller size

   appoint
          [ap.point] vb [ME, fr. MF apointier to arrange, fr. a- (fr.
          L ad-) + point point] vt (14c) 1 a: to fix or set officially
          <~ a trial date> b: to name officially <will ~ her director
          of the program> c archaic: arrange d: to determine the
          disposition of (an estate) to someone by virtue of a
          power of appointment 2: to provide with complete and
          usu. appropriate or elegant furnishings or equipment
          ~ vi: to exercise a power of appointment syn see furnish

   appointee
          [ap.poin.tee] n (1768) 1: one who is appointed 2: one to
          whom an estate is appointed

   appointive
          [ap.point.ive] adj (1881): of, relating to, or filled by
          appointment <an ~ office>

   appointment
          [ap.point.ment] n (15c) 1 a: an act of appointing: designation
          b: the designation by virtue of a vested power of a person
          to enjoy an estate 2: an arrangement for a meeting: engagement
          3: equipment, furnishings--usu. used in pl. 4: a nonelective
          office or position <holds an academic ~>

   apportion
          [ap.por.tion] vt -tioned ; -tion.ing [MF apportionner, fr.
          a- (fr. L ad-) + portionner to portion] (1574): to divide
          and share out according to a plan; esp: to make a proportionate
          division or distribution of -- ap.por.tion.able adj

   apportionment
          [ap.por.tion.ment] n (1579): an act or result of apportioning;
          esp: the apportioning of representatives or taxes among
          the states according to U.S. law

   appose
          [ap.pose] vt ap.posed ; ap.pos.ing [MF aposer, fr. OF, fr.
          a- + poser to put--more at pose] (1596) 1 archaic: to
          put before: apply (one thing) to another 2: to place
          in juxtaposition or proximity

   apposite
          [ap.po.site] adj [L appositus, fr. pp. of apponere to place
          near, fr. ad- + ponere to put--more at position] (1621):
          highly pertinent or appropriate: apt syn see relevant
          -- ap.po.site.ly adv -- ap.po.site.ness n

   apposition
          [ap.po.si.tion] n (15c) 1 a: a grammatical construction in
          which two usu. adjacent nouns having the same referent
          stand in the same syntactical relation to the rest of
          a sentence (as the poet and Burns in "a biography of
          the poet Burns") b: the relation of one of such a pair
          of nouns or noun equivalents to the other 2 a: an act
          or instance of apposing; specif: the deposition of successive
          layers upon those already present (as in cell walls)
          b: the state of being apposed -- ap.po.si.tion.al adj

   appositive
          [ap.pos.i.tive] adj (1693): of, relating to, or standing
          in grammatical apposition -- appositive n -- ap.pos.i.tive.ly
          adv

   appraisal
          [ap.prais.al] n (1817): an act or instance of appraising;
          esp: a valuation of property by the estimate of an authorized
          person

   appraise
          [ap.praise] vt ap.praised ; ap.prais.ing [ME appreisen, fr.
          MF aprisier to apprize] (15c) 1: to set a value on: estimate
          the amount of 2: to evaluate the worth, significance,
          or status of; esp: to give an expert judgment of the
          value or merit of syn see estimate -- ap.prais.ee n --
          ap.praise.ment n -- ap.prais.er n -- ap.prais.ing.ly
          adv -- ap.prais.ive adj

   appreciable
          [ap.pre.cia.ble] adj (1818): capable of being perceived or
          measured syn see perceptible -- ap.pre.cia.bly adv

   appreciate
          [ap.pre.ci.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL appretiatus, pp.
          of appretiare, fr. L ad- + pretium price--more at price]
          vt (1655) 1 a: to grasp the nature, worth, quality, or
          significance of <can't ~ the difference between right
          and wrong> b: to value or admire highly <thinks no one
          ~s his endeavors> c: to judge with heightened perception
          or understanding: be fully aware of <must experience
          it to ~ it> d: to recognize with gratitude <certainly
          ~s your kindness> 2: to increase the value of ~ vi: to
          increase in number or value -- ap.pre.ci.a.tor n
          -- ap.pre.cia.to.ry adj syn appreciate, value, prize, treasure,
          cherish mean to hold in high estimation. appreciate often connotes
          sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence
          <appreciates fine wine>. value implies rating a thing highly for
          its intrinsic worth <values our friendship>. prize implies taking
          a deep pride in something one possesses <Americans prize their
          freedom>. treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something
          considered precious <a treasured memento>. cherish implies
          a special love and care for something <cherishes her children above
          all>. syn see in addition understand

   appreciation
          [ap.pre.ci.a.tion] n (1604) 1 a: judgment, evaluation; esp:
          a favorable critical estimate b: sensitive awareness;
          esp: recognition of aesthetic values c: an expression
          of admiration, approval, or gratitude 2: increase in
          value

   appreciative
          [ap.pre.cia.tive] adj (ca. 1698): having or showing appreciation
          -- ap.pre.cia.tive.ly adv -- ap.pre.cia.tive.ness n

   apprehend
          [ap.pre.hend] vb [ME, fr. L apprehendere, lit., to seize,
          fr. ad- + prehendere to seize--more at get] vt (15c)
          1: arrest, seize <~ a thief> 2 a: to become aware of:
          perceive b: to anticipate esp. with anxiety, dread, or
          fear 3: to grasp with the understanding: recognize the
          meaning of ~ vi: understand, grasp

   apprehensible
          [ap.pre.hen.si.ble] adj (ca. 1631): capable of being apprehended
          -- ap.pre.hen.si.bly adv

   apprehension
          [ap.pre.hen.sion] n [ME, fr. LL apprehension-, apprehensio,
          fr. L apprehendere] (14c) 1 a: the act or power of perceiving
          or comprehending <a person of dull ~> b: the result of
          apprehending mentally: conception <according to popular
          ~> 2: seizure by legal process: arrest 3: suspicion or
          fear esp. of future evil: foreboding

   apprehensive
          [ap.pre.hen.sive] adj (14c) 1: capable of apprehending or
          quick to do so: discerning 2: having apprehension: cognizant
          3: viewing the future with anxiety or alarm syn see fearful
          -- ap.pre.hen.sive.ly adv -- ap.pre.hen.sive.ness n

   [1]apprentice
          [ap.pren.tice] n [ME aprentis, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. aprendre
          to learn, fr. L apprendere, apprehendere] (14c) 1 a:
          one bound by indenture to serve another for a prescribed
          period with a view to learning an art or trade b: one
          who is learning by practical experience under skilled
          workers a trade, art, or calling 2: an inexperienced
          person: novice <an ~ in cooking> -- ap.pren.tice.ship
          n [2]apprentice vb -ticed ; -tic.ing vt (1596): to set
          at work as an apprentice; esp: to bind to an apprenticeship
          by contract or indenture ~ vi: to serve as an apprentice

   appressed
          [ap.pressed] adj [L appressus, pp. of apprimere to press
          to, fr. ad- + premere to press--more at press] (1791):
          pressed close to or lying flat against something <leaves
          ~ against the stem>

   appressorium
          [ap.pres.so.ri.um] n, pl -ria [NL, fr. L apprimere] (1897):
          the flattened thickened tip of a hyphal branch by which
          some parasitic fungi are attached to their host

   apprise
          [ap.prise] vt ap.prised ; ap.pris.ing [F appris, pp. of apprendre
          to learn, teach, fr. OF aprendre] (1694): to give notice
          to: tell syn see inform

   apprize
          [ap.prize] vt ap.prized ; ap.priz.ing [ME apprisen, fr. MF
          aprisier, fr. OF, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + prisier to appraise--more
          at prize] (14c): value, appreciate

   appro
          [appro] abbreviation approval

   [1]approach
          [ap.proach] vb [ME approchen, fr. OF aprochier, fr. LL appropiare,
          fr. L ad- + prope near; akin to L pro before--more at for] vt (13c)
          1 a: to draw closer to: near <~ the podium> b: to come very near
          to: be almost the same as <its mathematics ~es mysticism --Theodore
          Sturgeon> <as the quantity x ~es zero> 2 a: to make advances
          to esp. in order to create a desired result <was ~ed by several
          Broadway producers> b: to take preliminary steps toward
          accomplishment or full knowledge or experience of <~ the subject
          with an open mind> ~ vi 1: to draw nearer <dawn ~es> 2: to make
          an approach in golf [2]approach n (15c) 1 a: an act or instance
          of approaching <the ~ of summer> b: approximation <in this book
          he makes his closest ~ to greatness> 2 a: the taking of preliminary
          steps toward a particular purpose <experimenting with new lines
          of ~> b: a particular manner of taking such steps <a highly
          individual ~ to language> 3: a means of access: avenue 4 a: a golf
          shot from the fairway toward the green b: the steps taken
          by a bowler before he delivers the ball; also: the part of the
          alley behind the foul line from which the bowler delivers the ball
          5: the descent of an aircraft toward a landing place

   approachable
          [ap.proach.able] adj (1571): capable of being approached:
          accessible; specif: easy to meet or deal with --
          ap.proach.abil.i.ty n

   approbate
          [ap.pro.bate] vt -bat.ed ; -bat.ing [ME, fr. L approbatus,
          pp. of approbare--more at approve] (15c): approve, sanction
          -- ap.pro.ba.to.ry adj

   approbation
          [ap.pro.ba.tion] n (14c) 1 obs: proof 2 a: an act of approving
          formally or officially b: commendation, praise

   [1]appropriate
          [ap.pro.pri.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME, fr. LL appropriatus,
          pp. of appropriare, fr. L ad- + proprius own] (15c) 1:
          to take exclusive possession of: annex <no one should
          ~ a common benefit> 2: to set apart for or assign to
          a particular purpose or use <~ money for the research
          program> 3: to take or make use of without authority
          or right -- ap.pro.pri.a.ble adj -- ap.pro.pri.a.tor
          n [2]ap.pro.pri.ate adj (15c): especially suitable or
          compatible: fitting syn see fit -- ap.pro.pri.ate.ly
          adv -- ap.pro.pri.ate.ness n

   appropriation
          [ap.pro.pri.a.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of appropriating
          2: something that has been appropriated; specif: money set aside
          by formal action for a specific use -- ap.pro.pri.a.tive adj

   approvable
          [ap.prov.able] adj (15c): capable or worthy of being approved
          -- ap.prov.ably adv

   approval
          [ap.prov.al] n (1616): an act or instance of approving: approbation
          -- on approval : subject to a prospective buyer's acceptance
          or refusal <stamps sent to collectors on approval>

   approve
          [ap.prove] vb ap.proved ; ap.prov.ing [ME, fr. MF aprover,
          fr. L approbare, fr. ad- + probare to prove--more at
          prove] vt (14c) 1 obs: prove, attest 2: to have or express
          a favorable opinion of <couldn't ~ such conduct> 3 a:
          to accept as satisfactory <hopes she will ~ the date
          of the meeting> b: to give formal or official sanction
          to: ratify <Congress approved the proposed budget> ~
          vi: to take a favorable view <doesn't ~ of fighting>
          -- ap.prov.ing.ly adv syn approve, endorse, sanction,
          accredit, certify mean to have or express a favorable
          opinion of. approve often implies no more than this but
          may suggest considerable esteem or admiration <the parents
          approve of the marriage>. endorse suggests an explicit
          statement of support <publicly endorsed her for Senator>.
          sanction implies both approval and authorization <the
          President sanctioned covert operations>. accredit and
          certify usu. imply official endorsement attesting to
          conformity to set standards <the board voted to accredit
          the college> <must be certified to teach>.

   approved school
          [approved school] n (1932) Brit: a school for juvenile delinquents

   approx
          [approx] abbreviation approximate, approximately

   [1]approximate
          [ap.prox.i.mate] adj [LL approximatus, pp. of approximare
          to come near, fr. L ad- + proximare to come near--more
          at proximate] (15c) 1: located close together <~ leaves>
          2: nearly correct or exact <an ~ solution> -- ap.prox.i.mate.ly
          adv [2]ap.prox.i.mate vb -mat.ed ; -mat.ing vt (15c)
          1 a: to bring near or close b: to bring (cut edges of
          tissue) together 2: to come near to or be close to in
          position, value, or characteristics <a child tries to
          ~ his parents' speech> ~ vi: to come close--usu. used
          with to

   approximation
          [ap.prox.i.ma.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of drawing
          together 2: the quality or state of being close or near
          <an ~ to the truth> <an ~ of justice> 3: something that
          is approximate; esp: a mathematical quantity that is
          close in value to but not the same as a desired quantity
          -- ap.prox.i.ma.tive adj

   appt
          [appt] abbreviation appoint, appointed, appointment

   apptd
          [apptd] abbreviation appointed

   appurtenance
          [ap.pur.te.nance] n (14c) 1: an incidental right (as
          a right-of-way) attached to a principal property right and passing
          in possession with it 2: a subordinate part or adjunct <the
          ~ of welcome is fashion and ceremony --Shak.> 3 pl: accessory
          objects: apparatus

   appurtenant
          [ap.pur.te.nant] adj [ME apertenant, fr. MF, fr. OF, prp.
          of apartenir to belong--more at appertain] (14c) 1: constituting
          a legal accompaniment 2: auxiliary, accessory -- appurtenant
          n

   Apr
          [Apr] abbreviation April  APR abbreviation annual percentage
          rate

   apraxia
          [aprax.ia] n [NL, fr. Gk, inaction, fr. a- + praxis action,
          fr. prassein to do--more at practical] (ca. 1881): loss
          or impairment of the ability to execute complex coordinated
          movements without impairment of the muscles or senses
          -- aprac.tic or aprax.ic adj

   apres
          [apres] prep [F apres-, fr. apres after] (1967): after <~
          tennis>--usu. used in combination <apres-theater party>

   apres moi le deluge
          [apres moi le de.luge] or apres nous le deluge [F] foreign
          term : after me the deluge--attributed to Louis XV

   apres-ski
          [apres-ski] n, often attrib [F apres after + ski ski, skiing]
          (1951): social activity (as at a ski lodge) after a day's
          skiing

   apricot
          [apri.cot] n, often attrib [alter. of earlier abrecock, ultim.
          fr. Ar al-birquq the apricot, ultim. fr. L (persicum)
          praecox, lit., early ripening (peach)--more at precocious]
          (1551) 1 a: the oval orange-colored fruit of a temperate-zone
          tree (Prunus armeniaca) resembling the related peach
          and plum in flavor b: a tree that bears apricots 2: a
          variable color averaging a moderate orange

   April
          [April] n [ME, fr. OF & L; OF avrill, fr. L Aprilis] (bef.
          12c): the 4th month of the Gregorian calendar

   April fool
          [April fool] n (1687): the butt of a joke or trick played
          on April Fools' Day; also: such a joke or trick

   April Fools' Day
          [April Fools' Day] n (1903): April 1 characteristically marked
          by the playing of practical jokes

   a priori
          [a pri.o.ri] adj [L, lit., from the former] (1652) 1 a: deductive
          b: relating to or derived by reasoning from self-evident
          propositions--compare a posteriori c: presupposed by
          experience 2 a: being without examination or analysis:
          presumptive b: formed or conceived beforehand -- a priori
          adv -- apri.or.i.ty n

   apron
          [apron] n, often attrib [ME, alter. (resulting fr. false
          division of a napron) of napron, fr. MF naperon, dim.
          of nape cloth, modif. of L mappa napkin] (15c) 1: a garment
          usu. of cloth, plastic, or leather usu. tied around the
          waist and used to protect clothing or adorn a costume
          2: something that suggests or resembles an apron in shape,
          position, or use: as a: the lower member under the sill
          of the interior casing of a window b: an upward or downward
          vertical extension of a bathroom fixture (as a sink or
          tub) c: an endless belt for carrying material d: an extensive
          fan-shaped deposit of detritus e: the part of the stage
          in front of the proscenium arch f: the area along the
          waterfront edge of a pier or wharf g: a shield (as of
          concrete or gravel) to protect against erosion (as of
          a waterway) by water h: the extensive paved part of an
          airport immediately adjacent to the terminal area or
          hangars -- aproned adj

   apron string
          [apron string] n (1542): the string of an apron--usu. used
          in pl. as a symbol of dominance or complete control <though
          40 years old he was still tied to his mother's apron
          strings>

   [1]apropos
          [ap.ro.pos] adv [F a propos, lit., to the purpose] (1668)
          1: at an opportune time: seasonably 2: by the way [2]apropos
          adj (1686): being both relevant and opportune syn see
          relevant [3]apropos prep (1910): apropos of

   apropos of
          [apropos of] prep (1746): with regard to: concerning

   aprotic
          [apro.tic] adj [[2]a- + proton + [1]-ic] (1931) of a solvent:
          incapable of acting as a proton donor

   apse
          [apse] n [ML & L; ML apsis, fr. L] (1822) 1: apsis 1 2: a
          projecting part of a building (as a church) that is usu.
          semicircular in plan and vaulted

   apsidal
          [ap.si.dal] adj (1846): of or relating to an apse or apsis

   apsis
          [ap.sis] n, pl ap.si.des [NL apsid-, apsis, fr. L, arch,
          orbit, fr. Gk hapsid-, hapsis, fr. haptein to fasten]
          (1658) 1: the point in an astronomical orbit at which
          the distance of the body from the center of attraction
          is either greatest or least 2: apse 2

   apt
          [apt] adj [ME, fr. L aptus, lit., fastened, fr. pp. of apere
          to fasten; akin to L apisci to grasp, obtain, apud near,
          Hitt hap- to attach] (14c) 1: unusually fitted or qualified:
          ready <proved an ~ tool in the hands of the conspirators>
          2 a: having a tendency: likely <plants ~ to suffer from
          drought> b: ordinarily disposed: inclined <~ to accept
          what is plausible as true> 3: suited to a purpose; esp:
          being to the point <an ~ quotation> 4: keenly intelligent
          and responsive syn see fit, quick usage see liable --
          apt.ly adv -- apt.ness n

   apt
          [apt] abbreviation apartment, aptitude

   apterous
          [ap.ter.ous] adj [Gk apteros, fr. a- + pteron wing--more
          at feather] (1775): lacking wings <~ insects>

   apteryx
          [ap.ter.yx] n [NL, fr. a- + Gk pteryx wing; akin to Gk pteron]
          (1813): kiwi

   aptitude
          [ap.ti.tude] n [ME, fr. ML aptitudo, fr. LL, fitness, fr.
          L aptus] (15c) 1 a: inclination, tendency b: a natural
          ability: talent 2: capacity for learning: aptness 3:
          general suitability syn see gift -- ap.ti.tu.di.nal adj
          -- ap.ti.tu.di.nal.ly adv

   aptitude test
          [aptitude test] n (1923): a standardized test designed to
          predict an individual's ability to learn certain skills

   apyrase
          [ap.y.rase] n [adenosine + pyrophosphate + -ase] (1945):
          any of several enzymes that hydrolyze ATP with the liberation
          of phosphate and energy

   aq...
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   aq
          [aq] abbreviation aqua, aqueous

   aqua
          [aqua] n [L--more at island] (14c) 1 pl aquae : water; esp:
          water 5a(2) 2 pl aquas : a light greenish blue color

   aquacade
          [aqua.cade] n [Aquacade, a water spectacle orig. at Cleveland,
          Ohio] (1937): a water spectacle that consists usu. of
          exhibitions of swimming and diving with musical accompaniment

   aquaculture
          [aqua.cul.ture] also aqui.cul.ture n [L aqua + E -culture
          (as in agriculture)] (1867): the cultivation of the natural
          produce of water (as fish or shellfish) -- aqua.cul.tur.al
          adj -- aqua.cul.tur.ist n

   aqua et igni interdictus
          [aqua et ig.ni in.ter.dic.tus] [L] foreign term : forbidden
          to be furnished with water and fire: outlawed

   aqua fortis
          [aqua for.tis] n [NL aqua fortis, lit., strong water] (15c):
          nitric acid

   Aqua-Lung
          [Aqua-Lung] trademark--used for an underwater breathing apparatus

   aquamarine
          [aqua.ma.rine] n [NL aqua marina, fr. L, sea water] (ca.
          1751) 1: a transparent beryl that is blue, blue-green,
          or green in color 2: a pale blue to light greenish blue

   aquanaut
          [aqua.naut] n [L aqua + E -naut (as in aeronaut)] (1881):
          a scuba diver who lives and operates both inside and
          outside an underwater shelter for an extended period

   [1]aquaplane
          [aqua.plane] n (1914): a board towed behind a speeding motorboat
          and ridden by a person standing on it -- aqua.plan.er
          n [2]aquaplane vi (ca. 1923) 1: to ride on an aquaplane
          2 Brit: hydroplane

   aqua regia
          [aqua re.gia] n [NL, lit., royal water] (1610): a mixture
          of nitric and hydrochloric acids that dissolves gold
          or platinum

   aquarelle
          [aqua.relle] n [F, fr. obs. It acquarella (now acquerello),
          fr. acqua water, fr. L aqua] (1869): a drawing usu. in
          transparent watercolor -- aqua.rell.ist n

   Aquarian
          [Aquar.i.an] n (1911): aquarius 2b -- Aquarian adj

   aquarist
          [aquar.ist] n (ca. 1893): a person who keeps or maintains
          an aquarium

   aquarium
          [aquar.i.um] n, pl -i.ums or -ia [prob. alter. of aquatic
          vivarium] (ca. 1847) 1: a container (as a glass tank)
          or an artificial pond in which living aquatic animals
          or plants are kept 2: an establishment where aquatic
          collections of living organisms are kept and exhibited

   Aquarius
          [Aquar.i.us] n [L (gen. Aquarii), lit., water carrier] 1:
          a constellation south of Pegasus pictured as a man pouring
          water 2 a: the 11th sign of the zodiac in astrology b:
          one born under the sign of Aquarius

   [1]aquatic
          [aquat.ic] adj (1642) 1: growing or living in or frequenting
          water <~ mosquito larvae> 2: taking place in or on water
          <~ sports> -- aquat.i.cal.ly adv [2]aquatic n (ca. 1600)
          1: an aquatic animal or plant 2 pl but sing or pl in
          constr: water sports

   aquatint
          [aqua.tint] n [It acqua tinta dyed water] (1782): a method
          of etching a printing plate so that tones similar to
          watercolor washes can be reproduced; also: a print made
          from a plate so etched -- aquatint vt -- aqua.tint.er
          n -- aqua.tint.ist n

   aquavit
          [aqua.vit] n [Sw, Dan, & Norw akvavit, fr. ML aqua vitae]
          (1890): a clear Scandinavian liquor flavored with caraway
          seeds

   aqua vitae
          [aqua vi.tae] n [ME, fr. ML, lit., water of life] (15c):
          a strong alcoholic liquor (as brandy)

   aqueduct
          [aq.ue.duct] n [L aquaeductus, fr. aquae (gen. of aqua) +
          ductus act of leading--more at duct] (1538) 1 a: a conduit
          for water; esp: one for carrying a large quantity of
          flowing water b: a structure for conveying a canal over
          a river or hollow 2: a canal or passage in a part or
          organ

   aqueous
          [aque.ous] adj [ML aqueus, fr. L aqua] (1646) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or resembling water b: made from, with, or by water
          2: of or relating to the aqueous humor

   aqueous humor
          [aqueous humor] n (1643): a transparent fluid occupying the
          space between the crystalline lens and the cornea of
          the eye

   aquifer
          [aqui.fer] n [NL, fr. L aqua + -fer] (1901): a water-bearing
          stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel -- aquif.er.ous
          adj

   Aquila
          [Aq.ui.la] n [L (gen. Aquilae), lit., eagle]: a constellation
          in the northern hemisphere represented by the figure
          of an eagle

   aquilegia
          [aq.ui.le.gia] n [NL] (1871): columbine

   aquiline
          [aq.ui.line] adj [L aquilinus, fr. aquila eagle] (1646) 1:
          curving like an eagle's beak <an ~ nose> 2: of, relating
          to, or resembling an eagle -- aq.ui.lin.i.ty n

   aquiver
          [aquiv.er] adj (1883): marked by trembling or quivering <all
          ~ with excitement>

   ar...
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   -ar
          [-ar] adj suffix [ME, fr. L -aris, alter. of -alis -al]:
          of or relating to <molecular>: being <spectacular>: resembling
          <oracular>

   ar
          [ar] abbreviation arrival, arrive  Ar abbreviation Arabic,
          argon  AR abbreviation accounts receivable, acknowledgment
          of receipt, all rail, all risks, annual return, Arkansas,
          army regulation, autonomous republic

   ar
          [ar] n [ME] (14c): the letter r

   Arab
          [Ar.ab] n [ME, fr. L Arabus, Arabs, fr. Gk Arab-, Araps]
          (14c) 1 a: a member of the Semitic people of the Arabian
          peninsula b: a member of an Arabic-speaking people 2:
          arabian horse -- Arab adj

   Arab
          [Arab] abbreviation Arabian, Arabic

   [1]arabesque
          [ar.a.besque] adj [F, fr. It arabesco Arabian in fashion,
          fr. arabo Arab, fr. L Arabus] (ca. 1656): of, relating
          to, or being in the style of arabesque or an arabesque
          [2]arabesque n (1786) 1: an ornament or style that employs
          flower, foliage, or fruit and sometimes animal and figural
          outlines to produce an intricate pattern of interlaced
          lines 2: a posture in ballet in which the body is bent
          forward from the hip on one leg with one arm extended
          forward and the other arm and leg backward 3: an elaborate
          or intricate pattern <richly pierced by an ~ of wormholes
          --John Chase> <as lawyers ... perform their procedural
          ~s --Daniel Okrent>

   [1]Arabian
          [Ara.bi.an] n (14c) 1: a native or inhabitant of Arabia 2:
          arabian horse [2]Arabian adj (14c): arabic 1

   Arabian horse
          [Arabian horse] n (1737): any of a breed of swift compact
          horses developed in Arabia and usu. having gray or chestnut
          silky hair

   [1]Arabic
          [Ar.a.bic] n (14c): a Semitic language orig. of the Arabs
          of the Hejaz and Nejd that is now the prevailing speech
          of a wide region of southwestern Asia and northern Africa
          [2]Arabic adj (1526) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Arabia or the Arabs 2: of, relating to, or constituting
          Arabic 3: expressed in or utilizing Arabic numerals

   arabica
          [arab.i.ca] n, often attrib [NL, specific epithet of Coffea
          arabica, fr. L, fem. of Arabicus Arabian] (1922) 1: an
          evergreen shrub or tree (Coffea arabica) yielding seeds
          that produce a high-quality coffee and form a large portion
          of the coffee of commerce 2: the seeds of arabica

   Arabic alphabet
          [Arabic alphabet] n (1841): an alphabet of 28 letters derived
          from the Aramaic alphabet which is used for writing Arabic
          and also with adaptations for other languages of the
          Islamic world

   arabicize
          [arab.i.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing often cap (1872) 1: to
          adapt (a language or elements of a language) to the phonetic
          or structural pattern of Arabic 2: arabize 1 -- arab.i.ci.za.tion
          n

   Arabic numeral
          [Arabic numeral] n (ca. 1847): any of the number symbols
          0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

   arabinose
          [arab.i.nose] n [ISV arabin (the solid principle in gum arabic,
          fr. gum arabic + [1]-in) + -ose] (ca. 1884): a white
          crystalline aldose sugar occurring esp. in vegetable
          gums

   arabinoside
          [ara.bi.no.side] n (1927): a glycoside that yields arabinose
          on hydrolysis

   Arabise
          [Ar.ab.ise] Brit var of arabize

   Arabism
          [Ar.ab.ism] n (1614) 1: a characteristic feature of Arabic
          occurring in another language 2: devotion to Arab interests,
          culture, aspirations, or ideals

   Arabist
          [Ar.ab.ist] n (1753) 1: a specialist in the Arabic language
          or in Arabic culture 2: a person who favors Arab interests
          and positions in international affairs

   Arabize
          [Ar.ab.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1883) 1 a: to cause to acquire
          Arabic customs, manners, speech, or outlook b: to modify
          (a population) by intermarriage with Arabs 2: arabicize
          1 -- Ar.ab.i.za.tion n

   [1]arable
          [ar.a.ble] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L arabilis, fr. arare to
          plow; akin to OE erian to plow, Gk aroun] (15c) 1: fit
          for or used for the growing of crops 2 Brit: engaged
          in, produced by, or being the cultivation of arable land
          -- ar.a.bil.i.ty n [2]arable n (1576) chiefly Brit: land
          fit or used for the growing of crops; also: a plot of
          such land <the village ~ of Anglo-Saxon times>

   arachidonic acid
          [ar.a.chi.don.ic acid] n [NL Arachid-, Arachis + E -onic
          (as in gluconic acid)] (1913): a liquid unsaturated fatty
          acid that occurs in most animal fats, is a precursor
          of prostaglandins, and is considered essential in animal
          nutrition

   arachis oil
          [ar.a.chis oil] n [NL Arachis, genus that includes the peanut,
          fr. Gk arakis, dim. of arakos, a legume] (ca. 1889):
          peanut oil

   arachnid
          [arach.nid] n [NL Arachnida, fr. Gk arachne spider] (1869):
          any of a class (Arachnida) of arthropods comprising chiefly
          terrestrial invertebrates, including the spiders, scorpions,
          mites, and ticks, and having a segmented body divided
          into two regions of which the anterior bears four pairs
          of legs but no antennae -- arachnid adj

   [1]arachnoid
          [arach.noid] adj (1789) 1: of or relating to a thin membrane
          of the brain and spinal cord that lies between the dura
          mater and the pia mater 2: covered with or composed of
          soft loose hairs or fibers [2]arachnoid n [NL arachnoides,
          fr. Gk arachnoeides, like a cobweb, fr. arachne spider,
          spider's web] (ca. 1847): an arachnoid membrane [3]arachnoid
          adj [NL Arachnida + E -oid] (1852): resembling or related
          to the arachnids

   aragonite
          [ara.go.nite] n [G Aragonit, fr. Aragon, Spain] (1803): a
          mineral similar to calcite in consisting of calcium carbonate
          but differing from calcite in its orthorhombic crystallization,
          greater density, and less distinct cleavage -- ara.go.nit.ic
          adj

   arak
          [ar.ak] var of arrack

   Aramaean
          [Ar.a.mae.an] n [L Aramaeus, fr. Gk Aramaios, fr. Heb 'Aram
          Aram, ancient name for Syria] (1839) 1: aramaic 2: a
          member of a Semitic people of the second millennium b.c.
          in Syria and Upper Mesopotamia -- Aramaean adj

   Aramaic
          [Ar.a.ma.ic] n (1882): a Semitic language known since the
          ninth century b.c. as the speech of the Aramaeans and
          later used extensively in southwest Asia as a commercial
          and governmental language and adopted as their customary
          speech by various non-Aramaean peoples including the
          Jews after the Babylonian exile

   Aramaic alphabet
          [Aramaic alphabet] n (1925) 1: an extinct North Semitic alphabet
          dating from the ninth century b.c. which was for several
          centuries the commercial alphabet of southwest Asia and
          the parent of other alphabets (as Syriac and Arabic)
          2: the square Hebrew alphabet as distinguished from the
          early Hebrew alphabet

   aramid
          [ar.a.mid] n [aromatic polyamide] (1972): any of a group
          of lightweight but very strong heat-resistant synthetic
          aromatic polyamide materials that are fashioned into
          fibers, filaments, or sheets and used esp. in textiles
          and plastics

   Arapaho
          [Arap.a.ho] or Arap.a.hoe n, pl Arapaho or Arapahos or Arapahoe
          or Arapahoes (1854) 1: a member of an American Indian
          people of the plains region ranging from Saskatchewan
          and Manitoba to New Mexico and Texas 2: the Algonquian
          language of the Arapaho people

   Araucanian
          [Arau.ca.ni.an] also Arau.can n [Sp araucano, fr. Arauco,
          former province in Chile] (1809) 1: a member of a group
          of Indian peoples of south central Chile and adjacent
          regions of Argentina 2: the language of the Araucanian
          people that constitutes an independent language family
          -- Araucanian adj

   araucaria
          [ar.au.car.ia] n [NL, fr. Arauco] (1809): any of a genus
          (Araucaria of the family Araucariaceae, the araucaria
          family) of So. American or Australian coniferous trees
          that resemble pines and are often grown as ornamentals
          -- ar.au.car.i.an adj

   Arawak
          [Ar.a.wak] n, pl Arawak or Arawaks (1769) 1: a member of
          an Indian people of the Arawakan group now living chiefly
          along the coast of Guyana 2: the language of the Arawak
          people

   Arawakan
          [Ar.a.wak.an] n, pl Arawakan or Arawakans (1901) 1: a member
          of a group of Indian peoples of South America and the
          West Indies 2: the language family of the Arawakan peoples

   arb
          [arb] n (1979): arbitrageur

   arbalest
          [ar.ba.lest] or ar.ba.list n [ME arblast, fr. OE, fr. OF
          arbaleste, fr. LL arcuballista, fr. L arcus bow + ballista--more
          at arrow] (bef. 12c): a crossbow esp. of medieval times

   arbiter
          [ar.bi.ter] n [ME arbitre, fr. MF, fr. L arbitr-, arbiter]
          (14c) 1: a person with power to decide a dispute: judge
          2: a person or agency having the power of deciding

   arbiter elegantiarum
          [arbiter el.e.gan.ti.a.rum] n [L, lit., arbiter of refinements]
          (1818): a person who prescribes, rules on, or is a recognized
          authority on matters of social behavior and taste

   arbitrable
          [ar.bi.tra.ble] adj (1531): subject to decision by arbitration

   [1]arbitrage
          [ar.bi.trage] n [F, fr. MF, arbitration, fr. OF, fr. arbitrer
          to render judgment, fr. L arbitrari, fr. arbitr-, arbiter]
          (1875) 1: the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of
          securities or foreign exchange in different markets in
          order to profit from price discrepancies 2: the purchase
          of the stock of a takeover target esp. with a view to
          selling it profitably to the raider [2]arbitrage vi -traged
          ; -trag.ing (1900): to engage in arbitrage

   arbitrageur
          [ar.bi.tra.geur] or ar.bi.trag.er n [F arbitrageur, fr. arbitrage]
          (1870): one that practices arbitrage

   arbitral
          [ar.bi.tral] adj (1609): of or relating to arbiters or arbitration

   arbitrament
          [ar.bit.ra.ment] n [ME, fr. MF arbitrement, fr. arbitrer]
          (15c) 1 archaic: the right or power of deciding 2: the
          settling of a dispute by an arbiter 3: the judgment given
          by an arbitrator

   arbitrary
          [ar.bi.trary] adj (15c) 1: depending on individual discretion
          (as of a judge) and not fixed by law <the manner of punishment
          is ~> 2 a: not restrained or limited in the exercise
          of power: ruling by absolute authority <an ~ government>
          b: marked by or resulting from the unrestrained and often
          tyrannical exercise of power <protection from ~ arrest
          and detention> 3 a: based on or determined by individual
          preference or convenience rather than by necessity or
          the intrinsic nature of something <an ~ standard> <take
          any ~ positive number> <~ division of historical studies
          into watertight compartments --A. J. Toynbee> b: existing
          or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as
          a capricious and unreasonable act of will <when a task
          is not seen in a meaningful context it is experienced
          as being ~ --Nehemiah Jordan> -- ar.bi.trari.ly adv --
          ar.bi.trar.i.ness n

   arbitrate
          [ar.bi.trate] vb -trat.ed ; -trat.ing vt (1592) 1 archaic:
          decide, determine 2: to act as arbiter upon 3: to submit
          or refer for decision to an arbiter <agreed to ~ their
          differences> ~ vi: to act as arbitrator -- ar.bi.tra.tive
          adj

   arbitration
          [ar.bi.tra.tion] n (15c): the action of arbitrating; esp:
          the hearing and determination of a case in controversy
          by an arbiter -- ar.bi.tra.tion.al adj

   arbitrator
          [ar.bi.tra.tor] n (15c): one that arbitrates: arbiter

   [1]arbor
          [ar.bor] n [ME erber plot of grass, arbor, fr. MF herbier
          plot of grass, fr. herbe herb, grass] (14c): a shelter
          of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing
          shrubs or vines [2]arbor n [L, tree, shaft] (1659) 1:
          a spindle or axle of a wheel 2: a main shaft or beam
          3: a shaft on which a revolving cutting tool is mounted
          4: a spindle on a cutting machine that holds the work
          to be cut

   arbor-
          [arbor-] or arbori- comb form [L arbor]: tree <arboriculture>

   Arbor Day
          [Arbor Day] n [L arbor tree] (1872): a day designated for
          planting trees

   arboreal
          [ar.bo.re.al] adj [L arboreus of a tree, fr. arbor] (ca.
          1667) 1: of, relating to, or resembling a tree 2: inhabiting
          or frequenting trees <~ monkeys> -- ar.bo.re.al.ly adv

   arboreous
          [ar.bo.re.ous] adj (1646): arboreal <an ~ palm>

   arborescent
          [ar.bo.res.cent] adj (1675): resembling a tree in properties,
          growth, structure, or appearance -- ar.bo.res.cence n

   arboretum
          [ar.bo.re.tum] n, pl -retums or -re.ta [NL, fr. L, plantation
          of trees, fr. arbor] (1838): a place where trees, shrubs,
          and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and
          educational purposes

   arboriculture
          [ar.bor.i.cul.ture] n [arbori- + -culture (as in agriculture)]
          (1828): the cultivation of trees and shrubs esp. for
          ornamental purposes -- ar.bor.i.cul.tur.al adj

   arborist
          [ar.bor.ist] n (1578): a specialist in the care and maintenance
          of trees

   arborization
          [ar.bor.i.za.tion] n (1794): formation of or into an arborescent
          figure or arrangement; also: such a figure or arrangement
          (as a dendritic process of a nerve cell)

   arborize
          [ar.bor.ize] vi -ized ; -iz.ing (1847): to branch freely
          and repeatedly

   arborvitae
          [ar.bor.vi.tae] n [NL arbor vitae, lit., tree of life] (1646):
          any of various evergreen trees and shrubs (esp. genus
          Thuja) of the cypress family that usu. have closely overlapping
          or compressed scale leaves and are often grown for ornament
          and in hedges

   arbour
          [ar.bour] chiefly Brit var of arbor

   arbovirus
          [ar.bo.vi.rus] n [arthropod-borne virus] (1957): any of various
          RNA viruses (as the causative agents of encephalitis,
          yellow fever, and dengue) transmitted by arthropods

   arbutus
          [ar.bu.tus] n [NL, fr. L, strawberry tree] (1548) 1: any
          of a genus (Arbutus) of shrubs and trees of the heath
          family with white or pink flowers and red or orange berries
          2: a creeping plant (Epigaea repens) of the heath family
          that occurs in eastern No. America and bears fragrant
          pink or white flowers in early spring

   ARC
          [ARC] abbreviation AIDS-related complex, American Red Cross

   [1]arc
          [arc] n [ME ark, fr. MF arc bow, fr. L arcus bow, arch, arc--more
          at arrow] (14c) 1: the apparent path described above
          and below the horizon by a celestial body (as the sun)
          2: something arched or curved 3: a sustained luminous
          discharge of electricity across a gap in a circuit or
          between electrodes; also: arc lamp 4: a continuous portion
          (as of a circle or ellipse) of a curved line 5: degree
          measurement on the circumference of a circle--used esp.
          in the phrase of arc <11 minutes 3 seconds of ~> [2]arc
          vi arced ; arc.ing (1893) 1: to form an electric arc
          2: to follow an arc-shaped course <the missile ~ed across
          the sky> [3]arc adj [arc sine arc or angle (corresponding
          to the) sine (of so many degrees)] (ca. 1949): inverse
          2--used with the trigonometric functions and hyperbolic
          functions

   arcade
          [ar.cade] n [F, fr. It arcata, fr. arco arch, fr. L arcus]
          (1725) 1: a long arched building or gallery 2: an arched
          covered passageway or avenue (as between shops) 3: a
          series of arches with their columns or piers 4: an amusement
          center having coin-operated games

   arcaded
          [ar.cad.ed] adj (1805): having, formed in, or decorated with
          arches or arcades <~ streets> <an ~ bowl>

   Arcades ambo
          [Ar.ca.des am.bo] [L] foreign term : both Arcadians: two
          persons of like occupations or tastes; also: two rascals

   arcadia
          [ar.ca.dia] n, often cap [Arcadia, region of ancient Greece
          frequently chosen as background for pastoral poetry]
          (ca. 1890): a region or scene of simple pleasure and
          quiet

   arcadian
          [ar.ca.di.an] adj, often cap (1589) 1: idyllically pastoral;
          esp: idyllically innocent, simple, or untroubled 2 a:
          of or relating to Arcadia or the Arcadians b: of or relating
          to Arcadian Ar.ca.di.an n (1590) 1 often not cap: a person
          who lives a simple quiet life 2: a native or inhabitant
          of Arcadia 3: the dialect of ancient Greek used in Arcadia

   arcading
          [ar.cad.ing] n (1849): a series of arches or arcades used
          in the construction or decoration esp. of a building

   Arcady
          [Ar.ca.dy] n (14c): arcadia

   arcane
          [ar.cane] adj [L arcanus] (1547): known or knowable only
          to the initiate: secret <the ~ rites of a mystery cult>;
          broadly: mysterious, obscure <the technical consultant's
          ~ explanations>

   arcanum
          [ar.ca.num] n, pl -na [L, fr. neut. of arcanus secret, fr.
          arca chest--more at ark] (15c) 1: mysterious knowledge,
          language, or information accessible only by the initiate--usu.
          used in pl. 2: elixir 1

   arccosine
          [arc.co.sine] n (ca. 1884): the inverse function to the cosine
          <if y is the cosine of A, then A is the ~ of y>

   [1]arch
          [arch] n [ME arche, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL arca, fr. L
          arcus--more at arrow] (14c) 1: a typically curved structural
          member spanning an opening and serving as a support (as
          for the wall or other weight above the opening) 2 a:
          something resembling an arch in form or function; esp:
          either of two vaulted portions of the bony structure
          of the foot that impart elasticity to it b: a curvature
          having the form of an arch 3: archway [2]arch vt (15c)
          1: to cover or provide with an arch 2: to form into an
          arch ~ vi 1: to form an arch 2: to take an arch-shaped
          course [3]arch adj [[1]arch-] (1547) 1: principal, chief
          <your ~ opponent> 2 a: mischievous, saucy b: marked by
          a deliberate and often forced irony, brashness, or impudence
          -- arch.ly adv -- arch.ness n

   [1]-arch
          [-arch] n comb form [ME -arche, fr. OF & LL & L; OF -arche,
          fr. LL -archa, fr. L -arches, -archus, fr. Gk -arches,
          -archos, fr. archein]: ruler: leader <matriarch> [2]-arch
          adj comb form [prob. fr. G, fr. Gk arche beginning]:
          having (such) a point or (so many) points of origin <endarch>

   arch
          [arch] abbreviation archaic, archery, architect, architectural,
          architecture  Arch abbreviation Archbishop

   [1]arch-
          [arch-] prefix [ME arche-, arch-, fr. OE & OF; OE arce-,
          fr. LL arch- & L archi-; OF arch-, fr. LL arch- & L archi-,
          fr. Gk arch-, archi-, fr. archein to begin, rule; akin
          to Gk arche beginning, rule, archos ruler] 1: chief:
          principal <archfiend> 2: extreme: most fully embodying
          the qualities of the kind <archconservative> [2]arch-
          --see archi-

   archae-
          [archae-] or archaeo- also archeo- comb form [Gk archaio-,
          fr. archaios ancient, fr. arche beginning]: ancient:
          primitive <archaeopteryx> <Archeozoic>

   archaebacterium
          [ar.chae.bac.te.ri.um] n [NL] (1977): any of a class
          (Archaeobacteria) or a separate kingdom (Archaebacteria)
          of primitive bacteria including methane-producing forms, some red
          halophilic forms, and others of harsh hot acidic environments

   archaeoastronomy
          [ar.chaeo.as.tron.o.my] n (1971): the study of the astronomy
          of ancient cultures

   archaeology
          [ar.chae.ol.o.gy] or ar.che.ol.o.gy n [F archeologie, fr.
          LL archaeologia antiquarian lore, fr. Gk archaiologia,
          fr. archaio- + -logia -logy] (1837) 1: the scientific
          study of material remains (as fossil relics, artifacts,
          and monuments) of past human life and activities 2: remains
          of the culture of a people: antiquities -- ar.chae.o.log.i.cal
          adj -- ar.chae.o.log.i.cal.ly adv -- ar.chae.ol.o.gist
          n

   archaeopteryx
          [ar.chae.op.ter.yx] n [NL, fr. archae- + Gk pteryx wing;
          akin to Gk pteron wing--more at feather] (1859): a primitive
          crow-sized bird (genus Archaeopteryx) of the Upper Jurassic
          period of Europe having reptilian characteristics (as
          teeth and a long bony tail)

   archaic
          [ar.cha.ic] adj [F or Gk; F archaique, fr. Gk archaikos,
          fr. archaios] (1832) 1: having the characteristics of
          the language of the past and surviving chiefly in specialized
          uses 2: of, relating to, or characteristic of an earlier
          or more primitive time: antiquated <~ legal traditions>
          3 cap: of or belonging to the early or formative phases
          of a culture or a period of artistic development; esp:
          of or belonging to the period leading up to the classical
          period of Greek culture 4: surviving from an earlier
          period; specif: typical of a previously dominant evolutionary
          stage 5 cap: of or relating to the period from about
          8000 b.c. to 1000 b.c. and the North American cultures
          of that time syn see old -- ar.cha.i.cal.ly adv

   archaic smile
          [archaic smile] n (1889): an expression that resembles a
          smile and is characteristic of early Greek sculpture

   archaism
          [ar.cha.ism] n [NL archaismus, fr. Gk archaismos, fr. archaios]
          (1643) 1: the use of archaic diction or style 2: an instance
          of archaic usage 3: something archaic; esp: something
          (as a practice or custom) that is outmoded or old-fashioned
          -- ar.cha.ist n -- ar.cha.is.tic adj -- ar.cha.ize vb

   archangel
          [arch.an.gel] n [ME, fr. OF or LL; OF archangele, fr. LL
          archangelus, fr. Gk archangelos, fr. archi- + angelos
          angel] (12c) 1: a chief angel 2 pl: an order of angels--see
          celestial hierarchy -- arch.an.gel.ic adj

   archbishop
          [arch.bish.op] n [ME, fr. OE arcebiscop, fr. LL archiepiscopus,
          fr. LGk archiepiskopos, fr. archi- + episkopos bishop--more
          at bishop] (bef. 12c): a bishop at the head of an ecclesiastical
          province or one of equivalent honorary rank

   archbishopric
          [arch.bish.op.ric] n (bef. 12c) 1: the see or province over
          which an archbishop exercises authority 2: the jurisdiction
          or office of an archbishop

   archconservative
          [arch.con.ser.va.tive] n (1934): an extreme conservative
          -- archconservative adj

   archdeacon
          [arch.dea.con] n [ME archedeken, fr. OE arcediacon, fr. LL
          archidiaconus, fr. LGk archidiakonos, fr. Gk archi- +
          diakonos deacon] (bef. 12c): a clergyman having the duty
          of assisting a diocesan bishop in ceremonial functions
          or administrative work

   archdeaconry
          [arch.dea.con.ry] n, pl -ries (1779): the district or residence
          of an archdeacon

   archdiocese
          [arch.di.o.cese] n, pl -ces.es (1844): the diocese of an
          archbishop -- arch.di.oc.e.san adj

   archducal
          [arch.du.cal] adj [F archiducal, fr. archiduc] (1665): of
          or relating to an archduke or archduchy

   archduchess
          [arch.duch.ess] n [F archiduchesse, fem. of archiduc archduke,
          fr. MF archeduc] (1618) 1: the wife or widow of an archduke
          2: a woman having in her own right a rank equal to that
          of an archduke

   archduchy
          [arch.duchy] n [F archiduche, fr. MF archeduche, fr. arche-
          arch- + duche duchy] (1680): the territory of an archduke
          or archduchess

   archduke
          [arch.duke] n [MF archeduc, fr. arche- arch- + duc duke]
          (ca. 1530) 1: a sovereign prince 2: a prince of the imperial
          family of Austria -- arch.duke.dom n

   Archean
          [Ar.che.an] or Ar.chae.an adj [Gk archaios] (1872) 1: of,
          relating to, or being the earliest eon of geological
          history or the corresponding system of rocks--see geologic
          time table 2: precambrian -- Archean n

   archegonial
          [ar.che.go.ni.al] adj (1865): of or relating to an archegonium;
          also: archegoniate

   [1]archegoniate
          [ar.che.go.ni.ate] adj (ca. 1888): bearing archegonia
          [2]archegoniate n (ca. 1903): a plant (as a moss, fern, horsetail,
          or club moss) that bears archegonia

   archegonium
          [ar.che.go.ni.um] n, pl -nia [NL, fr. Gk archegonos originator,
          fr. archein to begin + gonos procreation; akin to Gk
          gignesthai to be born--more at arch-, kin] (1854): the
          flask-shaped female sex organ of bryophytes, lower vascular
          plants (as ferns), and some gymnosperms

   archenemy
          [arch.en.e.my] n, pl -mies (1550): a principal enemy

   archenteron
          [arch.en.ter.on] n [NL] (1877): the cavity of a gastrula
          forming a primitive gut

   archeol
          [archeol] abbreviation archeology

   Archeozoic
          [Ar.cheo.zo.ic] also Ar.chaeo.zo.ic adj (1872): archean 1
          -- Archeozoic n

   archer
          [ar.cher] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL arcarius, alter. of arcuarius,
          fr. arcuarius of a bow, fr. L arcus bow--more at arrow]
          (14c) 1: a person who uses a bow and arrow 2 cap: sagittarius

   archerfish
          [ar.cher.fish] n (ca. 1889): a small East Indian fish (Toxotes
          jaculator) that catches insects by stunning them with
          water ejected from its mouth; also: any of various related
          fish of similar habits

   archery
          [ar.chery] n (15c) 1: the art, practice, or skill of shooting
          with bow and arrow 2: an archer's weapons 3: a body of
          archers

   archesporium
          [ar.che.spo.ri.um] n, pl -spo.ria [NL, fr. arche- (as in
          archegonium) + -sporium (fr. spora spore)] (ca. 1889):
          the cell or group of cells from which spore mother cells
          develop -- ar.che.spo.ri.al adj

   archetype
          [ar.che.type] n [L archetypum, fr. Gk archetypon, fr. neut.
          of archetypos archetypal, fr. archein + typos type] (1545)
          1: the original pattern or model of which all things
          of the same type are representations or copies: prototype;
          also: a perfect example 2: idea 1a 3: an inherited idea
          or mode of thought in the psychology of C. G. Jung that
          is derived from the experience of the race and is present
          in the unconscious of the individual -- ar.che.typ.al
          also ar.che.typ.i.cal adj -- ar.che.typ.al.ly adv

   archfiend
          [arch.fiend] n (1667): a chief fiend; esp: satan

   archi-
          [archi-] or arch- prefix [F or L; F, fr. L, fr. Gk--more
          at arch-]: primitive: original: primary <archenteron>

   archidiaconal
          [ar.chi.di.ac.o.nal] adj [LL archidiaconus archdeacon] (15c):
          of or relating to an archdeacon

   archiepiscopal
          [ar.chi.epis.co.pal] adj [ML archiepiscopalis, fr. LL
          archiepiscopus archbishop--more at archbishop] (1611):
          of or relating to an archbishop -- ar.chi.epis.co.pal.ly adv

   archiepiscopate
          [ar.chi.epis.co.pate] n (1792): archbishopric

   archil
          [ar.chil] n [ME orchell] (15c) 1: a violet dye obtained from
          lichens (genera Roccella and Lecanora) 2: a lichen that
          yields archil

   archimandrite
          [ar.chi.man.drite] n [LL archimandrites, fr. LGk archimandrites,
          fr. Gk archi- + LGk mandra monastery, fr. Gk, fold, pen]
          (1591): a dignitary in an Eastern church ranking below
          a bishop; specif: the superior of a large monastery or
          group of monasteries

   Archimedes' screw
          [Ar.chi.me.des' screw] n [Archimedes] (ca. 1859): a device
          made of a tube bent spirally around an axis or of a broad-threaded
          screw encased by a cylinder and used to raise water

   archipelagic
          [ar.chi.pe.lag.ic] adj (1841): of, relating to, or located
          in an archipelago

   archipelago
          [ar.chi.pel.a.go] n, pl -goes or -gos [Archipelago Aegean
          Sea, fr. It Arcipelago, lit., chief sea, fr. arci- (fr.
          L archi-) + Gk pelagos sea--more at plagal] (1502) 1:
          an expanse of water with many scattered islands 2: a
          group of islands

   architect
          [ar.chi.tect] n [MF architecte, fr. L architectus, fr. Gk
          architekton master builder, fr. archi- + tekton builder,
          carpenter--more at technical] (1563) 1: a person who
          designs buildings and advises in their construction 2:
          a person who designs and guides a plan or undertaking
          <the ~ of American foreign policy>

   architectonic
          [ar.chi.tec.ton.ic] adj [L architectonicus, fr. Gk architektonikos,
          fr. architekton] (1645) 1: of, relating to, or according with the
          principles of architecture: architectural 2: having an organized
          and unified structure that suggests an architectural design
          -- ar.chi.tec.ton.i.cal.ly adv

   architectonics
          [ar.chi.tec.ton.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr, also
          ar.chi.tec.ton.ic (1660) 1: the science of architecture
          2 a: the unifying structural design of something b: the
          system of structure

   architectural
          [ar.chi.tec.tur.al] adj (ca. 1794) 1: of or relating
          to architecture: conforming to the rules of architecture 2: having
          or conceived of as having a single unified overall design, form,
          or structure -- ar.chi.tec.tur.al.ly adv

   architecture
          [ar.chi.tec.ture] n (1555) 1: the art or science of building;
          specif: the art or practice of designing and building
          structures and esp. habitable ones 2 a: formation or
          construction as or as if as the result of conscious act
          <the ~ of the garden> b: a unifying or coherent form
          or structure <the novel lacks ~> 3: architectural product
          or work 4: a method or style of building 5: the manner
          in which the components of a computer or computer system
          are organized and integrated

   architrave
          [ar.chi.trave] n [MF, fr. OIt, fr. archi- + trave beam, fr.
          L trab-, trabs--more at thorp] (1563) 1: the lowest division
          of an entablature resting in classical architecture immediately
          on the capital of the column--see entablature illustration
          2: the molding around a rectangular opening (as a door)

   archival
          [ar.chi.val] adj (ca. 1828): of, relating to, contained in,
          or constituting archives

   [1]archive
          [ar.chive] n [F & L; F, fr. L archivum, fr. Gk archeion government
          house (in pl., official documents), fr. arche rule,
          government--more at arch-] (1603): a place in which public records
          or historical documents are preserved; also: the material
          preserved--often used in pl. [2]archive vt ar.chived ; ar.chiv.ing
          (1926): to file or collect (as records or documents)
          in or as if in an archive

   archivist
          [ar.chi.vist] n (1753): a person in charge of archives

   archivolt
          [ar.chi.volt] n [It archivolto, fr. ML archivoltum] (ca.
          1731): an ornamental molding around an arch corresponding
          to an architrave

   archon
          [ar.chon] n [L, fr. Gk archon, fr. prp. of archein] (1579)
          1: a chief magistrate in ancient Athens 2: a presiding
          officer

   archosaur
          [ar.cho.saur] n [NL Archosauria, fr. Gk archon + sauros lizard]
          (1933): any of a subclass (Archosauria) of reptiles comprising
          the dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and crocodilians -- ar.cho.sau.ri.an
          adj

   archpriest
          [arch.priest] n (14c): a priest of preeminent rank

   archway
          [arch.way] n (1802): a way or passage under an arch; also:
          an arch over a passage

   -archy
          [-archy] n comb form, pl -archies [ME -archie, fr. MF, fr.
          L -archia, fr. Gk, fr. archein to rule--more at arch-]:
          rule: government <squirearchy>

   arc lamp
          [arc lamp] n (1882): an electric lamp that produces light
          by an arc made when a current passes between two incandescent
          electrodes surrounded by gas--called also arc light

   arco
          [ar.co] adv or adj [It, fr. arco bow, fr. L arcus--more at
          arrow] (1806): with the bow--usu. used as a direction
          in music for players of stringed instruments--compare
          pizzicato

   arcsine
          [arc.sine] n (ca. 1909): the inverse function to the sine
          <if y is the sine of A, then A is the ~ of y>

   arctangent
          [arc.tan.gent] n (ca. 1909): the inverse function to the
          tangent <if y is the tangent of A, then A is the ~ of
          y>

   [1]arctic
          [arc.tic] adj [ME artik, fr. L arcticus, fr. Gk arktikos,
          fr. arktos bear, Ursa Major, north; akin to L ursus bear,
          Skt rksa] (14c) 1 often cap: of or relating to the north
          pole or the region near it 2 a: a bitter cold: frigid
          b: cold in temper or mood <an ~ smile> -- arc.ti.cal.ly
          adv [2]arc.tic n (1867): a rubber overshoe reaching to
          the ankle or above

   arctic char
          [arctic char] n (ca. 1902): a Holarctic char (Salvelinus
          alpinus) of arctic waters occurring in freshwater or
          anadromous populations

   arctic circle
          [arctic circle] n, often cap A&C (1834): the parallel of
          latitude that is approximately 66 1/2 degrees north of
          the equator and that circumscribes the northern frigid
          zone

   arctic fox
          [arctic fox] n (1772): a small migratory Holarctic fox (Alopex
          lagopus) esp. of coastal arctic and alpine tundra

   arctic tern
          [arctic tern] n (1844): a Holarctic tern (Sterna paradisaea)
          that breeds in arctic regions and migrates to southern
          Africa and So. America

   Arcturus
          [Arc.tu.rus] n [L, fr. Gk Arktouros, lit., bear watcher]:
          a giant fixed star of the first magnitude in Bootes

   arcuate
          [ar.cu.ate] adj [L arcuatus, pp. of arcuare to bend like
          a bow, fr. arcus bow] (1626): curved like a bow <an ~
          cloud> -- ar.cu.ate.ly adv

   -ard
          [-ard] also -art n suffix [ME, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG -hart (in personal names such as Gerhart Gerard),
          OE heard hard]: one that is characterized by performing
          some action, possessing some quality, or being associated
          with some thing esp. conspicuously or excessively <braggart>
          <dullard> <pollard>

   ardency
          [ar.den.cy] n (1549): the quality or state of being ardent

   ardent
          [ar.dent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L ardent-, ardens, prp. of
          ardere to burn, fr. ardor] (14c) 1: characterized by
          warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager zealous
          support or activity 2: fiery, hot <an ~ sun> 3: shining,
          glowing <~ eyes> syn see impassioned -- ar.dent.ly adv

   ardent spirits
          [ardent spirits] n pl (1833): strong distilled liquors

   ardor
          [ar.dor] n [ME ardour, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L ardor burning,
          heat, ardor, fr. aridus dry--more at arid] (14c) 1 a:
          an often restless or transitory warmth of feeling <the
          sudden ~s of youth> b: extreme vigor or energy: intensity
          c: zeal d: loyalty 2: sexual excitement syn see passion

   ardour
          [ar.dour] chiefly Brit var of ardor

   arduous
          [ar.du.ous] adj [L arduus high, steep, difficult; akin to
          OIr ard high] (1538) 1 a: hard to accomplish or achieve:
          difficult <years of ~ training> b: marked by great labor
          or effort: strenuous <a life of ~ toil --A. C. Cole>
          2: hard to climb: steep syn see hard -- ar.du.ous.ly
          adv -- ar.du.ous.ness n

   [1]are
          [are] [ME, fr. OE earun; akin to ON eru, erum are, OE is
          is] pres 2d sing or pres pl of be [2]are n [F, fr. L
          area] (ca. 1819): a unit of area in the metric system
          equal to 100 square meters

   area
          [ar.ea] n [L, open space, threshing floor; perh. akin to
          L arere to be dry--more at arid] (1538) 1: a level piece
          of ground 2: the surface included within a set of lines;
          specif: the number of unit squares equal in measure to
          the surface 3: the scope of a concept, operation, or
          activity: field <the whole ~ of foreign policy> 4: areaway
          <went down the steps into the ~ of a house --James Joyce>
          5: a particular extent of space or surface or one serving
          a special function: as a: a part of the surface of the
          body b: a geographic region 6: a part of the cerebral
          cortex having a particular function -- ar.e.al adj --
          ar.e.al.ly adv

   area code
          [area code] n (1961): a 3-digit number that identifies each
          telephone service area in a country (as the U.S. or Canada)

   areaway
          [ar.ea.way] n (1899): a sunken space affording access, air,
          and light to a basement

   areca
          [are.ca] n [NL, fr. Pg, fr. Malayalam ataykka] (1510): any
          of several tropical Asian palms (Areca or related genera);
          esp: betel palm

   arecoline
          [arec.o.line] n [ISV areca + [1]-ol + [2]-ine] (1899): a
          toxic parasympathomimetic alkaloid that is used as a
          veterinary anthelmintic and occurs naturally in betel
          nuts

   arena
          [are.na] n [L harena, arena sand, sandy place] (1600) 1:
          an area in a Roman amphitheater for gladiatorial combats
          2 a: an enclosed area used for public entertainment b:
          a building containing an arena 3 a: a sphere of interest,
          activity, or competition <the political ~> b: a place
          or situation for controversy <in the public ~>

   arenaceous
          [ar.e.na.ceous] adj [L arenaceus, fr. arena] (1646) 1: resembling,
          made of, or containing sand or sandy particles 2: growing in sandy
          places

   arena theater
          [arena theater] n (1943): theater-in-the-round

   arenicolous
          [ar.e.nic.o.lous] adj [L arena + E -i- + -colous] (ca. 1859):
          living, burrowing, or growing in sand

   aren't
          [aren't] (1810) 1: are not 2: am not--used in questions

   areocentric
          [ar.eo.cen.tric] adj [Gk Areios of Ares, fr. Ares] (1877):
          having or relating to the planet Mars as a center

   areola
          [are.o.la] n, pl -lae or -las [NL, fr. L, small open space,
          dim. of area] (1664): a small area between things or
          about something; esp: a colored ring (as about the nipple,
          a vesicle, or a pustule) -- are.o.lar adj -- are.o.late
          adj

   areole
          [ar.e.ole] n (ca. 1934): a small pit or cavity

   Areopagite
          [Ar.e.op.a.gite] n (14c): a member of the Areopagus
          -- Ar.e.op.a.git.ic adj

   Areopagus
          [Ar.e.op.a.gus] n [L, fr. Gk Areios pagos, fr. Areios pagos
          (lit., hill of Ares), a hill in Athens where the tribunal
          met] (1586): the supreme tribunal of Athens

   Ares
          [Ar.es] n [Gk Ares]: the Greek god of war--compare mars

   arete
          [arete] n [F, lit., fish bone, fr. LL arista, fr. L, beard
          of grain] (1838): a sharp-crested ridge in rugged mountains

   Arethusa
          [Ar.e.thu.sa] n [L, fr. Gk Arethousa]: a wood nymph who is
          changed into a spring while fleeing the advances of the
          river-god Alpheus

   arg
          [arg] abbreviation argent, argument  Arg abbreviation Argentina

   argali
          [ar.ga.li] n [Mongolian] (ca. 1774): a large wild sheep (Ovis
          ammon) of Asia that is noted for its large horns

   Argand diagram
          [Ar.gand diagram] n [Jean Robert Argand d. 1825 Swiss
          mathematician] (1908): a system of rectangular coordinates in which
          the complex number x + iy is represented by the point whose
          coordinates are x and y

   argent
          [ar.gent] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L argentum; akin to
          Gk argyros silver, argos white, Skt rajata whitish, silvery]
          (15c) 1 archaic: the metal silver; also: whiteness 2:
          the heraldic color silver or white -- argent adj

   argentiferous
          [ar.gen.tif.er.ous] adj (1801): containing silver

   [1]argentine
          [ar.gen.tine] adj (15c): silver, silvery [2]argentine n (1577):
          silver; also: any of various similar materials

   argentite
          [ar.gen.tite] n (ca. 1837): native silver sulfide having
          a metallic luster and dark lead-gray color and constituting
          a valuable ore of silver

   argil
          [ar.gil] n [ME, fr. L argilla, fr. Gk argillos; akin to Gk
          argos white] (14c): clay; esp: potter's clay

   argillaceous
          [ar.gil.la.ceous] adj (ca. 1731): of, relating to, or containing
          clay or clay minerals: clayey

   argillite
          [ar.gil.lite] n (1795): a compact argillaceous rock cemented
          by silica and having no slaty cleavage

   arginase
          [ar.gi.nase] n [ISV] (1904): a crystalline enzyme that converts
          naturally occurring arginine into ornithine and urea

   arginine
          [ar.gi.nine] n [G Arginin] (1886): a crystalline basic amino
          acid derived from guanidine

   Argive
          [Ar.give] adj [L Argivus, fr. Gk Argeios, lit., of Argos,
          fr. Argos city-state of ancient Greece] (1598): of or
          relating to the Greeks or Greece and esp. the Achaean
          city of Argos or the surrounding territory of Argolis
          -- Argive n

   argle-bargle
          [ar.gle-bar.gle] n [redupl. of Sc & E argle, alter. of argue]
          (1872) chiefly Brit: argy-bargy

   Argo
          [Ar.go] n [L (gen. Argus), fr. Gk Argo]: a large constellation
          in the southern hemisphere lying principally between
          Canis Major and the Southern Cross

   argol
          [ar.gol] n [ME argoile, fr. AF argoil] (14c): crude tartar
          deposited in wine casks during aging

   argon
          [ar.gon] n [Gk, neut. of argos idle, lazy, fr. a- + ergon
          work; fr. its relative inertness--more at work] (ca.
          1890): a colorless odorless inert gaseous element found
          in the air and in volcanic gases and used esp. in welding,
          lasers, and electric bulbs

   argonaut
          [ar.go.naut] n [L Argonautes, fr. Gk Argonautes, fr. Argo,
          ship in which the Argonauts sailed + nautes sailor--more
          at nautical] (14c) 1 a cap: any of a band of heroes sailing
          with Jason in quest of the Golden Fleece b: an adventurer
          engaged in a quest 2: paper nautilus

   argosy
          [ar.go.sy] n, pl -sies [modif. of It ragusea Ragusan vessel,
          fr. Ragusa, Dalmatia (now Dubrovnik, Croatia)] (1587)
          1: a large ship; esp: a large merchant ship <three of
          your argosies are... come to harbor --Shak.> 2: a fleet
          of ships 3: a rich supply <an ~ of railway folklore --F.
          P. Donovan>

   argot
          [ar.got] n [F] (1860): an often more or less secret vocabulary
          and idiom peculiar to a particular group <shoved into
          a taxi by a porter whose ~ I couldn't understand --Allen
          Tate>

   arguable
          [ar.gu.able] adj (ca. 1611) 1: open to argument, dispute,
          or question 2: that can be plausibly or convincingly
          argued

   arguably
          [ar.gu.ably] adv (1890): it can be argued <the word is ~
          useful> <~ the busiest airport in the world>

   argue
          [ar.gue] vb ar.gued ; ar.gu.ing [ME, fr. MF arguer to accuse,
          reason & L arguere to demonstrate, prove; MF arguer,
          fr. L argutare to prate, freq. of arguere; akin to Hitt
          arkuwai- to plead, respond] vi (14c) 1: to give reasons
          for or against something: reason 2: to contend or disagree
          in words: dispute ~ vt 1: to give evidence of: indicate
          2: to consider the pros and cons of: discuss 3: to prove
          or try to prove by giving reasons: maintain 4: to persuade
          by giving reasons: induce syn see discuss -- ar.gu.er
          n

   argufy
          [ar.gu.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (1771): dispute, debate
          ~ vi: wrangle -- ar.gu.fi.er n

   argument
          [ar.gu.ment] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L argumentum, fr. arguere]
          (14c) 1 obs: an outward sign: indication 2 a: a reason
          given in proof or rebuttal b: discourse intended to persuade
          3 a: the act or process of arguing: argumentation b:
          a coherent series of statements leading from a premise
          to a conclusion c: quarrel, disagreement 4: an abstract
          or summary esp. of a literary work <a later editor added
          an ~ to the poem> 5: the subject matter esp. of a literary
          work 6 a: one of the independent variables upon whose
          value that of a function depends b: a substantive (as
          the direct object of a transitive verb) that is required
          by a predicate in grammar c: the angle assigned to a
          complex number when it is plotted in a complex plane
          using polar coordinates--called also amplitude--compare
          absolute value 2

   argumentation
          [ar.gu.men.ta.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of forming
          reasons and of drawing conclusions and applying them
          to a case in discussion 2: debate, discussion

   argumentative
          [ar.gu.men.ta.tive] also ar.gu.men.tive adj (15c) 1: characterized
          by argument: controversial 2: given to argument: disputatious
          -- ar.gu.men.ta.tive.ly adv

   argumentum
          [ar.gu.men.tum] n, pl -men.ta [L] (1690): argument 3b

   argumentum ad baculum
          [ar.gu.men.tum ad ba.cu.lum] [L] foreign term : argument
          of the staff: appeal to force

   Argus
          [Ar.gus] n [L, fr. Gk Argos] 1: a hundred-eyed monster of
          Greek mythology 2: a watchful guardian

   Argus-eyed
          [Ar.gus-eyed] adj (1603): vigilantly observant

   argy-bargy
          [ar.gy-bar.gy] n [redupl. of Sc & E dial. argy, alter. of
          argue] (1887) chiefly Brit: a lively discussion: argument,
          dispute

   argyle
          [ar.gyle] also ar.gyll n, often cap [Argyle, Argyll, branch
          of the Scottish clan of Campbell, fr. whose tartan the
          design was adapted] (1899): a geometric knitting pattern
          of varicolored diamonds in solid and outline shapes on
          a single background color; also: a sock knit in this
          pattern

   arhat
          [ar.hat] n [Skt, fr. prp. of arhati he deserves; akin to
          Gk alphein to gain] (1870): a Buddhist who has reached
          the stage of enlightenment -- ar.hat.ship n

   aria
          [aria] n [It, lit., atmospheric air, modif. of L aer] (ca.
          1724) 1: air, melody, tune; specif: an accompanied elaborate
          melody sung (as in an opera) by a single voice 2: a striking
          solo performance (as in a movie)

   Ariadne
          [Ar.i.ad.ne] n [L, fr. Gk Ariadne]: a daughter of Minos who
          helps Theseus escape from the labyrinth

   -arian
          [-ar.i.an] n suffix [L -arius -ary] 1: believer <necessitarian>:
          advocate <latitudinarian> 2: producer <disciplinarian>

   [1]Arian
          [Ar.i.an] adj (14c): of or relating to Arius or his doctrines
          esp. that the Son is not of the same substance as the
          Father but was created as an agent for creating the world
          -- Ar.i.an.ism n [2]Arian n (14c): a supporter of Arian
          doctrines [3]Ar.i.an n (1917): aries 2b

   ariboflavinosis
          [ari.bo.fla.vin.osis] n [NL] (1939): a deficiency disease
          due to inadequate intake of riboflavin and characterized
          by sores on the mouth

   arid
          [ar.id] adj [F or L; F aride, fr. L aridus, fr. arere to
          be dry; akin to Skt asa ash, OE asce] (1652) 1: excessively
          dry; specif: having insufficient rainfall to support
          agriculture 2: lacking in interest and life: jejune --
          arid.i.ty n -- ar.id.ness n

   Ariel
          [Ar.i.el] n: a prankish spirit in Shakespeare's The Tempest

   Aries
          [Ar.i.es] n [L (gen. Arietis), lit., ram; perh. akin to Gk
          eriphos kid, OIr heirp she-goat] 1: a constellation between
          Pisces and Taurus pictured as a ram 2 a: the first sign
          of the zodiac in astrology b: one born under the sign
          of Aries

   arietta
          [ari.et.ta] n [It, dim. of aria] (ca. 1724): a short aria

   aright
          [aright] adv [ME, fr. OE ariht, fr. [1]a- + riht right] (bef.
          12c): right, correctly <if I remember ~>

   Arikara
          [Arik.a.ra] n, pl Arikara (1811) 1: a member of an American
          Indian people of the Missouri River Valley in No. Dakota
          2: the language of the Arikara

   aril
          [ar.il] n [prob. fr. NL arillus, fr. ML, raisin, grape seed]
          (1794): an exterior covering or appendage of some seeds
          (as of the yew) that develops after fertilization as
          an outgrowth from the ovule stalk -- ar.il.late adj

   arioso
          [ari.o.so] n, pl -sos also -si [It, fr. aria] (ca. 1724):
          a musical passage or composition having a mixture of
          free recitative and metrical song

   arise
          [arise] vi arose ; aris.en ; aris.ing [ME, fr. OE arisan,
          fr. a-, perfective prefix + risan to rise--more at abide]
          (bef. 12c) 1: to get up: rise 2 a: to originate from
          a source b: to come into being or to attention 3: ascend
          syn see spring

   arista
          [aris.ta] n, pl -tae or -tas [NL, fr. L, beard of grain]
          (1691): a bristlelike structure or appendage -- aris.tate
          adj

   aristo
          [aris.to] n, pl -tos [by shortening] (1864): aristocrat

   aristocracy
          [ar.is.toc.ra.cy] n, pl -cies [MF & LL; MF aristocratie,
          fr. LL aristocratia, fr. Gk aristokratia, fr. aristos
          best + -kratia -cracy] (1561) 1: government by the best
          individuals or by a small privileged class 2 a: a government
          in which power is vested in a minority consisting of
          those believed to be best qualified b: a state with such
          a government 3: a governing body or upper class usu.
          made up of an hereditary nobility 4: the aggregate of
          those believed to be superior

   aristocrat
          [aris.to.crat] n (1789) 1: a member of an aristocracy; esp:
          noble 2 a: one who has the bearing and viewpoint typical
          of the aristocracy b: one who favors aristocracy 3: one
          believed to be superior of its kind <the ~ of Southern
          resorts --Southern Living>

   aristocratic
          [aris.to.crat.ic] adj [MF aristocratique, fr. ML aristocraticus,
          fr. Gk aristokratikos, fr. aristokratia] (1602) 1: belonging
          to, having the qualities of, or favoring aristocracy
          2 a: socially exclusive <an ~ neighborhood> b: snobbish
          -- aris.to.crat.i.cal.ly adv

   Aristotelian
          [Ar.is.to.te.lian] also Ar.is.to.te.lean adj [L Aristoteles
          Aristotle, fr. Gk Aristoteles] (1607): of or relating
          to the Greek philosopher Aristotle or his philosophy
          -- Aristotelian n -- Ar.is.to.te.lian.ism n

   arith
          [arith] abbreviation arithmetic, arithmetical

   arithmetic
          [arith.me.tic] n [ME arsmetrik, fr. OF arismetique, fr. L
          arithmetica, fr. Gk arithmetike, fr. fem. of arithmetikos
          arithmetical, fr. arithmein to count, fr. arithmos number;
          akin to OE rim number, and perh. to Gk arariskein to
          fit] (15c) 1 a: a branch of mathematics that deals usu.
          with the nonnegative real numbers including sometimes
          the transfinite cardinals and with the application of
          the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication,
          and division to them b: a treatise on arithmetic 2: computation,
          calculation -- ar.ith.met.ic or ar.ith.met.i.cal adj
          -- ar.ith.met.i.cal.ly adv -- arith.me.ti.cian n

   arithmetic mean
          [arithmetic mean] n (1767): a value that is computed by dividing
          the sum of a set of terms by the number of terms

   arithmetic progression
          [arithmetic progression] n (1594): a progression (as 3, 5,
          7, 9) in which the difference between any term and its
          predecessor is constant

   -arium
          [-arium] n suffix, pl -ariums or -aria [L, fr. neut. of -arius
          -ary]: thing or place relating to or connected with <planetarium>

   Ariz
          [Ariz] abbreviation Arizona

   ark
          [ark] n [ME, fr. OE arc, fr. L arca chest; akin to L arcere
          to hold off, defend, Gk arkein, Hitt hark- to have, hold]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a boat or ship held to resemble that
          in which Noah and his family were preserved from the
          Flood b: something that affords protection and safety
          2 a: the sacred chest representing to the Hebrews the
          presence of God among them b: a repository traditionally
          in or against the wall of a synagogue for the scrolls
          of the Torah

   Ark
          [Ark] abbreviation Arkansas

   arkose
          [ar.kose] n [F] (1839): a sandstone characterized by feldspar
          fragments that is derived from granite or gneiss which
          has disintegrated rapidly -- ar.ko.sic adj

   Arm
          [Arm] abbreviation Armagh, Armenian  ARM abbreviation adjustable
          rate mortgage

   [1]arm
          [arm] n [ME, fr. OE earm; akin to L armus shoulder, Skt irma
          arm] (bef. 12c) 1: a human upper limb; esp: the part
          between the shoulder and the wrist 2: something like
          or corresponding to an arm: as a: the forelimb of a vertebrate
          b: a limb of an invertebrate animal c: a branch or lateral
          shoot of a plant d: a slender part of a structure, machine,
          or an instrument projecting from a main part, axis, or
          fulcrum e: the end of a ship's yard; also: the part of
          an anchor from the crown to the fluke--see anchor illustration
          f: any of the usu. two parts of a chromosome lateral
          to the centromere 3: an inlet of water (as from the sea)
          4: a narrow extension of a larger area, mass, or group
          5: power, might <the long ~ of the law> 6: a support
          (as on a chair) for the elbow and forearm 7: sleeve 8:
          the ability to throw or pitch a baseball well; also:
          a player having such ability 9: a functional division
          of a group, organization, institution, or activity <the
          logistical ~ of the air force > -- arm.less adj -- arm.like
          adj -- arm in arm : with arms linked together <walked
          down the street arm in arm> [2]arm vb [ME armen, fr.
          OF armer, fr. L armare, fr. arma weapons, tools; akin
          to L ars skill, Gk harmos joint, arariskein to fit] vt
          (12c) 1: to furnish or equip with weapons 2: to furnish
          with something that strengthens or protects 3: to fortify
          morally 4: to equip or ready for action or operation
          <~ a bomb> ~ vi: to prepare oneself for struggle or resistance
          [3]arm n, often attrib [ME armes (pl.) weapons, fr. OF,
          fr. L arma] (13c) 1 a: a means (as a weapon) of offense
          or defense; esp: firearm b: a combat branch (as of an
          army) c: an organized branch of national defense (as
          the navy) 2 pl a: the hereditary heraldic devices of
          a family b: heraldic devices adopted by a government
          3 pl a: active hostilities: warfare b: military service
          -- up in arms : aroused and ready to undertake hostilities

   armada
          [ar.ma.da] n [Sp, fr. ML armata army, fleet, fr. L, fem.
          of armatus, pp. of armare to arm, fr. arma] (1533) 1:
          a fleet of warships 2: a large force or group usu. of
          moving things <an ~ of fishing boats>

   armadillo
          [ar.ma.dil.lo] n, pl -los [Sp, fr. dim. of armado armed one,
          fr. L armatus] (1577): any of a family (Dasypodidae)
          of burrowing edentate mammals found from the southern
          U.S. to Argentina and having the body and head encased
          in an armor of small bony plates

   Armageddon
          [Ar.ma.ged.don] n [Gk Armageddon, Harmagedon, scene of the
          battle foretold in Rev 16:14-16] (1534) 1 a: the site
          or time of a final and conclusive battle between the
          forces of good and evil b: the battle taking place at
          Armageddon 2: a usu. vast decisive conflict or confrontation

   Armagnac
          [Ar.ma.gnac] n [F, fr. Armagnac, region in southwest France]
          (1850): a brandy produced in the Gers department of France

   armament
          [ar.ma.ment] n [F armement, fr. L armamenta (pl.) utensils,
          military or naval equipment, fr. armare] (1699) 1: a
          military or naval force 2 a: the aggregate of a nation's
          military strength b: weapons, arms 3: the process of
          preparing for war

   armamentarium
          [ar.ma.men.tar.i.um] n, pl -tar.ia [L, armory, fr. armamenta]
          (ca. 1860) 1: the equipment and methods used esp. in
          medicine 2: matter available or utilized for an undertaking
          or field of activity <a whole ~ of devices to create
          an illusion of real life --Kenneth Rexroth>

   arm and a leg
          [arm and a leg] n (1967): an exorbitant price

   armature
          [ar.ma.ture] n [L armatura armor, equipment, fr. armatus]
          (15c) 1: an organ or structure (as teeth or thorns) for
          offense or defense 2 a: a piece of soft iron or steel
          that connects the poles of a magnet or of adjacent magnets
          b: a usu. rotating part of an electric machine (as a
          generator or motor) which consists essentially of coils
          of wire around a metal core and in which electric current
          is induced or in which the input current interacts with
          a magnetic field to produce torque c: the movable part
          of an electromagnetic device (as a loudspeaker) d: a
          framework used by a sculptor to support a figure being
          modeled in a plastic material e: framework 1b <the ~
          of the book derives from fourteenth century England --Stanley
          Kauffmann>

   armband
          [arm.band] n (1797): a band usu. worn around the upper part
          of a sleeve for identification or in mourning

   [1]armchair
          [arm.chair] n (1633): a chair with armrests [2]armchair adj
          (1886) 1: remote from direct dealing with problems: theoretical
          rather than practical <~ strategists> 2: sharing vicariously
          in another's experiences <an ~ traveler>

   [1]armed
          [armed] adj (13c) 1 a: furnished with weapons b: furnished
          with something that provides security, strength, or efficacy
          2: marked by the maintenance of armed forces in readiness
          [2]armed adj (1606): having an arm or arms esp. of a
          specified kind or number--usu. used in combination <long-armed>
          <two-armed>

   armed forces
          [armed forces] n pl (1943): the combined military, naval,
          and air forces of a nation--called also armed services

   Armenian
          [Ar.me.nian] n (1537) 1: a member of a people dwelling chiefly
          in Armenia and neighboring areas (as Turkey or Azerbaijan)
          2: the Indo-European language of the Armenians 3: a member
          of the Armenian church established by St. Gregory the
          Illuminator that adheres to the decisions of the first
          three ecumenical councils -- Armenian adj

   armful
          [arm.ful] n, pl arm.fuls or arms.ful (1579): as much as the
          arm or arms can hold

   armhole
          [arm.hole] n (ca. 1775): an opening for the arm in a garment

   armiger
          [ar.mi.ger] n [ML, fr. L, armor-bearer, fr. armiger bearing
          arms, fr. arma arms + gerere to carry] (1762) 1: squire
          2: one entitled to bear heraldic arms -- ar.mig.er.al
          adj

   armigerous
          [ar.mig.er.ous] adj (ca. 1731): bearing heraldic arms

   armillary sphere
          [ar.mil.la.ry sphere] n [F sphere armillaire, fr. ML armilla,
          fr. L, bracelet, iron ring, fr. armus shoulder--more
          at arm] (1664): an old astronomical instrument composed
          of rings showing the positions of important circles of
          the celestial sphere

   Arminian
          [Ar.min.i.an] adj (1618): of or relating to Arminius or his
          doctrines opposing the absolute predestination of strict
          Calvinism and maintaining the possibility of salvation
          for all -- Arminian n -- Ar.min.i.an.ism n

   armistice
          [ar.mi.stice] n [F or NL; F, fr. NL armistitium, fr. L arma
          + -stitium (as in solstitium solstice)] (ca. 1707): temporary
          suspension of hostilities by agreement between the opponents:
          truce

   Armistice Day
          [Armistice Day] n [fr. the armistice terminating World War
          I on November 11, 1918] (1919): veterans day--used before
          the official adoption of Veterans Day in 1954

   armlet
          [arm.let] n (1535) 1: a band (as of cloth or metal) worn
          around the upper arm 2: a small arm (as of the sea)

   armload
          [arm.load] n (1906): armful

   armlock
          [arm.lock] n (1905): hammerlock

   armoire
          [ar.moire] n [MF, fr. OF armaire, fr. L armarium, fr. arma]
          (1571): a usu. tall cupboard or wardrobe

   armor
          [ar.mor] n [ME armure, fr. OF, fr. L armatura--more at armature]
          (13c) 1: defensive covering for the body; esp: covering
          (as of metal) used in combat 2: a quality or circumstance
          that affords protection <the ~ of prosperity> 3: a protective
          outer layer (as of a ship, a plant or animal, or a cable)
          4: armored forces and vehicles (as tanks) -- armor vt
          -- ar.mored adj -- ar.mor.less adj

   armored scale
          [armored scale] n (ca. 1903): any of a family (Diaspididae)
          of scale insects having a firm covering of wax best developed
          in the female

   armorer
          [ar.mor.er] n (14c) 1: one that makes armor or arms 2: one
          that repairs, assembles, and tests firearms

   armorial
          [ar.mo.ri.al] adj [armory (heraldry)] (1576): of, relating
          to, or bearing heraldic arms -- ar.mo.ri.al.ly adv

   Armorican
          [Ar.mor.i.can] or Ar.mor.ic n (ca. 1645): a native or inhabitant
          of Armorica; esp: breton -- Armorican or Armoric adj

   armory
          [ar.mory] n, pl ar.mor.ies (14c) 1 a: a supply of arms for
          defense or attack b: a collection of available resources
          2: a place where arms and military equipment are stored;
          esp: one used for training reserve military personnel
          3: a place where arms are manufactured

   armour, armoury
          [ar.mour, ar.moury] chiefly Brit var of armor, armory

   armpit
          [arm.pit] n (14c) 1: the hollow beneath the junction of the
          arm and shoulder 2: the least desirable place: pit <77th
          Street Station... was the ~ of detective duty --Joseph
          Wambaugh>

   armrest
          [arm.rest] n (ca. 1889): a support for the arm

   arm's length
          [arm's length] n (ca. 1909) 1: a distance discouraging personal
          contact or familiarity <kept former friends at arm's
          length now> 2: the condition or fact that the parties
          to a transaction are independent and on an equal footing
          -- arm's-length adj

   arm-twisting
          [arm-twist.ing] n (1948): the use of direct personal pressure
          in order to achieve a desired end <for all the ~, the...
          vote on the measure was unexpectedly tight --Newsweek>
          -- arm-twist vb

   arm wrestling
          [arm wrestling] n (1973): a form of wrestling in which two
          opponents sit face to face gripping usu. their right
          hands, set corresponding elbows firmly on a surface (as
          a tabletop), and attempt to force each other's arm down--called
          also Indian wrestling

   army
          [ar.my] n, pl armies [ME armee, fr. MF, fr. ML armata--more
          at armada] (14c) 1 a: a large organized body of armed
          personnel trained for war esp. on land b: a unit capable
          of independent action and consisting usu. of a headquarters,
          two or more corps, and auxiliary troops c often cap:
          the complete military organization of a nation for land
          warfare 2: a great multitude <an ~ of bicycles --Norm
          Fruchter> 3: a body of persons organized to advance a
          cause

   army ant
          [army ant] n (1874): any of a subfamily (Dorylinae) of aggressive
          nomadic tropical ants that prey on insects and spiders

   armyworm
          [ar.my.worm] n (1816): any of numerous moths whose larvae
          travel in multitudes from field to field destroying grass,
          grain, and other crops; esp: the common armyworm (Pseudaletia
          unipuncta) of the northern U.S.

   arnica
          [ar.ni.ca] n [NL] (ca. 1753): any of a genus (Arnica) of
          composite herbs including some with bright yellow ray
          flowers

   aroid
          [ar.oid] adj [NL Arum] (ca. 1890): of or relating to the
          arum family -- aroid n

   aroint
          [aroint] vb imper [origin unknown] (1605) archaic: begone
          <~ thee, witch --Shak.>

   aroma
          [aro.ma] n [ME aromat spice, fr. OF, fr. L aromat-, aroma,
          fr. Gk aromat-, aroma] (1814) 1 a: a distinctive pervasive
          and usu. pleasant or savory smell; broadly: odor b: the
          odor of a wine imparted by the grapes from which it is
          made 2: a distinctive quality or atmosphere: flavor <the
          ~ of enjoyment --Stella D. Gibbons> syn see smell

   aromatherapy
          [aro.ma.ther.a.py] n [F aromatherapie, fr. L aroma + F therapie
          therapy] (1969): massage of the body and esp. of the
          face with a preparation of fragrant essential oils extracted
          from herbs, flowers, and fruits -- aro.ma.ther.a.pist
          n

   [1]aromatic
          [ar.o.mat.ic] adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or having aroma:
          a: fragrant b: having a strong smell c: having a distinctive
          quality 2 of an organic compound: characterized by increased
          chemical stability resulting from the delocalization
          of electrons in a ring system (as benzene) containing
          usu. multiple conjugated double bonds--compare alicyclic,
          aliphatic syn see odorous -- ar.o.mat.i.cal.ly adv --
          aro.ma.tic.i.ty n [2]aromatic n (15c) 1: an aromatic
          plant or plant part; esp: an aromatic herb or spice 2:
          an aromatic organic compound

   aromatize
          [aro.ma.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (15c) 1: to make aromatic:
          flavor 2: to convert into one or more aromatic compounds
          -- aro.ma.ti.za.tion n

   arose
          [arose] past of arise

   [1]around
          [around] adv [ME, fr. [1]a- + [2]round] (14c) 1 a: in a circle
          or in circumference <the wheel goes ~> <a tree five feet
          ~> b: in, along, or through a circuit <the road goes
          ~ by the lake> 2 a: on all or various sides: in every
          or any direction <papers lying ~> <nothing for miles
          ~> b: in close from all sides so as to surround <people
          crowded ~> c: in or near one's present place or situation
          <wait ~ awhile> 3 a: here and there: from one place to
          another <travels ~ on business> b: to a particular place
          <come ~ for dinner> 4 a: in rotation or succession <another
          winter comes ~> b: from beginning to end: through <mild
          the year ~> c: in order <the other way ~> 5: in or to
          an opposite direction or position <turn ~> 6: with some
          approach to exactness: approximately <cost ~ $5> [2]around
          prep (14c) 1 a: on all sides of b: so as to encircle
          or enclose <seated ~ the table> c: so as to avoid or
          get past: on or to another side of <find a way ~ their
          objections> <went ~ the lake> <~ the corner> d: near
          <lives ~ Chicago> <~ the turn of the century> 2: in all
          directions outward from <look ~ you> 3: here and there
          in or throughout <barnstorming ~ the country> 4: so as
          to have a center or basis in <a society organized ~ kinship
          ties> [3]around adj (1849) 1: about 1 <has been up and
          ~ for two days> 2: being in existence, evidence, or circulation
          <the most intelligent of the artists ~ today --R. M.
          Coates> -- been around : gone through many varied experiences:
          become worldly-wise

   around-the-clock
          [around-the-clock] adj (1943): being in effect, continuing,
          or lasting 24 hours a day: constant

   arouse
          [arouse] vb aroused ; arous.ing [a- (as in arise) + rouse]
          vt (1593) 1: to awaken from sleep 2: to rouse or stimulate
          to action or to physiological readiness for activity:
          excite <the book aroused debate> ~ vi: to awake from
          sleep: stir -- arous.al n

   ARP
          [ARP] abbreviation air-raid precautions

   arpeggiate
          [ar.peg.gi.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1953): to play (as a
          chord or passage) in arpeggio

   arpeggio
          [ar.peg.gio] n, pl -gios [It, fr. arpeggiare to play on the
          harp, fr. arpa harp, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG harpha
          harp] (ca. 1724) 1: production of the tones of a chord
          in succession and not simultaneously 2: a chord played
          in arpeggio

   arpent
          [ar.pent] n, pl ar.pents [MF] (1580) 1: any of various old
          French units of land area; esp: one used in French sections
          of Canada and the U.S. equal to about 0.85 acre (0.34
          hectare) 2: a unit of length equal to one side of a square
          arpent

   arquebus
          [ar.que.bus] var of harquebus

   arr
          [arr] abbreviation arranged, arrival, arrive

   arrack
          [ar.rack] n [Ar 'araq sweet juice, liquor] (1521): an Asian
          alcoholic beverage like rum that is distilled from a
          fermented mash of malted rice with toddy or molasses

   arraign
          [ar.raign] vt [ME arreinen, fr. MF araisner, fr. OF, fr.
          a- (fr. L ad-) + raisnier to speak, fr. (assumed) VL
          rationare, fr. L ration-, ratio reason--more at reason]
          (14c) 1: to call (a defendant) before a court to answer
          to an indictment: charge 2: to accuse of wrong, inadequacy,
          or imperfection -- ar.raign.ment n

   arrange
          [ar.range] vb -ranged ; -rang.ing [ME arangen, fr. MF arangier,
          fr. OF, fr. a- + rengier to set in a row, fr. reng row--more
          at rank] vt (1789) 1: to make preparations for: plan
          <arranged a reception for the visitor> 2: to put into
          a proper order or into a correct or suitable sequence,
          relationship, or adjustment <~ flowers in a vase> <~
          cards alphabetically> 3 a: to adapt (a musical composition)
          by scoring for voices or instruments other than those
          for which orig. written b: orchestrate 4: to bring about
          an agreement or understanding concerning: settle <~ an
          exchange of war prisoners> ~ vi 1: to bring about an
          agreement or understanding <arranged to have a table
          at the restaurant> 2: to make preparations: plan <arranged
          for a vacation with his family> syn see order -- ar.rang.er
          n

   arrangement
          [ar.range.ment] n (1690) 1 a: the state of being arranged:
          order <everything in neat ~> b: the act of arranging
          <the ~ of the details was quickly accomplished> 2: something
          arranged: as a: a preliminary measure: preparation <travel
          ~s> b: an adaptation of a musical composition by rescoring
          c: an informal agreement or settlement esp. on personal,
          social, or political matters <~s under the new regime>
          3: something made by arranging parts or things together
          <a floral ~>

   arrant
          [ar.rant] adj [alter. of errant] (1553): being notoriously
          without moderation: extreme <we are ~ knaves, all; believe
          none of us --Shak.> -- ar.rant.ly adv

   arras
          [ar.ras] n, pl arras [ME, fr. Arras, France] (15c) 1: a tapestry
          of Flemish origin used esp. for wall hangings and curtains
          2: a wall hanging or screen of tapestry

   [1]array
          [ar.ray] vt [ME, fr. OF arayer, fr. (assumed) VL arredare,
          fr. L ad- + a base of Gmc origin; akin to Goth garaiths
          arranged--more at ready] (14c) 1: to dress or decorate
          esp. in splendid or impressive attire: adorn 2 a: to
          set or place in order: draw up, marshal b: to set or
          set forth in order (as a jury) for the trial of a cause
          -- ar.ray.er n [2]array n (14c) 1 a: a regular and imposing
          grouping or arrangement: order <lined up ... in soldierly
          ~ --Donald Barthelme> b: an orderly listing of jurors
          impaneled 2 a: clothing, attire b: rich or beautiful
          apparel: finery 3: a body of soldiers: militia <the baron
          and his feudal ~> 4: an imposing group: large number
          <faced a whole ~ of problems> 5 a (1): a number of mathematical
          elements arranged in rows and columns (2): a data structure
          in which similar elements of data are arranged in a table
          b: a series of statistical data arranged in classes in
          order of magnitude 6: a group of elements forming a complete
          unit <an antenna ~>

   arrear
          [ar.rear] n [ME arrere behind, backward, fr. MF, fr. (assumed)
          VL ad retro backward, fr. L ad to + retro backward, behind--more
          at at, retro-] (1620) 1: the state of being behind in
          the discharge of obligations--usu. used in pl. <in ~s
          with the rent> 2 a: an unfinished duty--usu. used in
          pl. <~s of work that have piled up> b: an unpaid and
          overdue debt--usu. used in pl. <paying off the ~s of
          the past several months>

   arrearage
          [ar.rear.age] n (14c) 1: the condition of being in arrears
          2: something that is in arrears; esp: something unpaid
          and overdue

   arrectis auribus
          [ar.rec.tis au.ri.bus] [L] foreign term : with ears pricked
          up: attentively

   [1]arrest
          [ar.rest] vt [ME aresten, fr. MF arester to rest, arrest,
          fr. (assumed) VL arrestare, fr. L ad- + restare to remain--more
          at rest] (14c) 1 a: to bring to a stop <sickness ~ed
          his activities> b: check, slow c: to make inactive <an
          ~ed tumor> 2: seize, capture; specif: to take or keep
          in custody by authority of law 3: to catch suddenly and
          engagingly -- ar.rest.er or ar.res.tor n -- ar.rest.ment
          n [2]arrest n (14c) 1 a: the act of stopping b: the condition
          of being stopped or inactive 2: the taking or detaining
          in custody by authority of law -- under arrest : in legal
          custody

   arrestant
          [ar.res.tant] n (1962): a substance that stimulates an insect
          to stop locomotion

   arrestee
          [ar.rest.ee] n (1944): one that is under arrest

   arresting
          [ar.rest.ing] adj (1792): catching the attention: striking,
          impressive -- ar.rest.ing.ly adv

   arrhythmia
          [ar.rhyth.mia] n [NL, fr. Gk, lack of rhythm, fr. arrhythmos
          unrhythmical, fr. a- + rhythmos rhythm] (ca. 1860): an
          alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time
          or force

   arrhythmic
          [ar.rhyth.mic] adj [Gk arrhythmos] (1853): lacking rhythm
          or regularity <~ locomotor activity>

   arriere-ban
          [ar.ri.ere-ban] n [F] (1523): a proclamation of a king (as
          of France) calling his vassals to arms; also: the body
          of vassals summoned

   arriere-pensee
          [ar.ri.ere-pen.see] n [F, fr. arriere in back + pensee thought]
          (1824): mental reservation

   arris
          [ar.ris] n, pl arris or ar.ris.es [prob. modif. of MF areste,
          lit., fishbone, fr. LL arista--more at arete] (1677):
          the sharp edge or salient angle formed by the meeting
          of two surfaces esp. in moldings

   arrival
          [ar.riv.al] n (14c) 1: the act of arriving 2: the attainment
          of an end or state 3: one that has recently reached a
          destination

   arrive
          [ar.rive] vi ar.rived ; ar.riv.ing [ME ariven, fr. OF ariver,
          fr. (assumed) VL arripare to come to shore, fr. L ad-
          + ripa shore--more at rive] (13c) 1 a: to reach a destination
          b: to make an appearance <the guests have arrived> 2
          a archaic: happen b: to be near in time: come <the moment
          has arrived> 3: to achieve success -- ar.riv.er n --
          arrive at : to reach by effort or thought <arrived at
          a decision> ar.ri.ve n [F, fr. pp. of arriver to arrive,
          fr. OF ariver] (1925): one who has risen rapidly to success,
          power, or fame

   arrivederci
          [ar.ri.ve.der.ci] [It] foreign term : till we meet again:
          farewell

   arriviste
          [ar.ri.viste] n [F, fr. arriver] (1901): one that is a new
          and uncertain arrival (as in social position or artistic
          endeavor)

   arroba
          [ar.ro.ba] n [Sp & Pg, fr. Ar ar-rub', lit., the quarter]
          (1555) 1: an old Spanish unit of weight equal to about
          25 pounds 2: an old Portuguese unit of weight equal to
          about 32 pounds

   arrogance
          [ar.ro.gance] n (14c): a feeling or an impression of superiority
          manifested in an overbearing manner or presumptuous claims

   arrogant
          [ar.ro.gant] adj [ME, fr. L arrogant-, arrogans, prp. of
          arrogare] (14c) 1: exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate
          one's own worth or importance in an overbearing manner
          <an ~ official> 2: proceeding from or characterized by
          arrogance <~ manners> syn see proud -- ar.ro.gant.ly
          adv

   arrogate
          [ar.ro.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L arrogatus, pp. of arrogare,
          fr. ad- + rogare to ask--more at right] (1537) 1 a: to
          claim or seize without justification b: to make undue
          claims to having: assume 2: to claim on behalf of another:
          ascribe -- ar.ro.ga.tion n

   arrondissement
          [ar.ron.disse.ment] n [F] (1807) 1: an administrative district
          of some large French cities 2: the largest division of
          a French department

   [1]arrow
          [ar.row] n [ME arwe, fr. OE; akin to Goth arhwazna arrow,
          L arcus bow, arch, arc] (bef. 12c) 1: a missile weapon
          shot from a bow and usu. having a slender shaft, a pointed
          head, and feathers at the butt 2: something shaped like
          an arrow; esp: a mark (as on a map or signboard) to indicate
          direction [2]arrow vi (1827): to move fast and straight
          like an arrow in flight: dart

   arrowhead
          [ar.row.head] n (14c) 1: a wedge-shaped piercing tip usu.
          fixed to an arrow 2: something resembling an arrowhead
          3: any of a genus (Sagittaria) of marsh or aquatic plants
          of the water-plantain family with leaves shaped like
          arrowheads

   arrowroot
          [ar.row.root] n (1696) 1 a: any of a genus (Maranta of the
          family Marantaceae, the arrowroot family) of tropical
          American plants with tuberous roots; esp: one (M. arundinacea)
          whose roots yield an easily digested edible starch b:
          any of several plants (as coontie) that yield starch
          2: starch yielded by an arrowroot

   arrowwood
          [ar.row.wood] n (1709): any of several common viburnums (esp.
          Viburnum dentatum) of the eastern U.S.

   arrowworm
          [ar.row.worm] n (ca. 1889): any of a phylum (Chaetognatha)
          of small planktonic wormlike marine organisms having
          curved bristles on either side of the head for seizing
          prey

   arrowy
          [ar.rowy] adj (1637) 1: resembling or suggesting an arrow;
          esp: swiftly moving 2: consisting of arrows

   arroyo
          [ar.royo] n, pl -royos [Sp] (1843) 1: a watercourse (as a
          creek) in an arid region 2: a water-carved gully or channel

   arroz con pollo
          [ar.roz con po.llo] n [Sp, lit., rice with chicken] (1938):
          chicken cooked with rice and usu. flavored with saffron

   ARRT
          [ARRT] abbreviation American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

   arse
          [arse] var of ass

   arsenal
          [ar.se.nal] n [It arsenale, ultim. fr. Ar dar sina'ah house
          of manufacture] (1555) 1 a: an establishment for the
          manufacture or storage of arms and military equipment
          b: a collection of weapons 2: store, repertory <the team's
          ~ of veteran players>

   arsenate
          [ar.se.nate] n (1800): a salt or ester of an arsenic acid

   [1]arsenic
          [ar.se.nic] n [ME, yellow orpiment, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L
          arsenicum, fr. Gk arsenikon, arrhenikon, fr. Syr zarnig,
          of Iranian origin; akin to Av zaranya gold, Skt hari
          yellowish--more at yellow] (14c) 1: a trivalent and pentavalent
          solid poisonous element that is commonly metallic steel-gray,
          crystalline, and brittle 2: a poisonous trioxide of arsenic
          used esp. as an insecticide or weed killer--called also
          arsenic trioxide [2]ar.sen.ic adj (1801): of, relating
          to, or containing arsenic esp. with a valence of five

   arsenical
          [ar.sen.i.cal] adj (1605): of, relating to, containing, or
          caused by arsenic <~ poisoning> -- arsenical n

   arsenide
          [ar.se.nide] n (ca. 1859): a binary compound of arsenic with
          a more positive element

   arsenious
          [ar.se.ni.ous] adj (1818): of, relating to, or containing
          arsenic esp. when trivalent

   arsenite
          [ar.se.nite] n (1800): a salt or ester of an arsenious acid

   arsenopyrite
          [ar.se.no.py.rite] n (1881): a mineral consisting of a combined
          sulfide and arsenide of iron occurring in prismatic orthorhombic
          crystals or in masses or grains

   ars est celare artem
          [ars est ce.la.re ar.tem] [L] foreign term : it is (true)
          art to conceal art

   arsine
          [ar.sine] n [ISV, fr. arsenic] (1876): a colorless flammable
          extremely poisonous gas with an odor like garlic; also:
          a derivative of arsine

   arsis
          [ar.sis] n, pl ar.ses [LL & Gk; LL, raising of the voice,
          accented part of foot, fr. Gk, upbeat, less important
          part of foot, lit., act of lifting, fr. aeirein, airein
          to lift] (14c) 1 a: the lighter or shorter part of a
          poetic foot esp. in quantitative verse b: the accented
          or longer part of a poetic foot esp. in accentual verse
          2: the unaccented part of a musical measure--compare
          thesis

   ars longa, vita brevis
          [ars lon.ga, vi.ta bre.vis] [L] foreign term : art is long,
          life is short

   arson
          [ar.son] n [AF arsoun, alter. of OF arsin act of burning,
          fr. ars, pp. of ardre to burn, fr. L ardere--more at
          ardor] (ca. 1680): the willful or malicious burning of
          property (as a building) esp. with criminal or fraudulent
          intent -- ar.son.ist n -- ar.son.ous adj

   arsphenamine
          [ars.phen.a.mine] n [ISV arsenic + phenamine] (1917):
          a light-yellow toxic hygroscopic powder formerly used in the
          treatment esp. of syphilis and yaws

   -art
          [-art] --see -ard

   art
          [art] abbreviation article, artificial, artillery

   [1]art
          [art] [ME, fr. OE eart; akin to ON est, ert (thou) art, OE
          is is] archaic pres 2d sing of be [2]art n [ME, fr. OF,
          fr. L art-, ars--more at arm] (13c) 1: skill acquired
          by experience, study, or observation <the ~ of making
          friends> 2 a: a branch of learning: (1): one of the humanities
          (2) pl: liberal arts b archaic: learning, scholarship
          3: an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <the ~
          of organ building> 4 a: the conscious use of skill and
          creative imagination esp. in the production of aesthetic
          objects; also: works so produced b (1): fine arts (2):
          one of the fine arts (3): a graphic art 5 a archaic:
          a skillful plan b: the quality or state of being artful
          6: decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter
          syn art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty
          of executing well what one has devised. art implies a
          personal, unanalyzable creative power <the art of choosing
          the right word>. skill stresses technical knowledge and
          proficiency <the skill of a glassblower>. cunning suggests
          ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing
          <a mystery plotted with great cunning>. artifice suggests
          technical skill esp. in imitating things in nature <believed
          realism in film could be achieved only by artifice>.
          craft may imply expertness in workmanship <the craft
          of a master goldsmith>.

   art deco
          [art de.co] n, often cap A&D [F Art Deco, fr. Exposition
          Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes,
          an exposition of modern decorative and industrial arts
          held in Paris, France, in 1925] (1966): a popular design
          style of the 1920s and 1930s characterized esp. by bold
          outlines, geometric and zigzag forms, and the use of
          new materials (as plastic)

   artefact
          [ar.te.fact] chiefly Brit var of artifact

   artel
          [ar.tel] n [Russ artel'] (1884): a workers' or craftsmen's
          cooperative in Russia and later the U.S.S.R

   Artemis
          [Ar.te.mis] n [Gk]: a Greek moon goddess often portrayed
          as a virgin huntress--compare diana

   artemisia
          [ar.te.mi.sia] n [NL, fr. L, artemisia, fr. Gk, wormwood]
          (14c): any of a genus (Artemisia) of aromatic composite
          herbs and shrubs (as sagebrush)--compare wormwood 1

   arteri-
          [arteri-] or arterio- comb form [Gk arteri-, arterio-, fr.
          arteria artery] 1: artery <arteriogram> 2: arterial and
          <arteriovenous>

   [1]arterial
          [ar.te.ri.al] adj (15c) 1 a: of or relating to an artery
          b: relating to or being the bright red blood present
          in most arteries that has been oxygenated in lungs or
          gills 2: of, relating to, or constituting through traffic
          -- ar.te.ri.al.ly adv [2]arterial n (1932): a through
          street or highway

   arteriogram
          [ar.te.rio.gram] n [ISV] (1929): a roentgenogram of an artery
          made by arteriography

   arteriography
          [ar.te.ri.og.ra.phy] n, pl -phies [ISV] (1929): the
          roentgenographic visualization of an artery after injection
          of a radiopaque substance -- ar.te.rio.graph.ic adj

   arteriole
          [ar.te.ri.ole] n [F or NL; F arteriole, prob. fr. NL arteriola,
          dim. of L arteria] (ca. 1847): any of the small terminal
          twigs of an artery that ends in capillaries -- ar.te.ri.o.lar
          adj

   arteriosclerosis
          [ar.te.rio.scle.ro.sis] n [NL] (1881): a chronic disease
          characterized by abnormal thickening and hardening of
          the arterial walls with resulting loss of elasticity
          -- ar.te.rio.scle.rot.ic adj or n

   arteriovenous
          [ar.te.rio.ve.nous] adj [ISV] (ca. 1880): of, relating to,
          or connecting the arteries and veins <an ~ fistula>

   arteritis
          [ar.ter.i.tis] n [NL] (1836): arterial inflammation

   artery
          [ar.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME arterie, fr. L arteria, fr.
          Gk arteria; akin to Gk aorte aorta] (14c) 1: any of the
          tubular branching muscular- and elastic-walled vessels
          that carry blood from the heart through the body 2: a
          channel (as a river or highway) of transportation or
          communication; esp: the main channel in a branching system

   artesian well
          [ar.te.sian well] n [F artesien, lit., of Artois, fr. OF,
          fr. Arteis Artois, France] (1842) 1: a well in which
          water is under pressure; esp: one in which the water
          flows to the surface naturally 2: a deep well

   art film
          [art film] n (1926): a motion picture produced as an artistic
          effort

   art form
          [art form] n (1868) 1: a recognized form (as a symphony)
          or medium (as sculpture) of artistic expression 2: an
          unconventional form or medium in which impulses regarded
          as artistic may be expressed <describe pinball as a great
          American art form --Tom Buckley>

   artful
          [art.ful] adj (1615) 1: performed with or showing art or
          skill <an ~ performance on the violin> 2 a: using or
          characterized by art and skill: dexterous <an ~ prose
          stylist> b: adroit in attaining an end often by insinuating
          or indirect means: wily <an ~ cross-examiner> 3: artificial
          <trim walks and ~ bowers --William Wordsworth> syn see
          sly -- art.ful.ly adv -- art.ful.ness n

   art glass
          [art glass] n (1926): articles of glass designed primarily
          for decorative purposes; esp: novelty glassware

   art historical
          [art historical] adj (1933): of or relating to the history
          of art -- art historically adv

   art house
          [art house] n (1951): art theater

   arthr-
          [arthr-] or arthro- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. arthron; akin
          to Gk arariskein to fit--more at arm]: joint <arthropathy>

   arthralgia
          [ar.thral.gia] n [NL] (ca. 1848): neuralgic pain in one or
          more joints -- ar.thral.gic adj

   arthritic
          [ar.thrit.ic] adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or affected with
          arthritis 2: being or showing effects associated with
          aging <~ anxiety> -- arthritic n -- ar.thrit.i.cal.ly
          adv

   arthritis
          [ar.thri.tis] n, pl -thrit.i.des [L, fr. Gk, fr. arthron]
          (1543): inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic,
          or constitutional causes; also: a specific arthritic
          condition

   arthrodesis
          [ar.throd.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [NL, fr. arthr- + Gk desis
          binding, fr. dein to bind] (ca. 1901): the surgical immobilization
          of a joint so that the bones grow solidly together

   arthropathy
          [ar.throp.a.thy] n, pl -thies (ca. 1860): a disease of a
          joint

   arthropod
          [ar.thro.pod] n [NL Arthropoda, fr. arthr- + Gk pod-, pous
          foot--more at foot] (1877): any of a phylum (Arthropoda)
          of invertebrate animals (as insects, arachnids, and crustaceans)
          that have a segmented body and jointed appendages, a
          usu. chitinous exoskeleton molted at intervals, and a
          dorsal anterior brain connected to a ventral chain of
          ganglia -- arthropod adj -- ar.throp.o.dan adj

   arthroscopy
          [ar.thros.co.py] n (ca. 1935): visual examination of the
          interior of a joint (as the knee) with a special surgical
          instrument; also: joint surgery using an arthroscope
          -- ar.thro.scope n -- ar.thro.scop.ic adj

   arthrosis
          [ar.thro.sis] n, pl -thro.ses [NL, fr. Gk arthrosis jointing,
          articulation, fr. arthroun to articulate, fr. arthron]
          (1634) 1: an articulation between bones 2: a degenerative
          disease of a joint

   arthrospore
          [ar.thro.spore] n (1895): oidium 1b

   Arthur
          [Ar.thur] n: a legendary king of the Britons whose story
          is based on traditions of a 6th century military leader

   Arthurian
          [Ar.thu.ri.an] adj (1612): of or relating to King Arthur
          and his court

   artichoke
          [ar.ti.choke] n [It dial. articiocco, ultim. fr. Ar al-khurshuf
          the artichoke] (1530) 1: a tall composite herb (Cynara
          scolymus) like a thistle with coarse pinnately incised
          leaves; also: its edible immature flower head which is
          cooked as a vegetable 2: jerusalem artichoke

   [1]article
          [ar.ti.cle] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L articulus joint, division,
          dim. of artus joint, limb; akin to Gk arariskein to fit--more
          at arm] (13c) 1 a: a distinct often numbered section
          of a writing b: a separate clause c: a stipulation in
          a document (as a contract or a creed) d: a nonfictional
          prose composition usu. forming an independent part of
          a publication (as a magazine) 2: an item of business:
          matter 3: any of a small set of words or affixes (as
          a, an, and the) used with nouns to limit or give definiteness
          to the application 4: a member of a class of things;
          esp: an item of goods <~s of value> 5: a thing of a particular
          and distinctive kind <the genuine ~> [2]article vt ar.ti.cled
          ; ar.ti.cling (1820): to bind by articles (as of apprenticeship)

   article of faith
          [article of faith] (15c): a basic belief

   articulable
          [ar.tic.u.la.ble] adj (1833): capable of being articulated

   articulacy
          [ar.tic.u.la.cy] n (1918) chiefly Brit: the quality or state
          of being articulate

   articular
          [ar.tic.u.lar] adj [ME articuler, fr. L articularis, fr.
          articulus] (15c): of or relating to a joint <~ cartilage>

   [1]articulate
          [ar.tic.u.late] adj [L articulatus jointed, pp. of articulare,
          fr. articulus] (1586) 1 a: divided into syllables or
          words meaningfully arranged: intelligible b: able to
          speak c: expressing oneself readily, clearly, or effectively;
          also: expressed in this manner 2 a: consisting of segments
          united by joints: jointed <~ animals> b: distinctly marked
          off -- ar.tic.u.late.ly adv -- ar.tic.u.late.ness n
          [2]ar.tic.u.late vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing vt (1594) 1 a: to utter
          distinctly <articulating each note in the musical phrase>
          b: to give clear and effective utterance to: put into words
          <~ one's grievances> c: to give definition to (as a shape
          or object) <shades of gray were chosen to ~ different spaces
          --Carol Vogel> 2 a: to unite by means of a joint: joint b: to form
          or fit into a systematic whole <articulating a program for all
          school grades> ~ vi 1: to utter articulate sounds 2: to become
          united or connected by or as if by a joint -- ar.tic.u.la.tive adj
          -- ar.tic.u.la.tor n

   articulated
          [ar.tic.u.lat.ed] adj (1899) of a vehicle: having a hinge
          or pivot connection esp. to allow negotiation of sharp
          turns <~ lorry> <~ bus>

   articulation
          [ar.tic.u.la.tion] n (15c) 1 a: a joint or juncture between
          bones or cartilages in the skeleton of a vertebrate b:
          a movable joint between rigid parts of an animal 2 a:
          the action or manner of jointing or interrelating b:
          the state of being jointed or interrelated 3 a: the act
          of giving utterance or expression b: the act or manner
          of articulating sounds c: an articulated utterance or
          sound; specif: consonant 4: occlusion 1b

   articulatory
          [ar.tic.u.la.to.ry] adj (1818): of or relating to articulation

   artifact
          [ar.ti.fact] n [L arte by skill (abl. of art-, ars skill)
          + factum, neut. of factus, pp. of facere to do--more
          at arm, do] (1821) 1 a: something created by humans usu.
          for a practical purpose; esp: an object remaining from
          a particular period <caves containing prehistoric ~s>
          b: something characteristic of or resulting from a human
          institution or activity <self-consciousness... turns
          out to be an ~ of our education system --Times Lit. Supp.>
          2: a product of artificial character (as in a scientific
          test) due usu. to extraneous (as human) agency -- ar.ti.fac.tu.al
          adj

   artifice
          [ar.ti.fice] n [MF, fr. L artificium, fr. artific-, artifex
          artificer, fr. L art-, ars + facere] (ca. 1604) 1 a:
          clever or artful skill: ingenuity <believing that characters
          had to be created from within rather than with ~ --Garson
          Kanin> b: an ingenious device or expedient 2 a: an artful
          stratagem: trick b: false or insincere behavior <social
          ~> syn see trick, art

   artificer
          [ar.ti.fi.cer] n (14c) 1: a skilled or artistic worker or
          craftsman 2: one that makes or contrives: deviser <had
          been the ~ of his own fortunes --Times Lit. Supp.>

   artificial
          [ar.ti.fi.cial] adj (14c) 1: humanly contrived often on a
          natural model: man-made <an ~ limb> <~ diamonds> 2 a:
          having existence in legal, economic, or political theory
          b: caused or produced by a human and esp. social or political
          agency <an ~ price advantage> <~ barriers of discrimination
          --R. C. Weaver> 3 obs: artful, cunning 4 a: lacking in
          natural or spontaneous quality <an ~ smile> <an ~ excitement>
          c: imitation, sham <~ flavor> 5: based on differential
          morphological characters not necessarily indicative of
          natural relationships <an ~ key for plant identification>
          -- ar.ti.fi.ci.al.i.ty n -- ar.ti.fi.cial.ly adv --
          ar.ti.fi.cial.ness n

   artificial horizon
          [artificial horizon] n (1920): a gyroscopic flight instrument
          designed to indicate aircraft attitude with respect to
          the true horizon

   artificial insemination
          [artificial insemination] n (1897): introduction of semen
          into the uterus or oviduct by other than natural means

   artificial intelligence
          [artificial intelligence] n (1956) 1: the capability of a
          machine to imitate intelligent human behavior 2: a branch
          of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent
          behavior in computers

   artificial respiration
          [artificial respiration] n (1852): the rhythmic forcing of
          air into and out of the lungs of a person whose breathing
          has stopped

   artillerist
          [ar.til.ler.ist] n (1781): gunner, artilleryman

   artillery
          [ar.til.lery] n, pl -ler.ies [ME artillerie, fr. MF, fr.
          artillier to equip, arm, alter. of OF atillier, fr. (assumed)
          VL apticulare, fr. L aptare to don, prepare, fit--more
          at adapt] (15c) 1: weapons (as bows, slings, and catapults)
          for discharging missiles 2 a: large bore crew-served
          mounted firearms (as guns, howitzers, and rockets): ordnance
          b: a branch of an army armed with artillery 3: means
          of impressing, arguing, or persuading

   artilleryman
          [ar.til.lery.man] n (1635): a soldier in the artillery

   artiodactyl
          [ar.tio.dac.tyl] n [NL Artiodactyla, fr. Gk artios fitting,
          even-numbered + daktylos finger, toe; akin to Gk arariskein
          to fit--more at arm] (ca. 1879): any of an order (Artiodactyla)
          of ungulates (as the camel or pig) with an even number
          of functional toes on each foot -- artiodactyl adj

   artisan
          [ar.ti.san] n [MF, ultim. fr. OIt artigiano, fr. arte art,
          fr. L art-, ars] (1538): craftsman -- ar.ti.san.al adj
          -- ar.ti.san.ship n

   artist
          [art.ist] n (ca. 1507) 1 a obs: one skilled or versed in
          learned arts b archaic: physician c archaic: artisan
          2 a: one who professes and practices an imaginative art
          b: a person skilled in one of the fine arts 3: a skilled
          performer; esp: artiste 4: one who is adept at something
          <con ~> <strikeout ~>

   artiste
          [ar.tiste] n [F] (1823): a skilled adept public performer;
          specif: a musical or theatrical entertainer

   artistic
          [ar.tis.tic] adj (ca. 1753) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of art or artists <~ subjects> <an ~ success> 2: showing
          imaginative skill in arrangement or execution <~ photography>
          -- ar.tis.ti.cal.ly adv

   artistry
          [art.ist.ry] n (1868) 1: artistic quality of effect or workmanship
          <the ~ of his novel> 2: artistic ability <the ~ of the violinist>
          <a lawyer's ~ in persuading juries>

   artless
          [art.less] adj (1589) 1: lacking art, knowledge, or skill:
          uncultured 2 a: made without skill: crude b: free from
          artificiality: natural <~ grace> 3: free from guile or
          craft: sincerely simple syn see natural -- art.less.ly
          adv -- art.less.ness n

   art moderne
          [art mo.derne] n, often cap A&M [F--more at art deco] (1931):
          art deco

   art nouveau
          [art nou.veau] n, often cap A&N [F, lit., new art] (1908):
          a design style of late 19th century origin characterized
          esp. by sinuous lines and foliate forms

   Arts and Crafts
          [Arts and Crafts] n (1888): a movement in European and American
          design during the late 19th and early 20th centuries
          promoting handcraftsmanship over industrial mass production

   art song
          [art song] n (1890): a usu. through-composed lyric song with
          melody and accompaniment

   artsy
          [art.sy] adj (1902): arty

   artsy-craftsy
          [artsy-craftsy] also arty-crafty adj [fr. the phrase arts
          and crafts] (1902): arty

   art theater
          [art theater] n (1923): a theater that specializes in the
          presentation of art films

   artwork
          [art.work] n (1877) 1 a: an artistic production <an 8-foot
          metal ~> b: artistic work <~ being sold on the sidewalk>
          2 a: art 6 b: material (as a drawing or photograph) prepared
          for reproduction in printed matter

   arty
          [arty] abbreviation artillery

   arty
          [arty] adj art.i.er ; -est (1901): showily or pretentiously
          artistic <~ lighting and photography> -- art.i.ly adv
          -- art.i.ness n

   arugula
          [aru.gu.la] n [prob. fr. It dial.; akin to It dial. (Lombardy)
          arigola arugula, It ruca--more at rocket] (1967): a
          yellowish-flowered European herb (Eruca vesicaria) of the mustard
          family cultivated for its foliage which is used esp.
          in salads--called also garden rocket, rocket, rugola

   arum
          [ar.um] n [NL, fr. L arum, fr. Gk aron] (14c): any of a genus
          (Arum of the family Araceae, the arum family) of Old
          World plants having usu. arrow-shaped leaves and a showy
          spathe partially enclosing a spadix; broadly: a plant
          of the arum family

   ARV
          [ARV] abbreviation American Revised Version

   ARVN
          [ARVN] abbreviation Army of the Republic of Vietnam (South
          Vietnam)

   [1]-ary
          [-ary] n suffix [ME -arie, fr. OF & L; OF -aire, -arie, fr.
          L -arius, -aria, -arium, fr. -arius, adj. suffix] 1:
          thing belonging to or connected with; esp: place of <ovary>
          2: person belonging to, connected with, or engaged in
          <functionary> [2]-ary adj suffix [ME -arie, fr. MF &
          L; MF -aire, fr. L -arius]: of, relating to, or connected
          with <budgetary>

   [1]Aryan
          [Ary.an] adj [Skt arya noble, belonging to the people speaking
          an Indo-European dialect who migrated into northern India]
          (1839) 1: indo-european 2 a: of or relating to a hypothetical
          ethnic type illustrated by or descended from early speakers
          of Indo-European languages b: nordic c--used in Nazism
          to designate a supposed master race of non-Jewish Caucasians
          having esp. Nordic features 3: of or relating to Indo-Iranian
          or its speakers [2]Aryan n (1851) 1: indo-european 2
          a: nordic b: gentile

   aryl
          [ar.yl] adj [ISV aromatic + -yl] (1906): having or being
          a univalent organic group (as phenyl) derived from an
          aromatic hydrocarbon by the removal of one hydrogen atom--often
          used in combination

   arytenoid
          [ar.y.te.noid] adj [NL arytaenoides, fr. Gk arytainoeides,
          lit., ladle-shaped, fr. arytaina ladle] (ca. 1751) 1:
          relating to or being either of two small laryngeal cartilages
          to which the vocal cords are attached 2: relating to
          or being either of a pair of small muscles or an unpaired
          muscle of the larynx -- arytenoid n

   as...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]as
          [as] adv [ME, fr. OE eallswa likewise, just as--more at also]
          (bef. 12c) 1: to the same degree or amount <~ deaf as
          a post> <twice ~ long> 2: for instance <various trees,
          ~ oak or pine> 3: when considered in a specified form
          or relation--usu. used before a preposition or a participle
          <my opinion ~ distinguished from his> [2]as conj (12c)
          1: as if <looks ~ he had seen a ghost --S. T. Coleridge>
          2: in or to the same degree in which <deaf ~ a post>--usu.
          used as a correlative after an adjective or adverb modified
          by adverbial as or so <as cool ~ a cucumber> 3: in the
          way or manner that <do ~ I do> 4: in accordance with
          what or the way in which <quite good ~ boys go> 5: while,
          when <spilled the milk ~ she got up> 6: regardless of
          the degree to which: though <improbable ~ it seems, it's
          true> 7: for the reason that: because, since <stayed
          home ~ she had no car> 8: that the result is <so clearly
          guilty ~ to leave no doubt> usage see like -- as is :
          in the presently existing condition without modification
          <bought the clock at an auction as is> -- as it were
          : as if it were so: in a manner of speaking [3]as pron
          (12c) 1: that, who, which--used after same or such <in
          the same building ~ my brother> <tears such ~ angels
          weep --John Milton> and chiefly dial. after a substantive
          not modified by same or such <that kind of fruit ~ maids
          call medlars --Shak.> 2: a fact that <is a foreigner,
          ~ is evident from his accent> [4]as prep (13c) 1 a: like
          2 <all rose ~ one man> b: like 1a <his face was ~ a mask
          --Max Beerbohm> 2: in the capacity, character, condition,
          or role of <works ~ an editor> [5]as n, pl as.ses [L]
          (1540) 1 a: a bronze coin of the ancient Roman republic
          b: a unit of value equivalent to an as coin 2: libra
          2a

   As
          [As] abbreviation altostratus, arsenic  AS abbreviation after
          sight, airspeed, American Samoa, Anglo-Saxon, antisubmarine,
          associate in science

   as-
          [as-] --see ad-

   asafetida
          [asa.fet.i.da] or asa.foe.ti.da n [ME asafetida, fr. ML asafoetida,
          fr. Per aza mastic + L foetida, fem. of foetidus fetid] (14c): the
          fetid gum resin of various oriental plants (genus Ferula) of the
          carrot family formerly used in medicine as an antispasmodic and
          in folk medicine as a general prophylactic against disease

   asana
          [asa.na] n [Skt asana manner of sitting, fr. aste he sits;
          akin to Gk hesthai to sit, Hitt es-] (ca. 1934): any
          of various yogic postures

   Asante
          [Asan.te] n, pl Asante (1721): ashanti

   ASAP
          [ASAP] abbreviation as soon as possible

   asb
          [asb] abbreviation asbestos

   asbestos
          [as.bes.tos] n [ME albestron mineral supposed to be
          inextinguishable when set on fire, prob. fr. MF, fr. ML asbeston,
          alter. of L asbestos, fr. Gk, unslaked lime, fr. asbestos
          inextinguishable, fr. a- + sbennynai to quench] (1607): any
          of several minerals (as chrysotile) that readily separate into long
          flexible fibers, that have been implicated as causes of certain
          cancers, and that have been used esp. formerly as fireproof
          insulating materials

   asbestosis
          [as.bes.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses (1927): a pneumoconiosis due
          to asbestos particles

   asc-
          [asc-] or asco- comb form [NL, fr. ascus]: ascus <ascocarp>

   ASCAP
          [ASCAP] abbreviation American Society of Composers, Authors
          and Publishers

   ascariasis
          [as.ca.ri.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL] (ca. 1888): infestation
          with or disease caused by ascarids

   ascarid
          [as.ca.rid] n [ultim. fr. LL ascarid-, ascaris intestinal
          worm, fr. Gk askarid-, askaris, prob. by back-formation
          fr. askarizein to jump, throb, alter. of skarizein, fr.
          skairein to gambol] (ca. 1890): any of a family (Ascaridae)
          of nematode worms that includes the common roundworm
          (Ascaris lumbricoides) parasitic in the human intestine

   ascaris
          [as.ca.ris] n, pl as.car.i.des (14c): ascarid

   ascend
          [as.cend] vb [ME, fr. L ascendere, fr. ad- + scandere to
          climb--more at scan] vi (14c) 1 a: to move upward b:
          to slope upward 2 a: to rise from a lower level or degree
          b: to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession
          ~ vt 1: to go or move up <~ a staircase> 2: to succeed
          to: occupy <~ the throne> -- as.cend.able or as.cend.ible
          adj

   ascendance
          [as.cen.dance] also as.cen.dence n (1742): ascendancy

   ascendancy
          [as.cen.dan.cy] also as.cen.den.cy n (1712): governing or
          controlling influence: domination

   [1]ascendant
          [as.cen.dant] also as.cen.dent n [ME ascendent, fr. ML ascendent-,
          ascendens, fr. L, prp. of ascendere] (14c) 1: the point of the
          ecliptic or degree of the zodiac that rises above the eastern
          horizon at any moment 2: a state or position of dominant power
          or importance 3: a lineal or collateral relative in the ascending
          line [2]ascendant also ascendent adj (1591) 1 a: moving upward:
          rising b: directed upward <an ~ stem> 2 a: superior b: dominant
          -- as.cen.dant.ly adv

   ascender
          [as.cend.er] n (ca. 1867): the part of a lowercase letter
          (as b) that rises above the main body of the letter;
          also: a letter that has such a part

   ascending
          [as.cend.ing] adj (1599) 1 a: mounting or sloping upward
          b: rising or increasing to higher levels, values, or
          degrees <~ powers of x> 2: rising upward usu. from a
          more or less prostrate base or point of attachment

   ascension
          [as.cen.sion] n [ME, fr. L ascension-, ascensio, fr. ascendere]
          (14c): the act or process of ascending

   ascensional
          [as.cen.sion.al] adj (1594): of or relating to ascension
          or ascent

   Ascension Day
          [Ascension Day] n (14c): the Thursday 40 days after Easter
          observed in commemoration of Christ's ascension into
          Heaven

   ascensive
          [as.cen.sive] adj (1646): rising or tending to rise

   ascent
          [as.cent] n [irreg. fr. ascend] (ca. 1596) 1 a: the act of
          rising or mounting upward: climb b: an upward slope or
          rising grade: acclivity c: the degree of elevation: inclination,
          gradient 2: an advance in social status or reputation:
          progress 3: a going back in time or upward in order of
          genealogical succession

   ascertain
          [as.cer.tain] vt [ME acertainen, fr. MF acertainer, fr. a-
          (fr. L ad-) + certain] (15c) 1 archaic: to make certain,
          exact, or precise 2: to find out or learn with certainty
          syn see discover -- as.cer.tain.able adj -- as.cer.tain.ment
          n

   ascesis
          [as.ce.sis] n, pl -ce.ses [LL or Gk; LL, fr. Gk askesis,
          lit., exercise, fr. askein] (1873): self-discipline,
          asceticism

   ascetic
          [as.cet.ic] also as.cet.i.cal adj [Gk asketikos, lit., laborious,
          fr. asketes one that exercises, hermit, fr. askein to
          work, exercise] (1646) 1: practicing strict self-denial
          as a measure of personal and esp. spiritual discipline
          2: austere in appearance, manner, or attitude syn see
          severe -- ascetic n -- as.cet.i.cal.ly adv -- as.cet.i.cism
          n

   ascidian
          [as.cid.i.an] n [NL Ascidia, group comprising tunicates,
          fr. Ascidium, genus name, fr. Gk askidion, dim. of askos
          wineskin, bladder] (1856): any of a class (Ascidiacea)
          of solitary or colonial sessile tunicates that have an
          oral and an atrial siphon--called also sea squirt

   ASCII
          [ASCII] n [American Standard Code for Information Interchange]
          (1963): a code for representing alphanumeric information

   ascites
          [as.ci.tes] n, pl ascites [ME aschytes, fr. LL ascites, fr.
          Gk askites, fr. askos] (14c): accumulation of serous
          fluid in the spaces between tissues and organs in the
          cavity of the abdomen -- as.cit.ic adj

   asclepiad
          [as.cle.pi.ad] n [ultim. fr. Gk asklepiad-, asklepias swallowwort,
          fr. Asklepios, Greek god of medicine] (1859): milkweed

   ascocarp
          [as.co.carp] n (ca. 1887): the mature fruiting body of an
          ascomycetous fungus; broadly: such a body with its enclosed
          asci, spores, and paraphyses -- as.co.car.pic adj

   ascogonium
          [as.co.go.ni.um] n, pl -nia [NL] (1875): the female sex organ
          in ascomycetous fungi

   ascomycete
          [as.co.my.cete] n [ultim. fr. Gk askos + myket-, mykes fungus;
          akin to Gk myxa mucus--more at mucus] (1875): any of
          a class (Ascomycetes) or subdivision (Ascomycotina) of
          higher fungi (as yeasts or molds) with septate hyphae
          and spores formed in asci -- as.co.my.ce.tous adj

   ascorbate
          [ascor.bate] n (1941): a salt of ascorbic acid

   ascorbic acid
          [ascor.bic acid] n [ISV a- + NL scorbutus scurvy--more at
          scorbutic] (1933): vitamin c

   ascospore
          [as.co.spore] n (1875): any of the spores contained in an
          ascus -- as.co.spor.ic adj

   ascot
          [as.cot] n [Ascot Heath, racetrack near Ascot, England] (1898):
          a broad neck scarf that is looped under the chin

   ascribe
          [as.cribe] vt as.cribed ; as.crib.ing [ME, fr. L ascribere,
          fr. ad- + scribere to write--more at scribe] (15c): to
          refer to a supposed cause, source, or author -- as.crib.able
          adj syn ascribe, attribute, assign, impute, credit mean
          to lay something to the account of a person or thing.
          ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause,
          quality, authorship <forged paintings formerly ascribed
          to masters>. attribute suggests less tentativeness than
          ascribe, less definiteness than assign <attributed to
          Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate>. assign
          implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation
          <assigned the bones to the Cretaceous Period>. impute
          suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by
          way of accusation or blame <tried to impute sinister
          motives to my actions>. credit implies ascribing a thing
          or esp. an action to a person or other thing as its agent,
          source, or explanation <credited his teammates for his
          success>.

   ascribed
          [ascribed] adj (1972): acquired or assigned arbitrarily (as
          at birth) <~ social status>

   ascription
          [as.crip.tion] n [LL ascription-, ascriptio, fr. L, written
          addition, fr. ascribere] (1600) 1: the act of ascribing:
          attribution 2: arbitrary placement (as at birth) in a
          particular social status

   ascriptive
          [as.crip.tive] adj (1650): relating to, marked by, or involving
          ascription

   ascus
          [as.cus] n, pl as.ci [NL, fr. Gk askos wineskin, bladder]
          (1830): the membranous oval or tubular spore case of
          an ascomycete

   asdic
          [as.dic] n [Anti-Submarine Detection Investigation Committee]
          (1939) chiefly Brit: sonar

   ASE
          [ASE] abbreviation American Stock Exchange

   -ase
          [-ase] n suffix [F, fr. diastase]: enzyme <protease>

   ASEAN
          [ASEAN] abbreviation Association of Southeast Asian Nations

   asepsis
          [asep.sis] n [NL] (1892) 1: the condition of being aseptic
          2: the methods of making or keeping aseptic

   aseptic
          [asep.tic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1859) 1 a: preventing infection
          <~ techniques> b: free or freed from pathogenic microorganisms
          <an ~ operating room> 2: lacking vitality, emotion, or
          warmth <~ essays> -- asep.ti.cal.ly adv

   asexual
          [asex.u.al] adj (1830) 1: lacking sex or functional sex organs
          <~ plants> 2 a: involving or reproducing by reproductive
          processes (as cell division, spore formation, fission,
          or budding) that do not involve the union of individuals
          or germ cells <~ reproduction> <an ~ generation> b: produced
          by asexual reproduction <~ spores> 3: devoid of sexuality
          <an ~ relationship> -- asex.u.al.i.ty n -- asex.u.al.ly
          adv

   [1]as far as
          [as far as] conj (14c): to the extent or degree that <is
          safe, as far as we know>--often used in expressions like
          "as far as (something) goes" and "as far as (something)
          is concerned" to mean "with regard to (something)" <we
          felt pretty safe as far as the fire was concerned --Mark
          Twain> or in expressions like "as far as (someone) is
          concerned" to mean "in (someone's) opinion" <as far as
          I'm concerned, it's a mistake> [2]as far as prep (1523):
          with regard to: concerning <neatly groomed and, as far
          as clothes, casual looking --N.Y. Times> <as far as being
          mentioned in the Ten Commandments, I think it is --Billy
          Graham>--chiefly in oral use

   as for
          [as for] prep (1533): with regard to: concerning <as for
          the others, they'll arrive later>

   Asgard
          [As.gard] n [ON asgarthr]: the home of the Norse gods

   asgd
          [asgd] abbreviation assigned

   asgmt
          [asgmt] abbreviation assignment

   [1]ash
          [ash] n [ME asshe, fr. OE aesc; akin to OHG ask ash, L ornus
          mountain ash] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Fraxinus)
          of trees of the olive family with pinnate leaves, thin
          furrowed bark, and gray branchlets 2: the tough elastic
          wood of an ash 3 [OE aesc, name of the corresponding
          runic letter]: the ligature ae used in Old English and
          some phonetic alphabets to represent a low front vowel
          /a/ [2]ash n, often attrib [ME asshe, fr. OE asce--more
          at arid] (bef. 12c) 1: something that symbolizes grief,
          repentance, or humiliation 2 a: the solid residue left
          when combustible material is thoroughly burned or is
          oxidized by chemical means b: fine particles of mineral
          matter from a volcanic vent 3 pl: the remains of the
          dead human body after cremation or disintegration 4 pl:
          deathly pallor <the lip of ~es and the cheek of flame
          --Lord Byron> 5 pl: ruins -- ash.less adj [3]ash vt (1894):
          to convert into ash

   ashamed
          [ashamed] adj [ME, fr. OE ascamod, pp. of ascamian to shame,
          fr. a- (perfective prefix) + scamian to shame--more at
          abide, shame] (bef. 12c) 1 a: feeling shame, guilt, or
          disgrace b: feeling inferior or unworthy 2: restrained
          by anticipation of shame <was ~ to beg> -- asham.ed.ly
          adv

   Ashanti
          [Ashan.ti] n, pl Ashanti or Ashantis [Twi asante] (1721)
          1: a member of a people of southern Ghana 2: the dialect
          of Akan spoken by the Ashanti people

   ash-blond
          [ash-blond] or ash-blonde adj (1903): pale or grayish blond
          <~ hair>

   Ashcan
          [Ash.can] adj (1939): of or relating to a group of 20th century
          American painters who depicted city life realistically
          <~ school>

   ash can
          [ash can] n (1899) 1: a metal receptacle for refuse 2 slang:
          depth charge

   [1]ashen
          [ash.en] adj (bef. 12c): of, relating to, or made from ash
          wood [2]ashen adj (14c): resembling ashes (as in color);
          esp: deadly pale <a face ~ and haggard>

   Asher
          [Ash.er] n [Heb Asher]: a son of Jacob and the traditional
          eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel

   ashfall
          [ash.fall] n (1923): a deposit of volcanic ash

   Ashkenazi
          [Ash.ke.nazi] n, pl -naz.im [LHeb Ashkenazi, fr. Ashkenaz,
          medieval rabbinical name for Germany] (1839): a member
          of one of the two great divisions of Jews comprising
          the eastern European Yiddish-speaking Jews--compare sephardi
          -- Ash.ke.naz.ic adj

   ashlar
          [ash.lar] n [ME asheler, fr. MF aisselier traverse beam,
          fr. OF, fr. ais board, fr. L axis, alter. of assis] (14c)
          1: hewn or squared stone; also: masonry of such stone
          2: a thin squared and dressed stone for facing a wall
          of rubble or brick

   ashore
          [ashore] adv (1586): on or to the shore

   as how
          [as how] conj (1771): that <allowed as how she was glad to
          be here>

   ashram
          [ash.ram] n [Skt asrama, fr. srama religious exercise] (1917)
          1: a secluded dwelling of a Hindu sage; also: the group
          of disciples instructed there 2: a religious retreat

   Ashtoreth
          [Ash.to.reth] n [Heb 'Ashtoreth]: astarte

   ashtray
          [ash.tray] n (1887): a receptacle for tobacco ashes and for
          cigar and cigarette butts

   Ashur
          [Ashur] n [Akkadian Ashur]: the chief deity of the Assyrians

   Ash Wednesday
          [Ash Wednesday] n (14c): the first day of Lent

   ashy
          [ashy] adj ash.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: of or relating to ashes
          2: ashen

   ASI
          [ASI] abbreviation airspeed indicator

   Asiago
          [Asi.a.go] n [Asiago, town in Italy] (1938): a pungent hard
          yellow cheese of Italian origin suitable for grating

   [1]Asian
          [Asian] adj (1550): of, relating to, or characteristic of
          the continent of Asia or its people [2]Asian n (ca. 1890):
          a native or inhabitant of Asia

   Asian-American
          [Asian-Amer.i.can] n (1974): an American of Asian descent
          -- Asian-American adj

   Asian elephant
          [Asian elephant] n (1981): elephant 1b

   Asian influenza
          [Asian influenza] n (1957): influenza caused by a mutant
          strain of the influenza virus isolated during the 1957
          epidemic in Asia--called also Asian flu

   Asiatic
          [Asi.at.ic] adj (1602): asian--sometimes taken to be offensive
          -- Asiatic n

   Asiatic cholera
          [Asiatic cholera] n (1831): cholera of Asian origin that
          is caused by virulent strains of the cholera vibrio (Vibrio
          cholerae)

   Asiatic elephant
          [Asiatic elephant] n (1930): elephant 1b

   [1]aside
          [aside] adv (14c) 1: to or toward the side <stepped ~> 2:
          away from others or into privacy <pulled him ~> 3: out
          of the way esp. for future use: away <putting ~ savings>
          4: away from one's thought or consideration <jesting
          ~> [2]aside prep (1592) obs: beyond, past [3]aside n
          (ca. 1751) 1: an utterance meant to be inaudible to someone;
          esp: an actor's speech heard by the audience but supposedly
          not by other characters 2: a straying from the theme:
          digression

   aside from
          [aside from] prep (1818) 1: in addition to: besides 2: except
          for

   as if
          [as if] conj (13c) 1: as it would be if <it was as if he
          had lost his last friend> 2: as one would do if <he ran
          as if ghosts were chasing him> 3: that <it seemed as
          if the day would never end>

   asinine
          [as.i.nine] adj [L asininus, fr. asinus ass] (15c) 1: marked
          by inexcusable failure to exercise intelligence or sound
          judgment <an ~ excuse> 2: of, relating to, or resembling
          an ass syn see simple -- as.i.nine.ly adv -- as.i.nin.i.ty
          n

   ask
          [ask] vb asked ; ask.ing [ME, fr. OE ascian; akin to OHG
          eiscon to ask, Lith eiskoti to seek, Skt icchati he seeks]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to call on for an answer b: to put
          a question about c: speak, utter <~ a question> 2 a:
          to make a request of <she ~ed her teacher for help> b:
          to make a request for <she ~ed help from her teacher>
          3: to call for: require 4: to set as a price <~ed $3000
          for the car> 5: invite ~ vi 1: to seek information 2:
          to make a request <~ed for food> 3: look--often used
          in the phrase ask for trouble -- ask.er n syn ask, question,
          interrogate, query, inquire mean to address a person
          in order to gain information. ask implies no more than
          the putting of a question <ask for directions>. question
          usu. suggests the asking of series of questions <questioned
          them about every detail of the trip>. interrogate suggests
          formal or official systematic questioning <the prosecutor
          interrogated the witness all day>. query implies a desire
          for authoritative information or confirmation <queried
          a librarian about the book>. inquire implies a searching
          for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions
          <began to inquire of friends and teachers what career
          she should pursue>. syn ask, request, solicit mean to
          seek to obtain by making one's wants known. ask implies
          no more than the statement of the desire <ask a favor
          of a friend>. request implies greater formality and courtesy
          <requests the pleasure of your company>. solicit suggests
          a calling attention to one's wants or desires by public
          announcement or advertisement <a letter soliciting information>.

   askance
          [askance] also askant adv [origin unknown] (ca. 1530) 1:
          with a side-glance: obliquely 2: with disapproval or
          distrust: scornfully

   askesis
          [as.ke.sis] var of ascesis

   askew
          [askew] adv or adj [prob. fr. [1]a- + skew] (1573): out of
          line: awry <the picture hung ~> -- askew.ness n

   asking price
          [asking price] n (1755): the price at which something is
          offered for sale

   ASL
          [ASL] abbreviation American Sign Language

   [1]aslant
          [aslant] adv or adj (14c): in a slanting direction: obliquely
          [2]aslant prep (1602): over or across in a slanting direction

   [1]asleep
          [asleep] adj [ME aslepe, fr. OE on slaepe] (13c) 1: being
          in a state of sleep 2: dead 3: lacking sensation: numb
          4 a: inactive, dormant b: not alert: indifferent [2]asleep
          adv (13c) 1: into a state of sleep 2: into the sleep
          of death 3: into a state of inactivity, sluggishness,
          or indifference

   as long as
          [as long as] conj (15c) 1: provided that <can do as they
          like as long as they have a B average> 2: inasmuch as,
          since <as long as you're going, I'll go too>

   aslope
          [aslope] adj or adv (14c): being in a sloping or slanting
          position or direction

   asocial
          [aso.cial] adj (1883): not social: as a: rejecting or lacking
          the capacity for social interaction b: antisocial

   as of
          [as of] prep (1900): on, at, from--used to indicate a time
          or date at which something begins or ends <takes effect
          as of July 1> <20 cases were reported as of last week>

   [1]asp
          [asp] n [ME, fr. OE aespe] (bef. 12c): aspen [2]asp n [ME
          aspis, fr. L, fr. Gk] (14c): a small venomous snake of
          Egypt usu. held to be a cobra (Naja haje)

   asparagine
          [as.par.a.gine] n [F, fr. L asparagus] (1813): a nonessential
          amino acid that is an amide of aspartic acid

   asparagus
          [as.par.a.gus] n, pl -gus [NL, genus name, fr. L, asparagus
          plant, fr. Gk asparagos; perh. akin to Gk spargan to
          swell] (1548): any of a genus (Asparagus) of Old World
          perennial plants of the lily family having much-branched
          stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow usu. filiform
          branchlets that function as leaves; esp: one (A. officinalis)
          widely cultivated for its edible young shoots

   aspartame
          [as.par.tame] n [aspartic acid + phenylalanine + methyl +
          ester] (1972): a crystalline protein derived from phenylalanine
          and aspartic acid that is used as a low-calorie sweetener

   aspartate
          [as.par.tate] n (1863): a salt or ester of aspartic acid

   aspartic acid
          [as.par.tic acid] n [ISV, irreg. fr. L asparagus] (1863):
          a crystalline amino acid found esp. in plants

   ASPCA
          [ASPCA] abbreviation American Society for the Prevention
          of Cruelty to Animals

   aspect
          [as.pect] n [ME, fr. L aspectus, fr. aspicere to look at,
          fr. ad- + specere to look--more at spy] (14c) 1 a: the
          position of planets or stars with respect to one another
          held by astrologers to influence human affairs; also:
          the apparent position (as conjunction) of a body in the
          solar system with respect to the sun b: a position facing
          a particular direction: exposure <the house has a southern
          ~> c: the manner of presentation of a plane to a fluid
          through which it is moving or to a current 2 a (1): appearance
          to the eye or mind (2): a particular appearance of countenance:
          mien b: a particular status or phase in which something
          appears or may be regarded <studied every ~ of the question>
          3 archaic: an act of looking: gaze 4 a: the nature of
          the action of a verb as to its beginning, duration, completion,
          or repetition and without reference to its position in
          time b: a set of inflected verb forms that indicate aspect
          -- as.pec.tu.al adj

   aspect ratio
          [aspect ratio] n (1907): a ratio of one dimension to another:
          as a: the ratio of span to mean chord of an airfoil b:
          the ratio of the width of a television or motion-picture
          image to its height

   aspen
          [as.pen] n [ME, of an aspen, fr. asp aspen, fr. OE aespe;
          akin to OHG aspa aspen, Russ osina] (1596): any of several
          poplars (esp. Populus tremula of Europe and P. tremuloides
          and P. grandidentata of No. America) with leaves that
          flutter in the lightest wind because of their flattened
          petioles

   as per
          [as per] prep (1859): in accordance with: according to --
          as per usual : as usual

   asperges
          [as.per.ges] n [L, thou wilt sprinkle, fr. aspergere] (ca.
          1587): a ceremony of sprinkling altar and people with
          holy water

   aspergillosis
          [as.per.gil.lo.sis] n, pl -lo.ses (1898): infection with
          or disease caused (as in poultry) by molds (genus Aspergillus)

   aspergillum
          [as.per.gil.lum] n, pl -la or -lums [NL, fr. L aspergere]
          (1649): a brush or small perforated container with a
          handle that is used for sprinkling holy water in a liturgical
          service

   aspergillus
          [as.per.gil.lus] n, pl -gil.li [NL, genus name, fr. aspergillum]
          (ca. 1847): any of a genus (Aspergillus) of ascomycetous
          fungi with branched radiate sporophores including many
          common molds

   asperity
          [as.per.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME asprete, fr. OF asprete, fr.
          aspre rough, fr. L asper, fr. (assumed) OL absperos,
          fr. ab- ab- + -speros; akin to Skt apasphura repelling,
          L spernere to spurn--more at spurn] (13c) 1: rigor, severity
          2 a: roughness of surface: unevenness; also: a tiny projection
          from a surface b: roughness of sound 3: roughness of
          manner or of temper: harshness

   asperse
          [as.perse] vt as.persed ; as.pers.ing [L aspersus, pp. of
          aspergere, fr. ad- + spargere to scatter--more at spark]
          (15c) 1: sprinkle; esp: to sprinkle with holy water 2:
          to attack with evil reports or false or injurious charges
          syn see malign

   aspersion
          [as.per.sion] n (ca. 1587) 1: a sprinkling with water esp.
          in religious ceremonies 2 a: the act of calumniating
          b: a calumnious expression <cast ~s on her integrity>

   [1]asphalt
          [as.phalt] also as.phal.tum n [ME aspalt, fr. LL aspaltus,
          fr. Gk asphaltos] (14c) 1: a dark bituminous substance
          that is found in natural beds and is also obtained as
          a residue in petroleum refining and that consists chiefly
          of hydrocarbons 2: an asphaltic composition used for
          pavements and as a waterproof cement -- as.phal.tic adj
          [2]asphalt vt (ca. 1859): to cover with asphalt: pave
          1

   asphaltite
          [as.phalt.ite] n (ca. 1899): a native asphalt occurring in
          vein deposits below the surface of the ground

   asphalt jungle
          [asphalt jungle] n (1920): a big city or a specified part
          of a big city

   aspheric
          [aspher.ic] or aspher.i.cal adj (ca. 1922): departing slightly
          from the spherical form esp. in order to correct for
          spherical aberration <an ~ lens>

   asphodel
          [as.pho.del] n [L asphodelus, fr. Gk asphodelos] (1597):
          any of various Old World usu. perennial herbs (esp. genera
          Asphodelus and Asphodeline) of the lily family with flowers
          in usu. long erect racemes

   asphyxia
          [as.phyx.ia] n [NL, fr. Gk, stopping of the pulse, fr. a-
          + sphyzein to throb] (1778): a lack of oxygen or excess
          of carbon dioxide in the body that is usu. caused by
          interruption of breathing and that causes unconsciousness

   asphyxiate
          [as.phyx.i.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vt (1836): to cause asphyxia
          in; also: to kill or make unconscious by inadequate oxygen,
          presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal
          breathing ~ vi: to become asphyxiated -- as.phyx.i.a.tion
          n

   [1]aspic
          [as.pic] n [MF, alter. of aspe, fr. L aspis] (1530) obs:
          [2]asp [2]aspic n [F, lit., asp] (1789): a clear savory
          jelly (as of fish or meat stock) used as a garnish or
          to make a meat, fish, or vegetable mold

   aspidistra
          [as.pi.dis.tra] n [NL, irreg. fr. Gk aspid-, aspis shield]
          (1822): an Asian plant (Aspidistra elatior) of the lily
          family that has large basal leaves and is often grown
          as a foliage plant

   [1]aspirant
          [as.pi.rant] n (1738): one who aspires <presidential ~s>
          [2]aspirant adj (1814): seeking to attain a desired position
          or status

   [1]aspirate
          [as.pi.rate] n (1617) 1: an independent sound /h/ or a character
          (as the letter h) representing it 2: a consonant having
          aspiration as its final component <in English the /p/
          of pit is an ~> 3: material removed by aspiration [2]as.pi.rate
          vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L aspiratus, pp. of aspirare]
          (ca. 1700) 1: to pronounce (a vowel or a consonant) with
          aspiration (sense 1a) 2 a: to draw by suction b: to remove
          (as blood) by aspiration c: to take into the lungs by
          aspiration

   aspiration
          [as.pi.ra.tion] n (14c) 1 a: audible breath that accompanies
          or comprises a speech sound b: the pronunciation or addition
          of an aspiration; also: the symbol of an aspiration 2:
          a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or
          as if by suction: as a: the act of breathing and esp.
          of breathing in b: the withdrawal of fluid or tissue
          from the body c: the taking of foreign matter into the
          lungs with the respiratory current 3 a: a strong desire
          to achieve something high or great b: an object of such
          desire syn see ambition -- as.pi.ra.tion.al adj

   aspirator
          [as.pi.ra.tor] n (1804): an apparatus for producing suction
          or moving or collecting materials by suction; esp: a
          hollow tubular instrument connected with a partial vacuum
          and used to remove fluid or tissue or foreign bodies
          from the body

   aspire
          [as.pire] vi as.pired ; as.pir.ing [ME, fr. MF or L; MF aspirer,
          fr. L aspirare, lit., to breathe upon, fr. ad- + spirare
          to breathe] (14c) 1: to seek to attain or accomplish
          a particular goal <aspired to a career in medicine> 2:
          ascend, soar -- as.pir.er n

   aspirin
          [as.pi.rin] n, pl aspirin or aspirins [ISV, fr. acetyl +
          spiraeic acid (former name of salicylic acid), fr. NL
          Spiraea, genus of shrubs--more at spirea] (1899) 1: a
          white crystalline derivative of salicylic acid used for
          relief of pain and fever 2: a tablet of aspirin

   ASR
          [ASR] abbreviation airport surveillance radar, air-sea rescue

   as regards
          [as regards] also as respects prep (1840): in regard to:
          with respect to

   [1]ass
          [ass] n [ME, fr. OE assa, prob. fr. OIr asan, fr. L asinus]
          (bef. 12c) 1: any of several hardy gregarious African
          or Asian perissodactyl mammals (genus Equus) smaller
          than the horse and having long ears; esp: an African
          mammal (E. asinus) that is the ancestor of the donkey
          2: a stupid, obstinate, or perverse person--often compounded
          with a preceding adjective <don't be a smart-ass>--often
          considered vulgar [2]ass or arse n [ME ars, ers, fr.
          OE aers, ears; akin to OHG & ON ars buttocks, Gk orrhos
          buttocks, oura tail] (bef. 12c) 1 a: buttocks--often
          used in emphatic reference to a specific person <get
          your ~ over here> <saved my ~>--often considered vulgar
          b: anus--often considered vulgar 2: sexual intercourse--usu.
          considered vulgar [3]ass adv [[2]ass] (1955)--used as
          a postpositive intensive esp. with words of derogatory
          implication <fancy-ass>--often considered vulgar

   assai
          [as.sai] adv [It, fr. (assumed) VL ad satis enough--more
          at asset] (ca. 1724): very--used with tempo direction
          in music <allegro ~>

   assail
          [as.sail] vt [ME, fr. OF asaillir, fr. (assumed) VL assalire,
          alter. of L assilire to leap upon, fr. ad- + salire to
          leap--more at sally] (13c): to attack violently with
          blows or words syn see attack -- as.sail.able adj --
          as.sail.ant n

   Assamese
          [As.sam.ese] n, pl Assamese (1826) 1: a native or inhabitant
          of Assam, India 2: the Indo-Aryan language of Assam --
          Assamese adj

   assassin
          [as.sas.sin] n [ML assassinus, fr. Ar hashshashin, pl. of
          hashshash one who smokes or chews hashish, fr. hashish
          hashish] (1603) 1 cap: one of a secret order of Muslims
          that at the time of the Crusades terrorized Christians
          and other enemies by secret murder committed under the
          influence of hashish 2: a person who commits murder;
          esp: one who murders a politically important person either
          for hire or from fanatical motives

   assassinate
          [as.sas.si.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1607) 1: to injure
          or destroy unexpectedly and treacherously 2: to murder
          by sudden or secret attack usu. for impersonal reasons
          syn see kill -- as.sas.si.na.tion n -- as.sas.si.na.tor
          n

   assassin bug
          [assassin bug] n (1895): any of a family (Reduviidae) of
          bugs that are usu. predatory on insects though some (as
          a conenose) suck the blood of mammals--called also reduviid

   [1]assault
          [as.sault] n [ME assaut, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL assaltus,
          fr. assalire] (14c) 1 a: a violent physical or verbal
          attack b: a military attack usu. involving direct combat
          with enemy forces c: a concerted effort (as to reach
          a goal or defeat an adversary) 2 a: a threat or attempt
          to inflict offensive physical contact or bodily harm
          on a person (as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner)
          that puts the person in immediate danger of or in apprehension
          of such harm or contact--compare battery 1b b: rape [2]assault
          vt (15c) 1: to make an assault on 2: rape ~ vi: to make
          an assault syn see attack -- as.sault.er n -- as.saul.tive
          adj -- as.saul.tive.ly adv -- as.saul.tive.ness n

   assault boat
          [assault boat] n (1941): a small portable boat used in an
          amphibious military attack or in land warfare for crossing
          rivers or lakes

   assault rifle
          [assault rifle] n (1975): any of various automatic or semiautomatic
          rifles designed for military use with large capacity magazines

   [1]assay
          [as.say] n [ME, fr. OF essai, assai test, effort--more at
          essay] (14c) 1 archaic: trial, attempt 2: examination
          and determination as to characteristics (as weight, measure,
          or quality) 3: analysis (as of an ore or drug) to determine
          the presence, absence, or quantity of one or more components
          4: a substance to be assayed; also: the tabulated result
          of assaying [2]as.say vt (14c) 1: try, attempt 2 a: to
          analyze (as an ore) for one or more specific components
          b: to judge the worth of: estimate ~ vi: to prove up
          in an assay -- as.say.er n

   assed
          [assed] adv (1932): [3]ass--used in combination
          <smart-assed>--often considered vulgar

   assegai
          [as.se.gai] or as.sa.gai n [ultim. fr. Ar az-zaghaya the
          assegai, fr. al- the + zaghaya assegai] (1600): a slender
          hardwood spear or light javelin usu. tipped with iron
          and used in southern Africa

   assemblage
          [as.sem.blage] n (1690) 1: a collection of persons or things:
          gathering 2: the act of assembling: the state of being
          assembled 3 a: an artistic composition made from scraps,
          junk, and odds and ends (as of paper, cloth, wood, stone,
          or metal) b: the art of making assemblages

   assemblagist
          [as.sem.blag.ist] n (1965): an artist who specializes in
          assemblages

   assemble
          [as.sem.ble] vb as.sem.bled ; as.sem.bling [ME, fr. OF assembler,
          fr. (assumed) VL assimulare, fr. L ad- + simul together--more
          at same] vt (13c) 1: to bring together (as in a particular
          place or for a particular purpose) 2: to fit together
          the parts of ~ vi: to meet together: convene syn see
          gather

   assembler
          [as.sem.bler] n (1635) 1: one that assembles 2 a: a computer
          program that automatically converts instructions written
          in assembly language into machine language b: assembly
          language

   assembly
          [as.sem.bly] n, pl -blies [ME assemblee, fr. MF, fr. OF,
          fr. assembler] (14c) 1: a company of persons gathered
          for deliberation and legislation, worship, or entertainment
          2 cap: a legislative body; specif: the lower house of
          a legislature 3: assemblage 1, 2 4: a signal for troops
          to assemble or fall in 5 a: the fitting together of manufactured
          parts into a complete machine, structure, or unit of
          a machine b: a collection of parts so assembled 6: the
          translation of assembly language to machine language
          by an assembler

   assembly language
          [assembly language] n (ca. 1964): a programming language
          that consists of instructions that are mnemonic codes
          for corresponding machine language instructions

   assembly line
          [assembly line] n (1914) 1: an arrangement of machines, equipment,
          and workers in which work passes from operation to operation
          in direct line until the product is assembled 2: a process for
          turning out a finished product in a mechanically efficient manner
          <academic assembly lines>

   assemblyman
          [as.sem.bly.man] n (1647): a member of an assembly

   Assembly of God
          [Assembly of God] (1952): a congregation belonging to a Pentecostal
          body founded in the U.S. in 1914

   assemblywoman
          [as.sem.bly.wom.an] n (1969): a woman who is a member of
          an assembly

   [1]assent
          [as.sent] vi [ME, fr. OF assenter, fr. L assentari, fr. assentire,
          fr. ad- + sentire to feel--more at sense] (14c): to agree
          to something esp. after thoughtful consideration: concur
          -- as.sen.tor or as.sent.er n syn assent, consent, accede,
          acquiesce, agree, subscribe mean to concur with what has been
          proposed. assent implies an act involving the understanding
          or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions <voters
          assented to the proposal>. consent involves the will or feelings
          and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired
          <consented to their daughter's going>. accede implies a yielding,
          often under pressure, of assent or consent <officials acceded
          to the prisoners' demands>. acquiesce implies tacit acceptance
          or forbearance of opposition <acquiesced to his boss's wishes>.
          agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts
          at persuasion <finally agreed to come along>. subscribe implies not
          only consent or assent but hearty approval and active support
          <subscribes wholeheartedly to the idea>. [2]assent n (14c): an act
          of assenting: acquiescence, agreement

   assentation
          [as.sen.ta.tion] n (15c): ready assent esp. when insincere
          or obsequious

   assert
          [as.sert] vt [L assertus, pp. of asserere, fr. ad- + serere
          to join--more at series] (ca. 1604) 1: to state or declare
          positively and often forcefully or aggressively 2 a:
          to demonstrate the existence of <~ his manhood --James
          Joyce> b: posit, postulate -- assert oneself : to compel
          recognition esp. of one's rights syn assert, declare,
          affirm, protest, avow mean to state positively usu. in
          anticipation of denial or objection. assert implies stating
          confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence
          <asserted that modern music is just noise>. declare stresses
          open or public statement <declared her support for the
          candidate>. affirm implies conviction based on evidence,
          experience, or faith <affirmed the existence of an afterlife>.
          protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or
          doubt <protested that he really had been misquoted>.
          avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of
          personal responsibility for what is declared <avowed
          that all investors would be repaid in full>. syn see
          in addition maintain

   assertedly
          [as.sert.ed.ly] adv (1937): by positive and usu. unsubstantiated
          assertion: allegedly

   assertion
          [as.ser.tion] n (15c): the act of asserting; also: declaration,
          affirmation

   assertive
          [as.ser.tive] adj (ca. 1619) 1: disposed to or characterized
          by bold or confident assertion 2: having a strong or
          distinctive flavor or aroma <~ wines> syn see aggressive
          -- as.ser.tive.ly adv -- as.ser.tive.ness n

   assertiveness training
          [assertiveness training] n (1975): a method of training individuals
          to act in a bold self-confident manner

   asses
          [asses] pl of as, or of ass

   assess
          [as.sess] vt [ME, prob. fr. ML assessus, pp. of assidere,
          fr. L, to sit beside, assist in the office of a judge--more
          at assize] (15c) 1: to determine the rate or amount of
          (as a tax) 2 a: to impose (as a tax) according to an
          established rate b: to subject to a tax, charge, or levy
          3: to make an official valuation of (property) for the
          purposes of taxation 4: to determine the importance,
          size, or value of 5: to charge (a player or team) with
          a foul or penalty syn see estimate -- as.sess.able adj

   assessment
          [as.sess.ment] n (1534) 1: the action or an instance of assessing:
          appraisal 2: the amount assessed

   assessor
          [as.ses.sor] n (14c) 1: an official who assists a judge or
          magistrate 2: one that assesses; esp: an official who
          assesses property for taxation

   asset
          [as.set] n [back-formation fr. assets, sing., sufficient
          property to pay debts and legacies, fr. AF asetz, fr.
          OF assez enough, fr. (assumed) VL ad satis, fr. L ad
          to + satis enough--more at at, sad] (1531) 1 pl a: the
          property of a deceased person subject by law to the payment
          of his or her debts and legacies b: the entire property
          of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable
          or subject to the payment of debts 2: advantage, resource
          <his wit is his chief ~> 3 a: an item of value owned
          b pl: the items on a balance sheet showing the book value
          of property owned

   asseverate
          [as.sev.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L asseveratus, pp. of
          asseverare, fr. ad- + severus severe] (1791): to affirm
          or aver positively or earnestly -- as.sev.er.a.tion n
          -- as.sev.er.a.tive adj

   asshole
          [ass.hole] n (14c) 1: anus--usu. considered vulgar 2 a: a
          stupid, incompetent, or detestable person--usu. considered
          vulgar b: a despicable place--usu. used in the phrase
          asshole of the universe--usu. considered vulgar

   assiduity
          [as.si.du.ity] n, pl -ities (1596) 1: the quality or state
          of being assiduous: diligence 2: persistent personal
          attention--usu. used in pl.

   assiduous
          [as.sid.u.ous] adj [L assiduus, fr. assidere] (1660): marked
          by careful unremitting attention or persistent application
          <an ~ book collector> <tended her garden with ~ attention>
          syn see busy -- as.sid.u.ous.ly adv -- as.sid.u.ous.ness
          n

   [1]assign
          [as.sign] vt [ME, fr. OF assigner, fr. L assignare, fr. ad-
          + signare to mark, fr. signum mark, sign] (13c) 1: to
          transfer (property) to another esp. in trust or for the
          benefit of creditors 2 a: to appoint to a post or duty
          <~ed them to light duty> <~ed me two clerks> b: to appoint
          as a duty or task <~s 20 pages for homework> 3: to fix
          or specify in correspondence or relationship <~ counsel
          to the defendant> <~ a value to the variable> 4 a: to
          ascribe as a motive, reason, or cause esp. after deliberation
          b: to consider to belong to (a specified period of time)
          syn see ascribe -- as.sign.abil.i.ty n -- as.sign.able
          adj -- as.sign.er or as.sign.or n [2]assign n (15c):
          assignee 3 <heirs and ~s>

   assignat
          [as.si.gnat] n [F, fr. L assignatus, pp. of assignare] (1790):
          a bill issued as currency by the French Revolutionary
          government (1789-96) on the security of expropriated
          lands

   assignation
          [as.sig.na.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of assigning or the assignment
          made 2: an appointment of time and place for a meeting; esp: tryst
          <returned from an ~ with his mistress --W. B. Yeats>

   assigned risk
          [assigned risk] n (1946): a poor risk (as an accident-prone
          motorist) that insurance companies would normally reject
          but are forced to insure by state law

   assignee
          [as.sign.ee] n (14c) 1: a person to whom an assignment is
          made 2: a person appointed to act for another 3: a person
          to whom a right or property is legally transferred

   assignment
          [as.sign.ment] n (14c) 1: the act of assigning 2 a: a position,
          post, or office to which one is assigned b: a specified
          task or amount of work assigned or undertaken as if assigned
          by authority 3: the transfer of property; esp: the transfer
          of property to be held in trust or to be used for the
          benefit of creditors syn see task

   assimilable
          [as.sim.i.la.ble] adj (1667): capable of being assimilated
          -- as.sim.i.la.bil.i.ty n

   [1]assimilate
          [as.sim.i.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [ME, fr. ML assimilatus,
          pp. of assimilare, fr. L assimulare to make similar,
          fr. ad- + simulare to make similar, simulate] vt (15c)
          1 a: to take in and appropriate as nourishment: absorb
          into the system b: to take into the mind and thoroughly
          comprehend 2 a: to make similar b: to alter by assimilation
          c: to absorb into the culture or mores of a population
          or group 3: compare, liken ~ vi: to become assimilated
          -- as.sim.i.la.tor n usage When assimilate is followed
          by a preposition, transitive senses 2a and 2c commonly
          take to and into and less frequently with; 2b regularly
          takes to; sense 3 most often takes to and sometimes with.
          The most frequent prepositions used with the intransitive
          sense are to and into. [2]as.sim.i.late n (1935): something
          that is assimilated

   assimilation
          [as.sim.i.la.tion] n (15c) 1 a: an act, process, or instance
          of assimilating b: the state of being assimilated 2:
          the incorporation or conversion of nutrients into protoplasm
          that in animals follows digestion and absorption and
          in higher plants involves both photosynthesis and root
          absorption 3: change of a sound in speech so that it
          becomes identical with or similar to a neighboring sound
          <the usual ~ of /z/ to /sh/ in the phrase his shoe> 4:
          the process of receiving new facts or of responding to
          new situations in conformity with what is already available
          to consciousness

   assimilationist
          [as.sim.i.la.tion.ist] n (1899): a person who advocates a
          policy of assimilating differing racial or cultural groups
          -- as.sim.i.la.tion.ism n -- as.sim.i.la.tion.ist adj

   assimilative
          [as.sim.i.la.tive] adj (14c): of, relating to, or causing
          assimilation

   assimilatory
          [as.sim.i.la.to.ry] adj (ca. 1847): assimilative

   Assiniboin
          [As.sin.i.boin] or As.sin.i.boine n, pl -boin or -boins or
          boine or -boines [Ojibwa dial. assinipwan, lit., stone
          Sioux] (1804): a member of an American Indian people
          orig. of the area between the upper Missouri and middle
          Saskatchewan rivers

   [1]assist
          [as.sist] vb [MF or L; MF assister to help, stand by, fr.
          L assistere, fr. ad- + sistere to cause to stand; akin
          to L stare to stand--more at stand] vt (15c): to give
          usu. supplementary support or aid to ~ vi 1: to give
          support or aid <~ed at the stove> <another surgeon ~ed
          on the operation> 2: to be present as a spectator <the
          ideal figures ~ing at Italian holy scenes --Mary McCarthy>
          [2]assist n (1597) 1: an act of assistance: aid 2: the
          action (as a throw or pass) of a player who enables a
          teammate to make a putout or score a goal; also: official
          credit given for such an action 3: a mechanical device
          that provides assistance

   assistance
          [as.sis.tance] n (14c): the act of assisting or the help
          supplied: aid <financial and technical ~>

   assistant
          [as.sis.tant] n (15c): a person who assists: helper; also:
          a person holding an assistantship -- assistant adj

   assistant professor
          [assistant professor] n (1851): a member of a college or
          university faculty who ranks above an instructor and
          below an associate professor -- assistant professorship
          n

   assistantship
          [as.sis.tant.ship] n (1948): a paid appointment awarded annually
          to a qualified graduate student that requires part-time
          teaching, research, or residence hall duties

   assize
          [as.size] n [ME assise, fr. OF, session, settlement, fr.
          asseoir to seat, fr. (assumed) VL assedere, fr. L assidere
          to sit beside, assist in the office of a judge, fr. ad-
          + sedere to sit--more at sit] (14c) 1 a: a judicial inquest
          b: an action to be decided by such an inquest, the writ
          for instituting it, or the verdict or finding rendered
          by the jury 2 a: the former periodical sessions of the
          superior courts in English counties for trial of civil
          and criminal cases--usu. used in pl. b: the time or place
          of holding such a court, the court itself, or a session
          of it--usu. used in pl.

   assn
          [assn] abbreviation association

   assoc
          [assoc] abbreviation associate, associated, association

   [1]associate
          [as.so.ci.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME associat associated,
          fr. L associatus, pp. of associare to unite, fr. ad-
          + sociare to join, fr. socius companion--more at social]
          vt (14c) 1: to join as a partner, friend, or companion
          2 obs: to keep company with: attend 3: to join or connect
          together: combine 4: to bring together or into relationship
          in any of various intangible ways (as in memory or imagination)
          ~ vi 1: to come or be together as partners, friends,
          or companions 2: to combine or join with other parts:
          unite syn see join [2]as.so.ciate adj (14c) 1: closely
          connected (as in function or office) with another 2:
          closely related esp. in the mind 3: having secondary
          or subordinate status <~ membership in a society> [3]as.so.ciate
          n (1533) 1: one associated with another: as a: partner,
          colleague b: companion, comrade 2 a: an entry-level member
          (as of a learned society, professional organization,
          or profession) b: employee, worker 3 often cap: a degree
          conferred esp. by a junior college <~ in arts> -- as.so.ciate.ship
          n

   associate professor
          [associate professor] n (1822): a member of a college or
          university faculty who ranks above an assistant professor
          and below a professor -- associate professorship n

   association
          [as.so.ci.a.tion] n (1535) 1 a: the act of associating b:
          the state of being associated: combination, relationship
          2: an organization of persons having a common interest:
          society 3: something linked in memory or imagination
          with a thing or person 4: the process of forming mental
          connections or bonds between sensations, ideas, or memories
          5: the aggregation of chemical species to form (as with
          hydrogen bonds) loosely bound complexes 6: a major unit
          in ecological community organization characterized by
          essential uniformity and usu. by two or more dominant
          species -- as.so.ci.a.tion.al adj

   association area
          [association area] n (ca. 1909): an area of the cerebral
          cortex that functions in linking and coordinating the
          sensory and motor areas

   association football
          [association football] n (1873): soccer

   associationism
          [as.so.ci.a.tion.ism] n (1875): a reductionist school of
          psychology that holds that the content of consciousness
          can be explained by the association and reassociation
          of irreducible sensory and perceptual elements --
          as.so.ci.a.tion.ist n -- as.so.ci.a.tion.is.tic adj

   associative
          [as.so.cia.tive] adj (1812) 1: of or relating to association
          esp. of ideas or images 2: dependent on or acquired by
          association or learning 3: of, having, or being the property
          of producing the same result no matter which pair of
          elements next to each other in a mathematical expression
          is used to perform a given operation first if the elements
          in the expression are listed in a fixed order <addition
          is ~ since (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)> -- as.so.cia.tive.ly
          adv -- as.so.cia.tiv.i.ty n

   associative learning
          [associative learning] n (1957): a learning process in which
          discrete ideas and percepts become linked to one another

   associative neuron
          [associative neuron] n (1935): a neuron that conveys impulses
          from one neuron to another

   assoil
          [as.soil] vt [ME, fr. OF assoldre, fr. L absolvere to absolve]
          (13c) 1 archaic: absolve, pardon 2 archaic: acquit, clear
          3 archaic: expiate -- as.soil.ment n, archaic

   assonance
          [as.so.nance] n [F, fr. L assonare to answer with the same
          sound, fr. ad- + sonare to sound, fr. sonus sound--more
          at sound] (1727) 1: resemblance of sound in words or
          syllables 2 a: relatively close juxtaposition of similar
          sounds esp. of vowels b: repetition of vowels without
          repetition of consonants (as in stony and holy) used
          as an alternative to rhyme in verse -- as.so.nant adj
          or n -- as.so.nant.al adj

   as soon as
          [as soon as] conj (14c): immediately at or shortly after
          the time that

   assort
          [as.sort] vb [MF assortir, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + sorte sort]
          vt (15c) 1: to distribute into groups of a like kind:
          classify 2: to supply with an assortment (as of goods)
          ~ vi 1: to agree in kind: harmonize 2: to keep company:
          associate -- as.sort.er n

   assortative
          [as.sor.ta.tive] adj (1897): being nonrandom mating based
          on like or unlike characteristics -- as.sor.ta.tive.ly
          adv

   assorted
          [as.sort.ed] adj (ca. 1797) 1: suited esp. by nature or character
          <an ill-assorted pair> 2: consisting of various kinds
          <~ chocolates>

   assortment
          [as.sort.ment] n (1611) 1 a: the act of assorting b: the
          state of being assorted 2: a collection of assorted things
          or persons

   ASSR
          [ASSR] abbreviation Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic

   asst
          [asst] abbreviation assistant, assorted

   asstd
          [asstd] abbreviation assented, assorted

   assuage
          [as.suage] vt as.suaged ; as.suag.ing [ME aswagen, fr. OF
          assouagier, fr. (assumed) VL assuaviare, fr. L ad- +
          suavis sweet--more at sweet] (14c) 1: to lessen the intensity
          of (something that pains or distresses): ease 2: pacify,
          quiet 3: to put an end to by satisfying: appease, quench
          syn see relieve -- as.suage.ment n

   assuasive
          [as.sua.sive] adj (1708): soothing, calming

   assume
          [as.sume] vt as.sumed ; as.sum.ing [ME, fr. L assumere, fr.
          ad- + sumere to take--more at consume] (15c) 1 a: to
          take up or in: receive b: to take into partnership, employment,
          or use 2 a: to take to or upon oneself: undertake b:
          put on, don 3: to take control of 4: to pretend to have
          or be: feign <assumed an air of confidence in spite of
          her dismay> 5: to take as granted or true: suppose 6:
          to take over (the debts of another) as one's own
          -- as.sum.abil.i.ty n -- as.sum.able adj -- as.sum.ably adv syn
          assume, affect, pretend, simulate, feign, counterfeit, sham mean
          to put on a false or deceptive appearance. assume often implies
          a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive <assumed
          an air of cheerfulness around the patients>. affect implies making
          a false show of possessing, using, or feeling <affected an interest
          in art>. pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance
          <pretended that nothing had happened>. simulate suggests a close
          imitation of the appearance of something <cosmetics that simulate
          a suntan>. feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less
          specific mimicry than simulate <feigned sickness>. counterfeit
          implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any
          of these words <an actor counterfeiting drunkenness>. sham implies
          an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible <shammed a most
          unconvincing limp>.

   assuming
          [as.sum.ing] adj (1695): pretentious, presumptuous

   assumpsit
          [as.sump.sit] n [NL, he undertook, fr. L assumere to undertake]
          (1590) 1: an express or implied promise or contract not
          under seal on which an action may be brought 2 a: a former
          common-law action brought to recover damages alleged
          from the breach of an assumpsit b: an action to recover
          damages for breach of a contract

   assumption
          [as.sump.tion] n [ME, fr. LL assumption-, assumptio taking
          up, fr. L assumere] (13c) 1 a: the taking up of a person
          into heaven b cap: August 15 observed in commemoration
          of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary 2: a taking to or
          upon oneself <the ~ of a new position> 3: the act of
          laying claim to or taking possession of something <the
          ~ of power> 4: arrogance, pretension 5 a: an assuming
          that something is true b: a fact or statement (as a proposition,
          axiom, postulate, or notion) taken for granted 6: the
          taking over of another's debts

   assumptive
          [as.sump.tive] adj (1611): of, relating to, or based on assumption

   assurance
          [as.sur.ance] n (14c) 1: the act or action of assuring: as
          a: pledge, guarantee b: the act of conveying real property;
          also: the instrument by which it is conveyed c chiefly
          Brit: insurance 2: the state of being assured: as a:
          security b: a being certain in the mind <the puritan's
          ~ of salvation> c: confidence of mind or manner: easy
          freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty; also: excessive
          self-confidence: brashness, presumption 3: something
          that inspires or tends to inspire confidence <gave repeated
          ~s of goodwill> syn see confidence

   assure
          [as.sure] vt as.sured ; as.sur.ing [ME, fr. MF assurer, fr.
          ML assecurare, fr. L ad- + securus secure] (14c) 1: to
          make safe (as from risks or against overthrow): insure
          2: to give confidence to <and hereby we know that we
          are of the truth, and shall ~ our hearts --1 Jn 3:19
          (AV)> 3: to make sure or certain: convince <glancing
          back to ~ himself no one was following> 4: to inform
          positively <I ~ you that we will do better next time>
          5: to make certain the coming or attainment of: guarantee
          <worked hard to ~ accuracy> syn see ensure

   [1]assured
          [as.sured] adj (15c) 1: characterized by certainty or security:
          guaranteed <an ~ market> 2 a: self-assured b: self-satisfied
          3: satisfied as to the certainty or truth of a matter
          <rest ~ we got what we came for> -- as.sured.ness n [2]assured
          n, pl assured or assureds (1755): insured

   assuredly
          [as.sured.ly] adv (14c) 1: without a doubt: certainly 2:
          in an assured manner: confidently

   assurer
          [as.sur.er] or as.sur.or n (1607): one that assures: insurer

   assurgent
          [as.sur.gent] adj [L assurgent-, assurgens, prp. of assurgere
          to rise, fr. ad- + surgere to rise--more at surge] (1578):
          moving upward: rising; esp: ascendant 1b

   assy
          [assy] abbreviation assembly

   Assyr
          [Assyr] abbreviation Assyrian

   Assyrian
          [As.syr.i.an] n (15c) 1: a native or inhabitant of ancient
          Assyria 2: the dialect of Akkadian spoken by the Assyrians
          -- Assyrian adj

   Assyriology
          [As.syr.i.ol.o.gy] n (1828): the science or study of the
          history, language, and antiquities of ancient Assyria
          and Babylonia -- As.syr.i.o.log.i.cal adj -- As.syr.i.ol.o.gist
          n

   -ast
          [-ast] n suffix [ME, fr. L -astes, fr. Gk -astes, fr. verbs
          in -azein]: one connected with <ecdysiast>

   AST
          [AST] abbreviation Alaska standard time

   astarboard
          [astar.board] adv (ca. 1630): toward or on the starboard
          side of a ship <put the helm hard ~>

   Astarte
          [As.tar.te] n [L, fr. Gk Astarte]: the Phoenician goddess
          of fertility and of sexual love

   astatine
          [as.ta.tine] n [Gk astatos unsteady, fr. a- + statos standing,
          fr. histanai to cause to stand--more at stand] (1947):
          a radioactive halogen element discovered by bombarding
          bismuth with alpha particles and also formed by radioactive
          decay

   aster
          [as.ter] n (1664) 1a: any of various chiefly fall-blooming
          leafy-stemmed composite herbs (Aster and closely related
          genera) with often showy heads containing disk flowers
          or both disk and ray flowers b: china aster 2: a system
          of microtubules arranged radially about a centriole at
          either end of the mitotic or meiotic spindle

   -aster
          [-aster] n suffix [ME, fr. L, suffix denoting partial resemblance]:
          one that is inferior or not genuine <criticaster>

   asteria
          [as.te.ria] n [L, a precious stone, fr. Gk, fem. of asterios
          starry, fr. aster-, aster] (1903): a gemstone cut to
          show asterism

   asteriated
          [as.te.ri.at.ed] adj [Gk asterios] (1816): exhibiting asterism
          <~ sapphire>

   [1]asterisk
          [as.ter.isk] n [ME, astarisc, fr. LL asteriscus, fr. Gk asteriskos,
          lit., little star, dim. of aster-, aster] (14c): the character
          * used in printing or writing as a reference mark, as an indication
          of the omission of letters or words, to denote a hypothetical
          or unattested linguistic form, or for various arbitrary meanings
          -- as.ter.isk.less adj [2]asterisk vt (ca. 1733): to mark with
          an asterisk: star

   asterism
          [as.ter.ism] n [Gk asterismos, fr. asterizein to arrange
          in constellations, fr. aster-, aster] (1598) 1 a: constellation
          b: a small group of stars 2: a star-shaped figure exhibited
          by some crystals by reflected light (as in a star sapphire)
          or by transmitted light (as in some mica)

   astern
          [astern] adv or adj (1627) 1: behind a ship 2: at or toward
          the stern of a ship 3: sternforemost, backward

   [1]asteroid
          [as.ter.oid] n [Gk asteroeides starlike, fr. aster-, aster]
          (1802) 1: any of the small celestial bodies found esp.
          between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter 2: starfish --
          as.ter.oi.dal adj [2]asteroid adj (1854) 1: resembling
          a star <~ bodies in sporotrichosis> 2: of or resembling
          a starfish

   asteroid belt
          [asteroid belt] n (1952): the region of interplanetary space
          between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in which most
          asteroids are found

   aster yellows
          [aster yellows] n pl (1922): a widespread disease that affects
          more than 40 families of plants, is characterized esp.
          by yellowing and dwarfing, and is caused by a mycoplasma
          transmitted by leafhoppers

   asthenia
          [as.the.nia] n [NL, fr. Gk astheneia, fr. asthenes weak,
          fr. a- + sthenos strength] (1802): lack or loss of strength:
          debility

   asthenic
          [as.then.ic] adj (1789) 1: of, relating to, or exhibiting
          asthenia: weak 2: ectomorphic 2

   asthenosphere
          [as.theno.sphere] n [Gk asthenes weak + E -o- + sphere] (1914):
          a hypothetical zone of a celestial body (as the earth)
          which lies beneath the lithosphere and within which the
          material is believed to yield readily to persistent stresses
          -- as.theno.spher.ic adj

   asthma
          [asth.ma] n [ME asma, fr. ML, modif. of Gk asthma] (14c):
          a condition often of allergic origin that is marked by
          continuous or paroxysmal labored breathing accompanied
          by wheezing, by a sense of constriction in the chest,
          and often by attacks of coughing or gasping -- asth.mat.ic
          adj or n -- asth.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   as though
          [as though] conj (13c): as if

   astigmatic
          [as.tig.mat.ic] adj [a- + Gk stigmat-, stigma stigma] (1849)
          1: affected with, relating to, or correcting astigmatism
          2: showing incapacity for observation or discrimination
          <an ~ fanaticism, a disregard for the facts --N.Y. Herald
          Tribune> -- astigmatic n

   astigmatism
          [astig.ma.tism] n (1849) 1: a defect of an optical system
          (as a lens) causing rays from a point to fail to meet
          in a focal point resulting in a blurred and imperfect
          image 2: a defect of vision due to astigmatism of the
          refractive system of the eye and esp. to corneal irregularity
          3: distorted understanding suggestive of the blurred
          vision of an astigmatic person

   astilbe
          [astil.be] n [NL, fr. [2]a- + Gk stilbe, fem. of stilbos
          sparkling]: any of a genus (Astilbe) of chiefly Asian
          perennials of the saxifrage family having simple or usu.
          compound leaves and widely cultivated for their panicles
          of white or red flowers

   astir
          [astir] adj (1823) 1: exhibiting activity 2: being out of
          bed: up

   Asti Spumante
          [As.ti Spu.man.te] n [It, fr. Asti, Italy + It spumante
          effervescent, lit., foaming] (1908): a sweet sparkling white wine
          made in and around the village of Asti in Piedmont

   ASTM
          [ASTM] abbreviation American Society for Testing and Materials

   as to
          [as to] prep (14c) 1: as for, about <at a loss as to how
          to explain the error> 2: according to, by <graded as
          to size and color>

   astonied
          [as.ton.ied] adj [ME, fr. pp. of astonien] (14c) 1 archaic:
          deprived briefly of the power to act: dazed 2 archaic:
          filled with consternation or dismay

   astonish
          [as.ton.ish] vt [prob. fr. earlier astony (fr. ME astonen,
          astonien, fr. OF estoner, fr. -- assumed -- VL extonare,
          fr. L ex- + tonare to thunder) + -ish (as in abolish)--more
          at thunder] (1535) 1 obs: to strike with sudden fear
          2: to strike with sudden and usu. great wonder or surprise
          syn see surprise

   astonishing
          [as.ton.ish.ing] adj (1543): causing astonishment: surprising
          -- as.ton.ish.ing.ly adv

   astonishment
          [as.ton.ish.ment] n (ca. 1586) 1 a: the state of being astonished
          b: consternation c: amazement 2: a cause of amazement
          or wonder

   [1]astound
          [as.tound] adj [ME astoned, fr. pp. of astonen] (14c) archaic:
          overwhelmed with astonishment or amazement: astounded
          [2]astound vt (1634): to fill with bewilderment or wonder
          syn see surprise

   astounding
          [as.tound.ing] adj (1586): causing astonishment or amazement
          -- as.tound.ing.ly adv

   ASTP
          [ASTP] abbreviation army specialized training program

   astr-
          [astr-] or astro- comb form [ME astro-, fr. OF, fr. L astr-,
          astro-, fr. Gk, fr. astron--more at star]: star: heavens:
          outer space: astronomical <astrophysics>

   [1]astraddle
          [astrad.dle] adv (1703): on or above and extending onto both
          sides: astride [2]astraddle prep (1935): with one leg
          on each side of: astride

   astragal
          [as.tra.gal] n [L astragalus, fr. Gk astragalos anklebone,
          molding; akin to Gk astakos lobster, osteon bone--more
          at osseous] (1563) 1: a narrow half-round molding 2:
          a projecting strip on the edge of a folding door

   astrakhan
          [as.tra.khan] n, often cap [Astrakhan, Russia] (1766) 1:
          karakul of Russian origin 2: a cloth with a usu. wool,
          curled, and looped pile resembling karakul

   astral
          [as.tral] adj [LL astralis, fr. L astrum star, fr. Gk astron]
          (1605) 1: of, relating to, or coming from the stars <~
          influences> <unusual ~ occurrences> 2: of or relating
          to a mitotic or meiotic aster 3: of or consisting of
          a supersensible substance held in theosophy to be next
          above the tangible world in refinement 4 a: visionary
          b: elevated in station or position: exalted -- as.tral.ly
          adv

   astray
          [astray] adv or adj [ME, fr. MF estraie wandering, fr. estraier
          to stray--more at stray] (14c) 1: off the right path
          or route: straying 2: in error: away from what is proper
          or desirable

   [1]astride
          [astride] adv (1664) 1: with one leg on each side: astride
          a horse <she rode ~, not sidesaddle> 2: with the legs
          stretched wide apart <standing ~> [2]astride prep (1713)
          1: on or above and with one leg on each side of 2: placed
          or lying on both sides of 3: extending over or across:
          spanning, bridging

   astringency
          [as.trin.gen.cy] n (1601): the quality or state of being
          astringent

   [1]astringent
          [as.trin.gent] adj [prob. fr. MF, fr. L astringent-, astringens,
          prp. of astringere to bind fast, fr. ad- + stringere
          to bind tight--more at strain] (1541) 1: able to draw
          together the soft organic tissues: styptic, puckery <~
          lotions> <an ~ fruit> 2: suggestive of an astringent
          effect upon tissue: rigidly severe: austere <dry ~ comments>;
          also: pungent, caustic -- as.trin.gent.ly adv [2]astringent
          n (1626): an astringent agent or substance

   astrobiology
          [as.tro.bi.ol.o.gy] n (1955): exobiology -- as.tro.bi.ol.o.gist
          n

   astrocyte
          [as.tro.cyte] n [ISV] (1898): a star-shaped cell (as of the
          neuroglia) -- as.tro.cyt.ic adj

   astrocytoma
          [as.tro.cy.to.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (ca. 1923): a
          nerve-tissue tumor composed of astrocytes

   astrodome
          [as.tro.dome] n [ISV] (1941): a transparent dome in the upper
          surface of an airplane from within which the navigator
          makes celestial observations

   astrol
          [astrol] abbreviation astrologer, astrology

   astrolabe
          [as.tro.labe] n [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF, fr. ML astrolabium,
          fr. LGk astrolabion, fr. Gk astrolabos, fr. astr- + lambanein
          to take--more at latch] (14c): a compact instrument used
          to observe and calculate the position of celestial bodies
          before the invention of the sextant

   astrologer
          [as.trol.o.ger] n (14c): one who practices astrology

   astrology
          [as.trol.o.gy] n [ME astrologie, fr. MF, fr. L astrologia,
          fr. Gk, fr. astr- + -logia -logy] (14c) 1 archaic: astronomy
          2: the divination of the supposed influences of the stars
          and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by
          their positions and aspects -- as.tro.log.i.cal adj --
          as.tro.log.i.cal.ly adv

   astrometry
          [as.trom.e.try] n (ca. 1859): a branch of astronomy that
          deals with measurements (as of positions and movements)
          of celestial bodies -- as.tro.me.tric adj

   astron
          [astron] abbreviation astronomer, astronomy

   astronaut
          [as.tro.naut] n [astr- + -naut (as in aeronaut)] (1929):
          a person who travels beyond the earth's atmosphere; also:
          a trainee for spaceflight

   astronautics
          [as.tro.nau.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1928): the
          science of the construction and operation of vehicles
          for travel in space beyond the earth's atmosphere --
          as.tro.nau.tic or as.tro.nau.ti.cal adj -- as.tro.nau.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   astronomer
          [as.tron.o.mer] n (14c): one who is skilled in astronomy
          or who makes observations of celestial phenomena

   astronomical
          [as.tro.nom.i.cal] also as.tro.nom.ic adj (1556) 1: of or
          relating to astronomy 2: enormously or inconceivably
          large or great <~ numbers> -- as.tro.nom.i.cal.ly adv

   astronomical unit
          [astronomical unit] n (1903): a unit of length used in astronomy
          equal to the mean distance of the earth from the sun
          or about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers)

   astronomy
          [as.tron.o.my] n, pl -mies [ME astronomie, fr. OF, fr. L
          astronomia, fr. Gk, fr. astr- + -nomia -nomy] (13c):
          the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere
          and of their physical and chemical properties

   astrophotography
          [as.tro.pho.tog.ra.phy] n [ISV] (ca. 1858): photography as
          used in astronomical investigations -- as.tro.pho.to.graph
          n -- as.tro.pho.tog.ra.pher n

   astrophysics
          [as.tro.phys.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ISV] (1890):
          a branch of astronomy dealing esp. with the behavior,
          physical properties, and dynamic processes of celestial
          objects and phenomena -- as.tro.phys.i.cal adj --
          as.tro.phys.i.cal.ly adv -- as.tro.phys.i.cist n

   astute
          [as.tute] adj [L astutus, fr. astus craft] (ca. 1611): having
          or showing shrewdness and perspicacity <an ~ observer>
          <~ remarks>; also: crafty, wily syn see shrewd -- as.tute.ly
          adv -- as.tute.ness n

   Astyanax
          [As.ty.a.nax] n [Gk]: a son of Hector and Andromache hurled
          by the Greeks from the walls of Troy

   asunder
          [asun.der] adv or adj (14c) 1: into parts <torn ~> 2: apart
          from each other in position <wide ~>

   ASV
          [ASV] abbreviation American Standard Version

   ASW
          [ASW] abbreviation antisubmarine warfare

   aswarm
          [aswarm] adj (ca. 1869): filled to overflowing: swarming
          <streets ~ with people>

   [1]as well as
          [as well as] conj (15c): and in addition: and <brave as well
          as loyal> [2]as well as prep (1589): in addition to:
          besides <the coach, as well as the team, is ready>

   aswirl
          [aswirl] adj (1877): being in a swirl: swirling

   aswoon
          [aswoon] adj (14c): being in a swoon: dazed

   asylum
          [asy.lum] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk asylon, neut. of asylos inviolable,
          fr. a- + sylon right of seizure] (15c) 1: an inviolable place
          of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors:
          sanctuary 2: a place of retreat and security: shelter 3 a: the
          protection or inviolability afforded by an asylum: refuge
          b: protection from arrest and extradition given esp. to political
          refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency enjoying
          diplomatic immunity 4: an institution for the care of the destitute
          or sick and esp. the insane

   asymmetrical
          [asym.met.ri.cal] or asym.met.ric adj [Gk asymmetria lack
          of proportion, fr. asymmetros ill-proportioned, fr. a-
          + symmetros symmetrical] (1690) 1: not symmetrical 2
          usu asymmetric, of a carbon atom: bonded to four different
          atoms or groups -- asym.met.ri.cal.ly adv -- asym.me.try
          n

   asymptomatic
          [asymp.tom.at.ic] adj (1927): presenting no symptoms of disease
          -- asymp.tom.at.i.cal.ly adv

   asymptote
          [as.ymp.tote] n [prob. fr. (assumed) NL asymptotus, fr. Gk
          asymptotos not meeting, fr. a- + sympiptein to meet--more
          at symptom] (1656): a straight line associated with a
          curve such that as a point moves along an infinite branch
          of the curve the distance from the point to the line
          approaches zero and the slope of the curve at the point
          approaches the slope of the line -- as.ymp.tot.ic adj
          -- as.ymp.tot.i.cal.ly adv

   asynapsis
          [asyn.ap.sis] n, pl -ap.ses [NL [2]a- + synapsis] (1930):
          failure of pairing of homologous chromosomes in meiosis

   asynchronous
          [asyn.chro.nous] adj (1748) 1: not synchronous 2: of, used
          in, or being digital communication (as between computers)
          in which there is no timing requirement for transmission
          and in which the start of each character is individually
          signaled by the transmitting device -- asyn.chro.nous.ly
          adv

   asynchrony
          [asyn.chro.ny] or asyn.chro.nism n (1875): the quality or
          state of being asynchronous: absence or lack of concurrence
          in time

   asyndetic
          [as.yn.det.ic] adj (ca. 1864): marked by asyndeton
          -- as.yn.det.i.cal.ly adv

   asyndeton
          [asyn.de.ton] n, pl -tons or -ta [LL, fr. Gk, fr. neut. of
          asyndetos unconnected, fr. a- + syndetos bound together,
          fr. syndein to bind together, fr. syn- + dein to bind--more
          at diadem] (1555): omission of the conjunctions that
          ordinarily join coordinate words or clauses (as in "I
          came, I saw, I conquered")

   at...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]at
          [at] prep [ME, fr. OE aet; akin to OHG az at, L ad] (bef.
          12c) 1--used as a function word to indicate presence
          or occurrence in, on, or near <staying ~ a hotel> <~
          a party> <sick ~ heart> 2--used as a function word to
          indicate the goal of an indicated or implied action or
          motion <aim ~ the target> <creditors are ~ him again>
          3--used as a function word to indicate that with which
          one is occupied or employed <~ work> <~ the controls>
          <good ~ chess> 4--used as a function word to indicate
          situation in an active or passive state or condition
          <~ liberty> <~ rest> 5--used as a function word to indicate
          the means, cause, or manner <sold ~ auction> <laughed
          ~ my joke> <act ~ your own discretion> 6 a--used as a
          function word to indicate the rate, degree, or position
          in a scale or series <the temperature ~ 90> <~ first>
          b--used as a function word to indicate age or position
          in time <will retire ~ 65> [2]at n, pl at [Lao] (1955):
          a monetary unit of Laos equal to 1/100 kip

   at
          [at] abbreviation airtight, atmosphere, atomic  At abbreviation
          astatine  AT abbreviation air temperature, ampere-turn,
          automatic transmission

   at-
          [at-] --see ad-

   Atabrine
          [At.a.brine] trademark--used for quinacrine

   atactic
          [atac.tic] adj [ISV [2]a- + -tactic] (1957): of, relating
          to, or being a polymer exhibiting no stereochemical regularity
          of structure <~ polypropylene>--compare isotactic

   Atalanta
          [At.a.lan.ta] n [L, fr. Gk Atalante]: a fleet-footed huntress
          in Greek mythology who challenges her suitors to a race
          and is defeated by Hippomenes when she stops to pick
          up three golden apples he has dropped

   at all
          [at all] adv (14c): in any way or respect: to the least extent
          or degree: under any circumstances <doesn't smoke at
          all>

   ataman
          [at.a.man] n [Russ] (1835): hetman

   atamasco lily
          [at.a.mas.co lily] n [Virginia Algonquian attamusco] (1743):
          any of a genus (Zephyranthes) of American bulbous herbs
          of the amaryllis family with pink, white, or yellowish
          flowers; esp: one (Z. atamasco) of the southeastern U.S.
          with white flowers usu. tinged with purple

   ataractic
          [at.a.rac.tic] or at.a.rax.ic n [ataractic fr. Gk ataraktos
          calm, fr. a- + tarassein to disturb; ataraxic fr. Gk
          ataraxia calmness, fr. a- + tarassein] (1955): tranquilizer
          2 -- ataractic or ataraxic adj

   atavism
          [at.a.vism] n [F atavisme, fr. L atavus ancestor, fr. at-
          (prob. akin to atta daddy) + avus grandfather--more at
          uncle] (1833) 1 a: recurrence in an organism of a trait
          or character typical of an ancestral form and usu. due
          to genetic recombination b: recurrence of or reversion
          to a past style, manner, outlook, or approach <architectural
          ~> 2: one that manifests atavism: throwback -- at.a.vis.tic
          adj -- at.a.vis.ti.cal.ly adv

   ataxia
          [atax.ia] n [Gk, fr. a- + tassein to put in order] (1670):
          an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements
          that is symptomatic of some nervous disorders -- atax.ic
          adj

   at bat
          [at bat] n (1884): an official time at bat charged to a baseball
          batter except when he walks, sacrifices, is hit by a
          pitched ball, or is interfered with by the catcher <three
          hits in five at bats>

   ATC
          [ATC] abbreviation air traffic control

   ate
          [ate] past of eat Ate n [Gk Ate]: a Greek goddess personifying
          foolhardy and ruinous impulse

   [1]-ate
          [-ate] n suffix [ME -at, fr. OF, fr. L -atus, -atum, masc.
          & neut. of -atus, pp. ending] 1: one acted upon (in a
          specified way) <distillate> 2 [NL -atum, fr. L]: chemical
          compound or complex anion derived from a (specified)
          compound or element <phenolate>; esp: salt or ester of
          an acid with a name ending in -ic and not beginning with
          hydro- <borate> [2]-ate n suffix [ME -at, fr. OF, fr.
          L -atus, fr. -a-, stem vowel of 1st conj. + -tus, suffix
          of verbal nouns] 1: office: function: rank: group of
          persons holding a (specified) office or rank or having
          a (specified) function <vicarate> 2: state: dominion:
          jurisdiction <emirate> <khanate> [3]-ate adj suffix [ME
          -at, fr. L -atus, fr. pp. ending of 1st conj. verbs,
          fr. -a-, stem vowel of 1st conj. + -tus, pp. suffix--more
          at -ed]: marked by having <craniate> [4]-ate vb suffix
          [ME -aten, fr. L -atus, pp. ending]: act on (in a specified
          way) <insulate>: cause to be modified or affected by
          <camphorate>: cause to become <activate>: furnish with
          <capacitate>

   -ated
          [-ated] adj suffix: [3]-ate <pileated>

   atelectasis
          [at.el.ec.ta.sis] n, pl -ta.ses [NL, fr. Gk ateles incomplete,
          defective (fr. a- [2]a- + telos end) + ektasis extension,
          fr. ekteinein to stretch out, fr. ex- + teinein to stretch--more
          at telos, thin] (1859): collapse of the expanded lung;
          also: defective expansion of the pulmonary alveoli at
          birth

   atelier
          [ate.lier] n [F, fr. MF astelier woodpile, fr. astele splinter,
          fr. LL astella, dim. of L astula] (1699) 1: an artist's
          or designer's studio or workroom 2: workshop

   atemoya
          [ate.moya] n [ates sweetsop (fr. Tag) + cherimoya] (1914):
          a white-pulped tropical fruit of a tree that is a hybrid
          of the sweetsop and the cherimoya

   atemporal
          [atem.po.ral] adj (1870): independent of or unaffected by
          time: timeless

   Aterian
          [Ate.ri.an] adj [F aterien, fr. Bir el-Ater (Constantine),
          Algeria] (1928): of or relating to a Paleolithic culture
          of northern Africa characterized by Mousterian features,
          tanged arrow points, and leaf-shaped spearheads

   Athabascan
          [Ath.a.bas.can] or Ath.a.pas.kan also Ath.a.bas.kan or
          Ath.a.pas.can n [Athabasca, a Cree band] (1846) 1: a family
          of American Indian languages spoken primarily in western Canada,
          Alaska, and the U.S. Southwest 2: a member of a people speaking
          an Athabascan language

   Athanasian
          [Ath.a.na.sian] adj (1586): of or relating to Athanasius
          or his advocacy of the homoousian doctrine against Arianism

   Athanasian Creed
          [Athanasian Creed] n (1586): a Christian creed originating
          in Europe about a.d. 400 and relating esp. to the Trinity
          and Incarnation

   atheism
          [athe.ism] n [MF atheisme, fr. athee atheist, fr. Gk atheos
          godless, fr. a- + theos god] (1546) 1 archaic: ungodliness,
          wickedness 2 a: a disbelief in the existence of deity
          b: the doctrine that there is no deity

   atheist
          [athe.ist] n (1571): one who denies the existence of God
          -- athe.is.tic or athe.is.ti.cal adj -- athe.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   atheling
          [ath.e.ling] n [ME, fr. OE aetheling, fr. aethelu nobility,
          akin to OHG adal nobility] (bef. 12c): an Anglo-Saxon
          prince or nobleman; esp: the heir apparent or a prince
          of the royal family

   Athena
          [Athe.na] or Athe.ne n [L Athena, fr. Gk Athene]: the Greek
          goddess of wisdom--compare minerva

   athenaeum
          [ath.e.nae.um] or ath.e.ne.um n [L Athenaeum, a school in
          ancient Rome for the study of arts, fr. Gk Athenaion,
          a temple of Athena, fr. Athene] (1799) 1: a building
          or room in which books, periodicals, and newspapers are
          kept for use 2: a literary or scientific association

   atheoretical
          [athe.o.ret.i.cal] adj (1969): not based on or concerned
          with theory

   athero-
          [athero-] comb form [Gk athera]: atheroma <atherogenic>

   atherogenesis
          [ath.ero.gen.e.sis] n (1953): the process of developing atheroma

   atherogenic
          [ath.ero.gen.ic] adj (1954): relating to or producing degenerative
          changes in arterial walls <~ diet>

   atheroma
          [ath.er.o.ma] n [NL atheromat-, atheroma, fr. L, a tumor
          containing matter resembling gruel, fr. Gk atheroma,
          fr. athera gruel] (1875) 1: fatty degeneration of the
          inner coat of the arteries 2: an abnormal fatty deposit
          in an artery -- ath.er.o.ma.tous adj

   atherosclerosis
          [ath.ero.scle.ro.sis] n [NL] (1910): an arteriosclerosis
          characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis
          of the inner layer of the arteries -- ath.ero.scle.rot.ic
          adj

   athirst
          [athirst] adj [ME, fr. OE ofthyrst, pp. of ofthyrstan to
          suffer from thirst, fr. of off, from + thyrstan to thirst--more
          at of] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: thirsty 2: having a strong
          eager desire <I that for ever feel ~ for glory --John
          Keats> syn see eager

   athlete
          [ath.lete] n [ME, fr. L athleta, fr. Gk athletes, fr. athlein
          to contend for a prize, fr. athlon prize, contest] (15c):
          a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports,
          or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina

   athlete's foot
          [athlete's foot] n (1928): ringworm of the feet

   athletic
          [ath.let.ic] adj (1636) 1: of or relating to athletes or
          athletics 2: characteristic of an athlete; esp: vigorous,
          active 3: mesomorphic 4: used by athletes -- ath.let.i.cal.ly
          adv -- ath.let.i.cism n

   athletics
          [ath.let.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1727) 1: exercises,
          sports, or games engaged in by athletes 2: the practice
          or principles of athletic activities

   athletic supporter
          [athletic supporter] n (1927): a supporter for the genitals
          worn by men participating in sports or strenuous activities

   at-home
          [at-home] adj (1951) 1: intended or suitable for one's home
          <an ~ dress> 2: being or occurring at one's home <~ entertainment>

   at home
          [at home] n (1745): a reception given at one's home

   -athon
          [-athon] n comb form [marathon]: event or activity lasting
          a long time <talkathon>

   athrocyte
          [ath.ro.cyte] n [Gk athroos together, collected + ISV -cyte]
          (1938): a cell that has the ability to store up substances
          of an excretory nature

   [1]athwart
          [athwart] prep (15c) 1: across 2: in opposition to <a procedure
          directly ~ the New England prejudices --R. G. Cole> [2]athwart
          adv (ca. 1500) 1: across esp. in an oblique direction
          2: in opposition to the right or expected course <and
          quite ~ goes all decorum --Shak.>

   athwartship
          [athwart.ship] adj (1879): being across the ship from side
          to side <~ and longitudinal framing>

   athwartships
          [athwart.ships] adv (1718): across the ship from side to
          side

   atilt
          [atilt] adv or adj (1562) 1: in a tilted position 2: with
          lance in hand <run ~ at death --Shak.>

   atingle
          [atin.gle] adj (1855): tingling esp. with excitement

   -ation
          [-ation] n suffix [ME -acioun, fr. OF -ation, fr. L -ation-,
          -atio, fr. -a-, stem vowel of 1st conj. + -tion-, -tio,
          n. suffix]: action or process <flirtation>: something
          connected with an action or process <discoloration>

   -ative
          [-ative] adj suffix [ME, fr. MF -atif, fr. L -ativus, fr.
          -atus -ate + -ivus -ive]: of, relating to, or connected
          with <authoritative>: tending to <talkative>

   Atka mackerel
          [At.ka mackerel] n [Atka Island, Alaska] (1893): a greenling
          (Pleurogrammus monopterygius) of Alaska and adjacent
          regions valued as a food fish

   Atl
          [Atl] abbreviation Atlantic

   [1]Atlantean
          [At.lan.te.an] adj (1667): of, relating to, or resembling
          Atlas: strong [2]Atlantean adj (ca. 1828): of or relating
          to Atlantis

   Atlantic
          [At.lan.tic] adj (1601) 1 a: of, relating to, or found in,
          on, or near the Atlantic Ocean b: of, relating to, or
          found on or near the east coast of the U.S. 2: of or
          relating to the nations that border the Atlantic Ocean
          <the ~ community>

   Atlantic croaker
          [Atlantic croaker] n (ca. 1949): a small fish (Micropogonias
          undulatus) of the Gulf coast and the Atlantic coast--called
          also hardhead

   Atlanticism
          [At.lan.ti.cism] n (1950): a policy of military cooperation
          between European powers and the U.S. -- At.lan.ti.cist
          n

   Atlantic salmon
          [Atlantic salmon] n (1902): salmon 1a

   Atlantic time
          [Atlantic time] n (ca. 1909): the time of the fourth time
          zone west of Greenwich that includes the Canadian Maritime
          Provinces, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands

   Atlantis
          [At.lan.tis] n [L, fr. Gk, fr. Atlas]: a fabled island in
          the Atlantic that according to legend sank beneath the
          sea

   atlas
          [at.las] n [L Atlant-, Atlas, fr. Gk] 1 cap: a Titan who
          for his part in the Titans' revolt against the gods is
          forced by Zeus to support the heavens on his shoulders
          2 cap: one who bears a heavy burden 3 a: a bound collection
          of maps often including illustrations, informative tables,
          or textual matter b: a bound collection of tables, charts,
          or plates 4: the first vertebra of the neck 5 pl usu
          at.lan.tes : a male figure used like a caryatid as a
          supporting column or pilaster--called also telamon

   atlatl
          [at.latl] n [Nahuatl ahtlatl] (1871): a device for throwing
          a spear or dart that consists of a rod or board with
          a projection (as a hook or thong) at the rear end to
          hold the weapon in place until released

   Atli
          [At.li] n [ON]: a king of the Huns figuring in Germanic legend
          and corresponding to the historical Attila

   atm
          [atm] abbreviation atmosphere, atmospheric  ATM abbreviation
          automated teller machine, automatic teller machine

   atman
          [at.man] n, often cap [Skt atman, lit., breath, soul; akin
          to OE aethm breath] (1785) 1 Hinduism: the innermost
          essence of each individual 2 Hinduism: the supreme universal
          self: brahma 2

   atmometer
          [at.mom.e.ter] n [Gk atmos + E -meter] (1815): an instrument
          for measuring the evaporating capacity of the air

   atmosphere
          [at.mo.sphere] n [NL atmosphaera, fr. Gk atmos vapor + L
          sphaera sphere] (1677) 1 a: the gaseous envelope of a
          celestial body (as a planet) b: the whole mass of air
          surrounding the earth 2: the air of a locality 3: a surrounding
          influence or environment <an ~ of hostility> 4: a unit
          of pressure equal to the pressure of the air at sea level
          or approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch (101,325
          pascals) 5 a: the overall aesthetic effect of a work
          of art b: a dominant aesthetic or emotional effect or
          appeal -- at.mo.sphered adj

   atmospheric
          [at.mo.spher.ic] adj (1783) 1 a: of, relating to, or occurring
          in the atmosphere b: resembling the atmosphere: airy
          2: having, marked by, or contributing aesthetic or emotional
          atmosphere -- at.mo.spher.i.cal.ly adv

   atmospherics
          [at.mo.spher.ics] n pl (1915) 1: audible disturbances produced
          in radio receiving apparatus by atmospheric electrical
          phenomena (as lightning); also: the electrical phenomena
          causing these disturbances 2: actions (as official statements)
          intended to create or suggest a particular atmosphere
          or mood in politics and esp. international relations;
          also: the mood so created or suggested 3: realistic detail
          added (as to a literary work) to create a mood

   at no
          [at no] abbreviation atomic number

   atoll
          [atoll] n [Divehi (Indo-Aryan language of the Maldive Islands)
          atolu] (1625): a coral island consisting of a reef surrounding
          a lagoon

   atom
          [at.om] n [ME, fr. L atomus, fr. Gk atomos, fr. atomos indivisible,
          fr. a- + temnein to cut] (15c) 1: one of the minute indivisible
          particles of which according to ancient materialism the universe
          is composed 2: a tiny particle: bit 3: the smallest particle
          of an element that can exist either alone or in combination 4: the
          atom considered as a source of vast potential energy

   atomic
          [atom.ic] adj (1678) 1 a: of, relating to, or concerned with
          atoms <~ physics> b: nuclear 2 <~ energy> 2 a: marked
          by acceptance of the theory of atomism b: atomistic 2
          3: minute 4 of a chemical element: existing in the state
          of separate atoms -- atom.i.cal.ly adv

   atomic bomb
          [atomic bomb] n (1914) 1: a bomb whose violent explosive
          power is due to the sudden release of energy resulting
          from the splitting of nuclei of a heavy chemical element
          (as plutonium or uranium) by neutrons in a very rapid
          chain reaction--called also atom bomb 2: a nuclear weapon
          (as a hydrogen bomb)

   atomic clock
          [atomic clock] n (1938): a precision clock that depends for
          its operation on an electrical oscillator regulated by
          the natural vibration frequencies of an atomic system
          (as a beam of cesium atoms)

   atomic mass
          [atomic mass] n (1898): the mass of an atom usu. expressed
          in atomic mass units; also: atomic weight

   atomic mass unit
          [atomic mass unit] n (ca. 1942): a unit of mass for expressing
          masses of atoms, molecules, or nuclear particles equal
          to 1/12 the mass of a single atom of the most abundant
          carbon isotope --called also dalton

   atomic number
          [atomic number] n (1821): an experimentally determined number
          characteristic of a chemical element that represents
          the number of protons in the nucleus which in a neutral
          atom equals the number of electrons outside the nucleus
          and that determines the place of the element in the periodic
          table

   atomic reactor
          [atomic reactor] or atomic pile n (1945): reactor 3b

   atomic theory
          [atomic theory] n (ca. 1847) 1: a theory of the nature of
          matter: all material substances are composed of minute
          particles or atoms of a comparatively small number of
          kinds and all the atoms of the same kind are uniform
          in size, weight, and other properties 2: any of several
          theories of the structure of the atom; esp: one based
          on experimentation and theoretical considerations holding
          that the atom is composed essentially of a small positively
          charged comparatively heavy nucleus surrounded by a comparatively
          large arrangement of electrons

   atomic weight
          [atomic weight] n (1820): the mass of one atom of an element;
          specif: the average mass of an atom of an element as
          it occurs in nature that is expressed in atomic mass
          units

   atomise, atomiser
          [at.om.ise, at.om.is.er] Brit var of atomize, atomizer

   atomism
          [at.om.ism] n (1678) 1: a doctrine that the physical or physical
          and mental universe is composed of simple indivisible
          minute particles 2: individualism 1 -- at.om.ist n

   atomistic
          [at.om.is.tic] adj (1809) 1: of or relating to atoms or atomism
          2: composed of many simple elements; also: characterized
          by or resulting from division into unconnected or antagonistic
          fragments <an ~ society> -- at.om.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   atomize
          [at.om.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1845) 1: to treat as made
          up of many discrete units 2: to reduce to minute particles
          or to a fine spray 3: divide, fragment 4: to subject
          to attack by nuclear weapons -- at.om.iza.tion n

   atomizer
          [at.om.iz.er] n (1865): an instrument for atomizing usu.
          a perfume, disinfectant, or medicament

   atom smasher
          [atom smasher] n (1937): accelerator d

   atomy
          [at.o.my] n, pl -mies [irreg. fr. L atomi, pl. of atomus
          atom] (1591): a tiny particle: atom, mite

   atonal
          [aton.al] adj [[2]a- + tonal] (1922): marked by avoidance
          of traditional musical tonality; esp: organized without
          reference to key or tonal center and using the tones
          of the chromatic scale impartially -- aton.al.ism n --
          aton.al.ist n -- ato.nal.i.ty n -- aton.al.ly adv

   atone
          [atone] vb atoned ; aton.ing [ME, to become reconciled, fr.
          at on in harmony, fr. at + on one] vt (1593) 1 obs: reconcile
          2: to supply satisfaction for: expiate ~ vi: to make
          amends

   atonement
          [atone.ment] n (1513) 1 obs: reconciliation 2: the reconciliation
          of God and man through the sacrificial death of Jesus
          Christ 3: reparation for an offense or injury: satisfaction
          4 Christian Science: the exemplifying of man's oneness
          with God

   atonic
          [aton.ic] adj (1792) 1: characterized by atony 2: uttered
          without accent or stress

   atony
          [at.o.ny] n [LL atonia, fr. Gk, fr. atonos without tone,
          fr. a- + tonos tone] (1693): lack of physiological tone
          esp. of a contractile organ

   [1]atop
          [atop] prep (1655): on top of [2]atop adv or adj (1658):
          on, to, or at the top

   atopy
          [at.o.py] n [Gk atopia uncommonness, fr. atopos out of the
          way, uncommon, fr. a- + topos place] (1923): a prob.
          hereditary allergy characterized by symptoms (as asthma,
          hay fever, or hives) produced upon exposure to the exciting
          antigen without inoculation -- atop.ic adj

   -ator
          [-ator] n suffix [ME -atour, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L -ator,
          fr. -a-, stem vowel of 1st conj. + -tor, agent suffix]:
          one that does <totalizator>

   ATP
          [ATP] n [adenosine triphosphate] (1939): a phosphorylated
          nucleoside of adenine that supplies energy for many biochemical
          cellular processes by undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis
          esp. to ADP--called also adenosine triphosphate

   ATPase
          [ATPase] n (1946): an enzyme that hydrolyzes ATP; esp: one
          that hydrolyzes ATP to ADP and inorganic phosphate

   atrabilious
          [at.ra.bil.ious] adj [L atra bilis black bile] (1651) 1:
          given to or marked by melancholy: gloomy 2: ill-natured,
          peevish -- at.ra.bil.ious.ness n

   atrazine
          [at.ra.zine] n [perh. fr. amino + triazine] (1962):
          a photosynthesis-inhibiting persistent herbicide used esp.
          to kill annual weeds and quack grass

   atremble
          [atrem.ble] adj (1862): shaking involuntarily: trembling
          <he was white as death and all ~ --Robert Coover>

   atresia
          [atre.sia] n [NL, fr. [2]a- + Gk tresis perforation, fr.
          tetrainein to pierce--more at throw] (ca. 1807) 1: absence
          or closure of a natural passage of the body 2: absence
          or disappearance of an anatomical part (as an ovarian
          follicle) by degeneration

   Atreus
          [Atreus] n [Gk]: a king of Mycenae and father of Agamemnon
          and Menelaus

   atrial natriuretic factor
          [atrial natriuretic factor] n (1984): a peptide hormone secreted
          by the cardiac atria that stimulates natriuresis and
          diuresis and helps regulate blood pressure

   atrioventricular
          [atrio.ven.tric.u.lar] adj [NL atrium + E ventricular] (ca.
          1860): of, relating to, or located between an atrium
          and ventricle of the heart

   atrioventricular node
          [atrioventricular node] n (ca. 1934): a small mass of tissue
          in the right atrioventricular region of higher vertebrates
          through which impulses from the sinoatrial node are passed
          to the ventricles

   atrip
          [atrip] adj (1796) of an anchor: aweigh

   atrium
          [atri.um] n, pl atria also atri.ums [L] (1577) 1: the central
          room of a Roman house 2 pl usu atriums: a rectangularly
          shaped open patio around which a house is built; also:
          a many-storied court in a building (as a hotel) usu.
          with a skylight 3 [NL, fr. L]: an anatomical cavity or
          passage; esp: the chamber or either of the chambers of
          the heart that receives blood from the veins and forces
          it into the ventricle or ventricles--see heart illustration
          -- atri.al adj

   atrocious
          [atro.cious] adj [L atroc-, atrox gloomy, atrocious, fr.
          atr-, ater black + -oc-, -ox (akin to Gk ops eye)--more
          at eye] (1669) 1: extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel:
          barbaric 2: appalling, horrifying <the ~ weapons of modern
          war> 3 a: utterly revolting: abominable <~ working conditions>
          b: of very poor quality <~ handwriting> -- atro.cious.ly
          adv -- atro.cious.ness n

   atrocity
          [atroc.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1534) 1: the quality or state of
          being atrocious 2: an atrocious act, object, or situation
          <the ... sufferings and atrocities of trench warfare
          --Aldous Huxley>

   atrophy
          [at.ro.phy] n, pl -phies [LL atrophia, fr. Gk, fr. atrophos
          ill fed, fr. a- + trephein to nourish] (1601) 1: decrease
          in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue; also:
          arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental
          to the normal development or life of an animal or plant
          2: a wasting away or progressive decline: degeneration
          <the ~ of freedom> <was not a solitude of ~, of negation,
          but of perpetual flowering --Willa Cather> -- atro.phic
          adj -- atrophy vb

   atropine
          [at.ro.pine] n [G Atropin, fr. NL Atropa, genus name of belladonna,
          fr. Gk Atropos, one of the three Fates] (1836): a racemic mixture
          of hyoscyamine obtained from any of various solanaceous plants (as
          belladonna) and used esp. in the form of its sulfate for its
          anticholinergic effects (as pupil dilation or inhibition of smooth
          muscle spasms)

   att
          [att] abbreviation attached, attention, attorney

   att
          [att] var of [2]at

   attaboy
          [at.ta.boy] interj [prob. alter. of that's the boy] (1909)--used
          to express encouragement, approval, or admiration

   attach
          [at.tach] vb [ME, fr. MF attacher, fr. OF estachier, fr.
          estache stake, of Gmc origin; akin to OE staca stake]
          vt (14c) 1: to take by legal authority esp. under a writ
          <~ed the property> 2 a: to bring (oneself) into an association
          b: to assign temporarily 3: to bind by personal ties
          (as of affection or sympathy) <was strongly ~ed to his
          family> 4: to make fast (as by tying or gluing) <~ a
          label to a package> 5: to associate esp. as a property:
          attribute <~ed great importance to public opinion polls>
          ~ vi: to become attached: adhere syn see fasten -- at.tach.able
          adj

   attache
          [at.ta.che] n [F, pp. of attacher] (1829) 1: a technical
          expert on the diplomatic staff of his country at a foreign
          capital <a military ~> 2: attache case

   attache case
          [at.ta.che case] n (1904) 1: a small thin suitcase used esp.
          for carrying business papers 2: briefcase

   attached
          [at.tached] adj (1854): permanently fixed when adult <~ barnacles>

   attachment
          [at.tach.ment] n (14c) 1: a seizure by legal process; also:
          the writ or precept commanding such seizure 2 a: the
          state of being personally attached: fidelity <~ to a
          cause> b: affectionate regard <a deep ~ to nature> 3:
          a device attached to a machine or implement 4: the physical
          connection by which one thing is attached to another
          5: the process of physically attaching

   [1]attack
          [at.tack] vb [MF attaquer, fr. (assumed) OIt estaccare to
          attach, fr. stacca stake, of Gmc origin; akin to OE staca]
          vt (1600) 1: to set upon or work against forcefully 2:
          to assail with unfriendly or bitter words 3: to begin
          to affect or to act on injuriously 4: to set to work
          on 5: to threaten (a piece in chess) with immediate capture
          ~ vi: to make an attack -- at.tack.er n syn attack, assail,
          assault, bombard, storm mean to make an onslaught upon.
          attack implies taking the initiative in a struggle <plan
          to attack the town at dawn>. assail implies attempting
          to break down resistance by repeated blows or shots <assailed
          the enemy with artillery fire>. assault suggests a direct
          attempt to overpower by suddenness and violence of onslaught
          <commandos assaulted the building from all sides>. bombard
          applies to attacking with bombs or shells <bombarded
          the city nightly>. storm implies attempting to break
          into a defended position <preparing to storm the fortress>.
          [2]attack n (1661) 1: the act of attacking with physical
          force or unfriendly words: assault 2: a belligerent or
          antagonistic action 3 a: a fit of sickness; esp: an active
          episode of a chronic or recurrent disease b: a period
          of being strongly affected by something (as a desire
          or mood) 4 a: an offensive or scoring action <won the
          game with an eight-hit ~> b: offensive players or the
          positions taken up by them 5: the setting to work on
          some undertaking <made a new ~ on the problem> 6: the
          beginning of destructive action (as by a chemical agent)
          7: the act or manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase

   attackman
          [at.tack.man] n (1940): a player (as in lacrosse) assigned
          to an offensive zone or position

   attain
          [at.tain] vb [ME atteynen, fr. OF ataindre, fr. (assumed)
          VL attangere, alter. of L attingere, fr. ad- + tangere
          to touch--more at tangent] vt (14c) 1: to reach as an
          end: gain, achieve <~ a goal> 2: to come into possession
          of: obtain <he ~ed preferment over his fellows> 3: to
          come to as the end of a progression or course of movement
          <they ~ed the top of the hill> <~ a ripe old age> ~ vi:
          to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort--usu.
          used with to -- at.tain.abil.i.ty n -- at.tain.able adj

   attainder
          [at.tain.der] n [ME attaynder, fr. MF ataindre to accuse,
          attain] (15c) 1: extinction of the civil rights and capacities
          of a person upon sentence of death or outlawry usu. after
          a conviction of treason 2 obs: dishonor

   attainment
          [at.tain.ment] n (1549) 1: the act of attaining: the condition
          of being attained 2: something attained: accomplishment
          <scientific ~s>

   [1]attaint
          [at.taint] vt [ME attaynten, fr. MF ataint, pp. of ataindre]
          (14c) 1: to affect by attainder 2 a: infect, corrupt
          b archaic: taint, sully 3 archaic: accuse [2]attaint
          n (1592) obs: a stain upon honor or purity: disgrace

   attar
          [at.tar] n [Per 'atir perfumed, fr. Ar, fr. 'itr perfume]
          (1798): a fragrant essential oil (as from rose petals);
          also: fragrance

   [1]attempt
          [at.tempt] vt [ME, fr. MF & L; MF attempter, fr. L attemptare,
          fr. ad- + temptare to touch, try--more at tempt] (14c)
          1: to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect
          <~ed to swim the swollen river> 2 archaic: tempt 3 archaic:
          to try to subdue or take by force: attack -- at.tempt.able
          adj syn attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to
          make an effort to accomplish an end. attempt stresses
          the initiation or beginning of an effort <will attempt
          to photograph the rare bird>. try is often close to attempt
          but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope
          of testing or proving something <tried to determine which
          was the better procedure>. endeavor heightens the implications
          of exertion and difficulty <endeavored to find crash
          survivors in the mountains>. essay implies difficulty
          but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting <will
          essay a dramatic role for the first time>. strive implies
          great exertion against great difficulty and specifically
          suggests persistent effort <continues to strive for peace>.
          [2]attempt n (1534) 1 a: the act or an instance of attempting;
          esp: an unsuccessful effort b: something resulting from
          or representing an attempt <surrounded by ... a few ~s
          at rose bushes --Marian Engel> 2: attack, assault <an
          ~ on the life of the president>

   attend
          [at.tend] vb [ME, fr. OF atendre, fr. L attendere, lit.,
          to stretch to, fr. ad- + tendere to stretch--more at
          thin] vt (14c) 1: to pay attention to 2: to look after:
          take charge of <campsites ... ~ed by park rangers --Jackson
          Rivers> 3 a: to go or stay with as a companion, nurse,
          or servant b: to visit professionally as a physician
          4 archaic a: to wait for b: to be in store for 5: to
          be present with: accompany 6: to be present at: go to
          <~ law school> ~ vi 1: to apply oneself <~ to your work>
          2: to apply the mind or pay attention: heed 3 a: to be
          ready for service <ministers who ~ upon the king> b:
          to be present 4 obs: wait, stay 5: to direct one's attention:
          see <I'll ~ to that> -- at.tend.er n

   attendance
          [at.ten.dance] n (14c) 1: the act or fact of attending <a
          physician in ~> 2 a: the persons or number of persons
          attending <daily ~ at the fair> b: the number of times
          a person attends

   attendance officer
          [attendance officer] n (1884): one employed by a public-school
          system to investigate the continued absences of pupils

   [1]attendant
          [at.ten.dant] n (15c) 1: one who attends another to perform
          a service; esp: an employee who waits on customers 2:
          something that accompanies: concomitant 3: attendee [2]attendant
          adj (15c) 1: accompanying, waiting upon, or following
          in order to perform service <Cherub and Seraph ... ~
          on their Lord --John Milton> 2: accompanying or following
          as a consequence or result <problems ~ upon pollution>

   attendee
          [at.tend.ee] n (1937): a person who is present on a given
          occasion or at a given place <~s at a convention>

   attending
          [at.tend.ing] adj (ca. 1923): serving as a physician on the
          staff of a teaching hospital <~ surgeon>

   attention
          [at.ten.tion] n [ME attencioun, fr. L attention-, attentio,
          fr. attendere] (14c) 1 a: the act or state of attending
          esp. through applying the mind to an object of sense
          or thought b: a condition of readiness for such attention
          involving esp. a selective narrowing or focusing of consciousness
          and receptivity 2: observation, notice; esp: consideration
          with a view to action <a problem requiring prompt ~>
          3 a: an act of civility or courtesy esp. in courtship
          b: sympathetic consideration of the needs and wants of
          others: attentiveness 4: a position assumed by a soldier
          with heels together, body erect, arms at the sides, and
          eyes to the front--often used as a command -- at.ten.tion.al
          adj

   attention deficit disorder
          [attention deficit disorder] n (1980): a syndrome of learning
          and behavioral problems that is not caused by any serious
          underlying physical or mental disorder and is characterized
          esp. by difficulty in sustaining attention, by impulsive
          behavior (as in speaking out of turn), and usu. by excessive
          activity

   attention line
          [attention line] n (1925): a line usu. placed above the salutation
          in a business letter directing the letter to one specified

   attention span
          [attention span] n (1934): the length of time during which
          an individual is able to concentrate or remain interested

   attentive
          [at.ten.tive] adj (14c) 1: mindful, observant <~ to what
          he is doing> 2: heedful of the comfort of others: solicitous
          3: offering attentions in or as if in the role of a suitor
          -- at.ten.tive.ly adv -- at.ten.tive.ness n

   [1]attenuate
          [at.ten.u.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L attenuatus, pp. of
          attenuare to make thin, fr. ad- + tenuis thin--more at
          thin] vt (15c) 1: to make thin or slender 2: to make
          thin in consistency: rarefy 3: to lessen the amount,
          force, magnitude, or value of: weaken 4: to reduce the
          severity, virulence, or vitality of ~ vi: to become thin,
          fine, or less -- at.ten.u.a.tion n [2]at.ten.u.ate adj
          (15c) 1: attenuated esp. in thickness, density, or force
          2: tapering gradually usu. to a long slender point <~
          leaves>

   attenuator
          [at.ten.u.a.tor] n (1924): a device for attenuating; esp:
          one for reducing the amplitude of an electrical signal
          without appreciable distortion

   attest
          [at.test] vb [MF attester, fr. L attestari, fr. ad- + testis
          witness--more at testament] vt (1596) 1 a: to affirm
          to be true or genuine; specif: to authenticate by signing
          as a witness b: to authenticate officially 2: to establish
          or verify the usage of 3: to be proof of: manifest <her
          record ~s her integrity> 4: to put on oath ~ vi: to bear
          witness: testify <~ to a belief> syn see certify -- at.tes.ta.tion
          n -- at.test.er n

   attic
          [at.tic] n [F attique, fr. attique of Attica, fr. L Atticus]
          (ca. 1696) 1: a low story or wall above the main order
          of a facade in the classical styles 2: a room behind
          an attic 3: a room or a space immediately below the roof
          of a building: garret 4: something resembling an attic
          (as in being used for storage) [1]At.tic adj [L Atticus
          of Attica, fr. Gk Attikos, fr. Attike Attica, Greece]
          (1599) 1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics
          of Athens or its ancient civilization 2: marked by simplicity,
          purity, and refinement <an ~ prose style> [2]Attic n
          (ca. 1771): a dialect of ancient Greek orig. used in
          Attica and later the literary language of the Greek-speaking
          world

   atticism
          [at.ti.cism] n, often cap (1593) 1: a witty or well-turned
          phrase 2: a characteristic feature of Attic Greek occurring
          in another language or dialect

   [1]attire
          [at.tire] vt at.tired ; at.tir.ing [ME, fr. OF atirier, fr.
          a- (fr. L ad-) + tire order, rank, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE tir glory, ornament] (14c): to put garments on:
          dress, array; esp: to clothe in fancy or rich garments
          [2]attire n (14c) 1: dress, clothes; esp: splendid or
          decorative clothing 2: the antlers or antlers and scalp
          of a stag or buck

   attitude
          [at.ti.tude] n [F, fr. It attitudine, lit., aptitude, fr.
          LL aptitudin-, aptitudo fitness--more at aptitude] (1668)
          1: the arrangement of the parts of a body or figure:
          posture 2: a position assumed for a specific purpose
          <a threatening ~> 3: a ballet position similar to the
          arabesque in which the raised leg is bent at the knee
          4 a: a mental position with regard to a fact or state
          b: a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state 5: the
          position of an aircraft or spacecraft determined by the
          relationship between its axes and a reference datum (as
          the horizon or a particular star) 6: an organismic state
          of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a
          stimulus (as an object, concept, or situation) 7 a: a
          negative or hostile state of mind b: a cocky or arrogant
          manner

   attitudinal
          [at.ti.tu.di.nal] adj [attitude + -inal (as in aptitudinal,
          fr. L aptitudin-, aptitudo)] (1831): relating to, based
          on, or expressive of personal attitudes or feelings <~
          judgment> -- at.ti.tu.di.nal.ly adv

   attitudinise
          [at.ti.tu.di.nise] Brit var of attitudinize

   attitudinize
          [at.ti.tu.di.nize] vi -nized ; -niz.ing (1784): to assume
          an affected mental attitude: pose

   attn
          [attn] abbreviation attention

   atto-
          [at.to-] comb form [ISV, fr. Dan or Norw atten eighteen,
          fr. ON attjan; akin to OE eahtatiene eighteen]: one quintillionth
          part of <attogram>

   attorn
          [at.torn] vi [ME attournen, fr. MF atorner, fr. OF, fr. a-
          (fr. L ad-) + torner to turn] (15c): to agree to be tenant
          to a new owner or landlord of the same property -- at.torn.ment
          n

   attorney
          [at.tor.ney] n, pl -neys [ME attourney, fr. MF atorne, pp.
          of atorner] (14c): one who is legally appointed to transact
          business on another's behalf; specif: a legal agent qualified
          to act for suitors and defendants in legal proceedings
          -- at.tor.ney.ship n

   attorney-at-law
          [attorney-at-law] n, pl attorneys-at-law (1768): a practitioner
          in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute
          and defend actions in such court on the retainer of clients

   attorney general
          [attorney general] n, pl attorneys general or attorney generals
          (1585): the chief law officer of a nation or state who
          represents the government in litigation and serves as
          its principal legal adviser

   attract
          [at.tract] vb [ME, fr. L attractus, pp. of attrahere, fr.
          ad- + trahere to pull, draw] vt (15c): to cause to approach
          or adhere: as a: to pull to or draw toward oneself or
          itself <a magnet ~s iron> b: to draw by appeal to natural
          or excited interest, emotion, or aesthetic sense: entice
          <~ attention> ~ vi: to exercise attraction -- at.trac.tor
          n syn attract, allure, charm, captivate, fascinate, enchant
          mean to draw another by exerting a powerful influence.
          attract applies to any degree or kind of ability to exert
          influence over another <students attracted by the school's
          locale>. allure implies an enticing by what is fair,
          pleasing, or seductive <an alluring smile>. charm implies
          the power of casting a spell over the person or thing
          affected and so compelling a response <charmed by their
          hospitality>, but it may, like captivate, suggest no
          more than evoking delight or admiration <her performances
          captivated audiences>. fascinate suggests a magical influence
          and tends to stress the ineffectiveness of attempts to
          resist <a story that continues to fascinate children>.
          enchant is perhaps the strongest of these terms in stressing
          the appeal of the agent and the degree of delight evoked
          in the subject <hopelessly enchanted by her beauty>.

   attractance
          [at.trac.tance] n (1948): attractancy

   attractancy
          [at.trac.tan.cy] n (1948): the quality or capacity (as of
          a pheromone) of attracting

   attractant
          [at.trac.tant] n (1920): a substance (as of a pheromone)
          that attracts insects or other animals

   attraction
          [at.trac.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act, process, or power of
          attracting b: personal charm 2: the action or power of
          drawing forth a response: an attractive quality 3: a
          force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending
          to draw them together, and resisting their separation
          4: something that attracts or is intended to attract
          people by appealing to their desires and tastes <coming
          ~s> syn attraction, affinity, sympathy mean the relationship
          existing between things or persons that are naturally
          or involuntarily drawn together. attraction implies the
          possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another
          to it <felt an attraction to danger>. affinity implies
          a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the
          one drawn <an affinity for mathematics>. sympathy implies
          a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that
          are both susceptible to the same influence <two minds
          in sympathy>.

   attractive
          [at.trac.tive] adj (14c) 1: having or relating to the power
          to attract <~ forces between molecules> <an ~ offer>
          2: arousing interest or pleasure: charming <an ~ smile>
          -- at.trac.tive.ly adv -- at.trac.tive.ness n

   attrib
          [attrib] abbreviation attributive, attributively

   [1]attribute
          [at.tri.bute] n [ME, fr. L attributus, pp. of attribuere
          to attribute, fr. ad- + tribuere to bestow--more at tribute]
          (14c) 1: an inherent characteristic; also: an accidental
          quality 2: an object closely associated with or belonging
          to a specific person, thing, or office <a scepter is
          the ~ of power>; esp: such an object used for identification
          in painting or sculpture 3: a word ascribing a quality;
          esp: adjective syn see quality [2]at.trib.ute vt -ut.ed
          ; -ut.ing (1530) 1: to explain by indicating a cause
          <attributed his success to his coach> 2 a: to regard
          as a characteristic of a person or thing b: to reckon
          as made or originated in an indicated fashion <attributed
          the invention to a Russian> c: classify, designate syn
          see ascribe -- at.trib.ut.able adj

   attribution
          [at.tri.bu.tion] n (1651) 1: the act of attributing; esp:
          the ascribing of a work (as of literature or art) to
          a particular author or artist 2: an ascribed quality,
          character, or right -- at.tri.bu.tion.al adj

   attributive
          [at.trib.u.tive] adj (1606) 1: relating to or of the nature
          of an attribute: attributing 2: joined directly to a
          modified noun without a linking verb (as city in city
          streets) -- attributive n -- at.trib.u.tive.ly adv

   attrited
          [at.trit.ed] adj (1760): worn by attrition

   attrition
          [at.tri.tion] n [L attrition-, attritio, fr. atterere to
          rub against, fr. ad- + terere to rub--more at throw]
          (14c) 1 [ME attricioun, fr. ML attrition-, attritio,
          fr. L]: sorrow for one's sins that arises from a motive
          other than that of the love of God 2: the act of rubbing
          together: friction; also: the act of wearing or grinding
          down by friction 3: the act of weakening or exhausting
          by constant harassment, abuse, or attack 4: a reduction
          in numbers usu. as a result of resignation, retirement,
          or death -- at.tri.tion.al adj

   attune
          [at.tune] vt (1596) 1: to bring into harmony: tune 2: to
          make aware or responsive <~ businesses to changing trends>
          -- at.tune.ment n

   atty
          [atty] abbreviation attorney

   atty gen
          [atty gen] abbreviation attorney general

   ATV
          [ATV] abbreviation all-terrain vehicle

   atwitter
          [atwit.ter] adj (1833): nervously concerned: excited <gossips
          ~ with speculation --Time>

   at wt
          [at wt] abbreviation atomic weight

   atypical
          [atyp.i.cal] adj (1885): not typical: irregular, unusual
          -- atyp.i.cal.i.ty n -- atyp.i.cal.ly adv

   au...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Au
          [Au] [L aurum] abbreviation gold; author  AU abbreviation
          angstrom unit, astronomical unit

   aubade
          [au.bade] n [F, fr. MF, fr. OProv aubada, fr. alba, auba
          dawn, fr. (assumed) VL alba, fr. L, fem. of albus white--more
          at alb] (ca. 1678) 1: a song or poem greeting the dawn
          2 a: a morning love song b: a song or poem of lovers
          parting at dawn 3: morning music--compare nocturne

   auberge
          [au.berge] n [F, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG heriberga
          military quarters--more at harbor] (1599): inn 1a

   aubergine
          [au.ber.gine] n [F, fr. Catal alberginia, fr. Ar al-badhinjan
          the eggplant] (1794) 1 chiefly Brit: eggplant 1 2: eggplant
          2

   au bout de son latin
          [au bout de son la.tin] [F] foreign term : at the end of
          one's Latin: at the end of one's mental resources

   [1]auburn
          [au.burn] adj [ME auborne blond, fr. MF, fr. ML alburnus
          whitish, fr. L alburnum sapwood] (15c) 1: of the color
          auburn 2: of a reddish brown color [2]auburn n (1613):
          a moderate brown

   Aubusson
          [Au.bus.son] n [Aubusson, town in France] (1851): a figured
          scenic tapestry used for wall hangings and upholstery;
          also: a rug woven to resemble Aubusson tapestry

   AUC
          [AUC] [L ab urbe condita] abbreviation from the year of the
          founding of the city (of Rome)

   au contraire
          [au con.traire] [F] foreign term : on the contrary

   au courant
          [au cou.rant] adj [F, lit., in the current] (1762) 1 a: fully
          informed: up-to-date b: fashionable, stylish 2: fully
          familiar: conversant

   [1]auction
          [auc.tion] n [L auction-, auctio, fr. augere to increase--more
          at eke] (1595) 1: a sale of property to the highest bidder
          2: the act or process of bidding in some card games [2]auction
          vt auc.tioned ; auc.tion.ing (ca. 1798): to sell at auction
          <~ed off his library>

   auction bridge
          [auction bridge] n (1908): a bridge game differing from contract
          bridge in that tricks made in excess of the contract
          are scored toward game

   auctioneer
          [auc.tion.eer] n (ca. 1708): an agent who sells goods at
          auction

   auctorial
          [auc.to.ri.al] adj [L auctor author--more at author] (1821):
          of or relating to an author

   aud
          [aud] abbreviation audit, auditor

   audacious
          [au.da.cious] adj [MF audacieux, fr. audace boldness, fr.
          L audacia, fr. audac-, audax bold, fr. audere to dare,
          fr. avidus eager--more at avid] (1550) 1 a: intrepidly
          daring: adventurous <an ~ mountain climber> b: recklessly
          bold: rash 2: contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum:
          insolent 3: marked by originality and verve -- au.da.cious.ly
          adv -- au.da.cious.ness n

   audacity
          [au.dac.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME audacite, fr. L audac-, audax]
          (15c) 1: the quality or state of being audacious: as
          a: intrepid boldness b: bold or arrogant disregard of
          normal restraints 2: an audacious act--usu. used in pl.
          syn see temerity

   audemus jura nostra defendere
          [au.de.mus ju.ra nos.tra de.fen.de.re] [L] foreign term :
          we dare defend our rights--motto of Alabama

   audentes fortuna juvat
          [au.den.tes for.tu.na ju.vat] [L] foreign term : fortune
          favors the bold

   audial
          [au.di.al] adj [audio + [1]-al] (1966): of, relating to,
          or affecting the sense of hearing: aural

   audi alteram partem
          [au.di al.te.ram par.tem] [L] foreign term : hear the other
          side

   [1]audible
          [au.di.ble] adj [LL audibilis, fr. L audire to hear; akin
          to Gk aisthanesthai to perceive, Skt avis evidently]
          (1529): heard or capable of being heard -- au.di.bil.i.ty
          n -- au.di.bly adv [2]audible n (1962): a substitute
          offensive or defensive play called at the line of scrimmage
          in football

   audience
          [au.di.ence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L audientia, fr. audient-,
          audiens, prp. of audire] (14c) 1: the act or state of
          hearing 2 a: a formal hearing or interview <an ~ with
          the pope> b: an opportunity of being heard <I would succeed
          if I were once given ~> 3 a: a group of listeners or
          spectators b: a reading, viewing, or listening public
          4: a group of ardent admirers or devotees: following

   audile
          [au.dile] adj [auditory + -ile (as in tactile)] (1897): auditory

   auding
          [aud.ing] n [L audire + E [1]-ing] (ca. 1949): the process
          of hearing, recognizing, and interpreting spoken language

   [1]audio
          [au.dio] adj [audio-] (1916) 1: of or relating to acoustic,
          mechanical, or electrical frequencies corresponding to
          normally audible sound waves which are of frequencies
          approximately from 15 to 20,000 hertz 2 a: of or relating
          to sound or its reproduction and esp. high-fidelity reproduction
          b: relating to or used in the transmission or reception
          of sound--compare video c: of, relating to, or utilizing
          recorded sound [2]audio n (1934) 1: an audio signal;
          broadly: sound 2: the section of television or motion-picture
          equipment that deals with sound 3: the transmission,
          reception, or reproduction of sound

   audio-
          [audio-] comb form [L audire to hear] 1: hearing <audiometer>
          2: sound <audiophile> 3: auditory and <audiovisual>

   audio-animatronic
          [au.dio-an.i.ma.tron.ic] adj [fr. Audio-Animatronics, a trademark]
          (1964): being or consisting of a lifelike electromechanical figure
          of a person or animal that has synchronized movement and sound

   audiocassette
          [au.dio.cas.sette] n (1971): an audiotape recording mounted
          in a cassette

   audiogenic
          [au.dio.gen.ic] adj (1941): produced by frequencies corresponding
          to sound waves--used esp. of epileptoid responses

   audiogram
          [au.dio.gram] n (1927): a graphic representation of the relation
          of vibration frequency and the minimum sound intensity
          for hearing

   audio-lingual
          [au.dio-lin.gual] adj (1960): involving a drill routine of
          listening and speaking in language learning

   audiology
          [au.di.ol.o.gy] n (1946): a branch of science dealing with
          hearing; specif: therapy of individuals having impaired
          hearing -- au.di.o.log.i.cal also au.di.o.log.ic adj
          -- au.di.ol.o.gist n

   audiometer
          [au.di.om.e.ter] n (1879): an instrument used in measuring
          the acuity of hearing -- au.dio.met.ric adj -- au.di.om.e.try
          n

   audiophile
          [au.dio.phile] n (1951): a person who is enthusiastic about
          high-fidelity sound reproduction

   audiotape
          [au.dio.tape] n (1958): a tape recording of sound

   audiovisual
          [au.dio.vi.su.al] adj (1937) 1: designed to aid in learning
          or teaching by making use of both hearing and sight 2:
          of or relating to both hearing and sight

   audiovisuals
          [au.dio.vi.su.als] n pl (1955): audiovisual teaching materials
          (as filmstrips accompanied by recordings)

   [1]audit
          [au.dit] n [ME, fr. L auditus act of hearing, fr. audire]
          (15c) 1 a: a formal examination of an organization's
          or individual's accounts or financial situation b: the
          final report of an audit 2: a methodical examination
          and review -- au.dit.able adj [2]audit vt (15c) 1: to
          perform an audit of or for <~ the books> <~ the company>
          2: to attend (a course) without working for or expecting
          to receive formal credit

   [1]audition
          [au.di.tion] n [MF or L; MF, fr. L audition-, auditio, fr.
          audire] (1599) 1: the power or sense of hearing 2: the
          act of hearing; esp: a critical hearing <an ~ of new
          recordings> 3: a trial performance to appraise an entertainer's
          merits [2]audition vb au.di.tioned ; au.di.tion.ing vt
          (1934): to test esp. in an audition ~ vi: to give a trial
          performance

   auditor
          [au.di.tor] n (14c) 1: a person authorized to examine and
          verify accounts 2: one that hears or listens; esp: one
          that is a member of an audience 3: a person who audits
          a course of study 4: a person who hears (as a court case)
          in the capacity of judge

   auditorium
          [au.di.to.ri.um] n, pl -riums or -ria [L, lit., lecture room]
          (ca. 1751) 1: the part of a public building where an
          audience sits 2: a room, hall, or building used for public
          gatherings

   [1]auditory
          [au.di.to.ry] n [ME auditorie, fr. L auditorium] (14c) 1
          archaic: audience 2 archaic: auditorium [2]au.di.to.ry
          adj [LL auditorius] (1578): of, relating to, or experienced
          through hearing -- au.di.to.ri.ly adv

   auditory nerve
          [auditory nerve] n (1724): either of the 8th pair of cranial
          nerves connecting the inner ear with the brain and transmitting
          impulses concerned with hearing and balance--see ear
          illustration

   auditory tube
          [auditory tube] n (1907): eustachian tube

   audit trail
          [audit trail] n (1954): a record of a sequence of events
          (as actions performed by a computer) from which a history
          may be reconstructed

   au fait
          [au fait] [F] foreign term : to the point: fully competent:
          fully informed: socially correct

   Aufklarung
          [Auf.kla.rung] n [G] (1842): enlightenment 2

   au fond
          [au fond] [F] foreign term : at bottom: fundamentally

   auf Wiedersehen
          [auf Wie.der.seh.en] interj [G, lit., till seeing again]
          (1885)--used to express farewell

   aug
          [aug] abbreviation augmentative  Aug abbreviation August

   Augean
          [Au.ge.an] adj [L Augeas, king of Elis, fr. Gk Augeias; fr.
          the legend that his stable, left neglected for 30 years,
          was finally cleaned by Hercules] (1599): extremely formidable
          or difficult and occas. distasteful <an ~ task>

   Augean stable
          [Augean stable] n (1635): a condition or place marked by
          great accumulation of filth or corruption

   auger
          [au.ger] n [ME, alter. (resulting from false division of
          a nauger) of nauger, fr. OE nafogar; akin to OHG nabuger
          auger, OE nafu nave, gar spear--more at nave, gore] (bef.
          12c): any of various tools or devices having a helical
          shaft or member that are used for boring holes (as in
          wood, earth, or ice) or moving loose material (as snow)

   Auger effect
          [Au.ger effect] n [Pierre V. Auger b1899 Fr. physicist] (1931):
          a process in which an atom that has been ionized through
          the emission of an electron with energy in the X-ray
          range undergoes a transition in which a second electron
          is emitted rather than an X-ray photon--called also Auger
          process

   Auger electron
          [Auger electron] n (1939): an electron emitted from an atom
          in the Auger effect

   Auger electron spectroscopy
          [Auger electron spectroscopy] n (1970): an instrumental method
          for determining the chemical composition of a material's
          surface by bombardment with an electron beam to produce
          Auger electrons whose energy spectra are characteristic
          of their parent atoms--called also Auger spectroscopy

   [1]aught
          [aught] pron [ME, fr. OE awiht, fr. a ever + wiht creature,
          thing--more at aye, wight] (bef. 12c) 1: anything 2:
          all, everything <for ~ I care> <for ~ we know> [2]aught
          adv (13c) archaic: at all [3]aught n [alter. (resulting
          from false division of a naught) of naught] (1872) 1:
          zero, cipher 2 archaic: nonentity, nothing

   augite
          [au.gite] n [L augites, a precious stone, fr. Gk augites]
          (1804) 1: an aluminous usu. black or dark green pyroxene
          that is found in igneous rocks 2: pyroxene -- au.git.ic
          adj

   [1]augment
          [aug.ment] vb [ME, fr. MF augmenter, fr. LL augmentare, fr.
          L augmentum increase, fr. augere to increase--more at
          eke] vt (14c) 1: to make greater, more numerous, larger,
          or more intense <the impact of the report was ~ed by
          its timing> 2: to add an augment to 3: supplement <~ed
          her scholarship by working nights> ~ vi: to become augmented
          syn see increase -- aug.ment.er or aug.men.tor n [2]aug.ment
          n (ca. 1771): a vowel prefixed or a lengthening of the
          initial vowel to mark past time esp. in Greek and Sanskrit
          verbs

   augmentation
          [aug.men.ta.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act or process of augmenting
          b: the state of being augmented 2: something that augments:
          addition

   [1]augmentative
          [aug.men.ta.tive] adj (15c) 1: able to augment 2: indicating
          large size and sometimes awkwardness or unattractiveness--used
          of words and affixes--compare diminutive [2]augmentative
          n (1804): an augmentative word or affix

   augmented
          [aug.ment.ed] adj (1825) of a musical interval: made one
          half step greater than major or perfect <an ~ fifth>

   augmented matrix
          [augmented matrix] n (ca. 1949): a matrix whose elements
          are the coefficients of a set of simultaneous linear
          equations with the constant terms of the equations entered
          in an added column

   au grand serieux
          [au grand se.rieux] [F] foreign term : in all seriousness

   au gratin
          [au gra.tin] adj [F, lit., with the burnt scrapings from
          the pan] (1806): covered with bread crumbs or grated
          cheese and browned (as under a broiler)

   [1]augur
          [au.gur] n [L; akin to L augere] (14c) 1: an official diviner
          of ancient Rome 2: one held to foretell events by omens
          [2]augur vt (1601) 1: to foretell esp. from omens 2:
          to give promise of: presage <higher pay ~s a better future>
          ~ vi: to predict the future esp. from omens

   augury
          [au.gu.ry] n, pl -ries (14c) 1: divination from auspices
          or omens; also: an instance of this 2: omen, portent

   august
          [au.gust] adj [L augustus; akin to L augur] (1664): marked
          by majestic dignity or grandeur -- au.gust.ly adv --
          au.gust.ness n Au.gust n [ME, fr. OE, fr. L Augustus,
          fr. Augustus Caesar] (bef. 12c): the 8th month of the
          Gregorian calendar

   Augustan
          [Au.gus.tan] adj (1704) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Augustus Caesar or his age 2: of, relating to, or
          characteristic of the neoclassical period in England
          -- Augustan n

   [1]Augustinian
          [Au.gus.tin.i.an] n (1602) 1: a member of an Augustinian
          order; specif: a friar of the Hermits of St. Augustine
          founded in 1256 and devoted to educational, missionary,
          and parish work 2: a follower of St. Augustine [2]Augustinian
          adj (1674) 1: of or relating to St. Augustine or his
          doctrines 2: of or relating to any of several orders
          under a rule ascribed to St. Augustine -- Au.gus.tin.i.an.ism
          n

   au jus
          [au jus] adj [F, lit., with juice] (ca. 1919) of meat: served
          in the juice obtained from roasting

   auk
          [auk] n [Norw or Icel alk, alka, fr. ON alka] (1674): any
          of several black-and-white short-necked diving seabirds
          (family Alcidae) that breed in colder parts of the northern
          hemisphere

   auklet
          [auk.let] n (1886): any of several small auks of the No.
          Pacific coasts

   auld
          [auld] adj (14c) chiefly Scot: old

   auld lang syne
          [auld lang syne] n [Sc, lit., old long ago] (1692): the good
          old times

   au mieux
          [au mieux] [F] foreign term : on the best terms: on intimate
          terms

   au naturel
          [au na.tu.rel] adj [F] (1817) 1: cooked or served plainly
          2 a: being in natural style or condition b: nude

   aunt
          [aunt] n [ME, fr. OF ante, fr. L amita; akin to OHG amma
          mother, nurse, Gk amma nurse] (14c) 1: the sister of
          one's father or mother 2: the wife of one's uncle --
          aunt.hood n -- aunt.like adj -- aunt.ly adj

   Aunt Sally
          [Aunt Sal.ly] n, pl Aunt Sallies [Aunt Sally, name given
          to an effigy of a woman smoking a pipe set up as an amusement
          attraction at English fairs for patrons to throw missiles
          at] (1898) Brit: an object of criticism or contention;
          esp: one that is set up to invite criticism or be easily
          refuted

   au pair
          [au pair] n, pl au pairs [F, on even terms] (1960): a usu.
          young foreign person who does domestic work for a family
          in return for room and board and the opportunity to learn
          the family's language

   au pays des aveugles les borgnes sont rois
          [au pays des aveugles les borgnes sont rois] [F] foreign
          term : in the country of the blind the one-eyed men are
          kings

   au poivre
          [au poivre] adj [F, with pepper] (1971): prepared or served
          with a generous amount of usu. coarsely ground black
          pepper <steak au poivre>

   aura
          [au.ra] n [ME, fr. L, puff of air, breeze, fr. Gk; prob.
          akin to Gk aer air] (1732) 1 a: a subtle sensory stimulus
          (as an aroma) b: a distinctive atmosphere surrounding
          a given source <the place had an ~ of mystery> 2: a luminous
          radiation: nimbus 3: a subjective sensation (as of lights)
          experienced before an attack of some disorders (as epilepsy
          or a migraine) 4: an energy field that is held to emanate
          from a living being

   aural
          [au.ral] adj [L auris ear--more at ear] (1847): of or relating
          to the ear or to the sense of hearing -- au.ral.ly adv

   aurar
          [aurar] pl of eyrir

   aurea mediocritas
          [au.rea me.di.o.cri.tas] [L] foreign term : the golden mean

   aureate
          [au.re.ate] adj [ME aureat, fr. ML aureatus decorated with
          gold, fr. L aureus] (15c) 1: of a golden color or brilliance
          2: marked by grandiloquent and rhetorical style

   aureole
          [au.re.ole] or au.re.o.la n [ME aureole heavenly crown worn
          by saints, fr. ML aureola, fr. L, fem. of aureolus golden,
          dim. of aureus] (13c) 1 a: a radiant light around the
          head or body of a representation of a sacred personage
          b: something resembling an aureole <an ~ of hair> 2:
          radiance, aura <an ~ of youth and health> 3: the luminous
          area surrounding the sun or other bright light when seen
          through thin cloud or mist: corona 4: a ring-shaped zone
          around an igneous intrusion -- aureole vt

   Aureomycin
          [Au.reo.my.cin] trademark--used for a preparation of the
          hydrochloride of chlortetracycline

   au reste
          [au reste] [F] foreign term : for the rest: besides

   aureus
          [au.re.us] n, pl -rei [L, lit., golden, fr. aurum gold; akin
          to OPruss ausis gold] (1609): a gold coin of ancient
          Rome varying in weight from 1/30 to 1/70 libra

   au revoir
          [au re.voir] n [F, lit., till seeing again] (1694): good-bye--often
          used interjectionally

   auric
          [au.ric] adj [L aurum] (ca. 1828): of, relating to, or derived
          from gold

   auricle
          [au.ri.cle] n [L auricula, fr. dim. of auris ear--more at
          ear] (15c) 1 a: an atrium of a heart b: pinna 2b c: an
          anterior ear-shaped pouch in each atrium of the human
          heart 2: an angular or ear-shaped lobe, process, or appendage

   auricula
          [au.ric.u.la] n [NL, fr. L, external ear] (1655): a yellow-flowered
          Alpine primrose (Primula auricula)

   auricular
          [au.ric.u.lar] adj (15c) 1: told privately <an ~ confession>
          2: understood or recognized by the sense of hearing 3:
          of, relating to, or using the ear or the sense of hearing
          4: of or relating to an auricle

   auriculate
          [au.ric.u.late] adj (1713): having auricles

   auriferous
          [au.rif.er.ous] adj [L aurifer, fr. aurum + -fer -ferous]
          (1727): containing gold

   Auriga
          [Au.ri.ga] n [L, lit., charioteer]: a constellation between
          Perseus and Gemini

   Aurignacian
          [Au.ri.gna.cian] adj [F aurignacien, fr. Aurignac, France]
          (1909): of or relating to an Upper Paleolithic culture
          marked by finely made artifacts of stone and bone, paintings,
          and engravings

   aurochs
          [au.rochs] n, pl aurochs [G, fr. OHG urohso, fr. uro aurochs
          + ohso ox; akin to OE ur aurochs--more at ox] (1766)
          1: an extinct large long-horned wild ox (Bos primigenius)
          of Europe that is the ancestor of domestic cattle 2:
          wisent

   aurora
          [au.ro.ra] n, pl auroras or au.ro.rae [L--more at east] (14c)
          1: dawn 2 cap: the Roman goddess of dawn--compare eos
          3: a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers or
          arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of
          a planet's magnetic polar regions and is caused by the
          emission of light from atoms excited by electrons accelerated
          along the planet's magnetic field lines -- au.ro.ral
          adj -- au.ro.re.an adj

   aurora australis
          [aurora aus.tra.lis] n [NL, lit., southern dawn] (1741):
          an aurora that occurs in earth's southern hemisphere--called
          also southern lights

   aurora borealis
          [aurora bo.re.al.is] n [NL, lit., northern dawn] (1717):
          an aurora that occurs in earth's northern hemisphere--called
          also northern lights

   Aus
          [Aus] abbreviation Austria, Austrian  AUS abbreviation Army
          of the United States

   auscultate
          [aus.cul.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [back-formation fr.
          auscultation] (ca. 1860): to examine by auscultation
          -- aus.cul.ta.to.ry adj

   auscultation
          [aus.cul.ta.tion] n [L auscultation-, auscultatio act of
          listening, fr. auscultare to listen; akin to L auris
          ear--more at ear] (ca. 1828): the act of listening to
          sounds arising within organs (as the lungs) as an aid
          to diagnosis and treatment

   au serieux
          [au se.rieux] [F] foreign term : seriously

   auslander
          [aus.land.er] n [G Auslander] (1936): outsider, foreigner

   auspice
          [aus.pice] n, pl aus.pic.es [L auspicium, fr. auspic-, auspex
          diviner by birds, fr. avis bird + specere to look, look
          at--more at aviary, spy] (1533) 1: observation by an
          augur esp. of the flight and feeding of birds to discover
          omens 2 pl: kindly patronage and guidance 3: a prophetic
          sign; esp: a favorable sign

   auspicious
          [aus.pi.cious] adj (1593) 1: affording a favorable auspice:
          propitious <made an ~ beginning> 2: attended by good
          auspices: prosperous <an ~ year> syn see favorable --
          aus.pi.cious.ly adv -- aus.pi.cious.ness n

   auspicium melioris aevi
          [au.spi.ci.um me.li.o.ris ae.vi] [L] foreign term : an omen
          of a better age--motto of the Order of St. Michael and
          St. George

   Aussie
          [Aus.sie] n [Australian + -ie] (1917): a native or inhabitant
          of Australia

   aussitot dit, aussitot fait
          [aus.si.tot dit, aus.si.tot fait] [F] foreign term : no sooner
          said than done

   austenite
          [aus.ten.ite] n [F, fr. Sir W. C. Roberts-Austen d. 1902
          Eng. metallurgist] (1902): a solid solution in iron of
          carbon and sometimes other solutes that occurs as a constituent
          of steel under certain conditions -- aus.ten.it.ic adj

   austere
          [aus.tere] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L austerus, fr. Gk austeros
          harsh, severe; akin to Gk hauos dry--more at sere] (14c)
          1 a: stern and cold in appearance or manner b: somber,
          grave <an ~ critic> 2: morally strict: ascetic 3: markedly
          simple or unadorned <an ~ office> <an ~ style of writing>
          4: giving little or no scope for pleasure <~ diets> 5
          of a wine: having the flavor of acid or tannin predominant
          over fruit flavors usu. indicating a capacity for aging
          syn see severe -- aus.tere.ly adv -- aus.tere.ness n

   austerity
          [aus.ter.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the quality or state
          of being austere 2 a: an austere act, manner, or attitude
          b: an ascetic practice 3: enforced or extreme economy

   [1]Austr-
          [Austr-] or Austro- comb form [L, fr. Austr-, Auster south
          wind]: south: southern <Austroasiatic> [2]Austr- or Austro-
          comb form [prob. fr. NL, fr. Austria]: Austrian and
          <Austro-Hungarian>

   Austral
          [Austral] abbreviation Australia

   [1]austral
          [aus.tral] adj [ME, fr. L australis, fr. Austr-, Auster]
          (14c) 1: of or relating to the Southern hemisphere 2
          cap: australian [2]aus.tral n, pl aus.tral.es also australs
          [Sp] (1985): the basic monetary unit of Argentina 1985-91

   Australia Day
          [Aus.tra.lia Day] n (1911): a national holiday in Australia
          commemorating the landing of the British at Sydney Cove
          in 1788 and observed on the Monday of or next following
          Jan. 26

   [1]Australian
          [Aus.tra.lian] adj (1814) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the continent or commonwealth of Australia, its inhabitants,
          or the languages spoken there 2: of, relating to, or
          being a biogeographic region that comprises Australia,
          the islands north of it from Celebes eastward, Tasmania,
          New Zealand, and Polynesia [2]Australian n (1814) 1:
          a native or inhabitant of the Australian commonwealth
          2: a group of about 200 languages spoken by the aboriginal
          inhabitants of Australia

   Australian ballot
          [Australian ballot] n (1888): an official ballot printed
          at public expense on which the names of all the candidates
          and proposals appear and which is distributed only at
          the polling place and marked in secret

   Australian cattle dog
          [Australian cattle dog] n (1926): any of a breed of medium-sized
          dogs that were developed in Australia to herd cattle
          and that have upright ears and a red or blue mottled
          coat

   Australianism
          [Aus.tra.lian.ism] n (1883): a characteristic feature of
          Australian English

   Australian pine
          [Australian pine] n (1919): any of several casuarinas (esp.
          Casuarina equisetifolia) now widely grown as ornamentals
          in warm regions

   Australian Rules football
          [Australian Rules football] n (1904): a game resembling rugby
          that is played between two teams of 18 players on a field
          180-190 yards long that has four goalposts at each end

   Australian shepherd
          [Australian shepherd] n (1964): any of a breed of bobtailed
          medium-sized dogs developed in America and often used
          in herding

   Australian terrier
          [Australian terrier] n (1903): any of a breed of small rather
          short-legged wirehaired terriers of Australian origin
          usu. having a tan and blue or sandy coat

   Australoid
          [Aus.tra.loid] adj [Australia + E -oid] (1901) in some
          classifications: of or relating to a racial group including the
          Australian aborigines and other peoples of southern Asia and
          Pacific islands -- Australoid n

   australopithecine
          [aus.tra.lo.pith.e.cine] n [ultim. fr. L australis + Gk pithekos
          ape] (1943): any of a genus (Australopithecus) of extinct
          southern and eastern African hominids that include gracile
          and robust forms with near-human dentition and a relatively
          small brain -- australopithecine adj

   Austrian pine
          [Austrian pine] n (1858): a tall European pine (Pinus nigra)
          widely cultivated for ornament and having needles in
          clusters of two

   Austroasiatic
          [Aus.tro.asi.at.ic] adj (1922): of, relating to, or constituting
          a family of languages of south and southeast Asia that
          includes Mon-Khmer and Munda as subfamilies

   Austronesian
          [Aus.tro.ne.sian] adj [Austronesia, islands of the southern
          Pacific] (1925): of, relating to, or constituting a family
          of languages spoken in the area extending from Madagascar
          eastward through the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago
          to Hawaii and Easter Island and including practically
          all the native languages of the Pacific islands with
          the exception of the Australian and Papuan languages

   aut-
          [aut-] or auto- comb form [Gk, fr. autos same, -self, self]
          1: self: same one <autism> <autobiography> 2: automatic:
          self-acting <autopilot>

   autacoid
          [au.ta.coid] n [aut- + Gk akos remedy; prob. akin to OIr
          icc cure] (1914): a physiologically active substance
          (as serotonin, bradykinin, or angiotensin) produced by
          and acting within the body

   autarchic
          [au.tar.chic] adj (1883): autarkic -- au.tar.chi.cal adj

   [1]autarchy
          [au.tar.chy] n [by alter.] (1617): autarky [2]autarchy n,
          pl -chies [Gk autarchia, fr. aut- + -archia -archy] (1665):
          absolute sovereignty: autocracy

   autarkic
          [au.tar.kic] adj (1936): of, relating to, or marked by autarky
          -- au.tar.ki.cal adj

   autarky
          [au.tar.ky] n [G Autarkie, fr. Gk autarkeia, fr. autarkes
          self-sufficient, fr. aut- + arkein to defend, suffice--more
          at ark] (1657) 1: self-sufficiency, independence; specif:
          national economic self-sufficiency and independence 2:
          a policy of establishing a self-sufficient and independent
          national economy

   aut Caesar aut nihil
          [aut Cae.sar aut ni.hil] [L] foreign term : either a Caesar
          or nothing

   aut Caesar aut nullus
          [aut Caesar aut nul.lus] [L] foreign term : either a Caesar
          or a nobody

   autecology
          [aut.ecol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1910): ecology dealing with individual
          organisms or individual species of organisms -- aut.eco.log.i.cal
          adj

   auteur
          [au.teur] n [F, originator, author, fr. OF autor, fr.
          L auctor--more at author] (1967): a film director whose practice
          accords with the auteur theory -- au.teur.ist adj or n

   auteur theory
          [au.teur theory] n (1962): a view of filmmaking in which
          the director is considered the primary creative force
          in a motion picture

   auth
          [auth] abbreviation authentic, author, authorized

   authentic
          [au.then.tic] adj [ME autentik, fr. MF autentique, fr. LL
          authenticus, fr. Gk authentikos, fr. authentes perpetrator,
          master, fr. aut- + -hentes (akin to Gk anyein to accomplish,
          Skt sanoti he gains)] (14c) 1 obs: authoritative 2 a:
          worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based
          on fact <paints an ~ picture of our society> b: conforming
          to an original so as to reproduce essential features
          <an ~ reproduction of a colonial farmhouse> c: made or
          done the same way as an original <~ Mexican fare> 3:
          not false or imitation: real, actual <based on ~ documents>
          <an ~ cockney accent> 4 a of a church mode: ranging upward
          from the keynote--compare plagal 1 b of a cadence: progressing
          from the dominant chord to the tonic--compare plagal
          2 5: true to one's own personality, spirit, or character
          -- au.then.ti.cal.ly adv -- au.then.tic.i.ty n syn authentic,
          genuine, bona fide mean being actually and exactly what
          is claimed. authentic implies being fully trustworthy
          as according with fact <an authentic account of the perilous
          journey>; it can also stress painstaking or faithful
          imitation of an original <an authentic reproduction>
          <authentic Vietnamese cuisine>. genuine implies actual
          character not counterfeited, imitated, or adulterated
          <genuine piety> <genuine maple syrup>; it also connotes
          definite origin from a source <a genuine Mark Twain autograph>.
          bona fide implies good faith and sincerity of intention
          <a bona fide offer for the stock>.

   authenticate
          [au.then.ti.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (1653): to prove
          or serve to prove the authenticity of syn see confirm
          -- au.then.ti.ca.tion n -- au.then.ti.ca.tor n

   [1]author
          [au.thor] n [ME auctour, fr. ONF, fr. L auctor promoter,
          originator, author, fr. augere to increase--more at eke]
          (14c) 1 a: one that originates or creates: source <software
          ~s> <the ~ of this crime> b cap: god 1 2: the writer
          of a literary work (as a book) -- au.tho.ri.al adj [2]author
          vt (1596): to be the author of

   authoress
          [au.thor.ess] n (15c): a woman author

   authorise
          [au.tho.rise] Brit var of authorize

   authoritarian
          [au.thor.i.tar.i.an] adj (1879) 1: of, relating to, or favoring
          blind submission to authority <had ~ parents> 2: of,
          relating to, or favoring a concentration of power in
          a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible
          to the people -- authoritarian n -- au.thor.i.tar.i.an.ism
          n

   authoritative
          [au.thor.i.ta.tive] adj (1605) 1 a: having or proceeding
          from authority: official <~ church doctrine> b: showing
          evident authority: definitive <a most ~ literary critique>
          2: dictatorial 2 -- au.thor.i.ta.tive.ly adv --
          au.thor.i.ta.tive.ness n

   authority
          [au.thor.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME auctorite, fr. OF auctorite,
          fr. L auctoritat-, auctoritas opinion, decision, power,
          fr. auctor] (13c) 1 a (1): a citation (as from a book
          or file) used in defense or support (2): the source from
          which the citation is drawn b (1): a conclusive statement
          or set of statements (as an official decision of a court)
          (2): a decision taken as a precedent (3): testimony c:
          an individual cited or appealed to as an expert 2 a:
          power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior
          b: freedom granted by one in authority: right 3 a: persons
          in command; specif: government b: a governmental agency
          or corporation to administer a revenue-producing public
          enterprise <the transit ~> 4 a: grounds, warrant <had
          excellent ~ for believing the claim> b: convincing force
          <lent ~ to the performance> syn see influence, power

   authorization
          [au.tho.ri.za.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of authorizing 2:
          an instrument that authorizes: sanction

   authorize
          [au.tho.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing (14c) 1: to establish
          by or as if by authority: sanction <a custom authorized
          by time> 2: to invest esp. with legal authority: empower
          <authorized to act for her husband> 3 archaic: justify
          1a -- au.tho.riz.er n

   Authorized Version
          [Authorized Version] n (1824): a revision of the English
          Bishops' Bible carried out under James I, published in
          1611, and widely used by Protestants--called also King
          James Version

   authorship
          [au.thor.ship] n (1710) 1: the profession of writing 2: the
          source (as the author) of a piece of writing, music,
          or art 3: the state or act of writing, creating, or causing

   autism
          [au.tism] n (1912) 1: absorption in self-centered subjective
          mental activity (as daydreams, fantasies, delusions,
          and hallucinations) usu. accompanied by marked withdrawal
          from reality 2: a mental disorder originating in infancy
          that is characterized by self-absorption, inability to
          interact socially, repetitive behavior, and language
          dysfunction (as echolalia) -- au.tis.tic adj or n --
          au.tis.ti.cal.ly adv

   auto
          [au.to] n, pl autos (1899): automobile

   auto-
          [auto-] --see aut-

   auto
          [auto] abbreviation automatic

   autoantibody
          [au.to.an.ti.body] n (ca. 1910): an antibody active against
          a tissue constituent of the individual producing it

   autobahn
          [au.to.bahn] n [G, fr. Auto + Bahn road] (1937): a German,
          Swiss, or Austrian expressway

   autobiography
          [au.to.bi.og.ra.phy] n (1771): the biography of a person
          narrated by himself -- au.to.bi.og.ra.pher n --
          au.to.bio.graph.i.cal also au.to.bio.graph.ic adj --
          au.to.bio.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   autobus
          [au.to.bus] n [auto + bus] (1899): omnibus 1

   autocatalysis
          [au.to.ca.tal.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL] (1891): catalysis
          of a reaction by one of its products -- au.to.cat.a.lyt.ic
          adj -- au.to.cat.a.lyt.i.cal.ly adv

   autocephalous
          [au.to.ceph.a.lous] adj [LGk autokephalos, fr. Gk aut- +
          kephale head--more at cephalic] (1863): being independent
          of external and esp. patriarchal authority--used esp.
          of Eastern national churches -- au.to.ceph.a.ly n

   autochthon
          [au.toch.thon] n, pl -thons or -tho.nes [Gk autochthon, fr.
          aut- + chthon earth--more at humble] (1590): one (as
          a person, plant, or animal) that is autochthonous

   autochthonous
          [au.toch.tho.nous] adj (1805) 1: indigenous, native <an ~
          people> 2: formed or originating in the place where found
          <~ rock> <an ~ infection> -- au.toch.tho.nous.ly adv

   [1]autoclave
          [au.to.clave] n [F, fr. aut- + L clavis key--more at clavicle]
          (1876): an apparatus in which special conditions (as
          high or low pressure or temperature) can be established
          for a variety of applications; esp: an apparatus (as
          for sterilizing) using superheated steam under high pressure
          [2]autoclave vt -claved ; -clav.ing (1911): to treat
          in an autoclave

   autocorrelation
          [au.to.cor.re.la.tion] n (1950): the correlation between
          paired values of a function of a mathematical or statistical
          variable taken at usu. constant intervals that indicates
          the degree of periodicity of the function

   autocracy
          [au.toc.ra.cy] n, pl -cies (1655) 1: the authority or rule
          of an autocrat 2: government in which one person possesses
          unlimited power 3: a community or state governed by autocracy

   autocrat
          [au.to.crat] n [F autocrate, fr. Gk autokrates ruling by
          oneself, absolute, fr. aut- + -krates ruling--more at
          -crat] (1803) 1: a person (as a monarch) ruling with
          unlimited authority 2: one who has undisputed influence
          or power

   autocratic
          [au.to.crat.ic] also au.to.crat.i.cal adj (1823) 1: of, relating
          to, or being an autocracy: absolute <an ~ government>
          2: characteristic of or resembling an autocrat: despotic
          <an ~ ruler> -- au.to.crat.i.cal.ly adv

   autocross
          [au.to.cross] n [auto + motocross] (1963): an automobile
          gymkhana

   auto-da-fe
          [au.to-da-fe] n, pl au.tos-da-fe [Pg auto da fe, lit., act
          of the faith] (1723): the ceremony accompanying the pronouncement
          of judgment by the Inquisition and followed by the execution
          of sentence by the secular authorities; broadly: the
          burning of a heretic

   autodidact
          [au.to.di.dact] n [Gk autodidaktos self-taught, fr. aut-
          + didaktos taught, fr. didaskein to teach] (1748): a
          self-taught person -- au.to.di.dac.tic adj

   autoecious
          [au.toe.cious] adj [aut- + Gk oikia house--more at vicinity]
          (ca. 1882): passing through all life stages on the same
          host <~ rusts> -- au.toe.cious.ly adv -- au.toe.cism
          n

   autoerotism
          [au.to.er.o.tism] or au.to.erot.i.cism n (1898) 1: sexual
          feeling arising without known external stimulation 2:
          sexual gratification obtained solely through stimulation
          by oneself of one's own body -- au.to.erot.ic adj

   autogamy
          [au.tog.a.my] n [ISV] (1877): self-fertilization: as a: pollination
          of a flower by its own pollen b: conjugation of two sister cells
          or sister nuclei of protozoans or fungi -- au.tog.a.mous adj

   autogenous
          [au.tog.e.nous] also au.to.gen.ic adj [Gk autogenes, fr.
          aut- + -genes born, produced--more at -gen] (1846) 1:
          produced independently of external influence or aid:
          endogenous 2: originating or derived from sources within
          the same individual <an ~ graft> <~ vaccine> 3: not requiring
          a meal of blood to produce eggs <~ mosquitoes> -- au.tog.e.nous.ly
          adv -- au.tog.e.ny n

   autogiro
          [au.to.gi.ro] or au.to.gy.ro n, pl -ros [fr. Autogiro, a
          trademark] (1923): a rotary-wing aircraft that employs
          a propeller for forward motion and a freely rotating
          rotor for lift

   autograft
          [au.to.graft] n (ca. 1913): a tissue or organ that is transplanted
          from one part to another of the same body -- autograft vt

   [1]autograph
          [au.to.graph] n [LL autographum, fr. L, neut. of autographus
          written with one's own hand, fr. Gk autographos, fr.
          aut- + -graphos written--more at -graph] (ca. 1644):
          something written or made with one's own hand: a: an
          original manuscript or work of art b: a person's handwritten
          signature -- au.tog.ra.phy n [2]autograph vt (1818) 1:
          to write with one's own hand 2: to write one's signature
          in or on [3]autograph adj (1832): being in the writer's
          own handwriting: not copied or duplicated <an ~ letter>

   autographic
          [au.to.graph.ic] adj (1810) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          an autograph 2 a of an instrument: self-recording b of
          a record: recorded by a self-recording instrument --
          au.to.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   Autoharp
          [Au.to.harp] trademark--used for a zither with button-controlled
          dampers for selected strings

   autohypnosis
          [au.to.hyp.no.sis] n [NL] (1903): self-induced and usu. automatic
          hypnosis -- au.to.hyp.not.ic adj

   autoimmune
          [au.to.im.mune] adj (1952): of, relating to, or caused by
          autoantibodies or lymphocytes that attack molecules,
          cells, or tissues of the organism producing them <~ diseases>
          -- au.to.im.mu.ni.ty n -- au.to.im.mu.ni.za.tion n

   autoinfection
          [au.to.in.fec.tion] n [ISV] (1903): reinfection with larvae
          produced by parasitic worms already in the body

   autointoxication
          [au.to.in.tox.i.ca.tion] n [ISV] (1887): a state of being
          poisoned by toxic substances produced within the body

   autoloading
          [au.to.load.ing] adj (1923): semiautomatic b

   autologous
          [au.tol.o.gous] adj [aut- + -ologous (as in homologous)]
          (ca. 1921): derived from the same individual <~ blood
          transfusion>

   autolysate
          [au.tol.y.sate] also au.tol.y.zate n (1910): a product of
          autolysis

   autolyse
          [au.to.lyse] Brit var of autolyze

   autolysis
          [au.tol.y.sis] n [NL] (1902): breakdown of all or part of
          a cell or tissue by self-produced enzymes -- au.to.lyt.ic
          adj

   autolyze
          [au.to.lyze] vb -lyzed ; -lyzing [back-formation fr. autolysis]
          vi (1903): to undergo autolysis ~ vt: to subject to autolysis

   automaker
          [au.to.mak.er] n (ca. 1905): a manufacturer of automobiles

   automan
          [au.to.man] n (1952): automaker

   Automat
          [Au.to.mat] service mark--used for a cafeteria in which food
          is obtained esp. from vending machines

   automate
          [au.to.mate] vb -mat.ed ; -mat.ing [back-formation fr. automation]
          vt (1952) 1: to operate by automation 2: to convert to largely
          automatic operation: automatize ~ vi: to undergo automation
          -- au.to.mat.able adj

   automated teller machine
          [automated teller machine] n (1981): a computerized electronic
          machine that performs basic banking functions (as handling
          check deposits or issuing cash withdrawals)--called also
          automatic teller, automatic teller machine

   [1]automatic
          [au.to.mat.ic] adj [Gk automatos self-acting, fr. aut- +
          -matos (akin to L ment-, mens mind)--more at mind] (1748)
          1 a: largely or wholly involuntary; esp: reflex 5 <~
          blinking of the eyelids> b: acting or done spontaneously
          or unconsciously c: done or produced as if by machine:
          mechanical <the answers were ~> 2: having a self-acting
          or self-regulating mechanism 3 of a firearm: using either
          gas pressure or force of recoil and mechanical spring
          action for repeatedly ejecting the empty cartridge shell,
          introducing a new cartridge, and firing it syn see spontaneous
          -- au.to.mat.i.cal.ly adv -- au.to.ma.tic.i.ty n [2]automatic
          n (1902) 1: a machine or apparatus that operates automatically:
          as a: an automatic firearm b: an automatic gear-shifting
          mechanism 2: a semiautomatic firearm 3: audible

   automatic pilot
          [automatic pilot] n (1916) 1: autopilot 1 2: a state or condition
          in which activity or behavior is regulated automatically
          in a predetermined or instinctive manner <would go on
          automatic pilot and repeat all his standard denunciations
          --G. J. Church>

   automatic writing
          [automatic writing] n (1883): writing produced without conscious
          intention as if of telepathic or spiritualistic origin

   automation
          [au.to.ma.tion] n [[1]automatic] (ca. 1948) 1: the technique
          of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operate
          automatically 2: the state of being operated automatically
          3: automatically controlled operation of an apparatus,
          process, or system by mechanical or electronic devices
          that take the place of human organs of observation, effort,
          and decision

   automatism
          [au.tom.a.tism] n [F automatisme, fr. automate automaton,
          fr. L automaton] (1838) 1 a: the quality or state of
          being automatic b: an automatic action 2: the power or
          fact of moving or functioning without conscious control
          either independently of external stimuli (as in the beating
          of the heart) or under the influence of external stimuli
          (as in pupil dilation) 3: a theory that views the body
          as a machine and consciousness as a noncontrolling adjunct
          of the body 4: suspension of the conscious mind to release
          subconscious images <~ --the surrealist trend toward
          spontaneity and intuition --Elle> -- au.tom.a.tist n
          or adj

   automatize
          [au.tom.a.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing [[1]automatic] (1952):
          to make automatic -- au.tom.a.ti.za.tion n

   automaton
          [au.tom.a.ton] n, pl -atons or -a.ta [L, fr. Gk, neut. of
          automatos] (1645) 1: a mechanism that is relatively self-operating;
          esp: robot 2: a machine or control mechanism designed to follow
          automatically a predetermined sequence of operations or respond
          to encoded instructions 3: an individual who acts in a mechanical
          fashion

   [1]automobile
          [au.to.mo.bile] adj [F, fr. aut- + mobile] (1883): automotive
          [2]automobile n (ca. 1889): a usu. four-wheeled automotive
          vehicle designed for passenger transportation -- automobile
          vi -- au.to.mo.bil.ist n

   automobility
          [au.to.mo.bil.i.ty] n (1903): the use of automobiles as the
          major means of transportation

   automorphism
          [au.to.mor.phism] n [aut- + isomorphism] (1903): an isomorphism
          of a set (as a group) with itself

   automotive
          [au.to.mo.tive] adj (1898) 1: of, relating to, or concerned
          with self-propelled vehicles or machines 2: self-propelled

   autonomic
          [au.to.nom.ic] adj (1898) 1: acting or occurring involuntarily
          <~ reflexes> 2: relating to, affecting, or controlled
          by the autonomic nervous system or its effects or activity
          <~ drugs> -- au.to.nom.i.cal.ly adv

   autonomic nervous system
          [autonomic nervous system] n (1898): a part of the vertebrate
          nervous system that innervates smooth and cardiac muscle
          and glandular tissues and governs involuntary actions
          (as secretion and peristalsis) and that consists of the
          sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous
          system

   autonomist
          [au.ton.o.mist] n (1865): one who advocates autonomy

   autonomous
          [au.ton.o.mous] adj [Gk autonomos independent, fr. aut- +
          nomos law--more at nimble] (1800) 1: of, relating to,
          or marked by autonomy 2 a: having the right or power
          of self-government b: undertaken or carried on without
          outside control: self-contained <an ~ school system>
          3 a: existing or capable of existing independently <an
          ~ zooid> b: responding, reacting, or developing independently
          of the whole <an ~ growth> 4: controlled by the autonomic
          nervous system syn see free -- au.ton.o.mous.ly adv

   autonomy
          [au.ton.o.my] n, pl -mies (ca. 1623) 1: the quality or state
          of being self-governing; esp: the right of self-government
          2: self-directing freedom and esp. moral independence
          3: a self-governing state

   autopilot
          [au.to.pi.lot] n (1935) 1: a device for automatically steering
          ships, aircraft, and spacecraft 2: automatic pilot 2

   autopolyploid
          [au.to.poly.ploid] n (1930): an individual or strain whose
          chromosome complement consists of more than two complete
          copies of the genome of a single ancestral species --
          autopolyploid adj -- au.to.poly.ploi.dy n

   autopsy
          [au.top.sy] n, pl -sies [Gk autopsia act of seeing with one's
          own eyes, fr. aut- + opsis sight, appearance--more at
          optic] (1678) 1: an examination of a body after death
          to determine the cause of death or the character and
          extent of changes produced by disease 2: a critical examination,
          evaluation, or assessment of someone or something past
          -- autopsy vt

   autoradiogram
          [au.to.ra.dio.gram] n (1949): autoradiograph

   autoradiograph
          [au.to.ra.dio.graph] n [ISV] (1903): an image produced on
          a photographic film or plate by the radiations from a
          radioactive substance in an object which is in close
          contact with the emulsion -- au.to.ra.dio.graph.ic adj
          -- au.to.ra.di.og.ra.phy n

   autorotation
          [au.to.ro.ta.tion] n (1918): the turning of the rotor of
          an autogiro or a helicopter with the resulting lift caused
          solely by the aerodynamic forces induced by motion of
          the rotor along its flight path -- au.to.ro.tate vi

   autoroute
          [au.to.route] n [F, fr. automobile + route] (1951): an expressway
          esp. in France

   autos-da-fe
          [autos-da-fe] pl of auto-da-fe

   autosexing
          [au.to.sex.ing] adj (1936): exhibiting different characters
          in the two sexes at birth or hatching

   autosome
          [au.to.some] n (ca. 1906): a chromosome other than a sex
          chromosome -- au.to.so.mal adj -- au.to.so.mal.ly adv

   autostrada
          [au.to.stra.da] n, pl -stradas or -stra.de [It, fr. automobile
          + strada street, fr. LL strata paved road--more at street]
          (1927): an expressway esp. in Italy

   autosuggestion
          [au.to.sug.ges.tion] n [ISV] (1890): an influencing of one's
          own attitudes, behavior, or physical condition by mental
          processes other than conscious thought: self-hypnosis
          -- au.to.sug.gest vt

   autotelic
          [au.to.te.lic] adj [Gk autoteles, fr. aut- + telos end--more
          at telos] (ca. 1901): having a purpose in and not apart
          from itself

   autotetraploid
          [au.to.tet.ra.ploid] n (1930): an individual or strain whose
          chromosome complement consists of four copies of a single
          genome due to doubling of an ancestral chromosome complement
          -- autotetraploid adj -- au.to.tet.ra.ploi.dy n

   autotomy
          [au.tot.o.my] n [ISV] (1897): reflex separation of a part
          (as an appendage) from the body: division of the body
          into two or more pieces -- au.to.to.mous adj -- au.tot.o.mize
          vb

   autotransformer
          [au.to.trans.form.er] n (1895): a transformer in which the
          primary and secondary coils have part or all of their
          turns in common

   autotransfusion
          [au.to.trans.fu.sion] n (ca. 1923): return of autologous
          blood to the patient's own circulatory system

   autotroph
          [au.to.troph] n [G, fr. autotroph, adj.] (1938): an autotrophic
          organism

   autotrophic
          [au.to.tro.phic] adj [prob. fr. G autotroph, fr. Gk autotrophos
          supplying one's own food, fr. aut- + trephein to nourish]
          (ca. 1900) 1: needing only carbon dioxide or carbonates
          as a source of carbon and a simple inorganic nitrogen
          compound for metabolic synthesis 2: not requiring a specified
          exogenous factor for normal metabolism -- au.to.tro.phi.cal.ly
          adv -- au.tot.ro.phy n

   autoworker
          [au.to.wor.ker] n (1941): a person employed in the automobile
          manufacturing industry

   autoxidation
          [au.tox.i.da.tion] n (1883): oxidation by direct combination
          with oxygen (as in air) at ordinary temperatures

   autres temps, autres murs
          [au.tres temps, au.tres murs] [F] foreign term : other times,
          other customs

   autumn
          [au.tumn] n [ME autumpne, fr. L autumnus] (14c) 1: the season
          between summer and winter comprising in the northern
          hemisphere usu. the months of September, October, and
          November or as reckoned astronomically extending from
          the September equinox to the December solstice--called
          also fall 2: a period of maturity or incipient decline
          <in the ~ of life> -- au.tum.nal adj -- au.tum.nal.ly
          adv

   autumn crocus
          [autumn crocus] n (1885): an autumn-blooming colchicum (Colchicum
          autumnale)

   autunite
          [au.tun.ite] n [Autun, town in France] (ca. 1852): a radioactive
          lemon-yellow mineral occurring in tabular crystals with
          basal cleavage and in scales like mica

   aut vincere aut mori
          [aut vin.ce.re aut mo.ri] [L] foreign term : either to conquer
          or to die

   aux
          [aux] abbreviation auxiliary verb

   aux armes
          [aux armes] [F] foreign term : to arms

   auxesis
          [aux.e.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk auxesis increase, growth, fr. auxein
          to increase--more at eke] (ca. 1848): growth; specif:
          increase of cell size without cell division -- aux.et.ic
          adj or n

   [1]auxiliary
          [aux.il.ia.ry] adj [L auxiliaris, fr. auxilium help; akin
          to L augere to increase--more at eke] (15c) 1 a: offering
          or providing help b: functioning in a subsidiary capacity
          <an ~ branch of the state university> 2 of a verb: accompanying
          another verb and typically expressing person, number,
          mood, or tense 3 a: supplementary b: constituting a reserve
          <an ~ power plant> 4: equipped with sails and a supplementary
          inboard engine [2]auxiliary n, pl -ries (1601) 1 a: an
          auxiliary person, group, or device; specif: a member
          of a foreign force serving a nation at war b: a Roman
          Catholic titular bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and
          not having the right of succession--called also auxiliary
          bishop 2: an auxiliary boat or ship 3: an auxiliary verb

   auxin
          [aux.in] n [ISV, fr. Gk auxein] (1934) 1: any of various
          usu. acidic organic substances that promote cell elongation
          in plant shoots and usu. regulate other growth processes
          (as root initiation): as a: indoleacetic acid b: any
          of various synthetic substances (as 2,4-D) resembling
          indoleacetic acid in activity and used esp. in research
          and agriculture 2: plant hormone -- aux.in.ic adj

   auxotroph
          [auxo.troph] n (1950): an auxotrophic strain or individual

   auxotrophic
          [auxo.tro.phic] adj [Gk auxein to increase + -o- + E -trophic]
          (1944): requiring a specific growth substance beyond
          the minimum required for normal metabolism and reproduction
          by the parental or wild-type strain <~ mutants of bacteria>
          -- aux.ot.ro.phy n

   av...
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   av
          [av] abbreviation avenue, average, avoirdupois  AV abbreviation
          ad valorem, audiovisual, Authorized Version

   [1]avail
          [avail] vb [ME, prob. fr. a- (as in abaten to abate) + vailen
          to avail, fr. OF valoir to be of worth, fr. L valere--more
          at wield] vi (14c): to be of use or advantage: serve
          <our best efforts did not ~> ~ vt 1: to be of use or
          advantage to: profit 2: to result in: bring about <his
          efforts ~ed him nothing> -- avail oneself of also avail
          of : to make use of: take advantage of [2]avail n (15c)
          1: advantage toward attainment of a goal or purpose:
          use <effort was of little ~> 2 pl: profits or proceeds
          esp. from a business or from the sale of property

   availability
          [avail.abil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1803) 1: the quality or state
          of being available 2: an available person or thing

   available
          [avail.able] adj (15c) 1 archaic: having a beneficial effect
          2: valid--used of a legal plea or charge 3: present or
          ready for immediate use 4: accessible, obtainable <articles
          ~ in any drugstore> 5: qualified or willing to do something
          or to assume a responsibility <~ candidates> 6: present
          in such chemical or physical form as to be usable (as
          by a plant) <~ nitrogen> <~ water> -- avail.able.ness
          n -- avail.ably adv

   [1]avalanche
          [av.a.lanche] n [F, fr. F dial. lavantse, avalantse] (1771)
          1: a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material
          in swift motion down a mountainside or over a precipice
          2: a sudden great or overwhelming rush or accumulation
          of something <office workers tied down with an ~ of paperwork>
          3: a cumulative process in which photons or accelerated
          charge carriers produce additional photons or charge
          carriers through collisions (as with gas molecules) [2]avalanche
          vb -lanched ; -lanch.ing vi (1872): to descend in an
          avalanche ~ vt: overwhelm, flood

   Avalon
          [Av.a.lon] n: a paradise to which Arthur is carried after
          his death

   avant
          [avant] adj [F avant- fore-, front, fr. avant before, fr.
          L abante] (1965): culturally or stylistically advanced:
          avant-garde <~ jazz>

   [1]avant-garde
          [avant-garde] n [F, vanguard] (1910): an intelligentsia that
          develops new or experimental concepts esp. in the arts
          -- avant-gard.ism n -- avant-gard.ist n [2]avant-garde
          adj (1925): of or relating to an avant-garde <~ writers>

   avant la lettre
          [avant la lettre] [F] foreign term : before the letter: before
          a (specified) name existed

   avant-propos
          [avant-pro.pos] [F] foreign term : preface

   avarice
          [av.a.rice] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L avaritia, fr. avarus avaricious,
          fr. avere to crave--more at avid] (14c): excessive or
          insatiable desire for wealth or gain: greediness, cupidity

   avaricious
          [av.a.ri.cious] adj (15c): greedy of gain: excessively acquisitive
          esp. in seeking to hoard riches syn see covetous
          -- av.a.ri.cious.ly adv -- av.a.ri.cious.ness n

   avascular
          [avas.cu.lar] adj (ca. 1900): having few or no blood vessels
          <~ tissue> -- avas.cu.lar.i.ty n

   avast
          [avast] vb imper [perh. fr. D houd vast hold fast] (1681)--a
          nautical command to stop or cease

   avatar
          [av.a.tar] n [Skt avatara descent, fr. avatarati he descends,
          fr. ava- away + tarati he crosses over--more at ukase,
          through] (1784) 1: the incarnation of a Hindu deity (as
          Vishnu) 2 a: an incarnation in human form b: an embodiment
          (as of a concept or philosophy) often in a person 3:
          a variant phase or version of a continuing basic entity

   avaunt
          [avaunt] adv [ME, fr. MF avant, fr. L abante forward, before,
          fr. ab from + ante before--more at of, ante-] (15c):
          away, hence

   AVC
          [AVC] abbreviation automatic volume control

   avdp
          [avdp] abbreviation avoirdupois

   ave
          [ave] n [ME, fr. L, hail] (13c) 1: an expression of greeting
          or of leave-taking: hail, farewell 2 often cap: ave maria

   ave
          [ave] abbreviation avenue

   ave atque vale
          [ave at.que va.le] [L] foreign term : hail and farewell

   avellan
          [avel.lan] or avel.lane adj [L abellana, avellana filbert,
          fr. fem. of Abellanus of Abella, fr. Abella, ancient
          town in Italy] (1611) of a heraldic cross: having the
          four arms shaped like conventionalized filberts--see
          cross illustration

   Ave Maria
          [Ave Ma.ria] n [ME, fr. ML, hail, Mary] (13c): hail mary

   avenge
          [avenge] vt avenged ; aveng.ing [ME avengen, prob. fr. a-
          (as in abaten to abate) + vengen to avenge, fr. OF vengier--more
          at vengeance] (14c) 1: to take vengeance for or on behalf
          of 2: to exact satisfaction for (a wrong) by punishing
          the wrongdoer -- aveng.er n

   avens
          [av.ens] n, pl avens [ME avence, fr. OF] (13c): any of a
          genus (Geum) of perennial herbs of the rose family with
          white, purple, or yellow flowers

   aventail
          [av.en.tail] n [ME, modif. of OF ventaille] (14c): ventail

   aventurine
          [aven.tu.rine] n [F, fr. aventure chance--more at adventure]
          (1811) 1: glass containing opaque sparkling particles
          of foreign material usu. copper or chromic oxide 2: a
          translucent quartz spangled throughout with scales of
          mica or other mineral

   avenue
          [av.e.nue] n [MF, fr. fem. of avenu, pp. of avenir to come
          to, fr. L advenire--more at adventure] (1600) 1: a way
          of access: route 2: a channel for pursuing a desired
          object <~s of communication> 3 a chiefly Brit: the principal
          walk or driveway to a house situated off a main road
          b: a broad passageway bordered by trees 4: an often broad
          street or road

   aver
          [aver] vt averred ; aver.ring [ME averren, fr. MF averer,
          fr. ML adverare to confirm as authentic, fr. L ad- +
          verus true--more at very] (15c) 1 a: to verify or prove
          to be true in pleading a cause b: to allege or assert
          in pleading 2: to declare positively

   [1]average
          [av.er.age] n [fr. earlier average proportionally distributed
          charge for damage at sea, modif. of MF avarie damage
          to ship or cargo, fr. OIt avaria, fr. Ar 'awariyah damaged
          merchandise] (1735) 1 a: a single value (as a mean, mode,
          or median) that summarizes or represents the general
          significance of a set of unequal values b: mean 1b 2
          a: an estimation of or approximation to an arithmetic
          mean b: a level (as of intelligence) typical of a group,
          class, or series <above the ~> 3: a ratio expressing
          the average performance esp. of an athletic team or an
          athlete computed according to the number of opportunities
          for successful performance -- on average or on the average
          : taking the typical example of the group under consideration
          <prices have increased on average by five percent> syn
          average, mean, median, norm mean something that represents
          a middle point. average is exactly or approximately the
          quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set
          of figures by the number of figures <scored an average
          of 85 on tests>. mean may be the simple average or it
          may represent value midway between two extremes <a high
          of 70 degrees and a low of 50 degrees give a mean of
          60 degrees >. median applies to the value that represents
          the point at which there are as many instances above
          as there are below <average of a group of persons earning
          3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars a day is 6 dollars, whereas
          the median is 5 dollars>. norm means the computed or
          estimated average of performance of a significantly large
          group, class, or grade <scores about the norm for 5th
          grade arithmetic>. [2]average adj (1770) 1: equaling
          an arithmetic mean 2 a: being about midway between extremes
          <a man of ~ height> b: not out of the ordinary: common
          <the ~ person> -- av.er.age.ly adv -- av.er.age.ness
          n [3]average vb av.er.aged ; av.er.ag.ing vi (1769) 1
          a: to be or come to an average <the gain averaged out
          to 20 percent> b: to have a medial value of <a color
          averaging a pale purple> 2: to buy on a falling market
          or sell on a rising market additional shares or commodities
          so as to obtain a more favorable average price--usu.
          used with down or up ~ vt 1: to do, get, or have on the
          average or as an average sum or quantity <~s 12 hours
          of work a day> 2: to find the arithmetic mean of (a series
          of unequal quantities) 3 a: to bring toward the average
          b: to divide among a number proportionately

   averment
          [aver.ment] n (15c) 1: the act of averring 2: something that
          is averred: affirmation

   averse
          [averse] adj [L aversus, pp. of avertere] (1597): having
          an active feeling of repugnance or distaste <~ to strenuous
          exercise> syn see disinclined -- averse.ly adv -- averse.ness
          n

   aversion
          [aver.sion] n (1596) 1 obs: the act of turning away 2 a:
          a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire
          to avoid or turn from it <regards drunkenness with ~>
          b: a settled dislike: antipathy <expressed an ~ to parties>
          c: a tendency to extinguish a behavior or to avoid a
          thing or situation and esp. a usu. pleasurable one because
          it is or has been associated with a noxious stimulus
          3: one that is the object of aversion

   aversion therapy
          [aversion therapy] n (1946): therapy intended to change habits
          or antisocial behavior by inducing dislike for them through
          association with a noxious stimulus

   aversive
          [aver.sive] adj (1923): tending to avoid or causing avoidance
          of a noxious or punishing stimulus <behavior modification
          by ~ stimulation> -- aver.sive.ly adv -- aver.sive.ness
          n

   avert
          [avert] vt [ME, fr. MF avertir, fr. L avertere, fr. ab- +
          vertere to turn--more at worth] (15c) 1: to turn away
          or aside (as the eyes) in avoidance 2: to see coming
          and ward off: avoid

   Avesta
          [Aves.ta] n [MPer Avastak, lit., original text] (1856): the
          book of the sacred writings of Zoroastrianism

   Avestan
          [Aves.tan] n (1856): an ancient Iranian language in which
          the sacred books of Zoroastrianism were written -- Avestan
          adj

   avg
          [avg] abbreviation average

   avgas
          [av.gas] n [aviation gasoline] (1943): gasoline for airplanes

   avgolemono
          [av.go.lem.o.no] n [NGk augolemono, fr. augo egg + lemoni
          lemon] (1961): a soup or sauce made of chicken stock,
          rice, egg yolks, and lemon sauce

   avian
          [avi.an] adj [L avis] (1870): of, relating to, or derived
          from birds

   aviary
          [avi.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [L aviarium, fr. avis bird; akin
          to Gk aetos eagle] (1577): a place for keeping birds
          confined

   aviate
          [avi.ate] vi -at.ed ; -at.ing [back-formation fr. aviation]
          (1887): to navigate the air (as in an airplane)

   aviation
          [avi.a.tion] n, often attrib [F, fr. L avis] (1866) 1: the
          operation of heavier-than-air aircraft 2: military airplanes
          3: airplane manufacture, development, and design

   aviator
          [avi.a.tor] n (1887): the operator or pilot of an aircraft
          and esp. an airplane

   aviator glasses
          [aviator glasses] n pl (1968): eyeglasses having a lightweight
          metal frame and relatively large usu. tinted lenses

   aviatrix
          [avi.a.trix] n, pl -trix.es or -tri.ces (1910): a woman aviator

   aviculture
          [avi.cul.ture] n [L avis + E culture] (ca. 1879): the raising
          and care of birds and esp. of wild birds in captivity
          -- avi.cul.tur.ist n

   avid
          [av.id] adj [F or L; F avide, fr. L avidus, fr. avere to
          desire, crave; akin to W ewyllys desire, OIr con-oi he
          protects] (1769) 1: desirous to the point of greed: urgently
          eager: greedy <~ for publicity> 2: characterized by enthusiasm
          and vigorous pursuit <~ readers> syn see eager -- av.id.ly
          adv -- av.id.ness n

   avidin
          [av.i.din] n [fr. its avidity for biotin] (1941): a protein
          found in egg white that inactivates biotin by combining
          with it

   avidity
          [avid.ity] n, pl -ities (15c) 1: the quality or state of
          being avid: a: keen eagerness b: consuming greed 2: affinity
          2b(2)

   avifauna
          [avi.fau.na] n [NL, fr. L avis + NL fauna] (1874): the birds
          or the kinds of birds of a region, period, or environment
          -- avi.fau.nal adj

   avionics
          [avi.on.ics] n pl [aviation electronics] (1949): electronics
          designed for use in aerospace vehicles -- avi.on.ic adj

   avirulent
          [avir.u.lent] adj [ISV] (ca. 1900): not virulent--compare
          nonpathogenic

   avitaminosis
          [avi.ta.min.osis] n, pl -o.ses [NL] (1919): disease (as pellagra)
          resulting from a deficiency of one or more vitamins --
          avi.ta.min.ot.ic adj

   avn
          [avn] abbreviation aviation

   avo
          [avo] n, pl avos [Pg, fr. avo fractional part, fr. -avo ordinal
          suffix (as in oitavo eighth, fr. L octavus)--more at
          octave] (ca. 1909): a monetary unit of Macao equal to
          1/100 pataca

   avocado
          [av.o.ca.do] n, pl -dos also -does [modif. of Sp aguacate,
          fr. Nahuatl ahuacatl avocado, testicle] (1697) 1: a pulpy
          green to purple nutty-flavored edible fruit of any of
          various tropical American trees (genus Persea esp. P.
          americana) of the laurel family; also: a tree bearing
          avocados 2: a light yellowish green

   avocado pear
          [avocado pear] n (1830) chiefly Brit: avocado 1

   avocation
          [av.o.ca.tion] n [L avocation-, avocatio, fr. avocare to
          call away, fr. ab- + vocare to call, fr. voc-, vox voice--more
          at voice] (ca. 1617) 1 archaic: diversion, distraction
          2: customary employment: vocation 3: a subordinate occupation
          pursued in addition to one's vocation esp. for enjoyment:
          hobby

   avocational
          [av.o.ca.tion.al] adj (1921) 1: of or relating to an avocation
          <an ~ interest in sports> 2: being such by avocation
          <an ~ musician> -- av.o.ca.tion.al.ly adv

   avocet
          [av.o.cet] n [F & It; F avocette, fr. It avocetta] (1766):
          any of a genus (Recurvirostra) of rather large long-legged
          shorebirds with webbed feet and slender upward-curving
          bill

   Avogadro's number
          [Avo.ga.dro's number] n [Count Amedeo Avogadro] (1924): the
          number 6.023E23indicating the number of atoms or molecules
          in a mole of any substance--called also Avogadro number

   avoid
          [avoid] vt [ME, fr. MF esvuidier, fr. es- (fr. L ex-) + vuidier
          to empty--more at void] (14c) 1: to make legally void:
          annul <~ a plea> 2 obs: void, expel 3 a: to keep away
          from: shun b: to prevent the occurrence or effectiveness
          of c: to refrain from 4 archaic: to depart or withdraw
          from: leave syn see escape -- avoid.able adj -- avoid.ably
          adv -- avoid.er n

   avoidance
          [avoid.ance] n (14c) 1 obs a: an action of emptying, vacating,
          or clearing away b: outlet 2: annulment 1 3: an act or
          practice of avoiding or withdrawing from something

   [1]avoirdupois
          [av.oir.du.pois] n [ME avoir de pois goods sold by weight,
          fr. OF, lit., goods of weight] (15c) 1: avoirdupois weight
          2: weight, heaviness; esp: personal weight [2]avoirdupois
          adj (1755): expressed in avoirdupois weight <one ounce
          ~>

   avoirdupois weight
          [avoirdupois weight] n (1619): the series of units of weight
          based on the pound of 16 ounces and the ounce of 16 drams

   avouch
          [avouch] vt [ME, to cite as authority, fr. MF avochier to
          summon, fr. L advocare--more at advocate] (15c) 1: to
          declare as a matter of fact or as a thing that can be
          proved: affirm 2: to vouch for: corroborate 3 a: to acknowledge
          (as an act) as one's own b: confess, avow

   avouchment
          [avouch.ment] n (1574): an act of avouching: avowal

   avow
          [avow] vt [ME, fr. MF avouer, fr. L advocare] (14c) 1: to
          declare assuredly 2: to declare openly, bluntly, and
          without shame <ever ready to ~ his reactionary outlook>
          syn see acknowledge, assert -- avow.er n

   avowal
          [avow.al] n (ca. 1732): an open declaration or acknowledgment

   avowedly
          [avow.ed.ly] adv (1656) 1: with open acknowledgment: frankly
          <an ~ hostile review> 2: by unsupported assertion or
          profession alone: allegedly <politicians remain skeptical
          of... ~ democratic intentions --Jerry Kirshenbaum>

   avulse
          [avulse] vt avulsed ; avuls.ing [L avulsus, pp. of avellere
          to tear off, fr. ab- + vellere to pluck--more at vulnerable]
          (ca. 1765): to separate by avulsion

   avulsion
          [avul.sion] n (1622): a forcible separation or detachment:
          as a: a tearing away of a body part accidentally or surgically
          b: a sudden cutting off of land by flood, currents, or
          change in course of a body of water; esp: one separating
          land from one person's property and joining it to another's

   avuncular
          [avun.cu.lar] adj [L avunculus maternal uncle--more at uncle]
          (1831) 1: of or relating to an uncle 2: suggestive of
          an uncle esp. in kindliness or geniality <~ indulgence>
          -- avun.cu.lar.i.ty n -- avun.cu.lar.ly adv

   aw...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   aw
          [aw] interj (1852)--used to express mild disappointment,
          gentle entreaty, or real or mock sympathy or sentiment

   AW
          [AW] abbreviation actual weight, aircraft warning, articles
          of war, automatic weapon

   AWACS
          [AWACS] abbreviation airborne warning and control system

   await
          [await] vb [ME, fr. ONF awaitier, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + waitier
          to watch--more at wait] vt (13c) 1 obs: to lie in wait
          for 2 a: to wait for b: to remain in abeyance until <a
          treaty ~ing ratification> 3: to be in store for <wonders
          what ~s him next> ~ vi 1 obs: attend 2: to stay or be
          in waiting: wait 3: to be in store

   [1]awake
          [awake] vb awoke also awaked ; awo.ken or awaked also awoke
          ; awak.ing [ME awaken (fr. OE awacan, onwacan, fr. [1]a-,
          on + wacan to awake) & awakien, fr. OE awacian, fr. [1]a-
          + wacian to be awake--more at wake] vi (bef. 12c) 1:
          to cease sleeping 2: to become aroused or active again
          3: to become conscious or aware of something <awoke to
          the possibilities> ~ vt 1: to arouse from sleep or a
          sleeplike state <awoken by the storm> 2: to make active:
          stir up <awoke old memories> [2]awake adj (13c): fully
          conscious, alert, and aware: not asleep syn see aware

   awaken
          [awak.en] vb awak.ened ; awak.en.ing [ME, fr. OE awaecnian,
          fr. a- + waecnian to waken] (bef. 12c): awake -- awak.en.er
          n

   [1]award
          [award] vt [ME, to decide, fr. ONF eswarder, fr. es- (fr.
          L ex-) + warder to guard, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          warten to watch--more at ward] (14c) 1: to give by judicial
          decree or after careful consideration 2: to confer or
          bestow as being deserved or merited or needed <~ scholarships
          to disadvantaged students> syn see grant -- award.able
          adj -- award.ee n -- award.er n [2]award n (14c) 1 a:
          a judgment or final decision; esp: the decision of arbitrators
          in a case submitted to them b: the document containing
          the decision of arbitrators 2: something that is conferred
          or bestowed esp. on the basis of merit or need

   aware
          [aware] adj [ME iwar, fr. OE gewaer, fr. ge- (associative
          prefix) + waer wary--more at co-, wary] (bef. 12c) 1
          archaic: watchful, wary 2: having or showing realization,
          perception, or knowledge -- aware.ness n syn aware, cognizant,
          conscious, sensible, alive, awake mean having knowledge
          of something. aware implies vigilance in observing or
          alertness in drawing inferences from what one experiences
          <aware of changes in climate>. cognizant implies having
          special or certain knowledge as from firsthand sources
          <not fully cognizant of the facts>. conscious implies
          that one is focusing one's attention on something or
          is even preoccupied by it <conscious that my heart was
          pounding>. sensible implies direct or intuitive perceiving
          esp. of intangibles or of emotional states or qualities
          <sensible of a teacher's influence>. alive adds to sensible
          the implication of acute sensitivity to something <alive
          to the thrill of danger>. awake implies that one has
          become alive to something and is on the alert <a country
          always awake to the threat of invasion>.

   awash
          [awash] adj (1833) 1 a: alternately covered and exposed by
          waves or tide b: washing about: afloat c: covered with
          water: flooded 2: filled, covered, or completely overrun
          as if by a flood <a movie ~ in sentimentality>

   [1]away
          [away] adv (bef. 12c) 1: on the way: along <get ~ early>
          2: from this or that place: hence, thence <go ~> 3 a:
          in a secure place or manner <locked ~> b: in another
          direction <look ~> 4: out of existence: to an end <echoes
          dying ~> 5: from one's possession <gave ~ a fortune>
          6: steadily onward: uninterruptedly <clocks ticking ~>
          7: by a long distance or interval: far <~ back in 1910>
          [2]away adj (14c) 1: absent from a place: gone <~ for
          the weekend> 2: distant in space or time <a lake 10 miles
          ~> <the season is two months ~> 3: played on an opponent's
          grounds <home and ~ games> 4 baseball: out <two ~ in
          the ninth> -- away.ness n

   [1]awe
          [awe] n [ME, fr. ON agi; akin to OE ege awe, Gk achos pain]
          (13c) 1: an emotion variously combining dread, veneration,
          and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred
          or sublime <stood in ~ of the king> <regard nature's
          wonders with ~> 2 archaic a: dread, terror b: the power
          to inspire dread [2]awe vt awed ; aw.ing (13c): to inspire
          with awe

   aweary
          [aweary] adj (1537) archaic: being weary

   aweather
          [aweath.er] adv (1599): on or toward the weather or windward
          side--compare alee

   awed
          [awed] adj (1592): showing awe <~ respect>

   aweigh
          [aweigh] adj (1670): raised just clear of the bottom--used
          of an anchor

   aweless
          [awe.less] or aw.less adj (14c) 1: feeling no awe 2 obs:
          inspiring no awe

   awesome
          [awe.some] adj (1598) 1: expressive of awe <~ tribute> 2
          a: inspiring awe <an ~ task> b: terrific 2, 3; esp: extraordinary
          -- awe.some.ly adv -- awe.some.ness n

   awestruck
          [awe.struck] also awe.strick.en adj (1634): filled with awe

   [1]awful
          [aw.ful] adj (13c) 1: inspiring awe 2: filled with awe: as
          a obs: afraid, terrified b: deeply respectful or reverential
          3: extremely disagreeable or objectionable 4: exceedingly
          great--used as an intensive <an ~ lot of money> -- aw.ful.ly
          adv -- aw.ful.ness n usage Many grammarians take issue
          with the senses of awful and awfully that do not convey
          the etymological connection with awe. However, senses
          3 and 4 of the adjective were used in speech and casual
          writing by the late 18th century <it is an awful while
          since you have heard from me --John Keats (letter)> <there
          was an awful crowd --Sir Walter Scott (letter)> <this
          is an awful thing to say to oil painters --William Blake>.
          Adverbial use of awful as an intensifier began to appear
          in print in the early 19th century, as did the senses
          of awfully corresponding to senses 3 and 4 of the adjective.
          Both adverbs remain in widespread use <a sad state of
          affairs and awful tough on art --H. L. Mencken> <the
          awfully rich young American --Henry James> <decided to
          play it so awfully safe --A. M. Schlesinger b1917>. [2]awful
          adv (1818): very, extremely <~ tired>

   awhile
          [awhile] adv (bef. 12c): for a while usage Although considered
          a solecism by many commentators, awhile, like several
          other adverbs of time and place, is often used as the
          object of a preposition <for awhile there is a silence
          --Lord Dunsany>.

   awhirl
          [awhirl] adj (1883): being in a whirl

   awkward
          [awk.ward] adj [ME awkeward in the wrong direction, fr. awke
          turned the wrong way, fr. ON ofugr; akin to OHG abuh
          turned the wrong way] (1530) 1 obs: perverse 2 archaic:
          unfavorable, adverse 3 a: lacking dexterity or skill
          (as in the use of hands) <~ with a needle and thread>
          b: showing the result of a lack of expertness <~ pictures>
          4 a: lacking ease or grace (as of movement or expression)
          b: lacking the right proportions, size, or harmony of
          parts: ungainly 5 a: lacking social grace and assurance
          b: causing embarrassment <an ~ moment> 6: not easy to
          handle or deal with: requiring great skill, ingenuity,
          or care <an ~ load> <an ~ diplomatic situation> -- awk.ward.ly
          adv -- awk.ward.ness n syn awkward, clumsy, maladroit,
          inept, gauche mean not marked by ease (as of performance,
          movement, or social conduct). awkward is widely applicable
          and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular
          control, embarrassment, or lack of tact <periods of awkward
          silence>. clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and
          so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of
          ordinary skill <a clumsy mechanic>. maladroit suggests
          a tendency to create awkward situations <a maladroit
          politician>. inept often implies complete failure or
          inadequacy <a hopelessly inept defense attorney>. gauche
          implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill
          breeding <felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties>.

   awl
          [awl] n [ME al, fr. ON alr; akin to OHG ala awl, Skt ara]
          (bef. 12c): a pointed tool for marking surfaces or piercing
          small holes (as in leather or wood)

   awn
          [awn] n [ME, fr. OE agen, fr. ON ogn; akin to OHG agana awn,
          OE ecg edge--more at edge] (12c): one of the slender
          bristles that terminate the glumes of the spikelet in
          some cereal and other grasses -- awned adj -- awn.less
          adj

   awning
          [aw.ning] n [origin unknown] (1624): a rooflike cover extending
          over or in front of a place (as over the deck or in front
          of a door or window) as a shelter -- aw.ninged adj

   awoke
          [awoke] past and past part of awake

   awoken
          [awoken] past part of awake

   [1]AWOL
          [AWOL] adj or adv, sometimes not cap [absent without leave]
          (1919): absent without leave; broadly: absent often without
          notice or permission <the place looked as if its caretaker
          had been ~ for some time --Daniel Ford> [2]AWOL n, sometimes
          not cap (1919): a person who is AWOL

   awry
          [awry] adv or adj (14c) 1: in a turned or twisted position
          or direction: askew 2: off the correct or expected course:
          amiss

   aw-shucks
          [aw-shucks] adj (1951): being or marked by an unsophisticated,
          self-conscious, or self-effacing manner

   ax...
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   [1]ax
          [ax] or axe n [ME, fr. OE aecs; akin to OHG ackus ax, L ascia,
          Gk axine] (bef. 12c) 1: a cutting tool that consists
          of a heavy edged head fixed to a handle with the edge
          parallel to the handle and that is used esp. for felling
          trees and chopping and splitting wood 2: a hammer with
          a sharp edge for dressing or spalling stone 3: abrupt
          removal (as from employment or from a budget)--sometimes
          used in the phrase get the ax 4: a musical instrument
          (as a guitar or a saxophone) -- ax to grind : an ulterior
          often selfish purpose to further [2]ax or axe vt axed
          ; ax.ing (1679) 1 a: to shape, dress, or trim with an
          ax b: to chop, split, or sever with an ax 2: to remove
          abruptly (as from employment or from a budget)

   ax
          [ax] abbreviation axiom, axis

   axel
          [ax.el] n, often cap [Axel Paulsen d. 1938 Norw. figure skater]
          (1930): a jump in figure skating from the outer forward
          edge of one skate with 1 1/2 turns taken in the air and
          a return to the outer backward edge of the other skate

   axenic
          [axe.nic] adj [[2]a- + Gk xenos strange] (1942): free from
          other living organisms -- axe.ni.cal.ly adv

   axial
          [ax.i.al] adj (ca. 1847) 1: of, relating to, or having the
          characteristics of an axis 2 a: situated around, in the
          direction of, on, or along an axis b: extending in a
          direction essentially perpendicular to the plane of a
          cyclic structure (as of cyclohexane) <~ hydrogens>--compare
          equatorial -- ax.i.al.i.ty n -- ax.i.al.ly adv

   axial skeleton
          [axial skeleton] n (1872): the skeleton of the trunk and
          head

   axil
          [ax.il] n [NL axilla, fr. L] (1794): the angle between a
          branch or leaf and the axis from which it arises

   axilla
          [ax.il.la] n, pl -lae or -las [L, dim. of ala wing, upper
          arm, armpit, axil--more at aisle] (1616): the cavity
          beneath the junction of a forelimb and the body; esp:
          armpit

   axillar
          [ax.il.lar] n (1541): an axillary part (as a feather)

   [1]axillary
          [ax.il.lary] adj (1615) 1: of, relating to, or located near
          the axilla 2: situated in or growing from an axil <~
          buds> [2]axillary n, pl -lar.ies (ca. 1889): one of the
          feathers arising from the axilla and closing the space
          between the flight feathers and body of a flying bird

   axiology
          [ax.i.ol.o.gy] n [Gk axios + ISV -logy] (1908): the study
          of the nature, types, and criteria of values and of value
          judgments esp. in ethics -- ax.i.o.log.i.cal adj --
          ax.i.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   axiom
          [ax.i.om] n [L axioma, fr. Gk axioma, lit., something worthy,
          fr. axioun to think worthy, fr. axios worth, worthy;
          akin to Gk agein to weigh, drive--more at agent] (15c)
          1: a maxim widely accepted on its intrinsic merit 2:
          a statement accepted as true as the basis for argument
          or inference: postulate 1 3: an established rule or principle
          or a self-evident truth

   axiomatic
          [ax.i.om.at.ic] adj [MGk axiomatikos, fr. Gk, honorable,
          fr. axiomat-, axioma] (1797) 1: taken for granted: self-evident
          2: based on or involving an axiom or system of axioms
          <~ set theory> -- ax.i.om.at.i.cal.ly adv

   axiomatisation
          [ax.i.omat.isa.tion] chiefly Brit var of axiomatization

   axiomatization
          [ax.i.omat.iza.tion] n (1931): the act or process of reducing
          to a system of axioms -- ax.i.om.a.tize vt

   axiom of choice
          [axiom of choice] (1942): an axiom in set theory that is
          equivalent to Zorn's lemma: for every collection of nonempty
          sets there is a function which chooses an element from
          each set

   axion
          [ax.ion] n [axial + [2]-on] (1978): a hypothetical subatomic
          particle of low mass and energy that is postulated to
          exist because of certain properties of the strong force

   axis
          [ax.is] n, pl ax.es [L, axis, axle; akin to OE eax axis,
          axle, Gk axon, Lith asis, Skt aksa] (14c) 1 a: a straight
          line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates
          or may be supposed to rotate b: a straight line with
          respect to which a body or figure is symmetrical--called
          also axis of symmetry c: a straight line that bisects
          at right angles a system of parallel chords of a curve
          and divides the curve into two symmetrical parts d: one
          of the reference lines of a coordinate system 2 a: the
          second vertebra of the neck on which the head and first
          vertebra turn as on a pivot b: any of various central,
          fundamental, or axial parts 3: a plant stem 4: one of
          several imaginary lines assumed in describing the positions
          of the planes by which a crystal is bounded and the positions
          of atoms in the structure of the crystal 5: a main line
          of direction, motion, growth, or extension 6 a: an implied
          line in painting or sculpture through a composition to
          which elements in the composition are referred b: a line
          actually drawn and used as the basis of measurements
          in an architectural or other working drawing 7: any of
          three fixed lines of reference in an aircraft that run
          in the longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions,
          are mutually perpendicular, and usu. pass through the
          aircraft's center of gravity 8: partnership, alliance
          Axis adj (1938): of or relating to the three powers Germany,
          Italy, and Japan engaged against the Allied nations in
          World War II

   axisymmetric
          [axi.sym.met.ric] also axi.sym.met.ri.cal adj [axis + symmetric]
          (1893): symmetric in respect to an axis -- axi.sym.me.try
          n

   axle
          [ax.le] n [ME axel- (as in axeltre)] (14c) 1 a: a pin or
          shaft on or with which a wheel or pair of wheels revolves
          b (1): a fixed bar or beam with bearings at its ends
          on which wheels (as of a cart) revolve (2): the spindle
          of such a beam 2 archaic: axis

   axletree
          [axle.tree] n [ME axeltre, fr. ON oxultre, fr. oxull axle
          + tre tree] (14c): axle 1b(1)

   axman
          [ax.man] n (1671): one who wields an ax

   Axminster
          [Ax.min.ster] n [Axminster, town in England] (1818):
          a machine-woven carpet with pile tufts inserted mechanically
          in a variety of textures and patterns

   axolotl
          [ax.o.lotl] n [Nahuatl axolotl] (ca. 1768): any of several
          salamanders (genus Ambystoma esp. A. mexicanum and A.
          tigrinum) of mountain lakes of Mexico and the western
          U.S. that ordinarily live and breed without metamorphosing

   axon
          [ax.on] also ax.one n [NL axon, fr. Gk axon] (ca. 1899):
          a usu. long and single nerve-cell process that usu. conducts
          impulses away from the cell body--see neuron illustration
          -- ax.o.nal adj

   axoneme
          [ax.o.neme] n [Gk axon axis + nema thread, fr. nen to spin--more
          at needle] (1901): the fibrillar bundle of a flagellum
          or cilium that usu. consists of nine pairs of microtubules
          arranged in a ring around a single central pair -- ax.o.ne.mal
          adj

   axonometric
          [ax.o.no.met.ric] adj [Gk axon axis + E -metric] (1908):
          being or prepared by the projection of objects on the
          drawing surface so that they appear inclined with three
          sides showing and with horizontal and vertical distances
          drawn to scale but diagonal and curved lines distorted
          <an ~ drawing>

   axoplasm
          [axo.plasm] n [axon + -plasm] (1900): the protoplasm of an
          axon -- axo.plas.mic adj

   ay...
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   ay
          [ay] interj [MF aymi ay me] (14c)--usu. used with following
          me to express sorrow or regret

   ayah
          [ayah] n [Hindi aya, fr. Pg aia, fr. L avia grandmother]
          (1779): a nurse or maid native to India

   ayahuasca
          [aya.hua.sca] n [AmerSp] (1949): an hallucinogenic beverage
          prepared from the bark of a So. American vine (Banisteriopsis
          caapi of the family Malpighiaceae)

   ayatollah
          [aya.tol.lah] n [Per, lit., sign of God, fr. Ar aya sign,
          miracle + allah God] (1953): a religious leader among
          Shiite Muslims--used as a title of respect esp. for one
          who is not an imam

   [1]aye
          [aye] also ay adv [ME, fr. ON ei; akin to OE a always, L
          aevum age, lifetime, Gk aion age] (13c): always, continually,
          ever <love that will ~ endure --W. S. Gilbert> [2]aye
          also ay adv [perh. fr. ME ye, yie--more at yea] (1576):
          yes <~, ~, sir> [3]aye also ay n, pl ayes (1589): an
          affirmative vote or voter <the ~s have it>

   aye-aye
          [aye-aye] n [F, fr. Malagasy aiay] (ca. 1781): a small primitive
          nocturnal forest-dwelling primate (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
          of northern Madagascar that has a round head, large eyes
          and ears, and long thin fingers

   ayin
          [ayin] n [Heb 'ayin, lit., eye] (1823): the 16th letter of
          the Hebrew alphabet

   Aymara
          [Ay.ma.ra] n, pl Aymara or Aymaras [Sp aymara] (1860) 1:
          a member of an Indian people of Bolivia and Peru 2: the
          language of the Aymara people

   Ayrshire
          [Ayr.shire] n [Ayrshire, Scotland] (1856): any of a breed
          of hardy dairy cattle originated in Ayr and usu. marked
          with blotches of red or brown with white

   az...
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   az-
          [az-] or azo- comb form [ISV, fr. F azote nitrogen, fr. a-
          [2]a- + -zote, prob. fr. Gk zotikos maintaining life,
          fr. zoe life--more at quick]: containing nitrogen esp.
          as the bivalent group N=N <azine>

   az
          [az] abbreviation azimuth, azure  AZ abbreviation Arizona

   aza-
          [aza-] or az- comb form [ISV az- + -a-]: containing nitrogen
          in place of carbon

   azalea
          [aza.lea] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk, fem. of azaleos dry,
          fr. azein to parch, dry; akin to Hitt hat- to dry up
          and prob. to L ador emmer] (1767): any of a subgenus
          (Azalea) of rhododendrons with funnel-shaped corollas
          and usu. deciduous leaves including many species and
          hybrid forms cultivated as ornamentals

   azathioprine
          [aza.thi.o.prine] n [aza- + thi- + purine] (1962): a purine
          antimetabolite used esp. as an immunosuppressant

   Azazel
          [Aza.zel] n [Heb 'azazel]: an evil spirit of the wilderness
          to which a scapegoat was sent by the ancient Hebrews
          in a ritual of atonement

   azeotrope
          [azeo.trope] n [[2]a- + zeo- (fr. Gk zein to boil) + -trope
          something changed, fr. Gk tropos turn--more at yeast,
          trope] (1938): a liquid mixture that is characterized
          by a constant minimum or maximum boiling point which
          is lower or higher than that of any of the components

   azide
          [azide] n (ca. 1904): a compound containing a chemical group
          composed of three nitrogen atoms

   azido
          [az.i.do] adj [ISV azide + -o-] (ca. 1926): relating to or
          containing a monovalent group composed of three nitrogen
          atoms

   azidothymidine
          [az.i.do.thy.mi.dine] n (1974): an antiviral drug that inhibits
          replication of some retroviruses (as HIV) and is used
          to treat AIDS--called also AZT, zidovudine

   azimuth
          [az.i.muth] n [ME, fr. (assumed) ML, fr. Ar as-sumut the
          azimuth, pl. of as-samt the way] (14c) 1: an arc of the
          horizon measured between a fixed point (as true north)
          and the vertical circle passing through the center of
          an object usu. in astronomy and navigation clockwise
          from the north point through 360 degrees 2: horizontal
          direction expressed as the angular distance between the
          direction of a fixed point (as the observer's heading)
          and the direction of the object -- az.i.muth.al adj --
          az.i.muth.al.ly adv

   azimuthal equidistant projection
          [azimuthal equidistant projection] n (1942): a map projection
          of the surface of the earth so centered at any given
          point that a straight line radiating from the center
          to any other point represents the shortest distance and
          can be measured to scale

   azine
          [azine] n (1887): a compound formed by the action of hydrazine
          on aldehydes or ketones

   azo
          [azo] adj [az-] (ca. 1879): relating to or containing two
          nitrogen atoms joined by a double bond and each linked
          to a carbon atom

   azo dye
          [azo dye] n (1884): any of numerous dyes containing azo groups

   azoic
          [azo.ic] adj [[2]a- + Gk zoe life--more at quick] (ca. 1847):
          having no life; esp: of or relating to the part of geologic
          time that antedates life--compare archeozoic

   azole
          [azole] n (ca. 1899): any of numerous compounds characterized
          by a 5-membered ring containing at least one nitrogen
          atom

   azonal
          [azon.al] adj (1938): of, relating to, or being a soil or
          a major group of soils lacking well-developed horizons
          often because of immaturity--compare intrazonal, zonal

   azoospermia
          [azo.o.sper.mia] n [NL, fr. Gk azoos lifeless (fr. a- [2]a-
          + zoe life) + sperma semen, seed--more at sperm] (ca.
          1881): absence of spermatozoa from the seminal fluid

   azotemia
          [azo.te.mia] n [ISV azote nitrogen + NL -emia--more at az-]
          (ca. 1900): an excess of nitrogenous bodies in the blood
          as a result of kidney insufficiency--compare uremia --
          azo.te.mic adj

   azoth
          [az.oth] n [Ar az-za'uq the mercury] (15c) 1: mercury regarded
          by alchemists as the first principle of metals 2: the
          universal remedy of Paracelsus

   azotobacter
          [azo.to.bac.ter] n [NL, genus name, fr. ISV azote + NL bacterium]
          (1910): any of a genus (Azotobacter) of large rod-shaped
          or spherical bacteria occurring in soil and sewage and
          fixing atmospheric nitrogen

   azoturia
          [azo.tu.ria] n [ISV azote + NL -uria] (ca. 1838): an abnormal
          condition of horses characterized by an excess of urea
          or other nitrogenous substances in the urine and muscle
          damage esp. to the hindquarters

   Aztec
          [Az.tec] n [Sp azteca, fr. Nahuatl aztecah, pl. of aztecatl]
          (1787) 1 a: a member of a Nahuatl-speaking people that
          founded the Mexican empire conquered by Cortes in 1519
          b: a member of any people under Aztec influence 2: nahuatl
          -- Az.tec.an adj

   azure
          [azure] n [ME asur, fr. OF azur, prob. fr. OSp, modif. of
          Ar lazaward, fr. Per lazhuward] (14c) 1 archaic: lapis
          lazuli 2 a: the blue color of the clear sky b: the heraldic
          color blue 3: the unclouded sky -- azure adj

   azurite
          [azur.ite] n [F, fr. azur azure] (ca. 1868) 1: a mineral
          that consists of blue basic carbonate of copper and is
          a copper ore 2: a semiprecious stone derived from azurite

   [1]azygos
          [azy.gos] n [NL, fr. Gk, unyoked, fr. a- + zygon yoke--more
          at yoke] (1646): an azygos anatomical part [2]azy.gos
          also azy.gous adj (1681): not being one of a pair: single
          <an ~ vein>

   b...
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   b
          [b] n, pl b's or bs often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 2d letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic b 2: the 7th tone of a C-major scale
          3: a graphic device for reproducing the letter b 4: one
          designated b esp. as the 2d in order or class 5 a: a
          grade rating a student's work as good but short of excellent
          b: one graded or rated with a B 6: something shaped like
          the letter B

   b
          [b] abbreviation bachelor, bacillus, back, bag, bale, bass,
          basso, bat, Baume, before, Bible, billion, bishop, black,
          blue, bolivar, book, born, bottom, brick, brightness,
          British, bulb, butut  B abbreviation boron

   B and B
          [B and B] abbreviation bed-and-breakfast

   B and E
          [B and E] abbreviation breaking and entering

   b and w
          [b and w] abbreviation black and white

   B cell
          [B cell] n [bone-marrow-derived cell] (1968): any of the
          lymphocytes that have antibody molecules on the surface
          and comprise the antibody-secreting plasma cells when
          mature--called also B lymphocyte--compare t cell

   B complex
          [B complex] n (1934): vitamin b complex

   B-girl
          [B-girl] n [prob. fr. bar + girl] (1936): a woman who entertains
          bar patrons and encourages them to spend freely

   B horizon
          [B horizon] n (1938): a subsurface soil layer that is immediately
          beneath the A horizon from which it obtains organic matter
          chiefly by illuviation and is usu. distinguished by less
          weathering

   B lymphocyte
          [B lymphocyte] n (1971): b cell

   B movie
          [B movie] n (1948): a cheaply produced motion picture

   B picture
          [B picture] n (ca. 1937): b movie

   B vitamin
          [B vitamin] n (1920): any vitamin of the vitamin B complex

   ba...
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   Ba
          [Ba] abbreviation barium  BA abbreviation bachelor of arts,
          batting average, Buenos Aires

   BAA
          [BAA] abbreviation bachelor of applied arts

   baa
          [baa] vi baaed ; baa.ing [imit.] (ca. 1586): to make the
          bleat of a sheep -- baa n

   BAAE
          [BAAE] abbreviation bachelor of aeronautical and astronautical
          engineering

   baal
          [baal] n, pl baals or baa.lim often cap [Heb ba'al lord]
          (14c): any of numerous Canaanite and Phoenician local
          deities -- baal.ism n, often cap

   baas
          [baas] n [Afrik, fr. D] (1785) SoAfr: boss, master--used
          esp. by nonwhites when speaking to or about Europeans
          in positions of authority

   baba
          [ba.ba] n [F, fr. Pol, lit., old woman] (1827): a rich cake
          soaked in a rum and sugar syrup

   babassu
          [ba.bas.su] n [Pg babacu] (1917): a tall pinnate-leaved palm
          (Orbignya barbosiana) of Brazil with hard-shelled nuts
          yielding a valuable oil

   babbitt
          [bab.bitt] n [Isaac Babbitt d. 1862 Am. inventor] (1900):
          an alloy used for lining bearings; esp: one containing
          tin, copper, and antimony--called also babbitt metal
          -- bab.bitt.ed adj Bab.bitt n [George F. Babbitt, character
          in the novel Babbitt (1922) by Sinclair Lewis] (1923):
          a business or professional man who conforms unthinkingly
          to prevailing middle-class standards -- Bab.bitt.ry n
          -- Bab.itty adj

   babble
          [bab.ble] vb bab.bled ; bab.bling [ME babelen, prob. of imit.
          origin] vi (13c) 1 a: to talk enthusiastically or excessively
          b: to utter meaningless or unintelligible sounds 2: to
          make sounds as though babbling ~ vt 1: to utter in an
          incoherently or meaninglessly repetitious manner 2: to
          reveal by talk that is too free -- babble n -- bab.ble.ment
          n -- bab.bler n

   babe
          [babe] n [ME, prob. of imit. origin] (14c) 1 a: infant, baby
          b slang: girl, woman 2: a naive inexperienced person--used
          esp. in the phrase babe in the woods

   Babel
          [Ba.bel] n [Heb Babhel, fr. Akkadian bab-ilu gate of god]
          1: a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is
          held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion
          of tongues 2 often not cap a: a confusion of sounds or
          voices b: a scene of noise or confusion

   babesia
          [ba.be.sia] n [NL, fr. Victor Babes d. 1926 Rom. bacteriologist]
          (1911): any of a genus (Babesia) of sporozoans parasitic
          in mammalian red blood cells (as in Texas fever) and
          transmitted by the bite of a tick--called also piroplasm

   babesiosis
          [bab.e.si.o.sis] n [NL] (1911): an infection with or disease
          caused by babesias

   Babinski reflex
          [Ba.bin.ski reflex] n [J.F.F. Babinski d. 1932 Fr. neurologist]
          (1900): a reflex movement in which when the sole is tickled
          the big toe turns upward instead of downward and which
          is normal in infancy but indicates damage to the central
          nervous system (as in the pyramidal tracts) later in
          life--called also Babinski sign, Babinski's reflex

   babirusa
          [bab.i.ru.sa] n [Malay, fr. babi pig + rusa deer] (1673):
          a large wild swine (Babyrousa babyrussa) of Indonesia

   baboon
          [ba.boon] n [ME babewin, fr. MF babouin, fr. baboue grimace]
          (15c): any of a genus (Papio) of large gregarious primates
          of Africa and southwestern Asia having a long square
          naked muzzle; also: any of several closely related primates

   babu
          [ba.bu] also ba.boo n, often attrib [Hindi babu, lit., father]
          (1776) 1: a Hindu gentleman--a form of address corresponding
          to Mr. 2 a: an Indian clerk who writes English b: an
          Indian having some education in English--often used disparagingly

   babul
          [ba.bul] n [Per babul] (1780): an acacia tree (Acacia nilotica
          syn. A. arabica) widespread in India and northern Africa
          that yields gum arabic and tannins as well as fodder
          and timber

   babushka
          [ba.bush.ka] n [Russ, grandmother, dim. of baba old woman]
          (1938) 1 a: a usu. triangularly folded kerchief for the
          head b: a head covering resembling a babushka 2: an elderly
          Russian woman

   [1]baby
          [ba.by] n, pl babies [ME, fr. babe] (14c) 1 a (1): an extremely
          young child; esp: infant (2): an extremely young animal
          b: the youngest of a group 2 a: one that is like a baby
          (as in behavior) b: something that is one's special responsibility,
          achievement, or interest 3 slang a: girl, woman--often used
          in address b: boy, man--often used in address 4: person, thing <is
          one tough ~> -- ba.by.hood n -- ba.by.ish adj [2]baby adj (1591)
          1: of, relating to, or being a baby 2: much smaller than the usual
          <~ carrots> <a ~ flattop> <take two ~ steps> [3]baby vt ba.bied
          ; ba.by.ing (1742) 1: to tend to indulge with often excessive
          or inappropriate care and solicitude <~ing their only child>
          2: to operate or treat with care <~ a new motor> <~ing a sore knee>
          syn see indulge

   baby blue
          [baby blue] n (1889): a pale blue

   baby blue-eyes
          [baby blue-eyes] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1887): a
          delicate blue-flowered California herb (Nemophila menziesii)
          of the waterleaf family

   baby boom
          [baby boom] n (1941): a marked rise in birthrate (as in the
          U.S. immediately following the end of World War II) --
          baby boomer n

   baby bust
          [baby bust] n (1971): a marked decline in birthrate -- baby
          buster n

   baby carriage
          [baby carriage] n (1866): a small four-wheeled carriage often
          with a folding top for pushing a baby around in--called
          also baby buggy

   baby grand
          [baby grand] n (ca. 1903): a small grand piano

   Babylon
          [Bab.y.lon] n [Babylon, ancient city of Babylonia] (14c):
          a city devoted to materialism and sensual pleasure

   [1]Babylonian
          [Bab.y.lo.nian] n (1564) 1: a native or inhabitant of ancient
          Babylonia or Babylon 2: the form of the Akkadian language
          used in ancient Babylonia [2]Babylonian adj (1596) 1:
          of, relating to, or characteristic of Babylonia or Babylon,
          the Babylonians, or Babylonian 2: marked by luxury, extravagance,
          or the pursuit of sensual pleasure <the ~ halls of the
          big hotel --G. K. Chesterton> <the ~ delights of the
          city>

   baby's breath
          [baby's breath] n (ca. 1890): gypsophila; esp: a perennial
          herb (Gypsophila paniculata) or an annual herb (G. elegans)
          commonly used in floral arrangements

   baby-sit
          [ba.by-sit] vb -sat ; -sit.ting [back-formation fr. baby-sitter]
          vi (1947): to care for children usu. during a short absence
          of the parents; broadly: to give care <~ for a neighbor's
          pets> ~ vt: to baby-sit for; broadly: mind, tend <~ house
          plants> <police baby-sitting a witness> -- ba.by-sit.ter
          n

   baby talk
          [baby talk] n (1836) 1 a: the syntactically imperfect speech
          or phonetically modified forms used by small children
          learning to talk b: the consciously imperfect or altered
          speech used by adults in speaking to small children 2:
          oversimplified speech or writing

   baby tooth
          [baby tooth] n (1939): milk tooth

   bac
          [bac] [ML baccalaureus] abbreviation bachelor

   baccalaureate
          [bac.ca.lau.re.ate] n [ML baccalaureatus, fr. baccalaureus
          bachelor, alter. of baccalarius] (ca. 1649) 1: the degree
          of bachelor conferred by universities and colleges 2
          a: a sermon to a graduating class b: the service at which
          this sermon is delivered

   baccarat
          [bac.ca.rat] n [F baccara] (1865): a card game resembling
          chemin de fer in which three hands are dealt and players
          may bet either or both hands against the dealer's; also:
          a two-handed version in which players may bet on or against
          the dealer

   Bacchae
          [Bac.chae] n pl [L, fr. Gk Bakchai, fr. Bakchos Bacchus]
          (ca. 1909) 1: the female attendants or priestesses of
          Bacchus 2: the women participating in the Bacchanalia

   [1]bacchanal
          [bac.cha.nal] n [L, shrine of Bacchus, prob. back-formation
          fr. Bacchanalia] (1550) 1: orgy 2, 3 2 a: a devotee of
          Bacchus; esp: one who celebrates the Bacchanalia b: reveler
          [2]bac.cha.nal adj (1550): of, relating to, or suggestive
          of the Bacchanalia: bacchanalian

   bacchanalia
          [bac.cha.na.lia] n, pl bacchanalia [L, fr. Bacchus] (1591)
          1 pl, cap: a Roman festival of Bacchus celebrated with
          dancing, song, and revelry 2: orgy 2, 3 -- bac.cha.na.lian
          adj or n

   bacchant
          [bac.chant] n, pl bacchants or bacchantes [L bacchant-, bacchans,
          fr. prp. of bacchari to take part in the orgies of Bacchus]
          (1699): bacchanal -- bacchant adj

   bacchante
          [bac.chante] n [F, fr. L bacchant-, bacchans] (1579): a priestess
          or female follower of Bacchus: maenad

   bacchic
          [bac.chic] adj, often cap (1669): of, relating to, or suggestive
          of Bacchus or the Bacchanalia: bacchanalian

   Bacchus
          [Bac.chus] n [L, fr. Gk Bakchos]: the Greek god of wine--called
          also Dionysus

   [1]bach
          [bach] n (1855): bachelor 3a [2]bach vi (1870): to live as
          a bachelor--often used with it [3]bach n [[2]bach] (1925)
          New Zeal: a small house or weekend cottage

   [1]bachelor
          [bach.e.lor] n [ME bacheler, fr. OF] (14c) 1: a young knight
          who follows the banner of another 2: a person who has
          received what is usu. the lowest degree conferred by
          a four-year college, university, or professional school
          <~ of arts> 3 a: an unmarried man b: a male animal (as
          a fur seal) without a mate during breeding time -- bach.e.lor.dom
          n -- bach.e.lor.hood n [2]bachelor adj (1857) 1: suitable
          for or occupied by a single person <a ~ apartment> 2:
          unmarried <~ women> <~ parents>

   bachelorette
          [bach.e.lor.ette] n (1938): a bachelor woman

   bachelor's button
          [bachelor's button] n (1847): a European composite (Centaurea
          cyanus) having flower heads with blue, pink, or white
          rays that is often cultivated in No. America--called
          also cornflower

   bacillary
          [ba.cil.la.ry] or ba.cil.lar adj [ML & NL bacillus] (1865)
          1: shaped like a rod; also: consisting of small rods
          2: of, relating to, or caused by bacilli

   bacillus
          [ba.cil.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. ML, small staff, rod, dim.
          of L baculus staff, alter. of baculum] (ca. 1879) 1:
          any of a genus (Bacillus) of aerobic rod-shaped gram-positive
          bacteria producing endospores that do not thicken the
          rod and including many saprophytes and some parasites
          (as B. anthracis of anthrax); broadly: a straight rod-shaped
          bacterium 2: bacterium; esp: a disease-producing bacterium

   bacitracin
          [bac.i.tra.cin] n [NL Bacillus subtilis (species of bacillus
          producing the toxin) + Margaret Tracy b ab 1936 Am. child
          in whose tissues it was found] (1945): a toxic polypeptide
          antibiotic isolated from a bacillus (Bacillus subtilis)
          and usu. used topically esp. against gram-positive bacteria

   [1]back
          [back] n [ME, fr. OE baec; akin to OHG bah back] (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): the rear part of the human body esp. from the
          neck to the end of the spine (2): the body considered
          as the wearer of clothes (3): capacity for labor, effort,
          or endurance (4): the back considered as the seat of
          one's awareness of duty or failings <get off my ~> b:
          the part of a lower animal (as a quadruped) corresponding
          to the human back c: spinal column d: backbone 4 2 a:
          the side or surface opposite the front or face: the rear
          part; also: the farther or reverse side b: something
          at or on the back for support <~ of a chair> c: a place
          away from the front <sat in ~> 3: a position in some
          games (as football or soccer) behind the front line of
          players; also: a player in this position -- backed adj
          -- back.less adj -- back of one's hand or back of the
          hand : a show of contempt -- back of one's mind : the
          remote part of one's mind where thoughts and memories
          are stored to be drawn on -- behind one's back : without
          one's knowledge: in secret -- in back of : behind [2]back
          adv (14c) 1 a: to, toward, or at the rear b: in or into
          the past: backward in time; also: ago c: to or at an
          angle off the vertical d (1): under restraint (2): in
          a delayed or retarded condition 2 a: to, toward, or in
          a place from which a person or thing came b: to or toward
          a former state c: in return or reply [3]back adj (15c)
          1 a: being at or in the back <~ door> b: distant from
          a central or main area <~ roads> c: articulated at or
          toward the back of the oral passage <~ vowels> 2: having
          returned or been returned 3: being in arrears: overdue
          4: moving or operating backward: reverse 5: not current
          <~ numbers of a magazine> 6: constituting the final 9
          holes of an 18-hole golf course [4]back vt (1548) 1 a:
          to support by material or moral assistance--usu. used
          with up b: substantiate c: to assume financial responsibility
          for d: to provide musical accompaniment for--often used
          with up 2 a: to cause to go back or in reverse b: to
          articulate (a sound) with the tongue farther back 3 a:
          to furnish with a back b: to be at the back of ~ vi 1:
          to move backward--often used with up 2 of the wind: to
          shift counterclockwise--compare veer 3: to have the back
          in the direction of something syn see support, recede
          -- back.er n -- back and fill 1: to manage the sails
          of a ship so as to keep it clear of obstructions as its
          floats down with the current of a river or channel 2:
          to take opposite positions alternately: shilly-shally
          -- back into : to get into inadvertently <backed into
          the antiques business>

   backache
          [back.ache] n (1601): a pain in the lower back

   back and forth
          [back and forth] adv (1613): backward and forward; also:
          between two places or persons

   back-and-forth
          [back-and-forth] n (1941): discussion 1, give-and-take; also:
          exchange 1

   back away
          [back away] vi (1919): to move away (as from a stand on an
          issue)

   back bacon
          [back bacon] n (1947) chiefly Brit: canadian bacon

   backbeat
          [back.beat] n (1928): a steady pronounced rhythm stressing
          the second and fourth beats of a four-beat measure

   backbench
          [back.bench] n (1874): a bench in a British legislature (as
          the House of Commons) occupied by rank-and-file members--compare
          front bench -- back.bench.er n

   backbite
          [back.bite] vb -bit ; -bit.ten ; -bit.ing vt (12c): to say
          mean or spiteful things about ~ vi: to backbite a person
          -- back.bit.er n

   backbiting
          [backbiting] n (12c): malicious comment about one not present

   backblock
          [back.block] n (1870) Austral & New Zeal: boondocks 2--usu.
          used in pl.

   backboard
          [back.board] n (1761): a board placed at or serving as the
          back of something; esp: a rounded or rectangular board
          behind the basket on a basketball court which serves
          to keep missed shots from going out-of-bounds and from
          which the ball can be made to rebound into the basket

   backbone
          [back.bone] n (14c) 1: spinal column, spine 2: something
          that resembles a backbone: as a: a chief mountain ridge,
          range, or system b: the foundation or most substantial
          or sturdiest part of something c: the longest chain of
          atoms or groups of atoms in a usu. long molecule (as
          a polymer or protein) 3: firm and resolute character
          4: spine 1c

   backbreaking
          [back.break.ing] adj (1870): extremely tiring or demanding:
          oppressive <~ labor> <~ rents> -- back.break.er n

   back burner
          [back burner] n (1963): the condition of being out of active
          consideration or development--usu. used in the phrase
          on the back burner

   back channel
          [back channel] n (1975): a secret, unofficial, or irregular
          means of communication -- back-channel adj

   backchat
          [back.chat] n (1901) 1: back talk 2: gossipy or bantering
          conversation

   back-check
          [back-check] vi (1937): to skate back toward one's own goal
          while closely defending against the offensive rushes
          of an opposing player in ice hockey -- back-check.er
          n

   backcloth
          [back.cloth] n (1886) chiefly Brit: backdrop

   backcountry
          [back.coun.try] n, often attrib (1746): a remote undeveloped
          rural area

   backcourt
          [back.court] n (1890) 1: the area near or nearest the back
          boundary lines or back wall of the playing area in a
          net or court game 2: a basketball team's defensive half
          of the court; also: the part of the offensive half of
          the court farthest from the goal 3: the basketball players
          who play the backcourt

   backcourtman
          [back.court.man] n (1954): a guard on a basketball team

   [1]backcross
          [back.cross] vt (1904): to cross (a first-generation hybrid)
          with one of the parental types [2]backcross n (1918):
          a mating that involves backcrossing; also: an individual
          produced by backcrossing

   backdate
          [back.date] vt (1944): to put a date earlier than the actual
          one on <~ a memo>; also: to make retroactive <~ pension
          rights>

   back dive
          [back dive] n (ca. 1934): a dive from a position facing the
          diving board

   backdoor
          [back.door] adj (1805): indirect, devious

   back down
          [back down] vi (1849): to withdraw from a commitment or position

   backdrop
          [back.drop] n (1913) 1: a painted cloth hung across the rear
          of a stage 2: background -- backdrop vt

   backfield
          [back.field] n (1920): the football players whose positions
          are behind the line of scrimmage; also: the positions
          themselves

   backfill
          [back.fill] vt (1908): to refill (as an excavation) usu.
          with excavated material ~ vi: to backfill an excavation
          -- backfill n

   [1]backfire
          [back.fire] n (1839) 1: a fire started to check an advancing
          fire by clearing an area 2: a loud noise caused by the
          improperly timed explosion of fuel mixture in the cylinder
          of an internal combustion engine [2]backfire vi (1886)
          1: to make or undergo a backfire 2: to have the reverse
          of the desired or expected effect

   backfit
          [back.fit] vt (1967): retrofit -- backfit n

   backflow
          [back.flow] n (1884): a flowing back or returning toward
          a source

   back-formation
          [back-formation] n (1889) 1: a word formed by subtraction
          of a real or supposed affix from an already existing
          longer word (as burgle from burglar) 2: the formation
          of back-formations

   backgammon
          [back.gam.mon] n [perh. fr. [3]back + ME gamen, game game]
          (ca. 1645): a board game played with dice and counters
          in which players try to be the first to gather their
          pieces into one corner and then systematically remove
          them from the board

   [1]background
          [back.ground] n, often attrib (1672) 1 a: the scenery or
          ground behind something b: the part of a painting representing
          what lies behind objects in the foreground 2: an inconspicuous
          position 3 a: the conditions that form the setting within
          which something is experienced b (1): the circumstances
          or events antecedent to a phenomenon or development (2):
          information essential to understanding of a problem or
          situation c: the total of a person's experience, knowledge,
          and education 4 a: intrusive sound or radiation that
          interferes with received or recorded electronic signals
          b: a more or less steady level of noise above which the
          effect (as radioactivity) being measured by an apparatus
          (as a Geiger counter) is detected; esp: a somewhat steady
          level of radiation in the natural environment (as from
          cosmic rays) syn background, setting, environment, milieu,
          mise-en-scene mean the place, time, and circumstances
          in which something occurs. background often refers to
          the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon
          or development <the shocking decision was part of the
          background of the riots>. setting suggests looking at
          real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms <a
          militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social
          setting>. environment applies to all the external factors
          that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental,
          or moral development <the kind of environment that produces
          juvenile delinquents>. milieu applies esp. to the physical
          and social surroundings of a person or group of persons
          <an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation>.
          mise-en-scene strongly suggests the use of properties
          to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect
          <a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scene>.
          [2]background vt (1768): to provide with background

   backgrounder
          [back.ground.er] n (1960): an off-the-record briefing for
          reporters

   background music
          [background music] n (1928): music to accompany the dialogue
          or action of a motion picture or radio or television
          drama

   background radiation
          [background radiation] n (1969): the microwave radiation
          pervading the universe that has the spectral energy distribution
          of a blackbody having a temperature of 2.7 K and that
          is the principle evidence supporting the big bang theory--called
          also cosmic background radiation

   [1]backhand
          [back.hand] n (1657) 1 a: a stroke (as in tennis) made with
          the back of the hand turned in the direction of movement;
          also: the side on which such strokes are made b: a catch
          (as in baseball) made to the side of the body opposite
          the hand being used 2: handwriting whose strokes slant
          downward from left to right [2]backhand adj (1695): made
          with a backhand <a ~ tennis stroke> [3]backhand or back.hand.ed
          adv (1889): with a backhand [4]backhand vt (ca. 1935):
          to do, hit, or catch backhand

   backhanded
          [back.hand.ed] adj (1800) 1: indirect, devious; esp: sarcastic
          <a ~ compliment> 2: using or made with a backhand --
          back.hand.ed.ly adv

   backhander
          [back.hand.er] n (1960) Brit: bribe

   backhoe
          [back.hoe] n (1928): an excavating machine having a bucket
          that is attached to a rigid bar hinged to a boom and
          that is drawn toward the machine in operation

   backhouse
          [back.house] n (ca. 1847): privy 1a

   backing
          [back.ing] n (1793) 1: something forming a back 2 a: support,
          aid b: endorsement esp. of a warrant by a magistrate

   back judge
          [back judge] n (ca. 1966): a football official whose duties
          include keeping the game's official time and identifying
          eligible pass receivers

   backland
          [back.land] n (1681): backcountry, hinterland--usu. used
          in pl.

   backlash
          [back.lash] n (1815) 1 a: a sudden violent backward movement
          or reaction b: the play between adjacent movable parts
          (as in a series of gears); also: the jar caused by this
          when the parts are put into action 2: a snarl in that
          part of a fishing line wound on the reel 3: a strong
          adverse reaction (as to a recent political or social
          development) -- back.lash.er n

   backlight
          [back.light] n (ca. 1846): illumination from behind; also:
          the source of such illumination -- backlight vt

   backlist
          [back.list] n (1964): a list of books kept in print
          as distinguished from books newly published

   [1]backlog
          [back.log] n (1684) 1: a large log at the back of a hearth
          fire 2: an accumulation of tasks unperformed or materials
          not processed [2]backlog vb (1963): accumulate

   back matter
          [back matter] n (1947): matter following the main text of
          a book

   back mutation
          [back mutation] n (1939): mutation of a previously mutated
          gene to its former condition

   back of
          [back of] prep (1694): behind

   back of beyond
          [back of beyond] (1816): a remote place

   back off
          [back off] vi (1938): back down

   back-office
          [back-office] adj (1953): of or relating to the inner workings
          of a business or institution: internal <~ operations>

   back out
          [back out] vi (1807): to withdraw esp. from a commitment
          or contest

   [1]backpack
          [back.pack] n (1914) 1 a: a load carried on the back b: a
          camping pack (as of canvas or nylon) supported by a usu.
          aluminum frame and carried on the back 2: a piece of
          equipment designed for use while being carried on the
          back [2]backpack vt (1927): to carry (food or equipment)
          on the back esp. in hiking ~ vi: to hike with a backpack
          -- back.pack.er n

   backpedal
          [back.ped.al] vi (1901): to retreat or move backward

   backrest
          [back.rest] n (1859): a rest for the back

   back room
          [back room] n (1592) 1: a room situated in the rear 2: the
          meeting place of a directing group that exercises its
          authority in an inconspicuous and indirect way

   backroom
          [back.room] adj (1940): made or operating in an inconspicuous
          way: behind-the-scenes <~ deals> <a ~ politician>

   backsaw
          [back.saw] n (ca. 1877): a saw with a metal rib along its
          back

   backscatter
          [back.scat.ter] or back.scat.ter.ing n (1940): the scattering
          of radiation or particles in a direction opposite to
          that of the incident radiation due to reflection from
          particles of the medium traversed; also: the radiation
          or particles so reversed in direction -- backscatter
          vt

   back-scratching
          [back-scratch.ing] n (1924): the reciprocal exchange of favors,
          services, assistance, or praise

   backseat
          [back.seat] n (1829) 1: a seat in the back (as of an automobile)
          2: an inferior position <won't take a ~ to anyone>

   backset
          [back.set] n (1721): setback

   backside
          [back.side] n (ca. 1500): buttocks--often used in pl.

   backslap
          [back.slap] vt (1926): to display excessive or effusive goodwill
          for ~ vi: to display excessive cordiality or goodwill
          -- backslap n -- back.slap.per n

   backslide
          [back.slide] vi -slid ; -slid or -slid.den ; -slid.ing (1581)
          1: to lapse morally or in the practice of religion 2:
          to revert to a worse condition: retrogress -- back.slid.er
          n

   backspace
          [back.space] vi (1911): to move back one space in a text
          with each depression of a key -- backspace n

   backspin
          [back.spin] n (ca. 1909): a backward rotary motion of a ball

   backsplash
          [back.splash] n (1947): a vertical surface (as of tiles)
          designed to protect the wall behind a stove or countertop

   [1]backstage
          [back.stage] adj (1916) 1: of, relating to, or occurring
          in the area behind the proscenium and esp. in the dressing
          rooms 2: of or relating to the private lives of theater
          people 3: of or relating to the inner working or operation
          (as of an organization) [2]back.stage adv (1923) 1: in
          or to a backstage area 2: in private: secretly

   backstairs
          [back.stairs] adj (1663) 1: secret, furtive <~ political
          deals> 2: sordid, scandalous <~ gossip>

   backstay
          [back.stay] n (1626) 1: a stay extending from the mastheads
          to the side of a ship and slanting aft 2: a strengthening
          or supporting device at the back (as of a carriage or
          a shoe)

   backstitch
          [back.stitch] n (1611): a stitch sewn one stitch length backward
          on the front side and two stitch lengths forward on the
          reverse side to form a solid line of stitching on both
          sides -- backstitch vb

   [1]backstop
          [back.stop] n (1851) 1: something at the back serving as
          a stop: as a: a screen or fence for keeping a ball from
          leaving the field of play b: a stop (as a pawl) that
          prevents a backward movement (as of a wheel) 2: a player
          (as the catcher) positioned behind the batter [2]backstop
          vt (1941) 1: support, bolster 2: to serve as a backstop
          to

   backstreet
          [back.street] n (15c): a street away from the main thoroughfares

   backstretch
          [back.stretch] n (1839): the side opposite the homestretch
          on a racecourse

   backstroke
          [back.stroke] n (1879): a swimming stroke executed on the
          back and usu. consisting of alternating circular arm
          pulls and a flutter kick

   backswept
          [back.swept] adj (ca. 1918): swept or slanting backward

   back swimmer
          [back swimmer] n (1862): an aquatic bug (family Notonectidae)
          that swims on its back

   backswing
          [back.swing] n (1899): the movement of a club, racket, bat,
          or arm backward to a position from which the forward
          or downward swing is made

   backsword
          [back.sword] n (1609): a single-edged sword

   back talk
          [back talk] n (1858): impudent, insolent, or argumentative
          replies

   back-to-back
          [back-to-back] adj or adv (15c) 1: facing in opposite directions
          and often touching 2: coming one after the other: consecutive

   backtrack
          [back.track] vi (1904) 1 a: to retrace one's course b: to
          go back to an earlier point in a sequence 2: to reverse
          a position or stand

   backup
          [back.up] n, often attrib (1951) 1 a: one that serves as
          a substitute or support <had a ~ if the original plan
          didn't work> <~ goalie> b: musical accompaniment 2: an
          accumulation caused by a stoppage in the flow <traffic
          ~>

   back up
          [back up] vi (1837): to accumulate in a congested state <traffic
          backed up for miles> ~ vt 1: to move into a position
          behind (a teammate) in order to assist on a play 2: hold
          back 1

   [1]backward
          [back.ward] or back.wards adv (14c) 1 a: toward the back
          b: with the back foremost 2 a: in a reverse or contrary
          direction or way b: toward the past c: toward a worse
          state -- bend over backward or lean over backward : to
          make extreme efforts (as at concession) [2]backward adj
          (14c) 1 a: directed or turned backward b: done or executed
          backward 2: diffident, shy 3: retarded in development
          -- back.ward.ly adv -- back.ward.ness n [3]backward n
          (1610): the part behind or past

   backwash
          [back.wash] n (1876) 1: a backward flow or movement (as of
          water or air) produced esp. by a propelling force; also:
          the fluid that is moving backward 2: a consequence or
          by-product of an event: aftermath, fallout

   backwater
          [back.wa.ter] n (1629) 1 a: water backed up in its course
          by an obstruction, an opposing current, or the tide b:
          a body of water (as an inlet or tributary) that is out
          of the main current of a larger body 2: an isolated or
          backward place or condition

   backwoods
          [back.woods] n pl but sing or pl in constr, often attrib
          (1709) 1: wooded or partly cleared areas far from cities
          2: a remote or culturally backward area -- back.woodsy
          adj

   backwoodsman
          [back.woods.man] n (1774): one who lives in the backwoods

   backwrap
          [back.wrap] n (1951): a wraparound garment (as a skirt) that
          fastens in the back

   backyard
          [back.yard] n (1659) 1: an area at the rear of a house 2:
          an area that is one's special domain

   bacon
          [ba.con] n [ME, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG bahho
          side of bacon, bah back] (14c): a side of a pig cured
          and smoked

   Baconian
          [Ba.co.ni.an] adj (1812) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Francis Bacon or his doctrines 2: of or relating to
          those who believe that Francis Bacon wrote the works
          usu. attributed to Shakespeare -- Baconian n

   bact
          [bact] abbreviation bacterial, bacteriology, bacterium

   bacteremia
          [bac.ter.emia] n [NL, alter. of bacteriemia, fr. bacteri-
          + -emia] (ca. 1890): the usu. transient presence of bacteria
          in the blood -- bac.ter.emic adj

   bacteri-
          [bacteri-] or bacterio- comb form [NL bacterium]: bacteria
          <bacteriolysis>

   bacteria
          [bac.te.ria] n, pl -ri.as [pl. of bacterium] (1884): a group
          (as a genus, species, or strain) of bacteria--used chiefly
          in nontechnical writing and in news broadcasts usage
          Bacteria is regularly a plural in scientific and pedagogical
          use; in speech and in journalism it is also used as a
          singular <caused by a ~ borne by certain tiny ticks --Wall
          St. Jour.> <more resistant to chlorine and elevated water
          temperatures than other ~s --Allan Bruckheim, M.D., Chicago
          Tribune>. This journalistic use is found in British as
          well as American sources.

   bacterial
          [bac.te.ri.al] adj (1871): of, relating to, or caused by
          bacteria <~ infection> -- bac.te.ri.al.ly adv

   bactericidal
          [bac.te.ri.cid.al] adj (1878): destroying bacteria --
          bac.te.ri.cid.al.ly adv -- bac.te.ri.cide n

   bacterin
          [bac.ter.in] n (ca. 1912): a suspension of killed or attenuated
          bacteria for use as a vaccine

   bacteriochlorophyll
          [bac.te.rio.chlo.ro.phyll] n (1938): a pyrrole derivative
          in photosynthetic bacteria related to the chlorophyll
          of higher plants

   bacteriocin
          [bac.te.rio.cin] n [ISV bacteri- + -cin (as in colicin)]
          (1954): an antibiotic (as colicin) produced by bacteria

   bacteriology
          [bac.te.ri.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1884) 1: a science that deals
          with bacteria and their relations to medicine, industry,
          and agriculture 2: bacterial life and phenomena --
          bac.te.ri.o.log.ic or bac.te.ri.o.log.i.cal adj --
          bac.te.ri.o.log.i.cal.ly adv -- bac.te.ri.ol.o.gist n

   bacteriolysis
          [bac.te.ri.ol.y.sis] n [NL] (1900): destruction or dissolution
          of bacterial cells -- bac.te.ri.o.lyt.ic adj

   bacteri ophage
          [bac.te.ri o.phage] n [ISV] (1920): a virus that infects
          bacteria -- bac.te.ri.oph.a.gy n

   bacteriorhodopsin
          [bac.te.rio.rho.dop.sin] n (1974): a purple-pigmented protein
          found in the outer membrane of a bacterium (Halobacterium
          halobium) that converts light energy into chemical energy
          in the synthesis of ATP

   bacteriostasis
          [bac.te.rio.sta.sis] n [NL] (1920): inhibition of the growth
          of bacteria without destruction

   bacteriostat
          [bac.te.rio.stat] n (1920): an agent that causes bacteriostasis
          -- bac.te.rio.stat.ic adj

   bacterium
          [bac.te.ri.um] n, pl -ria [NL, fr. Gk bakterion staff] (ca.
          1849): any of a group (as Kingdom Procaryotae or Kingdom
          Monera) of prokaryotic unicellular round, spiral, or
          rod-shaped single-celled microorganisms that are often
          aggregated into colonies or motile by means of flagella,
          that live in soil, water, organic matter, or the bodies
          of plants and animals, and that are autotrophic, saprophytic,
          or parasitic in nutrition and important because of their
          biochemical effects and pathogenicity

   bacteriuria
          [bac.te.ri.uria] n [NL] (1900): the presence of bacteria
          in the urine

   bacterize
          [bac.te.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing (1914): to subject to
          bacterial action -- bac.te.ri.za.tion n

   bacteroid
          [bac.te.roid] n (1878): an irregularly shaped bacterium (as
          a rhizobium) found esp. in root nodules of legumes

   Bactrian camel
          [Bac.tri.an camel] n (1609): camel 1b

   [1]bad
          [bad] adj worse ; worst [ME] (14c) 1 a: failing to reach
          an acceptable standard: poor b: unfavorable <make a ~
          impression> c: not fresh: spoiled <~ fish> d: not sound:
          dilapidated <the house was in ~ condition> 2 a: morally
          objectionable b: mischievous, disobedient 3: inadequate
          or unsuited to a purpose <a ~ plan> <~ lighting> 4: disagreeable,
          unpleasant <~ news> 5 a: injurious, harmful b: serious,
          severe <in ~ trouble> <a ~ cough> 6: incorrect, faulty
          <~ grammar> 7 a: suffering pain or distress <felt generally
          ~> b: unhealthy, diseased <~ teeth> 8: sorrowful, sorry
          9: invalid, void <a ~ check> 10 bad.der bad.dest slang
          a: good, great b: tough, mean -- bad.ness n [2]bad n
          (15c) 1: something that is bad 2: an evil or unhappy
          state [3]bad adv (1681): badly

   [1]badass
          [bad.ass] adj (1956): ready to cause or get into trouble:
          mean--often considered vulgar <pretending to be a ~ gunslinger
          --L. L. King> [2]badass n (1984): a person who is badass--often
          considered vulgar

   bad blood
          [bad blood] n (1825): ill feeling: bitterness

   baddie
          [bad.die] or bad.dy n, pl baddies (1937): one that is bad;
          esp: an opponent of the hero (as in fiction or motion
          pictures)

   bade
          [bade] past and past part of bid

   badge
          [badge] n [ME bage, bagge] (14c) 1: a device or token esp.
          of membership in a society or group 2: a characteristic
          mark 3: an emblem awarded for a particular accomplishment
          -- badge vt

   [1]badger
          [bad.ger] n [prob. fr. badge; fr. the white mark on its forehead]
          (1523) 1 a: any of various burrowing mammals (esp. Taxidea
          taxus and Meles meles) that are related to the weasels
          and are widely distributed in the northern hemisphere
          b: the pelt or fur of a badger 2 cap: a native or resident
          of Wisconsin--used as a nickname [2]badger vt [fr. the
          sport of baiting badgers] (1794): to harass or annoy
          persistently syn see bait

   badinage
          [ba.di.nage] n [F] (ca. 1658): playful repartee: banter

   badland
          [bad.land] n (1851): a region marked by intricate erosional
          sculpturing, scanty vegetation, and fantastically formed
          hills--usu. used in pl.

   badly
          [bad.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a bad manner <played ~> 2: to a
          great or intense degree <want something ~>

   badminton
          [bad.min.ton] n [Badminton, residence of the Duke of Beaufort,
          England] (1874): a court game played with light long-handled
          rackets and a shuttlecock volleyed over a net

   bad-mouth
          [bad-mouth] vt (1942): to criticize severely

   bad news
          [bad news] n pl but sing in constr (1930): one that is troublesome,
          unwelcome, or dangerous <stay away from him, he's bad news>

   BAE
          [BAE] abbreviation bachelor of aeronautical engineering,
          bachelor of agricultural engineering, bachelor of architectural
          engineering, bachelor of art education, bachelor of arts
          in education

   BAEd
          [BAEd] abbreviation bachelor of arts in education

   Baedeker
          [Bae.de.ker] n [Karl Baedeker d. 1859 Ger. publisher of guidebooks]
          (1924): guidebook

   BAeE
          [BAeE] abbreviation bachelor of aeronautical engineering
          BAEE abbreviation bachelor of arts in elementary education

   [1]baffle
          [baf.fle] vt baf.fled ; baf.fling [prob. alter. of ME (Sc)
          bawchillen to denounce, discredit publicly] (ca. 1590)
          1: to defeat or check (as a person) by confusing or puzzling:
          disconcert 2: to check or break the force or flow of
          by or as if by a baffle syn see frustrate -- baf.fle.ment
          n -- baf.fler n -- baf.fling.ly adv [2]baffle n (ca.
          1900): a device (as a plate, wall, or screen) to deflect,
          check, or regulate flow (as of a fluid, light, or sound)
          -- baf.fled adj

   BAg
          [BAg] abbreviation bachelor of agriculture

   [1]bag
          [bag] n [ME bagge, fr. ON baggi] (13c) 1: a usu. flexible
          container that may be closed for holding, storing, or
          carrying something: as a: purse; esp: handbag b: a bag
          for game c: suitcase 2: something resembling a bag: as
          a: a pouched or pendulous bodily part or organ; esp:
          udder b: a puffed-out sag or bulge in cloth c: a square
          white stuffed canvas bag to mark a base in baseball 3:
          the amount contained in a bag 4 a: a quantity of game
          taken; also: the maximum legal quantity of game b: an
          assortment or collection esp. of nonmaterial things <a
          ~ of tricks> 5: an unattractive woman 6: something one
          likes or does regularly or well; also: one's characteristic
          way of doing things -- in the bag : sure, certain <her
          nomination was in the bag> [2]bag vb bagged ; bag.ging
          vi (15c) 1: to swell out: bulge 2: to hang loosely ~
          vt 1: to cause to swell 2: to put into a bag 3 a: to
          take (animals) as game b: to get possession of esp. by
          strategy or stealth c: capture, seize d: to shoot down:
          destroy syn see catch -- bag.ger n

   bagasse
          [ba.gasse] n [F] (ca. 1826): plant residue (as of sugarcane
          or grapes) left after a product (as juice) has been extracted

   bagatelle
          [bag.a.telle] n [F, fr. It bagattella] (1633) 1: trifle 1
          2: any of various games involving the rolling of balls
          into scoring areas 3: a short literary or musical piece
          in light style

   bagel
          [ba.gel] n [Yiddish beygl, fr. (assumed) MHG bougel ring,
          fr. MHG bouc ring, fr. OHG; akin to OE beag ring, bugan
          to bend--more at bow] (1932): a hard glazed doughnut-shaped
          roll

   bagful
          [bag.ful] n (15c) 1: as much or as many as a bag will hold
          2: a large number or amount <had a ~ of tricks>

   [1]baggage
          [bag.gage] n [ME bagage, fr. MF, fr. bague bundle] (15c)
          1: suitcases, trunks, and personal belongings of travelers:
          luggage 2: transportable equipment esp. of a military
          force 3: things (as objects, circumstances, or beliefs)
          that get in the way: impedimenta [2]baggage n [prob.
          modif. of MF bagasse, fr. OProv bagassa] (1596) 1: a
          contemptible woman; esp: prostitute 2: a young woman

   bagging
          [bag.ging] n (1732): material (as cloth) for bags

   baggy
          [bag.gy] adj bag.gi.er ; -est (1831): loose, puffed out,
          or hanging like a bag <~ trousers> -- bag.gi.ly adv --
          bag.gi.ness n

   baghouse
          [bag.house] n (1914): a device or facility in which particulates
          are removed from a stream of exhaust gases (as from a
          blast furnace) as the stream passes through a large cloth
          bag; also: the bag used to filter the gas stream

   bag lady
          [bag lady] n (1979): a homeless woman who roams the streets
          of a large city carrying her possessions in shopping
          bags

   bagman
          [bag.man] n (1765) 1 chiefly Brit: traveling salesman 2:
          a person who on behalf of another collects or distributes
          illicitly gained money

   bagnio
          [ba.gnio] n, pl bagnios [It bagno, lit., public baths (fr.
          the Turks' use of Roman baths at Constantinople as prisons),
          fr. L balneum, fr. Gk balaneion] (1599) 1 obs: prison
          2: bordello

   bag of waters
          [bag of waters] (ca. 1881): the double-walled fluid-filled
          sac that encloses and protects the fetus in the womb
          and that breaks releasing its fluid during the birth
          process

   bagpipe
          [bag.pipe] n (14c): a wind instrument consisting of a reed
          melody pipe and from one to five drones with air supplied
          continuously either by a bag with valve-stopped mouth
          tube or by bellows--often used in pl. -- bag.pip.er n

   baguette
          [ba.guette] n [F, lit., rod] (1926) 1: a gem having the shape
          of a narrow rectangle; also: the shape itself 2: a long
          thin loaf of French bread

   bagwig
          [bag.wig] n (1717): an 18th century wig with the back hair
          enclosed in a small silk bag

   bagworm
          [bag.worm] n (1862): any of a family (Psychidae) of moths
          with wingless females and plant-feeding larvae that live
          in a silk case covered with plant debris; esp: one (Thyridopteryx
          ephemeraeformis) often destructive to deciduous and evergreen
          trees of the eastern U.S.

   bah
          [bah] interj (1600)--used to express disdain or contempt

   Baha'i
          [Ba.ha'i] n, pl Baha'is [Per baha'i, lit., of glory, fr.
          baha glory] (1889): an adherent of a religious movement
          originating in Iran in the 19th century and emphasizing
          the spiritual unity of mankind -- Baha'i adj -- Ba.ha.ism
          n -- Ba.ha.ist n

   Bahasa Indonesia
          [Ba.ha.sa In.do.ne.sia] n [Indonesian bahasa indonesia, lit.,
          Indonesian language] (1952): indonesian 2b

   Bahia grass
          [Ba.hia grass] n [Bahia, state in Brazil] (ca. 1927): a perennial
          tropical American grass (Paspalpum notatum) used in the
          southern U.S. as a lawn grass

   baht
          [baht] n, pl baht also bahts [Thai baad] (1828): the basic
          monetary unit of Thailand

   [1]bail
          [bail] n [ME baille, fr. MF, bucket, fr. ML bajula water
          vessel, fr. fem. of L bajulus] (14c): a container used
          to remove water from a boat [2]bail vt (1613) 1: to clear
          (water) from a boat by dipping and throwing over the
          side--usu. used with out 2: to clear water from by dipping
          and throwing--usu. used with out -- bail.er n [3]bail
          n [ME, custody, bail, fr. MF, custody, fr. baillier to
          have in charge, deliver, fr. ML bajulare to control,
          fr. L, to carry a load, fr. bajulus porter] (15c) 1:
          the temporary release of a prisoner in exchange for security
          given for the due appearance of the prisoner 2: security
          given for the release of a prisoner on bail 3: one who
          provides bail [4]bail vt (1548) 1: to release under bail
          2: to procure the release of by giving bail--often used
          with out 3: to help from a predicament--used with out
          <~ing out impoverished countries> -- bail.able adj [5]bail
          n [ME beil, baile, prob. of Scand origin; akin to Sw
          bygel bow, hoop; akin to OE bugan to bend--more at bow]
          (15c) 1 a: a supporting half hoop b: a hinged bar for
          holding paper against the platen of a typewriter 2: a
          usu. arched handle (as of a kettle or pail) [6]bail vt
          [AF baillier, fr. F] (1768): to deliver (property) in
          trust to another for a special purpose and for a limited
          period [7]bail n [perh. fr. [5]bail] (1844) chiefly Brit:
          a device for confining or separating animals

   bailee
          [bail.ee] n (1528): the person to whom property is bailed

   bailey
          [bai.ley] n, pl baileys [ME bailli, palisade, bailey, fr.
          OF baille, balie] (13c) 1: the outer wall of a castle
          or any of several walls surrounding the keep 2: a courtyard
          within the external wall or between two outer walls of
          a castle

   bailie
          [bai.lie] n [ME] (14c) 1 chiefly dial: bailiff 2: a Scottish
          municipal magistrate corresponding to an English alderman

   bailiff
          [bai.liff] n [ME baillif, bailie, fr. OF baillif, fr. bail
          custody, jurisdiction--more at bail] (14c) 1 a: an official
          employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make
          arrests and executions b: a minor officer of some U.S.
          courts usu. serving as a messenger or usher 2 chiefly
          Brit: one who manages an estate or farm -- bai.liff.ship
          n

   bailiwick
          [bai.li.wick] n [ME baillifwik, fr. baillif + wik dwelling
          place, village, fr. OE wic, fr. L vicus village--more
          at vicinity] (15c) 1: the office or jurisdiction of a
          bailiff 2: a special domain

   bailment
          [bail.ment] n (1554): the act of bailing a person or property

   bailor
          [bail.or] or bail.er n (1602): a person who delivers goods
          or money to another in trust

   bail out
          [bail out] vi (1930) 1: to parachute from an aircraft 2:
          to abandon a harmful or difficult situation; also: leave,
          depart

   bailout
          [bail.out] n (1951): a rescue (as of a corporation) from
          financial distress

   bailsman
          [bails.man] n (1862): one who gives bail for another

   bairn
          [bairn] n [ME bern, barn, fr. OE bearn & ON barn; akin to
          OHG barn child] (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: child

   [1]bait
          [bait] vb [ME, fr. ON beita; akin to OE baetan to bait, bitan
          to bite] vt (13c) 1 a: to persecute or exasperate with
          unjust, malicious, or persistent attacks b: tease 2 a:
          to harass (as a chained animal) with dogs usu. for sport
          b: to attack by biting and tearing 3 a: to furnish with
          bait b: entice, lure 4: to give food and drink to (an
          animal) esp. on the road ~ vi, archaic: to stop for food
          and rest when traveling -- bait.er n syn bait, badger,
          heckle, hector, chivy, hound mean to harass by efforts
          to break down. bait implies wanton cruelty or delight
          in persecuting a helpless victim <baited the chained
          dog>. badger implies pestering so as to drive a person
          to confusion or frenzy <badgered her father for a raise
          in her allowance>. heckle implies persistent annoying
          or belligerent interruptions of a speaker <drunks heckled
          the stand-up comic>. hector carries an implication of
          bullying and domineering <football players hectored by
          their coach>. chivy suggests persecution by teasing or
          nagging <chivied the new student mercilessly>. hound
          implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing <hounded by
          creditors>. [2]bait n [ME, fr. ON beit pasturage & beita
          food; akin to OE bitan to bite] (14c) 1 a: something
          used in luring esp. to a hook or trap b: a poisonous
          material placed where it will be eaten by usu. wild animals
          considered undesirable or deleterious 2: lure, temptation

   bait and switch
          [bait and switch] n (1967): a sales tactic in which a customer
          is attracted by the advertisement of a low-priced item
          but is then encouraged to buy a higher-priced one

   baiza
          [bai.za] n, pl baiza or baizas [Ar, fr. Hindi paisa] (1970):
          a monetary unit of Oman equal to 1/1000 rial

   baize
          [baize] n [MF baies, pl. of baie baize, fr. fem. of bai
          bay-colored] (1578): a coarse woolen or cotton fabric napped
          to imitate felt

   [1]bake
          [bake] vb baked ; bak.ing [ME, fr. OE bacan; akin to OHG
          bahhan to bake, Gk phogein to roast] vt (bef. 12c) 1:
          to cook (as food) by dry heat esp. in an oven 2: to dry
          or harden by subjecting to heat ~ vi 1: to prepare food
          by baking it 2: to become baked 3: to become extremely
          hot -- bak.er n [2]bake n (1565) 1: the act or process
          of baking 2: a social gathering at which a baked food
          is served 3: baked food <a ~ sale>

   Bakelite
          [Ba.ke.lite] trademark--used for any of various synthetic
          resins and plastics

   baker's dozen
          [baker's dozen] n (1596): thirteen

   baker's yeast
          [baker's yeast] n (1854): a yeast (as Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
          used or suitable for use as leaven

   bakery
          [bak.ery] n, pl -er.ies (ca. 1820): a place for baking or
          selling baked goods

   bakeshop
          [bake.shop] n (1789): bakery

   baking powder
          [baking powder] n (1850): a powder used as a leavening agent
          in making baked goods (as quick breads) that consists
          of a carbonate, an acid substance, and starch or flour

   baking soda
          [baking soda] n (1881): sodium bicarbonate

   baklava
          [bak.la.va] n [Turk] (1653): a dessert made of thin pastry,
          nuts, and honey

   baksheesh
          [bak.sheesh] n [Per bakhshish, fr. bakhshidan to give; akin
          to Gk phagein to eat, Skt bhajati he allots] (1775):
          payment (as a tip or bribe) to expedite service

   BAL
          [BAL] n [British Anti-Lewisite] (1942): dimercaprol

   bal
          [bal] abbreviation balance

   Balaam
          [Ba.laam] n [Gk, fr. Heb Bil'am]: an Old Testament prophet
          who is reproached by the ass he is riding and rebuked
          by God's angel while on the way to meet with an enemy
          of Israel

   balaclava
          [bal.a.cla.va] n [Balaclava, Crimea, where a battle of the
          Crimean War was fought] (1881): a knit cap for the head
          and neck--called also balaclava helmet

   balalaika
          [bal.a.lai.ka] n [Russ] (1788): a usu. 3-stringed instrument
          of Russian origin with a triangular body played by plucking
          or strumming

   [1]balance
          [bal.ance] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL bilancia, fr.
          LL bilanc-, bilanx having two scalepans, fr. L bi- +
          lanc-, lanx plate] (13c) 1: an instrument for weighing:
          as a: a beam that is supported freely in the center and
          has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends
          b: a device that uses the elasticity of a spiral spring
          for measuring weight or force c cap: libra 2: a means
          of judging or deciding 3: a counterbalancing weight,
          force, or influence 4: an oscillating wheel operating
          with a hairspring to regulate the movement of a timepiece
          5 a: stability produced by even distribution of weight
          on each side of the vertical axis b: equipoise between
          contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements c: equality
          between the totals of the two sides of an account 6 a:
          an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements b:
          the juxtaposition in writing of syntactically parallel
          constructions containing similar or contrasting ideas
          7 a: physical equilibrium b: the ability to retain one's
          balance 8 a: weight or force of one side in excess of
          another b: something left over: remainder c: an amount
          in excess esp. on the credit side of an account 9: mental
          and emotional steadiness -- bal.anced adj -- in the balance
          or in balance : with the fate or outcome about to be
          determined -- on balance : with all things considered
          [2]balance vb bal.anced ; bal.anc.ing vt (1588) 1 a (1):
          to compute the difference between the debits and credits
          of (an account) (2): to pay the amount due on: settle
          b (1): to arrange so that one set of elements exactly
          equals another <~ a mathematical equation> (2): to complete
          (a chemical equation) so that the same number of atoms
          and electric charges of each kind appears on each side
          2 a: counterbalance, offset b: to equal or equalize in
          weight, number, or proportion 3: to weigh in or as if
          in a balance 4 a: to bring to a state or position of
          equipoise b: to poise in or as if in balance c: to bring
          into harmony or proportion ~ vi 1: to become balanced
          or established in balance 2: to be an equal counterpoise
          3: waver 1 <~s and temporizes on matters that demand
          action>

   balance beam
          [balance beam] n (ca. 1949) 1: a narrow wooden beam supported
          in a horizontal position approximately four feet above
          the floor and used for balancing feats in gymnastics
          2: an event in gymnastics competition in which the balance
          beam is used

   balance of payments
          [balance of payments] (1844): a summary of the international
          transactions of a country or region over a period of
          time including commodity and service transactions, capital
          transactions, and gold movements

   balance of power
          [balance of power] (1701): an equilibrium of power sufficient
          to discourage or prevent one nation or party from imposing
          its will on or interfering with the interests of another

   balance of trade
          [balance of trade] (1668): the difference in value over a
          period of time between a country's imports and exports

   balancer
          [bal.anc.er] n (15c): one that balances; specif: haltere

   balance sheet
          [balance sheet] n (ca. 1771): a statement of financial condition
          at a given date

   balance wheel
          [balance wheel] n (1669) 1: a wheel that regulates or stabilizes
          the motion of a mechanism 2: a balancing or stabilizing
          force

   balancing act
          [balancing act] n (1954): an attempt to cope with several
          often conflicting factors or situations at the same time

   Balante
          [Ba.lante] n, pl Balante or Balantes [F, fr. Balante Bulanda]
          (ca. 1895) 1: a member of a people of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau
          2: the language of the Balante people

   balas
          [bal.as] n [ME, fr. MF balais, fr. Ar balakhsh, fr. Balakhshan,
          ancient region of Afghanistan] (15c): a ruby spinel of
          a pale rose-red or orange

   balata
          [ba.la.ta] n [Sp, fr. Carib] (1860): a substance like gutta-percha
          that is the dried juice of tropical American trees (esp. Manilkara
          bidentata) of the sapodilla family and is used esp. in belting and
          golf balls; also: a tree yielding it

   balboa
          [bal.boa] n [Sp, fr. Vasco Nunez de Balboa] (ca. 1909): the
          basic monetary unit of Panama

   balbriggan
          [bal.brig.gan] n [Balbriggan, town in Ireland] (1885): a
          knitted cotton fabric used esp. for underwear or hosiery

   balcony
          [bal.co.ny] n, pl -nies [It balcone, fr. OIt, large window,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG balko beam--more at balk]
          (1618) 1: a platform that projects from the wall of a
          building and is enclosed by a parapet or railing 2: an
          interior projecting gallery in a public building (as
          a theater) -- bal.co.nied adj

   [1]bald
          [bald] adj [ME balled; prob. akin to Dan baeldet bald, L
          fulica coot, Gk phalios having a white spot] (14c) 1
          a: lacking a natural or usual covering (as of hair, vegetation,
          or nap) b: having little or no tread <~ tires> 2: unadorned
          3: undisguised, palpable 4: marked with white syn see
          bare -- bald.ish adj -- bald.ly adv -- bald.ness n [2]bald
          vt (1602): to make bald ~ vi: to become bald

   baldachin
          [bal.da.chin] or bal.da.chi.no n, pl baldachins or baldachinos
          [It baldacchino, fr. Baldacco Baghdad, Iraq] (1537) 1:
          a cloth canopy fixed or carried over an important person
          or a sacred object 2: a rich embroidered fabric of silk
          and gold 3: an ornamental structure resembling a canopy
          used esp. over an altar

   bald cypress
          [bald cypress] n (1709) 1: either of two large swamp trees
          (Taxodium distichum and T. ascendens of the family Taxodiaceae,
          the bald cypress family) of the southern U.S. that are
          related to the sequoias 2: the hard red wood of bald
          cypress that is much used for shingles

   bald eagle
          [bald eagle] n (1688): an eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
          of No. America that is brown when young with white only
          on the undersides of the wings but in full adult plumage
          has white head and neck feathers and a white tail

   Balder
          [Bal.der] n [ON Baldr]: the son of Odin and Frigga and Norse
          god of light and peace slain through the trickery of
          Loki by a mistletoe sprig

   balderdash
          [bal.der.dash] n [origin unknown] (1674): nonsense

   bald-faced
          [bald-faced] adj (1943): barefaced

   baldhead
          [bald.head] n (1535): a bald-headed person

   balding
          [balding] adj (1938): getting bald <bespectacled and ~>

   baldpate
          [bald.pate] n (1592) 1: baldhead 2: a No. American wigeon
          (Anas americana) with a large white patch on each wing
          and in the male a white crown

   baldric
          [bal.dric] n [ME baudry, baudrik, fr. MF baudre, fr. OF baldrei]
          (14c): an often ornamented belt worn over one shoulder
          to support a sword or bugle

   [1]bale
          [bale] n [ME, fr. OE bealu; akin to OHG balo evil, OCS boli
          sick person] (bef. 12c) 1: great evil 2: woe, sorrow
          [2]bale n [ME, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG balla
          ball] (14c): a large bundle of goods; specif: a large
          closely pressed package of merchandise bound and usu.
          wrapped <a ~ of paper> <a ~ of hay> [3]bale vt baled
          ; bal.ing (1760): to make up into a bale -- bal.er n

   baleen
          [ba.leen] n [ME baleine whale, baleen, fr. L balaena whale;
          akin to Gk phallaina whale] (14c): a horny substance
          found in two rows of plates from 2 to 12 feet long attached
          along the upper jaws of baleen whales

   baleen whale
          [baleen whale] n (1874): any of a suborder (Mysticeti) of
          usu. large whales lacking teeth but having baleen which
          is used to filter chiefly small marine crustaceans (as
          krill) out of large quantities of seawater

   balefire
          [bale.fire] n [ME, fr. OE baelfyr funeral fire, fr. bael
          pyre + fyr fire] (bef. 12c): an outdoor fire often used
          as a signal fire

   baleful
          [bale.ful] adj (bef. 12c) 1: deadly or pernicious in influence
          2: foreboding evil: ominous syn see sinister -- bale.ful.ly
          adv -- bale.ful.ness n

   Balinese
          [Ba.li.nese] n [D Balinees, fr. Bali island of Indonesia]
          (1967): any of a breed of slender long-haired cats that
          originated as a spontaneous mutation of the Siamese

   [1]balk
          [balk] n [ME balke, fr. OE balca; akin to OHG balko beam,
          L fulcire to prop, Gk phalanx log, phalanx] (bef. 12c)
          1: a ridge of land left unplowed as a dividing line or
          through carelessness 2: beam, rafter 3: hindrance, check
          4 a: the space behind the balkline on a billiard table
          b: any of the outside divisions made by the balklines
          5: failure of a player to complete a motion; esp: an
          illegal motion of the pitcher in baseball while in position
          [2]balk vt (15c) 1 archaic: to pass over or by 2: to
          check or stop by or as if by an obstacle: block ~ vi
          1: to stop short and refuse to proceed 2: to refuse abruptly--used
          with at 3: to commit a balk in sports syn see frustrate -- balk.er
          n

   balkanize
          [bal.kan.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing often cap [Balkan Peninsula]
          (1919): to break up (as a region or group) into smaller
          and often hostile units -- bal.kan.i.za.tion n, often
          cap

   balkline
          [balk.line] n (1839) 1: a line across a billiard table near
          one end behind which the cue balls are placed in making
          opening shots 2 a: one of four lines parallel to the
          cushions of a billiard table dividing it into nine compartments
          b: a billiards game that sets restrictions in scoring
          caroms according to these lines

   balky
          [balky] adj balk.i.er ; -est (1847): refusing or likely to
          refuse to proceed, act, or function as directed or expected
          <a ~ mule> syn see contrary -- balk.i.ness n

   [1]ball
          [ball] n, often attrib [ME bal, fr. ON bollr; akin to OE
          bealluc testis, OHG balla ball, OE blawan to blow] (13c)
          1: a round or roundish body or mass: as a: a spherical
          or ovoid body used in a game or sport b: earth, globe
          c: a spherical or conical projectile; also: projectiles
          used in firearms d: a roundish protuberant anatomic structure;
          esp: the rounded eminence at the base of the thumb or
          big toe 2 a: testis--often considered vulgar b pl (1):
          nonsense--often used interjectionally--often considered
          vulgar (2): nerve 3--often considered vulgar 3: a game
          in which a ball is thrown, kicked, or struck; also: quality
          of play in such a game 4 a: a pitch not swung at by the
          batter that fails to pass through the strike zone b:
          a hit or thrown ball in various games <foul ~> -- on
          the ball 1: competent, knowledgeable, alert <the other
          introductory essay ... is much more on the ball --Times
          Lit. Supp.> <keep on the ball> 2: of ability or competence
          <if the teacher has something on the ball, the pupils
          won't squirm much --New Yorker> [2]ball vt (1658) 1:
          to form or gather into a ball <~ed the paper into a wad>
          2: to have sexual intercourse with--usu. considered vulgar
          ~ vi 1: to form or gather into a ball 2: to engage in
          sexual intercourse--usu. considered vulgar [3]ball n
          [F bal, fr. OF, fr. baller to dance, fr. LL ballare,
          fr. Gk ballizein] (ca. 1639) 1: a large formal gathering
          for social dancing 2: a very pleasant experience: a good
          time

   ballad
          [bal.lad] n [ME balade ballade, song, fr. MF, fr. OProv balada
          dance, song sung while dancing, fr. balar to dance, fr.
          LL ballare] (14c) 1 a: a narrative composition in rhythmic
          verse suitable for singing b: an art song accompanying
          a traditional ballad 2: a simple song: air 3: a popular
          song; esp: a slow romantic or sentimental song -- bal.lad.ic
          adj

   ballade
          [bal.lade] n [ME balade, fr. MF, ballad, ballade] (14c) 1:
          a fixed verse form consisting usu. of three stanzas with
          recurrent rhymes, an envoi, and an identical refrain
          for each part 2: a musical composition usu. for piano
          suggesting the epic ballad

   balladeer
          [bal.lad.eer] n (1830): a singer of ballads

   balladist
          [bal.lad.ist] n (1858): one who writes or sings ballads

   balladry
          [bal.lad.ry] n (1596) 1: the composing or performing of ballads
          2: ballads

   ballad stanza
          [ballad stanza] n (ca. 1934): a stanza consisting of four
          lines with the first and third lines unrhymed iambic
          tetrameters and the second and fourth lines rhymed iambic
          trimeters

   ball-and-socket joint
          [ball-and-socket joint] n (1809) 1: a joint in which a ball
          moves within a socket so as to allow rotary motion in
          every direction within certain limits 2: an articulation
          (as the hip joint) in which the rounded head of one bone
          fits into a cuplike cavity of the other and admits movement
          in any direction

   [1]ballast
          [bal.last] n [prob. fr. LG, of Scand origin; akin to Dan
          & Sw barlast ballast; perh. akin to OE baer bare & to
          OE hlaest load, hladan to load--more at lade] (1530)
          1: a heavy substance used to improve the stability and
          control the draft of a ship or the ascent of a balloon
          2: something that gives stability (as in character or
          conduct) 3: gravel or broken stone laid in a railroad
          bed or used in making concrete 4: a device used to provide
          the starting voltage or to stabilize the current in a
          circuit (as of a fluorescent lamp) -- in ballast of a
          ship: having only ballast for a load [2]ballast vt (1538)
          1: to steady or equip with or as if with ballast 2: to
          fill in (as a railroad bed) with ballast

   ball bearing
          [ball bearing] n (1883): a bearing in which the journal turns
          upon loose hardened steel balls that roll easily in a
          race; also: one of the balls in such a bearing

   ball boy
          [ball boy] n (1903): a male tennis court attendant who retrieves
          balls for the players

   ballcarrier
          [ball.car.ri.er] n (1935): the football player carrying the
          ball on an offensive play

   ball cock
          [ball cock] n (1790): an automatic valve whose opening and
          closing are controlled by a spherical float at the end
          of a lever

   ball control
          [ball control] n (1928): an offensive strategy (as in football)
          in which a team tries to maintain possession of the ball
          for extended periods of time

   ballerina
          [bal.le.ri.na] n [It, fr. ballare to dance, fr. LL] (1815):
          a woman who is a ballet dancer: danseuse

   ballet
          [bal.let] n [F, fr. It balletto, dim. of ballo dance, fr.
          ballare] (1667) 1 a: dancing in which conventional poses
          and steps are combined with light flowing figures (as
          leaps and turns) b: a theatrical art form using ballet
          dancing, music, and scenery to convey a story, theme,
          or atmosphere 2: music for a ballet 3: a group that performs
          ballets -- bal.let.ic adj

   balletomane
          [bal.let.o.mane] n [ballet + -o- + -mane (fr. mania)] (1930):
          a devotee of ballet -- bal.let.o.ma.nia n

   ball-flower
          [ball-flow.er] n (1845): an architectural ornament consisting
          of a ball in the flower-shaped hollow of a circular mold

   ball game
          [ball game] n (1848) 1: a game played with a ball 2 a: a
          set of circumstances: situation <a whole new ball game>
          b: contest, competition

   ball girl
          [ball girl] n (1926): a female tennis court attendant who
          retrieves balls for the players

   ball handler
          [ball handler] n (1948): a player who controls the ball in
          any of various games; esp: a player who is skilled at
          handling the ball (as in basketball) -- ball.han.dling
          n

   ballista
          [bal.lis.ta] n, pl -tae [L, fr. (assumed) Gk ballistes, fr.
          ballein to throw--more at devil] (14c): an ancient military
          engine often in the form of a crossbow for hurling large
          missiles

   ballistic
          [bal.lis.tic] adj [L ballista] (ca. 1775): of or relating
          to ballistics or to a body in motion according to the
          laws of ballistics -- bal.lis.ti.cal.ly adv

   ballistic missile
          [ballistic missile] n (1954): a missile guided in the ascent
          of a high-arch trajectory and freely falling in the descent

   ballistics
          [bal.lis.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1753) 1
          a: the science of the motion of projectiles in flight
          b: the flight characteristics of a projectile 2 a: the
          study of the processes within a firearm as it is fired
          b: the firing characteristics of a firearm or cartridge

   ball joint
          [ball joint] n (ca. 1884): ball-and-socket joint 1

   ball lightning
          [ball lightning] n (1857): a rare form of lightning consisting
          of luminous balls that may move along solid objects or
          float in the air

   ball mill
          [ball mill] n (1903): a pulverizing machine consisting of
          a rotating drum which contains pebbles or metal balls
          as the grinding implements

   ball of fire
          [ball of fire] (ca. 1900): a person of unusual energy, vitality,
          or drive

   ball of wax
          [ball of wax] (ca. 1953): affair, concern <the whole ball
          of wax>

   ballon
          [bal.lon] n [F, lit., balloon] (1830): lightness of movement
          that exaggerates the duration of a ballet dancer's jump

   ballonet
          [bal.lo.net] n [F ballonnet, dim. of ballon] (1902): a compartment
          of variable volume within the interior of a balloon or airship used
          to control ascent and descent

   [1]balloon
          [bal.loon] n [F ballon large football, balloon, fr. It dial.
          ballone large football, aug. of balla ball, of Gmc origin]
          (1783) 1: a nonporous bag of tough light material filled
          with heated air or a gas lighter than air so as to rise
          and float in the atmosphere 2: an inflatable bag (as
          of rubber) usu. used as a toy or for decoration 3: the
          outline enclosing words spoken or thought by a figure
          esp. in a cartoon [2]balloon adj (ca. 1786) 1: relating
          to, resembling, or suggesting a balloon <a ~ sleeve>
          2: being or having a final installment that is much larger
          than preceding ones in a term or installment note [3]balloon
          vi (1841) 1: to swell or puff out: expand <~ed to 200
          pounds> 2: to ascend or travel in a balloon 3: to increase
          rapidly ~ vt: inflate, increase

   balloon angioplasty
          [balloon angioplasty] n (1980): dilatation of an
          atherosclerotically obstructed artery by the passage of a balloon
          catheter through the vessel to the area of disease where inflation
          of the catheter compresses the plaque against the vessel wall

   balloon catheter
          [balloon catheter] n (1961): a catheter with an inflatable
          tip that is used esp. to measure blood pressure in a
          blood vessel or to expand a partly closed or obstructed
          bodily passage or tube (as a coronary artery)

   ballooning
          [bal.loon.ing] n (1784): the act or sport of riding in a
          balloon

   balloonist
          [bal.loon.ist] n (1784): a person who rides in a balloon

   balloon tire
          [balloon tire] n (1923): a low-pressure pneumatic tire with
          a flexible carcass and large cross section designed to
          provide cushioning

   balloon vine
          [balloon vine] n (1836): a tropical American vine (Cardiospermum
          halicacabum) of the soapberry family bearing large ornamental
          pods

   [1]ballot
          [bal.lot] n [It ballotta, fr. It dial., dim. of balla ball]
          (1549) 1 a: a small ball used in secret voting b: a sheet
          of paper used to cast a secret vote 2 a: the action or
          system of secret voting b: the right to vote c: vote
          1a 3: the number of votes cast 4: the drawing of lots
          [2]ballot vi (1580): to vote or decide by ballot -- bal.lot.er
          n

   ballot box
          [ballot box] n (ca. 1680) 1: a box for receiving ballots
          2: ballot 2a

   [1]ballpark
          [ball.park] n (1899) 1: a park in which ball games (as baseball)
          are played 2: a range (as of prices or views) within
          which comparison or compromise is possible -- in the
          ballpark : approximately correct [2]ballpark adj [fr.
          the expression in the ballpark] (1967): approximately
          correct <a ~ figure>

   ballplayer
          [ball.play.er] n (1619): a person who plays ball; esp: a
          baseball player

   ballpoint
          [ball.point] n (1953): a pen having as the writing point
          a small rotating metal ball that inks itself by contact
          with an inner magazine

   ballroom
          [ball.room] n (1736): a large room used for dances

   balls-up
          [balls-up] n (1939) Brit: foul-up

   ballsy
          [ball.sy] adj ball.si.er ; -est [[1]ball] (1959): aggressively
          tough: gutsy--sometimes considered vulgar

   ball up
          [ball up] vt (1885): to make a mess of: confuse, muddle ~
          vi: to become badly muddled or confused

   ball valve
          [ball valve] n (1839): a valve in which a ball regulates
          the aperture by its rise and fall due to fluid pressure,
          a spring, or its own weight

   bally
          [bally] adj or adv [euphemism for bloody, adj., adv.] (1885)
          Brit--used as an intensive

   ballyhoo
          [bal.ly.hoo] n, pl -hoos [origin unknown] (1901) 1: a noisy
          attention-getting demonstration or talk 2: flamboyant,
          exaggerated, or sensational advertising or propaganda
          -- ballyhoo vt

   ballyrag
          [bal.ly.rag] var of bullyrag

   balm
          [balm] n [ME basme, baume, fr. OF, fr. L balsamum balsam]
          (13c) 1: a balsamic resin; esp: one from small tropical
          evergreen trees (genus Commiphora of the family Burseraceae)
          2: an aromatic preparation (as a healing ointment) 3:
          any of several aromatic plants of the mint family; esp:
          lemon balm 4: a spicy aromatic odor 5: a soothing restorative
          agency

   balmacaan
          [bal.ma.caan] n [Balmacaan, estate near Inverness, Scotland]
          (1919): a loose single-breasted overcoat usu. having
          raglan sleeves and a short turnover collar

   balm of Gilead
          [balm of Gil.e.ad] [Gilead, region of ancient Palestine known
          for its balm] (1703) 1: a small evergreen African and
          Asian tree (Commiphora meccanensis of the family Burseraceae)
          with aromatic leaves; also: a fragrant oleoresin from
          this tree 2: an agency that soothes, relieves, or heals
          3: either of two poplars: a: a hybrid northern tree (Populus
          gileadensis) with broadly cordate leaves that are pubescent
          esp. on the underside b: balsam poplar

   balmoral
          [bal.mor.al] n [Balmoral Castle, Scotland] (1859) 1: a laced
          boot or shoe 2 often cap: a round flat cap with a top
          projecting all around

   balmy
          [balmy] adj balm.i.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: having the qualities
          of balm: soothing b: mild 2: crazy, foolish -- balm.i.ly
          adv -- balm.i.ness n

   balneology
          [bal.ne.ol.o.gy] n [ISV, fr. L balneum bath--more at bagnio]
          (ca. 1879): the science of the therapeutic use of baths

   [1]baloney
          [ba.lo.ney] var of bologna [2]baloney n [bologna] (1928):
          pretentious nonsense: bunkum--often used as a generalized
          expression of disagreement

   balsa
          [bal.sa] n [Sp] (ca. 1600) 1: a small raft or boat; specif:
          one made of tightly bundled reeds and used on Lake Titicaca
          2: a tropical American tree (Ochroma pyramidale syn.
          O. lagopus) of the silk-cotton family with extremely
          light strong wood used esp. for floats; also: its wood

   balsam
          [bal.sam] n [L balsamum, fr. Gk balsamon, prob. of Sem origin;
          akin to Heb basham balsam] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an aromatic
          and usu. oily and resinous substance flowing from various
          plants; esp: any of several resinous substances containing
          benzoic or cinnamic acid and used esp. in medicine b:
          a preparation containing resinous substances and having
          a balsamic odor 2 a: a balsam-yielding tree; esp: balsam
          fir b: impatiens; esp: a common garden ornamental (Impatiens
          balsamina) 3: balm 5 -- bal.sam.ic adj

   balsam fir
          [balsam fir] n (1805): a resinous American fir (Abies balsamea)
          that is widely used for pulpwood and as a Christmas tree
          and is the source of Canada balsam

   balsamic vinegar
          [balsamic vinegar] n [trans. of It aceto balsamico, lit.,
          curative vinegar] (1982): an aged Italian vinegar made
          from the must of white grapes

   balsam poplar
          [balsam poplar] n (1819): a No. American poplar (Populus
          balsamifera) that is often cultivated as a shade tree
          and has buds thickly coated with an aromatic resin--called
          also balm of Gilead, tacamahac

   Balti
          [Bal.ti] n (1901): a Tibeto-Burman language of northern Kashmir

   Baltic
          [Bal.tic] adj [ML (mare) balticum Baltic Sea] (ca. 1590)
          1: of or relating to the Baltic Sea or to the states
          of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia 2: of or relating to
          a branch of the Indo-European language family containing
          Latvian, Lithuanian, and Old Prussian

   Baltimore oriole
          [Bal.ti.more oriole] n [George Calvert, Lord Baltimore] (1808):
          a northern oriole (Icterus galbula galbula) of the eastern
          and central U.S. and southern Canada in which the male
          has a solid black head and the female usu. has an olive
          brown back and orange yellow underside

   Balto-Slavic
          [Bal.to-Slav.ic] n (1896): a subgroup of Indo-European languages
          consisting of the Baltic and the Slavic branches

   Baluchi
          [Ba.lu.chi] n, pl Baluchis also Baluchi [Per Baluchi of the
          Baluchis, fr. Baluch, Baloch Baluchi] (1616) 1: a member
          of an Indo-Iranian people of Baluchistan 2: the Iranian
          language of the Baluchi people

   baluster
          [bal.us.ter] n [F balustre, fr. It balaustro, fr. balaustra
          wild pomegranate flower, fr. L balaustium, fr. Gk balaustion;
          fr. its shape] (1602) 1: an object or vertical member
          (as the leg of a table, a round in a chair back, or the
          stem of a glass) having a vaselike or turned outline
          2: an upright often vase-shaped support for a rail

   balustrade
          [bal.us.trade] n [F, fr. It balaustrata, fr. balaustro] (1644)
          1: a row of balusters topped by a rail 2: a low parapet
          or barrier -- bal.us.trad.ed adj

   BAM
          [BAM] abbreviation bachelor of applied mathematics, bachelor
          of arts in music

   bam
          [bam] n [imit.] (1930): a dull resounding noise (as of a
          hard blow or impact)--often used interjectionally

   Bambara
          [Bam.ba.ra] n, pl Bambara or Bambaras (1883) 1: a member
          of an African people of the upper Niger 2: a Mande language
          of the Bambara people

   bambino
          [bam.bi.no] n, pl -nos or -ni [It, dim. of bambo child] (1722)
          1 pl usu bambini: a representation of the infant Christ
          2: child, baby

   bamboo
          [bam.boo] n, pl bamboos often attrib [Malay bambu] (1586):
          any of various chiefly tropical woody or arborescent
          grasses (as of the genera Bambusa, Arundi naria, and
          Dendrocalamus) including some with hollow stems used
          for building, furniture, or utensils and young shoots
          used for food

   bamboo curtain
          [bamboo curtain] n, often cap B&C (1949): a political, military,
          and ideological barrier isolating an area of the Orient

   bamboozle
          [bam.boo.zle] vt -boo.zled ; -boo.zling [origin unknown]
          (1703): to deceive by underhanded methods: dupe, hoodwink
          -- bam.boo.zle.ment n

   [1]ban
          [ban] vb banned ; ban.ning [ME bannen to summon, curse, fr.
          OE bannan to summon; akin to OHG bannan to command, L
          fari to speak, Gk phanai to say, phone sound, voice]
          vt (12c) 1 archaic: curse 2: to prohibit esp. by legal
          means <~ discrimination>; also: to prohibit the use,
          performance, or distribution of <~ a book> <~ a pesticide>
          ~ vi: to utter curses or maledictions [2]ban n [ME, partly
          fr. bannen & partly fr. OF ban, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OHG bannan to command] (14c) 1: the summoning in feudal
          times of the king's vassals for military service 2: anathema,
          excommunication 3: malediction, curse 4: legal or formal
          prohibition 5: censure or condemnation esp. through social
          pressure [3]ban n, pl ba.ni [Rom] (1880): a monetary
          unit of Romania equal to 1/100 leu

   Banach space
          [Ba.nach space] n [Stefan Banach d. 1945 Pol. mathematician]
          (1949): a normed vector space for which the field of
          multipliers comprises the real or complex numbers and
          in which every Cauchy sequence converges to a point in
          the space

   banal
          [ba.nal] adj [F, fr. MF, of compulsory feudal service, possessed
          in common, commonplace, fr. ban] (1840): lacking originality,
          freshness, or novelty: trite syn see insipid -- ba.nal.i.ty
          n -- ba.nal.ize vt -- ba.nal.ly adv

   banana
          [ba.nana] n, often attrib [Sp or Pg; Sp, fr. Pg, of African
          origin; akin to Wolof banana banana] (1597) 1: an elongated
          usu. tapering tropical fruit with soft pulpy flesh enclosed
          in a soft usu. yellow rind 2: any of several widely cultivated
          perennial herbs (genus Musa of the family Musaceae, the
          banana family) bearing bananas in compact pendent bunches

   banana oil
          [banana oil] n (1926): a colorless liquid acetate of amyl
          alcohol that has a pleasant fruity odor and is used as
          a solvent and in the manufacture of artificial fruit
          essences

   banana republic
          [banana republic] n (1935): a small dependent country usu.
          of the tropics; esp: one run despotically

   bananas
          [ba.nan.as] adj (1968): crazy <go ~> <drives me ~>

   banana seat
          [banana seat] n (1965): an elongated bicycle saddle

   bananas Foster
          [bananas Fos.ter] n [Richard Foster, friend of New Orleans
          restaurateur Owen E. Brennan, at whose restaurant the
          dish was first made] (1976): a dessert of bananas flamed
          (as with rum) and served with ice cream

   banana split
          [banana split] n (1920): ice cream served on a banana sliced
          in half lengthwise and usu. garnished with flavored syrups,
          fruits, nuts, and whipped cream

   banausic
          [ba.nau.sic] adj [Gk banausikos of an artisan, nonintellectual,
          vulgar, fr. banausos artisan] (1845): relating to or
          concerned with earning a living--used pejoratively <contempt
          for the ~ occupations --T. S. Eliot>; also: utilitarian,
          practical <such mundane and ~ considerations as comfort
          and durability --G. B. Boyer>

   [1]band
          [band] n [in senses 1 & 2, fr. ME band, bond something that
          constricts, fr. ON band; akin to OE bindan to bind; in
          other senses, fr. ME bande strip, fr. MF, fr. (assumed)
          VL binda, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG binta fillet; akin
          to OE bindan to bind, bend fetter] (12c) 1: something
          that confines or constricts while allowing a degree of
          movement 2: something that binds or restrains legally,
          morally, or spiritually 3: a strip serving to join or
          hold things together: as a: belt 2 b: a cord or strip
          across the back of a book to which the sections are sewn
          4: a thin flat encircling strip esp. for binding: as
          a: a close-fitting strip that confines material at the
          waist, neck, or cuff of clothing b: a strip of cloth
          used to protect a newborn baby's navel--called also bellyband
          c: a ring of elastic 5 a: a strip (as of living tissue
          or rock) or a stripe (as on an animal) differentiable
          (as by color, texture, or structure) from the adjacent
          material or area b: a more or less well-defined range
          of wavelengths, frequencies, or energies c: range 7a
          6: a narrow strip serving chiefly as decoration: as a:
          a narrow strip of material applied as trimming to an
          article of dress b pl: a pair of strips hanging at the
          front of the neck as part of a clerical, legal, or academic
          dress c: a ring without raised portions 7: track 1e(2)
          [2]band vt (15c) 1: to affix a band to or tie up with
          a band 2: to finish or decorate with a band 3: to gather
          together: unite <~ed themselves together for protection>
          ~ vi: to unite for a common purpose--often used with
          together <have ~ed together in hopes of attacking the
          blight that is common to them all --J. B. Conant> --
          band.er n [3]band n [MF bande troop, fr. OProv banda,
          of Gmc origin; akin to Goth bandwo sign, standard--more
          at banner] (15c): a group of persons, animals, or things;
          esp: a group of musicians organized for ensemble playing
          and using chiefly woodwinds, brass, and percussion
          instruments--compare orchestra

   [1]bandage
          [ban.dage] n [MF, fr. bande] (1599) 1: a strip of fabric
          used esp. to dress and bind up wounds 2: a flexible strip
          or band used to cover, strengthen, or compress something
          [2]bandage vt ban.daged ; ban.dag.ing (1774): to bind,
          dress, or cover with a bandage

   Band-Aid
          [Band-Aid] trademark--used for a small adhesive strip with
          a gauze pad for covering minor wounds

   bandanna
          [ban.dan.na] or ban.dana n [Hindi badhnu tie-dyeing, cloth
          so dyed, fr. badhna to tie, fr. Skt badhnati he ties;
          akin to OE bindan] (1741): a large often colorfully patterned
          handkerchief

   [1]bandbox
          [band.box] n (1631) 1: a usu. cylindrical box of paperboard
          or thin wood for holding light articles of attire 2:
          a structure (as a baseball park) having relatively small
          interior dimensions [2]bandbox adj (1844): exquisitely
          neat, clean, or ordered as if just taken from a bandbox
          <a ~ perfection of appearance> -- bandbox adv

   bandeau
          [ban.deau] n, pl ban.deaux [F, dim. of bande] (1706) 1: a
          fillet or band esp. for the hair 2: brassiere; also:
          a band-shaped covering for the breasts

   banded
          [band.ed] adj (1787): having or marked with bands

   banderilla
          [ban.de.ri.lla] n [Sp, dim. of bandera banner] (1797): a
          decorated barbed dart that the banderillero thrusts into
          the neck or shoulders of the bull in a bullfight

   banderillero
          [ban.de.ri.lle.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp, fr. banderilla] (1797):
          one who thrusts in the banderillas in a bullfight

   banderole
          [ban.de.role] or ban.de.rol n [F banderole, fr. It banderuola,
          dim. of bandiera banner, of Gmc origin; akin to Goth
          bandwo sign] (1562) 1: a long narrow forked flag or streamer
          2: a long scroll bearing an inscription or a device

   bandicoot
          [ban.di.coot] n [Telugu pandikokku] (1813) 1: any of several
          very large rats (genera Bandicota and Nesokia) of southern
          Asia destructive to crops 2: any of a family (Peramelidae)
          of small insectivorous and herbivorous marsupial mammals
          of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea

   bandit
          [ban.dit] n [It bandito, fr. pp. of bandire to banish, of
          Gmc origin; akin to OHG bannan to command--more at ban]
          (1591) 1 pl also ban.dit.ti : an outlaw who lives by
          plunder; esp: a member of a band of marauders 2: robber
          3: an enemy plane -- ban.dit.ry n

   bandleader
          [band.lead.er] n (1894): the conductor of a band (as a dance
          band)

   bandmaster
          [band.mas.ter] n (1858): bandleader; esp: a conductor of
          a military or concert band

   bandog
          [ban.dog] n [ME bandogge, fr. band + dogge dog] (14c): a
          dog kept tied to serve as a watchdog or because of its
          ferocity

   bandolier
          [ban.do.lier] or ban.do.leer n [MF bandouliere, ultim. fr.
          OSp bando band, of Gmc origin; akin to Goth bandwo] (ca.
          1577): a belt worn over the shoulder and across the breast
          often for the suspending or supporting of some article
          (as cartridges) or as a part of an official or ceremonial
          dress

   bandore
          [ban.dore] or ban.do.ra n [Sp bandurria or Pg bandurra, fr.
          LL pandura 3-stringed lute, fr. Gk pandoura] (1566):
          a bass stringed instrument resembling a guitar

   band-pass filter
          [band-pass filter] n (1926): a filter that transmits only
          frequencies within a selected band

   band saw
          [band saw] n (ca. 1864): a saw in the form of an endless
          steel belt running over pulleys; also: a power sawing
          machine using this device

   band shell
          [band shell] n (1926): a bandstand having at the rear a sounding
          board shaped like a huge concave seashell

   bandsman
          [bands.man] n (ca. 1842): a member of a musical band

   bandstand
          [band.stand] n (1859) 1: a usu. roofed platform on which
          a band or orchestra performs outdoors 2: a platform in
          a ballroom or nightclub on which musicians perform

   bandwagon
          [band.wag.on] n (1855) 1: a usu. ornate and high wagon for
          a band of musicians esp. in a circus parade 2: a popular
          party, faction, or cause that attracts growing support--often
          used in such phrases as climb on the bandwagon 3: a current
          or fashionable trend

   bandwidth
          [band.width] n (ca. 1937) 1: a range within a band of wavelengths,
          frequencies, or energies; esp: a range of radio frequencies which
          is occupied by a modulated carrier wave, which is assigned
          to a service, or over which a device can operate 2: the data
          transfer rate of an electronic communications system

   [1]bandy
          [ban.dy] vb ban.died ; ban.dy.ing [prob. fr. MF bander to
          be tight, to bandy, fr. bande strip--more at band] vt
          (1577) 1: to bat (as a tennis ball) to and fro 2 a: to
          toss from side to side or pass about from one to another
          often in a careless or inappropriate manner b: exchange;
          esp: to exchange (words) argumentatively c: to discuss
          lightly or banteringly d: to use in a glib or offhand
          manner--often used with about <~ these statistics about
          with considerable bravado --Richard Pollak> 3 archaic:
          to band together ~ vi 1 obs: contend 2 archaic: unite
          [2]bandy n [perh. fr. MF bande, pp. of bander] (1693):
          a game similar to hockey and believed to be its prototype
          [3]bandy adj [prob. fr. bandy (hockey stick)] (1687)
          1 of legs: bowed 2: bowlegged -- ban.dy-legged adj

   [1]bane
          [bane] n [ME, fr. OE bana; akin to OHG bano death] (bef.
          12c) 1 a obs: killer, slayer b: poison c: death, destruction
          <stop the way of those that seek my ~ --Philip Sidney>
          d: woe 2: a source of harm or ruin: curse <national frontiers
          have been more of a ~ than a boon for mankind --D. C.
          Thomson> [2]bane vt baned ; ban.ing (1578) obs: to kill
          esp. with poison [3]bane n [ME (northern dial.) ban,
          fr. OE ban] (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: bone

   baneberry
          [bane.ber.ry] n (1755): any of several perennial herbs (genus
          Actaea) of the buttercup family having acrid poisonous
          berries; also: one of the berries

   baneful
          [bane.ful] adj (1579) 1: productive of destruction or woe:
          seriously harmful <a ~ influence> 2 archaic: poisonous
          syn see pernicious -- bane.ful.ly adv

   [1]bang
          [bang] vb [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Icel banga to hammer]
          vt (ca. 1550) 1: to strike sharply: bump 2: to knock,
          beat, or thrust vigorously often with a sharp noise 3:
          to have sexual intercourse with--often considered vulgar
          ~ vi 1: to strike with a sharp noise or thump 2: to produce
          a sharp often metallic explosive or percussive noise
          or series of such noises [2]bang n (ca. 1550) 1: a resounding
          blow 2: a sudden loud noise--often used interjectionally
          3 a: a sudden striking effect b: a quick burst of energy
          <start off with a ~> c: thrill <I get a ~ out of all
          this --W. H. Whyte> -- bang for the buck also bang for
          one's buck : value received from outlay or effort <investment
          is yielding less bang for the buck --Fortune> [3]bang
          adv (1828): right, directly <ran ~ up against more trouble>
          [4]bang n [prob. short for bangtail (short tail)] (1878):
          a fringe of banged hair--usu. used in pl. [5]bang vt
          (1878): to cut (as front hair) short and squarely across

   bangalore torpedo
          [ban.ga.lore torpedo] n [Bangalore, India] (1913): a metal
          tube that contains explosives and a firing mechanism
          and is used to cut barbed wire and detonate buried mines

   bang away
          [bang away] vi (ca. 1889) 1: to work with determined effort
          <students banging away at their homework> 2: to attack
          persistently <police are going to keep banging away at
          you --Erle Stanley Gardner>

   banger
          [bang.er] n (ca. 1919) 1 Brit: sausage 2 Brit: firecracker
          3 Brit: jalopy

   bangkok
          [bang.kok] n [earlier bangkok, a fine straw, fr. Bangkok,
          Thailand] (1916): a hat woven of fine palm fiber in the
          Philippines

   bangle
          [ban.gle] n [Hindi bangli] (1787) 1: a stiff usu. ornamental
          bracelet or anklet slipped or clasped on 2: an ornamental
          disk that hangs loosely (as on a bracelet)

   bang on
          [bang on] adj (1936) chiefly Brit: exactly correct or appropriate

   Bang's disease
          [Bang's disease] n [Bernhard L. F. Bang d. 1932 Dan. veterinarian]
          (ca. 1929): brucellosis; specif: contagious abortion of cattle
          caused by a brucella (Brucella abortus)

   bangtail
          [bang.tail] n [bangtail (short tail)] (1921): racehorse

   bang up
          [bang up] vt [[1]bang] (1920): to cause extensive damage
          to

   bang-up
          [bang-up] adj [[3]bang] (1810): first-rate, excellent <a
          ~ job>

   bani
          [bani] pl of [3]ban

   banish
          [ban.ish] vt [ME, fr. MF baniss-, stem of banir, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG bannan to command--more at ban] (14c) 1:
          to require by authority to leave a country 2: to drive
          out or remove from a home or place of usual resort or
          continuance 3: to clear away: dispel <his discovery ~es
          anxiety --Stringfellow Barr> -- ban.ish.er n -- ban.ish.ment
          n syn banish, exile, deport, transport mean to remove
          by authority from a state or country. banish implies
          compulsory removal from a country not necessarily one's
          own <banished for seditious activities>. exile may imply
          compulsory removal or an enforced or voluntary absence
          from one's own country <a writer who exiled himself for
          political reasons>. deport implies sending out of the
          country an alien who has illegally entered or whose presence
          is judged inimical to the public welfare <illegal aliens
          will be deported>. transport implies sending a convicted
          criminal to an overseas penal colony <a convict who was
          transported to Australia>.

   banister
          [ban.is.ter] n [alter. of baluster] (1667) 1: baluster 2
          2 a: a handrail with its supporting posts b: handrail
          -- ban.is.tered adj

   banjax
          [ban.jax] vt [origin unknown] (1939) chiefly Irish: damage,
          ruin; also: smash

   banjo
          [ban.jo] n, pl banjos also banjoes [prob. of African origin;
          akin to Kimbundu mbanza, a similar instrument] (1739):
          a musical instrument with a drumlike body, a fretted
          neck, and usu. four or five strings which may be plucked
          or strummed -- ban.jo.ist n

   banjo clock
          [banjo clock] n (1903): a pendulum clock whose shape suggests
          a banjo

   [1]bank
          [bank] n [ME, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON bakki bank;
          akin to OE benc bench--more at bench] (13c) 1: a mound,
          pile, or ridge raised above the surrounding level: as
          a: a piled-up mass of cloud or fog b: an undersea elevation
          rising esp. from the continental shelf 2: the rising
          ground bordering a lake, river, or sea or forming the
          edge of a cut or hollow 3 a: a steep slope (as of a hill)
          b: the lateral inward tilt of a surface along a curve
          or of a vehicle (as an airplane) when taking a curve
          4: a protective or cushioning rim or piece [2]bank vt
          (1590) 1 a: to raise a bank about b: to cover (as a fire)
          with fresh fuel and adjust the draft of air so as to
          keep in an inactive state c: to build (a curve) with
          the roadbed or track inclined laterally upward from the
          inside edge 2: to heap or pile in a bank 3: to drive
          (a ball in billiards) into a cushion 4: to form or group
          in a tier ~ vi 1: to rise in or form a bank--often used
          with up <clouds would ~ up about midday, and showers
          fall --William Beebe> 2 a: to incline an airplane laterally
          b (1): to incline laterally (2): to follow a curve or
          incline <skiers ~ing around the turn> [3]bank n [ME,
          fr. MF or OIt; MF banque, fr. OIt banca, lit., bench,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE benc] (15c) 1 a: an establishment
          for the custody, loan, exchange, or issue of money, for
          the extension of credit, and for facilitating the transmission
          of funds b obs: the table, counter, or place of business
          of a money changer 2: a person conducting a gambling
          house or game; specif: dealer 3: a supply of something
          held in reserve: as a: the fund of supplies (as money,
          chips, or pieces) held by the banker or dealer for use
          in a game b: a fund of pieces belonging to a game (as
          dominoes) from which the players draw 4: a place where
          something is held available <memory ~>; esp: a depot
          for the collection and storage of a biological product
          of human origin for medical use <blood ~> [4]bank vi
          (ca. 1751) 1: to manage a bank 2: to deposit money or
          have an account in a bank ~ vt: to deposit in a bank
          -- bank on : to depend or rely on [5]bank n [ME banc
          bench, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OE benc] (1614)
          1: a group or series of objects arranged together in
          a row or a tier: as a: a set of elevators b: a row or
          tier of telephones 2: one of the horizontal and usu.
          secondary or lower divisions of a headline

   bankable
          [bank.able] adj (1818) 1: acceptable to or at a bank 2: sure
          to bring in a profit <Hollywood's most ~ star --Sidney
          Sheldon> -- bank.abil.i.ty n

   bankbook
          [bank.book] n (1714): the depositor's book in which a bank
          records deposits and withdrawals--called also passbook

   bankcard
          [bank.card] n (1970): a credit card issued by a bank

   bank discount
          [bank discount] n (1841): the interest discounted in advance
          on a note and computed on the face value of the note

   [1]banker
          [bank.er] n (1534) 1: one that engages in the business of
          banking 2: the player who keeps the bank in various games
          -- bank.er.ly adj [2]banker n (1666): a man or boat employed
          in the cod fishery on the Newfoundland banks [3]banker
          n (1677): a sculptor's or mason's workbench

   banker's acceptance
          [banker's acceptance] n (ca. 1924): a short-term credit instrument
          issued by an importer's bank that guarantees payment
          of an exporter's invoice

   bank holiday
          [bank holiday] n (1871) 1 Brit: legal holiday 2: a period
          when banks in general are closed often by government
          fiat

   banking
          [bank.ing] n (1735): the business of a bank or a banker

   bank money
          [bank money] n (1904): a medium of exchange consisting chiefly
          of checks and drafts

   banknote
          [bank.note] n (1695): a promissory note issued by a bank
          payable to bearer on demand without interest and acceptable
          as money

   [1]bankroll
          [bank.roll] n (1887): supply of money: funds [2]bankroll
          vt (1928): to supply the capital for or pay the cost
          of (a business or project) -- bank.roll.er n

   [1]bankrupt
          [bank.rupt] n [modif. of MF & OIt; MF banqueroute bankruptcy,
          fr. OIt bancarotta, fr. banca bank + rotta broken, fr.
          L rupta, fem. of ruptus, pp. of rumpere to break--more
          at bank, reave] (1533) 1 a: a person who has done any
          of the acts that by law entitle his creditors to have
          his estate administered for their benefit b: a person
          judicially declared subject to having his estate administered
          under the bankrupt laws for the benefit of his creditors
          c: a person who becomes insolvent 2: one who is destitute
          of a particular thing <a moral ~> [2]bankrupt adj (1570)
          1 a: reduced to a state of financial ruin: impoverished;
          specif: legally declared a bankrupt <the company went
          ~> b: of or relating to bankrupts or bankruptcy <~ laws>
          2 a: broken, ruined <a ~ professional career> b: exhausted
          of valuable qualities: sterile <a ~ old culture> c: destitute--used
          with of or in <~ of all merciful feelings> [3]bankrupt vt (1588)
          1: to reduce to bankruptcy 2: impoverish <defections had ~ed the
          party of its brainpower> syn see deplete

   bankruptcy
          [bank.rupt.cy] n, pl -cies (1700) 1: the quality or state
          of being bankrupt 2: utter failure or impoverishment

   bank shot
          [bank shot] n (1897) 1: a shot in billiards and pool in which
          a player banks the cue ball or the object ball 2: a shot
          in basketball played to rebound from the backboard into
          the basket

   banksia
          [bank.sia] n [NL, genus name, fr. Sir Joseph Banks] (1788):
          any of a genus (Banksia) of Australian evergreen trees
          or shrubs of the protea family with alternate leathery
          leaves and flowers in dense cylindrical heads

   bankside
          [bank.side] n (15c): the slope of a bank esp. of a stream

   [1]banner
          [ban.ner] n [ME banere, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to Goth
          bandwo sign; prob. akin to Gk phainein to show--more
          at fancy] (13c) 1 a: a piece of cloth attached by one
          edge to a staff and used by a leader ( as a monarch or
          feudal lord) as his standard b: [2]flag 1 c: an ensign
          displaying a distinctive or symbolic device or legend;
          esp: one presented as an award of honor or distinction
          2: a headline in large type running across a newspaper
          page 3: a strip of cloth on which a sign is painted <welcome
          ~s stretched across the street> 4: a name, slogan, or
          goal associated with a particular group or ideology <the
          new ~ is "community control" --F. M. Hechinger>--often
          used with under <every new administration arrives ...
          under the ~ of change --John Cogley> [2]banner adj (1840)
          1: prominent in support of a political party <a ~ Democratic
          county> 2: distinguished from all others esp. in excellence
          <a ~ year for business> [3]banner vt (1889) 1: to furnish
          with a banner 2: to print (as a news story) under a banner
          usu. on the front page

   [1]banneret
          [ban.ner.et] n, often cap [ME baneret, fr. OF, fr. banere]
          (14c): a knight leading his vassals into the field under
          his own banner [2]banneret also ban.ner.ette n (14c):
          a small banner

   bannerol
          [ban.ne.rol] n (1548): banderole

   bannister
          [bannister] var of banister

   bannock
          [ban.nock] n [ME bannok, fr. OE bannuc] (bef. 12c) 1: a usu.
          unleavened flat bread or biscuit made with oatmeal or
          barley meal 2 chiefly NewEng: corn bread; esp: a thin
          cake baked on a griddle

   banns
          [banns] n pl [pl. of bann, fr. ME bane, ban proclamation,
          ban] (14c): public announcement esp. in church of a proposed
          marriage

   [1]banquet
          [ban.quet] n [MF, fr. OIt banchetto, fr. dim. of banca bench,
          bank] (15c) 1: a sumptuous feast; esp: an elaborate and
          often ceremonious meal for numerous people often in honor
          of a person <a state ~> 2: a meal held in recognition
          of some occasion or achievement <an awards ~> [2]banquet
          vi (ca. 1500): to partake of a banquet ~ vt: to treat
          with a banquet: feast -- ban.quet.er n

   banquet room
          [banquet room] n (1837): a large room (as in a restaurant
          or hotel) suitable for banquets

   banquette
          [ban.quette] n [F, fr. MF, fr. OProv banqueta, dim. of banc
          bench, of Gmc origin; akin to OE benc bench] (1629) 1
          a: a raised way along the inside of a parapet or trench
          for gunners or guns b Southern: sidewalk 2 a: a long
          upholstered bench b: a sofa having one roll-over arm
          c: a built-in upholstered bench along a wall

   Banquo
          [Ban.quo] n: a murdered Scottish thane in Shakespeare's Macbeth
          whose ghost appears to Macbeth

   banshee
          [ban.shee] n [Ir bean sidhe & ScGael bean sith, lit., woman
          of fairyland] (1771): a female spirit in Gaelic folklore
          whose appearance or wailing warns a family that one of
          them will soon die

   [1]bantam
          [ban.tam] n [Bantam, former residency in Java] (1749) 1:
          any of numerous small domestic fowls that are often miniatures
          of members of the standard breeds 2: a person of diminutive
          stature and often combative disposition [2]bantam adj
          (1782) 1: small, diminutive 2: pertly combative

   bantamweight
          [ban.tam.weight] n (1884): a boxer in a weight division having
          a maximum limit of 118 pounds for professionals and 119
          pounds for amateurs--compare featherweight, flyweight

   banteng
          [ban.teng] n [Malay of Indonesia, fr. Jav banteng] (1817):
          a wild ox (Bos javanicus syn. B. banteng) of southeastern
          Asia sometimes domesticated for use as a draft animal
          or for its meat

   [1]banter
          [ban.ter] vb [origin unknown] vt (1676) 1: to speak to or
          address in a witty and teasing manner 2 archaic: delude
          3 chiefly Southern & Midland: challenge ~ vi: to speak
          or act playfully or wittily -- ban.ter.er n -- ban.ter.ing.ly
          adv [2]banter n (1690): good-natured and usu. witty and
          animated joking

   bantling
          [bant.ling] n [perh. modif. of G Bankling bastard, fr. Bank
          bench, fr. OHG--more at bench] (1593): a very young child

   Bantu
          [Ban.tu] n, pl Bantu or Bantus (1862) 1: a family of Niger-Congo
          languages spoken in central and southern Africa 2: a
          member of any of a group of African peoples who speak
          Bantu languages

   Bantustan
          [Ban.tu.stan] n [Bantu + -stan land (as in Hindustan)] (1949):
          any of several all-black enclaves in the Republic of
          So. Africa that have a limited degree of self-government

   banyan
          [ban.yan] n [earlier banyan Gujarati trader, fr. Pg banean,
          prob. fr. Tamil vaniyan trader, fr. Skt vanija; fr. a
          tree of the species in Iran under which such traders
          conducted business] (1634): an East Indian fig tree (Ficus
          benghalensis) of the mulberry family with branches that
          send out shoots which grow down to the soil and root
          to form secondary trunks

   banzai
          [ban.zai] n [Jp] (1893): a Japanese cheer or war cry

   banzai attack
          [banzai attack] n (1944): a mass attack by Japanese soldiers
          in World War II; also: an all-out usu. desperate attack

   banzai charge
          [banzai charge] n (1944) 1: banzai attack 2: a determined
          often reckless act

   baobab
          [bao.bab] n [NL bahobab] (1640): a broad-trunked Old World
          tropical tree (Adansonia digitata) of the silk-cotton
          family with an edible acid fruit resembling a gourd and
          bark used in making paper, cloth, and rope

   bap
          [bap] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1575) Brit: a small bun or
          roll

   Bap
          [Bap] or Bapt abbreviation Baptist

   baptisia
          [bap.ti.sia] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk baptisis a dipping,
          fr. baptein] (ca. 1868): any of a genus (Baptisia) of
          No. American leguminous plants having showy papilionaceous
          flowers similar in form to those of the pea plant

   baptism
          [bap.tism] n [ME baptisme] (14c) 1 a: a Christian sacrament
          marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient
          to the Christian community b: a non-Christian rite using
          water for ritual purification c Christian Science: purification
          by or submergence in Spirit 2: an act, experience, or
          ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated,
          or named -- bap.tis.mal adj -- bap.tis.mal.ly adv

   baptismal name
          [baptismal name] n (1869): a name given at christening or
          confirmation

   baptism of fire
          [baptism of fire] (1857) 1: an introductory or initial experience
          that is a severe ordeal; specif: a soldier's first exposure
          to enemy fire 2: a spiritual baptism by a gift of the
          Holy Spirit--often used in allusion to Acts 2:3-4; Mt
          3:11 (RSV)

   baptist
          [bap.tist] n (13c) 1: one that baptizes 2 cap: a member or
          adherent of an evangelical Protestant denomination marked
          by congregational polity and baptism by immersion of
          believers only -- Baptist adj

   baptistery
          [bap.tis.tery] or bap.tis.try n, pl -ter.ies or -tries (14c):
          a part of a church or formerly a separate building used
          for baptism

   baptize
          [bap.tize] also bap.tise vb bap.tized also bap.tised ; bap.tiz.ing
          also bap.tis.ing [ME, fr. OF baptiser, fr. LL baptizare, fr.
          Gk baptizein to dip, baptize, fr. baptein to dip, dye; akin
          to ON kvefja to quench] vt (13c) 1: to administer baptism
          to 2 a: to purify or cleanse spiritually esp. by a purging
          experience or ordeal b: initiate 3: to give a name to (as
          at baptism): christen ~ vi: to administer baptism -- bap.tiz.er n

   bar-
          [bar-] or baro- comb form [Gk baros; akin to Gk barys heavy--more
          at grieve]: weight: pressure <barometer>

   [1]bar
          [bar] n, often attrib [ME barre, fr. MF] (12c) 1 a: a straight
          piece (as of wood or metal) that is longer than it is
          wide and has any of various uses (as for a lever, support,
          barrier, or fastening) b: a solid piece or block of material
          that is usu. considerably longer than it is wide <a ~
          of gold> <candy ~> c: a usu. rigid piece (as of wood
          or metal) longer than it is wide that is used as a handle
          or support; esp: a handrail used by ballet dancers to
          maintain balance while exercising 2: something that obstructs
          or prevents passage, progress, or action: as a: the destruction
          of an action or claim in law; also: a plea or objection
          that effects such destruction b: an intangible or nonphysical
          impediment c: a submerged or partly submerged bank (as
          of sand) along a shore or in a river often obstructing
          navigation 3 a (1): the railing in a courtroom that encloses
          the place about the judge where prisoners are stationed
          or where the business of the court is transacted in civil
          cases (2): court, tribunal (3): a particular system of
          courts (4): an authority or tribunal that hands down
          judgment b (1): the barrier in the English Inns of Court
          that formerly separated the seats of the benchers or
          readers from the body of the hall occupied by the students
          (2): the whole body of barristers or lawyers qualified
          to practice in the courts of any jurisdiction (3): the
          profession of barrister or lawyer 4: a straight stripe,
          band, or line much longer than it is wide: as a: one
          of two or more horizontal stripes on a heraldic shield
          b: a metal or embroidered strip worn on a usu. military
          uniform esp. to indicate rank (as of a company officer)
          or service 5 a: a counter at which food or esp. alcoholic
          beverages are served b: barroom c: shop 2b 6 a: a vertical
          line across the musical staff before the initial measure
          accent b: measure 7: a lace and embroidery joining covered
          with buttonhole stitch for connecting various parts of
          the pattern in needlepoint lace and cutwork -- behind
          bars : in jail [2]bar vt barred ; bar.ring (13c) 1 a:
          to fasten with a bar b: to place bars across to prevent
          ingress or egress 2: to mark with bars: stripe 3 a: to
          confine or shut in by or as if by bars b: to set aside:
          rule out c: to keep out: exclude 4 a: to interpose legal
          objection to or to the claim of b: prevent, forbid [3]bar
          prep (1714): except [4]bar n [G, fr. Gk baros] (1910):
          a unit of pressure equal to one million dynes per square
          centimeter

   bar
          [bar] abbreviation barometer, barometric, barrel Bar abbreviation
          Baruch BAr abbreviation bachelor of architecture BAR abbreviation
          Browning automatic rifle

   Barabbas
          [Ba.rab.bas] n [Gk, fr. Aram Bar-abba]: a Jewish prisoner
          according to Matthew, Mark, and John released in preference
          to Christ at the demand of the multitude

   barathea
          [bar.a.thea] n [fr. Barathea, a trademark] (1862): a fabric
          that has a broken rib weave and a pebbly texture and
          that is made of silk, worsted, or synthetic fiber or
          a combination of these

   [1]barb
          [barb] n [ME barbe barb, beard, fr. MF, fr. L barba--more
          at beard] (14c) 1: a medieval cloth headdress passing
          over or under the chin and covering the neck 2 a: a sharp
          projection extending backward (as from the point of an
          arrow or fishhook) and preventing easy extraction; also:
          a sharp projection with its point similarly oblique to
          something else b: a biting or pointedly critical remark
          or comment 3: [2]barbel 4: any of the side branches of
          the shaft of a feather--see feather illustration 5: a
          plant hair or bristle ending in a hook [2]barb vt (1759):
          to furnish with a barb [3]barb n [F barbe, fr. It barbero,
          fr. barbero of Barbary, fr. Barberia Barbary, coastal
          region in Africa] (1636): any of a northern African breed
          of horses that are noted for speed and endurance and
          are related to Arabians [4]barb n (1967) slang: barbiturate

   barbarian
          [bar.bar.i.an] adj [L barbarus] (14c) 1: of or relating to
          a land, culture, or people alien and usu. believed to
          be inferior to another land, culture, or people 2: lacking
          refinement, learning, or artistic or literary culture
          -- barbarian n -- bar.bar.i.an.ism n

   barbaric
          [bar.bar.ic] adj (15c) 1 a: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of barbarians b: possessing or characteristic of a cultural
          level more complex than primitive savagery but less sophisticated
          than advanced civilization 2 a: marked by a lack of restraint:
          wild b: having a bizarre, primitive, or unsophisticated
          quality 3: barbarous 3 -- bar.bar.i.cal.ly adv

   barbarism
          [bar.ba.rism] n (15c) 1 a: a barbarian or barbarous social
          or intellectual condition: backwardness b: the practice
          or display of barbarian acts, attitudes, or ideas 2:
          an idea, act, or expression that in form or use offends
          against contemporary standards of good taste or acceptability

   barbarity
          [bar.bar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1570) 1: barbarism 2 a: barbarous
          cruelty: inhumanity b: an act or instance of such cruelty

   barbarization
          [bar.ba.ri.za.tion] n (1822): the act or process of barbarizing:
          the state of being barbarized

   barbarize
          [bar.ba.rize] vb -rized ; -riz.ing vt (1648): to make barbarian
          or barbarous ~ vi: to become barbarous

   barbarous
          [bar.ba.rous] adj [L barbarus, fr. Gk barbaros foreign, ignorant]
          (15c) 1 a: uncivilized b: lacking culture or refinement:
          philistine 2: characterized by the occurrence of barbarisms
          3: mercilessly harsh or cruel syn see fierce -- bar.ba.rous.ly
          adv -- bar.ba.rous.ness n

   Barbary ape
          [Bar.ba.ry ape] n [Barbary, Africa] (1864): a tailless monkey
          (Macaca sylvanus) of northern Africa and Gibraltar

   Barbary Coast
          [Barbary Coast] n (1880): a district or section of a city
          noted as a center of gambling, prostitution, and riotous
          nightlife

   Barbary sheep
          [Barbary sheep] n (ca. 1898): aoudad

   barbe
          [barbe] n [ME, fr. MF, lit., beard] (14c): [1]barb 1

   [1]barbecue
          [bar.be.cue] vt -cued ; -cu.ing (1690) 1: to roast or broil
          on a rack over hot coals or on a revolving spit before
          or over a source of heat 2: to cook in a highly seasoned
          vinegar sauce -- bar.be.cu.er n [2]barbecue also bar.be.que
          n [AmerSp barbacoa framework for supporting meat over
          a fire, prob. fr. Taino] (1709) 1: a large animal (as
          a steer) roasted whole or split over an open fire or
          a fire in a pit; also: smaller pieces of barbecued meat
          2: a social gathering esp. in the open air at which barbecued
          food is eaten 3: an often portable fireplace over which
          meat and fish are roasted

   barbed
          [barbed] adj (1611) 1: having barbs 2: characterized by pointed
          and biting criticism or sarcasm <~ witticisms>

   barbed wire
          [barbed wire] n (1881): twisted wires armed with barbs or
          sharp points--called also barbwire

   [1]barbel
          [bar.bel] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL barbellus, dim.
          of L barbus barbel, fr. barba beard--more at beard] (14c):
          a European freshwater cyprinid fish (Barbus barbus) with
          four barbels on its upper jaw; also: any of various closely
          related fishes [2]barbel n [obs. F, fr. MF, dim. of barbe
          barb, beard] (1601): a slender tactile process on the
          lips of certain fishes (as catfishes)

   barbell
          [bar.bell] n (1887): a bar with adjustable weighted disks
          attached to each end that is used for exercise and in
          weight lifting

   [1]barber
          [bar.ber] n [ME, fr. MF barbeor, fr. barbe beard--more at
          barb] (14c): one whose business is cutting and dressing
          hair, shaving and trimming beards, and performing related
          services [2]barber vb bar.bered ; bar.ber.ing vt (1606):
          to perform the services of a barber for ~ vi: to perform
          the services of a barber

   barberry
          [bar.ber.ry] n [ME barbere, fr. MF barbarin, fr. Ar barbaris]
          (14c): any of a genus (Berberis of the family Berberidaceae,
          the barberry family) of shrubs usu. having spines, yellow
          flowers, and oblong red berries

   [1]barbershop
          [bar.ber.shop] n (1579): a barber's place of business [2]barbershop
          adj [fr. the old custom of men in barbershops forming quartets for
          impromptu singing of sentimental songs] (1910): of a style
          of unaccompanied group singing of popular songs usu. marked
          by highly conventionalized close harmony

   barbet
          [bar.bet] n [prob. fr. [1]barb] (1824): any of a family
          (Capitonidae) of nonpasserine tropical birds with a stout bill
          bearing bristles and usu. swollen at the base

   barbette
          [bar.bette] n [F, dim. of barbe headdress] (1772) 1: a mound
          of earth or a protected platform from which guns fire
          over a parapet 2: an armored structure protecting a gun
          turret on a warship

   barbican
          [bar.bi.can] n [ME, fr. MF barbacane, fr. ML barbacana] (13c):
          an outer defensive work; esp: a tower at a gate or bridge

   barbicel
          [bar.bi.cel] n [NL barbicella, dim. of L barba] (1869): any
          of the small hook-bearing processes on a barbule of a
          feather--see feather illustration

   barbital
          [bar.bi.tal] n [barbituric + -al (as in Veronal, trademark
          for barbital)] (1919): a white crystalline addictive
          hypnotic often administered in the form of its soluble
          sodium salt

   barbitone
          [bar.bi.tone] n [barbituric + -one] (1914) Brit: barbital

   barbiturate
          [bar.bi.tu.rate] n (1928) 1: a salt or ester of barbituric
          acid 2: any of various derivatives of barbituric acid
          used esp. as sedatives, hypnotics, and antispasmodics

   barbituric acid
          [bar.bi.tu.ric acid] n [part trans. of G Barbitursaure, irreg.
          fr. the name Barbara + ISV uric + G Saure acid] (1866):
          a synthetic crystalline acid derived from pyrimidine

   Barbizon
          [Bar.bi.zon] adj [Barbizon, France] (1890): of, relating
          to, or being a school of mid-nineteenth century French
          landscape painters whose naturalistic canvases were based
          on direct observation of nature

   barbule
          [bar.bule] n (1835): a minute barb; esp: one of the processes
          that fringe the barbs of a feather--see feather illustration

   barbwire
          [barb.wire] n (1880): barbed wire

   bar car
          [bar car] n (1945): club car

   barcarole
          [bar.ca.role] or bar.ca.rolle n [F barcarolle, fr. It dial.
          (Venice) barcarola, fr. barcarolo gondolier, fr. barca
          bark, fr. LL] (ca. 1779) 1: a Venetian boat song usu.
          in 6/8 or 12/8 time characterized by the alternation
          of a strong and weak beat that suggests a rowing rhythm
          2: music imitating a barcarole

   Barcelona chair
          [Bar.ce.lo.na chair] n [Barcelona, Spain] (1970): an armless
          chair with leather-covered cushions on a stainless steel
          frame

   barchan
          [bar.chan] n [Russ barkhan, fr. Kazakh] (1888): a moving
          crescent-shaped sand dune

   bar chart
          [bar chart] n (1914): bar graph

   bar code
          [bar code] n (1963): a code consisting of a group of printed
          and variously patterned bars and spaces and sometimes
          numerals that is designed to be scanned and read into
          computer memory as identification for the object it labels

   [1]bard
          [bard] n [ME, fr. ScGael & Ir] (15c) 1 a: a tribal poet-singer
          skilled in composing and reciting verses on heroes and
          their deeds b: a composer, singer, or declaimer of epic
          or heroic verse 2: poet -- bard.ic adj [2]bard or barde
          n [MF barde, fr. OSp barda, fr. Ar barda'ah] (15c): a
          piece of armor or ornament for a horse's neck, breast,
          or flank [3]bard vt (ca. 1521) 1: to furnish with bards
          2: to dress meat for cooking by covering with strips
          of fat

   bardolater
          [bard.ol.a.ter] n [Bard (of Avon), epithet of Shakespeare
          + -o- + -later] (1903): a person who idolizes Shakespeare
          -- bard.ol.a.try n

   Bardolino
          [Bar.do.li.no] n, pl -nos [Bardolino, village on Lake Garda,
          Italy] (1934): a light red Italian wine

   [1]bare
          [bare] adj bar.er ; bar.est [ME, fr. OE baer; akin to OHG
          bar naked, Lith basas barefoot] (bef. 12c) 1 a: lacking
          a natural, usual, or appropriate covering b (1): lacking
          clothing (2) obs: bareheaded c: unarmed 2: open to view:
          exposed 3 a: unfurnished or scantily supplied b: destitute
          <~ of all safeguards> 4 a: having nothing left over or
          added <the ~ necessities of life> b: mere <a ~ two hours
          away> c: devoid of amplification or adornment 5 obs:
          worthless -- bare.ness n syn bare, naked, nude, bald,
          barren mean deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate
          covering. bare implies the removal of what is additional,
          superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable <an apartment
          with bare walls>. naked suggests absence of protective
          or ornamental covering but may imply a state of nature,
          of destitution, or of defenselessness <poor half-naked
          children>. nude applies esp. to the unclothed human figure
          <a nude model posing for art students>. bald implies
          actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may
          suggest a conspicuous bareness <a bald mountain peak>.
          barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility
          <barren plains>. [2]bare vt bared ; bar.ing (bef. 12c):
          to make or lay bare: uncover [3]bare archaic past of
          bear

   bareback
          [bare.back] or bare.backed adv or adj (1562): on the bare
          back of a horse: without a saddle <likes riding ~> <~
          riding>

   bareboat
          [bare.boat] n (ca. 1949): a boat chartered without its crew

   bare bones
          [bare bones] n pl (1915): the barest essentials, facts, or
          elements -- bare-bones adj

   barefaced
          [bare.faced] adj (1590) 1: having the face uncovered: a:
          having no whiskers: beardless b: wearing no mask 2 a:
          open, unconcealed b: lacking scruples -- bare.faced.ly
          adv -- bare.faced.ness n

   barefoot
          [bare.foot] or bare.foot.ed adv or adj (bef. 12c): with the
          feet bare <went ~ most of the summer> <~ boy, with cheek
          of tan --J. G. Whittier>

   barefoot doctor
          [barefoot doctor] n (1971): an auxiliary medical worker trained
          to provide basic health care in rural areas of China

   bare-handed
          [bare-hand.ed] adv or adj (15c) 1: without gloves 2: without
          tools or weapons <fight an animal ~>

   bareheaded
          [bare.head.ed] adv or adj (14c): without a covering for the
          head <went ~ in the hot sun> <a ~ boy who had lost his
          cap>

   bare-knuckle
          [bare-knuck.le] also bare-knuck.led adj or adv (1903) 1 :
          not using boxing gloves <champion ~ prizefighter of England
          --Dennis Craig> <when men fought ~> 2: having a fierce
          unrelenting character <~ politics>

   barely
          [bare.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: in a meager manner: plainly <a
          ~ furnished room> 2: scarcely, hardly <~ enough money
          for lunch>

   barf
          [barf] vi [origin unknown] (1957): vomit

   barfly
          [bar.fly] n (1910): a person who spends much time in bars

   [1]bargain
          [bar.gain] n, often attrib (14c) 1: an agreement between
          parties settling what each gives or receives in a transaction
          between them or what course of action or policy each
          pursues in respect to the other 2: something acquired
          by or as if by bargaining; esp: an advantageous purchase
          3: a transaction, situation, or event regarded in the
          light of its results -- into the bargain also in the
          bargain : besides <tastes good and is good for you, into
          the bargain> [2]bargain vb [ME, fr. MF bargaignier, prob.
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE borgian to borrow--more at
          bury] vi (14c) 1: to negotiate over the terms of a purchase,
          agreement, or contract: haggle 2: to come to terms: agree
          ~ vt 1: to bring to a desired level by bargaining <~
          a price down> 2: to sell or dispose of by bargaining
          -- bar.gain.er n -- bargain for : expect <more work than
          I bargained for>

   bargain basement
          [bargain basement] n (1899): a section of a store (as the
          basement) where merchandise is sold at reduced prices

   bargain-basement
          [bar.gain-base.ment] adj (1948) 1: of inferior quality or
          worth 2: markedly inexpensive <~ rates>

   [1]barge
          [barge] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL barca] (14c): any of various
          boats: as a: a roomy usu. flat-bottomed boat used chiefly
          for the transport of goods on inland waterways and usu.
          propelled by towing b: a large motorboat supplied to
          the flag officer of a flagship c: a roomy pleasure boat;
          esp: a boat of state elegantly furnished and decorated
          [2]barge vb barged ; barg.ing vt (1649): to carry by
          barge ~ vi 1: to move ponderously or clumsily 2: to thrust
          oneself heedlessly or unceremoniously <barged into the
          meeting>

   bargeboard
          [barge.board] n [origin unknown] (1833): an often ornamented
          board that conceals roof timbers projecting over gables

   bargee
          [barg.ee] n (1666) Brit: bargeman

   bargello
          [bar.gel.lo] n [the Bargello, museum in Florence, Italy;
          fr. the use of this stitch in the upholstery of 17th
          cent. chairs at the Bargello] (ca. 1924): a needlework
          stitch that produces a zigzag pattern

   bargeman
          [barge.man] n (14c): the master or a deckhand of a barge

   bar graph
          [bar graph] n (1924): a graphic means of quantitative comparison
          by rectangles with lengths proportional to the measure
          of the data or things being compared--called also bar
          chart

   barhop
          [bar.hop] vi (1947): to visit and drink at a series of bars
          in the course of an evening

   barite
          [bar.ite] n [Gk barytes weight, fr. barys] (1868): barium
          sulfate occurring as a mineral

   [1]baritone
          [bari.tone] n [F baryton or It baritono, fr. Gk barytonos
          deep sounding, fr. barys heavy + tonos tone--more at
          grieve] (1609) 1: a male singing voice of medium compass
          between bass and tenor; also: a person having this voice
          2: a member of a family of instruments having a range
          between tenor and bass; esp: the baritone saxhorn or
          baritone saxophone -- bari.ton.al adj [2]baritone adj
          (1729): relating to or having the range or part of a
          baritone

   barium
          [bar.i.um] n [NL, fr. bar-] (1808): a silver-white malleable
          toxic bivalent metallic element of the alkaline-earth
          group that occurs only in combination

   barium sulfate
          [barium sulfate] n (1903): a colorless crystalline insoluble
          compound that is used as a pigment and extender, as a
          filler, and as a substance opaque to X rays in medical
          photography of the alimentary canal

   [1]bark
          [bark] vb [ME berken, fr. OE beorcan; akin to ON berkja to
          bark, Lith burgeti to growl] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to make
          the characteristic short loud cry of a dog b: to make
          a noise resembling a bark 2: to speak in a curt loud
          and usu. angry tone: snap ~ vt 1: to utter in a curt
          loud usu. angry tone 2: to advertise by persistent outcry
          <~ing their wares> -- bark up the wrong tree : to proceed
          under a misapprehension; also: to misdirect one's efforts
          [2]bark n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the sound made by a barking
          dog b: a similar sound 2: a short sharp peremptory tone
          of speech or utterance -- bark.less adj [3]bark n [ME,
          fr. ON bark-, borkr; akin to MD & MLG borke bark] (14c)
          1: the tough exterior covering of a woody root or stem;
          specif: the tissues outside the cambium that include
          an inner layer esp. of secondary phloem and an outer
          layer of periderm 2: cinchona 2 -- bark.less adj [4]bark
          vt (14c) 1: to treat with an infusion of tanbark 2 a:
          to strip the bark from b: to rub off or abrade the skin
          of [5]bark n [ME, fr. MF barque, fr. OProv barca, fr.
          LL] (15c) 1 a: a small sailing ship b: a sailing ship
          of three or more masts with the aftmost mast fore-and-aft
          rigged and the others square-rigged 2: a craft propelled
          by sails or oars

   bark beetle
          [bark beetle] n (1862): any of numerous beetles (family Scolytidae)
          that bore under the bark of trees both as a larva and as an adult

   barkeep
          [bar.keep] also bar.keep.er n (1712): bartender

   barkentine
          [bar.ken.tine] n [[5]bark + -entine, alter. of -antine (as
          in brigantine)] (1693): a sailing ship of three or more
          masts with the foremast square-rigged and the others
          fore-and-aft rigged

   [1]barker
          [bark.er] n (14c): one that barks; esp: a person who advertises
          by hawking at an entrance to a show [2]barker n (1611):
          one that removes or prepares bark

   barking deer
          [barking deer] n (1880): muntjac

   barky
          [barky] adj bark.i.er ; -est (1590): covered with or resembling
          bark

   barley
          [bar.ley] n [ME barly, fr. OE baerlic of barley; akin to
          OE bere barley, L far spelt] (bef. 12c): a cereal grass
          (genus Hordeum, esp. H. vulgare) having the flowers in
          dense spikes with long awns and three spikelets at each
          joint of the rachis; also: its seed used esp. in malt
          beverages, breakfast foods, and stock feeds

   barley-bree
          [bar.ley-bree] also bar.ley-broo n [barley + Sc bree or broo
          (bree)] (1724) chiefly Scot: whisky; also: malt liquor

   barleycorn
          [bar.ley.corn] n (1500) 1: a grain of barley 2: an old unit
          of length equal to a third of an inch

   barlow
          [bar.low] n [Barlow, family of 18th cent. Eng. knife makers]
          (1884): a sturdy inexpensive jackknife

   barm
          [barm] n [ME berme, fr. OE beorma; akin to L fermentum yeast,
          fervere to boil, OIr berbaid he boils] (bef. 12c): yeast
          formed on fermenting malt liquors

   barmaid
          [bar.maid] n (ca. 1658): a woman who serves liquor at a bar

   barman
          [bar.man] n (1837) chiefly Brit: bartender

   Barmecidal
          [Bar.me.cid.al] or Bar.me.cide adj [Barmecide, a wealthy
          Persian, who, in a tale of The Arabian Nights' Entertainments,
          invited a beggar to a feast of imaginary food] (1842):
          providing only the illusion of abundance <a ~ feast>

   [1]bar mitzvah
          [bar mitz.vah] n, often cap B&M [Heb bar miswah, lit., son
          of the (divine) law] (1816) 1: a Jewish boy who reaches
          his 13th birthday and attains the age of religious duty
          and responsibility 2: the initiatory ceremony recognizing
          a boy as a bar mitzvah [2]bar mitzvah vt bar mitz.vahed
          ; bar mitz.vah.ing (1947): to administer the ceremony
          of bar mitzvah to

   [1]barmy
          [barmy] adj barm.i.er ; -est (15c): full of froth or ferment
          [2]barmy adj barm.i.er ; -est [alter. of balmy] (1892)
          chiefly Brit: balmy 2

   barn
          [barn] n [ME bern, fr. OE bereaern, fr. bere barley + aern
          house, store] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a usu. large building for
          the storage of farm products or feed and usu. for the
          housing of farm animals or farm equipment b: an unusually
          large and usu. bare building <a great ~ of a hotel --W.
          A. White> 2: a large building for the housing of a fleet
          of vehicles (as trolley cars or trucks) -- barn.like
          adj -- barny adj

   Barnabas
          [Bar.na.bas] n [Gk, fr. Aram Barnebhu'ah]: a companion of
          the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey

   barnacle
          [bar.na.cle] n [ME barnakille, alter. of bernake, bernekke]
          (15c) 1: barnacle goose 2 [fr. a popular belief that
          the goose grew from the crustacean]: any of numerous
          marine crustaceans (subclass Cirripedia) with feathery
          appendages for gathering food that are free-swimming
          as larvae but permanently fixed (as to rocks, boat hulls,
          or whales) as adults -- bar.na.cled adj

   barnacle goose
          [barnacle goose] n (1768): a European goose (Branta leucopsis)
          that breeds in the arctic and is larger than the related
          brant

   barn burner
          [barn burner] n (ca. 1960): one that arouses much interest
          or excitement <the game should be a real barn burner>

   barn dance
          [barn dance] n (1831): an American social dance orig. held
          in a barn and featuring several dance forms (as square
          dancing)

   barn lot
          [barn lot] n (1724) chiefly Southern & Midland: barnyard

   barn owl
          [barn owl] n (1674): a widely distributed owl (Tyto alba)
          that has plumage mottled buff brown and gray above and
          chiefly white below, frequents barns and other buildings,
          and preys esp. on rodents

   barn raising
          [barn raising] n (1856): a gathering for the purpose of erecting
          a barn--compare [3]bee

   barnstorm
          [barn.storm] vi (1883) 1: to tour through rural districts
          staging usu. theatrical performances 2: to travel from
          place to place making brief stops (as in a political
          campaign or a promotional tour) 3: to pilot one's airplane
          in sight-seeing flights with passengers or in exhibition
          stunts in an unscheduled course esp. in rural districts
          ~ vt: to travel across while barnstorming -- barn.storm.er
          n

   barn swallow
          [barn swallow] n (1851): a swallow (Hirundo rustica) that
          is widespread in the northern hemisphere, has a deeply
          forked tail, and often nests in or near buildings

   [1]barnyard
          [barn.yard] n (14c): a usu. fenced area adjoining a barn
          [2]barnyard adj (1927): smutty, earthy, scatological
          <~ humor>

   barnyard grass
          [barnyard grass] n (1843): a coarse annual panicled grass
          (Echinochloa crusgalli) that has flowers borne on only
          one side of the raceme and is nearly cosmopolitan as
          a weed in cultivated ground

   baro-
          [baro-] --see bar-

   barogram
          [baro.gram] n [ISV] (1884): a barographic tracing

   barograph
          [baro.graph] n [ISV] (ca. 1864): a recording barometer --
          baro.graph.ic adj

   Barolo
          [Ba.ro.lo] n, pl -los [Barolo, village in the Piedmont region,
          Italy] (1875): a dry red Italian wine

   barometer
          [ba.rom.e.ter] n (ca. 1666) 1: an instrument for determining
          the pressure of the atmosphere and hence for assisting
          in forecasting weather and for determining altitude 2:
          one that indicates fluctuations (as in public opinion)
          3: standard 4 <a ~ to measure high school talent --Jeff
          Fellenzer> -- baro.met.ric adj -- baro.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv -- ba.rom.e.try n

   barometric pressure
          [barometric pressure] n (1827): the pressure of the atmosphere
          usu. expressed in terms of the height of a column of
          mercury

   baron
          [bar.on] n [ME, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG baro freeman]
          (13c) 1 a: one of a class of tenants holding his rights
          and title by military or other honorable service directly
          from a feudal superior (as a king) b: a lord of the realm:
          noble, peer 2 a: a member of the lowest grade of the
          peerage in Great Britain b: a nobleman on the continent
          of Europe of varying rank c: a member of the lowest order
          of nobility in Japan 3: a joint of meat consisting of
          two sirloins or loins and legs not cut apart at the backbone
          <a ~ of beef> 4: a man of great power or influence in
          some field of activity <cattle ~>

   baronage
          [bar.on.age] n (13c): the whole body of barons or peers:
          nobility 2

   baroness
          [bar.on.ess] n (15c) 1: the wife or widow of a baron 2: a
          woman who holds a baronial title in her own right

   baronet
          [bar.on.et] n (1614): the holder of a rank of honor below
          a baron and above a knight

   baronetage
          [bar.on.et.age] n (1760) 1: baronetcy 2: the whole body of
          baronets

   baronetcy
          [bar.on.et.cy] n (1795): the rank of a baronet

   barong
          [ba.rong] n [of Austronesian origin; akin to Malay parang
          knife] (1898): a thick-backed thin-edged knife or sword
          used by the Moros

   baronial
          [ba.ro.ni.al] adj (1767) 1: of or relating to a baron or
          the baronage 2: stately, ample <a ~ room>

   barony
          [bar.ony] n, pl -on.ies (14c) 1: the domain, rank, or dignity
          of a baron 2: a vast private landholding 3: a field of
          activity under the sway of an individual or a special
          group

   [1]baroque
          [ba.roque] adj, often cap [F, fr. MF barroque irregularly
          shaped (of a pearl), fr. Pg barroco irregularly shaped
          pearl] (1765) 1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics
          of a style of artistic expression prevalent esp. in the
          17th century that is marked generally by use of complex
          forms, bold ornamentation, and the juxtaposition of contrasting
          elements often conveying a sense of drama, movement,
          and tension 2: characterized by grotesqueness, extravagance,
          complexity, or flamboyance 3: irregularly shaped--used
          of gems <a ~ pearl> -- ba.roque.ly adv [2]baroque n,
          often cap (1877): the baroque style or the period in
          which it flourished

   baroreceptor
          [baro.re.cep.tor] also baro.cep.tor n (1948): a neural receptor
          (as of the arterial walls) sensitive to changes in pressure

   barouche
          [ba.rouche] n [G Barutsche, fr. It biroccio, ultim. fr. LL
          birotus two-wheeled, fr. L bi- + rota wheel--more at
          roll] (1801): a four-wheeled carriage with a driver's
          seat high in front, two double seats inside facing each
          other, and a folding top over the back seat

   barque
          [barque] , bar.quen.tine var of bark, barkentine

   barquette
          [bar.quette] n [F, dim. of barque bark (ship)] (ca. 1949):
          a small boat-shaped pastry shell

   [1]barrack
          [bar.rack] n [F baraque hut, fr. Catal barraca] (1686) 1:
          a building or set of buildings used esp. for lodging
          soldiers in garrison 2 a: a structure resembling a shed
          or barn that provides temporary housing b: housing characterized
          by extreme plainness or dreary uniformity--usu. used
          in pl. in all senses [2]barrack vt (1701): to lodge in
          barracks [3]barrack vb [origin unknown] vt (1887) chiefly
          Brit: to shout at derisively or sarcastically ~ vi 1
          chiefly Brit: root, cheer--usu. used with for 2 chiefly
          Brit: jeer, scoff -- bar.rack.er n

   barracks bag
          [barracks bag] n (1938): a fabric bag for carrying personal
          equipment; esp: duffel bag

   barracoon
          [bar.ra.coon] n [Sp barracon, aug. of barraca hut, fr. Catal]
          (1848): an enclosure or barracks formerly used for temporary
          confinement of slaves or convicts--often used in pl.

   barracouta
          [bar.ra.cou.ta] n [modif. of AmerSp barracuda] (1835): a
          large elongate marine fish (Thyrsites atun of the family
          Gempylidae) used for food

   barracuda
          [bar.ra.cu.da] n, pl -da or -das [AmerSp] (1678) 1: any of
          a genus (Sphyraena of the family Sphyraenidae) of elongate
          predaceous often large fishes of warm seas that include
          fishes used for food as well as some forms regarded as
          toxic 2: one that uses aggressive, selfish, and sometimes
          unethical methods to obtain a goal esp. in business

   [1]barrage
          [bar.rage] n [F, fr. barrer to bar, fr. barre bar] (1859):
          a dam placed in a watercourse to increase the depth of
          water or to divert it into a channel for navigation or
          irrigation [2]bar.rage n [F (tir de) barrage barrier
          fire] (1916) 1: artillery fire laid on a line close to
          friendly troops to screen and protect them 2: a vigorous
          or rapid outpouring or projection of many things at once
          <a ~ of protests> [3]bar.rage vt bar.raged ; bar.rag.ing
          (1918): to deliver a barrage against

   barrage balloon
          [barrage balloon] n (ca. 1920): a small captive balloon used
          to support wires or nets as protection against air attacks

   barramundi
          [bar.ra.mun.di] also bar.ra.mun.da n [prob. fr. an Australian
          aboriginal language of Queensland] (1864): any of several
          Australian fishes (esp. Lates calcarifer of the family
          Centropomidae) used for food

   barranca
          [bar.ran.ca] or bar.ran.co n, pl -cas or -cos [Sp] (ca. 1691)
          1: a deep gully or arroyo with steep sides 2: a steep
          bank or bluff

   barrator
          [bar.ra.tor] also bar.ra.ter n (15c): one who engages in
          barratry

   barratry
          [bar.ra.try] n, pl -tries [ME barratrie, fr. MF baraterie
          deception, fr. barater to deceive, exchange] (15c) 1:
          the purchase or sale of office or preferment in church
          or state 2: an unlawful act or fraudulent breach of duty
          on the part of a master of a ship or of the mariners
          to the injury of the owner of the ship or cargo 3: the
          persistent incitement of litigation

   Barr body
          [Barr body] n [Murray Llewellyn Barr b1908 Canad. anatomist]
          (1963): material of the inactivated X chromosome present
          in each of the female's somatic cells of most mammals
          used as a test of genetic femaleness (as in a fetus or
          an athlete)--called also sex chromatin

   barre
          [barre] n [F, fr. ML barra] (1936): bar 1c

   barred
          [barred] adj (14c): marked by or divided off by bars; esp:
          having alternate bands of different color <~ feather>

   barred owl
          [barred owl] n (1811): a large American owl (Strix varia)
          with brown eyes and bars of dark brown on the breast

   [1]barrel
          [bar.rel] n [ME barel, fr. MF baril] (14c) 1: a round bulging
          vessel of greater length than breadth that is usu. made
          of staves bound with hoops and has flat ends of equal
          diameter 2 a: the amount contained in a barrel; esp:
          the amount (as 31 gal. of fermented beverage or 42 gal.
          of petroleum) fixed for a certain commodity used as a
          unit of measure b: a great quantity 3: a drum or cylindrical
          part: as a: the discharging tube of a gun b: the cylindrical
          metal box enclosing the mainspring of a timepiece c:
          the part of a fountain pen or of a pencil containing
          the ink or lead d: a cylindrical or tapering housing
          containing the optical components of a photographic-lens
          system and the iris diaphragm e: tumbling barrel f: the
          fuel outlet from the carburetor on a gasoline engine
          4: the trunk of a quadruped -- bar.reled adj -- on the
          barrel : asking for or granting no credit -- over a barrel
          : at a disadvantage: in an awkward position [2]barrel
          vb -reled or -relled ; -rel.ing or -rel.ling vt (15c):
          to put or pack in a barrel ~ vi: to move at a high speed
          or without hesitation

   barrelage
          [bar.rel.age] n (1890): amount (as of beer) in barrels

   barrel cactus
          [barrel cactus] n (1881): any of a genus (Ferocactus) of
          nearly globular deeply ribbed spiny cacti of Mexico and
          the adjacent U.S.

   barrel-chested
          [bar.rel-chest.ed] adj (1926): having a large rounded chest

   barrel cuff
          [barrel cuff] n (1926): an unfolded cuff (as on a shirt)
          usu. fastened by a button

   barrelful
          [bar.rel.ful] n, pl barrelfuls or bar.rels.ful (14c) 1: as
          much or as many as a barrel will hold 2: a large number
          or amount

   barrelhead
          [bar.rel.head] n (1840): the flat end of a barrel -- on the
          barrelhead : asking for or granting no credit <paid cash
          on the barrelhead>

   barrelhouse
          [bar.rel.house] n (1883) 1: a cheap drinking and usu. dancing
          establishment 2: a strident, uninhibited, and forcefully
          rhythmic style of jazz or blues

   barrel organ
          [barrel organ] n (1772): an instrument for producing music
          by the action of a revolving cylinder studded with pegs
          on a series of valves that admit air from a bellows to
          a set of pipes

   barrel racing
          [barrel racing] n (1972): a rodeo event for women in which
          a mounted rider makes a series of sharp turns around
          three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern -- barrel race
          n -- barrel racer n

   barrel roll
          [barrel roll] n (ca. 1920): an airplane maneuver in which
          a complete revolution about the longitudinal axis is
          made

   barrel vault
          [barrel vault] n (1849): a semicylindrical vault --
          bar.rel-vault.ed adj

   [1]barren
          [bar.ren] adj [ME bareine, fr. OF baraine] (13c) 1: not
          reproducing: as a: incapable of producing offspring--used esp.
          of females or matings b: not yet or not recently pregnant
          c: habitually failing to fruit 2: not productive: as a: producing
          little or no vegetation: desolate <~ deserts> b: producing inferior
          crops <~ soil> c: unproductive of results or gain: fruitless
          <a ~ scheme> 3: devoid, lacking--used with of <~ of excitement>
          4: lacking interest, information, or charm 5: dull, unresponsive
          syn see bare -- bar.ren.ly adv -- bar.ren.ness n [2]barren n (1651)
          1 pl: an extent of usu. level land having an inferior growth
          of trees or little vegetation 2: a tract of barren land

   barrette
          [bar.rette] n [F, dim. of barre bar] (1901): a clip or bar
          for holding hair in place

   [1]barricade
          [bar.ri.cade] vt -cad.ed ; -cad.ing (159 2) 1: to block off
          or stop up with a barricade 2: to prevent access to by
          means of a barricade [2]barricade n [F, fr. MF, fr. barriquer
          to barricade, fr. barrique barrel] (1642) 1: an obstruction
          or rampart thrown up across a way or passage to check
          the advance of the enemy 2: barrier 3, obstacle 3 pl:
          a field of combat or dispute

   barricado
          [bar.ri.ca.do] n, pl -does [modif. of MF barricade] (1590)
          archaic: barricade -- barricado vt, archaic

   barrier
          [bar.ri.er] n [ME barrere, fr. MF barriere, fr. barre] (14c)
          1 a: something material that blocks or is intended to
          block passage <highway ~s> <a ~ contraceptive> b: a natural
          formation or structure that prevents or hinders movement
          or action <geographic ~s to species dissemination> <~
          beaches> <drugs that cross the placental ~> 2 pl, often
          cap: a medieval war game in which combatants fight on
          foot with a fence or railing between them 3: something
          immaterial that impedes or separates: obstacle <behavioral
          ~s> <trade ~s> <a ~ to honest communication>

   barrier island
          [barrier island] n (1943): a long broad sandy island lying
          parallel to a shore that is built up by the action of
          waves, currents, and winds and that protects the shore
          from the effects of the ocean

   barrier reef
          [barrier reef] n (1805): a coral reef roughly parallel to
          a shore and separated from it by a lagoon

   barring
          [bar.ring] prep (15c): excluding by exception: excepting

   barrio
          [bar.rio] n, pl -ri.os [Sp, fr. Ar barri of the open country,
          fr. barr outside, open country] (1841) 1: a ward, quarter,
          or district of a city or town in Spanish-speaking countries
          2: a Spanish-speaking quarter or neighborhood in a city
          or town in the U.S. esp. in the Southwest

   barrister
          [bar.ris.ter] n [ME barrester, fr. barre bar + -ster (as
          in legister lawyer)] (15c): a counsel admitted to plead
          at the bar and undertake the public trial of causes in
          an English superior court--compare solicitor

   barroom
          [bar.room] n (1797): a room or establishment whose main feature
          is a bar for the sale of liquor

   [1]barrow
          [bar.row] n [ME bergh, fr. OE beorg; akin to OHG berg mountain,
          Skt brhant high] (bef. 12c) 1: mountain, mound--used
          only in the names of hills in England 2: a large mound
          of earth or stones over the remains of the dead: tumulus
          [2]barrow n [ME barow, fr. OE bearg; akin to OHG barug
          barrow] (bef. 12c): a male hog castrated before sexual
          maturity [3]barrow n [ME barew, fr. OE bearwe; akin to
          OE beran to carry--more at bear] (bef. 12c) 1 a: handbarrow
          b: wheelbarrow 2: a cart with a shallow box body, two
          wheels, and shafts for pushing it

   barrow boy
          [barrow boy] n (1939) Brit: costermonger

   bar sinister
          [bar sinister] n (1823) 1: a heraldic charge held to be a
          mark of bastardy 2: the fact or condition of being of
          illegitimate birth

   Bart
          [Bart] abbreviation baronet

   bartender
          [bar.tend.er] n (1836): one that serves liquor at a bar

   [1]barter
          [bar.ter] vb [ME bartren, fr. MF barater to deceive, exchange]
          vi (15c): to trade by exchanging one commodity for another
          ~ vt: to trade or exchange by or as if by bartering --
          bar.ter.er n [2]barter n (15c) 1: the act or practice
          of carrying on trade by bartering 2: the thing given
          in exchange in bartering

   Bartholin's gland
          [Bar.tho.lin's gland] n [Kaspar Bartholin d. 1738 Dan. physician]
          (1901): either of two oval racemose glands lying one
          to each side of the lower part of the vagina and secreting
          a lubricating mucus--compare cowper's gland

   bartizan
          [bar.ti.zan] n [alter. of ME bretasinge, fr. bretais parapet--more
          at brattice] (1808): a small structure (as a turret) projecting
          from a building and serving esp. for lookout or defense

   Baruch
          [Ba.ruch] n [LL, fr. Gk Barouch, fr. Heb Barukh]: a homiletic
          book included in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old
          Testament and in the Protestant Apocrypha

   barware
          [bar.ware] n (1941): glassware or utensils used in preparing
          and serving alcoholic beverages

   baryon
          [bary.on] n [ISV bary- (fr. Gk barys heavy) + [2]-on--more
          at grieve] (1953): any of a group of elementary particles
          (as nucleons) that are subject to the strong force and
          are held to be a combination of three quarks -- bary.on.ic
          adj

   baryte
          [bar.yte] or ba.ry.tes var of barite

   barytone
          [bary.tone] var of baritone

   BAS
          [BAS] abbreviation bachelor of applied science, bachelor
          of arts and sciences

   basal
          [bas.al] adj (1645) 1 a: relating to, situated at, or forming
          the base b: arising from the base of a stem <~ leaves>
          2 a: of or relating to the foundation, base, or essence:
          fundamental b: of, relating to, or being essential for
          maintaining the fundamental vital activities of an organism:
          minimal c: used for teaching beginners <~ readers> --
          ba.sal.ly adv

   basal body
          [basal body] n (1902): a minute distinctively staining cell
          organelle found at the base of a flagellum or cilium
          and identical to a centriole in structure--called also
          basal granule, kinetosome

   basal cell
          [basal cell] n (ca. 1903): one of the innermost cells of
          the deeper epidermis of the skin

   basal ganglion
          [basal ganglion] n (ca. 1889): any of four deeply placed
          masses of gray matter (as the amygdala) in each cerebral
          hemisphere--called also basal nucleus

   basal metabolic rate
          [basal metabolic rate] n (1922): the rate at which heat is
          given off by an organism at complete rest

   basal metabolism
          [basal metabolism] n (1913): the turnover of energy in a
          fasting and resting organism using energy solely to maintain
          vital cellular activity, respiration, and circulation
          as measured by the basal metabolic rate

   basalt
          [ba.salt] n [L basaltes, MS var. of basanites touchstone,
          fr. Gk basanites (lithos), fr. basanos touchstone, fr.
          Egypt bhnw] (1601): a dark gray to black dense to fine-grained
          igneous rock that consists of basic plagioclase, augite,
          and usu. magnetite -- ba.sal.tic adj

   bascule
          [bas.cule] n [F, seesaw] (1678): an apparatus or structure
          (as a drawbridge) in which one end is counterbalanced
          by the other on the principle of the seesaw or by weights

   [1]base
          [base] n, pl bas.es [ME, fr. MF, fr. L basis, fr. Gk, step,
          base, fr. bainein to go--more at come] (13c) 1 a (1):
          the lower part of a wall, pier, or column considered
          as a separate architectural feature (2): the lower part
          of a complete architectural design b: the bottom of something
          considered as its support: foundation c (1): a side or
          face of a geometrical figure from which an altitude can
          be constructed; esp: one on which the figure stands (2):
          the length of a base d: that part of a bodily organ by
          which it is attached to another more central structure
          of the organism 2 a: a main ingredient <paint having
          a latex ~> b: a supporting or carrying ingredient (as
          of a medicine) 3 a: the fundamental part of something:
          groundwork, basis b: the economic factors on which in
          Marxist theory all legal, social, and political relations
          are formed 4: the lower part of a heraldic field 5 a:
          the starting point or line for an action or undertaking
          b: a baseline in surveying c: a center or area of operations:
          as (1): the place from which a military force draws supplies
          (2): a place where military operations begin (3): a permanent
          military installation d (1): a number that is raised
          to a power; esp: the number that when raised to a power
          equal to the logarithm of a number yields the number
          itself (2): a number equal to the number of units in
          a given digit's place that for a given system of writing
          numbers is required to give the numeral 1 in the next
          higher place <the decimal system uses a ~ of 10>; also:
          such a system of writing numbers using an indicated base
          <convert from ~ 10 to ~ 2> (3): a number that is multiplied
          by a rate or of which a percentage or fraction is calculated
          <to find the interest on $90 at 10% multiply the ~ 90
          by .10> e: root 6 6 a: the starting place or goal in
          various games b: any one of the four stations at the
          corners of a baseball infield c: a point to be considered
          <his opening remarks touched every ~> 7 a: any of various
          typically water-soluble and bitter tasting compounds
          that in solution have a pH greater than 7, are capable
          of reacting with an acid to form a salt, and are molecules
          or ions able to take up a proton from an acid or able
          to give up an unshared pair of electrons to an acid b:
          any of the five purine or pyrimidine bases of DNA and
          RNA that include cytosine, guanine, adenine, thymine,
          and uracil 8: a price level at which a security previously
          actively declining in price resists further price decline
          9: the part of a transformational grammar that consists
          of rules and a lexicon and generates the deep structures
          of a language -- based adj -- base.less adj -- off base
          1: wrong, mistaken 2: unawares [2]base vt based ; bas.ing
          (1587) 1: to make, form, or serve as a base for 2: to
          find a base or basis for--usu. used with on or upon [3]base
          adj [ME bas, fr. MF, fr. ML bassus short, low] (14c)
          1 archaic: of little height 2 obs: low in place or position
          3 obs: bass 4 archaic: baseborn 5 a: resembling a villein:
          servile <a ~ tenant> b: held by villenage <~ tenure>
          6 a: being of comparatively low value and having relatively
          inferior properties (as lack of resistance to corrosion)
          <a ~ metal such as iron>--compare noble b: containing
          a larger than usual proportion of base metals <~ silver
          denarii> 7 a: lacking or indicating the lack of higher
          qualities of mind or spirit: ignoble b: lacking higher
          values: degrading <a drab ~ way of life> -- base.ly adv
          -- base.ness n syn base, low, vile mean deserving of
          contempt because of the absence of higher values. base
          stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery,
          greed, or grossness <base motives>. low may connote crafty
          cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies
          an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety <refused
          to listen to such low talk>. vile, the strongest of these
          words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth
          <a vile remark>.

   base angle
          [base angle] n (ca. 1949): either of the angles of a triangle
          that have one side in common with the base

   baseball
          [base.ball] n, often attrib (ca. 1815): a game played with
          a bat and ball between two teams of nine players each
          on a large field having four bases that mark the course
          a runner must take to score; also: the ball used in this
          game

   baseboard
          [base.board] n (1853): a board situated at or forming the
          base of something; specif: a molding covering the joint
          of a wall and the adjoining floor

   baseborn
          [base.born] adj (1591) 1: mean, ignoble 2 a: of humble birth
          b: of illegitimate birth

   base burner
          [base burner] n (1874): a stove in which the fuel is fed
          from a hopper as the lower layer is consumed

   base exchange
          [base exchange] n (ca. 1956): a post exchange at a naval
          or air force base

   base hit
          [base hit] n (1874): a hit in baseball that enables the batter
          to reach base safely without benefit of an error or fielder's
          choice

   baseline
          [base.line] n, often attrib (1750) 1: a line serving as a
          basis; esp: one of known measure or position used (as
          in surveying or navigation) to calculate or locate something
          2 a: either of the lines leading from home plate to first
          base and third base that are extended into the outfield
          as foul lines b: base path 3: a boundary line at either
          end of a court (as in tennis or basketball) 4: a set
          of critical observations or data used for comparison
          or a control 5: a starting point <the ~ of this discussion>

   baseliner
          [base.lin.er] n (ca. 1929): a tennis player who stays on
          or near the baseline and seldom moves to the net

   basement
          [base.ment] n [prob. fr. [1]base] (1730) 1: the part of a
          building that is wholly or partly below ground level
          2: the ground floor facade or interior in Renaissance
          architecture 3: the lowest or fundamental part of something;
          specif: the rocks underlying stratified rocks 4 chiefly
          NewEng: a toilet or washroom esp. in a school -- base.ment.less
          adj

   basement membrane
          [basement membrane] n (1847): a thin membranous layer of
          connective tissue that separates a layer of epithelial
          cells from the underlying lamina propia

   basenji
          [ba.sen.ji] n [prob. fr. Lingala basenji, pl. of mosenji
          native] (1933): any of a breed of small curly-tailed
          dogs of African origin that do not bark

   base on balls
          [base on balls] (ca. 1891): an advance to first base awarded
          a baseball player who during his turn at bat takes four
          pitches that are balls

   base pair
          [base pair] n (1962): one of the pairs of chemical bases
          composed of a purine on one strand of DNA joined by hydrogen
          bonds to a pyrimidine on the other that hold together
          the two complementary strands much like the rungs of
          a ladder and include adenine linked to thymine or sometimes
          to uracil and guanine linked to cytosine

   base path
          [base path] n (1935): the area between the bases of a baseball
          field used by a base runner

   base pay
          [base pay] n (1920): a rate or amount of pay for a standard
          work period, job, or position exclusive of additional
          payments or allowances

   base runner
          [base runner] n (1867): a baseball player of the team at
          bat who is on base or is attempting to reach a base --
          base.run.ning n

   bases
          [bases] pl of base, or of basis

   [1]bash
          [bash] vb [origin unknown] vt (1750) 1: to strike violently:
          hit; also: to injure or damage by striking: smash--often
          used with in 2: to attack physically or verbally <media
          ~ing> <celebrity ~ing> ~ vi: crash -- bash.er n [2]bash
          n (1805) 1: a forceful blow 2: a festive social gathering:
          party 3: try, attempt <have a ~ at it>

   bashaw
          [ba.shaw] var of pasha

   bashful
          [bash.ful] adj [obs. bash (to be abashed)] (1548) 1: socially
          shy or timid: diffident, self-conscious 2: resulting
          from or typical of a bashful nature <a ~ smile> syn see
          shy -- bash.ful.ly adv -- bash.ful.ness n

   [1]basic
          [ba.sic] adj (1842) 1: of, relating to, or forming the base
          or essence: fundamental 2: constituting or serving as
          the basis or starting point 3 a: of, relating to, containing,
          or having the character of a chemical base b: having
          an alkaline reaction 4: containing relatively little
          silica <~ rocks> 5: relating to, made by, used in, or
          being a process of making steel done in a furnace lined
          with basic material and under basic slag -- ba.sic.i.ty
          n [2]basic n (1926) 1: something that is basic: fundamental
          <get back to ~s> 2: basic training BA.SIC n [Beginner's
          All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code] (1964): a simplified
          language for programming a computer

   basically
          [ba.si.cal.ly] adv (1903) 1 a: at a basic level: in fundamental
          disposition or nature <~ correct> <~, they are simple
          people> b: for the most part <they ~ play zone defense>
          2: in a basic manner: simply <live ~>

   basic slag
          [basic slag] n (1888): a slag low in silica and high
          in base-forming oxides that is used in the basic process
          of steelmaking and that is subsequently useful as a fertilizer

   basic training
          [basic training] n (1943): the initial period of training
          of a military recruit

   basidiomycete
          [ba.sid.io.my.cete] n [ultim. fr. NL basidium + Gk myket-,
          mykes fungus; akin to Gk myxa mucus--more at mucus] (1899):
          any of a large class (Basidiomycetes) or subdivision
          (Basidiomycotina) of higher fungi having septate hyphae,
          bearing spores on a basidium, and including rusts, smuts,
          mushrooms, and puffballs -- ba.sid.io.my.ce.tous adj

   basidiospore
          [ba.sid.io.spore] n [NL basidium + E -o- + spore] (1859):
          a spore produced by a basidium

   basidium
          [ba.sid.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. L basis] (1859): a structure
          on the fruiting body of a basidiomycete in which karyogamy
          occurs followed by meiosis to form usu. four basidiospores

   basify
          [ba.si.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (ca. 1847): to convert into
          a base or make alkaline -- ba.si.fi.ca.tion n

   basil
          [ba.sil] n [MF basile, fr. LL basilicum, fr. Gk basilikon,
          fr. neut. of basilikos] (15c) 1: any of several aromatic
          herbs (genus Ocimum) of the mint family; esp: sweet basil
          2: the dried or fresh leaves of a basil used esp. as
          a seasoning

   basilar
          [bas.i.lar] adj [MF basilaire, irreg. fr. base base] (1541):
          of, relating to, or situated at the base

   basilar membrane
          [basilar membrane] n (1867): a membrane extending from the
          bony shelf of the cochlea to the outer wall and supporting
          the organ of Corti

   Basilian
          [Ba.sil.i.an] n (1780): a member of the monastic order founded
          by St. Basil in the 4th century in Cappadocia -- Basilian
          adj

   basilica
          [ba.sil.i.ca] n [L, fr. Gk basilike, fr. fem. of basilikos
          royal, fr. basileus king] (1541) 1: an oblong building
          ending in a semicircular apse used in ancient Rome esp.
          for a court of justice and place of public assembly 2:
          an early Christian church building consisting of nave
          and aisles with clerestory and a large high transept
          from which an apse projects 3: a Roman Catholic church
          given ceremonial privileges -- ba.sil.i.can adj

   basilisk
          [bas.i.lisk] n [ME, fr. L basiliscus, fr. Gk basiliskos,
          fr. dim. of basileus] (14c) 1: a legendary reptile with
          fatal breath and glance 2: any of several crested tropical
          American lizards (genus Basiliscus) related to the iguanas
          and noted for their ability to run on their hind legs
          -- basilisk adj

   basin
          [ba.sin] n [ME, fr. OF bacin, fr. LL bacchinon] (13c) 1 a:
          an open usu. circular vessel with sloping or curving
          sides used typically for holding water for washing b
          chiefly Brit: a bowl used esp. in cooking c: the quantity
          contained in a basin 2 a: a dock built in a tidal river
          or harbor b: an enclosed or partly enclosed water area
          3 a: a large or small depression in the surface of the
          land or in the ocean floor b: the entire tract of country
          drained by a river and its tributaries c: a great depression
          in the surface of the lithosphere occupied by an ocean
          4: a broad area of the earth beneath which the strata
          dip usu. from the sides toward the center -- ba.sin.al
          adj -- ba.sined adj -- ba.sin.ful n

   basinet
          [bas.i.net] n [ME bacinet, fr. MF, dim. of OF bacin] (14c):
          a light often pointed steel helmet

   basipetal
          [ba.sip.e.tal] adj [L basis + petere to go toward--more at
          feather] (1869): proceeding from the apex toward the
          base or from above downward <~ maturation of an inflorescence>
          -- ba.sip.e.tal.ly adv

   basis
          [ba.sis] n, pl ba.ses [L--more at base] (14c) 1: the bottom
          of something considered as its foundation 2: the principal
          component of something 3 a: something on which something
          else is established or based b: an underlying condition
          or state of affairs <hired on a trial ~> <on a first-name
          ~> 4: the basic principle 5: a set of linearly independent
          vectors in a vector space such that any vector in the
          vector space can be expressed as a linear combination
          of them with appropriately chosen coefficients

   basis point
          [basis point] n (1967): one hundredth of one percent in the
          yield of an investment

   bask
          [bask] vb [ME, prob. fr. ON bathask, refl. of batha to bathe;
          akin to OE baeth bath] vi (14c) 1: to lie in or expose
          oneself to a pleasant warmth or atmosphere 2: to take
          pleasure or derive enjoyment ~ vt, obs: to warm by continued
          exposure to heat

   basket
          [bas.ket] n [ME, prob. fr. (assumed) ONF baskot; akin to
          OF baschoue wooden vessel; both fr. L bascauda kind of
          basin, of Celt origin; akin to MIr basc necklace--more
          at fascia] (14c) 1 a: a receptacle made of interwoven
          material (as osiers) b: any of various lightweight usu.
          wood containers c: the quantity contained in a basket
          2: something that resembles a basket esp. in shape or
          use 3 a: a net open at the bottom and suspended from
          a metal ring that constitutes the goal in basketball
          b: a field goal in basketball 4 a: an aggregate of values
          (as of selected currencies) the average of which serves
          as a monetary standard b: a selection of financial instruments
          (as equities, futures, or options) the values of which
          reflect market fluctuations 5: a ring around the lower
          end of a ski pole that keeps the pole from sinking too
          deep in snow -- bas.ket.like adj

   basketball
          [bas.ket.ball] n, often attrib (1892): a usu. indoor court
          game between two teams of usu. five players each who
          score by tossing an inflated ball through a raised goal;
          also: the ball used in this game

   basket case
          [basket case] n (1919) 1: a person who has all four limbs
          amputated 2: one that is completely incapacitated, inoperative,
          or worn out (as from nervous tension)

   basketful
          [bas.ket.ful] n, pl bas.ket.fuls also bas.kets.ful (14c):
          as much or as many as a basket will hold; also: a considerable
          quantity

   basket hilt
          [basket hilt] n (ca. 1550): a hilt with a basket-shaped guard
          to protect the hand -- bas.ket-hilt.ed adj

   Basket Maker
          [Basket Maker] n (1897): any of three stages of an ancient
          culture of the plateau area of southwestern U.S.; also:
          a member of the people who produced the Basket Maker
          culture

   basket-of-gold
          [basket-of-gold] n (1930): a European perennial herb (Aurinia
          saxatilis syn. Alyssum saxatile) widely cultivated for
          its grayish foliage and yellow flowers

   basketry
          [bas.ket.ry] n, pl -ries (1851) 1: basketwork 2: the art
          or craft of making baskets or objects woven like baskets

   basket star
          [basket star] n (ca. 1923): any of various brittle stars
          (suborder Euryalina) with slender complexly branched
          interlacing arms

   basket weave
          [basket weave] n (ca. 1915): a textile weave resembling the
          checkered pattern of a plaited basket; also: something
          resembling this weave

   basketwork
          [bas.ket.work] n (1769): objects produced by basketry

   basking shark
          [bask.ing shark] n (ca. 1769): a large plankton-feeding shark
          (Cetorhinus maximus) that has an oil-rich liver and sometimes
          attains a length of 40 feet (12 meters)

   basmati rice
          [bas.ma.ti rice] n [Hindi basmati kind of rice, lit., something
          fragrant] (1845): a cultivated aromatic long-grain rice
          of South Asian origin--called also basmati

   bas mitzvah
          [bas mitz.vah] n, often cap B&M [Heb bath miswah, lit., daughter
          of the (divine) law] (1952) 1: a Jewish girl who at about
          13 years of age assumes religious responsibilities 2:
          the initiatory ceremony recognizing a girl as a bas mitzvah

   basophil
          [ba.so.phil] or ba.so.phile n (ca. 1890): a basophilic substance
          or structure; esp: a leukocyte containing basophilic
          granules that is similar in function to a mast cell

   basophilia
          [ba.so.phil.ia] n [NL] (1905) 1: tendency to stain with basic
          dyes 2: an abnormal condition in which some tissue element
          has increased basophilia

   basophilic
          [ba.so.phil.ic] adj [ISV base + -o- + -philic] (ca. 1894):
          staining readily with basic stains

   Basotho
          [Ba.so.tho] n pl (1895): a Bantu-speaking people of Lesotho

   Basque
          [Basque] n [F, fr. MF, fr. L Vasco] (1835) 1: a member of
          a people inhabiting the western Pyrenees on the Bay of
          Biscay 2: the language of the Basques of unknown relationship
          3 not cap: a tight-fitting bodice for women -- Basque
          adj

   bas-relief
          [bas-re.lief] n [F, fr. bas low + relief raised work] (1667):
          sculptural relief in which the projection from the surrounding
          surface is slight and no part of the modeled form is
          undercut; also: sculpture executed in bas-relief

   [1]bass
          [bass] n, pl bass or bass.es [ME base, baers, fr. OE baers;
          akin to OHG bersich perch] (bef. 12c): any of numerous
          edible spiny-finned marine or freshwater fishes (esp.
          families Centrarchidae, Serranidae, and Percichthyidae)
          [2]bass adj [ME bas base] (15c) 1: deep or grave in tone
          2 a: of low pitch b: relating to or having the range
          or part of a bass [3]bass n (15c) 1 a: the lowest voice
          part in a 4-part chorus b: the lower half of the whole
          vocal or instrumental tonal range--compare treble c:
          the lowest adult male singing voice; also: a person having
          this voice d: a member of a family of instruments having
          the lowest range; esp: double bass 2: a deep or grave
          tone: a low-pitched sound [4]bass n [alter. of bast]
          (1691) 1: basswood 1 2: a coarse tough fiber from palms

   bass clef
          [bass clef] n (ca. 1771) 1: a clef placing the F below middle
          C on the fourth line of the staff 2: the bass staff

   bass drum
          [bass drum] n (1804): a large drum having two heads and giving
          a booming sound of low indefinite pitch--see drum illustration

   basset hound
          [bas.set hound] n [F basset, fr. MF, fr. basset short, fr.
          bas low--more at base] (1883): any of an old breed of
          short-legged hunting dogs of French origin having very
          long ears and crooked front legs--called also bassett

   bass fiddle
          [bass fiddle] n (1951): double bass

   bass horn
          [bass horn] n (ca. 1846): an obsolete wind instrument shaped
          like a bassoon but with a cup-shaped mouthpiece

   bassinet
          [bas.si.net] n [prob. modif. of F barcelonnette, dim. of
          berceau cradle] (1854) 1: a baby's basketlike bed (as
          of wickerwork or plastic) often with a hood over one
          end 2: a perambulator that resembles a bassinet

   bassist
          [bass.ist] n (ca. 1909): a person who plays an acoustic or
          electric bass

   basso
          [bas.so] n, pl bassos or bas.si [It, fr. ML bassus, fr. bassus
          short, low] (ca. 1724) 1: a bass singer; esp: an operatic
          bass 2: a low deep voice

   bassoon
          [bas.soon] n [F basson, fr. It bassone, fr. basso] (1724):
          a double-reed woodwind instrument having a long U-shaped
          conical tube connected to the mouthpiece by a thin metal
          tube and a usual range two octaves lower than that of
          the oboe -- bas.soon.ist n

   basso profundo
          [bas.so pro.fun.do] n, pl basso profundos [It, lit., deep
          bass] (1860): a deep heavy bass voice with an exceptionally
          low range; also: a person having this voice

   basso-relievo
          [bas.so-re.lie.vo] also bas.so-ri.lie.vo n [It bassorilievo,
          fr. basso low + rilievo relief] (1644): bas-relief

   bass viol
          [bass viol] n (1590) 1: viola da gamba 2: double bass

   basswood
          [bass.wood] n (1670) 1: any of several New World lindens;
          esp: linden 1b 2: the straight-grained white wood of
          a basswood

   bast
          [bast] n [ME, fr. OE baest; akin to OHG & ON bast bast] (bef.
          12c) 1: phloem 2: bast fiber

   [1]bastard
          [bas.tard] n [ME, fr. OF, prob. of Gmc origin; akin to OFris
          bost marriage, OE bindan to bind] (14c) 1: an illegitimate
          child 2: something that is spurious, irregular, inferior,
          or of questionable origin 3 a: an offensive or disagreeable
          person--used as a generalized term of abuse b: man, fellow
          -- bas.tard.ly adj [2]bastard adj (14c) 1: illegitimate
          2: of mixed or ill-conceived origin <known for coining
          ~ words> 3: of abnormal shape or irregular size 4: of
          a kind similar to but inferior to or less typical than
          some standard <~ measles> 5: lacking genuineness or authority:
          false

   bastardise
          [bas.tard.ise] Brit var of bastardize

   bastardize
          [bas.tard.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1587) 1: to reduce from
          a higher to a lower state or condition: debase 2: to
          declare or prove to be a bastard 3: to modify esp. by
          introducing discordant or disparate elements -- bas.tard.i.za.tion
          n

   bastard wing
          [bastard wing] n (1772): alula

   bastardy
          [bas.tardy] n, pl -tard.ies (15c) 1: the quality or state
          of being a bastard: illegitimacy 2: the begetting of
          an illegitimate child

   [1]baste
          [baste] vt bast.ed ; bast.ing [ME, fr. MF bastir, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG besten to patch, OE baest bast] (15c):
          to sew with long loose stitches in order to hold something
          in place temporarily -- bas.ter n [2]baste vt bast.ed
          ; bast.ing [ME baisten] (15c): to moisten (as meat) at
          intervals with a liquid (as melted butter, fat, or pan
          drippings) esp. during cooking -- bast.er n [3]baste
          vt bast.ed ; bast.ing [prob. fr. ON beysta; akin to OE
          beatan to beat] (1533) 1: to beat severely or soundly:
          thrash 2: to scold vigorously: berate

   bast fiber
          [bast fiber] n (ca. 1885): a strong woody fiber obtained
          chiefly from the phloem of plants and used esp. in cordage,
          matting, and fabrics

   bastille
          [bas.tille] n [F bastille, fr. the Bastille, fortress in
          Paris, fr. MF bastille, modif. of OProv bastida fortified
          town, fr. bastir to build, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          besten to patch] (1741): prison, jail

   Bastille Day
          [Bastille Day] n (1920): July 14 observed in France as a
          national holiday in commemoration of the fall of the
          Bastille in 1789

   [1]bastinado
          [bas.ti.na.do] or bas.ti.nade n, pl -na.does or -nades [Sp
          bastonada, fr. baston stick, fr. LL bastum] (1572) 1:
          a blow with a stick or cudgel 2 a: a beating esp. with
          a stick b: a punishment consisting of beating the soles
          of the feet with a stick 3: stick, cudgel [2]bastinado
          vt -doed ; -do.ing (1599): to subject to repeated blows

   [1]basting
          [bast.ing] n (15c) 1: the action of a sewer who bastes 2
          a: the thread used in basting b: the stitching made by
          basting [2]basting n (1530) 1: the action of one that
          bastes food 2: the liquid used in basting [3]basting
          n (1590): a severe beating

   bastion
          [bas.tion] n [MF, fr. OIt bastione, aug. of bastia fortress,
          derivative fr. dial. form of bastire to build, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG besten to patch] (1562) 1: a projecting
          part of a fortification 2: a fortified area or position
          3: something that is considered a stronghold: bulwark
          -- bas.tioned adj

   Basuto
          [Ba.su.to] n, pl Basuto or Basutos (1835): a member of the
          Basotho people

   BAT
          [BAT] abbreviation bachelor of arts in teaching

   [1]bat
          [bat] n [ME, fr. OE batt] (bef. 12c) 1: a stout solid stick:
          club 2: a sharp blow: stroke 3 a: a usu. wooden implement
          used for hitting the ball in various games b: a paddle
          used in various games (as table tennis) c: the short
          whip used by a jockey 4 a: batsman b: a turn at batting--usu.
          used in the phrase at bat 5: batt 6 Brit: rate of speed:
          gait 7: binge -- off one's own bat chiefly Brit: through
          one's own efforts -- off the bat : without delay: immediately
          [2]bat vb bat.ted ; bat.ting vt (15c) 1: to strike or
          hit with or as if with a bat 2 a: to advance (a base
          runner) by batting b: to have a batting average of 3:
          to discuss at length: consider in detail ~ vi 1 a: to
          strike or hit a ball with a bat b: to take one's turn
          at bat 2: to wander aimlessly [3]bat n [alter. of ME
          bakke, prob. of Scand origin; akin to OSw nattbakka bat]
          (1580): any of a widely distributed order (Chiroptera)
          of nocturnal usu. frugivorous or insectivorous flying
          mammals that have wings formed from four elongated digits
          of the forelimb covered by a cutaneous membrane and that
          have adequate visual capabilities but often rely on echolocation
          [4]bat vt bat.ted ; bat.ting [prob. alter. of [2]bate]
          (ca. 1838): to wink esp. in surprise or emotion <never
          batted an eye>; also: flutter <batted his eyelashes>

   batboy
          [bat.boy] n (ca. 1925): a boy employed to look after the
          equipment (as bats) of a baseball team

   [1]batch
          [batch] n [ME bache; akin to OE bacan to bake] (15c) 1: the
          quantity baked at one time: baking 2 a: the quantity
          of material prepared or required for one operation; specif:
          a mixture of raw materials ready for fusion into glass
          b: the quantity produced at one operation c: a group
          of jobs (as programs) which are submitted for processing
          on a computer and whose results are obtained at a later
          time <~ processing>--compare time-sharing 3: a quantity
          (as of persons or things) considered as a group [2]batch
          vt (1876): to bring together or process as a batch --
          batch.er n [3]batch var of bach

   [1]bate
          [bate] vb bat.ed ; bat.ing [ME, short for abaten to abate]
          vt (14c) 1: to reduce the force or intensity of: restrain
          <with bated breath> 2: to take away: deduct 3 archaic:
          to lower esp. in amount or estimation 4 archaic: blunt
          ~ vi, obs: diminish, decrease [2]bate vi bat.ed ; bat.ing
          [ME, fr. MF batre to beat, fr. L battuere] (14c) of a
          falcon or hawk: to attempt to fly off something (as a
          gauntlet) in fear

   bat-eared fox
          [bat-eared fox] n (1946): a large-eared yellowish gray fox
          (Otocyon megalotis) that inhabits arid unforested areas
          of eastern and southern Africa

   bateau
          [ba.teau] n, pl ba.teaux [CanF, fr. F, fr. OF batel, fr.
          OE bat boat--more at boat] (1711): any of various small
          craft; esp: a flat-bottomed boat with raked bow and stern
          and flaring sides

   Batesian
          [Bates.ian] adj [Henry Walter Bates d. 1892 Eng. naturalist]
          (1896): characterized by or being mimicry involving resemblance
          of an innocuous species to another that is protected
          from predators by repellent qualities (as unpalatability)
          <~ mimic>

   batfish
          [bat.fish] n (1873): any of several fishes with winglike
          processes; esp: any of a family (Ogcocephalidae) of flattened
          pediculate fishes (as a common West Indian form Ogcocephalus
          vespertillo)

   batfowl
          [bat.fowl] vi (15c): to catch birds at night by blinding
          them with a light and knocking them down with a stick
          or netting them

   [1]bath
          [bath] n, pl baths [ME, fr. OE baeth; akin to OHG bad bath,
          OHG baen to warm] (bef. 12c) 1: a washing or soaking
          (as in water or steam) of all or part of the body 2 a:
          water used for bathing b (1): a contained liquid for
          a special purpose (2): a receptacle holding the liquid
          c (1): a medium for regulating the temperature of something
          placed in or on it (2): a vessel containing this medium
          3 a: bathroom b: a building containing an apartment or
          a series of rooms designed for bathing c: spa--usu. used
          in pl. d Brit: swimming pool--often used in pl. 4 a:
          the quality or state of being covered with a liquid b:
          flood 3 5: bathtub 6: a financial setback: loss <took
          a ~ in the market> [2]bath vt (15c) Brit: to give a bath
          to ~ vi, Brit: to take a bath [3]bath n [Heb] (14c):
          an ancient Hebrew liquid measure corresponding to the
          ephah of dry measure

   bath chair
          [bath chair] n, often cap B [Bath, England] (1823): a hooded
          and sometimes glassed wheeled chair used esp. by invalids;
          broadly: wheelchair

   [1]bathe
          [bathe] vb bathed ; bath.ing [ME, fr. OE bathian; akin to
          OE baeth bath] vt (bef. 12c) 1: moisten, wet 2: to wash
          in a liquid (as water) 3: to apply water or a liquid
          medicament to 4: to flow along the edge of: lave 5: to
          suffuse with or as if with light ~ vi 1: to take a bath
          2: to go swimming 3: to become immersed or absorbed --
          bath.er n [2]bathe n (1831) 1 Brit: [1]bath 1 2 Brit:
          swim, dip

   bathetic
          [ba.thet.ic] adj [bathos + -etic (as in pathetic)] (ca. 1864):
          characterized by bathos -- ba.thet.i.cal.ly adv

   bathhouse
          [bath.house] n (1705) 1: a building equipped for bathing
          2: a building containing dressing rooms for bathers

   bathing beauty
          [bathing beauty] n (1920): a woman in a bathing suit who
          is a contestant in a beauty contest

   bathing suit
          [bathing suit] n (1873): swimsuit

   bath mat
          [bath mat] n (1895): a usu. washable mat used in a bathroom

   batholith
          [bath.o.lith] n [Gk bathos depth + ISV -lith] (ca. 1900):
          a great mass of intruded igneous rock that for the most
          part stopped in its rise a considerable distance below
          the surface -- bath.o.lith.ic adj

   bathos
          [ba.thos] n [Gk, lit., depth] (1727) 1 a: the sudden appearance
          of the commonplace in otherwise elevated matter or style
          b: anticlimax 2: exceptional commonplaceness: triteness
          3: insincere or overdone pathos: sentimentalism

   bathrobe
          [bath.robe] n (1902): a loose often absorbent robe worn before
          and after bathing or as a dressing gown

   bathroom
          [bath.room] n (1780) 1: a room containing a bathtub or shower
          and usu. a sink and toilet 2: lavatory 2

   bath salts
          [bath salts] n pl (1907): a usu. colored crystalline compound
          for perfuming and softening bathwater

   bathtub
          [bath.tub] n (1869): a usu. fixed tub for bathing

   bathtub gin
          [bathtub gin] n (1930): a homemade spirit concocted from
          raw alcohol, water, essences, and essential oils

   bathwater
          [bath.wa.ter] n (14c): water for a bath

   bathy-
          [bathy-] comb form [ISV, fr. Gk, fr. bathys deep] 1: deep:
          depth <bathyal> 2: deep-sea <bathysphere>

   bathyal
          [bathy.al] adj (1921): of or relating to the ocean depths
          or floor usu. from 600 to 6000 feet (180 to 1800 meters)

   bathymetry
          [ba.thym.e.try] n, pl -tries [ISV] (ca. 1859): the measurement
          of water depth at various places in a body of water;
          also: the information derived from such measurements
          -- bathy.met.ric also bathy.met.ri.cal adj -- bathy.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv

   bathypelagic
          [bathy.pe.lag.ic] adj (ca. 1900): of, relating to, or living
          in the ocean depths esp. between 2000 and 12,000 feet
          (600 and 3600 meters)

   bathyscaphe
          [bathy.scaphe] or bathy.scaph n [ISV bathy- + Gk skaphe light
          boat] (1947): a navigable submersible for deep-sea exploration
          having a spherical watertight cabin attached to its underside

   bathysphere
          [bathy.sphere] n (1930): a strongly built steel diving sphere
          for deep-sea observation

   bathythermograph
          [bathy.ther.mo.graph] n (1938): an instrument designed to
          record water temperature as a function of depth

   batik
          [ba.tik] n [Jav batik] (1880) 1: a fabric printed by an Indonesian
          method of hand-printing textiles by coating with wax the parts not
          to be dyed; also: the method itself 2: a design executed in batik

   bating
          [bat.ing] prep (1647): with the exception of: excepting

   batiste
          [ba.tiste] n [F] (1697): a fine soft sheer fabric of plain
          weave made of various fibers

   batman
          [bat.man] n [F bat packsaddle] (1755): an orderly of a British
          military officer

   bat mitzvah
          [bat mitz.vah] often cap B&M var of bas mitzvah

   baton
          [ba.ton] n [F baton, fr. OF baston, fr. LL bastum stick]
          (1520) 1: cudgel, truncheon; specif: billy club 2: a
          staff borne as a symbol of office 3: a narrow heraldic
          bend 4: a slender rod with which a leader directs a band
          or orchestra 5: a hollow cylinder carried by each member
          of a relay team and passed to the succeeding runner 6:
          a hollow metal rod with a weighted bulb at one or both
          ends that is flourished or twirled by a drum major or
          drum majorette

   bat out
          [bat out] vt (1941): to compose esp. in a casual, careless,
          or hurried manner

   batrachian
          [ba.tra.chi.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk batrachos frog] (ca. 1828):
          amphibian 1; esp: frog, toad -- batrachian adj

   bats
          [bats] adj (1919): batty 2

   batsman
          [bats.man] n (1756): a batter esp. in cricket

   batt
          [batt] n (1871): batting 2; also: an often square piece of
          batting

   battailous
          [bat.tai.lous] adj [ME bataillous, fr. MF bataillos, fr.
          bataille battle] (14c) archaic: ready for battle: warlike

   battalia
          [bat.ta.lia] n [It battaglia] (1569) 1 archaic: order of
          battle 2 obs: a large body of men in battle array

   battalion
          [bat.tal.ion] n [MF bataillon, fr. OIt battaglione, aug.
          of battaglia company of soldiers, battle, fr. LL battalia
          combat--more at battle] (1579) 1: a considerable body
          of troops organized to act together: army 2: a military
          unit composed of a headquarters and two or more companies,
          batteries, or similar units 3: a large group

   batteau
          [bat.teau] var of bateau

   battement
          [bat.te.ment] n [F, fr. battre to beat, fr. L battuere] (1830):
          a ballet movement in which the foot is extended in any
          direction usu. followed by a beat against the supporting
          foot

   [1]batten
          [bat.ten] vb bat.tened ; bat.ten.ing [prob. fr. ON batna
          to improve; akin to OE betera better] vi (1591) 1 a:
          to grow fat b: to feed gluttonously 2: to grow prosperous
          esp. at the expense of another--usu. used with on ~ vt:
          fatten [2]batten n [alter. of ME batent, bataunt finished
          board, fr. MF batant, fr. prp. of battre] (1658) 1 a
          Brit: a piece of lumber used esp. for flooring b: a thin
          narrow strip of lumber used esp. to seal or reinforce
          a joint 2: a strip, bar, or support resembling or used
          similarly to a batten [3]batten vb bat.tened ; bat.ten.ing
          vt (1663) 1: to furnish with battens 2: to fasten with
          or as if with battens--often used with down ~ vi: to
          make one secure by or as if by battens <~ing down for
          the hurricane>

   [1]batter
          [bat.ter] vb [ME bateren, prob. freq. of batten to bat, fr.
          bat] vt (14c) 1 a: to beat with successive blows so as
          to bruise, shatter, or demolish b: bombard 2: to subject
          to strong, overwhelming, or repeated attack 3: to wear
          or damage by hard usage or blows <a ~ed old hat> ~ vi:
          to strike heavily and repeatedly: beat syn see maim [2]batter
          n [ME bater, prob. fr. bateren] (14c) 1 a: a mixture
          consisting chiefly of flour, egg, and milk or water and
          being thin enough to pour or drop from a spoon b: a mixture
          (as of flour and egg) used as a coating for food (as
          chicken) that is to be fried 2: an instance of battering
          [3]batter vt (1973): to coat (food) with batter for frying
          [4]batter n [origin unknown] (1743): a receding upward
          slope of the outer face of a structure [5]batter vt (ca.
          1882): to give a receding upward slope to (as a wall)
          [6]batter n (1773): one that bats; esp: the player whose
          turn it is to bat

   battered child syndrome
          [battered child syndrome] n (1962): the complex of physical
          injuries sustained by a grossly abused child

   batterie
          [bat.te.rie] n [F, lit., beating--more at battery] (1712):
          a ballet movement consisting of beating together the
          feet or calves of the legs during a leap

   battering ram
          [battering ram] n (1593) 1: a military siege engine consisting
          of a large wooden beam with a head of iron used in ancient
          times to beat down the walls of a besieged place 2: a
          heavy metal bar with handles used (as by firefighters)
          to batter down doors and walls

   battery
          [bat.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [MF batterie, fr. OF, fr. battre
          to beat, fr. L battuere] (1531) 1 a: the act of battering
          or beating b: an offensive touching or use of force on
          a person without the person's consent--compare assault
          2a 2 a: a grouping of artillery pieces for tactical purposes
          b: the guns of a warship 3: an artillery unit in the
          army equivalent to a company 4 a: a combination of apparatus
          for producing a single electrical effect b: a group of
          two or more cells connected together to furnish electric
          current; also: a single cell that furnishes electric
          current <a flashlight ~> 5 a: a number of similar articles,
          items, or devices arranged, connected, or used together:
          set, series <a ~ of tests> b: a usu. impressive or imposing
          group: array 6: the position of readiness of a gun for
          firing 7: the pitcher and catcher of a baseball team

   batting
          [bat.ting] n (1773) 1 a: the action of one who bats b: the
          use of or ability with a bat 2: layers or sheets of raw
          cotton or wool or of synthetic fibrous material used
          for lining quilts or for stuffing or packaging; also:
          a blanket of thermal insulation (as fiberglass)

   batting average
          [batting average] n (1867) 1: a ratio (as a rate per thousand)
          of base hits to official times at bat for a baseball
          player 2: a record of achievement or accomplishment

   [1]battle
          [bat.tle] n, often attrib [ME batel, fr. OF bataille battle,
          fortifying tower, battalion, fr. LL battalia combat,
          alter. of battualia fencing exercises, fr. L battuere
          to beat] (13c) 1 archaic: battalion 2: a combat between
          two persons 3: a general encounter between armies, ships
          of war, or aircraft 4: an extended contest, struggle,
          or controversy [2]battle vb bat.tled ; bat.tling vi (14c)
          1: to engage in battle: fight 2: to contend with full
          strength, vigor, skill, or resources: struggle ~ vt 1:
          to fight against 2: to force (as one's way) by battling
          -- bat.tler n [3]battle vt bat.tled ; bat.tling [ME batailen,
          fr. MF bataillier to fortify, fr. OF, fr. bataille] (14c)
          archaic: to fortify with battlements

   battle-ax
          [bat.tle-ax] n (14c) 1: a broadax formerly used as a weapon
          of war 2: a sharp-tongued domineering usu. older woman

   battle cruiser
          [battle cruiser] n (1911): a large heavily armed warship
          that is lighter, faster, and more maneuverable than a
          battleship

   battle cry
          [battle cry] n (1814): war cry

   battle fatigue
          [battle fatigue] n (1945): combat fatigue -- bat.tle-fa.tigued
          adj

   battlefield
          [bat.tle.field] n (1812) 1: a place where a battle is fought
          2: an area of conflict

   battlefront
          [bat.tle.front] n (1914): the military sector in which actual
          combat takes place

   battleground
          [bat.tle.ground] n (1815): battlefield

   battle line
          [battle line] (1814) 1: a line along which a battle is fought
          2: a line defining the positions of opposing groups in
          a conflict or controversy--usu. used in pl. <battle lines
          were drawn over economic policies>

   battlement
          [bat.tle.ment] n [ME batelment, fr. MF bataille] (14c): a
          parapet with open spaces that surmounts a wall and is
          used for defense or decoration -- bat.tle.ment.ed adj

   battle royal
          [battle royal] n, pl battles royal or battle royals (1672)
          1 a: a fight participated in by more than two combatants;
          esp: one in which the last man in the ring or on his
          feet is declared the winner b: a violent struggle 2:
          a heated dispute

   battleship
          [bat.tle.ship] n [short for line-of-battle ship] (1794):
          a warship of the largest and most heavily armed and armored
          class

   battlewagon
          [bat.tle.wag.on] n (ca. 1927): battleship

   battu
          [bat.tu] adj [F, fr. pp. of battre to beat] (1947) of a ballet
          movement: performed with a striking together of the legs

   battue
          [bat.tue] n [F, fr. battre to beat] (1816): the beating of
          woods and bushes to flush game; also: a hunt in which
          this procedure is used

   batty
          [bat.ty] adj bat.ti.er ; -est (1590) 1: of, relating to,
          or resembling a bat 2: mentally unstable: crazy -- bat.ti.ness
          n

   bauble
          [bau.ble] n [ME babel, fr. MF] (14c) 1: trinket 2: a fool's
          scepter 3: trifle

   Baucis
          [Bau.cis] n [L, fr. Gk Baukis]: the wife of Philemon

   baud
          [baud] n, pl baud also bauds [baud (telegraphic transmission
          speed unit), fr. J. M. E. Baudot d. 1903 Fr. inventor]
          (1931): a variable unit of data transmission speed (as
          one bit per second)

   Bauhaus
          [Bau.haus] adj [G Bauhaus, lit., architecture house, school
          founded by Walter Gropius] (1923): of, relating to, or
          influenced by a school of design noted esp. for a program
          that synthesized technology, craftsmanship, and design
          aesthetics

   baulk
          [baulk] chiefly Brit var of balk

   Baume
          [Bau.me] adj [Antoine Baume] (1877): being, calibrated in
          accordance with, or according to either of two arbitrary
          hydrometer scales for liquids lighter than water or for
          liquids heavier than water that indicate specific gravity
          in degrees

   baum marten
          [baum marten] n [part trans. of G Baummarder, fr. Baum tree
          + Marder marten] (1909): the pelt or fur of the European
          marten (Martes martes)

   bauxite
          [baux.ite] n [F bauxite, fr. Les Baux, near Arles, France]
          (1861): an impure mixture of earthy hydrous aluminum
          oxides and hydroxides that is the principal source of
          aluminum -- baux.it.ic adj

   Bav
          [Bav] abbreviation Bavaria, Bavarian

   Bavarian
          [Ba.var.i.an] n (1638) 1: a native or inhabitant of Bavaria
          2: the High German dialect of southern Bavaria and Austria
          -- Bavarian adj

   Bavarian cream
          [Bavarian cream] n (ca. 1879): flavored custard or pureed
          fruit combined with gelatin and whipped cream

   bawbee
          [baw.bee] n [prob. fr. Alexander Orrok, laird of Sillebawbe
          fl 1538 Scot. master of the mint] (1542) 1: any of various
          Scottish coins of small value 2: an English halfpenny

   bawcock
          [baw.cock] n [F beau coq, fr. beau fine + coq fellow, cock]
          (1599) archaic: a fine fellow

   bawd
          [bawd] n [ME bawde] (14c) 1 obs: pander 2 a: one who keeps
          a house of prostitution: madam b: prostitute

   bawdry
          [bawd.ry] n [ME bawderie, fr. bawde] (15c) 1 obs: unchastity
          2: suggestive, coarse, or obscene language

   [1]bawdy
          [bawdy] adj bawd.i.er ; -est [bawd] (1513) 1: obscene, lewd
          2: boisterously or humorously indecent -- bawd.i.ly adv
          -- bawd.i.ness n [2]bawdy n [prob. fr. [1]bawdy] (1656):
          bawdry 2

   bawdy house
          [bawdy house] n (1552): bordello

   [1]bawl
          [bawl] vb [ME, to bark, prob. of Scand origin; akin to Icel
          baula to low] vi (1570) 1: to cry out loudly and unrestrainedly:
          yell, bellow 2: to cry loudly: wail ~ vt: to cry out
          at the top of one's voice -- bawl.er n [2]bawl n (1792):
          a loud prolonged cry: outcry

   bawl out
          [bawl out] vt (1905): to reprimand loudly or severely

   [1]bay
          [bay] adj [ME, fr. MF bai, fr. L badius; akin to OIr buide
          yellow] (14c): reddish brown <a ~ mare> [2]bay n (1535)
          1: a bay-colored animal; specif: a horse with a bay-colored
          body and black mane, tail, and points--compare chestnut
          4, [1]sorrel 1 2: a reddish brown [3]bay n [ME, fr. MF
          baee opening, fr. OF, fr. fem. of bae, pp. of baer to
          gape, yawn--more at abeyance] (14c) 1: a principal compartment
          of the walls, roof, or other part of a building or of
          the whole building 2: a main division of a structure
          3: any of various compartments or sections used for a
          special purpose (as in an airplane, spacecraft, or service
          station) <bomb ~> <cargo ~> 4: bay window 1 5: a support
          or housing for electronic equipment [4]bay vb [ME baien,
          abaien, fr. OF abaiier, of imit. origin] vi (14c) 1:
          to bark with prolonged tones 2: to cry out: shout ~ vt
          1: to bark at 2: to bring to bay 3: to pursue with barking
          4: to utter in deep prolonged tones [5]bay n (14c) 1:
          a baying of dogs 2: the position of one unable to retreat
          and forced to face danger <brought his quarry to ~> 3:
          the position of one checked <police kept the rioters
          at ~> [6]bay n, often attrib [ME baye, fr. MF baie] (14c)
          1: an inlet of the sea or other body of water usu. smaller
          than a gulf 2: a small body of water set off from the
          main body 3: any of various terrestrial formations resembling
          a bay of the sea [7]bay n [ME, berry, fr. MF baie, fr.
          L baca] (15c) 1 a: the European laurel (Laurus nobilis)
          b: any of several shrubs or trees (as of the genera Magnolia,
          Pimenta, and Gordonia) resembling the laurel 2 a: a garland
          or crown esp. of laurel given as a prize for victory
          or excellence b: honor, fame--usu. used in pl.

   bayadere
          [ba.ya.dere] n [F bayadere professional female dancer in
          India] (1856): a fabric with horizontal stripes in strongly
          contrasted colors

   bayberry
          [bay.ber.ry] n (1687) 1: any of several wax myrtles; esp:
          a hardy shrub (Myrica pensylvanica) of coastal eastern
          No. America bearing dense clusters of small berries covered
          with grayish white wax 2: the fruit of a bayberry

   Bayesian
          [Bayes.ian] adj (1961): being, relating to, or concerned
          with a theory (as of decision making or statistical inference)
          involving the application of Bayes' theorem and the use
          of probabilities based on prior knowledge and accumulated
          experience <~ probability models>

   Bayes' theorem
          [Bayes' theorem] n [Thomas Bayes d. 1761 Eng. mathematician]
          (1939): a theorem about conditional probabilities: the
          probability that an event A occurs given that another
          event B has already occurred is equal to the probability
          that the event B occurs given that A has already occurred
          multiplied by the probability of occurrence of event
          A and divided by the probability of occurrence of event
          B

   bay leaf
          [bay leaf] n (15c): the dried leaf of the European laurel
          (Laurus nobilis) used in cooking

   bayman
          [bay.man] n (1641): a person and esp. a fisherman who lives
          or works on or about a bay

   [1]bayonet
          [bay.o.net] n [F baionnette, fr. Bayonne, France] (1704):
          a steel blade attached at the muzzle end of a shoulder
          arm (as a rifle) and used in hand-to-hand combat [2]bayonet
          vb -net.ed also -net.ted ; -net.ing also -net.ting vt
          (1858) 1: to stab with a bayonet 2: to compel or drive
          by or as if by the bayonet ~ vi: to use a bayonet

   bayou
          [bay.ou] n [LaF, fr. Choctaw bayuk] (1763) 1: a creek, secondary
          watercourse, or minor river that is tributary to another
          body of water 2: any of various usu. marshy or sluggish
          bodies of water

   bay rum
          [bay rum] n (1840): a fragrant cosmetic and medicinal liquid
          distilled from the leaves of a West Indian bay tree (Pimenta
          racemosa) or usu. prepared from essential oils, alcohol,
          and water

   Bay Stater
          [Bay Stat.er] n (1845): a native or resident of Massachusetts--used
          as a nickname

   bay window
          [bay window] n (15c) 1: a window or series of windows forming
          a bay in a room and projecting outward from the wall
          2: potbelly 1

   bazaar
          [ba.zaar] n [Per bazar] (1612) 1: an oriental market consisting
          of rows of shops or stalls selling miscellaneous goods
          2 a: a place for the sale of goods b: department store
          3: a fair for the sale of articles esp. for charitable
          purposes

   bazooka
          [ba.zoo.ka] n [bazooka (a crude musical instrument made of
          pipes and a funnel)] (1943): a light portable antitank
          weapon consisting of an open-breech smoothbore firing
          tube that launches an armor-piercing rocket and is fired
          from the shoulder

   bb...
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   BB
          [BB] abbreviation bachelor of business, ball bearing, base
          on balls, blue book, B'nai B'rith

   BB
          [BB] n (1874) 1: a shot pellet 0.18 inch in diameter for
          use in a shotgun cartridge 2: a shot pellet 0.175 inch
          in diameter for use in an air gun

   BBA
          [BBA] abbreviation bachelor of business administration

   BBB
          [BBB] abbreviation Better Business Bureau

   BBC
          [BBC] abbreviation British Broadcasting Corporation

   BBE
          [BBE] abbreviation bachelor of business education

   bbl
          [bbl] abbreviation barrel, barrels

   BBQ
          [BBQ] abbreviation barbecue

   bc...
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   BC
          [BC] abbreviation before Christ--often printed in small capitals
          and often punctuated; British Columbia

   BCD
          [BCD] n [binary coded decimal] (ca. 1962): a computer code
          for representing alphanumeric information

   BCD
          [BCD] abbreviation bad conduct discharge

   BCE
          [BCE] abbreviation bachelor of chemical engineering, bachelor
          of civil engineering, before the Christian Era--often
          punctuated; before the Common Era--often punctuated

   bcf
          [bcf] abbreviation billion cubic feet

   BCG vaccine
          [BCG vaccine] n [Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (an attenuated
          strain of tubercle bacilli), fr. Albert Calmette d. 1933
          and Camille Guerin d. 1961 Fr. bacteriologists] (1927):
          a vaccine prepared from a living attenuated strain of
          tubercle bacilli and used to vaccinate human beings against
          tuberculosis--called also BCG

   BCh
          [BCh] abbreviation bachelor of chemistry

   BChE
          [BChE] abbreviation bachelor of chemical engineering

   BCL
          [BCL] abbreviation bachelor of canon law, bachelor of civil
          law

   bcn
          [bcn] abbreviation beacon

   BCS
          [BCS] abbreviation bachelor of chemical science, bachelor
          of commercial science

   BC soil
          [BC soil] n (ca. 1938): a soil whose profile has only B horizons
          and C horizons

   bd...
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   bd
          [bd] abbreviation barrels per day, board, bound, boundary,
          bundle  BD abbreviation bachelor of divinity, bank draft,
          bills discounted, bomb disposal, brought down

   BDA
          [BDA] abbreviation bachelor of dramatic art

   bdellium
          [bdel.li.um] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk bdellion] (14c): a gum
          resin similar to myrrh obtained from various trees (genus
          Commiphora) of the East Indies and Africa

   bd ft
          [bd ft] abbreviation board foot

   bdl
          [bdl] or bdle abbreviation bundle

   bdrm
          [bdrm] abbreviation bedroom

   be...
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   be
          [be] vb, past 1st & 3d sing was 2d sing were pl were past
          subjunctive were past part been pres part be.ing pres
          1st sing am 2d sing are 3d sing is pl are pres subjunctive
          be [ME, fr. OE beon; akin to OHG bim am, L fui I have
          been, futurus about to be, fieri to become, be done,
          Gk phynai to be born, be by nature, phyein to produce]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to equal in meaning: have the same
          connotation as: symbolize <God is love> <January is the
          first month> <let x ~ 10> b: to have identity with <the
          first person I met was my brother> c: to constitute the
          same class as d: to have a specified qualification or
          characterization <the leaves are green> e: to belong
          to the class of <the fish is a trout>--used regularly
          in senses 1a through 1e as the copula of simple predication
          2 a: to have an objective existence: have reality or
          actuality: live <I think, therefore I am> <once upon
          a time there was a knight> b: to have, maintain, or occupy
          a place, situation, or position <the book is on the table>
          c: to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted--used
          only in infinitive form <let him ~> d: to take place:
          occur <the concert was last night> e: to come or go <has
          already been and gone> <has never been to the circus>
          f archaic: belong, befall ~ verbal auxiliary 1--used
          with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive-voice
          auxiliary <the money was found> <the house is being built>
          2--used as the auxiliary of the present participle in
          progressive tenses expressing continuous action <he is
          reading> <I have been sleeping> 3--used with the past
          participle of some intransitive verbs as an auxiliary
          forming archaic perfect tenses <Christ is risen from
          the dead --1 Cor 15:20 (DV)> 4--used with the infinitive
          with to to express futurity, arrangement in advance,
          or obligation <I am to interview him today> <she was
          to become famous>

   Be
          [Be] abbreviation beryllium  BE abbreviation bachelor of
          education, bachelor of engineering, bill of exchange,
          Black English  Be abbreviation Baume

   be-
          [be-] prefix [ME, fr. OE bi-, be-; akin to OE bi by, near--more
          at by] 1: on: around: over <bedaub> <besmear> 2: to a
          great or greater degree: thoroughly <befuddle> <berate>
          3: excessively: ostentatiously--in intensive verbs formed
          from simple verbs <bedeck> and in adjectives based on
          adjectives ending in -ed <beribboned> 4: about: to: at:
          upon: against: across <bestride> <bespeak> 5: make: cause
          to be: treat as <belittle> <befool> <befriend> 6: call
          or dub esp. excessively <bedoctor> 7: affect, afflict,
          treat, provide, or cover with esp. excessively <bedevil>
          <befog>

   [1]beach
          [beach] n [origin unknown] (1535) 1: shore pebbles: shingle
          2 a: a shore of a body of water covered by sand, gravel,
          or larger rock fragments b: a seashore area [2]beach
          vt (1840) 1: to run or drive ashore 2: to strand on or
          as if on a beach

   beach ball
          [beach ball] n (1940): a large inflated ball for use at the
          beach

   beachboy
          [beach.boy] n (1941): a male beach attendant (as at a club
          or hotel)

   beach buggy
          [beach buggy] n (1943): dune buggy

   beachcomber
          [beach.comb.er] n (1840) 1: a white man living as a drifter
          or loafer esp. on the islands of the So. Pacific 2: a
          person who searches along a shore (as for salable refuse
          or for seashells) -- beach.comb vb

   beach flea
          [beach flea] n (1843): any of numerous amphipod crustaceans
          (family Talitridae) living on ocean beaches and leaping
          like fleas

   beachfront
          [beach.front] n (1921): a strip of land that fronts a beach

   beachgoer
          [beach.go.er] n (1954): a person who frequently goes to the
          beach

   beach grass
          [beach grass] n (1681): any of several tough strongly rooted
          grasses that grow on exposed sandy shores; esp: any of
          a genus (Ammophila) of rhizomatous perennials widely
          planted to bind sandy slopes

   beachhead
          [beach.head] n (1940) 1: an area on a hostile shore occupied
          to secure further landing of troops and supplies 2: foothold

   beach pea
          [beach pea] n (1802): a wild pea (Lathyrus japonicus syn.
          L. maritimus) having tough roots and purple flowers that
          is found along sandy shores

   beach plum
          [beach plum] n (1784): a shrubby plum (Prunus maritima) having
          white flowers and growing along the northeastern coast
          of No. America; also: its edible usu. dark purple fruit
          that is used esp. in preserves

   beachside
          [beach.side] adj (1952): located at a beach

   beachwear
          [beach.wear] n (1928): clothing for wear at a beach

   beachy
          [beachy] adj (1597): covered with pebbles or shingle

   [1]beacon
          [bea.con] n [ME beken, fr. OE beacen sign; akin to OHG bouhhan
          sign] (14c) 1: a signal fire commonly on a hill, tower,
          or pole 2 a: a lighthouse or other signal for guidance
          b: a radio transmitter emitting signals for guidance
          of aircraft 3: a source of light or inspiration [2]beacon
          vt (1821): to furnish with a beacon ~ vi: to shine as
          a beacon

   [1]bead
          [bead] n [ME bede prayer, prayer bead, fr. OE bed, gebed
          prayer; akin to OE biddan to entreat, pray--more at bid]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a obs: prayer--usu. used in pl. b pl: a
          series of prayers and meditations made with a rosary
          2: a small piece of material pierced for threading on
          a string or wire (as in a rosary) 3 pl a: rosary b: a
          necklace of beads or pearls 4: a small ball-shaped body:
          as a: a drop of sweat or blood b: a bubble formed in
          or on a beverage c: a small metal knob on a firearm used
          as a front sight d: a blob or a line of weld metal 5:
          a projecting rim, band, or molding [2]bead vt (1577)
          1: to furnish, adorn, or cover with beads or beading
          2: to string together like beads ~ vi: to form into a
          bead

   beading
          [bead.ing] n (1845) 1: a beaded molding 2: material or a
          part or a piece consisting of a bead 3: an openwork trimming
          4: beadwork

   beadle
          [bea.dle] n [ME bedel messenger, fr. OE bydel; akin to OHG
          butil bailiff, OE beodan to command--more at bid] (1581):
          a minor parish official whose duties include ushering
          and preserving order at services and sometimes civil
          functions

   beadroll
          [bead.roll] n [fr. the reading in church of a list of names
          of persons for whom prayers are to be said] (1529) 1:
          a list of names: catalog 2: rosary

   beadsman
          [beads.man] n (13c) archaic: one who prays for another

   beadwork
          [bead.work] n (1751) 1: ornamental work in beads 2: joinery
          beading

   beady
          [beady] adj bead.i.er ; -est (1826) 1 a: resembling beads
          b: small, round, and shiny with interest or greed <~
          eyes> 2: marked by bubbles or beads <a ~ liquor> -- bead.i.ly
          adv

   beagle
          [bea.gle] n [ME begle] (15c): any of a breed of small short-legged
          smooth-coated often black, white, and tan hounds

   beak
          [beak] n [ME bec, fr. OF, fr. L beccus, of Gaulish origin]
          (13c) 1 a: the bill of a bird; esp: a strong short broad
          bill b (1): the elongated sucking mouth of some insects
          (as the true bugs) (2): any of various rigid projecting
          mouth structures (as of a turtle) c: the human nose 2:
          a pointed structure or formation: a: a metal-pointed
          beam projecting from the bow esp. of an ancient galley
          for piercing an enemy ship b: the spout of a vessel c:
          a continuous slight architectural projection ending in
          an arris--see molding illustration d: a process suggesting
          the beak of a bird 3 chiefly Brit a: magistrate b: headmaster
          -- beaked adj -- beaky adj

   beaked whale
          [beaked whale] n (1877): any of a widely distributed family
          (Ziphiidae) of medium-sized toothed whales that have
          an elongated snout and a small dorsal fin

   beaker
          [bea.ker] n [ME biker, fr. ON bikarr, prob. fr. OS bikeri,
          fr. ML bicarium] (14c) 1: a large drinking cup that has
          a wide mouth and is sometimes supported on a standard
          2: a deep widemouthed thin-walled vessel usu. with a
          lip for pouring that is used esp. in science laboratories

   be-all and end-all
          [be-all and end-all] n (1605) 1: prime cause: essential element
          2: totality 1

   [1]beam
          [beam] n [ME beem, fr. OE beam tree, beam; akin to OHG boum
          tree] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a long piece of heavy often squared
          timber suitable for use in construction b: a wood o r
          metal cylinder in a loom on which the warp is wound c:
          the part of a plow to which handles, standard, and coulter
          are attached d: the bar of a balance from which scales
          hang e: one of the principal horizontal supporting members
          (as of a building or ship) <a steel ~ supporting a floor>;
          also: boom, spar <the ~ of a crane> f: the extreme width
          of a ship at the widest part g: an oscillating lever
          on a central axis receiving motion at one end from an
          engine piston rod and transmitting it at the other 2
          a: a ray or shaft of light b: a collection of nearly
          parallel rays (as X rays) or a stream of particles (as
          electrons) c: a constant directional radio signal transmitted
          for the guidance of pilots; also: the course indicated
          by a radio beam 3: the main stem of a deer's antler 4:
          the width of the buttocks -- on the beam 1: following
          a guiding beam 2: proceeding or operating correctly [2]beam
          vt (15c) 1: to emit in beams or as a beam 2: to support
          with beams 3 a: to aim and transmit (a broadcast) by
          directional antennas or by satellite b: to direct to
          a particular audience ~ vi 1: to send out beams of light
          2: to smile with joy

   beam-ends
          [beam-ends] n pl (1773): the ends of a ship's beams -- on
          her beam-ends : inclined so much on one side that the
          beams approach a vertical position

   beamish
          [beam.ish] adj (1870): beaming and bright with optimism,
          promise, or achievement -- beam.ish.ly adv

   beam splitter
          [beam splitter] n (1935): a mirror or prism or a combination
          of the two that is used to divide a beam of radiation
          into two or more parts

   beamy
          [beamy] adj (14c) 1: emitting beams of light: radiant 2:
          broad in the beam <a ~ cargo ship>

   [1]bean
          [bean] n [ME bene, fr. OE bean; akin to OHG bona bean] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: broad bean b: the seed of any of various erect
          or climbing leguminous plants (esp. genera Phaseolus,
          Dolichos, and Vigna) other than the broad bean c: a plant
          bearing beans d: an immature bean pod used as a vegetable
          2 a: a valueless item b pl: the least amount <didn't
          know ~s about it> 3: any of various seeds or fruits that
          resemble beans or bean pods; also: a plant producing
          these 4 a pl: exuberance--used in the phrase full of
          beans b pl: nonsense, bunkum--used in the phrase full
          of beans 5: head, brain 6: a protuberance on the upper
          mandible of waterfowl--see duck illustration [2]bean
          vt (1910): to strike (a person) on the head with an object

   beanbag
          [bean.bag] n (1871) 1: a cloth bag partially filled typically
          with dried beans and used as a toy 2: any of various
          pellet-filled bags used as furniture (as a chair) or
          household articles (as an ashtray base)

   beanball
          [bean.ball] n (ca. 1905): a pitch thrown at a batter's head

   bean counter
          [bean counter] n (1975): a person involved in corporate financial
          decisions and esp. one reluctant to spend money

   bean curd
          [bean curd] n (ca. 1889): a soft vegetable cheese prepared
          by treating soybean milk with coagulants (as magnesium
          chloride or dilute acids)--called also tofu

   beanery
          [bean.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1887): restaurant

   beanie
          [bean.ie] n (1940): a small round tight-fitting skullcap
          worn esp. by schoolboys and college freshmen

   beano
          [beano] n, pl beanos [by alter.] (1935): bingo

   beanpole
          [bean.pole] n (1798) 1: a pole up which bean vines may climb
          2: a tall thin person

   bean sprouts
          [bean sprouts] n pl (1921): the sprouts of bean seeds esp.
          of the mung bean used as a vegetable

   [1]bear
          [bear] n, pl bears often attrib [ME bere, fr. OE bera; akin
          to OE brun brown--more at brown] (bef. 12c) 1 or pl bear
          : any of a family (Ursidae of the order Carnivora) of
          large heavy mammals of America and Eurasia that have
          long shaggy hair, rudimentary tails, and plantigrade
          feet and feed largely on fruit and insects as well as
          on flesh 2: a surly, uncouth, or shambling person 3 [prob.
          fr. the proverb about selling the bearskin before catching
          the bear]: one that sells securities or commodities in
          expectation of a price decline--compare bull -- bear.like
          adj [2]bear vb bore ; borne also born ; bear.ing [ME
          beren to carry, bring forth, fr. OE beran; akin to OHG
          beran to carry, L ferre, Gk pherein] vt (bef. 12c) 1
          a: to move while holding up and supporting b: to be equipped
          or furnished with c: behave, conduct <~ing himself well>
          d: to have as a feature or characteristic e: to give
          as testimony <~ false witness> f: to have as an identification
          <bore the name of John> g: to hold in the mind h: disseminate
          i: lead, escort j: render, give 2 a: to give birth to
          b: to produce as yield c (1): to permit growth of (2):
          contain <oil-bearing shale> 3 a: to support the weight
          of: sustain b: to put up with esp. without giving way
          <couldn't ~ the pain> c: to call for as suitable or essential
          <it ~s watching> d: to hold above, on top, or aloft e:
          to admit of: allow f: assume, accept 4: thrust, press
          ~ vi 1: to produce fruit: yield 2 a: to force one's way
          b: to extend in a direction indicated or implied c: to
          be situated: lie d: to become directed e: to go or incline
          in an indicated direction 3: to support a weight or strain--often
          used with up 4 a: to exert influence or force b: apply,
          pertain syn bear, suffer, endure, abide, tolerate, stand
          mean to put up with something trying or painful. bear
          usu. implies the power to sustain without flinching or
          breaking <forced to bear a tragic loss>. suffer often
          suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage
          or patience in bearing <suffering many insults>. endure
          implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and
          difficulties <endured years of rejection>. abide suggests
          acceptance without resistance or protest <cannot abide
          their rudeness>. tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully
          controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something
          injurious or distasteful <refused to tolerate such treatment>.
          stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear
          without discomposure or flinching <unable to stand teasing>.
          -- bear a hand : to join in and help out -- bear arms
          1: to carry or possess arms 2: to serve as a soldier
          -- bear fruit : to come to satisfying fruition, production,
          or development -- bear in mind : to think of esp. as
          a warning: remember -- bear with : to be indulgent, patient,
          or forbearing with

   bearable
          [bear.able] adj (ca. 1550): capable of being borne
          -- bear.abil.i.ty n -- bear.ably adv

   bearbaiting
          [bear.bait.ing] n (14c): the practice of setting dogs on
          a chained bear

   bearberry
          [bear.ber.ry] n (1625): a trailing evergreen plant (Arctostaphylos
          uva-ursi) of the heath family with astringent foliage and red
          berries

   [1]beard
          [beard] n [ME berd, fr. OE beard; akin to OHG bart beard,
          L barba] (bef. 12c) 1: the hair that grows on a man's
          face often excluding the mustache 2: a hairy or bristly
          appendage or tuft 3: front 7a -- beard.ed adj -- beard.ed.ness
          n -- beard.less adj [2]beard vt (1525) 1: to confront
          and oppose with boldness, resolution, and often effrontery:
          defy 2: to furnish with a beard

   bearded collie
          [bearded collie] n (1880): any of a breed of large working
          dogs of Scottish origin that have a long rough coat and
          drooping ears

   bearded iris
          [bearded iris] n (1923): any of numerous wild or cultivated
          irises with a growth of short hairs on each fall

   bearded seal
          [bearded seal] n (1913): a large arctic seal (Erignathus
          barbatus) with a tuft of long whiskers on each side of
          the muzzle

   bear down
          [bear down] vt (14c): overcome, overwhelm ~ vi: to exert
          full strength and concentrated attention -- bear down
          on 1: emphasize 2: to weigh heavily on: burden

   beardtongue
          [beard.tongue] n (1821): penstemon

   bearer
          [bear.er] n (13c): one that bears: as a: porter 1 b: a plant
          yielding fruit c: pallbearer d: one holding a check,
          draft, or other order for payment esp. if marked payable
          to bearer

   bear grass
          [bear grass] n (1750): any of several plants (genera Yucca,
          Nolina, or Xerophyllum) of the lily or agave families
          chiefly of the southern and western U.S. with foliage
          resembling coarse blades of grass

   bear hug
          [bear hug] n (1921): a rough tight embrace

   bearing
          [bear.ing] n (13c) 1: the manner in which one bears or comports
          oneself 2 a: the act, power, or time of bringing forth
          offspring or fruit b: a product of bearing: crop 3 a:
          an object, surface, or point that supports b: a machine
          part in which another part (as a journal or pin) turns
          or slides 4: a figure borne on a heraldic field 5: pressure,
          thrust 6 a: the situation or horizontal direction of
          one point with respect to another or to the compass b:
          a determination of position c pl: comprehension of one's
          position, environment, or situation d: relation, connection;
          also: purport 7: the part of a structural member that
          rests on its supports syn bearing, deportment, demeanor,
          mien, manner, carriage mean the outward manifestation
          of personality or attitude. bearing is the most general
          of these words but now usu. implies characteristic posture
          <a woman of regal bearing>. deportment suggests actions
          or behavior as formed by breeding or training <your deportment
          was atrocious>. demeanor suggests one's attitude toward
          others as expressed in outward behavior <the haughty
          demeanor of the headwaiter>. mien is a literary term
          referring both to bearing and demeanor <a mien of supreme
          self-satisfaction>. manner implies characteristic or
          customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing
          others <the imperious manner of a man used to giving
          orders>. carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture
          in standing or walking <the kind of carriage learned
          at boarding school>.

   bearing rein
          [bearing rein] n (1794): checkrein 1

   bearish
          [bear.ish] adj (1744) 1: resembling a bear in build or in
          roughness, gruffness, or surliness 2 a: marked by, tending
          to cause, or fearful of falling prices (as in a stock
          market) b: pessimistic -- bear.ish.ly adv -- bear.ish.ness
          n

   bearnaise sauce
          [be.ar.naise sauce] n [F bearnaise, fem. of bearnais of Bearn,
          France] (1877): a sauce of egg yolks and butter flavored
          with shallots, wine, vinegar, and seasonings

   bear out
          [bear out] vt (15c): confirm, substantiate

   bearskin
          [bear.skin] n (1752): an article made of the skin of a bear;
          esp: a military hat made of the skin of a bear

   bear up
          [bear up] vt (13c): support, encourage ~ vi: to summon up
          courage, resolution, or strength <bearing up under the
          strain>

   beast
          [beast] n [ME beste, fr. OF, fr. L bestia] (13c) 1 a: a four-footed
          mammal as distinguished from a human being, a lower vertebrate, and
          an invertebrate b: a lower animal as distinguished from a human
          being c: an animal as distinguished from a plant d: an animal under
          human control 2: a contemptible person 3: something formidably
          difficult to control or deal with

   beast epic
          [beast epic] n (1889): a poem with epic conventions in which
          animals speak and act like human beings

   beast fable
          [beast fable] n (1865): a usu. didactic prose or verse fable
          in which animals speak and act like human beings

   beastie
          [beast.ie] n (ca. 1773): beast, animal, critter

   beastings
          [beas.tings] var of beestings

   [1]beastly
          [beast.ly] adj beast.li.er ; -est (13c) 1: bestial 1 2: abominable,
          disagreeable <~ weather> -- beast.li.ness n [2]beastly adv (1865):
          very <a ~ cold day>

   beast of burden
          [beast of burden] (1740): an animal employed to carry heavy
          loads or to perform other heavy work (as pulling a plow)

   [1]beat
          [beat] vb beat ; beat.en or beat ; beat.ing [ME beten, fr.
          OE beatan; akin to OHG bozan to beat] vt (bef. 12c) 1:
          to strike repeatedly: a: to hit repeatedly so as to inflict
          pain--often used with up b: to walk on: tread c: to strike
          directly against forcefully and repeatedly: dash against
          d: to flap or thrash at vigorously e: to strike at in
          order to rouse game; also: to range over in or as if
          in quest of game f: to mix by stirring: whip--often used
          with up g: to strike repeatedly in order to produce music
          or a signal <~ a drum> 2 a: to drive or force by blows
          b: to pound into a powder, paste, or pulp c: to make
          by repeated treading or driving over d (1): to dislodge
          by repeated hitting (2): to lodge securely by repeated
          striking e: to shape by beating <~ swords into plowshares>;
          esp: to flatten thin by blows f: to sound or express
          esp. by drumbeat 3: to cause to strike or flap repeatedly
          4 a: overcome, defeat; also: surpass--often used with
          out b: to prevail despite <~ the odds> c: bewilder, baffle
          d (1): fatigue, exhaust (2): to leave dispirited, irresolute,
          or hopeless e: cheat, swindle 5 a (1): to act ahead of
          usu. so as to forestall (2): to report a news item in
          advance of b: to come or arrive before c: circumvent
          <~ the system> d: to outmaneuver (a defender) and get
          free e: to score against (a goalkeeper) 6: to indicate
          by beating <~ the tempo> ~ vi 1 a: to become forcefully
          impelled: dash b: to glare or strike with oppressive
          intensity c: to sustain distracting activity d: to beat
          a drum 2 a (1): pulsate, throb (2): tick b: to sound
          upon being struck 3 a: to strike repeated blows b: to
          strike the air: flap c: to strike cover in order to rouse
          game; also: to range or scour for or as if for game 4:
          to progress with much difficulty 5: to sail to windward
          by a series of tacks -- beat.a.ble adj -- beat about
          the bush or beat around the bush : to fail or refuse
          to come to the point in discourse -- beat a retreat :
          to leave in haste -- beat it 1: to hurry away: scram
          2: hurry, rush -- beat one's brains out : to try intently
          to resolve something difficult by thinking -- beat the
          bushes : to search thoroughly through all possible areas
          -- beat the drum : to proclaim as meritorious or significant:
          publicize vigorously -- beat the rap : to escape or evade
          the penalties connected with an accusation or charge
          -- beat up on : to attack physically or verbally [2]beat
          n (1615) 1 a: a single stroke or blow esp. in a series;
          also: pulsation, tick b: a sound produced by or as if
          by beating c: a driving impact or force 2: one swing
          of the pendulum or balance of a timepiece 3 a: a regularly
          traversed round <the cop on the ~> b: a group of news
          sources that a reporter covers regularly 4 a: a metrical
          or rhythmic stress in poetry or music or the rhythmic
          effect of these stresses b: the tempo indicated (as by
          a conductor) to a musical performer c: the pronounced
          rhythm that is the characteristic driving force in jazz
          or rock music; also: [2]rock 2 5 a: one that excels <I've
          never seen the ~ of it> b: the reporting of a news story
          ahead of competitors 6: deadbeat 7 a: an act of beating
          to windward b: one of the reaches so traversed: tack
          8: each of the pulsations of amplitude produced by the
          union of sound or radio waves or electric currents having
          different frequencies 9: an accented stroke (as of one
          leg or foot against the other) in dancing -- beat.less
          adj [3]beat adj [ME beten, bete, fr. pp. of beten] (1832)
          1 a: being in a state of exhaustion: exhausted b: sapped
          of resolution or morale 2 often cap: of, relating to,
          or being beatniks <~ poets> [4]beat n, often cap (1957):
          beatnik

   beaten
          [beat.en] adj (13c) 1: hammered into a desired shape <~ gold>
          2: much trodden and worn smooth; also: familiar <a ~
          path> 3: being in a state of exhaustion: exhausted

   beaten biscuit
          [beaten biscuit] n (1876): a biscuit whose dough is lightened
          by beating and folding

   beater
          [beat.er] n (14c) 1: one that beats: as a: eggbeater b: a
          rotary blade attached to an electric mixer c: drumstick
          1 2: one that strikes bushes or other cover to rouse
          game

   beatific
          [be.atif.ic] adj [L beatificus making happy, fr. beatus happy,
          fr. pp. of beare to bless; perh. akin to L bonus good--more
          at bounty] (1649) 1: of, possessing, or imparting beatitude
          2: having a blissful appearance <a ~ smile> -- be.atif.i.cal.ly
          adv

   beatific vision
          [beatific vision] n (1639): the direct knowledge of God enjoyed
          by the blessed in heaven

   beatify
          [be.at.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [MF beatifier, fr. LL beatificare,
          fr. L beatus + facere to make--more at do] (1535) 1: to make
          supremely happy 2: to declare to have attained the blessedness
          of heaven and authorize the title "Blessed" and limited public
          religious honor -- be.at.i.fi.ca.tion n

   beating
          [beat.ing] n (13c) 1: an act of striking with repeated blows
          so as to injure or damage; also: the injury or damage
          thus inflicted 2: pulsation 3: defeat, setback

   beating reed
          [beating reed] n (1879): a reed in a musical instrument that
          vibrates against the edges of an air opening (as in a
          clarinet or organ pipe) to which it is attached--compare
          free reed

   beatitude
          [be.at.i.tude] n [L beatitudo, fr. beatus] (15c) 1 a: a state
          of utmost bliss b--used as a title for a primate esp.
          of an Eastern church 2: any of the declarations made
          in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:3-12) beginning in the
          AV "Blessed are"

   beatnik
          [beat.nik] n [[3]beat + -nik] (1958): a person who rejects
          the mores of established society (as by dressing and
          behaving unconventionally) and indulges in exotic philosophizing
          and self-expression

   beat off
          [beat off] vt (15c): repel ~ vi: masturbate--used of a male--usu.
          considered vulgar

   beat out
          [beat out] vt (1607) 1: to make or perform by or as if by
          beating 2: to mark or accompany by beating 3: to turn
          (a routine ground ball) into a hit in baseball by fast
          running to first base

   Beatrice
          [Be.atrice] n [It]: a Florentine woman idealized in Dante's
          Vita Nuova and Divina Commedia

   beat-up
          [beat-up] adj (1946): dilapidated, shabby

   beau
          [beau] n, pl beaux or beaus [F, fr. beau beautiful, fr. L
          bellus pretty] (1684) 1: dandy 1 2: boyfriend 2

   Beau Brummell
          [Beau Brum.mell] n [nickname of G. B. Brummell] (1920): dandy
          1

   beaucoup
          [beau.coup] adj [F] (1918) slang: great in quantity or amount:
          many, much <spent ~ dollars>

   Beaufort scale
          [Beau.fort scale] n [Sir Francis Beaufort] (1858): a scale
          in which the force of the wind is indicated by numbers
          from 0 to 12

   beau geste
          [beau geste] n, pl beaux gestes or beau gestes [F, lit.,
          beautiful gesture] (1914) 1: a graceful or magnanimous
          gesture 2: an ingratiating conciliatory gesture

   beau ideal
          [beau ide.al] n, pl beau ideals [F beau ideal ideal beauty]
          (1809): the perfect type or model

   Beaujolais
          [Beau.jo.lais] n, pl Beaujolais [F, fr. Beaujolais, region
          of eastern France] (1863): a light fruity red burgundy
          wine made from the Gamay grape

   beau monde
          [beau monde] n, pl beau mondes or beaux mondes [F, lit.,
          fine world] (1673): the world of high society and fashion

   [1]beaut
          [beaut] n (1896): beauty 4 [2]beaut adj (1918) Austral &
          NewZeal: excellent 2

   beauteous
          [beau.te.ous] adj [ME, fr. beaute] (15c): beautiful
          -- beau.te.ous.ly adv -- beau.te.ous.ness n

   beautician
          [beau.ti.cian] n [beauty + -ician] (1924): cosmetologist

   beautiful
          [beau.ti.ful] adj (15c) 1: having qualities of beauty: exciting
          aesthetic pleasure 2: generally pleasing: excellent --
          beau.ti.ful.ly adv -- beau.ti.ful.ness n syn beautiful,
          lovely, handsome, pretty, comely, fair mean exciting
          sensuous or aesthetic pleasure. beautiful applies to
          whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses
          and stirs emotion through the senses <beautiful mountain
          scenery>. lovely is close to beautiful but applies to
          a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting
          the graceful, delicate, or exquisite <a lovely melody>.
          handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion,
          symmetry, or elegance <a handsome Georgian mansion>.
          pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial
          attractiveness <a painter of conventionally pretty scenes>.
          comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly
          approved rather than emotionally responded to <the comely
          grace of a dancer>. fair suggests beauty because of purity,
          flawlessness, or freshness <fair of face>.

   beautiful people
          [beautiful people] n pl, often cap B&P (1964): wealthy or
          famous people whose lifestyle is usu. expensive and well-publicized

   beautify
          [beau.ti.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (1526): to make beautiful
          or add beauty to: embellish ~ vi: to grow beautiful syn
          see adorn -- beau.ti.fi.ca.tion n -- beau.ti.fi.er n

   beauty
          [beau.ty] n, pl beauties [ME beaute, fr. OF biaute, fr. bel,
          biau beautiful, fr. L bellus pretty; akin to L bonus
          good--more at bounty] (14c) 1: the quality or aggregate
          of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure
          to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit:
          loveliness 2: a beautiful person or thing; esp: a beautiful
          woman 3: a particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent
          quality 4: a brilliant, extreme, or egregious example
          or instance <that mistake was a ~> 5: a quantum characteristic
          that accounts for the existence and lifetime of the upsilon
          particle; also: a particle having this characteristic

   beauty bush
          [beauty bush] n (1926): a Chinese shrub (Kolkwitzia amabilis)
          of the honeysuckle family with pinkish flowers and bristly
          fruit

   beauty contest
          [beauty contest] n (1899) 1: an assemblage of girls or women
          at which judges select the most beautiful 2: a presidential
          primary election in which the popular vote does not determine
          the number of convention delegates a candidate receives

   beauty part
          [beauty part] n (1951): the most desirable or beneficial
          aspect of something

   beauty shop
          [beauty shop] n (1901): an establishment or department where
          hairdressing, facials, and manicures are done--called
          also beauty parlor, beauty salon

   beauty spot
          [beauty spot] n (1657) 1: [1]patch 2 2: nevus

   [1]beaux arts
          [beaux arts] n pl [F beaux-arts] (1821): fine arts [2]beaux
          arts adj, often cap B&A [F Ecole des Beaux-Arts School
          of Fine Arts, in Paris] (1924): characterized by the
          use of historic forms, rich decorative detail, and a
          tendency toward monumental conception in architecture

   beaux yeux
          [beaux yeux] [F] foreign term : beautiful eyes: beauty of
          face

   [1]beaver
          [bea.ver] n, pl beavers [ME bever, fr. OE beofor; akin to
          OHG bibar beaver, and prob. to OE brun brown--more at
          brown] (bef. 12c) 1 or pl beaver a: either of two large
          semiaquatic herbivorous rodents (Castor canadensis of
          No. America and C. fiber of Eurasia) having webbed hind
          feet and a broad flat scaly tail and constructing dams
          and partially submerged lodges b: the fur or pelt of
          the beaver 2 a: a hat made of beaver fur or a fabric
          imitation b: silk hat 3: a heavy fabric of felted wool
          or of cotton napped on both sides 4: the pudenda of a
          woman--usu. considered vulgar [2]beaver n [ME baviere,
          fr. MF] (15c) 1: a piece of armor protecting the lower
          part of the face 2: a helmet visor [3]beaver vi (1946):
          to work energetically <~ing away at the problem>

   beaverboard
          [bea.ver.board] n [fr. Beaver Board, a trademark] (1909):
          a fiberboard used for partitions and ceilings

   bebop
          [be.bop] n [imit.] (1944): [3]bop 1 -- be.bop.per n

   BEC
          [BEC] abbreviation Bureau of Employees' Compensation

   becalm
          [be.calm] vt (1595) 1 a: to keep motionless by lack of wind
          b: to stop the progress of 2: to make calm: soothe

   because
          [be.cause] conj [ME because that, because, fr. by cause that]
          (14c) 1: for the reason that: since <rested ~ he was
          tired> 2: the fact that: that <the reason I haven't been
          fired is ~ my boss hasn't got round to it yet --E. B.
          White>

   because of
          [because of] prep (14c): by reason of: on account of

   bechamel
          [be.cha.mel] n [F sauce bechamelle, fr. Louis de Bechamel
          d. 1703 Fr. courtier] (1796): a rich white sauce

   bechance
          [be.chance] vb (1527) archaic: befall

   beche-de-mer
          [beche-de-mer] n [F, alter. of biche de mer, fr. Pg bicho
          do mar, lit., sea worm] (1783) 1 pl beche-de-mer or beches-de-mer
          : trepang 2 cap B&M: any of several English-based pidgins
          spoken on islands of the western Pacific

   [1]beck
          [beck] n [ME bek, fr. ON bekkr; akin to OE baec brook, OHG
          bah, Lith begti to flee--more at phobia] (14c) Brit:
          creek 2 [2]beck vt [ME, alter. of beknen] (14c) archaic:
          beckon [3]beck n (14c) 1 chiefly Scot: bow, curtsy 2
          a: a beckoning gesture b: summons, bidding -- at one's
          beck and call : ready to obey one's command immediately

   becket
          [beck.et] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1769): a device for holding
          something in place: as a: a grommet or a loop of rope
          with a knot at one end to catch in an eye at the other
          b: a ring of rope or metal c: a loop of rope (as for
          a handle)

   beckon
          [beck.on] vb beck.oned ; beck.on.ing [ME beknen, fr. OE biecnan,
          fr. beacen sign--more at beacon] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to
          summon or signal typically with a wave or nod 2: to appear
          inviting: attract ~ vt: to beckon to -- beckon n

   becloud
          [be.cloud] vt (1598) 1: to obscure with or as if with a cloud
          2: to prevent clear perception or realization of: muddle
          <prejudices that ~ his judgment>

   become
          [be.come] vb -came ; -come ; -com.ing [ME, to come to, become,
          fr. OE becuman, fr. be- + cuman to come] vi (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to come into existence b: to come to be <~ sick>
          2: to undergo change or development ~ vt: to suit or
          be suitable to <seriousness becoming the occasion> <her
          clothes ~ her> -- become of : to happen to

   becoming
          [be.com.ing] adj (15c): suitable, fitting; esp: attractively
          suitable <~ modesty> -- be.com.ing.ly adv

   [1]bed
          [bed] n [ME, fr. OE bedd; akin to OHG betti bed, L fodere
          to dig] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a piece of furniture on or in
          which to lie and sleep b (1): a place of sex relations
          (2): marital relationship c: a place for sleeping d:
          sleep; also: a time for sleeping <took a walk before
          ~> e (1): a mattress filled with soft material (2): bedstead
          f: the equipment and services needed to care for one
          hospitalized patient or hotel guest 2: a flat or level
          surface: as a: a plot of ground prepared for plants;
          also: the plants grown in such a plot b: the bottom of
          a body of water; esp: an area of sea bottom supporting
          a heavy growth of a particular organism <an oyster ~>
          3: a supporting surface or structure: foundation 4: layer,
          stratum 5 a: the place or material in which a block or
          brick is laid b: the lower surface of a brick, slate,
          or tile 6: a mass or heap resembling a bed <a ~ of ashes>
          <served on a ~ of lettuce> -- in bed : in the act of
          sexual intercourse [2]bed vb bed.ded ; bed.ding vi (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to find or make sleeping accommodations b:
          to go to bed 2: to form a layer 3: to lie flat or flush
          ~ vt 1 a: to furnish with a bed or bedding: settle in
          sleeping quarters--often used with down b: to put, take,
          or send to bed 2 a: embed b: to plant or arrange in beds
          c: base, establish 3 a: to lay flat or in a layer b:
          to make a bed in or of 4: to have sexual intercourse
          with--often used with down

   BEd
          [BEd] abbreviation bachelor of education

   bedabble
          [be.dab.ble] vt (1590) archaic: to wet or soil by dabbling

   bed-and-breakfast
          [bed-and-breakfast] n (1910): an establishment (as an inn)
          offering lodging and breakfast

   bedaub
          [be.daub] vt (1558) 1: to daub over: besmear 2: to ornament
          with vulgar excess

   bedazzle
          [be.daz.zle] vt (1596) 1: to confuse by a strong light: dazzle
          2: to impress forcefully: enchant -- be.daz.zle.ment
          n

   bed board
          [bed board] n (1946): a stiff thin wide board inserted usu.
          between a bedspring and mattress esp. to give support
          to one's back or to protect a mattress from sagging springs

   bedbug
          [bed.bug] n (1808): a wingless bloodsucking bug (Cimex lectularius)
          sometimes infesting houses and esp. beds and feeding on human blood

   bedchamber
          [bed.cham.ber] n (14c): bedroom

   bed check
          [bed check] n (1927): a night inspection to check the presence
          of persons (as soldiers) required by regulations to be
          in bed or in quarters

   bedclothes
          [bed.clothes] n pl (14c): the covering (as sheets and blankets)
          used on a bed

   bedcover
          [bed.cov.er] also bed.cov.er.ing n (ca. 1656) 1: bedspread
          2: bedclothes--usu. used in pl.

   bedded
          [bed.ded] adj (1831): having a bed or beds of a specified
          kind or number--used in combination <a twin-bedded room>

   bedder
          [bed.der] n (1803) 1: one that makes up beds 2: a bedding
          plant

   [1]bedding
          [bed.ding] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. bedd] (bef. 12c) 1: bedclothes
          2: a bottom layer: foundation 3: material to provide
          a bed for livestock 4: stratification [2]bedding adj
          [fr. gerund of [2]bed] (1856): suitable for planting
          in large groups in flower beds to produce a mass display
          <~ plants>

   bedeck
          [be.deck] vt (ca. 1566) 1: to clothe with finery: deck 2:
          decorate 2

   bedevil
          [be.dev.il] vt (1574) 1: to possess with or as if with a
          devil 2: to cause distress: trouble 3: to change for
          the worse: spoil 4: to confuse utterly: bewilder -- be.dev.il.ment
          n

   bedew
          [be.dew] vt (14c): to wet with or as if with dew

   bedfast
          [bed.fast] adj (1560): bedridden

   bedfellow
          [bed.fel.low] n (15c) 1: one who shares a bed with another
          2: associate, ally <political ~s>

   Bedford cord
          [Bed.ford cord] n [perh. fr. New Bedford, Massachusetts]
          (1862): a clothing fabric with lengthwise ribs that resembles
          corduroy; also: the weave used in making this fabric

   bedight
          [be.dight] vt be.dight.ed or bedight ; be.dight.ing (14c)
          archaic: equip, array

   bedim
          [be.dim] vt (1583) 1: to make less bright 2: to make indistinct:
          obscure

   Bedivere
          [Bed.i.vere] n: a knight of the Round Table

   bedizen
          [be.di.zen] vt (1661): to dress or adorn gaudily -- be.di.zen.ment
          n

   bedlam
          [bed.lam] n [Bedlam, popular name for the Hospital of St.
          Mary of Bethlehem, London, an insane asylum, fr. ME Bedlem
          Bethlehem] (1522) 1 obs: madman, lunatic 2 often cap:
          a lunatic asylum 3: a place, scene, or state of uproar
          and confusion -- bedlam adj

   bedlamite
          [bed.lam.ite] n (1589): madman, lunatic -- bedlamite adj

   Bedlington terrier
          [Bed.ling.ton terrier] n [Bedlington, England] (1867): a
          swift lightly built terrier of English origin with a
          long narrow head, arched back, and usu. curly coat--called
          also Bedlington

   bedmate
          [bed.mate] n (1583): one who shares one's bed; esp: a sexual
          partner

   bed molding
          [bed molding] n (1703): the molding of a cornice below the
          corona and above the frieze; also: a molding below a
          deep projection

   bed of roses
          [bed of roses] (1648): a place or situation of agreeable
          ease

   bedouin
          [bed.ou.in] or bed.u.in n, pl bedouin or bedouins or beduin
          or beduins often cap [ME Bedoyne, fr. MF bedoin, fr.
          Ar badawi desert dweller] (15c): a nomadic Arab of the
          Arabian, Syrian, or No. African deserts

   bedpan
          [bed.pan] n (1678): a shallow vessel used by a bedridden
          person for urination or defecation

   bedplate
          [bed.plate] n (1850): a plate or framing used as a support

   bedpost
          [bed.post] n (1598): the usu. turned or carved post of a
          bed

   bedraggle
          [be.drag.gle] vt (1727): to wet thoroughly

   bedraggled
          [be.drag.gled] adj (1824) 1: left wet and limp by or as if
          by rain 2: soiled and stained by or as if by trailing
          in mud 3: dilapidated <~ buildings>

   bed rest
          [bed rest] n (1944): confinement of a sick person to bed

   bedridden
          [bed.rid.den] also bed.rid adj [alter. of ME bedrede, bedreden,
          fr. OE bedreda, fr. bedreda one confined to bed, fr.
          bedd bed + -rida, -reda, fr. ridan to ride] (bef. 12c):
          confined (as by illness) to bed

   [1]bedrock
          [bed.rock] n (1850) 1: the solid rock underlying unconsolidated
          surface materials (as soil) 2 a: lowest point: nadir
          b: basis [2]bed.rock adj (1896): solidly fundamental,
          basic, or reliable <traditional ~ values> <a ~ constituency>

   bedroll
          [bed.roll] n (1910): bedding rolled up for carrying

   [1]bedroom
          [bed.room] n (1616): a room furnished with a bed and intended
          primarily for sleeping -- bed.roomed adj [2]bed.room
          adj (1915) 1: dealing with, suggestive of, or inviting
          sexual relations <a ~ farce> <~ eyes> 2: inhabited or
          used by commuters <a ~ community>

   Beds
          [Beds] abbreviation Bedfordshire

   bedsheet
          [bed.sheet] n (15c): an oblong piece of usu. cotton or linen
          cloth used as an article of bedding

   [1]bedside
          [bed.side] n (14c): the side of a bed: a place beside a bed
          [2]bedside adj (1837) 1: of, relating to, or conducted
          at the bedside <a ~ diagnosis> 2: suitable for reading
          in bed <a ~ book>

   bedside manner
          [bedside manner] n (1869): the manner that a physician assumes
          toward patients

   bed-sitter
          [bed-sit.ter] n [bed-sitting room + -er (as in fresher freshman,
          rugger rugby)] (1927) Brit: a one-room apartment serving
          as both bedroom and sitting room--called also bedsit,
          bed-sitting-room

   bedsore
          [bed.sore] n (1861): an ulceration of tissue deprived of
          adequate blood supply by prolonged pressure

   bedspread
          [bed.spread] n (1845): a usu. ornamental cloth cover for
          a bed

   bedspring
          [bed.spring] n (1897): a spring supporting a mattress

   bedstead
          [bed.stead] n [ME bedstede, fr. bed + stede stead, place--more
          at stead] (15c): the framework of a bed

   bedstraw
          [bed.straw] n [fr. its use for mattresses] (1527): any of
          a genus (Galium) of herbs of the madder family having
          squarish stems, whorled leaves, and small flowers

   bed table
          [bed table] n (1811) 1: an adjustable table used (as for
          eating or writing) by a person in bed 2: a small table
          beside a bed

   bedtime
          [bed.time] n (13c): a time for going to bed

   bedtime story
          [bedtime story] n (1899): a story read or recounted to someone
          (as a child) at bedtime

   bedu
          [be.du] n, pl bedu often cap [Ar badw Bedouins, lit., desert]
          (1912): bedouin

   bed warmer
          [bed warmer] n (1922): a covered pan containing hot coals
          used to warm a bed

   bed-wetting
          [bed-wet.ting] n (1890): enuresis esp. when occurring in
          bed during sleep -- bed wetter n

   BEE
          [BEE] abbreviation bachelor of electrical engineering

   [1]bee
          [bee] n [ME, fr. OE beo; akin to OHG bia bee, OIr bech, Lith
          bitis] (bef. 12c) 1: honeybee; broadly: any of numerous
          insects (superfamily Apoidea) that differ from the related
          wasps esp. in the heavier hairier body and in having
          sucking as well as chewing mouthparts, that feed on pollen
          and nectar, and that store both and often also honey
          2: an eccentric notion: fancy -- bee.like adj -- bee
          in one's bonnet : [1]bee 2 [2]bee n (14c): the letter
          b [3]bee n [perh. fr. E dial. been help given by neighbors,
          fr. ME bene prayer, boon, fr. OE ben prayer--more at
          boon] (1769): a gathering of people for a specific purpose
          <quilting ~>

   bee balm
          [bee balm] n (1840) 1: any of several monardas; esp: oswego
          tea 2: lemon balm

   beebee
          [bee.bee] var of bb

   beebread
          [bee.bread] n (1657): bitter yellowish brown pollen stored
          up in honeycomb cells and used mixed with honey by bees
          as food

   beech
          [beech] n, pl beech.es or beech [ME beche, fr. OE bece; akin
          to OE boc beech, OHG buohha, L fagus, Gk phegos oak]
          (bef. 12c): any of a genus (Fagus of the family Fagaceae,
          the beech family) of hardwood trees with smooth gray
          bark and small edible nuts; also: its wood -- beech.en
          adj

   beechdrops
          [beech.drops] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1815): a plant
          (Epifagus virginiana) of the broomrape family parasitic
          on the roots of beeches

   beechnut
          [beech.nut] n (1739): the nut of the beech

   bee-eater
          [bee-eat.er] n (1668): any of a family (Meropidae) of brightly
          colored slender-billed insectivorous chiefly tropical
          Old World birds

   [1]beef
          [beef] n, pl beefs or beeves [ME, fr. OF buef ox, beef, fr.
          L bov-, bos head of cattle--more at cow] (14c) 1: the
          flesh of an adult domestic bovine (as a steer or cow)
          used as food 2 a: an ox, cow, or bull in a full-grown
          or nearly full-grown state; esp: a steer or cow fattened
          for food <quality Texas beeves> <a herd of good ~> b:
          a dressed carcass of a beef animal 3: muscular flesh:
          brawn 4 pl beefs: complaint [2]beef vt (1860): to add
          substance, strength, or power to--usu. used with up <money
          to ~ up its staff of professional economists --John Fischer>
          ~ vi: complain

   beefalo
          [beef.a.lo] n, pl -a.los or -a.loes [blend of [1]beef and
          buffalo] (1973): any of a breed of beef cattle developed
          in the U.S. that is genetically 3/8 No. American bison
          and 5/8 domestic bovine

   beefcake
          [beef.cake] n (1949): a usu. photographic display of muscular
          male physiques; also: men of the type featured in such
          a display--compare cheesecake

   beef cattle
          [beef cattle] n pl (1758): cattle developed primarily for
          the efficient production of meat and marked by capacity
          for rapid growth, heavy well-fleshed body, and stocky
          build

   beefeater
          [beef.eat.er] n, often cap (1671): a yeoman of the guard
          of an English monarch

   bee fly
          [bee fly] n (1852): any of a family (Bombyliidae) of dipteran
          flies many of which resemble bees

   beefsteak
          [beef.steak] n (1711): a steak of beef usu. from the hindquarter

   beefsteak tomato
          [beefsteak tomato] n (1968): a very large globe-shaped red
          tomato with dense flesh

   beef Stroganoff
          [beef Stro.ga.noff] n [Count Paul Stroganoff, 19th cent.
          Russ. diplomat] (1932): beef sliced thin and cooked in
          a sour-cream sauce

   beef Wellington
          [beef Wel.ling.ton] n [prob. fr. the name Wellington] (1965):
          a fillet of beef covered with pate de foie gras and baked
          in a casing of pastry

   beefwood
          [beef.wood] n (1805) 1: the hard heavy reddish wood of any
          of various chiefly tropical trees (as the Australian
          pine) 2: australian pine

   beefy
          [beefy] adj beef.i.er ; -est (1743) 1 a: heavily and powerfully
          built b: substantial, sturdy 2: full of beef

   beehive
          [bee.hive] n (14c) 1: hive 1 2: something resembling a hive
          for bees: as a: a scene of crowded activity b: a woman's
          hairdo that is conical in shape -- beehive adj

   beehive oven
          [beehive oven] n (ca. 1881): an arched oven used esp. for
          baking food and formerly for coking coal

   beekeeper
          [bee.keep.er] n (1817): a person who raises bees -- bee.keep.ing
          n

   [1]beeline
          [bee.line] n [fr. the belief that nectar-laden bees return
          to their hives in a direct line] (1830): a straight direct
          course [2]beeline vi (1940): to go quickly in a straight
          direct course

   Beelzebub
          [Beel.ze.bub] n [Beelzebub, prince of devils, fr. L, fr.
          Gk Beelzeboub, fr. Heb Ba'al zebhubh, a Philistine god,
          lit., lord of flies] (bef. 12c) 1: devil 2: a fallen
          angel in Milton's Paradise Lost ranking next to Satan

   been
          [been] past part of be

   [1]beep
          [beep] n [imit.] (1929): a short usu. high-pitched sound
          (as from a horn or an electronic device) that serves
          as a signal or warning [2]beep vi (1936) 1: to sound
          a horn 2: to make a beep ~ vt: to cause (as a horn) to
          sound

   beeper
          [beep.er] n (1970): an electronic device that beeps to make
          contact with the person carrying it when it receives
          a special radio signal

   beer
          [beer] n [ME ber, fr. OE beor; akin to OHG bior beer] (bef.
          12c) 1: an alcoholic beverage usu. made from malted cereal
          grain (as barley), flavored with hops, and brewed by
          slow fermentation 2: a carbonated nonalcoholic or a fermented
          slightly alcoholic beverage with flavoring from roots
          or other plant parts <birch ~> 3: fermented mash 4: a
          drink of beer

   beer and skittles
          [beer and skittles] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1857):
          a situation of agreeable ease <won't be all beer and
          skittles>

   beery
          [beery] adj beer.i.er ; -est (1848) 1: smelling or tasting
          of beer <~ tavern> 2: affected or caused by beer <~ voices>

   beestings
          [bees.tings] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME bestynge,
          fr. OE bysting, fr. beost beestings; akin to OHG biost
          beestings] (bef. 12c): the colostrum esp. of a cow

   bee-stung
          [bee-stung] adj (1933): having a red puffy appearance as
          if from being stung by a bee <~ lips>

   beeswax
          [bees.wax] n (1676): wax 1

   beet
          [beet] n [ME bete, fr. OE bete, fr. L beta] (bef. 12c): a
          biennial garden plant (Beta vulgaris) of the goosefoot
          family that has several cultivars (as Swiss chard and
          sugar beet) and possesses thick long-stalked edible leaves
          and swollen root used as a vegetable, as a source of
          sugar, or for forage; also: its root

   beet armyworm
          [beet armyworm] n (1902): an armyworm (Spodoptera exigua)
          that eats the foliage of beets, alfalfa, and vegetables

   [1]beetle
          [bee.tle] n [ME betylle, fr. OE bitula; akin to bitan to
          bite] (bef. 12c) 1: any of an order (Coleoptera) of insects
          having four wings of which the outer pair are modified
          into stiff elytra that protect the inner pair when at
          rest 2: any of various insects resembling a beetle [2]beetle
          vi bee.tled ; bee.tling (ca. 1919): to scurry like a
          beetle <editors beetled around the office> [3]beetle
          n [ME betel, fr. OE bietel; akin to OE beatan to beat]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a heavy wooden hammering or ramming instrument
          2: a wooden pestle or bat for domestic tasks [4]beetle
          adj [ME bitel-browed having overhanging brows, prob.
          fr. betylle, bitel beetle] (14c): being prominent and
          overhanging <~ brows> [5]beetle vi bee.tled ; bee.tling
          (1602): project, jut <to scale the beetling cra gs --R.
          L. Stevenson>

   beet leafhopper
          [beet leafhopper] n (1919): a leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus)
          that transmits curly top virus to sugar beets and other
          garden plants

   bee tree
          [bee tree] n (1782): a hollow tree in which honeybees nest

   beetroot
          [beet.root] n (1579) chiefly Brit: a beet grown for its edible
          usu. red root; also: the root

   beeves
          [beeves] pl of beef

   beeyard
          [bee.yard] n (15c): apiary

   bef
          [bef] abbreviation before  BEF abbreviation British Expeditionary
          Force

   befall
          [be.fall] vb -fell ; -fall.en vi (13c): to happen esp. as
          if by fate ~ vt: to happen to

   befit
          [be.fit] vt be.fit.ted ; be.fit.ting (15c): to be proper
          or becoming to

   befitting
          [be.fit.ting] adj (1564) 1: suitable, appropriate 2: proper,
          decent -- be.fit.ting.ly adv

   befog
          [be.fog] vt (1601) 1: confuse 2: fog, obscure

   befool
          [be.fool] vt (14c) 1: to make a fool of 2: delude, deceive

   [1]before
          [be.fore] adv or adj [ME, adv. & prep., fr. OE beforan, fr.
          be- + foran before, fr. fore] (bef. 12c) 1: in advance:
          ahead <marching on ~> 2: at an earlier time: previously
          <the night ~> <knew her from ~> [2]before prep (bef.
          12c) 1 a (1): in front of (2): in the presence of b:
          under the jurisdiction or consideration of <the case
          ~ the court> c (1): at the disposal of (2): in store
          for 2: preceding in time: earlier than 3: in a higher
          or more important position than <put quantity ~ quality>
          [3]before conj (13c) 1 a (1): earlier than the time that
          <call me ~ you go> (2): sooner or quicker than <I'll
          be done ~ you know it> (3): so that ... do not <get out
          of there ~ you get dirty> b: until the time that <miles
          to go ~ I sleep --Robert Frost> c (1): or else ... not
          <must be convicted ~ he can be removed from office> (2):
          or else <get out of here ~ I call a cop> 2: rather or
          sooner than <would starve ~ he'd steal>

   beforehand
          [be.fore.hand] adv or adj (13c) 1 a: in anticipation b: in
          advance 2: ahead of time: early

   beforetime
          [be.fore.time] adv (14c) archaic: formerly

   befoul
          [be.foul] vt (bef. 12c): to make foul with or as if with
          dirt

   befriend
          [be.friend] vt (1559): to act as a friend to

   befuddle
          [be.fud.dle] vt (ca. 1879) 1: to muddle or stupefy with or
          as if with drink 2: confuse, perplex -- be.fud.dle.ment
          n

   beg
          [beg] vb begged ; beg.ging [ME beggen] vt (13c) 1: to ask
          for as a charity 2 a: to ask earnestly for: entreat b:
          to require as necessary or appropriate 3 a: evade, sidestep
          <begged the real problems> b: to pass over or ignore
          by assuming to be established or settled <~ the question>
          ~ vi 1: to ask for alms 2: to ask earnestly <begged for
          mercy> syn beg, entreat, beseech, implore, supplicate,
          adjure, importune mean to ask urgently. beg suggests
          earnestness or insistence esp. in asking for a favor
          <children begging to stay up late>. entreat implies an
          effort to persuade or to overcome resistance <entreated
          him to change his mind>. beseech implies great eagerness
          or anxiety <I beseech you to have mercy>. implore adds
          to beseech a suggestion of greater urgency or anguished
          appeal <implored her not to leave him>. supplicate suggests
          a posture of humility <with bowed heads they supplicated
          their Lord>. adjure implies advising as well as pleading
          and suggests the invoking of something sacred <in God's
          name I adjure you to cease>. importune suggests an annoying
          persistence in trying to break down resistance to a request
          <importuning viewers for contributions>.

   beg
          [beg] abbreviation begin, beginning

   beget
          [be.get] vt -got also -gat ; -got.ten or -got ; -get.ting
          [ME begeten, alter. of beyeten, fr. OE bigietan--more
          at get] (13c) 1: to procreate as the father: sire 2:
          to produce esp. as an effect or outgrowth -- be.get.ter
          n

   [1]beggar
          [beg.gar] n [ME beggere, beggare, fr. beggen to beg + -ere,
          -are [2]-er] (13c) 1: one that begs; esp: a person who
          lives by asking for gifts 2: pauper 3: fellow 4c [2]beggar
          vt beg.gared ; beg.gar.ing (15c) 1: to reduce to beggary
          2: to exceed the resources or abilities of: defy <~s
          description>

   beggarly
          [beg.gar.ly] adj (1526) 1: contemptibly mean, scant, petty,
          or paltry 2: befitting or resembling a beggar; esp: marked
          by extreme poverty -- beg.gar.li.ness n

   beggar's-lice
          [beg.gar's-lice] or beg.gar-lice n pl but sing or pl in constr
          (1837): any of various plants (as of the genera Hackelia
          and Cynoglossum) with prickly or adhesive fruits; also:
          one of these fruits

   beggar-ticks
          [beg.gar-ticks] also beg.gar's-ticks n pl but sing or pl
          in constr (ca. 1818) 1: bur marigold; also: its prickly
          achenes 2: beggar's-lice

   beggarweed
          [beg.gar.weed] n (ca. 1809) 1: any of various plants (as
          a knotgrass, spurrey, or dodder) that grow in waste ground
          2: any of several tick trefoils (genus Desmodium); esp:
          a West Indian forage plant (D. tortuosum) cultivated
          in the southern U.S.

   beggary
          [beg.gary] n, pl -gar.ies (14c) 1: poverty, penury 2: the
          class of beggars 3: the practice of begging

   begin
          [be.gin] vb be.gan ; be.gun ; be.gin.ning [ME beginnen, fr.
          OE beginnan; akin to OHG biginnan to begin, OE onginnan]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to do the first part of an action: go
          into the first part of a process: start 2 a: to come
          into existence: arise b: to have a starting point 3:
          to do or succeed in the least degree <I can't ~ to tell
          you how pleased I am> ~ vt 1: to set about the activity
          of: start 2 a: to bring into being: found b: originate,
          invent -- to begin with : as the first thing to be considered
          syn begin, commence, start, initiate, inaugurate, usher
          in mean to take the first step in a course, process,
          or operation. begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable.
          begin, opposed to end, is the most general <begin a trip> <began
          dancing>. start, opposed to stop, applies esp. to first actions,
          steps, or stages <the work started slowly>. commence can be more
          formal or bookish than begin or start <commence firing> <commenced
          a conversation>. initiate implies taking a first step in a process
          or series that is to continue <initiated diplomatic contacts>.
          inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion
          of significance <the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era
          in medicine>. usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate
          <ushered in a period of economic decline>.

   beginner
          [be.gin.ner] n (14c): one that begins something; esp: an
          inexperienced person

   [1]beginning
          [be.gin.ning] n (12c) 1: the point at which something begins:
          start 2: the first part 3: origin, source 4: a rudimentary
          stage or early period--usu. used in pl. [2]beginning
          adj (1576) 1: just starting out <a ~ writer> 2 a: being
          first or the first part <the ~ chapters> b: introductory
          <~ chemistry>

   beginning rhyme
          [beginning rhyme] n (1913) 1: rhyme at the beginning of successive
          lines of verse 2: alliteration

   begird
          [be.gird] vt -gird.ed or -girt ; -girt.ing (bef. 12c) 1:
          gird 1a 2: surround, encompass

   beglamour
          [be.glam.our] also be.glam.or vt (1822): to impress or deceive
          with glamour

   beg off
          [beg off] vi (1854): to ask to be excused from something
          -- beg-off n

   begone
          [be.gone] vi [ME, fr. be gone (imper.)] (14c): to go away:
          depart--used esp. in the imperative

   begonia
          [be.go.nia] n [NL, fr. Michel Begon d. 1710 Fr. governor
          of Santo Domingo] (1751): any of a large genus (Begonia
          of the family Begoniaceae, the begonia family) of tropical
          herbs and shrubs that have asymmetrical leaves and are
          widely cultivated as ornamentals

   begorra
          [be.gor.ra] interj [euphemism for by God] (1839) Irish--used
          as a mild oath

   begrime
          [be.grime] vt be.grimed ; be.grim.ing (ca. 1553) 1: to make
          dirty with grime 2: sully, corrupt

   begrudge
          [be.grudge] vt (14c) 1: to give or concede reluctantly or
          with displeasure 2: to look upon with disapproval --
          be.grudg.ing.ly adv

   beguile
          [be.guile] vb be.guiled ; be.guil.ing vt (13c) 1: to lead
          by deception 2: hoodwink 3: to while away esp. by some
          agreeable occupation; also: divert 2 4: to engage the
          interest of by or as if by guile ~ vi: to deceive by
          wiles syn see deceive -- be.guile.ment n -- be.guil.er
          n -- be.guil.ing.ly adv

   beguine
          [be.guine] n [AmerF beguine, fr. F beguin flirtation] (1935):
          a vigorous popular dance of the islands of Saint Lucia
          and Martinique that somewhat resembles the rumba Be.guine
          n [MF] (15c): a member of one of various ascetic and
          philanthropic communities of women not under vows founded
          chiefly in the Netherlands in the 13th century

   begum
          [be.gum] n [Hindi begam] (1617): a Muslim woman of high rank
          (as in India or Pakistan)

   behalf
          [be.half] n [ME, fr. by + half half, side] (14c): interest,
          benefit; also: support, defense <argued in his ~> --
          on behalf of or in behalf of : in the interest of; also:
          as a representative of usage A body of opinion favors
          in with the "interest, benefit" sense of behalf and on
          with the "support, defense" sense. This distinction has
          been observed by some writers but overall has never had
          a sound basis in actual usage. In current British use,
          on behalf (of) has replaced in behalf (of); both are
          still used in American English, but the distinction is
          frequently not observed.

   behave
          [be.have] vb be.haved ; be.hav.ing [ME behaven, fr. be- +
          haven to have, hold] vt (15c) 1: to manage the actions
          of (oneself) in a particular way 2: to conduct (oneself)
          in a proper manner ~ vi 1: to act, function, or react
          in a particular way 2: to conduct oneself properly --
          be.hav.er n syn behave, conduct, deport, comport, acquit
          mean to act or to cause oneself to do something in a
          certain way. behave may apply to the meeting of a standard
          of what is proper or decorous <the children behaved in
          church>. conduct implies action or behavior that shows
          the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself
          <conducted herself with unfailing good humor>. deport
          implies behaving so as to show how far one conforms to
          conventional rules of discipline or propriety <the hero
          deported himself in accord with the code of chivalry>.
          comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected
          or required of one in a certain class or position <comported
          themselves as gentlemen>. acquit applies to action under
          stress that deserves praise or meets expectations <acquitted
          herself well in her first assignment>.

   behavior
          [be.hav.ior] n [alter. of ME behavour, fr. behaven] (15c)
          1 a: the manner of conducting oneself b: anything that
          an organism does involving action and response to stimulation
          c: the response of an individual, group, or species to
          its environment 2: the way in which someone behaves;
          also: an instance of such behavior 3: the way in which
          something functions or operates -- be.hav.ior.al adj
          -- be.hav.ior.al.ly adv

   behavioral science
          [behavioral science] n (1951): a science (as psychology,
          sociology, or anthropology) that deals with human action
          and seeks to generalize about human behavior in society
          -- behavioral scientist n

   behaviorism
          [be.hav.ior.ism] n (1913): a school of psychology that takes
          the objective evidence of behavior (as measured responses
          to stimuli) as the only concern of its research and the
          only basis of its theory without reference to conscious
          experience--compare introspectionism -- be.hav.ior.ist
          adj or n -- be.hav.ior.is.tic adj

   behavior therapy
          [behavior therapy] n (1961): psychotherapy that emphasizes
          the application of the principles of learning to substitute
          desirable responses and behavior patterns for undesirable
          ones--called also behavior modification

   behaviour
          [be.hav.iour] chiefly Brit var of behavior

   behead
          [be.head] vt (bef. 12c): to cut off the head of: decapitate

   behemoth
          [be.he.moth] n, often attrib [ME, fr. LL, fr. Heb behemoth]
          (14c) 1 often cap: a mighty animal described in Job 40:15-24
          as an example of the power of God 2: something of monstrous
          size or power

   behest
          [be.hest] n [ME, promise, command, fr. OE behaes promise,
          fr. behatan to promise, fr. be- + hatan to command, promise--more
          at hight] (12c) 1: an authoritative order: command 2:
          an urgent prompting <called at the ~ of my friends>

   [1]behind
          [be.hind] adv or adj [ME behinde, fr. OE behindan, fr. be-
          + hindan from behind; akin to OE hinder behind--more
          at hind] (bef. 12c) 1 a: in the place or situation that
          is being or has been departed from <stay ~> b: in, to,
          or toward the back <look ~> <came from ~> c: later in
          time <can spring be far ~> 2 a: in a secondary or inferior
          position b: in arrears <~ in the rent> c: slow 3 archaic:
          still to come [2]behind prep (bef. 12c) 1 a: in or to
          a place or situation in back of or to the rear of <look
          ~ you> <put ~ bars> b--used as a function word to indicate
          something that screens an observer <the sun went ~ a
          cloud> c: following in order <marched ~ the band> 2--used
          as a function word to indicate backwardness, delay, or
          deficiency <~ the times> <~ schedule> <lagged ~ last
          year's sales> 3 a: in the background of <the conditions
          ~ the strike> b: out of the mind or consideration of
          <put our troubles ~ us> c: beyond in depth or time <the
          story ~ the story> <go back ~ St. Augustine> 4 a: in
          support of: on the side of <solidly ~ the candidate>
          b: with the support of <won 1-0 ~ brilliant pitching>
          [3]behind n [[1]behind] (ca. 1830): buttocks

   behindhand
          [be.hind.hand] adj (1535) 1: being in arrears 2 a: being
          in an inferior position b: being behind schedule

   behind-the-scenes
          [behind-the-scenes] adj (1711) 1: being or working out of
          public view or in secret <~ wrangling> <a ~ player> 2:
          revealing or reporting the hidden workings <a ~ account>
          <a ~ glimpse>

   behold
          [be.hold] vb -held ; -hold.ing [ME, to keep, behold, fr.
          OE behealdan, fr. be- + healdan to hold] vt (bef. 12c)
          1: to perceive through sight or apprehension: see 2:
          to gaze upon: observe ~ vi--used in the imperative esp.
          to call attention -- be.hold.er n

   beholden
          [be.hold.en] adj [ME, fr. pp. of beholden] (14c): being under
          obligation for a favor or gift: indebted <I'm ~ to you>

   behoof
          [be.hoof] n [ME behof, fr. OE behof profit, need; akin to
          OE hebban to raise--more at heave] (bef. 12c): advantage,
          profit <for his own ~>

   behoove
          [be.hoove] vb be.hooved ; be.hoov.ing [ME behoven, fr. OE
          behofian, fr. behof] vt (bef. 12c): to be necessary,
          proper, or advantageous for <it ~s us to go> ~ vi: to
          be necessary, fit, or proper

   behove
          [be.hove] chiefly Brit var of behoove

   [1]beige
          [beige] n [F] (ca. 1858) 1: cloth made of natural undyed
          wool 2 a: a variable color averaging light grayish yellowish
          brown b: a pale to grayish yellow -- beigy adj [2]beige
          adj (1879) 1: of the color beige 2: vanilla 2, vapid

   beignet
          [bei.gnet] n [AmerF & F; AmerF, fr. F, fr. MF bignet, fr.
          buyne bump, bruise] (1835) 1: fritter 2: a light square
          doughnut

   [1]being
          [be.ing] n (14c) 1 a: the quality or state of having existence
          b (1): something conceivable as existing (2): something
          that actually exists (3): the totality of existing things
          c: conscious existence: life 2: the qualities that constitute
          an existent thing: essence; esp: personality 3: a living
          thing; esp: person [2]being adj [prp. of be] (14c): present--used
          in the phrase for the time being [3]being conj (1528)
          chiefly dial: since, because--usu. used with as, as how,
          or that

   Beja
          [Be.ja] n, pl Beja (1819) 1: a member of a pastoral people
          living between the Nile and the Red Sea 2: the Cushitic
          language of the Beja people

   bejesus
          [be.je.sus] also be.jee.zus interj [alter. of by Jesus] (ca.
          1908)--used as a mild oath--used as a noun for emphasis
          <scares the ~ out of me>

   bejeweled
          [be.jew.eled] or be.jew.elled adj (1557): ornamented with
          or as if with jewels

   bel
          [bel] n [Alexander Graham Bell] (1929): ten decibels

   belabor
          [be.la.bor] vt (1596) 1 a: to attack verbally b: to beat
          soundly 2: to explain or insist on excessively <~ the
          obvious>

   belabour
          [be.la.bour] chiefly Brit var of belabor

   belated
          [be.lat.ed] adj [pp. of belate (to make late)] (1670) 1:
          delayed beyond the usual time 2: existing or appearing
          past the normal or proper time -- be.lat.ed.ly adv --
          be.lat.ed.ness n

   belaud
          [be.laud] vt (ca. 1849): to praise usu. to excess

   [1]belay
          [be.lay] vb [ME beleggen to beset, fr. OE belecgan, fr. be-
          + lecgan to lay] vt (1548) 1 a: to secure (as a rope)
          by turns around a cleat, pin, or bitt b: to make fast
          2: stop 3 a: to secure (a person) at the end of a rope
          b: to secure (a rope) to a person or object ~ vi 1: to
          be made fast 2: stop, quit--used in the imperative <~
          there> 3: to make a line fast by turns around a cleat,
          pin, or bitt [2]belay n (1908) 1: the securing of a person
          or a safety rope to an anchor point (as during mountain
          climbing); also: a method of so securing a person or
          rope 2: something (as a projection of rock) to which
          a person or rope is anchored

   bel canto
          [bel can.to] n [It, lit., beautiful singing] (1894): operatic
          singing originating in 17th century and 18th century
          Italy and stressing ease, purity, and evenness of tone
          production and an agile and precise vocal technique

   belch
          [belch] vb [ME, fr. OE bealcan] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to expel
          gas suddenly from the stomach through the mouth 2: to
          erupt, explode, or detonate violently 3: to issue forth
          spasmodically: gush ~ vt 1: to eject or emit violently
          2: to expel (gas) from the stomach suddenly: eruct --
          belch n

   beldam
          [bel.dam] or bel.dame n [ME beldam grandmother, fr. MF bel
          beautiful + ME dam] (1580): an old woman

   beleaguer
          [be.lea.guer] vt -guered ; -guer.ing [D belegeren, fr. be-
          (akin to OE be-) + leger camp; akin to OHG legar bed--more
          at lair] (1587) 1: besiege 2: trouble, harass <~ed parents>
          -- be.lea.guer.ment n

   belemnite
          [bel.em.nite] n [NL belemnites, fr. Gk belemnon dart; akin
          to Gk ballein to throw--more at devil] (1646): any of
          a genus (Belemnites) of extinct cephalopods that had
          bullet-shaped internal shells and were esp. abundant
          in the Mesozoic era

   belfry
          [bel.fry] n, pl belfries [ME belfrey, alter. of berfrey,
          fr. MF berfrei bell tower, siege tower, of Gmc origin
          (akin to MHG bervrit siege tower); akin to OHG bergan
          to shelter and to OE frith peace, refuge--more at bury]
          (15c) 1: a bell tower; esp: one surmounting or attached
          to another structure 2: a room or framework for enclosing
          a bell 3: head 2a <batty in the ~>

   Belg
          [Belg] abbreviation Belgian, Belgium

   Belgae
          [Bel.gae] n pl [L, pl. of Belga] (ca. 1895): a people occupying
          parts of northern Gaul and Britain in Caesar's time --
          Bel.gic adj

   Belgian
          [Bel.gian] n (ca. 1623) 1: a native or inhabitant of Belgium
          2: any of a breed of heavy muscular usu. roan or chestnut
          draft horses developed in Belgium -- Belgian adj

   Belgian endive
          [Belgian endive] n (1931): endive 2

   Belgian hare
          [Belgian hare] n (1900): any of a breed of slender chestnut-colored
          domestic rabbits

   Belgian Malinois
          [Belgian Ma.li.nois] n (1968): any of a breed of squarely
          built working dogs closely related to the Belgian sheepdog
          and having relatively short straight hair with a dense
          undercoat--called also Malinois

   Belgian sheepdog
          [Belgian sheepdog] n (1929): any of a breed of hardy black
          dogs developed in Belgium esp. for herding sheep

   Belgian Tervuren
          [Belgian Ter.vu.ren] n [Tervuren, commune in Brabant, Belgium]
          (1964): any of a breed of working dogs closely related
          to the Belgian sheepdog but having abundant long straight
          fawn-colored hair with black tips

   Belial
          [Be.lial] n [Gk, fr. Heb beliya'al worthlessness] (13c) 1--a
          biblical name of the devil or one of the fiends 2: one
          of the fallen angels in Milton's Paradise Lost

   belie
          [be.lie] vt -lied ; -ly.ing (bef. 12c) 1 a: to give a false
          impression of b: to present an appearance not in agreement
          with 2 a: to show (something) to be false or wrong b:
          to run counter to: contradict 3: disguise 3 -- be.li.er
          n

   belief
          [be.lief] n [ME beleave, prob. alter. of OE geleafa, fr.
          ge-, associative prefix + leafa; akin to OE lyfan] (12c)
          1: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence
          is placed in some person or thing 2: something believed;
          esp: a tenet or body of tenets held by a group 3: conviction
          of the truth of some statement or the reality of some
          being or phenomenon esp. when based on examination of
          evidence syn belief, faith, credence, credit mean assent
          to the truth of something offered for acceptance. belief
          may or may not imply certitude in the believer <my belief
          that I had caught all the errors>. faith almost always
          implies certitude even where there is no evidence or
          proof <an unshakable faith in God>. credence suggests
          intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds
          for assent <a theory now given credence by scientists>.
          credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct
          proof <gave full credit to the statement of a reputable
          witness>. syn see in addition opinion

   believable
          [be.liev.able] adj (14c): capable of being believed esp.
          as within the range of known possibility or probability
          -- be.liev.abil.i.ty n -- be.liev.ably adv

   believe
          [be.lieve] vb be.lieved ; be.liev.ing [ME beleven, fr. OE
          belefan, fr. be- + lyfan, lefan to allow, believe; akin
          to OHG gilouben to believe, OE leof dear--more at love]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to have a firm religious faith b:
          to accept as true, genuine, or real <ideals we ~ in>
          <~s in ghosts> 2: to have a firm conviction as to the
          goodness, efficacy, or ability of something <~ in exercise>
          3: to hold an opinion: think <I ~ so> ~ vt 1 a: to consider
          to be true or honest <~ the reports> <you wouldn't ~
          how long it took> b: to accept the word or evidence of
          <I ~ you> <couldn't ~ my ears> 2: to hold as an opinion:
          suppose <I ~ it will rain soon> -- be.liev.er n -- not
          believe : to be astounded at <I couldn't believe my luck>

   belike
          [be.like] adv (ca. 1533) archaic: most likely: probably

   belittle
          [be.lit.tle] vt -lit.tled ; -lit.tling (1797) 1: to speak
          slightingly of: disparage <~s her efforts> 2: to cause
          (a person or thing) to seem little or less syn see decry
          -- be.lit.tle.ment n -- be.lit.tler n

   belive
          [be.live] adv [ME bilive vigorously, fr. by + live, dat.
          of lif life] (1594) Scot: in due time: by and by

   [1]bell
          [bell] n [ME belle, fr. OE; perh. akin to OE bellan to roar--more
          at bellow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a hollow metallic device that
          gives off a reverberating sound when struck b: doorbell
          2 a: the sounding of a bell as a signal b: a stroke of
          a bell (as on shipboard) to indicate the time; also:
          the time so indicated c: a half hour period of a watch
          on shipboard indicated by the strokes of a bell 3: something
          having the form of a bell: as a: the corolla of a flower
          b: the part of the capital of a column between the abacus
          and neck molding c: the flared end of a wind instrument
          4 a: a percussion instrument consisting of metal bars
          or tubes that when struck give out tones resembling bells--usu.
          used in pl. b: glockenspiel [2]bell vt (14c) 1: to provide
          with a bell 2: to flare the end of (as a tube) into the
          shape of a bell ~ vi: to take the form of a bell: flare
          -- bell the cat : to do a daring or risky deed [3]bell
          vi [ME, fr. OE bellan] (bef. 12c): to make a resonant
          bellowing or baying sound <the wild buck ~s from ferny
          brake --Sir Walter Scott> [4]bell n (1862): bellow, roar

   belladonna
          [bel.la.don.na] n [It, lit., beautiful lady] (1597) 1: an
          Old World poisonous plant (Atropa belladonna) of the
          nightshade family having purple or green bell-shaped
          flowers, glossy black berries, and root and leaves that
          yield atropine--called also deadly nightshade 2: a medicinal
          extract (as atropine) from the belladonna plant

   belladonna lily
          [belladonna lily] n (1734): amaryllis

   bella figura
          [bel.la fi.gu.ra] [It] foreign term : fine appearance or
          impression

   bellbird
          [bell.bird] n (1802): any of various birds (as of the genera
          Procnias and Anthornis) whose notes suggest the sound
          of a bell

   bell-bottoms
          [bell-bot.toms] n pl (1898): pants with wide flaring bottoms
          -- bell-bottom adj

   bellboy
          [bell.boy] n (1861): bellhop

   bell buoy
          [bell buoy] n (1838): a buoy with a bell rung by the action
          of the waves

   bell captain
          [bell captain] n (1926): captain 2c

   bell curve
          [bell curve] n [fr. the shape] (ca. 1941): normal curve

   belle
          [belle] n [F, fr. fem. of beau beautiful--more at beau] (1622):
          a popular and attractive girl or woman; esp: a girl or
          woman whose charm and beauty make her a favorite <the
          ~ of the ball>

   Belleek
          [Bel.leek] n [Belleek, town in Northern Ireland] (1869):
          a very thin translucent porcelain with a lustrous pearly
          glaze produced in Ireland--called also Belleek china,
          Belleek ware

   belle epoque
          [belle epoque] n, often cap B&E [F, lit., beautiful age]
          (1954): a period of high artistic or cultural development;
          esp: such a period in fin de siecle France

   belle laide
          [belle laide] [F] foreign term : beautiful ugly woman: woman
          who is attractive though not conventionally beautiful

   Bellerophon
          [Bel.ler.o.phon] n [L, fr. Gk Bellerophon]: a legendary Greek
          hero noted for killing the Chimera

   belles lettres
          [belles let.tres] n pl but sing in constr [F, lit., fine
          letters] (1710): literature that is an end in itself
          and not merely informative; specif: light, entertaining,
          and often sophisticated literature

   belletrist
          [bel.le.trist] n [belles lettres] (1816): a writer of belles
          lettres -- bel.le.tris.tic adj

   bellflower
          [bell.flow.er] n (1578): any of a genus (Campanula of the
          family Campanulaceae, the bellflower family) of widely
          cultivated herbs having alternate leaves and usu. showy
          flowers

   bellhop
          [bell.hop] n [short for bell-hopper] (1910): a hotel or club
          employee who escorts guests to rooms, assists them with
          luggage, and runs errands

   bellicose
          [bel.li.cose] adj [ME, fr. L bellicosus, fr. bellicus of
          war, fr. bellum war] (15c): favoring or inclined to start
          quarrels or wars syn see belligerent -- bel.li.cos.i.ty
          n

   bellied
          [bel.lied] adj (15c): having a belly of a specified kind--used
          in combination <a big-bellied man>

   belligerence
          [bel.lig.er.ence] n (1814): an aggressive or truculent attitude,
          atmosphere, or disposition

   belligerency
          [bel.lig.er.en.cy] n (1863) 1: the state of being at war
          or in conflict; specif: the status of a legally recognized
          belligerent state or nation 2: belligerence

   belligerent
          [bel.lig.er.ent] adj [modif. of L belligerant-, belligerans,
          prp. of belligerare to wage war, fr. belliger waging
          war, fr. bellum + gerere to wage] (1577) 1: waging war;
          specif: belonging to or recognized as a state at war
          and protected by and subject to the laws of war 2: inclined
          to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness
          -- belligerent n -- bel.lig.er.ent.ly adv syn belligerent,
          bellicose, pugnacious, quarrelsome, contentious mean
          having an aggressive or fighting attitude. belligerent
          implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities
          <belligerent nations>. bellicose suggests a disposition
          to fight <a drunk in a bellicose mood>. pugnacious suggests
          a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat
          <a pugnacious thug>. quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured
          readiness to fight without good cause <the heat made
          us all quarrelsome>. contentious implies perverse and
          irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling <wearied
          by his contentious disposition>.

   bell jar
          [bell jar] n (ca. 1859): a bell-shaped usu. glass vessel
          designed to cover objects or to contain gases or a vacuum

   bell-lyra
          [bell-ly.ra] or bell lyre n [lyra fr. L, lyre] (ca. 1943):
          a glockenspiel mounted in a portable lyre-shaped frame
          and used esp. in marching bands

   bellman
          [bell.man] n (14c) 1: a man (as a town crier) who rings a
          bell 2: bellhop

   bell metal
          [bell metal] n (1541): bronze that consists usu. of three
          to four parts of copper to one of tin and that is used
          for making bells

   Bellona
          [Bel.lo.na] n [L]: the Roman goddess of war

   bellow
          [bel.low] vb [ME belwen, fr. OE bylgian; akin to OE & OHG
          bellan to roar] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to make the loud deep
          hollow sound characteristic of a bull 2: to shout in
          a deep voice ~ vt: bawl <~s the orders> -- bellow n

   bellows
          [bel.lows] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME belu, fr. OE
          belg--more at belly] (bef. 12c) 1: an instrument or machine
          that by alternate expansion and contraction draws in
          air through a valve or orifice and expels it through
          a tube; also: any of various other blowers 2: lungs 3:
          the pleated expansible part in a camera; also: a metallic
          or plastic flexible and expansible vessel

   bell pepper
          [bell pepper] n (1707): sweet pepper

   bellpull
          [bell.pull] n (1832): a handle or knob attached to a cord
          by which one rings a bell; also: the cord itself

   bell push
          [bell push] n (1884): a button that is pushed to ring a bell

   bells and whistles
          [bells and whistles] n pl (1969): items or features that
          are useful or decorative but not essential: frills

   bell-shaped
          [bell-shaped] adj (ca. 1828) 1: shaped like a bell 2: relating
          to or being a normal curve or a normal distribution

   Bell's palsy
          [Bell's palsy] n [Sir Charles Bell d. 1842 Scot. anatomist]
          (ca. 1860): paralysis of the facial nerve producing distortion
          on one side of the face

   bell tower
          [bell tower] n (1614): a tower that supports or shelters
          a bell

   bellum omnium contra omnes
          [bel.lum om.ni.um con.tra om.nes] [L] foreign term : war
          of all against all

   bellwether
          [bell.weth.er] n [ME, leading sheep of a flock, leader, fr.
          belle bell + wether; fr. the practice of belling the
          leader of a flock] (13c): one that takes the lead or
          initiative: leader; also: an indicator of trends

   bellwort
          [bell.wort] n (1784): any of a small genus (Uvularia) of
          herbs of the lily family with yellow drooping flowers

   [1]belly
          [bel.ly] n, pl bellies [ME bely bellows, belly, fr. OE belg
          bag, skin; akin to OHG balg bag, skin, OE blawan to blow--more
          at blow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: abdomen 1; also: potbelly 1
          b: the stomach and its adjuncts c: the undersurface of
          an animal's body; also: hide from this part d: womb,
          uterus 2: an internal cavity: interior 3: appetite for
          food 4: a surface or object curved or rounded like a
          human belly 5 a: the enlarged fleshy body of a muscle
          b: the part of a sail that swells out when filled with
          wind 6: gut 1a(2) [2]belly vb bel.lied ; bel.ly.ing vt
          (1606): to cause to swell or fill out ~ vi 1: swell,
          fill 2 a: to slide or crawl on one's belly b: belly-land

   [1]bellyache
          [bel.ly.ache] n (1552): pain in the abdomen and esp. in the
          bowels: colic [2]bellyache vi (1881): to complain whiningly
          or peevishly: find fault -- bel.ly.ach.er n

   bellyband
          [bel.ly.band] n (15c): a band around or across the belly:
          as a: girth 1 b: band 4b

   belly button
          [belly button] n (ca. 1877): the human navel

   belly dance
          [belly dance] n (1899): a usu. solo dance emphasizing movements
          of the belly -- belly dance vi -- belly dancer n

   belly flop
          [belly flop] n (1895): a dive (as into water or in coasting
          prone on a sled) in which the front of the body strikes
          flat against another surface--called also belly flopper
          -- belly flop vi

   bellyful
          [bel.ly.ful] n (1535): an excessive amount <a ~ of advice>

   belly-land
          [bel.ly-land] vi (1943): to land an airplane on its undersurface
          without use of landing gear -- belly landing n

   belly laugh
          [belly laugh] n (1921): a deep hearty laugh

   belly up
          [belly up] vi (1948): to move close or next to <bellied up
          to the bar>

   belly-up
          [bel.ly-up] adj [fr. the floating position of a dead fish]
          (1939): hopelessly ruined or defeated; esp: bankrupt
          <the business went ~>

   belong
          [be.long] vb [ME belongen, fr. be- + longen to be suitable--more
          at long] vi (14c) 1 a: to be suitable, appropriate, or
          advantageous <a dictionary ~s in every home> b: to be
          in a proper situation <a man of his ability ~s in teaching>
          2 a: to be the property of a person or thing--used with
          to b: to be attached or bound by birth, allegiance, or
          dependency c: to be a member of a club, organization,
          or set 3: to be an attribute, part, adjunct, or function
          of a person or thing <nuts and bolts ~ to a car> 4: to
          be properly classified ~ verbal auxiliary, chiefly Southern
          & southern Midland: ought, must

   belonging
          [be.long.ing] n (1817) 1: possession--usu. used in pl. 2:
          close or intimate relationship <a sense of ~> -- be.long.ing.ness
          n

   Belorussian
          [Belo.rus.sian] n (1943) 1: a native or inhabitant of Belorussia
          (Belarus) 2: the Slavic language of the Belorussians
          -- Belorussian adj

   beloved
          [be.loved] adj [ME, fr. pp. of beloven to love, fr. be- +
          loven to love] (14c): dearly loved: dear to the heart
          -- beloved n

   [1]below
          [be.low] adv [ME bilooghe, fr. bi by + looghe [3]low] (14c)
          1: in or to a lower place 2 a: on earth b: in or to Hades
          or hell 3: on or to a lower floor or deck 4 a: in, to,
          at, or by a lower rank or number b: below zero <20 degrees
          ~> 5: lower on the same page or on a following page 6:
          under the surface of the water [2]below prep (1575) 1
          a: lower in place, rank, or value than: under b: down
          river from c: south of 2: inferior to (as in rank) 3:
          not suitable to the rank of: beneath [3]below n (1697):
          something that is below [4]below adj (1916): written
          or discussed lower on the same page or on a following
          page

   belowdecks
          [be.low.decks] adv (1909): inside or into the superstructure
          of a boat: down to a lower deck

   belowground
          [be.low.ground] adj (1928): being under the ground

   Belshazzar
          [Bel.shaz.zar] n [Heb Belshassar]: a son of Nebuchadnezzar
          and king of Babylon

   [1]belt
          [belt] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG balz belt; both fr. L balteus
          belt] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a strip of flexible material worn
          esp. around the waist b: a similar article worn as a
          corset or for protection or safety or as a symbol of
          distinction 2: a continuous band of tough flexible material
          for transmitting motion and power or conveying materials
          3: an area characterized by some distinctive feature
          (as of culture, habitation, geology, or life forms);
          esp: one suited to a particular crop <the corn ~> 4:
          beltway -- belt.ed adj -- belt.less adj -- below the
          belt : unfair, unfairly -- under one's belt : in one's
          possession: as part of one's experience [2]belt vt (14c)
          1 a: to encircle or fasten with a belt b: to strap on
          2 a: to beat with or as if with a belt: thrash b: strike,
          hit 3: to mark with a band 4: to sing in a forceful manner
          or style <~ing out popular songs> ~ vi 1: to move or
          act in a speedy, vigorous, or violent manner 2: to sing
          loudly -- belt.er n [3]belt n (1899) 1: a jarring blow:
          whack 2: drink <a ~ of gin>

   Beltane
          [Bel.tane] n [ME (Sc), 1st or 3rd of May, fr. ScGael bealltain]
          (15c): the Celtic May Day festival

   belted kingfisher
          [belted kingfisher] n (1811): a No. American kingfisher (Ceryle
          alcyon syn. Megaceryle alcyon) that is slate blue above
          and white below with a slate blue breast band and an
          additional chestnut-colored band in the female

   belting
          [belt.ing] n (1567) 1: belts 2: material for belts

   belt-tightening
          [belt-tight.en.ing] n (1937): a reduction in spending

   belt up
          [belt up] vi (1949) Brit: shut up

   beltway
          [belt.way] n (ca. 1952): a highway skirting an urban area--often
          used to refer specif. to the beltway around Washington
          D.C. esp. as delimiting what is seen as an insular political
          and social world

   beluga
          [be.lu.ga] n [Russ, fr. belyi white; akin to Gk phalios having
          a white spot--more at bald] (1772) 1 a: a large white
          sturgeon (Huso huso syn. Acipenser huso) of the Black
          Sea, Caspian Sea, and their tributaries b: caviar processed
          from beluga roe 2: white whale

   belvedere
          [bel.ve.dere] n [It, lit., beautiful view] (1593): a structure
          (as a cupola or a summerhouse) designed to command a
          view

   BEM
          [BEM] abbreviation bachelor of engineering of mines, British
          Empire Medal

   bema
          [be.ma] n [LL & LGk; LL, fr. LGk bema, fr. Gk, step, tribunal,
          fr. bainein to go--more at come] (1683) 1: the usu. raised
          part of an Eastern church containing the altar 2: a raised
          platform in a synagogue from which the Pentateuch and
          the Prophets are read

   Bemba
          [Bem.ba] n, pl Bemba or Bembas (1940) 1: a member of a primarily
          agricultural Bantu-speaking people of northeastern Zambia
          2: a Bantu language of the Bemba people

   bemedaled
          [be.med.aled] or be.med.alled adj (1880): wearing or decorated
          with medals

   bemire
          [be.mire] vt (ca. 1532) 1: to soil with mud or dirt 2: to
          drag through or sink in mire

   bemoan
          [be.moan] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to express deep grief or distress
          over 2: to regard with displeasure, disapproval, or regret
          syn see deplore

   bemock
          [be.mock] vt (1607) archaic: mock

   bemuse
          [be.muse] vt (1735) 1: to make confused: bewilder 2: to occupy
          the attention of: absorb -- be.mus.ed.ly adv -- be.muse.ment
          n

   [1]ben
          [ben] adv [ME, fr. OE binnan, fr. be- + innan within, from
          within, fr. in] (bef. 12c) Scot: within [2]ben prep (bef.
          12c) Scot: within [3]ben n (ca. 1799) Scot: the inner
          room or parlor of a 2-room cottage

   Bence-Jones protein
          [Bence-Jones protein] n [Henry Bence-Jones d. 1873 Eng. physician
          and chemist] (ca. 1923): an immunoglobulin that is composed
          only of light chain polypeptides and that is found esp.
          in the urine of persons affected with multiple myeloma

   [1]bench
          [bench] n [ME, fr. OE benc; akin to OHG bank bench] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a long seat for two or more persons b: a thwart
          in a boat c (1): a seat on which the members of an athletic
          team await a turn or opportunity to play (2): the reserve
          players on a team 2 a: the seat where a judge sits in
          court b: the place where justice is administered: court
          c: the office or dignity of a judge d: the persons who
          sit as judges 3 a: the office or dignity of an official
          b: a seat for an official c: the officials occupying
          a bench 4 a: a long worktable; also: laboratory <~ chemist>
          <~ test> b: a table forming part of a machine 5: terrace,
          shelf: as a: a former wave-cut shore of a sea or lake
          or floodplain of a river b: a shelf or ridge formed in
          working an open excavation on more than one level 6:
          a compartmented platform on which dogs or cats are kept
          at a show when not being judged [2]bench vt (14c) 1:
          to furnish with benches 2 a: to seat on a bench b (1):
          to remove from or keep out of a game (2): to remove from
          the starting lineup 3: to exhibit (dogs or cats) to the
          public on a bench ~ vi: to form a bench by natural processes

   bencher
          [bench.er] n (15c): one who sits on or presides at a bench

   benchland
          [bench.land] n (1857): bench 5a

   benchmark
          [bench.mark] n (ca. 1842) 1 usu bench mark : a mark on a
          permanent object indicating elevation and serving as
          a reference in topographical surveys and tidal observations
          2 a: a point of reference from which measurements may
          be made b: something that serves as a standard by which
          others may be measured or judged c: a standardized problem
          or test that serves as a basis for evaluation or comparison
          (as of computer system performance)

   bench press
          [bench press] n (1973): a press in weight lifting performed
          by a lifter lying on a bench -- bench-press vt

   bench seat
          [bench seat] n (1975): a seat in an automotive vehicle that
          extends the full width of the passenger section

   benchwarmer
          [bench.warm.er] n (1892): a reserve player on an athletic
          team

   bench warrant
          [bench warrant] n (1696): a warrant issued by a presiding
          judge or by a court against a person guilty of contempt
          or indicted for a crime

   [1]bend
          [bend] vb bent ; bend.ing [ME, fr. OE bendan; akin to OE
          bend fetter--more at band] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to constrain
          or strain to tension by curving <~ a bow> 2 a: to turn
          or force from straight or even to curved or angular b:
          to force from a proper shape c: to force back to an original
          straight or even condition 3: fasten <~ a sail to its
          yard> 4 a: to cause to turn from a straight course: deflect
          b: to guide or turn toward: direct c: incline, dispose
          d: to adapt to one's purpose: distort <~ the rules> 5:
          to direct strenuously or with interest: apply 6: to make
          submissive: subdue ~ vi 1: to curve out of a straight
          line or position; specif: to incline the body in token
          of submission 2: to apply oneself vigorously <~ing to
          their work> 3: incline, tend 4: to make concessions:
          compromise -- bend.a.ble adj -- bend one's ear : to talk
          to someone at length [2]bend n (15c) 1: the act or process
          of bending: the state of being bent 2: something that
          is bent: as a: a curved part of a stream or road b: [1]wale
          2--usu. used in pl. 3 pl but sing or pl in constr: a
          sometimes fatal disorder that is marked by neuralgic
          pains and paralysis, distress in breathing, and often
          collapse and that is caused by the release of gas bubbles
          (as of nitrogen) in tissue upon too rapid decrease in
          air pressure after a stay in a compressed atmosphere--usu.
          used with the--called also caisson disease, decompression
          sickness--compare aeroembolism -- around the bend : mad,
          crazy [3]bend n [ME, fr. MF bende, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG binta, bant band--more at band] (15c) 1: a diagonal
          band that runs from the dexter chief to the sinister
          base on a heraldic shield--compare bend sinister 2 [ME,
          band, fr. OE bend fetter--more at band]: a knot by which
          one rope is fastened to another or to some object

   benday
          [ben.day] adj, often cap [Benjamin Day d. 1916 Am. printer]
          (1903): involving a process for adding shaded or tinted
          areas made up of dots for reproduction by line engraving
          -- benday vt

   bender
          [bend.er] n (15c) 1: one that bends 2: spree

   bend sinister
          [bend sinister] n (1612): a diagonal bend that runs from
          the sinister chief to the dexter base on a heraldic shield

   bendy
          [bendy] adj (1928): flexible, pliable <a ~ mast>

   [1]beneath
          [be.neath] adv [ME benethe, fr. OE beneothan, fr. be- + neothan
          below; akin to OE nithera nether] (bef. 12c) 1: in or
          to a lower position: below 2: directly under: underneath
          [2]beneath prep (bef. 12c) 1 a: in or to a lower position
          than: below b: directly under c: at the foot of 2: not
          suitable to the rank of: unworthy of 3: under the control,
          pressure, or influence of 4: concealed by: under the
          guise of <a warm heart ~ a gruff manner>

   benedict
          [ben.e.dict] n [alter. of Benedick, character in Shakespeare's
          Much Ado about Nothing] (1821): a newly married man who
          has long been a bachelor

   Benedictine
          [Ben.e.dic.tine] n (15c): a monk or a nun of one of the
          congregations following the rule of St. Benedict and devoted esp.
          to scholarship and liturgical worship -- Benedictine adj

   benediction
          [bene.dic.tion] n [ME benediccioun, fr. LL benediction-,
          benedictio, fr. benedicere to bless, fr. L, to speak
          well of, fr. bene well (akin to L bonus good) + dicere
          to say--more at bounty, diction] (15c) 1: the invocation
          of a blessing; esp: the short blessing with which public
          worship is concluded 2: something that promotes goodness
          or well-being 3 often cap: a Roman Catholic or Anglo-Catholic
          devotion including the exposition of the eucharistic
          Host in the monstrance and the blessing of the people
          with it 4: an expression of good wishes

   benedictory
          [bene.dic.to.ry] adj (1710): of or expressing benediction

   Benedict's solution
          [Ben.e.dict's solution] n [Stanley Rossiter Benedict d. 1936
          Am. chemist] (1921): a blue solution containing a carbonate,
          citrate, and sulfate which yields a red, yellow, or orange
          precipitate upon warming with a sugar (as glucose) that
          is a reducing agent

   Benedictus
          [Ben.e.dic.tus] n [LL, blessed, fr. pp. of benedicere; fr.
          its first word] (1552) 1: a canticle from Lk 1:68 beginning
          "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel" 2: a canticle from
          Mt 21:9 beginning "Blessed is he that cometh in the name
          of the Lord"

   benefaction
          [ben.e.fac.tion] n [LL benefaction-, benefactio, fr. L bene
          facere to do good to, fr. bene + facere to do--more at
          do] (ca. 1662) 1: the act of benefiting 2: a benefit
          conferred; esp: a charitable donation

   benefactor
          [ben.e.fac.tor] n (15c): one that confers a benefit; esp:
          one that makes a gift or bequest

   benefactress
          [ben.e.fac.tress] n (1711): a woman who is a benefactor

   benefic
          [be.nef.ic] adj [L beneficus, fr. bene + facere] (1641):
          beneficent

   benefice
          [ben.e.fice] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML beneficium, fr. L, favor,
          promotion, fr. beneficus] (14c) 1: an ecclesiastical
          office to which the revenue from an endowment is attached
          2: a feudal estate in lands: fief -- benefice vt

   beneficence
          [be.nef.i.cence] n [L beneficentia, fr. beneficus] (15c)
          1: the quality or state of being beneficent 2: benefaction

   beneficent
          [be.nef.i.cent] adj [back-formation fr. beneficence] (1616)
          1: doing or producing good; esp: performing acts of kindness
          and charity 2: beneficial -- be.nef.i.cent.ly adv

   beneficial
          [ben.e.fi.cial] adj [L beneficium favor, benefit] (15c) 1:
          conferring benefits: conducive to personal or social
          well-being 2: receiving or entitling one to receive advantage,
          use, or benefit <a ~ legacy> -- ben.e.fi.cial.ly adv
          -- ben.e.fi.cial.ness n

   beneficiary
          [ben.e.fi.cia.ry] n, pl -ries (1662) 1: one that benefits
          from something 2 a: the person designated to receive
          the income of a trust estate b: the person named (as
          in an insurance policy) to receive proceeds or benefits
          -- beneficiary adj

   beneficiation
          [ben.e.fi.ci.a.tion] n (ca. 1881): the treatment of raw material
          (as iron ore) to improve physical or chemical properties
          esp. in preparation for smelting -- ben.e.fi.ci.ate vt

   [1]benefit
          [ben.e.fit] n [ME, fr. AF benfet, fr. L bene factum, fr.
          neut. of bene factus, pp. of bene facere] (14c) 1 archaic:
          an act of kindness: benefaction 2 a: something that promotes
          well-being: advantage b: useful aid: help 3 a: financial
          help in time of sickness, old age, or unemployment b:
          a payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension
          plan, or insurance policy 4: an entertainment or social
          event to raise funds for a person or cause [2]benefit
          vb -fit.ed also -fit.ted ; -fit.ing also -fit.ting vt
          (15c): to be useful or profitable to ~ vi: to receive
          benefit -- ben.e.fit.er n

   benefit of clergy
          [benefit of clergy] (15c) 1: clerical exemption from trial
          in a civil court 2: the ministration or sanction of the
          church

   benevolence
          [be.nev.o.lence] n (14c) 1: disposition to do good 2 a: an
          act of kindness b: a generous gift 3: a compulsory levy
          by certain English kings with no other authority than
          the claim of prerogative

   benevolent
          [be.nev.o.lent] adj [ME, fr. L benevolent-, benevolens, fr.
          bene + volent-, volens, prp. of velle to wish--more at
          will] (15c) 1 a: marked by or disposed to doing good
          <a ~ donor> b: organized for the purpose of doing good
          <a ~ society> 2: marked by or suggestive of goodwill
          <~ smiles> -- be.nev.o.lent.ly adv -- be.nev.o.lent.ness
          n

   Bengali
          [Ben.gali] n [Hindi Bangali, fr. Bangal Bengal] (1848) 1:
          a native or resident of Bengal 2: the modern Indo-Aryan
          language of Bengal -- Bengali adj

   bengaline
          [ben.ga.line] n [F, fr. Bengal] (1884): a fabric with a crosswise
          rib made from textile fibers (as rayon, nylon, cotton,
          or wool) often in combination

   Bengal light
          [Ben.gal light] n (1818): a usu. blue light or flare used
          formerly esp. for signaling and illumination

   Bengal tiger
          [Bengal tiger] n (ca. 1864): a tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
          occurring esp. in India

   BEngr
          [BEngr] abbreviation bachelor of engineering

   BEngS
          [BEngS] abbreviation bachelor of engineering science

   benighted
          [be.night.ed] adj (15c) 1: overtaken by darkness or night
          2: existing in a state of intellectual, moral, or social
          darkness: unenlightened -- be.night.ed.ly adv -- be.night.ed.ness
          n

   benign
          [be.nign] adj [ME benigne, fr. MF, fr. L benignus, fr. bene
          + gignere to beget--more at kin] (14c) 1: of a gentle
          disposition: gracious <a ~ teacher> 2 a: showing kindness
          and gentleness <~ faces> b: favorable, wholesome <a ~
          climate> 3 a: of a mild type or character that does not
          threaten health or life <a ~ tumor> b: having no significant
          effect: harmless <environmentally ~> -- be.nig.ni.ty
          n -- be.nign.ly adv

   benignancy
          [be.nig.nan.cy] n (1876): benignant quality

   benignant
          [be.nig.nant] adj [benign + -ant (as in malignant)] (ca.
          1782) 1: serenely mild and kindly: benign 2: favorable,
          beneficial <a ~ power> -- be.nig.nant.ly adv

   benign neglect
          [benign neglect] n (1970): an attitude or policy of ignoring
          an often undesirable situation that one is perceived
          to be responsible for dealing with

   benison
          [ben.i.son] n [ME beneson, fr. MF beneicon, fr. LL benediction-,
          benedictio] (14c): blessing, benediction

   Benjamin
          [Ben.ja.min] n [Heb Binyamin]: a son of Jacob and the traditional
          eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel

   benne
          [ben.ne] also bene n [of African origin; akin to Malinke
          bene sesame] (1769): sesame 1

   benny
          [ben.ny] n, pl bennies [Benzedrine + -ie] (1949) slang: a
          tablet of amphetamine taken as a stimulant

   benomyl
          [ben.o.myl] n [benz- + -o- + methyl] (1969): a derivative
          of carbamate and benzimidazole used esp. as a systemic
          agricultural fungicide

   [1]bent
          [bent] n [ME, grassy place, bent grass, fr. OE beonot-; akin
          to OHG binuz rush] (14c) 1: unenclosed grassland 2 a
          (1): a reedy grass (2): a stalk of stiff coarse grass
          b: bent grass [2]bent adj [ME, fr. pp. of benden to bend]
          (14c) 1: changed by bending out of an orig. straight
          or even condition <~ twigs> 2: strongly inclined: determined
          <was ~ on going> 3 slang a: different from the normal
          or usual b chiefly Brit: dishonest, corrupt [3]bent n
          [irreg. fr. [1]bend] (1586) 1 a: a strong inclination
          or interest: bias b: a special inclination or capacity:
          talent 2: capacity of endurance 3: a transverse framework
          (as in a bridge) to carry lateral as well as vertical
          loads syn see gift

   bent grass
          [bent grass] n (1778): any of a genus (Agrostis) of grasses
          including important chiefly perennial and rhizomatous
          pasture and lawn grasses with fine velvety or wiry herbage

   Benthamism
          [Ben.tham.ism] n (1829): the utilitarian philosophy of Jeremy
          Bentham and his followers -- Ben.tham.ite n or adj

   benthic
          [ben.thic] adj [benthos] (1902) 1: of, relating to, or occurring
          at the bottom of a body of water 2: of, relating to,
          or occurring in the depths of the ocean

   benthonic
          [ben.thon.ic] adj [irreg. fr. benthos] (1897): benthic

   benthos
          [ben.thos] n [NL, fr. Gk, depth, deep sea; akin to Gk bathys
          deep] (1891): organisms that live on or in the bottom
          of a body of water

   bentonite
          [ben.ton.ite] n [Fort Benton, Mont.] (1898): an absorptive
          and colloidal clay used esp. as a sealing agent or carrier
          (as of drugs) -- ben.ton.it.ic adj

   ben trovato
          [ben tro.va.to] adj [It, lit., well found] (1876): characteristic
          or appropriate even if not true <the story is ben trovato>

   bentwood
          [bent.wood] adj (1862): made of wood that is bent rather
          than cut into shape <~ furniture> -- bentwood n

   benumb
          [be.numb] vt [ME benomen, fr. benomen, pp. of benimen to
          deprive, fr. OE beniman, fr. be- + niman to take--more
          at nimble] (14c) 1: to make inactive: deaden 2: to make
          numb esp. by cold

   benz-
          [benz-] or benzo- comb form [ISV, fr. benzoin]: related to
          benzene or benzoic acid <benzophenone> <benzyl>

   benzaldehyde
          [benz.al.de.hyde] n [ISV] (1866): a colorless nontoxic aromatic
          liquid found in essential oils (as in peach kernels)
          and used in flavoring and perfumery, in pharmaceuticals,
          and in synthesis of dyes

   benzanthracene
          [benz.an.thra.cene] n [ISV] (1938): a crystalline feebly
          carcinogenic cyclic hydrocarbon that is found in small
          amounts in coal tar

   Benzedrine
          [Ben.ze.drine] trademark--used for amphetamine

   benzene
          [ben.zene] n [ISV benz- + -ene] (ca. 1872): a colorless volatile
          flammable toxic liquid aromatic hydrocarbon used in organic
          synthesis, as a solvent, and as a motor fuel--called
          also benzol -- ben.ze.noid adj

   benzene hexachloride
          [benzene hexa.chlo.ride] n (1884): bhc

   benzene ring
          [benzene ring] n (1877): a structural arrangement of atoms
          held to exist in benzene and other aromatic compounds
          and marked by six carbon atoms linked in a planar symmetrical
          hexagon with each carbon attached to hydrogen in benzene
          itself or to other atoms or groups in substituted benzenes--compare
          meta- 4a, orth- 4b, para- 2b

   benzidine
          [ben.zi.dine] n [ISV benz- + -idine] (1878): a crystalline
          base prepared from nitrobenzene and used esp. in making
          dyes

   benzimidazole
          [benz.imid.azole] n [ISV] (ca. 1929): a crystalline base
          used esp. to inhibit the growth of various viruses, parasitic
          worms, or fungi; also: one of its derivatives

   benzine
          [ben.zine] n [G Benzin, fr. benz-] (1835): any of various
          volatile flammable petroleum distillates used esp. as
          solvents or as motor fuels

   benzoapyrene
          [ben.zo.a.py.rene] n [benz- + -a-, denoting attachment of
          the benzene substituent at carbon atoms 1 and 2 of the
          pyrene molecule + pyrene] (1950): a yellow crystalline
          carcinogenic hydrocarbon found in coal tar--a often italicized
          and placed in parentheses or brackets or between hyphens

   benzoate
          [ben.zo.ate] n (1806): a salt or ester of benzoic acid

   benzocaine
          [ben.zo.caine] n [ISV benz- + -caine] (1922): a white crystalline
          ester used as a local anesthetic

   benzodiazepine
          [ben.zo.di.az.e.pine] n [benz- + di- + az- + -epine (fr.
          hepta- + [2]-ine)] (1934): any of a group of aromatic
          lipophilic amines (as diazepam and chlordiazepoxide)
          used esp. as tranquilizers

   benzofuran
          [ben.zo.fu.ran] n (1946): a compound found in coal tar and
          polymerized with indene to form thermoplastic resins
          used esp. in adhesives and printing inks

   benzoic acid
          [ben.zo.ic acid] n [ISV, fr. benzoin] (1791): a white crystalline
          acid found naturally (as in benzoin or in cranberries)
          or made synthetically and used esp. as a preservative
          of foods, in medicine, and in organic synthesis

   benzoin
          [ben.zo.in] n [MF benjoin, fr. Catal benjui, fr. Ar luban
          jawi, lit., frankincense of Java] (1562) 1: a hard fragrant
          yellowish balsamic resin from trees (genus Styrax) of
          southeastern Asia used esp. in medication, as a fixative
          in perfumes, and as incense 2: a white crystalline hydroxy
          ketone made from benzaldehyde

   benzol
          [ben.zol] n [G, fr. benz- + -ol] (1838): benzene; also: a
          mixture of benzene and other aromatic hydrocarbons

   benzophenone
          [ben.zo.phe.none] n [ISV benz- + phen- + -one] (1885): a
          colorless crystalline ketone used chiefly in perfumery
          and sunscreens; also: a derivative of benzophenone

   benzoyl
          [ben.zo.yl] n [G, fr. Benzoesaure benzoic acid + Gk hyle
          matter, lit., wood] (ca. 1855): a chemical group derived
          from benzoic acid and consisting of a carbon atom to
          which are attached an oxygen atom by a double bond and
          a benzene ring

   benzoyl peroxide
          [benzoyl peroxide] n (1924): a white crystalline flammable
          compound used in bleaching and in medicine esp. in the
          treatment of acne

   benzyl
          [ben.zyl] n [ISV benz- + -yl] (1869): a univalent radical
          derived from toluene -- ben.zyl.ic adj

   Beowulf
          [Be.o.wulf] n: a legendary Geatish warrior and hero of the
          Old English poem Beowulf

   bepaint
          [be.paint] vt (ca. 1555) archaic: tinge

   bequeath
          [be.queath] vt [ME bequethen, fr. OE becwethan, fr. be- +
          cwethan to say--more at quoth] (bef. 12c) 1: to give
          or leave by will--used esp. of personal property 2: to
          hand down: transmit -- be.queath.al n

   bequest
          [be.quest] n [ME, irreg. fr. bequethen] (14c) 1: the act
          of bequeathing 2: something bequeathed: legacy

   berate
          [be.rate] vt (1548): to scold or condemn vehemently and at
          length syn see scold

   Berber
          [Ber.ber] n [Ar Barbar] (1732) 1: a member of any of various
          peoples living in northern Africa west of Tripoli 2 a:
          a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family comprising
          languages spoken by various peoples of northern Africa
          and the Sahara (as the Tuaregs and the Kabyles) b: any
          one of the Berber languages

   berberine
          [ber.ber.ine] n [G Berberin, fr. NL berberis] (ca. 1847):
          a bitter crystalline yellow alkaloid obtained from the
          roots of various plants (as barberry) and used as a tonic
          in medicine

   berberis
          [ber.ber.is] n [NL, the genus including barberry, alter.
          of ML barberis barberry, fr. Ar barbaris] (ca. 1868):
          barberry

   berceuse
          [ber.ceuse] n, pl ber.ceuses [F] (1876) 1: lullaby 2: a musical
          composition usu. in 6/8 time that resembles a lullaby

   bereave
          [be.reave] vt -reaved or -reft ; -reav.ing [ME bereven, fr.
          OE bereafian, fr. be- + reafian to rob--more at reave]
          (bef. 12c) 1: to deprive of something--usu. used with
          of <madam, you have bereft me of all words --Shak.> 2:
          to take away (a valued or necessary possession) esp.
          by force

   [1]bereaved
          [be.reaved] adj (1828): suffering the death of a loved one
          [2]bereaved n, pl bereaved (1943): one who is bereaved

   bereavement
          [be.reave.ment] n (ca. 1731): the state or fact of being
          bereaved; esp: the loss of a loved one by death

   bereft
          [be.reft] adj (1586) 1 a: deprived or robbed of the possession
          or use of something--usu. used with of <both players
          are instantly ~ of their poise --A. E. Wier> b: lacking
          something needed, wanted, or expected--used with of <the
          book is ... completely ~ of an index --Times Lit. Supp.>
          2: bereaved <a ~ mother>

   beret
          [be.ret] n [F beret, fr. Gascon berret, fr. OProv, cap--more
          at biretta] (1827): a visorless usu. woolen cap with
          a tight headband and a soft full flat top

   berg
          [berg] n (1823): iceberg

   bergamot
          [ber.ga.mot] n [F bergamote, fr. It bergamotta, modif. of
          Turk bey armudu, lit., the bey's pear] (1696) 1: a pear-shaped
          orange (Citrus aurantium bergamia) having a rind which
          yields an essential oil used in perfumery; also: this
          oil 2: any of several mints (genus Monarda)--compare
          wild bergamot

   beribboned
          [be.rib.boned] adj (1863): adorned with ribbons

   beriberi
          [beri.beri] n [Sinhalese baeribaeri] (1703): a deficiency
          disease marked by inflammatory or degenerative changes
          of the nerves, digestive system, and heart and caused
          by a lack of or inability to assimilate thiamine

   Berkeleian
          [Berke.le.ian] or Berke.ley.an adj (1842): of, relating to,
          or suggestive of Bishop Berkeley or his system of philosophical
          idealism -- Berkeleian n -- Berke.le.ian.ism n

   berkelium
          [berke.li.um] n [NL, fr. Berkeley, Calif.] (1950): a radioactive
          metallic element produced by bombarding americium 241
          with helium ions

   Berks
          [Berks] abbreviation Berkshire

   Berkshire
          [Berk.shire] n [Berkshire, England] (1831): any of a breed
          of medium-sized black swine with white markings

   berm
          [berm] n [F berme, fr. D berm strip of ground along a dike;
          akin to ME brimme brim] (1729): a narrow shelf, path,
          or ledge typically at the top or bottom of a slope; also:
          a mound or wall of earth <a landscaped ~>

   Bermuda bag
          [Ber.mu.da bag] n [Bermuda islands, No. Atlantic] (1979):
          a round or oval-shaped handbag with a wooden handle and
          removable cloth covers

   Bermuda grass
          [Bermuda grass] n (1808): a creeping stoloniferous southern
          European grass (Cynodon dactylon) often used as a lawn
          and pasture grass

   Bermuda rig
          [Bermuda rig] n (1853): a fore-and-aft rig marked by a triangular
          sail and a mast with an extreme rake

   Bermudas
          [Ber.mu.das] n pl (1961): bermuda shorts

   Bermuda shorts
          [Bermuda shorts] n pl (1951): knee-length walking shorts

   Bernese mountain dog
          [Ber.nese mountain dog] n [Bern, Switzerland] (1935): any
          of a breed of large powerful long-coated black dogs of
          Swiss origin that have tan and white markings and were
          developed as draft animals

   Bernoulli's principle
          [Ber.noul.li's principle] n [Daniel Bernoulli d. 1782 Swiss
          physicist] (1940): a principle in hydrodynamics: the
          pressure in a stream of fluid is reduced as the speed
          of the flow is increased

   Bernoulli trial
          [Ber.noul.li trial] n [Jacques Bernoulli d. 1705 Swiss
          mathematician] (1951): one of the repetitions of a statistical
          experiment having two mutually exclusive outcomes with constant
          probability of occurrence

   berried
          [ber.ried] adj (1794) 1: having or covered with berries <~
          shrub> 2: bearing eggs <a ~ lobster>

   [1]berry
          [ber.ry] n, pl berries [ME berye, fr. OE berie; akin to OHG
          beri berry] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a pulpy and usu. edible fruit
          (as a strawberry, raspberry, or checkerberry) of small
          size irrespective of its structure b: a simple fruit
          (as a currant, grape, tomato, or banana) with a pulpy
          or fleshy pericarp c: the dry seed of some plants (as
          wheat) 2: an egg of a fish or lobster [2]berry vi ber.ried
          ; ber.ry.ing (ca. 1780) 1: to bear or produce berries
          <a ~ing shrub> 2: to gather or seek berries

   berrylike
          [ber.ry.like] adj (1864) 1: resembling a berry esp. in size
          or structure 2: being small and rounded: coccoid

   berseem
          [ber.seem] n [Ar barsim, fr. Copt bersim] (ca. 1902): a succulent
          clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) cultivated as a forage
          plant and green-manure crop esp. in the alkaline soils
          of the Nile valley and in the southwestern U.S.--called
          also Egyptian clover

   [1]berserk
          [ber.serk] or ber.serk.er n [ON berserkr, fr. bjorn bear
          + serkr shirt] (1818) 1: an ancient Scandinavian warrior
          frenzied in battle and held to be invulnerable 2: one
          whose actions are recklessly defiant [2]berserk adj (1851):
          frenzied, crazed--usu. used in the phrase go berserk
          <sinister ravings of an imagination gone ~ --John Gruen>
          -- berserk adv -- ber.serk.ly adv

   [1]berth
          [berth] n [prob. fr. [2]bear + -th] (15c) 1 a: sufficient
          distance for maneuvering a ship b: safe distance--used
          esp. with wide 2 a: the place where a ship lies when
          at anchor or at a wharf b: a space for an automotive
          vehicle at rest <a truck-loading ~> 3: a place to sit
          or sleep esp. on a ship or vehicle: accommodation 4 a:
          a billet on a ship b: job, position, place <a starting
          ~ on the team> [2]berth vt (1667) 1: to bring into a
          berth 2: to allot a berth to ~ vi: to come into a berth

   bertha
          [ber.tha] n [F berthe, fr. Berthe (Bertha) d. 783 queen of
          the Franks] (1842): a wide round collar covering the
          shoulders

   Bertillon system
          [Ber.til.lon system] n [Alphonse Bertillon d. 1914 Fr.
          criminologist] (1896): a system of identification of persons
          by a description based on anthropometric measurements, photographs,
          and notation of data (as markings, color, and thumb line
          impressions)

   beryl
          [ber.yl] n [ME, fr. MF beril, fr. L beryllus, fr. Gk beryllos,
          back-formation fr. beryllion beryl, of Indo-Aryan origin;
          akin to Prakrit verulia, veluriya beryl] (13c): a mineral
          consisting of a silicate of beryllium and aluminum of
          great hardness and occurring in green, bluish green,
          yellow, pink, or white hexagonal prisms

   beryllium
          [be.ryl.li.um] n [NL, fr. Gk beryllion] (ca. 1847): a steel-gray
          light strong brittle toxic bivalent metallic element
          used chiefly as a hardening agent in alloys

   beseech
          [be.seech] vb -seeched or -sought ; -seech.ing [ME besechen,
          fr. be- + sechen to seek] vt (12c) 1: to beg for urgently
          or anxiously 2: to request earnestly: implore ~ vi: to
          make supplication syn see beg -- be.seech.ing.ly adv

   beseem
          [be.seem] vi (13c) archaic: to be fitting or becoming ~ vt,
          archaic: to be suitable to: befit

   beset
          [be.set] vt -set ; -set.ting [ME besetten, fr. OE besettan,
          fr. be- + settan to set] (bef. 12c) 1: to set or stud
          with or as if with ornaments 2: trouble, harass <inflation
          ~s the economy> 3 a: to set upon: assail <the settlers
          were ~ by savages> b: to hem in: surround -- be.set.ment
          n

   besetting
          [be.set.ting] adj (1795): constantly present or attacking:
          obsessive

   beshrew
          [be.shrew] vt (14c) archaic: curse

   [1]beside
          [be.side] prep [ME, adv. & prep., fr. OE be sidan at or to
          the side, fr. be at (fr. bi) + sidan, dat. & acc. of
          side side--more at by] (13c) 1 a: by the side of <walk
          ~ me> b: in comparison with c: on a par with 2: besides
          3: not relevant to <~ the point> -- beside oneself :
          in a state of extreme excitement [2]beside adv (14c)
          1 archaic: nearby 2 archaic: besides

   [1]besides
          [be.sides] prep (14c) 1: other than, except 2: together with
          [2]besides adv (1564) 1: as well: also 2: moreover, furthermore
          [3]besides adj (1954): else

   besiege
          [be.siege] vt -sieged ; -sieg.ing (14c) 1: to surround with
          armed forces 2 a: to press with requests: importune b:
          to cause worry or distress to: beset <doubts besieged
          him> -- be.sieg.er n

   besmear
          [be.smear] vt (bef. 12c): smear

   besmirch
          [be.smirch] vt (1599): sully, soil

   besom
          [be.som] n [ME beseme, fr. OE besma; akin to OHG besmo broom]
          (bef. 12c): broom 2; esp: one made of twigs

   besom pocket
          [besom pocket] n [origin unknown] (1966): a pocket with a
          welted slit opening

   besot
          [be.sot] vt be.sot.ted ; be.sot.ting [be- + sot (to stultify)]
          (1581) 1: infatuate 2 2: to make dull or stupid; esp:
          to muddle with drunkenness

   bespatter
          [be.spat.ter] vt (1640): spatter

   bespeak
          [be.speak] vt -spoke ; -spo.ken ; -speak.ing (1536) 1: to
          hire, engage, or claim beforehand 2: to speak to esp.
          with formality: address 3: request <~ a favor> 4 a: indicate,
          signify <her performance ~s considerable practice> b:
          to show beforehand: foretell

   bespectacled
          [be.spec.ta.cled] adj (1742): wearing spectacles

   bespoke
          [be.spoke] or be.spo.ken adj [pp. of bespeak] (1607) 1 a:
          custom-made b: dealing in or producing custom-made articles
          2 dial: engaged

   besprent
          [be.sprent] adj [ME bespreynt, fr. pp. of besprengen to besprinkle,
          fr. OE besprengan, fr. be- + sprengan to scatter; akin
          to OE springan to spring] (14c) archaic: sprinkled over

   besprinkle
          [be.sprin.kle] vt [ME besprengeln, freq. of besprengen] (15c):
          sprinkle

   Bessel function
          [Bes.sel function] n [Friedrich W. Bessel d. 1846 Prussian
          astronomer] (1872): one of a class of transcendental
          functions that are expressible as the sum of an infinite
          series and that occur in the solution of the differential
          equation for which the left side consists of the sum
          of two terms of which one is the square of the independent
          variable x times the second derivative with respect to
          x and the other consists of x times the first derivative
          with respect to x and the right side consists of the
          dependent variable y multiplied by the difference between
          the square of n and the square of x

   Bessemer converter
          [Bes.se.mer converter] n (ca. 1887): the furnace used in
          the Bessemer process

   Bessemer process
          [Bessemer process] n [Sir Henry Bessemer] (1875): a process
          of making steel from pig iron by burning out carbon and
          other impurities by means of a blast of air forced through
          the molten metal

   [1]best
          [best] adj, superlative of good [ME, fr. OE betst; akin to
          OE bot remedy--more at better] (bef. 12c) 1: excelling
          all others <the ~ student> 2: most productive of good
          or of advantage, utility, or satisfaction <what is the
          ~ thing to do> 3: most, largest <it rained for the ~
          part of their vacation> [2]best adv, superlative of well
          (bef. 12c) 1: in the best way: to greatest advantage
          <some things are ~ left unsaid> 2: most <those ~ able
          will provide needed support> [3]best n, pl best (bef.
          12c) 1: the best state or part 2: one that is best <the
          ~ falls short> 3: the greatest degree of good or excellence
          4: one's maximum effort <do your ~> 5: best clothes <Sunday
          ~> -- at best : under the most favorable circumstances
          [4]best vt (1863): to get the better of: outdo [5]best
          verbal auxiliary (1941): had best <you ~ listen>

   best-ball
          [best-ball] adj (1909): relating to or being a golf match
          in which one player competes against the best individual
          score of two or more players for each hole--compare four-ball

   best boy
          [best boy] n (1937): the chief assistant to the gaffer in
          motion-picture or television production

   best-case
          [best-case] adj (1977): being, relating to, or based on a
          projection of future events that assumes only the best
          possible circumstances <a ~ scenario>

   [1]bestead
          [be.stead] or be.sted adj [ME bested, fr. be- + sted, pp.
          of steden to place, fr. stede place--more at stead] (14c)
          archaic: situated [2]bestead vt be.stead.ed ; be.stead
          ; be.stead.ing [be- + stead] (1581) 1 archaic: help 2
          archaic: to be useful to: avail

   bestial
          [bes.tial] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L bestialis, fr. bestia beast]
          (14c) 1 a: of or relating to beasts b: resembling a beast
          2 a: lacking intelligence or reason b: marked by base
          or inhuman instincts or desires: brutal syn see brutal
          -- bes.tial.ize vt -- bes.tial.ly adv

   bestiality
          [bes.ti.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the condition or status
          of a lower animal 2: display or gratification of bestial
          traits or impulses 3: sexual relations between a human
          being and a lower animal

   bestiary
          [bes.ti.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [ML bestiarium, fr. L, neut. of
          bestiarius of beasts, fr. bestia] (1840) 1: a medieval
          allegorical or moralizing work on the appearance and
          habits of real or imaginary animals 2: a collection of
          descriptions of real or imaginary animals

   bestir
          [be.stir] vt (14c): to rouse to action: get going

   best man
          [best man] n (ca. 1782): the principal groomsman at a wedding

   bestow
          [be.stow] vt [ME, fr. be- + stowe place--more at stow] (14c)
          1: to put to use: apply <~ed his spare time on study>
          2: to put in a particular or appropriate place: stow
          3: to provide with quarters: put up 4: to convey as a
          gift--usu. used with on or upon syn see give -- be.stow.al
          n

   bestrew
          [be.strew] vt -strewed ; -strewed or -strewn ; -strew.ing
          (bef. 12c) 1: strew 2: to lie scattered over

   bestride
          [be.stride] vt -strode ; -strid.den ; -strid.ing (bef. 12c)
          1: to ride, sit, or stand astride: straddle 2: to tower
          over: dominate <the bloated bureaucracy that ~s us all
          --Edward Ney> 3 archaic: to stride across

   best-seller
          [best-sell.er] n (1889): an article (as a book) whose sales
          are among the highest of its class -- best.sell.er.dom
          n -- best-sell.ing adj

   [1]bet
          [bet] n [origin unknown] (1592) 1 a: something that is laid,
          staked, or pledged typically between two parties on the
          outcome of a contest or a contingent issue: wager b:
          the act of giving such a pledge 2: something to wager
          on 3: a choice made by consideration of probabilities
          <your best ~ is the back road> [2]bet vb bet also bet.ted
          ; bet.ting vt (1597) 1 a: to stake on the outcome of
          an issue or the performance of a contestant b: to be
          able to be sure that--usu. used in the expression you
          bet <you ~ I'll be there> 2 a: to maintain with or as
          if with a bet b: to make a bet with c: to make a bet
          on ~ vi: to lay a bet

   bet
          [bet] abbreviation between

   [1]beta
          [be.ta] n [ME betha, fr. L beta, fr. Gk beta, of Sem origin;
          akin to Heb beth beth] (14c) 1: the 2d letter of the
          Greek alphabet 2: beta particle 3: a measure of a stock's
          or a portfolio's volatility that is expressed numerically
          as deviation from the market's volatility taken as unity
          [2]beta adj (1899): second in position in the structure
          of an organic molecule from a particular group or atom
          <~ substitution>--often used in combination

   beta-adrenergic
          [be.ta-ad.ren.er.gic] adj (1965): of, relating to, or being
          a beta-receptor <~ blocking action>

   beta-blocker
          [be.ta-block.er] n (1968): any of a class of drugs (as propranolol)
          that slow heart action and increase coronary blood flow by blocking
          the activity of beta-receptors -- be.ta-block.ing adj

   beta-carotene
          [be.ta-car.o.tene] n (1938): an isomer of carotene found
          in dark green and dark yellow vegetables and fruits

   beta cell
          [beta cell] n (1926): any of the insulin-secreting pancreatic
          cells in the islets of Langerhans

   beta decay
          [beta decay] n (1934): a radioactive nuclear transformation
          governed by the weak force in which a nucleon (as a neutron)
          changes into the other type of nucleon (as a proton)
          with the emission of an electron or positron and a neutrino
          and which results in a change in the atomic number of
          the nucleus of +1 or -1

   beta-endorphin
          [be.ta-en.dor.phin] n (1977): an endorphin of the pituitary
          gland having a much greater analgesic potency than morphine

   beta globulin
          [beta globulin] n [ISV] (1945): any of several globulins
          of plasma or serum that have at alkaline pH electrophoretic
          mobilities intermediate between those of the alpha globulins
          and gamma globulins

   betaine
          [be.ta.ine] n [ISV, fr. L beta beet] (1879): a sweet crystalline
          quaternary ammonium saltoccurring esp. in beet juice;
          also: its hydrate or its hydrochloride

   betake
          [be.take] vt -took ; -tak.en ; -tak.ing (14c) 1 archaic:
          commit 2: to cause (oneself) to go

   beta-lactamase
          [be.ta-lac.ta.mase] n [lactam, a cyclic amide (fr. ISV lact-
          + amide) + -ase] (1965): penicillinase

   beta-oxidation
          [be.ta-ox.i.da.tion] n (ca. 1935): stepwise catabolism of
          fatty acids in which two-carbon fragments are successively
          removed from the carboxyl end of the chain

   beta particle
          [beta particle] n (1904): a high-speed electron; specif:
          one emitted by a radioactive nucleus in beta decay

   beta ray
          [beta ray] n (1902) 1: beta particle 2: a stream of beta
          particles--called also beta radiation

   beta-receptor
          [be.ta-re.cep.tor] n (1948): any of a group of receptors
          postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic
          nervous system to explain the specificity of certain
          adrenergic agents in affecting only some sympathetic
          activities (as vasodilation, increase in muscular contraction
          and beat of the heart, and relaxation of smooth muscle
          in the bronchi and intestine)

   beta-thalassemia
          [be.ta-thal.as.se.mia] n (1962): thalassemia in which the
          longer hemoglobin chain is affected and which comprises
          Cooley's anemia in the homozygous condition and a less
          severe thalassemia in the heterozygous condition

   betatron
          [be.ta.tron] n [ISV] (1941): an accelerator in which electrons
          are propelled by the inductive action of a rapidly varying
          magnetic field

   beta wave
          [beta wave] n (1936): an electrical rhythm of the brain with
          a frequency of 13 to 30 cycles per second that is associated
          with normal conscious waking experience--called also
          beta, beta rhythm

   betel
          [be.tel] n [Pg betele, fr. Tamil verrilai] (1553): a climbing
          pepper (Piper betle) whose leaves are chewed together
          with betel nut and mineral lime as a stimulant masticatory
          esp. by southeastern Asians

   Betelgeuse
          [Be.tel.geuse] n [F Betelgeuse, fr. Ar bayt al-jawza' Gemini,
          lit., the house of the twins (confused with Orion & Betelgeuse)]:
          a variable red giant star of the first magnitude near
          one shoulder of Orion

   betel nut
          [betel nut] n [fr. its being chewed with betel leaves] (1681):
          the astringent seed of the betel palm

   betel palm
          [betel palm] n (1875): an Asian pinnate-leaved palm (Areca
          catechu) that has an orange-colored drupe with an outer
          fibrous husk

   bete noire
          [bete noire] n, pl betes noires [F, lit., black beast] (1844):
          a person or thing strongly detested or avoided: bugbear

   beth
          [beth] n [Heb beth, fr. bayith house] (ca. 1823): the 2d
          letter of the Hebrew alphabet

   bethel
          [beth.el] n [Heb beth'el house of God] (ca. 1617) 1: a hallowed
          spot 2 a: a chapel for Nonconformists b: a place of worship
          for seamen

   bethink
          [be.think] vt -thought ; -think.ing (bef. 12c) 1 a: remember,
          recall b: to cause (oneself) to be reminded 2: to cause
          (oneself) to consider

   betide
          [be.tide] vi (12c): to happen esp. as if by fate ~ vt: to
          happen to: befall--used chiefly in the phrase woe betide
          <woe ~ our enemies>

   betimes
          [be.times] adv (13c) 1: in good time: early 2 archaic: in
          a short time: speedily 3: at times: occasionally

   betise
          [be.tise] n, pl be.tises [F] (1827) 1: an act of foolishness
          or stupidity 2: lack of good sense: stupidity

   betoken
          [be.to.ken] vt -to.kened ; -to.ken.ing (15c) 1: to typify
          beforehand: presage 2: to give evidence of: show

   betray
          [be.tray] vb [ME, fr. be- + trayen to betray, fr. OF trair,
          fr. L tradere--more at traitor] vt (13c) 1: to lead astray;
          esp: seduce 2: to deliver to an enemy by treachery 3:
          to fail or desert esp. in time of need 4 a: to reveal
          unintentionally b: show, indicate c: to disclose in violation
          of confidence ~ vi: to prove false syn see reveal --
          be.tray.al n -- be.tray.er n

   betroth
          [be.troth] vt [ME, fr. be- + trouthe truth, troth] (14c)
          1: to promise to marry 2: to give in marriage

   betrothal
          [be.troth.al] n (1844) 1: the act of betrothing or fact of
          being betrothed 2: a mutual promise or contract for a
          future marriage

   betrothed
          [be.trothed] n (1588): the person to whom one is betrothed

   betta
          [bet.ta] n [NL] (1927): any of a genus (Betta) of small brilliantly
          colored long-finned freshwater fishes of southeastern Asia; esp:
          siamese fighting fish

   [1]better
          [bet.ter] adj, comparative of good [ME bettre, fr. OE betera;
          akin to OE bot remedy, Skt bhadra fortunate] (bef. 12c)
          1: greater than half 2: improved in health or mental
          attitude 3: more attractive, favorable, or commendable
          4: more advantageous or effective 5: improved in accuracy
          or performance [2]better vt (bef. 12c) 1: to make better:
          as a: to make more tolerable or acceptable <trying to
          ~ the lot of slum dwellers> b: to make more complete
          or perfect <looked forward to ~ing her acquaintance with
          the new neighbors> 2: to surpass in excellence: excel
          ~ vi: to become better syn see improve [3]better adv,
          comparative of well (12c) 1 a: in a more excellent manner
          b: to greater advantage: preferably <some things are
          ~ left unsaid> 2 a: to a higher or greater degree <he
          knows the story ~ than you do> b: more <it is ~ than
          nine miles to the next town> [4]better n (12c) 1 a: something
          better b: a superior esp. in merit or rank 2: advantage,
          victory <get the ~ of him> [5]better verbal auxiliary
          (1831): had better <you ~ hurry>

   betterment
          [bet.ter.ment] n (1598) 1: a making or becoming better 2:
          an improvement that adds to the value of a property or
          facility

   better-off
          [better-off] adj (ca. 1859) 1: being in comfortable economic
          circumstances <the ~ people live in the older section
          of town> 2: being in a more advantageous position

   betting shop
          [betting shop] n (1852) Brit: a shop where bets are taken

   bettor
          [bet.tor] or bet.ter n (1609): one that bets

   [1]between
          [be.tween] prep [ME betwene, prep. & adv., fr. OE betweonum,
          fr. be- + -tweonum (dat. pl.) (akin to Goth tweihnai
          two each); akin to OE twa two] (bef. 12c) 1 a: by the
          common action of: jointly engaging <shared the work ~
          the two of them> <talks ~ the three --Time> b: in common
          to: shared by <divided ~ his four grandchildren> 2 a:
          in the time, space, or interval that separates b: in
          intermediate relation to 3 a: from one to another of
          <air service ~ Miami and Chicago> b: serving to connect
          or unite in a relationship (as difference, likeness,
          or proportion) <a one-to-one correspondence ~ sets> c:
          setting apart <the line ~ fact and fancy> 4: in point
          of comparison of <not much to choose ~ the two coats>
          5: in confidence restricted to <a secret ~ you and me>
          usage There is a persistent but unfounded notion that
          between can be used only of two items and that among
          must be used for more than two. Between has been used
          of more than two since Old English; it is esp. appropriate
          to denote a one-to-one relationship, regardless of the
          number of items. It can be used when the number is unspecified
          <economic cooperation between nations>, when more than
          two are enumerated <between you and me and the lamppost>
          <partitioned between Austria, Prussia, and Russia --Nathaniel
          Benchley>, and even when only one item is mentioned (but
          repetition is implied) <pausing between every sentence
          to rap the floor --George Eliot>. Among is more appropriate
          where the emphasis is on distribution rather than individual
          relationships <discontent among the peasants>. When among
          is automatically chosen for more than two, English idiom
          may be strained <a worthy book that nevertheless falls
          among many stools --John Simon> <the author alternates
          among mod slang, cliches and quotes from literary giants
          --A. H. Johnston>. [2]between adv (bef. 12c): in an intermediate
          space or interval

   betweenbrain
          [be.tween.brain] n (ca. 1909): diencephalon

   betweenness
          [be.tween.ness] n (1892): the quality or state of being between
          two others in an ordered mathematical set

   betweentimes
          [be.tween.times] adv (1907): at or during intervals

   betweenwhiles
          [be.tween.whiles] adv (1678): betweentimes

   betwixt
          [be.twixt] adv or prep [ME, fr. OE betwux, fr. be- + -twux
          (akin to Goth tweihnai)] (bef. 12c): between

   betwixt and between
          [betwixt and between] adv or adj (1832): in a midway position:
          neither one thing nor the other

   Beulah
          [Beu.lah] n: an idyllic land near the end of life's journey
          in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

   beurre blanc
          [beurre blanc] n [F, lit., white butter] (1931): a hot butter
          sauce (as for fish) flavored with vinegar or lemon juice

   beurre manie
          [beurre ma.nie] n [F, lit., handled butter] (1939): flour
          and butter kneaded together used as a thickener in sauces

   beurre noir
          [beurre noir] n [F, lit., black butter] (1856): butter heated
          until brown or black and often flavored with vinegar
          or lemon juice

   BeV
          [BeV] abbreviation billion electron volts

   [1]bevel
          [bev.el] adj (ca. 1600): oblique, beveled [2]bevel n [(assumed)
          MF, fr. OF baif with open mouth, fr. baer to yawn--more
          at abeyance] (1610) 1: an instrument consisting of two
          rules or arms jointed together and opening to any angle
          for drawing angles or adjusting surfaces to be cut at
          an angle 2 a: the angle that one surface or line makes
          with another when they are not at right angles b: the
          slant of such a surface or line 3: the part of printing
          type extending from face to shoulder [3]bevel vb -eled
          or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling vt (1677): to cut or
          shape to a bevel ~ vi: incline, slant

   bevel gear
          [bevel gear] n (1833): either of a pair of toothed wheels
          whose working surfaces are inclined to nonparallel axes

   beverage
          [bev.er.age] n [ME, fr. MF bevrage, fr. beivre to drink,
          fr. L bibere--more at potable] (14c): a drinkable liquid

   bevy
          [bevy] n, pl bev.ies [ME bevey] (15c) 1: a large group or
          collection <a ~ of girls> 2: a group of animals and esp.
          quail together

   bewail
          [be.wail] vt (14c) 1: to wail over 2: to express deep sorrow
          for usu. by wailing and lamentation <wringing her hands
          and ~ing her fate> syn see deplore

   beware
          [be.ware] vb [ME been war, fr. been to be + war careful--more
          at be, ware] vi (14c): to be on one's guard <~ of the
          dog> ~ vt 1: to take care of <~ your wallet> 2: to be
          wary of <we must ... ~ the exceedingly tenuous generalization
          --Matthew Lipman>

   bewhiskered
          [be.whis.kered] adj (1820): wearing whiskers

   bewigged
          [be.wigged] adj (1774): wearing a wig

   bewilder
          [be.wil.der] vt -wil.dered ; -wil.der.ing (1684) 1: to cause
          to lose one's bearings 2: to perplex or confuse esp.
          by a complexity, variety, or multitude of objects or
          considerations syn see puzzle -- be.wil.dered.ly adv
          -- be.wil.dered.ness n -- be.wil.der.ing.ly adv

   bewilderment
          [be.wil.der.ment] n (1820) 1: the quality or state of being
          bewildered 2: a bewildering tangle or confusion

   bewitch
          [be.witch] vt (13c) 1 a: to influence or affect esp. injuriously
          by witchcraft b: to cast a spell over 2: to attract as
          if by the power of witchcraft: enchant <~ed by her beauty>
          ~ vi: to bewitch someone or something -- be.witch.ery
          n -- be.witch.ing.ly adv

   bewitchment
          [be.witch.ment] n (1607) 1 a: the act or power of bewitching
          b: a spell that bewitches 2: the state of being bewitched

   bewray
          [be.wray] vt [ME, fr. be- + wreyen to accuse, fr. OE wregan;
          akin to OHG ruogen to accuse] (13c) archaic: divulge,
          betray

   bey
          [bey] n [Turk, gentleman, chief] (1595) 1 a: a provincial
          governor in the Ottoman Empire b: the former native ruler
          of Tunis or Tunisia 2--used as a courtesy title in Turkey
          and Egypt

   [1]beyond
          [be.yond] adv [ME, prep. & adv., fr. OE begeondan, fr. be-
          + geondan beyond, fr. geond yond--more at yond] (bef.
          12c) 1: on or to the farther side: farther 2: in addition:
          besides [2]beyond prep (bef. 12c) 1: on or to the farther
          side of: at a greater distance than 2 a: out of the reach
          or sphere of b: in a degree or amount surpassing c: out
          of the comprehension of 3: in addition to: besides [3]beyond
          n (14c) 1: something that lies beyond 2: something that
          lies outside the scope of ordinary experience; specif:
          hereafter

   bezant
          [be.zant] n [ME besant, fr. OF, fr. ML Byzantius Byzantine,
          fr. Byzantium, ancient name of Istanbul] (13c) 1: solidus
          1 2: a flat disk used in architectural ornament

   bezel
          [be.zel] n [prob. fr. dial. form of F biseau bezel, fr. MF]
          (ca. 1616) 1: a rim that holds a transparent covering
          (as on a watch, clock, or headlight) or that is rotatable
          and has special markings (as on a watch) 2: the oblique
          side or face of a cut gem; specif: the upper faceted
          portion of a brilliant projecting from the setting--see
          brilliant illustration 3: a usu. metal rim of a piece
          of jewelry in which an ornament (as a gem) is set

   bezique
          [be.zique] n [F besique] (1861): a card game similar to pinochle
          that is played with a pack of 64 cards

   bezoar
          [be.zoar] n [MF, fr. ML, fr. Ar dial. bezuwar, fr. Ar bazahr,
          fr. Per pad-zahr, fr. pad protecting (against) + zahr
          poison] (1577): any of various calculi found chiefly
          in the gastrointestinal organs and formerly believed
          to possess magical properties--called also bezoar stone

   bf...
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   bf
          [bf] abbreviation boldface  BF abbreviation bachelor of forestry,
          board foot, brought forward

   BFA
          [BFA] abbreviation bachelor of fine arts

   bg...
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   bg
          [bg] abbreviation background, bag, beige, being  BG or B
          Gen abbreviation brigadier general

   bh...
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   BH
          [BH] abbreviation bill of health, Brinell hardness

   BHA
          [BHA] n [butylated hydroxyanisole] (1950): a phenolic antioxidant
          used esp. to preserve fats and oils in food

   Bhagavad Gita
          [Bha.ga.vad Gi.ta] n [Skt Bhagavadgita, lit., song of the
          blessed one (Krishna)] (ca. 1785): a Hindu devotional
          work in poetic form

   bhakti
          [bhak.ti] n [Skt, lit., portion] (1832): devotion to a deity
          constituting a way to salvation in Hinduism

   bhang
          [bhang] n [Hindi bhag] (1563): hemp 1a, c; also: the leaves
          and flowering tops of uncultivated hemp: cannabis--compare
          marijuana, hashish

   bharal
          [bhar.al] n [Hindi] (1838): a goatlike artiodactyl mammal
          (Pseudois nayaur) of the Himalayas and western China
          having a bluish-gray coat

   BHC
          [BHC] n [benzene hexachloride] (1947) 1: any of several
          stereoisomeric chlorine derivatives of cyclohexane in which the
          chlorine atoms are all attached to different carbon atoms
          2: lindane

   bhd
          [bhd] abbreviation bulkhead

   BHL
          [BHL] abbreviation bachelor of Hebrew letters, bachelor of
          Hebrew literature

   BHN
          [BHN] abbreviation Brinell hardness number

   Bhojpuri
          [Bhoj.puri] n [Hindi bhojpuri, fr. Bhojpur, village in Bihar]
          (1901): an Indo-Aryan language spoken in western Bihar
          and eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

   bhp
          [bhp] abbreviation bishop

   BHT
          [BHT] n [butylated hydroxytoluene] (1961): a phenolic antioxidant
          used esp. to preserve fats and oils in food, cosmetics,
          and pharmaceuticals

   bi...
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   bi
          [bi] n or adj (ca. 1965): bisexual

   Bi
          [Bi] abbreviation bismuth

   [1]bi-
          [bi-] prefix [ME, fr. L--more at twi-] 1 a: two <bilateral>
          b: coming or occurring every two <bicentennial> c: into
          two parts <bisect> 2 a: twice: doubly: on both sides
          <biconvex> b: coming or occurring two times <biannual>--compare
          semi- 3: between, involving, or affecting two (specified)
          symmetrical parts <bilabial> 4 a: containing one (specified)
          constituent in double the proportion of the other constituent
          or in double the ordinary proportion <bicarbonate> b:
          di- 2 <biphenyl> usage Many people are puzzled about
          bimonthly and biweekly, which are often ambiguous because
          they are formed from both senses 1b and 2b of bi-. This
          ambiguity has been in existence for nearly a century
          and a half and cannot be eliminated by the dictionary.
          The chief difficulty is that many users of these words
          assume that others know exactly what they mean, and they
          do not bother to make their context clear. So if you
          need bimonthly or biweekly, you should leave some clues
          in your context to the sense of bi- you mean. And if
          you need the meaning "twice a", you can substitute semi-
          for bi-. Biannual and biennial are usu. differentiated.
          [2]bi- or bio- comb form [Gk, fr. bios mode of life--more
          at quick]: life: living organisms or tissue <bioluminescence>

   BIA
          [BIA] abbreviation bachelor of industrial administration,
          Bureau of Indian Affairs

   bialy
          [bi.aly] n, pl bialys [Yiddish, short for bialystoker, fr.
          bialystoker of Bialystok, city in Poland] (1965): a flat
          breakfast roll that has a depressed center and is usu.
          covered with onion flakes

   biannual
          [bi.an.nu.al] adj (1877): occurring twice a year; sometimes:
          biennial 1 usage see bi- -- bi.an.nu.al.ly adv

   [1]bias
          [bi.as] n [MF biais] (1530) 1: a line diagonal to the grain
          of a fabric; esp: a line at a 45 degrees angle to the
          selvage often utilized in the cutting of garments for
          smoother fit 2 a: a peculiarity in the shape of a bowl
          that causes it to swerve when rolled on the green b:
          the tendency of a bowl to swerve; also: the impulse causing
          this tendency c: the swerve of the bowl 3 a: bent, tendency
          b: an inclination of temperament or outlook; esp: a personal
          and sometimes unreasoned judgment: prejudice c: an instance
          of such prejudice d (1): deviation of the expected value
          of a statistical estimate from the quantity it estimates
          (2): systematic error introduced into sampling or testing
          by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over
          others 4 a: a voltage applied to a device (as a transistor
          control electrode) to establish a reference level for
          operation b: a high-frequency voltage combined with an
          audio signal to reduce distortion in tape recording syn
          see predilection -- on the bias : askew, obliquely [2]bias
          adj (1551): diagonal, slanting--used chiefly of fabrics
          and their cut -- bi.as.ness n [3]bias adv (1575) 1: diagonally
          <cut cloth ~> 2 obs: awry [4]bias vt bi.ased or bi.assed
          ; bi.as.ing or bi.as.sing (ca. 1628) 1: to give a settled
          and often prejudiced outlook to <his background ~es him
          against foreigners> 2: to apply a slight negative or
          positive voltage to (as an electron-tube grid) syn see
          incline

   bias-belted tire
          [bi.as-belt.ed tire] n (1968): a pneumatic tire with a belt
          (as of steel or fiberglass) around the tire under the
          tread and on top of the ply cords set diagonally to the
          center line of the tread

   biased
          [bi.ased] adj (1649) 1: exhibiting or characterized by bias;
          esp: prejudiced 2: tending to yield one outcome more
          frequently than others in a statistical experiment <a
          ~ coin> 3: having an expected value different from the
          quantity or parameter estimated <a ~ estimate>

   bias-ply tire
          [bi.as-ply tire] n (1968): a pneumatic tire having crossed
          layers of ply-cord set diagonally to the center line
          of the tread

   bias tape
          [bias tape] n (1926): a narrow strip of cloth cut on the
          bias, folded, and used for finishing or decorating clothing

   biathlete
          [bi.ath.lete] n [blend of athlete and biathlon] (1968): a
          competitor in a biathlon

   biathlon
          [bi.ath.lon] n [[1]bi- + -athlon (as in decathlon)] (1958):
          a composite athletic contest consisting of cross-country
          skiing and rifle sharpshooting

   biaxial
          [bi.ax.i.al] adj (1854): having or relating to two axes or
          optic axes <a ~ crystal> -- bi.ax.i.al.ly adv

   bib
          [bib] abbreviation Bible, biblical

   [1]bib
          [bib] vb bibbed ; bib.bing [ME bibben] (14c): drink [2]bib
          n (1580) 1: a cloth or plastic shield tied under the
          chin to protect the clothes 2: the part of an apron or
          of overalls extending above the waist 3: a patch of differently
          colored feathers or fur immediately below the bill or
          chin of a bird or mammal -- bibbed adj -- bib.less adj

   bib and tucker
          [bib and tucker] n (1747): an outfit of clothing--usu. used
          in the phrase best bib and tucker

   bibber
          [bib.ber] n (1536): a person who regularly drinks alcoholic
          beverages -- bib.bery n

   Bibb lettuce
          [Bibb lettuce] n [Major John Bibb, 19th cent. Am. grower]
          (1961): lettuce of a variety that has a small head and
          dark green color

   bibcock
          [bib.cock] also bibb cock n (ca. 1853): a faucet having a
          bent-down nozzle

   bibelot
          [bi.be.lot] n, pl bibelots [F] (1873): a small household
          ornament or decorative object: trinket

   bible
          [bi.ble] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. ML biblia, fr. Gk, pl. of biblion
          book, dim. of byblos papyrus, book, fr. Byblos, ancient
          Phoenician city from which papyrus was exported] (14c)
          1 cap a: the sacred scriptures of Christians comprising
          the Old Testament and the New Testament b: the sacred
          scriptures of some other religion (as Judaism) 2 obs:
          book 3 cap: a copy or an edition of the Bible 4: a publication
          that is preeminent esp. in authoritativeness or wide
          readership <the fisherman's ~> <the ~ of the entertainment
          industry>

   Bible Belt
          [Bible Belt] n (1925): an area chiefly in the southern U.S.
          believed to hold uncritical allegiance to the literal
          accuracy of the Bible; broadly: an area characterized
          by ardent religious fundamentalism

   Bible paper
          [Bible paper] n (1903): india paper 2

   Bible-thumper
          [Bi.ble-thump.er] n (1937): an overzealous proponent of Christian
          fundamentalism -- Bi.ble-thump.ing adj

   bibli-
          [bibli-] or biblio- comb form [MF, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr. biblion]:
          book <bibliology>

   biblical
          [bib.li.cal] adj [ML biblicus, fr. biblia] (ca. 1775) 1:
          of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible 2:
          suggestive of the Bible or Bible times -- bib.li.cal.ly
          adv

   biblicism
          [bib.li.cism] n, often cap (1851): adherence to the letter
          of the Bible -- bib.li.cist n, often cap

   bibliog
          [bibliog] abbreviation bibliography

   bibliographer
          [bib.li.og.ra.pher] n (1775) 1: an expert in bibliography
          2: a compiler of bibliographies

   bibliography
          [bib.li.og.ra.phy] n, pl -phies [prob. fr. NL bibliographia,
          fr. Gk, the copying of books, fr. bibli- + -graphia -graphy]
          (1802) 1: the history, identification, or description
          of writings or publications 2 a: a list often with descriptive
          or critical notes of writings relating to a particular
          subject, period, or author b: a list of works written
          by an author or printed by a publishing house 3: the
          works or a list of the works referred to in a text or
          consulted by the author in its production -- bib.lio.graph.ic
          also bib.lio.graph.i.cal adj -- bib.lio.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   bibliolater
          [bib.li.ol.a.ter] n (1847) 1: one having excessive reverence
          for the letter of the Bible 2: one overly devoted to
          books -- bib.li.ol.a.trous adj -- bib.li.ol.a.try n

   bibliology
          [bib.li.ol.o.gy] n (1806) 1: the history and science of books
          as physical objects: bibliography 2 often cap: the study
          of the theological doctrine of the Bible

   bibliomania
          [bib.lio.ma.nia] n [F bibliomanie, fr. bibli- + manie mania,
          fr. LL mania] (1734): extreme preoccupation with collecting
          books -- bib.lio.ma.ni.ac n or adj -- bib.lio.ma.ni.a.cal
          adj

   bibliopegy
          [bib.li.op.e.gy] n [ultim. fr. Gk bibli- + pegnynai to fasten
          together--more at pact] (ca. 1859): the art of binding
          books -- bib.li.o.pe.gic adj -- bib.li.op.e.gist n

   bibliophile
          [bib.lio.phile] n [F, fr. bibli- + -phile] (1824): a lover
          of books esp. for qualities of format; also: a book collector
          -- bib.lio.phil.ic adj -- bib.li.oph.i.lism n -- bib.li.oph.i.ly
          n

   bibliopole
          [bib.li.o.pole] or bib.li.op.o.list n [L bibliopola bookseller,
          fr. Gk bibliopoles, fr. bibli- + polein to sell] (1775):
          a dealer esp. in rare or curious books

   bibliotheca
          [bib.lio.the.ca] n, pl -cas or -cae [L, fr. Gk bibliotheke,
          fr. bibli- + theke case; akin to Gk tithenai to put,
          place--more at do] (ca. 1824) 1: a collection of books
          2: a list of books -- bib.lio.the.cal adj

   bibliotherapy
          [bib.lio.ther.a.py] n (1919): the use of reading materials
          for help in solving personal problems or for psychiatric
          therapy

   bibliotics
          [bib.li.ot.ics] n pl but sing in constr [bibli- + [1]-otic
          + -ics] (1901): the study of handwriting, documents,
          and writing materials esp. for determining genuineness
          or authorship -- bib.li.ot.ic adj -- bib.li.o.tist n

   bibulous
          [bib.u.lous] adj [L bibulus, fr. bibere to drink--more at
          potable] (1675) 1: highly absorbent 2 a: fond of alcoholic
          beverages b: of, relating to, or marked by the consumption
          of alcoholic beverages -- bib.u.lous.ly adv -- bib.u.lous.ness
          n

   bicameral
          [bi.cam.er.al] adj [[1]bi- + LL camera chamber--more at chamber]
          (1856): having, consisting of, or based on two legislative
          chambers <a ~ legislature> -- bi.cam.er.al.ism n

   bicarb
          [bi.carb] n (1922): sodium bicarbonate

   bicarbonate
          [bi.car.bon.ate] n [ISV] (1819): an acid carbonate

   bicarbonate of soda
          [bicarbonate of soda] (ca. 1887): sodium bicarbonate

   bicentenary
          [bi.cen.te.na.ry] n (1872): bicentennial -- bicentenary adj

   bicentennial
          [bi.cen.ten.ni.al] n (1883): a 200th anniversary or its celebration
          -- bicentennial adj

   biceps
          [bi.ceps] n, pl biceps also bi.ceps.es [NL bicipit-, biceps,
          fr. L, two-headed, fr. bi- + capit-, caput head--more
          at head] (1650): a muscle having two heads: as a: the
          large flexor muscle of the front of the upper arm b:
          the large flexor muscle of the back of the upper leg

   biceps brachii
          [biceps bra.chii] n [NL, lit., biceps of the arm] (ca. 1860):
          biceps a

   biceps femoris
          [biceps fe.mo.ris] n [NL, lit., biceps of the femur] (ca.
          1860): biceps b

   bichloride of mercury
          [bi.chlo.ride of mercury] [ISV] (1810): mercuric chloride

   bichon frise
          [bi.chon fri.se] n, pl bi.chons fri.ses [modif. of F bichon
          a poil frise curly-haired lapdog] (1966): any of a breed
          of small sturdy dogs of Mediterranean origin having a
          thick wavy white coat

   bichromate
          [bi.chro.mate] n (1836): a dichromate esp. of sodium or potassium
          -- bi.chro.mat.ed adj

   bichrome
          [bi.chrome] adj (1924): two-colored

   bicipital
          [bi.cip.i.tal] adj (1646): of, relating to, or being a biceps

   [1]bicker
          [bick.er] n [ME biker] (14c) 1: petulant quarreling: altercation
          2: a sound of or as if of bickering [2]bicker vi bick.ered
          ; bick.er.ing (15c) 1: to engage in a petulant or petty
          quarrel 2 a: to move with a rapidly repeated noise <a
          ~ing stream> b: quiver, flicker -- bick.er.er n

   bicoastal
          [bi.coast.al] adj (1972): of or relating to or living or
          working on both the East and West coasts of the U.S.

   bicolored
          [bi.col.ored] or bi.col.or adj [L bicolor, fr. bi- + color]
          (ca. 1843): two-colored -- bicolor n

   bicomponent
          [bi.com.po.nent] adj (1962): being a fiber made of two polymers
          having slightly different physical properties so that
          the fiber has a permanent crimp and fabrics made from
          it have inherent bulk and stretchability

   biconcave
          [bi.con.cave] adj (1833): concave on both sides -- bi.con.cav.i.ty
          n

   biconditional
          [bi.con.di.tion.al] n (1940): a relation between two propositions
          that is true only when both propositions are simultaneously
          true or false

   biconvex
          [bi.con.vex] adj [ISV] (ca. 1852): convex on both sides --
          bi.con.vex.i.ty n

   bicorne
          [bi.corne] n [F, fr. L bicornis two-horned, fr. bi- + cornu
          horn--more at horn] (1936): cocked hat 2

   bicultural
          [bi.cul.tur.al] adj (1940): of, relating to, or including
          two distinct cultures <~ education> -- bi.cul.tur.al.ism
          n

   [1]bicuspid
          [bi.cus.pid] adj [NL bicuspid-, bicuspis, fr. bi- + L cuspid-,
          cuspis point] (ca. 1839): having or ending in two points
          <~ teeth> [2]bicuspid n (1852): a human premolar tooth--see
          tooth illustration

   bicuspid valve
          [bicuspid valve] n (ca. 1903): a cardiac valve consisting
          of two triangular flaps which allow only unidirectional
          blood flow from the left atrium to the ventricle--called
          also mitral valve

   [1]bicycle
          [bi.cy.cle] n [F, fr. bi- + -cycle (as in tricycle)] (1868):
          a vehicle with two wheels tandem, a steering handle,
          a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is propelled; also:
          a stationary exercise machine that resembles such a vehicle
          [2]bicycle vi bi.cy.cled ; bi.cy.cling (1869): to ride
          a bicycle -- bi.cy.cler n -- bi.cy.clist n

   bicyclic
          [bi.cy.clic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1909) 1: consisting of or arranged
          in two cycles 2: containing two usu. fused rings in the
          structure of the molecule

   [1]bid
          [bid] vb bade or bid ; bid.den or bid also bade ; bid.ding
          [partly fr. ME bidden, fr. OE biddan; akin to OHG bitten
          to entreat, and perh. to Skt badhate he presses; partly
          fr. ME beden to offer, command, fr. OE beodan; akin to
          OHG biotan to offer, Gk pynthanesthai to examine, Skt
          bodhi enlightenment] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a obs: beseech,
          entreat b: to issue an order to: tell c: to request to
          come: invite 2: to give expression to <bade a tearful
          farewell> 3 a: offer--usu. used in the phrase to bid
          defiance b past and past part bid (1): to offer (a price)
          whether for payment or acceptance (2): to make a bid
          of or in (a suit at cards) ~ vi: to make a bid syn see
          command -- bid.der n -- bid fair : to seem likely [2]bid
          n (1788) 1 a: the act of one who bids b: a statement
          of what one will give or take for something; esp: an
          offer of a price c: something offered as a bid 2: an
          opportunity to bid 3: invitation 4 a: an announcement
          of what a cardplayer proposes to undertake b: the amount
          of such a bid c: a biddable bridge hand 5: an attempt
          or effort to win, achieve, or attract <a ~ for reelection>

   bid
          [bid] [L bis in die] abbreviation twice a day  BID abbreviation
          bachelor of industrial design

   biddable
          [bid.da.ble] adj (ca. 1768) 1: easily led, taught, or controlled:
          docile 2: capable of being bid -- bid.da.bil.i.ty n --
          bid.da.bly adv

   [1]biddy
          [bid.dy] n, pl biddies [perh. imit.] (1601): hen 1a; also:
          a young chicken [2]biddy n, pl biddies [dim. of the name
          Bridget] (ca. 1861) 1: a hired girl or cleaning woman
          2: woman; esp: an elderly woman--usu. used disparagingly

   bide
          [bide] vb bode or bid.ed ; bided ; bid.ing [ME, fr. OE bidan;
          akin to OHG bitan to wait, L fidere to trust, Gk peithesthai
          to believe] vt (bef. 12c) 1 past usu bided: to wait for--used
          chiefly in the phrase bide one's time 2 archaic: withstand
          <two men ... might ~ the winter storm --W. C. Bryant>
          3 chiefly dial: to put up with: tolerate ~ vi 1: to continue
          in a state or condition 2: to wait awhile: tarry 3: to
          continue in a place: sojourn -- bid.er n

   bidet
          [bi.det] n [F, small horse, bidet, fr. MF, fr. bider to trot]
          (1766): a bathroom fixture used esp. for bathing the
          external genitals and the posterior parts of the body

   bidialectalism
          [bi.di.a.lec.tal.ism] n (1958): facility in using two dialects
          of the same language; also: the teaching of Standard
          English to pupils who normally use a nonstandard dialect
          -- bi.di.a.lec.tal adj

   bidirectional
          [bi.di.rec.tion.al] adj (1928): involving, moving, or taking
          place in two usu. opposite directions <~ flow> <~ replication
          of DNA> -- bi.di.rec.tion.al.ly adv

   bidonville
          [bi.don.ville] n [F, fr. bidon metal can or drum + ville
          city] (1952): a settlement of jerry-built dwellings on
          the outskirts of a city (as in France or No. Africa)

   bid up
          [bid up] vt (1864): to raise the price of (as property at
          auction) by a succession of offers

   BIE
          [BIE] abbreviation bachelor of industrial engineering

   Biedermeier
          [Bie.der.mei.er] adj [after Gottlieb Biedermeier, satirical
          name for an uninspired Ger. bourgeois] (1905): of a style
          of unostentatious furniture and interior decoration popular
          esp. with the middle class in early 19th century Germany

   bien entendu
          [bien en.ten.du] [F] foreign term : well understood: of course

   biennial
          [bi.en.ni.al] adj (1562) 1: occurring every two years 2:
          continuing or lasting for two years; specif: growing
          vegetatively during the first year and fruiting and dying
          during the second usage see bi- -- biennial n -- bi.en.ni.al.ly
          adv

   biennium
          [bi.en.ni.um] n, pl -ni.ums or -nia [L, fr. bi- + annus year--more
          at annual] (1899): a period of two years

   bien-pensant
          [bien-pen.sant] [F] foreign term : right-minded: one who
          holds orthodox views

   bienseance
          [bien.se.ance] [F] foreign term : propriety

   bien vu
          [bien vu] [F] foreign term : well regarded

   bier
          [bier] n [ME bere, fr. OE baer; akin to OE beran to carry--more
          at bear] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: a framework for carrying
          2: a stand on which a corpse or coffin is placed; also:
          a coffin together with its stand

   biface
          [bi.face] n (1934): a bifacial stone tool

   bifacial
          [bi.fa.cial] adj (ca. 1847): having opposite sides or faces
          worked on to form an edge for cutting or scraping --
          bi.fa.cial.ly adv

   biff
          [biff] n [prob. imit.] (ca. 1889): whack, blow -- biff vt

   bifid
          [bi.fid] adj [L bifidus, fr. bi- + -fidus -fid] (1661): divided
          into two equal lobes or parts by a median cleft <a ~
          leaf>

   bifilar
          [bi.fi.lar] adj [ISV bi- + L filum thread--more at file]
          (1846) 1: involving two threads or wires <~ suspension
          of a pendulum> 2: involving a single thread or wire doubled
          back upon itself <a ~ resistor> -- bi.fi.lar.ly adv

   biflagellate
          [bi.fla.gel.late] adj (1856): having two flagella <~ gametes>

   [1]bifocal
          [bi.fo.cal] adj [ISV] (1888) 1: having two focal lengths
          2: having one part that corrects for near vision and
          one for distant vision <a ~ eyeglass lens> [2]bifocal
          n (1899) 1 pl: eyeglasses with bifocal lenses 2: a bifocal
          glass or lens

   bifunctional
          [bi.func.tion.al] adj (1936): having two functions; esp:
          difunctional

   bifurcate
          [bi.fur.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ML bifurcatus, pp. of
          bifurcare, fr. L bifurcus two-pronged, fr. bi- + furca
          fork] vt (1615): to cause to divide into two branches
          or parts ~ vi: to divide into two branches or parts --
          bi.fur.cate adj

   bifurcation
          [bi.fur.ca.tion] n (1615) 1 a: the point at which bifurcating
          occurs b: branch 2: the act of bifurcating: the state
          of being bifurcated

   [1]big
          [big] adj big.ger ; big.gest [ME, perh. of Scand origin;
          akin to Norw dial. bugge important man] (14c) 1 a obs:
          of great strength b: of great force <a ~ storm> 2 a:
          large or great in dimensions, bulk, or extent <a ~ house>;
          also: large or great in quantity, number, or amount <a
          ~ fleet> b: operating on a large scale <~ government>
          c: capital 1 3 a: pregnant; esp: nearly ready to give
          birth b: full to bursting: swelling <~ with rage> c of
          the voice: full and resonant 4 a: chief, preeminent <the
          ~ issue of the campaign> b: outstandingly worthy or able
          <a truly ~ man> c: of great importance or significance
          <the ~ moment> d: imposing, pretentious; also: marked
          by or given to boasting <~ talk> e: magnanimous, generous
          <was ~ about it> 5: popular <soft drinks are very ~ in
          Mexico --Russ Leadabrand> 6: full-bodied and flavorful--used
          of wine -- big.ly adv -- big.ness n -- big on : strongly
          favoring or liking; also: noted for <she is big on blushing
          --Arnold Hano> [2]big adv (1807) 1: in a loud or declamatory
          manner; also: in a boasting manner <talk ~> 2 a: to a
          large amount or extent <won ~> <lost ~> b: on a large
          scale <think ~> <worry ~> 3: hard <hits her forehand
          ~> [3]big n (1965): an individual or organization of
          outstanding importance or power; esp: major league--usu.
          used in pl. <playing in the ~s>

   bigamous
          [big.a.mous] adj (1864) 1: guilty of bigamy 2: involving
          bigamy -- big.a.mous.ly adv

   bigamy
          [big.a.my] n [ME bigamie, fr. ML bigamia, fr. L bi- + LL
          -gamia -gamy] (13c): the act of entering into a marriage
          with one person while still legally married to another
          -- big.a.mist n

   bigarade
          [bi.ga.rade] n [F, fr. Prov bigarrado, fr. bigarra to variegate]
          (1703) 1: sour orange 2: a brown sauce flavored with
          the juice and grated rind of oranges

   big band
          [big band] n (1926): a band that is larger than a combo and
          that usu. features a mixture of ensemble playing and
          solo improvisation typical of jazz or swing

   big bang
          [big bang] n (1950): the cosmic explosion that marked the
          beginning of the universe according to the big bang theory

   big bang theory
          [big bang theory] n (1955): a theory in astronomy: the universe
          originated billions of years ago in an explosion from
          a single point of nearly infinite energy density--compare
          steady state theory

   big beat
          [big beat] n, often cap both Bs (1958): music (as rock)
          characterized by a heavy persistent beat

   Big Ben
          [Big Ben] n [Sir Benjamin Hall d. 1867 Eng. Chief Commissioner
          of Works] (ca. 1895) 1: a large bell in the clock tower
          of the Houses of Parliament in London 2: the tower that
          houses Big Ben; also: the clock in the tower

   big boy
          [big boy] n (1926): big gun--usu. used in pl.

   big brother
          [big brother] n (1863) 1: an older brother 2: a man who befriends
          a delinquent or friendless boy 3 cap both Bs [Big Brother,
          personification of the power of the state in 1984 (1949)
          by George Orwell] a: the leader of an authoritarian state
          or movement b: an all-powerful government or organization
          monitoring and directing people's actions <data banks
          that tell Big Brother all about us --Herbert Brucker>

   Big Brotherism
          [Big Broth.er.ism] n (1950): authoritarian attempts at complete
          control (as of a person or a nation)

   big buck
          [big buck] n (1970): a large sum of money--usu. used in pl.--usu.
          hyphenated when attributive

   big business
          [big business] n (1905) 1: an economic group consisting of
          large profit-making corporations esp. with regard to
          their influence on social or political policy 2: a very
          profitable enterprise

   big C
          [big C] n, often cap B (1968): cancer 2

   big daddy
          [big daddy] n, often cap B&D (1958): one preeminent esp.
          by reason of power, size, or seniority: one representing
          paternalistic authority

   big deal
          [big deal] n (1949): something of special importance--sometimes
          used ironically as an interjection

   Big Dipper
          [Big Dipper] n: the seven principal stars in the constellation
          of Ursa Major

   bigeminy
          [bi.gem.i.ny] n [bigeminal (double, paired), fr. LL bigeminus,
          fr. bi- + geminus twin] (ca. 1923): the state of having
          a pulse characterized by two beats close together with
          a pause following each pair of beats -- bi.gem.i.nal
          adj

   bigeneric
          [bi.ge.ner.ic] adj (1885): of, relating to, or involving
          two genera <a ~ hybrid>

   bigeye
          [big.eye] n (ca. 1889): either of two small widely distributed
          reddish to silvery bony fishes (Priacanthus cruentatus
          and P. arenatus of the family Priacanthidae) of tropical
          seas

   bigfoot
          [big.foot] n, often cap [fr. the size of the footprints ascribed
          to it] (1958): sasquatch

   big game
          [big game] n (1864) 1: large animals sought or taken by hunting
          or fishing for sport 2: an important objective esp. when
          involving risk

   biggety
          [big.ge.ty] or big.gi.ty adj [big + -ety (as in persnickety)]
          (1880) 1 Southern & Midland: conceited, vain 2 Southern
          & Midland: rudely self-important: impudent <never acted
          ~ in court, but she would bow her head only so low --Claude
          Brown>

   biggie
          [big.gie] n (ca. 1931): one that is big

   [1]biggin
          [big.gin] or big.ging n [ME bigging, fr. biggen to dwell,
          fr. ON byggja; akin to OE beon to be] (14c) archaic:
          building [2]biggin n [MF beguin] (1530) archaic: cap:
          a: a child's cap b: nightcap

   biggish
          [big.gish] adj (ca. 1626): somewhat big

   big gun
          [big gun] n (1834): one having preeminent status or power
          in a field

   bighead
          [big.head] n (1805) 1: any of several diseases of animals
          marked by swelling about the head 2: an exaggerated opinion
          of one's importance--usu. used with the -- big.head.ed
          adj

   bighearted
          [big.heart.ed] adj (1868): generous, charitable -- big.heart.ed.ly
          adv -- big.heart.ed.ness n

   bighorn sheep
          [big.horn sheep] n (1838): a usu. grayish brown wild sheep
          (Ovis canadensis) of mountainous and desert regions of
          western No. America--called also bighorn

   big house
          [big house] n, often cap B&H (1916) slang: penitentiary

   bight
          [bight] n [ME, fr. OE byht bend, bay; akin to OE bugan to
          bend--more at bow] (15c) 1: a bend in a coast forming
          an open bay; also: a bay formed by such a bend 2: a slack
          part or loop in a rope

   big league
          [big league] n (1899) 1: major league 2: big time 2--often
          used in pl. -- big-league adj -- big leaguer n

   big lie
          [big lie] n, sometimes cap B&L (1946): a deliberate gross
          distortion of the truth used esp. as a propaganda tactic

   bigmouthed
          [big.mouthed] adj (1642) 1: having a large mouth 2: loudmouthed

   big name
          [big name] n (1932): a performer or personage of top rank
          in popular recognition -- big-name adj

   bignonia
          [big.no.nia] n [NL, genus name, fr. J. P. Bignon d. 1743
          Fr. royal librarian] (1785): any of a genus (Bignonia)
          of American and Japanese woody vines of the trumpet-creeper
          family with compound leaves and tubular flowers

   bigot
          [big.ot] n [MF, hypocrite, bigot] (1661): a person obstinately
          or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and
          prejudices -- big.ot.ed adj -- big.ot.ed.ly adv

   bigotry
          [big.ot.ry] n, pl -ries (ca. 1674) 1: the state of mind of
          a bigot 2: acts or beliefs characteristic of a bigot

   big picture
          [big picture] n, often cap B&P (ca. 1960): the entire perspective
          on a situation or issue--used with the

   big shot
          [big shot] n (1929): a person of consequence or prominence

   big stick
          [big stick] n (1904): threat esp. of military or political
          intervention

   big-ticket
          [big-tick.et] adj (1945): having a high price

   big time
          [big time] n (1910) 1: a high-paying vaudeville circuit requiring
          only two performances a day 2: the top rank of an activity
          or enterprise -- big-time adj -- big-tim.er n

   big toe
          [big toe] n (ca. 1887): the innermost and largest toe of
          the foot

   big top
          [big top] n (1895) 1: the main tent of a circus 2: circus
          2a, b, c

   big tree
          [big tree] n (1853): a California evergreen (Sequoiadendron
          giganteum) of the bald cypress family that sometimes
          exceeds 270 feet (about 82 meters) in height--called
          also giant sequoia, sequoia

   big wheel
          [big wheel] n (1942): bigwig, big shot

   bigwig
          [big.wig] n (1703): an important person

   Bihari
          [Bi.ha.ri] n (1882) 1: a group of Indo-Aryan languages (as
          Bhojpuri) spoken in Bihar, India, and adjacent areas
          2 a: a native or inhabitant of Bihar b: a Muslim born
          in Bihar who emigrated after the partition of India in
          1947; also: a descendant of such a person

   bijection
          [bi.jec.tion] n [[1]bi- + -jection (as in injection)] (1966):
          a mathematical function that is a one-to-one and onto
          mapping--compare injection, surjection -- bi.jec.tive
          adj

   bijou
          [bi.jou] n, pl bijous or bi.joux [F, fr. Bret bizou ring,
          fr. biz finger] (1668) 1: a small dainty usu. ornamental
          piece of delicate workmanship: jewel 2: something delicate,
          elegant, or highly prized -- bijou adj

   bijouterie
          [bi.jou.te.rie] n [F, fr. bijou] (1815): a collection of
          trinkets or ornaments: jewels; also: decoration

   [1]bike
          [bike] n [ME] (14c) 1 chiefly Scot: a nest of wild bees,
          wasps, or hornets 2 chiefly Scot: a crowd or swarm of
          people [2]bike n [by shortening & alter.] (1882) 1: bicycle
          2: motorcycle 3: motorbike [3]bike vi biked ; bik.ing
          (1895): to ride a bike

   biker
          [bik.er] n (1883) 1: bicyclist 2: motorcyclist; esp: one
          who is a member of an organized gang

   bikeway
          [bike.way] n (1965): a thoroughfare for bicycles

   bikie
          [bik.ie] n [[2]bike + -ie] (1967): biker 2

   bikini
          [bi.ki.ni] n [F, fr. Bikini, atoll of the Marshall islands]
          (1947) 1 a: a woman's scanty two-piece bathing suit b:
          a man's brief swimsuit 2: a man's or woman's low-cut
          briefs -- bi.ki.nied adj

   bil
          [bil] abbreviation billion

   [1]bilabial
          [bi.la.bi.al] adj [ISV] (1894) of a consonant: produced with
          both lips [2]bilabial n (1899): a bilabial consonant

   bilabiate
          [bi.la.bi.ate] adj (1794): having two lips <a ~ corolla>

   bilateral
          [bi.lat.er.al] adj (1775) 1: having two sides 2: affecting
          reciprocally two nations or parties <a ~ treaty> <a ~
          trade agreement> 3 a: of, relating to, or affecting the
          right and left sides of the body or the right and left
          members of paired organs <~ nephrectomy> b: having bilateral
          symmetry -- bi.lat.er.al.ism n -- bi.lat.er.al.ly adv

   bilateral symmetry
          [bilateral symmetry] n (1860): symmetry in which similar
          anatomical parts are arranged on opposite sides of a
          median axis so that only one plane can divide the individual
          into essentially identical halves

   bilayer
          [bi.lay.er] n (1963): a film or membrane with two molecular
          layers <a ~ of phospholipid molecules> -- bilayer adj

   bilberry
          [bil.ber.ry] n [bil- (prob. of Scand origin; akin to Dan
          bolle whortleberry) + berry] (1577): any of several ericaceous
          shrubs (genus Vaccinium) that resemble blueberries but
          have flowers which arise solitary or in very small clusters
          from axillary buds; also: its sweet edible fruit

   [1]bilbo
          [bil.bo] n, pl bilboes [perh. fr. Bilboa, Spain] (1557):
          a long bar of iron with sliding shackles used to confine
          the feet of prisoners esp. on shipboard [2]bilbo or bil.boa
          n, pl bilboes or bilboas [Bilboa, Bilbao, Spain] (1565):
          sword

   bildungsroman
          [bil.dungs.ro.man] n [G, fr. Bildung education + Roman novel]
          (1910): a novel about the moral and psychological growth
          of the main character

   bile
          [bile] n [L bilis; akin to W bustl bile] (1547) 1 a: either
          of two humors associated in old physiology with irascibility
          and melancholy b: a yellow or greenish viscid alkaline
          fluid secreted by the liver and passed into the duodenum
          where it aids esp. in the emulsification and absorption
          of fats 2: inclination to anger

   bile acid
          [bile acid] n (ca. 1881): any of several steroid acids (as
          cholic acid) of or derived from bile

   bile duct
          [bile duct] n (1774): a duct by which bile passes from the
          liver or gallbladder to the duodenum

   bile salt
          [bile salt] n (1881) 1: a salt of bile acid 2 pl: a dry mixture
          of the principal salts of the gall of the ox used as
          a liver stimulant and as a laxative

   [1]bi-level
          [bi-lev.el] adj (1960) 1: having two levels of freight or
          passenger space 2: divided vertically into two ground-floor
          levels [2]bi-level n (1966): a bi-level house

   [1]bilge
          [bilge] n [prob. modif. of MF boulge, bouge leather bag,
          curved part--more at budget] (1513) 1: the bulging part
          of a cask or barrel 2 a: the part of the underwater body
          of a ship between the flat of the bottom and the vertical
          topsides b: the lowest point of a ship's inner hull 3:
          stale or worthless remarks or ideas [2]bilge vi bilged
          ; bilg.ing (1728): to become damaged in the bilge

   bilge keel
          [bilge keel] n (1850): a projection like a fin extending
          from the hull near the turn of the bilge on either side
          to check rolling

   bilgewater
          [bilge.wa.ter] n (1706): water that collects in the bilge
          of a ship

   bilharzia
          [bil.har.zia] n [NL, genus name, fr. Theodor Bilharz d. 1862
          Ger. zoologist] (ca. 1881) 1: schistosomiasis 2: schistosome
          -- bil.har.zi.al adj

   bilharziasis
          [bil.har.zi.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL] (ca. 1900): schistosomiasis

   biliary
          [bil.i.ary] adj [F biliare, fr. L bilis] (1731): of, relating
          to, or conveying bile; also: affecting the bile-conveying
          structures

   bilinear
          [bi.lin.ear] adj (1886): linear with respect to each of two
          mathematical variables; specif: of or relating to an
          algebraic form each term of which involves one variable
          to the first degree from each of two sets of variables

   bilingual
          [bi.lin.gual] adj [L bilinguis, fr. bi- + lingua tongue--more
          at tongue] (1845) 1: having or expressed in two languages
          2: using or able to use two languages esp. with equal
          fluency 3: of or relating to bilingual education -- bilingual
          n -- bi.lin.gual.ly adv

   bilingual education
          [bilingual education] n (1972): education in an English-language
          school system in which minority students with little
          fluency in English are taught in their native language

   bilingualism
          [bi.lin.gual.ism] n (1873): the ability to speak two languages:
          the frequent oral use of two languages

   bilious
          [bil.ious] adj [MF bilieux, fr. L biliosus, fr. bilis] (1541)
          1 a: of or relating to bile b: marked by or suffering
          from liver dysfunction and esp. excessive secretion of
          bile c: appearing as if affected by a bilious disorder
          2: of or indicative of a peevish ill-natured disposition
          -- bil.ious.ly adv -- bil.ious.ness n

   bilirubin
          [bil.i.ru.bin] n [L bilis + ruber red--more at red] (1871):
          a reddish yellow water insoluble pigment occurring esp.
          in bile and blood and causing jaundice if accumulated
          in excess

   biliverdin
          [bil.i.ver.din] n [Sw, fr. L bilis + obs. F verd green] (1845):
          a green pigment that occurs in bile and is an intermediate
          in the degradation of hemoglobin heme groups to bilirubin

   [1]bilk
          [bilk] vt [perh. alter. of [2]balk] (1651) 1: to block the
          free development of: frustrate <fate ~s their hopes>
          2 a: to cheat out of something valuable: defraud b: to
          evade payment of or to <~s his creditors> 3: to slip
          away from: elude <~ed her pursuers> -- bilk.er n [2]bilk
          n (1790): an untrustworthy tricky individual: cheat

   [1]bill
          [bill] n [ME bile, fr. OE; akin to OE bill] (bef. 12c) 1:
          the jaws of a bird together with their horny covering
          2: a mouthpart (as the beak of a turtle) that resembles
          a bird's bill 3: the point of an anchor fluke--see anchor
          illustration 4: the visor of a cap or hood [2]bill vi
          (1592) 1: to touch and rub bill to bill 2: to caress
          affectionately <~ing and cooing> [3]bill n [ME bil, fr.
          OE bill sword; akin to OHG bill pickax] (14c) 1: a weapon
          in use up to the 18th century that consists of a long
          staff ending in a hook-shaped blade 2: billhook [4]bill
          n [ME, fr. ML billa seal, alter. of bulla, fr. L, bubble,
          boss] (14c) 1: an itemized list or a statement of particulars
          (as a list of materials or of members of a ship's crew)
          2: a written document or note 3 obs: a formal petition
          4 a: an itemized account of the separate cost of goods
          sold, services performed, or work done: invoice b: an
          amount expended or owed c: a statement of charges for
          food or drink: check 5 a: a written or printed advertisement
          posted or otherwise distributed to announce an event
          of interest to the public; esp: an announcement of a
          theatrical entertainment b: a programmed presentation
          (as a motion picture, play, or concert) 6: a draft of
          a law presented to a legislature for enactment; also:
          the law itself <the GI ~> 7: a declaration in writing
          stating a wrong a complainant has suffered from a defendant
          or stating a breach of law by some person <a ~ of complaint>
          8 a: a piece of paper money b: an individual or commercial
          note <~s receivable> c slang: one hundred dollars --
          fill the bill or fit the bill : to be exactly what is
          needed: be suitable [5]bill vt (14c) 1 a: to enter in
          an accounting system: prepare a bill of (charges) b:
          to submit a bill of charges to c: to enter (as freight)
          in a waybill d: to issue a bill of lading to or for 2:
          to announce (as a performance) esp. by posters or placards
          3: advertise, promote <the book is ~ed as a "report"
          --P. G. Altbach> -- bill.able adj

   billabong
          [bil.la.bong] n [Wiradhuri (Australian aboriginal language
          of central New South Wales) bilabang] (1861) 1 Austral
          a: a blind channel leading out from a river b: a usu.
          dry streambed that is filled seasonally 2 Austral: a
          backwater forming a stagnant pool

   [1]billboard
          [bill.board] n (1851): a flat surface (as of a panel, wall,
          or fence) on which bills are posted; specif: a large
          panel designed to carry outdoor advertising [2]billboard
          vt (1950): to promote by a conspicuous display on or
          as if on a billboard

   billbug
          [bill.bug] n [[1]bill + bug] (1861): any of various weevils
          (as of the genus Sphenophorus) having larvae that eat
          the roots of cereal and other grasses

   billed
          [billed] adj: having a bill of a specified kind--used in
          combination <spoon-billed>

   biller
          [bill.er] n (1920): one that bills; esp: one that makes out
          bills

   [1]billet
          [bil.let] n [ME bylet, fr. MF billette, dim. of bulle document,
          fr. ML bulla] (15c) 1 archaic: a brief letter: note 2
          a: an official order directing that a member of a military
          force be provided with board and lodging (as in a private
          home) b: quarters assigned by or as if by a billet 3:
          position, job <a lucrative ~> [2]billet vt (1594) 1:
          to assign lodging to (as soldiers) by or as if by a billet
          2: to serve with a billet <~ a householder> [3]billet
          n [ME bylet, fr. MF billete, dim. of bille log, of Celt
          origin; akin to OIr bile landmark tree] (15c) 1 a: a
          chunky piece of wood (as for firewood) b obs: cudgel
          2 a: a bar of metal b: a piece of semifinished iron or
          steel nearly square in section made by rolling an ingot
          or bloom c: a section of nonferrous metal ingot hot-worked
          by forging, rolling, or extrusion d: a nonferrous casting
          suitable for rolling or extrusion

   billet-doux
          [bil.let-doux] n, pl bil.lets-doux [F billet doux, lit.,
          sweet letter] (1673): a love letter

   billfish
          [bill.fish] n (1782): a fish with long slender jaws; esp:
          any of a family (Istiophoridae) including marlins, spearfishes,
          and sailfishes

   billfold
          [bill.fold] n [short for earlier billfolder] (1895): a folding
          pocketbook for paper money: wallet

   billhook
          [bill.hook] n (1611): a cutting or pruning tool with a hooked
          blade

   billiard
          [bil.liard] n (1580)--used as an attributive form of billiards
          <~ ball>

   billiards
          [bil.liards] n pl but sing in constr [MF billard billiard
          cue, billiards, fr. bille] (1580): any of several games
          played on an oblong table by driving small balls against
          one another or into pockets with a cue; specif: a game
          in which one scores by causing a cue ball to hit in succession
          two object balls--compare pool

   billi-bi
          [bil.li-bi] also bil.ly-bi n [F, alter. of Billy B., perh.
          fr. William B. Leeds, Jr. d. 1972 Am. industrialist]
          (1961): a soup of mussel stock, white wine, and cream
          served hot or cold

   billing
          [bill.ing] n [[5]bill] (1875) 1: advertising or public promotion
          (as of a product or personality); also: relative prominence
          of a name in such promotion <got top ~> 2: total amount
          of business or investments (as of an advertising agency)
          within a given period

   billingsgate
          [bil.lings.gate] n [Billingsgate, old gate and fish market,
          London, England] (1652): coarsely abusive language syn
          see abuse

   billion
          [bil.lion] n [F, fr. bi- + -illion (as in million)] (1834)
          1: a thousand millions; also, Brit: a million millions
          2: a very large number -- billion adj -- bil.lionth adj
          or n

   billionaire
          [bil.lion.aire] n [billion + -aire (as in millionaire)] (1860):
          one whose wealth is estimated at a billion or more (as
          of dollars or pounds)

   bill of exchange
          [bill of exchange] (1534): an unconditional written order
          from one person to another to pay a specified sum of
          money to a designated person

   bill of fare
          [bill of fare] (1636) 1: menu 2: program

   bill of goods
          [bill of goods] (1920) 1: a consignment of merchandise 2:
          something intentionally misrepresented: something passed
          off in a deception or fraud--often used in the phrase
          sell a bill of goods

   bill of health
          [bill of health] (1644) 1: a certificate given to the ship's
          master at the time of leaving port that indicates the
          state of health of a ship's company and of a port with
          regard to infectious diseases 2: a usu. favorable report
          following an examination or investigation <gave the criticized
          textbook a clean bill of health>

   bill of indictment
          [bill of indictment] (ca. 1530): an indictment before it
          is found or ignored by the grand jury

   bill of lading
          [bill of lading] (1532): a receipt listing goods shipped
          that is signed by the agent of the owner of a ship or
          issued by a common carrier

   bill of particulars
          [bill of particulars] (ca. 1860): a detailed listing of charges
          or claims brought in a legal action or of a defendant's
          response or counterclaim

   bill of rights
          [bill of rights] often cap B&R (1798): a summary of fundamental
          rights and privileges guaranteed to a people against
          violation by the state--used esp. of the first 10 amendments
          to the U.S. Constitution

   bill of sale
          [bill of sale] (1608): a formal instrument for the conveyance
          or transfer of title to goods and chattels

   billon
          [bil.lon] n [F, fr. MF, fr. bille log--more at billet] (ca.
          1727) 1: gold or silver heavily alloyed with a less valuable
          metal 2: an alloy of silver containing more than 50 percent
          of copper by weight

   [1]billow
          [bil.low] n [ON bylgja; akin to OHG balg bag--more at belly]
          (1552) 1: wave; esp: a great wave or surge of water 2:
          a rolling mass (as of flame or smoke) that resembles
          a high wave -- bil.lowy adj [2]billow vi (1597) 1: to
          rise or roll in waves or surges 2: to bulge or swell
          out (as through action of the wind) ~ vt: to cause to
          billow

   [1]billy
          [bil.ly] n, pl billies [Sc billy-pot cooking utensil] (1839)
          chiefly Austral & NewZeal: a metal or enamelware pail
          or pot with a lid and wire bail--called also billycan
          [2]billy n, pl billies [prob. fr. the name Billy] (1848)
          1: billy club 2: billy goat

   billy club
          [billy club] n [[2]billy] (1949): a heavy usu. wooden club;
          specif: a police officer's club

   billycock
          [bil.ly.cock] n [origin unknown] (1721) Brit: derby 3

   billy goat
          [billy goat] n [fr. the name Billy] (1861): a male goat

   bilobed
          [bi.lobed] adj (1756): divided into two lobes <a ~ nucleus>

   bilocation
          [bi.lo.ca.tion] n (1858): the state of being or ability to
          be in two places at the same time

   biltong
          [bil.tong] n [Afrik, fr. bil rump + tong tongue] (1815) chiefly
          SoAfr: jerked meat

   bimanual
          [bi.man.u.al] adj (ca. 1889): done with or requiring the
          use of both hands -- bi.man.u.al.ly adv

   bimbo
          [bim.bo] n, pl bimbos [perh. fr. It bimbo baby] (1919) slang
          1: man, woman--usu. used disparagingly <telling a thickheaded
          pitcher that the ~ at the plate hasn't hit a curve in
          three seasons --Jay Stuller> and esp. of an attractive
          but empty-headed person <we didn't want a blond ~ in
          that role ... we wanted her to be smart --Hugh Wilson>
          2: tramp 1c <evidence of how her hubby's been cheating
          on her with various ~s --Dan Greenburg>

   bimetal
          [bi.met.al] adj (1924): bimetallic -- bimetal n

   bimetallic
          [bi.me.tal.lic] adj (1876) 1: relating to, based on, or using
          bimetallism 2: composed of two different metals--often
          used of devices having a part in which two metals that
          expand differently are bonded together -- bimetallic
          n

   bimetallism
          [bi.met.al.lism] n [F bimetallisme, fr. bi- + metal metal]
          (1876): the use of two metals (as gold and silver) jointly
          as a monetary standard with both constituting legal tender
          at a predetermined ratio -- bi.met.al.list n -- bi.met.al.lis.tic
          adj

   bimillenary
          [bi.mil.le.na.ry] or bi.mil.len.ni.al n (1850) 1: a period
          of 2000 years 2: a 2000th anniversary -- bimillenary
          adj

   bimodal
          [bi.mod.al] adj (1903): having or relating to two modes;
          esp: having or occurring with two statistical modes --
          bi.mo.dal.i.ty n

   bimolecular
          [bi.mo.lec.u.lar] adj [ISV] (1899) 1: relating to or formed
          from two molecules 2: being two molecules thick <~ lipid
          layers> -- bi.mo.lec.u.lar.ly adv

   [1]bimonthly
          [bi.month.ly] adj (1846) 1: occurring every two months 2:
          occurring twice a month: semimonthly usage see bi- [2]bimonthly
          adv (1864) 1: once every two months 2: twice a month
          [3]bimonthly n (ca. 1890): a bimonthly publication

   bimorphemic
          [bi.mor.phe.mic] adj (1942): consisting of two morphemes

   bin-
          [bin-] prefix [ME, fr. LL, fr. L bini two by two; akin to
          OE twinn twofold--more at twin]: [1]bi- <binaural>

   [1]bin
          [bin] n [ME binn, fr. OE] (bef. 12c): a box, frame, crib,
          or enclosed place used for storage [2]bin vt binned ;
          bin.ning (1841): to put into a bin

   [1]binary
          [bi.na.ry] n, pl -ries (15c): something made of or based
          on two things or parts: as a: binary star b: a binary
          number system [2]binary adj [LL binarius, fr. L bini]
          (1597) 1: compounded or consisting of or marked by two
          things or parts 2 a: duple--used of measure or rhythm
          b: having two musical subjects or two complementary sections
          3 a: relating to, being, or belonging to a system of
          numbers having 2 as its base <the ~ digits 0 and 1> b:
          involving a choice or condition of two alternatives (as
          on-off or yes-no) 4 a: composed of two chemical elements,
          an element and a radical that acts as an element, or
          two such radicals b: utilizing two harmless ingredients
          that upon combining form a lethal substance (as a gas)
          <~ weapon> 5: relating two logical or mathematical elements
          <~ operation>

   binary fission
          [binary fission] n (1897): reproduction of a cell by division
          into two approximately equal parts <the binary fission
          of protozoans>

   binary star
          [binary star] n (ca. 1847): a system of two stars that revolve
          around each other under their mutual gravitation--called
          also binary system

   binational
          [bi.na.tion.al] adj (1888): of or relating to two nations
          <a ~ board of directors>

   binaural
          [bin.au.ral] adj [ISV] (1861) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          two or both ears 2: of, relating to, or constituting
          sound reproduction involving the use of two separated
          microphones and two transmission channels to achieve
          a stereophonic effect -- bin.au.ral.ly adv

   [1]bind
          [bind] vb bound ; bind.ing [ME, fr. OE bindan; akin to OHG
          bintan to bind, Gk peisma cable, Skt badhnati he binds]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to make secure by tying b: to confine,
          restrain, or restrict as if with bonds c: to put under
          an obligation <~s himself with an oath> d: to constrain
          with legal authority 2 a: to wrap around with something
          so as to enclose or cover b: bandage 3: to fasten round
          about 4: to tie together (as stocks of wheat) 5 a: to
          cause to stick together b: to take up and hold (as by
          chemical forces): combine with 6: constipate 7: to make
          a firm commitment for <a handshake ~s the deal> 8: to
          protect, strengthen, or decorate by a band or binding
          9: to apply the parts of the cover to (a book) 10: to
          set at work as an apprentice: indenture 11: to cause
          or bring about an emotional attachment 12: to fasten
          together ~ vi 1 a: to form a cohesive mass b: to combine
          or be taken up esp. by chemical action <antibody ~s to
          a specific antigen> 2: to hamper free movement or natural
          action 3: to become hindered from free operation 4: to
          exert a restraining or compelling effect <a promise that
          ~s> [2]bind n (bef. 12c) 1 a: something that binds b:
          the act of binding: the state of being bound c: a place
          where binding occurs 2: tie 3 3: a position or situation
          in which one is hampered, constrained, or prevented from
          free movement or action -- in a bind : in trouble

   binder
          [bind.er] n (bef. 12c) 1: a person or machine that binds
          something (as books) 2 a: something used in binding b:
          a usu. detachable cover (as for holding sheets of paper)
          3: something (as tar or cement) that produces or promotes
          cohesion in loosely assembled substances 4: a temporary
          insurance contract that provides coverage until the policy
          is issued 5: something (as money) given in earnest; also:
          the agreement arrived at

   bindery
          [bind.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1810): a place where books are
          bound

   [1]binding
          [bind.ing] n (13c) 1: the action of one that binds 2: a material
          or device used to bind: as a: the cover and materials
          that hold a book together b: a narrow fabric used to
          finish raw edges c: a set of ski fastenings for holding
          the boot firm on the ski [2]binding adj (14c) 1: that
          binds 2: imposing an obligation -- bind.ing.ly adv --
          bind.ing.ness n

   binding energy
          [binding energy] n (1932): the energy required to break up
          a molecule, atom, or atomic nucleus completely into its
          constituent particles

   bindle stiff
          [bin.dle stiff] n [bindle, perh. alter. of bundle] (1901):
          hobo; esp: one who carries his clothes or bedding in
          a bundle

   bind off
          [bind off] vt (ca. 1939): to cast off in knitting

   bind over
          [bind over] vt (1610): to put under a bond to do something
          (as to appear in court)

   bindweed
          [bind.weed] n (1548): any of various twining plants (esp.
          genus Convolvulus of the morning-glory family) that mat
          or interlace with plants among which they grow

   bine
          [bine] n [alter. of [2]bind] (1727): a twining stem or flexible
          shoot (as of the hop); also: a plant (as woodbine) whose
          shoots are bines

   Binet-Simon scale
          [Bi.net-Si.mon scale] n [Alfred Binet d. 1911 and Theodore
          Simon d. 1961 Fr. psychologists] (1914): an intelligence
          test consisting orig. of tasks graded from the level
          of the average 3-year-old to that of the average 12-year-old
          but later extended in range

   [1]binge
          [binge] n [E dial. binge (to drink heavily)] (1854) 1 a:
          a drunken revel: spree b: an unrestrained and often excessive
          indulgence <a buying ~> 2: a social gathering: party
          [2]binge vi binged ; binge.ing or bing.ing (1910): to
          go on a binge; esp: to go on an eating binge -- bing.er
          n

   [1]bingo
          [bin.go] interj [alter. of bing (interj. suggestive of a
          ringing sound)] (1925) 1--used to announce an unexpected
          event or instantaneous result 2--used to announce a winning
          position in bingo [2]bingo n, pl bingos (1932): a game
          of chance played with cards having numbered squares corresponding
          to numbered balls drawn at random and won by covering
          five such squares in a row; also: a social gathering
          at which bingo is played

   binnacle
          [bin.na.cle] n [alter. of ME bitakle, fr. OPg or OSp; OPg
          bitacola & OSp bitacula, fr. L habitaculum dwelling place,
          fr. habitare to inhabit--more at habitation] (1762):
          a housing for a ship's compass and a lamp

   [1]binocular
          [bin.oc.u.lar] adj (1738): of, relating to, using, or adapted
          to the use of both eyes <~ vision> -- bin.oc.u.lar.i.ty
          n -- bin.oc.u.lar.ly adv [2]bin.oc.u.lar n (1871) 1:
          a binocular optical instrument 2: a handheld optical
          instrument composed of two telescopes and a focusing
          device and usu. having prisms to increase magnifying
          ability--usu. used in pl.

   binomial
          [bi.no.mi.al] n [NL binomium, fr. ML, neut. of binomius having
          two names, alter. of L binominis, fr. bi- + nomin-, nomen
          name--more at name] (1557) 1: a mathematical expression
          consisting of two terms connected by a plus sign or minus
          sign 2: a biological species name consisting of two terms
          -- binomial adj -- bi.no.mi.al.ly adv

   binomial coefficient
          [binomial coefficient] n (ca. 1889): a coefficient of a term
          in the expansion of the binomial (x + y) to the exponent
          n according to the binomial theorem that for the (k +
          1)st term consists of n! divided by (n - k)!k!

   binomial distribution
          [binomial distribution] n (1911): a probability function
          each of whose values gives the probability that an outcome
          with constant probability of occurrence in a statistical
          experiment will occur a given number of times in a succession
          of repetitions of the experiment

   binomial nomenclature
          [binomial nomenclature] n (1880): a system of nomenclature
          in which each species of animal or plant receives a name
          of two terms of which the first identifies the genus
          to which it belongs and the second the species itself

   binomial theorem
          [binomial theorem] n (1755): a theorem that specifies the
          expansion of a binomial of the form (x + y) to the exponent
          n as the sum of n  + 1 terms of which the general term
          consists of a product of x and y with x raised to the
          exponent (n - k) and y raised to the exponent k and a
          coefficient consisting of n! divided by (n - k)!k! where
          k takes on values from 0 to n

   bint
          [bint] n [Ar, girl, daughter] (1855) Brit: girl, woman

   binucleate
          [bi.nu.cle.ate] also bi.nu.cle.at.ed adj (1881): having two
          cellular nuclei <~ hepatocytes>

   bio-
          [bio-] --see bi-

   bio
          [bio] n, pl bi.os (1947): a biography or biographical sketch

   bioacoustics
          [bio.acous.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1957): a branch
          of science concerned with the production of sound by
          and its effects on living systems

   bioactive
          [bio.ac.tive] adj (1965): having an effect on a living organism
          <~ molecules> -- bio.ac.tiv.i.ty n

   bioassay
          [bio.as.say] n (1912): determination of the relative strength
          of a substance (as a drug) by comparing its effect on
          a test organism with that of a standard preparation --
          bio.as.say vt

   bioavailability
          [bio.avail.abil.i.ty] n (1971): the degree and rate at which
          a substance (as a drug) is absorbed into a living system
          or is made available at the site of physiological activity
          -- bio.avail.able adj

   biocenosis
          [bio.ce.no.sis] or bio.coe.no.sis n, pl -no.ses [NL, fr.
          [2]bi- + Gk koinosis sharing, fr. koinos common] (1883):
          an ecological community esp. when forming a self-regulating
          unit

   biochemical
          [bio.chem.i.cal] adj [ISV] (1851) 1: of or relating to biochemistry
          2: characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions
          in living organisms -- biochemical n -- bio.chem.i.cal.ly adv

   biochemical oxygen demand
          [biochemical oxygen demand] n (ca. 1927): the oxygen used
          in meeting the metabolic needs of aerobic microorganisms
          in water rich in organic matter (as water polluted with
          sewage)

   biochemistry
          [bio.chem.is.try] n [ISV] (1881) 1: chemistry that deals
          with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in
          organisms 2: the chemical characteristics and reactions
          of a particular living system or biological substance
          (as chlorophyll) <a change in the patient's ~> -- bio.chem.ist
          n

   biochip
          [bio.chip] n (1981): a hypothetical computer logic circuit
          or storage device in which the physical or chemical properties
          of large biological molecules (as proteins) are used
          to process information

   biocidal
          [bio.cid.al] adj (1949): destructive to life

   biocide
          [bio.cide] n (1947): a substance (as DDT) that is destructive
          to many different organisms

   bioclimatic
          [bio.cli.mat.ic] adj (1918): of or relating to the relations
          of climate and living matter <~ adaptations>

   biocompatibility
          [bio.com.pat.i.bil.i.ty] n (1971): compatibility with living
          tissue or a living system by not being toxic or injurious
          and not causing immunological rejection -- bio.com.pat.i.ble
          adj

   biocontrol
          [bio.con.trol] n (1967): biological control

   bioconversion
          [bio.con.ver.sion] n (1960): the conversion of organic materials
          (as wastes) into an energy source (as methane) by processes
          (as fermentation) involving living organisms

   biodegradable
          [bio.de.grad.able] adj (1961): capable of being broken down
          esp. into innocuous products by the action of living
          things (as microorganisms) <~ trash bags> -- bio.de.grad.abil.i.ty
          n -- bio.d eg.ra.da.tion n -- bio.de.grade vb

   biodeterioration
          [bio.de.te.ri.o.ra.tion] n (1953): the breakdown of materials
          by microbial action

   biodiversity
          [bio.di.ver.si.ty] n (1986): biological diversity in an environment
          as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals

   biodynamic
          [bio.dy.nam.ic] adj (1939): of or relating to a system of
          farming that uses only organic materials for fertilizing
          and soil conditioning

   bioelectric
          [bio.elec.tric] also bio.elec.tri.cal adj (1918): of or relating
          to electric phenomena in animals and plants -- bio.elec.tric.i.ty
          n

   bioenergetics
          [bio.en.er.get.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1912) 1: the
          biology of energy transformations and energy exchanges
          (as in photosynthesis) within and between living things
          and their environments 2: a system of physical and psychological
          therapy that is held to increase well-being by releasing
          blocked physical and psychic energy -- bio.en.er.get.ic
          adj

   bioengineering
          [bio.en.gi.neer.ing] n (ca. 1954): biological or medical
          application of engineering principles or engineering
          equipment; broadly: biotechnology 1 -- bio.en.gi.neer
          n or vt

   bioethics
          [bio.eth.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1971): a discipline
          dealing with the ethical implications of biological research
          and applications esp. in medicine -- bio.eth.i.cal adj
          -- bio.eth.i.cist n

   biofeedback
          [bio.feed.back] n (1970): the technique of making unconscious
          or involuntary bodily processes (as heartbeats or brain
          waves) perceptible to the senses (as by the use of an
          oscilloscope) in order to manipulate them by conscious
          mental control

   biofouling
          [bio.foul.ing] n (1943): the gradual accumulation of waterborne
          organisms (as bacteria and protozoa) on the surfaces
          of engineering structures in water that contributes to
          corrosion of the structures and to a decrease in the
          efficiency of moving parts

   biog
          [biog] abbreviation biographer, biographical, biography

   biogas
          [bio.gas] n (1974): a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide
          produced by the bacterial decomposition of organic wastes
          and used as a fuel

   biogenesis
          [bio.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1870) 1: the development of life
          from preexisting life 2: a supposed tendency for stages
          in the evolutionary history of a race to briefly recur
          during the development and differentiation of an individual
          of that race 3: the synthesis of chemical compounds or
          structures in the living organism--compare biosynthesis
          -- bio.ge.net.ic adj -- bio.ge.net.i.cal.ly adv

   biogenetic law
          [biogenetic law] n (1882): a theory of development much disputed
          in biology: an organism passes through successive stages
          resembling the series of ancestral types from which it
          has descended so that the ontogeny of the individual
          is a recapitulation of the phylogeny of the group

   biogenic
          [bio.gen.ic] also bi.og.e.nous adj (1913): produced by living
          organisms <~ methane formation>

   biogeochemical
          [bio.geo.chem.i.cal] n (1938): of or relating to the partitioning
          and cycling of chemical elements and compounds between
          the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem --
          bio.geo.chem.is.try n

   biogeography
          [bio.ge.og.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1895): a science that deals with
          the geographical distribution of animals and plants --
          bio.ge.og.ra.pher n -- bio.geo.graph.ic or bio.geo.graph.i.cal
          adj

   biographee
          [bi.og.ra.phee] n (1841): a person about whom a biography
          is written

   biographer
          [bi.og.ra.pher] n (1715): a writer of a biography

   biographical
          [bio.graph.i.cal] also bio.graph.ic adj (1738) 1: of, relating
          to, or constituting biography 2: consisting of biographies
          <a ~ dictionary> 3: relating to a list briefly identifying
          persons <~ notes> -- bio.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   biography
          [bi.og.ra.phy] n, pl -phies [LGk biographia, fr. Gk bi- +
          -graphia -graphy] (1683) 1: a usu. written history of
          a person's life 2: biographical writings as a whole 3:
          an account of the life of something (as an animal, a
          coin, or a building)

   biohazard
          [bio.haz.ard] n (1967): a biological agent or condition that
          constitutes a hazard to humans or the environment; also:
          a hazard posed by such an agent or condition

   biol
          [biol] abbreviation biologic, biological, biologist, biology

   biologic
          [bi.o.log.ic] or bi.o.log.i.cal n (1921): a biological product
          used in medicine

   biological
          [biological] also biologic adj (1859) 1: of or relating to
          biology or to life and living processes 2: used in or
          produced by applied biology 3: related by direct genetic
          relationship rather than by adoption or marriage <~ parents>
          -- bi.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   biological clock
          [biological clock] n (1955): an inherent timing mechanism
          that is inferred to exist in some living systems (as
          a cell) in order to explain various cyclical behaviors
          and physiological processes

   biological control
          [biological control] n (1923): reduction in numbers or elimination
          of pest organisms by interference with their ecology (as by the
          introduction of parasites or diseases)

   biological oxygen demand
          [biological oxygen demand] n (1945): biochemical oxygen demand

   biological warfare
          [biological warfare] n (1946): warfare involving the use
          of living organisms (as disease germs) or their toxic
          products as weapons; also: warfare involving the use
          of herbicides

   biologism
          [bi.ol.o.gism] n (1924): preoccupation with biological explanations
          in the analysis of social situations -- bi.ol.o.gis.tic adj

   biology
          [bi.ol.o.gy] n [G Biologie, fr. bi- + -logie -logy] (1819)
          1: a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms
          and vital processes 2 a: the plant and animal life of
          a region or environment b: the life processes esp. of
          an organism or group; broadly: ecology -- bi.ol.o.gist
          n

   bioluminescence
          [bio.lu.mi.nes.cence] n [ISV] (1916): the emission of light
          from living organisms; also: the light so produced --
          bio.lu.mi.nes.cent adj

   biomass
          [bio.mass] n (1934) 1: the amount of living matter (as in
          a unit area or volume of habitat) 2: plant materials
          and animal waste used esp. as a source of fuel

   biomaterial
          [bio.ma.te.ri.al] n (1966): material used for or suitable
          for use in prostheses that come in direct contact with
          living tissues

   biomathematics
          [bio.math.e.mat.ics] n pl but usu sing in constr (1923):
          mathematics of special use in biology and medicine --
          bio.math.e.mat.i.cal adj -- bio.math.e.ma.ti.cian n

   biome
          [bi.ome] n [[2]bi- + -ome] (1916): a major ecological community
          type (as tropical rain forest, grassland, or desert)

   biomechanics
          [bio.me.chan.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1933):
          the mechanics of biological and esp. muscular activity
          (as in locomotion or exercise); also: the scientific
          study of this -- bio.me.chan.i.cal adj -- bio.me.chan.i.cal.ly
          adv

   biomedical
          [bio.med.i.cal] adj (1955) 1: of or relating to biomedicine
          2: of, relating to, or involving biological, medical,
          and physical science

   biomedicine
          [bio.med.i.cine] n (1947): medicine based on the application
          of the principles of the natural sciences and esp. biology
          and biochemistry

   biometeorology
          [bio.me.te.o.rol.o.gy] n (1946): a science that deals with
          the relationship between living things and atmospheric
          phenomena -- bio.me.te.o.ro.log.i.cal adj

   biometry
          [bi.om.e.try] n [ISV] (1831): the statistical analysis of
          biological observations and phenomena -- bio.met.ric
          or bio.met.ri.cal adj -- bio.me.tri.cian n -- bio.met.rics
          n pl but sing or pl in constr

   biomolecule
          [bio.mol.e.cule] n (1901): an organic molecule and esp. a
          macromolecule in living organisms -- bio.mo.lec.u.lar
          adj

   biomorphic
          [bio.mor.phic] adj (1895): resembling or suggesting the forms
          of living organisms <~ sculptures> <~ images>

   bionic
          [bi.on.ic] adj (1963) 1: of or relating to bionics 2: having
          normal biological capability or performance enhanced
          by or as if by electronic or electromechanical devices

   bionics
          [bi.on.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [[2]bi- + -onics
          (as in electronics)] (1960): a science concerned with
          the application of data about the functioning of biological
          systems to the solution of engineering problems

   bionomics
          [bi.o.nom.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [bionomic, adj.,
          prob. fr. F bionomique, fr. bionomie ecology, fr. bi-
          + -nomie -nomy] (1888): ecology -- bi.o.nom.ic adj

   biophysics
          [bio.phys.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1892): a branch
          of science concerned with the application of physical
          principles and methods to biological problems -- bio.phys.i.cal
          adj -- bio.phys.i.cist n

   biopic
          [bio.pic] n [[2]bi- + [1]pic] (1951): a biographical movie

   biopolymer
          [bio.poly.mer] n (1961): a polymeric substance (as a protein
          or polysaccharide) formed in a biological system

   biopsy
          [bi.op.sy] n, pl -sies [ISV [2]bi- + -opsy (as in autopsy)]
          (1895): the removal and examination of tissue, cells,
          or fluids from the living body -- biopsy vt

   bioreactor
          [bio.re.ac.tor] n (1974): a device or apparatus in which
          living organisms and esp. bacteria synthesize useful
          substances (as interferon) or break down harmful ones
          (as in sewage)

   biorhythm
          [bio.rhythm] n (1960): an inherent rhythm that appears to
          control or initiate various biological processes -- bio.rhyth.mic
          adj

   biosafety
          [bio.safe.ty] n (1977): safety with respect to the effects
          of biological research on humans and the environment

   bioscience
          [bio.sci.ence] n (1941): biology 1; also: life science --
          bio.sci.en.tif.ic adj -- bio.sci.en.tist n

   biosensor
          [bio.sen.sor] n (1962): a device that is sensitive to a physical
          or chemical stimulus (as heat or an ion) and transmits
          information about a life process

   -biosis
          [-biosis] n comb form, pl -bioses [NL, fr. Gk biosis, fr.
          bioun to live, fr. bios life--more at quick]: mode of
          life <parabiosis>

   biosocial
          [bio.so.cial] adj (1897): of, relating to, or concerned with
          the interaction of the biological aspects and social
          relationships of living organisms <~ science> -- bio.so.cial.ly
          adv

   biosphere
          [bio.sphere] n (1899) 1: the part of the world in which life
          can exist 2: living beings together with their environment
          -- bio.spher.ic adj

   biostatistics
          [bio.sta.tis.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1950): statistics
          applied to the analysis of biological data -- bio.sta.tis.ti.cal
          adj -- bio.stat.is.ti.cian n

   biostratigraphic
          [bio.strati.graph.ic] adj (1947): of or relating to the branch
          of paleontology dealing with the conditions and order
          of deposition of sedimentary rocks -- bio.stra.tig.ra.phy
          n

   biosynthesis
          [bio.syn.the.sis] n [NL] (1930): the production of a chemical
          compound by a living organism -- bio.syn.thet.ic adj
          -- bio.syn.thet.i.cal.ly adv

   biosystematics
          [bio.sys.te.mat.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1945):
          experimental taxonomy esp. as based on cytogenetics and
          genetics -- bio.sys.te.mat.ic adj -- bio.sys.tem.atist
          n

   biota
          [bi.o.ta] n [NL, fr. Gk biote life; akin to Gk bios] (1901):
          the flora and fauna of a region

   biotech
          [bio.tech] n (1974): biotechnology 1

   biotechnical
          [bio.tech.ni.cal] adj (1938): of or relating to biotechnology

   biotechnology
          [bio.tech.nol.o.gy] n (1941) 1: applied biological science
          (as bioengineering or recombinant DNA technology) 2:
          ergonomics -- bio.tech.no.log.i.cal adj -- bio.tech.nol.o.gist
          n

   biotelemetry
          [bio.te.lem.e.try] n (1963): the remote detection and measurement
          of a human or animal function, activity, or condition
          -- bio.tel.e.met.ric adj

   -biotic
          [-biotic] adj comb form [prob. fr. NL -bioticus, fr. Gk biotikos]:
          having a (specified) mode of life <endobiotic>

   biotic
          [bi.ot.ic] adj [Gk biotikos, fr. bioun] (1868): of or relating
          to life; esp: caused or produced by living beings <~
          diversity>

   biotic potential
          [biotic potential] n (1935): the inherent capacity of an
          organism or species to reproduce and survive

   biotin
          [bi.o.tin] n [ISV, fr. Gk biotos life, sustenance; akin to
          Gk bios] (1936): a colorless crystalline growth vitamin
          of the vitamin B complex found esp. in yeast, liver,
          and egg yolk

   biotite
          [bi.o.tite] n [G Biotit, fr. Jean B. Biot d. 1862 Fr.
          mathematician] (1862): a generally black or dark green form of mica
          that is a constituent of crystalline rocks and consists
          of a silicate of iron, magnesium, potassium, and aluminum
          -- bi.o.tit.ic adj

   biotope
          [bio.tope] n [[2]bi- + Gk topos place] (1927): a region uniform
          in environmental conditions and in its populations of
          animals and plants for which it is the habitat

   biotransformation
          [bio.trans.for.ma.tion] n (1955): the transformation of chemical
          compounds within a living system

   biotype
          [bio.type] n [ISV] (1906): the organisms sharing a specified
          genotype; also: the genotype shared or its distinguishing
          peculiarity -- bio.typ.ic adj

   biparental
          [bi.pa.ren.tal] adj (1900): of, relating to, involving, or
          derived from two parents -- bi.pa.ren.tal.ly adv

   bipartisan
          [bi.par.ti.san] adj (ca. 1909): of, relating to, or involving
          members of two parties <a ~ commission> -- bi.par.ti.san.ism
          n -- bi.par.ti.san.ship n

   bipartite
          [bi.par.tite] adj [L bipartitus, pp. of bipartire to divide
          in two, fr. bi- + partire to divide, fr. part-, pars
          part] (1574) 1 a: being in two parts b: having a correspondent
          part for each of two parties <a ~ contract> c: shared
          by two <a ~ treaty> 2: divided into two parts almost
          to the base <a ~ leaf> -- bi.par.tite.ly adv -- bi.par.ti.tion
          n

   biped
          [bi.ped] n [L biped-, bipes, fr. bi- + ped-, pes foot--more
          at foot] (1646): a two-footed animal -- bi.ped.al adj
          -- bi.ped.al.ly adv

   bipedalism
          [bi.ped.al.ism] n (1907): the condition of having two feet
          or of using only two feet for locomotion

   bipedality
          [bi.pe.dal.i.ty] n (1847): bipedalism

   biphasic
          [bi.phas.ic] adj (ca. 1909): having two phases <a ~ immune
          response>

   biphenyl
          [bi.phe.nyl] n [ISV] (ca. 1923): a white crystalline hydrocarbon
          used esp. as a heat-transfer medium

   bipinnate
          [bi.pin.nate] adj (1794): twice pinnate -- bi.pin.nate.ly
          adv

   biplane
          [bi.plane] n (1874): an aircraft with two main supporting
          surfaces usu. placed one above the other

   bipod
          [bi.pod] n [bi- + -pod (as in tripod)] (1922): a two-legged
          support

   bipolar
          [bi.po.lar] adj (1810) 1: having or marked by two mutually
          repellent forces or diametrically opposed natures or
          views 2 a: having or involving the use of two poles or
          polarities b: relating to, being, or using a transistor
          in which both electrons and holes are utilized as charge
          carriers 3: relating to, associated with, or occurring
          in both polar regions <~ species of birds> 4: characterized
          by the alternation of manic and depressive states <a
          ~ affective disorder> -- bi.po.lar.i.ty n -- bi.po.lar.iza.tion
          n -- bi.po.lar.ize vt

   bipropellant
          [bi.pro.pel.lant] n (1947): a rocket propellant consisting
          of separate fuel and oxidizer that come together only
          in a combustion chamber

   bipyramid
          [bi.pyr.a.mid] n (1897): a crystal consisting of two identical
          pyramids base to base -- bi.py.ra.mi.dal adj

   biquadratic
          [bi.qua.drat.ic] adj or n (1668): quartic

   biracial
          [bi.ra.cial] adj (1922): of, relating to, or involving members
          of two races -- bi.ra.cial.ism n

   biradial
          [bi.ra.di.al] adj (ca. 1909): having both bilateral and radial
          symmetry

   biramous
          [bi.ra.mous] adj (1877): having two branches

   [1]birch
          [birch] n [ME, fr. OE beorc; akin to OHG birka birch, OE
          beorht bright, and prob. to L fraxinus ash tree--more
          at bright] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Betula of the
          family Betulaceae, the birch family) of monoecious deciduous
          usu. short-lived trees or shrubs having simple petioled
          leaves and typically a layered membranous outer bark
          that peels readily 2: the hard pale close-grained wood
          of a birch 3: a birch rod or bundle of twigs for flogging
          -- birch or birch.en adj [2]birch vt (1830): to beat
          with or as if with a birch: whip

   Bircher
          [Birch.er] n (1961): a member or adherent of the John Birch
          Society -- Birch.ism n -- Birch.ist or Birch.ite n or
          adj

   [1]bird
          [bird] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE bridd] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic:
          the young of a feathered vertebrate 2: any of a class
          (Aves) of warm-blooded vertebrates distinguished by having
          the body more or less completely covered with feathers
          and the forelimbs modified as wings 3: a game bird 4:
          clay pigeon 5 a: fellow b: a peculiar person c chiefly
          Brit: girl 6: shuttlecock 7 chiefly Brit a: a hissing
          or jeering expressive of disapproval b: dismissal from
          employment 8: a thin piece of meat rolled up with stuffing
          and cooked 9: something (as an aircraft, rocket, or satellite)
          resembling a bird esp. by flying or being aloft 10: an
          obscene gesture of contempt made by pointing the middle
          finger upward while keeping the other fingers down--usu.
          used with the--called also finger -- bird.like adj --
          for the birds : worthless, ridiculous [2]bird vi (1918):
          to observe or identify wild birds in their natural environment

   birdbath
          [bird.bath] n (1895): a usu. ornamental basin set up for
          birds to bathe in

   birdbrain
          [bird.brain] n (1943) 1: a stupid person 2: scatterbrain
          -- bird.brained adj

   birdcage
          [bird.cage] n (15c): a cage for confining birds

   birdcall
          [bird.call] n (ca. 1625) 1: a device for imitating the cry
          of a bird 2: the note or cry of a bird; also: a sound
          imitative of it

   bird colonel
          [bird colonel] n [fr. the eagle serving as insignia for this
          rank] (ca. 1947) slang: colonel 1a

   bird dog
          [bird dog] n (ca. 1888) 1: a gundog trained to hunt or retrieve
          birds 2 a: one (as a canvasser or talent scout) who seeks
          out something for another b: one who steals another's
          date

   bird-dog
          [bird-dog] vi (1943): to watch closely ~ vt: to seek out:
          follow, detect

   bird-dogging
          [bird-dog.ging] n (ca. 1941) 1: the stealing of another's
          date (as at a party) 2: the action of one that bird-dogs

   birder
          [bird.er] n (15c) 1: a catcher or hunter of birds esp. for
          market 2: a person who birds

   birdhouse
          [bird.house] n (1870): an artificial nesting site for birds;
          also: aviary

   [1]birdie
          [bird.ie] n (1792) 1: a little bird 2: a golf score of one
          stroke less than par on a hole--compare eagle [2]birdie
          vt bird.ied ; bird.ie.ing (1948): to score a birdie on

   birdlime
          [bird.lime] n (15c) 1: a sticky substance usu. made from
          the bark of a holly (Ilex aquifolium) that is smeared
          on twigs to snare small birds 2: something that ensnares
          -- birdlime vt

   bird louse
          [bird louse] n (1826): biting louse

   birdman
          [bird.man] n (1697) 1: a person who deals with birds 2: a
          person who flies (as in an aircraft)

   bird-of-paradise
          [bird-of-paradise] n (ca. 1884): an ornamental plant (Strelitzia
          reginae of the family Strelitziaceae) having scapes of
          orange or yellow and purple flowers with three sepals
          and three very irregular petals

   bird of paradise
          [bird of paradise] (1638): any of numerous brilliantly colored
          plumed oscine birds (family Paradiseidae) of the New
          Guinea area

   bird of passage
          [bird of passage] (1728) 1: a migratory bird 2: a person
          who leads a wandering or unsettled life

   bird of prey
          [bird of prey] (14c): a carnivorous bird (as a hawk, falcon,
          or vulture) that feeds wholly or chiefly on meat taken
          by hunting or on carrion

   bird pepper
          [bird pepper] n (1696): a capsicum (Capsicum annuum glabriusculum)
          having very small oblong extremely pungent red fruits

   birdseed
          [bird.seed] n (1840): a mixture of seeds (as of hemp, millet,
          and sunflowers) used for feeding caged and wild birds

   [1]bird's-eye
          [bird's-eye] n (1597) 1: any of numerous plants with small
          bright-colored flowers; esp: a speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)
          2 a: an allover pattern for textiles consisting of a
          small diamond with a center dot b: a fabric woven with
          this pattern 3: a small spot in wood surrounded with
          an ellipse of concentric fibers [2]bird's-eye adj (1665)
          1: marked with spots resembling birds' eyes 2: having
          or involving a bird's-eye view <~ perspective> <a ~ survey
          of the topic>

   bird's-eye view
          [bird's-eye view] n (1762) 1: a view from a high angle as
          if seen by a bird in flight 2: an overall or cursory
          look at something

   bird's-foot trefoil
          [bird's-foot trefoil] n (1833): a European legume (Lotus
          corniculatus) having claw-shaped pods and widely used
          esp. in the U.S. as a forage and fodder plant or often
          planted along roadsides

   bird's-foot violet
          [bird's-foot violet] n (1839): a common violet (Viola pedata)
          of the eastern U.S. with deeply cleft leaves and pale
          blue to purple flattened flowers

   bird's-nest fern
          [bird's-nest fern] n (1858): a large epiphytic spleenwort
          (Asplenium nidus) of tropical Asia and Polynesia that
          has large lance-shaped leaves and is often grown as a
          houseplant

   bird's nest soup
          [bird's nest soup] n (1871): a soup made with the nests of
          small cave-nesting swifts (genus Collocalia) that build
          them using a glutinous secretion from their salivary
          glands

   birdsong
          [bird.song] n (1896): the song of a bird

   bird-watch
          [bird-watch] vi [back-formation fr. bird-watcher] (1948):
          bird

   bird-watcher
          [bird-watch.er] n (1905): birder 2

   birefringence
          [bi.re.frin.gence] n [ISV] (1898): the refraction of light
          in an anisotropic material (as calcite) in two slightly
          different directions to form two rays -- bi.re.frin.gent
          adj

   bireme
          [bi.reme] n [L biremis, fr. bi- + remus oar--more at row]
          (1662): a galley with two banks of oars used esp. by
          the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians

   biretta
          [bi.ret.ta] n [It berretta, fr. OProv berret cap, fr. ML
          birretum, fr. LL birrus cloak with a hood, perh. of Celt
          origin; akin to MIr berr short] (1598): a square cap
          with three ridges on top worn by clergymen esp. of the
          Roman Catholic Church

   birk
          [birk] n [ME birch, birk] (14c) chiefly Scot: birch

   birkie
          [birk.ie] n [origin unknown] (1724) 1 Scot: a lively smart
          assertive person 2 Scot: fellow, boy

   [1]birl
          [birl] vi [ME fr. OE byrelian; prob. akin to OE beran to
          carry--more at bear] (ca. 1585) chiefly Scot: carouse
          [2]birl vb [perh. imit.] vt (1790) 1: spin 2: to cause
          (a floating log) to rotate by treading ~ vi: to progress
          by whirling -- birl.er n

   Biro
          [Bi.ro] trademark--used for a ballpoint pen

   birr
          [birr] n, pl birr [Ar] (ca. 1978): the basic monetary unit
          of Ethiopia

   birse
          [birse] n [(assumed) ME birst, fr. OE byrst--more at bristle]
          (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly Scot: a bristle or tuft of bristles
          2 chiefly Scot: anger

   [1]birth
          [birth] n, often attrib [ME, fr. ON byrth; akin to OE beran]
          (13c) 1 a: the emergence of a new individual from the
          body of its parent b: the act or process of bringing
          forth young from the womb 2: a state resulting from being
          born esp. at a particular time or place <a Southerner
          by ~> 3 a: lineage, extraction <marriage between equals
          in ~> b: high or noble birth 4 a archaic: one that is
          born b: beginning, start <the ~ of an idea> [2]birth
          vt (1906) 1 chiefly dial: to bring forth 2: to give rise
          to: originate ~ vi: to bring forth a child or young

   birth canal
          [birth canal] n (1927): the channel formed by the cervix,
          vagina, and vulva through which the fetus passes during
          birth

   birth certificate
          [birth certificate] n (1900): a copy of an official record
          of a person's date and place of birth and parentage

   birth control
          [birth control] n (1914): control of the number of children
          born esp. by preventing or lessening the frequency of
          conception: contraception

   birthday
          [birth.day] n (14c) 1 a: the day of a person's birth b: a
          day of origin 2: an anniversary of a birth <her 21st
          ~>

   birthday suit
          [birthday suit] n (1753): unclothed skin: nakedness

   birth defect
          [birth defect] n (1971): a physical or biochemical defect
          that is present at birth and may be inherited or environmentally
          induced

   birthmark
          [birth.mark] n (1580): an unusual mark or blemish on the
          skin at birth: nevus

   birth pang
          [birth pang] n (ca. 1887) 1: one of the regularly recurrent
          pains that are characteristic of childbirth--usu. used
          in pl. 2 pl: disorder and distress incident esp. to a
          major social change

   birthplace
          [birth.place] n (1607): place of birth or origin

   birthrate
          [birth.rate] n (1859): the ratio between births and individuals
          in a specified population and time

   birthright
          [birth.right] n (1535): a right, privilege, or possession
          to which a person is entitled by birth

   birthroot
          [birth.root] n (1822): any of several trilliums with astringent
          roots used in folk medicine

   birthstone
          [birth.stone] n (1907): a gemstone associated symbolically
          with the month of one's birth

   birthwort
          [birth.wort] n (1551): any of several herbs or woody vines
          (genus Aristolochia of the family Aristolochiaceae, the
          birthwort family) with aromatic roots used in folk medicine
          to aid childbirth

   bis
          [bis] adv [L, fr. OL dvis; akin to OHG zwiro twice, L duo
          two--more at two] (1819) 1: again--used in music as a
          direction to repeat 2: twice

   Bisayan
          [Bi.sa.yan] n [Bisayan Bisaya] (1951) 1: a member of any
          of several peoples in the Visayan islands, Philippines
          2: the group of Austronesian languages of the Bisayans

   biscuit
          [bis.cuit] n, pl biscuits also biscuit [ME bisquite, fr.
          MF bescuit, fr. (pain) bescuit twice-cooked bread] (14c)
          1 a: any of various hard or crisp dry baked products:
          as (1) Brit: cracker 4 (2) Brit: cookie b: a small quick
          bread made from dough that has been rolled out and cut
          or dropped from a spoon 2: earthenware or porcelain after
          the first firing and before glazing 3 a: a light grayish
          yellowish brown b: a grayish yellow

   bis dat qui cito dat
          [bis dat qui ci.to dat] [L] foreign term : he gives twice
          who gives promptly

   bisect
          [bi.sect] vb [[1]bi- + intersect] vt (ca. 1645): to divide
          into two usu. equal parts ~ vi: cross, intersect -- bi.sec.tion
          n -- bi.sec.tion.al adj -- bi.sec.tion.al.ly adv

   bisector
          [bi.sec.tor] n (1864): one that bisects; esp: a straight
          line that bisects an angle or a line segment

   bisexual
          [bi.sex.u.al] adj (1824) 1 a: possessing characters of both
          sexes: hermaphroditic b: sexually oriented toward both
          sexes 2: of, relating to, or involving both sexes --
          bisexual n -- bi.sex.u.al.i.ty n -- bi.sex.u.al.ly adv

   bishop
          [bish.op] n [ME bisshop, fr. OE bisceop, fr. LL episcopus,
          fr. Gk episkopos, lit., overseer, fr. epi- + skeptesthai
          to look--more at spy] (bef. 12c) 1: one having spiritual
          or ecclesiastical supervision: as a: an Anglican, Eastern
          Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyman ranking above a
          priest, having authority to ordain and confirm, and typically
          governing a diocese b: any of various Protestant clerical
          officials who superintend other clergy c: a Mormon high
          priest presiding over a ward or over all other bishops
          and over the Aaronic priesthood 2: either of two pieces
          of each color in a set of chessmen having the power to
          move diagonally across any number of adjoining unoccupied
          squares 3: mulled port wine flavored with roasted oranges
          and cloves

   bishopric
          [bish.op.ric] n [ME bisshopriche, fr. OE bisceoprice, fr.
          bisceop + rice kingdom--more at rich] (bef. 12c) 1: diocese
          2: the office of bishop 3: the administrative body of
          a Mormon ward consisting of a bishop and two high priests
          as counselors

   Bishops' Bible
          [Bishops' Bible] n (1835): an officially commissioned English
          translation of the Bible published in 1568

   bismuth
          [bis.muth] n [NL bismuthum, modif. of G Wismut] (1668): a
          heavy brittle grayish white chiefly trivalent metallic
          element that is chemically like arsenic and antimony
          and that is used in alloys and pharmaceuticals -- bis.mu.thic
          adj

   bison
          [bi.son] n, pl bison [L bisont-, bison, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG wisant aurochs; akin to OPruss wissambrs aurochs]
          (1611): any of several large shaggy-maned usu. gregarious
          recent or extinct bovine mammals (genus Bison) having
          a large head with short horns and heavy forequarters
          surmounted by a large fleshy hump: as a: wisent b: buffalo
          1c(1) -- bi.son.tine adj

   [1]bisque
          [bisque] n [F] (1647) 1 a: a thick cream soup made with shellfish
          or game b: a cream soup of pureed vegetables 2: ice cream
          containing powdered nuts or macaroons [2]bisque n [F]
          (ca. 1656): odds allowed an inferior player: as a: a
          point taken when desired in a set of tennis b: an extra
          turn in croquet c: one or more strokes off a golf score
          [3]bisque n [by shortening & alter.] (1664): biscuit
          2; esp: unglazed china that is not to be glazed but is
          hard-fired and vitreous

   bistate
          [bi.state] adj (1928): of or relating to two states

   bister
          [bis.ter] or bis.tre n [F bistre] (ca. 1751) 1: a yellowish
          brown to dark brown pigment used in art 2: a grayish
          to yellowish brown -- bis.tered adj

   bistort
          [bis.tort] n [MF bistorte, fr. (assumed) ML bistorta, fr.
          L bis + torta, fem. of tortus, pp. of torquere to twist--more
          at torture] (1578): any of several polygonums; esp: a
          European herb (Polygonum bistorta) or a related American
          plant (P. bistortoides) with twisted roots used as astringents

   bistro
          [bis.tro] n, pl bistros [F] (1921) 1: a small or unpretentious
          restaurant 2 a: a small bar or tavern b: nightclub --
          bis.tro.ic adj

   bisulfate
          [bi.sul.fate] n (ca. 1846): an acid sulfate

   bisulfide
          [bi.sul.fide] n [ISV] (1863): disulfide

   bisulfite
          [bi.sul.fite] n [F, fr. bi- + sulfite] (ca. 1846): an acid
          sulfite

   bi-swing
          [bi-swing] adj [[1]bi- + swing; perh. fr. the freedom of
          movement allowed by this jacket] (1968): made with a
          pleat or gusset at the back of the arms <~ jacket>

   [1]bit
          [bit] n [ME bitt, fr. OE bite act of biting; akin to OE bitan]
          (14c) 1 a (1): the biting or cutting edge or part of
          a tool (2): a replaceable part of a compound tool that
          actually performs the function (as drilling or boring)
          for which the whole tool is designed b pl: the jaws of
          tongs or pincers 2: something bitten or held with the
          teeth: a: the usu. steel part of a bridle inserted in
          the mouth of a horse b: the rimmed mouth end on the stem
          of a pipe or cigar holder 3: something that curbs or
          restrains 4: the part of a key that enters the lock and
          acts on the bolt and tumblers [2]bit vt bit.ted ; bit.ting
          (1583) 1 a: to put a bit in the mouth of (a horse) b:
          to control as if with a bit 2: to form a bit on (a key)
          [3]bit n [ME, fr. OE bita; akin to OE bitan] (bef. 12c)
          1: a small quantity of food; esp: a small delicacy 2
          a: a small piece or quantity of some material thing b
          (1): a small coin (2): a unit of value equal to 1/8 of
          a dollar <four ~s> 3: something small or unimportant
          of its kind: as a: a brief period: while b: an indefinite
          usu. small degree, extent, or amount <a ~ of a rascal>
          <every ~ as powerful> c (1): a small part usu. with spoken
          lines in a theatrical performance (2): a usu. short theatrical
          routine <a corny comedy ~> 4: the aggregate of items,
          situations, or activities appropriate to a given style,
          genre, or role <rejected the whole ~ about love-marriage-motherhood
          --Vance Packard> -- a bit : somewhat, rather <the play was a bit
          dull> -- a bit much : a little more than one wants to endure -- bit
          by bit : by degrees: little by little [4]bit n [binary digit]
          (1948) 1: a unit of computer information equivalent to the result
          of a choice between two alternatives (as yes or no, on or off)
          2: the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse,
          a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates
          data

   bitartrate
          [bi.tar.trate] n [ISV] (1879): an acid tartrate

   [1]bitch
          [bitch] n [ME bicche, fr. OE bicce] (bef. 12c) 1: the female
          of the dog or some other carnivorous mammals 2 a: a lewd
          or immoral woman b: a malicious, spiteful, or domineering
          woman--sometimes used as a generalized term of abuse
          3: something that is highly objectionable or unpleasant
          4: complaint [2]bitch vt (1823) 1: spoil, botch <I must
          have ~ed up my life --Mavis Gallant> 2: cheat, doublecross
          3: to complain of or about ~ vi: complain

   bitchery
          [bitch.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1936): malicious, spiteful, or
          domineering behavior; also: an instance of such behavior

   bitch goddess
          [bitch goddess] n (1906): success; esp: material or worldly
          success

   bitchy
          [bitchy] adj bitch.i.er ; -est (1937): characterized by malicious,
          spiteful, or arrogant behavior -- bitch.i.ly adv -- bitch.i.ness n

   [1]bite
          [bite] vb bit ; bit.ten also bit ; bit.ing [ME, fr. OE bitan;
          akin to OHG bizan to bite, L findere to split] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to seize esp. with teeth or jaws so as to enter,
          grip, or wound b: to wound, pierce, or sting esp. with
          a fang or a proboscis 2: to cut or pierce with or as
          if with an edged weapon 3: to cause sharp pain or stinging
          discomfort to 4: to take hold of 5 archaic: to take in:
          cheat ~ vi 1: to bite or have the habit of biting something
          2 of a weapon or tool: to cut, pierce, or take hold 3:
          to cause irritation or smarting 4: corrode 5 a of fish:
          to take a bait b: to respond so as to be caught (as by
          a trick) 6: to take or maintain a firm hold -- bit.er
          n -- bite off more than one can chew : to undertake more
          than one can perform -- bite the bullet : to enter with
          resignation upon a difficult or distressing course of
          action -- bite the dust 1: to fall dead esp. in battle
          2: to suffer humiliation or defeat -- bite the hand that
          feeds one : to injure a benefactor maliciously [2]bite
          n (15c) 1: the act or manner of biting 2: food: as a:
          the amount of food taken at a bite: morsel b: a small
          amount of food: snack 3 archaic a: cheat, trick b: sharper
          4: a wound made by biting 5: the hold or grip by which
          friction is created or purchase is obtained 6: a surface
          that creates friction or is brought into contact with
          another for the purpose of obtaining a hold 7 a: a keen
          incisive quality b: a sharp penetrating effect 8: a single
          exposure of an etcher's plate to the corrosive action
          of acid 9: an amount taken usu. in one operation for
          one purpose: cut

   bitewing
          [bite.wing] n (1938): a dental X-ray film designed to show
          the crowns of the upper and lower teeth simultaneously

   biting
          [bit.ing] adj (14c): having the power to bite <a ~ wind>;
          esp: able to grip and impress deeply <the report is ~
          in its intolerance of deceit> -- bit.ing.ly adv

   biting louse
          [biting louse] n (1896): any of numerous wingless insects
          (order Mallophaga) that are parasitic esp. on birds--called
          also bird louse

   biting midge
          [biting midge] n (1945): any of a family (Ceratopogonidae)
          of tiny biting dipteran flies of which some are vectors
          of filarial worms

   bitstock
          [bit.stock] n (ca. 1887): brace 3

   bitsy
          [bit.sy] adj [itsy-bitsy] (1905): tiny

   [1]bitt
          [bitt] n [perh. fr. ON biti beam; akin to OE bot boat] (1593)
          1: a post or pair of posts fixed on the deck of a ship
          for securing lines 2: bollard 1 [2]bitt vt (1769): to
          make (a cable) fast about a bitt

   [1]bitter
          [bit.ter] adj [ME, fr. OE biter; akin to OHG bittar bitter,
          OE bitan] (bef. 12c) 1 a: being or inducing the one of
          the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid,
          astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion
          of hops--compare salt, sour, sweet b: distasteful or
          distressing to the mind: galling <a ~ sense of shame>
          2: marked by intensity or severity: a: accompanied by
          severe pain or suffering <a ~ death> b: being relentlessly
          determined: vehement <a ~ partisan> c: exhibiting intense
          animosity <~ enemies> d (1): harshly reproachful <~ complaints>
          (2): marked by cynicism and rancor <~ contempt> e: intensely
          unpleasant esp. in coldness or rawness 3: expressive
          of severe pain, grief, or regret <~ tears> -- bit.ter.ish
          adj -- bit.ter.ly adv -- bit.ter.ness n [2]bitter n (bef.
          12c) 1: bitter quality 2 a pl: a usu. alcoholic solution
          of bitter and often aromatic plant products used esp.
          in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic b Brit:
          a very dry heavily hopped ale [3]bitter vt (12c): to
          make bitter <~ed ale> [4]bitter adv (1749): to a bitter
          degree <it's ~ cold>

   bitter almond
          [bitter almond] n (1632): an almond with a bitter taste that
          contains amygdalin; also: a tree (Prunus dulcis amara)
          producing bitter almonds

   bitterbrush
          [bit.ter.brush] n (1910): a much-branched silvery shrub (Purshia
          tridentata) of arid western No. America that has 3-toothed
          leaves and yellow flowers and is valuable for forage

   bitter cress
          [bitter cress] n (ca. 1890): any of a genus (Cardamine) of
          cruciferous herbs that produce flat pods and wingless
          seeds

   [1]bitter end
          [bitter end] n [prob. fr. [2]bitter end] (1849): the last
          extremity however painful or calamitous -- bit.ter-end.er
          n [2]bitter end n [bitter (a turn of cable around the
          bitts)] (ca. 1862): the inboard end of a ship's anchoring
          cable

   [1]bittern
          [bit.tern] n [ME bitoure, fr. MF butor, fr. (assumed) VL
          butitaurus, fr. L buteo hawk + taurus bull] (1515): any
          of various small or medium-sized usu. secretive herons
          (esp. genera Botaurus and Ixobrychus) [2]bittern n [irreg.
          fr. [1]bitter] (1682): the bitter water solution of salts
          that remains after sodium chloride has crystallized out
          of a brine

   bitterroot
          [bit.ter.root] n (1838): a succulent herb (Lewisia rediviva)
          of mountainous slopes of western No. America that has
          starchy roots and pink or white flowers

   [1]bittersweet
          [bit.ter.sweet] n (14c) 1: something that is bittersweet;
          esp: pleasure alloyed with pain 2 a: a sprawling poisonous
          weedy nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) with purple flowers
          and oval reddish orange berries b: a No. American woody
          climbing plant (Celastrus scandens) of the staff-tree
          family having clusters of small greenish flowers succeeded
          by yellow capsules that open when ripe and disclose the
          scarlet aril [2]bittersweet adj (1611) 1: being at once
          bitter and sweet; esp: pleasant but including or marked
          by elements of suffering or regret <a ~ ballad> 2: of
          or relating to a prepared chocolate containing little
          sugar -- bit.ter.sweet.ly adv -- bit.ter.sweet.ness n

   bitterweed
          [bit.ter.weed] n (1819): any of several American plants containing
          a bitter substance: as a: horseweed b: a sneezeweed (Helenium
          amarum syn. H. tenuifolium) c: an erect composite herb (Hymenoxys
          odorata) of the southwestern U.S. that has yellow terminal
          flowerheads and is poisonous to livestock

   bittock
          [bit.tock] n (ca. 1802) chiefly Scot: a little bit

   [1]bitty
          [bit.ty] adj (1892) chiefly Brit: made up of or containing
          bits; esp: not cohesive or flowing [2]bitty adj (1905):
          small, tiny <a little ~ room>

   bitumen
          [bi.tu.men] n [ME bithumen mineral pitch, fr. L bitumin-,
          bitumen] (15c) 1: an asphalt of Asia Minor used in ancient
          times as a cement and mortar 2: any of various mixtures
          of hydrocarbons (as tar) often together with their nonmetallic
          derivatives that occur naturally or are obtained as residues
          after heat-refining natural substances (as petroleum);
          specif: such a mixture soluble in carbon disulfide --
          bi.tu.mi.ni.za.tion n -- bi.tu.mi.nize vt

   bituminous
          [bi.tu.mi.nous] adj (1620) 1: containing or impregnated with
          bitumen 2: of or relating to bituminous coal

   bituminous coal
          [bituminous coal] n (1879): a coal that when heated yields
          considerable volatile bituminous matter--called also
          soft coal

   biunique
          [bi.unique] adj (1941): being a correspondence between two
          sets that is one-to-one in both directions -- bi.unique.ness
          n

   [1]bivalent
          [bi.va.lent] adj (1869) 1: divalent 2: associated in pairs
          in synapsis [2]bivalent n (ca. 1934): a pair of synaptic
          chromosomes

   [1]bivalve
          [bi.valve] adj (1661): having a shell composed of two valves
          [2]bivalve n (1683): an animal (as a clam) with a 2-valved
          shell

   bivariate
          [bi.var.i.ate] adj (1920): of, relating to, or involving
          two variables <a ~ frequency distribution>

   [1]bivouac
          [biv.ouac] n [F, fr. LG biwacht, fr. bi by + wacht guard]
          (ca. 1702) 1: a usu. temporary encampment under little
          or no shelter 2 a: encampment usu. for a night b: a temporary
          shelter or settlement [2]bivouac vi -ouacked ; -ouack.ing
          (1809): to make a bivouac: camp

   [1]biweekly
          [bi.week.ly] adj (1832) 1: occurring twice a week 2: occurring
          every two weeks: fortnightly usage see bi- -- biweekly
          adv [2]biweekly n (ca. 1890) 1: a publication issued
          every two weeks 2: semiweekly

   biyearly
          [bi.year.ly] adj (ca. 1909) 1: biannual 1 2: biennial 1

   biz
          [biz] n (1862): business

   [1]bizarre
          [bi.zarre] adj [F, fr. It bizzarro] (ca. 1648): strikingly
          out of the ordinary: as a: odd, extravagant, or eccentric
          in style or mode b: involving sensational contrasts or
          incongruities syn see fantastic -- bi.zarre.ly adv --
          bi.zarre.ness n [2]bizarre n (ca. 1753): a flower with
          atypical striped marking

   bizarrerie
          [bi.zar.re.rie] n [F] (1747) 1: a bizarre quality 2: something
          bizarre

   bizonal
          [bi.zon.al] adj (1946): of or relating to the affairs of
          a zone governed or administered by two powers acting
          together -- bi.zone n

   bj...
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   BJ
          [BJ] abbreviation bachelor of journalism

   bk...
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   bk
          [bk] abbreviation bank, book, break, brook  Bk abbreviation
          berkelium

   bkg
          [bkg] abbreviation banking, bookkeeping, breakage

   bkgd
          [bkgd] abbreviation background

   bks
          [bks] abbreviation barracks

   bkt
          [bkt] abbreviation basket, bracket

   bl...
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   bl
          [bl] abbreviation bale, barrel, black, block, blue BL abbreviation
          bachelor of law, bachelor of letters, baseline, bats left, bill
          of lading, breadth-length

   [1]blab
          [blab] n [ME blabbe; akin to ME blaberen] (14c) 1 archaic:
          one that blabs: tattletale 2: idle or excessive talk:
          chatter -- blab.by adj [2]blab vb blabbed ; blab.bing
          vi (15c) 1: to talk idly or thoughtlessly: prattle 2:
          to reveal a secret esp. by indiscreet chatter ~ vt: to
          reveal esp. without reserve or discretion <blabbed the
          whole affair to the press>

   [1]blabber
          [blab.ber] vb blab.bered ; blab.ber.ing [ME blaberen] vi
          (14c): to talk foolishly or excessively ~ vt: to say
          indiscreetly [2]blabber n (ca. 1913): idle talk: babble
          [3]blabber n [[2]blab] (1557): one that blabs

   blabbermouth
          [blab.ber.mouth] n (1936): a person who talks too much; esp:
          tattletale

   [1]black
          [black] adj [ME blak, fr. OE blaec; akin to OHG blah black,
          and prob. to L flagrare to burn, Gk phlegein] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: of the color black b (1): very dark in color <his
          face was ~ with rage> (2): having a very deep or low
          register <a bass with a ~ voice> (3): heavy, serious
          <the play was a ~ intrigue> 2 a: having dark skin, hair,
          and eyes: swarthy <the ~ Irish> b (1) often cap: of or
          relating to any of various population groups having dark
          pigmentation of the skin <~ Americans> (2): of or relating
          to the Afro-American people or their culture <~ literature>
          <a ~ college> <~ pride> <~ studies> (3): typical or representative
          of the most readily attended parts of black culture <tried to play
          ~er jazz> 3: dressed in black 4: dirty, soiled <hands ~ with grime>
          5 a: characterized by the absence of light <a ~ night>
          b: reflecting or transmitting little or no light <~ water>
          c: served without milk or cream <~ coffee> 6 a: thoroughly sinister
          or evil: wicked <a ~ deed> b: indicative of condemnation
          or discredit <got a ~ mark for being late> 7: connected with
          or invoking the supernatural and esp. the devil <~ magic> 8 a: very
          sad, gloomy, or calamitous <~ despair> b: marked by the occurrence
          of disaster <~ Friday> 9: characterized by hostility or angry
          discontent: sullen <~ resentment filled his heart> 10 chiefly Brit:
          subject to boycott by trade-union members as employing or favoring
          nonunion workers or as operating under conditions considered unfair
          by the trade union 11 a of propaganda: conducted so as to appear
          to originate within an enemy country and designed to weaken enemy
          morale b: characterized by or connected with the use of black
          propaganda <~ radio> 12: characterized by grim, distorted,
          or grotesque satire <~ humor> 13: of or relating to covert
          intelligence operations <~ government programs> -- black.ish adj
          -- black.ly adv -- black.ness n [2]black n (bef. 12c) 1: a black
          pigment or dye; esp: one consisting largely of carbon 2: the
          achromatic color of least lightness characteristically perceived
          to belong to objects that neither reflect nor transmit light
          3: something that is black: as a: black clothing <looks good
          in ~> b: a black animal (as a horse) 4 a: a person belonging to any
          of various population groups having dark pigmentation of the skin
          b: afro-american 5: the pieces of a dark color in a board game for
          two players (as chess) 6: total or nearly total absence of light
          <the ~ of night> 7: the condition of making a profit--usu. used
          with the <operating in the ~>--compare red [3]black vi (13c):
          to become black ~ vt 1: to make black 2 chiefly Brit: to declare
          (as a business or industry) subject to boycott by trade-union
          members

   black alder
          [black alder] n (1805): winterberry 1

   blackamoor
          [black.a.moor] n [irreg. fr. black + Moor] (1547): a dark-skinned
          person; esp: black 4a

   black-and-blue
          [black-and-blue] adj (14c): darkly discolored from blood
          effused by bruising

   black-and-tan
          [black-and-tan] adj (1850) 1: having a predominantly black
          color pattern with deep red or rusty tan on the feet,
          breeching, and cheek patches, above the eyes, and inside
          the ears 2: favoring or practicing proportional representation
          of whites and blacks in politics 3: frequented by both
          blacks and whites <a ~ bar>

   black and tan
          [black and tan] n (1870) 1: a black-and-tan animal (as a
          dog) 2 chiefly Brit: a drink consisting of a dark beer
          (as stout or porter) and ale or beer 3 cap B&T [fr. the
          color of his uniform]: a recruit enlisted in England
          in 1920-21 for service in the Royal Irish Constabulary
          against the armed movement for Irish independence 4:
          a member of a black-and-tan political organization (as
          in the southern U.S.)--compare lily-white

   black-and-tan coonhound
          [black-and-tan coonhound] n (1948): any of a breed of strong
          vigorous coonhounds of American origin with black-and-tan
          markings

   black and white
          [black and white] n (1599) 1: writing, print 2: a drawing
          or print done in black and white or in monochrome 3:
          monochrome reproduction of visual images (as by photography
          or television)

   black-and-white
          [black-and-white] adj (1612) 1: being in writing or print
          2: partly black and partly white in color 3: executed
          in dark pigment on a light background or in light pigment
          on a dark ground <a ~ drawing> 4: monochrome 2a <~ film>
          <~ television> 5 a: sharply divided into good and evil
          b: evaluating or viewing things as either all good or
          all bad <~ morality> c: sharply defined: clear-cut <the
          truth is not always ~>

   Black Angus
          [Black Angus] n (1948): angus

   black-a-vised
          [black-a-vised] adj [black + F a vis as to face] (ca. 1758):
          having a dark complexion

   [1]blackball
          [black.ball] vt (1770) 1: to vote against; esp: to exclude
          from membership by casting a negative vote 2 a: to exclude
          socially: ostracize b: boycott [2]blackball n (ca. 1847)
          1: a small black ball for use as a negative vote in a
          ballot box 2: an adverse vote esp. against admitting
          someone to membership in an organization

   black bass
          [black bass] n (1815): any of a genus (Micropterus) of freshwater
          sunfishes native to eastern and central No. America and
          including the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass

   black bean
          [black bean] n (1792) 1: a black kidney bean commonly used
          in Latin American cuisine 2: a black soybean commonly
          used in oriental cuisine

   black bear
          [black bear] n (1781): the common American bear (Ursus americanus)
          ranging in color from brown or typical black to white

   black beast
          [black beast] n (1926): bete noire

   [1]black belt
          [black belt] n (1870) 1: an area characterized by rich black
          soil 2 often cap both Bs: an area densely populated by
          blacks [2]black belt n (1954): one who holds the rating
          of expert in various arts of self-defense (as judo and
          karate); also: the rating itself

   blackberry
          [black.ber.ry] n (bef. 12c) 1: the usu. black or dark purple
          juicy but seedy edible aggregate fruit of various brambles
          (genus Rubus) of the rose family 2: a plant that bears
          blackberries

   black bile
          [black bile] n (1797): a humor of medieval physiology believed
          to be secreted by the kidneys or spleen and to cause
          melancholy

   black birch
          [black birch] n (1674): sweet birch

   [1]blackbird
          [black.bird] n (14c) 1: any of various birds of which the
          males are largely or entirely black: as a: a common thrush
          (Turdus merula) of Eurasia and northern Africa having
          an orange bill and eye rim b: any of several American
          birds (family Icteridae) 2: a Pacific islander kidnapped
          for use as a plantation laborer [2]blackbird vi (1894):
          to engage in the slave trade esp. in the So. Pacific

   blackbirder
          [black.bird.er] n (1880) 1: a person who blackbirds 2: a
          ship used in blackbirding

   blackboard
          [black.board] n (1823): a hard smooth usu. dark surface used
          esp. in a classroom for writing or drawing on with chalk

   blackbody
          [black.body] n (1710): an ideal body or surface that completely
          absorbs all radiant energy falling upon it with no reflection
          and that radiates at all frequencies with a spectral
          energy distribution dependent on its absolute temperature

   black book
          [black book] n (1592): a book containing a blacklist

   black box
          [black box] n (ca. 1945) 1: a usu. complicated electronic
          device that functions and is packaged as a unit and whose
          internal mechanism is usu. hidden from or mysterious
          to the user; broadly: anything that has mysterious or
          unknown internal functions or mechanisms 2: a crashworthy
          device in aircraft for recording cockpit conversations
          and flight data

   blackcap
          [black.cap] n (1678) 1: any of several birds with black heads
          or crowns: as a: a small European warbler (Sylvia atricapilla)
          with a black crown b: chickadee 2: black raspberry

   black-capped
          [black-capped] adj (1781) of a bird: having the top of the
          head black

   blackcock
          [black.cock] n (15c) chiefly Brit: black grouse; specif:
          the male black grouse

   black cohosh
          [black cohosh] n (1828): a bugbane (Cimicifuga racemosa)
          of the eastern U.S.

   black crappie
          [black crappie] n (ca. 1827): a silvery black-mottled sunfish
          (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) of the Mississippi drainage
          and eastern U.S. having seven or eight protruding spines
          on the dorsal fins

   black-crowned night heron
          [black-crowned night heron] n (1844): a widely distributed
          night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) having a black crown
          and back

   black damp
          [black damp] n (1836): a carbon dioxide mixture occurring
          as a mine gas and incapable of supporting life or flame

   black death
          [black death] n, often cap B&D [fr. the black patches formed
          on the skin of its victims] (1780) 1: plague 2b 2: a
          severe epidemic of plague and esp. bubonic plague that
          occurred in Asia and Europe in the 14th century

   black diamond
          [black diamond] n (1763) 1: dense black hematite 2 pl: coal
          3a 3: [3]carbonado

   black duck
          [black duck] n (1637): any of several ducks that are dark
          in color; esp: a common brown duck (Anas rubripes) of
          eastern No. America

   black dwarf
          [black dwarf] n, pl black dwarfs (1945): a very small star
          that emits no detectable light

   blacken
          [black.en] vb black.ened ; black.en.ing vi (14c): to become
          dark or black <the sky ~s> ~ vt 1: to make black 2: defame,
          sully -- black.en.er n

   blackened
          [black.ened] adj (1984): coated with a mixture of cayenne
          pepper and spices and cooked in a frying pan over extremely
          high heat <~ redfish>

   Black English
          [Black English] n (1969): a nonstandard variety of English
          spoken by some American blacks--called also Black English
          vernacular

   blackening
          [black.en.ing] n (ca. 1909): blacking

   black eye
          [black eye] n (1604) 1: a discoloration of the skin around
          the eye from bruising 2: a bad reputation

   black-eyed pea
          [black-eyed pea] n (1728): cowpea

   black-eyed Susan
          [black-eyed Su.san] n (1892): either of two No. American
          coneflowers (Rudbeckia hirta and R. serotina) having
          flower heads with deep yellow to orange rays and dark
          conical disks

   blackface
          [black.face] n (1869): makeup applied to a performer playing
          a black person esp. in a minstrel show; also: a performer
          wearing such makeup

   blackfish
          [black.fish] n (1754) 1: any of numerous dark-colored fishes:
          as a: tautog b: a small food fish (Dallia pectoralis)
          of Alaska and Siberia that is noted for its resistance
          to cold 2: any of several small toothed whales (genus
          Globicephala) found in warm seas

   black flag
          [black flag] n (1720): a pirate's flag usu. bearing a skull
          and crossbones

   black-flag
          [black-flag] vt (1963): to signal (a race-car driver) to
          go immediately to the pits

   blackfly
          [black.fly] n, pl -flies or -fly (1608): any of various small
          dark-colored insects; esp: any of a family (Simuliidae
          and esp. genus Simulium) of bloodsucking dipteran flies
          whose larvae usu. live in flowing streams

   Blackfoot
          [Black.foot] n, pl Blackfeet or Blackfoot (1794) 1: a member
          of an American Indian people of Montana, Alberta, and
          Saskatchewan 2: the Algonquian language of the Blackfeet

   black-footed albatross
          [black-foot.ed albatross] n (1839): an albatross (Diomedea
          nigripes) of the Pacific that is chiefly blackish with
          dusky bill and black feet and legs--called also gooney

   black-footed ferret
          [black-footed ferret] n (1846): a rare weasel (Mustela nigripes)
          of western No. American prairies having a yellowish coat,
          dark feet and facial mask, and a dark-tipped tail

   black gold
          [black gold] n (1910): petroleum

   black grouse
          [black grouse] n (1678): a large grouse (Lyrurus tetrix)
          of western Asia and Europe of which the male is black
          with white wing patches and the female is barred and
          mottled

   [1]blackguard
          [black.guard] n (1535) 1 obs: the kitchen servants of a household
          2 a: a rude or unscrupulous person b: a person who uses
          foul or abusive language -- black.guard.ism n -- black.guard.ly
          adj or adv [2]blackguard vt (1823): to talk about or
          address in abusive terms

   black gum
          [black gum] n (1709): a tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) of the eastern
          U.S. with light and soft but tough wood

   black hand
          [black hand] n, often cap B&H [Black Hand, a Sicilian and
          Italian-American secret society of the late 19th and
          20th centuries] (1904): a lawless secret society engaged
          in criminal activities (as terrorism or extortion) --
          black.hand.er n

   blackhead
          [black.head] n (ca. 1837) 1: a small plug of sebum blocking
          the duct of a sebaceous gland esp. on the face 2: a destructive
          disease of turkeys and related birds caused by a protozoan
          (Histomonas meleagridis) that invades the intestinal
          ceca and liver 3: a larval clam or mussel attached to
          the skin or gills of a freshwater fish

   blackheart
          [black.heart] n (1909): a plant disease in which the central
          tissues blacken

   black hole
          [black hole] n (1968) 1: a hypothetical celestial object
          with a gravitational field so strong that light cannot
          escape from it which is believed to be created in the
          collapse of a very massive star 2: something resembling
          a black hole: as a: something that consumes a resource
          continually <a financial black hole> b: an empty space:
          void

   black ice
          [black ice] n (1961): a thin film of ice on paved surfaces
          (as roads) that is difficult to see

   blacking
          [black.ing] n (1571): a substance (as a paste or polish)
          that is applied to an object to make it black

   [1]blackjack
          [black.jack] n (1591) 1 [black + jack (vessel)]: a tankard
          for beer or ale usu. of tar-coated leather 2: sphalerite
          3: a hand weapon typically consisting of a piece
          of leather-enclosed metal with a strap or springy shaft for
          a handle 4: an often scrubby oak (Quercus marilandica) chiefly
          of the southeastern U.S.--called also blackjack oak 5: a card game
          the object of which is to be dealt cards having a higher count than
          those of the dealer up to but not exceeding 21--called also
          twenty-one, vingt-et-un [2]blackjack vt (1905) 1: to strike with
          a blackjack 2: to coerce with threats or pressure

   blackland
          [black.land] n (1803) 1: a heavy sticky black soil such as
          that covering large areas in Texas 2 pl: a region of
          blackland

   blacklead
          [black.lead] n (1583) chiefly Brit: graphite 1

   blackleg
          [black.leg] n (ca. 1722) 1: a usu. fatal toxemia esp. of
          young cattle caused by a soil bacterium (Clostridium
          chauvoei) 2: a cheating gambler: swindler 3 chiefly Brit:
          a worker hostile to trade unionism or acting in opposition
          to union policies: scab

   black letter
          [black letter] n (ca. 1644): a heavy angular condensed typeface
          used esp. by the earliest European printers and based
          on handwriting used chiefly in the 13th to 15th centuries;
          also: this style of handwriting

   black light
          [black light] n (1927) 1: invisible ultraviolet light 2:
          a lamp that radiates black light

   blacklight trap
          [black.light trap] n (1961): a trap for insects that uses
          a form of black light perceptible to particular insects
          as an attractant

   [1]blacklist
          [black.list] n (ca. 1619): a list of persons who are disapproved
          of or are to be punished or boycotted [2]blacklist vt
          (1718): to put on a blacklist -- black.list.er n

   black locust
          [black locust] n (1787): a tall tree (Robinia pseudoacacia)
          of eastern No. America with pinnately compound leaves,
          drooping racemes of fragrant white flowers, and strong
          stiff wood

   black lung
          [black lung] n (1837): pneumoconiosis caused by habitual
          inhalation of coal dust

   blackmail
          [black.mail] n [black + [1]mail] (1552) 1: a tribute anciently
          exacted on the Scottish border by freebooting chiefs
          for immunity from pillage 2 a: extortion or coercion
          by threats esp. of public exposure or criminal prosecution
          b: the payment that is extorted -- blackmail vt -- black.mail.er
          n

   Black Maria
          [Black Ma.ria] n (1847): paddy wagon

   black-market
          [black-mar.ket] vi (1943): to buy or sell goods in the black
          market ~ vt: to sell in the black market -- black marketer
          or black marketeer n

   black market
          [black market] n (1931): illicit trade in goods or commodities
          in violation of official regulations; also: a place where
          such trade is carried on

   Black Mass
          [Black Mass] n (1893): a travesty of the Christian mass ascribed
          to worshipers of Satan

   Black Muslim
          [Black Muslim] n (1960): a member of a chiefly black group
          that professes Islamic religious belief

   black nationalist
          [black nationalist] n, often cap B&N (1963): a member of
          a group of militant blacks who advocate separatism from
          the whites and the formation of self-governing black
          communities -- black nationalism n, often cap B&N

   black out
          [black out] vi (1921) 1: to become enveloped in darkness
          2: to undergo a temporary loss of vision, consciousness,
          or memory ~ vt 1: to cause to black out <black out the
          stage> 2: to make inoperative (as by a power failure)
          3 a: blot out, erase <blacked out the event from his
          mind> b: to suppress by censorship <black out the news>
          4: to impose a blackout on

   blackout
          [black.out] n (1913) 1 a: a turning off of the stage lighting
          to separate scenes in a play or end a play or skit; also:
          a skit that ends with a blackout b: a period of darkness
          enforced as a precaution against air raids c: a period
          of darkness (as in a city) caused by a failure of electrical
          power 2: a transient dulling or loss of vision, consciousness,
          or memory <an alcoholic ~> 3 a: a wiping out: obliteration
          b: a blotting out by censorship: suppression <a news
          ~> 4: a usu. temporary loss of a radio signal 5: the
          prohibition or restriction of the telecasting of a sports
          event

   Black Panther
          [Black Panther] n (1965): a member of an organization of
          militant American blacks

   black pepper
          [black pepper] n (bef. 12c): a spice that consists of the
          fruit of an East Indian plant (Piper nigrum) ground with
          the black husk still on

   blackpoll
          [black.poll] n (1783): a No. American warbler (Dendroica
          striata) with the male having a black cap when in breeding
          plumage

   black powder
          [black powder] n (ca. 1909): an explosive mixture of potassium
          nitrate or sodium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur used
          esp. in fireworks and as a propellant in antique firearms--compare
          gunpowder

   black power
          [black power] n, often cap B&P (1966): the mobilization of
          the political and economic power of American blacks esp.
          to compel respect for their rights and improve their
          condition

   black pudding
          [black pudding] n (1568) chiefly Brit: blood sausage

   black racer
          [black racer] n (1849): an American blacksnake (Coluber constrictor
          constrictor) common in the eastern U.S.

   black raspberry
          [black raspberry] n (ca. 1782): a raspberry (Rubus occidentalis)
          of eastern No. America that has a purplish black fruit
          and is the source of several cultivated varieties--called
          also blackcap

   black rhinoceros
          [ black rhinoceros] n (1850): a rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)
          of sub-Saharan Africa having a prehensile upper lip that
          protrudes in the middle--called also black rhino

   Black Rod
          [Black Rod] n (ca. 1607): the principal usher of the House
          of Lords

   black rot
          [black rot] n (1849): a bacterial or fungal rot of plants
          marked by dark brown discoloration

   black sheep
          [black sheep] n (1792): a discreditable member of a respectable
          group

   Blackshirt
          [Black.shirt] n (1922): a member of a fascist organization
          having a black shirt as a distinctive part of its uniform;
          esp: a member of the Italian Fascist party

   blacksmith
          [black.smith] n [fr. a distinction between black metal (iron)
          and white metal (tin)] (15c): a smith who forges iron
          -- black.smith.ing n

   black smoker
          [black smoker] n (1980): a vent in a geologically active
          region of the sea floor from which issues superheated
          water laden with minerals (as sulfide precipitates)

   blacksnake
          [black.snake] n (1634) 1: any of several snakes that are
          largely black or very dark in color; esp: either of two
          harmless snakes (Coluber constrictor and Elaphe obsoleta)
          of the U.S. 2: a long tapering braided whip of rawhide
          or leather

   black spot
          [black spot] n (ca. 1889): any of several bacterial or fungal
          diseases of plants characterized by black spots or blotches
          esp. on the leaves

   blacktail
          [black.tail] n (1828): black-tailed deer

   black-tailed deer
          [black-tailed deer] n (1806): mule deer; specif: one of a
          subspecies (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) esp. of
          British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington

   black tea
          [black tea] n (1789): tea that is dark in color from complete
          fermentation of the leaf before firing

   blackthorn
          [black.thorn] n (14c): a European spiny plum (Prunus spinosa)
          with hard wood and small white flowers

   black-tie
          [black-tie] adj (1933): characterized by or requiring the
          wearing of semiformal evening clothes consisting of a
          usu. black tie and tuxedo for men and a formal dress
          for women <a ~ dinner>--compare white-tie

   blacktop
          [black.top] n (1931): a bituminous material used esp. for
          surfacing roads; also: a surface paved with blacktop
          -- blacktop vt

   Blackwall hitch
          [Blackwall hitch] n [Blackwall, shipyard in London, England]
          (ca. 1862): a hitch for securing a rope to a hook--see
          knot illustration

   black walnut
          [black walnut] n (1612): a walnut (Juglans nigra) of eastern
          No. America with hard strong heavy dark brown wood and
          oily edible nuts; also: its wood or nut

   blackwater
          [black.wa.ter] n (1800): any of several diseases (as blackwater
          fever) characterized by dark-colored urine

   blackwater fever
          [blackwater fever] n (1884): a febrile complication of repeated
          malarial attacks that is characterized esp. by extensive
          kidney damage and urine discolored by heme from blood

   black widow
          [black widow] n (1915): a venomous New World spider (Latrodectus
          mactans) the female of which is black with an hourglass-shaped
          red mark on the underside of the abdomen

   blackwood
          [black.wood] n (1631): any of several hardwood trees (as
          the legumes Acacia melanoxylon and Dalbergia latifolia)
          or their dark-colored wood

   bladder
          [blad.der] n [ME, fr. OE blaedre; akin to OHG blatara bladder,
          OE blawan to blow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a membranous sac in
          animals that serves as the receptacle of a liquid or
          contains gas; esp: urinary bladder b: cyst 2b 2: something
          (as the rubber bag inside a football) resembling a bladder
          -- blad.der.like adj

   bladder campion
          [bladder campion] n (1817): an Old World campion (Silene
          vulgaris syn. S. cucubalus) with an inflated calyx introduced
          into temperate No. America

   bladdernut
          [blad.der.nut] n (1578): any of a genus (Staphylea of the
          family Staphyleaceae, the bladdernut family) of ornamental
          shrubs or small trees with panicles of small white flowers
          followed by inflated capsules; also: one of the capsules

   bladder worm
          [bladder worm] n (1858): a bladderlike larval tapeworm (as
          a cysticercus)

   bladderwort
          [blad.der.wort] n (ca. 1815): any of a genus (Utricularia
          of the family Lentibulariaceae, the bladderwort family)
          of chiefly aquatic plants with leaves usu. having insect-trapping
          bladders

   bladder wrack
          [bladder wrack] n (1810): a common rockweed (Fucus vesiculosus)
          used in preparing kelp and as a manure

   blade
          [blade] n [ME, fr. OE blaed; akin to OHG blat leaf, L folium,
          Gk phyllon, OE blowan to blossom--more at blow] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: leaf 1a(1); esp: the leaf of an herb or a grass
          b: the flat expanded part of a leaf as distinguished
          from the petiole 2: something resembling the blade of
          a leaf: as a: the broad flattened part of an oar or paddle
          b: an arm of a screw propeller, electric fan, or steam
          turbine c: the broad flat or concave part of a machine
          (as a bulldozer or snowplow) that comes into contact
          with the material to be moved d: a broad flat body part;
          specif: scapula--used chiefly in naming cuts of meat
          e: the flat portion of the tongue immediately behind
          the tip; also: this portion together with the tip 3 a:
          the cutting part of an implement b (1): sword (2): swordsman
          (3): a dashing lively man c: the runner of an ice skate
          -- blade.like adj

   bladed
          [blad.ed] adj (1578): having blades--often used in combination
          <five-bladed propeller>

   blae
          [blae] adj [ME bla, blo, fr. ON blar; akin to OHG blao blue--more
          at blue] (13c) chiefly Scot: dark blue or bluish gray

   blaeberry
          [blae.ber.ry] n (15c) chiefly Scot: whortleberry 1

   [1]blah
          [blah] n [imit.] (1918) 1 also blah-blah : silly or pretentious
          chatter or nonsense 2 pl [perh. influenced in meaning
          by blase]: a feeling of boredom, lethargy, or general
          dissatisfaction [2]blah adj (1923): lacking interest:
          mediocre <a ~ winter day>

   blain
          [blain] n [ME, fr. OE blegen; akin to MLG bleine blain, OE
          blawan to blow] (bef. 12c): an inflammatory swelling
          or sore

   blamable
          [blam.able] adj (14c): deserving blame: reprehensible syn
          see blameworthy -- blam.ably adv

   [1]blame
          [blame] vt blamed ; blam.ing [ME, fr. OF blamer, fr. LL blasphemare
          to blaspheme, fr. Gk blasphemein] (13c) 1: to find fault with:
          censure <the right to praise or ~ a literary work> 2 a: to hold
          responsible <they ~ me for everything> b: to place responsibility
          for <~s it on me> -- blam.er n -- to blame : at fault: responsible
          usage Use of blame in sense 2b with on has occas. been disparaged
          as wrong. Such disparagement is without basis; blame on occurs
          as frequently in carefully edited prose as blame for. Both forms
          are standard. [2]blame n (13c) 1: an expression of disapproval
          or reproach: censure 2 a: a state of being blameworthy: culpability
          b archaic: fault, sin 3: responsibility for something believed
          to deserve censure <they must share the ~> -- blame.less adj
          -- blame.less.ly adv -- blame.less.ness n

   blameful
          [blame.ful] adj (14c): blamable -- blame.ful.ly adv

   blameworthy
          [blame.wor.thy] adj (14c): being at fault: deserving blame
          -- blame.wor.thi.ness n syn blameworthy, blamable, guilty,
          culpable mean deserving reproach or punishment. blameworthy
          and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility
          <conduct adjudged blameworthy> <an accident for which
          no one is blamable>. guilty implies responsibility for
          or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave
          error or misdoing <guilty of a breach of etiquette>.
          culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote
          malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence
          <culpable neglect>.

   blanc fixe
          [blanc fixe] n [F, lit., fixed white] (1866): barium sulfate
          prepared as a heavy white powder and used esp. as a filler
          in paper, rubber, and linoleum or as a pigment

   blanch
          [blanch] vb [ME blaunchen, fr. MF blanchir, fr. OF blanche,
          fem. of blanc, adj., white--more at blank] vt (15c):
          to take the color out of: as a: to bleach by excluding
          light <~ celery> b: to scald or parboil in water or steam
          in order to remove the skin from, whiten, or stop enzymatic
          action in (as food for freezing) c: to make ashen or
          pale <fear ~es the cheek> ~ vi: to become white or pale
          -- blanch.er n

   blancmange
          [blanc.mange] n [ME blancmanger, fr. MF blanc manger, lit.,
          white food] (14c): a usu. sweetened and flavored dessert
          made from gelatinous or starchy ingredients and milk

   bland
          [bland] adj [L blandus] (1661) 1 a: smooth and soothing in
          manner or quality <a ~ smile> b: exhibiting no personal
          concern or embarrassment: unperturbed <a ~ confession
          of guilt> 2 a: not irritating, stimulating, or invigorating:
          soothing b: dull, insipid <~ stories with little plot
          or action> syn see suave -- bland.ly adv -- bland.ness
          n

   blandish
          [blan.dish] vb [ME, fr. MF blandiss-, stem of blandir, fr.
          L blandiri, fr. blandus mild, flattering] vt (14c): to
          coax with flattery: cajole ~ vi: to act or speak in a
          flattering or coaxing manner -- blan.dish.er n

   blandishment
          [blan.dish.ment] n (1591): something that tends to coax or
          cajole: allurement--often used in pl.

   [1]blank
          [blank] adj [ME, fr. MF blanc colorless, white, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG blanch white; prob. akin to L flagrare to
          burn--more at black] (14c) 1 archaic: colorless 2 a:
          appearing or causing to appear dazed, confounded, or
          nonplussed <stared in ~ dismay> b: expressionless <a
          ~ stare> 3 a: devoid of covering or content; esp: free
          from writing or marks <~ paper> b: having spaces to be
          filled in c: lacking interest, variety, or change <~
          hours> 4: absolute, unqualified <a ~ refusal> 5: unfinished;
          esp: having a plain or unbroken surface where an opening
          is usual <a ~ key> <a ~ arch> syn see empty -- blank.ly
          adv -- blank.ness n [2]blank n (1554) 1 obs: the bull's-eye
          of a target 2 a: an empty space (as on a paper) b: a
          paper with spaces for the entry of data <an order ~>
          3 a: a piece of material prepared to be made into something
          (as a key) by a further operation b: a cartridge loaded
          with propellant and a seal but no projectile 4 a: an
          empty or featureless place or space <my mind was a ~>
          b: a vacant or uneventful period <a long ~ in history>
          5: a dash substituting for an omitted word [3]blank vt
          (ca. 1765) 1 a: obscure, obliterate <~ out a line> b:
          to stop access to: seal <~ off a tunnel> 2: to keep (an
          opposing team) from scoring <were ~ed for eight innings>
          ~ vi 1: fade--usu. used with out <the music ~ed out>
          2: to become confused or abstracted--often used with
          out <his mind ~ed out momentarily>

   blank check
          [blank check] n (1884) 1: complete freedom of action or control:
          carte blanche 2: a signed check with the amount unspecified

   [1]blanket
          [blan.ket] n [ME, fr. OF blankete, fr. blanc] (14c) 1 a:
          a large usu. oblong piece of woven fabric used as a bed
          covering b: a similar piece of fabric used as a body
          covering (as for an animal) <a horse ~> 2: something
          that resembles a blanket <a ~ of fog> <a ~ of gloom>
          3: a rubber or plastic sheet on the cylinder in an offset
          press that transfers the image to the surface being printed
          -- blan.ket.like adj [2]blanket vt (1605) 1: to cover
          with or as if with a blanket <new grass ~s the slope>
          2 a: to cover so as to obscure, interrupt, suppress,
          or extinguish <~ a fire with foam> b: to apply or cause
          to apply to uniformly despite wide separation or diversity
          among the elements included <freight rates that ~ a region>
          c: to cause to be included <automatically ~ed into the
          insurance program> [3]blanket adj (1886) 1: covering
          all members of a group or class <a ~ wage increase> 2:
          effective or applicable in all instances

   blanketflower
          [blan.ket.flow.er] n (1879): gaillardia

   blanket stitch
          [blanket stitch] n (1880): a buttonhole stitch with spaces
          of variable width used on materials too thick to hem
          -- blanket-stitch vt

   blank verse
          [blank verse] n (1588): unrhymed verse; specif: unrhymed
          iambic pentameter verse

   blanquette
          [blan.quette] n [F, fr. Prov blanqueto, fr. blanc white,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG blanch white] (1727): a stew
          of light meat or seafood in a white sauce <~ of veal>
          <~ of lobster>

   [1]blare
          [blare] vb blared ; blar.ing [ME bleren; akin to MD bleren
          to shout] vi (15c): to sound loud and strident <radios
          blaring> ~ vt 1: to sound or utter raucously <sat blaring
          the car horn> 2: to proclaim flamboyantly <headlines
          blared his defeat> [2]blare n (1809) 1: a loud strident
          noise 2: dazzling often garish brilliance 3: flamboyance

   blarney
          [blar.ney] n [Blarney stone, a stone in Blarney Castle, near
          Cork, Ireland, held to bestow skill in flattery on those
          who kiss it] (1796) 1: skillful flattery: blandishment
          2: nonsense, humbug -- blarney vb

   blase
          [bla.se] adj [F] (1819) 1: apathetic to pleasure or excitement
          as a result of excessive indulgence or enjoyment: world-weary
          2: sophisticated, worldly-wise 3: unconcerned syn see
          sophisticated

   blaspheme
          [blas.pheme] vb blas.phemed ; blas.phem.ing [ME blasfemen,
          fr. LL blasphemare--more at blame] vt (14c) 1: to speak
          of or address with irreverence 2: revile, abuse ~ vi:
          to utter blasphemy -- blas.phem.er n

   blasphemous
          [blas.phe.mous] adj (15c): impiously irreverent: profane
          -- blas.phe.mous.ly adv -- blas.phe.mous.ness n

   blasphemy
          [blas.phe.my] n, pl -mies (13c) 1 a: the act of insulting
          or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God b: the
          act of claiming the attributes of deity 2: irreverence
          toward something considered sacred or inviolable

   -blast
          [-blast] n comb form [NL -blastus, fr. Gk blastos bud, shoot,
          fr. blastanein to bud, sprout]: formative unit esp. of
          living matter: germ: cell: cell layer <epiblast>

   blast-
          [blast-] or blasto- comb form [G, fr. Gk, fr. blastos]: bud:
          budding: germ <blastodisc> <blastula>

   [1]blast
          [blast] n [ME, fr. OE blaest; akin to OHG blast blast, blasan
          to blow, OE blawan--more at blow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a violent
          gust of wind b: the effect or accompaniment (as sleet)
          of such a gust 2: the sound produced by an impulsion
          of air through a wind instrument or whistle 3: something
          resembling a gust of wind: as a: a stream of air or gas
          forced through a hole b: a vehement outburst c: the continuous
          blowing to which a charge of ore or metal is subjected
          in a blast furnace 4 a: a sudden pernicious influence
          or effect <the ~ of a huge epidemic> b: a disease of
          plants that causes the foliage or flowers to wither 5
          a: an explosion or violent detonation b: the violent
          effect produced in the vicinity of an explosion that
          consists of a wave of increased atmospheric pressure
          followed by a wave of decreased atmospheric pressure
          6: speed, capacity, operation <go full ~> <in full ~>
          7: an enjoyably exciting experience, occasion, or event;
          esp: party [2]blast vi (14c) 1: blare <music ~ing from
          the radio> 2: to make a vigorous attack 3 a: to use an
          explosive b: shoot 4: to hit a golf ball out of a sand
          trap with explosive force ~ vt 1 a: to injure by or as
          if by the action of wind b: blight 2 a: to shatter by
          or as if by an explosive b: to remove, open, or form
          by or as if by an explosive c: shoot 3: to attack vigorously
          4: to cause to blast off <will ~ themselves from the
          moon's surface> 5: to hit vigorously and effectively
          -- blast.er n

   blasted
          [blast.ed] adj (1552) 1: damaged by or as if by an explosive,
          lightning, wind, or supernatural force <upon this ~ heath
          --Shak.> <a ~ apple tree> 2: damned, detestable <this
          ~ weather>

   blastema
          [blas.te.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL, fr. Gk blastema offshoot,
          fr. blastanein] (ca. 1823): a mass of living substance
          capable of growth and differentiation -- blas.te.mal
          or blas.te.mat.ic adj

   blast furnace
          [blast furnace] n (1706): a furnace in which combustion is
          forced by a current of air under pressure; esp: one for
          the reduction of iron ore

   -blastic
          [-blastic] adj comb form [ISV, fr. -blast]: having (such
          or so many) buds, germs, cells, or cell layers <diploblastic>

   blastie
          [blast.ie] n [Sc blast to wither, fr. [2]blast] (1787) Scot:
          an ugly little creature

   blastment
          [blast.ment] n (1602) archaic: a blighting influence

   blastocoel
          [blas.to.coel] or blas.to.coele n [ISV] (1877): the cavity
          of a blastula--see blastula illustration -- blas.to.coe.lic
          adj

   blastocyst
          [blas.to.cyst] n (ca. 1881): the modified blastula of a placental
          mammal

   blastoderm
          [blas.to.derm] n [G, fr. blast- + -derm] (ca. 1843): a blastodisc
          after completion of cleavage and formation of the blastocoel

   blastodermic vesicle
          [blas.to.der.mic vesicle] n (ca. 1860): blastocyst

   blastodisc
          [blas.to.disc] n (ca. 1881): the embryo-forming portion of
          an egg with discoidal cleavage usu. appearing as a small
          disc on the upper surface of the yolk mass--see egg illustration

   blast off
          [blast off] vi (1951): take off 2d--used esp. of rocket-propelled
          missiles and vehicles

   blastoff
          [blast.off] n (1951): a blasting off (as of a rocket)

   blastomere
          [blas.to.mere] n [ISV] (1877): a cell produced during cleavage
          of a fertilized egg

   blastomycosis
          [blas.to.my.co.sis] n [NL, fr. Blastomyces, fungus genus,
          fr. blast- + Gk mykes fungus; akin to Gk myxa mucus--more
          at mucus] (ca. 1900): any of several fungal infections;
          esp: an infectious disease caused by a fungus (Blastomyces
          dermtitides) that affects esp. the lungs and skin

   blastopore
          [blas.to.pore] n (1880): the opening of the archenteron --
          blas.to.por.ic adj

   blastospore
          [blas.to.spore] n [blast- + spore] (ca. 1923): a fungal spore
          produced by budding

   blastula
          [blas.tu.la] n, pl -las or -lae [NL, fr. Gk blastos] (1887):
          an early metazoan embryo typically having the form of
          a hollow fluid-filled rounded cavity bounded by a single
          layer of cells--compare gastrula, morula -- blas.tu.la.tion
          n

   blat
          [blat] vb blat.ted ; blat.ting [perh. alter. of bleat] vi
          (1846) 1: to cry like a calf or sheep: bleat 2 a: to
          make a raucous noise b: blab ~ vt: to utter loudly or
          foolishly: blurt -- blat n

   blatancy
          [bla.tan.cy] n, pl -cies (1610) 1: the quality or state of
          being blatant 2: something that is blatant

   blatant
          [bla.tant] adj [perh. fr. L blatire to chatter] (ca. 1656)
          1: noisy esp. in a vulgar or offensive manner: clamorous
          2: completely obvious, conspicuous, or obtrusive esp.
          in a crass or offensive manner: brazen syn see vociferous
          -- bla.tant.ly adv

   blate
          [blate] adj [ME] (1535) chiefly Scot: timid, sheepish

   [1]blather
          [blath.er] vi blath.ered ; blath.er.ing [ON blathra; akin
          to MHG blodern to chatter] (1524): to talk foolishly
          at length--often used with on -- blath.er.er n [2]blather
          n (1719) 1: voluble nonsensical or inconsequential talk
          or writing 2: stir, commotion

   blatherskite
          [blath.er.skite] n [blather + Sc dial. skate a contemptible
          person] (ca. 1650) 1: a person who blathers a lot 2:
          nonsense, blather

   blatter
          [blat.ter] vi [perh. fr. L blaterare to chatter] (ca. 1555)
          dial: to talk noisily and fast

   blaw
          [blaw] vb blawed ; blawn ; blaw.ing [ME (northern dial.)
          blawen, fr. OE blawan] (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: blow

   blaxploitation
          [blax.ploi.ta.tion] n [blend of blax- (alter. of blacks)
          and exploitation] (1972): the exploitation of blacks
          by producers of black-oriented films

   [1]blaze
          [blaze] n [ME blase, fr. OE blaese torch] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          an intensely burning fire b: intense direct light often
          accompanied by heat <the ~ of TV lights> c: an active
          burning; esp: a sudden bursting forth of flame 2: something
          that resembles the blaze of a fire: as a: a dazzling
          display <a ~ of color> b: a sudden outburst <a ~ of fury>
          c pl: hell <go to ~s> <as hot as ~s> [2]blaze vi blazed
          ; blaz.ing (13c) 1 a: to burn brightly <the sun blazed
          overhead> b: to flare up: flame <inflation blazed up>
          2: to be conspicuously brilliant or resplendent <fields
          blazing with flowers> 3: to shoot rapidly and repeatedly--usu.
          used with away [3]blaze vt blazed ; blaz.ing [ME blasen,
          fr. MD blasen to blow; akin to OHG blast blast] (1541):
          to make public or conspicuous [4]blaze n [G Blas, fr.
          OHG plas; akin to OE blaese] (1639) 1 a: a usu. white
          stripe down the center of the face of an animal b: a
          white or gray streak in the hair of the head 2: a trail
          marker; esp: a mark made on a tree by chipping off a
          piece of the bark [5]blaze vt blazed ; blaz.ing (1750)
          1: to mark (as a trail) with blazes 2: to lead in some
          direction or activity <~ new trails in education>

   blazer
          [blaz.er] n (ca. 1635) 1: one that blazes 2: a sports jacket
          often with notched collar and patch pockets

   blazing
          [blaz.ing] adj (1596): of outstanding power, speed, heat,
          or intensity <~ eyes> <a ~ fastball> <~ gunfire> -- blaz.ing.ly
          adv

   blazing star
          [blazing star] n (15c) 1 archaic: comet 2: any of various
          plants having conspicuous flower clusters or star-shaped
          flowers: as a: any of a genus (Liatris) of No. American
          composite herbs with spikes of rosy-purple rayless flowers--called
          also button snakeroot b: any of several No. American rough-leaved
          herbs (genus Mentzelia of the family Losaceae)

   [1]blazon
          [bla.zon] n [ME blason, fr. MF] (14c) 1 a: armorial bearings:
          coat of arms b: the proper description or representation
          of heraldic or armorial bearings 2: ostentatious display
          [2]blazon vt bla.zoned ; bla.zon.ing (1534) 1: to publish
          widely: proclaim 2 a: to describe (heraldic or armorial
          bearings) in technical terms b: to represent (armorial
          bearings) in drawing or engraving 3 a: display b: deck,
          adorn <the town was ~ed with flags> -- bla.zon.er n --
          blazoning n

   blazonry
          [bla.zon.ry] n, pl -ries (1622) 1 a: blazon 1b b: blazon
          1a 2: a dazzling display

   bld
          [bld] abbreviation blond, blood

   bldg
          [bldg] abbreviation building

   bldr
          [bldr] abbreviation builder

   [1]bleach
          [bleach] vb [ME blechen, fr. OE blaecean; akin to OE blac
          pale; prob. akin to L flagrare to burn--more at black]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1: to remove color or stains from 2: to
          make whiter or lighter esp. by physical or chemical removal
          of color ~ vi: to grow white or lose color -- bleach.able
          adj [2]bleach n (1887) 1: the act or process of bleaching
          2: a preparation used in bleaching 3: the degree of whiteness
          obtained by bleaching

   bleacher
          [bleach.er] n (1550) 1: one that bleaches or is used in bleaching
          2: a usu. uncovered stand of tiered planks providing
          seating for spectators--usu. used in pl. -- bleach.er.ite
          n

   bleaching powder
          [bleaching powder] n (ca. 1846): a white powder consisting
          chiefly of calcium hydroxide, calcium chloride, and calcium
          hypochlorite and used as a bleach, disinfectant, or deodorant

   bleak
          [bleak] adj [ME bleke pale; prob. akin to OE blac] (1574)
          1: exposed and barren and often windswept 2: cold, raw
          <a ~ November evening> 3 a: lacking in warmth, life,
          or kindliness: grim b: not hopeful or encouraging: depressing
          <a ~ outlook> c: severely simple or austere -- bleak.ish
          adj -- bleak.ly adv -- bleak.ness n

   [1]blear
          [blear] vt [ME bleren] (14c) 1: to make (the eyes) sore or
          watery 2: dim, blur [2]blear adj (14c) 1: dim with water
          or tears 2: obscure to the view or imagination

   blear-eyed
          [blear-eyed] adj (14c): bleary-eyed

   bleary
          [bleary] adj (14c) 1 of the eyes or vision: dull or dimmed
          esp. from fatigue or sleep 2: poorly outlined or defined:
          dim 3: tired to the point of exhaustion -- blear.i.ly
          adv -- blear.i.ness n

   bleary-eyed
          [bleary-eyed] adj (ca. 1927): having the eyes dimmed and
          watery (as from fatigue, drink, or emotion)

   [1]bleat
          [bleat] vb [ME bleten, fr. OE blaetan; akin to L flere to
          weep, OE bellan to roar--more at bellow] vi (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to utter the natural cry of a sheep or goat or a
          similar sound b: whimper 2 a: to talk complainingly or
          with a whine b: blather ~ vt: to utter in a bleating
          manner -- bleat.er n [2]bleat n (ca. 1505) 1: the cry
          of a sheep or goat or a similar sound 2: a feeble outcry,
          protest, or complaint

   bleb
          [bleb] n [perh. alter. of blob] (1607) 1: a small blister
          2: bubble; also: a small particle -- bleb.by adj

   [1]bleed
          [bleed] vb bled ; bleed.ing [ME bleden, fr. OE bledan, fr.
          blod blood] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to emit or lose blood
          b: to sacrifice one's blood esp. in battle 2: to feel
          anguish, pain, or sympathy <a heart that ~s at a friend's
          misfortune> 3: to escape by oozing or flowing (as from
          a wound) 4: to give up some constituent (as sap or dye)
          by exuding or diffusing it 5 a: to pay out or give money
          b: to have money extorted 6: to be printed so as to run
          off one or more edges of the page after trimming ~ vt
          1: to remove or draw blood from 2: to get or extort money
          from esp. over a prolonged period 3: to draw sap from
          (a tree) 4 a: to extract or let out some or all of a
          contained substance from <~ a brake line> b: to extract
          or cause to escape from a container c: to diminish gradually--usu.
          used with off <a pilot ~ing off airspeed> 5: to cause (as a printed
          illustration) to bleed -- bleed white : to drain of blood
          or resources [2]bleed n (ca. 1937): printed matter (as
          an illustration) that bleeds; also: the part of a bleed trimmed off

   bleeder
          [bleed.er] n (1803) 1: one that bleeds; esp: hemophiliac
          2 Brit: rotter; also: bloke

   bleeding
          [bleed.ing] adj or adv (1858) chiefly Brit: bloody--used
          as an intensive

   bleeding heart
          [bleeding heart] n (1691) 1: a garden plant (Dicentra spectabilis)
          of the fumitory family with racemes of usu. deep pink drooping
          heart-shaped flowers; broadly: any of several plants (genus
          Dicentra) 2: a person who shows extravagant sympathy esp. for
          an object of alleged persecution

   [1]bleep
          [bleep] n [imit.] (1953): a short high-pitched sound (as
          from electronic equipment) [2]bleep vt (1968): blip [3]bleep
          interj (1970)--used in place of an expletive

   [1]blemish
          [blem.ish] vt [ME blemisshen, fr. MF blesmiss-, stem of blesmir
          to make pale, wound] (14c): to spoil by a flaw [2]blemish
          n (1535): a noticeable imperfection; esp: one that seriously
          impairs appearance

   [1]blench
          [blench] vi [ME, to deceive, blench, fr. OE blencan to deceive;
          akin to ON blekkja to impose on] (13c): to draw back
          or turn aside from lack of courage: flinch syn see recoil
          [2]blench vb [alter. of blanch] (1813): bleach, whiten

   [1]blend
          [blend] vb blend.ed also blent ; blend.ing [ME, modif. of
          ON blanda; akin to OE blandan to mix, Lith blandus impure,
          cloudy] vt (14c) 1: mix; esp: to combine or associate
          so that the separate constituents or the line of demarcation
          cannot be distinguished 2: to prepare by thoroughly intermingling
          different varieties or grades ~ vi 1 a: to mingle intimately
          or unobtrusively b: to combine into an integrated whole
          2: to produce a harmonious effect syn see mix [2]blend
          n (1883) 1: something produced by blending: as a: a product
          prepared by blending b: a word (as brunch) produced by
          combining other words or parts of words 2: a group of
          two or more consecutive consonants that begin a syllable

   blende
          [blende] n [G, fr. blenden to blind, fr. OHG blenten; akin
          to OE blind] (ca. 1753): sphalerite

   blended whiskey
          [blended whiskey] n (1940): whiskey blended from two or more
          straight whiskeys or from whiskey and neutral spirits

   blender
          [blend.er] n (ca. 1798): one that blends; esp: an electric
          appliance for grinding or mixing <a food ~>

   blending inheritance
          [blending inheritance] n (1922): the expression in offspring
          of phenotypic characters (as pink flower color from red
          and white parents) intermediate between those of the
          parents; also: inheritance in a now discarded theory
          in which the genetic material of offspring was held to
          be a uniform blend of that of the parents

   blenny
          [blen.ny] n, pl blennies [L blennius, a sea fish, fr. Gk
          blennos] (1774): any of numerous usu. small and elongated
          marine fishes (esp. families Blenniidae and Clinidae)
          including both scaled and scaleless forms

   blephar-
          [blephar-] or blepharo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. blepharon]
          1: eyelid <blepharospasm> 2: cilium: flagellum <blepharoplast>

   blepharoplast
          [bleph.a.ro.plast] n (1897): a basal body esp. of a flagellated
          cell

   blepharoplasty
          [bleph.a.ro.plas.ty] n (ca. 1881): plastic surgery on the
          eyelid esp. to remove fatty or excess tissue

   blepharospasm
          [bleph.a.ro.spasm] n (1872): spasmodic winking from involuntary
          contraction of the orbicular muscle of the eyelids

   blesbok
          [bles.bok] n [Afrik, fr. bles blaze + bok male antelope]
          (1824): a So. African antelope (Damaliscus dorcas) having
          a large white patch down the center of the face

   bless
          [bless] vt blessed also blest ; bless.ing [ME, fr. OE bletsian,
          fr. blod blood; fr. the use of blood in consecration]
          (bef. 12c) 1: to hallow or consecrate by religious rite
          or word 2: to hallow with the sign of the cross 3: to
          invoke divine care for <~ your heart> 4 a: praise, glorify
          <~ his holy name> b: to speak well of: approve 5: to
          confer prosperity or happiness upon 6 archaic: protect,
          preserve 7: endow, favor <~ed with athletic ability>

   blessed
          [bless.ed] also blest adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: held in reverence:
          venerated <the ~ saints> b: honored in worship: hallowed
          <the ~ Trinity> c: beatific <a ~ visitation> 2: of or
          enjoying happiness; specif: enjoying the bliss of heaven--used
          as a title for a beatified person 3: bringing pleasure,
          contentment, or good fortune 4--used as an intensive
          <no one gave us a ~ penny --Saturday Rev.> -- bless.ed.ly
          adv -- bless.ed.ness n

   Blessed Sacrament
          [Bless.ed Sacrament] n (15c): the Communion elements; specif:
          the consecrated host

   blessing
          [bless.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the act or words of one that
          blesses b: approval, encouragement 2: a thing conducive
          to happiness or welfare 3: grace said at a meal

   blether
          [bleth.er] var of blather

   BLEVE
          [BLEVE] abbreviation boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion

   blew
          [blew] past of blow

   [1]blight
          [blight] n [origin unknown] (1611) 1 a: a disease or injury
          of plants resulting in withering, cessation of growth,
          and death of parts without rotting b: an organism that
          causes blight 2: something that frustrates plans or hopes
          3: something that impairs or destroys 4: a deteriorated
          condition <urban ~> [2]blight vt (1695) 1: to affect
          (as a plant) with blight 2: to cause to deteriorate ~
          vi: to suffer from or become affected with blight

   blighter
          [blight.er] n (1822) 1: one that blights 2 chiefly Brit a:
          a disliked or contemptible person b: fellow, guy

   blimp
          [blimp] n [imit.; perh. fr. the sound made by striking the
          gas bag with the thumb] (1916) 1: a nonrigid airship
          2 cap: colonel blimp

   blimpish
          [blimp.ish] adj, often cap (1938): of, relating to, or suggesting
          a Colonel Blimp -- blimp.ish.ly adv -- blimp.ish.ness
          n

   blin
          [blin] n, pl bli.ni or bli.nis [Russ] (1888): a thin often
          buckwheat pancake usu. filled (as with sour cream) and
          folded

   [1]blind
          [blind] adj [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG blint blind, OE blandan
          to mix--more at blend] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): sightless
          (2): having less than 1/10 of normal vision in the more
          efficient eye when refractive defects are fully corrected
          by lenses b: of or relating to sightless persons 2 a:
          unable or unwilling to discern or judge <~ to a lover's
          faults> b: unquestioning <~ loyalty> <~ faith> 3 a: having
          no regard to rational discrimination, guidance, or restriction
          <~ choice> b: lacking a directing or controlling consciousness
          <~ chance> c: drunk 4: made or done without sight of
          certain objects or knowledge of certain facts that could
          serve for guidance <a ~ taste test>; esp: performed solely
          by the aid of instruments within an airplane <a ~ landing>
          5: defective: as a: lacking a growing point or producing
          leaves instead of flowers b: lacking a complete or legible
          address <~ mail> 6 a: difficult to discern, make out,
          or discover b: hidden from sight: covered <~ seam> 7:
          having but one opening or outlet <~ sockets> 8: having
          no opening for light or passage: blank <~ wall> -- blind.ly
          adv -- blind.ness n [2]blind vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to make
          blind b: dazzle 2 a: to withhold light from b: hide,
          conceal -- blind.ing.ly adv [3]blind n (1702) 1: something
          to hinder sight or keep out light: as a: a window shutter
          b: a roller window shade c: venetian blind d: blinder
          2: a place of concealment; esp: a concealing enclosure
          from which one may shoot game or observe wildlife 3 a:
          something put forward for the purpose of misleading:
          subterfuge b: a person who acts as a decoy or distraction
          [4]blind adv (ca. 1775) 1: blindly: as a: to the point
          of insensibility <~ drunk> b: without seeing outside
          an airplane <fly ~> 2--used as an intensive <was robbed
          ~>

   blind alley
          [blind alley] n (1583): a fruitless or mistaken course or
          direction

   blind date
          [blind date] n (1925) 1: a date between two persons who have
          not previously met 2: either participant in a blind date

   blinder
          [blind.er] n (1809) 1: either of two flaps on a horse's bridle
          to keep it from seeing objects at its sides 2 pl: a limitation
          or obstruction to sight or discernment

   blindfish
          [blind.fish] n (1843): any of several small fishes with vestigial
          functionless eyes found usu. in the waters of caves

   [1]blindfold
          [blind.fold] vt [alter. of ME blindfellen, blindfelden to
          strike blind, blindfold, fr. blind + fellen to fell]
          (1599) 1: to cover the eyes of with or as if with a bandage
          2: to hinder from seeing; esp: to keep from comprehension
          -- blindfold adj [2]blindfold n (1880) 1: a bandage for
          covering the eyes 2: something that obscures mental or
          physical vision

   blind gut
          [blind gut] n (15c): a digestive cavity open at only one
          end; esp: the cecum of the large intestine

   blindman's buff
          [blind.man's buff] n (1600): a group game in which a blindfolded
          player tries to catch and identify another player--called
          also blindman's bluff

   blind pig
          [blind pig] n (1887): blind tiger

   blind side
          [blind side] n (1606) 1: the side away from which one is
          looking 2: the side on which one that is blind in one
          eye cannot see

   blindside
          [blind.side] vt (1968) 1: to hit unexpectedly from or as
          if from the blind side 2: to surprise unpleasantly

   blind spot
          [blind spot] n (1872) 1 a: the nearly circular light-colored
          area at the back of the retina where the optic nerve
          enters the eyeball and which is not sensitive to light--called
          also optic disk--see eye illustration b: a portion of
          a field that cannot be seen or inspected with available
          equipment 2: an area in which one fails to exercise judgment
          or discrimination

   blind tiger
          [blind tiger] n (1857): a place that sells intoxicants illegally

   blind trust
          [blind trust] n (1969): an arrangement in which the financial
          holdings of a person in an influential position (as a
          government official) are placed in the control of a fiduciary
          in order to avoid a possible conflict of interest

   blindworm
          [blind.worm] n (15c): slowworm

   [1]blink
          [blink] vb [ME, to open one's eyes] vi (14c) 1 a obs: to
          look glancingly: peep b: to look with half-shut eyes
          c: to close and open the eyes involuntarily (as when
          dazzled) 2: to shine dimly or intermittently 3 a: to
          look with too little concern b: to look with surprise
          or dismay ~ vt 1 a: to cause to blink b: to remove (as
          tears) from the eye by blinking 2: to deny recognition
          to [2]blink n (1594) 1 chiefly Scot: glimpse, glance
          2: glimmer, sparkle 3: a usu. involuntary shutting and
          opening of the eye 4: iceblink -- on the blink : in or
          into a disabled or useless condition

   [1]blinker
          [blink.er] n (1636) 1: one that blinks; esp: a light that
          flashes off and on (as for the directing of traffic or
          the coded signaling of messages) 2 a: blinder 1 b: a
          cloth hood with shades projecting at the sides of the
          eye openings used on skittish racehorses--usu. used in
          pl. 3 pl: blinder 2 [2]blinker vt (1865): to put blinders
          on

   blinkered
          [blink.ered] adj (1867) 1: limited in scope or understanding:
          narrow-minded 2: fitted with blinders

   blintze
          [blin.tze] or blintz n [Yiddish blintse, of Slavic origin;
          akin to Ukrainian mlynets', dim. of mlyn pancake] (1903):
          a thin usu. wheat-flour pancake folded to form a casing
          and then sauteed or baked

   [1]blip
          [blip] n [imit.] (1945) 1: a trace on an oscilloscope; esp:
          a spot on a radar screen 2: a short crisp sound 3: an
          interruption of the sound received in a radio or television
          program or occurring in a recording as a result of blipping
          4: a transient sharp movement up or down (as of a quantity
          commonly shown on a graph) [2]blip vt blipped ; blip.ping
          (1968): to remove (recorded sound) from a recording so
          that there is an interruption of the sound in the reproduction
          <a censor blipped the swearwords>

   bliss
          [bliss] n [ME blisse, fr. OE bliss; akin to OE blithe blithe]
          (bef. 12c) 1: complete happiness 2: paradise, heaven

   blissed-out
          [blissed-out] adj (1973): being in a state of bliss: ecstatic

   blissful
          [bliss.ful] adj (12c) 1: full of, marked by, or causing bliss
          2: happily benighted <~ ignorance> -- bliss.ful.ly adv
          -- bliss.ful.ness n

   [1]blister
          [blis.ter] n [ME, modif. of OF or MD; OF blostre leprous
          nodule, fr. MD bluyster blister; akin to OE blaest blast]
          (14c) 1: an elevation of the epidermis containing watery
          liquid 2: an enclosed raised spot (as in paint) resembling
          a blister 3: an agent that causes blistering 4: a disease
          of plants marked by large swollen patches on the leaves
          5: any of various structures that bulge out (as a gunner's
          compartment on a bomber) -- blis.tery adj [2]blister
          vb blis.tered ; blis.ter.ing vi (15c): to become affected
          with a blister ~ vt 1: to raise a blister on 2: lambaste
          2

   blister beetle
          [blister beetle] n (1816): a beetle (as the Spanish fly)
          used medicinally dried and powdered to raise blisters
          on the skin; broadly: any of a family (Meloidae) of soft-bodied
          beetles

   blister copper
          [blister copper] n (1861): metallic copper of a black blistered
          surface that is the product of converting copper matte
          and is about 98.5 to 99.5 percent pure

   blistering
          [blis.ter.ing] adj (1562): extremely intense or severe --
          blistering adv -- blis.ter.ing.ly adv

   blister pack
          [blister pack] n (1955): a package holding and displaying
          merchandise in a clear plastic case sealed to a sheet
          of cardboard

   blister rust
          [blister rust] n (1916): any of several diseases of pines
          that are caused by rust fungi (genus Cronartium) in the
          aecial stage and that affect the sapwood and inner bark
          and produce blisters externally

   blithe
          [blithe] adj blith.er ; blith.est [ME, fr. OE blithe; akin
          to OHG blidi joyous] (bef. 12c) 1: of a happy lighthearted
          character or disposition 2: lacking due thought or consideration:
          casual, heedless <~ unconcern> syn see merry -- blithe.ly
          adv

   blither
          [blith.er] vi or n [by alter.] (1868): blather

   blithesome
          [blithe.some] adj (1724): gay, merry -- blithe.some.ly adv

   BLitt
          [BLitt] or BLit [ML baccalaureus litterarum] abbreviation
          bachelor of letters, bachelor of literature

   blitz
          [blitz] n (ca. 1939) 1 a: blitzkrieg 1 b (1): an intensive
          aerial campaign (2): air raid 2 a: an intensive nonmilitary
          campaign: a sudden overwhelming bombardment <an advertising
          ~> b: a rush of the passer by the defensive linebackers
          in football -- blitz vb

   blitzkrieg
          [blitz.krieg] n [G, fr. Blitz lightning + Krieg war] (1939)
          1: war conducted with great speed and force; specif:
          a violent surprise offensive by massed air forces and
          mechanized ground forces in close coordination 2: blitz
          2a

   blizzard
          [bliz.zard] n [origin unknown] (1870) 1: a long severe snowstorm
          2: an intensely strong cold wind filled with fine snow
          3: an overwhelming rush or deluge <the ~ of mail at Christmas>
          -- bliz.zardy also bliz.zard.ly adj

   blk
          [blk] abbreviation black, block, bulk

   BLM
          [BLM] abbreviation Bureau of Land Management

   [1]bloat
          [bloat] adj [alter. of ME blout] (14c): bloated, puffy [2]bloat
          vt (1677) 1: to make turgid or swollen 2: to fill to
          capacity or overflowing ~ vi: swell [3]bloat n (1860)
          1: one that is bloated 2: a flatulent digestive disturbance
          of domestic animals and esp. cattle marked by abdominal
          bloating

   bloated
          [bloat.ed] adj (1711) 1: being much larger than what is warranted
          <a ~ estimate> 2: obnoxiously vain

   [1]bloater
          [bloat.er] n [obs. bloat (to cure)] (1832): a large fat herring
          or mackerel lightly salted and briefly smoked [2]bloater
          n [[2]bloat] (1896): a small but common cisco (Coregonus
          hoyi) of the Great Lakes

   [1]blob
          [blob] n [ME] (15c) 1 a: a small drop or lump of something
          viscid or thick b: a daub or spot of color 2: something
          ill-defined or amorphous [2]blob vt blobbed ; blob.bing
          (15c): to mark with blobs: splotch

   bloc
          [bloc] n [F, lit., block] (1903) 1 a: a temporary combination
          of parties in a legislative assembly b: a group of legislators
          who act together for some common purpose irrespective
          of party lines 2 a: a combination of persons, groups,
          or nations forming a unit with a common inter est or
          purpose b: a group of nations united by treaty or agreement
          for mutual support or joint action

   [1]block
          [block] n, often attrib [ME blok, fr. MF bloc, fr. MD blok;
          akin to OHG bloh block] (14c) 1: a compact usu. solid
          piece of substantial material esp. when worked or altered
          to serve a particular purpose: as a: the piece of wood
          on which the neck of a person condemned to be beheaded
          is laid for execution b: a mold or form on which articles
          are shaped or displayed c: a hollow rectangular building
          unit usu. of artificial material d: a lightweight usu.
          cubical and solid wooden or plastic building toy that
          is usu. provided in sets e: the casting that contains
          the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine 2 a: obstacle
          b: an obstruction of an opponent's play in sports; esp:
          a halting or impeding of the progress or movement of
          an opponent in football by use of the body c (1): interruption
          of normal physiological function (as of a tissue or organ);
          esp: heart block (2): local anesthesia (as by injection)
          produced by interruption of the flow of impulses along
          a nerve d: interruption or cessation esp. of train of
          thought by competing thoughts or psychological suppression
          3 slang: head 1 <threatened to knock his ~ off> 4: a
          wooden or metal case enclosing one or more pulleys and
          having a hook, eye, or strap by which it may be attached
          5: a piece of material (as wood or linoleum) having on
          its surface a hand-cut design from which impressions
          are to be printed 6 a (1): a usu. rectangular space (as
          in a city) enclosed by streets and occupied by or intended
          for buildings (2): the distance along one of the sides
          of such a block b (1): a large building divided into
          separate functional units (2): a line of row houses (3):
          a distinctive part of a building or integrated group
          of buildings c: a short section of railroad track in
          the block system 7: a platform from which property is
          sold at auction 8 a: a quantity, number, or section of
          things dealt with as a unit b: bloc 2 -- on the block
          : for sale [2]block vt (1580) 1 a: to make unsuitable
          for passage or progress by obstruction b archaic: blockade
          c: to hinder the passage, progress, or accomplishment
          of by or as if by interposing an obstruction d: to shut
          off from view <forest canopy ~ing the sun> e: to interfere
          usu. legitimately with (as an opponent) in various games
          or sports f: to prevent normal functioning of g: to restrict
          the exchange of (as currency or checks) 2: to mark or
          indicate the outline or chief lines of <~ out a design>
          <~ in a sketched figure> 3: to shape on, with, or as
          if with a block <~ a hat> 4: to secure, support, or provide
          with a block 5: to work out or chart the movements of
          (as stage performers)--often used with out 6: to make
          (two or more lines of writing or type) flush at the left
          or at both left and right ~ vi: to block an opponent
          in sports syn see hinder -- block.er n

   [1]blockade
          [block.ade] vt block.ad.ed ; block.ad.ing (1680) 1: to subject
          to a blockade 2: block, obstruct -- block.ad.er n [2]blockade
          n (1693) 1: the isolation by a warring nation of an enemy
          area (as a harbor) by troops or warships to prevent passage
          of persons or supplies; broadly: a restrictive measure
          designed to obstruct the commerce and communications
          of an unfriendly nation 2: something that blocks 3: interruption
          of normal physiological function (as transmission of
          nerve impulses) of a tissue or organ

   blockade-runner
          [block.ade-run.ner] n (1863): a ship or person that runs
          through a blockade -- block.ade-run.ning n

   blockage
          [block.age] n (1874): an act or instance of obstructing:
          the state of being blocked <a ~ in a coronary artery>

   block and tackle
          [block and tackle] n (1838): pulley blocks with associated
          rope or cable for hoisting or hauling

   blockbuster
          [block.bust.er] n (1942) 1: a very large high-explosive bomb
          2: one that is notably effective, successful, large,
          or violent 3: one who engages in blockbusting

   blockbusting
          [block.bust.ing] n (1954): profiteering by inducing property
          owners to sell hastily and often at a loss by appeals
          to fears of depressed values because of threatened minority
          encroachment and then reselling at inflated prices

   block diagram
          [block diagram] n (1944): a diagram (as of a system, process,
          or program) in which labeled figures (as rectangles)
          and interconnecting lines represent the relationship
          of parts

   blocked
          [blocked] adj (1945): exhibiting or affected by a psychological
          block <a ~ writer>

   block grant
          [block grant] n (1900): an unrestricted federal grant

   blockhead
          [block.head] n (1549): a stupid person

   blockhouse
          [block.house] n (1512) 1 a: a structure of heavy timbers
          formerly used for military defense with sides loopholed
          and pierced for gunfire and often with a projecting upper
          story b: a small easily defended building for protection
          from enemy fire 2: a building usu. of reinforced concrete
          serving as an observation point for an operation likely
          to be accompanied by heat, blast, or radiation hazard

   blockish
          [block.ish] adj (1565): resembling a block

   block letter
          [block letter] n (1908): an often hand-drawn simple capital
          letter composed of strokes of uniform thickness

   block party
          [block party] n (1941): an outdoor public party put on by
          the residents of a city block or neighborhood

   block plane
          [block plane] n (ca. 1884): a small plane made with the blade
          set at a lower pitch than other planes and used chiefly
          on end grains of wood

   block system
          [block system] n (1864): a system by which a railroad track
          is divided into short sections and trains are run by
          guidance signals

   blocky
          [blocky] adj block.i.er ; -est (ca. 1879) 1: resembling a
          block in form: chunky 2: filled with or made up of blocks
          or patches

   bloke
          [bloke] n [origin unknown] (1851) chiefly Brit: man, fellow

   [1]blond
          [blond] or blonde adj [MF blond, masc., blonde, fem.] (15c)
          1 a: of a flaxen, golden, light auburn, or pale yellowish
          brown color <~ hair> b: of a pale white or rosy white
          color <~ skin> c: being a blond 2 a: of a light color
          b: of the color blond c: made light-colored by bleaching
          <a table of ~ walnut> -- blond.ish adj [2]blond or blonde
          n (1822) 1: a person having blond hair and usu. a light
          complexion and blue or gray eyes 2: a light yellowish
          brown to dark grayish yellow

   [1]blood
          [blood] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE blod; akin to OHG bluot
          blood] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the fluid that circulates in the
          heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate
          animal carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing
          away waste products from all parts of the body b: a comparable
          fluid of an invertebrate c: a fluid resembling blood
          2: the shedding of blood; also: the taking of life 3
          a: lifeblood; broadly: life b: human stock or lineage;
          esp: royal lineage <a prince of the ~> c: relationship
          by descent from a common ancestor: kinship d: persons
          related through common descent: kindred e (1): honorable
          or high birth or descent (2): descent from parents of
          recognized breed or pedigree 4 a: blood regarded as the
          seat of the emotions: temper b obs: lust c: a showy foppish
          man: rake 5: personnel <a company in need of new ~> 6:
          a black American male--used esp. among blacks [2]blood
          vt (1633) 1 archaic: bleed 1 2: to stain or wet with
          blood 3: to expose (a hunting dog) to sight, scent, or
          taste of the blood of its prey 4: to give experience
          to <troops ~ed in battle>

   blood-and-guts
          [blood-and-guts] adj (1937): marked by great vigor, violence,
          or fierceness <~ competition>

   bloodbath
          [blood.bath] n (1867): a great slaughter

   blood-brain barrier
          [blood-brain barrier] n (1944): a barrier created by the
          modification of brain capillaries (as by reduction in
          fenestration and formation of tight cell-to-cell contacts)
          that prevents many substances from leaving the blood
          and crossing the capillary walls into the brain tissues

   blood brother
          [blood brother] n (1890) 1: a brother by birth 2: one of
          two men pledged to mutual loyalty by a ceremonial use
          of each other's blood -- blood brotherhood n

   blood cell
          [blood cell] n (1846): a cell normally present in blood

   blood count
          [blood count] n (ca. 1900): the determination of the blood
          cells in a definite volume of blood; also: the number
          of cells so determined

   bloodcurdling
          [blood.cur.dling] adj (1904): arousing fright or horror <~
          screams>

   blood doping
          [blood doping] n (1973): a technique for temporarily improving
          athletic performance in which oxygen-carrying red blood
          cells from blood previously withdrawn from an athlete
          are reinjected just before an event--called also blood
          packing

   blooded
          [blood.ed] adj (1595) 1: having blood of a specified kind--used
          in combination <cold-blooded> 2: being entirely or largely
          purebred <a herd of ~ stock>

   blood feud
          [blood feud] n (1858): a feud between different clans or
          families

   blood fluke
          [blood fluke] n (1872): schistosome

   blood group
          [blood group] n (1916): one of the classes (as those designated
          A, B, AB, or O) into which individuals or their blood
          can be separated on the basis of the presence or absence
          of specific antigens in the blood--called also blood
          type

   bloodguilt
          [blood.guilt] n (1593): guilt resulting from bloodshed --
          blood.guilt.i.ness n -- blood.guilty adj

   bloodhound
          [blood.hound] n (14c) 1: any of a breed of large powerful
          hounds of European origin remarkable for acuteness of
          smell 2: a person keen in pursuit

   bloodless
          [blood.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1: deficient in or free from
          blood 2: not accompanied by loss or shedding of blood
          <a ~ victory> 3: lacking in spirit or vitality 4: lacking
          in human feeling <~ statistics> -- blood.less.ly adv
          -- blood.less.ness n

   bloodletting
          [blood.let.ting] n (13c) 1: phlebotomy 2: bloodshed 3: elimination
          of personnel or resources

   bloodline
          [blood.line] n (ca. 1909): a sequence of direct ancestors
          esp. in a pedigree; also: family, strain

   bloodmobile
          [blood.mo.bile] n (1948): an automotive vehicle staffed and
          equipped for collecting blood from donors

   blood money
          [blood money] n (1535) 1: money obtained at the cost of another's
          life 2: money paid by a manslayer or members of his family,
          clan, or tribe to the next of kin of a person killed
          by him

   blood orange
          [blood orange] n (1855): a cultivated sweet orange having
          fruit with usu. red pulp; also: its fruit

   blood platelet
          [blood platelet] n (1898): one of the minute protoplasmic
          disks of vertebrate blood that assist in blood clotting

   blood poisoning
          [blood poisoning] n (1863): septicemia

   blood pressure
          [blood pressure] n (1874): pressure that is exerted by the
          blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and esp. arteries
          and that varies with the muscular efficiency of the heart,
          the blood volume and viscosity, the age and health of
          the individual, and the state of the vascular wall

   bloodred
          [blood.red] adj (bef. 12c): having the color of blood

   bloodroot
          [blood.root] n (1722): a plant (Sanguinaria canadensis) of
          the poppy family having a red root and sap and bearing
          a solitary lobed leaf and white flower in early spring--called
          also sanguinaria

   blood sausage
          [blood sausage] n (1868): very dark sausage containing a
          large proportion of blood--called also blood pudding

   blood serum
          [blood serum] n (ca. 1909): blood from which the fibrin and
          suspended material (as cells) have been removed

   bloodshed
          [blood.shed] n (15c) 1: the shedding of blood 2: the taking
          of life: slaughter

   bloodshot
          [blood.shot] adj (1552) of an eye: inflamed to redness

   blood sport
          [blood sport] n (1895): a sport or contest (as hunting or
          cockfighting) involving bloodshed

   bloodstain
          [blood.stain] n (1820): a discoloration caused by blood

   bloodstained
          [blood.stained] adj (1596) 1: stained with blood 2: involved
          with slaughter <a ~ chronicle of war>

   bloodstock
          [blood.stock] n (1830): horses of Thoroughbred breeding

   bloodstone
          [blood.stone] n (1551): a green chalcedony sprinkled with
          red spots resembling blood--called also heliotrope

   bloodstream
          [blood.stream] n (1873) 1: the flowing blood in a circulatory
          system 2: a mainstream of power or vitality <introduce
          into the economic ~ a large amount of money --Harper's>

   bloodsucker
          [blood.suck.er] n (14c) 1: an animal that sucks blood; esp:
          leech 2: a person who sponges or preys on another --
          blood.suck.ing adj

   blood sugar
          [blood sugar] n (1918): the glucose in the blood; also: its
          concentration (as in milligrams per 100 milliliters)

   blood test
          [blood test] n (1912): a test of the blood; esp: a serologic
          test for the presence of substances indicative of disease
          (as syphilis) or disease-causing agents (as HIV)

   bloodthirsty
          [blood.thirsty] adj (1535): eager for or marked by the shedding
          of blood, violence, or killing -- blood.thirst.i.ly adv
          -- blood.thirst.i.ness n

   blood-typing
          [blood-typ.ing] n (1926): the action or process of determining
          an individual's blood group

   blood vessel
          [blood vessel] n (1694): any of the vessels through which
          blood circulates in the body

   bloodworm
          [blood.worm] n (1714) 1: any of various reddish annelid worms
          (as of genera Glycera or Tubifex) often used as bait
          2: any of several strongyle worms (genus Strongylus)
          that are parasitic in the large intestine of horses

   [1]bloody
          [bloody] adj blood.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 a: containing
          or made up of blood b: of or contained in the blood 2:
          smeared or stained with blood 3: accompanied by or involving
          bloodshed; esp: marked by great slaughter 4 a: murderous
          b: merciless, cruel 5: bloodred 6--used as an intensive--sometimes
          considered vulgar -- blood.i.ly adv -- blood.i.ness n syn bloody,
          sanguinary, gory mean affected by or involving the shedding
          of blood. bloody is applied esp. to things that are actually
          covered with blood or are made up of blood <bloody hands>.
          sanguinary applies esp. to something attended by, or someone
          inclined to, bloodshed <the Civil War was America's most sanguinary
          conflict>. gory suggests a profusion of blood and slaughter
          <exceptionally gory, even for a horror movie>. [2]bloody
          vt blood.ied ; bloody.ing (1530): to make bloody or bloodred
          [3]bloody adv (1676)--used as an intensive--sometimes considered
          vulgar

   Bloody Mary
          [Bloody Mary] n, pl Bloody Marys [prob. fr. Bloody Mary,
          appellation of Mary I of England] (1947): a cocktail
          consisting essentially of vodka and usu. spiced tomato
          juice

   bloody-minded
          [bloody-mind.ed] adj (1584) 1: inclined towards violence
          or bloodshed 2 chiefly Brit: stubbornly contrary or obstructive:
          cantankerous -- bloody-mind.ed.ness n

   bloody murder
          [bloody murder] adv (1925): in a loud and violent manner
          <ran off, screaming bloody murder>; also: in vehement
          protest <screaming bloody murder over the pay cut>

   bloody shirt
          [bloody shirt] n (1874): something intended to stir up or
          revive partisan animosity--usu. used in the phrase wave
          the bloody shirt

   [1]bloom
          [bloom] n [ME blome lump of metal, fr. OE bloma] (bef. 12c)
          1: a mass of wrought iron from the forge or puddling
          furnace 2: a bar of iron or steel hammered or rolled
          from an ingot [2]bloom n [ME blome, fr. ON blom; akin
          to OE blowan to blossom--more at blow] (13c) 1 a: flower
          b: the flowering state <the roses in ~> c: a period of
          flowering <the spring ~> d: an excessive growth of plankton
          2 a: a state or time of beauty, freshness, and vigor
          b: a state or time of high development or achievement
          <a career in full ~> 3: a surface coating or appearance:
          as a: a delicate powdery coating on some fruits and leaves
          b: a rosy appearance of the cheeks; broadly: an outward
          evidence of freshness or healthy vigor c: a cloudiness
          on a film of varnish or lacquer d: a grayish discoloration
          on chocolate e: glare caused by an object reflecting
          too much light into a television camera [3]bloom vi (13c)
          1 a: to produce or yield flowers b: to support abundant
          plant life <make the desert ~> 2 a (1): to mature into
          achievement of one's potential (2): to flourish in youthful
          beauty, freshness or excellence b: to shine out: glow
          3: to appear or occur unexpectedly or in remarkable quantity
          or degree 4: to become densely populated with microorganisms
          and esp. plankton--used of bodies of water ~ vt 1 obs:
          to cause to bloom 2: to give bloom to

   [1]bloomer
          [bloom.er] n (ca. 1736) 1: a plant that blooms 2: a person
          who reaches full competence or maturity 3 [blooming]:
          a stupid blunder [2]bloo.mer n [Amelia Bloomer] (1851)
          1: a costume for women consisting of a skirt over long
          loose trousers gathered closely about the ankles 2 pl
          a: full loose trousers gathered at the knee formerly
          worn by women for athletics b: underpants of similar
          design worn chiefly by girls and women

   blooming
          [bloom.ing] adj or adv [prob. euphemism for bloody] (1882)
          chiefly Brit--used as a generalized intensive <~ fool>

   bloomy
          [bloomy] adj (1593) 1: full of bloom 2: covered with bloom
          <~ plums> 3: showing freshness or vitality <all the ~
          flush of life is fled --Oliver Goldsmith>

   bloop
          [bloop] n [back-formation fr. blooper] (1967): blooper 2a
          -- bloop vt

   blooper
          [bloop.er] n [bloop (an unpleasant sound)] (1937) 1 a: a
          fly ball hit barely beyond a baseball infield b: a high
          baseball pitch lobbed to the batter 2: an embarrassing
          public blunder

   [1]blossom
          [blos.som] n [ME blosme, fr. OE blostm; akin to OE blowan]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: the flower of a seed plant; also: the
          mass of such flowers on a single plant b: the state of
          bearing flowers 2: a peak period or stage of development
          -- blos.somy adj [2]blossom vi (bef. 12c) 1: bloom 2
          a: to come into one's own: develop <a ~ing talent> b:
          to become evident: make an appearance

   [1]blot
          [blot] n [ME] (14c) 1: a soiling or disfiguring mark: spot
          2: a mark of reproach: moral flaw 3: a usu. nitrocellulose
          sheet that contains spots of immobilized macromolecules
          (as of DNA, RNA, or protein) or their fragments and is
          used to identify specific components of the spots by
          applying a molecular probe (as a complementary nucleic
          acid or a radioactively labeled antibody) [2]blot vb
          blot.ted ; blot.ting vt (15c) 1: to spot, stain, or spatter
          with a discoloring substance 2 obs: mar; esp: to stain
          with infamy 3 a: to dry (as writing) with an absorbing
          agent b: to remove with absorbing material <blotting
          up spilled water> ~ vi 1: to make a blot 2: to become
          marked with a blot [3]blot n [origin unknown] (1595)
          1: a lone backgammon man exposed to capture 2 archaic:
          a weak or exposed point

   [1]blotch
          [blotch] vt (1604): to mark or mar with blotches [2]blotch
          n [perh. blend of [1]blot and [3]botch] (1669) 1: imperfection,
          blemish 2: a spot or mark (as of color or ink) esp. when
          large or irregular -- blotch.i.ly adv -- blotchy adj

   blot out
          [blot out] vt (1530) 1: to make obscure, insignificant, or
          inconsequential 2: wipe out, destroy

   blotter
          [blot.ter] n (1591) 1: a piece of blotting paper 2: a book
          in which entries (as of transactions or occurrences)
          are made temporarily pending their transfer to permanent
          record books <police ~>

   blotting paper
          [blotting paper] n (15c): a spongy unsized paper for absorbing
          ink

   blotto
          [blot.to] adj [prob. irreg. fr. [2]blot] (1917): drunk

   [1]blouse
          [blouse] n, pl blous.es [F] (1828) 1 a: a long loose overgarment
          that resembles a shirt or smock and is worn esp. by workmen,
          artists, and peasants b: the jacket of a uniform 2: a
          usu. loose-fitting garment that covers the body from
          the neck to the waist and is worn esp. by women -- blousy
          adj [2]blouse vb bloused ; blous.ing vi (1904): to fall
          in a fold <coats that ~ above the hip> ~ vt: to cause
          to blouse <trousers are bloused over the boots>

   blouson
          [blou.son] n [F, fr. blouse] (1904): a garment (as a dress)
          having a close waistband with blousing of material over
          it

   [1]blow
          [blow] vb blew ; blown ; blow.ing [ME, fr. OE blawan; akin
          to OHG blaen to blow, L flare, Gk phallos penis] vi (bef.
          12c) 1 of air: to move with speed or force 2: to send
          forth a current of air or other gas 3 a: to make a sound
          by or as if by blowing b of a wind instrument: sound
          4 a: boast b: to talk windily 5 a: pant, gasp <the horse
          blew heavily> b of a cetacean: to eject moisture-laden
          air from the lungs through the blowhole 6: to move or
          be carried by or as if by wind <just blew into town>
          7 of an electric fuse: to melt when overloaded--often
          used with out 8 of a tire: to release the contained air
          through a spontaneous rupture--usu. used with out ~ vt
          1 a: to set (gas or vapor) in motion b: to act on with
          a current of gas or vapor 2: to play or sound on (a wind
          instrument) 3 a: to spread by report b past participle
          blowed : damn <~ the expense> <I'm ~ed if I know> 4 a:
          to drive with a current of gas or vapor b: to clear of
          contents by forcible passage of a current of air c: to
          project (a gesture or sound made with the mouth) by blowing
          <blew him a kiss> 5 a: to distend with or as if with
          gas b: to produce or shape by the action of blown or
          injected air <~ing bubbles> <~ing glass> 6 of insects:
          to deposit eggs or larvae on or in 7: to shatter, burst,
          or destroy by explosion 8 a: to put out of breath with
          exertion b: to let (as a horse) pause to catch the breath
          9 a: to expend (as money) extravagantly <blew $50 on
          lunch> b: to treat with unusual expenditure <I'll ~ you
          to a steak> 10: to cause (a fuse) to blow 11: to rupture
          by too much pressure <blew a gasket> 12: to foul up hopelessly
          <blew her lines> <blew his chance> 13: to leave hurriedly
          <blew town> 14: to propel with great force or speed <blew
          a fastball by the batter> -- blow hot and cold : to be
          favorable at one moment and adverse the next -- blow
          off steam : to release pent-up emotions -- blow one's
          cool : to lose one's composure -- blow one's cover :
          to reveal one's real identity -- blow one's mind : to
          overwhelm one with wonder or bafflement -- blow one's
          top or blow one's stack 1: to become violently angry
          2: to go crazy -- blow smoke : to speak idly, misleadingly,
          or boastfully -- blow the whistle : to call public or
          official attention to something (as a wrongdoing) kept
          secret--usu. used with on [2]blow n (1660) 1: a blowing
          of wind esp. when strong or violent 2: brag, boasting
          3: an act or instance of blowing 4 a: the time during
          which air is forced through molten metal to refine it
          b: the quantity of metal refined during that time 5 slang:
          cocaine [3]blow vi blew ; blown ; blow.ing [ME, fr. OE
          blowan; akin to OHG bluoen to bloom, L florere to bloom,
          flor-, flos flower] (bef. 12c): flower, bloom [4]blow
          n (1710) 1: blossoms 2: [2]bloom 1b <lilacs in full ~>
          [5]blow n [ME (northern dial.) blaw; prob. akin to OHG
          bliuwan to beat] (15c) 1: a forcible stroke delivered
          with a part of the body or with an instrument 2: a hostile
          act or state: combat <come to ~s> 3: a forcible or sudden
          act or effort: assault 4: an unfortunate or calamitous
          happening <failure to land the job came as a ~>

   blow away
          [blow away] vt (1776) 1: to kill by gunfire: shoot dead 2:
          to dissipate or remove as if with a current of air <their
          doubts were blown away> 3: to impress very strongly and
          usu. favorably 4: to defeat soundly <blew their rivals
          away in the first game>

   blowby
          [blow.by] n (1926): leakage of combustion gases between a
          piston and the cylinder wall into the crankcase in an
          automobile

   blow-by-blow
          [blow-by-blow] adj (1933): minutely detailed <a ~ account>

   blowdown
          [blow.down] n (1895): an instance of trees being blown down
          by the wind; also: a tree blown down

   blow-dried
          [blow-dried] adj (1976): having blow-dried hair; also: being
          or appearing well-groomed but superficial or vacuous

   blow-dry
          [blow-dry] vt (1966): to dry and usu. style (hair) with a
          blow-dryer ~ vi: to dry hair with a blow-dryer -- blow-dry
          n

   blow-dryer
          [blow-dryer] n (1976): a handheld hair dryer

   blower
          [blow.er] n (bef. 12c) 1: one that blows 2: a device for
          producing a current of air or gas 3: braggart 4 Brit:
          telephone

   blowfish
          [blow.fish] n (ca. 1893): puffer 2a

   blowfly
          [blow.fly] n (1821): any of a family (Calliphoridae) of dipteran
          flies (as the bluebottle or screwworm) that deposit their
          eggs esp. on meat or in wounds

   blowgun
          [blow.gun] n (1864): a tube through which a projectile (as
          a dart) may be impelled by the force of the breath

   blowhard
          [blow.hard] n (1857): braggart

   blowhole
          [blow.hole] n (1691) 1: a hole in metal caused by a bubble
          of gas captured during solidification 2: a nostril in
          the top of the head of a cetacean and esp. a whale

   blow in
          [blow in] vi (1895): to arrive casually or unexpectedly

   blow job
          [blow job] n (1956): an act of fellatio--usu. considered
          vulgar

   blown
          [blown] adj [ME blowen, fr. pp. of blowen to blow] (14c)
          1 a: swollen b: affected with bloat 2: being out of breath

   blowout
          [blow.out] n (1824) 1: a festive social affair 2: a bursting
          of a container (as a tire) by pressure of the contents
          on a weak spot 3: an uncontrolled eruption of an oil
          or gas well 4: an easy or one-sided victory

   blow out
          [blow out] vt (14c) 1: to extinguish by a gust 2: to dissipate
          (itself) by blowing--used of storms 3: to defeat easily
          ~ vi 1: to become extinguished by a gust 2: to erupt
          out of control--used of an oil or gas well

   blow over
          [blow over] vi (1617): to pass away without effect

   blowpipe
          [blow.pipe] n (1685) 1: a small tubular instrument for directing
          a jet of air or other gas into a flame so as to concentrate
          and increase the heat 2: blowgun 3: a tubular instrument
          used for revealing or cleaning a bodily cavity by forcing
          air into it 4: a long metal tube on the end of which
          a glassmaker gathers a quantity of molten glass and through
          which he blows to expand and shape it

   blowsy
          [blow.sy] also blow.zy adj [E dial. blowse, blowze wench]
          (ca. 1770) 1: having a sloppy appearance or aspect: frowsy
          2: being coarse and ruddy of complexion

   blowtorch
          [blow.torch] n (1897): a small burner having a device to
          intensify combustion by means of a blast of air or oxygen,
          usu. including a fuel tank pressurized by a hand pump,
          and used esp. in plumbing

   blowup
          [blow.up] n (1807): a blowing up: as a: explosion b: an outburst
          of temper c: a photographic enlargement

   blow up
          [blow up] vt (1536) 1: to build up or tout to an unreasonable
          extent <advertisers blowing up their products> 2: to
          rend apart, shatter, or destroy by explosion 3: to fill
          up with a gas (as air) <blow up a balloon> 4: to make
          a photographic enlargement of 5: to bring into existence
          by blowing of wind <it may blow up a storm> ~ vi 1 a:
          explode b: to be disrupted or destroyed (as by explosion)
          c: to lose self-control; esp: to become violently angry
          2: to become or come into being by or as if by blowing
          of wind 3 a: to become filled with a gas (as air) b:
          to become expanded to unreasonable proportions

   blowy
          [blowy] adj (1830) 1: windy <a ~ March day> 2: readily blown
          about <~ desert sand>

   BLS
          [BLS] abbreviation bachelor of liberal studies, bachelor
          of library science, Bureau of Labor Statistics

   BLT
          [BLT] n (1952): a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich

   blub
          [blub] vi blubbed ; blub.bing (1804) chiefly Brit: blubber

   [1]blubber
          [blub.ber] vb blub.bered ; blub.ber.ing [ME blubren to make
          a bubbling sound, fr. bluber] vi (15c): to weep noisily
          ~ vt 1: to swell, distort, or wet with weeping 2: to
          utter while weeping [2]blubber n [ME bluber bubble, foam,
          prob. of imit. origin] (15c) 1 a: the fat of whales and
          other large marine mammals b: excessive fat on the body
          2: the action of blubbering [3]blubber adj (1667): puffed
          out: thick <~ lips>

   blubbery
          [blub.bery] adj (1791) 1: having or characterized by blubber
          2: puffed out: thick

   blucher
          [blu.cher] n [G. L. von Blucher] (1831): a shoe having the
          tongue and vamp cut in one piece and the quarters lapped
          over the vamp and laced together for closing

   [1]bludgeon
          [blud.geon] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1730) 1: a short stick
          that usu. has one thick or loaded end and is used as
          a weapon 2: something used to attack or bully <the ~
          of satire> [2]bludgeon vt (1868) 1: to hit with heavy
          impact 2: to overcome by aggressive argument

   bludger
          [blud.ger] n [prob. contr. of bludgeoner pimp, fr. [1]bludgeon]
          (1939) chiefly Austral & NewZeal: loafer, shirker

   [1]blue
          [blue] adj blu.er ; blu.est [ME, fr. OF blou, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG blao blue; akin to L flavus yellow] (13c)
          1: of the color blue 2 a: bluish b: discolored by or
          as if by bruising <~ with cold> c: bluish gray <~ cat>
          3 a: low in spirits: melancholy b: marked by low spirits:
          depressing <a ~ funk> <things looked ~> 4: wearing blue
          5 of a woman: learned, intellectual 6: puritanical 7
          a: profane, indecent <~ movie> b: off-color, risque
          <~ jokes> 8: of, relating to, or used in blues <a ~ song>
          -- blue.ly adv -- blue.ness n -- blue in the face : extremely
          exasperated [2]blue n (13c) 1: a color whose hue is that
          of the clear sky or that of the portion of the color
          spectrum lying between green and violet 2 a: a pigment
          or dye that colors blue b: bluing 3 a: blue clothing
          or cloth b pl: a blue costume or uniform 4 a: a Union
          soldier in the Civil War b: the Union army 5 a (1): sky
          (2): the far distance b: sea 6: a blue object 7: bluestocking
          8: any of numerous small chiefly blue butterflies (family
          Lycaenidae) 9: bluefish 10: blue cheese -- out of the
          blue : without advance notice: unexpectedly <the job
          offer came out of the blue> [3]blue vb blued ; blue.ing
          or blu.ing vt (1606): to make blue ~ vi: to turn blue

   blue baby
          [blue baby] n (ca. 1899): an infant with a bluish tint usu.
          from a congenital heart defect in which mingling of venous
          and arterial blood occurs

   bluebeard
          [blue.beard] n, often cap [Bluebeard, a fairy-tale character]
          (1822): a man who marries and kills one wife after another

   bluebell
          [blue.bell] n (1578) 1: any of various bellflowers; esp:
          harebell 2: any of various plants bearing blue bell-shaped
          flowers: as a: a European herb (Endymion nonscriptus
          syn. Scilla nonscripta) of the lily family having scapose
          racemes of drooping bell-shaped flowers--called also
          wild hyacinth b pl: a glabrous erect eastern U.S. herb
          (Mertensia virginica) of the borage family with entire
          leaves and showy blue flowers pink in the bud--called
          also Virginia bluebells

   blueberry
          [blue.ber.ry] n (1709): the edible blue or blackish berry
          of any of several plants (genus Vaccinium) of the heath
          family; also: a low or tall shrub producing these berries

   bluebird
          [blue.bird] n (1688): any of several small No. American thrushes
          (genus Sialia) that are blue above and reddish brown
          or pale blue below

   blue blood
          [blue blood] n (1834) 1: membership in a noble or socially
          prominent family 2: a member of a noble or socially prominent
          family -- blue-blood.ed adj

   bluebonnet
          [blue.bon.net] n (1682) 1 a: a wide flat round cap of blue
          wool formerly worn in Scotland b: one that wears such
          a cap; specif: scot 2: either of two low-growing annual
          lupines (Lupinus subcarnosus or L. texensis) of Texas
          with silky foliage and blue flowers

   blue book
          [blue book] n (1836) 1: a register esp. of socially prominent
          persons 2: a book of specialized information often published
          under government auspices 3: a blue-covered booklet used
          for writing examinations 4: a periodically issued price
          list (as of used cars)

   bluebottle
          [blue.bot.tle] n (15c) 1: bachelor's button 2: any of several
          blowflies (genus Calliphora) that have the abdomen or
          the whole body iridescent blue in color and that make
          a loud buzzing noise in flight

   blue catfish
          [blue catfish] n (1835): a large bluish catfish (Ictalurus
          furcatus) of the Mississippi valley that may weigh over
          100 pounds (45 kilograms)

   blue cheese
          [blue cheese] n (1925): cheese having veins of greenish blue
          mold

   blue chip
          [blue chip] n (1929) 1 a: a stock issue of high investment
          quality that usu. pertains to a substantial well-established
          company and enjoys public confidence in its worth and
          stability b: a consistently successful and profitable
          venture or enterprise 2 a: an outstandingly worthwhile
          or valuable property or asset b: an athlete rated as
          excellent or as an excellent prospect -- blue-chip adj

   blue-chipper
          [blue-chip.per] n (1968): blue chip 2b

   bluecoat
          [blue.coat] n (1593): a person who wears a blue coat: as
          a: a Union soldier during the Civil War b: police officer

   blue cohosh
          [blue cohosh] n (1821): a perennial herb (Caulophyllum
          thalictroides) of the barberry family that has greenish yellow
          or purplish flowers and large blue berrylike fruits

   blue-collar
          [blue-col.lar] adj (1946): of, relating to, or constituting
          the class of wage earners whose duties call for the wearing
          of work clothes or protective clothing--compare white-collar

   blue crab
          [blue crab] n (1883): a large bluish green edible crab (Callinectes
          sapidus) of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts

   blue curls
          [blue curls] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1817): any of
          several mints (genus Trichostema) with irregular blue
          flowers

   blue devils
          [blue devils] n pl (1781): low spirits: despondency

   blue-eyed
          [blue-eyed] adj (1610) 1: having blue eyes 2: performed by
          whites <~ soul>; also: white <a ~ soul singer>

   blue-eyed grass
          [blue-eyed grass] n (1784): any of several herbs (genus
          Sisyrinchium) of the iris family with grasslike foliage and blue
          flowers

   bluefin tuna
          [blue.fin tuna] n (1922): a very large tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
          that is an important food and game fish--called also
          bluefin

   bluefish
          [blue.fish] n (ca. 1622) 1: an active food and game marine
          fish (Pomatomus saltatrix) that is bluish above with
          silvery sides 2: any of various dark or bluish fishes
          (as the pollack)

   blue flag
          [blue flag] n (1784): a blue-flowered iris; esp: a common
          iris (Iris versicolor) of the eastern U.S. with a root
          formerly used medicinally

   blue flu
          [blue flu] n [fr. the color of a police uniform] (1970):
          a sick-out staged by police officers

   bluegill
          [blue.gill] n (1881): a common sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)
          of the eastern and central U.S. sought for food and sport

   bluegrass
          [blue.grass] n (1751) 1: any of several grasses (genus Poa)
          of which some have bluish green culms; esp: kentucky
          bluegrass 2 [fr. the Blue Grass Boys, performing group,
          fr. Bluegrass state, nickname of Kentucky]: country music
          played on unamplified stringed instruments (as banjo,
          fiddle, guitar, and mandolin) and characterized by free
          improvisation and close usu. high-pitched harmony

   blue-green alga
          [blue-green alga] n (1899): any of a group of photosynthetic
          microorganisms classified as either plants (division
          Cyanophyta) or bacteria (division Cyanobacteria) because
          they possess characteristics of both plants and bacteria--called
          also cyanobacterium

   blue gum
          [blue gum] n (1799): any of several Australian trees (genus
          Eucalyptus) that yield valuable timber

   blue heron
          [blue heron] n (ca. 1730): either of two herons with bluish
          or slaty plumage; esp: great blue heron

   bluejacket
          [blue.jack.et] n (1830): an enlisted man in the navy: sailor

   blue jay
          [blue jay] n (1709): a crested bright blue No. American jay
          (Cyanocitta cristata)

   blue jeans
          [blue jeans] n pl (1901): pants usu. made of blue denim --
          blue-jeaned adj

   blue law
          [blue law] n (1781) 1: one of numerous extremely rigorous
          laws designed to regulate morals and conduct in colonial
          New England 2: a statute regulating work, commerce, and
          amusements on Sundays

   blue line
          [blue line] n (1937): either of two blue lines that divide
          an ice-hockey rink into three equal zones and that separate
          the offensive and defensive zones from the center-ice
          neutral zone

   blue mold
          [blue mold] n (1664): any of various fungi (genus Penicillium)
          that produce blue or blue-green surface growths

   blue moon
          [blue moon] n (1821): a very long period of time <such people
          happen along only once in a blue moon --Saturday Rev.>

   bluenose
          [blue.nose] n (1903): a person who advocates a rigorous moral
          code

   blue note
          [blue note] n [fr. its frequent use in blues music] (1919):
          a variable microtonal lowering of the third, seventh,
          and occas. fifth degrees of the major scale

   blue pencil
          [blue pencil] n (1893): a writing instrument used for editing;
          also: the act or practice of blue-penciling

   blue-pencil
          [blue-pen.cil] vt (1888): to edit esp. by shortening or deletion
          -- blue penciller n

   blue peter
          [blue pe.ter] n [prob. fr. the name Peter] (1823): a blue
          signal flag with a white square in the center used to
          indicate that a merchant vessel is ready to sail

   blue pike
          [blue pike] n (1842): a grayish-blue walleye categorized
          as either a morph or a subspecies (Stizostedion vitreum
          glaucum)

   blue plate
          [blue plate] adj (1926): being a main course usu. offered
          at a special price in a restaurant <a blue plate luncheon>

   blue point
          [blue point] adj (1944) of a domestic cat: having a bluish
          cream body coat with dark gray points -- blue point n

   bluepoint
          [blue.point] n [Blue Point, Long Island] (1789): a small
          oyster (Crassostrea virginica) typically from the south
          shore of Long Island

   blueprint
          [blue.print] n (1886) 1: a photographic print in white on
          a bright blue ground or blue on a white ground used esp.
          for copying maps, mechanical drawings, and architects'
          plans 2: something resembling a blueprint; esp: a detailed
          plan or program of action <a ~ for victory> -- blueprint
          vt

   blue racer
          [blue racer] n (1886): a blue or greenish blue blacksnake
          (Coluber constrictor subsp.) occurring from Michigan
          and Wisconsin to Texas

   blue-ribbon
          [blue-ribbon] adj (1926): of outstanding quality; esp: consisting
          of individuals selected for quality, reputation, or authority
          <a ~ committee> <a ~ jury>

   blue ribbon
          [blue ribbon] n (1651) 1: an honor or award gained for preeminence
          2: a blue ribbon awarded as an honor (as to the first-place winner
          in a competition)

   blues
          [blues] n pl but sing or pl in constr [blue devils] (1741)
          1: low spirits: melancholy 2: a song often of lamentation
          characterized by usu. 12-bar phrases, 3-line stanzas
          in which the words of the second line usu. repeat those
          of the first, and continual occurrence of blue notes
          in melody and harmony 3: jazz or popular music using
          harmonic and phrase structures of blues

   blue shark
          [blue shark] n (ca. 1672): a chiefly pelagic shark (Prionace
          glauca) found in all tropical and temperate seas that
          occas. attacks humans

   blue sheep
          [blue sheep] n (1911): bharal

   blueshift
          [blue.shift] n (1951): the displacement of the spectrum of
          an approaching celestial body toward shorter wavelengths
          -- blue.shift.ed adj

   blue-sky
          [blue-sky] adj (1906) 1: having little or no value <~ stock>
          2: not grounded in the realities of the present: visionary
          <~ thinking>

   blue-sky law
          [blue-sky law] n (1912): a law providing for the regulation
          of the sale of securities (as stock)

   bluesman
          [blues.man] n (1966): a man who plays or sings the blues

   blue spruce
          [blue spruce] n (1884): a spruce (Picea pungens) of the Rocky
          Mountains having sharp usu. bluish gray needles and often
          planted as an ornamental

   bluestem
          [blue.stem] n (ca. 1862) 1: a tall No. American grass (Andropogon
          gerardii syn. A. furcatus) that has smooth bluish leaf
          sheaths and slender spikes borne in pairs or clusters
          and is used for hay and forage 2: little bluestem

   bluestocking
          [blue.stock.ing] n [Bluestocking society, 18th cent. literary
          clubs] (1790): a woman having intellectual or literary
          interests

   bluestone
          [blue.stone] n (1709): a building stone of bluish gray color

   blue streak
          [blue streak] n (1830) 1: something that moves very fast
          2: a constant stream of words <talked a blue streak>

   bluesy
          [bluesy] adj blues.i.er ; -est (1946): resembling, characteristic
          of, or suited to the blues

   bluet
          [blu.et] n [prob. fr. [1]blue] (ca. 1821): a No. American
          plant (Hedyotis caerulea syn. Houstonia caerulea) of
          the madder family having tufted stems and bluish or white
          flowers with yellow centers

   bluetick
          [blue.tick] n (1945): any of a breed of tricolor coonhounds
          of American origin having the white areas of the coat
          heavily ticked with black

   bluetongue
          [blue.tongue] n (1863): a serious virus disease esp. of sheep
          characterized by hyperemia, cyanosis, and punctate hemorrhages
          and by swelling and sloughing of the epithelium esp.
          about the mouth and tongue

   blue vitriol
          [blue vitriol] n (1728): a hydrated copper sulfate

   blue water
          [blue water] n (1833): the open sea -- blue-wa.ter adj

   blueweed
          [blue.weed] n (ca. 1837) 1: viper's bugloss 2: a small weedy
          sunflower (Helianthus ciliaris) of the southwestern U.S.
          with blue-green or gray-green foliage

   blue whale
          [blue whale] n (1851): a very large baleen whale (Balaenoptera
          musculus syn. Sibbaldus musculus) that may reach a weight
          of 150 tons (135 metric tons) and a length of 100 feet
          (30 meters) and is generally considered the largest living
          animal

   bluey
          [bluey] n [fr. the blue blanket commonly used to wrap the
          bundle] (1877) Austral: a swagman's bundle of personal
          effects; also: a bag of clothing carried in travel

   [1]bluff
          [bluff] adj [obs. D blaf flat; akin to MLG blaff smooth]
          (1627) 1 a: having a broad flattened front b: rising
          steeply with a broad flat or rounded front 2: good-naturedly
          frank and outspoken -- bluff.ly adv -- bluff.ness n syn
          bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, crusty, gruff mean abrupt
          and unceremonious in speech and manner. bluff connotes
          good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality <a bluff
          manner>. blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard
          of others' feelings <a blunt appraisal>. brusque applies
          to a sharpness or ungraciousness <a brusque response>.
          curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness
          <a curt command>. crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner
          sometimes concealing an inner kindliness <a crusty exterior>.
          gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply
          bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness
          <puts on a gruff pose>. [2]bluff n (1666): a high steep
          bank: cliff [3]bluff vb [prob. fr. D bluffen to boast,
          play a kind of card game] vt (1839) 1 a: to deter or
          frighten by pretense or a mere show of strength b: deceive
          c: feign <the catcher ~ed a throw to first> 2: to deceive
          (an opponent) in cards by a bold bet on an inferior hand
          ~ vi: to bluff someone: act deceptively -- bluff.er n
          [4]bluff n (1845) 1 a: an act or instance of bluffing
          b: the practice of bluffing 2: one who bluffs

   bluing
          [blu.ing] or blue.ing n (1669): a preparation used in laundering
          to counteract yellowing of white fabrics

   bluish
          [blu.ish] adj (14c): somewhat blue: having a tinge of blue
          -- blu.ish.ness n

   [1]blunder
          [blun.der] vb blun.dered ; blun.der.ing [ME blundren] vi
          (14c) 1: to move unsteadily or confusedly 2: to make
          a mistake through stupidity, ignorance, or carelessness
          ~ vt 1: to utter stupidly, confusedly, or thoughtlessly
          2: to make a stupid, careless, or thoughtless mistake
          in -- blun.der.er n -- blun.der.ing.ly adv [2]blunder
          n (ca. 1706): a gross error or mistake resulting usu.
          from stupidity, ignorance, or carelessness syn see error

   blunderbuss
          [blun.der.buss] n [by folk etymology fr. obs. D donderbus,
          fr. D donder thunder + obs. D bus gun] (1654) 1: a muzzle-loading
          firearm with a short barrel and flaring muzzle to facilitate
          loading 2: a blundering person

   [1]blunt
          [blunt] adj [ME] (13c) 1 a: slow or deficient in feeling:
          insensitive b: obtuse in understanding or discernment:
          dull 2: having an edge or point that is not sharp 3 a:
          abrupt in speech or manner b: being straight to the point:
          direct syn see dull, bluff -- blunt.ly adv -- blunt.ness
          n [2]blunt vt (14c): to make less sharp or definite ~
          vi: to become blunt

   [1]blur
          [blur] n [perh. akin to ME bleren to blear] (1548) 1: a smear
          or stain that obscures 2: something vaguely or indistinctly
          perceived; esp: something moving or occurring too quickly
          to be clearly perceived [2]blur vb blurred; blur.ring
          vt (1581) 1: to obscure or blemish by smearing 2: sully
          3: to make dim, indistinct, or vague in outline or character
          4: to make cloudy or confused ~ vi 1: to make blurs 2:
          to become vague or indistinct -- blur.ring.ly adv

   [1]blurb
          [blurb] n [coined by Gelett Burgess] (1914): a short publicity
          notice (as on a book jacket) [2]blurb vt (1915): to describe
          or praise in a blurb

   blurry
          [blur.ry] adj blur.ri.er ; -est (1884): marked by blurring
          -- blur.ri.ly adv -- blur.ri.ness n

   blurt
          [blurt] vt [prob. imit.] (1573): to utter abruptly and
          impulsively--usu. used with out -- blurt.er n

   [1]blush
          [blush] n [ME, prob. fr. blusshen] (14c) 1: outward appearance:
          view <at first ~> 2: a reddening of the face esp. from
          shame, modesty, or confusion 3: a red or rosy tint --
          blush.ful adj [2]blush vi [ME blusshen, fr. OE blyscan
          to redden; akin to OE blysa flame, OHG bluhhen to burn
          brightly] (15c) 1: to become red in the face esp. from
          shame, modesty, or confusion 2: to feel shame or embarrassment
          3: to have a rosy or fresh color: bloom -- blush.ing.ly
          adv

   blusher
          [blush.er] n (1665) 1: one that blushes 2: a cosmetic applied
          to the face to give a usu. pink color or to accent the
          cheekbones

   blush wine
          [blush wine] n (1985): any of various pinkish table wines

   [1]bluster
          [blus.ter] vb blus.tered ; blus.ter.ing [ME blustren, prob.
          fr. MLG blusteren] vi (15c) 1: to talk or act with noisy
          swaggering threats 2 a: to blow in stormy noisy gusts
          b: to be windy and boisterous ~ vt 1: to utter with noisy
          self-assertiveness 2: to drive or force by blustering
          -- blus.ter.er n -- blus.ter.ing.ly adv [2]bluster n
          (1583) 1: a violent boisterous blowing 2: violent commotion
          3: loudly boastful or threatening speech -- blus.ter.ous
          adj -- blus.tery adj

   blvd
          [blvd] abbreviation boulevard

   bm...
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   bm
          [bm] abbreviation beam  BM abbreviation bachelor of medicine,
          bachelor of music, basal metabolism, bill of material,
          board measure, bowel movement, bronze medal

   BME
          [BME] abbreviation bachelor of mechanical engineering, bachelor
          of mining engineering, bachelor of music education

   BMOC
          [BMOC] abbreviation big man on campus

   BMR
          [BMR] abbreviation basal metabolic rate

   BMS
          [BMS] abbreviation bachelor of marine science

   BMT
          [BMT] abbreviation bachelor of medical technology

   BMX
          [BMX] abbreviation bicycle motocross

   bn...
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   bn
          [bn] abbreviation baron, battalion, beacon, been  BN abbreviation
          bachelor of nursing, bank note, Bureau of Narcotics

   BNDD
          [BNDD] abbreviation Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs

   BNS
          [BNS] abbreviation bachelor of naval sciences

   bo...
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   BO
          [BO] abbreviation back order, best offer, body odor, box
          office, branch office, buyer's option

   boa
          [boa] n [L, a water snake] (14c) 1: a large snake (as the
          boa constrictor, anaconda, or python) that kills by constriction
          2: a long fluffy scarf of fur, feathers, or delicate
          fabric

   boa constrictor
          [boa constrictor] n (1809): a tropical American boa (Constrictor
          constrictor syn. Boa constrictor) that is light brown
          barred or mottled with darker brown and reaches a length
          of 10 feet (3 meters) or more; broadly: boa 1

   boar
          [boar] n [ME bor, fr. OE bar; akin to OHG & OS ber boar]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: an uncastrated male swine b: the male
          of any of several mammals (as a guinea pig or raccoon)
          2: wild boar -- boar.ish adj

   [1]board
          [board] n [ME bord piece of sawed lumber, border, ship's
          side, fr. OE; akin to OHG bort ship's side] (bef. 12c)
          1 obs: border, edge 2: the side of a ship 3 a: a piece
          of sawed lumber of little thickness and a length greatly
          exceeding its width b pl: stage 2a(2) 4 a archaic: table
          3a b: a table spread with a meal c: daily meals esp.
          when furnished for pay d: a table at which a council
          or magistrates sit e (1): a group of persons having managerial,
          supervisory, investigatory, or advisory powers <~ of
          directors> <~ of examiners> (2): an examination given
          by an examining board--often used in pl. <pass the medical
          ~s> f: league, association g (1): the exposed hands of
          all the players in a stud poker game (2): an exposed
          dummy hand in bridge 5 a: a flat usu. rectangular piece
          of material (as wood) designed for a special purpose:
          as (1): springboard 1 (2): surfboard b: backboard; also:
          a rebound in basketball c: a surface, frame, or device
          for posting notices d: blackboard e: switchboard 6 a:
          paperboard b: the stiff foundation piece for the side
          of a book cover 7: a securities or commodities exchange
          8 pl: the low wooden wall enclosing a hockey rink 9:
          a sheet of insulating material carrying circuit elements
          and terminals so that it can be inserted in an electronic
          apparatus (as a computer) -- board.like adj -- across
          the board : so as to include or affect all classes or
          categories <cut spending across the board>; also: in
          all areas or respects <considered an average player across
          the board> -- on board : aboard [2]board vt (15c) 1 archaic:
          to come up against or alongside (a ship) usu. to attack
          2: accost, address 3 a: to go aboard (as a ship, train,
          airplane, or bus) b: to put aboard <an airliner ~ing
          passengers> 4: to cover with boards <~ up a window> 5:
          to provide with regular meals and often also lodging
          usu. for compensation 6: to check with a board check
          ~ vi: to take one's meals usu. as a paying customer

   board check
          [board check] n (ca. 1936): a body check of an opposing player
          against the rink boards in ice hockey

   boarder
          [board.er] n (1530): one that boards; esp: one that is provided
          with regular meals or regular meals and lodging

   board foot
          [board foot] n (1896): a unit of quantity for lumber equal
          to the volume of a board 12 by 12 by 1 inches--abbr.
          bd ft

   board game
          [board game] n (1934): a game of strategy (as checkers, chess,
          or backgammon) played by moving pieces on a board

   boardinghouse
          [board.ing.house] n (1728): a lodging house at which meals
          are provided

   boarding school
          [boarding school] n (1677): a school at which meals and lodging
          are provided

   boardman
          [board.man] n (ca. 1923) 1: a member of a board 2: one who
          works at a board

   board of trade
          [board of trade] (1780) 1 cap B&T: a British governmental
          department concerned with commerce and industry 2: a
          commodities exchange

   boardroom
          [board.room] n (1836): a room that is designated for meetings
          of a board

   boardsailing
          [board.sail.ing] n (1980): windsurfing -- board.sail.or n

   boardwalk
          [board.walk] n (1872) 1: a walk constructed of planking 2:
          a walk constructed along a beach

   boart
          [boart] var of bort

   [1]boast
          [boast] n [ME boost] (14c) 1: the act or an instance of boasting:
          brag 2: a cause for pride -- boast.ful adj -- boast.ful.ly
          adv -- boast.ful.ness n [2]boast vi (14c) 1: to puff
          oneself up in speech: speak vaingloriously 2 archaic:
          glory, exult ~ vt 1: to speak of or assert with excessive
          pride 2 a: to possess and often call attention to (something
          that is a source of pride) <~s a new stadium> b: have,
          contain <a room ~ing no more than a desk and a chair>
          -- boast.er n syn boast, brag, vaunt, crow mean to express
          pride in oneself or one's accomplishments. boast often
          suggests ostentation and exaggeration <boasts of every
          trivial success>, but it may imply a claiming with proper
          and justifiable pride <the town boasts one of the best
          museums in the area>. brag suggests crudity and artlessness
          in glorifying oneself <bragging of their exploits>. vaunt
          usu. connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less
          crudity or naivete than brag <vaunted his country's military
          might>. crow usu. implies exultant boasting or bragging
          <crowed after winning the championship>. [3]boast vt
          [origin unknown] (1823): to shape (stone) roughly in
          sculpture and stonecutting as a preliminary to finer
          work

   [1]boat
          [boat] n [ME boot, fr. OE bat; akin to ON beit boat] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a small vessel for travel on water b: ship
          2: a boat-shaped container, utensil, or device <a gravy
          ~> <a laboratory ~> -- boat.ful n -- boat.like adj --
          in the same boat : in the same situation or predicament
          [2]boat vt (1613): to place in or bring into a boat ~
          vi: to go by boat

   boatbuilder
          [boat.build.er] n (1679): one that builds boats -- boat.build.ing
          n

   boater
          [boat.er] n (1605) 1: one who travels in a boat 2: a stiff
          hat usu. made of braided straw with a brim, hatband,
          and flat crown

   boat hook
          [boat hook] n (ca. 1611): a pole-handled hook with a point
          or knob on the back used esp. to pull or push a boat,
          raft, or log into place

   boathouse
          [boat.house] n (1722): a building to house and protect boats

   boatload
          [boat.load] n (1680) 1: a load that fills a boat 2: an indefinitely
          large number <a ~ of money>

   boatman
          [boat.man] n (14c): a man who works on, deals in, or operates
          boats

   boat people
          [boat people] n pl (1977): refugees fleeing by boat

   boatswain
          [boat.swain] n [ME bootswein, fr. boot boat + swein boy,
          servant--more at swain] (14c) 1: a petty officer on a
          merchant ship having charge of hull maintenance and related
          work 2: a naval warrant officer in charge of the hull
          and all related equipment

   boat train
          [boat train] n (1884): an express train for transporting
          passengers between a port and a city

   boatyard
          [boat.yard] n (1847): a yard where boats are built, repaired,
          and stored and often sold or rented

   [1]bob
          [bob] vb bobbed ; bob.bing [ME boben] vt (13c) 1: to strike
          with a quick light blow: rap 2: to move up and down in
          a short quick movement <~ the head> 3: to polish with
          a bob: buff ~ vi 1 a: to move up and down briefly or
          repeatedly <a cork bobbed in the water> b: to emerge,
          arise, or appear suddenly or unexpectedly <the question
          bobbed up again> 2: to nod or curtsy briefly 3: to try
          to seize a suspended or floating object with the teeth
          <~ for apples> [2]bob n (1550) 1 a: a short quick down-and-up
          motion b Scot: any of several folk dances 2 obs: a blow
          or tap esp. with the fist 3 a: a modification of the
          order in change ringing b: a method of change ringing
          using a bob 4: a small polishing wheel of solid felt
          or leather with rounded edges [3]bob vt bobbed ; bob.bing
          [ME bobben, fr. MF bober] (14c) 1 obs: deceive, cheat
          2 obs: to take by fraud: filch [4]bob n [ME bobbe] (14c)
          1 a (1): bunch, cluster (2) Scot: nosegay b: a knob,
          knot, twist, or curl esp. of ribbons, yarn, or hair c:
          a short haircut on a woman or child 2: float 2a 3: a
          hanging ball or weight (as on a plumb line) 4: trifle
          1 [5]bob vt bobbed ; bob.bing (1675) 1: to cut shorter:
          crop <~ a horse's tail> 2: to cut (hair) in the style
          of a bob [6]bob n, pl bob [perh. fr. the name Bob] (1789)
          slang Brit: shilling [7]bob n (1856): bobsled

   [1]bobber
          [bob.ber] n (1593): one that bobs [2]bobber n (1904): a person
          who rides or races on a bobsled

   bobbery
          [bob.bery] n, pl -ber.ies [Hindi bap re, lit., oh father]]
          (1803): hubbub

   bobbin
          [bob.bin] n [origin unknown] (1530) 1 a: a cylinder or spindle
          on which yarn or thread is wound (as in a sewing machine)
          b: any of various small round devices on which threads
          are wound for working handmade lace c: a coil of insulated
          wire or the reel it is wound on 2: a cotton cord formerly
          used by dressmakers for piping

   bobbinet
          [bob.bi.net] n [blend of bobbin and net] (1814): a machine-made
          net of cotton, silk, or nylon usu. with hexagonal mesh

   [1]bobble
          [bob.ble] vb bob.bled ; bob.bling [freq. of [1]bob] (1812)
          1: [1]bob 2: fumble [2]bobble n (1880) 1: a repeated
          bobbing movement 2: a small ball of fabric; esp: one
          in a series used on an edging <curtains with ~s> 3: error,
          mistake; esp: a mishandling of the ball in baseball or
          football

   bobby
          [bob.by] n, pl bobbies [Bobby, nickname for Robert, after
          Sir Robert Peel, who organized the London police force]
          (1844) Brit: police officer

   bobby pin
          [bobby pin] n [perh. fr. [4]bob] (1932): a flat wire hairpin
          with prongs that press close together

   bobby socks
          [bobby socks] or bobby sox n pl [perh. fr bobby pin] (1943):
          girls' socks reaching above the ankle

   bobby-soxer
          [bob.by-sox.er] n (1944): an adolescent girl

   bobcat
          [bob.cat] n [[4]bob; fr. the stubby tail] (1888): a common
          No. American lynx (Lynx rufus) variably reddish in base
          color with dark markings

   bobeche
          [bo.beche] n [F bobeche] (ca. 1897): a usu. glass collar
          on a candle socket to catch drippings or on a candlestick
          or chandelier to hold suspended glass prisms

   bobolink
          [bob.o.link] n [imit.] (ca. 1801): an American migratory
          songbird (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) with the breeding male
          chiefly black

   bobsled
          [bob.sled] n [perh. fr. [4]bob] (1839) 1: a short sled usu.
          used as one of a pair joined by a coupling 2: a large
          usu. metal sled used in racing and equipped with two
          pairs of runners in tandem, a long seat for two or more
          people, a steering wheel, and a hand brake -- bobsled
          vi -- bob.sled.der n

   bobsledding
          [bob.sled.ding] n (1883): the act, skill, or sport of riding
          or racing on a bobsled

   bobstay
          [bob.stay] n [prob. fr. [2]bob] (1758): a stay to hold a
          ship's bowsprit down

   bobtail
          [bob.tail] n [[4]bob] (1605) 1 a: a bobbed tail b: a horse,
          dog, or cat with a bobbed or very short tail; esp: old
          english sheepdog 2: something curtailed -- bobtail or
          bob.tailed adj

   bob veal
          [bob veal] n [E dial. bob young calf] (1855): the veal of
          a very young or unborn calf

   bobwhite
          [bob.white] n [imit.] (1819): any of a genus (Colinus) of
          quail; esp: a popular game bird (C. virginianus) of the
          eastern and central U.S.

   bocaccio
          [bo.cac.cio] n [perh. modif. of Sp bocacha, aug. of boca
          mouth] (ca. 1890): a large rockfish (Sebastes paucispinis)
          of the Pacific coast locally important as a market fish

   boccie
          [boc.cie] or boc.ci or boc.ce n [It bocce, pl. of boccia
          ball, fr. (assumed) VL bottia boss] (1926): a game of
          Italian origin similar to lawn bowling played on a long
          narrow usu. dirt court

   bock
          [bock] n [G, short for Bockbier, by shortening & alter. fr.
          Einbecker Bier, lit., beer from Einbeck, fr. Einbeck,
          Germany] (1856): a heavy dark rich beer usu. sold in
          the early spring

   BOD
          [BOD] abbreviation biochemical oxygen demand, biological
          oxygen demand

   bod
          [bod] n (1933) 1 Brit: fellow, guy 2: body

   bodacious
          [bo.da.cious] adj [prob. blend of bold and audacious] (1845)
          1 Southern & Midland: outright, unmistakable 2: remarkable,
          noteworthy <the ~ 1974 comedy --People> -- bo.da.cious.ly
          adv

   [1]bode
          [bode] vt bod.ed ; bod.ing [ME, fr. OE bodian; akin to OE
          beodan to proclaim--more at bid] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic:
          to announce beforehand: foretell 2: to indicate by signs:
          presage <this controversy ... will ~ ill for both of
          us --A. H. Lowe> [2]bode past of bide

   bodega
          [bo.de.ga] n [Sp, fr. L apotheca storehouse--more at apothecary]
          (1846) 1: a storehouse for maturing wine 2 a: wineshop
          b (1): [1]bar 5a (2): barroom 3: a store specializing
          in Hispanic groceries

   bodement
          [bode.ment] n (1605) 1: omen, foreboding 2: prediction, prophecy

   bodhisattva
          [bo.dhi.satt.va] or bod.dhi.satt.va n [Skt bodhisattva one
          whose essence is enlightenment, fr. bodhi enlightenment
          + sattva being--more at bid] (1828): a being that compassionately
          refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others
          and is worshiped as a deity in Mahayana Buddhism

   bodhran
          [bodh.ran] n [Ir bodhran] (1972): an Irish goatskin drum

   bodice
          [bod.ice] n [alter. of bodies, pl. of [1]body] (ca. 1567)
          1: the upper part of a woman's dress 2 archaic: corset,
          stays

   bodice ripper
          [bodice ripper] n (1980): a historical or Gothic romance
          typically featuring scenes in which the heroine is subjected
          to sexual violence

   bodied
          [bod.ied] adj (ca. 1547): having a body of a specified kind--used
          in combination <full-bodied> <glass-bodied>

   bodiless
          [bodi.less] adj (14c): having no body

   [1]bodily
          [bodi.ly] adj (14c) 1: having a body: physical 2: of or relating
          to the body <~ comfort> <~ organs> [2]bodily adv (14c)
          1: in the flesh: physically 2: as a whole: altogether

   boding
          [bod.ing] n (13c): foreboding

   bodkin
          [bod.kin] n [ME bodekin] (14c) 1 a: dagger, stiletto b: a
          sharp slender instrument for making holes in cloth c:
          an ornamental hairpin shaped like a stiletto 2: a blunt
          needle with a large eye for drawing tape or ribbon through
          a loop or hem

   [1]body
          [body] n, pl bod.ies [ME, fr. OE bodig; akin to OHG boteh
          corpse] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the main part of a plant or animal
          body esp. as distinguished from limbs and head: trunk
          b: the main, central, or principal part: as (1): the
          nave of a church (2): the bed or box of a vehicle on
          or in which the load is placed (3): the enclosed or partly
          enclosed part of an automobile 2 a: the organized physical
          substance of an animal or plant either living or dead:
          as (1): the material part or nature of a human being
          (2): the dead organism: corpse b: a human being: person
          3 a: a mass of matter distinct from other masses <a ~
          of water> <a celestial ~> b: something that embodies
          or gives concrete reality to a thing; also: a sensible
          object in physical space c: aggregate, quantity <a ~
          of evidence> 4 a: the part of a garment covering the
          body or trunk b: the main part of a literary or journalistic
          work: text 2b c: the sound box or pipe of a musical instrument
          5: a group of persons or things: as a: a fighting unit:
          force b: a group of individuals organized for some purpose
          <a legislative ~> 6 a: fullness and richness of flavor
          (as of wine) b: viscosity, consistency--used esp. of
          oils and grease c: compactness or firmness of texture
          d: fullness or resonance of a musical tone [2]body vt
          bod.ied ; body.ing (15c) 1: to give form or shape to:
          embody 2: represent, symbolize--usu. used with forth

   body bag
          [body bag] n (1954): a large zippered usu. rubber bag in
          which a human corpse is placed esp. for transportation

   body blow
          [body blow] n (1792) 1: a blow to the body 2: a damaging
          or deeply felt blow <an economic body blow>

   bodybuilding
          [body.build.ing] n (1904): the developing of the body through
          exercise and diet; specif: the developing of the physique
          for competitive exhibition -- body.build.er n

   body cavity
          [body cavity] n (1875): a cavity in an animal body; specif:
          coelom

   body-centered
          [body-cen.tered] adj (1921): relating to or being a crystal
          space lattice in which each cubic unit cell has an atom
          at its center and at each vertex--compare face-centered

   body check
          [body check] n (1892): a blocking of an opposing player with
          the body (as in ice hockey or lacrosse) -- body.check
          vt

   body corporate
          [body corporate] n (15c): corporation

   body count
          [body count] n (1967) 1: a count of the bodies of killed
          enemy soldiers 2: the number of persons involved in a
          particular activity

   body English
          [body English] n (1908): bodily motions made in a usu. unconscious
          effort to influence the progress of a propelled object (as a ball)

   bodyguard
          [body.guard] n (ca. 1735): a usu. armed attendant or group
          of attendants whose duty is to protect a person

   body language
          [body language] n (1926): the gestures, movements, and mannerisms
          by which a person or animal communicates with others

   body louse
          [body louse] n (1575): a louse feeding primarily on the body;
          esp: a sucking louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) feeding
          on the body and living in the clothing of humans--called
          also cootie

   body mechanics
          [body mechanics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1970):
          systematic exercises designed esp. to develop coordination,
          endurance, and poise

   body politic
          [body politic] n (15c) 1: a group of persons politically
          organized under a single governmental authority 2 archaic:
          corporation 2 3: a people considered as a collective
          unit

   body shirt
          [body shirt] n (1967) 1: a close-fitting shirt or blouse
          2: a woman's close-fitting top made with a sewn-in or
          snapped crotch

   body shop
          [body shop] n (1954): a shop where automotive bodies are
          made or repaired

   body snatcher
          [body snatcher] n (1812): one that steals corpses from graves

   body stocking
          [body stocking] n (1965): a sheer close-fitting one-piece
          garment for the torso that often has sleeves and legs

   bodysuit
          [body.suit] n (1970): a close-fitting one-piece garment for
          the torso

   bodysurf
          [body.surf] vi (1943): to ride on a wave without a surfboard
          by planing on the chest and stomach -- body.surf.er n

   body wall
          [body wall] n (1888): the external surface of the animal
          body consisting of ectoderm and mesoderm and enclosing
          the body cavity

   bodywork
          [body.work] n (1908) 1: a vehicle body 2: the act or process
          of making or repairing vehicle bodies

   boehmite
          [boehm.ite] n [G Bohmit, fr. J. Bohm (Boehm), 20th cent.
          Ger. scientist] (ca. 1929): a mineral consisting of an
          orthorhombic form of aluminum oxide and hydroxide AlO(OH)
          found in bauxite

   Boer
          [Boer] n [D, lit., farmer--more at boor] (1834): a South
          African of Dutch or Huguenot descent

   [1]boff
          [boff] vt [fr. boff blow, punch, perh. imit.] (1937): to
          have sexual intercourse with--sometimes considered vulgar
          [2]boff or bof.fo n, pl boffs or boffos [perh. fr. box
          office] (1946) 1: a hearty laugh 2: a gag or line that
          produces a hearty laugh 3: something that is conspicuously
          successful: hit

   boffin
          [bof.fin] n [origin unknown] (1945) chiefly Brit: a scientific
          expert; esp: one involved in technological research

   boffo
          [bof.fo] adj (1949): extremely successful: sensational

   boffola
          [bof.fo.la] n [irreg. fr. boff] (1946): boff

   Bofors gun
          [Bo.fors gun] n [Bofors, munition works in Sweden] (1939):
          a double-barreled automatic antiaircraft gun

   [1]bog
          [bog] n [ME (Sc), fr. ScGael & Ir bog- (as in bogluachair
          bulrushes), fr. bog marshy, lit., soft, fr. MIr bocc;
          prob. akin to OE bugan to bend--more at bow] (14c): wet
          spongy ground; esp: a poorly drained usu. acid area rich
          in accumulated plant material, frequently surrounding
          a body of open water, and having a characteristic flora
          (as of sedges, heaths, and sphagnum) -- bog.gy adj [2]bog
          vb bogged ; bog.ging vt (1599): to cause to sink into
          or as if into a bog: impede, mire--usu. used with down
          ~ vi: to become impeded or stuck--usu. used with down

   bog asphodel
          [bog asphodel] n (1857): either of two bog herbs (Narthecium
          ossifragum of Europe and N. americanum of the U.S.) of
          the lily family

   [1]bogey
          [bo.gey] also bo.gie or bo.gy n, pl bogeys also bogies [prob.
          alter. of bogle] (1857) 1: specter, phantom 2: a source
          of fear, perplexity, or harassment 3 a chiefly Brit:
          an average golfer's score used as a standard for a particular
          hole or course b: one stroke over par on a hole in golf
          4: a numerical standard of performance set up as a mark
          to be aimed at in competition 5: an unidentified aircraft;
          esp: one not positively identified as friendly and so
          assumed to be hostile [2]bo.gey vt bo.geyed ; bo.gey.ing
          (1948): to shoot (a hole in golf) in one over par

   bogeyman
          [bo.gey.man] also bo.gy.man n (ca. 1890) 1: a monstrous imaginary
          figure used in threatening children 2: a terrifying or
          dreaded person or thing: bugbear

   boggle
          [bog.gle] vb bog.gled ; bog.gling [perh. fr. bogle] vi (1598)
          1: to start with fright or amazement: be overwhelmed
          <the mind ~s at the research needed> 2: to hesitate because
          of doubt, fear, or scruples ~ vt 1: mishandle, bungle
          2: to overwhelm with wonder or bewilderment -- boggle
          n

   bogie
          [bo.gie] also bo.gey n, pl bogies also bogeys [origin unknown]
          (1835) 1: a low strongly built cart 2 a chiefly Brit:
          a swiveling railway truck b: the driving-wheel assembly
          consisting of the rear four wheels of a 6-wheel automotive
          truck 3: a small supporting or aligning wheel (as on
          the inside perimeter of a tank tread)

   bogle
          [bo.gle] also bog.gle n [origin unknown] (ca. 1505) dial
          Brit: goblin, specter; also: an object of fear or loathing

   Bogomil
          [Bo.go.mil] also Bo.go.mile n [MGk Bogomilos, fr. Bogomilos
          Bogomil, 10th cent. Bulg. priest, founder of the sect]
          (1841): a member of a medieval Bulgarian sect holding
          that God has two sons, the rebellious Satan and the obedient
          Jesus

   bogus
          [bo.gus] adj [bogus (a machine for making counterfeit money)]
          (1825): not genuine: counterfeit, sham

   bohea
          [bo.hea] n, often cap [Chin (Fujian) Bu-i, hills in China
          where it was grown] (1701): a black tea

   bohemia
          [bo.he.mia] n, often cap [trans. of F boheme] (1861): a community
          of bohemians: the world of bohemians

   Bohemian
          [Bo.he.mi.an] n (1603) 1 a: a native or inhabitant of Bohemia
          b: the group of Czech dialects used in Bohemia 2 often
          not cap a: vagabond, wanderer; esp: gypsy b: a person
          (as a writer or an artist) living an unconventional life
          usu. in a colony with others -- bohemian adj, often cap

   Bohemian Brethren
          [Bohemian Brethren] n pl (ca. 1862): a Christian body originating
          in Bohemia in 1467 and forming a parent body of the Moravian
          Church

   bohemianism
          [bo.he.mi.an.ism] n, often cap (1861): the unconventional
          way of life of bohemians

   Bohr effect
          [Bohr effect] n [Christian Bohr d. 1911 Dan. physiologist]
          (1939): the decrease in the oxygen affinity of a respiratory
          pigment (as hemoglobin) in response to decreased blood
          pH resulting from increased carbon dioxide concentration
          in the blood

   Bohr theory
          [Bohr theory] n [Niels Bohr] (1922): a theory in early quantum
          physics: an atom consists of a positively charged nucleus
          about which revolves one or more electrons of quantized
          energy

   bohunk
          [bo.hunk] n [Bohemian + Hunk person of central European descent,
          by shortening & alter. of Hungarian] (ca. 1903): a person
          of central European descent or birth--usu. used disparagingly

   [1]boil
          [boil] vb [ME, fr. OF boillir, fr. L bullire to bubble, fr.
          bulla bubble] vi (13c) 1 a: to come to the boiling point
          b: to generate bubbles of vapor when heated--used of
          a liquid c: to cook in boiling water <the potatoes are
          ~ing> 2: to become agitated like boiling water: seethe
          3: to be moved, excited, or stirred up <made his blood
          ~> 4 a: to rush headlong b: to burst forth: erupt <water
          ~ing from a spring> 5: to undergo the action of a boiling
          liquid ~ vt 1: to subject to the action of a boiling
          liquid <~ eggs> 2: to heat to the boiling point <~ water>
          3: to form or separate (as sugar or salt) by boiling
          -- boil.able adj [2]boil n [ME, alter. of bile, fr. OE
          byl; akin to OHG pulla bladder] (15c): a localized swelling
          and inflammation of the skin resulting from infection
          in a skin gland, having a hard central core, and forming
          pus [3]boil n (15c) 1: the act or state of boiling 2:
          a swirling upheaval (as of water)

   boil down
          [boil down] vt (1845) 1: to reduce in bulk by boiling 2:
          condense, summarize <boil down a report> ~ vi 1: to undergo
          reduction in bulk by boiling 2 a: to be equivalent in
          summary: amount <his speech boiled down to a plea for
          more money> b: to reduce ultimately <your choices boil
          down to three>

   boiler
          [boil.er] n (ca. 1540) 1: one that boils 2 a: a vessel used
          for boiling b: the part of a steam generator in which
          water is converted into steam and which consists usu.
          of metal shells and tubes c: a tank in which water is
          heated or hot water is stored

   boilermaker
          [boil.er.mak.er] n (1865) 1: a worker who makes, assembles,
          or repairs boilers 2: whiskey with a beer chaser

   boilerplate
          [boil.er.plate] n (1897) 1: syndicated material supplied
          esp. to weekly newspapers in matrix or plate form 2 a:
          standardized text b: formulaic or hackneyed language
          <bureaucratic ~>

   boiler room
          [boiler room] n (1903) 1: a room in which a boiler is located
          2: a room equipped with telephones used for making high-pressure
          usu. fraudulent sales pitches

   boilersuit
          [boil.er.suit] n (1928): coverall

   [1]boiling
          [boil.ing] adj (14c) 1 a: heated to the boiling point b:
          torrid <a ~ sun> 2: intensely agitated <a ~ sea> <~ with
          anger> [2]boiling adv (1607): to an extreme degree: very
          <~ mad> <~ hot>

   boiling point
          [boiling point] n (1773) 1: the temperature at which a liquid
          boils 2 a: the point at which a person becomes uncontrollably
          angry b: the point of crisis: head 17b <matters had reached
          the boiling point>

   boil over
          [boil over] vi (15c) 1: to overflow while boiling or during
          boiling 2: to become so incensed as to lose one's temper

   bois d'arc
          [bois d'arc] n, pl bois d'arcs or bois d'arc [AmerF, lit.,
          bow wood] (1805): osage orange; also: its wood

   boisterous
          [bois.ter.ous] adj [ME boistous rough] (14c) 1 obs a: coarse
          b: durable, strong c: massive 2 a: noisily turbulent:
          rowdy b: marked by or expressive of exuberance and high
          spirits 3: stormy, tumultuous syn see vociferous -- bois.ter.ous.ly
          adv -- bois.ter.ous.ness n

   boite
          [boite] n [F, lit., box] (1922): nightclub

   bok choy
          [bok choy] n [Chin (Guangdong) baahk-choi, lit., white vegetable]
          (1938): a Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis) forming
          an open head with long white stalks and green leaves

   Bokmal
          [Bok.mal] n [Norw, lit., book language] (1931): a literary
          form of Norwegian developed by the gradual reform of
          written Danish--compare nynorsk

   bola
          [bo.la] or bo.las n, pl bolas also bo.las.es [AmerSp bolas,
          fr. Sp bola ball] (1818): a cord with weights attached
          to the ends for throwing at and entangling an animal

   [1]bold
          [bold] adj [ME, fr. OE beald; akin to OHG bald bold] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: fearless before danger: intrepid b: showing
          or requiring a fearless daring spirit <a ~ plan> 2: impudent,
          presumptuous 3 obs: assured, confident 4: sheer, steep
          <~ cliffs> 5: adventurous, free <a ~ thinker> 6: standing
          out prominently 7: being or set in boldface -- bold.ly
          adv -- bold.ness n [2]bold n (ca. 1871): boldface

   boldface
          [bold.face] n (ca. 1889): a heavy-faced type; also: printing
          in boldface

   bold-faced
          [bold-faced] adj (1591) 1: bold in manner or conduct: impudent
          2 usu bold.faced : being or set in boldface

   bole
          [bole] n [ME, fr. ON bolr] (14c): the trunk of a tree

   bolero
          [bo.le.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp] (1787) 1: a Spanish dance characterized
          by sharp turns, stamping of the feet, and sudden pauses
          in a position with one arm arched over the head; also: music in 3/4
          time for a bolero 2: a loose waist-length jacket open at the front

   bolete
          [bo.lete] n [NL Boletus] (1914): any of a family (Boletaceae)
          of fleshy stalked pore fungi that usu. grow on the ground
          in wooded areas; esp: boletus

   boletus
          [bo.le.tus] n, pl -tus or -ti [NL, genus name, fr. L, mushroom]
          (1601): any of a genus (Boletus) of boletes (as a cepe)
          some of which are poisonous and others edible

   bolivar
          [bo.li.var] n, pl -va.res or -vars [AmerSp bolivar, fr. Simon
          Bolivar] (ca. 1895): the basic monetary unit of Venezuela

   boliviano
          [bo.li.vi.a.no] n, pl -nos [AmerSp] (ca. 1872): the chief
          monetary unit of Bolivia before 1963 and since 1987

   boll
          [boll] n [ME] (15c): the pod or capsule of a plant (as cotton)

   bollard
          [bol.lard] n [perh. fr. bole] (ca. 1775) 1: a post of metal
          or wood on a wharf around which to fasten mooring lines
          2: bitt 1 3 chiefly Brit: any of a series of short posts
          set at intervals to delimit an area (as a traffic island)
          or to exclude vehicles

   bollix
          [bol.lix] vt [alter. of ballocks, pl. of ballock (testis),
          fr. ME, fr. OE bealluc--more at ball] (1937): to throw
          into disorder; also: bungle--usu. used with up -- bollix
          n

   boll weevil
          [boll weevil] n (1895): a grayish weevil (Anthonomus grandis)
          that infests the cotton plant and feeds on the squares
          and bolls

   bollworm
          [boll.worm] n (1847): corn earworm; also: any of several
          other moths or their immature stages that feed on cotton
          bolls as larvae

   bolo
          [bo.lo] n, pl bolos [PhilSp] (ca. 1900): a long heavy single-edged
          knife of Philippine origin used to cut vegetation and as a weapon

   bologna
          [bo.lo.gna] n [short for Bologna sausage, fr. Bologna, Italy]
          (1596): a large smoked sausage of beef, veal, and pork;
          also: a sausage made (as of turkey) to resemble bologna

   bolometer
          [bo.lom.e.ter] n [Gk bole stroke, beam of light (fr. ballein
          to throw) + E -o- + -meter--more at devil] (1881): a
          very sensitive thermometer whose electrical resistance
          varies with temperature and which is used in the detection
          and measurement of feeble thermal radiation and is esp.
          adapted to the study of infrared spectra -- bo.lo.met.ric
          adj -- bo.lo.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   boloney
          [bo.lo.ney] var of baloney

   bolo tie
          [bo.lo tie] or bo.la tie n [prob. fr. bola] (1964): a cord
          fastened around the neck with an ornamental clasp and
          worn as a necktie

   Bolshevik
          [Bol.she.vik] n, pl Bolsheviks also Bol.she.vi.ki [Russ bol'shevik,
          fr. bol'shii greater] (1917) 1: a member of the extremist wing
          of the Russian Social Democratic party that seized power in Russia
          by the Revolution of November 1917 2: communist 3 -- Bolshevik adj

   bolshevism
          [bol.she.vism] n, often cap (1917) 1: the doctrine or program
          of the Bolsheviks advocating violent overthrow of capitalism
          2: Russian communism

   Bolshevist
          [Bol.she.vist] n or adj (1917): bolshevik

   bolshevize
          [bol.she.vize] vt -vized ; -viz.ing (1919): to make Bolshevist
          -- Bol.she.vi.za.tion n

   bolshie
          [bol.shie] or bol.shy n or adj, often cap [by shortening
          & alter.] (1918): bolshevik

   [1]bolster
          [bol.ster] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OE belg bag--more at belly]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a long pillow or cushion 2: a structural
          part designed to eliminate friction or provide support
          or bearing [2]bolster vt bol.stered ; bol.ster.ing (1508)
          1: to support with or as if with a bolster: reinforce
          2: to give a boost to <news that ~ed his spirits> --
          bol.ster.er n

   [1]bolt
          [bolt] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG bolz crossbow bolt, and
          perh. to Lith beldeti to beat] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a shaft
          or missile designed to be shot from a crossbow or catapult;
          esp: a short stout usu. blunt-headed arrow b: a lightning
          stroke; also: thunderbolt 2 a: a wood or metal bar or
          rod used to fasten a door b: the part of a lock that
          is shot or withdrawn by the key 3: a roll of cloth or
          wallpaper of specified length 4: a metal rod or pin for
          fastening objects together that usu. has a head at one
          end and a screw thread at the other and is secured by
          a nut 5 a: a block of timber to be sawed or cut b: a
          short round section of a log 6: a metal cylinder that
          drives the cartridge into the chamber of a firearm, locks
          the breech, and usu. contains the firing pin and extractor
          [2]bolt vi (13c) 1: to move suddenly or nervously: start
          2: to move rapidly: dash 3 a: to dart off or away: flee
          b: to break away from control or a set course 4: to break
          away from or oppose one's previous affiliation (as with
          a political party or candidate) 5: to produce seed prematurely
          ~ vt 1 a archaic: shoot, discharge b: flush, start <~
          rabbits> 2: to say impulsively: blurt 3: to secure with
          a bolt 4: to attach or fasten with bolts 5: to swallow
          hastily or without chewing 6: to break away from or refuse
          to support (as a political party) [3]bolt adv (14c) 1:
          in an erect or straight-backed position: rigidly <sat
          ~ upright> 2 archaic: directly, straight [4]bolt n (1550):
          the act or an instance of bolting [5]bolt vt [ME bulten,
          fr. OF buleter, modif. of MHG biuteln to sift, fr. biutel
          bag, fr. OHG butil] (13c) 1: to sift (as flour) usu.
          through fine-meshed cloth 2 archaic: sift 2

   bolt-action
          [bolt-ac.tion] adj (1896) of a firearm: loaded by means of
          a manually operated bolt

   bolter
          [bolt.er] n (ca. 1699): one that bolts: as a: a horse given
          to running away b: a voter who bolts from a political
          party

   bolt-hole
          [bolt-hole] n (ca. 1851) chiefly Brit: a place of escape
          or refuge

   boltrope
          [bolt.rope] n (ca. 1626): a strong rope stitched to the edges
          of a sail to strengthen it

   bolus
          [bo.lus] n [LL, fr. Gk bolos lump] (1562): a rounded mass:
          as a: a large pill b: a soft mass of chewed food

   [1]bomb
          [bomb] n [F bombe, fr. It bomba, prob. fr. L bombus deep
          hollow sound, fr. Gk bombos, of imit. origin] (1684)
          1 a: an explosive device fused to detonate under specified
          conditions b: atomic bomb; also: nuclear weapons in general--usu.
          used with the 2: a vessel for compressed gases: as a:
          a pressure vessel for conducting chemical experiments
          b: a container for an aerosol: spray can 3: a rounded
          mass of lava exploded from a volcano 4: a lead-lined
          container for radioactive material 5: failure, flop <the
          play was a ~> 6 Brit: a large sum of money 7 Brit: a
          great success: hit 8: a long pass in football [2]bomb
          vt (1688) 1: to attack with or as if with bombs: bombard
          2: to defeat decisively ~ vi 1: to fall flat: fail 2
          slang: to move rapidly <~ed down the hill> -- bomb.ing
          n

   [1]bombard
          [bom.bard] n [ME bombarde, fr. MF, prob. fr. L bombus] (15c):
          a late medieval cannon used to hurl large stones [2]bom.bard
          vt (1686) 1: to attack esp. with artillery or bombers
          2: to assail vigorously or persistently (as with questions)
          3: to subject to the impact of rapidly moving particles
          (as electrons) syn see attack -- bom.bard.ment n

   bombardier
          [bom.bar.dier] n (1560) 1 a archaic: artilleryman b:
          a noncommissioned officer in the British artillery 2: a bomber-crew
          member who releases the bombs

   bombardon
          [bom.bar.don] n [F, fr. It bombardone] (1856) 1: a bass tuba
          2: the bass member of the shawm family

   bombast
          [bom.bast] n [ME bombast cotton padding, fr. MF bombace,
          fr. ML bombac-, bombax cotton, alter. of L bombyc-, bombyx
          silkworm, silk, fr. Gk bombyk-, bombyx] (1589): pretentious
          inflated speech or writing

   bombastic
          [bom.bas.tic] adj (1704): marked by or given to bombast:
          pompous, overblown -- bom.bas.ti.cal.ly adv

   bombazine
          [bom.ba.zine] n [MF bombasin, fr. ML bombacinum, bombycinum
          silken texture, fr. L, neut. of bombycinus of silk, fr.
          bombyc-, bombyx] (1572) 1: a twilled fabric with silk
          warp and worsted filling 2: a silk fabric in twill weave
          dyed black

   bombe
          [bombe] n [F, lit., bomb] (1892): a frozen dessert usu. containing
          ice cream and formed in layers in a mold bom.be adj [F, fr. bombe]
          (1904): having outward curving lines--usu. used of furniture

   bombed
          [bombed] adj (1959): affected by alcohol or drugs: drunk,
          high

   bomber
          [bomb.er] n (1915) 1: one that bombs; specif: an airplane
          designed for bombing 2: bomber jacket

   bomber jacket
          [bomber jacket] n (1952): a zippered usu. leather jacket
          with front pockets and knitted cuffs and waistband

   bombinate
          [bom.bi.nate] vi -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [NL bombinatus, pp. of
          bombinare, alter. of L bombilare, fr. bombus] (1880):
          buzz, drone -- bom.bi.na.tion n

   bombproof
          [bomb.proof] adj (1702): safe from the force of bombs

   bombshell
          [bomb.shell] n (1708) 1: bomb 1a 2: one that is stunning,
          amazing, or devastating <the book was a political ~>

   bombsight
          [bomb.sight] n (1917): a sighting device for aiming bombs

   bona fide
          [bo.na fide] adj [L, lit., in good faith] (1788) 1: made
          in good faith without fraud or deceit <a bona fide offer
          to buy a farm> 2: made with earnest intent: sincere 3:
          neither specious nor counterfeit: genuine syn see authentic

   bona fides
          [bo.na fi.des] n [L, lit., good faith] (1798) 1: good faith:
          sincerity 2: the fact of being genuine--often pl. in
          constr. 3: evidence of one's good faith or genuineness--often
          pl. in constr. 4: evidence of one's qualifications or
          achievements--often pl. in constr.

   bonanza
          [bo.nan.za] n [Sp, lit., calm sea, fr. ML bonacia, alter.
          of L malacia, fr. Gk malakia, lit., softness, fr. malakos
          soft] (1844) 1: an exceptionally large and rich mineral
          deposit (as of an ore, precious metal, or petroleum)
          2 a: something that is very valuable, profitable, or
          rewarding <a box-office ~> b: an extremely large amount
          <expected a ~ of sympathy>

   Bonapartism
          [Bo.na.part.ism] n (1815) 1: support of the French emperors
          Napoleon I, Napoleon III, or their dynasty 2: a political
          movement associated chiefly with authoritarian rule usu.
          by a military leader ostensibly supported by a popular
          mandate -- Bo.na.part.ist n or adj

   bon appetit
          [bon ap.pe.tit] [F] foreign term : good appetite: enjoy your
          meal

   bonbon
          [bon.bon] n [F, redupl. of bon good, fr. L bonus--more at
          bounty] (1796): a candy with chocolate or fondant coating
          and fondant center that sometimes contains fruits and
          nuts

   [1]bond
          [bond] n [ME band, bond--more at band] (12c) 1: something
          that binds or restrains: fetter 2: a binding agreement:
          covenant 3 a: a band or cord used to tie something b:
          a material or device for binding c: an attractive force
          that holds together the atoms, ions, or groups of atoms
          in a molecule or crystal d: an adhesive, cementing material,
          or fusible ingredient that combines, unites, or strengthens
          4: a uniting or binding element or force: tie <the ~s
          of friendship> 5 a: an obligation made binding by a money
          forfeit; also: the amount of the money guarantee b: one
          who acts as bail or surety c: an interest-bearing certificate
          of public or private indebtedness d: an insurance agreement
          pledging surety for financial loss caused to another
          by the act or default of a third person or by some contingency
          over which the third person may have no control 6: the
          systematic lapping of brick in a wall 7: the state of
          goods made, stored, or transported under the care of
          bonded agencies until the duties or taxes on them are
          paid 8: a 100-proof straight whiskey aged at least four
          years under government supervision before being bottled--called
          also bonded whiskey 9: bond paper [2]bond vt (1677) 1:
          to lap (as brick) for solidity of construction 2 a: to
          secure payment of duties and taxes on (goods) by giving
          a bond b: to convert into a debt secured by bonds c:
          to provide a bond for or cause to provide such a bond
          <~ an employee> 3 a: to cause to adhere firmly b: to
          embed in a matrix c: to hold together in a molecule or
          crystal by chemical bonds ~ vi: to hold together or solidify
          by or as if by means of a bond or binder: cohere -- bond.able
          adj -- bond.er n [3]bond adj [ME bonde, fr. bonde peasant,
          serf, fr. OE bonda householder, fr. ON bondi] (14c) archaic:
          bound in slavery

   bondage
          [bond.age] n (14c) 1: the tenure or service of a villein,
          serf, or slave 2: a state of being bound usu. by compulsion
          (as of law or mastery): as a: captivity, serfdom b: servitude
          or subjugation to a controlling person or force <young
          people in ~ to drugs>

   bonded
          [bond.ed] adj (1945): composed of two or more layers of the
          same or different fabrics held together by an adhesive
          <~ jersey>

   bondholder
          [bond.hold.er] n (1823): one that holds a government or corporation
          bond

   bonding
          [bond.ing] n (1976) 1: the formation of a close personal
          relationship (as between a mother and child) esp. through
          frequent or constant association 2: the attaching of
          a material (as porcelain) to a tooth surface esp. for
          cosmetic purposes

   bondmaid
          [bond.maid] n (1526) archaic: a female bond servant

   bondman
          [bond.man] n (13c): slave, serf

   bond paper
          [bond paper] n (ca. 1877): a durable paper orig. used for
          documents

   bond servant
          [bond servant] n (15c): one bound to service without wages;
          also: slave

   [1]bondsman
          [bonds.man] n (1713): one who assumes the responsibility
          of a bond: surety [2]bondsman n (1735): bondman

   bondstone
          [bond.stone] n (ca. 1845): a stone long enough to extend
          through the full thickness of a wall to bind it together

   bondwoman
          [bond.wom.an] n (14c): a female slave

   [1]bone
          [bone] n, often attrib [ME bon, fr. OE ban; akin to OHG &
          ON bein bone, and perh. to OIr benaid he hews] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: one of the hard parts of the skeleton of a
          vertebrate b: any of various hard animal substances or
          structures (as baleen or ivory) akin to or resembling
          bone c: the hard largely calcareous connective tissue
          of which the adult skeleton of most vertebrates is chiefly
          composed 2 a: essence, core <cut costs to the ~> <a liberal
          to the ~> b: the most deeply ingrained part: heart--usu.
          used in pl. <knew in his ~s that it was wrong> 3 pl a
          (1): skeleton (2): body <rested my weary ~s> (3): corpse
          <inter a person's ~s> b: the basic design or framework
          (as of a play or novel) 4: matter, subject <a ~ of contention>
          5 a pl: thin bars of bone, ivory, or wood held in pairs
          between the fingers and used to produce musical rhythms
          b: a strip of whalebone or steel used to stiffen a corset
          or dress c pl: dice 6: something that is designed to
          placate: sop 7: a light beige -- boned adj -- bone.less
          adj -- bone to pick : a matter to argue or complain about
          [2]bone vb boned ; bon.ing vt (15c) 1: to remove the
          bones from <~ a fish> 2: to provide (a garment) with
          stays ~ vi: to study hard: grind <~ through medical school>
          [3]bone adv (ca. 1825): extremely, very <~ tired>; also:
          totally

   bone ash
          [bone ash] n (1622): the white porous residue chiefly of
          tribasic calcium phosphate from bones calcined in air
          used esp. in making pottery and glass and in cleaning
          jewelry

   bone black
          [bone black] n (1815): the black residue chiefly of tribasic
          calcium phosphate and carbon from bones calcined in closed
          vessels used esp. as a pigment or as a decolorizing adsorbent
          in sugar manufacturing--called also bone char

   bone china
          [bone china] n (ca. 1895): translucent white china made with
          bone ash or calcium phosphate and characterized by whiteness

   bone-dry
          [bone-dry] adj (ca. 1825) 1: very dry 2: dry 5

   bonefish
          [bone.fish] n (1884) 1: a slender silvery small-scaled fish
          (Albula vulpes) that is a notable sport and food fish
          of warm seas 2: ladyfish 2 -- bone.fish.ing n

   [1]bonehead
          [bone.head] n (1909): a stupid person: numskull -- bone.head.ed
          adj -- bone.head.ed.ness n [2]bonehead adj (1915): being
          a college course for students lacking fundamental skills
          <teaches ~ English>

   bonemeal
          [bone.meal] n (1850): crushed or ground bone used esp. as
          fertilizer or feed

   boner
          [bon.er] n (ca. 1899) 1: one that bones 2: howler 2

   boneset
          [bone.set] n (1764): any of several composite herbs (genus
          Eupatorium); esp: a perennial (E. perfoliatum) with opposite
          perfoliate leaves and white-rayed flower heads used in
          folk medicine

   bonesetter
          [bone.set.ter] n (15c): a person who sets broken or dislocated
          bones usu. without being a licensed physician

   bone up
          [bone up] vi (1887) 1: to try to master necessary information
          quickly: cram <bone up for the exam> 2: to renew one's
          skill or refresh one's memory <boned up on the speech
          just before giving it>

   boneyard
          [bone.yard] n (1866) 1: cemetery 2: a place where worn-out
          or damaged objects (as cars) are collected to await disposal

   bonfire
          [bon.fire] n [ME bonefire a fire of bones, fr. bon bone +
          fire] (15c): a large fire built in the open air

   [1]bong
          [bong] n [imit.] (1860): the deep resonant sound esp. of
          a bell -- bong vb [2]bong n [Thai bhaung] (1971): a simple
          water pipe consisting of a bottle or vertical tube partially
          filled with a liquid (as water or liqueur) and a smaller
          offset tube ending in a bowl

   [1]bongo
          [bon.go] n, pl bongos also bongoes [AmerSp bongo] (1920):
          one of a pair of small connected drums of different sizes
          and pitches played with the hands -- bon.go.ist n [2]bongo
          n, pl bongo or bongos [prob. fr. Kele (Bantu language
          of Gabon)] (1861): an African antelope (Tragelaphus euryceros
          syn. Boocerus euryceros) that is chestnut-red with narrow
          white vertical stripes and is found in forests from Sierra
          Leone to Kenya

   bon gre, mal gre
          [bon gre, mal gre] [F] foreign term : whether with good grace
          or bad: willy-nilly

   bonhomie
          [bon.ho.mie] n [F bonhomie, fr. bonhomme good-natured man,
          fr. bon good + homme man] (1779): good-natured easy friendliness
          -- bon.ho.mous adj

   boniface
          [bon.i.face] n [Boniface, innkeeper in The Beaux' Stratagem
          (1707) by George Farquhar] (1803): the proprietor of
          a hotel, nightclub, or restaurant

   bonis avibus
          [bo.nis avi.bus] [L] foreign term : under good auspices

   bonito
          [bo.ni.to] n, pl -tos or -to [Sp, fr. bonito pretty, dim.
          of bueno good, fr. L bonus] (ca. 1565): any of several
          scombroid fishes (esp. genera Sarda and Euthynnus) intermediate
          between the smaller mackerels and the larger tunas

   bonjour
          [bon.jour] [F] foreign term : good day: good morning

   bonkers
          [bon.kers] adj [perh. fr. bonk to hit, bang + -ers (as in
          crackers)] (ca. 1948): crazy, mad <if I don't work, I
          go ~ --Zoe Caldwell>

   bon mot
          [bon mot] n, pl bons mots or bon mots [F, lit., good word]
          (ca. 1730): a clever remark: witticism

   bonne
          [bonne] n [F, fr. fem. of bon] (1771): a French nursemaid
          or maidservant

   bonne foi
          [bonne foi] [F] foreign term : good faith

   [1]bonnet
          [bon.net] n [ME bonet, fr. MF, prob. of Gmc origin; akin
          to OS gibund bundle, OE bindan to bind] (14c) 1 a (1)
          chiefly Scot: a man's or boy's cap (2): a brimless Scotch
          cap of seamless woolen fabric--compare tam-o'-shanter
          2 b: a cloth or straw hat tied under the chin and worn
          by women and children 2 a Brit: an automobile hood b:
          a metal covering or cowl (as for a fireplace, valve chamber,
          or ventilator) [2]bonnet vt (1858): to provide with or
          dress in a bonnet

   bonny
          [bon.ny] also bon.nie adj bon.ni.er ; -est [ME bonie, fr.
          MF bon good, fr. L bonus] (15c) chiefly Brit: attractive,
          fair; also: fine, excellent -- bon.ni.ly adv

   bonnyclabber
          [bon.ny.clab.ber] n [Ir bainne clabair, fr. bainne milk +
          clabair, gen. of clabar sour thick milk] (1616) Northern
          & Midland: clabber

   bonsai
          [bon.sai] n, pl bonsai [Jp, lit., tray planting] (1900):
          a potted plant (as a tree) dwarfed and trained to an
          artistic shape by special methods of culture; also: the
          art of growing such a plant

   bonsoir
          [bon.soir] [F] foreign term : good evening

   bonspiel
          [bon.spiel] n [perh. fr. D bond league + spel game] (ca.
          1772): a match or tournament between curling clubs

   bon ton
          [bon ton] n [F, lit., good tone] (1747) 1 a: fashionable
          manner or style b: the fashionable or proper thing 2:
          high society

   bonus
          [bo.nus] n [L, lit., good--more at bounty] (1773): something
          in addition to what is expected or strictly due: as a:
          money or an equivalent given in addition to an employee's
          usual compensation b: a premium (as of stock) given by
          a corporation to a purchaser of its securities, to a
          promoter, or to an employee c: a government payment to
          war veterans d: a sum in excess of salary given an athlete
          for signing with a team

   bon vivant
          [bon vi.vant] n, pl bons vivants or bon vivants [F, lit.,
          good liver] (ca. 1695): a person having cultivated, refined,
          and sociable tastes esp. in respect to food and drink

   bon voyage
          [bon voy.age] n [F, lit., good journey]] (15c): farewell--often
          used interjectionally

   bony
          [bony] also bon.ey adj bon.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: consisting
          of bone b: resembling bone 2 a: full of bones <a ~ piece
          of fish> b: having prominent bones <a rugged ~ face>
          3 a: skinny, scrawny b: barren, lean

   bony fish
          [bony fish] n (ca. 1890): any of a major taxon (class Osteichthyes
          or superclass Teleostomi) comprising fishes (as a sturgeon, salmon,
          marlin, or ocean sunfish) with a bony rather than a cartilaginous
          skeleton--called also teleost--compare cartilaginous fish, jawless
          fish

   bonze
          [bonze] n [MF, fr. Pg bonzo, fr. Jp bonso] (1588): a Buddhist
          monk

   [1]boo
          [boo] interj [ME bo] (15c)--used to express contempt or disapproval
          or to startle or frighten [2]boo n, pl boos (1575) 1: a shout
          of disapproval or contempt 2: any sound at all--usu. used
          in negative constructions <never said ~> [3]boo vi (1884):
          to deride esp. by uttering boo ~ vt: to express disapproval
          of by booing <the crowd ~ed the referee> [4]boo n [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1959): marijuana

   [1]boob
          [boob] n [short for [1]booby] (1909) 1: a stupid awkward
          person: simpleton 2: boor, philistine -- boob.ish adj
          [2]boob n [[3]boob] (1934) Brit: mistake, blunder [3]boob
          vi [[1]boob] (1935) Brit: goof 2 [4]boob n [short for
          [2]booby] (1945): breast--sometimes considered vulgar

   booboisie
          [boob.oi.sie] n [blend of [1]boob and bourgeoisie] (1922):
          the general public regarded as consisting of boobs

   boo-boo
          [boo-boo] n, pl boo-boos [prob. baby-talk alter. of boohoo,
          imitation of the sound of weeping] (1953) 1: a usu. trivial
          injury (as a bruise or scratch)--used esp. by or of a
          child 2: mistake, blunder

   boob tube
          [boob tube] n (1966): television--used with the

   [1]booby
          [boo.by] n, pl boobies [modif. of Sp bobo, fr. L balbus stammering,
          prob. of imit. origin] (ca. 1603) 1: an awkward foolish person:
          dope 2: any of several tropical seabirds (family Sulidae, esp.
          genus Sula) [2]boo.by n, pl boobies [alter. of bubby] (1934):
          breast--sometimes considered vulgar

   booby hatch
          [booby hatch] n (1840) 1: a raised framework with a sliding
          cover over a small hatch on a ship 2: an insane asylum

   booby prize
          [booby prize] n (1889) 1: an award for the poorest performance
          in a game or competition 2: an acknowledgment of notable
          inferiority

   booby trap
          [booby trap] n (1850) 1: a trap for the unwary or unsuspecting:
          pitfall 2: a concealed explosive device contrived to
          go off when some harmless-looking object is touched --
          boo.by-trap vt

   boodle
          [boo.dle] n [D boedel estate, lot, fr. MD; akin to ON buth
          booth] (1833) 1: a collection or lot of persons: caboodle
          2 a: bribe money b: a large amount esp. of money

   booger
          [boog.er] n [alter. of E dial. buggard, boggart, fr. [1]bug
          + -ard] (1866) 1: bogeyman 2: a piece of dried nasal
          mucus

   boogeyman
          [boo.gey.man] also boog.er.man n [by alter.] (ca. 1850):
          bogeyman

   [1]boogie
          [boo.gie] n (1929) 1: boogie-woogie 2: earthy and strongly
          rhythmic rock music conducive to dancing; also: a period
          of or occasion for dancing to this music [2]boogie also
          boo.gy or boo.gey vi boo.gied also boo.geyed ; boo.gy.ing
          also boo.gey.ing (1930) 1: to dance to rock music; also:
          revel, party 2 a: to move quickly b: to get going

   boogie-woogie
          [boo.gie-woo.gie] n [origin unknown] (1928): a percussive
          style of playing blues on the piano characterized by
          a steady rhythmic ground bass of eighth notes in quadruple
          time and a series of improvised melodic variations

   [1]book
          [book] n [ME, fr. OE boc; akin to OHG buoh book, Goth boka
          letter] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a set of written sheets of skin
          or paper or tablets of wood or ivory b: a set of written,
          printed, or blank sheets bound together into a volume
          c: a long written or printed literary composition d:
          a major division of a treatise or literary work e: a
          record of a business's financial transactions or financial
          condition--often used in pl. <the ~s show a profit> 2
          cap: bible 1 3: something that yields knowledge or understanding
          <the great ~ of nature> <her face was an open ~> 4 a:
          the total available knowledge and experience that can
          be brought to bear on a task or problem <tried every
          trick in the ~> <the ~ on him is that he can't hit a
          curveball> b: the standards or authority relevant in
          a situation <run by the ~> 5 a: all the charges that
          can be made against an accused person <threw the ~ at
          him> b: a position from which one must answer for certain
          acts: account <bring criminals to ~> 6 a: libretto b:
          the script of a play c: a book of arrangements for a
          musician or dance orchestra: musical repertory 7: a packet
          of items bound together like a book <a ~ of stamps> <a
          ~ of matches> 8 a: bookmaker b: the bets registered by
          a bookmaker; also: the business or activity of giving
          odds and taking bets 9: the number of tricks a cardplayer
          or side must win before any trick can have scoring value
          -- book.able adj -- book.ful n -- in one's book : in
          one's own opinion -- in one's good books : in favor with
          one -- one for the book : an act or occurrence worth
          noting -- on the books : on the records [2]book adj (13c)
          1: derived from books and not from practical experience
          <~ learning> 2: shown by books of account <~ assets>
          [3]book vt (1807) 1 a: to register (as a name) for some
          future activity or condition (as to engage transportation
          or reserve lodgings) <~ed to sail on Monday> b: to schedule
          engagements for <~ the band for a week> c: to set aside
          time for d: to reserve in advance <~ two seats at the
          theater> <were all ~ed up> 2 a: to enter charges against
          in a police register b chiefly Brit: to charge (as a
          soccer player) with an infraction of the rules ~ vi 1:
          to make a reservation <~ through your travel agent> 2
          chiefly Brit: to register in a hotel--usu. used with
          in -- book.er n

   bookbinding
          [book.bind.ing] n (1771) 1: the art or trade of binding books
          2: the binding of a book -- book.bind.er n -- book.bind.ery
          n

   bookcase
          [book.case] n (1726): a piece of furniture consisting of
          shelves to hold books

   book club
          [book club] n (1905): an organization that ships selected
          books to members usu. on a regular schedule and often
          at discount prices

   bookend
          [book.end] n (1907): a support placed at the end of a row
          of books

   bookie
          [book.ie] n [by shortening & alter.] (1885): bookmaker 2

   booking
          [book.ing] n (1881) 1: the act of one that books 2: an engagement
          or scheduled performance 3: reservation 1c

   booking office
          [booking office] n (ca. 1837) chiefly Brit: a ticket office;
          esp: one in a railroad station

   bookish
          [book.ish] adj (1567) 1 a: of or relating to books b: fond
          of books and reading 2 a: inclined to rely on book knowledge
          b of words: literary and formal as opposed to colloquial
          and informal c: given to literary or scholarly pursuits;
          also: affectedly learned -- book.ish.ly adv -- book.ish.ness
          n

   bookkeeper
          [book.keep.er] n (1555): one who records the accounts or
          transactions of a business -- book.keep.ing n

   booklet
          [book.let] n (1859): a little book; esp: pamphlet

   book louse
          [book louse] n (1867): any of various tiny usu. wingless
          insects (order Psocoptera) that feed on organic matter;
          esp: an insect (as Liposcelis divinatorius) injurious
          esp. to books

   book lung
          [book lung] n (1879): a saccular breathing organ in many
          arachnids containing thin folds of membrane arranged
          like the leaves of a book

   bookmaker
          [book.mak.er] n (1515) 1: a printer, binder, or designer
          of books 2: one who determines odds and receives and
          pays off bets -- book.mak.ing n

   bookman
          [book.man] n (1583) 1: one who has a love of books and esp.
          of reading 2: one who is involved in the writing, publishing,
          or selling of books

   bookmark
          [book.mark] or book.mark.er n (183 8): a marker for finding
          a place in a book

   book-match
          [book-match] vt (1942): to match the grains of (as two sheets
          of veneer) so that one sheet seems to be the mirrored
          image of the other

   bookmobile
          [book.mo.bile] n (1926): a truck that serves as a traveling
          library

   Book of Common Prayer
          [Book of Common Prayer] (1549): the service book of the Anglican
          Communion

   book off
          [book off] vi (1971) Canad: to notify an employer that one
          is not reporting for work (as because of sickness)

   bookplate
          [book.plate] n (1791): a book owner's identification label
          that is usu. pasted to the inside front cover of a book

   bookseller
          [book.sell.er] n (15c): one who sells books; esp: the proprietor
          of a bookstore -- book.sell.ing n

   bookshelf
          [book.shelf] n (1818): an open shelf for holding books

   bookshop
          [book.shop] n (1862): bookstore

   bookstall
          [book.stall] n (1800) 1: a stall where books are sold 2 chiefly
          Brit: newsstand

   bookstore
          [book.store] n (ca. 1763): a place of business where books
          are the main item offered for sale--called also bookshop

   book value
          [book value] n (1899): the value of something as shown on
          bookkeeping records as distinguished from market value:
          a: the value of an asset equal to cost less depreciation
          b: the value of a corporation's capital stock equal to
          its book value less its liabilities

   bookworm
          [book.worm] n (1592): a person unusually devoted to reading
          and study

   Boolean
          [Bool.ean] adj [George Boole d. 1864 Eng. mathematician]
          (1851): of, relating to, or being a logical combinatorial
          system (as Boolean algebra) that represents symbolically
          relationships (as those implied by the logical operators
          AND, OR, and NOT) between entities (as sets, propositions,
          or on-off computer circuit elements) <~ expression> <~
          search strategy for information retrieval>

   Boolean algebra
          [Boolean algebra] n (1889): a set that is closed under two
          commutative binary operations and that can be described
          by any of various systems of postulates all of which
          can be deduced from the postulates that an identity element
          exists for each operation, that each operation is distributive
          over the other, and that for every element in the set
          there is another element which when combined with the
          first under one of the operations yields the identity
          element of the other operation

   [1]boom
          [boom] vb [imit.] vi (15c) 1: to make a deep hollow sound
          2 a: to increase in importance or esteem b: to experience
          a sudden rapid growth and expansion usu. with an increase
          in prices <business was ~ing> c: to develop rapidly in
          population and importance <California ~ed when gold was
          discovered there> ~ vt 1: to cause to resound--often
          used with out <his voice ~s out the lyrics> 2: to cause
          a rapid growth or increase of: boost [2]boom n (ca. 1500)
          1: a booming sound or cry 2: a rapid expansion or increase:
          as a: a general movement in support of a candidate for
          office b: rapid settlement and development of a town
          or district c: a rapid widespread expansion of economic
          activity [3]boom n [D, tree, beam; akin to OHG boum tree--more
          at beam] (1627) 1: a long spar used to extend the foot
          of a sail 2 a: a chain cable or line of connected floating
          timbers extended across a river, lake, or harbor (as
          to obstruct passage or catch floating objects) b: a temporary
          floating barrier used to contain an oil spill 3 a: a
          long beam projecting from the mast of a derrick to support
          or guide cargo b: a long more or less horizontal supporting
          arm or brace (as for holding a microphone or for supporting
          an antenna) 4: a spar or outrigger connecting the tail
          surfaces and the main supporting structure of an aircraft

   boom box
          [boom box] n (1981): a large portable radio and often tape
          player with two attached speakers

   boomer
          [boom.er] n (1880) 1: one that booms 2: one that joins a
          rush of settlers to a boom area 3: a transient worker
          (as a bridge builder)

   boomerang
          [boo.mer.ang] n [Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of
          the Port Jackson area) bumariny] (1825) 1: a bent or
          angular throwing club typically flat on one side and
          rounded on the other so that it soars or curves in flight;
          esp: one designed to return near the thrower 2: an act
          or utterance that backfires on its originator -- boomerang
          vi

   boomlet
          [boom.let] n (1880): a small boom; specif: a sudden increase
          in business activity <a stock market ~>

   boomtown
          [boom.town] n (1896): a town enjoying a business and population
          boom

   boomy
          [boomy] adj boom.i.er ; -est (1888) 1: of, relating to, or
          characterized by an economic boom 2: having an excessive
          accentuation on the tones of lower pitch in reproduced
          sound

   [1]boon
          [boon] n [ME, fr. ON bon petition; akin to OE ben prayer,
          bannan to summon--more at ban] (12c) 1: benefit, favor;
          esp: one that is given in answer to a request 2: a timely
          benefit: blessing [2]boon adj [ME bon, fr. MF, good--more
          at bonny] (14c) 1 archaic: favorable 2: convivial <a
          ~ companion>

   boondocks
          [boon.docks] n pl [Tag bundok mountain] (ca. 1909) 1: rough
          country filled with dense brush 2: a rural area: sticks

   boondoggle
          [boon.dog.gle] n [coined by Robert H. Link d. 1957 Am. scoutmaster]
          (1929) 1: a braided cord worn by Boy Scouts as a neckerchief slide,
          hatband, or ornament 2: a wasteful or impractical project
          or activity often involving graft -- boondoggle vi -- boon.dog.gler
          n

   boonies
          [boon.ies] n pl (1956) slang: boondocks 2

   boor
          [boor] n [D boer; akin to OE buan to dwell--more at bower]
          (1551) 1: peasant 2: a rude or insensitive person

   boorish
          [boor.ish] adj (1562): resembling or befitting a boor (as
          in crude insensitivity) -- boor.ish.ly adv -- boor.ish.ness
          n syn boorish, churlish, loutish, clownish mean uncouth
          in manners or appearance. boorish implies rudeness of
          manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and
          unwillingness to be agreeable <a drunk's boorish behavior>.
          churlish suggests surliness, unresponsiveness, and ungraciousness
          <churlish remarks>. loutish implies bodily awkwardness
          together with stupidity <a loutish oaf>. clownish suggests
          ill-bred awkwardness, ignorance or stupidity, ungainliness,
          and often a propensity for absurd antics <an adolescent's
          clownish conduct>.

   [1]boost
          [boost] vb [origin unknown] vt (ca. 1815) 1: to push or shove
          up from below 2: increase, raise <plans to ~ production>
          <an extra holiday to ~ morale> 3: to promote the cause
          or interests of: plug <a campaign to ~ the new fashions>
          4: to raise the voltage of or across (an electric circuit)
          5 slang: steal, shoplift ~ vi, slang: shoplift syn see
          lift [2]boost n (1825) 1: a push upward 2: an act that
          brings help or encouragement: assist 3: an increase in
          amount

   booster
          [boost.er] n (1890): one that boosts: as a: an enthusiastic
          supporter b: an auxiliary device for increasing force,
          power, pressure, or effectiveness c slang: shoplifter
          d: a radio-frequency amplifier for a radio or television
          receiving set e: the first stage of a multistage rocket
          providing thrust for the launching and the initial part
          of the flight f: a substance that increases the effectiveness
          of a medicament; esp: booster shot

   boosterism
          [boost.er.ism] n (ca. 1913): the activities and attitudes
          characteristic of boosters

   booster shot
          [booster shot] n (1944): a supplementary dose of an immunizing
          agent--called also booster, booster dose

   [1]boot
          [boot] n [ME, fr. OE bot remedy; akin to OE betera better]
          (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: deliverance 2 chiefly dial: something
          to equalize a trade 3 obs: avail -- to boot : besides
          [2]boot vb (15c) archaic: avail, profit [3]boot n [ME,
          fr. MF bote] (14c) 1: a fitted covering (as of leather
          or rubber) for the foot and usu. reaching above the ankle
          2: an instrument of torture used to crush the leg and
          foot 3: something that resembles or is likened to a boot;
          esp: an enclosing or protective casing or sheath (as
          for a rifle or over an electrical or mechanical connection)
          4: a navy or marine corps recruit undergoing basic training
          5 Brit: an automobile trunk 6 a: a kick with the foot
          b: summary dismissal--used with the c: momentary pleasure
          or enjoyment: bang <got a big ~ out of the joke> 7: a
          sheath enclosing the inflorescence [4]boot vt (15c) 1:
          to put boots on 2 a: kick b: to eject or discharge summarily--often
          used with out <was ~ed out of office> 3: to make an error
          on (a grounder in baseball); broadly: botch 4: to ride (a horse)
          in a race <~ed home three winners> 5 [[2]bootstrap] a: to load
          (a program) into a computer from a disk b: to start or ready for
          use esp. by booting a program <~ a microcomputer>--often used with
          up ~ vi: to become loaded into a computer's memory from a disk <the
          program ~s automatically> -- boot.able adj [5]boot n [[1]boot]
          (1593) archaic: booty, plunder

   bootblack
          [boot.black] n (1817): one who shines shoes

   boot camp
          [boot camp] n (ca. 1942): a navy or marine corps camp for
          basic training

   booted
          [boot.ed] adj (1552): wearing boots

   bootee
          [boo.tee] or boo.tie n (1799): a usu. ankle-length boot,
          slipper, or sock; esp: an infant's knitted or crocheted
          sock

   Bootes
          [Bo.o.tes] n [L (gen. Bootis), fr. Gk Bootes, lit., plowman,
          fr. bous head of cattle--more at cow]: a northern constellation
          containing the bright star Arcturus

   booth
          [booth] n, pl booths [ME bothe, of Scand origin; akin to
          ON buth booth; akin to OE buan to dwell--more at bower]
          (13c) 1: a temporary shelter for livestock or field workers
          2 a: a stall or stand (as at a fair) for the sale or
          exhibition of goods b (1): a small enclosure affording
          privacy for one person at a time <a telephone ~> <polling
          ~> (2): a small enclosure that isolates its occupant
          esp. from patrons or customers <a ticket ~> (3): an isolated
          enclosure used in sound recording or in broadcasting
          <a radio ~> c: a restaurant seating arrangement consisting
          of a table between two high-back benches

   bootjack
          [boot.jack] n (ca. 1841): a device (as with a V-shaped notch)
          used for pulling off boots

   bootlace
          [boot.lace] n (ca. 1887) Brit: shoelace

   [1]bootleg
          [boot.leg] n (1634) 1: the upper part of a boot 2: something
          bootlegged; specif: moonshine 3: a football play in which
          the quarterback fakes a handoff, hides the ball against
          his hip, and rolls out--compare draw 8 -- bootleg adj
          [2]bootleg vt (1900) 1 a: to carry (alcoholic liquor)
          on one's person illegally b: to manufacture, sell, or
          transport for sale (alcoholic liquor) illegally 2 a:
          to produce, reproduce, or distribute illicitly or without
          authorization b: smuggle ~ vi 1: to engage in bootlegging
          2: to run a bootleg play in football -- boot.leg.ger
          n

   bootless
          [boot.less] adj (1559): useless, unprofitable -- boot.less.ly
          adv -- boot.less.ness n

   bootlick
          [boot.lick] vt (1845): to try to gain favor with through
          a servile or obsequious manner ~ vi: to act obsequiously
          -- boot.lick.er n

   boots
          [boots] n pl but sing or pl in constr [fr. pl. of [3]boot]
          (ca. 1837) Brit: a servant who shines shoes esp. in a
          hotel

   [1]bootstrap
          [boot.strap] n (1913) 1 pl: unaided efforts--often used in
          the phrase by one's own bootstraps 2: a looped strap
          sewed at the side or the rear top of a boot to help in
          pulling it on [2]bootstrap adj (1926) 1: designed to
          function independently of outside direction: capable
          of using one internal function or process to control
          another <a ~ operation to load a computer> 2: carried
          out with minimum resources or advantages: self-reliant
          <the city recovered from the flood by the ~ method> [3]bootstrap
          vt (1951): to promote or develop by initiative and effort
          with little or no assistance <bootstrapped herself to
          the top>

   booty
          [boo.ty] n, pl booties [modif. of MF butin, fr. MLG bute
          exchange] (15c) 1: plunder taken (as in war); esp: plunder
          taken on land as distinguished from prizes taken at sea
          2: a rich gain or prize syn see spoil

   [1]booze
          [booze] vi boozed ; booz.ing [ME bousen, fr. MD busen] (14c):
          to drink intoxicating liquor esp. to excess--often used
          in the phrase booze it up [2]booze n (14c): intoxicating
          drink; esp: hard liquor -- booz.i.ly adv -- boozy adj

   boozer
          [booz.er] n (ca. 1819) 1: a person who boozes: drunk 2 Brit:
          a drinking place: pub

   [1]bop
          [bop] vt bopped ; bop.ping [imit.] (1931): hit, sock [2]bop
          n (1947): a blow (as with the fist or a club) that strikes
          a person [3]bop n [short for bebop] (1947) 1: jazz characterized
          by harmonic complexity, convoluted melodic lines, and
          constant shifting of accent and often played at very
          rapid tempos 2: jive 2 -- bop.per n [4]bop vi bopped
          ; bop.ping (1952) 1: to go quickly or unceremoniously:
          pop <~ into the corner store>--often used with off 2:
          to dance or shuffle along to or as if to bop music

   bopeep
          [bo.peep] n [[1]boo + [3]peep] (1528): peekaboo

   BOQ
          [BOQ] abbreviation bachelor officers' quarters

   bor
          [bor] abbreviation borough

   bora
          [bo.ra] n [It, fr. It dial. (Trieste), fr. L boreas] (1864):
          a violent cold northerly wind of the Adriatic

   boracic acid
          [bo.rac.ic acid] n [ML borac-, borax borax] (1801): boric
          acid

   borage
          [bor.age] n [ME, fr. OF bourage] (14c): a coarse hairy
          blue-flowered European herb (Borago officinalis of the family
          Boraginaceae, the borage family) used medicinally and in salads

   borane
          [bo.rane] n [ISV, fr. boron] (1916) 1: a compound of boron
          and hydrogen; specif: a compound known only in the form
          of its derivatives 2: a derivative of borane

   borate
          [bo.rate] n (1816): a salt or ester of a boric acid

   borated
          [bo.rat.ed] adj (ca. 1901): mixed or impregnated with borax
          or boric acid

   [1]borax
          [bo.rax] n [ME boras, fr. MF, fr. ML borac-, borax, fr. Ar
          buraq, fr. Per burah] (14c): a white crystalline compound
          that consists of a hydrated sodium borate, that occurs
          as a mineral or is prepared from other minerals, and
          that is used esp. as a flux, cleansing agent, and water
          softener, as a preservative, and as a fireproofing agent
          [2]borax n [origin unknown] (1932): cheap shoddy merchandise

   Borazon
          [Bo.ra.zon] trademark--used for a boron nitride abrasive

   borborygmus
          [bor.bo.ryg.mus] n, pl -mi [NL, fr. Gk borborygmos, fr. borboryzein
          to rumble] (ca. 1796): intestinal rumbling caused by moving gas

   Bordeaux
          [Bor.deaux] n, pl Bor.deaux often not cap (ca. 1570) 1: white
          or red wine of the Bordeaux region of France 2: claret
          2

   bordeaux mixture
          [bor.deaux mixture] n, often cap B (1892): a fungicide made
          by reaction of copper sulfate, lime, and water

   bordelaise sauce
          [bor.de.laise sauce] n, often cap B [F bordelaise, fem. of
          bordelais of Bordeaux] (1902): a sauce consisting of
          stock thickened with roux and flavored typically with
          red wine and shallots

   bordello
          [bor.del.lo] n, pl -los [It, fr. OF bordel, fr. borde hut,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE bord board] (1593): a building
          in which prostitutes are available

   [1]border
          [bor.der] n [ME bordure, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. border to border,
          fr. bort border, of Gmc origin; akin to OE bord] (14c)
          1: an outer part or edge 2: an ornamental design at the
          edge of a fabric or rug 3: a narrow bed of planted ground
          along the edge of a garden or walk <a ~ of tulips> 4:
          boundary <crossed the ~ into Italy> 5: a plain or decorative
          margin around printed matter -- bor.dered adj [2]border
          vb bor.dered ; bor.der.ing vt (14c) 1: to put a border
          on 2: to touch at the edge or boundary: bound <~s the
          city on the south> ~ vi 1: to lie on the border <the
          U.S. ~s on Canada> 2: to approach the nature of a specified
          thing: verge <~s on the ridiculous> -- bor.der.er n

   Border collie
          [Border collie] n (1941): any of a breed of medium-sized
          sheepdogs of British origin noted for their herding abilities

   bordereau
          [bor.de.reau] n, pl -reaux [F, fr. MF bordrel, prob. fr.
          bord border, fr. OF bort] (ca. 1858): a detailed note
          or memorandum of account; esp: one containing an enumeration
          of documents

   borderland
          [bor.der.land] n (1813) 1 a: territory at or near a border
          b: fringe 3a <lives on the ~ of society> 2: a vague intermediate
          state or region <the ~ between fantasy and reality>

   [1]borderline
          [bor.der.line] adj (1907) 1: being in an intermediate position
          or state: not fully classifiable as one thing or its
          opposite; esp: not quite up to what is usual, standard,
          or expected <~ intelligence> 2: situated at or near a
          border -- borderline n [2]borderline adv (1925): almost,
          nearly <~ tacky> <~ suicidal>

   Border terrier
          [Border terrier] n (1894): any of a breed of small terriers
          of British origin having a harsh dense coat and close
          undercoat

   bordure
          [bor.dure] n [ME] (14c): a border on a heraldic shield

   [1]bore
          [bore] vb bored ; bor.ing [ME, fr. OE borian; akin to OHG
          boron to bore, L forare to bore, ferire to strike] vt
          (bef. 12c) 1: to pierce with a turning or twisting movement
          of a tool 2: to make (as a cylindrical hole) by boring
          or digging away material <bored a tunnel> ~ vi 1 a: to
          make a hole by or as if by boring b: to sink a mine shaft
          or well 2: to make one's way steadily esp. against resistance
          <we bored through the jostling crowd> [2]bore n (14c)
          1 a: a usu. cylindrical hole made by or as if by boring
          b chiefly Austral & NewZeal: a borehole drilled esp.
          to make an artesian well 2 a: the long usu. cylindrical
          hollow part of something (as a tube or gun barrel) b:
          the inner surface of a hollow cylindrical object 3: the
          size of a bore: as a: the interior diameter of a gun
          barrel; specif, chiefly Brit: gauge 1a(2) b: the diameter
          of an engine cylinder [3]bore past of bear [4]bore n
          [(assumed) ME bore wave, fr. ON bara] (1601): a tidal
          flood with a high abrupt front [5]bore n [origin unknown]
          (1766): one that causes boredom: as a: a tiresome person
          b: something that is devoid of interest [6]bore vt bored
          ; bor.ing (1768): to cause to feel boredom

   boreal
          [bo.re.al] adj [ME boriall, fr. LL borealis, fr. L boreas
          north wind, north, fr. Gk, fr. Boreas] (15c) 1: of, relating
          to, or located in northern regions <~ waters> 2: of,
          relating to, or comprising the northern biotic area characterized
          esp. by dominance of coniferous forests

   Boreas
          [Bo.re.as] n [L, fr. Gk] 1: the Greek god of the north wind
          2: the north wind personified

   boredom
          [bore.dom] n (1852): the state of being weary and restless
          through lack of interest

   boreen
          [bo.reen] n [Ir bothrin, dim. of bothar road] (1836) Irish:
          a narrow country lane

   borehole
          [bore.hole] n (1708): a hole bored or drilled in the earth:
          as a: an exploratory well b chiefly Brit: a small-diameter
          well drilled esp. to obtain water

   borer
          [bor.er] n (14c) 1: a tool used for boring 2 a: shipworm
          b: an insect that bores in the woody parts of plants

   borescope
          [bore.scope] n (1941): an optical device (as a prism or optical
          fiber) used to inspect an inaccessible space (as an engine
          cylinder)

   boric acid
          [boric acid] n [boron] (1869): a white crystalline acid obtained
          from its salts and used esp. as a weak antiseptic and
          fire-retardant

   boride
          [bo.ride] n (1863): a binary compound of boron with a more
          electropositive element or radical

   boring
          [bor.ing] adj (1840): causing boredom: tiresome -- bor.ing.ly
          adv -- bor.ing.ness n

   born
          [born] adj [ME, fr. OE boren, pp. of beran to carry--more
          at bear] (bef. 12c) 1 a: brought forth by or as if by
          birth b: native--usu. used in combination <American-born>
          c: deriving or resulting from--usu. used in combination
          <poverty-born crime> 2 a: having from birth specified
          qualities <a ~ leader> b: being in specified circumstances
          from birth <nobly ~> <~ to wealth> 3: destined from or
          as if from birth <~ to succeed>

   born-again
          [born-again] adj [fr. the verse "Except a man be born again,
          he cannot see the Kingdom of God" (Jn 3:3-AV)] (1961)
          1: of, relating to, or being a usu. Christian person
          who has made a renewed or confirmed commitment of faith
          esp. after an intense religious experience 2: having
          returned to or newly adopted an activity, a conviction,
          or a persona esp. with a proselytizing zeal <a ~ conservative>

   [1]borne
          [borne] past part of bear [2]borne adj [borne] (ca. 1559):
          transported or transmitted by--used in combination <soilborne>
          <airborne>

   borneol
          [bor.ne.ol] n [ISV, fr. Borneo, island of Indonesia] (1876):
          a crystalline cyclic alcohol that occurs in two enantiomeric
          forms, is found in essential oils, and is used esp. in
          perfumery

   bornite
          [born.ite] n [G Bornit, fr. Ignaz von Born d. 1791 Austrian
          mineralogist] (ca. 1847): a brittle metallic-looking
          mineral that consists of a sulfide of copper and iron
          and is a valuable copper ore

   boro-
          [boro-] comb form: boron <borosilicate>

   borohydride
          [bo.ro.hy.dride] n (1940): an anion of boron and hydrogen
          that is used esp. as a reducing agent and as a source
          of hydrogen atoms; also: any of various compounds (as
          of metals) containing the borohydride anion

   boron
          [bo.ron] n [borax + -on (as in carbon)] (1812): a trivalent
          metalloid element found in nature only in combination
          and used in metallurgy and in composite structural materials
          -- bo.ron.ic adj

   boron carbide
          [boron carbide] n (ca. 1909): a refractory shiny black crystalline
          compound that is one of the hardest known materials and is used
          esp. in abrasives and as a structural reinforcing material

   borosilicate
          [bo.ro.sil.i.cate] n [ISV] (1817) 1: a silicate containing
          boron in the anion and occurring naturally 2: borosilicate
          glass

   borosilicate glass
          [borosilicate glass] n (1933): a silicate glass that is composed
          of at least five percent oxide of boron and is used esp.
          in heat-resistant glassware

   borough
          [bor.ough] n [ME burgh, fr. OE burg fortified town; akin
          to OHG burg fortified place, and prob. to OE beorg hill--more
          at barrow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a medieval fortified group
          of houses forming a town with special duties and privileges
          b: a town or urban constituency in Great Britain that
          sends a member to Parliament c: an urban area in Great
          Britain incorporated for purposes of self-government
          2 a: a municipal corporation proper in some states (as
          New Jersey and Minnesota) corresponding to the incorporated
          town or village of the other states b: one of the five
          constituent political divisions of New York City 3: a
          civil division of the state of Alaska corresponding to
          a county in most other states

   borough English
          [borough English] n (14c): a custom formerly existing in
          parts of England by which the lands of an intestate descended
          to the youngest son

   borough hall
          [borough hall] n (1939): the chief administrative building
          of a borough

   borrow
          [bor.row] vb [ME borwen, fr. OE borgian; akin to OE beorgan
          to preserve--more at bury] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to receive
          with the implied or expressed intention of returning
          the same or an equivalent <~ a book> <~ed a dollar> b:
          to borrow (money) with the intention of returning the
          same plus interest 2 a: to appropriate for one's own
          use <~ a metaphor> b: derive, adopt 3: to take (one)
          from a digit of the minuend in arithmetical subtraction
          in order to add as 10 to the digit holding the next lower
          place 4: to adopt into one language from another 5 dial:
          lend ~ vi: to borrow something -- bor.row.er n -- borrow
          trouble : to do something unnecessarily that may result
          in adverse reaction or repercussions

   borrowed time
          [bor.rowed time] n (1898): an uncertain and usu. uncontrolled
          postponement of something inevitable--used with living
          on

   borrowing
          [bor.row.ing] n (ca. 1630): something borrowed; esp: a word
          or phrase adopted from one language into another

   borrow pit
          [borrow pit] n (1893): an excavated area where material has
          been dug for use as fill at another location

   Bors
          [Bors] n [ME, fr. MF Bohort]: a knight of the Round Table
          and nephew of Lancelot

   borscht
          [borscht] or borsch n [Yiddish borsht & Ukrainian & Russ
          borshch] (1829): a soup made primarily of beets and served
          hot or cold often with sour cream

   borscht belt
          [borscht belt] also borsch belt n (1938): borscht circuit

   borscht circuit
          [borscht circuit] or borsch circuit n, often cap B&C [fr.
          the popularity of borscht on menus of the resorts] (1938):
          the theaters and nightclubs associated with the Jewish
          summer resorts in the Catskills

   Borstal
          [Bor.stal] n [Borstal, Eng. village where the first such
          institution was set up] (1907) Brit: reformatory

   bort
          [bort] n [prob. fr. D boort] (1622): imperfectly crystallized
          diamond or diamond fragments used as an abrasive

   borzoi
          [bor.zoi] n [Russ borzoi, fr. borzoi swift] (1887): any of
          a breed of large long-haired dogs of greyhound type developed
          in Russia esp. for pursuing wolves--called also Russian
          wolfhound

   boscage
          [bos.cage] also bosk.age n [ME boskage, fr. MF boscage, fr.
          OF, fr. bois, bosc forest, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          busk forest, bush] (14c): a growth of trees or shrubs:
          thicket

   bosh
          [bosh] n [Turk bos empty] (1834): foolish talk or activity:
          nonsense--often used interjectionally

   bosk
          [bosk] or bosque n [prob. back-formation fr. bosky] (1814):
          a small wooded area

   bosky
          [bosky] adj [E dial. bosk bush, fr. ME bush, bosk] (1593)
          1: having abundant trees or shrubs 2: of or relating
          to a woods

   bos'n
          [bo.s'n] or bo'.s'n or bo.sun or bo'.sun var of boatswain

   [1]bosom
          [bos.om] n [ME, fr. OE bosm; akin to OHG buosam bosom] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: the human chest and esp. the front part of
          the chest <hugged the child to his ~> b: a woman's breasts
          regarded esp. as a single feature <a woman with an ample
          ~>; also: breast 2 a: the chest conceived of as the seat
          of the emotions and intimate feelings <a story you will
          take to your ~> b: the security and intimacy of or like
          that of being hugged to someone's bosom <lived in the
          ~ of her family> 3: the part of a garment that covers
          the chest or the breasts [2]bosom adj (1590): close,
          intimate <~ friends> [3]bosom vt (1605) 1: embrace 2:
          to enclose or carry in the bosom

   bosomed
          [bos.omed] adj (1603): having a bosom of a specified kind--used
          in combination <full-bosomed>

   bosomy
          [bos.omy] adj (1860) 1: swelling upward or outward <~ hills>
          2: having prominent breasts

   boson
          [bo.son] n [Satyendranath Bose d. 1974 Indian physicist +
          E [2]-on] (1947): a particle (as a photon or meson) whose
          spin is zero or an integral number--compare fermion

   bosquet
          [bos.quet] n [F, fr. It boschetto, dim. of bosco forest,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG busk forest, bush] (ca. 1737):
          thicket

   [1]boss
          [boss] n [ME boce, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL bottia] (14c)
          1 a: a protuberant part or body <a ~ of granite> <a ~
          on an animal's horn> b: a raised ornamentation: stud
          c: an ornamental projecting block used in architecture
          2: a soft pad used in ceramics and glassmaking 3: the
          hub of a propeller [2]boss vt (15c) 1: to ornament with
          bosses: emboss 2: to treat (as the surface of porcelain)
          with a boss [3]boss n [D baas master] (1679) 1: a person
          who exercises control or authority; specif: one who directs
          or supervises workers 2: a politician who controls votes
          in a party organization or dictates appointments or legislative
          measures -- boss.dom n -- boss.ism n [4]boss adj (1836)
          slang: excellent, first-rate [5]boss vt (1856) 1: to
          act as boss of 2: to give usu. arbitrary orders to--usu.
          used with around [6]boss n [E dial., young cow] (1790):
          cow, calf

   bossa nova
          [bos.sa no.va] n [Pg, lit., new trend] (1962) 1: popular
          music of Brazilian origin that is rhythmically related
          to the samba but with complex harmonies and improvised
          jazzlike passages 2: a dance performed to bossa nova
          music

   boss man
          [boss man] n (1934): [3]boss

   [1]bossy
          [bossy] adj (1543) 1: marked by a swelling or roundness 2:
          marked by bosses: studded [2]bossy n, pl boss.ies (1843):
          cow, calf [3]bossy adj boss.i.er ; -est (1882): inclined
          to domineer: dictatorial -- boss.i.ness n

   Boston
          [Bos.ton] n [F, fr. Boston, Mass.] (1800) 1: a variation
          of whist played with two decks of cards 2 [Boston, Mass.]:
          a dance somewhat like a waltz

   Boston cream pie
          [Boston cream pie] n (ca. 1933): a round cake that is split
          and filled with a custard or cream filling and usu. frosted
          with chocolate

   Boston fern
          [Boston fern] n (ca. 1900): a luxuriant fern (Nephrolepis
          exaltata bostoniensis) often with drooping much-divided
          fronds

   Boston ivy
          [Boston ivy] n (ca. 1900): a woody Asian vine (Parthenocissus
          tricuspidata) of the grape family typically having 3-lobed
          leaves

   Boston rocker
          [Boston rocker] n (1856): a wooden rocking chair with a high
          spindle back, a decorative top panel, and a seat and
          arms that curve down at the front

   Boston terrier
          [Boston terrier] n (1894): any of a breed of small smooth-coated
          terriers originating as a cross of the bulldog and bullterrier
          and being brindled or black with white markings--called
          also Boston bull

   Boswell
          [Bos.well] n [James Boswell] (1858): a person who records
          in detail the life of a usu. famous contemporary -- Bos.well.ian
          adj -- Bos.well.ize vb

   bot
          [bot] abbreviation botanical, botanist, botany, bottle, bottom,
          bought

   bot
          [bot] also bott n [ME; akin to D leverbot liver fluke] (15c):
          the larva of a botfly; esp: one infesting the horse

   bota
          [bo.ta] n [Sp, fr. LL buttis cask] (1832): a leather bottle
          (as for wine)

   botan
          [botan] abbreviation botanical

   botanica
          [bo.tan.i.ca] n [AmerSp botanica, fr. fem. of Sp botanico
          botanical] (1969): a shop that deals in herbs and charms
          used esp. by adherents of Santeria

   [1]botanical
          [bo.tan.i.cal] adj [F botanique, fr. Gk botanikos of herbs,
          fr. botane pasture, herb, fr. boskein to feed, graze;
          prob. akin to Lith guotas flock] (1658) 1: of or relating
          to plants or botany 2: derived from plants 3: species
          <~ tulips> -- bo.tan.i.cal.ly adv [2]botanical n (ca.
          1926): a plant part or extract used esp. in skin and
          hair care products

   botanical garden
          [botanical garden] n (1785): a garden often with greenhouses
          for the culture, study, and exhibition of special plants--called
          also botanic garden

   botanise
          [bot.an.ise] Brit var of botanize

   botanist
          [bot.a.nist] n (ca. 1682): a specialist in botany or in a
          branch of botany

   botanize
          [bot.a.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vi (1767): to collect plants
          for botanical investigation; also: to study plants esp.
          on a field trip ~ vt: to explore for botanical purposes

   botany
          [bot.a.ny] n, pl -nies [botanic botanical + [2]-y] (1696)
          1: a branch of biology dealing with plant life 2 a: plant
          life b: the properties and life phenomena exhibited by
          a plant, plant type, or plant group 3: a botanical treatise
          or study; esp: a particular system of botany

   [1]botch
          [botch] n [ME boche, fr. ONF, fr. (assumed) VL bottia boss]
          (14c): an inflammatory sore [2]botch vt [ME bocchen]
          (1530) 1: to foul up hopelessly--often used with up 2:
          to put together in a makeshift way -- botch.er n [3]botch
          n (1605) 1: something that is botched: mess 2: patchwork,
          hodgepodge -- botchy adj

   botfly
          [bot.fly] n (1819): any of various stout dipteran flies (family
          Oestridae) with larvae parasitic in cavities or tissues
          of various mammals including humans

   [1]both
          [both] pron, pl in constr [ME bothe, fr. ON bathir; akin
          to OHG beide both] (12c): the one as well as the other
          <~ of us> <we are ~ well> <$1000 fine or 30 days in jail,
          or ~> [2]both conj (12c)--used as a function word to
          indicate and stress the inclusion of each of two or more
          things specified by coordinated words, phrases, or clauses
          <prized ~ for its beauty and for its utility> <he prayeth
          well, who loveth well ~ man and bird and beast --S. T.
          Coleridge> [3]both adj (13c): being the two: affecting
          or involving the one and the other <~ feet> <~ his eyes>
          <~ these armies>

   [1]bother
          [both.er] vb both.ered ; both.er.ing [origin unknown] vt
          (ca. 1745) 1: to annoy esp. by petty provocation: irk
          2: to intrude upon: pester 3: to cause to be anxious
          or concerned--often used interjectionally ~ vi 1: to
          become concerned 2: to take pains: take the trouble syn
          see annoy [2]bother n (1834) 1 a: a state of petty discomfort,
          annoyance, or worry b: something that causes petty annoyance
          or worry 2: fuss

   botheration
          [both.er.ation] n (1797) 1: the act of bothering: the state
          of being bothered 2: something that bothers--often used
          interjectionally

   bothersome
          [both.er.some] adj (1834): causing bother: vexing

   bothy
          [bo.thy] n [Sc, prob. fr. obs. Sc both booth] (1771) chiefly
          Scot: hut

   botonee
          [bot.o.nee] or bot.on.nee adj [MF botonne] (15c) of a heraldic
          cross: having a cluster of three balls or knobs at the
          end of each arm--see cross illustration

   bo tree
          [bo tree] n [Sinhalese bo, fr. Skt bodhi enlightenment; fr.
          Buddha receiving enlightenment under this tree--more
          at bid] (1862): pipal

   botryoidal
          [bot.ry.oi.dal] adj [Gk botryoeides, fr. botrys bunch of
          grapes] (1816): having the form of a bunch of grapes
          <~ garnets>

   botrytis
          [bo.try.tis] n [NL, fr. Gk botrys] (1900): any of a genus
          (Botrytis) of imperfect fungi having botryoidal conidia
          and including several serious plant pathogens

   [1]bottle
          [bot.tle] n, often attrib [ME botel, fr. MF bouteille, fr.
          ML butticula, dim. of LL buttis cask] (14c) 1 a: a rigid
          or semirigid container typically of glass or plastic
          having a comparatively narrow neck or mouth and usu.
          no handle b: a usu. bottle-shaped container made of skin
          for storing a liquid 2: the quantity held by a bottle
          3 a: intoxicating drink: the practice of drinking b:
          liquid food (as milk) used in place of mother's milk
          -- bot.tle.ful n [2]bottle vt bot.tled ; bot.tling (1600)
          1: to confine as if in a bottle: restrain--usu. used
          with up <bottling up their anger> 2: to put into a bottle
          -- bot.tler n

   bottlebrush
          [bot.tle.brush] n [fr. the shape of the flowers] (ca. 1841):
          any of a genus (Callistemon) of Australian trees and
          shrubs of the myrtle family widely cultivated in warm
          regions esp. for their spikes of brightly colored flowers

   bottle club
          [bottle club] n (1943): a club serving patrons previously
          purchased or reserved alcoholic drinks after normal legal
          closing hours

   bottled gas
          [bottled gas] n (1930): gas under pressure in portable cylinders

   bottle-feed
          [bot.tle-feed] vt -fed ; -feed.ing (ca. 1865): to feed (as
          an infant) with a bottle

   bottle gourd
          [bottle gourd] n (ca. 1828): a common cultivated gourd (Lagenaria
          siceraria) with a variably shaped fruit that is sometimes
          used as a container

   bottle green
          [bottle green] n (1804): a dark green

   [1]bottleneck
          [bot.tle.neck] adj (1896): narrow <~ harbors> [2]bottleneck
          n (1907) 1 a: a narrow route b: a point of traffic congestion
          2 a: a condition or situation that retards or halts free
          movement and progress b: impasse 3: a style of guitar
          playing in which glissando effects are produced by sliding
          an object (as a knife blade or the neck of a bottle)
          along the strings [3]bottleneck vt (1933): to slow or
          halt by causing a bottleneck

   bottle-nosed dolphin
          [bot.tle-nosed dolphin] n (ca. 1909): a relatively small
          stout-bodied chiefly gray toothed whale (Tursiops truncatus)
          with a prominent beak and falcate dorsal fin

   bottlenose dolphin
          [bottlenose dolphin] n (1940): bottle-nosed dolphin

   bottling
          [bot.tling] n (1954): a beverage and esp. a wine that is
          bottled at a particular time

   [1]bottom
          [bot.tom] n [ME botme, fr. OE botm; akin to OHG bodam bottom,
          L fundus, Gk pythmen] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the underside of
          something b: a surface (as the seat of a chair) designed
          to support something resting on it c: the posterior end
          of the trunk: buttocks, rump 2: the surface on which
          a body of water lies 3 a: the part of a ship's hull lying
          below the water b: boat, ship 4 a: the lowest part or
          place b: the remotest or inmost point c: the lowest or
          last place in point of precedence <started work at the
          ~> d: the pants of pajamas--usu. used in pl. e: the last
          half of an inning of baseball f: the bass or baritone
          instruments of a band 5: bottomland--usu. used in pl.
          6: basis, source 7: capacity (as of a horse) to endure
          strain 8: a foundation color applied to textile fibers
          before dyeing -- bot.tomed adj -- at bottom : really,
          basically [2]bottom vt (1544) 1: to furnish with a bottom
          2: to provide a foundation for 3: to bring to the bottom
          4: to get to the bottom of: fathom ~ vi 1: to become
          based 2: to reach the bottom 3: to reach a low point
          before rebounding--usu. used with out -- bot.tom.er n
          [3]bottom adj (1561) 1: of, relating to, or situated
          at the bottom <~ rock> 2: frequenting the bottom <~ fish>
          3: having a quantum characteristic that accounts for
          the existence and lifetime of upsilon particles and that
          has a value of zero for most known particles <~ quark>

   bottomland
          [bot.tom.land] n (1728): low-lying land along a watercourse

   bottomless
          [bot.tom.less] adj (14c) 1: having no bottom <a ~ chair>
          2 a: extremely deep b: impossible to comprehend: unfathomable
          <a ~ mystery> c: boundless, unlimited 3 a [fr. the absence
          of lower as well as upper garments]: nude <~ dancers>
          b: featuring nude entertainers -- bot.tom.less.ly adv
          -- bot.tom.less.ness n

   bottom line
          [bottom line] n (1967) 1 a: the essential or salient point:
          crux b: the primary or most important consideration 2
          a: the line at the bottom of a financial report that
          shows the net profit or loss b: financial considerations
          (as cost or profit or loss) c: the final result: outcome,
          upshot

   bottom-line
          [bottom-line] adj (1972) 1: concerned only with cost or profits
          2: pragmatic, realistic

   bottommost
          [bot.tom.most] adj (1861) 1 a: situated at the very bottom:
          lowest, deepest b: last <the ~ part of the day --Alfred
          Kazin> 2: most basic <the ~ problems facing the world>

   bottom round
          [bottom round] n (1923): meat (as steak) from the outer part
          of a round of beef

   botulin
          [bot.u.lin] n [prob. fr. NL botulinum] (ca. 1900): a neurotoxin
          formed by botulinum and causing botulism

   botulinum
          [bot.u.li.num] also bot.u.li.nus n [NL, fr. L botulus sausage]
          (1902): a spore-forming bacterium (Clostridium botulinum)
          that secretes botulin -- bot.u.li.nal adj

   botulism
          [bot.u.lism] n (1887): an acute paralytic disease caused
          by botulin esp. in food

   boubou
          [bou.bou] n [F, fr. Malinke bubu] (1961): a long flowing
          garment worn in parts of Africa

   bouchee
          [bou.chee] n [F, lit., mouthful, fr. OF buchiee, fr. (assumed)
          VL buccata, fr. L bucca cheek, mouth] (1846): a small
          patty shell usu. containing a creamed filling

   boucle
          [bou.cle] n [F boucle curly, fr. pp. of boucler to curl,
          fr. bocle buckle, curl] (1895) 1: an uneven yarn of three
          plies one of which forms loops at intervals 2: a fabric
          of boucle yarn

   boudoir
          [bou.doir] n [F, fr. bouder to pout] (1781): a woman's dressing
          room, bedroom, or private sitting room

   bouffant
          [bouf.fant] adj [F, fr. MF, fr. prp. of bouffer to puff]
          (1880): puffed out <~ hairdos> <a ~ veil>

   bougainvillea
          [bou.gain.vil.lea] also bou.gain.vil.laea n [NL, fr. Louis
          Antoine de Bougainville] (1881): any of a genus (Bougainvillaea)
          of the four-o'clock family of ornamental tropical American
          woody vines with brilliant purple or red floral bracts

   bough
          [bough] n [ME, shoulder, bough, fr. OE bog; akin to OHG buog
          shoulder, Gk pechys forearm] (bef. 12c): a branch of
          a tree; esp: a main branch -- boughed adj

   [1]bought
          [bought] past and past part of buy [2]bought adj [pp. of
          buy] (1599): store 2 <~ clothes>

   boughten
          [bought.en] adj [bought + -en (as in forgotten)] (1793) chiefly
          dial: bought <the only ~ carpet in the region --H. W.
          Thompson>

   bougie
          [bou.gie] n [F, fr. Bougie, seaport in Algeria] (1755) 1:
          a wax candle 2 a: a tapering cylindrical instrument for
          introduction into a tubular passage of the body b: suppository

   bouillabaisse
          [bouil.la.baisse] n [F] (1855) 1: a highly seasoned fish
          stew made with at least two kinds of fish 2: potpourri

   bouillon
          [bouil.lon] n [F, fr. OF boillon, fr. boillir to boil] (ca.
          1656): a clear seasoned soup made usu. from lean beef;
          broadly: broth

   bouillon cube
          [bouillon cube] n (ca. 1922): a cube of evaporated meat extract

   boulder
          [boul.der] n [short for boulder stone, fr. ME bulder ston,
          part trans. of a word of Scand origin; akin to Sw dial.
          bullersten large stone in a stream, fr. buller noise
          + sten stone] (1617): a detached and rounded or much-worn
          mass of rock -- boul.dered adj -- boul.dery adj

   [1]boule
          [bou.le] n [Gk boule, lit., will, fr. boulesthai to wish]
          (1846): a legislative council of ancient Greece consisting
          first of an aristocratic advisory body and later of a
          representative senate [2]boule n [F, ball--more at bowl]
          (1918): a pear-shaped synthetically formed mass (as of
          sapphire) with the atomic str ucture of a single crystal

   boulevard
          [bou.le.vard] n [F, modif. of MD bolwerc bulwark] (1769):
          a broad often landscaped thoroughfare

   boulevardier
          [bou.le.vard.ier] n [F, fr. boulevard] (1879): a frequenter
          of the Parisian boulevards; broadly: man-about-town

   bouleversement
          [bou.le.ver.se.ment] n [F] (1782) 1: reversal 2: a violent
          disturbance: disorder

   boulle
          [boulle] n [Andre Charles Boulle d. 1732 Fr. cabinetmaker]
          (1823): inlaid decoration of tortoiseshell, yellow metal,
          and white metal in cabinetwork

   [1]bounce
          [bounce] vb bounced ; bounc.ing [ME bounsen] vt (13c) 1 obs:
          beat, bump 2: to cause to rebound <~ a ball> 3 a: dismiss,
          fire b: to expel precipitately from a place 4: to issue
          (a check) drawn on an account with insufficient funds
          5: to present (as an idea) to another person to elicit
          comments or to gain approval--usu. used with off ~ vi
          1: to rebound after striking a surface (as the ground)
          2: to recover from a blow or a defeat quickly--usu. used
          with back 3: to be returned by a bank because of insufficient
          funds in a checking account <his checks ~> 4 a: to leap
          suddenly: bound b: to walk with springing steps 5: to
          hit a baseball so that it hits the ground before it reaches
          an infielder [2]bounce n (1523) 1 a: a sudden leap or
          bound b: rebound 2: bluster 3: verve, liveliness

   bouncer
          [bounc.er] n (1865): one that bounces; esp: a person employed
          to restrain or eject disorderly persons

   bouncing
          [bounc.ing] adj (ca. 1563) 1: lively, animated 2: enjoying
          good health: robust -- bounc.ing.ly adv

   bouncing bet
          [bouncing bet] n, often cap 2nd B [fr. Bet, nickname for
          Elizabeth] (ca. 1818): a European perennial herb (Saponaria
          officinalis) of the pink family that is widely naturalized
          in the U.S. and has pink or white flowers and leaves
          which yield a detergent when bruised

   bouncy
          [bouncy] adj bounc.i.er ; -est (1921) 1: buoyant, exuberant
          2: resilient 3: marked by or producing bounces -- bounc.i.ly
          adv

   [1]bound
          [bound] adj [ME boun, fr. ON buinn, pp. of bua to dwell,
          prepare; akin to OHG buan to dwell--more at bower] (13c)
          1 archaic: ready 2: intending to go: going <~ for home>
          <college-bound> [2]bound n [ME, fr. OF bodne, fr. ML
          bodina] (13c) 1 a: a limiting line: boundary--usu. used
          in pl. b: something that limits or restrains <beyond
          the ~s of decency> 2 usu pl a: borderland b: the land
          within certain bounds 3: a number greater than or equal
          to every number in a set (as the range of a function);
          also: a number less than or equal to every number in
          a set [3]bound past and past part of bind [4]bound vt
          (14c) 1: to set limits or bounds to: confine 2: to form
          the boundary of: enclose 3: to name the boundaries of
          [5]bound adj [ME bounden, fr. pp. of binden to bind]
          (14c) 1: placed under legal or moral restraint or obligation:
          obliged <duty-bound> 2 a: fastened by or as if by a band:
          confined <desk-bound> b: very likely: sure <~ to rain
          soon> 3: made costive: constipated 4 of a book: secured
          to the covers by cords, tapes, or glue 5: determined,
          resolved 6: held in chemical or physical combination
          7: always occurring in combination with another linguistic
          form <un- in unknown and -er in speaker are ~ forms>--compare
          free 11d [6]bound n [MF bond, fr. bondir to leap, fr.
          (assumed) VL bombitire to hum, fr. L bombus deep hollow
          sound--more at bomb] (ca. 1553) 1: leap, jump 2: the
          action of rebounding: bounce [7]bound vi (1592) 1: to
          move by leaping 2: rebound, bounce

   boundary
          [bound.ary] n, pl -aries (1626): something (as a line, point,
          or plane) that indicates or fixes a limit or extent

   boundary layer
          [boundary layer] n (1921): a region of retarded fluid near
          the surface of a body which moves through a fluid or
          past which a fluid moves

   boundedness
          [bound.ed.ness] n (1674): the quality or state of being bounded

   bounden
          [bound.en] adj [ME] (14c) 1 archaic: being under obligation:
          beholden 2: made obligatory: binding <our ~ duty>

   bounder
          [bound.er] n (1505) 1: one that bounds 2: a man of objectionable
          social behavior: cad -- bound.er.ish adj

   boundless
          [bound.less] adj (1592): having no boundaries: vast
          -- bound.less.ly adv -- bound.less.ness n

   bound up
          [bound up] adj (1611): closely involved or associated--usu.
          used with with

   bounteous
          [boun.te.ous] adj [ME bountevous, fr. MF bontif kind, fr.
          OF, fr. bonte] (14c) 1: giving or disposed to give freely
          2: liberally bestowed -- boun.te.ous.ly adv -- boun.te.ous.ness
          n

   bountied
          [boun.tied] adj (1788) 1: having the benefit of a bounty
          2: rewarded or rewardable by a bounty

   bountiful
          [boun.ti.ful] adj (1508) 1: liberal in bestowing gifts or
          favors 2: given or provided abundantly <a ~ harvest>
          syn see liberal -- boun.ti.ful.ly adv -- boun.ti.ful.ness
          n

   bounty
          [boun.ty] n, pl bounties [ME bounte goodness, fr. OF bonte,
          fr. L bonitat-, bonitas, fr. bonus good, fr. OL duenos;
          akin to Skt duva reverence, favor] (13c) 1: something
          that is given generously 2: liberality in giving: generosity
          3: yield esp. of a crop 4: a reward, premium, or subsidy
          esp. when offered or given by a government: as a: an
          extra allowance to induce entry into the armed services
          b: a grant to encourage an industry c: a payment to encourage
          the destruction of noxious animals d: a payment for the
          capture of or assistance in the capture of an outlaw

   bounty hunter
          [bounty hunter] n (1930) 1: one that tracks down and captures
          outlaws for whom a reward is offered 2: one that hunts
          predatory animals for the reward offered

   bouquet
          [bou.quet] n [F, fr. MF, thicket, fr. ONF bosquet, fr. OF
          bosc forest--more at boscage] (ca. 1718) 1 a: flowers
          picked and fastened together in a bunch: nosegay b: medley
          <~ of songs> 2: compliment 3 a: a distinctive and characteristic
          fragrance (as of wine) b: a subtle aroma or quality (as
          of an artistic performance)

   bouquet garni
          [bou.quet gar.ni] n, pl bou.quets gar.nis [F, lit., garnished
          bouquet] (ca. 1852): an herb mixture that is either tied
          together or enclosed in a porous container and is cooked
          with a dish but removed before serving

   bourbon
          [bour.bon] n [Bourbon, seigniory in France] (1600) 1 cap:
          a member of a French family founded in 1272 to which
          belong the rulers of France from 1589 to 1793 and from
          1814 to 1830, of Spain from 1700 to 1808, from 1814 to
          1868, from 1875 to 1931, and from 1975, of Naples from
          1735 to 1805, and of the Two Sicilies from 1815 to 1860
          2 [Bourbon (now Reunion), French island in the Indian
          Ocean]: a rose (Rosa borboniana) of compact upright growth
          with shining leaves, prickly branches, and clustered
          flowers 3 [Bourbon county, Kentucky]: a whiskey distilled
          from a mash made up of not less than 51 percent corn
          plus malt and rye--compare corn whiskey 4 often cap:
          a person who clings obstinately to old social and political
          ideas; specif: an extremely conservative member of the
          U.S. Democratic party usu. from the South -- bour.bon.ism
          n, often cap

   bourg
          [bourg] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF borc, fr. L burgus fortified
          place, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG burg fortified place--more
          at borough] (12c): town, village: as a: one neighboring
          a castle b: a market town

   [1]bourgeois
          [bour.geois] adj [MF, fr. OF borjois, fr. borc] (ca. 1565)
          1: of, relating to, or characteristic of the townsman
          or of the social middle class 2: marked by a concern
          for material interests and respectability and a tendency
          toward mediocrity 3: dominated by commercial and industrial
          interests: capitalistic -- bour.geois.ifi.ca.tion n --
          bour.geois.ify vb [2]bourgeois n, pl bourgeois (ca. 1674)
          1 a: burgher b: a middle-class person 2: a person with
          social behavior and political views held to be influenced
          by private-property interest: capitalist 3 pl: bourgeoisie

   bourgeoise
          [bour.geoise] n [F, fem. of bourgeois] (1794): a woman of
          the middle class

   bourgeoisie
          [bour.geoi.sie] n [F, fr. bourgeois] (1707) 1: middle class
          2: a social order dominated by bourgeois

   bourgeon
          [bour.geon] var of burgeon

   bourguignonne
          [bour.gui.gnonne] or bour.gui.gnon adj, often cap [F, fr.
          Bourgogne Burgundy, region in France] (ca. 1919): prepared
          or served in the manner of Burgundy (as with a sauce
          made with red wine) <beef ~>

   bourn
          [bourn] or bourne n [ME burn, bourne--more at burn] (12c):
          stream, brook

   bourne
          [bourne] also bourn n [MF bourne, fr. OF bodne--more at bound]
          (1523) 1: boundary, limit 2: goal, destination

   bourree
          [bour.ree] n [F] (1706) 1: a 17th century French dance usu.
          in quick duple time; also: a musical composition with
          the rhythm of this dance 2: pas de bourree

   bourride
          [bour.ride] n [F, fr. Prov bourrido, alter. of boulido something
          boiled, fr. bouli to boil, fr. L bullire--more at boil]
          (ca. 1919): a fish stew similar to bouillabaisse that
          is usu. thickened with egg yolks and strongly flavored
          with garlic

   bourse
          [bourse] n [MF, lit., purse, fr. ML bursa--more at purse]
          (1597) 1: exchange 5a; specif: a European stock exchange
          2: a sale of numismatic or philatelic items on tables
          (as at a convention)

   bouse
          [bouse] var of bowse

   boustrophedon
          [bou.stro.phe.don] n [Gk boustrophedon, adv., lit., turning
          like oxen in plowing, fr. bous ox, cow + strephein to
          turn--more at cow] (1699): the writing of alternate lines
          in opposite directions (as from left to right and from
          right to left) -- boustrophedon adj or adv -- bou.stro.phe.don.ic
          adj

   bout
          [bout] n [E dial., a trip going and returning in plowing,
          fr. ME bought bend] (1575): a spell of activity: as a:
          an athletic match (as of boxing) b: outbreak, attack
          <a ~ of lumbago> c: session

   boutique
          [bou.tique] n, often attrib [F, shop, prob. fr. OProv botica,
          ultim. fr. Gk apotheke storehouse--more at apothecary]
          (1767) 1 a: a small fashionable specialty shop or business
          b: a small shop within a large department store 2: a
          small company that offers highly specialized services
          <an independent investment ~>

   boutonniere
          [bou.ton.niere] n [F boutonniere buttonhole, fr. MF, fr.
          bouton button] (ca. 1867): a flower or bouquet worn in
          a buttonhole

   Bouvier des Flandres
          [Bou.vi.er des Flan.dres] n [F, lit., cowherd of Flanders]
          (1929): any of a breed of large powerfully built rough-coated
          dogs of Belgian origin used esp. for herding and in guard
          work--called also Bouvier

   bouzouki
          [bou.zou.ki] n, pl -kis also -kia [NGk mpouzouki] (1952):
          a long-necked stringed instrument of Greek origin that
          resembles a mandolin

   bovid
          [bo.vid] n [NL Bovidae, fr. Bov-, Bos, type genus, fr. L
          bov-, bos] (1939): any of a family (Bovidae) of ruminants
          that have hollow unbranched permanently attached horns
          present in both sexes and that include antelopes, oxen,
          sheep, and goats

   [1]bovine
          [bo.vine] adj [LL bovinus, fr. L bov-, bos ox, cow--more
          at cow] (1817) 1: of, relating to, or resembling bovines
          and esp. the ox or cow 2: having qualities (as placidity
          or dullness) characteristic of oxen or cows -- bo.vine.ly
          adv -- bo.vin.i.ty n [2]bovine n (1865): any of a subfamily
          (Bovinae) of bovids including oxen, bison, buffalo, and
          their close relatives

   [1]bow
          [bow] vb [ME, fr. OE bugan; akin to OHG biogan to bend, Skt
          bhujati he bends] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to cease from competition
          or resistance: submit, yield <refusing to ~ to the inevitable
          --John O'Hara>; also: to suffer defeat <~ed to the champion>
          2: to bend the head, body, or knee in reverence, submission,
          or shame 3: to incline the head or body in salutation
          or assent or to acknowledge applause ~ vt 1: to cause
          to incline 2: to incline (as the head) esp. in respect
          or submission 3: to crush with a heavy burden 4 a: to
          express by bowing b: to usher in or out with a bow [2]bow
          n (ca. 1656): a bending of the head or body in respect,
          submission, assent, or salutation; also: a show of respect
          or submission [3]bow n [ME bowe, fr. OE boga; akin to
          OE bugan] (bef. 12c) 1 a: something bent into a simple
          curve: bend, arch b: rainbow 2: a weapon that is made
          of a strip of flexible material (as wood) with a cord
          connecting the two ends and holding the strip bent and
          that is used to propel an arrow 3: archer 4 a: a metal
          ring or loop forming a handle (as of a key) b: a knot
          formed by doubling a ribbon or string into two or more
          loops c: bow tie d: a frame for the lenses of eyeglasses;
          also: the sidepiece of the frame passing over the ear
          5 a: a wooden rod with horsehairs stretched from end
          to end used in playing an instrument of the viol or violin
          family b: a stroke of such a bow [4]bow vi (bef. 12c)
          1: to bend into a curve 2: to play a stringed musical
          instrument with a bow ~ vt 1: to cause to bend into a
          curve 2: to play (a stringed instrument) with a bow [5]bow
          n [ME bowe, bowgh, prob. fr. MD boech bow, shoulder;
          akin to OE bog bough] (15c) 1: the forward part of a
          ship 2: [2]bowman

   Bow bells
          [Bow bells] n pl (1600): the bells of the Church of St. Mary-le-Bow
          in London

   bowdlerise
          [bowd.ler.ise] Brit var of bowdlerize

   bowdlerize
          [bowd.ler.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing [Thomas Bowdler d. 1825
          Eng. editor] (1836) 1: to expurgate (as a book) by omitting
          or modifying parts considered vulgar 2: to modify by
          abridging, simplifying, or distorting in style or content
          -- bowd.ler.iza.tion n -- bowd.ler.iz.er n

   [1]bowed
          [bowed] adj [pp. of [1]bow] (14c) 1: bent downward and forward
          <listened with ~ heads> 2: having the back and head inclined
          [2]bowed adj [partly fr. [3]bow + -ed; partly fr. pp.
          of [4]bow] (15c): furnished with or shaped like a bow

   bowel
          [bow.el] n [ME, fr. MF boel, fr. ML botellus, fr. L, dim.
          of botulus sausage] (14c) 1: intestine, gut; also: one
          of the divisions of the intestines--usu. used in pl.
          except in medical use <the large ~> <move your ~s> 2
          archaic: the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage--usu.
          used in pl. 3 pl: the interior parts; esp: the deep or
          remote parts <~s of the earth> -- bow.el.less adj

   [1]bower
          [bow.er] n [ME bour dwelling, fr. OE bur; akin to OE & OHG
          buan to dwell, OE beon to be--more at be] (bef. 12c)
          1: an attractive dwelling or retreat 2: a lady's private
          apartment in a medieval hall or castle 3: a shelter (as
          in a garden) made with tree boughs or vines twined together:
          arbor -- bow.ery adj [2]bower vt (1592): embower, enclose
          [3]bower n (1652): an anchor carried at the bow of a
          ship

   bowerbird
          [bow.er.bird] n (1845): any of a family (Ptilonorhynchidae)
          of passerine birds of the Australian region in which
          the male builds a chamber or passage arched over with
          twigs and grasses, often adorned with bright-colored
          objects, and used esp. to attract the female

   bowery
          [bow.ery] n, pl -er.ies [D bouwerij, fr. bouwer farmer, fr.
          bouwen to till; akin to OHG buan to dwell] (1650) 1:
          a colonial Dutch plantation or farm 2 [Bowery, street
          in New York City]: a city district known for cheap bars
          and derelicts

   bowfin
          [bow.fin] n (1845): a predaceous dull-green iridescent No.
          American freshwater fish (Amia calva) that is the only
          surviving member of an order (Amiiformes) dating back
          to the Jurassic

   bowfront
          [bow.front] adj (1925) 1: having an outward curving front
          <~ furniture> 2: having a bow window in front <~ houses>

   bowhead whale
          [bow.head whale] n (1887): a baleen whale (Balaena mysticetus)
          of arctic and subarctic seas--called also bowhead

   bowie knife
          [bow.ie knife] n [James Bowie] (1836): a stout single-edged
          hunting knife with part of the back edge curved concavely
          to a point and sharpened

   bowing
          [bow.ing] n (1838): the technique or manner of managing the
          bow in playing a stringed musical instrument

   bowknot
          [bow.knot] n (1547): a knot with decorative loops

   [1]bowl
          [bowl] n [ME bolle, fr. OE bolla; akin to OHG bolla blister]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a concave usu. hemispherical vessel often
          used for holding liquids; esp: a drinking vessel (as
          for wine) 2: the contents of a bowl 3: a bowl-shaped
          or concave part: as a: the hollow of a spoon or tobacco
          pipe b: the receptacle of a toilet 4 a: a natural formation
          or geographical region shaped like a bowl b: a bowl-shaped
          structure; esp: an athletic stadium 5: a postseason football
          game between specially invited teams -- bowled adj --
          bowl.ful n [2]bowl n [ME boule, fr. MF, fr. L bulla bubble]
          (15c) 1 a: a ball (as of lignum vitae) weighted or shaped
          to give it a bias when rolled in lawn bowling b pl but
          sing in constr: lawn bowling 2: a delivery of the ball
          in bowling 3: a cylindrical roller or drum (as for a
          mechanical device) [3]bowl vi (15c) 1 a: to participate
          in a game of bowling b: to roll a ball in bowling 2:
          to travel smoothly and rapidly (as in a wheeled vehicle)
          ~ vt 1 a: to roll (a ball) in bowling b (1): to complete
          by bowling <~ a string> (2): to score by bowling <~s
          150> 2: to strike with a swiftly moving object 3: to
          overwhelm with surprise

   bowlder
          [bowl.der] var of boulder

   bowleg
          [bow.leg] n (ca. 1864): a leg bowed outward at or below the
          knee -- bow.legged adj

   [1]bowler
          [bowl.er] n (ca. 1500): a person who bowls; specif: the player
          that delivers the ball to the batsman in cricket [2]bow.ler
          n [Bowler, 19th cent. family of Eng. hatters] (1861):
          derby 3

   bowline
          [bow.line] n [ME bouline, perh. fr. bowe bow + line] (13c)
          1: a rope used to keep the weather edge of a square sail
          taut forward 2: a knot used to form a loop that neither
          slips nor jams--see knot illustration

   bowling
          [bowl.ing] n (1535): any of several games in which balls
          are rolled on a green or down an alley at an object or
          group of objects

   bowl over
          [bowl over] vt (1867) 1: to take unawares 2: [1]impress 2

   [1]bowman
          [bow.man] n (13c): archer 1 [2]bow.man n (1829): a boatman,
          oarsman, or paddler stationed in the front of a boat

   Bowman's capsule
          [Bow.man's capsule] n [Sir William Bowman d. 1892 Eng. surgeon]
          (ca. 1860): a thin membranous double-walled capsule surrounding
          the glomerulus of a vertebrate nephron

   bow out
          [bow out] vi (1942): retire, withdraw

   bow saw
          [bow saw] n (1677): a saw having a narrow blade held under
          tension by a light bow-shaped frame

   bowse
          [bowse] vb bowsed ; bows.ing [origin unknown] vt (1593):
          to haul by means of a tackle ~ vi: to bowse something

   bow shock
          [bow shock] n (1950): the shock wave formed by the collision
          of a stellar wind with another medium (as the magnetosphere
          of a planet)

   bowsprit
          [bow.sprit] n [ME bouspret, prob. fr. MLG bochspret, fr.
          boch bow + spret pole] (13c): a large spar projecting
          forward from the stem of a ship

   bowstring
          [bow.string] n (14c): a waxed or sized cord joining the ends
          of a shooting bow

   bowstring hemp
          [bowstring hemp] n (ca. 1858): any of various Asian and African
          sansevierias; also: its soft tough leaf fiber used esp.
          in cordage

   bow tie
          [bow tie] n (1897): a short necktie tied in a bowknot

   bow window
          [bow window] n (1753): a usu. curved bay window

   bowwow
          [bow.wow] n [imit.] (1576) 1: the bark of a dog; also: dog
          2: noisy clamor 3: arrogant dogmatic manner

   bowyer
          [bow.yer] n [ME bowyere] (14c): a person who makes shooting
          bows

   [1]box
          [box] n, pl box or box.es [ME, fr. OE, fr. L buxus, fr. Gk
          pyxos] (bef. 12c): an evergreen shrub or small tree (genus
          Buxus of the family Buxaceae, the box family) with opposite
          entire leaves and capsular fruits; esp: a widely cultivated
          shrub (B. sempervirens) used for hedges, borders, and
          topiary figures [2]box n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL buxis, fr.
          Gk pyxis, fr. pyxos box tree] (bef. 12c) 1: a rigid typically
          rectangular container with or without a cover <a cigar
          ~>: as a: an open cargo container of a vehicle b: coffin
          2: the contents of a box esp. as a measure of quantity
          3: a box or boxlike container and its contents: as a
          Brit: a gift in a box b: an automobile transmission c:
          television d: a signaling apparatus <alarm ~> e: a usu.
          self-contained piece of electronic equipment f: boom
          box 4: an often small space, compartment, or enclosure:
          as a: an enclosed group of seats for spectators (as in
          a theater or stadium) b: a driver's seat on a carriage
          or coach c: a cell for holding mail d Brit: box stall
          e: penalty box 5: a usu. rectangular space that is frequently
          outlined or demarcated on a surface: as a: any of six
          spaces on a baseball diamond where the batter, coaches,
          pitcher, and catcher stand b: a space on a page for printed
          matter or in which to make a mark 6: predicament, fix
          7: a cubical building -- box.ful n -- box.like adj [3]box
          vt (15c) 1: to enclose in or as if in a box 2: to hem
          in (as an opponent)--usu. used with in, out, or up <~ed
          out the opposing tackle> [4]box n [ME] (14c): a punch
          or slap esp. on the ear [5]box vt (1519) 1: to hit (as
          the ears) with the hand 2: to engage in boxing with ~
          vi: to fight with the fists: engage in boxing [6]box
          vt [prob. fr. Sp bojar to circumnavigate, fr. Catal vogir
          to turn, fr. L volvere to roll--more at voluble] (1753):
          to name the 32 points of (the compass) in their order--used
          figuratively in the phrase box the compass to describe
          making a complete reversal

   boxboard
          [box.board] n (1841): paperboard used for making boxes and
          cartons

   box camera
          [box camera] n (1902): a box-shaped camera with a simple
          lens and rotary shutter

   [1]boxcar
          [box.car] n (1856): a roofed freight car usu. with sliding
          doors in the sides [2]boxcar adj [fr. the high numbers
          stenciled on the sides of boxcars] (1944): very large
          <the judge awarded her a ~ figure>

   box coat
          [box coat] n (1822) 1: a heavy overcoat formerly worn for
          driving 2: a loose coat usu. fitted at the shoulders

   box elder
          [box elder] n (1787): a No. American maple (Acer negundo)
          with compound leaves

   [1]boxer
          [box.er] n (1742) 1: a person who engages in the sport of
          boxing 2 pl: short 4b [2]boxer n (1871): one that makes
          boxes or packs things in boxes [3]boxer n [G, fr. E [1]boxer]
          (ca. 1904): a compact medium-sized short-haired usu.
          fawn or brindled dog of a breed originating in Germany
          Box.er n [approx. trans. of Chin (Beijing) yihe juan,
          lit., righteous harmonious fist] (1899): a member of
          a Chinese secret society that in 1900 attempted by violence
          to drive foreigners out of China and to force Chinese
          converts to renounce Christianity

   boxer shorts
          [boxer shorts] n pl (1944): short 4b

   [1]boxing
          [box.ing] n (1607) 1: an act of enclosing in a box 2: a boxlike
          enclosure: casing 3: material used for boxes and casings
          [2]boxing n (1711): the art of attack and defense with
          the fists practiced as a sport

   Boxing Day
          [Boxing Day] n (1833): the first weekday after Christmas
          observed as a legal holiday in parts of the Commonwealth
          and marked by the giving of Christmas boxes to service
          workers (as postal workers)

   boxing glove
          [boxing glove] n (1875): one of a pair of leather mittens
          heavily padded on the back and worn in boxing

   box kite
          [box kite] n (1897): a tailless kite consisting of two or
          more open-ended connected boxes

   box lunch
          [box lunch] n (1950): a lunch packed in a container (as a
          box)

   box office
          [box office] n (1786) 1 a: an office (as in a theater) where
          tickets of admission are sold b: income from ticket sales
          (as for a film) 2: the ability or power (as of a show)
          to attract ticket buyers; also: something that enhances
          that ability <any publicity is good box office>

   box pleat
          [box pleat] n (1883): a pleat made by forming two folded
          edges one facing right and the other left

   box score
          [box score] n [fr. its arrangement in a newspaper box] (1913):
          a printed score of a game (as baseball) giving the names
          and positions of the players and a record of the play
          arranged in tabular form; broadly: total count: summary

   box seat
          [box seat] n (1849) 1: [2]box 4b 2 a: a seat in a box (as
          in a theater or grandstand) b: a position favorable for
          viewing something

   box social
          [box social] n (1928): a fund-raising affair at which box
          lunches are auctioned to the highest bidder

   box spring
          [box spring] n (1895): a bedspring that consists of spiral
          springs attached to a foundation and enclosed in a cloth-covered
          frame

   box stall
          [box stall] n (1885): an individual enclosure within a barn
          or stable in which an animal may move about freely without
          a restraining device

   boxthorn
          [box.thorn] n (1678): matrimony vine

   box turtle
          [box turtle] n (ca. 1804): any of several No. American land
          turtles (genus Terrapene) capable of withdrawing into
          its shell and closing it by hinged joints in the lower
          half--called also box tortoise

   boxwood
          [box.wood] n (1652) 1: the very close-grained heavy tough
          hard wood of the box (Buxus); also: a wood of similar
          properties 2: a plant producing boxwood

   boxy
          [boxy] adj box.i.er ; -est (ca. 1861): resembling a box --
          box.i.ness n

   boy
          [boy] n, often attrib [ME] (13c) 1: a male servant--sometimes
          taken to be offensive 2 a: a male child from birth to
          puberty b: son c: an immature male: youth d: sweetheart,
          beau 3 a: one native to a given place <local ~> b: fellow,
          person <the ~s at the office> c--used interjectionally
          to express intensity of feeling <~, what a game> -- boy.hood
          n -- boy.ish adj -- boy.ish.ly adv -- boy.ish.ness n

   boyar
          [bo.yar] also bo.yard n [Russ boyarin] (1591): a member of
          a Russian aristocratic order next in rank below the ruling
          princes until its abolition by Peter the Great

   boychick
          [boy.chick] n [Amer Yiddish boytshik, fr. E boy + Yiddish
          -tshik, dim. suffix] (ca. 1951): a young man: boy

   boycott
          [boy.cott] vt [Charles C. Boycott d. 1897 Eng. land agent
          in Ireland who was ostracized for refusing to reduce
          rents] (1880): to engage in a concerted refusal to have
          dealings with (as a person, store, or organization) usu.
          to express disapproval or to force acceptance of certain
          conditions -- boycott n -- boy.cott.er n

   boyfriend
          [boy.friend] n (1896) 1: a male friend 2: a frequent or regular
          male companion of a girl or woman 3: a male lover

   Boyle's law
          [Boyle's law] n [Robert Boyle] (ca. 1860): a statement in
          physics: the volume of a gas at constant temperature
          varies inversely with the pressure exerted on it

   boyo
          [boyo] n, pl boy.os [boy + [1]-o] (ca. 1870) Irish: boy,
          lad

   Boy Scout
          [Boy Scout] n (1909) 1: a member of any of various national
          scouting programs (as the Boy Scouts of America) for
          boys usu. 11 to 17 years of age 2: a person whose values
          or actions are characteristic of a Boy Scout

   boysenberry
          [boy.sen.ber.ry] n [Rudolph Boysen d. 1950 Am. horticulturist
          + E berry] (1935): a large bramble fruit with a raspberry
          flavor; also: the trailing hybrid bramble yielding this
          fruit and developed by crossing several blackberries
          and raspberries

   boy wonder
          [boy wonder] n (1946): a young man of noteworthy achievements

   bozo
          [bo.zo] n, pl bozos [origin unknown] (1920): a foolish or
          incompetent person

   bp...
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   bp
          [bp] abbreviation baptized, base pair, birthplace, bishop
          BP abbreviation batting practice, beautiful people,
          before the present, bills payable, blood pressure, blueprint,
          boiling point

   bpd
          [bpd] abbreviation barrels per day

   BPE
          [BPE] abbreviation bachelor of petroleum engineering, bachelor
          of physical education

   BPh
          [BPh] abbreviation bachelor of philosophy

   BPharm
          [BPharm] abbreviation bachelor of pharmacy

   bpi
          [bpi] abbreviation bits per inch, bytes per inch

   bpl
          [bpl] abbreviation birthplace

   BPOE
          [BPOE] abbreviation Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

   bps
          [bps] abbreviation bits per second

   BPW
          [BPW] abbreviation Board of Public Works, Business and Professional
          Women's Clubs

   br...
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   br
          [br] abbreviation branch, brass, brown  Br abbreviation Britain,
          British, bromine  BR abbreviation bats right, bedroom,
          bills receivable

   bra
          [bra] n (1936): brassiere -- bra.less adj

   brabble
          [brab.ble] vi brab.bled ; brab.bling [perh. fr. MD brabbelen,
          of imit. origin] (ca. 1530): squabble -- brabble n

   [1]brace
          [brace] vb braced ; brac.ing [ME, fr. MF bracier to embrace,
          fr. brace] vt (14c) 1 archaic: to fasten tightly: bind
          2 a: to prepare for use by making taut b: prepare, steel
          <~ yourself for the shock> c: invigorate, freshen 3:
          to turn (a sail yard) by means of a brace 4 a: to furnish
          or support with a brace <heavily braced against the wind>
          b: to make stronger: reinforce 5: to put or plant firmly
          <~s his foot in the stirrup> 6: to waylay esp. with demands
          or questions ~ vi 1: to take heart--used with up 2: to
          get ready (as for an attack) [2]brace n, pl brac.es [ME,
          clasp, pair, fr. MF, two arms, fr. L bracchia, pl. of
          bracchium arm, fr. Gk brachion, fr. compar. of brachys
          short--more at brief] (14c) 1: something (as a clasp)
          that connects or fastens 2 or pl brace : two of a kind:
          pair <several ~ of quail> 3: a crank-shaped instrument
          for turning a bit 4: something that transmits, directs,
          resists, or supports weight or pressure: as a: a diagonal
          piece of structural material that serves to strengthen
          something (as a framework) b: a rope rove through a block
          at the end of a ship's yard to swing it horizontally
          c pl: suspenders d: an appliance for supporting a body
          part e pl: dental appliances used to exert pressure to
          straighten misaligned teeth 5 a: one of two marks { }
          used to connect words or items to be considered together
          b: one of these marks connecting two or more musical
          staffs carrying parts to be performed simultaneously
          c: bracket 3a 6: a position of rigid attention 7: something
          that arouses energy or strengthens morale

   bracelet
          [brace.let] n [ME, fr. MF, dim. of bras arm, fr. L bracchium]
          (15c) 1: an ornamental band or chain worn around the
          wrist 2: something (as handcuffs) resembling a bracelet

   [1]bracer
          [bra.cer] n [ME, fr. MF braciere, fr. OF, fr. braz arm, fr.
          L bracchium] (14c): an arm or wrist protector esp. for
          use by an archer [2]brac.er n (1579) 1: one that braces,
          binds, or makes firm 2: a drink (as of liquor) taken
          as a stimulant

   bracero
          [bra.ce.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp, laborer, fr. brazo arm, fr. L
          bracchium] (1920): a Mexican laborer admitted to the
          U.S. esp. for seasonal contract labor in agriculture--compare
          wetback

   brace root
          [brace root] n (1892): prop root

   brachi-
          [brachi-] or brachio- comb form [L bracchium, brachium] 1:
          arm <brachial> 2: brachial and <brachiocephalic>

   brachial
          [bra.chi.al] adj (1578): of, relating to, or situated in
          the arm or an armlike process <the ~ artery of the upper
          arm>

   brachial plexus
          [brachial plexus] n (ca. 1860): a network of nerves lying
          mostly in the armpit and supplying nerves to the chest,
          shoulder, and arm

   brachiate
          [bra.chi.ate] vi -at.ed ; -at.ing (1932): to progress by
          swinging from one hold to another by the arms <a brachiating
          gibbon> -- bra.chi.a.tion n -- bra.chi.a.tor n

   brachiocephalic artery
          [bra.chio.ce.phal.ic artery] n (ca. 1839): a short artery
          that arises from the arch of the aorta and divides into
          the carotid and subclavian arteries of the right side--called
          also innominate artery

   brachiocephalic vein
          [brachiocephalic vein] n (ca. 1852): either of two large
          veins that occur one on each side of the neck, receive
          blood from the head and neck, and unite to form the superior
          vena cava--called also innominate vein

   brachiopod
          [bra.chio.pod] n [ultim. fr. L bracchium + Gk pod-, pous
          foot--more at foot] (1836): any of a phylum (Brachiopoda)
          of marine invertebrates with bivalve shells within which
          is a pair of arms bearing tentacles by which a current
          of water is made to bring microscopic food to the mouth
          -- brachiopod adj

   brachy-
          [brachy-] comb form [Gk, fr. brachys--more at brief]: short
          <brachycephalic>

   brachycephalic
          [brachy.ce.phal.ic] adj [NL brachycephalus, fr. Gk brachy-
          + kephale head--more at cephalic] (ca. 1852): short-headed
          or broad-headed with a cephalic index of over 80
          -- brachy.ceph.a.ly n

   brachypterous
          [bra.chyp.ter.ous] adj [Gk brachypteros, fr. brachy- + pteron
          wing--more at feather] (ca. 1847): having rudimentary
          or abnormally small wings <~ insects>

   bracing
          [brac.ing] adj (1750): giving strength, vigor, or freshness
          <a ~ breeze> -- brac.ing.ly adv

   braciola
          [bra.ci.o.la] or bra.ci.o.le n [It, lit., slice of meat roasted
          over coals, fr. brace live coals, prob. of Gmc origin;
          akin to Sw brasa fire] (ca. 1945): a thin slice of meat
          wrapped around a seasoned filling and often cooked in
          wine

   bracken
          [brack.en] n [ME braken, prob. of Scand origin; akin to OSw
          braekne fern] (14c) 1: a large coarse fern; esp: a nearly
          cosmopolitan brake (Pteridium aquilinum) found in most
          tropical and temperate regions 2: a growth of brakes

   [1]bracket
          [brack.et] n [perh. fr. MF braguette codpiece, fr. dim. of
          brague breeches, fr. OProv braga, fr. L braca, of Celt
          origin--more at breech] (1580) 1: an overhanging member
          that projects from a structure (as a wall) and is usu.
          designed to support a vertical load or to strengthen
          an angle 2: a fixture (as for holding a lamp) projecting
          from a wall or column 3 a: one of a pair of marks [ ]
          used in writing and printing to enclose matter or in
          mathematics and logic as signs of aggregation--called
          also square bracket b: one of the pair of marks<> used
          to enclose matter--called also angle bracket c: parenthesis
          3 d: brace 5b 4: a section of a continuously numbered
          or graded series (as age ranges or income levels) [2]bracket
          vt (ca. 1847) 1 a: to place within or as if within brackets
          <editorial comments are ~ed> <news stories ~ed by commercials>
          b: to eliminate from consideration <~ off politics> c:
          to extend around so as to encompass: include <test pressures
          ... which ~ virtually the entire range of passenger-car
          tire pressures --Consumer Reports> 2: to furnish or fasten
          with brackets 3: to put in the same category or group
          <~ed in a tie for third> 4 a: to get the range on (a
          target) by firing over and short <there were mortar rounds
          ~ing the area --Ed Bradley> b: to establish the limits
          of <~ed the problem neatly> c: to take photographs at
          more than one exposure in order to ensure that the desired
          exposure is obtained

   bracket creep
          [bracket creep] n (1980): movement into a higher tax bracket
          as a result of income rises intended to offset the effects
          of inflation

   bracketed
          [brack.et.ed] adj (1885) of a serif: joined to the stroke
          by a curved line

   bracket fungus
          [bracket fungus] n (1899): a basidiomycete that forms shelflike
          sporophores

   brackish
          [brack.ish] adj [D brac salty; akin to MLG brac salty] (1538)
          1: somewhat salty <~ water> 2 a: not appealing to the
          taste <~ tea> b: repulsive -- brack.ish.ness n

   braconid
          [brac.o.nid] n [ultim. fr. Gk brachys] (ca. 1893): any of
          a large family (Braconidae) of ichneumon flies -- braconid
          adj

   bract
          [bract] n [NL bractea, fr. L, thin metal plate] (1770) 1:
          a leaf from the axil of which a flower or floral axis
          arises 2: a leaf borne on a floral axis; esp: one subtending
          a flower or flower cluster -- brac.te.al adj -- brac.te.ate
          adj -- bract.ed adj

   bracteole
          [brac.te.ole] n [NL bracteola, fr. L, dim. of bractea] (ca.
          1828): a small bract esp. on a floral axis

   [1]brad
          [brad] n [ME, fr. ON broddr spike; perh. akin to OE byrst
          bristle--more at bristle] (13c) 1: a thin nail of the
          same thickness throughout but tapering in width and having
          a slight projection at the top of one side instead of
          a head 2: a slender wire nail with a small barrel-shaped
          head [2]brad vt brad.ded ; brad.ding (1794): to fasten
          with brads

   bradawl
          [brad.awl] n (1823): an awl with chisel edge used to make
          holes for brads or screws

   brady-
          [brady-] comb form [Gk bradys]: slow <bradykinin>

   bradycardia
          [bra.dy.car.dia] n [NL] (ca. 1890): relatively slow heart
          action--compare tachycardia

   bradykinin
          [bra.dy.ki.nin] n (1949): a kinin that is formed locally
          in injured tissue, acts in vasodilation of small arterioles,
          is considered to play a part in inflammatory processes,
          and is composed of a chain of nine amino-acid residues

   brae
          [brae] n [ME bra, fr. ON bra eyelid; akin to OE braew eyebrow,
          and prob. to OE bregdan to move quickly--more at braid]
          (13c) chiefly Scot: a hillside esp. along a river

   [1]brag
          [brag] n [ME] (14c) 1: a pompous or boastful statement 2:
          arrogant talk or manner: cockiness 3: braggart [2]brag
          vb bragged ; brag.ging vi (14c): to talk boastfully:
          engage in self-glorification ~ vt: to assert boastfully
          syn see boast -- brag.ger n -- brag.gy adj [3]brag adj
          brag.ger ; brag.gest (1836): first-rate

   braggadocio
          [brag.ga.do.cio] n, pl -cios [Braggadochio, personification
          of boasting in Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser] (1594)
          1: braggart 2 a: empty boasting b: arrogant pretension:
          cockiness

   braggart
          [brag.gart] n (ca. 1577): a loud arrogant boaster -- braggart
          adj

   [1]Brahma
          [Brah.ma] n [Skt brahman] (1690) 1: the creator god of the
          Hindu sacred triad--compare siva, vishnu 2: the ultimate
          ground of all being in Hinduism [2]Brah.ma n (1938):
          brahman 2

   Brahman
          [Brah.man] or Brah.min n [ME Bragman inhabitant of India,
          fr. L Bracmanus, fr. Gk Brachman, fr. Skt brahmana of
          the Brahman caste, fr. brahman Brahman] (15c) 1 a: a
          Hindu of the highest caste traditionally assigned to
          the priesthood b: [1]brahma 2 2: any of an Indian breed
          of humped cattle: zebu; esp: a large vigorous heat-resistant
          and tick-resistant usu. silvery gray animal developed
          in the southern U.S. from the zebu 3 usu Brahmin: a person
          of high social standing and cultivated intellect and
          taste <Boston ~s> -- Brah.man.ic or Brah.man.i.cal adj

   Brahmanism
          [Brah.man.ism] n (1816): orthodox Hinduism adhering to the
          pantheism of the Vedas and to the ancient sacrifices
          and family ceremonies

   [1]braid
          [braid] vt [ME breyden to move suddenly, snatch, plait, fr.
          OE bregdan; akin to OHG brettan to draw (a sword)] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to make from braids <~ a rug> b: to form (three
          or more strands) into a braid 2: to do up (the hair)
          by interweaving three or more strands 3: mix, intermingle
          <~ fact with fiction> 4: to ornament esp. with ribbon
          or braid -- braid.er n [2]braid n (1530) 1 a: a length
          of braided hair b: a cord or ribbon having usu. three
          or more component strands forming a regular diagonal
          pattern down its length; esp: a narrow fabric of intertwined
          threads used esp. for trimming 2: high-ranking naval
          officers

   braided
          [braid.ed] adj (15c) 1 a: made by intertwining three or more
          strands b: ornamented with braid 2: forming an interlacing
          network of channels <a ~ river>

   braiding
          [braid.ing] n (15c): something made of braided material

   [1]brail
          [brail] n [ME brayle, fr. AF braiel, fr. OF, strap] (15c)
          1: a rope fastened to the leech of a sail and used for
          hauling the sail up or in 2: a dip net with which fish
          are hauled aboard a boat from a purse seine or trap [2]brail
          vt (1625) 1: to take in (a sail) by the brails 2: to
          hoist (fish) by means of a brail

   braille
          [braille] n, often cap [Louis Braille] (1853): a system of
          writing for the blind that uses characters made up of
          raised dots -- braille vt -- braill.ist n

   braillewriter
          [braille.writ.er] n, often cap (1942): a machine for writing
          braille

   [1]brain
          [brain] n [ME, fr. OE braegen; akin to MLG bregen brain,
          and perh. to Gk brechmos front part of the head] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: the portion of the vertebrate central nervous
          system that constitutes the organ of thought and neural
          coordination, includes all the higher nervous centers
          receiving stimuli from the sense organs and interpreting
          and correlating them to formulate the motor impulses,
          is made up of neurons and supporting and nutritive structures,
          is enclosed within the skull, and is continuous with
          the spinal cord through the foramen magnum b: a nervous
          center in invertebrates comparable in position and function
          to the vertebrate brain 2 a (1): intellect, mind <has
          a clever ~> (2): intellectual endowment: intelligence--often
          used in pl. <plenty of ~s in that family> b (1): a very
          intelligent or intellectual person (2): the chief planner
          of an organization or enterprise--usu. used in pl. 3:
          something that performs the functions of a brain; esp:
          an automatic device (as a computer) for control or computation
          [2]brain vt (14c) 1: to kill by smashing the skull 2:
          to hit on the head

   braincase
          [brain.case] n (1741): the cranium enclosing the brain

   brainchild
          [brain.child] n (1631): a product of one's creative imagination

   brain coral
          [brain coral] n (ca. 1711): a massive reef-building coral
          (as genus Maeandra) having the surface covered by ridges
          and furrows

   brain death
          [brain death] n (1964): final cessation of activity in the
          central nervous system esp. as indicated by a flat
          electroencephalogram for a predetermined length of time
          -- brain-dead adj

   brain drain
          [brain drain] n (1963): the departure of educated or professional
          people from one country, economic sector, or field for
          another usu. for better pay or living conditions

   brained
          [brained] adj (15c): having a brain of a specified kind--used
          in combination <featherbrained>

   brain hormone
          [brain hormone] n (1957): a hormone that is secreted
          by neurosecretory cells of the insect brain and thatstimulates the
          prothoracic glands to secrete ecdysone

   brainish
          [brain.ish] adj (ca. 1530) archaic: impetuous, hotheaded
          <and in this ~ apprehension kills the unseen good old
          man --Shak.>

   brainless
          [brain.less] adj (15c): devoid of intelligence: stupid --
          brain.less.ly adv -- brain.less.ness n

   brainpan
          [brain.pan] n (14c): braincase

   brain-picking
          [brain-pick.ing] n (1954): the act of gathering information
          from another's mind -- brain-pick.er n

   brainpower
          [brain.pow.er] n (1878) 1: intellectual ability 2: people
          with developed intellectual ability

   brainsick
          [brain.sick] adj (15c) 1: mentally disordered 2: arising
          from mental disorder <a ~ frenzy> -- brain.sick.ly adv

   brain stem
          [brain stem] n (1879): the part of the brain composed of
          the mesencephalon, pons, and medulla oblongata and connecting
          the spinal cord with the forebrain and cerebrum

   brainstorm
          [brain.storm] n (ca. 1894) 1: a violent transient fit of
          insanity 2 a: a sudden bright idea b: a harebrained idea

   brainstorming
          [brain.storm.ing] n (ca. 1955): a group problem-solving technique
          that involves the spontaneous contribution of ideas from
          all members of the group -- brain.storm vb -- brain.storm.er
          n

   brains trust
          [brains trust] n (1934) chiefly Brit: brain trust

   brainteaser
          [brain.teas.er] n (1923): something (as a puzzle) that demands
          mental effort and acuity for its solution

   brain trust
          [brain trust] n (1910): a group of official or unofficial
          advisers concerned esp. with planning and strategy --
          brain trust.er n

   brainwashing
          [brain.wash.ing] n [trans. of Chin (Beijing) xinao] (1950)
          1: a forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give
          up basic political, social, or religious beliefs and
          attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas
          2: persuasion by propaganda or salesmanship -- brain.wash
          vt -- brainwash n -- brain.wash.er n

   brain wave
          [brain wave] n (1890) 1: brainstorm 2a 2 a: rhythmic fluctuations
          of voltage between parts of the brain resulting in the
          flow of an electric current b: a current produced by
          brain waves

   brainy
          [brainy] adj brain.i.er ; -est (1874): having or showing
          a well-developed intellect: intelligent -- brain.i.ness
          n

   [1]braise
          [braise] vt braised ; brais.ing [F braiser, fr. braise live
          coals, fr. OF breze, prob. of Gmc origin; akin to Sw
          brasa fire] (1797): to cook slowly in fat and little
          moisture in a closed pot [2]braise n (ca. 1885): an item
          of braised food

   [1]brake
          [brake] archaic past of break [2]brake n [ME, fern, prob.
          back-formation fr. braken bracken] (14c): the common
          bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) [3]brake n [ME, fr.
          MLG; akin to OE brecan to break] (15c) 1: a toothed instrument
          or machine for separating out the fiber of flax or hemp
          by breaking up the woody parts 2: a machine for bending,
          flanging, folding, and forming sheet metal [4]brake n
          [ME -brake] (1563): rough or marshy land overgrown usu.
          with one kind of plant -- braky adj [5]brake n [perh.
          fr. obs. brake bridle] (ca. 1782) 1: a device for arresting
          or preventing the motion of a mechanism usu. by means
          of friction 2: something used to slow down or stop movement
          or activity <use interest rates as a ~ on spending> --
          brake.less adj [6]brake vb braked ; brak.ing vt (1868):
          to retard or stop by a brake ~ vi 1: to operate or manage
          a brake; esp: to apply the brake on a vehicle 2: to become
          checked by a brake

   brakeman
          [brake.man] n (1833) 1: a freight or passenger train crew
          member who inspects the train and assists the conductor
          2: the end man on a bobsled team who operates the brake

   bramble
          [bram.ble] n [ME brembel, fr. OE bremel; akin to OE brom
          broom] (bef. 12c): any of a genus (Rubus) of usu. prickly
          shrubs of the rose family including the raspberries and
          blackberries; broadly: a rough prickly shrub or vine
          -- bram.bly adj

   bran
          [bran] n [ME, fr. MF] (14c): the edible broken seed coats
          of cereal grain separated from the flour or meal by sifting
          or bolting

   [1]branch
          [branch] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF branche, fr. LL branca
          paw] (14c) 1: a natural subdivision of a plant stem;
          esp: a secondary shoot or stem (as a bough) arising from
          a main axis (as of a tree) 2: something that extends
          from or enters into a main body or source: as a (1):
          a stream that flows into another usu. larger stream:
          tributary (2) Southern & Midland: creek 2 b: a side road
          or way c: a slender projection (as the tine of an antler)
          d: a distinctive part of a mathematical curve e: a part
          of a computer program executed as a result of a program
          decision 3: a part of a complex body: as a: a division
          of a family descending from a particular ancestor b:
          an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from
          related areas <pathology is a ~ of medicine> c (1): a
          division of an organization (2): a separate but dependent
          part of a central organization <the neighborhood ~ of
          the city library> d: a language group less inclusive
          than a family <the Germanic ~ of the Indo-European language
          family> -- branched adj -- branch.less adj -- branchy
          adj [2]branch vi (14c) 1: to put forth branches: ramify
          2: to spring out (as from a main stem): diverge 3: to
          be an outgrowth--used with from <poetry that ~ed from
          religious prose> 4: to extend activities--usu. used with
          out <the business is ~ing out> 5: to follow one of two
          or more branches (as in a computer program) ~ vt 1: to
          ornament with designs of branches 2: to divide up: section

   branchial
          [bran.chi.al] adj [Gk branchia gills] (1801): of, relating
          to, or supplying the gills or associated structures or
          their embryonic precursors

   branchiopod
          [bran.chio.pod] n [ultim. fr. Gk branchia gills + pod-, pous
          foot--more at foot] (1836): any of a group (Branchiopoda)
          of small usu. freshwater crustaceans (as fairy shrimp
          or water fleas) with usu. many pairs of setae-bearing
          appendages -- branchiopod adj

   branchlet
          [branch.let] n (ca. 1731): a small usu. terminal branch

   branchline
          [branch.line] n (1846): a secondary line usu. of a railroad

   branch water
          [branch water] n [[1]branch (creek)] (1835): plain water
          <bourbon and branch water>

   [1]brand
          [brand] n [ME, torch, sword, fr. OE; akin to OE baernan to
          burn] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a charred piece of wood b: firebrand
          1 c: something (as lightning) that resembles a firebrand
          2: sword 3 a (1): a mark made by burning with a hot iron
          to attest manufacture or quality or to designate ownership
          (2): a printed mark made for similar purposes: trademark
          b (1): a mark put on criminals with a hot iron (2): a
          mark of disgrace: stigma <the ~ of poverty> 4 a: a class
          of goods identified by name as the product of a single
          firm or manufacturer: make b: a characteristic or distinctive
          kind <a lively ~ of theater> 5: a tool used to produce
          a brand [2]brand vt (15c) 1: to mark with a brand 2:
          to mark with disapproval: stigmatize 3: to impress indelibly
          <~ the lesson on his mind> -- brand.er n

   branded
          [brand.ed] adj (1897): having a brand name <~ products>

   [1]brandish
          [bran.dish] vt [ME braundisshen, fr. MF brandiss-, stem of
          brandir, fr. OF, fr. brand sword, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE brand] (14c) 1: to shake or wave (as a weapon)
          menacingly 2: to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive
          manner syn see swing [2]brandish n (1599): an act or
          instance of brandishing

   brand name
          [brand name] n (1922): trade name 1b

   brand-name
          [brand-name] adj (1949) 1: of or relating to a trade name
          <~ products> 2: having a reputation and a loyal following
          <~ authors>

   brand-new
          [brand-new] adj [[1]brand] (ca. 1570): conspicuously new
          and unused; also: recently introduced <a ~ executive
          officer>

   [1]brandy
          [bran.dy] n, pl brandies [short for brandywine, fr. D brandewijn,
          fr. MD brantwijn, fr. brant distilled + wijn wine] (1657):
          an alcoholic beverage distilled from wine or fermented
          fruit juice [2]brandy vt bran.died ; bran.dy.ing (ca.
          1848): to flavor, blend, or preserve with brandy

   Brangus
          [Bran.gus] trademark--used for polled solid black beef cattle
          of a breed developed from a Brahman-Angus cross

   brannigan
          [bran.ni.gan] n [prob. fr. the name Brannigan] (1927) 1:
          a drinking spree 2: squabble

   brant
          [brant] n, pl brant or brants [ME brand gos] (14c): any of
          several wild geese (esp. genus Branta); esp: a small
          black-necked goose (Branta bernicla) about the size of
          a mallard

   [1]brash
          [brash] adj [origin unknown] (1566) 1: brittle <~ wood> 2
          a: heedless of the consequences: audacious <the ~est
          bush pilot of them all> b: done in haste without regard
          for consequences: rash <~ acts> 3 a: full of fresh raw
          vitality <a ~ frontier town> b: uninhibitedly energetic
          or demonstrative: bumptious <a ~ comedian> 4 a: lacking
          restraint and discernment: tactless <~ remarks> b: aggressively
          self-assertive: impudent <~ to the point of arrogance>
          5: piercingly sharp: harsh <a ~ squeal of brakes> 6:
          marked by vivid contrast: bold <~ colors> -- brash.ly
          adv -- brash.ness n [2]brash n [obs. E brash to breach
          a wall] (1787): a mass of fragments (as of ice)

   brass
          [brass] n [ME bras, fr. OE braes; akin to MLG bras metal]
          (bef. 12c) 1: an alloy consisting essentially of copper
          and zinc in variable proportions 2 a: the brass instruments
          of an orchestra or band--often used in pl. b: a usu.
          brass memorial tablet c: bright metal fittings, utensils,
          or ornaments d: empty cartridge shells 3: brazen self-assurance:
          gall 4 sing or pl in constr a: high-ranking members of
          the military b: persons in high positions (as in a business
          or the government) -- brass adj

   brassard
          [bras.sard] n [F brassard, fr. MF brassal, fr. OIt bracciale,
          fr. braccio arm, fr. L bracchium--more at brace] (1830)
          1: armor for protecting the arm--see armor illustration
          2: a cloth band worn around the upper arm usu. bearing
          an identifying mark

   brass band
          [brass band] n (1834): a band consisting chiefly or solely
          of brass and percussion instruments

   brassbound
          [brass.bound] adj (1867) 1: having trim made of brass or
          a metal resembling brass 2 a (1): tradition-bound and
          opinionated (2): making no concessions: inflexible b:
          brazen, presumptuous

   brass collar Democrat
          [brass collar Democrat] n (1951): a conservative Democrat
          esp. in the south who votes the straight Democratic ticket

   brasserie
          [bras.se.rie] n [F, lit., brewery, fr. MF brasser to brew,
          fr. OF bracier, fr. (assumed) VL braciare, of Celt origin;
          akin to W brag malt] (1864): an informal usu. French
          restaurant serving simple hearty food

   brass hat
          [brass hat] n [fr. the gold braid worn on the cap] (1893):
          a member of the brass

   brassica
          [bras.si.ca] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, cabbage] (1832): any
          of a large genus (Brassica) of Old World temperate zone
          herbs (as cabbages) of the mustard family with beaked
          cylindrical pods

   brassiere
          [bras.siere] n [obs. F brassiere bodice, fr. OF braciere
          arm protector, fr. bras arm--more at bracelet] (1911):
          a woman's undergarment to cover and support the breasts

   brass instrument
          [brass instrument] n (1854): any of a group of wind instruments
          (as a French horn, trombone, trumpet, or tuba) that is
          usu. characterized by a long cylindrical or conical metal
          tube commonly curved two or more times and ending in
          a flared bell, that produces tones by the vibrations
          of the player's lips against a usu. cup-shaped mouthpiece,
          and that usu. has valves or a slide by which the player
          may produce all the tones within the instrument's range

   brass knuckles
          [brass knuckles] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1855): knuckle
          4

   brass ring
          [brass ring] n (1950): a rich opportunity: prize

   brass tacks
          [brass tacks] n pl (1897): details of immediate practical
          importance--usu. used in the phrase get down to brass
          tacks

   brassy
          [brassy] adj brass.i.er ; -est (1576) 1 a: being shamelessly
          bold b: obstreperous 2: resembling brass esp. in color
          3: resembling the sound of a brass instrument -- brass.i.ly
          adv -- brass.i.ness n

   brat
          [brat] n [perh. fr. E dial. brat (coarse garment)] (ca. 1505)
          1 a: child; specif: an ill-mannered annoying child b:
          an ill-mannered immature person 2: the son or daughter
          of a career military person -- brat.ti.ness n -- brat.tish
          adj -- brat.ty adj

   brattice
          [brat.tice] n [ME bretais parapet, fr. OF bretesche, fr.
          ML breteschia] (ca. 1846): an often temporary partition
          of planks or cloth used esp. to control mine ventilation
          -- brattice vt

   [1]brattle
          [brat.tle] n [prob. imit.] (ca. 1500) chiefly Scot: clatter,
          scamper [2]brattle vi brat.tled ; brat.tling (1513) chiefly
          Scot: to make a clattering or rattling sound

   bratwurst
          [brat.wurst] n [G, fr. OHG bratwurst, fr. brat meat without
          waste + wurst sausage] (ca. 1888): fresh pork sausage
          for frying

   braunschweiger
          [braun.schweig.er] n [G Braunschweiger (Wurst), lit., Brunswick
          sausage] (1934): smoked liverwurst

   brava
          [bra.va] n [It, fem. of bravo] (1803): bravo--used interjectionally
          in applauding a woman

   bravado
          [bra.va.do] n, pl -does or -dos [MF bravade & OSp bravata,
          fr. OIt bravata, fr. bravare to challenge, show off,
          fr. bravo] (ca. 1580) 1 a: blustering swaggering conduct
          b: a pretense of bravery 2: the quality or state of being
          foolhardy

   [1]brave
          [brave] adj brav.er ; brav.est [MF, fr. OIt & OSp bravo courageous,
          wild, prob. fr. L barbarus barbarous] (15c) 1: having courage:
          dauntless 2: making a fine show: colorful <~ banners flying in the
          wind> 3: excellent, splendid <the ~ fire I soon had going --J.
          F. Dobie> -- brave.ly adv [2]brave vb braved ; brav.ing vt (1546)
          1: to face or endure with courage 2 obs: to make showy ~ vi,
          archaic: to make a brave show -- brav.er n [3]brave n (1590)
          1 archaic: bravado 2: one who is brave; specif: an American Indian
          warrior 3 archaic: bully, assassin

   brave new world
          [brave new world] n [fr. the dystopian novel Brave New World
          (1932) by Aldous Huxley] (1933): a future world, situation,
          or development; also: a recent development or recently
          changed situation

   bravery
          [brav.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1548) 1: the quality or state of
          being brave: courage 2 a: fine clothes b: showy display

   [1]bravo
          [bra.vo] n, pl bravos or bravoes [It, fr. bravo brave] (1597):
          villain, desperado; esp: a hired assassin [2]bra.vo n,
          pl bravos (1761): a shout of approval--often used interjectionally
          in applauding a performance [3]bra.vo vt bra.voed ; bra.vo.ing
          (1831): to applaud by shouts of bravo Bra.vo (1952)--a
          communications code word for the letter b

   [1]bravura
          [bra.vu.ra] n [It, lit., bravery, fr. bravare] (1757) 1:
          a musical passage requiring exceptional agility and technical
          skill in execution 2: a florid brilliant style 3: a show
          of daring or brilliance [2]bravura adj (1920) 1: marked
          by an ostentatious display of skill 2: ornate, showy

   braw
          [braw] adj [modif. of MF brave] (ca. 1565) 1 chiefly Scot:
          good, fine 2 chiefly Scot: well dressed

   [1]brawl
          [brawl] vi [ME] (14c) 1: to quarrel or fight noisily: wrangle
          2: to make a loud confused noise -- brawl.er n [2]brawl
          n (15c) 1: a noisy quarrel or fight 2: a loud tumultuous
          noise

   brawly
          [brawly] adj brawl.i.er ; -est (1940) 1: inclined to brawl
          2: characterized by brawls or brawling

   brawn
          [brawn] n [ME, fr. MF braon muscle, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OE braed flesh] (13c) 1 a Brit: the flesh of a boar b:
          headcheese 2 a: full strong muscles b: muscular strength

   brawny
          [brawny] adj brawn.i.er ; -est (1599) 1: muscular; also:
          strong, powerful 2: being swollen and hard <a ~ infected
          foot> -- brawn.i.ly adv -- brawn.i.ness n

   [1]bray
          [bray] vb [ME, fr. MF braire to cry, fr. (assumed) VL bragere,
          of Celt origin; akin to OIr braigid he breaks wind] vi
          (14c): to utter the characteristic loud harsh cry of
          a donkey; also: to utter a sound like a donkey's ~ vt:
          to utter or play loudly, harshly, or discordantly --
          bray n [2]bray vt [ME, fr. AF braier, fr. OF breier,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG brehhan to break--more at
          break] (14c) 1: to crush or grind fine <~ seeds in a
          mortar> 2: to spread thin <~ printing ink>

   brayer
          [bray.er] n (1688): a printer's hand inking roller

   Braz
          [Braz] abbreviation Brazil, Brazilian

   [1]braze
          [braze] vt brazed ; braz.ing [irreg. fr. brass] (1602) archaic:
          harden [2]braze vt brazed ; braz.ing [F braser, fr. OF,
          to burn, fr. breze hot coals--more at braise] (1677):
          to solder with a nonferrous alloy that melts at a lower
          temperature than that of the metals being joined -- braz.er
          n

   [1]brazen
          [bra.zen] adj [ME brasen, fr. OE braesen, fr. braes brass]
          (bef. 12c) 1: made of brass 2 a: sounding harsh and loud
          like struck brass b: of the color of polished brass 3:
          marked by contemptuous boldness -- bra.zen.ly adv --
          bra.zen.ness n [2]brazen vt bra.zened ; bra.zen.ing (ca.
          1555): to face with defiance or impudence--usu. used
          in the phrase brazen it out

   brazen-faced
          [bra.zen-faced] adj (1571): marked by insolence and bold
          disrespect <~ assertions>

   [1]brazier
          [bra.zier] n [ME brasier, fr. bras brass] (14c): one that
          works in brass [2]brazier n [F brasier, fr. OF, fire
          of hot coals, fr. breze] (ca. 1690) 1: a pan for holding
          burning coals 2: a utensil in which food is exposed to
          heat through a wire grill

   Brazil nut
          [Bra.zil nut] n [Brazil, So. America] (1830): a tall So.
          American tree (Bertholletia excelsa of the family Lecythidaceae)
          that bears large globular capsules each containing several
          closely packed roughly triangular oily edible nuts; also:
          its nut

   brazilwood
          [bra.zil.wood] n [Sp brasil, fr. brasa live coals (fr. the
          wood's color), prob. of Gmc origin; akin to Sw brasa
          fire] (1559): the heavy wood of any of various tropical
          leguminous trees (esp. genus Caesalpinia) that is used
          as red and purple dyewood and in cabinetwork

   BRE
          [BRE] abbreviation bachelor of religious education, business
          reply envelope

   [1]breach
          [breach] n [ME breche, fr. OE braec act of breaking; akin
          to OE brecan to break] (bef. 12c) 1: infraction or violation
          of a law, obligation, tie, or standard 2 a: a broken,
          ruptured, or torn condition or area b: a gap (as in a
          wall) made by battering 3 a: a break in accustomed friendly
          relations b: a temporary gap in continuity: hiatus 4:
          a leap esp. of a whale out of water [2]breach vt (1547)
          1: to make a breach in 2: break, violate <~ an agreement>
          ~ vi: to leap out of water <a whale ~ing>

   breach of promise
          [breach of promise] (1590): violation of a promise esp. to
          marry

   [1]bread
          [bread] n [ME breed, fr. OE bread; akin to OHG brot bread,
          OE breowan to brew] (bef. 12c) 1: a usu. baked and leavened
          food made of a mixture whose basic constituent is flour
          or meal 2: food, sustenance <our daily ~> 3 a: livelihood
          <earns his ~ as a laborer> b slang: money -- bready adj
          -- bread upon the waters : resources risked or charitable
          deeds performed without expectation of return [2]bread
          vt (1629): to cover with bread crumbs <a ~ed pork chop>

   bread-and-butter
          [bread-and-butter] adj (ca. 1837) 1 a: being as basic as
          the earning of one's livelihood <~ issues> b: that can
          be depended on <our ~ repertoire> 2: sent or given as
          thanks for hospitality <a ~ letter>

   bread and butter
          [bread and butter] n (1732): a means of sustenance or livelihood

   bread and circuses
          [bread and circuses] n pl [trans. of L panis et circenses]
          (1914): a palliative offered esp. to avert potential
          discontent

   breadbasket
          [bread.bas.ket] n (1753) 1 slang: stomach 2: a major
          cereal-producing region

   [1]breadboard
          [bread.board] n (1857) 1: a board on which dough is kneaded
          or bread cut 2: a board on which components are mounted
          for breadboarding [2]breadboard vt (1956): to make an
          experimental arrangement of (as an electronic circuit
          or a mechanical system) to test feasibility

   breadfruit
          [bread.fruit] n (1697): a round starchy usu. seedless fruit
          that resembles bread in color and texture when baked;
          also: a tall tropical evergreen tree (Artocarpus altilis)
          of the mulberry family that bears this fruit

   breadline
          [bread.line] n (1900): a line of people waiting to receive
          free food

   bread mold
          [bread mold] n (1914): any of various molds found esp. on
          bread; esp: a rhizopus (Rhizopus nigricans syn. R. stolonifer)

   breadstuff
          [bread.stuff] n (1793) 1: a cereal product (as grain or flour)
          2: bread

   breadth
          [breadth] n [obs. E brede breadth (fr. ME, fr. OE braedu,
          fr. brad broad) + -th (as in length)] (15c) 1: distance
          from side to side: width 2: something of full width 3
          a: comprehensive quality: scope <~ of his learning> b:
          liberality of views or taste <~ of mind> -- breadth.wise
          adv or adj

   breadwinner
          [bread.win.ner] n (1818) 1: a means (as a tool or craft)
          of livelihood 2: a member of a family whose wages supply
          its livelihood -- bread.win.ning n

   [1]break
          [break] vb broke ; bro.ken ; break.ing [ME breken, fr. OE
          brecan; akin to OHG brehhan to break, L frangere] vt
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: to separate into parts with suddenness
          or violence b: fracture <~ an arm> c: rupture <~ the
          skin> d: to cut into and turn over the surface of <~
          the soil> e: to render inoperable <broke his watch> 2
          a: violate, transgress <~ the law> <~ a promise> b: to
          invalidate (a will) by action at law 3 a archaic: to
          force entry into b: to burst and force a way through
          <~ the sound barrier> <~ a racial barrier> c: to escape
          by force from <~ jail> d: to make or effect by cutting,
          forcing, or pressing through <~ a trail through the woods>
          4: to disrupt the order or compactness of <~ ranks> 5:
          to make ineffective as a binding force <~ the spell>
          6 a: to defeat utterly and end as an effective force:
          destroy b: to crush the spirit of c: to make tractable
          or submissive: as (1) past part often broke : to train
          (an animal) to adjust to the service or convenience of
          humans <a halter-broke horse> (2): inure, accustom d:
          to exhaust in health, strength, or capacity 7 a: to stop
          or bring to an end suddenly: halt <~ a deadlock> b: interrupt,
          suspend <~ the silence with a cry> c: to open and bring
          about suspension of operation <~ an electric circuit>
          d: to destroy unity or completeness of <~ a dining room
          set by buying a chair> e: to change the appearance of
          uniformity of <a dormer ~s the level roof> f: to split
          the surface of <fish ~ing water> g: to cause to discontinue
          a habit <tried to ~ him of smoking> 8 a: to make known:
          tell <~ the bad news gently> b: to bring to attention
          or prominence initially <radio stations ~ing new musicians>
          <~ a news story> 9 a: to ruin financially b: to reduce
          in rank 10 a: to split into smaller units, parts, or
          processes: divide b (1): to give or get the equivalent
          of (a bill) in smaller denominations (2): to use as the
          denomination in paying a bill <didn't want to ~ a $20
          bill>--often used with into, up, or down 11 a: to check
          the speed, force, or intensity of <the bushes will ~
          his fall> <without ~ing her stride> b: to cause failure
          and discontinuance of (a strike) by measures outside
          bargaining processes 12: to cause a sudden significant
          decrease in the price, value, or volume of <news likely
          to ~ the market sharply> 13 a: exceed, surpass <~ the
          record> b: to score less than (a specified total) <golfer
          trying to ~ 90> c: to win against (an opponent's service)
          in a racket game 14: to open the action of (a breechloader)
          15 a: to find an explanation or solution for: solve <the
          detective will ~ the case> b: to discover the essentials
          of (a code or cipher system) 16: to demonstrate the falsity
          of <~ an alibi> 17: to ruin the prospects of <could make
          or ~ her career> 18: to produce visibly <barely ~s a
          sweat> ~ vi 1 a: to escape with sudden forceful effort--often
          used with out <~ out of jail> b: to come into being by
          or as if by bursting forth <day was ~ing> c: to effect
          a penetration <~ through security lines> d: to emerge
          through the surface of the water e: to start abruptly
          <when the storm broke> f: to become known or published
          <when the news broke> g: to make a sudden dash <~ for
          cover> h: to separate after a clinch in boxing 2 a: to
          come --used to wish good luck esp. to a performer --
          break bread : to dine together -- break camp : to pack
          up gear and leave a camp or campsite -- break cover also
          break covert : to start from a covert or lair -- break
          even : to achieve a balance; esp: to operate a business
          or enterprise without either loss or profit -- break
          ground 1: to begin construction--usu. used with for 2
          or break new ground : to make or show discoveries: pioneer
          -- break into 1: to begin with or as if with a sudden
          throwing off of restraint <broke into tears> <face breaking
          into a smile> <the horse breaks into a gallop> 2: to
          make entry or entrance <broke into the house> <break
          into show business> 3: interrupt <break into a TV program
          with a news flash> -- break one's heart : to crush emotionally
          with sorrow -- break one's wrists : to turn the wrists
          as part of the swing of a club or bat -- break ranks
          also break rank : to differ in opinion or action from
          one's peers--often used with with -- break the back of
          : to subdue the main force of <break the back of inflation>
          -- break the ice 1: to make a beginning 2: to get through
          the first difficulties in starting a conversation or
          discussion -- break wind : to expel gas from the intestine
          [2]break n (14c) 1 a: an act or action of breaking b:
          the opening shot in a game of pool or billiards 2 a:
          a condition produced by or as if by breaking: gap <a
          ~ in the clouds> b: a gap in an otherwise continuous
          electric circuit 3: the action or act of breaking in,
          out, or forth <at ~ of day> <a jail ~> 4: a place or
          situation at which a break occurs; esp: the place at
          which a word is divided esp. at the end of a line of
          print or writing 5: an interruption in continuity <a
          ~ in the weather>: as a: a notable change of subject
          matter, attitude, or treatment b (1): an abrupt, significant,
          or noteworthy change or interruption in a continuous
          process, trend, or surface (2): a respite from work,
          school, or duty <coffee ~> <spring ~> (3): a planned
          interruption in a radio or television program <a ~ for
          the commercial> c: deviation of a pitched baseball from
          a straight line d mining: fault, dislocation e: failure
          of a horse to maintain the prescribed gait f: an abrupt
          change in musical or vocal pitch or quality g: the action
          or an instance of breaking service in a racket game h:
          a usu. solo instrumental passage in jazz, folk, or popular
          music 6 a: dash, rush <a base runner making a ~ for home>
          b: fast break 7: a sudden and abrupt decline of prices
          or values 8 a: the start of a race b: the act of separating
          after a clinch in boxing 9 a: a stroke of luck and esp.
          of good luck <a bad ~> <got the ~s> b: a favorable or
          opportune situation: chance <waiting for a big ~ in show
          business> c: favorable consideration or treatment <a
          tax ~> <a ~ on the price> 10 a: a rupture in previously
          agreeable relations <a ~ between the two countries> b:
          an abrupt split or difference with something previously
          adhered to or followed <a sharp ~ with tradition> 11:
          breakdown 1c <suffered a mental ~>

   breakable
          [break.able] adj (1570): capable of being broken -- breakable
          n

   breakage
          [break.age] n (1813) 1 a: the action or an instance of breaking
          b: a quantity broken 2: loss due to things broken

   [1]breakaway
          [break.away] n (1881) 1 a: one that breaks away b: a departure
          from or rejection of (as a group or tradition) 2 a: a
          play (as in hockey) in which an offensive player breaks
          free of the defenders and rushes toward the goal b: a
          sudden acceleration by one or more bicyclists pulling
          away from the pack in a race 3: an object made to shatter
          or collapse under pressure or impact [2]breakaway adj
          (1927) 1: favoring independence from an affiliation:
          seceding <a ~ faction formed a new party> 2: made to
          break, shatter, or bend easily <~ road signs for highway
          safety>

   break away
          [break away] vi (1535) 1: to detach oneself esp. from a group:
          get away 2: to depart from former or accustomed ways
          3: to pull away with a burst of speed

   breakbone fever
          [break.bone fever] n (ca. 1860): dengue

   break dancing
          [break dancing] n [perh. fr. [2]break (solo passage)] (1983):
          dancing in which solo dancers perform acrobatics that
          involve touching various parts of the body (as the back
          or head) to the ground -- break-dance vb -- break-danc.er
          n

   breakdown
          [break.down] n (1832) 1: the action or result of breaking
          down: as a: a failure to function b: failure to progress
          or have effect: disintegration <a ~ of negotiations>
          c: a physical, mental, or nervous collapse d: the process
          of decomposing e: division into categories: classification;
          also: an account analyzed into categories 2: a fast shuffling
          dance; also: music for such a dance

   break down
          [break down] vt (14c) 1 a: to cause to fall or collapse by
          breaking or shattering b: to make ineffective <break
          down legal barriers> 2 a: to divide into parts or categories
          b: to separate (as a chemical compound) into simpler
          substances: decompose c: to take apart esp. for storage
          or shipment and for later reassembling ~ vi 1 a: to stop
          functioning because of breakage or wear b: to become
          inoperative or ineffective: fail <negotiations broke
          down> 2 of horses: to tear or strain the tendons of the
          lower leg 3 a: to be susceptible to or undergo analysis
          or subdivision <the statistics break down like this>
          b: to undergo decomposition syn see analyze

   [1]breaker
          [break.er] n (12c) 1 a: one that breaks b: a machine or plant
          for breaking rocks or coal c chiefly Brit: one who breaks
          up ships or cars for salvage 2: a wave breaking into
          foam (as against the shore) 3: a strip of fabric under
          the tread of a tire for extra protection of the carcass
          [2]brea.ker n [by folk etymology fr. Sp barrica] (1833):
          a small water cask

   break-even
          [break-even] adj (1931): having equal cost and income

   breakeven
          [break.even] n (1958): the point at which cost and income
          are equal and there is neither profit nor loss; also:
          a financial result reflecting neither profit nor loss

   breakfast
          [break.fast] n (15c) 1: the first meal of the day esp. when
          taken in the morning 2: the food prepared for a breakfast
          <eat your ~> -- breakfast vb -- break.fast.er n

   breakfront
          [break.front] n (1928): a large cabinet or bookcase whose
          center section projects beyond the flanking end sections

   break-in
          [break-in] n (1856) 1: the act or action of breaking in <a
          rash of ~s at the new apartment house> 2: a performance
          or a series of performances serving as a trial run 3:
          an initial period of operation during which working parts
          begin to function efficiently

   break in
          [break in] vi (ca. 1552) 1: to enter a house or building
          by force 2 a: intrude <break in upon his privacy> b:
          to interrupt a conversation 3: to start in an activity
          or enterprise <breaking in as a cub reporter> ~ vt 1:
          to accustom to a certain activity or occurrence <break
          in the new clerk> 2: to overcome the stiffness or newness
          of

   breaking and entering
          [breaking and entering] n (1797): the act of forcing or otherwise
          gaining unlawful passage into and entering another's
          building

   breaking point
          [breaking point] n (1908) 1: the point at which a person
          gives way under stress 2: the point at which a situation
          becomes critical

   breakneck
          [break.neck] adj (1562): very fast or dangerous <~ speed>

   break off
          [break off] vi (14c): to stop abruptly <break off in the
          middle of a sentence> ~ vt: discontinue <break off diplomatic
          relations>

   breakout
          [break.out] n (1820): a violent or forceful break from a
          restraining condition or situation; esp: a military attack
          to break from encirclement

   break out
          [break out] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to develop or emerge with suddenness
          or force <fire broke out> <a riot broke out> 2 a: to
          become covered <break out in a sweat> b: to become affected
          with a skin eruption 3: to make a break from a restraining
          condition or situation <broke out of a slump> ~ vt 1
          a: to make ready for action or use <break out the tents
          and make camp> b: to produce for consumption <break out
          a bottle> 2: to display flying and unfurled 3: to separate
          from a mass of data <break out newsstand sales>

   breakthrough
          [break.through] n, often attrib (1918) 1: an offensive thrust
          that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line in
          warfare 2: an act or instance of breaking through an
          obstruction 3 a: a sudden advance esp. in knowledge or
          technique <a medical ~> b: a person's first notable success

   break through
          [break through] vi (1955): to make a breakthrough

   breakup
          [break.up] n (1794) 1: an act or instance of breaking up
          2: the breaking, melting, and loosening of ice in the
          spring

   break up
          [break up] vi (15c) 1 a: to cease to exist as a unified whole:
          disperse <their partnership broke up> b: to end a romance
          2: to lose morale, composure, or resolution; esp: to
          become abandoned to laughter <breaks up completely, laughing
          himself into a coughing fit --Gene Williams> ~ vt 1:
          to break into pieces 2: to bring to an end <broke up
          the fight> 3: to do away with: destroy <break up a monopoly>
          4: to disrupt the continuity or flow of <break up a dull
          routine> 5: decompose <break up a chemical> 6: to cause
          to laugh heartily <that joke breaks me up>

   breakup value
          [breakup value] n (1902): the value esp. of shares of stock
          of a corporation liquidating its assets

   breakwater
          [break.wa.ter] n (ca. 1769): an offshore structure (as a
          wall) protecting a harbor or beach from the force of
          waves

   [1]bream
          [bream] n, pl bream or breams [ME breme, fr. MF, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG brahsima bream, MHG brehen to shine] (14c)
          1: a European freshwater cyprinid fish (Abramis brama);
          broadly: any of various related fishes 2 a: a porgy or
          related fish (family Sparidae) b: any of various freshwater
          sunfishes (Lepomis and related genera); esp: bluegill
          [2]bream vt [prob. fr. D brem furze] (1626): to clean
          (a ship's bottom) by heating and scraping

   [1]breast
          [breast] n [ME brest, fr. OE breost; akin to OHG brust breast,
          OIr bru belly, Russ bryukho] (bef. 12c) 1: either of
          the pair of mammary glands extending from the front of
          the chest in pubescent and adult human females and some
          other mammals; also: either of the analogous but rudimentary
          organs of the male chest esp. when enlarged 2 a: the
          fore or ventral part of the body between the neck and
          the abdomen b: the part of an article of clothing covering
          the breast 3: the seat of emotion and thought: bosom
          4 a: something (as a front, swelling, or curving part)
          resembling a breast b: face 6 -- breast.ed adj [2]breast
          vt (1599) 1: to contend with resolutely: confront <~ing
          the waves> 2 chiefly Brit: climb, ascend 3: to thrust
          the chest against <the sprinter ~ed the tape>

   breast-beating
          [breast-beat.ing] n (1940): noisy demonstrative protestation
          (as of grief, anger, or self-recrimination)

   breastbone
          [breast.bone] n (bef. 12c): sternum

   breast drill
          [breast drill] n (1865): a portable drill with a plate that
          is pressed by the breast in forcing the drill against
          the work

   breast-feed
          [breast-feed] vt (1903): to feed (a baby) from a mother's
          breast rather than from a bottle

   breastplate
          [breast.plate] n (14c) 1: a usu. metal plate worn as defensive
          armor for the breast--see armor illustration 2: a vestment
          worn in ancient times by a Jewish high priest and set
          with 12 gems bearing the names of the tribes of Israel
          3: a piece against which a worker's breast is pressed
          in operating a tool (as a breast drill)

   breaststroke
          [breast.stroke] n (1867): a swimming stroke executed in a
          prone position by coordinating a kick in which the legs
          are brought forward with the knees together and the feet
          are turned outward and whipped back with a glide and
          a backward sweeping movement of the arms -- breast.strok.er
          n

   breastwork
          [breast.work] n (1642): a temporary fortification

   breath
          [breath] n [ME breth, fr. OE braeth; akin to OHG bradam breath,
          and perh. to OE beorma yeast--more at barm] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: air filled with a fragrance or odor b: a slight
          indication: suggestion <the faintest ~ of scandal> 2
          a: the faculty of breathing <recovering his ~ after the
          race> b: an act of breathing <fought to the last ~> c:
          opportunity or time to breathe: respite 3: a slight breeze
          4 a: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing <bad ~> b:
          something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by
          breath or breathing c: inhalation 5: a spoken sound:
          utterance 6: spirit, animation -- in one breath or in
          the same breath : almost simultaneously -- out of breath
          : breathing very rapidly (as from strenuous exercise)

   breathable
          [breath.able] adj (ca. 1731) 1: suitable for breathing <~
          air> 2: allowing air to pass through: porous <a ~ synthetic
          fabric> -- breath.abil.i.ty n

   Breathalyzer
          [Breath.a.ly.zer] trademark--used for a device that is used
          to determine the alcohol content of a breath sample

   breathe
          [breathe] vb breathed ; breath.ing [ME brethen, fr. breth]
          vi (14c) 1 a: to draw air into and expel it from the
          lungs: respire; broadly: to take in oxygen and give out
          carbon dioxide through natural processes b: to inhale
          and exhale freely 2: live 3 a obs: to emit a fragrance
          or aura b: to become perceptible: be expressed <a personality
          that ~s and that distinguishes his work --Bennett Schiff>
          4: to pause and rest before continuing 5: to blow softly
          6: to feel free of restraint <needs room to ~> 7 of wine:
          to develop flavor and bouquet by exposure to air 8 a:
          to permit passage of air or vapor <a fabric that ~s>
          b of an internal-combustion engine: to use air to support
          combustion ~ vt 1 a: to send out by exhaling b: to instill
          by or as if by breathing <~ new life into the movement>
          2: to give rest from exertion to 3: to take in in breathing
          <~ the scent of pines> 4: to inhale and exhale <~ air>
          5 a: utter, express <don't ~ a word of it to anyone>
          b: to make manifest: evince <the novel ~s despair> --
          breathe down one's neck 1: to threaten esp. in attack
          or pursuit 2: to keep one under close or constant surveillance
          <parents always breathing down his neck> -- breathe easily
          or breathe freely : to enjoy relief (as from pressure
          or danger)

   breathed
          [breathed] adj (1555) 1: having breath esp. of a specified
          kind--usu. used in combination <sweet-breathed> 2: voiceless
          2

   breather
          [breath.er] n (14c) 1: one that breathes 2: a break in activity
          for rest or relief 3: a small vent in an otherwise airtight
          enclosure

   breathing
          [breath.ing] n (1746): either of the marks used in writing
          Greek to indicate aspiration or its absence

   breathing space
          [breathing space] n (1650): some time in which to recover,
          get organized, or get going--called also breathing room,
          breathing spell

   breathless
          [breath.less] adj (14c) 1 a: not breathing b: dead 2 a: panting
          or gasping for breath b: leaving one breathless: very
          rapid or strenuous <go at a ~ pace> c: holding one's
          breath from emotion <~ in anticipation> d: marked by
          or as if by a holding of one's breath: intense, gripping
          <~ tension> 3: oppressive because of no fresh air or
          breeze -- breath.less.ly adv -- breath.less.ness n

   breathtaking
          [breath.tak.ing] adj (1880) 1: making one out of breath 2
          a: exciting, thrilling <a ~ stock car race> b: very great:
          astonishing <his ~ ignorance> -- breath.tak.ing.ly adv

   breathy
          [breathy] adj breath.i.er ; -est (1883): characterized or
          accompanied by or as if by the audible passage of breath
          -- breath.i.ly adv -- breath.i.ness n

   breccia
          [brec.cia] n [It] (1774): a rock consisting of sharp fragments
          embedded in a fine-grained matrix (as sand or clay)

   brecciate
          [brec.ci.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1772) 1: to form (rock)
          into breccia 2: to break (rock) into fragments -- brec.ci.a.tion
          n

   Breck
          [Breck] abbreviation Brecknockshire

   brede
          [brede] n [var. of braid] (1640) archaic: embroidery

   bred-in-the-bone
          [bred-in-the-bone] adj (15c) 1: deep-rooted <~ honesty> 2:
          inveterate <a ~ gambler>

   breech
          [breech] n [ME, breeches, fr. OE brec, pl. of broc leg covering;
          akin to OHG bruoh breeches, L braca pants] (bef. 12c)
          1 pl a: short pants covering the hips and thighs and
          fitting snugly at the lower edges at or just below the
          knee b: pants 2 a: the hind end of the body: buttocks
          b: breech presentation; also: a fetus that is presented
          breech first 3: the part of a firearm at the rear of
          the barrel

   breechblock
          [breech.block] n (1881): the block in breech-loading firearms
          that closes the rear of the barrel against the force
          of the charge and prevents gases from escaping

   breechcloth
          [breech.cloth] n (1793): loincloth

   breechclout
          [breech.clout] n (1757): loincloth

   breeches buoy
          [breech.es buoy] n (1880): a canvas seat in the form of breeches
          hung from a life buoy running on a hawser and used to
          haul persons from one ship to another or from ship to
          shore esp. in rescue operations

   breeching
          [breech.ing] n (ca. 1524) 1: the part of a harness that passes
          around the rump of a draft animal 2: the short coarse
          wool on the rump and hind legs of a sheep or goat; also:
          the hair on the corresponding part of a dog

   breechloader
          [breech.load.er] n (1858): a firearm that loads at the breech
          -- breech-load.ing adj

   breech presentation
          [breech presentation] n (1811): presentation of the fetus
          in which the breech is the first part to appear at the
          uterine cervix

   [1]breed
          [breed] vb bred ; breed.ing [ME breden, fr. OE bredan; akin
          to OE brod brood] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to produce (offspring)
          by hatching or gestation 2 a: beget 1 b: produce, engender
          <despair often ~s violence> 3: to propagate (plants or
          animals) sexually and usu. under controlled conditions
          <bred several strains of corn together to produce a superior
          variety> 4 a: bring up, nurture <born and bred in the
          country> b: to inculcate by training <~ good manners
          into one's children> 5 a: [4]mate 3 b: to mate with:
          inseminate c: impregnate 2 6: to produce (a fissionable
          element) by bombarding a nonfissionable element with
          neutrons from a radioactive element ~ vi 1 a: to produce
          offspring by sexual union b: copulate, mate 2: to propagate
          animals or plants [2]breed n (1553) 1: a group of animals
          or plants presumably related by descent from common ancestors
          and visibly similar in most characters; esp: such a group
          differentiated from the wild type under domestication
          2: a number of persons of the same stock 3: class, kind
          <a new ~ of athlete>

   breeder
          [breed.er] n (1531): one that breeds: as a: an animal or
          plant kept for propagation b: one engaged in the breeding
          of a specified organism c: a nuclear reactor designed
          to produce more fissionable material than it uses as
          fuel--called also breeder reactor

   breeding
          [breed.ing] n (14c) 1: the action or process of bearing or
          generating 2: ancestry 3 a archaic: education <she had
          her ~ at my father's charge --Shak.> b: training in or
          observance of the proprieties 4: the sexual propagation
          of plants or animals

   breeding ground
          [breeding ground] n (1856) 1: the place to which animals
          go to breed 2: a place or set of circumstances suitable
          for or favorable to growth and development <hurricane
          breeding grounds>

   breeks
          [breeks] n pl [ME (northern dial.) breke, fr. OE brec] (14c)
          chiefly Scot: breeches

   [1]breeze
          [breeze] n [prob. fr. Sp brisa northeast wind] (1626) 1 a:
          a light gentle wind b: a wind of from 4 to 31 miles (6
          to 50 kilometers) an hour 2: something easily done: cinch
          -- breeze.less adj -- in a breeze : easily [2]breeze
          vi breezed ; breez.ing (1907) 1: to move swiftly and
          airily <breezed past the protesters> 2: to make progress
          quickly and easily <breezed through the exam> <breezed
          to victory> [3]breeze n [prob. modif. of F braise cinders--more
          at braise] (1726): residue from the making of coke or
          charcoal

   breezeway
          [breeze.way] n (1931): a roofed often open passage connecting
          two buildings (as a house and garage) or halves of a
          building

   breezy
          [breezy] adj breez.i.er ; -est (1718) 1: swept by breezes
          2 a: briskly informal b: airy, nonchalant -- breez.i.ly
          adv -- breez.i.ness n

   bregma
          [breg.ma] n, pl -ma.ta [NL bregmat-, bregma, fr. LL, front
          part of the head, fr. Gk; akin to Gk brechmos front part
          of the head--more at brain] (1578): the point of junction
          of the coronal and sagittal sutures of the skull

   bremsstrahlung
          [brems.strah.lung] n [G, lit., decelerated radiation] (1939):
          the electromagnetic radiation produced by the sudden
          retardation of a charged particle in an intense electric
          field (as of an atomic nucleus); also: the process that
          produces such radiation

   brent goose
          [brent goose] n (1570) chiefly Brit: brant

   brethren
          [breth.ren] pl of brother (bef. 12c)--used chiefly in formal
          or solemn address or in referring to the members of a
          profession, society, or sect Brethren n pl (1822): members
          of various sects originating chiefly in 18th century
          German Pietism; esp: dunkers

   Breton
          [Bret.on] n [F, fr. ML Briton-, Brito, fr. L, Briton] (1653)
          1: a native or inhabitant of Brittany 2: the Celtic language
          of the Breton people -- Breton adj

   breve
          [breve] n [L, neut. of brevis brief--more at brief] (15c)
          1: a note equivalent to two whole notes 2: a curved mark
          used to indicate a short vowel or a short or unstressed
          syllable

   [1]brevet
          [bre.vet] n [ME, an official message, fr. MF, fr. OF, dim.
          of brief letter--more at brief] (1689): a commission
          giving a military officer higher nominal rank than that
          for which pay is received [2]brevet vt bre.vet.ted or
          brev.et.ed ; bre.vet.ting or brev.et.ing (1824): to confer
          rank upon by brevet

   breviary
          [bre.via.ry] n, pl -ries [ME breviarie, fr. ML breviarium,
          fr. L, summary, fr. brevis] (15c) 1 often cap a: a book
          containing the prayers, hymns, psalms, and readings for
          the canonical hours b: divine office 2 [L breviarium]:
          a brief summary: abridgment

   brevity
          [brev.i.ty] n, pl -ties [L brevitas, fr. brevis] (15c): shortness
          of duration; esp: shortness or conciseness of expression

   [1]brew
          [brew] vb [ME, fr. OE breowan; akin to L fervere to boil--more
          at barm] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to prepare (as beer or ale)
          by steeping, boiling, and fermentation or by infusion
          and fermentation 2 a: to bring about: foment <~ trouble>
          b: contrive, plot 3: to prepare (as tea) by infusion
          in hot water ~ vi 1: to brew beer or ale 2: to be in
          the process of formation <a storm is ~ing in the east>
          -- brew.er n [2]brew n (ca. 1510) 1 a: a brewed beverage
          (as beer) b: a serving of a brewed beverage <quaff a
          few ~s> c: something produced by or as if by brewing
          2: the process of brewing

   brewage
          [brew.age] n (1542): brew 1a, 2

   brewer's yeast
          [brewer's yeast] n (1871): a yeast used or suitable for use
          in brewing; specif: the dried pulverized cells of such
          a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) used esp. as a source
          of B-complex vitamins

   brewery
          [brew.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1658): a plant where malt liquors
          are produced

   [1]briar
          [bri.ar] var of brier [2]briar n (1882): a tobacco pipe made
          from the root or stem of a brier

   briard
          [bri.ard] n [F, fr. Brie, district in France] (ca. 1929):
          any of an old French breed of large long-coated sheepdogs

   [1]bribe
          [bribe] n [ME, something stolen, fr. MF, bread given to a
          beggar] (15c) 1: money or favor given or promised in
          order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person
          in a position of trust 2: something that serves to induce
          or influence [2]bribe vb bribed ; brib.ing vt (1528):
          to induce or influence by or as if by bribery ~ vi: to
          practice bribery -- brib.able adj -- brib.ee n -- brib.er
          n

   bribery
          [brib.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1549): the act or practice of giving
          or taking a bribe

   bric-a-brac
          [bric-a-brac] n, pl bric-a-brac [F bric-a-brac] (1840) 1:
          a miscellaneous collection of small articles commonly
          of ornamental or sentimental value: curios 2: something
          suggesting bric-a-brac esp. in extraneous decorative
          quality

   [1]brick
          [brick] n, often attrib [ME bryke, fr. MF brique, fr. MD
          bricke] (15c) 1 pl bricks or brick : a handy-sized unit
          of building or paving material typically being rectangular
          and about 2 1/4 by 3 3/4 by 8 inches (57 by 95 by 203
          millimeters) and of moist clay hardened by heat 2: a
          good-hearted person 3: a rectangular compressed mass
          (as of ice cream) 4: a semisoft cheese with numerous
          small holes, smooth texture, and often mild flavor 5:
          gaffe, blunder--used esp. in the phrase drop a brick
          [2]brick vt (1592): to close, face, or pave with bricks--usu.
          used with up, in, or over

   brickbat
          [brick.bat] n [brick + [1]bat (lump, fragment)] (ca. 1587)
          1: a fragment of a hard material (as a brick); esp: one
          used as a missile 2: an uncomplimentary remark

   brickfield
          [brick.field] n (1801) Brit: brickyard

   bricklayer
          [brick.lay.er] n (15c): a person who lays brick -- brick.lay.ing
          n

   brickle
          [brick.le] adj [ME brekyl] (13c) dial: brittle

   brick red
          [brick red] n (1810): a moderate reddish brown

   brickwork
          [brick.work] n (1580): work of or with bricks and mortar

   brickyard
          [brick.yard] n (1731): a place where bricks are made

   bricolage
          [bri.co.lage] n [F, fr. bricoler to putter about] (1966):
          construction or something constructed by using whatever
          comes to hand

   [1]bridal
          [brid.al] n [ME bridale, fr. OE brydealu, fr. bryd + ealu
          ale--more at ale] (bef. 12c): a marriage festival or
          ceremony [2]bridal adj (13c) 1: of or relating to a bride
          or a wedding: nuptial 2: intended for a newly married
          couple <a ~ suite>

   bridal wreath
          [bridal wreath] n (ca. 1889): a spirea (Spiraea prunifolia)
          widely grown for its umbels of small white flowers borne
          in spring

   bride
          [bride] n [ME, fr. OE bryd; akin to OHG brut bride] (bef.
          12c): a woman just married or about to be married

   bridegroom
          [bride.groom] n [ME (Sc) brydegrome, by folk etymology fr.
          ME bridegome, fr. OE brydguma, fr. bryd + guma man; akin
          to OHG brutgomo bridegroom--more at homage] (14c): a
          man just married or about to be married

   bride-price
          [bride-price] n (1876): a payment given by or in behalf of
          a prospective husband to the bride's family in many cultures

   bridesmaid
          [brides.maid] n (1552) 1: a woman attendant of a bride 2:
          one that finishes just behind the winner

   bridewell
          [bride.well] n [Bridewell, London jail] (ca. 1593): prison

   [1]bridge
          [bridge] n [ME brigge, fr. OE brycg; akin to OHG brucka bridge,
          OCS bruvuno beam] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a structure carrying
          a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle b:
          a time, place, or means of connection or transition 2:
          something resembling a bridge in form or function: as
          a: the upper bony part of the nose; also: the part of
          a pair of glasses that rests upon it b: a piece raising
          the strings of a musical instrument--see violin illustration
          c: the forward part of a ship's superstructure from which
          the ship is navigated d: gantry 2b e: the hand as a rest
          for a billiards or pool cue; also: a device used as a
          cue rest 3 a: a musical passage linking two sections
          of a composition b: a partial denture anchored to adjacent
          teeth c: a connection (as an atom or group of atoms)
          that joins two different parts of a molecule (as opposite
          sides of a ring) 4: an electrical instrument or network
          for measuring or comparing resistances, inductances,
          capacitances, or impedances by comparing the ratio of
          two opposing voltages to a known ratio -- bridge.less
          adj [2]bridge vt bridged ; bridg.ing (bef. 12c) 1: to
          make a bridge over or across <~ the gap>; also: to join
          by a bridge 2: to provide with a bridge -- bridge.able
          adj [3]bridge n [alter. of earlier biritch, of unknown
          origin] (ca. 1897): any of various card games for usu.
          four players in two partnerships that bid for the right
          to declare a trump suit, seek to win tricks equal to
          the final bid, and play with the hand of declarer's partner
          exposed and played by declarer; esp: contract bridge

   bridgehead
          [bridge.head] n (1812) 1 a: a fortification protecting the
          end of a bridge nearest an enemy b: an area around the
          end of a bridge 2: an advanced position seized in hostile
          territory

   bridgework
          [bridge.work] n (1883): dental bridges

   [1]bridle
          [bri.dle] n [ME bridel, fr. OE bridel; akin to OE bregdan
          to move quickly--more at braid] (bef. 12c) 1: the headgear
          with which a horse is governed and which carries a bit
          and reins 2: a length of line or cable attached to two
          parts of something to spread the force of a pull; esp:
          rigging on a kite for attaching line 3: curb, restraint
          <set a ~ on his power> [2]bridle vb bri.dled ; bri.dling
          vt (bef. 12c) 1: to put a bridle on 2: to restrain, check,
          or control with or as if with a bridle <~ your tongue>
          ~ vi: to show hostility or resentment (as to an affront
          to one's pride or dignity) esp. by drawing back the head
          and chin syn see restrain

   bridle path
          [bridle path] n (1811): a trail suitable for horseback riding

   Brie
          [Brie] n [F, fr. Brie, district in France] (1876): a soft
          surface-ripened cheese with a whitish rind and a pale
          yellow interior

   [1]brief
          [brief] adj [ME bref, breve, fr. MF brief, fr. L brevis;
          akin to OHG murg short, Gk brachys] (14c) 1: short in
          duration, extent, or length 2 a: concise b: curt, abrupt
          -- brief.ness n [2]brief n [ME bref, fr. MF, fr. ML brevis,
          fr. LL, summary, fr. L brevis, adj.] (14c) 1: an official
          letter or mandate; esp: a papal letter less formal than
          a bull 2 a: a concise article b: synopsis, summary c:
          a concise statement of a client's case made out for the
          instruction of counsel in a trial at law 3: an outline
          of an argument; esp: a formal outline esp. in law that
          sets forth the main contentions with supporting statements
          or evidence 4 pl: short snug pants or underpants -- in
          brief : in a few words: briefly [3]brief vt (15c) 1:
          to make an abstract or abridgment of 2 a: to give final
          precise instructions to b: to coach thoroughly in advance
          c: to give essential information to -- brief.er n

   briefcase
          [brief.case] n (1917): a flat flexible case for carrying
          papers or books

   briefing
          [brief.ing] n (1910): an act or instance of giving precise
          instructions or essential information

   briefless
          [brief.less] adj (1824): having no legal clients

   briefly
          [brief.ly] adv (14c) 1 a: in a brief way b: in brief 2: for
          a short time

   [1]brier
          [bri.er] n [ME brere, fr. OE brer] (bef. 12c): a plant (as
          of the genera Rosa, Rubus, and Smilax) with a woody and
          thorny or prickly stem; also: a mass or twig of these
          -- bri.ery adj [2]brier n [F bruyere heath, fr. MF bruiere,
          fr. (assumed) VL brucaria, fr. LL brucus heather, of
          Celt origin; akin to OIr froech heather; akin to Gk ereike
          heather] (1868): a heath (Erica arborea) of southern
          Europe whose roots and knotted stems are used for making
          briar tobacco pipes

   brig
          [brig] abbreviation brigade, brigadier

   [1]brig
          [brig] n [short for brigantine] (1712): a 2-masted square-rigged
          ship [2]brig n [prob. fr. [1]brig] (1852) 1: a place
          (as on a ship) for temporary confinement of offenders
          in the U.S. Navy 2: guardhouse, prison

   [1]brigade
          [bri.gade] n [F, fr. It brigata, fr. brigare] (1637) 1 a:
          a large body of troops b: a tactical and administrative
          unit composed of a headquarters, one or more units of
          infantry or armor, and supporting units 2: a group of
          people organized for special activity [2]brigade vt bri.gad.ed
          ; bri.gad.ing (1781): to form or unite into a brigade

   brigadier
          [brig.a.dier] n [F, fr. brigade] (1678) 1: an officer in
          the British army commanding a brigade and ranking immediately
          below a major general 2: brigadier general

   brigadier general
          [brigadier general] n (1690): a commissioned officer in the
          army, air force, or marine corps who ranks above a colonel
          and whose insignia is one star

   Brigadoon
          [Brig.a.doon] n [fr. Brigadoon, village in the musical Brigadoon
          (1947) by A. J. Lerner and F. Loewe] (1968): a place
          that is idyllic, unaffected by time, or remote from reality

   brigand
          [brig.and] n [ME brigaunt, fr. MF brigand, fr. OIt brigante,
          fr. brigare to fight, fr. briga strife, of Celt origin;
          akin to OIr brig strength] (14c): one who lives by plunder
          usu. as a member of a band: bandit -- brig.and.age n

   brigandine
          [brig.an.dine] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. brigand] (15c): medieval
          body armor of scales or plates

   brigantine
          [brig.an.tine] n [MF brigantin, fr. OIt brigantino, fr. brigante]
          (1525): a 2-masted sailing ship that is square-rigged
          except for a fore-and-aft mainsail

   Brig Gen
          [Brig Gen] abbreviation brigadier general

   [1]bright
          [bright] adj [ME, fr. OE beorht; akin to OHG beraht bright,
          Skt bhrajate it shines] (bef. 12c) 1 a: radiating or
          reflecting light: shining, sparkling <~ lights> <~ eyes>
          b: sunny <a ~ day>; also: radiant with happiness <~ smiling
          faces> <~ moments> 2: illustrious, glorious <~est star
          of the opera> 3: beautiful 4: of high saturation or brilliance
          <~ colors> 5 a: lively, cheerful <be ~ and jovial among
          your guests --Shak.> b: intelligent, clever <a ~ idea>
          <~ children> 6: auspicious, promising <~ prospects for
          the future> -- bright adv -- bright.ly adv syn bright,
          brilliant, radiant, luminous, lustrous mean shining or
          glowing with light. bright implies emitting or reflecting
          a high degree of light. brilliant implies intense often
          sparkling brightness. radiant stresses the emission or
          seeming emission of rays of light. luminous implies emission
          of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in
          surrounding darkness. lustrous stresses an even, rich
          light from a surface that reflects brightly without sparkling
          or glittering. [2]bright n (1969): a bright color--usu.
          used in pl. <rich earth tones and crisp ~s --Patricia
          Peterson>

   brighten
          [bright.en] vb bright.ened ; bright.en.ing vi (14c): to become
          bright or brighter ~ vt: to make bright or brighter --
          bright.en.er n

   brightness
          [bright.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the quality or state of being
          bright; also: an instance of such a quality or state
          b: luminance 2: the attribute of light-source colors
          by which emitted light is ordered continuously from light
          to dark in correlation with its intensity--compare hue
          2c, [1]lightness 2, saturation 4

   Bright's disease
          [Bright's disease] n [Richard Bright d. 1858 Eng. physician]
          (1831): any of several kidney diseases marked esp. by
          albumin in the urine

   brightwork
          [bright.work] n (1841): polished or plated metalwork

   brill
          [brill] n, pl brill [ME brell] (15c): a European flatfish
          (Scophthalmus rhombus syn. Bothus rhombus of the family
          Bothidae); broadly: turbot

   brilliance
          [bril.liance] n (1755): the quality or state of being brilliant

   brilliancy
          [bril.lian.cy] n, pl -cies (1747) 1: brilliance 2: an instance
          of brilliance

   [1]brilliant
          [bril.liant] adj [F brillant, prp. of briller to shine, fr.
          It brillare] (ca. 1681) 1: very bright: glittering <a
          ~ light> 2 a: striking, distinctive <a ~ example> b:
          distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness
          syn see bright -- bril.liant.ly adv [2]brilliant n (1690):
          a gem (as a diamond) cut in a particular form with numerous
          facets so as to have special brilliance

   brilliantine
          [bril.lian.tine] n (1873) 1: a light lustrous fabric that
          is similar to alpaca and is woven usu. with a cotton
          warp and mohair or worsted filling 2: a preparation for
          making hair glossy

   [1]brim
          [brim] n [ME brimme; akin to MHG brem edge] (13c) 1 a (1):
          an upper or outer margin: verge (2) archaic: the upper
          surface of a body of water b: the edge or rim of a hollow
          vessel, a natural depression, or a cavity 2: the projecting
          rim of a hat -- brim.less adj [2]brim vb brimmed ; brim.ming
          vt (1611): to fill to the brim ~ vi 1: to be or become
          full often to overflowing 2: to reach or overflow a brim

   brimful
          [brim.ful] adj (ca. 1530): full to the brim: ready to overflow

   brimmed
          [brimmed] adj (1606): having a brim of a specified nature--used
          in combination <a wide-brimmed hat>

   brimmer
          [brim.mer] n (1663): a brimming cup or glass

   brimstone
          [brim.stone] n [ME brinston, prob. fr. birnen to burn + ston
          stone] (12c): sulfur

   brinded
          [brind.ed] adj [ME brended] (15c) archaic: brindled

   brindle
          [brin.dle] n [brindle, adj.] (1696) 1: a brindled color 2:
          a brindled animal

   brindled
          [brin.dled] or brindle adj [alter. of brinded] (1679): having
          obscure dark streaks or flecks on a gray or tawny ground

   [1]brine
          [brine] n [ME, fr. OE bryne; akin to MD brine brine] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: water saturated or strongly impregnated with
          common salt b: a strong saline solution (as of calcium
          chloride) 2: the water of a sea or salt lake [2]brine
          vt brined ; brin.ing (1552): to treat (as by steeping)
          with brine -- brin.er n

   Brinell hardness
          [Bri.nell hardness] n [Johann A. Brinell d. 1925 Swed. engineer]
          (1915): the hardness of a metal or alloy measured by
          hydraulically pressing a hard ball under a standard load
          into the specimen

   Brinell hardness number
          [Brinell hardness number] n (1915): a number expressing Brinell
          hardness and denoting the load applied in testing in
          kilograms divided by the spherical area of indentation
          produced in the specimen in square millimeters--called
          also Brinell number

   brine shrimp
          [brine shrimp] n (1836): any of a genus (Artemia) of branchiopod
          crustaceans that can exist in strongly saline environments

   bring
          [bring] vb brought ; bring.ing [ME, fr. OE bringan; akin
          to OHG bringan to bring, W hebrwng to accompany] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to convey, lead, carry, or cause to come along
          with one toward the place from which the action is being
          regarded b: to cause to be, act, or move in a special
          way: as (1): attract <her screams brought the neighbors>
          (2): persuade, induce (3): force, compel (4): to cause
          to come into a particular state or condition <~ water
          to a boil> c dial: escort, accompany 2: to cause to exist
          or occur: as a: to be the occasion of <winter ~s snow>
          b: to result in c: institute <~ legal action> d: adduce
          <~ an argument> 3: prefer <~ charges> 4: to procure in
          exchange: sell for ~ vi, chiefly Midland: yield, produce
          -- bring.er n -- bring forth 1: bear <brought forth fruit>
          2: to give birth to: produce 3: adduce <bring forth persuasive
          arguments> -- bring forward 1: to produce to view: introduce
          <brought new evidence forward> 2: to carry (a total)
          forward -- bring home : to make unmistakably clear --
          bring to account 1: to bring to book 2: reprimand --
          bring to bear : to use with effect <bring pressure to
          bear> -- bring to book : to compel to give an account
          -- bring to light : disclose, reveal -- bring to mind
          : recall -- bring to terms : to compel to agree, assent,
          or submit -- bring up the rear : to come last or behind

   bring about
          [bring about] vt (14c): to cause to take place: effect

   bring around
          [bring around] vt (1862) 1: to restore to consciousness:
          revive 2: persuade

   bringdown
          [bring.down] n (ca. 1944): comedown, letdown

   bring down
          [bring down] vt (14c) 1: to cause to fall by or as if by
          shooting 2: to carry (a total) forward -- bring down
          the house : to win the enthusiastic approval of the audience

   bring in
          [bring in] vt (14c) 1: include, introduce 2: to produce as
          profit or return <each sale brought in $5> 3: to enable
          (a base runner) to reach home plate by hitting the ball
          4: to report to a court <the jury brought in a verdict>
          5 a: to cause (as an oil well) to be productive b: to
          win tricks with the cards of (a long suit) in bridge
          6: earn <brings in a good salary>

   bring off
          [bring off] vt (1606) 1: to cause to escape: rescue 2: to
          carry to a successful conclusion: achieve, accomplish

   bring on
          [bring on] vt (1602): to cause to appear or occur

   bring out
          [bring out] vt (1605) 1 a: to make apparent b: to effectively
          develop (as a quality) 2 a: to present to the public
          b: to introduce formally to society 3: utter

   bring to
          [bring to] vt (1753) 1: to cause (a boat) to lie to or come
          to a standstill 2: to restore to consciousness: revive

   bring up
          [bring up] vt (14c) 1: to bring (a person) to maturity through
          nurturing care and education 2: to cause to stop suddenly
          3: to bring to attention: introduce 4: vomit ~ vi: to
          stop suddenly

   brink
          [brink] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON brekka slope;
          akin to MD brink grassland] (13c) 1: edge; esp: the edge
          at the top of a steep place 2: a bank esp. of a river
          3: the point of onset: verge <on the ~ of war> 4: the
          threshold of danger

   brinkmanship
          [brink.man.ship] also brinks.man.ship n (1956): the art or
          practice of pushing a dangerous situation or confrontation
          to the limit of safety esp. to force a desired outcome

   briny
          [briny] adj brin.i.er ; -est (1590): of, relating to, or
          resembling brine or the sea: salty -- brin.i.ness n

   brio
          [brio] n [It] (1734): enthusiastic vigor: vivacity, verve

   brioche
          [bri.oche] n [F, fr. MF dial., fr. brier to knead, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG brehhan to break--more at break]
          (1826): light slightly sweet bread made with a rich yeast
          dough

   briolette
          [bri.o.lette] n [F] (1865): an oval or pear-shaped gemstone
          cut in triangular facets

   briquette
          [bri.quette] or bri.quet n [F briquette, dim. of brique brick]
          (1883): a compacted often brick-shaped mass of usu. fine
          material <a charcoal ~> -- briquette vt

   brisance
          [bri.sance] n [F, fr. brisant, prp. of briser to break, fr.
          OF brisier, of Celt origin; akin to OIr brisid he breaks;
          perh. akin to L fricare to rub--more at friction] (1915):
          the shattering or crushing effect of an explosive --
          bri.sant adj

   [1]brisk
          [brisk] adj [prob. modif. of MF brusque] (1560) 1: keenly
          alert: lively 2 a: pleasingly tangy <~ tea> b: fresh,
          invigorating <~ weather> 3: sharp in tone or manner 4:
          energetic, quick <a ~ pace> -- brisk.ly adv -- brisk.ness
          n [2]brisk vt (1628): to make brisk ~ vi: to become brisk--usu.
          used with up <business ~ed up>

   brisket
          [bris.ket] n [ME brusket; akin to OE breost breast] (14c):
          the breast or lower chest of a quadruped animal; also:
          a cut of beef from the brisket--see beef illustration

   brisling
          [bris.ling] n [Norw brisling, fr. LG bretling, fr. bret broad;
          akin to OE brad broad] (ca. 1868): sprat 1a

   [1]bristle
          [bris.tle] n [ME bristil, fr. brust bristle, fr. OE byrst;
          akin to OHG burst bristle, and perh. to L fastigium top]
          (14c): a short stiff coarse hair or filament -- bris.tle.like
          adj [2]bristle vb bris.tled ; bris.tling vt (15c) 1:
          to furnish with bristles 2: to make bristly: ruffle ~
          vi 1 a: to rise and stand stiffly erect <quills bristling>
          b: to raise the bristles (as in anger) 2: to take on
          an aggressive attitude or appearance (as in response
          to a slight) 3 a: to be full of or covered with esp.
          something suggestive of bristles <roofs bristled with
          chimneys> b: to be full of something specified <book
          ~s with detail and irony --W. J. Broad>

   bristlecone pine
          [bris.tle.cone pine] n (1894): either of two pines (Pinus
          longaeva and P. aristata) of the western U.S. that include
          the oldest living trees

   bristletail
          [bris.tle.tail] n (1706): any of an order (Thysanura) of
          wingless insects with two or three slender caudal bristles

   bristly
          [bris.tly] adj bris.tli.er ; -est (ca. 1591) 1 a: consisting
          of or resembling bristles b: thickly set with bristles
          2: inclined to or exhibiting aggressiveness or anger

   bristol board
          [bris.tol board] n [Bristol, England] (1809): a paperboard
          with a smooth surface suitable esp. for artwork--called
          also bristol

   Bristol fashion
          [Bristol fashion] adj [Bristol, England] (1823): being in
          good order: shipshape

   brit
          [brit] also britt n [perh. fr. Corn brythel mackerel] (ca.
          1890): minute marine animals (as crustaceans and pteropods)
          on which right whales feed Brit n (1901): briton 2

   Brit
          [Brit] abbreviation Britain, British

   Britannia metal
          [Bri.tan.nia metal] n [Britannia, poetic name for Great Britain,
          fr. L] (1817): a silver-white alloy largely of tin, antimony,
          and copper that is similar to pewter

   Britannic
          [Bri.tan.nic] adj (1641): british

   britches
          [britch.es] n pl [alter. of breeches] (ca. 1803): breeches,
          trousers

   Brith Milah
          [Brith Mi.lah] n [LHeb berith milah covenant of circumcision]
          (ca. 1902): the Jewish rite of circumcision

   Briticism
          [Brit.i.cism] n [British + -icism (as in gallicism)] (1868):
          a characteristic feature of British English

   British
          [Brit.ish] n [ME Bruttische of Britain, fr. OE Brettisc,
          fr. Brettas Britons, of Celt origin; akin to W Brython
          Briton] (13c) 1 a: the Celtic language of the ancient
          Britons b: british english 2 pl in constr: the people
          of Great Britain or the Commonwealth -- British adj --
          Brit.ish.ism n -- Brit.ish.ness n

   British English
          [British English] n (1869): the native language of most inhabitants
          of England; esp: English characteristic of England and clearly
          distinguishable from that used elsewhere (as in the U.S.
          or Australia)

   Britisher
          [Brit.ish.er] n (1829): briton 2

   British thermal unit
          [British thermal unit] n (1876): the quantity of heat required
          to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree
          Fahrenheit at a specified temperature (as 39 degrees
          F)

   Briton
          [Brit.on] n [ME Breton, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L Britton-, Britto,
          of Celt origin; akin to W Brython] (13c) 1: a member
          of one of the peoples inhabiting Britain prior to the
          Anglo-Saxon invasions 2: a native or subject of Great
          Britain; esp: englishman

   Brittany
          [Brit.ta.ny] n, pl Brittanys also Brittanies [Brittany, region
          in France] (1967): any of a breed of medium-sized pointing
          spaniels of French origin--called also Brittany spaniel

   [1]brittle
          [brit.tle] adj brit.tler ; brit.tlest [ME britil; akin to
          OE breotan to break, ON brjota] (14c) 1 a: easily broken,
          cracked, or snapped <~ clay> <~ glass> b: easily disrupted,
          overthrown, or damaged: frail <a ~ friendship> 2 a: perishable,
          mortal b: transitory, evanescent 3: easily hurt or offended:
          sensitive <a ~ personality> 4: sharp <~ staccato of snare
          drums> 5: lacking warmth, depth, or generosity of spirit:
          cold <a ~ selfish person> 6: affected with or being a
          form of diabetes characterized by large and unpredictable
          fluctuations in blood glucose level syn see fragile --
          brit.tle.ly adv -- brit.tle.ness n [2]brittle n (1913):
          a candy made with caramelized sugar and nuts spread in
          thin sheets <peanut ~>

   brittle star
          [brittle star] n (1843): any of a subclass or class (Ophiuroidea)
          of echinoderms that have slender flexible arms distinct
          from the central disk

   Brittonic
          [Brit.ton.ic] adj [L Britton-, Britto Briton] (1923): brythonic

   Brix
          [Brix] adj (1897): of or relating to a Brix scale

   Brix scale
          [Brix scale] n [Adolf F. Brix d. 1870 Austrian scientist]
          (1897): a hydrometer scale for sugar solutions so graduated
          that its readings at a specified temperature represent
          percentages by weight of sugar in the solution--called
          also Brix

   brl
          [brl] abbreviation barrel

   bro
          [bro] n, pl bros [by alter.] (1838) 1: brother 1 2: soul
          brother--often used informally as a term of address

   [1]broach
          [broach] n [ME broche, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL brocca, fr.
          L, fem. of broccus projecting] (13c) 1: brooch 2: any
          of various pointed or tapered tools, implements, or parts:
          as a: a spit for roasting meat b: a tool for tapping
          casks c: a cutting tool for removing material from metal
          or plastic to shape an outside surface or a hole [2]broach
          vt (15c) 1 a: to pierce (as a cask) in order to draw
          the contents; also: to open for the first time b: to
          open up or break into (as a mine or stores) 2: to shape
          or enlarge (a hole) with a broach 3 a: to make known
          for the first time b: to open up (a subject) for discussion
          ~ vi: to break the surface from below syn see express
          -- broach.er n [3]broach vi [perh. fr. [2]broach] (1705):
          to veer or yaw dangerously so as to lie broadside to
          the waves--often used with to

   [1]broad
          [broad] adj [ME brood, fr. OE brad; akin to OHG breit broad]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: having ample extent from side to side
          or between limits <~ shoulders> b: having a specified
          extension from side to side <made the path 10 feet ~>
          2: extending far and wide: spacious <the ~ plains> 3
          a: open, full <~ daylight> b: plain, obvious <a ~ hint>
          4: dialectal esp. in pronunciation 5: marked by lack
          of restraint, delicacy, or subtlety: a obs: outspoken
          b: coarse, risque  <~ humor> 6 of a vowel: open--used
          specif. of a pronounced as in father 7 a: liberal, tolerant
          <~ views> b: widely applicable or applied: general 8:
          relating to the main or essential points <~ outlines>
          -- broad.ly adv -- broad.ness n syn broad, wide, deep
          mean having horizontal extent. broad and wide apply to
          a surface measured or viewed from side to side <a broad
          avenue>. wide is more common when units of measurement
          are mentioned <rugs eight feet wide> or applied to unfilled
          space between limits <a wide doorway>. broad is preferred
          when full horizontal extent is considered <broad shoulders>.
          deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer
          or from a front or peripheral point <a deep cupboard>
          <deep woods>. [2]broad adv (bef. 12c): in a broad manner:
          fully [3]broad n (1659) 1 Brit: an expansion of a river--often
          used in pl. 2 slang: woman

   broad arrow
          [broad arrow] n (14c) 1: an arrow with a flat barbed head
          2 Brit: a mark shaped like a broad arrow that identifies
          government property including clothing formerly worn
          by convicts

   broadax
          [broad.ax] or broad.axe n (bef. 12c): a large ax with a broad
          blade

   broadband
          [broad.band] adj (1956) 1: operating at, responsive to, or
          comprising a wide band of frequencies <a ~ radio antenna>
          2: of, relating to, or being a communications network
          in which a frequency range is divided into multiple independent
          channels for simultaneous transmission of signals (as
          voice, data, or video)

   broad bean
          [broad bean] n (1783): the large flat edible seed of an Old
          World upright vetch (Vicia faba); also: this plant widely
          grown for its seeds and as fodder

   broad-brush
          [broad-brush] adj (1967): general, nonspecific

   [1]broadcast
          [broad.cast] adj (1767) 1: cast or scattered in all directions
          2: made public by means of radio or television 3: of
          or relating to radio or television broadcasting [2]broadcast
          vb broadcast also broad.cast.ed ; broad.cast.ing vt (1813)
          1: to scatter or sow (as seed) broadcast 2: to make widely
          known 3: to transmit or make public by means of radio
          or television ~ vi 1: to transmit a broadcast 2: to speak
          or perform on a broadcast program -- broad.cast.er n
          [3]broadcast adv (1814): to or over a broad area [4]broadcast
          n (1922) 1: the act of transmitting sound or images by
          radio or television 2: a single radio or television program

   Broad Church
          [Broad Church] adj (1853): of or relating to a liberal party
          in the Anglican communion esp. in the later 19th century

   broadcloth
          [broad.cloth] n (15c) 1: a twilled napped woolen or worsted
          fabric with smooth lustrous face and dense texture 2:
          a fabric usu. of cotton, silk, or rayon made in plain
          and rib weaves with soft semigloss finish

   broaden
          [broad.en] vb broad.ened ; broad.en.ing vt (1726): to make
          broader ~ vi: to become broad

   broad-gauge
          [broad-gauge] or broad-gauged adj (1858) 1: wide in area
          or scope <a ~ effort> 2: comprehensive in outlook, range,
          or capability <a ~ statesman>

   broad gauge
          [broad gauge] n (1844): a railroad gauge wider than standard
          gauge

   broad jump
          [broad jump] n (1872): long jump -- broad jumper n

   broad-leaved
          [broad-leaved] or broad.leaf also broad-leafed adj (1552)
          1: having broad leaves; specif: having leaves that are
          not needles 2: composed of broad-leaved plants <~ forests>

   [1]broadloom
          [broad.loom] adj (1925): woven on a wide loom; also: so woven
          in solid color [2]broadloom n (1926): a broadloom carpet

   broad-minded
          [broad-mind.ed] adj (1882) 1: tolerant of varied views 2:
          inclined to condone minor departures from conventional
          behavior -- broad-mind.ed.ly adv -- broad-mind.ed.ness
          n

   broadscale
          [broad.scale] adj (1939): broad in extent, range, or effect

   broadsheet
          [broad.sheet] n (1705) 1: broadside 1 2 Brit: a newspaper
          with full-size pages as distinguished from a tabloid

   [1]broadside
          [broad.side] n (1575) 1 a (1): a sizable sheet of paper printed
          on one side (2): a sheet printed on one or both sides
          and folded b: something (as a ballad) printed on a broadside
          2 archaic: the side of a ship above the waterline 3 a:
          all the guns on one side of a ship; also: their simultaneous
          discharge b: a volley of abuse or denunciation 4: a broad
          or unbroken surface [2]broadside adj (1646): directed
          or placed broadside <a ~ attack> [3]broadside adv (1870)
          1 a: with the side forward or toward a given point: sideways
          <turned ~> b: directly from the side <the car was hit
          ~> 2: in one volley 3: at random [4]broadside vt (1981):
          to hit broadside <the car was broadsided>

   broad-spectrum
          [broad-spectrum] adj (1952): effective against a wide range
          of organisms (as insects or bacteria) <~ antibiotic>

   broadsword
          [broad.sword] n (bef. 12c): a large heavy sword with a broad
          blade for cutting rather than thrusting

   broadtail
          [broad.tail] n (1892) 1: karakul 1 2: the fur or skin of
          a very young or premature karakul lamb having a flat
          and wavy appearance resembling moire silk

   Broadway
          [Broad.way] n [Broadway, street in New York City] (1835):
          the New York commercial theater and amusement world;
          specif: playhouses located in the area between the Avenue
          of the Americas and Ninth Avenue and from W. 41st Street
          to W. 53d Street -- Broadway adj -- Broad.way.ite n

   Brobdingnagian
          [Brob.ding.nag.ian] adj [Brobdingnag, imaginary land of giants
          in Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift] (1728): marked
          by tremendous size -- Brobdingnagian n

   brocade
          [bro.cade] n [Sp brocado, fr. Catal brocat, fr. It broccato,
          fr. broccare to spur, brocade, fr. brocco small nail,
          fr. L broccus projecting] (1588) 1: a rich oriental silk
          fabric with raised patterns in gold and silver 2: a fabric
          characterized by raised designs -- brocade vt -- bro.cad.ed
          adj

   Broca's area
          [Bro.ca's area] n [Paul P. Broca d. 1880 Fr. surgeon] (ca.
          1898): a brain center associated with the motor control
          of speech and usu. located in the left side of the frontal
          lobe

   brocatelle
          [broc.a.telle] n [F, fr. It broccatello, dim. of broccato]
          (1669): a stiff decorating fabric with patterns in high
          relief

   broccoli
          [broc.co.li] n [It, pl. of broccolo flowering top of a cabbage,
          dim. of brocco small nail, sprout] (1699) 1 chiefly Brit:
          a large hardy cauliflower 2 a: either of two garden vegetable
          plants closely related to the cabbage: (1): one with
          a thick central stem and a compact head of dense usu.
          green florets that is classified with the cauliflower
          (2): one (Brassica oleracea italica) with slender stems
          and usu. green or purple florets not arranged in a central
          head b: the stems and immature florets of broccoli used
          as food

   broccoli rabe
          [broccoli rabe] n [perh. modif. of It broccoli di rapa, lit.,
          flowering tops of the turnip] (1976): a garden brassica
          (Brassica rapa ruvo) that is related to the turnip and
          produces edible leafy branching stalks and compact clusters
          of yellow florets--called also broccoli raab, rapini

   brochette
          [bro.chette] n [F, fr. OF brochete, fr. broche pointed tool--more
          at broach] (15c): skewer; also: food broiled on a skewer

   brochure
          [bro.chure] n [F, fr. brocher to sew, fr. MF, to prick, fr.
          OF brochier, fr. broche] (1748): pamphlet, booklet; esp:
          one containing descriptive or advertising material

   brock
          [brock] n [ME, fr. OE broc, of Celt origin; akin to W broch
          badger] (bef. 12c) Brit: badger

   brockage
          [brock.age] n [E dial. brock rubbish + E -age] (1879): an
          imperfectly minted coin

   brocket
          [brock.et] n [ME broket, fr. ONF broquard; akin to OF broche
          tine of an antler, pointed tool--more at broach] (1837):
          any of several small deer (genus Mazama) of Central and
          So. America with unbranched antlers

   brogan
          [bro.gan] n [Ir brogan, dim. of brog] (1835): a heavy shoe;
          esp: a coarse work shoe reaching to the ankle

   [1]brogue
          [brogue] n [Ir brog & ScGael brog, fr. MIr broc, prob. fr.
          ON brok leg covering; akin to OE broc leg covering--more
          at breech] (1586) 1: a stout coarse shoe worn formerly
          in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands 2: a heavy shoe
          often with a hobnailed sole: brogan 3: a stout oxford
          shoe with perforations and usu. a wing tip [2]brogue
          n [Ir barrog accent, speech impediment, lit., wrestling
          hold, tight grip] (1705): a dialect or regional pronunciation;
          esp: an Irish accent

   broider
          [broi.der] vt [ME broideren, modif. of MF broder--more at
          embroider] (14c): embroider -- broi.dery n

   [1]broil
          [broil] vb [ME, fr. MF bruler to burn, modif. of L ustulare
          to singe, fr. urere to burn] vt (14c): to cook by direct
          exposure to radiant heat: grill ~ vi: to be subjected
          to great or oppressive heat <~ing in the sun> [2]broil
          n (1583): the act or state of broiling [3]broil vb [ME,
          fr. MF brouiller to mix, broil, fr. OF brooilier, fr.
          breu broth, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG brod broth--more
          at broth] vi (15c): brawl ~ vt: embroil [4]broil n (1525):
          a noisy disturbance: tumult; esp: brawl <a tavern row
          ... widens into a general ~ --J. R. Green>

   broiler
          [broil.er] n (14c) 1: one that broils 2: a bird fit for broiling;
          esp: a young chicken of up to 2 1/2 pounds (1.14 kilograms)
          dressed weight

   [1]broke
          [broke] past of break [2]broke adj [ME, alter. of broken]
          (1710): penniless

   broken
          [bro.ken] adj [ME, fr. OE brocen, fr. pp. of brecan to break]
          (13c) 1: violently separated into parts: shattered 2:
          damaged or altered by breaking: as a: having undergone
          or been subjected to fracture <a ~ leg> b of land surfaces:
          being irregular, interrupted, or full of obstacles c:
          violated by transgression <a ~ promise> d: discontinuous,
          interrupted e: disrupted by change f of a flower: having
          an irregular, streaked, or blotched pattern esp. from
          virus infection 3 a: made weak or infirm b: subdued completely:
          crushed <a ~ spirit> c: bankrupt d: reduced in rank 4
          a: cut off: disconnected b: imperfectly spoken or written
          <~ English> 5: not complete or full 6: disunited by divorce,
          separation, or desertion of one parent <children from
          ~ homes> <a ~ family> -- bro.ken.ly adv -- bro.ken.ness
          n

   broken-down
          [broken-down] adj (1817): worn-out, debilitated

   broken-field
          [bro.ken-field] adj (1923): characterized by quick changes
          in direction to avoid widely scattered tacklers <a halfback
          known for ~ running>

   brokenhearted
          [bro.ken.heart.ed] adj (1526): overcome by grief or despair

   broken-winded
          [bro.ken-wind.ed] adj (1580): affected with or as if with
          heaves

   broker
          [bro.ker] n [ME, negotiator, fr. AF brocour] (14c) 1: one
          who acts as an intermediary: as a: an agent who arranges
          marriages b: an agent who negotiates contracts of purchase
          and sale (as of real estate, commodities, or securities)
          2: power broker -- broker vb -- bro.ker.ing n

   brokerage
          [bro.ker.age] n (15c) 1: the business or establishment of
          a broker 2: a broker's fee or commission

   brokered
          [bro.kered] adj (1967): arranged or controlled by power brokers
          <a ~ political convention>

   broking
          [bro.king] n (1569) chiefly Brit: the business of a broker:
          brokerage

   brolly
          [brol.ly] n, pl brollies [by shortening & alter.] (ca. 1874)
          chiefly Brit: umbrella

   brom-
          [brom-] or bromo- comb form [prob. fr. F brome, fr. Gk bromos
          bad smell]: bromine <bromide>

   bromate
          [bro.mate] n (ca. 1836): a salt of bromic acid

   bromegrass
          [brome.grass] n [NL Bromus, fr. L bromos oats, fr. Gk] (ca.
          1791): any of a large genus (Bromus) of tall grasses
          often having drooping spikelets

   bromelain
          [bro.me.lain] also bro.me.lin n [bromelain by alter. of bromelin,
          fr. NL Bromelia] (1894): a protease obtained esp. from
          the pineapple

   bromeliad
          [bro.me.li.ad] n [NL Bromelia, genus of tropical American
          plants, fr. Olaf Bromelius d. 1705 Swed. botanist] (1866):
          any of a family (Bromeliaceae) of chiefly tropical American
          usu. epiphytic herbaceous plants including the pineapple,
          Spanish moss, and various ornamentals

   bromic acid
          [bro.mic acid] n (1828): an unstable strongly oxidizing acid
          known only in solution or in the form of its salts

   bromide
          [bro.mide] n (1836) 1: a binary compound of bromine with
          another element or a radical including some (as potassium
          bromide) used as sedatives 2 a: a commonplace or tiresome
          person: bore b: a commonplace or hackneyed statement
          or notion

   bromidic
          [bro.mid.ic] adj (1906): lacking in originality: trite

   brominate
          [bro.mi.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1873): to treat or cause
          to combine with bromine or a compound of bromine -- bro.mi.na.tion
          n

   bromine
          [bro.mine] n [F brome bromine + E [2]-ine] (1827): a nonmetallic
          halogen element that is isolated as a deep red corrosive
          toxic volatile liquid of disagreeable odor

   bromo
          [bro.mo] n, pl bromos [brom-] (1923): a dose of a proprietary
          effervescent headache remedy and antacid

   bromocriptine
          [bro.mo.crip.tine] n [by shortening & alter. fr. bromoergocryptine,
          fr. brom- + ergocryptine, an ergot derivative, fr. ergo-
          + Gk kryptos hidden--more at crypt] (1975): a polypeptide ergot
          derivative that mimics the activity of dopamine in inhibiting
          prolactin secretion

   bromouracil
          [bro.mo.ura.cil] n (1960): a mutagenic uracil derivative
          that is an analogue of thymine and pairs readily with
          adenine and sometimes with guanine

   bromthymol blue
          [brom.thy.mol blue] n (1920): a dye derived from thymol that
          is an acid-base indicator --called also bromothymol blue

   bronc
          [bronc] n [short for bronco] (1893): an unbroken or imperfectly
          broken range horse of western No. America; broadly: mustang

   bronch-
          [bronch-] or broncho- comb form [LL, fr. Gk, fr. bronchos
          windpipe]: bronchial tube: bronchial <bronchitis>

   bronchi-
          [bronchi-] or bronchio- comb form [NL, fr. bronchia, pl.,
          branches of the bronchi, fr. LL, fr. Gk, dim. of bronchos]:
          bronchial tubes <bronchiectasis>

   bronchial
          [bron.chi.al] adj (ca. 1735): of or relating to the bronchi
          or their ramifications in the lungs -- bron.chi.al.ly
          adv

   bronchial asthma
          [bronchial asthma] n (ca. 1881): asthma resulting from spasmodic
          contraction of bronchial muscles

   bronchial tube
          [bronchial tube] n (1847): a primary bronchus or any of its
          branches

   bronchiectasis
          [bron.chi.ec.ta.sis] n [NL, fr. bronchi- + Gk ektasis
          extension--more at atelectasis] (ca. 1860): a chronic dilatation
          of bronchi or bronchioles

   bronchiole
          [bron.chi.ole] n [NL bronchiolum, dim. of bronchia] (ca.
          1860): a minute thin-walled branch of a bronchus -- bron.chi.o.lar
          adj

   bronchitis
          [bron.chi.tis] n [NL] (1808): acute or chronic inflammation
          of the bronchial tubes; also: a disease marked by this
          -- bron.chit.ic adj

   bronchodilator
          [bron.cho.di.la.tor] n (1903): a drug that relaxes bronchial
          muscle resulting in expansion of the bronchial air passages
          -- bronchodilator adj

   bronchogenic
          [bron.cho.gen.ic] adj (1927): of, relating to, or arising
          in or by way of the air passages of the lungs <~ carcinoma>

   bronchopneumonia
          [bron.cho.pneu.mo.nia] n [NL] (1858): pneumonia involving
          many relatively small areas of lung tissue

   bronchoscope
          [bron.cho.scope] n [ISV] (1899): a tubular illuminated instrument
          used for inspecting or passing instruments into the bronchi
          -- bron.cho.scop.ic adj -- bron.chos.co.pist n -- bron.chos.co.py
          n

   bronchospasm
          [bron.cho.spasm] n (ca. 1901): constriction of the air passages
          of the lung (as in asthma) by spasmodic contraction of
          the bronchial muscles -- bron.cho.spas.tic adj

   bronchus
          [bron.chus] n, pl bron.chi [NL, fr. Gk bronchos] (ca. 1706):
          either of the two primary divisions of the trachea that
          lead respectively into the right and the left lung; broadly:
          bronchial tube

   bronco
          [bron.co] also bron.cho n, pl broncos also bronchos [MexSp,
          fr. Sp, lit., rough, wild] (1850): bronc

   broncobuster
          [bron.co.bust.er] n (1887): one who breaks wild horses to
          the saddle

   brontosaurus
          [bron.to.sau.rus] also bron.to.saur n [NL, fr. Gk bronte
          thunder + sauros lizard; akin to Gk bremein to roar]
          (1905): any of a genus (Apatosaurus syn. Brontosaurus)
          of large sauropod dinosaurs of the Jurassic--called also
          apatosaurus

   Bronx cheer
          [Bronx cheer] n [Bronx, borough of New York City] (1929):
          raspberry 2

   [1]bronze
          [bronze] vt bronzed ; bronz.ing (1645): to give the appearance
          of bronze to <a bronzed sculpture>; also: tan 2 -- bronz.er
          n [2]bronze n, often attrib [F, fr. It bronzo] (1739)
          1 a: an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements
          b: any of various copper-base alloys with little or no
          tin 2: a sculpture or artifact of bronze 3: a moderate
          yellowish brown -- bronzy adj

   Bronze Age
          [Bronze Age] n (1865): the period of ancient human culture
          characterized by the use of bronze that began between
          4000 and 3000 b.c. and ended with the advent of the Iron
          Age

   Bronze Star Medal
          [Bronze Star Medal] n (1944): a U.S. military decoration
          awarded for heroic or meritorious service not involving
          aerial flights

   bronzing
          [bronz.ing] n (1868): a bronze coloring or discoloration
          (as of leaves)

   brooch
          [brooch] n [ME broche pointed tool, brooch--more at broach]
          (13c): an ornament that is held by a pin or clasp and
          is worn at or near the neck

   [1]brood
          [brood] n [ME, fr. OE brod; akin to OE beorma yeast--more
          at barm] (bef. 12c) 1: the young of an animal or a family
          of young; esp: the young (as of a bird or insect) hatched
          or cared for at one time 2: a group having a common nature
          or origin [2]brood adj (15c): kept for breeding <a ~
          flock> [3]brood vt (15c) 1 a: to sit on or incubate (eggs)
          b: to produce by or as if by incubation: hatch 2 of a
          bird: to cover (young) with the wings 3: to think anxiously
          or gloomily about: ponder ~ vi 1 a of a bird: to brood
          eggs or young b: to sit quietly and thoughtfully: meditate
          2: hover, loom 3 a: to dwell gloomily on a subject: worry
          b: to be in a state of depression -- brood.ing.ly adv

   brooder
          [brood.er] n (1599) 1: one that broods 2: a heated structure
          used for raising young fowl

   broodmare
          [brood.mare] n (1821): a mare kept for breeding

   broody
          [broody] adj (1523) 1: being in a state of readiness to brood
          eggs that is characterized by cessation of laying and
          by marked changes in behavior and physiology <a ~ hen>
          2: given or conducive to introspection: contemplative,
          moody -- brood.i.ness n

   [1]brook
          [brook] n [ME, fr. OE broc; akin to OHG bruoh marshy ground]
          (bef. 12c): creek 2 [2]brook vt [ME brouken to use, enjoy,
          fr. OE brucan; akin to OHG bruhhan to use, L frui to
          enjoy] (15c): to stand for: tolerate <he would ~ no interference
          with his plans>

   brookie
          [brook.ie] n (1933): brook trout

   brookite
          [brook.ite] n [Henry J. Brooke d. 1857 Eng. mineralogist]
          (1825): titanium dioxide occurring as a mineral in orthorhombic
          crystals commonly translucent brown or opaque brown to
          black

   brooklet
          [brook.let] n (1813): a small brook

   Brooklynese
          [Brook.lyn.ese] n [Brooklyn, borough of New York City] (1939):
          the vernacular speech of greater New York City and environs

   brook trout
          [brook trout] n (1836): the common speckled cold-water char
          (Salvelinus fontinalis) of No. America

   [1]broom
          [broom] n [ME, fr. OE brom; akin to OHG bramo bramble] (bef.
          12c) 1: any of various leguminous shrubs (esp. genera
          Cytisus and Genista) with long slender branches, small
          leaves, and usu. showy yellow flowers; esp: scotch broom
          2: a bundle of firm stiff twigs or fibers bound together
          on a long handle for sweeping and brushing [2]broom vt
          (1838) 1: to sweep with or as if with a broom 2: to finish
          (as a concrete surface) by means of a broom

   broomball
          [broom.ball] n (1933): a variation of ice hockey played on
          ice without skates and with brooms and a soccer ball
          used instead of sticks and a puck -- broom.ball.er n

   broomcorn
          [broom.corn] n (ca. 1782): any of several tall cultivated
          sorghums having stiff-branched panicles used in brooms
          and brushes

   broomrape
          [broom.rape] n (1578): any of a genus (Orobanche of the family
          Orobanchaceae, the broomrape family) of herbs that have
          leaves modified to scales and that grow as parasites
          on the roots of other plants

   broomstick
          [broom.stick] n (1683): the long thin handle of a broom

   bros
          [bros] abbreviation brothers

   brose
          [brose] n [perh. alter. of Sc bruis broth, fr. ME brewes,
          fr. OF broez, nom. sing. of broet, dim. of breu broth--more
          at broil] (1515): a chiefly Scottish dish made with a
          boiling liquid and meal

   broth
          [broth] n, pl broths [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG brod broth,
          OE breowan to brew] (bef. 12c) 1: liquid in which meat,
          fish, cereal grains, or vegetables have been cooked:
          stock 2: a fluid culture medium

   brothel
          [broth.el] n [ME, worthless fellow, prostitute, fr. brothen,
          pp. of brethen to waste away, go to ruin, fr. OE breothan
          to waste away; akin to OE breotan to break--more at brittle]
          (ca. 1593): bordello

   brother
          [broth.er] n, pl brothers also breth.ren [ME, fr. OE brothor;
          akin to OHG bruodor brother, L frater, Gk phrater member
          of the same clan] (bef. 12c) 1: a male who has the same
          parents as another or one parent in common with another
          2: one related to another by common ties or interests
          3: a fellow member--used as a title for ministers in
          some evangelical denominations 4: one of a type similar
          to another 5 a: kinsman b: one who shares with another
          a common national or racial origin; esp: soul brother
          6 a cap: a member of a congregation of men not in holy
          orders and usu. in hospital or school work b: a member
          of a men's religious order who is not preparing for or
          is not ready for holy orders <a lay ~>

   brotherhood
          [broth.er.hood] n [ME brotherhede, brotherhod, alter. of
          brotherrede, fr. OE brothorraeden, fr. brothor + raeden
          condition--more at kindred] (14c) 1: the quality or state
          of being brothers 2: fellowship, alliance 3: an association
          (as a labor union) for a particular purpose 4: the whole
          body of persons engaged in a business or profession

   brother-in-law
          [broth.er-in-law] n, pl broth.ers-in-law (14c) 1: the brother
          of one's spouse 2 a: the husband of one's sister b: the
          husband of one's spouse's sister

   brotherly
          [broth.er.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1: of or relating to brothers
          2: natural or becoming to brothers: affectionate <~ love>
          -- broth.er.li.ness n -- brotherly adv

   brougham
          [brougham] n [Henry Peter Brougham, Baron Brougham and Vaux
          d. 1868 Scot. jurist] (1851): a light closed horse-drawn
          carriage with the driver outside in front

   brought
          [brought] past and past part of bring

   brouhaha
          [brou.ha.ha] n [F] (1890): hubbub, uproar

   [1]brow
          [brow] n [ME, fr. OE bru; akin to ON brun eyebrow, Gk ophrys,
          Skt bhru] (bef. 12c) 1 a: eyebrow b: forehead 2: the
          projecting upper part or margin of a steep place 3: expression,
          mien [2]brow n [perh. fr. Dan or Sw bro bridge; akin
          to OE brycg bridge] (1867): gangplank

   browbeat
          [brow.beat] vt -beat ; -beat.en or -beat ; -beat.ing (1581):
          to intimidate or disconcert by a stern manner or arrogant
          speech: bully syn see intimidate

   browed
          [browed] adj (15c): having brows of a specified nature--used
          in combination <smooth-browed>

   [1]brown
          [brown] adj [ME broun, fr. OE brun; akin to OHG brun brown,
          Gk phryne toad] (bef. 12c): of the color brown; esp:
          of dark or tanned complexion [2]brown n (13c) 1: any
          of a group of colors between red and yellow in hue, of
          medium to low lightness, and of moderate to low saturation
          2: a brown-skinned person -- brown.ish adj -- browny
          adj [3]brown vi (14c): to become brown ~ vt: to make
          brown

   brown alga
          [brown alga] n (ca. 1899): any of a division (Phaeophyta)
          of variable mostly marine algae with chlorophyll masked
          by brown pigment

   brown bagging
          [brown bagging] n (1959) 1: the practice of carrying (as
          to work) one's lunch usu. in a brown paper bag 2: the
          practice of carrying a bottle of liquor into a restaurant
          or club where setups are available -- brown-bag vb or
          adj -- brown bagger n

   brown bear
          [brown bear] n (1805): any of several bears predominantly
          brown in color that are sometimes considered a single
          species (Ursus arctos) including the grizzly bear and
          that formerly inhabited western No. America from the
          barrens of Alaska to northern Mexico and much of Europe
          and Asia but are now much restricted in range

   brown Betty
          [brown Bet.ty] n (1864): a baked pudding of apples, bread
          crumbs, and spices

   brown bread
          [brown bread] n (14c) 1: bread made of whole wheat flour
          2: a dark brown steamed bread made usu. of cornmeal,
          white or whole wheat flours, molasses, soda, and milk
          or water

   brown coal
          [brown coal] n (ca. 1828): lignite

   brown dwarf
          [brown dwarf] n (1978): a celestial object that is much smaller
          than a normal star and has insufficient mass for nuclear
          fusion to begin but that is hot enough to radiate energy
          esp. at infrared wavelengths

   brown earth
          [brown earth] n (1932): any of a group of intrazonal soils
          developed in temperate humid regions under deciduous
          forests and characterized by a dark brown mull horizon
          that grades through lighter colored soil into parent
          material

   brown-eyed Susan
          [brown-eyed Su.san] n [brown-eyed + Susan (as in black-eyed
          Susan)] (1896): a dark-centered coneflower (Rudbeckia
          triloba) of eastern No. America often having tripartite
          lower leaves

   brown fat
          [brown fat] n (1951): a mammalian heat-producing tissue occurring
          esp. in human newborns and in hibernators--called also
          brown adipose tissue

   Brownian motion
          [Brown.ian motion] n [Robert Brown d. 1858 Scot. botanist]
          (ca. 1889): a random movement of microscopic particles
          suspended in liquids or gases resulting from the impact
          of molecules of the fluid surrounding the particles--called
          also Brownian movement

   brownie
          [brown.ie] n [[1]brown] (ca. 1500) 1: a legendary good-natured
          elf that performs helpful services at night 2 cap: a
          member of a program of the Girl Scouts for girls in the
          first through third grades in school 3: a small square
          or rectangle of rich usu. chocolate cake often containing
          nuts

   brownie point
          [brownie point] n, often cap B (ca. 1962): a credit regarded
          as earned esp. by currying favor (as with a superior)

   Browning automatic rifle
          [Brow.ning automatic rifle] n [John M. Browning d. 1926 Am.
          designer of firearms] (1920): a .30 caliber gas-operated
          air-cooled magazine-fed automatic rifle often provided
          with a rest for the barrel

   Browning machine gun
          [Browning machine gun] n (1918): a .30 or .50 caliber
          recoil-operated airor water-cooled machine gun fed by a cartridge
          belt

   brown lung
          [brown lung] n (1969): byssinosis

   brownnose
          [brown.nose] vt [fr. the implication that servility is equivalent
          to kissing the hinder parts of the person from whom advancement
          is sought] (ca. 1939) slang: to ingratiate oneself with:
          curry favor with -- brownnose n -- brown.nos.er n

   brownout
          [brown.out] n [brown + blackout] (1942): a period of reduced
          voltage of electricity caused esp. by high demand and
          resulting in subnormal illumination

   brown pelican
          [brown pelican] n (1823): a pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
          of American coasts that has a brown body and a chiefly
          white or white with yellow head

   brown rat
          [brown rat] n (1826): a common domestic rat (Rattus norvegicus)
          that has been introduced worldwide--called also Norway
          rat

   brown recluse spider
          [brown recluse spider] n (1964): a venomous spider (Loxosceles
          reclusa) of the U.S. that has a violin-shaped mark on
          the cephalothorax and produces a dangerous cytotoxin

   brown rice
          [brown rice] n (1916): hulled but unpolished rice that retains
          most of the bran layers, endosperm, and germ

   brown rot
          [brown rot] n (1894): a disease of stone fruits caused by
          fungi (genus Monilinia, esp. M. fructicola)

   brown sauce
          [brown sauce] n (1878): a sauce consisting typically of stock
          thickened with flour browned in fat

   brownshirt
          [brown.shirt] n, often cap (1932): nazi; esp: storm trooper

   brownstone
          [brown.stone] n (1858) 1: a reddish brown sandstone used
          forbuilding 2: a dwelling faced with brownstone

   brown study
          [brown study] n (1532): a state of serious absorption or
          abstraction

   brown sugar
          [brown sugar] n (1704): soft sugar whose crystals are covered
          by a film of refined dark syrup

   Brown Swiss
          [Brown Swiss] n (1902): any of a breed of large hardy brown
          dairy cattle originating in Switzerland

   brown-tail moth
          [brown-tail moth] n (1782): a tussock moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea)
          introduced in the U.S. and having larvae which feed on foliage and
          are irritating to the skin

   brown trout
          [brown trout] n (1886): a speckled European trout (Salmo
          trutta) widely introduced as a game fish

   browridge
          [brow.ridge] n (1898): a prominence of the frontal bone above
          the eye caused by the projection of the frontal air sinuses

   [1]browse
          [browse] vb browsed ; brows.ing vt (15c) 1 a: to consume
          as browse b: graze 2: to look over casually: skim ~ vi
          1 a: to feed on or as if on browse b: graze 2 a: to skim
          through a book reading at random passages that catch
          the eye b: to look over or through an aggregate of things
          casually esp. in search of something of interest -- brows.er
          n [2]browse n [prob. modif. of MF brouts, pl. of brout
          sprout, fr. OF brost, of Gmc origin; akin to OS brustian
          to sprout, and perh. to OE breost breast] (1523) 1: tender
          shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs used by
          animals for food 2: an act or instance of browsing

   brucella
          [bru.cel.la] n, pl -cel.lae or -cel.las [NL, fr. Sir David
          Bruce] (1930): any of a genus (Brucella) of nonmotile
          pleomorphic bacteria that cause disease in humans and
          domestic animals

   brucellosis
          [bru.cel.lo.sis] n, pl -lo.ses [NL] (1930): infection with
          or disease caused by brucellae

   brucine
          [bru.cine] n [prob. fr. F, fr. NL Brucea (genus name of Brucea
          antidysenterica, a shrub)] (1823): a poisonous alkaloid
          found with strychnine esp. in nux vomica

   bruin
          [bru.in] n [MD, name of the bear in Reynard the Fox] (15c):
          bear 1

   [1]bruise
          [bruise] vb bruised ; bruis.ing [ME brusen, brisen, fr. MF
          & OE; MF bruisier to break, of Celt origin; akin to OIr
          bruid he shatters; OE brysan to bruise; akin to OIr bruid,
          L frustum piece] vt (14c) 1 a archaic: disable b: batter,
          dent 2: to inflict a bruise on: contuse 3: to break down
          (as leaves or berries) by pounding: crush 4: wound, injure;
          esp: to inflict psychological hurt on ~ vi 1: to inflict
          a bruise 2: to undergo bruising [2]bruise n (1541) 1
          a: an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels
          and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin:
          contusion b: a similar injury to plant tissue 2: abrasion,
          scratch 3: an injury esp. to the feelings

   bruiser
          [bruis.er] n (1744): a big husky man

   [1]bruit
          [bruit] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, noise] (15c) 1 archaic a:
          noise, din b: report, rumor 2 [F, lit., noise]: any of
          several generally abnormal sounds heard on auscultation
          [2]bruit vt (15c): to noise abroad: report

   brumal
          [bru.mal] adj [L brumalis, fr. bruma winter] (1513) archaic:
          indicative of or occurring in the winter

   brumby
          [brum.by] n, pl brumbies [origin unknown] (1880) Austral:
          a wild or unbroken horse

   brume
          [brume] n [F, mist, winter, fr. OProv bruma, fr. L, winter
          solstice, winter; akin to L brevis short--more at brief]
          (1808): mist, fog -- bru.mous adj

   brummagem
          [brum.ma.gem] adj [alter. of Birmingham, England, the source
          in the 17th cent. of counterfeit groats] (1637): spurious;
          also: cheaply showy: tawdry -- brummagem n

   brunch
          [brunch] n [breakfast + lunch] (1896): a meal usu. taken
          late in the morning that combines a late breakfast and
          an early lunch

   [1]brunet
          [bru.net] or bru.nette n (ca. 1539): a person having brown
          or black hair and usu. a relatively dark complexion [2]brunet
          or brunette adj [F brunet, masc., brunette, fem., brownish,
          fr. OF, fr. brun brown, fr. ML brunus, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG brun brown] (1752) 1: being a brunet 2: of
          a dark-brown or black color <~ hair>

   Brunhild
          [Brun.hild] n [G]: a queen in Germanic legend won by Siegfried
          for Gunther

   brunizem
          [bru.ni.zem] n [bruni- (fr. ML brunus brown) + -zem earth
          (as in chernozem)] (1953): any of a zonal group of deep
          dark prairie soils developed from loess

   Brunswick stew
          [Bruns.wick stew] n [Brunswick county, Va.] (1856): a stew
          made of vegetables and usu. two meats (as chicken and
          squirrel)

   brunt
          [brunt] n [ME] (15c) 1: the principal force, shock, or stress
          (as of an attack) 2: the greater part: burden

   [1]brush
          [brush] n [ME brusch, fr. MF broce] (14c) 1: brushwood 2
          a: scrub vegetation b: land covered with scrub vegetation
          [2]brush n [ME brusshe, fr. MF broisse, fr. OF broce]
          (14c) 1: a device composed of bristles typically set
          into a handle and used esp. for sweeping, smoothing,
          scrubbing, or painting 2: something resembling a brush:
          as a: a bushy tail b: a feather tuft worn on a hat 3:
          an electrical conductor that makes sliding contact between
          a stationary and a moving part (as of a generator or
          a motor) 4 a: an act of brushing b: a quick light touch
          or momentary contact in passing [3]brush vt (15c) 1 a:
          to apply a brush to b: to apply with a brush 2 a: to
          remove with passing strokes (as of a brush) b: to dispose
          of in an offhand way: dismiss <~ed him off> 3: to pass
          lightly over or across: touch gently against in passing
          -- brush.er n [4]brush n [ME brusche rush, hostile collision,
          fr. bruschen] (14c): a brief encounter or skirmish <a
          ~ with disaster> <a ~ with the law> [5]brush vi [ME bruschen
          to rush, fr. MF brosser to dash through underbrush, fr.
          broce] (1674): to move lightly or heedlessly <~ed past
          the well-wishers waiting to greet him>

   brushability
          [brush.abil.i.ty] n (1936): ease of application with a brush
          <~ of a paint>

   brushback
          [brush.back] n (1954): a fastball intentionally thrown near
          the batter's head or body in baseball -- brush back vt

   brush border
          [brush border] n (1903): a stria of microvilli on the plasma
          membrane of an epithelial cell (as in a kidney tubule)
          that is specialized for absorption

   brush cut
          [brush cut] n (1945): crew cut

   brush discharge
          [brush discharge] n (1849): a faintly luminous relatively
          slow electrical discharge having no spark

   brushed
          [brushed] adj (1926) 1: finished with a nap <a ~ fabric>
          2: polished but not shiny <~ aluminum>

   brushfire
          [brush.fire] adj [brush fire (a fire involving brush but
          not full-sized trees)] (1954): involving mobilization
          only on a small and local scale <~ border wars>

   brushland
          [brush.land] n (1853): an area covered with brush growth

   brush-off
          [brush-off] n (1941): a quietly curt or disdainful dismissal

   brush up
          [brush up] vt (ca. 1600) 1: to improve or polish as if by
          brushing 2: to renew one's skill in <brush up your Spanish>
          ~ vi: to refresh one's memory: renew one's skill <brush
          up on math> -- brush.up n

   brushwood
          [brush.wood] n (ca. 1613) 1: wood of small branches esp.
          when cut or broken 2: a thicket of shrubs and small trees

   brushwork
          [brush.work] n (1868): work done with a brush (as in painting);
          esp: the characteristic work of an artist using a brush

   [1]brushy
          [brushy] adj brush.i.er ; -est (1658): covered with or abounding
          in brush or brushwood <~ hills> <a ~ habitat> [2]brushy
          adj brush.i.er ; -est (1673): shaggy, rough <a ~ moustache>

   brusque
          [brusque] also brusk adj [F brusque, fr. It brusco, fr. ML
          bruscus butcher's-broom (plant with bristly twigs)] (1651)
          1: markedly short and abrupt 2: blunt in manner or speech
          often to the point of ungracious harshness syn see bluff
          -- brusque.ly adv -- brusque.ness n

   brusquerie
          [brus.que.rie] n [F, fr. brusque] (1752): abruptness of manner

   Brussels carpet
          [Brus.sels carpet] n [Brussels, Belgium] (1799): a carpet
          made of colored worsted yarns first fixed in a foundation
          web of strong linen thread and then drawn up in loops
          to form the pattern

   Brussels griffon
          [Brussels griffon] n (1904): any of a breed of short-faced
          compact roughor smooth-coated toy dogs of Belgian origin--called
          also griffon

   Brussels lace
          [Brussels lace] n (1748) 1: any of various fine needlepoint
          or bobbin laces with floral designs made orig. in or
          near Brussels 2: a machine-made net of hexagonal mesh

   brussels sprout
          [brus.sels sprout] n, often cap B (1796) 1 pl: a plant (Brassica
          oleracea gemmifera) of the mustard family that bears
          small edible green heads on its stem 2: any of the edible
          green heads borne on brussels sprouts--usu. used in pl.

   brut
          [brut] adj [F, lit., rough] (1891) of champagne: very dry;
          specif: being the driest made by the producer

   brutal
          [bru.tal] adj [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF, fr. ML brutalis, fr.
          L brutus] (15c) 1 archaic: typical of beasts: animal
          2: befitting a brute: as a: grossly ruthless or unfeeling
          <a ~ slander> b: cruel, cold-blooded <a ~ attack> c:
          harsh, severe <~ weather> d: unpleasantly accurate and
          incisive <the ~ truth> -- bru.tal.ly adv syn brutal,
          brutish, bestial, feral mean characteristic of an animal
          in nature, action, or instinct. brutal applies to people,
          their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence,
          feeling, or humanity <a senseless and brutal war>. brutish
          stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in
          base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct <brutish
          stupidity>. bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy
          of man and fit only for beasts <bestial depravity>. feral
          suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals <the
          struggle to survive unleashed their feral impulses>.

   brutalise
          [bru.tal.ise] Brit var of brutalize

   brutality
          [bru.tal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1549) 1: the quality or state
          of being brutal 2: a brutal act or course of action

   brutalize
          [bru.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1704) 1: to make brutal,
          unfeeling, or inhuman <temperaments brutalized by poverty
          and disease> 2: to treat brutally <an accord not to ~
          prisoners of war> -- bru.tal.iza.tion n

   [1]brute
          [brute] adj [ME, fr. MF brut rough, fr. L brutus brutish,
          lit., heavy; akin to L gravis heavy--more at grieve]
          (15c) 1: of or relating to beasts <the ways of the ~
          world> 2: inanimate 1a 3: characteristic of an animal
          in quality, action, or instinct: as a: cruel, savage
          <~ violence> b: not working by reason <~ instinct> 4:
          purely physical <~ strength> 5: unrelievedly harsh <~
          facts> <~ necessity> [2]brute n (1611) 1: beast 2: a
          brutal person

   brutish
          [brut.ish] adj (1534) 1: befitting beasts <lived a short
          and ~ life as a slave> 2 a: strongly and grossly sensual
          <~ gluttony> b: showing little intelligence or sensibility
          <a ~ lack of understanding> syn see brutal -- brut.ish.ly
          adv -- brut.ish.ness n

   brutum fulmen
          [bru.tum ful.men] [L] foreign term : insensible thunderbolt:
          a futile threat or display of force

   bruxism
          [brux.ism] n [irreg. fr. Gk brychein to gnash the teeth +
          E -ism] (ca. 1940): the habit of unconsciously gritting
          or grinding the teeth esp. in situations of stress or
          during sleep

   Brynhild
          [Bryn.hild] n [ON Brynhildr]: a Valkyrie who is waked from
          an enchanted sleep by Sigurd and later has him killed
          when he forgets her

   bryology
          [bry.ol.o.gy] n [Gk bryon moss (akin to Gk bryein to grow
          luxuriantly) + ISV -logy] (ca. 1859) 1: moss life or
          biology 2: a branch of botany that deals with the bryophytes
          -- bry.o.log.i.cal adj -- bry.ol.o.gist n

   bryony
          [bry.o.ny] n, pl -nies [ME, fr. L bryonia, fr. Gk bryonia;
          akin to Gk bryein] (14c): any of a genus (Bryonia) of
          tendril-bearing vines of the gourd family with large
          leaves and red or black fruit

   bryophyllum
          [bryo.phyl.lum] n [NL, fr. Gk bryon + phyllon leaf--more
          at blade] (ca. 1868): any of various kalanchoes; esp:
          a succulent kalanchoe (Kalanchoe pinnata) often grown
          as a foliage plant that propagates new plants from its
          leaves

   bryophyte
          [bryo.phyte] n [ultim. fr. Gk bryon + phyton plant; akin
          to Gk phyein to bring forth--more at be] (1878): any
          of a division (Bryophyta) of nonflowering plants comprising
          the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts -- bryo.phyt.ic
          adj

   bryozoan
          [bryo.zo.an] n [NL Bryozoa, fr. Gk bryon + NL -zoa] (ca.
          1864): any of a phylum (Bryozoa) of aquatic mostly marine
          invertebrate animals that reproduce by budding and usu.
          form permanently attached branched or mossy colonies
          -- bryozoan adj

   [1]Brythonic
          [Bry.thon.ic] adj (1884): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the division of the Celtic languages that includes
          Welsh, Cornish, and Breton [2]Brythonic n (1884): the
          Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages

   bs...
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   BS
          [BS] abbreviation bachelor of science, balance sheet, bill
          of sale, British standard, bullshit--sometimes considered
          vulgar

   BSA
          [BSA] abbreviation bachelor of science in agriculture, Boy
          Scouts of America

   BSAA
          [BSAA] abbreviation bachelor of science in applied arts

   BSAE
          [BSAE] abbreviation bachelor of science in aeronautical
          engineering, bachelor of science in agricultural engineering,
          bachelor of science in architectural engineering

   BSAg
          [BSAg] abbreviation bachelor of science in agriculture

   BSArch
          [BSArch] abbreviation bachelor of science in architecture

   BSB
          [BSB] abbreviation bachelor of science in business

   BSc
          [BSc] abbreviation bachelor of science

   BSCE
          [BSCE] abbreviation bachelor of science in chemical engineering

   BSCh
          [BSCh] abbreviation bachelor of science in chemistry

   BSEc
          [BSEc] or BSEcon abbreviation bachelor of science in economics

   BSEd
          [BSEd] or BSE abbreviation bachelor of science in education

   BSEE
          [BSEE] abbreviation bachelor of science in electrical engineering,
          bachelor of science in elementary education

   BSFor
          [BSFor] abbreviation bachelor of science in forestry

   BSFS
          [BSFS] abbreviation bachelor of science in foreign service

   BSI
          [BSI] abbreviation British Standards Institution

   bskt
          [bskt] abbreviation basket

   BSL
          [BSL] abbreviation bachelor of sacred literature, bachelor
          of science in languages, bachelor of science in law,
          bachelor of science in linguistics

   BSME
          [BSME] abbreviation bachelor of science in mechanical engineering

   bsmt
          [bsmt] abbreviation basement

   BSN
          [BSN] abbreviation bachelor of science in nursing

   BSW
          [BSW] abbreviation bachelor of social work

   bt...
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   Bt
          [Bt] abbreviation baronet

   Bt
          [Bt] n [NL Bacillus thuringiensis, species name, lit., Thuringian
          bacillus] (1971): an insecticide composed of a bacterium
          (Bacillus thuringiensis) pathogenic esp. for lepidopteran
          larvae; also: the bacterium itself

   btry
          [btry] abbreviation battery

   Btu
          [Btu] abbreviation British thermal unit

   bu...
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   bu
          [bu] abbreviation bureau, bushel

   bub
          [bub] n [prob. short for bubby little boy] (1839): fellow,
          buddy--used in informal address <come on, ~, get moving>

   [1]bubble
          [bub.ble] n, often attrib [ME bobel] (14c) 1: a small globule
          typically hollow and light: as a: a small body of gas
          within a liquid b: a thin film of liquid inflated with
          air or gas c: a globule in a transparent solid d: something
          (as a plastic or inflatable structure) that is hemispherical
          or semicylindrical 2 a: something that lacks firmness,
          solidity, or reality b: a delusive scheme 3: a sound
          like that of bubbling 4: magnetic bubble [2]bubble vb
          bub.bled ; bub.bling vi (15c) 1 a: to form or produce
          bubbles b: to rise in or as if in bubbles--usu. used
          with up 2: to flow with a gurgling sound <a brook bubbling
          over rocks> 3 a: to become lively or effervescent <bubbling
          with good humor> b: to speak in a lively and fluent manner
          ~ vt 1: to utter (as words) effervescently 2: to cause
          to bubble

   bubble and squeak
          [bubble and squeak] n (ca. 1785): a British dish consisting
          of usu. leftover potatoes, greens (as cabbage), and sometimes
          meat fried together

   bubble chamber
          [bubble chamber] n (1953): a chamber of superheated liquid
          in which the path of an ionizing particle is made visible
          by a string of vapor bubbles

   bubble gum
          [bubble gum] n (1937) 1: a chewing gum that can be blown
          into large bubbles 2 usu bub.ble.gum : rock music characterized
          by simple repetitive phrasings and intended esp. for
          young teenagers

   bubblegum
          [bub.ble.gum] adj (1969): appealing to or characteristic
          of preteens or adolescents <~ music>

   bubblehead
          [bub.ble.head] n (1949): a foolish or stupid person
          -- bub.ble.head.ed adj

   bubble memory
          [bubble memory] n (1969): a computer memory that uses magnetic
          bubbles to store information

   bubbler
          [bub.bler] n (1914) 1: a drinking fountain from which a stream
          of water bubbles upward 2: one that bubbles

   [1]bubbly
          [bub.bly] adj bub.bli.er ; -est (1599) 1: full of bubbles:
          effervescent <a ~ bottle of pop> 2: full of or showing
          good spirits: lively, effusive 3: resembling a bubble
          <a ~ dome> [2]bubbly n (1920): champagne

   bubby
          [bub.by] n, pl bubbies [prob. of imit. origin] (1686): breast
          1--sometimes considered vulgar

   bubo
          [bu.bo] n, pl buboes [ML bubon-, bubo, fr. Gk boubon] (14c):
          an inflammatory swelling of a lymph gland esp. in the
          groin -- bu.bon.ic adj

   bubonic plague
          [bubonic plague] n (1885): plague caused by a bacterium (Yersinia
          pestis) and characterized esp. by the formation of buboes

   buccal
          [buc.cal] adj [L bucca cheek] (ca. 1771) 1: of, relating
          to, near, involving, or supplying a cheek <the ~ surface
          of a tooth> <the ~ branch of the facial nerve> 2: of,
          relating to, involving, or lying in the mouth <the ~
          cavity> -- buc.cal.ly adv

   buccaneer
          [buc.ca.neer] n [F boucanier] (ca. 1690) 1: any of the freebooters
          preying on Spanish ships and settlements esp. in the West Indies
          in the 17th century; broadly: pirate 2: an unscrupulous adventurer
          esp. in politics or business -- buccaneer vi -- buc.ca.neer.ish adj

   buccinator
          [buc.ci.na.tor] n [NL, fr. L bucinator trumpeter, fr. bucinare
          to sound on the trumpet, fr. bucina trumpet, fr. bov-,
          bos cow + canere to sing, play--more at cow, chant] (1671):
          a thin broad muscle forming the wall of the cheek

   [1]buck
          [buck] n, pl bucks [ME, fr. OE bucca stag, he-goat; akin
          to OHG boc he-goat, MIr bocc] (bef. 12c) 1 or pl buck
          : a male animal; esp: a male deer or antelope 2 a: a
          male human being: man b: a dashing fellow: dandy 3 or
          pl buck : antelope 4 a: buckskin; also: an article (as
          a shoe) made of buckskin b (1): dollar 3b (2): a sum
          of money esp. to be gained <make a quick ~>; also: money--usu.
          used in pl. 5 [short for sawbuck sawhorse] a: a supporting
          rack or frame b: a short thick leather-covered block
          for gymnastic vaulting [2]buck vt (1750) 1 a archaic:
          [1]butt b: oppose, resist <~ing the system> 2: to throw
          (as a rider) by bucking 3: to charge into (as the opponent's
          line in football) 4 a: to pass esp. from one person to
          another b: to move or load (as heavy objects) esp. with
          mechanical equipment ~ vi 1 of a horse or mule: to spring
          into the air with the back arched 2: to charge against
          something (as an obstruction) 3 a: to move or react jerkily
          b: to refuse assent: balk 4: to strive for advancement
          sometimes without regard to ethical behavior <~ing for
          a promotion> -- buck.er n [3]buck n (ca. 1877): an act
          or instance of bucking [4]buck n [short for earlier buckhorn
          knife] (1865) 1: an object formerly used in poker to
          mark the next player to deal; broadly: a token used as
          a mark or reminder 2: responsibility--used esp. in the
          phrases pass the buck and the buck stops here [5]buck
          adj [prob. fr. [1]buck] (1918): of the lowest grade within
          a military category <~ private> [6]buck adv [origin unknown]
          (1928): stark <~ naked>

   buck-and-wing
          [buck-and-wing] n (1895): a solo tap dance with sharp foot
          accents, springs, leg flings, and heel clicks

   buckaroo
          [buck.a.roo] also buck.er.oo n, pl -aroos also -eroos [by
          folk etymology fr. Sp vaquero, fr. vaca cow, fr. L vacca--more
          at vaccine] (1827) 1: cowboy 2: broncobuster

   buckbean
          [buck.bean] n (1578): a plant (Menyanthes trifoliata of the
          family Menyanthaceae) growing in bogs and having racemes
          of white or purplish flowers

   buckboard
          [buck.board] n [obs. E buck body of a wagon + E board] (1839):
          a four-wheeled vehicle with a floor made of long springy
          boards

   [1]bucket
          [buck.et] n [ME, fr. AF buket, fr. OE buc pitcher, belly;
          akin to OHG buh belly] (13c) 1: a typically cylindrical
          vessel for catching, holding, or carrying liquids or
          solids 2: something resembling a bucket: as a: the scoop
          of an excavating machine b: one of the receptacles on
          the rim of a waterwheel c: one of the cups of an endless-belt
          conveyor d: one of the vanes of a turbine rotor 3: bucketful
          4: bucket seat 5: basket 3b [2]bucket vt (1649) 1: to
          draw or lift in buckets 2 Brit a: to ride (a horse) hard
          b: to drive hurriedly or roughly 3: to deal with in a
          bucket shop ~ vi 1: hustle, hurry 2 a: to move about
          haphazardly or irresponsibly b: to move roughly or jerkily

   bucket brigade
          [bucket brigade] n (1911): a chain of persons acting to put
          out a fire by passing buckets of water from hand to hand

   bucketful
          [buck.et.ful] n, pl bucketfuls or buck.ets.ful (ca. 1563):
          as much as a bucket will hold; broadly: a large quantity

   bucket seat
          [bucket seat] n (1908): a low separate seat for one person
          (as in an automobile or an airplane)

   bucket shop
          [bucket shop] n (1875) 1: a saloon in which liquor was formerly
          sold from or dispensed in open containers (as buckets
          or pitchers) 2 a: a gambling establishment that formerly
          used market fluctuations (as in securities or commodities)
          as a basis for gaming b: a dishonest brokerage firm;
          esp: one that formerly failed to execute customers' margin
          orders in expectation of making a profit from market
          fluctuations adverse to the customers' interests

   buckeye
          [buck.eye] n (1763) 1: a shrub or tree (genus Aesculus) of
          the horse-chestnut family; also: its large nutlike seed
          2 cap: a native or resident of Ohio--used as a nickname

   buck fever
          [buck fever] n (1841): nervous excitement of an inexperienced
          hunter at the sight of game

   [1]buckle
          [buck.le] n [ME bocle, fr. MF , boss of a shield, buckle,
          fr. L buccula, dim. of bucca cheek] (14c) 1: a fastening
          for two loose ends that is attached to one and holds
          the other by a catch 2: an ornamental device that suggests
          a buckle 3 archaic: a crisp curl [2]buckle vb buck.led
          ; buck.ling vt (14c) 1: to fasten with a buckle 2: to
          prepare with vigor 3: to cause to bend, give way, or
          crumple ~ vi 1: to become fastened with a buckle 2: to
          apply oneself with vigor <~s down to the job> 3: to bend,
          heave, warp, or kink usu. under the influence of some
          external agency <wheat buckling in the wind> 4: collapse
          <the props buckled under the strain> 5: to give way:
          yield <he buckled under pressure> [3]buckle n (ca. 1876)
          1: a product of buckling 2: a coffee cake baked with
          berries and a crumbly topping <blueberry ~>

   [1]buckler
          [buck.ler] n [ME bocler, fr. MF, shield with a boss, fr.
          bocle] (13c) 1 a: a small round shield held by a handle
          at arm's length b: a shield worn on the left arm 2: one
          that shields and protects [2]buckler vt (1590): to shield
          or defend with a buckler

   buckle up
          [buckle up] vi (1976): to fasten one's seat belt

   buckminsterfullerene
          [buck.min.ster.ful.ler.ene] n [R. Buckminster Fuller] (1985):
          a spherical fullerene that is an extremely stable form
          of pure carbon, consists of interconnected pentagons
          and hexagons suggestive of the geometry of a geodesic
          dome, and is believed to be a major constituent of soot

   bucko
          [bucko] n, pl buck.oes (1883) 1: a person who is domineering
          and bullying: swaggerer 2 chiefly Irish: young fellow:
          lad

   buck passer
          [buck passer] n (1920): a person who habitually passes the
          buck -- buck-pass.ing n

   [1]buckram
          [buck.ram] n [ME bukeram, fr. OF boquerant, fr. OProv bocaran,
          prob. fr. Bokhara, city of central Asia] (15c) 1: a stiff-finished
          heavily sized fabric of cotton or linen used for interlinings
          in garments, for stiffening in millinery, and in bookbinding
          2 archaic: stiffness, rigidity [2]buckram adj (ca. 1589):
          suggesting buckram esp. in stiffness [3]buckram vt (1783)
          1: to give strength or stiffness to (as with buckram) 2 archaic:
          to make pretentious

   Buck Rogers
          [Buck Rogers] adj [Buck Rogers, hero of a science-fiction
          comic strip created by Phil Nowlan] (1941): marked by
          futuristic and high-tech qualities: suggestive of science
          fiction

   Bucks
          [Bucks] abbreviation Buckinghamshire

   bucksaw
          [buck.saw] n (1856): a saw set in a usu. H-shaped frame for
          sawing wood

   buckshee
          [buck.shee] n [Hindi bakhsis, fr. Pers bakhshish--more at
          baksheesh] (ca. 1760) 1 Brit: something extra obtained
          free; esp: extra rations 2 Brit: windfall, gratuity

   [1]buckshot
          [buck.shot] n (1775): lead shot that is from .24 to .33 inch
          (about 6.1 to 8.4 millimeters) in diameter [2]buckshot
          adj (1941): scattershot

   buckskin
          [buck.skin] n, often attrib (14c) 1 a: the skin of a buck
          b: a soft pliable usu. suede-finished leather 2 a pl:
          buckskin breeches b archaic: a person dressed in buckskin;
          esp: an early American backwoodsman 3: a horse of a light
          yellowish dun color with black mane and tail

   buckskinned
          [buck.skinned] adj (1829): dressed in buckskin

   bucktail
          [buck.tail] n (1911): an angler's lure made typically of
          hairs from the tail of a deer

   buckthorn
          [buck.thorn] n (1578) 1: any of a genus (Rhamnus of the family
          Rhamnaceae, the buckthorn family) of often thorny trees
          or shrubs some of which yield purgatives or pigments
          2: a tree (Bumelia lycioides) of the sapodilla family
          of the southern U.S.

   bucktooth
          [buck.tooth] n (1753): a large projecting front tooth --
          buck.toothed adj

   buck up
          [buck up] vb [[2]buck] vi (1844): to become encouraged ~
          vt 1: improve, smarten 2: to raise the morale of

   buckwheat
          [buck.wheat] n [D boekweit, fr. MD boecweit, fr. boec- (akin
          to OHG buohha beech tree) + weit wheat--more at beech]
          (1548) 1: any of a genus (Fagopyrum of the family Polygonaceae,
          the buckwheat family) of herbs with alternate leaves,
          clusters of apetalous pinkish white flowers, and triangular
          seeds; esp: either of two plants (F. esculentum and F.
          tartaricum) cultivated for their edible seeds 2: the
          seed of a buckwheat used as a cereal grain

   buckyball
          [bucky.ball] n [R. Buckminster Fuller + [4]-y] (1985): a
          molecule of buckminsterfullerene

   bucolic
          [bu.col.ic] adj [L bucolicus, fr. Gk boukolikos, fr. boukolos
          cowherd, fr. bous head of cattle + -kolos (akin to L
          colere to cultivate)--more at cow, wheel] (ca. 1609)
          1: of or relating to shepherds or herdsmen: pastoral
          2: relating to or typical of rural life -- bu.col.i.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]bud
          [bud] n [ME budde] (14c) 1: a small lateral or terminal
          protuberance on the stem of a plant that may develop into a flower,
          leaf, or shoot 2: something not yet mature or at full development:
          as a: an incompletely opened flower b: child, youth c: an outgrowth
          of an organism that differentiates into a new individual: gemma;
          also: primordium -- in the bud : in an early stage of development
          <nipped the rebellion in the bud> [2]bud vb bud.ded ; bud.ding
          vi (14c) 1 of a plant a: to set or put forth buds b: to commence
          growth from buds 2: to grow or develop as if from a bud
          3: to reproduce asexually esp. by the pinching off of a small part
          of the parent ~ vt 1: to produce or develop from buds 2: to cause
          (as a plant) to bud 3: to insert a bud from a plant of one kind
          into an opening in the bark of (a plant of another kind) usu.
          in order to propagate a desired variety -- bud.der n

   Buddha
          [Bud.dha] n [Skt, enlightened; akin to Skt bodhi
          enlightenment--more at bid] (1681) 1: a person who has attained
          Buddhahood 2: a representation of Gautama Buddha

   Buddhahood
          [Bud.dha.hood] n (1837): a state of perfect enlightenment
          sought in Buddhism

   Buddhism
          [Bud.dhism] n (1801): a religion of eastern and central Asia
          growing out of the teaching of Gautama Buddha that suffering
          is inherent in life and that one can be liberated from
          it by mental and moral self-purification -- Bud.dhist
          n or adj -- Bud.dhis.tic adj

   budding
          [bud.ding] adj (1581): being in an early stage of development
          <~ novelists>

   buddle
          [bud.dle] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1532): an apparatus on
          which crushed ore is concentrated by washing

   buddleia
          [bud.dle.ia] n [NL, genus name, fr. Adam Buddle d. 1715 Eng.
          botanist] (1791): any of a genus (Buddleia of the family
          Loganiaceae) of shrubs or trees of warm regions with
          showy terminal clusters of usu. yellow or violet flowers

   [1]buddy
          [bud.dy] n, pl buddies [prob. baby talk alter. of brother]
          (1850) 1 a: companion, partner b: friend 1 2: fellow--used
          esp. in informal address [2]buddy vi bud.died ; bud.dy.ing
          (1918): to become friendly--usu. used with up or with
          [3]buddy adj (1976): featuring a friendship or partnership
          between the two main usu. male characters <a ~ movie>

   buddy-buddy
          [bud.dy-bud.dy] adj (1951): familiarly friendly

   buddy system
          [buddy system] n (1942): an arrangement in which two individuals
          are paired (as for mutual safety in a hazardous situation)

   [1]budge
          [budge] n [ME bugee, fr. AF bogee] (14c): a fur formerly
          prepared from lambskin dressed with the wool outward
          [2]budge vb budged ; budg.ing [MF bouger, fr. (assumed)
          VL bullicare, fr. L bullire to boil--more at boil] vi
          (1590) 1: move, shift <the mule wouldn't ~> 2: to give
          way: yield <wouldn't ~ on the issue> ~ vt: to cause to
          move or change [3]budge adj [origin unknown] (1634) archaic:
          pompous, solemn

   budgerigar
          [bud.ger.i.gar] n [modif. of Yuwaalaraay (Australian aboriginal
          language of northern New South Wales) gijirrigaa] (1840):
          a small Australian parrot (Melopsittacus undulatus) usu.
          light green with black and yellow markings in the wild
          but bred under domestication in many colors

   [1]budget
          [bud.get] n [ME bowgette, fr. MF bougette, dim. of bouge
          leather bag, fr. L bulga, of Celt origin; akin to MIr
          bolg bag; akin to OE belg bag--more at belly] (15c) 1
          chiefly dial: a usu. leather pouch, wallet, or pack;
          also: its contents 2: stock, supply 3: a quantity (as
          of energy or water) involved in, available for, or assignable
          to a particular situation; also: an account of gains
          and losses of such a quantity 4 a: a statement of the
          financial position of an administration for a definite
          period of time based on estimates of expenditures during
          the period and proposals for financing them b: a plan
          for the coordination of resources and expenditures c:
          the amount of money that is available for, required for,
          or assigned to a particular purpose -- bud.get.ary adj
          [2]budget vt (1618) 1 a: to put or allow for in a budget
          b: to require to adhere to a budget 2 a: to allocate
          funds for in a budget <~ a new hospital> b: to plan or
          provide for the use of in detail <~ing manpower> ~ vi:
          to put oneself on a budget <~ing for a vacation> [3]budget
          adj (1941): suitable for one on a budget: inexpensive

   budgeteer
          [bud.ge.teer] also bud.get.er n (ca. 1845) 1: one who prepares
          a budget 2: one who is restricted to a budget

   budgie
          [bud.gie] n [by shortening and alter.] (1935): budgerigar

   bud scale
          [bud scale] n (ca. 1880): one of the leaves resembling scales
          that form the sheath of a plant bud

   budworm
          [bud.worm] n (1849): a moth larva that feeds on the buds
          of plants--compare spruce budworm

   [1]buff
          [buff] n [MF buffle wild ox, fr. OIt bufalo] (1580) 1: a
          garment (as a uniform) made of buff leather 2: the state
          of being nude <sunbathing in the ~> 3 a: a moderate orange
          yellow b: a light to moderate yellow 4: a device having
          a soft absorbent surface (as of cloth) by which polishing
          material is applied 5 [earlier buff an enthusiast about
          going to fires; perh. fr. the buff overcoats worn by
          volunteer firefighters in New York City ab1820]: fan,
          enthusiast [2]buff adj (ca. 1771): of the color buff
          [3]buff vt (1885) 1: polish, shine <waxed and ~ed the
          floor> 2: to give a velvety surface to (leather)

   buff
          [buff] abbreviation buffalo

   [1]buffalo
          [buf.fa.lo] n, pl -lo or -loes also -los often attrib [It
          bufalo & Sp bufalo, fr. LL bufalus, alter. of L bubalus,
          fr. Gk boubalos African gazelle] (1562) 1: any of several
          wild bovids: as a: water buffalo b: cape buffalo c (1):
          any of a genus (Bison) of bovids; esp: a large shaggy-maned
          No. American bovid (B. bison) that has short horns and
          heavy forequarters with a large muscular hump and that
          was formerly abundant on the central and western plains--compare
          wisent (2): the flesh of the buffalo used as food 2:
          any of several suckers (genus Ictiobus) found mostly
          in the Mississippi valley--called also buffalofish [2]buffalo
          vt -loed ; -lo.ing (ca. 1896): bewilder, baffle

   buffaloberry
          [buf.fa.lo.ber.ry] n (1805): either of two western U.S. shrubs
          (Shepherdia argentea and S. canadensis) of the oleaster
          family with silvery foliage; also: their edible scarlet
          berry

   buffalo gourd
          [buffalo gourd] n (ca. 1928): a perennial cucurbit (Cucurbita
          foetidissima) of arid lands of the central and southwest
          U.S. and Mexico with a large starchy taproot and seeds
          rich in an oil suitable after processing for use in cooking
          or as fuel

   buffalo grass
          [buffalo grass] n (1784): a low-growing grass (Buchloe dactyloides)
          of former feeding grounds of the American buffalo; also: grama

   buffalo plaid
          [buffalo plaid] n (1979): a broad checkered plaid pattern
          usu. of two colors

   [1]buffer
          [buff.er] n, often attrib [buff, v., to react like a soft
          body when struck] (1835) 1: any of various devices or
          pieces of material for reducing shock or damage due to
          contact 2: a means or device used as a cushion against
          the shock of fluctuations in business or financial activity
          3: something that serves as a protective barrier: as
          a: buffer state b: a person who shields another esp.
          from annoying routine matters c: mediator 1 4: a substance
          capable in solution of neutralizing both acids and bases
          and thereby maintaining the original acidity or basicity
          of the solution; also: a solution containing such a substance
          5: a temporary storage unit (as in a computer); esp:
          one that accepts information at one rate and delivers
          it at another -- buff.ered adj [2]buffer vt buf.fered
          ; buf.fer.ing (1894) 1: to lessen the shock of: cushion
          2: to treat (as a solution or its acidity) with a buffer;
          also: to prepare (aspirin) with an antacid 3: to collect
          (as data) in a buffer [3]buffer n (1854): one that buffs

   buffer state
          [buffer state] n (1883): a usu. neutral state lying between
          two larger potentially rival powers

   buffer zone
          [buffer zone] n (1908): a neutral area separating conflicting
          forces; broadly: an area designed to separate

   [1]buffet
          [buf.fet] n [ME, fr. OF, dim. of buffe blow] (13c) 1: a blow
          esp. with the hand 2: something that strikes with telling
          force [2]buffet vt (13c) 1: to strike sharply esp. with
          the hand: cuff 2: to strike repeatedly: batter <the waves
          ~ed the shore> 3: to drive, force, move, or attack by
          or as if by repeated blows ~ vi: to make one's way esp.
          under difficult conditions [3]buf.fet n [F] (1718) 1:
          sideboard 2 a: a counter for refreshments b chiefly Brit:
          a restaurant operated as a public convenience (as in
          a railway station) c: a meal set out on a buffet or table
          for ready access and informal service [4]buf.fet adj
          (1898): served informally (as from a buffet)

   buffing wheel
          [buffing wheel] n (ca. 1889): a wheel covered with polishing
          material

   buff leather
          [buff leather] n (1580): a strong supple oil-tanned leather
          produced chiefly from cattle hides

   bufflehead
          [buf.fle.head] n [archaic E buffle buffalo + E head] (1731):
          a small No. American diving duck (Bucephala albeola)

   buffo
          [buf.fo] n, pl buf.fi or buffos [It, fr. buffone] (1764):
          clown, buffoon; specif: a male singer of comic roles
          in opera

   buffoon
          [buf.foon] n [MF bouffon, fr. OIt buffone] (1585) 1: a ludicrous
          figure: clown 2: a gross and usu. ill-educated or stupid
          person -- buf.foon.ish adj

   buffoonery
          [buf.foon.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1621): foolish or playful behavior
          or practice

   [1]bug
          [bug] n [ME bugge scarecrow; akin to Norw dial. bugge important
          man] (14c) obs: bogey, bugbear [2]bug n [origin unknown]
          (1622) 1 a: an insect or other creeping or crawling invertebrate
          b: any of several insects commonly considered obnoxious:
          as (1): bedbug (2): cockroach (3): head louse c: any
          of an order (Hemiptera and esp. its suborder Heteroptera)
          of insects that have sucking mouthparts, forewings thickened
          at the base, and incomplete metamorphosis and are often
          economic pests--called also true bug 2: an unexpected
          defect, fault, flaw, or imperfection 3 a: a germ or microorganism
          esp. when causing disease b: an unspecified or nonspecific
          sickness usu. presumed due to a bug 4: a sudden enthusiasm
          5: enthusiast <a camera ~> 6: a prominent person 7: a
          concealed listening device 8 [fr. its designation by
          an asterisk on race programs]: a weight allowance given
          apprentice jockeys [3]bug vt bugged ; bug.ging (1949)
          1: bother, annoy <don't ~ me with petty details> 2: to
          plant a concealed microphone in [4]bug vb bugged ; bug.ging
          [prob. fr. [2]bug] vi (1877) of the eyes: protrude, bulge--often
          used with out ~ vt: to cause to bug <his eyes were bugged
          with horror>

   bugaboo
          [bug.a.boo] n, pl -boos [origin unknown] (1740) 1: an imaginary
          object of fear 2: bugbear 2; also: something that causes
          fear or distress out of proportion to its importance

   bugbane
          [bug.bane] n (1804): any of several perennial herbs (genus
          Cimicifuga) of the buttercup family; esp: black cohosh

   bugbear
          [bug.bear] n (1581) 1: an imaginary goblin or specter used
          to excite fear 2 a: an object or source of dread b: a
          continuing source of irritation: problem

   bugeye
          [bug.eye] n (1881): a small boat with a flat bottom, a centerboard,
          and two raked masts

   bug-eyed
          [bug-eyed] adj (1922): having the eyes bulging (as with
          astonishment)

   [1]bugger
          [bug.ger] n [ME bougre heretic, fr. MF, fr. ML Bulgarus,
          lit., Bulgarian; fr. the association of Bulgaria with
          the Bogomils, who were accused of sodomy] (1555) 1: sodomite
          2 a: a worthless person: rascal b: fellow, chap 3: a
          small or annoying thing <put down my keys and now I can't
          find the ~s> [2]bug.ger vt (1598) 1: to commit sodomy
          with--usu. considered vulgar 2: damn [3]bugger n (1955):
          a person who plants electronic bugs

   bugger all
          [bugger all] n (ca. 1937) slang Brit: nothing

   bugger off
          [bugger off] vi (1922) slang Brit: leave, depart

   buggery
          [bug.gery] n (1514): sodomy

   [1]buggy
          [bug.gy] adj bug.gi.er ; -est (1714): infested with bugs
          [2]buggy n, pl buggies [origin unknown] (1773) 1: a light
          one-horse carriage made with two wheels in England and
          with four wheels in the U.S. 2: a small cart or truck
          for short transportations of heavy materials 3: baby
          carriage

   [1]bughouse
          [bug.house] adj (1895): mentally deranged: crazy [2]bughouse
          n (1902): an insane asylum

   [1]bugle
          [bu.gle] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL bugula] (13c): any of a genus
          (Ajuga) of plants of the mint family; esp: a European
          annual (A. reptans) that has spikes of blue flowers and
          is naturalized in the U.S. [2]bugle n [ME, buffalo, instrument
          made of buffalo horn, bugle, fr. MF, fr. L buculus, dim.
          of bos head of cattle--more at cow] (14c): a valveless
          brass instrument that resembles a trumpet and is used
          esp. for military calls [3]bugle vi bu.gled ; bu.gling
          (1884) 1: to sound a bugle 2: to utter the characteristic
          rutting call of the bull elk [4]bugle n [perh. fr. [2]bugle]
          (1579): a small cylindrical bead of glass or plastic
          used for trimming esp. on women's clothing

   bugler
          [bu.gler] n (1840): a person who sounds a bugle

   bugleweed
          [bu.gle.weed] n (ca. 1818) 1: any of a genus (Lycopus) of
          mints; esp: one (L. virginicus) that is mildly narcotic
          and astringent 2: [1]bugle

   bugloss
          [bu.gloss] n [MF buglosse, fr. L buglossa, irreg. fr. Gk
          bouglossos, fr. bous head of cattle + glossa tongue--more
          at cow, gloss] (14c): any of several coarse hairy plants
          (genera Anchusa, Lycopsis, and Echium) of the borage
          family--compare viper's bugloss

   bug off
          [bug off] vi [prob. short for bugger off] (1971): leave,
          depart--usu. used as a command

   buhl
          [buhl] var of boulle

   buhrstone
          [buhr.stone] n [prob. fr. burr + stone] (1690) 1: a siliceous
          rock used for millstones 2: a millstone cut from buhrstone

   [1]build
          [build] vb built ; build.ing [ME bilden, fr. OE byldan; akin
          to OE buan to dwell--more at bower] vt (bef. 12c) 1:
          to form by ordering and uniting materials by gradual
          means into a composite whole: construct 2: to cause to
          be constructed 3: to develop according to a systematic
          plan, by a definite process, or on a particular base
          4: increase, enlarge ~ vi 1: to engage in building 2
          a: to progress toward a peak (as of intensity) <~ to
          a climax> b: to develop in extent <a crowd ~ing> -- build
          a fire under : to stimulate to vigorous action -- build
          into : to make an integral part of <build quality into
          the product> -- build on : to use as a foundation <building
          on past experience> [2]build n (1667): form or mode of
          structure: make; esp: bodily conformation of a person
          or lower animal

   buildable
          [build.able] adj (1927): suitable for building <~ land>

   builded
          [build.ed] archaic past of build

   builder
          [build.er] n (13c) 1: one that builds; esp: one that contracts
          to build and supervises building operations 2: a substance
          added to or used with detergents to increase their cleansing
          action

   build in
          [build in] vt (1933): to make an integral part of something

   building
          [build.ing] n (14c) 1: a usu. roofed and walled structure
          built for permanent use (as for a dwelling) 2: the art
          or business of assembling materials into a structure

   building block
          [building block] n (1846): a unit of construction or composition

   build up
          [build up] vt (1611) 1: to develop gradually by increments
          <building up endurance> <built up a library> 2: to promote
          the health, strength, esteem, or reputation of ~ vi:
          to accumulate or develop appreciably -- build.er-up.per
          n

   buildup
          [build.up] n (1926) 1: something produced by building up
          <fluid ~ in the lungs> 2: the act or process of building
          up

   built
          [built] adj (1621): formed as to physique or bodily contours
          <slimly ~>; esp: well or attractively formed

   [1]built-in
          [built-in] adj (1898) 1: forming an integral part of a structure;
          esp: constructed as or in a recess in a wall 2: inherent
          [2]built-in n (1930): a built-in piece of furniture

   built-up
          [built-up] adj (1829) 1: made of several sections or layers
          fastened together 2: covered with buildings

   buirdly
          [buird.ly] adj [prob. alter. of burly] (1773) Scot: sturdy

   bulb
          [bulb] n [L bulbus, fr. Gk bolbos bulbous plant] (ca. 1601)
          1 a: a resting stage of a plant (as the lily, onion,
          hyacinth, or tulip) that is usu. formed underground and
          consists of a short stem base bearing one or more buds
          enclosed in overlapping membranous or fleshy leaves b:
          a fleshy structure (as a tuber or corm) resembling a
          bulb in appearance c: a plant having or developing from
          a bulb 2: a bulb-shaped part; specif: a glass envelope
          enclosing the light source of an electric lamp or such
          an envelope together with the light source it encloses
          3: a rounded or swollen anatomical structure 4: a camera
          setting that indicates that the shutter can be opened
          by pressing on the release and closed by ending the pressure
          -- bulbed adj

   bulbar
          [bul.bar] adj (1878): of or relating to a bulb; specif: involving
          the medulla oblongata

   bulbil
          [bul.bil] n [F bulbille, dim. of bulbe bulb, fr. L bulbus]
          (1831): bulblet

   bulblet
          [bulb.let] n (1842): a small or secondary bulb; esp: an aerial
          deciduous bud produced in a leaf axil or replacing the
          flowers and capable when separated of producing a new
          plant

   bulbourethral gland
          [bul.bo.ure.thral gland] n [L bulbus bulb + E urethral] (ca.
          1903): cowper's gland

   bulbous
          [bul.bous] adj (1578) 1: having a bulb: growing from or bearing
          bulbs 2: resembling a bulb esp. in roundness <a ~ nose>
          -- bul.bous.ly adv

   bulbul
          [bul.bul] n [Per, fr. Ar] (1665) 1: a Persian songbird frequently
          mentioned in poetry that is prob. a nightingale (Erithacus
          megarhynchos) 2: any of a group of gregarious passerine
          birds (family Pycnonotidae) of Asia and Africa

   Bulg
          [Bulg] abbreviation Bulgaria, Bulgarian

   Bulgar
          [Bul.gar] n [ML Bulgarus] (1591): bulgarian

   Bulgarian
          [Bul.gar.i.an] n (1555) 1: a native or inhabitant of Bulgaria
          2: the Slavic language of the Bulgarians -- Bulgarian
          adj

   [1]bulge
          [bulge] vb bulged ; bulg.ing vt (15c): to cause to bulge
          ~ vi 1 archaic: bilge 2 a: to jut out: swell b: to bend
          outward c: to become swollen or protuberant 3: to be
          filled to overflowing [2]bulge n [MF boulge, bouge leather
          bag, curved part--more at budget] (1622) 1: bilge 1,
          2 2: a protuberant or swollen part or place 3: advantage,
          upper hand 4: sudden expansion syn see projection --
          bulgy adj

   bulgur
          [bul.gur] n [Turk] (1926): parched cracked wheat

   bulimia
          [bu.lim.ia] n [NL, fr. Gk boulimia great hunger, fr. bou-,
          aug. prefix (fr. bous head of cattle) + limos hunger--more
          at cow] (14c) 1: an abnormal and constant craving for
          food 2: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly
          in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating
          usu. followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or
          diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and
          depression -- bu.lim.ic adj or n

   [1]bulk
          [bulk] n [ME, heap, bulk, fr. ON bulki cargo] (15c) 1 a:
          spatial dimension: magnitude b: material that forms a
          mass in the intestine; esp: fiber 1d 2 a: body; esp:
          a large or corpulent human body b: an organized structure
          esp. when viewed primarily as a mass of material c: a
          ponderous shapeless mass 3: the main or greater part
          -- in bulk 1: not divided into parts or packaged in separate
          units 2: in large quantities syn bulk, mass, volume mean
          the aggregate that forms a body or unit. bulk implies
          an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous
          <the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers>. mass suggests
          an aggregate made by piling together things of the same
          kind <a mass of boulders>. volume applies to an aggregate
          without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating
          <a tremendous volume of water>. [2]bulk vt (1540) 1:
          to cause to swell or bulge: stuff 2: to gather into a
          mass or aggregate ~ vi 1: swell, expand 2: to appear
          as a factor: loom <a consideration that ~s large in everyone's
          thinking> [3]bulk adj (1693) 1: being in bulk <~ cement>
          2: of or relating to materials in bulk

   bulkhead
          [bulk.head] n [bulk structure projecting from a building
          + head] (15c) 1: an upright partition separating compartments
          2: a structure or partition to resist pressure or to
          shut off water, fire, or gas 3: a retaining wall along
          a waterfront 4: a projecting framework with a sloping
          door giving access to a cellar stairway or a shaft

   bulk up
          [bulk up] vi (1981): to gain weight esp. by becoming more
          muscular ~ vt: to cause to bulk up

   bulky
          [bulky] adj bulk.i.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: having bulk b (1):
          large of its kind (2): corpulent 2: having great volume
          in proportion to weight <a ~ knit sweater> -- bulk.i.ly
          adv -- bulk.i.ness n

   bull
          [bull] abbreviation bulletin

   [1]bull
          [bull] n [ME bule, fr. OE bula; akin to ON boli bull] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a male bovine; esp: an adult uncastrated male
          ox b: a usu. adult male of various large animals (as
          elephants, whales, or seals) 2: one who buys securities
          or commodities in expectation of a price rise or who
          acts to effect such a rise--compare bear 3: one that
          resembles a bull (as in brawny physique) 4: bulldog 5
          slang: police officer, detective 6 cap: taurus [2]bull
          adj (13c) 1 a: of or relating to a bull b: male c: suggestive
          of a bull 2: large of its kind [3]bull vi (1884): to
          advance forcefully ~ vt 1: to act on with violence 2:
          force <~ed his way through the crowd> [4]bull n [ME bulle,
          fr. ML bulla, fr. L, bubble, amulet] (14c) 1: a solemn
          papal letter sealed with a bulla or with a red-ink imprint
          of the device on the bulla 2: edict, decree [5]bull vt
          (1609) slang: to fool esp. by fast boastful talk ~ vi,
          slang: to engage in idle and boastful talk [6]bull n
          [perh. fr. obs. bull to mock] (1640) 1: a grotesque blunder
          in language 2 slang: empty boastful talk 3 slang: nonsense
          2

   bulla
          [bul.la] n, pl bul.lae (14c) 1 [ML]: the round usu. lead
          seal attached to a papal bull 2 [NL, fr. L]: a hollow
          thin-walled rounded bony prominence 3: a large vesicle
          or blister

   bullace
          [bul.lace] n [ME bolace, fr. MF beloce, fr. ML bolluca] (14c):
          a European plum (Prunus domestica insititia) with small
          ovoid fruit in clusters

   bullbaiting
          [bull.bait.ing] n (ca. 1580): the former practice of baiting
          bulls with dogs

   bullbat
          [bull.bat] n (1838): nighthawk 1a

   [1]bulldog
          [bull.dog] n (ca. 1500) 1: any of a breed of compact muscular
          short-haired dogs having widely separated forelegs and
          an undershot lower jaw that were developed in England
          to fight bulls 2: a handgun with a thick usu. short barrel
          3: a proctor's attendant at an English university [2]bulldog
          adj (1855): suggestive of a bulldog <~ tenacity> [3]bulldog
          vt (1907): to throw (a steer) by seizing the horns and
          twisting the neck -- bull.dog.ger n -- bull.dog.ging
          n

   bulldoze
          [bull.doze] vb [perh. fr. [1]bull + alter. of dose] vt (1876)
          1: to coerce or restrain by threats: bully 2: to move,
          clear, gouge out, or level off by pushing with or as
          if with a bulldozer 3: to force insensitively or ruthlessly
          <bulldozed the program through the legislature> ~ vi
          1: to operate a bulldozer 2: to force one's way like
          a bulldozer syn see intimidate

   bulldozer
          [bull.doz.er] n (1876) 1: one that bulldozes 2: a tractor-driven
          machine usu. having a broad blunt horizontal blade for
          moving earth (as in road building)

   bull dyke
          [bull dyke] n (ca. 1942): an aggressively masculine lesbian--often
          used disparagingly

   bullet
          [bul.let] n, often attrib [MF boulette small ball & boulet
          missile, dims. of boule ball--more at bowl] (1579) 1:
          a round or elongated missile (as of lead) to be fired
          from a firearm; broadly: cartridge 1a 2 a: something
          resembling a bullet (as in curved form) b: a large dot
          placed in printed matter to call attention to a particular
          passage 3: a very fast and accurately thrown ball --
          bul.let.ed adj -- bul.let.proof adj

   [1]bulletin
          [bul.le.tin] n [F, fr. MF, fr. bullette seal, notice, dim.
          of bulle seal, fr. ML bulla] (1765) 1: a brief public
          notice issuing usu. from an authoritative source; specif:
          a brief news item intended for immediate publication
          or broadcast 2: periodical; esp: the organ of an institution
          or association [2]bulletin vt (1838): to make public
          by bulletin

   bulletin board
          [bulletin board] n (1831) 1: a board for posting notices
          (as at a school) 2: a program on a computer system that
          allows users to read and write public notices and is
          accessed usu. by modem

   bullet train
          [bullet train] n (1966): a high-speed passenger train esp.
          of Japan

   bull fiddle
          [bull fiddle] n (1880): double bass -- bull fiddler n

   bullfight
          [bull.fight] n (1788): a spectacle in which men ceremonially
          fight with and in Hispanic tradition kill bulls in an
          arena for public entertainment -- bull.fight.er n

   bullfighting
          [bull.fight.ing] n (ca. 1753): the action involved in a bullfight

   bullfinch
          [bull.finch] n (ca. 1570): a European finch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)
          having in the male rosy red underparts, blue-gray back,
          and black cap, chin, tail, and wings; also: any of several
          other finches

   bullfrog
          [bull.frog] n (1698): a heavy-bodied deep-voiced frog (Rana
          catesbeiana) of the eastern U.S. and southern Canada
          that has been introduced elsewhere

   bullhead
          [bull.head] n (15c): any of various large-headed fishes (as
          a sculpin); esp: any of several common freshwater catfishes
          (genus Ameiurus sometimes included in the genus Ictalurus)
          of the U.S.

   bullheaded
          [bull.head.ed] adj (1818): stupidly stubborn: headstrong
          -- bull.head.ed.ly adv -- bull.head.ed.ness n

   bullhorn
          [bull.horn] n (1942) 1: a loudspeaker on a naval ship 2:
          a handheld combined microphone and loudspeaker

   bullion
          [bul.lion] n [ME, fr. AF, mint] (14c) 1 a: gold or silver
          considered as so much metal; specif: uncoined gold or
          silver in bars or ingots b: metal in the mass <lead ~>
          2: lace, braid, or fringe of gold or silver threads

   bullish
          [bull.ish] adj (1566) 1: suggestive of a bull (as in brawniness)
          2 a: marked by, tending to cause, or hopeful of rising
          prices (as in a stock market) b: optimistic about something's
          or someone's prospects -- bull.ish.ly adv -- bull.ish.ness
          n

   bullmastiff
          [bull.mas.tiff] n (1871): any of a breed of large powerful
          dogs developed by crossing bulldogs with mastiffs

   Bull Moose
          [Bull Moose] n [bull moose, emblem of the Progressive party
          of 1912] (1912): a follower of Theodore Roosevelt in
          the U.S. presidential campaign of 1912

   Bull Mooser
          [Bull Moos.er] n (1912): bull moose

   bull neck
          [bull neck] n (1830): a thick short powerful neck -- bull.necked
          adj

   bullock
          [bull.ock] n (bef. 12c) 1: a young bull 2: a castrated bull:
          steer -- bull.ocky adj

   bullous
          [bul.lous] adj (1833): resembling or characterized by bullae:
          vesicular <~ lesions>

   bull pen
          [bull pen] n (1809) 1: a large cell where prisoners are detained
          until brought into court 2 a: a place on a baseball field
          where pitchers warm up before they start pitching b:
          the relief pitchers of a baseball team 3: an open work
          area not divided into offices

   bullring
          [bull.ring] n (1802): an arena for bullfights

   bull session
          [bull session] n [[6]bull] (1920): an informal discursive
          group discussion

   bull's-eye
          [bull's-eye] n, pl bull's-eyes (1825) 1: a very hard globular
          candy 2: a circular piece of glass with a lump in the
          middle formed at the end of a glassblower's pipe 3 a:
          the center of a target; also: something central or crucial
          b: a shot that hits the bull's-eye; broadly: something
          that precisely attains a desired end 4: a simple lens
          of short focal distance; also: a lantern with such a
          lens

   bull's-eye window
          [bull's-eye window] n (1926): a circular window; also: a
          window made up of glassblower's bull's-eyes

   [1]bullshit
          [bull.shit] n [[1]bull & [6]bull] (ca. 1915): nonsense; esp:
          foolish insolent talk--usu. considered vulgar [2]bullshit
          vi (ca. 1942) 1: to talk foolishly, boastfully, or idly--usu.
          considered vulgar 2: to engage in a discursive discussion--usu.
          considered vulgar ~ vt: to talk nonsense to esp. with
          the intention of deceiving or misleading--usu. considered
          vulgar

   bullshot
          [bull.shot] n (1964): a drink made of vodka and bouillon

   bull snake
          [bull snake] n (1784): any of several large harmless No.
          American snakes (genus Pituophis) that feed chiefly on
          rodents--called also gopher snake, pine snake

   bullterrier
          [bull.ter.ri.er] n [bulldog + terrier] (1848): any of a breed
          of short-haired terriers originated in England by crossing
          the bulldog with terriers

   bull thistle
          [bull thistle] n (1863): a European thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
          with rather large heads and prickly leaves that is naturalized
          as a weed in the U.S.

   bull tongue
          [bull tongue] n (1831): a wide blade attached to a cultivator
          or plow to stir the soil, kill weeds, or mark furrows

   bullwhip
          [bull.whip] n (1852): a rawhide whip with a very long plaited
          lash

   [1]bully
          [bul.ly] n, pl bullies [prob. modif. of D boel lover, fr.
          MHG buole] (1538) 1 archaic a: sweetheart b: a fine chap
          2 a: a blustering browbeating person; esp: one habitually
          cruel to others who are weaker b: pimp 3: a hired ruffian
          [2]bully adj (1681) 1: excellent, first-rate--often used
          in interjectional expressions <~ for you> 2: resembling
          or characteristic of a bully [3]bully vb bul.lied ; bul.ly.ing
          vt (1710) 1: to treat abusively 2: to affect by means
          of force or coercion ~ vi: to use browbeating language
          or behavior: bluster syn see intimidate [4]bully n [prob.
          modif. of F (boeuf) boulli boiled beef] (1753): pickled
          or canned usu. corned beef

   bullyboy
          [bul.ly.boy] n (1925): a swaggering tough

   bully pulpit
          [bully pulpit] n (1976): a prominent public position (as
          a political office) that provides an opportunity for
          expounding one's views; also: such an opportunity

   bullyrag
          [bul.ly.rag] vt [origin unknown] (ca. 1790) 1: to intimidate
          by bullying 2: to vex by teasing: badger

   bulrush
          [bul.rush] also bull.rush n [ME bulrysche] (15c): any of
          several large rushes or sedges growing in wetlands: as
          a: any of a genus of annual or perennial sedges (Scirpus,
          esp. S. lacustris) that bear solitary or much-clustered
          spikelets containing perfect flowers with a perianth
          of six bristles b Brit: either of two cattails (Typha
          latifolia and T. angustifolia) c: papyrus

   [1]bulwark
          [bul.wark] n [ME bulwerke, fr. MD bolwerc, fr. MHG, fr. bole
          plank + werc work] (15c) 1 a: a solid wall-like structure
          raised for defense: rampart b: breakwater, seawall 2:
          a strong support or protection 3: the side of a ship
          above the upper deck--usu. used in pl. [2]bulwark vt
          (15c): to fortify or safeguard with a bulwark

   [1]bum
          [bum] n [ME bom] (14c) chiefly Brit: buttocks--sometimes
          considered vulgar [2]bum adj [perh. fr. [4]bum] (1859)
          1 a: of poor quality or nature: invalid, inferior <~
          advice> <a ~ check> b: acutely disagreeable <a ~ trip>
          2: not functioning because of damage or injury: disabled
          <a ~ knee> [3]bum vb bummed ; bum.ming [prob. back-formation
          fr. [1]bummer] vi (1863) 1: loaf 2: to spend time unemployed
          and often wandering--often used with around ~ vt: to
          obtain by begging: cadge [4]bum n [prob. short for bummer]
          (1864) 1 a: one who sponges off others and avoids work
          b: one who performs a function poorly <called the umpire
          a ~> c: one who devotes his time to a recreational activity
          <a beach ~> <ski ~s> 2: vagrant, tramp -- on the bum
          : with no settled residence or means of support [5]bum
          n [prob. fr. [3]bum] (1871): a drinking spree: bender

   bumbershoot
          [bum.ber.shoot] n [bumber- (alter. of umbr- in umbrella)
          + -shoot (alter. of -chute in parachute)] (ca. 1896):
          umbrella

   [1]bumble
          [bum.ble] vi bum.bled ; bum.bling [ME bomblen to boom, of
          imit. origin] (15c) 1: buzz 2: drone, rumble [2]bumble
          vb bumbled ; bumbling [perh. alter. of bungle] vi (1532)
          1: blunder; specif: to speak ineptly in a stuttering
          and faltering manner 2: to proceed unsteadily: stumble
          ~ vt: bungle -- bum.bler n -- bum.bling.ly adv

   bumblebee
          [bum.ble.bee] n (1530): any of numerous large robust hairy
          social bees (genus Bombus)

   bumboat
          [bum.boat] n [prob. fr. LG bumboot, fr. bum tree + boot boat]
          (1769): a boat that brings provisions and commodities
          for sale to larger ships in port or offshore

   bumf
          [bumf] also bumph n [fr. bumf toilet paper, short for bumfodder,
          fr. [1]bum + fodder] (ca. 1889) chiefly Brit: paperwork

   bummed
          [bummed] adj [prob. back-formation fr. [2]bummer] (1971):
          disappointed, depressed--usu. used with out

   [1]bummer
          [bum.mer] n [prob. modif. of G Bummler loafer, fr. bummeln
          to dangle, loaf] (1855): one that bums [2]bummer n [[2]bum
          + [2]-er] (1967) 1: an unpleasant experience (as a bad
          reaction to a hallucinogenic drug) 2: failure, flop

   [1]bump
          [bump] n [prob. imit. of the sound of a blow] (1592) 1: a
          relatively abrupt convexity or protuberance on a surface:
          as a: a swelling of tissue b: a cranial protuberance
          2 a: a sudden forceful blow, impact, or jolt b: demotion
          3: an act of thrusting the hips forward in an erotic
          manner [2]bump vt (1611) 1: to strike or knock with force
          or violence 2: to collide with 3 a (1): to dislodge with
          a jolt (2): to subject to a scalar change <rates being
          ~ed up> b: to oust usu. by virtue of seniority or priority
          <was ~ed from the flight> ~ vi 1: to knock against something
          with a forceful jolt 2: to proceed in or as if in a series
          of bumps 3: to encounter something that is an obstacle
          or hindrance <~ed up against a chair> -- bump into :
          to encounter esp. by chance

   [1]bumper
          [bum.per] n [prob. fr. bump to bulge] (1676) 1: a brimming
          cup or glass 2: something unusually large [2]bumper adj
          (1885) 1: unusually large <a ~ crop> 2: banner 2 [3]bump.er
          n (1839) 1: a device for absorbing shock or preventing
          damage (as in collision); specif: a usu. metal bar at
          either end of an automobile 2: one that bumps

   bumper car
          [bumper car] n (1959): a small electric car made to be driven
          around in an enclosure and to be bumped into others (as
          at an amusement park)

   bumper sticker
          [bumper sticker] n (1967): a strip of adhesive paper or plastic
          bearing a printed message and designed to be stuck on
          a vehicle's bumper

   bumper-to-bumper
          [bumper-to-bumper] adj (1951): marked by long closed lines
          of cars

   [1]bumpkin
          [bump.kin] n [perh. fr. Flem bommekijn small cask, fr. MD,
          fr. bomme cask] (1570): an awkward and unsophisticated
          rustic -- bump.kin.ish adj -- bump.kin.ly adj [2]bump.kin
          or bum.kin n [prob. fr. Flem boomken, dim. of boom tree]
          (ca. 1632): a spar projecting from a ship esp. at the
          stern

   bump off
          [bump off] vt (1910): to murder casually or cold-bloodedly

   bumptious
          [bump.tious] adj [[1]bump + -tious (as in fractious)] (1803):
          presumptuously, obtusely, and often noisily self-assertive:
          obtrusive -- bump.tious.ly adv -- bump.tious.ness n

   bumpy
          [bumpy] adj bump.i.er ; -est (1865) 1: having or covered
          with bumps <a ~ road> <~ skin> 2 a: marked by bumps or
          jolts <a ~ ride> b: marked by or full of difficulties
          <a ~ relationship> -- bump.i.ly adv -- bump.i.ness n

   bum's rush
          [bum's rush] n (1922): forcible eviction or dismissal

   [1]bun
          [bun] n [ME bunne] (14c) 1: a sweet or plain small bread;
          esp: a round roll 2: a knot of hair shaped like a bun
          3 pl: buttocks [2]bun n [perh. fr. [1]bun] (1901): load
          4

   Buna
          [Bu.na] trademark--used for any of several rubbers made by
          polymerization or copolymerization of butadiene

   [1]bunch
          [bunch] n [ME bunche] (14c) 1: protuberance, swelling 2 a:
          a number of things of the same kind <a ~ of grapes> b:
          group 2a <a ~ of friends> c: a considerable amount: lot
          <a ~ of money> -- bunch.i.ly adv -- bunchy adj [2]bunch
          vi (14c) 1: swell, protrude 2: to form a group or cluster--often
          used with up ~ vt: to form into a bunch

   bunchberry
          [bunch.ber.ry] n (1845): a creeping perennial herb (Cornus
          canadensis) of the dogwood family that has whorled leaves
          and white floral bracts and bears red berries in capitate
          cymes

   bunchgrass
          [bunch.grass] n (1839): any of several grasses (as of the
          genus Andropogon) esp. of the western U.S. that grow
          in tufts

   bunco
          [bun.co] or bun.ko n, pl buncos or bunkos [perh. alter. of
          Sp banca bench, banking, bank in gambling, fr. It--more
          at bank] (1872): a swindling game or scheme -- bunco
          vt

   [1]bund
          [bund] n [Hindi band, fr. Per] (1810) 1: an embankment used
          esp. in India to control the flow of water 2: an embanked
          thoroughfare along a river or the sea esp. in the Far
          East [2]bund n, often cap [Yiddish bund & G Bund, fr.
          MHG bunt; akin to OE byndel] (1850): a political association:
          as a: a Jewish socialist organization founded in czarist
          Russia in 1897 b: a pro-Nazi German-American organization
          of the 1930s -- bund.ist n, often cap

   [1]bundle
          [bun.dle] n [ME bundel, fr. MD; akin to OE byndel bundle,
          bindan to bind] (14c) 1 a: a group of things fastened
          together for convenient handling b: package, parcel c:
          a considerable number: lot d: a sizable sum of money
          e: a person embodying a specified quality or characteristic
          <a ~ of energy> 2 a: a small band of mostly parallel
          fibers (as of nerve or muscle) b: vascular bundle [2]bundle
          vb bun.dled ; bun.dling vt (ca. 1628) 1: to make into
          a bundle or package: wrap 2: to hustle or hurry unceremoniously
          <bundled the children off to school> 3: to include (a
          product or service) with a related product for sale at
          a single price <software is bundled with computer hardware>
          ~ vi 1: hurry, hustle 2: to practice bundling -- bun.dler
          n

   bundle up
          [bundle up] vt (1918): to dress (someone) warmly ~ vi: to
          dress warmly

   bundling
          [bun.dling] n (1781): a former custom of an unmarried couple's
          occupying the same bed without undressing esp. during
          courtship

   [1]bung
          [bung] n [ME, fr. MD bonne, bonghe] (15c) 1: the stopper
          esp. in the bunghole of a cask; also: bunghole 2: the
          cecum or anus esp. of a slaughtered animal [2]bung vt
          (1589) 1: to plug with or as if with a bung 2 Brit: throw,
          toss <~ a spanner into the works --P. G. Wodehouse>

   bungalow
          [bun.ga.low] n [Hindi bangla, lit., (house) in the Bengal
          style] (1676): a usu. one-storied house with a low-pitched
          roof

   bungee cord
          [bun.gee cord] n [origin unknown] (1948): an elasticized
          cord used esp. as a fastening or shock-absorbing device--called
          also bungee

   bunghole
          [bung.hole] n (1571): a hole for emptying or filling a cask

   bungle
          [bun.gle] vb bun.gled ; bun.gling [perh. of Scand origin;
          akin to Icel banga to hammer] vi (1549): to act or work
          clumsily and awkwardly ~ vt: mishandle, botch -- bungle
          n -- bun.gler n -- bun.gling.ly adv

   bunglesome
          [bun.gle.some] adj (ca. 1889): awkward, clumsy

   bung up
          [bung up] vt (1951): batter

   bunion
          [bun.ion] n [prob. alter. of bunny swelling] (ca. 1718):
          an inflamed swelling of the small sac on the first joint
          of the big toe

   [1]bunk
          [bunk] n [prob. short for bunker] (1758) 1 a: bunk bed b:
          a built-in bed (as on a ship) that is often one of a
          tier of berths c: a sleeping place 2: a feeding trough
          for farm animals and esp. cattle [2]bunk vi (1840): to
          occupy a bunk or bed: stay the night <~ed with a friend
          for the night> ~ vt: to provide with a bunk or bed [3]bunk
          n (1900): bunkum, nonsense [4]bunk n [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1870) Brit: a hurried departure or escape--usu.
          used in the phrase do a bunk

   bunk bed
          [bunk bed] n (1924): one of two single beds usu. placed one
          above the other

   [1]bunker
          [bun.ker] n [Sc bonker chest, box] (1839) 1: a bin or compartment
          for storage; esp: one on shipboard for the ship's fuel
          2 a: a protective embankment or dugout; esp: a fortified
          chamber mostly below ground often built of reinforced
          concrete and provided with embrasures b: a sand trap
          or embankment constituting a hazard on a golf course
          -- bun.kered adj [2]bunker vb bun.kered ; bun.ker.ing
          vi (1891): to fill a ship's bunker with coal or oil ~
          vt 1: to place or store in a bunker 2: to hit (a golf
          ball or shot) into a bunker

   bunker mentality
          [bunker mentality] n (1976): a state of mind esp. among members
          of a group that is characterized by chauvinistic defensiveness
          and self-righteous intolerance of criticism

   bunkhouse
          [bunk.house] n (1876): a rough simple building providing
          sleeping quarters

   bunkum
          [bun.kum] or bun.combe n [Buncombe county, N.C.; fr. a remark
          made by its congressman, who defended an irrelevant speech
          by claiming that he was speaking to Buncombe] (1845):
          insincere or foolish talk: nonsense

   bunny
          [bun.ny] n, pl bunnies [E dial. bun rabbit] (ca. 1690) 1:
          rabbit; esp: a young rabbit 2: a desirable young woman

   Bunraku
          [Bun.ra.ku] n [Jp] (1920): Japanese puppet theater featuring
          large costumed wooden puppets, puppeteers who are onstage,
          and a chanter who speaks all the lines

   Bunsen burner
          [Bun.sen burner] n [Robert W. Bunsen] (ca. 1888): a gas burner
          consisting typically of a straight tube with small holes
          at the bottom where air enters and mixes with the gas
          to produce an intensely hot blue flame

   [1]bunt
          [bunt] n [perh. fr. LG, bundle, fr. MLG; akin to OE byndel
          bundle] (ca. 1582) 1 a: the middle part of a square sail
          b: the part of a furled sail gathered up in a bunch at
          the center of the yard 2: the bagging part of a fishing
          net [2]bunt vb [alter. of butt] vt (1584) 1: to strike
          or push with or as if with the head: butt 2: to push
          or tap (a baseball) lightly without swinging the bat
          ~ vi: to bunt a baseball -- bunt.er n [3]bunt n (1767)
          1: an act or instance of bunting 2: a bunted ball [4]bunt
          n [origin unknown] (ca. 1790): a destructive covered
          smut of wheat caused by a fungus (Tilletia foetida or
          T. caries)

   [1]bunting
          [bun.ting] n [ME] (14c): any of various stout-billed passerine
          birds (family Emberizidae) included with some of the
          finches--compare indigo bunting [2]bunting n [perh. fr.
          E dial. bunt (to sift)] (1711) 1: a lightweight loosely
          woven fabric used chiefly for flags and festive decorations
          2 a: flags b: decorations esp. in the colors of the national
          flag [3]bunting n [term of endearment in the nursery
          rhyme "Bye, baby bunting"] (1922): an infant's hooded
          sleeping bag made of napped fabric

   buntline
          [bunt.line] n (1627): one of the lines attached to the foot
          of a square sail to haul the sail up to the yard for
          furling

   Bunyanesque
          [Bun.yan.esque] adj (1888) 1 [John Bunyan]: of, relating
          to, or suggestive of the allegorical writings of John
          Bunyan 2 [Paul Bunyan, legendary giant lumberjack of
          U.S. & Canada] a: of, relating to, or suggestive of the
          tales of Paul Bunyan b: of fantastically large size

   [1]buoy
          [buoy] n [ME boye, prob. fr. MD boeye; akin to OHG bouhhan
          sign--more at beacon] (13c) 1: float 2; esp: a floating
          object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something
          (as a shoal) lying under the water 2: life buoy [2]buoy
          vt (1596) 1: to mark by or as if by a buoy 2 a: to keep
          afloat b: support, uplift <an economy ~ed by the dramatic
          postwar growth of industry --Time> 3: to raise the spirits
          of--usu. used with up <hope ~s him up> ~ vi: float--usu.
          used with up

   buoyance
          [buoy.ance] n (1821): buoyancy

   buoyancy
          [buoy.an.cy] n (1713) 1 a: the tendency of a body to float
          or to rise when submerged in a fluid b: the power of
          a fluid to exert an upward force on a body placed in
          it; also: the upward force exerted 2: the ability to
          recover quickly from depression or discouragement: resilience

   buoyant
          [buoy.ant] adj (1578): having buoyancy: as a: capable of
          floating b: cheerful, gay c: capable of recovering: having
          positive indications <a ~ economy> -- buoy.ant.ly adv

   buppie
          [bup.pie] n [[1]black + yuppie] (1984): a college-educated
          black adult who is employed in a well-paying profession
          and who lives or works in or near a large city

   bur
          [bur] abbreviation bureau

   bur
          [bur] var of burr

   Burberry
          [Bur.ber.ry] trademark--used for various fabrics used esp.
          for coats for outdoor wear

   [1]burble
          [bur.ble] vi bur.bled ; bur.bling [ME] (14c) 1: bubble 2:
          babble, prattle -- bur.bler n [2]burble n (1898) 1: prattle
          2: the breaking up of the streamline flow of air about
          a body (as an airplane wing) -- bur.bly adj

   burbot
          [bur.bot] n, pl burbot also burbots [ME borbot, fr. MF bourbotte,
          fr. bourbeter to burrow in the mud] (14c): a Holarctic
          freshwater fish (Lota lota) of the cod family having
          barbels on the nose and chin

   burbs
          [burbs] n pl (1971): suburbs

   [1]burden
          [bur.den] n [ME, fr. OE byrthen; akin to OE beran to carry--more
          at bear] (bef. 12c) 1 a: something that is carried: load
          b: duty, responsibility 2: something oppressive or worrisome
          3 a: the bearing of a load--usu. used in the phrase beast
          of burden b: capacity for carrying cargo <a ship of a
          hundred tons ~> 4: the amount of a deleterious parasite,
          growth, or substance present in a human or animal body
          <worm ~> <cancer ~> [2]burden vt bur.dened ; bur.den.ing
          (1541): load, oppress <I will not ~ you with a lengthy
          account> [3]burden n [ME burdoun, fr. MF bourdon a drone
          bass, of imit. origin] (14c) 1 archaic: a bass or accompanying
          part 2 a: chorus, refrain b: a central topic: theme

   burden of proof
          [burden of proof] (1593): the duty of proving a disputed
          assertion or charge

   burdensome
          [bur.den.some] adj (1578): imposing or constituting a burden:
          oppressive <~ restrictions> syn see onerous

   burdock
          [bur.dock] n (15c): any of a genus (Arctium) of coarse composite
          herbs bearing globular flower heads with prickly bracts

   bureau
          [bu.reau] n, pl bureaus also bu.reaux [F, desk, cloth covering
          for desks, fr. OF burel woolen cloth, fr. (assumed) OF
          bure, fr. LL burra shaggy cloth] (1699) 1 a Brit: writing
          desk; esp: one having drawers and a slant top b: a low
          chest of drawers for use in a bedroom 2 a: a specialized
          administrative unit; esp: a subdivision of an executive
          department of a government b: a branch of a newspaper,
          newsmagazine, or wire service in an important news center
          c: a usu. commercial agency that serves as an intermediary
          esp. for exchanging information or coordinating activities
          <credit ~>

   bureaucracy
          [bu.reau.cra.cy] n, pl -cies [F bureaucratie, fr. bureau
          + -cratie -cracy] (1818) 1 a: a body of nonelective government
          officials b: an administrative policy-making group 2:
          government characterized by specialization of functions,
          adherence to fixed rules, and a hierarchy of authority
          3: a system of administration marked by officialism,
          red tape, and proliferation

   bureaucrat
          [bu.reau.crat] n (1842): a member of a bureaucracy

   bureaucratese
          [bu.reau.crat.ese] n (1949): a style of language held to
          be characteristic of bureaucrats and marked by the prevalence
          of abstractions, jargon, euphemisms, and circumlocutions

   bureaucratic
          [bu.reau.crat.ic] adj (1836): of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of a bureaucracy or a bureaucrat
          <~ government> -- bu.reau.crat.i.cal.ly adv

   bureaucratise
          [bu.reau.cra.tise] Brit var of bureaucratize

   bureaucratism
          [bu.reau.crat.ism] n (1880): a bureaucratic system: bureaucracy

   bureaucratize
          [bu.reau.cra.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1892): to make
          bureaucratic -- bu.reau.cra.ti.za.tion n

   burette
          [bu.rette] or bu.ret n [MF, cruet, fr. buire pitcher, perh.
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE bur storehouse, dwelling--more
          at bower] (1836): a graduated glass tube with a small
          aperture and stopcock for delivering measured quantities
          of liquid or for measuring the liquid or gas received
          or discharged

   burg
          [burg] n [OE--more at borough] (1753) 1: an ancient or medieval
          fortress or walled town 2 [G Burg]: city, town

   burgage
          [bur.gage] n [ME, property held by burgage tenure, fr. MF
          bourgage, fr. OF, fr. bourg, borc town--more at bourg]
          (15c): a tenure by which real property in England and
          Scotland was held under the king or a lord for a yearly
          rent or for watching and warding

   burgee
          [bur.gee] n [perh. fr. F dial. bourgeais shipowner] (1750)
          1: a swallow-tailed flag used esp. by ships for signals
          or identification 2: the usu. triangular identifying
          flag of a yacht club

   burgeon
          [bur.geon] vi [ME burjonen, fr. burjon bud, fr. OF, fr. (assumed)
          VL burrion-, burrio, fr. LL burra fluff, shaggy cloth]
          (14c) 1 a: to send forth new growth (as buds or branches):
          sprout b: bloom 2: to grow and expand rapidly: flourish

   burger
          [bur.ger] n (1939) 1: hamburger 2: a sandwich similar to
          a hamburger--often used in combination <tofu ~>

   burgess
          [bur.gess] n [ME burgeis, fr. OF borjois, fr. borc] (13c)
          1 a: a citizen of a British borough b: a representative
          of a borough, corporate town, or university in the British
          Parliament 2: a representative in the popular branch
          of the legislature of colonial Maryland and Virginia

   burgh
          [burgh] n [ME--more at borough] (12c): borough; specif: an
          incorporated town in Scotland having local jurisdiction
          of certain services -- burgh.al adj

   burgher
          [bur.gher] n (13c) 1: an inhabitant of a borough or a town
          2: a member of the middle class: a prosperous solid citizen

   burglar
          [bur.glar] n [AF burgler, fr. ML burglator, prob. alter.
          of burgator, fr. burgare to commit burglary] (1541):
          one who commits burglary

   burglarize
          [bur.glar.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1871) 1: to break into
          and steal from 2: to commit burglary against ~ vi: to
          commit burglary

   burglarproof
          [bur.glar.proof] adj (1856): protected against or designed
          to afford protection against burglary

   burglary
          [bur.glary] n, pl -glar.ies (ca. 1523): the act of breaking
          and entering a dwelling at night to commit a felony (as
          theft); broadly: the entering of a building with the
          intent to commit a crime -- bur.glar.i.ous adj -- bur.glar.i.ous.ly
          adv

   burgle
          [bur.gle] vt bur.gled ; bur.gling [back-formation fr. burglar]
          (1870): burglarize

   burgomaster
          [bur.go.mas.ter] n [part modif., part trans. of D burgemeester,
          fr. burg town + meester master] (1592): the chief magistrate
          of a town in some European countries: mayor

   burgonet
          [bur.go.net] n [modif. of MF bourguignotte] (ca. 1587): a
          helmet of either of two 16th century styles

   burgoo
          [bur.goo] n, pl burgoos [origin unknown] (1700) 1: oatmeal
          gruel 2: hardtack and molasses cooked together 3 a: a
          stew or thick soup of meat and vegetables orig. served
          at outdoor gatherings b: a picnic at which burgoo is
          served

   burgundy
          [bur.gun.dy] n, pl -dies [Burgundy, region in France] (1668)
          1 often cap: a red or white unblended wine from Burgundy;
          also: a blended red wine produced elsewhere (as California)
          2: a reddish purple color

   burial
          [buri.al] n, often attrib [ME beriel, berial, back-formation
          fr. beriels (taken as a plural), fr. OE byrgels; akin
          to OS burgisli tomb, OE byrgan to bury--more at bury]
          (13c) 1: grave, tomb 2: the act or process of burying

   burier
          [buri.er] n (bef. 12c): one that buries

   burin
          [bu.rin] n [F] (1662) 1: an engraver's steel cutting tool
          having the blade ground obliquely to a sharp point 2:
          a prehistoric flint tool with a beveled point

   burke
          [burke] vt burked ; burk.ing [fr. burke to suffocate, fr.
          William Burke d. 1829 Irish criminal executed for smothering
          victims to sell their bodies for dissection] (1840) 1:
          to suppress quietly or indirectly <~ an inquiry> 2: bypass,
          avoid <~ an issue>

   Burkitt's lymphoma
          [Bur.kitt's lymphoma] also Bur.kitt lymphoma n [Denis Parsons
          Burkitt d. 1993 Brit. surgeon] (1963): a malignant lymphoma
          that occurs esp. in children of central Africa and is
          associated with Epstein-Barr virus

   burl
          [burl] n [ME burle, fr. (assumed) MF bourle tuft of wool,
          fr. (assumed) VL burrula, dim. of LL burra shaggy cloth]
          (15c) 1: a knot or lump in thread or cloth 2 a: a hard
          woody often flattened hemispherical outgrowth on a tree
          b: veneer made from burls

   burladero
          [bur.la.de.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp, fr. burlar to make fun of,
          elude, fr. burla joke] (1938): a wooden shield near the
          wall in a bullring for bullfighters to take shelter behind
          if pursued

   burlap
          [bur.lap] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1696) 1: a coarse heavy
          plain-woven fabric usu. of jute or hemp used for bagging
          and wrapping and in furniture and linoleum manufacture
          2: a lightweight material resembling burlap used in interior
          decoration or for clothing

   burled
          [burled] adj (1924): having a distorted grain due to burls

   [1]burlesque
          [bur.lesque] n [burlesque, adj., comic, droll, fr. F, fr.
          It burlesco, fr. burla joke, fr. Sp] (1667) 1: a literary
          or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque
          exaggeration or comic imitation 2: mockery usu. by caricature
          3: theatrical entertainment of a broadly humorous often
          earthy character consisting of short turns, comic skits,
          and sometimes striptease acts syn see caricature -- burlesque
          adj -- bur.lesque.ly adv [2]burlesque vb bur.lesqued
          ; bur.lesqu.ing vt (1676): to imitate in a humorous or
          derisive manner: mock ~ vi: to employ burlesque -- bur.lesqu.er
          n

   burley
          [bur.ley] n, often cap [prob. fr. the name Burley] (1881):
          a thin-bodied air-cured tobacco grown mainly in Kentucky

   burly
          [bur.ly] adj bur.li.er ; -est [ME] (13c) 1: strongly and
          heavily built: husky 2: heartily direct and frank: bluff,
          forthright <an evocative story less ~ than the real thing
          but entertaining --E. A. Weeks> -- bur.li.ly adv -- bur.li.ness
          n

   bur marigold
          [bur marigold] n (ca. 1818): any of a genus (Bidens) of coarse
          composite herbs with prickly flattened achenes that adhere
          to clothing

   Burmese
          [Bur.mese] n, pl Burmese (1824) 1: a native or inhabitant
          of Burma (Myanmar) 2: the Tibeto-Burman language of the
          Burmese people 3: any of a U.S.-developed breed of slender
          shorthaired cats having gold eyes and a usu. dark brown
          coat -- Burmese adj

   [1]burn
          [burn] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG brunno spring of water]
          (bef. 12c) Brit: creek 2 [2]burn vb burned or burnt ;
          burn.ing [ME birnen, fr. OE byrnan, v.i., baernan, v.t.;
          akin to OHG brinnan to burn] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to consume
          fuel and give off heat, light, and gases <a small fire
          ~s on the hearth> b: to undergo combustion; also: to
          undergo nuclear fission or nuclear fusion c: to contain
          a fire <a little stove ~ing in the corner> d: to give
          off light: shine, glow <a light ~ing in the window> 2
          a: to be hot <the ~ing sand> b: to produce or undergo
          discomfort or pain <ears ~ing from the cold> c: to become
          emotionally excited or agitated: as (1): to yearn ardently
          <~ing to tell the story> (2): to be or become very angry
          or disgusted <the remark made him ~> 3 a: to undergo
          alteration or destruction by the action of fire or heat
          <the house ~ed down> <the potatoes ~ed to a crisp> b:
          to die in the electric chair 4: to force or make a way
          by or as if by burning <her words ~ed into his heart>
          5: to receive sunburn <she ~s easily> ~ vt 1 a: to cause
          to undergo combustion; esp: to destroy by fire <~ed the
          trash> b: to use as fuel <this furnace ~s gas> c: to
          use up: consume <~ calories> 2 a: to transform by exposure
          to heat or fire <~ clay to bricks> b: to produce by burning
          <~ed a hole in his sleeve> 3 a: to injure or damage by
          or as if by exposure to fire, heat, or radiation: scorch
          <~ed his hand> b: to execute by burning <~ed heretics
          at the stake>; also: electrocute 4 a: irritate, annoy--often
          used with up <really ~s me up> b: to take advantage of:
          as (1): deceive, cheat--often used in passive (2): outdo,
          beat <~ed the defense with a touchdown pass> -- burn.able
          adj -- burn one's bridges also burn one's boats : to
          cut off all means of retreat -- burn one's ears : to
          rebuke strongly -- burn the candle at both ends : to
          use one's resources or energies to excess -- burn the
          midnight oil : to work or study far into the night [3]burn
          n (1594) 1: an act, process, instance, or result of burning:
          as a: injury or damage resulting from exposure to fire,
          heat, caustics, electricity, or certain radiations b:
          a burned area <a ~ on the tabletop> c: an abrasion (as
          of the skin) having the appearance of a burn <rope ~s>
          d: a burning sensation <the ~ of iodine on a cut> 2:
          the firing of a spacecraft rocket engine in flight 3:
          anger; esp: increasing fury--used chiefly in the phrase
          slow burn

   burned-out
          [burned-out] or burnt-out adj (1837): worn-out; also: exhausted

   burner
          [burn.er] n (14c): one that burns; esp: the part of a fuel-burning
          or heat-producing device (as a furnace or stove) where the flame
          or heat is produced

   burnet
          [bur.net] n [ME, fr. MF burnete, fr. brun brown--more at
          brunet] (14c): any of a genus (Sanguisorba) of herbs
          of the rose family with odd-pinnate stipulate leaves
          and spikes of apetalous flowers

   burn in
          [burn in] vt (ca. 1939): to increase the density of (portions
          of a photographic print) during enlarging by giving extra
          exposure

   burn-in
          [burn-in] n (1966): the continuous operation of a device
          (as a computer) as a test for defects or failure prior
          to putting it to use

   burning
          [burn.ing] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: being on fire b: ardent, intense
          <~ enthusiasm> 2 a: affecting with or as if with heat
          <a ~ fever> b: resembling that produced by a burn <a
          ~ sensation on the tongue> 3: of fundamental importance:
          urgent <one of the ~ issues of our time> -- burn.ing.ly
          adv

   burning bush
          [burning bush] n (1785): any of several plants associated
          with fire (as by redness): as a: [2]wahoo b: summer cypress

   burning ghat
          [burning ghat] n (1877): a level space at the head of a ghat
          for cremation

   [1]burnish
          [bur.nish] vt [ME burnischen, fr. MF bruniss-, stem of brunir,
          lit., to make brown, fr. brun] (14c) 1 a: to make shiny
          or lustrous esp. by rubbing b: polish 3 2: to rub (a
          material) with a tool for compacting or smoothing or
          for turning an edge -- bur.nish.er n -- bur.nish.ing
          adj or n [2]burnish n (ca. 1647): luster, gloss

   burn off
          [burn off] vi (ca. 1925): to be dissipated by the sun's warmth
          <waiting for the fog to burn off> ~ vt: to cause to burn
          off

   burnoose
          [bur.noose] or bur.nous n [F burnous, fr. Ar burnus] (1695):
          a one-piece hooded cloak worn by Arabs and Berbers --
          bur.noosed adj

   burnout
          [burn.out] n (1940) 1: the cessation of operation of a jet
          or rocket engine; also: the point at which burnout occurs
          2 a: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or
          motivation usu. as a result of prolonged stress or frustration
          b: a person suffering from burnout 3: a person showing
          the results of drug abuse

   burn out
          [burn out] vt (1710) 1: to drive out or destroy the property
          of by fire 2: to cause to fail, wear out, or become exhausted
          esp. from overwork or overuse ~ vi: to suffer burnout

   burnsides
          [burn.sides] n pl [Ambrose E. Burnside] (1875): side-whiskers;
          esp: full muttonchop whiskers

   [1]burp
          [burp] n [imit.] (ca. 1932): belch [2]burp vi (ca. 1932):
          belch ~ vt: to help (a baby) expel gas from the stomach
          esp. by patting or rubbing the back

   burp gun
          [burp gun] n (1944): a small submachine gun

   [1]burr
          [burr] n [ME burre; akin to OE byrst bristle--more at bristle]
          (14c) 1 usu bur a: a rough or prickly envelope of a fruit
          b: a plant that bears burs 2 a: something that sticks
          or clings <a ~ in the throat> b: hanger-on 3: an irregular
          rounded mass; esp: a tree burl 4: a thin ridge or area
          of roughness produced in cutting or shaping metal 5 a:
          a trilled uvular /r/ as used by some speakers of English
          esp. in northern England and in Scotland b: a tongue-point
          trill that is the usual Scottish /r/ 6 a: a small rotary
          cutting tool b usu bur : a bit used on a dental drill
          7: a rough humming sound: whir -- burred adj [2]burr
          vi (1798) 1: to speak with a burr 2: to make a whirring
          sound ~ vt 1: to pronounce with a burr 2 a: to form into
          a projecting edge b: to remove burrs from -- burr.er
          n

   bur reed
          [bur reed] n (1597): any of a genus (Sparganium of the family
          Sparganiaceae) of plants with globose fruits resembling
          burs

   burrito
          [bur.ri.to] n, pl -tos [AmerSp, fr. Sp, little donkey, dim.
          of burro] (1934): a flour tortilla rolled or folded around
          a filling (as of meat, beans, or cheese) and usu. baked

   burro
          [bur.ro] n, pl burros [Sp, irreg. fr. borrico, fr. LL burricus
          small horse] (1800): donkey; esp: a small one used as
          a pack animal

   [1]burrow
          [bur.row] n [ME borow] (13c): a hole or excavation in the
          ground made by an animal (as a rabbit) for shelter and
          habitation [2]burrow vt (1602) 1 archaic: to hide in
          or as if in a burrow 2 a: to construct by tunneling b:
          to penetrate by means of a burrow 3: to make a motion
          suggestive of burrowing with: nestle <~s her hand into
          mine> ~ vi 1: to conceal oneself in or as if in a burrow
          2 a: to make a burrow b: to progress by or as if by digging
          3: to make a motion suggestive of burrowing: snuggle,
          nestle <~ed against his back for warmth> -- bur.row.er
          n

   burrstone
          [burrstone] var of buhrstone

   burry
          [bur.ry] adj bur.ri.er ; -est (15c) 1: containing burs 2:
          prickly 3 of speech: characterized by a burr

   bursa
          [bur.sa] n, pl bur.sas or bur.sae [NL, fr. ML, bag, purse--more
          at purse] (1803): a bodily pouch or sac: as a: a small
          serous sac between a tendon and a bone b: bursa of fabricius
          -- bur.sal adj

   bursa of Fabricius
          [bursa of Fa.bri.cius] [Johan C. Fabricius d. 1808 Dan.
          entomologist] (1945): a lymphoid organ that opens into the cloaca
          of birds and functions in B cell production

   bursar
          [bur.sar] n [ML bursarius, fr. bursa] (13c): an officer (as
          of a monastery or college) in charge of funds: treasurer

   bursary
          [bur.sa.ry] n, pl -ries [ML bursaria, fr. bursa] (1695) 1:
          the treasury of a college or monastery 2 Brit: a monetary
          grant to a needy student: scholarship

   burse
          [burse] n [MF bourse, fr. ML bursa] (15c) 1 a: purse b: a
          square cloth case used to carry the corporal in a Communion
          service 2 obs: exchange, bourse

   bursitis
          [bur.si.tis] n [NL, fr. bursa] (1857): inflammation of a
          bursa esp. of the shoulder or elbow

   [1]burst
          [burst] vb burst also burst.ed ; burst.ing [ME bersten, fr.
          OE berstan; akin to OHG brestan to burst] vi (bef. 12c)
          1: to break open, apart, or into pieces usu. from impact
          or from pressure from within 2 a: to give way from an
          excess of emotion <my heart will ~> b: to give vent suddenly
          to a repressed emotion <~ into tears> <~ out laughing>
          3 a: to emerge or spring suddenly <~ out of the house>
          <~ onto the scene> b: launch, plunge <~ into song> 4:
          to be filled to the breaking point <~ing with excitement>
          <a crate ~ing with fruit> ~ vt 1: to cause to burst 2:
          to force open (as a door) by strong or vigorous action
          3: to produce by or as if by bursting -- burst at the
          seams : to be larger, fuller, or more crowded than could
          reasonably have been anticipated [2]burst n (1610) 1
          a: a sudden outbreak; esp: a vehement outburst (as of
          emotion) b: explosion, eruption c: a sudden intense effort
          <a ~ of speed> d: the duration of fire in one engagement
          of the mechanism of an automatic firearm 2: an act of
          bursting 3: a result of bursting; esp: a visible puff
          accompanying the explosion of a shell

   burster
          [burst.er] n (1611) 1: one that bursts 2: the celestial source
          of an outburst of radiation (as X rays)

   burthen
          [bur.then] var of burden

   burweed
          [bur.weed] n (ca. 1783): any of various plants (as a cocklebur
          or burdock) having burry fruit

   bury
          [bury] vt bur.ied ; bury.ing [ME burien, fr. OE byrgan; akin
          to OHG bergan to shelter, Russ berech' to spare] (bef.
          12c) 1: to dispose of by depositing in or as if in the
          earth; esp: to inter with funeral ceremonies 2 a: to
          conceal by or as if by covering with earth b: to cover
          from view <buried her face in her hands> 3 a: to have
          done with <~ing their differences> b: to conceal in obscurity
          <buried the retraction among the classified ads> c: submerge,
          engross--usu. used with in <buried himself in his books>
          4: to put (a playing card) out of play by placing it
          in or under the dealer's pack 5: to succeed emphatically
          or impressively in making (a shot) <~ a jumper> 6: to
          defeat overwhelmingly syn see hide -- bury the hatchet
          : to settle a disagreement: become reconciled

   [1]bus
          [bus] n, pl bus.es or bus.ses often attrib [short for omnibus]
          (ca. 1909) 1 a: a large motor vehicle designed to carry
          passengers usu. along a fixed route according to a schedule
          b: automobile 2: a small hand truck 3 a: bus bar b: a
          set of parallel conductors in a computer system that
          forms a main transmission path 4: a spacecraft or missile
          that carries one or more detachable devices (as warheads)
          [2]bus vb bused or bussed ; bus.ing or bus.sing vi (ca.
          1909) 1: to travel by bus 2: to work as a busboy ~ vt
          1: to transport by bus 2 a: clear 4d <~ dishes> b: to
          remove dirty dishes from <~ tables>

   bus
          [bus] abbreviation business

   bus bar
          [bus bar] n (1893): a conductor or an assembly of conductors
          for collecting electric currents and distributing them
          to outgoing feeders

   busboy
          [bus.boy] n [omnibus busboy] (1913): a waiter's assistant;
          specif: one who removes dirty dishes and resets tables
          in a restaurant

   busby
          [bus.by] n, pl busbies [prob. fr. the name Busby] (1853)
          1: a military full-dress fur hat with a pendent bag on
          one side usu. of the color of regimental facings 2: the
          bearskin worn by British guardsmen--not used by the guardsmen
          themselves

   [1]bush
          [bush] n, often attrib [ME; akin to OHG busc forest] (14c)
          1 a: shrub; esp: a low densely branched shrub b: a close
          thicket of shrubs suggesting a single plant 2: a large
          uncleared or sparsely settled area (as in Australia)
          usu. scrub-covered or forested: wilderness--usu. used
          with the 3 a archaic: a bunch of ivy formerly hung outside
          a tavern to indicate wine for sale b obs: tavern c: advertising
          <good wine needs no ~ --Shak.> 4: a bushy tuft or mass
          <a ~ of hair>; esp: [2]brush 2a 5: minor league--usu.
          used in pl. [2]bush vt (15c): to support, mark, or protect
          with bushes ~ vi: to extend like a bush: resemble a bush
          [3]bush adj (1595) 1: having a low-growing compact bushy
          habit--used esp. of cultivated beans <~ snap beans> 2:
          serving, occurring in, or used in the bush <~ planes>
          [4]bush n [D bus bushing, box, fr. MD busse box, fr.
          LL buxis--more at box] (1566) chiefly Brit: bushing [5]bush
          adj [short for bush-league] (1970): falling below acceptable
          standards: unprofessional <~ behavior>

   bush baby
          [bush baby] n (1901): galago

   bush basil
          [bush basil] n (1597): a sweet basil of a cultivar with small
          leaves

   bushbuck
          [bush.buck] n, pl bushbuck or bushbucks [trans. of Afrik
          bosbok] (1852): a small African striped antelope (Tragelaphus
          scriptus) esp. of sub-Saharan forests that has spirally
          twisted horns

   bush clover
          [bush clover] n (ca. 1818): any of several usu. shrubby lespedezas

   [1]bushed
          [bushed] adj (14c) 1: covered with or as if with a bushy
          growth 2 chiefly Austral a: lost esp. in the bush b:
          perplexed 1, confused 3: tired, exhausted [2]bushed adj
          (1907): having a bushing

   [1]bushel
          [bush.el] n [ME busshel, fr. OF boissel, fr. (assumed) OF
          boisse one sixth of a bushel, of Celt origin; akin to
          MIr boss breadth of the hand] (14c) 1: any of various
          units of dry capacity as a: a unit of dry capacity used
          in the United States equal to 2150.42 cubic inches b:
          a British imperial unit of dry and liquid capacity equal
          to 2219.36 cubic inches or 8 imperial gallons 2: a container
          holding a bushel 3: a large quantity: lots <makes ~s
          of money> [2]bushel vb bush.eled ; bush.el.ing [prob.
          fr. G bosseln to do poor work, to patch; akin to OE beatan
          to beat] (ca. 1877): repair, renovate -- bush.el.er n

   bushfire
          [bush.fire] n (1832) Austral: an uncontrolled fire in a bush
          area

   Bushido
          [Bu.shi.do] n [Jp bushido] (1898): a feudal-military Japanese
          code of chivalry valuing honor above life

   bushing
          [bush.ing] n (1839) 1: a usu. removable cylindrical lining
          for an opening (as of a mechanical part) used to limit
          the size of the opening, resist abrasion, or serve as
          a guide 2: an electrically insulating lining for a hole
          to protect a through conductor

   bush jacket
          [bush jacket] n [fr. its use in rough country] (ca. 1939):
          a long cotton jacket resembling a shirt and having four
          patch pockets and a belt

   bushland
          [bush.land] n (1827): [1]bush 2

   bush-league
          [bush-league] adj (1914): being of an inferior class or group
          of its kind

   bush league
          [bush league] n (1909): minor league -- bush leaguer n

   bushman
          [bush.man] n (1785) 1 cap [modif. of obs. Afrik boschjesman,
          fr. boschje (dim. of bosch forest) + Afrik man] a: a
          member of a group of short-statured peoples of southern
          Africa who traditionally live by hunting and foraging
          b: the Khoisan languages spoken by these people 2 a:
          woodsman b chiefly Austral: a person who lives in the
          bush

   bushmaster
          [bush.mas.ter] n (1826): a tropical American pit viper (Lachesis
          mutus) that is the largest New World venomous snake

   bushpig
          [bush.pig] n (1840): a wild usu. reddish to black pig
          (Potamochoerus porcus) of forests and scrubland of sub-Saharan
          Africa and Madagascar that has much facial hair, long pointed ears,
          and a light-colored mane along the top of the neck and back

   bush pilot
          [bush pilot] n (1936): a pilot who flies a small plane into
          remote areas

   bushranger
          [bush.rang.er] n (1801) 1 Austral: an outlaw living in the
          bush 2: frontiersman, woodsman -- bush.rang.ing n

   bush shirt
          [bush shirt] n [fr. its use in rough country] (1909): a usu.
          loose-fitting cotton shirt with patch pockets

   bushtit
          [bush.tit] n (ca. 1889): a small gray titmouse (Psaltriparus
          minimus) of western No. America with light underparts
          that occurs in several geographic forms sometimes placed
          in separate species

   bushwhack
          [bush.whack] vb [back-formation fr. bushwhacker] vt (1866):
          ambush; broadly: to attack suddenly: assault ~ vi: to
          clear a path through thick woods esp. by chopping down
          bushes and low branches -- bush.whack.er n

   bushy
          [bushy] adj bush.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: full of or overgrown
          with bushes 2: resembling a bush; esp: being thick and
          spreading -- bush.i.ly adv -- bush.i.ness n

   business
          [busi.ness] n, often attrib (14c) 1 archaic: purposeful activity:
          busyness 2 a: role, function <how the human mind went
          about its ~ of learning --H. A. Overstreet> b: an immediate
          task or objective: mission <what is your ~ here> c: a
          particular field of endeavor <the best in the ~> 3 a:
          a usu. commercial or mercantile activity engaged in as
          a means of livelihood: trade, line <in the restaurant
          ~> b: a commercial or sometimes an industrial enterprise;
          also: such enterprises <the ~ district> c: usu. economic
          dealings: patronage <took their ~ elsewhere> 4: affair,
          matter <the whole ~ got out of hand> <~ as usual> 5:
          creation, concoction 6: movement or action (as lighting
          a cigarette) by an actor intended esp. to establish atmosphere,
          reveal character, or explain a situation--called also
          stage business 7 a: personal concern <none of your ~>
          b: right <you have no ~ speaking to me that way> 8 a:
          serious activity requiring time and effort and usu. the
          avoidance of distractions <got down to ~> <she means
          ~> b: maximum effort 9 a: a damaging assault b: rebuke,
          tongue-lashing c: double cross 10: a bowel movement--used
          esp. of pets syn business, commerce, trade, industry,
          traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and
          distribution of commodities. business may be an inclusive
          term but specifically designates the activities of those
          engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in
          related financial transactions. commerce and trade imply
          the exchange and transportation of commodities. industry
          applies to the producing of commodities, esp. by manufacturing
          or processing, usu. on a large scale. traffic applies
          to the operation and functioning of public carriers of
          goods and persons. syn see in addition work

   business administration
          [business administration] n (ca. 1911): a program of studies
          in a college or university providing general knowledge
          of business principles and practices

   business card
          [business card] n (1840): a small card bearing information
          (as name and address) about a business or business representative

   business cycle
          [business cycle] n (1919): a cycle of economic activity usu.
          consisting of recession, recovery, growth, and decline

   business end
          [business end] n (1878): the end with, from, or through which
          a thing's function is fulfilled <the business end of
          a revolver>

   businesslike
          [busi.ness.like] adj (1791) 1: exhibiting qualities believed
          to be advantageous in business 2: serious, purposeful

   businessman
          [busi.ness.man] n (1826): a man who transacts business; esp:
          a business executive

   businesspeople
          [busi.ness.peo.ple] n pl (1865): persons active in business

   businessperson
          [busi.ness.per.son] n (1974): a businessman or businesswoman

   business suit
          [business suit] n (1870): a man's suit consisting of matching
          coat and trousers and sometimes a vest

   businesswoman
          [busi.ness.wom.an] n (1844): a woman who transacts business;
          esp: a female business executive

   busing
          [bus.ing] or bus.sing n (1923): the act of transporting by
          bus; specif: the transporting of children to a school
          outside their residential area as a means of establishing
          racial balance in that school

   busker
          [busk.er] n [busk, prob. fr. It buscare to procure, gain,
          fr. Sp buscar to look for] (1857) chiefly Brit: a person
          who entertains esp. by playing music on the street --
          busk vi

   buskin
          [bus.kin] n [prob. modif. of MF brozequin] (1503) 1: a laced
          boot reaching halfway or more to the knee 2 a: cothurnus
          1 b: tragedy; esp: tragedy resembling that of ancient
          Greek drama

   busload
          [bus.load] n (1938): a load that fills a bus <~s of tourists>

   busman's holiday
          [bus.man's holiday] n (1893): a holiday spent in following
          or observing the practice of one's usual occupation

   buss
          [buss] n [perh. alter. of ME bassen to kiss] (1570): kiss
          -- buss vt

   [1]bust
          [bust] n [F buste, fr. It busto, fr. L bustum tomb] (1645)
          1: a sculptured representation of the upper part of the
          human figure including the head and neck and usu. part
          of the shoulders and breast 2: the upper part of the
          human torso between neck and waist; esp: the breasts
          of a woman [2]bust vb bust.ed also bust ; bust.ing [alter.
          of burst] vt (1806) 1 a: to break or smash esp. with
          force; also: to make inoperative <~ed my watch> b: to
          bring an end to: break up <helped ~ trusts --Newsweek>--often
          used with up <better not try to ~ up his happy marriage
          --Forbes> c: to ruin financially d: exhaust, wear out--used
          in phrases like bust one's butt to describe making a
          strenuous effort 2: tame <bronco ~ing> 3: demote 4 slang
          a: arrest <~ed for carrying guns --Saul Gottlieb> b:
          raid <~ed the apartment> 5: hit, slug ~ vi  1: to go
          broke 2 a: burst <laughing fit to ~> b: break down 3
          a: to lose at cards by exceeding a limit (as the count
          of 21 in blackjack) b: to fail to complete a straight
          or flush in poker [3]bust n (1840) 1 a: spree b: a hearty
          drinking session <a beer ~> 2 a: a complete failure:
          flop b: a business depression 3: punch, sock 4 slang
          a: a police raid b: arrest 2 [4]bust or bust.ed adj (1837):
          bankrupt, broke <go ~>

   bustard
          [bus.tard] n [ME, modif. of MF bistarde, fr. OIt bistarda,
          fr. L avis tarda, lit., slow bird] (15c): any of a family
          (Otididae) of large chiefly terrestrial Old World and
          Australian game birds

   buster
          [bust.er] n (1848) 1 chiefly Austral: a sudden violent wind
          often coming from the south 2 a: an unusually sturdy
          child b often cap: fellow--usu. used as a noun of address
          <hey ~, come here> 3: one that breaks, breaks up, or
          eliminates something <crime ~s>: as a: plow b [short
          for broncobuster]: a person who breaks horses 4: a bad
          fall

   bustier
          [bus.tier] n [F, fr. buste] (1979): a tight-fitting often
          strapless top worn as a brassiere or outer garment

   [1]bustle
          [bus.tle] vi bus.tled ; bus.tling [prob. alter. of obs. buskle
          to prepare, freq. of busk, fr. ON buask to prepare oneself]
          (1580) 1: to move briskly and often ostentatiously 2:
          to be busily astir: teem -- bustling adj -- bus.tling.ly
          adv [2]bustle n (1634): noisy, energetic, and often obtrusive
          activity <the hustle and ~ of the big city> [3]bustle
          n [origin unknown] (1786): a pad or framework expanding
          and supporting the fullness and drapery of the back of
          a woman's skirt or dress; also: the drapery so supported

   bustline
          [bust.line] n (1926) 1: an arbitrary line encircling the
          fullest part of the bust 2: body circumference at the
          bust

   busty
          [busty] adj bust.i.er ; -est (1944): having a large bust

   busulfan
          [bu.sul.fan] n [butane + sulfonyl] (ca. 1958): an antineoplastic
          agent used in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia

   [1]busy
          [busy] adj busi.er ; -est [ME bisy, fr. OE bisig; akin to
          MD & MLG besich busy] (bef. 12c) 1 a: engaged in action:
          occupied b: being in use <found the telephone ~> 2: full
          of activity: bustling <a ~ seaport> 3: foolishly or intrusively
          active: meddling 4: full of distracting detail <a ~ design>
          -- busi.ly adv -- busy.ness n syn busy, industrious,
          diligent, assiduous, sedulous mean actively engaged or
          occupied. busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to
          idleness or leisure <too busy to spend time with the
          children>. industrious implies characteristic or habitual
          devotion to work <industrious employees>. diligent suggests
          earnest application to some specific object or pursuit
          <very diligent in her pursuit of a degree>. assiduous
          stresses careful and unremitting application <assiduous
          practice>. sedulous implies painstaking and persevering
          application <a sedulous investigation of the murder>.
          [2]busy vb bus.ied ; busy.ing vt (bef. 12c): to make
          busy: occupy ~ vi: bustle <small boats busied to and
          fro --Quentin Crewe>

   busybody
          [busy.body] n (1526): an officious or inquisitive person

   busywork
          [busy.work] n (1910): work that usu. appears productive or
          of intrinsic value but actually only keeps one occupied

   [1]but
          [but] conj [ME, fr. OE butan, prep. & conj., outside, without,
          except, except that; akin to OHG buzan without, except;
          akin to OE be by, ut out--more at by, out] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: except for the fact <would have protested ~ that
          he was afraid> b: that--used after a negative <there
          is no doubt ~ he won> c: without the concomitant that
          <it never rains ~ it pours> d: if not: unless e: than
          <no sooner started ~ it stopped>--not often in formal
          use 2 a: on the contrary: on the other hand: notwithstanding--used
          to connect coordinate elements <he was called ~ he did not answer>
          <not peace ~ a sword> b: yet <poor ~ proud> c: with the exception
          of--used before a word often taken to be the subject of a clause
          <none ~ the brave deserves the fair --John Dryden> -- but what
          : that ... not--used to indicate possibility or uncertainty
          <I don't know but what I will go> [2]but prep (bef. 12c) 1 a: with
          the exception of: barring <no one there ~ me>--compare [1]but
          2c b: other than <this letter is nothing ~ an insult> 2 Scot
          a: without, lacking b: outside [3]but adv (12c) 1: only, merely <he
          is ~ a child> 2 Scot: outside 3: to the contrary <who knows ~ that
          she may succeed> 4--used as an intensive <get there ~ fast> [4]but
          pron (1556): that not: who not <nobody ~ has his fault --Shak.>
          [5]but n [Sc but, adj. (outer)] (1724) Scot: the kitchen or living
          quarters of a 2-room cottage

   butadiene
          [bu.ta.di.ene] n [ISV butane + di- + -ene] (1900): a flammable
          gaseous open chain hydrocarbon used in making synthetic
          rubbers

   butane
          [bu.tane] n [ISV butyric + -ane] (1875): either of two isomeric
          flammable gaseous alkanes obtained usu. from petroleum
          or natural gas and used as fuels

   butanol
          [bu.ta.nol] n (1894): either of two flammable four-carbon
          alcohols derived from normal butane

   butch
          [butch] adj [prob. fr. Butch, male nickname] (1941) 1: very
          masculine in appearance or manner 2: playing the male
          role in a homosexual relationship

   [1]butcher
          [butch.er] n [ME bocher, fr. OF bouchier, fr. bouc he-goat,
          prob. of Celt origin; akin to MIr bocc he-goat--more
          at buck] (13c) 1 a: a person who slaughters animals or
          dresses their flesh b: a dealer in meat 2: one that kills
          ruthlessly or brutally 3: one that bungles or botches
          4: a vendor esp. on trains or in theaters [2]butcher
          vt butch.ered ; butch.er.ing (1562) 1: to slaughter and
          dress for market <~ hogs> 2: to kill in a barbarous manner
          3: botch <~ed the play>

   butcher-bird
          [butch.er-bird] n (1668): any of various shrikes

   butcher block
          [butcher block] n (1967): a block made with thick strips
          of usu. laminated hardwood -- butcher-block adj

   butcherly
          [butch.er.ly] adj (1513): resembling a butcher: savage

   butcher paper
          [butcher paper] n (1944): heavy brown or white paper used
          esp. for wrapping meats

   butchery
          [butch.ery] n, pl -er.ies (14c) 1 chiefly Brit: slaughterhouse
          2: the preparation of meat for sale 3: cruel and ruthless
          slaughter of human beings 4: botch

   bute
          [bute] n (1968): phenylbutazone

   butene
          [bu.tene] n [ISV butyl + -ene] (1885): a normal butylene

   buteo
          [bu.teo] n, pl -te.os [NL, genus name, fr. L, a hawk] (1940):
          any of a genus (Buteo) of hawks with broad rounded wings,
          relatively short tails, and soaring flight

   but for
          [but for] prep (12c): except for

   butler
          [but.ler] n [ME buteler, fr. OF bouteillier bottle bearer,
          fr. bouteille bottle--more at bottle] (13c) 1: a manservant
          having charge of the wines and liquors 2: the chief male
          servant of a household who has charge of other employees,
          receives guests, directs the serving of meals, and performs
          various personal services

   butler's pantry
          [butler's pantry] n (1816): a service room between kitchen
          and dining room

   [1]butt
          [butt] vb [ME, fr. OF boter, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG bozan
          to beat--more at beat] vi (13c): to thrust or push head
          foremost: strike with the head or horns ~ vt: to strike
          or shove with the head or horns [2]butt n (1647): a blow
          or thrust usu. with the head or horns [3]butt n [ME,
          fr. MF botte, fr. OProv bota, fr. LL buttis] (14c) 1:
          a large cask esp. for wine, beer, or water 2: any of
          various units of liquid capacity; esp: a measure equal
          to 108 imperial gallons (491 liters) [4]butt n [ME, partly
          fr. MF but target, end, of Gmc origin; akin to ON butr
          log, LG butt blunt; partly fr. MF bute backstop, fr.
          but target] (14c) 1 a: a backstop (as a mound or bank)
          for catching missiles shot at a target b: target c pl:
          range 5c d: a blind for shooting birds 2 a obs: limit,
          bound b archaic: goal <here is my journey's end, here
          is my ~ --Shak.> 3: an object of abuse or ridicule: victim
          <the ~ of all their jokes> [5]butt n [ME; prob. akin
          to ME buttok buttock, LG butt blunt] (15c) 1: buttocks--often
          used as a euphemism for ass in idiomatic expressions
          <get your ~ over here> <kick ~> <saved our ~s> 2: the
          large or thicker end part of something: a: a lean upper
          cut of the pork shoulder b: the base of a plant from
          which the roots spring c: the thicker or handle end of
          a tool or weapon 3: an unused remainder 4: the part of
          a hide or skin corresponding to the animal's back and
          sides [6]butt vb [partly fr. [4]butt, partly fr. [5]butt]
          vi (1785): abut--used with on or against ~ vt 1: to place
          end to end or side to side without overlapping 2: to
          trim or square off (as a log) at the end 3: to reduce
          (as a cigarette) to a butt by stubbing or stamping

   butte
          [butte] n [F, knoll, fr. MF bute] (1805): an isolated hill
          or mountain with steep or precipitous sides usu. having
          a smaller summit area than a mesa

   [1]butter
          [but.ter] n [ME, fr. OE butere, fr. L butyrum, fr. Gk boutyron,
          fr. bous cow + tyros cheese; akin to Av tuiri- curds--more
          at cow] (bef. 12c) 1: a solid emulsion of fat globules,
          air, and water made by churning milk or cream and used
          as food 2: a buttery substance: as a: any of various
          fatty oils remaining nearly solid at ordinary temperatures
          b: a creamy food spread; esp: one made of ground roasted
          nuts <peanut ~> 3: flattery -- but.ter.less adj [2]butter
          vt (15c): to spread with or as if with butter

   butter-and-eggs
          [but.ter-and-eggs] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1776):
          a common Eurasian perennial herb (Linaria vulgaris) of
          the snapdragon family that has showy yellow and orange
          flowers and is naturalized in much of No. America--called
          also toadflax

   butterball
          [but.ter.ball] n (1813) 1: bufflehead 2: a chubby person

   butter bean
          [butter bean] n (ca. 1819) 1: lima bean: as a chiefly Southern
          & Midland: a large dried lima bean b: sieva bean 2: wax
          bean 3: a green shell bean esp. as opposed to a snap
          bean

   butter clam
          [butter clam] n (1936): either of two clams (Saxidomus nuttallii
          and S. giganteus) of the Pacific coast of No. America

   buttercup
          [but.ter.cup] n (1777): any of a genus (Ranunculus of the
          family Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family) of herbs
          with yellow or white flowers and alternate leaves

   butterfat
          [but.ter.fat] n (1889): the natural fat of milk and chief
          constituent of butter consisting essentially of a mixture
          of glycerides (as those derived from butyric, capric,
          caproic, and caprylic acids)

   butterfingered
          [but.ter.fin.gered] adj (1615): apt to let things fall or
          slip through the fingers: careless -- but.ter.fin.gers
          n pl but sing or pl in constr

   butterfish
          [but.ter.fish] n (1674): any of numerous bony fishes (esp.
          family Stromateidae) with a slippery coating of mucus

   [1]butterfly
          [but.ter.fly] n, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1: any of numerous
          slender-bodied diurnal insects (order Lepidoptera) with
          broad often brightly colored wings 2: something that
          resembles or suggests a butterfly; esp: a person chiefly
          occupied with the pursuit of pleasure 3: a swimming stroke
          executed in a prone position by moving both arms in a
          circular motion while kicking both legs up and down 4
          pl: a feeling of hollowness or queasiness caused esp.
          by emotional or nervous tension or anxious anticipation
          [2]butterfly vt -flied ; -fly.ing (1954): to split almost
          entirely and spread apart <a butterflied steak> <butterflied
          shrimp>

   butterfly bush
          [butterfly bush] n (1924): buddleia

   butterfly chair
          [butterfly chair] n (1953): a chair for lounging consisting
          of a cloth sling supported by a frame of metal tubing
          or bars

   butterflyer
          [but.ter.fly.er] n (1967): a swimmer who specializes in the
          butterfly

   butterfly fish
          [butterfly fish] n (1740) 1: any of a family (Chaetodontidae)
          of small brilliantly colored spiny-finned fishes of tropical
          seas with a narrow deep body and scaled fins 2: a small
          brown freshwater fish (Pantodon buchholzi of the family
          Pantodontidae) of western Africa that has elongate winglike
          pectoral fins

   butterfly valve
          [butterfly valve] n (1846) 1: a valve consisting of two
          semicircular clappers hinged to a cross rib that permits fluid flow
          in only one direction 2: a damper or valve in a pipe consisting
          of a disk turning on a diametral axis

   butterfly weed
          [butterfly weed] n (1816): an orange-flowered showy milkweed
          (Asclepias tuberosa) of eastern temperate No. America

   buttermilk
          [but.ter.milk] n (15c) 1: the liquid left after butter has
          been churned from milk or cream 2: cultured milk made
          by the addition of suitable bacteria to sweet milk

   butternut
          [but.ter.nut] n (1741) 1: an eastern No. American tree of
          the walnut family with sweet egg-shaped nuts and light
          brown wood--called also white walnut 2 a: a light yellowish
          brown b pl: homespun overalls dyed brown with a butternut
          extract c: a soldier or partisan of the Confederacy during
          the Civil War

   butternut squash
          [butternut squash] n (1945): a smooth somewhat bottle-shaped
          buff-colored winter squash with usu. orange flesh

   butterscotch
          [but.ter.scotch] n (1855) 1: a candy made from brown sugar,
          butter, corn syrup, and water; also: the flavor of such
          candy 2: a moderate yellowish brown

   butter up
          [butter up] vt (1819): to charm or beguile with lavish flattery
          or praise

   butterweed
          [but.ter.weed] n (ca. 1845): any of several plants having
          yellow flowers or smooth soft foliage: as a: horseweed
          1 b: a No. American groundsel (Senecio glabellus)

   butterwort
          [but.ter.wort] n (1597): any of a genus (Pinguicula) of herbs
          of the bladderwort family with fleshy leaves that produce
          a viscid secretion serving to capture and digest insects

   [1]buttery
          [but.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME boterie, fr. MF, fr. botte
          cask, butt--more at butt] (14c) 1: a storeroom for liquors
          2 a chiefly dial: pantry b: a room (as in an English
          college) stocking provisions for sale to students [2]but.tery
          adj (14c) 1 a: having the qualities of butter b: containing
          or spread with butter 2: marked by flattery

   butt hinge
          [butt hinge] n (1815): a hinge usu. mortised flush into the
          edge of a door and its jamb

   butt in
          [butt in] vi (1900): to meddle in the affairs of others:
          interfere

   buttinsky
          [butt.in.sky] also butt.in.ski n, pl -skies [butt in + -sky,
          -ski (last element in Slavic surnames)] (1902): a person
          given to butting in: a troublesome meddler

   butt joint
          [butt joint] n (1823): a joint made by fastening the parts
          together end-to-end without overlap and often with reinforcement

   buttock
          [but.tock] n [ME buttok--more at butt] (14c) 1: the back
          of a hip that forms one of the fleshy parts on which
          a person sits 2 pl a: the seat of the body b: rump

   [1]button
          [but.ton] n, often attrib [ME boton, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr.
          boter to thrust--more at butt] (14c) 1 a: a small knob
          or disk secured to an article (as of clothing) and used
          as a fastener by passing it through a buttonhole or loop
          b: a usu. circular metal or plastic badge bearing a stamped
          design or printed slogan <campaign ~> 2: something that
          resembles a button: as a: any of various parts or growths
          of a plant or of an animal: as (1): an immature whole
          mushroom (2): the terminal segment of a rattlesnake's
          rattle b: a small globule of metal remaining after fusion
          (as in assaying) c: a guard on the tip of a fencing foil
          3: push button 4: the point of the chin esp. as a target
          for a knockout blow -- but.ton.less adj -- on the button
          : exactly <arrived at noon on the button>; also: exactly
          on target: on the nose <the estimate was right on the
          button> [2]button vb but.toned ; but.ton.ing vt (14c)
          1: to furnish or decorate with buttons 2 a: to pass (a
          button) through a buttonhole or loop b: to close or fasten
          with buttons--often used with up <~ up your overcoat>
          3 a: to close (the lips) to prevent speech <~ your lip>
          b: to close or seal tightly--usu. used with up <~ up
          the house for winter> ~ vi: to have buttons for fastening
          <this dress ~s at the back> -- but.ton.er n

   buttonball
          [but.ton.ball] n (1821): [2]plane

   buttonbush
          [but.ton.bush] n (1754): a No. American shrub (Cephalanthus
          occidentalis) of the madder family with globular flower
          heads

   [1]button-down
          [but.ton-down] adj (1934) 1 a of a collar: having the ends
          fastened to the garment with buttons b of a garment:
          having a button-down collar 2 also but.toned-down : conservatively
          traditional or conventional; esp: adhering to conventional ideals
          in dress and behavior <~ businessmen> [2]button-down n (1952):
          a shirt with a button-down collar

   buttoned-up
          [but.toned-up] adj (1936): coldly reserved or standoffish

   [1]buttonhole
          [but.ton.hole] n (1561) 1: a slit or loop through which a
          button is passed 2 chiefly Brit: boutonniere [2]buttonhole
          vt (1828) 1: to furnish with buttonholes 2: to work with
          buttonhole stitch -- but.ton.hol.er n [3]buttonhole vt
          [alter. of buttonhold] (1862): to detain in conversation
          by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of

   buttonhole stitch
          [buttonhole stitch] n (ca. 1885): a closely worked loop stitch
          used to make a firm edge (as on a buttonhole)

   buttonhook
          [but.ton.hook] n (1870) 1: a hook for drawing small buttons
          through buttonholes 2: an offensive play in football
          in which the pass receiver runs straight downfield and
          then abruptly cuts back toward the line of scrimmage
          -- buttonhook vi

   button man
          [button man] n [perh. fr. buttons bellhop] (1966): a low-ranking
          member of a criminal underworld organization

   button mushroom
          [button mushroom] n (1865): a small cultivated mushroom (Agaricus
          bisporus syn. A. brunnescens)

   button quail
          [button quail] n (1885): any of a family (Turnicidae) of
          small terrestrial Old World birds that resemble quails
          and have only three toes on a foot with the hind toe
          being absent

   button snakeroot
          [button snakeroot] n (1775) 1: blazing star 2a 2: any of
          several usu. prickly herbs (genus Eryngium) of the carrot
          family

   buttonwood
          [but.ton.wood] n (1674): [2]plane

   [1]buttress
          [but.tress] n [ME butres, fr. MF bouterez, fr. OF boterez,
          fr. boter--more at butt] (14c) 1: a projecting structure
          of masonry or wood for supporting or giving stability
          to a wall or building 2: something that resembles a buttress:
          as a: a projecting part of a mountain or hill b: a horny
          protuberance on a horse's hoof at the heel--see hoof
          illustration c: the broadened base of a tree trunk or
          a thickened vertical part of it 3: something that supports
          or strengthens <a ~ of the cause of peace> -- but.tressed
          adj [2]buttress vt (14c): to furnish or shore up with
          a buttress; also: support, strengthen <arguments ~ed
          by solid facts>

   butt shaft
          [butt shaft] n (1588): a target arrow without a barb

   buttstock
          [butt.stock] n (ca. 1909): the stock of a firearm in the
          rear of the breech mechanism

   butt weld
          [butt weld] n (ca. 1864): a butt joint made by welding --
          butt-weld vt

   butty
          [but.ty] n, pl butties [origin unknown] (ca. 1790) chiefly
          Brit: a fellow worker: chum, partner

   butut
          [bu.tut] n, pl bututs or butut [Wolof] (1972): a monetary
          unit of Gambia equal to 1/100 dalasi

   butyl
          [bu.tyl] n [ISV butyric + -yl] (1869): any of four isomeric
          univalent radicals derived from butanes

   butyl alcohol
          [butyl alcohol] n (ca. 1871): any of four flammable alcohols
          (as butanol) used in organic synthesis and as solvents

   butylated
          [bu.tyl.at.ed] adj (1942): combined with the butyl group
          -- bu.tyl.a.tion n

   butylated hydroxyanisole
          [butylated hy.droxy.an.i.sole] n [hydroxy + anise + -ole]
          (1950): bha

   butylated hydroxytoluene
          [butylated hy.droxy.tol.u.ene] n (1961): bht

   butylene
          [bu.tyl.ene] n (1877): any of three isomeric hydrocarbons
          of the ethylene series obtained usu. by cracking petroleum

   butyl rubber
          [butyl rubber] n (1940): any of a class of synthetic rubbers
          that are made by copolymerizing isobutylene with a small
          amount usu. of isoprene at low temperature

   butyr-
          [butyr-] or butyro- comb form [ISV, fr. butyric]: butyric
          <butyraldehyde>

   butyraldehyde
          [bu.tyr.al.de.hyde] n [ISV] (ca. 1885): either of two aldehydes
          used esp. in making synthetic resins

   butyrate
          [bu.ty.rate] n (1873): a salt or ester of butyric acid

   butyric
          [bu.tyr.ic] adj [F butyrique, fr. L butyrum butter--more
          at butter] (1854): relating to or producing butyric acid
          <~ fermentation>

   butyric acid
          [butyric acid] n (1826): either of two isomeric fatty acids;
          esp: an acid of unpleasant odor normally found in p erspiration
          and rancid butter

   butyrophenone
          [bu.ty.ro.phe.none] n [butyr- + phen- + -one] (1970): any
          of a class of neuroleptic drugs (as haloperidol) used
          esp. in the treatment of schizophrenia

   buxom
          [bux.om] adj [ME buxsum, fr. (assumed) OE buhsum; akin to
          OE bugan to bend--more at bow] (12c) 1 obs a: obedient,
          tractable b: offering little resistance: flexible, pliant
          <wing silently the ~ air --John Milton> 2 archaic: full
          of gaiety: blithe 3: vigorously or healthily plump; specif:
          full-bosomed -- bux.om.ly adv -- bux.om.ness n

   [1]buy
          [buy] vb bought ; buy.ing [ME byen, fr. OE bycgan; akin to
          Goth bugjan to buy] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to acquire possession,
          ownership, or rights to the use or services of by payment
          esp. of money: purchase 2 a: to obtain in exchange for
          something often at a sacrifice <they bought peace with
          their freedom> b: redeem 6 3: bribe, hire 4: to be the
          purchasing equivalent of <the dollar ~s less today than
          it used to> 5: accept, believe <I don't ~ that hooey>
          ~ vi: to make a purchase -- buy.er n -- buy it or buy
          the farm : to get killed: die -- buy time : to delay
          an imminent action or decision: stall [2]buy n (1879)
          1: something of value at a favorable price; esp: bargain
          <it's a real ~ at that price> 2: an act of buying: purchase

   buyback
          [buy.back] n (1974): the act or an instance of buying something
          back; esp: the repurchase by a corporation of shares
          of its own common stock on the open market

   buyer's market
          [buyer's market] n (1926): a market in which goods are plentiful,
          buyers have a wide range of choice, and prices tend to
          be low--compare seller's market

   buy off
          [buy off] vt (1629) 1: to induce to refrain (as from prosecution)
          by a payment or other consideration 2: to free (as from
          military service) by payment

   buy out
          [buy out] vt (1644) 1: to purchase the share or interest
          of 2: to purchase the entire stock-in-trade and the goodwill
          of (a business)

   buyout
          [buy.out] n (1971): an act or instance of buying out

   buy up
          [buy up] vt (ca. 1534) 1: to buy freely or extensively 2:
          to buy the entire available supply of

   [1]buzz
          [buzz] vb [ME bussen, of imit. origin] vi (14c) 1: to make
          a low continuous humming sound like that of a bee 2 a:
          murmur, whisper b: to be filled with a confused murmur
          <the room ~ed with excitement> 3: to make a signal with
          a buzzer 4: to go quickly: hurry <~ed around town in
          a sports car>; also: scram--usu. used with off ~ vt 1:
          to utter covertly by or as if by whispering 2: to cause
          to buzz 3: to fly fast and close to <planes ~ the crowd>
          4: to summon or signal with a buzzer 5 dial Eng: to drink
          to the last drop <get some more port whilst I ~ this
          bottle --W. M. Thackeray> [2]buzz n (1605) 1: a persistent
          vibratory sound 2 a: rumor, gossip b: a confused murmur
          c: a flurry of activity d: fad, craze 3: a signal conveyed
          by buzzer; specif: a telephone call 4: high 4

   buzzard
          [buz.zard] n [ME busard, fr. OF, alter. of buison, fr. L
          buteon, buteo hawk] (14c) 1 chiefly Brit: buteo 2: any
          of various usu. large birds of prey (as the turkey vulture)
          3: a contemptible or rapacious person

   buzz bomb
          [buzz bomb] n (1944): an unguided jet-propelled missile used
          by the Germans against England in World War II

   buzzer
          [buzz.er] n (1606) 1: one that buzzes; specif: an electric
          signaling device that makes a buzzing sound 2: the sound
          of a buzzer

   buzz saw
          [buzz saw] n (1858): circular saw

   buzzword
          [buzz.word] n (1946) 1: an important-sounding usu. technical
          word or phrase often of little meaning used chiefly to
          impress laymen 2: a voguish word or phrase--called also
          buzz phrase

   bv...
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   BV
          [BV] abbreviation Blessed Virgin

   BVD
          [BVD] trademark--used for underwear

   bvt
          [bvt] abbreviation brevet

   bw...
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   BW
          [BW] abbreviation bacteriological warfare, biological warfare,
          black and white

   bwana
          [bwa.na] n [Swahili, fr. Ar abuna our father] (1878): master,
          boss

   BWI
          [BWI] abbreviation British West Indies

   bx...
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   bx
          [bx] abbreviation box  BX abbreviation base exchange

   by...
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   [1]by
          [by] prep [ME, prep. & adv., fr. OE, prep., be, bi; akin
          to OHG bi by, near, L ambi- on both sides, around, Gk
          amphi] (bef. 12c) 1: in proximity to: near <standing
          ~ the window> 2 a: through or through the medium of:
          via <enter ~ the door> b: in the direction of: toward
          <north ~ east> c: into the vicinity of and beyond: past
          <went right ~ him> 3 a: during the course of <studied
          ~ night> b: not later than <~ 2 p.m.> 4 a: through the
          agency or instrumentality of <~ force> b: born or begot
          of c: sired or borne by 5: with the witness or sanction
          of <swear ~ all that is holy> 6 a: in conformity with
          <acted ~ the rules> b: according to <called her ~ name>
          7 a: on behalf of <did right ~ his children> b: with
          respect to <a lawyer ~ profession> 8 a: in or to the
          amount or extent of <win ~ a nose> b chiefly Scot: in
          comparison with: beside 9--used as a function word to
          indicate successive units or increments <little ~ little>
          <walk two ~ two> 10--used as a function word in multiplication,
          in division, and in measurements <divide a ~ b> <multiply
          10 ~ 4> <a room 15 feet ~ 20 feet> 11: in the opinion
          of <okay ~ me> -- by the by or by the bye : incidentally
          2 [2]by adv (bef. 12c) 1 a: close at hand: near b: at
          or to another's home <stop ~> 2: past <saw him go ~>
          3: aside, away [3]by or bye adj (14c) 1: being off the
          main route: side 2: incidental [4]by or bye n, pl byes
          (1567): something of secondary importance: a side issue
          [5]by or bye interj [short for goodbye] (1709)--used
          to express farewell--often used with following now

   by
          [by] abbreviation billion years

   by and by
          [by and by] adv (1526): before long: soon

   by-and-by
          [by-and-by] n (1591): a future time or occasion

   by and large
          [by and large] adv (1706): on the whole: in general

   by-blow
          [by-blow] n (1594) 1: an indirect blow 2: an illegitimate
          child

   bye
          [bye] n [alter. of [2]by] (1883): the position of a participant
          in a tournament who advances to the next round without
          playing

   [1]bye-bye
          [bye-bye] or by-by interj [baby-talk redupl. of goodbye]
          (ca. 1736)--used to express farewell [2]bye-bye or by-by
          adv (1917): out esp. for a walk or ride--used with the
          verb go [3]bye-bye or by-by n (1867): bed, sleep <lie
          down ... and go to ~ --Rudyard Kipling> [4]bye-bye or
          by-by adv (1920): to bed or sleep--used with the verb
          go

   by-election
          [by-elec.tion] also bye-election n (1880): a special election
          held between regular elections in order to fill a vacancy

   bygone
          [by.gone] adj (15c): gone by: past; esp: outmoded -- bygone
          n

   bylaw
          [by.law] or bye.law n [ME bilawe, prob. fr. (assumed) ON
          bylog, fr. ON byr town + log law] (14c) 1: a rule adopted
          by an organization chiefly for the government of its
          members and the regulation of its affairs 2: a local
          ordinance

   [1]byline
          [by.line] n (1916) 1: a secondary line: sideline 2: a line
          at the beginning of a news story, magazine article, or
          book giving the writer's name [2]byline vt (1938): to
          write (an article) under a byline -- by.lin.er n

   byname
          [by.name] n (14c) 1: a secondary name 2: nickname

   byp
          [byp] abbreviation bypass

   [1]bypass
          [by.pass] n (1848) 1: a passage to one side; esp: a deflected
          route usu. around a town 2 a: a channel carrying a fluid
          around a part and back to the main stream b (1): shunt
          1b (2): shunt 1c; also: a surgical procedure for the
          establishment of a shunt <have a coronary ~> [2]bypass
          vt (1886) 1 a: to avoid by means of a bypass b: to cause
          to follow a bypass 2 a: to neglect or ignore usu. intentionally
          b: circumvent

   bypast
          [by.past] adj (15c): bygone

   bypath
          [by.path] n (14c): byway

   byplay
          [by.play] n (1812): action engaged in on the side while the
          main action proceeds (as during a dramatic production)

   by-product
          [by-prod.uct] n (1857) 1: something produced in a usu. industrial
          or biological process in addition to the principal product
          2: a secondary and sometimes unexpected or unintended
          result <unpleasant ~s of civilization>

   byre
          [byre] n [ME, fr. OE byre; akin to OE bur dwelling--more
          at bower] (bef. 12c) chiefly Brit: a cow barn

   byroad
          [by.road] n (1673): byway

   byssinosis
          [bys.si.no.sis] n, pl -no.ses [NL, fr. L byssinus of fine
          linen, fr. Gk byssinos, fr. byssos] (1881): an occupational
          respiratory disease associated with inhalation of cotton,
          flax, or hemp dust and characterized initially by chest
          tightness, shortness of breath, and cough and eventually
          by irreversible lung disease

   byssus
          [bys.sus] n, pl bys.sus.es or bys.si [ME bissus, fr. L byssus,
          fr. Gk byssos flax, of Sem origin; akin to Heb bus linen
          cloth] (14c) 1: a fine prob. linen cloth of ancient times
          2 [NL, fr. L]: a tuft of long tough filaments by which
          some bivalve mollusks (as mussels) adhere to a surface

   bystander
          [by.stand.er] n (ca. 1619): one present but not taking part
          in a situation or event: a chance spectator

   bystreet
          [by.street] n (1672): a street off a main thoroughfare

   byte
          [byte] n [perh. alter. of [2]bite] (1959): a group of eight
          binary digits processed as a unit by a computer and used
          esp. to represent an alphanumeric character--compare
          word 2c

   byway
          [by.way] n (14c) 1: a little traveled side road 2: a secondary
          or little known aspect or field <meandering more and
          more in the fascinating ~s of learning --Times Lit. Supp.>

   byword
          [by.word] n (bef. 12c) 1: a proverbial saying: proverb 2
          a: one that personifies a type b: one that is noteworthy
          or notorious 3: epithet 4: a frequently used word or
          phrase

   by-your-leave
          [by-your-leave] n (1914): a request for permission <imposed
          ... without so much as a ~ --J. L. Granatstein>

   [1]Byzantine
          [Byz.an.tine] adj (1794) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the ancient city of Byzantium 2: of, relating to,
          or having the characteristics of a style of architecture
          developed in the Byzantine Empire esp. in the 5th and
          6th centuries featuring the dome carried on pendentives
          over a square and incrustation with marble veneering
          and with colored mosaics on grounds of gold 3: of or
          relating to the churches using a traditional Greek rite
          and subject to Eastern canon law 4 often not cap a: of,
          relating to, or characterized by a devious and usu. surreptitious
          manner of operation <a ~ power struggle> b: intricately
          involved: labyrinthine <rules of ~ complexity>

   c...
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   c
          [c] n, pl c's or cs often cap, often attrib 1 a: the 3rd
          letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic representation
          of this letter c: a speech counterpart of orthographic
          c 2 a: one hundred in Roman numerals b slang: a sum of
          $100 3: the keynote of a C-major scale 4: a graphic device
          for reproducing the letter c 5: one designated c esp.
          as the 3rd in order or class 6 a: a grade rating a student's
          work as fair or mediocre in quality b: one graded or
          rated with a C 7: something shaped like the letter C
          8: a structured programming language designed to produce
          a compact and efficient translation of a program into
          machine language

   c
          [c] abbreviation calm, calorie, Canadian, canceled, candle,
          carat, case, castle, catcher, Catholic, cedi, cent, centavo,
          center, centi-, centime, centimeter, centum, century,
          chairman, chapter, circa, circuit, circumference, clockwise,
          cloudy, cocaine, codex, coefficient, college, colon,
          color, colt, [L congius] gallon; congress, conservative,
          contralto, copyright, cost, cubic, cup, curie  C abbreviation
          capacitance, carbon, Celsius, centigrade, Coulomb, cytosine

   c/o
          [c/o] abbreviation care of

   C and F
          [C and F] abbreviation cost and freight

   C and W
          [C and W] abbreviation country and western

   C-clamp
          [C-clamp] n (1926): a C-shaped general-purpose clamp

   C clef
          [C clef] n (1596): a movable clef indicating middle C by
          its placement on one of the lines of the staff

   c'est-a-dire
          [c'est-a-dire] [F] foreign term : that is to say: namely

   c'est autre chose
          [c'est au.tre chose] [F] foreign term : that's a different
          thing

   c'est la guerre
          [c'est la guerre] [F] foreign term : that's war: it cannot
          be helped

   c'est la vie
          [c'est la vie] [F] foreign term : that's life: that's how
          things happen

   c'est plus qu'un crime, c'est une faute
          [c'est plus qu'un crime, c'est une faute] [F] foreign term
          : it is worse than a crime, it is a blunder

   C horizon
          [C horizon] n (1935): the soil layer lying beneath the B
          horizon and consisting essentially of more or less weathered
          parent rock

   C in C
          [C in C] abbreviation commander in chief

   C of C
          [C of C] abbreviation Chamber of Commerce

   C of S
          [C of S] abbreviation chief of staff

   C ration
          [C ration] n (1942): a canned field ration of the U.S. Army

   C-reactive protein
          [C-re.ac.tive protein] n [C-polysaccharide, a polysaccharide
          found in the cell wall of pneumococci and precipitated
          by this protein, fr. carbohydrate] (1955): a protein
          present in blood serum in various abnormal states (as
          inflammation or neoplasia)

   C-section
          [C-sec.tion] n (1973): cesarean section

   c to c
          [c to c] abbreviation center to center

   C-type
          [C-type] adj (1967): relating to or being any of the oncornaviruses
          in which the structure containing the nucleic acid is spherical and
          centrally located <~ virus particles>

   ca...
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   ca
          [ca] abbreviation circa  Ca abbreviation calcium  CA abbreviation
          California, Central America, certified acupuncturist,
          chartered accountant, chief accountant, chronological
          age, commercial agent, controller of accounts, current
          account

   ca'
          [ca'] Scot var of call

   ca' canny
          [ca' can.ny] n [Sc, vb., to proceed cautiously, fr. ca' (call)
          + canny careful] (1886) Brit: slowdown -- ca' canny vi,
          Brit

   ca va sans dire
          [ca va sans dire] [F] foreign term : it goes without saying

   [1]cab
          [cab] n [Heb qabh] (1535): an ancient Hebrew unit of capacity
          equal to about two quarts (2.2 liters) [2]cab n [short
          for cabriolet] (1827) 1 a (1): cabriolet (2): a similar
          light closed carriage (as a hansom) b: a carriage for
          hire 2: taxicab 3 [short for cabin] a: the part of a
          locomotive that houses the engineer and operating controls
          b: a comparable shelter (as on a truck) housing operating
          controls

   CAB
          [CAB] abbreviation Civil Aeronautics Board

   [1]cabal
          [ca.bal] n [F cabale cabala, intrigue, cabal, fr. ML cabbala
          cabala, fr. LHeb qabbalah, lit., received (lore)] (1614):
          the artifices and intrigues of a group of persons secretly
          united to bring about an overturn or usurpation esp.
          in public affairs; also: a group engaged in such artifices
          and intrigues syn see plot [2]cabal vi ca.balled ; ca.bal.ling
          (1680): to unite in or form a cabal

   cabala
          [ca.ba.la] or cab.ba.la or cab.ba.lah n, often cap [ML cabbala]
          (1521) 1: a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy,
          mysticism, and thaumaturgy marked by belief in creation
          through emanation and a cipher method of interpreting
          Scripture 2 a: a traditional, esoteric, occult, or secret
          matter b: esoteric doctrine or mysterious art -- cab.a.lism
          n -- cab.a.lis.tic adj

   cabaletta
          [ca.ba.let.ta] n [It] (1842) 1: an operatic song in simple
          popular style characterized by a uniform rhythm 2: the
          lively bravura concluding section of an extended aria
          or duet

   [1]cabalist
          [ca.ba.list] n (ca. 1533) 1 often cap: a student, interpreter,
          or devotee of the Jewish cabala 2: one skilled in esoteric
          doctrine or mysterious art [2]ca.bal.ist n (1569): a
          member of a cabal

   caballero
          [ca.bal.le.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp, fr. LL caballarius hostler--more
          at cavalier] (1749) 1: knight, cavalier 2 chiefly Southwest:
          horseman

   cabana
          [ca.bana] n [Sp cabana, lit., hut, fr. ML capanna] (1890)
          1: a shelter resembling a cabin usu. with an open side
          facing a beach or swimming pool 2: a lightweight structure
          with living facilities

   cabaret
          [cab.a.ret] n [F, fr. ONF] (1655) 1 archaic: a shop selling
          wines and liquors 2 a: a restaurant serving liquor and
          providing entertainment (as by singers or dancers): nightclub
          b: the show provided at a cabaret

   [1]cabbage
          [cab.bage] n, often attrib [ME caboche, fr. ONF, head] (15c)
          1: a leafy garden plant (Brassica oleracea capitata)
          of European origin with a short stem and a dense globular
          head of usu. green leaves that is used as a vegetable
          2 slang: paper money, banknotes [2]cabbage n [perh. by
          folk etymology fr. MF cabas cheating, theft] (1663) Brit:
          pieces of cloth left in cutting out garments and traditionally
          kept by tailors as perquisites [3]cabbage vt cab.baged
          ; cab.bag.ing (1712): steal, filch

   cabbage butterfly
          [cabbage butterfly] n (1816): any of several largely white
          butterflies (family Pieridae) whose green larvae are
          cabbageworms; esp: a small cosmopolitan butterfly (Pieris
          rapae syn. Artogeia rapae) that is a pest on cabbage--called
          also cabbage white

   cabbage looper
          [cabbage looper] n (ca. 1902): a noctuid moth (Trichoplusia
          ni) having pale green white-striped larvae that feed
          on cruciferous plants (as the cabbage)

   cabbage palm
          [cabbage palm] n (ca. 1784): a palm with terminal buds eaten
          as a vegetable

   cabbage palmetto
          [cabbage palmetto] n (1802): a cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)
          with fan-shaped leaves that is native to coastal southeastern
          U.S. and the Bahamas

   cabbage rose
          [cabbage rose] n (1795): a fragrant garden rose (Rosa centifolia)
          with upright branches and large pink flowers

   cabbageworm
          [cab.bage.worm] n (1688): an insect larva (as of a cabbage
          butterfly) that feeds on cabbages

   cabbie
          [cab.bie] or cab.by n, pl cabbies (1859): cabdriver

   cabdriver
          [cab.driv.er] n (1830): a driver of a cab

   caber
          [ca.ber] n [ScGael cabar] (1505): pole; esp: a young tree
          trunk used for tossing as a trial of strength in a Scottish
          sport

   cabernet sauvignon
          [cab.er.net sau.vi.gnon] n, often cap C&S [F] (1941): a dry
          red wine made from a single widely cultivated variety
          of black grape--called also cabernet

   [1]cabin
          [cab.in] n [ME cabane, fr. MF, fr. OProv cabana hut, fr.
          ML capanna] (14c) 1 a (1): a private room on a ship or
          boat (2): a compartment below deck on a boat used for
          living accommodations b: the passenger or cargo compartment
          of a vehicle (as an airplane or automobile) c: the crew
          compartment of an exploratory vehicle (as a spacecraft)
          2: a small one-story dwelling usu. of simple construction
          3 chiefly Brit: cab 3 [2]cabin vi (1586): to live in
          or as if in a cabin ~ vt: confine

   cabin boy
          [cabin boy] n (1726): a boy working as servant on a ship

   cabin car
          [cabin car] n (1879): caboose

   cabin class
          [cabin class] n (1929): a class of accommodations on a passenger
          ship superior to tourist class and inferior to first
          class

   cabin cruiser
          [cabin cruiser] n (1921): cruiser 1b

   [1]cabinet
          [cab.i.net] n [MF, small room, dim. of ONF cabine gambling
          house] (ca. 1550) 1 a: a case or cupboard usu. having
          doors and shelves b: a collection of specimens esp. of
          biological or numismatic interest c: console 4a d: a
          chamber having temperature and humidity controls and
          used esp. for incubating biological samples 2 a archaic:
          a small room providing seclusion b: a small exhibition
          room in a museum 3 a archaic (1): the private room serving
          as council chamber of the chief councillors or ministers
          of a sovereign (2): the consultations and actions of
          these councillors b (1) often cap: a body of advisers
          of a head of state (2): a similar advisory council of
          a governor of a state or a mayor c Brit: a meeting of
          a cabinet [2]cabinet adj (1632) 1: suitable by reason
          of size for a small room or by reason of attractiveness
          or perfection for preservation and display in a cabinet
          2: of or relating to a governmental cabinet 3 a: used
          or adapted for cabinetmaking b: done or used by a cabinetmaker

   cabinetmaker
          [cab.i.net.mak.er] n (1681): a skilled woodworker who makes
          fine furniture -- cab.i.net.mak.ing n

   cabinetry
          [cab.i.net.ry] n (1926): cabinetwork; also: cabinets <kitchen
          ~>

   cabinetwork
          [cab.i.net.work] n (1732): finished woodwork made by a cabinetmaker

   cabin fever
          [cabin fever] n (1918): extreme irritability and restlessness
          from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for
          a prolonged time

   [1]cable
          [ca.ble] n, often attrib [ME, fr. ONF, fr. ML capulum lasso,
          fr. L capere to take--more at heave] (13c) 1 a: a strong
          rope esp. of 10 inches (25 centimeters) or more in circumference
          b: a cable-laid rope c: a wire rope or metal chain of
          great tensile strength d: a wire or wire rope by which
          force is exerted to control or operate a mechanism 2:
          cable length 3 a: an assembly of electrical conductors
          insulated from each other but laid up together usu. by
          being twisted around a central core b: cablegram; also:
          a radio message or telegram 4: something resembling or
          fashioned like a cable <a fiber-optic ~> 5: cable television
          [2]cable vb ca.bled ; ca.bling vt (ca. 1500) 1: to fasten
          with or as if with a cable 2: to provide with cables
          3: to telegraph by submarine cable 4: to make into a
          cable or into a form resembling a cable ~ vi: to communicate
          by a submarine cable

   cable car
          [cable car] n (1887): a vehicle moved by an endless cable:
          a: one suspended from an overhead cable b: one that moves
          along tracks

   cablegram
          [ca.ble.gram] n (1868): a message sent by a submarine telegraph
          cable

   cable-laid
          [ca.ble-laid] adj (1723): composed of three ropes laid together
          left-handed with each containing three strands twisted
          together

   cable length
          [cable length] n (1555): a maritime unit of length variously
          reckoned as 100 fathoms, 120 fathoms, or 608 feet

   cable television
          [cable television] n (1965): a system of television reception
          in which signals from distant stations are picked up
          by a master antenna and sent by cable to the individual
          receivers of paying subscribers--called also cable TV

   cableway
          [ca.ble.way] n (1899): a suspended cable used as a track
          along which carriers can be pulled

   cabman
          [cab.man] n (1834): cabdriver

   cabochon
          [cab.o.chon] n [MF, dim. of ONF caboche head] (1578): a gem
          or bead cut in convex form and highly polished but not
          faceted; also: this style of cutting -- cabochon adv

   caboodle
          [ca.boo.dle] n [prob. fr. ca- (intensive prefix) + boodle]
          (ca. 1848): collection, lot <sell the whole ~>

   caboose
          [ca.boose] n [prob. fr. D kabuis, fr. MLG kabuse] (1769)
          1: a ship's galley 2: a freight-train car attached usu.
          to the rear mainly for the use of the train crew 3: one
          that follows or brings up the rear

   cabotage
          [cab.o.tage] n [F, fr. caboter to sail along the coast] (1831)
          1: trade or transport in coastal wat ers or airspace
          or between two points within a country 2: the right to
          engage in cabotage

   cabretta
          [ca.bret.ta] n [modif. of Pg and Sp cabra goat] (1926): a
          light soft leather from skins of hairy sheep

   cabrilla
          [ca.bril.la] n [Sp, dim. of cabra goat, fr. L capra she-goat,
          fem. of caper he-goat--more at capriole] (1859): any
          of various sea basses (esp. of the genera Epinephelus
          and Paralabrax) of the Mediterranean, the California
          coast, and the warmer parts of the western Atlantic

   cabriole
          [cab.ri.ole] n [F, caper] (ca. 1797) 1: a ballet leap in
          which one leg is extended in midair and the other struck
          against it 2: a curved furniture leg ending in an ornamental
          foot

   cabriolet
          [cab.ri.o.let] n [F, fr. dim. of cabriole caper, alter. of
          MF capriole] (1763) 1: a light 2-wheeled one-horse carriage
          with a folding leather hood, a large apron, and upward-curving
          shafts 2: a convertible coupe

   cabstand
          [cab.stand] n (1848): a place where cabs await hire

   cac-
          [cac-] or caco- comb form [NL, fr. Gk kak-, kako-, fr. kakos
          bad]: bad <cacography>

   cacao
          [ca.cao] n, pl cacaos [Sp, fr. Nahuatl cacahuatl cacao beans]
          (1555) 1: the dried partly fermented fatty seeds of a
          So. American evergreen tree (Theobroma cacao of the family
          Sterculiaceae) that are used in making cocoa, chocolate,
          and cocoa butter--called also cacao bean, cocoa bean
          2: a tree having small yellowish flowers followed by
          fleshy pods with many seeds that bears cacao

   cacao butter
          [cacao butter] var of cocoa butter

   cacciatore
          [cac.cia.to.re] adj [It, fr. cacciatore hunter] (1942): cooked
          with tomatoes and herbs and sometimes wine <chicken ~>

   cachalot
          [cach.a.lot] n [F] (1747): sperm whale

   [1]cache
          [cache] n [F, fr. cacher to press, hide, fr. (assumed) VL
          coacticare to press together, fr. L coactare to compel,
          freq. of cogere to compel--more at cogent] (1797) 1 a:
          a hiding place esp. for concealing and preserving provisions
          or implements b: a secure place of storage 2: something
          hidden or stored in a cache 3: a computer memory with
          very short access time used for storage of frequently
          used instructions or data--called also cache memory [2]cache
          vt cached ; cach.ing (1805): to place, hide, or store
          in a cache

   cachectic
          [ca.chec.tic] adj [F cachectique, fr. L cachecticus, fr.
          Gk kachektikos, fr. kak- + echein] (1634): affected by
          cachexia

   cachepot
          [cache.pot] n [F, fr. cacher to hide + pot pot] (1872): an
          ornamental receptacle to hold and usu. to conceal a flowerpot

   cachet
          [ca.chet] n [F, fr. cacher] (ca. 1639) 1 a: a seal used esp.
          as a mark of official approval b: an indication of approval
          carrying great prestige 2 a: a characteristic feature
          or quality conferring prestige b: prestige <being rich
          ... doesn't have the ~ it used to --Truman Capote> 3:
          a medicinal preparation for swallowing consisting of
          a case usu. of rice-flour paste enclosing a medicine
          4 a: a design or inscription on an envelope to commemorate
          a postal or philatelic event b: an advertisement forming
          part of a postage meter impression c: a motto or slogan
          included in a postal cancellation

   cachexia
          [ca.chex.ia] n [LL cachexia, fr. Gk kachexia bad condition,
          fr. kak- cac- + hexis condition, fr. echein to have,
          be disposed--more at scheme] (1541): general physical
          wasting and malnutrition usu. associated with chronic
          disease

   cachinnate
          [cach.in.nate] vi -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L cachinnatus, pp.
          of cachinnare, of imit. origin] (1824): to laugh loudly
          or immoderately -- cach.in.na.tion n

   cachou
          [ca.chou] n [F, fr. Pg cachu, fr. Malayalam kaccu] (ca. 1879):
          a pill or pastille used to sweeten the breath

   cacique
          [ca.cique] n [Sp, fr. Taino, chief] (1555) 1: a native Indian
          chief in areas dominated primarily by a Spanish culture
          2: a local political boss in Spain and Latin America
          -- ca.ciqu.ism n

   cackle
          [cack.le] vi cack.led ; cack.ling [ME cakelen, of imit. origin]
          (13c) 1: to make the sharp broken noise or cry characteristic
          of a hen esp. after laying 2: to laugh esp. in a harsh
          or sharp manner 3: chatter -- cackle n -- cack.ler n

   cacodemon
          [caco.de.mon] n [Gk kakodaimon, fr. kak- cac- + daimon spirit]
          (1594): demon -- caco.de.mon.ic adj

   cacodylic acid
          [cacodylic acid] n [G Kakodyl a radical, fr. Gk kakodes
          foul-smelling, fr. kak- + -odes (akin to Gk ozein to smell)--more
          at odor] (1850): a toxic crystalline compound of arsenic used esp.
          as an herbicide

   cacoethes
          [caco.e.thes] n [L, fr. Gk kakoethes wickedness, fr. neut.
          of kakoethes malignant, fr. kak- cac- + ethos character--more
          at sib] (ca. 1587): an insatiable desire: mania

   cacography
          [ca.cog.ra.phy] n (1580) 1: bad spelling--compare orthography
          2: bad handwriting--compare calligraphy -- caco.graph.i.cal
          adj

   cacomistle
          [cac.o.mis.tle] n [MexSp, fr. Nahuatl tlahcomiztli, fr. tlahco
          half + miztli mountain lion] (1869): ringtail 2

   cacophonous
          [ca.coph.o.nous] adj [Gk kakophonos, fr. kak- + phone voice,
          sound--more at ban] (1797): marked by cacophony: harsh-sounding
          -- ca.coph.o.nous.ly adv

   cacophony
          [ca.coph.o.ny] n, pl -nies (ca. 1656): harsh or discordant
          sound: dissonance 2; specif: harshness in the sound of
          words or phrases

   cactus
          [cac.tus] n, pl cac.ti or cac.tus.es also cactus [NL, genus
          name, fr. L, cardoon, fr. Gk kaktos] (1767): any of a
          family (Cactaceae, the cactus family) of plants that
          have succulent stems and branches with scales or spines
          instead of leaves and are found esp. in dry areas (as
          deserts)

   cacuminal
          [ca.cu.mi.nal] adj [ISV, fr. L cacumin-, cacumen top, point]
          (1862): retroflex 2

   cad
          [cad] n [E dial., unskilled assistant, short for Sc caddie]
          (1833) 1: an omnibus conductor 2: a man who acts with
          deliberate disregard for another's feelings or rights

   CAD
          [CAD] abbreviation computer-aided design

   cadastral
          [ca.das.tral] adj (1858) 1: of or relating to a cadastre
          2: showing or recording property boundaries, subdivision
          lines, buildings, and related details -- ca.das.tral.ly
          adv

   cadastre
          [ca.das.tre] n [F, fr. It catastro, fr. OIt catastico, fr.
          LGk katastichon notebook, fr. Gk kata by + stichos row,
          line--more at cata-, distich] (1804): an official register
          of the quantity, value, and ownership of real estate
          used in apportioning taxes

   cadaver
          [ca.dav.er] n [L, fr. cadere to fall] (ca. 1500): a dead
          body; esp: one intended for dissection -- ca.dav.er.ic
          adj

   cadaverine
          [ca.dav.er.ine] n (1887): a syrupy colorless poisonous ptomaine
          formed by decarboxylation of lysine esp. in putrefaction
          of flesh

   cadaverous
          [ca.dav.er.ous] adj (1627) 1 a: of or relating to a corpse
          b: suggestive of corpses or tombs 2 a: pallid, livid
          b: gaunt, emaciated -- ca.dav.er.ous.ly adv

   caddie
          [cad.die] or cad.dy n, pl caddies [F cadet military cadet]
          (ca. 1730) 1 Scot: one that waits about for odd jobs
          2 a: one who assists a golfer esp. by carrying the clubs
          b: a wheeled device for conveying things not readily
          carried by hand -- caddie or caddy vi

   [1]caddis
          [cad.dis] also cad.dice n [ME cadas cotton wool, prob. fr.
          MF cadaz, fr. OProv cadarz] (1530): worsted yarn; specif:
          a worsted ribbon or binding formerly used for garters
          and girdles [2]caddis n (1651): caddisworm

   caddis fly
          [caddis fly] n (1787): any of an order (Trichoptera) of insects
          with four membranous wings, vestigial mouthparts, slender
          many-jointed antennae, and aquatic larvae--compare caddisworm

   caddish
          [cad.dish] adj (1868): of, relating to, or resembling a cad
          -- cad.dish.ly adv -- cad.dish.ness n

   caddisworm
          [cad.dis.worm] n [prob. alter. of obs. codworm; fr. the case
          or tube in which it lives] (1622): the larva of a caddis
          fly that lives in and carries around a silken case covered
          with bits of debris

   Caddo
          [Cad.do] n, pl Caddo or Caddos (1805): a member of a group
          of American Indian peoples of Louisiana, Arkansas, and
          eastern Texas

   caddy
          [cad.dy] n, pl caddies [Malay kati catty] (1792) 1: a small
          box, can, or chest used esp. to keep tea in 2: a container
          or device for storing or holding objects when they are
          not in use

   cade
          [cade] adj [E dial. cade pet lamb, fr. ME cad] (1551): left
          by its mother and reared by hand: pet <a ~ lamb>

   -cade
          [-cade] n comb form [cavalcade]: procession <motorcade>

   cadelle
          [ca.delle] n [F, fr. Prov cadello, fr. L catella, fem. of
          catellus little dog, dim. of catulus young animal] (ca.
          1861): a small cosmopolitan black beetle (Tenebroides
          mauritanicus) destructive to stored grain

   cadence
          [ca.dence] n [ME, fr. OIt cadenza, fr. cadere to fall, fr.
          L--more at chance] (14c) 1 a: a rhythmic sequence or
          flow of sounds in language b: the beat, time, or measure
          of rhythmical motion or activity 2 a: a falling inflection
          of the voice b: a concluding and usu. falling strain;
          specif: a musical chord sequence moving to a harmonic
          close or point of rest and giving the sense of harmonic
          completion 3: the modulated and rhythmic recurrence of
          a sound esp. in nature -- ca.denced adj -- ca.den.tial
          adj

   cadency
          [ca.den.cy] n, pl -cies (1627): cadence

   cadent
          [ca.dent] adj [L cadent-, cadens, prp. of cadere] (1605)
          1 archaic: being in the process of falling <with ~ tears
          fret channels in her cheeks --Shak.> 2: having rhythmic
          cadence

   cadenza
          [ca.den.za] n [It, cadence, cadenza] (1836) 1: a parenthetical
          flourish in an aria or other solo piece commonly just
          before a final or other important cadence 2: a technically
          brilliant sometimes improvised solo passage toward the
          close of a concerto 3: an exceptionally brilliant part
          of an artistic work

   cade oil
          [cade oil] n [cade juniper, fr. MF, fr. OProv, fr. ML catanus]
          (1880): juniper tar

   cadet
          [ca.det] n, often attrib [F, fr. Gascon capdet chief, fr.
          LL capitellum, dim. of L capit-, caput head--more at
          head] (1610) 1 a: a younger brother or son b: youngest
          son c: a younger branch of a family or a member of it
          2: one in training for a military or naval commission;
          esp: a student in a service academy 3 slang: pimp --
          ca.det.ship n

   Cadette
          [Ca.dette] n [fr. cadet] (1963): a member of a program of
          the Girl Scouts for girls in the sixth through ninth
          grades in school

   cadge
          [cadge] vb cadged ; cadg.ing [back-formation fr. Sc cadger
          carrier, huckster, fr. ME cadgear] (ca. 1812): beg, sponge
          -- cadg.er n

   cadit quaestio
          [ca.dit quae.stio] [L] foreign term : the question drops:
          the argument collapses

   cadmium
          [cad.mi.um] n [NL, fr. L cadmia zinc oxide, fr. Gk kadmeia,
          lit., Theban (earth), fr. fem. of kadmeios Theban, fr.
          Kadmos; fr. the occurrence of its ores together with
          zinc oxide] (1822): a bluish white malleable ductile
          toxic bivalent metallic element used esp. in protective
          platings and in bearing metals

   cadmium sulfide
          [cadmium sulfide] n (ca. 1893): a yellow-brown poisonous
          salt CdS used esp. in electronic parts, in photoelectric
          cells, and in medicine

   Cadmus
          [Cad.mus] n [L, fr. Gk Kadmos]: the legendary founder of
          Thebes

   cadre
          [cad.re] n [F, fr. It quadro, fr. L quadrum square--more
          at quarrel] (1830) 1: frame, framework 2: a nucleus or
          core group esp. of trained personnel able to assume control
          and to train others; broadly: a group of people having
          some unifying relationship <a ~ of lawyers> 3: a cell
          of indoctrinated leaders active in promoting the interests
          of a revolutionary party 4: a member of a cadre

   caduceus
          [ca.du.ceus] n, pl -cei [L, modif. of Gk karykeion, fr. karyx,
          keryx herald; akin to Skt karu singer] (1588) 1: the
          symbolic staff of a herald; specif: a representation
          of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at
          the top 2: an insignia bearing a caduceus and symbolizing
          a physician

   caducity
          [ca.du.ci.ty] n [F caducite, fr. caduc transitory, fr. L
          caducus] (1769) 1: senility 2: the quality of being transitory
          or perishable

   caducous
          [ca.du.cous] adj [L caducus tending to fall, transitory,
          fr. cadere to fall--more at chance] (1808): falling off
          easily or before the usual time--used esp. of floral
          organs

   caecal, caecum
          [cae.cal, cae.cum] var of cecal, cecum

   caecilian
          [cae.ci.lian] n [ultim. fr. L caecilia slowworm, fr. caecus
          blind] (ca. 1879): any of an order (Gymnophiona) of chiefly
          tropical burrowing amphibians resembling worms -- caecilian
          adj

   Caerphilly
          [Caer.phil.ly] n [Caerphilly, urban district in Wales] (ca.
          1893): a mild white friable cheese of Welsh origin

   Caesar
          [Cae.sar] n [Gaius Julius Caesar] (1567) 1: any of the Roman
          emperors succeeding Augustus Caesar--used as a title
          2 a often not cap: a powerful ruler: (1): emperor (2):
          autocrat, dictator b [fr. the reference in Mt 22:21]:
          the civil power: a temporal ruler -- Cae.sar.e.an or
          Cae.sar.i.an adj

   caesarean
          [cae.sar.e.an] also cae.sar.i.an var of cesarean

   Caesarism
          [Cae.sar.ism] n (1857): imperial authority or system: political
          absolutism: dictatorship -- Cae.sar.ist n

   Caesar salad
          [Caesar salad] n [Caesar's, restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico]
          (1950): a tossed salad usu. made of romaine, garlic,
          anchovies, and croutons and dressed with olive oil, coddled
          egg, lemon juice, and grated cheese

   caesium
          [cae.si.um] chiefly Brit var of cesium

   caespitose
          [caes.pi.tose] adj [NL caespitosus, fr. L caespit-, caespes
          turf] (1830) 1: growing in clusters or tufts 2: forming
          a dense turf

   caesura
          [cae.su.ra] n, pl -suras or -su.rae [LL, fr. L, act of cutting,
          fr. caedere to cut] (1556) 1 in modern prosody: a usu.
          rhetorical break in the flow of sound in the middle of
          a line of verse 2 in Greek and Latin prosody: a break
          in the flow of sound in a verse caused by the ending
          of a word within a foot 3: break, interruption 4: a pause
          marking a rhythmic point of division in a melody -- cae.su.ral
          adj

   CAF
          [CAF] abbreviation cost and freight

   CAFE
          [CAFE] abbreviation corporate average fuel economy

   cafe
          [ca.fe] n, often attrib [F cafe coffee, cafe, fr. Turk kahve--more
          at coffee] (1802) 1: a usu. small and informal establishment
          serving various refreshments (as coffee); broadly: restaurant
          2: barroom 3: cabaret, nightclub

   cafe au lait
          [ca.fe au lait] n [F, coffee with milk] (1763) 1: coffee
          with usu. hot milk in about equal parts 2: the color
          of coffee with milk

   cafe noir
          [ca.fe noir] n [F, black coffee] (1841): coffee without milk
          or cream; also: demitasse

   cafe society
          [cafe society] n (1937): society of persons who are regular
          patrons of fashionable cafes

   [1]cafeteria
          [caf.e.te.ria] n [AmerSp cafeteria coffeehouse, fr. cafetera
          coffee maker, fr. F cafetiere, fr. cafe] (1839): a restaurant
          in which the customers serve themselves or are served
          at a counter and take the food to tables to eat [2]cafeteria
          adj (1951): providing a selection from which a choice
          may be made <~ benefit plan> <a ~ curriculum>

   cafetorium
          [caf.e.to.ri.um] n [blend of cafeteria and auditorium] (1952):
          a large room (as in a school building) designed for use
          both as a cafeteria and an auditorium

   caff
          [caff] n (1931) Brit: cafe 1

   caffeine
          [caf.feine] n [G Kaffein, fr. Kaffee coffee, fr. F cafe]
          (ca. 1823): a bitter alkaloid found esp. in coffee, tea,
          and kola nuts and used medicinally as a stimulant and
          diuretic

   caftan
          [caf.tan] n [Russ kaftan, fr. Turk, fr. Per qaftan] (1591):
          a usu. cotton or silk ankle-length garment with long
          sleeves that is common throughout the Levant

   [1]cage
          [cage] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L cavea cavity, cage, fr. cavus
          hollow--more at cave] (13c) 1: a box or enclosure having
          some openwork for confining or carrying animals (as birds)
          2 a: a barred cell for confining prisoners b: a fenced
          area for prisoners of war 3: a framework serving as support
          <the steel ~ of a skyscraper> 4 a: an enclosure resembling
          a cage in form or purpose <a cashier's ~> b: an arrangement
          of atoms or molecules so bonded as to enclose a space
          in which another atom or ion (as of a metal) can reside
          5 a: a screen placed behind home plate to stop baseballs
          during batting practice b: a goal consisting of posts
          or a frame with a net attached (as in ice hockey) 6:
          a large building with area for practicing outdoor sports
          and often adapted for indoor events: field house 2 --
          cage.ful n [2]cage vt caged ; cag.ing (1577) 1: to confine
          or keep in or as if in a cage 2: to drive (as a puck)
          into a cage and score a goal

   cageling
          [cage.ling] n (1859): a caged bird

   cagey
          [ca.gey] also ca.gy adj ca.gi.er ; -est [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1893) 1: hesitant about committing oneself 2 a:
          wary of being trapped or deceived: shrewd <a ~ consumer>
          b: marked by cleverness <a ~ reply> -- ca.gi.ly adv --
          ca.gi.ness also ca.gey.ness n

   CAGS
          [CAGS] abbreviation Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

   cahier
          [ca.hier] n [F, fr. MF quaer, caier quire--more at quire]
          (1789): a report or memorial concerning policy esp. of
          a parliamentary body

   cahoot
          [ca.hoot] n [perh. fr. F cahute cabin, hut] (1829): partnership,
          league--usu. used in pl. <they're in ~s>

   cahow
          [ca.how] n [imit.] (1615): a dark-colored petrel (Pterodroma
          cahow) formerly abundant in Bermuda but now nearly extinct

   CAI
          [CAI] abbreviation computer-aided instruction, computer-assisted
          instruction

   caiman
          [cai.man] n [Sp caiman, prob. fr. Carib cayman] (1577): any
          of several Central and So. American crocodilians (genera
          Caiman, Melanosuchus, and Paleosuchus) similar to alligators

   Cain
          [Cain] n [Heb Qayin]: the brother and murderer of Abel

   -caine
          [-caine] n comb form [G -kain, fr. kokain cocaine]: synthetic
          alkaloid anesthetic <procaine>

   caique
          [ca.ique] n [F, fr. Turk kayik] (1625) 1: a light skiff used
          on the Bosporus 2: a Levantine sailing vessel

   caird
          [caird] n [ScGael ceard craftsman; akin to Gk kerdos profit]
          (1663) Scot: a traveling tinker; also: tramp, gypsy

   cairn
          [cairn] n [ME (Sc) carne, fr. ScGael carn; akin to OIr &
          W carn cairn] (15c): a heap of stones piled up as a memorial
          or as a landmark -- cairned adj

   cairngorm
          [cairn.gorm] n [Cairngorm, mountain in Scotland] (1794):
          a yellow or smoky-brown crystalline quartz

   cairn terrier
          [cairn terrier] n [fr. its use in hunting among cairns] (1910):
          any of a breed of small compactly built hard-coated terriers
          of Scottish origin

   caisson
          [cais.son] n [F, fr. MF, fr. OProv, fr. caissa chest, fr.
          L capsa--more at case] (ca. 1702) 1 a: a chest to hold
          ammunition b: a usu. 2-wheeled vehicle for artillery
          ammunition attachable to a horse-drawn limber; also:
          a limber with its attached caisson 2 a: a watertight
          chamber used in construction work under water or as a
          foundation b: a hollow floating box or a boat used as
          a floodgate for a dock or basin 3: coffer 3

   caisson disease
          [caisson disease] n (1873): [2]bend 3

   caitiff
          [cai.tiff] adj [ME caitif, fr. ONF, captive, vile, fr. L
          captivus captive] (14c): being base, cowardly, or despicable
          -- caitiff n

   cajeput
          [caj.e.put] n [Malay kayu putih, fr. kayu wood, tree + putih
          white] (1832): an Australian and southeast Asian tree
          (Melaleuca quinquenervia syn. M. leucadendron) of the
          myrtle family that yields a pungent medicinal oil and
          has been introduced into Florida

   cajole
          [ca.jole] vt ca.joled ; ca.jol.ing [F cajoler] (1645) 1:
          to persuade with flattery or gentle urging esp. in the
          face of reluctance: coax <had to ~ them into going> 2:
          to deceive with soothing words or false promises -- ca.jole.ment
          n -- ca.jol.er n -- ca.jol.ery n

   [1]Cajun
          [Ca.jun] also Ca.jan n [alter. of Acadian] (1868): a Louisianian
          descended from French-speaking immigrants from Acadia
          [2]Cajun adj (1885) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the Cajuns 2: of, relating to, or prepared in a style
          of cooking originating among the Cajuns and characterized
          by the use of hot seasonings (as cayenne pepper)

   [1]cake
          [cake] n [ME, fr. ON kaka; akin to OHG kuocho cake] (13c)
          1 a: a breadlike food made from a dough or batter that
          is usu. fried or baked in small flat shapes and is often
          unleavened b: a sweet baked food made from a dough or
          thick batter usu. con taining flour and sugar and often
          shortening, eggs, and a raising agent (as baking powder)
          c: a flattened usu. round mass of food that is baked
          or fried <a fish ~> 2 a: a block of compacted or congealed
          matter <a ~ of ice> b: a hard or brittle layer or deposit
          -- cak.ey adj [2]cake vb caked ; cak.ing vt (1607) 1:
          encrust <caked with dust> 2: to fill (a space) with a
          packed mass ~ vi: to form or harden into a mass

   cakewalk
          [cake.walk] n (1879) 1: a black American entertainment having
          a cake as prize for the most accomplished steps and figures
          in walking 2: a stage dance developed from walking steps
          and figures typically involving a high prance with backward
          tilt 3 a: a one-sided contest b: an easy task: piece
          of cake -- cakewalk vi -- cake.walk.er n

   cal
          [cal] abbreviation calendar, caliber, calorie, small calorie
          Cal abbreviation California, large calorie

   Calabar bean
          [Cal.a.bar bean] n [Calabar, Nigeria] (ca. 1876): the dark
          brown highly poisonous seed of a tropical African woody
          vine (Physostigma venenosum) that is used as a source
          of physostigmine and as an ordeal poison in native witchcraft
          trials

   calabash
          [cal.a.bash] n [F & Sp; F calebasse gourd, fr. Sp calabaza]
          (1596) 1: a tropical American tree (Crescentia cujete)
          of the trumpet-creeper family; also: its hard globose
          fruit 2: gourd; esp: one whose hard shell is used for
          a utensil 3: a utensil (as a bottle or dipper) made from
          the shell of a calabash

   calaboose
          [cal.a.boose] n [Sp calabozo dungeon] (1792) dial: jail;
          esp: a local jail

   caladium
          [ca.la.di.um] n [NL, genus name, fr. Malay keladi, an aroid
          plant] (ca. 1845): any of a genus (Caladium, esp. C.
          bicolor) of tropical American plants of the arum family
          widely cultivated for their showy variably colored leaves

   calamander
          [cal.a.man.der] n [prob. fr. D kalamanderhout calamander
          wood] (1804): the hazel-brown black-striped wood of a
          southeast Asian tree (genus Diospyros, esp. D. quaesita)
          that is used in furniture manufacturing

   calamari
          [cal.a.mari] n [It, pl. of calamaro, calamaio, fr. ML calamarium
          ink pot, fr. L calamus; fr. the inky substance the squid
          secretes] (ca. 1961): squid used as food

   calamary
          [cal.a.mary] n, pl -mar.ies [ML calamarium] (1567): squid

   calamine
          [cal.a.mine] n [ME calamyn ore of zinc, fr. ML calamina,
          alter. of L cadmia--more at cadmium] (15c): a mixture
          of zinc oxide with a small amount of ferric oxide used
          in lotions, liniments, and ointments

   calamint
          [cal.a.mint] n [ME calament, fr. OF, fr. ML calamentum, fr.
          Gk kalaminthe] (14c): any of a genus (Satureja, esp.
          S. calamintha) of mints

   calamite
          [cal.a.mite] n [NL Calamites, genus of fossil plants, fr.
          L calamus] (1837): a Paleozoic fossil plant (esp. genus
          Calamites) resembling a giant horsetail

   calamitous
          [ca.lam.i.tous] adj (1545): being, causing, or accompanied
          by calamity -- ca.lam.i.tous.ly adv

   calamity
          [ca.lam.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME calamytey, fr. MF calamite,
          fr. L calamitat-, calamitas; perh. akin to L clades destruction]
          (15c) 1: a state of deep distress or misery caused by
          major misfortune or loss 2: an extraordinarily grave
          event marked by great loss and lasting distress and affliction

   calamondin
          [cal.a.mon.din] n [Tag kalamunding] (ca. 1928): a small hybrid
          citrus tree (Citrofortunella mitis syn. Citrus mitis);
          also: its tart fruit

   calamus
          [cal.a.mus] n, pl -mi [L, reed, reed pen, fr. Gk kalamos--more
          at haulm] (14c) 1 a: sweet flag b: the aromatic peeled
          and dried rhizome of the sweet flag that is the source
          of a carcinogenic essential oil 2: the hollow basal portion
          of a feather below the vane: quill

   calash
          [ca.lash] n [F caleche, fr. G Kalesche, fr. Czech kolesa
          wheels, carriage; akin to Gk kyklos wheel--more at wheel]
          (1679) 1 a: a light small-wheeled 4-passenger carriage
          with a folding top b: caleche 1b 2: a large hood worn
          by women in the 18th century

   calc-
          [calc-] or calci- comb form [L calc-, calx lime--more at
          chalk]: calcium: calcium salt <calcic> <calcify>

   calc
          [calc] abbreviation calculate, calculated

   calcaneal
          [cal.ca.ne.al] adj (ca. 1849): relating to the heel or calcaneus

   calcaneum
          [cal.ca.ne.um] n, pl -nea [L, heel--more at calk] (ca. 1751):
          calcaneus

   calcaneus
          [cal.ca.ne.us] n, pl -nei [LL, heel, alter. of L calcaneum]
          (ca. 1925): a tarsal bone that in humans is the great
          bone of the heel

   calcareous
          [cal.car.e.ous] adj [L calcarius of lime, fr. calc-, calx]
          (1677) 1 a: resembling calcite or calcium carbonate esp.
          in hardness b: consisting of or containing calcium carbonate;
          also: containing calcium 2: growing on limestone or in
          soil impregnated with lime -- cal.car.e.ous.ly adv

   calces
          [calces] pl of calx

   calcic
          [cal.cic] adj (1871): derived from or containing calcium
          or lime: rich in calcium

   calcicole
          [cal.ci.cole] n [F, calcicolous, fr. calc- + -cole -colous]
          (1882): a plant normally growing on calcareous soils
          -- cal.cic.o.lous adj

   calciferol
          [cal.cif.er.ol] n [calciferous + ergosterol] (1931): an alcohol
          usu. prepared by irradiation of ergosterol and used as
          a dietary supplement in nutrition and medicinally in
          the control of rickets and related disorders--called
          also vitamin D2

   calciferous
          [cal.cif.er.ous] adj (1799): producing or containing calcium
          carbonate

   calcific
          [cal.cif.ic] adj [calcify] (1861): involving or caused by
          calcification <~ lesions>

   calcifuge
          [cal.ci.fuge] n [F, calcifugous, fr. calc- + L fugere to
          flee--more at fugitive] (1926): a plant not normally
          growing on calcareous soils -- calcifuge also cal.cif.u.gous
          adj

   calcify
          [cal.ci.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (1854) 1: to make calcareous
          by deposit of calcium salts 2: to make inflexible or
          unchangeable ~ vi 1: to become calcareous 2: to become
          inflexible and changeless: harden -- cal.ci.fi.ca.tion
          n

   calcimine
          [cal.ci.mine] n [alter. of kalsomine, of unknown origin]
          (ca. 1859): a white or tinted wash of glue, whiting or
          zinc white, and water that is used esp. on plastered
          surfaces -- calcimine vt

   calcination
          [cal.ci.na.tion] n (14c): the act or process of calcining:
          the state of being calcined

   [1]calcine
          [cal.cine] vb cal.cined ; cal.cin.ing [ME calcenen, fr. ML
          calcinare, fr. LL calcina lime, fr. L calc-, calx] vt
          (14c): to heat (as inorganic materials) to a high temperature
          but without fusing in order to drive off volatile matter
          or to effect changes (as oxidation or pulverization)
          ~ vi: to undergo calcination [2]cal.cine n (ca. 1909):
          a product (as a metal oxide) of calcination or roasting

   calcinosis
          [cal.ci.no.sis] n, pl -no.ses [NL, irreg. (influenced by
          ISV calcine) fr. calc- + -osis] (ca. 1929): the abnormal
          deposition of calcium salts in a part or tissue of the
          body

   calcite
          [cal.cite] n (1849): a mineral consisting of calcium carbonate
          crystallized in hexagonal form and including common limestone,
          chalk, and marble--compare aragonite -- cal.cit.ic adj

   calcitonin
          [cal.ci.to.nin] n [calci- + -tonin (as in serotonin)] (1961):
          a polypeptide hormone esp. from the thyroid gland that
          tends to lower the level of calcium in the blood plasma--called
          also thyrocalcitonin

   calcium
          [cal.ci.um] n, often attrib [NL, fr. L calc-, calx lime]
          (1808): a silver-white bivalent metallic element of the
          alkaline-earth group occurring only in combination

   calcium carbide
          [calcium carbide] n (ca. 1888): a usu. dark gray crystalline
          compound used esp. for the generation of acetylene and
          for making calcium cyanamide

   calcium carbonate
          [calcium carbonate] n (1873): a compound found in nature
          as calcite and aragonite and in plant ashes, bones, and
          shells and used in making lime and portland cement and
          as a gastric antacid

   calcium channel blocker
          [calcium channel blocker] n (1982): any of a class of drugs
          that prevent or slow the influx of calcium ions into
          smooth muscle cells and are used to treat some forms
          of angina pectoris and some cardiac arrhythmias

   calcium chloride
          [calcium chloride] n (ca. 1885): a white deliquescent salt
          used in its anhydrous state as a drying and dehumidifying
          agent and in a hydrated state for controlling dust and
          ice on roads

   calcium cyanamide
          [calcium cyanamide] n (ca. 1893): a compound used as a fertilizer
          and a weed killer and as a source of other nitrogen compounds

   calcium gluconate
          [calcium gluconate] n (1884): a white powdery salt used esp.
          to supplement bodily calcium stores

   calcium hydroxide
          [calcium hydroxide] n (ca. 1889): a white crystalline strong
          alkali that is used esp. to make mortar and plaster and
          to soften water

   calcium hypochlorite
          [calcium hypochlorite] n (ca. 1889): a white powder used
          esp. as a bleaching agent and disinfectant

   calcium oxalate
          [calcium oxalate] n (1919): a crystalline salt normally deposited
          in many plant cells and in animals sometimes excreted
          in urine or retained in the form of urinary calculi

   calcium oxide
          [calcium oxide] n (ca. 1885): a caustic solid that is white
          when pure and that is the chief constituent of lime

   calcium phosphate
          [calcium phosphate] n (1869): any of various phosphates of
          calcium: as a: a phosphate used as a fertilizer and in
          baking powder b: a phosphate used in pharmaceutical preparations
          and animal feeds c: a phosphate used as a fertilizer
          d: a naturally occurring phosphate that contains other
          elements or radicals and is the chief constituent of
          phosphate rock, bones, and teeth

   calcium silicate
          [calcium silicate] n (ca. 1888): any of several silicates
          of calicum used esp. in construction materials (as portland
          cement)

   calcium sulfate
          [calcium sulfate] n (ca. 1885): a white salt that occurs
          esp. as anhydrite, gypsum, and plaster of paris and that
          in hydrated form is used as a building material and in
          anhydrous form is used as a drying agent

   calculable
          [cal.cu.la.ble] adj (ca. 1734) 1: subject to or ascertainable
          by calculation 2: that may be counted on: dependable

   calculate
          [cal.cu.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L calculatus, pp. of
          calculare, fr. calculus pebble (used in reckoning), perh.
          irreg. dim. of calc-, calx lime--more at chalk] vt (1570)
          1 a: to determine by mathematical processes b: to reckon
          by exercise of practical judgment: estimate c: to solve
          or probe the meaning of: figure out <trying to ~ his
          expression --Hugh MacLennan> 2: to design or adapt for
          a purpose 3 a: to judge to be true or probable b: intend
          <I ~ to do it or perish in the attempt --Mark Twain>
          ~ vi 1 a: to make a calculation b: to forecast consequences
          2: count, rely

   calculated
          [cal.cu.lat.ed] adj (1722) 1: apt, likely 2 a: worked out
          by mathematical calculation b: engaged in, undertaken,
          or displayed after reckoning or estimating the statistical
          probability of success or failure <a ~ risk> 3 a: planned
          or contrived to accomplish a purpose b: deliberate, intended
          -- cal.cu.lat.ed.ly adv -- cal.cu.lat.ed.ness n

   calculating
          [cal.cu.lat.ing] adj (1710) 1: making calculations <~ machine>
          2: marked by prudent analysis or by shrewd consideration
          of self-interest: scheming -- cal.cu.lat.ing.ly adv

   calculation
          [cal.cu.la.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the process or an act of calculating
          b: the result of an act of calculating 2 a: studied care
          in analyzing or planning b: cold heartless planning to promote
          self-interest -- cal.cu.la.tion.al adj

   calculator
          [cal.cu.la.tor] n (14c): one that calculates: as a: a usu.
          electronic device for performing mathematical calculations
          b: a person who operates a calculator

   calculous
          [cal.cu.lous] adj (1605): caused or characterized by a calculus
          or calculi

   calculus
          [cal.cu.lus] n, pl -li also -lus.es [L, stone (used in reckoning)]
          (1666) 1 a: a method of computation or calculation in a special
          notation (as of logic or symbolic logic) b: the mathematical
          methods comprising differential and integral calculus
          2: calculation 3 a: a concretion usu. of mineral salts around
          organic material found esp. in hollow organs or ducts b: tartar
          2 4: a system or arrangement of intricate or interrelated parts

   calculus of variations
          [calculus of variations] (1837): a branch of mathematics
          concerned with applying the methods of calculus to finding
          the maxima and minima of a function which depends for
          its values on another function or a curve

   caldera
          [cal.de.ra] n [Sp, lit., caldron, fr. LL caldaria--more at
          cauldron] (1691): a volcanic crater that has a diameter
          many times that of the vent and is formed by collapse
          of the central part of a volcano or by explosions of
          extraordinary violence

   caldron
          [cal.dron] var of cauldron

   caleche
          [ca.leche] n [F caleche--more at calash] (1666) 1 a: calash
          1a b: a 2-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle with a driver's
          seat on the splashboard used in Quebec 2: calash 2

   calefactory
          [cal.e.fac.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ML calefactorium, fr. L calefacere
          to warm--more at chafe] (ca. 1681): a monastery room
          warmed and used as a sitting room

   [1]calendar
          [cal.en.dar] n [ME calender, fr. AF or ML; AF calender, fr.
          ML kalendarium, fr. L, moneylender's account book, fr.
          kalendae calends] (13c) 1: a system for fixing the beginning,
          length, and divisions of the civil year and arranging
          days and longer divisions of time (as weeks and months)
          in a definite order 2: a tabular register of days according
          to a system usu. covering one year and referring the
          days of each month to the days of the week 3: an orderly
          list: as a: a list of cases to be tried in court b: a
          list of bills or other items reported out of committee
          for consideration by a legislative assembly c: a list
          or schedule of planned events or activities giving dates
          and details 4 Brit: a university catalog [2]calendar
          vt -dared ; -dar.ing (15c): to enter in a calendar

   calendar year
          [calendar year] n (ca. 1909) 1: a period of a year beginning
          and ending with the dates that are conventionally accepted
          as marking the beginning and end of a numbered year 2:
          a period of time equal in length to that of the year
          in the calendar conventionally in use

   [1]calender
          [cal.en.der] vt -dered ; -der.ing [MF calandrer, fr. calandre
          machine for calendering, fr. (assumed) VL colendra cylinder,
          modif. of Gk kylindros--more at cylinder] (1513): to
          press (as cloth, rubber, or paper) between rollers or
          plates in order to smooth and glaze or to thin into sheets
          -- cal.en.der.er n [2]calender n (1688): a machine for
          calendering something [3]calender n [Per qalandar, fr.
          Ar, fr. Per kalandar uncouth man] (1621): a member of
          a Sufic order of wandering mendicant dervishes

   calendrical
          [ca.len.dri.cal] also ca.len.dric adj (ca. 1843): of, relating
          to, characteristic of, or used in a calendar

   calends
          [ca.lends] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME kalendes, fr.
          L kalendae, calendae] (14c): the first day of the ancient
          Roman month from which days were counted backward to
          the ides

   calendula
          [ca.len.du.la] n [NL, genus name, fr. ML, fr. L calendae
          calends] (1789): any of a small genus (Calendula) of
          yellow-rayed composite herbs of temperate regions

   calenture
          [cal.en.ture] n [Sp calentura, fr. calentar to heat, fr.
          L calent-, calens, prp. of calere to be warm--more at
          lee] (1593): a fever formerly supposed to affect sailors
          in the tropics

   [1]calf
          [calf] n, pl calves also calfs often attrib [ME, fr. OE cealf;
          akin to OHG kalb calf] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the young of the
          domestic cow; also: that of a closely related mammal
          (as a bison) b: the young of various large animals (as
          the elephant or whale) 2 pl calfs: the hide of the domestic
          calf; esp: calfskin 3: an awkward or silly youth -- calf.like
          adj -- in calf : pregnant--used of a cow [2]calf n, pl
          calves [ME, fr. ON kalfi] (14c): the fleshy back part
          of the leg below the knee

   calf-love
          [calf-love] n (1823): puppy love

   calf's-foot jelly
          [calf's-foot jelly] n (1775): jelly made from gelatin obtained
          by boiling calves' feet

   calfskin
          [calf.skin] n (15c): leather made of the skin of a calf

   Calgon
          [Cal.gon] trademark--used for a water softener

   Caliban
          [Cal.i.ban] n: a savage and deformed slave in Shakespeare's
          The Tempest

   caliber
          [cal.i.ber] or cal.i.bre n [MF calibre, fr. OIt calibro,
          fr. Ar qalib shoemaker's last] (1567) 1 a: degree of
          mental capacity or moral quality b: degree of excellence
          or importance 2 a: the diameter of a bullet or other
          projectile b: the diameter of a bore of a gun usu. expressed
          in hundredths or thousandths of an inch and typically
          written as a decimal fraction <.32 ~> 3: the diameter
          of a round body; esp: the internal diameter of a hollow
          cylinder

   calibrate
          [cal.i.brate] vt -brat.ed ; -brat.ing (ca. 1864) 1: to ascertain
          the caliber of (as a thermometer tube) 2: to determine,
          rectify, or mark the graduations of (as a thermometer
          tube) 3: to standardize (as a measuring instrument) by
          determining the deviation from a standard so as to ascertain
          the proper correction factors 4: to adjust precisely
          for a particular function -- cal.i.bra.tor n

   calibration
          [cal.i.bra.tion] n (ca. 1859) 1: the act or process of calibrating:
          the state of being calibrated 2: a set of graduations to indicate
          values or positions--usu. used in pl. <~s on a gauge>

   caliche
          [ca.li.che] n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, flake of lime, fr. cal lime,
          fr. L calx--more at chalk] (ca. 1858) 1: the nitrate-bearing
          gravel or rock of the sodium nitrate deposits of Chile
          and Peru 2: a crust of calcium carbonate that forms on
          the stony soil of arid regions

   calico
          [cal.i.co] n, pl -coes or -cos [Calicut, India] (1578) 1
          a: cotton cloth imported from India b Brit: a plain white
          cotton fabric that is heavier than muslin c: any of various
          cheap cotton fabrics with figured patterns 2: a blotched
          or spotted animal; esp: one that is predominantly white
          with red and black patches -- calico adj

   calico bass
          [calico bass] n (ca. 1882): black crappie

   calico bush
          [calico bush] n (1814): mountain laurel

   Calif
          [Calif] abbreviation California

   California condor
          [Cal.i.for.nia condor] n [California, state of U.S.] (ca.
          1889): a large nearly extinct vulture (Gymnogyps californianus)
          found most recently in the mountains of southern California
          that is related to the condor of So. America

   California laurel
          [California laurel] n (1871): an evergreen Pacific coast
          tree (Umbellularia californica) of the laurel family
          with small umbellate flowers

   California poppy
          [California poppy] n (1891): any of a genus (Eschscholzia)
          of herbs of the poppy family; esp: one (E. californica)
          widely cultivated for its usu. yellow or orange flowers

   Californio
          [Cal.i.for.nio] n, pl -nios [Sp, fr. California] (1923):
          one of the original Spanish colonists of California or
          their descendants

   californium
          [cal.i.for.ni.um] n [NL, fr. California, U.S.] (1950): a
          radioactive element discovered by bombarding curium 242
          with alpha particles

   caliginous
          [ca.lig.i.nous] adj [MF or L; MF caligineux, fr. L caliginosus,
          fr. caligin-, caligo darkness] (1548): misty, dark

   [1]caliper
          [cal.i.per] n [alter. of caliber] (1588) 1 a: any of various
          measuring instruments having two usu. adjustable arms,
          legs, or jaws used esp. to measure diameter or thickness--usu.
          used in pl. <a pair of ~s> b: a device consisting of
          two plates lined with a frictional material that press
          against the sides of a rotating wheel or disc in certain
          brake systems 2: thickness esp. of paper, paperboard,
          or a tree [2]caliper vt -pered ; -per.ing (1876): to
          measure by or as if by calipers

   caliph
          [ca.liph] or ca.lif n [ME caliphe, fr. MF calife, fr. Ar
          khalifah successor] (14c): a successor of Muhammad as
          temporal and spiritual head of Islam--used as a title
          -- ca.liph.al adj

   caliphate
          [ca.liph.ate] n (1614): the office or dominion of a caliph

   calisthenic
          [cal.is.then.ic] adj (1827): of or relating to calisthenics

   calisthenics
          [cal.is.then.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [Gk kalos
          beautiful + sthenos strength] (1827) 1: systematic rhythmic
          bodily exercises performed usu. without apparatus 2 usu
          sing in constr: the art or practice of calisthenics

   calix
          [ca.lix] n, pl ca.li.ces [L calic-, calix--more at chalice]
          (1698): cup

   [1]calk
          [calk] , calk.er var of caulk, caulker [2]calk n [prob. alter.
          of calkin, fr. ME kakun, fr. MD or ONF; MD calcoen horse's
          hoof, fr. ONF calcain heel, fr. L calcaneum, fr. calc-,
          calx heel] (1587): a tapered piece projecting downward
          on the shoe of a horse to prevent slipping; also: a similar
          device worn on the sole of a shoe [3]calk vt (1624) 1:
          to furnish with calks 2: to wound with a calk

   [1]call
          [call] vb [ME, fr. ON kalla; akin to OE hildecalla battle
          herald, OHG kallon to talk loudly, OCS glasu voice] vi
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: to speak in a loud distinct voice so
          as to be heard at a distance: shout <~ for help> b: to
          make a request or demand <~ for an investigation> c of
          an animal: to utter a characteristic note or cry d: to
          get or try to get into communication by telephone--often
          used with up e: to make a demand in card games (as for
          a particular card or for a show of hands) f: to give
          the calls for a square dance 2: to make a brief visit
          <~ed to pay his respects> <~ed on a friend> ~ vt 1 a
          (1): to utter in a loud distinct voice--often used with
          out <~ out a number> (2): to announce or read loudly
          or authoritatively <~ the roll> <~ off a row of figures>
          b (1): to command or request to come or be present <~ed
          to testify> (2): to cause to come: bring <~s to mind
          an old saying> c: to summon to a particular activity,
          employment, or office <was ~ed to active duty> d: to
          invite or command to meet: convoke <~ a meeting> e: to
          rouse from sleep or summon to get up f (1): to give the
          order for: bring into action <~ a strike against the
          company> <~ a pitchout> (2): to manage by giving the
          signals or orders <that catcher ~s a good game> g (1):
          to make a demand in bridge for (a card or suit) (2):
          to require (a player) to show the hand in poker by making
          an equal bet (3): to challenge to make good on a statement
          (4): to charge with or censure for an offense <deserves
          to be ~ed on that> h: to attract (as game) by imitating
          the characteristic cry i: to halt (as a baseball game)
          because of unsuitable conditions j: to rule on the status
          of (as a pitched ball or a player's action) <~ balls
          and strikes> <~ a base runner safe> k: to give the calls
          for (a square dance)--often used with off l (1): to demand
          payment of esp. by formal notice <~ a loan> (2): to demand
          presentation of (as a bond or option) for redemption
          m (1): to get or try to get in communication with by
          telephone (2): to generate signals for (a telephone number)
          in order to reach the party to whom the number is assigned
          <~ 911> (3): to make a signal to in order to transmit
          a message <~ the flagship> 2 a: to speak of or address
          by a specified name: give a name to <~ her Kitty> b (1):
          to regard or characterize as of a certain kind: consider
          <can hardly be ~ed generous> (2): to estimate or consider
          for purposes of an estimate or for convenience <~ it
          an even dollar> c (1): to describe correctly in advance
          of or without knowledge of the event: predict (2): to
          name or specify in advance <~ the toss of a coin> 3:
          to tempora : to speak frankly -- call for 1: to call
          (as at one's house) to get <I'll call for you after dinner>
          2: to require as necessary or appropriate <the job calls
          for typing skills> <the design calls for three windows>
          -- call forth : elicit, evoke <these events call forth
          great emotions> -- call in question or call into question
          : to cast doubt upon -- call it a day : to stop for the
          remainder of the day or for the present whatever one
          has been doing -- call it quits : to call it a day: quit
          -- call names : to address or speak of a person or thing
          contemptuously or offensively -- call on 1: to call upon
          2: to elicit a response from (as a student) <the teacher
          called on her first> -- call one's bluff : to challenge
          in order to expose an empty pretense or threat -- call
          the shots : to be in charge or control: determine the
          policy or procedure -- call the tune : to call the shots
          -- call time : to ask for or grant a time-out -- call
          to account : to hold responsible: reprimand -- call upon
          1: require, oblige <may be called upon to do several
          jobs> 2: to make a demand on: depend on <universities
          are called upon to produce trained professionals> [2]call
          n (14c) 1 a: an act of calling with the voice: shout
          b: an imitation of the cry of a bird or other animal
          made to attract it c: an instrument used for calling
          <a duck ~> d: the cry of an animal (as a bird) 2 a: a
          request or command to come or assemble b: a summons or
          signal on a drum, bugle, or pipe c: admission to the
          bar as a barrister d: an invitation to become the minister
          of a church or to accept a professional appointment e:
          a divine vocation or strong inner prompting to a particular
          course of action f: a summoning of actors to rehearsal
          <the ~ is for 11 o'clock> g: the attraction or appeal
          of a particular activity, condition, or place <the ~
          of the wild> h: an order specifying the number of men
          to be inducted into the armed services during a specified
          period i: the selection of a play in football 3 a: demand,
          claim b: need, justification c: a demand for payment
          of money d: an option to buy a specified amount of a
          security (as stock) or commodity (as wheat) at a fixed
          price at or within a specified time--compare put 2 e:
          an instance of asking for something: request <many ~s
          for Christmas stories> 4: roll call 5: a short usu. formal
          visit 6: the name or thing called <the ~ was heads> 7:
          the act of calling in a card game 8: the act of calling
          on the telephone 9: a direction or a succession of directions
          for a square dance rhythmically called to the dancers
          10: a decision or ruling made by an official of a sports
          contest; also: decision 1 <a tough ~ to make> 11: a temporary
          transfer of control of computer processing to a particular
          set of instructions (as a subroutine or procedure) --
          at call or on call 1 a: available for use: at the service
          of <thousands of men at his call> b: ready to respond
          to a summons or command <a doctor on call> 2: subject
          to demand for payment or return without previous notice
          <money lent at call> -- within call : within hearing
          or reach of a summons: subject to summons

   callable
          [call.able] adj (1826): capable of being called; specif:
          subject to a demand for presentation for payment <~ bond>

   calla lily
          [cal.la lily] n [NL, genus name, modif. of Gk kallaia rooster's
          wattles] (1870): any of several herbs (genus Zantedeschia)
          of the arum family; esp: a house or greenhouse plant
          (Z. aethiopica) with a white showy spathe and yellow
          spadix--called also calla

   callaloo
          [cal.la.loo] n [AmerSp calalu plant of the genus Xanthosoma
          whose leaves are used as greens] (1892): a soup or stew
          made with greens, onions, and crabmeat

   callant
          [cal.lant] n [D or ONF; D kalant customer, fellow, fr. ONF
          calland customer, fr. L calent-, calens, prp. of calere
          to be warm--more at lee] (ca. 1592) chiefly Scot: boy,
          lad

   callback
          [call.back] n (1926) 1: a return call 2 a: recall 5 b: a
          recall of an employee to work after a layoff c: a second
          or additional audition for a theatrical part

   call-board
          [call-board] n (1886): bulletin board 1

   call box
          [call box] n (1885) 1 Brit: a public telephone booth 2: a
          telephone usu. located on the side of a road for reporting
          emergencies (as fires or automobile breakdowns)

   callboy
          [call.boy] n (1794): bellhop, page

   call down
          [call down] vt (1810) 1: to cause or entreat to descend <call
          down a blessing> 2: reprimand <called me down for being
          late>

   called strike
          [called strike] n (1887): a pitched baseball not struck at
          by the batter that passes through the strike zone

   [1]caller
          [cal.ler] adj [ME callour] (14c) 1 Scot: fresh 2 Scot: cool
          [2]call.er n (15c): one that calls

   callet
          [cal.let] n [perh. fr. MF caillette frivolous person, fr.
          Caillette fl 1500 Fr. court fool] (15c) chiefly Scot:
          prostitute

   call girl
          [call girl] n (ca. 1940): a prostitute with whom an appointment
          may be made by telephone

   call house
          [call house] n (1929): a house or apartment where call girls
          may be procured

   calligrapher
          [cal.lig.ra.pher] n (1753) 1: a professional copyist or engrosser
          2: one who writes a beautiful hand 3: penman <a fair
          ~>

   calligraphist
          [cal.lig.ra.phist] n (1816): calligrapher

   calligraphy
          [cal.lig.ra.phy] n [F or Gk; F calligraphie, fr. Gk kalligraphia,
          fr. kalli- beautiful (fr. kallos beauty) + -graphia -graphy]
          (1604) 1 a: artistic, stylized, or elegant handwriting
          or lettering b: the art of producing such writing 2:
          penmanship 3: an ornamental line in drawing or painting
          -- cal.li.graph.ic adj -- cal.li.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   call in
          [call in] vt (1597) 1: to order to return or to be returned:
          as a: to withdraw from an advanced position <call in
          the outposts> b: to withdraw from circulation <call in
          bank notes and issue new ones> 2: to summon to one's
          aid or for consultation <call in a mediator> 3: to deliver
          (a message) by telephone <call in an order for pizza>
          ~ vi: to communicate with a person by telephone -- call
          in sick : to report by telephone that one will be absent
          because of illness

   call-in
          [call-in] adj (1967): allowing listeners to engage in broadcast
          telephone conversations with the host or a guest <a ~
          show>

   calling
          [call.ing] n (14c) 1: a strong inner impulse toward a particular
          course of action esp. when accompanied by conviction
          of divine influence 2: the vocation or profession in
          which one customarily engages 3: the characteristic cry
          of a female cat in heat; also: the period of heat syn
          see work

   calling card
          [calling card] n (1896) 1: visiting card 2: a sign or evidence
          that someone or something is or has been present; broadly:
          an identifying mark

   calliope
          [cal.li.ope] n [L, fr. Gk Kalliope] 1 cap: the Greek Muse
          of heroic poetry 2: a keyboard musical instrument resembling
          an organ and consisting of a series of whistles sounded
          by steam or compressed air

   calliper
          [cal.li.per] chiefly Brit var of caliper

   callipygian
          [cal.li.pyg.ian] or cal.li.py.gous adj [Gk kallipygos, fr.
          kalli- + pyge buttocks] (ca. 1800): having shapely buttocks

   Callisto
          [Cal.lis.to] n [L, fr. Gk Kallisto]: a nymph loved by Zeus,
          changed into a she-bear by Hera, and subsequently changed
          into the Great Bear constellation

   callithump
          [cal.li.thump] n [back-formation fr. callithumpian, adj.,
          alter. of E dial. gallithumpian disturber of order at
          elections in 18th cent.] (1856): a noisy boisterous band
          or parade -- cal.li.thump.ian adj

   call letters
          [call letters] n pl (1913): call sign

   call loan
          [call loan] n (1852): a loan payable at the discretion of
          the borrower or on demand of the lender

   call number
          [call number] n (1876): a combination of characters assigned
          to a library book to indicate its place on a shelf

   call off
          [call off] vt (1633) 1: to draw away: divert <her attention
          was called off by a new arrival> 2: cancel <call the
          trip off>

   call of nature
          [call of nature] (1763): the need to urinate or defecate

   callosity
          [cal.los.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1578) 1: the quality or state
          of being callous: as a: marked or abnormal hardness and
          thickness b: lack of feeling or capacity for emotion
          2: callus 1

   [1]callous
          [cal.lous] adj [MF calleux, fr. L callosus, fr. callum, callus
          callous skin] (15c) 1 a: being hardened and thickened
          b: having calluses 2 a: feeling no emotion b: feeling
          no sympathy for others -- cal.lous.ly adv -- cal.lous.ness
          n [2]callous vt (1834): to make callous

   call out
          [call out] vt (15c) 1: to summon into action <call out troops>
          2: to challenge to a duel 3: to order on strike <call
          out the workers>

   callow
          [cal.low] adj [ME calu bald, fr. OE; akin to OHG kalo bald,
          OCS golu bare] (1580): lacking adult sophistication:
          immature <~ youth> -- cal.low.ness n

   call sign
          [call sign] n (1919): the combination of identifying letters
          or letters and numbers assigned to an operator, office,
          activity, or station for use in communication (as in
          the address of a message sent by radio)

   call slip
          [call slip] n (1881): a form filled out by a library patron
          for a desired book

   call to quarters
          [call to quarters] (ca. 1918): a bugle call usu. shortly
          before taps that summons soldiers to their quarters

   call-up
          [call-up] n (1940): an order to report for military service

   call up
          [call up] vt (1632) 1: to bring to mind: evoke 2: to summon
          before an authority 3: to summon together (as for a united
          effort) <call up all his forces for the attack> 4: to
          summon for active military duty 5: to bring forward for
          consideration or action 6: to retrieve from the memory
          of a computer esp. for display and user interaction

   [1]callus
          [cal.lus] n [L] (1563) 1: a thickening of or a hard thickened
          area on skin or bark 2: a mass of exudate and connective
          tissue that forms around a break in a bone and is converted
          into bone in the healing of the break 3: soft tissue
          that forms over a wounded or cut plant surface [2]callus
          vi (1864): to form callus ~ vt: to cause callus to form
          on

   [1]calm
          [calm] n [ME calme, fr. MF, fr. OIt calma, fr. LL cauma heat,
          fr. Gk kauma, fr. kaiein to burn] (14c) 1 a: a period
          or condition of freedom from storms, high winds, or rough
          activity of water b: complete absence of wind or presence
          of wind having a speed no greater than one mile (1.6
          kilometers) per hour--see beaufort scale table 2: a state
          of tranquillity [2]calm vi (14c): to become calm--usu.
          used with down ~ vt: to make calm--often used with down
          [3]calm adj (14c) 1: marked by calm: still <a ~ sea>
          2: free from agitation, excitement, or disturbance <a
          ~ manner> -- calm.ly adv -- calm.ness n syn calm, tranquil,
          serene, placid, peaceful mean quiet and free from disturbance.
          calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby
          state of agitation or violence <the protests ended, and
          the streets were calm again>. tranquil suggests a very
          deep quietude or composure <the tranquil beauty of a
          formal garden>. serene stresses an unclouded and lofty
          tranquillity <watched the sunset of a serene summer's
          evening>. placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and
          often implies a degree of complacency <remained placid
          despite the criticism>. peaceful implies a state of repose
          in contrast with or following strife or turmoil <grown
          peaceful in old age>.

   calmative
          [calm.ative] n or adj [[2]calm + -ative (as in sedative)]
          (1870): sedative

   calmodulin
          [cal.mod.u.lin] n [calcium + modulate + [1]-in] (1979): a
          calcium-binding protein that regulates cellular metabolic
          processes (as the contraction of muscle fibers) by modifying
          the activity of calcium-sensitive enzymes

   calo
          [ca.lo] n [Sp, argot, speech of Span. Gypsies, fr. Romany
          kalo Gypsy, lit., black, fr. Skt kala] (ca. 1948): any
          of several Spanish argots; esp: an argot used by Chicano
          youths in cities of the U.S. Southwest

   calomel
          [cal.o.mel] n [prob. fr. (assumed) NL calomelas, fr. Gk kalos
          beautiful + melas black--more at melan-] (1676): a white
          tasteless compound used esp. as a fungicide and insecticide
          and occas. in medicine as a purgative--called also mercurous
          chloride

   [1]caloric
          [ca.lo.ric] n [F calorique, fr. L calor] (1792) 1: a supposed
          form of matter formerly held responsible for the phenomena
          of heat and combustion 2 archaic: heat [2]caloric adj
          (ca. 1828) 1: of or relating to heat 2: of or relating
          to calories -- ca.lo.ri.cal.ly adv

   calorie
          [cal.o.rie] also cal.o.ry n, pl -ries [F calorie, fr. L calor
          heat, fr. calere to be warm--more at lee] (1866) 1 a:
          the amount of heat required at a pressure of one atmosphere
          to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree
          Celsius that is equal to about 4.19 joules--called also
          gram calorie, small calorie--abbr. cal b: the amount
          of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram
          of water one degree Celsius: 1000 gram calories or 3.968
          Btu--called also large calorie--abbr. Cal 2 a: a unit
          equivalent to the large calorie expressing heat-producing
          or energy-producing value in food when oxidized in the
          body b: an amount of food having an energy-producing
          value of one large calorie

   calorific
          [cal.o.rif.ic] adj [F or L; F calorifique, fr. L calorificus,
          fr. calor] (1812) 1: caloric 2: of or relating to heat
          production

   calorimeter
          [cal.o.rim.e.ter] n [ISV, fr. L calor] (1794): any of several
          apparatuses for measuring quantities of absorbed or evolved
          heat or for determining specific heats -- ca.lo.ri.met.ric
          adj -- ca.lo.ri.met.ri.cal.ly adv -- cal.o.rim.e.try
          n

   calotte
          [ca.lotte] n [F] (1632): skullcap 1; esp: zucchetto

   calotype
          [cal.o.type] n [Gk kalos beautiful + -type (as in daguerreotype)]
          (1845): a photographic process by which a large number
          of prints could be produced from a paper negative; also:
          a positive print so made

   calpac
          [cal.pac] or cal.pack n [Turk kalpak] (1598): a high-crowned
          cap worn in Turkey, Iran, and neighboring countries

   calque
          [calque] n [F, lit., copy, fr. calquer to trace, fr. It calcare
          to trample, trace, fr. L, to trample--more at caulk]
          (1937): loan translation

   caltrop
          [cal.trop] also cal.throp n [ME caltrappe, alter. of calketrappe
          star thistle, fr. OE calcatrippe, fr. ML calcatrippa]
          (15c) 1 a pl but sing or pl in constr: star thistle 1
          b: puncture vine; also: any of various related herbs
          (genera Tribulus and Kallstroemia) of the same family
          (Zygophyllaceae, the caltrop family) 2: a device with
          four metal points so arranged that when any three are
          on the ground the fourth projects upward as a hazard
          to the hoofs of horses or to pneumatic tires

   calumet
          [cal.u.met] n [AmerF, fr. F dial., pipe stem, fr. LL calamellus,
          dim. of L calamus reed--more at calamus] (1673): a highly
          ornamented ceremonial pipe of the American Indians

   calumniate
          [ca.lum.ni.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1554) 1: to utter maliciously
          false statements, charges, or imputations about 2: to injure the
          reputation of by calumny syn see malign -- ca.lum.ni.a.tion
          n -- ca.lum.ni.a.tor n

   calumny
          [cal.um.ny] n, pl -nies [MF & L; MF calomnie, fr. L calumnia,
          fr. calvi to deceive; perh. akin to OE holian to slander,
          Gk kelein to beguile] (15c) 1: a misrepresentation intended
          to blacken another's reputation 2: the act of uttering
          false charges or misrepresentations maliciously calculated
          to damage another's reputation -- ca.lum.ni.ous adj --
          ca.lum.ni.ous.ly adv

   calutron
          [cal.u.tron] n [California University cyclotron] (1945):
          an electromagnetic apparatus for separating isotopes
          according to their masses

   calvados
          [cal.va.dos] n, often cap [F, fr. Calvados, department in
          Normandy, France] (1906): an applejack made in Calvados

   calvarium
          [cal.var.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. L calvaria skull, fr. calvus
          bald; prob. akin to Skt kulva bald] (14c): the portion
          of a skull including the braincase and excluding the
          lower jaw or lower jaw and facial portion

   calvary
          [cal.va.ry] n, pl -ries [Calvary, the hill near Jerusalem
          where Jesus was crucified] (1738) 1: an open-air representation
          of the crucifixion of Jesus 2: an experience of usu.
          intense mental suffering

   Calvary cross
          [Calvary cross] n (1826): a Latin cross usu. mounted on three
          steps--see cross illustration

   calve
          [calve] vb calved ; calv.ing [ME, fr. OE cealfian, fr. cealf
          calf] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to give birth to a calf; also:
          to produce offspring 2 of an ice mass: to separate or
          break so that a part becomes detached ~ vt 1: to produce
          by birth 2 of an ice mass: to let become detached

   calves
          [calves] pl of calf

   Calvin cycle
          [Cal.vin cycle] n [Melvin Calvin] (1957): the cycle
          of enzyme-catalyzed dark reactions of photosynthesis that occurs
          in the chloroplasts of plants and in many bacteria and that
          involves the fixation of carbon dioxide and the formation
          of a six-carbon sugar

   Calvinism
          [Cal.vin.ism] n [John Calvin] (ca. 1570): the theological
          system of Calvin and his followers marked by strong emphasis
          on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of mankind,
          and the doctrine of predestination -- Cal.vin.ist n or
          adj -- Cal.vin.is.tic adj -- Cal.vin.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   calx
          [calx] n, pl calx.es or cal.ces [ME cals, fr. L calx lime--more
          at chalk] (15c): the crumbly residue left when a metal
          or mineral has been subjected to calcination or combustion

   [1]calypso
          [ca.lyp.so] n [L, fr. Gk Kalypso] 1 cap: a sea nymph in Homer's
          Odyssey who keeps Odysseus seven years on the island
          of Ogygia 2 pl calypsos [NL, genus name, prob. fr. L]:
          a bulbous bog orchid (Calypso bulbosa) of northern regions
          bearing a single white to purple flower [2]calypso n,
          pl -sos or -soes [origin unknown] (1934): a style of
          music originating in the West Indies, marked by lively
          duple meter, and having lyrics that are often improvised
          and usu. satirize local personalities and events; also:
          a song in this style -- ca.lyp.so.ni.an n or adj

   calyptra
          [ca.lyp.tra] n [N L, fr. Gk kalyptra veil, fr. kalyptein
          to cover--more at hell] (ca. 1753): a hoodlike structure
          in a plant; esp: haploid tissue forming a membranous
          hood over the capsule in a moss

   calyx
          [ca.lyx] n, pl ca.lyx.es or ca.ly.ces [L calyc-, calyx, fr.
          Gk kalyx--more at chalice] (1693) 1: the usu. green outer
          whorl of a flower consisting of sepals 2: a cuplike animal
          structure (as the body wall of a crinoid or a division
          of the kidney pelvis)

   calzone
          [cal.zo.ne] n, pl calzone or calzones [It, fr. calzone (sing.
          of calzoni pants), aug. of calza stocking, fr. ML calcea,
          fr. L calceus shoe, fr. calc-, calx heel] (ca. 1950):
          a baked or fried turnover of pizza dough stuffed with
          various fillings usu. including cheese

   cam
          [cam] n [perh. fr. F came, fr. G Kamm, lit., comb, fr. OHG
          kamb] (1777): a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical
          linkage used esp. in transforming rotary motion into
          linear motion or vice versa

   cam
          [cam] abbreviation camera  CAM abbreviation computer-aided
          manufacturing

   camaraderie
          [ca.ma.ra.de.rie] n [F, fr. camarade comrade] (1840): a spirit
          of friendly good-fellowship

   camarilla
          [cam.a.ril.la] n [Sp, lit., small room] (1839): a group of
          unofficial often secret and scheming advisers; also:
          cabal

   camas
          [cam.as] also cam.ass n [Chinook Jargon kamass] (1805): any
          of a genus (Camassia esp. C. quamash) of plants of the
          lily family chiefly of the western U.S. with edible bulbs--compare
          death camas

   [1]camber
          [cam.ber] vb cam.bered ; cam.ber.ing [F cambrer, fr. MF cambre
          curved, fr. L camur] vi (1627): to curve upward in the
          middle ~ vt 1: to arch slightly 2: to impart camber to
          [2]camber n (1823) 1: a slight convexity, arching, or
          curvature (as of a beam, deck, or road) 2: the convexity
          of the curve of an airfoil from the leading edge to the
          trailing edge 3: a setting of the wheels of an automotive
          vehicle closer together at the bottom than at the top

   cambium
          [cam.bi.um] n, pl -bi.ums or -bia [NL, fr. ML, exchange,
          fr. L cambire to exchange--more at change] (1671): a
          thin formative layer between the xylem and phloem of
          most vascular plants that gives rise to new cells and
          is responsible for secondary growth -- cam.bi.al adj

   Cambodian
          [Cam.bo.di.an] n (1770) 1: a native or inhabitant of Cambodia
          2: khmer 2 -- Cambodian adj

   Cambrian
          [Cam.bri.an] adj [ML Cambria Wales, fr. MW Cymry Wales, Welshmen]
          (ca. 1656) 1: welsh 2: of, relating to, or being the
          earliest geologic period of the Paleozoic era or the
          corresponding system of rocks marked by fossils of every
          great animal type except the vertebrate--see geologic
          time table -- Cambrian n

   cambric
          [cam.bric] n [obs. Flem Kameryk Cambrai, city of France]
          (1530) 1: a fine thin white linen fabric 2: a cotton
          fabric that resembles cambric

   cambric tea
          [cambric tea] n (1888): a hot drink of water, milk, sugar,
          and often a small amount of tea

   Cambs
          [Cambs] abbreviation Cambridgeshire

   camcorder
          [cam.cord.er] n [camera + recorder] (1982): a small portable
          combined video camera and videocassette recorder

   [1]came
          [came] past of come [2]came n [origin unknown] (1688): a
          slender grooved lead rod used to hold together panes
          of glass esp. in a stained-glass window

   camel
          [cam.el] n [ME, fr. OE & ONF, fr. L camelus, fr. Gk kamelos,
          of Sem origin; akin to Heb gamal camel] (bef. 12c) 1:
          either of two large ruminant mammals (genus Camelus)
          used as draft and saddle animals in desert regions esp.
          of Africa and Asia: a: the one-humped camel (C. dromedarius)
          extant only as a domestic or feral animal--called also
          dromedary b: the two-humped camel (C. bactrianus syn.
          C. ferus) of Chinese Turkestan and Mongolia--called also
          Bactrian camel 2: a watertight structure used esp. to
          lift submerged ships 3: a light yellowish brown

   camelback
          [cam.el.back] n (1860): the back of a camel

   cameleer
          [cam.el.eer] n (1808): a camel driver

   camel hair
          [camel hair] also camel's hair n (14c) 1: the hair of the
          camel or a substitute for it (as hair from squirrels'
          tails) 2: cloth made of camel hair or a mixture of camel
          hair and wool usu. light tan and of soft silky texture

   camellia
          [ca.mel.lia] n [NL Camellia, fr. Camellus (Georg Josef Kamel
          d. 1706 Moravian Jesuit missionary)] (ca. 1753): any
          of a genus (Camellia) of shrubs or trees of the tea family;
          esp: an ornamental greenhouse shrub (C. japonica) with
          glossy leaves and roselike flowers

   camelopard
          [ca.mel.o.pard] n [LL camelopardus, alter. of L camelopardalis,
          fr. Gk kamelopardalis, fr. kamelos + pardalis leopard]
          (14c) 1 archaic: giraffe 2 cap: camelopardalis

   Camelopardalis
          [Ca.mel.o.par.da.lis] n [L (gen. Camelopardalis), camelopard]:
          a northern constellation between Cassiopeia and Ursa
          Major

   Camelot
          [Cam.e.lot] n 1: the site of King Arthur's palace and court
          2: a time, place, or atmosphere of idyllic happiness

   Camembert
          [Cam.em.bert] n [F, fr. Camembert, Normandy, France] (1878):
          a soft surface-ripened cheese with a thin grayish white
          rind and a yellow interior

   cameo
          [cam.eo] n, pl -eos [ME camew, fr. MF camau, kamaheu] (15c)
          1 a: a gem carved in relief; esp: a small piece of sculpture
          on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer with another
          contrasting layer serving as background b: a small medallion
          with a profiled head in relief 2: a carving or sculpture
          made in the manner of a cameo 3: a usu. brief literary
          or filmic piece that brings into delicate or sharp relief
          the character of a person, place, or event 4: a small
          theatrical role usu. performed by a well-known actor
          and often limited to a single scene; broadly: any brief
          appearance -- cameo adj -- cameo vt

   camera
          [cam.era] n [LL, room--more at chamber] (1712) 1: the treasury
          department of the papal curia 2 a: camera obscura b:
          a device that consists of a lightproof chamber with an
          aperture fitted with a lens and a shutter through which
          the image of an object is projected onto a surface for
          recording (as on film) or for translation into electrical
          impulses (as for television broadcast) -- on camera :
          before a live television camera

   camera lucida
          [cam.era lu.ci.da] n [NL, lit., light chamber] (1831): an
          instrument that by means of a prism or mirrors and often
          a microscope causes a virtual image of an object to appear
          as if projected upon a plane surface so that an outline
          may be traced

   cameraman
          [cam.era.man] n (1908): a person who operates a camera (as
          for motion pictures or television)

   camera obscura
          [cam.era ob.scu.ra] n [NL, lit., dark chamber] (1725): a
          darkened enclosure having an aperture usu. provided with
          a lens through which light from external objects enters
          to form an image of the objects on the opposite surface

   cameraperson
          [cam.era.per.son] n (1976): a cameraman or camerawoman

   camerawoman
          [cam.era.wom.an] n (1971): a woman who operates a camera

   camerlengo
          [cam.er.len.go] n, pl -gos [It camarlingo] (1625): a cardinal
          who heads the Apostolic Camera

   camion
          [ca.mion] n [F] (1885): motortruck; also: bus

   camisado
          [cam.i.sa.do] n, pl -does [prob. fr. obs. Sp camisada] (1548)
          archaic: an attack by night

   camise
          [ca.mise] n [Ar qamis, perh. fr. LL camisia] (1812): a light
          loose long-sleeved shirt, gown, or tunic

   camisole
          [cam.i.sole] n [F, fr. Prov camisolla, dim. of camisa shirt,
          fr. LL camisia] (1795) 1: a short negligee jacket for
          women 2: a short sleeveless garment for women

   camlet
          [cam.let] n [ME cameloit, fr. MF camelot, fr. Ar khamlat
          woolen plush] (15c) 1 a: a medieval Asian fabric of camel
          hair or angora wool b: a European fabric of silk and
          wool c: a fine lustrous woolen 2: a garment made of camlet

   camomile
          [camomile] var of chamomile

   camorra
          [ca.mor.ra] n [It] (1865): a group of persons united for
          dishonest or dishonorable ends; esp: a secret organization
          formed about 1820 at Naples, Italy

   camorrista
          [ca.mor.ris.ta] n, pl -ti [It, fr. camorra] (1897): a member
          of a camorra

   [1]camouflage
          [cam.ou.flage] n [F, fr. camoufler to disguise] (1917) 1:
          the disguising esp. of military equipment or installations
          with paint, nets, or foliage; also: the disguise so applied
          2 a: concealment by means of disguise b: behavior or
          artifice designed to deceive or hide -- cam.ou.flag.ic
          adj [2]camouflage vb -flaged ; -flag.ing vt (1917): to
          conceal or disguise by camouflage ~ vi: to practice camouflage
          -- cam.ou.flage.able adj [3]camouflage adj (1945): made
          in colors or patterns typical of camouflage <a ~ jacket>

   [1]camp
          [camp] n, often attrib [MF, prob. fr. ONF or OProv, fr. L
          campus plain, field] (1528) 1 a: a place usu. away from
          urban areas where tents or simple buildings (as cabins)
          are erected for shelter or for temporary residence (as
          for laborers, prisoners, or vacationers) <migrant labor
          ~> b: a group of tents, cabins, or huts <fishing ~s along
          the river> c: a settlement newly sprung up in a lumbering
          or mining region d: a place usu. in the country for recreation
          or instruction during the summer <goes to ~ every July>
          <computer ~> <football ~> 2 a: a body of persons encamped
          b (1): a group of persons; esp: a group engaged in promoting
          or defending a theory, doctrine, position, or person
          (2): an ideological position 3: military service or life
          [2]camp vi (1543) 1: to make camp or occupy a camp 2:
          to live temporarily in a camp or outdoors--often used
          with out 3: to take up one's quarters: lodge 4: to take
          up one's position: settle down ~ vt: to put into a camp;
          also: accommodate [3]camp n [origin unknown] (ca. 1909)
          1: exaggerated effeminate mannerisms exhibited esp. by
          homosexuals 2: a homosexual displaying camp 3: something
          so outrageously artificial, affected, inappropriate,
          or out-of-date as to be considered amusing 4: something
          self-consciously exaggerated or theatrical -- camp.i.ly
          adv -- camp.i.ness n -- campy adj [4]camp adj (1909):
          of, relating to, being, or displaying camp <~ send-ups
          of the songs of the fifties and sixties --John Elsom>
          [5]camp vi (1925): to engage in camp: exhibit the qualities
          of camp <he ... was ~ing, hands on hips, with a quick
          eye to notice every man who passed by --R. M. McAlmon>

   [1]campaign
          [cam.paign] n [F campagne, prob. fr. It campagna level country,
          campaign, fr. LL campania level country, fr. L, the level
          country around Naples] (ca. 1656) 1: a connected series
          of military operations forming a distinct phase of a
          war 2: a connected series of operations designed to bring
          about a particular result <election ~> [2]campaign vi
          (1701): to go on, engage in, or conduct a campaign --
          cam.paign.er n

   campanile
          [cam.pa.ni.le] n, pl -ni.les or -ni.li [It, fr. campana bell,
          fr. LL] (1640): a usu. freestanding bell tower

   campanologist
          [cam.pa.nol.o.gist] n (1857): one that practices or is skilled
          in campanology

   campanology
          [cam.pa.nol.o.gy] n [NL campanologia, fr. LL campana + NL
          -o- + -logia -logy] (ca. 1823): the art of bell ringing

   campanula
          [cam.pan.u.la] n [NL, dim. of LL campana] (1664): any of
          a genus (Campanula) of bellflowers

   campanulate
          [cam.pan.u.late] adj [NL campanula bell-shaped part, dim.
          of LL campana] (1668): shaped like a bell <~ flower>

   Campbellite
          [Camp.bell.ite] n [Alexander Campbell] (1830): disciple 2--often
          taken to be offensive

   campcraft
          [camp.craft] n (ca. 1893): skill and practice in the activities
          relating to camping

   camper
          [camp.er] n (1856) 1: one that camps 2: a portable dwelling
          (as a specially equipped trailer or automotive vehicle)
          for use during casual travel and camping

   campesino
          [cam.pe.si.no] n, pl -nos [Sp, fr. campo field, country,
          fr. L campus field] (1898): a native of a Latin-American
          rural area; esp: a Latin-American Indian farmer or farm
          laborer

   campestral
          [cam.pes.tral] adj [L campestr-, campester, fr. campus] (ca.
          1750): of or relating to fields or open country: rural

   campfire
          [camp.fire] n (1675): a fire built outdoors (as at a camp
          or a picnic)

   Camp Fire girl
          [Camp Fire girl] n [fr. Camp Fire Girls, Inc., former name
          of Camp Fire, Inc.] (1912): a girl who is a member of
          a national organization of young people from ages 5 to
          18

   camp follower
          [camp follower] n (1810) 1: a civilian who follows a military
          unit to attend or exploit military personnel; specif:
          prostitute 2: a disciple or follower who is not of the
          main body of members or adherents; esp: a politician
          who joins the party or movement solely for personal gain

   campground
          [camp.ground] n (1805): the area or place (as a field or
          grove) used for a camp, for camping, or for a camp meeting

   camphene
          [cam.phene] n (ca. 1847): any of several terpenes related
          to camphor; esp: a colorless crystalline terpene used
          in insecticides

   camphor
          [cam.phor] n [ME caumfre, fr. AF, fr. ML camphora, fr. Ar
          kafur, fr. Malay kapur] (14c): a tough gummy volatile
          aromatic crystalline compound obtained esp. from the
          wood and bark of the camphor tree and used as a liniment
          and mild topical analgesic in medicine, as a plasticizer,
          and as an insect repellent; also: any of several similar
          compounds (as some terpene alcohols and ketones) --
          cam.pho.ra.ceous adj

   camphorate
          [cam.phor.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1641): to impregnate
          or treat with camphor

   camphor tree
          [camphor tree] n (1607): a large Asian evergreen tree (Cinnamomum
          camphora) of the laurel family grown in warm regions

   campion
          [cam.pi.on] n [prob. fr. obs. campion (champion)] (1576):
          any of various plants (genera Lychnis and Silene) of
          the pink family

   camp meeting
          [camp meeting] n (1803): a series of evangelistic meetings
          usu. held outdoors and attended by persons who often
          camp nearby

   campo
          [cam.po] n, pl campos [AmerSp, fr. Sp, field, fr. L campus]
          (1863): a grassland plain in So. America with scattered
          perennial herbs

   camporee
          [camp.o.ree] n [camp + jamboree] (1927): a gathering of Boy
          Scouts or Girl Scouts from a given geographic area

   camp shirt
          [camp shirt] n (1979): a woman's shirt having a notched collar
          and often patch pockets

   campsite
          [camp.site] n (1910): a place suitable for or used as the
          site of a camp

   campus
          [cam.pus] n, often attrib [L, plain] (1774) 1: the grounds
          and buildings of a university, college, or school 2:
          a university, college, or school viewed as an academic,
          social, or spiritual entity 3: grounds that resemble
          a campus <hospital ~> <landscaped corporate ~>

   campylobacter
          [cam.pylo.bac.ter] n [NL, fr. Gk kampylos bent + NL bacterium;
          akin to Gk kampe bend--more at gambit] (1964): any of
          a genus (Campylobacter) of spirally curved motile gram-negative
          rod-shaped bacteria of which some are pathogenic in domestic
          animals and humans

   campylotropous
          [cam.py.lot.ro.pous] adj [Gk kampylos + ISV -tropous -tropous]
          (1835): having the ovule curved

   camshaft
          [cam.shaft] n (ca. 1877): a shaft to which a cam is fastened
          or of which a cam forms an integral part

   cam wheel
          [cam wheel] n (ca. 1853): a wheel set or shaped to act as
          a cam

   [1]can
          [can] vb, past could pres sing & pl can [ME (1st & 3d sing.
          pres. indic.), fr. OE; akin to OHG kan (1st & 3d sing.
          pres. indic.) know, am able, OE cnawan to know--more
          at know] vt (bef. 12c) 1 obs: know, understand 2 archaic:
          to be able to do, make, or accomplish ~ vi, archaic:
          to have knowledge or skill ~ verbal auxiliary 1 a: know
          how to <she ~ read> b: be physically or mentally able
          to <he ~ lift 200 pounds> c--used to indicate possibility
          <do you think he ~ still be alive> <those things
          ~ happen>--sometimes used interchangeably with may d: be permitted
          by conscience or feeling to <~ hardly blame her> e: be made
          possible or probable by circumstances to <he ~ hardly have meant
          that> f: be inherently able or designed to <everything that money
          ~ buy> g: be logically or axiologically able to <2 + 2 ~ also
          be written 3 + 1> h: be enabled by law, agreement, or custom
          to 2: have permission to--used interchangeably with may <you
          ~ go now if you like> usage Can and may are most frequently
          interchangeable in senses denoting possibility; because the
          possibility of one's doing something may depend on another's
          acquiescence, they have also become interchangeable in the sense
          denoting permission. The use of can to ask or grant permission has
          been common since the 19th century and is well established,
          although some commentators feel may is more appropriate in formal
          contexts. May is relatively rare in negative constructions (mayn't
          is not common); cannot and can't are usual in such contexts. [2]can
          n [ME canne, fr. OE; akin to OHG channa] (bef. 12c) 1: a usu.
          cylindrical receptacle: a: a vessel for holding liquids; specif:
          a drinking vessel b: a usu. metal typically cylindrical receptacle
          usu. with an open top, often with a removable cover, and sometimes
          with a spout or side handles (as for holding milk or trash)
          c: a container (as of tinplate) in which products (as perishable
          foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use d: a jar
          for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables 2: jail 3 a: toilet
          b: bathroom 1 4: buttocks 5: destroyer 2 6 slang: an ounce
          of marijuana -- can.ful n -- in the can of a film or videotape:
          completed and ready for release [3]can vt canned ; can.ning (1861)
          1 a: to put in a can: preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars
          b: to hit (a golf shot) into the cup c: to hit (a shot)
          in basketball 2: to discharge from employment 3 slang: to put
          a stop or end to -- can.ner n

   can
          [can] abbreviation canceled, cancellation, cannon, canto
          Can or Canad abbreviation Canada, Canadian

   Canaanite
          [Ca.naan.ite] n [Gk Kananites, fr. Kanaan Canaan, fr. Heb
          Kena'an] (1535): a member of a Semitic people inhabiting
          ancient Palestine and Phoenicia from about 3000 b.c.
          -- Canaanite adj

   Canada balsam
          [Can.a.da balsam] n [Canada, country in No. America] (1811):
          a viscid yellowish to greenish oleoresin exudate of the
          balsam fir (Abies balsmea) that solidifies to a transparent
          mass and is used as a transparent cement esp. in microscopy

   Canada Day
          [Canada Day] n (1950): July 1 observed as a legal holiday
          in commemoration of the proclamation of dominion status
          in 1867

   Canada goose
          [Canada goose] n (1731): the common wild goose (Branta canadensis)
          of No. America that is chiefly gray and brownish with black head
          and neck and a white patch running from the sides of the head under
          the throat

   Canada thistle
          [Canada thistle] n (1799): a European thistle (Cirsium arvense)
          with pinkish purple or white flowers naturalized as a
          weed in No. America

   Canadian
          [Ca.na.di.an] n (1568): a native or inhabitant of Canada
          -- Canadian adj

   Canadian bacon
          [Canadian bacon] n (ca. 1934): bacon cut from the loin that
          has little fat and is cut into round or oblong slices

   Canadian football
          [Canadian football] n (1944): a game resembling American
          football that is played on a turfed field between two
          teams of 12 players each

   Canadian French
          [Canadian French] n (1816): the language of the French Canadians

   Canadian lynx
          [Canadian lynx] or Canada lynx n (1840): lynx c

   canaille
          [ca.naille] n [F, fr. It canaglia, fr. cane dog, fr. L canis--more
          at hound] (1661) 1: rabble, riffraff 2: proletarian

   [1]canal
          [ca.nal] n [ME, fr. L canalis pipe, channel, fr. canna reed--more
          at cane] (15c) 1: a tubular anatomical passage or channel:
          duct 2: channel, watercourse 3: an artificial waterway
          for navigation or for draining or irrigating land 4:
          any of various faint narrow lines on the planet Mars
          seen through telescopes and once thought by some to be
          canals built by Martians [2]canal vt -nalled or -naled
          ; -nal.ling or -nal.ing (1819): to construct a canal
          through or across

   canaliculus
          [can.a.lic.u.lus] n, pl -li [L, dim. of canalis] (1854):
          a minute canal in a bodily structure -- can.a.lic.u.lar
          adj

   canalization
          [can.a.li.za.tion] n (1844) 1: an act or instance of canalizing
          2: a system of channels

   canalize
          [can.a.lize] vb -lized ; -liz.ing vt (1860) 1 a: to provide
          with a canal or channel b: to make into or similar to
          a canal 2: to provide with an outlet; esp: to direct
          into preferred channels ~ vi 1: to flow in or into a
          channel 2: to establish new channels

   canape
          [can.a.pe] n [F, lit., sofa, fr. ML canopeum, canapeum mosquito
          net--more at canopy] (1890): an appetizer consisting
          of a piece of bread or toast or a cracker topped with
          a savory spread (as caviar or cheese)--compare hors d'oeuvre

   canard
          [ca.nard] n [F, lit., duck; in sense 1, fr. MF vendre des
          canards a moitie to cheat, lit., to half-sell ducks]
          (ca. 1859) 1: a false or unfounded report or story; esp:
          a fabricated report 2: an airplane with horizontal stabilizing
          and control surfaces in front of supporting surfaces;
          also: a small airfoil in front of the wing of an aircraft
          that increases the aircraft's stability

   canary
          [ca.nary] n, pl ca.nar.ies [MF canarie, fr. OSp canario,
          fr. Islas Canarias Canary Islands] (1584) 1: a Canary
          Islands usu. sweet wine similar to Madeira 2: a lively
          16th century court dance 3: a small finch (Serinus canarius)
          of the Canary Islands that is usu. greenish to yellow
          and is kept as a cage bird and singer 4 slang: informer
          2

   canary seed
          [canary seed] n (1597): seed of a Canary Islands grass (Phalaris
          canariensis) used as food for cage birds

   canary yellow
          [canary yellow] n (ca. 1865): a light to a moderate or vivid
          yellow

   canasta
          [ca.nas.ta] n [Sp, lit., basket] (1948) 1: a form of rummy
          using two full decks in which players or partnerships
          try to meld groups of three or more cards of the same
          rank and score bonuses for 7-card melds 2: a meld of
          seven cards of the same rank in canasta

   canc
          [canc] abbreviation canceled

   cancan
          [can.can] n [F] (1848): a woman's dance of French origin
          characterized by high kicking usu. while holding up the
          front of a full ruffled skirt

   [1]cancel
          [can.cel] vb -celed or -celled ; -cel.ing or -cel.ling [ME
          cancellen, fr. MF canceller, fr. LL cancellare, fr. L,
          to make like a lattice, fr. cancelli (pl.), dim. of cancer
          lattice, prob. alter. of carcer prison] vt (14c) 1 a:
          to destroy the force, effectiveness, or validity of:
          annul <~ a magazine subscription> <a ~ed check> b: to
          bring to nothingness: destroy c: to match in force or
          effect: offset--often used with out <his irritability
          ~ed out his natural kindness --Osbert Sitwell> d: to
          call off usu. without expectation of conducting or performing
          at a later time <~ a football game> 2 a: to mark or strike
          out for deletion b: omit, delete 3 a: to remove (a common
          divisor) from numerator and denominator b: to remove
          (equivalents) on opposite sides of an equation or account
          4: to deface (a postage or revenue stamp) esp. with a
          set of ink lines so as to invalidate for reuse ~ vi:
          to neutralize each other's strength or effect: counterbalance
          -- can.cel.able or can.cel.la.ble adj -- can.cel.er or
          can.cel.ler n [2]cancel n (1806) 1: cancellation 2 a:
          a deleted part or passage b (1): a leaf containing matter
          to be deleted (2): a new leaf or slip substituted for
          matter already printed

   cancellation
          [can.cel.la.tion] also can.cel.ation n (1535) 1: the act
          or an instance of canceling 2: a released accommodation
          3: a mark made to cancel something (as a postage stamp)

   cancellous
          [can.cel.lous] adj [NL cancelli intersecting osseous plates
          and bars in cancellous bone, fr. L, lattice] (ca. 1839)
          of bone: having a porous structure

   cancer
          [can.cer] n [ME, fr. L (gen. Cancri), lit., crab; akin to
          Gk karkinos crab, cancer] 1 cap a: a northern zodiacal
          constellation between Gemini and Leo b (1): the 4th sign
          of the zodiac in astrology (2): one born under the sign
          of Cancer 2 [L, crab, cancer] a: a malignant tumor of
          potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by
          invasion and systemically by metastasis b: an abnormal
          state marked by such tumors 3: something evil or malignant
          that spreads destructively <the ~ of hidden resentment
          --Irish Digest> 4 a: an enlarged tumorlike growth (as
          that of crown gall) b: a disease marked by such growths
          -- can.cer.ous adj -- can.cer.ous.ly adv

   Cancerian
          [Can.cer.ian] n (1911): cancer 1b(2)

   candela
          [can.de.la] n [L, candle] (1949): the base unit of luminous
          intensity in the International System of Units that is
          equal to the luminous intensity in a given direction
          of a source which emits monochromatic radiation of frequency
          540E12 hertz and has a radiant intensity in that direction
          of[ ]1/683 watt per unit solid angle--called also candle--abbr.
          cd

   candelabra
          [can.de.la.bra] n [alter. of L candelabrum, fr. candela]
          (1815): a branched candlestick or lamp with several lights

   candelabrum
          [can.de.la.brum] n, pl -bra also -brums [L] (1811): candelabra

   candent
          [can.dent] adj [L candent-, candens, prp. of candere] (1577):
          glowing from or as if from great heat

   candescence
          [can.des.cence] n (ca. 1864): a candescent state: glowing
          whiteness

   candescent
          [can.des.cent] adj [L candescent-, candescens, prp. of candescere,
          incho. of candere] (1824): glowing or dazzling from or as if from
          great heat

   candid
          [can.did] adj [F & L; F candide, fr. L candidus bright, white,
          fr. candere to shine, glow; akin to W can white, Skt
          candati it shines] (1630) 1: white <~ flames> 2: free
          from bias, prejudice, or malice: fair <a ~ observer>
          3 a: marked by honest sincere expression b: indicating
          or suggesting sincere honesty and absence of deception
          c: disposed to criticize severely: blunt 4: relating
          to photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously
          without being posed syn see frank -- can.did.ly adv --
          can.did.ness n

   candida
          [can.di.da] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, fem. of candidus] (1939):
          any of a genus (Candida) of parasitic imperfect fungi
          that resemble yeasts and occur esp. in the mouth, vagina,
          and intestinal tract and that are usu. benign but can
          become pathogenic; esp: one (C. albicans) causing thrush

   candidacy
          [can.di.da.cy] n, pl -cies (1864): the state of being a candidate

   candidate
          [can.di.date] n [L candidatus, fr. candidatus clothed in
          white, fr. candidus white; fr. the white toga worn by
          candidates for office in ancient Rome] (1600) 1 a: one
          that aspires to or is nominated or qualified for an office,
          membership, or award b: one likely or suited to undergo
          or be chosen for something specified <a ~ for surgery>
          2: a student in the process of meeting final requirements
          for a degree

   candidature
          [can.di.da.ture] n (1851) chiefly Brit: candidacy

   candid camera
          [candid camera] n (1929): a camera used to record subjects
          in a natural, spontaneous, or unposed manner; also: something
          likened to a camera used in such a manner -- candid-camera
          adj

   candidiasis
          [can.di.di.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL] (1951): infection with
          or disease caused by a candida--called also moniliasis

   candied
          [can.died] adj (ca. 1606) 1: encrusted or coated with sugar
          2: baked with sugar or syrup until translucent

   [1]candle
          [can.dle] n [ME candel, fr. OE, fr. L candela, fr. candere]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a usu. molded or dipped mass of wax or
          tallow containing a wick that may be burned (as to give
          light, heat, or scent or for celebration or votive purposes)
          2: something resembling a candle in shape or use <a sulfur
          ~ for fumigating> 3: required effort, expense, or trouble--usu.
          used in the phrase not worth the candle 4: candela [2]candle
          vt can.dled ; can.dling (1879): to examine by holding
          between the eye and a light; esp: to test (eggs) in this
          way for staleness, blood clots, fertility, and growth
          -- can.dler n

   candleberry
          [can.dle.ber.ry] n (ca. 1730): a wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera);
          also: a bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)

   candlefish
          [can.dle.fish] n (1881): eulachon

   candleholder
          [can.dle.hold.er] n (1932): candlestick

   candlelight
          [can.dle.light] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the light of a candle b:
          a soft artificial light 2: the time for lighting candles:
          twilight

   candlelighter
          [can.dle.light.er] n (15c) 1: one who lights the candles
          for a ceremony 2: a long-handled implement with a taper
          and a snuffer that is used for the ceremonial lighting
          and extinguishing of candles

   candlelit
          [can.dle.lit] or can.dle.light.ed adj (1917): illuminated
          by candlelight <a ~ dinner>

   Candlemas
          [Can.dle.mas] n [ME candelmasse, fr. OE candelmaesse, fr.
          candel + maesse mass, feast; fr. the candles blessed
          and carried in celebration of the feast] (bef. 12c):
          February 2 observed as a church festival in commemoration
          of the presentation of Christ in the temple and the purification
          of the Virgin Mary

   candlenut
          [can.dle.nut] n (ca. 1836): the oily seed of a tropical tree
          (Aleurites moluccana) of the spurge family used locally
          to make candles and commercially as a source of oil;
          also: this tree

   candlepin
          [can.dle.pin] n (1901) 1: a slender bowling pin tapering
          toward top and bottom 2 pl but sing in constr: a bowling
          game using candlepins and a smaller ball than that used
          in tenpins

   candlepower
          [can.dle.pow.er] n (1877): luminous intensity expressed in
          candelas; also: candela

   candlesnuffer
          [can.dle.snuff.er] n (1552): an implement for snuffing candles
          that consists of a small hollow cone attached to a handle

   candlestick
          [can.dle.stick] n (bef. 12c): a holder with a socket for
          a candle

   candlewick
          [can.dle.wick] n (bef. 12c) 1: the wick of a candle 2: a
          soft cotton embroidery yarn; also: embroidery made with
          this yarn usu. in tufts

   candlewood
          [can.dle.wood] n (1712) 1: any of several trees or shrubs
          (as ocotillo) chiefly of resinous character 2: slivers
          of resinous wood burned for light

   can-do
          [can-do] adj (1945): characterized by eager willingness to
          accept and meet challenges <a ~ attitude>

   candor
          [can.dor] n [F & L; F candeur, fr. L candor, fr. candere--more
          at candid] (14c) 1 a: whiteness, brilliance b obs: unstained
          purity 2: freedom from prejudice or malice: fairness
          3 archaic: kindliness 4: unreserved, honest, or sincere
          expression: forthrightness <the ~ with which he acknowledged
          a weakness in his own case --Aldous Huxley>

   candour
          [can.dour] chiefly Brit var of candor

   [1]candy
          [can.dy] n, pl candies [ME sugre candy, part trans. of MF
          sucre candi, part trans. of OIt zucchero candi, fr. zucchero
          sugar + Ar qandi candied, fr. qand cane sugar] (15c)
          1: crystallized sugar formed by boiling down sugar syrup
          2 a: a confection made with sugar and often flavoring
          and filling b: a piece of such confection -- candy adj
          [2]candy vb can.died ; can.dy.ing vt (1533) 1: to encrust
          in or coat with sugar; specif: to cook (as fruit or fruit
          peel) in a heavy syrup until glazed 2: to make attractive:
          sweeten 3: to crystallize into sugar ~ vi: to become
          coated or encrusted with sugar crystals: become crystallized
          into sugar

   candy floss
          [candy floss] n (1951) 1 Brit: cotton candy 2 usu candyfloss
          Brit: something attractive but insubstantial

   candy striper
          [candy striper] n [fr. the striped uniform worn suggesting
          the stripes on some sticks of candy] (1963): a teenage
          volunteer worker at a hospital

   candytuft
          [can.dy.tuft] n [Candy, alter. of Candia Crete, Greek island
          + E tuft] (1664): any of a genus (Iberis) of plants of
          the mustard family cultivated for their white, pink,
          or purple flowers

   [1]cane
          [cane] n [ME, fr MF, fr. OProv cana, fr. L canna, fr. Gk
          kanna, of Sem origin; akin to Ar qanah hollow stick,
          reed] (14c) 1 a (1): a hollow or pithy and usu. slender
          and flexible jointed stem (as of a reed) (2): any of
          various slender woody stems; esp: an elongated flowering
          or fruiting stem (as of a rose) usu. arising directly
          from the ground b: any of various tall woody grasses
          or reeds: as (1): any of a genus (Arundinaria) of coarse
          grasses (2): sugarcane (3): sorghum 2: cane dressed for
          use: as a: a cane walking stick; broadly: walking stick
          b: a cane or rod for flogging c: rattan; esp: split rattan
          for wickerwork or basketwork 3: a tiny glass rod used
          in decorative glasswork (as in millefiori and paperweights)
          [2]cane vt caned ; can.ing (ca. 1667) 1: to beat with
          a cane <he sat in a professor's chair and caned sophomores
          for blowing spitballs --H. L. Mencken> 2: to weave or
          furnish with cane <~ the seat of a chair>

   canebrake
          [cane.brake] n (1769): a thicket of cane

   caner
          [can.er] n (1868): one that canes chairs

   canescent
          [ca.nes.cent] adj [L canescent-, canescens, prp. of canescere,
          incho. of canere to be gray, be white, fr. canus white,
          hoary--more at hare] (ca. 1828): growing white, whitish,
          or hoary; esp: having a fine grayish white pubescence
          <~ leaves>

   cane sugar
          [cane sugar] n (1848): sugar from sugarcane

   caneware
          [cane.ware] n [fr. its color] (1878): a buff or yellowish
          stoneware

   canicola fever
          [ca.nic.o.la fever] n [NL canicola, fr. L canis dog + -cola
          inhabitant--more at hound, -colous] (1943): an acute
          disease in humans and dogs characterized by gastroenteritis
          and mild jaundice and caused by a spirochete (Leptospira
          canicola)

   canicular
          [ca.nic.u.lar] adj [ME caniculer of the star Sirius, fr.
          LL canicularis, fr. Canicula Sirius, dim. of canis] (12c):
          of or relating to the dog days

   canid
          [ca.nid] n [NL Canidae, fr. Canis, type genus, fr. L canis]
          (ca. 1889): any of a family (Canidae) of carnivorous
          animals that includes the wolves, jackals, foxes, coyote,
          and the domestic dog

   [1]canine
          [ca.nine] n (15c) 1 [ME, fr. L (dens) caninus canine tooth]:
          a conical pointed tooth; esp: one situated between the
          lateral incisor and the first premolar--see tooth illustration
          2: canid; also: dog 1a [2]canine adj [L caninus, fr.
          canis dog--more at hound] (1607) 1: of or resembling
          that of a dog <~ loyalty> 2: of or relating to dogs or
          to the family (Canidae) including the canids

   Canis Major
          [Ca.nis Ma.jor] n [L (gen. Canis Majoris), lit., greater
          dog]: a constellation to the southeast of Orion containing
          Sirius

   Canis Minor
          [Canis Mi.nor] n [L (gen. Canis Minoris), lit., lesser dog]:
          a constellation to the east of Orion containing Procyon

   canister
          [can.is.ter] also can.nis.ter n [L canistrum basket, fr.
          Gk kanastron wicker basket, fr. kanna reed--more at cane]
          (1711) 1: an often cylindrical container for holding
          a usu. specified object or substance <a film ~> 2: encased
          shot for close-range artillery fire 3: a perforated metal
          box for gas masks with material to adsorb, filter, or
          detoxify airborne poisons and irritants

   [1]canker
          [can.ker] n [ME, fr. ONF cancre, fr. L cancer crab, cancer]
          (13c) 1 a (1): an erosive or spreading sore (2): an area
          of necrosis in a plant; also: a plant disease characterized
          by cankers b: any of various disorders of animals marked
          by chronic inflammatory changes 2 archaic: a caterpillar
          destructive to plants 3 chiefly dial: rust 1 4: a source
          of corruption or debasement 5 chiefly dial: dog rose
          -- can.ker.ous adj [2]canker vb can.kered ; can.ker.ing
          vt (14c) 1 obs: to infect with a spreading sore 2: to
          corrupt the spirit of ~ vi 1: to become infested with
          canker 2: to become corrupted

   canker sore
          [canker sore] n (ca. 1909): a small painful ulcer esp. of
          the mouth

   cankerworm
          [can.ker.worm] n (1530): either of two geometrid moths (Alsophila
          pometaria and Paleacrita vernata) and esp. their larvae
          which are serious pests of fruit and shade trees

   canna
          [can.na] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, reed--more at cane] (1664):
          any of a genus (Canna of the family Cannaceae) of tropical
          herbs with simple stems, large leaves, and a terminal
          raceme of irregular flowers

   cannabinoid
          [can.na.bi.noid] n [L cannabis + [1]-in + [1]-oid] (1970):
          any of various chemical constituents (as THC or cannabinol)
          of cannabis or marijuana

   cannabinol
          [can.na.bi.nol] n [L cannabis + [1]-in + [1]-ol] (1896):
          a physiologically inactive crystalline cannabinoid

   cannabis
          [can.na.bis] n [L, hemp, fr. Gk kannabis; akin to OE haenep
          hemp] (1783) 1: hemp 1a 2: any of the preparations (as
          marijuana or hashish) or chemicals (as THC) that are
          derived from the hemp and are psychoactive

   canned
          [canned] adj (1904) 1 a: prepared or recorded in advance;
          esp: prepared in standardized form for nonspecific use
          or wide distribution <~ laughter> <~ music> <~ speeches>
          b: lacking originality or individuality as if mass-produced
          <~ sales pitch> 2 slang: drunk

   cannel coal
          [can.nel coal] n [prob. fr. E dial. cannel candle, fr. ME
          candel] (1610): a bituminous coal containing much volatile
          matter that burns brightly

   cannelloni
          [can.nel.lo.ni] n pl but sing or pl in constr [It, pl. of
          cannellone, aug. of cannello segment of cane stalk, fr.
          canna] (1906): boiled tube-shaped or rolled pasta filled
          with a meat, fish, cheese, or vegetable mixture and baked
          in a sauce

   cannery
          [can.nery] n, pl -ner.ies (1870): a factory for the canning
          of foods

   cannibal
          [can.ni.bal] n [NL Canibalis Carib, fr. Sp Canibal, fr. Taino
          Caniba, of Cariban origin; akin to Carib kari'na Carib,
          person] (1553): one that eats the flesh of its own kind

   cannibalise
          [can.ni.bal.ise] Brit var of cannibalize

   cannibalism
          [can.ni.bal.ism] n (1796) 1: the usu. ritualistic eating
          of human flesh by a human being 2: the eating of the
          flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind
          3: an act of cannibalizing something -- can.ni.bal.is.tic
          adj

   cannibalize
          [can.ni.bal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1943) 1 a: to take
          salvageable parts from (as a disabled machine) for use
          in building or repairing another machine b: to make use
          of (a part taken from one thing) in building or repairing
          something else 2: to deprive of an essential part or
          element in creating or sustaining another facility or
          enterprise <the energy system has begun cannibalizing
          the economic system it is supposed to fuel --Barry Commoner>
          3: to use or draw on material of (as another writer or
          an earlier work) <a volume ... that not only ~s previous
          publications but is intended itself to be cannibalized
          --R. M. Adams> 4: to take (sales) away from an existing
          product by selling or being sold as a similar but new
          product usu. from the same manufacturer; also: to affect
          (as an existing product) adversely by cannibalizing sales
          ~ vi 1: to practice cannibalism 2: to cannibalize one
          unit for the sake of another of the same kind
          -- can.ni.bal.i.za.tion n

   cannikin
          [can.ni.kin] n [prob. fr. obs. D kanneken, fr. MD canneken,
          dim. of canne can; akin to OE canne can] (1570): a small
          can or drinking vessel

   cannoli
          [can.no.li] n pl but sing or pl in constr [It, pl. of cannolo
          small tube, dim. of canna] (1943): a deep-fried tube
          of pastry filled with sweetened and flavored ricotta
          cheese

   [1]cannon
          [can.non] n, pl cannons or cannon [MF canon, fr. It cannone,
          lit., large tube, aug. of canna reed, tube, fr. L, cane,
          reed--more at cane] (15c) 1 pl usu cannon a: a large
          heavy gun usu. mounted on a carriage b: a heavy-caliber
          automatic aircraft gun firing explosive shells 2 or can.on
          : the projecting part of a bell by which it is hung:
          ear 3: the part of the leg in which the cannon bone is
          found [2]cannon vi (1691): to discharge cannon ~ vt:
          cannonade

   [1]cannonade
          [can.non.ade] n (1562) 1: a heavy fire of artillery 2: an
          attack (as with words) likened to artillery fire: bombardment
          [2]cannonade vb -ad.ed ; -ad.ing vt (ca. 1670): to attack
          with or as if with artillery ~ vi: to deliver artillery
          fire

   [1]cannonball
          [can.non.ball] n (1663) 1: a usu. round solid missile made
          for firing from a cannon 2: a jump into water made with
          the arms holding the knees tight against the chest 3:
          a hard flat tennis service 4: an express train [2]cannonball
          vi (1951): to travel with great speed

   cannon bone
          [cannon bone] n [F canon, lit., cannon] (1834): a bone in
          hoofed mammals that extends from the knee or hock to
          the fetlock

   cannoneer
          [can.non.eer] n (1562): an artillery gunner

   cannon fodder
          [cannon fodder] n (ca. 1891): soldiers regarded or treated
          as expendable in battle

   cannonry
          [can.non.ry] n, pl -ries (ca. 1840): a battery of cannons
          or cannon fire

   cannot
          [can.not] (15c): can not -- cannot but or cannot help but
          also cannot help : to be unable to do otherwise than

   cannula
          [can.nu.la] n, pl -las or -lae [NL, fr. L, dim. of canna
          reed--more at cane] (1684): a small tube for insertion
          into a body cavity or into a duct or vessel

   cannular
          [can.nu.lar] adj (1823): tubular

   [1]canny
          [can.ny] adj can.ni.er ; -est [[1]can] (1596) 1: clever,
          shrewd; also: prudent 2 chiefly Scot a: careful, steady;
          also: restrained b: quiet, snug <then ~, in some cozy
          place, they close the day --Robert Burns> -- can.ni.ly
          adv -- can.ni.ness n [2]canny adv (ca. 1796) Scot: in
          a canny manner: carefully

   [1]canoe
          [ca.noe] n [F, fr. NL canoa, fr. Sp, fr. Arawakan, of Cariban
          origin; akin to Carib kana:wa canoe] (1555): a light
          narrow boat with both ends sharp that is usu. propelled
          by paddling [2]canoe vb ca.noed ; ca.noe.ing vt (1794):
          to transport in a canoe; also: to travel by canoe down
          (a river) ~ vi: to go or travel in a canoe -- ca.noe.able
          adj -- ca.noe.ist n

   can of worms
          [can of worms] (1962): pandora's box

   canola
          [ca.no.la] n [Canada oil--low acid] (1979) 1: a rape plant
          of an improved variety having seeds that are low in erucic
          acid and are the source of canola oil 2: canola oil

   canola oil
          [canola oil] n (1986): an edible vegetable oil obtained from
          the seeds of canola that is high in monounsaturated fatty
          acids

   [1]canon
          [can.on] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL, fr. L, ruler, rule, model,
          standard, fr. Gk kanon] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a regulation
          or dogma decreed by a church council b: a provision of
          canon law 2: the most solemn and unvarying part of the
          Mass including the consecration of the bread and wine
          3a: an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scripture
          b: the authentic works of a writer c: a sanctioned or
          accepted group or body of related works <the ~ of great
          literature> 4 a: an accepted principle or rule b: a criterion
          or standard of judgment c: a body of principles, rules,
          standards, or norms 5: a contrapuntal musical composition
          in two or more voice parts in which the melody is imitated
          exactly and completely by the successive voices though
          not always at the same pitch syn see law [2]canon n [ME
          canoun, fr. AF canunie, fr. LL canonicus one living under
          a rule, fr. L, according to rule, fr. Gk kanonikos, fr.
          kanon] (13c) 1: a clergyman belonging to the chapter
          or the staff of a cathedral or collegiate church 2: canon
          regular ca.non var of canyon

   canoness
          [can.on.ess] n (1682) 1: a woman living in community under
          a religious rule but not under a perpetual vow 2: a member
          of a Roman Catholic congregation of women corresponding
          to canons regular

   canonic
          [ca.non.ic] adj (15c) 1: canonical 2: of or relating to musical
          canon

   canonical
          [ca.non.i.cal] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or forming a
          canon 2: conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure:
          orthodox 3: of or relating to a clergyman who is a canon
          4: reduced to the canonical form <a ~ matrix> -- ca.non.i.cal.ly
          adv

   canonical form
          [canonical form] n (1851): the simplest form of something;
          specif: the form of a square matrix that has zero elements
          everywhere except along the principal diagonal

   canonical hour
          [canonical hour] n (15c) 1: a time of day canonically appointed
          for an office of devotion 2: one of the daily offices
          of devotion that compose the Divine Office and include
          matins with lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers,
          and compline

   canonicals
          [ca.non.i.cals] n pl (1748): the vestments prescribed by
          canon for an officiating clergyman

   canonicity
          [can.on.ic.i.ty] n (1797): the quality or state of being
          canonical

   canonist
          [can.on.ist] n (1542): a specialist in canon law

   canonize
          [can.on.ize] vt can.on.ized ; can.on.iz.ing [ME, fr. ML canonizare,
          fr. LL canon catalog of saints, fr. L, standard] (14c)
          1: to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint
          2: to make canonical 3: to sanction by ecclesiastical authority
          4: to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to 5: to treat
          as illustrious, preeminent, or sacred -- can.on.i.za.tion n

   canon law
          [canon law] n (1552): the usu. codified law governing a church

   canon lawyer
          [canon lawyer] n (ca. 1859): canonist

   canon regular
          [canon regular] n, pl canons regular (14c): a member of one
          of several Roman Catholic religious institutes of regular
          priests living in community under a usu. Augustinian
          rule

   canonry
          [can.on.ry] n, pl -ries (15c): the office of a canon; also:
          the endowment that financially supports a canon

   canopic jar
          [ca.no.pic jar] n [Canopus, Egypt] (1893): a jar in which
          the ancient Egyptians preserved the viscera of a deceased
          person usu. for burial with the mummy

   Canopus
          [Ca.no.pus] n [L, fr. Gk Kanopos]: a star of the first magnitude
          in the constellation Carina not visible north of 37 degrees
          latitude

   [1]canopy
          [can.o.py] n, pl -pies [ME canope, fr. ML canopeum mosquito
          net, fr. L conopeum, fr. Gk konopion, fr. konops mosquito]
          (14c) 1 a: a cloth covering suspended over a bed b: a
          cover (as of cloth) fixed or carried above a person of
          high rank or a sacred object: baldachin c: a protective
          covering: as (1): the uppermost spreading branchy layer
          of a forest (2): awning, marquee 2: an ornamental rooflike
          structure 3 a: the transparent enclosure over an airplane
          cockpit b: the fabric part of a parachute that catches
          the air [2]canopy vt -pied ; -py.ing (1599): to cover
          with or as if with a canopy

   canorous
          [ca.no.rous] adj [L canorus, fr. canor melody, fr. canere
          to sing--more at chant] (1646): pleasant sounding: melodious
          -- ca.no.rous.ly adv -- ca.no.rous.ness n

   canst
          [canst] archaic pres 2d sing of can

   can't
          [can't] (ca. 1652): can not

   Cant
          [Cant] abbreviation Canticle of Canticles, Cantonese

   [1]cant
          [cant] adj [ME, prob. fr. (assumed) MLG kant] (14c) dial
          Eng: lively, lusty [2]cant vt (ca. 1543) 1: to give a
          cant or oblique edge to: bevel 2: to set at an angle:
          tilt 3 chiefly Brit: to throw with a lurch ~ vi 1: to
          pitch to one side: lean 2: slope [3]cant n [ME cante
          edge, prob. fr. MD or ONF; MD, edge, corner, fr. ONF,
          fr. L canthus, cantus iron tire, perh. of Celt origin;
          akin to W cant rim; perh. akin to Gk kanthos corner of
          the eye] (1603) 1 obs: corner, niche 2: an external angle
          (as of a building) 3: a log with one or more squared
          sides 4 a: an oblique or slanting surface b: inclination,
          slope [4]cant adj (1663) 1: having canted corners or
          sides 2: inclined 2 [5]cant vi [prob. fr. ONF canter
          to tell, lit., to sing, fr. L cantare--more at chant]
          (1567) 1: to talk or beg in a whining or singsong manner
          2: to speak in cant or jargon 3: to talk hypocritically
          [6]cant n (1640) 1: affected singsong or whining speech
          2 a: the private language of the underworld b obs: the
          phraseology peculiar to a religious class or sect c:
          jargon 2 3: a set or stock phrase 4: the expression or
          repetition of conventional or trite opinions or sentiments;
          esp: the insincere use of pious words

   Cantab
          [Can.tab] n [by shortening] (1750): cantabrigian

   cantabile
          [can.ta.bi.le] adv or adj [It, fr. LL cantabilis worthy to
          be sung, fr. L cantare] (ca. 1724): in a singing manner--often
          used as a direction in music

   Cantabrigian
          [Can.ta.brig.i.an] n [ML Cantabrigia Cambridge] (ca. 1540)
          1: a student or graduate of Cambridge University 2: a
          native or resident of Cambridge, Mass. -- Cantabrigian
          adj

   cantala
          [can.ta.la] n [NL, specific epithet of Agave cantala, perh.
          fr. Skt kantala babul, fr. kanta thorn] (1911): a hard
          fiber produced from the leaves of an agave (Agave cantala)

   cantaloupe
          [can.ta.loupe] also can.ta.loup n [Cantalupo, former papal
          villa near Rome, Italy] (1739) 1: a muskmelon (Cucumis
          melo reticulatus) having a rind with netted tracery and
          reddish orange flesh 2: any of several muskmelons resembling
          the cantaloupe; broadly: muskmelon

   cantankerous
          [can.tan.ker.ous] adj [perh. irreg. fr. obs. contack (contention)]
          (1772): difficult or irritating to deal with -- can.tan.ker.ous.ly
          adv -- can.tan.ker.ous.ness n

   cantata
          [can.ta.ta] n [It, fr. L, fr. fem. of cantatus, pp. of cantare]
          (1724): a composition for one or more voices usu. comprising
          solos, duets, recitatives, and choruses and sung to an
          instrumental accompaniment

   cantatrice
          [can.ta.trice] n, pl -trices or -tri.ci [It & F, fr. It,
          fr. LL cantatric-, cantatrix, fem. of L cantator singer,
          fr. cantare] (1803): a woman who is a singer; esp: an
          opera singer

   cant dog
          [cant dog] n [[3]cant] (1850): peavey

   canteen
          [can.teen] n [F cantine bottle case, sutler's shop, fr. It
          cantina wine cellar, prob. fr. canto corner, fr. L canthus
          iron tire--more at cant] (1737) 1 a: a portable chest
          with compartments for carrying bottles or for cooking
          and eating utensils b: a flask for carrying liquids (as
          on a hike) c: mess kit d Brit: a chest for storing flatware
          2 a: a bar at a military post or camp b: a general store
          at a military post: exchange c: an establishment that
          serves as an informal social club (as for soldiers or
          a community's teenagers) d: a small cafeteria or snack
          bar

   [1]canter
          [cant.er] n (1609): one that uses cant: as a: beggar, vagabond
          b: a user of professional or religious cant [2]can.ter
          vb [short for obs. canterbury, n. (canter), fr. Canterbury,
          England; fr. the supposed gait of pilgrims riding to
          Canterbury] vi (1706) 1: to move at or as if at a canter:
          lope 2: to ride a horse at a canter ~ vt: to cause to
          go at a canter [3]can.ter n (1755) 1: a 3-beat gait resembling
          but smoother and slower than the gallop 2: a ride at
          a canter

   Canterbury bell
          [Can.ter.bury bell] n [Canterbury, England] (1578): any of
          several bellflowers (as Campanula medium) cultivated
          for their showy flowers

   cantharidin
          [can.thar.i.din] n (1819): a bitter crystalline compound
          that is the active blister-producing ingredient of cantharides

   cantharis
          [can.tha.ris] n, pl can.thar.i.des [ME & L; ME cantharide,
          fr. L cantharid-, cantharis, fr. Gk kantharid-, kantharis]
          (14c) 1: spanish fly 1 2 pl but sing or pl in constr:
          a preparation of dried beetles (as Spanish flies) used
          in medicine as a counterirritant and formerly as an aphrodisiac

   canthaxanthin
          [can.tha.xan.thin] n [ISV cantha- (fr. NL Cantharellus
          cinnabarinus, mushroom species from which it was obtained) + xanth-
          + [1]-in] (ca. 1951): a carotenoid used esp. as a color additive
          for food

   cant hook
          [cant hook] n [[3]cant] (ca. 1848): a lumberman's lever that
          has a pivoting hooked arm and a blunt often toothed metal
          cap at one end--compare peavey

   canthus
          [can.thus] n, pl can.thi [LL, fr. Gk kanthos--more at cant]
          (1646): either of the angles formed by the meeting of
          an eye's upper and lower eyelids

   canticle
          [can.ti.cle] n [ME, fr. L canticulum, dim. of canticum song,
          fr. cantus, pp. of canere] (13c): song; specif: one of
          several liturgical songs (as the Magnificat) taken from
          the Bible

   Canticle of Canticles
          [Canticle of Canticles] (ca. 1934): song of solomon

   Canticles
          [Canticles] n pl but sing in constr (15c): song of solomon

   cantilena
          [can.ti.le.na] n [It, fr. L, song, fr. cantus] (ca. 1740):
          a vocal or instrumental passage of sustained lyricism

   [1]cantilever
          [can.ti.le.ver] n [perh. fr. [3]cant + -i- + lever] (1667):
          a projecting beam or member supported at only one end:
          as a: a bracket-shaped member supporting a balcony or
          a cornice b: either of the two beams or trusses that
          project from piers toward each other and that when joined
          directly or by a suspended connecting member form a span
          of a cantilever bridge--see bridge illustration [2]cantilever
          vt (1902) 1: to support by a cantilever <a ~ed shelf>
          2: to build as a cantilever ~ vi: to project as a cantilever

   cantillate
          [can.til.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L cantilatus, pp. of
          cantilare to sing, perh. fr. cantilena] (ca. 1828): to
          recite with musical tones -- can.til.la.tion n

   cantina
          [can.ti.na] n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, canteen, fr. It, wine cellar--more
          at canteen] (1844) 1 Southwest: a pouch or bag at the
          pommel of a saddle 2 Southwest: a small barroom: saloon

   canting
          [cant.ing] adj [[5]cant] (1663): affectedly pious or righteous

   cantle
          [can.tle] n [ME cantel, fr. ONF, dim. of can edge, corner--more
          at cant] (14c) 1: a segment cut off or out of something:
          part, portion 2: the upward projecting rear part of a
          saddle

   canto
          [can.to] n, pl cantos [It, fr. L cantus song, fr. canere
          to sing--more at chant] (1590): one of the major divisions
          of a long poem

   [1]canton
          [can.ton] n [MF, fr. It cantone, fr. canto corner, fr. L
          canthus iron tire--more at cant] (1522): a small territorial
          division of a country: as a: one of the states of the
          Swiss confederation b: a division of a French arrondissement
          [2]canton n [MF, fr. OProv, fr. cant edge, corner, fr.
          L canthus] (1572) 1 obs: division, section 2: the top
          inner quarter of a flag 3: the dexter chief region of
          a heraldic field -- can.ton.al adj

   Cantonese
          [Can.ton.ese] n, pl Cantonese (1857) 1: a native or inhabitant
          of Canton, China 2: the dialect of Chinese spoken in
          and around Canton 3: a style of Chinese cooking that
          is typically based on mild spices -- Cantonese adj

   canton flannel
          [can.ton flannel] n, often cap C [Canton, China] (ca. 1879):
          flannel 1c

   cantonment
          [can.ton.ment] n (1756) 1: usu. temporary quarters for troops
          2: a permanent military station in India

   Canton ware
          [Can.ton ware] n (ca. 1902): ceramic ware exported from China
          esp. during the 18th and 19th centuries by way of Canton
          and including blue-and-white and enameled porcelain and
          various ornamented stonewares

   cantor
          [can.tor] n [L, singer, fr. canere to sing] (1538) 1: a choir
          leader: precentor 2: a synagogue official who sings or
          chants liturgical music and leads the congregation in
          prayer -- can.to.ri.al adj

   cantrip
          [can.trip] n [prob. alter. of caltrop] (1719) 1 chiefly Scot:
          a witch's trick: spell 2 chiefly Brit: hocus-pocus 2

   cantus
          [can.tus] n, pl can.tus (1590) 1: cantus firmus 2: the principal
          melody or voice

   cantus firmus
          [cantus fir.mus] n [ML, lit., fixed song] (1847) 1: the plainsong
          or simple Gregorian melody orig. sung in unison and prescribed
          as to form and use by ecclesiastical tradition 2: a melodic
          theme or subject; esp: one for contrapuntal treatment

   canty
          [canty] adj [[1]cant] (1720) dial Brit: cheerful, sprightly

   Canuck
          [Ca.nuck] n [origin unknown] (1835): a Canadian and esp.
          a French Canadian

   [1]canvas
          [can.vas] also can.vass n [ME canevas, fr. ONF, fr. (assumed)
          VL cannabaceus hempen, fr. L cannabis hemp--more at cannabis]
          (13c) 1: a firm closely woven cloth usu. of linen, hemp,
          or cotton used for clothing and formerly much used for
          tents and sails 2: a set of sails: sail 3: a piece of
          canvas used for a particular purpose 4: tent; also: a
          group of tents 5 a: a piece of cloth backed or framed
          as a surface for a painting; also: the painting on such
          a surface b: the background, setting, or scope of an
          historical or fictional account or narrative 6: a coarse
          cloth so woven as to form regular meshes for working
          with the needle 7: the canvas-covered floor of a boxing
          or wrestling ring -- can.vas.like adj [2]canvas vt -vased
          or -vassed ; -vas.ing or -vass.ing (1556): to cover,
          line, or furnish with canvas

   canvasback
          [can.vas.back] n (1782): a No. American wild duck (Aythya
          valisineria) that has a reddish brown head, black breast,
          and whitish body and is characterized esp. by the elongate
          sloping profile of the bill and head

   [1]canvass
          [can.vass] also can.vas vt (1508) 1 obs: to toss in a canvas
          sheet in sport or punishment 2 a: to examine in detail;
          specif: to examine (votes) officially for authenticity
          b: discuss, debate 3: to go through (a district) or go
          to (persons) in order to solicit orders or political
          support or to determine opinions or sentiments ~ vi:
          to seek orders or votes: solicit -- can.vass.er also
          can.vas.er n [2]canvass also canvas n (ca. 1611): the
          act or an instance of canvassing; esp: a personal solicitation
          of votes or survey of public opinion

   canyon
          [can.yon] n [AmerSp canon, prob. alter. of obs. Sp callon,
          aug. of calle street, fr. L callis footpath] (1837):
          a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with
          a stream flowing through it

   canzone
          [can.zo.ne] n, pl -nes or -ni [It, fr. L cantion-, cantio
          song, fr. canere to sing--more at chant] (1589) 1: a
          medieval Italian or Provencal lyric poem 2: the musical
          setting of a canzone

   canzonet
          [can.zo.net] n [It canzonetta, dim. of canzone] (1588) 1:
          a light usu. strophic song 2: a part-song resembling
          but less elaborate than a madrigal

   caoutchouc
          [caou.tchouc] n [F, fr. obs. Sp cauchuc (now caucho), fr.
          Quechua kawchu] (1775): [1]rubber 2a

   [1]cap
          [cap] n, often attrib [ME cappe, fr. OE caeppe, fr. LL cappa
          head covering, cloak] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a head covering
          esp. with a visor and no brim b: a distinctive head covering
          emblematic of a position or office: as (1): a cardinal's
          biretta (2): mortarboard 2: a natural cover or top: as
          a: an overlying rock layer that is usu. hard to penetrate
          b (1): pileus (2): calyptra c: the top of a bird's head
          or a patch of distinctively colored feathers in this
          area 3 a: something that serves as a cover or protection
          esp. for a tip, knob, or end <a bottle ~> b: a fitting
          for closing the end of a tube (as a water pipe or electric
          conduit) c Brit: cervical cap 4: an overlaying or covering
          structure 5: a paper or metal container holding an explosive
          charge (as for a toy pistol) 6: an upper limit (as on
          expenditures): ceiling 7: a symbol indicating the intersection
          of two sets--compare cup 9 8: a cluster of molecules
          or chemical groups bound to one end or a region of a
          cell, virus, or molecule -- cap in hand : in a respectful,
          humble, or sometimes fearful manner [2]cap vb capped
          ; cap.ping vt (15c) 1 a: to provide or protect with a
          cap b: to give a cap to as a symbol of honor, rank, or
          achievement 2: to form a cap over: crown <the mountains
          were capped with mist --John Buchan> 3 a: to follow with
          something more noticeable or more significant: outdo
          b: climax 4: to form a chemical cap on ~ vi: to form
          or produce a chemical cap

   cap
          [cap] abbreviation capacity, capital, capitalize, capitalized
          CAP abbreviation Civil Air Patrol

   capability
          [ca.pa.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1587) 1: the quality or state
          of being capable; also: ability 2: a feature or faculty
          capable of development: potentiality 3: the facility
          or potential for an indicated use or deployment <the
          ~ of a metal to be fused> <nuclear ~>

   capable
          [ca.pa.ble] adj [MF or LL; MF capable, fr. LL capabilis,
          irreg. fr. L capere to take--more at heave] (1579) 1:
          susceptible <a remark ~ of being misunderstood> 2 obs:
          comprehensive 3: having attributes (as physical or mental
          power) required for performance or accomplishment <is
          ~ of intense concentration> 4: having traits conducive
          to or features permitting <this woman is ~ of murder
          by violence --Robert Graves> <an outer coat of light
          color ~ of reflecting solar heat --Current Biog.> 5:
          having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform 6: having
          general efficiency and ability -- ca.pa.ble.ness n --
          ca.pa.bly adv

   capable de tout
          [ca.pable de tout] [F] foreign term : capable of anything:
          unpredictable

   capacious
          [ca.pa.cious] adj [L capac-, capax capacious, capable, fr.
          L capere] (1614): containing or capable of containing
          a great deal syn see spacious -- ca.pa.cious.ly adv --
          ca.pa.cious.ness n

   capacitance
          [ca.pac.i.tance] n [capacity] (1893) 1 a: the property of
          an electric nonconductor that permits the storage of
          energy as a result of the separation of charge that occurs
          when opposite surfaces of the nonconductor are maintained
          at a difference of potential b: the measure of this property
          that is equal to the ratio of the charge on either surface
          to the potential difference between the surfaces 2: a
          part of a circuit or network that possesses capacitance
          -- ca.pac.i.tive adj -- ca.pac.i.tive.ly adv

   capacitate
          [ca.pac.i.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing (1657) 1 archaic: to
          make capable 2: to cause (sperm) to undergo capacitation

   capacitation
          [ca.pac.i.ta.tion] n (1951): the change undergone by sperm
          in the female reproductive tract that enables them to
          penetrate and fertilize an egg

   capacitor
          [ca.pac.i.tor] n (1925): a device giving capacitance and
          usu. consisting of conducting plates or foils separated
          by thin layers of dielectric (as air or mica) with the
          plates on opposite sides of the dielectric layers oppositely
          charged by a source of voltage and the electrical energy
          of the charged system stored in the polarized dielectric

   [1]capacity
          [ca.pac.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME capacite, fr. MF capacite,
          fr. L capacitat-, capacitas, fr. capac-, capax] (15c)
          1: legal competency or fitness 2 a: the potential or
          suitability for holding, storing, or accommodating b:
          the maximum amount or number that can be contained or
          accommodated <a jug with a one-gallon ~> <the auditorium
          was filled to ~> 3 a: an individual's mental or physical
          ability: aptitude, skill b: the faculty or potential
          for treating, experiencing, or appreciating <~ for love>
          4: duty, position, role <will be happy to serve in any
          ~> 5: the facility or power to produce, perform, or deploy:
          capability <a plan to double the factory's ~>; also:
          maximum output <industries running at three-quarter ~>
          6 a: capacitance b: the quantity of electricity that
          a battery can deliver under specified conditions [2]capacity
          adj (1897): equaling maximum capacity <a ~ crowd>

   cap-a-pie
          [cap-a-pie] adv [MF (de) cap a pe from head to foot] (1523):
          from head to foot <armed ~ for battle>

   [1]caparison
          [ca.par.i.son] n [MF caparacon, fr. OSp caparazon] (1579)
          1 a: an ornamental covering for a horse b: decorative
          trappings and harness 2: rich clothing: adornment [2]caparison
          vt (1594): to provide with or as if with a rich ornamental
          covering: adorn

   [1]cape
          [cape] n, often attrib [ME cap, fr. MF, fr. OProv, fr. L
          caput head--more at head] (14c) 1: a point or extension
          of land jutting out into water as a peninsula or as a
          projecting point 2 often cap: cape cod cottage [2]cape
          n [prob. fr. Sp capa cloak, fr. LL cappa head covering,
          cloak] (ca. 1578) 1: a sleeveless outer garment or part
          of a garment that fits closely at the neck and hangs
          loosely over the shoulders 2: the short feathers covering
          the shoulders of a fowl--see duck illustration

   Cape buffalo
          [Cape buffalo] n [Cape of Good Hope, Africa] (ca. 1890):
          the large reddish brown to black wild buffalo (Syncerus
          caffer) of sub-Saharan Africa--called also African buffalo

   Cape Cod cottage
          [Cape Cod cottage] n [Cape Cod, Mass.] (1916): a compact
          rectangular dwelling of one or one-and-a-half stories
          usu. with a central chimney and steep gable roof

   Cape gooseberry
          [Cape gooseberry] n (1833): any of several ground-cherries
          (esp. Physalis peruviana) bearing edible acid berries;
          also: its berry

   Cape Horner
          [Cape Horn.er] n (1840): a ship that voyages around Cape
          Horn

   capelet
          [cape.let] n (1912): a small cape usu. covering the shoulders

   capelin
          [cap.e.lin] n [CanF capelan, fr. F, codfish, fr. OProv, chaplain,
          codfish, fr. ML cappellanus chaplain--more at chaplain]
          (1620): a small northern sea fish (Mallotus villosus)
          related to the smelts

   Capella
          [Ca.pel.la] n [L, lit., she-goat, fr. caper he-goat--more
          at capriole]: a star of the first magnitude in Auriga

   [1]caper
          [ca.per] n [back-formation fr. earlier capers (taken as a
          plural), fr. ME caperis, fr. L capparis, fr. Gk kapparis]
          (14c) 1: any of a genus (Capparis of the family Capparidaceae,
          the caper family) of low prickly shrubs of the Mediterranean
          region; esp: one (C. spinosa) cultivated for its buds
          2: one of the greenish flower buds or young berries of
          the caper pickled and used as a seasoning or garnish
          [2]caper vi ca.pered ; ca.per.ing [prob. by shortening
          & alter. fr. capriole] (1588): to leap or prance about
          in a playful manner [3]caper n (1592) 1: a frolicsome
          leap 2: a capricious escapade: prank 3: an illegal or
          questionable act; esp: theft

   capercaillie
          [cap.er.cail.lie] or cap.er.cail.zie n, pl -caillie or -cailzies
          also -caillies or -cailzie [ScGael capalcoille, lit.,
          horse of the woods] (1536): the largest Old World grouse
          (Tetrao urogallus)

   capeskin
          [cape.skin] n [Cape of Good Hope, Africa] (1919): a light
          flexible leather made from sheepskins with the natural
          grain retained and used esp. for gloves and garments

   Capetian
          [Ca.pe.tian] adj [Hugh Capet] (1836): of or relating to the
          French royal house that ruled from 987 to 1328 -- Capetian
          n

   capework
          [cape.work] n (1926): the art of the bullfighter in working
          a bull with the cape

   capful
          [cap.ful] n (1873): as much as a cap will hold <a ~ of detergent>

   capful of wind
          [capful of wind] (1719): a sudden light breeze

   capias
          [ca.pi.as] n [ME, fr. L, lit., you should seize, fr. capere
          to take--more at heave] (15c): an arrest warrant

   capillarity
          [cap.il.lar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1830) 1: the property or state
          of being capillary 2: the action by which the surface
          of a liquid where it is in contact with a solid (as in
          a capillary tube) is elevated or depressed depending
          on the relative attraction of the molecules of the liquid
          for each other and for those of the solid

   [1]capillary
          [cap.il.lary] adj [F or L; F capillaire, fr. L capillaris,
          fr. capillus hair] (14c) 1 a: resembling a hair esp.
          in slender elongated form <~ leaves> b: having a very
          small bore <a ~ tube> 2: involving, held by, or resulting
          from surface tension <~ water in the soil> 3: of or relating
          to capillaries or capillarity [2]capillary n, pl -lar.ies
          (1667): a capillary tube; esp: any of the smallest blood
          vessels connecting arterioles with venules and forming
          networks throughout the body

   capillary attraction
          [capillary attraction] n (1813): the force of adhesion between
          a solid and a liquid in capillarity

   [1]capital
          [cap.i.tal] n [ME capitale, modif. of ONF capitel, fr. LL
          capitellum small head, top of column, dim. of L capit-,
          caput head--more at head] (13c): the uppermost member
          of a column or pilaster crowning the shaft and taking
          the weight of the entablature--see column illustration
          [2]capital adj [ME, fr. L capitalis, fr. capit-, caput]
          (14c) 1 of a letter: of or conforming to the series A,
          B, C, etc. rather than a, b, c, etc. 2 a: punishable
          by death <a ~ crime> b: involving execution <~ punishment>
          c: most serious <a ~ error> 3 a: chief in importance
          or influence <~ ships> <the ~ importance of criticism
          in the work of creation itself --T. S. Eliot> b: being
          the seat of government 4: of or relating to capital;
          esp: relating to or being assets that add to the long-term
          net worth of a corporation <~ improvements> 5: excellent
          <a ~ book> [3]capital n [F or It; F, fr. It capitale,
          fr. capitale, adj., chief, principal, fr. L capitalis]
          (ca. 1639) 1 a (1): a stock of accumulated goods esp.
          at a specified time and in contrast to income received
          during a specified period; also: the value of these accumulated
          goods (2): accumulated goods devoted to the production
          of other goods (3): accumulated possessions calculated
          to bring in income b (1): net worth (2): capital stock
          c: persons holding capital d: advantage, gain <make ~
          of the situation> 2 [[2]capital] a: a capital letter;
          esp: an initial capital letter b: a letter belonging
          to a style of alphabet modeled on the style customarily
          used in inscriptions 3 [[2]capital] a: a city serving
          as a seat of government b: a city preeminent in some
          special activity <the fashion ~>

   capital gain
          [capital gain] n (1921): the increase in value of an asset
          (as stock or real estate) between the time it is bought
          and the time it is sold

   capital goods
          [capital goods] n pl (1896): [3]capital 1a(1), 1a(2)

   capital-intensive
          [capital-intensive] adj (1959): having a high capital cost
          per unit of output; esp: requiring greater expenditure
          in the form of capital than of labor

   capitalise
          [cap.i.tal.ise] Brit var of capitalize

   capitalism
          [cap.i.tal.ism] n (1877): an economic system characterized
          by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by
          investments that are determined by private decision,
          and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods
          that are determined mainly by competition in a free market

   [1]capitalist
          [cap.i.tal.ist] n (1792) 1: a person who has capital esp.
          invested in business; broadly: a person of wealth: plutocrat
          2: a person who favors capitalism [2]capitalist or cap.i.tal.is.tic
          adj (1845) 1: owning capital <the ~ class> 2 a: practicing
          or advocating capitalism <~ nations> b: marked by capitalism
          <~ period of history> -- cap.i.tal.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   capitalization
          [cap.i.tal.i.za.tion] n (1860) 1 a: the act or process of
          capitalizing b: a sum resulting from a process of capitalizing
          c: the total liabilities of a business including both
          ownership capital and borrowed capital d: the total par
          value or the stated value of no-par issues of authorized
          capital stock 2: the use of a capital letter in writing
          or printing

   capitalize
          [cap.i.tal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1764) 1: to write
          or print with an initial capital or in capitals 2 a:
          to convert into capital <~ the company's reserve fund>
          b: to treat as capital rather than as an expense 3 a:
          to compute the present value of (an income extended over
          a period of time) b: to convert (a periodic payment)
          into an equivalent capital sum <capitalized annuities>
          4: to supply capital for ~ vi: to gain by turning something
          to advantage: profit <~ on an opponent's mistake>

   capitally
          [cap.i.tal.ly] adv (1619) 1: in a manner involving capital
          punishment 2: in a capital manner: excellently

   capital stock
          [capital stock] n (1709) 1: the outstanding shares of a joint-stock
          company considered as an aggregate 2: capitalization 1d 3: the
          ownership element of a corporation divided into shares and
          represented by certificates

   capitate
          [cap.i.tate] adj [L capitatus headed, fr. capit-, caput head]
          (1661) 1: forming a head 2: abruptly enlarged and globose

   capitation
          [cap.i.ta.tion] n [LL capitation-, capitatio poll tax, fr.
          L capit-, caput] (1641) 1: a direct uniform tax imposed
          on each head or person: poll tax 2: a uniform per capita
          payment or fee

   capitol
          [cap.i.tol] n [L Capitolium, temple of Jupiter at Rome on
          the Capitoline hill] (1699) 1 a: a building in which
          a state legislative body meets b: a group of buildings
          in which the functions of state government are carried
          out 2 cap: the building in which the U.S. Congress meets
          at Washington

   Capitol Hill
          [Capitol Hill] n [Capitol Hill, Washington, site of the U.S.
          Capitol] (1943): the legislative branch of the U.S. government

   Capitoline
          [Cap.i.to.line] adj [L capitolinus, fr. Capitolium] (1667):
          of or relating to the smallest of the seven hills of
          ancient Rome, the temple on it, or the gods worshiped
          there

   capitular
          [ca.pit.u.lar] adj [ML capitularis, fr. capitulum] (ca. 1525):
          of or relating to an ecclesiastical chapter

   capitulary
          [ca.pit.u.lary] n, pl -lar.ies [ML capitulare, lit., document
          divided into sections, fr. LL capitulum section, chapter--more
          at chapter] (1650): a civil or ecclesiastical ordinance;
          also: a collection of ordinances

   capitulate
          [ca.pit.u.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [ML capitulatus, pp.
          of capitulare to distinguish by heads or chapters, fr.
          LL capitulum] (1537) 1 archaic: parley, negotiate 2 a:
          to surrender often after negotiation of terms b: to cease
          resisting: acquiesce syn see yield

   capitulation
          [ca.pit.u.la.tion] n (1535) 1: a set of terms or articles
          constituting an agreement between governments 2 a: the
          act of surrendering or yielding b: the terms of surrender

   capitulum
          [ca.pit.u.lum] n, pl -la [NL, fr. L, small head--more at
          chapter] (ca. 1755) 1: a rounded protuberance of an anatomical
          part (as a bone) 2: a racemose inflorescence (as of the
          buttonbush) with the axis shortened and dilated to form
          a rounded or flattened cluster of sessile flowers--see
          inflorescence illustration

   Caplets
          [Cap.lets] trademark--used for capsule-shaped medicinal tablets

   [1]capo
          [ca.po] n, pl capos [short for capotasto, fr. It, lit., head
          of fingerboard] (1926): a movable bar attached to the
          fingerboard of a fretted instrument to uniformly raise
          the pitch of all the strings [2]ca.po n, pl capos [It,
          head, chief, fr. L caput] (ca. 1963): the head of a branch
          of a crime syndicate

   capon
          [ca.pon] n [ME, fr. OE capun, prob. fr. ONF capon, fr. L
          capon-, capo; akin to Lith kapoti to mince, Gk koptein
          to cut] (bef. 12c): a castrated male chicken

   caponata
          [ca.po.na.ta] n [It, fr. It dial. (Sicily) capunata, perh.
          fr. capuni capon, fr. L capon-, capo] (1951): a relish
          of chopped eggplant and assorted vegetables

   capote
          [ca.pote] n [F, fr. cape cloak, fr. LL cappa] (1799): a usu.
          long and hooded cloak or overcoat

   cappelletti
          [cap.pel.let.ti] n pl but sing or pl in constr [It, pl. of
          cappelletto, dim. of cappello hat, fr. ML cappellus cap,
          dim. of LL cappa head covering--more at cap] (1945):
          pasta in the form of little peaked hats filled with a
          savory mixture

   capper
          [cap.per] n (1587) 1: one that caps: as a: a device that
          fits caps on bottles b: finale, climax, clincher 2: a
          lure or decoy esp. in an illicit or questionable activity:
          shill

   capping
          [cap.ping] n (14c): something that caps

   cappuccino
          [cap.puc.ci.no] n [It, lit., Capuchin; fr. the likeness of
          its color to that of a Capuchin's habit] (1948): espresso
          coffee mixed with frothed hot milk or cream and often
          flavored with cinnamon

   capric acid
          [cap.ric acid] n [ISV, fr. L capr-, caper goat; fr. its odor--more
          at capriole] (1836): a fatty acid found in fats and oils and used
          in flavors and perfumes

   capriccio
          [ca.pric.cio] n, pl -cios [It] (1601) 1: fancy, whimsy 2:
          caper, prank 3: an instrumental piece in free form usu.
          lively in tempo and brilliant in style

   caprice
          [ca.price] n [F, fr. It capriccio caprice, shudder, perh.
          fr. capo head (fr. L caput) + riccio hedgehog, fr. L
          ericius--more at head, urchin] (1667) 1 a: a sudden,
          impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or action
          b: a sudden usu. unpredictable condition, change, or
          series of changes <the ~s of the weather> 2: a disposition
          to do things impulsively 3: capriccio 3 syn caprice,
          whim, vagary, crotchet mean an irrational or unpredictable
          idea or desire. caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation
          and suggests willfulness <by sheer caprice she quit her
          job>. whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind
          or inclination <an odd antique that was bought on a whim>.
          vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character
          of the notion or desire <recently he had been prone to
          strange vagaries>. crotchet implies an eccentric opinion
          or preference <a serious scientist equally known for
          his bizarre crotchets>.

   capricious
          [ca.pri.cious] adj (1601): governed or characterized by caprice:
          impulsive, unpredictable syn see inconstant -- ca.pri.cious.ly
          adv -- ca.pri.cious.ness n

   Capricorn
          [Cap.ri.corn] n [ME Capricorne, fr. L Capricornus (gen.
          Capricorni), fr. caper goat + cornu horn--more at horn]
          1: a southern zodiacal constellation between Sagittarius and
          Aquarius 2 a: the 10th sign of the zodiac in astrology b: one born
          under the sign of Capricorn

   caprification
          [cap.ri.fi.ca.tion] n [L caprification-, caprificatio, fr.
          caprificare to pollinate by caprification, fr. caprificus]
          (1601): artificial pollination of figs that usu. bear
          only pistillate flowers by hanging male flowering branches
          of the caprifig in the trees to facilitate pollen transfer
          by a wasp

   caprifig
          [cap.ri.fig] n [ME caprifige, part trans. of L caprificus,
          fr. capr-, caper goat + ficus fig--more at fig] (15c):
          a wild fig (Ficus carica sylvestris) of southern Europe
          and Asia Minor used for caprification of the edible fig;
          also: its fruit

   caprine
          [cap.rine] adj [L caprinus, fr. capr-, caper] (15c): of,
          relating to, or being a goat <~ serum> <the ~ family>

   capriole
          [cap.ri.ole] n [MF or OIt; MF capriole, fr. OIt capriola,
          fr. capriolo roebuck, fr. L capreolus goat, roebuck,
          fr. capr-, caper he-goat; akin to OE haefer goat, Gk
          kapros wild boar] (1594) 1: a playful leap: caper 2 of
          a trained horse: a vertical leap with a backward kick
          of the hind legs at the height of the leap -- capriole
          vi

   capri pants
          [ca.pri pants] n pl, often cap C [Capri, Italy] (ca. 1956):
          close-fitting women's pants that end above the ankle--called
          also capris

   caprock
          [cap.rock] n (1867): cap 2a

   caproic acid
          [ca.pro.ic acid] n [ISV, fr. L capr-, caper] (ca. 1847):
          a liquid fatty acid that is found as a glycerol ester
          in fats and oils or made synthetically and used in pharmaceuticals
          and flavors

   caprolactam
          [cap.ro.lac.tam] n [caproic acid + lactone + amide] (1944):
          a white crystalline cyclic amide[ ]used esp. in making
          one type of nylon

   caprylic acid
          [ca.pryl.ic acid] n [ISV capryl, a radical contained in it]
          (1845): a fatty acid of rancid odor occurring in fats
          and oils and used in perfumes

   caps
          [caps] abbreviation capitals, capsule

   capsaicin
          [cap.sa.i.cin] n [irreg. fr. NL Capsicum] (ca. 1890): a colorless
          irritant phenolic amide that is found in various capsicums
          and that gives hot peppers their hotness

   Capsian
          [Cap.si.an] adj [F capsien, fr. L Capsa Gafsa, Tunisia] (1915):
          of or relating to a Paleolithic culture of northern Africa
          and southern Europe

   capsicum
          [cap.si.cum] n [NL, perh. fr. L capsa] (1588) 1: any of a
          genus (Capsicum) of tropical herbs and shrubs of the
          nightshade family widely cultivated for their many-seeded
          usu. fleshy-walled berries--called also pepper 2: the
          dried ripe fruit of some capsicums (as C. frutescens)
          used as a gastric and intestinal stimulant

   capsid
          [cap.sid] n [F capside, fr. L capsa case + F -ide [2]-id]
          (1960): the outer protein shell of a virus particle

   capsize
          [cap.size] vb cap.sized ; cap.siz.ing [perh. fr. Sp capuzar
          or Catal cabussar to thrust (the head) underwater] vt
          (1788): to cause to overturn <~ a canoe> ~ vi: to become
          upset or overturned: turn over <the canoe capsized>

   cap sleeve
          [cap sleeve] n (1926): a very short sleeve (as on a dress)
          that hangs over the edge of the shoulder without extending
          along the underside of the arm

   capstan
          [cap.stan] n [ME, prob. fr. MF cabestant] (14c) 1: a machine
          for moving or raising heavy weights that consists of
          a vertical drum which can be rotated and around which
          cable is turned 2: a rotating shaft that drives tape
          at a constant speed in a recorder

   capstone
          [cap.stone] n [[1]cap] (14c) 1: a coping stone: coping 2:
          the high point: crowning achievement

   capsular
          [cap.su.lar] adj (ca. 1730) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          a capsule 2: capsulated

   capsulated
          [cap.su.lat.ed] adj (1668): enclosed in a capsule

   [1]capsule
          [cap.sule] n [F, fr. L capsula, dim. of capsa box--more at
          case] (ca. 1693) 1 a: a membrane or sac enclosing a body
          part b: either of two layers of white matter in the cerebrum
          2: a closed receptacle containing spores or seeds: as
          a: a dry dehiscent usu. many-seeded fruit composed of
          two or more carpels b: the spore case of a moss 3: a
          shell usu. of gelatin for packaging something (as a drug
          or vitamins); also: a usu. medicinal or nutritional preparation
          for oral use consisting of the shell and its contents
          4: an often polysaccharide envelope surrounding a microorganism
          5: an extremely brief condensation: outline, survey 6
          a: a compact often sealed and detachable container or
          compartment b: a small pressurized compartment or vehicle
          (as for space flight or emergency escape) [2]capsule
          vt cap.suled ; cap.sul.ing (1859) 1: to equip with or
          enclose in a capsule 2: to condense into or devise in
          a compact form [3]capsule adj (1938) 1: extremely brief
          2: small and very compact

   capsulize
          [cap.sul.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1945): capsule

   Capt
          [Capt] abbreviation captain

   [1]captain
          [cap.tain] n [ME capitane, fr. MF capitain, fr. LL capitaneus,
          adj. & n., chief, fr. L capit-, caput head--more at head]
          (14c) 1 a (1): a military leader: the commander of a
          unit or a body of troops (2): a subordinate officer commanding
          under a sovereign or general (3): a commissioned officer
          in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above
          a first lieutenant and below a major b: a naval officer
          who is master or commander of a ship; esp: a commissioned
          officer in the navy ranking above a commander and below
          a commodore and in the coast guard ranking above a commander
          and below a rear admiral c: a senior pilot who commands
          the crew of an airplane d: an officer in a police department
          or fire department in charge of a unit (as a precinct
          or company) and usu. ranking above a lieutenant and below
          a chief 2: one who leads or supervises: as a: a leader
          of a sports team or side b: headwaiter c: a person in
          charge of hotel bellhops--called also bell captain 3:
          a person of importance or influence in a field <~s of
          industry> -- cap.tain.cy n -- cap.tain.ship n [2]captain
          vt (1598): to be captain of: lead <~ed the football team>

   captain's chair
          [captain's chair] n (1946): an armchair with a saddle seat
          and a low curved back with vertical spindles

   captain's mast
          [captain's mast] n (1941): mast 3

   captan
          [cap.tan] n [short for mercaptan] (1952): a fungicide used
          on agricultural crops

   [1]caption
          [cap.tion] n [ME capcioun, fr. L caption-, captio act of
          taking, fr. capere to take--more at heave] (1670) 1:
          the part of a legal document that shows where, when,
          and by what authority it was taken, found, or executed
          2 a: the heading esp. of an article or document: title
          b: the explanatory comment or designation accompanying
          a pictorial illustration c: a motion-picture subtitle
          -- cap.tion.less adj [2]caption vt cap.tioned ; cap.tion.ing
          (1901): to furnish with a caption

   captious
          [cap.tious] adj [ME capcious, fr. MF or L; MF captieux, fr.
          L captiosus, fr. captio] (14c) 1: marked by an often
          ill-natured i nclination to stress faults and raise objections
          2: calculated to confuse, entrap, or entangle in argument
          syn see critical -- cap.tious.ly adv -- cap.tious.ness
          n

   captivate
          [cap.ti.vate] vt -vat.ed ; -vat.ing (ca. 1555) 1 archaic:
          seize, capture 2: to influence and dominate by some special
          charm, art, or trait and with an irresistible appeal
          syn see attract -- cap.ti.va.tion n -- cap.ti.va.tor
          n

   captive
          [cap.tive] adj [ME, fr. L captivus, fr. captus, pp. of capere]
          (14c) 1 a: taken and held as or as if a prisoner of war
          b: kept within bounds: confined 2: held under control
          of another but having the appearance of independence;
          esp: owned or controlled by another concern and operated
          for its needs rather than for an open market <a ~ mine>
          3: being such involuntarily because of a situation that
          makes free choice or departure difficult <the airline
          passengers were a ~ audience> -- captive n

   captivity
          [cap.tiv.i.ty] n (14c) 1: the state of being captive <some
          birds thrive in ~> 2 obs: a group of captives

   captopril
          [cap.to.pril] n [mercaptan + -o- + proline + -il, alter.
          of -yl] (1978): an antihypertensive drug that is an ACE
          inhibitor

   captor
          [cap.tor] n [LL, fr. L capere] (ca. 1688): one that has captured
          a person or thing

   [1]capture
          [cap.ture] n [MF, fr. L captura, fr. captus] (ca. 1542) 1:
          an act or instance of capturing: as a: an act of catching,
          winning, or gaining control by force, stratagem, or guile
          b: a move in a board game (as chess or checkers) that
          gains an opponent's piece c: the absorption by an atom,
          nucleus, or particle of a subatomic particle that often
          results in subsequent emission of radiation or in fission
          d: the act of recording in a permanent file <data ~>
          2: one that has been taken (as a prize ship) [2]capture
          vt cap.tured ; cap.tur.ing (1795) 1 a: to take captive;
          also: to gain control of esp. by force <~ a city> b:
          to gain or win esp. through effort <captured 60% of the
          vote> 2: to emphasize, represent, or preserve (as a scene,
          mood, or quality) in a more or less permanent form <at
          any such moment as a photograph might ~ --C. E. Montague>
          3: to captivate and hold the interest of 4: to take according
          to the rules of a game 5: to bring about the capture
          of (a subatomic particle) 6: to record in a permanent
          file (as in a computer) syn see catch

   capture the flag
          [capture the flag] n (ca. 1925): a game in which players
          on each of two teams seek to capture the other team's
          flag and return it to their side without being captured
          and imprisoned

   capuche
          [ca.puche] n [MF, fr. It cappuccio, fr. cappa cloak, fr.
          LL] (ca. 1600): hood; esp: the cowl of a Capuchin friar

   capuchin
          [ca.pu.chin] n [MF, fr. OIt cappuccino, fr. cappuccio; fr.
          his cowl] (1589) 1 cap: a member of the Order of Friars
          Minor Capuchin forming since 1529 an austere branch of
          the first order of St. Francis of Assisi engaged in missionary
          work and preaching 2: a hooded cloak for women 3: any
          of a genus (Cebus) of So. American monkeys; esp: one
          (C. capucinus) with the hair on its crown resembling
          a monk's cowl

   Capulet
          [Cap.u.let] n: the family of Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo
          and Juliet

   capybara
          [cap.y.bara] n [Pg capibara, fr. Tupi] (1774): a tailless
          largely aquatic So. American rodent (Hydrochaerus hydrochaeris)
          often exceeding four feet (1.2 meters) in length

   car
          [car] n [ME carre, fr. AF, fr. L carra, pl. of carrum, alter.
          of carrus, of Celt origin; akin to OIr & MW carr vehicle;
          akin to L currere to run] (14c) 1: a vehicle moving on
          wheels: as a archaic: carriage, chariot b: a vehicle
          designed to move on rails (as of a railroad) c: automobile
          2: the passenger compartment of an elevator 3: the part
          of an airship or balloon that carries the passengers
          and cargo

   Car
          [Car] abbreviation Carlow  CAR abbreviation civil air regulations

   carabao
          [ca.ra.bao] n, pl -bao or -baos [PhilSp, fr. Bisayan of Samar
          and Leyte karabaw] (1900): water buffalo

   carabid
          [ca.ra.bid] n [ultim. fr. Gk karabos horned beetle] (1880):
          ground beetle

   carabineer
          [car.a.bi.neer] or car.a.bi.nier n [F carabinier, fr. carabine
          carbine] (1672): a cavalry soldier armed with a carbine

   carabiner
          [car.a.bi.ner] n [G Karabiner, short for Karabinerhaken,
          lit., carabineer's hook] (1920): an oblong metal ring
          with one spring-hinged side that is used esp. in mountain
          climbing as a connector and to hold a freely running
          rope

   carabinero
          [ca.ra.bi.ne.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp, fr. carabina carbine, fr.
          F carabine] (1845) 1: a member of a Spanish national
          police force serving esp. as frontier guards 2: a customs
          or coast guard officer in the Philippines

   carabiniere
          [ca.ra.bi.nie.re] n, pl -nie.ri [It, fr. F carabinier] (1847):
          a member of the Italian national police force

   caracal
          [car.a.cal] n [F, fr. Turk karakulak, fr. kara black + kulak
          ear] (1760): a long-legged reddish brown nocturnal cat
          (Felis caracal syn. Lynx caracal) of savannas in Africa
          and parts of Asia that has long pointed ears with a tuft
          of black hairs at the tip

   caracara
          [ca.ra.ca.ra] n [Sp caracara & Pg caracara, fr. Tupi caracara]
          (1838): any of various large long-legged mostly So. American
          hawks classified with the falcons

   caracole
          [car.a.cole] n [F, fr. Sp caracol snail, spiral stair, caracole]
          (1614): a half turn to right or left executed by a mounted
          horse -- caracole vb

   caracul
          [car.a.cul] n [alter. of karakul] (1894): the pelt of a karakul
          lamb after the curl begins to loosen

   carafe
          [ca.rafe] n [F, fr. It caraffa, fr. Ar gharrafah] (1786):
          a bottle with a flaring lip used to hold beverages and
          esp. wine

   carambola
          [car.am.bo.la] n [Pg, fr. Marathi karambal, fr. Skt karmaphala]
          (1598) 1: a five-angled green to yellow tropical fruit
          of star-shaped cross section--called also starfruit 2:
          a tropical tree (Averrhoa carambola) of the wood-sorrel
          family widely cultivated for carambolas

   caramel
          [car.a.mel] n [F, fr. Sp caramelo, fr. Pg, icicle, caramel,
          fr. LL calamellus small reed--more at shawm] (1725) 1:
          an amorphous brittle brown and somewhat bitter substance
          obtained by heating sugar and used as a coloring and
          flavoring agent 2: a firm chewy usu. caramel-flavored
          candy

   caramelise
          [car.a.mel.ise] Brit var of caramelize

   caramelize
          [car.a.mel.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1842): to change (as
          sugar) into caramel ~ vi: to change to caramel

   carangid
          [ca.ran.gid] adj [ultim. fr. F carangue shad, horse mackerel,
          fr. Sp caranga] (1931): of or relating to a large family
          (Carangidae of the order Perciformes) of marine spiny-finned
          bony fishes including important food fishes -- carangid
          n

   carapace
          [car.a.pace] n [F, fr. Sp carapacho] (1836) 1: a bony or
          chitinous case or shield covering the back or part of
          the back of an animal (as a turtle or crab) 2: a protective,
          decorative, or disguising shell <the ~ of reserve he
          built around himself --M. M. Mintz>

   [1]carat
          [carat] var of karat [2]car.at n [ME, fr. MF, fr. It carato,
          fr. Ar qirat bean pod, a small weight, fr. Gk keration
          carob bean, a small weight, fr. dim. of kerat-, keras
          horn--more at horn] (1555): a unit of weight for precious
          stones equal to 200 milligrams

   [1]caravan
          [car.a.van] n [It caravana, fr. Per karwan] (1588) 1 a: a
          company of travelers on a journey through desert or hostile
          regions; also: a train of pack animals b: a group of
          vehicles traveling together in a file 2 a: a covered
          wagon or motor vehicle equipped as traveling living quarters
          b Brit: trailer 3b [2]caravan vi -vanned or -vaned ;
          -van.ning or -van.ing (1885): to travel in a caravan

   caravanner
          [car.a.van.ner] or car.a.van.er n (1909) 1: one that travels
          in a caravan 2 Brit: one who goes camping with a trailer

   caravansary
          [car.a.van.sa.ry] or car.a.van.se.rai n, pl -ries or -rais
          or -rai [Per karwansarai, fr. karwan caravan + sarai
          palace, inn] (1599) 1: an inn surrounding a court in
          eastern countries where caravans rest at night 2: hotel,
          inn

   caravel
          [car.a.vel] n [MF caravelle, fr. OPg caravela] (1527): any
          of several sailing ships; specif: a small 15th and 16th
          century ship that has broad bows, high narrow poop, and
          usu. three masts with lateen or both square and lateen
          sails

   caraway
          [car.a.way] n [ME, prob. fr. ML carvi, fr. Ar karawya, fr.
          Gk karon] (13c) 1: a biennial usu. white-flowered aromatic
          herb (Carum carvi) of the carrot family 2: the pungent
          fruit of the caraway used in seasoning and medicine--called
          also caraway seed

   [1]carb
          [carb] n (ca. 1942) slang: carburetor [2]carb or car.bo n
          (1965): carbohydrate; also: a high-carbohydrate food--usu.
          used in pl.

   carb-
          [carb-] or carbo- comb form [F, fr. carbone]: carbon: carbonic:
          carbonyl: carboxyl <carbide> <carbohydrate>

   carbachol
          [car.ba.chol] n [carbamic acid + choline] (ca. 1940): a synthetic
          parasympathomimetic drug that is used in veterinary medicine
          and topically in glaucoma

   carbamate
          [car.ba.mate] n (1888): a salt or ester of carbamic acid;
          esp: one that is a synthetic organic insecticide

   carbamic acid
          [car.bam.ic acid] n [ISV carbamide + [1]-ic] (1869): an acid
          known in the form of salts and esters that is a half
          amide of carbonic acid

   carbamide
          [car.bam.ide] n [ISV carb- + amide] (1865): urea

   carbamino
          [carb.ami.no] adj (1922): relating to any carbamic acid derivative
          formed by reaction of carbon dioxide with an amino acid
          or a protein (as hemoglobin)

   carbanion
          [carb.an.ion] n (1933): an organic ion carrying a negative
          charge on a carbon atom--compare carbonium ion

   carbarn
          [car.barn] n (1880): a building that houses the cars of a
          street railway or the buses of a bus system

   carbaryl
          [car.ba.ryl] n [carbamate + aryl] (1963): a carbamate insecticide
          effective esp. against numerous crop, forage, and forest
          pests

   carbazole
          [car.ba.zole] n [ISV carb- + az- + -ole] (1887): a crystalline
          slightly basic cyclic compound found in anthracene and
          used in making dyes

   carbide
          [car.bide] n [ISV] (ca. 1865) 1: a binary compound of carbon
          with a more electropositive element; esp: calcium carbide
          2: a very hard material made of carbon and one or more
          heavy metals

   carbine
          [car.bine] n [F carabine, fr. MF carabin carabineer] (1605)
          1: a short-barreled lightweight firearm orig. used by
          cavalry 2: a light short-barreled repeating rifle that
          is used as a supplementary military arm or for hunting
          in dense brush

   carbinol
          [car.bi.nol] n [ISV, fr. obs. G Karbin methyl, fr. G karb-
          carb-] (ca. 1885): methanol; also: an alcohol derived
          from it

   carbocyclic
          [car.bo.cy.clic] adj [ISV] (1899): being or having an organic
          ring composed of carbon atoms

   carbohydrase
          [car.bo.hy.drase] n [ISV] (1910): any of a group of enzymes
          (as amylase) that promote hydrolysis or synthesis of
          a carbohydrate (as a disaccharide)

   carbohydrate
          [car.bo.hy.drate] n (ca. 1869): any of various neutral compounds
          of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars, starches,
          and celluloses) most of which are formed by green plants
          and which constitute a major class of animal foods

   carbolic
          [car.bol.ic] n (1884): phenol 1

   carbolic acid
          [carbolic acid] n [ISV carb- + L oleum oil--more at oil]
          (ca. 1859): phenol 1

   car bomb
          [car bomb] n (1973): an explosive device concealed in an
          automobile for use as a weapon of terrorism

   carbon
          [car.bon] n, often attrib [F carbone, fr. L carbon-, carbo
          ember, charcoal] (1789) 1: a nonmetallic chiefly tetravalent
          element found native (as in the diamond and graphite)
          or as a constituent of coal, petroleum, and asphalt,
          of limestone and other carbonates, and of organic compounds
          or obtained artificially in varying degrees of purity
          esp. as carbon black, lampblack, activated carbon, charcoal,
          and coke 2: a carbon rod used in an arc lamp 3 a: a sheet
          of carbon paper b: carbon copy

   carbon 12
          [carbon 12] n (1946): an isotope of carbon of mass number
          12 that is the most abundant carbon isotope and is used
          as a standard for measurements of atomic weight

   carbon 13
          [carbon 13] n (1939): an isotope of carbon of mass number
          13 that constitutes about 1/70 of natural carbon and
          is used as a tracer esp. in spectroscopy utilizing nuclear
          magnetic resonance

   carbon 14
          [carbon 14] n (1936): a heavy radioactive isotope of carbon
          of mass number 14 used esp. in tracer studies and in
          dating archaeological and geological materials

   carbonaceous
          [car.bo.na.ceous] adj (1791) 1: rich in carbon 2: relating
          to, containing, or composed of carbon

   [1]carbonado
          [car.bo.na.do] n, pl -dos or -does [Sp carbonada] (1586)
          archaic: a piece of meat scored before grilling [2]carbonado
          vt (1599) 1 archaic: to make a carbonado of 2 archaic:
          cut, slash [3]carbonado n, pl -dos [Pg, lit., carbonated]
          (1853): an impure opaque dark-colored fine-grained aggregate
          of diamond particles valuable for its superior toughness

   carbonara
          [car.bo.nara] n [It dial. (alla) carbonara, lit., in the
          manner of a charcoal maker] (1963): a dish of hot pasta
          into which other ingredients (as eggs, bacon or ham,
          and grated cheese) have been mixed--often used as a postpositive
          modifier <spaghetti ~>

   [1]carbonate
          [car.bon.ate] n (1794): a salt or ester of carbonic acid
          [2]car.bon.ate vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1805) 1: to convert
          into a carbonate 2: to combine or impregnate with carbon
          dioxide <carbonated beverages> -- car.bon.ation n

   carbon black
          [carbon black] n (ca. 1889): any of various colloidal black
          substances consisting wholly or principally of carbon
          obtained usu. as soot and used esp. in tires and as pigments

   carbon copy
          [carbon copy] n (1895) 1: a copy made by carbon paper 2:
          duplicate

   carbon cycle
          [carbon cycle] n (1912) 1: the cycle of carbon in the earth's
          ecosystems in which carbon dioxide is fixed by photosynthetic
          organisms to form organic nutrients and is ultimately
          restored to the inorganic state by respiration and protoplasmic
          decay 2: a cycle of thermonuclear reactions in which
          four hydrogen atoms synthesize into a helium atom by
          the catalytic action of carbon with the release of nuclear
          energy and which is held to be the source of most of
          the energy radiated by the sun and stars

   carbon dating
          [carbon dating] n (1951): the determination of the age of
          old material (as an archaeological or paleontological
          specimen) by means of the content of carbon 14 -- carbon-date
          vt

   carbon dioxide
          [carbon dioxide] n (1873): a heavy colorless gas that does
          not support combustion, dissolves in water to form carbonic
          acid, is formed esp. in animal respiration and in the
          decay or combustion of animal and vegetable matter, is
          absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and
          is used in the carbonation of beverages

   carbon disulfide
          [carbon disulfide] n (1869): a colorless flammable poisonous
          liquid used as a solvent for rubber and as an insect
          fumigant--called also carbon bisulfide

   carbon fiber
          [carbon fiber] n (1960): a very strong lightweight synthetic
          fiber made esp. by carbonizing acrylic fiber at high
          temperatures

   carbonic
          [car.bon.ic] adj (1791): of, relating to, or derived from
          carbon, carbonic acid, or carbon dioxide

   carbonic acid
          [carbonic acid] n (1791): a weak dibasic acid known only
          in solution that reacts with bases to form carbonates

   carbonic acid gas
          [carbonic acid gas] n (ca. 1880): carbon dioxide

   carbonic anhydrase
          [carbonic an.hy.drase] n [anhydrous + -ase; fr. its promotion
          of dehydration] (1932): a zinc-containing enzyme that
          occurs in living tissues (as red blood cells) and aids
          carbon-dioxide transport from the tissues and its release
          from the blood in the lungs by catalyzing the reversible
          hydration of carbon dioxide to carbonic acid

   carboniferous
          [car.bon.if.er.ous] adj (1799) 1: producing or containing
          carbon or coal 2 cap: of, relating to, or being the period
          of the Paleozoic era between the Devonian and the Permian
          or the corresponding system of rocks that includes coal
          beds--see geologic time table -- Carboniferous n

   carbonium ion
          [car.bo.ni.um ion] n [carb- + -onium] (1942): an organic
          ion carrying a positive charge on a carbon atom--compare
          carbanion

   carbonization
          [car.bon.iza.tion] n (1804): the process of carbonizing;
          esp: destructive distillation

   carbonize
          [car.bon.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1806) 1: to convert
          into carbon or a carbonic residue 2: carburize 1 ~ vi:
          to become carbonized: char

   carbonless
          [car.bon.less] adj (1850) 1: being without carbon 2: being
          or composed of paper that makes multiple copies without
          intervening layers of carbon paper <~ forms>

   carbon monoxide
          [carbon monoxide] n (1873): a colorless odorless very toxic
          gas CO that burns to carbon dioxide with a blue flame
          and is formed as a product of the incomplete combustion
          of carbon

   carbonnade
          [car.bon.nade] also car.bo.nade n [F, lit., dish of grilled
          meat, fr. It carbonata, fr. carbone charcoal, coal, fr.
          L carbon-, carbo] (1877): a beef stew cooked in beer

   carbon paper
          [carbon paper] n (1895): a thin paper faced with a waxy pigmented
          coating so that when placed between two sheets of paper
          the pressure of writing or typing on the top sheet causes
          transfer of pigment to the bottom sheet

   carbon steel
          [carbon steel] n (1903): a strong hard steel that derives
          its physical properties from the presence of carbon and
          is used in hand tools and kitchen utensils

   carbon tetrachloride
          [carbon tetrachloride] n (1866): a colorless nonflammable
          toxic liquid that has an odor resembling that of chloroform
          and is used as a solvent and a refrigerant

   carbonyl
          [car.bon.yl] n (1869) 1: an organic functional group occurring
          in aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, and
          their derivatives 2: a coordination complex involving
          the neutral radical CO <chromium ~> -- car.bon.yl.ic
          adj

   carbonylation
          [car.bon.yl.a.tion] n (1946): the synthesis of a carbonyl
          compound esp. by a reaction involving carbon monoxide

   Carborundum
          [Car.bo.run.dum] trademark--used for various abrasives

   carboxy-
          [carboxy-] or carbox- comb form: carboxyl <carboxypeptidase>

   carboxyl
          [car.box.yl] n [ISV] (1869): a univalent radical[ ]typical
          of organic acids--called also carboxyl group -- car.box.yl.ic
          adj

   carboxylase
          [car.box.yl.ase] n [ISV] (1911): an enzyme that catalyzes
          decarboxylation or carboxylation

   [1]carboxylate
          [car.box.yl.ate] n (1927): a salt or ester of a carboxylic
          acid [2]car.box.yl.ate vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1928):
          to introduce carboxyl or carbon dioxide into (a compound)
          with formation of a carboxylic acid -- car.box.yl.a.tion
          n

   carboxylic acid
          [carboxylic acid] n (1902): an organic acid (as acetic acid)
          containing one or more carboxyl groups

   carboxymethylcellulose
          [car.boxy.meth.yl.cel.lu.lose] n (1947): an acid ether derivative
          of cellulose that in the form of its sodium salt is used
          as a thickening, emulsifying, and stabilizing agent and
          as a bulk laxative and antacid in medicine

   carboxypeptidase
          [car.boxy.pep.ti.dase] n (1937): an enzyme that hydrolyzes
          peptides and esp. polypeptides by splitting off sequentially
          the amino acids at the end of the peptide chain which
          contain free carboxyl groups

   carboy
          [car.boy] n [Per qaraba, fr. Ar qarrabah demijohn] (1753):
          a large container for liquids

   carbuncle
          [car.bun.cle] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L carbunculus small coal,
          carbuncle, dim. of carbon-, carbo charcoal, ember] (13c)
          1 a obs: any of several red precious stones b: the garnet
          cut cabochon 2: a painful local purulent inflammation
          of the skin and deeper tissues with multiple openings
          for the discharge of pus and usu. necrosis and sloughing
          of dead tissue -- car.bun.cled adj -- car.bun.cu.lar
          adj

   carbureted
          [car.bu.ret.ed] adj [back-formation fr. carburetor] (1972):
          equipped with a carburetor <a ~ engine>

   carburetion
          [car.bu.re.tion] n [carburet to combine chemically with carbon,
          fr. obs. carburet carbide] (1896): the process of mixing
          (as in a carburetor) the vapor of a flammable hydrocarbon
          (as gasoline) with air to form an explosive mixture esp.
          for use in an internal-combustion engine

   carburetor
          [car.bu.re.tor] n (1896): an apparatus for supplying an internal
          combustion engine with an explosive mixture of vaporized
          fuel and air

   carburettor
          [car.bu.ret.tor] also car.bu.ret.ter chiefly Brit var of
          carburetor

   carburise
          [car.bu.rise] Brit var of carburize

   carburize
          [car.bu.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing [obs. carburet carbide]
          (ca. 1889): to combine or impregnate (as metal) with
          carbon -- car.bu.ri.za.tion n

   carcanet
          [car.ca.net] n [MF carcan] (ca. 1530) archaic: an ornamental
          necklace, chain, collar, or headband

   carcase
          [car.case] Brit var of carcass

   carcass
          [car.cass] n [ME carcays, fr. MF carcasse, fr. OF carcois]
          (14c) 1: a dead body: corpse; esp: the dressed body of
          a meat animal 2: the living, material, or physical body
          3: the decaying or worthless remains of a structure <the
          ~ of an abandoned automobile> 4: the underlying structure
          or frame of something (as of a piece of furniture)

   carcin-
          [carcin-] or carcino- comb form [Gk karkin-, karkino-, fr.
          karkinos ulcerous sore, lit., crab--more at cancer]:
          tumor: cancer <carcinogenic>

   carcinoembryonic antigen
          [car.ci.no.em.bry.on.ic antigen] n (1967): a glycoprotein
          present in fetal gut tissues during the first two trimesters
          of pregnancy and in peripheral blood of patients with
          some forms of cancer

   carcinogen
          [car.cin.o.gen] n (1853): a substance or agent producing
          or inciting cancer -- car.ci.no.gen.ic adj -- car.ci.no.ge.nic.i.ty
          n

   carcinogenesis
          [car.ci.no.gen.e.sis] n (ca. 1923): the production of cancer

   carcinoid
          [car.ci.noid] n (1925): a benign or malignant tumor arising
          esp. from the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract

   carcinoma
          [car.ci.no.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [L, fr. Gk karkinoma
          cancer, fr. karkinos] (ca. 1751): a malignant tumor of
          epithelial origin -- car.ci.no.ma.tous adj

   carcinomatosis
          [car.ci.no.ma.to.sis] n [NL, fr. L carcinomat-, carcinoma]
          (1903): a condition in which multiple carcinomas develop
          simultaneously usu. after dissemination from a primary
          source

   carcinosarcoma
          [car.ci.no.sar.co.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta (ca. 1919): a
          malignant tumor combining elements of carcinoma and sarcoma

   car coat
          [car coat] n (1958): a three-quarter-length overcoat

   [1]card
          [card] vt (14c): to cleanse, disentangle, and collect together
          (as fibers) by the use of cards preparatory to spinning
          -- card.er n [2]card n [ME carde, fr. MF, fr. LL cardus
          thistle, fr. L carduus--more at chard] (15c) 1: an instrument
          or machine for carding fibers that consists usu. of bent
          wire teeth set closely in rows in a thick piece of leather
          fastened to a back 2: an implement for raising a nap
          on cloth [3]card n [ME carde, modif. of MF carte, prob.
          fr. OIt carta, lit., leaf of paper, fr. L charta leaf
          of papyrus, fr. Gk chartes] (15c) 1: playing card 2 pl
          but sing or pl in constr a: a game played with cards
          b: card playing 3: something compared to a valuable playing
          card in one's hand 4: a usu. clownishly amusing person:
          wag 5: compass card 6 a: a flat stiff usu. small and
          rectangular piece of material (as paper, paperboard,
          or plastic) usu. bearing information: as (1): postcard
          (2): visiting card (3): credit card (4): one bearing
          a picture (as of a baseball player) on one side and usu.
          statistical data on the other (5): one on which computer
          information is stored (as in the form of punched holes
          or magnetic encoding) (6): one bearing electronic circuit
          components for insertion into a larger electronic device
          (as a computer) b: program; esp: a sports program c (1):
          a wine list (2): menu d: greeting card <a birthday ~>
          -- in the cards also on the cards : inevitable [4]card
          vt (1884) 1: to place or fasten on or by means of a card
          2: to provide with a card 3: to list or record on a card
          4: score 5: to ask for identification (as in a bar)

   card
          [card] abbreviation cardinal

   cardamom
          [car.da.mom] n [L cardamomum, fr. Gk kardamomon, blend of
          kardamon peppergrass and amomon, an Indian spice plant]
          (1553): the aromatic capsular fruit of an East Indian
          herb (Elettaria cardamomum) of the ginger family with
          seeds used as a spice or condiment and in medicine; also:
          this plant

   [1]cardboard
          [card.board] n (1848): paperboard [2]cardboard adj (1893)
          1 a: made of or as if of cardboard b: flat, two-dimensional
          2: unreal, stereotyped <a play with ~ characters>

   card-carrying
          [card-car.ry.ing] adj [fr. the assumption that such a person
          carries an identification card] (1948) 1: being a full-fledged
          member esp. of a Communist party 2: being strongly identified
          with a group (as of people with a common interest) <~
          members of the ecology movement --Richard Neuhaus>

   card catalog
          [card catalog] n (1854): a catalog (as of books) in which
          the entries are arranged systematically on cards

   cardholder
          [card.hold.er] n (1909): one who possesses a card and esp.
          a credit card

   cardi-
          [cardi-] or cardiocomb form [Gk kardi-, kardio-, fr. kardia--more
          at heart]: heart: cardiac: cardiac and <cardiogram>
          <cardiovascular>

   cardia
          [car.dia] n, pl -di.ae or -dias [NL, fr. Gk kardia heart,
          upper orifice of the stomach] (1782): the opening of
          the esophagus into the stomach; also: the part of the
          stomach adjoining this opening

   -cardia
          [-cardia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk kardia]: heart action or
          location (of a specified type) <tachycardia>

   [1]cardiac
          [car.di.ac] adj [L cardiacus, fr. Gk kardiakos, fr. kardia]
          (1601) 1 a: of, relating to, situated near, or acting
          on the heart b: of or relating to the cardia of the stomach
          2: of, relating to, or affected with heart disease [2]cardiac
          n (ca. 1929): a person with heart disease

   cardiac muscle
          [cardiac muscle] n (ca. 1881): the principal muscle tissue
          of the vertebrate heart made up of striated fibers that
          appear to be separated from each other under the electron
          microscope but that function in long-term rhythmic contraction
          as if in protoplasmic continuity

   cardigan
          [car.di.gan] n [James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan
          d. 1868 Eng. soldier] (1868): a usu. collarless sweater
          or jacket that opens the full length of the center front

   Cardigan Welsh corgi
          [Cardigan Welsh corgi] n [Cardigan, former county in Wales]
          (1935): a Welsh corgi with rounded ears, slightly bowed
          forelegs, and long tail--called also Cardigan--see welsh
          corgi illustration

   [1]cardinal
          [car.di.nal] n [ME, fr. ML cardinalis, fr. LL cardinalis,
          adj.] (12c) 1: a high ecclesiastical official of the
          Roman Catholic Church who ranks next below the pope and
          is appointed by him to assist him as a member of the
          college of cardinals 2: cardinal number--usu. used in
          pl. 3: a woman's short hooded cloak orig. of scarlet
          cloth 4 [fr. its color, resembling that of the cardinal's
          robes]: a crested finch (Cardinalis cardinalis) of the
          eastern U.S. and adjacent Canada, the southwestern U.S.,
          and Mexico to Belize which has a black face and heavy
          red bill in both sexes and is nearly completely red in
          the male -- car.di.nal.ship n [2]cardinal adj [ME, fr.
          LL cardinalis, fr. L, serving as a hinge, fr. cardin-,
          cardo hinge] (14c): of basic importance: main, chief,
          primary syn see essential -- car.di.nal.ly adv

   cardinalate
          [car.di.nal.ate] n (1645): the office, rank, or dignity of
          a cardinal

   cardinal flower
          [cardinal flower] n (1698): a No. American lobelia (Lobelia
          cardinalis) that bears a spike of brilliant red flowers

   cardinality
          [car.di.nal.i.ty] n, pl -ties [[1]cardinal + -ity] (1935):
          the number of elements in a given mathematical set

   cardinal number
          [cardinal number] n (1591) 1: a number (as 1, 5, 15) that
          is used in simple counting and that indicates how many
          elements there are in an assemblage 2: the property that
          a mathematical set has in common with all sets that can
          be put in one-to-one correspondence with it

   cardinal point
          [cardinal point] n (1755): one of the four principal compass
          points north, south, east, and west

   cardinal virtue
          [cardinal virtue] n (14c) 1: one of the four classically
          defined natural virtues prudence, justice, temperance,
          or fortitude 2: a quality designated as a major virtue

   cardiogenic
          [car.dio.gen.ic] adj (ca. 1923): originating in the heart:
          caused by a cardiac condition <~ shock>

   cardiogram
          [car.dio.gram] n [ISV] (1876): the curve or tracing made
          by a cardiograph

   cardiograph
          [car.dio.graph] n [ISV] (1870): an instrument that registers
          graphically movements of the heart -- car.dio.graph.ic
          adj -- car.di.og.ra.phy n

   cardioid
          [car.di.oid] n (1753): a heart-shaped curve that is traced
          by a point on the circumference of a circle of radius
          a rolling completely around a fixed circle with a radius
          of the same length and that has the general equation
          r = a(1 + cos A) where r is the radius vector and A is
          the angle in polar coordinates

   cardiology
          [car.di.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1847): the study of the heart and
          its action and diseases -- car.di.o.log.i.cal adj --
          car.di.ol.o.gist n

   cardiomyopathy
          [car.dio.my.op.a.thy] n, pl -thies (1961): a typically chronic
          disorder of heart muscle that may involve hypertrophy
          and obstructive damage to the heart

   cardiopathy
          [car.di.op.a.thy] n, pl -thies (1885): any disease of the
          heart

   cardiopulmonary
          [car.dio.pul.mo.nary] adj (ca. 1881): of or relating to the
          heart and lungs

   cardiopulmonary resuscitation
          [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] n (1972): a procedure designed
          to restore normal breathing after cardiac arrest that
          includes the clearance of air passages to the lungs,
          mouth-to-mouth method of artificial respiration, and
          heart massage by the exertion of pressure on the chest

   cardiorespiratory
          [car.dio.re.spi.ra.to.ry] adj (1892): of or relating to the
          heart and the respiratory system

   cardiothoracic
          [car.dio.tho.rac.ic] adj (1962): relating to or involving
          the heart and chest

   cardiotonic
          [car.dio.ton.ic] adj (1927): tending to increase the tonus
          of heart muscle -- cardiotonic n

   cardiovascular
          [car.dio.vas.cu.lar] adj [ISV] (1879): of, relating to, or
          involving the heart and blood vessels

   -cardium
          [-cardium] n comb form, pl -cardia [NL, fr. Gk kardia]: heart
          <epicardium>

   cardoon
          [car.doon] n [F cardon, fr. LL cardon-, cardo thistle, fr.
          cardus, fr. L carduus thistle, cardoon] (1611): a large
          perennial plant (Cynara cardunculus) related to the artichoke
          and cultivated for its edible root and petioles; also:
          the root and petioles

   cardplayer
          [card.play.er] n (1589): one that plays cards

   cardsharper
          [card.sharp.er] or card.sharp n (1859): one who habitually
          cheats at cards

   [1]care
          [care] n [ME, fr. OE caru; akin to OHG kara lament, L garrire
          to chatter] (bef. 12c) 1: suffering of mind: grief 2
          a: a disquieted state of mixed uncertainty, apprehension,
          and responsibility b: a cause for such anxiety 3 a: painstaking
          or watchful attention b: maintenance <floor-care products>
          4: regard coming from desire or esteem 5: charge, supervision
          <under a doctor's ~> 6: a person or thing that is an
          object of attention, anxiety, or solicitude syn care,
          concern, solicitude, anxiety, worry mean a troubled or
          engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this.
          care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility
          or disquieted by apprehension <a face worn by years of care>.
          concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal
          interest, relation, or affection <crimes caused concern in the
          neighborhood>. solicitude implies great concern and connotes either
          thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another <acted with
          typical maternal solicitude>. anxiety stresses anguished
          uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure <plagued by anxiety
          and self-doubt>. worry suggests fretting over matters that may
          or may not be real cause for anxiety <coping with an endless list
          of worries>. [2]care vb cared ; car.ing vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to feel
          trouble or anxiety b: to feel interest or concern <~ about freedom>
          2: to give care <~ for the sick> 3 a: to have a liking, fondness,
          or taste <don't ~ for your attitude> b: to have an inclination
          <would you ~ for some pie> ~ vt 1: to be concerned about or to the
          extent of 2: wish <if you ~ to go> -- car.er n -- care less : not
          to care--used positively and negatively with the same meaning
          <I could care less what happens> <I couldn't care less what
          happens>

   CARE
          [CARE] abbreviation Cooperative for American Relief to Everywhere

   [1]careen
          [ca.reen] vb [fr. carine side of a ship, fr. MF, submerged
          part of a hull, fr. L carina hull, half of a nutshell;
          perh. akin to Gk karyon nut] vt (1600) 1 a: to cause
          (a boat) to lean over on one side b: to clean, caulk,
          or repair (a boat) in this position 2: to cause to heel
          over ~ vi 1 a: to careen a boat b: to undergo this process
          2: to heel over 3: to sway from side to side: lurch <a
          ~ing carriage being pulled wildly along a street by a
          team of runaway horses --J. P. Getty> 4: career [2]careen
          n (1712) archaic: the act or process of careening: the
          state of being careened

   [1]career
          [ca.reer] n [MF carriere, fr. OProv carriera street, fr.
          ML carraria road for vehicles, fr. L carrus car] (1580)
          1 a: speed in a course <ran at full ~> b: course, passage
          2: encounter, charge 3: a field for or pursuit of consecutive
          progressive achievement esp. in public, professional,
          or business life <Washington's ~ as a soldier> 4: a profession
          for which one trains and which is undertaken as a permanent
          calling <a ~ diplomat> [2]career vi (1647): to go at
          top speed esp. in a headlong manner <a car ~ed off the
          road>

   careerism
          [ca.reer.ism] n (1933): the policy or practice of advancing
          one's career often at the cost of one's integrity --
          ca.reer.ist n

   carefree
          [care.free] adj (1795): free from care: as a: having no worries
          or troubles b: irresponsible <is ~ with his money>

   careful
          [care.ful] adj care.ful.ler ; care.ful.lest (bef. 12c) 1
          archaic a: solicitous, anxious b: filling with care or
          solicitude 2: exercising or taking care 3 a: marked by
          attentive concern and solicitude b: marked by wary caution
          or prudence <be very ~ with knives> c: marked by painstaking
          effort to avoid errors or omissions--often used with
          of or an infinitive <~ of money> <~ to adjust the machine>
          -- care.ful.ly adv -- care.ful.ness n syn careful, meticulous,
          scrupulous, punctilious mean showing close attention
          to detail. careful implies attentiveness and cautiousness
          in avoiding mistakes <a careful worker>. meticulous may
          imply either commendable extreme carefulness or a hampering
          finicky caution over small points <meticulous scholarship>.
          scrupulous applies to what is proper or fitting or ethical
          <scrupulous honesty>. punctilious implies minute, even
          excessive attention to fine points <punctilious observance
          of ritual>.

   caregiver
          [care.giv.er] n (1975): a person who provides direct care
          (as for children or the chronically ill) -- care.giv.ing
          n

   careless
          [care.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: free from care: untroubled
          <~ days> b: indifferent, unconcerned <~ of the consequences>
          2: not taking care 3: not showing or receiving care:
          a: negligent, slovenly <~ writing> b: unstudied, spontaneous
          <~ grace> c obs: unvalued, disregarded -- care.less.ly
          adv -- care.less.ness n

   [1]caress
          [ca.ress] n [F caresse, fr. It carezza, fr. caro dear, fr.
          L carus--more at charity] (ca. 1611) 1: an act or expression
          of kindness or affection: endearment 2 a: a light stroking,
          rubbing, or patting b: kiss -- ca.res.sive adj -- ca.res.sive.ly
          adv [2]caress vt (1658) 1: to treat with tokens of fondness,
          affection, or kindness: cherish 2 a: to touch or stroke
          lightly in a loving or endearing manner b: to touch or
          affect as if with a caress <echoes that ~ the ear> --
          ca.ress.er n -- ca.ress.ing.ly adv

   caret
          [car.et] n [L, there is lacking, fr. carere to lack, be without]
          (1681): a wedge-shaped mark made on written or printed
          matter to indicate the place where something is to be
          inserted

   caretaker
          [care.tak.er] n (1858) 1: one that gives physical or emotional
          care and support <served as ~ to the younger children>
          2: one that takes care of the house or land of an owner
          who may be absent 3: one temporarily fulfilling the function
          of office <a ~ government> -- care.take vb -- care.tak.ing
          n

   careworn
          [care.worn] adj (1828): showing the effect of grief or anxiety
          <a ~ face>

   carfare
          [car.fare] n (1870): passenger fare (as on a bus)

   carful
          [car.ful] n (1832): as much or as many as a car will hold

   cargo
          [car.go] n, pl cargoes or cargos [Sp, load, charge, fr. cargar
          to load, fr. LL carricare--more at charge] (1657): the
          goods or merchandise conveyed in a ship, airplane, or
          vehicle: freight

   cargo cult
          [cargo cult] n (1949): any of various Melanesian religious
          groups characterized by the belief that material wealth
          (as money or manufactured goods) can be obtained through
          ritual worship

   cargo pocket
          [cargo pocket] n (1974): a large pocket usu. with a flap
          and a pleat

   carhop
          [car.hop] n [car + -hop (as in bellhop)] (1937): one who
          serves customers at a drive-in restaurant

   Carib
          [Car.ib] n [NL Caribes (pl.), fr. Sp Caribe, of Cariban
          origin--more at cannibal] (1555) 1: a member of an Indian people
          of northern So. America and the Lesser Antilles 2: the language
          of the Caribs

   Cariban
          [Ca.ri.ban] n (1901) 1: a member of a group of Indian peoples
          of So. America and the Lesser Antilles 2: the language
          family comprising the languages of the Cariban peoples

   Caribbean
          [Ca.rib.be.an] adj [NL Caribbaeus, fr. Caribes] (1777): of
          or relating to the Caribs, the eastern and southern West
          Indies, or the Caribbean Sea

   caribe
          [ca.ri.be] n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, Carib, cannibal] (1868): piranha

   caribou
          [car.i.bou] n, pl -bou or -bous [CanF, fr. Micmac galipu]
          (ca. 1665): a large gregarious deer (Rangifer tarandus)
          of Holarctic taiga and tundra that usu. has palmate antlers
          in both sexes--used esp. for one of the New World--called
          also reindeer

   [1]caricature
          [car.i.ca.ture] n [It caricatura, lit., act of loading, fr.
          caricare to load, fr. LL carricare] (1712) 1: exaggeration
          by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics
          2: a representation esp. in literature or art that has the
          qualities of caricature 3: a distortion so gross as to seem like
          caricature -- car.i.ca.tur.al adj -- car.i.ca.tur.ist n syn
          caricature, burlesque, parody, travesty mean a comic or grotesque
          imitation. caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the
          characteristic features of a subject <caricatures of politicians
          in cartoons>. burlesque implies mockery esp. through giving
          a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment <a nightclub
          burlesque of a trial in court>. parody applies esp. to treatment
          of a trivial or ludicrous subject in the exactly imitated style
          of a well-known author or work <a witty parody of a popular novel>.
          travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the
          style is extravagant or absurd <this production is a travesty
          of the opera>. [2]caricature vt -tured ; -tur.ing (ca. 1771):
          to make or draw a caricature of: represent in caricature <the
          portrait caricatured its subject>

   caries
          [car.ies] n, pl caries [L, decay; akin to OIr ara-chrinn
          it decays] (1634): a progressive destruction of bone
          or tooth; esp: tooth decay

   carillon
          [car.il.lon] n [F, alter. of OF quarregnon, modif. of LL
          quaternion-, quaternio set of four--more at quaternion]
          (1775) 1 a: a set of fixed chromatically tuned bells
          sounded by hammers controlled from a keyboard b: an electronic
          instrument imitating a carillon 2: a composition for
          the carillon

   carillonneur
          [car.il.lon.neur] n [F, fr. carillon] (1772): a carillon
          player

   carina
          [ca.ri.na] n, pl -ri.nas or -ri.nae [NL, fr. L, hull, keel--more
          at careen] (ca. 1704) 1: a keel-shaped anatomical part,
          ridge, or process 2 cap: a constellation in the southern
          hemisphere lying near the Southern Cross

   carinate
          [car.i.nate] or car.i.nat.ed adj (1781): having or shaped
          like a keel or carina

   carioca
          [ca.ri.o.ca] n [Brazilian Pg] (1830) 1 cap: a native or resident
          of Rio de Janeiro 2 a: a variation of the samba b: the
          music for this dance

   cariogenic
          [car.i.o.gen.ic] adj [caries + -o- + -genic] (1930): producing
          or promoting the development of tooth decay <~ foods>

   carious
          [car.i.ous] adj [L cariosus, fr. caries] (1676): affected
          with caries

   carking
          [cark.ing] adj [ME, fr. carken, lit., to load, burden, fr.
          ONF carquier, fr. LL carricare] (ca. 1565): burdensome,
          annoying

   carl
          [carl] or carle n [ME, fr. OE -carl, fr. ON karl man, carl--more
          at churl] (bef. 12c) 1: a man of the common people 2
          chiefly dial: churl, boor

   carline
          [car.line] or car.lin n [ME kerling, fr. ON, fr. karl man]
          (14c) chiefly Scot: woman; esp: an old woman

   Carlist
          [Car.list] n [Sp carlista, fr. Don Carlos] (1830): a supporter
          of Don Carlos or his successors as having rightful title
          to the Spanish throne -- Carlist adj

   carload
          [car.load] n (1854) 1: a load that fills a car 2: the minimum
          number of tons required for shipping at carload rates

   carload rate
          [carload rate] n (1906): a rate for large shipments lower
          than that quoted for less-than-carload lots of the same
          class

   Carlovingian
          [Car.lo.vin.gian] adj [F carlovingien, fr. ML Carlus Charles
          + F -ovingien (as in merovingien Merovingian)] (1781):
          carolingian

   carmagnole
          [car.ma.gnole] n [F] (1793) 1: a lively song popular at the
          time of the first French Revolution 2: a street dance
          in a meandering course to the tune of the carmagnole

   carmaker
          [car.mak.er] n (1954): an automobile manufacturer

   Carmelite
          [Car.mel.ite] n [ME, fr. ML carmelita, fr. Carmel Mount Carmel,
          Palestine] (15c): a member of the Roman Catholic mendicant
          Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel founded in the 12th
          century -- Carmelite adj

   carminative
          [car.mi.na.tive] adj [F carminatif, fr. L carminatus, pp.
          of carminare to card, fr. (assumed) L carmin-, carmen
          card, fr. L carrere to card; akin to Lith karsti to card]
          (15c): expelling gas from the alimentary canal so as
          to relieve colic or griping -- carminative n

   carmine
          [car.mine] n [F carmin, fr. ML carminium, irreg. fr. Ar qirmiz
          kermes + L minium cinnabar] (1712) 1: a rich crimson
          or scarlet lake made from cochineal 2: a vivid red

   carnage
          [car.nage] n [F, fr. ML carnaticum tribute consisting of
          animals or meat, fr. L carn-, caro] (ca. 1656) 1: the
          flesh of slain animals or men 2: great and bloody slaughter
          (as in battle)

   carnal
          [car.nal] adj [ME, fr. ONF or LL; ONF, fr. LL carnalis, fr.
          L carn-, caro flesh; akin to Gk keirein to cut--more
          at shear] (14c) 1 a: relating to or given to crude bodily
          pleasures and appetites b: marked by sexuality 2: bodily,
          corporeal 3 a: temporal b: worldly -- car.nal.i.ty n
          -- car.nal.ly adv syn carnal, fleshly, sensual, animal
          mean having a relation to the body. carnal may mean only
          this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or
          manifestation of a person's lower nature <a slave to
          carnal desires>. fleshly is less derogatory than carnal
          <a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations>. sensual
          may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or
          pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence
          of the spiritual or intellectual <fleshpots providing
          sensual delights>. animal stresses the physical as distinguished
          from the rational nature of a person <led a mindless
          animal existence>.

   carnallite
          [car.nall.ite] n [G Carnallit, fr. Rudolf von Carnall d.
          1874 Ger. mining engineer] (1876): a mineral consisting
          of hydrous potassium-magnesium chloride that is an important
          source of potassium

   carnassial
          [car.nas.si.al] adj [F carnassier carnivorous, ultim. fr.
          L carn-, caro] (ca. 1852): of, relating to, or being
          teeth of a carnivore often larger and longer than adjacent
          teeth and adapted for cutting rather than tearing --
          carnassial n

   carnation
          [car.na.tion] n [MF, fr. OIt carnagione, fr. carne flesh,
          fr. L carn-, caro] (ca. 1535) 1 a (1): the variable color
          of human flesh (2): a pale to grayish yellow b: a moderate
          red 2: a plant of any of numerous often cultivated and
          usu. double-flowered varieties or subspecies of an Old
          World pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) orig. flesh-colored
          but now found in many color variations

   carnauba
          [car.nau.ba] n [Pg] (1866): a fan-leaved palm (Copernicia
          prunifera syn. C. cerifera) of Brazil that has an edible
          root and yields a useful leaf fiber and carnauba wax

   carnauba wax
          [carnauba wax] n (1854): a hard brittle high-melting wax
          obtained from the leaves of the carnauba palm and used
          chiefly in polishes

   carnelian
          [car.ne.lian] n [alter. of cornelian, fr. ME corneline, fr.
          MF, perh. fr. cornelle cornel] (1695): a hard tough chalcedony
          that has a reddish color and is used in jewelry

   carnitine
          [car.ni.tine] n [ISV, fr. L carn-, caro] (ca. 1922): a quaternary
          ammonium compound that is present esp. in vertebrate
          muscle and is involved in the transfer of fatty acids
          across mitochondrial membranes

   carnival
          [car.ni.val] n [It carnevale, alter. of earlier carnelevare,
          lit., removal of meat, fr. carne flesh (fr. L carn-,
          caro) + levare to remove, fr. L, to raise] (1549) 1:
          a season or festival of merrymaking before Lent 2 a:
          an instance of merrymaking, feasting, or masquerading
          b: an instance of riotous excess <a ~ of violence> 3
          a: a traveling enterprise offering amusements b: an organized
          program of entertainment or exhibition: festival <a winter
          ~>

   carnivora
          [car.niv.o.ra] n pl [L, neut. pl. of carnivorus] (1830):
          carnivorous mammals

   carnivore
          [car.ni.vore] n [ultim. fr. L carnivorus] (1840) 1: a carnivorous
          animal; esp: any of an order (Carnivora) of flesh-eating
          mammals 2: a carnivorous plant

   carnivorous
          [car.niv.o.rous] adj [L carnivorus, fr. carn-, caro + -vorus
          -vorous] (1592) 1: subsisting or feeding on animal tissues
          2 of a plant: subsisting on nutrients obtained from the
          breakdown of animal protoplasm 3: of or relating to the
          carnivores 4: rapacious -- car.niv.o.rous.ly adv --
          car.niv.o.rous.ness n

   carnotite
          [car.no.tite] n [F, fr. M. A. Carnot d. 1920 Fr. inspector
          general of mines] (1899): a mineral consisting of a hydrous
          radioactive vanadate of uranium and potassium that is
          a source of radium and uranium

   carny
          [car.ny] or car.ney or car.nie n, pl carnies or carneys often
          attrib (ca. 1933) 1: carnival 3a 2: a person who works
          with a carnival

   carob
          [car.ob] n [MF carobe, fr. ML carrubium, fr. Ar kharrubah]
          (1548) 1: a Mediterranean evergreen leguminous tree (Ceratonia
          siliqua) with racemose red flowers 2: a carob pod or
          its sweet pulp having a flavor similar to that of chocolate

   caroche
          [ca.roche] n [MF carroche, fr. OIt carroccio, aug. of carro
          car, fr. L carrus] (1591): a luxurious horse-drawn carriage

   [1]carol
          [car.ol] n [ME carole, fr. MF, modif. of LL choraula choral
          song, fr. L, choral accompanist, fr. Gk choraules, fr.
          choros chorus + aulein to play a reed instrument, fr.
          aulos, a reed instrument--more at alveolus] (14c) 1:
          an old round dance with singing 2: a song of joy or mirth
          <the ~ of a bird --Lord Byron> 3: a popular song or ballad
          of religious joy [2]carol vb -oled or -olled ; -ol.ing
          or -ol.ling vi (14c) 1: to sing esp. in a joyful manner
          2: to sing carols; specif: to go about outdoors in a
          group singing Christmas carols ~ vt 1: to praise in or
          as if in song 2: to sing esp. in a cheerful manner: warble
          -- car.ol.er or car.ol.ler n

   Caroline
          [Car.o.line] or Car.o.le.an adj [NL carolinus, fr. ML Carolus
          Charles] (1652): of or relating to Charles--used esp.
          with reference to Charles I and Charles II of England

   Carolingian
          [Car.o.lin.gi.an] adj [F carolingien, fr. ML Karolingi
          Carolingians, fr. Karolus Charlemagne + -ingi (as in Merovingi
          Merovingians)] (1881): of or relating to a Frankish dynasty dating
          from about a.d. 613 and including among its members the rulers
          of France from 751 to 987, of Germany from 752 to 911, and of Italy
          from 774 to 961 -- Carolingian n

   [1]carom
          [car.om] n [by shortening & alter. fr. obs. carambole, fr.
          Sp carambola] (1779) 1 a: a shot in billiards in which
          the cue ball strikes each of two object balls b: a shot
          in pool in which an object ball strikes another ball
          before falling into a pocket--compare combination shot
          2: a rebounding esp. at an angle [2]carom vi (1860) 1:
          to strike and rebound: glance <the car ~ed off a tree>
          2: to make a carom 3: to proceed by or as if by caroms

   carotene
          [car.o.tene] n [ISV, fr. LL carota carrot] (1861): any of
          several orange or red crystalline hydrocarbon pigments
          that occur in the chromoplasts of plants and in the fatty
          tissues of plant-eating animals and are convertible to
          vitamin A

   carotenoid
          [ca.rot.en.oid] also ca.rot.in.oid n (1911): any of various
          usu. yellow to red pigments (as carotenes) found widely
          in plants and animals and characterized chemically by
          a long aliphatic polyene chain composed of eight isoprene
          units -- carotenoid adj

   carotid
          [ca.rot.id] adj [F or Gk; F carotide, fr. Gk karotides carotid
          arteries, fr. karoun to stupefy; akin to Gk kara head--more
          at cerebral] (1543): of, relating to, or being the chief
          artery or pair of arteries that pass up the neck and
          supply the head -- carotid n

   carotid body
          [carotid body] n (1940): a small body of vascular tissue
          that adjoins the carotid sinus, functions as a chemoreceptor
          sensitive to change in the oxygen content of blood, and
          mediates reflex changes in respiratory activity

   carotid sinus
          [carotid sinus] n (ca. 1923): a small but richly innervated
          arterial enlargement that is located near the point in
          the neck where either carotid artery divides to form
          its main branches and that functions in the regulation
          of heart rate and blood pressure

   carousal
          [ca.rous.al] n (1765): carouse 2

   [1]carouse
          [ca.rouse] n [MF carrousse, fr. carous, adv., all out (in
          boire carous to empty the cup), fr. G gar aus] (1559)
          1 archaic: a large draft of liquor: toast 2: a drunken
          revel [2]carouse vb ca.roused ; ca.rous.ing vi (1567)
          1: to drink liquor deeply or freely 2: to take part in
          a carouse: engage in dissolute behavior ~ vt, obs: to
          drink up: quaff -- ca.rous.er n

   carousel
          [car.ou.sel] n [F carrousel, fr. It carosello] (1650) 1:
          a tournament or exhibition in which horsemen execute
          evolutions 2 a: merry-go-round b: a circular conveyer
          <the luggage ~ at the airport> c: a revolving case used
          for storage or display

   -carp
          [-carp] n comb form [NL -carpium, fr. Gk -karpion, fr. karpos]:
          part of a fruit <mesocarp>: fruit <schizocarp>

   carp-
          [carp-] or carpo- comb form [F & NL, fr. Gk karp-, karpo-,
          fr. karpos--more at harvest]: fruit <carpogonium>

   [1]carp
          [carp] vi [ME, of Scand origin; akin to Icel karpa to dispute]
          (14c): to find fault or complain querulously -- carp.er
          n [2]carp n (1904): complaint [3]carp n, pl carp or carps
          [ME carpe, fr. MF, fr. LL carpa, prob. of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG karpfo carp] (15c) 1: a large variable Asian
          soft-finned freshwater cyprinid fish (Cyprinus carpio)
          of sluggish waters that is often raised for food and
          has been widely introduced into U.S. waters; also: any
          of various related fishes 2: a fish (as the European
          sea bream) resembling a carp

   carpaccio
          [car.pac.cio] n [Vittore Carpaccio; fr. the prominent use
          of red in his painting] (1969): thinly sliced raw meat
          or fish served with a sauce--often used as a postpositive
          modifier <beef ~>

   [1]carpal
          [car.pal] adj [NL carpalis, fr. carpus] (1743): relating
          to the carpus [2]carpal n (1855): a carpal element or
          bone

   carpal tunnel syndrome
          [carpal tunnel syndrome] n (1954): a condition caused by
          compression of a nerve where it passes through the wrist
          into the hand and characterized esp. by weakness, pain,
          and disturbances of sensation in the hand

   car park
          [car park] n (1926) chiefly Brit: parking lot

   carpe diem
          [car.pe di.em] n [L, lit., pluck the day] (1817): the enjoyment
          of the pleasures of the moment without concern for the
          future

   carpel
          [car.pel] n [NL carpellum, fr. Gk karpos fruit] (1835): one
          of the ovule-bearing structures in an angiosperm that
          comprises the innermost whorl of a flower--compare pistil
          -- car.pel.lary adj -- car.pel.late adj

   [1]carpenter
          [car.pen.ter] n [ME, fr. ONF carpentier, fr. L carpentarius
          carriage maker, fr. carpentum carriage, of Celt origin;
          akin to OIr carpat chariot, carr vehicle--more at car]
          (14c): a worker who builds or repairs wooden structures
          or their structural parts [2]carpenter vb -tered ; -ter.ing
          vi (ca. 1815): to follow the trade of a carpenter <~ed
          when he was young> ~ vt 1: to make by or as if by carpentry
          2: to put together often in a mechanical manner <~ed
          many television scripts>

   carpenter ant
          [carpenter ant] n (1883): an ant (esp. genus Camponotus)
          that gnaws galleries esp. in dead or decayed wood

   carpenter bee
          [carpenter bee] n (1838): any of various solitary bees (genera
          Xylocopa and Ceratina) that nest in wood

   carpentry
          [car.pen.try] n (14c) 1: the art or trade of a carpenter;
          specif: the art of shaping and assembling structural
          woodwork 2: timberwork constructed by a carpenter 3:
          the form or manner of putting together the parts (as
          of a literary or musical composition)

   carpet
          [car.pet] n [ME, fr. MF carpite, fr. OIt carpita, fr. carpire
          to pluck, modif. of L carpere to pluck--more at harvest]
          (15c) 1: a heavy often tufted fabric used as a floor
          covering; also: a floor covering made of this fabric
          2: a surface resembling or suggesting a carpet -- carpet
          vt -- on the carpet : before an authority for censure
          or reproof

   [1]carpetbag
          [car.pet.bag] n (1830): a traveler's bag made of carpet and
          widely used in the U.S. in the 19th century [2]carpetbag
          or car.pet.bag.ging adj (1870): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of carpetbaggers <a ~ government>

   carpetbagger
          [car.pet.bag.ger] n [fr. their carrying all their belongings
          in carpetbags] (1868) 1: a Northerner in the South after
          the American Civil War usu. seeking private gain under
          the reconstruction governments 2: outsider; esp: a nonresident
          or new resident who meddles in politics -- car.pet.bag.gery
          n

   carpetbag steak
          [carpetbag steak] n (1958): a thick piece of steak in which
          a pocket is cut and stuffed (as with oysters)

   carpet beetle
          [carpet beetle] n (1889): any of several small dermestid
          beetles (genera Anthrenus and Attagenus) whose larvae
          are destructive esp. to woolen goods

   carpet bombing
          [carpet bombing] n (1944): the dropping of large numbers
          of bombs so as to cause uniform devastation over a given
          area -- carpet bomb vb

   carpeting
          [car.pet.ing] n (1758): material for carpets; also: carpets

   carpetweed
          [car.pet.weed] n (1784): a No. American mat-forming weed
          (Mollugo verticillata of the family Aizoaceae, the carpetweed
          family)

   -carpic
          [-carpic] adj comb form [prob. fr. NL -carpicus, fr. Gk karpos
          fruit]: -carpous <monocarpic>

   carping
          [carp.ing] adj (1581): marked by or inclined to querulous
          and often perverse criticism syn see critical -- carp.ing.ly
          adv

   carpogonium
          [car.po.go.ni.um] n, pl -nia [NL] (1882): the flask-shaped
          egg-bearing portion of the female reproductive branch
          in some thallophytes (as red algae) -- car.po.go.ni.al
          adj

   carpool
          [car.pool] vi (1962): to participate in a car pool -- car.pool.er
          n

   car pool
          [car pool] n (1942): an arrangement in which a group of people
          commute together by car; also: the group entering into
          such an arrangement

   carpophore
          [car.po.phore] n [prob. fr. NL carpophorum, fr. carp- + -phorum
          -phore] (ca. 1859) 1: the stalk of a fungal fruiting
          body; also: the entire fruiting body 2: a slender prolongation
          of a floral axis from which the carpels are suspended

   carport
          [car.port] n (1939): an open-sided automobile shelter by
          the side of a building

   carpospore
          [car.po.spore] n (1881): a diploid spore of a red alga

   -carpous
          [-carpous] adj comb form [NL -carpus, fr. Gk -karpos, fr.
          karpos fruit--more at harvest]: having (such) fruit or
          (so many) fruits <syncarpous> -- -carpy n comb form

   carpus
          [car.pus] n, pl car.pi [NL, fr. Gk karpos--more at wharf]
          (1679) 1: wrist 1 2: the bones of the wrist

   carr
          [carr] n [ME ker, of Scand origin; akin to ON kjarr underbrush]
          (14c) chiefly Brit: [1]fen

   carrack
          [car.rack] n [ME carrake, fr. MF caraque, fr. OSp carraca,
          fr. Ar qaraqir, pl. of qurqur merchant ship] (14c): a
          beamy sailing ship esp. of the 15th and 16th centuries

   carrageen
          [car.ra.geen] also car.ra.gheen n [Carragheen, near Waterford,
          Ireland] (1829) 1: irish moss 2 2: carrageenan

   carrageenan
          [car.ra.geen.an] or car.ra.geen.in n [carrageen + [3]-an
          or [1]-in] (ca. 1889): a colloid extracted from various
          red algae and esp. Irish moss and used esp. as a stabilizing
          or thickening agent

   carrefour
          [car.re.four] n [MF, fr. LL quadrifurcum, neut. of quadrifurcus
          having four forks, fr. L quadri- + furca fork] (15c)
          1: crossroads 2: square, plaza <the farmers ... preferred
          the open ~ for their transactions --Thomas Hardy>

   carrel
          [car.rel] n [alter. of ME caroll, fr. ML carola, perh. fr.
          carola round dance, something circular, fr. LL choraula
          choral song--more at carol] (1593): a table that is often
          partitioned or enclosed and is used for individual study
          esp. in a library

   carriage
          [car.riage] n [ME cariage, fr. ONF, fr. carier to transport
          in a vehicle--more at carry] (14c) 1: the act of carrying
          2 a archaic: deportment b: manner of bearing the body:
          posture 3 archaic: management 4 chiefly Brit: the price
          or expense of carrying 5 obs: burden, load 6 a: a wheeled
          vehicle; esp: a horse-drawn vehicle designed for private
          use and comfort b Brit: a railway passenger coach 7:
          a wheeled support carrying a burden 8 obs: import, sense
          9 obs: a hanger for a sword 10: a movable part of a machine
          for supporting some other movable object or part <a typewriter
          ~> syn see bearing

   carriage trade
          [carriage trade] n (ca. 1909): trade from well-to-do or upper-class
          people; also: well-to-do people

   carriageway
          [car.riage.way] n (1800) Brit: a road used by vehicular traffic:
          highway

   carrick bend
          [car.rick bend] n [prob. fr. obs. E carrick carrack, fr.
          ME carrake, carryk] (1819): a knot used to join the ends
          of two large ropes--see knot illustration

   carrier
          [car.ri.er] n (14c) 1: one that carries: bearer, messenger
          2 a: an individual or organization engaged in transporting
          passengers or goods for hire b: a transportation line
          carrying mail between post offices c: a postal employee
          who delivers or collects mail d: one that delivers newspapers
          e: an entity (as a hole or an electron) capable of carrying
          an electric charge 3 a: a container for carrying b: a
          device or machine that carries: conveyer 4: aircraft
          carrier 5 a: a bearer and transmitter of a causative
          agent of an infectious disease; esp: one who carries
          the causative agent of a disease (as typhoid fever) systemically
          but is immune to it b: an individual (as one heterozygous
          for a recessive) having a specified gene that is not
          expressed or only weakly expressed in its phenotype 6
          a: a usu. inactive accessory substance: vehicle <a ~
          for a drug or an insecticide> b: a substance (as a catalyst)
          by whose agency some element or group is transferred
          from one compound to another 7 a: an electromagnetic
          wave or alternating current whose modulations are used
          as signals in radio, telephonic, or telegraphic transmission
          b: a telecommunication company 8: an organization acting
          as an insurer

   carrier pigeon
          [carrier pigeon] n (1647) 1: a pigeon used to carry messages;
          esp: homing pigeon 2: any of a breed of large long-bodied
          show pigeons

   carrion
          [car.ri.on] n [ME caroine, fr. AF, fr. (assumed) VL caronia,
          irreg. fr. L carn-, caro flesh--more at carnal] (14c):
          dead and putrefying flesh; also: flesh unfit for food

   carrion crow
          [carrion crow] n (1528): a uniformly black crow (Corvus corone
          corone) occurring in much of western Europe

   carronade
          [car.ron.ade] n [Carron, Scotland] (1779): a short-barreled
          gun of the late 18th and 19th centuries that fired large
          shot at short range and was used esp. on warships

   carrot
          [car.rot] n [MF carotte, fr. LL carota, fr. Gk karoton] (1533)
          1: a biennial herb (Daucus carota of the family Umbelliferae,
          the carrot family) with a usu. orange spindle-shaped
          edible root; also: its root 2: a reward or advantage
          offered esp. as an inducement

   carrot-and-stick
          [car.rot-and-stick] adj [fr. the traditional alternatives
          of driving a donkey on by either holding out a carrot
          or whipping it with a stick] (1951): characterized by
          the use of both reward and punishment to induce cooperation
          <~ foreign policy>

   carrottop
          [car.rot.top] n (ca. 1902): redhead 1 -- car.rot.topped adj

   carroty
          [car.roty] adj (1696): resembling carrots in color <~ hair>

   carrousel
          [car.rou.sel] var of carousel

   [1]carry
          [car.ry] vb car.ried ; car.ry.ing [ME carien, fr. ONF carier
          to transport in a vehicle, fr. car vehicle, fr. L carrus--more
          at car] vt (14c) 1: to move while supp orting: transport
          <her legs refused to ~ her further --Ellen Glasgow> 2:
          to convey by direct communication <~ tales about a friend>
          3 chiefly dial: conduct, escort 4: to influence by mental
          or emotional appeal: sway 5: to get possession or control
          of: capture <carried off the prize> 6: to transfer from
          one place (as a column) to another <~ a number in adding>
          7: to contain and direct the course of <the drain carries
          sewage> 8 a: to wear or have on one's person b: to bear
          upon or within one <is ~ing an unborn child> 9 a: to
          have or bear esp. as a mark, attribute, or property <~
          a scar> b: imply, involve <the crime carried a heavy
          penalty> 10: to hold or comport (as one's person) in
          a specified manner 11: to sustain the weight or burden
          of <pillars ~ an arch> 12: to bear as a crop 13: to sing
          with reasonable correctness of pitch <~ a tune> 14 a:
          to keep in stock for sale b: to provide sustenance for
          <land ~ing 10 head of cattle> c: to have or maintain
          on a list or record <~ a person on a payroll> 15: to
          be chiefly or solely responsible for the success, effectiveness,
          or continuation of <a player capable of ~ing a team>
          <her performance carried the play> 16: to prolong in
          space, time, or degree <~ a principle too far> 17 a:
          to gain victory for; esp: to secure the adoption or passage
          of b: to win a majority of votes in (as a legislative
          body or a state) 18: to present for public consumption
          <newspapers ~ weather reports> <channel 9 will ~ the
          game> 19 a: to bear the charges of holding or having
          (as stocks or merchandise) from one time to another b:
          to keep on one's books as a debtor <a merchant carries
          a customer> 20: to hold to and follow after (as a scent)
          21: to hoist and maintain (a sail) in use 22: to pass
          over (as a hazard) at a single stroke in golf <~ a bunker>
          23: to propel and control (a puck or ball) along a playing
          surface ~ vi 1: to act as a bearer 2 a: to reach or penetrate
          to a distance <voices ~ well> <fly balls don't ~ well
          in cold air> b: to convey itself to a reader or audience
          3: to undergo or admit of carriage in a specified way
          4 of a hunting dog: to keep and follow the scent 5: to
          win adoption <the motion carried by a vote of 71-25>
          -- carry a torch or carry the torch 1: crusade 2: to
          be in love esp. without reciprocation: cherish a longing
          or devotion <still carrying a torch for a former lover>
          -- carry the ball : to perform or assume the chief role:
          bear the major portion of work or responsibility -- carry
          the day : win, prevail [2]carry n, pl car.ries (1858)
          1: carrying power; esp: the range of a gun or projectile
          or of a struck or thrown ball 2 a: portage b: the act
          or method of carrying <fireman's ~> c: the act of rushing
          with the ball in football <averaged four yards per ~>
          3: the position assumed by a color-bearer with the flag
          or guidon held in position for marching 4: a quantity
          that is transferred in addition from one number place
          to the adjacent one of higher place value

   carryall
          [car.ry.all] n (1714) 1 [by folk etymology fr. F carriole,
          fr. OProv carriola, ultim. fr. L carrus car] a: a light
          covered carriage for four or more persons b: a passenger
          automobile used as a small bus 2 [[1]carry + [3]all]:
          a capacious bag or carrying case

   carry away
          [carry away] vt (1570) 1: to arouse to a high and often excessive
          degree of emotion or enthusiasm 2: carry off 1

   carryback
          [car.ry.back] n (1942): a loss sustained or a portion of
          a credit not used in a given period that may be deducted
          from taxable income of a prior period

   carry-cot
          [car.ry-cot] n (1943) Brit: a portable bed for an infant

   carryforward
          [car.ry.for.ward] n (1898): carryover

   carrying capacity
          [carrying capacity] n (1921): the population (as of deer)
          that an area will support without undergoing deterioration

   carrying charge
          [carrying charge] n (1914) 1: expense incident to ownership
          or use of property 2: a charge added to the price of
          merchandise sold on the installment plan

   carrying-on
          [car.ry.ing-on] n, pl carryings-on (1663): foolish, excited,
          or improper behavior; also: an instance of such behavior

   carry off
          [carry off] vt (ca. 1680) 1: to cause the death of <the plague
          carried off thousands> 2: to perform or manage successfully:
          bring off <tried to look suave but couldn't carry it
          off>

   carry on
          [carry on] vt (1644): to continue doing, pursuing, or operating
          <carry on research> <carried on the business> ~ vi 1:
          to behave or speak in a foolish, excited, or improper
          manner <embarrassed by the way he carries on> 2: to continue
          esp. in spite of hindrance or discouragement

   [1]carry-on
          [car.ry-on] n (1890) 1 Brit: carrying-on 2: a piece of luggage
          suitable for being carried aboard an airplane by a passenger
          [2]carry-on adj (1967): carried or suitable for being
          carried aboard <~ baggage>

   carryout
          [car.ry.out] n (1964) 1: prepared food packaged to be consumed
          away from its place of sale 2: an establishment selling
          carryout -- carryout adj

   carry out
          [carry out] vt (1605) 1: to put into execution <carry out
          a plan> 2: to bring to a successful issue: complete,
          accomplish <you will be paid when you have carried out
          the assignment> 3: to continue to an end or stopping
          point

   carryover
          [car.ry.over] n (1894) 1: the act or process of carrying
          over 2: something retained or carried over

   carry over
          [carry over] vt (1745) 1 a: to transfer (an amount) to the
          next column, page, or book relating to the same account
          b: to hold over (as goods) for another time or season
          2: to deduct (a loss or an unused credit) for taxable
          income of a later period ~ vi: to persist from one stage
          or sphere of activity to another

   carry through
          [carry through] vt (1605): carry out ~ vi: persist, survive
          <feelings that carry through to the present>

   carsick
          [car.sick] adj (1908): affected with motion sickness esp.
          in an automobile -- car sickness n

   [1]cart
          [cart] n [ME, prob. fr. ON kartr; akin to OE craet cart]
          (13c) 1: a heavy usu. horse-drawn 2-wheeled vehicle used
          for farming or transporting freight 2: a lightweight
          2-wheeled vehicle drawn by a horse, pony, or dog 3: a
          small wheeled vehicle [2]cart vt (14c) 1: to carry or
          convey in or as if in a cart <buses to ~ the kids to
          and from school --L. S. Gannett> 2: to take or drag away
          without ceremony or by force--usu. used with off <they
          ~ed him off to jail> -- cart.er n

   cartage
          [cart.age] n (15c): the action of or rate charged for carting

   carte blanche
          [carte blanche] n, pl cartes blanches [F, lit., blank document]
          (1754): full discretionary power <was given carte blanche
          to furnish the house>

   carte d'identite
          [carte d'iden.ti.te] [F] foreign term : identity card

   carte du jour
          [carte du jour] n, pl cartes du jour [F, lit., card of the
          day] (1936): menu

   cartel
          [car.tel] n [F, letter of defiance, fr. OIt cartello, lit.,
          placard, fr. carta leaf of paper--more at card] (1692)
          1: a written agreement between belligerent nations 2:
          a combination of independent commercial or industrial
          enterprises designed to limit competition or fix prices
          3: a combination of political groups for common action

   cartelise
          [car.tel.ise] Brit var of cartelize

   cartelize
          [car.tel.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1915): to bring under the
          control of a cartel -- car.tel.i.za.tion n

   Cartesian
          [Car.te.sian] adj [NL cartesianus, fr. Cartesius Descartes]
          (1656): of or relating to Rene Descartes or his philosophy
          -- Cartesian n -- Car.te.sian.ism n

   Cartesian coordinate
          [Cartesian coordinate] n (ca. 1888) 1: either of two coordinates
          that locate a point on a plane and measure its distance
          from either of two intersecting straight-line axes along
          a line parallel to the other axis 2: any of three coordinates
          that locate a point in space and measure its distance
          from any of three intersecting coordinate planes measured
          parallel to that one of three straight-line axes that
          is the intersection of the other two planes

   Cartesian plane
          [Cartesian plane] n (1960): a plane whose points are labeled
          with Cartesian coordinates

   Cartesian product
          [Cartesian product] n (1958): a set that is constructed from
          two given sets and comprises all pairs of elements such
          that the first element of the pair is from the first
          set and the second is from the second set

   Carthusian
          [Car.thu.sian] n [ML Cartusiensis, fr. Cartusia Chartreuse,
          motherhouse of the Carthusian order, near Grenoble, France]
          (1526): a member of an ascetic contemplative religious
          order founded by St. Bruno in 1084 -- Carthusian adj

   cartilage
          [car.ti.lage] n [L cartilagin-, cartilago] (15c) 1: a usu.
          translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most
          of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for
          a small number of structures (as some joints, respiratory
          passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during
          ossification in the higher vertebrates 2: a part or structure
          composed of cartilage

   cartilaginous
          [car.ti.lag.i.nous] adj (14c): composed of, relating to,
          or resembling cartilage

   cartilaginous fish
          [cartilaginous fish] n (1695): any of a class (Chondrichthyes)
          of fishes (as a shark, ray, or chimaera) having the skeleton
          wholly or largely composed of cartilage--compare bony
          fish, jawless fish

   cartload
          [cart.load] n (14c): as much as a cart will hold

   cartographer
          [car.tog.ra.pher] n (ca. 1847): one that makes maps

   cartography
          [car.tog.ra.phy] n [F cartographie, fr. carte card, map +
          -graphie -graphy--more at card] (ca. 1847): the science
          or art of making maps -- car.to.graph.ic also car.to.graph.i.cal
          adj -- car.to.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   [1]carton
          [car.ton] n [F, fr. It cartone pasteboard] (ca. 1859): a
          box or container usu. made of paperboard and often of
          corrugated paperboard [2]carton vt (1921): to pack or
          enclose in a carton ~ vi: to shape cartons from paperboard
          sheets

   cartoon
          [car.toon] n, often attrib [It cartone pasteboard, cartoon,
          aug. of carta leaf of paper--more at card] (1671) 1:
          a preparatory design, drawing, or painting (as for a
          fresco) 2 a: a drawing intended as satire, caricature,
          or humor <a political ~> b: comic strip 3: animated cartoon
          4: a ludicrously simplistic, unrealistic, or one-dimensional
          portrayal or version <the film's villain is an entertaining
          ~> -- cartoon vb -- car.toon.ing n -- car.toon.ish adj
          -- car.toon.ish.ly adv -- car.toon.ist n -- car.toon.like
          adj -- car.toony adj

   cartop
          [car.top] adj (1946): suitable in size and weight for carrying
          on top of an automobile <a ~ fishing boat> -- car.top.per
          n

   cartouche
          [car.touche] also car.touch n [F cartouche, fr. It cartoccio,
          fr. carta] (1611) 1: a gun cartridge with a paper case
          2: an ornate or ornamental frame 3: an oval or oblong
          figure (as on ancient Egyptian monuments) enclosing a
          sovereign's name

   cartridge
          [car.tridge] n [alter. of earlier cartage, modif. of MF cartouche]
          (1579): a case or container that holds a substance, device,
          or material which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward to handle
          and that usu. can be easily changed: as a: a tube (as of metal)
          containing a complete charge for a firearm and usu. an initiating
          device (as a primer) b: a case containing an explosive charge for
          blasting c: an often cylindrical container for insertion into
          a larger mechanism or apparatus d: cassette 2 e: a small case that
          contains a phonograph needle and transducer and is attached
          to a tonearm f: a case containing a reel of magnetic tape arranged
          for insertion into a recorder or player g: a removable case
          containing a magnetic tape or one or more disks and used
          as a computer storage medium h: a case for holding printed circuit
          chips containing a computer program <a video-game ~>

   cartridge belt
          [cartridge belt] n (1874) 1: a belt having a series of loops
          for holding cartridges 2: a belt worn around the waist
          and designed for carrying various attachable equipment
          (as a cartridge case, canteen, or compass)

   cartulary
          [car.tu.lary] n, pl -lar.ies [ML chartularium, fr. chartula
          charter--more at charter] (1541): a collection of charters;
          esp: a book holding copies of the charters and title
          deeds of an estate

   [1]cartwheel
          [cart.wheel] n (1855) 1: a large coin (as a silver dollar)
          2: a lateral handspring with arms and legs extended [2]cartwheel
          vi (1917): to move like a turning wheel; specif: to perform
          cartwheels -- cart.wheel.er n

   caruncle
          [car.un.cle] n [obs. F caruncule, fr. L caruncula little
          piece of flesh, dim. of caro flesh--more at carnal] (1615)
          1: a naked fleshy outgrowth (as a bird's wattle) 2: an
          outgrowth on a seed adjacent to the micropyle

   carvacrol
          [car.va.crol] n [ISV, fr. NL carvi (specific epithet of Carum
          carvi caraway) + L acr-, acer sharp--more at caraway,
          edge] (1854): a liquid phenol found in essential oils
          of various mints (as thyme) and used as a fungicide and
          disinfectant

   carve
          [carve] vb carved ; carv.ing [ME kerven, fr. OE ceorfan;
          akin to OHG kerban to notch, Gk graphein to scratch,
          write] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to cut with care or precision
          <carved fretwork> 2: to make or get by or as if by cutting--often
          used with out <~ out a career> 3: to cut into pieces
          or slices <carved the turkey> ~ vi 1: to cut up and serve
          meat 2: to work as a sculptor or engraver -- carv.er
          n

   carvel-built
          [car.vel-built] adj [prob. fr. D karveel-, fr. karveel caravel,
          fr. MF carvelle] (1798): built with the planks meeting
          flush at the seams

   carven
          [carv.en] adj (14c): wrought or ornamented by carving

   carving
          [carv.ing] n (13c) 1: the act or art of one who carves 2:
          a carved object, design, or figure

   car wash
          [car wash] n (1956): an area or structure equipped with facilities
          for washing automobiles

   cary-
          [cary-] or caryo- --see kary-

   caryatid
          [cary.at.id] n, pl -ids or -i.des [L caryatides, pl., fr.
          Gk karyatides priestesses of Artemis at Caryae, caryatids,
          fr. Karyai Caryae in Laconia] (1563): a draped female
          figure supporting an entablature

   caryopsis
          [cary.op.sis] n, pl -op.ses also -si.des [NL] (1830): a small
          one-seeded dry indehiscent fruit (as of Indian corn or
          wheat) in which the fruit and seed fuse in a single grain

   CAS
          [CAS] abbreviation certificate of advanced study

   casa
          [ca.sa] n [Sp & It, fr. L, cottage] (1844) chiefly Southwest:
          dwelling

   casaba
          [ca.sa.ba] n [Kasaba (now Turgutlu), Turkey] (1889): any
          of several winter melons with yellow rind and sweet flesh

   Casanova
          [Ca.sa.no.va] n [Giacomo Girolamo Casanova] (1888): lover;
          esp: a man who is a promiscuous and unscrupulous lover

   Casbah
          [Cas.bah] n [F, fr. Ar dial. qasbah] (1944) 1: a No. African
          castle or fortress 2: the native section of a No. African
          city

   cascabel
          [cas.ca.bel] n [Sp, lit., small bell] (1639) 1: a projection
          behind the breech of a muzzle-loading cannon 2: a small
          hollow perforated spherical bell enclosing a loose pellet

   [1]cascade
          [cas.cade] n [F, fr. It cascata, fr. cascare to fall, fr.
          (assumed) VL casicare, fr. L casus fall] (1641) 1: a
          steep usu. small fall of water; esp: one of a series
          2 a: something arranged or occurring in a series or in
          a succession of stages so that each stage derives from
          or acts upon the product of the preceding <blood clotting
          involves a biochemical ~> b: a fall of material (as lace)
          that hangs in a zigzag line 3: something falling or rushing
          forth in quantity <a ~ of sound> <a ~ of events> [2]cascade
          vb cas.cad.ed ; cas.cad.ing vi (1702): to fall, pour,
          or rush in or as if in a cascade ~ vt 1: to cause to
          fall like a cascade 2: to connect in a cascade arrangement

   cascara
          [cas.cara] n [Sp cascara husk, bark, prob. fr. cascar to
          crack, break, fr. (assumed) VL quassicare to shake, fr.
          L quassare--more at quash] (1879) 1: cascara buckthorn
          2: cascara sagrada

   cascara buckthorn
          [cascara buckthorn] n (ca. 1900): a buckthorn (Rhamnus purshiana)
          of the Pacific coast of the U.S. yielding cascara sagrada

   cascara sagrada
          [cascara sa.gra.da] n [AmerSp cascara sagrada, lit., sacred
          bark] (1885): the dried bark of cascara buckthorn used
          as a laxative

   cascarilla
          [cas.ca.ril.la] n [Sp, dim. of cascara] (1686): the aromatic
          bark of a West Indian shrub (Croton eluteria) of the
          spurge family used for making incense and as a tonic;
          also: this shrub

   [1]case
          [case] n [ME cas, fr. OF, fr. L casus fall, chance, fr. cadere
          to fall--more at chance] (13c) 1 a: a set of circumstances
          or conditions <is the statement true in all three ~s>
          b (1): a situation requiring investigation or action
          (as by the police) (2): the object of investigation or
          consideration 2: condition; specif: condition of body
          or mind 3a: an inflectional form of a noun, pronoun,
          or adjective indicating its grammatical relation to other
          words b: such a relation whether indicated by inflection
          or not 4: what actually exists or happens: fact 5 a:
          a suit or action in law or equity b (1): the evidence
          supporting a conclusion or judgment (2): argument; esp:
          a convincing argument 6 a: an instance of disease or
          injury; also: patient b: an instance that directs attention
          to a situation or exhibits it in action: example c: a
          peculiar person: character 7: oneself considered as an
          object of harassment <get off my ~> syn see instance
          -- in any case : without regard to or in spite of other
          considerations: whatever else is done or is the case
          <war is inevitable in any case> <in any case the report
          will be made public next month> -- in case : as a precaution
          <took an umbrella, just in case> -- in case of : in the
          event of <in case of trouble, yell> [2]case n [ME cas,
          fr. ONF casse, fr. L capsa chest, case, prob. fr. capere
          to take--more at heave] (14c) 1 a: a box or receptacle
          for holding something b: a box together with its contents
          c: set; specif: pair 2 a: an outer covering or housing
          <a pastry ~> b: a tube into which the components of a
          round of ammunition are loaded 3: a divided tray for
          holding printing type 4: the frame of a door or window:
          casing [3]case vt cased ; cas.ing (1575) 1: to enclose
          in or cover with or as if with a case: encase 2: to line
          (as a well) with supporting material (as metal pipe)
          3: to inspect or study esp. with intent to rob

   caseation
          [ca.se.ation] n [L caseus cheese] (1866): necrosis with conversion
          of damaged tissue into a soft cheesy substance -- ca.se.ate vi

   casebearer
          [case.bear.er] n (ca. 1889): an insect larva that forms a
          protective case (as of silk)

   casebook
          [case.book] n (1762) 1: a book containing records of illustrative
          cases that is used for reference and instruction (as
          in law or medicine) 2: a compilation of primary and secondary
          documents relating to a central topic together with scholarly
          comment, exercises, and study aids that is designed to
          serve as a sourcebook for short papers (as in a writing
          course) or as a point of departure for a research paper

   cased glass
          [cased glass] n (1849): glass consisting of two or more fused
          layers of different colors often decorated by cutting
          so that the inner layers show through--called also case
          glass

   case goods
          [case goods] n pl (1922) 1: furniture (as bureaus or bookcases)
          that provides interior storage space; also: dining-room
          and bedroom furniture sold as sets 2: products often
          sold by the case

   case-harden
          [case-hard.en] vt (1677) 1: to harden (a ferrous alloy) so
          that the surface layer is harder than the interior 2:
          to make callous or insensible -- case-hard.ened adj

   case history
          [case history] n (1894): a record of history, environment,
          and relevant details of a case esp. for use in analysis
          or illustration

   casein
          [ca.sein] n [prob. fr. F caseine, fr. L caseus] (1841): a
          phosphoprotein of milk: as a: one that is precipitated
          from milk by heating with an acid or by the action of
          lactic acid in souring and is used in making paints and
          adhesives b: one that is produced when milk is curdled
          by rennet, is the chief constituent of cheese, and is
          used in making plastics

   caseinate
          [ca.sein.ate] n (1904): a compound of casein with a metal
          (as calcium or sodium)

   case in point
          [case in point] (1965): an illustrative, relevant, or pertinent
          case

   case knife
          [case knife] n (1704) 1: sheath knife 2: a table knife

   case law
          [case law] n (1861): law established by judicial decision
          in cases

   caseload
          [case.load] n (1938): the number of cases handled (as by
          a court or clinic) usu. in a particular period

   casemate
          [case.mate] n [MF, fr. OIt casamatta] (1575): a fortified
          position or chamber or an armored enclosure on a warship
          from which guns are fired through embrasures

   casement
          [case.ment] n [ME, hollow molding, prob. fr. ONF encassement
          frame, fr. encasser to enchase, frame, fr. en- + casse]
          (15c): a window sash that opens on hinges at the side;
          also: a window with such a sash

   caseous
          [ca.se.ous] adj [L caseus cheese] (1661): marked by caseation;
          also: cheesy

   casern
          [ca.sern] or ca.serne n [F caserne] (1696): a military barracks
          in a garrison town

   case study
          [case study] n (1875) 1: an intensive analysis of an individual
          unit (as a person or community) stressing developmental
          factors in relation to environment 2: case history

   case system
          [case system] n (ca. 1889): a system of teaching law in which
          instruction is chiefly on the basis of leading or selected
          cases as primary authorities instead of from textbooks

   casework
          [case.work] n (1886): social work involving direct consideration
          of the problems, needs, and adjustments of the individual
          case (as a person or family) -- case.work.er n

   [1]cash
          [cash] n [modif. of MF or OIt; MF casse money box, fr. OIt
          cassa, fr. L capsa chest--more at case] (1596) 1: ready
          money 2: money or its equivalent (as a check) paid for
          goods or services at the time of purchase or delivery
          -- cash.less adj [2]cash adj (1622): being a method of
          accounting that includes as income only what has been
          received in cash and as expenses only those paid in cash
          [3]cash vt (1811) 1: to pay or obtain cash for <~ a check>
          2: to lead and win a bridge trick with (a card that is
          the highest remaining card of its suit) -- cash.able
          adj [4]cash n, pl cash [Pg caixa, fr. Tamil kacu, a small
          copper coin, fr. Skt karsa, a weight of gold or silver]
          (1598) 1: any of various coins of small value in China
          and southern India; esp: a Chinese coin with a square
          hole in the center 2: a unit of value equivalent to one
          cash

   [1]cash-and-carry
          [cash-and-car.ry] adj (1917): sold or provided for cash and
          usu. without delivery service [2]cash-and-carry n (1921):
          the policy of selling on a cash-and-carry basis

   cash bar
          [cash bar] n (1968): a bar (as at a reception) at which drinks
          are sold--compare open bar

   cashbook
          [cash.book] n (1622): a book in which record is kept of all
          cash receipts and disbursements

   cash cow
          [cash cow] n (1979): a consistently profitable business,
          property, or product whose profits are used to finance
          a company's investments in other areas

   cash crop
          [cash crop] n (1868): a readily salable crop (as cotton or
          tobacco) produced or gathered primarily for market

   cash discount
          [cash discount] n (1917): a discount granted in consideration
          of immediate payment or payment within a prescribed time

   cashew
          [cash.ew] n [Pg acaju, caju, fr. Tupi acaju] (1598): a tropical
          American tree (Anacardium occidentale of the family Anacardiaceae,
          the cashew family) grown for a phenolic oil and the edible kernel
          of its nut and for a gum from its stem; also: cashew nut

   cashew nut
          [cashew nut] n (1796): the kidney-shaped kernel of the fruit
          of the cashew that is edible when roasted

   cash flow
          [cash flow] n (1954) 1: a measure of an organization's liquidity
          that usu. consists of net income after taxes plus noncash
          charges (as depreciation) against income 2: a flow of
          cash; esp: one that provides solvency

   [1]cashier
          [ca.shier] vt [D casseren, fr. MF casser to discharge, annul--more
          at quash] (1592) 1: to dismiss from service; esp: to dismiss
          dishonorably 2: reject, discard [2]cash.ier n [D or MF; D kassier,
          fr. MF cassier, fr. casse money box] (1596): one that has charge
          of money: as a: a high officer in a bank or trust company
          responsible for moneys received and expended b: one who collects
          and records payments

   cashier's check
          [cashier's check] n (1867): a check drawn by a bank on its
          own funds and signed by the cashier

   cash in
          [cash in] vt (1888): to obtain cash for <cashed in the bonds>
          ~ vi 1 a: to retire from a gambling game b: to settle
          accounts and withdraw from an involvement (as a business
          deal) 2: to obtain advantage or financial profit--often
          used with on <cash in on a best-seller>

   cashmere
          [cash.mere] n [Cashmere (Kashmir)] (1684) 1: fine wool from
          the undercoat of the cashmere goat; also: a yarn of this
          wool 2: a soft twilled fabric made orig. from cashmere

   cashmere goat
          [cashmere goat] n (ca. 1890): an Indian goat raised esp.
          for its undercoat of fine soft wool that constitutes
          the cashmere wool of commerce

   cash register
          [cash register] n (1879): a business machine that usu. has
          a money drawer, indicates the amount of each sale, and
          records the amount of money received and often automatically
          makes change

   casing
          [cas.ing] n (1791) 1: something that encases: material for
          encasing: as a: an enclosing frame esp. around a door
          or window opening b: a metal pipe used to case a well
          c: [4]tire 2 d: a membranous case for processed meat
          2: a space formed between two parallel lines of stitching
          through at least two layers of cloth into which something
          (as a rod or string) may be inserted

   casino
          [ca.si.no] n, pl -nos [It, fr. casa house, fr. L, cottage]
          (1744) 1: a building or room used for social amusements;
          specif: one used for gambling 2 also cas.si.no : a card
          game in which cards are won by matching or combining
          cards in a hand with those exposed on the table 3: summerhouse
          2

   casita
          [ca.si.ta] n [Sp, dim. of casa] (1923): a small house

   cask
          [cask] n [ME caske, perh. fr. MF casque helmet, fr. Sp casco
          potsherd, skull, helmet] (15c) 1: a barrel-shaped vessel
          of staves, headings, and hoops usu. for liquids 2: a
          cask and its contents; also: the quantity contained in
          a cask

   casket
          [cas.ket] n [ME, perh. modif. of MF cassette] (15c) 1: a
          small chest or box (as for jewels) 2: a usu. fancy coffin
          -- casket vt

   casque
          [casque] n [MF--more at cask] (1580) 1: a piece of armor
          for the head: helmet 2: an anatomic structure suggestive
          of a helmet

   Cassandra
          [Cas.san.dra] n [L, fr. Gk Kassandra] 1: a daughter of Priam
          endowed with the gift of prophecy but fated never to
          be believed 2: one that predicts misfortune or disaster

   cassava
          [cas.sa.va] n [Sp cazabe cassava bread, fr. Taino cacabi]
          (1555): any of several plants (genus Manihot and esp.
          M. esculenta) of the spurge family grown in the tropics
          for their fleshy edible rootstocks which yield a nutritious
          starch; also: the rootstock

   casserole
          [cas.se.role] n [F, saucepan, fr. MF, dim. of casse ladle,
          dripping pan, fr. OProv cassa, prob. ultim. fr. Gk kyathos
          ladle] (1708) 1: a dish in which food may be baked and
          served 2: food cooked and served in a casserole 3: a
          deep round usu. porcelain dish with a handle used for
          heating substances in the laboratory

   cassette
          [cas.sette] also ca.sette n [F, fr. MF, dim. of ONF casse
          case] (1793) 1: casket 1 2: a usu. flat case or container
          that is used esp. in a device or machine, that holds
          something which is difficult, troublesome, or awkward
          to handle, and that can be easily loaded or unloaded:
          as a: a lightproof magazine for holding film or plates
          for use in a camera b: a plastic cartridge containing
          magnetic tape with the tape on one reel passing to the
          other

   cassia
          [cas.sia] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. L, fr. Gk kassia, of Sem origin;
          akin to Heb qesi'ah cassia] (bef. 12c) 1: a coarse cinnamon
          bark (as from Cinnamomum cassia) 2: any of a genus (Cassia)
          of leguminous herbs, shrubs, and trees of warm regions

   cassimere
          [cas.si.mere] n [obs. Cassimere (Kashmir)] (1774): a closely
          woven smooth twilled usu. wool fabric (as for suits)

   Cassini division
          [Cas.si.ni division] n [Gian Domenico Cassini d. 1712 Ital.
          astronomer] (ca. 1909): the dark region between the two
          brightest rings of Saturn--called also Cassini's division

   Cassiopeia
          [Cas.si.o.pe.ia] n [L, fr. Gk Kassiopeia] 1: the wife of
          King Cepheus who gives birth to Andromeda and is later
          changed into a constellation 2 [L (gen. Cassiopeiae),
          fr. Gk Kassiopeia]: a northern constellation between
          Andromeda and Cepheus

   cassis
          [cas.sis] n [F, lit., black currants, perh. fr. L cassia]
          (1899): a liqueur made from black currants

   cassiterite
          [cas.sit.er.ite] n [F cassiterite, fr. Gk kassiteros tin]
          (1858): a brown or black mineral that consists of tin
          dioxide and is the chief source of metallic tin

   cassock
          [cas.sock] n [MF casaque] (1631): a close-fitting ankle-length
          garment worn esp. in Roman Catholic and Anglican churches
          by the clergy and by laymen assisting in services

   cassoulet
          [cas.sou.let] n [F, fr. Prov, lit., earthenware dish, dim.
          of cassolo dish, dim. of casso ladle, fr. OProv cassa]
          (ca. 1929): a casserole of white beans baked with herbs
          and meat (as pork, lamb, and goose or duck)

   cassowary
          [cas.so.wary] n, pl -war.ies [Malay kesuari, fr. an Austronesian
          language of the Moluccas] (1611): any of a genus (Casuarius)
          of large ratite birds chiefly of New Guinea and northern
          Australia that have a horny casque on the head and are
          closely related to the emu

   [1]cast
          [cast] vb cast ; cast.ing [ME, fr. ON kasta; akin to ON kos
          heap] vt (13c) 1 a: to cause to move or send forth by
          throwing <~ a fishing lure> <~ dice> b: direct <~ a glance>
          c (1): to put forth <the fire ~s a warm glow> (2): to
          place as if by throwing <~ doubt on their reliability>
          d: to deposit (a ballot) formally e (1): to throw off
          or away <the horse ~ a shoe> (2): to get rid of: discard
          <~ off all restraint> (3): shed, molt (4): to bring forth;
          esp: to give birth to prematurely f: to throw to the
          ground esp. in wrestling g: to build by throwing up earth
          2 a (1): to perform arithmetical operations on: add (2):
          to calculate by means of astrology b archaic: decide,
          intend 3 a: to dispose or arrange into parts or into
          a suitable form or order b (1): to assign the parts of
          (a dramatic production) to actors (2): to assign (as
          an actor) to a role or part 4 a: to give a shape to (a
          substance) by pouring in liquid or plastic form into
          a mold and letting harden without pressure <~ steel>
          b: to form by this process 5: turn <~ the scale slightly>
          6: to make (a knot or stitch) by looping or catching
          up 7: twist, warp <a beam ~ by age> ~ vi 1: to throw
          something; specif: to throw out a lure with a fishing
          rod 2 dial Brit: vomit 3 dial Eng: to bear fruit: yield
          4 a: to perform addition b obs: estimate, conjecture
          5: warp 6: to range over land in search of a trail--used
          of hunting dogs or trackers 7: veer syn see discard,
          throw -- cast.abil.i.ty n -- cast.able adj -- cast lots
          : to draw lots to determine a matter by chance [2]cast
          n (14c) 1 a: an act of casting b: something that happens
          as a result of chance c: a throw of dice d: a throw of
          a line (as a fishing line) or net 2 a: the form in which
          a thing is constructed b (1): the set of actors in a
          dramatic production (2): a set (as in a narrative) of
          characters or persons c: the arrangement of draperies
          in a painting 3: the distance to which a thing can be
          thrown; specif: the distance a bow can shoot 4 a: a turning
          of the eye in a particular direction; also: expression
          <this freakish, elfish ~ came into the child's eye --Nathaniel
          Hawthorne> b: a slight strabismus 5: something that is
          thrown or the quantity thrown; esp, Brit: the leader
          of a fishing line 6 a: something that is formed by casting
          in a mold or form: as (1): a reproduction (as of a statue)
          in metal or plaster: casting (2): a fossil reproduction
          of the details of a natural object by mineral infiltration
          b: an impression taken from an object with a liquid or
          plastic substance: mold c: a rigid dressing of gauze
          impregnated with plaster of paris for immobilizing a
          diseased or broken part 7: forecast, conjecture 8 a:
          an overspread of a color or modification of the appearance
          of a substance by a trace of some added hue: shade <gray
          with a greenish ~> b: tinge, suggestion 9 a: a ride on
          one's way in a vehicle: lift b Scot: help, assistance
          10 a: shape, appearance <the delicate ~ of her features>
          b: characteristic quality <his father's conservative
          ~ of mind> 11: something that is shed, ejected, or thrown
          out or off: as a: the excrement of an earthworm b: a
          mass of soft matter formed in cavities of diseased organs
          and discharged from the body c: the skin of an insect
          12: the ranging in search of a trail by a dog, hunting
          pack, or tracker

   cast about
          [cast about] vi (1575): to look around: seek <cast about
          for a seat> ~ vt: to lay plans concerning: contrive <cast
          about how he was to go>

   castanet
          [cas.ta.net] n [Sp castaneta, fr. castana chestnut, fr. L
          castanea--more at chestnut] (ca. 1647): a percussion
          instrument used esp. by dancers that consists of two
          small shells of hard wood, ivory, or plastic usu. fastened
          to the thumb and clicked together by the other fingers--usu.
          used in pl.

   cast around
          [cast around] vi (1946): cast about

   castaway
          [cast.away] adj (1534) 1: thrown away: rejected 2 a: cast
          adrift or ashore as a survivor of a shipwreck b: thrown
          out or left without friends or resources -- castaway
          n

   cast down
          [cast down] adj (14c): downcast

   caste
          [caste] n [Pg casta, lit., race, lineage, fr. fem. of casto
          pure, chaste, fr. L castus] (1613) 1: one of the hereditary
          social classes in Hinduism that restrict the occupation
          of their members and their association with the members
          of other castes 2 a: a division of society based on differences
          of wealth, inherited rank or privilege, profession, or
          occupation b: the position conferred by caste standing:
          prestige 3: a system of rigid social stratification characterized
          by hereditary status, endogamy, and social barriers sanctioned
          by custom, law, or religion 4: a specialized form (as
          the worker of an ant or bee) of a polymorphic social
          insect that carries out a particular function in the
          colony -- caste.ism n

   castellan
          [cas.tel.lan] n [ME castelleyn, fr. ONF castelain, fr. L
          castellanus occupant of a castle, fr. castellanus of
          a castle, fr. castellum castle] (14c): a governor or
          warden of a castle or fort

   castellated
          [cas.tel.lat.ed] adj [ML castellatus, pp. of castellare to
          fortify, fr. L castellum] (1679) 1: having battlements
          like a castle 2: having or supporting a castle

   caster
          [cast.er] n (14c) 1: one that casts; esp: a machine that
          casts type 2 or cas.tor a: a usu. silver table vessel
          with a perforated top for sprinkling a seasoning (as
          sugar or spice) b: a usu. revolving metal stand bearing
          condiment containers (as cruets, mustard pot, and often
          shakers) for table use: a cruet stand 3: any of a set
          of wheels or rotating balls mounted in a swivel frame
          and used for the support and movement of furniture, trucks,
          and portable equipment 4: the slight usu. backward tilt
          of the upper end of the kingbolt of an automobile for
          giving directional stability to the front wheels

   castigate
          [cas.ti.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L castigatus, pp. of
          castigare--more at chasten] (1607): to subject to severe
          punishment, reproof, or criticism syn see punish -- cas.ti.ga.tion
          n -- cas.ti.ga.tor n

   castile soap
          [cas.tile soap] n, often cap C [ME castell sope, fr. Castell
          Castile] (15c): a fine hard bland soap made from olive
          oil and sodium hydroxide; also: any of various similar
          soaps

   Castilian
          [Cas.til.ian] n (1796) 1: a native or inhabitant of Castile;
          broadly: spaniard 2 a: the dialect of Castile b: the
          official and literary language of Spain based on this
          dialect -- Castilian adj

   casting
          [cast.ing] n (14c) 1: something (as excrement) that is cast
          out or off 2: the act of one that casts: as a: the throwing
          of a fishing line by means of a rod and reel b: the assignment
          of parts and duties to actors or performers 3: something
          cast in a mold

   casting director
          [casting director] n (1922): a person who supervises the
          casting of dramatic productions (as films and plays)

   casting vote
          [casting vote] n (1678): a deciding vote cast by a presiding
          officer to break a tie

   cast-iron
          [cast-iron] adj (1692) 1: made of cast iron 2: resembling
          cast iron: as a: capable of withstanding great strain
          <a ~ stomach> b: not admitting change, adaptation, or
          exception: rigid <a ~ will>

   cast iron
          [cast iron] n (1664): a commercial alloy of iron, carbon,
          and silicon that is cast in a mold and is hard, brittle,
          nonmalleable, and incapable of being hammer-welded but
          more easily fusible than steel

   [1]castle
          [cas.tle] n [ME castel, fr. OE, fr. ONF, fr. L castellum
          fortress, castle, dim. of castrum fortified place; perh.
          akin to L castrare to castrate] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a large
          fortified building or set of buildings b: a massive or
          imposing house 2: a retreat safe against intrusion or
          invasion 3: [3]rook [2]castle vb cas.tled ; cas.tling
          vt (1587) 1: to establish in a castle 2: to move (the
          chess king) in castling ~ vi: to move a chess king two
          squares toward a rook and in the same move the rook to
          the square next past the king

   castled
          [cas.tled] adj (1789): castellated

   castle in the air
          [castle in the air] (1580): an impracticable project:
          daydream--called also castle in Spain

   cast-off
          [cast-off] adj (1746): thrown away or aside -- cast.off n

   cast off
          [cast off] vt (1602) 1: loose <cast off a hunting dog> 2:
          unfasten <cast off a boat> 3: to remove (a stitch) from
          a knitting needle in such a way as to prevent unraveling
          ~ vi 1: to unfasten or untie a boat or a line 2: to turn
          one's partner in a square dance and pass around the outside
          of the set and back 3: to finish a knitted fabric by
          casting off all stitches

   cast on
          [cast on] vt (1840): to place (stitches) on a knitting needle
          for beginning or enlarging knitted work

   castor
          [cas.tor] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk kastor, fr. Kastor Castor]
          (14c) 1: beaver 1a 2: castoreum 3: a beaver hat Cas.tor
          n [L, fr. Gk Kastor] 1: one of the Dioscuri 2: the more
          northern of the two bright stars in Gemini

   castor bean
          [castor bean] n (1819): the very poisonous seed of the castor-oil
          plant; also: castor-oil plant

   castoreum
          [cas.to.re.um] n [ME castorium, fr. L castoreum, fr. castor]
          (14c): a bitter strong-smelling creamy orange-brown substance
          that consists of the dried perineal glands of the beaver
          and their secretion and is used esp. by perfumers--called
          also castor

   castor oil
          [castor oil] n [prob. fr. its former use as a substitute
          for castoreum in medicine] (1746): a pale viscous fatty
          oil from castor beans used esp. as a cathartic and as
          a lubricant and plasticizer

   castor-oil plant
          [castor-oil plant] n (1836): a tropical Old World herb (Ricinus
          communis) widely grown as an ornamental or for its oil-rich
          castor beans

   castor sugar
          [castor sugar] or caster sugar n [caster] (1855) chiefly
          Brit: finely granulated white sugar

   cast out
          [cast out] vt (13c): to drive out: expel

   castrate
          [cas.trate] vt cas.trat.ed ; cas.trat.ing [L castratus, pp.
          of castrare; akin to Gk keazein to split, Skt sasati
          he slaughters] (1609) 1 a: to deprive of the testes:
          geld b: to deprive of the ovaries: spay 2: to render
          impotent or deprive of vitality esp. by psychological
          means -- castrate n -- cas.tra.tion n -- cas.tra.tor
          n -- cas.tra.to.ry adj

   castrato
          [cas.tra.to] n, pl -ti [It, fr. pp. of castrare to castrate,
          fr. L] (1763): a singer castrated before puberty to preserve
          the soprano or contralto range of his voice

   Castroism
          [Cas.tro.ism] n (1960): the political, economic, and social
          principles and policies of Fidel Castro -- Cas.tro.ite
          n

   [1]casual
          [ca.su.al] adj [ME, fr. MF & LL; MF casuel, fr. LL casualis,
          fr. L casus fall, chance--more at case] (14c) 1: subject
          to, resulting from, or occurring by chance 2 a: occurring
          without regularity: occasional b: employed for irregular
          periods 3 a: feeling or showing little concern: nonchalant
          b (1): informal, natural (2): designed for informal use
          syn see accidental, random -- ca.su.al.ly adv -- ca.su.al.ness
          n [2]casual n (ca. 1852) 1: a casual or migratory worker
          2: an officer or enlisted man awaiting assignment or
          transportation to a unit

   casualty
          [ca.su.al.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1 archaic: chance, fortune
          <losses that befall them by mere ~ --Sir Walter Raleigh>
          2: serious or fatal accident: disaster 3 a: a military
          person lost through death, wounds, injury, sickness,
          internment, or capture or through being missing in action
          b: a person or thing injured, lost, or destroyed: victim
          <the ex-senator was a ~ of the last election>

   casual water
          [casual water] n (1899): a temporary accumulation of water
          not forming a regular hazard of a golf course

   casuarina
          [ca.su.a.ri.na] n [NL, genus name, fr. Malay (pohon) kesuari,
          lit., cassowary tree; fr. the resemblance of its twigs
          to cassowary feathers] (1806): any of a genus (Casuarina
          of the family Casuarinaceae) of dicotyledonous chiefly
          Australian trees which have whorls of scalelike leaves
          and jointed stems resembling horsetails and some of which
          yield a heavy hard wood

   casuist
          [ca.su.ist] n [prob. fr. Sp casuista, fr. L casus fall,
          chance--more at case] (1609): one skilled in or given to casuistry
          -- ca.su.is.tic or ca.su.is.ti.cal adj

   casuistry
          [ca.su.ist.ry] n, pl -ries (1725) 1: a resolving of specific
          cases of conscience, duty, or conduct through interpretation
          of ethical principles or religious doctrin e 2: specious
          argument: rationalization

   casus belli
          [ca.sus bel.li] n, pl ca.sus belli [NL, occasion of war]
          (1849): an event or action that justifies or allegedly
          justifies a war or conflict

   [1]cat
          [cat] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE catt, prob. fr. LL cattus,
          catta cat] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a carnivorous mammal (Felis
          catus) long domesticated as a pet and for catching rats
          and mice b: any of a family (Felidae) of carnivorous
          usu. solitary and nocturnal mammals (as the domestic
          cat, lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cougar, wildcat, lynx,
          and cheetah) 2: a malicious woman 3: a strong tackle
          used to hoist an anchor to the cathead of a ship 4 a:
          catboat b: catamaran 5: cat-o'-nine-tails 6: catfish
          7 a: a player or devotee of jazz b: guy [2]cat vb cat.ted
          ; cat.ting vt (1769): to bring (an anchor) up to the
          cathead ~ vi: to search for a sexual mate--often used
          with around Cat trademark--used for a Caterpillar tractor

   cat
          [cat] abbreviation catalog, catalyst  CAT abbreviation clear-air
          turbulence, college ability test, computerized axial
          tomography

   cata-
          [cata-] or cat- or cath- prefix [Gk kata-, kat-, kath-, fr.
          kata down, in accordance with, by; akin to OW cant with,
          Hitt katta]: down <cation> <cathode>

   catabolism
          [ca.tab.o.lism] n [Gk katabole throwing down, fr. kataballein
          to throw down, fr. kata- + ballein to throw--more at
          devil] (1876): destructive metabolism involving the release
          of energy and resulting in the breakdown of complex materials
          within the organism--compare anabolism -- cat.a.bol.ic
          adj -- cat.a.bol.i.cal.ly adv

   catabolite
          [ca.tab.o.lite] n (ca. 1909): a product of catabolism

   catabolize
          [ca.tab.o.lize] vb -lized ; -liz.ing vt (ca. 1926): to subject
          to catabolism ~ vi: to undergo catabolism

   catachresis
          [cat.a.chre.sis] n, pl -chre.ses [L, fr. Gk katachresis misuse,
          fr. katachresthai to use up, misuse, fr. kata- + chresthai
          to use] (1553) 1: use of the wrong word for the context
          2: use of a forced and esp. paradoxical figure of speech
          (as blind mouths) -- cat.a.chres.tic or cat.a.chres.ti.cal
          adj -- cat.a.chres.ti.cal.ly adv

   cataclysm
          [cat.a.clysm] n [F cataclysme, fr. L cataclysmos, fr. Gk
          kataklysmos, fr. kataklyzein to inundate, fr. kata- +
          klyzein to wash--more at clyster] (1637) 1: flood, deluge
          2: catastrophe 3a 3: a momentous and violent event marked
          by overwhelming upheaval and demolition; broadly: an
          event that brings great changes -- cat.a.clys.mal or
          cat.a.clys.mic adj -- cat.a.clys.mi.cal.ly adv

   catacomb
          [cat.a.comb] n [MF catacombe, prob. fr. OIt catacomba, fr.
          LL catacumbae, pl.] (15c) 1: a subterranean cemetery
          of galleries with recesses for tombs--usu. used in pl.
          2: something resembling a catacomb: as a: an underground
          passageway or group of passageways b: a complex set of
          interrelated things <the endless ~s of formal education
          --Kingman Brewster, Jr.>

   catadioptric
          [cata.di.op.tric] adj (1723): belonging to, produced by,
          or involving both the reflection and the refraction of
          light

   catadromous
          [ca.tad.ro.mous] adj [prob. fr. NL catadromus, fr. cata-
          + -dromus -dromous] (1880): living in fresh water and
          going to the sea to spawn <~ eels>--compare anadromous

   catafalque
          [cat.a.falque] n [It catafalco, fr. (assumed) VL catafalicum
          scaffold, fr. cata- + L fala siege tower] (1641) 1: an
          ornamental structure sometimes used in funerals for the
          lying in state of the body 2: a pall-covered coffin-shaped
          structure used at requiem masses celebrated after burial

   Catalan
          [Cat.a.lan] n [Sp catalan] (15c) 1: a native or inhabitant
          of Catalonia 2: the Romance language of Catalonia, Valencia,
          Andorra, and the Balearic islands -- Catalan adj

   catalase
          [cat.a.lase] n [catalysis] (1901): a red crystalline enzyme
          that consists of a protein complex with hematin groups
          and catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide
          into water and oxygen -- cat.a.lat.ic adj

   catalectic
          [cat.a.lec.tic] adj [LL catalecticus, fr. Gk katalektikos,
          fr. katalegein to leave off, fr. kata- + legein to stop--more
          at slack] (1589): lacking a syllable at the end or ending
          in an incomplete foot -- catalectic n

   catalepsy
          [cat.a.lep.sy] n, pl -sies [ME catalempsi, fr. ML catalepsia,
          fr. LL catalepsis, fr. Gk katalepsis, lit., act of seizing,
          fr. katalambanein to seize, fr. kata- + lambanein to
          take--more at latch] (14c): a condition of suspended
          animation and loss of voluntary motion in which the limbs
          remain in whatever position they are placed -- cat.a.lep.tic
          adj or n -- cat.a.lep.ti.cal.ly adv

   catalexis
          [cat.a.lex.is] n, pl -lex.es [NL, fr. Gk katalexis close,
          cadence, fr. katalegein] (1830): omission or incompleteness
          usu. in the last foot of a line in metrical verse

   [1]catalog
          [cat.a.log] or cat.a.logue n [ME cateloge, fr. MF catalogue,
          fr. LL catalogus, fr. Gk katalogos, fr. katalegein to
          list, enumerate, fr. kata- + legein to gather, speak--more
          at legend] (15c) 1: list, register 2 a: a complete enumeration
          of items arranged systematically with descriptive details
          b: a pamphlet or book that contains such a list c: material
          in such a list [2]catalog or catalogue vb -loged or -logued
          ; -log.ing or -logu.ing vt (1598) 1: to make a catalog
          of 2 a: to enter in a catalog b: to classify (as books
          or information) descriptively ~ vi 1: to make or work
          on a catalog 2: to become listed in a catalog at a specified
          price <this stamp ~s at $2> -- cat.a.log.er or cat.a.logu.er
          n

   catalogue raisonne
          [catalogue rai.son.ne] n, pl cat.a.logues rai.son.nes [F,
          lit., reasoned catalog] (1784): a systematic annotated
          catalog; esp: a critical bibliography

   catalpa
          [ca.tal.pa] n [Creek katalpa, fr. ika head + talpa wing]
          (ca. 1730): any of a genus (Catalpa) of American and
          Asian trees of the trumpet-creeper family with pale showy
          flowers in terminal clusters

   catalysis
          [ca.tal.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [Gk katalysis dissolution, fr.
          katalyein to dissolve, fr. kata- + lyein to dissolve,
          release--more at lose] (1836) 1: a modification and esp.
          increase in the rate of a chemical reaction induced by
          material unchanged chemically at the end of the reaction
          2: a reaction between two or more persons or forces precipitated
          by a separate agent <a representative list of questions
          ... valuable for the ~ of class discussions --B. S. Meyer
          & D. B. Anderson>

   catalyst
          [cat.a.lyst] n (1902) 1: a substance (as an enzyme) that
          enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usu. faster
          rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature)
          than otherwise possible 2: an agent that provokes or
          speeds significant change or action

   catalytic
          [cat.a.lyt.ic] adj (1836): causing, involving, or relating
          to catalysis -- cat.a.lyt.i.cal.ly adv

   catalytic converter
          [catalytic converter] n (1964): an automobile exhaust-system
          component containing a catalyst that causes decomposition
          of harmful gases into mostly harmless products (as water
          and carbon dioxide)

   catalytic cracker
          [catalytic cracker] n (1947): the unit in a petroleum refinery
          in which cracking is carried out in the presence of a
          catalyst

   catalyze
          [cat.a.lyze] vt -lyzed ; -lyz.ing (1902) 1: to bring about
          the catalysis of (a chemical reaction) 2: bring about,
          inspire 3: to alter significantly by catalysis <innovations
          in basic chemical theory that have catalyzed the field
          --Newsweek> -- cat.a.lyz.er n

   catamaran
          [cat.a.ma.ran] n [Tamil kattumaram, fr. kattu to tie + maram
          tree, wood] (1673): a vessel (as a sailboat) with twin
          hulls and usu. a deck or superstructure connecting the
          hulls

   catamenia
          [cat.a.me.nia] n pl [NL, fr. Gk katamenia, fr. neut. pl.
          of katamenios monthly, fr. kata by + men month--more
          at cata-, moon] (1750): menses -- cat.a.me.ni.al adj

   catamite
          [cat.a.mite] n [L catamitus, fr. Catamitus Ganymede, fr.
          Etruscan Catmite, fr. Gk Ganymedes] (1593): a boy kept
          by a pederast

   catamount
          [cat.a.mount] n [short for cat-a-mountain] (1664): any of
          various wild cats: as a: cougar b: lynx

   cat-a-mountain
          [cat-a-moun.tain] n [ME cat of the mountaine] (15c): any
          of various wild cats

   cat and mouse
          [cat and mouse] n (1887): behavior like that of a cat with
          a mouse: as a: the act of toying with or tormenting something
          before destroying it b: a contrived action involving
          constant pursuit, near captures, and repeated escapes
          <played a game of cat and mouse with the police>; broadly:
          an evasive action

   cataphora
          [ca.taph.o.ra] n [cata- + anaphora] (1976): the use of a
          grammatical substitute (as a pronoun) that has the same
          reference as a following word or phrase

   cataphoresis
          [cat.a.pho.re.sis] n, pl -re.ses [NL] (1889): electrophoresis
          -- cat.a.pho.ret.ic adj -- cat.a.pho.ret.i.cal.ly adv

   cataphoric
          [cat.a.phor.ic] adj (1968): of or relating to cataphora;
          esp: being a word or phrase (as a pronoun) that takes
          its reference from a following word or phrase (as her
          in before her Jane saw nothing but desert)--compare anaphoric

   cataplasm
          [cat.a.plasm] n [MF cataplasme, fr. L cataplasma, fr. Gk
          kataplasma, fr. kataplassein to plaster over, fr. kata-
          + plassein to mold--more at plaster] (1541): poultice

   cataplexy
          [cat.a.plexy] n, pl -plex.ies [G Kataplexie, fr. Gk kataplexis,
          fr. kataplessein to strike down, terrify, fr. kata- +
          plessein to strike--more at plaint] (1883): sudden loss
          of muscle power following a strong emotional stimulus

   [1]catapult
          [cat.a.pult] n [MF or L; MF catapulte, fr. L catapulta, fr.
          Gk katapaltes, fr. kata- + pallein to hurl] (1577) 1:
          an ancient military device for hurling missiles 2: a
          device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as
          from an aircraft carrier) [2]catapult vt (1848): to throw
          or launch by or as if by a catapult ~ vi: to become catapulted

   cataract
          [cat.a.ract] n [L cataracta waterfall, portcullis, fr. Gk
          kataraktes, fr. katarassein to dash down, fr. kata- +
          arassein to strike, dash] (14c) 1 [ME, fr. MF or ML;
          MF cataracte, fr. ML cataracta, fr. L, portcullis]: a
          clouding of the lens of the eye or of its surrounding
          transparent membrane that obstructs the passage of light
          2 a obs: waterspout b: waterfall; esp: a large one over
          a precipice c: steep rapids in a river d: downpour, flood
          <~s of rain> <~s of information> -- cat.a.rac.tous adj

   catarrh
          [ca.tarrh] n [MF or LL; MF catarrhe, fr. LL catarrhus, fr.
          Gk katarrhous, fr. katarrhein to flow down, fr. kata-
          + rhein to flow--more at stream] (15c): inflammation
          of a mucous membrane; esp: one chronically affecting
          the human nose and air passages -- ca.tarrh.al adj --
          ca.tarrh.al.ly adv

   catarrhine
          [cat.ar.rhine] adj [NL Catarrhina, fr. Gk katarrhina, neut.
          pl. of katarrhin hook-nosed, fr. kata- + rhin-, rhis
          nose] (1863): of, relating to, or being any of a division
          (Catarrhina) of primates comprising the Old World monkeys,
          higher apes, and hominids that have the nostrils close
          together and directed downward, 32 teeth, and the tail
          when present never prehensile -- catarrhine n

   catastrophe
          [ca.tas.tro.phe] n [Gk katastrophe, fr. katastrephein to
          overturn, fr. kata- + strephein to turn] (1540) 1: the
          final event of the dramatic action esp. of a tragedy
          2: a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune
          to utter overthrow or ruin 3 a: a violent and sudden
          change in a feature of the earth b: a violent usu. destructive
          natural event (as a supernova) 4: utter failure: fiasco
          -- cat.a.stroph.ic adj -- cat.a.stroph.i.cal.ly adv

   catastrophe theory
          [catastrophe theory] n (1976): mathematical theory and conjecture
          that uses topology to explain events (as an earthquake
          or a stock market crash) characterized by major abrupt
          changes

   catastrophism
          [ca.tas.tro.phism] n (1869): a geological doctrine that changes
          in the earth's crust have in the past been brought about
          suddenly by physical forces operating in ways that cannot
          be observed today--compare uniformitarianism -- ca.tas.tro.phist
          n

   catatonia
          [cat.a.to.nia] n [NL, fr. G katatonie, fr. kata- cata- +
          NL -tonia] (ca. 1891): catatonic schizophrenia

   catatonic
          [cat.a.ton.ic] adj (1904) 1: of, relating to, being, resembling,
          or affected by schizophrenia characterized esp. by a
          marked psychomotor disturbance that may involve stupor
          or mutism, negativism, rigidity, purposeless excitement,
          and inappropriate or bizarre posturing 2: characterized
          by a marked lack of movement, activity, or expression
          -- catatonic n -- cat.a.ton.i.cal.ly adv

   Catawba
          [Ca.taw.ba] n (1715) 1 pl Catawba or Catawbas : a member
          of an American Indian people of No. Carolina and So.
          Carolina 2: the language of the Catawba people 3: any
          of various wines produced from a pale red native American
          grape

   catbird
          [cat.bird] n (1709): an American songbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
          that is dark gray in color with a black cap and reddish coverts
          under the tail and is related to the mockingbird

   catbird seat
          [catbird seat] n (1942): a position of great prominence or
          advantage

   catboat
          [cat.boat] n (1878): a sailboat having a cat rig and usu.
          a centerboard and being of light draft and broad beam

   catbrier
          [cat.bri.er] n (1839): any of a genus (Smilax) of dioecious
          often prickly climbing plants of the lily family

   cat burglar
          [cat burglar] n (1907): a burglar who is adept at entering
          and leaving the burglarized place without attracting
          notice

   catcall
          [cat.call] n (1749): a loud or raucous cry made esp. to express
          disapproval (as at a sports event) -- catcall vb

   [1]catch
          [catch] vb caught ; catch.ing [ME cacchen, fr. ONF cachier
          to hunt, fr. (assumed) VL captiare, alter. of L captare
          to chase, freq. of capere to take--more at heave] vt
          (13c) 1 a: to capture or seize esp. after pursuit b:
          to take or entangle in or as if in a snare c: deceive
          d: to discover unexpectedly: find <caught in the act>
          e: to check (oneself) suddenly or momentarily f: to become
          suddenly aware of <caught me looking at him> 2 a: to
          take hold of: seize b: to affect suddenly c: intercept
          d: to avail oneself of: take e: to obtain through effort:
          get f: to get entangled <~ a sleeve on a nail> 3: to
          become affected by: as a: contract <~ a cold> b: to respond
          sympathetically to the point of being imbued with <~
          the spirit of an occasion> c: to be struck by d: to be
          subjected to: receive <~ hell> 4 a: to seize and hold
          firmly b: fasten 5: to take or get usu. momentarily or
          quickly <~ a glimpse of a friend> <~ a nap> 6 a: overtake
          b: to get aboard in time <~ the bus> 7: to attract and
          hold: arrest, engage <caught my attention> <caught her
          eye> 8: to make contact with: strike 9 a: to grasp by
          the senses or the mind <you ~ what I mean?> <didn't ~
          the name> b: to apprehend and fix by artistic means 10
          a: see, watch <~ a game on TV> b: to listen to 11: to
          serve as a catcher for in baseball 12: to meet with socially
          <~ you later> ~ vi 1: to grasp hastily or try to grasp
          2: to become caught 3: to catch fire 4 of a crop: to
          come up and become established 5: to play the position
          of catcher on a baseball team 6: kick over -- catch.able
          adj -- catch a crab : to fail to raise an oar clear of
          the water on recovery of a stroke -- catch dead : willing
          to be publicly exposed--used in negative constructions
          <wouldn't be caught dead in that shirt> -- catch fire
          1: to become ignited 2: to become fired with enthusiasm
          3: to increase greatly in scope, popularity, interest,
          or effectiveness <this stock has not caught fire--yet
          --Forbes> -- catch it : to incur blame, reprimand, or
          punishment -- catch one's breath : to rest long enough
          to restore normal breathing; broadly: to rest after a
          period of intense activity syn catch, capture, trap,
          snare, entrap, ensnare, bag mean to come to possess or
          control by or as if by seizing. catch implies the seizing
          of something in motion or in flight or in hiding <caught
          the dog as it ran by>. capture suggests taking by overcoming
          resistance or difficulty <capture an enemy stronghold>.
          trap, snare, entrap, ensnare imply seizing by some device
          that holds the one caught at the mercy of the captor.
          trap and snare apply more commonly to physical seizing
          <trap animals> <snared butterflies with a net>. entrap
          and ensnare more often are figurative <entrapped the
          witness with a trick question> <a sting operation that
          ensnared burglars>. bag implies shooting down a fleeing
          or distant prey <bagged a brace of pheasants>. [2]catch
          n (15c) 1: something caught; esp: the total quantity
          caught at one time <a large ~ of fish> 2 a: the act,
          action, or fact of catching b: a game in which a ball
          is thrown and caught 3: something that checks or holds
          immovable <a safety ~> 4: one worth catching esp. as
          a spouse 5: a round for three or more unaccompanied usu.
          male voices often with suggestive or obscene lyrics 6:
          fragment, snatch 7: a concealed difficulty or complication
          <there must be a ~> 8: the germination of a field crop
          to such an extent that replanting is unnecessary

   catch-22
          [catch-22] n, pl catch-22's or catch-22s often cap [fr. Catch-22,
          paradoxical rule in the novel Catch-22 (1961) by Joseph
          Heller] (1961) 1: a problematic situation for which the
          only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in
          the problem or by a rule <the show-business ~--no work
          unless you have an agent, no agent unless you've worked
          --Mary Murphy>; also: the circumstance or rule that denies
          a solution 2 a: an illogical, unreasonable, or senseless
          situation b: a measure or policy whose effect is the
          opposite of what was intended c: a situation presenting
          two equally undesirable alternatives 3: a hidden difficulty
          or means of entrapment: catch

   catchall
          [catch.all] n, often attrib (1838): something that holds
          or includes odds and ends or a wide variety of things

   catch-as-catch-can
          [catch-as-catch-can] adj (1764): using any available means
          or method: unplanned <a ~ existence begging and running
          errands --Time>

   catcher
          [catch.er] n (15c): one that catches; specif: a baseball
          player positioned behind home plate

   catchfly
          [catch.fly] n (1597): any of various plants (as of the genera
          Lychnis and Silene) of the pink family often with viscid
          stems

   catching
          [catch.ing] adj (1590) 1: infectious, contagious <the flu
          is ~> <his spirit is ~> 2: catchy, alluring

   catchment
          [catch.ment] n (1847) 1: something that catches water; also:
          the amount of water caught 2: the action of catching
          water

   catchment area
          [catchment area] n (1940): the geographical area served by
          an institution

   catch on
          [catch on] vi (1883) 1: to become aware: learn; also: understand
          <didn't catch on to what was going on> 2: to become popular
          <this idea has already caught on>

   catch out
          [catch out] vt (1816): to detect in error or wrongdoing <delighting
          to catch out his literary victims in error --John Clive>

   catchpenny
          [catch.pen.ny] adj (1748): using sensationalism or cheapness
          for appeal <a ~ newspaper>

   catchphrase
          [catch.phrase] n (ca. 1850): an expression that has caught
          on and is used repeatedly

   catchpole
          [catch.pole] or catch.poll n [ME cacchepol, fr. OE caecepol,
          fr. (assumed) ONF cachepol, lit., chicken chaser, fr.
          ONF cachier + pol chicken, fr. L pullus--more at catch,
          pullet] (bef. 12c): a sheriff's deputy; esp: one who
          makes arrests for failure to pay a debt

   catch up
          [catch up] vt (14c) 1 a: to pick up often abruptly <the thief
          caught the purse up and ran> b: ensnare, entangle <education
          has been caught up in a stultifying mythology --N. M.
          Pusey> c: enthrall <the ... public was caught up in the
          car's magic --D. A. Jedlicka> 2: to provide with the
          latest information <catch me up on the news> ~ vi 1 a:
          to travel fast enough to overtake an advance party b:
          to reach a state of parity or of being able to cope <kids
          left behind in preschool may never catch up> 2: to bring
          about arrest for illicit activities <the police caught
          up with the thieves> 3 a: to complete or compensate for
          something belatedly <catch up on lost sleep> b: to acquire
          belated information <catch up on the news>

   [1]catch-up
          [catch-up] adj (1945): intended to catch up to a theoretical
          norm or a competitor's accomplishments [2]catch-up n
          (1948): the act or fact of catching up or trying to catch
          up (as with a norm or competitor) <had to play ~>; also:
          an increase intended to achieve catch-up

   catchup
          [catch.up] var of ketchup

   catchword
          [catch.word] n (ca. 1736) 1 a: a word under the right-hand
          side of the last line on a book page that repeats the
          first word on the following page b: guide word 2: a word
          or expression repeated until it becomes representative
          of a party, school, or point of view

   catchy
          [catchy] adj catch.i.er ; -est (1831) 1: tending to catch
          the interest or attention <a ~ title> 2: fitful, irregular
          <~ breathing> 3: tricky <a ~ question>

   catclaw
          [cat.claw] n (1898): a yellow-flowered spiny acacia (Acacia
          greggi) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico

   cat distemper
          [cat distemper] n (ca. 1950): panleukopenia

   cate
          [cate] n [ME, article of purchased food, short for acate,
          fr. ONF acat purchase, fr. acater to buy, fr. (assumed)
          VL accaptare, fr. L acceptare to accept] (15c) archaic:
          a dainty or choice food

   catechesis
          [cat.e.che.sis] n, pl -che.ses [LL, fr. Gk katechesis, fr.
          katechein to teach] (1753): oral instruction of catechumens
          -- cat.e.chet.i.cal adj

   catechin
          [cat.e.chin] n [ISV catechu + [1]-in] (1853): a crystalline
          compound related to the flavones and used in dyeing and
          tanning; also: a derivative of this compound

   catechism
          [cat.e.chism] n (1502) 1: oral instruction 2: a manual for
          catechizing; specif: a summary of religious doctrine
          often in the form of questions and answers 3 a: a set
          of formal questions put as a test b: something resembling
          a catechism esp. in being a rote response or formulaic
          statement -- cat.e.chis.mal adj -- cat.e.chis.tic adj

   catechist
          [cat.e.chist] n (ca. 1563): one that catechizes: as a: a
          teacher of catechumens b: a native in a missionary district
          who does Christian teaching

   catechize
          [cat.e.chize] vt -chized ; -chiz.ing [LL catechizare, fr.
          Gk katechein to teach, lit., to din into, fr. kata- cata-
          + echein to resound, fr. eche sound--more at echo] (15c)
          1: to instruct systematically esp. by questions, answers,
          and explanations and corrections; specif: to give religious
          instruction in such a manner 2: to question systematically
          or searchingly -- cat.e.chi.za.tion n -- cat.e.chiz.er
          n

   catechol
          [cat.e.chol] n (1880) 1: catechin 2: pyrocatechol

   catecholamine
          [cat.e.chol.amine] n (1954): any of various amines (as epinephrine,
          norepinephrine, and dopamine) that function as hormones
          or neurotransmitters or both

   catecholaminergic
          [cat.e.chol.amin.er.gic] adj (1970): involving, liberating,
          or mediated by catecholamine

   catechu
          [cat.e.chu] n [prob. modif. of Malay kachu, of Dravidian
          origin; akin to Tamil & Kannada kacu catechu] (1683):
          any of several dry, earthy, or resinous astringent substances
          obtained from tropical plants of Asia: as a: an extract
          of the heartwood of an East Indian acacia (Acacia catechu)
          b: gambier

   catechumen
          [cat.e.chu.men] n [ME cathecumyn, fr. MF cathecumine, fr.
          LL catechumenus, fr. Gk katechoumenos, pres. pass. part.
          of katechein] (15c) 1: a convert to Christianity receiving
          training in doctrine and discipline before baptism 2:
          one receiving instruction in the basic doctrines of Christianity
          before admission to communicant membership in a church

   categorical
          [cat.e.gor.i.cal] also cat.e.gor.ic adj [LL categoricus,
          fr. Gk kategorikos, fr. kategoria] (1588) 1: absolute,
          unqualified <a ~ denial> 2 a: of, relating to, or constituting
          a category b: involving, according with, or considered
          with respect to specific categories -- cat.e.gor.i.cal.ly
          adv

   categorical imperative
          [categorical imperative] n (1827): a moral obligation or
          command that is unconditionally and universally binding

   categorise
          [cat.e.go.rise] Brit var of categorize

   categorize
          [cat.e.go.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing (1705): to put into
          a category: classify -- cat.e.go.ri.za.tion n

   category
          [cat.e.go.ry] n, pl -ries [LL categoria, fr. Gk kategoria
          predication, category, fr. kategorein to accuse, affirm,
          predicate, fr. kata- + agora public assembly, fr. ageirein
          to gather] (1588) 1: any of several fundamental and distinct
          classes to which entities or concepts belong 2: a division
          within a system of classification

   catena
          [ca.te.na] n, pl -nae or -nas [ML, fr. L, chain] (1641):
          a connected series of related things

   catenary
          [cat.e.nary] n, pl -nar.ies [NL catenaria, fr. L, fem. of
          catenarius of a chain, fr. catena] (1788) 1: the curve
          assumed by a cord of uniform density and cross section
          that is perfectly flexible but not capable of being stretched
          and that hangs freely from two fixed points 2: something
          in the form of a catenary -- catenary adj

   catenate
          [cat.e.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L catenatus, pp. of catenare,
          fr. catena] (ca. 1623): to connect in a series: link
          -- cat.e.na.tion n

   cater
          [ca.ter] vb [obs. cater buyer of provisions, fr. ME catour,
          short for acatour, fr. AF, fr. ONF acater to buy--more
          at cate] vi (1600) 1: to provide a supply of food 2:
          to supply what is required or desired <~ing to middle-class
          tastes> ~ vt: to provide food and service for <~ed the
          banquet> -- ca.ter.er n

   cateran
          [cat.er.an] n [ME ketharan, prob. fr. ScGael ceathairneach
          freebooter, robber] (14c): a former military irregular
          or brigand of the Scottish Highlands

   catercorner
          [cat.er.cor.ner] also cat.er.cor.nered adv or adj [obs. cater
          four + corner] (1838): in a diagonal or oblique position:
          on a diagonal or oblique line <the house stood ~ across
          the square>

   cater-cousin
          [ca.ter-cous.in] n [perh. fr. obs. cater buyer of provisions]
          (1519): an intimate friend

   caterpillar
          [cat.er.pil.lar] n, often attrib [ME catyrpel, fr. ONF catepelose,
          lit., hairy cat] (15c): the elongated wormlike larva of a butterfly
          or moth; also: any of various similar larvae Caterpillar
          trademark--used for a tractor made for use on rough or soft ground
          and moved on two endless metal belts

   caterwaul
          [cat.er.waul] vi [ME caterwawen] (14c) 1: to make a harsh
          cry 2: to quarrel noisily -- caterwaul n

   catfacing
          [cat.fac.ing] n (1940): a disfigurement or malformation of
          fruit suggesting a cat's face in appearance

   catfight
          [cat.fight] n (1919): an intense fight or argument between
          two women

   catfish
          [cat.fish] n (1612): any of an order (Siluriformes) of chiefly
          freshwater stout-bodied scaleless bony fishes having
          long tactile barbels

   catgut
          [cat.gut] n (1599): a tough cord made usu. from sheep intestines

   cath
          [cath] abbreviation cathedral, cathode

   cath-
          [cath-] --see cata-

   Cathar
          [Cath.ar] n, pl Cath.a.ri or Cathars [LL cathari (pl.), fr.
          LGk katharoi, fr. Gk, pl. of katharos pure] (1637): a
          member of one of various ascetic and dualistic Christian
          sects esp. of the later Middle Ages teaching that matter
          is evil and professing faith in an angelic Christ who
          did not really undergo human birth or death -- Cath.a.rism
          n -- Cath.a.rist or Cath.a.ris.tic adj

   catharsis
          [ca.thar.sis] n, pl ca.thar.ses [NL, fr. Gk katharsis, fr.
          kathairein to cleanse, purge, fr. katharos] (ca. 1775)
          1: purgation 2 a: purification or purgation of the emotions
          (as pity and fear) primarily through art b: a purification
          or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release
          from tension 3: elimination of a complex by bringing
          it to consciousness and affording it expression

   [1]cathartic
          [ca.thar.tic] adj [LL or Gk; LL catharticus, fr. Gk kathartikos,
          fr. kathairein] (1612): of, relating to, or producing
          catharsis [2]cathartic n (1651): a cathartic medicine:
          purgative

   cathead
          [cat.head] n (1626): a projecting piece of timber or iron
          near the bow of a ship to which the anchor is hoisted
          and secured

   cathect
          [ca.thect] vt [back-formation fr. cathectic] (1925): to invest
          with mental or emotional energy

   cathectic
          [ca.thec.tic] adj [NL cathexis] (1927): of, relating to,
          or invested with mental or emotional energy

   cathedra
          [ca.the.dra] n [L, chair--more at chair] (ca. 1797): a bishop's
          official throne

   [1]cathedral
          [ca.the.dral] adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or containing
          a cathedra 2: emanating from a chair of authority 3:
          suggestive of a cathedral [2]cathedral n (1587) 1: a
          church that is the official seat of a diocesan bishop
          2: something that resembles or suggests a cathedral

   cathepsin
          [ca.thep.sin] n [Gk kathepsein to digest (fr. kata- cata-
          + hepsein to boil) + E [2]-in] (1929): any of several
          intracellular proteases of animal tissue that aid in
          autolysis

   Catherine wheel
          [Cath.er.ine wheel] n [St. Catherine of Alexandria d. ab307
          Christian martyr] (1584) 1: a wheel with spikes projecting
          from the rim 2: pinwheel 1 3: cartwheel 2

   catheter
          [cath.e.ter] n [LL, fr. Gk katheter, fr. kathienai to send
          down, fr. kata- cata- + hienai to send--more at jet]
          (1601): a tubular medical device for insertion into canals,
          vessels, passageways, or body cavities usu. to permit
          injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage
          open

   catheterization
          [cath.e.ter.i.za.tion] n (ca. 1852): the use of or introduction
          of a catheter (as in or into the bladder, trachea, or
          heart) -- cath.e.ter.ize vt

   cathexis
          [ca.thex.is] n, pl ca.thex.es [NL (intended as trans. of
          G Besetzung), fr. Gk kathexis holding, fr. katechein
          to hold fast, occupy, fr. kata- + echein to have, hold--more
          at scheme] (1922): investment of mental or emotional
          energy in a person, object, or idea

   cathode
          [cath.ode] n [Gk kathodos way down, fr. kata- + hodos way]
          (1834) 1: the electrode of an electrochemical cell at
          which reduction occurs: a: the negative terminal of an
          electrolytic cell b: the positive terminal of a galvanic
          cell 2: the electron-emitting electrode of an electron
          tube--compare anode -- cath.od.al adj -- cath.od.al.ly
          adv -- ca.thod.ic adj -- ca.thod.i.cal.ly adv

   cathode ray
          [cathode ray] n (1880) 1 pl: the high-speed electrons emitted
          in a stream from the heated cathode of a vacuum tube
          2: a stream of electrons emitted from the cathode of
          a vacuum tube--usu. used in pl.

   cathode-ray tube
          [cathode-ray tube] n (1905): a vacuum tube in which a beam
          of electrons is projected on a fluorescent screen to
          produce a luminous spot at a point on the screen determined
          by the effect on the electron beam of a variable magnetic
          field within the tube

   cathodic protection
          [cathodic protection] n (1930): the prevention of electrolytic
          corrosion of a usu. metallic structure (as a pipeline)
          by causing it to act as the cathode rather than as the
          anode of an electrochemical cell

   catholic
          [cath.o.lic] adj [MF & LL; MF catholique, fr. LL catholicus,
          fr. Gk katholikos universal, general, fr. katholou in
          general, fr. kata by + holos whole--more at cata-, safe]
          (14c) 1 a often cap: of, relating to, or forming the
          church universal b often cap: of, relating to, or forming
          the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming
          historical continuity from it c cap: roman catholic 2:
          comprehensive, universal; esp: broad in sympathies, tastes,
          or interests -- ca.thol.i.cal.ly adv -- ca.thol.i.cize
          vb Cath.o.lic n (15c) 1: a person who belongs to the
          universal Christian church 2: a member of a Catholic
          church; esp: roman catholic

   Catholic Apostolic
          [Catholic Apostolic] adj (1888): of or relating to a Christian
          sect founded in 19th century England in anticipation
          of Christ's second coming

   catholicate
          [ca.thol.i.cate] n (1850): the jurisdiction of a catholicos

   Catholic Epistles
          [Catholic Epistles] n pl (1582): the five New Testament letters
          including James, I and II Peter, I John, and Jude addressed
          to the early Christian churches at large

   Catholicism
          [Ca.thol.i.cism] n (ca. 1617) 1: roman catholicism 2: the
          faith, practice, or system of Catholic Christianity

   catholicity
          [cath.o.lic.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1704) 1 cap: the character
          of being in conformity with a Catholic church 2 a: liberality
          of sentiments or views <~ of viewpoint --W. V. O'Connor>
          b: universality c: comprehensive range <~ of topics>

   catholicon
          [ca.thol.i.con] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. Gk katholikon, neut. of
          katholikos] (15c): cure-all, panacea

   catholicos
          [ca.thol.i.cos] n, pl -i.cos.es or -i.coi often cap [LGk
          katholikos, fr. Gk, general] (1878): a primate of certain
          Eastern churches and esp. of the Armenian or of the Nestorian
          church

   cathouse
          [cat.house] n (1931): bordello

   cation
          [cat.ion] n [Gk kation, neut. of kation, prp. of katienai
          to go down, fr. kata- cata- + ienai to go--more at issue]
          (1834): the ion in an electrolyzed solution that migrates
          to the cathode; broadly: a positively charged ion

   cationic
          [cat.ion.ic] adj (ca. 1920) 1: of, relating to, or being
          a cation 2: characterized by an active and esp. surface-active
          cation <a ~ dye> -- cat.ion.i.cal.ly adv

   catkin
          [cat.kin] n [fr. its resemblance to a cat's tail] (1578):
          a spicate inflorescence (as of the willow, birch, or
          oak) bearing scaly bracts and unisexual usu. apetalous
          flowers--called also ament

   catlike
          [cat.like] adj (1600): resembling a cat; esp: stealthy <with
          ~ tread, upon our prey we steal --W. S. Gilbert>

   catmint
          [cat.mint] n (13c): catnip

   catnap
          [cat.nap] n (1823): a very short light nap -- catnap vi

   catnapper
          [cat.nap.per] also cat.nap.er n [[1]cat + -napper (as in
          kidnapper)] (1942): one that steals cats usu. to sell
          them for research

   catnip
          [cat.nip] n [[1]cat + obs. nep catnip, fr. ME, fr. OE nepte,
          fr. L nepeta] (1712) 1: a strong-scented mint (Nepeta
          cataria) that has whorls of small pale flowers in terminal
          spikes and contains a substance attractive to cats 2:
          something very attractive

   cat-o'-nine-tails
          [cat-o'-nine-tails] n, pl cat-o'-nine-tails [fr. the resemblance
          of its scars to the scratches of a cat] (1665): a whip
          made of usu. nine knotted lines or cords fastened to
          a handle

   catoptric
          [ca.top.tric] adj [Gk katoptrikos, fr. katoptron mirror,
          fr. katopsesthai to be going to observe, fr. kata- +
          opsesthai to be going to see--more at optic] (ca. 1774):
          being or using a mirror to focus light

   cat rig
          [cat rig] n (1867): a rig consisting of a single mast far
          forward carrying a single large sail extended by a boom
          -- cat-rigged adj

   cats and dogs
          [cats and dogs] adv (1738): in great quantities: very hard
          <it was raining cats and dogs>

   CAT scan
          [CAT scan] n [computerized axial tomography] (1975): an image
          made by computed tomography -- CAT scanning n

   CAT scanner
          [CAT scanner] n (1975): a medical instrument consisting of
          integrated X-ray and computing equipment and used for
          computed tomography

   cat's cradle
          [cat's cradle] n (1768) 1: a game in which a string looped
          in a pattern like a cradle on the fingers of one person's
          hands is transferred to the hands of another so as to
          form a different figure 2: something that is intricate,
          complicated, or elaborate <a cat's cradle of red tape>

   cat scratch disease
          [cat scratch disease] n (1952): an illness characterized
          by swelling of the lymph glands, fever, and chills and
          assumed to be caused by a bacterium transmitted esp.
          by a cat scratch--called also cat scratch fever

   cat's-eye
          [cat's-eye] n, pl cat's-eyes (ca. 1599) 1: any of various
          gems (as a chrysoberyl or a chalcedony) exhibiting opalescent
          reflections from within 2: a marble with eyelike concentric
          circles

   cat's meow
          [cat's meow] n (1926): a highly admired person or thing

   cat's-paw
          [cat's-paw] n, pl cat's-paws (ca. 1769) 1: a light air that
          ruffles the surface of the water in irregular patches
          during a calm 2 [fr. the fable of the monkey that used
          a cat's paw to draw chestnuts from the fire]: one used
          by another as a tool: dupe 3: a hitch formed with two
          eyes for attaching a line to a hook--see knot illustration

   catsup
          [cat.sup] var of ketchup

   cattail
          [cat.tail] n (1548): any of a genus (Typha of the family
          Typhaceae, the cattail family) of tall reedy marsh plants
          with brown furry fruiting spikes; esp: a plant (Typha
          latifolia) with long flat leaves used esp. for making
          mats and chair seats

   cattery
          [cat.tery] n, pl -ter.ies (ca. 1843): an establishment for
          the breeding and boarding of cats

   cattle
          [cat.tle] n pl [ME catel, fr. ONF, personal property, fr.
          ML capitale, fr. L, neut. of capitalis of the head--more
          at capital] (14c) 1: domesticated quadrupeds held as
          property or raised for use; specif: bovine animals on
          a farm or ranch 2: human beings esp. en masse

   cattle call
          [cattle call] n (1952): a mass audition (as of actors)

   cattle egret
          [cattle egret] n (ca. 1899): a small Old World white egret
          (Bubulcus ibis) introduced into the New World and having
          a yellow bill and in the breeding season buff on the
          crown, breast, and back

   cattle grub
          [cattle grub] n (1926): either of two warble flies (genus
          Hypoderma) esp. in the larval stage: a: common cattle
          grub b: a related warble fly (H. bovis)

   cattleman
          [cat.tle.man] n (1864): one who tends or raises cattle

   cattle tick
          [cattle tick] n (1869): either of two ixodid ticks (Boophilus
          annulatus and B. microplus) that infest cattle and transmit
          the protozoan which causes Texas fever

   cattleya
          [cat.tle.ya] n [NL, fr. Wm. Cattley d. 1832 Eng. patron of
          botany] (1828): any of a genus (Cattleya) of tropical
          American epiphytic orchids with showy hooded flowers

   [1]catty
          [cat.ty] n, pl catties [Malay kati] (1598): any of various
          units of weight of China and southeast Asia varying around
          1 1/3 pounds (about 600 grams); also: a standard Chinese
          unit equal to 1.1023 pounds (500 grams) [2]catty adj
          cat.ti.er ; -est (1886) 1: resembling a cat; esp: slyly
          spiteful: malicious 2: of or relating to a cat -- cat.ti.ly
          adv -- cat.ti.ness n

   catty-corner
          [cat.ty-cor.ner] or cat.ty-cor.nered var of catercorner

   CATV
          [CATV] abbreviation community antenna television

   catwalk
          [cat.walk] n (1885): a narrow walkway (as along a bridge)

   Caucasian
          [Cau.ca.sian] adj (1807) 1: of or relating to the Caucasus
          or its inhabitants 2 a: of or relating to the white race
          of humankind as classified according to physical features
          b: of or relating to the white race as defined by law
          specif. as composed of persons of European, No. African,
          or southwest Asian ancestry -- Caucasian n -- Cau.ca.soid
          adj or n

   Cauchy sequence
          [Cau.chy sequence] n [Augustin-Louis Cauchy d. 1857 Fr.
          mathematician] (ca. 1949): a sequence of elements in a metric space
          such that for any positive number no matter how small there exists
          a term in the sequence for which the distance between any two terms
          beyond this term is less than the arbitrarily small number

   [1]caucus
          [cau.cus] n [origin unknown] (1763): a closed meeting of
          a group of persons belonging to the same political party
          or faction usu. to select candidates or to decide on
          policy; also: a group of people united to promote an
          agreed-upon cause [2]caucus vi (1788): to meet in or
          hold a caucus

   caudad
          [cau.dad] adv [L cauda] (1889): toward the tail or posterior
          end

   caudal
          [cau.dal] adj [NL caudalis, fr. L cauda tail] (1661) 1: of,
          relating to, or being a tail 2: situated in or directed
          toward the hind part of the body -- cau.dal.ly adv

   caudate
          [cau.date] adj (1600): having a tail or a taillike appendage

   caudate nucleus
          [caudate nucleus] n (ca. 1903): the most medial of the four
          basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere--called also
          caudate

   caudex
          [cau.dex] n, pl cau.di.ces or cau.dex.es [L, tree trunk or
          stem] (ca. 1797) 1: the stem of a palm or tree fern 2:
          the woody base of a perennial plant

   caudillismo
          [cau.di.llis.mo] n [Sp, fr. caudillo] (1927): the doctrine
          or practice of a caudillo

   caudillo
          [cau.di.llo] n, pl -llos [Sp, fr. LL capitellum small head--more
          at cadet] (1852): a Spanish or Latin-American military
          dictator

   caudle
          [cau.dle] n [ME caudel, fr. ONF, fr. caut warm, fr. L calidus--more
          at cauldron] (14c): a drink (as for invalids) usu. of warm ale
          or wine mixed with bread or gruel, eggs, sugar, and spices

   [1]caught
          [caught] past and past part of catch [2]caught adj (1858):
          pregnant--often used in the phrase get caught

   caul
          [caul] n [ME calle, fr. MF cale] (14c) 1: the large fatty
          omentum covering the intestines (as of a cow, sheep,
          or pig) 2: the inner fetal membrane of higher vertebrates
          esp. when covering the head at birth

   cauldron
          [caul.dron] n [ME, alter. of cauderon, fr. ONF, dim. of caudiere,
          fr. LL caldaria, fr. fem. of L caldarius used for hot
          water, fr. calidus warm, fr. calere to be warm--more
          at lee] (14c) 1: a large kettle or boiler 2: something
          resembling a boiling cauldron <a ~ of intense emotions>

   cauliflower
          [cau.li.flow.er] n, often attrib [It cavolfiore, fr. cavolo
          cabbage (fr. LL caulus, fr. L caulis stem, cabbage) +
          fiore flower, fr. L flor-, flos--more at cole, blow]
          (1597): a garden plant (Brassica oleracea botrytis) related
          to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head
          of usu. white undeveloped flowers; also: its flower cluster
          used as a vegetable

   cauliflower ear
          [cauliflower ear] n (1909): an ear deformed from injury and
          excessive growth of reparative tissue

   caulifloweret
          [cau.li.flow.er.et] n (1946): a bite-size piece of cauliflower

   cauline
          [cau.line] adj [prob. fr. NL caulinus, fr. L caulis] (1756):
          of, relating to, or growing on a stem and esp. on the
          upper part

   [1]caulk
          [caulk] vt [ME caulken, fr. ONF cauquer to trample, fr. L
          calcare, fr. calc-, calx heel] (15c): to stop up and
          make tight against leakage (as a boat or its seams, the
          cracks in a window frame, or the joints of a pipe) --
          caulk.er n [2]caulk also caulk.ing n (1954): material
          used to caulk [3]caulk var of [2]calk

   caus
          [caus] abbreviation causative

   causal
          [caus.al] adj (ca. 1530) 1: expressing or indicating cause:
          causative <a ~ clause introduced by since> 2: of, relating
          to, or constituting a cause <the ~ agent of a disease>
          3: involving causation or a cause <the relationship ...
          was not one of ~ antecedence so much as one of analogous
          growth --H. O. Taylor> 4: arising from a cause <a ~ development>
          -- caus.al.ly adv

   causalgia
          [cau.sal.gia] n [NL, fr. Gk kausos fever (fr. kaiein to burn)
          + NL -algia] (1872): a constant usu. burning pain resulting
          from injury to a peripheral nerve -- cau.sal.gic adj

   causality
          [cau.sal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1603) 1: a causal quality or
          agency 2: the relation between a cause and its effect
          or between regularly correlated events or phenomena

   causa sine qua non
          [cau.sa si.ne qua non] [L] foreign term : an indispensable
          cause or condition

   causation
          [cau.sa.tion] n (1615) 1 a: the act or process of causing
          b: the act or agency which produces an effect 2: causality

   causative
          [caus.a.tive] adj (15c) 1: effective or operating as a cause
          or agent <~ bacteria of cholera> 2: expressing causation;
          specif: being a linguistic form that indicates that the
          subject causes an act to be performed or a condition
          to come into being -- causative n -- caus.a.tive.ly adv

   [1]cause
          [cause] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L causa] (13c) 1 a: a reason for
          an action or condition: motive b: something that brings
          about an effect or a result c: a person or thing that
          is the occasion of an action or state; esp: an agent
          that brings something about d: sufficient reason <discharged
          for ~> 2 a: a ground of legal action b: case 3: a matter
          or question to be decided 4 a: a principle or movement
          militantly defended or supported b: a charitable undertaking
          <for a good ~> -- cause.less adj [2]cause vt caused ;
          caus.ing (14c) 1: to serve as a cause or occasion of:
          make 2: to effect by command, authority, or force --
          caus.er n

   cause celebre
          [cause ce.le.bre] n, pl causes ce.le.bres [F, lit., celebrated
          case] (1763) 1: a legal case that excites widespread
          interest 2: a notorious person, thing, incident, or episode

   causerie
          [cau.se.rie] n [F, fr. causer to chat, fr. L causari to plead,
          discuss, fr. causa] (1827) 1: an informal conversation:
          chat 2: a short informal essay

   causeway
          [cause.way] n [ME cauciwey, fr. cauci + wey way] (15c) 1:
          a raised way across wet ground or water 2: highway; esp:
          one of ancient Roman construction in Britain -- causeway
          vt

   causey
          [cau.sey] n, pl causeys [ME cauci, fr. ONF caucie, fr. ML
          calciata paved highway, prob. fr. L calc-, calx limestone--more
          at chalk] (14c) 1: causeway 1 2 obs: causeway 2

   [1]caustic
          [caus.tic] adj [L causticus, fr. Gk kaustikos, fr. kaiein
          to burn] (14c) 1: capable of destroying or eating away
          by chemical action: corrosive 2: marked by incisive sarcasm
          3: relating to or being the surface or curve of a caustic
          -- caus.ti.cal.ly adv -- caus.tic.i.ty n syn caustic,
          mordant, acrid, scathing mean stingingly incisive. caustic
          suggests a biting wit <caustic comments>. mordant suggests
          a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness <mordant
          reviews of the play>. acrid implies bitterness and often
          malevolence <acrid invective>. scathing implies indignant
          attacks delivered with fierce severity <a scathing satire>.
          [2]caustic n (15c) 1: a caustic agent: as a: a substance
          that burns or destroys organic tissue by chemical action
          b: sodium hydroxide 2: the envelope of rays emanating
          from a point and reflected or refracted by a curved surface

   caustic potash
          [caustic potash] n (1869): potassium hydroxide

   caustic soda
          [caustic soda] n (1876): sodium hydroxide

   cauterize
          [cau.ter.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (14c) 1: to sear with a
          cautery or caustic 2: to make insensible: deaden <must
          oust the feeling, or ~ it --Robert Craft> -- cau.ter.iza.tion
          n

   cautery
          [cau.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [L cauterium, fr. Gk kauterion
          branding iron, fr. kaiein] (14c) 1: the act or effect
          of cauterizing: cauterization 2: an agent (as a hot iron
          or caustic) used to burn, sear, or destroy tissue

   [1]caution
          [cau.tion] n [L caution-, cautio precaution, fr. cavere to
          be on one's guard--more at hear] (1596) 1: warning, admonishment
          2: precaution 3: prudent forethought to minimize risk
          4: one that astonishes or commands attention <some shoes
          you see ... these days are a ~ --Esquire> -- cau.tion.ary
          adj [2]caution vt cau.tioned ; cau.tion.ing (1683): to
          advise caution to

   cautious
          [cau.tious] adj (ca. 1640): marked by or given to caution
          -- cau.tious.ly adv -- cau.tious.ness n syn cautious,
          circumspect, wary, chary mean prudently watchful and
          discreet in the face of danger or risk. cautious implies
          the exercise of forethought usu. prompted by fear of
          danger <a cautious driver>. circumspect suggests less
          fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences
          before acting or deciding <circumspect in his business
          dealings>. wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness
          in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it <keeps
          a wary eye on the competition>. chary implies a cautious
          reluctance to give, act, or speak freely <chary of signing
          papers without having read them first>.

   cav
          [cav] abbreviation cavalry, cavity

   cavalcade
          [cav.al.cade] n [F, ride on horseback, fr. OIt cavalcata,
          fr. cavalcare to go on horseback, fr. LL caballicare,
          fr. L caballus horse; akin to Gk kaballeion horse, MIr
          capall workhorse] (1644) 1 a: a procession of riders
          or carriages b: a procession of vehicles or ships 2:
          a dramatic sequence or procession: series

   [1]cavalier
          [cav.a.lier] n [MF, fr. OIt cavaliere, fr. OProv cavalier,
          fr. LL caballarius horseman, fr. L caballus] (1589) 1:
          a gentleman trained in arms and horsemanship 2: a mounted
          soldier: knight 3 cap: an adherent of Charles I of England
          4: gallant [2]cavalier adj (ca. 1641) 1: debonair 2:
          marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal
          of important matters 3 a cap: of or relating to the party
          of Charles I of England in his struggles with the Puritans
          and Parliament b: aristocratic c cap: of or relating
          to the English Cavalier poets of the mid-17th century
          -- ca.va.lier.ism n -- cav.a.lier.ly adv

   cavalier King Charles spaniel
          [cavalier King Charles spaniel] n [[1]cavalier + King Charles
          spaniel, a breed of toy spaniel, fr. Charles II of England]
          (1969): any of a breed of toy spaniels with a tapered
          muzzle and a long silky coat

   cavalla
          [ca.val.la] n, pl -la or -las [Sp caballa, a fish, fr. LL,
          mare, fem. of L caballus] (1624) 1 also ca.val.ly : any
          of various carangid fishes (esp. genus Caranx) 2: cero

   cavalletti
          [cav.al.let.ti] also cav.a.let.ti n pl but sing or pl in
          constr [It, pl. of cavalletto trestle, dim. of cavallo
          horse, fr. L caballus] (1950): a series of timber jumps
          that are adjustable in height for schooling horses

   cavalry
          [cav.al.ry] n, pl -ries [It cavalleria cavalry, chivalry,
          fr. cavaliere] (1546) 1 a: an army component mounted
          on horseback b: an army component moving in motor vehicles
          or helicopters and assigned to combat missions that require
          great mobility 2: horsemen <a thousand ~ in flight>

   cavalryman
          [cav.al.ry.man] n (1860): a cavalry soldier

   cavalry twill
          [cavalry twill] n (1942): tricotine

   cavatina
          [cav.a.ti.na] n [It, fr. cavata production of sound from
          an instrument, extraction, fr. cavare to dig out, fr.
          L, to make hollow, fr. cavus] (1813) 1: an operatic solo
          simpler and briefer than an aria 2: a songlike instrumental
          piece or movement

   [1]cave
          [cave] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L cava, fr. cavus hollow; akin
          to Gk koilos hollow, and prob. to Gk kyein to be pregnant--more
          at cyme] (13c) 1: a natural underground chamber or series
          of chambers open to the surface 2: a usu. underground
          chamber for storage <a wine ~>; also: the articles stored
          there [2]cave vb caved ; cav.ing vt (15c): to form a
          cave in or under: hollow, undermine ~ vi: to explore
          caves esp. as a sport or hobby -- cav.er n [3]cave vb
          caved ; cav.ing [prob. alter. of calve] vi (1513) 1:
          to fall in or down esp. from being undermined--usu. used
          with in 2: to cease to resist: submit--usu. used with
          in ~ vt: to cause to fall or collapse--usu. used with
          in

   caveat
          [ca.ve.at] n [L, let him beware, fr. cavere--more at hear]
          (1533) 1 a: a warning enjoining one from certain acts
          or practices b: an explanation to prevent misinterpretation
          2: a legal warning to a judicial officer to suspend a
          proceeding until the opposition has a hearing

   caveat emptor
          [caveat emp.tor] n [NL, let the buyer beware] (1523): a principle
          in commerce: without a warranty the buyer takes the risk

   caveat lector
          [ca.ve.at lec.tor] [L] foreign term : let the reader beware

   cave canem
          [ca.ve ca.nem] [L] foreign term : beware the dog

   cave dweller
          [cave dweller] n (1865) 1: one (as a prehistoric man) that
          dwells in a cave 2: one that lives in a city apartment
          building

   cave-in
          [cave-in] n (1860) 1: the action of caving in 2: a place
          where earth has caved in

   caveman
          [cave.man] n (1865) 1: a cave dweller esp. of the Stone Age
          2: a man who acts in a rough or crude manner

   [1]cavern
          [cav.ern] n [ME caverne, fr. MF, fr. L caverna, fr. cavus]
          (14c): cave; esp: one of large or indefinite extent [2]cavern
          vt (ca. 1630) 1: to place in or as if in a cavern 2:
          to form a cavern of: hollow--used with out

   cavernicolous
          [cav.er.nic.o.lous] adj (ca. 1889): inhabiting caves

   cavernous
          [cav.ern.ous] adj (15c) 1 a: having caverns or cavities b
          of animal tissue: composed largely of vascular sinuses
          and capable of dilating with blood to bring about the
          erection of a body part 2: constituting or suggesting
          a cavern -- cav.ern.ous.ly adv

   cavetto
          [ca.vet.to] n, pl -ti [It, fr. cavo hollow, fr. L cavus]
          (1664): a concave molding having a curve that approximates
          a quarter circle--see molding illustration

   caviar
          [cav.i.ar] or cav.i.are n [earlier cavery, caviarie, fr.
          obs. It caviari, pl. of caviaro, fr. Turk havyar] (ca.
          1560) 1: processed salted roe of large fish (as sturgeon)
          2: something considered too delicate or lofty for mass
          appreciation--usu. used in the phrase caviar to the general
          3: something considered the best of its kind <the ~ of
          porcelain>

   cavil
          [cav.il] vb -iled or -illed ; -il.ing or -il.ling [L cavillari
          to jest, cavil, fr. cavilla raillery; akin to L calvi
          to deceive--more at calumny] vi (1542): to raise trivial
          and frivolous objection ~ vt: to raise trivial objections
          to -- cavil n -- cav.il.er or cav.il.ler n

   caving
          [cav.ing] n (1932): the sport of exploring caves: spelunking

   cavitary
          [cav.i.tary] adj (1835): of, relating to, or characterized
          by bodily cavitation <~ tuberculosis> <~ lesions>

   cavitate
          [cav.i.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing vi (1909): to form cavities
          or bubbles ~ vt: to cavitate in

   cavitation
          [cav.i.ta.tion] n [cavity + -ation] (1895): the process of
          cavitating: as a: the formation of partial vacuums in
          a liquid by a swiftly moving solid body (as a propeller)
          or by high-intensity sound waves; also: the pitting and
          wearing away of solid surfaces (as of metal or concrete)
          as a result of the collapse of these vacuums in surrounding
          liquid b: the formation of cavities in an organ or tissue
          esp. in disease

   cavity
          [cav.i.ty] n, pl -ties [MF cavite, fr. LL cavitas, fr. L
          cavus] (1541) 1: an unfilled space within a mass; esp:
          a hollowed-out space 2: an area of decay in a tooth:
          caries

   cavort
          [ca.vort] vi [perh. alter. of curvet] (1794) 1: prance 2:
          to engage in extravagant behavior

   CAVU
          [CAVU] abbreviation ceiling and visibility unlimited

   cavy
          [ca.vy] n, pl cavies [NL Cavia, genus name, fr. obs. Pg cavia
          (now savia), fr. Tupi sawiya rat] (1796): any of several
          short-tailed rough-haired So. American rodents (family
          Caviidae); esp: guinea pig

   caw
          [caw] vi [imit.] (1589): to utter the harsh raucous natural
          call of the crow or a similar cry -- caw n

   cay
          [cay] n [Sp cayo--more at key] (1707): a low island or reef
          of sand or coral

   cayenne pepper
          [cay.enne pepper] n [by folk etymology fr. earlier cayan,
          modif. of Tupi kyinha] (1756) 1: a pungent condiment
          consisting of the ground dried fruits or seeds of hot
          peppers 2: hot pepper; esp: a cultivated pepper with
          very long twisted pungent red fruits 3: the fruit of
          a cayenne pepper

   cayman
          [cay.man] var of caiman

   Cayuga
          [Ca.yu.ga] n, pl Cayuga or Cayugas (1744) 1: a member of
          an American Indian people of New York 2: the Iroquoian
          language of the Cayuga people

   Cayuse
          [Cay.use] n, pl Cayuse or Cayuses (1825) 1: a member of an
          American Indian people of Oregon and Washington 2 pl
          cayuses, not cap, West: a native range horse

   cb...
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   Cb
          [Cb] abbreviation columbium, cumulonimbus

   CB
          [CB] n (1959): citizens band; also: the radio transmitting
          and receiving set used for citizens-band communications

   CBC
          [CBC] abbreviation Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

   CBD
          [CBD] abbreviation cash before delivery, central business
          district

   CBE
          [CBE] abbreviation commander of the Order of the British
          Empire, companion of the Order of the British Empire

   CBer
          [CBer] n (1959): one that operates a CB radio

   CBI
          [CBI] abbreviation computer-based instruction, Cumulative
          Book Index

   CBO
          [CBO] abbreviation Congressional Budget Office

   CBS
          [CBS] abbreviation Columbia Broadcasting System

   CBW
          [CBW] abbreviation chemical and biological warfare

   cc...
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   cc
          [cc] abbreviation cubic centimeter  Cc abbreviation cirrocumulus
          CC abbreviation carbon copy, chief clerk, common carrier,
          community college, country club

   CCC
          [CCC] abbreviation Civilian Conservation Corps

   CCD
          [CCD] abbreviation Confraternity of Christian Doctrine

   CCD
          [CCD] n (1973): charge-coupled device

   CCF
          [CCF] abbreviation Chinese communist forces

   cckw
          [cckw] abbreviation counterclockwise

   CCTV
          [CCTV] abbreviation closed-circuit television

   CCU
          [CCU] abbreviation cardiac care unit, coronary care unit,
          critical care unit

   ccw
          [ccw] abbreviation counterclockwise

   cd...
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   cd
          [cd] abbreviation candela, candle, cord  Cd abbreviation
          cadmium  CD abbreviation carried down, certificate of
          deposit, civil defense, [F corps diplomatique] diplomatic
          corps

   CD
          [CD] n (1979): compact disc

   CD4
          [CD4] n [cluster of differentiation] (1985): a large glycoprotein
          that is found on the surface of T4 cells and is the receptor
          for HIV

   CDC
          [CDC] abbreviation Centers for Disease Control

   CDD
          [CDD] abbreviation certificate of disability for discharge

   cdg
          [cdg] abbreviation commanding

   Cdn
          [Cdn] abbreviation Canadian

   cDNA
          [cDNA] n [complementary] (1973): a strand of DNA that is
          complementary to a given messenger RNA and that serves
          as a template for production of the messenger RNA in
          the presence of reverse transcriptase

   CDP
          [CDP] abbreviation certificate in data processing

   CDR
          [CDR] abbreviation commander

   CD-ROM
          [CD-ROM] n [compact disc read-only memory] (1983): a compact
          disc containing data that can be read by a computer

   CDT
          [CDT] abbreviation central daylight time

   ce...
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   Ce
          [Ce] abbreviation cerium  CE abbreviation chemical engineer,
          civil engineer, Christian Era--often punctuated; Common
          Era--often punctuated; Corps of Engineers

   CEA
          [CEA] abbreviation College English Association, Council of
          Economic Advisors

   ceanothus
          [ce.a.no.thus] n [NL, fr. Gk keanothos, a thistle] (1785):
          any of a genus (Ceanothus) of American vines, shrubs,
          and small trees of the buckthorn family having the calyx
          disk adherent to the ovary

   [1]cease
          [cease] vb ceased ; ceas.ing [ME cesen, fr. MF cesser, fr.
          L cessare to hold back, be remiss, freq. of cedere] vt
          (14c): to cause to come to an end esp. gradually: no
          longer continue ~ vi 1 a: to come to an end b: to bring
          an activity or action to an end: discontinue 2 obs: to
          become extinct: die out syn see stop [2]cease n (14c):
          cessation--usu. used with without

   cease and desist order
          [cease and desist order] n (1926): an order from an administrative
          agency to refrain from a method of competition or a labor practice
          found by the agency to be unfair

   cease-fire
          [cease-fire] n (1859) 1: a military order to cease firing
          2: a suspension of active hostilities

   ceaseless
          [cease.less] adj (1586): continuing without cease: constant
          -- cease.less.ly adv -- cease.less.ness n

   cecropia moth
          [ce.cro.pia moth] n [NL cecropia, fr. L, fem. of Cecropius
          Athenian, fr. Gk Kekropios, fr. Kekrops Cecrops, legendary
          king of Athens] (1885): a large No. American saturniid
          moth (Hyalophora cecropia) that is brown with red, white,
          and black markings

   cecum
          [ce.cum] n, pl ce.ca [NL, fr. L intestinum caecum, lit.,
          blind intestine] (ca. 1721): a cavity open at one end
          (as the blind end of a duct); esp: the blind pouch at
          the beginning of the large intestine into which the ileum
          opens from one side and which is continuous with the
          colon -- ce.cal adj -- ce.cal.ly adv

   CED
          [CED] abbreviation Committee for Economic Development

   cedant arma togae
          [ce.dant ar.ma to.gae] [L] foreign term : let arms yield
          to the toga: let military power give way to civil power--motto
          of Wyoming

   cedar
          [ce.dar] n [ME cedre, fr. OF, fr. L cedrus, fr. Gk kedros]
          (14c) 1 a: any of a genus (Cedrus) of usu. tall coniferous
          trees (as the cedar of Lebanon or the deodar) of the
          pine family noted for their fragrant durable wood b:
          any of numerous coniferous trees (as of the genera Juniperus,
          Chamaecyparis, or Thuja) that resemble the true cedars
          esp. in the fragrance and durability of their wood 2:
          the wood of a cedar

   cedar-apple rust
          [ce.dar-ap.ple rust] n (1946): a gall-producing disease esp.
          of the apple caused by a rust fungus (Gymnosporangium
          juniperi-virginianae) that completes the first part of
          its life cycle on the common red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
          and the second on the leaves and fruit of the apple

   cedarbird
          [ce.dar.bird] n (1883): cedar waxwing

   cedarn
          [ce.darn] adj (1634) archaic: made or suggestive of cedar

   cedar of Lebanon
          [cedar of Leb.a.non] (14c): a long-lived cedar (Cedrus libani)
          native to Asia Minor with short fascicled leaves and
          erect cones

   cedar waxwing
          [cedar waxwing] n (ca. 1844): a brown gregarious American
          waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) with a yellow band on the
          tip of the tail and a pale yellow belly

   cedarwood
          [ce.dar.wood] n (14c): the wood of a cedar that is esp. repellent
          to insects

   cede
          [cede] vt ced.ed ; ced.ing [F or L; F ceder, fr. L cedere
          to go, withdraw, yield] (1754) 1: to yield or grant typically
          by treaty 2: assign, transfer -- ced.er n

   cedi
          [ce.di] n [Twi sedi cowry] (1965): the basic monetary unit
          of Ghana

   cedilla
          [ce.dil.la] n [Sp, the obs. letter c (actually a medieval
          form of the letter z), cedilla, fr. dim. of ceda, zeda
          the letter z, fr. LL zeta--more at zed] (1599): a diacritical
          mark placed under a letter[ ]to indicate an alteration
          or modification of its usual phonetic value

   cee
          [cee] n (1542): the letter c

   ceiba
          [cei.ba] n [Sp] (1790) 1: a massive tropical tree (Ceiba
          pentandra) of the silk-cotton family with large pods
          filled with seeds invested with a silky floss that yields
          the fiber kapok 2: kapok

   ceil
          [ceil] vt [ME celen, fr. ML celare, caelare, perh. fr. L
          caelare to carve, fr. caelum chisel; akin to L caedere
          to cut] (15c) 1: to furnish (as a wooden ship) with a
          lining 2: to furnish with a ceiling

   ceiling
          [ceil.ing] n [ME celing, fr. celen] (1535) 1 a: the overhead
          inside lining of a room b: material used to ceil a wall
          or roof of a room 2: something thought of as an overhanging
          shelter or a lofty canopy <a ~ of stars> 3 a: the height
          above the ground from which prominent objects on the
          ground can be seen and identified b: the height above
          the ground of the base of the lowest layer of clouds
          when over half of the sky is obscured 4 a: absolute ceiling
          b: service ceiling 5: an upper usu. prescribed limit
          <a ~ on prices, rents, and wages> -- ceil.inged adj

   ceilometer
          [ceil.om.e.ter] n [ceiling + -o- + -meter] (1943): a photoelectric
          instrument for determining by triangulation the height of the cloud
          ceiling above the earth

   ceinture
          [cein.ture] n [ME seynture, fr. MF ceinture, fr. L cinctura--more
          at cincture] (15c): a belt or sash for the waist

   cel
          [cel] also cell n [short for celluloid] (1938): a transparent
          sheet of celluloid on which objects are drawn or painted
          in the making of animated cartoons

   celadon
          [cel.a.don] n [F celadon] (ca. 1768) 1: a grayish yellow
          green 2: a ceramic glaze originated in China that is
          greenish in color; also: an article with a celadon glaze

   celandine
          [cel.an.dine] n [ME celidoine, fr. MF, fr. L chelidonia,
          fr. fem. of chelidonius of the swallow, fr. Gk chelidonios,
          fr. chelidon-, chelidon swallow] (12c) 1: a yellow-flowered
          Eurasian biennial herb (Chelidonium majus) of the poppy
          family naturalized in the eastern U.S. 2: lesser celandi
          ne

   -cele
          [-cele] n comb form [MF, fr. L, fr. Gk kele; akin to OE heala
          hernia]: tumor: hernia <varicocele>

   celeb
          [ce.leb] n (ca. 1912): celebrity 2

   celebrant
          [cel.e.brant] n (1839): one who celebrates; specif: the priest
          officiating at the Eucharist

   celebrate
          [cel.e.brate] vb -brat.ed ; -brat.ing [L celebratus, pp.
          of celebrare to frequent, celebrate, fr. celebr-, celeber
          much frequented, famous; perh. akin to L celer] vt (15c)
          1: to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly
          and with appropriate rites <~ the mass> 2 a: to honor
          (as a holiday) by solemn ceremonies or by refraining
          from ordinary business b: to mark (as an anniversary)
          by festivities or other deviation from routine 3: to
          hold up or play up for public notice <her poetry ~s the
          glory of nature> ~ vi 1: to observe a holiday, perform
          a religious ceremony, or take part in a festival 2: to
          observe a notable occasion with festivities syn see keep
          -- cel.e.bra.tion n -- cel.e.bra.tor n -- cel.e.bra.to.ry
          adj

   celebrated
          [cel.e.brat.ed] adj (ca. 1669): widely known and often referred
          to syn see famous -- cel.e.brat.ed.ness n

   celebrity
          [ce.leb.ri.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the state of being celebrated
          2: a celebrated person

   celeriac
          [ce.le.ri.ac] n [irreg. fr. celery] (1743): a celery (Apium
          graveolens rapaceum) grown for its knobby edible root--called
          also celery root

   celerity
          [ce.ler.i.ty] n [ME celerite, fr. MF, fr. L celeritat-, celeritas,
          fr. celer swift--more at hold] (15c): rapidity of motion or action

   celery
          [cel.ery] n, pl -er.ies [obs. F celeris, fr. It dial. seleri,
          pl. of selero, modif. of LL selinon, fr. Gk] (1664):
          a European herb (Apium graveolens) of the carrot family;
          specif: one of a cultivated variety (A. graveolens dulce)
          with leafstalks eaten raw or cooked

   celery cabbage
          [celery cabbage] n (1930): chinese cabbage b

   celesta
          [ce.les.ta] or ce.leste n [F celesta, alter. of celeste,
          lit., heavenly, fr. L caelestis] (1899): a keyboard instrument
          with hammers that strike steel plates producing a tone
          similar to that of a glockenspiel

   [1]celestial
          [ce.les.tial] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L caelestis celestial,
          fr. caelum sky] (14c) 1: of, relating to, or suggesting
          heaven or divinity 2: of or relating to the sky or visible
          heavens <the sun, moon, and stars are ~ bodies> 3 a:
          ethereal, otherworldly b: olympian, supreme 4 cap [Celestial
          Empire, old name for China]: of or relating to China
          or the Chinese -- ce.les.tial.ly adv [2]celestial n (1573)
          1: a heavenly or mythical being 2 cap: chinese 1a

   celestial equator
          [celestial equator] n (1875): the great circle on the celestial
          sphere midway between the celestial poles

   celestial globe
          [celestial globe] n (ca. 1771): a globe depicting the celestial
          bodies

   celestial hierarchy
          [celestial hierarchy] n (1883): a traditional hierarchy of
          angels ranked from lowest to highest into the following
          nine orders: angels, archangels, principalities, powers,
          virtues, dominions, thrones, cherubim, and seraphim

   celestial marriage
          [celestial marriage] n (1919): a special order of Mormon
          marriage solemnized in a Mormon temple and held to be
          binding for a future life as well as the present one

   celestial navigation
          [celestial navigation] n (1939): navigation by observation
          of the positions of celestial bodies

   celestial pole
          [celestial pole] n (1868): either of the two points on the
          celestial sphere around which the diurnal rotation of
          the stars appears to take place

   celestial sphere
          [celestial sphere] n (1879): an imaginary sphere of infinite
          radius against which the celestial bodies appear to be
          projected and of which the apparent dome of the visible
          sky forms half

   celestite
          [ce.les.tite] n [G Zolestin, fr. L caelestis] (1854): a usu.
          white mineral consisting of the sulfate of strontium

   celiac
          [ce.li.ac] adj [L coeliacus, fr. Gk koiliakos, fr. koilia
          cavity, fr. koilos hollow--more at cave] (1662): of or
          relating to the abdominal cavity

   celiac disease
          [celiac disease] n (1911): a chronic nutritional disorder
          esp. in young children that is characterized by defective
          digestion and utilization of fats and often by abdominal
          distention, diarrhea, and fatty stools

   celibacy
          [cel.i.ba.cy] n (1663) 1: the state of not being married
          2 a: abstention from sexual intercourse b: abstention
          by vow from marriage

   celibate
          [cel.i.bate] n [L caelibatus, fr. caelib-, caelebs unmarried]
          (ca. 1847): a person who lives in celibacy -- celibate
          adj

   cell
          [cell] n [ME, fr. OE, religious house and OF celle hermit's
          cell, fr. L cella small room; akin to L celare to conceal--more
          at hell] (12c) 1: a small religious house dependent on
          a monastery or convent 2 a: a one-room dwelling occupied
          by a solitary person (as a hermit) b: a single room (as
          in a convent or prison) usu. for one person 3: a small
          compartment, cavity, or bounded space: as a: one of the
          compartments of a honeycomb b: a membranous area bounded
          by veins in the wing of an insect 4: a small usu. microscopic
          mass of protoplasm bounded externally by a semipermeable
          membrane, usu. including one or more nuclei and various
          other organelles with their products, capable alone or
          interacting with other cells of performing all the fundamental
          functions of life, and forming the smallest structural
          unit of living matter capable of functioning independently
          5 a (1): a receptacle (as a cup or jar) containing electrodes
          and an electrolyte either for generating electricity
          by chemical action or for use in electrolysis (2): fuel
          cell b: a single unit in a device for converting radiant
          energy into electrical energy or for varying the intensity
          of an electrical current in accordance with radiation
          6: a unit in a statistical array (as a spreadsheet) formed
          by the intersection of a column and a row 7: the basic
          and usu. smallest unit of an organization or movement
          <a communist ~> 8: a portion of the atmosphere that behaves
          as a unit 9: any of the small sections of a geographic
          area of a cellular telephone system

   [1]cellar
          [cel.lar] n [ME celer, fr. AF, fr. L cellarium storeroom,
          fr. cella] (13c) 1 a: basement; also: a covered excavation
          b: the lowest grade or rank; esp: the lowest place in
          the standings (as of an athletic league) 2: a stock of
          wines [2]cellar vt (1677): to put into a cellar (as for
          storage)

   cellarage
          [cel.lar.age] n (1602): cellar space esp. for storage

   cellarer
          [cel.lar.er] n [ME celerer, fr. OF, fr. LL cellariarius,
          fr. L cellarium] (13c): an official (as in a monastery)
          in charge of provisions

   cellarette
          [cel.lar.ette] or cel.lar.et n (ca. 1807): a case or sideboard
          for holding bottles of wine or liquor

   cell body
          [cell body] n (1878): the nucleus-containing central part
          of a neuron exclusive of its axons and dendrites--see
          neuron illustration

   cell cycle
          [cell cycle] n (1961): the complete series of events from
          one cell division to the next--compare g1phase, g2phase,
          m phase, s phase

   cell division
          [cell division] n (1882): the process by which cells multiply
          involving both nuclear and cytoplasmic division--compare
          meiosis, mitosis

   celled
          [celled] adj: having (such or so many) cells--used in combination
          <single-celled organisms>

   cell-mediated
          [cell-me.di.at.ed] adj (1967): relating to or being the part
          of immunity or the immune response that is mediated primarily
          by T cells

   cell membrane
          [cell membrane] n (1870): plasma membrane

   cello
          [cel.lo] n, pl cello also cel.li [short for violoncello]
          (ca. 1876): the bass member of the violin family tuned
          an octave below the viola -- cel.list n

   cellobiose
          [cel.lo.bi.ose] n [ISV cellulose + -o- + biose disaccharide,
          fr. [1]bi- + [2]-ose] (1902): a faintly sweet disaccharide
          obtained by partial hydrolysis of cellulose

   celloidin
          [cel.loi.din] n [cellulose + [1]-oid + [1]-in] (1883): a
          purified pyroxylin used chiefly in microscopy

   cellophane
          [cel.lo.phane] n [F, fr. cellulose + -phane (as in diaphane
          diaphanous, fr. ML diaphanus)] (1912): regenerated cellulose
          in thin transparent sheets used esp. for packaging

   cell plate
          [cell plate] n (1882): a disk formed in the phragmoplast
          of a dividing plant cell that eventually forms the middle
          lamella of the wall between the daughter cells

   cell sap
          [cell sap] n (ca. 1889) 1: the liquid contents of a plant
          cell vacuole 2: cytosol

   cell theory
          [cell theory] n (ca. 1890): a theory in biology that includes
          one or both of the statements that the cell is the fundamental
          structural and functional unit of living matter and that
          the organism is composed of autonomous cells with its
          properties being the sum of those of its cells

   cellular
          [cel.lu.lar] adj [NL cellularis, fr. cellula living cell,
          fr. L, dim. of cella small room] (ca. 1739) 1: of, relating
          to, or consisting of cells 2: containing cavities: having
          a porous texture <~ rocks> 3: of, relating to, or being
          a radiotelephone system in which a geographical area
          (as a city) is divided into small sections each served
          by a transmitter of limited range so that any available
          radio channel can be used in different parts of the area
          simultaneously -- cel.lu.lar.i.ty n

   cellulase
          [cel.lu.lase] n [ISV] (1903): an enzyme that hydrolyzes cellulose

   cellule
          [cel.lule] n [L cellula] (ca. 1693): a small cell

   cellulite
          [cel.lu.lite] n [F, lit., accumulation of subcutaneous fat,
          cellulitis, fr. cellule cell + -ite -itis] (1968): lumpy
          fat found in the thighs, hips, and buttocks of some women

   cellulitis
          [cel.lu.li.tis] n [NL, fr. cellula] (1861): diffuse and esp.
          subcutaneous inflammation of connective tissue

   celluloid
          [cel.lu.loid] n [fr. Celluloid, a trademark] (1871) 1: a
          tough flammable thermoplastic composed essentially of
          cellulose nitrate and camphor 2: a motion-picture film
          <a work ... making its third appearance on ~ --John McCarten>
          -- celluloid adj

   cellulolytic
          [cel.lu.lo.lyt.ic] adj [cellulose + -o- + -lytic] (1943):
          hydrolyzing or having the capacity to hydrolyze cellulose

   cellulose
          [cel.lu.lose] n [F, fr. cellule living cell, fr. NL cellula]
          (1848): a polysaccharide of glucose units that constitutes
          the chief part of the cell walls of plants, occurs naturally
          in such fibrous products as cotton and kapok, and is
          the raw material of many manufactured goods (as paper,
          rayon, and cellophane)

   cellulose acetate
          [cellulose acetate] n (1895): any of several compounds insoluble
          in water that are formed esp. by the action of acetic
          acid, anhydride of acetic acid, and sulfuric acid on
          cellulose and are used for making textile fibers, packaging
          sheets, photographic films, and varnishes

   cellulose nitrate
          [cellulose nitrate] n (1880): nitrocellulose

   cellulosic
          [cel.lu.los.ic] adj (1881): of, relating to, or made from
          cellulose -- cellulosic n

   cell wall
          [cell wall] n (ca. 1849): the usu. rigid nonliving permeable
          wall that surrounds the plasma membrane and encloses
          and supports the cells of most plants, bacteria, fungi,
          and algae--see cell illustration

   Celsius
          [Cel.si.us] adj [Anders Celsius] (ca. 1850): relating to,
          conforming to, or having the international thermometric
          scale on which the interval between the triple point
          of water and the boiling point of water is divided into
          99.99 degrees with 0.01 degrees representing the triple
          point and 100 degrees the boiling point <10 degrees ~>--abbr.
          C--compare centigrade

   celt
          [celt] n [LL celtis chisel] (1715): a prehistoric stone or
          metal implement shaped like a chisel or ax head Celt
          n [L Celtae, pl., fr. Gk Keltoi] (1550) 1: a member of
          a division of the early Indo-European peoples distributed
          from the British Isles and Spain to Asia Minor 2: a modern
          Gael, Highland Scot, Irishman, Welshman, Cornishman,
          or Breton

   [1]Celtic
          [Celt.ic] adj (1590): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the Celts or their languages [2]Celtic n (1739): a
          group of Indo-European languages usu. subdivided into
          Brythonic and Goidelic and now largely confined to Brittany,
          Wales, western Ireland, and the Scottish Highlands

   Celtic cross
          [Celtic cross] n (1873): a cross having essentially the form
          of a Latin cross with a ring about the intersection of
          the crossbar and upright shaft--see cross illustration

   Celticist
          [Celt.i.cist] n (1912): a specialist in Celtic languages
          or cultures

   cem
          [cem] abbreviation cement

   cembalo
          [cem.ba.lo] n, pl -ba.li or -balos [It] (ca. 1801): harpsichord

   [1]cement
          [ce.ment] n [ME sement, fr. MF ciment, fr. L caementum stone
          chips used in making mortar, fr. caedere to cut] (14c)
          1 a: a powder of alumina, silica, lime, iron oxide, and
          magnesium oxide burned together in a kiln and finely
          pulverized and used as an ingredient of mortar and concrete;
          also: any mixture used for a similar purpose b: concrete
          2: a binding element or agency: as a: a substance to
          make objects adhere to each other b: something serving
          to unite firmly <justice is the ~ that holds a political
          community together --R. M. Hutchins> 3: cementum 4: a
          plastic composition made esp. of zinc or silica for filling
          dental cavities 5: the fine-grained groundmass or glass
          of a porphyry [2]cement vt (14c) 1: to unite or make
          firm by or as if by cement 2: to overlay with concrete
          ~ vi: to become cemented -- ce.ment.er n

   cementation
          [ce.men.ta.tion] n (1594) 1: a process of surrounding a solid
          with a powder and heating the whole so that the solid
          is changed by chemical combination with the powder 2:
          the act or process of cementing: the state of being cemented

   cementite
          [ce.ment.ite] n [[1]cement] (1888): a hard brittle iron carbide
          that occurs in steel, cast iron, and iron-carbon alloys

   cementitious
          [ce.men.ti.tious] adj (ca. 1828): having the properties of
          cement

   cementum
          [ce.men.tum] n [NL, fr. L caementum] (1842): a specialized
          external bony layer covering the dentin of the part of
          a tooth normally within the gum--see tooth illustration

   cemetery
          [cem.e.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME cimitery, fr. MF cimitere,
          fr. LL coemeterium, fr. Gk koimeterion sleeping chamber,
          burial place, fr. koiman to put to sleep; akin to Gk
          keisthai to lie, Skt sete he lies] (15c): a burial ground

   CEMF
          [CEMF] abbreviation counter electromotive force

   cenacle
          [cen.a.cle] n [LL cenaculum the room where Christ and his
          disciples had the Last Supper, fr. L, top story, prob.
          fr. cena dinner] (1889): a retreat house; esp: one for
          Roman Catholic women directed by nuns of the Society
          of Our Lady of the Cenacle

   -cene
          [-cene] adj comb form [Gk kainos new, recent--more at recent]:
          recent--in names of geologic periods <Eocene>

   ce n'est que le premier pas qui coute
          [ce n'est que le pre.mier pas qui coute] [F] foreign term
          : it is only the first step that costs

   cenobite
          [cen.o.bite] n [LL coenobita, fr. coenobium monastery, fr.
          LGk koinobion, ultim. fr. Gk koin- coen- + bios life--more
          at quick] (ca. 1500): a member of a religious group living
          together in a monastic community -- cen.o.bit.ic adj

   cenospecies
          [ce.no.spe.cies] n [coen- + species] (1922): a group of related
          biological taxonomic units capable by reason of closely
          related genotypes of essentially free gene interchange

   cenotaph
          [ceno.taph] n [F cenotaphe, fr. L cenotaphium, fr. Gk kenotaphion,
          fr. kenos empty + taphos tomb] (1603): a tomb or a monument erected
          in honor of a person or group of persons whose remains are
          elsewhere

   cenote
          [ce.no.te] n [MexSp, fr. Yucatec ts'onot] (1841): a deep
          sinkhole in limestone with a pool at the bottom that
          is found esp. in Yucatan

   Cenozoic
          [Ce.no.zo.ic] adj [Gk kainos + E -zoic] (1854): of, relating
          to, or being an era of geological history that extends
          from the beginning of the Tertiary period to the present
          time and is marked by a rapid evolution of mammals and
          birds and of angiosperms and esp. grasses and by little
          change in the invertebrates; also: relating to the corresponding
          system of rocks -- Cenozoic n

   cense
          [cense] vt censed ; cens.ing [ME, prob. short for encensen
          to incense, fr. MF encenser, fr. LL incensare, fr. incensum
          incense] (14c): to perfume esp. with a censer

   censer
          [cen.ser] n (13c): a vessel for burning incense; esp: a covered
          incense burner swung on chains in a religious ritual

   [1]censor
          [cen.sor] n [L, fr. censere to give as one's opinion, assess;
          perh. akin to Skt samsati he praises] (1531) 1: one of
          two magistrates of early Rome acting as census takers,
          assessors, and inspectors of morals and conduct 2: one
          who supervises conduct and morals: as a: an official
          who examines materials (as publications or films) for
          objectionable matter b: an official (as in time of war)
          who reads communications (as letters) and deletes material
          considered sensitive or harmful 3: a hypothetical psychic
          agency that represses unacceptable notions before they
          reach consciousness -- cen.so.ri.al adj [2]censor vt
          cen.sored ; cen.sor.ing (1882): to examine in order to
          suppress or delete anything considered objectionable

   censorious
          [cen.so.ri.ous] adj [L censorius of a censor, fr. censor]
          (1536): marked by or given to censure syn see critical
          -- cen.so.ri.ous.ly adv -- cen.so.ri.ous.ness n

   censorship
          [cen.sor.ship] n (ca. 1591) 1 a: the institution, system,
          or practice of censoring b: the actions or practices
          of censors; esp: censorial control exercised repressively
          2: the office, power, or term of a Roman censor 3: exclusion
          from consciousness by the psychic censor

   censurable
          [cen.sur.able] adj (1635): deserving or open to censure

   [1]censure
          [cen.sure] n [L censura, fr. censere] (14c) 1: a judgment
          involving condemnation 2 archaic: opinion, judgment 3:
          the act of blaming or condemning sternly 4: an official
          reprimand [2]censure vt cen.sured ; cen.sur.ing (1587)
          1 obs: estimate, judge 2: to find fault with and criticize
          as blameworthy syn see criticize -- cen.sur.er n

   census
          [cen.sus] n [L, fr. censere] (1634) 1: a count of the population
          and a property evaluation in early Rome 2: a usu. complete
          enumeration of a population; specif: a periodic governmental
          enumeration of population 3: count, tally -- census vt

   cent
          [cent] abbreviation centigrade, central, centum, century
          Cent abbreviation Central

   cent
          [cent] n [MF, hundred, fr. L centum--more at hundred] (1782)
          1: a monetary unit equal to 1/100 of a basic unit of
          value (as a birr, dollar, gulden, leone, lilangeni, lira,
          pound, rand, rupee, or shilling) 2: a coin, token, or
          note representing one cent 3: the fen of the People's
          Republic of China

   cental
          [cen.tal] n [L centum + E -al (as in quintal)] (1870) chiefly
          Brit: hundredweight 1

   centaur
          [cen.taur] n [ME, fr. L Centaurus, fr. Gk Kentauros] (14c):
          any of a race of creatures fabled to be half man and
          half horse and to live in the mountains of Thessaly

   centaurea
          [cen.tau.rea] n [NL, genus name, fr. ML] (ca. 1829): any
          of a large genus (Centaurea) of composite herbs (as knapweed)
          including several cultivated for their showy heads of
          tubular florets

   Centaurus
          [Cen.tau.rus] n [L (gen. Centauri)]: a southern constellation
          between the Southern Cross and Hydra

   centaury
          [cen.tau.ry] n, pl -ries [ME centaure, fr. MF centauree,
          fr. ML centaurea, fr. L centaureum, fr. Gk kentaureion,
          fr. Kentauros] (14c) 1: any of a genus (Centaurium) of
          low herbs of the gentian family; esp: an Old World herb
          (C. umbellatum) formerly used as a tonic 2: an herb (Sabatia
          angularis) of the eastern U.S. closely related to centaury

   [1]centavo
          [cen.ta.vo] n, pl -vos [Sp, lit., hundredth, fr. ciento hundred,
          fr. L centum] (1883): a monetary unit equal to 1/100
          boliviano (Bolivia), 1/100 colon (El Salvador), 1/100
          cordoba (Nicaragua), 1/100 lempira (Honduras), 1/100
          peso (Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guinea-Bissau,
          Mexico), 1/100 quetzal (Guatemala), or 1/100 sucre (Ecuador)
          [2]cen.ta.vo n, pl -vos [Pg, fr. Sp] (1920): a monetary
          unit equal to 1/100 escudo (Cape Verde, Portugal) or
          metical (Mozambique)

   centenarian
          [cen.te.nar.i.an] n (ca. 1841): one that is 100 years old
          or older -- centenarian adj

   centenary
          [cen.te.na.ry] n, pl -ries [LL centenarium, fr. L centenarius
          of a hundred, fr. centeni one hundred each, fr. centum
          hundred--more at hundred] (1788): centennial -- centenary
          adj

   centennial
          [cen.ten.ni.al] n [L centum + E -ennial (as in biennial)]
          (1876): a 100th anniversary or its celebration -- centennial
          adj -- cen.ten.ni.al.ly adv

   [1]center
          [cen.ter] n [ME centre, fr. MF, fr. L centrum, fr. Gk kentron
          sharp point, center of a circle, fr. kentein to prick;
          prob. akin to OHG hantag pointed] (14c) 1 a: the point
          around which a circle or sphere is described; broadly:
          a point that is related to a geometrical figure in such
          a way that for any point on the figure there is another
          point on the figure such that a straight line joining
          the two points is bisected by the original point--called
          also center of symmetry b: the center of the circle inscribed
          in a regular polygon 2 a: a point, area, person, or thing
          that is most important or pivotal in relation to an indicated
          activity, interest, or condition <a railroad ~> <the
          ~ of the controversy> b: a source from which something
          originates <a propaganda ~> c: a gr oup of nerve cells
          having a common function <respiratory ~> d: a region
          of concentrated population <an urban ~> e: a facility
          providing a place for a particular activity or service
          <a day-care ~> 3 a: the middle part (as of the forehead
          or a stage) b often cap (1): a grouping of political
          figures holding moderate views esp. between those of
          conservatives and liberals (2): the views of such politicians
          (3): the adherents of such views 4 a: a player occupying
          a middle position on a team: as (1): the football player
          in the middle of a line who passes the ball between his
          legs to a back to start a down (2): the usu. tallest
          player on a basketball team who usu. plays near the basket
          b: center field 5 a: either of two tapered rods which
          support work in a lathe or grinding machine and about
          or with which the work revolves b: a conical recess in
          the end of work (as a shaft) for receiving such a center
          -- cen.ter.less adj [2]center vb cen.tered ; cen.ter.ing
          vt (1610) 1: to place or fix at or around a center or
          central area or position <~ the picture on the wall>
          2: to give a central focus or basis <~s her hopes on
          her son> <the plot was ~ed on espionage> 3: to adjust
          (as lenses) so that the axes coincide 4 a: to pass (a
          ball or puck) from either side toward the middle of the
          playing area b: to hand or pass (a football) backward
          between one's legs to a back to start a down ~ vi: to
          have a specified center: focus usage The intransitive
          verb center is most commonly used with the prepositions
          in, on, at, and around. At appears to be favored in mathematical
          contexts; the others are found in a broad range of contexts.
          Center around, a standard idiom, has often been objected
          to as illogical. The logic on which the objections are
          based is irrelevant, since center around is an idiom
          and idioms have their own logic. Center on is currently
          more common in edited prose, and revolve around and similar
          verbs are available if you want to avoid center around.

   centerboard
          [cen.ter.board] n (1867): a retractable keel used esp. in
          sailboats

   centered
          [cen.tered] adj (ca. 1893) 1: having a center--often used
          in combination <a dark-centered coneflower> 2: having
          a center of curvature--often used in combination <a 3-centered
          arch> 3: emotionally stable and secure -- cen.tered.ness
          n

   center field
          [center field] n (1857) 1: the position of the player for
          defending center field 2: the part of the baseball outfield
          between right and left field -- center fielder n

   centerfold
          [cen.ter.fold] n (1952) 1: a foldout that is the center spread
          of a magazine 2: a picture (as of a nude) on a centerfold;
          also: a model featured in such a picture

   centerline
          [cen.ter.line] n (1807): a real or imaginary line that is
          equidistant from the surface or sides of something

   center of curvature
          [center of curvature] (ca. 1856): the center of the circle
          whose center lies on the concave side of a curve on the
          normal to a given point of the curve and whose radius
          is equal to the radius of curvature at that point

   center of gravity
          [center of gravity] (1659) 1: center of mass 2: the point
          at which the entire weight of a body may be considered
          as concentrated so that if supported at this point the
          body would remain in equilibrium in any position 3: center
          2a

   center of mass
          [center of mass] (1879): the point in a body or system of
          bodies at which the whole mass may be considered as concentrated

   centerpiece
          [cen.ter.piece] n (1803) 1: an object occupying a central
          position; esp: an adornment in the center of a table
          2: one that is of central importance or interest in a
          larger whole

   center punch
          [center punch] n (1879): a hand punch consisting of a short
          steel bar with a hardened conical point at one end used
          for marking the centers of holes to be drilled

   center stage
          [center stage] n (1954) 1: the central part of a theatrical
          stage 2: a central or highly prominent position -- center
          stage adj or adv

   centesimal
          [cen.tes.i.mal] adj [L centesimus hundredth, fr. centum]
          (1809): marked by or relating to division into hundredths

   [1]centesimo
          [cen.tes.i.mo] n, pl -mi [It] (1851): a monetary unit of
          Italy equal to 1/100 lira [2]cen.tes.i.mo n, pl -mos
          [Sp centesimo] (ca. 1883): a monetary unit equal to 1/100
          balboa (Panama) or 1/100 peso (Uruguay)

   centi-
          [centi-] comb form [F&L; F, hundredth, fr. L, hundred, fr.
          centum--more at hundred] 1: hundred <centipede> 2: hundredth
          part <centimeter>

   centigrade
          [cen.ti.grade] adj [F, fr. L centi- hundred + F grade] (1801):
          relating to, conforming to, or having a thermometric
          scale on which the interval between the freezing point
          of water and the boiling point of water is divided into
          100 degrees with 0 degrees representing the freezing
          point and 100 degrees the boiling point <10 degrees ~>--abbr.
          C--compare celsius

   centigram
          [cen.ti.gram] n (1801): a unit of mass and weight equal to
          1/100 gram

   centiliter
          [cen.ti.li.ter] n (1801): a unit of liquid capacity equal
          to 1/100 liter

   centillion
          [cen.til.lion] n, often attrib [L centum + E -illion (as
          in million)] (ca. 1889): the figure 1 followed by 303
          zeroes: the figure 1,000 followed by 100 groups of three
          zeroes; also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by 600 zeroes:
          one millon to the 100th power

   centime
          [cen.time] n [F, fr. cent hundred, fr. L centum] (1801):
          a monetary unit equal to 1/100 dinar (Algeria), 1/100
          dirham (Morocco), 1/100 gourde (Haiti), or 1/100 franc

   centimeter
          [cen.ti.me.ter] n (1801): a metric unit of length equal to
          1/100 meter

   centimeter-gram-second
          [centimeter-gram-second] adj (1875): of, relating to, or
          being a system of units based on the centimeter as the
          unit of length, the gram as the unit of mass, and the
          second as the unit of time--abbr. cgs

   centimo
          [cen.ti.mo] n, pl -mos [Sp centimo] (1899): a monetary unit
          equal to 1/100 bolivar (Venezuela), 1/100 colon (Costa
          Rica), 1/100 dobra (Sao Tome and Principe), 1/100 guarani
          (Paraguay), or 1/100 peseta (Spain)

   centimorgan
          [cen.ti.mor.gan] n (1919): a genetic unit equivalent to 1/100
          of a morgan

   centipede
          [cen.ti.pede] n [L centipeda, fr. centi- + ped-, pes foot--more
          at foot] (1601): any of a class (Chilopoda) of long flattened
          many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment
          bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is
          modified into poison fangs

   centner
          [cent.ner] n [prob. fr. LG] (1683): any of various units
          of weight used esp. in Europe and usu. equal to about
          110 pounds (about 50 kilograms)

   cento
          [cen.to] n, pl cen.to.nes [LL, fr. L, patchwork garment;
          perh. akin to Skt kantha patched garment] (1605): a literary
          work made up of parts from other works

   CENTO
          [CENTO] abbreviation Central Treaty Organization

   centr-
          [centr-] or centri- or centro- comb form [Gk kentr-, kentro-,
          fr. kentron center--more at center]: center <centrifugal>
          <centroid>

   centra
          [centra] pl of centrum

   [1]central
          [cen.tral] adj [L centralis, fr. centrum center] (1647) 1:
          containing or constituting a center 2: of cardinal importance:
          essential, principal <the ~ character of the novel> 3
          a: situated at, in, or near the center b: easily accessible
          from outlying districts <a ~ location for the new theater>
          4 a: centrally placed and superseding separate scattered
          units <~ heating> b: controlling or directing local or
          branch activities <the ~ committee> 5: holding to a middle
          between extremes: moderate 6: of, relating to, or comprising
          the brain and spinal cord; also: originating within the
          central nervous system <~ deafness> -- cen.tral.ly adv
          [2]central n (1889) 1: a telephone exchange or operator
          2: a central office or bureau usu. controlling others
          <weather ~>

   central angle
          [central angle] n (1904): an angle formed by two radii of
          a circle

   central bank
          [central bank] n (1922): a national bank that operates to
          establish monetary and fiscal policy and to control the
          money supply and interest rate -- central banker n

   central casting
          [central casting] n (1957): the department of a movie studio
          responsible for casting actors--usu. used figuratively
          <a politician right out of central casting>

   central city
          [central city] n (1950): a city that constitutes the densely
          populated center of a metropolitan area

   centralise
          [cen.tral.ise] Brit var of centralize

   centralism
          [cen.tral.ism] n (1831): the concentration of power and control
          in the central authority of an organization (as a political
          or educational system)--compare federalism -- cen.tral.ist
          n or adj -- cen.tral.is.tic adj

   centrality
          [cen.tral.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1647) 1: the quality or state
          of being central 2: central situation 3: tendency to
          remain in or at the center

   centralize
          [cen.tral.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1800): to form a center:
          cluster around a center ~ vt 1: to bring to a center:
          consolidate <~ all the data in one file> 2: to concentrate
          by placing power and authority in a center or central
          organization -- cen.tral.i.za.tion n -- cen.tral.iz.er
          n

   central limit theorem
          [central limit theorem] n (1951): any of several fundamental
          theorems of probability and statistics that state the
          conditions under which the distribution of a sum of independent
          random variables is approximated by the normal distribution;
          esp: one which is much applied in sampling and which
          states that the distribution of a mean of a sample from
          a population with finite variance is approximated by
          the normal distribution as the number in the sample becomes
          large

   central nervous system
          [central nervous system] n (ca. 1907): the part of the nervous
          system which in vertebrates consists of the brain and
          spinal cord, to which sensory impulses are transmitted
          and from which motor impulses pass out, and which coordinates
          the activity of the entire nervous system--compare autonomic
          nervous system

   central processing unit
          [central processing unit] n (1961): processor 2a(2)--abbr.
          cpu

   central tendency
          [central tendency] n (ca. 1928): the degree of clustering
          of the values of a statistical distribution that is usu.
          measured by the arithmetic mean, mode, or median

   central time
          [central time] n, often cap C (1883): the time of the 6th
          time zone west of Greenwich that includes the central
          U.S.--see time zone illustration

   centre
          [cen.tre] chiefly Brit var of center

   centric
          [cen.tric] adj [Gk kentrikos of the center, fr. kentron]
          (ca. 1590) 1: located in or at a center: central <a ~
          point> 2: concentrated about or directed to a center
          <a ~ activity> 3: of, relating to, or having a centromere
          4: of, relating to, or resembling an order (Centrales)
          of radially symmetrical diatoms -- cen.tri.cal.ly adv
          -- cen.tric.i.ty n

   -centric
          [-centric] adj comb form [ML -centricus, fr. L centrum center]
          1: having (such) a center or (such or so many) centers
          <polycentric> 2: having (something specified) as its
          center <heliocentric>

   [1]centrifugal
          [cen.trif.u.gal] adj [NL centrifugus, fr. centr- + L fugere
          to flee--more at fugitive] (ca. 1721) 1: proceeding or
          acting in a direction away from a center or axis 2: using
          or acting by centrifugal force <a ~ pump> 3: efferent
          4: tending away from centralization: separatist <~ tendencies
          in modern society> -- cen.trif.u.gal.ly adv [2]centrifugal
          n (1866): a centrifugal machine or a drum in such a machine

   centrifugal force
          [centrifugal force] n (ca. 1721) 1: the force that tends
          to impel a thing or parts of a thing outward from a center
          of rotation 2: the force that an object moving along
          a circular path exerts on the body constraining the object
          and that acts outwardly away from the center of rotation
          <a stone whirled on a string exerts centrifugal force
          on the string>

   centrifugation
          [cen.tri.fu.ga.tion] n (1903): the process of centrifuging

   [1]centrifuge
          [cen.tri.fuge] n [F, fr. centrifuge centrifugal, fr.
          NL centrifugus] (1887): a machine using centrifugal force for
          separating substances of different densities, for removing
          moisture, or for simulating gravitational effects [2]centrifuge
          vt -fuged ; -fug.ing (ca. 1895): to subject to centrifugal action
          esp. in a centrifuge

   centriole
          [cen.tri.ole] n [G Zentriol, fr. Zentrum center] (ca. 1896):
          one of a pair of cellular organelles that occur esp.
          in animals, are adjacent to the nucleus, function in
          the formation of the spindle apparatus during cell division,
          and consist of a cylinder with nine microtubules arranged
          peripherally in a circle--see cell illustration

   centripetal
          [cen.trip.e.tal] adj [NL centripetus, fr. centr- + L petere
          to go to, seek--more at feather] (1709) 1: proceeding
          or acting in a direction toward a center or axis 2: afferent
          3: tending toward centralization: unifying -- cen.trip.e.tal.ly
          adv

   centripetal force
          [centripetal force] n (1709): the force that is necessary
          to keep an object moving in a circular path and that
          is directed inward toward the center of rotation <a string
          on the end of which a stone is whirled about exerts centripetal
          force on the stone>

   centrist
          [cen.trist] n (1872) 1 often cap: a member of a center party
          2: one who holds moderate views -- cen.trism n -- centrist
          adj

   centroid
          [cen.troid] n (1882) 1: center of mass 2: a point whose coordinates
          are the averages of the corresponding coordinates of a given set
          of points and which for a given planar or three-dimensional figure
          (as a triangle or sphere) corresponds to the center of mass
          of a thin plate of uniform thickness and consistency or a body
          of uniform consistency having the same boundary

   centromere
          [cen.tro.mere] n [ISV] (ca. 1925): the point or region on
          a chromosome to which the spindle attaches during mitosis
          and meiosis -- cen.tro.mer.ic adj

   centrosome
          [cen.tro.some] n [ISV] (1889) 1: centriole 2: the
          centriole-containing region of clear cytoplasm adjacent to the cell
          nucleus

   centrosymmetric
          [cen.tro.sym.met.ric] adj (ca. 1909): symmetric with respect
          to a central point <~ molecules> <a ~ curve>

   centrum
          [cen.trum] n, pl centrums or cen.tra [L--more at center]
          (1854) 1: center 2: the body of a vertebra ventral to
          the neural arch

   centum
          [cen.tum] adj [L, hundred; fr. the fact that its initial
          sound (a velar stop) is the representative of an IE palatal
          stop--more at hundred] (1901): of, relating to, or constituting
          an Indo-European language group in which the palatal
          stops did not in prehistoric times become palatal or
          alveolar fricatives--compare satem

   centurion
          [cen.tu.ri.on] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L centurion-, centurio,
          fr. centuria] (13c): an officer commanding a Roman century

   century
          [cen.tu.ry] n, pl -ries [L centuria, irreg. fr. centum hundred]
          (1533) 1: a subdivision of the Roman legion 2: a group,
          sequence, or series of 100 like things 3: a period of
          100 years esp. of the Christian era or of the preceding
          period of human history 4: a race over a hundred units
          (as yards or miles)

   century plant
          [century plant] n (1764): a Mexican agave (Agave americana)
          that takes many years to mature, flowers only once, and
          then dies

   CEO
          [CEO] n [chief executive officer] (1975): the executive with
          the chief decision-making authority in an organization
          or business

   ceorl
          [ceorl] n [OE--more at churl] (bef. 12c): a freeman of the
          lowest rank in Anglo-Saxon England

   cepe
          [cepe] also cep n [F, fr. Gascon cep tree trunk, mushroom,
          fr. L cippus stake, post] (1865): a wild edible boletus
          mushroom (esp. Boletus edulis)

   cephal-
          [cephal-] or cephalo- comb form [L, fr. Gk kephal-, kephalo-,
          fr. kephale]: head <cephalad> <cephalopod>

   cephalad
          [ceph.a.lad] adv (1887): toward the head or anterior end
          of the body

   cephalexin
          [ceph.a.lex.in] n [cephalosporin + -ex- (of unknown origin)
          + [1]-in] (1967): a semisynthetic cephalosporin with
          a spectrum of antibiotic activity similar to the penicillins

   cephalic
          [ce.phal.ic] adj [MF cephalique, fr. L cephalicus, fr. Gk
          kephalikos, fr. kephale head; akin to OHG gebal skull,
          ON gafl gable, Toch A spal head] (1599) 1: of or relating
          to the head 2: directed toward or situated on or in or
          near the head -- ce.phal.i.cal.ly adv

   cephalic index
          [cephalic index] n (1866): the ratio multiplied by 100 of
          the maximum breadth from side to side of the head to
          its maximum length from front to back in living
          individuals--compare cranial index

   cephalin
          [ceph.a.lin] n [ISV] (ca. 1899): phosphatidylethanolamine

   cephalization
          [ceph.a.li.za.tion] n (1864): a tendency in the evolution
          of organisms to concentrate the sensory and neural organs
          in an anterior head

   cephalometry
          [ceph.a.lom.e.try] n [ISV] (ca. 1889): the science of measuring
          the head in living individuals--compare craniometry --
          ceph.a.lo.met.ric adj

   cephalopod
          [ceph.a.lo.pod] n [ultim. fr. cephal- + Gk pod-, pous foot--more
          at foot] (1826): any of a class (Cephalopoda) of marine
          mollusks including the squids, cuttlefishes, and octopuses
          that move by expelling water from a tubular siphon under
          the head and that have a group of muscular usu. sucker-bearing
          arms around the front of the head, highly developed eyes,
          and usu. a sac containing ink which is ejected for defense
          or concealment -- cephalopod adj

   cephaloridine
          [ceph.a.lor.i.dine] n [prob. fr. cephalosporin + -idine]
          (1965): a semisynthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic derived
          from cephalosporin

   cephalosporin
          [ceph.a.lo.spo.rin] n [Cephalosporium, genus of fungi + [1]-in]
          (1951): any of several antibiotics produced by an imperfect
          fungus (genus Cephalosporium)

   cephalothin
          [ceph.a.lo.thin] n [cephalosporin + thi- + [1]-in] (1962):
          a semisynthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic derived from
          cephalosporin and used as the sodium salt

   cephalothorax
          [ceph.a.lo.tho.rax] n [ISV] (1835): the united head and thorax
          of an arachnid or higher crustacean

   Cepheid
          [Ce.phe.id] n [ISV, fr. Cepheus] (ca. 1903): any of a class
          of pulsating stars whose very regular light variations
          are related directly to their intrinsic luminosities
          and whose apparent luminosities are used to estimate
          distances in astronomy

   Cepheus
          [Ce.pheus] n [L (gen. Cephei), fr. Gk Kepheus]: a constellation
          between Cygnus and the north pole

   [1]ceramic
          [ce.ram.ic] adj [Gk keramikos, fr. keramos potter's clay,
          pottery] (1850): of or relating to the manufacture of
          any product (as earthenware, porcelain, or brick) made
          essentially from a nonmetallic mineral (as clay) by firing
          at a high temperature; also: of or relating to such a
          product [2]ceramic n (1859) 1 pl but sing in constr:
          the art or process of making ceramic articles 2: a product
          of ceramic manufacture

   ceramist
          [ce.ra.mist] or ce.ram.i.cist n (1855): one who engages in
          ceramics

   cerastes
          [ce.ras.tes] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk kerastes, lit., horned,
          fr. keras horn] (14c): a venomous viper (Cerastes cornutus)
          of the Near East having a horny process over each eye--called
          also horned viper

   cerate
          [ce.rate] n [ME, fr. L ceratum wax salve, fr. cera wax--more
          at cerumen] (15c): an unctuous preparation for external
          use consisting of wax or resin or spermaceti mixed with
          oil, lard, and medicinal ingredients

   ceratopsian
          [cer.a.top.sian] n [NL Ceratopsia, fr. Ceratops, a genus,
          fr. Gk kerat-, keras horn + ops face--more at horn, eye]
          (1909): any of a suborder (Ceratopsia) of ornithiscian
          dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous having horns, a sharp
          horny beak, and a bony frill projecting backward from
          the skull -- ceratopsian adj

   Cerberus
          [Cer.ber.us] n [L, fr. Gk Kerberos]: a 3-headed dog that
          in Greek mythology guards the entrance to Hades -- Cer.ber.e.an
          adj

   -cercal
          [-cercal] adj comb form [F -cerque, fr. Gk kerkos tail]:
          -tailed <homocercal>

   cercaria
          [cer.car.ia] n, pl -i.ae [NL, fr. Gk kerkos] (ca. 1871):
          a usu. tadpole-shaped larval trematode worm that develops
          in a molluscan host from a redia -- cer.car.i.al adj

   cercus
          [cer.cus] n, pl cer.ci [NL, fr. Gk kerkos] (1826): either
          of a pair of simple or segmented appendages at the posterior
          end of various arthropods that usu. act as sensory organs

   [1]cere
          [cere] vt cered ; cer.ing [ME, to wax, fr. MF cirer, fr.
          L cerare, fr. cera] (15c): to wrap in or as if in a cerecloth
          [2]cere n [ME sere, fr. MF cere, fr. ML cera, fr. L,
          wax] (15c): a usu. waxy protuberance or enlarged area
          at the base of the bill of a bird

   [1]cereal
          [ce.re.al] adj [F or L; F cereale, fr. L cerealis of Ceres,
          of grain, fr. Ceres] (1818): relating to grain or to
          the plants that produce it; also: made of grain [2]cereal
          n (1832) 1: a plant (as a grass) yielding starchy grain
          suitable for food; also: its grain 2: a prepared foodstuff
          of grain

   cereal leaf beetle
          [cereal leaf beetle] n (1962): a small reddish brown black-headed
          Old World chrysomelid beetle (Oulema melanopus) that
          feeds on cereal grasses and is a serious threat to U.S.
          grain crops

   cerebellum
          [cer.e.bel.lum] n, pl -bellums or -bel.la [ML, fr. L, dim.
          of cerebrum] (1543): a large dorsally projecting part
          of the brain concerned esp. with the coordination of
          muscles and the maintenance of bodily equilibrium, situated
          between the brain stem and the back of the cerebrum,
          and formed in humans of two lateral lobes and a median
          lobe--see brain illustration -- cer.e.bel.lar adj

   cerebr-
          [cerebr-] or cerebro- comb form [cerebrum] 1: brain: cerebrum
          <cerebration> 2: cerebral and <cerebrospinal>

   cerebral
          [ce.re.bral] adj [F cerebral, fr. L cerebrum brain; akin
          to OHG hirni brain, Gk kara head, keras horn, Skt siras
          head--more at horn] (1816) 1 a: of or relating to the
          br ain or the intellect b: of, relating to, or being
          the cerebrum 2 a: appealing to intellectual appreciation
          <~ drama> b: primarily intellectual in nature <a ~ society>
          -- ce.re.bral.ly adv

   cerebral cortex
          [cerebral cortex] n (1926): the surface layer of gray matter
          of the cerebrum that functions chiefly in coordination
          of sensory and motor information

   cerebral hemisphere
          [cerebral hemisphere] n (1816): either of the two hollow
          convoluted lateral halves of the cerebrum--see brain
          illustration

   cerebral palsy
          [cerebral palsy] n (1889): a disability resulting from damage
          to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth and
          outwardly manifested by muscular incoordination and speech
          disturbances--compare spastic paralysis -- cerebral-palsied
          adj

   cerebrate
          [cer.e.brate] vi -brat.ed ; -brat.ing [back-formation fr.
          cerebration, fr. cerebrum] (1915): to use the mind: think
          -- cer.e.bra.tion n

   cerebroside
          [ce.re.bro.side] n [cerebrose galactose] (1883): any of various
          lipids found esp. in nerve tissue

   cerebrospinal
          [ce.re.bro.spi.nal] adj (1826): of or relating to the brain
          and spinal cord or to these together with the cranial
          and spinal nerves that innervate voluntary muscles

   cerebrospinal fluid
          [cerebrospinal fluid] n (ca. 1889): a liquid that is comparable
          to serum, is secreted from the blood into the lateral
          ventricles of the brain, and serves chiefly to maintain
          uniform pressure within the brain and spinal cord

   cerebrospinal meningitis
          [cerebrospinal meningitis] n (1889): inflammation of the
          meninges of both brain and spinal cord; specif: an infectious
          epidemic and often fatal meningitis caused by the meningococcus

   cerebrovascular
          [ce.re.bro.vas.cu.lar] adj (1935): of or involving the cerebrum
          and the blood vessels supplying it

   cerebrum
          [ce.re.brum] n, pl -brums or -bra [L] (1615) 1: brain 1a
          2: an enlarged anterior or upper part of the brain; esp:
          the expanded anterior portion of the brain that in higher
          mammals overlies the rest of the brain, consists of cerebral
          hemispheres and connecting structures, and is considered
          to be the seat of conscious mental processes: telencephalon

   cerecloth
          [cere.cloth] n [alter. of earlier cered cloth (waxed cloth)]
          (1553): cloth treated with melted wax or gummy matter
          and formerly used esp. for wrapping a dead body

   cerement
          [cere.ment] n (1602): a shroud for the dead; esp: cerecloth--usu.
          used in pl.

   [1]ceremonial
          [cer.e.mo.ni.al] adj (14c): marked by, involved in, or belonging
          to ceremony: stressing careful attention to form and
          detail -- cer.e.mo.ni.al.ism n -- cer.e.mo.ni.al.ist
          n -- cer.e.mo.ni.al.ly adv syn ceremonial, ceremonious,
          formal, conventional mean marked by attention to or adhering
          strictly to prescribed forms. ceremonial and ceremonious
          both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by
          custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things
          that are associated with ceremonies <a ceremonial offering>,
          ceremonious to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended
          by ceremony <made his ceremonious entrance>. formal applies
          both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient
          to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned
          behavior <a formal report> <the headmaster's formal manner>.
          conventional implies accord with general custom and usage
          <conventional courtesy> and may suggest a stodgy lack
          of originality or independence <conventional fiction>.
          [2]ceremonial n (14c): a ceremonial act, action, or system

   ceremonious
          [cer.e.mo.ni.ous] adj (1553) 1: devoted to forms and ceremony:
          punctilious 2: of, relating to, or constituting a ceremony
          3: according to formal usage or prescribed procedures
          4: marked by ceremony syn see ceremonial -- cer.e.mo.ni.ous.ly
          adv -- cer.e.mo.ni.ous.ness n

   ceremony
          [cer.e.mo.ny] n, pl -nies [ME ceremonie, fr. MF ceremonie,
          fr. L caerimonia] (14c) 1: a formal act or series of
          acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention <the
          marriage ~> 2 a: a conventional act of politeness or
          etiquette <the ~ of introduction> b: an action performed
          only formally with no deep significance c: a routine
          action performed with elaborate pomp 3 a: prescribed
          procedures: usages <the ~ attending an inauguration>
          b: observance of an established code of civility or politeness
          <opened the door without ~ and strode in>

   Cerenkov radiation
          [Ce.ren.kov radiation] n [P. A. Cherenkov] (1939): light
          produced by charged particles (as electrons) traversing
          a transparent medium at a speed greater than that of
          light in the same medium--called also Cerenkov light

   Ceres
          [Ce.res] n [L]: the Roman goddess of agriculture--compare
          demeter

   cereus
          [ce.re.us] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, wax candle, fr. cera
          wax--more at cerumen] (1730): any of various cacti (as
          of the genus Cereus) of the western U.S. and tropical
          America

   ceric
          [ce.ric] adj (ca. 1879): of, relating to, or containing cerium
          esp. with a valence of four

   cerise
          [ce.rise] n [F, lit., cherry, fr. LL ceresia--more at cherry]
          (1844): a moderate red

   cerium
          [ce.ri.um] n [NL, fr. Ceres] (1804): a malleable ductile
          metallic element that is the most abundant of the rare-earth
          group

   cermet
          [cer.met] n [ceramic + metal] (1948): a composite structural
          material of a heat-resistant compound (as titanium carbide)
          and a metal (as nickel) used esp. for turbine blades

   CERN
          [CERN] [Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire] abbreviation
          European Organization for Nuclear Research

   cero
          [cero] n, pl cero or ceros [modif. of Sp sierra saw, cero]
          (1884): either of two large food and sport fishes (Scomberomorus
          regalis and S. cavalla of the warmer parts of the western
          Atlantic

   cerous
          [ce.rous] adj (ca. 1872): of, relating to, or containing
          cerium esp. with a valence of three

   cert
          [cert] abbreviation certificate, certification, certified,
          certify

   [1]certain
          [cer.tain] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL certanus, fr.
          L certus, fr. pp. of cernere to sift, discern, decide;
          akin to Gk krinein to separate, decide, judge, OIr criathar
          sieve] (13c) 1: fixed, settled <a ~ percentage of the
          profit> 2: of a specific but unspecified character, quantity,
          or degree <the house has a ~ charm> 3 a: dependable,
          reliable <a ~ remedy for the disease> b: known or proved
          to be true: indisputable <it is ~ that we exist> 4 a:
          inevitable <the ~ advance of age> b: incapable of failing:
          destined--used with a following infinitive <she is ~
          to do well> 5: assured in mind or action syn see sure
          -- for certain : as a certainty: assuredly [2]certain
          pron, pl in constr (15c): certain ones

   certainly
          [cer.tain.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a manner that is certain: with
          certainty 2: it is certain that: assuredly

   certainty
          [cer.tain.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: something that is certain
          2: the quality or state of being certain esp. on the
          basis of evidence syn certainty, certitude, conviction
          mean a state of being free from doubt. certainty and
          certitude are very close; certainty may stress the existence
          of objective proof <claims that cannot be confirmed with
          scientific certainty>, while certitude may emphasize
          a faith in something not needing or not capable of proof
          <believes with certitude in an afterlife>. conviction
          applies esp. to belief strongly held by an individual
          <holds firm convictions on every issue>.

   certes
          [cer.tes] adv [ME, fr. OF, fr. cert certain, fr. L certus]
          (13c) archaic: in truth: certainly

   [1]certificate
          [cer.tif.i.cate] n [ME certificat, fr. MF, fr. ML certificatum,
          fr. LL, neut. of certificatus, pp. of certificare to
          certify] (15c) 1: a document containing a certified statement
          esp. as to the truth of something; specif: a document
          certifying that one has fulfilled the requirements of
          and may practice in a field 2: something serving the
          same end as a certificate 3: a document evidencing ownership
          or debt <a ~ of deposit> [2]cer.tif.i.cate vt -cat.ed
          ; -cat.ing (1883): to testify to or authorize by a certificate;
          esp: to recognize as having met special qualifications
          (as of a governmental agency or professional board) within
          a field -- cer.tif.i.ca.to.ry adj

   certification
          [cer.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of certifying: the
          state of being certified 2: a certified statement

   certification mark
          [certification mark] n (1947): a mark or device used to identify
          a product or service that has been certified to conform
          to a particular set of standards

   certified mail
          [certified mail] n (1955): first class mail for which proof
          of delivery is secured but no indemnity value is claimed

   certified milk
          [certified milk] n (1899): milk produced in dairies that
          operate under the rules and regulations of an authorized
          medical milk commission

   certified public accountant
          [certified public accountant] n (1896): an accountant who
          has met the requirements of a state law and has been
          granted a certificate

   certify
          [cer.ti.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME certifien, fr. MF certifier,
          fr. LL certificare, fr. L certus certain--more at certain]
          (14c) 1: to attest authoritatively: as a: confirm b:
          to present in formal communication c: to attest as being
          true or as represented or as meeting a standard d: to
          attest officially to the insanity of 2: to inform with
          certainty: assure 3: to guarantee (a personal check)
          as to signature and amount by so indicating on the face
          4: certificate, license -- cer.ti.fi.able adj -- cer.ti.fi.ably
          adv -- cer.ti.fi.er n syn certify, attest, witness, vouch
          mean to testify to the truth or genuineness of something.
          certify usu. applies to a written statement, esp. one
          carrying a signature or seal <certified that the candidate
          had met all requirements>. attest applies to oral or
          written testimony usu. from experts or witnesses <attested
          to the authenticity of the document>. witness applies
          to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as
          evidence of its genuineness <witnessed the signing of
          the will>. vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent
          authority or a reliable person <willing to vouch for
          her integrity>. syn see in addition approve

   certiorari
          [cer.tio.ra.ri] n [ME, fr. L, lit., to be informed; fr. the
          use of the word in the writ] (15c): a writ of superior
          court to call up the records of an inferior court or
          a body acting in a quasi-judicial capacity

   certitude
          [cer.ti.tude] n [ME, fr. LL certitudo, fr. L certus] (15c)
          1: the state of being or feeling certain 2: certainty
          of act or event syn see certainty

   cerulean
          [ce.ru.le.an] adj [L caeruleus dark blue] (1667): resembling
          the blue of the sky

   ceruloplasmin
          [ce.ru.lo.plas.min] n [ISV cerulo- (fr. L caeruleus) + plasma
          + [1]-in] (ca. 1952): a blue copper-binding serum alpha
          globulin with enzymatic activity

   cerumen
          [ce.ru.men] n [NL, irreg. fr. L cera wax; akin to Gk keros
          wax] (1741): the yellow waxy secretion from the glands
          of the external ear--called also earwax -- ce.ru.mi.nous
          adj

   ceruse
          [ce.ruse] n [ME, fr. MF ceruse, fr. L cerussa] (14c) 1: white
          lead as a pigment 2: a cosmetic containing white lead

   cerussite
          [ce.rus.site] n [G Zerussit, fr. L cerussa] (1850): a mineral
          that consists of lead carbonate occurring in colorless
          transparent crystals and also in massive form and is
          a source of white lead

   cervelat
          [cer.ve.lat] n [obs. F (now cervelas)] (1613): smoked sausage
          made from a combination of pork and beef

   cervical
          [cer.vi.cal] adj (1681): of or relating to a neck or cervix

   cervical cap
          [cervical cap] n (1923): a contraceptive device in the form
          of a thimble-shaped molded cap that fits over the uterine
          cervix and blocks sperm from entering the uterus

   cervicitis
          [cer.vi.ci.tis] n [NL] (1889): inflammation of the uterine
          cervix

   cervine
          [cer.vine] adj [L cervinus of a deer, fr. cervus stag, deer--more
          at hart] (ca. 1828): of, relating to, or resembling deer

   cervix
          [cer.vix] n, pl cer.vi.ces or cer.vix.es [L cervic-, cervix]
          (15c) 1: neck; esp: the back part of the neck 2: a constricted
          portion of an organ or part; esp: the narrow outer end
          of the uterus

   cesarean
          [ce.sar.e.an] also ce.sar.i.an n (ca. 1903): cesarean section
          -- cesarean also cesarian adj

   cesarean section
          [cesarean section] also cesarian section n [fr. the belief
          that Julius Caesar was born this way] (1615): surgical
          incision of the walls of the abdomen and uterus for delivery
          of offspring

   cesium
          [ce.si.um] n [NL, fr. L caesius bluish gray] (1861): a silver-white
          soft ductile element of the alkali metal group that is the most
          electropositive element known and that is used esp.
          in photoelectric cells

   cesium 133
          [cesium 133] n (1966): an isotope of cesium used esp. in
          atomic clocks and one of whose atomic transitions is
          used as a scientific time standard

   cess
          [cess] n [prob. short for success] (1830) chiefly Irish:
          luck--usu. used in the phrase bad cess to you

   cessation
          [ces.sa.tion] n [ME cessacioun, fr. MF cessation, fr. L cessation-,
          cessatio delay, idleness, fr. cessare to delay, be idle--more
          at cease] (14c): a temporary or final ceasing (as of action): stop

   cession
          [ces.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L cession-, cessio, fr. cedere
          to withdraw--more at cede] (15c): a yielding to another:
          concession

   cesspit
          [cess.pit] n [cesspool + pit] (1777): a pit for the disposal
          of refuse (as sewage)

   cesspool
          [cess.pool] n [by folk etymology fr. ME suspiral vent, cesspool,
          fr. MF souspirail ventilator, fr. souspirer to sigh,
          fr. L suspirare, lit., to draw a long breath--more at
          suspire] (1782): an underground reservoir for liquid
          waste (as household sewage)

   cesta
          [ces.ta] n [Sp, lit., basket, fr. L cista box, basket] (ca.
          1902): a narrow curved wicker basket used to catch and
          propel the ball in jai alai

   cestode
          [ces.tode] n [NL Cestoda, taxonomic group comprising tapeworms,
          ultim. fr. Gk kestos girdle] (ca. 1890): tapeworm --
          cestode adj

   [1]cestus
          [ces.tus] n, pl ces.ti [L, girdle, belt, fr. Gk kestos, fr.
          kestos stitched, fr. kentein to prick--more at center]
          (1557): a woman's belt; esp: a symbolic one worn by a
          bride [2]cestus n [L cestus, caestus] (ca. 1720): a hand
          covering of leather bands often loaded with lead or iron
          and used by boxers in ancient Rome

   cesura
          [ce.su.ra] var of caesura

   CETA
          [CETA] abbreviation Comprehensive Employment and Training
          Act

   cetacean
          [ce.ta.cean] n [ultim. fr. L cetus whale, fr. Gk ketos] (1836):
          any of an order (Cetacea) of aquatic mostly marine mammals
          that include the whales, dolphins, porpoises, and related
          forms and that have a torpedo-shaped nearly hairless
          body, paddle-shaped forelimbs but no hind limbs, one
          or two nares opening externally at the top of the head,
          and a horizontally flattened tail used for locomotion
          -- cetacean adj -- ce.ta.ceous adj

   cetane
          [ce.tane] n [fr. cetyl, a radical] (1871): a colorless oily
          hydrocarbon found in petroleum

   cetane number
          [cetane number] n (1935): a measure of the ignition value
          of a diesel fuel that represents the percentage by volume
          of cetane in a mixture of liquid methylnaphthalene that
          gives the same ignition lag as the oil being tested--called
          also cetane rating--compare octane number

   cetera desunt
          [ce.te.ra de.sunt] [L] foreign term : the rest is missing

   ceteris paribus
          [ce.te.ris pa.ri.bus] adv [NL, other things being equal]
          (1601): if all other relevant things, factors, or elements
          remain unaltered

   cetology
          [ce.tol.o.gy] n [L cetus whale] (ca. 1828): a branch of zoology
          dealing with the cetaceans -- ce.tol.o.gist n

   Cetus
          [Ce.tus] n [L (gen. Ceti), lit., whale]: an equatorial
          constellation south of Pisces and Aries

   cetyl alcohol
          [ce.tyl alcohol] n [ISV cet- (fr. L cetus whale) + -yl; fr.
          its occurrence in spermaceti] (1873): a waxy crystalline
          alcohol obtained by the saponification of spermaceti
          or the hydrogenation of palmitic acid and used esp. in
          pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations and in making
          detergents

   CEU
          [CEU] abbreviation continuing education credit

   ceviche
          [ce.vi.che] var of seviche

   cf...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   cf
          [cf] abbreviation calf, [L confer, imper. of conferre to
          compare] compare  Cf abbreviation californium  CF abbreviation
          carried forward, centrifugal force, cost and freight,
          cystic fibrosis

   CFC
          [CFC] abbreviation chlorofluorocarbon

   CFI
          [CFI] abbreviation certified flight instructor, chief flying
          instructor; cost, freight, and insurance

   CFL
          [CFL] abbreviation Canadian Football League

   cfm
          [cfm] abbreviation cubic feet per minute

   CFO
          [CFO] abbreviation chief financial officer

   CFP
          [CFP] abbreviation Certified Financial Planner

   cfs
          [cfs] abbreviation cubic feet per second

   cg...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   cg
          [cg] abbreviation centigram  CG abbreviation center of gravity,
          coast guard, commanding general

   cgs
          [cgs] abbreviation centimeter-gram-second

   CGT
          [CGT] [F Confederation Generale du Travail] abbreviation
          General Confederation of Labor

   ch...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ch
          [ch] abbreviation chain, champion, chaplain, chapter, chief,
          child, children, church  CH abbreviation clearinghouse,
          courthouse, customhouse

   Chablis
          [Cha.blis] n, pl Cha.blis [F, fr. Chablis, town in France]
          (1668) 1: a dry sharp white burgundy wine 2: a semidry
          soft white California wine

   cha-cha
          [cha-cha] n [AmerSp cha-cha-cha] (1954): a fast rhythmic
          ballroom dance of Latin-American origin with a basic
          pattern of three steps and a shuffle

   chacma baboon
          [chac.ma baboon] n [Khoikhoi] (ca. 1909): a large dusky baboon
          (Papio ursinus) of southern African savannas--called
          also chacma

   chaconne
          [cha.conne] n [F&Sp; F chaconne, fr. Sp chacona] (1685) 1:
          an old Spanish dance tune of Latin American origin 2:
          a musical composition in moderate triple time typically
          consisting of variations on a repeated succession of
          chords

   chacun a son gout
          [cha.cun a son gout] [F] foreign term : everyone to his taste

   chad
          [chad] n [origin unknown] (1947): small pieces of paper or
          cardboard produced in punching paper tape or data cards;
          also: a piece of chad -- chad.less adj

   Chadic
          [Chad.ic] or Chad n (ca. 1950): a subfamily of the Afro-Asiatic
          language family comprising numerous languages of northern
          Nigeria, northern Cameroon, and Chad -- Chadic adj

   chador
          [cha.dor] n [Hindi & Pers; Hindi caddar, fr. Pers chaddar,
          chadar] (1614): a large cloth worn as a combination head
          covering, veil, and shawl usu. by Muslim women esp. in
          Iran

   chaeta
          [chae.ta] n, pl chae.tae [NL, fr. Gk chaite long flowing
          hair] (ca. 1866): bristle, seta -- chae.tal adj

   chaetognath
          [chae.to.gnath] n [NL Chaetognatha, class or phylum name,
          ultim. fr. Gk chaite + gnathos jaw--more at -gnathous]
          (ca. 1889): arrowworm -- chaetognath adj

   [1]chafe
          [chafe] vb chafed ; chaf.ing [ME chaufen to warm, fr. MF
          chaufer, fr. (assumed) VL calfare, alter. of L calefacere,
          fr. calere to be warm + facere to make--more at lee,
          do] vt (14c) 1: irritate, vex 2: to warm by rubbing esp.
          with the hands 3 a: to rub so as to wear away: abrade
          <the boat chafed its sides against the dock> b: to make
          sore by or as if by rubbing ~ vi 1: to feel irritation
          or discontent: fret <~s at his restrictive desk job>
          2: to rub and thereby cause wear or irritation [2]chafe
          n (1551) 1: a state of vexation: rage 2: injury or wear
          caused by friction; also: friction, rubbing

   chafer
          [cha.fer] n [ME cheaffer, fr. OE ceafor; prob. akin to OE
          ceafl jowl--more at jowl] (bef. 12c): any of various
          scarab beetles (as a cockchafer) that feed on leaves
          and flowers and whose larvae feed on plant roots

   [1]chaff
          [chaff] n [ME chaf, fr. OE ceaf; akin to OHG cheva husk]
          (bef. 12c) 1: the seed coverings and other debris separated
          from the seed in threshing grain 2: something comparatively
          worthless 3: the scales borne on the receptacle among
          the florets in the heads of many composite plants 4:
          material (as strips of foil or clusters of fine wires)
          ejected into the air for reflecting radar waves (as for
          confusing an enemy's radar detection or for tracking
          a descending spacecraft) -- chaffy adj [2]chaff n [prob.
          fr. [1]chaff] (1821): light jesting talk: banter [3]chaff
          vt (1827): to tease good-naturedly ~ vi: jest, banter

   [1]chaffer
          [chaf.fer] n [ME chaffare, fr. chep trade + fare journey--more
          at cheap, fare] (13c) archaic: a haggling about price
          [2]chaffer vb chaf.fered ; chaf.fer.ing vi (14c) 1: haggle
          2 Brit: to exchange small talk: chatter ~ vt 1: exchange,
          barter 2: to bargain for -- chaf.fer.er n

   chaffinch
          [chaf.finch] n [ME, fr. OE ceaffinc, fr. ceaf + finc finch]
          (bef. 12c): a common European finch (Fringilla coelebs)
          of which the male has a pinkish-brown breast

   chafing dish
          [chaf.ing dish] n [ME chafing, prp. of chaufen, chafen to
          warm] (15c): a utensil for cooking or keeping food warm
          esp. at the table

   Chagas' disease
          [Cha.gas' disease] n [Carlos Chagas d. 1934 Braz. physician]
          (1912): a tropical American disease that is caused by
          a trypanosome (Trypanosoma cruzi) and is marked by prolonged
          high fever, edema, and enlargement of the spleen, liver,
          and lymph nodes

   [1]chagrin
          [cha.grin] n [F, fr. chagrin sad] (ca. 1681): disquietude
          or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment,
          or failure [2]chagrin vt cha.grined ; cha.grin.ing (1733):
          to vex or unsettle by disappointing or humiliating

   [1]chain
          [chain] n, often attrib [ME cheyne, fr. MF chaeine, fr. L
          catena] (14c) 1 a: a series of usu. metal links or rings
          connected to or fitted into one another and used for
          various purposes (as support, restraint, transmission
          of mechanical power, or measurement) b: a series of links
          used or worn as an ornament or insignia c (1): a measuring
          instrument of 100 links used in surveying (2): a unit
          of length equal to 66 feet (20 meters) 2: something that
          confines, restrains, or secures 3 a: a series of things
          linked, connected, or associated together <a ~ of events>
          b: a group of enterprises or institutions of the same
          kind or function usu. under a single ownership, management,
          or control <fast-food ~s> c: a number of atoms or chemical
          groups united like links in a chain [2]chain vt (14c)
          1: to obstruct or protect by a chain 2: to fasten, bind,
          or connect with or as if with a chain; also: fetter

   chaine
          [chai.ne] n [F, fr. pp. of chainer to chain] (1897): a series
          of short usu. fast turns by which a ballet dancer moves
          across the stage

   chain gang
          [chain gang] n (1834): a gang of convicts chained together
          esp. as an outside working party

   chain letter
          [chain letter] n (1905): a letter sent to several persons
          with a request that each send copies of the letter to
          an equal number of persons

   chain-link fence
          [chain-link fence] n (ca. 1927): a fence of heavy steel wire
          woven to form a diamond-shaped mesh

   chain mail
          [chain mail] n (1822): flexible armor of interlinked metal
          rings

   chain of command
          [chain of command] (1898): a series of executive positions
          in order of authority <a military chain of command>

   chain pickerel
          [chain pickerel] n [fr. the markings resembling chains on
          the sides] (1887): a large greenish black pickerel (Esox
          niger) with dark markings along the sides that is common
          in quiet waters of eastern No. America

   chain reaction
          [chain reaction] n (ca. 1902) 1 a: a series of events so
          related to each other that each one initiates the next
          b: a number of events triggered by the same initial event
          2: a self-sustaining chemical or nuclear reaction yielding
          energy or products that cause further reactions of the
          same kind -- chain-re.act vi

   chain rule
          [chain rule] n (ca. 1847): a mathematical rule concerning
          the differentiation of a function of a function (as f[u(x)])
          by which under suitable conditions of continuity and
          differentiability one function is differentiated with
          respect to the second function considered as an independent
          variable and then the second function is differentiated
          with respect to its independent variable

   chain saw
          [chain saw] n (1944): a portable power saw that has teeth
          linked together to form an endless chain -- chain.saw
          vt

   chain-smoke
          [chain-smoke] vi (1930): to smoke esp. cigarettes continually
          ~ vt: to smoke (as cigarettes) almost without interruption
          -- chain-smok.er n

   chain stitch
          [chain stitch] n (16c) 1: an ornamental stitch like chain
          links 2: a machine stitch forming a chain on the underside
          of the work

   chain store
          [chain store] n (1910): one of numerous usu. retail stores
          having the same ownership and selling the same lines
          of goods

   chainwheel
          [chain.wheel] n (1845): sprocket 1

   [1]chair
          [chair] n [ME chaiere, fr. OF, fr. L cathedra, fr. Gk kathedra,
          fr. kata- cata- + hedra seat--more at sit] (13c) 1 a:
          a seat typically having four legs and a back for one
          person b: electric chair--used with the 2 a: an official
          seat or a seat of authority, state, or dignity b: an
          office or position of authority or dignity c: professorship
          <holds a university ~> d: chairman 1 3: a sedan chair
          4: a position of employment usu. of one occupying a chair
          or desk; specif: the position of a player in an orchestra
          or band 5: any of various devices that hold up or support
          [2]chair vt (1552) 1: to install in office 2 chiefly
          Brit: to carry on the shoulders in acclaim <we ~ed you
          through the market place --A. E. Housman> 3: to preside
          as chairman of

   chair car
          [chair car] n (1880) 1: a railroad car having pairs of chairs
          with individually adjustable backs on each side of the
          aisle 2: parlor car

   chairlift
          [chair.lift] n (1940): a motor-driven conveyor consisting
          of a series of seats suspended from a cable and used
          for transporting skiers or sightseers up or down a long
          slope or mountainside

   [1]chairman
          [chair.man] n (1650) 1 a: the presiding officer of a meeting
          or an organization or committee b: the administrative
          officer of a department of instruction (as in a college)
          2: a carrier of a sedan chair -- chair.man.ship n [2]chairman
          vt -maned or -manned ; -man.ing or -man.ning (1888):
          chair 3

   chairperson
          [chair.per.son] n (1971): chairman 1

   chairwoman
          [chair.wom.an] n (1685): a woman who acts as chairman

   chaise
          [chaise] n [F, chair, chaise, alter. of OF chaiere] (1701)
          1: any of various light horse-drawn vehicles: as a: a
          two-wheeled carriage for one or two persons with a folding
          top b: post chaise 2: chaise longue

   chaise longue
          [chaise longue] n, pl chaise longues also chaises longues
          [F, lit., long chair] (1800): a long reclining chair

   chaise lounge
          [chaise lounge] n [by folk etymology fr. F chaise longue]
          (ca. 1906): chaise longue

   chakra
          [chak.ra] n [Skt cakra, lit., wheel--more at wheel] (1888):
          any of several points of physical or spiritual energy
          in the human body according to yoga philosophy

   chalaza
          [cha.la.za] n, pl -zae or -zas [NL, fr. Gk, hailstone] (ca.
          1704) 1: either of two spiral bands in the white of a
          bird's egg that extend from the yolk and attach to opposite
          ends of the lining membrane--see egg illustration 2:
          the basal part of a plant ovule where the nucellus is
          fused to the surrounding integument and to which the
          funiculus is usu. attached -- cha.la.zal adj

   Chalcedonian
          [Chal.ce.do.ni.an] adj (1788): of or relating to Chalcedon
          or the ecumenical council held there in a.d. 451 declaring
          Monophysitism heretical -- Chalcedonian n

   chalcedony
          [chal.ce.do.ny] n, pl -nies [ME calcedonie, a precious stone,
          fr. LL chalcedonius, fr. Gk Chalkedon Chalcedon] (13c):
          a translucent quartz that is commonly pale blue or gray
          with nearly waxlike luster -- chal.ce.don.ic adj

   chalcid
          [chal.cid] n [ultim. fr. Gk chalkos copper, bronze] (1893):
          any of a large superfamily (Chalcidoidea) of mostly minute
          hymenopterous insects parasitic in the larval state on
          the larvae or pupae of other insects -- chalcid adj

   chalcocite
          [chal.co.cite] n [alter. of chalcosine, fr. F, irreg. fr.
          Gk chalkos] (1868): a black or gray lustrous metallic
          mineral that consists of a sulfide of copper and is an
          important copper ore

   chalcogen
          [chal.co.gen] n [ISV chalk- bronze, ore (fr. Gk chalkos)
          + -gen; fr. the occurrence of oxygen and sulfur in many
          ores] (ca. 1961): any of the elements oxygen, sulfur,
          selenium, and tellurium

   chalcogenide
          [chal.co.gen.ide] n (1945): a binary compound of a chalcogen
          with a more electropositive element or radical

   chalcopyrite
          [chal.co.py.rite] n [NL chalcopyrites, fr. Gk chalkos + L
          pyrites] (1835): a yellow mineral consisting of copper-iron
          sulfide and constituting an important ore of copper

   Chaldaic
          [Chal.da.ic] adj or n (1662): chaldean

   Chaldean
          [Chal.de.an] n [L Chaldaeus Chaldean, astrologer, fr. Gk
          Chaldaios, fr. Chaldaia Chaldea, region of ancient Babylonia]
          (1581) 1 a: a member of an ancient Semitic people that
          became dominant in Babylonia b: the Semitic language
          of the Chaldeans 2: a person versed in the occult arts
          -- Chaldean adj

   Chaldee
          [Chal.dee] n [ME Caldey, prob. fr. MF chaldee, fr. L Chaldaeus]
          (14c) 1: chaldean 1a 2: the Aramaic vernacular that was
          the original language of some parts of the Bible

   chaldron
          [chal.dron] n [MF chauderon, fr. chaudere pot, fr.
          LL caldaria--more at cauldron] (1615): any of various old units
          of measure varying from 32 to 72 imperial bushels

   chalet
          [cha.let] n [F] (1782) 1: a remote herdsman's hut in the
          Alps 2 a: a Swiss dwelling with unconcealed structural
          members and a wide overhang at the front and sides b:
          a cottage or house in chalet style

   chalice
          [chal.ice] n [ME, fr. AF, fr. L calic-, calix; akin to Gk
          kalyx calyx] (14c) 1: a drinking cup: goblet; esp: the
          eucharistic cup 2: the cup-shaped interior of a flower

   [1]chalk
          [chalk] n [ME, fr. OE cealc, fr. L calc-, calx lime; akin
          to Gk chalix pebble] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a soft white, gray,
          or buff limestone composed chiefly of the shells of foraminifers
          b: chalk or a material resembling chalk esp. when used
          in the form of a crayon 2 a: a mark made with chalk b
          Brit: a point scored in a game -- chalky adj [2]chalk
          vt (1580) 1: to write or draw with chalk 2: to rub or
          mark with chalk 3 a: to delineate roughly: sketch <~
          out a plan of attack> b: to set down or add up with or
          as if with chalk: record--usu. used with up <~ up a victory>
          ~ vi: to become chalky

   chalkboard
          [chalk.board] n (1936): blackboard

   chalk talk
          [chalk talk] n (1881): a talk or lecture illustrated at a
          blackboard

   chalk up
          [chalk up] vt (1826) 1: ascribe, credit 2: attain, achieve
          <chalk up a record score for the season>

   challah
          [chal.lah] also chal.la n [Yiddish khale, fr. Heb hallah]
          (1927): egg-rich yeast-leavened bread that is usu. braided
          or twisted before baking and is traditionally eaten by
          Jews on the Sabbath and holidays

   [1]challenge
          [chal.lenge] vb chal.lenged ; chal.leng.ing [ME chalengen
          to accuse, fr. OF chalengier, fr. L calumniari to accuse
          falsely, fr. calumnia calumny] vt (13c) 1: to demand
          as due or deserved: require <an event that ~s explanation>
          2: to order to halt and prove identity <the sentry challenged
          the stranger> 3: to dispute esp. as being unjust, invalid,
          or outmoded: impugn <new data that ~s old assumptions>
          4: to question formally the legality or legal qualifications
          of 5 a: to confront or defy boldly: dare b: to call out
          to duel or combat c: to invite into competition 6: to
          arouse or stimulate esp. by presenting with difficulties
          7: to administer a physiological and esp. an immunologic
          challenge to (an organism or cell) ~ vi 1: to make or
          present a challenge 2: to take legal exception -- chal.leng.er
          n [2]challenge n (14c) 1 a: a summons that is often threatening,
          provocative, stimulating, or inciting; specif: a summons
          to a duel to answer an affront b: an invitation to compete
          in a sport 2 a: a calling to account or into question:
          protest b: an exception taken to a juror before he is
          sworn c: a sentry's command to halt and prove identity
          d: a questioning of the right or validity of a vote or
          voter 3: a stimulating task or problem <looking for new
          ~s> 4: the process of provoking or testing physiological
          activity by exposure to a specific substance; esp: a
          test of immunity by exposure to an antigen

   challenging
          [chal.leng.ing] adj (1842) 1: arousing competitive interest,
          thought, or action <a ~ course of study> 2: invitingly
          provocative: fascinating <a ~ personality> -- chal.leng.ing.ly
          adv

   challis
          [chal.lis] n, pl chal.lises [prob. fr. the name Challis]
          (ca. 1837): a lightweight soft clothing fabric made of
          cotton, wool, or synthetic yarns

   chalone
          [cha.lone] n [Gk chalon, prp. of chalan to slacken] (1914):
          an internal secretion that is held to inhibit mitosis
          in a specific tissue--compare hormone

   [1]chalybeate
          [cha.ly.be.ate] adj [prob. fr. NL chalybeatus, irreg. fr.
          L chalybs steel, fr. Gk chalyb-, chalyps, fr. Chalybes,
          ancient people in Asia Minor] (1634): impregnated with
          salts of iron; also: having a taste due to iron <~ springs>
          [2]chalybeate n (1667): a chalybeate liquid or medicine

   cham
          [cham] var of khan

   chamaephyte
          [cham.ae.phyte] n [Gk chamai on the ground + E -phyte--more
          at humble] (1913): a perennial plant that bears its perennating
          buds just above the surface of the soil

   [1]chamber
          [cham.ber] n [ME chambre, fr. OF, fr. LL camera, fr. L, arched
          roof, fr. Gk kamara vault] (13c) 1: room; esp: bedroom
          2: a natural or artificial enclosed space or cavity 3
          a: a hall for the meetings of a deliberative, legislative,
          or judicial body <the senate ~> b: a room where a judge
          transacts business--usu. used in pl. c: the reception
          room of a person of rank or authority 4 a: a legislative
          or judicial body; esp: either of the houses of a bicameral
          legislature b: a voluntary board or council 5 a: the
          part of the bore of a gun that holds the charge b: a
          compartment in the cartridge cylinder of a revolver --
          cham.bered adj [2]chamber vt cham.bered ; cham.ber.ing
          (1575) 1: to place in or as if in a chamber: house 2:
          to serve as a chamber for; esp: to accommodate in the
          chamber of a firearm [3]chamber adj (1706): being, relating
          to, or performing chamber music

   chambered nautilus
          [chambered nautilus] n (1858): nautilus 1

   chamberlain
          [cham.ber.lain] n [ME, fr. OF chamberlayn, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG chamarling chamberlain, fr. chamara chamber,
          fr. LL camera] (13c) 1: an attendant on a sovereign or
          lord in his bedchamber 2 a: a chief officer in the household
          of a king or nobleman b: treasurer 3: an often honorary
          papal attendant; specif: a priest having a rank of honor
          below domestic prelate

   chambermaid
          [cham.ber.maid] n (1587): a maid who makes beds and does
          general cleaning of bedrooms (as in a hotel)

   chamber music
          [chamber music] n (ca. 1789): music and esp. instrumental
          ensemble music intended for performance in a private
          room or small auditorium and usu. having one performer
          for each part

   chamber of commerce
          [chamber of commerce] (1797): an association of businessmen
          to promote commercial and industrial interests in the
          community

   chamber of horrors
          [chamber of horrors] (1849): a place in which macabre or
          horrible objects are exhibited; also: a collection of
          such exhibits

   chamber orchestra
          [chamber orchestra] n (ca. 1927): a small orchestra usu.
          with one player for each part

   chamber pot
          [chamber pot] n (1540): a bedroom vessel for urination and
          defecation

   chambray
          [cham.bray] n [irreg. fr. Cambrai, France] (1814): a lightweight
          clothing fabric with colored warp and white filling yarns

   chameleon
          [cha.me.leon] n, often attrib [ME camelion, fr. MF, fr. L
          chamaeleon, fr. Gk chamaileon, fr. chamai on the ground
          + leon lion--more at humble] (14c) 1: any of a family
          (Chamaeleontidae) of chiefly arboreal Old World lizards
          with prehensile tail, independently movable eyeballs,
          and unusual ability to change the color of the skin 2
          a: a person given to often expedient or facile change
          in ideas or character b: one that is subject to quick
          or frequent change esp. in appearance 3: american chameleon
          -- cha.me.le.on.ic adj -- cha.me.leon.like adj

   [1]chamfer
          [cham.fer] vt cham.fered ; cham.fer.ing [back-formation fr.
          chamfering, alter. of MF chanfreint, fr. pp. of chanfraindre
          to bevel, fr. chant edge (fr. L canthus iron tire) +
          fraindre to break, fr. L frangere--more at cant, break]
          (ca. 1573) 1: to cut a furrow in (as a column): groove
          2: to make a chamfer on: bevel [2]chamfer n (ca. 1847):
          a beveled edge

   chamfron
          [cham.fron] n [ME shamfron, fr. MF chanfrein] (15c): the
          headpiece of a horse's bard

   chamois
          [cham.ois] n, pl cham.ois also cham.oix [MF, fr. LL camox]
          (1560) 1: a small goatlike antelope (Rupicapra rupicapra)
          of mountainous regions from southern Europe to the Caucasus
          2 also cham.my or sham.my : a soft pliant leather prepared
          from the skin of the chamois or from sheepskin 3: a cotton
          fabric made in imitation of chamois leather

   chamomile
          [cham.o.mile] n [ME camemille, fr. ML camomilla, modif. of
          L chamaemelon, fr. Gk chamaimelon, fr. chamai + melon
          apple] (13c) 1: a composite herb (Chamaemelum nobile
          syn. Anthemis nobilis) of Europe and No. Africa with
          strong-scented foliage and flower heads that contain
          a bitter medicinal substance 2: any of several composite
          plants (genera Matricaria and Anthemis) related to chamomile;
          esp: a Eurasian herb (M. recutita syn. M. chamomilla)
          naturalized in No. America

   [1]champ
          [champ] vb [perh. imit.] vt (14c) 1: chomp 2: mash, trample
          ~ vi 1: to make biting or gnashing movements 2: to show
          impatience of delay or restraint--usu. used in the phrase
          champing at the bit <he was ~ing at the bit to begin>
          [2]champ n (1868): champion

   champac
          [cham.pac] or cham.pak n [Hindi & Skt; Hindi campak, fr.
          Skt campaka] (ca. 1770): an Asian tree (Michelia champaca)
          of the magnolia family with yellow flowers

   champagne
          [cham.pagne] n [F, fr. Champagne, France] (1664) 1: a white
          sparkling wine made in the old province of Champagne,
          France; also: a similar wine made elsewhere 2: a pale
          orange yellow to light grayish yellowish brown

   champaign
          [cham.paign] n [ME champaine, fr. MF champagne, fr.
          LL campania--more at campaign] (15c) 1: an expanse of level open
          country: plain 2 archaic: battlefield -- champaign adj

   champers
          [cham.pers] n pl but sing in constr [by alter.] (1955) Brit:
          champagne 1

   champerty
          [cham.per.ty] n [ME champartie, fr. MF champart field rent,
          fr. champ field (fr. L campus) + part portion--more at
          part] (15c): a proceeding by which a person not a party
          in a suit bargains to aid in or carry on its prosecution
          or defense in consideration of a share of the matter
          in suit -- cham.per.tous adj

   champignon
          [cham.pi.gnon] n [F, fr. MF, alter. of champigneul, ultim.
          fr. LL campania] (1670): an edible fungus; esp: meadow
          mushroom

   [1]champion
          [cham.pi.on] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. ML campion-, campio, of WGmc
          origin; akin to OE cempa warrior] (13c) 1: warrior, fighter
          2: a militant advocate or defender <a ~ of civil rights>
          3: one that does battle for another's rights or honor
          <God will raise me up a ~ --Sir Walter Scott> 4: a winner
          of first prize or first place in competition; also: one
          who shows marked superiority <a ~ at selling> [2]champion
          vt (1605) 1 archaic: challenge, defy 2: to protect or
          fight for as a champion 3: to act as militant supporter
          of: uphold, advocate <always ~s the cause of the underdog>
          syn see support

   championship
          [cham.pi.on.ship] n (1825) 1: designation as champion 2:
          the act of championing: defense <his ~ of freedom of
          speech> 3: a contest held to determine a champion

   champleve
          [champ.le.ve] adj [F] (1856): of, relating to, or being a
          style of enamel decoration in which the enamel is applied
          and fired in cells depressed (as by incising) into a
          metal background--compare cloisonne -- champleve  n

   chan
          [chan] abbreviation channel

   [1]chance
          [chance] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL cadentia fall, fr.
          L cadent-, cadens, prp. of cadere to fall; perh. akin
          to Skt sad- to fall off] (14c) 1 a: something that happens
          unpredictably without discernible human intention or
          observable cause b: the assumed impersonal purposeless
          determiner of unaccountable happenings: luck c: the fortuitous
          or incalculable element in existence: contingency 2:
          a situation favoring some purpose: opportunity <needed
          a ~ to relax> 3: a fielding opportunity in baseball 4
          a: the possibility of a particular outcome in an uncertain
          situation; also: the degree of likelihood of such an
          outcome <a small ~ of success> b pl: the more likely
          indications <~s are he's already gone> 5 a: risk <not
          taking any ~s> b: a raffle ticket -- chance adj -- by
          chance : in the haphazard course of events <they met
          by chance> [2]chance vb chanced ; chanc.ing vi (14c)
          1 a: to take place or come about by chance: happen b:
          to be found by chance c: to have the good or bad luck
          <we chanced to meet> 2: to come or light by chance ~
          vt 1: to leave the outcome of to chance 2: to accept
          the hazard of: risk -- chance one's arm Brit: to take
          a risk

   chanceful
          [chance.ful] adj (1594) 1 archaic: casual 2: eventful

   chancel
          [chan.cel] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL cancellus lattice, fr. L
          cancelli; fr. the latticework enclosing it--more at cancel]
          (14c): the part of a church containing the altar and
          seats for the clergy and choir

   chancellery
          [chan.cel.lery] or chan.cel.lory n, pl -ler.ies or -lor.ies
          (14c) 1 a: the position, court, or department of a chancellor
          b: the building or room where a chancellor has his office
          2: the office of secretary of the court of a person high
          in authority 3: the office or staff of an embassy or
          consulate

   chancellor
          [chan.cel.lor] n [ME chanceler, fr. OF chancelier, fr. LL
          cancellarius doorkeeper, secretary, fr. cancellus] (14c)
          1 a: the secretary of a nobleman, prince, or king b:
          the lord chancellor of Great Britain c Brit: the chief
          secretary of an embassy d: a Roman Catholic priest heading
          the office in which diocesan business is transacted and
          recorded 2 a: the titular head of a British university
          b (1): a university president (2): the chief executive
          officer in some state systems of higher education 3 a:
          a lay legal officer or adviser of an Anglican diocese
          b: a judge in a court of chancery or equity in various
          states of the U.S. 4: the chief minister of state in
          some European countries -- chan.cel.lor.ship n

   chancellor of the exchequer
          [chancellor of the exchequer] often cap C&E (1672): a member
          of the British cabinet in charge of the public income
          and expenditure

   chance-medley
          [chance-med.ley] n [AF chance medlee mingled chance] (15c)
          1: accidental homicide not entirely without fault of
          the killer but without evil intent 2: haphazard action:
          confusion

   chancery
          [chan.cery] n, pl -cer.ies [ME chancerie, alter. of chancellerie
          chancellery, fr. OF, fr. chancelier] (14c) 1 a cap: a
          high court of equity in England and Wales with common-law
          functions and jurisdiction over causes in equity b: a
          court of equity in the American judicial system c: the
          principles and practice of judicial equity 2: a record
          office for public archives or those of ecclesiastical,
          legal, or diplomatic proceedings 3 a: a chancellor's
          court or office or the building in which it is located
          b: the office in which the business of a Roman Catholic
          diocese is transacted and recorded c: the office of an
          embassy: chancellery 3 -- in chancery 1: in litigation
          in a court of chancery; also: under the superintendence
          of the lord chancellor <a ward in chancery> 2: i n a
          hopeless predicament

   chancre
          [chan.cre] n [F, fr. L cancer] (ca. 1605): a primary sore
          or ulcer at the site of entry of a pathogen (as in tularemia);
          esp: the initial lesion of syphilis -- chan.crous adj

   chancroid
          [chan.croid] n (1861): a venereal disease caused by a hemophilic
          bacterium (Hemophilus ducreyi) and characterized by chancres
          unlike those of syphilis in lacking firm indurated margins--called
          also soft chancre -- chan.croi.dal adj

   chancy
          [chancy] adj chanc.i.er ; -est (1513) 1 Scot: bringing good
          luck: auspicious 2: uncertain in outcome or prospect:
          risky 3: occurring by chance: haphazard -- chanc.i.ness
          n

   chandelier
          [chan.de.lier] n [F, lit., candlestick, modif. of L candelabrum]
          (1736): a branched often ornate lighting fixture suspended
          from a ceiling -- chan.de.liered adj

   chandelle
          [chan.delle] n [F, lit., candle] (1918): an abrupt climbing
          turn of an airplane in which the momentum of the plane
          is used to attain a higher rate of climb -- chandelle
          vi

   chandler
          [chan.dler] n [ME chandeler, fr. MF chandelier, fr. OF, fr.
          chandelle candle, fr. L candela] (14c) 1: a maker or
          seller of tallow or wax candles and usu. soap 2: a retail
          dealer in provisions and supplies or equipment of a specified
          kind <a yacht ~>

   chandlery
          [chan.dlery] n, pl -dler.ies (15c) 1: a place where candles
          are kept 2: the business of a chandler 3: the commodities
          sold by a chandler

   [1]change
          [change] vb changed ; chang.ing [ME, fr. OF changier, fr.
          L cambiare to exchange, prob. of Celt origin; akin to
          OIr camm crooked] vt (13c) 1 a: to make different in
          some particular: alter <never bothered to ~ the will>
          b: to make radically different: transform <can't ~ human
          nature> c: to give a different position, course, or direction
          to 2 a: to replace with another <let's ~ the subject>
          b: to make a shift from one to another: switch <always
          ~s sides in an argument> c: to exchange for an equivalent
          sum or comparable item d: to undergo a modification of
          <foliage changing color> e: to put fresh clothes or covering
          on <~ a bed> ~ vi 1: to become different <her mood ~s
          every hour> 2 of the moon: to pass from one phase to
          another 3: to shift one's means of conveyance: transfer
          <on the bus trip he had to ~ twice> 4 of the voice: to
          shift to lower register: break 5: to undergo transformation,
          transition, or substitution <winter changed to spring>
          6: to put on different clothes 7: exchange, switch <neither
          liked his seat so they changed with each other> -- chang.er
          n -- change hands : to pass from the possession of one
          owner to that of another <money changes hands many times>
          syn change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become
          different. change implies making either an essential
          difference often amounting to a loss of original identity
          or a substitution of one thing for another <changed the
          shirt for a larger size>. alter implies a difference
          in some particular respect without suggesting loss of
          identity <slightly altered the original design>. vary
          stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication,
          or exact repetition <vary your daily routine>. modify
          suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts
          to a new purpose <modified the building for use by the
          handicapped>. [2]change n (13c) 1: the act, process,
          or result of changing: as a: alteration <a ~ in the weather>
          b: transformation <a time of vast social ~> <going through
          ~s> c: substitution <a ~ of scenery> d: the passage of
          the moon from one monthly revolution to another; also:
          the passage of the moon from one phase to another 2:
          a fresh set of clothes 3 Brit: exchange 5a 4 a: money
          in small denominations received in exchange for an equivalent
          sum in larger denominations b: money returned when a
          payment exceeds the amount due c: coins esp. of low denominations
          <a pocketful of ~> d: a negligible additional amount
          <only six minutes and ~ left in the game> 5: an order
          in which a set of bells is struck in change ringing 6:
          change-up

   changeable
          [change.able] adj (13c): capable of change: as a: able or
          apt to vary <~ weather> b: subject to change: alterable
          c: fickle d: iridescent -- change.abil.i.ty n -- change.able.ness
          n -- change.ably adv

   changeful
          [change.ful] adj (1591): notably variable: uncertain
          -- change.ful.ly adv -- change.ful.ness n

   changeless
          [change.less] adj (1580): marked by the absence of change:
          constant -- change.less.ly adv -- change.less.ness n

   changeling
          [change.ling] n (1537) 1 archaic: turncoat 2: a child secretly
          exchanged for another in infancy 3 archaic: imbecile
          -- changeling adj

   change off
          [change off] vi (1873) 1: to alternate with another at doing
          an act 2: to alternate between two different acts or
          instruments or between an action and a rest period

   change of heart
          [change of heart] (ca. 1828): a reversal in position or attitude

   change of life
          [change of life] (1834): [2]climacteric 2

   change of pace
          [change of pace] (1912) 1: change-up 2: an interruption of
          continuity by a shift to a different activity

   changeover
          [change.over] n (1907) 1: conversion, transition 2: a pause
          in a tennis match during which the players change sides
          of the court

   change ringing
          [change ringing] n (1872): the art or practice of ringing
          a set of tuned bells (as in the bell tower of a church)
          in continually varying order

   change-up
          [change-up] n (1949): a slow pitch in baseball thrown with
          the same motion as a fastball in order to deceive the
          batter

   [1]channel
          [chan.nel] n [ME chanel, fr. MF, fr. L canalis channel--more
          at canal] (14c) 1 a: the bed where a natural stream of
          water runs b: the deeper part of a river, harbor, or
          strait c: a strait or narrow sea between two close landmasses
          d: a means of communication or expression: as (1): a
          path along which information (as data or music) in the
          form of an electrical signal passes (2) pl: a fixed or
          official course of communication <went through established
          military ~s with his grievances> e: a way, course, or
          direction of thought or action <new ~s of exploration>
          f: a band of frequencies of sufficient width for a single
          radio or television communication g: channeler 2 a: a
          usu. tubular enclosed passage: conduit b: a passage created
          in a selectively permeable membrane by a conformational
          change in membrane proteins 3: a long gutter, groove,
          or furrow 4: a metal bar of flattened U-shaped section
          [2]channel vt -neled or -nelled ; -nel.ing or -nel.ling
          (15c) 1 a: to form, cut, or wear a channel in b: to make
          a groove in <~ a chair leg> 2: to convey or direct into
          or through a channel <~ his energy into constructive
          activities> 3: to serve as a channeler or intermediary
          for [3]channel n [alter. of chainwale, fr. [1]chain +
          [1]wale] (1769): one of the flat ledges of heavy plank
          or metal bolted edgewise to the outside of a ship to
          increase the spread of the shrouds

   channel bass
          [channel bass] n (1887): a large coppery drum (Sciaenops
          ocellatus) chiefly of the Atlantic coast of No. America
          that has a black spot at the base of the tail and is
          an important game and food fish--called also red drum,
          redfish

   channel catfish
          [channel catfish] n (1820): a large black-spotted catfish
          (Ictalurus punctatus) that is an important freshwater
          food fish of the U.S. and Canada--called also channel
          cat

   channeler
          [chan.nel.er] n (1987): a person who conveys thoughts or
          energy from a source believed to be outside the person's
          body or conscious mind; specif: one who speaks for nonphysical
          beings or spirits

   channelize
          [chan.nel.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1609) 1: channel 1, 2
          2: to straighten by means of a channel <~ a stream> --
          chan.nel.i.za.tion n

   chanson
          [chan.son] n, pl chan.sons [F, fr. L cantion-, cantio, fr.
          canere] (1602): song; specif: a music-hall or cabaret
          song

   chanson de geste
          [chanson de geste] n, pl chansons de geste [F, lit., song
          of heroic deeds] (1868): any of several Old French epic
          poems of the 11th to the 13th centuries

   chansonnier
          [chan.son.nier] n [F, fr. chanson] (1887): a writer or singer
          of chansons; esp: a cabaret singer

   [1]chant
          [chant] vb [ME chaunten, fr. MF chanter, fr. L cantare, freq.
          of canere to sing; akin to OE hana rooster, OIr canid
          he sings] vi (14c) 1: to make melodic sounds with the
          voice; esp: to sing a chant 2: to recite in a monotonous
          repetitive tone ~ vt 1: to utter as in chanting 2: to
          celebrate or praise in song or chant [2]chant n (1671)
          1: song 2 a: plainsong b: a rhythmic monotonous utterance
          or song <the ~ of an auctioneer> c: a composition for
          chanting

   chanter
          [chant.er] n (14c) 1: one that chants: a: chorister b: cantor
          2: the chief singer in a chantry 3: the reed pipe of
          a bagpipe with finger holes on which the melody is played

   chanterelle
          [chan.te.relle] n [F] (1775): a fragrant edible mushroom
          (Cantharellus cibarius) of rich yellow color

   chanteuse
          [chan.teuse] n, pl chan.teuses [F, fem. of chanteur singer,
          fr. chanter] (1888): a woman who is a concert or nightclub
          singer

   chantey
          [chan.tey] or chan.ty n, pl chanteys or chanties [modif.
          of F chanter] (1856): a song sung by sailors in rhythm
          with their work

   chanticleer
          [chan.ti.cleer] n [ME Chantecleer, rooster in verse narratives,
          fr. OF Chantecler, rooster in the Roman de Renart] (14c):
          rooster

   Chantilly lace
          [Chan.til.ly lace] n [Chantilly, France] (1848): a delicate
          silk, linen, or synthetic lace having a six-sided mesh
          ground and a floral or scrolled design--called also Chantilly

   chantry
          [chan.try] n, pl chantries [ME chanterie, fr. MF, singing,
          fr. chanter] (14c) 1: an endowment for the chanting of
          masses commonly for the founder 2: a chapel endowed by
          a chantry

   Chanukah
          [Cha.nu.kah] var of hanukkah

   chaos
          [cha.os] n [L, fr. Gk--more at gum] (15c) 1 obs: chasm, abyss
          2 a often cap: a state of things in which chance is supreme;
          esp: the confused unorganized state of primordial matter
          before the creation of distinct forms--compare cosmos
          b: the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a
          natural system (as the atmosphere, boiling water, or
          the beating heart) 3 a: a state of utter confusion <the
          citywide blackout caused ~> b: a confused mass or mixture
          <a ~ of television antennas> -- cha.ot.ic adj -- cha.ot.i.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]chap
          [chap] n (14c): a crack in or a sore roughening of the skin
          caused by exposure to wind or cold [2]chap vb chapped
          ; chap.ping [ME chappen; akin to MD cappen to cut down]
          vi (15c): to open in cracks, slits, or chinks; also:
          to become cracked, roughened, or reddened esp. by the
          action of wind or cold <hands often ~ in winter> ~ vt:
          to cause to chap <wind-chapped lips> [3]chap n [origin
          unknown] (1555) 1 a: the fleshy covering of a jaw; also:
          jaw--usu. used in pl. <a wolf's ~s> 2: the forepart of
          the face--usu. used in pl. [4]chap n [short for chapman]
          (1716) 1: fellow 4c 2 Southern & Midland: baby, child

   chap
          [chap] abbreviation chapter

   chaparajos
          [chap.a.ra.jos] or chap.a.re.jos n pl [modif. of MexSp chaparreras,
          fr. chaparro] (1887): chaps

   chaparral
          [chap.ar.ral] n [Sp, fr. chaparro dwarf evergreen oak, fr.
          Basque txapar] (1850) 1: a thicket of dwarf evergreen
          oaks; broadly: a dense impenetrable thicket of shrubs
          or dwarf trees 2: an ecological community composed of
          shrubby plants adapted to dry summers and moist winters
          that occurs esp. in southern California

   chaparral cock
          [chaparral cock] n (1853): roadrunner--called also chaparral
          bird

   chapati
          [cha.pa.ti] also chap.pa.ti n, pl chapatis also chappatis
          [Hindi capati] (1810): a round flat unleavened bread
          of India that is usu. made of whole wheat flour and cooked
          on a griddle

   chapbook
          [chap.book] n [chapman + book] (1798): a small book containing
          ballads, poems, tales, or tracts

   chape
          [chape] n [ME, scabbard, fr. MF, cape, fr. LL cappa] (14c):
          the metal mounting or trimming of a scabbard or sheath

   chapeau
          [cha.peau] n, pl cha.peaus or cha.peaux [MF, fr. OF chapel--more
          at chaplet] (1523): hat

   chapel
          [chap.el] n [ME, fr. OF chapele, fr. ML cappella, fr. dim.
          of LL cappa cloak; fr. the cloak of St. Martin of Tours
          preserved as a sacred relic in a chapel built for that
          purpose] (13c) 1: a subordinate or private place of worship:
          as a: a place of worship serving a residence or institution
          b: a small house of worship usu. associated with a main
          church c: a room or recess in a church for meditation
          and prayer or small religious services 2: a place of
          worship used by a Christian group other than an established
          church <a nonconformist ~> 3: a choir of singers belonging
          to a chapel (as of a prince) 4: a chapel service or assembly
          at a school or college 5: an association of the employees
          in a printing office 6 a: funeral home b: a room for
          funeral services in a funeral home

   chapel of ease
          [chapel of ease] (1538): a chapel or dependent church built
          to accommodate an expanding parish

   [1]chaperon
          [chap.er.on] or chap.er.one n [F chaperon, lit., hood, fr.
          MF, head covering, fr. chape] (1720) 1: a person (as
          a matron) who for propriety accompanies one or more young
          unmarried women in public or in mixed company 2: an older
          person who accompanies young people at a social gathering
          to ensure proper behavior; broadly: one delegated to
          ensure proper behavior [2]chaperon or chaperone vb -oned
          ; -on.ing vt (1796) 1: escort 2: to act as chaperon to
          or for ~ vi: to act as a chaperon -- chap.er.on.age n

   chapfallen
          [chap.fall.en] adj (1598) 1: having the lower jaw hanging
          loosely 2: cast down in spirit: depressed

   chapiter
          [chap.i.ter] n [ME chapitre, fr. MF, alter. of OF chapitle,
          fr. L capitulum, lit., little head] (15c): the capital
          of a column

   chaplain
          [chap.lain] n [ME chapelain, fr. OF, fr. ML cappellanus,
          fr. cappella] (14c) 1: a clergyman in charge of a chapel
          2: a clergyman officially attached to a branch of the
          military, to an institution, or to a family or court
          3: a person chosen to conduct religious exercises (as
          at a meeting of a club or society) 4: a clergyman appointed
          to assist a bishop (as at a liturgical function) -- chap.lain.cy
          n

   chaplet
          [chap.let] n [ME chapelet, fr. MF, fr. OF, dim. of chapel
          hat, garland, fr. ML cappellus head covering, fr. LL
          cappa] (14c) 1: a wreath to be worn on the head 2 a:
          a string of beads b: a part of a rosary comprising five
          decades 3: a small molding carved with small decorative
          forms -- chap.let.ed adj

   chapman
          [chap.man] n [ME, fr. OE ceapman, fr. ceap trade + man--more
          at cheap] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: merchant, trader 2 Brit:
          peddler

   chaps
          [chaps] n pl [modif. of MexSp chaparreras] (1844): leather
          leggings joined by a belt or lacing, often having flared
          outer flaps, and worn over the trousers (as by western
          ranch hands)

   chapter
          [chap.ter] n [ME chapitre, fr. OF, fr. LL capitulum division
          of a book & ML, meeting place of canons, fr. L, dim.
          of capit-, caput head--more at head] (13c) 1 a: a main
          division of a book b: something resembling a chapter
          in being a significant specified unit <a new ~ in my
          life> 2 a: a regular meeting of the canons of a cathedral
          or collegiate church or of the members of a religious
          house b: the body of canons of a cathedral or collegiate
          church 3: a local branch of an organization

   chapter and verse
          [chapter and verse] n (1628) 1: the exact reference or source
          of information or justification for an assertion <clinched
          their arguments by citing chapter and verse --J. M. Burns>
          2: full precise information or detail <can give chapter
          and verse on the effects of diverting defense spending
          --Horace Sutton> -- chapter and verse adv

   [1]char
          [char] n, pl char or chars [origin unknown] (1662): any of
          a genus (Salvelinus) of small-scaled trouts with light-colored
          spots [2]char vb charred ; char.ring [charcoal] vt (1679)
          1: to convert to charcoal or carbon usu. by heat: burn
          2: to burn slightly or partly: scorch <the fire charred
          the beams> ~ vi: to become charred [3]char n (1879):
          a charred substance: charcoal; specif: a combustible
          residue remaining after the destructive distillation
          of coal [4]char vi charred ; char.ring [charwoman] (1732):
          to work as a cleaning woman [5]char n [by shortening]
          (1906) Brit: charwoman

   charabanc
          [char.a.banc] n [F char a bancs, lit., wagon with benches]
          (1914) Brit: a sight-seeing motor coach

   characin
          [char.a.cin] n [ultim. fr. Gk charak-, charax pointed stake,
          a fish] (1882): any of a family (Characidae) of usu.
          small brightly colored tropical freshwater fishes that
          includes many aquarium fishes -- characin adj

   [1]character
          [char.ac.ter] n [ME caracter, fr. MF caractere, fr. L character
          mark, distinctive quality, fr. Gk charakter, fr. charassein
          to scratch, engrave; perh. akin to Lith zeyti to scratch]
          (14c) 1 a: a conventionalized graphic device placed on
          an object as an indication of ownership, origin, or relationship
          b: a graphic symbol (as a hieroglyph or alphabet letter)
          used in writing or printing c: a magical or astrological
          emblem d: alphabet e (1): writing, printing (2): style
          of writing or printing (3): cipher f: a symbol (as a
          letter or number) that represents information; also:
          a representation of such a character that may be accepted
          by a computer 2 a: one of the attributes or features
          that make up and distinguish an individual b (1): a feature
          used to separate distinguishable things into categories;
          also: a group or kind so separated <advertising of a
          very primitive ~> (2): the detectable expression of the
          action of a gene or group of genes (3): the aggregate
          of distinctive qualities characteristic of a breed, strain,
          or type <a wine of great ~> c: the complex of mental
          and ethical traits marking and often individualizing
          a person, group, or nation d: main or essential nature
          esp. as strongly marked and serving to distinguish <excess
          sewage gradually changed the ~ of the lake> 3: position,
          capacity <his ~ as a town official> 4: reference 4b 5:
          reputation 6: moral excellence and firmness <a man of
          sound ~> 7 a: a person marked by notable or conspicuous
          traits <quite a ~> b: one of the persons of a drama or
          novel c: the personality or part which an actor recreates
          d: characterization esp. in drama or fiction e: person,
          individual <some ~ just stole her purse> 8: a short literary
          sketch of the qualities of a social type syn see disposition,
          quality, type -- char.ac.ter.less adj -- in character
          : in accord with a person's usual qualities or traits
          -- out of character : not in accord with a person's usual
          qualities or traits [2]character vt (1591) 1 archaic:
          engrave, inscribe 2 a archaic: represent, portray b:
          characterize [3]character adj (1893) 1: capable of portraying
          an unusual or eccentric personality often markedly different
          from the player <a ~ actor> 2: requiring the qualities
          of a character actor <a ~ role>

   character assassination
          [character assassination] n (1949): the slandering of a person
          usu. with the intention of destroying public confidence
          in that person

   characterful
          [char.ac.ter.ful] adj (1901) 1: markedly expressive of character
          <a ~ face> 2: marked by character <a ~ decision>

   [1]characteristic
          [char.ac.ter.is.tic] n (1664) 1: a distinguishing trait,
          quality, or property 2: the integral part of a common
          logarithm 3: the smallest positive integer n which for
          an operation in a ring or field yields 0 when any element
          is used n times with the operation [2]characteristic
          adj (1665): revealing, distinguishing, or typical of
          an individual character -- char.ac.ter.is.ti.cal.ly adv
          syn characteristic, individual, peculiar, distinctive
          mean indicating a special quality or identity. characteristic
          applies to something that distinguishes or identifies
          a person or thing or class <responded with her characteristic
          wit>. individual stresses qualities that distinguish
          one from all other members of the same kind or class
          <a highly individual writing style>. peculiar applies
          to qualities possessed only by a particular individual
          or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness <an
          eccentricity that is peculiar to the British>. distinctive
          indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often
          superior or praiseworthy <a distinctive aura of grace
          and elegance>.

   characteristic equation
          [characteristic equation] n (ca. 1925): an equation in which
          the characteristic polynomial of a matrix is set equal
          to 0

   characteristic polynomial
          [characteristic polynomial] n (ca. 1957): the determinant
          of a square matrix in which an arbitrary variable (as
          x) is subtracted from each of the elements along the
          principal diagonal

   characteristic root
          [characteristic root] n (ca. 1957): eigenvalue

   characteristic value
          [characteristic value] n (1956): eigenvalue

   characteristic vector
          [characteristic vector] n (1957): eigenvector

   characterization
          [char.ac.ter.iza.tion] n (1814): the act of characterizing;
          esp: the artistic representation (as in fiction or drama)
          of human character or motives

   characterize
          [char.ac.ter.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1633) 1: to describe
          the character or quality of <~s him as ambitious> 2:
          to be a characteristic of: distinguish <an era characterized
          by greed>

   characterological
          [char.ac.ter.olog.i.cal] adj [characterology study of character]
          (1916): of, relating to, or based on character or the
          study of character including its development and its
          differences in different individuals -- char.ac.ter.olog.i.cal.ly
          adv

   character witness
          [character witness] n (1952): a person who gives evidence
          in a legal action concerning the reputation, conduct,
          and moral nature of a party

   charactery
          [char.ac.tery] n, pl -ter.ies (1598): a system of written
          letters or symbols used in the expression of thought

   charade
          [cha.rade] n [F, fr. Prov charrado chat, fr. charra to chat,
          chatter] (1776) 1: a word represented in riddling verse
          or by picture, tableau, or dramatic action 2 pl: a game
          in which some of the players try to guess a word or phrase
          from the actions of another player who may not speak
          3: an empty or deceptive act or pretense <his concern
          was a ~>

   charas
          [cha.ras] n [Hindi caras] (ca. 1860): hashish

   charbroil
          [char.broil] vt (1968): to broil on a rack over hot charcoal
          -- char.broil.er n

   [1]charcoal
          [char.coal] n [ME charcole] (14c) 1: a dark or black porous
          carbon prepared from vegetable or animal substances (as
          from wood by charring in a kiln from which air is excluded)
          2 a: a piece or pencil of fine charcoal used in drawing
          b: a charcoal drawing 3: a dark gray [2]charcoal vt (1965):
          charbroil

   charcuterie
          [char.cu.te.rie] n [F, lit., pork-butcher's shop, fr. MF
          chaircuiterie, fr. chaircutier pork butcher, fr. chair
          cuite cooked meat] (ca. 1858): a delicatessen specializing
          in dressed meats and meat dishes; also: the products
          sold in such a shop

   chard
          [chard] n [modif. of F carde, fr. Prov cardo, fr. L carduus
          thistle, cardoon] (1664): swiss chard

   chardonnay
          [char.don.nay] n, often cap [F] (ca. 1941): a dry white table
          wine of Chablis type

   chare
          [chare] or char n [ME char turn, piece of work, fr. OE cierr;
          akin to OE cierran to turn] (bef. 12c): chore

   [1]charge
          [charge] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. chargier] (13c) 1 a obs: a material
          load or weight b: a figure borne on a heraldic field
          2 a: the quantity that an apparatus is intended to receive
          and fitted to hold b: a store or accumulation of impelling
          force <the deeply emotional ~ of the drama> c: a definite
          quantity of electricity; esp: an excess or deficiency
          of electrons in a body d: thrill, kick <got a ~ out of
          the game> 3 a: obligation, requirement b: management,
          supervision <has ~ of the home office> c: the ecclesiastical
          jurisdiction (as a parish) committed to a clergyman d:
          a person or thing committed to the care of another 4
          a: instruction, command b: instruction in points of law
          given by a court to a jury 5 a: expense, cost <gave the
          banquet at his own ~> b: the price demanded for something
          <no admission ~> c: a debit to an account <the purchase
          was a ~> d: the record of a loan (as of a book from a
          library) e Brit: an interest in property granted as security
          for a loan 6 a: a formal assertion of illegality <a ~
          of murder> b: a statement of complaint or hostile criticism
          <denied the ~s of nepotism that were leveled against
          him> 7: a violent rush forward (as to attack) -- in charge
          : having control or custody of something <he is in charge
          of the training program> [2]charge vb charged ; charg.ing
          [ME, fr. OF chargier, fr. LL carricare, fr. L carrus
          wheeled vehicle--more at car] vt (14c) 1 a archaic: to
          lay or put a load on or in: load b (1): to place a charge
          (as of powder) in (2): to load or fill to capacity c
          (1): to restore the active materials in (a storage battery)
          by the passage of a direct current through in the opposite
          direction to that of discharge (2): to give an electric
          charge to <~ a capacitor> d (1): to assume as a heraldic
          bearing (2): to place a heraldic bearing on e: to fill
          or furnish fully <the music is charged with excitement>
          2 a: to impose a task or responsibility on <~ him with
          the job of finding a new meeting place> b: to command,
          instruct, or exhort with authority <I ~ you not to go>
          c of a judge: to give a charge to (a jury) 3 a: to make
          an assertion against esp. by ascribing guilt or blame
          <~s him with armed robbery> <they were charged as being
          instigators> b: to place the guilt or blame for <~ her
          failure to negligence> c: to assert as an accusation
          <~s that he distorted the data> 4 a: to bring (a weapon)
          into position for attack: level <~ a lance> b: to rush
          against: attack; also: to rush into (an opponent) usu.
          illegally in various sports 5 a (1): to impose a financial
          burden on <~ his estate with debts incurred> (2): to
          impose or record as financial obligation <~ debts to
          an estate> b (1): to fix or ask as fee or payment <~s
          $50 for an office visit> (2): to ask payment of (a person)
          <~ a client for expenses> c: to record (an item) as an
          expense, debt, obligation, or liability <charged a new
          sofa> ~ vi 1: to rush forward in or as if in assault:
          attack; also: to charge an opponent in sports 2: to ask
          or set a price <do you ~ for this service?> 3: to charge
          an item to an account <~ now, pay later> syn see command

   chargeable
          [charge.able] adj (14c) 1 archaic: financially burdensome:
          expensive 2: liable to be charged: as a: liable to be
          accused or held responsible b: suitable to be charged
          to a particular account c: qualified to be made a charge
          on the county or parish

   charge account
          [charge account] n (1903): a customer's account with a creditor
          (as a merchant) to which the purchase of goods is charged

   charge card
          [charge card] n (1950): credit card

   charge-coupled device
          [charge-coupled device] n (1971): a semiconductor device
          that is used esp. as an optical sensor and that stores
          charge and transfers it sequentially to an amplifier
          and detector--called also CCD

   charged
          [charged] adj (1934) 1: possessing or showing strong emotion
          <attacked the author in a highly ~ review> 2: capable
          of arousing strong emotion <a politically ~ subject>

   charge d'affaires
          [char.ge d'af.faires] n, pl charges d'affaires [F, lit.,
          one charged with affairs] (1767) 1: a subordinate diplomat
          who substitutes for an absent ambassador or minister
          2: a diplomat inferior in rank to an ambassador or minister
          who heads a mission when no ambassador or minister is
          assigned

   chargehand
          [charge.hand] n (1916) Brit: foreman

   charge off
          [charge off] vt (ca. 1923): to treat as a loss or expense
          -- charge-off n

   charge of quarters
          [charge of quarters] (ca. 1918): an enlisted man designated
          to handle administrative matters in his unit esp. after
          duty hours--abbr. CQ

   [1]charger
          [char.ger] n [ME chargeour; akin to ME chargen to charge]
          (14c): a large flat dish or platter [2]charg.er n (1539)
          1: one that charges: as a: an appliance for holding or
          inserting a charge of powder or shot in a gun b: a cartridge
          clip c: a device for charging storage batteries 2: a
          horse for battle or parade

   chariness
          [char.i.ness] n (1571) 1: the quality or state of being chary:
          caution 2: carefully preserved state: integrity

   [1]chariot
          [char.i.ot] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. char wheeled vehicle,
          fr. L carrus--more at car] (14c) 1: a light four-wheeled
          pleasure or state carriage 2: a two-wheeled horse-drawn
          battle car of ancient times used also in processions
          and races [2]chariot vi (1550): to drive or ride in or
          as if in a chariot ~ vt: to carry in or as if in a chariot

   charioteer
          [char.i.ot.eer] n (14c) 1: one who drives a chariot 2 cap:
          auriga

   charisma
          [cha.ris.ma] also char.ism n, pl cha.ris.ma.ta also charisms
          [Gk charisma favor, gift, fr. charizesthai to favor,
          fr. charis grace; akin to Gk chairein to rejoice--more
          at yearn] (ca. 1641) 1: an extraordinary power (as of
          healing) given a Christian by the Holy Spirit for the
          good of the church 2 a: a personal magic of leadership
          arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a
          public figure (as a political leader) b: a special magnetic
          charm or appeal <the ~ of a popular actor>

   [1]charismatic
          [char.is.mat.ic] adj [charisma] (ca. 1868) 1: of, relating
          to, or constituting charisma 2: having, exhibiting, or
          based on charisma <~ sects> <~ leader> [2]charismatic
          n (1951): a member of a charismatic religious group or
          movement

   charitable
          [char.i.ta.ble] adj (14c) 1: full of love for and goodwill
          toward others: benevolent 2 a: liberal in benefactions
          to the needy: generous b: of or relating to charity <~
          institutions> 3: merciful or kind in judging others:
          lenient -- char.i.ta.ble.ness n -- char.i.ta.bly adv

   charity
          [char.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME charite, fr. OF charite, fr.
          LL caritat-, caritas Christian love, fr. L, dearness,
          fr. carus dear; akin to OIr carae friend, Skt kama love]
          (13c) 1: benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity
          2 a: generosity and helpfulness esp. toward the needy
          or suffering; also: aid given to those in need b: an
          institution engaged in relief of the poor c: public provision
          for the relief of the needy 3 a: a gift for public benevolent
          purposes b: an institution (as a hospital) founded by
          such a gift 4: lenient judgment of others syn see mercy

   charivari
          [cha.ri.va.ri] n [F, perh. fr. LL caribaria headache, fr.
          Gk karebaria, fr. kara, kare head + barys heavy--more
          at cerebral, grieve] (ca. 1681): shivaree

   charlatan
          [char.la.tan] n [It ciarlatano, alter. of cerretano, lit.,
          inhabitant of Cerreto, fr. Cerreto, Italy] (1618) 1:
          quack 2 <~s killing their patients with empirical procedures>
          2: one making usu. showy pretenses to knowledge or ability:
          fraud, faker -- char.la.tan.ism n -- char.la.tan.ry n

   Charles's Wain
          [Charles's Wain] n [Charlemagne]: big dipper

   Charleston
          [Charles.ton] n [Charleston, S. C.] (1925): a lively ballroom
          dance in which the knees are twisted in and out and the
          heels are swung sharply outward on each step

   charley horse
          [char.ley horse] n [fr. Charley, nickname for Charles] (1888):
          a muscular pain, cramping, or stiffness esp. of the quadriceps
          that results from a strain or bruise

   charlie
          [char.lie] also char.ley n, often cap [fr. the name Charlie]
          (ca. 1946) Brit: fool Char.lie [fr. the name Charlie]
          (1946)--a communications code word for the letter c

   charlock
          [char.lock] n [ME cherlok, fr. OE cerlic] (bef. 12c): a mustard
          (Brassica kaber) that is a common weed in grainfields--called
          also wild mustard

   charlotte
          [char.lotte] n [F] (1796): a dessert consisting of a filling
          (as of fruit, whipped cream, or custard) layered with
          or placed in a mold lined with strips of bread, ladyfingers,
          or biscuits

   charlotte russe
          [char.lotte russe] n [F, lit., Russian charlotte] (ca. 1845):
          a charlotte made with sponge cake or ladyfingers and
          a whipped-cream or custard-gelatin filling

   [1]charm
          [charm] n [ME charme, fr. MF, fr. L carmen song, fr. canere
          to sing--more at chant] (14c) 1 a: the chanting or reciting
          of a magic spell: incantation b: a practice or expression
          believed to have magic power 2: something worn about
          the person to ward off evil or ensure good fortune: amulet
          3 a: a trait that fascinates, allures, or delights b:
          a physical grace or attraction--used in pl. c: compelling
          attractiveness <the island possessed great ~> 4: a small
          ornament worn on a bracelet or chain 5: a quantum characteristic
          of subatomic particles that accounts for the unexpectedly
          long lifetime of the J/psi particle, explains difficulties
          in the theory of the weak force, is conserved in interactions
          involving electromagnetism or the strong force, and has
          a value of zero for most known particles -- charm.less
          adj [2]charm vt (14c) 1 a: to affect by or as if by magic:
          compel b: to please, soothe, or delight by compelling
          attraction <~s customers with his suave manner> 2: to
          endow with or as if with supernatural powers by means
          of charms; also: to protect by or as if by spells, charms,
          or supernatural influences 3: to control (an animal)
          typically by charms (as the playing of music) <~ a snake>
          ~ vi 1: to practice magic and enchantment 2: to have
          the effect of a charm: fascinate syn see attract -- charm.er
          n

   charmed
          [charmed] adj (1964): having the quantum characteristic of
          charm <a ~ antiquark>

   charmed circle
          [charmed circle] n (1898): a group marked by exclusiveness

   charmeuse
          [char.meuse] n [F, fem. of charmeur charmer, fr. charmer
          to charm] (1907): a fine semilustrous crepe in satin
          weave

   charming
          [charm.ing] adj (1663): extremely pleasing or delightful:
          entrancing -- charm.ing.ly adv

   charnel
          [char.nel] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML carnale, fr. LL, neut. of
          carnalis of the flesh--more at carnal] (14c): a building
          or chamber in which bodies or bones are deposited--called
          also charnel house -- charnel adj

   Charolais
          [Cha.ro.lais] n [Charolais, district in eastern France] (1893):
          any of a breed of large white cattle developed in France
          and used primarily for beef and crossbreeding

   Charon
          [Char.on] n [L, fr. Gk Charon]: a son of Erebus who in Greek
          mythology ferries the souls of the dead over the Styx

   charpoy
          [char.poy] n, pl charpoys [Hindi carpai] (1845): a bed used
          esp. in India consisting of a frame strung with tapes
          or light rope

   charr
          [charr] var of [1]char

   [1]chart
          [chart] n [MF charte, fr. L charta piece of papyrus, document--more
          at card] (1571) 1: map: as a: an outline map exhibiting something
          (as climatic or magnetic variations) in its geographical aspects
          b: a map for the use of navigators 2 a: a sheet giving information
          in tabular form b: graph c: diagram d: a sheet of paper ruled and
          graduated for use in a recording instrument e: a listing by rank
          (as of sales)--usu. used in pl. <number one on the ~s --Tim Cahill>
          3: a musical arrangement; also: a part in such an arrangement
          [2]chart vt (1842) 1: to lay out a plan for 2: to make a map
          or chart of ~ vi: to be ranked on a chart <the song ~ed for three
          months>

   [1]charter
          [char.ter] n [ME chartre, fr. OF, fr. ML chartula, fr. L,
          dim. of charta] (13c) 1: a written instrument or contract
          (as a deed) executed in due form 2 a: a grant or guarantee
          of rights, franchises, or privileges from the sovereign
          power of a state or country b: a written instrument that
          creates and defines the franchises of a city, educational
          institution, or corporation c: constitution 3: a written
          instrument from the authorities of a society creating
          a lodge or branch 4: a special privilege, immunity, or
          exemption 5: a mercantile lease of a ship or some principal
          part of it 6: a charter travel arrangement [2]charter
          vt (15c) 1 a: to establish, enable, or convey by charter
          b Brit: certify <a ~ed mechanical engineer> 2: to hire,
          rent, or lease for usu. exclusive and temporary use <~ed
          a boat for deep-sea fishing> syn see hire -- char.ter.er
          n [3]charter adj (1922): of, relating to, or being a
          travel arrangement in which transportation (as a bus
          or plane) is hired by and for one specific group of people
          <a ~ flight>

   chartered accountant
          [chartered accountant] n (1855) Brit: a member of a chartered
          institute of accountants

   charter member
          [charter member] n (ca. 1909): an original member of a group
          (as a society or corporation) -- charter membership n

   Chartism
          [Char.tism] n [ML charta charter, fr. L, document] (1839):
          the principles and practices of a body of 19th century
          English political reformers advocating better social
          and industrial conditions for the working classes --
          Char.tist n or adj

   chartist
          [chart.ist] n (1919) 1: an analyst of market action whose
          predictions of market courses are based on study of graphic
          presentations of past market performance 2: cartographer

   chartreuse
          [char.treuse] n [Chartreuse] (1884): a variable color averaging
          a brilliant yellow green Chartreuse trademark--used for
          a usu. green or yellow liqueur

   chartulary
          [char.tu.lary] n, pl -lar.ies [ML chartularium] (1571): cartulary

   charwoman
          [char.wom.an] n [chare + woman] (1596): a cleaning woman
          esp. in a large building

   chary
          [chary] adj chari.er ; -est [ME, sorrowful, dear, fr. OE
          cearig sorrowful, fr. caru sorrow--more at care] (15c)
          1 archaic: dear, treasured 2: discreetly cautious: as
          a: hesitant and vigilant about dangers and risks b: slow
          to grant, accept, or expend <a person very ~ of compliments>
          syn see cautious -- chari.ly adv

   Charybdis
          [Cha.ryb.dis] n [L, fr. Gk]: a whirlpool off the coast of
          Sicily personified in Greek mythology as a female monster--compare
          scylla

   [1]chase
          [chase] n (13c) 1 a: the hunting of wild animals--used with
          the b: the act of chasing: pursuit c: an earnest or frenzied
          seeking after something desired 2: something pursued:
          quarry 3: a tract of unenclosed land used as a game preserve
          4: steeplechase 1 5: a sequence (as in a movie) in which
          the characters pursue one another [2]chase vb chased
          ; chas.ing [ME, fr. MF chasser, fr. (assumed) VL captiare--more
          at catch] vt (14c) 1 a: to follow rapidly: pursue b:
          hunt c: to follow regularly or persistently with the
          intention of attracting or alluring 2 obs: harass 3:
          to seek out--often used with down <detectives chasing
          down clues> 4: to cause to depart or flee: drive <~ the
          dog out of the garden> 5: to cause the removal of (a
          baseball pitcher) by a batting rally ~ vi 1: to chase
          an animal, person, or thing <~ after material possessions>
          2: rush, hasten <chased all over town looking for a place
          to stay> syn chase, pursue, follow, trail mean to go
          after or on the track of something or someone. chase
          implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something
          fleeing or running <a dog chasing a cat>. pursue suggests
          a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain <pursued
          the criminal through narrow streets>. follow puts less
          emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake <friends followed
          me home in their car>. trail may stress a following of
          tracks or traces rather than a visible object <trail
          deer> <trailed a suspect across the country>. [3]chase
          vt chased ; chas.ing [ME chassen, modif. of MF enchasser
          to set] (15c) 1 a: to ornament (metal) by indenting with
          a hammer and tools without a cutting edge b: to make
          by such indentation c: to set with gems 2 a: groove,
          indent b: to cut (a thread) with a chaser [4]chase n
          [F chas eye of a needle, fr. LL capsus enclosed space,
          alter. of L capsa box--more at case] (1611) 1: groove,
          furrow 2: the bore of a cannon 3 a: trench b: a channel
          (as in a wall) for something to lie in or pass through
          [5]chase n [prob. fr. F chasse frame, reliquary, fr.
          MF chasse, fr. L capsa] (1612): a rectangular steel or
          iron frame in which letterpress matter is locked (as
          for printing)

   [1]chaser
          [chas.er] n (13c) 1: one that chases 2: a mild drink (as
          beer) taken after hard liquor [2]chaser n (1707) 1: a
          skilled worker who produces ornamental chasing 2: a tool
          for cutting screw threads

   Chasid
          [Cha.sid] or Chas.sid n, pl Cha.si.dim or Chas.si.dim var
          of hasid

   chasm
          [chasm] n [L chasma, fr. Gk; akin to L hiare to yawn--more
          at yawn] (1596) 1: a deep cleft in the surface of a planet
          (as the earth): gorge 2: a marked division, separation,
          or difference <a political ~ between the two countries>

   [1]chasse
          [chas.se] vi chas.sed ; chas.se.ing (1803) 1: to make a chasse
          2: sashay [2]chasse n [F, fr. pp. of chasser to chase]
          (1828): a sliding dance step resembling the galop

   chassepot
          [chasse.pot] n [F, fr. Antoine A. Chassepot d. 1905 Fr. inventor]
          (1869): a bolt-action rifle firing a paper cartridge

   chasseur
          [chas.seur] n [F, fr. MF chasser] (1795) 1: hunter, huntsman
          2: one of a body of light cavalry or infantry trained
          for rapid maneuvering 3: a liveried attendant: footman

   chassis
          [chas.sis] n, pl chas.sis [F chassis, fr. MF chaciz, fr.
          chasse] (ca. 1864): the supporting frame of a structure
          (as an automobile or television); also: the frame and
          working parts (as of an automobile or electronic device)
          exclusive of the body or housing

   chaste
          [chaste] adj chast.er ; chast.est [ME, fr. OF, fr. L castus
          pure] (13c) 1: innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse
          2: celibate 3: pure in thought and act: modest 4 a: severely
          simple in design or execution: austere <~ classicism>
          b: clean, spotless -- chaste.ly adv -- chaste.ness n
          syn chaste, pure, modest, decent mean free from all taint
          of what is lewd or salacious. chaste primarily implies
          a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that
          are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows <they
          maintained chaste relations>. pure differs from chaste
          in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather
          than control of one's impulses and actions <the pure
          of heart>. modest and decent apply esp. to deportment
          and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity
          <preferred more modest swimsuits> <decent people didn't
          go to such movies>.

   chasten
          [chas.ten] vt chas.tened ; chas.ten.ing [alter. of obs. E
          chaste to chasten, fr. ME, fr. OF chastier, fr. L castigare,
          fr. castus + -igare (fr. agere to drive)--more at act]
          (13c) 1: to correct by punishment or suffering: discipline;
          also: purify 2 a: to prune (as a work or style of art)
          of excess, pretense, or falsity: refine b: to cause to
          be more humble or restrained: subdue syn see punish --
          chas.ten.er n

   chastise
          [chas.tise] vt chas.tised ; chas.tis.ing [ME chastisen, alter.
          of chasten] (14c) 1: to inflict punishment on (as by
          whipping) 2: to censure severely: castigate 3 archaic:
          chasten 2 syn see punish -- chas.tise.ment n -- chas.tis.er
          n

   chastity
          [chas.ti.ty] n (13c) 1: the quality or state of being chaste:
          as a: abstention from unlawful sexual intercourse b:
          abstention from all sexual intercourse c: purity in conduct
          and intention d: restraint and simplicity in design or
          expression 2: personal integrity

   chastity belt
          [chastity belt] n (1931): a belt device (as of medieval times)
          designed to prevent sexual intercourse on the part of
          the woman wearing it

   chasuble
          [cha.su.ble] n [MF, fr. LL casubla hooded garment] (14c):
          a sleeveless outer vestment worn by the officiating priest
          at mass

   [1]chat
          [chat] vb chat.ted ; chat.ting [ME chatten, short for chatteren]
          vi (15c) 1: chatter, prattle 2: to talk in an informal
          or familiar manner ~ vt, chiefly Brit: to talk to; esp:
          to talk lightly, glibly, or flirtatiously with--often
          used with up [2]chat n (1530) 1: idle small talk: chatter
          2: light familiar talk; esp: conversation 3 [imit.]:
          any of several songbirds (as of the genera Saxicola,
          Granatellus, or Icteria)

   chateau
          [cha.teau] n, pl cha.teaus or cha.teaux [F, fr. L castellum
          castle] (1739) 1: a feudal castle or fortress in France
          2: a large country house: mansion 3: a French vineyard
          estate

   chateaubriand
          [cha.teau.bri.and] n, often cap [Francois Rene de Chateaubriand]
          (1877): a large tenderloin steak usu. grilled or broiled
          and served with a sauce (as bearnaise)

   chateau en Espagne
          [cha.teau en Es.pagne] [F] foreign term : castle in Spain:
          a visionary project

   chatelain
          [chat.e.lain] n [MF chatelain, fr. L castellanus occupant
          of a castle] (15c): castellan

   chatelaine
          [chat.e.laine] n [F chatelaine, fem. of chatelain] (1845)
          1 a: the wife of a castellan: the mistress of a chateau
          b: the mistress of a household or of a large establishment
          2: a clasp or hook for a watch, purse, or bunch of keys

   chatoyance
          [cha.toy.ance] n (1910): chatoyancy

   chatoyancy
          [cha.toy.an.cy] n (1894): the quality or state of being chatoyant

   [1]chatoyant
          [cha.toy.ant] adj [F, fr. prp. of chatoyer to shine like
          a cat's eyes] (1816): having a changeable luster or color
          with an undulating narrow band of white light <a ~ gem>
          [2]chatoyant n (ca. 1828): a chatoyant gem

   chat show
          [chat show] n (1969) Brit: talk show

   chattel
          [chat.tel] n [ME chatel property, fr. MF, fr. ML capitale--more
          at cattle] (14c) 1: an item of tangible movable or immovable
          property except real estate, freehold, and things (as
          buildings) connected with real property 2: slave, bondsman

   [1]chatter
          [chat.ter] vb [ME chatteren, of imit. origin] vi (13c) 1:
          to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but
          inarticulate and indistinct <squirrels ~ed angrily> <a
          ~ing stream> 2: to talk idly, incessantly, or fast: jabber
          3 a: to click repeatedly or uncontrollably <teeth ~ing
          with cold> <machine guns ~ing> b: to vibrate rapidly
          esp. as a consequence of repeated sticking and slipping
          <~ing brakes> ~ vt: to utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly
          -- chat.ter.er n [2]chatter n (13c) 1: the action or
          sound of chattering 2: idle talk: prattle

   chatterbox
          [chat.ter.box] n (1774): one who engages in much idle talk

   chatter mark
          [chatter mark] n (1888) 1: a fine undulation formed on the
          surface of work by a chattering tool 2: one of a series
          of short curved cracks on a glaciated rock surface transverse
          to the glacial striae

   chatty
          [chat.ty] adj chat.ti.er ; -est (ca. 1762) 1: fond of chatting:
          talkative <a ~ neighbor> 2: having the style and manner
          of light familiar conversation <a ~ letter> -- chat.ti.ly
          adv -- chat.ti.ness n

   [1]chauffeur
          [chauf.feur] n [F, lit., stoker, fr. chauffer to heat, fr.
          MF chaufer--more at chafe] (1899) 1: a person employed
          to drive a motor vehicle 2: one that transports others
          by operating a motor vehicle [2]chauffeur vb chauf.feured
          ; chauf.feur.ing vi (1917): to do the work of a chauffeur
          ~ vt 1: to transport in the manner of a chauffeur <~s
          the children to school> 2: to operate (as an automobile)
          as chauffeur

   chaulmoogra
          [chaul.moo.gra] n [Beng calmugra] (ca. 1815): any of several
          East Indian trees (family Flacourtiaceae) that yield
          an acrid oil used esp. formerly in treating leprosy and
          skin diseases

   chaunt
          [chaunt] , chaunt.er var of chant, chanter

   chaussure
          [chaus.sure] n, pl chaussures [ME chaucer, fr. MF chaussure,
          fr. chausser to put on footwear, fr. L calceare, fr.
          calceus shoe--more at calzone] (14c) 1: footgear 2 pl:
          shoes

   chautauqua
          [chau.tau.qua] n, often cap [Chautauqua Lake] (1873): an
          institution that flourished in the late 19th and early
          20th centuries providing popular education combined with
          entertainment in the form of lectures, concerts, and
          plays often presented outdoors or in a tent

   chauvinism
          [chau.vin.ism] n [F chauvinisme, fr. Nicolas Chauvin, character
          noted for his excessive patriotism and devotion to Napoleon
          in Theodore and Hippolyte Cogniard's play La Cocarde
          tricolore (1831)] (1870) 1: excessive or blind patriotism--compare
          jingoism 2: undue partiality or attachment to a group or place
          to which one belongs or has belonged 3: an attitude of superiority
          toward members of the opposite sex; also: behavior expressive
          of such an attitude -- chau.vin.ist n or adj -- chau.vin.is.tic adj
          -- chau.vin.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   [1]chaw
          [chaw] vb [by alter.] (1506): chew [2]chaw n (1709): a chew
          esp. of tobacco

   chawbacon
          [chaw.ba.con] n [[1]chaw + bacon] (1537): bumpkin, hick

   chayote
          [cha.yo.te] n [Sp, fr. Nahuatl chayohtli] (1887): the pear-shaped
          fruit of a West Indian annual vine (Sechium edule) of
          the gourd family that is widely cultivated as a vegetable;
          also: the plant--called also mirliton

   CHD
          [CHD] abbreviation coronary heart disease

   [1]cheap
          [cheap] n [ME chep, fr. OE ceap trade; akin to OHG kouf trade;
          both fr. L caupo tradesman] (bef. 12c) obs: bargain --
          on the cheap : at minimum expense: cheaply [2]cheap adj
          (1509) 1 a: purchasable below the going price or the
          real value b: charging or obtainable at a low price c:
          depreciated in value (as by currency inflation) <~ dollars>
          2: gained with little effort <a ~ victory> 3 a: of inferior
          quality or worth: tawdry, sleazy b: contemptible because
          of lack of any fine, lofty, or redeeming qualities c:
          stingy 4 a: yielding small satisfaction b: paying or
          able to pay less than going prices 5 of money: obtainable
          at a low rate of interest -- cheap adv -- cheap.ish adj
          -- cheap.ish.ly adv -- cheap.ly adv -- cheap.ness n

   cheapen
          [cheap.en] vb cheap.ened ; cheap.en.ing vt (1574) 1 [obs.
          E cheap to price, bid for] archaic a: to ask the price
          of b: to bid or bargain for 2 a: to make cheap in price
          or value b: to lower in general esteem c: to make tawdry,
          vulgar, or inferior ~ vi: to become cheap

   cheapie
          [cheap.ie] n (ca. 1898): one that is cheap; esp: an inexpensively
          produced motion picture -- cheapie adj

   [1]cheapjack
          [cheap.jack] n [cheap + the name Jack] (1851) 1: a haggling
          huckster 2: a dealer in cheap merchandise [2]cheapjack
          adj (1865) 1: being inferior, cheap, or worthless <~
          movie companies> 2: unscrupulously opportunistic <~ speculators>

   cheapo
          [cheapo] adj (1972): cheap

   cheap shot
          [cheap shot] n (1971) 1: an act of deliberate roughness against
          a defenseless opponent esp. in a contact sport 2: a critical
          statement that takes unfair advantage of a known weakness
          of the target

   cheapskate
          [cheap.skate] n (1896): a miserly or stingy person; esp:
          one who tries to avoid paying a fair share of costs or
          expenses

   [1]cheat
          [cheat] vt (1590) 1: to deprive of something valuable by
          the use of deceit or fraud 2: to influence or lead by
          deceit, trick, or artifice 3: to elude or thwart by or
          as if by outwitting <~ death> ~ vi 1 a: to practice fraud
          or trickery b: to violate rules dishonestly (as at cards
          or on an examination) 2: to be sexually unfaithful--usu.
          used with on -- cheat.er n syn cheat, cozen, defraud,
          swindle mean to get something by dishonesty or deception.
          cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation
          <cheated me out of a dollar>. cozen implies artful persuading
          or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose <always
          able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars>.
          defraud stresses depriving one of his or her rights and
          usu. connotes deliberate perversion of the truth <defrauded
          of her inheritance by an unscrupulous lawyer>. swindle
          implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or
          abuse of confidence <swindled of their savings by con
          artists>. [2]cheat n [earlier cheat forfeited property,
          fr. ME chet escheat, short for eschete--more at escheat]
          (1631) 1: the act or an instance of fraudulently deceiving:
          deception, fraud 2: one that cheats: pretender, deceiver
          3: any of several grasses; esp: the common chess (Bromus
          secalinus) 4: the obtaining of property from another
          by an intentional active distortion of the truth

   [1]check
          [check] n [ME chek, fr. MF eschec, fr. Ar shah, fr. Per,
          lit., king; akin to Gk ktasthai to acquire, Skt ksatra
          dominion] (15c) 1: exposure of a chess king to an attack
          from which he must be protected or moved to safety 2
          a: a sudden stoppage of a forward course or progress:
          arrest b: a checking of an opposing player (as in ice
          hockey) 3: a sudden pause or break in a progression 4
          archaic: reprimand, rebuke 5: one that arrests, limits,
          or restrains: restraint <against all ~s, rebukes, and
          manners, I must advance --Shak.> 6 a: a standard for
          testing and evaluation: criterion b: examination c: inspection,
          investigation <a loyalty ~ on government employees> d:
          the act of testing or verifying; also: the sample or
          unit used for testing or verifying 7: a written order
          directing a bank to pay money as instructed: draft 8
          a: a ticket or token showing ownership or identity or
          indicating payment made <a baggage ~> b: a counter in
          various games c: a slip indicating the amount due: bill
          9 [ME chek, short for cheker checker] a: a pattern in
          squares that resembles a checkerboard b: a fabric woven
          or printed with such a design 10: a mark typically placed
          beside an item to show it has been noted, examined, or
          verified 11: crack, break -- check.less adj -- in check
          : under restraint or control [2]check vt (14c) 1: to
          put (a chess king) in check 2 chiefly dial: rebuke, reprimand
          3 a: to slow or bring to a stop: brake <hastily ~ed the
          impulse> b: to block the progress of (as a hockey player)
          4 a: to restrain or diminish the action or force of:
          control b: to slack or ease off and then belay again
          (as a rope) 5 a: to compare with a source, original,
          or authority: verify b: to inspect, examine, or look
          at appraisingly--usu. used with out or over <~ing out
          new cars> c: to mark with a check as examined, verified,
          or satisfactory--often used with off <~ed off each item>
          6 a: to consign (as luggage) to a common carrier from
          which one has purchased a passenger ticket <~ed our bags
          before boarding> b: to ship or accept for shipment under
          such a consignment 7: to mark into squares: checker 8:
          to leave or accept for safekeeping in a checkroom 9:
          to make checks or chinks: cause to crack <the sun ~s
          timber> ~ vi 1 a of a dog: to stop in a chase esp. when
          scent is lost b: to halt through caution, uncertainty,
          or fear: stop 2 a: to investigate conditions <~ed on
          the passengers' safety> b: to prove to be consistent
          or truthful <the description ~s with the photograph>--often
          used with out <the story ~ed out> 3: to draw a check
          on a bank 4: to waive the right to initiate the betting
          in a round of poker 5: crack, split syn see restrain
          -- check into 1: to check in at <check into a hotel>
          2: investigate -- check up on : investigate

   checkable
          [check.able] adj (1877) 1: capable of being checked <a ~
          story> 2: held in or being a bank account on which checks
          can be drawn <~ deposits>

   checkbook
          [check.book] n (ca. 1846): a book containing blank checks
          to be drawn on a bank

   checkbook journalism
          [checkbook journalism] n (1975): the practice of paying someone
          for a news story and esp. for granting an interview

   [1]checker
          [check.er] n [ME cheker, fr. MF eschequier, fr. eschec] (14c)
          1 archaic: chessboard 2: a square or spot resembling
          the markings of a checkerboard 3 [sing. of checkers]:
          a piece in checkers [2]checker vt check.ered ; check.er.ing
          (15c) 1 a: to variegate with different colors or shades
          b: to vary with contrasting elements or situations <had
          a ~ed career> 2: to mark into squares [3]checker n (1535)
          1: one that checks <a fact ~> <spelling ~> 2: an employee
          who checks out purchases in a self-service store

   checkerberry
          [check.er.ber.ry] n [checker wild service tree + berry] (1776)
          1: the spicy red berrylike fruit of an American wintergreen
          (Gaultheria procumbens) 2: a plant producing checkerberries

   checkerboard
          [check.er.board] n (1775) 1: a board used in various games
          (as checkers) with usu. 64 squares in 2 alternating colors
          2: something that has a pattern or arrangement like a
          checkerboard

   checkers
          [check.ers] n pl but sing in constr (1712): a checkerboard
          game for 2 players each with 12 pieces

   check-in
          [check-in] n (1927): an act or instance of checking in

   check in
          [check in] vi (1918) 1: to register at a hotel 2: to report
          one's presence or arrival <check in at a convention>
          ~ vt: to satisfy all requirements in returning <check
          in the equipment after using>

   checking account
          [checking account] n (ca. 1909): a bank account against which
          the depositor can draw checks

   checklist
          [check.list] n (1853): a list of things to be checked or
          done <a pilot's ~ before takeoff>; also: a comprehensive
          list <a ~ of bird species>

   check mark
          [check mark] n (1917): check 10 -- check.mark vt

   [1]checkmate
          [check.mate] vt [ME chekmaten, fr. chekmate, interj. used
          to announce checkmate, fr. MF eschec mat, fr. Ar shah
          mat, fr. Per, lit., the king is left unable to escape]
          (14c) 1: to arrest, thwart, or counter completely 2:
          to check (a chess opponent's king) so that escape is
          impossible [2]checkmate n (15c) 1 a: the act of checkmating
          b: the situation of a checkmated king 2: a complete check

   checkoff
          [check.off] n (1911) 1 a: the deduction of union dues from
          a worker's paycheck by the employer b: designation on
          an income tax return of a small amount of money to be
          applied to a special fund (as for financing political
          campaigns) 2: automatic 2

   check off
          [check off] vt (1839) 1: to eliminate from further consideration
          2: to deduct (union dues) from a worker's paycheck ~
          vi: to change a play at the line of scrimmage in football
          by calling an automatic

   checkout
          [check.out] n (1933) 1: the action or an instance of checking
          out 2: the time at which a lodger must vacate a room
          (as in a hotel) or be charged for retaining it 3: a counter
          or area in a store where goods are checked out 4 a: the
          action of examining and testing something for performance,
          suitability, or readiness b: the action of familiarizing
          oneself with the operation of a mechanical thing (as
          an airplane)

   check out
          [check out] vi (1921): to vacate and pay for one's lodging
          (as at a hotel) ~ vt 1: to satisfy all requirements in
          taking away <checked out a library book> 2 a: to itemize
          and total the cost of and receive payment for (outgoing
          merchandise) esp. in a self-service store b: to have
          the cost totaled and pay for (purchases) at a checkout

   checkpoint
          [check.point] n (1926): a point at which a check is performed
          <vehicles were inspected at various ~s>

   checkrein
          [check.rein] n (ca. 1809) 1: a short rein looped over a hook
          on the saddle of a harness to prevent a horse from lowering
          its head 2: a branch rein connecting the driving rein
          of one horse of a pair with the bit of the other

   checkroom
          [check.room] n (1900): a room at which baggage, parcels,
          or clothing is checked

   checkup
          [check.up] n (1921): examination; esp: a general physical
          examination

   check valve
          [check valve] n (ca. 1877): a valve that permits flow in
          one direction only

   cheddar
          [ched.dar] n, often cap [Cheddar, England] (ca. 1661): a
          hard white, yellow, or orange smooth-textured cheese
          with a flavor that ranges from mild to strong as the
          cheese matures--called also cheddar cheese

   cheder
          [che.der] var of heder

   cheechako
          [chee.cha.ko] n, pl -kos [Chinook Jargon, fr. chee new (fr.
          Lower Chinook chxi right away) + chako come, fr. Nootka
          chokwa come, imper.] (1897): tenderfoot 1--used chiefly
          in Alaska

   [1]cheek
          [cheek] n [ME cheke, fr. OE ceace; akin to MLG kake jawbone]
          (bef. 12c) 1: the fleshy side of the face below the eye
          and above and to the side of the mouth; broadly: the
          lateral aspect of the head 2: something suggestive of
          the human cheek in position or form; esp: one of two
          laterally paired parts 3: insolent boldness and self-assurance
          4: buttock 1 syn see temerity -- cheek.ful n [2]cheek
          vt (1840) chiefly Brit: to speak rudely or impudently
          to

   cheekbone
          [cheek.bone] n (ca. 1775): the prominence below the eye that
          is formed by the zygomatic bone; also: zygomatic bone

   cheek by jowl
          [cheek by jowl] adv (1577): side by side

   cheeked
          [cheeked] adj (1592): having cheeks of a specified nature--used
          in combination <rosy-cheeked>

   cheek tooth
          [cheek tooth] n (14c): any of the molar or premolar teeth

   cheeky
          [cheeky] adj cheek.i.er ; -est (1859): having or showing
          cheek: impudent -- cheek.i.ly adv -- cheek.i.ness n

   cheep
          [cheep] vi [imit.] (1513) 1: to utter faint shrill sounds:
          peep 2: to utter a single word or sound -- cheep n

   [1]cheer
          [cheer] n [ME chere face, cheer, fr. OF, face, fr. ML cara,
          prob. fr. Gk kara head, face--more at cerebral] (13c)
          1 a obs: face b archaic: facial expression 2: state of
          mind or heart: spirit <be of good ~ --Mt 9:2(AV)> 3:
          lightness of mind and feeling: animation, gaiety 4: hospitable
          entertainment: welcome 5: food and drink for a feast:
          fare 6: something that gladdens <words of ~> 7: a shout
          of applause or encouragement [2]cheer vt (14c) 1 a: to
          instill with hope or courage: comfort--usu. used with
          up b: to make glad or happy--usu. used with up 2: to
          urge on or encourage esp. by shouts <~ed the team on>
          3: to applaud with shouts ~ vi 1 obs: to be mentally
          or emotionally disposed 2: to grow or be cheerful: rejoice--usu.
          used with up 3: to utter a shout of applause or triumph
          -- cheer.er n

   cheerful
          [cheer.ful] adj (15c) 1 a: full of good spirits: merry b:
          ungrudging <~ obedience> 2: conducive to cheer: likely
          to dispel gloom or worry <sunny ~ room> -- cheer.ful.ly
          adv -- cheer.ful.ness n

   cheerio
          [cheer.io] interj [cheery + -o] (1910) chiefly Brit--usu.
          used as a farewell and sometimes as a greeting or toast

   cheerleader
          [cheer.lead.er] n (1903): one that calls for and directs
          organized cheering (as at a football game) -- cheer.lead
          vt

   cheerless
          [cheer.less] adj (1579): lacking qualities that cheer: bleak,
          joyless <a ~ room> -- cheer.less.ly adv -- cheer.less.ness
          n

   cheers
          [cheers] interj (1919)--used as a toast

   cheery
          [cheery] adj cheer.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: marked by cheerfulness
          or good spirits 2: causing or suggesting cheerfulness
          -- cheer.i.ly adv -- cheer.i.ness n

   [1]cheese
          [cheese] n, often attrib [ME chese, fr. OE cese, fr. L caseus
          cheese] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a food consisting of the coag
          ulated, compressed, and usu. ripened curd of milk separated
          from the whey b: an often cylindrical cake of this food
          2: something resembling cheese in shape or consistency
          [2]cheese vt cheesed ; chees.ing [origin unknown] (ca.
          1811): to put an end to: stop -- cheese it --used in
          the imperative as a warning of danger <cheese it, the
          cops> [3]cheese n [perh. fr. Urdu chiz thing] (1920)
          slang: someone important

   cheeseburger
          [cheese.burg.er] n [cheese + hamburger] (ca. 1938): a hamburger
          topped with a slice of cheese

   cheesecake
          [cheese.cake] n (15c) 1: a dessert consisting of a creamy
          filling usu. containing cheese baked in a pastry or pressed-crumb
          shell 2: a photographic display of shapely and scantily
          clothed female figures--compare beefcake

   cheesecloth
          [cheese.cloth] n [fr. its use in the making of cheese] (14c):
          a very lightweight unsized cotton gauze

   cheeseparing
          [cheese.par.ing] n (1597) 1: something worthless or insignificant
          2: miserly economizing -- cheeseparing adj

   cheesy
          [cheesy] adj chees.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: resembling or suggesting
          cheese esp. in consistency or odor b: containing cheese 2: shabby
          3c, cheap -- chees.i.ness n

   cheetah
          [chee.tah] n, pl cheetahs also cheetah [Hindi cita leopard,
          fr. Skt citraka, fr. citra bright, variegated; akin to
          OHG heitar bright--more at -hood] (1610): a long-legged
          spotted swift-moving African and formerly Asian cat (Acinonyx
          jubatus) about the size of a small leopard that has blunt
          nonretractile claws and is often trained to run down
          game

   chef
          [chef] n [F, short for chef de cuisine head of the kitchen]
          (1826) 1: a skilled cook who manages the kitchen (as
          of a restaurant) 2: cook -- chef vi -- chef.dom n

   chef d'oeuvre
          [chef d'oeu.vre] n, pl chefs d'oeuvre [F chef-d'oeuvre, lit.,
          leading work] (1619): a masterpiece esp. in art or literature

   chela
          [che.la] n, pl che.lae [NL, fr. Gk chele claw] (1646): a
          pincerlike organ or claw borne by a limb of a crustacean
          or arachnid

   [1]chelate
          [che.late] adj (1826) 1: resembling or having chelae 2: of,
          relating to, or being a chelate [2]chelate vb che.lat.ed
          ; che.lat.ing vt (1922): to combine with (a metal) so
          as to form a chelate ring ~ vi: to react so as to form
          a chelate ring -- che.lat.able adj -- che.la.tion n --
          che.la.tor n [3]chelate n (1943): a compound having a
          ring structure that usu. contains a metal ion held by
          coordinate bonds

   chelicera
          [che.lic.era] n, pl -er.ae [NL, fr. F chelicere, fr. Gk chele
          + keras horn--more at horn] (1835): one of the anterior
          pair of appendages of an arachnid often specialized as
          fangs -- che.lic.er.al adj

   cheliped
          [che.li.ped] n [Gk chele claw + E -i- + -ped] (1869): one
          of the pair of legs that bears the large chelae in decapod
          crustaceans

   Chellean
          [Chel.le.an] or Chel.li.an adj [F chelleen, fr. Chelles,
          France] (1893): abbevillian

   chelonian
          [che.lo.ni.an] n [Gk chelone tortoise] (1828): turtle --
          chelonian adj

   chem-
          [chem-] or chemo- also chemi- comb form [NL, fr. LGk chemeia
          alchemy--more at alchemy] 1: chemical: chemistry <chemotaxis>
          2: chemically <chemisorb>

   chem
          [chem] abbreviation chemical, chemist, chemistry

   chemic
          [chem.ic] adj [NL chimicus alchemist, fr. ML alchimicus,
          fr. alchymia alchemy] (1576) 1 archaic: alchemic 2: chemical

   [1]chemical
          [chem.i.cal] adj (1576) 1: of, relating to, used in, or produced
          by chemistry 2 a: acting or operated or produced by chemicals
          b: detectable by chemical means -- chem.i.cal.ly adv
          [2]chemical n (1747): a substance obtained by a chemical
          process or used for producing a chemical effect

   chemical engineering
          [chemical engineering] n (1888): engineering dealing with
          the industrial application of chemistry

   chemical warfare
          [chemical warfare] n (1917): tactical warfare using incendiary
          mixtures, smokes, or irritant, burning, poisonous, or
          asphyxiating gases

   chemical weapon
          [chemical weapon] n (1980): a weapon used in chemical warfare

   chemiluminescence
          [chemi.lu.mi.nes.cence] n [ISV] (1889): luminescence (as
          bioluminescence) due to chemical reaction -- chemi.lu.mi.nes.cent
          adj

   chemin de fer
          [che.min de fer] n, pl che.mins de fer [F, lit., railroad]
          (1891): a card game in which two hands are dealt, any
          number of players may bet against the dealer, and the
          winning hand is the one that comes closer to but does
          not exceed a count of nine on two or three cards

   chemiosmotic
          [chemi.os.mot.ic] adj (1966): relating to or being a hypothesis
          that seeks to explain the mechanism of ATP formation
          in oxidative phosphorylation by mitochondria and chloroplasts
          without recourse to the formation of high-energy intermediates
          by postulating the formation of an energy gradient of
          hydrogen ions across the organelle membranes that results
          in the reversible movement of hydrogen ions to the outside
          and is generated by electron transport or the activity
          of electron carriers

   chemise
          [che.mise] n [ME, fr. OF, shirt, fr. LL camisia] (13c) 1:
          a woman's one-piece undergarment 2: a loose straight-hanging
          dress

   chemisette
          [chem.i.sette] n [F, dim. of chemise] (1807): a woman's garment;
          esp: one (as of lace) to fill the open front of a dress

   chemisorb
          [chem.i.sorb] vt [chem- + -sorb (as in adsorb)] (1935): to
          take up and hold usu. irreversibly by chemical forces
          -- chem.i.sorp.tion n

   chemist
          [chem.ist] n [NL chimista, short for ML alchimista] (1562)
          1 a obs: alchemist b: one trained in chemistry 2 Brit:
          pharmacist

   chemistry
          [chem.is.try] n, pl -tries (1646) 1: a science that deals
          with the composition, structure, and properties of substances
          and with the transformations that they undergo 2 a: the
          composition and chemical properties of a substance <the
          ~ of iron> b: chemical processes and phenomena (as of
          an organism) <blood ~> 3: a strong mutual attraction,
          attachment, or sympathy <they have a special ~>

   chemoautotrophic
          [che.mo.au.to.tro.phic] adj (1945): being autotrophic and
          oxidizing an inorganic compound as a source of energy
          <~ bacteria> -- che.mo.au.tot.ro.phy n

   chemoprophylaxis
          [che.mo.pro.phy.lax.is] n (1936): the prevention of infectious
          disease by the use of chemical agents -- che.mo.pro.phy.lac.tic
          adj

   chemoreception
          [che.mo.re.cep.tion] n [ISV] (1919): the physiological reception
          of chemical stimuli -- che.mo.re.cep.tive adj

   chemoreceptor
          [che.mo.re.cep.tor] n [ISV] (1906): a sense organ (as a taste
          bud) responding to chemical stimuli

   chemosurgery
          [che.mo.sur.gery] n (ca. 1944): chemical removal of diseased
          or unwanted tissue -- che.mo.sur.gi.cal adj

   chemosynthesis
          [che.mo.syn.the.sis] n [NL] (1901): synthesis of organic
          compounds (as in living cells) by energy derived from
          chemical reactions -- che.mo.syn.thet.ic adj

   chemotactic
          [che.mo.tac.tic] adj (1893): involving, inducing, or exhibiting
          chemotaxis -- che.mo.tac.ti.cal.ly adv

   chemotaxis
          [che.mo.tax.is] n [NL] (ca. 1887): orientation or movement
          of an organism or cell in relation to chemical agents

   chemotaxonomy
          [che.mo.tax.on.o.my] n (1963): the classification of plants
          and animals based on similarities and differences in
          biochemical composition -- che.mo.tax.o.nom.ic adj --
          che.mo.tax.on.o.mist n

   chemotherapeutic
          [che.mo.ther.a.peu.tic] adj (1907): of, relating to, or used
          in chemotherapy -- chemotherapeutic n --
          che.mo.ther.a.peu.ti.cal.ly adv

   chemotherapy
          [che.mo.ther.a.py] n [ISV] (1910): the use of chemical agents
          in the treatment or control of disease or mental illness
          -- che.mo.ther.a.pist n

   chemotropism
          [che.mot.ro.pism] n [ISV] (1897): orientation of cells or
          organisms in relation to chemical stimuli

   chenille
          [che.nille] n [F, lit., caterpillar, fr. L canicula, dim.
          of canis dog; fr. its hairy appearance--more at hound]
          (ca. 1739) 1: a wool, cotton, silk, or rayon yarn with
          protruding pile; also: a pile-face fabric with a filling
          of this yarn 2: an imitation of chenille yarn or fabric

   chenopod
          [che.no.pod] n [ultim. fr. Gk chen goose + podion, dim. of
          pod-, pous foot--more at goose, foot] (1555): any plant
          of the goosefoot family

   cheongsam
          [cheong.sam] n [Chin (Guangdong) cheuhng-saam, lit., long
          gown] (1952): an oriental dress with a slit skirt and
          a mandarin collar

   cheque
          [cheque] chiefly Brit var of [1]check 7

   chequer
          [che.quer] chiefly Brit var of checker

   cherchez la femme
          [cher.chez la femme] [F] foreign term : look for the woman

   cherimoya
          [cher.i.moya] n [Sp chirimoya] (1736): a round, oblong, or
          heart-shaped fruit with a pitted rind that is borne by
          a widely cultivated tropical American tree (Annona cherimola)
          of the custard-apple family; also: this tree

   cherish
          [cher.ish] vt [ME cherisshen, fr. MF cheriss-, stem of cherir
          to cherish, fr. OF, fr. chier dear, fr. L carus--more
          at charity] (14c) 1 a: to hold dear: feel or show affection
          for b: to keep or cultivate with care and affection:
          nurture 2: to entertain or harbor in the mind deeply
          and resolutely <still ~es that memory> syn see appreciate
          -- cher.ish.able adj -- cher.ish.er n

   chernozem
          [cher.no.zem] n [Russ, fr. chernyi black + zemlya earth]
          (1841): any of a group of dark-colored zonal soils with
          a deep rich humus horizon found in regions (as the grasslands
          of central No. America) of temperate to cool climate
          -- cher.no.zem.ic adj

   Cherokee
          [Cher.o.kee] n, pl Cherokee or Cherokees [prob. fr. Creek
          tciloki people of a different speech] (1674) 1: a member
          of an American Indian people orig. of Tennessee and No.
          Carolina 2: the language of the Cherokee people

   Cherokee rose
          [Cherokee rose] n (1823): a Chinese climbing rose (Rosa laevigata)
          with a fragrant white blossom

   cheroot
          [che.root] n [Tamil curuttu, lit., roll] (ca. 1679): a cigar
          cut square at both ends

   cherry
          [cher.ry] n, pl cherries [ME chery, fr. ONF cherise (taken
          as a plural), fr. LL ceresia, fr. L cerasus cherry tree,
          fr. Gk kerasos] (14c) 1 a: any of numerous trees and
          shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family that bear pale
          yellow to deep red or blackish smooth-skinned drupes
          enclosing a smooth seed and that include some cultivated
          for their fruits or ornamental flowers--compare sweet
          cherry b: the fruit of a cherry c: the wood of a cherry
          2: a variable color averaging a moderate red 3 a: hymen
          b: virginity -- cher.ry.like adj

   cherry bomb
          [cherry bomb] n (1953): a powerful globular red firecracker

   cherry picker
          [cherry picker] n (ca. 1944): a traveling crane equipped
          for holding a passenger at the end of the boom

   cherrystone
          [cher.ry.stone] n (1880): a small quahog

   cherry tomato
          [cherry tomato] n (1847): a small globose red or orange tomato
          borne in long dense clusters; also: a plant (Lycopersicon
          lypersicum cerasiforme) bearing cherry tomatoes

   chert
          [chert] n [origin unknown] (1679): a rock resembling flint
          and consisting essentially of a large amount of fibrous
          chalcedony with smaller amounts of cryptocrystalline
          quartz and amorphous silica -- cherty adj

   cherub
          [cher.ub] n, pl usu cher.u.bim [L, fr. Gk cheroub, fr. Heb
          kerubh] (13c) 1 pl: an order of angels--see celestial
          hierarchy 2 pl usu cherubs a: a beautiful usu. winged
          child in painting and sculpture b: an innocent-looking
          usu. chubby and rosy person -- che.ru.bic adj -- che.ru.bi.cal.ly
          adv -- cher.ub.like adj

   chervil
          [cher.vil] n [ME cherville, fr. OE cerfille, fr. L caerefolium,
          modif. of (assumed) Gk chairephyllon, fr. chairein to
          rejoice + phyllon leaf--more at yearn, blade] (bef. 12c):
          an aromatic herb (Anthriscus cerefolium) of the carrot
          family with divided leaves that are often used in soups
          and salads; also: any of several related plants

   Ches
          [Ches] abbreviation Cheshire

   Chesapeake Bay retriever
          [Ches.a.peake Bay retriever] n (1891): any of a breed of
          large brown sporting dogs developed in Maryland and having
          a dense oily water-shedding coat

   che sara, sara
          [che sa.ra, sa.ra] [It] foreign term : what will be, will
          be

   Cheshire cat
          [Chesh.ire cat] n [Cheshire, England] (1866): a broadly grinning
          cat in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

   Cheshire cheese
          [Cheshire cheese] n (1597): a cheese similar to cheddar made
          chiefly in Cheshire, England

   [1]chess
          [chess] n [ME ches, fr. MF esches, acc. pl. of eschec check
          at chess--more at check] (14c): a game for 2 players
          each of whom moves 16 pieces according to fixed rules
          across a checkerboard and tries to checkmate the opponent's
          king [2]chess n [origin unknown] (1736): a weedy annual
          bromegrass (Bromus secalinus) widely distributed as a
          weed esp. in grain; broadly: any of several weedy bromegrasses

   chessboard
          [chess.board] n (15c): a checkerboard used in the game of
          chess

   chessman
          [chess.man] n (15c): any of the pieces used in chess

   chess pie
          [chess pie] n [perh. alter. of chest] (1932): a pie or tart
          with a filling made esp. of eggs, butter, and sugar

   chest
          [chest] n [ME, fr. OE cest, cist chest, box, fr. L cista,
          fr. Gk kiste basket, hamper] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a container
          for storage or shipping; esp: a box with a lid used esp.
          for the safekeeping of belongings b: a cupboard used
          esp. for the storing of medicines or first-aid supplies
          2: the place where money of a public institution is kept:
          treasury; also: the fund so kept 3 a: thorax; esp: the
          human thorax <a pain in the ~> b: breast 2a <a hairy
          ~> -- chest.ful n

   chested
          [chest.ed] adj (1662): having a chest of a specified kind--used
          in combination <flat-chested>

   chesterfield
          [ches.ter.field] n [fr. a 19th cent. Earl of Chesterfield]
          (1852) 1: a single-breasted or double-breasted semifitted
          overcoat with velvet collar 2: a davenport usu. with
          upright armrests

   Chester White
          [Ches.ter White] n [Chester County, Pa.] (1856): any of a
          breed of large white swine

   [1]chestnut
          [chest.nut] n [ME chasteine, chesten chestnut tree, fr. MF
          chastaigne, fr. L castanea, fr. Gk kastanea] (14c) 1
          a: any of a genus (Castanea) of trees or shrubs of the
          beech family; esp: an American tree (C. dentata) that
          was formerly a dominant or codominant member of many
          deciduous forests of the eastern U.S. but has now been
          largely eliminated by the chestnut blight and seldom
          grows beyond the shrub or sapling stage b: the edible
          nut of a chestnut c: the wood of a chestnut 2: a grayish
          to reddish brown 3: horse chestnut 4: a chestnut-colored
          animal; specif: a horse having a body color of any shade
          of pure or reddish brown with mane, tail, and points
          of the same or a lighter shade--compare [2]bay 1, [1]sorrel
          1 5: a callosity on the inner side of the leg of the
          horse--see horse illustration 6 a: an old joke or story
          b: something (as a musical piece or a saying) repeated
          to the point of staleness [2]chestnut adj (1555) 1: of
          the color chestnut 2: of, relating to, or resembling
          a chestnut

   chestnut blight
          [chestnut blight] n (ca. 1909): a destructive disease of
          the American chestnut marked by cankers of the bark and
          cambium and caused by an imported fungus (Endothia parasitica
          syn. Cryphonectria parasitica)

   chestnut oak
          [chestnut oak] n (1703): any of several oaks having oblong
          to lanceolate leaves with crenate or serrate edges: as
          a: chinquapin oak b: a medium-sized oak (Quercus prinus)
          of eastern No. America with large acorns and leaves that
          are shiny yellow-green above and paler below

   chest of drawers
          [chest of drawers] (1649): a piece of furniture designed
          to contain a set of drawers (as for holding clothing)

   chesty
          [chesty] adj chest.i.er ; -est (1899) 1: proudly or arrogantly
          self-assertive 2: marked by a large or well-developed
          chest

   chetrum
          [chet.rum] n, pl chetrums or chetrum [Tibetan] (1973): a
          monetary unit of Bhutan equal to 1/100 ngultrum

   cheval de bataille
          [che.val de ba.taille] [F] foreign term : war-horse: argument
          constantly relied on: favorite subject

   cheval-de-frise
          [che.val-de-frise] n, pl che.vaux-de-frise [F, lit., horse
          from Friesland] (1668) 1: a defense consisting of a timber
          or an iron barrel covered with projecting spikes and
          often strung with barbed wire 2: a protecting line (as
          of spikes) on top of a wall--usu. used in pl.

   cheval glass
          [che.val glass] n [F cheval horse, support] (1828): a full-length
          mirror in a frame in which it may be tilted

   chevalier
          [che.va.lier] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL caballarius horseman--more
          at cavalier] (14c) 1 a: cavalier 2 b: a member of any
          of various orders of knighthood or of merit (as the Legion
          of Honor) 2 a: a member of the lowest rank of French
          nobility b: a cadet of the French nobility 3: a chivalrous
          man

   chevelure
          [che.ve.lure] n [F, fr. LL capillatura, fr. L capillatus
          having long hair, fr. capillus hair] (15c): a head of
          hair

   cheviot
          [chev.i.ot] n, often cap (1815) 1: any of a breed of hardy
          hornless relatively small sheep that are a source of
          quality mutton and have their origin in the Cheviot hills
          2 a: a fabric of cheviot wool b: a heavy rough napped
          plain or twill fabric of coarse wool or worsted c: a
          sturdy soft-finished plain or twill cotton shirting

   chevre
          [chevre] n [F, lit., goat, fr. OF chievre, fr. L capra she-goat,
          fr. caper he-goat--more at capriole] (1950): goat cheese

   chevron
          [chev.ron] n [ME, fr. MF, rafter, chevron, fr. (assumed)
          VL caprion-, caprio rafter; akin to L caper goat] (14c):
          a figure, pattern, or object having the shape of a V
          or an inverted V: as a or chev.er.on : a heraldic charge
          consisting of two diagonal stripes meeting at an angle
          usu. with the point up b: a sleeve badge that usu. consists
          of one or more chevron-shaped stripes that indicates
          the wearer's rank and service (as in the armed forces)

   [1]chew
          [chew] vb [ME chewen, fr. OE ceowan; akin to OHG kiuwan to
          chew, Russ zhevat'] vt (bef. 12c): to crush, grind, or
          gnaw (as food) with or as if with the teeth: masticate
          ~ vi: to chew something; specif: to chew tobacco -- chew.able
          adj -- chew.er n -- chewy adj -- chew the rag or chew
          the fat slang: to make friendly familiar conversation:
          chat [2]chew n (13c) 1: the act of chewing 2: something
          for chewing

   chewing gum
          [chewing gum] n (1850): a sweetened and flavored insoluble
          plastic material (as a preparation of chicle) used for
          chewing

   chewink
          [che.wink] n [imit.] (1793): towhee 1

   chew out
          [chew out] vt (1943): reprimand, bawl out

   chew over
          [chew over] vt (1939): to meditate on: think about reflectively

   Cheyenne
          [Chey.enne] n, pl Cheyenne or Cheyennes [CanF, fr. Dakota
          shahiyena] (1778) 1: a member of an American Indian people
          of the western plains of the U.S. 2: the Algonquian language
          of the Cheyenne people

   chez
          [chez] prep [F, fr. L casae at home, locative of casa cottage]
          (1740): at or in the home or business place of

   chg
          [chg] abbreviation change, charge

   chi
          [chi] n [Gk chei, chi] (15c): the 22nd letter of the Greek
          alphabet

   Chianina
          [Chi.a.ni.na] n, pl Chianina or Chianinas [It, fr. fem. of
          chianino of the Chiani River valley, Italy] (1914): any
          of a breed of tall white cattle of Italian origin noted
          esp. for producing lean meat

   Chianti
          [Chi.an.ti] n [It, fr. the Chianti region, Italy] (1833):
          a dry usu. red wine from the Tuscany region of Italy;
          also: a similar wine made elsewhere

   chiaroscurist
          [chiar.oscu.rist] n (ca. 1798): an artist who specializes
          in chiaroscuro

   chiaroscuro
          [chiar.oscu.ro] n, pl -ros [It, fr. chiaro clear, light +
          oscuro obscure, dark] (1686) 1: pictorial representation
          in terms of light and shade without regard to color 2
          a: the arrangement or treatment of light and dark parts
          in a pictorial work of art b: the interplay or contrast
          of dissimilar qualities (as of mood or character) 3:
          a 16th century woodcut technique involving the use of
          several blocks to print different tones of the same color;
          also: a print made by this technique 4: the interplay
          of light and shadow on or as if on a surface 5: the quality
          of being veiled or partly in shadow

   chiasm
          [chi.asm] n [NL chiasma] (1870): chiasma 1

   chiasma
          [chi.as.ma] n, pl -ma.ta [NL, X-shaped configuration, fr.
          Gk, crosspiece, fr. chiazein to mark with a chi, fr.
          chi (x)] (1839) 1: an anatomical intersection or
          decussation--compare optic chiasma 2: a cross-shaped configuration
          of paired chromatids visible in the diplotene of meiotic prophase
          and considered the cytological equivalent of genetic crossing-over
          -- chi.as.mat. ic adj

   chiasmus
          [chi.as.mus] n [NL, fr. Gk chiasmos, fr. chiazein to mark
          with a chi] (1871): an inverted relationship between
          the syntactic elements of parallel phrases (as in Goldsmith's
          to stop too fearful, and too faint to go)

   chiaus
          [chiaus] n [Turk cavus] (1595): a Turkish messenger or sergeant

   Chibcha
          [Chib.cha] n, pl Chibcha or Chibchas [Sp] (1814) 1: a member
          of an Indian people of central Colombia 2: the extinct
          language of the Chibcha people

   Chibchan
          [Chib.chan] adj (1902): of, relating to, or constituting
          a language family of Colombia and Central America

   chibouk
          [chi.bouk] or chi.bouque n [F chibouque, fr. Turk cubuk]
          (1813): a long-stemmed Turkish tobacco pipe with a clay
          bowl

   [1]chic
          [chic] n [F] (1856) 1: smart elegance and sophistication
          esp. of dress or manner: style <wears her clothes with
          superb ~> 2: a distinctive mode of dress or manner associated
          with a fashionable lifestyle, ideology, or pursuit [2]chic
          adj (1865) 1: cleverly stylish: smart <the woman who
          is ~ adapts fashion to her own personality --Elizabeth
          L. Post> 2: currently fashionable <a ~ restaurant> --
          chic.ly adv -- chic.ness n

   Chicana
          [Chi.ca.na] n [MexSp, fem. of chicano] (1967): an American
          woman or girl of Mexican descent -- Chicana adj

   [1]chicane
          [chi.cane] vb chi.caned ; chi.can.ing [F chicaner, fr. MF,
          to quibble, prevent justice] vi (ca. 1672): to use chicanery
          <a wretch he had taught to lie and ~ --George Meredith>
          ~ vt: trick, cheat [2]chicane n (1686) 1: chicanery 2
          a: an obstacle on a racecourse b: a series of tight turns
          in opposite directions in an otherwise straight stretch
          of a road-racing course 3: the absence of trumps in a
          hand of cards

   chicanery
          [chi.ca.nery] n, pl -ner.ies (1609) 1: deception by artful
          subterfuge or sophistry: trickery 2: a piece of sharp
          practice (as at law): trick

   Chicano
          [Chi.ca.no] n, pl -nos [MexSp, alter. of Sp mexicano Mexican]
          (1947): an American of Mexican descent -- Chicano adj

   [1]chichi
          [chi.chi] n [F] (1908) 1: frilly or elaborate ornamentation
          2: affectation, preciosity 3: chic [2]chichi adj (1926)
          1: elaborately ornamented: showy, frilly <a ~ dress>
          2: arty, precious <~ poetry> 3: chic, fashionable <a
          ~ nightclub>

   chick
          [chick] n [ME chyke, alter. of chiken] (15c) 1 a: a domestic
          chicken; esp: one newly hatched b: the young of any bird
          2: child 3 slang: a young woman

   chickadee
          [chick.a.dee] n [imit.] (1838): any of several crestless
          American titmice (genus Parus) usu. with the crown of
          the head sharply demarked and darker than the body

   chickaree
          [chick.a.ree] n [imit.] (1829): red squirrel; also: a related
          squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) of forests from southwestern
          British Columbia to central California

   Chickasaw
          [Chick.a.saw] n, pl Chickasaw or Chickasaws (1674) 1: a member
          of an American Indian people of Mississippi and Alabama
          2: a dialect of Choctaw spoken by the Chickasaw

   [1]chicken
          [chick.en] n [ME chiken, fr. OE cicen young chicken; akin
          to OE cocc cock] (14c) 1 a: the common domestic fowl
          (Gallus gallus) esp. when young; also: its flesh used
          as food--compare jungle fowl b: any of various birds
          or their young 2: a young woman 3 a: coward b: any of
          various contests in which the participants risk personal
          safety in order to see which one will give up first 4
          [short for chickenshit] slang: petty details 5: a young
          male homosexual [2]chicken adj (1941) 1 a: scared b:
          timid, cowardly 2 slang a: insistent on petty details
          of duty or discipline b: petty, unimportant [3]chicken
          vi chick.ened ; chick.en.ing (1943): to lose one's nerve--usu.
          used with out <seemed to exhibit courage, manliness,
          and conviction when others ~ed out --J. R. Seeley>

   chicken-and-egg
          [chicken-and-egg] adj [fr. the proverbial question "which
          came first, the chicken or the egg?"] (1959): of, relating
          to, or being a cause-and-effect dilemma

   chicken colonel
          [chicken colonel] n [fr. the eagle serving as insignia of
          the rank] (1947) slang: colonel 1a

   chicken feed
          [chicken feed] n (1836) slang: a paltry sum (as in profits
          or wages)

   chicken-fried steak
          [chick.en-fried steak] n (1952): steak coated with batter,
          fried, and served with gravy

   chicken hawk
          [chicken hawk] n (1827): a hawk that preys or is believed
          to prey on chickens

   chickenhearted
          [chick.en.heart.ed] adj (1681): timid, cowardly

   chicken-livered
          [chick.en-liv.ered] adj (1872): fainthearted, cowardly

   chicken pox
          [chicken pox] n (ca. 1738): an acute contagious disease esp.
          of children marked by low-grade fever and formation of
          vesicles and caused by a poxvirus--compare herpes zoster

   [1]chickenshit
          [chick.en.shit] n (1947) 1: the petty details of a duty or
          discipline--usu. considered vulgar 2: coward, chicken--usu.
          considered vulgar [2]chickenshit adj (1951) 1: petty,
          insignificant--usu. considered vulgar 2: lacking courage,
          manliness, or effectiveness--usu. considered vulgar

   chicken snake
          [chicken snake] n (1709): rat snake

   chicken wire
          [chicken wire] n [fr. its use for making enclosures for chickens]
          (ca. 1904): a light galvanized wire netting of hexagonal
          mesh

   chickpea
          [chick.pea] n [alter. of chich pea, fr. ME chiche, fr. MF,
          fr. L cicer] (ca. 1722): an Asian leguminous herb (Cicer
          arietinum) cultivated for its short pods with one or
          two seeds; also: its seed

   chickweed
          [chick.weed] n (14c): any of various low-growing small-leaved
          weedy plants of the pink family (esp. genera Cerastium
          and Stellaria); esp: a cosmopolitan weed (Stelleria media)
          naturalized in the U.S. from Eurasia

   chicle
          [chi.cle] n [AmerSp, fr. Nahautl tzictli] (ca. 1889): a gum
          from the latex of the sapodilla used as the chief ingredient
          of chewing gum

   chicory
          [chic.o.ry] also chick.o.ry n, pl -ries [ME cicoree, fr.
          MF cichoree, chicoree, fr. L cichoreum, fr. Gk kichoreia]
          (15c) 1: a thick-rooted usu. blue-flowered European perennial
          composite herb (Cichorium intybus) widely grown for its
          roots and as a salad plant--compare endive 2, radicchio
          2: the dried ground roasted root of chicory used to flavor
          or adulterate coffee

   chide
          [chide] vb chid or chid.ed ; chid or chid.den or chided ;
          chid.ing [ME, fr. OE cidan to quarrel, chide, fr. cid
          strife] vi (bef. 12c): to speak out in angry or displeased
          rebuke ~ vt: to voice disapproval to: reproach in a usu.
          mild and constructive manner: scold syn see reprove

   [1]chief
          [chief] adj (14c) 1: accorded highest rank or office <~ librarian>
          2: of greatest importance or influence <the ~ reasons> [2]chief adv
          (14c) archaic: chiefly [3]chief n [ME, fr. MF, head, chief, fr.
          L caput head--more at head] (15c) 1: the upper part of a heraldic
          field 2: the head of a body of persons or an organization: leader
          <~ of police> 3: the principal or most valuable part -- chief.dom
          n -- chief.ship n -- in chief : in the chief position
          or place--often used in titles <commander in chief>

   chief executive
          [chief executive] n (1833): a principal executive officer:
          as a: the president of a republic b: the governor of
          a state

   chief justice
          [chief justice] n (1534): the presiding or principal judge
          of a court of justice

   [1]chiefly
          [chief.ly] adv (14c) 1: most importantly: principally, especially
          2: for the most part: mostly, mainly [2]chiefly adj (1870):
          of or relating to a chief <~ duties>

   chief master sergeant
          [chief master sergeant] n (1959): a noncommissioned officer
          in the air force ranking above a senior master sergeant

   chief master sergeant of the air force
          [chief master sergeant of the air force] (ca. 1961): the
          ranking noncommissioned officer in the air force serving
          as adviser to the chief of staff

   chief of naval operations
          [chief of naval operations] (1915): the commanding officer
          of the navy and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

   chief of staff
          [chief of staff] (ca. 1881) 1: the ranking officer of a staff
          in the armed forces serving as principal adviser to a
          commander 2: the commanding officer of the army or air
          force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

   chief of state
          [chief of state] (1950): the formal head of a national state
          as distinguished from the head of the government

   chief petty officer
          [chief petty officer] n (ca. 1887): an enlisted man in the
          navy or coast guard ranking above a petty officer first
          class and below a senior chief petty officer

   chieftain
          [chief.tain] n [ME chieftaine, fr. MF chevetain, fr. LL capitaneus
          chief--more at captain] (14c): a chief esp. of a band, tribe,
          or clan -- chief.tain.ship n

   chieftaincy
          [chief.tain.cy] n, pl -cies (1788) 1: the rank, dignity,
          office, or rule of a chieftain 2: a region or a people
          ruled by a chief: chiefdom

   chief warrant officer
          [chief warrant officer] n (1956): a warrant officer of senior
          rank in the armed forces; also: a commissioned officer
          in the navy or coast guard ranking below an ensign

   chiel
          [chiel] or chield n [ME (Sc) cheld, alter. of ME child child]
          (1728) chiefly Scot: fellow, lad

   chiffchaff
          [chiff.chaff] n [imit.] (1780): a small grayish European
          warbler (Phylloscopus collybita)

   [1]chiffon
          [chif.fon] n [F, lit., rag, fr. chiffe old rag, alter. of
          MF chipe, fr. ME chip chip] (1765) 1: an ornamental addition
          (as a knot of ribbons) to a woman's dress 2: a sheer
          fabric esp. of silk [2]chiffon adj (1903) 1: resembling
          chiffon in sheerness or softness 2: having a light delicate
          texture achieved usu. by adding whipped egg whites or
          whipped gelatin <lemon ~ pie>

   chiffonade
          [chif.fo.nade] n [F chiffonnade, fr. chiffonner to crumple,
          fr. chiffon] (1877): shredded or finely cut vegetables
          used esp. as a garnish

   chiffonier
          [chif.fo.nier] n [F chiffonnier, fr. chiffon] (1765): a high
          narrow chest of drawers

   chifforobe
          [chif.fo.robe] n [chiffonier + wardrobe] (1908): a combination
          of wardrobe and chest of drawers

   chigger
          [chig.ger] n (1756) 1: chigoe 1 2 [alter. of [2]jigger]:
          a 6-legged mite larva (family Trombiculidae) that sucks
          the blood of vertebrates and causes intense irritation

   chignon
          [chi.gnon] n [F, fr. MF chaignon chain, collar, nape] (1783):
          a knot of hair that is worn at the back of the head and
          esp. at the nape of the neck

   chigoe
          [chi.goe] n [Carib chico] (1691) 1: a tropical flea (Tunga
          penetrans) of which the fertile female causes great discomfort
          by burrowing under the skin 2: chigger 2

   Chihuahua
          [Chi.hua.hua] n [MexSp, fr. Chihuahua, Mexico] (1858): any
          of a breed of very small roundheaded dogs that occur
          in short-coated and long-coated varieties

   chilblain
          [chil.blain] n [[1]chill] (1547): an inflammatory swelling
          or sore caused by exposure (as of the feet or hands)
          to cold

   child
          [child] n, pl chil.dren often attrib [ME, fr. OE cild; akin
          to Goth kilthei womb, and perh. to Skt jathara belly]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: an unborn or recently born person b dial:
          a female infant 2 a: a young person esp. between infancy
          and youth b: a childlike or childish person c: a person
          not yet of age 3 usu childe archaic: a youth of noble
          birth 4 a: a son or daughter of human parents b: descendant
          5: one strongly influenced by another or by a place or
          state of affairs 6: product, result <barbed wire ...
          is truly a ~ of the plains --W. P. Webb> -- child.less
          adj -- child.less.ness n -- with child : pregnant

   childbearing
          [child.bear.ing] adj (14c): of or relating to the process
          of conceiving, being pregnant with, and giving birth
          to children <women of ~ age> -- childbearing n

   childbed
          [child.bed] n (13c): the condition of a woman in childbirth

   childbed fever
          [childbed fever] n (1928): puerperal fever

   childbirth
          [child.birth] n (15c): parturition

   childhood
          [child.hood] n (bef. 12c) 1: the state or period of being
          a child 2: the early period in the development of something

   childish
          [child.ish] adj (bef. 12c) 1: of, relating to, or befitting
          a child or childhood 2 a: marked by or suggestive of
          immaturity and lack of poise <a ~ spiteful remark> b:
          lacking complexity: simple <it's a ~ device, but it works>
          c: deteriorated with age esp. in mind: senile -- child.ish.ly
          adv -- child.ish.ness n

   childlike
          [child.like] adj (1586): of, relating to, or resembling a
          child or childhood; esp: marked by innocence, trust,
          and ingenuousness -- child.like.ness n

   childly
          [child.ly] adj (bef. 12c): childlike

   childproof
          [child.proof] adj (1956): designed to prevent tampering or
          opening by children <~ pill bottles>

   child's play
          [child's play] n (14c) 1: an extremely simple task or act
          2: something that is insignificant <his injury was child's
          play compared with the damage he inflicted>

   Chile saltpeter
          [Chile saltpeter] n [Chile, So. America] (ca. 1909): sodium
          nitrate esp. occurring naturally (as in caliche)

   chili
          [chili] or chile or chil.li n, pl chil.ies or chil.es or
          chil.lies [Sp chile, fr. Nahuatl chilli] (1604) 1 a:
          hot pepper b usu chilli, chiefly Brit: a pepper whether
          hot or sweet 2 a: a thick sauce of meat and chilies b:
          chili con carne

   chiliad
          [chil.i.ad] n [LL chiliad-, chilias, fr. Gk, fr. chilioi
          thousand] (1598) 1: a group of 1000 2: millennium 2a

   chiliasm
          [chil.i.asm] n [NL chiliasmus, fr. LL chiliastes one that
          believes in chiliasm, fr. chilias] (1610): millenarianism
          -- chil.i.ast n -- chil.i.as.tic adj

   chili con carne
          [chili con car.ne] n [AmerSp chile con carne chili with meat]
          (1857): a spiced stew of ground beef and minced chilies
          or chili powder usu. with beans

   chili dog
          [chili dog] n (1969): a hot dog topped with chili

   chili powder
          [chili powder] n (1938): a condiment made with chilies ground
          to a powder

   chili sauce
          [chili sauce] n (1880): a spiced tomato sauce usu. made with
          red and green peppers

   [1]chill
          [chill] n [ME chile chill, frost, fr. OE ciele; akin to OE
          ceald cold] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a sensation of cold accompanied
          by shivering b: a disagreeable sensation of coldness
          2: a moderate but disagreeable degree of cold 3: a check
          to enthusiasm or warmth of feeling <felt the ~ of his
          opponent's stare> [2]chill adj (14c) 1 a: moderately
          cold b: cold, raw 2: affected by cold <~ travelers> 3:
          distant, formal <a ~ reception> 4: depressing, dispiriting
          <~ penury --Thomas Gray> -- chill.ness n [3]chill vi
          (14c) 1 a: to become cold b: to shiver or quake with
          or as if with cold 2: to become taken with a chill ~
          vt 1 a: to make cold or chilly b: to make cool esp. without
          freezing 2: to affect as if with cold: dispirit, discourage
          <were ~ed by the drab austerity --William Attwood> --
          chill.ing.ly adv

   chiller
          [chill.er] n (1798) 1: one that chills 2: an eerie or frightening
          story of murder, violence, or the supernatural

   chill factor
          [chill factor] n (1965): windchill

   chill out
          [chill out] vi (1983) slang: to calm down: go easy: relax--often
          used in the imperative

   chillum
          [chil.lum] n [Hindi cilam, fr. Per chilam] (1781) 1: the
          part of a water pipe that contains the substance (as
          tobacco or hashish) which is smoked; also: a quantity
          of a substance thus smoked 2: a funnel-shaped clay pipe
          for smoking

   chilly
          [chilly] adj chill.i.er ; -est (1570) 1: noticeably cold:
          chilling 2: unpleasantly affected by cold 3: lacking
          warmth of feeling 4: tending to arouse fear or apprehension
          <~ suspicions> -- chill.i.ly adv -- chill.i.ness n

   [1]chimaera
          [chi.mae.ra] var of chimera [2]chimaera n [NL, genus name,
          fr. L, chimera] (1804): any of a family (Chimaeridae)
          of marine cartilaginous fishes with a tapering or threadlike
          tail and usu. no anal fin

   chimaeric, chimaerism
          [chi.mae.ric, chi.mae.rism] Brit var of chimeric, chimerism

   [1]chime
          [chime] n [ME chimbe, fr. OE cimb-; akin to MD kimme edge
          of a cask] (14c): the edge or rim of a cask or drum [2]chime
          vb chimed ; chim.ing vi (14c) 1 a: to make a musical
          and esp. a harmonious sound b: to make the sounds of
          a chime 2: to be or act in accord <the music and the
          mood chimed well together> ~ vt 1: to cause to sound
          musically by striking 2: to produce by chiming 3: to
          call or indicate by chiming <the clock chimed midnight>
          4: to utter repetitively: din 2 -- chim.er n [3]chime
          n [ME, cymbal, fr. MF chimbe, fr. OF, fr. L cymbalum
          cymbal] (15c) 1: an apparatus for chiming a bell or set
          of bells 2 a: a musically tuned set of bells b: one of
          a set of objects giving a bell-like sound when struck
          3 a: the sound of a set of bells--usu. used in pl. b:
          a musical sound suggesting that of bells 4: accord, harmony
          <such happy ~ of fact and theory --Henry Maudsley>

   chime in
          [chime in] vi (1681) 1: to combine harmoniously <the artist's
          illustrations chime in perfectly with the text --Book
          Production> 2: to break into a conversation or discussion
          esp. to express an opinion ~ vt: to remark while chiming
          in

   chimera
          [chi.me.ra] n [L chimaera, fr. Gk chimaira she-goat, chimera;
          akin to ON gymbr yearling ewe, Gk cheimon winter--more
          at hibernate] 1 a cap: a fire-breathing she-monster in
          Greek mythology having a lion's head, a goat's body,
          and a serpent's tail b: an imaginary monster compounded
          of incongruous parts 2: an illusion or fabrication of
          the mind; esp: an unrealizable dream <a fancy, a ~ in
          my brain, troubles me in my prayer --John Donne> 3: an
          individual, organ, or part consisting of tissues of diverse
          genetic constitution

   chimere
          [chi.mere] n [ME chimmer, chemeyr] (14c): a loose sleeveless
          robe worn by Anglican bishops over the rochet

   chimeric
          [chi.me.ric] adj (1973): relating to, derived from, or being
          a genetic chimera or its genetic material <a ~ cat> <~
          genes>

   chimerical
          [chi.me.ri.cal] also chi.me.ric adj [chimera] (1638) 1: existing
          only as the product of unchecked imagination: fantastically
          visionary or improbable 2: given to fantastic schemes
          syn see imaginary -- chi.me.ri.cal.ly adv

   chimerism
          [chi.me.rism] n (1961): the state of being a genetic chimera

   chimichanga
          [chi.mi.chan.ga] n [MexSp, trinket] (1982): a tortilla wrapped
          around a filling (as of meat) and deep-fried

   chimney
          [chim.ney] n, pl chimneys [ME, fr. MF cheminee, fr. LL caminata,
          fr. L caminus furnace, fireplace, fr. Gk kaminos; perh.
          akin to Gk kamara vault] (14c) 1 dial: fireplace, hearth
          2: a vertical structure incorporated into a building
          and enclosing a flue or flues that carry off smoke; esp:
          the part of such a structure extending above a roof 3:
          smokestack 4: a tube usu. of glass placed around a flame
          (as of a lamp) 5: something resembling a chimney: as
          a: a narrow cleft in rock b: a tall column of rock on
          the ocean floor that is formed by the precipitation of
          minerals from superheated water issuing from a vent in
          the earth's crust and rising through the column of rock
          -- chim.ney.like adj

   chimneypiece
          [chim.ney.piece] n (1680): an ornamental construction over
          and around a fireplace that includes the mantel

   chimney pot
          [chimney pot] n (ca. 1806): a usu. earthenware pipe placed
          at the top of a chimney

   chimney sweep
          [chimney sweep] n (1727): a person whose occupation is cleaning
          soot from chimney flues--called also chimney sweeper

   chimney swift
          [chimney swift] n (1849): a small sooty-gray swift (Chaetura
          pelagica) with long narrow wings that often builds its
          nest inside an unused chimney--called also chimney swallow

   chimp
          [chimp] n (1877): chimpanzee

   chimpanzee
          [chim.pan.zee] n [Kongo dial. chimpenzi] (1738): an anthropoid
          ape (Pan troglodytes) of equatorial Africa that is smaller
          and more arboreal than the gorilla--compare pygmy chimpanzee

   Chin
          [Chin] abbreviation Chinese

   [1]chin
          [chin] n [ME, fr. OE cinn; akin to OHG kinni chin, L gena
          cheek, Gk genys jaw, cheek] (bef. 12c) 1: the lower portion
          of the face lying below the lower lip and including the
          prominence of the lower jaw 2: the surface beneath or
          between the branches of the lower jaw -- chin.less adj
          [2]chin vb chinned ; chin.ning vt (1869) 1: to bring
          to or hold with the chin <~ a violin> 2: to raise (oneself)
          while hanging by the hands until the chin is level with
          the support ~ vi, slang: to talk idly

   china
          [chi.na] n [Per chini Chinese porcelain] (1579) 1: porcelain;
          also: vitreous porcelain wares (as dishes, vases, or
          ornaments) for domestic use 2: earthenware or porcelain
          tableware

   China aster
          [China aster] n (1794): a common annual garden aster (Callistephus
          chinensis) native to northern China that occurs in many showy forms

   chinaberry
          [chi.na.ber.ry] n (1890): a small Asian tree (Melia azedarach)
          of the mahogany family naturalized in the southern U.S.
          where it is widely planted for shade or ornament

   china clay
          [china clay] n (1840): kaolin

   china closet
          [china closet] n (1771): a cabinet or cupboard for the storage
          or display of household china

   Chinaman
          [Chi.na.man] n (1849): a native of China: chinese--often
          taken to be offensive

   China rose
          [China rose] n (ca. 1731): any of numerous garden roses derived
          from a shrubby Chinese rose (Rosa chinensis)

   China Syndrome
          [China Syndrome] n [fr. the notion that the molten reactor
          contents could theoretically sink through the earth to
          reach China] (1970): meltdown 1

   Chinatown
          [Chi.na.town] n (1857): the Chinese quarter of a city

   China tree
          [China tree] n (1819): chinaberry

   chinaware
          [chi.na.ware] n (1634): tableware made of china

   chinbone
          [chin.bone] n (bef. 12c): mandible; esp: the median anterior
          part of the human mandible

   chinch
          [chinch] n [Sp chinche, fr. L cimic-, cimex] (1616): bedbug

   chinch bug
          [chinch bug] n (1785): a small black-and-white bug (Blissus
          leucopterus) very destructive to cereal grasses

   chincherinchee
          [chin.che.rin.chee] n, pl chincherinchee or chincherinchees
          [Afrik tjienkerientjee] (1904): a southern African perennial
          bulbous herb (Ornithogalum thyrsoides) of the lily family
          with spikes of white to golden-yellow blossoms

   chinchilla
          [chin.chil.la] n [Sp] (1604) 1: either of two small So. American
          rodents (Chinchilla laniger and C. brevicaudata) of the
          high Andes that are the size of large squirrels, have
          very soft pearly gray fur, and are extensively bred in
          captivity; also: the fur of a chinchilla 2: a heavy twilled
          woolen coating

   [1]chine
          [chine] n [ME, fr. MF eschine, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          scina shinbone, needle--more at shin] (14c) 1: backbone,
          spine; also: a cut of meat including all or part of the
          backbone 2: the intersection of the bottom and the sides
          of a flat or V-bottomed boat [2]chine vt chined ; chin.ing
          (ca. 1611): to cut through the backbone of (as in butchering)

   Chinese
          [Chi.nese] n, pl Chinese (1606) 1 a: a native or inhabitant
          of China b: a person of Chinese descent 2: a group of
          related languages used by the people of China that are
          often mutually unintelligible in their spoken form but
          share a single system of writing and that constitute
          a branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family; esp: mandarin
          -- Chinese adj

   Chinese boxes
          [Chinese boxes] n pl (1829) 1: a set of boxes graduated in
          size so that each fits into the next larger one 2: something
          that resembles a set of Chinese boxes esp. in complexity

   Chinese cabbage
          [Chinese cabbage] n (1842): either of two Asian brassicas
          now grown in the U.S. and widely used as greens: a: bok
          choy b: one (Brassica rapa pekinensis) that forms elongate
          more or less solid cylindrical heads and has pale green
          or cream-colored leaves

   Chinese checkers
          [Chinese checkers] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1938):
          a game in which each player seeks to be the first to
          transfer a set of marbles from a home point to the opposite
          point of a pitted 6-pointed star by single moves or jumps

   Chinese chestnut
          [Chinese chestnut] n (ca. 1909): an Asian chestnut (Castanea
          mollissima) that is resistant to chestnut blight

   Chinese copy
          [Chinese copy] n (1920): an exact imitation or duplicate
          that includes defects as well as desired qualities

   Chinese crested
          [Chinese crested] n (1976): any of a breed of hairless or
          coated dogs with a plumed tail and a crest of hair on
          the head

   Chinese gooseberry
          [Chinese gooseberry] n (1925): a subtropical vine (Actinidia
          chinensis of the family Actinidiaceae) that bears kiwifruit;
          also: kiwifruit

   Chinese lantern
          [Chinese lantern] n (1825): a collapsible translucent covering
          for a light

   Chinese parsley
          [Chinese parsley] n (ca. 1953): cilantro

   Chinese puzzle
          [Chinese puzzle] n (ca. 1815) 1: an intricate or ingenious
          puzzle 2: something intricate and obscure

   Chinese restaurant syndrome
          [Chinese restaurant syndrome] n (1968): a group of symptoms
          (as numbness of the neck, arms, and back with headache,
          dizziness, and palpitations) that is held to affect susceptible
          persons eating food and esp. Chinese food heavily seasoned
          with monosodium glutamate

   chinese shar-pei
          [chinese shar-pei] n (1975): shar-pei

   Chinese wall
          [Chinese wall] n [Chinese Wall, a defensive wall built in
          the 3d cent. b.c. between China and Mongolia] (1900):
          a strong barrier; esp: a serious obstacle to understanding

   Chinese white
          [Chinese white] n (ca. 1884): zinc white

   Ching
          [Ching] or Ch'ing n [Chin (Beijing) Qing] (1795): a Manchu
          dynasty in China dated 1644-1912 and the last imperial
          dynasty

   [1]chink
          [chink] n [prob. alter. of ME chine crack, fissure] (1535)
          1: a small cleft, slit, or fissure <a ~ in the curtain>
          2: a weak spot that may leave one vulnerable 3: a narrow
          beam of light shining through a chink [2]chink vt (1748):
          to fill the chinks of (as by caulking) <~ a log cabin>
          [3]chink n [imit.] (1573) 1 archaic: coin, money 2: a
          short sharp sound [4]chink vi (1589): to make a slight
          sharp metallic sound ~ vt: to cause to make a chink Chink
          n or adj [perh. alter. of Chinese] (1887): chinese--usu.
          taken to be offensive

   chino
          [chi.no] n, pl chinos [origin unknown] (1943) 1: a usu. khaki
          cotton or synthetic-fiber twill of the type used for
          military uniforms 2 pl: an article of clothing made of
          chino

   chinoiserie
          [chi.noi.se.rie] n [F, fr. chinois Chinese, fr. Chine China]
          (1883): a style in art (as in decoration) reflecting
          Chinese qualities or motifs; also: an object or decoration
          in this style

   Chinook
          [Chi.nook] n, pl Chinook or Chinooks [Lower Chehalis (Salishan
          language of western Washington) cinuk, name of a Chinook
          village] (1805) 1: a member of an American Indian people
          of the north shore of the Columbia River at its mouth
          2: a Chinookan language of the Chinook and other nearby
          peoples 3 often not cap a: a warm moist southwest wind
          of the coast from Oregon northward b: a warm dry wind
          that descends the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains
          4 not cap: chinook salmon

   Chinookan
          [Chi.nook.an] n (ca. 1890): an American Indian language family
          of Washington and Oregon -- Chinookan adj

   Chinook jargon
          [Chinook jargon] n, often cap J (1840): a pidgin language
          based on Chinook and other Indian languages, French,
          and English and formerly used as a lingua franca in the
          northwestern U.S. and on the Pacific coast of Canada
          and Alaska

   chinook salmon
          [chinook salmon] n (1851): a large commercially important
          Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) with red flesh
          that occurs in the northern Pacific Ocean--called also
          king salmon

   chinquapin
          [chin.qua.pin] or chin.ka.pin n [prob. modif. of Virginia
          Algonquian chechinquamin chinquapin nut] (1612) 1: the
          edible nut of a chinquapin 2: any of several trees (genera
          Castanea and Castanopsis); esp: a dwarf chestnut (Castanea
          pumila) of the U.S.

   chinquapin oak
          [chinquapin oak] n (1785): either of two chestnut oaks (Quercus
          muhlenbergii and Q. prinoides) of the eastern U.S.

   chintz
          [chintz] n [earlier chints, pl. of chint, fr. Hindi chit]
          (1614) 1: a printed calico from India 2: a usu. glazed
          printed cotton fabric

   chintzy
          [chintzy] adj chintz.i.er ; -est (1851) 1: decorated with
          or as if with chintz 2 a: gaudy, cheap <~ toys> b: stingy

   chin-up
          [chin-up] n (1954): the act or an instance of chinning oneself
          performed esp. as a conditioning exercise

   chin-wag
          [chin-wag] n (1879) slang: conversation, chat

   chionodoxa
          [chi.o.no.doxa] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk chion-, chion snow
          (akin to Gk cheimon winter) + doxa glory--more at hibernate,
          doxology] (1879): glory-of-the-snow

   [1]chip
          [chip] n [ME; akin to OE -cippian] (14c) 1 a: a small usu.
          thin and flat piece (as of wood or stone) cut, struck,
          or flaked off b (1): a small thin slice of food; esp:
          potato chip (2): french fry 2: something small, worthless,
          or trivial 3 a: one of the counters used as a token for
          money in poker and other games b pl: money--used esp.
          in the phrase in the chips c: something valuable that
          can be used for advantage in negotiation or trade <a
          bargaining ~> 4: a piece of dried dung--usu. used in
          combination <cow ~> 5: a flaw left after a chip is removed
          6 a: integrated circuit b: a small wafer of semiconductor
          material that forms the base for an integrated circuit
          7: chip shot -- chip off the old block : a child that
          resembles his or her parent -- chip on one's shoulder
          : a challenging or belligerent attitude [2]chip vb chipped
          ; chip.ping [ME chippen, fr. OE -cippian (as in forcippian
          to cut off); akin to OE cipp beam, OHG chipfa stave]
          vt (15c) 1 a: to cut or hew with an edged tool b (1):
          to cut or break (a small piece) from something (2): to
          cut or break a fragment from (3): to cut into chips <~
          a tree stump> 2 Brit: chaff, banter 3: to hit (a return
          in tennis) with backspin ~ vi 1: to break off in small
          pieces 2: to play a chip shot

   chipboard
          [chip.board] n (1919): a paperboard usu. made entirely from
          wastepaper

   chip in
          [chip in] vi (1861) 1: contribute <everyone chipped in for
          the gift> 2 chiefly Brit: chime in 2 ~ vt: contribute

   chipmunk
          [chip.munk] n [alter. of earlier chitmunk, prob. fr. Ojibwa
          achitamon' red squirrel] (1832): any of a genus (Tamias)
          of small striped No. American and Asian rodents of the
          squirrel family

   chipped beef
          [chipped beef] n (1859): smoked dried beef sliced thin

   Chippendale
          [Chip.pen.dale] adj [Thomas Chippendale] (1876): of or relating
          to an 18th century English furniture style characterized
          by graceful outline and often ornate rococo ornamentation

   [1]chipper
          [chip.per] n (1513): one that chips [2]chipper adj [perh.
          alter. of E dial. kipper (lively)] (1838): sprightly

   Chippewa
          [Chip.pe.wa] n, pl Chippewa or Chippewas (1671): ojibwa

   chipping sparrow
          [chip.ping sparrow] n [chip to cheep] (1791): a small gray-breasted
          No. American sparrow (Spizella passerina) with a black line through
          the eye, a white line above it, and in breeding plumage a reddish
          patch on the top of the head

   chippy
          [chip.py] adj chip.pi.er ; -est [chip on one's shoulder]
          (1898): aggressively belligerent <a ~ hockey player>;
          also: marked by much fighting <a ~ game>

   chip shot
          [chip shot] n (1909): a short usu. low approach shot in golf
          that lofts the ball to the green and allows it to roll

   chir-
          [chir-] or chiro- comb form [L, fr. Gk cheir-, cheiro-, fr.
          cheir; akin to Hitt kessar hand]: hand <chiropractic>

   chiral
          [chi.ral] adj [chir- + [1]-al] (1894): of or relating to
          a molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image
          -- chi.ral.i.ty n

   chiral center
          [chiral center] n (1970): an atom esp. in an organic molecule
          that has four different atoms or groups attached to it

   Chi-Rho
          [Chi-Rho] n, pl Chi-Rhos [chi + rho] (1868): a Christian
          monogram and symbol formed from the first two letters
          X and P of the Greek word for Christ--called also Christogram

   Chiricahua
          [Chir.i.ca.hua] n, pl Chiricahua or Chiricahuas (1885): a
          member of an Apache people of Arizona

   chirimoya
          [chir.i.moya] var of cherimoya

   chirk
          [chirk] vb [ME charken, chirken to creak, chirp, fr. OE cearcian
          to creak; akin to OE cracian to crack] (1843): cheer
          <play with her and ~ her up a little --Harriet B. Stowe>

   chirography
          [chi.rog.ra.phy] n (1654) 1: handwriting, penmanship 2: calligraphy
          1 -- chi.rog.ra.pher n -- chi.ro.graph.ic or chi.ro.graph.i.cal adj

   chiromancy
          [chi.ro.man.cy] n [prob. fr. MF chiromancie, fr. ML chiromantia,
          fr. Gk cheir- chir- + -manteia -mancy] (ca. 1528): palmistry
          -- chi.ro.man.cer n

   chironomid
          [chi.ron.o.mid] n [ultim. fr. Gk cheironomos one who gestures
          with his hands] (1915): any of a family (Chironomidae)
          of midges that lack piercing mouthparts -- chironomid
          adj

   chiropody
          [chi.rop.o.dy] n [chir- + pod-; fr. its original concern
          with both hands and feet] (1886): podiatry -- chi.rop.o.dist
          n

   chiropractic
          [chi.ro.prac.tic] n [chir- + Gk praktikos practical,
          operative--more at practical] (1898): a system of therapy which
          holds that disease results from a lack of normal nerve function and
          which employs manipulation and specific adjustment of body
          structures (as the spinal column) -- chi.ro.prac.tor n

   chiropteran
          [chi.rop.ter.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk cheir hand + pteron wing--more
          at feather] (1835): [3]bat

   chirp
          [chirp] n [imit.] (ca. 1755): the characteristic short sharp
          sound esp. of a small bird or insect -- chirp vi

   chirpy
          [chirpy] adj chirp.i.er ; -est (1837) 1: cheerfully lively
          <a ~ manner> 2 a: making chirps b: suggestive of chirping
          <a ~ voice> -- chirp.i.ly adv

   chirr
          [chirr] n [imit.] (ca. 1600): the short vibrant or trilled
          sound characteristic of an insect (as a grasshopper or
          cicada) -- chirr vi

   chirrup
          [chir.rup] n [imit.] (1788): chirp -- chirrup vi

   chirrupy
          [chir.rupy] adj (1874): chirpy

   chirurgeon
          [chi.rur.geon] n [ME cirurgian, fr. OF cirurgien, fr. cirurgie
          surgery] (13c) archaic: surgeon

   [1]chisel
          [chis.el] n [ME, fr. ONF, fr. (assumed) VL cisellum, alter.
          of caesellum, fr. L caesus, pp. of caedere to cut] (14c):
          a metal tool with a sharpened edge at one end used to
          chip, carve, or cut into a solid material (as wood, stone,
          or metal) [2]chisel vb -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling
          vt (1509) 1: to cut or work with or as if with a chisel
          2: to employ shrewd or unfair practices on in order to
          obtain one's end; also: to obtain by such practices <~
          a job> ~ vi 1: to work with or as if with a chisel 2
          a: to employ shrewd or unfair practices b: to thrust
          oneself: intrude <~ in on a racket> -- chis.el.er or
          chis.el.ler n

   chiseled
          [chis.eled] or chis.elled adj (1821): formed or crafted as
          if with a chisel <~ good looks> <a ~ essay>

   chi-square
          [chi-square] n, often attrib (ca. 1934): a statistic that
          is a sum of terms each of which is a quotient obtained
          by dividing the square of the difference between the
          observed and theoretical values of a quantity by the
          theoretical value

   chi-square distribution
          [chi-square distribution] n (ca. 1956): a probability density
          function that gives the distribution of the sum of the
          squares of a number of independent random variables each
          with a normal distribution with zero mean and unit variance,
          that has the property that the sum of two or more random
          variables with such a distribution also has one, and
          that is widely used in testing statistical hypotheses
          esp. about the theoretical and observed values of a quantity
          and about population variances and standard deviations

   [1]chit
          [chit] n [ME chitte kitten, cub] (ca. 1624) 1: child 2: a
          pert young woman [2]chit n [Hindi citthi] (1757) 1: a
          short letter or note; esp: a signed voucher of a small
          debt (as for food) 2: a small slip of paper with writing
          on it

   chitchat
          [chit.chat] n [redupl. of chat] (1710): small talk, gossip
          -- chitchat vi

   chitin
          [chi.tin] n [F chitine, fr. Gk chiton] (ca. 1839): a horny
          polysaccharide that forms part of the hard outer integument
          esp. of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans -- chi.tin.ous
          adj

   chiton
          [chi.ton] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk chiton tunic, of Sem
          origin; akin to Heb kuttoneth tunic] (1816) 1: any of
          a class (Polyplacophora) of elongated bilaterally symmetrical
          marine mollusks with a dorsal shell of calcareous plates
          2: the basic garment of ancient Greece worn usu. knee-length
          by men and full-length by women

   chitter
          [chit.ter] vi [ME chiteren, prob. of imit. origin] (13c):
          twitter, chirp; also: chatter

   chitterlings
          [chit.ter.lings] or chit.lins n pl [ME chiterling] (13c):
          the intestines of hogs esp. when prepared as food

   chivalric
          [chi.val.ric] adj (1797): relating to chivalry: chivalrous

   chivalrous
          [chiv.al.rous] adj (14c) 1: valiant 2: of, relating to, or
          characteristic of chivalry and knight-errantry 3 a: marked
          by honor, generosity, and courtesy b: marked by gracious
          courtesy and high-minded consideration esp. to women
          syn see civil -- chiv.al.rous.ly adv -- chiv.al.rous.ness
          n

   chivalry
          [chiv.al.ry] n, pl -ries [ME chivalrie, fr. MF chevalerie,
          fr. chevalier knight--more at chevalier] (14c) 1: mounted
          men-at-arms 2 archaic a: martial valor b: knightly skill
          3: gallant or distinguished gentlemen 4: the system,
          spirit, or customs of medieval knighthood 5: the qualities
          of the ideal knight: chivalrous conduct

   chive
          [chive] n [ME, fr. ONF, fr. L cepa onion] (14c): a perennial
          plant (Allium schoenoprasum) related to the onion and
          having slender leaves used as a seasoning--usu. used
          in pl.

   chivy
          [chivy] or chiv.vy vt chiv.ied or chiv.vied ; chivy.ing or
          chiv.vy.ing [chivy, n. (chase, hunt), prob. fr. E dial.
          Chevy Chase chase, confusion, fr. the name of a ballad
          describing the battle of Otterburn (1388)] (1918) 1:
          to tease or annoy with persistent petty attacks 2: to
          move or obtain by small maneuvers syn see bait

   chlamydia
          [chla.myd.ia] n, pl -i.ae [NL, fr. Gk chlamyd-, chlamys]
          (1966) 1: any of a genus (Chlamydia, family Chlamydiaceae)
          of spherical gram-negative intracellular bacteria; esp:
          one (C. trachomatis) that causes or is associated with
          various diseases of the eye and urogenital tract including
          trachoma, lymphogranuloma venereum, cervicitis, and some
          forms of urethritis 2: a disease or infection caused
          by chlamydiae -- chla.myd.i.al adj

   chlamydospore
          [chla.mydo.spore] n [L chlamyd-, chlamys + ISV spore] (1884):
          a thick-walled usu. resting fungal spore

   chlamys
          [chla.mys] n, pl chla.mys.es or chla.my.des [L chlamyd-,
          chlamys, fr. Gk] (1699): a short oblong mantle worn by
          young men of ancient Greece

   Chloe
          [Chloe] n [L, fr. Gk Chloe]: a lover of Daphnis in a Greek
          pastoral romance

   chlor-
          [chlor-] or chloro- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. chloros greenish
          yellow--more at yellow] 1: green <chlorine> <chlorosis>
          2: chlorine: containing chlorine <chloroprene>

   chloracne
          [chlor.ac.ne] n (ca. 1928): a skin eruption resembling acne
          and resulting from exposure to chlorine or its compounds

   chloral
          [chlo.ral] n [F, fr. chlor- + alcool alcohol] (1838) 1: a
          pungent colorless oily aldehyde used in making DDT and
          chloral hydrate 2: chloral hydrate

   chloral hydrate
          [chloral hydrate] n (1874): a bitter white crystalline drug
          used as a hypnotic and sedative or in knockout drops

   chloralose
          [chlo.ral.ose] n (1893): a bitter crystalline compound used
          esp. to anesthetize animals -- chlo.ral.osed adj

   chloramine
          [chlo.ra.mine] n [ISV] (1893): any of various compounds containing
          nitrogen and chlorine

   chloramphenicol
          [chlor.am.phen.i.col] n [chlor- + amide + phen- + nitr- +
          glycol] (1949): a broad-spectrum antibiotic isolated
          from cultures of a soil actinomycete (Streptomyces venezuelae)
          or prepared synthetically

   chlorate
          [chlo.rate] n (1823): a salt containing the singly charged
          anion consisting of one chlorine and three oxygen atoms
          <~ of potassium>

   chlordane
          [chlor.dane] n [chlor- + indane ] (1947): a highly chlorinated
          viscous volatile liquid insecticide

   chlordiazepoxide
          [chlor.di.az.epox.ide] n [chlor- + di- + az- + epoxide] (1961):
          a benzodiazepine related to diazepam and used in the
          form of its hydrochloride esp. as a tranquilizer and
          in the treatment of alcoholism

   chlorella
          [chlo.rel.la] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk chloros] (1904):
          any of a genus (Chlorella) of unicellular green algae

   chlorenchyma
          [chlor.en.chy.ma] n (1894): chlorophyll-containing parenchyma
          of plants

   chloride
          [chlo.ride] n [G Chlorid, fr. chlor- + -id -ide] (1812) 1:
          a compound of chlorine with another element or group;
          esp: a salt or ester of hydrochloric acid 2: a univalent
          anion consisting of one atom of chlorine

   chloride of lime
          [chloride of lime] (1826): bleaching powder

   chlorinate
          [chlo.ri.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1856): to treat or
          combine with chlorine or a chlorine compound -- chlo.ri.na.tion
          n -- chlo.ri.na.tor n

   chlorinated lime
          [chlorinated lime] n (1876): bleaching powder

   chlorine
          [chlo.rine] n (1810): a halogen element that is isolated
          as a heavy greenish yellow gas of pungent odor and is
          used esp. as a bleach, oxidizing agent, and disinfectant
          in water purification

   chlorinity
          [chlo.rin.i.ty] n (ca. 1931): a measure of the concentration
          of halides in one kilogram of seawater

   [1]chlorite
          [chlo.rite] n [G Chlorit, fr. L chloritis, a green stone,
          fr. Gk chloritis, fr. chloros] (1794): any of a group
          of monoclinic usu. green minerals associated with and
          resembling the micas -- chlo.rit.ic adj [2]chlorite n
          [prob. fr. F, fr. chlor-] (1853): a salt containing the
          singly charged anion consisting of one chlorine and two
          oxygen atoms <~ of sodium>

   chloro-
          [chloro-] --see chlor-

   chlorobenzene
          [chlo.ro.ben.zene] n [ISV] (ca. 1889): a colorless flammable
          volatile toxic liquid used in organic synthesis (as of
          DDT) and as a solvent

   chlorofluorocarbon
          [chlo.ro.fluo.ro.car.bon] n (1949): any of several simple
          gaseous compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, fluorine,
          and sometimes hydrogen, that are used as refrigerants,
          cleaning solvents, and aerosol propellants and in the
          manufacture of plastic foams, and that are suspected
          to be a major cause of stratospheric ozone depletion--abbr.
          CFC

   chlorofluoromethane
          [chlo.ro.fluo.ro.meth.ane] n (1965): a chlorofluorocarbon
          derived from methane

   [1]chloroform
          [chlo.ro.form] n [F chloroforme, fr. chlor- + formyle formyl;
          fr. its having been regarded as a trichloride of this
          group] (1838): a colorless volatile heavy toxic liquid
          with an ether odor used esp. as a solvent or as a veterinary
          anesthetic [2]chloroform vt (1848): to treat with or
          as if with chloroform esp. so as to produce anesthesia,
          insensibility, or death

   chlorogenic acid
          [chlo.ro.gen.ic acid] n (ca. 1889): a crystalline acid occurring
          in various plant parts (as coffee beans)

   chlorohydrin
          [chlo.ro.hy.drin] n [ISV chlor- + hydr- + [1]-in] (ca. 1890):
          any of various organic compounds derived from diols or
          polyhydroxy alcohols by substitution of chlorine for
          part of the hydroxyl groups

   Chloromycetin
          [Chlo.ro.my.ce.tin] trademark--used for chloramphenicol

   chlorophyll
          [chlo.ro.phyll] n [F chlorophylle, fr. chlor- + Gk phyllon
          leaf--more at blade] (1819) 1: the green photosynthetic
          pigment found chiefly in the chloroplasts of plants and
          occurring esp. as a blue-black ester or a dark green
          ester --called also respectively chlorophyll a, chlorophyll
          b 2: a waxy green chlorophyll-containing substance extracted
          from green plants and used as a coloring agent or deodorant
          -- chlo.ro.phyl.lous adj

   chloropicrin
          [chlo.ro.pic.rin] n [G Chlorpikrin, fr. chlor- + Gk pikros
          sharp--more at paint] (ca. 1889): a colorless liquid
          that causes tears and vomiting and is used esp. as a
          soil fumigant

   chloroplast
          [chlo.ro.plast] n [ISV] (1887): a plastid that contains chlorophyll
          and is the site of photosynthesis--see cell illustration
          -- chlo.ro.plas.tic adj

   chloroprene
          [chlo.ro.prene] n [chlor- + isoprene] (1931): a colorless
          liquid used esp. in making neoprene by polymerization

   chloroquine
          [chlo.ro.quine] n [chlor- + quinoline] (1946): an antimalarial
          drug administered as the bitter crystalline diphosphate

   chlorosis
          [chlo.ro.sis] n (1678) 1: an iron-deficiency anemia esp.
          of adolescent girls that may impart a greenish tint to
          the skin--called also greensickness 2: a diseased condition
          in green plants marked by yellowing or blanching -- chlo.rot.ic
          adj

   chlorothiazide
          [chlo.ro.thi.a.zide] n (1957): a thiazide diuretic used esp.
          to treat edema and to increase the effectiveness
          of antihypertensive drugs

   chlorpromazine
          [chlor.prom.a.zine] n [chlor- + propyl + methyl + azine]
          (1952): a phenothiazine used as a tranquilizer esp. in
          the form of its hydrochloride to suppress the more flagrant
          symptoms of psychotic disorders (as in schizophrenia)

   chlorpropamide
          [chlor.prop.amide] n [chlor- + propane + amide] (1960): a
          sulfonylurea drug used orally to reduce blood sugar in
          the treatment of mild diabetes

   chlortetracycline
          [chlor.tet.ra.cy.cline] n (1953): a yellow crystalline
          broad-spectrum antibiotic that is produced by a soil actinomycete
          (Streptomyces aureofaciens) and is sometimes used in animal feeds
          to stimulate growth

   chm
          [chm] abbreviation chairman, checkmate

   Chmn
          [Chmn] abbreviation chairman

   choanocyte
          [cho.ano.cyte] n [ISV choan- funnel-shaped (fr. Gk choane
          funnel) + -cyte] (1888): collar cell

   [1]chock
          [chock] n [origin unknown] (1769) 1: a wedge or block for
          steadying a body (as a cask) and holding it motionless,
          for filling in an unwanted space, or for blocking the
          movement of a wheel 2: a heavy metal casting (as on the
          bow or stern of a ship) with two short horn-shaped arms
          curving inward between which ropes or hawsers may pass
          for mooring or towing [2]chock adv (1834): as close or
          as completely as possible [3]chock vt (1854): to stop
          or make fast with or as if with chocks

   [1]chockablock
          [chock.a.block] adv (1850): chock <~ full> [2]chockablock
          adj (ca. 1890) 1: brought close together 2: very full

   chock-full
          [chock-full] or chock.ful adj [ME chokkefull, prob. fr. choken
          to choke + full] (15c): full to the limit

   chocoholic
          [choc.o.hol.ic] n [chocolate + -oholic (as in alcoholic)]
          (1968): a person who craves or compulsively consumes
          chocolate

   chocolate
          [choc.o.late] n [Sp, fr. Nahuatl chocolatl] (1604) 1: a beverage
          made by mixing chocolate with water or milk 2: a food
          prepared from ground roasted cacao beans 3: a small candy
          with a center (as a fondant) and a chocolate coating
          4: a brownish gray -- chocolate adj

   chocolate-box
          [chocolate-box] adj [fr. the pictures formerly commonly seen
          on boxes of chocolates] (1901): superficially pretty
          or sentimental

   chocolatier
          [choc.o.la.tier] n [F, fr. chocolat chocolate] (1888): a
          maker or seller of chocolate candy

   chocolaty
          [choc.o.laty] or choc.o.lat.ey adj (1926): made of or like
          chocolate; also: having a rich chocolate flavor

   Choctaw
          [Choc.taw] n, pl Choctaw or Choctaws [Choctaw chahta] (1722)
          1: a member of an American Indian people of Mississippi,
          Alabama, and Louisiana 2: the language of the Choctaw
          and Chickasaw people

   [1]choice
          [choice] n [ME chois, fr. OF, fr. choisir to choose, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG kiosan to choose--more at choose]
          (13c) 1: the act of choosing: selection 2: power of choosing:
          option 3 a: the best part: cream b: a person or thing
          chosen 4: a sufficient number and variety to choose among
          5: care in selecting 6: a grade of meat between prime
          and good -- of choice : to be preferred syn choice, option,
          alternative, preference, selection, election mean the
          act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen. choice
          suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely
          <freedom of choice>. option implies a power to choose
          that is specifically granted or guaranteed <the option
          of paying now or later>. alternative implies a necessity
          to choose one and reject another possibility <equally
          attractive alternatives>. preference suggests the guidance
          of choice by one's judgment or predilections <a preference
          for cool weather>. selection implies a wide range of
          choice <a varied selection of furniture>. election implies
          an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment
          <doing a tax return forces certain elections on you>.
          [2]choice adj choic.er ; choic.est (14c) 1: worthy of
          being chosen 2: selected with care 3 a: of high quality
          b: of a grade between prime and good <~ meat> -- choice.ly
          adv -- choice.ness n syn choice, exquisite, elegant,
          rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal
          to a cultivated taste. choice stresses preeminence in
          quality or kind <choice fabric>. exquisite implies a
          perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only
          to very sensitive taste <an exquisite gold bracelet>.
          elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained
          by good taste <a sumptuous but elegant dining room>.
          rare suggests an uncommon excellence <rare beauty>. delicate
          implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility <delicate
          craftsmanship>. dainty sometimes carries an additional
          suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate
          <dainty sandwiches>.

   [1]choir
          [choir] n [ME quer, fr. MF cuer, fr. ML chorus, fr. L, chorus--more
          at chorus] (14c) 1: an organized company of singers (as in a church
          service) 2: a group of instruments of the same class <a brass
          ~> 3: an organized group of persons or things 4: a division
          of angels 5: the part of a church occupied by the singers or by the
          clergy; also: the part of a church where the services are performed
          6: a group organized for ensemble speaking [2]choir vi (1596):
          to sing or sound in chorus or concert

   choirboy
          [choir.boy] n (1837): a boy member of a choir

   choir loft
          [choir loft] n (1929): a gallery occupied by a church choir

   choirmaster
          [choir.mas.ter] n (1860): the director of a choir (as in
          a church)

   [1]choke
          [choke] vb choked ; chok.ing [ME, alter. of achoken, fr.
          OE aceocian, fr. a-, perfective prefix + ceoce, ceace
          jaw, cheek--more at abide, cheek] vt (14c) 1: to check
          normal breathing of by compressing or obstructing the
          trachea or by poisoning or adulterating available air
          2 a: to check the growth, development, or activity of
          <the flowers were choked by the weeds> b: to obstruct
          by filling up or clogging <leaves choked the drain> c:
          to fill completely: jam <roads choked with traffic> 3:
          to enrich the fuel mixture of (a motor) by partially
          shutting off the air intake of the carburetor 4: to grip
          (as a baseball bat) some distance from the end of the
          handle ~ vi 1: to become choked in breathing 2 a: to
          become obstructed or checked b: to become or feel constricted
          in the throat (as from strong emotion)--usu. used with
          up <choked up and couldn't finish the speech> 3: to shorten
          one's grip esp. on the handle of a bat--usu. used with
          up 4: to lose one's composure and fail to perform effectively
          in a critical situation [2]choke n (1736) 1: the filamentous
          inedible center of an artichoke head; broadly: an artichoke
          head 2: something that obstructs passage or flow: as
          a: a valve for choking a gasoline engine b: a constriction
          in an outlet (as of an oil well) that restricts flow
          c: reactor 2 d: a constriction (as a narrowing of the
          barrel or an attachment) at the muzzle of a shotgun that
          serves to limit the spread of shot 3: the act of choking

   chokeberry
          [choke.ber.ry] n (1778): a small berrylike astringent fruit;
          also: any of a genus (Aronia) of shrubs of the rose family
          bearing chokeberries

   choke chain
          [choke chain] n (1955): a collar that may be tightened as
          a noose and that is used esp. in training and controlling
          powerful or stubborn dogs--called also choke collar

   chokecherry
          [choke.cher.ry] n (1784): an American wild cherry (Prunus
          virginiana) with bitter or astringent red to black edible
          fruit; also: this fruit

   choke coil
          [choke coil] n (ca. 1896): reactor 2

   choke off
          [choke off] vt (1818): to bring to a stop or to an end as
          if by choking

   choke point
          [choke point] n (1944): a strategic narrow route providing
          passage through or to another region

   choker
          [chok.er] n (ca. 1552) 1: one that chokes 2: something (as
          a collar or necklace) worn closely about the throat or
          neck

   choking
          [chok.ing] adj (1562) 1: producing the feeling of strangulation
          <a ~ cloud of smog> 2: indistinct in utterance--used
          esp. of a person's voice <a low ~ laugh> -- chok.ing.ly
          adv

   choky
          [choky] adj (1579): tending to cause choking or to become
          choked

   chol-
          [chol-] or chole- or cholo- comb form [Gk chol-, chole-,
          cholo-, fr. chole, cholos--more at gall]: bile: gall
          <cholate>

   cholangiography
          [chol.an.gi.og.ra.phy] n (1936): radiographic visualization
          of the bile ducts after injection of a radiopaque substance
          -- chol.an.gio.graph.ic adj -- chol.an.gio.gram n

   cholate
          [cho.late] n (ca. 1846): a salt or ester of cholic acid

   cholecalciferol
          [cho.le.cal.cif.er.ol] n [ISV] (1955): a sterol that is a
          natural form of vitamin D found esp. in fish, egg yolks,
          and fish-liver oils and is formed in the skin on exposure
          to sunlight or ultraviolet rays--called also vitamin
          D3

   cholecystectomy
          [cho.le.cys.tec.to.my] n, pl -mies [NL cholecystis gallbladder
          (fr. chol- + Gk kystis bladder) + ISV -ectomy--more at
          cyst] (1885): surgical excision of the gallbladder --
          cho.le.cys.tec.to.mized adj

   cholecystitis
          [cho.le.cys.ti.tis] n [NL, fr. cholecystis] (1866): inflammation
          of the gallbladder

   cholecystokinin
          [cho.le.cys.to.ki.nin] n [NL cholecystis + E -o- + kinin]
          (ca. 1929): a hormone secreted esp. by the duodenal mucosa
          that regulates the emptying of the gallbladder and secretion
          of enzymes by the pancreas and that has been found in
          the brain--called also cholecystokinin-pancreozymin,
          pancreozymin

   cholelithiasis
          [cho.le.li.thi.a.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1860): production of gallstones;
          also: the resulting abnormal condition

   choler
          [cho.ler] n [ME coler, fr. MF colere, fr. L cholera cholera,
          fr. Gk] (14c) 1 a archaic: yellow bile b obs: bile 1a
          2 obs: the quality or state of being bilious 3: ready
          disposition to irritation: irascibility; also: anger

   cholera
          [chol.era] n [L] (1601): any of several diseases of humans
          and domestic animals usu. marked by severe gastrointestinal
          symptoms; esp: an acute diarrheal disease caused by an
          enterotoxin produced by a comma-shaped gram-negative
          bacillus (Vibrio cholerae syn. V. comma) when it is present
          in large numbers in the proximal part of the human small
          intestine

   cholera morbus
          [chol.era mor.bus] n [NL, lit., the disease cholera] (1673):
          gastrointestinal illness characterized by griping, diarrhea,
          and sometimes vomiting--not used technically

   choleric
          [cho.ler.ic] adj (1583) 1: easily moved to often unreasonable
          or excessive anger: hot-tempered 2: angry, irate --
          cho.ler.i.cal.ly adv

   cholestasis
          [cho.le.sta.sis] n, pl -sta.ses [NL] (ca. 1935): a checking
          or failure of bile flow -- cho.le.stat.ic adj

   cholesteric
          [cho.le.ster.ic] adj [cholesteric relating to cholesterol,
          fr. F cholesterique] (1942): of, relating to, or being
          the phase of a liquid crystal characterized by arrangement
          of molecules in layers with the long molecular axes parallel
          to one another in the plane of each layer and incrementally
          displaced in successive layers to give helical stacking--compare
          nematic, smectic

   cholesterol
          [cho.les.ter.ol] n [ISV, fr. chol- + Gk stereos solid] (1894):
          a steroid alcohol that is present in animal cells and
          body fluids, regulates membrane fluidity, and functions
          as a precursor molecule in various metabolic pathways
          and as a constituent of LDL may cause arteriosclerosis

   cholestyramine
          [cho.le.styr.amine] n [chol- + styrene + amine] (ca. 1962):
          a strongly basic synthetic resin that forms insoluble
          complexes with bile acids and has been used to lower
          cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic patients

   cholic acid
          [cho.lic acid] n [Gk cholikos bilious, fr. chole] (1846):
          a crystalline bile acid

   choline
          [cho.line] n [ISV] (ca. 1871): a base that occurs as a component
          of phospholipids esp. in animals, is a precursor of acetylcholine,
          and is essential to liver function

   cholinergic
          [cho.lin.er.gic] adj [ISV] (1934) 1: liberating, activated
          by, or involving acetylcholine <~ nerve fiber> <~ functions>
          2: resembling acetylcholine esp. in physiologic action
          <a ~ drug> -- cho.lin.er.gi.cal.ly adv

   cholinesterase
          [cho.lin.es.ter.ase] n (1932) 1: acetylcholinesterase 2:
          an enzyme that hydrolyzes choline esters and that is
          found esp. in blood plasma--called also pseudocholinesterase

   cholla
          [chol.la] n [MexSp, fr. Sp, head] (1846): any of numerous
          shrubby opuntias chiefly of the southwestern U.S. and
          Mexico that have needlelike spines partly enclosed in
          a papery sheath and cylindrical joints

   chomp
          [chomp] vb [alter. of champ] vi (ca. 1847): to chew or bite
          on something ~ vt: to chew or bite on

   chon
          [chon] n, pl chon [Korean chon]: a monetary unit of North
          Korea and South Korea equal to 1/100 won

   chondriosome
          [chon.drio.some] n [Gk chondrion, dim. of chondros grain
          + ISV -some] (1910): mitochondrion

   chondrite
          [chon.drite] n [ISV, fr. Gk chondros] (1883): a meteoric
          stone characterized by the presence of chondrules --
          chon.drit.ic adj

   chondrocranium
          [chon.dro.cra.ni.um] n [Gk chondros grain, cartilage] (1875):
          the cartilaginous parts of an embryonic cranium; also:
          the part of the adult skull derived therefrom

   chondroitin
          [chon.droi.tin] n [ISV chondroitic acid, an acid found in
          cartilage + [1]-in] (1895): a mucopolysaccharide occurring
          in sulfated form in various animal tissues (as cartilage
          and tendons)

   chondrule
          [chon.drule] n [Gk chondros grain] (ca. 1889): a rounded
          granule of cosmic origin often found embedded in meteoric
          stones and sometimes free in marine sediments

   chook
          [chook] n [imit.] (1880) Austral & NewZeal: chicken 1

   choose
          [choose] vb chose ; cho.sen ; choos.ing [ME chosen, fr. OE
          ceosan; akin to OHG kiosan to choose, L gustare to taste]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to select freely and after consideration
          <~ a career> b: to decide on esp. by vote: elect <chose
          her as captain> 2 a: to have a preference for <~ one
          car over another> b: decide <chose to go by train> ~
          vi 1: to make a selection 2: to take an alternative--used
          after cannot and usu. followed by but <when earth is
          so kind, men cannot ~ but be happy --J. A. Froude> --
          choos.er n

   choose up
          [choose up] vt (1910): to form (sides) esp. for a game by
          having opposing captains choose their players ~ vi: to
          form sides for a game <let's choose up and play ball>

   choosy
          [choosy] or choos.ey adj choos.i.er ; -est (1862): fastidiously
          selective: particular

   [1]chop
          [chop] vb chopped ; chop.ping [ME chappen, choppen--more
          at chap] vt (14c) 1 a: to cut into or sever usu. by repeated
          blows of a sharp instrument b: to cut into pieces--often
          used with up c: to weed and thin out (young cotton) d:
          to cut as if by chopping <~ prices> <a bridge ~s the
          lake in two> 2: to strike (as a ball) with a short quick
          downward stroke 3: to subject to the action of a chopper
          <~ a beam of light> ~ vi 1: to make a quick stroke or
          repeated strokes with or as if with a sharp instrument
          (as an ax) 2 archaic: to move or act suddenly or violently
          [2]chop n (14c) 1 a: a forceful usu. slanting blow with
          or as if with an ax or cleaver b: a sharp downward blow
          or stroke 2: a small cut of meat often including part
          of a rib--see lamb illustration 3: a mark made by or
          as if by chopping 4: material that has been chopped up
          5 a: a short abrupt motion (as of a wave) b: a stretch
          of choppy sea 6: chopper 6 7 chiefly Brit: ax 3 [3]chop
          vi chopped ; chop.ping [ME chappen, choppen to barter,
          fr. OE ceapian] (1540) 1: to change direction 2: to veer
          with or as if with wind -- chop logic : to argue with
          sophistical reasoning and minute distinctions [4]chop
          n [Hindi chap stamp] (1614) 1 a: a seal or official stamp
          or its impre ssion b: a license validated by a seal 2
          a: a mark on goods or coins to indicate nature or quality
          b: a kind, brand, or lot of goods bearing the same chop
          c: quality, grade <of the first ~>

   chop-chop
          [chop-chop] adv [Chin Pidgin E, redupl. of chop fast] (1834):
          without delay: quickly

   chopfallen
          [chop.fall.en] var of chapfallen

   chophouse
          [chop.house] n (ca. 1690): restaurant

   chopine
          [cho.pine] n [MF chapin, fr. OSp] (1577): a woman's shoe
          of the 16th and 17th centuries with a very high sole
          designed to increase stature and protect the feet from
          mud and dirt

   choplogic
          [chop.log.ic] n [obs. chop to exchange, trade, fr. ME choppen
          to barter] (1533): involved and often specious argumentation
          -- choplogic adj

   chop mark
          [chop mark] n (1949): an indentation made on a coin to attest
          weight, silver content, or legality -- chop-marked adj

   [1]chopper
          [chop.per] n (1552) 1: one that chops 2 pl, slang: teeth
          3: a device that interrupts an electric current or a
          beam of radiation (as light) at short regular intervals
          4: machine gun 5: helicopter 6: a high-bouncing batted
          baseball 7: a customized motorcycle [2]chopper vb (1955):
          helicopter

   choppiness
          [chop.pi.ness] n (1881): the quality or state of being choppy

   chopping block
          [chopping block] n (1703): a wooden block on which material
          (as meat, wood, or vegetables) is cut, split, or diced

   [1]choppy
          [chop.py] adj chop.pi.er ; -est [[2]chop] (1605) 1: being
          roughened: chapped 2: rough with small waves 3 a: interrupted
          by ups and downs <~ country> b: jerky <short ~ strides>
          c: disconnected <~ writing> -- chop.pi.ly adv [2]choppy
          adj chop.pi.er ; -est [[3]chop] (1865): changeable, variable
          <a ~ wind>

   chops
          [chops] n pl [alter. of [3]chap] (1589) 1: jaw 2 a: mouth
          b: the fleshy covering of the jaws <a dog licking its
          ~> 3 slang: embouchure; broadly: the technical facility
          of a musical performer

   chop shop
          [chop shop] n (1977): a place where stolen automobiles are
          stripped of salable parts

   chopstick
          [chop.stick] n [Chin Pidgin E chop fast + E stick] (1699):
          one of a pair of slender sticks held between thumb and
          fingers and used chiefly in oriental countries to lift
          food to the mouth

   chop suey
          [chop su.ey] n, pl chop sueys [Chin (Guangdong) jaahp-seui
          odds and ends, fr. jaahp miscellaneous + seui bits] (1888):
          a dish prepared chiefly from bean sprouts, bamboo shoots,
          water chestnuts, onions, mushrooms, and meat or fish
          and served with rice and soy sauce

   choragus
          [cho.ra.gus] or cho.re.gus n [L & Gk; L choragus, fr. Gk
          choragos, choregos, fr. choros chorus + agein to lead--more
          at agent] (1625) 1: the leader of a chorus or choir;
          broadly: the leader of any group or movement 2: a leader
          of a dramatic chorus in ancient Greece -- cho.rag.ic
          adj

   choral
          [cho.ral] adj [F or ML; F choral, fr. ML choralis, fr. L
          chorus] (1587) 1: of or relating to a chorus or choir
          <a ~ group> 2: sung or designed for singing by a choir
          <a ~ arrangement> -- cho.ral.ly adv

   chorale
          [cho.rale] n [G Choral, short for Choralgesang choral song]
          (1841) 1: a hymn or psalm sung to a traditional or composed
          melody in church; also: a harmonization of a chorale
          melody <a Bach ~> 2: chorus, choir

   chorale prelude
          [chorale prelude] n (ca. 1924): a composition usu. for organ
          based on a chorale

   [1]chord
          [chord] n [alter. of ME cord, short for accord] (1608): three
          or more musical tones sounded simultaneously [2]chord
          vi (14c) 1: accord 2: to play chords esp. on a stringed
          instrument ~ vt 1: to make chords on 2: harmonize [3]chord
          n [alter. of [1]cord] (1543) 1: cord 3a 2: a straight
          line segment joining and included between two points
          on a circle; broadly: a straight line joining two points
          on a curve 3: an individual emotion or disposition <struck
          a responsive ~> 4: either of the two outside members
          of a truss connected and braced by the web members 5:
          the straight line distance joining the leading and trailing
          edges of an airfoil

   chordal
          [chord.al] adj (1848) 1: of, relating to, or suggesting a
          chord 2: relating to music characterized more by harmony
          than by counterpoint

   chordamesoderm
          [chor.da.meso.derm] n [NL chorda cord + E mesoderm] (1939):
          the portion of the embryonic mesoderm that forms notochord
          and related structures and induces the formation of neural
          structures -- chor.da.meso.der.mal adj

   chordate
          [chor.date] n [ultim. fr. L chorda cord] (1897): any of a
          phylum (Chordata) of animals having at least at some
          stage of development a notochord, dorsally situated central
          nervous system, and gill clefts and including the vertebrates,
          lancelets, and tunicates -- chordate adj

   chore
          [chore] n [alter. of chare] (1746) 1 pl: the regular or daily
          light work of a household or farm 2: a routine task or
          job 3: a difficult or disagreeable task syn see task

   chorea
          [cho.rea] n [NL, fr. L, dance, fr. Gk choreia, fr. choros
          chorus] (1804): a nervous disorder (as of humans or dogs)
          marked by spasmodic movements of limbs and facial muscles
          and by incoordination -- cho.re.ic adj

   choreiform
          [cho.re.i.form] adj [ISV] (ca. 1899): resembling chorea <~
          convulsions>

   choreograph
          [cho.reo.graph] vt (1943) 1: to compose the choreography
          of 2: to arrange or direct the movements, progress, or
          details of ~ vi: to engage in choreography -- cho.re.og.ra.pher
          n

   choreography
          [cho.re.og.ra.phy] n, pl -phies [F choregraphie, fr. Gk choreia
          + F -graphie -graphy] (ca. 1789) 1: the art of symbolically
          representing dancing 2 a: the composition and arrangement
          of dances esp. for ballet b: a composition created by
          this art 3: something resembling choreography <a snail-paced
          ~ of delicate high diplomacy --Wolfgang Saxon> -- cho.reo.graph.ic
          adj -- cho.reo.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   choric
          [cho.ric] adj (1830): of, relating to, or being in the style
          of a chorus and esp. a Greek chorus

   chorine
          [cho.rine] n [chorus + -ine, fem. n. suffix (as in Pauline)]
          (1922): chorus girl

   chorioallantois
          [cho.rio.al.lan.to.is] n [NL, fr. Gk chorion + NL allantois]
          (1933): a vascular fetal membrane composed of the fused
          chorion and adjacent wall of the allantois that in the
          hen's egg is used as a living culture medium for viruses
          and for tissues--called also chorioallantoic membrane
          -- cho.rio.al.lan.to.ic adj

   choriocarcinoma
          [cho.rio.car.ci.no.ma] n [NL, fr. chorion + carcinoma] (1901):
          a malignant tumor developing in the uterus from the trophoblast
          and rarely in the testes from a neoplasm

   chorion
          [cho.ri.on] n [NL, fr. Gk] (1545): the highly vascular outer
          embryonic membrane of reptiles, birds, and mammals that
          in placental mammals is associated with the allantois
          in the formation of the placenta

   chorionic
          [cho.ri.on.ic] adj (1892) 1: of, relating to, or being part
          of the chorion <~ villi> 2: secreted or produced by chorionic
          or related tissue (as in the placenta or a choriocarcinoma)
          <human ~ gonadotropin>

   chorister
          [cho.ris.ter] n [ME querister, fr. AF cueristre, fr. ML chorista,
          fr. L chorus] (14c) 1: a singer in a choir; specif: choirboy
          2: the leader of a church choir

   chorizo
          [cho.ri.zo] n, pl -zos [Sp] (1846): a pork sausage highly
          seasoned esp. with chili powder and garlic

   chorography
          [cho.rog.ra.phy] n [L chorographia, fr. Gk chorographia,
          fr. choros place + -graphia -graphy] (1559) 1: the art
          of describing or mapping a region or district 2: a description
          or map of a region; also: the physical conformation and
          features of such a region -- cho.rog.ra.pher n -- cho.ro.graph.ic
          adj

   choroid
          [cho.roid] also cho.ri.oid n [NL choroides resembling the
          chorion, fr. Gk chorioeides, fr. chorion chorion] (1683):
          a vascular membrane containing large branched pigmented
          cells that lies between the retina and the sclera of
          the vertebrate eye--called also choroid coat--see eye
          illustration -- choroid or cho.roi.dal adj

   chortle
          [chor.tle] vb chor.tled ; chor.tling [prob. blend of chuckle
          and snort] vi (1872) 1: to sing or chant exultantly <he
          chortled in his joy --Lewis Carroll> 2: to laugh or chuckle
          esp. in satisfaction or exultation ~ vt: to say or sing
          with a chortling intonation -- chortle n -- chor.tler
          n

   [1]chorus
          [cho.rus] n [L, ring dance, chorus, fr. Gk choros] (1586)
          1 a: a company of singers and dancers in Athenian drama
          participating in or commenting on the action; also: a
          similar company in later plays b: a character in Elizabethan
          drama who speaks the prologue and epilogue and comments
          on the action c: an organized company of singers who
          sing in concert: choir; esp: a body of singers who sing
          the choral parts of a work (as in opera) d: a group of
          dancers and singers supporting the featured players in
          a musical comedy or revue 2 a: a part of a song or hymn
          recurring at intervals b: the part of a drama sung or
          spoken by the chorus c: a composition to be sung by a
          number of voices in concert d: the main part of a popular
          song; also: a jazz variation on a melodic theme 3 a:
          something performed, sung, or uttered simultaneously
          or unanimously by a number of persons or animals <a ~
          of boos> <that eternal ~ of: "Are we there yet?" from
          the back seat --Sheila More> b: sounds so uttered <visitors
          are taken to the woods by car to hear the mournful ~es
          of howling wolves --Bob Gaines> -- in chorus : in unison
          [2]chorus vt (1826): to sing or utter in chorus

   chorus boy
          [chorus boy] n (1943): a young man who sings or dances in
          the chorus of a theatrical production (as a musical or
          revue)

   chorus girl
          [chorus girl] n (1894): a young woman who sings or dances
          in the chorus of a theatrical production (as a musical
          or revue)

   [1]chose
          [chose] past of choose [2]chose n [F, fr. L causa cause,
          reason] (1670): a piece of personal property: thing

   [1]chosen
          [cho.sen] n, pl chosen (13c): one who is the object of choice
          or of divine favor: an elect person [2]chosen adj [ME,
          fr. pp. of chosen to choose] (14c) 1: elect 2: selected
          or marked for favor or special privilege <a ~ few>

   Chou
          [Chou] n [Chin (Beijing) Zhou] (1771): a Chinese dynasty
          traditionally dated 1122 to about 256 b.c. and marked
          by the development of the philosophical schools of Confucius,
          Mencius, Lao-tzu, and Mo Ti

   chough
          [chough] n [ME] (13c): either of two Old World birds (Pyrrhocorax
          pyrrhocorax and P. graculus) that are related to the
          crows and have red legs and glossy blue-black plumage

   [1]chouse
          [chouse] vt choused ; chous.ing [perh. fr. Turk cavus doorkeeper,
          messenger] (1708): cheat, trick [2]chouse vt choused
          ; chous.ing [origin unknown] (1904) West: to drive or
          herd roughly

   [1]chow
          [chow] n [short for chowchow] (1856): food, victuals [2]chow
          vi (1917): eat--often used with down [3]chow n [by shortening]
          (1889): chow chow

   chowchow
          [chow.chow] n [Chin Pidgin E chowchow food] (1850) 1: a Chinese
          preserve of ginger, fruits, and peels in heavy syrup
          2: a relish of chopped mixed pickles in mustard sauce

   chow chow
          [chow chow] n, often cap both Cs [perh. fr. chow-chow Chinese
          person, fr. Chin Pidgin E chowchow food] (1886): any
          of a breed of heavy-coated blocky dogs of Chinese origin
          having a broad head and muzzle, a distinctive blue-black
          tongue and black-lined mouth, and either a long dense
          coat with a full ruff or a short smooth coat--called
          also chow

   [1]chowder
          [chow.der] vt (1732): to make chowder of [2]chowder n [F
          chaudiere kettle, contents of a kettle, fr. LL caldaria--more
          at cauldron] (1751): a soup or stew of seafood (as clams
          or fish) usu. made with milk or tomatoes, salt pork,
          onions, and other vegetables (as potatoes); also: a soup
          resembling chowder <corn ~>

   chowderhead
          [chow.der.head] n [alter. of dial. jolterhead blockhead]
          (1833): dolt, blockhead -- chow.der.head.ed adj

   chowhound
          [chow.hound] n (1942): one fond of eating

   chow line
          [chow line] n (1919): a line of people waiting to be served
          food

   chow mein
          [chow mein] n [Chin (Guangdong) chaau-mihn fried noodles]
          (1903): a seasoned stew of shredded or diced meat, mushrooms,
          and vegetables that is usu. served with fried noodles

   chrestomathy
          [chres.tom.a.thy] n, pl -thies [NL chrestomathia, fr. Gk
          chrestomatheia, fr. chrestos useful + manthanein to learn--more
          at mathematical] (1832) 1: a selection of passages compiled
          as an aid to learning a language 2: a volume of selected
          passages or stories of an author

   chrism
          [chrism] n [ME crisme, fr. OE crisma, fr. LL chrisma, fr.
          Gk, ointment, fr. chriein to anoint] (bef. 12c): consecrated
          oil used in Greek and Latin churches esp. in baptism,
          chrismation, confirmation, and ordination

   chrismation
          [chris.ma.tion] n [ML chrismation-, chrismatio anointment
          with chrism, fr. LL chrismare to anoint with chrism,
          fr. chrisma] (1642): a confirmatory sacrament of the
          Eastern Orthodox Church in which a baptized member is
          anointed with chrism

   chrismon
          [chris.mon] n, pl chris.ma or chrismons [ML, fr. L Christus
          Christ + LL monogramma monogram] (1872): chi-rho

   chrisom
          [chris.om] n [ME crisom, short for crisom cloth, fr. crisom
          chrism + cloth] (13c): a white cloth or robe put on a
          person at baptism as a symbol of innocence

   chrisom child
          [chrisom child] n (1593): a child that dies in its first
          month

   Christ
          [Christ] n [ME Crist, fr. OE, fr. L Christus, fr. Gk Christos,
          lit., anointed, fr. chriein] (bef. 12c) 1: messiah 2:
          jesus 3: an ideal type of humanity 4 Christian Science:
          the ideal truth that comes as a divine manifestation
          of God to destroy incarnate error -- Christ.like adj
          -- Christ.ly adj

   christen
          [chris.ten] vt chris.tened ; chris.ten.ing [ME cristnen,
          fr. OE cristnian, fr. cristen Christian, fr. L christianus]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: baptize b: to name at baptism 2: to name
          or dedicate (as a ship) by a ceremony suggestive of baptism
          3: name 4: to use for the first time

   Christendom
          [Chris.ten.dom] n [ME cristendom, fr. OE cristendom, fr.
          cristen] (bef. 12c) 1: christianity 1 2: the part of
          the world in which Christianity prevails

   christening
          [chris.ten.ing] n (14c): the ceremony of baptizing and naming
          a child

   [1]Christian
          [Chris.tian] n [L christianus, adj. & n., fr. Gk christianos,
          fr. Christos] (1526) 1 a: one who professes belief in
          the teachings of Jesus Christ b (1): disciple 2 (2):
          a member of one of the Churches of Christ separating
          from the Disciples of Christ in 1906 (3): a member of
          the Christian denomination having part in the union of
          the United Church of Christ concluded in 1961 2: the
          hero in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress [2]Christian adj
          (1553) 1 a: of or relating to Christianity <~ scriptures>
          b: based on or conforming with Christianity <~ ethics>
          2 a: of or relating to a Christian <~ responsibilities>
          b: professing Christianity <a ~ affirmation> 3: commendably
          decent or generous <has a very ~ concern for others>
          -- Chris.tian.ly adj or adv

   Christian Brother
          [Christian Brother] n (1883): a member of the Roman Catholic
          institute of Brothers of the Christian Schools founded
          by St. John Baptist de la Salle in France in 1684 and
          dedicated to education

   Christian era
          [Christian era] n (1657): the period dating from the birth
          of Christ

   christiania
          [chris.ti.ania] n [Christiania, former name of Oslo, Norway]
          (1905): christie

   Christianity
          [Chris.tian.i.ty] n (14c) 1: the religion derived from Jesus
          Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed
          by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies 2:
          conformity to the Christian religion 3: christendom 2

   Christianize
          [Chris.tian.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1593): to make Christian
          -- Chris.tian.i.za.tion n -- Chris.tian.iz.er n

   Christian name
          [Christian name] n (1549): given name

   Christian Science
          [Christian Science] n (ca. 1867): a religion founded by Mary
          Baker Eddy in 1866 that was organized under the official
          name of the Church of Christ, Scientist, that derives
          its teachings from the Scriptures as understood by its
          adherents, and that includes a practice of spiritual
          healing based on the teaching that cause and effect are
          mental and that sin, sickness, and death will be destroyed
          by a full understanding of the divine principle of Jesus's
          teaching and healing -- Christian Scientist n

   christie
          [chris.tie] or chris.ty n, pl christies [by shortening &
          alter. fr. christiania] (1925): a skiing turn used for
          altering the direction of hill descent or for stopping
          and executed usu. at high speed by shifting the body
          weight forward and skidding into a turn with parallel
          skis

   Christmas
          [Christ.mas] n, often attrib [ME Christemasse, fr. OE Cristes
          maesse, lit., Christ's mass] (bef. 12c) 1: a Christian
          feast on December 25 or among some Eastern Orthodox on
          January 7 that commemorates the birth of Christ and is
          usu. observed as a legal holiday 2: christmastide --
          Christ.mas.sy or Christ.masy adj

   Christmas cactus
          [Christmas cactus] n [fr. its annual blooming around Christmastime]
          (ca. 1900): a branching Brazilian cactus (Schlumbergera truncata
          syn. Zygocactus truncatus) with flat stems, joints with margins
          having one to several blunt teeth, and showy usu. red, pink, white,
          or violet zygomorphic flowers--called also crab cactus

   Christmas card
          [Christmas card] n (1883): a greeting card sent at Christmas

   Christmas club
          [Christmas club] n (ca. 1925): a savings account in which
          regular deposits are made throughout the year to provide
          money for Christmas shopping

   Christmas fern
          [Christmas fern] n (1878): a No. American evergreen fern
          (Polystichum acrostichoides)

   Christmas rose
          [Christmas rose] n (1688): a European evergreen herb (Helleborus
          niger) of the buttercup family that has usu. white flowers
          produced in winter

   Christmastide
          [Christ.mas.tide] n (1626): the festival season from Christmas
          Eve till after New Year's Day or esp. in England till
          Epiphany

   Christmastime
          [Christ.mas.time] n (1837): the Christmas season

   Christmas tree
          [Christmas tree] n (1835) 1: a usu. evergreen tree decorated
          at Christmas 2: an oil-well control device consisting
          of an assembly of fittings placed at the top of the well

   Christocentric
          [Chris.to.cen.tric] adj [Gk Christos Christ + E -centric]
          (1873): centering theologically on Christ

   Christogram
          [Chris.to.gram] n [Gk Christos + E -gram] (1900): a graphic
          symbol of Christ; esp: chi-rho

   Christology
          [Chris.tol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [Gk Christos + E -logy] (1673):
          theological interpretation of the person and work of
          Christ -- Chris.to.log.i.cal adj

   Christ's-thorn
          [Christ's-thorn] or Christ-thorn n (1562): any of several
          prickly or thorny shrubs (as the shrub Paliurus spina-christi
          or the jujube Ziziphus jujuba)

   chrom-
          [chrom-] or chromo- comb form [ISV, fr. Gk chroma color]
          1: chromium <chromize> 2 a: color: colored <chromolithograph>
          b: pigment <chromogen>

   chroma
          [chro.ma] n [Gk chroma] (ca. 1889) 1: saturation 4a 2: a
          quality of color combining hue and saturation

   chromaffin
          [chro.maf.fin] adj [ISV chrom- + L affinis bordering on,
          related--more at affinity] (1903): staining deeply with
          chromium salts <~ cells of the adrenal medulla>

   chromat-
          [chromat-] or chromato- comb form [Gk chromat-, chroma] 1:
          color <chromatid> 2: chromatin <chromatolysis>

   chromate
          [chro.mate] n [F, fr. Gk chroma] (1819): a salt of chromic
          acid

   [1]chromatic
          [chro.mat.ic] n (1708): accidental 2 [2]chromatic adj [Gk
          chromatikos, fr. chromat-, chroma skin, color, modified
          tone; akin to Gk chros color] (ca. 1798) 1 a: of or relating
          to color or color phenomena or sensations b: highly colored
          2: of or relating to chroma 3 a: of, relating to, or
          giving all the tones of the chromatic scale b: characterized
          by frequent use of accidentals -- chro.mat.i.cal.ly adv
          -- chro.mat.i.cism n

   chromatic aberration
          [chromatic aberration] n (1831): aberration caused by the
          differences in refraction of the colored rays of the
          spectrum

   chromaticity
          [chro.ma.tic.i.ty] n (1922): the quality of color characterized
          by its dominant or complementary wavelength and purity
          taken together

   chromatics
          [chro.mat.ics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1790): the branch
          of colorimetry that deals with hue and saturation

   chromatic scale
          [chromatic scale] n (ca. 1789): a musical scale consisting
          entirely of half steps

   chromatid
          [chro.ma.tid] n (1900): one of the usu. paired and parallel
          strands of a duplicated chromosome joined by a single
          centromere

   chromatin
          [chro.ma.tin] n (1882): a complex of nucleic acid and basic
          proteins (as histone) in eukaryotic cells that is usu.
          dispersed in the interphase nucleus and condensed into
          chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis--compare euchromatin,
          heterochromatin--see cell illustration -- chro.ma.tin.ic
          adj

   chromatogram
          [chro.mato.gram] n (1922) 1: the pattern formed on the adsorbent
          medium by the layers of components separated by chromatography
          2: a time-based graphic record (as of concentration of
          eluted materials) of a chromatographic separation

   chromatograph
          [chro.mato.graph] n (1946): an instrument for performing
          chromatographic separations and producing chromatograms
          -- chromatograph vb -- chro.ma.tog.ra.pher n

   chromatography
          [chro.ma.tog.ra.phy] n (1937): a process in which a chemical
          mixture carried by a liquid or gas is separated into
          components as a result of differential distribution of
          the solutes as they flow around or over a stationary
          liquid or solid phase -- chro.mato.graph.ic adj --
          chro.mato.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   chromatolysis
          [chro.ma.tol.y.sis] n [NL] (1901): the dissolution and breaking
          up of chromophil material (as chromatin) of a cell and
          esp. a nerve cell -- chro.mato.lyt.ic adj

   chromatophore
          [chro.mato.phore] n [ISV] (ca. 1859) 1: a pigment-bearing
          cell; esp: one of the cells of an animal integument capable
          of causing integumentary color changes by expanding or
          contracting 2: the organelle of photosynthesis in blue-green
          algae and photosynthetic bacteria; broadly: chromoplast,
          chloroplast

   -chrome
          [-chrome] n comb form or adj comb form [ML -chromat-, -chroma
          colored thing, fr. Gk chromat-, chroma] 1: colored thing
          <heliochrome> 2: coloring matter <urochrome>

   [1]chrome
          [chrome] n [F, fr. Gk chroma] (1800) 1 a: chromium b: a chromium
          pigment 2: something plated with an alloy of chromium
          [2]chrome vt chromed ; chrom.ing (1876) 1: to treat with
          a compound of chromium (as in dyeing) 2: chromize

   chrome green
          [chrome green] n (ca. 1859): any of various brilliant green
          pigments containing or consisting of chromium compounds

   chrome yellow
          [chrome yellow] n (1819): a yellow pigment consisting essentially
          of neutral lead chromate

   chromic
          [chro.mic] adj (ca. 1828): of, relating to, or derived from
          chromium esp. with a valence of three

   chromic acid
          [chromic acid] n (1800): an acid analogous to sulfuric acid
          but known only in solution and esp. in the form of its
          salts

   chrominance
          [chro.mi.nance] n [chrom- + luminance] (1952): the difference
          between a color and a chosen reference color of the same
          luminous intensity in color television

   chromite
          [chro.mite] n [G Chromit, fr. chrom-] (1840) 1: a mineral
          that consists of an oxide of iron and chromium 2: an
          oxide of bivalent chromium

   chromium
          [chro.mi.um] n [NL, fr. F chrome] (1807): a blue-white metallic
          element found naturally only in combination and used
          esp. in alloys and in electroplating

   chromize
          [chro.mize] vt chro.mized ; chro.miz.ing (1939): to treat
          (metal) with chromium in order to form a protective surface
          alloy

   chromo
          [chro.mo] n, pl chromos (1869): chromolithograph

   chromocenter
          [chro.mo.cen.ter] n (1926): a densely staining aggregation
          of heterochromatic regions in the nucleus of some cells

   chromodynamics
          [chro.mo.dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1976): quantum
          chromodynamics

   chromogen
          [chro.mo.gen] n [ISV] (1858) 1: a precursor of a biochemical
          pigment 2: a pigment-producing microorganism

   chromogenic
          [chro.mo.gen.ic] adj (1884) 1: of or relating to a chromogen
          2: being a process of photographic film development in
          which silver halides activate precursors of chemical
          dyes that form the final image while the silver is removed;
          also: being a film developed by this process

   chromolithograph
          [chro.mo.litho.graph] n (1860): a picture printed in colors
          from a series of lithographic stones or plates -- chromolithograph
          vt -- chro.mo.litho.graph.ic adj -- chro.mo.li.thog.raph.er
          n -- chro.mo.li.thog.ra.phy n

   chromomere
          [chro.mo.mere] n [ISV] (1896): one of the small bead-shaped
          and heavily staining masses of coiled chromatin that
          are linearly arranged along the chromosome -- chro.mo.mer.ic
          adj

   chromonema
          [chro.mo.ne.ma] n, pl -ne.ma.ta [NL, fr. chrom- + Gk nemat-,
          nema thread--more at nemat-] (ca. 1925): the coiled filamentous
          core of a chromatid -- chro.mo.ne.mat.ic adj

   chromophil
          [chro.mo.phil] adj [ISV] (1899): staining readily with dyes

   chromophobe
          [chro.mo.phobe] adj (ca. 1909): resisting staining with dyes

   chromophore
          [chro.mo.phore] n [ISV] (1879): a chemical group (as an azo
          group) that absorbs light at a specific frequency and
          so imparts color to a molecule; also: a colored chemical
          compound -- chro.mo.phor.ic adj

   chromoplast
          [chro.mo.plast] n [ISV] (1900): a colored plastid usu. containing
          red or yellow pigment (as carotene)

   chromoprotein
          [chro.mo.pro.tein] n (1924): any of various proteins (as
          hemoglobins, carotenoids, or flavoproteins) having a
          pigment as a prosthetic group

   chromosome
          [chro.mo.some] n [ISV] (1889): one of the linear or sometimes
          circular DNA-containing bodies of viruses, prokaryotic
          organisms, and the cell nucleus of eukaryotic organisms
          that contain most or all of the genes of the individual--compare
          chromatin -- chro.mo.som.al adj -- chro.mo.som.al.ly
          adv

   chromosome number
          [chromosome number] n (1910): the usu. constant number of
          chromosomes characteristic of a particular kind of animal
          or plant

   chromosphere
          [chro.mo.sphere] n (1868): the region of the atmosphere of
          a star (as the sun) between the star's photosphere and
          its corona -- chro.mo.spher.ic adj

   chromous
          [chro.mous] adj (1840): of, relating to, or derived from
          chromium esp. with a valence of two

   chron
          [chron] abbreviation chronicle, chronological, chronology
          Chron abbreviation Chronicles

   chron-
          [chron-] or chronocomb form [Gk, fr. chronos]: time <chronogram>

   chronaxie
          [chron.ax.ie] also chron.axy n [F chronaxie, fr. chron- +
          Gk axia value, fr. axios worthy--more at axiom] (1917):
          the minimum time required for excitation of a structure
          (as a nerve cell) by a constant electric current of twice
          the threshold voltage

   chronic
          [chron.ic] adj [F chronique, fr. Gk chronikos of time, fr.
          chronos] (1601) 1 a: marked by long duration or frequent
          recurrence: not acute <~ indigestion> <~ experiments>
          b: suffering from a chronic disease <the special needs
          of ~ patients> 2 a: always present or encountered; esp:
          constantly vexing, weakening, or troubling <~ petty warfare>
          b: being such habitually <a ~ grumbler> syn see inveterate
          -- chronic n -- chron.i.cal.ly adv -- chro.nic.i.ty n

   [1]chronicle
          [chron.i.cle] n [ME cronicle, fr. AF, alter. of OF chronique,
          fr. L chronica, fr. Gk chronika, fr. neut. pl. of chronikos]
          (14c) 1: a usu. continuous historical account of events
          arranged in order of time without analysis or interpretation
          2: narrative [2]chronicle vt -cled ; -cling (15c) 1:
          to record in or as if in a chronicle 2: list, describe
          -- chron.i.cler n

   chronicle play
          [chronicle play] n (1902): a play with a theme from history
          consisting usu. of rather loosely connected episodes
          chronologically arranged

   Chronicles
          [Chron.i.cles] n pl but sing in constr: either of two historical
          books of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture--called
          also Paralipomenon

   chronobiology
          [chro.no.bi.ol.o.gy] n (1972): the study of biological rhythms
          -- chro.no.bi.o.log.ic or chro.no.bi.o.log.i.cal adj
          -- chro.no.bi.o.lo.gist n

   chronogram
          [chro.no.gram] n (1621): an inscription, sentence, or phrase
          in which certain letters express a date or epoch

   chronograph
          [chro.no.graph] n (1868): an instrument for measuring and
          recording time intervals: as a: an instrument having
          a revolving drum on which a stylus makes marks b: stopwatch;
          also: a watch incorporating the functions of a stopwatch
          c: an instrument for measuring the time of flight of
          projectiles -- chro.no.graph.ic adj -- chro.nog.ra.phy
          n

   chronologer
          [chro.nol.o.ger] n (ca. 1572): chronologist

   chronological
          [chro.no.log.i.cal] also chro.no.log.ic adj (1614): of, relating
          to, or arranged in or according to the order of time
          <~ tables of American history>; also: reckoned in units
          of time <~ age> -- chro.no.log.i.cal.ly adv

   chronologist
          [chro.nol.o.gist] n (1611): an expert in chronology

   chronology
          [chro.nol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [NL chronologia, fr. chron- +
          -logia -logy] (1593) 1: the science that deals with measuring
          time by regular divisions and that assigns to events
          their proper dates 2: a chronological table, list, or
          account 3: an arrangement (as of events) in order of
          occurrence <reconstruct the ~ of the trip>

   chronometer
          [chro.nom.e.ter] n (ca. 1735): timepiece; esp: one designed
          to keep time with great accuracy

   chronometric
          [chro.no.met.ric] also chro.no.met.ri.cal adj (1830): of
          or relating to a chronometer or chronometry --
          chro.no.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   chronometry
          [chro.nom.e.try] n (1833): the measuring of time

   chronotherapy
          [chro.no.ther.a.py] n (1973): treatment of a sleep disorder
          (as insomnia) by changing sleeping and waking times in
          an attempt to reset the patient's biological clock

   chrys-
          [chrys-] or chryso- comb form [Gk, fr. chrysos]: gold: yellow
          <chrysarobin>

   chrysalid
          [chrys.a.lid] n (1777): chrysalis -- chrysalid adj

   chrysalis
          [chrys.a.lis] n, pl chry.sal.i.des or chrys.a.lis.es
          [L chrysallid-, chrysallis gold-colored pupa of butterflies, fr.
          Gk, fr. chrysos gold, of Sem origin; akin to Heb harus gold] (1601)
          1: a pupa of a butterfly; broadly: an insect pupa 2: a protecting
          covering: a sheltered state or stage of being or growth <a budding
          writer could not emerge from his ~ too soon --William Du Bois>

   chrysanthemum
          [chry.san.the.mum] n [L, fr. Gk chrysanthemon, fr. chrys-
          + anthemon flower; akin to Gk anthos flower] (1551) 1:
          any of various composite plants (genus Chrysanthemum)
          including weeds, ornamentals grown for their brightly
          colored often double flower heads, and others important
          as sources of medicinals and insecticides 2: a flower
          head of an ornamental chrysanthemum

   chrysarobin
          [chrys.a.ro.bin] n [chrys- + araroba, powder found in the
          wood of a Brazilian tree (Andira araroba) + [1]-in] (1887):
          a powder derived from the wood of a tropical tree used
          to treat skin diseases

   Chryseis
          [Chry.se.is] n [L, fr. Gk Chryseis]: a daughter of a priest
          of Apollo in the Iliad narrative taken at Troy by Agamemnon
          but later restored to her father

   chrysoberyl
          [chryso.ber.yl] n [L chrysoberyllus, fr. Gk chrysoberyllos,
          fr. chrys- + beryllos beryl] (1661) 1 obs: a yellowish
          beryl 2: a usu. yellow or pale green mineral consisting
          of beryllium aluminum oxide with a little iron and sometimes
          used as a gem

   chrysolite
          [chrys.o.lite] n [ME crisolite, fr. MF, fr. L chrysolithos,
          fr. Gk, fr. chrys- + -lithos -lite] (13c): olivine

   chrysomelid
          [chrys.o.me.lid] n [ultim. fr. Gk chrysomelolonthe golden
          cockchafer] (ca. 1904): any of a large family (Chrysomelidae)
          of small, usu. oval and smooth, shining, and brightly
          colored beetles (as the Colorado potato beetle) -- chrysomelid
          adj

   chrysophyte
          [chryso.phyte] n [ultim. fr. Gk chrysos + phyton plant--more
          at phyt-] (1959): golden-brown alga

   chrysoprase
          [chrys.o.prase] n [alter. of ME crisopace, fr. OF, fr. L
          chrysoprasus, fr. Gk chrysoprasos, fr. chrys- + prason
          leek; akin to L porrum leek] (1646): an apple-green chalcedony
          valued as a gem

   chrysotile
          [chrys.o.tile] n [G Chrysotil, fr. chrys- + -til fiber, fr.
          Gk tillein to pluck] (1850): a mineral consisting of
          a fibrous silky serpentine and constituting a kind of
          asbestos

   chthonic
          [chthon.ic] also chtho.ni.an adj [Gk chthon-, chthon earth--more
          at humble] (1882): of or relating to the underworld:
          infernal <~ deities>

   chub
          [chub] n, pl chub or chubs [ME chubbe] (15c) 1: any of numerous
          freshwater cyprinid fishes (as of the genera Gila and
          Nocomis) 2: any of several marine or freshwater fishes
          that are not cyprinids

   chubbily
          [chub.bi.ly] adv (1909): in the manner of one that is chubby

   chubby
          [chub.by] adj chub.bi.er ; -est [chub] (1722): plump <a ~
          boy> -- chub.bi.ness n

   [1]chuck
          [chuck] vb [ME chukken, of imit. origin] (14c): cluck [2]chuck
          n [perh. fr. chuck chicken] (1595)--used as a term of
          endearment [3]chuck vt [origin unknown] (1583) 1: pat,
          tap 2 a: toss b: discard <~ed his old shirt> c: dismiss,
          oust--used esp. with out <was ~ed out of office> 3: to
          have done with <~ed his job> <~ it all and retire> [4]chuck
          n (1611) 1: a pat or nudge under the chin 2: an abrupt
          movement or toss [5]chuck n [E dial. chuck lump] (1723)
          1: a cut of beef that includes most of the neck, the
          parts about the shoulder blade, and those about the first
          three ribs--see beef illustration 2 chiefly West: food
          3: an attachment for holding a workpiece or tool in a
          machine (as a drill or lathe)

   chuckhole
          [chuck.hole] n [perh. fr. [3]chuck + hole] (1836): a hole
          or rut in a road: pothole

   chuckle
          [chuck.le] vi chuck.led ; chuck.ling [prob. freq. of [1]chuck]
          (1803) 1: to laugh inwardly or quietly 2: to make a continuous
          gentle sound resembling suppressed mirth <the clear bright
          water chuckled over gravel --B. A. Williams> -- chuckle
          n -- chuck.le.some adj -- chuck.ling.ly adv

   chucklehead
          [chuck.le.head] n [chuckle lumpish + head] (1748): blockhead
          -- chuck.le.head.ed adj

   chuck wagon
          [chuck wagon] n [[5]chuck] (1890): a wagon carrying supplies
          and provisions for cooking (as on a ranch)

   chuckwalla
          [chuck.wal.la] or chuck.a.wal.la n [AmerSp chacahuala, fr.
          Cahuilla (Uto-Aztecan language of southeast California)
          chaxwal] (1893): a large herbivorous lizard (Sauromalus
          obesus of the family Iguanidae) of desert regions of
          the southwestern U.S.

   chuck-will's-widow
          [chuck-will's-wid.ow] n [imit.] (1791): a nightjar (Caprimulgus
          carolinensis) of the southern U.S.

   [1]chuff
          [chuff] n [ME chuffe] (15c): boor, churl [2]chuff vi [imit.]
          (1914): to produce noisy exhaust or exhalations: proceed
          or operate with chuffs <the ~ing and snorting of switch
          engines --Paul Gallico> [3]chuff n (1915): the sound
          of noisy exhaust or exhalations

   chuffed
          [chuffed] adj [E dial. chuff pleased, puffed with fat] (1957)
          Brit: proud, satisfied

   chuffy
          [chuf.fy] adj chuf.fi.er ; -est [E dial. chuff puffed with
          fat] (1611): fat, chubby

   [1]chug
          [chug] n [imit.] (1866): a dull explosive sound made by or
          as if by a laboring engine [2]chug vi chugged ; chug.ging
          (1896): to move or go with or as if with chugs <a locomotive
          chugging along> -- chug.ger n [3]chug vt chugged ; chug.ging
          (ca. 1968): chugalug

   chugalug
          [chug.a.lug] vb -lugged ; -lug.ging [imit.] vt (1956): to
          drink a container of (as beer) without pause; also: guzzle
          ~ vi: to drink a container (as of beer) without pause

   chukar
          [chu.kar] n [Hindi cakor] (1814): a grayish brown Eurasian
          partridge (Alectoris chukar) introduced as a game bird
          into arid mountainous regions of the western U.S.--called
          also chukar partridge

   chukka
          [chuk.ka] n [chukka, alter. of chukker; fr. a similar polo
          player's boot] (1948): a usu. ankle-length leather boot
          with two or three pairs of eyelets or a buckle and strap

   chukker
          [chuk.ker] also chuk.ka n [Hindi cakkar circular course,
          fr. Skt cakra wheel, circle--more at wheel] (1898): a
          playing period of a polo game

   [1]chum
          [chum] n [perh. by shortening & alter. fr. chamber fellow
          roommate] (1684): a close friend: pal -- chum.ship n
          [2]chum vi chummed ; chum.ming (1730) 1: to room together
          2 a: to be a close friend b: to show affable friendliness
          [3]chum n [origin unknown] (1857): animal or vegetable
          matter (as chopped fish or corn) thrown overboard to
          attract fish [4]chum vb chummed ; chum.ming vt (1857):
          to attract with chum <chumming the fish with cut-up shrimp>
          ~ vi: to throw chum overboard to attract fish [5]chum
          n [Chinook Jargon cem spotted, striped, fr. Lower Chinook
          cem variegated] (1902): chum salmon

   Chumash
          [Chu.mash] n (1891): a member of an American Indian people
          of southwestern California

   chummy
          [chum.my] adj chum.mi.er ; -est (1884): intimate, sociable
          -- chum.mi.ly adv -- chum.mi.ness n

   chump
          [chump] n [perh. blend of chunk and lump] (1883): fool, dupe

   chum salmon
          [chum salmon] n [[5]chum] (1907): a salmon (Oncorhynchus
          keta) of the northern Pacific--called also chum

   [1]chunk
          [chunk] n [perh. alter. of chuck short piece of wood] (1691)
          1: a short thick piece or lump (as of wood or coal) 2:
          a large noteworthy quantity <bet a sizable ~ of money
          on the race> 3: a strong thickset horse usu. smaller
          than a draft horse [2]chunk vi [imit.] (1890): to make
          a dull plunging or explosive sound <the rhythmic ~ing
          of thrown quoits --John Updike>

   chunky
          [chunky] adj chunk.i.er ; -est (1751) 1: short and thick
          or broad; esp: stocky 2: filled with chunks <~ peanut
          butter> -- chunk.i.ly adv

   chunter
          [chun.ter] vi [prob. of imit. origin] (1599) Brit: to talk
          in a low inarticulate way: mutter

   [1]church
          [church] n [ME chirche, fr. OE cirice, ultim. fr. LGk kyriakon,
          fr. Gk, neut. of kyriakos of the lord, fr. kyrios lord,
          master; akin to Skt sura hero, warrior] (bef. 12c) 1:
          a building for public and esp. Christian worship 2: the
          clergy or officialdom of a religious body 3: a body or
          organization of religious believers: as a: the whole
          body of Christians b: denomination c: congregation 4:
          a public divine worship <goes to ~ every Sunday> 5: the
          clerical profession <considered the ~ as a possible career>
          [2]church adj (bef. 12c) 1: of or relating to a church
          <~ government> 2 chiefly Brit: of or relating to the
          established church [3]church vt (14c): to bring to church
          to receive one of its rites

   churched
          [churched] adj (14c): affiliated with a church

   church father
          [church father] n (1856): father 4

   churchgoer
          [church.go.er] n (1687): one who habitually attends church
          -- church.go.ing adj or n

   churchianity
          [church.i.an.i.ty] n [church + -ianity (as in Christianity)]
          (1837): the usu. excessive or sectarian attachment to
          the practices and interests of a particular church

   churching
          [church.ing] n (15c): the administration or reception of
          a rite of the church; specif: a ceremony in some churches
          by which women after childbirth are received in the church
          with prayers, blessings, and thanksgiving

   church key
          [church key] n (ca. 1953): an implement with a triangular
          pointed head at one end for piercing the tops of cans
          and often with a rounded head at the other end for opening
          bottles

   churchless
          [church.less] adj (1641): not affiliated with a church

   churchly
          [church.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1: of or relating to a church
          2: suitable to or suggestive of a church 3: adhering
          to a church 4: churchy 1 -- church.li.ness n

   churchman
          [church.man] n (14c) 1: clergyman 2: a member of a church

   churchmanship
          [church.man.ship] n (ca. 1680): the attitude, belief, or
          practice of a churchman

   church mode
          [church mode] n (ca. 1864): one of eight scales prevalent
          in medieval music each utilizing a different pattern
          of intervals and beginning on a different tone

   Church of England
          [Church of England] (1534): the established episcopal church
          of England

   church register
          [church register] n (1846): a parish register of baptisms,
          marriages, and deaths

   church school
          [church school] n (1862) 1: a school providing a general
          education but supported by a particular church in contrast
          to a public school or a nondenominational private school
          2: an organization of officers, teachers, and pupils
          for purposes of moral and religious education under the
          supervision of a local church

   Church Slavonic
          [Church Slavonic] n (1850): any of several Slavic literary
          and liturgical languages that continue Old Church Slavonic
          but vary regionally under influence of vernacular languages

   churchwarden
          [church.war.den] n (15c) 1: one of two lay parish officers
          in Anglican churches with responsibility esp. for parish
          property and alms 2: a long-stemmed clay pipe

   churchwoman
          [church.wom.an] n (1722): a woman who is a member of a church

   churchy
          [churchy] adj (1843) 1: marked by strict conformity or zealous
          adherence to the forms or beliefs of a church 2: of or
          suggestive of a church or church services

   churchyard
          [church.yard] n (12c): a yard that belongs to a church and
          is often used as a burial ground

   churl
          [churl] n [ME, fr. OE ceorl man, ceorl; akin to ON karl man,
          husband] (bef. 12c) 1: ceorl 2: a medieval peasant 3:
          rustic, countryman 4 a: a rude ill-bred person b: a stingy
          morose person

   churlish
          [churl.ish] adj (bef. 12c) 1: of, resembling, or characteristic
          of a churl: vulgar 2: marked by a lack of civility or
          graciousness: surly 3: difficult to work with or deal
          with: intractable <~ soil> syn see boorish -- churl.ish.ly
          adv -- churl.ish.ness n

   [1]churn
          [churn] n [ME chyrne, fr. OE cyrin; akin to ON kjarni churn]
          (bef. 12c): a vessel for making butter in which milk
          or cream is agitated in order to separate the oily globules
          from the watery medium [2]churn vt (15c) 1: to agitate
          (milk or cream) in a churn in order to make butter 2
          a: to stir or agitate violently <an old stern-wheeler
          ~ing the muddy river> b: to make (as foam) by so doing
          3: to make (the account of a client) excessively active
          by frequent purchases and sales primarily in order to
          generate commissions ~ vi 1: to work a churn 2 a: to
          produce or be in violent motion b: to proceed by means
          of rotating members (as wheels)

   churn out
          [churn out] vt (1912): to produce mechanically or copiously:
          grind out <the usual pap which has been churned out about
          this superstar --W. S. Murphy>

   churr
          [churr] vi [imit.] (1555): to make a vibrant or whirring
          noise like that made by some insects (as the cockchafer)
          or some birds (as the partridge) -- churr n

   churrigueresque
          [chur.ri.gue.resque] adj, often cap [Sp churrigueresco, fr.
          Jose Churriguera d. 1725 Span. architect] (1845): of
          or relating to a Spanish baroque architectural style
          characterized by elaborate surface decoration or its
          Latin-American adaptation

   [1]chute
          [chute] n [F, fr. OF, fr. cheoir to fall, fr. L cadere--more
          at chance] (1805) 1 a: fall 6b b: a quick descent (as
          in a river): rapid 2: an inclined plane, sloping channel,
          or passage down or through which things may pass: slide
          3: parachute [2]chute vb chut.ed ; chut.ing vt (1884):
          to convey by a chute ~ vi 1: to go in or as if in a chute
          2: to utilize a chute (as by passing ore down it)

   chutist
          [chut.ist] n (1920): parachutist

   chutney
          [chut.ney] n, pl chutneys [Hindi catni] (1813): a thick sauce
          of Indian origin that contains fruits, vinegar, sugar,
          and spices and is used as a condiment

   chutzpah
          [chutz.pah] also chutz.pa n [Yiddish khutspe, fr. LHeb huspah]
          (1892): supreme self-confidence: nerve, gall syn see
          temerity

   chyle
          [chyle] n [LL chylus, fr. Gk chylos juice, chyle; akin to
          Gk chein to pour--more at found] (1541): lymph that is
          milky from emulsified fats, characteristically present
          in the lacteals, and most apparent during intestinal
          absorption of fats -- chy.lous adj

   chylomicron
          [chy.lo.mi.cron] n [Gk chylos + mikron, neut. of mikros small--more
          at micro-] (1921): a microscopic lipid particle common in the blood
          during fat digestion and assimilation

   chyme
          [chyme] n [NL chymus, fr. LL, chyle, fr. Gk chymos juice;
          akin to Gk chein] (1607): the semifluid mass of partly
          digested food expelled by the stomach into the duodenum

   chymotrypsin
          [chy.mo.tryp.sin] n [chyme + -o- + trypsin] (1933): a protease
          that hydrolyzes peptide bonds and is formed in the intestine
          from chymotrypsinogen -- chy.mo.tryp.tic adj

   chymotrypsinogen
          [chy.mo.tryp.sin.o.gen] n (1933): a zymogen that is secreted
          by the pancreas and is converted by trypsin to chymotrypsin

   ci...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Ci
          [Ci] abbreviation cirrus, curie  CI abbreviation cast iron,
          certificate of insurance, Channel Islands, cost and insurance

   CIA
          [CIA] abbreviation Central Intelligence Agency, certified
          internal auditor  cia [Sp compania] abbreviation company

   CIAA
          [CIAA] abbreviation Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

   ciao
          [ciao] interj [It, fr. It dial., lit., (I am your) slave,
          fr. ML sclavus--more at slave] (1929)--used conventionally
          as an utterance at meeting or parting

   ciborium
          [ci.bo.ri.um] n, pl -ria [ML, fr. L, cup, fr. Gk kiborion]
          (1651) 1: a goblet-shaped vessel for holding eucharistic
          bread 2: baldachin; specif: a freestanding vaulted canopy
          supported by four columns over a high altar

   CIC
          [CIC] abbreviation counterintelligence corps

   cicada
          [ci.ca.da] n, pl -das also -dae [NL, genus name, fr. L, cicada]
          (14c): any of a family (Cicadidae) of homopterous insects
          which have a stout body, wide blunt head, and large transparent
          wings and the males of which produce a loud buzzing noise
          usu. by stridulation

   cicala
          [ci.ca.la] n [It, fr. ML, alter. of L cicada] (1820): cicada

   cicatricial
          [cic.a.tri.cial] adj (1881): of or relating to a cicatrix

   cicatrix
          [ci.ca.trix] n, pl ci.ca.tri.ces [L cicatric-, cicatrix]
          (1641) 1: a scar resulting from formation and contraction
          of fibrous tissue in a wound 2: a mark resembling a scar
          esp. when caused by the previous attachment of an organ
          or part (as a leaf)

   cicatrization
          [cic.a.tri.za.tion] n (15c): scar formation at the site of
          a healing wound -- cic.a.trize vt

   cicerone
          [ci.ce.ro.ne] n, pl -ni [It, fr. Cicerone Cicero] (1726):
          a guide who conducts sightseers

   cichlid
          [cich.lid] n [ultim. fr. Gk kichle thrush, a kind of wrasse;
          perh. akin to Gk chelidon swallow] (1884): any of a family
          (Cichlidae) of mostly tropical spiny-finned usu. freshwater
          fishes including several kept in tropical aquariums --
          cichlid adj

   cicisbeo
          [ci.cis.beo] n, pl -bei [It] (1718): lover, gallant
          -- ci.cis.be.ism n

   CID
          [CID] abbreviation Criminal Investigation Department, cubic
          inch displacement

   -cidal
          [-cidal] adj comb form [LL -cidalis, fr. L -cida]: killing:
          having power to kill <insecticidal>

   -cide
          [-cide] n comb form [MF, fr. L -cida, fr. caedere to cut,
          kill] 1: killer <insecticide> 2 [MF, fr. L -cidium, fr.
          caedere]: killing <suicide>

   cider
          [ci.der] n [ME sidre, fr. MF, fr. LL sicera strong drink,
          fr. Gk sikera, fr. Heb shekhar] (13c) 1: fermented apple
          juice often made sparkling by carbonation or fermentation
          in a sealed container 2: the expressed juice of fruit
          (as apples) used as a beverage or for making other products
          (as applejack)

   cider vinegar
          [cider vinegar] n (1851): vinegar made from fermented cider

   ci-devant
          [ci-de.vant] adj [F, lit., formerly] (1790): former

   cie
          [cie] [F compagnie] abbreviation company

   CIF
          [CIF] abbreviation central information file; cost, insurance,
          and freight

   cigar
          [ci.gar] n [Sp cigarro] (1730): a small roll of tobacco leaf
          for smoking

   cigarette
          [cig.a.rette] also cig.a.ret n [F cigarette, dim. of cigare
          cigar, fr. Sp cigarro] (1835): a slender roll of cut
          tobacco enclosed in paper and meant to be smoked; also:
          a similar roll of another substance (as marijuana)

   cigarillo
          [cig.a.ril.lo] n, pl -los [Sp cigarrillo cigarette, dim.
          of cigarro cigar] (1832) 1: a very small cigar 2: a cigarette
          wrapped in tobacco rather than paper

   ci-git
          [ci-git] [F] foreign term : here lies--used preceding a name
          on a tombstone

   ciguatera
          [ci.gua.tera] n [AmerSp, fr. ciguato person ill with ciguatera,
          perh. fr. cigua sea snail] (1862): poisoning caused by
          the ingestion of various normally edible tropical fish
          in whose flesh a toxic substance has accumulated

   cilantro
          [ci.lan.tro] n [Sp, coriander, fr. ML celiandrum, alter.
          of L coriandrum--more at coriander] (1903): leaves of
          coriander used as a flavoring or garnish; also: coriander
          1

   ciliary
          [cil.i.ary] adj (1691) 1: of or relating to cilia 2: of,
          relating to, or being the annular suspension of the lens
          of the eye

   ciliate
          [cil.i.ate] n (1916): any of a phylum or subphylum (Ciliophora)
          of ciliated protozoans (as paramecia)

   ciliated
          [cil.i.at.ed] or cil.i.ate adj (1753): possessing cilia <ciliated
          epithelial cells> <leaves with ciliate petioles> -- cil.i.a.tion
          n

   cilium
          [cil.i.um] n, pl cil.ia [NL, fr. L, eyelid; akin to L celare
          to conceal--more at hell] (1794) 1: a minute short hairlike
          process often forming part of a fringe; esp: one on a
          cell that is capable of lashing movement and serves esp.
          in free unicellular organisms to produce locomotion or
          in higher forms a current of fluid 2: eyelash

   cimetidine
          [ci.met.i.dine] n [ci- (alter. of cyan-) + methyl + -idine]
          (1975): a histamine analogue used esp. in the treatment
          of duodenal ulcers

   [1]Cimmerian
          [Cim.me.ri.an] adj (1580): very dark or gloomy <under ebon
          shades ... in dark ~ desert ever dwell --John Milton>
          [2]Cimmerian n [L Cimmerii, a mythical people, fr. Gk
          Kimmerioi] (1584): any of a mythical people described
          by Homer as dwelling in a remote realm of mist and gloom

   [1]cinch
          [cinch] n [Sp cincha, fr. L cingula girdle, girth, fr. cingere]
          (1859) 1: a girth for a pack or saddle 2: a tight grip
          3 a: a thing done with ease b: a certainty to happen
          [2]cinch vt (1866) 1: to put a cinch on 2: to make certain:
          assure ~ vi: to tighten the cinch--often used with up

   cinchona
          [cin.cho.na] n [NL, genus name, fr. the countess of Chinchon
          d. 1641 wife of the Peruvian viceroy] (1786) 1: any of
          a genus (Cinchona) of So. American trees and shrubs of
          the madder family 2: the dried bark of a cinchona (as
          C. ledgeriana) containing alkaloids (as quinine) and
          formerly used as a specific in malaria

   cinchonine
          [cin.cho.nine] n (1825): a bitter white crystalline alkaloid
          found esp. in cinchona bark and used like quinine

   cinchonism
          [cin.cho.nism] n (1857): a disorder due to excessive or prolonged
          use of cinchona or its alkaloids and marked by temporary
          deafness, ringing in the ears, headache, dizziness, and
          rash

   cincture
          [cinc.ture] n [L cinctura girdle, fr. cinctus, pp. of cingere
          to gird; prob. akin to Skt kanci girdle] (1600) 1: the
          act of encircling 2 a: an encircling area b: girdle,
          belt; esp: a cord or sash of cloth worn around an ecclesiastical
          vestment (as an alb) or the habit of a religious

   cinder
          [cin.der] n [ME sinder, fr. OE; akin to OHG sintar dross,
          slag, Serbo-Croatian sedra calcium carbonate] (bef. 12c)
          1: the slag from a metal furnace: dross 2 a pl: ashes
          b: a fragment of ash 3 a: a partly burned combustible
          in which fire is extinct b: a hot coal without flame
          c: a partly burned coal capable of further burning without
          flame 4: a fragment of lava from an erupting volcano
          -- cin.dery adj

   cinder block
          [cinder block] n (1926): a hollow rectangular building block
          made of cement and coal cinders

   cinder cone
          [cinder cone] n (1849): a conical hill formed by the accumulation
          of volcanic debris around a vent

   Cinderella
          [Cin.der.el.la] n [after Cinderella, fairy-tale heroine who
          is used as a drudge by her stepmother but ends up married
          to a prince] (1840): one resembling the fairy-tale Cinderella:
          as a: one suffering undeserved neglect b: one suddenly
          lifted from obscurity to honor or significance

   cine
          [cine] n [prob. fr. F cine, short for cinema cinema] (1920):
          motion picture

   cineast
          [cine.ast] or cine.aste n [F cineaste, fr. cine + -aste (as
          in enthousiaste enthusiast)] (1926): a devotee of motion
          pictures; also: moviemaker

   cinema
          [cin.e.ma] n [short for cinematograph] (1909) 1 a: motion
          picture--usu. used attributively b: a motion-picture
          theater 2 a: movies; esp: the film industry b: the art
          or technique of making motion pictures

   cinemagoer
          [cin.e.ma.go.er] n (1920): moviegoer

   cinematheque
          [cin.e.ma.theque] n [F cinematheque film library, fr. cinema
          + -theque (as in bibliotheque library)] (1966): a small
          movie house specializing in avant-garde films

   cinematic
          [cin.e.mat.ic] adj (1916) 1: of, relating to, suggestive
          of, or suitable for motion pictures or the filming of
          motion pictures <~ principles and techniques> 2: filmed
          and presented as a motion picture <~ fantasies> --
          cin.e.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   cinematize
          [cin.e.ma.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1916): to make a motion
          picture of (as a novel): adapt for motion pictures

   cinematograph
          [cin.e.mat.o.graph] n [F cinematographe, fr. Gk kinemat-,
          kinema movement (fr. kinein to move) + F -o- + -graphe
          -graph--more at -kinesis] (1896) chiefly Brit: a motion-picture
          camera, projector, theater, or show

   cinematographer
          [cin.e.ma.tog.ra.pher] n (1897) 1: a motion-picture cameraman
          2: a motion-picture projectionist

   cinematography
          [cin.e.ma.tog.ra.phy] n (1897): the art or science
          of motion-picture photography -- cin.e.mat.o.graph.ic adj
          -- cin.e.mat.o.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   cinema verite
          [ci.ne.ma ve.ri.te] n [F cinema-verite, lit., cinema-truth,
          trans. of Russ kinopravda] (1963): the art or technique
          of filming a motion picture so as to convey candid realism

   cineole
          [cin.e.ole] n [ISV, by transposition fr. NL oleum cinae wormseed
          oil] (1885): a liquid with a camphor odor contained in
          many essential oils (as of eucalyptus) and used esp.
          as an expectorant and flavoring agent--called also eucalyptol

   cineraria
          [cin.er.ar.ia] n [NL, fr. L, fem. of cinerarius of ashes,
          fr. ciner-, cinis ashes--more at incinerate] (1597):
          any of several garden or potted plants derived from a
          perennial composite herb (Senecio cruentus) of the Canary
          Islands and having heart-shaped leaves and clusters of
          bright flower heads

   cinerarium
          [cin.er.ar.i.um] n, pl -ia [L, fr. ciner-, cinis] (1880):
          a place to receive the ashes of the cremated dead --
          cin.er.ary adj

   cinereous
          [ci.ne.re.ous] adj [L cinereus, fr. ciner-, cinis] (1661)
          1: gray tinged with black 2: resembling or consisting
          of ashes

   cinerin
          [cin.er.in] n [L ciner-, cinis] (1948): either of two oily
          liquid esters occurring esp. in the flowers of pyrethrum
          and possessing insecticidal properties

   cingulum
          [cin.gu.lum] n, pl -la [NL, fr. L, girdle, fr. cingere to
          gird--more at cincture] (1845): an anatomical band or
          encircling ridge -- cin.gu.late adj

   cinnabar
          [cin.na.bar] n [ME cynabare, fr. MF & L; MF cenobre, fr.
          L cinnabaris, fr. Gk kinnabari, of non-IE origin; akin
          to Ar zinjafr cinnabar] (14c) 1: artificial red mercuric
          sulfide used esp. as a pigment 2: native red mercuric
          sulfide HgS that is the only important ore of mercury
          -- cin.na.bar.ine adj

   cinnabar moth
          [cinnabar moth] n (ca. 1893): a European moth (Tyria jacobeae)
          that has been introduced into the western U.S. in attempts
          to control the tansy ragwort on which its larvae feed--called
          also cinnabar

   cinnamic acid
          [cin.nam.ic acid] n [F cinnamique of cinnamon, fr. cinname
          cinnamon, fr. L cinnamomum] (ca. 1864): a white crystalline
          odorless acid found esp. in cinnamon oil and storax

   cinnamon
          [cin.na.mon] n, often attrib [ME cynamone, fr. L cinnamomum,
          cinnamon, fr. Gk kinnamomon, kinnamon, of non-IE origin;
          akin to Heb qinnamon cinnamon] (14c) 1 a: any of several
          Asian trees (genus Cinnamomum) of the laurel family b:
          an aromatic spice prepared from the dried inner bark
          of a cinnamon (esp. C. zeylanicum); also: the bark 2:
          a light yellowish brown

   cinnamon fern
          [cinnamon fern] n (1818): a large fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
          with cinnamon-colored spore-bearing fronds shorter than
          and separate from the green foliage fronds

   cinnamon stone
          [cinnamon stone] n (1805): essonite

   cinquain
          [cin.quain] n [F, fr. cinq five, fr. L quinque--more at five]
          (1882): a 5-line stanza

   cinquecentist
          [cin.que.cen.tist] n (1871): an Italian of the cinquecento;
          esp: a poet or artist of this period

   cinquecento
          [cin.que.cen.to] n [It, lit., five hundred, fr. cinque five
          (fr. L quinque) + cento hundred, fr. L centum--more at
          hundred] (1760): the 16th century esp. in Italian art
          and literature

   cinquefoil
          [cinque.foil] n [ME sink foil, fr. MF cincfoille, fr.
          L quinquefolium, fr. quinque five + folium leaf--more at blade]
          (14c) 1: any of a genus (Potentilla) of herbs and shrubs of the
          rose family with 5-lobed leaves and 5-petaled flowers--called also
          potentilla 2: a design enclosed by five joined foils

   cioppino
          [ciop.pi.no] n [perh. fr. It dial.] (1936): a dish of fish
          and shellfish cooked usu. with tomatoes, wine, spices,
          and herbs

   CIP
          [CIP] abbreviation Cataloging in Publication

   [1]cipher
          [ci.pher] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF cifre, fr. ML cifra,
          fr. Ar sifr empty, cipher, zero] (14c) 1 a: zero 1a b:
          one that has no weight, worth, or influence: nonentity
          2 a: a method of transforming a text in order to conceal
          its meaning--compare code 3b b: a message in code 3:
          arabic numeral 4: a combination of symbolic letters;
          esp: the interwoven initials of a name [2]cipher vb ci.phered
          ; ci.pher.ing vi (ca. 1530): to use figures in a mathematical
          process ~ vt 1: encipher 2: to compute arithmetically

   ciphertext
          [ci.pher.text] n (1939): the enciphered form of a text or
          of its elements--compare plaintext

   cir
          [cir] abbreviation circle, circuit, circular, circumference

   circ
          [circ] abbreviation circular

   circa
          [cir.ca] prep [L, fr. circum around--more at circum-] (1861):
          at, in, or of approximately--used esp. with dates <born
          ~ 1600>

   circadian
          [cir.ca.di.an] adj [L circa about + dies day + E [2]-an--more
          at deity] (1959): being, having, characterized by, or
          occurring in approximately 24-hour periods or cycles
          (as of biological activity or function) <~ rhythms in
          activity>

   Circassian
          [Cir.cas.sian] n [Circassia, region of the Caucasus] (1555)
          1: a member of a group of peoples of the northwestern
          Caucasus 2: the language of the Circassian peoples --
          Circassian adj

   Circassian walnut
          [Circassian walnut] n (1914): the light brown irregularly
          black-veined wood of the English walnut much used for
          veneer and cabinetwork

   Circe
          [Cir.ce] n [L, fr. Gk Kirke]: a sorceress who changes Odysseus'
          men into swine but is forced by Odysseus to change them
          back

   circinate
          [cir.ci.nate] adj [L circinatus, pp. of circinare to round,
          fr. circinus pair of compasses, fr. circus] (1830): rounded,
          coiled; esp: rolled in the form of a flat coil with the
          apex as a center <~ fern fronds unfolding> -- cir.ci.nate.ly
          adv

   [1]circle
          [cir.cle] n, often attrib [ME cercle, fr. OF, fr. L circulus,
          dim. of circus circle, circus, fr. or akin to Gk krikos,
          kirkos ring; akin to OE hring ring--more at ring] (14c)
          1 a: ring, halo b: a closed plane curve every point of
          which is equidistant from a fixed point within the curve
          c: the plane surface bounded by such a curve 2: the orbit
          of a celestial body 3: something in the form of a circle
          or section of a circle: as a: diadem b: an instrument
          of astronomical observation the graduated limb of which
          consists of an entire circle c: a balcony or tier of
          seats in a theater d: a circle formed on the surface
          of a sphere by the intersection of a plane that passes
          through it <~ of latitude> e: rotary 2 4: an area of
          action or influence: realm 5 a: cycle, round <the wheel
          has come full ~> b: fallacious reasoning in which something
          to be demonstrated is covertly assumed 6: a group of
          persons sharing a common interest or revolving about
          a common center <the sewing ~ of her church> <family
          ~> <the gossip of court ~s>  7: a territorial or administrative
          division or district 8: a curving side street [2]circle
          vb cir.cled ; cir.cling vt (14c) 1: to enclose in or
          as if in a circle 2: to move or revolve around ~ vi 1
          a: to move in or as if in a circle b: circulate 2: to
          describe or extend in a circle -- cir.cler n

   circle graph
          [circle graph] n (1928): pie chart

   circlet
          [cir.clet] n (15c): a little circle; esp: a circular ornament

   [1]circuit
          [cir.cuit] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF circuite, fr. L circuitus,
          fr. circumire, circuire to go around, fr. circum- + ire
          to go--more at issue] (14c) 1 a: a usu. circular line
          encompassing an area b: the space enclosed within such
          a line 2 a: a course around a periphery b: a circuitous
          or indirect route 3 a: a regular tour (as by a traveling
          judge or preacher) around an assigned district or territory
          b: the route traveled c: a group of church congregations
          ministered to by one pastor 4 a: the complete path of
          an electric current including usu. the source of electric
          energy b: an assemblage of electronic elements: hookup
          c: a two-way communication path between points (as in
          a computer) 5 a: an association of similar groups: league
          b: a number or series of public outlets (as theaters,
          radio shows, or arenas) offering the same kind of presentation
          c: a number of similar social gatherings <cocktail ~>
          -- cir.cuit.al adj [2]circuit vt (15c): to make a circuit
          about ~ vi: to make a circuit

   circuit board
          [circuit board] n (1948): board 9

   circuit breaker
          [circuit breaker] n (1872): a switch that automatically interrupts
          an electric circuit under an infrequent abnormal condition

   circuit court
          [circuit court] n (1708): a court that sits at two or more
          places within one judicial district

   circuit judge
          [circuit judge] n (1801): a judge who holds a circuit court

   circuitous
          [cir.cu.i.tous] adj [perh. fr. ML circuitosus, fr. L circuitus]
          (1664) 1: having a circular or winding course <a ~ route>
          2: not being forthright or direct in language or action
          -- cir.cu.i.tous.ly adv -- cir.cu.i.tous.ness n

   circuit rider
          [circuit rider] n (1837): a clergyman assigned to a circuit
          esp. in a rural area

   circuitry
          [cir.cuit.ry] n, pl -ries (1946) 1: the detailed plan or
          arrangement of an electric circuit 2: the components
          of an electric circuit

   circuity
          [cir.cu.ity] n, pl -ities [circuitous] (ca. 1626): lack of
          straightforwardness: indirection

   [1]circular
          [cir.cu.lar] adj [ME circuler, fr. MF, fr. LL circularis,
          fr. L circulus circle] (15c) 1 a: having the form of
          a circle: round b: moving in or describing a circle or
          spiral 2 a: of or relating to a circle or its mathematical
          properties <a ~ arc> b: having a circular base or bases
          <a ~ cylinder> 3: circuitous, indirect 4: marked by or
          moving in a cycle 5: being or involving reasoning that
          uses in the argument or proof a conclusion to be proved
          or one of its unproved consequences 6: intended for circulation
          -- cir.cu.lar.i.ty n -- cir.cu.lar.ly adv -- cir.cu.lar.ness
          n [2]circular n (1789): a paper (as a leaflet) intended
          for wide distribution

   circular dichroism
          [circular dichroism] n (ca. 1961) 1: the property (as of
          an optically active medium) of unequal absorption of
          right and left plane-polarized light so that the emergent
          light is elliptically polarized 2: a spectroscopic technique
          that makes use of circular dichroism

   circular file
          [circular file] n (1967): wastebasket

   circular function
          [circular function] n (1884): trigonometric function

   circularise
          [cir.cu.lar.ise] Brit var of circularize

   circularize
          [cir.cu.lar.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1848) 1 a: to send circulars
          to b: to poll by questionnaire 2: publicize -- cir.cu.lar.i.za.tion
          n

   circular saw
          [circular saw] n (1817): a power saw with a circular cutting
          blade; also: the blade itself

   circulate
          [cir.cu.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L circulatus, pp. of
          circulare, fr. circulus] vi (ca. 1650) 1: to move in
          a circle, circuit, or orbit; esp: to follow a course
          that returns to the starting point <blood ~s through
          the body> 2: to pass from person to person or place to
          place: as a: to flow without obstruction b: to become
          well-known or widespread <rumors circulated through the
          town> c: to go from group to group at a social gathering
          d: to come into the hands of readers; specif: to become
          sold or distributed ~ vt: to cause to circulate -- cir.cu.lat.able
          adj -- cir.cu.la.tive adj -- cir.cu.la.tor n

   circulating decimal
          [circulating decimal] n (1768): repeating decimal

   circulation
          [cir.cu.la.tion] n (1654) 1: orderly movement through a circuit;
          esp: the movement of blood through the vessels of the
          body induced by the pumping action of the heart 2: flow
          3 a: passage or transmission from person to person or
          place to place; esp: the interchange of currency <coins
          in ~> b: the extent of dissemination: as (1): the average
          number of copies of a publication sold over a given period
          (2): the total number of items borrowed from a library

   circulatory
          [cir.cu.la.to.ry] adj (1605): of or relating to circulation
          or the circulatory system <~ failure>

   circulatory system
          [circulatory system] n (1862): the system of blood, blood
          vessels, lymphatics, and heart concerned with the circulation
          of the blood and lymph

   circum-
          [circum-] prefix [OF or L; OF, fr. L, fr. circum, fr. circus
          circle--more at circle]: around: about <circumpolar>

   circumambient
          [cir.cum.am.bi.ent] adj [LL circumambient-, circumambiens,
          prp. of circumambire to surround in a circle, fr. L circum-
          + ambire to go around--more at ambient] (1633): being
          on all sides: encompassing -- cir.cum.am.bi.ent.ly adv

   circumambulate
          [cir.cum.am.bu.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [LL circumambulatus,
          pp. of circumambulare, fr. L circum- + ambulare to walk]
          (ca. 1656): to circle on foot esp. ritualistically --
          cir.cum.am.bu.la.tion n

   circumcenter
          [cir.cum.cen.ter] n (ca. 1889): the point at which the
          perpendicular bisectors of the sides of a triangle intersect and
          which is equidistant from the three vertices

   circumcircle
          [cir.cum.cir.cle] n (1885): a circle which passes through
          all the vertices of a polygon (as a triangle)

   circumcise
          [cir.cum.cise] vt -cised ; -cis.ing [ME, fr. L circumcisus,
          pp. of circumcidere, fr. circum- + caedere to cut] (13c):
          to cut off the prepuce of (a male) or the clitoris of
          (a female) -- cir.cum.cis.er n

   circumcision
          [cir.cum.ci.sion] n (12c) 1 a: the act of circumcising; esp:
          a Jewish rite performed on male infants as a sign of
          inclusion in the Jewish religious community b: the condition
          of being circumcised 2 cap: January 1 observed as a church
          festival in commemoration of the circumcision of Jesus

   circumference
          [cir.cum.fer.ence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L circumferentia, fr.
          circumferre to carry around, fr. circum- + ferre to carry--more
          at bear] (14c) 1: the perimeter of a circle 2: the external
          boundary or surface of a figure or object: periphery
          -- cir.cum.fer.en.tial adj

   [1]circumflex
          [cir.cum.flex] adj [L circumflexus, pp. of circumflectere
          to bend around, mark with a circumflex, fr. circum- +
          flectere to bend] (ca. 1577) 1: characterized by the
          pitch, quantity, or quality indicated by a circumflex
          2: marked with a circumflex [2]circumflex n (1609): a
          mark orig. used in Greek over long vowels to indicate
          a rising-falling tone and in other languages to mark
          length, contraction, or a particular vowel quality

   circumfluent
          [cir.cum.flu.ent] adj [fr. L circumfluent-, circumfluens,
          prp. of circumfluere to flow around, fr. circum- + fluere
          to flow--more at fluid] (1577): flowing round or surrounding
          in the manner of a fluid -- cir.cum.flu.ous adj

   circumfuse
          [cir.cum.fuse] vt -fused ; -fus.ing [L circumfusus, pp. of
          circumfundere to pour around, fr. circum- + fundere to
          pour--more at found] (1605): surround, envelop -- cir.cum.fu.sion
          n

   circumjacent
          [cir.cum.ja.cent] adj [L circumjacent-, circumjacens, prp.
          of circumjacere to lie around, fr. circum- + jacere to
          lie--more at adjacent] (15c): lying adjacent on all sides:
          surrounding

   circumlocution
          [cir.cum.lo.cu.tion] n [L circumlocution-, circumlocutio,
          fr. circum- + locutio speech, fr. loqui to speak] (15c)
          1: the use of an unnecessarily large number of words
          to express an idea 2: evasion in speech -- cir.cum.loc.u.to.ry
          adj

   circumlunar
          [cir.cum.lu.nar] adj (ca. 1909): revolving about or surrounding
          the moon

   circumnavigate
          [cir.cum.nav.i.gate] vt [L circumnavigatus, pp. of circumnavigare
          to sail around, fr. circum- + navigare to navigate] (1634):
          to go completely around (as the earth) esp. by water;
          also: to go around instead of through: bypass <~ a congested
          area> -- cir.cum.nav.i.ga.tion n -- cir.cum.nav.i.ga.tor
          n

   circumpolar
          [cir.cum.po.lar] adj (1686) 1: continually visible above
          the horizon <a ~ star> 2: surrounding or found in the
          vicinity of a terrestrial pole

   circumscissile
          [cir.cum.scis.sile] adj [L circumscissus, pp. of circumscindere
          to tear around, fr. circum- + scindere to cut, split--more
          at shed] (1835): dehiscing by fissure around the capsule
          of the fruit

   circumscribe
          [cir.cum.scribe] vt [L circumscribere, fr. circum- + scribere
          to write, draw--more at scribe] (1835) 1 a: to constrict
          the range or activity of definitely and clearly b: to
          define or mark off carefully 2 a: to draw a line around
          b: to surround by or as if by a boundary 3: to construct
          or be constructed around (a geometrical figure) so as
          to touch as many points as possible syn see limit

   circumscription
          [cir.cum.scrip.tion] n [L circumscription-, circumscriptio,
          fr. circumscribere] (1531) 1: the act of circumscribing:
          the state of being circumscribed: as a: definition, delimitation
          b: limitation 2: something that circumscribes: as a:
          limit, boundary b: restriction 3: a circumscribed area
          or district

   circumspect
          [cir.cum.spect] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF circonspect, fr.
          L circumspectus, fr. pp. of circumspicere to look around,
          be cautious, fr. circum- + specere to look--more at spy]
          (15c): careful to consider all circumstances and possible
          consequences: prudent syn see cautious -- cir.cum.spec.tion
          n -- cir.cum.spect.ly adv

   circumstance
          [cir.cum.stance] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L circumstantia, fr.
          circumstant-, circumstans, prp. of circumstare to stand
          around, fr. circum- + stare to stand--more at stand]
          (13c) 1 a: a condition, fact, or event accompanying,
          conditioning, or determining another: an essential or
          inevitable concomitant <the weather is a ~ to be taken
          into consideration> b: a subordinate or accessory fact
          or detail <cost is a minor ~ in this case> c: a piece
          of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability
          of an event (as a crime) <the ~ of the missing weapon
          told against him> <the ~s suggest murder> 2 a: the sum
          of essential and environmental factors (as of an event
          or situation) <constant and rapid change in economic
          ~ --G. M. Trevelyan> b: state of affairs: eventuality
          <open rebellion was a rare ~>--often used in pl. <a victim
          of ~s> c pl: situation with regard to wealth <he was
          in easy ~s> 3: attendant formalities and ceremonial <pride,
          pomp, and ~ of glorious war --Shak.> 4: an event that
          constitutes a detail (as of a narrative or course of
          events) <considering each ~ in turn> syn see occurrence

   circumstanced
          [cir.cum.stanced] adj (ca. 1611): placed in particular
          circumstances esp. in regard to property or income

   circumstantial
          [cir.cum.stan.tial] adj (1600) 1: belonging to, consisting
          in, or dependent on circumstances 2: pertinent but not
          essential: incidental 3: marked by careful attention
          to detail: abounding in factual details <a ~ account
          of the fight> 4: ceremonial -- cir.cum.stan.ti.al.i.ty
          n -- cir.cum.stan.tial.ly adv syn circumstantial, minute,
          particular, detailed mean dealing with a matter fully
          and usu. point by point. circumstantial implies fullness
          of detail that fixes something described in time and
          space <a circumstantial account of our visit>. minute
          implies close and searching attention to the smallest
          details <a minute examination of a fossil>. particular
          implies a precise attention to every detail <a particular
          description of the scene of the crime>. detailed stresses
          abundance or completeness of detail <a detailed analysis
          of the event>.

   circumstantial evidence
          [circumstantial evidence] n (1736): evidence that tends to
          prove a fact by proving other events or circumstances
          which afford a basis for a reasonable inference of the
          occurrence of the fact at issue

   circumstantiate
          [cir.cum.stan.ti.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1652): to
          supply with circumstantial evidence or support

   circumstellar
          [cir.cum.stel.lar] adj (1951): surrounding or occurring in
          the vicinity of a star

   [1]circumvallate
          [cir.cum.val.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L circumvallatus,
          pp. of circumvallare to surround with siege works, fr.
          circum- + vallum rampart--more at wall] (ca. 1798): to
          surround by or as if by a rampart -- cir.cum.val.la.tion
          n [2]cir.cum.val.late adj (ca. 1852): being any of approximately
          12 large papillae near the back of the tongue each of
          which is surrounded with a marginal sulcus and supplied
          with taste buds responsive esp. to bitter flavors

   circumvent
          [cir.cum.vent] vt [L circumventus, pp. of circumvenire, fr.
          circum- + venire to come--more at come] (1539) 1 a: to
          hem in b: to make a circuit around 2: to manage to get
          around esp. by ingenuity or stratagem <the setup ~ed
          the red tape --Lynne McTaggart> -- cir.cum.ven.tion n

   circumvolution
          [cir.cum.vo.lu.tion] n [ME circumvolucioun, fr. ML circumvolution-,
          circumvolutio, fr. L circumvolvere to revolve, fr. circum-
          + volvere to roll--more at voluble] (15c): an act or instance
          of turning around an axis

   circus
          [cir.cus] n, often attrib [L, circle, circus--more at circle]
          (14c) 1 a: a large arena enclosed by tiers of seats on
          three or all four sides and used esp. for sports or spectacles
          (as athletic contests, exhibitions of horsemanship, or
          in ancient times chariot racing) b: a public spectacle
          2 a: an arena often covered by a tent and used for variety
          shows usu. including feats of physical skill, wild animal
          acts, and performances by clowns b: a circus performance
          c: the physical plant, livestock, and personnel of such
          a circus d: something suggestive of a circus (as in frenzied
          activity, sensationalism, theatricality, or razzle-dazzle)
          3 a obs: circle, ring b Brit: a usu. circular area at
          an intersection of streets -- cir.cusy adj

   circus catch
          [circus catch] n (1893): a catch (as in baseball or football)
          requiring an extraordinary or spectacular effort

   cire
          [ci.re] n [F, fr. pp. of cirer to wax, fr. cire wax, fr.
          L cera--more at cerumen] (1921) 1: a highly glazed finish
          for fabrics usu. achieved by applying wax to the fabric
          2: a fabric or garment with a cire finish

   cirque
          [cirque] n [F, fr. L circus] (1601) 1 archaic: circus 2:
          circle, circlet 3: a deep steep-walled basin on a mountain
          usu. forming the blunt end of a valley

   cirrhosis
          [cir.rho.sis] n, pl -rho.ses [NL, fr. Gk kirrhos orange-colored;
          akin to OE har gray--more at hoar] (ca. 1847): widespread
          disruption of normal liver structure by fibrosis and
          the formation of regenerative nodules that is caused
          by any of various chronic progressive conditions affecting
          the liver (as long term alcohol abuse or hepatitis) --
          cir.rhot.ic adj or n

   cirro-
          [cirro-] comb form [NL cirrus]: cirrus <cirrostratus>

   cirrocumulus
          [cir.ro.cu.mu.lus] n [NL] (ca. 1803): a cloud form of small
          white rounded masses at a high altitude usu. in regular
          groupings forming a mackerel sky--see cloud illustration

   cirrostratus
          [cir.ro.stra.tus] n [NL] (ca. 1803): a fairly uniform layer
          of high stratus darker than cirrus--see cloud illustration

   cirrus
          [cir.rus] n, pl cir.ri [NL, fr. L, curl] (1708) 1: tendril
          2: a slender usu. flexible animal appendage: as a: an
          arm of a barnacle b: a filament of a crinoid c: a fused
          group of cilia functioning like a limb on some protozoans
          d: the male copulatory organ of various invertebrate
          animals 3: a wispy white cloud usu. of minute ice crystals
          formed at altitudes of 20,000 to 40,000 feet (6,000 to
          12,000 meters)--see cloud illustration

   cis-
          [cis-] prefix [L, fr. cis--more at he] 1: on this side <cislunar>
          2 usu ital: cis <cis-dichloroethylene>--compare trans-
          2b

   cis
          [cis] adj [L, lit., on this side] (1888): characterized by
          having certain atoms or groups of atoms on the same side
          of the longitudinal axis of a double bond or of the plane
          of a ring in a molecule

   cisalpine
          [cis.al.pine] adj (1542): situated on the south side of the
          Alps <Cisalpine Gaul>--compare transalpine

   cisco
          [cis.co] n, pl ciscoes [short for CanF ciscoette] (1848):
          any of various whitefishes (genus Coregonus); esp: lake
          herring

   cislunar
          [cis.lu.nar] adj (ca. 1877): lying between the earth and
          the moon or the moon's orbit <~ space>

   cisplatin
          [cis.plat.in] n [cis- + platinum] (1977): a platinum-containing
          antineoplastic drug used esp. in the treatment of testicular
          and ovarian tumors and advanced bladder cancer

   cis-platinum
          [cis-plat.i.num] n (1977): cisplatin

   cissy
          [cissy] Brit var of sissy

   cist
          [cist] n [W, chest, fr. L cista] (1804): a neolithic or Bronze
          Age burial chamber typically lined with stone

   Cistercian
          [Cis.ter.cian] n [ML Cistercium Citeaux] (1611): a member
          of a monastic order founded by St. Robert of Molesme
          in 1098 at Citeaux, France, under Benedictine rule --
          Cistercian adj

   cistern
          [cis.tern] n [ME, fr. OF cisterne, fr. L cisterna, fr. cista
          box, chest--more at chest] (13c) 1: an artificial reservoir
          (as an underground tank) for storing liquids and esp.
          water (as rainwater) 2: a large usu. silver vessel formerly
          used (as in cooling wine) at the dining table 3: a fluid-containing
          sac or cavity in an organism

   cisterna
          [cis.ter.na] n, pl -nae [NL, fr. L, reservoir] (ca. 1860):
          cistern 3: as a: one of the large spaces under the arachnoid
          membrane b: one of the interconnected flattened vesicles
          comprising the part of the endoplasmic reticulum that
          is studded with ribosomes -- cis.ter.nal adj

   cistron
          [cis.tron] n [cis- + trans- + [2]-on] (1957): a segment of
          DNA that is equivalent to a gene and that specifies a
          single functional unit (as a protein or enzyme) -- cis.tron.ic
          adj

   cit
          [cit] abbreviation citation, cited, citizen

   citadel
          [cit.a.del] n [MF citadelle, fr. OIt cittadella, dim. of
          cittade city, fr. ML civitat-, civitas--more at city]
          (1562) 1: a fortress that commands a city 2: stronghold

   citation
          [ci.ta.tion] n (13c) 1: an official summons to appear (as
          before a court) 2 a: an act of quoting; esp: the citing
          of a previously settled case at law b: excerpt, quote
          3: mention: as a: a formal statement of the achievements
          of a person receiving an academic honor b: specific reference
          in a military dispatch to meritorious performance of
          duty syn see encomium -- ci.ta.tion.al adj

   cite
          [cite] vt cit.ed ; cit.ing [MF citer to cite, summon, fr.
          L citare to put in motion, rouse, summon, fr. freq. of
          ciere to stir, move--more at -kinesis] (15c) 1: to call
          upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before
          a court) 2: to quote by way of example, authority, or
          proof 3 a: to refer to; esp: to mention formally in commendation
          or praise b: to name in a citation 4: to bring forward
          or call to another's attention esp. as an example, proof,
          or precedent syn see summon -- cit.able adj

   cithara
          [cith.a.ra] var of kithara

   cither
          [cith.er] n [F cithare, fr. L cithara kithara, fr. Gk kithara]
          (1606): cittern

   citied
          [cit.ied] adj (1612): occupied by cities

   citified
          [cit.i.fied] adj (1828): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a sophisticated urban style of living--often used
          disparagingly

   citify
          [cit.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1828): urbanize -- cit.i.fi.ca.tion
          n

   citizen
          [cit.i.zen] n [ME citizein, fr. AF citezein, alter. of OF
          citeien, fr. cite city] (14c) 1: an inhabitant of a city
          or town; esp: one entitled to the rights and privileges
          of a freeman 2 a: a member of a state b: a native or
          naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government
          and is entitled to protection from it 3: a civilian as
          distinguished from a specialized servant of the state
          -- cit.i.zen.ly adj syn citizen, subject, national mean
          a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection
          of a sovereign state. citizen is preferred for one owing
          allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained
          by the people and sharing in the political rights of
          those people <the rights of a free citizen>. subject
          implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a
          monarch <the king's subjects>. national designates one
          who may claim the protection of a state and applies esp.
          to one living or traveling outside that state <American
          nationals working in the Middle East>.

   citizeness
          [cit.i.zen.ess] n (1796): a female citizen

   citizenry
          [cit.i.zen.ry] n, pl -ries (1819): a whole body of citizens

   citizen's arrest
          [citizen's arrest] n (1941): an arrest made not by a law
          officer but by a citizen who derives authority from the
          fact of being a citizen

   citizens band
          [citizens band] n (1948): a range of radio-wave frequencies
          that in the U.S. is allocated officially for private
          radio communications

   citizenship
          [cit.i.zen.ship] n (1611) 1: the status of being a citizen
          2 a: membership in a community (as a college) b: the
          quality of an individual's response to membership in
          a community

   citr-
          [citr-] or citri- or citro- comb form [NL, fr. Citrus, genus
          name] 1: citrus <citriculture> 2: citric acid <citrate>

   citral
          [cit.ral] n [ISV] (1891): an unsaturated liquid isomeric
          aldehyde of many essential oils that has a strong lemon
          odor and is used esp. in perfumery and as a flavoring

   citrate
          [cit.rate] n [ISV] (1794): a salt or ester of citric acid

   citric acid
          [cit.ric acid] n [ISV] (1813): a tricarboxylic acid occurring
          in cellular metabolism, obtained esp. from lemon and
          lime juices or by fermentation of sugars, and used as
          a flavoring

   citric acid cycle
          [citric acid cycle] n (1942): krebs cycle

   citriculture
          [cit.ri.cul.ture] n (1916): the cultivation of citrus fruits
          -- cit.ri.cul.tur.ist n

   [1]citrine
          [cit.rine] adj [ME, fr. MF citrin, fr. ML citrinus, fr. L
          citrus citron tree] (14c): resembling a citron or lemon
          esp. in color [2]ci.trine n (1748): a semiprecious yellow
          stone resembling topaz formed by heating a black quartz
          in order to change its color

   citrinin
          [ci.tri.nin] n [NL citrinum, specific epithet of Penicillium
          citrinum] (1931): a toxic antibiotic that is produced
          esp. by a penicillium (Penicillium citrinum) and an aspergillus
          (Aspergillus niveus) and is effective against some gram-positive
          bacteria

   citron
          [cit.ron] n [ME, fr. MF, modif. of L citrus] (15c) 1 a: a
          citrus fruit resembling a lemon but larger with little
          pulp and a very thick rind b: a small shrubby tree (Citrus
          medica) that produces citrons and is cultivated in tropical
          regions c: the preserved rind of the citron used esp.
          in cakes and puddings 2: a small hard-fleshed watermelon
          used esp. in pickles and preserves

   citronella
          [cit.ro.nel.la] n [NL, fr. F citronnelle lemon balm, fr.
          citron] (ca. 1858): a fragrant grass (Cymbopogon nardus)
          of southern Asia that yields an oil used in perfumery
          and as an insect repellent; also: its oil

   citronellal
          [cit.ro.nel.lal] n [ISV, fr. NL citronella] (1893): a lemon-odored
          aldehyde that is derived esp. from citronella oil and is used
          in perfumery and as an insect repellent

   citronellol
          [cit.ro.nel.lol] n [ISV, fr. NL citronella] (1872): an unsaturated
          liquid alcohol with a roselike odor that is found in two optically
          active forms in many essential oils (as rose oil) and is used
          in perfumery and soaps

   citrovorum factor
          [ci.trov.o.rum factor] n [NL citrovorum, specific epithet
          of Leuconostoc citrovorum, bacterium that requires this
          form of folic acid] (1948): a metabolically active form
          of folic acid that has been used in cancer therapy to
          protect normal cells against methotrexate

   citrulline
          [cit.rul.line] n [ISV, fr. NL Citrullus, genus name of the
          watermelon] (1930): a crystalline amino acid formed esp.
          as an intermediate in the conversion of ornithine to
          arginine in the living system

   citrus
          [cit.rus] n, pl citrus or cit.rus.es often attrib [NL, genus
          name, fr. L] (1825): any of a group of often thorny trees
          and shrubs (Citrus and related genera) of the rue family
          grown in warm regions for their edible fruit (as the
          orange or lemon) with firm usu. thick rind and pulpy
          flesh; also: the fruit -- cit.rusy adj

   citrus canker
          [citrus canker] n (1916): a destructive disease of citrus
          caused by a bacterium (Xanthomonas campestris citri)
          that produces lesions on the leaves, twigs, and fruits

   citrus red mite
          [citrus red mite] n (1935): a relatively large mite (Panonychus
          citri) that is a destructive pest on the foliage of citrus

   cittern
          [cit.tern] also cith.ern or cith.ren n [blend of cither and
          gittern] (1566): a Renaissance stringed instrument like
          a guitar with a flat pear-shaped body

   city
          [city] n, pl cit.ies often attrib [ME citie large or small
          town, fr. OF cite, fr. ML civitat-, civitas, fr. L, citizenship,
          state, city of Rome, fr. civis citizen--more at hind]
          (13c) 1 a: an inhabited place of greater size, population,
          or importance than a town or village b: an incorporated
          British town usu. of major size or importance having
          the status of an episcopal see c cap (1): the financial
          district of London (2): the influential financial interests
          of the British economy d: a usu. large or important municipality
          in the U.S. governed under a charter granted by the state
          e: an incorporated municipal unit of the highest class
          in Canada 2: city-state 3: the people of a city 4 slang--used
          with a preceding adjective or noun naming an abundant
          or quintessential feature or quality <the movie was shoot-out
          ~>

   city clerk
          [city clerk] n (1919): a public officer charged with recording
          the official proceedings and vital statistics of a city

   city council
          [city council] n (1789): the legislative body of a city

   city editor
          [city editor] n (1834): a newspaper editor usu. in charge
          of local news and staff assignments

   city father
          [city father] n (1845): a member (as an alderman or councilman)
          of the governing body of a city

   city hall
          [city hall] n (1675) 1: the chief administrative building
          of a city 2 a: a municipal government b: city officialdom
          or bureaucracy <you can't fight city hall>

   city manager
          [city manager] n (1913): an official employed by an elected
          council to direct the administration of a city government

   city planning
          [city planning] n (1912): the drawing up of an organized
          arrangement (as of streets, parks, and business and residential
          areas) of a city -- city planner n

   city room
          [city room] n (1919): the department where local news is
          handled in a newspaper editorial office

   cityscape
          [city.scape] n (1856) 1: a city viewed as a scene 2: an artistic
          representation of a city

   city slicker
          [city slicker] n (1924): slicker 2b

   city-state
          [city-state] n (1893): an autonomous state consisting of
          a city and surrounding territory

   citywide
          [city.wide] adj (1961): including all parts of a city

   civ
          [civ] abbreviation civil, civilian, civilization

   civet
          [civ.et] n [MF civette, fr. OIt zibetto, fr. Ar zabad civet
          perfume] (1532) 1: any of various Old World carnivorous
          mammals (family Viverridae) with long bodies, short legs,
          and a usu. long tail 2: a thick yellowish musky-odored
          substance found in a pouch near the sexual organs of
          the civet (esp. genera Civettictis, Viverra, and Viverricula)
          and used in perfume

   civet cat
          [civet cat] n (1607) 1: civet 1 2: ringtail 2 3: any of the
          small spotted skunks (genus Spilogale) of western No.
          America

   civic
          [civ.ic] adj [L civicus, fr. civis citizen] (ca. 1656): of
          or relating to a citizen, a city, citizenship, or civil
          affairs -- civ.i.cal.ly adv

   civic-minded
          [civ.ic-mind.ed] adj (1947): disposed to look after civic
          needs and interests -- civ.ic-mind.ed.ness n

   civics
          [civ.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1886): a social
          science dealing with the rights and duties of citizens

   civil
          [civ.il] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L civilis, fr. civis] (14c)
          1 a: of or relating to citizens b: of or relating to
          the state or its citizenry 2 a: civilized <~ society>
          b: adequate in courtesy and politeness: mannerly 3 a:
          of, relating to, or based on civil law b: relating to
          private rights and to remedies sought by action or suit
          distinct from criminal proceedings c: established by
          law 4: of, relating to, or involving the general public,
          their activities, needs, or ways, or civic affairs as
          distinguished from special (as military or religious)
          affairs 5 of time: based on the mean sun and legally
          recognized for use in ordinary affairs syn civil, polite,
          courteous, gallant, chivalrous mean observant of the
          forms required by good breeding. civil often suggests
          little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness <owed
          the questioner a civil reply>. polite commonly implies
          polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an
          absence of cordiality <if you can't be pleasant, at least
          be polite>. courteous implies more actively considerate
          or dignified politeness <clerks who were unfailingly
          courteous to customers>. gallant and chivalrous imply
          courteous attentiveness esp. to women. gallant suggests
          spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions
          of courtesy <a gallant suitor of the old school>. chivalrous
          suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior <a
          chivalrous display of duty>.

   civil death
          [civil death] n (1767): the status of a living person equivalent
          in its legal consequences to natural death; specif: deprivation
          of civil rights

   civil defense
          [civil defense] n (1939): the system of protective measures
          and emergency relief activities conducted by civilians
          in case of hostile attack, sabotage, or natural disaster

   civil disobedience
          [civil disobedience] n (1866): refusal to obey governmental
          demands or commands esp. as a nonviolent and usu. collective
          means of forcing concessions from the government

   civil engineer
          [civil engineer] n (ca. 1792): an engineer whose training
          or occupation is in the design and construction esp.
          of public works (as roads or harbors) -- civil engineering
          n

   civilian
          [ci.vil.ian] n (14c) 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil
          law 2 a: one not on active duty in a military, police,
          or fire-fighting force b: outsider 1 -- civilian adj

   civilianize
          [ci.vil.ian.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1870): to convert from
          military to civilian status or control -- ci.vil.ian.i.za.tion
          n

   civilisation, civilise
          [civ.i.li.sa.tion, civ.i.lise] chiefly Brit var of civilization,
          civilize

   civility
          [ci.vil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1533) 1 archaic: training in the
          humanities 2 a: courtesy, politeness b: a polite act
          or expression

   civilization
          [civ.i.li.za.tion] n (1772) 1 a: a relatively high level
          of cultural and technological development; specif: the
          stage of cultural development at which writing and the
          keeping of written records is attained b: the culture
          characteristic of a particular time or place 2: the process
          of becoming civilized 3 a: refinement of thought, manners,
          or taste b: a situation of urban comfort -- civ.i.li.za.tion.al
          adj

   civilize
          [civ.i.lize] vb -lized ; -liz.ing vt (1601) 1: to cause to
          develop out of a primitive state; esp: to bring to a
          technically advanced and rationally ordered stage of
          cultural development 2 a: educate, refine b: socialize
          1 ~ vi: to acquire the customs and amenities of a civil
          community -- civ.i.liz.er n

   civilized
          [civilized] adj (1611): characteristic of a state of civilization
          <~ society>; esp: characterized by taste, refinement,
          or restraint <a ~ way to spend the evening>

   civil law
          [civil law] n, often cap C&L (14c) 1: Roman law esp. as set
          forth in the Justinian code 2: the body of private law
          developed from Roman law and used in Louisiana and in
          many countries outside the English-speaking world 3:
          the law established by a nation or state for its own
          jurisdiction 4: the law of civil or private rights

   civil liberty
          [civil liberty] n (1644): freedom from arbitrary governmental
          interference (as with the right of free speech) specif.
          by denial of governmental power and in the U.S. esp.
          as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights--usu. used in pl.
          -- civil libertarian n or adj

   civilly
          [civ.il.ly] adv (15c) 1: in terms of civil rights, law, or
          matters <~ dead> 2: in a civil manner: politely

   civil marriage
          [civil marriage] n (ca. 1889): a marriage performed by a
          magistrate

   civil rights
          [civil rights] n pl (1721): the nonpolitical rights of a
          citizen; esp: the rights of personal liberty guaranteed
          to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the
          Constitution and by acts of Congress

   civil servant
          [civil servant] n (1800) 1: a member of a civil service 2:
          a member of the administrative staff of an international
          agency (as the United Nations)

   civil service
          [civil service] n (ca. 1785): the administrative service
          of a government or international agency exclusive of
          the armed forces; esp: one in which appointments are
          determined by competitive examination

   civil war
          [civil war] n (15c): a war between opposing groups of citizens
          of the same country

   Civitan
          [Civ.i.tan] n [Civitan (Club)] (1926): a member of a major
          national and international service club

   civvy
          [civ.vy] also civ.ie n, pl civvies also civies (ca. 1889)
          1 pl: civilian clothes as distinguished from a particular
          uniform (as of the military) 2: civilian

   civvy street
          [civvy street] n, often cap C&S (1943) Brit: civilian life

   CIWS
          [CIWS] abbreviation close-in weapons system

   cj...
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   CJ
          [CJ] abbreviation chief justice

   ck...
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   ck
          [ck] abbreviation cask, check

   cl...
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   cl
          [cl] abbreviation centiliter, claiming, class, clause, close,
          closet, cloth  Cl abbreviation chlorine  CL abbreviation
          carload, center line, civil law, common law

   [1]clabber
          [clab.ber] n [short for bonnyclabber] (1634) chiefly dial:
          sour milk that has thickened or curdled [2]clabber vi
          (ca. 1879) chiefly dial: curdle

   clachan
          [clach.an] n [ME, fr. ScGael] (15c) Scot & Irish: hamlet

   [1]clack
          [clack] vb [ME, of imit. origin] vi (13c) 1: chatter, prattle
          2: to make an abrupt striking sound or series of sounds
          3 of fowl: cackle, cluck ~ vt 1: to cause to make a clatter
          2: to produce with a chattering sound; specif: blab --
          clack.er n [2]clack n (15c) 1 a: rapid continuous talk:
          chatter b: tongue 2 archaic: an object (as a valve) that
          produces clapping or rattling noises usu. in regular
          rapid sequence 3: a sound of clacking <the ~ of a typewriter>

   Clactonian
          [Clac.to.ni.an] adj [Clacton-on-Sea, England] (1932): of
          or relating to a Lower Paleolithic culture usu. characterized
          by stone flakes with a half cone at the point of striking

   clad-
          [clad-] or clado- comb form [NL, fr. Gk klad-, klado-, fr.
          klados branch, shoot of a tree; akin to OE holt woods--more
          at holt]: slip: sprout <cladophyll>

   [1]clad
          [clad] past and past part of clothe [2]clad adj [ME, pp.
          of clothen to clothe] (14c) 1: being covered or clothed
          <ivy-clad buildings> 2 of a coin: consisting of outer
          layers of one metal bonded to a core of a different metal
          [3]clad vt clad ; clad.ding (1939): sheathe, face; specif:
          to cover (a metal) with another metal by bonding [4]clad
          n (1941) 1 a: a composite material formed by cladding
          b: a clad coin 2: cladding; specif: the outer layer of
          a clad coin

   cladding
          [clad.ding] n (1936): something that covers or overlays;
          specif: metal coating bonded to a metal core

   clade
          [clade] n [Gk klados] (1911): a group of biological taxa
          (as species) that includes all descendants of one common
          ancestor

   cladistics
          [cla.dis.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1965): a system of
          biological taxonomy that defines taxa uniquely by shared
          characteristics not found in ancestral groups and uses
          inferred evolutionary relationships to arrange taxa in
          a branching hierarchy such that all members of a given
          taxon have the same ancestors -- cla.dist n -- cla.dis.tic
          adj -- cla.dis.ti.cal.ly adv

   cladoceran
          [cla.doc.er.an] n [NL Cladocera, fr. clad- + Gk keras horn--more
          at horn] (1909): any of an order (Cladocera) of minute
          chiefly freshwater branchiopod crustaceans that includes
          the water fleas

   cladode
          [clad.ode] n [NL cladodium, fr. Gk klados] (1870): cladophyll
          -- cla.do.di.al adj

   cladogenesis
          [clad.o.gen.e.sis] n (1953): evolutionary change characterized
          by treelike branching of taxa--compare anagenesis --
          clad.o.ge.net.ic adj -- clad.o.ge.net.i.cal.ly adv

   cladogram
          [clad.o.gram] n (1966): a branching diagrammatic tree used
          in cladistic classification to illustrate phylogenetic
          relationships

   cladophyll
          [clad.o.phyll] n (1879): a flattened photosynthetic branch
          assuming the form of and closely resembling an ordinary
          foliage leaf

   [1]claim
          [claim] vt [ME, fr. MF clamer, fr. L clamare to cry out,
          shout; akin to L calare to call--more at low] (14c) 1
          a: to ask for esp. as a right <~ed the inheritance> b:
          to call for: require <this matter ~s our attention> c:
          take 16b <the accident ~ed her life> 2: to take as the
          rightful owner <went to ~ their bags at the station>
          3 a: to assert in the face of possible contradiction:
          maintain <~ed that he'd been cheated> b: to claim to
          have <organization ... which ~s 11,000 ... members --Rolling
          Stone> c: to assert to be rightfully one's own <~ed responsibility
          for the attack> syn see demand -- claim.able adj [2]claim n (14c)
          1: a demand for something due or believed to be due <insurance
          ~> 2 a: a right to something; specif: a title to a debt, privilege,
          or other thing in the possession of another b: an assertion open
          to challenge <a ~ of authenticity> 3: something that is claimed;
          esp: a tract of land staked out

   claimant
          [claim.ant] n (15c): one that asserts a right or title <a
          ~ to an estate>

   claimer
          [claim.er] n (15c) 1: one that claims 2: a horse running
          in a claiming race

   claiming race
          [claiming race] n (1935): a horse race in which each entry
          is offered for sale for a specified price that must be
          deposited before the race

   clairaudience
          [clair.au.di.ence] n [clair- (as in clairvoyance) + audience
          (act of hearing)] (1864): the power or faculty of hearing
          something not present to the ear but regarded as having
          objective reality -- clair.au.di.ent adj -- clair.au.di.ent.ly
          adv

   clairvoyance
          [clair.voy.ance] n (1840) 1: the power or faculty of discerning
          objects not present to the senses 2: ability to perceive
          matters beyond the range of ordinary perception: penetration

   [1]clairvoyant
          [clair.voy.ant] adj [F, fr. clair clear (fr. L clarus) +
          voyant, prp. of voir to see, fr. L videre--more at wit]
          (1671) 1: unusually perceptive: discerning 2: of or relating
          to clairvoyance -- clair.voy.ant.ly adv [2]clairvoyant
          n (1851): one having the power of clairvoyance

   [1]clam
          [clam] n [ME, fr. OE clamm bond, fetter; akin to OHG klamma
          constriction, L glomus ball] (bef. 12c): clamp, clasp
          [2]clam n, often attrib [[1]clam; fr. the clamping action
          of the shells] (ca. 1520) 1 a: any of numerous edible
          marine bivalve mollusks living in sand or mud b: a freshwater
          mussel 2: a stolid or closemouthed person 3: clamshell
          4: dollar 3 [3]clam vi clammed ; clam.ming (1636): to
          gather clams esp. by digging -- clam.mer n

   clamant
          [cla.mant] adj [L clamant-, clamans, prp. of clamare to cry
          out] (1639) 1: clamorous, blatant 2: demanding attention:
          urgent -- cla.mant.ly adv

   clambake
          [clam.bake] n (1835) 1 a: an outdoor party; esp: a seashore
          outing where food is usu. cooked on heated rocks covered
          by seaweed b: the food served at a clambake 2: a gathering
          characterized by noisy sociability; esp: a political
          rally

   clamber
          [clam.ber] vi clam.bered ; clam.ber.ing [ME clambren; akin
          to OE climban to climb] (14c): to climb awkwardly (as
          by scrambling) <~ed over the rocks> -- clam.ber.er n

   clammy
          [clam.my] adj clam.mi.er ; -est [ME, prob. fr. clammen to
          smear, stick, fr. OE claeman; akin to OE claeg clay]
          (14c) 1: being damp, soft, sticky, and usu. cool <a ~
          and intensely cold mist --Charles Dickens> 2: lacking
          normal human warmth <the ~ atmosphere of an institution>
          -- clam.mi.ly adv -- clam.mi.ness n

   [1]clamor
          [clam.or] n [ME, fr. MF clamour, fr. L clamor, fr. clamare
          to cry out--more at claim] (14c) 1 a: noisy shouting
          b: a loud continuous noise 2: insistent public expression
          (as of support or protest) <a ~ against increased taxes>
          [2]clamor vb clam.ored ; clam.or.ing vi (14c) 1: to make
          a din 2: to become loudly insistent <~ed for his impeachment>
          ~ vt 1: to utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
          2: to influence by means of clamor [3]clamor vt [origin
          unknown] (1611) obs: silence

   clamorous
          [clam.or.ous] adj (15c) 1: marked by confused din or outcry:
          tumultuous <the busy ~ market> 2: noisily insistent syn
          see vociferous -- clam.or.ous.ly adv -- clam.or.ous.ness
          n

   clamour
          [clam.our] chiefly Brit var of clamor

   [1]clamp
          [clamp] n [ME, prob. fr. (assumed) MD klampe; akin to OE
          clamm bond, fetter--more at clam] (14c) 1: a device designed
          to bind or constrict or to press two or more parts together
          so as to hold them firmly 2: any of various instruments
          or appliances having parts brought together for holding
          or compressing something [2]clamp vt (ca. 1696) 1: to
          fasten with or as if with a clamp 2 a: to place by decree:
          impose--often used with on <~ed on a curfew after the
          riots> b: to hold tightly

   clamp down
          [clamp down] vi (1940): to impose restrictions: crack down
          <the police are clamping down on speeders>

   clampdown
          [clamp.down] n (1940): the act or action of making regulations
          and restrictions more stringent <a ~ on charge accounts,
          bank loans, and other inflationary influences --Time>

   clams casino
          [clams casino] n pl but sing or pl in constr, often cap 2d
          C (1952): clams on the half shell usu. topped with green
          pepper and baked or broiled

   clamshell
          [clam.shell] n (ca. 1520) 1: the shell of a clam 2 a: a bucket
          or grapple (as on a dredge) having two hinged jaws b:
          an excavating machine having a clamshell c: either of
          a pair of doors (as in an airplane tail) that open out
          and away from each other

   clam up
          [clam up] vi (1916): to become silent

   clam worm
          [clam worm] n (1885): any of several large burrowing polychaete
          worms (as a nereid) often used as bait

   clan
          [clan] n [ME, fr. ScGael clann offspring, clan, fr. OIr cland
          plant, offspring, fr. L planta plant] (15c) 1 a: a Celtic
          group esp. in the Scottish Highlands comprising a number
          of households whose heads claim descent from a common
          ancestor b: a group of people tracing descent from a
          common ancestor 2: a group united by a common interest
          or common characteristics

   clandestine
          [clan.des.tine] adj [MF or L; MF clandestin, fr. L clandestinus,
          fr. clam secretly; akin to L celare to hide--more at
          hell] (1566): marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy:
          surreptitious syn see secret -- clan.des.tine.ly adv
          -- clan.des.tine.ness n -- clan.des.tin.i.ty n

   [1]clang
          [clang] vb [L clangere; akin to Gk klazein to scream, bark,
          OE hliehhan to laugh] vi (1576) 1 a: to make a loud metallic
          ringing sound <anvils ~ed> b: to go with a clang 2: to
          utter the characteristic harsh cry of a bird ~ vt: to
          cause to clang <~ a bell> [2]clang n (1596) 1: a loud
          ringing metallic sound <the ~ of a fire alarm> 2: a harsh
          cry of a bird (as a crane or goose)

   clanger
          [clang.er] n (1948) Brit: a conspicuous blunder--often used
          in the phrase drop a clanger

   [1]clangor
          [clan.gor] n [L clangor, fr. clangere] (1593): a resounding
          clang or medley of clangs <the ~ of hammers> -- clan.gor.ous
          adj -- clan.gor.ous.ly adv [2]clangor vi (1837): to make
          a clangor

   clangour
          [clan.gour] chiefly Brit var of clangor

   [1]clank
          [clank] vb [prob. imit.] vi (1656) 1: to make a clank or
          series of clanks <the radiator hissed and ~ed> 2: to
          go with or as if with a clank <tanks ~ing through the
          streets> ~ vt: to cause to clank -- clank.ing.ly adv
          [2]clank n (1656): a sharp brief metallic ringing sound

   clannish
          [clan.nish] adj (1776) 1: of or relating to a clan 2: tending
          to associate only with a select group of similar background
          or status -- clan.nish.ly adv -- clan.nish.ness n

   clansman
          [clans.man] n (1810): a member of a clan

   [1]clap
          [clap] vb clapped also clapt ; clap.ping [ME clappen, fr.
          OE claeppan to throb; akin to OHG klaphon to beat] vt
          (14c) 1: to strike (as two flat hard surfaces) together
          so as to produce a sharp percussive noise 2 a: to strike
          (the hands) together repeatedly usu. in applause b: applaud
          3: to strike with the flat of the hand in a friendly
          way <clapped his friend on the shoulder> 4: to place,
          put, or set esp. energetically <~ him into jail> <since
          I first clapped eyes on it> 5: to improvise hastily ~
          vi 1: to produce a percussive sound; esp: slam 2: to
          go abruptly or briskly 3: applaud [2]clap n (13c) 1:
          a device that makes a clapping noise 2 obs: a sudden
          stroke of fortune and esp. ill fortune 3: a loud percussive
          noise; specif: a sudden crash of thunder 4 a: a sudden
          blow b: a friendly slap 5: the sound of clapping hands;
          esp: applause [3]clap n [MF clapoir bubo] (1587): gonorrhea--often
          used with the

   clapboard
          [clap.board] n [part trans. of D klaphout stave wood] (ca.
          1520) 1 archaic: a size of board for making staves and
          wainscoting 2: a narrow board usu. thicker at one edge
          than the other used for siding 3: a pair of hinged boards
          one of which has a slate with data identifying a piece
          of film and which are banged together in front of a motion-picture
          camera at the start of a take to facilitate editing--called also
          clapper board -- clapboard vt

   clapped-out
          [clapped-out] adj (1946) Brit: worn-out; also: tired

   clapper
          [clap.per] n (14c): one that claps: as a: the tongue of a
          bell b: a mechanical device that makes noise esp. by
          the banging of one part against another c: a person who
          applauds

   clapperclaw
          [clap.per.claw] vt [perh. fr. clapper + claw (v.)] (1590)
          1 dial Eng: to claw with the nails 2 dial Eng: scold,
          revile

   [1]claptrap
          [clap.trap] n [[2]clap; fr. its attempt to win applause]
          (1799): pretentious nonsense: trash [2]claptrap adj (1815):
          characterized by or suggestive of claptrap; esp: of a
          cheap showy nature <~ sentiment>

   claque
          [claque] n [F, fr. claquer to clap, of imit. origin] (1864)
          1: a group hired to applaud at a performance 2: a group
          of sycophants

   claqueur
          [cla.queur] n [F, fr. claquer to clap] (1837): a member of
          a claque

   claret
          [clar.et] n [ME, fr. MF (vin) claret clear wine, fr. claret
          clear, fr. cler clear] (1707) 1: a red Bordeaux wine;
          also: a similar wine produced elsewhere 2: a dark purplish
          red -- claret adj

   clarify
          [clar.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME clarifien, fr. MF clarifier,
          fr. LL clarificare, fr. L clarus clear--more at clear]
          vt (14c) 1: to make (as a liquid) clear or pure usu.
          by freeing from suspended matter 2: to free of confusion
          3: to make understandable ~ vi: to become clear
          -- clar.i.fi.ca.tion n -- clar.i.fi.er n

   clarinet
          [clar.i.net] n [F clarinette, prob. ultim. fr. ML clarion-,
          clario] (1796): a single-reed woodwind instrument having
          a cylindrical tube with a moderately flared bell and
          a usual range from D below middle C upward for 3 1/2
          octaves -- clar.i.net.ist or clar.i.net.tist n

   [1]clarion
          [clar.i.on] n [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF clairon, fr. ML clarion-,
          clario, fr. L clarus] (14c) 1: a medieval trumpet with
          clear shrill tones 2: the sound of or as if of a clarion
          [2]clarion adj (1841): brilliantly clear <her ~ top notes>;
          also: loud and clear <a ~ call to action>

   clarity
          [clar.i.ty] n [ME clarite, fr. L claritat-, claritas, fr.
          clarus] (1616): the quality or state of being clear:
          lucidity

   clarkia
          [clark.ia] n [NL, fr. William Clark] (1827): any of a genus
          (Clarkia) of showy annual herbs of the evening-primrose
          family that are native to the Pacific slope of No. America
          and southwestern So. America

   claro
          [cla.ro] n, pl claros [Sp, fr. claro light, fr. L clarus]
          (1891): a light-colored usu. mild cigar

   clary
          [clary] n, pl clar.ies [ME clarie, fr. MF sclaree, fr. ML
          sclareia] (14c): an aromatic mint (Salvia sclarea) of
          southern Europe that is widely cultivated esp. as an
          ornamental

   [1]clash
          [clash] vb [imit.] vi (ca. 1500) 1: to make a clash <cymbals
          ~ed> 2: to come into conflict <where ignorant armies
          ~ by night --Matthew Arnold>; also: to be incompatible
          <the colors ~ed> ~ vt: to cause to clash -- clash.er
          n [2]clash n (1513) 1: a noisy usu. metallic sound of
          collision 2 a: a hostile encounter: skirmish b: a sharp
          conflict <a ~ of opinions>

   [1]clasp
          [clasp] n [ME claspe] (14c) 1 a: a device (as a hook) for
          holding objects or parts together b: a device (as a bar)
          attached to a military medal to indicate an additional
          award of the medal or the action or service for which
          it was awarded 2: a holding or enveloping with or as
          if with the hands or arms [2]clasp vt (14c) 1: to fasten
          with or as if with a clasp <a robe ~ed with a brooch>
          2: to enclose and hold with the arms; specif: embrace
          3: to seize with or as if with the hand: grasp

   clasper
          [clasp.er] n (ca. 1847): a male copulatory structure: a:
          one of a pair of external anal processes of an insect
          that are used to grasp a female b: one of a pair of organs
          that are extensions of the pelvic fins of cartilaginous
          fishes

   clasp knife
          [clasp knife] n (ca. 1755): pocketknife; esp: a large one-bladed
          folding knife having a catch to hold the blade open

   [1]class
          [class] n, often attrib [F classe, fr. L classis group called
          to military service, fleet, class; perh. akin to L calare
          to call--more at low] (1602) 1 a: a body of students
          meeting regularly to study the same subject b: the period
          during which such a body meets c: a course of instruction
          d: a body of students or alumni whose year of graduation
          is the same 2 a: a group sharing the same economic or
          social status <the working ~> b: social rank; esp: high
          social rank c: high quality: elegance 3: a group, set,
          or kind sharing common attributes: as a: a major category
          in biological taxonomy ranking above the order and below
          the phylum or division b: a collection of adjacent and
          discrete or continuous values of a random variable c:
          set 21 4: a division or rating based on grade or quality
          5: the best of its kind <the ~ of the league> [2]class
          vt (1705): classify

   class act
          [class act] n (1976): an example of outstanding quality or
          prestige

   class action
          [class action] n (1952): a legal action undertaken by one
          or more plaintiffs on behalf of themselves and all other
          persons having an identical interest in the alleged wrong

   class-conscious
          [class-conscious] adj (1903) 1: actively aware of one's common
          status with others in a particular economic or social
          level of society 2: believing in class struggle -- class
          consciousness n

   [1]classic
          [clas.sic] adj [F or L; F classique, fr. L classicus of the
          highest class of Roman citizens, of the first rank, fr.
          classis] (ca. 1604) 1 a: serving as a standard of excellence:
          of recognized value b: traditional, enduring c: characterized
          by simple tailored lines in fashion year after year <a
          ~ suit> 2: of or relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans
          or their culture: classical 3 a: historically memorable
          b: noted because of special literary or historical associations
          <Paris is the ~ refuge of expatriates> 4 a: authentic,
          authoritative b: typical <a ~ example of chicanery> 5
          cap: of or relating to the period of highest development
          of Mesoamerican and esp. Mayan culture about a.d. 300-900
          [2]classic n (1711) 1: a literary work of ancient Greece
          or Rome 2 a: a work of enduring excellence; also: its
          author b: an authoritative source 3: a typical or perfect
          example 4: a traditional event <a football ~>

   classical
          [clas.si.cal] adj [L classicus] (1599) 1: standard, classic
          2 a: of or relating to the ancient Greek and Roman world
          and esp. to its literature, art, architecture, or ideals
          b: versed in the classics 3 a: of or relating to music
          of the late 18th and early 19th centuries characterized
          by an emphasis on balance, clarity, and moderation b:
          of, relating to, or being music in the educated European
          tradition that includes such forms as art song, chamber
          music, opera, and symphony as distinguished from folk
          or popular music or jazz 4 a: authoritative, traditional
          b (1): of or relating to a form or system considered
          of first significance in earlier times <~ Mendelian genetics>
          (2): not involving relativity, wave mechanics, or quantum
          theory <~ physics> c: conforming to a pattern of usage
          sanctioned by a body of literature rather than by everyday
          speech 5: concerned with or giving instruction in the
          humanities, the fine arts, and the broad aspects of science
          <a ~ curriculum>

   classical conditioning
          [classical conditioning] n (1949): conditioning in which
          the conditioned stimulus (as the sound of a bell) is
          paired with and precedes the unconditioned stimulus (as
          the sight of food) until the conditioned stimulus alone
          is sufficient to elicit the response (as salivation in
          a dog)--compare operant conditioning

   classicality
          [clas.si.cal.i.ty] n (1819) 1: the quality or state of being
          classic 2: classical scholarship

   classically
          [clas.si.cal.ly] adv (1772) 1: in a classic or classical
          manner <~ exact forms of the dance> <~ trained> 2 a:
          in classic or traditional circumstances: typically <~,
          the whole fish is stuffed> b: as a classic example <~
          bad writing>

   classicism
          [clas.si.cism] n (1830) 1 a: the principles or style embodied
          in the literature, art, or architecture of ancient Greece
          and Rome b: classical scholarship c: a classical idiom
          or expression 2: adherence to traditional standards (as
          of simplicity, restraint, and proportion) that are universally
          and enduringly valid

   classicist
          [clas.si.cist] n (1830) 1: an advocate or follower of classicism
          2: a classical scholar -- clas.si.cis.tic adj

   classicize
          [clas.si.cize] vb -cized ; -ciz.ing vt (1854): to make classic
          or classical ~ vi: to follow classic style

   classico
          [clas.si.co] adj [It, fr. L classicus] (1968): produced in
          a delimited area of Italy known for its standards of
          quality <Chianti ~>

   classification
          [clas.si.fi.ca.tion] n (1790) 1: the act or process of classifying
          2 a: systematic arrangement in groups or categories according
          to established criteria; specif: taxonomy b: class, category
          -- clas.si.fi.ca.to.ry adj

   classified
          [clas.si.fied] adj (1889) 1: divided into classes or placed
          in a class <~ ads> 2: withheld from general circulation
          for reasons of national security <~ information>

   classifier
          [clas.si.fi.er] n (1819) 1: one that classifies; specif:
          a machine for sorting out the constituents of a substance
          (as ore) 2: a word or morpheme used with numerals or
          with nouns designating countable or measurable objects

   classify
          [clas.si.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1799) 1: to arrange in classes
          <~ing books according to subject matter> 2: to assign
          (as a document) to a category -- clas.si.fi.able adj

   class interval
          [class interval] n (1929): class 3b; also: its numerical
          width

   classis
          [clas.sis] n, pl clas.ses [NL, fr. L, class] (1593) 1: a
          governing body in some Reformed churches (as in the former
          Reformed Church in the U.S.) corresponding to a presbytery
          2: the district governed by a classis

   classism
          [class.ism] n (1842): prejudice or discrimination based on
          class -- class.ist adj

   classless
          [class.less] adj (1878) 1: belonging to no particular social
          class 2: free from distinctions of social class <a ~
          society> -- class.less.ness n

   classmate
          [class.mate] n (1713): a member of the same class in a school
          or college

   classroom
          [class.room] n (1870): a place where classes meet

   classy
          [classy] adj class.i.er ; -est (1891): elegant, stylish <a
          ~ clientele>; also: notably superior <a ~ outfielder>
          -- class.i.ness n

   clast
          [clast] n [Gk klastos broken, fr. klan to break; perh. akin
          to L clades disaster] (1952): a fragment of rock

   clastic
          [clas.tic] adj [ISV] (1877): made up of fragments of preexisting
          rocks <a ~ sediment> -- clastic n

   clathrate
          [clath.rate] adj [L clathratus, furnished with a lattice,
          fr. clathri (pl.) lattice, fr. Gk kleithron bar, fr.
          kleiein to close--more at clavicle] (1906): relating
          to or being a compound formed by the inclusion of molecules
          of one kind in cavities of the crystal lattice of another
          -- clathrate n

   [1]clatter
          [clat.ter] vb [ME clatren, fr. (assumed) OE clatrian; of
          imit. origin] vi (13c) 1: to make a rattling sound <the
          dishes ~ed on the shelf> 2: to talk noisily or rapidly
          3: to move or go with a clatter <~ed down the stairs>
          ~ vt: to cause to clatter -- clat.ter.er n -- clat.ter.ing.ly
          adv [2]clatter n (14c) 1: a rattling sound (as of hard
          bodies striking together) <the ~ of pots and pans> 2:
          commotion <the midday ~ of the business district> 3:
          noisy chatter -- clat.tery adj

   claudication
          [clau.di.ca.tion] n [L claudication-, claudicatio, fr. claudicare
          to limp, fr. claudus lame] (15c): the quality or state
          of being lame: limping

   clausal
          [claus.al] adj (1904): relating to or of the nature of a
          clause

   clause
          [clause] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. ML clausa close of a rhetorical
          period, fr. L, fem. of clausus, pp. of claudere to close--more
          at close] (13c) 1: a group of words containing a subject
          and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex
          or compound sentence 2: a separate section of a discourse
          or writing; specif: a distinct article in a formal document

   claustral
          [claus.tral] adj [ME, fr. ML claustralis, fr. claustrum cloister,
          fr. L, bar, bolt, confining space, fr. claudere] (15c):
          cloistral

   claustrophobia
          [claus.tro.pho.bia] n [NL, fr. L claustrum + NL -phobia]
          (1879): abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces
          -- claus.tro.phobe n

   claustrophobic
          [claus.tro.pho.bic] adj (ca. 1889) 1: affected with or inclined
          to claustrophobia 2: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia
          -- claus.tro.pho.bi.cal.ly adv

   claustrum
          [claus.trum] n, pl claus.tra [NL, fr. L, bar] (1848): the
          one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere
          that consists of a thin lamina of gray matter separated
          from the lenticular nucleus by a layer of white matter

   clavate
          [cla.vate] adj [NL clavatus, fr. L clava club, fr. clavus
          nail, knot in wood] (1813): gradually thickening near
          the distal end: shaped like a club

   [1]clave
          [clave] past of cleave [2]clave n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, keystone,
          clef, fr. L clavis] (1928): one of a pair of cylindrical
          hardwood sticks that are used as a percussion instrument

   claver
          [cla.ver] vi [prob. of Celt origin; akin to ScGael clabaire
          babbler] (ca. 1605) chiefly Scot: prate, gossip -- claver
          n, chiefly Scot

   clavichord
          [clav.i.chord] n [ML clavichordium, fr. L clavis key + chorda
          string--more at cord] (15c): an early keyboard instrument
          having strings struck by tangents attached directly to
          the key ends -- clav.i.chord.ist n

   clavicle
          [clav.i.cle] n [F clavicule, fr. NL clavicula, fr. L, dim.
          of L clavis; akin to Gk kleid-, kleis key, kleiein to
          close] (1615): a bone of the vertebrate pectoral girdle
          typically serving to link the scapula and sternum--called
          also collarbone -- cla.vic.u.lar adj

   clavier
          [cla.vier] n [F, fr. OF, key bearer, fr. L clavis] (1708)
          1: the keyboard of a musical instrument 2 [G Klavier,
          fr. F clavier]: an early keyboard instrument -- cla.vier.ist
          n -- cla.vier.is.tic adj

   [1]claw
          [claw] n, often attrib [ME clawe, fr. OE clawu hoof, claw;
          akin to ON klo claw, and prob. to OE cliewen ball--more
          at clew] (bef. 12c) 1: a sharp usu. slender and curved
          nail on the toe of an animal 2: any of various sharp
          curved processes esp. at the end of a limb (as of an
          insect); also: a limb ending in such a process 3: one
          of the pincerlike organs terminating some limbs of various
          arthropods (as a lobster or scorpion) 4: something that
          resembles a claw; specif: the forked end of a tool (as
          a hammer) -- clawed adj -- claw.like adj [2]claw vt (bef.
          12c): to rake, seize, dig, or progress with or as if
          with claws ~ vi: to scrape, scratch, dig, or pull with
          or as if with claws

   claw back
          [claw back] vt (1953) chiefly Brit: to get back (as money)
          by strenuous or forceful means (as taxation) -- claw-back
          n

   clawhammer
          [claw.ham.mer] adj (1964): of or relating to a style of banjo
          playing using the thumb and one or more fingers picking
          or strumming in a downward direction

   claw hammer
          [claw hammer] n (ca. 1769) 1: a hammer with one end of the
          head forked for pulling out nails 2: tailcoat

   [1]clay
          [clay] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE claeg; akin to OHG kliwa
          bran, L gluten glue, MGk glia] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an earthy
          material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired,
          that is composed mainly of fine particles of hydrous
          aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used
          for brick, tile, and pottery; specif: soil composed chiefly
          of this material having particles less than a specified
          size b : earth, mud 2 a: a substance that resembles clay
          in plasticity and is used for modeling b: the human body
          as distinguished from the spirit c: fundamental nature
          or character <the common ~> 3: clay court -- clay.ey
          adj -- clay.ish adj -- clay.like adj

   claybank
          [clay.bank] n (1851): a horse of yellowish color

   clay court
          [clay court] n (1885): a tennis court with a clay surface
          or a synthetic surface that resembles clay

   clay loam
          [clay loam] n (ca. 1889): a loam containing from 20 to 30
          percent clay

   clay mineral
          [clay mineral] n (1947): any of a group of hydrous silicates
          of aluminum and sometimes other metals formed chiefly
          in weathering processes and occurring esp. in clay and
          shale

   claymore
          [clay.more] n [ScGael claidheamh mor, lit., great sword]
          (1772): a large 2-edged sword formerly used by Scottish
          Highlanders; also: their basket-hilted broadsword

   claymore mine
          [claymore mine] n [perh. fr. claymore] (1961): a usu. electrically
          fired land mine that contains steel fragments which are discharged
          in a predetermined direction

   claypan
          [clay.pan] n (1837) 1: hardpan consisting mainly of clay
          2 Austral: a shallow depression in which water collects
          after rain

   clay pigeon
          [clay pigeon] n (1888): a saucer-shaped target usu. made
          of baked clay or limestone and pitch and thrown from
          a trap in skeet and trapshooting

   clayware
          [clay.ware] n (1896): articles made of fired clay

   cld
          [cld] abbreviation called, cleared

   [1]clean
          [clean] adj [ME clene, fr. OE claene; akin to OHG kleini
          delicate, dainty] (bef. 12c) 1 a: free from dirt or pollution
          <changed to ~ clothes> <~ solar energy> b: free from
          contamination or disease c: free or relatively free from
          radioactivity <a ~ atomic explosion> 2 a: unadulterated,
          pure <the ~ thrill of one's first flight> b of a precious
          stone: having no interior flaws visible c: free from
          growth that hinders tillage 3 a: free from moral corruption
          or sinister connections of any kind <a candidate with
          a ~ record> b: free from offensive treatment of sexual
          subjects and from the use of obscenity <a ~ joke> c:
          observing the rules: fair <a ~ fight> 4: ceremonially
          or spiritually pure <and all who are ~ may eat flesh
          --Lev 7:19 (RSV)> 5 a: thorough, complete <a ~ break
          with the past> b: deftly executed: skillful <~ ballet
          technique> c: hit beyond the reach of an opponent <a
          ~ single to center> 6 a: relatively free from error or
          blemish: clear; specif: legible <~ copy> b: unencumbered
          <~ bill of sale> 7 a: characterized by clarity and precision:
          trim <a ~ prose style> <architecture with ~ almost austere
          lines> b: even, smooth <a ~ edge> <a sharp blow causing
          a ~ break> c: free from impedances to smooth flow (as
          of water or air) <a ~ airplane> <a ship with a ~ bottom>
          8 a: empty <the ship returned with a ~ hold> b: free
          from drug addiction c slang: having no contraband (as
          weapons or drugs) in one's possession 9: habitually neat
          -- clean.ness n [2]clean adv (bef. 12c) 1 a: so as to
          clean <a new broom sweeps ~> b: in a clean manner <play
          the game ~> 2: all the way: completely <the bullet went
          ~ through his arm> [3]clean vt (15c) 1 a: to make clean:
          as (1): to rid of dirt, impurities, or extraneous matter
          (2): to rid of corruption <vowing to ~ up city hall>
          b: remove, eradicate--usu. used with up or off <~ up
          that mess> 2 a: strip, empty <a tree ~ed of fruit> b:
          to remove the entrails from <~ fish> c: to deprive of
          money or possessions--often used with out <they ~ed him
          out completely> ~ vi: to undergo or perform a process
          of cleaning <~ up before dinner> -- clean.abil.i.ty n
          -- clean.able adj -- clean house 1: to clean a house
          and its furniture 2: to make sweeping reforms or changes
          (as of personnel) -- clean one's clock : to beat one
          badly in a fight or competition -- clean up one's act
          : to behave in a more acceptable manner [4]clean n (ca.
          1889): an act of cleaning dirt esp. from the surface
          of something

   clean and jerk
          [clean and jerk] n (1939): a lift in weight lifting in which
          the weight is raised to shoulder height, held momentarily,
          and then quickly thrust overhead usu. with a lunge or
          a spring from the legs--compare press, snatch

   clean-cut
          [clean-cut] adj (1843) 1: cut so that the surface or edge
          is smooth and even 2: sharply defined 3: of wholesome
          appearance

   cleaner
          [clean.er] n (ca. 1792) 1 a: one whose work is cleaning b:
          dry cleaner 2: a preparation for cleaning 3: an implement
          or machine for cleaning

   cleanhanded
          [clean.hand.ed] adj (1728): innocent of wrongdoing

   clean-limbed
          [clean-limbed] adj (15c): well proportioned: trim <~ youths>

   [1]cleanly
          [clean.ly] adv (13c): in a clean manner [2]clean.ly adj clean.li.er
          ; -est (ca. 1500) 1: careful to keep clean: fastidious
          2: habitually kept clean -- clean.li.ness n

   clean room
          [clean room] n (1963): a room for the manufacture or assembly
          of objects (as precision parts) that is maintained at
          a high level of cleanliness by special means

   cleanse
          [cleanse] vb cleansed ; cleans.ing [ME clensen, fr. OE claensian
          to purify, fr. claene clean] (bef. 12c): clean; esp:
          to rid of impurities by or as if by washing

   cleanser
          [cleans.er] n (bef. 12c) 1: one that cleanses 2: a preparation
          (as a scouring powder or a skin cream) used for cleaning

   clean up
          [clean up] vi (1920): to make a spectacular profit in a business
          enterprise or a killing in speculation or gambling

   [1]cleanup
          [clean.up] n (1872) 1: an act or instance of cleaning 2:
          an exceptionally large profit: killing [2]cleanup adj
          (1937): being in the fourth position in the batting order
          of a baseball team <a ~ hitter> -- cleanup adv

   [1]clear
          [clear] adj [ME clere, fr. OF cler, fr. L clarus clear, bright;
          akin to L calare to call--more at low] (13c) 1 a: bright,
          luminous b: cloudless; specif: less than one-tenth covered
          <a ~ sky> c: free from mist, haze, or dust <a ~ day>
          d: untroubled, serene <a ~ gaze> 2: clean, pure: as a:
          free from blemishes b: easily seen through: transparent
          c: free from abnormal sounds on auscultation 3 a: easily
          heard b: easily visible: plain c: free from obscurity
          or ambiguity: easily understood: unmistakable 4 a: capable
          of sharp discernment: keen b: free from doubt: sure 5:
          free from guile or guilt: innocent 6: unhampered by restriction
          or limitation: as a: unencumbered by debts or charges
          b: net <a ~ profit> c: unqualified, absolute d: free
          from obstruction e: emptied of contents or cargo f: free
          from entanglement g: bare, denuded -- clear.ness n syn
          clear, transparent, translucent, limpid mean capable
          of being seen through. clear implies absence of cloudiness,
          haziness, or muddiness <clear water>. transparent implies
          being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly <a
          transparent sheet of film>. translucent implies the passage
          of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond <translucent
          frosted glass>. limpid suggests the soft clearness of
          pure water <her eyes were limpid pools of blue>. syn
          clear, perspicuous, lucid mean quickly and easily understood.
          clear implies freedom from obscurity, ambiguity, or undue
          complexity <clear instructions>. perspicuous applies
          to a style that is simple and elegant as well as clear
          <a perspicuous style>. lucid suggests a clear logical
          coherence and evident order of arrangement <a lucid explanation>.
          syn see in addition evident [2]clear adv (14c) 1: in
          a clear manner <to cry loud and ~> 2: all the way <drove
          ~ across the state> [3]clear vt (14c) 1 a: to make clear
          or translucent b: to free from pollution or cloudiness
          2: to free from accusation or blame: exonerate, vindicate
          <the opportunity to ~ himself> 3 a: to give insight to:
          enlighten b: to make intelligible: explain <~ up the
          mystery> 4 a: to free from what obstructs or is unneeded:
          as (1): open 1b <~ a path> (2): to remove unwanted growth
          or items from <~ the land of timber> (3): to rid or make
          a rasping noise as if ridding (the throat) of phlegm
          (4): to erase stored or displayed data from (as a computer
          or calculator) b: to empty of occupants <~ the room>
          c: disentangle <~ a fishing line> d: to remove from an
          area or place <~ the dishes from the table> e: transmit,
          dispatch 5 a: to submit for approval <~ it with me first>
          b: authorize, approve <~ed the article for publication>:
          as (1): to certify as trustworthy <~ a person for classified
          information> (2): to permit (an aircraft) to proceed
          usu. with a specified action 6 a: to free from obligation
          or encumbrance b: settle, discharge <~ an account> c
          (1): to free (a ship or shipment) by payment of duties
          or harbor fees (2): to pass through (customs) d: to gain
          without deduction: net <~ a profit> e: to put through
          a clearinghouse 7 a: to go over, under, or by without
          touching b: pass <the bill ~ed the legislature> ~ vi
          1 a: to become clear <it ~ed up quickly after the rain>
          b: to go away: vanish <the symptoms ~ed gradually> c:
          sell 2 a: to obtain permission to discharge cargo b:
          to conform to regulations or pay requisite fees prior
          to leaving port 3: to pass through a clearinghouse 4:
          to go to an authority (as for approval) before becoming
          effective -- clear.able adj -- clear.er n -- clear the
          air also clear the atmosphere : to remove elements of
          hostility, tension, confusion, or uncertainty <had a
          long meeting to clear the air> -- clear the decks : to
          make sweeping preparations for action [4]clear n (1674)
          1: a clear space or part 2: a high arcing shot over an
          opponent's head in badminton -- in the clear 1: in inside
          measurement 2: free from guilt or suspicion 3: in plaintext:
          not in code or cipher <a message sent in the clear>

   clear-air turbulence
          [clear-air turbulence] n (1955): sudden severe turbulence
          occurring in cloudless regions that causes violent jarring
          or buffeting of aircraft

   clearance
          [clear.ance] n (1540) 1: an act or process of clearing: as
          a: the removal of buildings from an area (as a city slum)
          b: the act of clearing a ship at the customhouse; also:
          the papers showing that a ship has cleared c: the offsetting
          of checks and other claims among banks through a clearinghouse
          d: certification as clear of objection: authorization
          <security ~> e: a sale to clear out stock f: authorization
          for an aircraft to proceed esp. with a specified action
          <~ to land> 2: the distance by which one object clears
          another or the clear space between them 3: the volume
          of blood or plasma that could be freed of a specified
          constituent in a specified time (usu. one minute) by
          its excretion into the urine through the kidneys--called
          also renal clearance

   [1]clear-cut
          [clear-cut] adj (1855) 1: sharply outlined: distinct 2: free
          from ambiguity or uncertainty: unambiguous [2]clear-cut
          n (ca. 1958): an area of forest which has been clear-cut;
          also: clear-cutting

   clear-cutting
          [clear-cut.ting] n (1922): removal of all the trees in a
          stand of timber -- clear-cut vb

   clear-eyed
          [clear-eyed] adj (1530): clear-sighted

   clearheaded
          [clear.head.ed] adj (1709) 1: having a clear understanding:
          perceptive 2: able to think clearly -- clear.head.ed.ly
          adv -- clear.head.ed.ness n

   clearing
          [clear.ing] n (14c) 1: the act or process of making or becoming
          clear 2: a tract of land cleared of wood and brush 3
          a: a method of exchanging and offsetting commercial papers
          or accounts with cash settlement only of the balances
          due after the clearing b pl: the gross amount of balances
          so adjusted

   clearinghouse
          [clear.ing.house] n (1832) 1: an establishment maintained
          by banks for settling mutual claims and accounts 2: a
          central agency for the collection, classification, and
          distribution esp. of information; broadly: an informal
          channel for distributing information or assistance

   clearly
          [clear.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a clear manner <speaking ~> 2:
          it is clear <~, a new approach is needed> usage see hopefully

   clear out
          [clear out] vi (1792): depart ~ vt: to drive out or away
          usu. forcibly

   clear-sighted
          [clear-sight.ed] adj (1586) 1: having clear vision 2: discerning
          -- clear-sight.ed.ly adv -- clear-sight.ed.ness n

   clearstory
          [clear.sto.ry] var of clerestory

   clearwing
          [clear.wing] n (1868): a moth (as of the families Aegeriidae
          or Sphingidae) having the wings largely transparent and
          devoid of scales

   [1]cleat
          [cleat] n [ME clete wedge, fr. (assumed) OE cleat; akin to
          MHG kloz lump--more at clout] (14c) 1 a: a wedge-shaped
          piece fastened to or projecting from something and serving
          as a support or check b: a wooden or metal fitting usu.
          with two projecting horns around which a rope may be
          made fast 2 a: a strip fastened across something to give
          strength or hold in position b (1): a projecting piece
          (as on the bottom of a shoe) that furnishes a grip (2)
          pl: shoes equipped with cleats [2]cleat vt (1794) 1:
          to secure to or by a cleat 2: to provide with a cleat

   cleavable
          [cleav.able] adj (ca. 1864): capable of being split

   cleavage
          [cleav.age] n (1816) 1 a: the quality of a crystallized substance
          or rock of splitting along definite planes; also: the
          occurrence of such splitting b: a fragment (as of a diamond)
          obtained by splitting 2: the action of cleaving: the
          state of being cleft 3: the series of synchronized mitotic
          cell divisions of the fertilized egg that results in
          the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled
          zygote into a multicellular embryo; also: one of these
          cell divisions 4: the splitting of a molecule into simpler
          molecules 5: the depression between a woman's breasts
          esp. when made visible by the wearing of a low-cut dress

   [1]cleave
          [cleave] vi cleaved or clove also clave ; cleaved ; cleav.ing
          [ME clevien, fr. OE clifian; akin to OHG kleben to stick]
          (bef. 12c): to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and
          unwaveringly syn see stick [2]cleave vb cleaved also
          cleft or clove ; cleaved also cleft or clo.ven ; cleav.ing
          [ME cleven, fr. OE cleofan; akin to ON kljufa to split,
          L glubere to peel, Gk glyphein to carve] vt (bef. 12c)
          1: to divide by or as if by a cutting blow: split 2:
          to separate into distinct parts and esp. into groups
          having divergent views 3: to subject to chemical cleavage
          <a protein cleaved by an enzyme> ~ vi 1: to split esp.
          along the grain 2: to penetrate or pass through something
          by or as if by cutting syn see tear

   cleaver
          [cleav.er] n (15c) 1: one that cleaves; esp: a butcher's
          implement for cutting animal carcasses into joints or
          pieces 2: a prehistoric stone tool having a sharp edge
          at one end

   cleavers
          [cleav.ers] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME clivre, alter.
          of OE clife burdock, cleavers; akin to OE clifian] (14c):
          an annual bedstraw (Galium aparine) that has numerous
          stalked white flowers, stems covered with curved prickles,
          and whorls of bristle-tipped leaves; also: any of several
          related plants

   cleek
          [cleek] n [ME (northern) cleke, fr. cleken to clutch] (15c)
          chiefly Scot: a large hook (as for a pot over a fire)

   clef
          [clef] n [F, lit., key, fr. L clavis--more at clavicle] (ca.
          1577): a sign placed at the beginning of a musical staff
          to determine the pitch of the notes

   [1]cleft
          [cleft] n [ME clift, fr. OE geclyft; akin to OE cleofan to
          cleave] (14c) 1: a space or opening made by or as if
          by splitting: fissure 2: a usu. V-shaped indented formation:
          a hollow between ridges or protuberances <the anal ~
          of the human body> [2]cleft adj [ME, fr. pp. of cleven]
          (14c): partially split or divided; specif: divided about
          halfway to the midrib <a ~ leaf>

   cleft palate
          [cleft palate] n (1847): congenital fissure of the roof of
          the mouth

   cleidoic
          [clei.do.ic] adj [Gk kleidoun to fasten, lock in, fr. kleid-,
          kleis key--more at clavicle] (1931) of an egg: enclosed
          in a relatively impervious shell which reduces free exchange
          with the environment <the eggs of birds are ~>

   cleistogamous
          [cleis.tog.a.mous] also cleis.to.gam.ic adj [Gk kleistos
          closed (fr. kleiein to close) + ISV -gamous--more at
          clavicle] (1874): characterized by or being small inconspicuous
          closed self-pollinating flowers additional to and often
          more fruitful than showier ones on the same plant <violets
          are ~> -- cleis.tog.a.mous.ly adv -- cleis.tog.a.my n

   clematis
          [cle.ma.tis] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, fr. Gk klematis brushwood,
          clematis, fr. klemat-, klema twig, fr. Gk klan to break--more
          at clast] (1578): any of a genus (Clematis) of vines
          or herbs of the buttercup family having three leaflets
          on each leaf and usu. white, red, pink, or purple flowers

   clemency
          [clem.en.cy] n, pl -cies (15c) 1 a: disposition to be merciful
          and esp. to moderate the severity of punishment due b:
          an act or instance of leniency 2: pleasant mildness of
          weather syn see mercy

   clement
          [clem.ent] adj [ME, fr. L clement-, clemens] (15c) 1: inclined
          to be merciful: lenient <a ~ judge> 2: mild <~ weather
          for November> -- clem.ent.ly adv

   clench
          [clench] vt [ME, fr. OE -clencan; akin to OE clingan to cling]
          (13c) 1: clinch 2 2: to hold fast: clutch <~ed the arms
          of the chair> 3: to set or close tightly <~ one's teeth>
          <~ one's fists> -- clench n

   CLEP
          [CLEP] abbreviation College Level Examination Program

   clepe
          [clepe] vt cleped ; yclept also cleped or ycleped ; clep.ing
          [ME, fr. OE clipian to speak, call; akin to OFris kleppa
          to ring] (bef. 12c) archaic: name, call

   clepsydra
          [clep.sy.dra] n, pl -dras or -drae [L, fr. Gk klepsydra,
          fr. kleptein to steal + hydor water--more at klept-,
          water] (1646): water clock

   clerestory
          [clere.sto.ry] n [ME, fr. clere clear + story] (15c) 1: an
          outside wall of a room or building that rises above an
          adjoining roof and contains windows 2: gallery

   clergy
          [cler.gy] n, pl clergies [ME clergie, fr. OF, fr. clerc clergyman]
          (13c) 1: a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal
          functions in a Christian church 2: the official or sacerdotal class
          of a non-Christian religion

   clergyman
          [cler.gy.man] n (1577): a member of the clergy

   clergywoman
          [cler.gy.wom.an] n (1673): a woman who is a member of the
          clergy

   cleric
          [cler.ic] n [LL clericus] (1621): a member of the clergy

   [1]clerical
          [cler.i.cal] adj (1592) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the clergy 2: of or relating to a clerk -- cler.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]clerical n (1605) 1: a member of the clergy 2:
          clericalist 3: clerk 4 pl: clerical garments

   clerical collar
          [clerical collar] n (1948): a narrow stiffly upright white
          collar worn buttoned at the back of the neck by members
          of the clergy

   clericalism
          [cler.i.cal.ism] n (1864): a policy of maintaining or increasing
          the power of a religious hierarchy

   clericalist
          [cler.i.cal.ist] n (1881): one that favors maintained or
          increased ecclesiastical power and influence

   clerihew
          [cler.i.hew] n [Edmund Clerihew Bentley d. 1956 Eng. writer]
          (1928): a light verse quatrain rhyming aabb and usu.
          dealing with a person named in the initial rhyme

   clerisy
          [cler.i.sy] n [G Klerisei clergy, fr. ML clericia, fr. LL
          clericus cleric] (1818): intelligentsia

   [1]clerk
          [clerk] n [ME, fr. OF clerc & OE cleric, clerc, both fr.
          LL clericus, fr. LGk klerikos, fr. Gk kleros lot, inheritance
          (in allusion to Deut 18:2), stick of wood; akin to Gk
          klan to break--more at clast] (bef. 12c) 1: cleric 2
          archaic: scholar 3 a: an official responsible (as to
          a government agency) for correspondence, records, and
          accounts and vested with specified powers or authority
          (as to issue writs or other processes as ordered by a
          court) <city ~> b: one employed to keep records or accounts
          or to perform general office work c: one who works at
          a sales or service counter -- clerk.ship n [2]clerk vi
          (1551): to act or work as a clerk

   clerkly
          [clerk.ly] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a clerk 2 archaic: scholarly -- clerkly adv

   Cleveland bay
          [Cleve.land bay] n [Cleveland, district in Yorkshire, England]
          (1796): a large strong horse of a breed of English origin
          that is uniformly bay with black legs, mane, and tail

   clever
          [clev.er] adj [ME cliver, perh. of Scand origin; akin to
          Dan dial. klover alert, skillful] (ca. 1595) 1 a: skillful
          or adroit in using the hands or body: nimble b: mentally
          quick and resourceful but often lacking in depth and
          soundness 2: marked by wit or ingenuity 3 dial a: good
          b: easy to use or handle -- clev.er.ish adj -- clev.er.ly
          adv -- clev.er.ness n syn clever, adroit, cunning, ingenious
          mean having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving.
          clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness,
          or great aptitude <a person clever with horses>. adroit
          often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve
          one's purpose in spite of difficulties <an adroit negotiator>.
          cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating
          <a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects>.
          ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering
          a new way of accomplishing something <an ingenious software
          engineer>. syn see in addition intelligent

   clevis
          [clev.is] n [earlier clevi, perh. of Scand origin; akin to
          ON kljufa to s plit--more at cleave] (1592): shackle
          3

   [1]clew
          [clew] n [ME clewe, fr. OE cliewen; akin to OHG kliuwa ball,
          Skt glau lump] (bef. 12c) 1: a ball of thread, yarn,
          or cord 2: clue 3 a: a lower corner or only the after
          corner of a sail b: a metal loop attached to the lower
          corner of a sail c pl: a combination of lines by which
          a hammock is suspended [2]clew vt (15c) 1: to roll into
          a ball 2: clue 3: to haul (a sail) up or down by ropes
          through the clews

   cliche
          [cli.che] n [F, lit., printer's stereotype, fr. pp. of clicher
          to stereotype, of imit. origin] (1892) 1: a trite phrase
          or expression; also: the idea expressed by it 2: a hackneyed
          theme, characterization, or situation 3: something (as
          a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplace
          -- cliche  adj

   cliched
          [cli.ched] adj (1928) 1: marked by or abounding in cliches
          2: hackneyed

   [1]click
          [click] vb [prob. imit.] vt (1581): to strike, move, or produce
          with a click <~ed his heels together> ~ vi 1: to make
          a click 2 a: to fit or agree exactly b: to fit together:
          hit it off <they did not ~ as friends> c: to function
          smoothly d: succeed <a movie that ~s> [2]click n (1611)
          1 a: a slight sharp noise b: a speech sound in some languages
          made by enclosing air between two stop articulations
          of the tongue, enlarging the enclosure to rarefy the
          air, and suddenly opening the enclosure 2: detent

   click beetle
          [click beetle] n (ca. 1864): any of a family (Elateridae)
          of beetles able to right themselves with a click when
          inverted by flexing the articulation between the prothorax
          and mesothorax

   click stop
          [click stop] n (1950): a turnable control device (as for
          a camera diaphragm opening) that engages with a definite
          click at specific settings

   client
          [cli.ent] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF client, fr. L client-, cliens;
          perh. akin to L clinare to lean--more at lean] (14c)
          1: one that is under the protection of another: dependent
          2 a: a person who engages the professional advice or
          services of another <a lawyer's ~s> b: customer <hotel
          ~s> c: a person served by or utilizing the services of
          a social agency <a welfare ~> 3: client state -- cli.ent.age
          n -- cli.en.tal adj -- cli.ent.less adj

   clientele
          [cli.en.tele] n [F clientele, fr. L clientela, fr. client-,
          cliens] (ca. 1587): a body of clients <a shop that caters
          to an exclusive ~>

   client state
          [client state] n (1918): a country that is economically,
          politically, or militarily dependent on another country

   cliff
          [cliff] n [ME clif, fr. OE; akin to OHG klep] (bef. 12c):
          a very steep, vertical, or overhanging face of rock,
          earth, or ice: precipice -- cliffy adj

   cliff dweller
          [cliff dweller] n (1881) 1 often cap C&D a: a member of a
          prehistoric American Indian people of the southwestern
          U.S. who built their homes on rock ledges or in the natural
          recesses of canyon walls and cliffs b: a member of any
          cliff-dwelling people 2: a resident of a large usu. metropolitan
          apartment building -- cliff dwelling n

   cliff-hang
          [cliff-hang] vi [back-formation fr. cliff-hanger] (1946):
          to await the outcome of a suspenseful situation

   cliff-hanger
          [cliff-hang.er] n (ca. 1937) 1: an adventure serial or melodrama;
          esp: one presented in installments each ending in suspense
          2: a contest whose outcome is in doubt up to the very
          end; broadly: a suspenseful situation -- cliff-hang.ing
          adj

   cliff swallow
          [cliff swallow] n (1825): a colonial swallow (Petrochelidon
          pyrrhonota) of the New World with a pale buff rump and
          dark throat patch that builds mud nests like jugs esp.
          under eaves and on cliffs

   [1]climacteric
          [cli.mac.ter.ic] adj [L climactericus, fr. Gk klimakterikos,
          fr. klimakter critical point, lit., rung of a ladder,
          fr. klimak-, klimax ladder] (1582) 1: constituting or
          relating to a climacteric 2: critical, crucial [2]climacteric
          n (ca. 1630) 1: a major turning point or critical stage
          2: menopause; also: a corresponding period in the male
          usu. occurring with less well-defined physiological and
          psychological changes 3: the marked and sudden rise in
          the respiratory rate of fruit just prior to full ripening

   climactic
          [cli.mac.tic] adj (1872): of, relating to, or constituting
          a climax -- cli.mac.ti.cal.ly adv

   climate
          [cli.mate] n [ME climat, fr. MF, fr. LL climat-, clima, fr.
          Gk klimat-, klima inclination, latitude, climate, fr.
          klinein to lean--more at lean] (14c) 1: a region of the
          earth having specified climatic conditions 2 a: the average
          course or condition of the weather at a place usu. over
          a period of years as exhibited by temperature, wind velocity,
          and precipitation b: the prevailing set of conditions
          (as of temperature and humidity) indoors <a climate-controlled
          office> 3: the prevailing influence or environmental
          conditions characterizing a group or period: atmosphere
          <a ~ of fear>

   climatic
          [cli.mat.ic] adj (ca. 1828) 1: of or relating to climate
          2: resulting from or influenced by the climate rather
          than the soil <forests that had reverted to the ~ type>--compare
          edaphic 2 -- cli.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   climatic climax
          [climatic climax] n (ca. 1928): the one of the ecological
          climaxes possible in a particular climatic area whose
          stability is directly due to the influence of climate--compare
          edaphic climax

   climatology
          [cli.ma.tol.o.gy] n (1843): the science that deals with climates
          and their phenomena -- cli.ma.to.log.i.cal adj --
          cli.ma.to.log.i.cal.ly adv -- cli.ma.tol.o.gist n

   [1]climax
          [cli.max] n [L, fr. Gk klimax ladder, fr. klinein to lean]
          (ca. 1550) 1: a figure of speech in which a series of
          phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of
          rhetorical forcefulness 2 a: the highest point: culmination
          b: the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning
          point in the action (as of a play) c: orgasm d: menopause
          3: a relatively stable ecological stage or community
          esp. of plants that is achieved through successful adjustment
          to an environment; esp: the final stage in ecological
          succession syn see summit -- cli.max.less adj [2]climax
          vt (1835): to bring to a climax <~ed his boxing career
          with a knockout> ~ vi: to come to a climax <a riot ~ing
          in the destruction of several houses>

   [1]climb
          [climb] vb [ME, fr. OE climban; prob. akin to OE clifian
          to adhere--more at cleave] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to go upward
          with gradual or continuous progress: rise, ascend b:
          to increase gradually c: to slope upward 2 a: to go upward
          or raise oneself esp. by grasping or clutching with the
          hands <~ed upon her father's knee> b of a plant: to ascend
          in growth (as by twining) 3: to go about or down usu.
          by grasping or holding with the hands <~ down the ladder>
          4: to get into or out of clothing usu. with some haste
          or effort <the firemen ~ed into their clothes> ~ vt 1:
          to go upward on or along, to the top of, or over <~ a
          hill> 2: to draw or pull oneself up, over, or to the
          top of by using hands and feet <children ~ing the tree>
          3: to grow up or over -- climb.able adj [2]climb n (ca.
          1587) 1: a place where climbing is necessary to progress
          2: the act or an instance of climbing: rise, ascent

   climber
          [climb.er] n (15c) 1 a: one that climbs or helps in climbing
          b: a vine or twining plant (as a rose or sweet pea) that
          readily grows up a support or over other plants 2: one
          who attempts to gain a superior social or business position

   climbing iron
          [climbing iron] n (1857): a steel framework with spikes attached
          that may be affixed to one's boots for climbing (as a
          pole or tree)

   clime
          [clime] n [LL clima] (14c): climate <traveled to warmer ~s>

   clin
          [clin] abbreviation clinical

   -clinal
          [-clinal] adj comb form [ISV, fr. Gk klinein to lean--more
          at lean]: sloping <isoclinal>

   [1]clinch
          [clinch] vb [prob. alter. of clench] vt (1542) 1: clench
          3 2 a: to turn over or flatten the protruding pointed
          end of (a driven nail); also: to treat (as a screw, bolt,
          or rivet) in a similar way b: to fasten in this way 3
          a: to make final or irrefutable: settle <that ~ed the
          argument> b: to secure conclusively: win ~ vi 1: to hold
          an opponent (as in boxing) at close quarters with one
          or both arms 2: to hold fast or firmly -- clinch.ing.ly
          adv [2]clinch n (1659) 1: a fastening by means of a clinched
          nail, rivet, or bolt; also: the clinched part of a nail,
          rivet, or bolt 2 archaic: pun 3: an act or instance of
          clinching in boxing 4: embrace

   clincher
          [clinch.er] n (1737): one that clinches: as a: a decisive
          fact, argument, act, or remark <the expense was the ~
          that persuaded us to give up the enterprise> b: a tire
          with flanged beads fitting into the wheel rim

   cline
          [cline] n [Gk klinein] (1938): a gradient of morphological
          or physiological change in a group of related organisms
          usu. along a line of environmental or geographic transition
          -- clin.al adj -- clin.al.ly adv

   -cline
          [-cline] n comb form [back-formation fr. -clinal]: slope
          <monocline>

   [1]cling
          [cling] vi clung ; cling.ing [ME, fr. OE clingan; akin to
          OHG klunga tangled ball of thread] (bef. 12c) 1 a: to
          hold together b: to adhere as if glued firmly c: to hold
          or hold on tightly or tenaciously 2 a: to have a strong
          emotional attachment or dependence b: to remain or linger
          as if resisting complete dissipation or dispersal <the
          odor clung to the room for hours> syn see stick -- cling.er
          n -- clingy adj [2]cling n (ca. 1625): an act or instance
          of clinging: adherence

   clingstone
          [cling.stone] n (1705): any of various stone fruits (as some
          peaches or plums) with flesh that adheres strongly to
          the pit

   -clinic
          [-clinic] adj comb form [ISV, fr. Gk klinein] 1: inclining:
          dipping 2: having (so many) oblique intersections of
          the axes <monoclinic> <triclinic>

   clinic
          [clin.ic] n [F clinique, fr. Gk klinike medical practice
          at the sickbed, fr. fem. of klinikos of a bed, fr. kline
          bed, fr. klinein to lean, recline--more at lean] (ca.
          1843) 1: a class of medical instruction in which patients
          are examined and discussed 2: a group meeting devoted
          to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or
          to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge <writing
          ~s> <golf ~s> 3 a: a facility (as of a hospital) for
          diagnosis and treatment of outpatients b: a group practice
          in which several physicians work cooperatively

   clinical
          [clin.i.cal] adj (ca. 1780) 1: of, relating to, or conducted
          in or as if in a clinic: as a: involving direct observation
          of the patient b: diagnosable by or based on clinical
          observation 2: analytical or coolly dispassionate <a
          ~ attitude> -- clin.i.cal.ly adv

   clinical thermometer
          [clinical thermometer] n (1878): a thermometer for measuring
          body temperature that has a constriction in the tube
          where the column of liquid breaks when the temperature
          drops from its maximum and that continues to indicate
          the maximum temperature by the part of the column above
          the constriction until reset by shaking

   clinician
          [cli.ni.cian] n (1875) 1: a person qualified in the clinical
          practice of medicine, psychiatry, or psychology as distinguished
          from one specializing in laboratory or research techniques
          or in theory 2: a person who conducts a clinic

   clinicopathologic
          [clin.i.co.path.o.log.ic] or clin.i.co.path.o.log.i.cal adj
          [clinical] (1898): relating to or concerned both with
          the signs and symptoms directly observable by the physician
          and with the results of laboratory examination --
          clin.i.co.path.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   [1]clink
          [clink] vb [ME, of imit. origin] vi (14c): to give out a
          slight sharp short metallic sound ~ vt: to cause to clink
          [2]clink n (15c): a clinking sound [3]clink n [prob.
          fr. Clink, a prison in Southwark, London, England] (1515)
          1 slang: a prison cell 2 slang: jail, prison

   [1]clinker
          [clin.ker] n [alter. of earlier klincard a hard yellowish
          Dutch brick] (1641) 1: a brick that has been burned too
          much in the kiln 2: stony matter fused together: slag
          [2]clink.er n [[1]clink] (1733) 1 Brit: something first-rate
          2 a: a wrong note b: a serious mistake or error: boner
          c: an utter failure: flop d: something of poor quality

   clinker-built
          [clink.er-built] adj [clinker, n., clinch] (1769): having
          the external planks or plates overlapping like the clapboards
          on a house <a ~ boat>

   clinkety-clank
          [clink.ety-clank] n [imit.] (1901): a repeated usu. rhythmic
          clanking sound <the ~ of a loose tire chain>

   clinometer
          [cli.nom.e.ter] n [Gk klinein to lean] (1811): any of various
          instruments for measuring angles of elevation or inclination

   -clinous
          [-clinous] adj comb form [prob. fr. NL -clinus, fr. Gk kline
          bed--more at clinic]: having the androecium and gynoecium
          in a (single or different) flower or (two separate) flowers
          <diclinous>

   [1]clinquant
          [clin.quant] adj [MF, fr. prp. of clinquer to glitter, lit.,
          to clink, of imit. origin] (1591): glittering with gold
          or tinsel [2]clinquant n [F, fr. clinquant, adj.] (1682):
          tinsel

   clintonia
          [clin.to.nia] n [NL, genus name, fr. DeWitt Clinton] (1843):
          any of a genus (Clintonia) of herbs of the lily family
          with yellow or white flowers

   Clio
          [Clio] n [L, fr. Gk Kleio] 1: the Greek Muse of history 2
          pl Cli.os : a statuette awarded annually by a professional
          organization for notable achievement in radio and television
          commercials

   cliometrics
          [clio.met.rics] n pl but sing in constr [Clio + -metrics
          (as in econometrics)] (1966): the application of methods
          developed in other fields (as economics, statistics,
          and data processing) to the study of history -- clio.met.ric
          adj -- clio.met.ri.cian n

   [1]clip
          [clip] vt clipped ; clip.ping [ME clippen, fr. OE clyppan;
          akin to OHG klaftra fathom, Lith globti to embrace] (bef.
          12c) 1: encompass 2 a: to hold in a tight grip: clutch
          b: to clasp or fasten with a clip [2]clip n (15c) 1:
          any of various devices that grip, clasp, or hook 2: a
          device to hold cartridges for charging the magazines
          of some rifles; also: a magazine from which ammunition
          is fed into the chamber of a firearm 3: a piece of jewelry
          held in position by a clip [3]clip vb clipped ; clip.ping
          [ME clippen, fr. ON klippa] vt (13c) 1 a: to cut or cut
          off with or as if with shears <~ a dog's hair> <~ an
          hour off traveling time> b: to cut off the distal or
          outer part of c (1): [3]excise (2): to cut items out
          of (as a newspaper) 2 a: curtail, diminish b: to abbreviate
          in speech or writing 3: hit, punch 4: to illegally block
          (an opposing player) in football 5: to take money from
          unfairly or dishonestly esp. by overcharging <the nightclub
          clipped the tourist for $200> ~ vi 1: to clip something
          2: to travel or pass rapidly 3: to clip an opposing player
          in football [4]clip n (15c) 1 a pl, Scot: shears b: a
          2-bladed instrument for cutting esp. the nails 2: something
          that is clipped: as a: the product of a single shearing
          (as of sheep) b: a crop of wool of a sheep, a flock,
          or a region c: a section of filmed or videotaped material
          d: a clipping esp. from a newspaper 3: an act of clipping
          4: a sharp blow 5: rate 4a <continues at a brisk ~> 6:
          a single instance or occasion: time <he charged $10 a
          ~>--often used in the phrase at a clip <trained 1000
          workers at a ~>

   clipboard
          [clip.board] n (1896): a small writing board with a clip
          at the top for holding papers

   clip-clop
          [clip-clop] n [imit.] (1884): the sound made by or as if
          by a horse walking on a hard surface -- clip-clop vi

   clip joint
          [clip joint] n (1933) 1 slang: a place of public entertainment
          (as a nightclub) that makes a practice of defrauding
          patrons (as by overcharging) 2 slang: a business that
          makes a practice of overcharging

   clip-on
          [clip-on] adj (1909): of or relating to something that attaches
          with a clip <a ~ tie> <~ earrings> -- clip-on n

   clipper
          [clip.per] n (14c) 1: one that clips something 2: an implement
          for clipping esp. hair, fingernails, or toenails--usu.
          used in pl. 3 a: one that moves swiftly b: a fast sailing
          ship; esp: one with long slender lines, an overhanging
          bow, tall masts, and a large sail area

   clipping
          [clip.ping] n (15c): something that is clipped off or out
          of something; esp: an item clipped from a publication

   clipsheet
          [clip.sheet] n (1926): a sheet of newspaper material issued
          by an organization for clipping and reprinting

   clique
          [clique] n [F] (1711): a narrow exclusive circle or group
          of persons; esp: one held together by common interests,
          views, or purposes -- cliqu.ey also cliquy adj -- cliqu.ish
          adj -- cliqu.ish.ly adv -- cliqu.ish.ness n

   clitellum
          [cli.tel.lum] n, pl -la [NL, modif. of L clitellae packsaddle]
          (1839): a thickened glandular section of the body wall
          of some annelids that secretes a viscid sac in which
          the eggs are deposited

   clitic
          [clit.ic] n [enclitic or proclitic] (1946): a word that is
          treated in pronunciation as forming a part of a neighboring
          word and that is often unaccented or contracted

   clitoridectomy
          [clit.o.ri.dec.to.my] also clit.o.rec.to.my n, pl -mies (1866):
          excision of all or part of the clitoris

   clitoris
          [clit.o.ris] n, pl clit.o.ri.des [NL, fr. Gk kleitoris] (1615):
          a small erectile organ at the anterior or ventral part
          of the vulva homologous to the penis -- clit.o.ral or
          clit.or.ic adj

   clk
          [clk] abbreviation clerk

   clo
          [clo] abbreviation clothing

   cloaca
          [clo.a.ca] n, pl -a.cae [L; akin to Gk klyzein to wash--more
          at clyster] (1599) 1: [3]sewer 2 [NL, fr. L]: the common
          chamber into which the intestinal, urinary, and generative
          canals discharge in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and
          many fishes; also: a comparable chamber of an invertebrate
          -- clo.a.cal adj

   [1]cloak
          [cloak] n [ME cloke, fr. ONF cloque bell, cloak, fr. ML clocca
          bell; fr. its shape] (13c) 1: a loose outer garment 2:
          something that conceals: pretense, disguise [2]cloak
          vt (1509): to cover or hide with or as if with a cloak
          syn see disguise

   cloak-and-dagger
          [cloak-and-dagger] adj (1860): dealing in or suggestive of
          melodramatic intrigue and action usu. involving secret
          agents and espionage -- cloak-and-dagger n

   cloakroom
          [cloak.room] n (ca. 1852) 1 a: a room in which outdoor clothing
          may be placed during one's stay b: a room or cubicle
          where garments, parcels, and luggage may be checked for
          temporary safekeeping 2: an anteroom of a legislative
          chamber where members may relax and confer with colleagues
          3 Brit: lavatory 2

   [1]clobber
          [clob.ber] n [origin unknown] (1879) slang Brit: clothes
          1 [2]clobber vt clob.bered ; clob.ber.ing [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1943) 1: to pound mercilessly; also: to hit with
          force: smash 2: to defeat overwhelmingly

   clochard
          [clo.chard] n [F, fr. clocher to limp, fr. (assumed) VL cloppicare,
          fr. LL cloppus lame] (1937): tramp, vagrant

   cloche
          [cloche] n [F, lit., bell, fr. ML clocca] (1882) 1: a transparent
          plant cover used outdoors esp. for protection against
          cold 2: a woman's small close-fitting hat usu. with deep
          rounded crown and very narrow brim

   [1]clock
          [clock] n, often attrib [ME clok, fr. MD clocke bell, clock,
          fr. ONF or ML; ONF cloque bell, fr. ML clocca, of Celt
          origin; akin to MIr clocc bell] (14c) 1: a device other
          than a watch for indicating or measuring time commonly
          by means of hands moving on a dial; broadly: any periodic
          system by which time is measured 2: a registering device
          usu. with a dial; specif: odometer 3: time clock 4: a
          synchronizing device (as in a computer) that produces
          pulses at regular intervals 5: biological clock -- around
          the clock also round the clock 1: continuously for 24
          hours: day and night without cessation 2: without relaxation
          and heedless of time -- kill the clock or run out the
          clock : to use up as much as possible of the playing
          time remaining in a game (as football) while retaining
          possession of the ball or puck esp. to protect a lead
          [2]clock vt (1883) 1: to time with a stopwatch or by
          an electric timing device 2: to register on a mechanical
          recording device <wind velocities were ~ed at 80 miles
          per hour> 3: to hit hard 4 chiefly Brit: attain, realize--usu.
          used with up <just ~ed up a million ... paperback sales
          --Punch> ~ vi: to register on a time sheet or time clock:
          punch--used with in, out, on, off <he ~ed in late> --
          clock.er n [3]clock n [perh. fr. [1]clock] (1530): an
          ornamental figure on the ankle or side of a stocking
          or sock

   clocklike
          [clock.like] adj (ca. 1770): unusually regular, undeviating,
          and precise <does his job with ~ efficiency>

   clock radio
          [clock radio] n (1949): a[ ]combination clock and radio device
          in which the clock can be set to turn on the radio at
          a designated time

   clock-watcher
          [clock-watch.er] n (1911): a person (as a worker or student)
          who keeps close watch on the passage of time -- clock-watch.ing
          n

   clockwise
          [clock.wise] adv (1888): in the direction in which the hands
          of a clock rotate as viewed from in front or as if standing
          on a clock face -- clockwise adj

   clockwork
          [clock.work] n (1628) 1: the inner workings of something
          2: the machinery (as springs and a train of gears) that
          run a clock; also: a similar mechanism running a mechanical
          device (as a toy) 3: the precision, regularity, or absence
          of variation associated with a clock or clockwork <a
          ~ operation> <the planning went like ~>

   clod
          [clod] n [ME clodde, fr. OE clod- (in clodhamer fieldfare)]
          (15c) 1 a: a lump or mass esp. of earth or clay b: soil,
          earth 2: oaf, dolt -- clod.dish adj -- clod.dish.ness
          n -- clod.dy adj

   clodhopper
          [clod.hop.per] n (1721) 1: a clumsy and uncouth rustic 2:
          a large heavy work shoe or boot

   clodhopping
          [clod.hop.ping] adj (1843): boorish, rude

   clodpoll
          [clod.poll] or clod.pole n (1601): blockhead

   clofibrate
          [clo.fi.brate] n [perh. fr. chlor- + fibr- + [1]-ate] (1964):
          a compound used esp. to lower abnormally high concentrations
          of fats and cholesterol in the blood

   [1]clog
          [clog] n [ME clogge short thick piece of wood] (14c) 1 a:
          a weight attached esp. to an animal to hinder motion
          b: something that shackles or impedes: encumbrance 1
          2: a shoe, sandal, or overshoe having a thick typically
          wooden sole [2]clog vb clogged ; clog.ging vt (1526)
          1 a: to impede with a clog: hinder b: to halt or retard
          the progress, operation, or growth of: encumber <restraints
          that have been clogging the market --T. W. Arnold> 2:
          to fill beyond capacity: overload <cars clogged the main
          street> <a speech clogged with cliches> ~ vi 1: to become
          filled with extraneous matter 2: to unite in a mass:
          clot 3: to dance a clog dance syn see hamper -- clog.ger
          n

   clog dance
          [clog dance] n (1869): a dance in which the performer wears
          clogs and beats out a clattering rhythm on the floor
          -- clog dancer n -- clog dancing n

   cloisonne
          [cloi.son.ne] adj [F, fr. pp. of cloisonner to partition]
          (1863): of, relating to, or being a style of enamel decoration
          in which the enamel is applied and fired in raised cells
          (as of soldered wires) on a usu. metal background--compare
          champleve  -- cloisonne  n

   [1]cloister
          [clois.ter] n [ME cloistre, fr. OF, fr. ML claustrum, fr.
          L, bar, bolt, fr. claudere to close--more at close] (13c)
          1 a: a monastic establishment b: an area within a monastery
          or convent to which the religious are normally restricted
          c: monastic life d: a place or state of seclusion 2:
          a covered passage on the side of a court usu. having
          one side walled and the other an open arcade or colonnade
          [2]cloister vt clois.tered ; clois.ter.ing (1581) 1:
          to seclude from the world in or as if in a cloister <a
          scientist who ~s herself in a laboratory> 2: to surround
          with a cloister <~ed gardens>

   cloistered
          [clois.tered] adj (1581) 1: being or living in or as if in
          a cloister 2: providing shelter from contact with the
          outside world <the ~ atmosphere of a small college>

   cloistral
          [clois.tral] adj (1605): of, relating to, or suggestive of
          a cloister

   cloistress
          [clois.tress] n (1601) obs: nun

   clomiphene
          [clo.mi.phene] n [chlor- + amine + -phene (fr. phenyl)] (1963):
          a synthetic drug used in the form of its citrate to induce
          ovulation

   clomp
          [clomp] vi [by alter.] (1829): clump 1

   [1]clone
          [clone] n [Gk klon twig, slip; akin to Gk klan to break--more
          at clast] (1903) 1 a: the aggregate of the asexually
          produced progeny of an individual; also: a group of replicas
          of all or part of a macromolecule (as DNA or an antibody)
          b: an individual grown from a single somatic cell of
          its parent and genetically identical to it 2: one that
          appears to be a copy of an original form <a ~ of a personal
          computer> -- clon.al adj -- clon.al.ly adv [2]clone vb
          cloned ; clon.ing vt (ca. 1948) 1: to propagate a clone
          from 2: to make a copy of ~ vi: to produce a clone

   clonidine
          [clo.ni.dine] n [chlor- + aniline + imide + [2]-ine] (1970):
          an antihypertensive drug used to treat essential hypertension,
          to prevent migraine headache, and to diminish withdrawal
          symptoms

   clonk
          [clonk] vb [imit.] vi (1930): to make a dull hollow thumping
          sound ~ vt: to cause to clonk -- clonk n

   clonus
          [clo.nus] n [NL, fr. Gk klonos agitation--more at hold] (1817):
          a rapid succession of alternating contractions and partial
          relaxations of a muscle occurring in some nervous diseases
          -- clon.ic adj -- clo.nic.i.ty n

   cloot
          [cloot] n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON klo claw--more
          at claw] (1725) 1 Scot: a cloven hoof 2 pl, cap, Scot:
          clootie

   Clootie
          [Cloot.ie] n [dim. of cloot] chiefly Scot--used as a name
          of the devil

   clop
          [clop] n [imit.] (1899): a sound made by or as if by a hoof
          or wooden shoe against the pavement -- clop vi

   clop-clop
          [clop-clop] n (1901): a sound of rhythmically repeated clops
          -- clop-clop vi

   cloque
          [clo.que] n [F cloque, fr. pp. of cloquer to become blistered,
          fr. F dial. (Picard) cloque bell, bubble, fr. ML clocca
          bell--more at clock] (1936) 1: a fabric with an embossed
          design 2: a fabric esp. of pique with small woven figures

   [1]close
          [close] vb closed ; clos.ing [ME, fr. OF clos-, stem of clore,
          fr. L claudere to shut, close; perh. akin to Gk kleiein
          to close--more at clavicle] vt (13c) 1 a: to move so
          as to bar passage through something <~ the gate> b: to
          block against entry or passage <~ a street> c: to deny
          access to <the city closed the beach> d: screen, exclude
          <~ a view> e: to suspend or stop the operations of <~
          school>--often used with down 2 archaic: enclose, contain
          3 a: to bring to an end or period <~ an account> b: to
          conclude discussion or negotiation about <the question
          is closed>; also: to consummate by performing something
          previously agreed <~ a transfer of real estate title>
          c: to terminate access to (a computer file) 4 a: to bring
          or bind together the parts or edges of <a closed book>
          b: to fill up (as an opening) c: to make complete by
          circling or enveloping or by making continuous <~ a circuit>
          d: to reduce to nil <closed the distance to the lead
          racer> ~ vi 1 a: to contract, fold, swing, or slide so
          as to leave no opening <the door closed quietly> b: to
          cease operation <the factory closed down> <the stores
          ~ at 9 p.m.> 2 a: to draw near <the ship was closing
          with the island> b: to engage in a struggle at close
          quarters: grapple <~ with the enemy> 3 a: to come together:
          meet b: to draw the free foot up to the supporting foot
          in dancing 4: to enter into or complete an agreement
          5: to come to an end or period 6: to reduce a gap <closed
          to within two points> -- clos.able or close.able adj
          -- clos.er n -- close one's doors 1: to refuse admission
          <the nation closed its doors to immigrants> 2: to go
          out of business -- close one's eyes to : to ignore deliberately
          -- close ranks : to unite in a concerted stand esp. to
          meet a challenge -- close the door : to be uncompromisingly
          obstructive <closed the door to further negotiation>
          syn close, end, conclude, finish, complete, terminate
          mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. close
          usu. implies that something has been in some way open
          as well as unfinished <close a debate>. end conveys a
          strong sense of finality <ended his life>. conclude may
          imply a formal closing (as of a meeting) <the service
          concluded with a blessing>. finish may stress completion
          of a final step in a process <after it is painted, the
          house will be finished>. complete implies the removal
          of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what
          has been undertaken <the resolving of this last issue
          completes the agreement>. terminate implies the setting
          of a limit in time or space <your employment terminates
          after three months>. [2]close n (14c) 1 a: a coming or
          bringing to a conclusion <at the ~ of the party> b: a
          conclusion or end in time or existence: cessation <the
          decade drew to a ~> c: the concluding passage (as of
          a speech or play) 2: the conclusion of a musical strain
          or period: cadence 3 archaic: a hostile encounter 4:
          the movement of the free foot in dancing toward or into
          contact with the supporting foot [3]close n [ME clos,
          lit., enclosure, fr. OF clos, fr. L clausum, fr. neut.
          of clausus, pp.] (13c) 1 a: an enclosed area b chiefly
          Brit: the precinct of a cathedral 2 chiefly Brit a: a
          narrow passage leading from a street to a court and the
          houses within or to the common stairway of tenements
          b: a road closed at one end [4]close adj clos.er ; clos.est
          [ME clos, fr. MF, fr. L clausus, pp. of claudere] (14c)
          1: having no openings: closed 2 a: confined or carefully
          guarded <~ arrest> b (1) of a vowel: high 13 (2): formed
          with the tongue in a higher position than for the other
          vowel of a pair 3: restricted to a privileged class 4
          a: secluded, secret b: secretive <she could tell us something
          if she would ... but she was as ~ as wax --A. Conan Doyle>
          5: strict, rigorous <keep ~ watch> 6: hot and stuffy
          7: not generous in giving or spending: tight 8: having
          little space between items or units <a ~ weave> 9 a:
          fitting tightly or exactly b: very short or near to the
          surface <a ~ haircut> 10: being near in time, space,
          effect, or degree 11: intimate, familiar 12 a: accurate,
          precise <a ~ study> b: marked by fidelity to an original
          <a ~ copy of an old master> c: terse, compact 13: decided
          or won by a narrow margin <a ~ baseball game> 14: difficult
          to obtain <money is ~> 15 of punctuation: characterized
          by liberal use esp. of commas syn see stingy -- close.ly
          adv -- close.ness n -- close to home : within one's personal
          interests so that one is strongly affected <the speaker's
          remarks hit close to home> -- close to the vest : in
          a reserved or cautious manner [5]close adv (15c): in
          a close position or manner

   close call
          [close call] n (1881): a narrow escape

   close corporation
          [close corporation] n (ca. 1902): a corporation whose stock
          is not publicly traded but held by a few persons (as
          those in management)

   close-cropped
          [close-cropped] adj (ca. 1893) 1: clipped short 2: having
          the hair clipped short

   closed
          [closed] adj (13c) 1 a: not open b: enclosed c: composed
          entirely of closed tubes or vessels <a ~ circulatory
          system> 2 a: forming a self-contained unit allowing no
          additions <~ association> b (1): traced by a moving point
          that returns to an arbitrary starting point <~ curve>;
          also: so formed that every plane section is a closed
          curve <~ surface> (2): characterized by mathematical
          elements that when subjected to an operation produce
          only elements of the same set <the set of whole numbers
          is ~ under addition and multiplication> (3): containing
          all the limit points of every possible subset <a ~ interval
          contains its endpoints> c: characterized by continuous
          return and reuse of the working substance <a ~ cooling
          system> d of a racecourse: having the same starting and
          finishing point 3 a: confined to a few <~ membership>
          b: excluding participation of outsiders or witnesses:
          conducted in strict secrecy c: rigidly excluding outside
          influence <a ~ mind> 4: ending in a consonant <~ syllable>

   closed book
          [closed book] n (1913): something beyond comprehension: enigma

   closed-captioned
          [closed-cap.tioned] adj (1980) of a television program: broadcast
          with captions that appear only on the screen of a receiver
          equipped with a decoder

   closed-circuit
          [closed-cir.cuit] adj (1949): used in, shown on, or being
          a television installation in which the signal is transmitted
          by wire to a limited number of receivers

   closed corporation
          [closed corporation] n (1924): close corporation

   closed couplet
          [closed couplet] n (1910): a rhymed couplet in which the
          sense is complete

   closed-door
          [closed-door] adj (1950): barring public and press <a ~ session
          of the investigating committee>

   closed-end
          [closed-end] adj (ca. 1938): having a fixed capitalization
          of shares that are traded on the market at prices determined
          by the operation of the law of supply and demand <a ~
          investment company>--compare open-end

   closed loop
          [closed loop] n (1951): an automatic control system for an
          operation or process in which feedback in a closed path
          or group of paths acts to maintain output at a desired
          level

   closedown
          [close.down] n (1889): an instance of suspending or stopping
          operations

   closed shop
          [closed shop] n (1904): an establishment in which the employer
          by agreement hires only union members in good standing

   closed stance
          [closed stance] n (ca. 1934): a stance (as in golf) in which
          the forward foot is closer to the line of play than the
          back foot--compare open stance

   closefisted
          [close.fist.ed] adj (1608): stingy, tightfisted

   close-grained
          [close-grained] adj (1754): having a compacted smooth texture;
          esp: having narrow annual rings or small wood elements

   close-hauled
          [close-hauled] adj (1769): having the sails set for sailing
          as nearly against the wind as the vessel will go

   close-in
          [close-in] adj (1945): near a center of activity and esp.
          a city <~ suburbs>

   close in
          [close in] vt (14c) 1: to encircle closely and isolate 2:
          to enshroud to such an extent as to preclude entrance
          or exit <the airport was closed in by the storm> ~ vi
          1: to gather in close all around with an oppressing or
          isolating effect <despair closed in on her> 2: to approach
          to close quarters esp. for an attack, raid, or arrest
          <the police closed in> 3: to grow dark <the short November
          day was already closing in --Ellen Glasgow>

   close-knit
          [close-knit] adj (1926): bound together by intimate social
          or cultural ties or by close economic or political ties
          <~ families>

   closely held
          [closely held] adj (1946): having most stock shares and voting
          rights in the hands of a few <a closely held business>

   closemouthed
          [close.mouthed] adj (1881): cautious in speaking: uncommunicative;
          also: secretive

   close order
          [close order] n (ca. 1797): an arrangement of troops in a
          typical marching formation

   closeout
          [close.out] n (1925) 1: a clearing out by a sale usu. at
          reduced prices of the whole remaining stock (as of a
          business) 2: an article offered or bought at a closeout

   close out
          [close out] vt (14c) 1 a: exclude b: preclude <close out
          his chances> 2 a: to dispose of a whole stock of by sale
          b: to dispose of (a business) c: sell <closed out his
          share of the business> d: to put (an account) in order
          for disposal or transfer 3 a: to bring to an often rapid
          or abrupt conclusion b: to discontinue operation of ~
          vi 1: to sell out a business 2: to buy or sell securities
          or commodities in order to terminate an account

   close quarters
          [close quarters] n pl (1809): immediate contact or close
          range <fought at close quarters>

   close shave
          [close shave] n (1834): a narrow escape

   closestool
          [close.stool] n (15c): a stool holding a chamber pot

   [1]closet
          [clos.et] n [ME, fr. MF, dim. of clos enclosure--more at
          close] (14c) 1 a: an apartment or small room for privacy
          b: a monarch's or official's private chamber 2: a cabinet
          or recess for esp. china, household utensils, or clothing
          3: a place of retreat or privacy 4: water closet 5: a
          state or condition of secrecy, privacy, or obscurity
          <came out of the ~> -- clos.et.ful n [2]closet vt (1595)
          1: to shut up in or as if in a closet 2: to take into
          a closet for a secret interview [3]closet adj (ca. 1615)
          1: closely private 2: working in or suited to the closet
          as the place of seclusion or study: theoretical 3: being
          so in private <a ~ racist>

   closet drama
          [closet drama] n (1922): drama suited primarily for reading
          rather than production

   closet queen
          [closet queen] n (1967): one who secretly engages in homosexual
          activities while leading an ostensibly heterosexual life--often
          used derogatorily

   [1]close-up
          [close-up] n (1913) 1: a photograph or movie shot taken at
          close range 2: an intimate view or examination of something
          [2]close-up adv or adj (1926): at close range

   closing
          [clos.ing] n (1596) 1: a concluding part (as of a speech)
          2: a closable gap (as in an article of clothing) 3: a
          meeting of parties to a real-estate deal for formally
          transferring title

   clostridium
          [clos.trid.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, genus name, fr. Gk kloster
          spindle, fr. klothein to spin] (1884): any of a genus
          (Clostridium) of spore-forming mostly anaerobic soil
          or intestinal bacteria--compare botulinum -- clos.trid.i.al
          adj

   closure
          [clo.sure] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L clausura, fr. clausus, pp.
          of claudere to close--more at close] (14c) 1 archaic:
          means of enclosing: enclosure 2: an act of closing: the
          condition of being closed <~ of the eyelids> 3: something
          that closes <pocket with zipper ~> 4 [trans. of F cloture]:
          cloture 5: the property that a number system or a set
          has when it is mathematically closed under an operation
          6: a set that contains a given set together with all
          the limit points of the given set

   [1]clot
          [clot] n [ME, fr. OE clott; akin to MHG kloz lump, ball--more
          at clout] (bef. 12c) 1: a portion of a substance cleaving
          together in a thick nondescript mass (as of clay or gum)
          2 a: a roundish viscous lump formed by coagulation of
          a portion of liquid or by melting b: a coagulated mass
          produced by clotting of blood 3 Brit: blockhead 4: cluster,
          group <a ~ of spectators> [2]clot vb clot.ted ; clot.ting
          vi (15c) 1: to become a clot: form clots 2: to undergo
          a sequence of complex chemical and physical reactions
          that results in conversion of fluid blood into a coagulated
          mass: coagulate ~ vt 1: to cause to form into or as if
          into a clot 2: to fill with clots

   cloth
          [cloth] n, pl cloths often attrib [ME, fr. OE clath cloth,
          garment; akin to MHG kleit garment] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a
          pliable material made usu. by weaving, felting, or knitting
          natural or synthetic fibers and filaments b: a similar
          material (as of glass) 2: a piece of cloth adapted for
          a particular purpose; esp: tablecloth 3 a: a distinctive
          dress of a profession or calling b: the dress of the
          clergy; also: clergy

   clothbound
          [cloth.bound] adj (1860) of a book: bound in stiff boards
          covered with cloth

   clothe
          [clothe] vt clothed or clad ; cloth.ing [ME, fr. OE clathian,
          fr. clath] (bef. 12c) 1 a: to cover with or as if with
          cloth or clothing: dress b: to provide with clothes 2:
          to express or enhance by suitably significant language:
          couch <treaties clothed in stately phraseology> 3: to
          endow esp. with power or a quality

   clothes
          [clothes] n pl, often attrib [ME, fr. OE clathas, pl. of
          clath] (bef. 12c) 1: clothing 2: bedclothes 3: all the
          cloth articles of personal and household use that can
          be washed

   clotheshorse
          [clothes.horse] n (1775) 1: a frame on which to hang clothes
          2: a conspicuously dressy person

   [1]clothesline
          [clothes.line] n (1830): a line (as of cord) on which clothes
          may be hung to dry [2]clothesline vt (1964): to knock
          down (a football player) by catching by the neck with
          an outstretched arm

   clothes moth
          [clothes moth] n (1753): any of several small yellowish or
          buff-colored moths (esp. Tinea pellionella and Tineola
          bisselliella of the family Tineidae) whose larvae eat
          wool, fur, or feathers

   clothes-peg
          [clothes-peg] n (1825) Brit: clothespin

   clothespin
          [clothes.pin] n (1846): a forked piece of wood or plastic
          or a small spring clamp used for fastening clothes on
          a clothesline

   clothespress
          [clothes.press] n (1713): a receptacle for clothes

   clothier
          [cloth.ier] n [ME, alter. of clother, fr. cloth] (14c): one
          who makes or sells clothing

   clothing
          [cloth.ing] n (13c): garments in general; also: covering

   cloth yard
          [cloth yard] n (15c): a yard esp. for measuring cloth; specif:
          a unit of 37 inches equal to the Scottish ell and used
          also as a length for arrows

   clotted cream
          [clotted cream] n (1878): a thick cream made chiefly in England
          by slowly heating whole milk on which the cream has been
          allowed to rise and then skimming the cooled cream from
          the top--called also Devonshire cream

   cloture
          [clo.ture] n [F cloture, lit., closure, alter. of MF closure]
          (1871): the closing or limitation of debate in a legislative
          body esp. by calling for a vote -- cloture vt

   [1]cloud
          [cloud] n, often attrib [ME, rock, cloud, fr. OE clud; perh.
          akin to Gk gloutos buttock] (14c) 1: a visible mass of
          particles of condensed vapor (as water or ice) suspended
          in the atmosphere of a planet (as the earth) or moon
          2: something resembling or suggesting a cloud: as a:
          a light filmy, puffy, or billowy mass seeming to float
          in the air <a ~ of blond hair> <a ship under a ~ of sail>
          b (1): a usu. visible mass of minute particles suspended
          in the air or a gas (2): an aggregation of usu. obscuring
          matter esp. in interstellar space (3): an aggregate of
          charged particles (as electrons) c: a great crowd or
          multitude: swarm <~s of mosquitoes> 3: something that
          has a dark, lowering, or threatening aspect <~s of war>
          <a ~ of suspicion> 4: something that obscures or blemishes
          <a ~ of ambiguity> 5: a dark or opaque vein or spot (as
          in marble or a precious stone) [2]cloud vi (1562) 1:
          to grow cloudy--usu. used with over or up <~ed over before
          the storm> 2 a of facial features: to become troubled,
          apprehensive, or distressed in appearance b: to become
          blurry, dubious, or ominous--often used with over 3:
          to billow up in the form of a cloud ~ vt 1 a: to envelop
          or hide with or as if with a cloud <smog ~ed our view>
          b: to make opaque esp. by condensation of moisture c:
          to make murky esp. with smoke or mist 2: to make unclear
          or confused <~ the issue> 3: taint, sully <a ~ed reputation>
          4: to cast gloom over

   cloudberry
          [cloud.ber.ry] n (1597): a creeping herbaceous raspberry
          (Rubus chamaemorus) of north temperate regions; also:
          its pale amber-colored edible fruit

   cloudburst
          [cloud.burst] n (1869) 1: a sudden copious rainfall 2: deluge
          2

   cloud chamber
          [cloud chamber] n (1897): a vessel containing air saturated
          with water vapor whose sudden expansion reveals the passage
          of an ionizing particle by a trail of visible droplets

   cloud-cuckoo-land
          [cloud-cuck.oo-land] n [trans. of Gk nephelokokkygia] (1899):
          a realm of fantasy or of whimsical or foolish behavior

   clouded leopard
          [cloud.ed leopard] n (1910): a medium-sized cat (Neofelis
          nebulosa) that occurs from Nepal to southeast China and
          Indonesia and is grayish to yellowish with darker irregular
          rings, ovals, and rosettes

   cloud forest
          [cloud forest] n (1922): a wet tropical mountain forest at
          an altitude usu. between 3000 and 8000 ft. (1000 and
          2500 meters) that is characterized by a profusion of
          epiphytes and the presence of clouds even in the dry
          season

   cloudland
          [cloud.land] n (1817) 1: the region of the clouds 2: the
          realm of visionary speculation or poetic imagination

   cloudless
          [cloud.less] adj (14c): free from clouds: clear -- cloud.less.ly
          adv -- cloud.less.ness n

   cloudlet
          [cloud.let] n (1788): a small cloud

   cloud nine
          [cloud nine] n (1959): a feeling of well-being or elation--usu.
          used with on

   cloudscape
          [cloud.scape] n (1880): a view or pictorial representation
          of a cloud formation

   cloud street
          [cloud street] n (1943): a row of cumulus clouds

   cloudy
          [cloudy] adj cloud.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: of, relating to,
          or resembling cloud 2: darkened by gloom or anxiety 3
          a: overcast with clouds b: having a cloudy sky 4: obscure
          in meaning <~ issues>; also: uncertain as to fact or
          outcome <a ~ future> 5: dimmed or dulled as if by clouds
          <a ~ mirror> 6: uneven in color or texture 7: having
          visible material in suspension: murky -- cloud.i.ly adv
          -- cloud.i.ness n

   [1]clout
          [clout] n [ME, fr. OE clut; akin to MHG kloz lump, Russ gluda]
          (bef. 12c) 1 dial chiefly Brit: a piece of cloth or leather:
          rag 2: a blow esp. with the hand; also: a hard hit in
          baseball 3: a white cloth on a stake or frame used as
          a target in archery 4: pull, influence <political ~>
          [2]clout vt (14c) 1: to cover or patch with a clout 2:
          to hit forcefully

   [1]clove
          [clove] n [ME, fr. OE clufu; akin to OE cleofan to cleave]
          (bef. 12c): one of the small bulbs (as in garlic) developed
          in the axils of the scales of a large bulb [2]clove past
          of cleave [3]clove n [alter. of ME clowe, fr. OF clou
          (de girofle), lit., nail of clove, fr. L clavus nail]
          (13c): the dried flower bud of a tropical tree (Syzygium
          aromaticum syn. Eugenia aromatica) of the myrtle family
          that is used as a spice and is the source of an oil;
          also: this tree

   clove hitch
          [clove hitch] n [ME cloven, clove divided, fr. pp. of clevien
          to cleave] (ca. 1769): a knot securing a rope temporarily
          to an object (as a post or spar) and consisting of a
          turn around the object, over the standing part, around
          the object again, and under the last turn--see knot illustration

   cloven
          [clo.ven] past part of cleave

   cloven foot
          [cloven foot] n (13c): cloven hoof -- clo.ven-foot.ed adj

   cloven hoof
          [cloven hoof] n (1870) 1: a foot (as of a sheep) divided
          into two parts at its distal extremity 2 [fr. the traditional
          representation of Satan as cloven-hoofed]: the sign of
          devilish character -- clo.ven-hoofed adj

   clove pink
          [clove pink] n (ca. 1855): carnation 2

   clover
          [clo.ver] n [ME, fr. OE clafre; akin to OHG kleo clover]
          (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Trifolium) of low leguminous
          herbs having trifoliolate leaves and flowers in dense
          heads and including many that are valuable for forage
          and attractive to bees 2: any of various leguminous plants
          (as of the genera Melilotus, Lespedeza, or Medicago)
          other than the clovers (genus Trifolium) -- in clover
          or in the clover : in prosperity or in pleasant circumstances

   [1]cloverleaf
          [clo.ver.leaf] adj (1917): resembling a clover leaf in shape
          [2]cloverleaf n, pl -leafs or -leaves (1931): an interchange
          between two major highways that allows traffic to change
          from one to the other without requiring any left turns
          or crossings and that from above resembles a four-leaf
          clover

   Clovis
          [Clo.vis] adj [Clovis, New Mexico] (1956): of or relating
          to a widely distributed prehistoric culture of No. America
          characterized by leaf-shaped flint projectile points
          having fluted sides

   [1]clown
          [clown] n [prob. of LG origin; akin to Fris klonne clumsy
          fellow, OE clyne lump of metal] (1563) 1: farmer, countryman
          2: a rude ill-bred person: boor 3 a: a fool, jester,
          or comedian in an entertainment (as a play); specif:
          a grotesquely dressed comedy performer in a circus b:
          a person who habitually plays the buffoon c: joker 1b
          [2]clown vi (1599): to act as or like a clown

   clownery
          [clown.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1589): clownish behavior or an
          instance of clownishness: buffoonery

   clownish
          [clown.ish] adj (ca. 1570): resembling or befitting a clown
          (as in ignorance and lack of sophistication) syn see
          boorish -- clown.ish.ly adv -- clown.ish.ness n

   cloxacillin
          [clox.a.cil.lin] n [chlor- + oxacillin] (1963): a semisynthetic
          oral penicillin effective esp. against staphylococci
          which secrete penicillinase

   cloy
          [cloy] vb [alter. of ME acloien to lame, fr. MF encloer to
          drive in a nail, fr. ML inclavare, fr. L in + clavus
          nail] vt (1528): to surfeit with an excess usu. of something
          orig. pleasing ~ vi: to cause surfeit syn see satiate

   cloying
          [cloy.ing] adj (1594): disgusting or distasteful by reason
          of excess <~ sweetness>; also: excessively sweet or sentimental
          <a ~ romantic comedy> -- cloy.ing.ly adv

   cloze
          [cloze] adj [by shortening & alter. fr. closure] (1953):
          of, relating to, or being a test of reading comprehension
          that involves having the person being tested supply words
          which have been systematically deleted from a text

   clr
          [clr] abbreviation clear, clearance

   CLU
          [CLU] abbreviation chartered life underwriter

   [1]club
          [club] n, often attrib [ME clubbe, fr. ON klubba; akin to
          OHG kolbo club] (13c) 1 a: a heavy usu. tapering staff
          esp. of wood wielded as a weapon b: a stick or bat used
          to hit a ball in any of various games c: something resembling
          a club 2 a: a playing card marked with a stylized figure
          of a black clover b pl but sing or pl in constr: the
          suit comprising cards marked with clubs 3 a: an association
          of persons for some common object usu. jointly supported
          and meeting periodically; also: a group identified by
          some common characteristic <nations in the nuclear ~>
          b: the meeting place of a club c: an association of persons
          participating in a plan by which they agree to make regular
          payments or purchases in order to secure some advantage
          d: nightclub e: an athletic association or team -- club.bish
          adj [2]club vb clubbed ; club.bing vt (1593) 1 a: to
          beat or strike with or as if with a club b: to gather
          into a club-shaped mass <clubbed her hair> 2 a: to unite
          or combine for a common cause b: to contribute to a common
          fund ~ vi 1: to form a club: combine 2: to pay a share
          of a common expense

   clubbable
          [club.ba.ble] also club.able adj (1783): sociable

   clubbed
          [clubbed] adj (14c): shaped like a club <~ antennae>

   clubber
          [club.ber] n (1633): a member of a club

   clubby
          [club.by] adj club.bi.er ; -est (1859): characteristic of
          a club or club members: as a: displaying friendliness
          esp. to other members of the same social group: sociable
          b: open only to qualified or approved persons: select,
          elite -- club.bi.ness n

   club car
          [club car] n (1886): a railroad passenger car with facilities
          for serving refreshments and drinks--called also bar
          car, lounge car

   club chair
          [club chair] n (1919): a deep low thickly upholstered easy
          chair often with rather low back and heavy sides and
          arms

   club cheese
          [club cheese] n (1916): a process cheese made by grinding
          cheddar and other cheeses usu. with added condiments
          and seasoning

   clubfoot
          [club.foot] n (1538): a misshapen foot twisted out of position
          from birth; also: this deformity -- club.foot.ed adj

   club fungus
          [club fungus] n (1899): any of a family (Clavariaceae) of
          basidiomycetes with a simple or branched often club-shaped
          sporophore

   clubhouse
          [club.house] n (1818) 1: a house occupied by a club or used
          for club activities 2: locker rooms used by an athletic
          team

   clubman
          [club.man] n (1851): a usu. wealthy man given to club life

   club moss
          [club moss] n (1597): any of an order (Lycopodiales) of primitive
          vascular plants (as ground pine) often with the sporangia
          borne in club-shaped strobili

   clubroot
          [club.root] n (1846): a disease of cruciferous plants and
          esp. of cabbage caused by a slime mold (Plasmodiophora
          brassicae) producing swellings or distortions of the
          root

   club sandwich
          [club sandwich] n (1903): a sandwich of three slices of bread
          with two layers of meat (as turkey) and lettuce, tomato,
          and mayonnaise

   club soda
          [club soda] n (1942): soda water 2a

   club steak
          [club steak] n (1915): a small steak cut from the end of
          the short loin--see beef illustration

   [1]cluck
          [cluck] vb [imit.] vi (15c) 1: to make a cluck 2: to make
          a clicking sound with the tongue 3: to express interest
          or concern <critics ~ed over the new developments> ~
          vt 1: to call with a cluck 2: to express with interest
          or concern [2]cluck n (1703) 1: the characteristic sound
          made by a hen esp. in calling her chicks 2: a stupid
          or naive person

   [1]clue
          [clue] n [alter. of clew] (1596): something that guides through
          an intricate procedure or maze of difficulties; specif:
          a piece of evidence that leads one toward the solution
          of a problem [2]clue vt clued ; clue.ing or clu.ing (1663)
          1: to provide with a clue 2: to give reliable information
          to <~ me in on how it happened>

   clueless
          [clue.less] adj (1862) 1: providing no clue 2: completely
          or hopelessly bewildered, unaware, ignorant, or foolish

   clumber spaniel
          [clum.ber spaniel] n, often cap C [Clumber, estate
          in Nottinghamshire, England] (1883): any of a breed of large
          massive heavyset spaniels with a dense silky largely white coat

   [1]clump
          [clump] n [prob. fr. LG klump] (ca. 1586) 1: a group of things
          clustered together <a ~ of bushes> 2: a compact mass
          3: a heavy tramping sound -- clumpy adj [2]clump vi (1665)
          1: to walk or move clumsily and noisily 2: to form clumps
          ~ vt: to arrange in or cause to form clumps <the serum
          ~s the bacteria>

   clumsy
          [clum.sy] adj clum.si.er ; -est [prob. fr. obs. E clumse
          benumbed with cold] (ca. 1598) 1 a: lacking dexterity,
          nimbleness, or grace <~ fingers> b: lacking tact or subtlety
          <a ~ joke> 2: awkward or inefficient in use or construction:
          unwieldy syn see awkward -- clum.si.ly adv -- clum.si.ness
          n

   clung
          [clung] past and past part of cling

   [1]clunk
          [clunk] vb [imit.] vi (ca. 1796) 1: to make a clunk 2: to
          hit something with a clunk ~ vt: to strike or hit with
          a clunk [2]clunk n (1823) 1: a blow or the sound of a
          blow: thump 2: a dull or stupid person

   clunker
          [clunk.er] n (1943) 1: an old or badly working piece of machinery;
          esp: a dilapidated automobile 2: someone or something notably
          unsuccessful

   clunky
          [clunky] adj clunk.i.er ; -est (1968): clumsy in style, form,
          or execution <a ~ thriller> <~ earrings>

   clupeid
          [clu.pe.id] n [ultim. fr. L clupea, a small river fish] (1880):
          any of a large family (Clupeidae) of soft-finned bony
          fishes (as herrings) that have a laterally compressed
          body and a forked tail and usu. occur in schools -- clupeid
          adj

   [1]cluster
          [clus.ter] n [ME, fr. OE clyster; akin to OE clott clot]
          (bef. 12c): a number of similar individuals that occur
          together: as a: two or more consecutive consonants or
          vowels in a segment of speech b: a group of buildings
          and esp. houses built close together on a sizable tract
          in order to preserve open spaces larger than the individual
          yard for common recreation c: an aggregation of stars
          or galaxies that appear close together in the sky and
          are gravitationally associated -- clus.tery adj [2]cluster
          vb clus.tered ; clus.ter.ing vt (14c) 1: to collect into
          a cluster <~ the tents together> 2: to furnish with clusters
          ~ vi: to grow, assemble, or occur in a cluster

   cluster analysis
          [cluster analysis] n (1948): a statistical classification
          technique for discovering whether the individuals of
          a population fall into different groups by making quantitative
          comparisons of multiple characteristics

   cluster bomb
          [cluster bomb] n (1967): an aircraft-dropped canister of
          small fragmentation bombs

   cluster headache
          [cluster headache] n (1953): a headache that is characterized
          by severe pain in the eye or temple and tends to recur
          in a series of attacks

   [1]clutch
          [clutch] vb [ME clucchen, fr. OE clyccan] vt (bef. 12c) 1:
          to grasp or hold with or as if with the hand or claws
          usu. strongly, tightly, or suddenly 2 obs: clench ~ vi
          1: to seek to grasp and hold 2: to operate an automobile
          clutch syn see take [2]clutch n (13c) 1 a: the claws
          or a hand in the act of grasping or seizing firmly b:
          an often cruel or unrelenting control, power, or possession
          <the fell ~ of circumstance --W. E. Henley> c: the act
          of grasping, holding, or restraining 2 a: a coupling
          used to connect and disconnect a driving and a driven
          part of a mechanism b: a lever (as a pedal) operating
          such a clutch 3: a tight or critical situation: pinch
          <come through in the ~> 4: clutch bag [3]clutch adj (1944)
          1: made or done in a crucial situation <a ~ hit> 2: successful
          in a crucial situation <a ~ pitcher> [4]clutch n [alter.
          of dial. E cletch hatching, brood] (1721) 1: a nest of
          eggs or a brood of chicks 2: group, bunch

   clutch bag
          [clutch bag] n (1949): a woman's small usu. strapless handbag

   [1]clutter
          [clut.ter] vb [ME clotteren to clot, fr. clot] vi (1556)
          chiefly dial: to run in disorder ~ vt: to fill or cover
          with scattered or disordered things that impede movement
          or reduce effectiveness--often used with up [2]clutter
          n (1649) 1 a: a crowded or confused mass or collection
          b: things that clutter a place 2: interfering radar echoes
          caused by reflection from objects (as on the ground)
          other than the target 3 chiefly dial: disturbance, hubbub

   Clyde
          [Clyde] n (1894): clydesdale

   Clydesdale
          [Clydes.dale] n (1786): a heavy draft horse with feathering
          on the legs of a breed orig. from Clydesdale, Scotland

   clypeus
          [clyp.e.us] n, pl clyp.ei [NL, fr. L, round shield] (1834):
          a plate on the anterior median aspect of an insect's
          head

   clyster
          [clys.ter] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF clistere, fr. L clyster,
          fr. Gk klyster, fr. klyzein to wash out; akin to W clir
          pure, OE hlutor clean] (14c): enema

   Clytemnestra
          [Cly.tem.nes.tra] n [L, fr. Gk Klytaimnestra]: the wife and
          murderess of Agamemnon

   cm...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   cm
          [cm] abbreviation centimeter, cumulative  Cm abbreviation
          curium  CM abbreviation center matched, circular mil,
          common meter, [Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands]
          Northern Mariana Islands, Congregation of the Mission

   CMA
          [CMA] abbreviation certified medical assistant

   cmd
          [cmd] abbreviation command

   cmdg
          [cmdg] abbreviation commanding

   cmdr
          [cmdr] abbreviation commander

   CMG
          [CMG] abbreviation Companion of the Order of St. Michael
          and St. George

   cml
          [cml] abbreviation commercial

   CMSgt
          [CMSgt] abbreviation chief master sergeant

   CMV
          [CMV] abbreviation cytomegalovirus

   cn...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   CN
          [CN] abbreviation credit note

   CNC
          [CNC] abbreviation computer numerical control

   cnidarian
          [cni.dar.i.an] n [ultim. fr. NL cnida nematocyst, fr. Gk
          knide nettle] (ca. 1909): coelenterate -- cnidarian adj

   CNO
          [CNO] abbreviation chief of naval operations

   CNS
          [CNS] abbreviation central nervous system

   co...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   co-
          [co-] prefix [ME, fr. L, fr. com-; akin to OE ge-, perfective
          and collective prefix, OIr com- with] 1: with: together:
          joint: jointly <coexist> <coheir> 2: in or to the same
          degree <coextensive> 3 a: one that is associated in an
          action with another: fellow: partner <coauthor> <coworker>
          b: having a usu. lesser share in duty or responsibility:
          alternate: deputy <copilot> 4: of, relating to, or constituting
          the complement of an angle <cosine> <codeclination>co.act
          co.ac.tive co.ac.tor co.ad.min.is.tra.tion co.an.chor
          co.au.thor co.au.thor.ship co.cap.tain co.cat.a.lyst
          co.chair co.chair.man co.chair.per.son co.chair.wom.an
          co.cham.pi.on co.com.pos.er co.con.spir.a.tor co.coun.sel
          co.cre.ate co.cre.ator co.cul.ti.vate co.cul.ti.va.tion
          co.cul.ture co.cu.ra.tor co.de.fen.dant co.de.sign co.de.vel.op
          co.de.vel.op.er co.di.rect co.di.rec.tion co.di.rec.tor
          co.dis.cov.er co.dis.cov.er.er co.drive co.driv.er co.ed.it
          co.ed.i.tor co.eter.nal co.ex.ec.u.tor co.fa.vor.ite
          co.fea.ture co.fi.nance co.found co.found.er co.head
          co.heir co.heir.ess co.hold.er co.host co.host.ess co.in.vent
          co.in.ven.tor co.in.ves.ti.ga.tor co.in.ves.tor co.join
          co.lead co.lead.er co.man.age co.man.age.ment co.man.ag.er
          co.mem.ber co.nom.i.nee co-oc.cur co-oc.cur.rence co-oc.cur.rent
          co-of.fi.cial co-or.ga.niz.er co-own co-own.er co-own.er.ship
          co.part.ner co.part.ner.ship co.pre.sent co.pres.i.dent
          co.prince co.prin.ci.pal co.pris.on.er co.pro.cess.ing
          co.pro.duce co.pro.duc.er co.pro.duc.tion co.pro.mot.er
          co.pro.pri.etor co.pros.per.i.ty co.pub.lish co.pub.lish.er
          co.re.cip.i.ent co.re.search.er co.res.i.dent co.res.i.dent.tial
          co.rul.er co.script co.spon.sor co.spon.sor.ship co.star
          co.sur.fac.tant co.ten.ant co.trans.duce co.trans.duc.tion
          co.trans.fer co.trans.port co.trust.ee co.win.ner co.work.er
          co.write

   co
          [co] abbreviation company, county  Co abbreviation cobalt
          CO abbreviation cash order, Colorado, commanding officer,
          conscientious objector

   co-edition
          [co-edi.tion] n (1964): an edition of a book published
          simultaneously by more than one publisher usu. in different
          countries and in different languages

   co-op
          [co-op] n (1869): cooperative

   co-opt
          [co-opt] vt [L cooptare, fr. co- + optare to choose] (1651)
          1 a: to choose or elect as a member b: to appoint as
          a colleague or assistant 2 a: to take into a group (as
          a faction, movement, or culture): absorb, assimilate
          <the students are ~ed by a system they serve even in
          their struggle against it --A. C. Danto> b: take over,
          appropriate -- co-op.ta.tion n -- co-op.ta.tive adj --
          co-op.tion n -- co-op.tive adj

   co-payment
          [co-pay.ment] n (1975): the medical fee or part of it required
          by a health insurer to be paid by the patient after the
          deductible if any is exceeded

   coacervate
          [co.ac.er.vate] n [L coacervatus, pp. of coacervare to heap
          up, fr. co- + acervus heap] (1929): an aggregate of colloidal
          droplets held together by electrostatic attractive forces
          -- co.acer.vate adj -- co.ac.er.va.tion n

   [1]coach
          [coach] n, often attrib [ME coche, fr. MF, fr. G Kutsche,
          fr. Hung kocsi (szeker), lit., wagon from Kocs, Hungary]
          (1556) 1 a: a large usu. closed four-wheeled horse-drawn
          carriage having doors in the sides and an elevated seat
          in front for the driver b: a railroad passenger car intended
          primarily for day travel c: bus 1a d: trailer 3b e: a
          two-door enclosed automobile f: a class of passenger
          air transportation at a lower fare than first class 2
          [fr. the concept that the tutor conveys the student through
          his examinations] a: a private tutor b: one who instructs
          or trains a performer or a team of performers; specif:
          one who instructs players in the fundamentals of a competitive
          sport and directs team strategy <football ~> [2]coach
          vi (1630) 1: to go in a coach 2: to instruct, direct,
          or prompt as a coach ~ vt 1: to train intensively (as
          by instruction and demonstration) <~ pupils> 2: to act
          as coach of <~ tennis> <~ a team> -- coach.able adj --
          coach.er n

   coach dog
          [coach dog] n (1840): dalmatian

   coachman
          [coach.man] n (1579): a man who drives a coach or carriage

   coachwork
          [coach.work] n (1906): an automobile body: bodywork

   coaction
          [co.ac.tion] n (1625) 1: joint action 2: the interaction
          between individuals or kinds (as species) in an ecological
          community

   coadapted
          [co.adapt.ed] adj (1836): mutually adapted esp. by natural
          selection <~ gene complexes> -- co.ad.ap.ta.tion n

   coadjutor
          [co.ad.ju.tor] n [ME coadjutour, fr. MF coadjuteur, fr. LL
          coadjutor, fr. L co- + adjutor helper, fr. adjuvare to
          help--more at aid] (15c) 1: one who works together with
          another: assistant 2: a bishop assisting a diocesan bishop
          and often having the right of succession -- coadjutor
          adj

   coadjutrix
          [co.ad.ju.trix] n, pl co.ad.ju.tri.ces [NL, fem. of coadjutor]
          (1646): a female coadjutor

   coagulant
          [co.ag.u.lant] n (1770): something that produces coagulation

   coagulase
          [co.ag.u.lase] n (1914): any of several enzymes that cause
          coagulation (as of blood)

   [1]coagulate
          [co.ag.u.late] adj (14c) archaic: being clotted or congealed
          [2]co.ag.u.late vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L coagulatus,
          pp. of coagulare to curdle, fr. coagulum curdling agent,
          fr. cogere to drive together--more at cogent] vt (15c)
          1: to cause to become viscous or thickened into a coherent
          mass: curdle, clot 2: to gather together or form into
          a mass or group ~ vi: to become coagulated -- co.ag.u.la.bil.i.ty
          n -- co.ag.u.la.ble adj -- co.ag.u.la.tion n

   coagulum
          [co.ag.u.lum] n, pl -u.la or -ulums [L] (1658): a coagulated
          mass or substance: clot

   [1]coal
          [coal] n, often attrib [ME col, fr. OE; akin to OHG & ON
          kol burning ember, MIr gual coal] (bef. 12c) 1: a piece
          of glowing carbon or charred wood: ember 2: charcoal
          1 3 a: a black or brownish black solid combustible substance
          formed by the partial decomposition of vegetable matter
          without free access of air and under the influence of
          moisture and often increased pressure and temperature
          that is widely used as a natural fuel b pl, Brit: pieces
          or a quantity of the fuel broken up for burning [2]coal
          vt (1602) 1: to burn to charcoal: char 2: to supply with
          coal ~ vi: to take in coal

   coalesce
          [co.a.lesce] vb co.a.lesced ; co.a.lesc.ing [L coalescere,
          fr. co- + alescere to grow--more at old] vi (ca. 1656)
          1: to grow together 2 a: to unite into a whole: fuse
          <separate townships have coalesced into a single, sprawling
          colony --Donald Gould> b: to unite for a common end:
          join forces <people with different points of view ~ into
          opposing factions --I. L. Horowitz> 3: to arise from
          the combination of distinct elements <an organized and
          a popular resistance immediately coalesced --C. C. Menges>
          ~ vt: to cause to unite <sometimes a book ~s a public
          into a mass market --Walter Meade> syn see mix -- co.a.les.cence
          n -- co.a.les.cent adj

   coalfield
          [coal.field] n (1813): a region rich in coal deposits

   coalfish
          [coal.fish] n (1603): any of several blackish or dark-backed
          fishes (as a pollack, cobia, or sablefish)

   coal gas
          [coal gas] n (1809): gas made from coal: as a: the mixture
          of gases thrown off by burning coal b: gas made by carbonizing
          bituminous coal in retorts and used for heating and lighting

   coalhole
          [coal.hole] n (ca. 1662) 1 Brit: a compartment for storing
          coal 2: a hole for coal (as an opening in a sidewalk
          leading to a coal bin)

   coalification
          [coal.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1911): a process in which vegetable
          matter becomes converted into coal of increasingly higher
          rank with anthracite as the final product -- coal.i.fy
          vt

   coalition
          [co.a.li.tion] n [F, fr. L coalescere] (1612) 1 a: the act
          of coalescing: union b: a body formed by the coalescing
          of orig. distinct elements: combination 2: a temporary
          alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for
          joint action -- co.a.li.tion.ist n

   coal measures
          [coal measures] n pl (1832): beds of coal with the associated
          rocks

   coal oil
          [coal oil] n (1858) 1: petroleum or a refined oil prepared
          from it 2: kerosene

   coal seam
          [coal seam] n (1849): a bed of coal usu. thick enough to
          be profitably mined

   coal tar
          [coal tar] n (1785): tar obtained by distillation of bituminous
          coal and used esp. in making dyes and drugs

   coaming
          [coam.ing] n [prob. irreg. fr. comb] (1611): a raised frame
          (as around a hatchway in the deck of a ship) to keep
          out water

   coapt
          [co.apt] vt [LL coaptare, fr. L co- + aptus fastened, fit--more
          at apt] (1570): to fit together and make fast -- co.ap.ta.tion
          n

   coarctation
          [co.arc.ta.tion] n (1545): a stricture or narrowing esp.
          of a canal or vessel (as the aorta)

   coarse
          [coarse] adj coars.er ; coars.est [ME cors, perh. fr. course,
          n.] (14c) 1: of ordinary or inferior quality or value:
          common 2 a (1): composed of relatively large parts or
          particles <~ sand> (2): loose or rough in texture <~
          cloth> b: adjusted or designed for heavy, fast, or less
          delicate work <a ~ saw with large teeth> c: not precise
          or detailed with respect to adjustment or discrimination
          3: crude or unrefined in taste, manners, or language
          4: harsh, raucous, or rough in tone 5 chiefly Brit: of
          or relating to coarse fish <~ fishing> -- coarse.ly adv
          -- coarse.ness n syn coarse, vulgar, gross, obscene,
          ribald mean offensive to good taste or morals. coarse
          implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit,
          behavior, or language <found the coarse humor of coworkers
          offensive>. vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding
          <a loud vulgar belch>. gross implies extreme coarseness
          and insensitiveness <gross eating habits>. obscene applies
          to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency
          and propriety esp. in sexual matters <obscene language
          not allowed on the air>. ribald applies to what is amusingly
          or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent
          <entertained the campers with ribald folk songs>.

   coarse fish
          [coarse fish] n (1886) 1 chiefly Brit: a freshwater fish
          other than a salmonid 2: rough fish

   coarse-grained
          [coarse-grained] adj (ca. 1774) 1: having a coarse grain
          2: crude

   coarsen
          [coars.en] vb coars.ened ; coars.en.ing vt (1805): to make
          coarse ~ vi: to become coarse

   [1]coast
          [coast] n [ME cost, fr. MF coste, fr. L costa rib, side;
          akin to OCS kosti bone] (14c) 1: the land near a shore:
          seashore 2 obs: border, frontier 3 a: a hill or slope
          suited to coasting b: a slide down a slope (as on a sled)
          4 often cap: the Pacific coast of the U.S. 5: the immediate
          area of view--used in the phrase the coast is clear --
          coast.al adj -- coast.wise adv or adj -- from coast to
          coast : across an entire nation or continent [2]coast
          vt (14c) 1 obs: to move along or past the side of: skirt
          2: to sail along the shore of ~ vi 1 a archaic: to travel
          on land along a coast or along or past the side of something
          b: to sail along the shore 2 a: to slide, run, or glide
          downhill by the force of gravity b: to move along without
          or as if without further application of propulsive power
          (as by momentum or gravity) c: to proceed easily without
          special application of effort or concern <~ed through
          school>

   coaster
          [coast.er] n (1574) 1: one that coasts: as a: a person engaged
          in coastal traffic or commerce b: a ship sailing along
          a coast or engaged in trade between ports of the same
          country 2: a resident of a seacoast 3 a: a tray or decanter
          stand usu. of silver and sometimes on wheels b: a shallow
          container or a plate or mat to protect a surface 4 a:
          a small vehicle (as a sled or wagon) used in coasting
          b: roller coaster

   coaster brake
          [coaster brake] n (1899): a brake in the hub of the rear
          wheel of a bicycle operated by reverse pressure on the
          pedals

   coaster wagon
          [coaster wagon] n (1911): a child's toy wagon often used
          for coasting

   coast guard
          [coast guard] n (1833) 1: a military or naval force employed
          in guarding a coast or responsible for the safety, order,
          and operation of maritime traffic in neighboring waters
          2 usu coast.guard chiefly Brit: coastguardsman

   coastguardsman
          [coast.guards.man] or coast.guard.man n (ca. 1891): a member
          of a coast guard

   coastland
          [coast.land] n (1852): land bordering the sea

   coastline
          [coast.line] n (ca. 1859) 1: a line that forms the boundary
          between the land and the ocean or a lake 2: the outline
          of a coast

   coast redwood
          [coast redwood] n (ca. 1897): redwood 3a

   coast-to-coast
          [coast-to-coast] adj (1911): extending or airing across an
          entire nation or continent

   coastward
          [coast.ward] or coast.wards adv (1853): toward the coast
          -- coastward adj

   [1]coat
          [coat] n, often attrib [ME cote, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG kozza coarse wool mantle] (14c) 1 a: an outer
          garment worn on the upper body and varying in length
          and style according to fashion and use b: something resembling
          a coat 2: the external growth on an animal 3: a layer
          of one substance covering another <a ~ of paint> -- coat.ed
          adj -- coat.less adj [2]coat vt (14c) 1: to cover with
          a coat 2: to cover or spread with a finishing, protecting,
          or enclosing layer -- coat.er n

   coatdress
          [coat.dress] n (1854): a dress styled like a coat usu. with
          a front buttoning from neckline to hemline

   coat hanger
          [coat hanger] n (1895): a device which is shaped like the
          outline of a person's shoulders and over which garments
          may be hung

   coati
          [co.a.ti] n [Pg coati, fr. Tupi] (1676): either of two tropical
          American mammals (Nasua nasua and N. nelsoni) related
          to the raccoon but with a longer body and tail and a
          long flexible snout

   coatimundi
          [co.a.ti.mun.di] n [Tupi] (1676): coati

   coating
          [coat.ing] n (1768) 1: cloth for coats 2: coat, covering

   coat of arms
          [coat of arms] [ME cote of armes, trans. of MF cote d'armes]
          (14c) 1: a tabard or surcoat embroidered with armorial
          bearings 2 a: the particular heraldic bearings (as of
          a person) usu. depicted on an escutcheon often with accompanying
          adjuncts (as a crest, motto, and supporters) b: a similar
          symbolic emblem

   coat of mail
          [coat of mail] (15c): a garment of metal scales or chain
          mail worn as armor

   coatrack
          [coat.rack] n (1915): a stand or rack fitted with pegs, hooks,
          or hangers and used for the temporary storage of garments

   coatroom
          [coat.room] n (1870): cloakroom

   coattail
          [coat.tail] n (ca. 1600) 1: the rear flap of a man's coat
          2 pl: the skirts of a dress coat, cutaway, or frock coat
          3 pl: the influence or pulling power of a popular movement
          or candidate <congressmen riding into office on the president's
          ~s>

   [1]coax
          [coax] vt [earlier cokes, fr. cokes simpleton] (1589) 1 obs:
          fondle, pet 2: to influence or gently urge by caressing
          or flattering: wheedle 3: to draw, gain, or persuade
          by means of gentle urging or flattery 4: to manipulate
          with great perseverance and usu. with considerable effort
          toward a desired state or activity <~ a fire to burn>
          [2]co.ax n (1949): coaxial cable

   coaxial
          [co.ax.i.al] adj (1881) 1: having coincident axes 2: mounted
          on concentric shafts -- co.ax.i.al.ly adv

   coaxial cable
          [coaxial cable] n (1936): a transmission line that consists
          of a tube of electrically conducting material surrounding
          a central conductor held in place by insulators and that
          is used to transmit telegraph, telephone, and television
          signals of high frequency--called also coax cable

   cob
          [cob] n [ME cobbe leader] (15c) 1: a male swan 2 dial Eng:
          a rounded mass, lump, or heap 3: a crudely struck old
          Spanish coin of irregular shape 4: corncob 1 5: a stocky
          short-legged riding horse -- cob.by adj

   cobalamin
          [co.bal.a.min] n [cobalt + vitamin] (1956): vitamin b12

   cobalt
          [co.balt] n [G Kobalt, alter. of Kobold, lit., goblin, fr.
          MHG kobolt; fr. its occurrence in silver ore, believed
          to be due to goblins] (1683) 1: a tough lustrous silver-white
          magnetic metallic element that is related to and occurs
          with iron and nickel and is used esp. in alloys 2: cobalt
          blue 2

   cobalt 60
          [cobalt 60] n (1946): a heavy radioactive isotope of cobalt
          of the mass number 60 produced in nuclear reactors and
          used as a source of gamma rays (as for radiotherapy)

   cobalt blue
          [cobalt blue] n (1835) 1: a greenish blue pigment consisting
          essentially of cobalt oxide and alumina 2: a strong greenish
          blue

   cobalt chloride
          [cobalt chloride] n (1885): a chloride of cobalt; esp: the
          dichloride that is blue when dehydrated, turns red in
          the presence of moisture, and is used to indicate humidity

   cobaltic
          [co.bal.tic] adj (1782): of, relating to, or containing cobalt
          esp. with a valence of three

   cobaltite
          [co.balt.ite] or co.balt.ine n [cobaltite, alter. of cobaltine,
          fr. F, fr. cobalt] (1868): a mineral consisting of a
          grayish to silver-white cobalt sulfur arsenide used in
          making smalt

   cobaltous
          [co.bal.tous] adj (1863): of, relating to, or containing
          cobalt esp. with a valence of two

   cobber
          [cob.ber] n [origin unknown] (1893) Austral & NewZeal: buddy

   [1]cobble
          [cob.ble] vt cob.bled ; cob.bling [ME coblen, perh. back-formation
          fr. cobelere cobbler] (15c) 1 chiefly Brit: to mend or patch
          coarsely 2: repair, make <~ shoes> 3: to make or put together
          roughly or hastily--often used with together or up [2]cobble
          n (1600) 1: cobblestone 2 pl, chiefly Brit: lump coal about the
          size of small cobblestones

   cobbled
          [cobbled] adj (1853): paved with cobblestones

   cobbler
          [cob.bler] n [ME cobelere] (13c) 1: a mender or maker of
          shoes and often of other leather goods 2 archaic: a clumsy
          workman 3: a tall iced drink consisting usu. of wine,
          rum, or whiskey and sugar garnished with mint or a slice
          of lemon or orange 4: a deep-dish fruit dessert with
          a thick top crust

   cobblestone
          [cob.ble.stone] n [ME, fr. cobble- (prob. fr. cob) + stone]
          (15c): a naturally rounded stone larger than a pebble
          and smaller than a boulder; esp: such a stone used in
          paving a street or in construction -- cob.ble.stoned
          adj

   cobby
          [cob.by] adj cob.bi.er ; -est (1883): stocky <a ~ horse>

   cobelligerent
          [co.bel.lig.er.ent] n (1813): a country fighting with another
          power against a common enemy -- cobelligerent adj

   cobia
          [co.bia] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1873): a large bony fish
          (Rachycentron canadum of the family Rachycentridae) of
          warm seas that is a food and sport fish

   coble
          [co.ble] n [ME] (14c): a flat-bottomed boat propelled chiefly
          by oars and used in Scotland and northern England esp.
          for fishing

   cobnut
          [cob.nut] n (1580): the fruit of a European hazel (Corylus
          avellana grandis); also: the plant bearing this fruit

   COBOL
          [CO.BOL] or Co.bol n [common business oriented language]
          (1960): a computer programming language designed for
          business applications

   cobra
          [co.bra] n [Pg cobra (de capello), lit., hooded snake, fr.
          L colubra snake] (1802): any of several venomous Asian
          and African elapid snakes (genera Naja and Ophiophagus)
          that when excited expand the skin of the neck into a
          hood by movement of the anterior ribs; also: any of several
          related African snakes

   cobweb
          [cob.web] n [ME coppeweb, fr. coppe spider (fr. OE atorcoppe)
          + web; akin to MD coppe spider] (14c) 1 a: the network
          spread by a spider: spiderweb b: tangles of the silken
          threads of a cobweb usu. covered with accumulated dirt
          and dust 2: something that entangles, obscures, or confuses
          <a ~ of law and politics> -- cob.webbed adj -- cob.web.by
          adj

   coca
          [co.ca] n [Sp, fr. Quechua kuka] (1577) 1: any of several
          So. American shrubs (genus Erythroxylon, family Erythroxylaceae);
          esp: one (E. coca) that is the primary source of cocaine
          2: dried leaves of a coca (esp. Erythroxylon coca) containing
          alkaloids including cocaine

   cocaine
          [co.caine] n (1874): a bitter crystalline alkaloid obtained
          from coca leaves that is used medically as a topical
          anesthetic and illicitly for its euphoric effects and
          that may result in a compulsive psychological need

   cocainize
          [co.cain.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1887): to treat or anesthetize
          with cocaine -- co.cain.i.za.tion n

   cocarboxylase
          [co.car.box.yl.ase] n (1932): a coenzyme that is a pyrophosphate
          of thiamine and is important in metabolic reactions (as
          decarboxylation in the Krebs cycle)

   cocarcinogen
          [co.car.cin.o.gen] n (1938): an agent that aggravates the
          carcinogenic effects of another substance -- co.car.cin.o.gen.ic
          adj

   coccid
          [coc.cid] n [NL Coccus, genus of scales, fr. Gk kokkos grain,
          kermes] (ca. 1889): scale insect

   coccidioidomycosis
          [coc.cid.i.oi.do.my.co.sis] n [NL, fr. Coccidioides, genus
          of fungi (fr. coccidium) + mycosis] (1937): a disease
          esp. of humans and domestic animals caused by a fungus
          (Coccidioides immitis) and marked esp. by fever and pulmonary
          symptoms

   coccidiosis
          [coc.cid.i.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [NL] (1892): infestation with
          or disease caused by coccidia

   coccidium
          [coc.cid.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, dim. of coccus] (ca. 1879):
          any of an order (Coccidia) of protozoans usu. parasitic
          in the digestive epithelium of vertebrates

   coccoid
          [coc.coid] adj (1893): of, relating to, or resembling a coccus:
          globular 1a(1) -- coccoid n

   -coccus
          [-coccus] n comb form, pl -cocci [NL]: berry-shaped microorganism
          <micrococcus>

   coccus
          [coc.cus] n, pl coc.ci [NL, fr. Gk kokkos] (1888): a spherical
          bacterium -- coc.cal adj

   coccygeal
          [coc.cy.geal] adj [ML coccygeus of the coccyx, fr. Gk kokkyk-,
          kokkyx] (1836): of or relating to the coccyx

   coccyx
          [coc.cyx] n, pl coc.cy.ges also coc.cyx.es [NL, fr. Gk kokkyx
          cuckoo, coccyx; fr. its resemblance to a cuckoo's beak]
          (1615): a small bone that articulates with the sacrum
          and that usu. consists of four fused vertebrae which
          form the terminus of the spinal column in humans and
          tailless apes

   Cochin
          [Co.chin] n [Cochin China, part of French Indochina] (1853):
          any of an Asian breed of large domestic fowl with thick
          plumage, small wings and tail, and densely feathered
          legs and feet--called also Cochin China

   cochineal
          [co.chi.neal] n [MF & Sp; MF cochenille, fr. OSp cochinilla
          cochineal insect] (1582) 1: a red dye consisting of the
          dried bodies of female cochineal insects 2: cochineal
          insect

   cochineal insect
          [cochineal insect] n (1801): a small red cactus-feeding scale
          insect (Dactylopius coccus) the females of which are
          the source of cochineal

   cochlea
          [co.chlea] n, pl co.chle.as or co.chle.ae [NL, fr. L, snail,
          snail shell, fr. Gk kochlias, fr. kochlos snail; prob.
          akin to Gk konche mussel] (1688): a division of the bony
          labyrinth of the inner ear of higher vertebrates that
          is usu. coiled like a snail shell and is the seat of
          the hearing organ--see ear illustration -- co.chle.ar
          adj

   [1]cock
          [cock] n [ME cok, fr. OE cocc, of imit. origin] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: the adult male of the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus)
          b: the male of birds other than the domestic fowl c:
          woodcock d archaic: the crowing of a cock; also: cockcrow
          e: weathercock 2: a device (as a faucet or valve) for
          regulating the flow of a liquid 3 a: a chief person:
          leader b: a person of spirit and often of a certain swagger
          or arrogance 4 a: the hammer in the lock of a firearm
          b: the cocked position of the hammer 5: penis--usu. considered
          vulgar -- cock of the walk : one that dominates a group
          or situation esp. overbearingly [2]cock vi (1575) 1:
          strut, swagger 2: to turn, tip, or stick up 3: to position
          the hammer of a firearm for firing ~ vt 1 a: to draw
          the hammer of (a firearm) back and set for firing; also:
          to set (the trigger) for firing b: to draw or bend back
          in preparation for throwing or hitting c: to set a mechanism
          (as a camera shutter) for tripping 2 a: to set erect
          b: to turn, tip, or tilt usu. to one side 3: to turn
          up (as a hat brim) -- cock a snook also cock snooks :
          to thumb the nose [3]cock n (1717): tilt, slant <~ of
          the head> [4]cock n [ME cok, of Scand origin] (14c):
          a small pile (as of hay) [5]cock vt (14c): to put (as
          hay) into cocks

   cockade
          [cock.ade] n [modif. of F cocarde, fr. fem. of cocard vain,
          fr. coq cock, fr. OF coc, of imit. origin] (1709): an
          ornament (as a rosette) usu. worn on a hat as a badge
          -- cock.ad.ed adj

   cock-a-hoop
          [cock-a-hoop] adj [fr. the phrase to set cock a hoop to be
          festive] (1663) 1: triumphantly boastful: exulting 2:
          awry

   Cockaigne
          [Cock.aigne] n [ME cokaygne, fr. MF (pais de) cocaigne land
          of plenty] (13c): an imaginary land of great luxury and
          ease

   cock-a-leekie
          [cock-a-leek.ie] n [alter. of cockie (dim. of [1]cock) +
          leekie, dim. of leek] (1737): a soup made of chicken
          and leeks

   cockalorum
          [cock.a.lo.rum] n, pl -rums [prob. modif. of obs. Flem kockeloeren
          to crow, of imit. origin] (ca. 1715) 1: a boastful and
          self-important person 2: leapfrog 3: boastful talk

   cockamamy
          [cock.a.ma.my] or cock.a.ma.mie adj [perh. alter. of decalcomania]
          (1960): ridiculous, incredible <of all the ~ excuses I ever heard
          --Leo Rosten>

   cock-and-bull story
          [cock-and-bull story] n (1795): an incredible story told
          as true

   cockapoo
          [cock.a.poo] n [alter. of cocker (spaniel) + poodle] (1970):
          a dog that is a cross between a cocker spaniel and a
          poodle

   cockatiel
          [cock.a.tiel] n [D kaketielje, fr. Pg cacatilha, fr. cacatua
          cockatoo] (1877): a crested small gray Australian parrot
          (Nymphicus hollandicus) with a yellow head

   cockatoo
          [cock.a.too] n, pl -toos [D kaketoe, fr. Malay kakat ua]
          (1634): any of various large noisy chiefly Australasian
          crested parrots (family Cacatuidae and esp. genus Cacatua)

   cockatrice
          [cock.a.trice] n [ME cocatrice, fr. MF cocatris ichneumon,
          cockatrice, fr. ML cocatric-, cocatrix ichneumon] (14c):
          a legendary serpent that is hatched by a reptile from
          a cock's egg and that has a deadly glance

   cockboat
          [cock.boat] n (15c): a small boat; esp: one used as a tender
          to a larger boat

   cockchafer
          [cock.cha.fer] n [[1]cock + chafer] (1712): a large European
          beetle (Melolontha melolontha) destructive to vegetation
          as an adult and to roots as a larva; also: any of various
          related beetles

   cockcrow
          [cock.crow] n (13c): dawn

   cocked hat
          [cocked hat] n (1673) 1: a hat with brim turned up to give
          a 3-cornered appearance 2: a hat with brim turned up
          on two sides and worn either front to back or sideways

   [1]cocker
          [cock.er] vt [ME cokeren] (15c): indulge, pamper [2]cocker
          n (1689): a keeper or handler of fighting cocks [3]cocker
          n (ca. 1811): cocker spaniel

   cockerel
          [cock.er.el] n [ME cokerelle, fr. MF dial. kokerel, dim.
          of OF coc] (15c): a young male of the domestic fowl (Gallus
          gallus)

   cocker spaniel
          [cock.er spaniel] n [cocking woodcock hunting] (1840) 1:
          english cocker spaniel 2: any of a breed of spaniels
          developed in the U.S. from the English cocker spaniel
          that are smaller in size and have a shorter muzzle and
          longer thicker coat

   cockeye
          [cock.eye] n (ca. 1825): a squinting eye

   cockeyed
          [cock.eyed] adj (1821) 1: having a cockeye 2 a: askew, awry
          b: slightly crazy: topsy-turvy <a ~ scheme> c: drunk
          1a -- cock.eyed.ly adv -- cock.eyed.ness n

   cockfight
          [cock.fight] n (ca. 1566): a contest in which gamecocks usu.
          fitted with metal spurs are pitted against each other
          -- cock.fight.ing adj or n

   cockhorse
          [cock.horse] n [perh. fr. cock, adj., (male) + horse] (ca.
          1541): rocking horse

   [1]cockle
          [cock.le] n [ME, fr. OE coccel] (bef. 12c): any of several
          weedy plants of the pink family; esp: corn cockle [2]cockle
          n [ME cokille, fr. MF coquille shell, modif. of L conchylia,
          pl. of conchylium, fr. Gk konchylion, fr. konche conch]
          (14c) 1: any of various chiefly marine bivalve mollusks
          (family Cardiidae) having a shell with convex radially
          ribbed valves; esp: a common edible European bivalve
          (Cerastoderma edule syn. Cardium edule) 2: cockleshell
          [3]cockle n [ME kokell, ultim. fr. MF coquille wavy or
          rounded like a shell, fr. coquille] (15c): pucker, wrinkle
          -- cockle vb

   cocklebur
          [cock.le.bur] n (1804): any of a genus (Xanthium)
          of prickly-fruited composite plants; also: one of its stiff-spined
          fruits

   cockleshell
          [cock.le.shell] n (15c) 1 a: the shell or one of the shell
          valves of a cockle b: a shell (as a scallop shell) suggesting
          a cockleshell 2: a light flimsy boat

   cockles of the heart
          [cockles of the heart] [perh. fr. [2]cockle] (1671): the
          core of one's being--usu. used in the phrase warm the
          cockles of the heart

   cockloft
          [cock.loft] n [prob. fr. [1]cock] (1589): a small garret

   cockney
          [cock.ney] n, pl cockneys [ME cokeney, lit., cocks' egg,
          fr. coken (gen. pl. of cok cock) + ey egg, fr. OE aeg]
          (14c) 1 obs a: a spoiled child b: a squeamish woman 2
          often cap a: a native of London and esp. of the East
          End of London b: the dialect of London or of the East
          End of London -- cockney adj -- cock.ney.fy vt -- cock.ney.ish
          adj -- cock.ney.ism n

   cockpit
          [cock.pit] n (1587) 1 a: a pit or enclosure for cockfights
          b: a place noted for esp. bloody, violent, or long-continued
          conflict 2 obs: the pit of a theater 3: a compartment
          in a sailing warship used as quarters for junior officers
          and for treatment of the wounded in an engagement 4:
          a space or compartment in a usu. small vehicle (as a
          boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered,
          piloted, or driven--see airplane illustration

   cockroach
          [cock.roach] n [by folk etymology fr. Sp cucaracha cockroach,
          fr. cuca caterpillar] (1623): any of an order or suborder
          (Blattodea syn. Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects
          including some that are domestic pests

   cockscomb
          [cocks.comb] n (1542) 1: coxcomb 2: a garden plant (Celosia
          cristata) of the amaranth family grown for its flowers

   cocksfoot
          [cocks.foot] n (1697): orchard grass

   cockshut
          [cock.shut] n [fr. the time poultry are shut in to rest]
          (1598) dial Eng: evening twilight

   cockshy
          [cock.shy] n, pl cockshies [[1]cock + shy, n.] (1836) 1 a:
          a throw at an object set up as a mark b: a mark or target
          so set up 2: an object or person taken as a butt (as
          of criticism)

   cocksucker
          [cock.suck.er] n (ca. 1891): one who performs fellatio--usu.
          considered obscene--often used as a generalized term
          of abuse

   cocksure
          [cock.sure] adj [prob. fr. [1]cock + sure] (1672) 1: feeling
          perfect assurance sometimes on inadequate grounds 2:
          marked by overconfidence or presumptuousness: cocky syn
          see sure -- cock.sure.ly adv -- cock.sure.ness n

   [1]cocktail
          [cock.tail] n [prob. fr. [1]cock + tail] (1806) 1 a: an iced
          drink of wine or distilled liquor mixed with flavoring
          ingredients b: something resembling or suggesting such
          a drink c: a solution of agents taken or used together
          esp. for medical treatment or diagnosis 2: an appetizer
          served as a first course at a meal [2]cocktail adj (1865)
          1: of, relating to, or set aside for cocktails <a ~ hour>
          2: designed for semiformal wear <~ dress> [3]cocktail
          n [[1]cock + tail] (1808): a horse with its tail docked

   cocktail glass
          [cocktail glass] n (1907): a bell-shaped drinking glass usu.
          having a foot and stem and holding about three ounces
          (90 milliliters)

   cocktail lounge
          [cocktail lounge] n (1939): a public room (as in a hotel,
          club, or restaurant) where cocktails and other drinks
          are served

   cocktail party
          [cocktail party] n (1928): an informal or semiformal party
          or gathering at which cocktails are served

   cocktail table
          [cocktail table] n (1946): coffee table

   cock-up
          [cock-up] n (ca. 1948) Brit: mess 3b

   cocky
          [cocky] adj cock.i.er ; -est (1768) 1: boldly or brashly
          self-confident 2: jaunty -- cock.i.ly adv -- cock.i.ness
          n

   coco
          [co.co] n, pl cocos [Sp coco & Pg coco bogeyman, grimace,
          coconut] (1555): the coconut palm; also: its fruit

   cocoa
          [co.coa] n [modif. of Sp cacao] (1788) 1 a: powdered ground
          roasted cacao beans from which a portion of the fat has
          been removed b: a beverage prepared by heating cocoa
          with water or milk 2: cacao 2 3: a medium brown color

   cocoa bean
          [cocoa bean] n (1855): cacao 1

   cocoa butter
          [cocoa butter] n (ca. 1891): a pale vegetable fat with a
          low melting point obtained from cacao beans

   coconut
          [co.co.nut] n (1613) 1: the drupaceous fruit of the coconut
          palm whose outer fibrous husk yields coir and whose nut
          contains thick edible meat and coconut milk 2: the edible
          meat of the coconut

   coconut crab
          [coconut crab] n (ca. 1889): a large edible coconut-eating
          burrowing land crab (Birgus latro) widely distributed
          about islands of the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans

   coconut oil
          [coconut oil] n (1838): a nearly colorless fatty oil or white
          semisolid fat extracted from fresh coconuts and used
          esp. in making soaps and food products

   coconut palm
          [coconut palm] n (1852): a tall pinnate-leaved coconut-bearing
          palm (Cocos nucifera) that grows along tropical coasts

   [1]cocoon
          [co.coon] n [F cocon, fr. Prov coucoun, fr. coco shell, prob.
          fr. L coccum kermes (thought to be a gall or berry),
          fr. Gk kokkos berry, kermes] (1699) 1 a: an envelope
          often largely of silk which an insect larva forms about
          itself and in which it passes the pupa stage b: any of
          various other protective coverings produced by animals
          2 a: a covering suggesting a cocoon b: a protective covering
          placed or sprayed over military or naval equipment in
          storage [2]cocoon vt (1881): to wrap or envelop in or
          as if in a cocoon

   cocotte
          [co.cotte] n, pl cocottes [F] (1867) 1: prostitute 2: a shallow
          individual baking dish usu. with one or two handles

   cocoyam
          [co.co.yam] n [prob. coco + yam] (1922) 1: taro 2: yautia

   cocurricular
          [co.cur.ric.u.lar] adj (1949): being outside of but usu.
          complementing the regular curriculum

   cod
          [cod] n, pl cod also cods [ME] (14c) 1: any of various
          bottom-dwelling fishes (family Gadidae, the cod family) that usu.
          occur in cold marine waters and often have barbels and three dorsal
          fins: as a: one (Gadus morhua) of the No. Atlantic that
          is an important food fish b: one (Gadus macrocephalus) of the
          Pacific Ocean 2: any of various bony fishes resembling the true
          cods

   cod
          [cod] abbreviation codex  COD abbreviation carrier onboard
          delivery, cash on delivery, collect on delivery

   coda
          [co.da] n [It, lit., tail, fr. L cauda] (ca. 1753) 1 a: a
          concluding musical section that is formally distinct
          from the main structure b: a concluding part of a literary
          or dramatic work 2: something that serves to round out,
          conclude, or summarize yet has its own interest

   coddle
          [cod.dle] vt cod.dled ; cod.dling [perh. fr. caudle] (1598)
          1: to cook (as eggs) in liquid slowly and gently just
          below the boiling point 2: to treat with extreme care:
          pamper -- cod.dler n

   [1]code
          [code] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L caudex, codex trunk of a tree,
          document formed orig. from wooden tablets] (14c) 1: a
          systematic statement of a body of law; esp: one given
          statutory force 2: a system of principles or rules <moral
          ~> <dress ~> 3 a: a system of signals or symbols for
          communication b: a system of symbols (as letters, numbers,
          or words) used to represent assigned and often secret
          meanings 4: genetic code 5: a set of instructions for
          a computer -- code.less adj [2]code vb cod.ed ; cod.ing
          vt (1815): to put in or into the form or symbols of a
          code ~ vi: to specify the genetic code <a gene that ~s
          for a protein> -- cod.able adj -- cod.er n

   codebook
          [code.book] n (1884): a book containing an alphabetical list
          of words or expressions with their code equivalents

   codeine
          [co.deine] n [F codeine, fr. Gk kodeia poppyhead] (1881):
          a morphine derivative that is found in opium, is weaker
          in action than morphine, and is used esp. in cough remedies

   code name
          [code name] n (1919): a designation having a secret meaning
          -- code-name vt

   codependence
          [co.de.pen.dence] n (1989): codependency

   codependency
          [co.de.pen.den.cy] n (1987): a psychological condition or
          a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated
          by another who is affected with a pathological condition
          (as an addiction to alcohol or heroin) -- co.de.pen.dent
          n or adj

   codetermination
          [co.de.ter.mi.na.tion] n (1949): the participation of labor
          with management in determining business policy

   code word
          [code word] n (1884) 1: code name 2: euphemism

   codex
          [co.dex] n, pl co.di.ces [L] (1670): a manuscript book esp.
          of Scripture, classics, or ancient annals

   codfish
          [cod.fish] n (14c): cod; also: its flesh used as food

   codger
          [cod.ger] n [prob. alter. of cadger] (1756): an often mildly
          eccentric and usu. elderly fellow <old ~>

   codicil
          [cod.i.cil] n [MF codicille, fr. L codicillus, dim. of codic-,
          codex] (15c) 1: a legal instrument made to modify an
          earlier will 2: appendix, supplement -- cod.i.cil.la.ry
          adj

   codicology
          [co.di.col.o.gy] n [L codic-, codex + -o- + E -logy] (1953):
          the study of manuscripts as cultural artifacts for historical
          purposes -- co.di.co.log.i.cal adj

   codify
          [cod.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (ca. 1800) 1: to reduce to
          a code 2 a: systematize b: classify -- cod.i.fi.abil.i.ty
          n -- cod.i.fi.ca.tion n

   [1]codling
          [cod.ling] n (13c) 1: a young cod 2: any of several hakes
          (esp. genus Urophycis) [2]cod.ling or cod.lin n [alter.
          of ME querdlyng] (15c): a small immature apple; also:
          any of several elongated greenish English cooking apples

   codling moth
          [codling moth] n (1747): a small tortricid moth (Cydia pomonella)
          having larvae that live in apples, pears, quinces, and
          English walnuts

   cod-liver oil
          [cod-liver oil] n (1783): an oil obtained from the liver
          of the cod and closely related fishes and used as a source
          of vitamins A and D

   codominant
          [co.dom.i.nant] adj (ca. 1900) 1 a: forming part of the main
          canopy of a forest <~ trees> b: sharing in the controlling
          influence of a biotic community 2: being fully expressed
          in the heterozygous condition <~ alleles> -- codominant
          n

   codon
          [co.don] n [[1]code + [2]-on] (1963): a specific sequence
          of three consecutive nucleotides that is part of the
          genetic code and that specifies a particular amino acid
          in a protein or starts or stops protein synthesis

   codpiece
          [cod.piece] n [ME codpese, fr. cod bag, scrotum (fr. OE codd)
          + pese piece] (15c): a flap or bag concealing an opening
          in the front of men's breeches esp. in the 15th and 16th
          centuries

   codswallop
          [cods.wal.lop] n [origin unknown] (1963) Brit: nonsense

   [1]coed
          [co.ed] adj (1889) 1: of or relating to a coed 2: of or relating
          to coeducation 3: open to or used by both men and women
          [2]coed n [short for coeducational student] (ca. 1893):
          a student and esp. a female student in a coeducational
          institution

   coeducation
          [co.ed.u.ca.tion] n (1852): the education of students of
          both sexes at the same institution -- co.ed.u.ca.tion.al
          adj -- co.ed.u.ca.tion.al.ly adv

   coeff
          [coeff] or coef abbreviation coefficient

   coefficient
          [co.ef.fi.cient] n [NL coefficient-, coefficiens, fr. L co-
          + efficient-, efficiens efficient] (ca. 1715) 1: any
          of the factors of a product considered in relation to
          a specific factor; esp: a constant factor of a term as
          distinguished from a variable 2 a: a number that serves
          as a measure of some property or characteristic (as of
          a substance, device, or process) <~ of expansion of a
          metal> b: measure

   coefficient of correlation
          [coefficient of correlation] (1896): correlation coefficient

   coefficient of viscosity
          [coefficient of viscosity] (1866): viscosity 3

   coelacanth
          [coe.la.canth] n [ultim. fr. Gk koilos hollow + akantha spine--more
          at cave] (1857): any of an order (Coelacanthiformes) of lobe-finned
          fishes known chiefly from Paleozoic and Mesozoic fossils

   -coele
          [-coele] or -coel n comb form [prob. fr. NL -coela, fr. neut.
          pl. of -coelus hollow, concave, fr. Gk -koilos, fr. koilos]:
          cavity: chamber: ventricle <blastocoel> <enterocoele>

   coelenterate
          [coe.len.ter.ate] n [ultim. fr. Gk koilos + enteron intestine--more
          at inter-] (1872): any of a phylum (Cnidaria syn. Coelenterata)
          of radially symmetrical invertebrate animals including the corals,
          sea anemones, jellyfishes, and hydroids--called also cnidarian
          -- coelenterate adj

   coelenteron
          [coe.len.ter.on] n, pl -tera [NL, fr. Gk koilos + enteron]
          (1893): the internal cavity of a coelenterate

   coeliac
          [coe.li.ac] var of celiac

   coelom
          [coe.lom] n, pl coeloms or coe.lo.ma.ta [G, fr. Gk koiloma
          cavity, fr. koilos] (1878): the usu. epithelium-lined
          space between the body wall and the digestive tract of
          metazoans above the lower worms -- coe.lo.mate adj or
          n -- coe.lo.mic adj

   coen-
          [coen-] or coeno- comb form [NL, fr. Gk koin-, koino-, fr.
          koinos]: common: general <coenocyte>

   coenobite
          [coe.no.bite] var of cenobite

   coenocyte
          [coe.no.cyte] n [ISV] (1897) 1 a: a multinucleate mass of
          protoplasm resulting from repeated nuclear division unaccompanied
          by cell fission b: an organism consisting of such a structure
          2: syncytium 1 -- coe.no.cyt.ic adj

   coenurus
          [coe.nu.rus] n, pl -nu.ri [NL, fr. coen- + Gk oura tail]
          (1876): a complex tapeworm larva consisting of a sac
          from the inner wall of which numerous scolices develop

   coenzyme
          [co.en.zyme] n (1908): a thermostable nonprotein compound
          that forms the active portion of an enzyme system after
          combination with an apoenzyme -- co.en.zy.mat.ic adj
          -- co.en.zy.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   coenzyme A
          [coenzyme A] n (1949): a coenzyme that occurs in all living
          cells and is essential to the metabolism of carbohydrates,
          fats, and some amino acids--compare acetyl coenzyme a

   coenzyme Q
          [coenzyme Q] n (1958): ubiquinone

   coequal
          [co.equal] adj (14c): equal with one another -- coequal n
          -- co.equal.i.ty n -- co.equal.ly adv

   coerce
          [co.erce] vt co.erced ; co.erc.ing [L coercere, fr. co- +
          arcere to shut up, enclose--more at ark] (15c) 1: to
          restrain or dominate by force <religion in the past has
          tried to ~ the irreligious --W. R. Inge> 2: to compel
          to an act or choice 3: to bring about by force or threat
          <~ the compliance of the rest of the community --Scott
          Buchanan> syn see force -- co.erc.ible adj

   coercion
          [co.er.cion] n (15c): the act, process, or power of coercing

   coercive
          [co.er.cive] adj (ca. 1600): serving or intended to coerce
          -- co.er.cive.ly adv -- co.er.cive.ness n

   coercive force
          [coercive force] n (1827): the opposing magnetic intensity
          that must be applied to a magnetized material to remove
          the residual magnetism

   coercivity
          [co.er.civ.i.ty] n (1898): the property of a material determined
          by the value of the coercive force when the material
          has been magnetized to saturation

   coetaneous
          [co.e.ta.ne.ous] adj [L coaetaneus, fr. co- + aetas age--more
          at age] (1608): coeval

   coeval
          [co.e.val] adj [L coaevus, fr. co- + aevum age, lifetime--more
          at aye] (ca. 1662): of the same or equal age, antiquity,
          or duration syn see contemporary -- coeval n -- co.e.val.i.ty
          n

   coevolution
          [co.evo.lu.tion] n (1965): evolution involving successive
          changes in two or more ecologically interdependent species
          (as of a plant and its pollinators) that affect their
          interactions -- co.evo.lu.tion.ary adj -- co.evolve vi

   coexist
          [co.ex.ist] vi (1667) 1: to exist together or at the same
          time 2: to live in peace with each other esp. as a matter
          of policy -- co.ex.is.tence n -- co.ex.is.tent adj

   coextensive
          [co.ex.ten.sive] adj (1771): having the same spatial or temporal
          scope or boundaries -- co.ex.ten.sive.ly adv

   cofactor
          [co.fac.tor] n (ca. 1909) 1: the signed minor of an element
          of a square matrix or of a determinant with the sign
          positive if the sum of the column number and row number
          of the element is even and with the sign negative if
          it is odd 2: a substance that acts with another substance
          to bring about certain effects; esp: coenzyme

   coffee
          [cof.fee] n, often attrib [It & Turk; It caffe, fr. Turk
          kahve, fr. Ar qahwa] (1598) 1 a: a beverage made by percolation,
          infusion, or decoction from the roasted and ground seeds
          of a coffee plant b: any of several Old World tropical
          plants (genus Coffea and esp. C. arabica and C. canephora)
          of the madder family that are widely cultivated in warm
          regions for their seeds from which coffee is prepared
          c: coffee seeds esp. roasted and often ground--compare
          arabica, robusta d: a dehydrated product made from brewed
          coffee <instant ~>; also: a beverage made from this 2:
          a cup of coffee <two ~s> 3: coffee hour

   coffee break
          [coffee break] n (1951): a short period for rest and refreshments

   coffee cake
          [coffee cake] n (1879): a sweet rich bread often with added
          fruit, nuts, and spices that is sometimes glazed after
          baking

   coffee hour
          [coffee hour] n (1952) 1: a usu. fixed occasion of informal
          meeting and chatting at which refreshments are served
          2: coffee break

   coffeehouse
          [cof.fee.house] n (1612): an establishment that sells coffee
          and usu. other refreshments and that commonly serves
          as an informal club for its regular customers

   coffee klatch
          [coffee klatch] also cof.fee-klatsch n [part trans. of G
          Kaffeeklatsch] (1895): kaffeeklatsch

   coffeemaker
          [cof.fee.mak.er] n (1930): a utensil or appliance in which
          coffee is brewed

   coffee mill
          [coffee mill] n (1691): a mill for grinding coffee beans

   coffeepot
          [cof.fee.pot] n (1704): a pot for brewing and serving coffee

   coffee ring
          [coffee ring] n (1924): coffee cake in the shape of a ring

   coffee roll
          [coffee roll] n (1945): a sweet roll

   coffee room
          [coffee room] n (1712): a room where refreshments are served

   coffee royal
          [coffee royal] n (1921): a drink of black coffee and a liquor

   coffee shop
          [coffee shop] n (1836): a small restaurant

   coffee-table
          [coffee-table] adj (1962): of, relating to, or being an article
          (as a book or magazine) intended for display (as on a
          coffee table)

   coffee table
          [coffee table] n (1877): a low table customarily placed in
          front of a sofa--called also cocktail table

   coffee tree
          [coffee tree] n (1741) 1: a tree (as arabica) that produces
          coffee 2: kentucky coffee tree

   [1]coffer
          [cof.fer] n [ME coffre, fr. OF, fr. L cophinus basket, fr.
          Gk kophinos] (13c) 1: chest, box; esp: strongbox 2: treasury--usu.
          used in pl. 3: a recessed panel in a vault, ceiling, or soffit
          [2]coffer vt (14c) 1: to store or hoard up in a coffer 2: to form
          (as a ceiling) with recessed panels

   cofferdam
          [cof.fer.dam] n (1736) 1: a watertight enclosure from which
          water is pumped to expose the bottom of a body of water
          and permit construction (as of a pier) 2: a watertight
          structure for making repairs below the waterline of a
          ship

   [1]coffin
          [cof.fin] n [ME, basket, receptacle, fr. MF cofin, fr. L
          cophinus] (1525): a box or chest for burying a corpse
          [2]coffin vt (1564): to enclose in or as if in a coffin

   coffin bone
          [coffin bone] n (ca. 1720): the principal bone enclosed within
          the hoof of a horse--called also pedal bone

   coffin corner
          [coffin corner] n (1940): one of the corners formed by a
          goal line and a sideline on a football field into which
          a punt is often aimed so that it may go out of bounds
          close to the defender's goal line

   coffin nail
          [coffin nail] n (1888) slang: cigarette

   coffle
          [cof.fle] n [Ar qafila caravan] (1799): a train of slaves
          or animals fastened together

   cofunction
          [co.func.tion] n (1909): a trigonometric function whose value
          for the complement of an angle is equal to the value
          of a given trigonometric function of the angle itself
          <the sine is the ~ of the cosine>

   [1]cog
          [cog] n [ME cogge, of Scand origin; akin to Norw kug cog]
          (13c) 1: a tooth on the rim of a wheel or gear 2: a subordinate
          but vital person or part -- cogged adj [2]cog vb cogged
          ; cog.ging [obs. cog a trick] vi (1532) 1 obs: to cheat
          in throwing dice 2 obs: deceive 3 obs: to use venal flattery
          ~ vt 1: to direct the fall of (dice) fraudulently 2 obs:
          wheedle [3]cog vt cogged ; cog.ging [prob. alter. of
          cock to cog] (1823): to connect (as timbers or joists)
          by means of mortises and tenons [4]cog n (ca. 1858):
          a tenon on a beam or timber

   cog
          [cog] abbreviation cognate

   cogency
          [co.gen.cy] n (1667): the quality or state of being cogent

   cogeneration
          [co.gen.e.ra.tion] n (1978): the production of electricity
          using waste heat (as in steam) from an industrial process
          or the use of steam from electric power generation as
          a source of heat -- co.gen.er.a.tor n

   cogent
          [co.gent] adj [L cogent-, cogens, prp. of cogere to drive
          together, collect, fr. co- + agere to drive--more at
          agent] (1659) 1: having power to compel or constrain
          <~ forces> 2 a: appealing forcibly to the mind or reason:
          convincing <~ evidence> b: pertinent, relevant <a ~ analysis
          of a problem> syn see valid -- co.gent.ly adv

   cogitable
          [cog.i.ta.ble] adj (15c): conceivable, thinkable

   cogitate
          [cog.i.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L cogitatus, pp. of cogitare
          to think, think about, fr. co- + agitare to drive, agitate]
          vt (ca. 1587): to ponder or meditate on usu. intently
          ~ vi: to meditate deeply or intently syn see think

   cogitation
          [cog.i.ta.tion] n (13c) 1 a: the act of cogitating: meditation
          b: the capacity to think or reflect 2: a single thought

   cogitative
          [cog.i.ta.tive] adj (15c) 1: of or relating to cogitation
          2: capable of or given to cogitation

   cogito
          [co.gi.to] n [NL cogito, ergo sum, lit., I think, therefore
          I am, principle stated by Rene Descartes] (1838) 1: the
          philosophic principle that one's existence is demonstrated
          by the fact that one thinks 2: the intellectual processes
          of the self or ego

   cogito, ergo sum
          [co.gi.to, er.go sum] [L] foreign term : I think, therefore
          I exist

   cognac
          [co.gnac] n [F, fr. Cognac, France] (1755): a brandy from
          the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime distilled
          from white wine

   [1]cognate
          [cog.nate] adj [L cognatus, fr. co- + gnatus, natus, pp.
          of nasci to be born; akin to L gignere to beget--more
          at kin] (ca. 1645) 1: of the same or similar nature:
          generically alike 2: related by blood; also: related
          on the mother's side 3 a: related by descent from the
          same ancestral language b of a word or morpheme: related
          by derivation, borrowing, or descent c of a substantive:
          related to a verb usu. by derivation and serving as its
          object to reinforce the meaning -- cog.nate.ly adv [2]cognate
          n (1754): one that is cognate with another

   cognation
          [cog.na.tion] n (14c): cognate relationship

   cognition
          [cog.ni.tion] n [ME cognicioun, fr. L cognition-, cognitio,
          fr. cognoscere to become acquainted with, know, fr. co-
          + gnoscere to come to know--more at know] (15c): the
          act or process of knowing including both awareness and
          judgment; also: a product of this act -- cog.ni.tion.al
          adj

   cognitive
          [cog.ni.tive] adj (1586) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          cognition <the ~ elements of perception --C. H. Hamburg>
          2: based on or capable of being reduced to empirical
          factual knowledge -- cog.ni.tive.ly adv

   cognitive dissonance
          [cognitive dissonance] n (1957): psychological conflict resulting
          from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously

   cognitive science
          [cognitive science] n (1976): an interdisciplinary science
          that draws on many fields (as psychology, artificial
          intelligence, linguistics, and philosophy) in developing
          theories about human perception, thinking, and learning

   cognizable
          [cog.ni.za.ble] adj (1678) 1: capable of being known 2: capable
          of being judicially heard and determined -- cog.ni.za.bly
          adv

   cognizance
          [cog.ni.zance] n [ME conisaunce, fr. MF conoissance, fr.
          conoistre to know, fr. L cognoscere] (14c) 1: a distinguishing
          mark or emblem (as a heraldic bearing) 2 a: knowledge,
          awareness <had no ~ of the situation> b: notice, acknowledgment
          <take ~ of their achievement> 3: jurisdiction, responsibility

   cognizant
          [cog.ni.zant] adj (1820): knowledgeable of something esp.
          through personal experience; also: mindful syn see aware

   cognize
          [cog.nize] vt cog.nized ; cog.niz.ing [back-formation fr.
          cognizance] (ca. 1837): know, understand -- cog.niz.er
          n

   cognomen
          [cog.no.men] n, pl cognomens or cog.no.mi.na [L, irreg. fr.
          co- + nomen name--more at name] (1809) 1: surname; esp:
          the third of usu. three names borne by a male citizen
          of ancient Rome 2: name; esp: a distinguishing nickname
          or epithet -- cog.nom.i.nal adj

   cognoscente
          [co.gno.scen.te] n, pl -scen.ti [obs. It (now conoscente),
          fr. cognoscente, adj., wise, fr. L cognoscent-, cognoscens,
          prp. of cognoscere] (1776): a person who is esp. knowledgeable
          in a subject: connoisseur

   cognoscible
          [cog.nos.ci.ble] adj [LL cognoscibilis, fr. L cognoscere]
          (ca. 1644): cognizable, knowable

   cogon
          [co.gon] n [Sp cogon, fr. Tag & Bisayan kugon] (1898): any
          of several coarse tall grasses (genus Imperata) used
          esp. in the Philippines for thatching

   cog railway
          [cog railway] n (1896): a steep mountain railroad that has
          a rail with cogs engaged by a cogwheel on the locomotive
          to ensure traction

   cogwheel
          [cog.wheel] n (14c): a wheel with cogs: gear 6a(2)

   cohabit
          [co.hab.it] vi [LL cohabitare, fr. L co- + habitare to inhabit,
          fr. freq. of habere to have--more at give] (ca. 1530)
          1: to live together as or as if a married couple 2 a:
          to live together or in company <buffaloes ~ing with crossbred
          cows --Biol. Abstracts> b: to exist together <two strains
          in his philosophy ... ~ in each of his major works --Justus
          Buchler> -- co.hab.i.tant n -- co.hab.i.ta.tion n

   cohere
          [co.here] vb co.hered ; co.her.ing [L cohaerere, fr. co-
          + haerere to stick] vi (1598) 1 a: to hold together firmly
          as parts of the same mass; broadly: stick, adhere b:
          to display cohesion of plant parts 2: to hold together
          as a mass of parts that cohere 3 a: to become united
          in principles, relationships, or interests b: to be logically
          or aesthetically consistent ~ vt: to cause (parts or
          components) to cohere syn see stick

   coherence
          [co.her.ence] n (1580) 1: the quality or state of cohering:
          as a: systematic or logical connection or consistency
          b: integration of diverse elements, relationships, or
          values 2: the property of being coherent

   coherency
          [co.her.en.cy] n, pl -cies (1630): coherence

   coherent
          [co.her.ent] adj [MF or L; MF coherent, fr. L cohaerent-,
          cohaerens, prp. of cohaerere] (ca. 1555) 1 a: logically
          or aesthetically ordered or integrated: consistent <~
          style> <a ~ argument> b: having clarity or intelligibility:
          understandable <a ~ person> <a ~ passage> 2: having the
          quality of cohering; esp: cohesive, coordinated <a ~
          plan for action> 3 a: relating to or composed of waves
          having a constant difference in phase <~ light> b: producing
          coherent light <a ~ source> -- co.her.ent.ly adv

   coherer
          [co.her.er] n (1894): a radio detector in which an imperfectly
          conducting contact between pieces of conductive material
          loosely resting against each other is materially improved
          in conductance by the passage of high-frequency current

   cohesion
          [co.he.sion] n [L cohaesus, pp. of cohaerere] (1660) 1: the
          act or state of sticking together tightly; esp: unity
          <the lack of ~ in the Party --Times Lit. Supp.> 2: union
          between similar plant parts or organs 3: molecular attraction
          by which the particles of a body are united throughout
          the mass -- co.he.sion.less adj

   cohesive
          [co.he.sive] adj (ca. 1731): exhibiting or producing cohesion
          or coherence <a ~ social unit> <~ soils> -- co.he.sive.ly
          adv -- co.he.sive.ness n

   coho
          [co.ho] n, pl cohos or coho [Halkomelem (Salishan language
          of southwest British Columbia) k'wexweth] (1869): a rather
          small Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) that has
          light-colored flesh and is native to both coasts of the
          No. Pacific and is stocked in the Great Lakes

   cohomology
          [co.ho.mol.o.gy] n (ca. 1959): a part of the theory of topology
          in which groups are used to study the properties of topological
          spaces and which is related in a complementary way to
          homology theory--called also cohomology theory --
          co.ho.mo.log.i.cal adj

   cohort
          [co.hort] n [MF & L; MF cohorte, fr. L cohort-, cohors--more
          at court] (15c) 1 a: one of 10 divisions of an ancient
          Roman legion b: a group of warriors or soldiers c: band,
          group d: a group of individuals having a statistical
          factor (as age or class membership) in common in a demographic
          study <a ~ of premedical students> 2: companion, colleague
          <a few of their ... ~s decided to form a company --Burt
          Hochberg>

   cohosh
          [co.hosh] n [Eastern Abenaki kkwahas] (1789): any of several
          American medicinal or poisonous plants: as a: black cohosh
          b: blue cohosh c: baneberry

   [1]coif
          [coif] n [ME coife, fr. MF, fr. LL cofea] (14c) 1: a close-fitting
          cap: as a: a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nuns b: a protective
          usu. metal skullcap formerly worn under a hood of mail c: a white
          cap formerly worn by English lawyers and esp. by serjeants-at-law;
          also: the order or rank of a serjeant-at-law 2: coiffure [2]coif
          vt coiffed or coifed ; coif.fing or coif.ing (15c) 1: to cover
          or dress with or as if with a coif 2: to arrange (hair)
          by brushing, combing, or curling

   coiffeur
          [coif.feur] n [F, fr. coiffer] (1847): a man who is a hairdresser

   coiffeuse
          [coif.feuse] n [F, fem. of coiffeur] (1870): a woman who
          is a hairdresser

   coiffure
          [coif.fure] n [F, fr. coiffer to cover with a coif, arrange
          (hair), fr. coife] (ca. 1631): a style or manner of arranging
          the hair

   coiffured
          [coif.fured] adj (1907) 1: being dressed <beautifully ~ hair>
          2: having the hair brushed, combed, and curled <stylishly
          ~ women>

   coign of vantage
          [coign of van.tage] [coign, earlier spelling of [1]coin (corner)]
          (1605): an advantageous position

   [1]coil
          [coil] n [origin unknown] (1567) 1: turmoil 2: trouble; also:
          everyday cares and worries <when we have shuffled off
          this mortal ~ --Shak.> [2]coil vb [F coillir, cuillir
          to gather--more at cull] vt (1611) 1: to wind into rings
          or spirals 2: to roll or twist into a shape resembling
          a coil ~ vi 1: to move in a circular or spiral course
          2: to form or lie in a coil -- coil.abil.i.ty n [3]coil
          n (1627) 1 a (1): a series of loops (2): spiral b: a
          single loop of such a coil 2 a: a number of turns of
          wire wound around a core (as of iron) to create a magnetic
          field for an electromagnet or an induction coil b: induction
          coil 3: a series of connected pipes in rows, layers,
          or windings 4: a roll of postage stamps; also: a stamp
          from such a roll

   [1]coin
          [coin] n [ME, fr. MF, wedge, corner, fr. L cuneus wedge]
          (14c) 1 archaic a: corner, cornerstone, quoin b: wedge
          2 a: a usu. flat piece of metal issued by governmental
          authority as money b: metal money c: something resembling
          a coin esp. in shape 3: something used as if it were
          money (as in verbal or intellectual exchange) <perhaps
          wisecracks ... are respectable literary ~ in the U.S.
          --Times Lit. Supp.> <would repay him with the full ~
          of his mind --Ian Fleming> 4: something having two different
          and usu. opposing sides--usu. used in the phrase the
          other side of the coin 5: money <I'm in it for the ~
          --Sinclair Lewis> [2]coin vt (14c) 1 a: to make (a coin)
          esp. by stamping: mint b: to convert (metal) into coins
          2: create, invent <~ a phrase> -- coin.er n -- coin money
          : to get rich quickly [3]coin adj (ca. 1566) 1: of or
          relating to coins 2: operated by coins

   coinage
          [coin.age] n (14c) 1: the act or process of coining 2 a:
          coins b: something (as a word) made up or invented

   coincide
          [co.in.cide] vi -cid.ed ; -cid.ing [ML coincidere, fr. L
          co- + incidere to fall on, fr. in- + cadere to fall--more
          at chance] (1719) 1 a: to occupy the same place in space
          or time b: to occupy exactly corresponding or equivalent
          positions on a scale or in a series 2: to correspond
          in nature, character, or function 3: to be in accord
          or agreement: concur syn see agree

   coincidence
          [co.in.ci.dence] n (1605) 1: the act or condition of coinciding:
          correspondence 2: the occurrence of events that happen
          at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection;
          also: any of these occurrences

   coincident
          [co.in.ci.dent] adj [F coincident, fr. ML coincident-, coincidens,
          prp. of coincidere] (ca. 1587) 1: of similar nature: harmonious
          <a theory ~ with the facts> 2: occupying the same space or time
          <~ events> syn see contemporary -- co.in.ci.dent.ly adv

   coincidental
          [co.in.ci.den.tal] adj (ca. 1800) 1: resulting from a coincidence
          2: occurring or existing at the same time -- co.in.ci.den.tal.ly
          adv

   coin-op
          [coin-op] n (1961): a self-service laundry where the machines
          are operated by coins

   coinsurance
          [co.in.sur.ance] n (ca. 1889) 1: joint assumption of risk
          (as by two underwriters) with another 2: insurance (as
          fire insurance) in which the insured is obligated to
          maintain coverage on a risk at a stipulated percentage
          of its total value or in the event of loss suffer a penalty
          in proportion to the deficiency

   coinsure
          [co.in.sure] vt (ca. 1899): to insure jointly -- co.in.sur.er
          n

   coir
          [coir] n [Tamil kayiru rope] (1582): a stiff coarse fiber
          from the outer husk of a coconut

   coistrel
          [cois.trel] n [MF coustillier soldier carrying a short sword,
          fr. coustille short sword, fr. L cultellus knife--more
          at cutlass] (1581) archaic: a mean fellow: varlet

   coition
          [co.i.tion] n [LL, fr. L coition-, coitio a coming together,
          fr. coire to come together, fr. co- + ire to go--more
          at issue] (1615): coitus -- co.i.tion.al adj

   coitus
          [co.i.tus] n [L, fr. coire] (1855): physical union of male
          and female genitalia accompanied by rhythmic movements
          usu. leading to the ejaculation of semen from the penis
          into the female reproductive tract; also: intercourse
          3--compare orgasm -- co.i.tal adj -- co.i.tal.ly adv

   coitus interruptus
          [coitus in.ter.rup.tus] n [NL, interrupted coitus] (1900):
          coitus in which the penis is withdrawn prior to ejaculation
          to prevent the deposit of sperm into the vagina

   [1]coke
          [coke] n [perh. fr. dial. coke, colk core, fr. ME; akin to
          Sw kalk pith] (1669): the residue of coal left after
          destructive distillation and used as fuel; also: a similar
          residue left by other materials (as petroleum) distilled
          to dryness [2]coke vb coked ; cok.ing vt (1763): to change
          into coke ~ vi: to become coke or like coke [3]coke n
          [by shortening & alter.] (ca. 1903): cocaine Coke trademark--used
          for a cola drink

   cokehead
          [coke.head] n (ca. 1927): a person who uses cocaine compulsively

   col
          [col] n [F, fr. MF, neck, fr. L collum] (1853): saddle 3

   col
          [col] abbreviation colonial, colony, color, colored, column,
          counsel  col or coll abbreviation collateral, collect,
          collected, collection, college, collegiate  Col abbreviation
          colonel, Colorado, Colossians  COL abbreviation colonel,
          cost of living

   [1]col-
          [col-] --see com- [2]col- or coli- or colo- comb form [NL,
          fr. L colon] 1: colon <colitis> <colostomy> 2 [NL Escherichia
          coli, species of colon bacillus]: colon bacillus <coliform>

   [1]cola
          [cola] pl of colon [2]co.la n [fr. Coca-Cola, a trademark]
          (1920): a carbonated soft drink colored usu. with caramel
          and flavored usu. with extracts from kola nuts

   COLA
          [COLA] abbreviation cost-of-living allowance

   colander
          [col.an.der] n [ME colyndore, prob. modif. of OProv colador,
          fr. ML colatorium, fr. L colare to sieve, fr. colum sieve]
          (14c): a perforated utensil for washing or draining food

   colatitude
          [co.lat.i.tude] n (1790): the complement of the latitude

   Colby
          [Col.by] n [prob. fr. the name Colby] (1942): a moist mild
          cheese similar to cheddar

   colcannon
          [col.can.non] n [Ir cal ceannan, lit., white-headed cabbage]
          (ca. 1785): potatoes and cabbage boiled and mashed together
          with butter and seasoning

   colchicine
          [col.chi.cine] n (ca. 1847): a poisonous alkaloid that inhibits
          mitosis, is extracted from the corms or seeds of the
          autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), and is used esp.
          in the treatment of gout and to produce polyploidy in
          plants

   colchicum
          [col.chi.cum] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, a kind of plant with
          a poisonous root, fr. Gk kolchikon, lit., product of
          Colchis] (1597) 1: any of a genus (Colchicum) of Old
          World corm-producing herbs of the lily family with flowers
          that resemble crocuses 2: the dried corm or dried seeds
          of autumn crocus containing colchicine, possessing emetic,
          diuretic, and cathartic action, and used to treat gout

   [1]cold
          [cold] adj [ME, fr. OE ceald, cald; akin to OHG kalt cold,
          L gelu frost, gelare to freeze] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having
          or being a temperature that is uncomfortably low for
          humans <it is ~ outside today> <a ~ drafty attic> b:
          having a relatively low temperature or one lower than
          normal or expected <the bath water has gotten ~> <trying
          to heat it with a ~ flame> c: not heated: as (1) of food:
          served without heating esp. after initial cooking or
          processing <~ cereal> <~ roast beef> (2): served chilled
          or with ice <a ~ drink> (3): involving processing without
          the use of heat <~ working of steel> 2 a: marked by a
          lack of the warmth of normal human emotion, friendliness,
          or compassion <a ~ stare> <got a ~ reception>; also:
          not moved to enthusiasm <the movie leaves me ~> b: not
          colored or affected by personal feeling or bias: detached,
          indifferent <~ chronicles recorded by an outsider --Andrew
          Sarris>; also: impersonal, objective <~ facts> <~ reality>
          c: marked by sure familiarity: pat <had her lines ~ weeks
          before opening night> 3: conveying the impression of
          being cold: as a: depressing, gloomy <~ gray skies> b:
          cool  6a 4 a: marked by the loss of normal body heat
          <~ hands>; esp: dead b: giving the appearance of being
          dead: unconscious <passed out ~> 5 a: having lost freshness
          or vividness: stale <dogs trying to pick up a ~ scent>
          <had to transcribe ~ notes> b: far off the mark: not
          close to finding or solving--used esp. in children's
          games c: marked by poor or unlucky performance <the team's
          shooting turned ~ in the second half> d: not prepared
          or suitably warmed up -- cold.ish adj -- cold.ly adv
          -- cold.ness n -- in cold blood : with premeditation:
          deliberately [2]cold n (13c) 1: bodily sensation produced
          by loss or lack of heat <they died of the ~> 2: a condition
          of low temperature <extremes of heat and ~>; esp: cold
          weather 3: a bodily disorder popularly associated with
          chilling; specif: common cold -- out in the cold : deprived
          of benefits given others: neglected <the plan benefits
          management but leaves labor out in the cold> [3]cold
          adv (1889) 1: with utter finality: absolutely, completely
          <turned down ~>; also: abruptly <stopped them ~> 2 a:
          without introduction or advance notice <walked in ~ for
          an appointment> b: without preparation or warm-up <was
          asked to perform the solo ~>

   cold-blooded
          [cold-blood.ed] adj (1595) 1 a: done or acting without
          consideration, compunction, or clemency <~ murder> b:
          matter-of-fact, emotionless <a ~ assessment> 2: having cold blood;
          specif: having a body temperature not internally regulated but
          approximating that of the environment 3 or cold.blood : of mixed
          or inferior breeding 4: noticeably sensitive to cold
          -- cold-blood.ed.ly adv -- cold-blood.ed.ness n

   cold cash
          [cold cash] n (1925): money in hand

   cold chisel
          [cold chisel] n (1699): a chisel made of tool steel of a
          strength, shape, and temper suitable for chipping or
          cutting cold metal

   coldcock
          [cold.cock] vt [perh. [2]cock] (ca. 1927): to knock unconscious

   cold comfort
          [cold comfort] n (1906): quite limited sympathy, consolation,
          or encouragement

   cold cream
          [cold cream] n (1709): a soothing and cleansing cosmetic

   cold cuts
          [cold cuts] n pl (1945): sliced assorted cold cooked meats

   cold duck
          [cold duck] n [trans. of G Kalte Ente] (1969): a beverage
          that consists of a blend of sparkling burgundy and champagne

   cold-eyed
          [cold-eyed] adj (1950): cold in manner or appearance; esp:
          coolly dispassionate <~ analysis>

   cold feet
          [cold feet] n pl (1893): apprehension or doubt strong enough
          to prevent a planned course of action

   cold fish
          [cold fish] n (1924): a cold aloof person

   cold frame
          [cold frame] n (1851): a usu. glass- or plastic-covered frame
          without artificial heat used to protect plants and seedlings
          outdoors

   cold front
          [cold front] n (1921): an advancing edge of a cold air mass

   coldhearted
          [cold.heart.ed] adj (1606): marked by lack of sympathy, interest,
          or sensitivity -- cold.heart.ed.ly adv -- cold.heart.ed.ness
          n

   cold shoulder
          [cold shoulder] n (1816): intentionally cold or unsympathetic
          treatment -- cold-shoulder vt

   cold sore
          [cold sore] n (ca. 1889): a group of blisters appearing about
          or within the mouth and caused by a herpes simplex virus

   cold storage
          [cold storage] n (1877) 1: storage (as of food) in a cold
          place for preservation 2: a condition of being held or
          continued without being acted on: abeyance

   cold store
          [cold store] n (1895): a building for cold storage

   cold sweat
          [cold sweat] n (1706): concurrent perspiration and chill
          usu. associated with fear, pain, or shock

   [1]cold turkey
          [cold turkey] n (1921) 1: abrupt complete cessation of the
          use of an addictive drug; also: the symptoms experienced
          by a person undergoing withdrawal from a drug 2: unrelieved
          blunt language or procedure 3: a cold aloof person --
          cold turkey vt [2]cold turkey adv (1941): without a period
          of gradual adjustment, adaptation, or withdrawal: all
          at once <quit smoking cold turkey>

   cold type
          [cold type] n (1949): composition or typesetting (as
          photocomposition) done without the casting of metal; specif: such
          composition produced directly on paper by a typewriter mechanism

   cold war
          [cold war] n (1945) 1: a conflict over ideological differences
          carried on by methods short of sustained overt military
          action and usu. without breaking off diplomatic relations;
          specif, often cap C&W: the ideological conflict between
          the U.S. and the U.S.S.R--compare hot war 2: a condition
          of rivalry, mistrust, and often open hostility short
          of violence esp. between power groups (as labor and management)

   cold warrior
          [cold warrior] n (1949): one that supports or is engaged
          in a cold war

   cold water
          [cold water] n (1808): depreciation of something as being
          ill-advised, unwarranted, or worthless <threw cold water
          on our hopes>

   cold-water
          [cold-water] adj (1942): having only running water without
          heat or utility services provided <a ~ flat>

   cold wave
          [cold wave] n (1876) 1: an unusually large and rapid drop
          in temperature over a short period of time (as 24 hours)
          2: a permanent wave set by a chemical preparation without
          the use of heat

   cole
          [cole] n [ME, fr. OE cal, fr. L caulis stem, cabbage; akin
          to Gk kaulos stem, Latvian kauls] (bef. 12c): any of
          several brassicas; esp: any of various crop plants (as
          broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
          and kohlrabi) derived from the same wild ancestor (Brassica
          oleracea)

   colemanite
          [cole.man.ite] n [William T. Coleman d. 1893 Am. businessman
          and mine owner] (1884): a mineral consisting of a hydrous
          calcium borate occurring in brilliant colorless or white
          massive monoclinic crystals

   coleoptera
          [co.le.op.tera] n pl [NL, ultim. fr. Gk koleon sheath + pteron
          wing--more at feather] (1873): insects that are beetles
          -- co.le.op.ter.ist n -- co.le.op.ter.ous adj

   coleopteran
          [co.le.op.ter.an] n (ca. 1847): [1]beetle 1 -- coleopteran
          adj

   coleoptile
          [co.le.op.tile] n [NL coleoptilum, fr. Gk koleon + ptilon
          down; akin to Gk pteron] (ca. 1866): the first leaf of
          a monocotyledon forming a protective sheath about the
          plumule

   coleorhiza
          [co.le.o.rhi.za] n, pl -zae [NL, fr. Gk koleon + NL -rhiza]
          (ca. 1866): the sheath investing the hypocotyl in some
          monocotyledonous plants through which the roots burst

   coleslaw
          [cole.slaw] n [D koolsla, fr. kool cabbage + sla salad] (1794):
          a salad made of raw sliced or chopped cabbage

   coleus
          [co.le.us] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk koleos, koleon sheath]
          (1885): any of a large genus (Coleus) of herbs of the
          mint family

   colewort
          [cole.wort] n (14c): cole; esp: one (as kale) that forms
          no head

   coli-
          [coli-] --see col-

   [1]colic
          [col.ic] n [ME, fr. MF colique, fr. LL colicus colicky, fr.
          Gk kolikos, fr. kolon, alter. of kolon colon] (15c):
          a paroxysm of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow
          organ and often caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting
          [2]colic adj (15c): of or relating to colic: colicky
          <~ crying> [3]co.lic adj (1615): of or relating to the
          colon <~ lymph nodes>

   colicin
          [co.li.cin] also co.li.cine n [F colicine, fr. col- + -cine
          (as in streptomycine streptomycin)] (1946): any of various
          antibacterial substances that are produced by strains
          of intestinal bacteria (as of Escherichia coli) having
          a specific plasmid and that often act to inhibit macromolecular
          synthesis in related strains

   colicky
          [col.icky] adj (1742) 1: relating to or associated with colic
          <~ pain> 2: suffering from colic <~ babies>

   colicroot
          [col.ic.root] n (1833): any of several plants having roots
          used in folk medicine to treat colic; esp: either of
          two bitter herbs (Aletris farinosa and A. aurea) of the
          lily family

   coliform
          [co.li.form] adj (1906): relating to, resembling, or being
          the colon bacillus -- coliform n

   colinear
          [co.lin.ear] adj (1927) 1: collinear 2: having corresponding
          parts arranged in the same linear order <a gene and the
          protein it determines are ~> -- co.lin.ear.i.ty n

   coliphage
          [co.li.phage] n (1944): any bacteriophage active against
          the colon bacillus

   coliseum
          [col.i.se.um] n [ML Colosseum, Colisseum] (ca. 1715) 1 cap:
          colosseum 1 2: a large sports stadium or building designed
          like the Colosseum for public entertainments

   colistin
          [co.lis.tin] n [NL colistinus, specific epithet of the bacterium
          producing it] (1951): a polymyxin produced by a bacterium
          (Bacillus polymyxa var. colistinus) from Japanese soil

   colitis
          [co.li.tis] n (ca. 1860): inflammation of the colon

   coll-
          [coll-] or collo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk koll-, kollo-, fr.
          kolla--more at protocol] 1: glue <collenchyma> 2: colloid
          <collotype>

   collaborate
          [col.lab.o.rate] vi -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [LL collaboratus,
          pp. of collaborare to labor together, fr. L com- + laborare
          to labor] (1871) 1: to work jointly with others or together
          esp. in an intellectual endeavor 2: to cooperate with
          or willingly assist an enemy of one's country and esp.
          an occupying force 3: to cooperate with an agency or
          instrumentality with which one is not immediately connected
          -- col.lab.o.ra.tion n -- col.lab.o.ra.tive adj or n
          -- col.lab.o.ra.tive.ly adv -- col.lab.o.ra.tor n

   collaborationism
          [col.lab.o.ra.tion.ism] n (1923): the advocacy or practice
          of collaboration with an enemy -- col.lab.o.ra.tion.ist
          adj or n

   collage
          [col.lage] n [F, lit., gluing, fr. coller to glue, fr. colle
          glue, fr. (assumed) VL colla, fr. Gk kolla] (1919) 1:
          an artistic composition made of various materials (as
          paper, cloth, or wood) glued on a surface 2: the art
          of making collages 3: an assembly of diverse fragments
          <a ~ of ideas> 4: a work (as a film) having disparate
          scenes in rapid succession without transitions -- collage
          vt -- col.lag.ist n

   collagen
          [col.la.gen] n [Gk kolla + ISV -gen] (ca. 1865): an insoluble
          fibrous protein that occurs in vertebrates as the chief
          constituent of connective tissue fibrils and in bones
          and yields gelatin and glue on prolonged heating with
          water -- col.lag.e.nous adj

   collagenase
          [col.la.ge.nase] n (1926): any of a group of proteolytic
          enzymes that decompose collagen and gelatin

   [1]collapse
          [col.lapse] vb col.lapsed ; col.laps.ing [L collapsus, pp.
          of collabi, fr. com- + labi to fall, slide--more at sleep]
          vi (1732) 1: to fall or shrink together abruptly and
          completely: fall into a jumbled or flattened mass through
          the force of external pressure <a blood vessel that collapsed>
          2: to break down completely: disintegrate <his case had
          collapsed in a mass of legal wreckage --Erle Stanley
          Gardner> 3: to cave or fall in or give way 4: to suddenly
          lose force, significance, effectiveness, or worth 5:
          to break down in vital energy, stamina, or self-control
          through exhaustion or disease; esp: to fall helpless
          or unconscious 6: to fold down into a more compact shape
          <a chair that ~s> ~ vt: to cause to collapse -- col.laps.ibil.i.ty
          n -- col.laps.ible adj [2]collapse n (1801) 1 a: a breakdown
          in vital energy, strength, or stamina b: a state of extreme
          prostration and physical depression (as from circulatory failure
          or great loss of body fluids) c: an airless state of all or part
          of a lung originating spontaneously or induced surgically 2: the
          act or action of collapsing <the cutting of many tent ropes, the
          ~ of the canvas --Rudyard Kipling> 3: a sudden failure: breakdown,
          ruin 4: a sudden loss of force, value, or effect <the ~ of respect
          for ancient law and custom --L. S. B. Leakey>

   [1]collar
          [col.lar] n [ME coler, fr. OF, fr. L collare, fr. collum
          neck; akin to OE heals neck, and prob. to OE hweol wheel--more
          at wheel] (14c) 1: a band, strip, or chain worn around
          the neck: as a: a band that serves to finish or decorate
          the neckline of a garment b: a short necklace c: a band
          placed about the neck of an animal d: a part of the harness
          of draft animals fitted over the shoulders and taking
          strain when a load is drawn e: an indication of control:
          a token of subservience f: a protective or supportive
          device (as a brace or cast) worn around the neck g: clerical
          collar 2: something resembling a collar in shape or use
          (as a ring or round flange to restrain motion or hold
          something in place) 3: any of various animal structures
          or markings similar to a collar 4: an act of collaring:
          arrest, capture -- col.lared adj -- col.lar.less adj
          [2]collar vt (1613) 1 a: to seize by the collar or neck
          b: arrest, grab c: to get control of: preempt <we can
          ~ nearly the whole of this market --Roald Dahl> d: to
          stop and detain in unwilling conversation 2: to put a
          collar on

   collarbone
          [col.lar.bone] n (15c): clavicle

   collar cell
          [collar cell] n (ca. 1889): a flagellated endodermal cell
          that lines the cavity of a sponge and has a contractile
          protoplasmic cup surrounding the flagellum--called also
          choanocyte

   collard
          [col.lard] n [alter. of colewort] (1755): a stalked smooth-leaved
          kale--usu. used in pl.

   collat
          [collat] abbreviation collateral

   collate
          [col.late] vt col.lat.ed ; col.lat.ing [back-formation fr.
          collation] (1612) 1 a: to compare critically b: to collect,
          compare carefully in order to verify, and often to integrate
          or arrange in order 2 [L collatus, pp.]: to institute
          (a cleric) to a benefice 3 a: to verify the order of
          (printed sheets) b: to assemble in proper order; esp:
          to assemble (as printed sheets) in order for binding
          syn see compare -- col.la.tor n

   [1]collateral
          [col.lat.er.al] adj [ME, prob. fr. MF, fr. ML collateralis,
          fr. L com- + lateralis lateral] (14c) 1 a: accompanying
          as secondary or subordinate: concomitant <digress into
          ~ matters> b: indirect c: serving to support or reinforce:
          ancillary 2: belonging to the same ancestral stock but
          not in a direct line of descent--compare lineal 3a 3:
          parallel, coordinate, or corresponding in position, order,
          time, or significance <~ states like Athens and Sparta>
          4 a: of, relating to, or being collateral used as security
          (as for payment of a debt or performance of a contract)
          b: secured by collateral -- col.lat.er.al.i.ty n --
          col.lat.er.al.ly adv [2]collateral n (1691) 1: a collateral
          relative 2: property (as securities) pledged by a borrower
          to protect the interests of the lender 3: a branch of a bodily part
          (as a vein)

   collateralize
          [col.lat.er.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1941) 1: to make
          (a loan) secure with collateral 2: to use (as securities)
          for collateral

   collation
          [col.la.tion] n (14c) 1 [ME, fr. ML collation-, collatio,
          fr. LL, conference, fr. L, bringing together, comparison,
          fr. conferre (pp. collatus) to bring together--more at
          confer, tolerate] a: a light meal allowed on fast days
          in place of lunch or supper b: a light meal 2 [ME, fr.
          L collation-, collatio]: the act, process, or result
          of collating

   colleague
          [col.league] n [MF collegue, fr. L collega, fr. com- + legare
          to depute--more at legate] (ca. 1533): an associate in
          a profession or in a civil or ecclesiastical office --
          col.league.ship n

   [1]collect
          [col.lect] n [ME collecte, fr. OF, fr. ML collecta (short
          for oratio ad collectam prayer upon assembly), fr. LL,
          assembly, fr. L, assemblage, fr. fem. of collectus] (13c)
          1: a short prayer comprising an invocation, petition,
          and conclusion; specif, often cap: one preceding the
          eucharistic Epistle and varying with the day 2: collection
          [2]col.lect vb [L collectus, pp. of colligere to collect,
          fr. com- + legere to gather--more at legend] vt (1563)
          1 a: to bring together into one body or place b: to gather
          or exact from a number of persons or sources <~ taxes>
          2: infer, deduce 3: to gain or regain control of <~ his
          thoughts> 4: to claim as due and receive payment for
          5: to get and bring with one; specif: pick up <went to
          ~ her at the train station> ~ vi 1: to come together
          in a band, group, or mass: gather 2 a: to collect objects
          b: to receive payment <~ing on the insurance> syn see
          gather -- col.lect.ible or col.lect.able adj [3]col.lect
          adv or adj (1893): to be paid for by the receiver

   collectanea
          [col.lec.ta.nea] n pl [L, neut. pl. of collectaneus collected,
          fr. collectus, pp.] (1791): collected writings; also:
          literary items forming a collection

   collected
          [col.lect.ed] adj (1610) 1: possessed of calmness and composure
          often through concentrated effort 2: gathered together
          <the ~ works of Scott> 3 of a horse's gait: performed
          slowly and restrainedly with the animal's center of gravity
          toward the hindquarters--compare extended syn see cool
          -- col.lect.ed.ly adv -- col.lect.ed.ness n

   collectible
          [col.lect.ible] or col.lect.able n (1953): an object that
          is collected by fanciers; esp: one other than such traditionally
          collectible items as art, stamps, coins, and antiques

   collection
          [col.lec.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or process of collecting
          2 a: something collected; esp: an accumulation of objects
          gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a
          hobby b: group, aggregate c: a set of apparel designed
          for sale usu. in a particular season

   [1]collective
          [col.lec.tive] adj (15c) 1: denoting a number of persons
          or things considered as one group or whole <flock is
          a ~ word> 2 a: formed by collecting: aggregated b of
          a fruit: multiple 3 a: of, relating to, or being a group
          of individuals b: involving all members of a group as
          distinct from its individuals 4: marked by similarity
          among or with the members of a group 5: collectivized
          or characterized by collectivism 6: shared or assumed
          by all members of the group <~ responsibility> -- col.lec.tive.ly
          adv [2]collective n (1655) 1: a collective body: group
          2: a cooperative unit or organization; specif: collective
          farm

   collective bargaining
          [collective bargaining] n (1891): negotiation between an
          employer and a labor union usu. on wages, hours, and
          working conditions

   collective farm
          [collective farm] n (1925): a farm esp. in a communist country
          formed from many small holdings collected into a single
          unit for joint operation under governmental supervision

   collective mark
          [collective mark] n (1938): a trademark or a service mark
          of a group (as a cooperative association)

   collective security
          [collective security] n (1934): the maintenance by common
          action of the security of all members of an association
          of nations

   collective unconscious
          [collective unconscious] n (1917): the genetically determined
          part of the unconscious that esp. in the psychoanalytic
          theory of C. G. Jung occurs in all the members of a people
          or race

   collectivise
          [col.lec.tiv.ise] chiefly Brit var of collectivize

   collectivism
          [col.lec.tiv.ism] n (1857): a political or economic theory
          advocating collective control esp. over production and
          distribution; also: a system marked by such control --
          col.lec.tiv.ist adj or n -- col.lec.tiv.is.tic adj --
          col.lec.tiv.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   collectivity
          [col.lec.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1862) 1: the quality or state
          of being collective 2: a collective whole; esp: the people
          as a body

   collectivize
          [col.lec.tiv.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1893): to organize
          by collectivism -- col.lec.tiv.i.za.tion n

   collector
          [col.lec.tor] n (14c): one that collects: as a: an official
          who collects funds or moneys b: a person who makes a
          collection <stamp ~> c: an object or device that collects
          <the statuette was a dust ~> d: solar collector -- col.lec.tor.ship
          n

   collector's item
          [collector's item] n (1932): an item whose rarity or excellence
          makes it esp. worth collecting; broadly: collectible

   colleen
          [col.leen] n [Ir cailin] (1828): an Irish girl

   college
          [col.lege] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF, fr. L collegium society,
          fr. collega colleague--more at colleague] (14c) 1: a
          body of clergy living together and supported by a foundation
          2: a building used for an educational or religious purpose
          3 a: a self-governing constituent body of a university
          offering living quarters and instruction but not granting
          degrees <Balliol and Magdalen Colleges at Oxford> b:
          a preparatory or high school c: an independent institution
          of higher learning offering a course of general studies
          leading to a bachelor's degree d: a part of a university
          offering a specialized group of courses e: an institution
          offering instruction usu. in a professional, vocational,
          or technical field <business ~> 4: company, group; specif:
          an organized body of persons engaged in a common pursuit
          or having common interests or duties 5 a: a group of
          persons considered by law to be a unit b: a body
          of electors--compare electoral college 6: the faculty, students,
          or administration of a college

   College Board
          [College Board] service mark--used for administration of
          tests of aptitude and achievement considered by some
          colleges in determining admission and placement of students

   college try
          [college try] n [fr. the phrase "give it the old college
          try"] (1947): a zealous all-out effort

   collegial
          [col.le.gial] adj (14c) 1: collegiate 2 2 a : marked by power
          or authority vested equally in each of a number of colleagues
          b: characterized by equal sharing of authority esp. by
          Roman Catholic bishops 3: marked by camaraderie among
          colleagues -- col.le.gial.ly adv

   collegiality
          [col.le.gi.al.i.ty] n (1887): the relationship of colleagues;
          specif: the participation of bishops in the government
          of the Roman Catholic Church in collaboration with the
          pope

   collegian
          [col.le.gian] n (15c): a student or recent graduate of a
          college

   collegiate
          [col.le.giate] adj [ML collegiatus, fr. L collegium] (15c)
          1: of or relating to a collegiate church 2: of, relating
          to, or comprising a college 3: collegial 2 4: designed
          for or characteristic of college students -- col.le.giate.ly
          adv

   collegiate church
          [collegiate church] n (15c) 1: a church other than a cathedral
          that has a chapter of canons 2: a church or corporate
          group of churches under the joint pastorate of two or
          more ministers

   collegium
          [col.le.gi.um] n, pl -gia or -giums [modif. of Russ kollegya,
          fr. L collegium] (1917): a group in which each member
          has approximately equal power and authority

   collembolan
          [col.lem.bo.lan] n [ultim. fr. coll- + Gk embolos wedge,
          stopper--more at embolus] (1873): springtail -- collembolan
          or col.lem.bo.lous adj

   collenchyma
          [col.len.chy.ma] n [NL] (1857): a plant tissue that consists
          of living usu. elongated cells with unevenly thickened
          walls and acts as support esp. in areas of primary growth--compare
          sclerenchyma -- col.len.chy.ma.tous adj

   collet
          [col.let] n [MF, dim. of col collar, fr. L collum neck--more
          at collar] (1528): a metal band, collar, ferrule, or
          flange: as a: a casing or socket for holding a tool (as
          a drill bit) b: a circle or flange in which a gem is
          set

   colleterial gland
          [col.le.te.ri.al gland] n [NL colleterium colleterial gland,
          irreg. fr. Gk kollan to glue--more at protocol] (1870):
          a gland in female insects that secretes a cement by which
          the eggs are glued together or attached to an external
          object

   collide
          [col.lide] vi col.lid.ed ; col.lid.ing [L collidere, fr.
          com- + laedere to injure by striking] (1700) 1: to come
          together with solid or direct impact 2: clash

   collider
          [col.lid.er] n (1980): a particle accelerator in which two
          beams of particles moving in opposite directions are
          made to collide

   collie
          [col.lie] n [prob. fr. E dial. colly black] (ca. 1651): any
          of a breed of large dogs developed in Scotland that occur
          in rough-coated and smooth-coated varieties

   collier
          [col.lier] n [ME colier, fr. col coal] (13c) 1: one that
          produces charcoal 2: a coal miner 3: a ship for transporting
          coal

   colliery
          [col.liery] n, pl -lier.ies (1635): a coal mine and its connected
          buildings

   collieshangie
          [col.lie.shang.ie] n [perh. fr. collie + shang kind of meal]
          (1737) Scot: squabble, brawl

   colligate
          [col.li.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L colligatus, pp. of
          colligare, fr. com- + ligare to tie--more at ligature]
          vt (1545) 1: to bind, unite, or group together 2: to
          subsume (isolated facts) under a general concept ~ vi:
          to be or become a member of a group or unit -- col.li.ga.tion
          n

   colligative
          [col.li.ga.tive] adj (1901): depending on the number of particles
          (as molecules) and not on the nature of the particles
          <pressure is a ~ property>

   collimate
          [col.li.mate] vt -mat.ed ; -mat.ing [L collimatus, pp. of
          collimare, MS var. of collineare to make straight, fr.
          com- + linea line] (1878): to make (as light rays) parallel
          -- col.li.ma.tion n

   collimator
          [col.li.ma.tor] n (1865) 1: a device for producing a beam
          of parallel rays (as of light) or for forming an infinitely
          distant virtual image that can be viewed without parallax
          2: a device for obtaining a beam (as of particles) of
          limited cross section

   collinear
          [col.lin.ear] adj [ISV] (1863) 1: lying on or passing through
          the same straight line 2: having axes lying end to end
          in a straight line <~ antenna elements> -- col.lin.ear.i.ty
          n

   collins
          [col.lins] n [prob. fr. the name Collins] (ca. 1887): a tall
          iced drink of soda water, sugar, lemon or lime juice,
          and liquor (as gin)

   collision
          [col.li.sion] n [ME, fr. L collision-, collisio, fr. collidere]
          (15c) 1: an act or instance of colliding: clash 2: an
          encounter between particles (as atoms or molecules) resulting
          in exchange or transformation of energy -- col.li.sion.al
          adj -- col.li.sion.al.ly adv

   collision course
          [collision course] n (1944): a course (as of moving bodies
          or antithetical philosophies) that will result in collision
          or conflict if continued unaltered

   collo-
          [collo-] --see coll-

   collocate
          [col.lo.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L collocatus, pp. of
          collocare, fr. com- + locare to place, fr. locus place--more
          at stall] vt (1513): to set or arrange in a place or
          position; esp: to set side by side ~ vi: to occur in
          conjunction with something

   collocation
          [col.lo.ca.tion] n (1605): the act or result of placing or
          arranging together; specif: a noticeable arrangement
          or conjoining of linguistic elements (as words) --
          col.lo.ca.tion.al adj

   collodion
          [col.lo.di.on] n [modif. of NL collodium, fr. Gk kollodes
          glutinous, fr. kolla glue--more at protocol] (1851):
          a viscous solution of pyroxylin used esp. as a coating
          for wounds or for photographic films

   collogue
          [col.logue] vi col.logued ; col.logu.ing [origin unknown]
          (1646) 1 dial: intrigue, conspire 2: to talk privately:
          confer

   colloid
          [col.loid] n [ISV coll- + -oid] (ca. 1852) 1: a gelatinous
          or mucinous substance found in tissues in disease (as
          in the thyroid) or normally 2 a: a substance that consists
          of particles dispersed throughout another substance which
          are too small for resolution with an ordinary light microscope
          but are incapable of passing through a semipermeable
          membrane b: a mixture consisting of a colloid together
          with the medium in which it is dispersed <smoke is a
          ~> -- col.loi.dal adj -- col.loi.dal.ly adv

   collop
          [col.lop] n [ME] (14c) 1: a small piece or slice esp. of
          meat 2: a fold of fat flesh

   colloq
          [colloq] abbreviation colloquial

   colloquial
          [col.lo.qui.al] adj (1751) 1: of or relating to conversation:
          conversational 2 a: used in or characteristic of familiar
          and informal conversation; also: unacceptably informal
          b: using conversational style -- colloquial n -- col.lo.qui.al.i.ty
          n -- col.lo.qui.al.ly adv

   colloquialism
          [col.lo.qui.al.ism] n (1810) 1 a: a colloquial expression
          b: a local or regional dialect expression 2: colloquial
          style

   colloquist
          [col.lo.quist] n (1792): speaker

   colloquium
          [col.lo.qui.um] n, pl -qui.ums or -quia [L, colloquy] (1844):
          a usu. academic meeting at which specialists deliver
          addresses on a topic or on related topics and then answer
          questions relating to them

   colloquy
          [col.lo.quy] n, pl -quies [L colloquium, fr. colloqui to
          converse, fr. com- + loqui to speak] (15c) 1: conversation,
          dialogue 2: a high-level serious discussion: conference

   collotype
          [col.lo.type] n [ISV] (1883) 1: a photomechanical process
          for making prints directly from a hardened film of gelatin
          or other colloid that has ink-receptive and ink-repellent
          parts 2: a print made by collotype

   collude
          [col.lude] vi col.lud.ed ; col.lud.ing [L colludere, fr.
          com- + ludere to play, fr. ludus game--more at ludicrous]
          (1535): conspire, plot

   collusion
          [col.lu.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L collusion-, collusio,
          fr. colludere] (14c): secret agreement or cooperation
          esp. for an illegal or deceitful purpose -- col.lu.sive
          adj -- col.lu.sive.ly adv

   colluvium
          [col.lu.vi.um] n, pl -via or -vi.ums [NL, fr. ML, offscourings,
          alter. of L colluvies, fr. colluere to wash, fr. com-
          + lavere to wash--more at lye] (ca. 1936): rock detritus
          and soil accumulated at the foot of a slope -- col.lu.vi.al
          adj

   colly
          [col.ly] vt col.lied ; col.ly.ing [alter. of ME colwen, fr.
          (assumed) OE colgian, fr. OE col coal] (1590) dial chiefly
          Brit: to blacken with or as if with soot

   collyrium
          [col.lyr.i.um] n, pl -ia or -i.ums [ME collirium, fr. L collyrium,
          fr. Gk kollyrion pessary, eye salve, fr. dim. of kollyra roll
          of bread] (14c): eyewash 1

   collywobbles
          [col.ly.wob.bles] n pl but sing or pl in constr [perh. by
          folk etymology fr. NL cholera morbus, lit., the disease
          cholera] (ca. 1823): bellyache

   Colo
          [Colo] abbreviation Colorado

   colo-
          [colo-] --see col-

   colobus monkey
          [col.o.bus monkey] n [NL colobus, fr. Gk kolobos docked,
          mutilated, fr. kolos docked; prob. akin to Gk klan to
          break--more at clast] (1889): any of various long-tailed
          African monkeys (genus Colobus and related genera)--called
          also colobus

   colocate
          [co.lo.cate] vt (1965): to locate together; esp: to place
          two or more units close together so as to share common
          facilities

   colocynth
          [col.o.cynth] n [L colocynthis, fr. Gk kolokynthis] (1543):
          a Mediterranean and African herbaceous vine (Citrullus
          colocynthis) related to the watermelon; also: its spongy
          fruit from which a powerful cathartic is prepared

   colog
          [colog] abbreviation cologarithm

   cologarithm
          [co.log.a.rithm] n (1881): the logarithm of the reciprocal
          of a number

   cologne
          [co.logne] n [Cologne, Germany] (1814) 1: a perfumed liquid
          composed of alcohol and fragrant oils 2: a cream or paste
          of cologne sometimes formed into a semisolid stick --
          co.logned adj

   [1]colon
          [co.lon] n, pl colons or co.la [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk kolon]
          (14c): the part of the large intestine that extends from
          the cecum to the rectum -- co.lon.ic adj [2]colon n,
          pl colons or co.la [L, part of a poem, fr. Gk kolon limb,
          part of a strophe] (ca. 1550) 1 pl cola: a rhythmical
          unit of an utterance; specif, in Greek or Latin verse:
          a system or series of from two to not more than six feet
          having a principal accent and forming part of a line
          2 pl colons a: a punctuation mark : used chiefly to direct
          attention to matter (as a list, explanation, or quotation)
          that follows b: the sign : used between the parts of
          a numerical expression of time in hours and minutes (as
          in 1:15) or in hours, minutes, and seconds (as in 8:25:30),
          in a bibliographical reference (as in Nation 130:20),
          in a ratio where it is usu. read as "to" (as in 4:1 read
          "four to one"), or in a proportion where it is usu. read
          as "is to" or when doubled as "as" (as in 2:1::8:4 read
          "two is to one as eight is to four") [3]co.lon n [F,
          fr. L colonus] (1888): a colonial farmer or plantation
          owner co.lon also co.lone n, pl co.lo.nes [Sp colon,
          fr. Cristobal Colon Christopher Columbus] (1916): the
          basic monetary unit of Costa Rica and El Salvador

   colon bacillus
          [colon bacillus] n (ca. 1909): any of various bacilli (esp.
          genera Escherichia and Aerobacter) that are normally
          commensal in vertebrate intestines; esp: one (E. coli)
          used extensively in genetic research

   colonel
          [col.o.nel] n [alter. of coronel, fr. MF, modif. of OIt colonnello
          column of soldiers, colonel, dim. of colonna column, fr. L columna]
          (1548) 1 a: a commissioned officer in the army, air force,
          or marine corps ranking above a lieutenant colonel and below
          a brigadier general b: lieutenant colonel 2: a minor titular
          official of a state esp. in southern or midland U.S.--used
          as an honorific title -- col.o.nel.cy n

   Colonel Blimp
          [Colonel Blimp] n [Colonel Blimp, cartoon character created
          by David Low] (1937): a pompous person with out-of-date
          or ultraconservative views; broadly: reactionary -- Colonel
          Blimp.ism n

   [1]colonial
          [co.lo.nial] adj (1776) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a colony 2 often cap: of or relating to the original
          13 colonies forming the United States: as a: made or
          prevailing in America during the colonial period <~ architecture>
          b: adapted from or reminiscent of an American colonial
          mode of design <~ furniture> 3: forming or existing in
          a colony <~ organisms> 4: possessing or composed of colonies
          <a ~ empire> -- co.lo.nial.ize vt -- co.lo.nial.ly adv
          -- co.lo.nial.ness n [2]colonial n (1865) 1: a member
          or inhabitant of a colony 2 a: a product made for use
          in a colony b: a product (as a house) exhibiting colonial
          style

   colonialism
          [co.lo.nial.ism] n (1853) 1: the quality or state of being
          colonial 2: something characteristic of a colony 3 a:
          control by one power over a dependent area or people
          b: a policy advocating or based on such control -- co.lo.nial.ist
          n or adj -- co.lo.nial.is.tic adj

   [1]colonic
          [co.lon.ic] adj (ca. 1885): of or relating to the colon of
          the intestine [2]colonic n (1939): irrigation of the
          colon: enema

   colonisation, colonise
          [col.o.ni.sa.tion, col.o.nise] Brit var of colonization,
          colonize

   colonist
          [col.o.nist] n (1701) 1: a member or inhabitant of a colony
          2: one that colonizes or settles in a new country

   colonization
          [col.o.ni.za.tion] n (1770): an act or instance of colonizing
          -- col.o.ni.za.tion.ist n

   colonize
          [col.o.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vt (1622) 1 a: to establish
          a colony in or on or of b: to establish in a colony 2:
          to send illegal or irregularly qualified voters into
          <colonizing doubtful districts> 3: to infiltrate with
          usu. subversive militants for propaganda and strategy
          reasons <~ industries> ~ vi: to make or establish a colony:
          settle -- col.o.niz.er n

   colonnade
          [col.on.nade] n [F, fr. It colonnato, fr. colonna column]
          (1718): a series of columns set at regular intervals
          and usu. supporting the base of a roof structure -- col.on.nad.ed
          adj

   colonus
          [co.lo.nus] n, pl -ni [L, lit., farmer] (1888): a free-born
          serf in the later Roman Empire who could sometimes own
          property but who was bound to the land and obliged to
          pay a rent usu. in produce

   colony
          [col.o.ny] n, pl -nies [ME colonie, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L
          colonia, fr. colonus farmer, colonist, fr. colere to
          cultivate--more at wheel] (14c) 1 a: a body of people
          living in a new territory but retaining ties with the
          parent state b: the territory inhabited by such a body
          2: a distinguishable localized population within a species
          <~ of termites> 3 a: a circumscribed mass of microorganisms
          usu. growing in or on a solid medium b: the aggregation
          of zooids of a compound animal 4 a: a group of individuals
          or things with common characteristics or interests situated
          in close association <an artist ~> b: the section occupied
          by such a group 5: a group of persons institutionalized
          away from others <a leper ~> <a penal ~>; also: the land
          or buildings occupied by such a group

   colony-stimulating factor
          [colony-stimulating factor] n (1969): any of several glycoproteins
          that promote the differentiation of stem cells esp. into blood
          granulocytes and macrophages and that stimulate their proliferation
          into colonies in culture

   colophon
          [col.o.phon] n [L, fr. Gk kolophon summit, finishing touch;
          perh. akin to L culmen top--more at hill] (1774) 1: an
          inscription placed at the end of a book or manuscript
          usu. with facts relative to its production 2: an identifying
          device used by a printer or a publisher

   colophony
          [co.lo.pho.ny] n, pl -nies [ME colophonie, ultim. fr. Gk
          Kolophon Colophon, an Ionian city] (14c): rosin

   [1]color
          [col.or] n, often attrib [ME colour, fr. OF, fr. L color;
          akin to L celare to conceal--more at hell] (13c) 1 a:
          a phenomenon of light (as red, brown, pink, or gray)
          or visual perception that enables one to differentiate
          otherwise identical objects b: the aspect of objects
          and light sources that may be described in terms of hue,
          lightness, and saturation for objects and hue, brightness,
          and saturation for light sources c: a hue as contrasted
          with black, white, or gray 2 a: an outward often deceptive
          show: appearance <his story has the ~ of truth> b: a
          legal claim to or appearance of a right, authority, or
          office c: a pretense offered as justification: pretext
          <she could have drawn from the Versailles treaty the
          ~ of legality for any action she chose --Yale Rev.> d:
          an appearance of authenticity: plausibility <lending
          ~ to this notion> 3: complexion tint: a: the tint characteristic
          of good health b: blush 4 a: vividness or variety of
          effects of language b: local color 5 a: an identifying
          badge, pennant, or flag--usu. used in pl. <a ship sailing
          under Swedish ~s> b: colored clothing distinguishing
          one as a member of a particular group or representative
          of a particular person or thing--usu. used in pl. <a
          jockey wearing the ~s of the stable> 6 a pl: position
          as to a question or course of action: stand <the USSR
          changed neither its ~s nor its stripes during all of
          this --Norman Mailer> b: character, nature--usu. used
          in pl. <showed himself in his true ~s> 7 a: the use or
          combination of colors b: two or more hues employed in
          a medium of presentation <movies in ~> <~ television>
          8 pl a: a naval or nautical salute to a flag being hoisted
          or lowered b: armed forces 9: vitality, interest <the
          play had a good deal of ~ to it> 10: something used to
          give color: pigment 11: tonal quality in music <the ~
          and richness of the cello> 12: skin pigmentation esp.
          other than white characteristic of race <a person of
          ~> 13: a small particle of gold in a gold miner's pan
          after washing 14: analysis of game action or strategy,
          statistics and background information on participants,
          and often anecdotes provided by a sportscaster to give
          variety and interest to the broadcast of a game or contest
          15: a hypothetical property of quarks that differentiates
          each type into three forms having a distinct role in
          binding quarks together -- col.or.ism n [2]color vt (14c)
          1 a: to give color to b: to change the color of (as by
          dyeing, staining, or painting) 2: to change as if by
          dyeing or painting: as a: misrepresent, distort b: gloss,
          excuse <~ a lie> c: influence <the lives of most of us
          have been ~ed by politics --Christine Weston> 3: characterize,
          label <call it progress; ~ it inevitable with shades
          of job security --C. E. Price> ~ vi: to take on color;
          specif: blush -- col.or.er n

   colorable
          [col.or.able] adj (14c) 1: seemingly valid or genuine 2:
          intended to deceive: counterfeit -- col.or.ably adv

   Colorado blue spruce
          [Col.o.ra.do blue spruce] n [Colorado, state of the U.S.]
          (1897): blue spruce

   Colorado potato beetle
          [Colorado potato beetle] n (1868): a black-and-yellow striped
          beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) that feeds on the
          leaves of the potato--called also potato beetle, potato
          bug

   colorant
          [col.or.ant] n (1884): a substance used for coloring a material:
          dye, pigment

   coloration
          [col.or.a.tion] n (1617) 1 a: the state of being colored
          <the dark ~ of his skin> b: use or choice of colors (as
          by an artist) c: arrangement of colors <the ~ of a butterfly's
          wing> 2 a: characteristic quality <the newspapers ...
          took on the former ~ of the magazine --L. B. Seltzer>
          b: aspect suggesting an attitude: persuasion <the chameleon
          talent for taking on the intellectual ~ of whatever idea
          he happened to fasten onto --Budd Schulberg> 3: subtle
          variation of intensity or quality of tone <a wide range
          of ~ from the orchestra>

   coloratura
          [col.or.a.tu.ra] n [obs. It, lit., coloring, fr. LL, fr.
          L coloratus, pp. of colorare to color, fr. color] (ca.
          1740) 1: elaborate embellishment in vocal music; broadly:
          music with ornate figuration 2: a soprano with a light
          agile voice specializing in coloratura

   color bar
          [color bar] n (1913): a barrier preventing colored persons
          from participating with whites in various activities--called
          also color line

   color-bearer
          [col.or-bear.er] n (ca. 1891): one that carries a color or
          standard esp. in a military parade or drill

   color-blind
          [col.or-blind] adj (1854) 1: affected with partial or total
          inability to distinguish one or more chromatic colors
          2: insensitive, oblivious 3: not recognizing differences
          of race <tried to get the welfare establishment ... to
          abandon its ~ policy --D. P. Moynihan>; esp: free from
          racial prejudice <a white man with an invisible black
          skin in a ~ community --James Farmer> -- color blindness
          n

   colorbred
          [col.or.bred] adj (1948): selectively bred for the development
          of particular colors <pure ~ dogs>

   colorectal
          [co.lo.rec.tal] adj (1962): relating to or affecting the
          colon and rectum <~ cancer>

   [1]colored
          [col.ored] adj (14c) 1: having color 2 a: colorful b: marked
          by exaggeration or bias 3 a: of a race other than the
          white; esp: black 2b--sometimes taken to be offensive
          b: of mixed race--sometimes taken to be offensive 4:
          of or relating to colored persons--sometimes taken to
          be offensive [2]colored n, pl colored or coloreds often
          cap (1916): a colored person--sometimes taken to be offensive

   colorfast
          [col.or.fast] adj (1926): having color that retains its original
          hue without fading or running -- col.or.fast.ness n

   color-field
          [col.or-field] n, often attrib (1964): abstract painting
          in which color is emphasized and form and surface are
          correspondingly de-emphasized

   color filter
          [color filter] n (1900): filter 3b

   colorful
          [col.or.ful] adj (1889) 1: having striking colors 2: full
          of variety or interest -- col.or.ful.ly adv -- col.or.ful.ness
          n

   color guard
          [color guard] n (ca. 1823): an honor guard for the colors
          of an organization

   colorific
          [col.or.if.ic] adj (1676): capable of communicating color

   colorimeter
          [col.or.im.e.ter] n [ISV] (ca. 1872): an instrument or device
          for determining and specifying colors; specif: one used
          for chemical analysis by comparison of a liquid's color
          with standard colors -- col.or.i.met.ric adj --
          col.or.i.met.ri.cal.ly adv -- col.or.im.e.try n

   coloring
          [col.or.ing] n (14c) 1 a: the act of applying colors b: something
          that produces color or color effects c (1): the effect
          produced by applying or combining colors (2): natural
          color (3): complexion, coloration d: change of appearance
          (as by adding color) 2: influence, bias 3: color 4 4:
          timbre, quality

   colorist
          [col.or.ist] n (1686): one that colors or deals with color
          -- col.or.is.tic adj -- col.or.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   colorize
          [col.or.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1979): to add color to (a
          black-and-white film) by means of a computer -- col.or.i.za.tion
          n

   colorless
          [col.or.less] adj (14c): lacking color: as a: pallid, blanched
          b: dull, uninteresting -- col.or.less.ly adv -- col.or.less.ness
          n

   colorman
          [col.or.man] n (1973): a sportscaster who provides color

   color phase
          [color phase] n (1927) 1: a seasonally variant pelage color
          2 a: a genetic variant manifested by the occurrence of
          a skin or pelage color unlike the wild type of the animal
          group in which it appears b: an individual marked by
          such a variant

   colorpoint shorthair
          [col.or.point shorthair] n (1974): any of a breed of domestic
          cats of Siamese type and coat pattern but occurring in
          different colors--called also colorpoint

   color temperature
          [color temperature] n (1916): the temperature at which a
          blackbody emits radiant energy competent to evoke a color
          the same as that evoked by radiant energy from a given
          source (as a lamp)

   color wheel
          [color wheel] n (ca. 1893): a circular diagram of the spectrum
          used to show the relationships between the colors

   colossal
          [co.los.sal] adj (1712) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          a colossus 2: of a bulk, extent, power, or effect approaching
          or suggesting the stupendous or incredible 3: of an exceptional
          or astonishing degree syn see enormous -- co.los.sal.ly
          adv

   colosseum
          [col.os.se.um] n [ML, fr. L, neut. of colosseus colossal,
          fr. colossus] (ca. 1715) 1 cap: an amphitheater built
          in Rome in the first century a.d. 2: coliseum 2

   Colossians
          [Co.los.sians] n pl but sing in constr: a letter written
          by St. Paul to the Christians of Colossae and included
          as a book in the New Testament

   colossus
          [co.los.sus] n, pl co.los.si [L, fr. Gk kolossos] (14c) 1:
          a statue of gigantic size and proportions 2: one that
          resembles a colossus in size or scope

   colostomy
          [co.los.to.my] n, pl -mies [ISV [2]col- + -stomy] (1888):
          surgical formation of an artificial anus

   colostrum
          [co.los.trum] n [L, beestings] (1577): milk secreted for
          a few days after parturition and characterized by high
          protein and antibody content -- co.los.tral adj

   colour
          [col.our] chiefly Brit var of color

   -colous
          [-colous] adj comb form [L -cola inhabitant; akin to L colere
          to inhabit--more at wheel]: living or growing in or on
          <arenicolous>

   colportage
          [col.por.tage] n (ca. 1846): a colporteur's work

   colporteur
          [col.por.teur] n [F, alter. of MF comporteur, fr. comporter
          to bear, peddle] (1796): a peddler of religious books

   colt
          [colt] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to Sw dial. kult half-grown pig]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: foal b: a young male horse that is either
          sexually immature or has not attained an arbitrarily
          designated age 2: a young untried person

   coltish
          [colt.ish] adj (14c) 1 a: not subjected to discipline b:
          frisky, playful 2: of, relating to, or resembling a colt
          -- colt.ish.ly adv -- colt.ish.ness n

   coltsfoot
          [colts.foot] n, pl coltsfoots (14c): any of various plants
          with large rounded leaves resembling the foot of a colt;
          esp: a perennial composite herb (Tussilago farfara) with
          yellow flower heads appearing before the leaves

   colubrid
          [col.u.brid] n [ultim. fr. L colubra snake] (1887): any of
          a large cosmopolitan family (Colubridae) of chiefly nonvenomous
          snakes -- colubrid adj

   colubrine
          [col.u.brine] adj (ca. 1528) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          a snake 2: of or relating to colubrids: colubrid

   colugo
          [co.lu.go] n, pl -gos [perh. fr. a language of the Philippines]
          (ca. 1890): flying lemur

   columbarium
          [col.um.bar.i.um] n, pl -ia [L, lit., dovecote, fr. columba
          dove] (1846) 1: a structure of vaults lined with recesses
          for cinerary urns 2: a recess in a columbarium

   Columbia
          [Co.lum.bia] n [NL, fr. Christopher Columbus] (1775): the
          United States

   Columbian
          [Co.lum.bi.an] adj (1757): of or relating to the United States
          or to Christopher Columbus

   columbine
          [col.um.bine] n [ME, fr. ML columbina, fr. L, fem. of columbinus
          like a dove, fr. columba dove; akin to OHG holuntar elder
          tree, Gk kolymbos a small grebe, kelainos black] (14c):
          any of a genus (Aquilegia) of plants of the buttercup
          family with irregular showy spurred flowers: as a: a
          red-flowered plant (A. canadensis) of eastern No. America
          b: a blue-flowered plant (A. caerulea) of the Rocky Mountains
          Col.um.bine n [It Colombina]: the saucy sweetheart of
          Harlequin in comedy and pantomime

   columbite
          [co.lum.bite] n [NL columbium] (1805): a black mineral consisting
          mostly of iron and niobium

   columbium
          [co.lum.bi.um] n [NL, fr. Columbia] (1801): niobium

   Columbus Day
          [Co.lum.bus Day] n (1893) 1: October 12 formerly observed
          as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in commemoration
          of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492 2:
          the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday
          in many states of the U.S.

   columella
          [col.u.mel.la] n, pl -mel.lae [NL, fr. L, dim. of columna]
          (ca. 1755) 1: the central column or axis of a spiral
          univalve shell 2: the axis of the capsule in mosses and
          in some liverworts 3 a: the bony or partly cartilaginous
          rod connecting the tympanic membrane with the internal
          ear in birds and in many reptiles and amphibians b: the
          bony central axis of the cochlea 4: the central sterile
          portion of the sporangium in various fungi (Mucor and
          related genera) -- col.u.mel.lar adj

   column
          [col.umn] n [ME columne, fr. MF colomne, fr. L columna, fr.
          columen top; akin to L collis hill--more at hill] (15c)
          1 a: a vertical arrangement of items printed or written
          on a page b: one of two or more vertical sections of
          a printed page separated by a rule or blank space c:
          an accumulation arranged vertically: stack d: one in
          a usu. regular series of newspaper or magazine articles
          <gossip ~> 2: a supporting pillar; esp: one consisting
          of a usu. round shaft, a capital, and a base 3 a: something
          resembling a column in form, position, or function <a
          ~ of water> b: a tube or cylinder in which a chromatographic
          separation takes place 4: a long row (as of soldiers)
          5: one of the vertical lines of elements of a determinant
          or matrix -- col.umned adj

   columnar
          [co.lum.nar] adj (1728) 1: of, relating to, resembling, or
          characterized by columns 2: of, relating to, being, or
          composed of tall narrow somewhat cylindrical or prismatic
          epithelial cells

   columniation
          [co.lum.ni.a.tion] n [prob. fr. intercolumniation] (1664):
          the employment or the arrangement of columns in a structure

   columnist
          [col.um.nist] n (1920): one who writes a newspaper or magazine
          column -- col.um.nis.tic adj

   colza
          [col.za] n [F, fr. D koolzaad, fr. MD coolsaet, fr. coole
          cabbage + saet seed] (1712) 1: any of several coles;
          esp: one (as rape) producing seed used as a source of
          oil 2: rapeseed

   com-
          [com-] or col- or con- prefix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L, with, together,
          thoroughly--more at co-]: with: together: jointly--usu.
          com- before b, p, or m <commingle>, col- before l <collinear>,
          and con- before other sounds <concentrate>

   com
          [com] abbreviation comedy, comic, comma  COM abbreviation
          computer output microfilm, computer output microfilmer

   [1]coma
          [co.ma] n [NL, fr. Gk koma deep sleep] (1646) 1: a state
          of profound unconsciousness caused by disease, injury,
          or poison 2: a state of mental or physical sluggishness:
          torpor [2]coma n, pl co.mae [L, hair, fr. Gk kome] (1669)
          1: a tufted bunch (as of branches, bracts, or seed hairs)
          2: the head of a comet usu. containing a nucleus 3: an
          optical aberration in which the image of a point source
          is a comet-shaped blur -- co.mat.ic adj

   Coma Berenices
          [Co.ma Ber.e.ni.ces] n [L (gen. Comae Berenices), lit., Berenice's
          hair]: a constellation north of Virgo and between Bootes and Leo

   comaker
          [co.mak.er] n (ca. 1934): one that participates in an agreement;
          specif: one who stands to meet a financial obligation
          in the event of the maker's default

   Comanche
          [Co.man.che] n, pl Comanche or Comanches [AmerSp, fr. Southern
          Paiute kimmancingwi Shoshones, strangers] (1806) 1: a
          member of an American Indian people ranging from Wyoming
          and Nebraska south into New Mexico and northwestern Texas
          2: the Uto-Aztecan language of the Comanche people

   comate
          [co.mate] n (1576): companion

   comatose
          [co.ma.tose] adj [F comateux, fr. Gk komat-, koma] (1755)
          1: of, resembling, or affected with coma 2: characterized
          by lethargic inertness: torpid <a ~ economy>

   comb
          [comb] abbreviation combination, combined, combining, combustion

   [1]comb
          [comb] n [ME, fr. OE camb; akin to OHG kamb comb, Gk gomphos
          tooth] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a toothed instrument used esp.
          for adjusting, cleaning, or confining hair b: a structure
          resembling such a comb; esp: any of several toothed devices
          used in handling or ordering textile fibers c: currycomb
          2 a: a fleshy crest on the head of the domestic fowl
          and other gallinaceous birds b: something (as the ridge
          of a roof) resembling the comb of a cock 3: honeycomb
          -- combed adj -- comb.like adj [2]comb vt (14c) 1: to
          draw a comb through for the purpose of arranging or cleaning
          2: to pass across with a scraping or raking action 3
          a: to eliminate (as with a comb) by a thorough going-over
          b: to search or examine systematically 4: to use in a
          combing action ~ vi 1 of a wave or its crest: to roll
          over or break into foam 2: to make a thorough search
          <~ through the classified ads>

   [1]combat
          [com.bat] n (1546) 1: a fight or contest between individuals
          or groups 2: conflict, controversy 3: active fighting
          in a war: action <casualties suffered in ~> [2]com.bat
          vb -bat.ed or -bat.ted ; -bat.ing or -bat.ting [MF combattre,
          fr. (assumed) VL combattere, fr. L com- + battuere to
          beat] vi (1564): to engage in combat: fight ~ vt 1: to
          fight with: battle 2: to struggle against; esp: to strive
          to reduce or eliminate <~ pollution> syn see oppose [3]com.bat
          adj (1825) 1: relating to combat <~ missions> 2: designed
          or destined for combat <~ boots> <~ troops>

   combatant
          [com.bat.ant] n (15c): one that is engaged in or ready to
          engage in combat -- combatant adj

   combat fatigue
          [combat fatigue] n (1943): a traumatic psychoneurotic reaction
          or an acute psychotic reaction occurring under conditions
          (as wartime combat) that cause intense stress--called
          also battle fatigue

   combative
          [com.bat.ive] adj (ca. 1834): marked by eagerness to fight
          or contend -- com.bat.ive.ly adv -- com.bat.ive.ness
          n

   combe
          [combe] n [ME coumbe, cumbe, fr. OE cumb, of Celt origin;
          akin to W cwm valley] (bef. 12c) 1 Brit: a deep narrow
          valley 2 Brit: a valley or basin on the flank of a hill

   comber
          [comb.er] n (ca. 1682) 1: one that combs 2: a long curling
          wave of the sea

   combination
          [com.bi.na.tion] n, often attrib (14c) 1 a: a result or product
          of combining; esp: an alliance of individuals, corporations,
          or states united to achieve a social, political, or economic
          end b: two or more persons working as a team 2: an ordered
          sequence: as a: a sequence of letters or numbers chosen
          in setting a lock; also: the mechanism operating or moved
          by the sequence b: a rapid sequence of punches in boxing
          c: any subset of a set considered without regard to order
          within the subset 3: any of various one-piece undergarments
          for the upper and lower parts of the body--usu. used
          in pl. 4: an instrument designed to perform two or more
          tasks 5 a: the act or process of combining; esp: that
          of uniting to form a chemical compound b: the quality
          or state of being combined -- com.bi.na.tion.al adj

   combination shot
          [combination shot] n (ca. 1909): a shot in pool in which
          a ball is pocketed by an object ball

   combinative
          [com.bi.na.tive] adj (1855) 1: tending or able to combine
          2: resulting from combination

   combinatorial
          [com.bi.na.to.ri.al] adj (1818) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          combinations 2: of or relating to the arrangement of,
          operation on, and selection of discrete mathematical
          elements belonging to finite sets or making up geometric
          configurations -- com.bi.na.to.ri.al.ly adv

   combinatorics
          [com.bi.na.tor.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1951): combinatorial
          mathematics

   combinatory
          [com.bi.na.to.ry] adj (1647): combinative

   [1]combine
          [com.bine] vb com.bined ; com.bin.ing [ME, fr. MF combiner,
          fr. LL combinare, fr. L com- + bini two by two--more
          at bin-] vt (15c) 1 a: to bring into such close relationship
          as to obscure individual characters: merge b: to cause
          to unite into a chemical compound c: to unite into a
          single number or expression <~ fractions and simplify>
          2: intermix, blend 3: to possess in combination ~ vi
          1 a: to become one b: to unite to form a chemical compound
          2: to act together syn see join -- com.bin.able adj --
          com.bin.er n [2]com.bine n (1886) 1: a combination esp.
          of business or political interests 2: a harvesting machine
          that heads, threshes, and cleans grain while moving over
          a field [3]com.bine vb com.bined ; com.bin.ing vt (1926):
          to harvest with a combine ~ vi: to combine a crop

   combing
          [comb.ing] var of coaming

   combings
          [comb.ings] n pl (1656): loose hair removed by a comb

   combing wool
          [combing wool] n (1757): long-staple strong-fibered wool
          found suitable for combing and used esp. in the manufacture
          of worsteds

   combining form
          [combining form] n (1884): a linguistic form that occurs
          only in compounds or derivatives and can be distinguished
          descriptively from an affix by its ability to occur as
          one immediate constituent of a form whose only other
          immediate constituent is an affix (as cephal- in cephalic)
          or by its being an allomorph of a morpheme having another
          allomorph that may occur alone or can be distinguished
          historically from an affix by the fact that it is borrowed
          from another language in which it is descriptively a
          word or a combining form

   comb jelly
          [comb jelly] n (ca. 1889): ctenophore

   combo
          [com.bo] n, pl combos [combination + [1]-o] (1924) 1: a usu.
          small jazz or dance band 2: combination

   combust
          [com.bust] vb [L combustus, pp. of comburere to burn up,
          irreg. fr. com- + urere to burn--more at ember] (15c):
          burn

   combustible
          [com.bus.ti.ble] adj (1529) 1: capable of combustion 2: easily
          excited -- com.bus.ti.bil.i.ty n -- combustible n --
          com.bus.ti.bly adv

   combustion
          [com.bus.tion] n (15c) 1: an act or instance of burning 2:
          a usu. rapid chemical process (as oxidation) that produces
          heat and usu. light; also: a slower oxidation (as in
          the body) 3: violent agitation: tumult -- com.bus.tive
          adj

   combustor
          [com.bus.tor] n (1945): a chamber (as in a gas turbine or
          a jet engine) in which combustion occurs--called also
          combustion chamber

   comd
          [comd] abbreviation command

   comdg
          [comdg] abbreviation commanding

   comdr
          [comdr] abbreviation commander

   comdt
          [comdt] abbreviation commandant

   [1]come
          [come] vb came ; come ; com.ing [ME, fr. OE cuman; akin to
          OHG queman to come, L venire, Gk bainein to walk, go]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to move toward something: approach
          <~ here> b: to move or journey to a vicinity with a specified
          purpose <~ see us> <~ and see what's going on> c (1):
          to reach a particular station in a series <now we ~ to
          the section on health> (2): to arrive in due course <the
          time has ~> d (1): to approach in kind or quality <this
          ~s near perfection> (2): to reach a condition or conclusion
          <came to regard him as a friend> <~ to think of it, you
          may be right> e (1): to advance toward accomplishment
          <learning new ways doesn't ~ easy> <the job is coming
          nicely> (2): to advance in a particular manner <~ running
          when I call> (3): to advance, rise, or improve in rank
          or condition <has ~ a long way> f: to get along: fare--often
          used with along g: extend <her dress came to her ankles>
          2 a (1): to arrive at a particular place, end, result,
          or conclusion <came to his senses> <~ untied> (2): amount
          <the taxes on it ~ to more than it's worth> b (1): to
          appear to the mind <the answer came to them> (2): to
          appear on a scene: make an appearance <children ~ equipped
          to learn any language> c (1): happen, occur <no harm
          will ~ to you> (2): to come to pass: take place--used
          in the subjunctive with inverted subject and verb to
          express the particular time or occasion <~ spring the
          days will be longer> d: originate, arise <wine ~s from
          grapes> <~ of sturdy stock> e: to enter or assume a condition
          <artillery came into action> f: to fall within a field
          of view or a range of application <this ~s within the
          terms of the treaty> g: to issue forth <a sob came from
          her throat> h: to take form <churn till the butter ~s>
          i: to be available <this model ~s in several sizes> <as
          good as they ~> j: to experience orgasm--often considered
          vulgar 3: to fall to a person in a division or inheritance
          of property 4 obs: to become moved favorably: relent
          5: to turn out to be <good clothes ~ high> 6: become
          <a dream that came true> ~ vt 1: to approach or be near
          (an age) <a child coming eight years old> 2: to take
          on the aspect of <~ the stern parent> -- come a cropper
          : to fail completely -- come clean : to tell the whole
          story: confess -- come into : to acquire as a possession
          or achievement <come into a fortune> -- come into one's
          own : to achieve one's potential; also: to gain recognition
          -- come of age : to reach maturity -- come off it : to
          cease foolish or pretentious talk or behavior -- come
          over : to seize suddenly and strangely <what's come over
          you> -- come to : to be a question of <when it comes
          to pitching horseshoes, he's the champ> -- come to grips
          with : to meet or deal with firmly, frankly, or straightforwardly
          <come to grips with the unemployment problem> -- come
          to oneself : to get hold of oneself: regain self-control
          -- come to pass : happen -- come to terms 1: to reach
          an agreement--often used with with 2: to become adjusted
          esp. emotionally or intellectually--usu. used with with
          <come to terms with modern life> [2]come n (1923) 1:
          semen--often considered vulgar 2: orgasm--often considered
          vulgar

   come about
          [come about] vi (14c) 1: happen 2: to change direction <the
          wind has come about into the north> 3: to shift to a
          new tack

   come across
          [come across] vi (1910) 1: to give over or furnish something
          demanded; esp: to pay over money 2: to produce an impression
          <comes across as a good speaker> 3: come through 2

   come along
          [come along] vi (1694) 1: to accompany some one who leads
          the way <asked me to come along on the trip> 2: to make
          progress <work is coming along well> 3: to make an appearance
          <won't just marry the first man that comes along>

   come around
          [come around] vi (1934) 1: come round 2: menstruate

   come back
          [come back] vi (1850) 1: to return to life or vitality 2:
          to return to memory <it's all coming back to me now>
          3: reply, retort 4: to regain a former favorable condition
          or position

   comeback
          [come.back] n (1889) 1 a: a sharp or witty reply: retort
          b: a cause for complaint 2: a return to a former position
          or condition (as of success or prosperity): recovery,
          revival <staging his ultimate ~ from self-imposed exile
          --Howard Mandel>

   come by
          [come by] vi (1863): to make a visit ~ vt: to get possession
          of: acquire <a good job is hard to come by>

   COMECON
          [COMECON] abbreviation Council for Mutual Economic Assistance

   comedian
          [co.me.di.an] n (1581) 1 archaic a: a writer of comedies
          b: an actor who plays comic roles 2: a comical individual;
          specif: a professional entertainer who uses any of various
          physical or verbal means to be amusing

   comedic
          [co.me.dic] adj (1639) 1: of or relating to comedy 2: comical
          2 -- co.me.dic.al.ly adv

   comedie humaine
          [co.me.die hu.maine] [F] foreign term : human comedy: the
          whole variety of human life

   comedie larmoyante
          [comedie lar.moy.ante] [F] foreign term : tearful comedy:
          sentimental comedy

   comedienne
          [co.me.di.enne] n [F comedienne, fem. of comedien comedian,
          fr. comedie] (ca. 1859): a woman who is a comedian

   comedo
          [com.e.do] n, pl com.e.do.nes [NL, fr. L, glutton, fr. comedere
          to eat--more at comestible] (1866): blackhead 1

   comedown
          [come.down] n (1840): a descent in rank or dignity

   come down
          [come down] vi (1711) 1 a: to pass by tradition <a story
          that has come down from medieval times> b: to pass from
          a usu. high source <word came down that the strike was
          over> 2 a: to reduce itself: amount <it comes down to
          this> b: to deal with a subject directly <when you come
          down to it, we all depend on others> 3: to lose or fall
          in estate or condition <has come down in the world> 4:
          to place oneself in opposition <came down hard on gambling>
          5: to become ill <came down with measles> 6: come out
          2

   comedy
          [com.e.dy] n, pl -dies [ME, fr. MF comedie, fr. L comoedia,
          fr. Gk komoidia, fr. komos revel + aeidein to sing--more
          at ode] (14c) 1 a: a medieval narrative that ends happily
          <Dante's Divine Comedy> b: a literary work written in
          a comic style or treating a comic theme 2 a: a drama
          of light and amusing character and typically with a happy
          ending b: the genre of dramatic literature dealing with
          the comic or with the serious in a light or satirical
          manner--compare tragedy 3: a ludicrous or farcical event
          or series of events 4 a: the comic element <the ~ of
          many life situations> b: humorous entertainment <nightclub
          ~>

   comedy drama
          [comedy drama] n (1885): serious drama that is interspersed
          with comedy

   comedy of manners
          [comedy of manners] (1822): comedy that satirically portrays
          the manners and fashions of a particular class or set

   come-hither
          [come-hith.er] adj (1925): sexually provocative <that ~ look
          in your eyes>

   come in
          [come in] vi (14c) 1 a: to arrive on a scene <new models
          coming in> b: to become available <data began coming
          in> 2: to place among those finishing <came in last>
          3 a: to function in an indicated manner <come in handy>
          b of a telecommunications signal: to be received <came
          in loud and clear> 4: to assume a role or function <that's
          where you come in> 5: to attain maturity, fruitfulness,
          or production -- come in for : to become subject to <coming
          in for increasing criticism>

   comely
          [come.ly] adj come.li.er ; -est [ME comly, alter. of OE cymlic
          glorious, fr. cyme lively, fine; akin to OHG kumig weak]
          (13c) 1: pleasurably conforming to notions of good appearance,
          suitability, or proportion 2: having a pleasing appearance:
          not homely or plain syn see beautiful -- come.li.ness
          n

   come off
          [come off] vi (1596) 1 a: to acquit oneself: fare <came off
          well in the contest> b: appear, seem 2: succeed <a television
          series that never came off --TV Guide> 3: happen, occur
          ~ vt: to have recently completed or recovered from <coming
          off a good year> <coming off an injury>

   come on
          [come on] vi (15c) 1 a: to advance by degrees <darkness came
          on> b: to begin by degrees <rain came on toward noon>
          2 a: please--used in cajoling or pleading b--used interjectionally
          to express astonishment, incredulity, or recognition of a put-on
          3: to project an indicated personal image <comes
          on as a conservative> 4: to show sexual interest in someone; also:
          to make sexual advances <tried to come on to her>

   come-on
          [come-on] n (1902) 1: something (as an advertising promotion)
          intended to entice or allure 2: a usu. sexual advance

   come out
          [come out] vi (13c) 1 a: to come into public view: make a
          public appearance <a new magazine has come out> b: to
          become evident <his pride came out in his refusal to
          accept help> 2: to declare oneself esp. in public utterance
          <came out in favor of the proposal> 3: to turn out in
          an outcome: end up <everything came out all right> 4:
          to make a debut 5: to openly declare one's homosexuality
          -- com.ing-out adj -- come out with 1: to give expression
          to <came out with a new proposal> 2: publish

   come-outer
          [come-out.er] n (1840) 1: a person who withdraws from something
          established (as a religious body) 2: a person who advocates
          political reform

   come over
          [come over] vi (1576) 1 a: to change from one side (as of
          a controversy) to the other b: to visit casually: drop
          in <come over whenever you like> 2 Brit: become

   comer
          [com.er] n (14c) 1: one that comes or arrives <all ~s> 2:
          one making rapid progress or showing promise

   come round
          [come round] vi (1818) 1: to change direction 2: to return
          to a former condition; esp: come to 1 3: to accede to
          a particular opinion or course of action <knew you'd
          come round to our side eventually>

   [1]comestible
          [co.mes.ti.ble] adj [MF, fr. ML comestibilis, fr. L comestus,
          pp. of comedere to eat, fr. com- + edere to eat--more
          at eat] (15c): edible [2]comestible n (1837): food--usu.
          used in pl.

   comet
          [com.et] n [ME comete, fr. OE cometa, fr. L, fr. Gk kometes,
          lit., long-haired, fr. koman to wear long hair, fr. kome
          hair] (bef. 12c): a celestial body that consists of a
          fuzzy head usu. surrounding a bright nucleus, that has
          a usu. highly eccentric orbit, and that often when in
          the part of its orbit near the sun develops a long tail
          which points away from the sun -- com.e.tary adj -- co.met.ic
          adj

   come through
          [come through] vi (1914) 1: to do what is needed or expected
          <came through in the clutch> 2: to become communicated

   come to
          [come to] vi (ca. 1572) 1: to recover consciousness 2 a:
          to bring a ship's head nearer the wind: luff b: to come
          to anchor or to a stop

   come up
          [come up] vi (14c) 1: rise 6 2: to come near: make an approach
          <came up and introduced himself> 3: to rise in rank or
          status <an officer who came up from the ranks> 4 a: to
          come to attention or consideration <the question never
          came up> b: to occur in the course of time <any problem
          that may come up> 5: to turn out to be <the coin came
          up tails> -- come up with : to produce esp. in dealing
          with a problem or challenge <came up with a solution>

   comeuppance
          [come.up.pance] n [come up + -ance] (1859): a deserved rebuke
          or penalty: deserts

   comfit
          [com.fit] n [ME confit, fr. MF, fr. pp. of confire to prepare,
          fr. L conficere, fr. com- + facere to make--more at do]
          (14c): a candy consisting of a piece of fruit, a root
          (as licorice), a nut, or a seed coated and preserved
          with sugar

   [1]comfort
          [com.fort] vt [ME, fr. OF conforter, fr. LL confortare to
          strengthen greatly, fr. L com- + fortis strong] (13c)
          1: to give strength and hope to: cheer 2: to ease the
          grief or trouble of: console -- com.fort.ing.ly adv [2]comfort
          n (13c) 1: strengthening aid: a: assistance, support
          <accused of giving aid and comfort to the enemy> b: consolation
          in time of trouble or worry: solace 2 a: a feeling of
          relief or encouragement b: contented well-being 3: a
          satisfying or enjoyable experience 4: one that gives
          or brings comfort <all the ~s of home> -- com.fort.less
          adj

   comfortable
          [com.fort.able] adj (1769) 1 a: affording or enjoying contentment
          and security <a ~ income> b: affording or enjoying physical
          comfort <a ~ chair> <was too ~ to move> 2 a: free from
          vexation or doubt <~ assumptions> b: free from stress
          or tension <a ~ routine> -- com.fort.able.ness n -- com.fort.ably
          adv syn comfortable, cozy, snug, easy, restful mean enjoying
          or providing a position of contentment and security.
          comfortable applies to anything that encourages serenity,
          well-being, or complacency as well as physical ease <started
          feeling comfortable in our new surroundings>. cozy suggests
          warmth, shelter, assured ease, and friendliness <a cozy
          neighborhood coffee shop>. snug suggests having just
          enough space for comfort and safety but no more <a snug
          little cottage>. easy implies relief from or absence
          of anything likely to cause physical or mental discomfort
          or constraint <living in easy circumstances>. restful
          applies to whatever induces or contributes to rest or
          relaxation <a quiet restful vacation>.

   comforter
          [com.fort.er] n (14c) 1 a cap: holy spirit b: one that gives
          comfort 2 a: a long narrow usu. knitted neck scarf b:
          a thick bed covering made of two layers of cloth containing
          a filling (as down)

   comfort station
          [comfort station] n (ca. 1913): rest room

   comfrey
          [com.frey] n, pl comfreys [ME cumfirie, fr. OF, fr. L conferva
          a water plant, fr. confervere to grow together (of bones),
          fr. com- + fervere to boil--more at barm] (13c): any
          of a genus (Symphytum) of perennial herbs of the borage
          family with coarse hairy entire leaves and flowers in
          one-sided racemes

   comfy
          [com.fy] adj [by shortening & alter.] (1829): comfortable

   [1]comic
          [com.ic] adj [L comicus, fr. Gk komikos, fr. komos revel]
          (1576) 1: of, relating to, or marked by comedy 2: causing
          laughter or amusement: funny 3: of or relating to comic
          strips syn see laughable [2]comic n (1581) 1: comedian
          2: the comic element 3 a: comic strip b: comic book c
          pl: the part of a newspaper devoted to comic strips

   comical
          [com.i.cal] adj (15c) 1 obs: of or relating to comedy 2:
          causing laughter esp. because of a startlingly or unexpectedly
          humorous impact syn see laughable -- com.i.cal.i.ty n
          -- com.i.cal.ly adv

   comic book
          [comic book] n (1941): a magazine containing sequences of
          comic strips

   comic opera
          [comic opera] n (1762): opera of a humorous character with
          a happy ending and usu. some spoken dialogue

   comic-opera
          [comic-opera] adj (1906): not to be taken seriously <a ~
          regime>

   comic relief
          [comic relief] n (1875): a relief from the emotional tension
          of a drama that is provided by the interposition of a
          comic episode or element

   comic strip
          [comic strip] n (1920): a group of cartoons in narrative
          sequence

   [1]coming
          [com.ing] n (13c): an act or instance of arriving [2]coming
          adj (15c) 1: immediately due in sequence or development
          <in the ~ year> 2: gaining importance

   comingle
          [co.min.gle] vt (1602): commingle

   coming-of-age
          [coming-of-age] n (1916): the attainment of prominence,
          respectability, recognition, or maturity

   Comintern
          [Com.in.tern] n [Russ Komintern, fr. Kommunisticheskii
          Internatsional Communist International] (1923): the Communist
          International established in 1919 and dissolved in 1943

   comitia
          [co.mi.tia] n, pl comitia [L, pl. of comitium, fr. com- +
          -it- (akin to ire to go)--more at issue] (1600): any
          of several public assemblies of the people in ancient
          Rome for legislative, judicial, and electoral purposes
          -- co.mi.tial adj

   comity
          [co.mi.ty] n, pl -ties [L comitat-, comitas, fr. comis courteous,
          prob. fr. OL cosmis, fr. com- + -smis (akin to Skt smayate
          he smiles)--more at smile] (1543) 1 a: friendly social
          atmosphere: social harmony <group activities promoting
          ~> b: a loose widespread community based on common social
          institutions <the ~ of civilization> c: comity of nations
          d: the informal and voluntary recognition by courts of
          one jurisdiction of the laws and judicial decisions of
          another 2: avoidance of proselytizing members of another
          religious denomination

   comity of nations
          [comity of nations] (1862) 1: the courtesy and friendship
          of nations marked esp. by mutual recognition of executive,
          legislative, and judicial acts 2: the group of nations
          practicing international comity

   coml
          [coml] abbreviation commercial

   comm
          [comm] abbreviation command, commandant, commander, commanding,
          commentary, commerce, commercial, commission, commissioned,
          commissioner, committee, common, commoner, commonwealth,
          commune, communication, communist, community

   comma
          [com.ma] n [LL, fr. L, part of a sentence, fr. Gk komma segment,
          clause, fr. koptein to cut--more at capon] (1554) 1:
          a punctuation mark , used esp. as a mark of separation
          within the sentence 2: pause, interval 3: any of several
          nymphalid butterflies (genus Polygonia) with a silvery
          comma-shaped mark on the underside of the hind wings

   comma fault
          [comma fault] n (ca. 1934): comma splice

   [1]command
          [com.mand] vb [ME comanden, fr. MF comander, fr. (assumed)
          VL commandare, alter. of L commendare to commit to one's
          charge--more at commend] vt (14c) 1: to direct authoritatively:
          order 2: to exercise a dominating influence over: have
          command of: as a: to have at one's immediate disposal
          b: to demand or receive as one's due <~s a high fee>
          c: to overlook or dominate from or as if from a strategic
          position d: to have military command of as senior officer
          3 obs: to order or request to be given ~ vi 1: to have
          or exercise direct authority: govern 2: to give orders
          3: to be commander 4: to dominate as if from an elevated
          place -- com.mand.able adj syn command, order, bid, enjoin,
          direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command
          and order imply authority and usu. some degree of formality
          and impersonality. command stresses official exercise
          of authority <a general commanding troops>. order may
          suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise <ordered his
          employees about like slaves>. bid suggests giving orders
          peremptorily (as to children or servants) <she bade him
          be seated>. enjoin implies giving an order or direction
          authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition
          or solicitude <a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet>.
          direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience
          and usu. concern specific points of procedure or method,
          instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality
          <directed her assistant to hold all calls> <the judge
          instructed the jury to ignore the remark>. charge adds
          to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility
          <charged by the President with a secret mission>. [2]command
          n (15c) 1 a: an order given b: a signal that actuates
          a device (as a control mechanism in a spacecraft or one
          step in a computer); also: the activation of a device
          by means of such a signal 2 a: the ability to control:
          mastery b: the authority or right to command <the officer
          in ~> c (1): the power to dominate (2): scope of vision
          d: facility in use <a good ~ of French> 3: the act of
          commanding 4: the personnel, area, or organization under
          a commander; specif: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher
          than an air force 5: a position of highest usu. military
          authority syn see power [3]command adj (1826): done on
          command or request <a ~ performance>

   commandant
          [com.man.dant] n (1687): commanding officer

   command car
          [command car] n (1941): an open armored car designed esp.
          for military reconnaissance and capable of traveling
          over rough terrain

   commandeer
          [com.man.deer] vt [Afrik kommandeer, fr. F commander to command,
          fr. OF comander] (1881) 1 a: to compel to perform military
          service b: to seize for military purposes 2: to take
          arbitrary or forcible possession of

   commander
          [com.mand.er] n (14c) 1: one in an official position of command
          or control: as a: commanding officer b: the presiding
          officer of a society or organization 2: a commissioned
          officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant
          commander and below a captain -- com.mand.er.ship n

   commander in chief
          [commander in chief] (1654): one who holds the supreme command
          of an armed force

   commandery
          [com.mand.ery] n, pl -er.ies (15c) 1: a district under the
          control of a commander of an order of knights 2: an assembly
          or lodge in a secret order

   commanding
          [com.mand.ing] adj (1591) 1: drawing attention or priority
          <a ~ presence> 2: difficult to overcome <a ~ lead> --
          com.mand.ing.ly adv

   commanding officer
          [commanding officer] n (1720): an officer in command; esp:
          an officer in the armed forces in command of an organization
          or installation

   commandment
          [com.mand.ment] n (13c) 1: the act or power of commanding
          2: something that is commanded; esp: one of the biblical
          Ten Commandments

   command module
          [command module] n (1962): a space vehicle module designed
          to carry the crew, the chief communication equipment,
          and the equipment for reentry

   commando
          [com.man.do] n, pl -dos or -does [Afrik kommando, fr. D commando
          command, fr. Sp comando, fr. comandar to command, fr.
          LL commandare] (1884) 1 SoAfr a: a military unit or command
          of the Boers b: a raiding expedition 2 a: a military
          unit trained and organized as shock troops esp. for hit-and-run
          raids into enemy territory b: a member of such a unit

   command post
          [command post] n (ca. 1918): a post at which the commander
          of a unit in the field receives orders and exercises
          command

   command sergeant major
          [command sergeant major] n (1967): a noncommissioned officer
          in the army ranking above a first sergeant

   comma splice
          [comma splice] n (1924): the careless or unjustified use
          of a comma between coordinate main clauses not connected
          by a conjunction (as in "nobody goes there anymore, it's
          boring")

   comme ci, comme ca
          [comme ci, comme ca] [F] foreign term : so-so

   commedia dell'arte
          [com.me.dia del.l'ar.te] n [It, lit., comedy of art] (1877):
          Italian comedy of the 16th to 18th centuries improvised
          from standardized situations and stock characters

   comme il faut
          [comme il faut] adj [F, lit., as it should be] (1756): conforming
          to accepted standards: proper

   commemorate
          [com.mem.o.rate] vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L commemoratus, pp.
          of commemorare, fr. com- + memorare to remind of, fr.
          memor mindful--more at memory] (1599) 1: to call to remembrance
          2: to mark by some ceremony or observation: observe 3:
          to serve as a memorial of <a plaque that ~s the battle>
          syn see keep -- com.mem.o.ra.tor n

   commemoration
          [com.mem.o.ra.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of commemorating 2:
          something that commemorates

   commemorative
          [com.mem.o.ra.tive] adj (1612): intended as a commemoration;
          esp: issued in limited quantities for a relatively short
          period in commemoration of a person, place, or event
          <a ~ stamp> -- commemorative n -- com.mem.o.ra.tive.ly
          adv

   commence
          [com.mence] vb com.menced ; com.menc.ing [ME comencen, fr.
          MF comencer, fr. (assumed) VL cominitiare, fr. L com-
          + LL initiare to begin, fr. L, to initiate] vt (14c):
          to enter upon: begin <~ proceedings> ~ vi 1: to have
          or make a beginning: start 2 chiefly Brit: to begin to
          be or to act as 3 chiefly Brit: to take a degree at a
          university syn see begin -- com.menc.er n

   commencement
          [com.mence.ment] n (13c) 1: an act, instance, or time of
          commencing 2 a: the ceremonies or the day for conferring
          degrees or diplomas b: the period of activities at this
          time

   commend
          [com.mend] vb [ME, fr. L commendare, fr. com- + mandare to
          entrust--more at mandate] vt (14c) 1: to entrust for
          care or preservation 2: to recommend as worthy of confidence
          or notice 3: to mention with approbation: praise ~ vi:
          to commend or serve as a commendation of something --
          com.mend.able adj -- com.mend.ably adv -- com.mend.er
          n

   commendation
          [com.men.da.tion] n (14c) 1 a: an act of commending b: something
          (as a formal citation) that commends 2 archaic: compliment

   commendatory
          [com.men.da.to.ry] adj (1555): serving to commend

   commensal
          [com.men.sal] adj [ME, fr. ML commensalis, fr. L com- + LL
          mensalis of the table, fr. L mensa table] (1877): of,
          relating to, or living in a state of commensalism --
          commensal n -- com.men.sal.ly adv

   commensalism
          [com.men.sal.ism] n (1870): a relation between two kinds
          of organisms in which one obtains food or other benefits
          from the other without damaging or benefiting it

   commensurable
          [com.men.su.ra.ble] adj (1557) 1: having a common measure;
          specif: divisible by a common unit an integral number
          of times 2: commensurate 2 -- com.men.su.ra.bil.i.ty
          n -- com.men.su.ra.bly adv

   commensurate
          [com.men.su.rate] adj [LL commensuratus, fr. L com- + LL
          mensuratus, pp. of mensurare to measure, fr. L mensura
          measure--more at measure] (1641) 1: equal in measure
          or extent: coextensive <lived a life ~ with the early
          years of the republic> 2: corresponding in size, extent,
          amount, or degree: proportionate <was given a job ~ with
          her abilities> 3: commensurable 1 -- com.men.su.rate.ly
          adv -- com.men.su.ra.tion n

   [1]comment
          [com.ment] n [ME, fr. LL commentum,  fr. L, invention, fr.
          neut. of commentus, pp. of comminisci to invent, fr.
          com- + -minisci (akin to ment-, mens mind)--more at mind]
          (14c) 1: commentary 2: a note explaining, illustrating,
          or criticizing the meaning of a writing 3 a: an observation
          or remark expressing an opinion or attitude b: a judgment
          expressed indirectly [2]comment vt (15c): to make a comment
          on <the discovery ... is hardly ~ed by the press --Nation>
          ~ vi: to explain or interpret something by comment <~ing
          on recent developments>

   commentary
          [com.men.tary] n, pl -tar.ies (15c) 1 a: an explanatory
          treatise--usu. used in pl. b: a record of events usu. written
          by a participant--usu. used in pl. 2 a: a systematic series
          of explanations or interpretations (as of a writing) b: comment
          2 3 a: something that serves for illustration or explanation <the
          dark, airless apartments and sunless factories ... are a sad ~ upon
          our civilization --H. A. Overstreet> b: an expression of opinion

   commentate
          [com.men.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [back-formation fr.
          commentator] vt (1794): to give a commentary on ~ vi:
          to comment in a usu. expository or interpretive manner;
          also: to act as a commentator

   commentator
          [com.men.ta.tor] n (14c): one who gives a commentary; esp:
          one who reports and discusses news on radio or television

   [1]commerce
          [com.merce] n [MF, fr. L commercium, fr. com- + merc-, merx
          merchandise] (1537) 1: social intercourse: interchange
          of ideas, opinions, or sentiments 2: the exchange or
          buying and selling of commodities on a large scale involving
          transportation from place to place 3: sexual intercourse
          syn see business [2]com.merce vi com.merced ; com.merc.ing
          (1596) archaic: commune

   [1]commercial
          [com.mer.cial] adj (1598) 1 a (1): occupied with or engaged
          in commerce or work intended for commerce <a ~ artist>
          (2): of or relating to commerce <~ regulations> (3):
          characteristic of commerce <~ weights> (4): suitable,
          adequate, or prepared for commerce <found oil in ~ quantities>
          b (1): being of an average or inferior quality <~ oxalic
          acid> <show-quality versus ~ cattle> (2): producing artistic
          work of low standards for quick market success 2 a: viewed
          with regard to profit <a ~ success> b: designed for a
          large market 3: emphasizing skills and subjects useful
          in business 4: supported by advertisers <~ TV> -- com.mer.ci.al.ity
          n -- com.mer.cial.ly adv [2]commercial n (1935): an advertisement
          broadcast on radio or television

   commercial bank
          [commercial bank] n (1910): a bank organized chiefly to handle
          the everyday financial transactions of businesses (as
          through demand deposit accounts and short-term commercial
          loans)

   commercialise
          [com.mer.cial.ise] Brit var of commercialize

   commercialism
          [com.mer.cial.ism] n (1849) 1: commercial spirit, institutions,
          or methods 2: excessive emphasis on profit -- com.mer.cial.ist
          n -- com.mer.cial.is.tic adj

   commercialize
          [com.mer.cial.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1830) 1 a: to manage
          on a business basis for profit b: to develop commerce
          in 2: to exploit for profit <~ Christmas> 3: to debase
          in quality for more profit -- com.mer.cial.i.za.tion
          n

   commercial paper
          [commercial paper] n (1836): short-term unsecured discounted
          paper usu. sold by one company to another for immediate
          cash needs

   commercial traveler
          [commercial traveler] n (1807): traveling salesman

   commie
          [com.mie] n, often cap [by shortening & alter.] (1940): communist

   commination
          [com.mi.na.tion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L commination-,
          comminatio, fr. comminari to threaten, fr. com- + minari
          to threaten--more at mount] (15c): denunciation -- com.mi.na.to.ry
          adj

   commingle
          [com.min.gle] vt (ca. 1626) 1: to blend thoroughly into a
          harmonious whole 2: to combine (funds or properties)
          into a common fund or stock ~ vi: to become commingled
          syn see mix

   comminute
          [com.mi.nute] vt -nut.ed ; -nut.ing [L comminutus, pp. of
          comminuere, fr. com- + minuere to lessen--more at minor]
          (1626): to reduce to minute particles: pulverize -- com.mi.nu.tion
          n

   commiserate
          [com.mis.er.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L commiseratus, pp.
          of commiserari, fr. com- + miserari to pity, fr. miser
          wretched] vi (1599): to feel or express sympathy: condole
          <~s with them on their loss> ~ vt: to feel or express
          sorrow or compassion for -- com.mis.er.at.ing.ly adv
          -- com.mis.er.a.tion n -- com.mis.er.a.tive adj

   commissar
          [com.mis.sar] n [Russ komissar, fr. G Kommissar, fr.
          ML commissarius] (1918) 1 a: a Communist party official assigned
          to a military unit to teach party principles and policies and
          to ensure party loyalty b: one that attempts to control public
          opinion or its expression 2: the head of a government department
          in the U.S.S.R. until 1946 -- com.mis.sar.i.al adj

   commissariat
          [com.mis.sar.i.at] n [NL commissariatus, fr. ML commissarius]
          (1779) 1: a system for supplying an army with food 2:
          food supplies 3 [Russ komissariat, fr. G Kommissariat,
          fr. NL commissariatus]: a government department in the
          U.S.S.R. until 1946 4: a board of commissioners

   commissary
          [com.mis.sary] n, pl -sar.ies [ME commissarie, fr. ML commissarius,
          fr. L commissus, pp. of committere] (14c) 1: one delegated
          by a superior to execute a duty or an office 2 a: a store for
          equipment and provisions; esp: a supermarket operated for military
          personnel b: food supplies c: a lunchroom esp. in a motion-picture
          studio

   [1]commission
          [com.mis.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L commission-, commissio
          act of bringing together, fr. committere] (14c) 1 a:
          a formal written warrant granting the power to perform
          various acts or duties b: a certificate conferring military
          rank and authority; also: the rank and authority so conferred
          2: an authorization or command to act in a prescribed
          manner or to perform prescribed acts: charge 3 a: authority
          to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another b: a
          task or matter entrusted to one as an agent for another
          4 a: a group of persons directed to perform some duty
          b: a government agency having administrative, legislative,
          or judicial powers c: a city council having legislative
          and executive functions 5: an act of committing something
          6: a fee paid to an agent or employee for transacting
          a piece of business or performing a service; esp: a percentage
          of the money received from a total paid to the agent
          responsible for the business 7: an act of entrusting
          or giving authority -- in commission or into commission
          1: under the authority of commissioners 2 of a ship:
          ready for active service 3: in use or in condition for
          use -- on commission : with commission serving as partial
          or full pay for work done -- out of commission 1: out
          of active service or use 2: out of working order [2]commission
          vt -mis.sioned ; -mis.sion.ing (ca. 1661) 1: to furnish
          with a commission: as a: to confer a formal commission
          on <was ~ed lieutenant> b: to appoint or assign to a
          task or function <was ~ed to do the biography> 2: to
          order to be made <~ed a portrait> 3: to put (a ship)
          in commission

   commissionaire
          [com.mis.sion.aire] n [F commissionnaire, fr. commission]
          (1641) chiefly Brit: a uniformed attendant

   commissioned officer
          [commissioned officer] n (15c): an officer of the armed forces
          holding by a commission a rank of second lieutenant or
          ensign or above

   commissioner
          [com.mis.sion.er] n (15c): a person with a commission: as
          a: a member of a commission b: the representative of
          the governmental authority in a district, province, or
          other unit often having both judicial and administrative
          powers c: the officer in charge of a department or bureau
          of the public service d: the administrative head of a
          professional sport -- com.mis.sion.er.ship n

   commission merchant
          [commission merchant] n (1796): broker 1b

   commission plan
          [commission plan] n (1919): a method of municipal government
          under which a small elective commission exercises both
          executive and legislative powers and each commissioner
          directly administers one or more municipal departments

   commissure
          [com.mis.sure] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L commissura a
          joining, fr. commissus, pp.] (15c) 1: a point or line
          of union or junction esp. between two anatomical parts
          (as adjacent heart valves) 2: a connecting band of nerve
          tissue in the brain or spinal cord -- com.mis.sur.al
          adj

   commit
          [com.mit] vb com.mit.ted ; com.mit.ting [ME committen, fr.
          L committere to connect, entrust, fr. com- + mittere
          to send] vt (14c) 1 a: to put into charge or trust: entrust
          b: to place in a prison or mental institution c: to consign
          or record for preservation <~ it to memory> d: to put
          into a place for disposal or safekeeping e: to refer
          (as a legislative bill) to a committee for consideration
          and report 2: to carry into action deliberately: perpetrate
          <~ a crime> 3 a: obligate, bind b: to pledge or assign
          to some particular course or use <all available troops
          were committed to the attack> c: to reveal the views
          of <refused to ~ himself on the issue> ~ vi 1 obs: to
          perpetrate an offense 2: to obligate or pledge oneself
          -- com.mit.ta.ble adj syn commit, entrust, confide, consign,
          relegate mean to assign to a person or place for a definite
          purpose. commit may express the general idea of delivering
          into another's charge or the special sense of transferring
          to a superior power or to a special place of custody
          <committed the felon to prison>. entrust implies committing
          with trust and confidence <the president is entrusted
          with broad powers>. confide implies entrusting with great
          assurance or reliance <confided complete control of my
          affairs to my attorney>. consign suggests removing from
          one's control with formality or finality <consigned the
          damaging notes to the fire>. relegate implies a consigning
          to a particular class or sphere often with a suggestion
          of getting rid of <relegated to an obscure position in
          the company>.

   commitment
          [com.mit.ment] n (1621) 1 a: an act of committing to a charge
          or trust: as (1): a consignment to a penal or mental
          institution (2): an act of referring a matter to a legislative
          committee b: mittimus 2 a: an agreement or pledge to
          do something in the future; esp: an engagement to assume
          a financial obligation at a future date b: something
          pledged c: the state or an instance of being obligated
          or emotionally impelled <a ~ to a cause>

   committal
          [com.mit.tal] n (1818): commitment, consignment

   committee
          [com.mit.tee] n (15c) 1 archaic: a person to whom a charge
          or trust is committed 2 a: a body of persons delegated
          to consider, investigate, take action on, or report on
          some matter; esp: a group of fellow legislators chosen
          by a legislative body to give consideration to legislative
          matters b: a self-constituted organization for the promotion
          of a common object

   committeeman
          [com.mit.tee.man] n (1654) 1: a member of a committee 2:
          a party leader of a ward or precinct

   committee of the whole
          [committee of the whole] (1775): the whole membership of
          a legislative house sitting as a committee and operating
          under informal rules

   committeewoman
          [com.mit.tee.wom.an] n (1853) 1: a woman who is a member
          of a committee 2: a woman who is a party leader of a
          ward or precinct

   commix
          [com.mix] vb [back-formation fr. ME comixt blended, fr. L
          commixtus, pp. of commiscere to mix together, fr. com-
          + miscere to mix--more at mix] vt (15c): mingle, blend
          ~ vi: to become mingled or blended

   commixture
          [com.mix.ture] n [L commixtura, fr. commixtus] (1592) 1:
          the act or process of mixing: the state of being mixed
          2: compound, mixture

   commo
          [commo] abbreviation commodore

   commode
          [com.mode] n [F, fr. commode, adj., suitable, convenient,
          fr. L commodus, fr. com- + modus measure--more at mete]
          (1688) 1: a woman's ornate cap popular in the late 17th
          and early 18th centuries 2 a: a low chest of drawers
          b: a movable washstand with a cupboard underneath c:
          a boxlike structure holding a chamber pot under an open
          seat; also: chamber pot d: toilet 3b

   commodious
          [com.mo.di.ous] adj [ME, useful, fr. MF commodieux, fr. ML
          commodiosus, irreg. fr. L commodum convenience, fr. neut.
          of commodus] (15c) 1: comfortably or conveniently spacious:
          roomy <a ~ closet> 2 archaic: handy, serviceable syn
          see spacious -- com.mo.di.ous.ly adv -- com.mo.di.ous.ness
          n

   commodity
          [com.mod.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME commoditee, fr. MF commodite,
          fr. L commoditat-, commoditas, fr. commodus] (15c) 1:
          an economic good: as a: a product of agriculture or mining
          b: an article of commerce esp. when delivered for shipment
          <commodities futures> c: a mass-produced unspecialized
          product <~ chemicals> <~ memory chips> 2 a: something
          useful or valued <that valuable ~ patience> b: convenience,
          advantage 3 obs: quantity, lot

   commodore
          [com.mo.dore] n [prob. modif. of D commandeur commander,
          fr. F, fr. OF comandeor, fr. comander to command] (1695)
          1 a: a captain in the navy in command of a squadron b:
          a commissioned officer in the navy formerly ranking above
          captain and below rear admiral and having an insignia
          of one star 2: the ranking officer commanding a body
          of merchant ships 3: the chief officer of a yacht club
          or boating association

   [1]common
          [com.mon] adj [ME commun, fr. OF, fr. L communis--more at
          mean] (13c) 1 a: of or relating to a community at large:
          public <work for the ~ good> b: known to the community
          <~ nuisances> 2 a: belonging to or shared by two or more
          individuals or things or by all members of a group <a
          ~ friend> <buried in a ~ grave> b: belonging equally
          to two or more mathematical entities <triangles with
          a ~ base> c: having two or more branches <~ carotid artery>
          3 a: occurring or appearing frequently: familiar <a ~
          sight> b: of the best known kind c: vernacular 2 <~ names>
          4 a: widespread, general <~ knowledge> b: characterized
          by a lack of privilege or special status <~ people> c:
          just satisfying accustomed criteria: elementary <~ decency>
          5 a: falling below ordinary standards: second-rate b:
          lacking refinement: coarse 6: denoting nominal relations
          by a single linguistic form that in a more highly inflected
          language might be denoted by two or more different forms
          <~ gender> <~ case> 7: of, relating to, or being common
          stock -- com.mon.ly adv -- com.mon.ness n syn common,
          ordinary, plain, familiar, popular, vulgar mean generally
          met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual.
          common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of
          occurrence <a common error> <lacked common honesty> and
          may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness <common
          manners>. ordinary stresses conformance in quality or
          kind with the regular order of things <an ordinary pleasant
          summer day> <a very ordinary sort of man>. plain is likely
          to suggest homely simplicity <plain hard-working people>.
          familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and
          easily recognized <a familiar melody>. popular applies
          to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general
          sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups
          <a writer of popular romances>. vulgar, otherwise similar
          to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations
          (as of inferiority or coarseness) <souvenirs designed
          to appeal to the vulgar taste>. [2]common n (14c) 1 pl:
          the common people 2 pl but sing in constr: a dining hall
          3 pl but sing or pl in constr, often cap a: the political
          group or estate comprising the commoners b: the parliamentary
          representatives of the commoners c: house of commons
          4: the legal right of taking a profit in another's land
          in common with the owner or others 5: a piece of land
          subject to common use: as a: undivided land used esp.
          for pasture b: a public open area in a municipality 6
          a: a religious service suitable for any of various festivals
          b: the ordinary of the Mass 7: common stock -- in common
          : shared together

   commonage
          [com.mon.age] n (1649) 1: community land 2: commonalty 1a(2)

   commonality
          [com.mon.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME communalite commonwealth,
          alter. of communalte] (1582) 1: the common people 2 a:
          possession of common features or attributes: commonness
          b: a common feature or attribute

   commonalty
          [com.mon.al.ty] n, pl -ties [ME communalte, fr. MF comunalte,
          fr. comunal communal] (14c) 1 a (1): the common people
          (2): the political estate formed by the common people
          b: a usage or practice common to members of a group 2:
          a general group or body

   common carrier
          [common carrier] n (15c): a business or agency that is available
          to the public for transportation of persons, goods, or
          messages

   common cattle grub
          [common cattle grub] n (1947): a cattle grub (Hypoderma lineatum)
          which is found throughout the U.S. and whose larva is
          particularly destructive to cattle

   common cold
          [common cold] n (1786): an acute virus disease of the upper
          respiratory tract marked by inflammation of the mucous
          membranes of the nose, throat, eyes, and eustachian tubes
          and by a watery then purulent discharge

   common denominator
          [common denominator] n (1594) 1: a common multiple of the
          denominators of a number of fractions 2: a common trait
          or theme

   common difference
          [common difference] n (ca. 1891): the difference between
          two consecutive terms of an arithmetic progression

   common divisor
          [common divisor] n (ca. 1847): a number or expression that
          divides two or more numbers or expressions without
          remainder--called also common factor

   commoner
          [com.mon.er] n (14c) 1 a: one of the common people b: one
          who is not of noble rank 2: a student (as at Oxford)
          who pays for his own board

   common fraction
          [common fraction] n (ca. 1897): a fraction in which the numerator
          and denominator are both integers and are separated by
          a horizontal or slanted line--compare decimal fraction

   common ground
          [common ground] n (1926): a basis of mutual interest or agreement

   common law
          [common law] n (14c): the body of law developed in England
          primarily from judicial decisions based on custom and
          precedent, unwritten in statute or code, and constituting
          the basis of the English legal system and of the system
          in all of the U.S. except Louisiana

   common-law
          [common-law] adj (1848) 1: of, relating to, or based on the
          common law 2: relating to or based on a common-law marriage

   common-law marriage
          [common-law marriage] n (1900) 1: a marriage recognized in
          some jurisdictions and based on the parties' agreement
          to consider themselves married and sometimes also on
          their cohabitation 2: the cohabitation of a couple even
          when it does not constitute a legal marriage

   common logarithm
          [common logarithm] n (ca. 1903): a logarithm whose base is
          10

   common market
          [common market] n (1952): an economic association (as of
          nations) formed to remove trade barriers among its members

   common measure
          [common measure] n (1922): a meter consisting chiefly of
          iambic lines of 7 accents each arranged in rhymed pairs
          usu. printed in 4-line stanzas--called also common meter

   common multiple
          [common multiple] n (ca. 1890): a multiple of each of two
          or more numbers or expressions <90 is a common multiple
          of 6 and 10>

   common noun
          [common noun] n (ca. 1864): a noun that may occur with limiting
          modifiers (as a or an, some, every, and my) and that
          designates any one of a class of beings or things

   common or garden
          [common or garden] adj (1892) chiefly Brit: ordinary

   [1]commonplace
          [com.mon.place] n [trans. of L locus communis widely applicable
          argument, trans. of Gk koinos topos] (1561) 1 archaic:
          a striking passage entered in a commonplace book 2 a:
          an obvious or trite comment: truism b: something commonly
          found [2]commonplace adj (1609): commonly found: ordinary,
          unremarkable -- com.mon.place.ness n

   commonplace book
          [commonplace book] n (1578): a book of memorabilia

   common pleas
          [common pleas] n pl (1531) 1 sing in constr: court of common
          pleas 2 a: actions over which the English crown did not
          exercise exclusive jurisdiction b: civil actions between
          English subjects

   common ratio
          [common ratio] n (1875): the ratio of each term of a geometric
          progression to the term preceding it

   common room
          [common room] n (1683) 1: a lounge available to all members
          of a residential community 2: a room in a college for
          faculty use

   common salt
          [common salt] n (1676): salt 1a

   common school
          [common school] n (ca. 1657): a free public school

   common sense
          [common sense] n (1535) 1: the unreflective opinions of ordinary
          people 2: sound and prudent but often unsophisticated
          judgment syn see sense -- com.mon.sense adj -- com.mon.sen.si.ble
          adj -- com.mon.sen.si.cal adj -- com.mon.sen.si.cal.ly
          adv

   common situs picketing
          [common situs picketing] n (1965): the picketing of an entire
          construction site by a trade union having a grievance
          with only a single subcontractor working there

   common stock
          [common stock] n (1888): capital stock other than preferred
          stock

   common time
          [common time] n (1674): a musical meter marked by four beats
          per measure with the quarter note receiving a single
          beat

   common touch
          [common touch] n (1944): the gift of appealing to or arousing
          the sympathetic interest of the common people

   commonweal
          [com.mon.weal] n (14c) 1 archaic: commonwealth 2: the general
          welfare

   commonwealth
          [com.mon.wealth] n (15c) 1 archaic: commonweal 2 2: a nation,
          state, or other political unit: as a: one founded on
          law and united by compact or tacit agreement of the people
          for the common good b: one in which supreme authority
          is vested in the people c: republic 3 cap a: the English
          state from the death of Charles I in 1649 to the Restoration
          in 1660 b: protectorate 1b 4: a state of the U.S.--used
          officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania,
          and Virginia 5 cap: a federal union of constituent states--used
          officially of Australia 6 often cap: an association of
          self-governing autonomous states more or less loosely
          associated in a common allegiance (as to the British
          crown) 7 often cap: a political unit having local autonomy
          but voluntarily united with the U.S.--used officially
          of Puerto Rico and of the Northern Mariana Islands

   Commonwealth Day
          [Commonwealth Day] n (1959): May 24 observed in parts of
          the Commonwealth of Nations as the anniversary of Queen
          Victoria's birthday

   common year
          [common year] n (ca. 1909): a calendar year containing no
          intercalary period

   commotion
          [com.mo.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L commotion-, commotio,
          fr. commovere] (15c) 1: a condition of civil unrest or
          insurrection 2: steady or recurrent motion 3: mental
          excitement or confusion 4 a: an agitated disturbance:
          to-do b: noisy confusion: agitation

   commove
          [com.move] vt com.moved ; com.mov.ing [ME commoeven, fr.
          MF commuev-, pres. stem of commovoir, fr. L commovere,
          fr. com- + movere to move] (14c) 1: to move violently:
          agitate 2: to rouse intense feeling in: excite to passion

   communal
          [com.mu.nal] adj [F, fr. LL communalis, fr. L communis] (1811)
          1: of or relating to one or more communes 2: of or relating
          to a community 3 a: characterized by collective ownership
          and use of property b: participated in, shared, or used
          in common by members of a group or community 4: of, relating
          to, or based on racial or cultural groups -- com.mu.nal.ize
          vt -- com.mu.nal.ly adv

   communalism
          [com.mu.nal.ism] n (1871) 1: social organization on a communal
          basis 2: loyalty to a sociopolitical grouping based on
          religious or ethnic affiliation -- com.mu.nal.ist n or
          adj

   communality
          [com.mu.nal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1901) 1: communal state or
          character 2: a feeling of group solidarity

   communard
          [com.mu.nard] n [F] (1874) 1 cap: one who supported or participated
          in the Commune of Paris in 1871 2: a person who lives in a commune

   [1]commune
          [com.mune] vb com.muned ; com.mun.ing [ME, to converse, administer
          Communion, fr. MF comunier to converse, administer or receive
          Communion, fr. LL communicare, fr. L] vt (15c) obs: talk over,
          discuss <have more to ~ --Shak.> ~ vi 1: to receive Communion
          2: to communicate intimately <~ with nature> [2]com.mune n [F,
          alter. of MF comugne, fr. ML communia, fr. L, neut. pl.
          of communis] (1673) 1: the smallest administrative district of many
          countries esp. in Europe 2: commonalty 1a 3: community:
          as a: a medieval usu. municipal corporation b (1): mir (2):
          an often rural community organized on a communal basis

   communicable
          [com.mu.ni.ca.ble] adj (1534) 1: capable of being communicated:
          transmittable <~ disease> 2: communicative -- com.mu.ni.ca.bil.i.ty
          n -- com.mu.ni.ca.ble.ness n -- com.mu.ni.ca.bly adv

   communicant
          [com.mu.ni.cant] n (1552) 1: a church member entitled to
          receive Communion; broadly: a member of a fellowship
          2: one that communicates; specif: informant -- communicant
          adj

   communicate
          [com.mu.ni.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L communicatus, pp.
          of communicare to impart, participate, fr. communis common--more
          at mean] vt (1526) 1 archaic: share 2 a: to convey knowledge
          of or information about: make known <~ a story> b: to
          reveal by clear signs <his fear communicated itself to
          his friends> 3: to cause to pass from one to another
          <some diseases are easily communicated> ~ vi 1: to receive
          Communion 2: to transmit information, thought, or feeling
          so that it is satisfactorily received or understood 3:
          to open into each other: connect <the rooms ~> -- com.mu.ni.ca.tee
          n -- com.mu.ni.ca.tor n

   communication
          [com.mu.ni.ca.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of transmitting
          2 a: information communicated b: a verbal or written
          message 3 a: a process by which information is exchanged
          between individuals through a common system of symbols,
          signs, or behavior <the function of pheromones in insect
          ~>; also: exchange of information b: personal rapport
          <a lack of ~ between old and young persons> 4 pl a: a
          system (as of telephones) for communicating b: a system
          of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles c:
          personnel engaged in communicating 5 pl but sing or pl
          in constr a: a technique for expressing ideas effectively
          (as in speech) b: the technology of the transmission
          of information (as by print or telecommunication) --
          com.mu.ni.ca.tion.al adj

   communicative
          [com.mu.ni.ca.tive] adj (14c) 1: tending to communicate:
          talkative 2: of or relating to communication --
          com.mu.ni.ca.tive.ly adv -- com.mu.ni.ca.tive.ness n

   communicatory
          [com.mu.ni.ca.to.ry] adj (1646) 1: designed to communicate
          information <~ letters> 2: communicative 2

   communion
          [com.mu.nion] n [ME, fr. L communion-, communio mutual
          participation, fr. communis] (14c) 1: an act or instance of sharing
          2 a cap: a Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine
          are consumed as memorials of Christ's death or as symbols for the
          realization of a spiritual union between Christ and communicant
          or as the body and blood of Christ b: the act of receiving
          Communion c cap: the part of a Communion service in which the
          sacrament is received 3: intimate fellowship or rapport:
          communication 4: a body of Christians having a common faith and
          discipline <the Anglican ~>

   communique
          [com.mu.ni.que] n [F, fr. pp. of communiquer to communicate,
          fr. L communicare] (1852): bulletin 1

   communise
          [com.mu.nise] Brit var of communize

   communism
          [com.mu.nism] n [F communisme, fr. commun common] (1840)
          1 a: a theory advocating elimination of private property
          b: a system in which goods are owned in common and are
          available to all as needed 2 cap a: a doctrine based
          on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism
          that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R. b: a totalitarian
          system of government in which a single authoritarian
          party controls state-owned means of production c: a final
          stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state
          has withered away and economic goods are distributed
          equitably d: communist systems collectively

   communist
          [com.mu.nist] n (1840) 1: an adherent or advocate of communism
          2 cap: communard 3 a cap: a member of a Communist party
          or movement b often cap: an adherent or advocate of a
          Communist government, party, or movement 4 often cap:
          one held to engage in left-wing, subversive, or revolutionary
          activities -- communist adj, often cap -- com.mu.nis.tic
          adj, often cap -- com.mu.nis.ti.cal.ly adv

   communitarian
          [com.mu.ni.tar.i.an] adj (ca. 1909): of or relating to social
          organization in small cooperative partially collectivist
          communities -- communitarian n -- com.mu.ni.tar.i.an.ism
          n

   community
          [com.mu.ni.ty] n, pl -ties often attrib [ME comunete, fr.
          MF comunete, fr. L communitat-, communitas, fr. communis]
          (14c) 1: a unified body of individuals: as a: state,
          commonwealth b: the people with common interests living
          in a particular area; broadly: the area itself <the problems
          of a large ~> c: an interacting population of various
          kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location
          d: a group of people with a common characteristic or
          interest living together within a larger society <a ~
          of retired persons> e: a group linked by a common policy
          f: a body of persons or nations having a common history
          or common social, economic, and political interests <the
          international ~> g: a body of persons of common and esp.
          professional interests scattered through a larger society
          <the academic ~> 2: society at large 3 a: joint ownership
          or participation <~ of goods> b: common character: likeness
          <~ of interests> c: social activity: fellowship d: a
          social state or condition

   community antenna television
          [community antenna television] n (1953): cable television

   community center
          [community center] n (1915): a building or group of buildings
          for a community's educational and recreational activities

   community chest
          [community chest] n (1919): a general fund accumulated from
          individual subscriptions to defray demands on a community
          for charity and social welfare

   community college
          [community college] n (1948): a 2-year government-supported
          college that offers an associate degree

   community property
          [community property] n (ca. 1925): property held jointly
          by husband and wife

   communize
          [com.mu.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing [back-formation fr.
          communization] (1888) 1 a: to make common b: to make into
          state-owned property 2: to subject to Communist principles
          of organization -- com.mu.ni.za.tion n

   commutate
          [com.mu.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [back-formation fr.
          commutation] (1893): to reverse every other half cycle of (an
          alternating current) so as to form a unidirectional current

   commutation
          [com.mu.ta.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L commutation-, commutatio,
          fr. commutare] (15c) 1: exchange, trade 2: replacement;
          specif: a substitution of one form of payment or charge
          for another 3: a change of a legal penalty or punishment
          to a lesser one 4: an act or process of commuting 5:
          the action of commutating

   commutation ticket
          [commutation ticket] n (1848): a transportation ticket sold
          for a fixed number of trips over the same route during
          a limited period

   commutative
          [com.mu.ta.tive] adj (1612) 1: of, relating to, or showing
          commutation 2: of, relating to, having, or being the
          property that a given mathematical operation and set
          have when the result obtained using any two elements
          of the set with the operation does not differ with the
          order in which the elements are used <a ~ group> <addition
          of the positive integers is ~>

   commutativity
          [com.mu.ta.tiv.i.ty] n (1929): the property of being commutative
          <the ~ of a mathematical operation>

   commutator
          [com.mu.ta.tor] n (1880) 1: a series of bars or segments
          so connected to armature coils of a generator or motor
          that rotation of the armature will in conjunction with
          fixed brushes result in unidirectional current output
          in the case of a generator and in the reversal of the
          current into the coils in the case of a motor 2: an element
          of a mathematical group that when used to multiply the
          product of two given elements either on the right side
          or on the left side but not necessarily on both sides
          yields the product of the two given elements in reverse
          order

   [1]commute
          [com.mute] vb com.mut.ed ; com.mut.ing [L commutare to change,
          exchange, fr. com- + mutare to change--more at mutable]
          vt (15c) 1 a: change, alter b: to give in exchange for
          another: exchange 2: to convert (as a payment) into another
          form 3: to exchange (a penalty) for another less severe
          4: commutate ~ vi 1: make up, compensate 2: to pay in
          gross 3: to travel back and forth regularly (as between
          a suburb and a city) 4: to yield the same mathematical
          result regardless of order--used of two elements undergoing
          an operation or of two operations on elements -- com.mut.able
          adj [2]commute n (1954) 1: an act or an instance of commuting
          2: the distance covered in commuting

   commuter
          [com.mut.er] n (ca. 1859) 1: a person who commutes (as between
          a suburb and a city) 2: a small airline that carries
          passengers relatively short distances on a regular schedule

   comonomer
          [co.mo.no.mer] n [co- + monomer] (1945): one of the constituents
          of a copolymer

   [1]comp
          [comp] n [short for complimentary] (1887): a complimentary
          ticket; broadly: something provided free of charge [2]comp
          vi [short for accompany] (1949): to punctuate and support
          a jazz solo with irregularly spaced chords

   comp
          [comp] abbreviation comparative, compare, compensation, compiled,
          compiler, composition, compositor, compound, comprehensive,
          comptroller

   [1]compact
          [com.pact] adj [ME, firmly put together, fr. L compactus,
          fr. pp. of compingere to put together, fr. com- + pangere
          to fasten--more at pact] (14c) 1: predominantly formed
          or filled: composed, made 2 a: having a dense structure
          or parts or units closely packed or joined <a ~ woolen>
          <~ bone> b: not diffuse or verbose <a ~ statement> c:
          occupying a small volume by reason of efficient use of
          space <a ~ camera> <a ~ formation of troops> d: short-bodied,
          solid, and without excess flesh 3: being a topological
          space and esp. a metric space with the property that
          for any collection of open sets which contains it there
          is a subset of the collection with a finite number of
          elements which also contains it -- com.pact.ly adv --
          com.pact.ness n [2]compact vt (15c) 1: to make up by
          connecting or combining: compose 2 a: to knit or draw
          together: combine b: to press together: compress ~ vi:
          to become compacted -- com.pact.ible adj -- com.pac.tor
          also com.pact.er n [3]com.pact n (1601): something that
          is compact or compacted: a: a small cosmetic case (as
          for compressed powder) b: an automobile smaller than
          an intermediate but larger than a subcompact [4]com.pact
          n [L compactum, fr. neut. of compactus, pp. of compacisci
          to make an agreement, fr. com- + pacisci to contract--more
          at pact] (1591): an agreement or covenant between two
          or more parties

   compact disc
          [com.pact disc] n (1979): a small plastic optical disc usu.
          containing recorded music or computer data

   compaction
          [com.pac.tion] n (14c): the act or process of compacting:
          the state of being compacted

   compagnon de voyage
          [com.pa.gnon de voy.age] [F] foreign term : traveling companion

   [1]companion
          [com.pan.ion] n [ME compainoun, fr. OF compagnon, fr. LL
          companion-, companio, fr. L com- + panis bread, food--more
          at food] (13c) 1: one that accompanies another: comrade,
          associate; also: one that keeps company with another
          2 obs: rascal 3 a: one that is closely connected with
          something similar b: one employed to live with and serve
          another [2]companion vt (1622): accompany ~ vi: to keep
          company [3]companion n [by folk etymology fr. D kampanje
          poop deck] (1762) 1: a hood covering at the top of a
          companionway 2: companionway

   companionable
          [com.pan.ion.able] adj (14c): marked by, conducive to, or
          suggestive of companionship: sociable -- com.pan.ion.abil.i.ty
          n -- com.pan.ion.able.ness n -- com.pan.ion.ably adv

   companionate
          [com.pan.ion.ate] adj (1926): relating to or having the manner
          of companions; specif: harmoniously or suitably accompanying

   companion cell
          [companion cell] n (1887): a living nucleated cell that is
          closely associated in origin, position, and probably
          function with a cell making up part of a sieve tube of
          a vascular plant

   companion piece
          [companion piece] n (1844): a work (as of literature) that
          is associated with and complements another

   companionship
          [com.pan.ion.ship] n (1548): the fellowship existing among
          companions: company

   companionway
          [com.pan.ion.way] n [[3]companion] (1840): a ship's stairway
          from one deck to another

   [1]company
          [com.pa.ny] n, pl -nies often attrib [ME companie, fr. OF
          compagnie, fr. compain companion, fr. LL companio] (13c)
          1 a: association with another: fellowship <enjoy a person's
          ~> b: companions, associates <know a person by the ~
          she keeps> c: visitors, guests <having ~ for dinner>
          2 a: a group of persons or things <a ~ of horsemen> b:
          a body of soldiers; esp: a unit (as of infantry) consisting
          usu. of a headquarters and two or more platoons c: an
          organization of performing artists d: the officers and
          crew of a ship e: a fire-fighting unit 3 a: a chartered
          commercial organization or medieval trade guild b: an
          association of persons for carrying on a commercial or
          industrial enterprise c: those members of a partnership
          firm whose names do not appear in the firm name <John
          Doe and Company> [2]company vb -nied ; -ny.ing vt (14c):
          accompany <may ... fair winds ~ your safe return --John
          Masefield> ~ vi: associate

   company man
          [company man] n (ca. 1921): a worker who acquiesces in company
          policy without complaint

   company officer
          [company officer] n (1844): a commissioned officer in the
          army, air force, or marine corps of the rank of captain,
          first lieutenant, or second lieutenant--called also company
          grade officer--compare field officer, general officer

   company town
          [company town] n (1927): a community that is dependent on
          one firm for all or most of the necessary services or
          functions of town life (as employment, housing, and stores)

   company union
          [company union] n (1917): an unaffiliated labor union of
          the employees of a single firm; esp: one dominated by
          the employer

   comparability
          [com.pa.ra.bil.i.ty] n (1843): the quality or state of being
          comparable

   comparable
          [com.pa.ra.ble] adj (15c) 1: capable of or suitable for comparison
          2: similar, like <fabrics of ~ quality> -- com.pa.ra.ble.ness
          n -- com.pa.ra.bly adv

   comparable worth
          [comparable worth] n (1983): the concept that women and men
          should receive equal pay for jobs calling for comparable
          skill and responsibility

   comparatist
          [com.par.a.tist] n [comparative + -ist] (1933): one that
          uses a comparative method (as in the study of literature)

   [1]comparative
          [com.par.a.tive] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          the degree of comparison in a language that denotes increase
          in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an
          adjective or adverb 2: considered as if in comparison
          to something else as a standard not quite attained: relative
          <a ~ stranger> 3: characterized by systematic comparison
          esp. of likenesses and dissimilarities <~ anatomy> --
          com.par.a.tive.ly adv -- com.par.a.tive.ness n [2]comparative
          n (15c) 1 a: one that compares with another esp. on equal
          footing: rival b: one that makes witty or mocking comparisons
          2: the comparative degree or form in a language

   comparativist
          [com.par.a.tiv.ist] n (1887): comparatist

   comparator
          [com.par.a.tor] n (1883): a device for comparing something
          with a similar thing or with a standard measure

   [1]compare
          [com.pare] vb com.pared ; com.par.ing [ME, fr. MF comparer,
          fr. L comparare to couple, compare, fr. compar like,
          fr. com- + par equal] vt (14c) 1: to represent as similar:
          liken <shall I ~ thee to a summer's day? --Shak.> 2 a:
          to examine the character or qualities of esp. in order
          to discover resemblances or differences <~ your responses
          with the answers> b: to view in relation to <tall compared
          to me> 3: to inflect or modify (an adjective or adverb)
          according to the degrees of comparison ~ vi 1: to bear
          being compared 2: to make comparisons 3: to be equal
          or alike <nothing ~s to you> syn compare, contrast, collate
          mean to set side by side in order to show differences
          and likenesses. compare implies an aim of showing relative
          values or excellences by bringing out characteristic
          qualities whether similar or divergent <compared the
          convention facilities of the two cities>. contrast implies
          an emphasis on differences <contrasted the computerized
          system with the old filing cards>. collate implies minute
          and critical inspection in order to note points of agreement
          or divergence <data from districts around the country
          will be collated>. [2]compare n (1589): the possibility
          of comparing <beauty beyond ~>; also: something with
          which to be compared <a city without ~>

   comparison
          [com.par.i.son] n [ME, fr. MF comparaison, fr. L comparation-,
          comparatio, fr. comparare] (14c) 1: the act or process
          of comparing: as a: the representing of one thing or
          person as similar to or like another b: an examination
          of two or more items to establish similarities and dissimilarities
          2: identity of features: similarity <several points of ~ between
          the two> 3: the modification of an adjective or adverb to denote
          different levels of quality, quantity, or relation

   comparison shop
          [comparison shop] vi (1970): to compare prices (as of competing
          brands) in order to find the best value

   [1]compartment
          [com.part.ment] n [MF compartiment, fr. It compartimento,
          fr. compartire to mark out in parts, fr. LL compartiri
          to share out, fr. L com- + partiri to share, fr. part-,
          pars part, share] (ca. 1578) 1: a separate division or
          section 2: one of the parts into which an enclosed space
          is divided -- com.part.men.tal adj [2]com.part.ment vt
          (1918): compartmentalize

   compartmentalise
          [com.part.men.tal.ise] Brit var of compartmentalize

   compartmentalize
          [com.part.men.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1925): to separate
          into isolated compartments or categories --
          com.part.men.tal.i.za.tion n

   compartmentation
          [com.part.men.ta.tion] n (1926): division into separate sections
          or units

   [1]compass
          [com.pass] vt [ME, fr. OF compasser to measure, fr. (assumed)
          VL compassare to pace off, fr. L com- + passus pace]
          (14c) 1: to devise or contrive often with craft or skill
          2: encompass 3 a: bring about, achieve b: to get into
          one's possession or power: obtain 4: comprehend -- com.pass.able
          adj [2]compass n (14c) 1 a: boundary, circumference <within
          the ~ of the city walls> b: a circumscribed space <within
          the narrow ~ of 21 pages --V. L. Parrington> c: range,
          scope <the ~ of a voice> 2: a curved or roundabout course
          <a ~ of seven days' journey --2 Kings 3:9 (AV)> 3 a:
          a device for determining directi ons by means of a magnetic
          needle or group of needles turning freely on a pivot
          and pointing to the magnetic north b: any of various
          nonmagnetic devices that indicate direction c: an instrument
          for describing circles or transferring measurements that
          consists of two pointed branches joined at the top by
          a pivot--usu. used in pl.--called also pair of compasses
          4: direction 6c syn see range [3]compass adj (1523):
          forming a curve: curved <a ~ timber>

   compass card
          [compass card] n (ca. 1859): the circular card attached to
          the needles of a mariner's compass on which are marked
          the 32 points of the compass and the 360 degrees of the
          circle

   compassion
          [com.pas.sion] n [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr. LL compassion-,
          compassio, fr. compati to sympathize, fr. L com- + pati
          to bear, suffer--more at patient] (14c): sympathetic
          consciousness of others' distress together with a desire
          to alleviate it syn see pity -- com.pas.sion.less adj

   [1]compassionate
          [com.pas.sion.ate] adj (1587) 1: having or showing compassion:
          sympathetic 2: granted because of unusual distressing
          circumstances affecting an individual--used of some military
          privileges (as leave) -- com.pas.sion.ate.ly adv --
          com.pas.sion.ate.ness n [2]com.pas.sion.ate vt -at.ed ; -at.ing
          (1592): pity

   compass plant
          [compass plant] n (1848): a coarse yellow-flowered composite
          plant (Silphium laciniatum) with large pinnatifid leaves
          that occurs in prairies and along roadsides and railroad
          tracks of the central U.S.

   compass rose
          [compass rose] n (ca. 1891): a circle graduated to degrees
          or quarters and printed on a chart to show direction

   compatible
          [com.pat.i.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML compatibilis, lit.,
          sympathetic, fr. LL compati] (15c) 1: capable of existing
          together in harmony <~ theories> 2: capable of cross-fertilizing
          freely or uniting vegetatively 3: capable of forming
          a homogeneous mixture that neither separates nor is altered
          by chemical interaction 4: capable of being used in transfusion
          or grafting without immunological reaction (as agglutination
          or tissue rejection) 5: designed to work with another
          device or system without modification; esp: being a computer
          designed to operate in the same manner and use the same
          software as another computer -- com.pat.i.bil.i.ty n
          -- compatible n -- com.pat.i.ble.ness n -- com.pat.i.bly
          adv

   compatriot
          [com.pa.tri.ot] n [F compatriote, fr. LL compatriota, fr.
          L com- + LL patriota fellow countryman--more at patriot]
          (1611) 1: a person born, residing, or holding citizenship
          in the same country as another 2: compeer, colleague
          -- com.pa.tri.ot.ic adj

   compd
          [compd] abbreviation compound

   [1]compeer
          [com.peer] n [ME, fr. OF compere, lit., godfather, fr. ML
          compater, fr. L com- + pater father--more at father]
          (13c): companion [2]compeer n [ME compere, fr. OF, fr.
          L compar, fr. compar, adj., like--more at compare] (15c):
          equal, peer -- compeer vt, obs

   compel
          [com.pel] vt com.pelled ; com.pel.ling [ME compellen, fr.
          MF compellir, fr. L compellere, fr. com- + pellere to
          drive--more at felt] (14c) 1: to drive or urge forcefully
          or irresistibly 2: to cause to do or occur by overwhelming
          pressure 3 archaic: to drive together syn see force --
          com.pel.la.ble adj

   compellation
          [com.pel.la.tion] n [L compellation-, compellatio, fr. compellare
          to address, fr. com- + -pellare (as in appellare to accost,
          appeal to)] (1603) 1: an act or action of addressing
          someone 2: appellation 1

   compelling
          [com.pel.ling] adj (1606): that compels: as a: forceful <a
          ~ personality> b: demanding attention <for ~ reasons>
          c: convincing <no ~ evidence> -- com.pel.ling.ly adv

   compend
          [com.pend] n [ML compendium] (1596): compendium

   compendious
          [com.pen.di.ous] adj (14c): marked by brief expression of
          a comprehensive matter: concise and comprehensive; also:
          comprehensive syn see concise -- com.pen.di.ous.ly adv
          -- com.pen.di.ous.ness n

   compendium
          [com.pen.di.um] n, pl -di.ums or -dia [ML, fr. L, saving,
          shortcut, fr. compendere to weigh together, fr. com-
          + pendere to weigh--more at pendant] (1589) 1: a brief
          summary of a larger work or of a field of knowledge:
          abstract 2 a: a list of a number of items b: collection,
          compilation

   compensable
          [com.pen.sa.ble] adj (1661): that is to be or can be compensated
          <a ~ job-related injury> -- com.pen.sa.bil.i.ty n

   compensate
          [com.pen.sate] vb -sat.ed ; -sat.ing [L compensatus, pp.
          of compensare, freq. of compendere] vt (1646) 1: to be
          equivalent to: counterbalance 2: to make an appropriate
          and usu. counterbalancing payment to 3 a: to provide
          with means of counteracting variation b: to neutralize
          the effect of (variations) ~ vi 1: to supply an equivalent--used
          with for 2: to offset an error, defect, or undesired
          effect 3: to undergo or engage in psychological or physiological
          compensation syn see pay -- com.pen.sa.tive adj -- com.pen.sa.tor
          n -- com.pen.sa.to.ry adj

   compensation
          [com.pen.sa.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act of compensating: the
          state of being compensated b: correction of an organic
          defect or loss by hypertrophy or by increased functioning
          of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organ
          c: a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority,
          frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced
          by achievement in another 2 a (1): something that constitutes
          an equivalent or recompense <age has its ~s> (2): payment
          to unemployed or injured workers or their dependents
          b: payment, remuneration -- com.pen.sa.tion.al adj

   compensatory education
          [compensatory education] n (1965): educational programs intended
          to make up for experiences (as cultural) lacked by disadvantaged
          children

   [1]compere
          [com.pere] n [F compere, lit., godfather--more at compeer]
          (1914) chiefly Brit: the master of ceremonies of an entertainment
          (as a television program) [2]compere vb com.pered ; com.per.ing
          vt (1933) chiefly Brit: to act as compere for ~ vi, chiefly
          Brit: to act as a compere

   compete
          [com.pete] vi com.pet.ed ; com.pet.ing [LL competere to seek
          together, fr. L, to come together, agree, be suitable,
          fr. com- + petere to go to, seek--more at feather] (1620):
          to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective
          (as position, profit, or a prize): be in a state of rivalry

   competence
          [com.pe.tence] n (1632) 1: a sufficiency of means for the
          necessities and conveniences of life <provided his family
          with a comfortable ~ --Rex Ingamells> 2: the quality
          or state of being competent: as a: the properties of
          an embryonic field that enable it to respond in a characteristic
          manner to an organizer b: readiness of bacteria to undergo
          genetic transformation 3: the knowledge that enables
          a person to speak and understand a language--compare
          performance

   competency
          [com.pe.ten.cy] n, pl -cies (1596): competence

   competent
          [com.pe.tent] adj [ME, suitable, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L competent-,
          competens, fr. prp. of competere] (15c) 1: proper or rightly
          pertinent 2: having requisite or adequate ability or qualities: fit
          <a ~ teacher> <a ~ piece of work> 3: legally qualified or adequate
          <a ~ witness> 4: having the capacity to function or develop
          in a particular way; specif: having the capacity to respond (as
          by producing an antibody) to an antigenic determinant
          <immunologically ~ cells> syn see sufficient -- com.pe.tent.ly adv

   competition
          [com.pe.ti.tion] n [LL competition-, competitio, fr. L competere]
          (1605) 1: the act or process of competing: rivalry: as
          a: the effort of two or more parties acting independently
          to secure the business of a third party by offering the
          most favorable terms b: active demand by two or more
          organisms or kinds of organisms for some environmental
          resource in short supply 2: a contest between rivals;
          also: one's competitors <faced tough ~>

   competitive
          [com.pet.i.tive] adj (1829) 1: relating to, characterized
          by, or based on competition <~ sports> 2: inclined, desiring,
          or suited to compete <a ~ personality> <salary benefits
          must be ~ --M. S. Eisenhower> 3: depending for effectiveness
          on the relative concentration of two or more substances
          <~ inhibition of an enzyme> -- com.pet.i.tive.ly adv
          -- com.pet.i.tive.ness n

   competitor
          [com.pet.i.tor] n (1534): one that competes: as a: rival
          b: one selling or buying goods or services in the same
          market as another c: an organism that lives in competition
          with another

   compilation
          [com.pi.la.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of compiling
          2: something compiled

   compile
          [com.pile] vt com.piled ; com.pil.ing [ME, fr. MF compiler,
          fr. L compilare to plunder] (14c) 1: to compose out of
          materials from other documents 2: to collect and edit
          into a volume 3: to run (as a program) through a compiler
          4: to build up gradually <compiled a record of four wins
          and two losses>

   compiler
          [com.pil.er] n (14c) 1: one that compiles 2: a computer program
          that translates an entire set of instructions written
          in a higher-level symbolic language (as Pascal) into
          machine language before the instructions can be executed

   complacence
          [com.pla.cence] n (15c) 1: calm or secure satisfaction with
          oneself or one's lot: self-satisfaction 2 obs: complaisance
          3: unconcern

   complacency
          [com.pla.cen.cy] n, pl -cies (1650) 1: complacence; esp:
          self-satisfaction accompanied by unawareness of actual
          dangers or deficiencies 2: an instance of complacency

   complacent
          [com.pla.cent] adj [L complacent-, complacens, prp. of complacere
          to please greatly, fr. com- + placere to please--more
          at please] (1767) 1: self-satisfied <a ~ smile> 2: complaisant
          1 3: unconcerned -- com.pla.cent.ly adv

   complain
          [com.plain] vi [ME compleynen, fr. MF complaindre, fr. (assumed)
          VL complangere, fr. L com- + plangere to lament--more
          at plaint] (14c) 1: to express grief, pain, or discontent
          2: to make a formal accusation or charge -- com.plain.er
          n -- com.plain.ing.ly adv

   complainant
          [com.plain.ant] n (15c): the party who makes the complaint
          in a legal action or proceeding

   complaint
          [com.plaint] n [ME compleynte, fr. MF complainte, fr. OF,
          fr. complaindre] (14c) 1: expression of grief, pain,
          or dissatisfaction 2 a: something that is the cause or
          subject of protest or outcry b: a bodily ailment or disease
          3: a formal allegation against a party

   complaisance
          [com.plai.sance] n (1651): disposition to please or comply:
          affability

   complaisant
          [com.plai.sant] adj [F, fr. MF, fr. prp. of complaire to
          gratify, acquiesce, fr. L complacere] (1647) 1: marked
          by an inclination to please or oblige 2: tending to consent
          to others' wishes syn see amiable -- com.plai.sant.ly
          adv

   compleat
          [com.pleat] adj [archaic variant of complete in The Compleat
          Angler (1653) by Izaak Walton] (1526): complete 3

   complected
          [com.plect.ed] adj [irreg. fr. complexion] (1806): having
          a specified facial complexion <a tall, thin man, fairly
          dark ~ --E. J. Kahn> usage Not an error, nor a dialectal
          term, nor nonstandard--all of which it has been labeled--complected
          still manages to raise hackles. It is an Americanism, apparently
          nonexistent in British English. Its currency in American English
          is attested as early as 1806 (by Meriwether Lewis) and it appears
          in the works of such notable American writers as Mark Twain,
          O. Henry, James Whitcomb Riley, and William Faulkner. Complexioned,
          recommended by handbooks, has less use than complected. Literary
          use, old and new, slightly favors complected.

   [1]complement
          [com.ple.ment] n [ME, fr. L complementum, fr. complere to
          fill up, complete, fr. com- + plere to fill--more at
          full] (14c) 1 a: something that fills up, completes,
          or makes perfect b: the quantity or number required to
          make a thing complete <the usual ~ of eyes and ears --Francis
          Parkman>; esp: the whole force or personnel of a ship
          c: one of two mutually completing parts: counterpart
          2 a: the angle or arc that when added to a given angle
          or arc equals a right angle in measure b: the set of
          all elements that do not belong to a given set and are
          contained in a particular mathematical set containing
          the given set c: a number that when added to another
          number of the same sign yields zero if the significant
          digit farthest to the left is discarded--used esp. in
          assembly language programming 3: the musical interval
          required with a given interval to complete the octave
          4: an added word or expression by which a predication
          is made complete (as president in "they elected him president"
          and beautiful in "he thought her beautiful") 5: the thermolabile
          group of proteins in normal blood serum and plasma that
          in combination with antibodies causes the destruction
          esp. of particulate antigens (as bacteria and foreign
          blood corpuscles) [2]com.ple.ment vi (1602) obs: to exchange
          formal courtesies ~ vt 1: to be complementary to 2 obs:
          compliment

   complemental
          [com.ple.men.tal] adj (1597) 1: relating to or being a complement
          2 obs: ceremonious, complimentary

   complementarity
          [com.ple.men.tar.i.ty] n (1911): the quality or state of
          being complementary

   complementary
          [com.ple.men.ta.ry] adj (1829) 1: relating to or constituting
          one of a pair of contrasting colors that produce a neutral
          color when combined in suitable proportions 2: serving
          to fill out or complete 3: mutually supplying each other's
          lack 4: being complements of each other <~ acute angles>
          5: characterized by the capacity for precise pairing
          of purine and pyrimidine bases between strands of DNA
          and sometimes RNA such that the structure of one strand
          determines the other -- com.ple.men.ta.ri.ly adv --
          com.ple.men.ta.ri.ness n -- complementary n

   complementation
          [com.ple.men.ta.tion] n (1942) 1: the operation of determining
          the complement of a mathematical set 2: production of
          normal phenotype in an individual heterozygous for two
          closely related mutations with one on each homologous
          chromosome and at a slightly different position

   complement fixation
          [complement fixation] n (1906): the process of binding serum
          complement to the product formed by the union of an antibody
          and the antigen for which it is specific that occurs
          when complement is added to a suitable mixture of such
          an antibody and antigen

   complement-fixation test
          [complement-fixation test] n (1911): a diagnostic test for
          the presence of a particular antibody in the serum of
          a patient that involves inactivation of the complement
          in the serum, addition of measured amounts of the antigen
          for which the antibody is specific and of foreign complement,
          and detection of the presence or absence of complement
          fixation by the addition of a suitable indicator system--compare
          wassermann test

   complementizer
          [com.ple.men.ti.zer] n (1965): a function word or morpheme
          that combines with a clause or verbal phrase to form
          a subordinate clause

   [1]complete
          [com.plete] adj com.plet.er ; -est [ME complet, fr. MF, fr.
          L completus, fr. pp. of complere] (14c) 1 a: having all
          necessary parts, elements, or steps <~ diet> b: having
          all four sets of floral organs c of a subject or predicate:
          including modifiers, complements, or objects 2: brought
          to an end: concluded <a ~ period of time> 3: highly proficient
          <a ~ artist> 4 a: fully carried out: thorough <a ~ renovation>
          b: total, absolute <~ silence> 5 of insect metamorphosis:
          characterized by the occurrence of a pupal stage between
          the motile immature stages and the adult--compare incomplete
          1b 6 of a metric space: having the property that every
          Cauchy sequence of elements converges to a limit in the
          space syn see full -- complete.ly adv -- com.plete.ness
          n -- com.ple.tive adj -- complete with : made complete
          by the inclusion of <a birthday cake complete with candles>
          [2]complete vt com.plet.ed ; com.plet.ing (15c) 1: to
          bring to an end and esp. into a perfected state <~ a
          painting> 2 a: to make whole or perfect <its song ~s
          the charm of this bird> b: to mark the end of <a rousing
          chorus ~s the show> c: execute, fulfill <~ a contract>
          3: to carry out (a forward pass) successfully syn see
          close

   complete fertilizer
          [complete fertilizer] n (1900): a fertilizer that contains
          the three chief plant nutrients nitrogen, phosphoric
          acid, and potash

   completion
          [com.ple.tion] n (1657) 1: the act or process of completing
          2: the quality or state of being complete 3: a completed
          forward pass in football

   [1]complex
          [com.plex] n [LL complexus totality, fr. L, embrace, fr.
          complecti] (1643) 1: a whole made up of complicated or
          interrelated parts <a ~ of university buildings> <a ~
          of welfare programs> <the military-industrial ~> 2 a:
          a group of culture traits relating to a single activity
          (as hunting), process (as use of flint), or culture unit
          b (1): a group of repressed desires and memories that
          exerts a dominating influence upon the personality (2):
          an exaggerated reaction to a subject or situation c:
          a group of obviously related units of which the degree
          and nature of the relationship is imperfectly known 3:
          a chemical association of two or more species (as ions
          or molecules) joined usu. by weak electrostatic bonds
          rather than covalent bonds [2]com.plex adj [L complexus,
          pp. of complecti to embrace, comprise (a multitude of
          objects), fr. com- + plectere to braid--more at ply]
          (ca. 1652) 1 a: composed of two or more parts: composite
          b (1) of a word: having a bound form as one or more of
          its immediate constituents <unmanly is a ~ word> (2)
          of a sentence: consisting of a main clause and one or
          more subordinate clauses 2: hard to separate, analyze,
          or solve 3: of, concerned with, being, or containing
          complex numbers <a ~ root> <~ analysis> -- com.plex.ly
          adv -- com.plex.ness n syn complex, complicated, intricate,
          involved, knotty mean having confusingly interrelated
          parts. complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary
          combining and does not imply a fault or failure <a complex
          recipe>. complicated applies to what offers great difficulty
          in understanding, solving, or explaining <complicated
          legal procedures>. intricate suggests such interlacing
          of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or
          grasp them separately <an intricate web of deceit>. involved
          implies extreme complication and often disorder <a rambling,
          involved explanation>. knotty suggests complication and
          entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable
          <knotty ethical questions>. [3]com.plex vt (1658) 1:
          to make complex or into a complex 2: chelate -- com.plex.a.tion
          n

   complex fraction
          [complex fraction] n (1827): a fraction with a fraction or
          mixed number in the numerator or denominator or both--compare
          simple fraction

   complexify
          [com.plex.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (1830): to make complex
          ~ vi: to become complex

   complexion
          [com.plex.ion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML complexion-, complexio,
          fr. L, combination, fr. complecti] (14c) 1: the combination
          of the hot, cold, moist, and dry qualities held in medieval
          physiology to determine the quality of a body 2 a: an
          individual complex of ways of thinking or feeling b:
          a complex of attitudes and inclinations 3: the hue or
          appearance of the skin and esp. of the face <a dark ~>
          4: overall aspect or character <by changing the ~ of
          the legislative branch --Trevor Armbrister> -- com.plex.ion.al
          adj -- com.plex.ioned adj

   complexity
          [com.plex.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1685) 1: the quality or state
          of being complex 2: something complex

   complex number
          [complex number] n (1860): a number of the form a plus b
          times the square root of -1 where a and b are real numbers

   complex plane
          [complex plane] n (ca. 1909): a plane whose points are identified
          by means of complex numbers; esp: argand diagram

   compliance
          [com.pli.ance] n (1647) 1 a: the act or process of complying
          to a desire, demand, or proposal or to coercion b: conformity
          in fulfilling official requirements 2: a disposition
          to yield to others 3: the ability of an object to yield
          elastically when a force is applied: flexibility

   compliancy
          [com.pli.an.cy] n (1643): compliance

   compliant
          [com.pli.ant] adj (1642): ready or disposed to comply: submissive
          -- com.pli.ant.ly adv

   complicacy
          [com.pli.ca.cy] n, pl -cies [[2]complicate] (ca. 1828) 1:
          the quality or state of being complicated 2: something
          that is complicated

   [1]complicate
          [com.pli.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (1621) 1: to combine
          esp. in an involved or inextricable manner 2: to make
          complex or difficult 3: involve; esp: to cause to be
          more complex or severe <a virus disease complicated by
          bacterial infection> [2]com.pli.cate adj [L complicatus,
          pp. of complicare to fold together, fr. com- + plicare
          to fold--more at ply] (1638) 1: complex, intricate 2:
          conduplicate

   complicated
          [com.pli.cat.ed] adj (1656) 1: consisting of parts intricately
          combined 2: difficult to analyze, understand, or explain
          syn see complex -- com.pli.cat.ed.ly adv -- com.pli.cat.ed.ness
          n

   complication
          [com.pli.ca.tion] n (15c) 1 a: complexity, intricacy; esp:
          a situation or a detail of character complicating the
          main thread of a plot b: a making difficult, involved,
          or intricate c: a complex or intricate feature or element
          d: a difficult factor or issue often appearing unexpectedly
          and changing existing plans, methods, or attitudes 2:
          a secondary disease or condition developing in the course
          of a primary disease or condition

   complice
          [com.plice] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL complic-, complex, fr.
          L, closely connected, fr. complicare] (15c) archaic:
          associate

   complicit
          [com.plic.it] adj (1973): having complicity

   complicitous
          [com.plic.it.ous] adj (1860): complicit

   complicity
          [com.plic.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1656) 1: association or
          participation in or as if in a wrongful act 2: an instance
          of complicity

   complier
          [com.pli.er] n (1660): one that complies

   [1]compliment
          [com.pli.ment] n [F, fr. It complimento, fr. Sp cumplimiento,
          fr. cumplir to be courteous--more at comply] (1654) 1
          a: an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration;
          esp: an admiring remark b: formal and respectful recognition:
          honor 2 pl: best wishes: regards <accept my ~s> <~s of
          the season> [2]com.pli.ment vt (1735) 1: to pay a compliment
          to 2: to present with a token of esteem

   complimentary
          [com.pli.men.ta.ry] adj (1716) 1 a: expressing or containing
          a compliment b: favorable <the novel received ~ reviews>
          2: given free as a courtesy or favor <~ tickets>
          -- com.pli.men.ta.ri.ly adv

   complimentary close
          [complimentary close] n (1919): the words (as sincerely yours)
          that conventionally come immediately before the signature
          of a letter and express the sender's regard for the
          receiver--called also complimentary closing

   compline
          [com.pline] n, often cap [ME compline, complie, fr. OF complie,
          modif. of LL completa, fr. L, fem. of completus complete]
          (13c): the seventh and last of the canonical hours

   [1]complot
          [com.plot] n [MF complot crowd, plot] (1577) archaic: plot,
          conspiracy [2]com.plot vb (1579) archaic: plot

   comply
          [com.ply] vi com.plied ; com.ply.ing [It complire, fr. Sp
          cumplir to complete, perform what is due, be courteous,
          modif. of L complere to complete] (1602) 1 obs: to be
          ceremoniously courteous 2: to conform or adapt one's
          actions to another's wishes, to a rule, or to necessity

   compo
          [com.po] n, pl compos [short for composition] (1823): any
          of various composition materials

   [1]component
          [com.po.nent] n [L component-, componens, prp. of componere
          to put together--more at compound] (1645) 1: a constituent
          part: ingredient 2 a: any one of the vector terms added
          to form a vector sum or resultant b: a coordinate of
          a vector; also: either member of an ordered pair of numbers
          syn see element -- com.po.nen.tial adj [2]component adj
          (1664): serving or helping to constitute: constituent

   [1]comport
          [com.port] vb [MF comporter to bear, conduct, fr. L comportare
          to bring together, fr. com- + portare to carry--more
          at fare] vi (1589): to be fitting: accord <actions that
          ~ with policy> ~ vt: behave; esp: to behave in a manner
          conformable to what is right, proper, or expected <~ed
          himself well in the crisis> syn see behave -- com.port.ment
          n [2]com.port n (1771): compote 2

   compose
          [com.pose] vb com.posed ; com.pos.ing [ME, fr. MF composer,
          fr. L componere (perf. indic. composui)--more at compound]
          vt (15c) 1 a: to form by putting together: fashion <a
          committee composed of three representatives --Current
          Biog.> b: to form the substance of: constitute <composed
          of many ingredients> c: to produce (as columns or pages
          of type) by composition 2 a: to create by mental or artistic
          labor: produce <~ a sonnet> b (1): to formulate and write
          (a piece of music) (2): to compose music for 3: to deal
          with or act on so as to reduce to a minimum <~ their
          differences> 4: to arrange in proper or orderly form
          5: to free from agitation: calm, settle <composed himself>
          ~ vi: to practice composition

   composed
          [com.posed] adj (1607): free from agitation: calm; esp:
          self-possessed syn see cool -- com.pos.ed.ly adv -- com.pos.ed.ness
          n

   composer
          [com.pos.er] n (1597): one that composes; esp: a person who
          writes music

   composing room
          [composing room] n (1737): the department in a printing office
          where typesetting and related operations are performed

   composing stick
          [composing stick] n (1679): a tray with an adjustable slide
          that a compositor holds in one hand and sets type into
          with the other

   [1]composite
          [com.pos.ite] adj [L compositus, pp. of componere] (1563)
          1: made up of distinct parts: as a cap: relating to or
          being a modification of the Corinthian order combining
          angular Ionic volutes with the acanthus-circled bell
          of the Corinthian b: of or relating to a very large family
          (Compositae) of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees
          often considered to be the most highly evolved plants
          and characterized by florets arranged in dense heads
          that resemble single flowers c: factorable into two or
          more prime factors other than 1 and itself <8 is a positive
          ~ integer> 2: combining the typical or essential characteristics
          of individuals making up a group <the ~ man called the
          Poet --Richard Poirier> 3 of a statistical hypothesis:
          specifying a range of values for one or more statistical
          parameters--compare simple 10 -- com.pos.ite.ly adv [2]composite
          n (1656) 1: something composite: compound 2: a composite
          plant 3: composite function 4: a solid material which
          is composed of two or more substances having different
          physical characteristics and in which each substance
          retains its identity while contributing desirable properties
          to the whole; esp: a structural material made of plastic
          within which a fibrous material (as silicon carbide)
          is embedded [3]composite vt -it.ed ; -it.ing (1923):
          to make composite or into something composite <composited
          four soil samples>

   composite function
          [composite function] n (1965): a function whose values are
          found from two given functions by applying one function
          to an independent variable and then applying the second
          function to the result and whose domain consists of those
          values of the independent variable for which the result
          yielded by the first function lies in the domain of the
          second

   composition
          [com.po.si.tion] n [ME composicioun, fr. MF composition,
          fr. L composition-, compositio, fr. componere] (14c)
          1 a: the act or process of composing; specif: arrangement
          into specific proportion or relation and esp. into artistic
          form b (1): the arrangement of type for printing <hand
          ~> (2): the production of type or typographic characters
          (as in photocomposition) arranged for printing 2 a: the
          manner in which something is composed b: general makeup
          <the changing ethnic ~ of the city --Leonard Buder> c:
          the qualitative and quantitative makeup of a chemical
          compound 3: mutual settlement or agreement 4: a product
          of mixing or combining various elements or ingredients
          5: an intellectual creation: as a: a piece of writing;
          esp: a school exercise in the form of a brief essay b:
          a written piece of music esp. of considerable size and
          complexity 6: the quality or state of being compound
          7: the operation of forming a composite function; also:
          composite function -- com.po.si.tion.al adj -- com.po.si.tion.al.ly
          adv

   compositor
          [com.pos.i.tor] n (1569): one who sets type

   compos mentis
          [com.pos men.tis] adj [L, lit., having mastery of one's mind]
          (1616): of sound mind, memory, and understanding

   [1]compost
          [com.post] n [MF, fr. ML compostum, fr. L, neut. of compositus,
          compostus, pp. of componere] (1587) 1: a mixture that
          consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used
          for fertilizing and conditioning land 2: mixture, compound
          [2]compost vt (1829): to convert (as plant debris) to
          compost

   composure
          [com.po.sure] n (1647): a calmness or repose esp. of mind,
          bearing, or appearance: self-possession syn see equanimity

   compote
          [com.pote] n [F, fr. OF composte, fr. L composta, fem. of
          compostus, pp.] (1693) 1: a dessert of fruit cooked in
          syrup 2: a bowl of glass, porcelain, or metal usu. with
          a base and stem from which compotes, fruits, nuts, or
          sweets are served

   [1]compound
          [com.pound] vb [ME compounen, fr. MF compondre, fr. L componere,
          fr. com- + ponere to put--more at position] vt (14c)
          1: to put together (parts) so as to form a whole: combine
          <~ ingredients> 2: to form by combining parts <~ a medicine>
          3 a: to settle amicably: adjust by agreement b: to agree
          for a consideration not to prosecute (an offense) <~
          a felony> 4 a: to pay (interest) on both the accrued
          interest and the principal b: to add to: augment <we
          ~ed our error in later policy --Robert Lekachman> ~ vi
          1: to become joined in a compound 2: to come to terms
          of agreement -- com.pound.able adj -- com.pound.er n
          [2]com.pound adj [ME compouned, pp. of compounen] (14c)
          1: composed of or resulting from union of separate elements,
          ingredients, or parts: as a: composed of united similar
          elements esp. of a kind usu. independent <a ~ plant ovary>
          b: having the blade divided to the midrib and forming
          two or more leaflets on a common axis <a ~ leaf> 2: involving
          or used in a combination 3 a of a word: constituting
          a compound b of a sentence: having two or more main clauses
          [3]com.pound n (1530) 1 a: a word consisting of components
          that are words (as rowboat, high school, devil-may-care)
          b: a word (as anthropology, kilocycle, builder) consisting
          of any of various combinations of words, combining forms,
          or affixes 2: something formed by a union of elements
          or parts; esp: a distinct substance formed by chemical
          union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion
          by weight [4]com.pound n [by folk etymology fr. Malay
          kampung group of buildings, village] (1679): a fenced
          or walled-in area containing a group of buildings and
          esp. residences

   compound-complex
          [compound-complex] adj (1923) of a sentence: having two or
          more main clauses and one or more subordinate clauses

   compound eye
          [compound eye] n (1836): an eye (as of an insect) made up
          of many separate visual units

   compound fracture
          [compound fracture] n (1543): a bone fracture resulting in
          an open wound through which bone fragments usu. protrude

   compound interest
          [compound interest] n (1660): interest computed on the sum
          of an original principal and accrued interest

   compound microscope
          [compound microscope] n (ca. 1859): a microscope consisting
          of an objective and an eyepiece mounted in a drawtube

   compound number
          [compound number] n (15c): a number (as 2 ft. 5 in.) involving
          different denominations or more than one unit

   comprador
          [com.pra.dor] or com.pra.dore n [Pg comprador, lit., buyer]
          (1840) 1: a Chinese agent engaged by a foreign establishment
          in China to have charge of its Chinese employees and
          to act as an intermediary in business affairs 2: intermediary

   comprehend
          [com.pre.hend] vt [ME, fr. L comprehendere, fr. com- + prehendere
          to grasp--more at get] (14c) 1: to grasp the nature,
          significance, or meaning of 2: to contain or hold within
          a total scope, significance, or amount <philosophy's
          scope ~s the truth of everything which man may understand
          --H. O. Taylor> 3: to include by construction or implication
          <does not prudence ~ all the virtues? --Thomas B. Silver>
          syn see understand, include -- com.pre.hend.ible adj

   comprehensible
          [com.pre.hen.si.ble] adj (1598): capable of being comprehended:
          intelligible -- com.pre.hen.si.bil.i.ty n --
          com.pre.hen.si.ble.ness n -- com.pre.hen.si.bly adv

   comprehension
          [com.pre.hen.sion] n [MF & L; MF, fr. L comprehension-,
          comprehensio, fr. comprehendere to understand, comprise] (15c)
          1 a: the act or action of grasping with the intellect:
          understanding b: knowledge gained by comprehending c: the capacity
          for understanding fully 2 a: the act or process of comprising
          b: the faculty or capability of including: comprehensiveness
          3: connotation 3

   comprehensive
          [com.pre.hen.sive] adj (1614) 1: covering completely or broadly:
          inclusive <~ examinations> <~ insurance> 2: having or
          exhibiting wide mental grasp <~ knowledge> -- com.pre.hen.sive.ly
          adv -- com.pre.hen.sive.ness n

   [1]compress
          [com.press] vb [ME, fr. LL compressare to press hard, freq.
          of L comprimere to compress, fr. com- + premere to press--more
          at press] vt (14c) 1: to press or squeeze together 2:
          to reduce in size or volume as if by squeezing ~ vi:
          to undergo compression syn see contract [2]com.press
          n [MF compresse, fr. compresser to compress, fr. LL compressare]
          (1599) 1: a folded cloth or pad applied so as to press
          upon a body part 2: a machine for compressing

   compressed
          [com.pressed] adj (14c) 1: pressed together: reduced in size
          or volume (as by pressure) 2: flattened as though subjected
          to compression: a: flattened laterally <petioles ~> b:
          narrow from side to side and deep in a dorsoventral direction
          -- com.pressed.ly adv

   compressed air
          [compressed air] n (1669): air under pressure greater than
          that of the atmosphere

   compressible
          [com.press.ible] adj (ca. 1691): capable of being compressed
          -- com.press.ibil.i.ty n

   compression
          [com.pres.sion] n (15c) 1 a: the act, process, or result
          of compressing b: the state of being compressed 2: the
          process of compressing the fuel mixture in a cylinder
          of an internal combustion engine (as in an automobile)
          3: a much compressed fossil plant -- com.pres.sion.al
          adj

   compressional wave
          [compressional wave] n (1887): a longitudinal wave (as a
          sound wave) propagated by the elastic compression of
          the medium--called also compression wave

   compressive
          [com.pres.sive] adj (1572) 1: of or relating to compression
          2: tending to compress -- com.pres.sive.ly adv

   compressor
          [com.pres.sor] n (1839): one that compresses: as a: a muscle
          that compresses a part b: a machine that compresses gases

   comprise
          [com.prise] vt com.prised ; com.pris.ing [ME, fr. MF compris,
          pp. of comprendre, fr. L comprehendere] (15c) 1: to include
          esp. within a particular scope <civilization as Lenin
          used the term would then certainly have comprised the
          changes that are now associated in our minds with "developed"
          rather than "developing" states --Times Lit. Supp.> 2:
          to be made up of <a vast installation, comprising fifty
          buildings --Jane Jacobs> 3: compose, constitute <a misconception
          as to what ~s a literary generation --William Styron>
          <about 8 percent of our military forces are comprised
          of women --Jimmy Carter> usage Although it has been in
          use since the late 18th century, sense 3 is still attacked
          as wrong. Why it has been singled out is not clear, but
          until comparatively recent times it was found chiefly
          in scientific or technical writing rather than belles
          lettres. Our current evidence shows a slight shift in
          usage: sense 3 is somewhat more frequent in recent literary
          use than the earlier senses. You should be aware, however,
          that if you use sense 3 you may be subject to criticism
          for doing so, and you may want to choose a safer synonym
          such as compose or make up.

   [1]compromise
          [com.pro.mise] n [ME, mutual promise to abide by an arbiter's
          decision, fr. MF compromis, fr. L compromissum, fr. neut.
          of compromissus, pp. of compromittere to promise mutually,
          fr. com- + promittere to promise--more at promise] (15c)
          1 a: settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent
          reached by mutual concessions b: something intermediate
          between or blending qualities of two different things
          2: a concession to something derogatory or prejudicial
          <a ~ of principles> [2]compromise vb -mised ; -mis.ing
          vt (1598) 1 obs: to bind by mutual agreement 2: to adjust
          or settle by mutual concessions 3 a: to expose to suspicion,
          discredit, or mischief b: to reveal or expose to an unauthorized
          person and esp. to an enemy <confidential information
          was compromised> c: to cause the impairment of <a compromised
          immune system> <a seriously compromised patient> ~ vi
          1 a: to come to agreement by mutual concession b: to
          find or follow a way between extremes 2: to make a shameful
          or disreputable concession <wouldn't ~ with their principles>
          -- com.pro.mis.er n

   compt
          [compt] archaic var of count

   compte rendu
          [compte ren.du] [F] foreign term : report (as of proceedings
          in an investigation)

   comptroller
          [comp.trol.ler] n [ME, alter. of conterroller controller]
          (15c) 1: a royal-household official who examines and
          supervises expenditures 2: a public official who audits
          government accounts and sometimes certifies expenditures
          3: controller 1c -- comp.trol.ler.ship n

   compulsion
          [com.pul.sion] n [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr. LL compulsion-,
          compulsio, fr. L compellere to compel] (15c) 1 a: an
          act of compelling: the state of being compelled b: a
          force that compels 2: an irresistible impulse to perform
          an irrational act

   compulsive
          [com.pul.sive] adj (1588) 1: having power to compel 2: of,
          relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological
          compulsion or obsession <~ actions> -- com.pul.sive.ly
          adv -- com.pul.sive.ness n -- com.pul.siv.i.ty n

   compulsory
          [com.pul.so.ry] adj (1581) 1: mandatory, enforced 2: coercive,
          compelling -- com.pul.so.ri.ly adv

   compunction
          [com.punc.tion] n [ME compunccioun, fr. MF componction, fr.
          LL compunction-, compunctio, fr. L compungere to prick
          hard, sting, fr. com- + pungere to prick--more at pungent]
          (14c) 1 a: anxiety arising from awareness of guilt <~s
          of conscience> b: distress of mind over an anticipated
          action or result <showed no ~ in planning devilish engines
          of ... destruction --Havelock Ellis> 2: a twinge of misgiving:
          scruple <cheated without ~> syn see penitence, qualm
          -- com.punc.tious adj

   compurgation
          [com.pur.ga.tion] n [LL compurgation-, compurgatio, fr. L
          compurgare to clear completely, fr. com- + purgare to
          purge] (ca. 1658): the clearing of an accused person
          by oaths of others who swear to the veracity or innocence
          of the accused

   compurgator
          [com.pur.ga.tor] n (1533): one that under oath vouches for
          the character or conduct of an accused person

   computable
          [com.put.able] adj (1646): capable of being computed
          -- com.put.abil.i.ty n

   computation
          [com.pu.ta.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act or action of computing:
          calculation b: the use or operation of a computer 2:
          a system of reckoning 3: an amount computed -- com.pu.ta.tion.al
          adj -- com.pu.ta.tion.al.ly adv

   compute
          [com.pute] vb com.put.ed ; com.put.ing [L computare--more
          at count] vt (1616): to determine esp. by mathematical
          means <~ your income tax>; also: to determine or calculate
          by means of a computer ~ vi 1: to make calculation: reckon
          2: to use a computer

   computed tomography
          [computed tomography] n (1975): radiography in which
          a three-dimensional image of a body structure is constructed
          by computer from a series of plane cross-sectional images made
          along an axis--called also computed axial tomography, computerized
          axial tomography, computerized tomography

   computer
          [com.put.er] n, often attrib (1646): one that computes; specif:
          a programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve,
          and process data -- com.put.er.dom n -- com.put.er.less
          adj -- com.put.er.like adj

   computerese
          [com.put.er.ese] n (ca. 1960): jargon used by computer
          technologists

   computerise
          [com.put.er.ise] chiefly Brit var of computerize

   computerist
          [com.put.er.ist] n (1973): a person who uses or operates
          a computer

   computerize
          [com.put.er.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1957) 1: to carry out,
          control, or produce by means of a computer 2: to equip
          with computers 3 a: to store in a computer b: to put
          in a form that a computer can use -- com.put.er.iz.able
          adj -- com.put.er.i.za.tion n

   computernik
          [com.put.er.nik] n (1968): a computer enthusiast or expert

   computerphobe
          [com.put.er.phobe] n (1976): a person who experiences anxiety
          about computers and esp. about their use -- com.put.er.pho.bia
          n -- com.put.er.pho.bic adj

   comr
          [comr] abbreviation commissioner

   comrade
          [com.rade] n [MF camarade group sleeping in one room, roommate,
          companion, fr. OSp camarada, fr. camara room, fr. LL
          camera, camara--more at chamber] (1544) 1 a: an intimate
          friend or associate: companion b: a fellow soldier 2
          [fr. its use as a form of address by communists]: communist
          -- com.rade.li.ness n -- com.rade.ly adj -- com.rade.ship
          n

   comradery
          [com.rad.ery] n (1879): camaraderie

   Comsat
          [Comsat] service mark--used for communications services involving
          an artificial satellite

   Comstockery
          [Com.stock.ery] n [Anthony Comstock + E -ery] (1905) 1: strict
          censorship of materials considered obscene 2: censorious
          opposition to alleged immorality (as in literature)

   Comstockian
          [Com.stock.ian] adj (1921): of or relating to Comstockery

   comsymp
          [com.symp] n [communist + sympathizer] (ca. 1961): a person
          sympathetic to communist causes--usu. used disparagingly

   Comtian
          [Comt.ian] or Comt.ean adj (1846): of or relating to Auguste
          Comte or his doctrines -- Comt.ism n -- Comt.ist adj
          or n

   [1]con
          [con] vt conned ; con.ning [ME connen to know, learn, study,
          alter. of cunnen to know, infin. of can--more at can]
          (13c) 1: to commit to memory 2: to study or examine closely
          [2]con var of conn [3]con adv [ME, short for contra]
          (15c): on the negative side: in opposition <so much has
          been written pro and ~> [4]con n (1589) 1: an argument
          or evidence in opposition 2: the negative position or
          one holding it <an appraisal of the pros and ~s> [5]con
          adj [by shortening] (1889): confidence [6]con vt conned
          ; con.ning (1896) 1: swindle 2: manipulate 2b 3: persuade,
          cajole [7]con n (1901): something (as a ruse) used deceptively
          to gain another's confidence; also: a confidence game:
          swindle [8]con n [by shortening] (1893): convict [9]con
          n [short for consumption] (1915) slang: a destructive
          disease of the lungs; esp: tuberculosis

   con
          [con] [L conjunx] abbreviation consort; consolidated, consul,
          continued

   con-
          [con-] --see com-

   con amore
          [con amo.re] adv [It] (1739) 1: with love, devotion, or zest
          2: in a tender manner--used as a direction in music

   con anima
          [con ani.ma] adv [It, lit., with spirit] (ca. 1906): in a
          spirited manner--used as a direction in music

   conation
          [co.na.tion] n [L conation-, conatio act of attempting, fr.
          conari to attempt--more at deacon] (ca. 1837): an inclination
          (as an instinct, a drive, a wish, or a craving) to act
          purposefully: impulse 3 -- co.na.tive adj

   con brio
          [con brio] adv [It, lit., with vigor] (ca. 1889): in a vigorous
          or brisk manner--used as a direction in music

   conc
          [conc] abbreviation concentrate, concentrated, concentration,
          concrete

   concanavalin
          [con.ca.nav.a.lin] n [com- + canavalin, a noncrystalline
          globulin found in the jack bean, fr. NL Canavalia, genus
          name of the jack bean] (1917): either of two crystalline
          globulins occurring in the jack bean; esp: one that is
          a potent hemagglutinin

   [1]concatenate
          [con.cat.e.nate] adj [ME, fr. LL concatenatus, pp. of concatenare
          to link together, fr. L com- + catena chain] (15c): linked
          together [2]concatenate vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1598):
          to link together in a series or chain -- con.cat.e.na.tion
          n

   [1]concave
          [con.cave] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L concavus, fr. com- + cavus
          hollow--more at cave] (15c) 1: hollowed or rounded inward
          like the inside of a bowl 2: arched in: curving in--used
          of the side of a curve or surface on which neighboring
          normals to the curve or surface converge and on which
          lies the chord joining two neighboring points of the
          curve or surface [2]con.cave n (1552): a concave line
          or surface

   concavity
          [con.cav.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: a concave line, surface,
          or space: hollow 2: the quality or state of being concave

   concavo-convex
          [con.ca.vo-con.vex] adj (1676) 1: concave on one side and
          convex on the other 2: having the concave side curved
          more than the convex <a ~ lens>

   conceal
          [con.ceal] vt [ME concelen, fr. MF conceler, fr. L concelare,
          fr. com- + celare to hide--more at hell] (14c) 1: to
          prevent disclosure or recognition of 2: to place out
          of sight syn see hide -- con.ceal.able adj -- con.ceal.er
          n -- con.ceal.ing.ly adv -- con.ceal.ment n

   concede
          [con.cede] vb con.ced.ed ; con.ced.ing [F or L; F conceder,
          fr. L concedere, fr. com- + cedere to yield] vt (1632)
          1: to grant as a right or privilege 2 a: to accept as
          true, valid, or accurate <the right of the state to tax
          is generally conceded> b: to acknowledge grudgingly or
          hesitantly ~ vi: to make concession: yield syn see grant
          -- con.ced.ed.ly adv -- con.ced.er n

   [1]conceit
          [con.ceit] n [ME, fr. conceiven] (14c) 1 a (1): a result
          of mental activity: thought (2): individual opinion b:
          favorable opinion; esp: excessive appreciation of one's
          own worth or virtue 2: a fancy article 3 a: a fanciful
          idea b: an elaborate or strained metaphor c: use or presence
          of such conceits in poetry d: an organizing theme or
          concept <found his ~ for the film early --Peter Wilkinson>
          [2]conceit vt (1557) 1 obs: conceive, understand 2 chiefly
          dial: imagine 3 dial Brit: to take a fancy to

   conceited
          [con.ceit.ed] adj [[1]conceit] (1593) 1: ingeniously contrived:
          fanciful 2: having an excessively high opinion of oneself
          -- con.ceit.ed.ly adv -- con.ceit.ed.ness n

   conceivable
          [con.ceiv.able] adj (15c): capable of being conceived: imaginable
          -- con.ceiv.abil.i.ty n -- con.ceiv.able.ness n

   conceivably
          [con.ceiv.ably] adv (1625) 1: in a conceivable manner 2:
          it may be conceived: possibly

   conceive
          [con.ceive] vb con.ceived ; con.ceiv.ing [ME, fr. MF conceivre,
          fr. L concipere to take in, conceive, fr. com- + capere
          to take--more at heave] vt (14c) 1 a: to become pregnant
          with (young) b: to cause to begin: originate 2 a: to
          take into one's mind <~ a prejudice> b: to form a conception
          of: imagine 3: to apprehend by reason or imagination:
          understand 4: to be of the opinion ~ vi 1: to become
          pregnant 2: to have a conception--usu. used with of <~s
          of death as emptiness> syn see think -- con.ceiv.er n

   concelebrant
          [con.cel.e.brant] n (ca. 1931): one that concelebrates a
          Eucharist or Mass

   concelebrate
          [con.cel.e.brate] vb [ML concelebratus, pp. of concelebrare,
          fr. L, to frequent, celebrate, fr. com- + celebrare to
          celebrate] vt (1879): to participate in (a Eucharist)
          as a joint celebrant who recites the canon in unison
          with other celebrants ~ vi: to participate as a celebrant
          in a concelebrated Eucharist -- con.cel.e.bra.tion n

   concent
          [con.cent] n [L concentus, fr. concinere to sing together,
          fr. com- + canere to sing--more at chant] (1585) archaic:
          harmony

   concenter
          [con.cen.ter] vb [F concentrer, fr. com- + centre center]
          vt (1598): to draw or direct to a common center: concentrate
          ~ vi: to come to a common center

   [1]concentrate
          [con.cen.trate] vb -trat.ed ; -trat.ing [com- + L centrum
          center] vt (1646) 1 a: to bring or direct toward a common
          center or objective: focus b: to gather into one body,
          mass, or force <power was concentrated in a few able
          hands> c: to accumulate (a toxic substance) in bodily
          tissues <fish ~ mercury> 2 a: to make less dilute <~
          syrup> b: to express or exhibit in condensed form ~ vi
          1: to draw toward or meet in a common center 2: gather,
          collect 3: to concentrate one's powers, efforts, or attention
          <~ on a problem> -- con.cen.trat.ed.ly adv -- con.cen.tra.tive
          adj [2]concentrate n (1883) 1: something concentrated:
          as a: a mineral-rich product obtained after an initial
          processing of ore b: a food reduced in bulk by elimination
          of fluid <orange juice ~> 2: a feedstuff (as grains)
          relatively rich in digestible nutrients--compare fiber

   concentration
          [con.cen.tra.tion] n (1634) 1 a: the act or process
          of concentrating: the state of being concentrated; esp: direction
          of attention to a single object b: major 4a 2: a concentrated mass
          or thing 3: the amount of a component in a given area or volume

   concentration camp
          [concentration camp] n (1901): a camp where persons (as prisoners
          of war, political prisoners, or refugees) are detained
          or confined

   concentrator
          [con.cen.tra.tor] n (1833): one that concentrates: as a:
          an industrial plant that produces concentrates from ores
          b: a mirror or group of mirrors that focus sunlight for
          use as an energy source c: a device in a computer network
          that collects data from separate low-volume transmission
          channels and retransmits it over a single high-volume
          channel

   concentric
          [con.cen.tric] adj [ML concentricus, fr. L com- + centrum
          center] (14c) 1: having a common center <~ circles> 2:
          having a common axis: coaxial -- con.cen.tri.cal.ly adv
          -- con.cen.tric.i.ty n

   concept
          [con.cept] n [L conceptum, neut. of conceptus, pp. of concipere
          to conceive--more at conceive] (1556) 1: something conceived
          in the mind: thought, notion 2: an abstract or generic
          idea generalized from particular instances syn see idea

   conceptacle
          [con.cep.ta.cle] n [NL conceptaculum, fr. L, receptacle,
          fr. conceptus, pp. of concipere to take in] (1835): an
          external cavity containing reproductive cells in algae
          (as of the genus Fucus)

   conception
          [con.cep.tion] n [ME concepcioun, fr. OF conception, fr.
          L conception-, conceptio, fr. concipere] (14c) 1 a (1):
          the act of becoming pregnant: the state of being conceived
          (2): embryo, fetus b: beginning <joy had the like ~ in
          our eyes --Shak.> 2 a: the capacity, function, or process
          of forming or understanding ideas or abstractions or
          their symbols b: a general idea: concept c: a complex
          product of abstract or reflective thinking d: the sum
          of a person's ideas and beliefs concerning something
          3: the originating of something in the mind syn see idea
          -- con.cep.tion.al adj -- con.cep.tive adj

   conceptual
          [con.cep.tu.al] adj [ML conceptualis of thought, fr. LL conceptus
          act of conceiving, thought, fr. L concipere] (ca. 1834):
          of, relating to, or consisting of concepts -- con.cep.tu.al.i.ty
          n -- con.cep.tu.al.ly adv

   conceptual art
          [conceptual art] n (ca. 1969): an art form in which the artist's
          intent is to convey a concept rather than to create an
          art object -- conceptual artist n

   conceptualise
          [con.cep.tu.al.ise] Brit var of conceptualize

   conceptualism
          [con.cep.tu.al.ism] n (ca. 1838): a theory in philosophy
          intermediate between realism and nominalism that universals
          exist in the mind as concepts of discourse or as predicates
          which may be properly affirmed of reality -- con.cep.tu.al.is.tic
          adj -- con.cep.tu.al.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   conceptualist
          [con.cep.tu.al.ist] n (1785): an adherent to the tenets of
          conceptualism or of conceptual art

   conceptualize
          [con.cep.tu.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1878): to form a
          concept of; esp: to interpret conceptually --
          con.cep.tu.al.i.za.tion n -- con.cep.tu.al.iz.er n

   conceptus
          [con.cep.tus] n [L, one conceived, fr. pp. of concipere to
          conceive] (ca. 1860): a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus

   [1]concern
          [con.cern] vb [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF concerner, fr. ML concernere,
          fr. LL, to sift together, mingle, fr. L com- + cernere
          to sift--more at certain] vt (15c) 1 a: to relate to:
          be about <the novel ~s three soldiers> b: to bear on
          2: to have an influence on: involve; also: to be the
          business or affair of <the problem ~s us all> 3: to be
          a care, trouble, or distress to <her ill health ~s me>
          4: engage, occupy <he ~s himself with trivia> ~ vi, obs:
          to be of importance: matter [2]concern n (1655) 1 a:
          marked interest or regard usu. arising through a personal
          tie or relationship b: an uneasy state of blended interest,
          uncertainty, and apprehension 2: something that relates
          or belongs to one: affair 3: matter for consideration
          4: an organization or establishment for business or manufacture
          5: contrivance, gadget syn see care

   concerned
          [concerned] adj (1656) 1 a: anxious, worried <~ for their
          safety> b: interested <~ to prove the point> 2 a: interestedly
          engaged <~ with books and music> b: culpably involved:
          implicated <arrested all ~>

   concerning
          [concerning] prep (15c): relating to: regarding

   concernment
          [con.cern.ment] n (1610) 1: something in which one is concerned
          2: importance, consequence 3 archaic: involvement, participation
          4: solicitude, anxiety

   [1]concert
          [con.cert] n [F, fr. It concerto, fr. concertare] (1674)
          1 obs: musical harmony: concord 2 a: agreement in design
          or plan: union formed by mutual communication of opinion
          and views b: a concerted action <the sacrifice was hailed
          with a ~ of praise> 3: a public performance (as of music
          or dancing) -- concert adj -- in concert : together [2]con.cert
          vb [MF concerter, fr. OIt concertare, perh. fr. com-
          + certo certain, decided, fr. L certus--more at certain]
          vt (1694) 1: to settle or adjust by conferring and reaching
          an agreement <~ed their differences> 2: to make a plan
          for <~ measures for aiding the poor> ~ vi: to act in
          harmony or conjunction

   concerted
          [con.cert.ed] adj (1716) 1 a: mutually contrived or agreed
          on <a ~ effort> b: performed in unison <~ artillery fire>
          2: arranged in parts for several voices or instruments
          -- con.cert.ed.ly adv -- con.cert.ed.ness n

   concertgoer
          [con.cert.go.er] n (1855): one who frequently attends concerts
          -- con.cert.go.ing n or adj

   concert grand
          [concert grand] n (ca. 1891): a grand piano of the largest
          size adapted in volume, timbre, and brilliance of tone
          to concert use

   concertina
          [con.cer.ti.na] n [prob. fr. [1]concert + It -ina, dim. suffix]
          (1837) 1: a musical instrument of the accordion family
          2: a coiled barbed wire for use as an obstacle--called
          also concertina wire

   concertino
          [con.cer.ti.no] n, pl -nos [It, dim. of concerto] (ca. 1801)
          1: the solo instruments in a concerto grosso 2: a short
          concerto

   concertize
          [con.cert.ize] vi -ized ; -iz.ing (1883): to perform professionally
          in concerts

   concertmaster
          [con.cert.mas.ter] or con.cert.meis.ter n [G Konzertmeister,
          fr. Konzert concert + Meister master] (ca. 1889): the
          leader of the first violins of an orchestra and by custom
          usu. the assistant to the conductor

   concerto
          [con.cer.to] n, pl -ti or -tos [It, fr. concerto concert]
          (1730): a piece for one or more soloists and orchestra
          with three contrasting movements

   concerto grosso
          [concerto gros.so] n, pl concerti gros.si [It, lit., big
          concerto] (1724): a baroque orchestral composition featuring
          a small group of solo instruments contrasting with the
          full orchestra

   concert pitch
          [concert pitch] n (1767) 1: international pitch 2: a high
          state of fitness, tension, or readiness

   concession
          [con.ces.sion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L concession-,
          concessio, fr. concedere to concede] (15c) 1 a: the act
          or an instance of conceding b: the admitting of a point
          claimed in argument 2: something conceded: a: acknowledgment,
          admission b: grant c (1): a grant of land or property
          esp. by a government in return for services or for a
          particular use (2): a right to undertake and profit by
          a specified activity (3): a lease of a portion of premises
          for a particular purpose; also: the portion leased or
          the activities carried on -- con.ces.sion.al adj --
          con.ces.sion.ary adj

   concessionaire
          [con.ces.sion.aire] n [F concessionnaire, fr. concession]
          (1862): the owner or operator of a concession; esp: one
          that operates a refreshment stand at a recreational center

   concessioner
          [con.ces.sion.er] n (ca. 1891): concessionaire

   concessive
          [con.ces.sive] adj (1711) 1: denoting concession <a ~ clause>
          2: making for or being a concession -- con.ces.sive.ly
          adv

   conch
          [conch] n, pl conchs or conches [ME, fr. L concha mussel,
          mussel shell, fr. Gk konche; akin to Skt sankha conch
          shell] (15c) 1: any of various large spiral-shelled marine
          gastropod mollusks (as of the genus Strombus); also:
          its shell used esp. for cameos 2 often cap: a native
          or resident of the Florida Keys 3: concha 2

   concha
          [con.cha] n, pl con.chae [It & L; It conca semidome, apse,
          fr. LL concha, fr. L, shell] (ca. 1639) 1 a: the plain
          semidome of an apse b: apse 2: something shaped like
          a shell; esp: the largest and deepest concavity of the
          external ear -- con.chal adj

   conchoidal
          [con.choi.dal] adj [Gk konchoeides like a mussel, fr. konche]
          (1666): having elevations or depressions shaped like
          the inside surface of a bivalve shell -- con.choi.dal.ly
          adv

   conchology
          [con.chol.o.gy] n [Gk konche] (1776) 1: a branch of zoology
          that deals with shells 2: a treatise on shells -- con.chol.o.gist
          n

   concierge
          [con.cierge] n, pl con.cierges [F, fr. OF, prob fr. (assumed)
          VL conservius, alter. of L conservus fellow slave, fr.
          com- + servus slave] (ca. 1697) 1: a resident in an apartment
          building esp. in France who serves as doorkeeper, landlord's
          representative, and janitor 2: a usu. multilingual hotel
          staff member who handles luggage and mail, makes reservations,
          and arranges tours

   conciliar
          [con.cil.i.ar] adj [L concilium council] (ca. 1677): of,
          relating to, or issued by a council -- con.cil.i.ar.ly
          adv

   conciliate
          [con.cil.i.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L conciliatus, pp. of
          conciliare to assemble, unite, win over, fr. concilium
          assembly, council--more at council] vt (1545) 1: to gain
          (as goodwill) by pleasing acts 2: to make compatible:
          reconcile 3: appease ~ vi: to become friendly or agreeable
          syn see pacify -- con.cil.i.a.tion n -- con.cil.i.a.tive
          adj -- con.cil.i.a.tor n -- con.cil.ia.to.ry adj

   concinnity
          [con.cin.ni.ty] n, pl -ties [L concinnitas, fr. concinnus
          skillfully put together] (1531): harmony or elegance
          of design esp. of literary style in adaptation of parts
          to a whole or to each other

   concise
          [con.cise] adj [L concisus, fr. pp. of concidere to cut up,
          fr. com- + caedere to cut, strike] (ca. 1590) 1: marked
          by brevity of expression or statement: free from all
          elaboration and superfluous detail 2: cut short: brief
          -- con.cise.ly adv -- con.cise.ness n syn concise, terse,
          succinct, laconic, summary, pithy, compendious mean very
          brief in statement or expression. concise suggests the
          removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative <a
          concise description>. terse implies pointed conciseness
          <a terse reply>. succinct implies the greatest possible
          compression <a succinct letter of resignation>. laconic
          implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent,
          or mysterious <an aloof and laconic stranger>. summary
          suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration
          or explanation <a summary listing of the year's main
          events>. pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication
          of richness of meaning or substance <a comedy sharpened
          by pithy one-liners>. compendious applies to what is
          at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment
          <a compendious dictionary>.

   concision
          [con.ci.sion] n [ME, fr. L concision-, concisio, fr. concidere]
          (14c) 1 archaic: a cutting up or off 2: the quality or
          state of being concise

   conclave
          [con.clave] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF, fr. ML, fr. L, room
          that can be locked up, fr. com- + clavis key--more at
          clavicle] (1524) 1: a private meeting or secret assembly;
          esp: a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously
          while choosing a pope 2: a gathering of a group or association

   conclude
          [con.clude] vb con.clud.ed ; con.clud.ing [ME, fr. L concludere
          to shut up, end, infer, fr. com- + claudere to shut--more
          at close] vt (14c) 1 obs: to shut up: enclose 2: to bring
          to an end esp. in a particular way or with a particular
          action <~ a meeting with a prayer> 3 a: to reach as a
          logically necessary end by reasoning: infer on the basis
          of evidence <concluded that her argument was sound> b:
          to make a decision about: decide <concluded he would
          wait a little longer> c: to come to an agreement on:
          effect <~ a sale> 4: to bring about as a result: complete
          ~ vi 1: end 2 a: to form a final judgment b: to reach
          a decision or agreement syn see close, infer -- con.clud.er
          n

   conclusion
          [con.clu.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L conclusion-, conclusio,
          fr. concludere] (14c) 1 a: a reasoned judgment: inference
          b: the necessary consequence of two or more propositions
          taken as premises; esp: the inferred proposition of a
          syllogism 2: the last part of something: as a: result,
          outcome b pl: trial of strength or skill--used in the
          phrase try conclusions c: a final summation d: the final
          decision in a law case e: the final part of a pleading
          in law 3: an act or instance of concluding

   conclusionary
          [con.clu.sion.ary] adj (1976): concl usory

   conclusive
          [con.clu.sive] adj (1536) 1: of, relating to, or being a
          conclusion 2: putting an end to debate or question esp.
          by reason of irrefutability -- con.clu.sive.ly adv --
          con.clu.sive.ness n syn conclusive, decisive, determinative,
          definitive mean bringing to an end. conclusive applies
          to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate
          or questioning <conclusive evidence>. decisive may apply
          to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any
          uncertainty <a decisive battle>. determinative adds an
          implication of giving a fixed character or direction
          <the determinative factor in the court's decision>. definitive
          applies to what is put forth as final and permanent <the
          definitive biography>.

   conclusory
          [con.clu.so.ry] adj (1976): consisting of or relating to
          a conclusion or assertion for which no supporting evidence
          is offered <~ allegations>

   concn
          [concn] abbreviation concentration

   concoct
          [con.coct] vt [L concoctus, pp. of concoquere to cook together,
          fr. com- + coquere to cook--more at cook] (1675) 1: to
          prepare by combining raw materials 2: devise, fabricate
          -- con.coct.er n -- con.coc.tion n -- con.coc.tive adj

   concomitance
          [con.com.i.tance] n (ca. 1535): accompaniment; esp: a conjunction
          that is regular and is marked by correlative variation
          of accompanying elements

   [1]concomitant
          [con.com.i.tant] adj [L concomitant-, concomitans, prp. of
          concomitari to accompany, fr. com- + comitari to accompany,
          fr. comit-, comes companion--more at count] (1607): accompanying
          esp. in a subordinate or incidental way -- con.com.i.tant.ly
          adv [2]concomitant n (1621): something that accompanies
          or is collaterally connected with something else: accompaniment

   concord
          [con.cord] n [ME, fr. MF concorde, fr. L concordia, fr. concord-,
          concors agreeing, fr. com- + cord-, cor heart--more at
          heart] (14c) 1 a: a state of agreement: harmony b: a
          simultaneous occurrence of two or more musical tones
          that produces an impression of agreeableness or resolution
          on a listener--compare discord 2: agreement by stipulation,
          compact, or covenant 3: grammatical agreement

   concordance
          [con.cor.dance] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML concordantia, fr. L
          concordant-, concordans, prp. of concordare to agree,
          fr. concord-, concors] (14c) 1: an alphabetical index
          of the principal words in a book or the works of an author
          with their immediate contexts 2: concord, agreement

   concordant
          [con.cor.dant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L concordant-, concordans]
          (15c): consonant, agreeing -- con.cor.dant.ly adv

   concordat
          [con.cor.dat] n [F, fr. ML concordatum, fr. L, neut.
          of concordatus, pp. of concordare] (1616): compact, covenant;
          specif: an agreement between a pope and a sovereign or government
          for the regulation of ecclesiastical matters

   concordia discors
          [con.cor.dia dis.cors] [L] foreign term : discordant harmony

   concours d'elegance
          [con.cours d'e.le.gance] n [F concours d'elegance, lit.,
          competition of elegance] (1950): a show or contest of
          vehicles and accessories in which the entries are judged
          chiefly on excellence of appearance and turnout

   concourse
          [con.course] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF concours, fr. L concursus,
          fr. concurrere to run together--more at concur] (14c)
          1: an act or process of coming together and merging 2:
          a meeting produced by voluntary or spontaneous coming
          together 3 a: an open space where roads or paths meet
          b: an open space or hall (as in a railroad terminal)
          where crowds gather

   concrescence
          [con.cres.cence] n [L concrescentia, fr. concrescent-, concrescens,
          prp. of concrescere to grow together, fr. com- + crescere
          to grow--more at crescent] (1614) 1: increase by the addition
          of particles 2: a growing together: coalescence; esp: convergence
          and fusion of the lateral lips of the blastopore to form the
          primordium of an embryo -- con.cres.cent adj

   [1]concrete
          [con.crete] adj [ME, fr. L concretus, fr. pp. of concrescere]
          (14c) 1: naming a real thing or class of things <the
          word poem is ~, poetry is abstract> 2: formed by coalition
          of particles into one solid mass 3 a: characterized by
          or belonging to immediate experience of actual things
          or events b: specific, particular c: real, tangible 4:
          relating to or made of concrete -- con.crete.ly adv --
          con.crete.ness n [2]con.crete vb con.cret.ed ; con.cret.ing
          vt (1590) 1 a: to form into a solid mass: solidify b:
          combine, blend 2: to make actual or real: cause to take
          on the qualities of reality 3: to cover with, form of,
          or set in concrete ~ vi: to become concreted [3]con.crete
          n (1656) 1: a mass formed by concretion or coalescence
          of separate particles of matter in one body 2: a hard
          strong building material made by mixing a cementing material
          (as portland cement) and a mineral aggregate (as sand
          and gravel) with sufficient water to cause the cement
          to set and bind the entire mass 3: a waxy essence of
          flowers prepared by extraction and evaporation and used
          in perfumery

   concrete music
          [concrete music] n (1953): musique concrete

   concrete poetry
          [concrete poetry] n (1958): poetry in which the poet's intent
          is conveyed by the graphic patterns of letters, words,
          or symbols rather than by the conventional arrangement
          of words

   concretion
          [con.cre.tion] n (1541) 1: something concreted: as a: a hard
          usu. inorganic mass (as a bezoar or tophus) formed in
          a living body b: a mass of mineral matter found generally
          in rock of a composition different from its own and produced
          by deposition from aqueous solution in the rock 2: the
          act or process of concreting: the state of being concreted
          <~ of ideas in an hypothesis> -- con.cre.tion.ary adj

   concretism
          [con.cret.ism] n (1865): representation of abstract things
          as concrete; esp: the theory or practice of concrete
          poetry -- con.cret.ist n

   concretize
          [con.cret.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1884): to make concrete,
          specific, or definite <tried to ~ his ideas> ~ vi: to
          become concrete -- con.cret.i.za.tion n

   concubinage
          [con.cu.bi.nage] n (14c) 1: cohabitation of persons not legally
          married 2: the state of being a concubine

   concubine
          [con.cu.bine] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L concubina, fr. com- +
          cubare to lie] (14c): a woman with whom a man cohabits
          without being married: as a: one having a recognized
          social status in a household below that of a wife b:
          mistress 4a

   concupiscence
          [con.cu.pis.cence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL concupiscentia,
          fr. L concupiscent-, concupiscens, prp. of concupiscere
          to desire ardently, fr. com- + cupere to desire] (14c):
          strong desire; esp: sexual desire -- con.cu.pis.cent
          adj

   concupiscible
          [con.cu.pis.ci.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr.
          LL concupiscibilis, fr. L concupiscere] (14c): lustful, desirous

   concur
          [con.cur] vi con.curred ; con.cur.ring [ME concurren, fr.
          L concurrere, fr. com- + currere to run--more at car]
          (15c) 1: to act together to a common end or single effect
          2 a: approve <~ in a statement> b: to express agreement
          <~ with an opinion> 3 obs: to come together: meet 4:
          to happen together: coincide syn see agree

   concurrence
          [con.cur.rence] n (15c) 1 a: the simultaneous occurrence
          of events or circumstances b: the meeting of concurrent
          lines in a point 2 a: agreement or union in action: cooperation
          b (1): agreement in opinion or design (2): consent 3:
          a coincidence of equal powers in law

   concurrency
          [con.cur.ren.cy] n (1597): concurrence

   concurrent
          [con.cur.rent] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L concurrent-,
          concurrens, prp. of concurrere] (14c) 1: operating or
          occurring at the same time 2 a: running parallel b: convergent;
          specif: meeting or intersecting in a point 3: acting
          in conjunction 4: exercised over the same matter or area
          by two different authorities <~ jurisdiction> -- concurrent
          n -- con.cur.rent.ly adv

   concurrent resolution
          [concurrent resolution] n (1802): a resolution passed by
          both houses of a legislative body that lacks the force
          of law

   concuss
          [con.cuss] vt [L concussus, pp.] (1597): to affect with or
          as if with concussion

   concussion
          [con.cus.sion] n [ME concussioun, fr. MF or L; MF concussion,
          fr. L concussion-, concussio, fr. concutere to shake
          violently, fr. com- + quatere to shake] (14c) 1 a: a
          stunning, damaging, or shattering effect from a hard
          blow; esp: a jarring injury of the brain resulting in
          disturbance of cerebral function b: a hard blow or collision
          2: agitation, shaking -- con.cus.sive adj

   cond
          [cond] abbreviation condition, conductivity

   condemn
          [con.demn] vt [ME, fr. MF condemner, fr. L condemnare, fr.
          com- + damnare to condemn--more at damn] (14c) 1: to
          declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usu. after
          weighing evidence and without reservation 2 a: to pronounce
          guilty: convict b: sentence, doom 3: to adjudge unfit
          for use or consumption 4: to declare convertible to public
          use under the right of eminent domain syn see criticize
          -- con.dem.nable adj -- con.dem.na.to.ry adj -- con.demn.er
          or con.dem.nor n

   condemnation
          [con.dem.na.tion] n (14c) 1: censure, blame 2: the act of
          judicially condemning 3: the state of being condemned
          4: a reason for condemning

   condensate
          [con.den.sate] n (1889): a product of condensation; esp:
          a liquid obtained by condensation of a gas or vapor <steam
          ~>

   condensation
          [con.den.sa.tion] n (1603) 1: the act or process of condensing:
          as a: a chemical reaction involving union between molecules
          often with elimination of a simple molecule (as water)
          to form a new more complex compound of often greater
          molecular weight b: the conversion of a substance (as
          water) from the vapor state to a denser liquid or solid
          state usu. initiated by a reduction in temperature of
          the vapor c: compression of a written or spoken work
          into more concise form 2: the quality or state of being
          condensed 3: a product of condensing -- con.den.sa.tion.al
          adj

   condense
          [con.dense] vb con.densed ; con.dens.ing [ME, fr. MF condenser,
          fr. L condensare, fr. com- + densare to make dense, fr.
          densus dense] vt (15c): to make denser or more compact;
          esp: to subject to condensation ~ vi: to undergo condensation
          syn see contract -- con.dens.able also con.dens.ible
          adj

   condensed
          [condensed] adj (15c): reduced to a more compact or dense
          form; also: having a face narrower than that of a standard
          typeface

   condensed milk
          [condensed milk] n (1863): evaporated milk with sugar added

   condenser
          [con.dens.er] n (1686) 1: one that condenses: as a: a lens
          or mirror used to concentrate light on an object b: an
          apparatus in which gas or vapor is condensed 2: capacitor

   condescend
          [con.de.scend] vi [ME, fr. MF condescendre, fr. LL condescendere,
          fr. L com- + descendere to descend] (14c) 1 a: to descend
          to a less formal or dignified level: unbend b: to waive
          the privileges of rank 2: to assume an air of superiority

   condescendence
          [con.de.scen.dence] n (1638): condescension

   condescending
          [condescending] adj (1707): showing or characterized
          by condescension: patronizing -- con.de.scend.ing.ly adv

   condescension
          [con.de.scen.sion] n [LL condescension-, condescensio, fr.
          condescendere] (1647) 1: voluntary descent from one's
          rank or dignity in relations with an inferior 2: patronizing
          attitude or behavior

   condign
          [con.dign] adj [ME condigne, fr. MF, fr. L condignus very
          worthy, fr. com- + dignus worthy--more at decent] (15c):
          deserved, appropriate <~ punishment> -- con.dign.ly adv

   condiment
          [con.di.ment] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L condimentum, fr. condire
          to season] (15c): something used to enhance the flavor
          of food; esp: a pungent seasoning -- con.di.men.tal adj

   [1]condition
          [con.di.tion] n [ME condicion, fr. MF, fr. L condicion-,
          condicio terms of agreement, condition, fr. condicere
          to agree, fr. com- + dicere to say, determine--more at
          diction] (14c) 1 a: a premise upon which the fulfillment
          of an agreement depends: stipulation b obs: covenant
          c: a provision making the effect of a legal instrument
          contingent upon an uncertain event; also: the event itself
          2: something essential to the appearance or occurrence
          of something else: prerequisite: as a: an environmental
          requirement <available oxygen is an essential ~ for animal
          life> b: the subordinate clause of a conditional sentence
          3 a: a restricting or modifying factor: qualification
          b: an unsatisfactory academic grade that may be raised
          by doing additional work 4 a: a state of being b: social
          status: rank c: a usu. defective state of health <a serious
          heart ~> d: a state of physical fitness or readiness
          for use <the car was in good ~> <exercising to get into
          ~> e pl: attendant circumstances 5 a obs: temper of mind
          b obs: trait c pl, archaic: manners, ways [2]condition
          vb con.di.tioned ; con.di.tion.ing vi (15c) archaic:
          to make stipulations ~ vt 1: to agree by stipulating
          2: to make conditional 3 a: to put into a proper state
          for work or use b: air-condition 4: to give a grade of
          condition to 5 a: to adapt, modify, or mold so as to
          conform to an environing culture b: to modify so that
          an act or response previously associated with one stimulus
          becomes associated with another -- con.di.tion.able adj
          -- con.di.tion.er n

   [1]conditional
          [con.di.tion.al] adj (14c) 1: subject to, implying, or dependent
          upon a condition <a ~ promise> 2: expressing, containing,
          or implying a supposition <the ~ clause if he speaks>
          3 a: true only for certain values of the variables or
          symbols involved <~ equations> b: stating the case when
          one or more random variables are fixed or one or more
          events are known <~ frequency distribution> 4 a: conditioned
          2 <~ reflex> <~ response> b: established by conditioning
          as the stimulus eliciting a conditional response --
          con.di.tion.al.i.ty n -- con.di.tion.al.ly adv [2]conditional
          n (1828) 1: a conditional word, clause, verb form, or morpheme
          2: implication 2b

   conditional probability
          [conditional probability] n (1961): the probability that
          a given event will occur if it is certain that another
          event has taken place or will take place

   conditioned
          [conditioned] adj (1537) 1: brought or put into a specified
          state 2: determined or established by conditioning

   condo
          [con.do] n (1964): condominium 3

   condole
          [con.dole] vb con.doled ; con.dol.ing [LL condolere, fr.
          L com- + dolere to feel pain] vi (1590) 1 obs: grieve
          2: to express sympathetic sorrow ~ vt, archaic: lament,
          grieve -- con.do.la.to.ry adj

   condolence
          [con.do.lence] n (1603) 1: sympathy with another in sorrow
          2: an expression of sympathy syn see pity

   condom
          [con.dom] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1706): a sheath commonly
          of rubber worn over the penis (as to prevent conception
          or venereal infection during coitus); also: a similar
          device inserted into the vagina

   condominium
          [con.do.min.i.um] n, pl -ums [NL, fr. L com- + dominium domain]
          (ca. 1714) 1 a: joint dominion; esp: joint sovereignty
          by two or more nations b: a government operating under
          joint rule 2: a politically dependent territory under
          condominium 3 a: individual ownership of a unit in a
          multiunit structure (as an apartment building) or on
          land owned in common (as a town house complex); also:
          a unit so owned b: a building containing condominiums

   condonation
          [con.do.na.tion] n (1625): implied pardon of an offense by
          treating the offender as if it had not been committed

   condone
          [con.done] vt con.doned ; con.don.ing [L condonare to absolve,
          fr. com- + donare to give--more at donation] (1857):
          to pardon or overlook voluntarily; esp: to treat as if
          trivial, harmless, or of no importance <~ corruption
          in politics> syn see excuse -- con.don.able adj -- con.don.er
          n

   condor
          [con.dor] n [Sp condor, fr. Quechua kuntur] (1604) 1 a: a
          very large American vulture (Vultur gryphus) of the high
          Andes having the head and neck bare and the plumage dull
          black with a downy white neck ruff and white patches
          on the wings b: california condor 2 pl condors or con.do.res
          : a coin (as the centesimo of Chile) bearing the picture
          of a condor

   condottiere
          [con.dot.tie.re] n, pl -tie.ri [It, fr. condotta troop of
          mercenaries, fr. fem. of condotto, pp. of condurre to
          conduct, hire, fr. L conducere] (1794) 1: a leader of
          a band of mercenaries common in Europe between the 14th
          and 16th centuries; also: a member of such a band 2:
          a mercenary soldier

   conduce
          [con.duce] vi con.duced ; con.duc.ing [ME, to conduct, fr.
          L conducere to conduct, conduce, fr. com- + ducere to
          lead--more at tow] (1586): to lead or tend to a particular
          and usu. desirable result: contribute

   conducive
          [con.du.cive] adj (1646): tending to promote or assist <an
          atmosphere ~ to education> -- con.du.cive.ness n

   [1]conduct
          [con.duct] n [ME, alter. of conduit, fr. MF, act of leading,
          escort, fr. ML conductus, fr. L conducere] (15c) 1 obs:
          escort, guide 2: the act, manner, or process of carrying
          on: management 3: a mode or standard of personal behavior
          esp. as based on moral principles [2]con.duct vt (15c)
          1: to bring by or as if by leading: guide <~ tourists
          through a museum> 2 a: to lead from a position of command
          <~ a siege> <~ a class> b: to direct or take part in
          the operation or management of <~ an experiment> <~ a
          business> <~ an investigation> c: to direct the performance
          of <~ an orchestra> <~ an opera> 3 a: to convey in a
          channel b: to act as a medium for conveying or transmitting
          4: to cause (oneself) to act or behave in a particular
          and esp. in a controlled manner ~ vi 1 of a road or passage:
          to show the way: lead 2 a: to act as leader or director
          b: to have the quality of transmitting light, heat, sound,
          or electricity -- con.duct.ibil.i.ty n -- con.duct.ible
          adj syn conduct, manage, control, direct mean to use
          one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate. conduct implies
          taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of
          a group <conducted negotiations>. manage implies direct
          handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired
          result <manages a meat market>. control implies a regulating
          or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a
          course <controlling his appetite>. direct implies constant
          guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation
          <directs the store's day-to-day business>. syn see in
          addition behave

   conductance
          [con.duc.tance] n (1885) 1: conducting power 2: the readiness
          with which a conductor transmits an electric current
          expressed as the reciprocal of electrical resistance

   conduction
          [con.duc.tion] n (1534) 1: the act of conducting or conveying
          2 a: transmission through or by means of a conductor;
          also: the transfer of heat through matter by communication
          of kinetic energy from particle to particle with no net
          displacement of the particles--compare convection, radiation
          b: conductivity 3: the transmission of excitation through
          living tissue and esp. nervous tissue

   conduction band
          [conduction band] n (1953): the range of permissible energy
          values that allow an electron of an atom to dissociate
          from the atom and become a free charge carrier--compare
          valence band

   conductive
          [con.duc.tive] adj (1528): having conductivity: relating
          to conduction (as of electricity)

   conductivity
          [con.duc.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1837): the quality or power
          of conducting or transmitting: as a: the reciprocal of
          electrical resistivity b: the quality of living matter
          responsible for the transmission of and progressive reaction
          to stimuli

   conductometric
          [con.duc.to.met.ric] also con.duc.ti.met.ric adj (ca. 1926)
          1: of or relating to the measurement of conductivity
          2: being or relating to titration based on determination
          of changes in the electrical conductivity of the solution

   conductor
          [con.duc.tor] n (15c): one that conducts: as a: guide b:
          a collector of fares in a public conveyance c: the leader
          of a musical ensemble d (1): a material or object that
          permits an electric current to flow easily--compare insulator,
          semiconductor (2): a material capable of transmitting
          another form of energy (as heat or sound) -- con.duc.to.ri.al
          adj

   conductress
          [con.duc.tress] n (1624): a woman who is a conductor

   conduit
          [con.duit] n [ME--more at conduct] (14c) 1: a natural or
          artificial channel through which something (as a fluid)
          is conveyed 2 archaic: fountain 3: a pipe, tube, or tile
          for protecting electric wires or cables 4: a means of
          transmitting or distributing <a ~ for illicit payments>
          <a ~ of information>

   conduplicate
          [con.du.pli.cate] adj [L conduplicatus, pp. of conduplicare
          to double, fr. com- + duplic-, duplex double--more at
          duplex] (1777): folded lengthwise <~ petals in the bud>

   condylar
          [con.dy.lar] adj (1876): of or relating to a condyle

   condyle
          [con.dyle] n [F & L; F, fr. L condylus knuckle, fr. Gk kondylos]
          (1634): an articular prominence of a bone; esp: one resembling
          a pair of knuckles -- con.dy.loid adj

   condyloma
          [con.dy.lo.ma] n, pl -ma.ta also -mas [NL, fr. Gk kondyloma,
          fr. kondylos] (ca. 1526): a warty growth on the skin
          or adjoining mucous membrane usu. near the anus and genital
          organs -- con.dy.lo.ma.tous adj

   [1]cone
          [cone] n [MF or L; MF, fr. L conus, fr. Gk konos] (1545)
          1 a: a solid generated by rotating a right triangle about
          one of its legs--called also right circular cone b: a
          solid bounded by a circular or other closed plane base
          and the surface formed by line segments joining every
          point of the boundary of the base to a common vertex
          c: a surface traced by a moving straight line passing
          through a fixed vertex 2 a: a mass of ovule-bearing or
          pollen-bearing scales or bracts in trees of the pine
          family or in cycads that are arranged usu. on a somewhat
          elongated axis b: any of several flower or fruit clusters
          suggesting a cone 3: something that resembles a cone
          in shape: as a: any of the conical photosensitive receptor
          cells of the vertebrate retina that function in color
          vision--compare rod 3 b: any of a family (Conidae) of
          tropical marine gastropod mollusks that inject their
          prey with a potent toxin c: the apex of a volcano d:
          a crisp usu. cone-shaped wafer for holding ice cream
          [2]cone vt coned ; con.ing (ca. 1859) 1: to make cone-shaped
          2: to bevel like the slanting surface of a cone <~ a
          tire>

   coneflower
          [cone.flow.er] n (ca. 1818): any of several composite plants
          having cone-shaped flower disks; esp: rudbeckia

   conenose
          [cone.nose] n (ca. 1891): any of various large bloodsucking
          bugs and esp. some assassin bugs (genus Triatoma) including
          some capable of inflicting painful bites--called also
          kissing bug

   con espressione
          [con es.pres.sio.ne] adv [It, lit., with expression] (ca.
          1891): with feeling--used as a direction in music

   Conestoga wagon
          [Con.es.to.ga wagon] n [Conestoga, Pa.] (1717): a broad-wheeled
          covered wagon drawn usu. by six horses and used esp.
          for transporting freight across the prairies--called
          also Conestoga

   coney
          [co.ney] n, pl coneys [ME conies, pl., fr. OF conis, pl.
          of conil, fr. L cuniculus] (12c) 1 a: rabbit fur b (1):
          rabbit; esp: the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
          (2): pika c: hyrax 2 archaic: dupe 3: any of several
          fishes; esp: a dusky black-spotted reddish-finned grouper
          (Epinephelus fulvus) of the tropical Atlantic

   conf
          [conf] abbreviation conference, confidential

   confab
          [con.fab] vi con.fabbed ; con.fab.bing (1741): confabulate
          -- con.fab n

   confabulate
          [con.fab.u.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L confabulatus, pp.
          of confabulari, fr. com- + fabulari to talk, fr. fabula
          story--more at fable] (ca. 1604) 1: chat 2: to hold a
          discussion: confer 3: to fill in gaps in memory by fabrication
          -- con.fab.u.la.tion n -- con.fab.u.la.tor n -- con.fab.u.la.to.ry
          adj

   confect
          [con.fect] vt [ME, fr. L confectus, pp. of conficere
          to prepare--more at comfit] (14c) 1: to put together from varied
          material 2 a: prepare b: preserve -- con.fect n

   confection
          [con.fec.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of confecting
          2: something confected: as a: a fancy dish or sweetmeat;
          also: a sweet food b: a medicinal preparation usu. made
          with sugar, syrup, or honey c: a piece of fine craftsmanship

   confectionary
          [con.fec.tion.ary] n, pl -ar.ies (1605) 1 archaic: confectioner
          2: confectionery 3 3: sweets -- confectionary adj

   confectioner
          [con.fec.tion.er] n (1591): a manufacturer of or dealer in
          confections

   confectioners' sugar
          [confectioners' sugar] n (ca. 1889): a refined finely powdered
          sugar

   confectionery
          [con.fec.tion.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1769) 1: sweet foods (as
          candy or pastry) 2: the confectioner's art or business
          3: a confectioner's shop

   Confed
          [Confed] abbreviation Confederate

   confederacy
          [con.fed.er.a.cy] n, pl -cies (14c) 1: a league or compact
          for mutual support or common action: alliance 2: a combination
          of persons for unlawful purposes: conspiracy 3: the body
          formed by persons, states, or nations united by a league;
          specif, cap: the 11 southern states seceding from the
          U.S. in 1860 and 1861

   confederal
          [con.fed.er.al] adj (1782): of or relating to a confederation

   [1]confederate
          [con.fed.er.ate] adj [ME confederat, fr. LL confoederatus,
          pp. of confoederare to unite by a league, fr. L com-
          + foeder-, foedus compact--more at federal] (14c) 1:
          united in a league: allied 2 cap: of or relating to the
          Confederate States of America [2]confederate n (15c)
          1: ally, accomplice 2 cap: an adherent of the Confederate
          States of America or their cause [3]con.fed.er.ate vb
          -at.ed ; -at.ing vt (1531): to unite in a confederacy
          ~ vi: to band together -- con.fed.er.a.tive adj

   Confederate Memorial Day
          [Confederate Memorial Day] n (1899): any of several days
          appointed for the commemoration of servicemen of the
          Confederacy

   confederation
          [con.fed.er.a.tion] n (15c) 1: an act of confederating: a
          state of being confederated: alliance 2: league

   confer
          [con.fer] vb con.ferred ; con.fer.ring [L conferre to bring
          together, fr. com- + ferre to carry--more at bear] vt
          (1570) 1: to bestow from or as if from a position of
          superiority <conferred an honorary degree on her> <knowing
          how to read was a gift conferred with manhood --Murray
          Kempton> 2: to give (as a property or characteristic)
          to someone or something <a reputation for power will
          ~ power --John Spanier> ~ vi: to compare views or take
          counsel: consult syn see give -- con.fer.ment n -- con.fer.ra.ble
          adj -- con.fer.ral n -- con.fer.rer n

   conferee
          [con.fer.ee] n (1771): one taking part in a conference

   conference
          [con.fer.ence] n (1527) 1 a: a meeting of two or more persons
          for discussing matters of common concern b: a usu. formal
          interchange of views: consultation c: a meeting of members
          of the two branches of a legislature to adjust differences
          d: caucus 2 also con.fer.rence : bestowal, conferment
          3 a: a representative assembly or administrative organization
          of a religious denomination b: a territorial division
          of a religious denomination 4: an association of athletic
          teams -- con.fer.en.tial adj

   conference call
          [conference call] n (1941): a telephone call by which a caller
          can speak with several people at the same time

   conferencing
          [con.fer.enc.ing] n (1865): the holding of conferences esp.
          by means of an electronic communications system <computer
          ~>

   confess
          [con.fess] vb [ME, fr. MF confesser, fr. OF, fr. confes having
          confessed, fr. L confessus, pp. of confiteri to confess,
          fr. com- + fateri to confess; akin to L fari to speak--more
          at ban] vt (14c) 1: to tell or make known (as something
          wrong or damaging to oneself): admit 2 a: to acknowledge
          (sin) to God or to a priest b: to receive the confession
          of (a penitent) 3: to declare faith in or adherence to:
          profess 4: to give evidence of ~ vi 1 a: to disclose
          one's faults; specif: to unburden one's sins or the state
          of one's conscience to God or to a priest b: to hear
          a confession 2: admit, own syn see acknowledge -- con.fess.able
          adj

   confessedly
          [con.fessed.ly] adv (1640): by confession

   confessio fidei
          [con.fes.sio fi.dei] [L] foreign term : confession of faith

   confession
          [con.fes.sion] n (14c) 1: an act of confessing; esp: a disclosure
          of one's sins in the sacrament of reconciliation 2: a
          statement of what is confessed: as a: a written acknowledgment
          of guilt by a party accused of an offense b: a formal
          statement of religious beliefs: creed 3: an organized
          religious body having a common creed

   [1]confessional
          [con.fes.sion.al] n (1727) 1: a place where a priest hears
          confessions 2: the practice of confessing to a priest
          [2]confessional adj (1817) 1: of, relating to, or being
          a confession esp. of faith 2: of, relating to, or being
          intimately autobiographical <~ fiction> -- con.fes.sion.al.ism
          n -- con.fes.sion.al.ist n -- con.fes.sion.al.ly adv

   confessor
          [con.fes.sor] n (12c) 1: one who gives heroic evidence of
          faith but does not suffer martyrdom 2: one that confesses
          3 a: a priest who hears confessions b: a priest who is
          one's regular spiritual guide

   confetti
          [con.fet.ti] n [It, pl. of confetto sweetmeat, fr. ML confectum,
          fr. L, neut. of confectus, pp. of conficere to prepare--more
          at comfit] (1815): small bits or streamers of brightly
          colored paper made for throwing (as at weddings)

   confidant
          [con.fi.dant] n [F confident, fr. It confidente, fr. confidente
          confident, trustworthy, fr. L confident-, confidens]
          (1646): one to whom secrets are entrusted; esp: intimate

   confidante
          [con.fi.dante] n [F confidente, fem. of confident] (1696):
          confidant; esp: one who is a woman

   confide
          [con.fide] vb con.fid.ed ; con.fid.ing [ME, fr. MF or L;
          MF confider, fr. L confidere, fr. com- + fidere to trust--more
          at bide] vi (15c) 1: to have confidence: trust 2: to
          show confidence by imparting secrets ~ vt 1: to tell
          confidentially 2: to give to the care or protection of
          another: entrust syn see commit -- con.fid.er n

   [1]confidence
          [con.fi.dence] n (14c) 1 a: a feeling or consciousness of
          one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances <had
          perfect ~ in her ability to succeed> <met the risk with
          brash ~> b: faith or belief that one will act in a right,
          proper, or effective way <have ~ in a leader> 2: the
          quality or state of being certain: certitude <they had
          every ~ of success> 3 a: a relation of trust or intimacy
          <took his friend into his ~> b: reliance on another's
          discretion <their story was told in strictest ~> c: support
          esp. in a legislative body <vote of ~> 4: a communication
          made in confidence: secret syn confidence, assurance,
          self-possession, aplomb mean a state of mind or a manner
          marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty,
          diffidence, or embarrassment. confidence stresses faith
          in oneself and one's powers without any suggestion of
          conceit or arrogance <the confidence that comes from
          long experience>. assurance carries a stronger implication
          of certainty and may suggest arrogance or lack of objectivity
          in assessing one's own powers <handled the cross-examination
          with complete assurance>. self-possession implies an
          ease or coolness under stress that reflects perfect self-control
          and command of one's powers <answered the insolent question
          with complete self-possession>. aplomb implies a manifest
          self-possession in trying or challenging situations <handled
          the reporters with great aplomb>. [2]confidence adj (1849):
          of, relating to, or adept at swindling by false promises
          <a ~ game> <a ~ man>

   confidence interval
          [confidence interval] n (1934): a group of continuous or
          discrete adjacent values that is used to estimate a statistical
          parameter (as a mean or variance) and that tends to include
          the true value of the parameter a predetermined proportion
          of the time if the process of finding the group of values
          is repeated a number of times

   confidence limits
          [confidence limits] n pl (1939): the end points of a confidence
          interval

   confident
          [con.fi.dent] adj [L confident-, confidens, fr. prp. of confidere]
          (1576) 1: characterized by assurance; esp: self-reliant 2 obs:
          trustful, confiding 3 a: full of conviction: certain b: cocksure
          -- con.fi.dent.ly adv

   confidential
          [con.fi.den.tial] adj (1759) 1: marked by intimacy or willingness
          to confide <a ~ tone> 2: private, secret <~ information>
          3: entrusted with confidences <~ clerk> 4: containing
          information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial
          to the national interest--compare secret, top secret
          -- con.fi.den.ti.al.i.ty n -- con.fi.den.tial.ly adv

   confiding
          [con.fid.ing] adj (1829): tending to confide: trustful --
          con.fid.ing.ly adv -- con.fid.ing.ness n

   configuration
          [con.fig.u.ra.tion] n [LL configuration-, configuratio similar
          formation, fr. L configurare to form from or after, fr.
          com- + figurare to form, fr. figura figure] (1646) 1
          a: relative arrangement of parts or elements: as (1):
          shape (2): contour of land <~ of the mountains> (3):
          functional arrangement <a small business computer system
          in its simplest ~> b: something (as a figure, contour,
          pattern, or apparatus) that results from a particular
          arrangement of parts or components c: the stable structural
          makeup of a chemical compound esp. with reference to
          the space relations of the constituent atoms 2: gestalt
          <personality ~> -- con.fig.u.ra.tion.al adj --
          con.fig.u.ra.tion.al.ly adv -- con.fig.u.ra.tive adj

   configure
          [con.fig.ure] vt -ured ; -ur.ing (1677): to set up for operation
          esp. in a particular way <a fighter plane configured
          for the Malaysian air force>

   [1]confine
          [con.fine] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF confines, pl., fr. L confine
          border, fr. neut. of confinis adjacent, fr. com- + finis
          end] (15c) 1 pl a: something (as borders or walls) that
          encloses <outside the ~s of the office or hospital --W.
          A. Nolen>; also: something that restrains <escape from
          the ~s of soot and clutter --E. S. Muskie> b: scope 3
          <work within the ~s of a small group --Frank Newman>
          2 a archaic: restriction b obs: prison [2]con.fine vb
          con.fined ; con.fin.ing vi (1523) archaic: border ~ vt
          1 a: to hold within a location b: imprison 2: to keep
          within limits <will ~ my remarks to one subject> syn
          see limit -- con.fin.er n

   confined
          [con.fined] adj (1772): undergoing childbirth

   confinement
          [con.fine.ment] n (1646): an act of confining: the state
          of being confined <solitary ~>; esp: lying-in

   confirm
          [con.firm] vt [ME, fr. OF confirmer, fr. L confirmare, fr.
          com- + firmare to make firm, fr. firmus firm] (13c) 1:
          to give approval to: ratify 2: to make firm or firmer:
          strengthen 3: to administer the rite of confirmation
          to 4: to give new assurance of the validity of: remove
          doubt about by authoritative act or indisputable fact
          -- con.firm.abil.i.ty n -- con.firm.able adj syn confirm,
          corroborate, substantiate, verify, authenticate, validate
          mean to attest to the truth or validity of something.
          confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative
          statement or indisputable fact <confirmed the reports>.
          corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already
          partly established <witnesses corroborated his story>.
          substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains
          the contention <the claims have yet to be substantiated>.
          verify implies the establishing of correspondence of
          actual facts or details with those proposed or guessed
          at <all statements of fact in the article have been verified>.
          authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing
          legal or official documents or expert opinion <handwriting
          experts authenticated the diaries>. validate implies
          establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or
          by factual proof <validated the hypothesis by experiments>.

   confirmand
          [con.fir.mand] n [L confirmandus, gerundive of confirmare]
          (1884): a candidate for religious confirmation

   confirmation
          [con.fir.ma.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or process of confirming:
          as a (1): a Christian rite conferring the gift of the
          Holy Spirit and among Protestants full church membership
          (2): a ceremony esp. of Reform Judaism confirming youths
          in their faith b: the ratification of an executive act
          by a legislative body 2 a: confirming proof: corroboration
          b: the process of supporting a statement by evidence
          -- con.fir.ma.tion.al adj

   confirmatory
          [con.fir.ma.to.ry] adj (1636): serving to confirm: corroborative

   confirmed
          [con.firmed] adj (14c) 1 a: marked by long continuance and
          likely to persist <a ~ habit> b: fixed in habit and unlikely
          to change <a ~ do-gooder> 2: having received the rite
          of confirmation syn see inveterate -- con.firm.ed.ly
          adv -- confirmed.ness n

   confiscable
          [con.fis.ca.ble] adj (ca. 1736): liable to confiscation

   confiscatable
          [con.fis.cat.able] adj (1863): confiscable

   [1]confiscate
          [con.fis.cate] adj [L confiscatus, pp. of confiscare to confiscate,
          fr. com- + fiscus treasury] (ca. 1533) 1: appropriated by the
          government: forfeited 2: deprived of property by confiscation
          [2]con.fis.cate vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (1552) 1: to seize
          as forfeited to the public treasury 2: to seize
          by or as if by authority -- con.fis.ca.tion n -- con.fis.ca.tor
          n -- con.fis.ca.to.ry adj

   confit
          [con.fit] n [F, fr. OF, preparation, preserves, fr. pp. of
          confire to prepare--more at comfit] (1951): meat (as
          goose, duck, or pork) that has been cooked and preserved
          in its own fat

   confiteor
          [con.fi.te.or] n [ME, fr. L, lit., I confess, fr. the opening
          words--more at confess] (13c): a liturgical form in which
          sinfulness is acknowledged and intercession for God's
          mercy requested

   confiture
          [con.fi.ture] n [F, fr. MF, fr. confit] (1802): preserved
          or candied fruit: jam

   conflagrant
          [con.fla.grant] adj [L conflagrant-, conflagrans, prp. of
          conflagrare to burn, fr. com- + flagrare to burn--more
          at black] (ca. 1656): burning, blazing

   conflagration
          [con.fla.gra.tion] n [L conflagration-, conflagratio, fr.
          conflagrare] (ca. 1656) 1: fire; esp: a large disastrous
          fire 2: conflict, war

   conflate
          [con.flate] vt con.flat.ed ; con.flat.ing [L conflatus, pp.
          of conflare to blow together, fuse, fr. com- + flare
          to blow--more at blow] (1610) 1 a: to bring together:
          fuse b: confuse 2: to combine (as two readings of a text)
          into a composite whole

   conflation
          [con.fla.tion] n (15c): blend, fusion; esp: a composite reading
          or text

   [1]conflict
          [con.flict] n [ME, fr. L conflictus act of striking together,
          fr. confligere to strike together, fr. com- + fligere
          to strike--more at profligate] (15c) 1: fight, battle,
          war 2 a: competitive or opposing action of incompatibles:
          antagonistic state or action (as of divergent ideas,
          interests, or persons) b: mental struggle resulting from
          incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external
          or internal demands 3: the opposition of persons or forces
          that gives rise to the dramatic action in a drama or
          fiction syn see discord -- con.flict.ful adj -- con.flic.tu.al
          adj [2]con.flict vi (15c) 1 archaic: to contend in warfare
          2: to show antagonism or irreconcilability -- con.flic.tion
          n -- con.flic.tive adj

   conflicted
          [con.flict.ed] adj (1967): having or experiencing an emotional
          conflict <this unhappy and ~ modern woman --John Updike>

   conflicting
          [conflicting] adj (1607): being in conflict, collision, or
          opposition: incompatible -- con.flict.ing.ly adv

   conflict of interest
          [conflict of interest] (1951): a conflict between the private
          interests and the official responsibilities of a person
          in a position of trust

   confluence
          [con.flu.ence] n (15c) 1: a coming or flowing together, meeting,
          or gathering at one point <a happy ~ of weather and scenery>
          2 a: the flowing together of two or more streams b: the
          place of meeting of two streams c: the combined stream
          formed by conjunction

   [1]confluent
          [con.flu.ent] adj [L confluent-, confluens, prp. of confluere
          to flow together, fr. com- + fluere to flow--more at
          fluid] (15c) 1: flowing or coming together; also: run
          together <~ pustules> 2: characterized by confluent lesions
          <~ smallpox> [2]confluent n (1850): a confluent stream;
          broadly: tributary

   conflux
          [con.flux] n [ML confluxus, fr. L confluere] (1606): confluence

   confocal
          [con.fo.cal] adj (1867): having the same foci <~ elli pses>
          <~ lenses> -- con.fo.cal.ly adv

   conform
          [con.form] vb [ME, fr. MF conformer, fr. L conformare, fr.
          com- + formare to form, fr. forma form] vt (14c): to
          give the same shape, outline, or contour to: bring into
          harmony or accord <~ furrows to the slope of the land>
          ~ vi 1: to be similar or identical; also: to be in agreement
          or harmony--used with to or with 2 a: to be obedient
          or compliant--usu. used with to b: to act in accordance
          with prevailing standards or customs syn see adapt --
          con.form.er n -- con.form.ism n -- con.form.ist n or
          adj

   conformable
          [con.form.able] adj (15c) 1: corresponding in form or character:
          similar--usu. used with to 2: submissive, compliant 3:
          following in unbroken sequence--used of geologic strata
          formed under uniform conditions -- con.form.ably adv

   conformal
          [con.for.mal] adj [LL conformalis having the same shape,
          fr. L com- + formalis formal, fr. forma] (1893) 1: leaving
          the size of the angle between corresponding curves unchanged
          <~ transformation> 2 of a map: representing small areas
          in their true shape

   conformance
          [con.for.mance] n (1606): conformity

   conformation
          [con.for.ma.tion] n (1511) 1: the act of conforming or producing
          conformity: adaptation 2: formation of something by appropriate
          arrangement of parts or elements: an assembling into
          a whole <the gradual ~ of the embryo> 3 a: correspondence
          esp. to a model or plan b: structure c: the shape or
          proportionate dimensions esp. of an animal d: any of
          the spatial arrangements of a molecule that can be obtained
          by rotation of the atoms about a single bond -- con.for.ma.tion.al
          adj

   conformity
          [con.for.mi.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: correspondence in form,
          manner, or character: agreement <behaved in ~ with her
          beliefs> 2: an act or instance of conforming 3: action
          in accordance with some specified standard or authority
          <~ to social custom>

   confound
          [con.found] vt [ME, fr. MF confondre, fr. L confundere to
          pour together, confuse, fr. com- + fundere to pour--more
          at found] (14c) 1 a archaic: to bring to ruin: destroy
          b: baffle, frustrate <conferences ... are not for accomplishment
          but to ~ knavish tricks --J. K. Galbraith> 2 obs: consume,
          waste 3 a: to put to shame: discomfit <a performance
          that ~ed the critics> b: refute <sought to ~ his arguments>
          4: damn 5: to throw (a person) into confusion or perplexity
          6 a: to fail to discern differences between: mix up b:
          to increase the confusion of syn see puzzle -- con.found.er
          n -- con.found.ing.ly adv

   confounded
          [con.found.ed] adj (14c) 1: confused, perplexed 2: damned
          -- con.found.ed.ly adv

   confraternity
          [con.fra.ter.ni.ty] n [ME confraternite, fr. MF confraternite,
          fr. ML confraternitat-, confraternitas, fr. confrater
          fellow, brother, fr. L com- + frater brother--more at
          brother] (15c) 1: a society devoted esp. to a religious
          or charitable cause 2: fraternal union

   confrere
          [con.frere] n [ME, fr. MF, trans. of ML confrater] (15c):
          colleague, comrade

   confront
          [con.front] vt [MF confronter to border on, confront, fr.
          ML confrontare to bound, fr. L com- + front-, frons forehead,
          front] (ca. 1568) 1: to face esp. in challenge: oppose
          2 a: to cause to meet: bring face-to-face <~ a reader
          with statistics> b: to meet face-to-face: encounter <~ed
          the possibility of failure> -- con.front.al n -- con.front.er
          n

   confrontation
          [con.fron.ta.tion] n (1632): the act of confronting: the
          state of being confronted: as a: a face-to-face meeting
          b: the clashing of forces or ideas: conflict c: comparison
          <the flashbacks bring into meaningful ~ present and past,
          near and far --R. J. Clements> -- con.fron.ta.tion.al
          adj -- con.fron.ta.tion.ist n or adj

   Confucian
          [Con.fu.cian] adj (1837): of or relating to the Chinese philosopher
          Confucius or his teachings or followers -- Confucian
          n -- Con.fu.cian.ism n -- Con.fu.cian.ist n or adj

   confuse
          [con.fuse] vt con.fused ; con.fus.ing [back-formation fr.
          ME confused perplexed, fr. MF confus, fr. L confusus,
          pp. of confundere] (14c) 1 archaic: to bring to ruin
          2 a: to make embarrassed: abash b: to disturb in mind
          or purpose: throw off 3 a: to make indistinct: blur <stop
          confusing the issue> b: to mix indiscriminately: jumble
          c: to fail to differentiate from an often similar or
          related other <~ money with comfort> -- con.fus.ing.ly
          adv

   confused
          [con.fused] adj (14c) 1: being perplexed or disconcerted
          <the ~ students> 2: indistinguishable <a zigzag, crisscross,
          ~ trail --Harry Hervey> 3: being disordered or mixed
          up <a contradictory and often ~ story> -- con.fused.ly
          adv -- con.fused.ness n

   confusion
          [con.fu.sion] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of confusing
          2 a: the quality or state of being confused b: a confused
          mass or mixture <a ~ of voices> -- con.fu.sion.al adj

   confutation
          [con.fu.ta.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of confuting:
          refutation 2: something (as an argument or statement)
          that confutes -- con.fu.ta.tive adj

   confute
          [con.fute] vt con.fut.ed ; con.fut.ing [L confutare to check,
          silence] (1529) 1: to overwhelm in argument: refute conclusively
          <Elijah ... confuted the prophets of Baal --G. B. Shaw>
          2 obs: confound -- con.fut.er n

   cong
          [cong] abbreviation congress, congressional

   conga
          [con.ga] n [AmerSp, prob. fr. fem. of congo Negro, fr. Congo,
          region in Africa] (1935) 1: a Cuban dance of African
          origin involving three steps followed by a kick and performed
          by a group usu. in single file 2: a tall barrel-shaped
          or tapering drum of Afro-Cuban origin that is played
          with the hands

   conga line
          [conga line] n (1947): snake dance 2

   conge
          [con.ge] n [F, fr. L commeatus going back and forth, leave,
          fr. commeare to go back and forth, fr. com- + meare to
          go--more at permeate] (1702) 1 a: a formal permission
          to depart b: dismissal 2: a ceremonious bow 3: farewell
          4: an architectural molding of concave profile--see molding
          illustration

   congeal
          [con.geal] vb [ME congelen, fr. MF congeler, fr. L congelare,
          fr. com- + gelare to freeze--more at cold] vt (14c) 1:
          to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by
          cold 2: to make viscid or curdled: coagulate 3: to make
          rigid, fixed, or immobile ~ vi: to become congealed:
          solidify -- con.geal.ment n

   congee
          [con.gee] n (14c): conge

   congelation
          [con.ge.la.tion] n (15c): the process or result of congealing

   congener
          [con.ge.ner] n [L, of the same kind, fr. com- + gener-, genus
          kind--more at kin] (ca. 1736) 1: a member of the same
          taxonomic genus as another plant or animal 2: a person
          or thing resembling another in nature or action <the
          New England private schools and their ~s west of the
          Alleghenies --Oliver La Farge> -- con.ge.ner.ic adj --
          con.ge.ner.ous adj

   congenial
          [con.ge.nial] adj [com- + genius] (ca. 1625) 1: having the
          same nature, disposition, or tastes: kindred 2 a: existing
          or associated together harmoniously b: pleasant; esp:
          agreeably suited to one's nature, tastes, or outlook
          c: sociable, genial -- con.ge.nial.i.ty n -- con.ge.nial.ly
          adv

   congenital
          [con.gen.i.tal] adj [L congenitus, fr. com- + genitus, pp.
          of gignere to bring forth--more at kin] (1796) 1 a: existing
          at or dating from birth <~ deafness> b: constituting
          an essential characteristic: inherent <~ fear of snakes>
          c: acquired during development in the uterus and not
          through heredity <~ syphilis> 2: being such by nature
          <~ liar> syn see innate -- con.gen.i.tal.ly adv

   conger eel
          [con.ger eel] n [ME congre, fr. OF, fr. L congr-, conger,
          prob. fr. Gk gongros] (1602): a large strictly marine
          scaleless eel (Conger oceanicus) of the Atlantic; broadly:
          any of various related eels (family Congridae)

   congeries
          [con.ge.ries] n, pl congeries [L, fr. congerere] (ca. 1619):
          aggregation, collection

   congest
          [con.gest] vb [L congestus, pp. of congerere to bring together,
          fr. com- + gerere to bear] vt (1758) 1: to cause an excessive
          fullness of the blood vessels of (as an organ) 2: clog
          <traffic ~ed the highways> 3: to concentrate in a small
          or narrow space ~ vi: to become congested -- con.ges.tion
          n -- con.ges.tive adj

   congestive heart failure
          [congestive heart failure] n (1930): heart failure in which
          the heart is unable to maintain an adequate circulation
          of blood in the bodily tissues or to pump out the venous
          blood returned to it by the veins

   conglobate
          [con.glo.bate] vt -bat.ed ; -bat.ing [L conglobatus, pp.
          of conglobare, fr. com- + globus globe] (1635): to form
          into a round compact mass -- con.glo.bate adj -- con.glo.ba.tion
          n

   conglobe
          [con.globe] vt con.globed ; con.glob.ing (1535): conglobate

   [1]conglomerate
          [con.glom.er.ate] adj [L conglomeratus, pp. of conglomerare
          to roll together, fr. com- + glomerare to wind into a
          ball, fr. glomer-, glomus ball--more at clam] (1572):
          made up of parts from various sources or of various kinds
          [2]con.glom.er.ate vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vi (1642): to
          gather into a mass or coherent whole <numbers of dull
          people conglomerated round her --Virginia Woolf> ~ vt:
          accumulate -- con.glom.er.a.tive adj -- con.glom.er.a.tor
          n [3]con.glom.er.ate n (1818) 1: a composite mass or
          mixture; esp: rock composed of rounded fragments varying
          from small pebbles to large boulders in a cement (as
          of hardened clay) 2: a widely diversified corporation
          -- con.glom.er.at.ic adj

   conglomerateur
          [con.glom.er.a.teur] n [[3]conglomerate + -eur (as in
          entrepreneur)] (1969): a person who forms or heads a conglomerate:
          conglomerator

   conglomeration
          [con.glom.er.a.tion] n (1626) 1: the act of conglomerating:
          the state of being conglomerated 2: something conglomerated:
          a mixed mass or collection

   conglutinate
          [con.glu.ti.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L conglutinatus,
          pp. of conglutinare to glue together, fr. com- + glutin-,
          gluten glue--more at gluten] vt (1546): to unite by or
          as if by a glutinous substance ~ vi: to become conglutinated
          <blood platelets ~ in blood clotting> -- con.glu.ti.na.tion
          n

   Congo red
          [Congo red] n [Congo, territory in Africa] (1885): an azo
          dye that is red in alkaline and blue in acid solution
          and that is used esp. as an indicator and as a biological
          stain

   congou
          [con.gou] n [prob. fr. Chin (Xiamen) kong-hu pains taken]
          (1725): a black tea from China

   congratulate
          [con.grat.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L congratulatus,
          pp. of congratulari to wish joy, fr. com- + gratulari
          to wish joy, fr. gratus pleasing--more at grace] (1539)
          1 archaic: to express sympathetic pleasure at (an event)
          2: to express vicarious pleasure to (a person) on the
          occasion of success or good fortune; also: to feel pleased
          with <congratulating herself for a job well done> 3 obs:
          salute, greet -- con.grat.u.la.tor n -- con.grat.u.la.to.ry
          adj

   congratulation
          [con.grat.u.la.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of congratulating
          2: a congratulatory expression--usu. used in pl.

   congregant
          [con.gre.gant] n (1886): one that congregates; specif: a
          member of a congregation

   [1]congregate
          [con.gre.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [ME, fr. L congregatus,
          pp. of congregare, fr. com- + greg-, grex flock] vt (15c):
          to collect into a group or crowd: assemble ~ vi: to come
          together into a group, crowd, or assembly syn see gather
          -- con.gre.ga.tor n [2]con.gre.gate adj (1900): providing
          or being group services or facilities designed esp. for
          elderly persons requiring supportive services <~ housing>

   congregation
          [con.gre.ga.tion] n (14c) 1 a: an assembly of persons: gathering;
          esp: an assembly of persons met for worship and religious
          instruction b: a religious community: as (1): an organized
          body of believers in a particular locality (2): a Roman
          Catholic religious institute with only simple vows (3):
          a group of monasteries forming an independent subdivision
          of an order 2: the act or an instance of congregating
          or bringing together: the state of being congregated
          3: a body of cardinals and officials forming an administrative
          division of the papal curia

   congregational
          [con.gre.ga.tion.al] adj (1639) 1: of or relating to a congregation
          2 cap: of or relating to a body of Protestant churches deriving
          from the English Independents of the 17th century and affirming the
          essential importance and the autonomy of the local congregation
          3: of or relating to church government placing final authority
          in the assembly of the local congregation -- con.gre.ga.tion.al.ism
          n, often cap -- con.gre.ga.tion.al.ist n or adj, often cap

   congress
          [con.gress] n [L congressus, fr. congredi to come together,
          fr. com- + gradi to go--more at grade] (1528) 1 a: the
          act or action of coming together and meeting b: coitus
          2: a formal meeting of delegates for discussion and usu.
          action on some question 3: the supreme legislative body
          of a nation and esp. of a republic 4: an association
          usu. made up of delegates from constituent organizations
          5: a single meeting or session of a group -- con.gres.sio.nal
          adj -- con.gres.sio.nal.ly adv

   congressional district
          [congressional district] n (1812): a territorial division
          of a state from which a member of the U.S. House of Representatives
          is elected

   Congressional Medal
          [Congressional Medal] n (1910): medal of honor

   congressman
          [con.gress.man] n (1780): a member of a congress; esp: a
          member of the U.S. House of Representatives

   congresspeople
          [con.gress.peo.ple] n pl (1973): congressmen or congresswomen

   congressperson
          [con.gress.per.son] n (1972): a congressman or congresswoman

   congresswoman
          [con.gress.wom.an] n (1917): a female member of a congress;
          esp: a female member of the U.S. House of Representatives

   congruence
          [con.gru.ence] n (1533) 1: the quality or state of agreeing,
          coinciding, or being congruent 2: a statement that two
          numbers or geometric figures are congruent

   congruency
          [con.gru.en.cy] n, pl -cies (15c): congruence

   congruent
          [con.gru.ent] adj [ME, fr. L congruent-, congruens, prp.
          of congruere] (15c) 1: congruous 2: superposable so as
          to be coincident throughout 3: having the difference
          divisible by a given modulus -- con.gru.ent.ly adv

   congruity
          [con.gru.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the quality or state
          of being congruent or congruous 2: a point of agreement

   congruous
          [con.gru.ous] adj [L congruus, fr. congruere to come together,
          agree] (1599) 1 a: being in agreement, harmony, or correspondence
          b: conforming to the circumstances or requirements of
          a situation: appropriate <a ~ room to work in --G. B.
          Shaw> 2: marked or enhanced by harmonious agreement among
          constituent elements <a ~ theme> -- con.gru.ous.ly adv
          -- con.gru.ous.ness n

   [1]conic
          [con.ic] adj (1570) 1: of or relating to a cone 2: conical
          -- co.nic.i.ty n [2]conic n (1879): conic section

   conical
          [con.i.cal] adj (1570): resembling a cone esp. in shape --
          con.i.cal.ly adv

   conic section
          [conic section] n (1664) 1: a plane curve, line, pair of
          intersecting lines, or point that is the intersection
          of or bounds the intersection of a plane and a cone with
          two nappes 2: a curve generated by a point which always
          moves so that the ratio of its distance from a fixed
          point to its distance from a fixed line is constant

   conidiophore
          [co.nid.i.o.phore] n [NL conidium + ISV -phore] (1874): a
          structure that bears conidia; specif: a specialized hyphal
          branch of some fungi that produces conidia usu. by the
          successive cutting off of parts of the sporophore through
          the growth of septa

   conidium
          [co.nid.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. Gk konis dust--more at incinerate]
          (1856): an asexual spore produced on a conidiophore -- co.nid.i.al
          adj

   conifer
          [co.ni.fer] n [ultim. fr. L conifer cone-bearing, fr. conus
          cone + -fer] (ca. 1841): any of an order (Coniferales)
          of mostly evergreen trees and shrubs including forms
          (as pines) with true cones and others (as yews) with
          an arillate fruit -- co.nif.er.ous adj

   coniine
          [co.ni.ine] n [G Koniin, fr. LL conium hemlock, fr. Gk koneion]
          (1831): a poisonous alkaloid found in poison hemlock
          (Conium maculatum)

   conj
          [conj] abbreviation conjunction, conjunctive

   conjectural
          [con.jec.tur.al] adj (1553) 1: of the nature of or involving
          or based on conjecture 2: given to conjectures -- con.jec.tur.al.ly
          adv

   [1]conjecture
          [con.jec.ture] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L conjectura,
          fr. conjectus, pp. of conicere, lit., to throw together,
          fr. com- + jacere to throw--more at jet] (14c) 1 obs
          a: interpretation of omens b: supposition 2 a: inference
          from defective or presumptive evidence b: a conclusion
          deduced by surmise or guesswork c: a proposition (as
          in mathematics) before it has been proved or disproved
          [2]conjecture vb -tured ; -tur.ing vt (15c) 1: to arrive
          at by conjecture 2: to make conjectures as to ~ vi: to
          form conjectures -- con.jec.tur.er n

   conjoin
          [con.join] vb [ME, fr. MF conjoindre, fr. L conjungere, fr.
          com- + jungere to join--more at yoke] vt (14c): to join
          together (as separate entities) for a common purpose
          ~ vi: to join together for a common purpose

   conjoined
          [con.joined] adj (1570): being, coming, or brought together
          so as to meet, touch, or overlap <~ heads on a coin>

   conjoint
          [con.joint] adj [ME, fr. MF, pp. of conjoindre] (1725) 1:
          united, conjoined 2: related to, made up of, or carried
          on by two or more in combination: joint -- con.joint.ly
          adv

   conjugal
          [con.ju.gal] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L conjugalis, fr. conjug-,
          conjux husband, wife, fr. conjungere to join, unite in
          marriage] (1545): of or relating to the married state
          or to married persons and their relations: connubial
          -- con.ju.gal.i.ty n -- con.ju.gal.ly adv

   conjugal rights
          [conjugal rights] n pl (ca. 1891): the sexual rights or privileges
          implied by and involved in the marriage relationship: the right
          of sexual intercourse between husband and wife

   conjugant
          [con.ju.gant] n (1910): either of a pair of conjugating gametes
          or organisms

   [1]conjugate
          [con.ju.gate] adj [ME conjugat, fr. L conjugatus, pp. of
          conjugare to unite, fr. com- + jugare to join, fr. jugum
          yoke--more at yoke] (15c) 1 a: joined together esp. in
          pairs: coupled b: acting or operating as if joined 2
          a: having features in common but opposite or inverse
          in some particular b: relating to or being conjugate
          complex numbers <complex roots occurring in ~ pairs>
          3 of an acid or base: related by the difference of a
          proton 4: having the same derivation and therefore usu.
          some likeness in meaning <~ words> 5 of two leaves of
          a book: forming a single piece -- con.ju.gate.ly adv
          -- con.ju.gate.ness n [2]con.ju.gate vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing
          vt (1530) 1: to give in prescribed order the various
          inflectional forms of--used esp. of a verb 2: to join
          together ~ vi 1: to become joined together 2 a: to pair
          and fuse in conjugation b: to pair in synapsis [3]conjugate
          n (ca. 1586) 1: something conjugate: a product of conjugating
          2: conjugate complex number 3: an element of a mathematical
          group that is equal to a given element of the group multiplied
          on the right by another element and on the left by the
          inverse of the latter element

   conjugate complex number
          [conjugate complex number] n (ca. 1909): one of two complex
          numbers differing only in the sign of the imaginary part

   conjugated
          [con.ju.gat.ed] adj (1882) 1: formed by the union of two
          compounds or united with another compound <~ bile acids>
          2: relating to or containing a system of two double bonds
          separated by a single bond <~ fatty acids>

   conjugated protein
          [conjugated protein] n (ca. 1909): a compound of a protein
          with a nonprotein <hemoglobin is a conjugated protein>--compare
          simple protein

   conjugation
          [con.ju.ga.tion] n (15c) 1 a: a schematic arrangement of
          the inflectional forms of a verb b: verb inflection c:
          a class of verbs having the same type of inflectional
          forms <the weak ~> d: a set of the simple or derivative
          inflectional forms of a verb esp. in Sanskrit or the
          Semitic languages <the causative ~> 2: the act of conjugating:
          the state of being conjugated 3 a: fusion of usu. similar
          gametes with ultimate union of their nuclei that among
          lower thallophytes replaces the typical fertilization
          of higher forms b: temporary cytoplasmic union with exchange
          of nuclear material that is the usual sexual process
          in ciliated protozoans c: the one-way transfer of DNA
          between bacteria in cellular contact -- con.ju.ga.tion.al
          adj -- con.ju.ga.tion.al.ly adv

   [1]conjunct
          [con.junct] adj [ME, fr. L conjunctus, pp. of conjungere]
          (15c) 1: united, joined 2: joint 3: relating to melodic
          progression by intervals of no more than a major second--compare
          disjunct [2]con.junct n (1667) 1: something joined or
          associated with another; specif: one of the components
          of a conjunction 2: an adverb or adverbial (as so, in
          addition, however, secondly) that indicates the speaker's
          or writer's assessment of the connection between linguistic
          units (as clauses)

   conjunction
          [con.junc.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or an instance of conjoining:
          the state of being conjoined: combination 2: occurrence
          together in time or space: concurrence 3 a: the apparent
          meeting or passing of two or more celestial bodies in
          the same degree of the zodiac b: a configuration in which
          two celestial bodies have their least apparent separation
          4: an uninflected linguistic form that joins together
          sentences, clauses, phrases, or words 5: a complex sentence
          in logic true if and only if each of its components is
          true -- con.junc.tion.al adj -- con.junc.tion.al.ly adv

   conjunctiva
          [con.junc.ti.va] n, pl -vas or -vae [NL, fr. LL, fem. of
          conjunctivus conjoining, fr. L conjunctus] (14c): the
          mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids
          and is continued over the forepart of the eyeball--see
          eye illustration -- con.junc.ti.val adj

   conjunctive
          [con.junc.tive] adj (1581) 1: connective 2: conjunct, conjoined
          3: being or functioning like a conjunction 4: copulative
          1a -- conjunctive n -- con.junc.tive.ly adv

   conjunctivitis
          [con.junc.ti.vi.tis] n (1835): inflammation of the conjunctiva

   conjuncture
          [con.junc.ture] n (1605) 1: conjunction, union 2: a combination
          of circumstances or events usu. producing a crisis: juncture

   conjuration
          [con.ju.ra.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or process of conjuring:
          incantation 2: an expression or trick used in conjuring
          3: a solemn appeal: adjuration

   conjure
          [con.jure] vb con.jured ; con.jur.ing [ME, fr. OF conjurer,
          fr. L conjurare to swear together, fr. com- + jurare
          to swear--more at jury] vt (13c) 1: to charge or entreat
          earnestly or solemnly 2 a: to summon by or as if by invocation
          or incantation b (1): to affect or effect by or as if
          by magic (2): imagine, contrive--often used with up <we
          ~ up our own metaphors for our own needs --R. J. Kaufmann>
          (3): to bring to mind <words that ~ pleasant images>
          ~ vi 1 a: to summon a devil or spirit by invocation or
          incantation b: to practice magical arts 2: to use a conjurer's
          tricks: juggle

   conjurer
          [con.jur.er] or con.ju.ror n (14c) 1: one that practices
          magic arts: wizard 2: one that performs feats of sleight
          of hand and illusion: magician, juggler

   [1]conk
          [conk] vt [E slang conk head] (1821): to hit esp. on the
          head: knock out [2]conk n [prob. alter. of conch] (1851):
          the visible fruiting body of a bracket fungus; also:
          decay caused by such a fungus -- conky adj [3]conk vi
          [prob. imit.] (1918) 1: break down; esp: stall--usu.
          used with out <the motor suddenly ~ed out> 2 a: faint
          b: to go to sleep--usu. used with off or out <~ed out
          for a while after lunch> c: die <I caught pneumonia.
          I almost ~ed --Truman Capote> [4]conk vt [prob. by shortening
          & alter. fr. congolene preparation used for straightening
          hair] (1950): to straighten out (hair) usu. by the use
          of chemicals [5]conk n (1965): a hairstyle in which the
          hair is straightened out and flattened down or lightly
          waved--called also process

   conker
          [conk.er] n [conch + [2]-er, fr. the original use of a snail
          shell on a string in the game] (ca. 1886) 1: a horse
          chestnut esp. when used in conkers 2 pl: a game in which
          each player swings a horse chestnut on a string to try
          to break one held by the opponent

   con moto
          [con mo.to] adv [It] (ca. 1854): with movement: in a spirited
          manner--used as a direction in music

   [1]conn
          [conn] vt [alter. of ME condien to conduct, fr. MF conduire,
          fr. L conducere--more at conduce] (1626): to conduct
          or direct the steering of (as a ship) [2]conn n (1825):
          the control exercised by one who conns a ship

   Conn
          [Conn] abbreviation Connecticut

   connate
          [con.nate] adj [LL connatus, pp. of connasci to be born together,
          fr. L com- + nasci to be born--more at nation] (1641)
          1: akin, congenial 2: innate, inborn 3: congenitally
          or firmly united <~ leaves> 4: born or originated together
          5: entrapped in sediments at the time of their deposition
          <~ water> -- con.nate.ly adv

   connatural
          [con.nat.u.ral] adj [ML connaturalis, fr. L com- + naturalis
          natural] (1592) 1: connected by nature: inborn 2: of
          the same nature -- con.nat.u.ral.i.ty n -- con.nat.u.ral.ly
          adv

   connect
          [con.nect] vb [ME, fr. L conectere, connectere, fr. com-
          + nectere to bind] vi (15c) 1: to become joined <the
          two rooms ~ by a hallway> <ideas that ~ easily to form
          a theory> 2: to make a successful hit, shot, or throw
          <~ed for a home run> <~ed on 60 percent of his shots
          --N.Y. Times> 3: to have or establish a rapport <tried
          to ~ with the younger generation> ~ vt 1: to join or
          fasten together usu. by something intervening 2: to place
          or establish in relationship syn see join -- con.nect.able
          also con.nect.ible adj -- con.nec.tor also con.nect.er
          n

   connected
          [connected] adj (1712) 1: joined or linked together 2: having
          the parts or elements logically linked together <presented
          a thoroughly ~ view of the problem> 3: related by blood
          or marriage 4: having social, professional, or commercial
          relationships <a well-connected lawyer> 5 of a set: having
          the property that any two of its points can be joined
          by a line completely contained in the set; also: incapable
          of being separated into two or more closed disjoint subsets
          -- con.nect.ed.ly adv -- con.nect.ed.ness n

   connecting rod
          [connecting rod] n (1839): a rod that transmits motion from
          a reciprocating part of a machine (as a piston) to a
          rotating part or vice versa

   connection
          [con.nec.tion] n [L connexion-, connexio, fr. conectere]
          (14c) 1: the act of connecting: the state of being connected:
          as a: causal or logical relation or sequence <the ~ between
          two ideas> b (1): contextual relation or association
          <in this ~ the word has a different meaning> (2): relationship
          in fact <wanted in ~ with a robbery> c: a relation of
          personal intimacy (as of family ties) d: coherence, continuity
          2 a: something that connects: link <a loose ~ in the
          wiring> b: a means of communication or transport 3: a
          person connected with another esp. by marriage, kinship,
          or common interest <has powerful ~s> 4: a political,
          social, professional, or commercial relationship: as
          a: position, job b: an arrangement to execute orders
          or advance interests of another <a firm's foreign ~s>
          c: a source of contraband (as illegal drugs) 5: a set
          of persons associated together: as a: denomination b:
          clan -- con.nec.tion.al adj

   [1]connective
          [con.nec.tive] adj (ca. 1660): serving to connect --
          con.nec.tive.ly adv [2]connective n (1751): something that
          connects: as a: a linguistic form that connects words or word
          groups b: the tissue connecting the pollen sacs of an anther
          c: a logical term (as or, if-then, and, not) or a symbol for
          it that relates propositions in such a way that the truth
          or falsity of the resulting statement is determined by the truth
          or falsity of the components

   connective tissue
          [connective tissue] n (1846): a tissue of mesodermal origin
          rich in intercellular substance or interlacing processes
          with little tendency for the cells to come together in
          sheets or masses; specif: connective tissue of stellate
          or spindle-shaped cells with interlacing processes that
          pervades, supports, and binds together other tissues
          and forms ligaments, tendons, and aponeuroses

   connectivity
          [con.nec.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1893): the quality or state
          of being connective or connected <~ of a surface>; esp:
          the ability to connect to or communicate with another
          computer or computer system

   Connemara
          [Con.ne.ma.ra] n [Connemara, Ireland] (ca. 1952): any of
          a breed of rugged ponies developed in Ireland

   connexion
          [con.nex.ion] chiefly Brit var of connection

   conning tower
          [con.ning tower] n (1886): a raised structure on the deck
          of a submarine used esp. formerly for navigation and
          attack direction

   conniption
          [con.nip.tion] n [origin unknown] (1833): a fit of rage,
          hysteria, or alarm <went into ~s>

   connivance
          [con.niv.ance] n (1593): the act of conniving; esp: knowledge
          of and active or passive consent to wrongdoing

   connive
          [con.nive] vi con.nived ; con.niv.ing [F or L; F conniver,
          fr. L conivere, connivere to close the eyes, connive,
          fr. com- + -nivere (akin to nictare to wink); akin to
          OE & OHG hnigan to bow] (1601) 1: to pretend ignorance
          of or fail to take action against something one ought
          to oppose 2 a: to be indulgent or in secret sympathy:
          wink b: to cooperate secretly or have a secret understanding
          3: conspire, intrigue -- con.niv.er n

   connivent
          [con.ni.vent] adj [L conivent-, conivens, prp. of conivere]
          (1757): converging but not fused <~ stamens>

   connoisseur
          [con.nois.seur] n [obs. F (now connaisseur), fr. OF connoisseor,
          fr. connoistre to know, fr. L cognoscere--more at cognition]
          (1714) 1: expert; esp: one who understands the details,
          technique, or principles of an art and is competent to
          act as a critical judge 2: one who enjoys with discrimination
          and appreciation of subtleties <a ~ of fine wines> --
          con.nois.seur.ship n

   connotation
          [con.no.ta.tion] n (1532) 1 a: the suggesting of a meaning
          by a word apart from the thing it explicitly names or
          describes b: something suggested by a word or thing:
          implication <the ~s of comfort that surrounded that old
          chair> 2: the signification of something <that abuse
          of logic which consists in moving counters about as if
          they were known entities with a fixed ~ --W. R. Inge>
          3: an essential property or group of properties of a
          thing named by a term in logic--compare denotation --
          con.no.ta.tion.al adj

   connotative
          [con.no.ta.tive] adj (1614) 1: connoting or tending to connote
          2: relating to connotation -- con.no.ta.tive.ly adv

   connote
          [con.note] vt con.not.ed ; con.not.ing [ML connotare, fr.
          L com- + notare to note] (1665) 1: to be associated with
          or inseparable from as a consequence or concomitant <the
          remorse so often connoted by guilt> 2 a: to convey in
          addition to exact explicit meaning <all the misery that
          poverty ~s> b: to imply as a logical connotation

   connubial
          [con.nu.bi.al] adj [L conubialis, fr. conubium, connubium
          marriage, fr. com- + nubere to marry--more at nuptial]
          (ca. 1656): of or relating to the married state: conjugal
          -- con.nu.bi.al.ism n -- con.nu.bi.al.i.ty n -- con.nu.bi.al.ly
          adv

   conodont
          [co.no.dont] n [ISV con- (fr. Gk konos cone) + -odont] (1859):
          a Paleozoic toothlike fossil that is prob. the remains
          of an extinct marine invertebrate

   conoid
          [co.noid] or co.noi.dal adj (1668): shaped like or nearly
          like a cone <~ shells> <~ pottery> -- conoid n

   conquer
          [con.quer] vb con.quered ; con.quer.ing [ME, to acquire,
          conquer, fr. OF conquerre, fr. (assumed) VL conquaerere,
          alter. of L conquirere to search for, collect, fr. com-
          + quaerere to ask, search] vt (14c) 1: to gain or acquire
          by force of arms: subjugate 2: to overcome by force of
          arms: vanquish 3: to gain mastery over or win by overcoming
          obstacles or opposition <~ed the mountain> 4: to overcome
          by mental or moral power: surmount <~ed her fear> ~ vi:
          to be victorious -- con.quer.or n syn conquer, vanquish,
          defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get
          the better of by force or strategy. conquer implies gaining
          mastery of <Caesar conquered Gaul>. vanquish implies
          a complete overpowering <vanquished the enemy and ended
          the war>. defeat does not imply the finality or completeness
          of vanquish which it otherwise equals <the Confederates
          defeated the Union forces at Manassas>. subdue implies
          a defeating and suppression <subdued the native tribes
          after years of fighting>. reduce implies a forcing to
          capitulate or surrender <the city was reduced after a
          month-long siege>. overcome suggests getting the better
          of with difficulty or after hard struggle <overcame a
          host of bureaucratic roadblocks>. overthrow stresses
          the bringing down or destruction of existing power <violently
          overthrew the old regime>.

   conquest
          [con.quest] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL conquaesitus,
          alter. of L conquisitus, pp. of conquirere] (14c) 1:
          the act or process of conquering 2 a: something conquered;
          esp: territory appropriated in war b: a person whose
          favor or hand has been won

   conquian
          [con.qui.an] n [MexSp conquian--more at cooncan] (ca. 1911):
          a card game for two played with 40 cards from which all
          games of rummy developed

   conquistador
          [con.quis.ta.dor] n, pl con.quis.ta.do.res or con.quis.ta.dors
          [Sp, ultim. fr. L conquirere] (1830): one that conquers;
          specif: a leader in the Spanish conquest of America and
          esp. of Mexico and Peru in the 16th century

   cons
          [cons] abbreviation consecrated, conservative, consigned,
          consignment, consol, consolidated, consonant, constable,
          constitution, construction, consul, consulting

   consanguine
          [con.san.guine] adj (1610): consanguineous

   consanguineous
          [con.san.guin.e.ous] adj [L consanguineus, fr. com- + sanguin-,
          sanguis blood] (1601): of the same blood or origin; specif:
          descended from the same ancestor -- con.san.guin.e.ous.ly
          adv

   consanguinity
          [con.san.guin.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the quality or state
          of being consanguineous 2: a close relation or connection

   conscience
          [con.science] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L conscientia, fr. conscient-,
          consciens, prp. of conscire to be conscious, be conscious
          of guilt, fr. com- + scire to know--more at science]
          (13c) 1 a: the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness
          or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions,
          or character together with a feeling of obligation to
          do right or be good b: a faculty, power, or principle
          enjoining good acts c: the part of the superego in psychoanalysis
          that transmits commands and admonitions to the ego 2
          archaic: consciousness 3: conformity to the dictates
          of conscience: conscientiousness 4: sensitive regard
          for fairness or justice: scruple -- con.science.less
          adj -- in all conscience or in conscience : in all fairness

   conscience money
          [conscience money] n (1848): money paid usu. anonymously
          to relieve the conscience by restoring what has been
          wrongfully acquired

   conscientious
          [con.sci.en.tious] adj (1611) 1: governed by or conforming
          to the dictates of conscience: scrupulous <a ~ public
          servant> 2: meticulous, careful <a ~ listener> syn see
          upright -- con.sci.en.tious.ly adv -- con.sci.en.tious.ness
          n

   conscientious objection
          [conscientious objection] n (1916): objection on moral or
          religious grounds (as to service in the armed forces
          or to bearing arms)

   conscientious objector
          [conscientious objector] n (1899): a person who refuses to
          serve in the armed forces or bear arms on moral or religious
          grounds

   conscionable
          [con.scio.na.ble] adj [irreg. fr. conscience] (1549): conscientious

   [1]conscious
          [con.scious] adj [L conscius, fr. com- + scire to know] (1592)
          1: perceiving, apprehending, or noticing with a degree
          of controlled thought or observation 2 archaic: sharing
          another's knowledge or awareness of an inward state or
          outward fact 3: personally felt <~ guilt> 4: capable
          of or marked by thought, will, design, or perception
          5: self-conscious 6: having mental faculties undulled
          by sleep, faintness, or stupor: awake <became ~ after
          the anesthesia wore off> 7: done or acting with critical
          awareness <a ~ effort to do better> 8 a: likely to notice,
          consider, or appraise <a bargain-conscious shopper> b:
          being concerned or interested <a budget-conscious businessman>
          c: marked by strong feelings or notions <a race-conscious
          society> syn see aware -- con.scious.ly adv [2]conscious
          n (1919): consciousness 5

   consciousness
          [con.scious.ness] n (1632) 1 a: the quality or state of being
          aware esp. of something within oneself b: the state or
          fact of being conscious of an external object, state,
          or fact c: awareness; esp: concern for some social or
          political cause 2: the state of being characterized by
          sensation, emotion, volition, and thought: mind 3: the
          totality of conscious states of an individual 4: the
          normal state of conscious life <regained ~> 5: the upper
          level of mental life of which the person is aware as
          contrasted with unconscious processes

   consciousness-raising
          [consciousness-raising] n (1971): an increasing of concerned
          awareness esp. of some social or political issue

   conscribe
          [con.scribe] vt con.scribed ; con.scrib.ing [L conscribere]
          (1613) 1: limit, circumscribe <ill-health ... conscribed
          the force of his intentions --Times Lit. Supp.> 2: to
          enlist forcibly: conscript

   [1]conscript
          [con.script] n (1800): a conscripted person (as a military
          recruit) [2]con.script vt (1813): to enroll into service
          by compulsion: draft <was ~ed into the army> [3]con.script
          adj [alter. of F conscrit, fr. L conscriptus, pp. of
          conscribere to enroll, enlist, fr. com- + scribere to
          write--more at scribe] (1823) 1: enrolled into service
          by compulsion: drafted 2: made up of conscripted persons

   conscription
          [con.scrip.tion] n (1800): compulsory enrollment of persons
          esp. for military service: draft

   [1]consecrate
          [con.se.crate] adj (14c): dedicated to a sacred purpose
          [2]consecrate vt -crat.ed ; -crat.ing [ME, fr. L consecratus, pp.
          of consecrare, fr. com- + sacrare to consecrate--more at sacred]
          (14c) 1: to induct (a person) into a permanent office with
          a religious rite; esp: to ordain to the office of bishop
          2 a: to make or declare sacred; esp: to devote irrevocably to the
          worship of God by a solemn ceremony b: to effect the liturgical
          transubstantiation of (eucharistic bread and wine) c: to devote
          to a purpose with or as if with deep solemnity or dedication
          3: to make inviolable or venerable <principles consecrated by the
          weight of history> syn see devote -- con.se.cra.tive adj
          -- con.se.cra.tor n -- con.se.cra.to.ry adj

   consecration
          [con.se.cra.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or ceremony of consecrating
          2: the state of being consecrated 3 cap: the part of
          a Communion rite in which the bread and wine are consecrated

   consecution
          [con.se.cu.tion] n [L consecution-, consecutio, fr. consequi
          to follow along--more at consequent] (1651): sequence

   consecutive
          [con.sec.u.tive] adj (1611): following one after the other
          in order: successive -- con.sec.u.tive.ly adv --
          con.sec.u.tive.ness n

   consensual
          [con.sen.su.al] adj [L consensus + E -al] (1754) 1 a: existing
          or made by mutual consent without an act of writing <a
          ~ contract> b: involving or based on mutual consent <~
          acts> 2: relating to or being the constrictive pupillary
          response of an eye that is covered when the other eye
          is exposed to light -- con.sen.su.al.ly adv

   consensus
          [con.sen.sus] n, often attrib [L, fr. consentire] (1858)
          1 a: general agreement: unanimity <the ~ of their opinion,
          based on reports ... from the border --John Hersey> b:
          the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned <the
          ~ was to go ahead> 2: group solidarity in sentiment and
          belief usage The phrase consensus of opinion, which is
          not actually redundant (see sense 1a; the sense that
          takes the phrase is slightly older), has been so often
          claimed to be a redundancy that many writers avoid it.
          You are safe in using consensus alone when it is clear
          you mean consensus of opinion, and most writers in fact
          do so.

   [1]consent
          [con.sent] vi [ME, fr. L consentire, fr. com- + sentire to
          feel--more at sense] (13c) 1: to give assent or approval:
          agree 2 archaic: to be in concord in opinion or senti
          ment syn see assent -- con.sent.ing.ly adv [2]consent
          n (14c) 1: compliance in or approval of what is done
          or proposed by another: acquiescence <he shall have power,
          by and with the advice and ~ of the Senate, to make treaties
          --U.S. Constitution> 2: agreement as to action or opinion;
          specif: voluntary agreement by a people to organize a
          civil society and give authority to the government --
          con.sent.er n

   consentaneous
          [con.sen.ta.ne.ous] adj [L consentaneus, fr. consentire to
          agree] (1625) 1: expressing agreement: suited 2: done
          or made by the consent of all -- con.sen.ta.ne.ous.ly
          adv

   consent decree
          [consent decree] n (1904): a judicial decree that sanctions
          a voluntary agreement between parties in dispute

   consequence
          [con.se.quence] n (14c) 1: a conclusion derived through logic:
          inference 2: something produced by a cause or necessarily
          following from a set of conditions 3 a: importance with
          respect to power to produce an effect: moment b: social
          importance 4: the appearance of importance; esp: self-importance
          syn see importance -- in consequence : as a result: consequently

   [1]consequent
          [con.se.quent] n (14c) 1 a: deduction 2b b: the conclusion
          of a conditional sentence 2: the second term of a ratio
          [2]consequent adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L consequent-, consequens,
          prp. of consequi to follow along, fr. com- + sequi to
          follow--more at sue] (15c) 1: following as a result or
          effect <her new job and ~ relocation> 2: observing logical
          sequence: rational

   consequential
          [con.se.quen.tial] adj (1626) 1: of the nature of a secondary
          result: indirect 2: consequent 3: having significant
          consequences: important <a grave and ~ event> 4: self-important
          -- con.se.quen.ti.al.i.ty n -- con.se.quen.tial.ly adv
          -- con.se.quen.tial.ness n

   consequently
          [con.se.quent.ly] adv (15c): as a result: in view of the
          foregoing: accordingly

   conservancy
          [con.ser.van.cy] n, pl -cies [alter. of obs. conservacy
          conservation, fr. AF conservacie, fr. ML conservatia, fr.
          L conservare] (1755) 1 Brit: a board regulating fisheries and
          navigation in a river or port 2 a: conservation b: an organization
          or area designated to conserve and protect natural resources

   conservation
          [con.ser.va.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L conservation-, conservatio,
          fr. conservare] (14c) 1: a careful preservation and protection
          of something; esp: planned management of a natural resource
          to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect 2: the
          preservation of a physical quantity during transformations
          or reactions -- con.ser.va.tion.al adj

   conservationist
          [con.ser.va.tion.ist] n (1870): a person who advocates conservation
          esp. of natural resources

   conservation of charge
          [conservation of charge] (1949): a principle in physics:
          the total electric charge of an isolated system remains
          constant irrespective of whatever internal changes may
          take place

   conservation of energy
          [conservation of energy] (1853): a principle in physics:
          the total energy of an isolated system remains constant
          irrespective of whatever internal changes may take place
          with energy disappearing in one form reappearing in another

   conservation of mass
          [conservation of mass] (1884): a principle in classical physics:
          the total mass of any material system is neither increased
          nor diminished by reactions between the parts--called
          also conservation of matter

   conservatism
          [con.ser.va.tism] n (1835) 1 cap a: the principles and policies
          of a Conservative party b: the Conservative party 2 a:
          disposition in politics to preserve what is established
          b: a political philosophy based on tradition and social
          stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring
          gradual development to abrupt change 3: the tendency
          to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change

   [1]conservative
          [con.ser.va.tive] adj (14c) 1: preservative 2 a: of or relating
          to a philosophy of conservatism b cap: of or constituting
          a political party professing the principles of conservatism:
          as (1): of or constituting a party of the United Kingdom
          advocating support of established institutions (2): progressive
          conservative 3 a: tending or disposed to maintain existing
          views, conditions, or institutions: traditional b: marked
          by moderation or caution <a ~ estimate> c: marked by
          or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance,
          style, or manners <a ~ suit> 4: of or relating to Conservative
          Judaism -- con.ser.va.tive.ly adv -- con.ser.va.tive.ness
          n [2]conservative n (1831) 1 a: an adherent or advocate
          of political conservatism b cap: a member or supporter
          of a conservative political party 2 a: one who adheres
          to traditional methods or views b: a cautious or discreet
          person

   Conservative Judaism
          [Conservative Judaism] n (1946): Judaism as practiced esp.
          among some U.S. Jews with adherence to the Torah and
          Talmud but with allowance for some departures in keeping
          with differing times and circumstances--compare orthodox
          judaism, reform judaism

   conservatize
          [con.ser.va.tize] vb -tized ; -tiz.ing vi (1849): to grow
          conservative ~ vt: to make conservative

   conservatoire
          [con.ser.va.toire] n [F, fr. It conservatorio] (1845): conservatory
          2

   conservator
          [con.ser.va.tor] n (15c) 1 a: one that preserves from injury
          or violation: protector b: one that is responsible for
          the care, restoration, and repair of archival or museum
          articles 2: a person, official, or institution designated
          to take over and protect the interests of an incompetent
          3: an official charged with the protection of something
          affecting public welfare and interests -- con.ser.va.to.ri.al
          adj -- con.ser.va.tor.ship n

   conservatory
          [con.ser.va.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1664) 1: a greenhouse for
          growing or displaying plants 2 [It conservatorio home
          for foundlings, music school, fr. L conservare]: a school
          specializing in one of the fine arts <a music ~>

   [1]conserve
          [con.serve] vt con.served ; con.serv.ing [ME, fr. MF conserver,
          fr. L conservare, fr. com- + servare to keep, guard,
          observe; akin to Av haurvaiti he guards] (14c) 1: to
          keep in a safe or sound state <he conserved his inheritance>;
          esp: to avoid wasteful or destructive use of <~ natural
          resources> 2: to preserve with sugar 3: to maintain (a
          quantity) constant during a process of chemical, physical,
          or evolutionary change -- con.serv.er n [2]con.serve
          n (15c) 1: sweetmeat; esp: a candied fruit 2: preserve;
          specif: one prepared from a mixture of fruits

   consider
          [con.sid.er] vb con.sid.ered ; con.sid.er.ing [ME, fr. MF
          considerer, fr. L considerare to observe, think about,
          fr. com- + sider-, sidus star] vt (14c) 1: to think about
          carefully: as a: to think of esp. with regard to taking
          some action <is ~ing you for the job> <~ed moving to
          the city> b: to take into account <defendant's age must
          be ~ed> 2: to regard or treat in an attentive or kindly
          way <he ~ed her every wish> 3: to gaze on steadily or
          reflectively 4: to come to judge or classify <~ thrift
          essential> 5: regard <his works are well ~ed abroad>
          6: suppose ~ vi: reflect, deliberate <paused a moment
          to ~> syn consider, study, contemplate, weigh mean to
          think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision.
          consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach
          a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision <refused
          even to consider my proposal>. study implies sustained
          purposeful concentration and attention to details and
          minutiae <study the plan closely>. contemplate stresses
          focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply
          coming to a conclusion or decision <contemplate the consequences
          of refusing>. weigh implies attempting to reach the truth
          or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims
          or evidence <weigh the pros and cons of the case>.

   [1]considerable
          [con.sid.er.able] adj (ca. 1619) 1: worth consideration:
          significant 2: large in extent or degree <a ~ number>
          -- con.sid.er.ably adv [2]considerable n (1685): a considerable
          amount, degree, or extent

   considerate
          [con.sid.er.ate] adj (1572) 1: marked by or given to careful
          consideration: circumspect 2: thoughtful of the rights
          and feelings of others -- con.sid.er.ate.ly adv --
          con.sid.er.ate.ness n

   consideration
          [con.sid.er.ation] n (14c) 1: continuous and careful thought
          <after long ~ he agreed to their requests> 2 a: a matter
          weighed or taken into account when formulating an opinion
          or plan <economic ~s forced her to leave college> b:
          a taking into account 3: thoughtful and sympathetic regard
          4: an opinion obtained by reflection 5: esteem, regard
          <the family built themselves a large, ugly villa ...
          and became people of ~ --V. S. Pritchett> 6 a: recompense,
          payment b: the inducement to a contract or other legal
          transaction; specif: an act or forbearance or the promise
          thereof done or given by one party in return for the
          act or promise of another -- in consideration of : as
          payment or recompense for <a small fee in consideration
          of many kind services>

   considered
          [con.sid.ered] adj (ca. 1677) 1: matured by extended deliberative
          thought <a ~ opinion> 2: viewed with respect or esteem

   [1]considering
          [con.sid.er.ing] prep (14c): in view of: taking into account
          <he did well ~ his limitations> [2]considering conj (15c):
          inasmuch as <~ he was new at the job, he did quite well>

   consigliere
          [con.sig.li.e.re] n, pl -ri [It, fr. consiglio advice, counsel,
          fr. L consilium--more at counsel] (1615): counselor,
          adviser <~ of a Mafia family>

   consign
          [con.sign] vb [MF consigner, fr. L consignare, fr. com- +
          signum sign, mark, seal--more at sign] vt (1528) 1: to
          give over to another's care 2: to give, transfer, or
          deliver into the hands or control of another; also: to
          commit esp. to a final destination or fate <a writer
          ~ed to oblivion> 3: to send or address to an agent to
          be cared for or sold ~ vi, obs: agree, submit syn see
          commit -- con.sign.able adj -- con.sig.na.tion n -- con.sign.or
          n

   consignee
          [con.sign.ee] n (1789): one to whom something is consigned
          or shipped

   [1]consignment
          [con.sign.ment] n (ca. 1668) 1: the act or process of consigning
          2: something consigned esp. in a single shipment -- on
          consignment : shipped to a dealer who pays only for what
          he sells and who may return what is unsold <goods shipped
          on consignment> [2]consignment adj (1913): of, relating
          to, or received as goods on consignment <a ~ sale>

   [1]consist
          [con.sist] vi [MF & L; MF consister, fr. L consistere, lit.,
          to stop, stand still, fr. com- + sistere to take a stand;
          akin to L stare to stand--more at stand] (1526) 1: lie,
          reside--usu. used with in <liberty ~s in the absence
          of obstructions --A. E. Housman> 2 archaic a: exist,
          be b: to be capable of existing 3: to be composed or
          made up--usu. used with of <breakfast ~ed of cereal,
          milk, and fruit> 4: to be consistent <it ~s with the
          facts> [2]con.sist n (1898): makeup or composition (as
          of coal sizes or a railroad train) by classes, types,
          or grades and arrangement

   consistence
          [con.sis.tence] n (1601): consistency

   consistency
          [con.sis.ten.cy] n, pl -cies (1594) 1 a archaic: condition
          of adhering together: firmness of material substance
          b: firmness of constitution or character: persistency
          2: degree of firmness, density, viscosity, or resistance
          to movement or separation of constituent particles <boil
          the juice to the ~ of a thick syrup> 3 a: agreement or
          harmony of parts or features to one another or a whole:
          correspondence; specif: ability to be asserted together
          without contradiction b: harmony of conduct or practice
          with profession <followed her own advice with ~>

   consistent
          [con.sis.tent] adj [L consistent-, consistens, prp. of consistere]
          (1647) 1 archaic: possessing firmness or coherence 2 a: marked
          by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity: free from variation
          or contradiction <a ~ style in painting> b: compatible--usu. used
          with with c: showing steady conformity to character, profession,
          belief, or custom <a ~ patriot> 3: tending to be arbitrarily close
          to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes
          large <a ~ statistical estimator> -- con.sis.tent.ly adv

   consistory
          [con.sis.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ME consistorie, fr. MF, fr.
          ML & LL; ML consistorium church tribunal, fr. LL, imperial
          council, fr. L consistere] (14c) 1: a solemn assembly:
          council 2: a church tribunal or governing body: as a:
          a solemn meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals convoked
          and presided over by the pope b: a church session in
          some Reformed churches 3: the organization that confers
          the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
          of Freemasonry usu. from the 19th to the 32d inclusive;
          also: a meeting of such an organization -- con.sis.tor.i.al
          adj

   consociate
          [con.so.ci.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L consociatus, pp. of
          consociare, fr. com- + socius companion--more at social]
          vt (1566): to bring into association ~ vi: to associate
          esp. in fellowship or partnership

   consociation
          [con.so.ci.a.tion] n (1593) 1: association in fellowship
          or alliance 2: an association of churches or religious
          societies 3: an ecological community with a single dominant
          species -- con.so.ci.a.tion.al adj

   consol
          [consol] abbreviation consolidated

   consolation
          [con.so.la.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or an instance of consoling:
          the state of being consoled: comfort 2: something that
          consoles; specif: a contest held for those who have lost
          early in a tournament <the losers met in a ~ game> --
          con.so.la.to.ry adj

   consolation prize
          [consolation prize] n (1886): a prize given to a runner-up
          or a loser in a contest

   [1]console
          [con.sole] n [F] (1664) 1: an architectural member projecting
          from a wall to form a bracket or from a keystone for
          ornament 2: console table 3 a: an upright case which
          houses the keyboards and controlling mechanisms of an
          organ and from which the organ is played b: a combination
          of readouts or displays and an input device (as a keyboard
          or switches) by which an operator can monitor and interact
          with a system (as a computer or dubber) 4 a: a cabinet
          (as for a radio or television set) designed to rest directly
          on the floor b: a small storage cabinet between bucket
          seats in an automobile [2]con.sole vt con.soled ; con.sol.ing
          [F consoler, fr. L consolari, fr. com- + solari to console]
          (1693): to alleviate the grief, sense of loss, or trouble
          of: comfort <~ a widow> -- con.sol.ing.ly adv

   console table
          [console table] n (1813): a table fixed to a wall with its
          top supported by consoles or front legs; broadly: a table
          designed to fit against a wall

   consolidate
          [con.sol.i.date] vb -dat.ed ; -dat.ing [L consolidatus, pp.
          of consolidare to make solid, fr. com- + solidus solid]
          vt (ca. 1512) 1: to join together into one whole: unite
          <~ several small school districts> 2: to make firm or
          secure: strengthen <~ their hold on first place> 3: to
          form into a compact mass ~ vi: to become consolidated;
          specif: merge <the two companies consolidated> -- con.sol.i.da.tor
          n

   consolidated school
          [consolidated school] n (1911): a public school formed by
          merging other schools

   consolidation
          [con.sol.i.da.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of consolidating:
          the state of being consolidated 2: the process of uniting: the
          quality or state of being united; specif: the unification of two
          or more corporations by dissolution of existing ones and creation
          of a single new corporation 3: pathological alteration of lung
          tissue from an aerated condition to one of solid consistency

   consomme
          [con.som.me] n [F, fr. pp. of consommer to complete, boil
          down, fr. L consummare to complete--more at consummate]
          (1815): clear soup made from well-seasoned stock

   consonance
          [con.so.nance] n (15c) 1: harmony or agreement among components
          2 a: correspondence or recurrence of sounds esp. in words;
          specif: recurrence or repetition of consonants esp. at
          the end of stressed syllables without the similar correspondence
          of vowels (as in the final sounds of "stroke" and "luck")
          b: concord 1b c: sympathetic vibration, resonance

   consonancy
          [con.so.nan.cy] n, pl -cies (14c): consonance 1

   [1]consonant
          [con.so.nant] adj [MF, fr. L consonant-, consonans, prp.
          of consonare to sound together, agree, fr. com- + sonare
          to sound--more at sound] (15c) 1: being in agreement
          or harmony: free from elements making for discord 2:
          marked by musical consonances 3: having similar sounds
          <~ words> 4: relating to or exhibiting consonance: resonant
          -- con.so.nant.ly adv [2]consonant n [ME, fr. L consonant-,
          consonans, fr. prp. of consonare] (14c): one of a class
          of speech sounds (as /p/, /g/, /n/, /l/, /s/, /r/) characterized
          by constriction or closure at one or more points in the
          breath channel; also: a letter representing a consonant--usu.
          used in English of any letter except a, e, i, o, and
          u

   consonantal
          [con.so.nan.tal] adj (1795): relating to, being, or marked
          by a consonant or group of consonants

   consonant shift
          [consonant shift] n (1888): a set of regular changes in consonant
          articulation in the history of a language or dialect:
          a: such a set affecting the Indo-European stops and distinguishing
          the Germanic languages from the other Indo-European
          languages--compare grimm's law b: such a set affecting the Germanic
          stops and distinguishing High German from the other Germanic
          languages

   [1]consort
          [con.sort] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L consort-, consors partner,
          sharer, fr. com- + sort-, sors lot, share--more at series]
          (15c) 1: associate 2: a ship accompanying another 3:
          spouse--compare prince consort [2]consort n [MF consorte,
          fr. consort] (1584) 1: group, assembly <a ~ of specialists>
          2: conjunction, association <he ruled in ~ with his father>
          3 a: a group of singers or instrumentalists performing
          together b: a set of musical instruments of the same
          family [3]con.sort vt (1588) 1: unite, associate 2 obs:
          escort ~ vi 1: to keep company <~ing with criminals>
          2 obs: to make harmony: play 3: accord, harmonize <the
          illustrations ~ admirably with the text --Times Lit.
          Supp.>

   consortium
          [con.sor.tium] n, pl -sor.tia also -sortiums [L, fellowship,
          fr. consort-, consors] (1829) 1: an agreement, combination,
          or group (as of companies) formed to undertake an enterprise
          beyond the resources of any one member 2: association,
          society 3: the legal right of one spouse to the company,
          affection, and assistance of and to sexual relations
          with the other

   conspecific
          [con.spe.cif.ic] adj (1859): of the same species -- conspecific
          n

   conspectus
          [con.spec.tus] n [L, fr. conspectus, fr. conspicere] (ca.
          1837) 1: a usu. brief survey or summary (as of an extensive
          subject) often providing an overall view 2: outline,
          synopsis

   conspicuity
          [con.spi.cu.i.ty] n (1601): the quality or state of being
          conspicuous: conspicuousness

   conspicuous
          [con.spic.u.ous] adj [L conspicuus, fr. conspicere to get
          sight of, fr. com- + specere to look--more at spy] (1545)
          1: obvious to the eye or mind 2: attracting attention:
          striking 3: marked by a noticeable violation of good
          taste syn see noticeable -- con.spic.u.ous.ly adv --
          con.spic.u.ous.ness n

   conspicuous consumption
          [conspicuous consumption] n (1899): lavish or wasteful spending
          thought to enhance social prestige

   conspiracy
          [con.spir.a.cy] n, pl -cies [ME conspiracie, fr. L conspirare]
          (14c) 1: the act of conspiring together 2 a: an agreement
          among conspirators b: a group of conspirators syn see
          plot

   conspiracy of silence
          [conspiracy of silence] (1865): a secret agreement to keep
          silent about an occurrence, situation, or subject esp.
          in order to promote or protect selfish interests

   conspiration
          [con.spi.ra.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or action of plotting
          or secretly combining 2: a joint effort toward a particular
          end -- con.spi.ra.tion.al adj

   conspirator
          [con.spir.a.tor] n (15c): one that conspires: plotter

   conspiratorial
          [con.spir.a.to.ri.al] adj (1855): of, relating to, or suggestive
          of a conspiracy -- con.spir.a.to.ri.al.ly adv

   conspire
          [con.spire] vb con.spired ; con.spir.ing [ME, fr. MF conspirer,
          fr. L conspirare to be in harmony, conspire, fr. com-
          + spirare to breathe] vt (14c): plot, contrive ~ vi 1
          a: to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or
          wrongful act or an act which becomes unlawful as a result
          of the secret agreement b: scheme 2: to act in harmony
          toward a common end <circumstances conspired to defeat
          his efforts>

   con spirito
          [con spi.ri.to] adv [It] (ca. 1891): with spirit or animation--used
          as a direction in music

   const
          [const] abbreviation constant, constitution, constitutional,
          construction

   constable
          [con.sta.ble] n [ME conestable, fr. OF, fr. LL comes stabuli,
          lit., officer of the stable] (13c) 1: a high officer
          of a medieval royal or noble household 2: the warden
          or governor of a royal castle or a fortified town 3 a:
          a public officer usually of a town or township responsible
          for keeping the peace and for minor judicial duties b
          Brit : police officer; esp: one ranking below sergeant

   [1]constabulary
          [con.stab.u.lary] adj (1824): of or relating to a constable
          or constabulary [2]constabulary n, pl -lar.ies (1837)
          1: the organized body of constables of a particular district
          or country 2: an armed police force organized on military
          lines but distinct from the regular army

   constancy
          [con.stan.cy] n, pl -cies (15c) 1 a: steadfastness of mind
          under duress: fortitude b: fidelity, loyalty 2: a state
          of being constant or unchanging

   [1]constant
          [con.stant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L constant-, constans, fr.
          prp. of constare to stand firm, be consistent, fr. com-
          + stare to stand--more at stand] (14c) 1: marked by firm
          steadfast resolution or faithfulness: exhibiting constancy
          of mind or attachment 2: invariable, uniform 3: continually
          occurring or recurring: regular syn see faithful, continual
          -- con.stant.ly adv [2]constant n (1832): something invariable
          or unchanging: as a: a number that has a fixed value
          in a given situation or universally or that is characteristic
          of some substance or instrument b: a number that is assumed
          not to change value in a given mathematical discussion
          c: a term in logic with a fixed designation

   constantan
          [con.stan.tan] n [fr. the fact that its resistance remains
          constant under change of temperature] (1903): an alloy
          of copper and nickel used for electrical resistors and
          in thermocouples

   constative
          [con.sta.tive] adj [constate to assert positively, fr. F
          constater, fr. L constat it is certain, 3d sing. pres.
          indic. of constare] (1901) 1: of, relating to, or being
          a verbal form that expresses past completed action 2:
          being or relating to an utterance (as an assertion, question,
          or command) that is capable of being judged true or false
          -- constative n

   constellate
          [con.stel.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing vt (1643) 1: to unite
          in a cluster 2: to set or adorn with or as if with constellations
          ~ vi: cluster

   constellation
          [con.stel.la.tion] n [ME constellacioun, fr. MF constellation,
          fr. LL constellation-, constellatio, fr. L com- + stella
          star--more at star] (14c) 1: the configuration of stars
          esp. at one's birth 2: any of 88 arbitrary configurations
          of stars or an area of the celestial sphere covering
          one of these configurations 3: an assemblage, collection,
          or gathering of usu. related persons, qualities, or things
          <a ~ of ... relatives, friends, and hangers-on --Brendan
          Gill> 4: pattern, arrangement <taking advantage of the
          shifting ~ of power throughout the known world --H. D.
          Lasswell> -- con.stel.la.to.ry adj

   consternate
          [con.ster.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1651): to fill with
          consternation

   consternation
          [con.ster.na.tion] n [F or L; F, fr. L consternation-,
          consternatio, fr. consternare to throw into confusion, fr. com-
          + -sternare, prob. fr. sternere to spread, strike down--more
          at strew] (ca. 1611): amazement or dismay that hinders or throws
          into confusion <the two ... stared at each other in ~, and neither
          knew what to do --Pearl Buck>

   constipate
          [con.sti.pate] vt -pat.ed ; -pat.ing [ML constipatus, pp.
          of constipare, fr. L, to crowd together, fr. com- + stipare
          to pack tight--more at stiff] (1533) 1: to cause constipation
          in 2: to make immobile, inactive, or dull: stultify <so
          much clutter ... will tend to ~ the novel's working order
          --Times Lit. Supp.>

   constipated
          [con.sti.pat.ed] adj (1547) 1: affected with constipation
          2: stilted or stodgy in appearance, expression, or action

   constipation
          [con.sti.pa.tion] n (15c) 1: abnormally delayed or infrequent
          passage of usu. dry hardened feces 2: stultification

   constituency
          [con.stit.u.en.cy] n, pl -cies (1831) 1 a: a body of citizens
          entitled to elect a representative (as to a legislative
          or executive position) b: the residents in an electoral
          district c: an electoral district 2 a: a group or body
          that patronizes, supports, or offers representation <creating
          ... a grass-roots ~ for continuing the project --Fred
          Reed> b: the people involved in or served by an organization
          (as a business or institution) <regards its corporate
          customers as its prime ~ --Andrew Hacker>

   [1]constituent
          [con.stit.u.ent] n [F constituant, fr. MF, fr. prp. of constituer
          to constitute, fr. L constituere] (1622) 1: one who authorizes
          another to act as agent: principal 2: a member of a constituency
          3: an essential part: component, element 4: a structural
          unit of a definable syntactic, semantic, or phonological
          category that consists of one or more linguistic elements
          (as words, morphemes, or features) and that can occur
          as a component of a larger construction syn see element
          [2]constituent adj [L constituent-, constituens, prp.
          of constituere] (1660) 1: serving to form, compose, or
          make up a unit or whole: component 2: having the power
          to create a government or frame or amend a constitution
          <a ~ assembly> -- con.stit.u.ent.ly adv

   constitute
          [con.sti.tute] vt -tut.ed ; -tut.ing [ME, fr. L constitutus,
          pp. of constituere to set up, constitute, fr. com- +
          statuere to set--more at statute] (15c) 1: to appoint
          to an office, function, or dignity 2: set up, establish:
          as a: enact b: found c (1): to give due or lawful form
          to (2): to legally process 3: make up, form, compose
          <12 months ~ a year> <high school dropouts who ~ a major
          problem in large city slums --J. B. Conant>

   constitution
          [con.sti.tu.tion] n (14c) 1: an established law or custom:
          ordinance 2 a: the physical makeup of the individual
          comprising inherited qualities modified by environment
          b: the structure, composition, physical makeup, or nature
          of something 3: the act of establishing, making, or setting
          up 4: the mode in which a state or society is organized;
          esp: the manner in which sovereign power is distributed
          5 a: the basic principles and laws of a nation, state,
          or social group that determine the powers and duties
          of the government and guarantee certain rights to the
          people in it b: a written instrument embodying the rules
          of a political or social organization -- con.sti.tu.tion.less
          adj

   [1]constitutional
          [con.sti.tu.tion.al] adj (1682) 1: relating to, inherent
          in, or affecting the constitution of body or mind 2:
          of, relating to, or entering into the fundamental makeup
          of something: essential 3: being in accordance with or
          authorized by the constitution of a state or society
          <a ~ government> 4: regulated by or ruling according
          to a constitution <a ~ monarchy> 5: of or relating to
          a constitution 6: loyal to or supporting an established
          constitution or form of government [2]constitutional
          n (1829): a walk taken for one's health

   constitutionalism
          [con.sti.tu.tion.al.ism] n (1832): adherence to or government
          according to constitutional principles; also: a constitutional
          system of government -- con.sti.tu.tion.al.ist n

   constitutionality
          [con.sti.tu.tion.al.i.ty] n (1787): the quality or state
          of being constitutional; esp: accordance with the provisions
          of a constitution <questioned the ~ of the law>

   constitutionalize
          [con.sti.tu.tion.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1831): to provide
          with a constitution: organize along constitutional principles
          -- con.sti.tu.tion.al.i.za.tion n

   constitutionally
          [con.sti.tu.tion.al.ly] adv (1742) 1 a: in accordance with
          one's constitution <~ unable to grasp subtleties> b:
          in structure, composition, or constitution <despite repeated
          heatings the material remained ~ the same> 2: in accordance
          with a political constitution <was not ~ eligible to
          fill the office>

   constitutive
          [con.sti.tu.tive] adj (1592) 1: having the power to enact
          or establish: constructive 2: constituent, essential
          3: relating to or dependent on constitution <a ~ property
          of all electrolytes> -- con.sti.tu.tive.ly adv

   constr
          [constr] abbreviation construction

   constrain
          [con.strain] vt [ME, fr. MF constraindre, fr. L constringere
          to constrict, constrain, fr. com- + stringere to draw
          tight--more at strain] (14c) 1 a: to force by imposed
          stricture, restriction, or limitation b: to restrict
          the motion of (a mechanical body) to a particular mode
          2: compress; also: to clasp tightly 3: to secure by or
          as if by bonds: confine; broadly: limit 4: to force or
          produce in an unnatural or strained manner <a ~ed smile>
          5: to hold back by or as if by force <~ing my mind not
          to wander from the task --Charles Dickens> syn see force
          -- con.strained.ly adv

   constraint
          [con.straint] n [ME, fr. MF constrainte, fr. constraindre]
          (15c) 1 a: the act of constraining b: the state of being
          checked, restricted, or compelled to avoid or perform
          some action <the ~ and monotony of a monastic life --Matthew
          Arnold> c: a constraining condition, agency, or force:
          check <put legal ~s on the board's activities> 2 a: repression
          of one's own feelings, behavior, or actions b: a sense
          of being constrained: embarrassment

   constrict
          [con.strict] vb [L constrictus, pp. of constringere] vt (1732)
          1 a: to make narrow or draw together b: compress, squeeze
          <~ a nerve> 2: to stultify, stop, or cause to falter:
          inhibit ~ vi: to become constricted syn see contract
          -- con.stric.tive adj

   constriction
          [con.stric.tion] n (15c) 1: an act or product of constricting
          2: the quality or state of being constricted 3: something
          that constricts

   constrictor
          [con.stric.tor] n (1735) 1: a muscle that contracts a cavity
          or orifice or compresses an organ 2: a snake (as a boa
          constrictor) that kills prey by compression in its coils
          3: one that constricts

   constringe
          [con.stringe] vt con.stringed ; con.string.ing [L constringere]
          (1604) 1: to cause to shrink <cold ~s the pores> 2: constrict
          -- con.strin.gent adj

   [1]construct
          [con.struct] vt [L constructus, pp. of construere, fr. com-
          + struere to build--more at structure] (1663) 1: to make
          or form by combining or arranging parts or elements:
          build; also: contrive, devise 2: to draw (a geometrical
          figure) with suitable instruments and under specified
          conditions 3: to set in logical order -- con.struct.ible
          adj -- con.struc.tor n [2]con.struct n (1933) 1: something
          constructed by the mind: as a: a theoretical entity <the
          deductive study of abstract ~s --Daniel J. Boorstin>
          b: a working hypothesis or concept <a point of view which
          made "abroad" singularly containable as a literary ~
          --Jonathan Raban> c: a product of mental invention <the
          novel ... a verbal ~ in which invented human characters
          appear --Anthony Burgess> 2: something produced by human
          effort <the East bloc was always an unnatural ~ --Walter
          Isaacson>

   construction
          [con.struc.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or result of construing,
          interpreting, or explaining 2 a: the process, art, or
          manner of constructing something; also: a thing constructed
          b: the construction industry <working in ~> 3: the arrangement
          and connection of words or groups of words in a sentence:
          syntactical arrangement 4: a sculpture that is put together
          out of separate pieces of often disparate materials --
          con.struc.tion.al adj -- con.struc.tion.al.ly adv

   constructionist
          [con.struc.tion.ist] n (1838): one who construes a legal
          document (as the U.S. Constitution) in a specific way
          <a strict ~>

   construction paper
          [construction paper] n (ca. 1924): a thick groundwood paper
          available in many colors and used esp. for school artwork

   constructive
          [con.struc.tive] adj (ca. 1680) 1: declared such by judicial
          construction or interpretation <~ fraud> 2: of or relating
          to construction or creation 3: promoting improvement
          or development <~ criticism> -- con.struc.tive.ly adv
          -- con.struc.tive.ness n

   constructivism
          [con.struc.tiv.ism] n, often cap (1925): a nonobjective art
          movement originating in Russia and concerned with formal
          organization of planes and expression of volume in terms
          of modern industrial materials (as glass and plastic)
          -- con.struc.tiv.ist adj or n, often cap

   [1]construe
          [con.strue] vb con.strued ; con.stru.ing [ME, fr. LL construere,
          fr. L, to construct] vt (14c) 1: to analyze the arrangement
          and connection of words in (a sentence or sentence part)
          2: to understand or explain the sense or intention of
          usu. in a particular way or with respect to a given set
          of circumstances <construed my actions as hostile> ~
          vi: to construe a sentence or sentence part esp. in connection
          with translating -- con.stru.able adj [2]con.strue n
          (1844): an act or the result of construing esp. by piecemeal
          translation

   consubstantial
          [con.sub.stan.tial] adj [LL consubstantialis, fr. L com-
          + substantia substance] (14c): of the same substance

   consubstantiation
          [con.sub.stan.ti.a.tion] n (1597): the actual substantial
          presence and combination of the body and blood of Christ
          with the eucharistic bread and wine according to a teaching
          associated with Martin Luther--compare transubstantiation

   consuetude
          [con.sue.tude] n [ME, fr. L consuetudo--more at custom] (14c):
          social usage: custom -- con.sue.tu.di.nary adj

   consul
          [con.sul] n [ME, fr. L; perh. akin to L consulere to consult]
          (14c) 1 a: either of two annually elected chief magistrates
          of the Roman republic b: one of three chief magistrates
          of the French republic from 1799 to 1804 2: an official
          appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country
          to represent the commercial interests of citizens of
          the appointing country -- con.sul.ar adj -- con.sul.ship
          n

   consulate
          [con.sul.ate] n (14c) 1: a government by consuls 2: the office,
          term of office, or jurisdiction of a consul 3: the residence
          or official premises of a consul

   consulate general
          [consulate general] n, pl consulates general (1883): the
          residence, office, or jurisdiction of a consul general

   consul general
          [consul general] n, pl consuls general (1753): a consul of
          the first rank stationed in an important place or having
          jurisdiction in several places or over several consuls

   [1]consult
          [con.sult] vb [MF or L; MF consulter, fr. L consultare, freq.
          of consulere to deliberate, counsel, consult] vt (1527)
          1: to have regard to: consider 2 a: to ask the advice
          or opinion of <~ a doctor> b: to refer to <~ a dictionary>
          ~ vi 1: to consult an individual 2: to deliberate together:
          confer 3: to serve as a consultant -- con.sult.er n [2]con.sult
          n (1560): consultation

   consultancy
          [con.sul.tan.cy] n, pl -cies (1955) 1: consultation 2: an
          agency that provides consulting services 3: the position
          of a consultant

   consultant
          [con.sul.tant] n (1697) 1: one who consults another 2: one
          who gives professional advice or services: expert --
          con.sul.tant.ship n

   consultation
          [con.sul.ta.tion] n (15c) 1: council, conference; specif:
          a deliberation between physicians on a case or its treatment
          2: the act of consulting or conferring

   consultative
          [con.sul.ta.tive] adj (1583): of, relating to, or intended
          for consultation: advisory <~ committee>

   consulting
          [con.sult.ing] adj (1801) 1: providing professional or expert
          advice <a ~ architect> 2: of or relating to consultation
          or a consultant <the ~ room of a psychiatrist>

   consultive
          [con.sul.tive] adj (1616): consultative

   consultor
          [con.sul.tor] n (1611): one that consults or advises; esp:
          an adviser to a Roman Catholic bishop, provincial, or
          sacred congregation

   [1]consumable
          [con.sum.able] adj (1641): capable of being consumed [2]consumable
          n (1802): something (as food or fuel) that is consumable--usu. used
          in pl.

   consume
          [con.sume] vb con.sumed ; con.sum.ing [ME, fr. MF or L; MF
          consumer, fr. L consumere, fr. com- + sumere to take
          up, take, fr. sub- up + emere to take--more at sub-,
          redeem] vt (14c) 1: to do away with completely: destroy
          <fire consumed several buildings> 2 a: to spend wastefully:
          squander b: use up <writing consumed much of his time>
          3: to eat or drink esp. in great quantity <consumed several
          kegs of beer> 4: to engage fully: engross <consumed with
          curiosity> ~ vi 1: to waste or burn away: perish 2: to
          utilize economic goods

   consumedly
          [con.sum.ed.ly] adv (1707): as if consumed: excessively

   consumer
          [con.sum.er] n, often attrib (15c): one that consumes: as
          a: one that utilizes economic goods b: an organism requiring
          complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by
          preying on other organisms or by eating particles of
          organic matter--compare producer 4 -- con.sum.er.ship
          n

   consumer credit
          [consumer credit] n (1927): credit granted to an individual
          esp. to finance the purchase of consumer goods or to
          defray personal expenses

   consumer goods
          [consumer goods] n pl (1890): goods that directly satisfy
          human wants

   consumerism
          [con.sum.er.ism] n (1944) 1: the promotion of the consumer's
          interests 2: the theory that an increasing consumption
          of goods is economically desirable; also: a preoccupation
          with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer
          goods -- con.sum.er.ist n -- con.sum.er.is.tic adj

   consumer price index
          [consumer price index] n (1948): an index measuring the change
          in the cost of typical wage-earner purchases of goods
          and services expressed as a percentage of the cost of
          these same goods and services in some base period--called
          also cost-of-living index

   consuming
          [con.sum.ing] adj (1920): deeply felt: ardent <a ~ interest>;
          also: engrossing

   [1]consummate
          [con.sum.mate] adj [ME consummat fulfilled, fr. L consummatus,
          pp. of consummare to sum up, finish, fr. com- + summa
          sum] (1527) 1: complete in every detail: perfect 2: extremely
          skilled and accomplished <a ~ liar> 3: of the highest
          degree <~ skill> <~ cruelty> -- con.sum.mate.ly adv [2]con.sum.mate
          vb -mat.ed ; -mat.ing vt (1530) 1 a: finish, complete <~ a business
          deal> b: to make perfect c: achieve 2: to make (marital union)
          complete by sexual intercourse <~ a marriage> ~ vi: to become
          perfected -- con.sum.ma.tive adj -- con.sum.ma.tor n

   consummation
          [con.sum.ma.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of consummating <the
          ~ of a contract by mutual signature>; specif: the consummating
          of a marriage 2: the ultimate end: finish

   consummatory
          [con.sum.ma.to.ry] adj (1648) 1: of or relating to consummation:
          concluding 2: of, relating to, or being a response or
          act (as eating or copulating) that terminates a period
          of usu. goal-directed behavior

   consumption
          [con.sump.tion] n [ME consumpcioun, fr. L consumption-, consumptio,
          fr. consumere] (14c) 1 a: a progressive wasting away of the body
          esp. from pulmonary tuberculosis b: tuberculosis 2: the act
          or process of consuming 3: the utilization of economic goods in the
          satisfaction of wants or in the process of production resulting
          chiefly in their destruction, deterioration, or transformation

   [1]consumptive
          [con.sump.tive] adj (1664) 1: tending to consume 2: of, relating
          to, or affected with consumption -- con.sump.tive.ly
          adv [2]consumptive n (1666): a person affected with consumption

   cont
          [cont] abbreviation containing, contents, continent, continental,
          continued, control

   [1]contact
          [con.tact] n [F or L; F, fr. L contactus, fr. contingere
          to have contact with--more at contingent] (1626) 1 a:
          union or junction of surfaces b: the apparent touching
          or mutual tangency of the limbs of two celestial bodies
          or of the disk of one body with the shadow of another
          during an eclipse, transit, or occultation c (1): the
          junction of two electrical conductors through which a
          current passes (2): a special part made for such a junction
          2 a: association, relationship b: connection, communication
          c: an establishing of communication with someone or an
          observing or receiving of a significant signal from a
          person or object <radar ~ with Mars> 3: a person serving
          as a go-between, messenger, connection, or source of
          special information <business ~s> 4: contact lens [2]con.tact
          vi (1834): to make contact ~ vt 1: to bring into contact
          2 a: to enter or be in contact with: join b: to get in
          communication with <~ your local dealer> usage The use
          of contact as a verb, esp. in sense 2b, is accepted as
          standard by almost all commentators except those who
          write college handbooks. [3]con.tact adj (1859): maintaining,
          involving, or activated or caused by contact <~ poisons>
          <~ sports>

   contact binary
          [contact binary] n (1952): a binary star system in which
          the two stars are close enough together for material
          to pass between them

   contact hitter
          [contact hitter] n (1982): a hitter in baseball who seldom
          strikes out

   contact inhibition
          [contact inhibition] n (1965): cessation of cellular undulating
          movements upon contact with other cells with accompanying
          cessation of cell growth and division

   contact language
          [contact language] n (1950): pidgin

   contact lens
          [contact lens] n (1888): a thin lens designed to fit over
          the cornea and usu. worn to correct defects in vision

   contact print
          [contact print] n (1890): a photographic print made with
          the negative in contact with the sensitized paper, plate,
          or film

   contagion
          [con.ta.gion] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L contagion-, contagio,
          fr. contingere to have contact with, pollute] (14c) 1
          a: a contagious disease b: the transmission o f a disease
          by direct or indirect contact c: a disease-producing
          agent (as a virus) 2 a: poison b: contagious influence,
          quality, or nature c: corrupting influence or contact
          3 a: rapid communication of an influence (as a doctrine
          or emotional state) b: an influence that spreads rapidly

   contagious
          [con.ta.gious] adj (14c) 1: communicable by contact: catching
          <~ diseases> 2: bearing contagion 3: used for contagious
          diseases <a ~ ward> 4: exciting similar emotions or conduct
          in others <~ enthusiasm> -- con.ta.gious.ly adv --
          con.ta.gious.ness n

   contagious abortion
          [contagious abortion] n (1910): a contagious or infectious
          disease (as a brucellosis) of domestic animals characterized
          by abortion

   contagium
          [con.ta.gium] n, pl -gia [L, contagion, fr. contingere] (1870):
          a virus or living organism capable of causing a communicable
          disease

   contain
          [con.tain] vb [ME conteinen, fr. OF contenir, fr. L continere
          to hold together, hold in, contain, fr. com- + tenere
          to hold--more at thin] vt (14c) 1: to keep within limits:
          as a: restrain, control b: check, halt c: to follow successfully
          a policy of containment toward d: to prevent (as an enemy
          or opponent) from advancing or from making a successful
          attack 2 a: to have within: hold b: comprise, include
          3 a: to be divisible by usu. without a remainder b: enclose,
          bound ~ vi: to restrain oneself -- con.tain.able adj
          syn contain, hold, accommodate mean to have or be capable
          of having within. contain implies the actual presence
          of a specified substance or quantity within something
          <the can contains a quart of oil>. hold implies the capacity
          of containing or the usual or permanent function of containing
          or keeping <the bookcase will hold all my textbooks>.
          accommodate stresses holding without crowding or inconvenience
          <the hall can accommodate 500 people>.

   contained
          [contained] adj (1653): restrained; also: calm

   container
          [con.tain.er] n (15c): one that contains; esp: a receptacle
          (as a box or jar) for holding goods -- con.tain.er.less
          adj

   containerboard
          [con.tain.er.board] n (ca. 1924): corrugated or solid paperboard
          used for making containers

   containerisation, containerise
          [con.tain.er.i.sa.tion, con.tain.er.ise] Brit var of
          containerization, containerize

   containerization
          [con.tain.er.i.za.tion] n (1956): a shipping method in which
          a large amount of material (as merchandise) is packaged
          into large standardized containers

   containerize
          [con.tain.er.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1956) 1: to ship by
          containerization 2: to pack in containers

   containerport
          [con.tain.er.port] n (1970): a shipping port specially equipped
          to handle containerized cargo

   containership
          [con.tain.er.ship] n (1966): a ship specially designed or
          equipped for carrying containerized cargo

   containment
          [con.tain.ment] n (1655) 1: the act, process, or means of
          containing 2: the policy, process, or result of preventing
          the expansion of a hostile power or ideology

   contaminant
          [con.tam.i.nant] n (1922): something that contaminates

   contaminate
          [con.tam.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [ME, fr. L contaminatus,
          pp. of contaminare; akin to L contagio contagion] (15c)
          1 a: to soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or
          association <bacteria contaminated the wound> b: to make
          inferior or impure by admixture <iron contaminated with
          phosphorus> 2: to make unfit for use by the introduction
          of unwholesome or undesirable elements -- con.tam.i.na.tive
          adj -- con.tam.i.na.tor n syn contaminate, taint, pollute,
          defile mean to make impure or unclean. contaminate implies
          intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an
          outside source <water contaminated by industrial wastes>.
          taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that
          follows contamination <tainted meat> <a politician's
          tainted reputation>. pollute, sometimes interchangeable
          with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process
          which begins with contamination is complete and that
          what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned,
          or filthy <the polluted waters of the river>. defile
          implies befouling of what could or should have been kept
          clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation
          or desecration <defile a hero's memory with slanderous
          innuendo>.

   contamination
          [con.tam.i.na.tion] n (15c) 1: a process of contaminating:
          a state of being contaminated 2: contaminant

   contd
          [contd] abbreviation continued

   conte
          [conte] n [F] (1891): a usu. short tale of adventure

   contemn
          [con.temn] vt [ME contempnen, fr. MF contempner, fr. L contemnere,
          fr. com- + temnere to despise] (15c): to view or treat with
          contempt: scorn syn see despise -- con.tem.ner also con.tem.nor n

   contemplate
          [con.tem.plate] vb -plat.ed ; -plat.ing [L contemplatus,
          pp. of contemplari, fr. com- + templum space marked out
          for observation of auguries--more at temple] vt (1537)
          1: to view or consider with continued attention: meditate
          on 2: to view as contingent or probable or as an end
          or intention ~ vi: ponder, meditate syn see consider
          -- con.tem.pla.tor n

   contemplation
          [con.tem.pla.tion] n (13c) 1 a: concentration on spiritual
          things as a form of private devotion b: a state of mystical
          awareness of God's being 2: an act of considering with
          attention: study 3: the act of regarding steadily 4:
          intention, expectation

   [1]contemplative
          [con.tem.pla.tive] adj (14c): marked by or given to contemplation;
          specif: of or relating to a religious order devoted to prayer and
          penance -- con.tem.pla.tive.ly adv -- con.tem.pla.tive.ness
          n [2]contemplative n (14c): a person who practices contemplation

   contemporaneity
          [con.tem.po.ra.ne.i.ty] n (1772): the quality or state of
          being contemporaneous or contemporary

   contemporaneous
          [con.tem.po.ra.ne.ous] adj [L contemporaneus, fr. com- +
          tempor-, tempus time] (ca. 1656): existing, occurring,
          or originating during the same time syn see contemporary
          -- con.tem.po.ra.ne.ous.ly adv -- con.tem.po.ra.ne.ous.ness
          n

   [1]contemporary
          [con.tem.po.rary] adj [com- + L tempor-, tempus] (1631) 1:
          happening, existing, living, or coming into being during
          the same period of time 2 a: simultaneous b: marked by
          characteristics of the present period: modern, current
          -- con.tem.po.rar.i.ly adv syn contemporary, contemporaneous,
          coeval, synchronous, simultaneous, coincident mean existing
          or occurring at the same time. contemporary is likely
          to apply to people and what relates to them <Abraham
          Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin>. contemporaneous
          applies to events <contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping>.
          coeval refers usu. to periods, ages, eras, eons <two
          stars thought to be coeval>. synchronous implies exact
          correspondence in time and esp. in periodic intervals
          <synchronous timepieces>. simultaneous implies correspondence
          in a moment of time <the two shots were simultaneous>.
          coincident is applied to events and may be used in order
          to avoid implication of causal relationship <the end
          of World War II was coincident with a great vintage year>.
          [2]contemporary n, pl -rar.ies (1646) 1: one that is
          contemporary with another 2: one of the same or nearly
          the same age as another

   contemporize
          [con.tem.po.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing (1646): to make contemporary

   contempt
          [con.tempt] n [ME, fr. L contemptus, fr. contemnere] (14c)
          1 a: the act of despising: the state of mind of one who
          despises: disdain b: lack of respect or reverence for
          something 2: the state of being despised 3: willful disobedience
          to or open disrespect of a court, judge, or legislative
          body <~ of court>

   contemptible
          [con.tempt.ible] adj (14c) 1: worthy of contempt 2 obs: scornful,
          contemptuous -- con.tempt.i.bil.i.ty n -- con.tempt.ible.ness
          n -- con.tempt.ibly adv syn contemptible, despicable,
          pitiable, sorry, scurvy mean arousing or deserving scorn.
          contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or
          a low standing in any scale of values <a contemptible
          liar>. despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usu.
          suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation <a
          despicable crime>. pitiable applies to what inspires
          mixed contempt and pity <a pitiable attempt at tragedy>.
          sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness
          or sordidness <this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for
          a car>. scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing
          disgust <a scurvy crew of hangers-on>.

   contemptuous
          [con.temp.tu.ous] adj [L contemptus] (1595): manifesting,
          feeling, or expressing contempt -- con.temp.tu.ous.ly
          adv -- con.temp.tu.ous.ness n

   contemptus mundi
          [con.temp.tus mun.di] [L] foreign term : contempt for the
          world

   contend
          [con.tend] vb [ME, fr. MF or L; MF contendre, fr. L contendere,
          fr. com- + tendere to stretch--more at thin] vi (15c)
          1: to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against
          difficulties: struggle 2: to strive in debate: argue
          ~ vt 1: maintain, assert <~ed that he was right> 2: to
          struggle for: contest

   contender
          [con.tend.er] n (1547): one that contends; esp: a competitor
          for a championship or high honor <a heavyweight title
          ~>

   [1]content
          [con.tent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L contentus, fr. pp. of continere
          to hold in, contain--more at contain] (15c): contented,
          satisfied [2]content vt (15c) 1: to appease the desires
          of 2: to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or
          actions [3]content n (1579): contentment <ate to his
          heart's ~> [4]con.tent n [ME, fr. L contentus, pp. of
          continere to contain] (15c) 1 a: something contained--usu.
          used in pl. <the jar's ~s> <the drawer's ~s> b: the topics
          or matter treated in a written work <table of ~s> 2 a:
          substance, gist b: meaning, significance c: the events,
          physical detail, and information in a work of art--compare
          form 10b 3 a: the matter dealt with in a field of study
          b: a part, element, or complex of parts 4: the amount
          of specified material contained: proportion

   content analysis
          [content analysis] n (1945): analysis of the manifest and
          latent content of a body of communicated material (as
          a book or film) through a classification, tabulation,
          and evaluation of its key symbols and themes in order
          to ascertain its meaning and probable effect

   contented
          [con.tent.ed] adj (1526): feeling or manifesting satisfaction
          with one's possessions, status, or situation <a ~ smile>
          -- con.tent.ed.ly adv -- con.tent.ed.ness n

   contention
          [con.ten.tion] n [ME contencioun, fr. MF, fr. L contention-,
          contentio, fr. contendere] (14c) 1: an act or instance
          of contending 2: a point advanced or maintained in a
          debate or argument 3: rivalry, competition syn see discord

   contentious
          [con.ten.tious] adj (15c) 1: likely to cause contention <a
          ~ argument> 2: exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome
          tendency to quarrels and disputes <a man of a most ~
          nature> syn see belligerent -- con.ten.tious.ly adv --
          con.ten.tious.ness n

   contentment
          [con.tent.ment] n (15c) 1: the quality or state of being
          contented 2: something that contents

   content word
          [con.tent word] n (1940): a word that primarily expresses
          lexical meaning--compare function word

   conterminous
          [con.ter.mi.nous] adj [L conterminus, fr. com- + terminus
          boundary--more at term] (1631) 1: having a common boundary
          2: coterminous 3: enclosed within one common boundary
          <the 48 ~ states> -- con.ter.mi.nous.ly adv

   [1]contest
          [con.test] vb [MF contester, fr. L contestari (litem) to
          bring an action at law, fr. contestari to call to witness,
          fr. com- + testis witness--more at testament] vi (1603):
          strive, vie ~ vt: to make the subject of dispute, contention,
          or litigation; esp: dispute, challenge -- con.test.able
          adj -- con.test.er n [2]con.test n (1647) 1: a struggle
          for superiority or victory: competition 2: a competition
          in which each contestant performs without direct contact
          with or interference from his competitors

   contestant
          [con.tes.tant] n (1665) 1: one that participates in a contest
          2: one that contests an award or decision

   contestation
          [con.tes.ta.tion] n (1580): controversy, debate

   context
          [con.text] n [ME, weaving together of words, fr. L contextus
          connection of words, coherence, fr. contexere to weave
          together, fr. com- + texere to weave--more at technical]
          (ca. 1568) 1: the parts of a discourse that surround
          a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning
          2: the interrelated conditions in which something exists
          or occurs: environment, setting -- con.text.less adj
          -- con.tex.tu.al adj -- con.tex.tu.al.ly adv

   context-free
          [con.text-free] adj (1964): of, relating to, or being a grammar
          or language based on rules that describe a change in
          a string without reference to elements outside of the
          string; also: being such a rule

   contextualize
          [con.tex.tu.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1934): to place (as
          a word or activity) in a context

   contexture
          [con.tex.ture] n [F, fr. L contextus, pp. of contexere] (1603)
          1: the act, process, or manner of weaving parts into
          a whole; also: a structure so formed <a ~ of lies> 2:
          context

   contg
          [contg] abbreviation containing

   contiguity
          [con.ti.gu.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1612): the quality or state
          of being contiguous: proximity

   contiguous
          [con.tig.u.ous] adj [L contiguus, fr. contingere to have
          contact with--more at contingent] (ca. 1609) 1: being
          in actual contact: touching along a boundary or at a
          point 2 of angles: adjacent 2 3: next or near in time
          or sequence 4: touching or connected throughout in an
          unbroken sequence <~ row houses> syn see adjacent --
          con.tig.u.ous.ly adv -- con.tig.u.ous.ness n

   continence
          [con.ti.nence] n (14c) 1: self-restraint; esp: a refraining
          from sexual intercourse 2: the ability to retain a bodily
          discharge voluntarily <fecal ~>

   [1]continent
          [con.ti.nent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L continent-, continens,
          fr. prp. of continere to hold in--more at contain] (14c)
          1: exercising continence 2 obs: restrictive -- con.ti.nent.ly
          adv [2]con.ti.nent n [in senses 1 & 2, fr. L continent-,
          continens, prp. of continere, to hold together, contain;
          in senses 3 & 4, fr. L continent-, continens continuous
          mass of land, mainland, fr. continent-, continens, prp.]
          (1541) 1 archaic: container, confines 2 archaic: epitome
          3: mainland 4 a: one of the six or seven great divisions
          of land on the globe b cap: the continent of Europe--used
          with the

   [1]continental
          [con.ti.nen.tal] adj (1760) 1 a: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a continent <~ waters>; specif, often cap: of or relating to the
          continent of Europe excluding the British Isles b often cap: of,
          relating to, or being a cuisine derived from the classic dishes
          of Europe and esp. France 2 a often cap: of or relating to the
          colonies later forming the U.S. <Continental Congress> b: being the
          part of the U.S. on the No. American continent; also: being the
          part of the U.S. comprising the lower 48 states
          -- con.ti.nen.tal.ly adv [2]continental n (1777) 1 a often cap:
          an American soldier of the Revolution in the Continental army
          b (1): a piece of Continental paper currency (2): the least bit
          <not worth a ~> 2: an inhabitant of a continent and esp. the
          continent of Europe

   continental breakfast
          [continental breakfast] n, often cap C (1911): a light breakfast
          (as of rolls or toast and coffee)

   continental drift
          [continental drift] n (1926): a hypothetical slow movement
          of the continents on a deep-seated viscous zone within
          the earth--compare plate tectonics

   continental shelf
          [continental shelf] n (1892): a shallow submarine plain of
          varying width forming a border to a continent and typically
          ending in a steep slope to the oceanic abyss

   continental slope
          [continental slope] n (1900): the usu. steep slope from a
          continental shelf to the ocean floor

   contingence
          [con.tin.gence] n (ca. 1530) 1: contingency 2: tangency

   contingency
          [con.tin.gen.cy] n, pl -cies (1561) 1: the quality or state
          of being contingent 2: a contingent event or condition:
          as a: an event (as an emergency) that may but is not
          certain to occur <trying to provide for every ~> b: something
          liable to happen as an adjunct to or result of something
          else syn see juncture

   contingency fee
          [contingency fee] n (1945): a fee for services (as of a lawyer)
          paid upon successful completion of the services and usu.
          calculated as a percentage of the gain realized for the
          client--called also contingent fee

   contingency table
          [contingency table] n (ca. 1947): a table of data in which
          the row entries tabulate the data according to one variable
          and the column entries tabulate it according to another
          variable and which is used esp. in the study of the correlation
          between variables

   [1]contingent
          [con.tin.gent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L contingent-, contingens,
          prp. of contingere to have contact with, befall, fr.
          com- + tangere to touch--more at tangent] (14c) 1: likely
          but not certain to happen: possible 2: not logically
          necessary; esp: empirical 3 a: happening by chance or
          unforeseen causes b: subject to chance or unseen effects:
          unpredictable c: intended for use in circumstances not
          completely foreseen 4: dependent on or conditioned by
          something else 5: not necessitated: determined by free
          choice syn see accidental -- con.tin.gent.ly adv [2]contingent
          n (1548) 1: something contingent: contingency 2: a representative
          group: delegation, detachment

   continual
          [con.tin.u.al] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L continuus continuous]
          (14c) 1: continuing indefinitely in time without interruption
          <~ fear> 2: recurring in steady usu. rapid succession
          <a history of ~ invasions> -- con.tin.u.al.ly adv syn
          continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual,
          perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence
          or recurrence. continual often implies a close prolonged
          succession or recurrence <continual showers the whole
          weekend>. continuous usu. implies an uninterrupted flow
          or spatial extension <football's oldest continuous rivalry>.
          constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or
          recurrence <lived in constant pain>. incessant implies
          ceaseless or uninterrupted activity <annoyed by the incessant
          quarreling>. perpetual suggests unfailing repetition
          or lasting duration <a land of perpetual snowfall>. perennial
          implies enduring existence often through constant renewal
          <a perennial source of controversy>.

   continuance
          [con.tin.u.ance] n (14c) 1: continuation 2: the extent of
          continuing: duration 3: the quality of enduring: permanence
          4: an adjournment of a court case to a future day

   continuant
          [con.tin.u.ant] n (1861) 1: something that continues or serves
          as a continuation 2: a speech sound (as a fricative or
          vowel) that is produced without a complete closure of
          the breath passage--compare stop -- continuant adj

   continuate
          [continuate] adj (1555) obs: continuous, uninterrupted

   continuation
          [con.tin.u.a.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or fact of continuing
          in or the prolongation of a state or activity 2: resumption
          after an interruption 3: something that continues, increases,
          or adds

   continuative
          [con.tin.u.a.tive] adj (1684): expressing continuity or
          continuation (as of an idea or action)

   continuator
          [con.tin.u.a.tor] n (1646): one that continues

   continue
          [con.tin.ue] vb -tin.ued ; -tinu.ing [ME, fr. MF continuer,
          fr. L continuare, fr. continuus] vi (14c) 1: to maintain
          without interruption a condition, course, or action 2:
          to remain in existence: endure 3: to remain in a place
          or condition: stay 4: to resume an activity after interruption
          ~ vt 1 a: keep up, maintain <~s walking> b: to keep going
          or add to: prolong; also: to resume after intermission
          2: to cause to continue 3: to allow to remain in a place
          or condition: retain 4: to postpone (a legal proceeding)
          by a continuance -- con.tinu.er n syn continue, last,
          endure, abide, persist mean to exist over a period of
          time or indefinitely. continue applies to a process going
          on without ending <the search for peace will continue>.
          last, esp. when unqualified, may stress existing beyond
          what is normal or expected <buy shoes that will last>.
          endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces
          or agencies <in spite of everything, her faith endured>.
          abide implies stable and constant existing esp. as opposed
          to mutability <a love that abides through 40 years of
          marriage>. persist suggests outlasting the normal or
          appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness
          <the sense of guilt persisted>.

   continued
          [continued] adj (15c) 1: lasting or extending without interruption
          <~ success> 2: resumed after interruption <a ~ story>

   continued fraction
          [continued fraction] n (ca. 1856): a fraction whose numerator
          is an integer and whose denominator is an integer plus
          a fraction whose numerator is an integer and whose denominator
          is an integer plus a fraction and so on

   continuing
          [contin.uing] adj (14c) 1: continuous, constant <~ poverty>
          2: needing no renewal: enduring <~ fame> -- con.tin.u.ing.ly
          adv

   continuing education
          [continuing education] n (1954): formal courses of study
          for adult part-time students

   continuity
          [con.ti.nu.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1 a: uninterrupted connection,
          succession, or union b: uninterrupted duration or continuation
          esp. without essential change 2: something that has,
          exhibits, or provides continuity: as a: a script or scenario
          in the performing arts b: transitional spoken or musical
          matter esp. for a radio or television program c: the
          story and dialogue of a comic strip 3: the property of
          being mathematically continuous

   continuo
          [con.tin.uo] n, pl -u.os [It, fr. continuo continuous, fr.
          L continuus] (1724): a bass part (as for a keyboard or
          stringed instrument) used esp. in baroque ensemble music
          and consisting of a succession of bass notes with figures
          that indicate the required chords--called also figured
          bass, thorou ghbass

   continuous
          [con.tin.u.ous] adj [L continuus, fr. continere to hold
          together--more at contain] (1673) 1: marked by uninterrupted
          extension in space, time, or sequence 2 of a function: having the
          property that the absolute value of the numerical difference
          between the value at a given point and the value at any point
          in a neighborhood of the given point can be made as close to zero
          as desired by choosing the neighborhood small enough syn see
          continual -- con.tin.u.ous.ly adv -- con.tin.u.ous.ness n

   continuum
          [con.tin.u.um] n, pl -ua also -u.ums [L, neut. of continuus]
          (1646) 1: a coherent whole characterized as a collection,
          sequence, or progression of values or elements varying
          by minute degrees <"good" and "bad" ... stand at opposite
          ends of a ~ instead of describing the two halves of a
          line --Wayne Shumaker> 2: the set of real numbers including
          both the rationals and the irrationals; broadly: a compact
          set which cannot be separated into two sets neither of
          which contains a limit point of the other

   contort
          [con.tort] vb [ME, fr. L contortus, pp. of contorquere, fr.
          com- + torquere to twist--more at torture] vt (15c):
          to twist in a violent manner <features ~ed with fury>
          ~ vi: to twist into or as if into a strained shape or
          expression syn see deform -- con.tor.tion n -- con.tor.tive
          adj

   contortionist
          [con.tor.tion.ist] n (1859): one who contorts; specif: an
          acrobat able to twist the body into unusual postures
          -- con.tor.tion.is.tic adj

   [1]contour
          [con.tour] n [F, fr. It contorno, fr. contornare to round
          off, fr. ML, to turn around, fr. L com- + tornare to
          turn on a lathe--more at turn] (1662) 1: an outline esp.
          of a curving or irregular figure: shape; also: the line
          representing this outline 2: the general form or structure
          of something: characteristic--often used in pl. <~s of
          a melody> <to delineate the tortured psychological ~s
          of the tribal past --B. J. Phillips> 3: a usu. meaningful
          change in intonation in speech syn see outline [2]contour
          adj (1844) 1: following contour lines or forming furrows
          or ridges along them <~ flooding> <~ farming> 2: made
          to fit the contour of something <a ~ couch> <~ sheets>
          [3]contour vt (1871) 1 a: to shape the contour of b:
          to shape so as to fit contours 2: to construct (as a
          road) in conformity to a contour

   contour feather
          [contour feather] n (1867): one of the medium-sized feathers
          that form the general covering of a bird and determine
          the external contour

   contour line
          [contour line] n (1844): a line (as on a map) connecting
          the points on a land surface that have the same elevation

   contour map
          [contour map] n (1862): a map having contour lines

   contr
          [contr] abbreviation contract, contraction, contralto, contrary,
          control, controller

   contra-
          [contra-] prefix [ME, fr. L, fr. contra against, opposite--more
          at counter] 1: against: contrary: contrasting <contradistinction>
          2: pitched below normal bass <contraoctave>

   [1]contra
          [con.tra] prep [L] (15c) 1: against--used chiefly in the
          phrase pro and contra 2: in opposition or contrast to--used
          before a proper name [2]con.tra n [AmerSp, short for
          contra-revolucionario counterrevolutionary] (1981): a
          member of a guerrilla group opposed to the Sandinista
          government in Nicaragua

   contraband
          [con.tra.band] n [It contrabbando, fr. ML contrabannum, fr.
          contra- + bannus, bannum decree, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG bannan to command--more at ban] (ca. 1529) 1:
          illegal or prohibited traffic in goods: smuggling 2:
          goods or merchandise whose importation, exportation,
          or possession is forbidden; also: smuggled goods 3: a
          slave who during the Civil War escaped to or was brought
          within the Union lines -- contraband adj

   contrabandist
          [con.tra.band.ist] n (ca. 1818): smuggler

   contrabass
          [con.tra.bass] n [It contrabbasso, fr. contra- + basso bass]
          (ca. 1611): double bass -- con.tra.bass.ist n

   contrabassoon
          [con.tra.bas.soon] n (1891): a double-reed woodwind instrument
          having a range an octave lower than that of the bassoon--called
          also double bassoon

   contraception
          [con.tra.cep.tion] n [contra- + conception] (1886): deliberate
          prevention of conception or impregnation -- con.tra.cep.tive
          adj or n

   [1]contract
          [con.tract] n [ME, fr. L contractus, fr. contrahere to draw
          together, make a contract, reduce in size, fr. com- +
          trahere to draw] (14c) 1 a: a binding agreement between
          two or more persons or parties; esp: one legally enforceable
          b: a business arrangement for the supply of goods or
          services at a fixed price <make parts on ~> c: the act
          of marriage or an agreement to marry 2: a document describing
          the terms of a contract 3: the final bid to win a specified
          number of tricks in bridge 4: an order or arrangement
          for a hired assassin to kill someone [2]con.tract vb
          [ME, fr. MF or L; MF contracter to agree upon, fr. L
          contractus] vt (14c) 1 a: to bring on oneself esp. inadvertently:
          incur <~ing debts> b: to become affected with <~ pneumonia>
          2 a: to establish or undertake by contract b: betroth;
          also: to establish (a marriage) formally c (1): to hire
          by contract (2): to purchase (as goods or services) on
          a contract basis--often used with out 3 a: limit, restrict
          b: knit, wrinkle <frown ~ed his brow> c: to draw together:
          concentrate 4: to reduce to smaller size by or as if
          by squeezing or forcing together 5: to shorten (as a
          word) by omitting one or more sounds or letters ~ vi
          1: to make a contract 2: to draw together so as to become
          diminished in size <metal ~s on cooling>; also: to become
          less in compass, duration, or length <muscle ~s in tetanus>
          -- con.tract.ibil.i.ty n -- con.tract.ible adj syn contract,
          shrink, condense, compress, constrict, deflate mean to
          decrease in bulk or volume. contract applies to a drawing
          together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area
          or length <caused her muscles to contract>. shrink implies
          a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling
          short of original dimensions <the sweater will shrink
          when washed>. condense implies a reducing of something
          homogeneous to greater compactness without significant
          loss of content <condense the essay into a paragraph>.
          compress implies a pressing into a small compass and
          definite shape usu. against resistance <compressed cotton
          into bales>. constrict implies a tightening that reduces
          diameter <the throat is constricted by a tight collar>.
          deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal
          pressure of contained air or gas <deflate the balloon>.

   contract bridge
          [contract bridge] n (1924): a bridge game distinguished by
          the fact that overtricks do not count toward game or
          slam bonuses

   contractile
          [con.trac.tile] adj (ca. 1706): having or concerned with
          the power or property of contracting <~ proteins of muscle
          fibrils> -- con.trac.til.i.ty n

   contractile vacuole
          [contractile vacuole] n (1877): a vacuole in a unicellular
          organism that contracts regularly to discharge fluid
          from the body

   contraction
          [con.trac.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the action or process of contracting:
          the state of being contracted b: the shortening and thickening
          of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber c: a reduction in business
          activity or growth 2: a shortening of a word, syllable, or word
          group by omission of a sound or letter; also: a form produced
          by such shortening -- con.trac.tion.al adj -- con.trac.tive adj
          -- con.trac.tion.ary adj

   contractor
          [con.trac.tor] n (1548) 1: one that contracts or is party
          to a contract: as a: one that contracts to perform work
          or provide supplies b: one that contracts to erect buildings
          2: something (as a muscle) that contracts or shortens

   contractual
          [con.trac.tu.al] adj (1861): of, relating to, or constituting
          a contract -- con.trac.tu.al.ly adv

   contracture
          [con.trac.ture] n (1601): a permanent shortening (as of muscle,
          tendon, or scar tissue) producing deformity or distortion

   contradict
          [con.tra.dict] vt [L contradictus, pp. of contradicere, fr.
          contra- + dicere to say, speak--more at diction] (ca.
          1576) 1: to assert the contrary of: take issue with 2:
          to imply the opposite or a denial of <your actions ~
          your words> syn see deny -- con.tra.dict.able adj --
          con.tra.dic.tor n

   contradiction
          [con.tra.dic.tion] n (14c) 1: act or an instance of contradicting
          2 a: a proposition, statement, or phrase that asserts
          or implies both the truth and falsity of something b:
          a statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other
          <a round square is a ~ in terms> 3 a: logical incongruity
          b: a situation in which inherent factors, actions, or
          propositions are inconsistent or contrary to one another

   contradictious
          [con.tra.dic.tious] adj (1604) 1: contradictory, opposite
          2: given to or marked by contradiction: contrary

   [1]contradictory
          [con.tra.dic.to.ry] n, pl -ries (14c): a proposition so related
          to another that if either of the two is true the other
          is false and if either is false the other must be true
          [2]contradictory adj (1534): involving, causing, or constituting
          a contradiction syn see opposite -- con.tra.dic.to.ri.ly
          adv -- con.tra.dic.to.ri.ness n

   contradistinction
          [con.tra.dis.tinc.tion] n (1647): distinction by means of
          contrast <painting in ~ to sculpture> -- con.tra.dis.tinc.tive
          adj -- con.tra.dis.tinc.tive.ly adv

   contradistinguish
          [con.tra.dis.tin.guish] vt (1622): to distinguish by contrasting
          qualities

   contrail
          [con.trail] n [condensation trail] (1943): streaks of condensed
          water vapor created in the air by an airplane or rocket
          at high altitudes

   contraindicate
          [con.tra.in.di.cate] vt (1666): to make (a treatment or procedure)
          inadvisable

   contraindication
          [con.tra.in.di.ca.tion] n (1623): something (as a symptom
          or condition) that makes a particular treatment or procedure
          inadvisable

   contralateral
          [con.tra.lat.er.al] adj [ISV] (1882): occurring on or acting
          in conjunction with a part on the opposite side of the
          body

   contralto
          [con.tral.to] n, pl -tos [It, fr. contra- + alto] (1730)
          1 a: a singing voice having a range between tenor and
          mezzo-soprano b: a person having this voice 2: the part
          sung by a contralto

   contraoctave
          [con.tra.oc.tave] n (ca. 1891): the musical octave that begins
          on the third C below middle C--see pitch illustration

   contraposition
          [con.tra.po.si.tion] n [LL contraposition-, contrapositio,
          fr. L contraponere to place opposite, fr. contra- + ponere
          to place--more at position] (1551): the relationship
          between two propositions when the subject and predicate
          of one are respectively the negation of the predicate
          and the negation of the subject of the other

   contrapositive
          [con.tra.pos.i.tive] n (1870): a proposition resulting from
          an operation of immediate inference in which the terms
          of a given proposition are permuted and negated <"all
          not-P is not-S" is the ~ of "all S is P">

   contraption
          [con.trap.tion] n [perh. blend of contrivance, trap, and
          invention] (ca. 1825): device, gadget

   contrapuntal
          [con.tra.pun.tal] adj [It contrappunto counterpoint, fr.
          ML contrapunctus--more at counterpoint] (1845) 1: polyphonic
          2: of, relating to, or marked by counterpoint -- con.tra.pun.tal.ly
          adv

   contrapuntist
          [con.tra.pun.tist] n (1776): one who writes counterpoint

   contrarian
          [con.trar.i.an] n (1657): a person who takes a contrary position
          or attitude; specif: an investor who buys shares of stock
          when most others are selling and sells when others are
          buying -- contrarian adj

   contrariety
          [con.tra.ri.ety] n, pl -eties [ME contrariete, fr. MF contrariete,
          fr. LL contrarietat-, contrarietas, fr. L contrarius contrary]
          (14c) 1: the quality or state of being contrary 2: something
          contrary

   contrarious
          [con.trar.i.ous] adj (13c): perverse, antagonistic

   contrariwise
          [con.trari.wise] adv (14c) 1: on the contrary 2: vice versa
          3: in a contrary manner

   [1]contrary
          [con.trary] n, pl -trar.ies (13c) 1: a fact or condition
          incompatible with another: opposite--usu. used with the
          2: one of a pair of opposites 3 a: a proposition so related
          to another that though both may be false they cannot
          both be true--compare subcontrary b: either of two terms
          (as good and evil) that cannot both be affirmed of the
          same subject -- by contraries obs: in a manner opposite
          to what is logical or expected -- on the contrary : just
          the opposite -- to the contrary 1: on the contrary 2:
          notwithstanding [2]con.trary adj [ME contrarie, fr. MF
          contraire, fr. L contrarius, fr. contra opposite] (14c)
          1: being so different as to be at opposite extremes:
          opposite <come to the ~ conclusion> <went off in ~ directions>;
          also: being opposite to or in conflict with each other
          <~ viewpoints> 2: being not in conformity with what is
          usual or expected <actions ~ to company policy> <~ evidence>
          3: unfavorable--used of wind or weather 4: temperamentally
          unwilling to accept control or advice -- con.trari.ly
          adv -- con.trari.ness n syn contrary, perverse, restive,
          balky, wayward mean inclined to resist authority or control.
          contrary implies a temperamental unwillingness to accept
          orders or advice <a contrary child>. perverse may imply
          wrongheaded, determined, or cranky opposition to what
          is reasonable or normal <a perverse, intractable critic>.
          restive suggests unwillingness or inability to submit
          to discipline or follow orders <tired soldiers growing
          restive>. balky suggests a refusing to proceed in a desired
          direction or course of action <a balky witness>. wayward
          suggests strong-willed capriciousness and irregularity
          in behavior <a school for wayward youths>. syn see in
          addition opposite [3]contrary adv (15c): contrariwise,
          contrarily

   contrary to
          [contrary to] prep (14c): in conflict with: despite <contrary
          to orders, he set out alone>

   [1]contrast
          [con.trast] vb [F contraster, fr. MF, to oppose, resist,
          alter. of contrester, fr. (assumed) VL contrastare, fr.
          L contra- + stare to stand--more at stand] vt (1695):
          to set off in contrast: compare or appraise in respect
          to differences <~ European and American manners>--often
          used with to or with <~ing her with other women --Victoria
          Sackville-West> ~ vi: to form a contrast syn see compare
          -- con.trast.able adj [2]con.trast n (1711) 1 a: juxtaposition
          of dissimilar elements (as color, tone, or emotion) in
          a work of art b: degree of difference between the lightest
          and darkest parts of a picture 2 a: the difference or
          degree of difference between things having similar or
          comparable natures <the ~ between the two forms of government>
          b: comparison of similar objects to set off their dissimilar
          qualities: the state of being so compared <the enforced
          simplicity in this diary ... is in ~ to the intensity
          of his former life --Times Lit. Supp.> 3: a person or
          thing that exhibits differences when compared with another

   contrastive
          [con.tras.tive] adj (1841): forming or consisting of a contrast
          -- con.tras.tive.ly adv

   contrasty
          [con.trasty] adj (1891): having or producing in photography
          great contrast between highlights and shadows

   contravene
          [con.tra.vene] vt -vened ; -ven.ing [MF or LL; MF contrevenir,
          fr. LL contravenire, fr. L contra- + venire to come--more
          at come] (1567) 1: to go or act contrary to: violate
          <~ a law> 2: to oppose in argument: contradict <~ a proposition>
          syn see deny -- con.tra.ven.er n

   contravention
          [con.tra.ven.tion] n [MF, fr. LL contravenire] (1579): the
          act of contravening: violation

   contredanse
          [con.tre.danse] or con.tra dance n [F contredanse, by folk
          etymology fr. E country-dance] (1803) 1: a folk dance
          in which couples face each other in two lines or in a
          square 2: a piece of music for a contredanse

   contretemps
          [con.tre.temps] n, pl con.tre.temps [F, fr. contre- counter-
          + temps time, fr. L tempus] (1769): an inopportune or
          embarrassing occurrence or situation

   contrib
          [contrib] abbreviation contribution, contributor

   contribute
          [con.trib.ute] vb -ut.ed ; -ut.ing [L contributus, pp. of
          contribuere, fr. com- + tribuere to grant--more at tribute]
          vt (1530) 1: to give or supply in common with others
          2: to supply (as an article) for a publication ~ vi 1
          a: to give a part to a common fund or store b: to play
          a significant part in bringing about an end or result
          2: to submit articles to a publication -- con.trib.u.tor
          n

   contribution
          [con.tri.bu.tion] n (14c) 1: a payment (as a levy or tax)
          imposed by military, civil, or ecclesiastical authorities
          usu. for a special or extraordinary purpose 2: the act
          of contributing; also: the thing contributed -- con.trib.u.tive
          adj -- con.trib.u.tive.ly adv

   contributory
          [con.trib.u.to.ry] adj (15c) 1 a: subject to a levy of supplies,
          money, or men b: contributing to a common fund or enterprise
          2: of, relating to, or forming a contribution

   contrite
          [con.trite] adj [ME contrit, fr. MF, fr. ML contritus, fr.
          L, pp. of conterere to grind, bruise, fr. com- + terere
          to rub--more at throw] (14c) 1: grieving and penitent
          for sin or shortcoming 2: proceeding from contrition
          <~ sighs> -- con.trite.ly adv -- con.trite.ness n

   contrition
          [con.tri.tion] n (14c): the state of being contrite: repentance
          syn see penitence

   contrivance
          [con.triv.ance] n (ca. 1628) 1 a: a thing contrived; esp:
          a mechanical device b: an artificial arrangement or development
          2: the act or faculty of contriving: the state of being
          contrived

   contrive
          [con.trive] vb con.trived ; con.triv.ing [ME controven, contreven,
          fr. MF controver, fr. ML contropare to compare, fr. L com-
          + (assumed) VL tropare to compose, find--more at troubador]
          vt (14c) 1 a: devise, plan <~ ways of handling the situation>
          b: to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner <contrived
          household utensils from stone> 2: to bring about by stratagem
          or with difficulty: manage ~ vi: to make schemes -- con.triv.er n

   contrived
          [contrived] adj (15c): artificial, labored

   [1]control
          [con.trol] vt con.trolled ; con.trol.ling [ME controllen,
          fr. MF contreroller, fr. contrerolle copy of an account,
          audit, fr. ML contrarotulus, fr. L contra- + ML rotulus
          roll--more at roll] (15c) 1 a archaic: to check, test,
          or verify by evidence or experiments b: to incorporate
          suitable controls in <a controlled experiment> 2 a: to
          exercise restraining or directing influence over: regulate
          b: to have power over: rule c: to reduce the incidence
          or severity of esp. to innocuous levels <~ an insect
          population> <~ a disease> syn see conduct -- con.trol.la.bil.i.ty
          n -- con.trol.la.ble adj -- con.trol.ment n [2]control
          n, often attrib (1590) 1 a: an act or instance of controlling;
          also: power or authority to guide or manage b: skill
          in the use of a tool, instrument, technique, or artistic
          medium c: the regulation of economic activity esp. by
          government directive--usu. used in pl. <price ~s> 2:
          restraint, reserve 3: one that controls: as a (1): an
          experiment in which the subjects are treated as in a
          parallel experiment except for omission of the procedure
          or agent under test and which is used as a standard of
          comparison in judging experimental effects--called also
          control experiment (2): one (as an organism, culture,
          or group) that is part of a control b: a device or mechanism
          used to regulate or guide the operation of a machine,
          apparatus, or system c: an organization that directs
          a spaceflight <mission ~> d: a personality or spirit
          believed to actuate the utterances or performances of
          a spiritualist medium syn see power

   controlled
          [con.trolled] adj (1586) 1: restrained 2: regulated by law
          with regard to possession and use <~ drugs>

   controller
          [con.trol.ler] n [ME contreroller, fr. MF contrerolleur,
          fr. contrerolle] (15c) 1 a: comptroller 1 b: comptroller
          2 c: the chief accounting officer of a business enterprise
          or an institution (as a college) 2 a: one that controls
          or has power or authority to control <air traffic ~>
          b: control 3b -- con.trol.ler.ship n

   controlling interest
          [controlling interest] n (ca. 1924): sufficient stock ownership
          in a corporation to exert control over policy

   control surface
          [control surface] n (1917): a movable airfoil designed to
          change the attitude of an aircraft

   controversial
          [con.tro.ver.sial] adj (1583) 1: of, relating to, or arousing
          controversy 2: given to controversy: disputatious --
          con.tro.ver.sial.ism n -- con.tro.ver.sial.ist n --
          con.tro.ver.sial.ly adv

   controversy
          [con.tro.ver.sy] n, pl -sies [ME controversie, fr. L controversia,
          fr. controversus disputable, lit., turned against, fr. contro-
          (akin to contra-) + versus, pp. of vertere to turn--more at worth]
          (14c) 1: a discussion marked esp. by the expression of opposing
          views: dispute 2: quarrel, strife

   controvert
          [con.tro.vert] vb [controversy] vt (1609): to dispute or
          oppose by reasoning <~ a point in a discussion> ~ vi:
          to engage in controversy -- con.tro.vert.er n -- con.tro.vert.ible
          adj

   contumacious
          [con.tu.ma.cious] adj (ca. 1600): stubbornly disobedient:
          rebellious -- con.tu.ma.cious.ly adv

   contumacy
          [con.tu.ma.cy] n [ME contumacie, fr. L contumacia, fr. contumac-,
          contumax rebellious] (13c): stubborn resistance to authority;
          specif: willful contempt of court

   contumelious
          [con.tu.me.li.ous] adj (15c): insolently abusive and humiliating
          -- con.tu.me.li.ous.ly adv

   contumely
          [con.tume.ly] n, pl -lies [ME contumelie, fr. MF, fr. L contumelia]
          (14c): harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and
          contempt; also: an instance of such language or treatment

   contusion
          [con.tu.sion] n [ME conteschown, fr. MF contusion, fr. L
          contusion-, contusio, fr. contundere to pound, bruise,
          fr. com- + tundere to beat; akin to Goth stautan to strike,
          Skt tudati he pushes] (15c): injury to tissue usu. without
          laceration: bruise 1a -- con.tuse vt

   conundrum
          [co.nun.drum] n [origin unknown] (1645) 1: a riddle whose
          answer is or involves a pun 2 a: a question or problem
          having only a conjectural answer b: an intricate and
          difficult problem

   conurbation
          [con.ur.ba.tion] n [com- + L urb-, urbs city] (1915): an
          aggregation or continuous network of urban communities

   conus arteriosus
          [co.nus ar.te.ri.o.sus] n, pl co.ni ar.te.ri.o.si [NL, lit.,
          arterial cone] (ca. 1860) 1: a conical prolongation of
          the right ventricle in mammals from which the pulmonary
          arteries emerge--called also conus 2: a prolongation
          of the ventricle of amphibians and some fishes that has
          a spiral valve separating venous blood going to the respiratory
          arteries from blood going to the aorta and systemic arteries

   conv
          [conv] abbreviation convention, conventional, convertible,
          convocation

   convalesce
          [con.va.lesce] vi -lesced ; -lesc.ing [L convalescere, fr.
          com- + valescere to grow strong, fr. valere to be strong,
          be well--more at wield] (15c): to recover health and
          strength gradually after sickness or weakness -- con.va.les.cence
          n -- con.va.les.cent adj or n

   convect
          [con.vect] vb [back-formation fr. convection] vi (1881):
          to transfer heat by convection ~ vt: to circulate (as
          air) by convection

   convection
          [con.vec.tion] n [LL convection-, convectio, fr. L convehere
          to bring together, fr. com- + vehere to carry--more at
          way] (ca. 1623) 1: the action or process of conveying
          2 a: the circulatory motion that occurs in a fluid at
          a nonuniform temperature owing to the variation of its
          density and the action of gravity b: the transfer of
          heat by convection--compare conduction, radiation --
          con.vec.tion.al adj -- con.vec.tive adj

   convection oven
          [convection oven] n (1973): an oven having a fan that circulates
          hot air uniformly and continuously around food

   convector
          [con.vec.tor] n (1907): a heating unit in which air heated
          by contact with a heating device (as a radiator or a
          tube with fins) in a casing circulates by convection

   convene
          [con.vene] vb con.vened ; con.ven.ing [ME, fr. MF convenir
          to come together, fr. L convenire] vi (15c): to come
          together in a body ~ vt 1: to summon before a tribunal
          2: to cause to assemble syn see summon -- con.ven.er
          or con.ve.nor n

   [1]convenience
          [con.ve.nience] n (14c) 1: fitness or suitability for performing
          an action or fulfilling a requirement 2 a: something
          (as an appliance, device, or service) conducive to comfort
          or ease b chiefly Brit: toilet 3 3: a suitable or convenient
          time <at your ~> 4: freedom from discomfort: ease [2]convenience
          adj (1917): designed for quick and easy preparation or
          use <~ foods>

   convenience store
          [convenience store] n (1965): a small often franchised market
          that is open long hours

   conveniency
          [con.ve.nien.cy] n (1601) archaic: convenience

   convenient
          [con.ve.nient] adj [ME, fr. L convenient-, conveniens, fr.
          prp. of convenire to come together, be suitable, fr.
          com- + venire to come--more at come] (14c) 1 obs: suitable,
          proper 2 a: suited to personal comfort or to easy performance
          b: suited to a particular situation c: affording accommodation
          or advantage 3: being near at hand: handy -- con.ve.nient.ly
          adv

   [1]convent
          [con.vent] n [ME covent, fr. OF, fr. ML conventus, fr. L,
          assembly, fr. convenire] (13c): a local community or
          house of a religious order or congregation; esp: an establishment
          of nuns [2]con.vent vb [L conventus, pp. of convenire]
          (1514) obs: convene

   conventicle
          [con.ven.ti.cle] n [ME, fr. L conventiculum, dim. of conventus
          assembly] (14c) 1: assembly, meeting 2: an assembly of
          an irregular or unlawful character 3: an assembly for
          religious worship; esp: a secret meeting for worship
          not sanctioned by law 4: meetinghouse -- con.ven.ti.cler
          n

   convention
          [con.ven.tion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L convention-,
          conventio, fr. convenire] (15c) 1 a: agreement, contract
          b: an agreement between states for regulation of matters
          affecting all of them c: a compact between opposing commanders
          esp. concerning prisoner exchange or armistice d: a general
          agreement about basic principles or procedures; also:
          a principle or procedure accepted as true or correct
          by convention 2 a: the summoning or convening of an assembly
          b: an assembly of persons met for a common purpose; esp:
          a meeting of the delegates of a political party for the
          purpose of formulating a platform and selecting candidates
          for office c: the usu. state or national organization
          of a religious denomination 3 a: usage or custom esp.
          in social matters b: a rule of conduct or behavior c:
          a practice in bidding or playing that conveys information
          between partners in a card game (as bridge) d: an established
          technique, practice, or device (as in literature or the
          theater)

   conventional
          [con.ven.tion.al] adj (15c) 1: formed by agreement or compact
          2 a: according with, sanctioned by, or based on convention
          b: lacking originality or individuality: trite c (1):
          ordinary, commonplace (2): nonnuclear 1 <~ warfare> 3
          a: according with a mode of artistic representation that
          simplifies or provides symbols or substitutes for natural
          forms b: of traditional design 4: of, resembling, or
          relating to a convention, assembly, or public meeting
          syn see ceremonial -- con.ven.tion.al.ism n -- con.ven.tion.al.ist
          n or adj -- con.ven.tion.al.i.za.tion n -- con.ven.tion.al.ize
          vt -- con.ven.tion.al.ly adv

   conventionality
          [con.ven.tion.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1834) 1: a conventional
          usage, practice, or thing 2: the quality or state of
          being conventional; esp: adherence to conventions

   conventioneer
          [con.ven.tion.eer] n (1926): a person attending a convention

   [1]conventual
          [con.ven.tu.al] adj [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF, fr. ML conventualis,
          fr. conventus convent] (15c) 1: of, relating to, or befitting
          a convent or monastic life: monastic 2 cap: of or relating
          to the Conventuals -- con.ven.tu.al.ly adv [2]conventual
          n (1533) 1 cap: a member of the Order of Friars Minor
          Conventual forming a branch of the first order of St.
          Francis of Assisi under a mitigated rule 2: a member
          of a conventual community

   converge
          [con.verge] vb con.verged ; con.verg.ing [LL convergere,
          fr. L com- + vergere to bend, incline--more at wrench]
          vi (1691) 1: to tend or move toward one point or one
          another: come together: meet 2: to come together and
          unite in a common interest or focus 3: to approach a
          limit as the number of terms increases without limit
          ~ vt: to cause to converge

   convergence
          [con.ver.gence] n (1713) 1: the act of converging and esp.
          moving toward union or uniformity; esp: coordinated movement
          of the two eyes so that the image of a single point is
          formed on corresponding retinal areas 2: the state or
          property of being convergent 3: independent development
          of similar characters (as of bodily structure or cultural
          traits) often associated with similarity of habits or
          environment

   convergency
          [con.ver.gen.cy] n (1709): convergence

   convergent
          [con.ver.gent] adj (ca. 1751) 1: tending to move toward one
          point or to approach each other: converging <~ lines>
          2: exhibiting convergence in form, function, or development
          <~ evolution> 3 a of an improper integral: having a value
          that is a real number b: characterized by having the
          nth term or the sum of the first n terms approach a finite
          limit <a ~ sequence> <a ~ series>

   converging lens
          [converging lens] n (1860): a lens that causes parallel rays
          (as of light) to come to a focus

   conversable
          [con.vers.able] adj (ca. 1631) 1 archaic: relating to or
          suitable for social interaction 2: pleasant and easy
          to converse with

   conversance
          [con.ver.sance] n (1609): the quality or state of being conversant

   conversancy
          [con.ver.san.cy] n (1798): conversance

   conversant
          [con.ver.sant] adj (14c) 1 archaic: having frequent or familiar
          association 2 archaic: concerned, occupied 3: having
          knowledge or experience--used with with

   conversation
          [con.ver.sa.tion] n [ME conversacioun, fr. MF conversation,
          fr. L conversation-, conversatio, fr. conversari to associate
          with, freq. of convertere to turn around] (14c) 1 obs:
          conduct, behavior 2 a (1): oral exchange of sentiments,
          observations, opinions, or ideas (2): an instance of
          such exchange: talk b: an informal discussion of an issue
          by representatives of governments, institutions, or groups
          c: an exchange similar to conversation -- con.ver.sa.tion.al
          adj -- con.ver.sa.tion.al.ly adv

   conversationalist
          [con.ver.sa.tion.al.ist] n (1836): one who converses a great
          deal or who excels in conversation

   conversation piece
          [conversation piece] n (1712) 1: a painting of a group of
          persons in their customary surroundings 2: something
          (as a novel or unusual object) that stimulates conversation

   conversazione
          [con.ver.sa.zi.o.ne] n, pl -o.nes or -o.ni [It, lit., conversation,
          fr. L conversation-, conversatio] (1739): a meeting for
          conversation esp. about art, literature, or science

   [1]converse
          [con.verse] n (15c) 1 obs: social interaction 2: conversation
          [2]con.verse vi con.versed ; con.vers.ing [ME, to live
          (with), fr. MF converser, fr. L conversari] (1586) 1
          archaic a: to become occupied or engaged b: to have acquaintance
          or familiarity 2 a: to exchange thoughts and opinions
          in speech: talk b: to carry on an exchange similar to
          a conversation (as with a computer) -- con.vers.er n
          [3]con.verse n [L conversus, pp. of convertere] (1570):
          something reversed in order, relation, or action: as
          a: a theorem formed by interchanging the hypothesis and
          conclusion of a given theorem b: a proposition obtained
          by interchange of the subject and predicate of a given
          proposition <"no P is S" is the ~ of "no S is P"> [4]con.verse
          adj (1794) 1: reversed in order, relation, or action
          2: being a logical or mathematical converse <the ~ theorem>
          -- con.verse.ly adv

   conversion
          [con.ver.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L conversion-, conversio,
          fr. convertere] (14c) 1: the act of converting: the process
          of being converted--compare gene conversion 2: an experience
          associated with a definite and decisive adoption of religion
          3 a: the operation of finding a converse in logic or
          mathematics b: reduction of a mathematical expression
          by clearing of fractions 4: a successful try for point
          or free throw 5: something converted from one use to
          another -- con.ver.sion.al adj

   conversion reaction
          [conversion reaction] n (1945): a psychoneurosis in which
          bodily symptoms (as paralysis of the limbs) appear without
          physical basis--called also conversion hysteria

   [1]convert
          [con.vert] vb [ME, fr. MF convertir, fr. L convertere to
          turn around, transform, convert, fr. com- + vertere to
          turn--more at worth] vt (14c) 1 a: to bring over from
          one belief, view, or party to another b: to bring about
          a religious conversion in 2 a: to alter the physical
          or chemical nature or properties of esp. in manufacturing
          b (1): to change from one form or function to another
          (2): to alter for more effective utilization (3): to
          appropriate without right c: to exchange for an equivalent
          3 obs: turn 4: to subject to logical conversion 5 a:
          to make a goal after receiving (a pass) from a teammate
          b: to score on (as a try for point or free throw) c:
          to make (a spare) in bowling ~ vi 1: to undergo conversion
          2: to make good on a try for point, field goal, or free
          throw syn see transform [2]con.vert n (1561): one that
          is converted

   converter
          [con.vert.er] n (1533): one that converts: as a: the furnace
          used in the Bessemer process b or con.ver.tor : a device
          employing mechanical rotation for changing electrical
          energy from one form to another (as from direct current
          to alternating current or vice versa); also: a radio
          device for converting one frequency to another c: a device
          for adapting a television or radio receiver to receive
          channels or frequencies for which it was not orig. designed
          <a cable ~> <FM ~> d: a device that accepts data in one
          form and converts it to another <analog-digital ~> e:
          catalytic converter

   [1]convertible
          [con.vert.ible] adj (14c) 1: capable of being converted 2:
          having a top that may be lowered or removed <~ coupe>
          3: capable of being exchanged for a specified equivalent
          (as another currency or security) <a bond ~ to 12 shares
          of common stock> -- con.vert.ibil.i.ty n -- con.vert.ible.ness
          n -- con.vert.ibly adv [2]convertible n (1615): something
          convertible; esp: a convertible automobile

   convertiplane
          [con.verti.plane] also con.verta.plane n (1949): an aircraft
          that takes off and lands like a helicopter and is convertible
          to a fixed-wing configuration for forward flight

   convex
          [con.vex] adj [MF or L; MF convexe, fr. L convexus vaulted,
          concave, convex, fr. com- + -vexus; perh. akin to L vehere
          to carry--more at way] (1571) 1 a: curved or rounded
          like the exterior of a sphere or circle b: being a continuous
          function or part of a continuous function with the property
          that a line joining any two points on its graph lies
          on or above the graph 2 a of a set of points: containing
          all points in a line joining any two constituent points
          b of a geometric figure: comprising a convex set when
          combined with its interior <a ~ polygon>

   convexity
          [con.vex.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1599) 1: the quality or state
          of being convex 2: a convex surface or part

   convexo-concave
          [con.vexo-con.cave] adj (1693) 1: concavo-convex 2: having
          the convex side of greater curvature than the concave

   convey
          [con.vey] vt con.veyed ; con.vey.ing [ME, fr. MF conveier
          to accompany, escort, fr. (assumed) VL conviare, fr.
          L com- + via way--more at way] (14c) 1 obs: lead, conduct
          2 a: to bear from one place to another; esp: to move
          in a continuous stream or mass b: to impart or communicate
          by statement, suggestion, gesture, or appearance c (1)
          archaic: steal (2) obs: to carry away secretly d: to
          transfer or deliver to another esp. by a sealed writing
          e: to cause to pass from one place or person to another

   conveyance
          [con.vey.ance] n (15c) 1: the action of conveying 2: a means
          or way of conveying: as a: an instrument by which title
          to property is conveyed b: a means of transport: vehicle

   conveyancer
          [con.vey.anc.er] n (1650): one whose business is conveyancing

   conveyancing
          [con.vey.anc.ing] n (1714): the act or business of drawing
          deeds, leases, or other writings for transferring the
          title to property

   conveyor
          [con.vey.or] also con.vey.er n (ca. 1514): one that conveys:
          as a: a person who transfers property b usu conveyor:
          a mechanical apparatus for moving articles or bulk material
          from place to place (as by an endless moving belt or
          a chain of receptacles)

   conveyorise
          [con.vey.or.ise] Brit var of conveyorize

   conveyorize
          [con.vey.or.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1941): to equip with
          a conveyor -- con.vey.or.i.za.tion n

   [1]convict
          [con.vict] adj (14c) archaic: having been convicted [2]con.vict
          vt [ME, fr. L convictus, pp. of convincere to refute,
          convict] (14c) 1: to find or prove to be guilty 2: to
          convince of error or sinfulness [3]con.vict n (15c) 1:
          a person convicted of and under sentence for a crime
          2: a person serving a usu. long prison sentence

   conviction
          [con.vic.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of convicting
          of a crime esp. in a court of law 2 a: the act of convincing
          a person of error or of compelling the admission of a
          truth b: the state of being convinced of error or compelled
          to admit the truth 3 a: a strong persuasion or belief
          b: the state of being convinced syn see certainty, opinion

   convince
          [con.vince] vt con.vinced ; con.vinc.ing [L convincere to
          refute, convict, prove, fr. com- + vincere to conquer--more
          at victor] (1530) 1 obs a: to overcome by argument b:
          overpower, overcome 2 obs: demonstrate, prove 3: to bring
          (as by argument) to belief, consent, or a course of action:
          persuade <convinced himself that she was all right --William
          Faulkner> <something I could never ~ him to read --John
          Lahr> -- con.vinc.er n

   convincing
          [con.vinc.ing] adj (1624) 1: satisfying or assuring by argument
          or proof <a ~ test of a new product> 2: having power
          to convince of the truth, rightness, or reality of something:
          plausible <told a ~ story> syn see valid -- con.vinc.ing.ly
          adv -- con.vinc.ing.ness n

   convivial
          [con.viv.ial] adj [LL convivialis, fr. L convivium banquet,
          fr. com- + vivere to live--more at quick] (ca. 1668):
          relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking,
          and good company -- con.viv.i.al.i.ty n -- con.viv.ial.ly
          adv

   convocation
          [con.vo.ca.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L convocation-, convocatio,
          fr. convocare] (14c) 1 a: an assembly of persons convoked
          b (1): an assembly of bishops and representative clergy
          of the Church of England (2): a consultative assembly
          of clergy and lay delegates from one part of an Episcopal
          diocese; also: a territorial division of an Episcopal
          diocese c: a ceremonial assembly of members of a college
          or university 2: the act or process of convoking
          -- con.vo.ca.tion.al adj

   convoke
          [con.voke] vt con.voked ; con.vok.ing [MF convoquer, fr.
          L convocare, fr. com- + vocare to call, fr. voc-, vox
          voice--more at voice] (1598): to call together to a meeting
          syn see summon

   convolute
          [con.vo.lute] vb -lut.ed ; -lut.ing [L convolutus, pp. of
          convolvere] (1698): twist, coil

   convoluted
          [con.vo.lut.ed] adj (1766) 1: having convolutions 2: involved,
          intricate

   convoluted tubule
          [convoluted tubule] n (1923): all or part of the coiled sections
          of a nephron: a: proximal convoluted tubule b: distal
          convoluted tubule

   convolution
          [con.vo.lu.tion] n (1545) 1: a form or shape that is folded
          in curved or tortuous windings 2: one of the irregular
          ridges on the surface of the brain and esp. of the cerebrum
          of higher mammals 3: a complication or intricacy of form,
          design, or structure

   convolve
          [con.volve] vb con.volved ; con.volv.ing [L convolvere, fr.
          com- + volvere to roll--more at voluble] vt (1650): to
          roll together: writhe ~ vi: to roll together or circulate
          involvedly

   convolvulus
          [con.vol.vu.lus] n, pl -lus.es or -li [NL, fr. L convolvere]
          (1548): any of a genus (Convolvulus) of erect, trailing,
          or twining herbs and shrubs of the morning-glory family

   [1]convoy
          [con.voy] vt [ME, fr. MF conveier, convoier--more at convey]
          (14c): accompany; esp: to escort for protection [2]con.voy
          n (1523) 1: one that convoys; esp: a protective escort
          (as for ships) 2: the act of convoying 3: a group convoyed
          or organized for convenience or protection in moving

   convulsant
          [con.vul.sant] adj (1875): causing convulsions: convulsive
          1a -- convulsant n

   convulse
          [con.vulse] vb con.vulsed ; con.vuls.ing [L convulsus, pp.
          of convellere to pluck up, convulse, fr. com- + vellere
          to pluck--more at vulnerable] vt (1643): to shake or
          agitate violently; esp: to shake with or as if with irregular
          spasms ~ vi: to become affected with convulsions syn
          see shake

   convulsion
          [con.vul.sion] n (1547) 1: an abnormal v iolent and involuntary
          contraction or series of contractions of the muscles
          2 a: a violent disturbance b: an uncontrolled fit: paroxysm
          -- con.vul.sion.ary adj

   convulsive
          [con.vul.sive] adj (1615) 1 a: constituting or producing
          a convulsion b: attended or affected with convulsions
          2: resembling a convulsion in being violent, sudden,
          frantic, or spasmodic syn see fitful -- con.vul.sive.ly
          adv -- con.vul.sive.ness n

   cony
          [cony] var of coney

   coo
          [coo] vi [imit.] (1670) 1: to make the low soft cry of a
          dove or pigeon or a similar sound 2: to talk fondly,
          amorously, or appreciatively <an album that will be ~ed
          over by condescending classical music critics --Ellen
          Sander> -- coo n

   COO
          [COO] abbreviation chief operating officer

   [1]cook
          [cook] n [ME, fr. OE coc, fr. L coquus, fr. coquere to cook;
          akin to OE afigen fried, Gk pessein to cook] (bef. 12c)
          1: a person who prepares food for eating 2: a technical
          or industrial process comparable to cooking food; also:
          a substance so processed [2]cook vi (14c) 1: to prepare
          food for eating by means of heat 2: to undergo the action
          of being cooked <the rice is ~ing now> 3: occur, happen
          <find out what was ~ing in the committee> 4: to perform,
          do, or proceed well <the jazz quartet was ~ing along>
          <the party ~ed right through the night> ~ vt 1: concoct,
          fabricate--usu. used with up <~ed up a scheme> 2: to
          prepare for eating by a heating process 3: falsify, doctor
          <~ed the books with phony spending cuts and accounting
          gimmickry --Colleen O'Connor> 4: to subject to the action
          of heat or fire -- cook.able adj -- cook one's goose
          : to ruin one irretrievably

   [1]cookbook
          [cook.book] n (1809): a book of cooking directions and recipes;
          broadly: a book of detailed instructions [2]cookbook
          adj (1944): involving or using step-by-step procedures
          whose rationale is usu. not explained <a ~ approach>

   cook cheese
          [cook cheese] n (1941): an unripened cheese made from curd
          that has been cooked to a soft consistency--called also
          cooked cheese

   cooker
          [cook.er] n (1869): one that cooks: as a: a utensil, device,
          or apparatus for cooking b: a person who tends a cooking
          process: cook c Brit: stove

   cookery
          [cook.ery] n, pl -er.ies (14c) 1: the art or practice of
          cooking 2: an establishment for cooking

   cookery book
          [cookery book] n (1639) chiefly Brit: cookbook

   cookhouse
          [cook.house] n (1795): a building for cooking

   cookie
          [cook.ie] or cooky n, pl cook.ies [D koekje, dim. of koek
          cake] (1703) 1: a small flat or slightly raised cake
          2 a: an attractive woman <a buxom French ~ who haunts
          the ... colony's one night spot --Newsweek> b: person,
          guy <a tough ~>

   cookie-cutter
          [cookie-cutter] adj (1963): marked by lack of originality
          or distinction <~ shopping malls>

   cookie cutter
          [cookie cutter] n (1903): a device used to cut rolled cookie
          dough into shapes before baking

   cookie sheet
          [cookie sheet] n (1926): a flat rectangle of metal with at
          least one rolled edge used esp. for the baking of cookies
          or biscuits

   cooking
          [cooking] adj (ca. 1813): suitable for or used in cooking
          <~ apples>

   cook-off
          [cook-off] n (1937): a cooking competition

   cook off
          [cook off] vi (1945) of a cartridge: to fire as a result
          of overheating

   cookout
          [cook.out] n (1947): an outing at which a meal is cooked
          and served in the open; also: the meal cooked

   cookshack
          [cook.shack] n (1909): a shack used for cooking

   cookshop
          [cook.shop] n (ca. 1552): a shop supplying or serving cooked
          food

   Cook's tour
          [Cook's tour] n [Thomas Cook & Son, Eng. travel agency] (ca.
          1909): a rapid or cursory survey or review

   cookstove
          [cook.stove] n (1824): a stove for cooking

   cooktop
          [cook.top] n (1948) 1: the flat top of a range 2: a built-in
          cabinet-top cooking apparatus containing usu. four heating
          units

   cookware
          [cook.ware] n (1953): utensils used in cooking

   [1]cool
          [cool] adj [ME col, fr. OE col; akin to OHG kuoli cool, OE
          ceald cold--more at cold] (bef. 12c) 1: moderately cold:
          lacking in warmth 2 a: marked by steady dispassionate
          calmness and self-control <a ~ and calculating administrator
          --Current Biog.> b: lacking ardor or friendliness <a
          ~ impersonal manner> c of jazz: marked by restrained
          emotion and the frequent use of counterpoint d: free
          from tensions or violence <meeting with minority groups
          in an attempt to keep the city ~> 3--used as an intensive
          <a ~ million dollars> 4: marked by deliberate effrontery
          or lack of due respect or discretion <a ~ reply> 5: facilitating
          or suggesting relief from heat <a ~ dress> 6 a of a color:
          producing an impression of being cool; specif: of a hue
          in the range violet through blue to green b of a musical
          tone: relatively lacking in timbre or resonance 7 slang
          a: very good: excellent; also: all right b: fashionable
          1 -- cool.ish adj -- cool.ly also cooly adv -- cool.ness
          n syn cool, composed, collected, unruffled, imperturbable,
          nonchalant mean free from agitation or excitement. cool
          may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness
          <kept a cool head>. composed implies freedom from agitation
          as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition
          <the composed pianist gave a flawless concert>. collected
          implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions
          esp. in moments of crisis <the nurse stayed calm and
          collected>. unruffled suggests apparent serenity and
          poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement
          <harried but unruffled>. imperturbable implies coolness
          or assurance even under severe provocation <the speaker
          remained imperturbable despite the heckling>. nonchalant
          stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that
          suggests indifference or unconcern <a nonchalant driver>.
          [2]cool vi (bef. 12c) 1: to become cool: lose heat or
          warmth <placed the pie in the window to ~>--sometimes
          used with off or down 2: to lose ardor or passion <his
          anger ~ed> ~ vt 1: to make cool: impart a feeling of
          coolness to <~ed the room with a fan>--often used with
          off or down <a swim ~ed us off a little> 2 a: to moderate
          the heat, excitement, or force of: calm <~ed her growing
          anger> b: to slow or lessen the growth or activity of--usu.
          used with off or down <wants to ~ off the economy without
          freezing it --Newsweek> -- cool it : to calm down: go
          easy <the word went out to the young to cool it --W.
          M. Young> -- cool one's heels : to wait or be kept waiting
          for a long time esp. from or as if from disdain or discourtesy
          [3]cool n (15c) 1: a cool time, place, or situation <the
          ~ of the evening> 2 a: absence of excitement or emotional
          involvement: detachment <must surrender his fine ~ and
          enter the closed crazy world of suicide --Wilfrid Sheed>
          b: poise, composure <press questions ... seemed to rattle
          him and he lost his ~ --New Republic> [4]cool adv (1951):
          in a casual and nonchalant manner <play it ~>

   coolant
          [cool.ant] n (1926): a usu. fluid cooling agent

   cooldown
          [cool.down] n (1980): the act or an instance of allowing
          physiological activity to return to normal gradually
          after strenuous exercise by engaging in less strenuous
          exercise

   cooler
          [cool.er] n (1575) 1: one that cools: as a: a container for
          cooling liquids b: refrigerator 2: lockup, jail; esp:
          a cell for violent or unmanageable prisoners 3: an iced
          drink usu. with an alcoholic beverage as a base

   Cooley's anemia
          [Coo.ley's anemia] n [Thomas B. Cooley d. 1945 Am. pediatrician]
          (ca. 1935): a severe thalassemic anemia that is associated
          with the presence of microcytes, enlargement of the liver
          and spleen, increase in the erythroid bone marrow, and
          jaundice and that occurs esp. in children of Mediterranean
          parents

   coolheaded
          [cool.head.ed] adj (1777): not easily excited

   coolie
          [coo.lie] n [Hindi kuli] (1638): an unskilled laborer or
          porter usu. in or from the Far East hired for low or
          subsistence wages

   coolie hat
          [coolie hat] n (1924): a conical-shaped usu. straw hat worn
          esp. to protect the head from the heat of the sun

   cooling-off
          [cool.ing-off] adj (1926): designed to allow passions to
          cool or to permit negotiation between parties <a ~ period>

   cooling tower
          [cooling tower] n (1901): a structure over which circulated
          water is trickled to reduce its temperature by partial
          evaporation

   coombe
          [coombe] or coomb var of combe

   coon
          [coon] n (1742) 1: raccoon 2: black 4--usu. taken to be offensive

   cooncan
          [coon.can] n [by folk etymology fr. MexSp conquian conquian,
          fr. Sp con quien? with whom?] (1889): a game of rummy
          played with two packs including two jokers

   coon cat
          [coon cat] n (1901): maine coon

   coon cheese
          [coon cheese] n [prob. fr. coon (black person); fr. the color
          of the coating] (1953): a sharp cheddar cheese that has
          been cured at higher than usual temperature and humidity
          and that is usu. coated with black wax

   coonhound
          [coon.hound] n (1920): a sporting dog trained to hunt raccoons;
          esp: black-and-tan coonhound

   coon's age
          [coon's age] n (1844): a long while <best fried chicken I've
          tasted for a coon's age --Sinclair Lewis>

   coonskin
          [coon.skin] n (1818) 1: the skin or pelt of the raccoon 2:
          an article (as a cap or coat) made of coonskin

   coontie
          [coon.tie] n [Creek (Florida dial.) kunti] (1791): any of
          several tropical American woody plants (genus Zamia)
          of the cycad family whose roots and stems yield a starchy
          foodstuff--called also arrowroot

   [1]coop
          [coop] n [ME cupe; akin to OE cype basket] (14c) 1: a cage
          or small enclosure (as for poultry); also: a small building
          for housing poultry 2 a: a confined area b: jail [2]coop
          vt (1583) 1: to confine in a restricted and often crowded
          area--usu. used with up 2: to place or keep in a coop:
          pen--often used with up

   [1]cooper
          [coo.per] n [ME couper, cowper, fr. MD cuper (fr. cupe cask)
          or MLG kuper, fr. kupe cask; MD cupe & MLG kupe, fr.
          L cupa; akin to Gk kypellon cup--more at hive] (14c):
          one that makes or repairs wooden casks or tubs [2]cooper
          vb coo.pered ; coo.per.ing vt (1742): to work as a cooper
          on ~ vi: to work at or do coopering

   cooperage
          [coo.per.age] n (1705) 1: a cooper's work or products 2:
          a cooper's place of business

   cooperate
          [co.op.er.ate] vi [LL cooperatus, pp. of cooperari, fr. L
          co- + operari to work--more at operate] (1582) 1: to
          act or work with another or others: act together 2: to
          associate with another or others for mutual benefit --
          co.op.er.a.tor n

   cooperation
          [co.op.er.a.tion] n (14c) 1: the action of cooperating: common
          effort 2: association of persons for common benefit --
          co.op.er.a.tion.ist n

   [1]cooperative
          [co.op.er.a.tive] adj (1603) 1 a: marked by cooperation <~
          efforts> b: marked by a willingness and ability to work
          with others <~ neighbors> 2: of, relating to, or organized
          as a cooperative 3: relating to or comprising a program
          of combined liberal arts and technical studies at different
          schools -- co.op.er.a.tive.ly adv -- co.op.er.a.tive.ness
          n [2]cooperative n (1883): an enterprise or organization
          owned by and operated for the benefit of those using
          its services

   Cooper's hawk
          [Coo.per's hawk] n [William Cooper d. 1864 Am. naturalist]
          (1828): an American hawk (Accipiter cooperii) that is
          larger than the similarly colored sharp-shinned hawk
          and has a more rounded tail

   [1]coordinate
          [co.or.di.nate] adj [prob. back-formation fr. coordination]
          (1641) 1 a: equal in rank, quality, or significance b:
          being of equal rank in a sentence <~ clauses> 2: relating
          to or marked by coordination 3 a: being a university
          that awards degrees to men and women taught usu. by the
          same faculty but attending separate classes often on
          separate campuses b: being one of the colleges and esp.
          the women's branch of a coordinate university 4: of,
          relating to, or being a system of indexing by two or
          more terms so that documents may be retrieved through
          the intersection of index terms -- co.or.di.nate.ly adv
          -- co.or.di.nate.ness n [2]co.or.di.nate vb -nat.ed ;
          -nat.ing vt (1665) 1: to put in the same order or rank
          2: to bring into a common action, movement, or condition:
          harmonize 3: to attach so as to form a coordination complex
          ~ vi 1: to be or become coordinate esp. so as to act
          together in a smooth concerted way 2: to combine by means
          of a coordinate bond -- co.or.di.na.tive adj -- co.or.di.na.tor
          n [3]co.or.di.nate n (ca. 1823) 1 a: any of a set of
          numbers used in specifying the location of a point on
          a line, on a surface, or in space b: any one of a set
          of variables used in specifying the state of a substance
          or the motion of a particle or momentum 2: one who is
          of equal rank, authority, or importance with another
          3 pl: articles (as of clothing) designed to be used together
          and to attain their effect through pleasing contrast
          (as of color, material, or texture)

   coordinate bond
          [coordinate bond] n (1947): a covalent bond that consists
          of a pair of electrons supplied by only one of the two
          atoms it joins

   coordinated
          [co.or.di.nat.ed] adj (1939): able to use more than one set
          of muscle movements to a single end <a well-coordinated
          athlete>

   Coordinated Universal Time
          [Coordinated Universal Time] n (1969): the international
          standard of time that is kept by atomic clocks around
          the world--abbr. UTC

   coordinate geometry
          [coordinate geometry] n (1855): analytic geometry

   coordinating conjunction
          [coordinating conjunction] n (1916): a conjunction that joins
          together words or word groups of equal grammatical rank

   coordination
          [co.or.di.na.tion] n [LL coordination-, coordinatio, fr.
          L co- + ordination-, ordinatio arrangement, fr. ordinare
          to arrange--more at ordain] (ca. 1643) 1: the act or
          action of coordinating 2: the harmonious functioning
          of parts for most effective results

   coordination complex
          [coordination complex] n (1951): a compound or ion with a
          central usu. metallic atom or ion combined by coordinate
          bonds with a definite number of surrounding ions, groups,
          or molecules--called also coordination compound

   coordination number
          [coordination number] n (1908) 1: the number of attachments
          to the central atom in a coordination complex 2: a number
          used in specifying the spatial arrangement of the constituent
          groups of crystals

   coot
          [coot] n [ME coote; akin to D koet coot] (15c) 1: any of
          various sluggish slow-flying slaty-black birds (genus
          Fulica) of the rail family that somewhat resemble ducks
          and have lobed toes and the upper mandible prolonged
          on the forehead as a horny frontal shield 2: any of several
          No. American scoters 3: a harmless simple person; broadly:
          fellow 4c

   cooter
          [coo.ter] n [of African origin; akin to Bambara & Malinke
          kuta turtle] (1832) chiefly Southern: any of several
          turtles (genus Pseudemys and esp. P. concinna) esp. of
          the southern and eastern U.S.

   cootie
          [coo.tie] n [perh. modif. of Malay kutu] (1917): body louse

   [1]cop
          [cop] n [ME, fr. OE copp] (bef. 12c) 1 dial chiefly Eng:
          top, crest 2: a cylindrical or conical mass of thread,
          yarn, or roving wound on a quill or tube; also: a quill
          or tube upon which it is wound [2]cop vt copped ; cop.ping
          [perh. fr. D kapen to steal, fr. Fris kapia to take away;
          akin to OHG kouf trade--more at cheap] (1704) 1 slang:
          to get hold of: catch, capture; also: purchase 2 slang:
          steal, swipe -- cop a plea : to plead guilty to a lesser
          charge in order to avoid standing trial for a more serious
          one; broadly: to admit fault and plead for mercy [3]cop
          n [short for [3]copper] (1859): police officer

   cop
          [cop] abbreviation copper, copulative, copy, copyright

   copacetic
          [co.pa.cet.ic] or co.pe.set.ic also co.pa.set.ic adj [origin
          unknown] (1919): very satisfactory

   copaiba
          [co.pai.ba] n [Sp & Pg; Sp, fr. Pg copaiba, fr. Tupi] (1712):
          a stimulant oleoresin obtained from several pinnate-leaved
          So. American leguminous trees (genus Copaifera); also:
          one of these trees

   copal
          [co.pal] n [Sp, fr. Nahuatl copalli resin] (1577): a recent
          or fossil resin from various tropical trees

   coparcenary
          [co.par.ce.nary] n, pl -nar.ies (ca. 1504) 1: joint heirship
          2: joint ownership

   coparcener
          [co.par.ce.ner] n (15c): a joint heir

   [1]cope
          [cope] n [ME, fr. OE -cap, fr. LL cappa head covering] (13c)
          1: a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment 2 a: something
          resembling a cope (as by concealing or covering) <the
          dark sky's starry ~ --P. B. Shelley> b: coping [2]cope
          vt coped ; cop.ing (14c): to cover or furnish with a
          cope [3]cope vb coped ; cop.ing [ME copen, coupen, fr.
          MF couper to strike, cut, fr. OF, fr. coup blow, fr.
          LL colpus, alter. of L colaphus, fr. Gk kolaphos buffet]
          vi (14c) 1 obs: strike, fight 2 a: to maintain a contest
          or combat usu. on even terms or with success--used with
          with b: to deal with and attempt to overcome problems
          and difficulties--often used with with 3 archaic: meet,
          encounter ~ vt 1 obs: to meet in combat 2 obs: to come
          in contact with 3 obs: match [4]cope vt coped ; cop.ing
          [prob. fr. F couper to cut] (ca. 1901) 1: to shape (a
          structural member) to fit a coping or conform to the
          shape of another member 2: notch

   copeck
          [co.peck] var of kopeck

   copepod
          [co.pe.pod] n [ultim. fr. Gk kope oar, handle + pod-, pous
          foot; prob. akin to L capere to take--more at heave,
          foot] (1836): any of a large subclass (Copepoda) of usu.
          minute freshwater and marine crustaceans -- copepod adj

   coper
          [cop.er] n [E dial. cope to trade] (1825) Brit: a horse dealer;
          esp: a dishonest one

   Copernican
          [Co.per.ni.can] adj [Nicolaus Copernicus] (1667) 1: of or
          relating to Copernicus or the belief that the earth rotates
          daily on its axis and the planets revolve in orbits around
          the sun 2: of radical or major importance or degree <effected
          a ~ revolution in philosophy --Times Lit. Supp.> -- Copernican
          n -- Co.per.ni.can.ism n

   copestone
          [cope.stone] n (1567) 1: a stone forming a coping 2: a finishing
          touch: crown

   copier
          [copi.er] n (1597): one that copies; specif: a machine for
          making copies of graphic matter (as printing, drawings,
          or pictures)

   copilot
          [co.pi.lot] n (1927): a qualified pilot who assists or relieves
          the pilot but is not in command

   coping
          [cop.ing] n (1601): the covering course of a wall usu. with
          a sloping top

   coping saw
          [cop.ing saw] n [fr. prp. of [4]cope] (1925): a handsaw with
          a very narrow blade held under tension in a U-shaped
          frame and used esp. for cutting curves in wood

   copingstone
          [cop.ing.stone] n (1778) chiefly Brit: copestone

   copious
          [co.pi.ous] adj [ME, fr. L copiosus, fr. copia abundance,
          fr. co- + ops wealth--more at opulent] (14c) 1 a: yielding
          something abundantly <a ~ harvest> <~ springs> b: plentiful
          in number <~ references to other writers> 2 a: full of
          thought, information, or matter b: profuse or exuberant
          in words, expression, or style <a ~ talker> 3: present
          in large quantity: taking place on a large scale <~ weeping>
          <~ food and drink> syn see plentiful -- co.pi.ous.ly
          adv -- co.pi.ous.ness n

   coplanar
          [co.pla.nar] adj (1862): lying or acting in the same plane
          -- co.pla.nar.i.ty n

   copolymer
          [co.pol.y.mer] n (1936): a product of copolymerization --
          co.pol.y.mer.ic adj

   copolymerization
          [co.po.ly.mer.i.za.tion] n (1936): the polymerization of
          two substances (as different monomers) together -- co.po.ly.mer.ize
          vb

   cop out
          [cop out] vi (ca. 1961) 1: to back out (as of an unwanted
          responsibility) <cop out on jury duty> 2: to avoid or
          neglect problems, responsibilities, or commitments <accused
          the mayor of copping out on the issue of homelessness>

   cop-out
          [cop-out] n (ca. 1942) 1: the act or an instance of copping
          out 2: an excuse or means for copping out: pretext 3:
          a person who cops out

   [1]copper
          [cop.per] n, often attrib [ME coper, fr. OE, fr. LL cuprum
          copper, fr. L (aes) Cyprium, lit., Cyprian metal] (bef.
          12c) 1: a common reddish metallic element that is ductile
          and malleable and is one of[ ]the best conductors of
          heat and electricity 2: a coin or token made of copper
          or bronze 3 chiefly Brit: a large boiler (as for cooking)
          4: any of a subfamily (Lycaeninae of the family Lycaenidae)
          of small butterflies with usu. copper-colored wings [2]copper
          vt cop.pered ; cop.per.ing (1530): to coat or sheathe
          with or as if with copper [3]copper n [[2]cop] (1846):
          police officer

   copperas
          [cop.per.as] n [ME coperas, fr. OF couperose, fr. ML cuprosa,
          prob. fr. aqua cuprosa, lit., copper water, fr. LL cuprum]
          (14c): a green hydrated ferrous sulfate used esp. in
          making inks and pigments

   copperhead
          [cop.per.head] n (1775) 1: a common pit viper (Agkistrodon
          contortrix) of the eastern and central U.S. usu. having
          a copper-colored head and often a reddish brown hourglass
          pattern on the body 2: a person in the northern states
          who sympathized with the South during the Civil War

   copperplate
          [cop.per.plate] n (1663) 1: an engraved or etched copper
          printing plate; also: a print made from such a plate
          2: a neat script handwriting based on engraved models

   copper pyrites
          [copper pyrites] n (1776): chalcopyrite

   coppersmith
          [cop.per.smith] n (14c): a worker in copper

   copper sulfate
          [copper sulfate] n (ca. 1893): a sulfate of copper; esp:
          the normal sulfate that is white in the anhydrous form
          but blue in the crystalline hydrous form and that is
          often used as an algicide and fungicide

   coppery
          [cop.pery] adj (ca. 1775): resembling or suggesting copper;
          esp: having the reddish to brownish orange color of copper
          <~ leaves>

   [1]coppice
          [cop.pice] n [MF copeiz, fr. couper to cut--more at cope]
          (1534) 1: a thicket, grove, or growth of small trees
          2: forest originating mainly from shoots or root suckers
          rather than seed [2]coppice vb cop.piced ; cop.pic.ing
          vt (1538): to cut back so as to regrow in the form of
          a coppice ~ vi: to form a coppice; specif, of a tree:
          to sprout freely from the base

   copr-
          [copr-] or copro- comb form [NL, fr. Gk kopr-, kopro-, fr.
          kopros akin to Skt sakrt dung]: dung: feces <coprolite>

   copra
          [co.pra] n [Pg, fr. Malayalam koppara] (1584): dried coconut
          meat yielding coconut oil

   coprocessor
          [co.pro.ces.sor] n (1980): an extra processor in a computer
          that is designed to perform specialized tasks (as mathematical
          calculations)

   coproduct
          [co.prod.uct] n (1942): by-product 1

   coprolite
          [cop.ro.lite] n (1829): fossil excrement -- cop.ro.lit.ic
          adj

   coprophagous
          [co.proph.a.gous] adj [Gk koprophagos, fr. kopr- + -phagos
          -phagous] (1826): feeding on dung -- co.proph.a.gy n

   coprophilia
          [cop.ro.phil.ia] n [NL] (1923): marked interest in excrement;
          esp: the use of feces or filth for sexual excitement
          -- cop.ro.phil.i.ac n

   coprophilous
          [cop.roph.i.lous] adj (ca. 1900): growing or living on dung
          <~ fungi>

   copse
          [copse] n [by alter.] (1578): coppice 1

   Copt
          [Copt] n [Ar qubt Copts, fr. Coptic gyptios Egyptian, fr.
          Gk Aigyptios] (1615) 1: a member of the traditional Monophysite
          Christian church originating and centering in Egypt 2:
          a member of a people descended from the ancient Egyptians

   copter
          [cop.ter] n (1943): helicopter

   [1]Coptic
          [Cop.tic] adj (1678): of or relating to the Copts, their
          liturgical language, or their church [2]Coptic n (1711):
          an Afro-Asiatic language descended from ancient Egyptian
          and used as the liturgical language of the Coptic church

   copula
          [cop.u.la] n [L, bond--more at couple] (1619): something
          that connects: as a: the connecting link between subject
          and predicate of a proposition b: linking verb

   copulate
          [cop.u.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L copulatus, pp. of copulare
          to join, fr. copula] (1632): to engage in sexual intercourse
          -- cop.u.la.tion n -- cop.u.la.to.ry adj

   [1]copulative
          [cop.u.la.tive] adj (14c) 1 a: joining together coordinate
          words or word groups and expressing addition of their
          meanings <a ~ conjunction> b: functioning as a copula
          2: relating to or serving for copulation [2]copulative
          n (1530): a copulative word

   [1]copy
          [copy] n, pl cop.ies [ME copie, fr. MF, fr. ML copia, fr.
          L, abundance--more at copious] (14c) 1: an imitation,
          transcript, or reproduction of an original work (as a
          letter, a painting, a table, or a dress) 2: one of a
          series of esp. mechanical reproductions of an original
          impression; also: an individual example of such a reproduction
          3 archaic: something to be imitated: model 4 a: matter
          to be set esp. for printing b: something considered printable
          or newsworthy--used without an article <remarks that
          make good ~ --Norman Cousins> c: text esp. of an advertisement
          syn see reproduction [2]copy vb cop.ied ; copy.ing vt
          (14c) 1: to make a copy of 2: to model oneself on ~ vi
          1: to make a copy 2: to undergo copying <the document
          did not ~ well> syn copy, imitate, mimic, ape, mock mean
          to make something so that it resembles an existing thing.
          copy suggests duplicating an original as nearly as possible
          <copied the painting and sold the fake as an original>.
          imitate suggests following a model or a pattern but may
          allow for some variation <imitate a poet's style>. mimic
          implies a close copying (as of voice or mannerism) often
          for fun, ridicule, or lifelike imitation <pupils mimicking
          their teacher>. ape may suggest presumptuous, slavish,
          or inept imitating of a superior original <American fashion
          designers aped their European colleagues>. mock usu.
          implies imitation with derision <mocking a vain man's
          pompous manner>.

   copybook
          [copy.book] n (1588): a book formerly used in teaching penmanship
          and containing models for imitation

   copyboy
          [copy.boy] n (1888): one who carries copy and runs errands

   [1]copycat
          [copy.cat] n, often attrib (1896) 1: one who imitates or
          adopts the behavior or practices of another 2: an imitative
          act or product <~ board games> [2]copycat vb copy.cat.ted
          ; copy.cat.ting vi (1926): to act as a copycat ~ vt:
          imitate

   copydesk
          [copy.desk] n (1921): the desk at which newspaper copy is
          edited

   copy editor
          [copy editor] n (1899): an editor who prepares copy for the
          printer; also: one who edits and headlines newspaper
          copy -- copy.ed.it vt

   copyhold
          [copy.hold] n (15c) 1: a former tenure of land in England
          and Ireland by right of being recorded in the court of
          the manor 2: an estate held by copyhold

   copyholder
          [copy.hold.er] n (1874) 1: a device for holding copy esp.
          for a typesetter 2: one who reads copy for a proofreader

   copyist
          [copy.ist] n (1699) 1: one who makes copies 2: imitator

   copyreader
          [copy.read.er] n (1892): copy editor -- copy.read vt

   [1]copyright
          [copy.right] n (1735): the exclusive legal right to reproduce,
          publish, and sell the matter and form (as of a literary,
          musical, or artistic work) -- copyright adj [2]copyright
          vt (ca. 1806): to secure a copyright on -- copy.right.able
          adj

   copywriter
          [copy.writ.er] n (1911): a writer of advertising or publicity
          copy

   coq au vin
          [coq au vin] n [F, cock with wine] (ca. 1938): chicken cooked
          in usu. red wine

   [1]coquet
          [co.quet] n [F, dim. of coq cock] (1691) 1: a man who indulges
          in coquetry 2: coquette [2]co.quet adj (1697): characteristic
          of a coquette: coquettish [3]co.quet or co.quette vi
          co.quet.ted ; co.quet.ting (1701) 1: to play the coquette:
          flirt 2: to deal with something playfully rather than
          seriously syn see trifle

   coquetry
          [co.que.try] n, pl -tries (ca. 1656): a flirtatious act or
          attitude

   coquette
          [co.quette] n [F, fem. of coquet] (ca. 1611): a woman who
          endeavors without sincere affection to gain the attention
          and admiration of men -- co.quett.ish adj -- co.quett.ish.ly
          adv -- co.quett.ish.ness n

   coquina
          [co.qui.na] n [Sp, prob. dim. of coca head, alter. of coco
          bogeyman, coconut] (1837) 1: a soft whitish limestone
          formed of broken shells and corals cemented together
          and used for building 2: a small clam (Donax variabilis)
          used for broth or chowder and occurring in the intertidal
          zone of sandy Atlantic beaches from Delaware to the Gulf
          of Mexico

   cor
          [cor] n [ME, fr. LL corus, fr. Heb kor] (14c): an ancient
          Hebrew and Phoenician unit of measure of capacity

   cor
          [cor] abbreviation corner, coroner, corpus, corresponding
          Cor abbreviation Corinthians

   coracle
          [cor.a.cle] n [W corwgl] (ca. 1547): a small boat used in
          Britain from ancient times and made of a frame (as of
          wicker) covered usu. with hide or tarpaulin

   coracoid
          [cor.a.coid] adj [NL coracoides, fr. Gk korakoeides, lit.,
          like a raven, fr. korak-, korax raven--more at raven]
          (1741): of, relating to, or being a process of the scapula
          in most mammals or a well-developed cartilage bone of
          many lower vertebrates that extends from the scapula
          to or toward the sternum -- coracoid n

   coral
          [cor.al] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L corallium, fr. Gk korallion]
          (14c) 1 a: the calcareous or horny skeletal deposit produced
          by anthozoan or rarely hydrozoan polyps; esp: a richly
          red precious coral secreted by a gorgonian (genus Corallium)
          b: a polyp or polyp colony together with its membranes
          and skeleton 2: a piece of coral and esp. of red coral
          3 a: a bright reddish ovary (as of a lobster or scallop)
          b: a deep pink -- coral adj -- cor.al.loid adj

   coralbells
          [cor.al.bells] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1900):
          a perennial alumroot (Heuchera sanguinea) widely cultivated
          for its feathery spikes of tiny bright red campanulate
          flowers

   coralberry
          [cor.al.ber.ry] n (ca. 1859): an American dwarf shrub
          (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) that bears clusters of small flowers
          succeeded by red berries

   [1]coralline
          [cor.al.line] n (1543) 1: a coralline red alga 2: a bryozoan
          or hydroid that resembles a coral [2]coralline adj [MF,
          fr. fem. of corallin coral-like, fr. LL corallinus, fr.
          L corallium] (ca. 1633) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          coral 2: of, relating to, or being any of a family (Corallinaceae)
          of calcareous red algae

   coral snake
          [coral snake] n (ca. 1772) 1: any of several venomous chiefly
          tropical New World elapid snakes (genus Micrurus) brilliantly
          banded in red, black, and yellow or white that include
          two (M. fulvius and M. euryxanthus) ranging northward
          into the southern U.S. 2: any of several harmless snakes
          resembling the coral snakes

   coranto
          [co.ran.to] n, pl -tos or -toes [modif. of F courante] (1564):
          courante

   corban
          [cor.ban] n [Heb qorban offering] (14c): a sacrifice or offering
          to God among the ancient Hebrews

   corbeil
          [cor.beil] or cor.beille n [F corbeille, lit., basket, fr.
          LL corbicula] (ca. 1734): a sculptured basket of flowers
          or fruit as an architectural decoration

   [1]corbel
          [cor.bel] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. dim. of corp raven, fr. L corvus--more
          at raven] (15c): an architectural member that projects from within
          a wall and supports a weight; esp: one that is stepped upward and
          outward from a vertical surface [2]corbel vt -beled or -belled
          ; -bel.ing or -bel.ling (1843): to furnish with or make into
          a corbel

   corbeling
          [corbeling] n (1548) 1: corbel work 2: the construction of
          a corbel

   corbicula
          [cor.bic.u.la] n, pl -lae [LL, dim. of L corbis basket] (1816):
          pollen basket

   corbie
          [cor.bie] n [ME, modif. of MF corbin, fr. L corvinus of a
          raven--more at corvine] (15c) chiefly Scot: carrion crow;
          also: raven

   corbina
          [cor.bi.na] n [MexSp, fr. Sp corvina, a marine fish (Argyrosomus
          regius), fr. fem. of corvino of a raven, fr. L corvinus]
          (1901): a coastal marine croaker (Menticirrhus undulatus)
          favored by surf casters along the California coast

   [1]cord
          [cord] n [ME, fr. MF corde, fr. L chorda string, fr. Gk chorde
          --more at yarn] (14c) 1 a: a long slender flexible material
          usu. consisting of several strands (as of thread or yarn)
          woven or twisted together b: the hangman's rope 2: a
          moral, spiritual, or emotional bond 3 a: an anatomical
          structure (as a nerve or the umbilical cord) resembling
          a cord b: a small flexible insulated electrical cable
          having a plug at one or both ends used to connect a lamp
          or other appliance with a receptacle 4: a unit of wood
          cut for fuel equal to a stack 4 x 4 x 8 feet or 128 cubic
          feet 5 a: a rib like a cord on a textile b (1): a fabric
          made with such ribs or a garment made of such a fabric
          (2) pl: trousers made of such a fabric [2]cord vt (15c)
          1: to furnish, bind, or connect with a cord 2: to pile
          up (wood) in cords -- cord.er n

   cordage
          [cord.age] n (1598) 1: ropes or cords; esp: the ropes in
          the rigging of a ship 2: the number of cords (as of wood)
          on a given area

   cordate
          [cor.date] adj [NL cordatus, fr. L cord-, cor] (1769): shaped
          like a heart <a ~ leaf>--see leaf illustration -- cor.date.ly
          adv

   corded
          [cord.ed] adj (14c) 1 a: made of or provided with cords or
          ridges; specif: muscled in ridges b of a muscle: tense,
          taut 2: bound, fastened, or wound about with cords 3:
          striped or ribbed with or as if with cord: twilled

   cordgrass
          [cord.grass] n (1857): any of a genus (Spartina) of chiefly
          salt-marsh grasses of coastal regions of Europe, northern
          Africa, and the New World that have stiff culms and panicled
          spikelets

   [1]cordial
          [cor.dial] adj [ME, fr. ML cordialis, fr. L cord-, cor heart--more
          at heart] (14c) 1 obs: of or relating to the heart: vital
          2: tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate 3 a: sincerely or deeply
          felt <a ~ dislike for each other> b: warmly and genially affable
          <~ relations> syn see gracious -- cor.dial.ly adv -- cor.dial.ness
          n [2]cordial n (14c) 1: a stimulating medicine or drink 2: liqueur

   cordiality
          [cor.dial.i.ty] n (1611): sincere affection and kindness:
          cordial regard

   cordia pulmonalia
          [cordia pulmonalia] pl of cor pulmonale

   cordierite
          [cor.di.er.ite] n [F, fr. Pierre L. A. Cordier d. 1861 Fr.
          geologist] (ca. 1814): a blue mineral of vitreous luster
          and strong dichroism that consists of a silicate of aluminum,
          iron, and magnesium

   cordiform
          [cor.di.form] adj [F cordiforme, fr. L cord-, cor + F -iforme
          -iform] (1828): shaped like a heart <a ~ sea-urchin shell>

   cordillera
          [cor.dil.le.ra] n [Sp] (1704): a system of mountain ranges
          often consisting of a number of more or less parallel
          chains -- cor.dil.le.ran adj

   cordite
          [cord.ite] n (1889): a smokeless powder composed of nitroglycerin,
          guncotton, and a petroleum substance usu. gelatinized by addition
          of acetone and pressed into cords resembling brown twine

   cordless
          [cord.less] adj (1906): having no cord; esp: powered by a
          battery <~ tools>

   cordoba
          [cor.do.ba] n [Sp cordoba, fr. Francisco Fernandez de Cordoba
          d. 1526 Span. explorer] (1913): the basic monetary unit
          of Nicaragua

   [1]cordon
          [cor.don] n [F, dim. of corde cord] (15c) 1 a: an ornamental
          cord or ribbon b: stringcourse 2 a: a line of troops
          or of military posts enclosing an area to prevent passage
          b: a line of persons or objects around a person or place
          <a ~ of police> 3: an espalier esp. of a fruit tree trained
          as a single horizontal shoot or two diverging horizontal
          shoots in a single line [2]cordon vt (1561): to form
          a protective or restrictive cordon around--usu. used
          with off

   cordon sanitaire
          [cor.don sa.ni.taire] n [F, lit., sanitary cordon (quarantine
          line)] (1920): a protective barrier (as of buffer states)
          against a potentially aggressive nation or a dangerous
          influence (as an ideology)

   [1]cordovan
          [cor.do.van] adj [OSp cordovano, fr. Cordova (now Cordoba),
          Spain] (1591) 1 cap: of or relating to Cordoba and esp.
          Cordoba, Spain 2: made of cordovan leather [2]cordovan
          n (ca. 1625) 1: a soft fine-grained colored leather 2:
          dense nonporous leather tanned from the inner layer of
          horsehide

   [1]corduroy
          [cor.du.roy] n, pl -roys [origin unknown] (ca. 1791) 1 a
          pl: trousers of corduroy fabric b: a durable usu. cotton
          pile fabric with vertical ribs or wales 2: logs laid
          side by side transversely to make a road surface [2]corduroy
          vt -royed ; -roy.ing (1854): to build (a road) of logs
          laid side by side transversely; also: to build a corduroy
          road across

   cordwain
          [cord.wain] n [ME cordwane, fr. MF cordoan, fr. OSp cordovano,
          cordovan] (14c) archaic: cordovan leather

   cordwainer
          [cord.wain.er] n (14c) 1 archaic: a worker in cordovan leather
          2: shoemaker -- cord.wain.ery n

   cordwood
          [cord.wood] n (ca. 1639): wood piled or sold in cords

   CORE
          [CORE] abbreviation Congress of Racial Equality

   [1]core
          [core] n, often attrib [ME] (14c) 1: a central and often
          foundational part usu. distinct from the enveloping part
          by a difference in nature <~ of the city>: as a: the
          usu. inedible central part of some fruits (as a pineapple);
          esp: the papery or leathery carpels composing the ripened
          ovary in a pome fruit b: the portion of a foundry mold
          that shapes the interior of a hollow casting c: a vertical
          space (as for elevator shafts, stairways, or plumbing
          apparatus) in a multistory building d (1): a mass of
          iron serving to concentrate and intensify the magnetic
          field resulting from a current in a surrounding coil
          (2): a tiny doughnut-shaped piece of magnetic material
          (as ferrite) used in computer memories (3): a computer
          memory consisting of an array of cores strung on fine
          wires; broadly: the internal memory of a computer e:
          the central part of a celestial body (as the earth or
          sun) usu. having different physical properties from the
          surrounding parts f: a nodule of stone (as flint or obsidian)
          from which flakes have been struck for making implements
          g: the conducting wire with its insulation in an electric
          cable h: an arrangement of a course of studies that combines
          under basic topics material from subjects conventionally
          separated and aims to provide a common background for
          all students <~ curriculum> i: the place in a nuclear
          reactor where fission occurs 2 a: a basic, essential,
          or enduring part (as of an individual, a class, or an
          entity) <the staff had a ~ of experts> <the ~ of her
          beliefs> b: the essential meaning: gist <the ~ of the
          argument> c: the inmost or most intimate part <honest
          to the ~> 3: a part (as a thin cylinder of material)
          removed from the interior of a mass esp. to determine
          composition [2]core vt cored ; cor.ing (15c): to remove
          a core from -- cor.er n [3]core n [perh. alter. of ME
          chore chorus, company, perh. fr. L chorus] (1622) chiefly
          Scot: a group of people

   core city
          [core city] n (1965): inner city

   cored
          [cored] adj (1945): having a core of a specified kind--usu.
          used in combination

   coreligionist
          [co.re.li.gion.ist] n (1826): a person of the same religion

   coremium
          [co.re.mi.um] n, pl -mia [NL, fr. Gk korema broom, fr. korein
          to sweep] (1929): a fruiting body characteristic of some
          fungi (as the one causing Dutch elm disease) that consists
          of a sterile stalk of parallel or fascicled hyphae and
          a terminal fertile or spore-bearing head

   coreopsis
          [co.re.op.sis] n, pl coreopsis [NL, genus name, fr. Gk koris
          bedbug + NL -opsis; akin to Gk keirein to cut--more at
          shear] (ca. 1753): any of a genus (Coreopsis) of widely
          cultivated composite herbs with showy flower heads and
          pinnately lobed or dissected leaves

   corepressor
          [co.re.pres.sor] n (1963): a substance that activates a particular
          genetic repressor by combining with it

   corequisite
          [co.req.ui.site] n (ca. 1948): a formal course of study required
          to be taken simultaneously with another

   corespondent
          [co.re.spon.dent] n (1857): a person named as guilty of adultery
          with the defendant in a divorce suit

   corf
          [corf] n, pl corves [ME, basket, fr. MD corf or MLG korf,
          fr. L corbis basket] (1653) Brit: a basket, tub, or truck
          used in a mine

   corgi
          [cor.gi] n, pl corgis [W, fr. cor dwarf + ci dog; akin to
          OIr cu dog, OE hund--more at hound] (1926) 1: cardigan
          welsh corgi 2: pembroke welsh corgi

   coriaceous
          [co.ri.a.ceous] adj [LL coriaceus--more at cuirass] (1674):
          resembling leather <~ foliage>

   coriander
          [co.ri.an.der] n [ME coriandre, fr. OF, fr. L coriandrum,
          fr. Gk koriandron, koriannon] (14c) 1: an Old World herb
          (Coriandrum sativum) of the carrot family with aromatic
          fruits 2: the ripened dried fruit of coriander used as
          a flavoring--called also coriander seed

   [1]Corinthian
          [Co.rin.thi.an] n (1526) 1: a native or resident of Corinth,
          Greece 2: a merry profligate man [2]Corinthian adj (1594)
          1: of, relating to, or characteristic of Corinth or Corinthians
          2: of or relating to the lightest and most ornate of
          the three ancient Greek architectural orders distinguished
          esp. by its large capitals decorated with carved acanthus
          leaves--see order illustration

   Corinthians
          [Co.rin.thi.ans] n pl but sing in constr: either of two letters
          written by St. Paul to the Christians of Corinth and
          included as books in the New Testament

   Coriolis effect
          [Co.ri.o.lis effect] n (ca. 1946): the apparent deflection
          of a moving object that is the result of the Coriolis
          force

   Coriolis force
          [Coriolis force] n [Gaspard G. Coriolis d. 1843 Fr. civil
          engineer] (1923): an apparent force that as a result
          of the earth's rotation deflects moving objects (as projectiles
          or air currents) to the right in the northern hemisphere
          and to the left in the southern hemisphere

   corium
          [co.ri.um] n, pl co.ria [NL, fr. L, leather--more at cuirass]
          (1836): dermis

   [1]cork
          [cork] n [ME, cork, bark, prob. fr. Ar qurq, fr. L cortic-,
          cortex bark--more at cuirass] (14c) 1 a: the elastic
          tough outer tissue of the cork oak that is used esp.
          for stoppers and insulation b: phellem 2: a usu. cork
          stopper for a bottle or jug 3: a fishing float [2]cork
          vt (1535) 1: to furnish or fit with cork or a cork 2:
          to stop up with a cork 3: to blacken with burnt cork

   corkage
          [cork.age] n (1838): a charge (as by a restaurant) for opening
          a bottle of wine bought elsewhere

   corkboard
          [cork.board] n (ca. 1893): a heat-insulating material made
          of compressed granulated cork; also: a bulletin board
          made with this material

   cork cambium
          [cork cambium] n (1878): phellogen

   corked
          [corked] adj (1830): corky 2

   corker
          [cork.er] n (1881) 1: one that corks containers (as bottles)
          2: one that is excellent or remarkable

   corking
          [cork.ing] adj or adv (1895): extremely fine--often used
          as an intensive esp. before good <had a ~ good time>

   cork oak
          [cork oak] n (1873): an oak (Quercus suber) of southern Europe
          and northern Africa that is the source of the cork of
          commerce

   [1]corkscrew
          [cork.screw] n (1720): a pointed spiral piece of metal with
          a handle used for pulling corks from bottles [2]corkscrew
          adj (1815): resembling a corkscrew: spiral [3]corkscrew
          vt (1837) 1: wind 2: to draw out with difficulty 3: to
          twist into a spiral ~ vi: to move in a winding course

   corkwood
          [cork.wood] n (1756): any of several trees having light or
          corky wood; esp: a small or shrubby tree (Leitneria floridana)
          of the southeastern U.S. that has extremely light soft
          wood

   corky
          [corky] adj cork.i.er ; -est (1756) 1: resembling cork 2:
          having an unpleasant odor and taste (as from a tainted
          cork) <~ wine> -- cork.i.ness n

   corm
          [corm] n [NL cormus, fr. Gk kormos tree trunk, fr. keirein
          to cut--more at shear] (1830): a rounded thick modified
          underground stem base bearing membranous or scaly leaves
          and buds and acting as a vegetative reproductive structure--compare
          bulb, tuber

   cormel
          [corm.el] n [dim. of corm] (ca. 1900): a small or secondary
          corm produced by a larger corm

   cormorant
          [cor.mo.rant] n [ME cormeraunt, fr. MF cormorant, fr. OF
          cormareng, fr. corp raven + marenc of the sea, fr. L
          marinus--more at corbel, marine] (14c) 1: any of a family
          (Phalacrocoracidae) of dark-colored web-footed water
          birds that have a long neck, hooked bill, and distensible
          throat pouch 2: a gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person

   [1]corn
          [corn] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG & ON korn
          grain, L granum] (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly dial: a small hard
          particle: grain 2: a small hard seed 3 a: the seeds of
          a cereal grass and esp. of the important cereal crop
          of a particular region (as wheat in Britain, oats in
          Scotland and Ireland, and Indian corn in the New World
          and Australia) b: the kernels of sweet corn served as
          a vegetable while still soft and milky 4: a plant that
          produces corn 5: corn whiskey 6 a: something (as writing,
          music, or acting) that is corny b: the quality or state
          of being corny: corniness [2]corn vt (1560) 1: to form
          into grains: granulate 2 a: to preserve or season with
          salt in grains b: to cure or preserve in brine containing
          preservatives and often seasonings <~ed beef> 3: to feed
          with corn <~ the horses> [3]corn n [ME corne, fr. MF,
          horn, corner, fr. L cornu horn, point--more at horn]
          (15c): a local hardening and thickening of epidermis
          (as on a toe)

   Corn
          [Corn] abbreviation Cornish, Cornwall

   [1]cornball
          [corn.ball] n (ca. 1949): an unsophisticated person; also:
          something corny [2]cornball adj (1951): corny

   corn borer
          [corn borer] n (1919): any of several insects that bore in
          maize: as a: european corn borer b: southwestern corn
          borer

   corn bread
          [corn bread] n (1750): bread made with cornmeal

   corn chip
          [corn chip] n (1950): a piece of a dry crisp snack food prepared
          from a seasoned cornmeal batter

   corncob
          [corn.cob] n (1793) 1: the axis on which the kernels of Indian
          corn are arranged 2: an ear of Indian corn

   corncob pipe
          [corncob pipe] n (1832): a tobacco pipe with a bowl made
          of a corncob

   corn cockle
          [corn cockle] n (1713): an annual hairy weed (Agrostemma
          githago) of the pink family with purplish red flowers
          that is found in grainfields

   corncrake
          [corn.crake] n (15c): a common Eurasian short-billed rail
          (Crex crex) that frequents grainfields

   corncrib
          [corn.crib] n (1681): a crib for storing ears of Indian corn

   corn dodger
          [corn dodger] n (1834) chiefly Southern & Midland: a cake
          of corn bread that is fried, baked, or boiled as a dumpling

   corn dog
          [corn dog] n (1967): a frankfurter dipped in cornmeal batter,
          fried, and served on a stick

   cornea
          [cor.nea] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. L, fem. of corneus horny, fr.
          cornu] (14c): the transparent part of the coat of the
          eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and admits light
          to the interior--see eye illustration -- cor.ne.al adj

   corn earworm
          [corn earworm] n (1802): a noctuid moth (Heliothis zea) whose
          large striped yellow-headed larva is esp. destructive
          to Indian corn, tomatoes, tobacco, and cotton bolls

   cornel
          [cor.nel] n [ultim. fr. L cornus cornel cherry tree; akin
          to Gk kranon cornel cherry tree] (1551): any of various
          shrubs or trees (genus Cornus) of the dogwood family
          with very hard wood and perfect flowers; specif: dogwood

   cornelian
          [cor.ne.lian] n (15c): carnelian

   corneous
          [cor.ne.ous] adj [L corneus] (1646): of a horny texture

   [1]corner
          [cor.ner] n [ME, fr. OF cornere, fr. corne horn, corner]
          (13c) 1 a: the point where converging lines, edges, or
          sides meet: angle b: the place of intersection of two
          streets or roads c: a piece designed to form, mark, or
          protect a corner 2: the angular part or space between
          meeting lines, edges, or borders near the vertex of the
          angle <the southwest ~ of the state> <the ~s of the tablecloth>:
          as a: the area of a playing field or court near the intersection
          of the sideline and the goal line or baseline b (1):
          either of the four angles of a boxing ring; esp: the
          area in which a boxer rests or is worked on by his seconds
          during periods between rounds (2): a group of supporters,
          well-wishers, or adherents associated esp. with a contestant
          c: the side of home plate nearest to or farthest from
          a batter <a fast ball over the outside ~> d: corner kick
          e (1): the outside of a football formation (2): cornerback
          3 a: a private, secret, or remote place <a quiet ~ of
          New England> <to every ~ of the earth> <dark ~s of the
          mind> b: a difficult or embarrassing situation: a position
          from which escape or retreat is difficult or impossible
          <was backed into a ~> 4: control or ownership of enough
          of the available supply of a commodity or security esp.
          to permit manipulation of the price 5: a point at which
          significant change occurs--often used in the phrase turn
          the corner -- cor.nered adj -- around the corner : at
          hand: imminent <good times are just around the corner>
          [2]corner adj (13c) 1: situated at a corner <the ~ drugstore>
          2: used or fitted for use in or on a corner <a ~ table>
          [3]corner vt (1824) 1 a: to drive into a corner <the
          animal is dangerous when ~ed> b: to catch and hold the
          attention of esp. to force an interview 2: to get a corner
          on <~ the market> ~ vi 1: to meet or converge at a corner
          or angle 2: to turn a corner <the car ~s well>

   cornerback
          [cor.ner.back] n (1955): a defensive halfback in football
          who defends the flank

   corner kick
          [corner kick] n (1882): a free kick from a corner of a soccer
          field awarded to an attacker when a defender plays the
          ball out-of-bounds over the end line

   cornerman
          [cor.ner.man] n (1957) 1: one who plays in or near the corner:
          as a: cornerback b: a basketball forward 2: a boxer's
          second

   cornerstone
          [cor.ner.stone] n (13c) 1: a stone forming a part of a corner
          or angle in a wall; specif: such a stone laid at a formal
          ceremony 2: a basic element: foundation <a ~ of foreign
          policy>

   cornerways
          [cor.ner.ways] adv (1922): diagonally

   cornerwise
          [cor.ner.wise] adv (15c): diagonally

   cornet
          [cor.net] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. dim. of corn horn, fr. L cornu]
          (14c) 1: a valved brass instrument resembling a trumpet
          in design and range but having a shorter partly conical
          tube and less brilliant tone 2: something shaped like
          a cone: as a: a piece of paper twisted for use as a container
          b: a cone-shaped pastry shell that is often filled with
          whipped cream c Brit: an ice-cream cone -- cor.net.ist
          or cor.net.tist n

   corn-fed
          [corn-fed] adj (14c) 1: fed or fattened on grain (as corn)
          <~ hogs> 2: looking well-fed: plump 3: rustically wholesome
          or corny

   cornfield
          [corn.field] n (14c): a field in which corn is grown

   cornflakes
          [corn.flakes] n pl (1907): toasted flakes made from the coarse
          meal of hulled corn for use as a breakfast cereal

   corn flour
          [corn flour] n (1791) Brit: cornstarch

   cornflower
          [corn.flow.er] n (1527) 1: corn cockle 2: bachelor's button

   cornflower blue
          [cornflower blue] n (1907): a moderate purplish blue

   Cornhusker
          [Corn.husk.er] n (ca. 1948): a native or resident of Nebraska--used
          as a nickname

   cornhusking
          [corn.husk.ing] n (1692): a social gathering esp. of farm
          families to husk corn

   [1]cornice
          [cor.nice] n [MF, fr. It, frame, cornice, fr. L cornic-,
          cornix crow; akin to Gk korax raven--more at raven] (1563)
          1 a: the molded and projecting horizontal member that
          crowns an architectural composition b: a top course that
          crowns a wall 2: a decorative band of metal or wood used
          to conceal curtain fixtures 3: an overhanging mass of
          snow, ice, or rock usu. on a ridge [2]cornice vt cor.niced
          ; cor.nic.ing (1744): to furnish or crown with a cornice

   corniche
          [cor.niche] n [F cornice, corniche, lit., cornice, fr. It
          cornice] (1837): a road built along a coast and esp.
          along the face of a cliff

   corniculate cartilage
          [cor.nic.u.late cartilage] n [L corniculatus horned, fr.
          corniculum, dim. of cornu horn] (ca. 1909): a small nodule
          of yellow elastic cartilage articulating with the apex
          of the arytenoid

   cornification
          [cor.ni.fi.ca.tion] n [L cornu horn] (ca. 1843) 1: conversion
          into horn or a horny substance or tissue 2: the conversion
          of the vaginal epithelium from the columnar to the squamous
          type

   [1]Cornish
          [Cor.nish] adj [ME Cornysshe, fr. Cornwaile Cornwall, England]
          (14c): of, relating to, or characteristic of Cornwall,
          Cornishmen, or Cornish [2]Cornish n (1547) 1: a Celtic
          language of Cornwall extinct since the late 18th century
          2: any of an English breed of domestic fowls much used
          in crossbreeding for meat production

   Cornishman
          [Cor.nish.man] n (15c): a native or resident of Cornwall,
          England

   Corn Law
          [Corn Law] n (1766): one of a series of laws in force in
          Great Britain before 1846 prohibiting or discouraging
          the importation of grain

   corn leaf aphid
          [corn leaf aphid] n (ca. 1939): a dusky greenish or brownish
          aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis) that feeds on the flowers
          and foliage of various commercially important grasses
          (as Indian corn)

   cornmeal
          [corn.meal] n (1749): meal ground from corn

   corn oil
          [corn oil] n (1900): a yellow fatty oil obtained from the
          germ of Indian corn kernels and used chiefly as salad
          oil, in soft soap, and in margarine

   cornpone
          [corn.pone] adj (1972): down-home, countrified <~ humor>

   corn pone
          [corn pone] n (1859) Southern & Midland: corn bread often
          made without milk or eggs and baked or fried

   corn poppy
          [corn poppy] n (ca. 1859): an annual red-flowered Eurasian
          poppy (Papaver rhoeas) common in fields and cultivated
          in several varieties

   corn rootworm
          [corn rootworm] n (1892): any of several chrysomelid beetles
          (genus Diabrotica) whose root-eating larvae are pests
          esp. of corn

   cornrow
          [corn.row] n (1946) 1: a section of hair which is braided
          usu. flat to the scalp 2: a hairstyle in which the hair
          is divided into cornrow sections arranged in rows --
          cornrow vb

   corn salad
          [corn salad] n [fr. its occurrence as a weed in fields of
          grain] (1597): any of several herbs (genus Valerianella)
          of the valerian family; esp: a low European herb (V.
          locusta syn. V. olitoria) that is widely cultivated as
          a salad plant and potherb

   corn silk
          [corn silk] n (1861): the silky styles on an ear of Indian
          corn

   corn snow
          [corn snow] n (1935): granular snow formed by alternate thawing
          and freezing

   cornstalk
          [corn.stalk] n (1645): a stalk of Indian corn

   cornstarch
          [corn.starch] n (1853): starch made from corn and used in
          foods as a thickening agent, in making corn syrup and
          sugars, and in the manufacture of adhesives and sizes
          for paper and textiles

   corn sugar
          [corn sugar] n (1850): dextrose

   corn syrup
          [corn syrup] n (1903): a syrup containing dextrins, maltose,
          and dextrose that is obtained by partial hydrolysis of
          cornstarch

   cornu
          [cor.nu] n, pl cor.nua [L] (1691): a horn-shaped anatomical
          part (as of the uterus) -- cor.nu.al adj

   cornucopia
          [cor.nu.co.pia] n [LL, fr. L cornu copiae horn of plenty]
          (1508) 1: a curved goat's horn overflowing with fruit
          and ears of grain that is used as a decorative motif
          emblematic of abundance 2: an inexhaustible store: abundance
          3: a receptacle shaped like a horn or cone -- cor.nu.co.pi.an
          adj

   cornuto
          [cor.nu.to] n, pl -tos [It, fr. L cornutus having horns,
          fr. cornu] (1598): cuckold

   corn whiskey
          [corn whiskey] n (1780): whiskey distilled from a mash made
          up of not less than 80 percent corn--compare bourbon

   [1]corny
          [corny] adj corn.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 archaic: tasting strongly
          of malt 2: of or relating to corn 3: mawkishly old-fashioned:
          tiresomely simple and sentimental -- corn.i.ly adv --
          corn.i.ness n [2]corny adj corn.i.er ; -est (1707): relating
          to or having corns on the feet

   corody
          [cor.o.dy] n, pl -dies [ME corrodie, fr. ML corrodium] (15c):
          an allowance of provisions for maintenance dispensed
          as a charity

   corolla
          [co.rol.la] n [NL, fr. L, dim. of corona] (ca. 1753): the
          part of a flower that consists of the separate or fused
          petals and constitutes the inner whorl of the perianth
          -- co.rol.late adj

   corollary
          [cor.ol.lary] n, pl -lar.ies [ME corolarie, fr. LL corollarium,
          fr. L, money paid for a garland, gratuity, fr. corolla]
          (14c) 1: a proposition inferred immediately from a proved
          proposition with little or no additional proof 2 a: something
          that naturally follows: result b: something that incidentally
          or naturally accompanies or parallels -- corollary adj

   coromandel
          [cor.o.man.del] n [Coromandel coast region, India] (1845):
          calamander

   coromandel screen
          [coromandel screen] n, often cap C (1926): a Chinese lacquered
          folding screen

   corona
          [co.ro.na] n [L, garland, crown, cornice--more at crown]
          (1563) 1: the projecting part of a classic cornice 2
          a: a usu. colored circle often seen around and close
          to a luminous body (as the sun or moon) caused by diffraction
          produced by suspended droplets or occas. particles of
          dust b: the tenuous outermost part of the atmosphere
          of a star (as the sun) c: a circle of light made by the
          apparent convergence of the streamers of the aurora borealis
          d: the upper portion of a bodily part (as a tooth or
          the skull) e: an appendage or series of united appendages
          on the inner side of the corolla in some flowers (as
          the daffodil, jonquil, or milkweed) f: a faint glow adjacent
          to the surface of an electrical conductor at high voltage
          3 [fr. La Corona, a trademark]: a long cigar having the
          sides straight to the end to be lit and being roundly
          blunt at the other end

   Corona Australis
          [Corona Aus.tra.lis] n [NL (gen. Coronae Australis), lit.,
          southern crown]: a southern constellation adjoining Sagittarius
          on the south

   Corona Borealis
          [Corona Bo.re.al.is] n [NL (gen. Coronae Borealis), lit.,
          northern crown]: a northern constellation between Hercules
          and Bootes

   coronach
          [cor.o.nach] n [ScGael corranach & Ir coranach] (1530): a
          funeral dirge sung or played on the bagpipes in Scotland
          and Ireland

   coronagraph
          [co.ro.na.graph] also co.ro.no.graph n (1885): a telescope
          for observation of the sun's corona

   [1]coronal
          [cor.o.nal] also cor.o.nel n [ME coronal, fr. AF, fr. L coronalis
          of a crown, fr. corona] (14c): a circlet for the head
          usu. implying rank or dignity [2]co.ro.nal adj (14c)
          1 a: lying in the direction of the coronal suture b:
          of or relating to the frontal plane that passes through
          the long axis of the body 2: of or relating to a corona
          or crown

   coronal suture
          [coronal suture] n (1615): a suture extending across the
          skull between the parietal and frontal bones

   corona radiata
          [co.ro.na ra.di.a.ta] n, pl co.ro.nae ra.di.a.tae [NL, lit.,
          crown with rays] (1892): the zone of small follicular
          cells immediately surrounding the ovum in the graafian
          follicle and accompanying the ovum on its discharge from
          the follicle

   [1]coronary
          [cor.o.nary] adj (1610) 1: of, relating to, resembling, or
          being a crown or coronal 2: of, relating to, or being
          the coronary arteries or veins of the heart; broadly:
          of or relating to the heart [2]coronary n, pl -nar.ies
          (1893) 1 a: coronary artery b: coronary vein 2: coronary
          thrombosis; broadly: heart attack

   coronary artery
          [coronary artery] n (1741): either of two arteries that arise
          one from the left and one from the right side of the
          aorta immediately above the semilunar valves and supply
          the tissues of the heart itself

   coronary occlusion
          [coronary occlusion] n (1946): the partial or complete blocking
          (as by a thrombus, by spasm, or by sclerosis) of a coronary
          artery

   coronary sinus
          [coronary sinus] n (1831): a venous channel that is derived
          from the sinus venosus, is continuous with the largest
          of the cardiac veins, receives most of the blood from
          the walls of the heart, and empties into the right atrium

   coronary thrombosis
          [coronary thrombosis] n (1926): the blocking of a coronary
          artery of the heart by a thrombus

   coronary vein
          [coronary vein] n (ca. 1828): any of several veins that drain
          the tissues of the heart and empty into the coronary
          sinus

   coronate
          [cor.o.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L coronatus, pp. of coronare
          to crown, fr. corona] (ca. 1623): crown 1a

   coronation
          [cor.o.na.tion] n [ME coronacion, fr. MF coronation, fr.
          coroner to crown] (14c): the act or occasion of crowning;
          also: accession to the highest office

   coroner
          [cor.o.ner] n [ME, an officer of the crown, fr. AF, fr. OF
          corone crown, fr. L corona] (ca. 1630): a public officer
          whose principal duty is to inquire by an inquest into
          the cause of any death which there is reason to suppose
          is not due to natural causes

   coronet
          [cor.o.net] n [MF coronette, fr. OF coronete, fr. corone]
          (15c) 1: a small or lesser crown usu. signifying a rank
          below that of a sovereign 2: an ornamental wreath or
          band for the head usu. for wear by women on formal occasions
          3: the lower part of a horse's pastern where the horn
          terminates in skin--see horse illustration

   corotate
          [co.ro.tate] vi (1962): to rotate in conjunction with or
          at the same rate as another rotating body -- co.ro.ta.tion
          n

   corp
          [corp] abbreviation corporal, corporation

   corpora
          [corpora] pl of corpus

   [3]corpo ral
          [corpo ral] n [MF, lowest noncommissioned officer, alter.
          of caporal, fr. OIt caporale, fr. capo head, fr. L caput--more
          at head] (1579): a noncommissioned officer ranking in
          the army above a private first class and below a sergeant
          and in the marine corps above a lance corporal and below
          a sergeant

   [1]corporal
          [cor.po.ral] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML corporale, fr. L, neut.
          of corporalis; fr. the doctrine that the bread of the
          Eucharist becomes or represents the body of Christ] (14c):
          a linen cloth on which the eucharistic elements are placed
          [2]corporal adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L corporalis, fr. corpor-,
          corpus body--more at midriff] (14c) 1 obs: corporeal,
          physical 2: of, relating to, or affecting the body <~
          punishment> -- cor.po.ral.ly adv

   corporality
          [cor.po.ral.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c): the quality or state
          of being or having a body or a material or physical existence

   corporal's guard
          [corporal's guard] n (1844) 1: the small detachment commanded
          by a corporal 2: a small group

   corporate
          [cor.po.rate] adj [L corporatus, pp. of corporare to make
          into a body, fr. corpor-, corpus] (1512) 1 a: formed
          into an association and endowed by law with the rights
          and liabilities of an individual: incorporated b: of
          or relating to a corporation <a plan to reorganize the
          ~ structure> 2: of, relating to, or formed into a unified
          body of individuals <human law arises by the ~ action
          of a people --G. H. Sabine> 3: corporative 2 -- cor.po.rate.ly
          adv

   corporation
          [cor.po.ra.tion] n (15c) 1 a obs: a group of merchants or
          traders united in a trade guild b: the municipal authorities
          of a town or city 2: a body formed and authorized by
          law to act as a single person although constituted by
          one or more persons and legally endowed with various
          rights and duties including the capacity of succession
          3: an association of employers and employees in a basic
          industry or of members of a profession organized as an
          organ of political representation in a corporative state
          4: potbelly 1

   corporatism
          [cor.po.rat.ism] n (1890): the organization of a society
          into industrial and professional corporations serving
          as organs of political representation and exercising
          some control over persons and activities within their
          jurisdiction -- cor.po.rat.ist adj

   corporative
          [cor.po.ra.tive] adj (1833) 1: of or relating to a corporation
          2: of or relating to corporatism <a ~ state>

   corporativism
          [cor.po.ra.tiv.ism] n (1930): corporatism

   corporator
          [cor.po.ra.tor] n (1784): a corporation organizer, member,
          or stockholder

   corporeal
          [cor.po.re.al] adj [L corporeus of the body, fr. corpor-,
          corpus] (15c) 1: having, consisting of, or relating to
          a physical material body: as a: not spiritual b: not
          immaterial or intangible: substantial 2 archaic: corporal
          syn see material -- cor.po.re.al.ly adv -- cor.po.re.al.ness
          n

   corporeality
          [cor.po.re.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1651): corporeal existence

   corporeity
          [cor.po.re.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1621): the quality or state
          of having or being a body: materiality

   corposant
          [cor.po.sant] n [Pg corpo-santo, lit., holy body] (1655):
          saint elmo's fire

   corps
          [corps] n, pl corps [F, fr. L corpus body] (1711) 1 a: an
          organized subdivision of the military establishment <Marine
          Corps> <Signal Corps> b: a tactical unit usu. consisting
          of two or more divisions and auxiliary arms and services
          2: a group of persons associated together or acting under
          common direction; esp: a body of persons having a common
          activity or occupation <the press ~> 3: corps de ballet

   corps de ballet
          [corps de bal.let] n, pl corps de ballet [F] (1826): the
          ensemble of a ballet company

   corps d'elite
          [corps d'elite] n, pl corps d'elite [F corps d'elite] (1884)
          1: a body of picked troops 2: a group of the best people
          in a category

   corpse
          [corpse] n [ME corps, fr. MF, fr. L corpus] (13c) 1 obs:
          a human or animal body whether living or dead 2 a: a
          dead body esp. of a human being b: the remains of something
          discarded or defunct <the ~s of rusting cars>

   corpsman
          [corps.man] n (1901) 1: an enlisted man trained to give first
          aid and minor medical treatment 2: a member of a
          government-sponsored service corps

   corpulence
          [cor.pu.lence] n (1581): the state of being corpulent

   corpulency
          [cor.pu.len.cy] n, pl -cies (1577): corpulence

   corpulent
          [cor.pu.lent] adj [ME, fr. L corpulentus, fr. corpus] (14c):
          having a large bulky body: obese -- cor.pu.lent.ly adv

   cor pulmonale
          [cor pul.mo.na.le] n, pl cor.dia pul.mo.na.lia [NL, lit.,
          pulmonary heart] (1857): disease of the heart characterized
          by hypertrophy and dilatation of the right ventricle
          and secondary to disease of the lungs or their blood
          vessels

   corpus
          [cor.pus] n, pl cor.po.ra [ME, fr. L] (15c) 1: the body of
          a human or animal esp. when dead 2 a: the main part or
          body of a bodily structure or organ <the ~ of the uterus>
          b: the main body or corporeal substance of a thing; specif:
          the principal of a fund or estate as distinct from income
          or interest 3 a: all the writings or works of a particular
          kind or on a particular subject; esp: the complete works
          of an author b: a collection or body of knowledge or
          evidence; esp: a collection of recorded utterances used
          as a basis for the descriptive analysis of a language

   corpus allatum
          [corpus al.la.tum] n, pl corpora al.la.ta [NL, lit., applied
          body] (1947): one of a pair of separate or fused bodies
          in many insects that are sometimes closely associated
          with the corpora cardiaca and that secrete hormones (as
          juvenile hormone)

   corpus callosum
          [corpus cal.lo.sum] n, pl corpora cal.lo.sa [NL, lit., callous
          body] (1706): the great band of commissural fibers uniting
          the cerebral hemispheres of higher mammals including
          humans--see brain illustration

   corpus cardiacum
          [corpus car.di.a.cum] n, pl corpora car.di.a.ca [NL, lit.,
          cardiac body] (1960): one of a pair of separate or fused
          bodies of nervous tissue in many insects that lie posterior
          to the brain and dorsal to the esophagus and that function
          in the storage and secretion of brain hormone

   Corpus Christi
          [Cor.pus Chris.ti] n [ME, fr. ML, lit., body of Christ] (14c):
          the Thursday after Trinity observed as a Roman Catholic
          festival in honor of the Eucharist

   corpuscle
          [cor.pus.cle] n [L corpusculum, dim. of corpus] (1660) 1:
          a minute particle 2 a: a living cell; esp: one (as a
          red or white blood cell or a cell in cartilage or bone)
          not aggregated into continuous tissues b: any of various
          small circumscribed multicellular bodies -- cor.pus.cu.lar
          adj

   corpus delicti
          [cor.pus de.lic.ti] n, pl corpora delicti [NL, lit., body
          of the crime] (1832) 1: the substantial and fundamental
          fact necessary to prove the commission of a crime 2:
          the material substance (as the body of the victim of
          a murder) upon which a crime has been committed

   corpus luteum
          [corpus lu.te.um] n, pl corpora lu.tea [NL, lit., yellowish
          body] (1788): a yellowish mass of progesterone-secreting
          endocrine tissue that forms immediately after ovulation
          from the ruptured graafian follicle in the mammalian
          ovary

   corpus striatum
          [corpus stri.a.tum] n, pl corpora stri.a.ta [NL, lit., striated
          body] (1851): either of a pair of masses of nervous tissue
          within the brain that contain two large nuclei of gray
          matter separated by sheets of white matter

   corr
          [corr] abbreviation correct, corrected, correction, correspondence,
          correspondent, corresponding, corrupt, corruption

   corrade
          [cor.rade] vb cor.rad.ed ; cor.rad.ing [L corradere to scrape
          together, fr. com- + radere to scrape--more at rodent]
          vt (1646): to wear away by abrasion ~ vi: to crumble
          away through abrasion -- cor.ra.sion n -- cor.ra.sive
          adj

   [1]corral
          [cor.ral] n [Sp, fr. (assumed) VL currale enclosure for vehicles,
          fr. L currus cart, fr. currere to run--more at car] (1582)
          1: a pen or enclosure for confining or capturing livestock
          2: an enclosure made with wagons for defense of an encampment
          [2]corral vt cor.ralled ; cor.ral.ling (1847) 1: to enclose
          in a corral 2: to arrange (wagons) so as to form a corral
          3: collect, gather <corralling votes for the upcoming
          election>

   [1]correct
          [cor.rect] vt [ME, fr. L correctus, pp. of corrigere, fr.
          com- + regere to lead straight--more at right] (14c)
          1 a: to make or set right: amend b: counteract, neutralize
          c: to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard
          or required condition <~ a lens for spherical aberration>
          2 a: to punish (as a child) with a view to reforming
          or improving b: to point out usu. for amendment the errors
          or faults of <spent the day ~ing tests> -- cor.rect.able
          adj -- cor.rec.tor n syn correct, rectify, emend, remedy,
          redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what
          is wrong. correct implies taking action to remove errors,
          faults, deviations, defects <correct your spelling>.
          rectify implies a more essential changing to make something
          right, just, or properly controlled or directed <rectify
          a misguided policy>. emend specif. implies correction
          of a text or manuscript <emend a text>. remedy implies
          removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm,
          or evil <set out to remedy the evils of the world>. redress
          implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness,
          injustice, or imbalance <redress past social injustices>.
          amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective
          changes, amend usu. suggesting slight changes <amend
          a law>, reform implying drastic change <plans to reform
          the court system>, and revise suggesting a careful examination
          of something and the making of necessary changes <revise
          the schedule>. syn see in addition punish [2]correct
          adj [ME, corrected, fr. L correctus, fr. pp. of corrigere]
          (1676) 1: conforming to an approved or conventional standard
          2: conforming to or agreeing with fact, logic, or known
          truth 3: conforming to a set figure <enclosed the ~ return
          postage> -- cor.rect.ly adv -- cor.rect.ness n syn correct,
          accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming
          to fact, standard, or truth. correct usu. implies freedom
          from fault or error <correct answers> <socially correct
          dress>. accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained
          by exercise of care <an accurate description>. exact
          stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard,
          or truth <exact measurements>. precise adds to exact
          an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation
          <precise calibration>. nice stresses great precision
          and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination <makes nice
          distinctions>. right is close to correct but has a stronger
          positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather
          than mere absence of error or fault <the right thing
          to do>.

   corrected time
          [corrected time] n (ca. 1891): a boat's elapsed time less
          its time allowance in yacht racing

   correction
          [cor.rec.tion] n (14c) 1: the action or an instance of correcting:
          as a: amendment, rectification b: rebuke, punishment c: a bringing
          into conformity with a standard d: neutralization, counteraction
          <~ of acidity> 2: a decline in market price or business activity
          following and counteracting a rise 3 a: something substituted
          in place of what is wrong <marking ~s on the students' papers>
          b: a quantity applied by way of correcting (as for adjustment
          of an instrument) 4: the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders
          through a program involving penal custody, parole, and probation;
          also: the administration of such treatment as a matter of public
          policy--usu. used in pl. -- cor.rec.tion.al adj

   correctitude
          [cor.rec.ti.tude] n [blend of correct and rectitude] (1893):
          correctness or propriety of conduct

   corrective
          [cor.rec.tive] adj (1531): intended to correct <~ lenses>
          <~ punishment> -- corrective n -- cor.rec.tive.ly adv

   [1]correlate
          [cor.re.late] n [back-formation fr. correlation] (1643) 1:
          either of two things so related that one directly implies
          or is complementary to the other (as husband and wife)
          2: a phenomenon (as brain activity) that accompanies
          another phenomenon (as behavior), is usu. parallel to
          it (as in form, type, development, or distribution),
          and is related in some way to it -- correlate adj [2]cor.re.late
          vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing vi (ca. 1742): to bear reciprocal
          or mutual relations: correspond ~ vt 1 a: to establish
          a mutual or reciprocal relation between <~ activities
          in the lab and the field> b: to show correlation or a
          causal relationship between 2: to present or set forth
          so as to show relationship <he ~s the findings of the
          scientists, the psychologists, and the mystics --Eugene
          Exman> -- cor.re.lat.able adj -- cor.re.lat.or n

   correlation
          [cor.re.la.tion] n [ML correlation-, correlatio, fr. L com-
          + relation-, relatio relation] (1561) 1: the state or
          relation of being correlated; specif: a relation existing
          between phenomena or things or between mathematical or
          statistical variables which tend to vary, be associated,
          or occur together in a way not expected on the basis
          of chance alone <the obviously high positive ~ between
          scholastic aptitude and college entrance --J. B. Conant>
          2: the act of correlating -- cor.re.la.tion.al adj

   correlation coefficient
          [correlation coefficient] n (ca. 1909): a number or function
          that indicates the degree of correlation between two
          sets of data or between two random variables and that
          is equal to their covariance divided by the product of
          their standard deviations

   correlative
          [cor.rel.a.tive] adj (1530) 1: naturally related: corresponding
          2: reciprocally related 3: regularly used together but
          typically not adjacent <the ~ conjunctions either ...
          or> -- correlative n -- cor.rel.a.tive.ly adv

   correspond
          [cor.re.spond] vi [MF or ML; MF correspondre, fr. ML correspondere,
          fr. L com- + respondere to respond] (1529) 1 a: to be in conformity
          or agreement <the ideal failed ... to ~ with the reality --James
          Sutherland> b: to compare closely: match--usu. used with to or with
          c: to be equivalent or parallel 2: to communicate with a person
          by exchange of letters

   correspondence
          [cor.re.spon.dence] n (15c) 1 a: the agreement of things
          with one another b: a particular similarity c: a relation
          between sets in which each member of one set is associated
          with one or more members of the other--compare function
          5a 2 a: communication by letters; also: the letters exchanged
          b: the news, information, or opinion contributed by a
          correspondent to a newspaper or periodical

   correspondence course
          [correspondence course] n (1902): a course offered
          by a correspondence school

   correspondence school
          [correspondence school] n (1889): a school that teaches nonresident
          students by mailing them lessons and exercises which upon
          completion are returned to the school for grading

   correspondency
          [cor.re.spon.den.cy] n, pl -cies (1589): correspondence

   [1]correspondent
          [cor.re.spon.dent] adj [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF, fr.
          ML correspondent-, correspondens, prp. of correspondere] (15c)
          1: corresponding 2: fitting, conforming--used with with or to <the
          outcome was entirely ~ with my wishes> [2]correspondent n (ca.
          1630) 1 a: one who communicates with another by letter b: one who
          has regular commercial relations with another c: one who
          contributes news or commentary to a publication (as a newspaper)
          or a radio or television network often from a distant place <a war
          ~> 2: something that corresponds

   corresponding
          [corresponding] adj (1579) 1 a: having or participating in
          the same relationship (as kind, degree, position, correspondence,
          or function) esp. with regard to the same or like wholes
          (as geometric figures or sets) <~ parts of similar triangles>
          b: related, accompanying <all rights carry with them
          ~ responsibilities --W. P. Paepcke> 2 a: charged with
          the duty of writing letters <~ secretary> b: participating
          or serving at a distance and by mail <a ~ member of the
          society> -- cor.re.spond.ing.ly adv

   corresponding angles
          [corresponding angles] n pl (ca. 1804): any pair of angles
          each of which is on the same side of one of two lines
          cut by a transversal and on the same side of the transversal

   corresponsive
          [cor.re.spon.sive] adj (1606): mutually responsive

   corrida
          [cor.ri.da] n [Sp, lit., act of running] (1898): bullfight

   corridor
          [cor.ri.dor] n [MF, fr. OIt corridore, fr. correre to run,
          fr. L currere--more at car] (1814) 1: a passageway (as
          in a hotel) into which compartments or rooms open 2:
          a usu. narrow passageway or route: as a: a narrow strip
          of land through foreign-held territory b: a restricted
          lane for air traffic 3: a densely populated strip of
          land including two or more major cities <the Northeast
          ~ stretching from Washington into New England --S. D.
          Browne>

   corrie
          [cor.rie] n [ScGael coire, lit., kettle] (1795): cirque 3

   Corriedale
          [Cor.rie.dale] n [Corriedale, ranch in New Zealand] (1902):
          any of a dual-purpose breed of rather large usu. hornless
          sheep developed in New Zealand

   corrigendum
          [cor.ri.gen.dum] n, pl -da [L, neut. of corrigendus, gerundive
          of corrigere to correct] (ca. 1850): an error in a printed
          work discovered after printing and shown with its correction
          on a separate sheet

   corrigible
          [cor.ri.gi.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML corrigibilis, fr.
          L corrigere] (15c): capable of being set right: reparable
          <a ~ defect> -- cor.ri.gi.bil.i.ty n

   corrival
          [cor.ri.val] n [MF, fr. L corrivalis, fr. com- + rivalis
          rival] (1579): rival, competitor -- corrival adj

   corroborant
          [cor.rob.o.rant] adj (1626) archaic: having an invigorating
          effect--used of a medicine

   corroborate
          [cor.rob.o.rate] vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L corroboratus, pp.
          of corroborare, fr. com- + robor-, robur strength] (1530):
          to support with evidence or authority: make more certain
          syn see confirm -- cor.rob.o.ra.tion n -- cor.rob.o.ra.tive
          adj -- cor.rob.o.ra.tor n -- cor.rob.o.ra.to.ry adj

   corroboree
          [cor.rob.o.ree] n [Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language
          of the Port Jackson area) garaabara] (1811) 1: a nocturnal
          festivity with songs and symbolic dances by which the
          Australian aborigines celebrate events of importance
          2 Austral a: a noisy festivity b: tumult

   corrode
          [cor.rode] vb cor.rod.ed ; cor.rod.ing [ME, fr. L corrodere
          to gnaw to pieces, fr. com- + rodere to gnaw--more at
          rodent] vt (14c) 1: to eat away by degrees as if by gnawing;
          esp: to wear away gradually usu. by chemical action <the
          metal was corroded beyond repair> 2: to weaken or destroy
          gradually: undermine <manners and miserliness that ~
          the human spirit --Bernard DeVoto> ~ vi: to undergo corrosion
          -- cor.rod.ible adj

   corrody
          [cor.ro.dy] var of corody

   corrosion
          [cor.ro.sion] n [ME, fr. LL corrosion-, corrosio act of gnawing,
          fr. L corrodere] (14c) 1: the action, process, or effect
          of corroding 2: a product of corroding

   corrosive
          [cor.ro.sive] adj (14c) 1: tending or having the power to
          corrode <~ acids> <~ action> <the ~ effects of alcoholism>
          2: bitingly sarcastic <~ satire> -- corrosive n -- cor.ro.sive.ly
          adv -- cor.ro.sive.ness n

   corrosive sublimate
          [corrosive sublimate] n (ca. 1751): mercuric chloride

   corrugate
          [cor.ru.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L corrugatus, pp. of
          corrugare, fr. com- + ruga wrinkle; prob. akin to Lith
          raukas wrinkle--more at rough] vt (1620): to form or
          shape into wrinkles or folds or into alternating ridges
          and grooves: furrow ~ vi: to become corrugated

   corrugated
          [corrugated] adj (1590): having corrugations <~ paper>; also:
          made of corrugated material (as paperboard) <~ boxes>

   corrugation
          [cor.ru.ga.tion] n (1528) 1: the act of corrugating 2: a
          ridge or groove of a surface that has been corrugated

   [1]corrupt
          [cor.rupt] vb [ME, fr. L corruptus, pp. of corrumpere, fr.
          com- + rumpere to break--more at reave] vt (14c) 1 a:
          to change from good to bad in morals, manners, or actions;
          also: bribe b: to degrade with unsound principles or
          moral values 2: rot, spoil 3: to subject (a person) to
          corruption of blood 4: to alter from the original or
          correct form or version ~ vi 1 a: to become tainted or
          rotten b: to become morally debased 2: to cause disintegration
          or ruin syn see debase -- cor.rupt.er also cor.rup.tor
          n -- cor.rupt.ibil.i.ty n -- cor.rupt.ible adj -- cor.rupt.ibly
          adv [2]corrupt adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L corruptus]
          (14c) 1 a: morally degenerate and perverted: depraved
          b: characterized by improper conduct (as bribery or the
          selling of favors) <~ judges> 2: putrid, tainted 3: adulterated
          or debased by change from an original or correct condition
          syn see vicious -- cor.rupt.ly adv -- cor.rupt.ness n

   corruption
          [cor.rup.tion] n (14c) 1 a: impairment of integrity, virtue,
          or moral principle: depravity b: decay, decomposition
          c: inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means
          (as bribery) d: a departure from the original or from
          what is pure or correct 2 archaic: an agency or influence
          that corrupts 3 chiefly dial: pus

   corruptionist
          [cor.rup.tion.ist] n (1810): one who practices or defends
          corruption esp. in politics

   corruption of blood
          [corruption of blood] (1563): the effect of an attainder
          which bars a person from inheriting, retaining, or transmitting
          any estate, rank, or title

   corruptio optimi pessima
          [cor.rup.tio op.ti.mi pes.si.ma] [L] foreign term : the corruption
          of the best is the worst of all

   corruptive
          [cor.rup.tive] adj (15c): producing or tending to produce
          corruption -- cor.rup.tive.ly adv

   corsage
          [cor.sage] n [F, bust, bodice, fr. OF, bust, fr. cors body,
          fr. L corpus] (1843) 1: the waist or bodice of a dress
          2: an arrangement of flowers worn as a fashion accessory

   corsair
          [cor.sair] n [MF & OIt; MF corsaire pirate, fr. OProv corsari,
          fr. OIt corsaro, fr. ML cursarius, fr. L cursus course--more
          at course] (1549): pirate; esp: a privateer of the Barbary
          Coast

   corse
          [corse] n [ME cors, fr. MF] (13c) archaic: corpse

   corselet
          [corse.let] n (1563) 1 or cors.let [MF, dim. of cors body,
          bodice]: a piece of armor covering the trunk 2 or cor.se.lette
          [fr. Corselette, a trademark]: an undergarment combining
          girdle and brassiere

   [1]corset
          [cor.set] n [ME, fr. OF, dim. of cors] (13c) 1: a usu.
          close-fitting and often laced medieval jacket 2: a woman's
          close-fitting boned supporting undergarment that is often hooked
          and laced and that extends from above or beneath the bust or from
          the waist to below the hips and has garters attached [2]corset
          vt (ca. 1847) 1: to dress in or fit with a corset 2: to restrict
          closely: control rigidly

   corsetiere
          [cor.se.tiere] n [F corsetiere, fem. of corsetier, fr. corset]
          (1848): one who makes, fits, or sells corsets, girdles,
          or brassieres

   cortege
          [cor.tege] n [F cortege, fr. It corteggio, fr. corteggiare
          to court, fr. corte court, fr. L cohort-, cohors enclosure--more
          at court] (1648) 1: a train of attendants: retinue 2:
          procession; esp: a funeral procession

   cortex
          [cor.tex] n, pl cor.ti.ces or cor.tex.es [L cortic-, cortex
          bark--more at cuirass] (1677) 1 a: the outer or superficial
          part of an organ or bodily structure (as the kidney,
          adrenal gland, or a hair); esp: the outer layer of gray
          matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum b: the outer part
          of some organisms (as paramecia) 2: a plant bark or rind
          (as cinchona) used medicinally 3 a: the typically parenchymatous
          layer of tissue external to the vascular tissue and internal
          to the corky or epidermal tissues of a green plant; broadly:
          all tissues external to the xylem b: an outer or investing
          layer of various algae, lichens, or fungi

   cortical
          [cor.ti.cal] adj (1671) 1: of, relating to, or consisting
          of cortex 2: involving or resulting from the action or
          condition of the cerebral cortex -- cor.ti.cal.ly adv

   cortico-
          [cortico-] comb form: cortex <corticotropin>

   corticoid
          [cor.ti.coid] n (1941): corticosteroid -- corticoid adj

   corticosteroid
          [cor.ti.co.ste.roid] n (1944): any of various adrenal-cortex
          steroids (as corticosterone, cortisone, and aldosterone)
          used medically esp. as anti-inflammatory agents

   corticosterone
          [cor.ti.co.ste.rone] n (1937): a colorless crystalline
          corticosteroid that is important in protein and carbohydrate
          metabolism

   corticotropin
          [cor.ti.co.tro.pin] also cor.ti.co.tro.phin n (1946): acth;
          also: a preparation of ACTH that is used esp. in the
          treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever

   cortin
          [cor.tin] n (1928): the active principle of the adrenal cortex

   cortisol
          [cor.ti.sol] n [cortisone + [1]-ol] (1951): hydrocortisone

   cortisone
          [cor.ti.sone] n [alter. of corticosterone] (1949): a glucocorticoid
          of the adrenal cortex used esp. in the treatment of rheumatoid
          arthritis

   corundum
          [co.run.dum] n [Tamil kuruntam; akin to Skt kuruvinda ruby]
          (1804): a very hard mineral that consists of aluminum
          oxide and occurs in massive form and as variously colored
          crystals (as ruby and sapphire), that can be synthesized,
          and that is used as an abrasive

   coruscant
          [co.rus.cant] adj (15c): shining, glittering

   coruscate
          [cor.us.cate] vi -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L coruscatus, pp. of
          coruscare to flash] (1705) 1: to give off or reflect
          light in bright beams or flashes: sparkle 2: to be brilliant
          or showy in technique or style

   coruscation
          [cor.us.ca.tion] n (15c) 1: glitter, sparkle 2: a flash of
          wit

   corvee
          [cor.vee] n [ME corvee, fr. MF, fr. ML corrogata, fr. L,
          fem. of corrogatus, pp. of corrogare to collect, requisition,
          fr. com- + rogare to ask--more at right] (14c) 1: unpaid
          labor (as toward constructing roads) due from a feudal
          vassal to his lord 2: labor exacted in lieu of taxes
          by public authorities esp. for highway construction or
          repair

   corves
          [corves] pl of corf

   corvette
          [cor.vette] n [F, fr. MF, prob. fr. MD corf, a kind of ship,
          lit., basket--more at corf] (1636) 1: a warship ranking
          in the old sailing navies next below a frigate 2: a highly
          maneuverable armed escort ship that is smaller than a
          destroyer

   corvina
          [cor.vi.na] var of corbina

   corvine
          [cor.vine] adj [L corvinus, fr. corvus raven--more at raven]
          (ca. 1656): of or relating to the crows: resembling a
          crow

   Corvus
          [Cor.vus] n [L (gen. Corvi), lit., raven]: a small constellation
          adjoining Virgo on the south

   Corybant
          [Cor.y.bant] n, pl Cor.y.bants or Cor.y.ban.tes [MF Corybante,
          fr. L Corybas, fr. Gk Korybas] (14c): one of the attendants
          or priests of Cybele noted for wildly emotional processions
          and rites

   corybantic
          [cor.y.ban.tic] adj (1642): like or in the spirit of a Corybant;
          esp: wild, frenzied

   corydalis
          [co.ryd.a.lis] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk korydallis crested
          lark (Galerida cristata), fr. korydos crested lark] (1818):
          any of a large genus (Corydalis) of chiefly temperate
          herbs of the fumitory family with racemose irregular
          flowers and dissected leaves

   corymb
          [cor.ymb] n, pl corymbs [F corymbe, fr. L corymbus cluster
          of fruit or flowers, fr. Gk korymbos] (1776): a flat-topped
          inflorescence; specif: one in which the flower stalks
          arise at different levels on the main axis and reach
          about the same height and in which the outer flowers
          open first and the inflorescence is indeterminate --
          cor.ymbed adj -- cor.ym.bose adj -- cor.ym.bose.ly adv

   corynebacterium
          [co.ry.ne.bac.te.ri.um] n [NL, fr. Gk koryne club] (1909):
          any of a large genus (Corynebacterium) of usu. gram-positive
          nonmotile bacteria that occur as irregular or branching
          rods and include numerous important animal and plant
          parasites -- co.ry.ne.bac.te.ri.al adj

   coryneform
          [co.ryn.e.form] adj (1952): being or resembling corynebacteria

   coryphaeus
          [cor.y.phae.us] n, pl -phaei [L, leader, fr. Gk koryphaios,
          fr. koryphe summit] (1610) 1: the leader of a party or
          school of thought 2: the leader of a chorus

   coryphee
          [co.ry.phee] n [F, fr. L coryphaeus] (1828): a ballet dancer
          who dances in a small group instead of in the corps de
          ballet or as a soloist

   coryza
          [co.ry.za] n [LL, fr. Gk koryza nasal mucus; akin to OE hrot
          nasal mucus, Skt kardama mud] (1634): an acute inflammatory
          contagious disease involving the upper respiratory tract;
          esp: common cold -- co.ry.zal adj

   cos
          [cos] abbreviation companies, consul, consulship, cosine,
          counties  COS abbreviation cash on shipment, chief of
          staff

   cosec
          [cosec] abbreviation cosecant

   cosecant
          [co.se.cant] n [NL cosecant-, cosecans, fr. co- + secant-,
          secans secant] (ca. 1706) 1: a trigonometric function
          that for an acute angle is the ratio between the hypotenuse
          of a right triangle of which the angle is considered
          part and the leg opposite the angle 2: a trigonometric
          function csc A that is the reciprocal of the sine for
          all real numbers A for which the sine is not zero and
          that is exactly equal to the cosecant of an angle of
          measure A in radians

   coset
          [co.set] n (1910): a subset of a mathematical group that
          consists of all the products obtained by multiplying
          either on the right or the left a fixed element of the
          group by each of the elements of a given subgroup

   [1]cosh
          [cosh] n [perh. fr. Romany kash, kasht stick, piece of wood]
          (1869) chiefly Brit: a weighted weapon similar to a blackjack
          [2]cosh vt (1896) chiefly Brit: to strike or assault
          with or as if with a cosh

   cosignatory
          [co.sig.na.to.ry] n (1865): a joint signer

   cosigner
          [co.sign.er] n (ca. 1903): cosignatory; esp: a joint signer
          of a promissory note -- co-sign vb

   cosine
          [co.sine] n [NL cosinus, fr. co- + ML sinus sine] (1635)
          1: a trigonometric function that for an acute angle is
          the ratio between the leg adjacent to the angle when
          it is considered part of a right triangle and the hypotenuse
          2: a trigonometric function cos A that for all real numbers
          A is given by the sum of a series of which the first
          term is 1 and succeeding terms alternate in sign with
          the kth term consisting of a fraction whose numerator
          is A raised to the exponent 2(k - 1) and whose denominator
          is the factorial of 2(k - 1) and that is exactly equal
          to the cosine of an angle of measure A in radians

   cos lettuce
          [cos lettuce] n [Kos, Cos, Greek island] (1699): romaine

   [1]cosmetic
          [cos.met.ic] adj [Gk kosmetikos skilled in adornment, fr.
          kosmein to arrange, adorn, fr. kosmos order] (1650) 1:
          of, relating to, or making for beauty esp. of the complexion:
          beautifying <~ salves> 2: done or made for the sake of
          appearance: as a: correcting defects esp. of the face
          <~ surgery> b: decorative, ornamental c: not substantive:
          superficial <~ changes> 3: visually appealing -- cos.met.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]cosmetic n (1650): something that is cosmetic:
          as a: a cosmetic preparation for external use b pl: superficial
          features <a poem without rhetorical ~s --Guy Davenport>

   cosmetic case
          [cosmetic case] n (1948): a small piece of luggage esp. for
          cosmetics

   cosmetician
          [cos.me.ti.cian] n (1924): a person who is professionally
          trained in the use of cosmetics

   cosmeticize
          [cos.met.i.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing (1824): to make (something
          unpleasant or ugly) superficially attractive

   cosmetologist
          [cos.me.tol.o.gist] n (1926): a person who gives beauty treatments
          (as to skin and hair)--called also beautician

   cosmetology
          [cos.me.tol.o.gy] n [F cosmetologie, fr. cosmetique cosmetic
          (fr. E cosmetic) + -logie -logy] (1926): the cosmetic
          treatment of the skin, hair, and nails

   cosmic
          [cos.mic] also cos.mi.cal adj [Gk kosmikos, fr. kosmos order,
          universe] (1685) 1: of or relating to the cosmos, the
          extraterrestrial vastness, or the universe in contrast
          to the earth alone 2: characterized by greatness esp.
          in extent, intensity, or comprehensiveness <a ~ thinker>
          <~ boredom> -- cos.mi.cal.ly adv

   cosmic background radiation
          [cosmic background radiation] n (ca. 1976): background radiation

   cosmic dust
          [cosmic dust] n (1881): very fine particles of solid matter
          found in any part of the universe

   cosmic noise
          [cosmic noise] n (1947): unidentified celestial radio-frequency
          radiation; esp: such radiation originating from outside
          the Milky Way

   cosmic ray
          [cosmic ray] n (1925): a stream of atomic nuclei of extremely
          penetrating character that enter the earth's atmosphere
          from outer space at speeds approaching that of light

   cosmic string
          [cosmic string] n (1984): any of a class of hypothetical
          supermassive astronomical objects that are extremely
          thin but are millions of light years long and that are
          postulated to have formed very early in the history of
          the universe

   cosmochemistry
          [cos.mo.chem.is.try] n [Gk kosmos universe] (1940): a branch
          of chemistry that deals with the chemical composition
          of and changes in the universe -- cos.mo.chem.i.cal adj
          -- cos.mo.chem.ist n

   cosmogenic
          [cos.mo.gen.ic] adj [cosmic ray + -o- + -genic] (1962): produced
          by the action of cosmic rays <~ carbon 14>

   cosmogony
          [cos.mog.o.ny] n, pl -nies [NL cosmogonia, fr. Gk kosmogonia,
          fr. kosmos + gonos offspring; akin to Gk genos race--more
          at kin] (1766) 1: the creation or origin of the world
          or universe 2: a theory of the origin of the universe
          -- cos.mo.gon.ic or cos.mo.gon.i.cal adj -- cos.mog.o.nist
          n

   cosmography
          [cos.mog.ra.phy] n, pl -phies [ME cosmographie, fr.
          LL cosmographia, fr. Gk kosmographia, fr. kosmos + -graphia
          -graphy] (14c) 1: a general description of the world or of the
          universe 2: the science that deals with the constitution of the
          whole order of nature -- cos.mog.ra.pher n -- cos.mo.graph.ic
          or cos.mo.graph.i.cal adj

   Cosmoline
          [Cos.mo.line] trademark--used for petroleum jelly

   cosmology
          [cos.mol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [NL cosmologia, fr. Gk kosmos
          + NL -logia -logy] (ca. 1656) 1 a: a branch of metaphysics
          that deals with the nature of the universe b: a theory
          or doctrine describing the natural order of the universe
          2: a branch of astronomy that deals with the origin,
          structure, and space-time relationships of the universe;
          also: a theory dealing with these matters -- cos.mo.log.i.cal
          adj -- cos.mo.log.i.cal.ly adv -- cos.mol.o.gist n

   cosmonaut
          [cos.mo.naut] n [Russ kosmonavt, fr. Gk kosmos + Russ -navt
          (as in aeronavt aeronaut)] (1959): an astronaut of the
          Soviet or Russian space program

   cosmopolis
          [cos.mop.o.lis] n [NL, back-formation fr. cosmopolites] (1849):
          a cosmopolitan city

   [1]cosmopolitan
          [cos.mo.pol.i.tan] n (ca. 1645): cosmopolite [2]cosmopolitan
          adj (1844) 1: having worldwide rather than limited or
          provincial scope or bearing 2: having wide international
          sophistication: worldly 3: composed of persons, constituents,
          or elements from all or many parts of the world 4: found
          in most parts of the world and under varied ecological
          conditions <a ~ herb> -- cos.mo.pol.i.tan.ism n

   cosmopolite
          [cos.mop.o.lite] n [NL cosmopolites, fr. Gk kosmopolites,
          fr. kosmos + polites citizen] (ca. 1618): a cosmopolitan
          person or organism -- cos.mo.po.li.tism n

   cosmos
          [cos.mos] n [Gk kosmos] (1650) 1 a (1): an orderly harmonious
          systematic universe--compare chaos (2): order, harmony
          b: universe 1 2: a complex orderly self-inclusive system
          3 pl cosmos also cos.mos.es [NL, genus name, fr. Gk kosmos]:
          any of a genus (Cosmos) of tropical American composite
          herbs; esp: a widely cultivated tall annual (C. bipinnatus)
          with yellow or red disks and showy ray flowers

   cossack
          [cos.sack] n, often cap [Pol & Ukrainian kozak, of Turkic
          origin; akin to Volga Tatar kazak free person] (1589):
          a member of a group of frontiersmen of southern Russia
          organized as cavalry in the czarist army

   [1]cosset
          [cos.set] n [origin unknown] (1579): a pet lamb; broadly:
          pet [2]cosset vt (1659): to treat as a pet: pamper

   [1]cost
          [cost] n (13c) 1 a: the amount or equivalent paid or charged
          for something: price b: the outlay or expenditure (as
          of effort or sacrifice) made to achieve an object 2:
          loss or penalty incurred esp. in gaining something 3
          pl: expenses incurred in litigation; esp: those given
          by the law or the court to the prevailing party against
          the losing party -- cost.less adj -- cost.less.ly adv
          [2]cost vb cost ; cost.ing [ME, fr. MF coster, fr. L
          constare to stand firm, cost--more at constant] vi (14c)
          1: to require expenditure or payment <the best goods
          ~ more> 2: to require effort, suffering, or loss ~ vt
          1: to have a price of 2: to cause to pay, suffer, or
          lose something <frequent absences ~ him his job> 3 past
          cost.ed : to estimate or set the cost of--often used
          with out

   costa
          [cos.ta] n, pl cos.tae [L--more at coast] (ca. 1864) 1: [1]rib
          1a 2: a part (as the midrib of a leaf or the anterior
          vein of an insect wing) that resembles a rib -- cos.tal
          adj

   cost accountant
          [cost accountant] n (1918): a specialist in cost accounting

   cost accounting
          [cost accounting] n (1913): the systematic recording and
          analysis of the costs of material, labor, and overhead
          incident to production

   costard
          [cos.tard] n [ME] (13c) 1: any of several large English cooking
          apples 2 archaic: noddle, pate

   cost-benefit
          [cost-ben.e.fit] adj (1928): of, relating to, or being economic
          analysis that assigns a numerical value to the cost-effectiveness
          of an operation, procedure, or program

   cost-effective
          [cost-ef.fec.tive] adj (1967): economical in terms of tangible
          benefits produced by money spent <~ measures to combat
          poverty> -- cost-ef.fec.tive.ness n

   cost-efficient
          [cost-ef.fi.cient] adj (1979): cost-effective

   coster
          [cos.ter] n (1851) Brit: costermonger

   costermonger
          [cos.ter.mon.ger] n [costard + monger] (1514) Brit: a hawker
          of fruit or vegetables

   costive
          [cos.tive] adj [ME, fr. MF costive, pp. of costiver to constipate,
          fr. L constipare] (14c) 1 a: affected with constipation b: causing
          constipation 2: slow in action or expression 3: niggardly, stingy
          -- cos.tive.ly adv -- cos.tive.ness n

   costly
          [cost.ly] adj cost.li.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: commanding a high
          price esp. because of intrinsic worth <~ gems> b: rich,
          splendid 2: made or done at heavy expense or sacrifice
          <a ~ mistake> -- cost.li.ness n

   costmary
          [cost.mary] n, pl -mar.ies [ME costmarie, fr. coste costmary
          (fr. OE cost, fr. L costum, fr. Gk kostos, a fragrant
          root) + Marie the Virgin Mary] (14c): an aromatic composite
          herb (Chrysanthemum balsamita) used as a potherb and
          in flavoring

   cost of living
          [cost of living] (1896): the cost of purchasing those goods
          and services which are included in an accepted standard
          level of consumption

   cost-of-living index
          [cost-of-living index] n (1913): consumer price index

   cost-plus
          [cost-plus] adj (1918) 1: paid on the basis of a fixed fee
          or a percentage added to actual cost <a ~ contract> 2:
          of or relating to a cost-plus contract

   cost-push
          [cost-push] n (1951): an increase or upward trend in production
          costs (as wages) that tends to result in increased consumer
          prices irrespective of the level of demand--compare demand-pull
          -- cost-push adj

   costrel
          [cos.trel] n [ME, fr. MF costerel, fr. costier at the side,
          fr. coste rib, side--more at coast] (14c): a flat usu.
          earthenware container for liquids with loops through
          which a belt or cord may be passed for easy carrying--called
          also pilgrim bottle

   [1]costume
          [cos.tume] n [F, fr. It, custom, dress, fr. L consuetudin-,
          consuetudo custom--more at custom] (1715) 1: the prevailing
          fashion in coiffure, jewelry, and apparel of a period,
          country, or class 2: an outfit worn to create the appearance
          characteristic of a particular period, person, place,
          or thing <Halloween ~s> 3: a person's ensemble of outer
          garments; esp: a woman's ensemble of dress with coat
          or jacket -- cos.tum.ey adj [2]cos.tume vt cos.tumed
          ; cos.tum.ing (1823) 1: to provide with a costume 2:
          to design costumes for <~ a play> [3]costume adj (1884)
          1: characterized by the use of costumes <a ~ ball> <a
          ~ drama> 2: suitable for or enhancing the effect of a
          particular costume <a ~ handbag>

   costume jewelry
          [costume jewelry] n (1933): jewelry designed for wear with
          current fashions and usu. made of inexpensive materials

   costumer
          [cos.tum.er] n (ca. 1859) 1: one that deals in or makes costumes
          2: an upright stand with hooks or pegs on which to hang
          clothes

   costumery
          [cos.tum.ery] n (1838) 1: articles of costume 2: the art
          of costuming

   costumier
          [cos.tu.mi.er] n [F] (1831) chiefly Brit: costumer 1

   cosy
          [co.sy] var of cozy

   [1]cot
          [cot] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to ON kot small hut] (bef. 12c)
          1: a small house 2: cover, sheath; esp: stall 4 [2]cot
          n [Hindi khat bedstead, fr. Skt khatva, perh. of Dravidian
          origin; akin to Tamil kattil bedstead] (1634) 1: a small
          usu. collapsible bed often of fabric stretched on a frame
          2 Brit: crib 2b

   cot
          [cot] abbreviation cotangent

   cotangent
          [co.tan.gent] n [NL cotangent-, cotangens, fr. co- + tangent-,
          tangens tangent] (1635) 1: a trigonometric function that
          for an acute angle is the ratio between the leg adjacent
          to the angle when it is considered part of a right triangle
          and the leg opposite 2: a trigonometric function cot
          A that is equal to the cosine divided by the sine for
          all real numbers A for which the sine is not equal to
          zero and is exactly equal to the cotangent of an angle
          of measure A in radians

   [1]cote
          [cote] n [ME, fr. OE] (bef. 12c) 1 dial Eng: [1]cot 1 2:
          a shed or coop for small domestic animals and esp. pigeons
          [2]cote vt [prob. fr. MF cotoyer] (1555) obs: to pass
          by

   coterie
          [co.te.rie] n [F, fr. MF, tenants, fr. OF cotier cotter,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE cot hut] (1738): an intimate
          and often exclusive group of persons with a unifying
          common interest or purpose

   coterminous
          [co.ter.mi.nous] adj [alter. of conterminous] (1799) 1: having
          the same or coincident boundaries <~ states> 2: coextensive
          in scope or duration <an experience of life ~ with the
          years of his father --Elizabeth Hardwick> -- co.ter.mi.nous.ly
          adv

   cothurnus
          [co.thur.nus] n, pl -ni [L, fr. Gk kothornos] (1606) 1: a
          high thick-soled laced boot worn by actors in Greek and
          Roman tragic drama--called also cothurn 2: the dignified
          somewhat stilted style of ancient tragedy

   cotidal
          [co.tid.al] adj (1833): indicating equality in the tides
          or a coincidence in the time of high or low tide

   cotillion
          [co.til.lion] also co.til.lon n [F cotillon, lit., petticoat,
          fr. OF, fr. cote coat] (1766) 1: a ballroom dance for
          couples that resembles the quadrille 2: an elaborate
          dance with frequent changing of partners carried out
          under the leadership of one couple at formal balls 3:
          a formal ball

   cotoneaster
          [co.to.ne.as.ter] n [NL, genus name, fr. L cotoneum quince
          + NL -aster] (1796): any of a genus (Cotoneaster) of
          Old World flowering shrubs of the rose family

   cotquean
          [cot.quean] n [[1]cot + quean] (1547) 1 archaic: a coarse
          masculine woman 2 archaic: a man who busies himself with
          women's work or affairs

   Cotswold
          [Cots.wold] n [Cotswold Hills, England] (ca. 1658): any of
          an English breed of large long-wooled sheep

   cotta
          [cot.ta] n [ML, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG kozza coarse
          mantle--more at coat] (1848): a waist-length surplice

   cottage
          [cot.tage] n [ME cotage, fr. (assumed) AF, fr. ME cot--more
          at cot] (14c) 1: the dwelling of a farm laborer or small
          farmer 2: a usu. small frame one-family house 3: a small
          detached dwelling unit at an institution 4: a usu. small
          house for vacation use -- cot.tag.ey adj

   cottage cheese
          [cottage cheese] n (1848): a bland soft white cheese made
          from the curds of skim milk--called also Dutch cheese,
          pot cheese, smearcase

   cottage curtains
          [cottage curtains] n pl (1943): a double set of upper and
          lower straight-hanging window curtains

   cottage industry
          [cottage industry] n (1921) 1: an industry whose labor force
          consists of family units or individuals working at home
          with their own equipment 2: a small and often informally
          organized industry

   cottage pie
          [cottage pie] n (1791): a shepherd's pie made esp. with beef

   cottage pudding
          [cottage pudding] n (ca. 1854): plain cake covered with a
          hot sweet sauce

   cottager
          [cot.tag.er] n (1550): a person who lives in a cottage

   cottage tulip
          [cottage tulip] n (1928): any of various tall late-flowering
          tulips

   cottar
          [cot.tar] or cot.ter n [ME cottar, fr. ML cotarius, fr. ME
          cot] (14c): a peasant or farm laborer who occupies a
          cottage and sometimes a small holding of land usu. in
          return for services

   cotter
          [cot.ter] n [origin unknown] (14c) 1: a wedge-shaped or tapered
          piece used to fasten together parts of a structure 2:
          cotter pin -- cot.tered adj -- cot.ter.less adj

   cotter pin
          [cotter pin] n (1881): a half-round metal strip bent into
          a pin whose ends can be flared after insertion through
          a slot or hole

   [1]cotton
          [cot.ton] n, often attrib [ME coton, fr. MF, fr. Ar qutun]
          (14c) 1 a: a soft usu. white fibrous substance composed
          of the hairs surrounding the seeds of various erect freely
          branching tropical plants (genus Gossypium) of the mallow
          family b: a plant producing cotton; esp: one grown for
          its cotton c: a crop of cotton 2 a: fabric made of cotton
          b: yarn spun from cotton 3: a downy cottony substance
          produced by various plants (as the cottonwood) [2]cotton
          vi cot.toned ; cot.ton.ing (1605) 1: to take a liking--used
          with to <~s to people easily> 2: to come to understand--used
          with to or on to <~ed on to the fact that our children
          work furiously --H. M. McLuhan>

   cotton candy
          [cotton candy] n (1926) 1: a candy made of spun sugar 2:
          something attractive but insubstantial

   cotton gin
          [cotton gin] n (1796): a machine that separates the seeds,
          hulls, and foreign material from cotton

   cotton grass
          [cotton grass] n (1597): any of a genus (Eriophorum) of sedges
          with tufted spikes

   cottonmouth
          [cot.ton.mouth] n [fr. the white interior of its mouth] (1832):
          water moccasin

   cottonmouth moccasin
          [cottonmouth moccasin] n (1879): water moccasin

   cotton-picking
          [cot.ton-pick.ing] adj (ca. 1952) 1: damned--used as a generalized
          expression of disapproval <a ~ hypocrite> 2: damned--used
          as an intensive <out of his ~ mind --Irving Kristol>

   cottonseed
          [cot.ton.seed] n (1774): the seed of the cotton plant

   cottonseed oil
          [cottonseed oil] n (1833): a pale yellow semidrying fatty
          oil that is obtained from the cottonseed and is used
          chiefly in salad and cooking oils and after hydrogenation
          in shortenings and margarine

   cotton stainer
          [cotton stainer] n (1856): any of several bugs (genus Dysdercus)
          that damage and stain the lint of developing cotton;
          esp: a red and brown bug (D. suturellus) that attacks
          cotton in the southern U.S.

   cottontail
          [cot.ton.tail] n (1869): any of several rather small No.
          American rabbits (genus Sylvilagus) sandy to grayish
          brown in color with a white-tufted underside of the tail

   cottonweed
          [cot.ton.weed] n (1562): any of various weedy plants (as
          cudweed) with hoary pubescence or cottony seeds

   cottonwood
          [cot.ton.wood] n (1802): any of several poplars having seeds
          with cottony hairs; esp: one (Populus deltoides) of the
          eastern and central U.S. often cultivated for its rapid
          growth and luxuriant foliage

   cotton wool
          [cotton wool] n (14c): raw cotton; esp: cotton batting

   cottony
          [cot.tony] adj (1578): resembling cotton in appearance or
          character: as a: covered with hairs or pubescence b:
          soft

   cottony-cushion scale
          [cot.tony-cush.ion scale] n (1886): a scale insect (Icerya
          purchasi) introduced into the U.S. from Australia that
          infests citrus and other plants

   -cotyl
          [-cotyl] n comb form [cotyledon]: cotyledon <hypocotyl>

   cotyledon
          [cot.y.le.don] n [NL, fr. Gk kotyledon cup-shaped hollow,
          fr. kotyle cup, anything hollow] (1540) 1: a lobule of
          the mammalian placenta 2: the first leaf or one of the
          first pair or whorl of leaves developed by the embryo
          of a seed plant or of some lower plants (as ferns)--see
          plumule illustration -- cot.y.le.don.ary adj

   cotylosaur
          [co.ty.lo.saur] n [ultim. fr. Gk kotyle + sauros lizard]
          (ca. 1909): any of an order (Cotylosauria) of extinct
          primitive reptiles with short legs and massive bodies
          that were prob. the earliest truly terrestrial vertebrate
          animals

   [1]couch
          [couch] vb [ME, fr. MF coucher, fr. L collocare to set in
          place--more at collocate] vt (14c) 1: to lay (oneself)
          down for rest or sleep 2: to embroider (a design) by
          laying down a thread and fastening it with small stitches
          at regular intervals 3: to place or hold level and pointed
          forward ready for use 4: to phrase or express in a specified
          manner <the memorandum was ~ed in strong language --W.
          L. Shirer> 5: to treat (a cataract) by displacing the
          lens of the eye into the vitreous humor ~ vi 1: to lie
          down or recline for sleep or rest 2: to lie in ambush
          [2]couch n [ME couche bed, fr. MF, fr. coucher] (14c)
          1 a: an article of furniture (as a bed or sofa) for sitting
          or reclining b: a couch on which a patient reclines when
          undergoing psychoanalysis 2: the den of an animal (as
          an otter) -- on the couch : receiving psychiatric treatment

   couchant
          [couch.ant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. prp. of coucher] (15c):
          lying down esp. with the head up <a heraldic lion ~>

   couch grass
          [couch grass] n [alter. of quitch] (1578) 1: quack grass
          2: any of several grasses that resemble quack grass in
          spreading by creeping rhizomes

   couch potato
          [couch potato] n (1982): a lazy and inactive person; esp:
          one who spends a great deal of time watching television

   coude
          [cou.de] adj [F coude bent like an elbow, fr. coude elbow,
          fr. L cubitum] (ca. 1889): of, relating to, or being
          a telescope constructed so that the light is reflected
          along the polar axis to come to a focus at a point where
          the holder for a photographic plate or a spectrograph
          may be mounted

   cougar
          [cou.gar] n, pl cougars also cougar [F couguar, modif. of
          NL cuguacuarana, fr. Tupi siwasuarana, fr. siwasu deer
          + -rana resembling] (1774): a large powerful tawny brown
          cat (Felis concolor) formerly widespread in the Americas
          but now reduced in number or extinct in many areas--called
          also catamount, mountain lion, panther, puma

   [1]cough
          [cough] vb [ME, fr. (assumed) OE cohhian; akin to MHG kuchen
          to breathe heavily] vi (14c) 1: to expel air from the
          lungs suddenly with an explosive noise 2: to make a noise
          like that of coughing ~ vt: to expel by coughing--often
          used with up <~ up mucus> [2]cough n (14c) 1: a condition
          marked by repeated or frequent coughing 2: an act or
          sound of coughing

   cough drop
          [cough drop] n (1831): a lozenge or troche used to relieve
          coughing

   cough syrup
          [cough syrup] n (1877): any of various sweet usu. medicated
          liquids used to relieve coughing

   cough up
          [cough up] vt (1894): hand over, deliver <cough up the money>

   could
          [could] [ME couthe, coude, fr. OE cuthe; akin to OHG konda
          could] past of can--used in auxiliary function in the
          past <we found we ~ go>, in the past conditional <we
          said we would go if we ~>, and as an alternative to can
          suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form
          in the present <~ you do this for me> <if you ~ come
          we would be pleased>

   couldest
          [could.est] archaic past 2d sing of can

   couldn't
          [couldn't] (1646): could not

   couldst
          [couldst] archaic past 2d sing of can

   coulee
          [cou.lee] n [CanF coulee, fr. F, flowing, flow of lava, fr.
          couler to flow, fr. OF, fr. L colare to strain, fr. colum
          sieve] (1807) 1 a: a small stream b: a dry streambed
          c: a usu. small or shallow ravine: gully 2: a thick sheet
          or stream of lava

   coulisse
          [cou.lisse] n [F, fr. OF coulice portcullis, fr. fem. of
          coleiz flowing, sliding, fr. couler] (1819) 1 a: a side
          scene of a stage; also: the space between the side scenes
          b: a backstage area c: hallway 2: a piece of timber having
          a groove in which something glides

   couloir
          [cou.loir] n [F, lit., passage, fr. couler] (1822): a mountainside
          gorge esp. in the Swiss Alps

   [1]coulomb
          [cou.lomb] n [Charles A. de Coulomb] (1881): the practical
          meter-kilogram-second unit of electric charge equal to
          the quantity of electricity transferred by a current
          of one ampere in one second [2]coulomb or cou.lom.bic
          adj (1930): of, relating to, or being the electrostatic
          force of attraction or repulsion between charged particles

   Coulomb's law
          [Cou.lomb's law] n (1854): a statement in physics: the force
          of attraction or repulsion acting along a straight line
          between two electric charges is directly proportional
          to the product of the charges and inversely to the square
          of the distance between them

   coulometer
          [cou.lo.me.ter] n [alter. of coulombmeter, fr. coulomb +
          -meter] (ca. 1889): an instrument of chemical analysis
          that determines the amount of a substance released in
          electrolysis by measurement of the quantity of electricity
          used -- cou.lo.met.ric adj -- cou.lo.met.ri.cal.ly adv
          -- cou.lom.e.try n

   coulter
          [coul.ter] n [ME colter, fr. OE culter & OF coltre, both
          fr. L culter plowshare; akin to Gk skallein to hoe--more
          at shell] (bef. 12c): a cutting tool (as a knife or sharp
          disc) that is attached to the beam of a plow, makes a
          vertical cut in the surface, and permits clean separation
          and effective covering of the soil and materials being
          turned under

   coumarin
          [cou.ma.rin] n [F coumarine, fr. coumarou tonka bean tree,
          fr. Sp or Pg; Sp cumaru, fr. Pg, fr. Tupi kumaru] (1830):
          a toxic white crystalline lactone with an odor of new-mown
          hay found in plants or made synthetically and used esp.
          in perfumery; also: a derivative of this compound

   [1]council
          [coun.cil] n [ME counceil, fr. OF concile, fr. L concilium,
          fr. com- + calare to call--more at low] (12c) 1: an assembly
          or meeting for consultation, advice, or discussion 2:
          a group elected or appointed as an advisory or legislative
          body 3 a: a usu. administrative body b: an executive
          body whose members are equal in power and authority c:
          a governing body of delegates from local units of a federation
          4: deliberation in a council 5 a: a federation of or
          a central body uniting a group of organizations b: a
          local chapter of an organization c: club, society [2]council
          adj (14c) 1: used for councils esp. by or with No. American
          Indians <a ~ ground> 2 Brit: built, maintained, or operated
          by a local governing agency <~ housing> <~ flats>

   councillor
          [coun.cil.lor] or coun.cil.or n (15c): a member of a council
          -- coun.cil.lor.ship n

   councilman
          [coun.cil.man] n (1659): a member of a council (as of a town
          or city) -- coun.cil.man.ic adj

   council of ministers
          [council of ministers] often cap C&M (ca. 1909): cabinet
          3b

   councilwoman
          [coun.cil.wom.an] n (ca. 1928): a woman who is a member of
          a council

   [1]counsel
          [coun.sel] n [ME conseil, fr. OF, fr. L consilium, fr. consulere
          to consult] (13c) 1 a: advice given esp. as a result
          of consultation b: a policy or plan of action or behavior
          2: deliberation, consultation 3 a archaic: purpose b:
          guarded thoughts or intentions 4 a pl counsel (1): a
          lawyer engaged in the trial or management of a case in
          court (2): a lawyer appointed to advise and represent
          in legal matters an individual client or a corporate
          and esp. a public body b: consultant 2 [2]counsel vb
          -seled or -selled ; -sel.ing or -sel.ling vt (14c): advise
          <~ed them to avoid rash actions --George Orwell> ~ vi:
          consult <~ed with her husband>

   counselee
          [coun.sel.ee] n (1923): one who is being counseled

   counseling
          [counseling] or counselling n (1927): professional guidance
          of the individual by utilizing psychological methods
          esp. in collecting case history data, using various techniques
          of the personal interview, and testing interests and
          aptitudes

   counselor
          [coun.sel.or] or coun.sel.lor n (13c) 1: a person who gives
          advice or counseling <marriage ~> 2: lawyer; specif:
          one that gives advice in law and manages cases for clients
          in court 3: one who has supervisory duties at a summer
          camp -- coun.sel.or.ship n

   counselor-at-law
          [counselor-at-law] n, pl counselors-at-law (1617): counselor
          2

   [1]count
          [count] vb [ME, fr. MF conter, compter, fr. L computare,
          fr. com- + putare to consider] vt (14c) 1 a: to indicate
          or name by units or groups so as to find the total number
          of units involved: number b: to name the numbers in order
          up to and including <~ ten> c: to include in a tallying
          and reckoning <about 100 present, ~ing children> d: to
          call aloud (beats or time units) <~ cadence> <~ eighth
          notes> 2 a: consider, account <~ oneself lucky> b: to
          record as of an opinion or persuasion <~ me as uncommitted>
          3: to include or exclude by or as if by counting <~ me
          in> ~ vi 1 a: to recite or indicate the numbers in order
          by units or groups <~ by fives> b: to count the units
          in a group 2: to rely or depend on someone or something
          <~ed on his parents to help with the expenses> 3: add,
          total <it ~s up to a sizable amount> 4: to have value
          or significance <these are the people who really ~> --
          count heads or count noses : to count the number present
          -- count on : to look forward to as certain: anticipate
          <counted on winning> [2]count n (14c) 1 a: the action
          or process of counting b: a total obtained by counting:
          tally 2 archaic a: reckoning, account b: consideration,
          estimation 3 a: allegation, charge; specif: one separately
          stating the cause of action or prosecution in a legal
          declaration or indictment <guilty on all ~s> b: a specific
          point under consideration: issue 4: the total number
          of individual things in a given unit or sample obtained
          by counting all or a subsample of them <bacteria ~> 5
          a: the calling off of the seconds from one to ten when
          a boxer has been knocked down b: the number of balls
          and strikes charged to a baseball batter during one turn
          <the ~ stood at 3 and 2> c: score <tied the ~ with a
          minute to play> 6: a measurement of the thickness or
          fineness of yarn by determining the number of hanks or
          yards per pound it produces [3]count n [ME, fr. MF comte,
          fr. LL comit-, comes, fr. L, companion, one of the imperial
          court, fr. com- + ire to go--more at issue] (15c): a
          European nobleman whose rank corresponds to that of a
          British earl

   countable
          [count.able] adj (1581): capable of being counted; esp: denumerable
          <a ~ set> -- count.abil.i.ty n -- count.ably adv

   countdown
          [count.down] n (ca. 1952): an audible backward counting in
          fixed units (as seconds) from an arbitrary starting number
          to mark the time remaining before an event; also: preparations
          carried on during such a count -- count down vi

   [1]countenance
          [coun.te.nance] n [ME contenance, fr. MF, fr. ML continentia,
          fr. L, restraint, fr. continent-, continens, prp. of
          continere to hold together--more at contain] (13c) 1
          obs: bearing, demeanor 2 a: calm expression b: mental
          composure c: look, expression 3 archaic a: aspect, semblance
          b: pretense 4: face, visage; esp: the face as an indication
          of mood, emotion, or character 5: bearing or expression
          that offers approval or sanction: moral support [2]countenance
          vt -nanced ; -nanc.ing (1568): to extend approval or
          toleration to: sanction -- coun.te.nanc.er n

   [1]counter
          [count.er] n [ME countour, fr. MF comptouer, fr. ML computatorium
          computing place, fr. L computare] (14c) 1: a piece (as
          of metal or plastic) used in reckoning or in games 2:
          something of value in bargaining: asset 3: a level surface
          (as a table, shelf or display case) over which transactions
          are conducted or food is served or on which goods are
          displayed or work is conducted <jewelry ~> <a lunch ~>
          -- over the counter 1: in or through a broker's office
          rather than through a stock exchange <stock bought over
          the counter> 2: without a prescription <drugs available
          over the counter> -- under the counter : by surreptitious
          means: in an illicit and private manner [2]count.er n
          [ME, fr. MF conteor, fr. compter to count] (14c): one
          that counts; esp: a device for indicating a number or
          amount [3]coun.ter vb coun.tered ; coun.ter.ing [ME countren,
          fr. MF contre against, opposite, fr. L contra; akin to
          L com- with, together--more at co-] vt (14c) 1 a: to
          act in opposition to: oppose b: offset, nullify <tried
          to ~ the trend toward depersonalization> 2: to adduce
          in answer <we ~ed that our warnings had been ignored>
          ~ vi: to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or
          retaliatory steps [4]coun.ter adv [ME contre, fr. MF]
          (15c) 1: in an opposite or wrong direction 2: to or toward
          a different or opposite direction, result, or effect
          <values that run ~ to those of society> [5]coun.ter n
          (15c) 1: contrary, opposite 2: the after portion of a
          boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell
          or stern overhang 3 a: the act of making an attack while
          parrying one (as in boxing or fencing); also: a blow
          thus given in boxing b: an agency or force that offsets:
          check 4: a stiffener to give permanent form to a boot
          or shoe upper around the heel 5: an area within the face
          of a letter wholly or partly enclosed by strokes 6: a
          football play in which the ballcarrier goes in a direction
          opposite to the movement of the play [6]coun.ter adj
          (1596) 1: marked by or tending toward or in an opposite
          direction or effect 2: given to or marked by opposition,
          hostility, or antipathy 3: situated or lying opposite
          <the ~ side> 4: recalling or ordering back by a superseding
          contrary order: countermanding <~ orders from the colonel>

   counter-
          [counter-] prefix [ME contre-, fr. MF, fr. contre] 1 a: contrary:
          opposite <counterclockwise> <countermarch> b: opposing:
          retaliatory <counterforce> <counteroffensive> 2: complementary:
          corresponding <counterweight> <counterpart> 3: duplicate:
          substitute <counterfoil>coun.ter.ac.cu.sa.tion
          coun.ter.ad.ap.ta.tion
          coun.ter.ad.ver.tis.ing coun.ter.agent coun.ter.ag.gres.sion
          coun.ter.ar.gue coun.ter.ar.gu.ment coun.ter.as.sault
          coun.ter.at.tack coun.ter.at.tack.er coun.ter.bid coun.ter.blast
          coun.ter.block.ade coun.ter.blow coun.ter.cam.paign coun.ter.charge
          coun.ter.com.mer.cial coun.ter.com.plaint coun.ter.con.spir.a.cy
          coun.ter.con.ven.tion coun.ter.coun.ter.mea.sure coun.ter.coup
          coun.ter.crit.i.cism coun.ter.cry coun.ter.de.mand
          coun.ter.dem.on.strate coun.ter.dem.on.stra.tion
          coun.ter.dem.on.stra.tor coun.ter.de.ploy.ment
          coun.ter.ed.u.ca.tion.al coun.ter.ef.fort coun.ter.ev.i.dence
          coun.ter.fire coun.ter.force coun.ter.gov.ern.ment
          coun.ter.hy.poth.e.sis coun.ter.im.age coun.ter.in.cen.tive
          coun.ter.in.fla.tion coun.ter.in.fla.tion.ary coun.ter.in.flu.ence
          coun.ter.in.stance coun.ter.in.sti.tu.tion
          coun.ter.in.ter.pre.ta.tion coun.ter.memo coun.ter.mo.bi.li.za.tion
          coun.ter.move coun.ter.move.ment coun.ter.myth coun.ter.or.der
          coun.ter.pe.ti.tion coun.ter.pick.et coun.ter.play coun.ter.play.er
          coun.ter.ploy coun.ter.pow.er coun.ter.pres.sure coun.ter.pro.ject
          coun.ter.pro.pa.gan.da coun.ter.pro.test coun.ter.ques.tion
          coun.ter.raid coun.ter.ral.ly coun.ter.re.ac.tion coun.ter.re.form
          coun.ter.re.form.er coun.ter.re.sponse coun.ter.re.tal.i.a.tion
          coun.ter.sci.en.tif.ic coun.ter.shot coun.ter.snip.er
          coun.ter.spell coun.ter.state coun.ter.state.ment coun.ter.step
          coun.ter.strat.e.gist coun.ter.strat.e.gy coun.ter.stream
          coun.ter.strike coun.ter.stroke coun.ter.style coun.ter.sue
          coun.ter.sug.ges.tion coun.ter.suit coun.ter.sur.veil.lance
          coun.ter.tac.tics coun.ter.ten.den.cy coun.ter.ter.ror
          coun.ter.ter.ror.ism coun.ter.ter.ror.ist coun.ter.threat
          coun.ter.thrust coun.ter.tra.di.tion coun.ter.trend
          coun.ter.vi.o.lence coun.ter.world

   counteract
          [coun.ter.act] vt (1678): to make ineffective or restrain
          or neutralize the usu. ill effects of by an opposite
          force -- coun.ter.ac.tion n -- coun.ter.ac.tive adj

   [1]counterbalance
          [coun.ter.bal.ance] n (1611) 1: a weight that balances another
          2: a force or influence that offsets or checks an opposing
          force [2]counterbalance vt (1611) 1: to oppose or balance
          with an equal weight or force 2: to equip with counterbalances

   counterchange
          [coun.ter.change] vt (ca. 1604) 1: interchange, transpose
          2: checker 1a

   counter check
          [counter check] n (1856): a check obtainable at a bank usu.
          to be cashed only at the bank by the drawer

   [1]countercheck
          [coun.ter.check] n (1559): a check or restraint often operating
          against something that is itself a check [2]countercheck
          vt (1587) 1: check, counteract 2: to check a second time
          for verification

   [1]counterclaim
          [coun.ter.claim] n (1784): an opposing claim; esp: a claim
          brought by a defendant against a plaintiff in a legal
          action [2]counterclaim vi (1881): to enter or plead a
          counterclaim ~ vt: to ask in a counterclaim

   counterclockwise
          [coun.ter.clock.wise] adv (1888): in a direction opposite
          to that in which the hands of a clock rotate as viewed
          from in front -- counterclockwise adj

   counterconditioning
          [coun.ter.con.di.tion.ing] n (1962): conditioning in order
          to replace an undesirable response (as fear) to a stimulus
          (as an engagement in public speaking) by a favorable
          one

   counterculture
          [coun.ter.cul.ture] n (1968): a culture with values and mores
          that run counter to those of established society
          -- coun.ter.cul.tur.al adj -- coun.ter.cul.tur.al.ism n
          -- coun.ter.cul.tur.ist n

   [1]countercurrent
          [coun.ter.cur.rent] n (1684): a current flowing in a direction
          opposite that of another current [2]countercurrent adj
          (1799) 1: flowing in an opposite direction 2: involving
          flow of materials in opposite directions <~ dialysis>
          -- coun.ter.cur.rent.ly adv

   countercyclical
          [coun.ter.cy.cli.cal] adj (1944): calculated to check excessive
          developments in a business cycle: compensatory <~ budget
          policies> -- coun.ter.cy.cli.cal.ly adv

   counterespionage
          [coun.ter.es.pi.o.nage] n (1899): the activity concerned
          with detecting and thwarting enemy espionage

   counterexample
          [coun.ter.ex.am.ple] n (1957): an example that disproves
          a proposition or theory

   counterfactual
          [coun.ter.fac.tu.al] adj (1946): contrary to fact <~ assumptions>

   [1]counterfeit
          [coun.ter.feit] adj [ME countrefet, fr. MF contrefait, fr.
          pp. of contrefaire to imitate, fr. contre- + faire to
          make, fr. L facere--more at do] (14c) 1: made in imitation
          of something else with intent to deceive: forged <~ money>
          2 a: insincere, feigned <~ sympathy> b: imitation <~
          Georgian houses> [2]counterfeit vt (14c): to imitate
          or feign esp. with intent to deceive; also: to make a
          fraudulent replica of <~ing $20 bills> ~ vi 1: to try
          to deceive by pretense or dissembling 2: to engage in
          counterfeiting something of value syn see assume --
          coun.ter.feit.er n [3]counterfeit n (15c) 1: something counterfeit:
          forgery 2: something likely to be mistaken for something of higher
          value <pity was a ~ of love --Harry Hervey> syn see imposture

   counterflow
          [coun.ter.flow] n (1870): the flow of a fluid in opposite
          directions (as in an apparatus)

   counterfoil
          [coun.ter.foil] n (1706): a detachable stub (as on a check
          or ticket) usu. serving as a record or receipt

   counterguerrilla
          [coun.ter.guer.ril.la] also coun.ter.gue.ril.la n (1901):
          a guerrilla who is trained to thwart enemy guerrilla
          operations

   counterinsurgency
          [coun.ter.in.sur.gen.cy] n (1962): organized military activity
          designed to combat insurgency -- coun.ter.in.sur.gent
          n

   counterintelligence
          [coun.ter.in.tel.li.gence] n (1940): organized activity of
          an intelligence service designed to block an enemy's
          sources of information, to deceive the enemy, to prevent
          sabotage, and to gather political and military information

   counterintuitive
          [coun.ter.in.tu.i.tive] adj (1955): contrary to what one
          would intuitively expect -- coun.ter.in.tu.i.tive.ly
          adv

   counterion
          [coun.ter.ion] n (1940): an ion having a charge opposite
          to that of the substance with which it is associated

   counterirritant
          [coun.ter.ir.ri.tant] n (1854) 1: an agent applied locally
          to produce superficial inflammation with the object of
          reducing inflammation in deeper adjacent structures 2:
          an irritation or discomfort that diverts attention from
          another -- counterirritant adj

   counterman
          [count.er.man] n (1853): one who tends a counter

   [1]countermand
          [coun.ter.mand] vt [ME countermaunden, fr. MF contremander,
          fr. contre- counter- + mander to command, fr. L mandare--more
          at mandate] (15c) 1: to revoke (a command) by a contrary
          order 2: to recall or order back by a superseding contrary
          order <~ reinforcements> [2]coun.ter.mand n (1548) 1:
          a contrary order 2: the revocation of an order or command

   countermarch
          [coun.ter.march] n (1598) 1: a marching back; specif: a movement
          in marching by which a unit of troops reverses direction
          while marching but keeps the same order 2: a march (as
          of political demonstrators) designed to counter the effect
          of another march -- countermarch vi

   countermeasure
          [coun.ter.mea.sure] n (1923): an action or device designed
          to negate or offset another; esp: a military system or
          device intended to thwart a sensing mechanism (as radar)
          <electronic ~s>

   countermelody
          [coun.ter.mel.o.dy] n (1926): a secondary melody that is
          sounded simultaneously with the principal one

   countermine
          [coun.ter.mine] n (1548): a tunnel for intercepting an enemy
          mine

   counteroffensive
          [coun.ter.of.fen.sive] n (1909): a large-scale military offensive
          undertaken by a force previously on the defensive

   counteroffer
          [coun.ter.of.fer] n (1788): a return offer made by one who
          has rejected an offer

   counterpane
          [coun.ter.pane] n [alter. of ME countrepointe, modif. of
          MF coute pointe, lit., embroidered quilt] (15c): bedspread

   counterpart
          [coun.ter.part] n (15c) 1: one of two corresponding copies
          of a legal instrument: duplicate 2 a: a thing that fits
          another perfectly b: something that completes: complement
          3 a: one remarkably similar to another b: one having
          the same function or characteristics as another <college
          presidents and their ~s in business>

   counterplan
          [coun.ter.plan] n (1788) 1: a plan designed to counter another
          plan 2: an alternate or substitute plan

   counterplea
          [coun.ter.plea] n (1523): a replication to a legal plea

   [1]counterplot
          [coun.ter.plot] n (ca. 1611): a plot designed to thwart an
          opponent's plot [2]counterplot vt (1662): to intrigue
          against: foil with a plot

   [1]counterpoint
          [coun.ter.point] n [MF contrepoint, fr. ML contrapunctus,
          fr. L contra- counter- + ML punctus musical note, melody,
          fr. L, act of pricking, fr. pungere to prick--more at
          pungent] (15c) 1 a: one or more independent melodies
          added above or below a given melody b: the combination
          of two or more independent melodies into a single harmonic
          texture in which each retains its linear character: polyphony
          2 a: a complementing or contrasting item: opposite b:
          use of contrast or interplay of elements in a work of
          art (as a drama) [2]counterpoint vt (1875) 1: to compose
          or arrange in counterpoint 2: to set off or emphasize
          by juxtaposition: set in contrast <~s the public and
          the private man --Tom Bishop>

   [1]counterpoise
          [coun.ter.poise] vt [ME countrepesen, fr. MF contrepeser,
          fr. contre- + peser to weigh--more at poise] (14c): counterbalance
          [2]counterpoise n (15c) 1: counterbalance 2: an equivalent power
          or force acting in opposition 3: a state of balance

   counterpose
          [coun.ter.pose] vt [counter- + -pose (as in compose)] (1594):
          to place in opposition, contrast, or equilibrium <~ a
          positive view to the negative assessment>

   counterproductive
          [coun.ter.pro.duc.tive] adj (1959): tending to hinder the
          attainment of a desired goal <violence as a means to
          achieve an end is ~ --W. E. Brock b1930>

   counterprogramming
          [coun.ter.pro.gram.ming] n (ca. 1966): the scheduling of
          programs by television networks so as to attract audiences
          away from simultaneously telecast programs of competitors

   counterproposal
          [coun.ter.pro.pos.al] n (1885): a return proposal made by
          one who has rejected a proposal

   counterpunch
          [coun.ter.punch] n (1942): a counter in boxing; also: a countering
          blow or attack -- counterpunch vi -- coun.ter.punch.er n

   counterreformation
          [coun.ter.ref.or.ma.tion] n (1840) 1 usu Counter-Reformation
          : the reform movement in the Roman Catholic Church following
          the Reformation 2: a reformation designed to counter
          the effects of a previous reformation

   counterrevolution
          [coun.ter.rev.o.lu.tion] n (1793) 1: a revolution directed
          toward overthrowing a government or social system established
          by a previous revolution 2: a movement to counteract
          revolutionary trends -- coun.ter.rev.o.lu.tion.ary adj
          or n

   countershading
          [coun.ter.shad.ing] n (1896): cryptic coloration of an animal
          with parts normally in shadow being light and parts normally
          illuminated being dark thereby reducing shadows and contours

   countersign
          [coun.ter.sign] n (1591) 1: a signature attesting the authenticity
          of a document already signed by another 2: a sign given in reply
          to another; specif: a military secret signal that must be given
          by one wishing to pass a guard -- countersign vt
          -- coun.ter.sig.na.ture n

   [1]countersink
          [coun.ter.sink] vt -sunk ; -sink.ing (1816) 1: to make a
          countersink on 2: to set the head of (as a screw) at
          or below the surface [2]countersink n (1816) 1: a bit
          or drill for making a funnel-shaped enlargement at the
          outer end of a drilled hole 2: the enlargement made by
          a countersink

   counterspy
          [coun.ter.spy] n (1939): a spy engaged in counterespionage

   counterstain
          [coun.ter.stain] vt (1895): to stain (as a microscopy specimen)
          so as to color parts (as the cytoplasm of cells) not
          colored by another stain (as a nuclear stain) -- counterstain
          n

   countertenor
          [coun.ter.ten.or] n [ME countretenour, fr. MF contreteneur,
          fr. contre- + teneur tenor] (15c): a tenor with an unusually
          high range (as an alto range)

   countertop
          [coun.ter.top] n [[1]counter + [1]top] (1897): the flat working
          surface on top of waist-level kitchen cabinets

   countertrade
          [coun.ter.trade] n (1978): a form of international trade
          in which purchases made by an importing nation are linked
          to offsetting purchases made by the exporting nation

   countertransference
          [coun.ter.trans.fer.ence] n (1920) 1: psychological transference
          esp. by a psychotherapist during the course of treatment;
          esp: the psychotherapist's reactions to the patient's
          transference 2: the complex of feelings of a psychotherapist
          toward the patient

   countervail
          [coun.ter.vail] vb [ME countrevailen, fr. MF contrevaloir,
          fr. contre- counter- + valoir to be worth, fr. L valere--more
          at wield] vt (14c) 1: to compensate for 2 archaic: equal,
          match 3: to exert force against: counteract ~ vi: to
          exert force against an opposing and often bad or harmful
          force or influence

   counterview
          [coun.ter.view] n (1590) 1 archaic: confrontation 2: an opposite
          point of view

   counterweight
          [coun.ter.weight] n (1693): an equivalent weight or force:
          counterbalance -- counterweight vt

   countess
          [count.ess] n (12c) 1: the wife or widow of an earl or count
          2: a woman who holds in her own right the rank of earl
          or count

   countian
          [coun.ti.an] n (15c): a native or resident of a usu. specified
          county

   countinghouse
          [count.ing.house] n (15c): a building, room, or office used
          for keeping books and transacting business

   counting number
          [counting number] n (ca. 1965): natural number

   counting room
          [counting room] n (1712): countinghouse

   countless
          [count.less] adj (1588): too numerous to be counted: myriad,
          many -- count.less.ly adv

   count noun
          [count noun] n (1952): a noun (as bean or sheet) that forms
          a plural and is used with a numeral, with words such
          as many or few, or with the indefinite article a or an--compare
          mass noun

   count palatine
          [count palatine] n (1539) 1 a: a count of the Holy Roman
          Empire having imperial powers in his own domain b: a
          high judicial official in the Holy Roman Empire 2: the
          proprietor of a county palatine in England or Ireland

   countrified
          [coun.tri.fied] also coun.try.fied adj [country + -fied (as
          in glorified)] (1653) 1: rural, rustic 2: unsophisticated
          3: played or sung in the manner of country music <~ rock>

   [1]country
          [coun.try] n, pl countries [ME contree, fr. OF contree, fr.
          ML contrata, fr. L contra against, on the opposite side]
          (13c) 1: an indefinite usu. extended expanse of land:
          region 2 a: the land of a person's birth, residence,
          or citizenship b: a political state or nation or its
          territory 3 a: the people of a state or district: populace
          b: jury c: electorate 2 4: rural as distinguished from
          urban areas 5: country music -- coun.try.ish adj [2]country
          adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic of the
          country 2 a: of or relating to a decorative style associated
          with life in the country <an English ~ look>; also: possessing
          a style of rustic simplicity <~ furniture> b: prepared
          or processed with farm supplies and procedures <~ ham>
          3: of, relating to, suitable for, or featuring country
          music <~ singers>

   country and western
          [country and western] n (1960): country music--usu. hyphenated
          in attributive use

   country club
          [country club] n (1867): a suburban club for social life
          and recreation; esp: one having a golf course--usu. hyphenated
          in attributive use

   country-dance
          [coun.try-dance] n (1579): any of various native English
          dances in which partners face each other esp. in rows

   country gentleman
          [country gentleman] n (1632) 1: a well-to-do country resident:
          an owner of a country estate 2: one of the English landed
          gentry

   country house
          [country house] n (14c): a house and esp. a mansion in the
          country

   countryman
          [coun.try.man] n (14c) 1: an inhabitant or native of a specified
          country 2: compatriot 3: one living in the country or
          marked by country ways: rustic

   country mile
          [country mile] n (1950): a long distance

   country music
          [country music] n (1952): music derived from or imitating
          the folk style of the Southern U.S. or of the Western
          cowboy

   country rock
          [country rock] n (1968): rockabilly

   countryseat
          [coun.try.seat] n (1583): a house or estate in the country

   countryside
          [coun.try.side] n (1727) 1: a rural area 2: the inhabitants
          of a countryside

   countrywide
          [coun.try.wide] adj (1915): extending throughout a country

   countrywoman
          [coun.try.wom.an] n (15c) 1: a woman compatriot 2: a woman
          resident of the country

   [1]county
          [coun.ty] n, pl counties [ME counte, fr. MF conte, fr. ML
          comitatus, fr. LL, office of a count, fr. comit-, comes
          count--more at count] (14c) 1: the domain of a count
          2 a: one of the territorial divisions of England and
          Wales and formerly also of Scotland and Northern Ireland
          constituting the chief units for administrative, judicial,
          and political purposes b (1): the people of a county
          (2) Brit: the gentry of a county 3: the largest territorial
          division for local government within a state of the U.S.
          4: the largest local administrative unit in various countries
          -- county adj [2]county n, pl counties [modif. of MF
          comte] (1550) archaic: [3]count

   county agent
          [county agent] n (1705): a consultant employed jointly by
          federal and state governments to provide information
          about agriculture and home economics

   county court
          [county court] n (1639): a court in some states that has
          a designated jurisdiction usu. both civil and criminal
          within the limits of a county

   county fair
          [county fair] n (1856): a fair usu. held annually at a set
          location in a county esp. to exhibit local agricultural
          products and livestock

   county palatine
          [county palatine] n (15c): the territory of a count palatine

   county seat
          [county seat] n (1803): a town that is the seat of county
          administration

   county town
          [county town] n (1670) chiefly Brit: county seat

   [1]coup
          [coup] vb [ME, to strike, fr. MF couper--more at cope] (ca.
          1572) chiefly Scot: overturn, upset [2]coup n, pl coups
          [F, blow, stroke--more at cope] (1791) 1: a brilliant,
          sudden, and usu. highly successful stroke or act 2: coup
          d'etat

   coup de grace
          [coup de grace] n, pl coups de grace [F coup de grace, lit.,
          stroke of mercy] (1699) 1: a death blow or shot administered
          to end the suffering of one mortally wounded 2: a decisive
          finishing blow, act, or event

   coup de main
          [coup de main] n, pl coups de main [F, lit., hand stroke]
          (1758): a sudden attack in force

   coup de maitre
          [coup de mai.tre] [F] foreign term : masterstroke

   coup d'essai
          [coup d'es.sai] [F] foreign term : experiment: trial

   coup d'etat
          [coup d'etat] n, pl coups d'etat [F, lit., stroke of state]
          (1646): a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics;
          esp: the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing
          government by a small group

   coup de theatre
          [coup de the.atre] n, pl coups de theatre [F coup de theatre,
          lit., stroke of theater] (1747) 1: a sudden sensational
          turn in a play; also: a sudden dramatic effect or turn
          of events 2: a theatrical success

   coup d'oeil
          [coup d'oeil] n, pl coups d'oeil [F, lit., stroke of the
          eye] (1739): a brief survey: glance

   coupe
          [cou.pe] n [F coupe, fr. pp. of couper to cut, strike] (1834)
          1: a four-wheeled closed horse-drawn carriage for two
          persons inside with an outside seat for the driver in
          front 2: a 2-door automobile often seating only two persons;
          also: one with a tight-spaced rear seat--compare sedan

   [1]couple
          [cou.ple] n [ME, pair, bond, fr. OF cople, fr. L copula bond,
          fr. co- + apere to fasten--more at apt] (13c) 1 a: a
          man and woman married, engaged, or otherwise paired b:
          two persons paired together 2: pair, brace 3: something
          that joins or links two things together: as a: two equal
          and opposite forces that act along parallel lines b:
          a pair of substances that in contact with an electrolyte
          participate in a transfer of electrons which causes an
          electric current to flow 4: an indefinite small number:
          few <a ~ of days ago> [2]cou.ple vb cou.pled ; cou.pling
          vt (13c) 1 a: to connect for consideration together b:
          to join for combined effect 2 a: to fasten together:
          link b: to bring (two electric circuits) into such close
          proximity as to permit mutual influence 3: to join in
          marriage or sexual union ~ vi 1: to unite in sexual union
          2: join 3: to unite chemically [3]couple adj (1924):
          two; also: few--used with a <a ~ drinks> usage The adjective
          use of a couple, without of, has been called nonstandard,
          but it is not. In both British and American English it
          is standard before a word (as more or less) indicating
          degree <a couple more examples of Middle Englis h writing
          --Charles Barber>. Its use before an ordinary plural
          noun is an Americanism, common in speech and in writing
          that is not meant to be formal or elevated <the first
          couple chapters are pretty good --E. B. White (letter)>
          <still operated a couple wagons for hire --Garrison Keillor>.
          It is most frequently used with periods of time <a couple
          weeks> and numbers <a couple hundred> <a couple dozen>.

   couplement
          [cou.ple.ment] n [MF, fr. coupler to join, fr. L copulare,
          fr. copula] (1548) archaic: the act or result of coupling

   coupler
          [cou.pler] n (1552) 1: one that couples 2: a contrivance
          on a keyboard instrument by which keyboards or keys are
          connected to play together

   couplet
          [cou.plet] n [MF, dim. of cople] (1580) 1: two successive
          lines of verse forming a unit marked usu. by rhythmic
          correspondence, rhyme, or the inclusion of a self-contained
          utterance: distich 2: couple 3: one of the musical episodes
          alternating with the main theme (as in a rondo)

   coupling
          [cou.pling] n (14c) 1: the act of bringing or coming together:
          pairing; specif: sexual union 2: a device that serves
          to connect the ends of adjacent parts or objects 3: the
          joining of or the part of the body that joins the hindquarters
          to the forequarters of a quadruped 4: a means of electric
          connection of two electric circuits by having a part
          common to both

   coupon
          [cou.pon] n [F, fr. OF, piece, fr. couper to cut--more at
          cope] (1822) 1: a statement of due interest to be cut
          from a bearer bond when payable and presented for payment;
          also: the interest rate of a coupon 2: a form surrendered
          in order to obtain an article, service, or accommodation:
          as a: one of a series of attached tickets or certificates
          often to be detached and presented as needed b: a ticket
          or form authorizing purchases of rationed commodities
          c: a certificate or similar evidence of a purchase redeemable
          in premiums d: a part of a printed advertisement to be
          cut off to use as an order blank or inquiry form or to
          obtain a discount on merchandise

   couponing
          [cou.pon.ing] n (1954): the distribution or redemption of
          coupons

   courage
          [cour.age] n [ME corage, fr. OF, fr. cuer heart, fr. L cor--more
          at heart] (14c): mental or moral strength to venture,
          persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty
          syn courage, mettle, spirit, resolution, tenacity mean
          mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger,
          or hardship. courage implies firmness of mind and will
          in the face of danger or extreme difficulty <the courage
          to support unpopular causes>. mettle suggests an ingrained
          capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude
          and resilience <a challenge that will test your mettle>.
          spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling
          one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed
          or threatened <her spirit was unbroken by failure>. resolution
          stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends <the
          resolution of pioneer women>. tenacity adds to resolution
          implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness
          to admit defeat <held to their beliefs with great tenacity>.

   courageous
          [cou.ra.geous] adj (14c): having or characterized by courage:
          brave -- cou.ra.geous.ly adv -- cou.ra.geous.ness n

   courante
          [cou.rante] n [MF, fr. courir to run, fr. L currere] (1586)
          1: a dance of Italian origin marked by quick running
          steps 2: music in quick triple time or in a mixture of
          3/2 and 6/4 time

   coureur de bois
          [cou.reur de bois] n, pl coureurs de bois [CanF, lit., woods
          runner] (1700): a French or metis trapper of No. America
          and esp. of Canada

   courgette
          [cour.gette] n [F, dim. of courge gourd, fr. L cucurbita]
          (1931) chiefly Brit: zucchini

   courier
          [cou.ri.er] n [MF courrier, fr. OIt corriere, fr. correre
          to run, fr. L currere] (1579) 1: messenger: as a: a member
          of a diplomatic service entrusted with bearing messages
          b (1): an espionage agent transferring secret information
          (2): a runner of contraband c: a member of the armed
          services whose duties include carrying mail, information,
          or supplies 2: a traveler's paid attendant; esp: a tourists'
          guide employed by a travel agency

   [1]course
          [course] n [ME, fr OF, fr. L cursus, fr. currere to run--more
          at car] (14c) 1: the act or action of moving in a path
          from point to point 2: the path over which something
          moves or extends: as a: racecourse b (1): the direction
          of travel of a vehicle (as a ship or airplane) usu. measured
          as a clockwise angle from north; also: the projected
          path of travel (2): a point of the compass c: watercourse
          d: golf course 3 a: accustomed procedure or normal action
          <the law taking its ~> b: a chosen manner of conducting
          oneself: way of acting <our wisest ~ is to retreat> c
          (1): progression through a development or period or a
          series of acts or events (2): life history, career 4:
          an ordered process or succession: as a: a number of lectures
          or other matter dealing with a subject; also: a series
          of such courses constituting a curriculum <a premed ~>
          b: a series of doses or medications administered over
          a designated period 5 a: a part of a meal served at one
          time b: layer; esp: a continuous level range of brick
          or masonry throughout a wall c: the lowest sail on a
          square-rigged mast -- in due course : after a normal
          passage of time: in the expected or allotted time --
          of course 1: following the ordinary way or procedure
          2: as might be expected [2]course vb coursed ; cours.ing
          vt (15c) 1: to follow close upon: pursue 2 a: to hunt
          or pursue (game) with hounds b: to cause (dogs) to run
          (as after game) 3: to run or move swiftly through or
          over: traverse <jets coursed the area daily> ~ vi: to
          run or pass rapidly along or as if along an indicated
          path <blood coursing through the veins>

   course of study
          [course of study] (1781) 1: curriculum 2: course 4a

   [1]courser
          [cours.er] n [ME, fr. MF coursier, fr. OF course course,
          run] (14c): a swift or spirited horse: charger [2]courser
          n (1600) 1: a dog for coursing 2: one that courses: huntsman
          3: any of various Old World birds (subfamily Cursoriinae
          of the family Glareolidae) noted for their speed in running

   courseware
          [course.ware] n (1972): educational software

   coursing
          [coursing] n (1538) 1: the pursuit of running game with dogs
          that follow by sight instead of by scent 2: the act of
          one that courses

   [1]court
          [court] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF, fr. L cohort-, cohors
          enclosure, group, retinue, cohort, fr. co- + -hort-,
          -hors (akin to hortus garden)--more at yard] (12c) 1
          a: the residence or establishment of a sovereign or similar
          dignitary b: a sovereign's formal assembly of councillors
          and officers c: the sovereign and officers and advisers
          who are the governing power d: the family and retinue
          of a sovereign e: a reception held by a sovereign 2 a
          (1): a manor house or large building surrounded by usu.
          enclosed grounds (2): motel b: an open space enclosed
          wholly or partly by buildings or circumscribed by a single
          building c: a quadrangular space walled or marked off
          for playing one of various games with a ball (as lawn
          tennis, handball, or basketball); also: a division of
          such a court d: a wide alley with only one opening onto
          a street 3 a: an official assembly for the transaction
          of judicial business b: a session of such a court <~
          is now adjourned> c: a place (as a chamber) for the administration
          of justice d: a judge or judges in session; also: a faculty
          or agency of judgment or evaluation <rest our case in the
          ~ of world opinion --L. H. Marks> 4 a: an assembly or board with
          legislative or administrative powers b: parliament, legislature
          5: conduct or attention intended to win favor or dispel hostility:
          homage <pay ~ to the king> [2]court vt (1571) 1 a: to seek to gain
          or achieve b (1): allure, tempt (2): to act so as to invite
          or provoke <~s disaster> 2 a: to seek the affections of; esp:
          to seek to win a pledge of marriage from b of an animal: to perform
          actions in order to attract for mating 3 a: to seek to attract (as
          by solicitous attention or offers of advantages) <college teams
          ~ing high school basketball stars> b: to seek an alliance with
          ~ vi 1: to engage in social activities leading to engagement and
          marriage 2 of an animal: to engage in activity leading to mating

   court bouillon
          [court bouil.lon] n [F court-bouillon, lit., short bouillon]
          (1723): a liquid made usu. with water, white wine, vegetables,
          and seasonings and used to poach fish

   courteous
          [cour.te.ous] adj [ME corteis, fr. OF, fr. court] (13c) 1:
          marked by polished manners, gallantry, or ceremonial
          usage of a court 2: marked by respect for and consideration
          of others syn see civil -- cour.te.ous.ly adv -- cour.te.ous.ness
          n

   courtesan
          [cour.te.san] n [MF courtisane, fr. northern It dial. form
          of It cortigiana woman courtier, fem. of cortigiano courtier,
          fr. corte court, fr. L cohort-, cohors] (1533): a prostitute
          with a courtly, wealthy, or upper-class clientele

   [1]courtesy
          [cour.te.sy] n, pl -sies [ME corteisie, fr. OF, fr. corteis]
          (13c) 1 a: courteous behavior b: a courteous act or expression
          2 a: general allowance despite facts: indulgence <hills
          called mountains by ~ only> b: consideration, cooperation,
          and generosity in providing (as a gift or privilege);
          also: agency, means--used chiefly in the phrases through
          the courtesy of or by courtesy of or sometimes simply
          courtesy of [2]courtesy adj (1613): granted, provided,
          or performed as a courtesy or by way of courtesy <made
          a ~ call on the ambassador>

   courtesy card
          [courtesy card] n (1934): a card entitling its holder to
          some special privilege

   courtesy title
          [courtesy title] n (1865) 1: a title (as "Lord" added to
          the Christian name of a peer's younger son) used in addressing
          certain lineal relatives of British peers 2: a title
          (as "Professor" for any teacher) taken by the user and
          commonly accepted without consideration of official right

   courthouse
          [court.house] n (15c) 1 a: a building in which courts of
          law are regularly held b: the principal building in which
          county offices are housed 2: county seat

   courtier
          [cour.tier] n (14c) 1: one in attendance at a royal court
          2: one who practices flattery

   [1]courtly
          [court.ly] adj court.li.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: of a quality
          befitting the court: elegant b: insincerely flattering
          2: favoring the policy or party of the court -- court.li.ness
          n [2]courtly adv (ca. 1592): in a courtly manner: politely

   courtly love
          [courtly love] n (1896): a late medieval conventionalized
          code prescribing conduct and emotions of ladies and their
          lovers

   [1]court-martial
          [court-mar.tial] n, pl courts-martial also court-martials
          (1651) 1: a court consisting of commissioned officers
          and in some instances enlisted personnel for the trial
          of members of the armed forces or others within its jurisdiction
          2: a trial by court-martial [2]court-martial vt -mar.tialed
          also -mar.tialled ; -mar.tial.ing also -mar.tial.ling
          (1859): to subject to trial by court-martial

   court of appeals
          [court of appeals] often cap C&A (1777): a court hearing
          appeals from the decisions of lower courts--called also
          court of appeal

   court of claims
          [court of claims] (1691): a court that has jurisdiction over
          claims (as against a government)

   court of common pleas
          [court of common pleas] (1687) 1: a former English superior
          court having civil jurisdiction 2: an intermediate court
          in some American states that usu. has civil and criminal
          jurisdiction

   court of domestic relations
          [court of domestic relations] (1926): a court that has jurisdiction
          and often special advisory powers over family disputes involving
          the rights and duties of husband, wife, parent, or child esp.
          in matters affecting the support, custody, and welfare of children

   court of honor
          [court of honor] (1687): a tribunal (as a military court)
          for investigating questions of personal honor

   court of inquiry
          [court of inquiry] (1757): a military court that inquires
          into and reports on some military matter (as an officer's
          questionable conduct)

   court of law
          [court of law] (14c): a court that hears cases and decides
          them on the basis of statutes or the common law

   court of record
          [court of record] (15c): a court whose acts and proceedings
          are kept on permanent record

   court of sessions
          [court of sessions] (ca. 1889): any of various state criminal
          courts of record

   Court of St James's
          [Court of St. James's] [fr. St. James's Palace, London, former
          seat of the British court] (1848): the British court

   court order
          [court order] n (1650): an order issuing from a competent
          court that requires a party to do or abstain from doing
          a specified act

   court plaster
          [court plaster] n [fr. its use for beauty spots by ladies
          at royal courts] (1772): an adhesive plaster esp. of
          silk coated with isinglass and glycerin

   court reporter
          [court reporter] n (1894): a stenographer who records and
          transcribes a verbatim report of all proceedings in a
          court of law

   courtroom
          [court.room] n (1677): a room in which a court of law is
          held

   courtship
          [court.ship] n (1596): the act, process, or period of courting

   courtside
          [court.side] n (1969): the area at the edge of a court (as
          for tennis or basketball)

   court tennis
          [court tennis] n (ca. 1890): a game played with a ball and
          racket in an enclosed court divided by a net

   courtyard
          [court.yard] n (1552): a court or enclosure adjacent to a
          building (as a house or palace)

   couscous
          [cous.cous] n [F couscous, couscoussou, fr. Ar kuskus, kuskusu]
          (1759): a No. African dish of steamed semolina usu. served
          with meat or vegetables; also: the semolina itself

   cousin
          [cous.in] n [ME cosin, fr. OF, fr. L consobrinus, fr. com-
          + sobrinus second cousin, fr. soror sister--more at sister]
          (13c) 1 a: a child of one's uncle or aunt b: a relative
          descended from one's grandparent or more remote ancestor
          by two or more steps and in a different line c: kinsman,
          relative <a distant ~> 2: one associated with or related
          to another: counterpart 3--used as a title by a sovereign
          in addressing a nobleman 4: a person of a race or people
          ethnically or culturally related <our English ~s> --
          cous.in.hood n -- cous.in.ly adj -- cous.in.ship n

   cousinage
          [cous.in.age] n (14c) 1: relationship of cousins: kinship
          2: a collection of cousins: kinfolk

   cousin-german
          [cous.in-ger.man] n, pl cous.ins-ger.man [ME cosin germain,
          fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. cosin + germain german] (14c): cousin
          1a

   Cousin Jack
          [Cousin Jack] n (1890): cornishman; esp: a Cornish miner

   coute que coute
          [coute que coute] [F] foreign term : cost what it may

   [1]couth
          [couth] adj [back-formation fr. uncouth] (1896): sophisticated,
          polished [2]couth n (1956): polish, refinement <I expected
          kindness and gentility ... but there is such a thing
          as too much ~ --S. J. Perelman>

   couthie
          [couth.ie] adj [ME couth familiar, fr. OE cuth--more at uncouth]
          (1719) chiefly Scot: pleasant, kindly

   couture
          [cou.ture] n [F, fr. OF cousture sewing, fr. (assumed) VL
          consutura, fr. L consutus, pp. of consuere to sew together,
          fr. com- + suere to sew--more at sew] (1908) 1: the business
          of designing, making, and selling fashionable custom-made
          women's clothing 2: the designers and establishments
          engaged in couture 3: the clothes created by couture

   couturier
          [cou.tu.ri.er] n [F, dressmaker, fr. OF cousturier tailor's
          assistant, fr. cousture] (1899): an establishment engaged
          in couture; also: the proprietor of or designer for such
          an establishment

   couturiere
          [cou.tu.ri.ere] n [F couturiere, fr. OF cousturiere, fem.
          of cousturier] (1818): a woman who is a couturier

   couvade
          [cou.vade] n [F, fr. MF, cowardly inactivity, fr. cover to
          sit on, brood over--more at covey] (1865): a custom in
          some cultures in which when a child is born the father
          takes to bed as if bearing the child and submits himself
          to fasting, purification, or taboos

   covalence
          [co.va.lence] n (1919): valence characterized by the sharing
          of electrons

   covalency
          [co.va.len.cy] n (1919): covalence

   covalent
          [co.va.lent] adj (ca. 1926): of, relating to, or characterized
          by covalent bonds -- co.va.lent.ly adv

   covalent bond
          [covalent bond] n (1939): a chemical bond formed between
          atoms by the sharing of electrons

   covariance
          [co.vari.ance] n (1931) 1: the expected value of the product
          of the deviations of two random variables from their
          respective means 2: the arithmetic mean of the products
          of the deviations of corresponding values of two quantitative
          variables from their respective means

   covariant
          [co.var.i.ant] adj [ISV] (1893): varying with something else
          so as to preserve certain mathematical interrelations

   covariation
          [co.vari.a.tion] n (1906): correlated variation of two or
          more variables

   [1]cove
          [cove] n [ME, den, fr. OE cofa; akin to OHG chubisi hut]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a recessed place: concavity: as a: an architectural
          member with a concave cross section b: a trough for concealed
          lighting at the upper part of a wall 2: a small sheltered
          inlet or bay 3 a: a deep recess or small valley in the
          side of a mountain b: a level area sheltered by hills
          or mountains [2]cove vt coved ; cov.ing (1756): to make
          in a hollow concave form [3]cove n [Romany kova thing,
          person] (1567) Brit: man, fellow

   covellite
          [co.vel.lite] also co.vel.line n [F covelline, fr. Niccolo
          Covelli d. 1829 Ital. chemist] (1850): a native copper
          sulfide

   coven
          [co.ven] n [ME covin band, fr. MF, fr. ML convenium agreement,
          fr. L convenire to agree--more at convenient] (ca. 1520)
          1: a collection of individuals with similar interests
          or activities <a ~ of intellectuals> 2: an assembly or
          band of usu. 13 witches

   [1]covenant
          [cov.e.nant] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. prp. of covenir to agree,
          fr. L convenire] (14c) 1: a usu. formal, solemn, and
          binding agreement: compact 2 a: a written agreement or
          promise usu. under seal between two or more parties esp.
          for the performance of some action b: the common-law
          action to recover damages for breach of such a contract
          -- cov.e.nan.tal adj [2]cov.e.nant vt (14c): to promise
          by a covenant: pledge ~ vi: to enter into a covenant:
          contract

   covenantee
          [cov.e.nan.tee] n (1649): the person to whom a promise in
          the form of a covenant is made

   covenanter
          [cov.e.nant.er] n (1638) 1 cap: a signer or adherent of the
          Scottish National Covenant of 1638 2: one that makes
          a covenant

   covenantor
          [cov.e.nan.tor] n (1649): a party bound by a covenant

   Coventry
          [Cov.en.try] n [Coventry, England] (1765): a state of ostracism
          or exclusion <sent to ~>

   [1]cover
          [cov.er] vb cov.ered ; cov.er.ing [ME, fr. OF covrir, fr.
          L cooperire, fr. co- + operire to close, cover] vt (13c)
          1 a: to guard from attack b (1): to have within the range
          of one's guns: command (2): to hold within range of an
          aimed firearm c (1): to afford protection or security
          to: insure (2): to afford protection against or compensation
          for d (1): to guard (an opponent) in order to obstruct
          a play (2): to be in position to receive a throw to (a
          base in baseball) e (1): to make provision for (a demand
          or charge) by means of a reserve or deposit <your balance
          is insufficient to ~ the check> (2): to maintain a check
          on esp. by patrolling (3): to protect by contrivance
          or expedient 2 a: to hide from sight or knowledge: conceal
          <~ up a scandal> b: to lie over: envelop 3: to lay or
          spread something over: overlay 4 a: to spread over b:
          to appear here and there on the surface of 5: to place
          or set a cover or covering over 6 a: to copulate with
          (a female animal) <a horse ~s a mare> b: to sit on and
          incubate (eggs) 7: to invest with a large or excessive
          amount of something <~ed herself with glory> 8: to play
          a higher-ranking card on (a previously played card) 9:
          to have sufficient scope to include or take into account:
          comprise 10: to deal with: treat 11 a: to have as one's
          territory or field of activity <one sales rep ~s the
          whole state> b: to report news about 12: to pass over:
          traverse 13: to place one's stake in equal jeopardy with
          in a bet 14: to buy securities or commodities for delivery
          against (an earlier short sale) 15: to record a cover
          of (a song) ~ vi 1: to conceal something illicit, blameworthy,
          or embarrassing from notice--usu. used with up 2: to
          act as a substitute or replacement during an absence
          -- cov.er.able adj -- co.ver.er n -- cover one's tracks
          : to conceal traces in order to elude pursuers -- cover
          the ground or cover ground : to deal with a subject or
          assignment in a particular manner <the new book covers
          a lot of ground> [2]cover n, often attrib (14c) 1: something
          that protects, shelters, or guards: as a: natural shelter
          for an animal; also: the factors that provide such shelter
          b (1): a position or situation affording protection from
          enemy fire (2): the protection offered by airplanes in
          tactical support of a military operation c Brit: coverage
          1a, b, 2a 2: something that is placed over or about another
          thing: a: lid, top b: a binding or case for a book or
          the analogous part of a magazine; also: the front or
          back of such a binding c: an overlay or outer layer esp.
          for protection <a mattress ~> d: a tablecloth and the
          other table accessories e: cover charge f: roof g: a
          cloth used on a bed h: something (as vegetation or snow)
          that covers the ground i: the extent to which clouds
          obscure the sky 3 a: something that conceals or obscures
          <under ~ of darkness> b : a masking device: pretext <the
          project was a ~ for intelligence operations> 4: an envelope
          or wrapper for mail 5: one who substitutes for another
          during an absence 6: a recording of a song previously
          recorded usu. by another performer -- cov.er.less adj
          -- under cover 1: in an envelope or wrapper 2: under
          concealment: in secret

   coverage
          [cov.er.age] n (1912) 1: something that covers: as a: inclusion
          within the scope of an insurance policy or protective
          plan: insurance b: the amount available to meet liabilities
          c: inclusion within the scope of discussion or reporting
          <the news ~ of the trial> 2: the total group covered:
          scope: as a: all the risks covered by the terms of an
          insurance contract b: the number or percentage of persons
          reached by a communications medium 3: the act or fact
          of covering

   cover-all
          [cov.er-all] adj (1895): comprehensive <~ provisions>

   coverall
          [cov.er.all] n (1824): a one-piece outer garment worn to
          protect other garments--usu. used in pl. -- cov.er.alled
          adj

   cover charge
          [cover charge] n (1921): a charge made by a restaurant or
          nightclub in addition to the charge for food and drink

   cover crop
          [cover crop] n (1899): a crop planted to prevent soil erosion
          and to provide humus

   covered bridge
          [covered bridge] n (1809): a bridge that has its roadway
          protected by a roof and enclosing sides

   covered smut
          [covered smut] n (1900): a smut disease of grains in which
          the spore masses are held together by the persistent
          grain membrane and glumes

   covered wagon
          [covered wagon] n (1745): a wagon with a canvas top supported
          by bowed strips of wood or metal

   cover girl
          [cover girl] n (1915): an attractive young woman whose picture
          appears on a magazine cover

   cover glass
          [cover glass] n (1881): a piece of very thin glass used to
          cover material on a glass microscope slide

   [1]covering
          [cov.er.ing] n (14c): something that covers or conceals [2]covering
          adj (1887): containing explanation of or additional information
          about an accompanying communication <a ~ letter>

   coverlet
          [cov.er.let] n [ME, alter. of coverlite, fr. AF coverelyth,
          fr. OF covrir + lit bed, fr. L lectus--more at lie] (14c):
          bedspread

   coverslip
          [cov.er.slip] n (1875): cover glass

   cover story
          [cover story] n (1948): a story accompanying a magazine-cover
          illustration

   [1]covert
          [co.vert] adj [ME, fr. MF, pp. of covrir to cover] (14c)
          1: not openly shown, engaged in, or avowed: veiled <a
          ~ alliance> 2: covered over: sheltered syn see secret
          -- co.vert.ly adv -- co.vert.ness n [2]co.vert n (14c)
          1 a: hiding place: shelter b: a thicket affording cover
          for game c: a masking or concealing device 2: a feather
          covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail
          of a bird--see bird illustration 3: a firm durable twilled
          sometimes waterproofed cloth usu. of mixed-color yarns

   coverture
          [cov.er.ture] n (13c) 1 a: covering b: shelter 2: the status
          a woman acquires upon marriage under common law

   cover-up
          [cov.er-up] n (1927) 1: a device or stratagem for masking
          or concealing <his garrulousness is a ~ for insecurity>;
          also: a usu. concerted effort to keep an illegal or unethical
          act or situation from being made public 2: a loose outer
          garment

   covet
          [cov.et] vb [ME coveiten, fr. OF coveitier, fr. coveitie
          desire, modif. of L cupiditat-, cupiditas, fr. cupidus
          desirous, fr. cupere to desire] vt (14c) 1: to wish for
          enviously 2: to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately
          or culpably ~ vi: to feel inordinate desire for what
          belongs to another syn see desire -- cov.et.able adj
          -- cov.et.er n -- cov.et.ing.ly adv

   covetous
          [cov.et.ous] adj (13c) 1: marked by inordinate desire for
          wealth or possessions or for another's possessions 2:
          having a craving for possession <~ of power> -- cov.et.ous.ly
          adv -- cov.et.ous.ness n syn covetous, greedy, acquisitive,
          grasping, avaricious mean having or showing a strong
          desire for esp. material possessions. covetous implies
          inordinate desire often for another's possessions <covetous
          of his brother's country estate>. greedy stresses lack
          of restraint and often of discrimination in desire <greedy
          for status symbols>. acquisitive implies both eagerness
          to possess and ability to acquire and keep <an eagerly
          acquisitive mind>. grasping adds to covetous and greedy
          an implication of selfishness and often suggests unfair
          or ruthless means <a hard grasping trader who cheated
          the natives>. avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness
          esp. of money and strongly suggests stinginess <an avaricious
          miser>.

   covey
          [cov.ey] n, pl coveys [ME, fr. MF covee, fr. OF, fr. cover
          to sit on, brood over, fr. L cubare to lie] (14c) 1:
          a mature bird or pair of birds with a brood of young;
          also: a small flock 2: company, group

   [1]cow
          [cow] n [ME cou, fr. OE cu; akin to OHG kuo cow, L bos head
          of cattle, Gk bous, Skt go] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the mature
          female of cattle (genus Bos) b: the mature female of
          various usu. large animals (as an elephant, whale, or
          moose) 2: a domestic bovine animal regardless of sex
          or age -- cowy adj [2]cow vt [prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to Dan kue to subdue] (1605): to destroy the resolve
          or courage of <the party that Stalin had ~ed --World
          Press Rev.>; also: to bring to a state or an action by
          intimidation--used with into <like too many Asian armies,
          adept at ~ing a population into feeding them --Edward
          Lansdale> syn see intimidate -- cowed.ly adv

   coward
          [cow.ard] n [ME, fr. OF coart, fr. coe tail, fr. L cauda]
          (13c): one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity --
          coward adj

   cowardice
          [cow.ard.ice] n [ME cowardise, fr. MF coardise, fr. coart]
          (14c): lack of courage or resolution

   [1]cowardly
          [cow.ard.ly] adv (14c): in a cowardly manner [2]cowardly
          adj (1551): being, resembling, or befitting a coward
          <a ~ retreat> -- cow.ard.li.ness n syn cowardly, pusillanimous,
          craven, dastardly mean having or showing a lack of courage.
          cowardly implies a weak or ignoble lack of courage <a
          cowardly failure to stand up for principle>. pusillanimous
          suggests a contemptible lack of courage <the pusillanimous
          fear of a future full of possibility>. craven suggests
          extreme defeatism and complete lack of resistance <secretly
          despised her own craven yes-men>. dastardly often implies
          behavior that is both cowardly and treacherous or skulking
          or outrageous <a dastardly attack on unarmed civilians>.

   cowbane
          [cow.bane] n (1776): any of several poisonous plants (as
          a water hemlock) of the carrot family

   cowbell
          [cow.bell] n (1652): a bell hung around the neck of a cow
          to make a sound by which the cow can be located

   cowberry
          [cow.ber.ry] n (1800): mountain cranberry; also: its fruit

   cowbird
          [cow.bird] n (1810): a small No. American blackbird (Molothrus
          ater) that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds

   cowboy
          [cow.boy] n (1623) 1: one who tends cattle or horses; esp:
          a usu. mounted cattle-ranch hand 2: a rodeo performer

   cowboy boot
          [cowboy boot] n (1895): a boot made with a high arch, a high
          Cuban heel, and usu. fancy stitching

   cowboy hat
          [cowboy hat] n (1895): a wide-brimmed hat with a large soft
          crown--called also ten-gallon hat

   cowcatcher
          [cow.catch.er] n (1838): an inclined frame on the front of
          a railroad locomotive for throwing obstacles off the
          track

   cow college
          [cow college] n (ca. 1915) 1: a college that specializes
          in agriculture 2: a provincial college or university
          that lacks culture, sophistication, and tradition

   cower
          [cow.er] vi [ME couren, of Scand origin; akin to ON kura
          to cower] (14c): to shrink away or crouch esp. for shelter
          from something that menaces, domineers, or dismays syn
          see fawn

   cowfish
          [cow.fish] n (1870): any of various small bright-colored
          fishes (family Ostraciidae) with hornlike projections
          over the eyes

   cowgirl
          [cow.girl] n (1884) 1: a girl or woman who tends cattle or
          horses 2: a girl or woman who is a rodeo performer

   cowhage
          [cow.hage] also cow.age n [Hindi kavac] (1640): a tropical
          leguminous woody vine (Mucuna pruriens) with crooked
          pods covered with barbed hairs that cause severe itching;
          also: these hairs formerly used as a vermifuge

   cowhand
          [cow.hand] n (1852): cowboy 1

   cowherd
          [cow.herd] n (bef. 12c): one who tends cows

   [1]cowhide
          [cow.hide] n (14c) 1: the hide of a cow; also: leather made
          from this hide 2: a coarse whip of rawhide or braided
          leather [2]cowhide vt cow.hid.ed ; cow.hid.ing (1794):
          to flog with a cowhide whip

   cow horse
          [cow horse] n (1853): cow pony

   [1]cowl
          [cowl] n [ME cowle, fr. OE cugele, fr. LL cuculla monk's
          hood, fr. L cucullus hood] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a hood or
          long hooded cloak esp. of a monk b: a draped neckline
          on a woman's garment 2 a: a chimney covering designed
          to improve the draft b: the top portion of the front
          part of an automobile body forward of the two front doors
          to which are attached the windshield and instrument board
          c: cowling [2]cowl vt (1536): to cover with or as if
          with a cowl

   cowlick
          [cow.lick] n (1598): a lock or tuft of hair growing in a
          different direction from the rest of the hair

   cowling
          [cowl.ing] n (1917): a removable metal covering that houses
          the engine and sometimes a part of the fuselage or nacelle
          of an airplane; also: a metal cover for an engine

   cowlstaff
          [cowl.staff] n [ME cuvelstaff, fr. cuvel vessel (fr. OE cyfel,
          fr. ONF cuvele small vat) + [1]staff] (13c) archaic:
          a staff from which a vessel is suspended and carried
          between two persons

   cowman
          [cow.man] n (1677) 1: cowherd, cowboy 2: a cattle owner or
          rancher

   cow parsnip
          [cow parsnip] n (1548): a tall perennial No. American plant
          (Heracleum lanatum) of the carrot family with large compound
          leaves and broad umbels of white or purplish flowers;
          also: a related Eurasian plant (H. sphondylium) naturalized
          in the U.S.

   cowpat
          [cow.pat] n (1937): a dropping of cow dung

   cowpea
          [cow.pea] n (1776): a sprawling leguminous herb (Vigna unguiculata
          syn. V. sinensis) related to the bean and widely cultivated in the
          southern U.S. esp. for forage and green manure; also: its edible
          seed--called also black-eyed pea

   Cowper's gland
          [Cow.per's gland] n [William Cowper d. 1709 Eng. surgeon]
          (1738): either of two small glands lying on either side
          of the male urethra below the prostate gland and discharging
          a secretion into the semen--called also bulbourethral
          gland--compare bartholin's gland

   cowpoke
          [cow.poke] n (ca. 1881): cowboy 1

   cow pony
          [cow pony] n (1874): a strong and agile saddle horse trained
          for herding cattle

   cowpox
          [cow.pox] n (1798): a mild eruptive disease of the cow that
          when communicated to humans protects against smallpox

   cowpuncher
          [cow.punch.er] n (1878): cowboy 1

   cowrie
          [cow.rie] or cow.ry n, pl cowries [Hindi kauri] (1662): any
          of various marine gastropods (family Cypraeidae) that
          are widely distributed in warm seas and have glossy and
          often brightly colored shells; also: the shell of a cowrie

   cowshed
          [cow.shed] n (1835): a shed for the housing of cows

   cowslip
          [cow.slip] n [ME cowslyppe, fr. OE cuslyppe, lit., cow dung,
          fr. cu cow + slypa, slyppe paste] (bef. 12c) 1: a common
          European primrose (Primula veris) with fragrant yellow
          flowers 2: marsh marigold

   cow town
          [cow town] n (1885) 1: a town or city that serves as a market
          center or shipping point for cattle 2: a small unsophisticated
          town within a cattle-raising area

   [1]cox
          [cox] n (1869): coxswain [2]cox vb (1881): coxswain

   coxa
          [coxa] n, pl cox.ae [L, hip; akin to OHG hahsina hock, Skt
          kaksa armpit] (1826): the basal segment of a limb of
          various arthropods (as an insect) -- cox.al adj

   coxcomb
          [cox.comb] n [ME cokkes comb, lit., cock's comb] (1573) 1
          a obs: a jester's cap adorned with a strip of red b archaic:
          pate, head 2 a obs: fool b: a conceited foolish person:
          fop -- cox.comb.i.cal adj

   coxcombry
          [cox.comb.ry] n, pl -ries (1608): behavior that is characteristic
          of a coxcomb: foppery

   Coxsackie virus
          [Cox.sack.ie virus] n [Coxsackie, N.Y.] (1949): any of several
          enteroviruses associated with human diseases (as meningitis)

   [1]coxswain
          [cox.swain] n [ME cokswayne, fr. cok cockboat + swain servant]
          (15c) 1: a sailor who has charge of a ship's boat and
          its crew and who usu. steers 2: a steersman of a racing
          shell who usu. directs the rowers [2]coxswain vt (1928):
          to direct as coxswain ~ vi: to act as coxswain

   [1]coy
          [coy] adj [ME, quiet, shy, fr. MF coi calm, fr. L quietus
          quiet] (14c) 1 a: shrinking from contact or familiarity
          b: marked by cute, coquettish, or artful playfulness
          2: showing reluctance to make a definite commitment syn
          see shy -- coy.ly adv -- coy.ness n [2]coy vt (1583)
          obs: caress ~ vi, archaic: to act coyly

   coydog
          [coy.dog] n [coyote + dog] (1950): a hybrid between a coyote
          and a feral dog

   coyote
          [coy.ote] n, pl coyotes or coyote [MexSp, fr. Nahuatl coyotl]
          (1759) 1: a buff-gray to reddish gray No. American canid
          (Canis latrans) closely related to but smaller than the
          wolf 2: one who smuggles immigrants into the U.S.

   coyotillo
          [coy.o.til.lo] n [MexSp, dim. of coyote] (ca. 1892): a shrub
          (Karwinskia humboldtiana) of the buckthorn family of
          the southwestern U.S. and Mexico having poisonous berries

   coypu
          [coy.pu] n [AmerSp coipu, fr. Araucanian coipu] (1793): nutria

   coz
          [coz] n [by shortening & alter.] (1559): cousin

   cozen
          [coz.en] vt coz.ened ; coz.en.ing [perh. fr. obs. It cozzonare,
          fr. It cozzone horse trader, fr. L cocion-, cocio trader]
          (1573) 1: to deceive, win over, or induce to do something
          by artful coaxing and wheedling or shrewd trickery 2:
          to gain by cozening someone <~ed his supper out of the
          old couple> syn see cheat -- coz.en.er n

   cozenage
          [coz.en.age] n (1583) 1: the art or practice of cozening:
          fraud 2: an act or an instance of cozening

   [1]cozy
          [co.zy] adj co.zi.er ; -est [prob. of Scand origin; akin
          to Norw koselig cozy] (1709) 1: enjoying or affording
          warmth and ease: snug 2 a: marked by the intimacy of
          the family or a close group b: marked by or suggesting
          close association or connivance <a ~ agreement> 3: marked
          by a discreet and cautious attitude or procedure syn
          see comfortable -- co.zi.ly adv -- co.zi.ness n [2]cozy
          n, pl co.zies (1863): a padded covering esp. for a teapot
          to keep the contents hot [3]cozy adv (1946): in a cautious
          manner <play it ~ and wait for the other team to make
          a mistake --Bobby Dodd>

   cozy up
          [cozy up] vi (1937): to attain or try to attain familiarity,
          friendship, or intimacy: ingratiate oneself <cozying
          up to the boss>

   cp...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   cp
          [cp] abbreviation compare, coupon  CP abbreviation candlepower,
          Cape Province, center of pressure, cerebral palsy, charter
          party, chemically pure, command post, communist party,
          Congregation of the Passion, custom of port

   CPA
          [CPA] abbreviation certified public accountant

   CPB
          [CPB] abbreviation Corporation for Public Broadcasting

   CPCU
          [CPCU] abbreviation chartered property casualty underwriter

   cpd
          [cpd] abbreviation compound

   CPFF
          [CPFF] abbreviation cost plus fixed fee

   cpi
          [cpi] abbreviation characters per inch  CPI abbreviation
          consumer price index

   cpl
          [cpl] abbreviation complete, compline  Cpl abbreviation corporal

   CPM
          [CPM] abbreviation cost per thousand

   CPO
          [CPO] abbreviation chief petty officer

   CPOM
          [CPOM] abbreviation master chief petty officer

   CPOS
          [CPOS] abbreviation senior chief petty officer

   CPR
          [CPR] abbreviation cardiopulmonary resuscitation

   CPS
          [CPS] abbreviation cards per second, certified professional
          secretary, characters per second, Civilian Public Service,
          cycles per second

   CPSC
          [CPSC] abbreviation Consumer Product Safety Commission

   CPT
          [CPT] abbreviation captain

   cpu
          [cpu] abbreviation central processing unit

   cq...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   CQ
          [CQ] abbreviation call to quarters, charge of quarters, commercial
          quality

   cr...
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   cr
          [cr] abbreviation center, circular, commander, cream, creased,
          credit, creditor, creek, crescendo, cruzeiro  Cr abbreviation
          chromium  CR abbreviation carrier's risk, cathode ray,
          class rate, conditioned reflex, conditioned response,
          consciousness-raising, Costa Rica, current rate

   [1]crab
          [crab] n, often attrib [ME crabbe, fr. OE crabba; akin to
          OHG krebiz crab, OE ceorfan to carve--more at carve]
          (bef. 12c) 1: any of numerous chiefly marine broadly
          built decapod crustaceans: a: any of a group (Brachyura)
          with a short broad usu. flattened carapace, a small abdomen
          that curls forward beneath the body, short antennae,
          and the anterior pair of limbs modified as grasping pincers
          b: any of various crustaceans of a group (Anomura) resembling
          true crabs in the more or less reduced condition of the
          abdomen 2 cap: cancer 1 3 pl: infestation with crab lice
          4: the angular difference between an aircraft's course
          and the heading necessary to make that course in the
          presence of a crosswind [2]crab vb crabbed ; crab.bing
          vt (1918) 1: to cause to move sideways or in an indirect
          or diagonal manner; specif: to head (an airplane) into
          a crosswind to counteract drift 2: to subject to crabbing
          ~ vi 1 a (1): to move sideways indirectly or diagonally
          (2): to crab an airplane b: to scuttle or scurry sideways
          2: to fish for crabs -- crab.ber n [3]crab n [ME crabbe,
          perh. fr. crabbe [1]crab] (14c): crab apple [4]crab n
          (1580): an ill-tempered person: crosspatch [5]crab vb
          crabbed ; crab.bing [ME crabben, prob. back-formation
          fr. crabbed] vt (1662) 1: to make sullen: sour <old age
          has crabbed his nature> 2: to complain about peevishly
          3: spoil, ruin ~ vi: carp, grouse <always ~s about the
          weather> -- crab.ber n

   crab apple
          [crab apple] n [[3]crab] (1712): any of various wild or cultivated
          trees (genus Malus) that are cultivars or relatives of the
          cultivated apple and that produce small sour fruit; also: the fruit

   crabbed
          [crab.bed] adj [ME, partly fr. crabbe [1]crab, partly fr.
          crabbe crab apple] (14c) 1: marked by a forbidding moroseness
          2: difficult to read or understand <~ handwriting> syn
          see sullen -- crab.bed.ness n

   crabby
          [crab.by] adj crab.bi.er ; -est [[4]crab] (1776): cross,
          ill-natured

   crab cactus
          [crab cactus] n (1900): christmas cactus

   crabgrass
          [crab.grass] n (1743): a grass (esp. Digitaria sanguinalis)
          that has creeping or decumbent stems which root freely
          at the nodes and that is often a pest in turf or cultivated
          lands

   crab louse
          [crab louse] n (1547): a sucking louse (Phthirus pubis) infesting
          the pubic region of the human body

   crabmeat
          [crab.meat] n (1876): the edible part of a crab

   crabstick
          [crab.stick] n (1703) 1: a stick, cane, or cudgel of crab
          apple tree wood 2: a crabbed ill-natured person

   crabwise
          [crab.wise] adv (1898) 1: sideways 2: in a sidling or cautiously
          indirect manner

   [1]crack
          [crack] vb [ME crakken, fr. OE cracian; akin to OHG chrahhon
          to resound] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to make a very sharp explosive
          sound <the whip ~s through the air> 2: to break, split,
          or snap apart 3: fail: as a: to lose control or effectiveness
          under pressure--often used with up b: to fail in tone
          <his voice ~ed> 4: to go or travel at good speed--usu.
          used with on <the steamboat ~ed on> ~ vt 1 a: to break
          so that fissures appear on the surface <~ a mirror> b:
          to break with a sudden sharp sound <~ nuts> 2: to tell
          esp. suddenly or strikingly <~ a joke> 3: to strike with
          a sharp noise: rap <then ~s him over the head> <~ed a
          two-run homer in the fifth --N.Y. Times> 4 a (1): to
          open (as a bottle) for drinking (2): to open (a book)
          for studying b: to puzzle out and expose, solve, or reveal
          the mystery of <~ a code> c: to break into <~ a safe>
          d: to open slightly <~ the throttle> e: to break through
          (as a barrier) so as to gain acceptance or recognition
          5 a: to impair seriously or irreparably: wreck <~ a car
          up> b: to destroy the tone of (a voice) c: disorder,
          craze d: to interrupt sharply or abruptly <the criticism
          ~ed our complacency> 6: to cause to make a sharp noise
          <~s his knuckles> 7 a (1): to subject (hydrocarbons)
          to cracking (2): to produce by cracking <~ed gasoline>
          b: to break up (chemical compounds) into simpler compounds
          by means of heat [2]crack n (14c) 1 a: a loud roll or
          peal <a ~ of thunder> b: a sudden sharp noise <the ~
          of rifle fire> 2: a sharp witty remark: quip 3 a: a narrow
          break: fissure <a ~ in the ice> b: a narrow opening <leave
          the door open a ~> 4 a: a weakness or flaw caused by
          decay, age, or deficiency: unsoundness b: a broken tone
          of the voice c: crackpot 5: moment, instant <the ~ of
          dawn> 6: housebreaking, burglary 7: a sharp resounding
          blow <gave him a ~ on the head> 8: attempt, try <her
          first ~ at writing a novel> 9: highly purified cocaine
          in small chips used illicitly usu. for smoking [3]crack
          adj (1793): of superior excellence or ability <a ~ marksman>

   crackback
          [crack.back] n (1967): a blind-side block on a defensive
          back in football by a pass receiver who starts downfield
          and then cuts back to the middle of the line

   crackbrain
          [crack.brain] n (ca. 1570): an erratic person: crackpot --
          crack.brained adj

   crackdown
          [crack.down] n (1935): an act or instance of cracking down

   crack down
          [crack down] vi (1939): to take positive regulatory or disciplinary
          action

   cracked
          [cracked] adj (1503) 1 a: broken (as by a sharp blow) so
          that the surface is fissured <~ china> b: broken into
          coarse particles <~ wheat> c: marked by harshness, dissonance,
          or failure to sustain a tone <a ~ voice> 2: mentally
          disturbed: crazy

   cracker
          [crack.er] n (15c) 1 chiefly dial: a bragging liar: boaster
          2: something that makes a cracking or snapping noise:
          as a: firecracker b: the snapping end of a whiplash:
          snapper c: a paper holder for a party favor that pops
          when the ends are pulled sharply 3 pl: nutcracker 4:
          a dry thin crispy baked bread product that may be leavened
          or unleavened 5 a: a poor usu. Southern white--usu. used
          disparagingly b cap: a native or resident of Florida
          or Georgia--used as a nickname 6: the equipment in which
          cracking (as of petroleum) is carried out

   cracker-barrel
          [crack.er-bar.rel] adj [fr. the cracker barrel in country
          stores around which customers lounged for informal conversation]
          (1916): suggestive of the friendly homespun character
          of a country store <a ~ philosopher>

   Cracker Jack
          [Cracker Jack] trademark--used for a candied popcorn confection

   crackerjack
          [crack.er.jack] also crack.a.jack n [prob. alter. of [3]crack
          + jack (man)] (1895): a person or thing of marked excellence
          -- crackerjack adj

   crackers
          [crack.ers] adj [prob. cracked + -ers (as in starkers)] (1928):
          crazy

   [1]cracking
          [crack.ing] adj (1830): very impressive or effective: great
          [2]cracking adv (1903): very, extremely <a ~ good book>
          [3]cracking n (1868): a process in which relatively heavy
          hydrocarbons are broken up by heat into lighter products
          (as gasoline)

   [1]crackle
          [crack.le] vb crack.led ; crack.ling [freq. of [1]crack]
          vi (ca. 1560) 1 a: to make small sharp sudden repeated
          noises <the fire ~s on the hearth> b: to show animation:
          sparkle <the essays ~ with wit> 2: craze 3 ~ vt: to crush
          or crack with snapping noises [2]crackle n (1833) 1 a:
          the noise of repeated small cracks or reports b: sparkle,
          effervescence 2: a network of fine cracks on an otherwise
          smooth surface

   crackleware
          [crack.le.ware] n (1881): ceramic ware with a decorative
          crazed glaze

   crackling
          [crack.ling] n (1599) 1: a series of small sharp cracks or
          reports <the ~ of frozen snow as we walk> 2: the crisp
          residue left after the rendering of lard from fat or
          the frying or roasting of the skin (as of pork)--usu.
          used in pl.

   crackly
          [crack.ly] adj (1859): inclined to crackle: crisp

   cracknel
          [crack.nel] n [ME krakenelle] (14c) 1: a hard brittle biscuit
          2: crackling 2--usu. used in pl.

   crackpot
          [crack.pot] n (1883): one given to eccentric or lunatic notions
          -- crackpot adj

   cracksman
          [cracks.man] n (ca. 1812): burglar; also: safecracker

   crack up
          [crack up] vt (1829) 1: praise, tout 4 <wasn't all that it
          was cracked up to be> 2: to cause to laugh out loud <that
          joke really cracks him up> ~ vi 1: to smash up a vehicle
          (as by losing control) <cracked up on a curve> 2: to
          laugh out loud

   crack-up
          [crack-up] n (ca. 1926) 1: crash, wreck <an automobile ~>
          2 a: a mental collapse: nervous breakdown <his wife's
          death brought on his ~> b: collapse, breakdown

   -cracy
          [-cracy] n comb form [MF & LL; MF -cratie, fr. LL -cratia,
          fr. Gk -kratia, fr. kratos strength, power--more at hard]
          1: form of government; also: state having such a form
          <monocracy> 2: social or political class (as of powerful
          persons) <mobocracy> 3: theory of social organization
          <technocracy>

   [1]cradle
          [cra.dle] n [ME cradel, fr. OE cradol; perh. akin to OHG
          kratto basket, Skt grantha knot] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a bed
          or cot for a baby usu. on rockers or pivots b: a framework
          or support suggestive of a baby's cradle: as (1): a framework
          of bars and rods (2): the support for a telephone receiver
          or handset c: an implement with rods like fingers attached
          to a scythe and used formerly for harvesting grain d:
          a frame to keep the bedclothes from contact with an injured
          part of the body 2 a: the earliest period of life: infancy
          <from the ~ to the grave> b: a place of origin <the ~
          of civilization> 3: a rocking device used in panning
          for gold [2]cradle vb cra.dled ; cra.dling vt (15c) 1
          a: to place or keep in or as if in a cradle b: shelter,
          rear c: to support protectively or intimately <cradling
          the injured man's head in her arms> 2: to cut (grain)
          with a cradle scythe 3: to place, raise, support, or
          transport on a cradle ~ vi, obs: to rest in or as if
          in a cradle

   cradle cap
          [cradle cap] n (ca. 1890): a seborrheic condition in infants
          that usu. affects the scalp and is characterized by greasy
          gray or dark brown adherent scaly crusts

   cradlesong
          [cra.dle.song] n (14c): lullaby

   [1]craft
          [craft] n [ME, strength, skill, fr. OE craeft; akin to OHG
          kraft strength] (bef. 12c) 1: skill in planning, making,
          or executing: dexterity 2: an occupation or trade requiring
          manual dexterity or artistic skill <the carpenter's ~>
          <the ~ of writing plays> <~s such as pottery, carpentry,
          and sewing> 3: skill in deceiving to gain an end <used
          ~ and guile to close the deal> 4: the members of a trade
          or trade association 5 pl usu craft a: a boat esp. of
          small size b: aircraft c: spacecraft syn see art [2]craft
          vt (15c): to make or produce with care, skill, or ingenuity
          <is ~ing a new sculpture> <a carefully ~ed story>

   craftsman
          [crafts.man] n (13c) 1: a worker who practices a trade or
          handicraft 2: one who creates or performs with skill
          or dexterity esp. in the manual arts <jewelry made by
          European craftsmen> -- crafts.man.like adj -- crafts.man.ly
          adj -- crafts.man.ship n

   craftspeople
          [crafts.peo.ple] n pl (1953): workers who practice a trade
          or craft

   craftsperson
          [crafts.per.son] n (1920): a craftsman or craftswoman

   craftswoman
          [crafts.wom.an] n (1886) 1: a woman artisan 2: a woman who
          is skilled in a craft

   craft union
          [craft union] n (1922): a labor union with membership limited
          to workers of the same craft--compare industrial union

   crafty
          [crafty] adj craft.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 dial chiefly
          Brit: skillful, clever 2 a: adept in the use of subtlety
          and cunning b: marked by subtlety and guile <a ~ scheme>
          syn see sly -- craft.i.ly adv -- craft.i.ness n

   [1]crag
          [crag] n [ME, of Celt origin; akin to W craig rock] (14c)
          1: a steep rugged rock or cliff 2 archaic: a sharp detached
          fragment of rock -- crag.ged adj [2]crag n [ME, fr. MD
          craghe; akin to OE craega throat--more at craw] (14c)
          chiefly Scot: neck, throat

   craggy
          [crag.gy] adj crag.gi.er ; -est (15c) 1: full of crags <~
          slopes> 2: rough, rugged <a ~ face> -- crag.gi.ly adv
          -- crag.gi.ness n

   cragsman
          [crags.man] n (1816): one that is expert in climbing crags
          or cliffs

   crake
          [crake] n [ME, prob. fr. ON kraka crow or krakr raven; akin
          to OE crawan to crow] (14c) 1: any of various rails;
          esp: a short-billed rail (as the corncrake) 2: the corncrake's
          cry

   [1]cram
          [cram] vb crammed ; cram.ming [ME crammen, fr. OE crammian;
          akin to ON kremja to squeeze] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to pack
          tight: jam <~ a suitcase with clothes> 2 a: to fill with
          food to satiety: stuff b: to eat voraciously: bolt <the
          child ~s her food> 3: to thrust in or as if in a rough
          or forceful manner <crammed the letters into his pocket>
          4: to prepare hastily for an examination <~ the students
          for the test> ~ vi 1: to eat greedily or to satiety:
          stuff 2: to study hastily for an imminent examination
          -- cram.mer n [2]cram n (1810) 1: a compressed multitude
          or crowd: crush 2: last-minute study for an examination

   crambo
          [cram.bo] n, pl cramboes [alter. of earlier crambe, fr. L,
          cabbage, fr. Gk krambe] (1660): a game in which one player
          gives a word or line of verse to be matched in rhyme
          by other players

   cramoisie
          [cram.oi.sie] or cram.oi.sy n, pl -sies [ME crammassy, fr.
          MF cramoisi, fr. cramoisi crimson] (15c): crimson cloth

   [1]cramp
          [cramp] n [ME crampe, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to MD crampe;
          akin to OHG krampf bent] (14c) 1: a painful involuntary
          spasmodic contraction of a muscle 2: a temporary paralysis
          of muscles from overuse--compare writer's cramp 3 a:
          sharp abdominal pain--usu. used in pl. b: persistent
          and often intense though dull lower abdominal pain associated
          with dysmenorrhea--usu. used in pl. [2]cramp n [ME crampe,
          fr. MD] (15c) 1 a: a usu. iron device bent at the ends
          and used to hold timbers or blocks of stone together
          b: clamp 2 a: something that confines: shackle b: the
          state of being confined [3]cramp vt (15c) 1: to affect
          with or as if with a cramp or cramps 2 a: confine, restrain
          <was ~ed in the tiny apartment> b: to restrain from free
          expression--used esp. in the phrase cramp one's style
          3: to turn (the front wheels of a vehicle) to right or
          left 4: to fasten or hold with a cramp ~ vi: to suffer
          from cramps [4]cramp adj (1674) 1: hard to understand
          or figure out <~ law terms> <~ handwriting> 2: being
          cramped <a ~ corner>

   crampon
          [cram.pon] n [ME, fr. MF crampon, of Gmc origin; akin to
          MD crampe] (15c) 1: a hooked clutch or dog for raising
          heavy objects--usu. used in pl. 2: a climbing iron used
          esp. on ice and snow in mountaineering--usu. used in
          pl.

   cranberry
          [cran.ber.ry] n [part trans. of LG kraanbere, fr. kraan crane
          + bere berry] (1647) 1: the red acid berry produced by
          some plants (as Vaccinium oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon)
          of the heath family; also: a plant producing these 2:
          any of various plants with a fruit that resembles a cranberry

   cranberry bush
          [cranberry bush] n (1778): a shrubby or arborescent viburnum
          (Viburnum opulus) of No. America and Europe with prominently
          3-lobed leaves and red fruit

   cranch
          [cranch] var of craunch

   [1]crane
          [crane] n [ME cran, fr. OE; akin to OHG krano crane, Gk geranos,
          L grus] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a family (Gruidae of the
          order Gruiformes) of tall wading birds superficially
          resembling the herons but structurally more nearly related
          to the rails 2: any of several herons 3: an often horizontal
          projection swinging about a vertical axis: as a: a machine
          for raising, shifting, and lowering heavy weights by
          means of a projecting swinging arm or with the hoisting
          apparatus supported on an overhead track b: an iron arm
          in a fireplace for supporting kettles c: a boom for holding
          a motion-picture or television camera [2]crane vb craned
          ; cran.ing vt (1570) 1: to raise or lift by or as if
          by a crane 2: to stretch (as the neck) toward an object
          of attention <craning her neck to get a better view>
          ~ vi 1: to stretch one's neck toward an object of attention
          <I craned out of the window of my compartment --Webb
          Waldron> 2: hesitate

   crane fly
          [crane fly] n (1658): any of a family (Tipulidae) of long-legged
          slender dipteran flies that resemble large mosquitoes
          but do not bite

   cranesbill
          [cranes.bill] n (1548): geranium 1

   crani-
          [crani-] or cranio- comb form [ML cranium]: cranium <craniate>:
          cranial and <craniosacral>

   cranial
          [cra.ni.al] adj (1800) 1: of or relating to the skull or
          cranium 2: cephalic -- cra.ni.al.ly adv

   cranial index
          [cranial index] n (1868): the ratio multiplied by 100 of
          the maximum breadth of the bare skull to its maximum
          length from front to back

   cranial nerve
          [cranial nerve] n (1840): any of the nerves that arise in
          pairs from the lower surface of the brain one on each
          side and pass through openings in the skull to the periphery
          of the body and that comprise 12 pairs in reptiles, birds,
          and mammals and usu. 10 in fishes and amphibians

   craniate
          [cra.ni.ate] adj (1879): having a cranium -- craniate n

   craniocerebral
          [cra.nio.ce.re.bral] adj (ca. 1903): involving both cranium
          and brain <~ injury>

   craniofacial
          [cra.nio.fa.cial] adj (ca. 1859): of, relating to, or involving
          both the cranium and the face

   craniology
          [cra.ni.ol.o.gy] n [prob. fr. G Kraniologie, fr. kranio-
          crani- + -logie -logy] (1851): a science dealing with
          variations in size, shape, and proportions of skulls
          among human races

   craniometry
          [cra.ni.om.e.try] n [ISV] (ca. 1828): a science dealing with
          cranial measurement--compare cephalometry

   craniosacral
          [cra.nio.sa.cral] adj (ca. 1923): parasympathetic

   craniotomy
          [cra.ni.ot.o.my] n [ISV] (1855): surgical opening of the
          skull

   cranium
          [cra.ni.um] n, pl -ni.ums or -nia [ML, fr. Gk kranion; akin
          to Gk kara head--more at cerebral] (15c): skull; specif:
          the part that encloses the brain: braincase

   [1]crank
          [crank] n [ME cranke, fr. OE cranc- (as in crancstaef, a
          weaving instrument); prob. akin to MHG krank weak, sick--more
          at cringe] (13c) 1: a bent part of an axle or shaft or
          an arm keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft by
          which circular motion is imparted to or received from
          the shaft or by which reciprocating motion is changed
          into circular motion or vice versa 2 a archaic: bend
          b: a twist or turn of speech: conceit--used esp. in the
          phrase quips and cranks c (1): caprice, crotchet (2):
          an annoyingly eccentric person; also: one that is overly
          enthusiastic about a particular subject or activity d:
          a bad-tempered person: grouch 3: crystal 7 -- crank.ish
          adj [2]crank vi (1592) 1: to move with a winding course:
          zigzag 2 a: to turn a crank b: to get started by or as
          if by the turning of a crank c: to gain speed, momentum,
          or intensity--usu. used with up <the campaign is ~ing
          up> ~ vt 1: to move or operate by or as if by a crank
          <~ the window down> 2 a: to cause to start (as an automobile)
          b: to rotate the shaft (as a crankshaft) of esp. with
          a starter <~ over an engine> c: to use in trying to start
          an engine <~ the starter> 3 a: to start as if by use
          of a crank--usu. used with up <~ up an atom smasher>
          b: turn up 2--usu. used with up <~ up the volume> [3]crank
          adj (1924): of, relating to, or being a cranky or eccentric
          person; also: made or sent by such a person <~ calls>
          <a ~ letter> [4]crank adj [ME cranke, of unknown origin]
          (15c) 1 chiefly dial: merry, high-spirited 2 chiefly
          dial: cocky, confident [5]crank adj [short for crank-sided
          (easily tipped)] (ca. 1649) of a boat: easily tipped
          by an external force

   crankcase
          [crank.case] n (ca. 1878): the housing of a crankshaft

   crank out
          [crank out] vt (1956): to produce esp. in a mechanical manner

   crankpin
          [crank.pin] n (1839): the cylindrical piece which forms the
          handle of a crank or to which a connecting rod is attached

   crankshaft
          [crank.shaft] n (1854) 1: a shaft driven by or driving a
          crank 2: a shaft consisting of a series of cranks and
          crankpins to which the connecting rods of an engine are
          attached

   [1]cranky
          [cranky] adj crank.i.er ; -est [[1]crank] (1821) 1 a: given
          to fretful fussiness: readily angered when opposed: crotchety
          b: marked by eccentricity 2: full of twists and turns:
          tortuous <a ~ road> 3: working erratically: unpredictable
          <a ~ old tractor> 4 dial: crazy, imbecile -- crank.i.ly
          adv -- crank.i.ness n [2]cranky adj (1841) of a boat:
          [5]crank

   crannog
          [cran.nog] n [ScGael crannag & Ir crannog] (1608): an artificial
          fortified island constructed in a lake or marsh orig.
          in prehistoric Ireland and Scotland

   cranny
          [cran.ny] n, pl crannies [ME crany, fr. MF cren, cran notch]
          (15c) 1: a small break or slit: crevice 2: an obscure
          nook or corner -- cran.nied adj

   cranreuch
          [cran.reuch] n [prob. modif. of ScGael crannreotha] (1682)
          Scot: hoarfrost, rime

   [1]crap
          [crap] vi crapped ; crap.ping (1846): defecate--usu. considered
          vulgar [2]crap n [ME crappe chaff, residue from rendered
          fat, perh. fr. OF crappe chaff, residue, fr. ML crappa]
          (ca. 1897) 1 a: excrement--usu. considered vulgar b:
          the act of defecating--usu. considered vulgar 2: nonsense,
          rubbish; also: stuff 4b--sometimes considered vulgar
          [3]crap n [sing. of craps] (1885) 1--used as an attributive
          form of craps <~ game> <~ table> 2: a throw of 2, 3,
          or 12 in the game of craps losing the shooter his bet
          unless he has a point--called also craps--compare natural
          [4]crap vi crapped ; crap.ping (ca. 1930) 1: to throw
          a crap 2: to throw a seven while trying to make a point--usu.
          used with out

   [1]crape
          [crape] n [alter. of F crepe, fr. MF crespe, fr. crespe curly,
          fr. L crispus--more at crisp] (1633) 1: crepe 2: a band
          of crepe worn on a hat or sleeve as a sign of mourning
          [2]crape vt craped ; crap.ing (1815): to cover or shroud
          with or as if with crape [3]crape vt craped ; crap.ing
          [F creper, fr. L crispare, fr. crispus] (1774): to make
          (the hair) curly

   crape myrtle
          [crape myrtle] n (1850): an Asian shrub (Lagerstroemia indica)
          of the loosestrife family widely grown in warm regions
          for its flowers

   crapper
          [crap.per] n [[1]crap] (ca. 1932): toilet--usu. considered
          vulgar

   crappie
          [crap.pie] n [CanF crapet] (ca. 1827) 1: black crappie 2:
          white crappie

   crappy
          [crap.py] adj crap.pi.er ; -est (1846) slang: markedly inferior
          in quality: lousy

   craps
          [craps] n pl but sing or pl in constr [LaF, fr. F crabs,
          craps, fr. E crabs lowest throw at hazard, fr. pl. of
          [1]crab] (1843) 1: a gambling game played with two dice
          2: [3]crap 2

   crapshoot
          [crap.shoot] n (1971): something (as a business venture)
          that has an unpredictable outcome

   crapshooter
          [crap.shoot.er] n (1895): one who plays craps

   crapulous
          [crap.u.lous] adj [LL crapulosus, fr. L crapula intoxication,
          fr. Gk kraipale] (1536) 1: marked by intemperance esp.
          in eating or drinking 2: sick from excessive indulgence
          in liquor

   [1]crash
          [crash] vb [ME crasschen] vt (15c) 1 a: to break violently
          and noisily: smash b: to damage (an airplane) in landing
          2 a: to cause to make a loud noise <~ the cymbals together>
          b: to force (as one's way) through with loud crashing
          noises 3: to enter or attend without invitation or without
          paying <~ the party> ~ vi 1 a: to break or go to pieces
          with or as if with violence and noise b: to fall, land,
          or hit with destructive force c: to decline suddenly
          and steeply d of a computer system or program: to suffer
          a sudden major failure usu. with attendant loss of data
          2: to make a smashing noise <thunder ~ing overhead> 3:
          to move or force one's way with or as if with a crash
          <~es into the room> 4 slang: to experience the aftereffects
          (as dysphoria or depression) of drug intoxication 5 slang:
          to go to bed or fall asleep; also: to reside temporarily:
          stay <~ing with friends for a few days> -- crash.er n
          [2]crash n (ca. 1580) 1: a loud sound (as of things smashing)
          <a ~ of thunder> 2 a: a breaking to pieces by or as if
          by collision b: an instance of crashing <a plane ~> <a
          system ~> 3: a sudden decline (as of a population) or
          failure (as of a business) <a stockmarket ~> 4 slang:
          the process of crashing after drug intoxication [3]crash
          adj (1945): marked by a concerted effort and effected
          in the shortest possible time <a ~ program> [4]crash
          n [prob. fr. Russ krashenina colored linen] (1812): a
          coarse fabric used for draperies, toweling, and clothing
          and for strengthening joints of cased-in books

   crash dive
          [crash dive] n (1918): a dive made by a submarine in the
          least possible time -- crash-dive vi

   crash helmet
          [crash helmet] n (ca. 1918): a helmet that is worn (as by
          motorcyclists) as protection for the head in the event
          of an accident

   crashing
          [crash.ing] adj (1924) 1: utter, absolute <a ~ bore> 2: superlative
          <a ~ effect> -- crash.ing.ly adv

   crash-land
          [crash-land] vt (1941): to land (an airplane or spacecraft)
          under emergency conditions usu. with damage to the craft
          ~ vi: to crash-land an airplane or spacecraft -- crash
          landing n

   crash pad
          [crash pad] n (1939) 1: protective padding (as on the inside
          of an automobile or a tank) 2: a place to stay temporarily

   crashworthy
          [crash.wor.thy] adj (1966): resistant to the effects of collision
          <~ cars> -- crash.wor.thi.ness n

   crass
          [crass] adj [L crassus thick, gross] (1653) 1 a: gross 6a;
          esp: having or indicating such grossness of mind as precludes
          delicacy and discrimination b: being beneath one's dignity
          <~ concerns of daily life> c--used as a pejorative intensifier
          <~ flattery> <~ propaganda> 2: guided by or indicative
          of base or materialistic values <~ commercialism> <~
          measures of success> syn see stupid -- crass.ly adv --
          crass.ness n

   crassitude
          [cras.si.tude] n (1679): the quality or state of being crass:
          grossness; also: an instance of grossness

   -crat
          [-crat] n comb form [F -crate, back-formation fr. -cratie
          -cracy] 1: adv ocate or partisan of a (specified) theory
          of government <theocrat> 2: member of a (specified) dominant
          class <plutocrat> -- -cratic adj comb form

   cratch
          [cratch] n [ME cracche, fr. OF creche manger--more at creche]
          (13c) 1 archaic: manger 2: a crib or rack esp. for fodder;
          also: frame

   [1]crate
          [crate] n [ME, fr. L cratis] (15c) 1: an open box of wooden
          slats or a usu. wooden protective case or framework for
          shipping 2: jalopy [2]crate vt crat.ed ; crat.ing (1871):
          to pack in a crate

   [1]crater
          [cra.ter] n [L, mixing bowl, crater, fr. Gk krater, fr. kerannynai
          to mix; akin to Skt srinati he mixes] (1613) 1 a: the bowl-shaped
          depression around the orifice of a volcano b: a depression formed
          by the impact of a meteorite c: a hole in the ground made by the
          explosion of a bomb or shell d: an eroded lesion e: a dimple
          in a painted surface 2: krater -- cra.ter.like adj [2]crater
          vi (1884): to exhibit or form craters ~ vt: to form craters in

   craterlet
          [cra.ter.let] n (1881): a small crater

   craton
          [cra.ton] n [G Kraton, modif. of Gk kratos strength--more
          at hard] (1944): a stable relatively immobile area of
          the earth's crust that forms the nuclear mass of a continent
          or the central basin of an ocean -- cra.ton.ic adj

   craunch
          [craunch] vb [prob. imit.] (1631): crunch -- craunch n

   cravat
          [cra.vat] n [F cravate, fr. Crabate, Cravate Croatian] (ca.
          1656) 1: a band or scarf worn around the neck 2: necktie

   crave
          [crave] vb craved ; crav.ing [ME, fr. OE crafian; akin to
          ON krefja to crave, demand] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to ask for
          earnestly: beg, demand <~ a pardon for neglect> 2 a:
          to want greatly: need <~s drugs> b: to yearn for <~ a
          vanished youth> ~ vi: to have a strong or inward desire
          <~s after affection> syn see desire -- crav.er n

   craven
          [cra.ven] adj [ME cravant] (13c) 1 archaic: defeated, vanquished
          2: lacking the least bit of courage: contemptibly fainthearted
          syn see cowardly -- craven n -- cra.ven.ly adv -- cra.ven.ness
          n

   craving
          [crav.ing] n (1633): an intense, urgent, or abnormal desire
          or longing

   craw
          [craw] n [ME crawe, fr. (assumed) OE craega; perh. akin to
          L vorare to devour--more at voracious] (14c) 1: the crop
          of a bird or insect 2: the stomach esp. of a lower animal

   crawdad
          [craw.dad] n [alter. of crawfish] (ca. 1905): crayfish 1--used
          chiefly west of the Appalachians

   [1]crawfish
          [craw.fish] n [by folk etymology fr. ME crevis, kraveys]
          (1624) 1: crayfish 1 2: spiny lobster [2]crawfish vi
          (1842): to retreat from a position: back out

   [1]crawl
          [crawl] vb [ME, fr. ON krafla] vi (14c) 1: to move slowly
          in a prone position without or as if without the use
          of limbs <the snake ~ed into its hole> 2: to move or
          progress slowly or laboriously <traffic ~s along at 10
          miles an hour> 3: to advance by guile or servility <~ing
          into favor by toadying to his boss> 4: to spread by extending
          stems or tendrils 5 a: to be alive or swarming with or
          as if with creeping things <a kitchen ~ing with ants>
          b: to have the sensation of insects creeping over one
          <the story made her flesh ~> 6: to fail to stay evenly
          spread--used of paint, varnish, or glaze ~ vt 1: to move
          upon in or as if in a creeping manner 2: to reprove harshly
          <they got no good right to ~ me for what I wrote --Marjorie
          K. Rawlings> [2]crawl n (1818) 1 a: the act or action
          of crawling b: slow or laborious progress c chiefly Brit:
          a going from one pub to another 2: a prone speed swimming
          stroke consisting of alternating overarm strokes and
          a flutter kick 3: lettering that moves vertically or
          horizontally across a television or motion-picture screen
          to give information (as performer credits or news bulletins)

   crawler
          [crawl.er] n (ca. 1629) 1: one that crawls 2: a vehicle (as
          a crane) that travels on endless chain belts

   crawl space
          [crawl space] n (1946): a shallow unfinished space beneath
          the first floor or under the roof of a building esp.
          for access to plumbing or wiring

   crawlway
          [crawl.way] n (1909): a low passageway (as in a cave) that
          can be traversed only by crawling

   crawly
          [crawly] adj (1857) 1: creepy 1 2: marked by crawling or
          slow motion <~ creatures>

   crayfish
          [cray.fish] n [by folk etymology fr. ME crevis, fr. MF crevice,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG krebiz crab--more at crab]
          (14c) 1: any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans
          (superfamily Astacoidea) resembling the lobster but usu.
          much smaller 2: spiny lobster

   [1]crayon
          [cray.on] n [F, crayon, pencil, fr. dim. of craie chalk,
          fr. L creta] (1644) 1: a stick of white or colored chalk
          or of colored wax used for writing or drawing 2: a crayon
          drawing [2]crayon vt (1662): to draw with a crayon --
          cray.on.ist n

   [1]craze
          [craze] vb crazed ; craz.ing [ME crasen to crush, craze,
          of Scand origin; akin to OSw krasa to crush] vt (14c)
          1 obs: break, shatter 2: to produce minute cracks on
          the surface or glaze of 3: to make insane or as if insane
          <crazed by pain and fear> ~ vi 1 archaic: shatter, break
          2: to become insane 3: to develop a mesh of fine cracks
          [2]craze n (1813) 1: an exaggerated and often transient
          enthusiasm: mania 2: a crack in a surface or coating
          (as of glaze or enamel) syn see fashion

   [1]crazy
          [cra.zy] adj cra.zi.er ; -est (1583) 1 a: full of cracks
          or flaws: unsound b: crooked, askew 2 a: mad, insane
          b (1): impractical (2): erratic c: being out of the ordinary:
          unusual <a taste for ~ hats> 3 a: distracted with desire
          or excitement <a thrill-crazy mob> b: absurdly fond:
          infatuated <he's ~ about the girl> c: passionately preoccupied:
          obsessed <~ about boats> -- cra.zi.ly adv -- cra.zi.ness
          n -- like crazy : to an extreme degree <everyone dancing
          like crazy> [2]crazy n, pl cra.zies (1867): one who is
          or acts crazy; esp: such a one associated with a radical
          or extremist political cause

   crazy bone
          [crazy bone] n (1876): funny bone

   crazy quilt
          [crazy quilt] n (1886) 1: a patchwork quilt without a design
          2: jumble, hodgepodge <a crazy quilt of regulations>

   crazyweed
          [cra.zy.weed] n (ca. 1889): locoweed

   CRC
          [CRC] abbreviation Civil Rights Commission

   [1]creak
          [creak] vi [ME creken to croak, of imit. origin] (1583):
          to make a prolonged grating or squeaking sound often
          as a result of being worn-out; also: to proceed slowly
          with or as if with creaking wheels <the story ~s along
          to a dull conclusion> [2]creak n (1605): a rasping or
          grating noise

   creaky
          [creaky] adj creak.i.er ; -est (1834) 1: marked by creaking:
          squeaky <~ shoes> 2: showing signs of deterioration or
          decrepitude <a ~ old house> <a ~ economy> -- creak.i.ly
          adv -- creak.i.ness n

   [1]cream
          [cream] n, often attrib [ME creime, creme, fr. MF craime,
          cresme, fr. LL cramum, of Celt origin; akin to W cramen
          scab, crust] (14c) 1: the yellowish part of milk containing
          from 18 to about 40 percent butterfat 2 a: a food prepared
          with cream b: something having the consistency of cream;
          esp: a usu. emulsified medicinal or cosmetic preparation
          3: the choicest part: best <the ~ of the crop> 4: creamer
          1 5 a: a pale yellow b: a cream-colored animal -- cream.i.ly
          adv -- cream.i.ness n -- creamy adj [2]cream vi (1596)
          1: to form cream or a surface layer like the cream on
          standing milk 2: to break into or cause something to
          break into a creamy froth; also: to move like froth ~
          vt 1 a: skim 1c b: to remove (something choice) from
          an aggregate <she has ~ed off her favorite stories from
          her earlier books --Times Lit. Supp.> 2: to furnish,
          prepare, or treat with cream; also: to dress with a cream
          sauce 3 a: to beat into a creamy froth b: to work or
          blend to the consistency of cream <~ butter and sugar
          together> c: to cause to form a surface layer of or like
          cream 4 a: to defeat decisively <was ~ed in the first
          round> b: wreck <~ed the car on the turnpike>

   cream cheese
          [cream cheese] n (1583): a mild soft unripened cheese made
          from whole sweet milk enriched with cream

   creamcups
          [cream.cups] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1888): a California
          annual (Platystemon californicus) of the poppy family

   creamer
          [cream.er] n (1858) 1: a small vessel for serving cream 2:
          a nondairy product used as a substitute for cream (as
          in coffee)

   creamery
          [cream.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1872): an establishment where
          butter and cheese are made or where milk and cream are
          prepared or sold

   cream of tartar
          [cream of tartar] (1662): a white crystalline salt used esp.
          in baking powder and in certain treatments of metals

   cream puff
          [cream puff] n (1880) 1: a round shell of light pastry filled
          with whipped cream or a cream filling 2: an ineffectual
          person 3: something trifling, inconsiderable, or easily
          dealt with 4: a usu. used motor vehicle that is in especially
          good condition

   cream soda
          [cream soda] n (1854): a carbonated soft drink flavored with
          vanilla

   creamware
          [cream.ware] n (1780): earthenware having a cream-colored
          glaze

   [1]crease
          [crease] n [prob. alter. of earlier creaste, fr. ME creste
          crest] (1578) 1: a line, mark, or ridge made by or as
          if by folding a pliable substance 2: a specially marked
          area in various sports; esp: an area surrounding or in
          front of a goal (as in lacrosse or hockey) -- crease.less
          adj [2]crease vb creased ; creas.ing vt (1588) 1: to
          make a crease in or on: wrinkle <a smile creased her
          face> 2: to wound slightly esp. by grazing ~ vi: to become
          creased -- creas.er n

   [1]create
          [cre.ate] vb cre.at.ed ; cre.at.ing [ME, fr. L creatus, pp.
          of creare; akin to L crescere to grow--more at crescent]
          vt (14c) 1: to bring into existence <God created the
          heaven and the earth --Gen 1:1 (AV)> 2 a: to invest with
          a new form, office, or rank <was created a lieutenant>
          b: to produce or bring about by a course of action or
          behavior <her arrival created a terrible fuss> <~ new
          jobs> 3: cause, occasion <famine ~s high food prices>
          4 a: to produce through imaginative skill <~ a painting>
          b: design <~s dresses> ~ vi: to make or bring into existence
          something new [2]create adj (15c) archaic: created

   creatine
          [cre.a.tine] n [F creatine, fr. Gk kreat-, kreas flesh--more
          at raw] (1840): a white crystalline nitrogenous substance
          found esp. in the muscles of vertebrates either free
          or as phosphocreatine

   creatine phosphate
          [creatine phosphate] n (1945): phosphocreatine

   creatinine
          [cre.at.i.nine] n [G Kreatinin, fr. Kreatin creatine] (1851):
          a white crystalline strongly basic compound formed from
          creatine and found esp. in muscle, blood, and urine

   creation
          [cre.a.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of creating; esp: the act
          of bringing the world into ordered existence 2: the act
          of making, inventing, or producing: as a: the act of
          investing with a new rank or office b: the first representation
          of a dramatic role 3: something that is created: as a:
          world b: creatures singly or in aggregate c: an original
          work of art d: a new usu. striking article of clothing

   creationism
          [cre.a.tion.ism] n (1880): a doctrine or theory holding that
          matter, the various forms of life, and the world were
          created by God out of nothing and usu. in the way described
          in Genesis--compare evolution 4b -- cre.a.tion.ist n
          or adj

   creation science
          [creation science] n (1979): creationism; also: scientific
          evidence or arguments put forth in support of creationism

   creative
          [cre.a.tive] adj (1678) 1: marked by the ability or power
          to create: given to creating <the ~ impulse> 2: having
          the quality of something created rather than imitated:
          imaginative <the ~ arts> 3: managed so as to get around
          legal or conventional limits <~ financing>; also: deceptively
          arranged so as to conceal or defraud <~ accounting> --
          cre.a.tive.ly adv -- cre.a.tive.ness n

   creative evolution
          [creative evolution] n (1909): evolution that is a creative
          product of a vital force rather than a spontaneous process
          explicable in terms of scientific laws--compare emergent
          evolution

   creativity
          [cre.a.tiv.i.ty] n (1875) 1: the quality of being creative
          2: the ability to create

   creator
          [cre.a.tor] n (13c): one that creates usu. by bringing something
          new or original into being; esp, cap: god 1

   creature
          [crea.ture] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL creatura, fr. L creatus,
          pp. of creare] (14c) 1: something created either animate
          or inanimate: as a: a lower animal; esp: a farm animal
          b: a human being c: a being of anomalous or uncertain
          aspect or nature <~s of fantasy> 2: one that is the servile
          dependent or tool of another: instrument -- crea.tur.al
          adj -- crea.ture.hood n -- crea.ture.li.ness n -- crea.ture.ly
          adj

   creature comfort
          [creature comfort] n (1659): something (as food, warmth,
          or special accommodations) that gives bodily comfort

   creche
          [creche] n [F, fr. OF creche manger, crib, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG krippa manger--more at crib] (1792) 1: a
          representation of the Nativity scene 2: day nursery 3:
          a foundling hospital

   credence
          [cre.dence] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF, fr. ML credentia, fr.
          L credent-, credens, prp. of credere to believe, trust--more
          at creed] (14c) 1 a: mental acceptance as true or real
          <give ~ to gossip> b: credibility 1 <lends ~ to the theory>
          2: credentials--used in the phrase letters of credence
          3 [MF, fr. OIt credenza]: a Renaissance sideboard used
          chiefly for valuable plate 4: a small table where the
          bread and wine rest before consecration syn see belief

   credent
          [cre.dent] adj [L credent-, credens, prp.] (1602) 1 archaic:
          giving credence: confiding 2 obs: credible

   [1]credential
          [cre.den.tial] adj (15c): warranting credit or confidence--used
          chiefly in the phrase credential letters [2]credential
          n (ca. 1674) 1: something that gives a title to credit
          or confidence 2 pl: testimonials showing that a person
          is entitled to credit or has a right to exercise official
          power 3: certificate, diploma [3]credential vt -tialed
          also -tialled ; -tial.ing also -tial.ling (1888): to
          furnish with credentials <to ~ adequate academic performance
          --K. Patricia Cross>

   credentialism
          [cre.den.tial.ism] n (1967): undue emphasis on credentials
          (as college degrees) as prerequisites to employment

   credenza
          [cre.den.za] n [It, lit., belief, confidence, fr. ML credentia]
          (1880) 1: credence 3 2: a sideboard, buffet, or bookcase
          patterned after a Renaissance credence; esp: one without
          legs

   credibility
          [cred.i.bil.i.ty] n (1594) 1: the quality or power of inspiring
          belief <an account lacking in ~> 2: capacity for belief
          <strains her reader's ~ --Times Lit. Supp.>

   credibility gap
          [credibility gap] n (1966) 1 a: lack of trust <a credibility
          gap between generations> b: lack of believability <a
          credibility gap created by contradictory official statements
          --Samuel Ellenport> 2: discrepancy <the credibility gap
          between the professed ideals ... and their actual practices
          --Jeanne L. Noble>

   credible
          [cred.i.ble] adj [ME, fr. L credibilis, fr. credere] (14c)
          1: offering reasonable grounds for being believed <a
          ~ account of an accident> <~ witnesses> 2: of sufficient
          capability to be militarily effective <a ~ deterrent>
          <~ forces> -- cred.i.bly adv

   [1]credit
          [cred.it] n [MF, fr. OIt credito, fr. L creditum something
          entrusted to another, loan, fr. neut. of creditus, pp.
          of credere to believe, entrust--more at creed] (1537)
          1: reliance on the truth or reality of something <gave
          ~ to everything he said> 2 a: the balance in a person's
          favor in an account b: an amount or sum placed at a person's
          disposal by a bank c: time given for payment for goods
          or services sold on trust <long-term ~> d (1): an entry
          on the right-hand side of an account constituting an
          addition to a revenue, net worth, or liability account
          (2): a deduction from an expense or asset account e:
          any one of or the sum of the items entered on the right-hand
          side of an account f: a deduction from an amount otherwise
          due 3 a: influence or power derived from enjoying the
          confidence of another or others b: good name: esteem;
          also: financial or commercial trustworthiness 4 archaic:
          credibility 5: a source of honor <a ~ to the school>
          6 a: something that gains or adds to reputation or esteem:
          honor <took no ~ for his kindly act> b: recognition,
          acknowledgment <quite willing to accept undeserved ~>
          7: recognition by name of a person contributing to a
          performance (as a film or telecast) <the opening ~s>
          8 a: recognition by a school or college that a student
          has fulfilled a requirement leading to a degree b: credit
          hour syn see belief, influence [2]credit vt [partly fr.
          [1]credit; partly fr. L creditus, pp.] (1541) 1: to supply
          goods on credit to 2: to trust in the truth of: believe
          3 archaic: to bring credit or honor upon 4 a: to enter
          upon the credit side of an account b: to place an amount
          to the credit of <~ his account with ten dollars> 5 a:
          to consider usu. favorably as the source, agent, or performer
          of an action or the possessor of a trait <~s him with
          an excellent sense of humor> b: to attribute to some
          person <they ~ the invention to him> syn see ascribe

   creditable
          [cred.it.able] adj (1526) 1: worthy of belief 2: sufficiently
          good to bring esteem or praise 3: worthy of commercial
          credit 4: capable of being assigned -- cred.it.abil.i.ty
          n -- cred.it.able.ness n -- cred.it.ably adv

   credit card
          [credit card] n (1888): a card authorizing purchases on credit

   credit hour
          [credit hour] n (ca. 1927): the unit of measuring educational
          credit usu. based on the number of classroom hours per
          week throughout a term

   credit line
          [credit line] n (1914) 1: a line, note, or name that acknowledges
          the source of an item (as a news dispatch or television
          program) 2: line of credit

   creditor
          [cred.i.tor] n (15c): one to whom a debt is owed; esp: a
          person to whom money or goods are due

   credit union
          [credit union] n (1881): a cooperative association that makes
          small loans to its members at low interest rates

   creditworthy
          [cred.it.wor.thy] adj (1924): financially sound enough to
          justify the extension of credit -- cred.it.wor.thi.ness
          n

   credo
          [cre.do] n, pl credos [ME, fr. L, I believe] (12c): creed

   credo quia absurdum est
          [cre.do quia ab.sur.dum est] [L] foreign term : I believe
          it because it is absurd

   credo ut intelligam
          [cre.do ut in.tel.li.gam] [L] foreign term : I believe so
          that I may understand

   credulity
          [cre.du.li.ty] n (15c): readiness or willingness to believe
          esp. on slight or uncertain evidence

   credulous
          [cred.u.lous] adj [L credulus, fr. credere] (1576) 1: ready
          to believe esp. on slight or uncertain evidence 2: proceeding
          from credulity -- cred.u.lous.ly adv -- cred.u.lous.ness
          n

   Cree
          [Cree] n, pl Cree or Crees [CanF Cris, pl., short for Cristinaux,
          fr. Ojibwa dial. kirishtino, sing., member of a band
          living south of James Bay] (1744) 1: a member of an American
          Indian people of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan
          2: the Algonquian language of the Cree people

   creed
          [creed] n [ME crede, fr. OE creda, fr. L credo (first word
          of the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds), fr. credere to believe,
          trust, entrust; akin to OIr cretid he believes, Skt srad-dadhati]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a brief authoritative formula of religious
          belief 2: a set of fundamental beliefs; also: a guiding
          principle -- creed.al or cre.dal adj

   creek
          [creek] n [ME crike, creke, fr. ON -kriki bend] (13c) 1 chiefly
          Brit: a small inlet or bay narrower and extending farther
          inland than a cove 2: a natural stream of water normally
          smaller than and often tributary to a river 3 archaic:
          a narrow or winding passage -- up the creek : in a difficult
          or perplexing situation Creek n (1725) 1: an American
          Indian confederacy of peoples chiefly of Muskogean stock
          of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida 2: a member of any of
          the Creek peoples 3: the Muskogean language of the Creek
          Indians

   [1]creel
          [creel] n [ME creille, crele] (14c) 1: a wicker basket (as
          for carrying newly caught fish) 2: a bar with skewers
          for holding bobbins in a spinning machine [2]creel vt
          (1844): to put (caught fish) in a creel

   [1]cre ep
          [cre ep] vi crept ; creep.ing [ME crepen, fr. OE creopan;
          akin to ON krjupa to creep] (bef. 12c) 1 a: to move along
          with the body prone and close to the ground b: to move
          slowly on hands and knees 2 a: to go very slowly <the
          hours crept by> b: to go timidly or cautiously so as
          to escape notice <she crept away from the festive scene>
          c: to enter or advance gradually so as to be almost unnoticed
          <age ~s up on us> <a note of irritation crept into her
          voice> 3: to have the sensation of being covered with
          creeping things <the thought made his flesh ~> 4 of a
          plant: to spread or grow over a surface rooting at intervals
          or clinging with tendrils, stems, or aerial roots 5 a:
          to slip or gradually shift position b: to change shape
          permanently from prolonged stress or exposure to high
          temperatures

   [2]creep
          [creep] n (1818) 1: a movement of or like creeping <traffic
          moving at a ~> 2: a distressing sensation like that caused
          by the creeping of insects over one's flesh; esp: a feeling
          of apprehension or horror--usu. used in pl. with the
          <that gives me the creeps> 3: a feed trough or enclosure
          that young animals can enter while adults are excluded
          4: the slow change of dimensions of an object from prolonged
          exposure to high temperature or stress 5: an unpleasant
          or obnoxious person

   creepage
          [creep.age] n (1903): gradual movement: creep

   creeper
          [creep.er] n (bef. 12c) 1: one that creeps: as a: a creeping
          plant b: a bird (as of the family Certhiidae) that creeps
          about on trees or bushes searching for insects c: a creeping
          insect or reptile 2: any of various devices used for
          creeping: as a: a fixture with iron points worn on the
          shoe to prevent slipping b: a low wheeled platform for
          supporting the body when working under an automobile
          3: a usu. one-piece garment for a child at the crawling
          age

   creeping
          [creep.ing] adj (14c): developing or advancing by slow
          imperceptible degrees <a period of ~ inflation>

   creeping eruption
          [creeping eruption] n (1926): a skin disorder marked by a
          spreading red line of eruption and caused esp. by larvae
          (as of hookworms not normally parasitic in humans) burrowing
          beneath the human skin

   creepy
          [creepy] adj creep.i.er ; -est (1883) 1: producing a nervous
          shivery apprehension <~ things were crawling over us>
          <a ~ horror story> 2: of, relating to, or being a creep:
          annoyingly unpleasant -- creep.i.ly adv -- creep.i.ness
          n

   creese
          [creese] var of kris

   cremains
          [cre.mains] n pl [blend of cremated and remains] (1947):
          the ashes of a cremated human body

   cremate
          [cre.mate] vt cre.mat.ed ; cre.mat.ing [L crematus, pp. of
          cremare to burn up, cremate] (1874): to reduce (as a
          dead body) to ashes by burning -- cre.ma.tion n

   crematorium
          [cre.ma.to.ri.um] n, pl -ri.ums or -ria (1880): crematory

   crematory
          [cre.ma.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1876): a furnace for cremating;
          also: an establishment containing such a furnace -- crematory
          adj

   creme
          [creme] n, pl cremes [F, fr. OF cresme--more at cream] (ca.
          1821) 1: a sweet liqueur 2: cream or a preparation made
          with or resembling cream used in cooking 3: cream 2b

   creme anglaise
          [creme an.glaise] n [F, lit., English cream] (1975):
          a vanilla-flavored custard sauce usu. served with desserts

   creme brulee
          [creme bru.lee] n [F, lit., scorched cream] (1886): a rich
          custard topped with caramelized sugar

   creme caramel
          [creme car.a.mel] n [F, lit., caramel cream] (1906): a custard
          that has been baked with caramel sauce

   creme de cacao
          [creme de ca.cao] n [F, lit., cream of cacao] (1904): a sweet
          brown or colorless liqueur flavored with cacao beans
          and vanilla

   creme de la creme
          [creme de la creme] n [F, lit., cream of the cream] (1848):
          the very best

   creme de menthe
          [creme de menthe] n [F, lit., cream of mint] (1901): a sweet
          green or colorless mint-flavored liqueur

   creme fraiche
          [creme fraiche] n [F, lit., fresh cream] (1950): heavy cream
          thickened and slightly soured with buttermilk and often
          served on fruit

   crenate
          [cre.nate] or cre.nat.ed adj [NL crenatus, fr. ML crena notch]
          (1794): having the margin or surface cut into rounded
          scallops <a ~ leaf>

   crenation
          [cre.na.tion] n (1846) 1 a: a crenate formation; esp: one
          of the rounded projections on an edge (as of a coin)
          b: the quality or state of being crenate 2: shrinkage
          of red blood cells resulting in crenate margins

   crenellated
          [cren.el.lat.ed] or cren.el.at.ed adj [F creneler to furnish
          with embrasures, fr. OF querneler, fr. kernel, crenel
          embrasure, dim of cren notch, fr. crener to notch; akin
          to ML crena] (ca. 1823): having crenellations

   crenellation
          [cren.el.la.tion] also cren.el.a.tion n (1849) 1: battlement
          2: any of the embrasures alternating with merlons in
          a battlement--see battlement illustration

   crenulated
          [cren.u.lat.ed] or cren.u.late adj [NL crenulatus, fr. crenula,
          dim. of ML crena] (1794): having an irregularly wavy
          or serrate outline <a ~ shoreline> -- cren.u.la.tion
          n

   creole
          [cre.ole] adj (1748) 1 often cap: of or relating to Creoles
          or their language 2 often cap: relating to or being highly
          seasoned food typically prepared with rice, okra, tomatoes,
          and peppers <shrimp ~> Cre.ole n [F creole, fr. Sp criollo,
          fr. Pg crioulo white person born in the colonies] (1737)
          1: a person of European descent born esp. in the West
          Indies or Spanish America 2: a white person descended
          from early French or Spanish settlers of the U.S. Gulf
          states and preserving their speech and culture 3: a person
          of mixed French or Spanish and black descent speaking
          a dialect of French or Spanish 4 a: a language evolved
          from pidginized French that is spoken by blacks in southern
          Louisiana b: haitian c not cap: a language that has evolved
          from a pidgin but serves as the native language of a
          speech community

   creolise
          [cre.ol.ise] Brit var of creolize

   creolize
          [cre.ol.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1932): to cause (a pidginized
          language) to become a creole in a speech community
          -- cre.ol.i.za.tion n

   [1]creosote
          [cre.o.sote] n [G Kreosot, fr. Gk kreas flesh + soter preserver,
          fr. sozein to preserve, fr. sos safe (prob. akin to Skt
          taviti he is strong); fr. its antiseptic properties--more
          at raw] (1835) 1: a clear or yellowish flammable oily
          liquid mixture of phenolic compounds obtained by the
          distillation of wood tar esp. from beech wood 2: a brownish
          oily liquid consisting chiefly of aromatic hydrocarbons
          obtained by distillation of coal tar and used esp. as
          a wood preservative 3: a dark brown or black flammable
          tar deposited from esp. wood smoke on the walls of a
          chimney [2]creosote vt -sot.ed ; -sot.ing (1846): to
          treat with creosote

   creosote bush
          [creosote bush] n (1846): a resinous desert shrub (Larrea
          tridentata) of the caltrop family found in the southwestern
          U.S. and Mexico

   crepe
          [crepe] n [F crepe--more at crape] (1797) 1: a light crinkled
          fabric woven of any of various fibers 2: crape 2 3: crude
          rubber in the form of nearly white to brown crinkled
          sheets used esp. for shoe soles <crepe-soled shoes> 4:
          a small very thin pancake -- crepe adj -- crep.ey or
          crepy adj

   crepe de chine
          [crepe de chine] n, often cap 2d C [F crepe de Chine, lit.,
          China crepe] (1872): a soft fine or sheer clothing crepe
          esp. of silk

   crepe myrtle
          [crepe myrtle] n (1916): crape myrtle

   crepe paper
          [crepe paper] n (1897): paper with a crinkled or puckered
          texture

   crepe suzette
          [crepe su.zette] n, pl crepes suzette or crepe suzettes often
          cap S [F crepe Suzette, prob. fr. Suzette, nickname of
          Suzanne Reichenberg d. 1924 Fr. actress] (1922): a thin
          folded or rolled pancake in a hot orange-butter sauce
          that is sprinkled with a liqueur (as cognac or curacao)
          and set ablaze for serving

   crepitant
          [crep.i.tant] adj (1855): having or making a crackling sound
          <~ sounds in breathing>

   crepitate
          [crep.i.tate] vi -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L crepitatus, pp. of
          crepitare to crackle, freq. of crepare to rattle, crack]
          (ca. 1828): to make a crackling sound: crackle -- crep.i.ta.tion
          n

   crepon
          [cre.pon] n [F, fr. crepe] (ca. 1864): a heavy crepe fabric
          with lengthwise crinkles

   crept
          [crept] past and past part of creep

   crepuscular
          [cre.pus.cu.lar] adj (1668) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          twilight: dim 2: active in the twilight <~ insects>

   crepuscule
          [cre.pus.cule] or cre.pus.cle n [L crepusculum, fr. creper
          dusky] (14c): twilight

   cresc
          [cresc] abbreviation crescendo

   [1]crescendo
          [cre.scen.do] n, pl -dos or -does also -di [It, fr. crescendo,
          adj., increasing, gerund of crescere to grow, increase,
          fr. L] (1776) 1 a: a gradual increase; specif: a gradual
          increase in volume of a musical passage b: the peak of
          a gradual increase: climax <complaints about stifling
          smog conditions reach a ~ --Down Beat> 2: a crescendo
          musical passage -- crescendo vi [2]crescendo adv or adj
          (1859): with an increase in volume--used as a direction
          in music

   [1]crescent
          [cres.cent] n [ME cressant, fr. MF creissant, fr. prp. of
          creistre to grow, increase, fr. L crescere; akin to OHG
          hirsi millet, Lith serti to feed, Gk koros boy] (15c)
          1 a: the moon at any stage between new moon and first
          quarter and between last quarter and the succeeding new
          moon when less than half of the illuminated hemisphere
          is visible b: the figure of the moon at such a stage
          defined by a convex and a concave edge 2: something shaped
          like a crescent -- cres.cen.tic adj [2]crescent adj [L
          crescent-, crescens, prp. of crescere] (1574): marked
          by an increase Cres.cent trademark--used for an adjustable
          open-end wrench

   crescit eundo
          [cres.cit eun.do] [L] foreign term : it grows as it goes--motto
          of New Mexico

   crescive
          [cres.cive] adj [L crescere to grow] (1566): marked by gradual
          spontaneous development -- cres.cive.ly adv

   cresol
          [cre.sol] n [ISV, irreg. fr. creosote] (ca. 1869): any of
          three poisonous colorless crystalline or liquid isomeric
          phenols

   cress
          [cress] n [ME cresse, fr. OE caerse, cressa; akin to OHG
          kressa cress] (bef. 12c): any of numerous crucifers (esp.
          genera Lepidium and Nasturtium) with moderately pungent
          leaves used esp. in salads

   cresset
          [cres.set] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF craisset, fr. craisse grease--more
          at grease] (14c): an iron vessel or basket used for holding
          an illuminant (as oil) and mounted as a torch or suspended
          as a lantern

   Cressida
          [Cres.si.da] n: a Trojan woman of medieval legend who pledges
          herself to Troilus but while a captive of the Greeks
          gives herself to Diomedes

   [1]crest
          [crest] n [ME creste, fr. MF, fr. L crista; prob. akin to
          L crinis hair] (14c) 1 a: a showy tuft or process on
          the head of an animal and esp. a bird--see bird illustration
          b: the plume or identifying emblem worn on a knight's
          helmet; also: the top of a helmet c (1): a heraldic representation
          of the crest (2): a heraldic device depicted above the escutcheon
          but not upon a helmet (3): coat of arms 2a d: a ridge or prominence
          on a part of an animal body 2: something suggesting a crest esp.
          in being an upper prominence, edge, or limit: as a: peak; esp: the
          top line of a mountain or hill b: the ridge of a roof c: the top
          of a wave 3 a: a high point of an action or process and esp. of one
          that is rhythmic b: climax, culmination <at the ~ of his fame>
          -- crest.al adj -- crest.less adj [2]crest vt (15c) 1: to furnish
          with a crest; also: crown 2: to reach the crest of <~ed the hill
          and looked around> ~ vi: to rise to a crest <waves ~ing in the
          storm>

   crested
          [crest.ed] adj (14c): having a crest <a ~ bird>

   crested wheatgrass
          [crested wheatgrass] n (1923): either of two Eurasian grasses
          (Agropyron cristatum or A. sibericum syn. A. desertorum)
          that are grown in the U.S. for forage and for erosion
          control

   crestfallen
          [crest.fall.en] adj (1589) 1: having a drooping crest or
          hanging head 2: feeling shame or humiliation: dejected
          -- crest.fall.en.ly adv -- crest.fall.en.ness n

   cresting
          [crest.ing] n (1908): a decorative edging or railing (as
          on pottery or furniture)

   cresyl
          [cre.syl] n [ISV cresol + -yl] (ca. 1872): tolyl

   Cretaceous
          [Cre.ta.ceous] adj [L cretaceus resembling chalk, fr. creta
          chalk] (1832): of, relating to, or being the last period
          of the Mesozoic era characterized by continued dominance
          of reptiles, emergent dominance of angiosperms, diversification
          of mammals, and the extinction of many types of organisms
          at the close of the period; also: of, relating to, or
          being the corresponding system of rocks--see geologic
          time table -- Cretaceous n

   cretin
          [cre.tin] n [F cretin, fr. F dial. cretin, lit., wretch,
          innocent victim, fr. L christianus Christian] (1779)
          1: one afflicted with cretinism 2: a stupid, vulgar,
          or insensitive person: clod, lout -- cre.tin.ous adj

   cretinism
          [cre.tin.ism] n (1801): a usu. congenital abnormal condition
          marked by physical stunting and mental retardation and
          caused by severe hypothyroidism

   cretonne
          [cre.tonne] n [F, fr Creton, Normandy] (1870): a strong cotton
          or linen cloth used esp. for curtains and upholstery

   Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
          [Creutz.feldt-Ja.kob disease] also Creutz.feld-Ja.cob disease
          n [Hans G. Creutzfeldt d. 1964 Ger. psychiatrist and
          Alfons M. Jakob d. 1931 Ger. psychiatrist] (1963): a
          rare progressive fatal encephalopathy caused by a slow
          virus and marked by development of porous brain tissue,
          premature dementia in middle age, and gradual loss of
          muscular coordination

   crevalle
          [cre.val.le] n [by alter.] (1879): cavalla 1; esp: jack crevalle

   crevasse
          [cre.vasse] n [F, fr. OF crevace] (1813) 1: a breach in a
          levee 2: a deep crevice or fissure (as in a glacier or
          the earth)

   crevice
          [crev.ice] n [ME, fr. MF crevace, fr. OF, fr. crever to break,
          fr. L crepare to crack] (14c): a narrow opening resulting
          from a split or crack (as in a cliff): fissure

   [1]crew
          [crew] chiefly Brit past of crow [2]crew n [ME crue, lit.,
          reinforcement, fr. MF creue increase, fr. creistre to
          grow--more at crescent] (15c) 1 archaic: a band or force
          of armed men 2: a group of people associated together
          in a common activity or by common traits or interests
          3 a: a company of people working on one job or under
          one foreman or operating a machine b: the whole company
          belonging to a ship sometimes including the officers
          and master; also: one who assists the skipper of a sailboat
          c: the persons who have duties on an aircraft in flight
          d: the rowers and coxswain of a racing shell; also: rowing
          -- crew.less adj [3]crew vi (1935): to act as a member
          of a crew ~ vt: to serve as a crew member on (as a ship
          or aircraft)

   crew cut
          [crew cut] n (1942): a very short haircut usu. for men or
          boys in which the hair resembles the bristle surface
          of a brush

   crewel
          [crew.el] n [ME crule] (15c) 1: slackly twisted worsted yarn
          used for embroidery 2: crewelwork

   crewelwork
          [crew.el.work] n (1863): embroidery work with crewel

   crewman
          [crew.man] n (ca. 1927): a member of a crew

   crewmate
          [crew.mate] n (1938): a fellow crewman

   crew neck
          [crew neck] n [fr. the sweaters with this neckline worn by
          oarsmen] (1940) 1: a round collarless neckline 2 usu
          crew.neck : a sweater with a crew neck

   crew sock
          [crew sock] n (1948): a short bulky usu. ribbed sock

   [1]crib
          [crib] n [ME, fr. OE cribb; akin to OHG krippa manger, and
          perh. to Gk griphos reed basket] (bef. 12c) 1: a manger
          for feeding animals 2: an enclosure esp. of framework:
          as a: a stall for a stabled animal b: a small child's
          bedstead with high enclosing usu. slatted sides c: any
          of various devices resembling a crate or framework in
          structure d: a building for storage: bin 3 a: a small
          narrow room or dwelling: hut, shack b: a room or shack
          used for prostitution 4: the cards discarded in cribbage
          for the dealer to use in scoring 5 a: a small theft b:
          plagiarism c: a literal translation; esp: pony 3 d: a
          summary and key to understanding a literary work e: something
          used for cheating in an examination 6: creche 1 [2]crib
          vb cribbed ; crib.bing vt (1605) 1: confine, cramp 2:
          to provide with or put into a crib; esp: to line or support
          with a framework of timber 3: pilfer, steal; esp: plagiarize
          ~ vi 1 a: steal, plagiarize b: to use a crib: cheat 2:
          to have the vice of cribbing -- crib.ber n

   cribbage
          [crib.bage] n [[1]crib] (1630): a card game for two players
          in which each player tries to form various counting combinations
          of cards

   cribbing
          [crib.bing] n (1841) 1: material for use in making a crib
          2: a vice of horses in which they gnaw (as at the manger)
          while slobbering and salivating

   crib biting
          [crib biting] n (1831): cribbing 2

   crib death
          [crib death] n (1965): sudden infant death syndrome

   cribriform
          [crib.ri.form] adj [L cribrum sieve; akin to L cernere to
          sift--more at certain] (1741): pierced with small holes

   cricetid
          [cri.ce.tid] n [ultim. fr. NL Cricetus, genus name, of Slav
          origin; akin to Czech krecek hamster] (1960): any of
          a family (Cricetidae) of small rodents including the
          hamsters -- cricetid adj

   [1]crick
          [crick] n [ME cryk] (15c): a painful spasmodic condition
          of muscles (as of the neck or back) [2]crick vt (1884)
          1: to cause a crick in (as the neck) 2: to turn or twist
          (as the head) esp. into a strained position

   [1]cricket
          [crick.et] n [ME criket, fr. MF criquet, of imit. origin]
          (14c) 1: any of a family (Gryllidae) of leaping orthopteran
          insects noted for the chirping notes produced by the
          male by rubbing together specially modified parts of
          the forewings 2: a low wooden footstool 3: a small metal
          toy or signaling device that makes a sharp click or snap
          when pressed [2]cricket n [MF criquet goal stake in a
          bowling game] (1598) 1: a game played with a ball and
          bat by two sides of usu. 11 players each on a large field
          centering upon two wickets each defended by a batsman
          2: fair and honorable behavior <it wasn't ~ for her to
          break her contract --Gerry Nadel> [3]cricket vi (ca.
          1809): to play the game of cricket -- crick.et.er n

   cricoid
          [cri.coid] adj [NL cricoides, fr. Gk krikoeides ring-shaped,
          fr. krikos ring--more at circle] (1746): of, relating
          to, or being a cartilage of the larynx with which arytenoid
          cartilages articulate

   cri de coeur
          [cri de coeur] n, pl cris de coeur [F, lit., cry from the
          heart] (1904): a passionate outcry (as of appeal or protest)

   crier
          [cri.er] n (14c): one that cries: a: an officer who proclaims
          the orders of a court b: town crier

   crikey
          [cri.key] or crick.ey interj [euphemism for Christ] (1838)--used
          as a mild oath

   crim
          [crim] abbreviation criminal

   crim con
          [crim con] abbreviation criminal conversation

   crime
          [crime] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L crimen accusation, reproach,
          crime; prob. akin to L cernere to sift, determine] (14c)
          1: an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden
          or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public
          law and that makes the offender liable to punishment
          by that law; esp: a gross violation of law 2: a grave
          offense esp. against morality 3: criminal activity <efforts
          to fight ~> 4: something reprehensible, foolish, or disgraceful
          <it's a ~ to waste good food> syn see offense -- crime.less
          adj

   crime against humanity
          [crime against humanity] (1945): atrocity (as extermination
          or enslavement) that is directed esp. against an entire
          population or part of a population on specious grounds
          and without regard to individual guilt or responsibility
          even on such grounds

   crime against nature
          [crime against nature] (1828): sodomy

   [1]criminal
          [crim.i.nal] adj [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF criminel, fr. LL criminalis,
          fr. L crimincrimen crime] (15c) 1: relating to, involving, or being
          a crime <~ neglect> 2: relating to crime or to the prosecution
          of suspects in a crime <~ statistics> <brought ~ action> 3: guilty
          of crime; also: of or befitting a criminal <a ~ mind>
          4: disgraceful -- crim.i.nal.ly adv [2]criminal n (ca. 1626) 1: one
          who has committed a crime 2: a person who has been convicted
          of a crime

   criminal conversation
          [criminal conversation] n (1768): adultery considered as
          a tort

   criminal court
          [criminal court] n (1678): a court that has jurisdiction
          to try and punish offenders against criminal law

   criminalistics
          [crim.i.nal.is.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1943) : application
          of scientific techniques in collecting and analyzing
          physical evidence in criminal cases

   criminality
          [crim.i.nal.i.ty] n (1611) 1: the quality or state of being
          criminal 2: criminal activity <urban ~>

   criminalize
          [crim.i.nal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1956): to make illegal:
          outlaw; also: to turn into or treat as a criminal --
          crim.i.nal.i.za.tion n

   criminal law
          [criminal law] n (1864): the law of crimes and their punishments

   criminal lawyer
          [criminal lawyer] n (1869): a lawyer who specializes in criminal
          law; esp: a lawyer who represents defendants in criminal
          cases

   criminate
          [crim.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L criminatus, pp. of
          criminari, fr. crimin-, crimen accusation] (1645): incriminate
          -- crim.i.na.tion n

   criminol
          [criminol] abbreviation criminologist, criminology

   criminology
          [crim.i.nol.o.gy] n [It criminologia, fr. L crimin-, crimen
          + It -o- + -logia -logy] (1890): the scientific study
          of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of
          penal treatment -- crim.i.no.log.i.cal adj --
          crim.i.no.log.i.cal.ly adv -- crim.i.nol.o.gist n

   criminous
          [crim.i.nous] adj (15c): criminal

   [1]crimp
          [crimp] vt [D or LG krimpen to shrivel; akin to MD crampe
          hook, cramp] (1712) 1: to cause to become wavy, bent,
          or pinched: as a: to form (leather) into a desired shape
          b: to give (synthetic fibers) a curl or wave like that
          of natural fibers c: to pinch or press together (as the
          margins of a pie crust) in order to seal 2: to be an
          inhibiting or restraining influence on: cramp <sales
          had been ~ed by credit controls --Time> -- crimp.er n
          [2]crimp n (1863) 1: something produced by or as if by
          crimping: as a: a section of hair artificially waved
          or curled b: a succession of waves (as in wool fiber)
          c: a bend or crease formed in something 2: something
          that cramps or inhibits: restraint, curb [3]crimp n [perh.
          fr. [1]crimp] (1758): a person who entraps or forces
          men into shipping as sailors or into enlisting in an
          army or navy [4]crimp vt (1812): to trap into military
          or sea service: impress

   crimpy
          [crimpy] adj crimp.i.er ; -est (1888): frizzy

   [1]crimson
          [crim.son] n [ME crimisin, fr. OSp cremesin, fr. Ar qirmizi,
          fr. qirmiz kermes] (15c): any of several deep purplish
          reds [2]crimson adj (15c): of the color crimson [3]crimson
          vt (1601): to make crimson ~ vi: to become crimson; esp:
          blush

   [1]cringe
          [cringe] vi cringed ; cring.ing [ME crengen; akin to OE cringan
          to yield, MHG krank weak] (13c) 1: to draw in or contract
          one's muscles involuntarily (as from cold or pain) 2:
          to shrink in fear or servility 3: to behave in an excessively
          humble or servile way syn see fawn -- cring.er n [2]cringe
          n (1597): a cringing act; specif: a servile bow

   cringle
          [crin.gle] n [LG kringel, dim. of kring ring] (1627): a loop
          or grommet at the corner of a sail to which a line is
          attached

   [1]crinkle
          [crin.kle] vb crin.kled ; crin.kling [ME crynkelen; akin
          to OE cringan to yield] vi (14c) 1 a: to form many short
          bends or ripples b: wrinkle 2: to give forth a thin crackling
          sound: rustle <crinkling silks> ~ vt: to cause to crinkle:
          make crinkles in [2]crinkle n (1596) 1: wrinkle, corrugation,
          pucker 2: any of several plant diseases marked by crinkling
          of leaves -- crin.kly adj

   crinoid
          [cri.noid] n [ultim. fr. Gk krinon lily] (1847): any of a
          large class (Crinoidea) of echinoderms usu. having a
          somewhat cup-shaped body with five or more feathery arms
          -- crinoid adj

   crinoline
          [crin.o.line] n [F, fr. It crinolino, fr. crino horsehair
          (fr. L crinis hair) + lino flax, linen, fr. L linum--more
          at crest] (1830) 1: an open-weave fabric of horsehair
          or cotton that is usu. stiffened and used esp. for interlinings
          and millinery 2: a full stiff skirt or underskirt made
          of crinoline; also: hoopskirt -- crinoline or crin.o.lined
          adj

   criollo
          [cri.o.llo] n, pl -llos [Sp--more at creole] (1604) 1 a:
          a person of pure Spanish descent born in Spanish America
          b: a person born and usu. raised in a Spanish-American
          country 2: a domestic animal of a breed or strain developed
          in Latin America; esp, often cap: a hardy muscular pony
          of a breed orig. developed in Argentina -- criollo adj

   cripes
          [cripes] interj [euphemism for Christ] (1910)--used as a
          mild oath

   [1]cripple
          [crip.ple] n [ME cripel, fr. OE crypel; akin to OE creopan
          to creep--more at creep] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a lame or partly
          disabled person or animal--sometimes taken to be offensive
          b: one that is disabled or deficient in a specified manner
          <a social ~> 2: something flawed or imperfect [2]cripple
          adj (13c): being a cripple: lame [3]cripple vt crip.pled
          ; crip.pling (14c) 1: to deprive of the use of a limb
          and esp. a leg 2: to deprive of capability for service
          or of strength, efficiency, or wholeness syn see maim,
          weaken -- crip.pler n -- crip.pling.ly adv

   crise de conscience
          [crise de conscience] [F] foreign term : crisis of conscience:
          agonizing period of moral uncertainty

   crise de nerfs
          [crise de nerfs] or crise des nerfs [F] foreign term : crisis
          of nerves: nervous collapse: hysterical fit

   crisis
          [cri.sis] n, pl cri.ses [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk krisis, lit.,
          decision, fr. krinein to decide--more at certain] (15c)
          1 a: the turning point for better or worse in an acute
          disease or fever b: a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress,
          or disordered function c: an emotionally significant
          event or radical change of status in a person's life
          <a midlife ~> 2: the decisive moment (as in a literary
          plot) 3 a: an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs
          in which a decisive change is impending; esp: one with
          the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome
          <a financial ~> b: a situation that has reached a critical
          phase <the environmental ~> syn see juncture

   [1]crisp
          [crisp] adj [ME, fr. OE, fr. L crispus; akin to W crych curly]
          (bef. 12c) 1: curly, wavy; also: having close stiff or
          wiry curls or waves 2 a: easily crumbled: brittle b:
          being desirably firm and fresh <~ lettuce> 3 a: being
          sharp, clean-cut, and clear <a ~ illustration>; also:
          concise and to the point <a ~ reply> b: noticeably neat
          <~ new clothes> c: brisk, lively <a ~ tale of intrigue>
          <~ musical tempi> d: frosty, snappy <~ winter weather>;
          also: fresh, invigorating <~ autumn air> <a ~ white wine>
          syn see fragile -- crisp.ly adv -- crisp.ness n [2]crisp
          vt (14c) 1: curl, crimp 2: to cause to ripple: wrinkle
          3: to make or keep crisp ~ vi 1: curl 2: ripple 3: to
          become crisp [3]crisp n (14c) 1 a: something crisp or
          brittle <burned to a ~> b chiefly Brit: potato chip--usu.
          used in pl. 2: a baked dessert of fruit with crumb topping
          <apple ~>

   crispbread
          [crisp.bread] n (ca. 1927): a plain dry unsweetened cracker
          made from crushed grain (as wheat or rye)

   crispen
          [crisp.en] vt (1943): to make crisp ~ vi: to become crisp

   crisper
          [crisp.er] n (1835): one that crisps; specif: a closed container
          in a refrigerator intended to prevent loss of moisture
          from fresh produce

   crispy
          [crispy] adj crisp.i.er ; -est (14c): crisp -- crisp.i.ness
          n

   [1]crisscross
          [criss.cross] vb [obs. christcross, crisscross mark of a
          cross] vt (1818) 1: to mark with intersecting lines 2:
          to pass back and forth through or over ~ vi: to go or
          pass back and forth [2]crisscross adj (1846): marked
          or characterized by crisscrossing -- crisscross adv [3]crisscross
          n (1876) 1: a crisscross pattern: network 2: the state
          of being at cross-purposes; also: a confused state

   crista
          [cris.ta] n, pl cris.tae [NL, fr. L, crest--more at crest]
          (1959): any of the inwardly projecting folds of the inner
          membrane of a mitochondrion

   crit
          [crit] abbreviation critical, criticism, criticized

   criterion
          [cri.te.ri.on] n, pl -ria also -ri.ons [Gk kriterion, fr.
          krinein to judge, decide--more at certain] (1622) 1:
          a standard on which a judgment or decision may be based
          2: a characterizing mark or trait syn see standard usage
          The plural criteria has been used as a singular for nearly
          half a century <let me now return to the third criteria
          --R. M. Nixon> <that really is the criteria --Burt Lance>.
          Many of our examples, like the two foregoing, are taken
          from speech. But singular criteria is not uncommon in
          edited prose, and its use both in speech and writing
          seems to be increasing. Only time will tell whether it
          will reach the unquestioned acceptability of agenda.

   criterium
          [cri.te.ri.um] n [F criterium competition, lit., criterion,
          fr. LL criterium, fr. Gk kriterion] (1970): a bicycle
          race of a specified number of laps on a closed course
          over public roads closed to normal traffic

   [1]critic
          [crit.ic] n [L criticus, fr. Gk kritikos, fr. kritikos able
          to discern or judge, fr. krinein] (1588) 1 a: one who
          expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter esp. involving
          a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty,
          or technique b: one who engages often professionally
          in the analysis, evaluation, or appreciation of works
          of art or artistic performances 2: one given to harsh
          or captious judgment [2]critic n [Gk kritike art of the
          critic, fr. fem. of kritikos] (1656) 1 archaic: criticism
          2 archaic: critique

   critical
          [crit.i.cal] adj (1547) 1 a: of, relating to, or being a
          turning point or specially important juncture <~ phase>:
          as (1): relating to or being the stage of a disease at
          which an abrupt change for better or worse may be expected;
          also: being or relating to an illness or condition involving
          danger of death <~ care> (2): relating to or being a
          state in which or a measurement or point at which some
          quality, property, or phenomenon suffers a definite change
          <~ temperature> b: crucial, decisive <~ test> c: indispensable,
          vital <a ~ waterfowl habitat> <a component ~ to the operation
          of a machine> d: being in or approaching a state of crisis
          <a ~ shortage> <a ~ situation> 2 a: inclined to criticize
          severely and unfavorably b: consisting of or involving
          criticism <~ writings>; also: of or relating to the judgment
          of critics <the play was a ~ success> c: exercising or
          involving careful judgment or judicious evaluation d:
          including variant readings and scholarly emendations
          <a ~ edition> 3: characterized by risk or uncertainty
          4 a: of sufficient size to sustain a chain reaction--used
          of a mass of fissionable material b: sustaining a chain
          reaction--used of a nuclear reactor -- crit.i.cal.i.ty
          n -- crit.i.cal.ly adv -- crit.i.cal.ness n syn critical,
          hypercritical, faultfinding, captious, carping, censorious
          mean inclined to look for and point out faults and defects.
          critical may also imply an effort to see a thing clearly
          and truly in order to judge it fairly <a critical essay>.
          hypercritical suggests a tendency to judge by unreasonably
          strict standards <hypercritical disparagement of other
          people's work>. faultfinding implies a querulous or exacting
          temperament <a faultfinding reviewer>. captious suggests
          a readiness to detect trivial faults or raise objections
          on trivial grounds <a captious critic>. carping implies
          an ill-natured or perverse picking of flaws <a carping
          editorial>. censorious implies a disposition to be severely
          critical and condemnatory <the censorious tone of the
          review>. syn see in addition acute

   critical angle
          [critical angle] n (1873): the least angle of incidence at
          which total reflection takes place

   critical mass
          [critical mass] n (1964): a size, number, or amount large
          enough to produce a particular result <the critical mass
          of activity needed for a retail store>

   critical point
          [critical point] n (ca. 1889): a point on the graph of a
          function where the derivative is zero or infinite

   critical region
          [critical region] n (1951): the set of outcomes of a statistical
          test for which the null hypothesis is to be rejected

   critical value
          [critical value] n (ca. 1909): the value of an independent
          variable corresponding to a critical point of a function

   criticaster
          [crit.ic.as.ter] n (1684): an inferior or petty critic

   criticise
          [crit.i.cise] Brit var of criticize

   criticism
          [crit.i.cism] n (1607) 1 a: the act of criticizing usu. unfavorably
          b: a critical observation or remark c: critique 2: the art
          of evaluating or analyzing works of art or literature 3: the
          scientific investigation of literary documents (as the Bible)
          in regard to such matters as origin, text, composition, or history

   criticize
          [crit.i.cize] vb -cized ; -ciz.ing vi (1649): to act as a
          critic ~ vt 1: to consider the merits and demerits of
          and judge accordingly: evaluate 2: to find fault with:
          point out the faults of -- crit.i.ciz.able adj -- crit.i.ciz.er
          n syn criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn,
          denounce mean to find fault with openly. criticize implies
          finding fault esp. with methods or policies or intentions
          <criticized the police for using violence>. reprehend
          implies both criticism and severe rebuking <reprehends
          the self-centeredness of today's students>. censure carries
          a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding
          <a Senator formally censured by his peers>. reprobate
          implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction
          <reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle>. condemn
          usu. suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment
          <condemned the government's racial policies>. denounce
          adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration
          <a pastoral letter denouncing abortion>.

   [1]critique
          [cri.tique] n [alter. of [2]critic] (1702): an act of criticizing;
          esp: a critical estimate or discussion [2]critique vt cri.tiqued
          ; cri.tiqu.ing (1751): review, criticize

   critter
          [crit.ter] n [by alter.] (1815): creature

   CRNA
          [CRNA] abbreviation certified registered nurse anesthetist

   [1]croak
          [croak] vb [ME croken, of imit. origin] vi (15c) 1 a: to
          make a deep harsh sound b: to speak in a hoarse throaty
          voice 2: grumble 1 3 slang: die ~ vt 1: to utter in a
          hoarse raucous voice 2 slang: kill [2]croak n (1561):
          a hoarse harsh cry or sound -- croaky adj

   croaker
          [croak.er] n (1651) 1: an animal that croaks 2: any of various
          fishes (esp. family Sciaenidae) that produce croaking
          or grunting noises 3 slang: doctor

   Croat
          [Croat] n [NL Croata, fr. Serbo-Croatian Hrvat] (ca. 1702):
          croatian

   Croatian
          [Cro.atian] n (1555) 1: a native or inhabitant of Croatia
          2: a south Slavic language spoken by the Croatian people
          and distinct from Serbian chiefly in its use of the Latin
          alphabet -- Croatian adj

   croc
          [croc] n (1884): crocodile

   [1]crochet
          [cro.chet] n [F, hook, crochet, fr. MF, dim. of croche hook,
          of Scand origin; akin to ON krokr hook] (1846): needlework
          consisting of the interlocking of looped stitches formed
          with a single thread and a hooked needle [2]crochet vt
          (1858): to make of crochet <~ed a doily> ~ vi: to work
          with crochet -- cro.chet.er n

   crocidolite
          [cro.cid.o.lite] n [G Krokydolith, fr. Gk krokyd-, krokys
          nap on cloth (akin to Gk krekein to weave) + G -lith
          -lite--more at reel] (1835): a lavender-blue or light
          green mineral of the amphibole group that occurs in silky
          fibers and in massive form and is a type of asbestos--compare
          tigereye

   [1]crock
          [crock] n [ME, fr. OE crocc; akin to MHG kruche crock] (bef.
          12c) 1: a thick earthenware pot or jar 2 [fr. its formation
          on cooking pots] dial: soot, smut 3: coloring matter
          that rubs off from cloth or dyed leather 4: bunkum--usu.
          used with a [2]crock vt (1594) 1: to put or preserve
          in a crock 2 dial: to soil with crock: smudge ~ vi: to
          transfer color (as when rubbed or washed) <a suede that
          will not ~> [3]crock n [ME crok, prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to Norw dial. krokje crock] (1528) 1: one that is
          broken-down, disabled, or impaired 2: a complaining medical
          patient whose illness is largely imaginary or psychosomatic
          [4]crock vt (1896): to cause to become disabled ~ vi:
          break down

   crocked
          [crocked] adj (ca. 1927): drunk

   crockery
          [crock.ery] n (ca. 1755): earthenware

   crocket
          [crock.et] n [ME croket, fr. ONF croquet crook, dim. of croc
          hook, of Scand origin; akin to ON krokr hook] (1673):
          an ornament usu. in the form of curved and bent foliage
          used on the edge of a gable or spire -- crock.et.ed adj

   Crock-Pot
          [Crock-Pot] trademark--used for an electric cooking pot

   crocodile
          [croc.o.dile] n [ME & L; ME cocodrille, fr. MF, fr. ML cocodrillus,
          alter. of L crocodilus, fr. Gk krokodilos lizard, crocodile, fr.
          kroke shingle, pebble + drilos worm; akin to Skt sarkara pebble]
          (1684) 1 a: any of several large carnivorous thick-skinned
          long-bodied aquatic reptiles (family Crocodilidae) of tropical and
          subtropical waters; broadly: crocodilian b: the skin or hide
          of a crocodile 2 chiefly Brit: a line of people (as schoolchildren)
          usu. walking in pairs

   crocodile bird
          [crocodile bird] n (1868): an African bird (Pluvianus aegyptius)
          that is related to the pratincoles and lights on the
          crocodile and eats its insect parasites

   crocodile tears
          [crocodile tears] n pl (1563): false or affected tears; also:
          hypocritical sorrow

   crocodilian
          [croc.o.dil.ian] n (1837): any of an order (Crocodylia) of
          reptiles including the crocodiles, alligators, caimans,
          gavials, and related extinct forms -- crocodilian adj

   crocus
          [cro.cus] n, pl cro.cus.es [ME, the saffron plant, fr. L,
          fr. Gk krokos, of Sem origin; akin to Akkadian kurkanu
          saffron] (14c) 1 a pl also crocus or cro.ci : any of
          a large genus (Crocus) of herbs of the iris family developing
          from corms and having solitary long-tubed flowers and
          slender linear leaves b: saffron 1a 2: a dark red ferric
          oxide used for polishing metals

   Croesus
          [Croe.sus] n [Croesus, king of Lydia, famed for his wealth]
          (1650): a very rich man

   croft
          [croft] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to MD krocht hill] (bef. 12c)
          1 chiefly Brit: a small enclosed field usu. adjoining
          a house 2 chiefly Brit: a small farm worked by a tenant
          -- croft.er n, chiefly Brit

   croissant
          [crois.sant] n, pl croissants [F, lit., crescent, fr. MF
          creissant] (1899): a flaky rich crescent-shaped roll

   Croix de Guerre
          [Croix de Guerre] n [F, lit., war cross] (1915): a French
          military decoration awarded for gallant action in war

   croker sack
          [cro.ker sack] n [alter. of crocus sack, crocus bag, of unknown
          origin] (1895) chiefly Southern: a sack of a coarse material
          (as burlap)

   Cro-Magnon
          [Cro-Ma.gnon] n [Cro-Magnon, a cave near Les Eyzies, France]
          (1869): a tall erect race of hominids of the Upper Paleolithic
          known from skeletal remains found chiefly in southern
          France and classified as the same species (Homo sapiens)
          as present day humans

   cromlech
          [crom.lech] n [W, lit., bent stone] (1695) 1: dolmen 2: a
          circle of monoliths usu. enclosing a dolmen or mound

   crone
          [crone] n [ME, fr. ONF carogne, lit., carrion, fr. (assumed)
          VL caronia--more at carrion] (14c): a withered old woman

   Cronus
          [Cro.nus] n [L, fr. Gk Kronos]: a Titan dethroned by his
          son Zeus

   crony
          [cro.ny] n, pl cronies [perh. fr. Gk chronios long-lasting,
          fr. chronos time] (1663): a close friend esp. of long
          standing: pal

   cronyism
          [cro.ny.ism] n (1840): partiality to cronies esp. as evidenced
          in the appointment of political hangers-on to office
          without regard to their qualifications

   [1]crook
          [crook] vt (12c): bend ~ vi: curve, wind [2]crook n [ME crok,
          fr. ON krokr hook] (13c) 1: an implement having a bent
          or hooked form: as a: pothook b (1): a shepherd's staff
          (2): crosier 1 2: a part of something that is hook-shaped,
          curved, or bent <the ~ of an umbrella handle> 3: bend,
          curve 4: a person who engages in fraudulent or criminal
          practices [3]crook adj [prob. short for crooked] (1898)
          Austral & NewZeal: not right: a: unsatisfactory b: dishonest,
          crooked c: irritable, angry--used esp. in the phrase
          go crook d: ill, unwell

   crookback
          [crook.back] n (1508) 1 obs: a crooked back 2 obs: hunchback
          -- crook.backed adj

   crooked
          [crook.ed] adj (13c) 1: not straight <a ~ road> <your tie
          is ~> 2: dishonest <a ~ election> <~ politicians> --
          crook.ed.ly adv -- crook.ed.ness n

   crookery
          [crook.ery] n (1927): crooked dealings or practices

   crookneck
          [crook.neck] n (1784): a squash with a long recurved neck

   croon
          [croon] vb [ME croynen, fr. MD cronen; akin to OHG cronen
          to chatter] vi (15c) 1 chiefly Scot: bellow, boom 2:
          to sing or speak in a gentle murmuring manner; esp: to
          sing in a soft intimate manner adapted to amplifying
          systems ~ vt: to sing (as a popular song or a lullaby)
          in a crooning manner -- croon n

   crooner
          [croon.er] n (1930): one that croons; esp: a singer of popular
          songs

   [1]crop
          [crop] n [ME, craw, head of a plant, yield of a field, fr.
          OE cropp craw, head of a plant; akin to OHG kropf goiter,
          craw] (bef. 12c) 1: a pouched enlargement of the gullet
          of many birds that serves as a receptacle for food and
          for its preliminary maceration; also: an enlargement
          of the gullet of another animal (as an insect) 2 a (1):
          a plant or animal or plant or animal product that can
          be grown and harvested extensively for profit or subsistence
          <an apple ~> <a ~ of wool> (2): the total yearly production
          from a specified area b: the product or yield of something
          formed together <the ice ~> c: a batch or lot of something
          produced during a particular cycle <the current ~ of
          films> d: collection <a ~ of lies> 3: the stock or handle
          of a whip; also: a riding whip with a short straight
          stock and a loop 4a: the part of the chine of a quadruped
          (as a domestic cow) lying immediately behind the withers--usu.
          used in pl.--see cow illustration b: an earmark on an
          animal; esp: one made by a straight cut squarely removing
          the upper part of the ear c: a close cut of the hair
          [2]crop vb cropped ; crop.ping vt (13c) 1 a: to remove
          the upper or outer parts of <~ a hedge> <~ a dog's ears>
          b: harvest <~ trout> c: to cut off short: trim <~ a photograph>
          2: to cause (land) to bear a crop <planned to ~ another
          40 acres>; also: to grow as a crop ~ vi 1: to feed by
          cropping something 2: to yield or make a crop 3: to appear
          unexpectedly or casually <problems ~ up daily>

   crop duster
          [crop duster] n (1939): a person who sprays crops with fungicidal
          or insecticidal dusts from an airplane; also: the airplane
          used for such spraying

   crop-eared
          [crop-eared] adj (1530): having the ears cropped

   cropland
          [crop.land] n (1846): land that is suited to or used for
          crops

   [1]cropper
          [crop.per] n (15c) 1: one that crops 2: one that raises crops;
          specif: sharecropper [2]cropper n [prob. fr. E dial.
          crop neck, fr. [1]crop] (1858) 1: a severe fall 2: a
          sudden or violent failure or collapse

   crop rotation
          [crop rotation] n (1909): the practice of growing different
          crops in succession on the same land chiefly to preserve
          the productive capacity of the soil

   croquet
          [cro.quet] n [F dial., hockey stick, fr. ONF, crook--more
          at crocket] (1858) 1: a game in which players using mallets
          drive wooden balls through a series of wickets set out
          on a lawn 2: the act of driving away an opponent's croquet
          ball by striking one's own ball placed against it --
          croquet vt

   croquette
          [cro.quette] n [F, fr. croquer to crunch, of imit. origin]
          (1706): a small often rounded mass consisting usu. of
          minced meat, fish, or vegetable coated with egg and bread
          crumbs and deep-fried

   croquignole
          [cro.qui.gnole] n [F, light blow, fillip] (1932): a method
          used in waving the hair by winding it on curlers from
          the ends of the hair toward the scalp

   croquis
          [cro.quis] n, pl cro.quis [F, fr. croquer to sketch, rough
          out, lit., to crunch] (1805): a rough draft: sketch

   crore
          [crore] n, pl crores also crore [Hindi karor] (1609): a unit
          of value equal to ten million rupees or 100 lakhs

   crosier
          [cro.sier] n [ME crocer crosier bearer, fr. MF crossier,
          fr. crosse crosier, of Gmc origin; akin to OE crycc crutch--more
          at crutch] (1500) 1: a staff resembling a shepherd's
          crook carried by bishops and abbots as a symbol of office
          2: a plant structure with a coiled end

   [1]cross
          [cross] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. ON or OIr; ON kross, fr. OIr cros,
          fr. L cruc-, crux] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a structure consisting
          of an upright with a transverse beam used esp. by the
          ancient Romans for execution b often cap: the cross on
          which Jesus was crucified 2 a: crucifixion b: an affliction
          that tries one's virtue, steadfastness, or patience 3:
          a cruciform sign made to invoke the blessing of Christ
          esp. by touching the forehead, breast, and shoulders
          4 a: a device composed of an upright bar traversed by
          a horizontal one; specif: one used as a Christian symbol
          b cap: the Christian religion 5: a structure (as a monument)
          shaped like or surmounted by a cross 6: a figure or mark
          formed by two intersecting lines crossing at their midpoints;
          specif: such a mark used as a signature 7: a cruciform
          badge, emblem, or decoration 8: the intersection of two
          ways or lines: crossing 9: annoyance, thwarting <a ~
          in love> 10 a: an act of crossing dissimilar individuals
          b: a crossbred individual or kind c: one that combines
          characteristics of two different types or individuals
          11 a: a fraudulent or dishonest contest b: dishonest
          or illegal practices--used esp. in the phrase on the
          cross 12: a movement from one part of a theater stage
          to another 13: a hook thrown over the opponent's lead
          in boxing 14: a security transaction in which a broker
          acts for both buyer and seller (as in the placing of
          a large lot of common stock)--called also cross-trade
          [2]cross vt (14c) 1 a: to lie or be situated across b:
          intersect 2: to make the sign of the cross upon or over
          3: to cancel by marking a cross on or drawing a line
          through: strike out <~ names off a list> 4: to place
          or fold crosswise one over the other <~ the arms> 5 a
          (1): to run counter to: oppose (2): to deny the validity
          of: contradict b: to confront in a troublesome manner:
          obstruct c (1): to spoil completely: disrupt--used with
          up <his failure to appear ~ed up the whole program> (2):
          to turn against: betray <~ed me up on the deal> 6 a:
          to extend across or over: traverse <a highway ~ing the
          entire state> b: reach, attain <only two ~ed the finish
          line> c: to go from one side of to the other <~ a street>
          <~es racial barriers> 7 a: to draw a line across b: to
          mark or figure with lines: streak 8: to cause (an animal
          or plant) to interbreed with one of a different kind:
          hybridize 9: to meet and pass on the way <our letters
          must have ~ed each other> 10: to occur to <it never ~ed
          my mind> 11: to carry or take across something <~ed the
          children at the intersection> ~ vi 1 a: to move, pass,
          or extend across something <~ed through France> <~ed
          over to the other side of the river> b: to move or pass
          from one character, condition, or allegiance to another--used
          with over 2: to lie or be athwart each other 3: to meet
          in passing esp. from opposite directions 4: interbreed,
          hybridize -- cross.er n -- cross swords : to engage in
          a dispute [3]cross adj (14c) 1 a: lying across or athwart
          b: moving across <~ traffic> 2 a: running counter: opposite
          b: mutually opposed <~ purposes> 3: involving mutual
          interchange: reciprocal 4: marked by typically transitory
          bad temper 5: extending over or treating several groups
          or classes <a ~ sample from 25 colleges> 6: crossbred,
          hybrid -- cross.ly adv -- cross.ness n [4]cross prep
          (1551): across [5]cross adv (1577): not parallel: crisscross,
          crosswise

   crossability
          [cross.abil.i.ty] n (1916): the ability of different species
          or varieties to cross with each other

   crossable
          [cross.able] adj (1865): capable of being crossed

   cross action
          [cross action] n (ca. 1859): a legal action in which the
          defendant in an existing action files a suit against
          the plaintiff on the same subject matter: countersuit

   crossbanding
          [cross.band.ing] n (1904): a veneer border (as on furniture)
          with its grain at right angles to the grain of the adjacent
          wood -- cross.band.ed adj

   crossbar
          [cross.bar] n (1562): a transverse bar or stripe

   crossbearer
          [cross.bear.er] n (1568): crucifer 1

   crossbill
          [cross.bill] n (ca. 1672): any of a small genus (Loxia) of
          finches with strongly curved mandibles that cross each
          other

   crossbones
          [cross.bones] n pl (1798): two leg or arm bones placed or
          depicted crosswise--compare skull and crossbones

   crossbow
          [cross.bow] n (15c): a weapon for discharging quarrels and
          stones that consists chiefly of a short bow mounted crosswise
          near the end of a stock

   crossbowman
          [cross.bow.man] n (ca. 1500): a person (as a soldier or a
          hunter) whose weapon is a crossbow

   crossbred
          [cross.bred] adj (1856): produced by crossbreeding: hybrid
          -- cross.bred n

   [1]crossbreed
          [cross.breed] vb -bred ; -breed.ing vt (1675): hybridize,
          cross; esp: to cross (two varieties or breeds) within
          the same species ~ vi: to engage in or undergo hybridization
          [2]cross.breed n (1774): hybrid

   [1]cross-check
          [cross-check] vt (ca. 1930) 1: to obstruct in ice hockey
          or lacrosse by thrusting one's stick held in both hands
          across an opponent's face or body 2: to check (as data
          or reports) from various angles or sources to determine
          validity or accuracy [2]cross-check n (1937): an act
          or instance of cross-checking

   cross-claim
          [cross-claim] n (1952): a claim against a party on the same
          side of a legal action

   [1]cross-country
          [cross-coun.try] adj (1767) 1: extending or moving across
          a country <a ~ concert tour> 2: proceeding over countryside
          (as across fields and through woods) and not by roads
          3: of or relating to racing or skiing over the countryside
          instead of over a track or run -- cross-country adv
          [2]cross-country n (1925): cross-country racing or skiing

   crosscourt
          [cross.court] adv or adj (1915): to or toward the opposite
          side of a court (as in tennis or basketball)

   cross-cultural
          [cross-cul.tur.al] adj (ca. 1942): dealing with or offering
          comparison between two or more different cultures or
          cultural areas -- cross-cul.tur.al.ly adv

   crosscurrent
          [cross.cur.rent] n (1598) 1: a current running counter to
          the general forward direction 2: a conflicting tendency--usu.
          used in pl. <political ~s>

   [1]crosscut
          [cross.cut] vt (1590) 1: to cut, go, or move across or through
          2: to cut with a crosscut saw 3: to subject (as movie
          scenes) to crosscutting [2]crosscut adj (1645) 1: made
          or used for cutting transversely <a saw with ~ teeth>
          2: cut across or transversely <a ~ incision> [3]cross.cut
          n (1789) 1: something that cuts across or through; specif:
          a mine working driven horizontally and at right angles
          to an adit, drift, or level 2: cross section 3: crosscut
          saw 4: an instance of crosscutting (as in a movie)

   crosscut saw
          [crosscut saw] n (1645): a saw designed chiefly to cut across
          the grain of wood--compare ripsaw

   crosscutting
          [cross.cut.ting] n (1930): a technique esp. in filmmaking
          of interweaving bits of two or more separate scenes

   cross-dressing
          [cross-dress.ing] n (1911): the wearing of clothes designed
          for the opposite sex -- cross-dress vi -- cross-dress.er
          n

   crosse
          [crosse] n [F, lit., crosier--more at crosier] (1867): a
          stick with a small net at one end that is used in lacrosse

   cross-examination
          [cross-ex.am.i.na.tion] n (1824): the examination of a witness
          who has already testified in order to check or discredit
          the witness's testimony, knowledge, or credibility--compare
          direct examination -- cross-ex.am.ine vt -- cross-ex.am.in.er
          n

   cross-eye
          [cross-eye] n (1826) 1: strabismus in which the eye turns
          inward toward the nose 2 pl: eyes affected with cross-eye
          -- cross-eyed adj

   cross-fertile
          [cross-fer.tile] adj (1929): fertile in a cross or capable
          of cross-fertilization

   cross-fertilization
          [cross-fer.til.i.za.tion] n (1876) 1 a: fertilization in
          which the gametes are produced by separate individuals
          or sometimes by individuals of different kinds b: cross-pollination
          2: interchange or interaction (as between different ideas,
          cultures, or categories) esp. of a broadening or productive nature

   cross-fertilize
          [cross-fer.til.ize] vt (1876): to accomplish cross-fertilization
          of ~ vi: to undergo cross-fertilization

   cross-file
          [cross-file] vi (1949): to register as a candidate in the
          primary elections of more than one political party ~
          vt: to register (a person) as a candidate for more than
          one party

   cross fire
          [cross fire] n (ca. 1859) 1 a: firing (as in combat) from
          two or more points so that the lines of fire cross b:
          a situation wherein the forces of opposing factions meet,
          cross, or clash <caught in a political cross fire> 2:
          rapid or heated exchange of words

   cross-grained
          [cross-grained] adj (1647) 1: difficult to deal with 2: having
          the grain or fibers running diagonally, transversely,
          or irregularly

   crosshair
          [cross.hair] n (ca. 1884): a fine wire or thread in the focus
          of the eyepiece of an optical instrument used as a reference
          line in the field or for marking the instrumental axis

   crosshatch
          [cross.hatch] vt (1822): to mark with two series of parallel
          lines that intersect -- crosshatch n -- cross-hatch.ing
          n

   crosshead
          [cross.head] n (1827) 1: a metal block to which one end of
          a piston rod is secured 2: a heading centered usu. between
          portions of text

   cross-index
          [cross-in.dex] vt (1892) 1: to index (an item) under a second
          or under more than one heading 2: to supply (as a book)
          with a cross-referenced index -- cross-index n

   crossing
          [cross.ing] n (1575) 1: the act or action of crossing: as
          a: a traversing or traveling across b: an opposing, blocking,
          or thwarting esp. in an unfair or dishonest manner 2
          a: a place or structure (as on a street or over a river)
          where pedestrians or vehicles cross; esp: crosswalk b:
          the place in a cruciform church where the transept crosses
          the nave c: a place where a railroad track crosses a
          street

   crossing-over
          [cross.ing-over] n (1912): an interchange of genes or segments
          between homologous chromosomes

   cross-legged
          [cross-legged] adv or adj (ca. 1530) 1: with legs crossed
          and knees spread wide apart 2: with one leg placed over
          and across the other

   crosslet
          [cross.let] n (15c): a small cross usu. with crossed arms;
          esp: one used as a heraldic bearing--see cross illustration

   crosslinguistic
          [cross.lin.guis.tic] adj (1954): of or relating to languages
          of different families and types; esp: relating to the
          comparison of different languages -- cross.lin.guis.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   cross-link
          [cross-link] n (1936): a crosswise connecting part (as an
          atom or group) that connects parallel chains in a complex
          chemical molecule (as a polymer) -- cross-link vb

   cross-linkage
          [cross-link.age] n (1937): the process of forming cross-links;
          also: cross-link

   cross multiply
          [cross multiply] vi (1951): to find the two products obtained
          by multiplying the numerator of each of two fractions
          by the denominator of the other -- cross multiplication
          n

   cross-national
          [cross-na.tion.al] adj (1965): of or relating to two or more
          nations

   cross of Lorraine
          [cross of Lor.raine] [Lorraine, France] (ca. 1889): a cross
          with two crossbars the lower one of which is longer than
          the upper one--see cross illustration

   crossopterygian
          [cros.sop.ter.yg.ian] n [NL Crossopterygii, subclass name,
          fr. Gk krossoi fringe + pterygion, dim. of pteryg-, pteryx
          wing, fin; akin to Gk pteron wing--more at feather] (1861):
          any of a subclass (Crossopterygii) of fishes (as a coelacanth)
          that have paired fins suggesting limbs, that may be ancestral
          to the terrestrial vertebrates, and that are mostly extinct--called
          also lobe-fin -- crossopterygian adj

   [1]crossover
          [cross.over] n (1884) 1: crossing 2a 2: an instance or product
          of genetic crossing-over 3: a voter registered as a member
          of one political party who votes in the primary of the
          other party 4: a broadening of the popular appeal of
          an artist (as a musician) or an artist's work that is
          often the result of a change of the artist's medium or
          style; also: an artist or artistic work that has achieved
          a crossover 5: an instance of breaking into another category
          <trying to make the ~ to serious acting --Michael Neill>
          [2]crossover adj (1893) 1: having two pieces that cross
          esp. one over the other <a ~ vest> 2: critical 1 <the
          ~ point>

   cross-ownership
          [cross-own.er.ship] n (1969): single ownership of two or
          more related businesses (as a newspaper and a television
          station) that allows the owner to control competition

   crosspatch
          [cross.patch] n [[3]cross + [3]patch] (ca. 1700): grouch
          2

   crosspiece
          [cross.piece] n (1607): a horizontal member (as of a structure)

   cross-pollinate
          [cross-pol.li.nate] vt (ca. 1900): to subject to cross-pollination

   cross-pollination
          [cross-pol.li.na.tion] n (1882) 1: the transfer of pollen
          from one flower to the stigma of another 2: cross-fertilization
          2

   cross product
          [cross product] n (1929) 1: vector product 2: either of the
          two products obtained by multiplying the two means or
          the two extremes of a proportion

   cross-purpose
          [cross-pur.pose] n (1681): a purpose usu. unintentionally
          contrary to another purpose of oneself or of someone
          or something else--usu. used in pl. <the two were always
          working at ~s>

   cross-question
          [cross-ques.tion] n (ca. 1694): a question asked in
          cross-examination -- cross-question vt

   cross-reaction
          [cross-re.ac.tion] n (1946): reaction of one antigen with
          antibodies developed against another antigen -- cross-re.act
          vi -- cross-re.ac.tive adj -- cross-re.ac.tiv.i.ty n

   cross-refer
          [cross-re.fer] vt (1879): to refer (a reader) by a notation
          or direction from one place to another (as in a book,
          list, or catalog) ~ vi: to make a cross-reference

   [1]cross-reference
          [cross-ref.er.ence] n (1834): a notation or direction at
          one place (as in a book or filing system) to pertinent
          information at another place [2]cross-reference vt (1902):
          to supply with cross-references

   cross-resistance
          [cross-re.sis.tance] n (1946): tolerance (as of an insect
          population) to a normally toxic substance (as an insecticide)
          that is acquired not as a result of direct exposure but
          by exposure to a related substance

   crossroad
          [cross.road] n (1719) 1: a road that crosses a main road
          or runs cross-country between main roads 2 usu pl but
          sing or pl in constr a: the place of intersection of
          two or more roads b (1): a small community located at
          such a crossroads (2): a central meeting place c: a crucial
          point esp. where a decision must be made

   crossruff
          [cross.ruff] n (1862): a series of plays in a card game (as
          bridge) in which partners alternately trump different
          suits and lead to each other for that purpose -- crossruff
          vb

   cross section
          [cross section] n (1835) 1 a: a cutting or piece of something
          cut off at right angles to an axis; also: a representation
          of such a cutting b: section 3b 2: a measure of the probability
          of an encounter between particles such as will result
          in a specified effect (as scattering or capture) 3: a
          composite representation typifying the constituents of
          a thing in their relations -- cross-section vt -- cross-sec.tion.al
          adj

   cross-stitch
          [cross-stitch] n (ca. 1710) 1: a needlework stitch that forms
          an X 2: work having cross-stitch -- cross-stitch vb

   cross talk
          [cross talk] n (1887): unwanted signals in a communication
          channel (as in a telephone, radio, or computer) caused
          by transference of energy from another circuit (as by
          leakage or coupling)

   cross-tolerance
          [cross-tol.er.ance] n (ca. 1923): tolerance or resistance
          to a drug that develops through continued use of another
          drug with similar pharmacological action

   crosstown
          [cross.town] adj (1886) 1: situated at opposite points of
          a town 2: extending or running across a town <a ~ street>
          <a ~ bus>

   cross-trade
          [cross-trade] n (ca. 1923): cross 14

   crosstrees
          [cross.trees] n pl (1626): two horizontal crosspieces of
          timber or metal supported by trestletrees at a masthead
          that spread the upper shrouds in order to support the
          ma st

   cross vault
          [cross vault] n (1850): a vault formed by the intersection
          of two or more simple vaults--called also cross vaulting

   crosswalk
          [cross.walk] n (1744): a specially paved or marked path for
          pedestrians crossing a street or road

   crossway
          [cross.way] n (14c): crossroad--often used in pl.

   crossways
          [cross.ways] adv (1564): crosswise, diagonally

   crosswind
          [cross.wind] n (1678): a wind blowing in a direction not
          parallel to a course (as of an airplane)

   [1]crosswise
          [cross.wise] adv (14c) 1 archaic: in the form of a cross
          2: so as to cross something: across <logs laid ~> [2]crosswise
          adj (1903): transverse, crossing

   crossword
          [cross.word] n (1914): a puzzle in which words are filled
          into a pattern of numbered squares in answer to correspondingly
          numbered clues and in such a way that the words read
          across and down

   crotch
          [crotch] n [prob. alter. of [1]crutch] (1573) 1: a pole with
          a forked end used esp. as a prop 2: an angle formed by
          the parting of two legs, branches, or members -- crotched
          adj

   crotchet
          [crotch.et] n [ME crochet, fr. MF--more at crochet] (14c)
          1 obs a: a small hook or hooked instrument b: brooch
          2 a: a highly individual and usu. eccentric opinion or
          preference b: a peculiar trick or device 3: quarter note
          syn see caprice

   crotchety
          [crotch.ety] adj (1825) 1: given to crotchets: subject to
          whims, crankiness, or ill temper <a ~ old man> 2: full
          of or arising from crotchets -- crotch.et.i.ness n

   croton
          [cro.ton] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk kroton castor-oil plant]
          (1751) 1: any of a genus (Croton) of herbs, shrubs, and
          trees of the spurge family: as a: one (C. eluteria) of
          the Bahamas yielding cascarilla bark b: an Asian plant
          (C. tiglium) yielding croton oil 2: any of a genus (Codiaeum)
          of shrubs and trees related to the crotons

   Croton bug
          [Cro.ton bug] n [Croton River, N.Y., used as a water supply
          for New York City] (1877): german cockroach

   croton oil
          [croton oil] n (ca. 1831): a viscid acrid fixed oil from
          an Asian croton (Croton tiglium) formerly used as a drastic
          cathartic but now used esp. in pharmacological experiments
          as an irritant

   crouch
          [crouch] vb [ME] vi (14c) 1 a: to lower the body stance esp.
          by bending the legs <a sprinter ~ed ready to go> b: to
          lie close to the ground with the legs bent <a pair of
          cats, ~ing on the brink of a fight --Aldous Huxley> 2:
          to bend or bow servilely: cringe ~ vt: to bow esp. in
          humility or fear: bend -- crouch n

   [1]croup
          [croup] n [ME croupe, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          kropf craw--more at crop] (14c): the rump of a quadruped
          [2]croup n [E dial. croup to cry hoarsely, cough, prob.
          of imit. origin] (1765): a spasmodic laryngitis esp.
          of infants marked by episodes of difficult breathing
          and hoarse metallic cough -- croup.ous adj -- croupy
          adj

   croupier
          [crou.pi.er] n [F, lit., rider on the croup of a horse, fr.
          croupe croup] (1709): an employee of a gambling casino
          who collects and pays bets and assists at the gaming
          tables

   crouse
          [crouse] adj [ME] (15c) chiefly Scot: brisk, lively

   croustade
          [crous.tade] n [F, prob. fr. It crostata tart, fr. crosta
          pastry shell, crust, fr. L crusta--more at crust] (ca.
          1845): a crisp shell (as of toast or puff pastry) in
          which to serve food

   crouton
          [crou.ton] n [F crouton, dim. of croute crust, fr. MF crouste,
          fr. OF, fr. L crusta] (1806): a small cube of toasted
          or crisply fried bread

   [1]crow
          [crow] n [ME crowe, fr. OE crawe; akin to OHG krawa crow,
          OE crawan to crow] (bef. 12c) 1: any of various large
          usu. entirely glossy black passerine birds (family Corvidae
          and esp. genus Corvus) 2 cap a: a member of an American
          Indian people of the region between the Platte and Yellowstone
          rivers b: the language of the Crow people 3 cap: corvus
          -- as the crow flies : in a straight line [2]crow vb
          crowed also in sense 1 chiefly Brit crew ; crow.ing [ME,
          fr. OE crawan] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to make the loud shrill
          sound characteristic of a cock 2: to utter a sound expressive
          of pleasure 3 a: to exult gloatingly esp. over the distress
          of another b: to brag exultantly or blatantly ~ vt: to
          say with self-satisfaction syn see boast [3]crow n (13c)
          1: the cry of the cock 2: a triumphant cry

   crowbar
          [crow.bar] n (1748): an iron or steel bar that is usu. wedge-shaped
          at the working end for use as a pry or lever -- crowbar vt

   crowberry
          [crow.ber.ry] n (1597) 1: an evergreen subshrub (Empetrum
          nigrum of the family Empetraceae) of arctic and alpine
          regions with an insipid black berry 2: the fruit of a
          crowberry

   [1]crowd
          [crowd] vb [ME crouden, fr. OE crudan; akin to MHG kroten
          to crowd, OE crod multitude, MIr gruth curds] vi (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to press on: hurry b: to press close 2: to
          collect in numbers ~ vt 1 a: to fill by pressing or thronging
          together b: to press, force, or thrust into a small space
          2: push, force--often used with off or out 3 a: to urge
          on b: to put on (sail) in excess of the usual for greater
          speed 4: to put pressure on <don't ~ me, I'll pay> 5:
          throng, jostle 6: to press or stand close to [2]crowd
          n (1567) 1: a large number of persons esp. when collected
          together: throng 2 a: the great body of the people: populace
          b: most of one's peers <follow the ~> 3: a large number
          of things close together 4: a group of people having
          something (as a habit, interest, or occupation) in common
          <in with the wrong ~> syn crowd, throng, crush, mob,
          horde mean an assembled multitude usu. of people. crowd
          implies a close gathering and pressing together <a small
          crowd gathered>. throng strongly suggests movement and
          pushing <a throng of reporters>. crush emphasizes the
          compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual
          movement, and the attendant discomfort <a crush of fans>.
          mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for
          violence <an angry mob outside the jail>. horde suggests
          a rushing or tumultuous crowd <a horde of shoppers>.
          [3]crowd n [ME crowde, fr. MW crwth] (14c) 1: an ancient
          Celtic stringed instrument that is plucked or bowed--called
          also crwth 2 dial Eng: violin

   crowdedness
          [crowd.ed.ness] n (1823): the quality or state of being crowded

   crowdie
          [crow.die] n [alter. of crud curd] (1820): a Scottish cottage
          cheese that is partially cooked

   crowfoot
          [crow.foot] n, pl crow.feet (14c) 1 pl usu crow.foots : any
          of numerous plants having leaves with cleft lobes; esp:
          buttercup 2: crow's-foot 1--usu. used in pl.

   crowkeeper
          [crow.keep.er] n (1562) dial Eng: a person employed to scare
          off crows

   [1]crown
          [crown] n, often attrib [ME coroune, crowne, fr. OF corone,
          fr. L corona wreath, crown, fr. Gk korone culmination,
          something curved like a crow's beak, lit., crow; akin
          to L cornix crow, Gk korax raven--more at raven] (12c)
          1: a reward of victory or mark of honor; esp: the title
          representing the championship in a sport 2: a royal or
          imperial headdress or cap of sovereignty: diadem 3: the
          highest part: as a: the topmost part of the skull or
          head b: the summit of a mountain c: the head of foliage
          of a tree or shrub d: the part of a hat or other headgear
          covering the crown of the head e: the part of a tooth
          external to the gum or an artificial substitute for this--see
          tooth illustration 4: a wreath, band, or circular ornament
          for the head 5: something resembling a wreath or crown
          6 often cap a (1): imperial or regal power: sovereignty
          (2): the government under a constitutional monarchy b:
          monarch 7: something that imparts splendor, honor, or
          finish: culmination 8 a: any of several old gold coins
          with a crown as part of the device b: an old usu. silver
          British coin worth five shillings 9 a: koruna b: krona
          c: krone 10 a: the region of a seed plant at which stem
          and root merge b: the thick arching end of the shank
          of an anchor where the arms join it--see anchor illustration
          -- crowned adj -- crown.less adj [2]crown vb [ME corounen,
          fr. OF coroner, fr. L coronare, fr. corona] vt (12c)
          1 a: to place a crown or wreath on the head of; specif:
          to invest with regal dignity and power b: to recognize
          officially as <they ~ed her athlete of the year> 2: to
          bestow something on as a mark of honor or recompense:
          adorn 3: surmount, top; esp: to top (a checker) with
          a checker to make a king 4: to bring to a successful
          conclusion: climax 5: to provide with something like
          a crown: as a: to fill so that the surface forms a crown
          b: to put an artificial crown on (a tooth) 6: to hit
          on the head ~ vi, of a forest fire: to burn rapidly through
          the tops of trees

   crown colony
          [crown colony] n, often cap both Cs (1845): a colony of the
          Commonwealth over which the Crown retains some control

   crown court
          [crown court] n (1827): a court in England and Wales that
          exercises jurisdiction over matters formerly heard by
          the quarter sessions and criminal matters formerly heard
          by the courts of assize

   crowner
          [crow.ner] n [ME, alter. of coroner] (14c) dial chiefly Eng:
          coroner

   crownet
          [crown.et] n (15c) archaic: coronet

   crown gall
          [crown gall] n (1900): a disease that affects many species
          of plants and is caused by a bacterium (Agrobacterium
          tumefaciens) which forms tumorous enlargements just below
          the ground on the stem

   crown glass
          [crown glass] n (1706) 1: a glass blown and whirled into
          the form of a disk with a center lump left by the worker's
          rod 2: alkali-lime silicate optical glass having relatively
          low index of refraction and low dispersion value

   crown jewel
          [crown jewel] n (1649) 1 pl: the jewels (as crown and scepter)
          belonging to a sovereign's regalia 2: the most attractive
          or valuable one of a collection or group

   crown land
          [crown land] n (ca. 1625) 1: land belonging to the crown
          and yielding revenues that the reigning sovereign is
          entitled to 2: public land in some British dominions
          or colonies

   crown of thorns
          [crown of thorns] (1964): a starfish (Acanthaster planci)
          of the Pacific region that is covered with long spines
          and is destructive to the coral of coral reefs--called
          also crown-of-thorns starfish

   crown prince
          [crown prince] n (1791): a male heir apparent to a crown
          or throne

   crown princess
          [crown princess] n (1863) 1: the wife of a crown prince 2:
          a female heir apparent or heir presumptive to a crown
          or throne

   crown roast
          [crown roast] n (ca. 1909): a fancy roast of lamb, veal,
          or pork made from the rib portions of two loins skewered
          together at the ends to form a circle

   crown rust
          [crown rust] n (ca. 1899): a leaf rust of oats and other
          grasses that is caused by a fungus (Puccinia coronata)
          and is characterized by rounded light-orange uredinia
          and buried telia

   crown vetch
          [crown vetch] n (ca. 1900): a European leguminous herb (Coronilla
          varia) that is naturalized in the eastern U.S. and has
          umbels of pink-and-white flowers and sharp-angled pods

   crow's-foot
          [crow's-foot] n, pl crow's-feet (14c) 1: a wrinkle extending
          from the outer corner of the eye--usu. used in pl. 2:
          crowfoot 1

   crow's nest
          [crow's nest] n (1818): a partly enclosed platform high on
          a ship's mast for use as a lookout; also: a similar lookout
          (as for traffic control)

   crowstep
          [crow.step] n (1822): any of a series of steps at the top
          of a gable wall -- crow.stepped adj

   crozier
          [cro.zier] var of crosier

   CRT
          [CRT] abbreviation carrier route

   CRT
          [CRT] n, pl CRTs or CRT's (ca. 1945): cathode-ray tube; also:
          a display device incorporating a cathode-ray tube

   cruces
          [cruces] pl of crux

   crucial
          [cru.cial] adj [F, fr. L cruc-, crux cross] (1706) 1 archaic:
          cruciform 2 a: important or essential as resolving a
          crisis: decisive <a ~ step> b: marked by final determination
          of a doubtful issue <the ~ game of a series> c: important,
          significant <what use we make of them will be the ~ question
          --Stanley Kubrick> syn see acute

   crucially
          [cru.cial.ly] adv (1879) 1: in a crucial manner 2: very importantly

   crucian carp
          [cru.cian carp] n [modif. of LG karuse, fr. MLG karusse,
          perh. of Baltic origin; akin to Lith karusis carp] (1836):
          a European carp (Carassius carassius)--called also crucian

   cruciate
          [cru.ci.ate] adj [NL cruciatus, fr. L cruc-, crux] (1826):
          cross-shaped: cruciform

   crucible
          [cru.ci.ble] n [ME corusible, fr. ML crucibulum earthen pot
          for melting metals] (15c) 1: a vessel of a very refractory
          material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining
          a substance that requires a high degree of heat 2: a
          severe test 3: a place or situation in which concentrated
          forces interact to cause or influence change or development
          <conditioned by having grown up within the ~ of Chinatown
          --Tom Wolfe>

   crucible steel
          [crucible steel] n (ca. 1879): hard cast steel made in pots
          that are lifted from the furnace before the metal is
          poured into molds

   crucifer
          [cru.ci.fer] n [LL, fr. L cruc-, crux + -fer] (1574) 1: one
          who carries a cross esp. at the head of an ecclesiastical
          procession 2: any of a family (Cruciferae) of plants
          including the cabbage, turnip, and mustard -- cru.cif.er.ous
          adj

   crucifix
          [cru.ci.fix] n [ME, fr. LL crucifixus the crucified Christ,
          fr. crucifixus, pp. of crucifigere to crucify, fr. L
          cruc-, crux + figere to fasten--more at fix] (13c): a
          representation of Christ on the cross

   crucifixion
          [cru.ci.fix.ion] n (15c) 1 a cap: the crucifying of Christ
          b: the act of crucifying 2: extreme and painful punishment,
          affliction, or suffering

   cruciform
          [cru.ci.form] adj [L cruc-, crux + E -form] (1661): forming
          or arranged in a cross -- cruciform n

   crucify
          [cru.ci.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME crucifien, fr. OF crucifier,
          fr. LL crucifigere] (14c) 1: to put to death by nailing
          or binding the wrists or hands and feet to a cross 2:
          to destroy the power of: mortify <~ the flesh> 3 a: to
          treat cruelly: torment b: pillory 2

   cruck
          [cruck] n [prob. fr. dial. form of [2]crook (curved timber)]
          (1888): one of a pair of curved timbers forming a principal
          support of a roof in primitive English house construction

   [1]crud
          [crud] n [ME curd, crudd] (14c) 1 dial: curd 2 a: a deposit
          or incrustation of filth, grease, or refuse b: something
          disagreeable or disgusting: rubbish c slang: a despicable
          or contemptible person 3: a usu. ill-defined or imperfectly
          identified bodily disorder -- crud.dy adj [2]crud vb
          crud.ded ; crud.ding (14c) dial: [2]curd

   [1]crude
          [crude] adj crud.er ; crud.est [ME, fr. L crudus raw, crude,
          undigested--more at raw] (14c) 1: existing in a natural
          state and unaltered by cooking or processing <~ oil>
          2 archaic: unripe, immature 3: marked by the primitive,
          gross, or elemental or by uncultivated simplicity or
          vulgarity <a ~ stereotype> 4: rough or inexpert in plan
          or execution <a ~ shelter> 5: lacking a covering, glossing,
          or concealing element: obvious <~ facts> 6: tabulated
          without being broken down into classes <the ~ death rate>
          syn see rude -- crude.ly adv -- crude.ness n [2]crude
          n (1904): a substance in its natural unprocessed state;
          esp: unrefined petroleum

   crudites
          [cru.di.tes] n pl [F, fr. pl. of crudite rawness, fr. L cruditas
          indigestion, fr. crudus] (1960): pieces of raw vegetables
          (as celery or carrot sticks) served as an hors d'oeuvre
          often with a dip

   crudity
          [cru.di.ty] n, pl -ties (1547) 1: the quality or state of
          being crude 2: something that is crude

   cruel
          [cru.el] adj cru.el.er or cru.el.ler ; cru.el.est or cru.el.lest
          [ME, fr. OF, fr. L crudelis, fr. crudus] (14c) 1: disposed
          to inflict pain or suffering: devoid of humane feelings
          2 a: causing or conducive to injury, grief, or pain <a
          ~ joke> b: unrelieved by leniency syn see fierce -- cru.el.ly
          adv -- cru.el.ness n

   cruelty
          [cru.el.ty] n, pl -ties [ME cruelte, fr. OF cruelte, fr.
          L crudelitat-, crudelitas, fr. crudelis] (13c) 1: the
          quality or state of being cruel 2 a: a cruel action b:
          inhuman treatment 3: marital conduct held (as in a divorce
          action) to endanger life or health or to cause mental
          suffering or fear

   cruet
          [cru.et] n [ME, fr. AF, dim. of OF crue, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE cruce] (14c) 1: a vessel to hold wine or water
          for the Eucharist 2: a usu. glass bottle used to hold
          a condiment (as oil or vinegar) for use at the table

   [1]cruise
          [cruise] vb cruised ; cruis.ing [D kruisen to make a cross,
          cruise, fr. MD crucen, fr. cruce cross, fr. L cruc-,
          crux] vi (1651) 1: to sail about touching at a series
          of ports 2: to move or proceed speedily, smoothly, or
          effortlessly <I'll ~ over to her house to see if she's
          home> 3: to travel without destination or purpose 4 a:
          to go about the streets at random but on the lookout
          for possible developments <the cabdriver cruised for
          an hour before being hailed> b: to search (as in public
          places) for a sexual partner 5 a of an airplane: to fly
          at the most efficient operating speed b of an automobile:
          to travel at a speed suitable for being maintained for
          a long distance ~ vt 1: to cruise over or about 2: to
          inspect (as land) with reference to possible lumber yield
          3 a: to search in (a public place) for a sexual partner
          b: to approach and suggest sexual relations to [2]cruise
          n (ca. 1706): an act or an instance of cruising; esp:
          a tour by ship

   cruise control
          [cruise control] n (1968) 1: an electronic device in an automobile
          that controls the throttle so as to maintain a constant speed
          2: a relaxed and seemingly automatic pace that is easily maintained

   cruise missile
          [cruise missile] n (1959): a guided missile that has
          a terrain-following radar system and that flies at moderate speed
          and low altitude

   cruiser
          [cruis.er] n (1695) 1: a vehicle that cruises: as a: squad
          car b: a powerboat with facilities (as a cabin and plumbing)
          necessary for living aboard--called also cabin cruiser
          2: a large fast moderately armored and gunned warship
          usu. of 6000 to 15,000 tons displacement 3: a person
          who cruises

   cruller
          [crul.ler] n [D krulle, a twisted cake, fr. krul curly, fr.
          MD crul--more at curl] (1818) 1: a small sweet cake in
          the form of a twisted strip fried in deep fat 2 Northern
          & Midland: an unraised doughnut

   [1]crumb
          [crumb] n [ME crumme, fr. OE cruma; akin to MHG krume crumb]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a small fragment esp. of something baked
          (as bread) b: a porous aggregate of soil particles 2:
          bit <a ~ of good news> 3: the soft part of bread 4 slang:
          a worthless person [2]crumb vt (14c) 1: to break into
          crumbs 2: to cover or thicken with crumbs 3: to remove
          crumbs from <~ a table>

   [1]crumble
          [crum.ble] vb crum.bled ; crum.bling [alter. of ME kremelen,
          freq. of OE gecrymian to crumble, fr. cruma] vt (1570):
          to break into small pieces ~ vi 1: to fall into small
          pieces: disintegrate 2: to break down completely: collapse
          <marriages ~> [2]crumble n (1820) 1: something crumbled:
          fine debris 2: crisp 2

   crumblings
          [crum.blings] n pl (1660): crumbled particles: crumbs

   crumbly
          [crum.bly] adj crum.bli.er ; -est (1523): easily crumbled:
          friable <~ soil> -- crum.bli.ness n

   crumb structure
          [crumb structure] n (ca. 1906): a soil condition suitable
          for farming in which the soil particles are aggregated
          into crumbs

   crumhorn
          [crumhorn] var of krummhorn

   crummie
          [crum.mie] or crum.my n, pl crummies [Sc crumb crooked, fr.
          ME, fr. OE] (1724) chiefly Scot: cow; esp: one with crumpled
          horns

   crummy
          [crum.my] also crumby adj crum.mi.er also crumb.i.er ; -est
          [ME crumme] (1567) 1 obs: crumbly 2 a: miserable, filthy
          b: cheap, worthless -- crum.mi.ness n

   [1]crump
          [crump] vi [imit.] (1646) 1: crunch 2: to explode heavily
          [2]crump n (1914) 1: a crunching sound 2: shell, bomb
          [3]crump adj [perh. alter. of crimp friable] (1787) chiefly
          Scot: brittle

   crumpet
          [crum.pet] n [perh. fr. ME crompid (cake) wafer, lit., curled-up
          cake, fr. crumped, pp. of crumpen to curl up, fr. crump,
          crumb crooked, fr. OE crumb; akin to OHG krump crooked]
          (1769): a small round unsweetened bread cooked on a griddle
          and usu. split and toasted before serving

   [1]crumple
          [crum.ple] vb crum.pled ; crum.pling [ME crumplen, freq.
          of ME crumpen] vt (14c) 1: to press, bend, or crush out
          of shape: rumple 2: to cause to collapse ~ vi 1: to become
          crumpled 2: collapse [2]crumple n (15c): a wrinkle or
          crease made by crumpling -- crum.ply adj

   [1]crunch
          [crunch] vb [alter. of craunch] vi (1814) 1: to chew or press
          with a crushing noise 2: to make one's way with a crushing
          noise ~ vt 1: to chew, press, or grind with a crunching
          sound 2: process; esp: to perform mathematical computations
          on <~ numbers> -- crunch.able adj [2]crunch n (1836)
          1: an act of crunching 2: a sound made by crunching 3:
          a tight or critical situation: as a: a critical point
          in the buildup of pressure between opposing elements:
          showdown b: a severe economic squeeze (as on credit)
          c: shortage <an energy ~>

   cruncher
          [crunch.er] n (1946) 1: one that crunches 2: a finishing
          blow

   crunchy
          [crunchy] adj crunch.i.er ; -est (1913): making a crunching
          sound when chewed or pressed -- crunch.i.ly adv -- crunch.i.ness
          n

   crupper
          [crup.per] n [ME cruper, fr. OF crupiere, fr. croupe
          hindquarters--more at croup] (14c) 1: a leather loop passing under
          a horse's tail and buckled to the saddle 2: [1]croup; broadly:
          buttocks

   crural
          [cru.ral] adj [L crur-, crus leg] (1599): of or relating
          to the thigh or leg; specif: femoral <~ artery>

   crus
          [crus] n, pl cru.ra [L crur-, crus] (ca. 1751): any of various
          anatomical parts that resemble a leg or a pair of legs

   [1]crusade
          [cru.sade] n [blend of MF croisade & Sp cruzada; both ultim.
          fr. L cruc-, crux cross] (ca. 1708) 1 cap: any of the
          military expeditions undertaken by Christian powers in
          the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries to win the Holy Land
          from the Muslims 2: a remedial enterprise undertaken
          with zeal and enthusiasm [2]crusade vi cru.sad.ed ; cru.sad.ing
          (1732): to engage in a crusade -- cru.sad.er n

   crusado
          [cru.sa.do] also cru.za.do n, pl -does or -dos [Pg cruzado,
          lit., marked with a cross] (1544): an old gold or silver
          coin of Portugal having a cross on the reverse

   cruse
          [cruse] n [ME; akin to OE cruse pitcher] (13c): a small vessel
          (as a jar or pot) for holding a liquid (as water or oil)

   [1]crush
          [crush] vb [ME crusshen, fr. MF cruisir, of Gmc origin; akin
          to MLG krossen to crush] vt (15c) 1 a: to squeeze or
          force by pressure so as to alter or destroy structure
          b: to squeeze together into a mass 2: hug, embrace 3:
          to reduce to particles by pounding or grinding 4 a: to
          suppress or overwhelm as if by pressure or weight b:
          to oppress or burden grievously c: to subdue completely
          5: crowd, push 6 archaic: drink ~ vi 1 obs: crash 2:
          to become crushed 3: to advance with or as if with crushing
          -- crush.able adj -- crush.er n -- crush.ing.ly adv [2]crush
          n (1599) 1: an act of crushing 2: the quantity of material
          crushed 3 a: a crowding together (as of people or traffic)
          b: crowd, mob; esp: a crowd of people pressing against
          one another 4: an intense and usu. passing infatuation
          <have a ~ on someone>; also: the object of infatuation
          syn see crowd -- crush.proof adj

   crust
          [crust] n [ME, fr. L crusta; akin to OE hruse earth, Gk kryos
          icy cold, krystallos ice, crystal] (14c) 1 a: the hardened
          exterior or surface part of bread b: a piece of this
          or of bread grown dry or hard 2: the pastry cover of
          a pie 3: a hard or brittle external coat or covering:
          as a: a hard surface layer (as of soil or snow) b: the
          outer part of a planet, moon, or asteroid composed essentially
          of crystalline rocks c: a deposit built up on the interior
          surface of a wine bottle during long aging d: an encrusting
          deposit of dried secretions or exudate; esp: scab 4:
          gall, nerve -- crust vb -- crust.al adj -- crust.less
          adj

   crustacea
          [crus.ta.cea] n pl [NL, group name, fr. neut. pl. of crustaceus]
          (1814): arthropods that are crustaceans

   crustacean
          [crus.ta.cean] n (1835): any of a large class (Crustacea)
          of mostly aquatic mandibulate arthropods that have a
          chitinous or calcareous and chitinous exoskeleton, a
          pair of often much modified appendages on each segment,
          and two pairs of antennae and that include the lobsters,
          shrimps, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles
          -- crustacean adj

   crustaceous
          [crus.ta.ceous] adj [NL crustaceus, fr. L crusta crust, shell]
          (ca. 1656): of, relating to, having, or forming a crust
          or shell; esp: crustose

   crustose
          [crus.tose] adj [L crustosus crusted, fr. crusta] (ca. 1879):
          having a thin thallus adhering closely to a substrate
          (as of rock, bark, or soil) <~ lichens>--compare foliose,
          fruticose

   crusty
          [crusty] adj crust.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: having or being a
          crust 2: giving an effect of surly incivility in address
          or disposition syn see bluff -- crust.i.ly adv -- crust.i.ness
          n

   [1]crutch
          [crutch] n [ME crucche, fr. OE crycc; akin to OHG krucka
          crutch] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a support typically fitting under
          the armpit for use by the disabled in walking b: prop,
          stay 2: a forked leg rest constituting the pommel of
          a sidesaddle 3: the crotch of a human being or an animal
          4: a forked support [2]crutch vt (1681): to support on
          crutches: prop up

   crux
          [crux] n, pl crux.es also cru.ces [L cruc-, crux cross, torture]
          (1718) 1: a puzzling or difficult problem: an unsolved
          question 2: an essential point requiring resolution or
          resolving an outcome <the ~ of the problem> 3: a main
          or central feature (as of an argument)

   crux criticorum
          [crux cri.ti.co.rum] [L] foreign term : crux of critics

   cruzado
          [cru.za.do] n, pl -dos [Pg] (1986): the basic monetary unit
          of Brazil 1986-90

   Cruzan
          [Cru.zan] n [(assumed) AmerSp cruzano, fr. Santa Cruz St.
          Croix] (1958): a native or inhabitant of St. Croix --
          Cruzan adj

   cruzeiro
          [cru.zei.ro] n, pl -ros [Pg] (1927)--see money table

   crwth
          [crwth] n [W] (ca. 1837): [3]crowd 1

   [1]cry
          [cry] vb cried ; cry.ing [ME crien, fr. OF crier, fr. L quiritare
          to make a public outcry, perh. fr. Quirit-, Quiris, name
          for the Roman citizen] vt (13c) 1: to utter loudly: shout
          2 archaic: beg, beseech 3: to proclaim publicly: advertise
          <~ their wares> ~ vi 1: to call loudly: shout 2: to shed
          tears often noisily: weep, sob 3: to utter a characteristic
          sound or call 4: to require or suggest strongly a remedy
          or disposition <a hundred things which ~ out for planning
          --Roger Burlingame> -- cry havoc : to sound an alarm
          -- cry over spilled milk : to express vain regrets for
          what cannot be recovered or undone -- cry wolf : to give
          alarm unnecessarily [2]cry n, pl cries (13c) 1: an instance
          of crying: as a: an inarticulate utterance of distress,
          rage, or pain b obs: outcry, clamor 2 a obs: proclamation
          b pl, Scot: banns 3: entreaty, appeal 4: a loud shout
          5: watchword, slogan 6 a: common report b: a general
          opinion 7: the public voice raised in protest or approval
          8: a fit of weeping 9: the characteristic sound or call
          of an animal 10 a: a pack of hounds b: pursuit--used
          in the phrase in full cry 11: distance--usu. used in
          the phrase a far cry

   cry-
          [cry-] or cryo- comb form [G kryo-, fr. Gk, fr. kryos--more
          at crust]: cold: freezing <cryonics> <cryogen>

   crybaby
          [cry.ba.by] n (1851): one who cries or complains easily or
          often

   cry down
          [cry down] vt (1598): disparage, depreciate

   crying
          [cry.ing] adj (1607) 1: calling for notice <a ~ need> 2:
          notorious, heinous <a ~ shame>

   cryobiology
          [cryo.bi.ol.o.gy] n (1960): the study of the effects of extremely
          low temperature on biological systems -- cryo.bi.o.log.i.cal
          adj -- cryo.bi.ol.o.gist n

   cry off
          [cry off] vt (1928): to call off (as a bargain) ~ vi, chiefly
          Brit: to beg off

   cryogen
          [cryo.gen] n (1875): a substance for obtaining low temperatures:
          refrigerant--called also cryogenic

   cryogenic
          [cryo.gen.ic] adj (1896) 1 a: of or relating to the production
          of very low temperatures b: being or relating to very
          low temperatures 2 a: requiring or involving the use
          of a cryogenic temperature b: requiring cryogenic storage
          c: suitable for storage of a cryogenic substance
          -- cryo.gen.i.cal.ly adv

   cryogenics
          [cryo.gen.ics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1934): a branch
          of physics that deals with the production and effects
          of very low temperatures

   cryolite
          [cryo.lite] n (1801): a mineral consisting of a fluoride
          of sodium and aluminum found in Greenland usu. in white
          cleavable masses and used as a source of aluminum

   cryonics
          [cry.on.ics] n pl but usu sing in constr [cry- + -onics (as
          in electronics)] (1967): the practice of freezing a dead
          diseased human in hopes of restoring life at some future
          time when a cure for the disease has been developed --
          cry.on.ic adj

   cryophilic
          [cryo.phil.ic] adj (1942): thriving at low temperatures

   cryopreservation
          [cryo.pres.er.va.tion] n (1968): preservation (as of cells)
          by subjection to extremely low temperatures -- cryo.pre.serve
          vt

   cryoprobe
          [cryo.probe] n (1965): a blunt chilled instrument used to
          freeze tissues in cryosurgery

   cryoprotective
          [cryo.pro.tec.tive] adj (1967): serving to protect from freezing
          <an extracellular ~ agent> -- cryo.pro.tec.tant n or
          adj

   cryoscope
          [cryo.scope] n (1920): an instrument for determining freezing
          points

   cryoscopy
          [cry.os.co.py] n [ISV] (ca. 1900): the determination of the
          lowered freezing points produced in liquid by dissolved
          substances in order to determine molecular weights of
          solutes and various properties of solutions -- cryo.scop.ic
          adj

   cryostat
          [cryo.stat] n [ISV] (1913): an apparatus for maintaining
          a constant low temperature esp. below 0 degrees C --
          cryo.stat.ic adj

   cryosurgery
          [cryo.sur.gery] n (1962): surgery in which the tissue to
          be treated or operated on is frozen (as by liquid nitrogen)
          -- cryo.sur.geon n -- cryo.sur.gi.cal adj

   cryotherapy
          [cryo.ther.a.py] n (1926): the therapeutic use of cold

   crypt-
          [crypt-] or crypto- comb form [NL, fr. Gk kryptos] 1: hidden:
          covered <cryptogenic> 2: cryptographic <cryptanalysis>

   crypt
          [crypt] n [L crypta, fr. Gk krypte, fr. fem. of kryptos hidden,
          fr. kryptein to hide; perh. akin to Lith krauti to pile
          up] (1789) 1 a: a chamber (as a vault) wholly or partly
          underground; esp: a vault under the main floor of a church
          b: a chamber in a mausoleum 2 a: an anatomical pit or
          depression b: a simple tubular gland

   cryptanalysis
          [crypt.anal.y.sis] n (1923) 1: the solving of cryptograms
          or cryptographic systems 2: the theory of solving cryptograms
          or cryptographic systems: the art of devising methods
          for this -- crypt.an.a.lyt.ic also crypt.an.a.lyt.i.cal
          adj

   cryptanalyst
          [crypt.an.a.lyst] n (1921): a specialist in cryptanalysis

   cryptarithm
          [cryp.ta.rithm] n [crypt- + -arithm (as in logarithm)] (1943):
          an arithmetic problem in which letters have been substituted
          for numbers and which is solved by finding all possible
          pairings of digits with letters that produce a numerically
          correct answer

   cryptic
          [cryp.tic] adj [LL crypticus, fr. Gk kryptikos, fr. kryptos]
          (ca. 1638) 1: secret, occult 2 a: having or seeming to
          have a hidden or ambiguous meaning: mysterious <~ messages>
          b: marked by an often perplexing brevity <~ marginal
          notes> 3: serving to conceal <~ coloration in animals>;
          also: exhibiting cryptic coloration <~ animals> 4: unrecognized
          <a ~ infection> 5: employing cipher or code syn see obscure
          -- cryp.ti.cal.ly adv

   [1]crypto
          [cryp.to] n, pl cryptos [crypt-] (1946): a person who adheres
          or belongs secretly to a party, sect, or other group
          [2]crypto adj (1952) 1: cryptographic 2: not openly avowed
          or declared--often used in combination <crypto-fascist>

   cryptococcosis
          [cryp.to.coc.co.sis] n, pl -co.ses [NL] (1938): an infectious
          disease that is caused by a fungus (Cryptococcus neoformans)
          and is characterized by the production of nodular lesions
          or abscesses in the lungs, subcutaneous tissues, joints,
          and esp. the brain and meninges

   cryptococcus
          [cryp.to.coc.cus] n, pl -coc.ci [NL] (ca. 1902): any of a
          genus (Cryptococcus) of budding imperfect fungi that
          resemble yeasts and include a number of saprophytes and
          a few serious pathogens -- cryp.to.coc.cal adj

   cryptocrystalline
          [cryp.to.crys.tal.line] adj [ISV] (1862): having a crystalline
          structure so fine that no distinct particles are recognizable
          under the microscope <~ quartz>

   cryptogam
          [cryp.to.gam] n [ultim. fr. Gk kryptos + -gamia -gamy] (1847):
          a plant (as a fern, moss, alga, or fungus) reproducing
          by spores and not producing flowers or seed -- cryp.to.gam.ic
          or cryp.tog.a.mous adj

   cryptogenic
          [cryp.to.gen.ic] adj (1908): of obscure or unknown origin
          <a ~ disease>

   cryptogram
          [cryp.to.gram] n [F cryptogramme, fr. crypt- + -gramme -gram]
          (1880) 1: a communication in cipher or code 2: a figure
          or representation having a hidden significance

   cryptograph
          [cryp.to.graph] n (1849): cryptogram

   cryptographer
          [cryp.tog.ra.pher] n (1641): a specialist in cryptography:
          as a: a clerk who enciphers and deciphers messages b:
          one who devises cryptographic methods or systems c: cryptanalyst

   cryptographic
          [cryp.to.graph.ic] adj (1824): of, relating to, or using
          cryptography -- cryp.to.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   cryptography
          [cryp.tog.ra.phy] n [NL cryptographia, fr. crypt- + -graphia
          -graphy] (1658) 1: secret writing 2: the enciphering
          and deciphering of messages in secret code or cipher
          3: cryptanalysis

   cryptology
          [cryp.tol.o.gy] n (1935): the scientific study of cryptography
          and cryptanalysis -- cryp.to.log.i.cal or cryp.to.log.ic
          adj -- cryp.tol.o.gist n

   cryptomeria
          [cryp.to.me.ria] n [NL, genus name, fr. crypt- + Gk meros
          part--more at merit] (1841): an evergreen tree (Cryptomeria
          japonica) of the pine family that is a valuable timber
          tree of Japan

   cryptonym
          [cryp.to.nym] n (1876): a secret name

   cryptorchid
          [crypt.or.chid] n [NL cryptorchid-, cryptorchis, fr. crypt-
          + orchid-, orchis testicle, fr. Gk orchis--more at orchis]
          (1874): one affected with cryptorchidism -- cryptorchid
          adj

   cryptorchidism
          [crypt.or.chi.dism] or crypt.or.chism n (ca. 1882): a condition
          in which one or both testes fail to descend normally

   cryptozoology
          [cryp.to.zo.ol.o.gy] n (1969): the study of the lore concerning
          legendary animals (as Sasquatch) esp. in order to evaluate
          the possibility of their existence -- cryp.to.zo.ol.o.gist
          n

   cryst
          [cryst] abbreviation crystalline, crystallized

   [1]crystal
          [crys.tal] n [ME cristal, fr. OF, fr. L crystallum, fr. Gk
          krystallos--more at crust] (13c) 1: quartz that is transparent
          or nearly so and that is either colorless or only slightly
          tinged 2: something resembling crystal in transparency
          and colorlessness 3: a body that is formed by the solidification
          of a chemical element, a compound, or a mixture and has
          a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms
          and often external plane faces 4: a clear colorless glass
          of superior quality; also: objects or ware of such glass
          5: the glass or transparent plastic cover over a watch
          or clock dial 6: a crystalline material used in electronics
          as a frequency-determining element or for rectification
          7: powdered methamphetamine [2]crystal adj (14c) 1: consisting
          of or resembling crystal: clear, lucid 2: relating to
          or using a crystal <a ~ radio receiver>

   crystal ball
          [crystal ball] n (1855) 1: a sphere esp. of quartz crystal
          traditionally used by fortune-tellers 2: a means or method
          of predicting future events

   crystal gazing
          [crystal gazing] n (1889) 1: the art or practice of concentrating
          on a glass or crystal globe with the aim of inducing
          a psychic state in which divination can be performed
          2: the attempt to predict future events or make difficult
          judgments esp. without adequate data -- crystal gazer
          n

   crystall-
          [crystall-] or crystallo- comb form [Gk krystallos]: crystal
          <crystallography>

   crystalline
          [crys.tal.line] adj [ME cristallin, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L
          crystallinus, fr. Gk krystallinos, fr. krystallos] (15c)
          1: resembling crystal: as a: strikingly clear or sparkling
          <~ air> <a ~ lake> b: clear-cut 2: made of crystal: composed
          of crystals 3: constituting or relating to a crystal
          -- crys.tal.lin.i.ty n

   crystalline lens
          [crystalline lens] n (1794): the lens of the eye in vertebrates

   crystallise
          [crys.tal.lise] Brit var of crystallize

   crystallite
          [crys.tal.lite] n [G Kristallit, fr. Gk krystallos] (1805)
          1 a: a minute mineral form (as in glassy volcanic rocks)
          that marks the beginning of crystallization b: a single
          grain in a polycrystalline substance 2: micelle

   crystallize
          [crys.tal.lize] also crys.tal.ize vb -lized ; -liz.ing vt
          (1598) 1: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline
          form 2: to cause to take a definite form <tried to ~
          his thoughts> 3: to coat with crystals esp. of sugar
          <~ grapes> ~ vi: to become crystallized -- crys.tal.liz.able
          adj -- crys.tal.li.za.tion n -- crys.tal.liz.er n

   crystallographic
          [crys.tal.lo.graph.ic] adj (1804): of or relating to crystals
          or crystallography -- crys.tal.lo.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   crystallography
          [crys.tal.log.ra.phy] n (1802): a science that deals with
          the forms and structures of crystals -- crys.tal.log.ra.pher
          n

   crystalloid
          [crys.tal.loid] n (1861): a substance that forms a true solution
          and is capable of being crystallized -- crystalloid or
          crys.tal.loi.dal adj

   crystal pleat
          [crystal pleat] n (1976): any of a series of narrow sharply
          pressed pleats all turned in one direction -- crystal
          pleated adj

   crystal violet
          [crystal violet] n (ca. 1893): a triphenylmethane dye found
          in gentian violet

   cry up
          [cry up] vt (1593): to praise publicly in order to enhance
          in value or repute

   cs...
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   CS
          [CS] n [Ben B. Corson b1896 and Roger W. Staughton d. 1957
          Am. chemists] (1960): a potent tear gas used esp. for
          riot control

   cs
          [cs] abbreviation case, cases, census, consciousness, consul
          Cs abbreviation cesium, cirrostratus  CS abbreviation
          capital stock, cesarean section, chief of staff, Christian
          Science practitioner, civil service, conditioned stimulus,
          county seat

   CSA
          [CSA] abbreviation Confederate States of America

   csc
          [csc] abbreviation cosecant  CSC abbreviation Civil Service
          Commission

   CSF
          [CSF] abbreviation cerebrospinal fluid

   CSM
          [CSM] abbreviation command sergeant major

   CST
          [CST] abbreviation central standard time

   ct...
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   ct
          [ct] abbreviation carat, cent, count, county, court CT abbreviation
          central time, certificated teacher, certified teacher, code
          telegram, computed tomography, computerized tomography, Connecticut

   CTC
          [CTC] abbreviation centralized traffic control

   ctenoid
          [cte.noid] adj [ISV, fr. Gk ktenoeides, fr. kten-, kteis
          comb--more at pectinate] (1872): having the margin toothed
          <~ scale>; also: having or consisting of ctenoid scales
          <~ fishes>

   ctenophore
          [cteno.phore] n [ultim. fr. Gk kten-, kteis + pherein to
          carry--more at bear] (ca. 1882): any of a phylum (Ctenophora)
          of marine animals superficially resembling jellyfishes
          but having biradial symmetry and swimming by means of
          eight meridional bands of transverse ciliated plates--called
          also comb jelly -- cte.noph.o.ran n or adj

   ctf
          [ctf] abbreviation certificate

   ctn
          [ctn] abbreviation carton, cotangent

   ctr
          [ctr] abbreviation center, counter

   CT scan
          [CT scan] n [computerized tomography] (1974): cat scan --
          CT scanner n

   cu...
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   cu
          [cu] abbreviation cubic, cumulative  Cu abbreviation cumulus,
          [L cuprum] copper  CU abbreviation close-up

   cuadrilla
          [cua.dri.lla] n [Sp, dim. of cuadra square, fr. L quadra]
          (1893): the team assisting the matador in the bullring

   cub
          [cub] n [origin unknown] (1530) 1 a: a young carnivorous
          mammal (as a bear, fox, or lion) b: a young shark 2:
          a young person 3: apprentice; esp: an inexperienced newspaper
          reporter

   cubage
          [cub.age] n (1840): cubic content, volume, or displacement

   Cuban heel
          [Cu.ban heel] n [Cuba, West Indies] (1908): a broad medium-high
          heel with a moderately curved back

   cubature
          [cu.ba.ture] n [cube + -ature (as in quadrature)] (1679):
          the process of determining the volume of a solid

   cubby
          [cub.by] n, pl cubbies [obs. E cub pen, fr. D kub fish basket;
          akin to OE cofa den] (ca. 1859): cubbyhole

   cubbyhole
          [cub.by.hole] n (ca. 1842): a small snug place (as for hiding
          or storage); also: a cramped space

   [1]cube
          [cube] n [L cubus, fr. Gk kybos die, cube] (1551) 1 a: the
          regular solid of six equal square sides b: something
          shaped like a cube <ice ~> 2: the product got by taking
          a number three times as a factor [2]cube adj (1570):
          raised to the third power [3]cube vt cubed ; cub.ing
          (1588) 1: to raise to the third power 2: to form into
          a cube 3: to cut partl y through (a steak) in a checkered
          pattern to increase tenderness by breaking the fibers
          -- cub.er n [4]cu.be n [AmerSp cube] (1924): any of several
          tropical American plants (genus Lonchocarpus) furnishing
          rotenone

   cubeb
          [cu.beb] n [MF cubebe, fr. OF, fr. ML cubeba, fr. Ar kubabah]
          (14c): the dried unripe berry of a tropical shrub (Piper
          cubeba) of the pepper family that is crushed and smoked
          in cigarettes for catarrh

   cube root
          [cube root] n (ca. 1696): a number whose cube is a given
          number

   cube steak
          [cube steak] n (1930): a thin slice of beef that has been
          cubed

   [1]cubic
          [cu.bic] adj (15c) 1: having the form of a cube: cubical
          2 a: relating to the cube considered as a crystal form
          b: isometric 1b 3 a: three-dimensional b: being the volume
          of a cube whose edge is a specified unit <~ inch> 4:
          of third degree, order, or power <a ~ polynomial> [2]cubic
          n (1799): a cubic curve, equation, or polynomial

   cubical
          [cu.bi.cal] adj (15c) 1: cubic; esp: shaped like a cube 2:
          relating to volume -- cu.bi.cal.ly adv

   cubic equation
          [cubic equation] n (ca. 1751): a polynomial equation in which
          the highest sum of exponents of variables in any term
          is three

   cubicle
          [cu.bi.cle] n [L cubiculum, fr. cubare to lie, recline] (15c)
          1: a sleeping compartment partitioned off from a large
          room 2: a small partitioned space; esp: carrel

   cubic measure
          [cubic measure] n (1660): a unit (as cubic inch or cubic
          centimeter) for measuring volume

   cubism
          [cub.ism] n, often cap (1911): a style of art that stresses
          abstract structure at the expense of other pictorial
          elements esp. by displaying several aspects of the same
          object simultaneously and by fragmenting the form of
          depicted objects -- cub.ist n or adj, often cap -- cu.bis.tic
          adj

   cubit
          [cu.bit] n [ME, fr. L cubitum elbow, cubit] (14c): any of
          various ancient units of length based on the length of
          the forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger
          and usu. equal to about 18 inches (45.7 centimeters)

   [1]cuboid
          [cu.boid] adj (ca. 1828) 1: approximately cubical in shape
          2: relating to or being the cuboid [2]cuboid n (1839):
          the outermost bone in the distal row of tarsal bones
          of many higher vertebrates

   cuboidal
          [cu.boi.dal] adj (1803) 1: somewhat cubical 2: composed of
          nearly cubical elements <~ epithelium>

   Cub Scout
          [Cub Scout] n (ca. 1935): a member of the scouting program
          of the Boy Scouts for boys in the first through fifth
          grades in school

   cucking stool
          [cuck.ing stool] n [ME cucking stol, lit., defecating chair]
          (12c): a chair formerly used for punishing offenders
          (as dishonest tradesmen) by public exposure or ducking
          in water

   cuckold
          [cuck.old] n [ME cokewold] (13c): a man whose wife is unfaithful
          -- cuckold vt

   cuckoldry
          [cuck.old.ry] n (1529) 1: the practice of making cuckolds
          2: the state of being a cuckold

   [1]cuckoo
          [cuck.oo] n, pl cuckoos [ME cuccu, of imit. origin] (13c)
          1: a largely grayish brown European bird (Cuculus canorus)
          that is a parasite given to laying its eggs in the nests
          of other birds which hatch them and rear the offspring;
          broadly: any of a large family (Cuculidae of the order
          Cuculiformes) to which this bird belongs 2: the call
          of the cuckoo 3: a silly or slightly crackbrained person
          [2]cuckoo vt (1648): to repeat monotonously as a cuckoo
          does its call [3]cuckoo adj (1627) 1: of, relating to,
          or resembling the cuckoo 2: deficient in sense or intelligence:
          silly

   cuckoo clock
          [cuckoo clock] n (1789): a wall or shelf clock that announces
          the hours by sounds resembling a cuckoo's call

   cuckooflower
          [cuck.oo.flow.er] n (1578) 1: a bitter cress (Cardamine pratensis)
          of Eurasia and No. America 2: ragged robin

   cuckoopint
          [cuck.oo.pint] n [ME cuccupintel, fr. cuccu + pintel pintle]
          (1551): a European arum (Arum maculatum) with erect spathe
          and short purple spadix

   cuckoo spit
          [cuckoo spit] n (1592) 1: a frothy secretion exuded on plants
          by the nymphs of spittle insects 2: spittlebug

   cucullate
          [cu.cul.late] adj [ML cucullatus, fr. L cucullus hood] (1794):
          having the shape of a hood <a ~ leaf>

   cucumber
          [cu.cum.ber] n [ME, fr. MF cocombre, fr. L cucumer-, cucumis]
          (14c): the fruit of a vine (Cucumis sativus) of the gourd
          family cultivated as a garden vegetable; also: this vine

   cucumber mosaic
          [cucumber mosaic] n (1916): a virus disease esp. of cucumbers
          that is transmitted chiefly by an aphid and produces
          mottled foliage and often pale warty fruits

   cucumber tree
          [cucumber tree] n (ca. 1782): a magnolia (Magnolia acuminata)
          of the eastern U.S. having fruit resembling a small cucumber

   cucurbit
          [cu.cur.bit] n [ME cucurbite, fr. MF, fr. L cucurbita gourd]
          (14c) 1: a vessel or flask for distillation used with
          or forming part of an alembic 2: a plant of the gourd
          family

   cud
          [cud] n [ME cudde, fr. OE cwudu; akin to OHG kuti glue, Skt
          jatu gum] (bef. 12c) 1: food brought up into the mouth
          by a ruminating animal from its first stomach to be chewed
          again 2: [2]quid

   cudbear
          [cud.bear] n [irreg. fr. Dr. Cuthbert Gordon, 18th cent.
          Scot. chemist] (1764): a reddish coloring matter from
          lichens

   [1]cuddle
          [cud.dle] vb cud.dled ; cud.dling [origin unknown] vt (1520):
          to hold close for warmth or comfort or in affection ~
          vi: to lie close or snug: nestle, snuggle -- cud.dler
          n [2]cuddle n (1825): a close embrace

   cuddlesome
          [cud.dle.some] adj (1876): cuddly

   cuddly
          [cud.dly] adj cud.dli.er ; -est (1863): fit for or inviting
          cuddling

   [1]cuddy
          [cud.dy] n, pl cuddies [origin unknown] (1660) 1: a usu.
          small cabin or shelter (as on a sailboat) 2: a small
          room or cupboard [2]cud.dy or cud.die n, pl cuddies [perh.
          fr. Cuddy, nickname for Cuthbert] (ca. 1715) 1 dial Brit:
          donkey 2 dial Brit: blockhead

   [1]cudgel
          [cud.gel] n [ME kuggel, fr. OE cycgel; perh. akin to MHG
          kugele ball] (bef. 12c): a short heavy club [2]cudgel
          vt -geled or -gelled ; -gel.ing or -gel.ling (1596):
          to beat with or as if with a cudgel -- cudgel one's brains
          : to think hard (as for a solution to a problem)

   cudweed
          [cud.weed] n (1548): any of several composite plants (as
          of the genus Gnaphalium) with silky or woolly foliage

   [1]cue
          [cue] n [ME cu half a farthing (spelled form of q, abbr.
          for L quadrans quarter of an as)] (ca. 1755): the letter
          q [2]cue n [prob. fr. qu, abbr. (used as a direction
          in actors' copies of plays) of L quando when] (1553)
          1 a: a signal (as a word, phrase, or bit of stage business)
          to a performer to begin a specific speech or action b:
          something serving a comparable purpose: hint 2: a feature
          indicating the nature of something perceived 3 archaic:
          the part one has to perform in or as if in a play 4 archaic:
          mood, humor [3]cue vt cued ; cu.ing or cue.ing (1922)
          1: to give a cue to: prompt 2: to insert into a continuous
          performance <~ in sound effects> [4]cue n [F queue, lit.,
          tail, fr. L cauda] (ca. 1749) 1 a: a leather-tipped tapering
          rod for striking the cue ball (as in billiards and pool)
          b: a long-handled instrument with a concave head for
          shoving disks in shuffleboard 2: queue 2 [5]cue vb cued
          ; cu.ing or cue.ing vt (ca. 1784) 1: queue 2: to strike
          with a cue ~ vi 1: queue 2: to use a cue

   cue ball
          [cue ball] n (1881): the ball a player strikes with the cue
          in billiards and pool

   cuesta
          [cues.ta] n [Sp, fr. L costa side, rib--more at coast] (1818):
          a hill or ridge with a steep face on one side and a gentle
          slope on the other

   [1]cuff
          [cuff] n [ME coffe, cuffe mitten] (1522) 1: something (as
          a part of a sleeve or glove) encircling the wrist 2:
          the turned-back hem of a trouser leg 3 a: handcuff--usu.
          used in pl. b: a usu. wide metal band worn as a bracelet
          4: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity
          to control the flow of blood through the part when recording
          blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer -- cuff.less adj
          -- off the cuff : without preparation: ad lib -- on the
          cuff : on credit [2]cuff vt (1693) 1: to furnish with
          a cuff 2: handcuff [3]cuff vb [perh. fr. obs. E, glove,
          fr. ME] vt (1530): to strike esp. with or as if with
          the palm of the hand: buffet ~ vi: fight, scuffle [4]cuff
          n (1570): a blow with the hand esp. when open: slap

   cuff link
          [cuff link] n (1897): a usu. ornamental device consisting
          of two parts joined by a shank, chain, or bar for passing
          through buttonholes to fasten shirt cuffs--usu. used
          in pl.

   cui bono
          [cui bo.no] n [L, to whose advantage?] (1604) 1: a principle
          that probable responsibility for an act or event lies
          with one having something to gain 2: usefulness or utility
          as a principle in estimating the value of an act or policy

   cuirass
          [cui.rass] n [ME curas, fr. MF curasse, fr. LL coreacea,
          fem. of coreaceus leathern, fr. L corium skin, leather;
          akin to OE heortha deerskin, L cortex bark, Gk keirein
          to cut--more at shear] (15c) 1: a piece of armor covering
          the body from neck to waist; also: the breastplate of
          such a piece 2: something (as bony plates covering an
          animal) resembling a cuirass -- cui.rassed adj

   cuirassier
          [cui.ras.sier] n (1625): a mounted soldier wearing a cuirass

   Cuisenaire rod
          [Cui.se.naire rod] n [fr. Cuisenaire, a trademark] (1954):
          any of a set of colored rods usu. of 1 centimeter cross
          section and of 10 lengths from 1 to 10 centimeters that
          are used for teaching number concepts and the basic operations
          of arithmetic

   cuisine
          [cui.sine] n [F, lit., kitchen, fr. LL coquina--more at kitchen]
          (1786): manner of preparing food: style of cooking; also:
          the food prepared

   cuisse
          [cuisse] also cuish n [ME cusseis, pl., fr. MF cuissaux,
          pl. of cuissel, fr. cuisse thigh, fr. L coxa hip--more
          at coxa] (15c): a piece of plate armor for the front
          of the thigh--see armor illustration

   cujus regio, ejus religio
          [cuj.us re.gio, ej.us re.li.gio] [L] foreign term : whose
          region, his or her religion: subjects are to accept the
          religion of their ruler

   cuke
          [cuke] n (1903): cucumber

   cul-de-sac
          [cul-de-sac] n, pl culs-de-sac also cul-de-sacs [F, lit.,
          bottom of the bag] (1738) 1: a blind diverticulum or
          pouch 2: a street or passage closed at one end 3: blind
          alley

   culet
          [cu.let] n [F, fr. dim. of cul backside, fr. L culus; akin
          to OIr cul back] (1678) 1: the small flat facet at the
          bottom of a brilliant parallel to the table--see brilliant
          illustration 2: plate armor covering the buttocks

   culex
          [cu.lex] n [NL, fr. L, gnat; akin to OIr cuil fly] (15c):
          any of a large cosmopolitan genus (Culex) of mosquitoes
          that includes the common house mosquito (C. pipiens)
          of Europe and No. America -- cu.li.cine adj or n

   culinarian
          [cu.li.nar.i.an] n (1949): cook, chef

   culinary
          [cu.li.nary] adj [L culinarius, fr. culina kitchen--more
          at kiln] (1638): of or relating to the kitchen or cookery
          -- cu.li.nar.i.ly adv

   [1]cull
          [cull] vt [ME, fr. MF cuillir, fr. L colligere to bind
          together--more at collect] (13c) 1: to select from a group: choose
          <~ed the best passages from the poet's work> 2: to identify and
          remove the culls from -- cull.er n [2]cull n (1809): something
          rejected esp. as being inferior or worthless <how to separate
          good-looking pecans from ~s --Washington Post>

   cullender
          [cul.len.der] var of colander

   cullet
          [cul.let] n [perh. fr. F cueillette act of gathering, fr.
          L collecta, fr. fem. of collectus, pp. of colligere]
          (1817): broken or refuse glass usu. added to new material
          to facilitate melting in making glass

   cullion
          [cul.lion] n [ME coillon testicle, fr. MF, fr. (assumed)
          VL coleon-, coleo, fr. L coleus scrotum] (1575) archaic:
          a mean or base fellow

   [1]cully
          [cul.ly] n, pl cullies [perh. alter. of cullion] (1664):
          one easily tricked or imposed on: dupe [2]cully vt cul.lied
          ; cul.ly.ing (1676) archaic: cheat, deceive

   [1]culm
          [culm] n [ME] (14c): refuse coal screenings: slack [2]culm
          n [L culmus stalk--more at haulm] (ca. 1657): a monocotyledonous
          stem (as of a grass or sedge)

   culminant
          [cul.mi.nant] adj (1605) 1: being at greatest altitude or
          on the meridian 2: fully developed

   culminate
          [cul.mi.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [ML culminatus, pp. of
          culminare, fr. LL, to crown, fr. L culmin-, culmen top--more
          at hill] vi (1647) 1 of a celestial body: to reach its
          highest altitude; also: to be directly overhead 2 a:
          to rise to or form a summit b: to reach the highest or
          a climactic or decisive point ~ vt: to bring to a head
          or to the highest point

   culmination
          [cul.mi.na.tion] n (1633) 1: the action of culminating 2:
          culminating position: climax syn see summit

   culotte
          [cu.lotte] n [F, breeches, fr. dim. of cul backside--more
          at culet] (1911): a divided skirt; also: a garment having
          a divided skirt--often used in pl.

   culpable
          [cul.pa.ble] adj [ME coupable, fr. MF, fr. L culpabilis,
          fr. culpare to blame, fr. culpa guilt] (14c) 1 archaic:
          guilty, criminal 2: meriting condemnation or blame esp.
          as wrong or harmful <~ negligence> syn see blameworthy
          -- cul.pa.bil.i.ty n -- cul.pa.ble.ness n -- cul.pa.bly
          adv

   culprit
          [cul.prit] n [AF cul. (abbr. of culpable guilty) + prest,
          prit ready (i.e., to prove it), fr. L praestus--more
          at presto] (1678) 1: one accused of or charged with a
          crime 2: one guilty of a crime or a fault 3: the source
          or cause of a problem

   cult
          [cult] n, often attrib [F & L; F culte, fr. L cultus care,
          adoration, fr. colere to cultivate--more at wheel] (1617)
          1: formal religious veneration: worship 2: a system of
          religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents
          3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also:
          its body of adherents 4: a system for the cure of disease
          based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health ~s>
          5 a: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement,
          or work (as a film or book); esp: such devotion regarded
          as a literary or intellectual fad b: a usu. small group
          of people characterized by such devotion -- cul.tic adj
          -- cult.ish adj -- cult.ish.ly adv -- cult.ish.ness n
          -- cult.ism n -- cult.ist n -- cult.like adj

   cultch
          [cultch] also culch n [perh. fr. a F dial. form of F couche
          couch] (1667) 1: material (as oyster shells) laid down
          on oyster grounds to furnish points of attachment for
          the spat 2 chiefly NewEng: clutter, trash

   cultigen
          [cul.ti.gen] n [cultivated + -gen] (1924) 1: a cultivated
          or domestic organism of a variety or species for which
          a wild ancestor is unknown 2: cultivar

   cultivable
          [cul.ti.va.ble] adj (1682): capable of being cultivated --
          cul.ti.va.bil.i.ty n

   cultivar
          [cul.ti.var] n [cultivated + variety] (1923): an organism
          of a kind originating and persistent under cultivation

   cultivate
          [cul.ti.vate] vt -vat.ed ; -vat.ing [ML cultivatus, pp. of
          cultivare, fr. cultivus cultivable, fr. L cultus, pp.
          of colere] (ca. 1655) 1: to prepare or prepare and use
          for the raising of crops; also: to loosen or break up
          the soil about (growing plants) 2 a: to foster the growth
          of <~ vegetables> b: culture 2a c: to improve by labor,
          care, or study: refine <~ the mind> 3: further, encourage
          <~ the arts> 4: to seek the society of: make friends
          with -- cul.ti.vat.able adj

   cultivated
          [cultivated] adj (1665): refined, educated <~ speech> <~
          tastes>

   cultivation
          [cul.ti.va.tion] n (ca. 1716) 1: culture, refinement 2: the
          act or art of cultivating or tilling

   cultivator
          [cul.ti.va.tor] n (1665): one that cultivates; esp: an implement
          for loosening the soil while crops are growing

   cultural
          [cul.tur.al] adj (ca. 1864) 1: of or relating to culture
          or culturing 2: concerned with the fostering of plant
          or animal growth -- cul.tur.al.ly adv

   cultural anthropology
          [cultural anthropology] n (1933): anthropology that deals
          with human culture esp. with respect to social structure,
          language, law, politics, religion, magic, art, and
          technology--compare physical anthropology -- cultural
          anthropologist n

   culturati
          [cul.tur.a.ti] n pl [[1]culture + -ati (as in literati)]
          (1964): people intensely interested in cultural affairs

   [1]culture
          [cul.ture] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L cultura, fr. cultus, pp.]
          (15c) 1: cultivation, tillage 2: the act of developing
          the intellectual and moral faculties esp. by education
          3: expert care and training <beauty ~> 4 a: enlightenment
          and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and
          aesthetic training b: acquaintance with and taste in
          fine arts, humanities, and broad aspects of science as
          distinguished from vocational and technical skills 5
          a: the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief,
          and behavior that depends upon man's capacity for learning
          and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations
          b: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material
          traits of a racial, religious, or social group c: the
          set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices
          that characterizes a company or corporation 6: cultivation
          of living material in prepared nutrient media; also:
          a product of such cultivation [2]culture vt cul.tured
          ; cul.tur.ing (1510) 1: cultivate 2 a: to grow in a prepared
          medium b: to start a culture from

   cultured
          [cultured] adj (ca. 1746) 1: cultivated 2: produced under
          artificial conditions <~ viruses> <~ pearls>

   culture shock
          [culture shock] n (ca. 1940): a sense of confusion and uncertainty
          sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed
          to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation

   cultus
          [cul.tus] n [L, adoration] (1640): cult

   culver
          [cul.ver] n [ME, fr. OE culfer, fr. (assumed) VL columbra,
          fr. L columbula, dim. of L columba dove--more at columbine]
          (bef. 12c): pigeon

   culverin
          [cul.ver.in] n [ME, fr. MF couleuvrine, fr. couleuvre snake,
          fr. L colubra] (15c): an early firearm: a: a rude musket
          b: a long cannon (as an 18-pounder) of the 16th and 17th
          centuries

   culvert
          [cul.vert] n [origin unknown] (1773) 1: a transverse drain
          2: a conduit for a culvert 3: a bridge over a culvert

   cum
          [cum] conj [L, with; akin to L com---more at co-] (ca. 1873):
          along with being: and--used to form usu. hyphenated phrases
          <a credible mining camp elder-cum-publican --G. B. Shaw>
          <Christian and Christian-cum-voodoo churches --David
          Binder>

   cum
          [cum] abbreviation cumulative

   Cumb
          [Cumb] abbreviation Cumbria

   [1]cumber
          [cum.ber] vt cum.bered ; cum.ber.ing [ME combren, perh. fr.
          OF combrer to prevent, fr. (assumed) OF combre abatis]
          (14c) 1 archaic: trouble, harass 2 a: to hinder or encumber
          by being in the way <~ed with heavy clothing> b: to clutter
          up <rocks ~ing the yard> [2]cumber n (14c): something
          that cumbers; esp: hindrance

   cumbersome
          [cum.ber.some] adj (1535) 1 dial: burdensome, troublesome
          2: unwieldy because of heaviness and bulk 3: slow-moving:
          ponderous syn see heavy -- cum.ber.some.ly adv -- cum.ber.some.ness
          n

   cumbrous
          [cum.brous] adj (15c): cumbersome syn see heavy -- cum.brous.ly
          adv -- cum.brous.ness n

   cum grano salis
          [cum gra.no sa.lis] [L] foreign term : with a grain of salt

   cumin
          [cum.in] n [ME, fr. OE cymen, fr. L cuminum, fr. Gk kyminon,
          of Sem origin; akin to Akkadian kamunu cumin] (bef. 12c):
          a low plant (Cuminum cyminum) of the carrot family long
          cultivated for its aromatic seeds; also: the fruit or
          seed of cumin used as a spice

   cum laude
          [cum lau.de] adv or adj [NL, with praise] (1893): with distinction
          <graduated cum laude>--compare magna cum laude, summa cum laude

   cummerbund
          [cum.mer.bund] also cum.ber.bund n [Hindi kamarband, fr.
          Per, fr. kamar waist + band band] (1616): a broad waistband
          usu. worn in place of a vest with men's dress clothes
          and adapted in various styles of women's clothes

   cumshaw
          [cum.shaw] n [Chin (Xiamen) kam sia grateful thanks] (1839):
          present, gratuity

   cumul-
          [cumul-] or cumuli- or cumulo- comb form [NL, fr. L cumulus]:
          cumulus and <cumulonimbus>

   cumulate
          [cu.mu.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L cumulatus, pp. of cumulare,
          fr. cumulus mass] vt (1534) 1: to gather or pile in a
          heap 2: to combine into one 3: to build up by addition
          of new material ~ vi: to become massed -- cu.mu.late
          adj -- cu.mu.la.tion n

   cumulative
          [cu.mu.la.tive] adj (1605) 1 a: made up of accumulated parts
          b: increasing by successive additions 2 a: tending to
          prove the same point <~ evidence> b: additional rather
          than repeated <~ legacy> 3 a: taking effect upon completion
          of another penal sentence <~ sentence> b: increasing
          in severity with repetition of the offense <~ penalty>
          4: formed by the addition of new material of the same
          kind <~ book index> 5: summing or integrating overall
          data or values of a random variable less than or less
          than or equal to a specified value <~ normal distribution>
          <~ frequency distribution> -- cu.mu.la.tive.ly adv --
          cu.mu.la.tive.ness n

   cumulative distribution function
          [cumulative distribution function] n (ca. 1965): distribution
          function

   cumuliform
          [cu.mu.li.form] adj (1885): of the form of a cumulus

   cumulonimbus
          [cu.mu.lo.nim.bus] n [NL] (1887): cumulus cloud often spread
          out in the shape of an anvil extending to great heights--see
          cloud illustration

   cumulous
          [cu.mu.lous] adj (1815): resembling cumulus

   cumulus
          [cu.mu.lus] n, pl -li [L] (1659) 1: heap, accumulation 2
          [NL, fr. L]: a massy cloud form having a flat base and
          rounded outlines often piled up like a mountain--see
          cloud illustration

   cunctation
          [cunc.ta.tion] n [L cunctation-, cunctatio, fr. cunctari
          to hesitate; akin to Skt sankate he wavers, OE hangian
          to hang] (1585): delay -- cunc.ta.tive adj

   cuneate
          [cu.ne.ate] adj [L cuneatus, fr. cuneus wedge] (1810): narrowly
          triangular with the acute angle toward the base--see
          leaf illustration

   [1]cuneiform
          [cu.ne.i.form] adj [prob. fr. F cuneiforme, fr. MF, fr. L
          cuneus + MF -iforme -iform] (1677) 1: having the shape
          of a wedge 2: composed of or written in wedge-shaped
          characters <~ syllabary> [2]cuneiform n (1808) 1: a cuneiform
          part; specif: a cuneiform bone or cartilage 2: cuneiform
          writing

   cunner
          [cun.ner] n [origin unknown] (1602): either of two wrasses:
          a: a European wrasse (Crenilabrus melops) b: a wrasse
          (Tautogolabrus adspersus) common along the northeastern
          U.S. and adjacent Canadian coast

   cunnilingus
          [cun.ni.lin.gus] also cun.ni.linc.tus n [cunnilingus, NL,
          fr. L, one who licks the vulva, fr. cunnus vulva + lingere
          to lick; cunnilinctus, NL, fr. L cunnus + linctus, act
          of licking, fr. lingere--more at lick] (1887): oral stimulation
          of the vulva or clitoris

   [1]cunning
          [cun.ning] adj [ME, fr. prp. of can know] (14c) 1: dexterous
          or crafty in the use of special resources (as skill or
          knowledge) or in attaining an end <a ~ plotter> 2: displaying
          keen insight <a ~ observation> 3: characterized by wiliness
          and trickery <~ schemes> 4: prettily appealing: cute
          syn see clever, sly -- cun.ning.ly adv -- cun.ning.ness
          n [2]cunning n (14c) 1 obs a: knowledge, learning b:
          magic art 2: dexterous skill and subtlety (as in inventing,
          devising, or executing) <high-ribbed vault ... with perfect
          ~ framed --William Wordsworth> 3: craft, slyness syn
          see art

   cunt
          [cunt] n [ME cunte; akin to MLG kunte female pudenda] (14c)
          1: the female pudenda; also: coitus with a woman--usu.
          considered obscene 2: woman 1a--usu. used disparagingly--usu.
          considered obscene

   [1]cup
          [cup] n [ME cuppe, fr. OE, fr. LL cuppa cup, alter. of L
          cupa tub--more at hive] (bef. 12c) 1: an open usu. bowl-shaped
          drinking vessel 2 a: a drinking vessel and its contents
          b: the consecrated wine of the Communion 3: something
          that falls to one's lot 4: an ornamental cup offered
          as a prize (as in a championship) 5 a: something resembling
          a cup b: a cup-shaped plant organ c: an athletic supporter
          reinforced usu. with plastic to provide extra protection
          to the wearer d: either of two parts of a brassiere that
          are shaped like and fit over the breasts e: the metal
          case inside a hole in golf; also: the hole itself 6:
          a usu. iced beverage resembling punch but served from
          a pitcher rather than a bowl 7: a half pint: eight fluid
          ounces 8: a food served in a cup-shaped usu. footed vessel
          <fruit ~> 9: a symbol indicating the union of two sets--compare
          cap 7 -- cup.like adj -- in one's cups : drunk [2]cup
          vt cupped ; cup.ping (14c) 1: to treat by cupping 2 a:
          to curve into the shape of a cup <cupped his hands around
          his mouth> b: to place in or as if in a cup

   cupbearer
          [cup.bear.er] n (15c): one who has the duty of filling and
          handing around the cups in which wine is served

   cupboard
          [cup.board] n (1530): a closet with shelves where dishes,
          utensils, or food is kept; also: a small closet

   cupcake
          [cup.cake] n (1828): a small cake baked in a cuplike mold

   [1]cupel
          [cu.pel] n [F coupelle, dim. of coupe cup, fr. LL cuppa]
          (1605): a small shallow porous cup esp. of bone ash used
          in assaying to separate precious metals from lead [2]cupel
          vt -pelled or -peled ; -pel.ling or -pel.ing (1644):
          to refine by means of a cupel -- cu.pel.ler n

   cupellation
          [cu.pel.la.tion] n (ca. 1691): refinement (as of gold or
          silver) in a cupel by exposure to high temperature in
          a blast of air by which the lead, copper, tin, and other
          unwanted metals are oxidized and partly sink into the
          porous cupel

   cupful
          [cup.ful] n, pl cup.fuls also cups.ful (12c) 1: as much as
          a cup will hold 2: cup 7

   cup fungus
          [cup fungus] n (ca. 1905): any of an order (Pezizales) of
          mostly saprophytic fungi with a fleshy or horny apothecium
          that is often colored and is typically shaped like a
          cup, saucer, or disk

   Cupid
          [Cu.pid] n [L Cupido] 1: the Roman god of erotic love--compare
          eros 2 not cap: a figure that represents Cupid as a naked
          usu. winged boy often holding a bow and arrow

   cupidity
          [cu.pid.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME cupidite, fr. MF cupidite,
          fr. L cupiditat-, cupiditas--more at covet] (15c) 1:
          inordinate desire for wealth: avarice, greed 2: strong
          desire: lust

   Cupid's bow
          [Cupid's bow] n (1858): a bow that consists of two convex
          curves usu. with recurved ends

   cup of tea
          [cup of tea] (1932) 1: something one likes or excels in <I
          see already that storytelling isn't my cup of tea --John
          Barth>; also: a person suited to one's taste 2: a thing
          to be reckoned with: matter <poltergeists are a different
          cup of tea --D. B. W. Lewis>

   cupola
          [cu.po.la] n [It, fr. L cupula, dim. of cupa tub] (1549)
          1 a: a rounded vault resting on a usu. circular base
          and forming a roof or a ceiling b: a small structure
          built on top of a roof 2: a vertical cylindrical furnace
          for melting iron in the foundry that has tuyeres and
          tapping spouts near the bottom 3: a raised observation
          post in the roof of a railroad caboose -- cu.po.laed
          adj

   cuppa
          [cup.pa] n [short for cuppa tea, pronunciation spelling of
          cup of tea] (1934) chiefly Brit: a cup of tea

   cupping
          [cup.ping] n (14c): an operation of drawing blood to the
          surface of the body by use of a glass vessel evacuated
          by heat

   cuppy
          [cup.py] adj cup.pi.er ; -est (1882) 1: resembling a cup
          2: full of small depressions <a ~ racetrack>

   cupr-
          [cupr-] or cupri- or cupro- comb form [LL cuprum--more at
          copper] 1: copper <cupriferous> 2: copper and <cupronickel>

   cupric
          [cu.pric] adj (1799): of, relating to, or containing copper
          with a valence of two

   cupriferous
          [cu.prif.er.ous] adj (1784): containing copper

   cuprite
          [cu.prite] n [G Kuprit, fr. LL cuprum] (ca. 1850): a mineral
          consisting of copper oxide and constituting an ore of
          copper

   cupronickel
          [cu.pro.nick.el] n (1900): an alloy of copper and nickel;
          esp: one containing about 70 percent copper and 30 percent
          nickel

   cuprous
          [cu.prous] adj (1669): of, relating to, or containing copper
          with a valence of one

   cupulate
          [cu.pu.late] adj (1835): shaped like, having, or bearing
          a cupule

   cupule
          [cu.pule] n [NL cupula, fr. LL, dim. of L cupa tub--more
          at hive] (1826): a cup-shaped anatomical structure: as
          a: an involucre characteristic of the oak in which the
          bracts are indurated and coherent b: an outer integument
          partially enclosing the seed of some seed ferns

   cur
          [cur] abbreviation currency, current

   cur
          [cur] n [ME, short for curdogge, fr. (assumed) ME curren
          to growl (perh. fr. ON kurra to grumble) + ME dogge dog]
          (13c) 1: a mongrel or inferior dog 2: a surly or cowardly
          fellow

   curable
          [cur.able] adj (14c): capable of being cured -- cur.abil.i.ty
          n -- cur.able.ness n -- cur.ably adv

   curacao
          [cu.ra.cao] also cu.ra.coa n [D curacao, fr. Curacao, Netherlands
          Antilles] (1813): a liqueur flavored with the dried peel
          of the sour orange

   curacy
          [cu.ra.cy] n, pl -cies (1682): the office or term of office
          of a curate

   curare
          [cu.ra.re] also cu.ra.ri n [Pg & Sp curare, fr. Carib kurari]
          (1777): a dried aqueous extract esp. of a vine (as Strychnos
          toxifera of the family Loganiaceae or Chondodendron tomentosum
          of the family Menispermaceae) used by So. American Indians
          to poison arrow tips and in medicine to produce muscular
          relaxation

   curarine
          [cu.ra.rine] n (ca. 1872): any of several alkaloids from
          curare

   curarize
          [cu.ra.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing (1875): to treat with curare
          -- cu.ra.ri.za.tion n

   curassow
          [cu.ras.sow] n [alter. of Curacao] (1685): any of several
          large arboreal game birds (family Cracidae, esp. genus
          Crax) of So. and Central America related to the domestic
          fowls

   [1]curate
          [cu.rate] n [ME, fr. ML curatus, fr. cura cure of souls,
          fr. L, care] (14c) 1: a clergyman in charge of a parish
          2: a clergyman serving as assistant (as to a rector)
          in a parish [2]cu.rate vt cu.rat.ed ; cu.rat.ing (1909):
          to act as curator of

   curate's egg
          [curate's egg] n [fr. the story of a curate who was given
          a stale egg by his bishop and declared that parts of
          it were excellent] (1905) Brit: something with both good
          and bad parts or qualities

   curative
          [cu.ra.tive] adj (15c): relating to or used in the cure of
          diseases: tending to cure -- curative n -- cu.ra.tive.ly
          adv

   curator
          [cu.ra.tor] n [L, fr. curatus, pp. of curare to care, fr.
          cura care] (1632): one that has the care and superintendence
          of something; esp: one in charge of a museum, zoo, or
          other place of exhibit -- cu.ra.to.ri.al adj -- cu.ra.tor.ship
          n

   [1]curb
          [curb] n [MF courbe curve, curved piece of wood or iron,
          fr. courbe curved, fr. L curvus] (15c) 1: a bit that
          exerts severe pressure on a horse's jaws; also: the chain
          or strap attached to it 2: an enclosing frame, border,
          or edging 3: check, restraint <a price ~> 4: a raised
          edge or margin to strengthen or confine 5: an edging
          (as of concrete) built along a street to form part of
          a gutter 6 [fr. the fact that it orig. transacted its
          business on the street]: a market for trading in securities
          not listed on a stock exchange [2]curb vt (1530) 1: to
          furnish with a curb 2: to check or control with or as
          if with a curb <trying to ~ her curiosity> 3: to lead
          (a dog) to a suitable place (as a gutter) for defecation
          syn see restrain

   curbing
          [curb.ing] n (1838) 1: the material for a curb 2: curb

   curb service
          [curb service] n (1931): service extended (as by a restaurant)
          to persons sitting in parked automobiles

   curbside
          [curb.side] n (1946) 1: the side of a pavement bordered by
          a curb 2: sidewalk

   [1]curbstone
          [curb.stone] n (1791): a stone or edging of concrete forming
          a curb [2]curbstone adj (1848) 1: operating on the street
          without maintaining an office <a ~ broker> 2: not having
          the benefit of training or experience <a ~ critic>

   curb weight
          [curb weight] n (1949): the weight of an automobile with
          standard equipment and fuel, oil, and coolant

   curch
          [curch] n [ME] (14c) Scot: kerchief 1

   curculio
          [cur.cu.lio] n, pl -li.os [L, grain weevil] (1756): any of
          various weevils; esp: one that injures fruit

   [1]curd
          [curd] n [ME crud; prob. akin to OE crudan to press--more
          at crowd] (15c) 1: the thick casein-rich part of coagulated
          milk 2: something suggesting the curd of milk -- curdy
          adj [2]curd vb (15c): coagulate, curdle

   curdle
          [cur.dle] vb cur.dled ; cur.dling [freq. of [2]curd] vi (1590)
          1: to form curds; also: to congeal as if by forming curds
          <a scream curdled in her throat> 2: to go bad or wrong:
          spoil ~ vt 1: to cause curds to form in 2: spoil, sour

   [1]cure
          [cure] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. ML & L; ML cura, cure of souls,
          fr. L, care] (14c) 1 a: spiritual charge: care b: pastoral
          charge of a parish 2 a: recovery or relief from a disease
          b: something (as a drug or treatment) that cures a disease
          c: a course or period of treatment <take the ~ for alcoholism>
          d: spa 3: a complete or permanent solution or remedy
          <seeking a ~ for unemployment> 4: a process or method
          of curing -- cure.less adj [2]cure vb cured ; cur.ing
          vt (14c) 1 a: to restore to health, soundness, or normality
          b: to bring about recovery from 2 a: to deal with in
          a way that eliminates or rectifies <his small size, which
          time would ~ for him --William Faulkner> b: to free from
          something objectionable or harmful 3: to prepare or alter
          esp. by chemical or physical processing for keeping or
          use ~ vi 1 a: to undergo a curing process b: set 11 2:
          to effect a cure -- cur.er n cu.re n [F, fr. OF, fr.
          ML curatus--more at curate] (1655): a parish priest

   cure-all
          [cure-all] n (1821): a remedy for all ills: panacea

   curettage
          [cu.ret.tage] n (1897): a surgical scraping or cleaning by
          means of a curette

   [1]curette
          [cu.rette] also cu.ret n [F curette, fr. curer to cure, fr.
          L curare, fr. cura] (1753): a surgical instrument that
          has a scoop, ring, or loop at the tip and is used in
          performing curettage [2]curette also curet vt cu.rett.ed
          ; cu.rett.ing (1888): to perform curettage on -- cu.rette.ment
          n

   curfew
          [cur.few] n [ME, fr. MF covrefeu, signal given to bank the
          hearth fire, curfew, fr. covrir to cover + feu fire,
          fr. L focus hearth] (14c) 1: the sounding of a bell at
          evening <the Curfew tolls the knell of parting day --Thomas
          Gray> 2 a: a regulation enjoining the withdrawal of usu.
          specified persons (as juveniles or military personnel)
          from the streets or the closing of business establishments
          or places of assembly at a stated hour b: a signal to
          announce the beginning of a curfew c: the hour at which
          a curfew becomes effective d: the period during which
          a curfew is in effect

   curia
          [cu.ria] n, pl cu.ri.ae [L, perh. fr. co- + vir man--more
          at virile] (1600) 1 a: a division of the ancient Roman
          people comprising several gentes of a tribe b: the place
          of assembly of one of these divisions 2 a: the court
          of a medieval king b: a court of justice 3 often cap:
          the body of congregations, tribunals, and offices through
          which the pope governs the Roman Catholic Church -- cu.ri.al
          adj

   curie
          [cu.rie] n [Marie & Pierre Curie] (1910) 1: a unit quantity
          of any radioactive nuclide in which 3.7E10 disintegrations
          occur per second 2: a unit of radioactivity equal to
          3.7E10 disintegrations per second

   Curie point
          [Curie point] n (1911) 1: the temperature at which there
          is a transition between the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic
          phases 2: a temperature at which the anomalies that characterize
          a ferroelectric substance disappear--called also Curie
          temperature

   curio
          [cu.rio] n, pl cu.ri.os [short for curiosity] (1851): something
          (as a decorative object) considered novel, rare, or bizarre:
          curiosity; also: an unusual or bizarre person

   curiosa
          [cu.ri.o.sa] n pl [NL, fr. L, neut. pl. of curiosus] (1883):
          curiosities, rarities; esp: unusual or erotic books

   curiosity
          [cu.ri.os.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: desire to know: a: inquisitive
          interest in others' concerns: nosiness b: interest leading
          to inquiry <intellectual ~> 2 archaic: undue nicety
          or fastidiousness 3 a: one that arouses interest esp. for uncommon
          or exotic characteristics b: an unusual knickknack: curio
          c: a curious trait or aspect

   curious
          [cu.ri.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF curios, fr. L curiosus careful,
          inquisitive, fr. cura cure] (14c) 1 a archaic: made carefully
          b obs: abstruse c archaic: precisely accurate 2 a: marked
          by desire to investigate and learn b: marked by inquisitive
          interest in others' concerns: nosy 3: exciting attention
          as strange, novel, or unexpected: odd -- cu.ri.ous.ness
          n syn curious, inquisitive, prying mean interested in
          what is not one's personal or proper concern. curious,
          a neutral term, basically connotes an active desire to
          learn or to know <children are curious about everything>.
          inquisitive suggests impertinent and habitual curiosity
          and persistent quizzing <dreaded the visits of their
          inquisitive relatives>. prying implies busy meddling
          and officiousness <prying neighbors who refuse to mind
          their own business>.

   curiously
          [cu.ri.ous.ly] adv (1665) 1: in a curious manner <seemed
          ~ calm> 2: as is curious <~, he continues to win reelection>

   curium
          [cu.ri.um] n [NL, fr. Marie & Pierre Curie] (1946): a metallic
          radioactive element produced artificially

   [1]curl
          [curl] vb [ME, fr. crul curly, prob. fr. MD; akin to OHG
          krol curly] vt (14c) 1: to form (as the hair) into coils
          or ringlets 2: to form into a curved shape: twist <~ed
          his lip in a sneer> 3: to furnish with curls ~ vi 1 a:
          to grow in coils or spirals b: to form ripples or crinkles
          <bacon ~ing in a pan> 2: to move or progress in curves
          or spirals: wind <the path ~ed along the mountainside>
          3: twist, contort 4: to play the game of curling [2]curl
          n (1602) 1: a lock of hair that coils: ringlet 2: something
          having a spiral or winding form: coil 3: the action of
          curling: the state of being curled 4: a curved or spiral
          marking in the grain of wood 5: a hollow arch of water
          formed when the crest of a breaking wave spills forward

   curler
          [curl.er] n (1638) 1: a player of curling 2: one that curls;
          esp: a device on which hair is wound for curling

   curlew
          [cur.lew] n, pl curlews or curlew [ME, fr. MF corlieu, of
          imit. origin] (14c): any of various largely brownish
          chiefly migratory birds (esp. genus Numenius) having
          long legs and a long slender down-curved bill and related
          to the sandpipers and snipes

   [1]curlicue
          [cur.li.cue] also cur.ly.cue n [curly + cue a braid of hair]
          (1843): a fancifully curved or spiral figure: flourish
          [2]curlicue vb -cued ; -cu.ing vi (1844): to form curlicues
          ~ vt: to embellish with curlicues

   curling
          [curl.ing] n (1620): a game in which two teams of four players
          each slide curling stones over a stretch of ice toward
          a target circle

   curling iron
          [curling iron] n (1616): a rod-shaped usu. metal instrument
          which is heated and around which a lock of hair to be
          curled or waved is wound

   curling stone
          [curling stone] n (1620): an ellipsoid stone or occas. piece
          of iron with a gooseneck handle used in the game of curling

   curlpaper
          [curl.pa.per] n (ca. 1817): a strip or piece of paper around
          which a lock of hair is wound for curling

   curl up
          [curl up] vi (1861): to arrange oneself in or as if in a
          ball or curl <curl up by the fire> <curl up with a good
          book>

   curly
          [curly] adj curl.i.er ; -est (ca. 1784) 1: tending to curl;
          also: having curls 2: having the grain composed of fibers
          that undulate without crossing and that often form alternating
          light and dark lines <~ maple> -- curl.i.ness n

   curly-coate d retriever
          [curly-coat.e d retriever] n (1885): any of a breed of sporting
          dogs with a short curly black or liver-colored coat

   curly top
          [curly top] n (1901): a destructive virus disease esp. of
          beets that kills young plants and causes curling and
          puckering of the leaves in older plants

   curmudgeon
          [cur.mud.geon] n [origin unknown] (1577) 1 archaic: miser
          2: a crusty, ill-tempered, and usu. old man -- cur.mud.geon.li.ness
          n -- cur.mud.geon.ly adj

   curn
          [curn] or cur.ran n [ME curn; akin to ME corn] (14c) 1 Scot:
          grain 2 Scot: a small number: few

   curr
          [curr] vi [imit.] (1677): to make a murmuring sound (as of
          doves)

   curragh
          [cur.ragh] or cur.rach n [ME currok, fr. Ir currach, curach]
          (15c): a usu. large coracle used esp. on the west coast
          of Ireland

   currant
          [cur.rant] n [ME raison of Coraunte, lit., raisin of Corinth]
          (14c) 1: a small seedless raisin grown chiefly in the
          Levant 2: the acid edible fruit of several shrubs (genus
          Ribes) of the saxifrage family; also: a plant bearing
          currants

   currency
          [cur.ren.cy] n, pl -cies (1699) 1 a: circulation as a medium
          of exchange b: general use, acceptance, or prevalence
          c: the quality or state of being current: currentness
          2 a: something (as coins, treasury notes, and banknotes)
          that is in circulation as a medium of exchange b: paper
          money in circulation c: a common article for bartering
          d: a medium of verbal or intellectual expression

   [1]current
          [cur.rent] adj [ME curraunt, fr. OF curant, prp. of courre
          to run, fr. L currere--more at car] (14c) 1 a archaic:
          running, flowing b (1): presently elapsing (2): occurring
          in or existing at the present time (3): most recent <the
          ~ issue> 2: used as a medium of exchange 3: generally
          accepted, used, practiced, or prevalent at the moment
          -- cur.rent.ly adv -- cur.rent.ness n [2]current n (14c)
          1 a: the part of a fluid body (as air or water) moving
          continuously in a certain direction b: the swiftest part
          of a stream c: a tidal or nontidal movement of lake or
          ocean water d: flow marked by force or strength 2 a:
          a tendency or course of events that is usu. the result
          of an interplay of forces <~s of public opinion> b: a
          prevailing mood: strain 3: a flow of electric charge;
          also: the rate of such flow syn see tendency

   current assets
          [current assets] n pl (ca. 1909): assets of a short-term
          nature that are readily convertible to cash

   curricle
          [cur.ri.cle] n [L curriculum running, chariot, fr. currere]
          (1752): a 2-wheeled chaise usu. drawn by two horses

   curricular
          [cur.ric.u.lar] adj (ca. 1909): of or relating to a curriculum

   curriculum
          [cur.ric.u.lum] n, pl -la also -lums [NL, fr. L, running,
          course] (1633) 1: the courses offered by an educational
          institution 2: a set of courses constituting an area
          of specialization

   curriculum vitae
          [cur.ric.u.lum vi.tae] n, pl cur.ric.u.la vitae [L, course
          of (one's) life] (1902): a short account of one's career
          and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant
          for a position

   curriery
          [cur.ri.ery] n, pl -er.ies (ca. 1889) 1: the trade of a currier
          of leather 2: a place where currying is done

   currish
          [cur.rish] adj (15c) 1: ignoble 2: resembling a cur: mongrel
          -- cur.rish.ly adv

   [1]curry
          [cur.ry] vt cur.ried ; cur.ry.ing [ME currayen, fr. OF correer
          to prepare, curry, fr. (assumed) VL conredare, fr. L
          com- + a base of Gmc origin; akin to Goth garaiths arrayed--more
          at ready] (13c) 1: to clean the coat of (as a horse)
          with a currycomb 2: to treat (tanned leather) esp. by
          incorporating oil or grease 3: beat, thrash -- cur.ri.er
          n -- curry favor [ME currayen favel to curry a chestnut
          horse]: to seek to gain favor by flattery or attention
          [2]cur.ry also cur.rie n, pl curries [Tamil kari] (1681)
          1: a food, dish, or sauce in Indian cuisine seasoned
          with a mixture of pungent spices; also: a food or dish
          seasoned with curry powder 2: curry powder [3]curry vt
          cur.ried ; cur.ry.ing (1839): to flavor or cook with
          curry powder or a curry sauce

   currycomb
          [cur.ry.comb] n (1573): a comb made of rows of metallic teeth
          or serrated ridges and used esp. to curry horses -- currycomb
          vt

   curry powder
          [curry powder] n (1810): a condiment consisting of several
          pungent ground spices (as cayenne pepper, fenugreek,
          and turmeric)

   [1]curse
          [curse] n [ME curs, fr. OE] (bef. 12c) 1: a prayer or invocation
          for harm or injury to come upon one: imprecation 2: something
          that is cursed or accursed 3: evil or misfortune that
          comes as if in response to imprecation or as retribution
          4: a cause of great harm or misfortune: torment
          5: menstruation--used with the [2]curse vb cursed ; curs.ing
          vt (bef. 12c) 1: to use profanely insolent language against:
          blaspheme 2 a: to call upon divine or supernatural power to send
          injury upon b: to execrate in fervent and often profane terms
          3: to bring great evil upon: afflict ~ vi: to utter imprecations:
          swear syn see execrate

   cursed
          [cursed] also curst adj (13c): being under or deserving a
          curse -- cursed.ly adv -- cursed.ness n

   [1]cursive
          [cur.sive] adj [F or ML; F cursif, fr. ML cursivus, lit.,
          running, fr. L cursus, pp. of currere to run] (1784):
          running, coursing: as a of writing: flowing often with
          the strokes of successive characters joined and the angles
          rounded b: having a flowing, easy, impromptu character
          -- cur.sive.ly adv -- cur.sive.ness n [2]cursive n (1861)
          1: a manuscript written in cursive writing; also: cursive
          writing 2: a style of printed letter resembling handwriting

   cursor
          [cur.sor] n [L, runner, fr. currere] (1594): a movable item
          used to mark a position: as a: a transparent slide with
          a line attached to a slide rule b: a visual cue (as a
          flashing rectangle) on a video display that indicates
          position (as for data entry)

   cursorial
          [cur.so.ri.al] adj (1836): adapted to or involving running

   cursory
          [cur.so.ry] adj [LL cursorius of running, fr. L currere]
          (1601): rapidly and often superficially performed or
          produced: hasty <a ~ glance> syn see superficial -- cur.so.ri.ly
          adv -- cur.so.ri.ness n

   cursus honorum
          [cur.sus ho.no.rum] [L] foreign term : course of honors:
          succession of offices of increasing importance

   curt
          [curt] adj [L curtus shortened--more at shear] (1630) 1 a:
          sparing of words: terse b: marked by rude or peremptory
          shortness: brusque 2: shortened in linear dimension syn
          see bluff -- curt.ly adv -- curt.ness n

   curtail
          [cur.tail] vt [by folk etymology fr. earlier curtal to dock
          an animal's tail, fr. curtal, n., animal with a docked
          tail, fr. MF courtault--more at curtal] (1580): to make
          less by or as if by cutting off or away some part <~
          the power of the executive branch> <~ inflation> syn
          see shorten -- cur.tail.er n

   curtailment
          [cur.tail.ment] n (1794): the act of curtailing: the state
          of being curtailed

   [1]curtain
          [cur.tain] n [ME curtine, fr. OF, fr. LL cortina (trans.
          of Gk aulaia, fr. aule court), fr. L cohort-, cohors
          enclosure, court--more at court] (14c) 1: a hanging screen
          usu. capable of being drawn back or up; esp: window drapery
          2: a device or agency that conceals or acts as a barrier--compare
          iron curtain 3 a: the part of a bastioned front that
          connects two neighboring bastions b (1): a similar stretch
          of plain wall (2): a nonbearing exterior wall 4 a: the
          movable screen separating the stage from the auditorium
          of a theater b: the ascent or opening (as at the beginning
          of a play) of a stage curtain; also: its descent or closing
          (as at the end of an act) c: the final situation, line,
          or scene of an act or play d: the time at which a theatrical
          performance begins e pl: end; esp: death <it will be
          ~s for us if we're caught> -- cur.tain.less adj [2]curtain
          vt cur.tained ; cur.tain.ing (14c) 1: to furnish with
          or as if with curtains 2: to veil or shut off with or
          as if with a curtain

   curtain call
          [curtain call] n (1884): an appearance by a performer (as
          after the final curtain of a play) in response to the
          applause of the audience

   curtain lecture
          [curtain lecture] n [fr. its orig. being given behind the
          curtains of a bed] (1633): a private lecture by a wife
          to her husband

   curtain-raiser
          [cur.tain-rais.er] n (1886) 1: a short play usu. of one scene
          that is presented before the main full-length drama 2:
          a usu. short preliminary to a main event

   curtain wall
          [curtain wall] n (1853): a nonbearing exterior wall between
          columns or piers

   curtal
          [cur.tal] adj [MF courtault, fr. court short, fr. L curtus]
          (1576) 1 obs: having a docked tail 2 obs: brief, curtailed
          3 archaic: wearing a short frock

   curtal ax
          [cur.tal ax] or cur.tle ax n [modif. of MF coutelas] (ca.
          1580) archaic: cutlass

   curtesy
          [cur.te.sy] n, pl -sies [ME corteisie courtesy] (1523): a
          husband's interest upon the death of his wife in the
          real property of an estate that she either solely owned
          or inherited provided they bore a child capable of inheriting
          the estate--compare dower

   curtilage
          [cur.ti.lage] n [ME, fr. MF cortillage, fr. cortil courtyard,
          fr. cort court] (14c): a piece of ground (as a yard or
          courtyard) within the fence surrounding a house

   [1]curtsy
          [curt.sy] also curt.sey vi curt.sied also curt.seyed ; curt.sy.ing
          also curt.sey.ing [alter. of courtesy] (ca. 1553): to make a curtsy
          [2]curtsy also curtsey n, pl curtsies also curtseys (1575): an act
          of civility, respect, or reverence made mainly by women and
          consisting of a slight lowering of the body with bending of the
          knees

   curule
          [cu.rule] adj [L curulis, perh. alter. of currulis of a chariot,
          fr. currus chariot, fr. currere to run] (1600): privileged
          to sit in a seat reserved in ancient Rome for the use
          of the highest dignitaries; also: of or relating to a
          curule chair

   curvaceous
          [cur.va.ceous] also cur.va.cious adj (ca. 1935): having curves
          suggestive of a well-proportioned feminine figure

   curvature
          [cur.va.ture] n (1603) 1: the act of curving: the state of
          being curved 2: a measure or amount of curving; specif:
          the rate of change of the angle through which the tangent
          to a curve turns in moving along the curve and which
          for a circle is equal to the reciprocal of the radius
          3 a: an abnormal curving (as of the spine) b: a curved
          surface of an organ

   [1]curve
          [curve] adj [ME, fr. L curvus; akin to Gk kyrtos convex,
          MIr cruinn round] (15c) archaic: bent or formed into
          a curve [2]curve vb curved ; curv.ing [L curvare, fr.
          curvus] vi (1594): to have or take a turn, change, or
          deviation from a straight line or plane surface without
          sharp breaks or angularity ~ vt 1: to cause to curve
          2: to throw a curveball to (a batter) 3: to grade (as
          an examination) on a curve [3]curve n (1696) 1 a: a line
          esp. when curved: as (1): the path of a moving point
          (2): a line defined by an equation so that the coordinates
          of its points are functions of a single independent variable
          or parameter b: the graph of a variable 2: something
          curved: as a: a curving line of the human body b pl:
          parenthesis 3 a: curveball b: trick, deception 4: a distribution
          indicating the relative performance of individuals measured
          against each other that is used esp. in assigning good,
          medium, or poor grades to usu. predetermined proportions
          of students rather than in assigning grades based on
          predetermined standards of achievement -- curvy adj

   curveball
          [curve.ball] n (1936): a slow or moderately fast baseball
          pitch thrown with spin to make it swerve downward and
          usu. to the left when thrown from the right hand or to
          the right when thrown from the left hand -- curveball
          vb

   curve fitting
          [curve fitting] n (ca. 1924): the empirical determination
          of a curve or function that approximates a set of data

   [1]curvet
          [cur.vet] n [It corvetta, fr. MF courbette, fr. courber to
          curve, fr. L curvare] (1575): a prancing leap of a horse
          in which the hind legs are raised just before the forelegs
          touch the ground [2]curvet vi -vet.ted or -vet.ed ; -vet.ting
          or -vet.ing (1592): to make a curvet; also: prance, caper

   curvilinear
          [cur.vi.lin.ear] adj [L curvus + linea line] (1710) 1: consisting
          of or bounded by curved lines: represented by a curved
          line 2: marked by flowing tracery <~ Gothic> -- cur.vi.lin.ear.i.ty
          n

   cusec
          [cu.sec] n [cubic foot per second] (ca. 1903): a volumetric
          unit of flow equal to a cubic foot per second

   cushat
          [cush.at] n [ME cowschote, fr. OE cuscote] (bef. 12c) chiefly
          Scot: ringdove 1

   cushaw
          [cu.shaw] n [origin unknown] (1698): a squash of any of several
          cultivars of a winter squash (Cucurbita mixta)

   Cushing's disease
          [Cush.ing's disease] n [Harvey Cushing] (ca. 1935): Cushing's
          syndrome esp. when caused by excessive production of
          ACTH by the pituitary gland

   Cushing's syndrome
          [Cushing's syndrome] n (1937): an abnormal bodily condition
          characterized by obesity and muscular weakness due to
          excess corticosteroids and esp. hydrocortisone from adrenal
          or pituitary hyperfunction

   [1]cushion
          [cush.ion] n [ME cusshin, fr. MF coissin, fr. (assumed) VL
          coxinus, fr. L coxa hip--more at coxa] (14c) 1: a soft
          pillow or pad usu. used for sitting, reclining, or kneeling
          2: a bodily part resembling a pad 3: something resembling
          a cushion: as a: pillow 2 b: rat 3 c: a pad of springy
          rubber along the inside of the rim of a billiard table
          d: a padded insert in a shoe e: an elastic body for reducing
          shock f: a mat laid under a large rug to ease the effect
          of wear 4 a: something (as an economic factor or a medical
          procedure) serving to mitigate the effects of disturbances
          or disorders b: a reserve supply (as of money) c: a comfortable
          lead <a 4-0 ~ in the ninth inning> -- cush.ion.less adj
          -- cush.iony adj [2]cushion vt cush.ioned ; cush.ion.ing
          (ca. 1738) 1: to seat or place on a cushion 2: to suppress
          by ignoring 3: to furnish with a cushion 4 a: to mitigate
          the effects of b: to protect against force or shock 5:
          to check gradually so as to minimize shock of moving
          parts

   Cushitic
          [Cush.it.ic] n [Cush (Kush), Africa] (ca. 1903): a subfamily
          of the Afro-Asiatic language family comprising various
          languages spoken in eastern Africa and esp. in Ethiopia,
          Djibouti, and Somalia -- Cushitic adj

   cushy
          [cushy] adj cush.i.er ; cush.i.est [Hindi khush pleasant,
          fr. Per khush] (1915): entailing little hardship or difficulty
          <a ~ job with a high salary> -- cush.i.ly adv

   cusk
          [cusk] n, pl cusk or cusks [prob. alter. of tusk, a kind
          of codfish] (1616) 1: a large edible No. Atlantic fish
          (Brosme brosme) of the cod family 2: burbot

   cusp
          [cusp] n [L cuspis point] (1585): point, apex: as a: either
          horn of a crescent moon b: a fixed point on a mathematical
          curve at which a point tracing the curve would exactly
          reverse its direction of motion c: an ornamental pointed
          projection formed by or arising from the intersection
          of two arcs or foils d (1): a point on the grinding surface
          of a tooth (2): a fold or flap of a cardiac valve e:
          a point of transition (as from one astrological sign
          to another or one historical period to the next): turning
          point; also: edge, verge <on the ~ of stardom> -- cus.pate
          adj -- cusped adj

   cuspid
          [cus.pid] n [bicuspid] (1878): canine 1

   cuspidate
          [cus.pi.date] adj [L cuspidatus, pp. of cuspidare to make
          pointed, fr. cuspid-, cuspis point] (1692): having a
          cusp: terminating in a point <a ~ leaf> <~ molars>

   cuspidation
          [cus.pi.da.tion] n (1848): decoration with cusps

   cuspidor
          [cus.pi.dor] n [Pg cuspidouro place for spitting, fr. cuspir
          to spit, fr. L conspuere, fr. com- + spuere to spit--more
          at spew] (1735): spittoon

   [1]cuss
          [cuss] n [alter. of curse] (1775) 1: fellow 4c 2: curse 1,
          2 [2]cuss vb (1815): curse -- cuss.er n

   cussed
          [cuss.ed] adj (1840) 1: cursed 2: obstinate, cantankerous
          -- cuss.ed.ly adv -- cuss.ed.ness n

   cussword
          [cuss.word] n (1872) 1: swearword 2: a term of abuse: a derogatory
          term

   custard
          [cus.tard] n [ME, a kind of pie, alter. of crustarde, crustade,
          prob. fr. (assumed) AF crustade, fr. OF crouste crust,
          fr. L crusta--more at crust] (1740): a pudding-like usu.
          sweetened mixture made with eggs and milk -- cus.tardy
          adj

   custard apple
          [custard apple] n (1657) 1 a: any of several chiefly tropical
          American soft-fleshed edible fruits b: any of a genus
          (Annona of the family Annonaceae, the custard-apple family)
          of trees or shrubs bearing this fruit; esp: a small West
          Indian tree (A. reticulata) 2: papaw 2

   custodial
          [cus.to.di.al] adj (1772): relating to guardianship; specif:
          marked by or given to watching and protecting rather
          than seeking to cure <~ care>

   custodian
          [cus.to.di.an] n (1781): one that guards and protects or
          maintains; esp: one entrusted with guarding and keeping
          property or records or with custody or guardianship of
          prisoners or inmates -- cus.to.di.an.ship n

   custody
          [cus.to.dy] n, pl -dies [ME custodie, fr. L custodia guarding,
          fr. custod-, custos guardian] (15c): immediate charge
          and control (as over a ward or a suspect) exercised by
          a person or an authority; also: safekeeping

   [1]custom
          [cus.tom] n [ME custume, fr. OF, fr. L consuetudin-, consuetudo,
          fr. consuescere to accustom, fr. com- + suescere to accustom;
          akin to suus one's own--more at suicide] (13c) 1 a: a
          usage or practice common to many or to a particular place
          or class or habitual with an individual b: long-established
          practice considered as unwritten law c: repeated practice
          d: the whole body of usages, practices, or conventions
          that regulate social life 2 pl a: duties, tolls, or imposts
          imposed by the sovereign law of a country on imports
          or exports b usu sing in constr: the agency, establishment,
          or procedure for collecting such customs 3 a: business
          patronage b: usu. habitual patrons: customers syn see
          habit [2]custom adj (1830) 1: made or performed according
          to personal order 2: specializing in custom work or operation
          <a ~ tailor>

   customary
          [cus.tom.ary] adj (1535) 1: based on or established by custom
          2: commonly practiced, used, or observed syn see usual
          -- cus.tom.ar.i.ly adv -- cus.tom.ar.i.ness n

   custom-built
          [cus.tom-built] adj (1925): built to individual specifications

   customer
          [cus.tom.er] n [ME custumer, fr. custume] (15c) 1: one that
          purchases a commodity or service 2: an individual usu.
          having some specified distinctive trait <a real tough
          ~>

   customhouse
          [cus.tom.house] also cus.toms.house n (15c): a building where
          customs and duties are paid or collected and where vessels
          are entered and cleared

   customise
          [cus.tom.ise] Brit var of customize

   customize
          [cus.tom.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1926): to build, fit, or
          alter according to individual specifications -- cus.tom.iz.er
          n

   custom-made
          [cus.tom-made] adj (1855): made to individual specifications

   custom-tailor
          [cus.tom-tai.lor] vt (1895): to alter, plan, or build according
          to individual specifications or needs

   custos morum
          [cus.tos mo.rum] [L] foreign term : guardian of manners or
          morals: censor

   [1]cut
          [cut] vb cut ; cut.ting [ME cutten] vt (13c) 1 a: to penetrate
          with or as if with an edged instrument b: to hurt the
          feelings of c: to strike sharply with a cutting effect
          d: to strike (a ball) with a glancing blow that imparts
          a reverse spin e: to experience the growth of (a tooth)
          through the gum 2 a: trim, pare <~ one's nails> b: to
          shorten by omissions c: dissolve, dilute, adulterate
          d: to reduce in amount <~ costs> 3 a: mow, reap b (1):
          to divide into parts with an edged tool <~ bread> (2):
          fell, hew c (1): to separate or discharge from an organization:
          detach (2): to single out and isolate <~ a calf out from
          the herd> d: to change the direction of sharply e: to
          go or pass around or about 4 a: to divide into segments
          b: intersect, cross c: break, interrupt <~ our supply
          lines> d (1): to divide (a deck of cards) into two portions
          (2): to draw (a card) from the deck e: to divide into
          shares: split 5 a: to make by or as if by cutting: as
          (1): carve <~ stone> (2): to shape by grinding <~ a diamond>
          (3): engrave (4): to shear or hollow out b: to record
          sounds (as speech or music) on <~ a record> c: to type
          on a stencil 6 a: stop, cease <~ the nonsense> b: to
          refuse to recognize (an acquaintance): ostracize c: to
          absent oneself from (as a class) d: to stop (a motor)
          by opening a switch e: to stop the filming of (a motion-picture
          scene) 7 a: to engage in (a frolicsome or mischievous
          action) <on summer nights strange capers are ~ under
          the thin guise of a Christian festival --D. C. Peattie>
          b: to give the appearance or impression of <~ a fine
          figure> 8: to be able to manage or handle--usu. used
          in negative constructions <can't ~ that kind of work
          anymore> ~ vi 1 a: to function as or as if as an edged
          tool b: to undergo incision or severance <cheese ~s easily>
          c: to perform the operation of dividing, severing, incising,
          or intersecting d: to make a stroke with a whip, sword,
          or other weapon e: to wound feelings or sensibilities
          f: to cause constriction or chafing g: to be of effect,
          influ : to negotiate an agreement -- cut corners : to
          perform some action in the quickest, easiest, or cheapest
          way -- cut ice : to be of importance--usu. used in negative
          constructions -- cut it : to cut the mustard -- cut the
          mustard : to achieve the standard of performance necessary
          for success [2]cut n (1548) 1: a product of cutting:
          as a: a creek, channel, or inlet made by excavation or
          worn by natural action b (1): an opening made with an
          edged instrument (2): a wound made by something sharp:
          gash c: a surface or outline left by cutting d: a passage
          cut as a roadway e: a grade or step esp. in a social
          scale <a ~ above the ordinary> f: a subset of a set such
          that when it is subtracted from the set the remainder
          is not connected g: a pictorial illustration h: track
          1e(2) 2: the act or an instance of cutting: as a: a gesture
          or expression that hurts the feelings <made an unkind
          ~> b: a straight passage or course c: a stroke or blow
          with the edge of a knife or other edged tool d: a lash
          with or as if with a whip e: the act of reducing or removing
          a part <a ~ in pay> f: an act or turn of cutting cards;
          also: the result of cutting g: the elimination of part
          of a large field from further competition (as in a golf
          tournament)--often used with miss or make to denote respectively
          being or not being among those eliminated <played poorly
          and missed the ~> 3: something that is cut or cut off:
          as a: a length of cloth varying from 40 to 100 yards
          (36.6 to 91.4 meters) b: the yield of products cut esp.
          during one harvest c: a segment or section of a meat
          carcass or a part of one d: a group of animals selected
          from a herd e: share <took his ~ of the profits> 4: a
          voluntary absence from a class 5 a: a stroke that cuts
          a ball; also: the spin imparted by such a stroke b: a
          swing by a batter at a pitched baseball c: an exchange
          of captures in checkers 6: an abrupt transition from
          one sound or image to another in motion pictures, radio,
          or television 7 a: the shape and style in which a thing
          is cut, formed, or made <clothes of the latest ~> b:
          pattern, type c: haircut -- cut of one's jib : appearance,
          style

   cutability
          [cut.abil.i.ty] n (1965): the proportion of lean salable
          meat yielded by a carcass

   cut-and-dried
          [cut-and-dried] also cut-and-dry adj (1710): being or done
          according to a plan, set procedure, or formula: routine

   cut-and-paste
          [cut-and-paste] adj (1953): pieced together by excerpting
          and combining passages from many sources <the book was
          a ~ job>

   cut-and-try
          [cut-and-try] adj (1903): marked by experimental procedure:
          empirical

   cutaneous
          [cu.ta.ne.ous] adj [NL cutaneus, fr. L cutis skin--more at
          hide] (1578): of, relating to, or affecting the skin
          -- cu.ta.ne.ous.ly adv

   [1]cutaway
          [cut.away] adj (1841): having or showing parts cut away [2]cutaway
          n (1849) 1: a coat with skirts tapering from the front waistline
          to form tails at the back 2 a: a cutaway picture or representation
          b: a shot that interrupts the main action of a film or television
          program to take up a related subject or to depict action supposed
          to be going on at the same time as the main action 3: a back dive
          in which the head is lowered toward the board after the takeoff

   cutback
          [cut.back] n (1897) 1: something cut back 2: reduction

   cut back
          [cut back] vt (1871): to shorten by cutting: prune ~ vi 1:
          to interrupt the sequence of a plot (as of a movie) by
          introducing events prior to those last presented 2: cut
          down <cut back on sugar>

   cutch
          [cutch] n [modif. of Malay kachu] (1759): catechu a

   cut down
          [cut down] vt (1821) 1 a: to strike down and kill or incapacitate
          b: knock down 2 a: to remodel by removing extras or unwanted
          furnishings and fittings b: to remake in a smaller size
          ~ vi: to reduce or curtail volume or activity <cut down
          on smoking> -- cut down to size : to reduce from an inflated
          or exaggerated importance to true or suitable stature

   cute
          [cute] adj cut.er ; cut.est [short for acute] (ca. 1731)
          1 a: clever or shrewd often in an underhanded manner
          b: impertinent, smart-alecky <don't get ~ with me> 2:
          attractive or pretty esp. in a dainty or delicate way
          3: obviously straining for effect -- cute.ly adv -- cute.ness
          n

   cutesy
          [cute.sy] adj cute.si.er ; -est [cute + -sy (as in folksy)]
          (1914): self-consciously or excessively cute

   cut glass
          [cut glass] n (1800): glass ornamented with patterns cut
          into its surface by an abrasive wheel and polished

   cut-grass
          [cut-grass] n (ca. 1818): a grass (esp. genus Leersia) with
          minute hooked bristles along the edges of the leaf blade

   cuticle
          [cu.ti.cle] n [L cuticula, dim. of cutis skin--more at hide]
          (1615) 1: skin, pellicle: as a: an external investment
          (as of an insect) secreted usu. by epidermal cells b:
          the outermost layer of animal integument (as in humans)
          when composed of epidermis c: a thin continuous fatty
          or waxy film on the external surface of many higher plants
          that consists chiefly of cutin 2: dead or horny epidermis
          -- cu.tic.u.lar adj

   cutie
          [cut.ie] or cut.ey n, pl cuties or cuteys [cute + -ie] (1768):
          an attractive person; esp: a pretty girl

   cutin
          [cu.tin] n [ISV, fr. L cutis] (ca. 1872): an insoluble mixture
          containing waxes, fatty acids, soaps, and resinous material
          that forms a continuous layer on the outer epidermal
          wall of a plant

   cut in
          [cut in] vi (1612) 1: to thrust oneself into a position between
          others or belonging to another 2: to join in something
          suddenly <cut in on the conversation> 3: to interrupt
          a dancing couple and take one as one's partner 4: to
          become automatically connected or started in operation
          ~ vt 1: to mix with cutting motions <after sifting the
          flour into a mixing bowl, cut the lard in> 2: to introduce
          into a number, group, or sequence 3: to connect into
          an electrical circuit to a mechanical apparatus so as
          to permit operation 4: to include esp. among those benefiting
          or favored <cut them in on the profits>

   cut-in
          [cut-in] n (1883): something cut in -- cut-in adj

   cutinized
          [cu.tin.ized] adj (1901): infiltrated with cutin <~ epidermal
          cells>

   cutis
          [cu.tis] n, pl cu.tes or cu.tis.es [L] (1603): dermis

   cutlass
          [cut.lass] n [MF coutelas, aug. of coutel knife, fr. L cultellus,
          dim. of culter knife, plowshare] (1594) 1: a short curving
          sword formerly used by sailors on warships 2: machete

   cutler
          [cut.ler] n [ME, fr. MF coutelier, fr. LL cultellarius, fr.
          L cultellus] (14c): one who makes, deals in, or repairs
          cutlery

   cutlery
          [cut.lery] n (15c) 1: the business of a cutler 2: edged or
          cutting tools; specif: implements for cutting and eating
          food

   cutlet
          [cut.let] n [F cotelette, fr. OF costelette, dim. of coste
          rib, side, fr. L costa--more at coast] (ca. 1706) 1:
          a small slice of meat <a veal ~> 2: a flat croquette
          of chopped meat or fish

   cutline
          [cut.line] n (1943): caption, legend

   cut off
          [cut off] vt (14c) 1: to bring to an untimely end 2: to stop
          the passage of 3: shut off, bar 4: discontinue, terminate
          5: separate, isolate 6: disinherit 7 a: to stop the operation
          of: turn off b: to stop or interrupt while in communication
          <the operator cut me off> ~ vi: to cease operating

   cutoff
          [cut.off] n (1741) 1: the act or action of cutting off 2
          a: the new and relatively short channel formed when a
          stream cuts through the neck of an oxbow b: shortcut
          1 c: a channel made to straighten a stream 3: a device
          for cutting off 4 a: something cut off b pl: shorts orig.
          made from jeans with the legs cut off at the knees or
          higher 5: the point, date, or period for a cutoff --
          cutoff adj

   cutoff man
          [cutoff man] n (1967): a player in baseball who relays a
          ball from an outfielder to the infield

   [1]cut out
          [cut out] vt (15c) 1: to form by erosion 2: to determine
          or assign through necessity <you've got your work cut
          out for you> 3: to take the place of: supplant 4: to
          put an end to: desist from 5: deprive, defraud 6 a: to
          remove from a series or circuit: disconnect b: to make
          inoperative ~ vi 1: to depart in haste 2: to cease operating
          3: to swerve out of a traffic line [2]cut out adj (1926):
          naturally fitted or suited <not cut out to be a lawyer>

   cutout
          [cut.out] n (1851) 1: something cut out or off from something
          else; also: the space or hole left after cutting 2: one
          that cuts out 3: one serving as an intermediary for clandestine
          operations -- cutout adj

   cutover
          [cut.over] adj (1899): having most of the salable timber
          cut down

   cut-price
          [cut-price] adj (1897) chiefly Brit: cut-rate

   cutpurse
          [cut.purse] n (14c): pickpocket

   cut-rate
          [cut-rate] adj (1881) 1: marked by, offering, or making use
          of a reduced rate or price <~ stores> 2: second-rate,
          cheap

   cuttable
          [cut.ta.ble] adj (15c): capable of being cut: ready for cutting

   cutter
          [cut.ter] n (15c) 1: one that cuts: a: one whose work is
          cutting or involves cutting b (1): an instrument, machine,
          machine part, or tool that cuts (2): a device for vibrating
          a cutting stylus in disc recording; also: the stylus
          or its point 2 a: a ship's boat for carrying stores or
          passengers b: a single-masted fore-and-aft rigged sailing
          vessel c: a small armed vessel in government service
          3: a light sleigh

   [1]cutthroat
          [cut.throat] n (1535) 1: killer, murderer 2: a cruel unprincipled
          person [2]cutthroat adj (1567) 1: murderous, cruel 2:
          marked by unprincipled practices: ruthless <~ competition>
          3: characterized by each player playing independently
          rather than having a permanent partner--used esp. of
          partnership games adapted for three players <~ bridge>

   cutthroat contract
          [cutthroat contract] n (ca. 1944): contract bridge in which
          partnerships are determined by the bidding

   cutthroat trout
          [cutthroat trout] n (ca. 1891): a large spotted trout (Oncorhynchus
          clarki syn. Salmo clarki) chiefly of northwestern No. America that
          has reddish streaks on the integument of the lower jaw--called also
          cutthroat

   cut time
          [cut time] n (1951): duple or quadruple time with the beat
          represented by a half note

   [1]cutting
          [cut.ting] n (14c) 1: something cut or cut off or out: as
          a: a plant section originating from stem, leaf, or root
          and capable of developing into a new plant b: harvest
          2: something made by cutting; esp: recording [2]cutting
          adj (15c) 1: given to or designed for cutting; esp: sharp,
          edged 2: marked by sharp piercing cold 3: inclined or
          likely to wound the feelings of others esp. because of
          a ruthless incisiveness <a ~ remark> 4: intense, piercing
          <a ~ pain> -- cut.ting.ly adv

   cutting board
          [cutting board] n (1825): a board on which something (as
          food or cloth) is placed for cutting

   cutting edge
          [cutting edge] n (1951) 1: the foremost part or place: vanguard
          2: a sharp effect or quality

   cutting horse
          [cutting horse] n (1881): an agile saddle horse trained to
          separate individual animals from a cattle herd

   cuttlebone
          [cut.tle.bone] n [ME cotul cuttlefish (fr. OE cudele) + E
          bone] (1547): the shell of cuttlefishes that is sometimes
          used for polishing powder or for supplying cage birds
          with lime and salts

   cuttlefish
          [cut.tle.fish] n [ME cotul + E fish] (ca. 1828): any of various
          10-armed marine cephalopod mollusks (order Sepioidea,
          esp. genus Sepia) differing from the related squid in
          having a calcified internal shell

   cutty sark
          [cut.ty sark] n [E dial. cutty short + sark] (1779) chiefly
          Scot: a short garment; esp: a woman's short undergarment

   cutty stool
          [cutty stool] n (1820) 1 chiefly Scot: a low stool 2: a seat
          in a Scottish church where offenders formerly sat for
          public rebuke

   cutup
          [cut.up] n (1843): a person who clowns or acts boisterously

   cut up
          [cut up] vt (1580) 1 a: to cut into parts or pieces b: to
          injure or damage by or as if by cutting: gash, slash
          2: to subject to hostile criticism: censure ~ vi 1: to
          undergo being cut up 2: to behave in a comic, boisterous,
          or unruly manner: clown

   cutwater
          [cut.wa.ter] n (1644): the forepart of a ship's stem

   cutwork
          [cut.work] n (15c): embroidery usu. on linen in which a design
          is outlined in buttonhole stitch and the intervening
          material then cut away

   cutworm
          [cut.worm] n (1816): any of various smooth-bodied chiefly
          nocturnal noctuid moth caterpillars which often feed
          on young plant stems near ground level

   cuvette
          [cu.vette] n [F, dim. of cuve tub, fr. L cupa--more at hive]
          (ca. 1909): a small often transparent laboratory vessel
          (as a tube)

   cv...
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   cv
          [cv] or cvt abbreviation convertible CV abbreviation
          cardiovascular, chief value, curriculum vitae

   CVA
          [CVA] abbreviation Columbia Valley Authority

   cw...
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   cw
          [cw] abbreviation clockwise  CW abbreviation chemical warfare,
          chief warrant officer, continuous wave

   cwm
          [cwm] n [W, valley] (1853) chiefly Brit: cirque 3

   CWO
          [CWO] abbreviation cash with order, chief warrant officer

   cwt
          [cwt] abbreviation hundredweight

   cy...
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   -cy
          [-cy] n suffix [ME -cie, fr. OF, fr. L -tia, partly fr. -t-
          (final stem consonant) + -ia -y, partly fr. Gk -tia,
          -teia, fr. -t- (final stem consonant) + -ia, -eia -y]
          1: action: practice <mendicancy> 2: rank: office <baronetcy>
          <chaplaincy> 3: body: class <magistracy> 4: state: quality
          <accuracy> <bankruptcy> <normalcy>--often replacing a
          final -t or -te of the base word

   cyan-
          [cyan-] or cyano- comb form [G, fr. Gk kyan-, kyano-, fr.
          kyanos dark blue enamel] 1: dark blue: blue <cyanobacterium>
          2: cyanogen <cyanide> 3: cyanide <cyanogenetic>

   cyan
          [cy.an] n [Gk kyanos] (ca. 1889): a greenish blue color--used
          in photography and color printing of one of the primary
          colors

   cyanamide
          [cy.an.a.mide] n [ISV] (1838) 1: a caustic acidic compound
          2: calcium cyanamide

   cyanate
          [cy.a.nate] n [ISV] (ca. 1846): a salt (as ammonium cyanate)
          or ester of cyanic acid

   cyanic acid
          [cy.an.ic acid] n (1832): a strong acid used to prepare cyanates

   cyanide
          [cy.a.nide] n [ISV] (1826) 1: a compound of cyanogen with
          a more electropositive element or group: as a: potassium
          cyanide b: sodium cyanide 2: cyanogen 1

   cyanine
          [cy.a.nine] n [ISV] (ca. 1872): any of various dyes that
          sensitize photographic film to light from the green,
          yellow, red, and infrared regions of the spectrum

   cyano
          [cy.a.no] adj [cyan-] (1929): relating to or containing the
          cyanogen group--often used in combination

   cyanoacrylate
          [cy.a.no.ac.ry.late] n (1963): any of several liquid acrylate
          monomers that readily polymerize as anions and are used
          as adhesives in industry and in closing wounds in surgery

   cyanobacterium
          [cy.a.no.bac.te.ri.um] n [NL] (1974): blue-green alga

   cyanocobalamin
          [cy.a.no.co.bal.a.min] also cy.a.no.co.bal.a.mine n [cyan-
          + cobalt + vitamin] (1950): vitamin b12

   cyanoethylate
          [cy.a.no.eth.yl.ate] vt (1942): to introduce a cyano-ethyl
          group into (a compound) usu. by means of acrylonitrile
          <~ cotton> -- cy.a.no.eth.yl.ation n

   cyanogen
          [cy.an.o.gen] n [F cyanogene, fr. cyan- + gene -gen] (1826)
          1: a univalent group -CN present in cyanides 2: a colorless
          flammable poisonous gas

   cyanogenetic
          [cy.a.no.ge.net.ic] or cy.a.no.gen.ic adj (1902): capable
          of producing cyanide (as hydrogen cyanide) <a ~ plant>
          <a ~ glucoside> -- cy.a.no.gen.e.sis n

   cyanohydrin
          [cy.a.no.hy.drin] n [ISV, fr. cyan- + hydr- + [1]-in] (1925):
          any of various compounds containing both cyano and hydroxyl
          groups

   cyanosis
          [cy.a.no.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk kyanosis dark blue color, fr.
          kyanos] (1834): a bluish or purplish discoloration (as
          of skin) due to deficient oxygenation of the blood --
          cy.a.not.ic adj

   cyanuric acid
          [cy.an.uric acid] n [cyan- + urea] (1838): a crystalline
          weak acid that yields cyanic acid when heated

   Cybele
          [Cyb.e.le] n [L, fr. Gk Kybele]: a nature goddess of the
          ancient peoples of Asia Minor

   cybernation
          [cy.ber.na.tion] n [cybernetics + -ation] (1962): the automatic
          control of a process or operation (as in manufacturing)
          by means of computers -- cy.ber.nat.ed adj

   cybernetician
          [cy.ber.ne.ti.cian] n (1951): a specialist in cybernetics

   cyberneticist
          [cy.ber.net.i.cist] n (1948): cybernetician

   cybernetics
          [cy.ber.net.ics] n pl but sing in constr [Gk kybernetes pilot,
          governor (fr. kybernan to steer, govern) + E -ics] (1948):
          the science of communication and control theory that
          is concerned esp. with the comparative study of automatic
          control systems (as the nervous system and brain and
          mechanical-electrical communication systems) -- cy.ber.net.ic
          also cy.ber.net.i.cal adj -- cy.ber.net.i.cal.ly adv

   cyborg
          [cy.borg] n [cybernetic + organism] (1960): a bionic human
          being

   cycad
          [cy.cad] n [NL Cycad-, Cycas, genus name, fr. Gk kykas, MS
          var. of koikas, acc. pl. of koix, a kind of palm] (1845):
          any of an order (Cycadales) of dioecious cycadophytes
          that are represented by a single surviving family (Cycadaceae)
          of palmlike tropical plants that reproduce by means of
          spermatozoids

   cycadeoid
          [cy.cad.e.oid] n [NL Cycadeoidales, group name, ultim. fr.
          Cycad-, Cycas] (1928): any of an extinct order (Cycadeoidales
          or Bennettitales) of Mesozoic cycadophytes that differ
          from the cycads chiefly in having the reproductive organs
          on the trunk embedded in a thick external covering of
          persistent leaf bases

   cycadophyte
          [cy.cad.o.phyte] n [ultim. fr. NL Cycad-, Cycas + Gk phyton
          plant--more at -phyte] (1911): any of a subclass (Cycadophytae)
          of usu. unbranched gymnosperms with pinnate leaves, large
          pith, little xylem, and a thick cortex that includes
          the cycads, cycadeoids, and seed ferns

   cycasin
          [cy.ca.sin] n [NL Cycas cycad + [1]-in] (ca. 1965): a glucoside
          that occurs in cycads and results in toxic and carcinogenic
          effects when introduced into mammals

   cycl-
          [cycl-] or cyclo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk kykl-, kyklo-, fr.
          kyklos] 1: circle <cyclometer> 2: cyclic <cyclohexane>

   cyclamate
          [cy.cla.mate] n [cyclohexyl-sulfamate] (1954): an artificially
          prepared salt of sodium or calcium used esp. formerly
          as a sweetener

   cyclamen
          [cy.cla.men] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk kyklaminos] (ca. 1550):
          any of a genus (Cyclamen) of plants of the primrose family
          having showy nodding flowers

   cyclase
          [cy.clase] n [cycl- + -ase] (1946): an enzyme (as adenylate
          cyclase) that catalyzes cyclization of a compound

   cyclazocine
          [cy.claz.o.cine] n [cycl- + azocine, prob. fr. az- + octa-
          + [2]-ine] (1966): an analgesic drug that inhibits the
          effect of morphine and related addictive drugs and is
          used in the treatment of drug addiction

   [1]cycle
          [cy.cle] n [ME cicle, fr. LL cyclus, fr. Gk kyklos circle,
          wheel, cycle--more at wheel] (14c) 1: an interval of
          time during which a sequence of a recurring succession
          of events or phenomena is completed 2 a: a course or
          series of events or operations that recur regularly and
          usu. lead back to the starting point b: one complete
          performance of a vibration, electric oscillation, current
          alternation, or other periodic process c: a permutation
          of a set of ordered elements in which each element takes
          the place of the next and the last becomes first 3: a
          circular or spiral arrangement: as a: an imaginary circle
          or orbit in the heavens b: whorl c: ring 10 4: a long
          period of time: age 5 a: a group of poems, plays, novels,
          or songs treating the same theme b: a series of narratives
          dealing typically with the exploits of a legendary hero
          6 a: bicycle b: tricycle c: motorcycle 7: the series
          of a single, double, triple, and home run hit in any
          order by one player during one baseball game [2]cycle
          vb cy.cled ; cy.cling vi (1842) 1 a: to pass through
          a cycle b: to recur in cycles 2: to ride a cycle; specif:
          bicycle ~ vt: to cause to go through a cycle -- cy.cler
          n

   cyclic
          [cy.clic] or cy.cli.cal adj (1794) 1 a: of, relating to,
          or being a cycle b: moving in cycles <~ time> c: of,
          relating to, or being a chemical compound containing
          a ring of atoms 2 cyclic: being a mathematical group
          that has an element such that every element of the group
          can be expressed as one of its powers -- cy.cli.cal.ly
          also cy.clic.ly adv

   cyclic AMP
          [cyclic AMP] n (1966): a cyclic mononucleotide of adenosine
          that is formed from ATP and is responsible for the intracellular
          mediation of hormonal effects on various cellular processes--called
          also adenosine 3,5-monophosphate

   cyclic GMP
          [cyclic GMP] n [guanosine + mon- + phosphate] (1969): a cyclic
          mononucleotide of guanosine that acts similarly to cyclic
          AMP as a secondary messenger in response to hormones

   cyclicity
          [cy.clic.i.ty] n (1944): the quality or state of being cyclic
          <estrous ~>--called also cyclicality

   cyclist
          [cy.clist] n (1882): one who rides a cycle

   cyclitol
          [cy.cli.tol] n [cycl- + -itol (as in inositol)] (1943): an
          alicyclic polyhydroxy compound (as inositol)

   cyclization
          [cy.cli.za.tion] n (1909): formation of one or more rings
          in a chemical compound -- cy.clize vb

   cyclo
          [cy.clo] n, pl cyclos [F, bicycle, moped, fr. cyclo- (as
          in cyclomoteur moped), fr. cycle two- or three-wheeled
          vehicle] (1964): a 3-wheeled often motor-driven taxi

   cycloaddition
          [cy.clo.ad.di.tion] n (1963): a chemical reaction leading
          to ring formation in a compound

   cycloaliphatic
          [cy.clo.al.i.phat.ic] adj (1936): alicyclic

   cyclodextrin
          [cy.clo.dex.trin] n (1960): any of a class of complex cyclic
          sugars that are products of the enzymatic decomposition
          of starch and that can catalyze reactions between simpler
          molecules which come together within the cylindrical
          body of the sugar

   cyclodiene
          [cy.clo.di.ene] n (1942): an organic insecticide (as dieldrin
          or chlordane) with a chlorinated methylene group forming
          a bridge across a 6-membered carbon ring

   cyclogenesis
          [cy.clo.gen.e.sis] n [cyclone + genesis] (ca. 1938): the
          development or intensification of a cyclone

   cyclohexane
          [cy.clo.hex.ane] n [ISV] (ca. 1909): a pungent saturated
          cyclic hydrocarbon found in petroleum or made synthetically
          and used chiefly as a solvent and in organic synthesis

   cyclohexanone
          [cy.clo.hex.a.none] n (ca. 1909): a liquid ketone used esp.
          as a solvent and in organic synthesis

   cycloheximide
          [cy.clo.hex.i.mide] n [cyclohexane + imide] (1950): an agricultural
          fungicide that inhibits protein synthesis and is obtained from
          a soil bacterium (Streptomyces griseus)

   cyclohexylamine
          [cy.clo.hex.yl.amine] n [cyclohexane + -yl + amine] (1943):
          a colorless liquid amine that is used in organic synthesis
          and to prevent corrosion in boilers and that is believed
          to be harmful as a metabolic breakdown product of cyclamate

   [1]cycloid
          [cy.cloid] n [F cycloide, fr. Gk kykloeides circular, fr.
          kyklos] (1661): a curve that is generated by a point
          on the circumference of a circle as it rolls along a
          straight line -- cy.cloi.dal adj [2]cycloid adj (1847)
          1: smooth with concentric lines of growth <~ scales>;
          also: having or consisting of cycloid scales 2: relating
          to or being a personality characterized by alternating
          high and low moods--compare cyclothymic

   cyclometer
          [cy.clom.e.ter] n (1880): a device made for recording the
          revolutions of a wheel and often used for registering
          distance traversed by a wheeled vehicle

   cyclone
          [cy.clone] n [modif. of Gk kykloma wheel, coil, fr. kykloun
          to go around, fr. kyklos circle] (1848) 1 a: a storm
          or system of winds that rotates about a center of low
          atmospheric pressure, advances at a speed of 20 to 30
          miles (about 30 to 50 kilometers) an hour, and often
          brings heavy rain b: tornado c: low 1b 2: any of various
          centrifugal devices for separating materials (as solid
          particles from gases) -- cy.clon.ic adj -- cy.clon.i.cal.ly
          adv Cy.clone trademark--used for a chain-link fence

   cyclone cellar
          [cyclone cellar] n (1887): storm cellar

   cycloolefin
          [cy.clo.ole.fin] n [ISV] (ca. 1929): a hydrocarbon containing
          a ring having one or more double bonds -- cy.clo.ole.fin.ic
          adj

   cycloparaffin
          [cy.clo.par.af.fin] n (1900): a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon

   cyclopean
          [cy.clo.pe.an] adj (1626) 1 often cap: of, relating to, or
          characteristic of a Cyclops 2: huge, massive 3: of or
          relating to a style of stone construction marked typically
          by the use of large irregular blocks without mortar

   cyclopedia
          [cy.clo.pe.dia] also cy.clo.pae.dia n (1728): encyclopedia
          -- cy.clo.pe.dic adj

   cyclophosphamide
          [cy.clo.phos.pha.mide] n (1960): an immunosuppressive and
          antineoplastic agent used esp. in the treatment of lymphomas
          and some leukemias

   cyclopropane
          [cy.clo.pro.pane] n [ISV] (1894): a flammable gaseous saturated
          cyclic hydrocarbon sometimes used as a general anesthetic

   cyclops
          [cy.clops] n [L, fr. Gk Kyklops, fr. kykl- cycl- + ops eye]
          (1513) 1 pl cy.clo.pes cap: any of a race of giants in
          Greek mythology with a single eye in the middle of the
          forehead 2 pl cyclops [NL, genus name, fr. L]: any of
          a genus (Cyclops) of freshwater predatory copepods having
          a median eye

   cyclorama
          [cy.clo.ra.ma] n [cycl- + -orama (as in panorama)] (1840)
          1: a large pictorial representation encircling the spectator
          and often having real objects as a foreground 2: a curved
          curtain or wall used as a background of a stage set to
          suggest unlimited space -- cy.clo.ram.ic adj

   cycloserine
          [cy.clo.ser.ine] n (1952): an amino antibiotic produced by
          an actinomycete (Streptomyces orchidaceus) and used esp.
          in the treatment of tuberculosis

   cyclosis
          [cy.clo.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk kyklosis encirclement, fr. kykloun
          to go around] (1835): the streaming of protoplasm within
          a cell

   cyclosporine
          [cy.clo.spor.ine] n [ISV cycl- + spor- + [2]-ine] (1976):
          an immunosuppressive polypeptide drug obtained from various
          imperfect fungi and used esp. to prevent rejection of
          organ transplants

   cyclostome
          [cy.clo.stome] n [ultim. fr. Gk kykl- + stoma mouth--more
          at stomach] (1835): any of a class (Cyclostomata) of
          jawless fishes having a large sucking mouth and comprising
          the hagfishes and lampreys

   cyclostyle
          [cy.clo.style] n [fr. Cyclostyle, a trademark] (1883): a
          machine for making multiple copies that utilizes a stencil
          cut by a graver whose tip is a small rowel -- cyclostyle
          vt

   cyclothymic
          [cy.clo.thy.mic] adj [NL cyclothymia (fr. G Zyklothymie,
          fr. zykl- cycl- + -thymie -thymia) + E -ic] (1923): relating
          to or being an affective disorder characterized by the
          alternation of depressed moods with elevated, expansive,
          or irritable moods without psychotic features--compare
          cycloid 2 -- cy.clo.thy.mia n

   cyclotomic
          [cy.clo.tom.ic] adj [cyclotomy mathematical theory of the
          division of the circle into equal parts, fr. cycl- +
          -tomy] (1879): relating to, being, or containing a polynomial
          which is the sum of p terms where p is a prime number
          and in which the first term consists of x raised to the
          exponent p - 1, the second term consists of x raised
          to the exponent p - 2, each succeeding term consists
          of x raised to an exponent one less than that in the
          preceding term, and the last term is exactly 1

   cyclotron
          [cy.clo.tron] n [cycl- + -tron; fr. the circular movement
          of the particles] (1935): an accelerator in which charged
          particles (as protons, deuterons, or ions) are propelled
          by an alternating electric field in a constant magnetic
          field

   cyder
          [cy.der] Brit var of cider

   cygnet
          [cyg.net] n [ME sygnett, fr. MF cygne swan, fr. L cycnus,
          cygnus, fr. Gk kyknos] (15c): a young swan

   Cygnus
          [Cyg.nus] n [L (gen. Cygni), lit., swan]: a northern constellation
          between Lyra and Pegasus in the Milky Way

   cyl
          [cyl] abbreviation cylinder

   cylinder
          [cyl.in.der] n [MF or L; MF cylindre, fr. L cylindrus, fr.
          Gk kylindros, fr. kylindein to roll; perh. akin to Gk
          kyklos wheel--more at wheel] (1570) 1 a: the surface
          traced by a straight line moving parallel to a fixed
          straight line and intersecting a fixed planar closed
          curve b: the space bounded by a cylinder and two parallel
          planes cutting all its elements 2: a cylindrical body
          or space: as a: the turning chambered breech of a revolver
          b (1): the piston chamber in an engine (2): a chamber
          in a pump from which the piston expels the fluid c: any
          of various rotating members in a press (as a printing
          press); esp: one that impresses paper on an inked form
          d: a cylindrical clay object inscribed with cuneiform
          inscriptions -- cyl.in.dered adj

   cylinder head
          [cylinder head] n (1884): the closed end of an engine or
          pump cylinder

   cylinder seal
          [cylinder seal] n (1887): a cylinder (as of stone) engraved
          in intaglio and used esp. in ancient Mesopotamia to roll
          an impression on wet clay

   cylindrical
          [cy.lin.dri.cal] also cy.lin.dric adj (1646): relating to
          or having the form or properties of a cylinder -- cy.lin.dri.cal.ly
          adv

   cylindrical coordinate
          [cylindrical coordinate] n (ca. 1934): any of the coordinates
          in space obtained by constructing in a plane a polar
          coordinate system and on a line perpendicular to the
          plane a linear coordinate system

   cyma
          [cy.ma] n [Gk kyma, lit., wave] (1563) 1: a projecting molding
          whose profile is an S-shaped curve 2: an S-shaped curve
          formed by the union of a concave line and a convex line

   cymatium
          [cy.ma.tium] n, pl -tia [L, fr. Gk kymation, dim. of kymat-,
          kyma] (1563): a crowning molding in classic architecture;
          esp: cyma

   cymbal
          [cym.bal] n [ME, fr. OE cymbal & MF cymbale, fr. L cymbalum,
          fr. Gk kymbalon, fr. kymbe bowl, boat] (bef. 12c): a
          concave brass plate that produces a brilliant clashing
          tone and that is struck with a drumstick or is used in
          pairs struck glancingly together -- cym.bal.ist n

   cymbidium
          [cym.bid.i.um] n [NL, genus name, fr. L cymba boat, fr. Gk
          kymbe] (1815): any of a genus (Cymbidium) of tropical
          Old World epiphytic orchids with showy flowers

   cyme
          [cyme] n [NL cyma, fr. L, cabbage sprout, fr. Gk kyma swell,
          wave, cabbage sprout, fr. kyein to be pregnant; akin
          to Skt svayati it swells, grows] (1794): an inflorescence
          in which each floral axis terminates in a single flower;
          esp: a determinate inflorescence of this type containing
          several flowers with the first-opening central flower
          terminating the main axis and subsequent flowers developing
          from lateral buds--see inflorescence illustration

   cymling
          [cym.ling] n [prob. alter. of simnel] (1779): pattypan

   cymophane
          [cy.mo.phane] n [F, fr. Gk kyma wave + F -phane -phane] (ca.
          1804): chrysoberyl; esp: an opalescent chrysoberyl

   cymose
          [cy.mose] adj (1807): of, relating to, being, or bearing
          a cyme

   [1]Cymric
          [Cym.ric] adj (1839): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the non-Gaelic Celtic people of Britain or their language;
          specif: welsh [2]Cymric n (ca. 1889): brythonic; specif:
          the Welsh language

   Cymry
          [Cym.ry] n [W] (1833): welsh 2

   cynic
          [cyn.ic] n [MF or L, MF cynique, fr. L cynicus, fr. Gk kynikos,
          lit., like a dog, fr. kyn-, kyon dog--more at hound]
          (ca. 1564) 1 cap: an adherent of an ancient Greek school
          of philosophers who held the view that virtue is the
          only good and that its essence lies in self-control and
          independence 2: a faultfinding captious critic; esp:
          one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly
          by self-interest -- cynic adj

   cynical
          [cyn.i.cal] adj (1584) 1: captious, peevish 2: having or
          showing the attitude or temper of a cynic; esp: contemptuously
          distrustful of human nature and motives <those ~ men
          who say that democracy cannot be honest and efficient
          --F. D. Roosevelt> -- cyn.i.cal.ly adv syn cynical, misanthropic,
          pessimistic mean deeply distrustful. cynical implies
          having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity
          <cynical about politicians' motives>. misanthropic suggests
          a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their
          society <a solitary and misanthropic artist>. pessimistic
          implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life <pessimistic
          about the future>.

   cynicism
          [cyn.i.cism] n (1672) 1 cap: the doctrine of the Cynics 2:
          cynical character, attitude, or quality; also: an expression
          of such quality

   cynomolgus monkey
          [cy.no.mol.gus monkey] n [NL, alter. of cynamolgus, fr. L,
          member of an ancient tribe in Africa, fr. Gk Kynamolgoi,
          lit., dog milkers] (1936): a macaque (Macaca fascicularis
          syn. M. cynomolgus) of southeastern Asia, Borneo, and
          the Philippines that sometimes feeds on marine crustaceans
          and shellfish and is often used in medical research

   cynosure
          [cy.no.sure] n [MF & L; MF, Ursa Minor, guide, fr. L cynosura
          Ursa Minor, fr. Gk kynosoura, fr. kynos oura, lit., dog's
          tail] 1 cap: the northern constellation Ursa Minor; also:
          north star 2: one that serves to direct or guide 3: a
          center of attraction or attention

   Cynthia
          [Cyn.thia] n [L, fr. fem. of Cynthius of Cynthus, fr. Cynthus,
          mountain on Delos where she was born, fr. Gk Kynthos]
          1: artemis 2: moon 1a

   cypher
          [cy.pher] chiefly Brit var of cipher

   [1]cy pres
          [cy pres] n [AF, so near, as near (as may be)] (1802): a
          rule providing for the interpretation of instruments
          in equity as nearly as possible in conformity to the
          intention of the testator when literal construction is
          illegal, impracticable, or impossible--called also cy
          pres doctrine [2]cy pres adv (1885): in accordance with
          the rule of cy pres

   [1]cypress
          [cy.press] n [ME, fr. MF cipres, fr. L cyparissus, fr. Gk
          kyparissos] (14c) 1 a (1): any of a genus (Cupressus
          of the family Cupressaceae, the cypress family) of evergreen
          trees and shrubs with small overlapping leaves resembling
          scales (2): any of several coniferous trees of the cypress
          family or the bald cypress family; esp: bald cypress
          1 b: the wood of a cypress tree 2: branches of cypress
          used as a symbol of mourning [2]cypress n [ME ciprus,
          cipres, fr. Cyprus, Mediterranean island] (15c): a silk
          or cotton usu. black gauze formerly used for mourning

   cypress vine
          [cypress vine] n (1819): a tropical American vine (Ipomoea
          quamoclit syn. Quamoclit pennata) of the morning-glory
          family with usu. red or white tubular flowers and finely
          dissected leaves

   cyprian
          [cyp.ri.an] n, often cap [L cyprius of Cyprus, fr. Gk kyprios,
          fr. Kypros Cyprus, birthplace of Aphrodite] (1819): prostitute

   cyprinid
          [cyp.ri.nid] n [ultim. fr. L cyprinus carp, fr. Gk kyprinos]
          (ca. 1889): any of a family (Cyprinidae) of soft-finned
          freshwater fishes including the carps and minnows --
          cyprinid adj

   cypripedium
          [cyp.ri.pe.di.um] n [NL, genus name, fr. LL Cypris, a name
          for Venus + Gk pedilon sandal] (1813) 1: any of a genus
          (Cypripedium) of Eurasian and No. American terrestrial
          orchids having large usu. showy drooping flowers with
          the lip inflated or pouched--compare lady's slipper 2:
          any of a genus (Paphiopedalum) of widely cultivated Asian
          orchids

   cyproheptadine
          [cy.pro.hep.ta.dine] n [cyclic + propyl + hepta- + piperidine]
          (1971): a drug that acts antagonistically to histamine
          and serotonin and is used esp. in the treatment of asthma

   cyproterone
          [cy.prot.er.one] n [prob. fr. cycl- + progesterone] (1966):
          a synthetic steroid that inhibits androgenic secretions
          (as testosterone)

   Cyrenaic
          [Cy.re.na.ic] n [L cyrenaicus, fr. Gk kyrenaikos, fr. Kyrene
          Cyrene, Africa, home of Aristippus, author of the doctrine]
          (1586): an adherent of the doctrine that pleasure is
          the chief end of life -- Cyrenaic adj -- Cy.re.na.icism
          n

   Cyrillic
          [Cy.ril.lic] adj [St. Cyril, reputed inventor of the Cyrillic
          alphabet] (1842): of, relating to, or constituting an
          alphabet used for writing Old Church Slavonic and for
          Russian and a number of other languages of eastern Europe
          and Asia

   -cyst
          [-cyst] n comb form [NL -cystis, fr. Gk kystis]: bladder:
          sac <blastocyst>

   cyst
          [cyst] n [NL cystis, fr. Gk kystis bladder, pouch; akin to
          Skt svasiti he blows, snorts--more at wheeze] (ca. 1720)
          1: a closed sac having a distinct membrane and developing
          abnormally in a cavity or structure of the body 2: a
          body resembling a cyst: as a: a resting spore of many
          algae b: a gas-filled vesicle (as of a rockweed or bladderwort)
          c: a capsule formed about a minute organism going into
          a resting or spore stage; also: this capsule with its
          contents d: a resistant cover about a parasite produced
          by the parasite or the host

   cyst-
          [cyst-] or cysti- or cysto- comb form [F, fr. Gk kyst-, kysto-,
          fr. kystis]: bladder <cystitis>: sac <cystocarp>

   cysteamine
          [cys.te.amine] n [cysteine + amine] (1943): a cysteine derivative
          that has been used experimentally in the prevention of
          radiation sickness (as of cancer patients)

   cysteine
          [cys.te.ine] n [ISV, fr. cystine + -ein] (1884): a crystalline
          sulfur-containing amino acid readily oxidizable to cystine

   cystic
          [cys.tic] adj (1713) 1: relating to, composed of, or containing
          cysts 2: of or relating to the urinary bladder or the
          gallbladder 3: enclosed in a cyst

   cysticercoid
          [cys.ti.cer.coid] n (1858): a tapeworm larva having an invaginated
          scolex and solid tailpiece

   cysticercosis
          [cys.ti.cer.co.sis] n, pl -co.ses [NL] (1905): infestation
          with or disease caused by cysticerci

   cysticercus
          [cys.ti.cer.cus] n, pl -cer.ci [NL, fr. cyst- + Gk kerkos
          tail] (ca. 1871): a tapeworm larva that consists of a
          fluid-filled sac containing an invaginated scolex and
          is situated in the tissues of an intermediate host

   cystic fibrosis
          [cystic fibrosis] n (1938): a common hereditary disease esp.
          among whites that appears usu. in early childhood, involves
          functional disorder of the exocrine glands, and is marked
          esp. by faulty digestion due to a deficiency of pancreatic
          enzymes, by difficulty in breathing due to mucus accumulation
          in airways, and by excessive loss of salt in the sweat

   cystine
          [cys.tine] n [fr. its discovery in bladder stones] (1843):
          a crystalline amino acid that is widespread in proteins
          (as keratins) and is a major metabolic sulfur source

   cystinuria
          [cys.tin.uria] n [NL] (1853): a metabolic defect characterized
          by excretion of excessive amounts of cystine in the urine
          and inherited as an autosomal recessive trait

   cystitis
          [cys.ti.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1783): inflammation of the urinary
          bladder

   cystocarp
          [cys.to.carp] n [ISV] (1875): the fruiting structure produced
          in the red algae after fertilization

   cystolith
          [cys.to.lith] n [G Zystolith, fr. zyst- cyst- + -lith] (1857):
          a calcium carbonate concretion arising from the cellulose
          wall of cells of higher plants

   cystoscope
          [cys.to.scope] n [ISV] (1889): a medical instrument for the
          visual examination of the bladder and for the passage
          of instruments under visual control -- cys.to.scop.ic
          adj -- cys.tos.co.py n

   cyt-
          [cyt-] or cyto- comb form [G zyt-, zyto-, fr. Gk kytos hollow
          vessel--more at hide] 1: cell <cytology> 2: cytoplasm
          <cytokinesis>

   -cyte
          [-cyte] n comb form [NL -cyta, fr. Gk kytos hollow vessel]:
          cell <leukocyte>

   Cytherea
          [Cyth.er.ea] n [L, fr. Gk Kythereia, fr. Kythera Cythera,
          island associated with Aphrodite]: aphrodite

   Cytherean
          [Cyth.er.e.an] adj (1885): of or relating to the planet Venus

   cytidine
          [cy.ti.dine] n [cytosine + -idine] (1911): a nucleoside containing
          cytosine

   cytidylic acid
          [cy.ti.dyl.ic acid] n [cytidine + -yl + [1]-ic] (1936): a
          nucleotide containing cytosine

   cytochalasin
          [cy.to.cha.la.sin] n [cyt- + Gk chalasis slackening + E [1]-in]
          (1967): any of a group of metabolites isolated from fungi
          (esp. Helminthosporium dematioideum) that inhibit various
          cell processes

   cytochemistry
          [cy.to.chem.is.try] n (ca. 1905) 1: microscopical biochemistry
          2: the chemistry of cells -- cy.to.chem.i.cal adj

   cytochrome
          [cy.to.chrome] n (1925): any of several intracellular hemoprotein
          respiratory pigments that are enzymes functioning in
          electron transport as carriers of electrons

   cytochrome c
          [cytochrome c] n, often ital 2d c (1940): the most abundant
          and stable of the cytochromes

   cytochrome oxidase
          [cytochrome oxidase] n (1942): an iron-porphyrin enzyme important
          in cell respiration because of its ability to catalyze
          the oxidation of reduced cytochrome c in the presence
          of oxygen

   cytodifferentiation
          [cy.to.dif.fer.en.ti.a.tion] n (1959): the development of
          specialized cells (as muscle, blood, or nerve cells)
          from undifferentiated precursors

   cytogenetics
          [cy.to.ge.net.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ISV] (1942):
          a branch of biology that deals with the study of heredity
          and variation by the methods of both cytology and genetics
          -- cy.to.ge.net.ic or cy.to.ge.net.i.cal adj --
          cy.to.ge.net.i.cal.ly adv -- cy.to.ge.net.i.cist n

   cytokine
          [cy.to.kine] n [cyt- + -kine (as in lymphokine)] (1979):
          any of a class of immunoregulatory substances (as lymphokines)
          that are secreted by cells of the immune system

   cytokinesis
          [cy.to.ki.ne.sis] n [NL] (1919) 1: the cytoplasmic changes
          accompanying mitosis 2: cleavage of the cytoplasm into
          daughter cells following nuclear division -- cy.to.ki.net.ic
          adj

   cytokinin
          [cy.to.ki.nin] n [cyt- + kinin] (1965): any of various plant
          growth substances (as kinetin) that are usu. derivatives
          of adenine

   cytol
          [cytol] abbreviation cytological, cytology

   cytology
          [cy.tol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1889) 1: a branch of biology dealing
          with the structure, function, multiplication, pathology,
          and life history of cells 2: the cytological aspects
          of a process or structure -- cy.to.log.i.cal or cy.to.log.ic
          adj -- cy.to.log.i.cal.ly adv -- cy.tol.o.gist n

   cytolysin
          [cy.to.ly.sin] n [ISV] (ca. 1903): a substance (as an antibody
          that lyses bacteria) producing cytolysis

   cytolysis
          [cy.tol.y.sis] n [NL] (1907): the usu. pathologic dissolution
          or disintegration of cells -- cy.to.lyt.ic adj

   cytomegalic
          [cy.to.me.gal.ic] adj [NL cytomegalia condition of having
          enlarged cells, fr. cyt- + megal- + -ia] (1952): characterized
          by or causing the formation of enlarged cells

   cytomegalovirus
          [cy.to.meg.a.lo.vi.rus] n [NL, fr. cytomegalia + -o- + virus]
          (1963): any of several viruses that cause cellular enlargement
          and formation of eosinophilic inclusion bodies esp. in
          the nucleus and include some acting as opportunistic
          infectious agents in immunosuppressed conditions (as
          AIDS)

   cytomembrane
          [cy.to.mem.brane] n (1962): one of the cellular membranes
          including those of the plasmalemma, endoplasmic reticulum,
          nuclear envelope, and Golgi apparatus; specif: unit membrane

   cytopathic
          [cy.to.path.ic] adj (1952): of, relating to, characterized
          by, or producing pathological changes in cells

   cytopathogenic
          [cy.to.path.o.gen.ic] adj (1952): pathologic for or destructive
          to cells -- cy.to.path.o.ge.nic.i.ty n

   cytophilic
          [cy.to.phil.ic] adj (ca. 1909): having an affinity for cells
          <~ antibodies>

   cytophotometry
          [cy.to.pho.tom.e.try] n (1955): photometry applied to the
          study of the cell or its constituents -- cy.to.pho.to.met.ric
          adj

   cytoplasm
          [cy.to.plasm] n [ISV] (1874): the organized complex of inorganic
          and organic substances external to the nuclear membrane
          of a cell and including the cytosol and membrane-bound
          organelles (as mitochondria or chloroplasts)--see cell
          illustration -- cy.to.plas.mic adj -- cy.to.plas.mi.cal.ly
          adv

   cytosine
          [cy.to.sine] n [ISV cyt- + -ose + [2]-ine] (1894): a pyrimidine
          base that codes genetic information in the polynucleotide
          chain of DNA or RNA--compare adenine, guanine, thymine,
          uracil

   cytoskeleton
          [cy.to.skel.e.ton] n (1940): the network of protein filaments
          and microtubules in the cytoplasm that controls cell
          shape, maintains intracellular organization, and is involved
          in cell movement -- cy.to.skel.e.tal adj

   cytosol
          [cy.to.sol] n (1970): the fluid portion of the cytoplasm
          exclusive of organelles and membranes--called also hyaloplasm,
          ground substance -- cy.to.sol.ic adj

   cytostatic
          [cy.to.stat.ic] adj (1949): tending to retard cellular activity
          and multiplication <~ treatment of tumor cells> -- cytostatic
          n -- cy.to.stat.i.cal.ly adv

   cytotaxonomy
          [cy.to.tax.on.o.my] n (1930) 1: study of the relationships
          and classification of organisms using both classical
          systematic techniques and comparative studies of chromosomes
          2: the nuclear cytologic makeup of a kind of organism
          -- cy.to.tax.o.nom.ic adj -- cy.to.tax.o.nom.i.cal.ly
          adv

   cytotechnologist
          [cy.to.tech.nol.o.gist] n (1961): a medical technician trained
          in the identification of cells and cellular abnormalities
          (as in cancer) -- cy.to.tech.nol.o.gy n

   cytotoxic
          [cy.to.tox.ic] adj (1904) 1: of or relating to a cytotoxin
          2: toxic to cells <~ properties of platinum> -- cy.to.tox.ic.i.ty
          n

   cytotoxin
          [cy.to.tox.in] n (1902): a substance (as a toxin or antibody)
          having a toxic effect on cells

   cz...
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   czar
          [czar] n [NL czar, fr. Russ tsar', fr. ORuss tsisari, fr.
          Goth kaisar, fr. Gk or L; Gk, fr. L Caesar--more at caesar]
          (1555) 1: emperor; specif: the ruler of Russia until
          the 1917 revolution 2: one having great power or authority
          <a banking ~> -- czar.dom n

   czardas
          [czar.das] n, pl czardas [Hung csardas] (1860): a Hungarian
          dance to music in duple time in which the dancers start
          slowly and finish with a rapid whirl

   czarevitch
          [czar.e.vitch] n [Russ tsarevich, fr. tsar' + -evich, patronymic
          suffix] (1710): an heir apparent of a Russian czar

   czarina
          [cza.ri.na] n [prob. modif. of G Zarin, fr. Zar czar, fr.
          Russ tsar'] (1717): the wife of a czar

   czarism
          [czar.ism] n (1855) 1: the government of Russia under the
          czars 2: autocratic rule -- czar.ist n or adj

   Czech
          [Czech] n [Czech Cech] (1841) 1: a native or inhabitant of
          western Czechoslovakia including Bohemia and Moravia
          2: the Slavic language of the Czechs 3: a native or inhabitant
          of Czechoslovakia or the Czech Republic -- Czech adj
          -- Czech.ish adj

   d...
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   d-
          [d-] prefix [ISV, fr. dextr-] 1: dextrorotatory <d-tartaric
          acid> 2: having a similar configuration at a selected
          carbon atom to the configuration of dextrorotatory
          glyceraldehyde--usu. printed as a small capital <d-fructose>

   -d
          [-d] symbol--used after the figure 2 or 3 to indicate the
          ordinal number second or third <2d> <53d>

   d
          [d] abbreviation date, daughter, day, dead, deceased, deci-,
          degree, [L denarius, denarii] penny, pence; depart, departure,
          diameter, differential, dimensional, distance, dorsal,
          drive, driving  D abbreviation Democrat, derivative,
          deuterium, Dutch

   d
          [d] n, pl d's or ds often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 4th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic d 2: 500 in Roman numerals 3: the 2d
          tone of a C-major scale 4: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter d 5: one designated d esp. as the 4th in order
          or class 6 a: a grade rating a student's work as poor
          in quality b: one graded or rated with a D 7: something
          shaped like the letter D; specif: a semicircle on a pool
          table about 23 inches in diameter for use esp. in snooker
          8: defense 2b, 4b <play tough D>

   d/b/a
          [d/b/a] abbreviation doing business as

   d'accord
          [d'ac.cord] [F] foreign term : in accord: agreed

   D & C
          [D & C] abbreviation dilation and curettage

   D day
          [D day] n [D, abbr. for day] (1918): a day set for launching
          an operation; specif: June 6, 1944, on which Allied forces
          began the invasion of France in World War II

   D layer
          [D layer] n (ca. 1934): a layer that may exist within the
          D region of the ionosphere; also: d region

   D-mark
          [D-mark] n (1948): deutsche mark

   D region
          [D region] n (1930): the lowest part of the ionosphere occurring
          approximately between 30 and 55 miles (50 and 90 kilometers)
          above the surface of the earth

   D ring
          [D ring] n (ca. 1899): a usu. metal ring having the shape
          of a capital D

   d'un certain age
          [d'un cer.tain age] [F] foreign term : of a certain age:
          no longer young

   da...
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   DA
          [DA] n [duck's ass; fr. its resemblance to the tail of a
          duck] (1951): ducktail

   da
          [da] abbreviation deka-  DA abbreviation days after acceptance,
          delayed action, deposit account, Dictionary of Americanisms,
          district attorney, doctor of arts, documents against
          acceptance, documents for acceptance, don't answer

   DAB
          [DAB] abbreviation Dictionary of American Biography

   [1]dab
          [dab] n [ME dabbe] (14c) 1: a sudden blow or thrust: poke
          2: a small amount 3: a gentle touch or stroke: pat 4:
          daub [2]dab vb dabbed ; dab.bing vt (1562) 1: to strike
          or touch lightly: pat 2: to apply lightly or irregularly:
          daub ~ vi: to make a dab -- dab.ber n [3]dab n [AF dabbe]
          (15c): flatfish; esp: any of several flounders (genus
          Limanda) [4]dab n [origin unknown] (1691) chiefly Brit:
          a skillful person

   dabble
          [dab.ble] vb dab.bled ; dab.bling [perh. freq. of [2]dab]
          vt (1557): to wet by splashing or by little dips or strokes:
          spatter ~ vi 1 a: to paddle, splash, or play in or as
          if in water b: to reach with the bill to the bottom of
          shallow water in order to obtain food 2: to work or involve
          oneself superficially or intermittently esp. in a secondary
          activity or interest <~s in art>

   dabbler
          [dab.bler] n (1611): one that dabbles: as a: one not deeply
          engaged in or concerned with something b: a duck (as
          a mallard or shoveler) that feeds by dabbling--called
          also dabbling duck, puddle duck syn see amateur

   dabbling
          [dab.bling] n (ca. 1847): a superficial or intermittent interest,
          investigation, or experiment <his ~s in philosophy and
          art>

   dabchick
          [dab.chick] n [prob. irreg. fr. obs. E dop (to dive) + E
          chick] (ca. 1550): any of several small grebes

   dab hand
          [dab hand] n [[4]dab] (ca. 1828) chiefly Brit: expert

   da capo
          [da ca.po] adv or adj [It] (ca. 1724): from the beginning--used
          as a direction in music to repeat

   dace
          [dace] n, pl dace [ME dace, darce, fr. MF dars, fr. ML darsus]
          (15c) 1: a small freshwater European cyprinid fish (Leuciscus
          leuciscus) 2: any of various small No. American freshwater
          cyprinid fishes

   dacha
          [da.cha] n [Russ, fr. ORuss, land allotted by a prince; akin
          to L dos dowry--more at date] (1896): a Russian country
          cottage used esp. in the summer

   dachshund
          [dachs.hund] n [G, fr. Dachs badger + Hund dog] (1882): any
          of a breed of long-bodied, short-legged dogs of German
          origin that occur in short-haired, long-haired, and wirehaired
          varieties

   Dacron
          [Da.cron] trademark--used for a synthetic polyester textile
          fiber

   dactyl
          [dac.tyl] n [ME dactile, fr. L dactylus, fr. Gk daktylos,
          lit., finger; fr. the fact that the first of three syllables
          is the longest, like the joints of the finger] (14c):
          a metrical foot consisting of one long and two short
          syllables or of one stressed and two unstressed syllables
          (as in tenderly) -- dac.tyl.ic adj or n

   dactyl-
          [dactyl-] or dactylo- comb form [Gk daktyl-, daktylo-, fr.
          daktylos]: finger: toe: digit <dactylology>

   dactylology
          [dac.ty.lol.o.gy] n (ca. 1656): finger spelling

   dad
          [dad] n [prob. baby talk] (15c): father 1a

   Dada
          [Da.da] n [F] (1919): a movement in art and literature based
          on deliberate irrationality and negation of traditional
          artistic values; also: the art and literature produced
          by this movement

   dadaism
          [da.da.ism] n, often cap [F dadaisme] (1919): dada -- da.da.ist
          n or adj, often cap -- da.da.is.tic adj, often cap

   daddy
          [dad.dy] n, pl daddies (15c) 1: father 1a 2: granddaddy 2

   daddy longlegs
          [dad.dy long.legs] n, pl daddy longlegs (ca. 1814) 1: crane
          fly 2: harvestman

   [1]dado
          [da.do] n, pl da.does [It, die, plinth] (1664) 1 a: the part
          of a pedestal of a column between the base and the surbase
          b: the lower part of an interior wall when specially
          decorated or faced; also: the decoration adorning this
          part of a wall 2: a rectangular groove cut to make a
          joint in woodworking; specif: one cut across the grain
          [2]dado vt da.doed ; da.do.ing (1881) 1: to provide with
          a dado 2 a: to set into a groove b: to cut a dado in
          (as a plank)

   DAE
          [DAE] abbreviation Dictionary of American English

   daedal
          [dae.dal] adj [L daedalus, fr. Gk daidalos] (1590) 1 a: skillful,
          artistic b: intricate <the computer's ~ circuitry> 2:
          adorned with many things <visions of cloud and light
          and ~ earth are the airman's daily scene --Laurence Binyon>

   Daedalus
          [Dae.da.lus] n [L, fr. Gk Daidalos]: the legendary builder
          of the Cretan labyrinth who makes wings to enable himself
          and his son Icarus to escape imprisonment -- Dae.da.lian
          or Dae.da.lean adj

   daemon
          [dae.mon] var of demon

   daff
          [daff] vt [alter. of doff] (1596) 1 archaic: to thrust aside
          2 obs: to put off (as with an excuse)

   daffodil
          [daf.fo.dil] n [perh. fr. D de affodil the asphodel, fr.
          de the (fr. MD) + affodil asphodel, fr. MF afrodille,
          fr. L asphodelus; akin to OHG thaz the--more at that,
          asphodel] (1548): any of various bulbous herbs (genus
          Narcissus); esp: a plant whose flowers have a large corona
          elongated into a trumpet--compare jonquil

   daffy
          [daf.fy] adj daf.fi.er ; -est [obs. E daff, n. (fool)] (ca.
          1884): crazy, foolish -- daf.fi.ly adv

   daft
          [daft] adj [ME dafte gentle, stupid; akin to OE gedaefte
          mild, gentle, ME defte deft, OCS podobati to be fitting]
          (14c) 1 a: silly, foolish b: mad, insane 2 Scot: frivolously
          gay -- daft.ly adv -- daft.ness n

   dag
          [dag] abbreviation dekagram

   dag
          [dag] n [ME dagge] (14c) 1: a hanging end or shred 2: matted
          or manure-coated wool

   dagger
          [dag.ger] n [ME] (14c) 1: a sharp pointed knife for stabbing
          2 a: something that resembles a dagger b: a character
          shaped like a downward-pointing dagger and used as a
          reference mark or to indicate a death date -- dag.ger.like
          adj -- at daggers drawn : in a state of open hostility
          or conflict

   dago
          [da.go] n, pl dagos or dagoes [alter. of earlier diego, fr.
          Diego, a common Sp given name] (1832): a person of Italian
          or Spanish birth or descent--usu. used disparagingly

   daguerreotype
          [da.guerre.o.type] n [F daguerreotype, fr. L. J. M. Daguerre
          + F -o- + type] (1839): an early photograph produced
          on a silver or a silver-covered copper plate; also: the
          process of producing such photographs -- daguerreotype
          vt -- da.guerre.o.typ.ist n -- da.guerre.o.typy n

   DAH
          [DAH] abbreviation Dictionary of American History

   dah
          [dah] n [imit.] (1940): dash 7

   dahlia
          [dahl.ia] n [NL, genus name, fr. Anders Dahl d. 1789 Swed.
          botanist] (1840): any of a genus (Dahlia) of American
          tuberous-rooted composite herbs having opposite pinnate
          leaves and rayed flower heads and including many that
          are cultivated as ornamentals

   daikon
          [dai.kon] n [Jp, fr. dai big + kon root] (1876): a large
          long hard white radish used esp. in Oriental cuisine;
          also: a plant (Raphanus sativus longipinnatus) whose
          root is a daikon

   dailiness
          [dai.li.ness] n (1596): daily or routine quality: ordinariness
          <the ~ of family life>

   [1]daily
          [dai.ly] adj (15c) 1 a: occurring, made, or acted upon every
          day b: issued every day or every weekday c: of or providing
          for every day 2 a: reckoned by the day <average ~ wage>
          b: covering the period of or based on a day <~ statistics>
          [2]daily adv (15c) 1: every day 2: every weekday [3]daily
          n, pl dai.lies (1832) 1: a newspaper published every
          weekday 2 Brit: a servant who works on a daily basis
          3 pl: rush 6

   daily double
          [daily double] n (1942): a system of betting (as on horse
          races) in which the bettor must pick the winners of two
          stipulated races in order to win

   daily dozen
          [daily dozen] n (1919) 1: a series of physical exercises
          to be performed daily: workout 2: a set of routine duties
          or tasks

   daimon
          [dai.mon] n, pl dai.mo.nes or daimons [Gk daimon] (1852):
          demon 2, 3 -- dai.mon.ic adj

   daimyo
          [dai.myo] also dai.mio n, pl -myo or -myos also -mio or -mios
          [Jp daimyo] (1727): a Japanese feudal baron

   [1]dainty
          [dain.ty] n, pl dain.ties [ME deinte, fr. OF deintie, fr.
          L dignitat-, dignitas dignity, worth] (14c) 1 a: something
          delicious to the taste b: something choice or pleasing
          2 obs: fastidiousness [2]dainty adj dain.ti.er ; -est
          (14c) 1 a: tasting good: tasty b: attractively prepared
          and served 2: marked by delicate or diminutive beauty,
          form, or grace 3 obs: chary, reluctant 4 a: marked by
          fastidious discrimination or finical taste b: showing
          avoidance of anything rough syn see choice -- dain.ti.ly
          adv -- dain.ti.ness n

   daiquiri
          [dai.qui.ri] n [Daiquiri, Cuba] (1920): a cocktail made of
          rum, lime juice, and sugar

   dairy
          [dairy] n, pl dair.ies often attrib [ME deyerie, fr. deye
          dairymaid, fr. OE daege kneader of bread; akin to OE
          dag dough--more at dough] (14c) 1: a room, building,
          or establishment where milk is kept and butter or cheese
          is made 2 a: the department of farming or of a farm that
          is concerned with the production of milk, butter, and
          cheese b: a farm devoted to such production 3: an establishment
          for the sale or distribution chiefly of milk and milk
          products

   dairy cattle
          [dairy cattle] n pl (1895): cattle kept for milk production

   dairying
          [dairy.ing] n (1649): the business of operating a dairy

   dairymaid
          [dairy.maid] n (1599): a woman employed in a dairy

   dairyman
          [dairy.man] n (ca. 1617): one who operates a dairy farm or
          works in a dairy

   dais
          [da.is] n [ME deis, fr. OF, fr. LL discus high table, fr.
          L, dish, quoit--more at dish] (13c): a raised platform
          (as in a hall or large room)

   daishiki
          [dai.shi.ki] var of dashiki

   daisy
          [dai.sy] n, pl daisies [ME dayeseye, fr. OE daegeseage, fr.
          daeg day + eage eye] (bef. 12c) 1: a composite plant
          (as of the genera Bellis or Chrysanthemum) having a flower
          head with well-developed ray flowers usu. arranged in
          one or a few whorls: as a: a low European herb (Bellis
          perennis) with white or pink ray flowers--called also
          English daisy b: a leafy-stemmed perennial herb (Chrysanthemum
          leucanthemum) with long white ray flowers and a yellow
          disk that was introduced into the U.S. from Europe--called
          also oxeye daisy 2: the flower head of a daisy 3: a first-rate
          person or thing 4 cap: a member of a program of the Girl
          Scouts for girls in kindergarten and first grade in school

   daisy chain
          [daisy chain] n (1841) 1: a string of daisies with stems
          linked to form a chain 2: an interlinked series

   daisy ham
          [daisy ham] n (ca. 1938): a boned and smoked piece of pork
          from the shoulder

   daisy wheel
          [daisy wheel] n [fr. its resemblance to the flower] (ca.
          1977): a disk with spokes bearing type that serves as
          the printing element of an electric typewriter or printer;
          also: a printer that uses such a disk

   Dakota
          [Da.ko.ta] n, pl Dakotas also Dakota (1804) 1: a member of
          an American Indian people of the northern Mississippi
          valley 2: the language of the Dakota people

   dal
          [dal] abbreviation dekaliter

   dal
          [dal] also dahl n [Hindi dal] (1673): a dried legume (as
          lentils, beans, or peas); also: an Indian dish made of
          simmered and usu. pureed and spiced legumes

   Dalai Lama
          [Da.lai La.ma] n [Mongolian dalai ocean] (1698): the spiritual
          head of Lamaism

   dalasi
          [da.la.si] n, pl dalasi or dalasis [Wolof] (1966): the basic
          monetary unit of Gambia

   dale
          [dale] n [ME, fr. OE dael; akin to OHG tal valley, W dol]
          (bef. 12c): valley, vale <went riding over hill and ~>

   dalesman
          [dales.man] n (1769) Brit: one living or born in a dale

   daleth
          [da.leth] n [Heb daleth, fr. deleth door] (1823): the 4th
          letter of the Hebrew alphabet

   dalliance
          [dal.li.ance] n (14c): an act of dallying: as a: play; esp:
          amorous play b: frivolous action: trifling

   Dallis grass
          [Dal.lis grass] n [A. T. Dallis, 19th cent. Am. farmer] (1907):
          a tall tufted tropical perennial grass (Paspalum dilatatum)
          introduced as a pasture and forage grass in the southern
          U.S.

   Dall porpoise
          [Dall por.poise] n [William H. Dall d. 1927 Am. naturalist]
          (1951): a black-and-white porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)
          of temperate and arctic waters of the rim of the No.
          Pacific Ocean--called also Dall's porpoise

   Dall sheep
          [Dall sheep] n [W. H. Dall] (1887): a large white wild sheep
          (Ovis dalli) of Alaska and northern British Columbia--called
          also Dall's sheep

   dally
          [dal.ly] vi dal.lied ; dal.ly.ing [ME dalyen, fr. AF dalier]
          (15c) 1 a: to act playfully; esp: to play amorously b:
          to deal lightly: toy <accused him of ~ing with a serious
          problem> 2 a: to waste time b: linger, dawdle syn see
          trifle, delay -- dal.li.er n

   dalmatian
          [dal.ma.tian] n, often cap [fr. the supposed origin of the
          breed in Dalmatia] (1824): any of a breed of medium-sized
          dogs having a white short-haired coat with black or brown
          spots

   dalmatic
          [dal.mat.ic] n [ME dalmatyk, fr. OE dalmatice, fr. LL dalmatica,
          fr. L, fem. of dalmaticus Dalmatian, fr. Dalmatia] (bef.
          12c) 1: a wide-sleeved overgarment with slit sides worn
          by a deacon or prelate 2: a robe worn by a British sovereign
          at his or her coronation

   dal segno
          [dal se.gno] adv [It, from the sign] (ca. 1854)--used as
          a direction in music to return to the sign that marks
          the beginning of a repeat

   dalton
          [dal.ton] n [John Dalton d. 1844 Eng. chemist] (ca. 1928):
          atomic mass unit--used chiefly in biochemistry

   [1]dam
          [dam] n [ME dam, dame lady, dam--more at dame] (13c): a female
          parent--used esp. of a domestic animal [2]dam n [ME,
          prob. fr. MD; akin to OE fordemman to stop up] (14c)
          1: a body of water confined by a barrier 2 a: a barrier
          preventing the flow of water or of loose solid materials
          (as soil or snow); esp: a barrier built across a watercourse
          for impounding water b: a barrier to check the flow of
          liquid, gas, or air [3]dam vt dammed ; dam.ming (15c)
          1: to provide or restrain with a dam 2: to stop up: block

   dam
          [dam] abbreviation dekameter

   [1]damage
          [dam.age] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. dam damage, fr. L damnum] (14c)
          1: loss or harm resulting from injury to person, property,
          or reputation 2 pl: compensation in money imposed by
          law for loss or injury 3: expense, cost <"What's the
          ~?" he asked the waiter> [2]damage vt dam.aged ; dam.ag.ing
          (14c): to cause damage to syn see injure -- dam.age.abil.i.ty
          n -- dam.ag.er n

   damaging
          [dam.ag.ing] adj (ca. 1828): causing or able to cause damage:
          injurious <has a ~ effect on wildlife> -- dam.ag.ing.ly
          adv

   damar
          [dam.ar] or dam.mar n [Malay] (1698): any of various resins
          used in varnishes and inks and obtained chiefly in Malaya
          and Indonesia from several timber trees (families Dipterocarpaceae
          and Burseraceae)

   [1]damascene
          [dam.a.scene] n (14c) 1 cap: a native or inhabitant of Damascus
          2: damask 2b [2]damascene adj (14c) 1 cap: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of Damascus or the Damascenes 2:
          of or relating to damask or the art of damascening [3]damascene
          vt -scened ; -scen.ing [MF damasquiner, fr. damasquin
          of Damascus] (1585): to ornament (as iron or steel) with
          wavy patterns like those of watered silk or with inlaid
          work of precious metals

   Damascus steel
          [Da.mas.cus steel] n (ca. 1727): hard elastic steel ornamented
          with wavy patterns and used esp. for sword blades

   [1]damask
          [dam.ask] n [ME damaske, fr. ML damascus, fr. Damascus] (14c)
          1: a firm lustrous fabric (as of linen, cotton, silk,
          or rayon) made with flat patterns in a satin weave on
          a plain-woven ground on jacquard looms 2: damascus steel;
          also: the characteristic markings of this steel 3: a
          grayish red [2]damask adj (15c) 1: made of or resembling
          damask 2: of the color damask

   damask rose
          [damask rose] n [obs. Damask of Damascus, fr. obs. Damask
          Damascus] (1540): a large hardy fragrant pink rose (Rosa
          damascena) widely introduced from Asia Minor and the
          major source of attar of roses

   dame
          [dame] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L domina, fem. of dominus master;
          akin to L domus house--more at dome] (13c) 1: a woman
          of rank, station, or authority: as a archaic: the mistress
          of a household b: the wife or daughter of a lord c: a
          female member of an order of knighthood--used as a title
          prefixed to the given name 2 a: an elderly woman b: woman

   dame d'honneur
          [dame d'hon.neur] [F] foreign term : lady-in-waiting

   dame school
          [dame school] n (1817): a school in which the rudiments of
          reading and writing were taught by a woman in her own
          home

   dame's rocket
          [dame's rocket] n (ca. 1900): a Eurasian perennial plant
          (Hesperis matronalis) of the mustard family cultivated
          for its spikes of showy fragrant white or purple flowers--called
          also dame's violet, rocket

   [1]damn
          [damn] vb damned ; damn.ing [ME dampnen, fr. OF dampner,
          fr. L damnare, fr. damnum damage, loss, fine] vt (13c)
          1: to condemn to a punishment or fate; esp: to condemn
          to hell 2 a: to condemn vigorously and often irascibly
          for some real or fancied fault or defect <~ed the storm
          for their delay> b: to condemn as a failure by public
          criticism 3: to bring ruin on 4: to swear at: curse--often
          used to express annoyance, disgust, or surprise ~ vi:
          curse, swear syn see execrate [2]damn n (1619) 1: the
          utterance of the word damn as a curse 2: a minimum amount
          or degree (as of care or consideration): the least bit
          <don't give a ~> [3]damn adj or adv (1775): damned <a
          ~ nuisance> <ran ~ fast> -- damn well : beyond doubt
          or question: certainly <knew damn well what would happen>

   damnable
          [dam.na.ble] adj (14c) 1: liable to or deserving condemnation
          2: very bad: detestable <~ weather> -- dam.na.ble.ness
          n -- dam.na.bly adv

   damnant quod non intelligunt
          [dam.nant quod non in.tel.li.gunt] [L] foreign term : they
          condemn what they do not understand

   damnation
          [dam.na.tion] n (14c): the act of damning: the state of being
          damned

   damnatory
          [dam.na.to.ry] adj (1682): expressing, imposing, or causing
          condemnation: condemnatory

   [1]damned
          [damned] adj damned.er ; damned.est or damnd.est (1563) 1:
          damnable <this ~ smog> 2: complete, utter--often used
          as an intensive 3: extraordinary--used in the superlative
          <the ~est contraption you ever saw> [2]damned adv (1757):
          extremely, very <a ~ good job>

   damnedest
          [damned.est] or damnd.est n (1830): utmost, best--used chiefly
          in the phrase do one's damnedest <doing my ~ to win>

   damnify
          [dam.ni.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [MF damnifier, fr. OF, fr.
          LL damnificare, fr. L damnificus injurious, fr. damnum
          damage] (1512): to cause loss or damage to

   damning
          [damn.ing] adj (1599) 1: bringing damnation <a ~ sin> 2:
          causing or leading to condemnation or ruin <presented
          some ~ testimony> -- damn.ing.ly adv

   Damocles
          [Dam.o.cles] n [L, fr. Gk Damokles]: a courtier of ancient
          Syracuse held to have been seated at a banquet beneath
          a sword hung by a single hair -- Dam.o.cle.an adj

   Damon
          [Da.mon] n [L, fr. Gk Damon]: a legendary Sicilian who pledges
          his life for his condemned friend Pythias

   [1]damp
          [damp] n [MD or MLG, vapor; akin to OHG damph vapor] (14c)
          1: a noxious gas--compare black damp, firedamp 2: moisture:
          a: humidity, dampness b archaic: fog, mist 3 a: discouragement,
          check b archaic: depression, dejection [2]damp vt (14c)
          1 a: to affect with or as if with a noxious gas: choke
          b: to diminish the activity or intensity of <~ing down
          the causes of inflation> <liquid ~s out compass oscillations>
          c: to check the vibration or oscillation of (as a string
          or voltage) 2: dampen ~ vi: to diminish progressively
          in vibration or oscillation [3]damp adj (1590) 1 a archaic:
          being confused, bewildered, or shocked: stupefied b:
          depressed, dull 2: slightly or moderately wet: moist;
          also: humid syn see wet -- damp.ish adj -- damp.ly adv
          -- damp.ness n

   dampen
          [damp.en] vb damp.ened ; damp.en.ing vt (1547) 1: to check
          or diminish the activity or vigor of: deaden <the heat
          ~ed our spirits> 2: to make damp <the shower barely ~ed
          the ground> 3: damp 1c ~ vi 1: to become damp 2: to become
          deadened or depressed -- damp.en.er n

   damper
          [damp.er] n (1748) 1: a dulling or deadening influence <put
          a ~ on the celebration> 2: a device that damps: as a:
          a valve or plate (as in the flue of a furnace) for regulating
          the draft b: a small felted block to stop the vibration
          of a piano string c chiefly Brit: shock absorber

   damping-off
          [damp.ing-off] n (1890): a diseased condition of seedlings
          or cuttings caused by fungi and marked by wilting or
          rotting

   damsel
          [dam.sel] also dam.o.sel or dam.o.zel n [ME damesel, fr.
          OF dameisele, fr. (assumed) VL domnicella young noblewoman,
          dim. of L domina lady] (13c): a young woman: a archaic:
          a young unmarried woman of noble birth b: girl

   damselfish
          [dam.sel.fish] n (1904): any of numerous often brilliantly
          colored marine fishes (family Pomacentridae) living esp.
          along coral reefs--called also demoiselle

   damselfly
          [dam.sel.fly] n (1815): any of numerous odonate insects (suborder
          Zygoptera) distinguished from dragonflies by laterally
          projecting eyes and petiolate wings folded above the
          body when at rest

   damson
          [dam.son] n [ME, fr. L (prunum) damascenum, lit., plum of
          Damascus] (14c): the small tart fruit of a widely cultivated
          Asian plum tree (Prunus insititia); also: this tree

   Dan
          [Dan] abbreviation Daniel, Danish

   [1]Dan
          [Dan] n [Heb Dan]: a son of Jacob and the traditional eponymous
          ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel [2]Dan n [ME,
          title of members of religious orders, fr. MF, fr. L dominus
          master] (13c) archaic: master, sir

   Danae
          [Dan.ae] n [L, fr. Gk Danae]: a princess of Argos visited
          by Zeus in the form of a shower of gold and by him the
          mother of Perseus

   [1]dance
          [dance] vb danced ; danc.ing [ME dauncen, fr. OF dancier]
          vi (14c) 1: to engage in or perform a dance 2: to move
          or seem to move up and down or about in a quick or lively
          manner ~ vt 1: to perform or take part in as a dancer
          2: to cause to dance 3: to bring into a specified condition
          by dancing -- dance.able adj -- danc.er n [2]dance n,
          often attrib (14c) 1: an act or instance of dancing 2:
          a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usu.
          performed to music 3: a social gathering for dancing
          4: a piece of music by which dancing may be guided 5:
          the art of dancing

   dandelion
          [dan.de.li.on] n [MF dent de lion, lit., lion's tooth] (14c):
          any of a genus (Taraxacum) of yellow-flowered composite
          plants; esp: an herb (T. officinale) sometimes grown
          as a potherb and nearly cosmopolitan as a weed

   dander
          [dan.der] n [alter. of dandruff] (1786) 1: dandruff; specif:
          minute scales from hair, feathers, or skin that may be
          allergenic 2: anger, temper <now don't get your ~ up>

   dandiacal
          [dan.di.a.cal] adj [[1]dandy + -acal (as in demoniacal)]
          (1831): of, relating to, or suggestive of a dandy

   Dandie Dinmont terrier
          [Dan.die Din.mont terrier] n [Dandie Dinmont, character owning
          six such dogs in the novel Guy Mannering by Sir Walter
          Scott] (1875): any of a breed of terriers characterized
          by short legs, a long body, pendulous ears, a rough coat,
          and a full silky topknot

   dandify
          [dan.di.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1823): to cause to resemble
          a dandy -- dan.di.fi.ca.tion n

   dandle
          [dan.dle] vt dan.dled ; dan.dling [origin unknown] (1530)
          1: to move (as a baby) up and down in one's arms or on
          one's knee in affectionate play 2: pamper, pet

   dandruff
          [dan.druff] n [prob. fr. dand- (origin unknown) + -ruff,
          fr. ME rove scabby condition, fr. ON hrufa scab; akin
          to OHG hruf scurf, Lith kraupus rough] (1545): a scurf
          that forms on skin esp. of the scalp and comes off in
          small white or grayish scales -- dan.druffy adj

   [1]dandy
          [dan.dy] n, pl dandies [prob. short for jack-a-dandy, fr.
          [1]jack + a (of) + dandy (origin unknown)] (ca. 1780)
          1: a man who gives exaggerated attention to personal
          appearance 2: something excellent in its class -- dan.dy.ish
          adj -- dan.dy.ish.ly adv [2]dandy adj dan.di.er ; -est
          (1792) 1: of, relating to, or suggestive of a dandy:
          foppish 2: very good: first-rate <a ~ place to stay>

   dandyism
          [dan.dy.ism] n (1819) 1: the style or conduct of a dandy
          2: a literary and artistic style of the latter part of
          the 19th century marked by artificiality and excessive
          refinement

   Dane
          [Dane] n [ME Dan, fr. ON Danr] (14c) 1: a native or inhabitant
          of Denmark 2: a person of Danish descent 3: great dane

   danegeld
          [dane.geld] n, often cap (bef. 12c): an annual tax believed
          to have been imposed orig. to buy off Danish invaders
          in England or to maintain forces to oppose them but continued
          as a land tax

   Danelaw
          [Dane.law] n (bef. 12c) 1: the law in force in the part of
          England held by the Danes before the Norman Conquest
          2: the part of England under the Danelaw

   [1]dang
          [dang] vt [euphemism] (1797): damn 4 [2]dang adj or adv (1914):
          damned

   [1]danger
          [dan.ger] n [ME daunger, fr. OF dangier, alter. of dongier,
          fr. (assumed) VL dominiarium, fr. L dominium ownership]
          (13c) 1 a archaic: jurisdiction b obs: reach, range 2
          obs: harm, damage 3: exposure or liability to injury,
          pain, harm, or loss <a place where children could play
          without ~> 4: a case or cause of danger <the ~s of mining>
          [2]danger vt (14c) archaic: endanger

   dangerous
          [dan.ger.ous] adj (15c) 1: exposing to or involving danger
          2: able or likely to inflict injury or harm -- dan.ger.ous.ly
          adv -- dan.ger.ous.ness n syn dangerous, hazardous, precarious,
          perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance
          of loss or injury. dangerous applies to something that
          may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully <soldiers
          on a dangerous mission>. hazardous implies great and
          continuous risk of harm or failure <claims that smoking
          is hazardous to your health>. precarious suggests both
          insecurity and uncertainty <earned a precarious living
          by gambling>. perilous strongly implies the immediacy
          of danger <perilous mountain roads>. risky often applies
          to a known and accepted danger <shied away from risky
          investments>.

   [1]dangle
          [dan.gle] vb dan.gled ; dan.gling [prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to Dan dangle to dangle] vi (ca. 1590) 1: to hang
          loosely and usu. so as to be able to swing freely 2:
          to be a hanger-on or a dependent 3: to occur in a sentence
          without having a normally expected syntactic relation
          to the rest of the sentence <the word climbing in "Climbing
          the mountain the cabin came into view" is dangling> ~
          vt 1: to cause to dangle: swing 2 a: to keep hanging
          uncertainly b: to hold out as an inducement -- dan.gler
          n [2]dangle n (1756) 1: the action of dangling 2: something
          that dangles

   Daniel
          [Dan.iel] n [Heb Dani'el] 1: the Jewish hero of the Book
          of Daniel who as an exile in Babylon interprets dreams,
          gives accounts of apocalyptic visions, and is divinely
          delivered from a den of lions 2: a book of narratives,
          visions, and prophecies in canonical Jewish and Christian
          Scripture

   danio
          [da.nio] n, pl da.ni.os [NL, genus name] (ca. 1889): any
          of several small brightly colored Asian cyprinid fishes

   [1]Danish
          [Dan.ish] adj (14c): of, relating to, or characteristic of
          Denmark, the Danes, or the Danish language [2]Danish
          n (15c) 1: the Germanic language of the Danes 2 pl Danish
          : a piece of Danish pastry

   Danish pastry
          [Danish pastry] n (ca. 1928): a pastry made of a rich raised
          dough

   dank
          [dank] adj [ME danke] (1573): unpleasantly moist or wet syn
          see wet -- dank.ly adv -- dank.ness n

   danseur
          [dan.seur] n [F, fr. danser to dance] (1828): a male ballet
          dancer

   danseuse
          [dan.seuse] n [F, fem. of danseur] (1828): a female ballet
          dancer

   Dantean
          [Dan.te.an] n (ca. 1850): a student or admirer of Dante

   Daoism, Daoist, Daoistic
          [Dao.ism, Dao.ist, Dao.is.tic] var of taoism, taoist, taoistic

   daphne
          [daph.ne] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, laurel, fr. Gk daphne]
          (1862): any of a genus (Daphne) of Eurasian shrubs of
          the mezereon family with apetalous flowers whose colored
          calyx resembles a corolla Daph.ne n [L, fr. Gk Daphne]:
          a nymph who is transformed into a laurel tree to escape
          the pursuing Apollo

   daphnia
          [daph.nia] n [NL, genus name] (1847): any of a genus (Daphnia)
          of minute freshwater branchiopod crustaceans with biramous
          antennae used as locomotor organs--compare water flea

   Daphnis
          [Daph.nis] n [L, fr. Gk]: a Sicilian shepherd renowned in
          Greek mythology as the inventor of pastoral poetry

   dapper
          [dap.per] adj [ME dapyr, fr. MD dapper quick, strong; akin
          to OHG tapfar heavy, OCS debelu thick] (15c) 1 a: neat
          and trim in appearance b: excessively spruce and stylish
          2: alert and lively in movement and manners -- dap.per.ly
          adv -- dap.per.ness n

   [1]dapple
          [dap.ple] n [ME dappel-gray, adj., gray marked with spots
          of another color] (1580) 1: any of numerous usu. cloudy
          and rounded spots or patches of a color or shade different
          from their background 2: the quality or state of being
          dappled 3: a dappled animal [2]dapple vb dap.pled ; dap.pling
          vt (1599): to mark with dapples ~ vi: to produce a dappled
          pattern <sun dappling through trees>

   dappled
          [dap.pled] also dap.ple adj (15c): marked with small spots
          or patches contrasting with the background <a ~ fawn>

   dapsone
          [dap.sone] n [diamine + phenyl + sulfone] (1952): an antimicrobial
          agent[ ]used esp. against leprosy

   DAR
          [DAR] abbreviation Daughters of the American Revolution

   Darby and Joan
          [Dar.by and Joan] n [prob. fr. Darby & Joan, couple in an
          18th cent. song] (1857): a happily married usu. elderly
          couple

   Dard
          [Dard] n (ca. 1885): dardic

   Dardan
          [Dar.dan] adj or n [L Dardanus, fr. Gk Dardanos] (1606) archaic:
          trojan

   Dardanian
          [Dar.da.ni.an] adj (1596): trojan

   Dardic
          [Dar.dic] n (1910): a complex of Indic languages spoken in
          the upper valley of the Indus

   [1]dare
          [dare] vb dared ; dar.ing ; dares or (auxiliary) dare [ME
          dar (1st & 3d sing. pres. indic.), fr. OE dear; akin
          to OHG gitar (1st & 3d sing. pres. indic.) dare, Gk tharsos
          courage] verbal auxiliary (bef. 12c): to be sufficiently
          courageous to <no one dared say a word> <she ~ not let
          herself love --G. B. Shaw> ~ vi: to have sufficient courage
          <try it if you ~> ~ vt 1 a: to challenge to perform an
          action esp. as a proof of courage <dared him to jump>
          b: to confront boldly: defy <dared the anger of his family>
          2: to have the courage to contend against, venture, or
          try <the actress dared a new interpretation of this classic
          role> -- dar.er n [2]dare n (1594) 1: an act or instance
          of daring: challenge <foolishly took a ~> 2: imaginative
          or vivacious boldness: daring

   DARE
          [DARE] abbreviation Dictionary of American Regional English

   [1]daredevil
          [dare.dev.il] n (1794): a recklessly bold person -- dare.dev.il.ry
          n -- dare.dev.il.try n [2]daredevil adj (1832): recklessly and
          often ostentatiously daring syn see adventurous

   dareful
          [dareful] adj (1605) obs: daring

   daren't
          [daren't] : dare not: dared not

   daresay
          [dare.say] vt (13c): venture to say: think probable--used
          in pres. 1st sing. ~ vi: agree, suppose--used in pres.
          1st sing.

   [1]daring
          [dar.ing] adj (1582): venturesomely bold in action or thought
          syn see adventurous -- dar.ing.ly adv -- dar.ing.ness
          n [2]daring n (1651): venturesome boldness

   Darjeeling
          [Dar.jee.ling] n [Darjeeling, India] (1907): a tea of high
          quality grown esp. in the mountainous districts of northern
          India

   [1]dark
          [dark] adj [ME derk, fr. OE deorc; akin to OHG tarchannen
          to hide] (bef. 12c) 1 a: devoid or partially devoid of
          light: not receiving, reflecting, transmitting, or radiating
          light b: transmitting only a portion of light 2 a: wholly
          or partially black b of a color: of low or very low lightness
          3 a: arising from or showing evil traits or desires:
          evil <the ~ powers that lead to war> b: dismal, gloomy
          <had a ~ view of the future> c: lacking knowledge or
          culture 4: not clear to the understanding 5: not fair
          in complexion: swarthy 6: secret <kept his plans ~> 7:
          possessing depth and richness <a ~ voice> 8: closed to
          the public <the theater is ~ in the summer> syn see obscure
          -- dark.ish adj -- dark.ly adv -- dark.ness n [2]dark
          n (13c) 1 a: a place or time of little or no light: night,
          nightfall b: absence of light: darkness 2: a dark or
          deep color -- in the dark 1: in secrecy <most of his
          dealings were done in the dark> 2: in ignorance <kept
          the public in the dark about the agreement> [3]dark vi
          (14c) obs: to grow dark ~ vt: to make dark

   dark adaptation
          [dark adaptation] n (1909): the phenomena including dilation
          of the pupil, increase in retinal sensitivity, shift
          of the region of maximum luminosity toward the blue,
          and regeneration of visual purple by which the eye adapts
          to conditions of reduced illumination -- dark-adapt.ed
          adj

   dark age
          [dark age] n (1730) 1: a time during which a civilization
          undergoes a decline: as a pl, cap D&A: the European historical
          period from about a.d. 476 to about 1000; broadly: middle
          ages b often pl, often cap D&A: the Greek historical
          period of three to four centuries from about 1100 b.c.
          2 a often pl, often cap D&A: the primitive period in
          the development of something <in the 1890s, way back
          in baseball's Dark Ages --R. W. Creamer> b often pl,
          often cap D&A: a state of stagnation or decline

   darken
          [dark.en] vb dark.ened ; dark.en.ing vi (14c) 1: to grow
          dark: become obscured 2: to become gloomy ~ vt 1: to
          make dark 2: to make less clear: obscure <the financial
          crisis ~ed the future of the company> 3: taint, tarnish
          4: to cast a gloom over 5: to make of darker color --
          dark.en.er n

   dark field
          [dark field] n (1865): the dark area that serves as the background
          for objects viewed in an ultramicroscope

   dark-field microscope
          [dark-field microscope] n (1926): ultramicroscope

   dark horse
          [dark horse] n (1831) 1 a: a usu. little known contender
          (as a racehorse) that makes an unexpectedly good showing
          b: an entrant in a contest that is judged unlikely to
          succeed 2: a political candidate unexpectedly nominated
          usu. as a compromise between factions

   dark lantern
          [dark lantern] n (1650): a lantern that can be closed to
          conceal the light

   darkle
          [dar.kle] vi dar.kled ; dar.kling [back-formation fr. darkling]
          (1800) 1 a: to become clouded or gloomy b: to grow dark
          2: to become concealed in the dark

   [1]darkling
          [dark.ling] adv [ME derkelyng, fr. derk dark + -lyng -ling]
          (15c): in the dark [2]dark.ling adj (1739) 1: dark 2:
          done or taking place in the dark

   darkling beetle
          [darkling beetle] n (1816): tenebrionid

   dark matter
          [dark matter] n (1982): nonluminous matter not yet directly
          detected by astronomers that is hypothesized to exist
          because the visible matter in the universe is insufficient
          to account for various observed gravitational effects

   dark reaction
          [dark reaction] n (1927): any of a series of chemical reactions
          in photosynthesis not requiring the presence of light
          and involving the reduction of carbon dioxide to form
          carbohydrate; also: calvin cycle

   darkroom
          [dark.room] n (1841): a room with no light or with a safelight
          for handling and processing light-sensitive photographic
          materials

   darksome
          [dark.some] adj (ca. 1530): gloomily somber: dark

   darky
          [darky] or dark.ie n, pl darkies (1775): a black person--usu.
          taken to be offensive

   [1]darling
          [dar.ling] n [ME derling, fr. OE deorling, fr. deore dear]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a dearly loved person 2: favorite [2]darling
          adj (1509) 1: dearly loved: favorite 2: very pleasing:
          charming -- dar.ling.ly adv -- dar.ling.ness n

   [1]darn
          [darn] vb [perh. fr. F dial. darner] vt (ca. 1600) 1: to
          mend with interlacing stitches 2: to embroider by filling
          in with long running or interlacing stitches ~ vi: to
          do darning -- darn.er n [2]darn n (1720): a place that
          has been darned <a sweater full of ~s> [3]darn adj or
          adv [euphemism] (1781): damned [4]darn vb (1781): damn
          -- darned adj or adv [5]darn n (1840): damn

   darnel
          [dar.nel] n [ME] (14c): any of several usu. weedy grasses
          (genus Lolium)

   darning needle
          [darning needle] n (1761) 1: a long needle with a large eye
          for use in darning 2: dragonfly, damselfly

   DARPA
          [DARPA] abbreviation Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

   [1]dart
          [dart] n [ME, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG tart dart,
          OE daroth] (14c) 1 a archaic: a light spear b (1): a
          small missile usu. with a pointed shaft at one end and
          feathers at the other (2) pl but sing in constr: a game
          in which darts are thrown at a target 2 a: something
          projected with sudden speed; esp: a sharp glance b: something
          causing sudden pain or distress <~s of sarcasm> 3: something
          with a slender pointed shaft or outline; specif: a stitched
          tapering fold in a garment 4: a quick movement <made
          a ~ for the door> [2]dart vt (1580) 1: to throw with
          a sudden movement 2: to thrust or move with sudden speed
          3: to shoot with a dart containing a usu. tranquilizing
          drug ~ vi: to move suddenly or rapidly <~ed across the
          street>

   dartboard
          [dart.board] n (1901): a usu. circular board (as of compressed
          bristles) used as a target in the game of darts

   darter
          [dart.er] n (1813) 1: anhinga 2: any of numerous small American
          freshwater bony fishes (esp. genera Ammocrypta, Etheostoma,
          and Percina of the family Percidae)

   Darwinian
          [Dar.win.i.an] adj (1860): of or relating to Charles Darwin,
          his theories esp. of evolution, or his followers -- Darwinian
          n

   Darwinism
          [Dar.win.ism] n (1864): a theory of the origin and perpetuation
          of new species of animals and plants that offspring of
          a given organism vary, that natural selection favors
          the survival of some of these variations over others,
          that new species have arisen and may continue to arise
          by these processes, and that widely divergent groups
          of plants and animals have arisen from the same ancestors;
          broadly: biological evolutionism -- Dar.win.ist n or
          adj

   Darwin's finches
          [Dar.win's finches] n pl [Charles Darwin] (1947): finches
          of a subfamily (Geospizinae) having great variation in
          bill shape and confined mostly to the Galapagos islands

   Darwin tulip
          [Dar.win tulip] n (1889): a tall late-flowering tulip with
          the flowers single and of one color

   [1]dash
          [dash] vb [ME dasshen] vt (13c) 1: to break by striking or
          knocking 2: to knock, hurl, or thrust violently 3: splash,
          spatter 4 a: ruin, destroy <the news ~ed his hopes> b:
          depress, sadden c: to make ashamed 5: to affect by mixing
          in something different <his delight was ~ed with bitterness
          over the delay> 6: to complete, execute, or finish off
          hastily--used with down or off <~ed down a drink> <~
          off a letter> 7 [euphemism]: [1]damn 4 ~ vi 1: to move
          with sudden speed <~ed through the rain> 2: smash [2]dash
          n (14c) 1 a archaic: blow b (1): a sudden burst or splash
          (2): the sound produced by such a burst 2 a: a stroke
          of a pen b: a punctuation mark that is used esp. to indicate
          a break in the thought or structure of a sentence 3:
          a small usu. distinctive addition <a ~ of salt> <a ~
          of humor> 4: flashy display 5: animation in style and
          action 6 a: a sudden onset, rush, or attempt b: a short
          fast race 7: a long click or buzz forming a letter or
          part of a letter (as in Morse code) 8: dashboard 2

   dashboard
          [dash.board] n (1846) 1: a screen on the front of a usu.
          horse-drawn vehicle to intercept water, mud, or snow
          2: a panel extending across the interior of a vehicle
          (as an automobile) below the windshield and usu. containing
          dials and controls

   dashed
          [dashed] adj (ca. 1889): made up of a series of dashes

   dasheen
          [da.sheen] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1899): taro

   dasher
          [dash.er] n (1790) 1: a dashing person 2: one that dashes;
          specif: a device having blades for agitating a liquid
          or semisolid

   dashi
          [dashi] n [Jp, broth] (ca. 1961): a fish broth made from
          dried bonito

   dashiki
          [da.shi.ki] n [modif. of Yoruba dansiki] (ca. 1968): a usu.
          brightly colored loose-fitting pullover garment

   dashing
          [dash.ing] adj (1796) 1: marked by vigorous action: spirited
          <a ~ young horse> 2: marked by smartness esp. in dress
          and manners -- dash.ing.ly adv

   dashpot
          [dash.pot] n (1861): a device for cushioning or damping a
          movement (as of a mechanical part) to avoid shock

   dassie
          [das.sie] n [Afrik] (1786): hyrax

   dastard
          [das.tard] n [ME] (15c) 1: coward 2: a person who acts
          treacherously or underhandedly

   dastardly
          [das.tard.ly] adj (1576) 1: cowardly 2: characterized by
          underhandedness or treachery <a ~ attack> <a ~ villain>
          syn see cowardly -- das.tard.li.ness n

   dat
          [dat] abbreviation dative  DAT abbreviation differential
          aptitude test, digital audiotape

   data
          [da.ta] n pl but sing or pl in constr, often attrib [L, pl.
          of datum] (1646) 1: factual information (as measurements
          or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion,
          or calculation <the ~ is plentiful and easily available
          --H. A. Gleason, Jr.> <comprehensive ~ on economic growth
          have been published --N. H. Jacoby> 2: information output
          by a sensing device or organ that includes both useful
          and irrelevant or redundant information and must be processed
          to be meaningful 3: information in numerical form that
          can be digitally transmitted or processed usage Data
          leads a life of its own quite independent of datum, of
          which it was originally the plural. It occurs in two
          constructions: as a plural noun (like earnings), taking
          a plural verb and plural modifiers (as these, many, a
          few) but not cardinal numbers, and serving as a referent
          for plural pronouns (as they, them); and as an abstract
          mass noun (like information), taking a singular verb
          and singular modifiers (as this, much, little), and being
          referred to by a singular pronoun (it). Both constructions
          are standard. The plural construction is more common
          in print, evidently because the house style of several
          publishers mandates it.

   data bank
          [data bank] n (1966): database

   database
          [da.ta.base] n (ca. 1962): a usu. large collection of data
          organized esp. for rapid search and retrieval (as by
          a computer)

   data processing
          [data processing] n (1954): the converting of raw data to
          machine-readable form and its subsequent processing (as
          storing, updating, combining, rearranging, or printing
          out) by a computer -- data processor n

   data structure
          [data structure] n (1963): any of various methods of organizing
          data items (as records) in a computer

   [1]date
          [date] n [ME, fr. OF, ultim. fr. L dactylus--more at dactyl]
          (14c) 1: the oblong edible fruit of a palm (Phoenix dactylifera)
          2: the tall palm with pinnate leaves that yields the
          date [2]date n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL data, fr. data (as
          in data Romae given at Rome), fem. of L datus, pp. of
          dare to give; akin to L dos gift, dowry, Gk didonai to
          give] (14c) 1 a: the time at which an event occurs <the
          ~ of his birth> b: a statement of the time of execution
          or making <the ~ on the letter> 2: duration 3: the period
          of time to which something belongs 4 a: an appointment
          to meet at a specified time; esp: a social engagement
          between two persons that often has a romantic character
          b: a person with whom one has a usu. romantic date 5:
          an engagement for a professional performance (as of a
          dance band) -- to date : up to the present moment [3]date
          vb dat.ed ; dat.ing vt (15c) 1: to determine the date
          of <~ an antique> 2: to record the date of: mark with
          the date 3 a: to mark with characteristics typical of
          a particular period b: to show up plainly the age of
          4: to make or have a date with ~ vi 1: to reckon chronologically
          2: originate <a friendship dating from college days>
          3: to become dated -- dat.able also date.able adj --
          dat.er n

   dated
          [dat.ed] adj (1731) 1: provided with a date <a ~ document>
          2: outmoded, old-fashioned <~ formalities> -- dat.ed.ly
          adv -- dat.ed.ness n

   dateless
          [date.less] adj (1593) 1: endless 2: having no date 3: too
          ancient to be dated 4: timeless <the play's ~ theme>

   dateline
          [date.line] n (1888) 1: a line in a written document or a
          printed publication giving the date and place of composition
          or issue 2 usu date line : international date line --
          dateline vt

   date rape
          [date rape] n (ca. 1983): rape committed by someone known
          to the victim

   [1]dative
          [da.tive] adj [ME datif, fr. L dativus, fr. datus] (15c):
          of, relating to, or being the grammatical case that marks
          typically the indirect object of a verb, the object of
          some prepositions, or a possessor [2]dative n (15c):
          a dative case or form

   dative bond
          [dative bond] n [fr. the donation of electrons by one of
          the atoms] (ca. 1929): coordinate bond

   datum
          [da.tum] n [L, fr. neut. of datus] (1646) 1 pl da.ta : something
          given or admitted esp. as a basis for reasoning or inference
          2 pl datums : something used as a basis for calculating
          or measuring usage see data

   datura
          [da.tu.ra] n [NL, genus name, fr. Hindi dhatura jimsonweed]
          (1598): any of a genus (Datura) of widely distributed
          strong-scented herbs, shrubs, or trees of the nightshade
          family including some used as sources of medicinal alkaloids
          (as stramonium) or in folk rites or illicitly for their
          poisonous, narcotic, or hallucinogenic properties--compare
          jimsonweed

   dau
          [dau] abbreviation daughter

   [1]daub
          [daub] vb [ME, fr. MF dauber] vt (14c) 1: to cover or coat
          with soft adhesive matter: plaster 2: to coat with a
          dirty substance 3 a: to apply coloring material crudely
          to b: to apply (as paint) crudely ~ vi 1 archaic: to
          put on a false exterior 2: to apply colors crudely --
          daub.er n [2]daub n (15c) 1: material used to daub walls
          2: an act or instance of daubing 3: something daubed
          on: smear 4: a crude picture

   daube
          [daube] n [F] (1723): a stew of braised meat, vegetables,
          herbs, and spices

   [1]daughter
          [daugh.ter] n [ME, doughter, fr. OE dohtor; akin to OHG tohter
          daughter, Gk thygater] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a human female
          having the relation of child to parent (2): a female
          offspring of a lower animal b: a human female having
          a specified ancestor or belonging to a group of common
          ancestry 2: something considered as a daughter <the United
          States is a ~ of Great Britain> 3: an atomic species
          that is the product of the radioactive decay of a given
          element -- daugh.ter.less adj [2]daughter adj (1614)
          1: having the characteristics or relationship of a daughter
          2: belonging to the first generation of offspring, organelles,
          or molecules produced by reproduction, division, or replication
          <~ cell> <~ DNA molecules>

   daughter-in-law
          [daugh.ter-in-law] n, pl daugh.ters-in-law (14c): the wife
          of one's son

   daunomycin
          [dau.no.my.cin] n [ISV dauno- (fr. L Daunus Apulian) + -mycin]
          (1964): daunorubicin

   daunorubicin
          [dau.no.ru.bi.cin] n [dauno- (as in daunomycin) + rubidomycin,
          a substance found to be identical with daunomycin (fr.
          ISV rubido- -- fr. L rubidus red -- + -mycin)] (ca. 1968):
          an antibiotic that is a nitrogenous glycoside and is
          used esp. in the treatment of leukemia

   daunt
          [daunt] vt [ME, fr. MF danter, alter. of donter, fr. L domitare
          to tame, freq. of domare--more at tame] (14c): to lessen
          the courage of: cow, subdue syn see dismay -- daunt.ing.ly
          adv

   dauntless
          [daunt.less] adj (1593): fearless, undaunted <a ~ hero> --
          daunt.less.ly adv -- daunt.less.ness n

   dauphin
          [dau.phin] n, often cap [ME dolphin, fr. MF dalfin, fr. OF,
          title of lords of the Dauphine, fr. Dalfin, a surname]
          (15c): the eldest son of a king of France

   dauphine
          [dau.phine] n, often cap [F] (ca. 1864): the wife of the
          dauphin

   DAV
          [DAV] abbreviation Disabled American Veterans

   daven
          [da.ven] vi [Yiddish davnen] (ca. 1930): to recite the prescribed
          prayers in a Jewish liturgy

   davenport
          [dav.en.port] n [prob. fr. the name Davenport] (1853) 1:
          a small compact writing desk 2: a large upholstered sofa
          often convertible into a bed

   David
          [Da.vid] n [Heb Dawidh] 1: a Hebrew shepherd who became the
          second king of Israel in succession to Saul according
          to biblical accounts 2: underdog 1 -- Da.vid.ic adj

   davit
          [da.vit] n [prob. fr. the name David] (15c): a crane that
          projects over the side of a ship or a hatchway and is
          used esp. for boats, anchors, or cargo

   Davy Jones
          [Da.vy Jones] n (1751): the bottom of the sea personified

   Davy Jones's locker
          [Da.vy Jones's locker] n (ca. 1777): the bottom of the ocean

   [1]daw
          [daw] vi [ME, fr. OE dagian; akin to OHG tagen to dawn, OE
          daeg day] (13c) chiefly Scot: dawn [2]daw n [ME dawe;
          akin to OHG taha jackdaw] (15c): jackdaw

   dawdle
          [daw.dle] vb daw.dled ; daw.dling [origin unknown] vi (ca.
          1656) 1: to spend time idly 2: to move lackadaisically
          <dawdled up the hill> ~ vt: to spend fruitlessly or lackadaisically
          <dawdled the day away> syn see delay -- daw.dler n

   [1]dawn
          [dawn] vi [ME, prob. back-formation fr. dawning daybreak,
          alter. of dawing, fr. OE dagung, fr. dagian] (15c) 1:
          to begin to grow light as the sun rises 2: to begin to
          appear or develop 3: to begin to be perceived or understood
          <the truth finally ~ed on us> [2]dawn n (1599) 1: the
          first appearance of light in the morning followed by
          sunrise 2: beginning <the ~ of the space age>

   dawn horse
          [dawn horse] n (1930): eohippus

   dawn redwood
          [dawn redwood] n (1948): a metasequoia (Metasequoia
          glyptostroboides) of China resembling the coast redwood but having
          deciduous foliage

   dawsonite
          [daw.son.ite] n [Sir John W. Dawson] (1874): a mineral consisting
          of a basic sodium aluminum carbonate

   day
          [day] n [ME, fr. OE daeg; akin to OHG tag day] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: the time of light between one night and the next
          b: daylight 1, 2 2: the period of rotation of a planet
          (as earth) or a moon on its axis 3: the mean solar day
          of 24 hours beginning at mean midnight 4: a specified
          day or date 5: a specified time or period: age <in grandfather's
          ~> 6: the conflict or contention of the day <played hard
          and won the ~> 7: the time established by usage or law
          for work, school, or business 8: a period of existence
          or prominence of a person or thing -- day after day :
          for an indefinite or seemingly endless number of days
          -- day in, day out : for an indefinite number of successive
          days

   Dayak
          [Day.ak] n [Malay, lit., up-country] (1836): a member of
          any of several Indonesian peoples of the interior of
          Borneo

   daybed
          [day.bed] n (1818) 1: a chaise longue of a type made 1680-1780
          2: a couch that can be converted into a bed

   daybook
          [day.book] n (1580): diary, journal

   daybreak
          [day.break] n (1530): dawn

   day care
          [day care] n (1947) 1: supervision of and care for children
          or disabled adults that is provided during the day by
          a person or organization 2: a program, facility, or organization
          offering day care

   [1]daydream
          [day.dream] n (1685): a pleasant visionary usu. wishful creation
          of the imagination -- day.dream.like adj [2]daydream
          vi (1820): to have a daydream -- day.dream.er n

   dayflower
          [day.flow.er] n (ca. 1688): any of a genus (Commelina) of
          herbs of the spiderwort family having one petal smaller
          than the other two; esp: a blue-flowered weed (C. communis)
          with the smaller petal white

   Day-Glo
          [Day-Glo] trademark--used for fluorescent materials or colors

   dayglow
          [day.glow] n (ca. 1960): airglow seen during the day

   day laborer
          [day laborer] n (1548): one who works for daily wages esp.
          as an unskilled laborer

   day letter
          [day letter] n (ca. 1913): a telegram sent during the day
          that has a lower priority than a regular telegram

   daylight
          [day.light] n (13c) 1: the light of day 2: daytime 3: dawn
          4 a: knowledge or understanding of something that has
          been obscure <began to see ~ on the problem> b: the quality
          or state of being open: openness 5 pl a: consciousness
          b: mental soundness or stability: wits <scared the ~s
          out of him> 6: an opening or opportunity esp. for action

   daylighting
          [day.light.ing] n (1929): illumination of indoor spaces by
          natural light

   daylight saving time
          [daylight saving time] n (1919): time usu. one hour ahead
          of standard time--called also daylight saving, daylight
          time

   daylily
          [day.lily] n (1597): any of various Eurasian plants (genus
          Hemerocallis) of the lily family that have short-lived
          flowers resembling lilies and are widespread in cultivation
          and as escapes

   daylong
          [day.long] adj (1855): lasting all day <a ~ tour>

   daymare
          [day.mare] n [day + -mare (as in nightmare)] (1737): a nightmarish
          fantasy experienced while awake

   day-neutral
          [day-neutral] adj (1941): developing and maturing regardless
          of relative length of alternating exposures to light
          and dark periods--used esp. of a plant--compare long-day,
          short-day

   day nursery
          [day nursery] n (1844): a public center for the care and
          training of young children; specif: nursery school

   Day of Atonement
          [Day of Atonement] (1611): yom kippur

   day one
          [day one] n, often cap D&O (1971): the first day or very
          beginning of something

   dayroom
          [day.room] n (1823): a room (as in a hospital) equipped for
          reading, writing, and recreation

   days
          [days] adv (bef. 12c): in the daytime repeatedly: on any
          day

   day school
          [day school] n (1838): an elementary or secondary school
          held on weekdays; specif: a private school without boarding
          facilities

   dayside
          [day.side] n (1963): the side of a planet in sunlight

   days of grace
          [days of grace] (1726): the days allowed for payment of a
          note or an insurance premium after it becomes due

   daystar
          [day.star] n (bef. 12c) 1: morning star 2: sun 1a

   day student
          [day student] n (1883): a student who attends regular classes
          at a college or preparatory school but does not live
          at the institution

   daytime
          [day.time] n, often attrib (1535): the time during which
          there is daylight

   daytimes
          [day.times] adv (1854): during the day or during the workday
          repeatedly: days <has a housekeeper ~>

   day-to-day
          [day-to-day] adj (1883) 1: taking place, made, or done in
          the course of successive days <~ problems> 2: providing
          for a day at a time with little thought for the future
          <lived an aimless ~ existence>

   day-tripper
          [day-trip.per] n (1897): one who takes a trip that does not
          last overnight

   daze
          [daze] vt dazed ; daz.ing [ME dasen, fr. (assumed) ON dasa;
          akin to ON dasask to become exhausted] (14c) 1: to stupefy
          esp. by a blow: stun 2: to dazzle with light -- daze
          n -- dazed.ly adv -- dazed.ness n

   dazzle
          [daz.zle] vb daz.zled ; daz.zling [freq. of daze] vi (15c)
          1: to lose clear vision esp. from looking at bright light
          2 a: to shine brilliantly b: to arouse admiration by
          an impressive display ~ vt 1: to overpower with light
          2: to impress deeply, overpower, or confound with brilliance
          <dazzled us with her wit> -- dazzle n -- daz.zler n --
          daz.zling.ly adv

   db...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   db
          [db] abbreviation debenture  dB abbreviation decibel  DB
          abbreviation daybook

   DBA
          [DBA] abbreviation doctor of business administration

   DBCP
          [DBCP] n [di- + brom- + chlor- + propane] (1967): a halocarbon
          compound used as an agricultural pesticide that is a
          suspected carcinogen and cause of sterility in human
          males

   DBE
          [DBE] abbreviation Dame Commander of the Order of the British
          Empire

   DBH
          [DBH] abbreviation diameter at breast height

   dbl
          [dbl] or dble abbreviation double

   DBMS
          [DBMS] abbreviation data base management system

   DBS
          [DBS] abbreviation direct broadcast satellite

   dc...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   DC
          [DC] [It da capo] abbreviation from the beginning; decimal
          classification, direct current, District of Columbia,
          doctor of chiropractic, double crochet

   DChE
          [DChE] abbreviation doctor of chemical engineering

   DCL
          [DCL] abbreviation doctor of canon law, doctor of civil law

   dd...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   dd
          [dd] abbreviation dated, delivered  DD abbreviation days
          after date, demand draft, dishonorable discharge, doctor
          of divinity, due date

   DDC
          [DDC] abbreviation Dewey Decimal Classification

   DDD
          [DDD] abbreviation direct distance dialing

   DDD
          [DDD] n [dichlor- + diphenyl + dichlor-] (1946): an insecticide
          closely related chemically and similar in properties
          to DDT

   DDE
          [DDE] n [dichlor- + diphenyl + ethylene] (1949): a persistent
          organochlorine that is produced by the metabolic breakdown
          of DDT

   DDS
          [DDS] abbreviation doctor of dental science, doctor of dental
          surgery

   DDT
          [DDT] n [dichlor- + diphenyl + trichlor- (fr. tri- + chlor-)]
          (1943): a colorless odorless water-insoluble crystalline
          insecticide that tends to accumulate in ecosystems and
          has toxic effects on many vertebrates

   DDVP
          [DDVP] n [dimethyl + dichlor- + vinyl + phosphate] (1954):
          dichlorvos

   de...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   de-
          [de-] prefix [ME, fr. OF de-, des-, partly fr. L de- from,
          down, away (fr. de, prep.) and partly fr. L dis-; L de
          akin to OIr di from, OE to to--more at to, dis-] 1 a:
          do the opposite of <devitalize> <deactivate> b: reverse
          of <de-emphasis> 2 a: remove (a specified thing) from
          <delouse> <dehydrogenate> b: remove from (a specified
          thing) <dethrone> 3: reduce <devalue> 4: something derived
          from (a specified thing) <decompound>: derived from something
          (of a specified nature) <denominative> 5: get off of
          (a specified thing) <detrain> 6: having a molecule characterized
          by the removal of one or more atoms (of a specified element)
          <deoxy->

   DE
          [DE] abbreviation defensive end, Delaware, doctor of engineering

   de bonne grace
          [de bonne grace] [F] foreign term : with good grace: willingly

   de-emphasize
          [de-em.pha.size] vt (1938): to reduce in relative importance;
          also: play down -- de-em.pha.sis n

   de-energize
          [de-en.er.gize] vt (1925): to disconnect from a source of
          electricity: shut off the power to

   de-escalate
          [de-es.ca.late] vt (1964): limit 2b ~ vi: to decrease in
          extent, volume, or scope -- de-es.ca.la.tion n -- de-es.ca.la.to.ry
          adj

   [1]de facto
          [de fac.to] adv [ML, lit., from the fact] (1601): in reality:
          actually [2]de facto adj (1696) 1: actual; esp: being
          such in effect though not formally recognized <a de facto
          state of war> 2: exercising power as if legally constituted
          <a de facto government>

   de Gaullism
          [de Gaull.ism] n (1943): gaullism -- de Gaull.ist n

   de gustibus non est disputandum
          [de gus.ti.bus non est dis.pu.tan.dum] [L] foreign term :
          there is no disputing about tastes

   de haut en bas
          [de haut en bas] adj or adv [F, lit., from top to bottom]
          (1696): of superiority: of or with condescension

   de integro
          [de in.te.gro] [L] foreign term : anew: afresh

   de jure
          [de ju.re] adv or adj [ML] (1611): by right: of right

   de l'audace, encore de l'audace, et toujours de l'audace
          [de l'au.dace, en.core de l'au.dace, et tou.jours de l'au.dace]
          [F] foreign term : audacity, more audacity, and ever
          more audacity

   de mal en pis
          [de mal en pis] [F] foreign term : from bad to worse

   de minimis non curat lex
          [de mi.ni.mis non cu.rat lex] [L] foreign term : the law
          takes no account of trifles

   de mortuis nil nisi bonum
          [de mor.tu.is nil ni.si bo.num] [L] foreign term : of the
          dead (say) nothing but good

   de nos jours
          [de nos jours] [F] foreign term : of our time: contemporary--used
          postpositively esp. after a proper name

   de novo
          [de no.vo] adv or adj [L] (1536): over again: anew

   de profundis
          [de pro.fun.dis] [L] foreign term : out of the depths

   de rigueur
          [de ri.gueur] adj [F] (1833): prescribed or required by fashion,
          etiquette, or custom: proper

   de-skill
          [de-skill] vt (1941) 1: to reduce the level of skill needed
          for (a job) 2: to reduce the level of skill needed for
          a job by (a worker)

   de-Stalinization
          [de-Sta.lin.iza.tion] n (1951): the discrediting of Stalin
          and his policies

   de Stijl
          [de Stijl] n [D De Stijl, lit., the style, magazine published
          by members of the school] (1934): a school of art founded
          in Holland in 1917 typically using rectangular forms
          and the primary colors plus black and white and asymmetric
          balance

   de trop
          [de trop] adj [F] (1752): too much or too many: superfluous

   DEA
          [DEA] abbreviation Drug Enforcement Administration

   deacidify
          [de.acid.i.fy] vt (1786): to remove acid from: reduce the
          acidity of (as by neutralization) -- de.acid.i.fi.ca.tion
          n

   deacon
          [dea.con] n [ME dekene, fr. OE deacon, fr. LL diaconus, fr.
          Gk diakonos, lit., servant, fr. dia- + -konos (akin to
          enkonein to be active); perh. akin to L conari to attempt]
          (bef. 12c): a subordinate officer in a Christian church:
          as a: a Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Orthodox
          cleric ranking next below a priest b: one of the laymen
          elected by a church with congregational polity to serve
          in worship, in pastoral care, and on administrative committees
          c: a Mormon in the lowest grade of the Aaronic priesthood

   deaconess
          [dea.con.ess] n (15c): a woman chosen to assist in the church
          ministry; specif: one in a Protestant order

   deacon's bench
          [deacon's bench] n (1922): a bench with usu. spindled arms
          and back

   deactivate
          [de.ac.ti.vate] vt (1926): to make inactive or ineffective
          -- de.ac.ti.va.tion n -- de.ac.ti.va.tor n

   [1]dead
          [dead] adj [ME deed, fr. OE dead; akin to ON dauthr dead,
          deyja to die, OHG tot dead--more at die] (bef. 12c) 1:
          deprived of life: having died 2 a (1): having the appearance
          of death: deathly <in a ~ faint> (2): lacking power to
          move, feel, or respond: numb b: very tired c (1): incapable
          of being stirred emotionally or intellectually: unresponsive
          <~ to pity> 2: grown cold: extinguished <~ coals> 3 a:
          inanimate, inert <~ matter> b: barren, infertile <~ soil>
          c: no longer producing or functioning: exhausted <a ~
          battery> 4 a (1): lacking power or effect <a ~ law> (2):
          no longer having interest, relevance, or significance
          <a ~ issue> b: no longer in use: obsolete <a ~ language>
          c: no longer active: extinct <a ~ volcano> d: lacking
          in gaiety or animation <a ~ party> e (1): lacking in
          commercial activity: quiet (2): commercially idle or
          unproductive <~ capital> f: lacking elasticity <a ~ tennis
          ball> g: being out of action or out of use; specif: free
          from any connection to a source of voltage and free from
          electric charges h (1): being out of play <a ~ ball>
          <~ cards> (2): temporarily forbidden to play or to make
          a certain play in croquet 5 a: not running or circulating:
          stagnant <~ water> b: not turning <a ~ lathe center>
          c: not imparting motion or power although otherwise functioning
          <a ~ rear axle> d: lacking warmth, vigor, or taste 6
          a: absolutely uniform <a ~ level> b (1): unerring (2):
          exact <~ center of the target> (3): certain to be doomed
          <he's ~ if he's late for curfew> (4): irrevocable <a
          ~ loss> c: abrupt <brought to a ~ stop> d (1): complete,
          absolute <a ~ silence> (2): all-out <caught it on the
          ~ run> 7: devoid of former occupants <~ villages> --
          dead.ness n -- dead in the water 1: incapable of being
          effective: stalled 2: [1]dead 6b(3) syn dead, defunct,
          deceased, departed, late mean devoid of life. dead applies
          literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used
          figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute
          (as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life <a dead,
          listless performance>. defunct stresses cessation of
          active existence or operation <a defunct television series>.
          deceased, departed, and late apply to persons who have
          died recently. deceased is the preferred term in legal
          use <the estate of the deceased>. departed is used usu.
          as a euphemism <our departed sister>. late is used esp.
          with reference to a person in a specific relation or
          status <the company's late president>. [2]dead n, pl
          dead (bef. 12c) 1: one that is dead--usu. used collectively
          2: the state of being dead <raised him from the ~ --Col
          2:12(RSV)> 3: the time of greatest quiet <the ~ of night>
          [3]dead adv (14c) 1: absolutely, utterly <~ certain>
          2: suddenly and completely <stopped ~> 3: directly <~
          ahead>

   dead air
          [dead air] n (ca. 1943): a period of silence esp. during
          a radio or television broadcast

   dead-air space
          [dead-air space] n (1902): a sealed or unventilated air space

   [1]deadbeat
          [dead.beat] n (1863) 1: loafer 2: one who persistently fails
          to pay personal debts or expenses [2]deadbeat adj (ca.
          1864): having a pointer that gives a reading with little
          or no oscillation

   dead bolt
          [dead bolt] n (ca. 1902): a lock bolt that is moved by turning
          the knob or key without action of a spring

   dead duck
          [dead duck] n (1943): one that is doomed

   deaden
          [dead.en] vb dead.ened ; dead.en.ing vt (1665) 1: to impair
          in vigor or sensation: blunt <~ed his enthusiasm> 2 a:
          to deprive of brilliance b: to make vapid or spiritless
          c: to make (as a wall) impervious to sound 3: to deprive
          of life: kill ~ vi: to become dead: lose life or vigor
          -- dead.en.er n -- dead.en.ing.ly adv

   [1]dead-end
          [dead-end] adj (1919) 1 a: lacking opportunities esp. for
          advancement <a ~ job> b: lacking an exit <a ~ street>
          2: unruly <~ kids> -- dead-end.ed.ness n [2]dead-end
          vi (1944): to come to a dead end: terminate

   dead end
          [dead end] n (1886) 1: an end (as of a street) without an
          exit 2: a position, situation, or course of action that
          leads to nothing further

   deadening
          [dead.en.ing] n (ca. 1874): material used to soundproof walls
          or floors

   deadeye
          [dead.eye] n (1748) 1: a rounded wood block that is encircled
          by a rope or an iron band and pierced with holes to receive
          the lanyard and that is used esp. to set up shrouds and
          stays 2: an unerring marksman

   deadfall
          [dead.fall] n (1611) 1: a trap so constructed that a weight
          (as a heavy log) falls on an animal and kills or disables
          it 2: a tangled mass of fallen trees and branches

   dead hand
          [dead hand] n (14c) 1: mortmain 1 2: the oppressive influence
          of the past

   [1]deadhead
          [dead.head] n (1841) 1: one who has not paid for a ticket
          2: a dull or stupid person [2]deadhead vi (1911): to
          make a return trip without a load ~ vt: to remove the
          faded flowers of (a plant) esp. to keep a neat appearance
          and to promote reblooming by preventing seed production

   dead heat
          [dead heat] n (1796): a tie with no single winner of a race

   dead horse
          [dead horse] n (1830): an exhausted or profitless topic or
          issue--usu. used in the phrases beat a dead horse and
          flog a dead horse

   dead letter
          [dead letter] n (1663) 1: something that has lost its force
          or authority without being formally abolished 2: a letter
          that is undeliverable and unreturnable by the post office

   dead lift
          [dead lift] n (1963): a lift in weight lifting in which the
          weight is lifted from the floor to hip level -- dead.lift
          vt

   deadlight
          [dead.light] n (1726): a metal cover or shutter fitted to
          a port to keep out light and water

   deadline
          [dead.line] n (1864) 1: a line drawn within or around a prison
          that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot 2 a:
          a date or time before which something must be done b:
          the time after which copy is not accepted for a particular
          issue of a publication

   dead load
          [dead load] n (ca. 1888): a constant load in a structure
          (as a bridge, building, or machine) that is due to the
          weight of the members, the supported structure, and permanent
          attachments or accessories

   deadlock
          [dead.lock] n (1779) 1: a state of inaction or neutralization
          resulting from the opposition of equally powerful uncompromising
          persons or factions: standstill 2: a tie score -- deadlock
          vb

   [1]deadly
          [dead.ly] adj dead.li.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: likely to cause
          or capable of producing death 2 a: aiming to kill or
          destroy: implacable <a ~ enemy> b: highly effective <a
          ~ expose> c: unerring <a ~ marksman> d: marked by determination
          or extreme seriousness 3 a: tending to deprive of force
          or vitality <a ~ habit> b: suggestive of death esp. in
          dullness or lack of animation <~ bores> <a ~ conversation>
          4: very great: extreme -- dead.li.ness n syn deadly,
          mortal, fatal, lethal mean causing or capable of causing
          death. deadly applies to an established or very likely
          cause of death <a deadly disease>. mortal implies that
          death has occurred or is inevitable <a mortal wound>.
          fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact
          resulted in death or destruction <fatal consequences>.
          lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death
          or exists for the destruction of life <lethal gas>. [2]deadly
          adv (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: in a manner to cause death:
          mortally 2: suggesting death 3: extremely <~ serious>

   deadly nightshade
          [deadly nightshade] n (1578): belladonna 1

   deadly sin
          [deadly sin] n (13c): one of seven sins of pride, covetousness,
          lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth held to be fatal
          to spiritual progress

   dead man's float
          [dead man's float] n (ca. 1946): a prone floating position
          with the arms extended forward

   dead march
          [dead march] n (1603): a solemn march for a funeral

   dead metaphor
          [dead metaphor] n (1922): a word or phrase (as time is running
          out) that has lost its metaphoric force through common
          usage

   dead-on
          [dead-on] adj (ca. 1889): precisely correct: deadly accurate

   [1]deadpan
          [dead.pan] adj (ca. 1928): marked by an impassive matter-of-fact
          manner, style, or expression <a ~ comedy> -- deadpan
          adv [2]deadpan n (ca. 1930) 1: a completely expressionless
          face 2: a deadpan manner of behavior or presentation
          [3]deadpan vt (ca. 1942): to express in a deadpan manner
          -- dead.pan.ner n

   dead reckoning
          [dead reckoning] n (1613) 1: the determination without the
          aid of celestial observations of the position of a ship
          or aircraft from the record of the courses sailed or
          flown, the distance made, and the known or estimated
          drift 2: guesswork -- dead reckon vb

   dead space
          [dead space] n (ca. 1923): the portion of the respiratory
          system which is external to the bronchioles and through
          which air must pass to reach the bronchioles and alveoli

   dead-stick landing
          [dead-stick landing] n (ca. 1917): a landing of an airplane
          or spacecraft made without power

   deadweight
          [dead.weight] n (1660) 1: the unrelieved weight of an inert
          mass 2: dead load 3: a ship's load including the total
          weight of cargo, fuel, stores, crew, and passengers

   deadweight ton
          [deadweight ton] n (ca. 1917): a long ton used in indicating
          a ship's gross capacity--abbr. dwt

   deadwood
          [dead.wood] n (15c) 1: wood dead on the tree 2: useless personnel
          or material 3: solid timbers built in at the extreme
          bow and stern of a ship when too narrow to permit framing
          4: bowling pins that have been knocked down but remain
          on the alley

   deaerate
          [de.aer.ate] vt (1791): to remove air or gas from -- de.aer.a.tion
          n -- de.aer.a.tor n

   deaf
          [deaf] adj [ME deef, fr. OE deaf; akin to Gk typhlos blind,
          typhein to smoke, L fumus smoke--more at fume] (bef.
          12c) 1: lacking or deficient in the sense of hearing
          2: unwilling to hear or listen: not to be persuaded <was
          overwrought and ~ to reason> -- deaf.ish adj -- deaf.ly
          adv -- deaf.ness n

   deafen
          [deaf.en] vt deaf.ened ; deaf.en.ing (1597): to make deaf

   deafening
          [deaf.en.ing] adj (1597) 1: that deafens 2: very loud: earsplitting
          <fell with a ~ clap> -- deaf.en.ing.ly adv

   deaf-mute
          [deaf-mute] n (ca. 1837): a deaf person who cannot speak
          -- deaf-mute adj

   [1]deal
          [deal] n [ME deel, fr. OE dael; akin to OE dal division,
          portion, OHG teil part] (bef. 12c) 1 obs: part, portion
          2: a usu. large or indefinite quantity or degree <a great
          ~ of support> <a good ~ faster> 3 a: the act or right
          of distributing cards to players in a card game b: hand
          9b [2]deal vb dealt ; deal.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to
          give as one's portion: apportion <tried to ~ justice
          to all> <dealt out three sandwiches apiece> b: to distribute
          (playing cards) to players in a game 2: administer, deliver
          <dealt him a blow> 3: sell <~s marijuana> ~ vi 1: to
          distribute the cards in a card game 2: to concern oneself
          or itself <the book ~s with education> 3 a: to engage
          in bargaining: trade b: to sell or distribute something
          as a business <~ in insurance> 4 a: to take action with
          regard to someone or something <~ with an offender> b:
          to reach or try to reach a state of acceptance or reconcilement
          <trying to ~ with her son's death> syn see distribute
          -- deal.er n [3]deal n (15c) 1 a: an act of dealing:
          transaction b: bargain 2: package deal 3: treatment received
          <a dirty ~> 4: an arrangement for mutual advantage 5:
          affair 2 <dinner was an informal ~> [4]deal n [ME dele,
          fr. MD or MLG, plank; akin to OHG dili plank--more at
          thill] (14c) 1 a Brit: a board of fir or pine b: sawed
          yellow-pine lumber nine inches (22.5 centimeters) or
          wider and three, four, or five inches (7.6 to 12.4 centimeters)
          thick 2: pine or fir wood -- deal adj

   dealated
          [de.alat.ed] adj (1904): divested of the wings--used of postnuptial
          adults of insects (as ants) that drop their wings after a nuptial
          flight -- de.ala.tion n

   dealership
          [deal.er.ship] n (1916): an authorized sales agency <an automobile
          ~>

   dealfish
          [deal.fish] n [[4]deal] (1845): any of several long thin
          fishes (genus Trachipterus esp. T. arcticus of the family
          Trachipteridae) inhabiting the deep sea

   dealing
          [deal.ing] n (15c) 1: method of business: manner of conduct
          2 pl: friendly or business interactions

   dealing box
          [dealing box] n (1897): a case that holds a deck of playing
          cards so that they may be dealt one by one

   deaminase
          [de.am.i.nase] n [de- + amino + -ase] (1920): an enzyme that
          hydrolyzes amino compounds (as amino acids) with removal
          of the amino group

   deaminate
          [de.am.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1926): to remove the
          amino group from (a compound) -- de.am.i.na.tion n

   dean
          [dean] n [ME deen, fr. OF deien, fr. LL decanus chief of
          ten, fr. Gk dekanos, fr. deka ten--more at ten] (13c)
          1 a: the head of the chapter of a collegiate or cathedral
          church b: a Roman Catholic priest who supervises one
          district of a diocese 2 a: the head of a division, faculty,
          college, or school of a university b: a college or secondary
          school administrator in charge of counseling and disciplining
          students 3: doyen 1 -- dean vi -- dean.ship n

   deanery
          [dean.ery] n, pl -er.ies (15c): the office, jurisdiction,
          or official residence of a clerical dean

   dean's list
          [dean's list] n (ca. 1926): a list of students receiving
          special recognition from the dean of a college because
          of superior scholarship

   [1]dear
          [dear] adj [ME dere, fr. OE deor] (bef. 12c): severe, sore
          <in our ~ peril --Shak.> [2]dear adj [ME dere, fr. OE
          deore; akin to OHG tiuri distinguished, costly] (bef.
          12c) 1 obs: noble 2: highly valued: precious <a ~ friend>--often
          used in a salutation <~ Sir> 3: affectionate, fond 4:
          high or exorbitant in price: expensive <eggs are very
          ~ just now> 5: heartfelt -- dear adv -- dear.ly adv --
          dear.ness n [3]dear n (13c) 1: a loved one: sweetheart
          2: a lovable person [4]dear interj (1694)--used esp.
          to express annoyance or dismay

   Dear John
          [Dear John] n (1945): a letter (as to a soldier) in which
          a wife asks for a divorce or a girlfriend breaks off
          an engagement or a friendship

   dearth
          [dearth] n [ME derthe, fr. (assumed) OE dierth, fr. deore
          dear] (13c) 1: scarcity that makes dear; specif: famine
          2: an inadequate supply: lack

   deasil
          [dea.sil] adv [ScGael deiseil; akin to L dexter right hand]
          (1771): clockwise--compare widdershins

   death
          [death] n [ME deeth, fr. OE death; akin to ON dauthi death,
          deyja to die--more at die] (bef. 12c) 1: a permanent
          cessation of all vital functions: the end of life--compare
          brain death 2: the cause or occasion of loss of life
          <drinking was the ~ of him> 3 cap: the destroyer of life
          represented usu. as a skeleton with a scythe 4: the state
          of being dead 5 a: the passing or destruction of something
          inanimate <the ~ of vaudeville> b: extinction 6: civil
          death 7: slaughter 8 Christian Science: the lie of life
          in matter: that which is unreal and untrue: illusion
          -- at death's door : close to death: critically ill --
          to death : beyond endurance: excessively <bored to death>

   deathbed
          [death.bed] n (bef. 12c) 1: the bed in which a person dies
          2: the last hours of life -- on one's deathbed : near
          the point of death

   death benefit
          [death benefit] n (1921): money payable to the beneficiary
          of a deceased

   deathblow
          [death.blow] n (1795): a destructive or killing stroke or
          event

   death camas
          [death camas] n (ca. 1889): any of several plants (genus
          Zigadenus) of the lily family that cause poisoning of
          livestock in the western U.S.

   death camp
          [death camp] n (1944): a concentration camp in which large
          numbers of prisoners are systematically killed

   death cap
          [death cap] n (1925): a very poisonous mushroom (Amanita
          phalloides) of deciduous woods of No. America and Europe
          that varies in color from pure white to olive or yellow
          and has a prominent volva at the base--called also death
          cup

   death duty
          [death duty] n (1881) chiefly Brit: death tax

   death instinct
          [death instinct] n (1922): an innate and unconscious tendency
          toward self-destruction postulated in psychoanalytic
          theory to explain aggressive and destructive behavior
          not satisfactorily explained by the pleasure principle--called
          also Thanatos--compare eros 2

   deathless
          [death.less] adj (1589): immortal, imperishable <~ fame>
          -- death.less.ly adv -- death.less.ness n

   deathly
          [death.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1: fatal 2: of, relating to, or
          suggestive of death <a ~ pallor> -- deathly adv

   death mask
          [death mask] n (1877): a cast taken from the face of a dead
          person

   death rattle
          [death rattle] n (1822): a rattling or gurgling sound produced
          by air passing through mucus in the lungs and air passages
          of a dying person

   death ray
          [death ray] n (1919): a weapon that generates an intense
          beam of particles or radiation by which it destroys its
          target

   death row
          [death row] n (1950): a prison area housing inmates sentenced
          to death

   death's-head
          [death's-head] n (1596): a human skull or a depiction of
          a human skull symbolizing death

   death's-head hawkmoth
          [death's-head hawkmoth] n (1879): a large dark hawkmoth (Acherontia
          atropos) with markings resembling a human skull on the back of the
          thorax--called also death's-head moth

   deathsman
          [deaths.man] n (1589) archaic: executioner

   death squad
          [death squad] n (1969): any of various right-wing vigilante
          groups in Latin America whose members kill suspected
          political adversaries and criminals

   death tax
          [death tax] n (1937): a tax arising on the transmission of
          property after the owner's death; esp: estate tax

   death trap
          [death trap] n (1835): a structure or situation that is potentially
          very dangerous to life

   death warrant
          [death warrant] n (1692) 1: a warrant for the execution of
          a death sentence 2: deathblow

   [1]deathwatch
          [death.watch] n [death + watch (timepiece); fr. the superstition
          that its ticking presages death] (1646): a small insect
          that makes a ticking sound; esp: deathwatch beetle [2]deathwatch
          n [death + watch (vigil)] (ca. 1890) 1: a vigil kept
          over the dead or dying 2: the guard set over a criminal
          to be executed

   deathwatch beetle
          [deathwatch beetle] n (1877): any of various small beetles
          (family Anobiidae) that are common in old houses where
          they bore in woodwork and furniture and make a tapping
          noise as a mating call

   death wish
          [death wish] n (1913): the conscious or unconscious desire
          for the death of oneself or of another

   deb
          [deb] n (1920): debutante

   deb
          [deb] abbreviation debenture

   debacle
          [de.ba.cle] n [F debacle, fr. debacler to clear, fr. MF desbacler,
          fr. desde- + bacler to block, perh. fr. (assumed) VL bacculare, fr.
          L baculum staff] (1802) 1: a tumultuous breakup of ice in a river
          2: a violent disruption (as of an army): rout 3 a: a great disaster
          b: a complete failure: fiasco

   debar
          [de.bar] vt [ME debarren, fr. MF desbarrer to unbar, fr.
          des- de- + barrer to bar] (15c): to bar from having or
          doing something: preclude -- de.bar.ment n

   [1]debark
          [de.bark] vb [F debarquer, fr. de- + barque bark (ship)]
          (1654): disembark -- de.bar.ka.tion n [2]de.bark vt (1742):
          to remove bark from

   debase
          [de.base] vt (1565) 1: to lower in status, esteem, quality,
          or character 2 a: to reduce the intrinsic value of (a
          coin) by increasing the base-metal content b: to reduce
          the exchange value of (a monetary unit) -- de.base.ment
          n -- de.bas.er n syn debase, vitiate, deprave, corrupt,
          debauch, pervert mean to cause deterioration or lowering
          in quality or character. debase implies a loss of position,
          worth, value, or dignity <commercialism has debased the
          holiday>. vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity,
          or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect
          <a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship>. deprave
          implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences
          <the claim that society is depraved by pornography>.
          corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity
          <the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language>.
          debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence
          <the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's
          crew>. pervert implies a twisting or distorting from
          what is natural or normal <perverted the original goals
          of the institute>.

   debatable
          [de.bat.able] adj (1536) 1: claimed by more than one country
          <~ border territory> 2 a: open to dispute: questionable
          b: open to debate 3: capable of being debated

   [1]debate
          [de.bate] n (13c): a contention by words or arguments: as
          a: the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative
          body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure
          b: a regulated discussion of a proposition between two
          matched sides [2]debate vb de.bat.ed ; de.bat.ing [ME,
          fr. MF debatre, fr. OF, fr. de- + batre to beat, fr.
          L battuere] vi (14c) 1 obs: fight, contend 2 a: to contend
          in words b: to discuss a question by considering opposed
          arguments 3: to participate in a debate ~ vt 1 a: to
          argue about b: to engage (an opponent) in debate 2: to
          turn over in one's mind syn see discuss -- de.bate.ment
          n -- de.bat.er n

   [1]debauch
          [de.bauch] vt [MF debaucher, fr. OF desbauchier to scatter,
          disperse, fr. des- de- + bauch beam, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG balko beam--more at balk] (1595) 1 a archaic:
          to make disloyal b: to seduce from chastity 2 a: to lead
          away from virtue or excellence b: to corrupt by intemperance
          or sensuality syn see debase -- de.bauch.er n [2]debauch
          n (1603) 1: an act or occasion of debauchery 2: orgy

   debauchee
          [de.bauch.ee] n [F debauche, fr. pp. of debaucher] (1661):
          one given to debauchery

   debauchery
          [de.bauch.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1642) 1 a: extreme indulgence
          in sensuality b pl: orgies 2 archaic: seduction from
          virtue or duty

   debeak
          [de.beak] vt (1937): to remove the tip of the upper mandible
          of (as a chicken) to prevent cannibalism and fighting

   debenture
          [de.ben.ture] n [ME debentur, fr. L, they are due, 3d pl.
          pres. pass. of debere to owe--more at debt] (15c) 1 Brit:
          a corporate security other than an equity security: bond
          2: a bond backed by the general credit of the issuer
          rather than a specific lien on particular assets

   debilitate
          [de.bil.i.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L debilitatus, pp.
          of debilitare to weaken, fr. debilis weak] (1533): to
          impair the strength of: enfeeble syn see weaken -- de.bil.i.ta.tion
          n

   debility
          [de.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties [MF debilite, fr. L debilitat-,
          debilitas, fr. debilis, fr. de- de- + -bilis; akin to
          Skt bala strength] (15c): weakness, infirmity

   [1]debit
          [deb.it] vt (1682): to enter upon the debit side of an account:
          charge with a debit [2]debit n [L debitum debt] (1776)
          1 a: a record of an indebtedness; specif: an entry on
          the left-hand side of an account constituting an addition
          to an expense or asset account or a deduction from a
          revenue, net worth, or liability account b: the sum of
          the items entered as debits 2: a charge against a bank
          deposit account 3: drawback, shortcoming

   debit card
          [debit card] n (1977): a card like a credit card by which
          money may be withdrawn or the cost of purchases paid
          directly from the holder's bank account without the payment
          of interest

   debonair
          [deb.o.nair] adj [ME debonere, fr. OF debonaire, fr. de bon
          aire of good family or nature] (13c) 1 archaic: gentle,
          courteous 2 a: suave, urbane b: lighthearted, nonchalant
          -- deb.o.nair.ly adv -- deb.o.nair.ness n

   debone
          [de.bone] vt (1944): bone <~ a roast> -- de.bon.er n

   Deborah
          [Deb.o.rah] n [Heb Debhorah]: a Hebrew prophetess who rallied
          the Israelites in their struggles against the Canaanites

   debouch
          [de.bouch] vb [F deboucher, fr. de- de- + bouche mouth, fr.
          L bucca cheek] vt (1745): to cause to emerge: discharge
          ~ vi 1: to march out into open ground 2: emerge, issue
          -- de.bouch.ment n

   debridement
          [de.bride.ment] n [F debridement, fr. debrider to remove
          adhesions, lit., to unbridle, fr. MF desbrider, fr. des-
          de- + bride bridle, fr. MHG bridel--more at bridle] (ca.
          1842): the surgical removal of lacerated, devitalized,
          or contaminated tissue -- de.bride vt

   debrief
          [de.brief] vt (1945): to interrogate (as a pilot) usu. upon
          return (as from a mission) in order to obtain useful
          information

   debris
          [de.bris] n, pl de.bris [F debris, fr. MF, fr. debriser to
          break to pieces, fr. OF debrisier, fr. de- + brisier
          to break--more at brisance] (1708) 1: the remains of
          something broken down or destroyed 2: an accumulation
          of fragments of rock 3: something discarded: rubbish

   debt
          [debt] n [ME dette, debte, fr. OF dette something owed, fr.
          (assumed) VL debita, fr. L, pl. of debitum debt, fr.
          neut. of debitus, pp. of debere to owe, fr. de- + habere
          to have--more at give] (13c) 1: sin, trespass 2: something
          owed: obligation 3: a state of owing 4: the common-law
          action for the recovery of money held to be due -- debt.less
          adj

   debtor
          [debt.or] n (13c) 1: one guilty of neglect or violation of
          duty 2: one who owes a debt

   debt service
          [debt service] n (1929): the amount of interest and sinking
          fund payments due annually on long-term debt

   debug
          [de.bug] vt (1944) 1: to remove insects from 2: to eliminate
          errors in or malfunctions of 3: to remove a concealed
          microphone or wiretapping device from -- de.bug.ger n

   debunk
          [de.bunk] vt (1923): to expose the sham or falseness of <~
          a legend> -- de.bunk.er n

   [1]debut
          [de.but] n [F debut, fr. debuter to begin, fr. MF desbuter
          to play first, fr. des- de- + but starting point, goal--more
          at butt] (1751) 1: a first appearance <made her singing
          ~> 2: a formal entrance into society [2]debut vi (1830):
          to make a debut ~ vt: to present to the public for the
          first time: introduce

   debutant
          [deb.u.tant] n [F debutant, fr. prp. of debuter] (1821):
          one making a debut

   debutante
          [deb.u.tante] n [F debutante, fem. of debutant] (1801): debutant;
          esp: a young woman making her formal entrance into society

   dec
          [dec] abbreviation deceased, declaration, declared, declination,
          decorated, decorative, decrease, decrescendo  Dec abbreviation
          December

   deca-
          [deca-] or dec- or deka- or dek- comb form [ME, fr. L, fr.
          Gk deka-, dek-, fr. deka--more at ten]: ten <decasyllabic>
          <dekameter>

   decade
          [de.cade] n [ME, fr. MF decade, fr. LL decad-, decas, fr.
          Gk dekad-, dekas, fr. deka] (15c) 1: a group or set of
          10: as a: a period of 10 years b: a division of the rosary
          that consists primarily of 10 Hail Marys 2: a ratio of
          10 to 1: order of magnitude -- de.cad.al adj

   decadence
          [dec.a.dence] n [MF, fr. ML decadentia, fr. LL decadent-,
          decadens, prp. of decadere to fall, sink--more at decay]
          (1549) 1: the process of becoming decadent: the quality
          or state of being decadent 2: a period of decline syn
          see deterioration

   decadency
          [dec.a.den.cy] n (1632): decadence 1

   [1]decadent
          [dec.a.dent] adj [back-formation fr. decadence] (1837) 1:
          marked by decay or decline 2: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of the decadents 3: characterized
          by or appealing to self-indulgence -- dec.a.dent.ly adv
          [2]decadent n (1886) 1: one of a group of late 19th century
          French and English writers tending toward artificial
          and unconventional subjects and subtilized style 2: one
          that is decadent

   decaf
          [de.caf] n [short for decaffeinated] (1984): decaffeinated
          coffee

   decaffeinated
          [de.caf.fein.at.ed] adj (1921): having the caffeine removed
          <~ coffee> <~ tea>

   decagon
          [deca.gon] n [NL decagonum, fr. Gk dekagonon, fr. deka- deca-
          + -gonon -gon] (1571): a plane polygon of 10 angles and
          10 sides

   decagram
          [deca.gram] n [F decagramme, fr. deca- deca- + gramme gram]
          (1810): dekagram

   decahedron
          [deca.he.dron] n [ISV] (ca. 1828): a polyhedron of 10 faces

   decal
          [de.cal] n [short for decalcomania] (1937): a picture, design,
          or label made to be transferred (as to glass) from specially
          prepared paper

   decalcification
          [de.cal.ci.fi.ca.tion] n (1859): the removal or loss of calcium
          or calcium compounds (as from bones or soil) -- de.cal.ci.fy
          vt

   decalcomania
          [de.cal.co.ma.nia] n [F decalcomanie, fr. decalquer to copy
          by tracing (fr. de- de- + calquer to trace, fr. It calcare,
          lit., to tread, fr. L) + manie mania, fr. LL mania--more
          at caulk] (1864) 1: the art or process of transferring
          pictures and designs from specially prepared paper (as
          to glass) 2: decal

   decaliter
          [deca.li.ter] n [F decalitre, fr. deca- + litre liter] (1810):
          dekaliter

   decalogue
          [deca.logue] n [ME decaloge, fr. LL decalogus, fr. Gk dekalogos,
          fr. deka- + logos word--more at legend] (14c) 1 cap:
          ten commandments 2: a basic set of rules carrying binding
          authority

   [1]decameter
          [deca.me.ter] n [F decametre, fr. deca- + metre meter] (1810):
          dekameter [2]de.cam.e.ter n [Gk dekametron, fr. deka-
          + metron measure, meter] (1821): a line of verse consisting
          of 10 metrical feet

   decamethonium
          [deca.me.tho.ni.um] n [deca- + methylene + -onium] (ca. 1949):
          a synthetic ion used in the form of either its bromide
          or iodide salts as a skeletal muscle relaxant; also:
          either of these salts

   decametric
          [deca.met.ric] adj [decameter + -ic; fr. the wavelength range
          being between 1 and 10 dekameters] (1950): of, relating
          to, or being a radio wave of high frequency

   decamp
          [de.camp] vi [F decamper, fr. MF descamper, fr. des- de-
          + camper to camp] (1676) 1: to break up a camp 2: to
          depart suddenly: abscond -- de.camp.ment n

   decane
          [dec.ane] n [ISV deca-] (ca. 1875): any of several isomeric
          liquid alkanes

   decant
          [de.cant] vt [NL decantare, fr. L de- + ML cantus edge, fr.
          L, iron ring round a wheel--more at cant] (1633) 1: to
          draw off (a liquid) without disturbing the sediment or
          the lower liquid layers 2: to pour from one vessel into
          another 3: to pour out, transfer, or unload as if by
          pouring -- de.can.ta.tion n

   decanter
          [de.cant.er] n (1712): a vessel used to decant or to receive
          decanted liquids; esp: an ornamental glass bottle used
          for serving wine

   decapitate
          [de.cap.i.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [LL decapitatus, pp.
          of decapitare, fr. L de- + capit-, caput head--more at
          head] (ca. 1611) 1: to cut off the head of: behead 2:
          to make ineffective: destroy -- de.cap.i.ta.tion n --
          de.cap.i.ta.tor n

   decapod
          [deca.pod] n [NL Decapoda, order name] (1836) 1: any of an
          order (Decapoda) of crustaceans (as shrimps, lobsters,
          and crabs) with five pairs of thoracic appendages one
          or more of which are modified into pincers, with stalked
          eyes, and with the head and thorax fused into a cephalothorax
          and covered by a carapace 2: any of the cephalopod mollusks
          (orders Sepioidea and Teuthoidea) with 10 arms including
          cuttlefishes, squids, and related forms -- decapod adj
          -- de.cap.o.dan adj or n -- de.cap.o.dous adj

   decarbonate
          [de.car.bon.ate] vt (1831): to remove carbon dioxide or carbonic
          acid from -- de.car.bon.ation n

   decarbonize
          [de.car.bon.ize] vt [ISV] (1825): to remove carbon from --
          de.car.bon.iz.er n

   decarboxylase
          [de.car.box.yl.ase] n (1940): any of a group of enzymes that
          accelerate decarboxylation esp. of amino acids

   decarboxylation
          [de.car.box.yl.ation] n (1922): the removal or elimination
          of carboxyl from a molecule -- de.car.box.yl.ate vt

   decarburize
          [de.car.bu.rize] vt (1856): decarbonize -- de.car.bu.ri.za.tion
          n

   decare
          [dec.are] n [F decare, fr. deca- deca- + are] (1810): a metric
          unit of area equal to 10 ares or 0.2471 acre

   decasualization
          [de.ca.su.al.iza.tion] n (1892): the process of eliminating
          the employment of casual workers in order to stabilize
          the work force

   decasyllabic
          [deca.syl.lab.ic] adj [prob. fr. F decasyllabique, fr. Gk
          dekasyllabos, fr. deka- deca- + syllabe syllable] (1771):
          consisting of 10 syllables or composed of verses of 10
          syllables -- decasyllabic n -- deca.syl.la.ble n

   decathlete
          [de.cath.lete] n [blend of decathlon and athlete] (1968):
          an athlete who competes in the decathlon

   decathlon
          [de.cath.lon] n [F decathlon, fr. deca- deca- + -athlon (as
          in pentathlon)] (1912): a 10-event athletic contest;
          specif: a composite contest that consists of the 100-meter,
          400-meter, and 1500-meter runs, the 110-meter high hurdles,
          the javelin and discus throws, shot put, pole vault,
          high jump, and long jump

   [1]decay
          [de.cay] vb [ME, fr. ONF decair, fr. LL decadere to fall,
          sink, fr. L de- + cadere to fall--more at chance] vi
          (15c) 1: to decline from a sound or prosperous condition
          2: to decrease gradually in quantity, activity, or force
          3: to fall into ruin 4: to decline in health, strength,
          or vigor 5: to undergo decomposition ~ vt 1 obs: to cause
          to decay: impair <infirmity that ~s the wise --Shak.>
          2: to destroy by decomposition -- de.cay.er n syn decay,
          decompose, rot, putrefy, spoil mean to undergo destructive
          dissolution. decay implies a slow change from a state
          of soundness or perfection <a decaying mansion>. decompose
          stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when
          applied to organic matter a corruption <the strong odor
          of decomposing vegetation>. rot is a close synonym of
          decompose and often connotes foulness <fruit was left
          to rot in warehouses>. putrefy implies the rotting of
          animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell <corpses
          putrefying on the battlefield>. spoil applies chiefly
          to the decomposition of foods <keep the ham from spoiling>.
          [2]decay n (15c) 1: gradual decline in strength, soundness,
          or prosperity or in degree of excellence or perfection
          2: a wasting or wearing away: ruin 3 obs: destruction,
          death 4 a: rot; specif: aerobic decomposition of proteins
          chiefly by bacteria b: the product of decay 5: a decline
          in health or vigor 6: decrease in quantity, activity,
          or force: as a: spontaneous decrease in the number of
          radioactive atoms in radioactive material b: spontaneous
          disintegration (as of an atom or a particle)

   Decca
          [Dec.ca] n [Decca Co., British firm which developed it] (1946):
          a system of long-range navigation used chiefly in Europe
          that utilizes the phase differences of continuous-wave
          signals from synchronized ground transmitters to establish
          position

   decd
          [decd] abbreviation deceased

   decease
          [de.cease] n [ME deces, fr. MF, fr. L decessus departure,
          death, fr. decedere to depart, die, fr. de- + cedere
          to go] (14c): departure from life: death -- decease vi

   [1]deceased
          [de.ceased] adj (15c): no longer living; esp: recently dead--used
          of persons syn see dead [2]deceased n, pl deceased (1625):
          a dead person <the will of the ~>

   decedent
          [de.ce.dent] n [L decedent-, decedens, prp. of decedere]
          (1599): a deceased person--used chiefly in law

   deceit
          [de.ceit] n [ME deceite, fr. MF, fr. L decepta, fem. of deceptus,
          pp. of decipere] (14c) 1: the act or practice of deceiving:
          deception 2: an attempt or device to deceive: trick 3:
          the quality of being deceitful: deceitfulness

   deceitful
          [de.ceit.ful] adj (15c): having a tendency or disposition
          to deceive: a: not honest <a ~ child> b: deceptive, misleading
          syn see dishonest -- de.ceit.ful.ly adv -- de.ceit.ful.ness
          n

   deceivable
          [de.ceiv.able] adj (14c) 1 archaic: deceitful, deceptive
          2 archaic: capable of being deceived

   deceive
          [de.ceive] vb de.ceived ; de.ceiv.ing [ME, fr. MF deceivre,
          fr. L decipere, fr. de- + capere to take--more at heave]
          vt (13c) 1 archaic: ensnare 2 a obs: to be false to b
          archaic: to fail to fulfill 3 obs: cheat 4: to cause
          to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid 5
          archaic: to while away ~ vi: to practice deceit; also:
          to give a false impression <appearances can ~> -- de.ceiv.er
          n -- de.ceiv.ing.ly adv syn deceive, mislead, delude,
          beguile mean to lead astray or frustrate usu. by underhandedness.
          deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that
          causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness <tried
          to deceive me about the cost>. mislead implies a leading
          astray that may or may not be intentional <I was misled
          by the confusing sign>. delude implies deceiving so thoroughly
          as to obscure the truth <we were deluded into thinking
          we were safe>. beguile stresses the use of charm and
          persuasion in deceiving <was beguiled by false promises>.

   decelerate
          [de.cel.er.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [de- + accelerate] vt
          (1899) 1: to reduce the speed of: slow down 2: to decrease
          the rate of progress of ~ vi: to move at decreasing speed
          -- de.cel.er.a.tion n -- de.cel.er.a.tor n

   December
          [De.cem.ber] n [ME Decembre, fr. OE or OF, both fr. L December
          (tenth month), fr. decem ten--more at ten] (bef. 12c):
          the 12th month of the Gregorian calendar

   Decembrist
          [De.cem.brist] n (1877): one taking part in the unsuccessful
          uprising against the Russian emperor Nicholas I in December
          1825

   decemvir
          [de.cem.vir] n [ME, fr. L, back-formation fr. decemviri,
          pl., fr. decem + viri, pl. of vir man--more at virile]
          (1579): one of a ruling body of 10; specif: one of a
          body of 10 magistrates in ancient Rome -- de.cem.vi.ral
          adj -- de.cem.vi.rate n

   decency
          [de.cen.cy] n, pl -cies (1567) 1 archaic a: fitness b: orderliness
          2 a: the quality or state of being decent: propriety b: conformity
          to standards of taste, propriety, or quality 3: standard
          of propriety--usu. used in pl. 4 pl: conditions or services
          considered essential for a proper standard of living 5: literary
          decorum

   decennial
          [de.cen.ni.al] adj (ca. 1656) 1: consisting of or lasting
          for 10 years 2: occurring or being done every 10 years
          <the ~ census> -- decennial n -- de.cen.ni.al.ly adv

   decennium
          [de.cen.ni.um] n, pl -ni.ums or -nia [L, fr. decem + annus
          year--more at annual] (1685): a period of 10 years: decade

   decent
          [de.cent] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L decent-, decens, prp. of
          decere to be fitting; akin to L decus honor, dignus worthy,
          Gk dokein to seem, seem good] (1539) 1 archaic a: appropriate
          b: well-formed: handsome 2 a: conforming to standards
          of propriety, good taste, or morality b: modestly clothed
          3: free from immodesty or obscenity 4: fairly good but
          not excellent: adequate, satisfactory <~ wages> 5: marked
          by moral integrity, kindness, and goodwill <hard-working
          and ~ folks> syn see chaste -- de.cent.ly adv

   decentralization
          [de.cen.tral.iza.tion] n (1846) 1: the dispersion or distribution
          of functions and powers; specif: the delegation of power
          from a central authority to regional and local authorities
          2: the redistribution of population and industry from
          urban centers to outlying areas -- de.cen.tral.ize vb

   deception
          [de.cep.tion] n [ME decepcioun, fr. MF deception, fr. LL
          deception-, deceptio, fr. L decipere to deceive] (15c)
          1 a: the act of deceiving b: the fact or condition of
          being deceived 2: something that deceives: trick -- de.cep.tion.al
          adj syn deception, fraud, double-dealing, subterfuge, trickery mean
          the acts or practices of one who deliberately deceives. deception
          may or may not imply blameworthiness, since it may suggest cheating
          or merely tactical resource <magicians are masters of deception>.
          fraud always implies guilt and often criminality in act or practice
          <indicted for fraud>. double-dealing suggests treachery or at least
          action contrary to a professed attitude <a go-between suspected
          of double-dealing>. subterfuge suggests the adoption of a stratagem
          or the telling of a lie in order to escape guilt or to gain an end
          <obtained the papers by subterfuge>. trickery implies ingenious
          acts intended to dupe or cheat <resorted to trickery to gain their
          ends>.

   deceptive
          [de.cep.tive] adj (ca. 1611): tending or having power to
          deceive: misleading -- de.cep.tive.ly adv -- de.cep.tive.ness
          n

   [1]decerebrate
          [de.cer.e.brate] adj (1897) 1: characteristic of decerebration
          <~ rigidity> 2: having the cerebrum removed or made inactive
          [2]de.cer.e.brate vt (ca. 1900): to remove the cerebrum
          from; also: to make incapable of cerebral activity --
          de.cer.e.bra.tion n

   decertify
          [de.cer.ti.fy] vt (1918): to withdraw or revoke the certification
          of -- de.cer.ti.fi.ca.tion n

   dechlorinate
          [de.chlo.ri.nate] vt (1941): to remove chlorine from <~ water>
          -- de.chlo.ri.na.tion n

   deci-
          [deci-] comb form [F deci-, fr. L decimus tenth, fr. decem
          ten--more at ten]: tenth part <decimeter>

   decibel
          [deci.bel] n [ISV deci- + bel] (1928) 1 a: a unit for expressing
          the ratio of two amounts of electric or acoustic signal
          power equal to 10 times the common logarithm of this
          ratio b: a unit for expressing the ratio of the magnitudes
          of two electric voltages or currents or analogous acoustic
          quantities equal to 20 times the common logarithm of
          the voltage or current ratio 2: a unit for expressing
          the relative intensity of sounds on a scale from zero
          for the average least perceptible sound to about 130
          for the average pain level 3: degree of loudness; also:
          extremely loud sound--usu. used in pl.

   decide
          [de.cide] vb de.cid.ed ; de.cid.ing [ME, fr. MF decider,
          fr. L decidere, lit., to cut off, fr. de- + caedere to
          cut] vt (14c) 1 a: to arrive at a solution that ends
          uncertainty or dispute about <~ what to do> b: to select
          as a course of action--used with an infinitive <decided
          to go> 2: to bring to a definitive end <one blow decided
          the fight> 3: to induce to come to a choice <her pleas
          decided him to help> ~ vi: to make a choice or judgment
          -- de.cid.abil.i.ty n -- de.cid.able adj -- de.cid.er
          n syn decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to
          come or cause to come to a conclusion. decide implies
          previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering,
          debate, or controversy <she decided to sell her house>.
          determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope,
          or direction of something <determined the cause of the
          problem>. settle implies a decision reached by someone
          with power to end all dispute or uncertainty <the dean's
          decision settled the campus alcohol policy>. rule implies
          a determination by judicial or administrative authority
          <the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible>.
          resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination
          to do or refrain from doing something <he resolved to
          quit smoking>.

   decided
          [de.cid.ed] adj (1790) 1: unquestionable <a ~ advantage>
          2: free from doubt or wavering -- de.cid.ed.ly adv --
          de.cid.ed.ness n

   deciding
          [de.cid.ing] adj (1658): that decides: decisive <drove in
          the ~ run>

   decidua
          [de.cid.ua] n, pl -u.ae [NL, fr. L, fem. of deciduus] (1785)
          1: the part of the mucous membrane lining the uterus
          that in higher placental mammals undergoes special modifications
          in preparation for and during pregnancy and is cast off
          at parturition 2: the part of the mucous membrane of
          the uterus cast off in the process of menstruation --
          de.cid.u.al adj

   deciduate
          [de.cid.u.ate] adj (1868): having the fetal and maternal
          tissues firmly interlocked so that a layer of maternal
          tissue is torn away at parturition and forms part of
          the afterbirth

   deciduous
          [de.cid.u.ous] adj [L deciduus, fr. decidere to fall off,
          fr. de- + cadere to fall--more at chance] (1688) 1: falling
          off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development
          in the life cycle <~ leaves> <~ teeth> 2 a: having deciduous
          parts <~ trees> b: having the dominant plants deciduous
          <a ~ forest> 3: ephemeral -- de.cid.u.ous.ness n

   decigram
          [deci.gram] n [F decigramme, fr. deci- + gramme gram] (1810):
          a metric unit of mass and weight equal to 1/10 gram

   decile
          [dec.ile] n [L decem ten--more at ten] (1882): any one of
          nine numbers that divide a frequency distribution into
          10 classes such that each contains the same number of
          individuals; also: any one of these 10 classes -- decile
          adj

   deciliter
          [deci.li.ter] n [F decilitre, fr. deci- + litre liter] (1801):
          a metric unit of capacity equal to 1/10 liter

   decillion
          [de.cil.lion] n, often attrib [L decem + E -illion (as in
          million)] (1847): the figure 1 followed by 33 zeroes:
          the figure 1,000 followed by 10 groups of three zeroes;
          also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by 60 zeroes: one million
          to the 10th power

   [1]decimal
          [dec.i.mal] adj [F decimal, fr. ML decimalis of a tithe,
          fr. L decima tithe--more at dime] (1608): numbered or
          proceeding by tens: a: based on the number 10; esp: expressed
          in or utilizing a decimal system esp. with a decimal
          point b: subdivided into 10th or 100th units <~ coinage>
          -- dec.i.mal.ly adv [2]decimal n (1651): any real number
          expressed in base 10; esp: decimal fraction

   decimal fraction
          [decimal fraction] n (1660): a fraction (as .25 equals 25/100
          or .025 equals 25/1000) or mixed number (as 3.025 equals
          3 25/1000) in which the denominator is a power of 10
          usu. expressed by use of the decimal point

   decimalization
          [dec.i.mal.i.za.tion] n (1855): conversion (as of a currency)
          to a decimal system -- dec.i.mal.ize vt

   decimal point
          [decimal point] n (ca. 1864): a period, centered dot, or
          in some countries a comma at the left of a proper decimal
          fraction (as .678) or between the parts of a mixed number
          (as 3.678) expressed by a whole number and a decimal
          fraction

   decimal system
          [decimal system] n (1864) 1: a number system that uses a
          notation in which each number is expressed in base 10
          by using one of the first nine integers or 0 in each
          place and letting each place value be a power of 10 2:
          a system of measurement or currency in which the basic
          units increase by powers of 10

   decimate
          [dec.i.mate] vt -mat.ed ; -mat.ing [L decimatus, pp. of decimare,
          fr. decimus tenth, fr. decem ten] (1660) 1: to select
          by lot and kill every tenth man of 2: to exact a tax
          of 10 percent from <poor as a decimated Cavalier --John
          Dryden> 3 a: to reduce drastically esp. in number <cholera
          decimated the population> b: to destroy a large part
          of <firebombs decimated large sections of the city> --
          dec.i.ma.tion n

   decimeter
          [deci.me.ter] n [F decimetre, fr. deci- deci- + metre meter]
          (1809): a metric unit of length equal to 1/10 meter

   decipher
          [de.ci.pher] vt (1545) 1: decode 1a 2 obs: depict 3 a: to
          make out the meaning of despite indistinctness or obscurity
          b: to interpret the meaning of -- de.ci.pher.able adj
          -- de.ci.pher.er n -- de.ci.pher.ment n

   [1]decision
          [de.ci.sion] n [MF, fr. L decision-, decisio, fr. decidere
          to decide] (15c) 1 a: the act or process of deciding
          b: a determination arrived at after consideration: conclusion
          2: a report of a conclusion 3: promptness and firmness
          in deciding: determination 4 a: win; specif: a victory
          in boxing decided on points b: a win or loss officially
          credited to a pitcher in baseball -- de.ci.sion.al adj
          [2]decision vt (1943): to win a decision over (a boxing
          opponent)

   decision theory
          [decision theory] n (1961): a branch of statistical theory
          concerned with quantifying the process of making choices
          between alternatives

   decision tree
          [decision tree] n (1964): a tree diagram which is used for
          making decisions in business or computer programming
          and in which the branches represent choices with associated
          risks, costs, results, or probabilities

   decisive
          [de.ci.sive] adj (1611) 1: having the power or quality of
          deciding 2: resolute, determined 3: unmistakable, unquestionable
          <a ~ superiority> syn see conclusive -- de.ci.sive.ly
          adv -- de.ci.sive.ness n

   [1]deck
          [deck] n [ME dekke covering of a ship, fr. (assumed) MD dec
          covering, prob. fr. MLG vordeck, fr. vordecken to cover,
          fr. vor- for- + decken to cover; akin to OHG decchen
          to cover--more at thatch] (1509) 1: a platform in a ship
          serving usu. as a structural element and forming the
          floor for its compartments 2: something resembling the
          deck of a ship: as a: a story or tier of a building b:
          the roadway of a bridge c: a flat floored roofless area
          adjoining a house d: the lid of the compartment at the
          rear of the body of an automobile; also: the compartment
          e: a layer of clouds 3 a: a pack of playing cards b:
          a packet of narcotics 4: tape deck -- on deck 1: ready
          for duty 2: next in line: next in turn [2]deck vt [D
          dekken to cover; akin to OHG decchen] (1513) 1 obs: cover
          2 a: to clothe elegantly: array <~ed out in furs> b:
          decorate <~ the halls with boughs of holly --English
          carol> c: to portray or present with embellishments 3
          [[1]deck]: to furnish with or as if with a deck 4 [[1]deck]:
          to knock down forcibly: floor <~ed him with one punch>
          syn see adorn

   deck chair
          [deck chair] n (1884): a folding chair often having an adjustable
          leg rest

   decker
          [deck.er] n (1790): something having a specified number of
          decks, levels, floors, or layers--used in combination
          <many of the city's buses are double-deckers>

   deckhand
          [deck.hand] n (1844): a seaman who performs manual duties

   deckhouse
          [deck.house] n (1856): a superstructure on a ship's upper
          deck

   decking
          [deck.ing] n (1580): deck; also: material for a deck

   deckle
          [deck.le] n [G Deckel, lit., cover, fr. decken to cover,
          fr. OHG decchen] (1816): a frame around the edges of
          a mold used in making paper by hand; also: either of
          the bands around the edge of the wire of a papermaking
          machine that determine the width of the web

   deckle edge
          [deckle edge] n (ca. 1874): the rough untrimmed edge of paper
          left by a deckle or produced artificially -- deck.le-edged
          adj

   deck tennis
          [deck tennis] n [fr. its being played on the decks of ocean
          liners] (1927): a game in which players toss a ring or
          quoit back and forth over a net stretched across a small
          court

   declaim
          [de.claim] vb [ME declamen, fr. L declamare, fr. de- + clamare
          to cry out; akin to L calare to call--more at low] vi
          (14c) 1: to speak rhetorically; specif: to recite something
          as an exercise in elocution 2: to speak pompously or
          bombastically: harangue ~ vt: to deliver rhetorically;
          specif: to recite in elocution -- de.claim.er n -- dec.la.ma.tion
          n

   declamatory
          [de.clam.a.to.ry] adj (1581): of, relating to, or marked
          by declamation or rhetorical display

   declarant
          [de.clar.ant] n (1681): a person who makes a statement or
          declaration esp. in connection with a legal proceeding

   declaration
          [dec.la.ra.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of declaring: announcement
          2 a: the first pleading in a common-law action b: a statement
          made by a party to a legal transaction usu. not under
          oath 3 a: something that is declared b: the document
          containing such a declaration

   declarative
          [de.clar.a.tive] adj (1628): making a declaration: declaratory
          <a ~ sentence> -- de.clar.a.tive.ly adv

   declaratory
          [de.clar.a.to.ry] adj (15c) 1: serving to declare, set forth,
          or explain 2 a: declaring what is the existing law <~
          statute> b: declaring a legal right or interpretation
          <a ~ judgment>

   declare
          [de.clare] vb de.clared ; de.clar.ing [ME, fr. MF & L; MF
          declarer, fr. L declarare, fr. de- + clarare to make
          visible, fr. clarus clear--more at clear] vt (14c) 1:
          to make known formally, officially, or explicitly 2 obs:
          to make clear 3: to make evident: show 4: to state emphatically:
          affirm <~s his innocence> 5: to make a full statement
          of (one's taxable or dutiable property) 6 a: to announce
          (as a trump suit) in a card game b: meld 7: to make payable
          <~ a dividend> ~ vi 1: to make a declaration 2: to avow
          one's opinion or support -- de.clar.able adj syn declare,
          announce, proclaim, promulgate mean to make known publicly.
          declare implies explicitness and usu. formality in making
          known <the referee declared the contest a draw>. announce
          implies the declaration of something for the first time
          <announced their engagement at a party>. proclaim implies
          declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively <the
          president proclaimed a national day of mourning>. promulgate
          implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law
          <promulgated an edict of religious toleration>. syn see
          in addition assert

   declarer
          [de.clar.er] n (14c): one that declares; specif: the bridge
          player who names the trump and plays both his own hand
          and that of the dummy

   declass
          [de.class] vt (1888): to remove from a class; esp: to assign
          to a lower social status

   declasse
          [de.clas.se] adj [F, fr. pp. of declasser to declass] (1887)
          1: fallen or lowered in class, rank, or social position
          2: of inferior status

   declassify
          [de.clas.si.fy] vt (1945): to remove or reduce the security
          classification of <~ a secret document> -- de.clas.si.fi.ca.tion
          n

   declension
          [de.clen.sion] n [ME declenson, modif. of MF declinaison,
          fr. L declination-, declinatio grammatical inflection,
          turning aside, fr. declinare to inflect, turn aside]
          (15c) 1 a: noun, adjective, or pronoun inflection esp.
          in some prescribed order of the forms b: a class of nouns
          or adjectives having the same type of inflectional forms
          2: a falling off or away: deterioration 3: descent, slope
          -- de.clen.sion.al adj

   declination
          [dec.li.na.tion] n [ME declinacioun, fr. MF declination,
          fr. L declination-, declinatio angle of the heavens,
          turning aside] (14c) 1: angular distance north or south
          from the celestial equator measured along a great circle
          passing through the celestial poles 2: a turning aside
          or swerving 3: deterioration <moral ~> 4: a bending downward:
          inclination 5: a formal refusal 6: the angle formed between
          a magnetic needle and the geographical meridian --
          dec.li.na.tion.al adj

   [1]decline
          [de.cline] vb de.clined ; de.clin.ing [ME, fr. MF decliner,
          fr. L declinare to turn aside, inflect, fr. de- + clinare
          to incline--more at lean] vi (14c) 1 archaic: to turn
          from a straight course: stray 2 a: to slope downward:
          descend b: to bend down: droop c: to stoop to what is
          unworthy 3 a of a celestial body: to sink toward setting
          b: to draw toward a close: wane <the day declined> 4:
          to tend toward an inferior state or weaker condition
          <his health declined> 5: to withhold consent 6: to become
          less in amount <prices declined> ~ vt 1: to give in prescribed
          order the grammatical forms of (a noun, pronoun, or adjective)
          2 obs a: avert b: avoid 3: to cause to bend or bow downward
          4 a: to refuse to undertake, undergo, engage in, or comply
          with b: to refuse esp. courteously <~ an invitation>
          -- de.clin.able adj -- de.clin.er n syn decline, refuse,
          reject, repudiate, spurn mean to turn away by not accepting,
          receiving, or considering. decline often implies courteous
          refusal esp. of offers or invitations <declined his party's
          nomination>. refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness
          and often implies the denial of something asked for <refused
          to lend them the money>. reject implies a peremptory
          refusal by sending away or discarding <rejected the manuscript
          as unpublishable>. repudiate implies a casting off or
          disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance
          <teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents>.
          spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation
          <spurned his overtures of friendship>. [2]decline n (14c)
          1: the process of declining: a: a gradual physical or
          mental sinking and wasting away b: a change to a lower
          state or level 2: the period during which something is
          deteriorating or approaching its end 3: a downward slope:
          declivity 4: a wasting disease; esp: pulmonary tuberculosis
          syn see deterioration

   declining
          [de.clin.ing] adj (1593): of or relating to the period during
          which something is deteriorating or nearing its end <her
          ~ years>

   declivitous
          [de.cliv.i.tous] adj (1799): moderately steep

   declivity
          [de.cliv.i.ty] n, pl -ties [L declivitat-, declivitas, fr.
          declivis sloping down, fr. de- + clivus slope, hill;
          akin to L clinare] (1612) 1: downward inclination 2:
          a descending slope

   deco
          [de.co] n, often cap (1969): art deco

   decoct
          [de.coct] vt [L decoctus, pp. of decoquere, fr. de- + coquere
          to cook--more at cook] (15c) 1: to extract the flavor
          of by boiling 2: boil down, concentrate

   decoction
          [de.coc.tion] n (15c) 1: an extract obtained by decocting
          2: the act or process of decocting

   decode
          [de.code] vt (1896) 1 a: to convert (as a coded message)
          into intelligible form b: to recognize and interpret
          (an electronic signal) 2 a: decipher 3a b: to discover
          the underlying meaning of <~ the play's imagery>

   decoder
          [de.cod.er] n (1920): one that decodes; esp: an electronic
          device for unscrambling a television transmission

   decollate
          [de.col.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L decollatus, pp. of
          decollare, fr. de- + collum neck--more at collar] (1599):
          behead -- de.col.la.tion n

   decolletage
          [de.col.le.tage] n [F, action of cutting or wearing a low
          neckline, fr. decolleter] (1894) 1: the low-cut neckline
          of a dress 2: a decollete dress 3: [1]bust 2

   [1]decollete
          [de.col.le.te] adj [F, fr. pp. of decolleter to give a low
          neckline to, fr. de- de- + collet collar, fr. OF colet,
          fr. col collar, neck, fr. L collum neck] (1831) 1: wearing
          a strapless or low-necked dress 2: having a low-cut neckline
          [2]de.col.le.te n (1900): decolletage

   decolonize
          [de.col.o.nize] vt (1963): to free from colonial status --
          de.col.o.ni.za.tion n

   decolorize
          [de.col.or.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1839): to remove color
          from <~ vinegar by adsorption of impurities on activated
          charcoal> -- de.col.or.iza.tion n -- de.col.or.iz.er
          n

   decommission
          [de.com.mis.sion] vt (1922): to remove (as a ship or nuclear
          power plant) from service

   decompensation
          [de.com.pen.sa.tion] n [ISV] (ca. 1903): loss of physiological
          compensation or psychological balance; esp: inability
          of the heart to maintain adequate circulation -- de.com.pen.sate
          vb

   decompose
          [de.com.pose] vb [F decomposer, fr. de- de + composer to
          compose] vt (ca. 1751) 1: to separate into constituent
          parts or elements or into simpler compounds <~ water
          by electrolysis> <~ a word into its base and affixes>
          2: rot ~ vi: to break up into constituent parts by or
          as if by a chemical process: decay, rot <fruit ~s> syn
          see decay -- de.com.pos.abil.i.ty n -- de.com.pos.able
          adj -- de.com.po.si.tion n

   decomposer
          [de.com.pos.er] n (1959): any of various organisms (as many
          bacteria and fungi) that return constituents of organic
          substances to ecological cycles by feeding on and breaking
          down dead protoplasm

   decompound
          [de.com.pound] adj (ca. 1793) of a leaf: having divisions
          that are themselves compound

   decompress
          [de.com.press] vt (1905): to release from pressure or compression
          ~ vi: to undergo release from pressure; esp: relax <need
          a week off to ~> -- de.com.pres.sion n

   decompression sickness
          [decompression sickness] n (ca. 1941): [2]bend 3, aeroembolism

   deconcentrate
          [de.con.cen.trate] vt (ca. 1889): to reduce or abolish the
          concentration of: decentralize -- de.con.cen.tra.tion
          n

   decondition
          [de.con.di.tion] vt (1941) 1: to cause extinction of (a conditioned
          response) 2: to cause to lose physical fitness

   decongestant
          [de.con.ges.tant] n (1947): an agent that relieves congestion
          (as of mucous membranes) -- decongestant adj

   decongestion
          [de.con.ges.tion] n (1908): the process of relieving congestion
          -- de.con.gest vt -- de.con.ges.tive adj

   deconsecrate
          [de.con.se.crate] vt (1876): to remove the sacred character
          of <~ a church> -- de.con.se.cra.tion n

   deconstruct
          [de.con.struct] vt (1973): to discuss (as a work of literature)
          using the methods of deconstruction -- de.con.struc.tive
          adj -- de.con.struc.tor n

   deconstruction
          [de.con.struc.tion] n [F deconstruction, fr. dede- + construction]
          (1973): a method of literary criticism that assumes language refers
          only to itself rather than to an extratextual reality, that asserts
          multiple conflicting interpretations of a text, and that bases such
          interpretations on the philosophical, political, or social
          implications of the use of language in the text rather than on the
          author's intention -- de.con.struc.tion.ist n

   decontaminate
          [de.con.tam.i.nate] vt (1936): to rid of contamination (as
          radioactive material) -- de.con.tam.i.na.tion n --
          de.con.tam.i.na.tor n

   decontrol
          [de.con.trol] vt (1919): to end control of -- decontrol n

   decor
          [de.cor] n [F decor, fr. decorer to decorate, fr. L decorare]
          (1897) 1: a stage setting 2 a: decoration 2 b: the style
          and layout of interior furnishings

   decorate
          [dec.o.rate] vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L decoratus, pp. of decorare,
          fr. decor-, decus ornament, honor--more at decent] (1530)
          1: to add honor to 2: to furnish with something ornamental
          <~ a room> 3: to award a mark of honor to syn see adorn

   decoration
          [dec.o.ra.tion] n (1530) 1: the act or process of decorating
          2: something that adorns, enriches, or beautifies: ornament
          3: a badge of honor (as a U.S. military award)

   Decoration Day
          [Decoration Day] n [fr. the custom of decorating graves on
          this day] (1871): memorial day

   decorative
          [dec.o.ra.tive] adj (1791): serving to decorate; esp: purely
          ornamental -- dec.o.ra.tive.ly adv -- dec.o.ra.tive.ness
          n

   decorative art
          [decorative art] n (1967) 1: an art concerned primarily with
          the creation of useful items (as furniture, ceramics,
          and textiles)--usu. used in pl. 2: objects of decorative
          art

   [1]decorator
          [dec.o.ra.tor] n (ca. 1755): one that decorates; esp: one
          that designs or executes interiors and their furnishings
          [2]decorator adj (1950): suitable for interior decoration
          <~ fabrics>

   decorous
          [dec.o.rous] adj [L decorus, fr. decor beauty, grace; akin
          to L decere to be fitting--more at decent] (1673): marked
          by propriety and good taste: correct <~ conduct> -- dec.o.rous.ly
          adv -- dec.o.rous.ness n

   decortication
          [de.cor.ti.ca.tion] n [L decortication-, decorticatio, fr.
          decorticare to remove the bark from, fr. de- + cortic-,
          cortex bark--more at cuirass] (ca. 1623) 1: the act or
          process of removing the outer coverings (as bark or husks)
          from something (as fiber or seed) 2: the surgical removal
          of the cortex of an organ (as the brain), an enveloping
          membrane, or a constrictive fibrinous covering -- de.cor.ti.cate
          vt -- de.cor.ti.cat.or n

   decorum
          [de.co.rum] n [L, fr. neut. of decorus] (1576) 1: literary
          and dramatic propriety: fitness 2: propriety and good
          taste in conduct or appearance 3: orderliness 4 pl: the
          conventions of polite behavior

   decoupage
          [de.cou.page] n [F decoupage, lit., act of cutting out, fr.
          MF, fr. decouper to cut out, fr. de- + couper to cut--more
          at cope] (1946) 1: the art of decorating surfaces by
          applying cutouts (as of paper) and then coating with
          usu. several layers of finish (as lacquer or varnish)
          2: work produced by decoupage -- decoupage vt

   decouple
          [de.cou.ple] vt (1953): to eliminate the interrelationship
          of: separate

   [1]decoy
          [de.coy] n [prob. fr. D de kooi, lit., the cage, fr. de,
          masc. def. art. (akin to OE thaet, neut. def. art.) +
          kooi cage, fr. L cavea--more at that, cage] (1641) 1:
          a pond into which wildfowl are lured for capture 2: someone
          or something used to lure or lead another into a trap;
          esp: an artificial bird used to attract live birds within
          shot 3: someone or something used to draw attention away
          from another [2]de.coy vt (ca. 1674): to lure by or as
          if by a decoy: entice syn see lure

   [1]decrease
          [de.crease] vb de.creased ; de.creas.ing [ME decreessen,
          fr. (assumed) AF decreistre, fr. L decrescere, fr. de-
          + crescere to grow--more at crescent] vi (14c): to grow
          progressively less (as in size, amount, number, or intensity)
          ~ vt: to cause to decrease -- de.creas.ing.ly adv syn
          decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean
          to grow or make less. decrease suggests a progressive
          decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity <slowly
          decreased the amount of pressure>. lessen suggests a
          decline in amount rather than in number <has been unable
          to lessen her debt>. diminish emphasizes a perceptible
          loss and implies its subtraction from a total <his visual
          acuity has diminished>. reduce implies a bringing down
          or lowering <you must reduce your caloric intake>. abate
          implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive
          in force or amount <the storm abated>. dwindle implies
          progressive lessening and is applied to things growing
          visibly smaller <their provisions dwindled slowly>. [2]de.crease
          n (14c) 1: the process of decreasing 2: an amount of
          diminution: reduction

   [1]decree
          [de.cree] n [ME, fr. MF decre, fr. L decretum, fr. neut.
          of decretus, pp. of decernere to decide, fr. de- + cernere
          to sift, decide--more at certain] (14c) 1: an order usu.
          having the force of law 2 a: a religious ordinance enacted
          by council or titular head b: a foreordaining will 3
          a: a judicial decision of the Roman emperor b: a judicial
          decision esp. in an equity or probate court [2]decree
          vb de.creed ; de.cree.ing vt (14c) 1: to command or enjoin
          by or as if by decree <~ an amnesty> 2: to determine
          or order judicially <~ a punishment> ~ vi: ordain --
          de.cre.er n

   decree-law
          [de.cree-law] n (1926): a decree of a ruler or ministry having
          the force of a law enacted by the legislature

   decrement
          [dec.re.ment] n [L decrementum, fr. decrescere] (1610) 1:
          a gradual decrease in quality or quantity 2 a: the quantity
          lost by diminution or waste b: the amount of decrease
          (as of a variable) -- dec.re.men.tal adj

   decrepit
          [de.crep.it] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L decrepitus] (15c) 1:
          wasted and weakened by or as if by the infirmities of
          old age 2 a: impaired by use or wear: worn-out b: fallen
          into ruin or disrepair 3: dilapidated, run-down syn see
          weak -- de.crep.it.ly adv

   decrepitate
          [de.crep.i.tate] vb [prob. fr. (assumed) NL decrepitatus,
          pp. of decrepitare, fr. L de- + crepitare to crackle--more
          at crepitate] vt (1646): to roast or calcine (as salt)
          so as to cause crackling or until crackling stops ~ vi:
          to become decrepitated -- de.crep.i.ta.tion n

   decrepitude
          [de.crep.i.tude] n (1603): the quality or state of being
          decrepit

   [1]decrescendo
          [de.cre.scen.do] n, pl -dos [It, lit., decreasing, fr. L
          decrescendum, gerund of decrescere] (ca. 1880) 1: a gradual
          decrease in volume of a musical passage 2: a decrescendo
          musical passage [2]decrescendo adv or adj (ca. 1890):
          with a decrease in volume--used as a direction in music

   decrescent
          [de.cres.cent] adj [alter. of earlier decressant, prob. fr.
          AF, prp. of (assumed) AF decreistre to decrease] (1610):
          becoming less by gradual diminution: decreasing, waning

   decretal
          [de.cre.tal] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL decretalis of a decree,
          fr. L decretum decree] (14c): decree; esp: a papal letter
          giving an authoritative decision on a point of canon
          law

   decretive
          [de.cre.tive] adj (1609): having the force of a decree: decretory

   decretory
          [de.cre.to.ry] adj (ca. 1631): relating to or fixed by a
          decree or decision

   decriminalize
          [de.crim.i.nal.ize] vt (1969): to remove or reduce the criminal
          classification or status of; esp: to repeal a strict
          ban on while keeping under some form of regulation <~
          the possession of marijuana> -- de.crim.i.nal.iza.tion
          n

   decry
          [de.cry] vt [F decrier, fr. OF descrier, fr. des- de- + crier
          to cry] (1614) 1: to depreciate (as a coin) officially
          or publicly 2: to express strong disapproval of <~ the
          emphasis on sex> -- de.cri.er n syn decry, depreciate,
          disparage, belittle mean to express a low opinion of.
          decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit
          <decried their defeatist attitude>. depreciate implies
          a representing as being of less value than commonly believed
          <critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental>.
          disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such
          as slighting or invidious comparison <disparaged polo
          as a game for the rich>. belittle usu. suggests a contemptuous
          or envious attitude <belittled the achievements of others>.

   decrypt
          [de.crypt] vt [ISV de- + cryptogram, cryptograph] (1935):
          decode 1a -- de.cryp.tion n

   decumbent
          [de.cum.bent] adj [L decumbent-, decumbens, prp. of decumbere
          to lie down, fr. de- + -cumbere to lie down; akin to
          L cubare to lie] (1656) 1: lying down 2 of a plant: reclining
          on the ground but with ascending apex or extremity

   decuple
          [dec.u.ple] adj [F decuple, fr. MF, fr. LL decuplus, fr.
          L decem ten + -uplus (as in quadruplus quadruple)] (1613)
          1: tenfold 2: taken in groups of 10

   decurion
          [de.cu.ri.on] n [ME decurioun, fr. L decurion-, decurio,
          fr. decuria division of ten, fr. decem] (14c) 1: a Roman
          cavalry officer in command of 10 men 2: a member of a
          Roman senate

   decurrent
          [de.cur.rent] adj [L decurrent-, decurrens, prp. of decurrere
          to run down, fr. de- + currere to run--more at car] (ca.
          1753): running or extending downward along the stem <~
          leaves>

   decurved
          [de.curved] adj [part trans. of LL decurvatus, fr. L de-
          + curvatus curved] (1835): curved downward: bent down

   [1]decussate
          [de.cus.sate] vb -sat.ed ; -sat.ing [L decussatus, pp. of
          decussare to arrange crosswise, fr. decussis the number
          ten, numeral X, intersection, fr. decem + ass-, as unit--more
          at ace] (1658): intersect, cross [2]de.cus.sate adj (ca.
          1823): arranged in pairs each at right angles to the
          next pair above or below <~ leaves>

   decussation
          [de.cus.sa.tion] n (ca. 1656) 1: the action of crossing (as
          of nerve fibers) esp. in the form of an X 2: a crossed
          tract of nerve fibers passing between centers on opposite
          sides of the nervous system

   [1]dedicate
          [ded.i.cate] adj [ME, fr. L dedicatus, pp. of dedicare to
          dedicate, fr. de- + dicare to proclaim, dedicate--more
          at diction] (14c): dedicated [2]ded.i.cate vt -cat.ed
          ; -cat.ing (15c) 1: to devote to the worship of a divine
          being; specif: to set apart (a church) to sacred uses
          with solemn rites 2 a: to set apart to a definite use
          <money dedicated to their vacation fund> b: to commit
          to a goal or way of life <ready to ~ his life to public
          service> 3: to inscribe or address by way of compliment
          <~ a book to a friend> 4: to open to public use syn see
          devote -- ded.i.ca.tor n

   dedicated
          [ded.i.cat.ed] adj (ca. 1600) 1: devoted to a cause, ideal,
          or purpose: zealous <a ~ scholar> 2: given over to a
          particular purpose <a ~ process control computer> --
          ded.i.cat.ed.ly adv

   dedicatee
          [ded.i.ca.tee] n (1760): one to whom a thing is dedicated

   dedication
          [ded.i.ca.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or rite of dedicating to
          a divine being or to a sacred use 2: a devoting or setting
          aside for a particular purpose 3: a name and often a
          message prefixed to a literary, musical, or artistic
          production in tribute to a person or cause 4: self-sacrificing
          devotion -- ded.i.ca.to.ry adj

   dedifferentiation
          [de.dif.fer.en.ti.a.tion] n (1915): reversion of specialized
          structures (as cells) to a more generalized or primitive
          condition often as a preliminary to major physiological
          or structural change -- de.dif.fer.en.ti.ate vi

   deduce
          [de.duce] vt de.duced ; de.duc.ing [ME, fr. L deducere, lit.,
          to lead away, fr. de- + ducere to lead--more at tow]
          (15c) 1: to determine by deduction; specif: to infer
          from a general principle 2: to trace the course of syn
          see infer -- de.duc.ible adj

   deduct
          [de.duct] vt [L deductus, pp. of deducere] (15c) 1: to take
          away (an amount) from a total: subtract 2: deduce, infer

   [1]deductible
          [de.duct.ible] adj (1856): allowable as a deduction
          -- de.duct.ibil.i.ty n
          [2]deductible n (1929): a clause in an insurance policy that
          relieves the insurer of responsibility for an initial specified
          loss of the kind insured against; also: the amount of the loss
          specified in such a clause

   deduction
          [de.duc.tion] n (15c) 1 a: an act of taking away <~ of legitimate
          business expenses> b: something that is or may be subtracted
          <~s from his taxable income> 2 a: the deriving of a conclusion
          by reasoning; specif: inference in which the conclusion
          about particulars follows necessarily from general or
          universal premises--compare induction b: a conclusion
          reached by logical deduction

   deductive
          [de.duc.tive] adj (1665) 1: of, relating to, or provable
          by deduction 2: employing deduction in reasoning -- de.duc.tive.ly
          adv

   dee
          [dee] n (13c) 1: the letter d 2: something shaped like the
          letter D

   [1]deed
          [deed] n [ME dede, fr. OE daed; akin to OE don to do] (bef.
          12c) 1: something that is done <evil ~s> 2: a usu. illustrious
          act or action: feat, exploit 3: the act of performing:
          action <righteous in word and in ~> 4: a signed and usu.
          sealed instrument containing some legal transfer, bargain,
          or contract -- deed.less adj [2]deed vt (1806): to convey
          or transfer by deed

   deed poll
          [deed poll] n, pl deeds poll [[1]deed + poll, adj. (having
          the edges cut even rather than indented), fr. [2]poll]
          (1588) Brit: a deed (as to change one's name) made and
          executed by only one party

   deedy
          [deedy] adj deed.i.er ; -est (1615) dial chiefly Eng: industrious

   deejay
          [dee.jay] n [disc jockey] (ca. 1949): disc jockey

   deem
          [deem] vb [ME demen, fr. OE deman; akin to OHG tuomen to
          judge, OE dom doom] vt (bef. 12c): to come to think or
          judge: consider <~ed it wise to go slow> ~ vi: to have
          an opinion: believe

   [1]deep
          [deep] adj [ME dep, fr. OE deop; akin to OHG tiof deep, OE
          dyppan to dip--more at dip] (bef. 12c) 1: extending far
          from some surface or area: as a: extending far downward
          <a ~ well> b (1): extending well inward from an outer
          surface <a ~ gash> <a deep-chested animal> (2): not located
          superficially within the body <~ pressure receptors in
          muscles> c: extending well back from a surface accepted
          as front <a ~ closet> d: extending far laterally from
          the center <~ borders of lace> e: occurring or located
          near the outer limits of the playing area <hit to ~ right
          field> f: thrown deep <a ~ pass> 2: having a specified
          extension in an implied direction usu. downward or backward
          <a shelf 20 inches ~> <cars parked three-deep> 3 a: difficult
          to penetrate or comprehend: recondite <~ mathematical
          problems> b: mysterious, obscure <a ~ dark secret> c:
          grave in nature or effect <in ~est disgrace> d: of penetrating
          intellect: wise <a ~ thinker> e: involved, engrossed
          <~ in debt> f: characterized by profundity of feeling
          or quality <a ~ sleep>; also: deep-seated <~ religious
          beliefs> 4 a of color: high in saturation and low in
          lightness b: having a low musical pitch or pitch range
          <a ~ voice> 5 a: situated well within the boundaries
          <a house ~ in the woods> b: remote in time or space c:
          being below the level of the conscious <~ neuroses> d:
          covered, enclosed, or filled to a specified degree--usu.
          used in combination <ankle-deep in mud> 6: large <~ discounts>
          7: having many good players <a ~ bull pen> syn see broad
          -- deep.ly adv -- deep.ness n -- in deep water : in difficulty
          or distress [2]deep adv (bef. 12c) 1: to a great depth:
          deeply <still waters run ~> 2: far on: late <danced ~
          into the night> 3 a: near the outer limits of the playing
          area <the shortstop was playing ~> b: long 6 [3]deep
          n (bef. 12c) 1 a: a vast or immeasurable extent: abyss
          b (1): the extent of surrounding space or time (2): ocean
          2: any of the deep portions of a body of water; specif:
          a generally long and narrow area in the ocean where the
          depth exceeds 3000 fathoms (5500 meters) 3: the middle
          or most intense part <the ~ of winter> 4: any of the
          fathom points on a sounding line other than the marks

   deep-dish pie
          [deep-dish pie] n (1918): a pie usu. with a fruit filling
          and no bottom crust that is baked in a deep dish

   deepen
          [deep.en] vb deep.ened ; deep.en.ing vt (1598): to make deep
          or deeper ~ vi: to become deeper or more profound

   deep fat
          [deep fat] n (1921): hot fat or oil deep enough in a cooking
          utensil to cover the food to be fried

   Deepfreeze
          [Deep.freeze] trademark--used for a freezer for food storage

   deep freeze
          [deep freeze] n (1948) 1: cold storage 2 <a bill presently
          in deep freeze awaiting a new congress --Newsweek> 2:
          intense cold

   deep-freeze
          [deep-freeze] vt -froze ; -fro.zen (1943) 1: quick-freeze
          2: to store in a frozen state

   deep-fry
          [deep-fry] vt (1922): to cook in deep fat

   deep fryer
          [deep fryer] n (1950): a utensil suitable for deep-fat frying

   deep pocket
          [deep pocket] n (1976) 1: a person or an organization having
          substantial financial resources 2 pl: substantial financial
          resources

   deep-rooted
          [deep-root.ed] adj (15c): deeply implanted or established
          <a ~ loyalty> syn see inveterate

   deep-sea
          [deep-sea] adj (1626): o f, relating to, or occurring in
          the deeper parts of the sea <~ fishing>

   deep-seated
          [deep-seat.ed] adj (1741) 1: situated far below the surface
          <a ~ inflammation> 2: firmly established <a ~ tradition>
          syn see inveterate

   deep six
          [deep six] n [fr. the leadsman's call by the deep six for
          a depth corresponding to the sixth deep on a sounding
          line] (1944) slang: a place of disposal or abandonment--used
          esp. in the phrase give it the deep six

   deep-six
          [deep-six] vt (1952) 1 slang: to throw away: discard 2 slang:
          to throw overboard

   deep-sky
          [deep-sky] adj (1968): relating to or existing in space outside
          the solar system <deep-sky objects>

   deep space
          [deep space] n (ca. 1952): space well outside the earth's
          atmosphere and esp. that part lying beyond the earth-moon
          system

   deep structure
          [deep structure] n (1964): a formal representation of the
          underlying semantic content of a sentence; also: the
          structure which such a representation specifies

   deep throat
          [deep throat] n, often cap D&T [fr. the nickname given to
          such an informant in the Watergate scandal by Bob Woodward
          b1943 U.S. journalist, fr. the title of a pornographic
          film (1972)] (1973): an informant who divulges damaging
          information under cover of anonymity

   deepwater
          [deep.wa.ter] adj (1795): of, relating to, or characterized
          by water of considerable depth; esp: able to accommodate
          oceangoing vessels <~ ports>

   deer
          [deer] n, pl deer also deers [ME, deer, animal, fr. OE deor
          beast; akin to OHG tior wild animal, Lith dvasia breath,
          spirit] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: animal; esp: a small mammal
          2: any of numerous ruminant mammals (family Cervidae,
          the deer family) having two large and two small hooves
          on each foot and antlers borne by the males of nearly
          all and by the females of a few forms -- deer.like adj

   deerberry
          [deer.ber.ry] n (1814) 1: either of two shrubs (Vaccinium
          stamineum or V. caesium) of dry woods and scrub of the
          eastern U.S. 2: the edible fruit of a deerberry

   deerfly
          [deer.fly] n (1853): any of numerous small horseflies (as
          of the genus Chrysops) that include important vectors
          of tularemia

   deerhound
          [deer.hound] n (1818): scottish deerhound

   deer mouse
          [deer mouse] n [fr. its agility] (1833): white-footed mouse;
          esp: a mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) widely distributed
          in forests and grasslands of No. America and Mexico

   deerskin
          [deer.skin] n (14c): leather made from the skin of a deer;
          also: a garment of this leather

   deerstalker
          [deer.stalk.er] n (1870): a close-fitting hat with a visor
          at the front and the back and with earflaps that may
          be worn up or down--called also deerstalker cap, deerstalker
          hat

   deer tick
          [deer tick] n (1982): an ixodid tick (Ixodes dammini) that
          transmits the bacterium causing Lyme disease

   deeryard
          [deer.yard] n (1849): a place where deer herd in winter

   deet
          [deet] n, often all cap [prob. fr. d. e. t., fr. di- + ethyl
          + toluamide] (1962): a colorless oily liquid insect repellent

   def
          [def] abbreviation defendant, defense, deferred, defined,
          definite, definition

   deface
          [de.face] vt [ME, fr. MF desfacier, fr. OF, fr. des- de-
          + face front, face] (14c) 1: to mar the external appearance
          of: injure by effacing significant details <~ an inscription>
          2: impair 3 obs: destroy -- de.face.ment n -- de.fac.er
          n

   defalcate
          [de.fal.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ML defalcatus, pp. of
          defalcare, fr. L de- + falc-, falx sickle] vt (1540)
          archaic: deduct, curtail ~ vi: to engage in embezzlement
          -- de.fal.ca.tor n

   defalcation
          [de.fal.ca.tion] n (15c) 1 archaic: deduction 2: the act
          or an instance of embezzling 3: a failure to meet a promise
          or an expectation

   defamation
          [def.a.ma.tion] n (14c): the act of defaming another: calumny
          -- de.fam.a.to.ry adj

   defame
          [de.fame] vt de.famed ; de.fam.ing [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF defamer,
          fr. ML defamare, alter. of L diffamare, fr. dis- + fama
          reputation, fame] (14c) 1 archaic: disgrace 2: to harm
          the reputation of by libel or slander 3 archaic: accuse
          syn see malign -- de.fam.er n

   defang
          [de.fang] vt (1953): to make harmless or less powerful

   defat
          [de.fat] vt (1919): to remove fat from

   [1]default
          [de.fault] n [ME defaute, defaulte, fr. OF defaute, fr. defaillir
          to be lacking, fail, fr. de- + faillir to fail] (13c)
          1: failure to do something required by duty or law: neglect
          2 archaic: fault 3: a failure to pay financial debts
          4 a: failure to appear at the required time in a legal
          proceeding b: failure to compete in or to finish an appointed
          contest 5: a selection automatically used by a computer
          program in the absence of a choice made by the user --
          in default of : in the absence of [2]default vi (15c):
          to fail to fulfill a contract, agreement, or duty: as
          a: to fail to meet a financial obligation b: to fail
          to appear in court c: to fail to compete in or to finish
          an appointed contest; also: to forfeit a contest by such
          failure ~ vt 1: to fail to perform, pay, or make good
          2 a: forfeit b: to exclude (a player or a team) from
          a contest by default -- de.fault.er n

   defeasance
          [de.fea.sance] n [ME defesance, fr. AF, fr. OF deffesant,
          prp. of deffaire] (15c) 1 a (1): the termination of a
          property interest in accordance with stipulated conditions
          (as in a deed) (2): an instrument stating such conditions
          of limitation b: a rendering null or void 2: defeat,
          overthrow

   defeasible
          [de.fea.si.ble] adj (15c): capable of being annulled or made
          void <a ~ claim> -- de.fea.si.bil.i.ty n

   [1]defeat
          [de.feat] vt [ME deffeten, fr. MF deffait, pp. of deffaire
          to destroy, fr. OF desfaire, fr. ML disfacere, fr. L
          dis- + facere to do--more at do] (14c) 1 obs: destroy
          2 a: nullify <~ an estate> b: frustrate 2a(1) <~ a hope>
          3: to win victory over: beat <~ the opposing team> syn
          see conquer [2]defeat n (1590) 1: frustration by nullification
          or by prevention of success <the bill suffered ~ in the
          Senate> 2 obs: destruction 3 a: an overthrow esp. of
          an army in battle b: the loss of a contest

   defeatism
          [de.feat.ism] n (1918): acceptance or expectation of or resignation
          to defeat -- de.feat.ist n or adj

   defeature
          [de.fea.ture] n [prob. fr. de- + feature] (1590) 1 archaic:
          disfigurement 2 archaic: defeat

   defecate
          [def.e.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L defaecatus, pp. of
          defaecare, fr. de- + faec-, faex dregs, lees] vt (1575)
          1: to free from impurity or corruption 2: to discharge
          from the anus ~ vi: to discharge feces from the bowels
          -- def.e.ca.tion n

   [1]defect
          [de.fect] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L defectus lack, fr. deficere
          to desert, fail, fr. de- + facere to do--more at do]
          (15c) 1 a: an imperfection that impairs worth or utility:
          shortcoming <the grave ~s in our foreign policy> b: an
          imperfection (as a vacancy or a foreign atom) in a crystal
          lattice 2 [L defectus]: a lack of something necessary
          for completeness, adequacy, or perfection: deficiency
          <a hearing ~> [2]de.fect vi [L defectus, pp. of deficere]
          (1596) 1: to forsake one cause, party, or nation for
          another often because of a change in ideology 2: to leave
          one situation (as a job) often to go over to a rival
          <the reporter ~ed to another network> -- de.fec.tor n

   defection
          [de.fec.tion] n (1552): conscious abandonment of allegiance
          or duty (as to a person, cause, or doctrine): desertion

   [1]defective
          [de.fec.tive] adj (14c) 1 a: imperfect in form or function:
          faulty <a ~ pane of glass> b: falling below the norm
          in structure or in mental or physical function <~ eyesight>
          2: lacking one or more of the usual forms of grammatical
          inflection <must is a ~ verb> -- de.fec.tive.ly adv --
          de.fec.tive.ness n [2]defective n (1881): a person who
          is subnormal physically or mentally

   defeminize
          [de.fem.i.nize] vt (1907): to divest of feminine qualities
          or characteristics: masculinize -- de.fem.i.ni.za.tion
          n

   defence, defenceman
          [de.fence, de.fence.man] chiefly Brit var of defense, defenseman

   defend
          [de.fend] vb [ME, fr. OF defendre, fr. L defendere, fr. de-
          + -fendere to strike; akin to OE guth battle, war, Gk
          theinein to strike] vt (14c) 1 a: to drive danger or
          attack away from b (1): to maintain or support in the
          face of argument or hostile criticism (2): to prove (as
          a doctoral thesis) valid by answering questions in an
          oral exam c: to attempt to prevent an opponent from scoring
          at <elects to ~ the south goal> 2 archaic: prevent, forbid
          3: to act as attorney for 4: to deny or oppose the right
          of a plaintiff in regard to (a suit or a wrong charged):
          contest 5: to seek to retain (as a title or position)
          against a challenge in a contest ~ vi 1: to take action
          against attack or challenge <couldn't fight back, could
          only ~> 2: to play or be on defense <playing deep to
          ~ against a pass> 3: to play against the high bidder
          in a card game -- de.fend.able adj syn defend, protect,
          shield, guard, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger
          or against attack. defend denotes warding off actual
          or threatened attack <defend the country>. protect implies
          the use of something (as a covering) as a bar to the
          admission or impact of what may attack or injure <a hard
          hat to protect your head>. shield suggests protective
          intervention in imminent danger or actual attack <shielded
          her eyes from the sun with her hand>. guard implies protecting
          with vigilance and force against expected danger <White
          House entrances are well guarded>. safeguard implies
          taking precautionary protective measures against merely
          possible danger <our civil liberties must be safeguarded>.
          syn see in addition maintain

   [1]defendant
          [de.fen.dant] n (14c): a person required to make answer in
          a legal action or suit--compare plaintiff [2]defendant
          adj (15c): being on the defensive: defending

   defender
          [de.fend.er] n (14c) 1: one that defends 2: a player in a
          sport (as football) assigned to a defensive position

   defenestration
          [de.fen.es.tra.tion] n [de- + L fenestra window] (1620):
          a throwing of a person or thing out of a window -- de.fen.es.trate
          vt

   [1]defense
          [de.fense] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL defensa vengeance, fr. L,
          fem. of defensus, pp. of defendere] (14c) 1 a: the act
          or action of defending <the ~ of our country> <speak
          out in ~ of justice> b: a defendant's denial, answer,
          or plea 2 a: capability of resisting attack b: defensive
          play or ability <a player known for good ~> 3 a: means
          or method of defending or protecting oneself, one's team,
          or another; also: a defensive structure b: an argument
          in support or justification c: the collected facts and
          method adopted by a defendant to protect himself against
          a plaintiff's action d: a sequence of moves available
          in chess to the second player in the opening 4 a: a defending
          party or group (as in a court of law) <the ~ rests> b:
          a defensive team 5: the military and industrial aggregate
          that authorizes and supervises arms production <appropriations
          for ~> <~ contract> -- de.fense.less adj -- de.fense.less.ly
          adv -- de.fense.less.ness n [2]defense vt de.fensed ;
          de.fens.ing (1950): to take specific defensive action
          against (an opposing team or player or an offensive play)

   defenseman
          [de.fense.man] n (1895): a player in a sport (as hockey)
          who is assigned to a defensive zone or position

   defense mechanism
          [defense mechanism] n (1913) 1: an often unconscious mental
          process (as repression) that makes possible compromise
          solutions to personal problems 2: a defensive reaction
          by an organism

   defensible
          [de.fen.si.ble] adj (14c): capable of being defended --
          de.fen.si.bil.i.ty n -- de.fen.si.bly adv

   [1]defensive
          [de.fen.sive] adj (14c) 1: serving to defend or protect 2
          a: devoted to resisting or preventing aggression or attack
          b: of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent
          from scoring in a game or contest 3 a: valuable in defensive
          play <a ~ card in bridge> b: designed to keep an opponent
          from being the highest bidder <a ~ bid> -- de.fen.sive.ly
          adv -- de.fen.sive.ness n [2]defensive n (1601): a defensive
          position -- on the defensive : in the state or condition
          of being prepared for an expected aggression or attack

   [1]defer
          [de.fer] vt de.ferred ; de.fer.ring [ME deferren, differren,
          fr. MF differer, fr. L differre to postpone, be different--more
          at differ] (14c) 1: put off, delay 2: to postpone induction
          of (a person) into military service -- de.fer.rer n syn
          defer, postpone, suspend, stay mean to delay an action
          or proceeding. defer implies a deliberate putting off
          to a later time <deferred buying a car until spring>.
          postpone implies an intentional deferring usu. to a definite
          time <the game is postponed until Saturday>. suspend
          implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of
          waiting until some condition is satisfied <business will
          be suspended while repairs are under way>. stay often
          suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency
          or authority <the governor stayed the execution>. [2]defer
          vb deferred ; deferring [ME deferren, differren, fr.
          MF deferer, defferer, fr. LL deferre, fr. L, to bring
          down, bring, fr. de- + ferre to carry--more at bear]
          vt (15c): to delegate to another <he could ~ his job
          to no one --J. A. Michener> ~ vi: to submit to another's
          wishes, opinion, or governance usu. through deference
          or respect <deferred to her father's wishes> syn see
          yield

   deference
          [def.er.ence] n (1660): respect and esteem due a superior
          or an elder; also: affected or ingratiating regard for
          another's wishes syn see honor -- in deference to : in
          consideration of

   deferent
          [def.er.ent] adj [back-formation fr. deference] (1822): deferential

   deferential
          [def.er.en.tial] adj (1822): showing or expressing deference
          <~ attention> -- def.er.en.tial.ly adv

   deferment
          [de.fer.ment] n (1612): the act of delaying or postponing;
          specif: official postponement of military service

   deferrable
          [de.fer.ra.ble] adj (1943): capable of or suitable or eligible
          for being deferred -- deferrable n

   deferral
          [de.fer.ral] n (1895): the act of delaying: postponement

   deferred
          [de.ferred] adj (1651) 1: withheld for or until a stated
          time <a ~ payment> 2: charged in cases of delayed handling
          <a ~ rate>

   defervescence
          [de.fer.ves.cence] n [G Deferveszenz, fr. L defervescent-,
          defervescens, prp. of defervescere to stop boiling, fr.
          de- + fervescere to begin to boil--more at effervesce]
          (1866): the subsidence of a fever

   defiance
          [de.fi.ance] n (15c) 1: the act or an instance of defying:
          challenge 2: disposition to resist: willingness to contend
          or fight -- in defiance of : contrary to: despite

   defiant
          [de.fi.ant] adj [F defiant, fr. OF, prp. of defier to defy]
          (ca. 1837): full of defiance: bold -- de.fi.ant.ly adv

   defibrillator
          [de.fi.bril.la.tor] n (1952): an electronic device that applies
          an electric shock to restore the rhythm of a fibrillating
          heart -- de.fi.bril.late vt -- de.fi.bril.la.tion n

   defibrinate
          [de.fi.brin.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1845): to remove fibrin
          from (blood) -- de.fi.brin.ation n

   deficiency
          [de.fi.cien.cy] n, pl -cies (1634) 1: the quality or state
          of being deficient: inadequacy 2: an amount that is lacking
          or inadequate: shortage: as a: a shortage of substances
          necessary to health b: deletion 2b(1)

   deficiency disease
          [deficiency disease] n (1912): a disease (as scurvy) caused
          by a lack of essential dietary elements and esp. a vitamin
          or mineral

   [1]deficient
          [de.fi.cient] adj [L deficient-, deficiens, prp. of deficere
          to be wanting--more at defect] (1581) 1: lacking in some
          necessary quality or element <~ in judgment> 2: not up
          to a normal standard or complement: defective <~ strength>
          -- de.fi.cient.ly adv [2]deficient n (1906): one that
          is deficient <a mental ~>

   deficit
          [def.i.cit] n [F deficit, fr. L deficit it is wanting, 3d
          sing. pres. indic. of deficere] (1782) 1 a (1): deficiency
          in amount or quality <a ~ in rainfall> (2): a lack or
          impairment in a functional capacity <cognitive ~s> <a
          hearing ~> b: disadvantage <scored two runs to overcome
          a 2-1 ~> 2 a: an excess of expenditure over revenue b:
          a loss in business operations

   deficit spending
          [deficit spending] n (1938): the spending of public funds
          raised by borrowing rather than by taxation

   defier
          [de.fi.er] n (1585): one that defies

   defilade
          [def.i.lade] vt -lad.ed ; -lad.ing [prob. fr. de- + -filade
          (as in enfilade)] (1828): to arrange (fortifications)
          so as to protect the lines from frontal or enfilading
          fire and the interior from fire from above or behind
          -- defilade n

   [1]defile
          [de.file] vt de.filed ; de.fil.ing [ME, alter. (influenced
          by OE fylan to defile) of defoulen to trample, defile,
          fr. OF defouler to trample, fr. de- + fouler to trample,
          lit., to full--more at full] (14c): to make unclean or
          impure: as a: to corrupt the purity or perfection of:
          debase <the countryside defiled by billboards> b: to
          violate the chastity of: deflower c: to make physically
          unclean esp. with something unpleasant or contaminating
          <boots defiled with blood> d: to violate the sanctity
          of: desecrate <~ a sanctuary> e: sully, dishonor syn
          see contaminate -- de.file.ment n -- de.fil.er n [2]de.file
          n [F defile, fr. pp. of defiler] (1685): a narrow passage
          or gorge [3]de.file vi de.filed ; de.fil.ing [F defiler,
          fr. de- de- + filer to move in a column--more at file]
          (1705): to march off in a line

   definable
          [de.fin.able] adj (ca. 1660) 1: able to be defined 2: able
          to be specified to have a particular function or operation
          <~ keys> -- de.fin.ably adv

   define
          [de.fine] vb de.fined ; de.fin.ing [ME, fr. MF & L; MF definer,
          fr. L definire, fr. de- + finire to limit, end, fr. finis
          boundary, end] vt (14c) 1 a: to determine or identify
          the essential qualities or meaning of <whatever ~s us
          as human> b: to discover and set forth the meaning of
          (as a word) c: to create on a computer <~ a window> <~
          a procedure> 2 a: to fix or mark the limits of: demarcate
          <rigidly defined property lines> b: to make distinct,
          clear, or detailed esp. in outline <the issues aren't
          too well defined> 3: characterize, distinguish <you ~
          yourself by the choices you make --Denison Univ. Bull.>
          ~ vi: to make a definition -- de.fine.ment n -- de.fin.er
          n

   definiendum
          [de.fin.i.en.dum] n, pl -da [L, something to be defined,
          neut. of definiendus, gerundive of definire] (1871):
          an expression that is being defined

   definiens
          [de.fin.i.ens] n, pl de.fin.i.en.tia [L, prp. of definire]
          (1871): an expression that defines: definition

   definite
          [def.i.nite] adj [L definitus, pp. of definire] (1553) 1:
          having distinct or certain limits <set ~ standards for
          pupils to meet> 2 a: free of all ambiguity, uncertainty,
          or obscurity <demanded a ~ answer> b: unquestionable,
          decided <the quarterback was a ~ hero today> 3: typically
          designating an identified or immediately identifiable
          person or thing <the ~ article the> 4 a: being constant
          in number, usu. less than 20, and occurring in multiples
          of the petal number <stamens ~> b: cymose <a ~ inflorescence>
          syn see explicit -- def.i.nite.ly adv -- def.i.nite.ness
          n

   definite integral
          [definite integral] n (1860): the difference between the
          values of the integral of a given function f(x) for an
          upper value b and a lower value a of the independent
          variable x

   definition
          [def.i.ni.tion] n [ME diffinicioun, fr. MF definition, fr.
          L definition-, definitio, fr. definire] (14c) 1: an act
          of determining; specif: the formal proclamation of a
          Roman Catholic dogma 2 a: a statement expressing the
          essential nature of something b: a statement of the meaning
          of a word or word group or a sign or symbol <dictionary
          ~s> c: a product of defining 3: the action or process
          of defining 4 a: the action or the power of describing,
          explaining, or making definite and clear <the ~ of a
          telescope> <her comic genius is beyond ~> b (1): clarity
          of visual presentation: distinctness of outline or detail
          <high-definition television> (2): clarity esp. of musical
          sound in reproduction c: sharp demarcation of outlines
          or limits <a jacket with distinct waist ~> -- def.i.ni.tion.al
          adj

   [1]definitive
          [de.fin.i.tive] adj [ME diffinityf, fr. MF definitif, fr.
          L definitivus, fr. definitus] (14c) 1: serving to provide
          a final solution or to end a situation <a ~ victory>
          2: authoritative and apparently exhaustive <a ~ edition>
          3 a: serving to define or specify precisely <~ laws>
          b: serving as a perfect example: quintessential <a ~
          bourgeois> 4: fully differentiated or developed <a ~
          organ> 5 of a postage stamp: issued as a regular stamp
          for the country or territory in which it is to be used
          syn see conclusive -- de.fin.i.tive.ly adv -- de.fin.i.tive.ness
          n [2]definitive n (1951): a definitive postage stamp--compare
          provisional

   definitive host
          [definitive host] n (1901): the host in which the sexual
          reproduction of a parasite takes place--compare intermediate
          host 1

   definitize
          [de.fi.ni.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1876): to make definite

   definitude
          [de.fi.ni.tude] n [irreg. fr. definite] (1836): precision,
          definiteness

   deflagrate
          [def.la.grate] vb -grat.ed ; -grat.ing [L deflagratus, pp.
          of deflagrare to burn down, fr. de- + flagrare to burn--more
          at black] vt (ca. 1727): to cause to deflagrate--compare
          detonate 1 ~ vi: to burn rapidly with intense heat and
          sparks being given off -- def.la.gra.tion n

   deflate
          [de.flate] vb de.flat.ed ; de.flat.ing [de- + -flate (as
          in inflate)] vt (1891) 1: to release air or gas from
          2: to reduce in size, importance, or effectiveness <~
          his ego with cutting remarks> 3: to reduce (a price level)
          or cause (a volume of credit) to contract ~ vi: to lose
          firmness through or as if through the escape of contained
          gas syn see contract -- de.fla.tor also de.fla.ter n

   deflation
          [de.fla.tion] n (1891) 1: an act or instance of deflating:
          the state of being deflated 2: a contraction in the volume
          of available money or credit that results in a general
          decline in prices 3: the erosion of soil by the wind
          -- de.fla.tion.ary adj

   deflect
          [de.flect] vb [L deflectere to bend down, turn aside, fr.
          de- + flectere to bend] vt (ca. 1555): to turn aside
          esp. from a straight course or fixed direction ~ vi:
          to turn aside: deviate -- de.flect.able adj -- de.flec.tive
          adj -- de.flec.tor n

   deflection
          [de.flec.tion] n (1605) 1: a turning aside or off course:
          deviation 2: the departure of an indicator or pointer
          from the zero reading on the scale of an instrument

   deflexed
          [de.flexed] adj [L deflexus, pp. of deflectere] (1826): turned
          abruptly downward <a ~ leaf>

   defloration
          [de.flo.ra.tion] n [ME defloracioun, fr. MF & LL; MF defloracion,
          fr. LL defloration-, defloratio, fr. deflorare] (15c):
          rupture of the hymen

   deflower
          [de.flow.er] vt [ME deflouren, fr. MF or LL; OF desflorer,
          fr. LL deflorare, fr. L de- + flor-, flos flower--more
          at blow] (14c) 1: to deprive of virginity 2: to take
          away the prime beauty of -- de.flow.er.er n

   defog
          [de.fog] vt (1904): to remove fog or condensed moisture from
          -- de.fog.ger n

   defoliant
          [de.fo.li.ant] n (1943): a chemical spray or dust applied
          to plants in order to cause the leaves to drop off prematurely

   defoliate
          [de.fo.li.ate] vt [LL defoliatus, pp. of defoliare, fr. L
          de- + folium leaf--more at blade] (1791): to deprive
          of leaves esp. prematurely -- de.fo.li.a.tion n -- de.fo.li.a.tor
          n

   deforce
          [de.force] vt [ME, fr. MF deforcier, fr. de- + forcier to
          force] (15c) 1: to keep (as lands) by force from the
          rightful owner 2: to eject (a person) from possession
          by force -- de.force.ment n

   deforestation
          [de.for.es.ta.tion] n (1874): the action or process of clearing
          of forests; also: the state of having been cleared of
          forests -- de.for.est vt

   deform
          [de.form] vb [ME, fr. OF or L; OF deformer, fr. L deformare,
          fr. de- + formare to form, fr. forma form] vt (15c) 1:
          to spoil the form of 2 a: to spoil the looks of: disfigure
          <a face ~ed by bitterness> b: to mar the character of
          <a marriage ~ed by jealousy> 3: to alter the shape of
          by stress ~ vi: to become misshapen or changed in shape
          -- de.form.able adj syn deform, distort, contort, warp
          means to mar or spoil by or as if by twisting. deform
          may imply a change of shape through stress, injury, or
          some accident of growth <his face was deformed by hatred>.
          distort and contort both imply a wrenching from the natural,
          normal, or justly proportioned, but contort suggests
          a more involved twisting and a more grotesque and painful
          result <the odd camera angle distorts the figure in the
          photograph> <disease had painfully contorted her body>.
          warp indicates physically an uneven shrinking that bends
          or twists out of a flat plane <warped floorboards>.

   deformalize
          [de.for.mal.ize] vt (1880): to make less formal

   deformation
          [de.for.ma.tion] n (15c) 1: alteration of form or shape;
          also: the product of such alteration 2: the action of
          deforming: the state of being deformed 3: change for
          the worse -- de.for.ma.tion.al adj

   deformative
          [de.for.ma.tive] adj (1641): tending to deform

   deformed
          [de.formed] adj (15c): distorted or unshapely in form: misshapen

   deformity
          [de.for.mi.ty] n, pl -ties [ME deformite, fr. MF defformeteit,
          fr. L deformitat-, deformitas, fr. deformis deformed,
          fr. de- + forma] (15c) 1: the state of being deformed
          2: imperfection, blemish: as a: a physical blemish or
          distortion: disfigurement b: a moral or aesthetic flaw
          or defect

   defraud
          [de.fraud] vt [ME, fr. MF defrauder, fr. L defraudare, fr.
          de- + fraudare to cheat, fr. fraud-, fraus fraud] (14c):
          to deprive of something by deception or fraud syn see
          cheat -- de.fraud.er n

   defray
          [de.fray] vt [MF deffrayer, fr. des- de- + frayer to expend,
          fr. OF, fr. (assumed) OF frai expenditure, lit., damage
          by breaking, fr. L fractum, neut. of fractus, pp. of
          frangere to break--more at break] (1536) 1: to provide
          for the payment of: pay 2 archaic: to bear the expenses
          of -- de.fray.able adj -- de.fray.al n

   defrock
          [de.frock] vt (1581) 1: to deprive (as a priest) of the right
          to exercise the functions of office 2: to remove from
          a position of honor or privilege

   defrost
          [de.frost] vt (1895) 1: to release from a frozen state <~
          meat> 2: to free from ice <~ the refrigerator> ~ vi:
          to thaw out esp. from a deep-frozen state -- de.frost.er
          n

   deft
          [deft] adj [ME defte gentle--more at daft] (15c): characterized
          by facility and skill syn see dexterous -- deft.ly adv
          -- deft.ness n

   defunct
          [de.funct] adj [L defunctus, fr. pp. of defungi to finish,
          die, fr. de- + fungi to perform--more at function] (1599):
          no longer living, existing, or functioning <the committee
          is now ~> syn see dead

   defund
          [de.fund] vt (1948): to withdraw funding from

   defuse
          [de.fuse] vt (1943) 1: to remove the fuse from (as a mine
          or bomb) 2: to make less harmful, potent, or tense <~
          the crisis>

   [1]defy
          [de.fy] vt de.fied ; de.fy.ing [ME, to renounce faith in,
          challenge, fr. MF defier, fr. de- + fier to entrust,
          fr. (assumed) VL fidare, alter. of L fidere to trust--more
          at bide] (14c) 1 archaic: to challenge to combat 2: to
          challenge to do something considered impossible: dare
          3: to confront with assured power of resistance: disregard
          <~ public opinion> 4: to resist attempts at: withstand
          <the paintings ~ classification> [2]de.fy n, pl defies
          (1580): challenge, defiance

   deg
          [deg] abbreviation degree

   degage
          [de.ga.ge] adj [F, fr. pp. of degager to put at ease, fr.
          OF desgagier to redeem a pledge, free, fr. des- de- +
          gage pledge--more at gage] (1696) 1: free of constraint:
          nonchalant 2: being free and easy <clothes with a ~ look>
          3: extended with toe pointed in preparation for a ballet
          step

   degas
          [de.gas] vt (1928): to remove gas from <~ an electron tube>

   degauss
          [de.gauss] vt [de- + gauss, after Karl F. Gauss] (ca. 1940):
          to remove or neutralize the magnetic field of <~ a ship>
          <~ a magnetic tape> -- de.gauss.er n

   degeneracy
          [de.gen.er.a.cy] n, pl -cies (1664) 1: the state of being
          degenerate 2: the process of becoming degenerate 3: sexual
          perversion 4: the coding of an amino acid by more than
          one codon

   [1]degenerate
          [de.gen.er.ate] adj [ME degenerat, fr. L degeneratus, pp.
          of degenerare to degenerate, fr. de- + gener-, genus
          race, kind--more at kin] (15c) 1 a: having declined (as
          in nature, character, structure, or function) from an
          ancestral or former state b: having sunk to a condition
          below that which is normal to a type; esp: having sunk
          to a lower and usu. corrupt and vicious state c: degraded
          2 2: being mathematically simpler (as by having a factor
          or constant equal to zero) than the typical case <a ~
          hyperbola> 3: characterized by atoms stripped of their
          electrons and by very great density <~ matter>; also:
          consisting of degenerate matter <a ~ star> 4: having
          two or more states or subdivisions <~ energy level> 5:
          having more than one codon representing an amino acid;
          also: being such a codon syn see vicious -- de.gen.er.ate.ly
          adv -- de.gen.er.ate.ness n [2]de.gen.er.ate vi (1545)
          1: to pass from a higher to a lower type or condition:
          deteriorate 2: to sink into a low intellectual or moral
          state 3: to decline in quality <the poetry gradually
          ~s into jingles> 4: to decline from a condition or from
          the standards of a species, race, or breed 5: to evolve
          or develop into a less autonomous or less functionally
          active form <degenerated into dependent parasites> ~
          vt: to cause to degenerate [3]de.gen.er.ate n (1555):
          one that is degenerate: as a: one degraded from the normal
          moral standard b: a sexual pervert c: one showing signs
          of reversion to an earlier culture stage

   degeneration
          [de.gen.er.a.tion] n (15c) 1: degenerate condition 2: a lowering
          of effective power, vitality, or essential quality to
          an enfeebled and worsened kind or state 3: intellectual,
          moral, or artistic decline 4 a: progressive deterioration
          of physical characters from a level representing the
          norm of earlier generations or forms b: deterioration
          of a tissue or an organ in which its function is diminished
          or its structure is impaired syn see deterioration

   degenerative
          [de.gen.er.a.tive] adj (ca. 1846): of, relating to, involving,
          or causing degeneration <a ~ disease>

   deglaciation
          [de.gla.ci.a.tion] n (1895): the melting of ice; specif:
          the retreat of a glacier or ice sheet -- de.gla.ci.at.ed
          adj

   deglamorize
          [de.glam.or.ize] vt (1938): to remove the glamor from --
          de.glam.or.iza.tion n

   [1]deglaze
          [de.glaze] vt (ca. 1889): to remove the glaze from [2]deglaze
          vt [modif. of F deglacer, lit., to melt the ice from,
          fr. de- + glacer to freeze--more at glace] (1968): to
          dissolve the small particles of sauteed meat remaining
          in (a pan) by adding a liquid and heating

   deglutition
          [de.glu.ti.tion] n [F deglutition, fr. L deglutire to swallow
          down, fr. de- + glutire, gluttire to swallow--more at
          glutton] (1650): the act or process of swallowing

   degradable
          [de.grad.able] adj (ca. 1962): capable of being chemically
          degraded <~ detergents>--compare biodegradable

   degradation
          [deg.ra.da.tion] n (ca. 1535) 1: the act or process of degrading
          2 a: decline to a low, destitute, or demoralized state
          b: moral or intellectual decadence: degeneration -- deg.ra.da.tive
          adj

   degrade
          [de.grade] vb [ME, fr. OF degrader, fr. LL degradare, fr.
          L de- + gradus step, grade--more at grade] vt (14c) 1
          a: to lower in grade, rank, or status: demote b: to strip
          of rank or honors c: to lower to an inferior or less
          effective level d: to scale down in desirability or salability
          2 a: to bring to low esteem or into disrepute b: to drag
          down in moral or intellectual character: corrupt 3: to
          impair in respect to some physical property 4: to wear
          down by erosion 5: to reduce the complexity of (a chemical
          compound): decompose ~ vi 1: to pass from a higher grade
          or class to a lower 2 of a chemical compound: to become
          reduced in complexity -- de.grad.er n -- de.grad.ing.ly
          adv

   degraded
          [de.grad.ed] adj (1643) 1: reduced far below ordinary standards
          of civilized life and conduct 2: characterized by degeneration
          of structure or function -- de.grad.ed.ly adv

   degranulation
          [de.gran.u.la.tion] n (ca. 1941): the process of losing granules
          <~ of leukocytes>

   degrease
          [de.grease] vt (ca. 1889): to remove grease from -- de.greas.er
          n

   degree
          [de.gree] n [ME, fr. OF degre, fr. (assumed) VL degradus,
          fr. L de- + gradus] (13c) 1: a step or stage in a process,
          course, or order of classification <advanced by ~s> 2
          a: a rank or grade of official, ecclesiastical, or social
          position <people of low ~> b archaic: a particular standing
          esp. as to dignity or worth c: the civil condition or
          status of a person 3: a step in a direct line of descent
          or in the line of ascent to a common ancestor 4 a obs:
          step, stair b archaic: a member of a series arranged
          in steps 5: a measure of damage to tissue caused by injury
          or disease--compare first-degree burn, second-degree
          burn, third-degree burn 6 a: the extent, measure, or
          scope of an action, condition, or relation <different
          in ~ but not in kind> b: relative intensity <a high ~
          of stress> c: one of the forms or sets of forms used
          in the comparison of an adjective or adverb d: a legal
          measure of guilt or negligence <found guilty of robbery
          in the first ~> 7 a: a title conferred on students by
          a college, university, or professional school on completion
          of a program of study b: a grade of membership attained
          in a ritualistic order or society c: an academic title
          conferred to honor distinguished achievement or service
          d: the formal ceremonies observed in the conferral of
          such a distinction 8: a unit of measure for angles equal
          to an angle with its vertex at the center of a circle
          and its sides cutting off 1/360 of the circumference;
          also: a unit of measure for circular arcs equal to the
          amount of arc that subtends a central angle of one degree
          9 archaic: a position or space on the earth or in the
          heavens as measured by degrees of latitude 10 a: a step,
          note, or tone of a musical scale b: a line or space of
          the musical staff 11: one of the divisions or intervals
          marked on a scale of a measuring instrument; specif:
          any of various units for measuring temperature 12 a:
          the sum of the exponents of the variables in the term
          of highest degree in a polynomial, polynomial function,
          or polynomial equation b: the sum of the exponents of
          the variable factors of a monomial c: the greatest power
          of the derivative of highest order in a differential
          equation after the equation has been rationalized and
          cleared of fractions with respect to the derivative --
          de.greed adj -- to a degree 1: to a remarkable extent
          2: in a small way

   degree-day
          [de.gree-day] n (1832): a unit that represents one degree
          of difference from a given point (as 65 degrees) in the
          mean daily outdoor temperature and that is used esp.
          to measure heat requirements

   degree of freedom
          [degree of freedom] (1867) 1: any of a limited number of
          ways in which a body may move or in which a dynamic system
          may change 2: one of the capabilities of a statistic
          for variation of which there are as many as the number
          of unrestricted and independent variables determining
          its value

   degressive
          [de.gres.sive] adj [de- + -gressive (as in progressive)]
          (1886): tending to descend or decrease -- de.gres.sive.ly
          adv

   degringolade
          [de.grin.go.lade] n [F, fr. degringoler to tumble down, fr.
          MF desgringueler, fr. des- de- + gringueler to tumble,
          fr. MD crinkelen to make curl, fr. crinc, cring ring,
          circle] (1883): a rapid decline or deterioration (as
          in strength, position, or condition): downfall

   degum
          [de.gum] vt (1887): to free from gum, a gummy substance,
          or sericin

   degustation
          [de.gus.ta.tion] n [F degustation, fr. L degustation-, degustatio,
          fr. degustare to taste, fr. de- + gustare to taste--more at choose]
          (ca. 1656): the action or an instance of tasting esp. in a series
          of small portions -- de.gust vt

   dehisce
          [de.hisce] vi de.hisced ; de.hisc.ing [L dehiscere to split
          open, fr. de- + hiscere to gape; akin to L hiare to yawn--more
          at yawn] (1657): to split along a natural line; also:
          to discharge contents by so splitting <seedpods dehiscing
          at maturity>

   dehiscence
          [de.his.cence] n [NL dehiscentia, fr. L dehiscent-, dehiscens,
          prp. of dehiscere] (ca. 1828): an act or instance of
          dehiscing <pollen freed by ~ of the anther> -- de.his.cent
          adj

   dehorn
          [de.horn] vt (1888) 1: to deprive of horns 2: to prevent
          the growth of the horns of -- de.horn.er n

   dehumanize
          [de.hu.man.ize] vt (1818): to deprive of human qualities,
          personality, or spirit -- de.hu.man.iza.tion n

   dehumidify
          [de.hu.mid.i.fy] vt (1927): to remove moisture from (as air)
          -- de.hu.mid.i.fi.ca.tion n -- de.hu.mid.i.fi.er n

   dehydrate
          [de.hy.drate] vt (1876) 1 a: to remove bound water or hydrogen
          and oxygen from (a chemical compound) in the proportion
          in which they form water b: to remove water from (as
          foods) 2: to deprive of vitality or savor ~ vi: to lose
          water or body fluids -- de.hy.dra.tor n

   dehydration
          [de.hy.dra.tion] n (1854): the process of dehydrating; esp:
          an abnormal depletion of body fluids

   dehydrochlorinase
          [de.hy.dro.chlo.ri.nase] n (1956): an enzyme that
          dehydrochlorinates a chlorinated hydrocarbon (as DDT) and is found
          esp. in some DDT resistant insects

   dehydrochlorination
          [de.hy.dro.chlo.ri.na.tion] n (1936): the process of removing
          hydrogen and chlorine or hydrogen chloride from a compound
          -- de.hy.dro.chlo.ri.nate vt

   dehydrogenase
          [de.hy.dro.ge.nase] n [ISV] (1923): an enzyme that accelerates
          the removal of hydrogen from metabolites and its transfer
          to other substances <succinic ~>

   dehydrogenation
          [de.hy.dro.ge.na.tion] n (1866): the removal of hydrogen
          from a chemical compound -- de.hy.dro.ge.nate vt

   deice
          [de.ice] vt (1934): to rid or keep free of ice -- de.ic.er
          n

   deicide
          [de.i.cide] n [ultim. fr. L deus god + -cidium, -cida -cide--more
          at deity] (1611) 1: the act of killing a divine being
          or a symbolic substitute of such a being 2: the killer
          or destroyer of a god

   deictic
          [deic.tic] adj [Gk deiktikos able to show, fr. deiktos, verbal
          of deiknynai to show--more at diction] (1876): showing
          or pointing out directly <the words this, that, and those
          have a ~ function>

   deification
          [de.i.fi.ca.tion] n (14c): the act or an instance of deifying

   deify
          [de.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME, fr. MF deifier, fr. LL
          deificare, fr. L deus god + -ficare -fy] (14c) 1 a: to
          make a god of b: to take as an object of worship 2: to
          glorify as of supreme worth

   deign
          [deign] vb [ME, fr. OF deignier, fr. L dignare, dignari,
          fr. dignus worthy--more at decent] vi (14c): to condescend
          reluctantly and with a strong sense of the affront to
          one's superiority that is involved ~ vt: to condescend
          to give or offer

   Dei gratia
          [Dei gra.tia] [L] foreign term : by the grace of God

   deil
          [deil] n [ME devel, del] (15c) Scot: devil

   deindustrialization
          [de.in.dus.tri.al.iza.tion] n (1940): the reduction or destruction
          of a nation's industrial capacity -- de.in.dus.tri.al.ize vb

   deinonychus
          [dei.non.y.chus] n [NL, fr. Gk deinos terrifying + -onychos
          -clawed (fr. onych-, onyx claw, nail)--more at dire,
          nail] (1969): any of a genus (Deinonychus) of small bipedal
          carnivorous dinosaurs from the Cretaceou s

   deinstitutionalization
          [de.in.sti.tu.tion.al.iza.tion] n (1955) 1: the release of
          institutionalized individuals (as mental patients) from
          institutional care to care in the community 2: the reform
          or modification of an institution to remove or disguise
          its institutional character -- de.in.sti.tu.tion.al.ize
          vt

   deionize
          [de.ion.ize] vt (1906): to remove ions from <~ water by ion
          exchange> -- de.ion.iza.tion n -- de.ion.iz.er n

   deism
          [de.ism] n, often cap (1682): a movement or system of thought
          advocating natural religion, emphasizing morality, and
          in the 18th century denying the interference of the Creator
          with the laws of the universe -- de.ist n, often cap
          -- de.is.tic adj -- de.is.ti.cal adj -- de.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   deity
          [de.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME deitee, fr. OF deite, fr. LL deitat-,
          deitas, fr. L deus god; akin to OE Tiw, god of war, L
          divus god, dies day, Gk dios heavenly, Skt deva heavenly,
          god] (14c) 1 a: the rank or essential nature of a god:
          divinity b cap: god 1, supreme being 2: a god or goddess
          <the deities of ancient Greece> 3: one exalted or revered
          as supremely good or powerful

   deixis
          [deix.is] n [Gk, lit., display, fr. deiknynai to show--more
          at diction] (1949): the pointing or specifying function
          of some words (as definite articles and demonstrative
          pronouns) whose denotation changes from one discourse
          to another

   deja vu
          [de.ja vu] n [F, adj., lit., already seen] (1903) 1 a: the
          illusion of remembering scenes and events when experienced
          for the first time b: a feeling that one has seen or
          heard something before 2: something overly or unpleasantly
          familiar

   [1]deject
          [de.ject] adj (15c) archaic: dejected [2]deject vt [ME, to
          throw down, fr. L dejectus, pp. of deicere, fr. de- +
          jacere to throw--more at jet] (1581): to make gloomy

   dejecta
          [de.jec.ta] n pl [NL, fr. L, neut. pl. of dejectus] (1887):
          feces, excrement

   dejected
          [de.ject.ed] adj (1581) 1: cast down in spirits: depressed
          2 a obs, of the eyes: downcast b archaic: thrown down
          3 obs: lowered in rank or condition -- de.ject.ed.ly
          adv -- de.ject.ed.ness n

   dejection
          [de.jec.tion] n (15c): lowness of spirits

   deka-
          [deka-] or dek- --see deca-

   dekagram
          [deka.gram] n (ca. 1879): a metric unit of mass and weight
          equal to 10 grams

   dekaliter
          [deka.li.ter] n (ca. 1879): a metric unit of capacity equal
          to 10 litres

   dekameter
          [deka.me.ter] n (ca. 1879): a metric unit of length equal
          to 10 meters

   dekametric
          [deka.met.ric] adj (1968): decametric

   del
          [del] abbreviation delegate, delegation, delete  Del abbreviation
          Delaware

   delamination
          [de.lam.i.na.tion] n (1877) 1: gastrula formation in which
          the endoderm is split off as a layer from the inner surface
          of the blastoderm and the archenteron is represented
          by the space between this endoderm and the yolk mass
          2: separation into constituent layers -- de.lam.i.nate
          vi

   delate
          [de.late] vt de.lat.ed ; de.lat.ing [L delatus (pp. of deferre
          to bring down, report, accuse), fr. de- + latus, pp.
          of ferre to bear--more at tolerate] (15c) 1: accuse,
          denounce 2: report, relate -- de.la.tion n -- de.la.tor
          n

   Delaware
          [Del.a.ware] n, pl Delaware or Delawares [Delaware River]
          (1721) 1: a member of an American Indian people orig.
          of the Delaware valley 2: the Algonquian language of
          the Delaware

   [1]delay
          [de.lay] n (13c) 1 a: the act of delaying: the state of being
          delayed b: an instance of being delayed 2: the time during
          which something is delayed [2]delay vb [ME, fr. OF delaier,
          fr. de- + laier to leave, perh. alter. of laissier, fr.
          L laxare to slacken, fr. laxus loose--more at slack]
          vt (14c) 1: put off, postpone 2: to stop, detain, or
          hinder for a time ~ vi: to move or act slowly; also:
          to cause delay -- de.lay.er n syn delay, retard, slow,
          slacken, detain mean to cause to be late or behind in
          movement or progress. delay implies a holding back, usu.
          by interference, from completion or arrival <bad weather
          delayed our arrival>. retard suggests reduction of speed
          without actual stopping <language barriers retarded their
          progress>. slow and slacken also imply a reduction of
          speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention <medication
          slowed the patient's heart rate>, slacken an easing up
          or relaxing of power or effort <on hot days runners slacken
          their pace>. detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable
          or appointed time <unexpected business had detained her>.
          syn delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally
          mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay
          usu. implies a putting off (as a beginning or departure)
          <we cannot delay any longer>. procrastinate implies blameworthy
          delay esp. through laziness or apathy <procrastinates
          about making decisions>. lag implies failure to maintain
          a speed set by others <lagging behind in technology>.
          loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, esp.
          in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless
          wasting of time <loitered at several store windows> <children
          dawdling on their way home from school>. dally suggests
          delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness
          is necessary <stop dallying and get to work>.

   [1]dele
          [de.le] vt de.led ; de.le.ing [L, imper. sing. of delere]
          (1705): to delete esp. from typeset matter [2]dele n
          (ca. 1751): a mark indicating that something is to be
          deled

   [1]delectable
          [de.lec.ta.ble] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L delectabilis, fr.
          delectare to delight--more at delight] (15c) 1: highly
          pleasing: delightful 2: delicious -- de.lec.ta.bil.i.ty
          n -- de.lec.ta.bly adv [2]delectable n (1921): something
          that is delectable

   delectation
          [de.lec.ta.tion] n (14c): delight, enjoyment

   delegable
          [del.e.ga.ble] adj (1660): capable of being delegated

   delegacy
          [del.e.ga.cy] n, pl -cies (15c) 1: a body of delegates: board
          2 a: the act of delegating b: appointment as delegate

   [1]delegate
          [del.e.gate] n [ME delegat, fr. ML delegatus, fr. L, pp.
          of delegare to delegate, fr. de- + legare to send--more
          at legate] (15c): a person acting for another: as a:
          a representative to a convention or conference b: a representative
          of a U.S. territory in the House of Representatives c: a member
          of the lower house of the legislature of Maryland, Virginia,
          or West Virginia [2]del.e.gate vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing vt (1530)
          1: to entrust to another <~ authority> 2: to appoint as one's
          representative ~ vi: to assign responsibility or authority
          -- del.e.ga.tee n -- del.e.ga.tor n

   delegation
          [del.e.ga.tion] n (1612) 1: the act of empowering to act
          for another 2: a group of persons chosen to represent
          others

   delegitimation
          [de.le.git.i.ma.tion] n (1968): a decline in or loss of prestige
          or authority

   delenda est Carthago
          [de.len.da est Car.tha.go] [L] foreign term : Carthage must
          be destroyed

   delete
          [de.lete] vt de.let.ed ; de.let.ing [L deletus, pp. of delere
          to wipe out, destroy] (ca. 1605): to eliminate esp. by
          blotting out, cutting out, or erasing

   deleterious
          [del.e.te.ri.ous] adj [Gk deleterios, fr. deleisthai to hurt]
          (1643): harmful often in a subtle or unexpected way <~
          effects> <~ to health> syn see pernicious -- del.e.te.ri.ous.ly
          adv -- del.e.te.ri.ous.ness n

   deletion
          [de.le.tion] n [L deletion-, deletio destruction, fr. delere]
          (1590) 1: the act of deleting 2 a: something deleted
          b (1): the absence of a section of genetic material from
          a chromosome (2): the mutational process that results
          in a deletion

   delft
          [delft] n [Delft, Netherlands] (1723) 1: tin-glazed Dutch
          earthenware with blue and white or polychrome decoration
          2: a ceramic ware resembling or imitative of Dutch delft

   delftware
          [delft.ware] n (1714): delft

   deli
          [deli] n, pl del.is (ca. 1954): delicatessen

   [1]deliberate
          [de.lib.er.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vi (14c): to think about
          or discuss issues and decisions carefully ~ vt: to think
          about deliberately and often with formal discussion before
          reaching a decision syn see think [2]de.lib.er.ate adj
          [L deliberatus, pp. of deliberare to consider carefully,
          perh. alter. of (assumed) delibrare, fr. de- + libra
          scale, pound] (15c) 1: characterized by or resulting
          from careful and thorough consideration <a ~ decision>
          2: characterized by awareness of the consequences <~
          falsehood> 3: slow, unhurried, and steady as though allowing
          time for decision on each individual action involved
          <a ~ pace> syn see voluntary -- de.lib.er.ate.ly adv
          -- de.lib.er.ate.ness n

   deliberation
          [de.lib.er.a.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act of deliberating b:
          a discussion and consideration by a group of persons
          of the reasons for and against a measure 2: the quality
          or state of being deliberate -- de.lib.er.a.tive adj
          -- de.lib.er.a.tive.ly adv -- de.lib.er.a.tive.ness n

   delicacy
          [del.i.ca.cy] n, pl -cies (14c) 1 obs a: the quality or state
          of being luxurious b: indulgence 2: something pleasing
          to eat that is considered rare or luxurious <considered
          caviar a ~> 3 a: the quality or state of being dainty:
          fineness <lace of great ~> b: frailty 1 4: fineness or
          subtle expressiveness of touch (as in painting or music)
          5 a: precise and refined perception and discrimination
          b: extreme sensitivity: precision <an electronic instrument
          of great ~> 6 a: refined sensibility in feeling or conduct
          b: the quality or state of being squeamish 7: the quality
          or state of requiring delicate handling

   [1]delicate
          [del.i.cate] adj [ME delicat, fr. L delicatus delicate, addicted
          to pleasure; akin to L delicere to allure] (14c) 1: pleasing
          to the senses: a: generally pleasant <the climate's ~,
          the air most sweet --Shak.> b: pleasing to the sense
          of taste or smell esp. in a mild or subtle way <a ~ aroma>
          <a robust wine will dominate ~ dishes> c: marked by daintiness
          or charm of color, lines, or proportions <a ~ floral
          print> <an ample tear trilled down her ~ cheek --Shak.>
          d: marked by fineness of structure, workmanship, or texture
          <a ~ tracery> <a ~ lace> 2 a: marked by keen sensitivity
          or fine discrimination <~ insights> <a more ~ syntactic
          analysis --R. H. Robins> b: fastidious, squeamish <a
          person of ~ tastes> 3 a: not robust in health or constitution:
          weak, sickly <had been considered a ~ child> b: easily
          torn or damaged: fragile <the ~ chain of life> 4 a: requiring
          careful handling: (1): easily unsettled or upset <a ~
          balance> <the ~ relationships defined by the Constitution
          --New Yorker> (2): requiring skill or tact <in a ~ position>
          <~ negotiations> <a ~ operation> (3): involving matters
          of a deeply personal nature: sensitive <this is a ~ matter.
          Could I possibly speak to you alone --Daphne Du Maurier>
          b: marked by care, skill, or tact <~ handling of a difficult
          situation> 5: marked by great precision or sensitivity
          <a ~ instrument> syn see choice -- del.i.cate.ly adv
          [2]delicate n (15c): something delicate

   delicatessen
          [del.i.ca.tes.sen] n pl [obs. G (now Delikatessen), pl. of
          Delicatesse delicacy, fr. F delicatesse, prob. fr. OIt
          delicatezza, fr. delicato delicate, fr. L delicatus]
          (1889) 1: ready-to-eat food products (as cooked meats
          and prepared salads) 2 sing, pl delicatessens [delicatessen
          (store)]: a store where delicatessen are sold

   delicious
          [de.li.cious] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL deliciosus, fr. L deliciae
          delights, fr. delicere to allure] (14c) 1: affording
          great pleasure: delightful <~ anecdotes> 2: appealing
          to one of the bodily senses esp. of taste or smell --
          de.li.cious.ly adv -- de.li.cious.ness n Delicious n,
          pl De.li.cious.es or Delicious (ca. 1903): an important
          red or yellow market apple of American origin that has
          a crown of five rounded prominences on the end opposite
          the stem

   delict
          [de.lict] n [L delictum fault, fr. neut. of delictus, pp.
          of delinquere] (1523): an offense against the law

   [1]delight
          [de.light] n (13c) 1: a high degree of gratification: joy;
          also: extreme satisfaction 2: something that gives great
          pleasure 3 archaic: the power of affording pleasure [2]delight
          vb [ME deliten, fr. OF delitier, fr. L delectare, freq.
          of delicere to allure, fr. de- + lacere to allure] vi
          (13c) 1: to take great pleasure <~ed in playing the guitar>
          2: to give keen enjoyment <a book certain to ~> ~ vt:
          to give joy or satisfaction to -- de.light.er n

   delighted
          [de.light.ed] adj (1603) 1 obs: delightful 2: highly pleased
          -- de.light.ed.ly adv -- de.light.ed.ness n

   delightful
          [de.light.ful] adj (ca. 1530): highly pleasing -- de.light.ful.ly
          adv -- de.light.ful.ness n

   delightsome
          [de.light.some] adj (1520): very pleasing: delightful

   Delilah
          [De.li.lah] n [Heb Delilah]: the mistress and betrayer of
          Samson in the book of Judges

   delimit
          [de.lim.it] vt [F delimiter, fr. L delimitare, fr. de- +
          limitare to limit, fr. limit-, limes boundary, limit]
          (1852): to fix or define the limits of -- de.lim.i.ta.tion
          n

   delimiter
          [de.lim.it.er] n (1960): a character that marks the beginning
          or end of a unit of data

   delineate
          [de.lin.eate] vt -eat.ed ; -eat.ing [L delineatus, pp. of
          delineare, fr. de- + linea line] (1559) 1 a: to indicate
          or represent by drawn or painted lines b: to mark the
          outline of <lights delineating the narrow streets> 2:
          to describe, portray, or set forth with accuracy or in
          detail <~ a character in the story> <~ the steps to be
          taken by the government> -- de.lin.ea.tor n

   delineation
          [de.lin.ea.tion] n (1570) 1: the act of delineating 2: something
          made by delineating -- de.lin.ea.tive adj

   delineavit
          [de.li.ne.a.vit] [L] foreign term : he (or she) drew it

   delinquency
          [de.lin.quen.cy] n, pl -cies (1636) 1 a: a delinquent act
          b: conduct that is out of accord with accepted behavior
          or the law; esp: juvenile delinquency 2: a debt on which
          payment is overdue

   [1]delinquent
          [de.lin.quent] n (15c): a delinquent person [2]delinquent
          adj [L delinquent-, delinquens, prp. of delinquere to
          fail, offend, fr. de- + linquere to leave--more at loan]
          (1603) 1: offending by neglect or violation of duty or
          of law 2: being overdue in payment <a ~ charge account>
          3: of, relating to, or characteristic of delinquents:
          marked by delinquency -- de.lin.quent.ly adv

   deliquesce
          [del.i.quesce] vi -quesced ; -quesc.ing [L deliquescere,
          fr. de- + liquescere, incho. of liquere to be fluid--more
          at liquid] (1756) 1: to dissolve or melt away 2: to become
          soft or liquid with age--used of plant structures (as
          mushrooms)

   deliquescent
          [del.i.ques.cent] adj [L deliquescent-, deliquescens, prp.
          of deliquescere] (1791) 1: tending to melt or dissolve;
          esp: tending to undergo gradual dissolution and liquefaction
          by the attraction and absorption of moisture from the
          air 2: having repeated division into branches <elms are
          ~ trees>--compare excurrent 2a -- del.i.ques.cence n

   delirious
          [de.lir.i.ous] adj (1599) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of delirium 2: affected with or marked by delirium --
          de.lir.i.ous.ly adv -- de.lir.i.ous.ness n

   delirium
          [de.lir.i.um] n [L, fr. delirare to be crazy, lit., to leave
          the furrow (in plowing), fr. de- + lira furrow--more
          at learn] (ca. 1563) 1: a mental disturbance characterized
          by confusion, disordered speech, and hallucinations 2:
          frenzied excitement <he would stride about his room in
          a ~ of joy --Thomas Wolfe>

   delirium tremens
          [delirium tre.mens] n [NL, lit., trembling delirium] (1865):
          a violent delirium with tremors that is induced by excessive
          and prolonged use of alcoholic liquors--called also d.t.'s

   delist
          [de.list] vt (1933): to remove from a list; esp: to remove
          (a security) from the list of securities that may be
          dealt in on a particular exchange

   deliver
          [de.liv.er] vb de.liv.ered ; de.liv.er.ing [ME, fr. OF delivrer,
          fr. LL deliberare, fr. L de- + liberare to liberate]
          vt (13c) 1: to set free <and lead us not into temptation,
          but ~ us from evil --Mt 6:13 (AV)> 2 a: to take and hand
          over to or leave for another: convey <~ a package> b:
          hand over, surrender <~ed the prisoners to the sheriff>
          <~ed themselves over to God> 3 a (1): to assist in giving
          birth (2): to aid in the birth of b: to give birth to
          c: to cause (oneself) to produce as if by giving birth
          <has ~ed himself of half an autobiography --H. C. Schonberg>
          4: speak, sing, utter <~ed their lines with style> <~
          a song> <~ a speech> 5: to send (something aimed or guided)
          to an intended target or destination <ability to ~ nuclear
          warheads> <~ed a fastball> 6 a: to bring (as votes) to
          the support of a candidate or cause b: to come through
          with: produce <can ~ the goods> <new car ~s high gas
          mileage> ~ vi: to produce the promised, desired, or expected
          results: come through <can't ~ on all these promises>
          syn see rescue -- de.liv.er.abil.i.ty n -- de.liv.er.able
          adj -- de.liv.er.er n -- deliver the goods : to give
          results that are promised, expected, or desired

   deliverance
          [de.liv.er.ance] n (14c) 1: the act of delivering someone
          or something: the state of being delivered; esp: liberation,
          rescue 2: something delivered; esp: an opinion or decision
          (as the verdict of a jury) expressed publicly

   delivery
          [de.liv.ery] n, pl -er.ies (15c): the act of delivering something;
          also: something delivered

   delivery boy
          [delivery boy] n (1920): a person employed by a retail store
          to deliver small orders to customers on call

   deliveryman
          [de.liv.ery.man] n (1920): a person who delivers wholesale
          or retail goods to customers usu. over a regular local
          route

   dell
          [dell] n [ME delle; akin to MHG telle ravine, OE dael valley--more
          at dale] (13c): a secluded hollow or small valley usu. covered with
          trees or turf

   delly
          [delly] var of deli

   Delmonico steak
          [Del.mon.i.co steak] n [fr. the Delmonico restaurants, New
          York City, after Lorenzo Delmonico d. 1881 Am. restaurateur]
          (1925): club steak--called also Delmonico

   delocalize
          [de.lo.cal.ize] vt (1855): to free from the limitations of
          locality; specif: to remove (a charge or charge carrier)
          from a particular position -- de.lo.cal.iza.tion n

   delouse
          [de.louse] vt (ca. 1919): to remove lice from

   Delphian
          [Del.phi.an] adj (1625): delphic

   Delphic
          [Del.phic] adj (ca. 1599) 1: of or relating to ancient Delphi
          or its oracle 2 often not cap: ambiguous, obscure <~
          utterances> -- del.phi.cal.ly adv

   delphinium
          [del.phin.i.um] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk delphinion larkspur,
          dim. of delphin-, delphis dolphin; prob. fr. the shape
          of the nectary] (1664): any of a large genus (Delphinium)
          of the buttercup family that comprises chiefly perennial
          erect branching herbs with palmately divided leaves and
          irregular flowers in showy spikes and includes several
          that are poisonous--compare larkspur

   Delphinus
          [Del.phi.nus] n [L (gen. Delphini), lit., dolphin, fr. Gk
          delphin-, delphis]: a northern constellation nearly west
          of Pegasus

   [1]delta
          [del.ta] n [ME deltha, fr. Gk delta, of Sem origin; akin
          to Heb daleth daleth] (13c) 1: the 4th letter of the
          Greek alphabet 2: something shaped like a capital Greek
          delta; esp: the alluvial deposit at the mouth of a river
          3: an increment of a variable-usu.symbolized in math
          contexts by a capital Greek delta -- del.ta.ic adj [2]delta
          adj (ca. 1929): fourth in position in the structure of
          an organic molecule from a particular group or atom Delta
          (1952)--a communications code word for the letter d

   delta ray
          [delta ray] n (1908): an electron ejected by an ionizing
          particle in its passage through matter

   delta wave
          [delta wave] n (1936): a high amplitude electrical rhythm
          of the brain with a frequency of less than 6 cycles per
          second that occurs esp. in deep sleep, in infancy, and
          in many diseased conditions of the brain--called also
          delta, delta rhythm

   delta wing
          [delta wing] n [[1]delta; fr. its shape] (1946): a triangular
          swept-back airplane wing with a usu. straight trailing
          edge

   [1]deltoid
          [del.toid] n [NL deltoides, fr. Gk deltoeides shaped like
          a delta, fr. delta] (ca. 1681): a large triangular muscle
          that covers the shoulder joint and serves to raise the
          arm laterally [2]deltoid adj (ca. 1753) 1: having a triangular
          shape <a ~ leaf>--see leaf illustration 2: relating to,
          associated with, or supplying the deltoid

   deltoideus
          [del.toi.de.us] n, pl del.toi.dei [NL, alter. of deltoides]
          (ca. 1860): deltoid

   delude
          [de.lude] vt de.lud.ed ; de.lud.ing [ME, fr. L deludere,
          fr. de- + ludere to play--more at ludicrous] (15c) 1:
          to mislead the mind or judgment of: deceive, trick 2
          obs a: frustrate, disappoint b: evade, elude syn see
          deceive -- de.lud.er n

   [1]deluge
          [del.uge] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L diluvium, fr. diluere to wash
          away, fr. dis- + lavere to wash--more at lye] (14c) 1
          a: an overflowing of the land by water b: a drenching
          rain 2: an overwhelming amount or number [2]deluge vt
          del.uged ; del.ug.ing (1593) 1: to overflow with water:
          inundate 2: overwhelm, swamp

   delusion
          [de.lu.sion] n [ME, fr. LL delusion-, delusio, fr. deludere]
          (15c) 1 a: the act of deluding: the state of being deluded
          b: an abnormal mental state characterized by the occurrence
          of psychotic delusions 2 a: something that is falsely
          or delusively believed or propagated b: a persistent
          false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons
          or objects outside the self -- de.lu.sion.al adj -- de.lu.sion.ary
          adj

   delusive
          [de.lu.sive] adj (1605) 1: likely to delude 2: constituting
          a delusion -- de.lu.sive.ly adv -- de.lu.sive.ness n

   delusory
          [de.lu.so.ry] adj (15c): deceptive, delusive

   deluster
          [de.lus.ter] vt (1926): to reduce the sheen of (as yarn or
          fabric)

   deluxe
          [de.luxe] adj [F de luxe, lit., of luxury] (1819): notably
          luxurious, elegant, or expensive <a ~ edition> <~ hotels>

   [1]delve
          [delve] vb delved ; delv.ing [ME, fr. OE delfan; akin to
          OHG telban to dig] vt (bef. 12c) archaic: excavate ~
          vi 1: to dig or labor with or as if with a spade 2: to
          make a careful or detailed search for information <delved
          into the past> -- delv.er n [2]delve n (14c) archaic:
          cave, hollow

   dely
          [dely] abbreviation delivery

   dem
          [dem] abbreviation demonstrative, demurrage  Dem abbreviation
          Democrat, Democratic

   demagnetize
          [de.mag.ne.tize] vt (1839): to deprive of magnetic properties
          -- de.mag.ne.ti.za.tion n -- de.mag.ne.tiz.er n

   demagogic
          [dem.a.gog.ic] adj (1831): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a demagogue: employing demagoguery -- dem.a.gog.i.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]demagogue
          [dem.a.gogue] or dem.a.gog n [Gk demagogos, fr. demos people
          (perh. akin to Gk daiesthai to divide) + agogos leading,
          fr. agein to lead--more at tide, agent] (1648) 1: a leader
          who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims
          and promises in order to gain power 2: a leader championing
          the cause of the common people in ancient times -- dem.a.gogu.ery
          n -- dem.a.gogy n [2]demagogue or demagog vb -gogued
          or -goged ; -gogu.ing or -gog.ing vi (1656): to behave
          like a demagogue ~ vt: to treat (as an issue) in a demogogic
          manner

   [1]demand
          [de.mand] n (13c) 1 a: an act of demanding or asking esp.
          with authority b: something claimed as due 2 archaic:
          question 3 a: willingness and ability to purchase a commodity
          or service b: the quantity of a commodity or service
          wanted at a specified price and time 4 a: a seeking or
          state of being sought after <in great ~ as an entertainer>
          b: urgent need 5: the requirement of work or of the expenditure
          of a resource <equal to the ~s of the office> <oxygen
          ~ for waste oxidation> -- on demand : upon presentation
          and request for payment; also: when requested or needed
          [2]demand vb [ME demaunden, fr. OF demander, fr. ML demandare,
          fr. L, to entrust, charge, fr. de- + mandare to enjoin--more
          at mandate] vi (14c): to make a demand: ask ~ vt 1: to
          ask or call for with authority: claim as due or just
          <~ed to see a lawyer> 2: to call for urgently, peremptorily,
          or insistently <~ed that the rioters disperse> 3 a: to
          ask authoritatively or earnestly to be informed of b:
          to require to come: summon 4: to call for as useful or
          necessary -- de.mand.able adj -- de.mand.er n syn demand,
          claim, require, exact mean to ask or call for something
          as due or as necessary. demand implies peremptoriness
          and insistence and often the right to make requests that
          are to be regarded as commands <demanded payment of the
          debt>. claim implies a demand for the delivery or concession
          of something due as one's own or one's right <claimed
          the right to manage his own affairs>. require suggests
          the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity,
          compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of
          the situation <the patient requires constant attention>.
          exact implies not only demanding but getting what one
          demands <exacts absolute loyalty>.

   demandant
          [de.man.dant] n (15c) 1 archaic: the plaintiff in a real
          action 2 archaic: one who makes a demand or claim

   demand deposit
          [demand deposit] n (1923): a bank deposit that can be withdrawn
          without advance notice

   demanding
          [de.mand.ing] adj (1926): requiring much time, effort, or
          attention: exacting -- de.mand.ing.ly adv -- de.mand.ing.ness
          n

   demand loan
          [demand loan] n (1913): call loan

   demand note
          [demand note] n (1862): a note payable on demand

   demand-pull
          [de.mand-pull] n (1952): an increase or upward trend in spendable
          money that tends to result in increased competition for
          available goods and services and a corresponding increase
          in consumer prices--compare cost-push -- demand-pull
          adj

   demand-side
          [de.mand-side] adj (1980): of, relating to, or being an economic
          theory that advocates use of government spending and
          growth in the money supply to stimulate the demand for
          goods and services and therefore expand economic activity--compare
          supply-side

   demantoid
          [dem.an.toid] n [G, fr. obs. G Demant diamond, fr. MHG diemant,
          fr. OF diamant--more at diamond] (ca. 1890): a green
          garnet used as a gem

   demarcate
          [de.mar.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [back-formation fr.
          demarcation, fr. Sp demarcacion, fr. demarcar to delimit, fr. de-
          + marcar to mark, prob. fr. It marcare, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          marha boundary--more at mark] (1816) 1: delimit 2: to set apart:
          separate -- de.mar.ca.tion n

   demarche
          [de.marche] n [F demarche, lit., gait, fr. MF, fr. demarcher
          to march, fr. OF demarchier, fr. de- + marchier to march]
          (1658) 1 a: a course of action: maneuver b: a diplomatic
          or political initiative or maneuver 2: a petition or
          protest presented through diplomatic channels

   demark
          [de.mark] vt (1834): demarcate

   dematerialize
          [de.ma.te.ri.al.ize] vt (ca. 1864): to cause to become or
          appear immaterial ~ vi: to lose or appear to lose materiality
          -- de.ma.te.ri.al.iza.tion n

   deme
          [deme] n [Gk demos people, deme] (1833) 1: a unit of local
          government in ancient Attica 2: a local population of
          closely related interbreeding organisms

   [1]demean
          [de.mean] vt de.meaned ; de.mean.ing [ME demenen, fr. MF
          demener to conduct, fr. de- + mener to lead, fr. L minare
          to drive, fr. minari to threaten--more at mount] (14c):
          to conduct or behave (oneself) usu. in a proper manner
          [2]demean vt de.meaned ; de.mean.ing [de- + [1]mean]
          (1601): to lower in character, status, or reputation

   demeanor
          [de.mean.or] n [[1]demean] (ca. 1485): behavior toward others:
          outward manner syn see bearing

   demeanour
          [demeanour] Brit var of demeanor

   demented
          [de.ment.ed] adj (1644): mad, insane -- de.ment.ed.ly adv
          -- de.ment.ed.ness n

   dementia
          [de.men.tia] n [L, fr. dement-, demens mad, fr. de- + ment-,
          mens mind--more at mind] (1806) 1: a condition of deteriorated
          mentality often with emotional apathy 2: madness, insanity
          <a fanaticism bordering on ~> -- de.men.tial adj

   dementia praecox
          [dementia prae.cox] n [NL, lit., premature dementia] (1899):
          schizophrenia

   demerit
          [de.mer.it] n [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF demerite, fr. ML demeritum,
          fr. neut. of demeritus, pp. of demerere to be undeserving
          of, fr. L, to earn, fr. de- + merere to merit] (15c)
          1 obs: offense 2 a: a quality that deserves blame or
          lacks merit: fault, defect b: lack of merit 3: a mark
          usu. entailing a loss of privilege given to an offender

   Demerol
          [De.mer.ol] trademark--used for meperidine

   demersal
          [de.mer.sal] adj [L demersus (pp. of demergere to sink, fr.
          de- + mergere to dip, sink) + E [1]-al--more at merge]
          (1889): living near, deposited on, or sinking to the
          bottom of the sea <~ fish eggs>

   demesne
          [de.mesne] n [ME, fr. AF, modif. of OF demaine--more at domain]
          (14c) 1: legal possession of land as one's own 2: realm
          4b, domain 3: manorial land actually possessed by the
          lord and not held by tenants 4 a: the land attached to
          a mansion b: landed property: estate c: region 2, territory

   Demeter
          [De.me.ter] n [L, fr. Gk Demeter]: the Greek goddess
          of agriculture--compare ceres

   demi-
          [demi-] prefix [ME, fr. demi, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL dimedius,
          modif. of L dimidius, fr. dis- + medius mid--more at
          mid] 1: half <demisemiquaver> 2: one that partly belongs
          to (a specified type or class) <demigod>

   demigod
          [demi.god] n (1530) 1: a mythological being with more power
          than a mortal but less than a god 2: a person so outstanding
          as to seem to approach the divine

   demigoddess
          [demi.god.dess] n (1603): a female demigod

   demijohn
          [demi.john] n [by folk etymology fr. F dame-jeanne, lit.,
          Lady Jane] (1806): a large narrow-necked bottle usu.
          enclosed in wickerwork

   demilitarize
          [de.mil.i.ta.rize] vt (1883) 1 a: to do away with the military
          organization or potential of b: to prohibit (as a zone
          or frontier area) from being used for military purposes
          2: to rid of military characteristics or uses --
          de.mil.i.tar.iza.tion n

   demimondaine
          [demi.mon.daine] n [F demi-mondaine, fr. fem. of demi-mondain,
          fr. demi-monde] (1894): a woman of the demimonde

   demimonde
          [demi.monde] n [F demi-monde, fr. demi- + monde world, fr.
          L mundus] (1855) 1 a: a class of women on the fringes
          of respectable society supported by wealthy lovers b:
          prostitutes 2: demimondaine 3: a distinctive class, group,
          or activity that is often an isolated part of a larger
          class, group, or activity <the pop music ~> <the literary
          ~>; esp: one having little reputation or prestige

   demineralization
          [de.min.er.al.iza.tion] n (1903) 1: loss of bodily minerals
          (as calcium salts) esp. in disease 2: the process of
          removing mineral matter or salts (as from water) --
          de.min.er.al.ize vt -- de.min.er.al.iz.er n

   demirep
          [demi.rep] n [demi- + rep (reprobate)] (1749): demimondaine

   [1]demise
          [de.mise] vb de.mised ; de.mis.ing vt (15c) 1: to convey
          (as an estate) by will or lease 2 obs: convey, give 3:
          to transmit by succession or inheritance ~ vi 1: die,
          decease 2: to pass by descent or bequest <the property
          has demised to the king> [2]demise n [MF, fem. of demis,
          pp. of demettre to dismiss, fr. L demittere to send down,
          fr. de- + mittere to send] (15c) 1: the conveyance of
          an estate 2: transfer of the sovereignty to a successor
          3 a: death b: a cessation of existence or activity c:
          a loss of position or status

   demi-sec
          [demi-sec] adj [F] (1926) of champagne: moderately sweet

   demisemiquaver
          [demi.semi.qua.ver] n (ca. 1706): thirty-second note

   demission
          [de.mis.sion] n [MF, fr. L demission-, demissio lowering,
          fr. demittere] (15c): resignation, abdication

   demit
          [de.mit] vb de.mit.ted ; de.mit.ting [MF demettre] vt (15c)
          1 archaic: dismiss 2: resign ~ vi: to withdraw from office
          or membership

   demitasse
          [demi.tasse] n [F demi-tasse, fr. demi- + tasse cup, fr.
          MF, fr. Ar tass, fr. Per tast] (1842): a small cup of
          black coffee; also: the cup used to serve it

   demiurge
          [demi.urge] n [LL demiurgus, fr. Gk demiourgos, lit., artisan,
          one with special skill, fr. demios of the people (fr.
          demos people) + -ourgos worker (fr. ergon work)--more
          at demagogue, work] (1678) 1 cap a: a Platonic subordinate
          deity who fashions the sensible world in the light of
          eternal ideas b: a Gnostic subordinate deity who is the
          creator of the material world 2: one that is an autonomous
          creative force or decisive power -- demi.ur.gic also
          demi.ur.gi.cal adj

   demiworld
          [demi.world] n (1862): demimonde 3

   demo
          [demo] n, pl dem.os (1793) 1 cap: democrat 2 2 a: demonstration
          1b b Brit: demonstration 4 3 a: demonstrator a b: a recording
          intended to show off a song or performer to a record
          producer

   [1]demob
          [de.mob] vt (1919) chiefly Brit: demobilize [2]demob n (1945)
          chiefly Brit: the act or process of demobilizing

   demobilize
          [de.mo.bi.lize] vt (1882) 1: disband 2: to discharge from
          military service -- de.mo.bi.li.za.tion n

   democracy
          [de.moc.ra.cy] n, pl -cies [MF democratie, fr. LL democratia,
          fr. Gk demokratia, fr. demos + -kratia -cracy] (1576)
          1 a: government by the people; esp: rule of the majority
          b: a government in which the supreme power is vested
          in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly
          through a system of representation usu. involving periodically
          held free elections 2: a political unit that has a democratic
          government 3 cap: the principles and policies of the
          Democratic party in the U.S. 4: the common people esp.
          when constituting the source of political authority 5:
          the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions
          or privileges

   democrat
          [dem.o.crat] n (1740) 1 a: an adherent of democracy b: one
          who practices social equality 2 cap: a member of the
          Democratic party of the U.S.

   democratic
          [dem.o.crat.ic] adj (1602) 1: of, relating to, or favoring
          democracy 2 often cap: of or relating to one of the two
          major political parties in the U.S. evolving in the early
          19th century from the anti-federalists and the
          Democratic-Republican party and associated in modern times with
          policies of broad social reform and internationalism 3: relating
          to, appealing to, or available to the broad masses of the people
          <~ art> 4: favoring social equality: not snobbish
          -- dem.o.crat.i.cal.ly adv

   democratic centralism
          [democratic centralism] n (1926): a principle of Communist
          party organization by which members take part in policy
          discussions and elections at all levels but must follow
          decisions made at higher levels

   Democratic-Republican
          [Democratic-Republican] adj (1818): of or relating to a major
          American political party of the early 19th century favoring
          a strict interpretation of the constitution to restrict
          the powers of the federal government and emphasizing
          states' rights

   democratize
          [de.moc.ra.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1798): to make democratic
          -- de.moc.ra.ti.za.tion n -- de.moc.ra.tiz.er n

   demode
          [de.mo.de] adj [F, fr. de- de- + mode] (1873): no longer
          fashionable: out-of-date

   demoded
          [de.mod.ed] adj (1887): demode

   demodulate
          [de.mod.u.late] vt (1927): to extract the intelligence from
          (a modulated signal) -- de.mod.u.la.tion n -- de.mod.u.la.tor
          n

   Demogorgon
          [De.mo.gor.gon] n [LL]: a mysterious spirit or deity often
          explained as a primeval creator god who antedates the
          gods of Greek mythology

   demographic
          [de.mo.graph.ic] also de.mo.graph.i.cal adj (1882) 1: of
          or relating to demography or demographics 2: relating
          to the dynamic balance of a population esp. with regard
          to density and capacity for expansion or decline --
          de.mo.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   demographics
          [de.mo.graph.ics] n pl (ca. 1966) 1: the statistical
          characteristics of human populations (as age or income) used esp.
          to identify markets 2: the demographic profile of a market (as the
          viewers of a TV show)

   demography
          [de.mog.ra.phy] n [F demographie, fr. Gk demos people + F
          -graphie -graphy] (1880): the statistical study of human
          populations esp. with reference to size and density,
          distribution, and vital statistics -- de.mog.ra.pher
          n

   demoiselle
          [dem.oi.selle] n [F, fr. OF dameisele--more at damsel] (1520)
          1: a young lady 2: damselfly 3: damselfish

   DeMoivre's theorem
          [De.Moi.vre's theorem] n [Abraham De Moivre d. 1754
          Fr. mathematician] (ca. 1891):
          a theorem of complex numbers: the nth power
          of a complex number has for its absolute value and its
          argument respectively the nth power of the absolute value
          and n times the argument of the complex number

   demolish
          [de.mol.ish] vt [MF demoliss-, stem of demolir, fr. L demoliri,
          fr. de- + moliri to construct, fr. moles mass--more at
          mole] (1570) 1 a: tear down, raze b: to break to pieces:
          smash 2 a: to do away with: destroy b: to strip of any
          pretense of merit or credence -- de.mol.ish.er n --
          de.mol.ish.ment n

   demolition
          [de.mo.li.tion] n (1549) 1: the act of demolishing; esp:
          destruction in war by means of explosives 2 pl: explosives
          for destruction in war -- de.mo.li.tion.ist n

   demolition derby
          [demolition derby] n (ca. 1953): a contest in which skilled
          drivers ram old cars into one another until only one
          car remains running

   demon
          [de.mon] or dae.mon n [ME demon, fr. LL & L; LL daemon evil
          spirit, fr. L, divinity, spirit, fr. Gk daimon, prob.
          fr. daiesthai to distribute--more at tide] (13c) 1 a:
          an evil spirit b: a source or agent of evil, harm, distress,
          or ruin 2 usu daemon: an attendant power or spirit: genius
          3 usu daemon: a supernatural being of Greek mythology
          intermediate between gods and men 4: one that has exceptional
          enthusiasm, drive, or effectiveness <a ~ for work> --
          de.mo.ni.an adj -- de.mon.iza.tion n -- de.mon.ize vt

   demonetize
          [de.mon.e.tize] vt [F demonetiser, fr. de- de- + L moneta
          coin--more at mint] (1852) 1: to stop using (a metal)
          as a monetary standard 2: to deprive of value for official
          payment -- de.mon.e.ti.za.tion n

   [1]demoniac
          [de.mo.ni.ac] also de.mo.ni.a.cal adj [ME demoniak, fr. LL
          daemoniacus, fr. Gk daimoniakos, fr. daimon-, daimon]
          (14c) 1: possessed or influenced by a demon 2: of, relating
          to, or suggestive of a demon: fiendish <~ cruelty> --
          de.mo.ni.a.cal.ly adv [2]demoniac n (14c): one possessed
          by a demon

   demonic
          [de.mon.ic] also de.mon.i.cal adj (1662): demoniac 2
          -- de.mon.i.cal.ly adv

   demonology
          [de.mon.ol.o.gy] n (1597) 1: the study of demons or evil
          spirits 2: belief in demons: a doctrine of evil spirits
          3: a catalog of enemies <the liberal creed at that time
          put Big Business in a central place in its ~ --Carl Kaysen>
          -- de.mon.olog.i.cal adj -- de.mon.ol.o.gist n

   demonstrable
          [de.mon.stra.ble] adj (15c) 1: capable of being demonstrated
          2: apparent, evident -- de.mon.stra.bil.i.ty n -- de.mon.stra.bly
          adv

   demonstrate
          [dem.on.strate] vb -strat.ed ; -strat.ing [L demonstratus,
          pp. of demonstrare, fr. de- + monstrare to show--more
          at muster] vt (1552) 1: to show clearly 2 a: to prove
          or make clear by reasoning or evidence b: to illustrate
          and explain esp. with many examples 3: to show or prove
          the value or efficiency of to a prospective buyer ~ vi:
          to make a demonstration syn see show

   demonstration
          [dem.on.stra.tion] n (14c) 1: an act, process, or means of
          demonstrating to the intelligence: as a (1): conclusive
          evidence: proof (2): derivation 5 b: a showing of the
          merits of a product or service to a prospective consumer
          2: an outward expression or display 3: a show of armed
          force 4: a public display of group feelings toward a
          person or cause -- dem.on.stra.tion.al adj

   [1]demonstrative
          [de.mon.stra.tive] adj (14c) 1 a: demonstrating as real or
          true b: characterized or established by demonstration
          2: pointing out the one referred to and distinguishing
          it from others of the same class <~ pronouns> 3 a: marked
          by display of feeling b: inclined to display feelings
          openly -- de.mon.stra.tive.ly adv -- de.mon.stra.tive.ness
          n [2]demonstrative n (15c): a demonstrative word or morpheme

   demonstrator
          [dem.on.stra.tor] n (1611): one that demonstrates: a: a product
          (as an automobile) used to demonstrate performance or
          merits to prospective buyers b: someone who engages in
          a public demonstration

   demoralize
          [de.mor.al.ize] vt (ca. 1793) 1: to corrupt the morals of
          2 a: to weaken the morale of: discourage, dispirit b:
          to upset or destroy the normal functioning of c: to throw
          into disorder -- de.mor.al.iza.tion n -- de.mor.al.iz.er
          n -- de.mor.al.iz.ing.ly adv

   demos
          [de.mos] n [Gk demos--more at demagogue] (1831) 1: populace
          2: the common people of an ancient Greek state

   demote
          [de.mote] vt de.mot.ed ; de.mot.ing [de- + -mote (as in promote)]
          (ca. 1891) 1: to reduce to a lower grade or rank 2: to
          relegate to a less important position -- de.mo.tion n

   demotic
          [de.mot.ic] adj [Gk demotikos, fr. demotes commoner, fr.
          demos] (1822) 1: of, relating to, or written in a simplified
          form of the ancient Egyptian hieratic writing 2: popular,
          common <~ idiom> 3: of or relating to the form of Modern
          Greek that is based on everyday speech

   demount
          [de.mount] vt (ca. 1930) 1: to remove from a mounted position
          2: disassemble -- de.mount.able adj

   [1]demulcent
          [de.mul.cent] adj [L demulcent-, demulcens, prp. of demulcere
          to soothe, fr. de- + mulcere to soothe] (1732): soothing
          [2]demulcent n (1732): a usu. mucilaginous or oily substance
          (as tragacanth) that can soothe or protect an abraded
          mucous membrane

   demultiplexer
          [de.mul.ti.plex.er] n (1963): an electronic device that separates
          a multiplex signal into its component parts

   [1]demur
          [de.mur] vi de.murred ; de.mur.ring [ME demeoren to linger,
          fr. OF demorer, fr. L demorari, fr. de- + morari to linger,
          fr. mora delay--more at mora] (13c) 1 archaic: delay,
          hesitate 2: to file a demurrer 3: to take exception:
          object--often used with to or at [2]demur n (13c) 1:
          hesitation (as in doing or accepting) usu. based on doubt
          of the acceptability of something offered or proposed
          2: the act or an instance of objecting: protest syn see
          qualm

   demure
          [de.mure] adj [ME] (14c) 1: reserved, modest 2: affectedly
          modest, reserved, or serious: coy -- de.mure.ly adv --
          de.mure.ness n

   demurrage
          [de.mur.rage] n (1641) 1: the detention of a ship by the
          freighter beyond the time allowed for loading, unloading,
          or sailing 2: a charge for detaining a ship, freight
          car, or truck

   demurral
          [de.mur.ral] n (1810): the act or an instance of demurring

   [1]demurrer
          [de.mur.rer] n [MF demorer, v.] (ca. 1521) 1: a response
          in a court proceeding in which the defendant does not
          dispute the truth of the allegation but claims it is
          not sufficient grounds to justify legal action 2: objection
          [2]de.mur.rer n [[1]demur] (1711): one that demurs

   demyelinating
          [de.my.e.lin.at.ing] adj (1939): causing or characterized
          by the loss or destruction of myelin <~ diseases> <a
          ~ agent> -- de.my.e.lin.ation n

   demystify
          [de.mys.ti.fy] vt (1963): to eliminate the mystifying features
          of -- de.mys.ti.fi.ca.tion n

   demythologize
          [de.my.thol.o.gize] vt (1950) 1: to divest of mythological
          forms in order to uncover the meaning underlying them
          <~ the Gospels> 2: to divest of mythical elements or
          associations -- de.my.thol.o.gi.za.tion n -- de.my.thol.o.giz.er
          n

   [1]den
          [den] n [ME, fr. OE denn; akin to OE denu valley, OHG tenni
          threshing floor] (bef. 12c) 1: the lair of a wild usu.
          predatory animal 2 a (1): a hollow or cavern used esp.
          as a hideout (2): a center of secret activity b: a small
          usu. squalid dwelling 3: a comfortable usu. secluded
          room 4: a subdivision of a Cub Scout pack made up of
          two or more boys [2]den vb denned ; den.ning vi (13c):
          to live in or retire to a den ~ vt: to drive into a den

   Den
          [Den] abbreviation Denmark

   denarius
          [de.nar.i.us] n, pl de.nar.ii [ME, fr. L--more at denier]
          (14c) 1: a small silver coin of ancient Rome 2: a gold
          coin of the Roman Empire equivalent to 25 denarii

   denationalize
          [de.na.tion.al.ize] vt (1807) 1: to divest of national character
          or rights 2: to remove from ownership or control by the
          national government -- de.na.tion.al.iza.tion n

   denaturalize
          [de.nat.u.ral.ize] vt (1800) 1: to make unnatural 2: to deprive
          of the rights and duties of a citizen -- de.nat.u.ral.iza.tion
          n

   denature
          [de.na.ture] vb de.na.tured ; de.na.tur.ing vt (1685) 1:
          dehumanize 2: to deprive of natural qualities: change
          the nature of: as a: to make (alcohol) unfit for drinking
          (as by adding an obnoxious substance) without impairing
          usefulness for other purposes b: to modify the molecular
          structure of (as a protein or DNA) esp. by heat, acid,
          alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so as to destroy or
          diminish some of the original properties and esp. the
          specific biological activity ~ vi: to become denatured
          -- de.na.tur.ant n -- de.na.tur.ation n

   denazify
          [de.na.zi.fy] vt -fied ; -fying (1940): to rid of Nazism
          and its influence -- de.na.zi.fi.ca.tion n

   dendr-
          [dendr-] or dendro- comb form [Gk, fr. dendron; akin to Gk
          drys tree--more at tree]: tree <dendrology>: resembling
          a tree <dendrite>

   dendriform
          [den.dri.form] adj (ca. 1847): resembling a tree in structure

   dendrite
          [den.drite] n (1751) 1: a branching treelike figure produced
          on or in a mineral by a foreign mineral; also: the mineral
          so marked 2: a crystallized arborescent form 3: any of
          the usu. branching protoplasmic processes that conduct
          impulses toward the body of a nerve cell--see neuron
          illustration

   dendritic
          [den.drit.ic] adj (1816): resembling or having dendrites:
          branching like a tree <a ~ drainage system> <~ cells>

   dendrochronology
          [den.dro.chro.nol.o.gy] n (ca. 1928): the science of dating
          events and variations in environment in former periods
          by comparative study of growth rings in trees and aged
          wood -- den.dro.chro.no.log.i.cal adj --
          den.dro.chro.no.log.i.cal.ly adv -- den.dro.chro.nol.o.gist n

   dendrogram
          [den.dro.gram] n (ca. 1953): a branching diagram representing
          a hierarchy of categories based on degree of similarity
          or number of shared characteristics esp. in biological
          taxonomy--compare cladogram

   dendroid
          [den.droid] adj [Gk dendroeides, fr. dendron] (ca. 1828):
          resembling a tree in form: arborescent

   dendrology
          [den.drol.o.gy] n (ca. 1708): the study of trees -- den.dro.log.ic
          or den.dro.log.i.cal adj -- den.drol.o.gist n

   dene
          [dene] n [ME, fr. OE denu] (bef. 12c) Brit: valley De.ne
          n, pl Dene or De.nes [CanF, fr. Athabascan; akin to Chipewyan
          dene person] (1891): a member of any of the Athabascan-speaking
          peoples of the interior of Alaska and northwestern Canada;
          also: the languages of these peoples

   Deneb
          [Den.eb] n [Ar dhanab al-dajaja, lit., the tail of the hen]:
          a star of the first magnitude in Cygnus

   denegation
          [den.e.ga.tion] n [ME denegacioun, fr. MF or L; MF denegation,
          fr. L denegation-, denegatio, fr. denegare to deny--more
          at deny] (15c): denial

   denervate
          [de.ner.vate] vt -vat.ed ; -vat.ing (1905): to deprive of
          a nerve supply (as by cutting a nerve) -- de.ner.va.tion
          n

   dengue
          [den.gue] n [AmerSp] (1828): an acute infectious disease
          caused by an arbovirus, transmitted by aedes mosquitoes,
          and characterized by headache, severe joint pain, and
          a rash--called also breakbone fever, dengue fever

   deniability
          [de.ni.abil.i.ty] n (1973): the ability to deny something
          esp. on the basis of being officially uninformed

   deniable
          [de.ni.able] adj (1548): capable of being denied

   denial
          [de.ni.al] n (1528) 1: refusal to satisfy a request or desire
          2 a (1): refusal to admit the truth or reality (as of
          a statement or charge) (2): assertion that an allegation
          is false b: refusal to acknowledge a person or a thing:
          disavowal 3: the opposing by the defendant of an allegation
          of the opposite party in a lawsuit 4: self-denial 5:
          negation in logic 6: a psychological defense mechanism
          in which confrontation with a personal problem or with
          reality is avoided by denying the existence of the problem
          or reality

   [1]denier
          [de.ni.er] n (15c): one that denies [2]de.nier n [ME denere,
          fr. MF denier, fr. L denarius, coin worth ten asses,
          fr. denarius containing ten, fr. deni ten each, fr. decem
          ten--more at ten] (15c) 1: a small orig. silver coin
          formerly used in western Europe 2: a unit of fineness
          for yarn equal to the fineness of a yarn weighing one
          gram for each 9000 meters <100-denier yarn is finer than
          150-denier yarn>

   denigrate
          [den.i.grate] vt -grat.ed ; -grat.ing [L denigratus, pp.
          of denigrare, fr. de- + nigrare to blacken, fr. nigr-,
          niger black] (1526) 1: to cast aspersions on: defame
          2: to deny the importance or validity of: belittle --
          den.i.gra.tion n -- den.i.gra.tive adj -- den.i.gra.tor
          n -- den.i.gra.to.ry adj

   denim
          [den.im] n [F (serge) de Nimes serge of Nimes, France] (1695)
          1 a: a firm durable twilled usu. cotton fabric woven
          with colored warp and white filling threads b: a similar
          fabric woven in colored stripes 2 pl: overalls or trousers
          usu. of blue denim

   denitrification
          [de.ni.tri.fi.ca.tion] n (1883): the loss or removal of nitrogen
          or nitrogen compounds; specif: reduction of nitrates
          or nitrites commonly by bacteria (as in soil) that usu.
          results in the escape of nitrogen into the air -- de.ni.tri.fi.er
          n -- de.ni.tri.fy vt

   denizen
          [den.i.zen] n [ME denizeine, fr. AF denzein inhabitant, inner
          part, inner, fr. OF denz within, fr. LL deintus, fr.
          L de- + intus within--more at ent-] (15c) 1: inhabitant
          2: one admitted to residence in a foreign country; esp:
          an alien admitted to rights of citizenship 3: one that
          frequents a place

   den mother
          [den mother] n (1946): a female adult leader of a Cub Scout
          den; also: a person seen in the role of leader or protector
          of a group

   denominal
          [de.nom.i.nal] adj (1951): derived from a noun

   denominate
          [de.nom.i.nate] vt [L denominatus, pp. of denominare, fr.
          de- + nominare to name--more at nominate] (ca. 1552)
          1: to give a name to: designate 2: to express or designate
          in some denomination <will ~ prices in U.S. dollars>

   denominate number
          [de.nom.i.nate number] n [L denominatus] (1579): a number
          (as 7 in 7 feet) that specifies a quantity in terms of
          a unit of measurement

   denomination
          [de.nom.i.na.tion] n (15c) 1: an act of denominating 2: a
          value or size of a series of values or sizes (as of money)
          3: name, designation; esp: a general name for a category
          4: a religious organization uniting local congregations
          in a single legal and administrative body -- de.nom.i.na.tion.al
          adj

   denominationalism
          [de.nom.i.na.tion.al.ism] n (ca. 1855) 1: devotion to
          denominational principles or interests 2: the emphasizing
          of denominational differences to the point of being narrowly
          exclusive: sectarianism

   denominative
          [de.nom.i.na.tive] adj [L de from + nomin-, nomen name] (ca.
          1783): derived from a noun or adjective -- denominative
          n

   denominator
          [de.nom.i.na.tor] n (ca. 1542) 1: the part of a fraction
          below the line signifying division that functions as
          the divisor of the numerator and in fractions with 1
          as the numerator indicates into how many parts the unit
          is divided 2 a: a common trait b: the average level (as
          of taste or opinion): standard

   denotation
          [de.no.ta.tion] n (ca. 1532) 1: an act or process of denoting
          2: meaning; esp: a direct specific meaning as distinct
          from an implied or associated idea 3 a: a denoting term:
          name b: sign, indication <visible ~s of divine wrath>
          4: the totality of things to which a term is applicable
          esp. in logic--compare connotation

   denotative
          [de.no.ta.tive] adj (ca. 1611) 1: denoting or tending to
          denote 2: relating to denotation

   denote
          [de.note] vt [MF denoter, fr. L denotare, fr. de- + notare
          to note] (1592) 1: to serve as an indication of: betoken
          <the swollen bellies that ~ starvation> 2: to serve as
          an arbitrary mark for <red flares denoting danger> 3:
          to make known: announce <his crestfallen look denoted
          his distress> 4 a: to serve as a linguistic expression
          of the notion of: mean b: to stand for: designate --
          de.note.ment n

   denouement
          [de.noue.ment] n [F denouement, lit., untying, fr. MF desnouement,
          fr. desnouer to untie, fr. OF desnoer, fr. desde- + noer to tie,
          fr. L nodare, fr. nodus knot--more at node] (1752) 1: the final
          outcome of the main dramatic complication in a literary work 2: the
          outcome of a complex sequence of events

   denounce
          [de.nounce] vt de.nounced ; de.nounc.ing [ME, fr. OF denoncier
          to proclaim, fr. L denuntiare, fr. de- + nuntiare to
          report--more at announce] (13c) 1: to pronounce esp.
          publicly to be blameworthy or evil 2 archaic a: proclaim
          b: to announce threateningly 3: to inform against: accuse
          4 obs: portend 5: to announce formally the termination
          of (as a treaty) syn see criticize -- de.nounce.ment
          n -- de.nounc.er n

   dense
          [dense] adj dens.er ; dens.est [L densus; akin to Gk dasys
          thick with hair or leaves] (15c) 1 a: marked by compactness
          or crowding together of parts b: having a high mass per
          unit volume <carbon dioxide is a ~ gas> 2 a: marked by
          a stupid imperviousness to ideas or impressions: thickheaded
          b: extreme <~ ignorance> 3: having between any two elements
          at least one element <the set of rational numbers is
          ~> 4: demanding concentration to follow or comprehend
          <~ prose> 5: having high or relatively high opacity <a
          ~ fog> <a ~ photographic negative> syn see stupid --
          dense.ly adv -- dense.ness n

   densify
          [den.si.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1820): to make denser: compress
          -- den.si.fi.ca.tion n

   densitometer
          [den.si.tom.e.ter] n (1901): an instrument for determining
          optical or photographic density -- den.si.to.met.ric
          adj -- den.si.tom.e.try n

   density
          [den.si.ty] n, pl -ties (1603) 1: the quality or state of
          being dense 2: the quantity per unit volume, unit area,
          or unit length: as a: the mass of a substance per unit
          volume b: the distribution of a quantity (as mass, electricity,
          or energy) per unit usu. of space (as length, area, or
          volume) c: the average number of individuals or units
          per space unit <a population ~ of 500 per square mile>
          <a housing ~ of 10 houses per acre> 3 a: the degree of
          opacity of a translucent medium b: the common logarithm
          of the opacity

   density function
          [density function] n (ca. 1962): probability density function

   dent
          [dent] abbreviation dental, dentist, dentistry

   [1]dent
          [dent] vb [ME, short for indenten to make dents in, indent]
          vt (14c) 1: to make a dent in 2: to have a weakening
          effect on ~ vi: to form a dent by sinking inward: become
          dented [2]dent n (1565) 1: a depression or hollow made
          by a blow or by pressure 2 a: an impression or effect
          often made against resistance and usu. having a weakening
          effect b: initial progress: headway [3]dent n [F, lit.,
          tooth, fr. L dent-, dens] (1703): tooth 3a

   dent-
          [dent-] or denti- or dento- comb form [ME denti-, fr. L,
          fr. dent-, dens tooth--more at tooth]: tooth: teeth <dentiform>

   [1]dental
          [den.tal] adj [L dentalis, fr. dent-, dens] (1594) 1: articulated
          with the tip or blade of the tongue against or near the
          upper front teeth 2: of or relating to the teeth or dentistry
          -- den.tal.ly adv [2]dental n (ca. 1727): a dental consonant

   dental floss
          [dental floss] n (1910): a thread used to clean between the
          teeth

   dental hygienist
          [dental hygienist] n (ca. 1922): a licensed dental professional
          who cleans and examines teeth

   dentalium
          [den.ta.li.um] n, pl -lia [NL, genus name, fr. L dentalis]
          (1864): any of a genus (Dentalium) of widely distributed
          tooth shells; broadly: tooth shell

   dental technician
          [dental technician] n (1946): one who makes dental appliances

   dentate
          [den.tate] adj [L dentatus, fr. dent-, dens] (1810): having
          teeth or pointed conical projections <a ~ margin of a
          leaf>

   dent corn
          [dent corn] n (1873): an Indian corn having kernels that
          contain both hard and soft starch and that become indented
          at maturity

   denticle
          [den.ti.cle] n [ME, fr. L denticulus, dim. of dent-, dens]
          (14c): a conical pointed projection (as a small tooth)

   denticulate
          [den.tic.u.late] or den.tic.u.lat.ed adj (1661) 1: finely
          dentate or serrate <a ~ shell> <a ~ margin of a leaf>
          2: cut into dentils -- den.tic.u.la.tion n

   dentiform
          [den.ti.form] adj (1708): shaped like a tooth

   dentifrice
          [den.ti.frice] n [MF, fr. L dentifricium, fr. denti- + fricare
          to rub--more at friction] (15c): a powder, paste, or
          liquid for cleaning the teeth

   dentil
          [den.til] n [obs. F dentille, fr. MF, dim. of dent] (1663):
          one of a series of small projecting rectangular blocks
          forming a molding esp. under a cornice -- den.tiled adj

   dentin
          [den.tin] or den.tine n (1845): a calcareous material similar
          to but harder and denser than bone that composes the
          principal mass of a tooth--see tooth illustration --
          den.tin.al adj

   dentist
          [den.tist] n [F dentiste, fr. dent] (1752): one who is skilled
          in and licensed to practice the prevention, diagnosis,
          and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations
          of the teeth, jaws, and mouth and who makes and inserts
          false teeth

   dentistry
          [den.tist.ry] n (1838): the art or profession of a dentist

   dentition
          [den.ti.tion] n [L dentition-, dentitio, fr. dentire to cut
          teeth, fr. dent-, dens] (1615) 1: the development and
          cutting of teeth 2: the character of a set of teeth esp.
          with regard to their number, kind, and arrangement--see
          tooth illustration 3: teeth

   dentulous
          [den.tu.lous] adj [back-formation fr. edentulous] (1926):
          having teeth

   denture
          [den.ture] n [F, fr. MF, fr. dent] (1874) 1: a set of teeth
          2: an artificial replacement for one or more teeth; esp:
          a set of false teeth

   denturist
          [den.tur.ist] n (1965): a dental technician who makes, fits,
          and repairs dentures directly for the public

   denuclearize
          [de.nu.cle.ar.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1958): to remove nuclear
          arms from: prohibit the use of nuclear arms in
          -- de.nu.cle.ar.iza.tion n

   denude
          [de.nude] vt de.nud.ed ; de.nud.ing [L denudare, fr. de-
          + nudus bare--more at naked] (15c) 1: to deprive of something
          important 2 a: to strip of all covering or surface layers
          b: to lay bare by erosion c: to strip (land) of forests
          -- de.nu.da.tion n -- de.nude.ment n

   denumerable
          [de.nu.mer.a.ble] adj (1902): capable of being put into one-to-one
          correspondence with the positive integers -- de.nu.mer.a.bil.i.ty
          n -- de.nu.mer.a.bly adv

   denunciation
          [de.nun.ci.a.tion] n (1842): an act of denouncing; esp: a
          public condemnation -- de.nun.ci.a.tive adj -- de.nun.ci.a.to.ry
          adj

   Denver boot
          [Den.ver boot] n [Denver, Colo.] (1968): a metal clamp that
          is locked onto one of the wheels of an automobile to
          immobilize it esp. until its owner pays accumulated parking
          fines

   Denver omelet
          [Denver omelet] n (1954): western omelet

   Denver sandwich
          [Denver sandwich] n (1950): western sandwich

   deny
          [de.ny] vt de.nied ; de.ny.ing [ME, fr. MF denier, fr. L
          denegare, fr. de- + negare to deny--more at negate] (14c)
          1: to declare untrue 2: to disclaim connection with or
          responsibility for: disavow 3 a: to give a negative answer
          to b: to refuse to grant c: to restrain (oneself) from
          gratification of desires 4 archaic: decline 5: to refuse
          to accept the existence, truth, or validity of -- de.ny.ing.ly
          adv syn deny, gainsay, contradict, contravene mean to
          refuse to accept as true or valid. deny implies a firm
          refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to
          acknowledge the existence or claims of <denied the charges>.
          gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has
          said <no one can gainsay her claims>. contradict implies
          an open or flat denial <her account contradicts his>.
          contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition
          as some inherent incompatibility <laws that contravene
          tradition>.

   deoch an doris
          [deoch an dor.is] Scot & Irish var of doch-an-dorris

   deodar
          [de.o.dar] also de.o.da.ra n [Hindi deodar, fr. Skt devadaru,
          lit., timber of the gods, fr. deva god + daru wood--more
          at deity, tree] (1842): an East Indian cedar (Cedrus
          deodara)

   deodorant
          [de.odor.ant] n (1869): a preparation that destroys or masks
          unpleasant odors -- deodorant adj

   deodorize
          [de.odor.ize] vt (1856) 1: to eliminate or prevent the offensive
          odor of 2: to make (something unpleasant or reprehensible)
          more acceptable <the movie ~s his scandalous career>
          -- de.odor.iza.tion n -- de.odor.iz.er n

   Deo favente
          [Deo fa.ven.te] [L] foreign term : with God's favor

   Deo gratias
          [Deo gra.ti.as] [L] foreign term : thanks (be) to God

   deontic
          [de.on.tic] adj [Gk deont-, deon that which is obligatory,
          fr. neut. of prp. of dein to lack, be needful--more at
          deuter-] (ca. 1866): of or relating to moral obligation:
          deontological

   deontology
          [de.on.tol.o.gy] n (1826): the theory or study of moral obligation
          -- de.on.to.log.i.cal adj -- de.on.tol.o.gist n

   Deo volente
          [Deo vo.len.te] [L] (1767): God being willing

   deoxidize
          [de.ox.i.dize] vt (1794): to remove oxygen from -- de.ox.i.da.tion
          n -- de.ox.i.diz.er n

   deoxy
          [de.oxy] also des.oxy adj [ISV]: containing less oxygen in
          the molecule than the compound from which it is derived
          <~ sugars>--usu. used in combination <deoxyribonucleic
          acid>

   deoxygenate
          [de.ox.y.gen.ate] vt (1799): to remove oxygen from
          -- de.ox.y.gen.ation n

   deoxygenated
          [de.ox.y.gen.at.ed] adj (1799): having the hemoglobin in
          the reduced state

   deoxyribonuclease
          [de.oxy.ri.bo.nu.cle.ase] n (1946): an enzyme that hydrolyzes
          DNA to nucleotides--called also DNase

   deoxyribonucleic acid
          [de.oxy.ri.bo.nu.cle.ic acid] n [deoxyribose + nucleic acid]
          (1938): dna

   deoxyribonucleotide
          [de.oxy.ri.bo.nu.cle.o.tide] n (1972): a nucleotide that
          contains deoxyribose and is a constituent of DNA

   deoxyribose
          [de.oxy.ri.bose] n [ISV] (1957): a pentose sugar that is
          a structural element of DNA

   dep
          [dep] abbreviation depart, department, departure, deponent,
          deposed, deposit, depot, deputy

   depart
          [de.part] vb [ME, to divide, part company, fr. OF departir,
          fr. de- + partir to divide, fr. L partire, fr. part-,
          pars part] vi (13c) 1 a: to go away: leave b: die 2:
          to turn aside: deviate ~ vt: to go away from: leave syn
          see swerve

   departed
          [de.part.ed] adj (14c) 1: bygone 2: having died esp. recently
          <mourning our ~ friend> syn see dead

   department
          [de.part.ment] n [F departement, fr. OF, act of dividing,
          fr. departir] (1735) 1 a: a distinct sphere: province
          <that's not my ~> b: a category consisting esp. of a
          measurable activity or attribute <lacking in the trustworthiness
          ~ --Garrison Keillor> 2: a functional or territorial
          division: as a: a major administrative division of a
          government b: a major territorial administrative subdivision
          c: a division of a college or school giving instruction
          in a particular subject d: a major division of a business
          e: a section of a department store handling a particular
          kind of merchandise f: a territorial subdivision made
          for the administration and training of military units
          -- de.part.men.tal adj -- de.part.men.tal.ly adv

   departmentalize
          [de.part.men.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1895): to divide
          into departments -- de.part.men.tal.iza.tion n

   department store
          [department store] n (1887): a store selling a wide variety
          of goods and arranged in several departments

   departure
          [de.par.ture] n (15c) 1 a (1): the act or an instance of
          departing (2) archaic: death b: a setting out (as on
          a new course) 2: divergence 2

   depauperate
          [de.pau.per.ate] adj [ME depauperat, fr. ML depauperatus,
          pp. of depauperare to impoverish, fr. L de- + pauperare
          to impoverish, fr. pauper poor--more at poor] (1670)
          1: falling short of natural development or size 2: impoverished
          <a ~ fauna>

   depend
          [de.pend] vi [ME, fr. MF dependre, modif. of L dependere,
          fr. de- + pendere to hang--more at pendant] (15c) 1:
          to be determined, based, or contingent <life ~s on food>
          <the value of Y ~s on X> 2: to be pending or undecided
          3 a: to place reliance or trust <you can ~ on me> b:
          to be dependent esp. for financial support 4: to hang
          down

   dependable
          [de.pend.able] adj (1735): capable of being depended on:
          reliable -- de.pend.abil.i.ty n -- de.pend.able.ness
          n -- de.pend.ably adv

   dependence
          [de.pen.dence] also de.pen.dance n (15c) 1: the quality or
          state of being dependent; esp: the quality or state of
          being influenced or determined by or subject to another
          2: reliance, trust 3: one that is relied on 4 a: drug
          addiction b: habituation 2b

   dependency
          [de.pen.den.cy] n, pl -cies (1594) 1: dependence 1 2: something
          that is dependent on something else; esp: a territorial
          unit under the jurisdiction of a nation but not formally
          annexed by it 3: a building (as a stable) that is an
          adjunct to a main dwelling

   [1]dependent
          [de.pen.dent] adj [ME dependant, fr. MF, prp. of dependre]
          (14c) 1: hanging down 2 a: determined or conditioned
          by another: contingent b (1): relying on another for
          support (2): affected with a drug dependence c: subject
          to another's jurisdiction d: subordinate 3a 3 a: not
          mathematically or statistically independent <a ~ set
          of vectors> <~ events> b: equivalent 6a <~ equations>
          -- de.pen.dent.ly adv [2]dependent also de.pen.dant n
          (1523) 1 archaic: dependency 2: one that is dependent;
          esp: a person who relies on another for support

   dependent variable
          [dependent variable] n (ca. 1852): a mathematical variable
          whose value is determined by that of one or more other
          variables in a function

   depersonalization
          [de.per.son.al.iza.tion] n (1906) 1 a: an act or process
          of depersonalizing b: the quality or state of being depersonalized
          2: a psychopathological syndrome characterized by loss of identity
          and feelings of unreality and strangeness about one's own behavior

   depersonalize
          [de.per.son.al.ize] vt (1866) 1: to deprive of the sense
          of personal identity <schools that ~ students> 2: to
          make impersonal

   dephosphorylation
          [de.phos.phor.y.la.tion] n (1931): the process of removing
          phosphate groups from an organic compound (as ATP) by
          hydrolysis; also: the resulting state -- de.phos.phor.y.late
          vt

   depict
          [de.pict] vt [L depictus, pp. of depingere, fr. de- + pingere
          to paint--more at paint] (15c) 1: to represent by or
          as if by a picture 2: describe 1 -- de.pic.ter n -- de.pic.tion
          n

   depigmentation
          [de.pig.men.ta.tion] n (1889): loss of normal pigmentation

   depilation
          [dep.i.la.tion] n [MF or ML; MF, fr. ML depilation-, depilatio,
          fr. L depilare, fr. de- + pilus hair--more at pile] (1547):
          the removal of hair, wool, or bristles by chemical or
          mechanical methods -- dep.i.late vt

   depilatory
          [de.pil.a.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1606): an agent for removing
          hair, wool, or bristles -- depilatory adj

   deplane
          [de.plane] vi (1923): to disembark from an airplane

   deplete
          [de.plete] vt de.plet.ed ; de.plet.ing [L depletus, pp. of
          deplere, fr. de- + plere to fill--more at full] (1807)
          1: to empty of a principal substance 2: to lessen markedly
          in quantity, content, power, or value -- de.plet.able
          adj -- de.ple.tion n -- de.ple.tive adj syn deplete,
          drain, exhaust, impoverish, bankrupt mean to deprive
          of something essential to existence or potency. deplete
          implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger
          the ability to function <depleting our natural resources>.
          drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation
          of what is necessary to an existence <personal tragedy
          had drained him of all spirit>. exhaust stresses a complete
          emptying <her lecture exhausted the subject>. impoverish
          suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness
          or productiveness <impoverished soil>. bankrupt suggests
          impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse <war
          had bankrupted the nation of resources>.

   deplorable
          [de.plor.able] adj (1612) 1: lamentable 2: deserving censure
          or contempt: wretched -- de.plor.able.ness n -- de.plor.ably
          adv

   deplore
          [de.plore] vt de.plored ; de.plor.ing [MF or L; MF deplorer,
          fr. L deplorare, fr. de- + plorare to wail] (1567) 1
          a: to feel or express grief for b: to regret strongly
          2: to consider unfortunate or deserving of deprecation
          -- de.plor.er n -- de.plor.ing.ly adv syn deplore, lament,
          bewail, bemoan mean to express grief or sorrow for something.
          deplore implies regret for the loss or impairment of
          something of value <deplores the breakdown in family
          values>. lament implies a profound or demonstrative expression
          of sorrow <lamenting the loss of their only child>. bewail
          and bemoan imply sorrow, disappointment, or protest finding
          outlet in words or cries, bewail commonly suggesting
          loudness, and bemoan lugubriousness <fans bewailed the
          defeat> <purists bemoaning the corruption of the language>.

   deploy
          [de.ploy] vb [F deployer, lit., to unfold, fr. OF desploier,
          fr. des- dis- + ploier, plier to fold--more at ply] vt
          (1786) 1 a: to extend (a military unit) esp. in width
          b: to place in battle formation or appropriate positions
          2: to spread out, utilize, or arrange esp. strategically
          ~ vi: to move in being deployed -- de.ploy.able adj --
          de.ploy.ment n

   depolarize
          [de.po.lar.ize] vt (1818) 1: to cause to become partially
          or wholly unpolarized 2: to prevent or remove polarization
          of (as a dry cell or cell membrane) -- de.po.lar.iza.tion
          n -- de.po.lar.iz.er n

   depoliticize
          [de.po.lit.i.cize] vt (1937): to remove the political character
          of: take out of the realm of politics <~ foreign aid>
          -- de.po.lit.i.ci.za.tion n

   depolymerize
          [de.po.ly.mer.ize] vt (ca. 1909): to decompose (macromolecules)
          into simpler compounds (as monomers) ~ vi: to undergo
          decomposition into simpler compounds -- de.po.ly.mer.iza.tion
          n

   depone
          [de.pone] vb de.poned ; de.pon.ing [ML deponere, fr. L, to
          put down, fr. de- + ponere to put--more at position]
          (15c): testify

   [1]deponent
          [de.po.nent] adj [LL deponent-, deponens, fr. L, prp. of
          deponere] (15c): occurring with passive or middle voice
          forms but with active voice meaning <the ~ verbs in Latin
          and Greek> [2]deponent n (1530) 1: a deponent verb 2:
          one who gives evidence

   depopulate
          [de.pop.u.late] vt [L depopulatus, pp. of depopulari, fr.
          de- + populari to ravage] (1548) 1 obs: ravage 2: to
          reduce greatly the population of -- de.pop.u.la.tion
          n

   deport
          [de.port] vt [MF deporter, fr. L deportare to carry away,
          fr. de- + portare to carry--more at fare] (1598) 1: to
          behave or comport (oneself) esp. in accord with a code
          2 [L deportare] a: to carry away b: to send out of the
          country by legal deportation syn see banish, behave

   deportable
          [de.port.able] adj (1891) 1: punishable by deportation <~
          offenses> 2: subject to deportation <~ aliens>

   deportation
          [de.por.ta.tion] n (1595) 1: an act or instance of deporting
          2: the removal from a country of an alien whose presence
          is unlawful or prejudicial

   deportee
          [de.por.tee] n (1865): one who has been deported or is under
          sentence of deportation

   deportment
          [de.port.ment] n (1601): the manner in which one conducts
          oneself: behavior syn see bearing

   deposal
          [de.pos.al] n (14c): an act of deposing from office

   depose
          [de.pose] vb de.posed ; de.pos.ing [ME, fr. MF deposer, fr.
          LL deponere (perf. indic. deposui), fr. L, to put down]
          vt (14c) 1: to remove from a throne or other high position
          2: to put down: deposit 3 a [ME, fr. ML deponere, fr.
          LL]: to testify to under oath or by affidavit b: affirm,
          assert ~ vi: to bear witness

   [1]deposit
          [de.pos.it] vb de.pos.it.ed ; de.pos.it.ing [L depositus,
          pp. of deponere] vt (1624) 1: to place esp. for safekeeping
          or as a pledge; esp: to put in a bank 2 a: to lay down:
          place b: to let fall (as sediment) ~ vi: to become deposited
          -- de.pos.i.tor n [2]deposit n (1624) 1: the state of
          being deposited 2: something placed for safekeeping:
          as a: money deposited in a bank b: money given as a pledge
          or down payment 3: a place of deposit: depository 4:
          an act of depositing 5 a: something laid down; esp: matter
          deposited by a natural process b: a natural accumulation
          (as of iron ore, coal, or gas)

   depositary
          [de.pos.i.tary] n, pl -tar.ies (1605) 1: a person to whom
          something is entrusted 2: depository 2

   deposition
          [de.po.si.tion] n (14c) 1: an act of removing from a position
          of authority 2 a: a testifying esp. before a court b:
          declaration; specif: testimony taken down in writing
          under oath 3: an act or process of depositing 4: something
          deposited: deposit -- de.po.si.tion.al adj

   depository
          [de.pos.i.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1656) 1: depositary 1 2: a
          place where something is deposited esp. for safekeeping

   depository library
          [depository library] n (ca. 1930): a library designated to
          receive U.S. government publications

   depot
          [de.pot] n [F depot, fr. MF depost, ML depositum, fr. L,
          neut. of depositus] (1795) 1 a: a place for storing goods
          or motor vehicles b: store, cache 2 a: a place for the
          storage of military supplies b: a place for the reception
          and forwarding of military replacements 3: a building
          for railroad or bus passengers or freight

   depr
          [depr] abbreviation depreciation, depression

   deprave
          [de.prave] vt de.praved ; de.prav.ing [ME, fr. MF depraver,
          fr. L depravare to pervert, fr. de- + pravus crooked,
          bad] (14c) 1 archaic: to speak ill of: malign 2: to make
          bad: corrupt; esp: to corrupt morally syn see debase
          -- de.pra.va.tion n -- de.prave.ment n -- de.prav.er
          n

   depraved
          [de.praved] adj (14c): marked by corruption or evil; esp:
          perverted -- de.praved.ly adv -- de.pra.ved.ness n

   depravity
          [de.prav.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1641) 1: the quality or state
          of being depraved 2: a corrupt act or practice

   deprecate
          [dep.re.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L deprecatus, pp. of
          deprecari to avert by prayer, fr. de- + precari to pray--more
          at pray] (1628) 1 a archaic: to pray against (as an evil)
          b: to seek to avert <~ the wrath ... of the Roman people
          --Tobias Smollett> 2: to express disapproval of 3 a:
          play down: make little of <speaks five languages ...
          but ~s this facility --Time> b: belittle, disparage <the
          most reluctantly admired and least easily deprecated
          of ... novelists --New Yorker> -- dep.re.cat.ing.ly adv
          -- dep.re.ca.tion n

   deprecatory
          [dep.re.ca.to.ry] adj (1586) 1: seeking to avert disapproval:
          apologetic 2: serving to deprecate: disapproving --
          dep.re.ca.to.ri.ly adv

   depreciate
          [de.pre.ci.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL depretiatus, pp.
          of depretiare, fr. L de- + pretium price--more at price]
          vt (15c) 1: to lower in estimation or esteem 2: to lower
          the price or estimated value of ~ vi: to fall in value
          syn see decry -- de.pre.cia.ble adj -- de.pre.ci.at.ing.ly
          adv -- de.pre.ci.a.tion n -- de.pre.ci.a.tive adj --
          de.pre.ci.a.tor n -- de.pre.cia.to.ry adj

   depredate
          [dep.re.date] vb -dat.ed ; -dat.ing [LL depraedatus, pp.
          of depraedari, fr. L de- + praedari to plunder--more
          at prey] vt (1626): to lay waste: plunder, ravage ~ vi:
          to engage in plunder -- dep.re.da.tion n -- de.pre.da.tor
          n -- de.pre.da.to.ry adj

   depress
          [de.press] vt [ME, fr. MF depresser, fr. L depressus, pp.
          of deprimere to press down, fr. de- + premere to press--more
          at press] (14c) 1 obs: repress, subjugate 2 a: to press
          down <~ a typewriter key> b: to cause to sink to a lower
          position 3: to lessen the activity or strength of 4:
          sadden, discourage 5: to decrease the market value or
          marketability of -- de.press.ible adj

   depressant
          [de.pres.sant] n (1876): one that depresses; specif: an agent
          that reduces a bodily functional activity or an instinctive
          desire (as appetite) -- depressant adj

   depressed
          [de.pressed] adj (1621) 1: low in spirits: sad; esp: affected
          by psychological depression 2 a: vertically flattened
          <a ~ cactus> b: having the central part lower than the
          margin c: lying flat or prostrate d: dorsoventrally flattened
          3: suffering from economic depression; esp: underprivileged
          4: being below the standard

   depressing
          [de.press.ing] adj (1789): that depresses; esp: causing emotional
          depression <a ~ story> -- de.press.ing.ly adv

   depression
          [de.pres.sion] n (14c) 1 a: the angular distance of a celestial
          object below the horizon b: the size of an angle of depression
          2: an act of depressing or a state of being depressed:
          as a: a pressing down: lowering b (1): a state of feeling
          sad: dejection (2): a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder
          marked esp. by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking
          and concentration, a significant increase or decrease
          in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection
          and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies c
          (1): a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force
          (2): a lowering of vitality or functional activity 3:
          a depressed place or part: hollow 4: low 1b 5: a period
          of low general economic activity marked esp. by rising
          levels of unemployment

   Depression glass
          [Depression glass] n [Great Depression of 1929 to ca. 1939]
          (1971): tinted glassware machine-produced during the
          1930s

   [1]depressive
          [de.pres.sive] adj (1620) 1: tending to depress 2: of, relating
          to, marked by, or affected by psychological depression
          -- de.pres.sive.ly adv [2]depressive n (1937): one who
          is affected with or prone to psychological depression

   depressor
          [de.pres.sor] n [LL, fr. L deprimere] (1611): one that depresses:
          as a: a muscle that draws down a part--compare levator
          b: a device for pressing down or aside c: a nerve or
          nerve fiber that decreases the activity or the tone of
          the organ or part it innervates

   depressurize
          [de.pres.sur.ize] vt (1944): to release pressure from --
          de.pres.sur.iza.tion n

   deprivation
          [dep.ri.va.tion] n (15c) 1: the state of being deprived:
          privation; esp: removal from an office, dignity, or benefice
          2: an act or instance of depriving: loss

   deprive
          [de.prive] vt de.prived ; de.priv.ing [ME depriven, fr. ML
          deprivare, fr. L de- + privare to deprive--more at private]
          (14c) 1 obs: remove 2: to take something away from <deprived
          him of his professorship --J. M. Phalen> 3: to remove
          from office 4: to withhold something from <deprived a
          citizen of her rights>

   deprived
          [de.prived] adj (ca. 1522): marked by deprivation esp. of
          the necessities of life or of healthful environmental
          influences <culturally ~ children>

   deprogram
          [de.pro.gram] vt (1973): to dissuade from convictions usu.
          of a religious nature often by coercive means -- de.pro.gram.mer
          n

   dept
          [dept] abbreviation department

   depth
          [depth] n, pl depths [ME, prob. fr. dep deep] (14c) 1 a (1):
          a deep place in a body of water (2): a part that is far
          from the outside or surface <the ~s of the woods> (3):
          abyss 2 b (1): a profound or intense state (as of thought
          or feeling) <the ~s of misery>; also: a reprehensibly
          low condition <hadn't realized that standards had fallen
          to such ~s> (2): the middle of a time (as winter) (3):
          the worst part 2 a: the perpendicular measurement downward
          from a surface b: the direct linear measurement from
          front to back 3: the quality of being deep 4: the degree
          of intensity <~ of a color>; also: the quality of being
          profound (as in insight) or full (as of knowledge) 5:
          the quality or state of being complete or thorough <a
          study will be made in ~> -- depth.less adj

   depth charge
          [depth charge] n (1917): an antisubmarine weapon that consists
          essentially of a drum filled with explosives which is
          dropped near a target and descends to a predetermined
          depth where it explodes--called also depth bomb

   depth of field
          [depth of field] (1911): the range of distances of the object
          in front of an image-forming device (as a camera lens)
          measured along the axis of the device throughout which
          the image has acceptable sharpness

   depth perception
          [depth perception] n (ca. 1911): the ability to judge the
          distance of objects and the spatial relationship of objects
          at different distances

   depth psychology
          [depth psychology] n (1924): psychoanalysis; also: psychology
          concerned esp. with the unconscious mind

   deputation
          [dep.u.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of appointing a deputy
          2: a group of people appointed to represent others

   depute
          [de.pute] vt de.put.ed ; de.put.ing [ME, to appoint, fr.
          MF deputer, fr. LL deputare to assign, fr. L, to consider
          (as), fr. de- + putare to consider--more at pave] (14c):
          delegate

   deputize
          [dep.u.tize] vb -tized ; -tiz.ing vt (ca. 1736): to appoint
          as deputy ~ vi: to act as deputy -- dep.u.ti.za.tion
          n

   deputy
          [dep.u.ty] n, pl -ties [ME, fr. MF depute, pp. of deputer]
          (15c) 1 a: a person appointed as a substitute with power
          to act b: a second in command or assistant who usu. takes
          charge when his or her superior is absent 2: a member
          of the lower house of some legislative assemblies

   der...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   der
          [der] or deriv abbreviation derivation, derivative

   deracinate
          [de.rac.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [MF desraciner, fr.
          des- de- + racine root, fr. LL radicina, fr. L radic-,
          radix--more at root] (1599): uproot -- de.rac.i.na.tion
          n

   derail
          [de.rail] vb [F derailler to throw off the track, fr. de-
          de- + rail, fr. E] vt (1850) 1: to cause to run off the
          rails 2: to obstruct the progress of: frustrate ~ vi:
          to leave the rails -- de.rail.ment n

   derailleur
          [de.rail.leur] n [F derailleur, fr. derailler] (1930): a
          mechanism for shifting gears on a bicycle that operates
          by moving the chain from one set of exposed gears to
          another

   derange
          [de.range] vt de.ranged ; de.rang.ing [F deranger, fr. OF
          desrengier, fr. des- de- + reng line, row--more at rank]
          (1776) 1: to disturb the operation or functions of 2:
          disarrange <hatless, with tie deranged --G. W. Stonier>
          3: to make insane -- de.range.ment n

   derate
          [de.rate] vt (1947): to lower the rated capability of (as
          electrical or mechanical apparatus) because of deterioration
          or inadequacy

   derby
          [der.by] n, pl derbies [Edward Stanley d. 1834, 12th earl
          of Derby] (1844) 1: any of several horse races held annually
          and usu. restricted to three-year-olds 2: a race or contest
          open to all comers or to a specified category of contestants
          <bicycle ~> 3: a man's stiff felt hat with dome-shaped
          crown and narrow brim

   Derbys
          [Derbys] abbreviation Derbyshire

   derealization
          [de.re.al.iza.tion] n (1942): a feeling of altered reality
          that occurs often in schizophrenia and in some drug reactions

   deregulation
          [de.reg.u.la.tion] n (1963): the act or process of removing
          restrictions and regulations -- de.reg.u.late vt

   [1]derelict
          [der.e.lict] adj [L derelictus, pp. of derelinquere to abandon,
          fr. de- + relinquere to leave--more at relinquish] (1649)
          1: abandoned esp. by the owner or occupant: run-down
          2: lacking a sense of duty: negligent [2]derelict n (1670)
          1 a: something voluntarily abandoned; specif: a ship
          abandoned on the high seas b: a tract of land left dry
          by receding water 2: a destitute homeless social misfit:
          vagrant, bum

   dereliction
          [der.e.lic.tion] n (1597) 1 a: an intentional abandonment
          b: the state of being abandoned 2: a recession of water
          leaving permanently dry land 3 a: intentional or conscious
          neglect: delinquency <~ of duty> b: fault, shortcoming

   derepress
          [de.re.press] vt (1962): to activate (a gene or enzyme) by
          releasing from a blocked state -- de.re.pres.sion n

   der Geist der stets verneint
          [der Geist der stets ver.neint] [G] foreign term : the spirit
          that ever denies--applied originally to Mephistopheles

   deride
          [de.ride] vt de.rid.ed ; de.rid.ing [L deridere, fr. de-
          + ridere to laugh] (1530) 1: to laugh at contemptuously
          2: to subject to usu. bitter or contemptuous ridicule
          syn see ridicule -- de.rid.er n -- de.rid.ing.ly adv

   derision
          [de.ri.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL derision-, derisio, fr.
          L deridere] (14c) 1 a: the use of ridicule or scorn to
          show contempt b: a state of being derided 2: an object
          of ridicule or scorn

   derisive
          [de.ri.sive] adj (ca. 1662): expressing or causing derision
          -- de.ri.sive.ly adv -- de.ri.sive.ness n

   derisory
          [de.ri.so.ry] adj (1618) 1: expressing derision: derisive
          2: worthy of derision; esp: laughably small <a ~ sum>

   derivable
          [de.riv.able] adj (1653): capable of being derived

   derivate
          [der.i.vate] n (1660): derivative

   derivation
          [der.i.va.tion] n (15c) 1 a (1): the formation of a word
          from another word or base (as by the addition of a usu.
          noninflectional affix) (2): an act of ascertaining or
          stating the derivation of a word (3): etymology 1 b:
          the relation of a word to its base 2 a: source, origin
          b: descent, origination 3: something derived: derivative
          4: an act or process of deriving 5: a sequence of statements
          (as in logic or mathematics) showing that a result is
          a necessary consequence of previously accepted statements
          -- der.i.va.tion.al adj

   [1]derivative
          [de.riv.a.tive] n (15c) 1: a word formed by derivation 2:
          something derived 3: the limit of the ratio of the change
          in a function to the corresponding change in its independent
          variable as the latter change approaches zero 4 a: a
          chemical substance related structurally to another substance
          and theoretically derivable from it b: a substance that
          can be made from another substance [2]derivative adj
          (ca. 1530) 1: formed by derivation 2: made up of or marked
          by derived elements 3: lacking originality: banal --
          de.riv.a.tive.ly adv -- de.riv.a.tive.ness n

   derivatization
          [de.riv.a.ti.za.tion] n (1967): the conversion of a chemical
          compound into a derivative (as for identification) --
          de.riv.a.tize vt

   derive
          [de.rive] vb de.rived ; de.riv.ing [ME, fr. MF deriver, fr.
          L derivare, lit., to draw off (water), fr. de- + rivus
          stream--more at run] vt (14c) 1 a: to take, receive,
          or obtain esp. from a specified source b: to obtain (a
          chemical substance) actually or theoretically from a
          parent substance 2: infer, deduce 3 archaic: bring 4:
          to trace the derivation of ~ vi: to have or take origin:
          come as a derivative syn see spring -- de.riv.er n

   -derm
          [-derm] n comb form [prob. fr. F -derme, fr. Gk derma]: skin:
          covering <ectoderm>

   derm-
          [derm-] or derma- or dermo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk derm-,
          dermo-, fr. derma, fr. derein to skin--more at tear]:
          skin <dermal>

   derm
          [derm] abbreviation dermatologist, dermatology

   -derma
          [-der.ma] n comb form, pl -dermas or -der.ma.ta [NL, fr.
          Gk dermat-, derma skin]: skin or skin ailment of a (specified)
          type <scleroderma>

   dermabrasion
          [derm.abra.sion] n (ca. 1954): surgical removal of skin blemishes
          or imperfections (as scars or tattoos) by abrasion (as
          with sandpaper or wire brushes)

   dermal
          [der.mal] adj (ca. 1803) 1: of or relating to skin and esp.
          to the dermis: cutaneous 2: epidermal

   dermat-
          [dermat-] or dermato- comb form [Gk, fr. dermat-, derma]:
          skin <dermatitis> <dermatology>

   dermatitis
          [der.ma.ti.tis] n (1876): inflammation of the skin

   dermatogen
          [der.mat.o.gen] n [ISV] (1882): protoderm

   dermatoglyphics
          [der.ma.to.glyph.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [dermat-
          + Gk glyphein to carve + E -ics--more at cleave] (1926)
          1: skin patterns; esp: patterns of the specialized skin
          of the inferior surfaces of the hands and feet 2: the
          science of the study of skin patterns -- der.ma.to.glyph.ic
          adj

   dermatology
          [der.ma.tol.o.gy] n (1819): a branch of science dealing with
          the skin, its structure, functions, and diseases --
          der.ma.to.log.ic or der.ma.to.log.i.cal adj -- der.ma.tol.o.gist n

   dermatome
          [der.ma.tome] n [ISV dermat- + -ome] (1910): the lateral
          wall of a somite from which the dermis is produced --
          der.ma.to.mal adj

   dermatophyte
          [der.ma.to.phyte] n [ISV] (1882): a fungus parasitic on the
          skin or skin derivatives (as hair or nails)

   dermatosis
          [der.ma.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses (1866): a disease of the skin

   -dermatous
          [-der.ma.tous] adj comb form [Gk dermat-, derma skin]: having
          a (specified) type of skin <pachydermatous>

   dermestid
          [der.mes.tid] n [ultim. fr. Gk dermestes, a leather-eating
          worm, lit., skin eater, fr. derm- + edmenai to eat--more
          at eat] (ca. 1888): any of a family (Dermestidae) of
          beetles with clubbed antennae that are very destructive
          to organic material of animal origin (as dried meat,
          wool, or museum specimens) -- dermestid adj

   -dermis
          [-der.mis] n comb form [LL, fr. Gk, fr. derma]: layer of
          skin or tissue <endodermis>

   dermis
          [der.mis] n [NL, fr. LL -dermis] (ca. 1830): the sensitive
          vascular inner mesodermic layer of the skin--called also
          corium, cutis

   dermoid cyst
          [der.moid cyst] n (1872): a cystic tumor often of the ovary
          that contains skin and skin derivatives (as hair or teeth)--called
          also dermoid

   dernier cri
          [der.nier cri] n [F, lit., last cry] (1896): the newest fashion

   derogate
          [der.o.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [ME, fr. LL derogatus,
          pp. of derogare, fr. L, to annul (a law), detract, fr.
          de- + rogare to ask, propose (a law)--more at right]
          vt (15c): to cause to seem inferior: disparage ~ vi 1:
          to take away a part so as to impair: detract 2: to act
          beneath one's position or character -- der.o.ga.tion
          n -- de.ro.ga.tive adj

   derogatory
          [de.rog.a.to.ry] adj (1503) 1: detracting from the character
          or standing of something--often used with to, of, or
          from 2: expressive of a low opinion: disparaging <~ remarks>
          -- de.rog.a.to.ri.ly adv

   derrick
          [der.rick] n [obs. derrick hangman, gallows, fr. Derick,
          name of 17th cent. Eng. hangman] (ca. 1752) 1: a hoisting
          apparatus employing a tackle rigged at the end of a beam
          2: a framework or tower over a deep drill hole (as of
          an oil well) for supporting boring tackle or for hoisting
          and lowering

   derriere
          [der.ri.ere] n [F derriere, fr. OF derrier back part, rear,
          fr. derier, adv., behind, fr. LL deretro, fr. L de from
          + retro back] (1774): buttocks

   derring-do
          [der.ring-do] n [ME dorring don daring to do, fr. dorring
          (gerund of dorren to dare) + don to do] (1579): daring
          action: daring <deeds of ~>

   derringer
          [der.rin.ger] n [Henry Deringer d. 1869 Am. inventor] (1853):
          a short-barreled pocket pistol

   derris
          [der.ris] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk, skin, fr. derein to
          skin--more at tear] (1919) 1: a preparation of derris
          roots and stems used as an insecticide 2: any of a large
          genus (Derris) of leguminous tropical Old World shrubs
          and woody vines including sources of poisons and esp.
          commercial sources of rotenone

   dervish
          [der.vish] n [Turk dervis, lit., beggar, fr. Per darvish]
          (1585) 1: a member of a Muslim religious order noted
          for devotional exercises (as bodily movements leading
          to a trance) 2: one that whirls or dances with or as
          if with the abandonment of a dervish

   des-
          [des-] prefix [F des-, fr. OF des---more at de-]: de- 6--esp.
          before vowels <desoxy>

   DES
          [DES] n (1971): diethylstilbestrol

   desacralize
          [de.sa.cral.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1911): to divest of
          sacred qualities -- de.sa.cral.iza.tion n

   desalinate
          [de.sa.li.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1949): desalt --
          de.sa.li.na.tion n -- de.sa.li.na.tor n

   desalinize
          [de.sa.li.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1963): desalt --
          de.sa.li.ni.za.tion n

   desalt
          [de.salt] vt (ca. 1904): to remove salt from --
          de.salt.er n

   [1]descant
          [des.cant] n [ME dyscant, fr. ONF & ML; ONF descant, fr.
          ML discantus, fr. L dis- + cantus song--more at chant]
          (14c) 1 a: a melody or counterpoint sung above the plainsong
          of the tenor b: the art of composing or improvising contrapuntal
          part music; also: the music so composed or improvised
          c: soprano, treble d: a superimposed counterpoint to
          a simple melody sung typically by some or all of the
          sopranos 2: discourse or comment on a theme [2]des.cant
          vi (15c) 1: to sing or play a descant; broadly: sing
          2: comment, discourse

   descend
          [de.scend] vb [ME, fr. OF descendre, fr. L descendere, fr.
          de- + scandere to climb--more at scan] vi (13c) 1: to
          pass from a higher place or level to a lower one <~ed
          from the platform> 2: to pass in discussion from what
          is logically prior or more comprehensive 3 a: to come
          down from a stock or source: derive <~s from an old merchant
          family> b: to pass by inheritance <a desk that has ~ed
          in the family> c: to pass by transmission <songs ~ed
          from old ballads> 4: to incline, lead, or extend downward
          <the road ~s to the river> 5 a: to swoop or pounce down
          (as in a sudden attack) b: to appear suddenly and often
          disconcertingly as if from above <reporters ~ed on the
          candidate> 6: to proceed in a sequence or gradation from
          higher to lower or from more remote to nearer or more
          recent 7 a: to lower oneself in status or dignity: stoop
          b: to worsen and sink in condition or estimation ~ vt
          1: to pass, move, or climb down or down along 2: to extend
          down along -- de.scend.ible adj

   [1]descendant
          [de.scen.dant] or de.scen.dent adj [MF & L; MF descendant,
          fr. L descendent-, descendens, prp. of descendere] (1572)
          1: moving or directed downward 2: proceeding from an
          ancestor or source [2]descendant or descendent n [F &
          L; F descendant, fr. LL descendent-, descendens, fr.
          L] (1600) 1: one descended from another or from a common
          stock 2: one deriving directly from a precursor or prototype

   descender
          [de.scend.er] n (1802): the part of a lowercase letter (as
          p) that descends below the main body of the letter; also:
          a letter that has such a part

   descension
          [de.scen.sion] n (15c) archaic: descent 2

   descent
          [de.scent] n [ME, fr. MF descente, fr. OF descendre] (14c)
          1 a: derivation from an ancestor: birth, lineage <of
          French ~> b: transmission or devolution of an estate
          by inheritance usu. in the descending line c: the fact
          or process of originating from an ancestral stock d:
          the shaping or development in nature and character by
          transmission from a source: derivation 2: the act or
          process of descending 3: a step downward in a scale of
          gradation; specif: one generation in an ancestral line
          or genealogical scale 4 a: an inclination downward: slope
          b: a descending way (as a downgrade or stairway) c obs:
          the lowest part 5 a: attack, invasion b: a sudden disconcerting
          appearance (as for a visit) 6: a downward step (as in
          station or value): decline <~ of the family to actual
          poverty>

   describe
          [de.scribe] vt de.scribed ; de.scrib.ing [ME, fr. L describere,
          fr. de- + scribere to write--more at scribe] (15c) 1:
          to represent or give an account of in words <~ a picture>
          2: to represent by a figure, model, or picture: delineate
          3 obs: distribute 4: to trace or traverse the outline
          of <~ a circle> 5 archaic: observe, perceive -- de.scrib.able
          adj -- de.scrib.er n

   description
          [de.scrip.tion] n [ME descripcioun, fr. MF & L; MF description,
          fr. L description-, descriptio, fr. describere] (14c)
          1 a: an act of describing; specif: discourse intended
          to give a mental image of something experienced b: a
          descriptive statement or account 2: kind or character
          esp. as determined by salient features <opposed to any
          tax of so radical a ~> syn see type

   descriptive
          [de.scrip.tive] adj (1751) 1: serving to describe <a ~ account>
          2 a: referring to, constituting, or grounded in matters
          of observation or experience <the ~ basis of science>
          b: factually grounded or informative rather than normative,
          prescriptive, or emotive <~ cultural studies> 3 of a
          modifier a: expressing the quality, kind, or condition
          of what is denoted by the modified term <hot in "hot
          water" is a ~ adjective> b: nonrestrictive 4: of, relating
          to, or dealing with the structure of a language at a
          particular time usu. with exclusion of historical and
          comparative data <~ linguistics> -- de.scrip.tive.ly
          adv -- de.scrip.tive.ness n

   descriptor
          [de.scrip.tor] n (1933): something (as a word or characteristic
          feature) that serves to describe or identify; esp: a
          word or phrase (as an index term) used to identify an
          item (as a subject or document) in an information retrieval
          system

   [1]descry
          [de.scry] vt de.scried ; de.scry.ing [ME descrien, fr. MF
          descrier to proclaim, decry] (14c) 1 a: to catch sight
          of b: to find out: discover 2 obs: to make known: reveal
          [2]descry n (1605) obs: discovery or view from afar

   Desdemona
          [Des.de.mo.na] n: the wife of Othello in Shakespeare's Othello

   desecrate
          [des.e.crate] vt -crat.ed ; -crat.ing [de- + -secrate (as
          in consecrate)] (1677) 1: to violate the sanctity of:
          profane 2: to treat disrespectfully, irreverently, or
          outrageously <the kind of shore development ... that
          has desecrated so many waterfronts --John Fischer> --
          des.e.crat.er or des.e.cra.tor n

   desecration
          [des.e.cra.tion] n (ca. 1717): an act or instance of desecrating:
          the state of being desecrated

   desegregate
          [de.seg.re.gate] vt (1952): to eliminate segregation in;
          specif: to free of any law, provision, or practice requiring
          isolation of the members of a particular race in separate
          units ~ vi: to become desegregated

   desegregation
          [de.seg.re.ga.tion] n (1951) 1: the action or an instance
          of desegregating 2: the state of being desegregated

   deselect
          [de.se.lect] vt (1965): dismiss, reject

   desensitize
          [de.sen.si.tize] vt (1898) 1: to make (a sensitized
          or hypersensitive individual) insensitive or nonreactive
          to a sensitizing agent 2: to make emotionally insensitive
          or callous; specif: to extinguish an emotional response (as
          of fear, anxiety, or guilt) to stimuli that formerly induced
          it -- de.sen.si.ti.za.tion n -- de.sen.si.tiz.er n

   [1]desert
          [des.ert] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL desertum, fr. L, neut. of
          desertus, pp. of deserere to desert, fr. de- + serere
          to join together--more at series] (13c) 1 a: arid barren
          land; esp: a tract incapable of supporting any considerable
          population without an artificial water supply b: an area
          of water apparently devoid of life 2 archaic: a wild
          uninhabited and uncultivated tract 3: a desolate or forbidding
          area <lost in a ~ of doubt> -- de.ser.tic adj [2]des.ert
          adj (13c) 1: desolate and sparsely occupied or unoccupied
          <a ~ island> 2: of or relating to a desert 3 archaic:
          forsaken [3]de.sert n [ME deserte, fr. OF, fr. fem. of
          desert, pp. of deservir to deserve] (13c) 1: the quality
          or fact of deserving reward or punishment 2: deserved
          reward or punishment--usu. used in plural <got their
          just ~s> 3: excellence, worth [4]de.sert vb [F deserter,
          fr. LL desertare, freq. of L deserere] vt (1603) 1: to
          withdraw from or leave usu. without intent to return
          2 a: to leave in the lurch <~ a friend in trouble> b:
          to abandon (military service) without leave ~ vi: to
          quit one's post, allegiance, or service without leave
          or justification; esp: to abandon military duty without
          leave and without intent to return syn see abandon --
          de.sert.er n

   desertification
          [de.sert.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1974): the process of becoming
          desert (as from land mismanagement or climate change)

   desertion
          [de.ser.tion] n (1591) 1: an act of deserting; esp: the abandonment
          without consent or legal justification of a person, post,
          or relationship and the associated duties and obligations <sued for
          divorce on grounds of ~> 2: a state of being deserted or forsaken

   desert locust
          [desert locust] n (1944): a destructive migratory locust
          (Schistocerca gregaria) of southwestern Asia and parts
          of northern Africa

   desert soil
          [desert soil] n (ca. 1938): a soil that develops under sparse
          shrub vegetation in warm to cool arid climates with a
          light-colored surface soil usu. underlain by calcareous
          material and a hardpan layer

   desert varnish
          [desert varnish] n (ca. 1898): a dark coating which is found
          on rocks after long exposure in desert regions and whose
          color is due to iron and manganese oxides

   deserve
          [de.serve] vb de.served ; de.serv.ing [ME, fr. OF deservir,
          fr. L deservire to devote oneself to, fr. de- + servire
          to serve] vt (13c): to be worthy of: merit <~s another
          chance> ~ vi: to be worthy, fit, or suitable for some
          reward or requital <have become recognized as they ~
          --T. S. Eliot> -- de.serv.er n

   deserved
          [de.served] adj (ca. 1552): of, relating to, or being that
          which one deserves <a ~ reputation> -- de.served.ly adv
          -- de.served.ness n

   [1]deserving
          [de.serv.ing] n (14c): desert, merit <reward the proud according
          to their ~s --Charles Kingsley> [2]deserving adj (1576):
          meritorious, worthy; esp: meriting financial aid <scholarships
          for ~ students>

   desex
          [de.sex] vt (1911) 1: castrate, spay 2: to eliminate perceived
          sexism from <~ the language of church Bible study programs
          --R. M. Harley>

   desexualize
          [de.sex.u.al.ize] vt (1894) 1: to deprive of sexual characters
          or power 2: to divest of sexual quality -- de.sex.u.al.iza.tion
          n

   deshabille
          [des.ha.bille] var of dishabille

   desiccant
          [des.ic.cant] n (1676): a drying agent (as calcium chloride)

   desiccate
          [des.ic.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L desiccatus, pp. of
          desiccare to dry up, fr. de- + siccare to dry, fr. siccus
          dry--more at sack] vt (1575) 1: to dry up 2: to preserve
          (a food) by drying: dehydrate 3: to drain of emotional
          or intellectual vitality ~ vi: to become dried up --
          des.ic.ca.tion n -- de.sic.ca.tive adj -- des.ic.ca.tor
          n

   desiderate
          [de.sid.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L desideratus, pp. of
          desiderare to desire] (1645): to entertain or express
          a wish to have or attain -- de.sid.er.a.tion n -- de.sid.er.a.tive
          adj

   desideratum
          [de.sid.er.a.tum] n, pl -ta [L, neut. of desideratus] (1652):
          something desired as essential

   [1]design
          [de.sign] vb [ME, to outline, indicate, mean, fr. MF & ML;
          MF designer to designate, fr. ML designare, fr. L, to
          mark out, fr. de- + signare to mark--more at sign] vt
          (14c) 1: to create, fashion, execute, or construct according
          to plan: devise, contrive 2 a: to conceive and plan out
          in the mind <he ~ed the perfect crime> b: to have as
          a purpose: intend <she ~ed to excel in her studies> c:
          to devise for a specific function or end <a book ~ed
          primarily as a college textbook> 3 archaic: to indicate
          with a distinctive mark, sign, or name 4 a: to make a
          drawing, pattern, or sketch of b: to draw the plans for
          ~ vi 1: to conceive or execute a plan 2: to draw, lay
          out, or prepare a design -- de.sign.ed.ly adv [2]design
          n (1588) 1 a: a particular purpose held in view by an
          individual or group <he has ambitious ~s for his son>
          b: deliberate purposive planning <more by accident than
          ~> 2: a mental project or scheme in which means to an
          end are laid down 3 a: a deliberate undercover project
          or scheme: plot b pl: aggressive or evil intent--used
          with on or against <he has ~s on the money> 4: a preliminary
          sketch or outline showing the main features of something
          to be executed: delineation 5 a: an underlying scheme
          that governs functioning, developing, or unfolding: pattern,
          motif <the general ~ of the epic> b: a plan or protocol
          for carrying out or accomplishing something (as a scientific
          experiment); also: the process of preparing this 6: the
          arrangement of elements or details in a product or work
          of art 7: a decorative pattern 8: the creative art of
          executing aesthetic or functional designs syn see intention,
          plan

   [1]designate
          [des.ig.nate] adj [L designatus, pp. of designare] (1646):
          chosen but not yet installed <ambassador ~> [2]des.ig.nate
          vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1791) 1: to indicate and set apart
          for a specific purpose, office, or duty <~ a group to
          prepare a plan> 2 a: to point out the location of <a
          marker designating the battle> b: to distinguish as to
          class <the area we ~ as that of spiritual values --J.
          B. Conant> c: specify, stipulate <to be sent by a designated
          shipper> 3: denote <associate names with the people they
          ~> 4: to call by a distinctive title, term, or expression
          <a particle designated the neutron> -- des.ig.na.tive
          adj -- des.ig.na.tor n -- des.ig.na.to.ry adj

   designated hitter
          [designated hitter] n (1973): a baseball player designated
          at the start of the game to bat in place of the pitcher
          without causing the pitcher to be removed from the game

   designation
          [des.ig.na.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of indicating or identifying
          2: appointment to or selection for an office, post, or
          service 3: a distinguishing name, sign, or title 4: the
          relation between a sign and the thing signified

   designee
          [des.ig.nee] n (1925): one who is designated

   [1]designer
          [de.sign.er] n (1662): one that designs: as a: one who creates
          and often executes plans for a project or structure <urban
          ~s> <a theater set ~> b: one that creates and manufactures
          a new product style or design; esp: one who designs and
          manufactures high-fashion clothing <the ~'s new fall
          line> [2]designer adj (1966) 1: of, relating to, or produced
          by a designer <~ wallpaper> <wearing a ~ original>; also:
          displaying the name, signature, or logo of a designer
          or manufacturer <~ jeans> 2: intended to reflect the
          latest in sophisticated taste or fashion <~ ice cream>
          <a ~ haircut>

   designer drug
          [designer drug] n (1983): a synthetic version of a controlled
          substance (as heroin) that is produced with a slightly
          altered molecular structure to avoid having it classified
          as an illicit drug

   designing
          [de.sign.ing] adj (1653) 1: practicing forethought 2: crafty,
          scheming

   designment
          [de.sign.ment] n (1583) obs: plan, purpose

   desipere in loco
          [de.si.pe.re in lo.co] [L] foreign term : to indulge in trifling
          at the proper time

   desipramine
          [de.si.pra.mine] n [desmethyl (fr. des- + methyl) + imipramine]
          (1965): a tricyclic antidepressant

   desirability
          [de.sir.abil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1824) 1 pl: desirable conditions
          <had understood and studied certain desirabilities --D.
          D. Eisenhower> 2: the quality, fact, or degree of being
          desirable

   [1]desirable
          [de.sir.able] adj (14c) 1: having pleasing qualities or properties:
          attractive <a ~ woman> 2: worth seeking or doing as advantageous,
          beneficial, or wise: advisable <~ legislation> -- de.sir.able.ness
          n -- de.sir.ably adv [2]desirable n (1645): one that is desirable

   [1]desire
          [de.sire] vb de.sired ; de.sir.ing [ME, fr. OF desirer, fr.
          L desiderare, fr. de- + sider-, sidus heavenly body]
          vt (13c) 1: to long or hope for: exhibit or feel desire
          for 2 a: to express a wish for: request b archaic: to
          express a wish to: ask 3 obs: invite 4 archaic: to feel
          the loss of ~ vi: to have or feel desire syn desire,
          wish, want, crave, covet mean to have a longing for.
          desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies
          strong intention or aim <desires to start a new life>.
          wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing
          esp. for the unattainable <wishes for permanent world
          peace>. want specif. suggests a felt need or lack <wants
          to have a family>. crave stresses the force of physical
          appetite or emotional need <craves sweets>. covet implies
          strong envious desire <covets his rise to fame>. [2]desire
          n (14c) 1: conscious impulse toward something that promises
          enjoyment or satisfaction in its attainment 2 a: longing,
          craving b: sexual urge or appetite 3: a usu. formal request
          or petition for some action 4: something desired

   desirous
          [de.sir.ous] adj (14c): impelled or governed by desire <~
          of fame> -- de.sir.ous.ly adv -- de.sir.ous.ness n

   desist
          [de.sist] vi [ME, fr. MF desister, fr. L desistere, fr. de-
          + sistere to stand, stop; akin to L stare to stand--more
          at stand] (15c): to cease to proceed or act syn see stop
          -- de.sis.tance n

   desk
          [desk] n [ME deske, fr. ML desca, modif. of OIt desco table,
          fr. L discus dish, disc--more at dish] (14c) 1 a: a table,
          frame, or case with a sloping or horizontal surface esp.
          for writing and reading and often with drawers, compartments,
          and pigeonholes b: a reading table or lectern from which
          a liturgical service is read c: a table, counter, stand,
          or booth at which a person works 2 a: a division of an
          organization specializing in a particular phase of activity
          <the Russian ~ in the Department of State> b: a seating
          position according to rank in an orchestra <a first-desk
          violinist>

   deskbound
          [desk.bound] adj (1944): restricted to work at a desk

   deskman
          [desk.man] n (1913): one that works at a desk; specif: a
          newspaperman who processes news and prepares copy

   [1]desktop
          [desk.top] n (1929) 1: the top of a desk; also: an office
          desktop simulated by a computer program 2: a desktop
          computer [2]desktop adj (1958): of a size that can be
          conveniently used on a desk or table <~ computers>--compare
          laptop

   desktop publishing
          [desktop publishing] n (1984): the production of printed
          matter by means of a desktop computer having a layout
          program that integrates text and graphics

   desm-
          [desm-] or desmo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. desmos, fr.
          dein to bind--more at diadem]: bond: ligament <desmosome>

   desmid
          [des.mid] n [ultim. fr. Gk desmos] (1862): any of numerous
          unicellular or colonial green algae (order Zygnematales)

   desmosome
          [des.mo.some] n (ca. 1932): a specialized local thickening
          of the cell membrane of an epithelial cell that serves
          to anchor contiguous cells together -- des.mo.som.al
          adj

   [1]desolate
          [des.o.late] adj [ME desolat, fr. L desolatus, pp. of desolare
          to abandon, fr. de- + solus alone] (14c) 1: devoid of
          inhabitants and visitors: deserted 2: joyless, disconsolate,
          and sorrowful through or as if through separation from
          a loved one 3 a: showing the effects of abandonment and
          neglect: dilapidated b: barren, lifeless <a ~ landscape>
          c: devoid of warmth, comfort, or hope: gloomy <~ memories>
          syn see alone -- des.o.late.ly adv -- des.o.late.ness
          n [2]des.o.late vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing (14c): to make
          desolate: a: to deprive of inhabitants b: to lay waste
          c: forsake d: to make wretched -- des.o.lat.er or des.o.la.tor
          n -- des.o.lat.ing.ly adv

   desolation
          [des.o.la.tion] n (14c) 1: the action of desolating 2 a:
          grief, sadness b: loneliness 3: devastation, ruin 4:
          barren wasteland

   desorb
          [de.sorb] vt (1924): to remove (a sorbed substance) by the
          reverse of adsorption or absorption

   desorption
          [de.sorp.tion] n (1924): the process of desorbing

   desoxy-
          [desoxy-] --see deoxy-

   desoxyribonucleic acid
          [des.oxy.ri.bo.nu.cle.ic acid] n (1931): dna

   [1]despair
          [de.spair] vb [ME despeiren, fr. MF desperer, fr. L desperare,
          fr. de- + sperare to hope; akin to L spes hope--more
          at speed] vi (14c): to lose all hope or confidence <~
          of winning> ~ vt, obs: to lose hope for -- de.spair.er
          n [2]despair n (14c) 1: utter loss of hope 2: a cause
          of hopelessness <an incorrigible child is the ~ of his
          parents>

   despairing
          [de.spair.ing] adj (1589): given to, arising from, or marked
          by despair: devoid of hope syn see despondent -- de.spair.ing.ly
          adv

   despatch
          [des.patch] var of dispatch

   desperado
          [des.per.a.do] n, pl -does or -dos [prob. alter. of obs.
          desperate desperado, fr. desperate, adj.] (1647): a bold
          or violent criminal; esp: a bandit of the western U.S.
          in the 19th century

   desperate
          [des.per.ate] adj [L desperatus, pp. of desperare] (15c)
          1 a: having lost hope <a ~ spirit crying for relief>
          b: giving no ground for hope <the outlook was ~> 2 a:
          moved by despair <victims made ~ by abuse> b: involving
          or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape
          defeat or frustration <made a ~ leap for the rope> 3:
          suffering extreme need or anxiety <~ for money> 4: involving
          extreme danger or possible disaster <a ~ situation> 5:
          of extreme intensity 6: shocking, outrageous syn see
          despondent -- des.per.ate.ly adv -- des.per.ate.ness
          n

   desperation
          [des.per.a.tion] n (14c) 1: loss of hope and surrender to
          despair 2: a state of hopelessness leading to rashness

   despicable
          [de.spi.ca.ble] adj [LL despicabilis, fr. L despicari to
          despise] (1553): deserving to be despised: so worthless
          or obnoxious as to rouse moral indignation <~ behavior>
          syn see contemptible -- de.spi.ca.ble.ness n -- de.spi.ca.bly
          adv

   despiritualize
          [de.spir.i.tu.al.ize] vt (1868): to deprive of spiritual
          character or influence

   despise
          [de.spise] vt de.spised ; de.spis.ing [ME, fr. OF despis-,
          stem of despire, fr. L despicere, fr. de- + specere to
          look--more at spy] (14c) 1: to look down on with contempt
          or aversion <despised the weak> 2: to regard as negligible,
          worthless, or distasteful -- de.spise.ment n -- de.spis.er
          n syn despise, contemn, scorn, disdain mean to regard
          as unworthy of one's notice or consideration. despise
          may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong
          dislike to loathing <despises cowards>. contemn implies
          a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low,
          vile, feeble, or ignominious <contemns the image of women
          promoted by advertisers>. scorn implies a ready or indignant
          contempt <scorns the very thought of retirement>. disdain
          implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what
          is regarded as unworthy <disdained popular music>.

   [1]despite
          [de.spite] n [ME, fr. OF despit, fr. L despectus, fr. despicere]
          (13c) 1: the feeling or attitude of despising: contempt
          2: malice, spite 3 a: an act showing contempt or defiance
          b: detriment, disadvantage <I know of no government which
          stands to its obligations, even in its own ~, more solidly
          --Sir Winston Churchill> -- in despite of : in spite
          of [2]despite vt de.spit.ed ; de.spit.ing (14c) 1 archaic:
          to treat with contempt 2 obs: to provoke to anger: vex
          [3]despite prep (15c): in spite of <played ~ an injury>

   despiteful
          [de.spite.ful] adj (15c): expressing malice or hate
          -- de.spite.ful.ly adv -- de.spite.ful.ness n

   despiteous
          [de.spit.eous] adj (14c) archaic: feeling or showing despite:
          malicious -- de.spit.eous.ly adv, archaic

   despoil
          [de.spoil] vt [ME despoylen, fr. MF despoillier, fr. L despoliare,
          fr. de- + spoliare to strip, rob--more at spoil] (14c): to strip
          of belongings, possessions, or value: pillage syn see ravage
          -- de.spoil.er n -- de.spoil.ment n

   despoliation
          [de.spo.li.a.tion] n [LL despoliation-, despoliatio, fr.
          despoliare] (ca. 1657): the condition of being despoiled:
          spoliation

   [1]despond
          [de.spond] vi [L despondere, fr. de- + spondere to promise
          solemnly--more at spouse] (1655): to become despondent
          [2]despond n (1678): despondency

   despondence
          [de.spon.dence] n (1676): despondency

   despondency
          [de.spon.den.cy] n (1653): the state of being despondent:
          dejection, hopelessness

   despondent
          [de.spon.dent] adj [L despondent-, despondens, prp. of despondere]
          (ca. 1699): feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection,
          or depression <~ about his health> -- de.spon.dent.ly adv syn
          despondent, despairing, desperate, hopeless mean having lost all
          or nearly all hope. despondent implies a deep dejection arising
          from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort <despondent
          about yet another rejection>. despairing suggests the slipping away
          of all hope and often despondency <despairing appeals for the
          return of the kidnapped child>. desperate implies despair that
          prompts reckless action or violence in the face of defeat
          or frustration <one last desperate attempt to turn the tide
          of battle>. hopeless suggests despair and the cessation of effort
          or resistance and often implies acceptance or resignation <the
          situation of the trapped miners is hopeless>.

   despot
          [des.pot] n [MF despote, fr. Gk despotes master, lord, autocrat,
          fr. des- (akin to domos house) + -potes (akin to posis
          husband); akin to Skt dampati lord of the house--more
          at dome, potent] (1585) 1 a: a Byzantine emperor or prince
          b: a bishop or patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church
          c: an Italian hereditary prince or military leader during
          the Renaissance 2 a: a ruler with absolute power and
          authority b: a person exercising power tyrannically

   despotic
          [des.pot.ic] adj (1650): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a despot -- des.pot.i.cal.ly adv

   despotism
          [des.po.tism] n (ca. 1727) 1 a: rule by a despot b: despotic
          exercise of power 2 a: a system of government in which
          the ruler has unlimited power: absolutism b: a despotic
          state

   desquamate
          [des.qua.mate] vi -mat.ed ; -mat.ing [L desquamatus, pp.
          of desquamare to scale, fr. de- + squama scale] (1828):
          to peel off in scales -- des.qua.ma.tion n

   dessert
          [des.sert] n [MF,[ ]fr. desservir to clear the table, fr.
          des- de- + servir to serve, fr. L servire] (1600) 1:
          a usu. sweet course or dish (as of pastry or ice cream)
          served at the end of a meal 2 Brit: a fresh fruit served
          after a sweet course

   dessertspoon
          [des.sert.spoon] n (1754) 1: a spoon intermediate in size
          between a teaspoon and a tablespoon for use in eating
          dessert 2: dessertspoonful

   dessertspoonful
          [des.sert.spoon.ful] n (1875) 1: as much as a dessertspoon
          will hold 2 chiefly Brit: a unit of measure equal to
          about 2 1/2 fluidrams

   dessert wine
          [dessert wine] n (1773): a usu. sweet wine typically served
          with dessert or afterward

   destabilize
          [de.sta.bi.lize] vt (1924) 1: to make unstable 2: to cause
          (as a government) to be incapable of functioning or surviving
          -- de.sta.bi.li.za.tion n

   destain
          [de.stain] vt (1927): to selectively remove stain from (a
          specimen for microscopic study)

   destination
          [des.ti.na.tion] n (14c) 1: the purpose for which something
          is destined 2: an act of appointing, setting aside for
          a purpose, or predetermining 3: a place to which one
          is journeying or to which something is sent <kept their
          ~ secret>

   destine
          [des.tine] vt des.tined ; des.tin.ing [ME, fr. MF destiner,
          fr. L destinare, fr. de- + -stinare (akin to L stare
          to stand)--more at stand] (14c) 1: to decree beforehand:
          predetermine 2 a: to designate, assign, or dedicate in
          advance <the younger son was destined for the priesthood>
          b: to direct, devise, or set apart for a specific purpose
          or place <freight destined for European ports>

   destiny
          [des.ti.ny] n, pl -nies [ME destinee, fr. MF, fr. fem. of
          destine, pp. of destiner] (14c) 1: something to which
          a person or thing is destined: fortune 2: a predetermined
          course of events often held to be an irresistible power
          or agency syn see fate

   destitute
          [des.ti.tute] adj [ME, fr. L destitutus, pp. of destituere
          to abandon, deprive, fr. de- + statuere to set up--more
          at statute] (14c) 1: lacking something needed or desirable
          <a lake ~ of fish> 2: lacking possessions and resources;
          esp: suffering extreme poverty <a ~ old man> -- des.ti.tute.ness
          n

   destitution
          [des.ti.tu.tion] n (15c): the state of being destitute; esp:
          such extreme want as threatens life unless relieved syn
          see poverty

   destrier
          [des.trier] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. destre right hand, fr. L dextra,
          fr. fem. of dexter] (14c) archaic: war-horse; also: a
          charger used esp. in medieval tournaments

   destroy
          [de.stroy] vb [ME, fr. OF destruire, fr. (assumed) VL destrugere,
          alter. of L destruere, fr. de- + struere to build--more
          at structure] vt (13c) 1: to ruin the structure, organic
          existence, or condition of <~ed the files>; also: to
          ruin as if by tearing to shreds <their reputation was
          ~ed> 2 a: to put out of existence: kill b: neutralize
          <the moon ~s the light of the stars> c: annihilate, vanquish
          <armies had been crippled but not ~ed --W. L. Shirer>
          ~ vi: to cause destruction

   destroyer
          [de.stroy.er] n (14c) 1: one that destroys 2: a small fast
          warship used esp. to support larger vessels and usu.
          armed with 5-inch guns, depth charges, torpedoes, and
          often guided missiles

   destroyer escort
          [destroyer escort] n (1924): a warship similar to but smaller
          than a destroyer

   destroying angel
          [destroying angel] n (ca. 1900): death cap; also: a related
          poisonous mushroom (Amanita verna)

   destructible
          [de.struc.ti.ble] adj (ca. 1755): capable of being destroyed
          -- de.struc.ti.bil.i.ty n

   destruction
          [de.struc.tion] n [ME destruccioun, fr. MF destruction, fr.
          L destruction-, destructio, fr. destruere] (14c) 1: the
          state or fact of being destroyed: ruin 2: the action
          or process of destroying something 3: a destroying agency

   destructionist
          [de.struc.tion.ist] n (1833): one who delights in or advocates
          destruction

   destructive
          [de.struc.tive] adj (15c) 1: causing destruction: ruinous
          <~ storm> 2: designed or tending to destroy <~ criticism>
          -- de.struc.tive.ly adv -- de.struc.tive.ness n

   destructive distillation
          [destructive distillation] n (ca. 1831): decomposition of
          a substance (as wood, coal, or oil) by heat in a closed
          container and collection of the volatile products produced

   destructivity
          [de.struc.tiv.i.ty] n (1902): capacity for destruction

   desuetude
          [de.sue.tude] n [ME dissuetude, fr. L desuetudo, fr. desuescere
          to become unaccustomed, fr. de- + suescere to become
          accustomed; akin to L sodalis comrade--more at sib] (15c):
          discontinuance from use or exercise: disuse

   desulfurization
          [de.sul.fur.iza.tion] n (1854): the removal of sulfur or
          sulfur compounds (as from coal or flue gas) -- de.sul.fur.ize
          vt

   desultory
          [des.ul.to.ry] adj [L desultorius, lit., of a circus rider
          who leaps from horse to horse, fr. desilire to leap down,
          fr. de- + salire to leap--more at sally] (1581) 1: marked
          by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose <a dragged-out
          ordeal of ...~ shopping --Herman Wouk> 2: not connected
          with the main subject 3: disappointing in progress or
          performance: sluggish -- des.ul.to.ri.ly adv -- des.ul.to.ri.ness
          n

   det
          [det] abbreviation detached, detachment, detail, determine

   detach
          [de.tach] vt [F detacher, fr. OF destachier, fr. des- de-
          + -tachier (as in atachier to attach)] (1686) 1: to separate
          esp. from a larger mass and usu. without violence or
          damage 2: disengage, withdraw -- de.tach.abil.i.ty n
          -- de.tach.able adj -- de.tach.ably adv

   detached
          [de.tached] adj (ca. 1706) 1: standing by itself: separate,
          unconnected; esp: not sharing any wall with another building
          <a ~ house> 2: exhibiting an aloof objectivity usu. free
          from prejudice or self-interest <a ~ observer> syn see
          indifferent -- de.tached.ly adv -- de.tached.ness n

   detached service
          [detached service] n (ca. 1889): military service away from
          one's assigned organization

   detachment
          [de.tach.ment] n (1669) 1: the action or process of detaching:
          separation 2 a: the dispatch of a body of troops or part
          of a fleet from the main body for a special mission or
          service b: the part so dispatched c: a permanently organized
          separate unit usu. smaller than a platoon and of special
          composition 3 a: indifference to worldly concerns: aloofness
          b: freedom from bias or prejudice

   [1]detail
          [de.tail] n [F detail, fr. OF detail slice, piece, fr. detaillier
          to cut in pieces, fr. de- + taillier to cut--more at
          tailor] (1603) 1: extended treatment of or attention
          to particular items 2: a part of a whole: as a: a small
          and subordinate part: particular; also: a reproduction
          of such a part of a work of art b: a part considered
          or requiring to be considered separately from the whole
          c: the small elements that collectively constitute a
          work of art d: the small elements of a photographic image
          corresponding to those of the subject 3 a: selection
          of a person or group for a particular task (as in military
          service) b (1): the person or group selected (2): the
          task to be performed syn see item -- in detail : with
          all the particulars [2]detail vt (1650) 1: to report
          minutely and distinctly: specify <~ed their grievances>
          2: to assign to a particular task 3: to furnish with
          the smaller elements of design and finish <trimmings
          that ~ slips and petticoats> ~ vi: to make detail drawings
          -- de.tail.er n

   detailed
          [de.tailed] adj (1740): marked by abundant detail or
          by thoroughness in treating small items or parts <the ~ study
          of history> syn see circumstantial -- de.tailed.ly adv
          -- de.tailed.ness n

   detail man
          [detail man] n (1928): a representative of a drug manufacturer
          who introduces new drugs esp. to physicians and pharmacists

   detain
          [de.tain] vt [ME deteynen, fr. MF detenir, modif. of L detinere,
          fr. de- + tenere to hold--more at thin] (15c) 1: to hold
          or keep in or as if in custody 2 obs: to keep back (as
          something due): withhold 3: to restrain esp. from proceeding:
          stop syn see keep, delay -- de.tain.ment n

   detainee
          [de.tain.ee] n (ca. 1928): a person held in custody esp.
          for political reasons

   detainer
          [de.tain.er] n [AF detener, fr. detener to detain, fr. L
          detinere] (1619) 1: the act of keeping something in one's
          possession; specif: the withholding from the rightful
          owner of something that has lawfully come into the possession
          of the holder 2: detention in custody 3: a writ authorizing
          the keeper of a prison to continue to hold a person in
          custody

   detd
          [detd] abbreviation determined

   detect
          [de.tect] vb [ME, fr. L detectus, pp. of detegere to uncover,
          detect, fr. de- + tegere to cover--more at thatch] vt
          (1581) 1: to discover the true character of 2: to discover
          or determine the existence, presence, or fact of <~ alcohol
          in the blood> 3: demodulate ~ vi: to work as a detective
          -- de.tect.abil.i.ty n -- de.tect.able adj

   detection
          [de.tec.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of detecting: the state
          or fact of being detected 2: the process of demodulating

   [1]detective
          [de.tec.tive] adj (1843) 1: fitted for or used in detecting
          something <had perfected his ~ sensibilities> 2: of or
          relating to detectives or their work <a ~ novel>
          -- de.tec.tive.like adj [2]detective n (1850): one employed
          or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that
          is not readily or publicly accessible

   detector
          [de.tec.tor] n (1541): one that detects: as a: a device for
          detecting the presence of electromagnetic waves or of
          radioactivity b: a rectifier of high-frequency current
          used esp. for extracting the intelligence from a radio
          signal

   detent
          [de.tent] n [F detente, fr. MF destente, fr. destendre to
          slacken, fr. OF, fr. des- de- + tendre to stretch, fr.
          L tendere--more at thin] (1688): a device (as a catch,
          dog, or spring-operated ball) for positioning and holding
          one mechanical part in relation to another so that the
          device can be released by force applied to one of the
          parts

   detente
          [de.tente] n [F] (1908) 1: the relaxation of strained relations
          or tensions (as between nations); also: a policy promoting
          this 2: a period of detente

   detention
          [de.ten.tion] n [ME detencion, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L detention-,
          detentio, fr. detinere to detain] (15c) 1: the act or
          fact of detaining or holding back; esp: a holding in
          custody 2: the state of being detained; esp: a period
          of temporary custody prior to disposition by a court

   detention home
          [detention home] n (ca. 1930): a house of detention for juvenile
          delinquents usu. under the supervision of a juvenile
          court

   deter
          [de.ter] vt de.terred ; de.ter.ring [L deterrere, fr. de-
          + terrere to frighten--more at terror] (1579) 1: to turn
          aside, discourage, or prevent from acting 2: inhibit
          -- de.ter.ment n -- de.ter.ra.bil.i.ty n -- de.ter.ra.ble
          adj

   deterge
          [de.terge] vt de.terged ; de.terg.ing [F or L; F deterger,
          fr. L detergere, fr. de- + tergere to wipe] (ca. 1623):
          to wash off: cleanse -- de.terg.er n

   detergency
          [de.ter.gen.cy] n (1710): cleansing quality or power

   [1]detergent
          [de.ter.gent] adj (1616): that cleanses: cleansing [2]detergent
          n (1676): a cleansing agent: as a: soap b: any of numerous
          synthetic water-soluble or liquid organic preparations
          that are chemically different from soaps but are able
          to emulsify oils, hold dirt in suspension, and act as
          wetting agents c: an oil-soluble substance that holds
          insoluble foreign matter in suspension and is used in
          lubricating oils and dry-cleaning solvents

   deteriorate
          [de.te.ri.o.rate] vb -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [LL deterioratus,
          pp. of deteriorare, fr. L deterior worse, fr. de- + -ter
          (suffix as in L uter which of two) + -ior (compar. suffix)--more
          at whether, -er] vt (1572) 1: to make inferior in quality
          or value: impair 2: disintegrate ~ vi: to become impaired
          in quality, functioning, or condition: degenerate <allowed
          a tradition of academic excellence to ~> <his health
          deteriorated> -- de.te.ri.o.ra.tive adj

   deterioration
          [de.te.ri.o.ra.tion] n (ca. 1658): the action or process
          of deteriorating: the state of having deteriorated syn
          deterioration, degeneration, decadence, decline mean
          the falling from a higher to a lower level in quality,
          character, or vitality. deterioration implies generally
          the impairment of value or usefulness <the deterioration
          of the house through neglect>. degeneration stresses
          physical, intellectual, or esp. moral retrogression <the
          degeneration of their youthful idealism into cynicism>.
          decadence presupposes a reaching and passing the peak
          of development and implies a turn downward with a consequent
          loss in vitality or energy <cited love of luxury as a
          sign of cultural decadence>. decline differs from decadence
          in suggesting a more markedly downward direction and
          greater momentum as well as more obvious evidence of
          deterioration <the meteoric decline of his career after
          the scandal>.

   determinable
          [de.ter.min.able] adj (15c) 1: capable of being determined,
          definitely ascertained, or decided upon 2: liable to
          be terminated: terminable -- de.ter.min.able.ness n --
          de.ter.min.ably adv

   determinacy
          [de.ter.mi.na.cy] n, pl -cies (1873) 1: the quality or state
          of being determinate 2 a: the state of being definitely
          and unequivocally characterized: exactness b: the state
          of being determined or necessitated

   determinant
          [de.ter.mi.nant] n (1686) 1: an element that identifies or
          determines the nature of something or that fixes or conditions
          an outcome 2: a square array of numbers bordered on the
          left and right by a vertical line and having a value
          equal to the algebraic sum of all possible products where
          the number of factors in each product is the same as
          the number of rows or columns, each factor in a given
          product is taken from a different row and column, and
          the sign of a product is positive or negative depending
          upon whether the number of permutations necessary to
          place the indices representing each factor's position
          in its row or column in the order of the natural numbers
          is odd or even 3: gene 4: epitope -- de.ter.mi.nan.tal
          adj

   determinate
          [de.ter.mi.nate] adj [ME, fr. L determinatus, pp. of determinare]
          (14c) 1: having defined limits 2: definitely settled
          3: conclusively determined: definitive 4: characterized
          by sequential flowering from the central or uppermost
          bud to the lateral or basal buds; also: characterized
          by growth in which the main stem ends in an inflorescence
          and stops growing with only branches from the main stem
          having further and similarly restricted growth <~ tomato
          plants>--compare indeterminate 4 5: relating to, being,
          or undergoing egg cleavage in which each division irreversibly
          separates portions of the zygote with specific potencies
          for further development -- de.ter.mi.nate.ly adv --
          de.ter.mi.nate.ness n

   determination
          [de.ter.mi.na.tion] n (14c) 1 a: a judicial decision settling
          and ending a controversy b: the resolving of a question
          by argument or reasoning 2 archaic: termination 3 a:
          the act of deciding definitely and firmly; also: the
          result of such an act of decision b: the power or habit
          of deciding definitely and firmly 4: a fixing or finding
          of the position, magnitude, value, or character of something:
          as a: the act, process, or result of an accurate measurement
          b: an identification of the taxonomic position of a plant
          or animal 5 a: the definition of a concept in logic by
          its essential constituents b: the addition of a differentia
          to a concept to limit its denotation 6: direction or
          tendency to a certain end: impulsion 7: the fixation
          of the destiny of undifferentiated embryonic tissue

   determinative
          [de.ter.mi.na.tive] adj (1655): having power or tendency
          to determine: tending to fix, settle, or define something
          <regard experiments as ~ of the principles from which
          deductions could be made --S. F. Mason> syn see conclusive
          -- determinative n

   determinator
          [de.ter.mi.na.tor] n (1556): determiner

   determine
          [de.ter.mine] vb de.ter.mined ; de.ter.min.ing [ME, fr. MF
          determiner, fr. L determinare, fr. de- + terminare to
          limit, fr. terminus boundary, limit--more at term] vt
          (14c) 1 a: to fix conclusively or authoritatively b:
          to decide by judicial sentence c: to settle or decide
          by choice of alternatives or possibilities d: resolve
          2 a: to fix the form, position, or character of beforehand:
          ordain <two points ~ a straight line> b: to bring about
          as a result: regulate <demand ~s the price> 3 a: to fix
          the boundaries of b: to limit in extent or scope c: to
          put or set an end to: terminate <~ an estate> 4: to find
          out or come to a decision about by investigation, reasoning,
          or calculation <~ the answer to the problem> <~ a position
          at sea> 5: to bring about the determination of <~ the
          fate of a cell> ~ vi 1: to come to a decision 2: to come
          to an end or become void syn see decide, discover

   determined
          [de.ter.mined] adj (1513) 1: having reached a decision: firmly
          resolved <~ to be a pilot> 2 a: showing determination
          <a ~ effort> b: characterized by determination <will
          deter all but the most ~ thief --Security World> -- de.ter.mined.ly
          adv -- de.ter.mined.ness n

   determiner
          [de.ter.min.er] n (ca. 1530): one that determines: as a:
          gene b: a word (as an article, possessive, demonstrative,
          or quantifier) that makes specific the denotation of
          a noun phrase

   determinism
          [de.ter.min.ism] n (1846) 1 a: a theory or doctrine that
          acts of the will, occurrences in nature, or social or
          psychological phenomena are causally determined by preceding
          events or natural laws b: a belief in predestination
          2: the quality or state of being determined -- de.ter.min.ist
          n or adj -- de.ter.min.is.tic adj -- de.ter.min.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   deterrence
          [de.ter.rence] n (1861): the inhibition of criminal behavior
          by fear esp. of punishment; also: the maintenance of
          military power for the purpose of discouraging attack

   deterrent
          [de.ter.rent] adj [L deterrent-, deterrens, prp. of deterrere
          to deter] (1829) 1: serving to deter 2: relating to deterrence
          -- deterrent n -- de.ter.rent.ly adv

   detersive
          [de.ter.sive] adj [MF detersif, fr. L detersus, pp. of detergere
          to deterge] (1586): detergent -- detersive n

   detest
          [de.test] vt [MF detester or L detestari; MF detester, fr.
          L detestari, lit., to curse while calling a deity to
          witness, fr. de- + testari to call to witness--more at
          testament] (ca. 1535) 1: to feel intense and often violent
          antipathy toward: loathe 2 obs: curse, denounce syn see
          hate -- de.test.er n

   detestable
          [de.test.able] adj (15c): arousing or meriting intense dislike:
          abominable -- de.test.able.ness n -- de.test.ably adv

   detestation
          [de.tes.ta.tion] n (15c) 1: extreme hatred or dislike: abhorrence,
          loathing 2: an object of hatred or contempt

   dethrone
          [de.throne] vt (1609): to remove from a throne or place of
          power or prominence: depose -- de.throne.ment n -- de.thron.er
          n

   detick
          [de.tick] vt (1925): to remove ticks from -- de.tick.er n

   detinue
          [det.i.nue] n [ME detenewe, fr. MF detenue detention, fr.
          fem. of detenu, pp. of detenir to detain] (15c) 1: a
          common-law action for the recovery of a personal chattel
          wrongfully detained or of its value 2: detention of something
          due; esp: the unlawful detention of a personal chattel
          from another

   detn
          [detn] abbreviation detention, determination

   detonable
          [det.o.na.ble] adj (1884): capable of being detonated --
          det.o.na.bil.i.ty n

   detonate
          [det.o.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [F detoner to explode,
          fr. L detonare to expend thunder, fr. de- + tonare to
          thunder--more at thunder] vi (1729): to explode with
          sudden violence ~ vt 1: to cause to detonate <~ a bomb>--compare
          deflagrate 2: to set off in a burst of activity: spark
          <programs that detonated controversies> -- det.o.nat.able
          adj -- det.o.na.tive adj

   detonation
          [det.o.na.tion] n (1686) 1: the action or process of detonating
          2: rapid combustion in an internal combustion engine
          that results in knocking

   detonator
          [det.o.na.tor] n (1822): a device or small quantity of explosive
          used for detonating a high explosive

   [1]detour
          [de.tour] n [F detour, fr. OF destor, fr. destorner to divert,
          fr. des- de- + torner to turn--more at turn] (1738):
          a deviation from a direct course or the usual procedure;
          esp: a roundabout way temporarily replacing part of a
          route [2]detour vi (1836): to proceed by a detour <~
          around road construction> ~ vt 1: to send by a circuitous
          route 2: to avoid by going around: bypass

   detox
          [de.tox] n, often attrib (1973): detoxification from
          an intoxicating or an addictive substance -- detox vb

   detoxicate
          [de.tox.i.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [de- + [2]intoxicate]
          (1867): detoxify 1, 2 -- de.tox.i.cant n -- de.tox.i.ca.tion
          n

   detoxify
          [de.tox.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (ca. 1905) 1 a: to remove
          a poison or toxin or the effect of such from b: to render
          (a harmful substance) harmless 2: to free (as a drug
          user or an alcoholic) from an intoxicating or an addictive
          substance in the body or from dependence on or addiction
          to such a substance 3: neutralize 2 -- de.tox.i.fi.ca.tion
          n

   detract
          [de.tract] vb [ME, fr. L detractus, pp. of detrahere to pull
          down, disparage, fr. de- + trahere to draw] vt (15c)
          1 archaic: to speak ill of 2 archaic: to take away 3:
          divert <~ attention> ~ vi: to diminish the importance,
          value, or effectiveness of something--often used with
          from -- de.trac.tor n

   detraction
          [de.trac.tion] n (14c) 1: a lessening of reputation or esteem
          esp. by envious, malicious, or petty criticism: belittling,
          disparagement 2: a taking away <it is no ~ from its dignity
          or prestige --J. F. Golay> -- de.trac.tive adj -- de.trac.tive.ly
          adv

   detrain
          [de.train] vi (1881): to get off a railroad train ~ vt: to
          remove from a railroad train -- de.train.ment n

   detribalize
          [de.trib.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1920): to cause to lose
          tribal identity: acculturate -- de.trib.al.iza.tion n

   detriment
          [det.ri.ment] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L detrimentum,
          fr. deterere to wear away, impair, fr. de- + terere to
          rub--more at throw] (15c) 1: injury, damage <did hard
          work without ~ to his health> 2: a cause of injury or
          damage <a ~ to progress>

   [1]detrimental
          [det.ri.men.tal] adj (1590): obviously harmful: damaging
          <the ~ effects of pollution> syn see pernicious --
          det.ri.men.tal.ly adv [2]detrimental n (1831): an undesirable
          or harmful person or thing

   detrition
          [de.tri.tion] n (1674): a wearing off or away

   detritus
          [de.tri.tus] n, pl de.tri.tus [F detritus, fr. L detritus,
          pp. of deterere] (1802) 1: loose material (as rock fragments
          or organic particles) that results directly from disintegration
          2: a product of disintegration, destruction, or wearing
          away: debris -- de.tri.tal adj

   detumescence
          [de.tu.mes.cence] n [L detumescere to become less swollen,
          fr. de- + tumescere to swell--more at tumescent] (1678):
          subsidence or diminution of swelling or erection -- de.tu.mes.cent
          adj

   Deucalion
          [Deu.ca.lion] n [L, fr. Gk Deukalion]: a survivor with his
          wife Pyrrha of a great flood by which Zeus destroys the
          rest of the human race

   [1]deuce
          [deuce] n [MF deus two, fr. L duos, acc. masc. of duo two--more
          at two] (15c) 1 a (1): the face of a die that bears two
          spots (2): a playing card bearing an index number two
          b: a throw of the dice yielding two points 2: a tie in
          tennis after each side has scored 40 requiring two consecutive
          points by one side to win 3 [obs. E deuce bad luck] a:
          devil, dickens--used chiefly as a mild oath <what the
          ~ is he up to now> b: something notable of its kind <a
          ~ of a mess> [2]deuce vt deuced ; deuc.ing (1919): to
          bring the score of (a tennis game or set) to deuce

   deuced
          [deuc.ed] adj (1782): damned, confounded <in a ~ fix> --
          deuc.ed or deuc.ed.ly adv

   deuces wild
          [deuces wild] n (1927): a card game (as poker) in which each
          deuce may represent any card designated by its holder

   Deus absconditus
          [De.us ab.scon.di.tus] [L] foreign term : hidden God: God
          unknowable by the human mind

   deus ex machina
          [de.us ex ma.chi.na] n [NL, a god from a machine, trans.
          of Gk theos ek mechanes] (1697) 1: a god introduced by
          means of a crane in ancient Greek and Roman drama to
          decide the final outcome 2: a person or thing (as in
          fiction or drama) that appears or is introduced suddenly
          and unexpectedly and provides a contrived solution to
          an apparently insoluble difficulty

   Deus vult
          [De.us vult] [L] foreign term : God wills it--rallying cry
          of the First Crusade

   Deut
          [Deut] abbreviation Deuteronomy

   deuter-
          [deuter-] or deutero- comb form [alter. of ME deutro-, modif.
          of LL deutero-, fr. Gk deuter-, deutero-, fr. deuteros;
          prob. akin to Gk dein to lack, Skt dosa fault, lack]:
          second: secondary <deuteranopia>

   deuteragonist
          [deu.ter.ag.o.nist] n [Gk deuteragonistes, fr. deuter- +
          agonistes combatant, actor--more at protagonist] (1855)
          1: the actor taking the part of second importance in
          a classical Greek drama 2: a person who serves as a foil
          to another

   deuteranomalous
          [deu.ter.anom.a.lous] adj [NL deuteranomalia (fr. deuter-
          + L anomalia anomaly) abnormal trichromatism + E -ous]
          (ca. 1931): exhibiting partial loss of green color vision
          so that an increased intensity of this color is required
          in a mixture of red and green to match a given yellow
          -- deu.ter.anom.a.ly n

   deuteranope
          [deu.ter.an.ope] n (1902): an individual affected with deuteranopia

   deuteranopia
          [deu.ter.an.opia] n [NL, fr. deuter- + [2]a- + -opia; fr.
          the blindness to green, regarded as the second primary
          color] (ca. 1901): color blindness marked by confusion
          of purplish red and green -- deu.ter.an.opic adj

   deuterate
          [deu.ter.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1947): to introduce deuterium
          into (a compound) -- deu.ter.a.tion n

   deuterium
          [deu.te.ri.um] n [NL, fr. Gk deuteros second] (1933): an
          isotope of hydrogen that has one proton and one neutron
          in its nucleus and that has twice the mass of ordinary
          hydrogen--symbol D--called also heavy hydrogen

   deuterium oxide
          [deuterium oxide] n (1934): heavy water 1

   deuterocanonical
          [deu.tero.ca.non.i.cal] adj [NL deuterocanonicus, fr. deuter-
          + LL canonicus canonical] (1684): of, relating to, or
          constituting the books of Scripture contained in the
          Septuagint but not in the Hebrew canon

   deuteron
          [deu.ter.on] n (1933): a deuterium nucleus

   Deuteronomic
          [Deu.ter.o.nom.ic] adj (1857): of or relating to the book
          of Deuteronomy, its style, or its contents

   Deuteronomist
          [Deu.ter.on.o.mist] n (1862): any of the writers or editors
          of a Deuteronomic body of source material often distinguished
          in the earlier books of the Old Testament -- Deu.ter.on.o.mis.tic
          adj

   Deuteronomy
          [Deu.ter.on.o.my] n [ME Deutronomie, fr. LL Deuteronomium,
          fr. Gk Deuteronomion, fr. deuter- + nomos law--more at
          nimble]: the fifth book of canonical Jewish and Christian
          Scripture containing narrative and Mosaic laws

   deuterostome
          [deu.tero.stome] n [NL Deuterostomia, group name, fr. deuter-
          + Gk stoma mouth--more at stomach] (1950): any of a major
          division (Deuterostomia) of the animal kingdom that includes
          the bilaterally symmetrical animals (as the chordates)
          with indeterminate cleavage and a mouth that does not
          arise from the blastopore

   deutoplasm
          [deu.to.plasm] n [ISV deuter- + -plasm] (1884): the nutritive
          inclusions of protoplasm; esp: the yolk reserves of an
          egg

   deutsche mark
          [deut.sche mark] n [G, German mark] (1948): the basic monetary
          unit of Germany

   deutzia
          [deut.zia] n [NL, fr. Jean Deutz d. 1784? Du. patron of botanical
          research] (1837): any of a genus (Deutzia) of the saxifrage
          family of ornamental shrubs with white or pink flowers

   dev
          [dev] abbreviation deviation

   devaluate
          [de.val.u.ate] vb (1898): devalue

   devaluation
          [de.val.u.a.tion] n (1914) 1: an official reduction in the
          exchange value of a currency by a lowering of its gold
          equivalency or its value relative to another currency
          2: a lessening esp. of status or stature: decline

   devalue
          [de.val.ue] vt (1918) 1: to institute the devaluation of
          (money) 2: to lessen the value of ~ vi: to institute
          devaluation

   Devanagari
          [De.va.na.ga.ri] n [Skt devanagari, fr. deva divine + nagari
          script of the city--more at deity] (1781): an alphabet
          usu. employed for Sanskrit and also used as a literary
          hand for various modern languages of India--see alphabet
          table

   devastate
          [dev.as.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L devastatus, pp. of
          devastare, fr. de- + vastare to lay waste--more at waste]
          (1638) 1: to bring to ruin or desolation by violent action
          2: to reduce to chaos, disorder, or helplessness: overwhelm
          <devastated by grief> <her wisecrack devastated the class>
          syn see ravage -- dev.as.tat.ing.ly adv -- dev.as.ta.tion
          n -- dev.as.tat.ive adj -- dev.as.ta.tor n

   devein
          [de.vein] vt (1953): to remove the dark dorsal vein from
          (shrimp)

   develop
          [de.vel.op] vb [F developper, fr. OF desveloper, desvoluper
          to unwrap, expose, fr. des- de- + envoloper to enclose--more
          at envelop] vt (1750) 1 a: to set forth or make clear
          by degrees or in detail: expound b: to make visible or
          manifest c: to treat (as in dyeing) with an agent to
          cause the appearance of color d: to subject (exposed
          photograph material) esp. to chemicals in order to produce
          a visible image; also: to make visible by such a method
          e: to elaborate (a musical idea) by the working out of
          rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme 2: to work
          out the possibilities of 3 a: to make active or promote
          the growth of <~ed his muscles> b (1): to make available
          or usable <~ natural resources> (2): to make suitable
          for commercial or residential purposes c: to move (as
          a chess piece) from the original position to one providing
          more opportunity for effective use 4 a: to cause to unfold
          gradually <~ed his argument> b: to expand by a process
          of growth <~ed a strong organization> c: to cause to
          grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind
          <rain and sun ~ the grain> d: to have unfold or differentiate
          within one <~ed pneumonia> 5: to acquire gradually <~
          an appreciation for ballet> ~ vi 1 a: to go through a
          process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution
          by successive changes <a blossom ~s from a bud> b: to
          acquire secondary sex characters 2: to become gradually
          manifest 3: to come into being gradually <the situation
          ~ing in eastern Europe>; also: turn out vi 2a <it ~ed
          that no one had paid the bill> -- de.vel.op.able adj

   developed
          [de.vel.oped] adj (1945): having a relatively high level
          of industrialization and standard of living <a ~ country>

   developer
          [de.vel.op.er] n (1883): one that develops: as a: a chemical
          used to develop exposed photographic materials b: a person
          who develops real estate

   developing
          [de.vel.op.ing] adj (1964): underdeveloped 2 <~ nations>

   development
          [de.vel.op.ment] n (1756) 1: the act, process, or result
          of developing 2: the state of being developed 3: a developed
          tract of land; esp: one with houses built on it

   developmental
          [de.vel.op.men.tal] adj (1849) 1 a: of, relating to, or being
          development <~ processes>; broadly: experimental 2 <~
          aircraft> b: serving economic development <~ highways>
          2: designed to assist growth or bring about improvement
          (as of a skill) <~ toys> -- de.vel.op.men.tal.ly adv

   developmentally disabled
          [developmentally disabled] adj (1975): having a physical
          or mental handicap that impedes or prevents normal development

   deverbal
          [de.verb.al] adj (1943): deverbative

   deverbative
          [de.verb.a.tive] adj (1930) 1: derived from a verb <the ~
          noun developer is derived from develop> 2: used in derivation
          from a verb <the ~ suffix -er in developer> -- deverbative
          n

   devest
          [de.vest] vt [MF desvestir, fr. ML disvestire, fr. L dis-
          + vestire to clothe--more at vest] (1563): divest

   deviance
          [de.vi.ance] n (1944): deviant quality, state, or behavior

   deviancy
          [de.vi.an.cy] n, pl -cies (1947): deviance

   deviant
          [de.vi.ant] adj (15c): deviating esp. from an accepted norm
          <~ behavior> -- deviant n

   [1]deviate
          [de.vi.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL deviatus, pp. of deviare,
          fr. L de- + via way--more at way] vi (ca. 1633) 1: to
          stray esp. from a standard, principle, or topic 2: to
          depart from an established course or norm ~ vt: to cause
          to turn out of a previous course syn see swerve -- de.vi.a.tor
          n -- de.vi.a.to.ry adj [2]de.vi.ate n (1912) 1: one that
          deviates from a norm; esp: a person who differs markedly
          from a group norm 2: a statistical variable that gives
          the deviation of another variable from a fixed value
          (as the mean) [3]de.vi.ate adj (1929): departing significantly
          from the behavioral norms of a particular society

   deviation
          [de.vi.a.tion] n (15c): an act or instance of deviating:
          as a: deflection of the needle of a compass caused by
          local magnetic influences (as in a ship) b: the difference
          between a value in a frequency distribution and a fixed
          number (as the mean) c: departure from an established
          ideology or party line d: noticeable or marked departure
          from accepted norms of behavior -- de.vi.a.tion.ism n
          -- de.vi.a.tion.ist n or adj

   device
          [de.vice] n [ME devis, devise, fr. MF, division, intention,
          fr. OF deviser to divide, regulate, tell--more at devise]
          (14c) 1: something devised or contrived: as a (1): plan,
          procedure, technique (2): a scheme to deceive: stratagem,
          trick b: something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate
          in design c: something (as a figure of speech) in a literary
          work designed to achieve a particular artistic effect
          d archaic: masque, spectacle e: a conventional stage
          practice or means (as a stage whisper) used to achieve
          a particular dramatic effect f: a piece of equipment
          or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or
          perform a special function 2: desire, inclination <left
          to my own ~s> 3: an emblematic design used esp. as a
          heraldic bearing

   [1]devil
          [dev.il] n [ME devel, fr. OE deofol, fr. LL diabolus, fr.
          Gk diabolos, lit., slanderer, fr. diaballein to throw
          across, slander, fr. dia- + ballein to throw; prob. akin
          to Skt gurate he lifts up] (bef. 12c) 1 often cap: the
          personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in
          Jewish and Christian belief as the tempter of mankind,
          the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hell--usu.
          used with the--often used as an interjection, an intensive,
          or a generalized term of abuse <what the ~ is this?>
          <the ~ you say]> 2: an evil spirit: demon 3 a: an extremely
          wicked person: fiend b archaic: a great evil 4: a person
          of notable energy, recklessness, and dashing spirit;
          also: one who is mischievous <those kids are little ~s
          today> 5: fellow--usu. used in the phrases poor devil,
          lucky devil 6 a: something very trying or provoking <having
          a ~ of a time with this problem> b: severe criticism
          or rebuke: hell--used with the <I'll probably catch the
          ~ for this> 7: dust devil 8 Christian Science: the opposite
          of Truth: a belief in sin, sickness, and death: evil,
          error -- between the devil and the deep blue sea : faced
          with two equally objectionable alternatives -- devil
          to pay : severe consequences--used with the [2]devil
          vt -iled or -illed ; -il.ing or -il.ling (1800) 1: to
          season highly <~ed eggs> 2: tease, annoy

   devilfish
          [dev.il.fish] n (1709) 1: any of several extremely large
          rays (genera Manta and Mobula) widely distributed in
          warm seas 2: octopus; broadly: any large cephalopod

   devilish
          [dev.il.ish] adj (15c) 1: resembling or befitting a devil:
          as a: evil, sinister b: mischievous, roguish 2: extreme
          <in a ~ hurry> -- devilish adv -- dev.il.ish.ly adv --
          dev.il.ish.ness n

   devil-may-care
          [dev.il-may-care] adj (1837): easygoing, carefree

   devilment
          [dev.il.ment] n (1771): mischief

   devilry
          [dev.il.ry] or dev.il.try n, pl -ries or -tries (14c) 1 a:
          action performed with the help of the devil: witchcraft
          b: wickedness c: mischief 2: an act of devilry

   devil's advocate
          [devil's advocate] n [trans. of NL advocatus diaboli] (1760)
          1: a Roman Catholic official whose duty is to examine
          critically the evidence on which a demand for beatification
          or canonization rests 2: a person who champions the less
          accepted cause for the sake of argument

   devil's claw
          [devil's claw] n (ca. 1900): any of several herbs (genus
          Proboscidea syn. Martynia of the family Martyniaceae)
          of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that have edible
          pods yielding a black sewing material used in basket
          making

   devil's darning needle
          [devil's darning needle] n (1809) 1: dragonfly 2: damselfly

   devil's food cake
          [devil's food cake] n (1905): a rich chocolate cake

   devil's paintbrush
          [devil's paintbrush] n (1900): orange hawkweed; broadly:
          any of various hawkweeds that are naturalized weeds in
          the eastern U.S.

   devil theory
          [devil theory] n (1937): a theory of history: political and
          social crises arise from the deliberate actions of evil
          or misguided leaders rather than as a natural result
          of conditions

   devilwood
          [dev.il.wood] n (1818): a small tree (Osmanthus americanus)
          of the southern U.S. that is related to the olive

   devious
          [de.vi.ous] adj [L devius, fr. de from + via way--more at
          de-, way] (1599) 1: out-of-the-way, remote 2 a: wandering,
          roundabout <a ~ path> b: moving without a fixed course:
          errant <~ breezes> 3 a: deviating from a right, accepted,
          or common course b: not straightforward: cunning; also:
          deceptive -- de.vi.ous.ly adv -- de.vi.ous.ness n

   [1]devise
          [de.vise] vt de.vised ; de.vis.ing [ME, fr. OF deviser to
          divide, regulate, tell, modif. of (assumed) VL divisare,
          freq. of L dividere to divide] (13c) 1 a: to form in
          the mind by new combinations or applications of ideas
          or principles: invent b archaic: conceive, imagine c:
          to plan to obtain or bring about: plot 2: to give (real
          estate) by will--compare bequeath -- de.vis.able adj
          -- de.vis.er n [2]devise n (15c) 1: the act of giving
          or disposing of real property by will 2: a will or clause
          of a will disposing of real property 3: property devised
          by will

   devisee
          [de.vi.see] n (1543): one to whom a devise of property is
          made

   devisor
          [de.vi.sor] n (1543): one who devises property in a will

   devitalize
          [de.vi.tal.ize] vt (1849): to deprive of life, vigor, or
          effectiveness

   devitrify
          [de.vit.ri.fy] vt [F devitrifier, fr. de- de- + vitrifier
          to vitrify] (1832): to deprive of glassy luster and transparency;
          esp: to change (as a glass) from a vitreous to a crystalline
          condition -- de.vit.ri.fi.ca.tion n

   devocalize
          [de.vo.cal.ize] vt (1877): devoice

   devoice
          [de.voice] vt (1932): to pronounce (as a sometimes or formerly
          voiced sound) without vibration of the vocal cords

   devoid
          [de.void] adj [ME, pp. of devoiden to dispel, fr. MF desvuidier
          to empty, fr. OF, fr. des- dis- + vuidier to empty--more
          at void] (15c): being without a usual, typical, or expected
          attribute or accompaniment <an argument ~ of sense>

   devoir
          [de.voir] n [ME, alter. of dever, fr. AF deveir, fr. OF devoi
          r, deveir to owe, be obliged, fr. L debere--more at debt]
          (14c) 1: duty, responsibility 2: a usu. formal act of
          civility or respect

   devolution
          [de.vo.lu.tion] n [ML devolution-, devolutio, fr. L devolvere]
          (1545) 1: transference (as of rights, powers, property,
          or responsibility) to another; esp: the surrender of
          powers to local authorities by a central government 2:
          retrograde evolution: degeneration -- de.vo.lu.tion.ary
          adj -- de.vo.lu.tion.ist n

   devolve
          [de.volve] vb de.volved ; de.volv.ing [ME, fr. L devolvere,
          fr. de- + volvere to roll--more at voluble] vt (15c):
          to pass on (as responsibility, rights, or powers) from
          one person or entity to another <devolving to western
          Europe full responsibility for its own defense --Christopher
          Lane> ~ vi 1 a: to pass by transmission or succession
          <the estate devolved on a distant cousin> b: to fall
          or be passed usu. as a responsibility or obligation <the
          responsibility for breadwinning has devolved increasingly
          upon women --Barbara Ehrenreich> 2: to come by or as
          if by flowing down <his allegedly subversive campaigns
          ... ~ from his belief in basic American rights --Frank
          Deford> 3: to degenerate through a gradual change or
          evolution <where order ~s into chaos --Johns Hopkins
          Mag.>

   Devon
          [Devon] abbreviation Devonshire

   devon
          [dev.on] n, often cap [Devon, England] (1834): any of a breed
          of vigorous red dual-purpose cattle of English origin

   Devonian
          [De.vo.ni.an] adj [Devon, England] (1612) 1: of or relating
          to Devonshire, England 2: of, relating to, or being the
          period of the Paleozoic era between the Silurian and
          the Mississippian or the corresponding system of rocks--see
          geologic time table -- Devonian n

   Devonshire cream
          [Dev.on.shire cream] n (1825): clotted cream

   devote
          [de.vote] vt de.vot.ed ; de.vot.ing [L devotus, pp. of devovere,
          fr. de- + vovere to vow] (1586) 1: to commit by a solemn
          act <devoted herself to serving God> 2: to give over
          or direct (as time, money, or effort) to a cause, enterprise,
          or activity -- de.vote.ment n syn devote, dedicate, consecrate,
          hallow mean to set apart for a special and often higher
          end. devote is likely to imply compelling motives and
          often attachment to an objective <devoted his evenings
          to study>. dedicate implies solemn and exclusive devotion
          to a sacred or serious use or purpose <dedicated her
          life to medical research>. consecrate stresses investment
          with a solemn or sacred quality <consecrate a church
          to the worship of God>. hallow, often differing little
          from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply
          an attribution of intrinsic sanctity <battlegrounds hallowed
          by the blood of patriots>.

   devoted
          [de.vot.ed] adj (1593): characterized by loyalty and devotion
          -- de.vot.ed.ly adv -- de.vot.ed.ness n

   devotee
          [dev.o.tee] n (1645): an ardent follower, supporter, or enthusiast
          (as of a religion, art form, or sport)

   devotion
          [de.vo.tion] n (13c) 1 a: religious fervor: piety b: an act
          of prayer or private worship--usu. used in pl. c: a religious
          exercise or practice other than the regular corporate
          worship of a congregation 2 a: the act of devoting b:
          the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal
          (as to an idea or person) 3 obs: the object of one's
          devotion syn see fidelity

   [1]devotional
          [de.vo.tion.al] adj (1648): of, relating to, or characterized
          by devotion -- de.vo.tion.al.ly adv [2]devotional n (1659):
          a short worship service

   devour
          [de.vour] vt [ME, fr. MF devourer, fr. L devorare, fr. de-
          + vorare to devour--more at voracious] (14c) 1: to eat
          up greedily or ravenously 2: to use up or destroy as
          if by eating <we are ~ing the world's resources> 3: to
          prey upon <~ed by guilt> 4: to enjoy avidly <~s books>
          -- de.vour.er n

   devout
          [de.vout] adj [ME devot, fr. OF, fr. LL devotus, fr. L, pp.
          of devovere] (13c) 1: devoted to religion or to religious
          duties or exercises 2: expressing devotion or piety <a
          ~ attitude> 3: devoted to a pursuit, belief, or mode
          of behavior: serious, earnest <a ~ baseball fan> <born
          a ~ coward --G. B. Shaw> -- de.vout.ly adv -- de.vout.ness
          n

   dew
          [dew] n [ME, fr. OE deaw; akin to OHG tou dew, Gk thein to
          run] (bef. 12c) 1: moisture condensed upon the surfaces
          of cool bodies esp. at night 2: something resembling
          dew in purity, freshness, or power to refresh 3: moisture
          esp. when appearing in minute droplets: as a: tears b:
          sweat c: droplets of water produced by a plant in transpiration
          -- dew vt -- dew.less adj

   DEW
          [DEW] abbreviation distant early warning

   dewar
          [dew.ar] n, often cap [Sir James Dewar] (ca. 1909): a glass
          or metal container made like a vacuum bottle that is
          used esp. for storing liquefied gases--called also Dewar
          flask

   dewater
          [de.wa.ter] vt (ca. 1909): to remove water from -- de.wa.ter.er
          n

   dewberry
          [dew.ber.ry] n (ca. 1578) 1: any of several sweet edible
          berries related to and resembling blackberries 2: a trailing
          or decumbent bramble (genus Rubus) that bears dewberries

   dewclaw
          [dew.claw] n (1576): a vestigial digit not reaching to the
          ground on the foot of a mammal; also: a claw or hoof
          terminating such a digit--see cow illustration

   dewdrop
          [dew.drop] n (13c): a drop of dew

   Dewey decimal classification
          [Dew.ey decimal classification] n [Melvil Dewey] (1924):
          a system of classifying books and other publications
          whereby main classes are designated by a three-digit
          number and subdivisions are shown by numbers after a
          decimal point--called also Dewey decimal system

   dewfall
          [dew.fall] n (1622): formation of dew; also: the time when
          dew begins to deposit

   dewlap
          [dew.lap] n (14c) 1: loose skin hanging under the neck of
          an animal--see cow illustration 2: loose flesh on the
          human throat -- dew.lapped adj

   deworm
          [de.worm] vt (1926): to rid (as a dog) of worms: worm 4 --
          de.worm.er n

   dew point
          [dew point] n (ca. 1833): the temperature at which a vapor
          begins to condense

   dew worm
          [dew worm] n (1599): night crawler

   dewy
          [dewy] adj dew.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: moist with, affected
          by, or suggestive of dew 2: innocent, unsophisticated
          <from a ~ bride to an ill-mannered, murderous courtesan
          --Melvin Gussow> -- dew.i.ly adv -- dew.i.ness n

   dewy-eyed
          [dewy-eyed] adj (1938): naively credulous

   dex
          [dex] n (ca. 1961): the sulfate of dextroamphetamine

   dexamethasone
          [dexa.meth.a.sone] n [dexa- (blend of deca- and hexa-) +
          methyl + -a- (perh. fr. pregnane, a parent compound of
          corticoid hormones) + -sone (as in cortisone)] (1958):
          a synthetic glucocorticoid used esp. as an anti-inflammatory
          agent

   Dexedrine
          [Dex.e.drine] trademark--used for a preparation of the sulfate
          of dextroamphetamine

   dexies
          [dex.ies] n pl [Dexedrine + -ie + [1]-s] (1956): tablets
          or capsules of the sulfate of dextroamphetamine

   dexter
          [dex.ter] adj [L; akin to OHG zeso situated on the right,
          Gk dexios] (1562) 1: relating to or situated on the right
          2: being or relating to the side of a heraldic shield
          at the right of the person bearing it -- dexter adv

   dexterity
          [dex.ter.i.ty] n, pl -ties [MF or L; MF dexterite, fr. L
          dexteritat-, dexteritas, fr. dexter] (1527) 1: mental
          skill or quickness: adroitness 2: readiness and grace
          in physical activity; esp: skill and ease in using the
          hands

   dexterous
          [dex.ter.ous] also dex.trous adj [L dextr-, dexter on the
          right side, skillful] (1622) 1: mentally adroit and skillful:
          clever 2: done with dexterity: artful 3: skillful and
          competent with the hands -- dex.ter.ous.ly adv -- dex.ter.ous.ness
          n syn dexterous, adroit, deft mean ready and skilled in physical
          movement. dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and
          quickness in manipulation <unrolled the sleeping bag with
          a dexterous toss>. adroit implies dexterity but usu. also stresses
          resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness <the magician's
          adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause>. deft
          emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling
          <a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel>.

   dextr-
          [dextr-] or dextro- comb form [L dextr-, dexter] 1: right:
          on or toward the right <dextrorotatory> 2 usu dextro-:
          dextrorotatory <dextroamphetamine>

   dextral
          [dex.tral] adj (1646): of or relating to the right: inclined
          to the right: as a: right-handed 3 b of a gastropod shell:
          having the whorls coiling clockwise down the spire when
          viewed with the apex toward the observer and having the
          aperture situated on the right of the axis when held
          with the spire uppermost and with the aperture opening
          toward the observer--compare sinistral

   dextran
          [dex.tran] n [ISV] (1879): any of numerous glucose biopolymers
          of variable molecular weight produced esp. by bacteria
          (as genus Leuconostoc), occurring in dental plaque, and
          used after chemical modification as blood plasma substitutes,
          as packing materials in chromatography, and as pharmaceutical
          agents

   dextranase
          [dex.tran.ase] n (ca. 1949): a hydrolase that prevents tooth
          decay by breaking down dextran and eliminating dental
          plaque

   dextrin
          [dex.trin] also dex.trine n [F dextrine, fr. dextr-] (1838):
          any of various water-soluble gummy polysaccharides obtained
          from starch by the action of heat, acids, or enzymes
          and used as adhesives, as sizes for paper and textiles,
          as thickening agents (as in syrups), and in beer

   dextro
          [dex.tro] adj [dextr-] (ca. 1929): dextrorotatory

   dextroamphetamine
          [dex.tro.am.phet.amine] n (1943): dextrorotatory amphetamine
          sulfate

   dextrorotatory
          [dex.tro.ro.ta.to.ry] also dex.tro.ro.ta.ry adj (1878): turning
          clockwise or toward the right; esp: rotating the plane
          of polarization of light toward the right <~ crystals>--compare
          levorotatory

   dextrose
          [dex.trose] n (ca. 1869): dextrorotatory glucose

   dey
          [dey] n [F, fr. Turk dayi, lit., maternal uncle] (1659):
          a ruling official of the Ottoman Empire in northern Africa

   df...
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   DF
          [DF] abbreviation damage free, direction finder, direction
          finding

   DFA
          [DFA] abbreviation doctor of fine arts

   DFC
          [DFC] abbreviation Distinguished Flying Cross

   dft
          [dft] abbreviation defendant, draft

   dg...
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   dg
          [dg] abbreviation decigram  DG [LL Dei gratia] abbreviation
          by the grace of God; director general

   dh...
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   [1]DH
          [DH] n (1973): designated hitter [2]DH vi DH-d ; DH-ing (1975):
          to play the position of designated hitter

   DH
          [DH] abbreviation designated hitter, doctor of humanities

   dharma
          [dhar.ma] n [Skt; akin to L firmus firm] (1796) 1 Hinduism:
          an individual's duty fulfilled by observance of custom
          or law 2 Hinduism & Buddhism a: the basic principles
          of cosmic or individual existence: divine law b: conformity
          to one's duty and nature -- dhar.mic adj

   dharna
          [dhar.na] n [Hindi dharna, fr. Skt dharana support, prop;
          akin to L firmus firm] (1747): a fast held at the door
          of an offender in India as an appeal for justice

   DHL
          [DHL] abbreviation doctor of Hebrew letters, doctor of Hebrew
          literature

   dhole
          [dhole] n [perh. fr. Kannada tola wolf] (ca. 1827): a wild
          dog (Cuon alpinus) occurring from India to southern Siberia

   dhoti
          [dho.ti] n, pl dhotis [Hindi dhoti] (1614): a loincloth worn
          by men in some parts of India

   dhow
          [dhow] n [Ar dawa] [Ar dawa] (1785): an Arab lateen-rigged
          boat usu. having a long overhang forward, a high poop,
          and a low waist

   Dhu'l-Hijja
          [Dhu'l-Hij.ja] n [Ar Dhu-l-hijjah, lit., the one of the pilgrimage]
          (ca. 1771): the 12th month of the Islamic year

   Dhu'l-Qa'dah
          [Dhu'l-Qa'.dah] n [Ar Dhu-l-qadah, lit., the one of the sitting]
          (ca. 1771): the 11th month of the Islamic year

   dhurrie
          [dhur.rie] n [Hindi dari] (1880): a thick flat-woven cotton
          or wool cloth or rug made in India

   di...
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   di-
          [di-] comb form [ME, fr. MF, fr. L, fr. Gk; akin to OE twi-]
          1: twice: twofold: double <dichromatic> 2: containing
          two atoms, radicals, or groups <dioxide>

   DI
          [DI] abbreviation drill instructor

   dia-
          [dia-] also di- prefix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L, fr. Gk, through,
          apart, fr. dia; akin to L dis-]: through <diapositive>:
          across <diadromous>

   dia
          [dia] abbreviation diameter

   diabase
          [di.a.base] n [F, prob. fr. Gk diabasis act of crossing over,
          fr. diabainein to cross over, fr. dia- + bainein to go--more
          at come] (ca. 1816) 1 archaic: diorite 2 chiefly Brit:
          an altered basalt 3: a fine-grained rock of the composition
          of gabbro but with an ophitic texture -- di.a.ba.sic
          adj

   diabetes
          [di.a.be.tes] n [L, fr. Gk diabetes diabetes insipidus, fr.
          diabainein to walk with the legs apart, cross over] (15c):
          any of various abnormal conditions characterized by the
          secretion and excretion of excessive amounts of urine;
          esp: diabetes mellitus

   diabetes insipidus
          [diabetes in.sip.i.dus] n [NL, lit., bland diabetes] (ca.
          1860): a disorder of the pituitary gland characterized
          by intense thirst and by the excretion of large amounts
          of urine

   diabetes mellitus
          [diabetes mel.li.tus] n [NL, lit., honey-sweet diabetes]
          (ca. 1860): a variable disorder of carbohydrate metabolism
          caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental
          factors and usu. characterized by inadequate secretion
          or utilization of insulin, by excessive urine production,
          by excessive amounts of sugar in the blood and urine,
          and by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight

   [1]diabetic
          [di.a.bet.ic] adj (1799) 1: of or relating to diabetes or
          diabetics 2: affected with diabetes 3: occurring in or
          caused by diabetes <~ coma> 4: suitable for diabetics
          <~ food> [2]diabetic n (1840): a person affected with
          diabetes

   diabetogenic
          [di.a.be.to.gen.ic] adj (ca. 1903): producing diabetes

   diabetologist
          [di.a.be.tol.og.ist] n (1970): a specialist in diabetes

   diablerie
          [di.a.ble.rie] n [F, fr. OF, fr. diable devil, fr.
          LL diabolus--more at devil] (1751) 1: black magic: sorcery
          2 a: a representation in words or pictures of black magic
          or of dealings with the devil b: demon lore 3: mischievous conduct
          or manner

   diabolical
          [di.a.bol.i.cal] or di.a.bol.ic adj [ME deabolik, fr. MF
          diabolique, fr. LL diabolicus, fr. diabolus] (14c): of,
          relating to, or characteristic of the devil: devilish
          -- di.a.bol.i.cal.ly adv -- di.a.bol.i.cal.ness n

   diabolism
          [di.ab.o.lism] n (1614) 1: dealings with or possession by
          the devil 2: belief in or worship of devils 3: evil character
          or conduct -- di.ab.o.list n

   diabolize
          [di.ab.o.lize] vt -lized ; -liz.ing (1702): to represent
          as or make diabolic

   diachronic
          [dia.chron.ic] adj (1927): of, relating to, or dealing with
          phenomena (as of language or culture) as they occur or
          change over a period of time -- dia.chron.i.cal.ly adv

   diachrony
          [di.ach.ro.ny] n [ISV dia- + -chrony (as in synchrony)] (ca.
          1939) 1: diachronic analysis 2: change extending through
          time

   [1]diacid
          [di.ac.id] or di.acid.ic adj (1866): able to react with two
          molecules of a monobasic acid or one of a dibasic acid
          to form a salt or ester--used esp. of bases [2]diacid
          n [ISV] (ca. 1929): an acid with two acid hydrogen atoms

   diaconal
          [di.ac.o.nal] adj [LL diaconalis, fr. diaconus deacon--more
          at deacon] (ca. 1611): of or relating to a deacon or
          deaconess

   diaconate
          [di.ac.o.nate] n (ca. 1751) 1: the office or period of office
          of a deacon or deaconess 2: an official body of deacons

   diacritic
          [di.a.crit.ic] n (1866): an accent near or through an orthographic
          or phonetic character or combination of characters indicating
          a phonetic value different from that given the unmarked
          or otherwise marked element

   diacritical
          [di.a.crit.i.cal] also di.a.crit.ic adj [Gk diakritikos separative,
          fr. diakrinein to distinguish, fr. dia- + krinein to separate--more
          at certain] (1749) 1: serving as a diacritic 2 a: distinctive <the
          ~ elements in culture --S. F. Nadel> b: capable of distinguishing
          <students of superior ~ powers>

   diadelphous
          [di.adel.phous] adj [di- + -adelphous] (1807): united by
          filaments into two fascicles--used of stamens

   diadem
          [di.a.dem] n [ME diademe, fr. OF, fr. L diadema, fr. Gk diadema,
          fr. diadein to bind around, fr. dia- + dein to bind;
          akin to Skt daman rope] (13c) 1 a: crown 1; specif: a
          royal headband b: crown 6a(1) 2: something that adorns
          like a crown

   diadromous
          [di.ad.ro.mous] adj (ca. 1949) of a fish: migratory between
          salt and fresh waters

   diaeresis
          [di.aer.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [LL diaeresis, fr. Gk diairesis,
          lit., division, fr. diairein to divide, fr. dia- + hairein
          to take] (ca. 1611) 1: a mark in the form of two dots
          placed over a vowel to indicate that the vowel is pronounced
          in a separate syllable 2: the break in a verse caused
          by the coincidence of the end of a foot with the end
          of a word -- di.ae.ret.ic adj

   diag
          [diag] abbreviation diagonal, diagram

   diagenesis
          [dia.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1886) 1: recombination or rearrangement
          of constituents (as of a chemical or mineral) resulting in a new
          product 2: the conversion (as by compaction or chemical reaction)
          of sediment into rock -- dia.ge.net.ic adj -- dia.ge.net.i.cal.ly
          adv

   diageotropic
          [dia.geo.tro.pic] adj (1880): tending to grow at right angles
          to the line of gravity <~ branches and roots>

   diagnose
          [di.ag.nose] vb -nosed ; -nos.ing [back-formation fr. diagnosis]
          vt (ca. 1859) 1 a: to recognize (as a disease) by signs
          and symptoms b: to diagnose a disease or condition in
          <diagnosed the patient> 2: to analyze the cause or nature
          of <~ the problem> ~ vi: to make a diagnosis -- di.ag.nos.able
          or di.ag.nose.able adj

   diagnosis
          [di.ag.no.sis] n, pl -no.ses [NL, fr. Gk diagnosis, fr.
          diagignoskein to distinguish, fr. dia- + gignoskein to know--more
          at know] (ca. 1681) 1 a: the art or act of identifying a disease
          from its signs and symptoms b: the decision reached by diagnosis
          2: a concise technical description of a taxon 3 a: investigation
          or analysis of the cause or nature of a condition, situation,
          or problem <~ of engine trouble> b: a statement or conclusion from
          such an analysis

   [1]diagnostic
          [di.ag.nos.tic] also di.ag.nos.ti.cal adj (1625) 1 a: of,
          relating to, or used in diagnosis b: using the methods
          of or yielding a diagnosis 2: serving to distinguish
          or identify -- di.ag.nos.ti.cal.ly adv [2]diagnostic
          n (1625) 1: the art or practice of diagnosis--often used
          in pl. 2: a distinguishing mark -- di.ag.nos.ti.cian
          n

   [1]diagonal
          [di.ag.o.nal] adj [L diagonalis, fr. Gk diagonios from angle
          to angle, fr. dia- + gonia angle; akin to Gk gony knee--more
          at knee] (1563) 1 a: joining two vertices of a rectilinear
          figure that are nonadjacent or two vertices of a polyhedral
          figure that are not in the same face b: passing through
          two nonadjacent edges of a polyhedron <a ~ plane> 2 a:
          inclined obliquely from a reference line (as the vertical)
          <wood with a ~ grain> b: having diagonal markings or
          parts <a ~ weave> [2]diagonal n (1571) 1: a diagonal
          straight line or plane 2 a (1): a diagonal direction
          (2): a diagonal row, arrangement, or pattern b: something
          oriented in diagonal position 3: a mark / used typically
          to denote "or" (as in and/or), "and or" (as in straggler/deserter),
          or "per" (as in feet/second)--called also solidus, virgule
          -- on the diagonal : in an oblique direction: diagonally

   diagonalize
          [di.ag.o.nal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1942): to put (a matrix)
          in a form with all the nonzero elements along the diagonal
          from upper left to lower right -- di.ag.o.nal.iz.able
          adj -- di.ag.o.nal.iza.tion n

   diagonally
          [di.ag.o.nal.ly] adv (1541): in a diagonal manner

   diagonal matrix
          [diagonal matrix] n (ca. 1928): a diagonalized matrix

   [1]diagram
          [di.a.gram] n [Gk diagramma, fr. diagraphein to mark out
          by lines, fr. dia- + graphein to write--more at carve]
          (1619) 1: a graphic design that explains rather than
          represents; esp: a drawing that shows arrangement and
          relations (as of parts) 2: a line drawing made for mathematical
          or scientific purposes -- di.a.gram.ma.ble adj -- di.a.gram.mat.ic
          also di.a.gram.mat.i.cal adj -- di.a.gram.mat.i.cal.ly adv
          [2]diagram vt -grammed or -gramed ; -gram.ming or -gram.ing (1840):
          to represent by or put into the form of a diagram

   diakinesis
          [dia.ki.ne.sis] n, pl -ne.ses [NL] (ca. 1902): the final
          stage of the meiotic prophase marked by contraction of
          the bivalents

   [1]dial
          [di.al] n [ME dyal, fr. ML dialis clock wheel revolving daily,
          fr. L dies day--more at deity] (15c) 1: the face of a
          sundial 2 obs: timepiece 3: the graduated face of a timepiece
          4 a: a face upon which some measurement is registered
          usu. by means of graduations and a pointer <the thermometer
          ~ reads 70 degrees F> b: a device that may be operated
          to make electrical connections or to regulate the operation
          of a machine <a radio ~> <a telephone ~> [2]dial vb di.aled
          or di.alled ; di.al.ing or di.al.ling vt (1821) 1: to
          measure with a dial 2 a: to manipulate a device (as a
          dial) so as to operate, regulate, or select <~ your favorite
          program> <~ed the wrong number> b: call 1m(1) <~ed the
          office> ~ vi 1: to manipulate a dial 2: to make a telephone
          call or connection -- di.al.er n

   dial
          [dial] abbreviation dialect, dialectical

   dialect
          [di.a.lect] n, often attrib [MF dialecte, fr. L dialectus,
          fr. Gk dialektos conversation, dialect, fr. dialegesthai
          to converse--more at dialogue] (1577) 1 a: a regional
          variety of language distinguished by features of vocabulary,
          grammar, and pronunciation from other regional varieties
          and constituting together with them a single language
          <the Doric ~ of ancient Greek> b: one of two or more
          cognate languages <French and Italian are Romance ~s>
          c: a variety of a language used by the members of a group
          <such ~s as politics and advertising --Philip Howard>
          d: a variety of language whose identity is fixed by a
          factor other than geography (as social class) <spoke
          a rough peasant ~> e: register 4c f: a version of a computer
          programming language 2: manner or means of expressing
          oneself: phraseology -- di.a.lec.tal adj -- di.a.lec.tal.ly
          adv

   dialect atlas
          [dialect atlas] n (1932): linguistic atlas

   dialect geography
          [dialect geography] n (1929): linguistic geography

   dialectic
          [di.a.lec.tic] n [ME dialetik, fr. MF dialetique, fr. L dialectica,
          fr. Gk dialektike, fr. fem. of dialektikos of conversation, fr.
          dialektos] (14c) 1: logic 1a(1) 2 a: discussion and reasoning
          by dialogue as a method of intellectual investigation; specif: the
          Socratic techniques of exposing false beliefs and eliciting truth
          b: the Platonic investigation of the eternal ideas 3: the logic
          of fallacy 4 a: the Hegelian process of change in which a concept
          or its realization passes over into and is preserved and fulfilled
          by its opposite; also: the critical investigation of this process
          b (1) usu pl but sing or pl in constr: development through the
          stages of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis in accordance with the
          laws of dialectical materialism (2): the investigation of this
          process (3): the theoretical application of this process esp.
          in the social sciences 5 usu pl but sing or pl in constr a: any
          systematic reasoning, exposition, or argument that juxtaposes
          opposed or contradictory ideas and usu. seeks to resolve their
          conflict b: an intellectual exchange of ideas 6: the dialectical
          tension or opposition between two interacting forces or elements

   dialectical
          [di.a.lec.ti.cal] also di.a.lec.tic adj (1548) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or in accordance with dialectic <~ method> b: practicing,
          devoted to, or employing dialectic <a ~ philosopher>
          2: of, relating to, or characteristic of a dialect --
          di.a.lec.ti.cal.ly adv

   dialectical materialism
          [dialectical materialism] n (1927): the Marxist theory that
          maintains the material basis of a reality constantly
          changing in a dialectical process and the priority of
          matter over mind--compare historical materialism

   dialectician
          [di.a.lec.ti.cian] n (ca. 1693) 1: one who is skilled in
          or practices dialectic 2: a student of dialects

   dialectologist
          [di.a.lec.tol.o.gist] n (1883): a specialist in dialectology

   dialectology
          [di.a.lec.tol.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1864) 1: the systematic
          study of dialect 2: the body of data available for study
          of a dialect -- di.a.lec.to.log.i.cal adj --
          di.a.lec.to.log.i.cal.ly adv

   diallel
          [di.al.lel] adj [Gk diallelos reciprocating, fr. dia through
          + allelon one another--more at allelo-] (1920): relating
          to or being the crossing of each of several individuals
          with two or more others in order to determine the relative
          genetic contribution of each parent to specific characters
          in the offspring

   dialogic
          [di.a.log.ic] or di.a.log.i.cal adj (1833): of, relating
          to, or characterized by dialogue <~ writing> -- di.a.log.i.cal.ly
          adv

   dialogist
          [di.a.lo.gist] n (ca. 1660) 1: a writer of dialogues 2: one
          who participates in a dialogue -- di.a.lo.gis.tic adj

   [1]dialogue
          [di.a.logue] also di.a.log n [ME dialoge, fr. OF dialogue,
          fr. L dialogus, fr. Gk dialogos, fr. dialegesthai to
          converse, fr. dia- + legein to speak--more at legend]
          (13c) 1: a written composition in which two or more characters
          are represented as conversing 2 a: a conversation between
          two or more persons; also: a similar exchange between
          a person and something else (as a computer) b: an exchange
          of ideas and opinions c: a discussion between representatives
          of parties to a conflict that is aimed at resolution
          3: the conversational element of literary or dramatic
          composition 4: a musical composition for two or more
          parts suggestive of a conversation [2]dialogue vb -logued
          ; -logu.ing vt (1597): to express in dialogue ~ vi: to
          take part in a dialogue

   dial tone
          [dial tone] n (1923): a tone emitted by a telephone as a
          signal that the system is ready for dialing

   dial-up
          [dial-up] adj (1972): relating to or being a standard telephone
          line used for computer communications; also: accessible
          via a standard telephone line <a ~ information service>

   dialysate
          [di.al.y.sate] also di.al.y.zate n (ca. 1867): the material
          that passes through the membrane in dialysis; also: the
          liquid into which this material passes

   dialysis
          [di.al.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL, fr. Gk, separation, fr. dialyein
          to dissolve, fr. dia- + lyein to loosen--more at lose]
          (1861) 1: the separation of substances in solution by
          means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable
          membranes; esp: such a separation of colloids from soluble
          substances 2: hemodialysis -- di.a.lyt.ic adj

   dialyze
          [di.a.lyze] vb -lyzed ; -lyz.ing vt (1861): to subject to
          dialysis ~ vi: to undergo dialysis -- di.a.lyz.able adj
          -- di.a.lyz.er n

   diam
          [diam] abbreviation diameter

   diamagnetic
          [dia.mag.net.ic] adj (1846): having a magnetic permeability
          less than that of a vacuum: slightly repelled by a magnet
          -- dia.mag.ne.tism n

   diamante
          [di.a.man.te] n [F, adj., like a diamond, fr. diamant diamond,
          fr. MF] (1904): a sparkling decoration (as of sequins)
          or material decorated with this <a gown trimmed with
          ~>

   diameter
          [di.am.e.ter] n [ME diametre, fr. MF, fr. L diametros, fr.
          Gk, fr. dia- + metron measure--more at measure] (14c)
          1: a chord passing through the center of a figure or
          body 2: the length of a straight line through the center
          of an object 3: a unit of magnification for an optical
          instrument equal to the number of times the linear dimensions
          of an object are apparently increased <a microscope magnifying
          60 ~s> -- di.am.e.tral adj

   diametric
          [di.a.met.ric] or di.a.met.ri.cal adj (1553) 1: of, relating
          to, or constituting a diameter: located at the diameter
          2: completely opposed: being at opposite extremes <in
          ~ contradiction to his claims> -- di.a.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv

   diamide
          [di.amide] n (1866): a compound containing two amido groups

   diamine
          [di.amine] n [ISV] (1866): a compound containing two amino
          groups

   diammonium phosphate
          [di.am.mo.ni.um phosphate] n (ca. 1929): a white crystalline
          compound used esp. as a fertilizer and as a fire retardant

   [1]diamond
          [di.a.mond] n, often attrib [ME diamaunde, fr. MF diamant,
          fr. OF, fr. LL diamant-, diamas, alter. of L adamant-,
          adamas hardest metal, diamond, fr. Gk] (14c) 1 a: native
          crystalline carbon that is usu. nearly colorless, that
          when transparent and free from flaws is highly valued
          as a precious stone, and that is used industrially as
          an abrasive powder and in rock drills because of its
          great hardness; also: a piece of this substance b: crystallized
          carbon produced artificially 2: something that resembles
          a diamond (as in brilliance, value, or fine quality)
          3: a square or rhombus-shaped figure usu. oriented with
          the long diagonal vertical 4 a: a playing card marked
          with a stylized figure of a red diamond b pl but sing
          or pl in constr: the suit comprising cards marked with
          diamonds 5: a baseball infield; also: the entire playing
          field [2]diamond vt (1751): to adorn with or as if with
          diamonds [3]diamond adj (1872): of, relating to, or being
          a 60th or 75th anniversary or its celebration <~ jubilee>

   diamondback
          [di.a.mond.back] adj (1887): having marks like diamonds or
          lozenges on the back

   diamondback moth
          [diamondback moth] n (1891): a nearly cosmopolitan moth (Plutella
          xylostella of the family Plutellidae) whose larva is
          a pest on cruciferous plants

   diamondback rattlesnake
          [diamondback rattlesnake] n (1894): either of two large and
          deadly rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus of the southeastern
          U.S. and C. atrox of the south central and southwestern
          U.S. and Mexico)--called also diamondback, diamondback
          rattler

   diamondback terrapin
          [diamondback terrapin] n (1887): any of several terrapins
          (genus Malaclemys) formerly widely distributed in salt
          marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts but now much
          restricted

   diamondiferous
          [di.a.mond.if.er.ous] adj (1870): containing diamonds <~
          earth>

   diamond in the rough
          [diamond in the rough] (ca. 1947): a person of exceptional
          qualities or potential but lacking refinement or polish

   Diana
          [Di.ana] n [L]: an ancient Italian goddess of the forest
          and of childbirth who was identified with Artemis by
          the Romans

   dianthus
          [di.an.thus] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk dios heavenly + anthos
          flower--more at deity, anthology] (1849): [2]pink 1

   diapason
          [di.a.pa.son] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk (he) dia pason (chordon
          symphonia), lit., the concord through all the notes,
          fr. dia through + pason, gen. fem. pl. of pas all--more
          at dia-, pan-] (ca. 1501) 1 a: a burst of sound <~s of
          laughter> b: the principal foundation stop in the organ
          extending through the complete range of the instrument
          c (1): the entire compass of musical tones (2): range,
          scope 2 a: tuning fork b: a standard of pitch

   diapause
          [dia.pause] n [Gk diapausis pause, fr. diapauein to pause,
          fr. dia- + pauein to stop] (1893): a period of physiologically
          enforced dormancy between periods of activity

   diapausing
          [dia.paus.ing] adj (1944): undergoing diapause

   diapedesis
          [di.a.pe.de.sis] n, pl -de.ses [NL, fr. Gk diapedesis, lit.,
          act of leaping through, fr. diapedan to leap through,
          fr. dia- + pedan to leap] (1625): the passage of blood
          cells through capillary walls into the tissues

   [1]diaper
          [di.a.per] n [ME diapre, fr. MF, fr. ML diasprum] (14c) 1:
          a fabric with a distinctive pattern: a: a rich silk fabric
          b: a soft usu. white linen or cotton fabric used for
          tablecloths or towels 2: an allover pattern consisting
          of one or more small repeated units of design (as geometric
          figures) connecting with one another or growing out of
          one another with continuously flowing or straight lines
          3: a basic garment for infants consisting of a folded
          cloth or other absorbent material drawn up between the
          legs and fastened about the waist [2]diaper vt di.a.pered
          ; di.a.per.ing (14c) 1: to ornament with diaper designs
          2: to put on or change the diaper of (an infant)

   diaper rash
          [diaper rash] n: skin irritation of the diaper-covered area
          of an infant esp. from excessive urinary ammonia

   diaphaneity
          [di.a.pha.ne.ity] n (15c): the quality or state of being
          diaphanous

   diaphanous
          [di.aph.a.nous] adj [ML diaphanus, fr. Gk diaphanes, fr.
          diaphainein to show through, fr. dia- + phainein to show--more
          at fancy] (1614) 1: characterized by such fineness of
          texture as to permit seeing through 2: characterized
          by extreme delicacy of form: ethereal <painted ~ landscapes>
          3: insubstantial, vague <had only a ~ hope of success>
          -- di.aph.a.nous.ly adv -- di.aph.a.nous.ness n

   diaphone
          [dia.phone] n (1906): a fog signal similar to a siren but
          producing a blast of two tones

   diaphorase
          [di.aph.o.rase] n [ISV diaphor- (fr. Gk diaphoros different,
          fr. diapherein to differ, fr. dia- + pherein to carry)
          + -ase--more at bear] (1938): a flavoprotein enzyme capable
          of oxidizing the reduced form of NAD

   diaphoresis
          [di.a.pho.re.sis] n, pl -re.ses [LL, fr. Gk diaphoresis,
          fr. diaphorein to dissipate by perspiration, fr. dia-
          + phorein, freq. of pherein to carry] (ca. 1681): perspiration;
          esp: profuse perspiration artificially induced

   diaphoretic
          [di.a.pho.ret.ic] adj (15c): having the power to increase
          perspiration -- diaphoretic n

   diaphragm
          [di.a.phragm] n [ME diafragma, fr. LL diaphragma, fr. Gk,
          fr. diaphrassein to barricade, fr. dia- + phrassein to
          enclose] (14c) 1: a body partition of muscle and connective
          tissue; specif: the partition separating the chest and
          abdominal cavities in mammals 2: a dividing membrane
          or thin partition esp. in a tube 3 a: a more or less
          rigid partition in the body or shell of an invertebrate
          b: a transverse septum in a plant stem 4: a device that
          limits the aperture of a lens or optical system--compare
          iris diaphragm 5: a thin flexible disk (as in a microphone
          or loudspeaker) that vibrates when struck by sound waves
          or that vibrates to generate sound waves 6: a molded
          cap usu. of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix
          to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier -- di.a.phrag.mat.ic
          adj -- di.a.phrag.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   diaphysis
          [di.aph.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL, fr. Gk, spinous process
          of the tibia, fr. diaphyesthai to grow between, fr. dia-
          + phyein to bring forth--more at be] (1831): the shaft
          of a long bone -- di.aph.y.se.al or di.a.phys.i.al adj

   diapir
          [di.a.pir] n [F, prob. fr. Gk diapeirein to drive through,
          fr. dia- + peirein to pierce; akin to Gk poros passage--more
          at fare] (1918): an anticlinal fold in which a mobile
          core has broken through brittle overlying rocks -- di.a.pir.ic
          adj

   diapositive
          [dia.pos.i.tive] n (1893): a positive photographic image
          on transparent material (as glass or film)

   diapsid
          [di.ap.sid] adj [ultim. fr. Gk di- + hapsid-, hapsis loop,
          arch--more at apsis] (ca. 1909): of, relating to, or
          including reptiles (as the crocodiles) with two pairs
          of temporal openings in the skull

   diarchy
          [di.ar.chy] var of dyarchy

   diarist
          [di.a.rist] n (ca. 1818): one who keeps a diary

   diarrhea
          [di.ar.rhea] n [ME diaria, fr. LL diarrhoea, fr. Gk diarrhoia,
          fr. diarrhein to flow through, fr. dia- + rhein to flow--more
          at stream] (14c) 1: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations
          with more or less fluid stools 2: excessive flow <verbal
          ~> -- di.ar.rhe.ic adj -- di.ar.rhe.al adj -- di.ar.rhet.ic
          adj

   diarrhoea
          [di.ar.rhoea] chiefly Brit var of diarrhea

   diarthrosis
          [di.ar.thro.sis] n, pl -thro.ses [NL, fr. Gk diarthrosis,
          fr. diarthroun to joint, fr. dia- + arthroun to fasten
          by a joint, fr. arthron joint--more at arthr-] (1578)
          1: articulation that permits free movement 2: a freely
          movable joint

   diary
          [di.a.ry] n, pl -ries [L diarium, fr. dies day--more at deity]
          (1581) 1: a record of events, transactions, or observations
          kept daily or at frequent intervals: journal; esp: a
          daily record of personal activities, reflections, or
          feelings 2: a book intended or used for a diary

   diaspora
          [di.as.po.ra] n [Gk, dispersion, fr. diaspeirein to scatter,
          fr. dia- + speirein to sow] (1881) 1 cap a: the settling
          of scattered colonies of Jews outside Palestine after
          the Babylonian exile b: the area outside Palestine settled
          by Jews c: the Jews living outside Palestine or modern
          Israel 2 a: the breaking up and scattering of a people:
          migration <the black ~ to northern cities> b: people
          settled far from their ancestral homelands <African ~>
          c: the place where these people live

   diaspore
          [di.a.spore] n [F, fr. Gk diaspora] (1805): a mineral consisting
          of aluminum hydrogen oxide

   diastase
          [di.a.stase] n [F, fr. Gk diastasis separation, interval,
          fr. diistanai to separate, fr. dia- + histanai to cause
          to stand--more at stand] (1838) 1: amylase; esp: a mixture
          of amylases from malt 2: enzyme

   diastatic
          [di.a.stat.ic] adj (1881): relating to or having the properties
          of diastase; esp: converting starch into sugar

   diastema
          [di.a.ste.ma] n, pl -ma.ta [NL, fr. LL, interval, fr. Gk
          diastema, fr. diistanai] (1854): a space between teeth
          in a jaw

   diastereomer
          [di.a.ste.reo.mer] or di.a.ste.reo.iso.mer n (1936): a stereoisomer
          of a compound having two or more chiral centers that is not
          a mirror image of another stereoisomer of the same
          compound--compare enantiomorph -- di.a.ste.reo.mer.ic or
          di.a.ste.reo.iso.mer.ic adj -- di.a.ste.reo.isom.er.ism n

   diastole
          [di.as.to.le] n [Gk diastole dilatation, fr. diastellein
          to expand, fr. dia- + stellein to prepare, send] (ca.
          1578): a rhythmically recurrent expansion; esp: the dilatation
          of the cavities of the heart during which they fill with
          blood -- di.a.stol.ic adj

   diastrophism
          [di.as.tro.phism] n [Gk diastrophe twisting, fr. diastrephein
          to distort, fr. dia- + strephein to twist] (1890): the
          process of deformation that produces in the earth's crust
          its continents and ocean basins, plateaus and mountains,
          folds of strata, and faults -- di.a.stroph.ic adj --
          di.a.stroph.i.cal.ly adv

   diatessaron
          [di.a.tes.sa.ron] n [Gk (Euangelion) dia tessaron, lit.,
          Gospel out of four, fr. dia through, out of + tessaron,
          gen. of tessares four--more at dia-, four] (1803): a
          harmony of the four Gospels edited and arranged into
          a single connected narrative

   diathermanous
          [dia.ther.ma.nous] adj [F diathermane, modif. of Gk diathermainein
          to heat through, fr. dia- + thermainein to heat, fr. thermos
          hot--more at therm] (1834): diathermic 1

   diathermic
          [dia.ther.mic] adj (1840) 1: transmitting infrared radiation
          2: of or relating to diathermy <~ treatment>

   diathermy
          [dia.ther.my] n [ISV] (1909): the generation of heat in tissue
          by electric currents for medical or surgical purposes

   diathesis
          [di.ath.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [NL, fr. Gk, lit., arrangement,
          fr. diatithenai to arrange, fr. dia- + tithenai to set--more
          at do] (1651): a constitutional predisposition toward
          a particular state or condition and esp. one that is
          abnormal or diseased -- di.a.thet.ic adj

   diatom
          [di.a.tom] n [ultim. fr. Gk diatomos cut in half, fr. diatemnein
          to cut through, fr. dia- + temnein to cut--more at tome]
          (1845): any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of minute
          planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with silicified
          skeletons that form diatomite

   diatomaceous
          [di.a.to.ma.ceous] adj (1847): consisting of or abounding
          in diatoms or their siliceous remains <~ silica>

   diatomaceous earth
          [diatomaceous earth] n (1883): diatomite

   diatomic
          [di.atom.ic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1859): consisting of two atoms:
          having two atoms in the molecule

   diatomite
          [di.at.o.mite] n (1887): a light friable siliceous material
          derived chiefly from diatom remains and used esp. as
          a filter

   diatonic
          [dia.ton.ic] adj [LL diatonicus, fr. Gk diatonikos, fr. diatonos
          stretching, fr. diateinein to stretch out, fr. dia- +
          teinein to stretch--more at thin] (1694): of or relating
          to a major or minor musical scale comprising intervals
          of five whole steps and two half steps -- dia.ton.i.cal.ly
          adv

   diatribe
          [di.a.tribe] n [L diatriba, fr. Gk diatribe pastime, discourse,
          fr. diatribein to spend (time), wear away, fr. dia- +
          tribein to rub--more at throw] (1581) 1 archaic: a prolonged
          discourse 2: a bitter and abusive speech or writing 3:
          ironical or satirical criticism

   diazepam
          [di.az.e.pam] n [benzodiazepine + -am (of unknown origin)]
          (ca. 1961): a tranquilizer used esp. to relieve anxiety
          and tension and as a muscle relaxant--compare valium

   Diazinon
          [Di.az.i.non] trademark--used for a cholinesterase-inhibiting
          organophosphate insecticide

   diazo
          [di.azo] adj [ISV diaz-, diazo-, fr. di- + az-] (1878) 1
          a: relating to or containing the chemical group composed
          of two nitrogen atoms united to a single carbon atom
          of an organic radical--often used in combination b: relating
          to or containing diazonium--often used in combination
          2: of or relating to a photograph or photocopy whose
          production involves the use of a coating of a diazo compound
          that is decomposed by exposure to light

   diazonium
          [di.a.zo.ni.um] n [ISV di- + az- + -onium] (1895): the univalent
          cation that is composed of two nitrogen atoms united
          to carbon in an organic radical and that usu. exists
          in salts used in the manufacture of azo dyes

   diazotize
          [di.az.o.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing [ISV di- + azote nitrogen
          + -ize--more at az-] (ca. 1889): to convert (a compound)
          into a diazo compound (as a diazonium salt) -- di.az.o.ti.za.tion
          n

   dibasic
          [di.ba.sic] adj (1868): having two replaceable hydrogen atoms--used
          of acids

   dibber
          [dib.ber] n (ca. 1736): dibble

   [1]dibble
          [dib.ble] n [ME debylle] (15c): a small hand implement used
          to make holes in the ground for plants, seeds, or bulbs
          [2]dibble vt dib.bled ; dib.bling (1583) 1: to plant
          with a dibble 2: to make holes in (soil) with or as if
          with a dibble

   dibenzofuran
          [di.ben.zo.fu.ran] n (1940): a highly toxic chemical compound
          that is used in chemical synthesis and as an insecticide
          and is a hazardous pollutant in its chlorinated form

   dibs
          [dibs] n pl [short for dibstones (jacks), fr. obs. dib (to
          dab)] (1812) 1 slang: money esp. in small amounts 2:
          claim, rights <I have ~ on that piece of cake>

   dibutyl phthalate
          [di.bu.tyl phthal.ate] n [phthalic acid + [1]-ate] (1925):
          a colorless oily ester used chiefly as a solvent, plasticizer,
          pesticide, and repellent (as for chiggers and mites)

   dicalcium silicate
          [di.cal.ci.um silicate] n (1925): a calcium silicate that
          is an essential ingredient of portland cement

   dicarboxylic
          [di.car.box.yl.ic] adj (ca. 1890): containing two carboxyl
          groups in the molecule <~ acids>

   dicast
          [di.cast] n [Gk dikastes, fr. dikazein to judge, fr. dike
          judgment--more at diction] (1822): an ancient Athenian
          performing the functions of both judge and juror at a
          trial

   [1]dice
          [dice] n, pl dice [ME dyce, fr. dees, dyce, pl. of dee die--more
          at die] (14c) 1 a: die 1a b: a gambling game played with
          dice 2 pl also dic.es : a small cubical piece (as of
          food) 3: a close contest between two racing-car drivers
          for position during a race -- no dice 1: of no avail:
          no use: futile 2: [1]no 3 <said no dice to my request>
          [2]dice vb diced ; dic.ing [ME dycen, fr. dyce] vt (14c)
          1 a: to cut into small cubes b: to ornament with square
          markings <diced leather> 2 a: to bring by playing dice
          <~ himself into debt> b: to lose by dicing <~ her money
          away> ~ vi 1: to play games with dice <~ for drinks in
          the bar --Malcolm Lowry> 2: to take a chance <the temptation
          to ~ with death --Newsweek> -- dic.er n

   dicentric
          [di.cen.tric] adj (1937): having two centromeres <a ~ chromosome>
          -- dicentric n

   dicey
          [dic.ey] adj dic.i.er ; -est [[1]dice + -y] (1950): risky,
          unpredictable <a ~ proposition> <~ weather>

   dich-
          [dich-] or dicho- comb form [LL, fr. Gk, fr. dicha; akin
          to Gk di-]: in two: apart <dichogamous>

   dichasium
          [di.cha.sium] n, pl -sia [NL, fr. Gk dichasis halving, fr.
          dichazein to halve, fr. dicha] (1875): a cymose inflorescence
          that produces two main axes

   dichlor-
          [dichlor-] or dichloro- comb form: containing two atoms of
          chlorine <dichloroethane>

   dichlorobenzene
          [di.chlo.ro.ben.zene] n (1873): any of three benzene derivatives
          containing two chlorine atoms; esp: paradichlorobenzene

   dichlorodifluoromethane
          [di.chlo.ro.di.flu.o.ro.meth.ane] n (1936): the chlorofluoromethane
          containing two chlorine and two fluorine atoms

   dichloroethane
          [di.chlo.ro.eth.ane] n (1936): a colorless toxic liquid compound
          that is used chiefly as a solvent

   dichlorvos
          [di.chlor.vos] n [dichlor- + vinyl + phosphate] (1957): an
          organophosphorus insecticide and anthelmintic used esp.
          in veterinary medicine--called also DDVP

   dichogamy
          [di.chog.a.my] n, pl -mies [G Dichogamie, fr. dich- + -gamie
          -gamy] (1862): the production of male and female reproductive
          elements at different times by a hermaphroditic organism
          in order to ensure cross-fertilization -- di.chog.a.mous
          adj

   dichondra
          [di.chon.dra] n [NL, genus name, fr. di- + Gk chondros grain--more
          at grind] (1947): any of a genus (Dichondra) of chiefly tropical
          perennial herbs of the morning glory family that includes some
          (esp. D. repens or its varieties) used as a ground cover and
          a substitute for lawn grasses in warmer parts of the U.S.

   dichotic
          [dich.otic] adj [dich- + [2]-otic] (ca. 1911): affecting
          or relating to the two ears differently in regard to
          a conscious aspect (as pitch or loudness) or a physical
          aspect (as frequency or energy) of sound -- dich.oti.cal.ly
          adv

   dichotomist
          [di.chot.o.mist] n (ca. 1592): one that dichotomizes

   dichotomize
          [di.chot.o.mize] vb -mized ; -miz.ing [LL dichotomos] vt
          (1606): to divide into two parts, classes, or groups
          ~ vi: to exhibit dichotomy -- di.chot.o.mi.za.tion n

   dichotomous
          [di.chot.o.mous] adj [LL dichotomos, fr. Gk, fr. dich- +
          temnein to cut--more at tome] (1752) 1: dividing into
          two parts 2: relating to, involving, or proceeding from
          dichotomy -- di.chot.o.mous.ly adv -- di.chot.o.mous.ness
          n

   dichotomous key
          [dichotomous key] n (ca. 1889): a key for the identification
          of organisms based on a series of choices between alternative
          characters

   dichotomy
          [di.chot.o.my] n, pl -mies [Gk dichotomia, fr. dichotomos]
          (1610) 1: a division or the process of dividing into
          two esp. mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or
          entities 2: the phase of the moon or an inferior planet
          in which half its disk appears illuminated 3 a: bifurcation;
          esp: repeated bifurcation (as of a plant's stem) b: a
          system of branching in which the main axis forks repeatedly
          into two branches c: branching of an ancestral line into
          two equal diverging branches 4: something with seemingly
          contradictory qualities

   dichroic
          [di.chro.ic] adj [Gk dichroos two-colored, fr. di- + chros
          color, lit., skin] (ca. 1859) 1: having the property
          of dichroism <a ~ crystal> <a ~ mirror> 2: dichromatic

   dichroism
          [di.chro.ism] n (1819): the property of some crystals and
          solutions of absorbing one of two plane-polarized components
          of transmitted light more strongly than the other; also:
          the property of exhibiting different colors by reflected
          or transmitted light--compare circular dichroism

   dichromat
          [di.chro.mat] n [back-formation fr. dichromatic] (ca. 1909):
          one affected with dichromatism

   dichromate
          [di.chro.mate] n [ISV] (ca. 1864): a usu. orange to red chromium
          salt containing the doubly charged anion consisting of
          two chromium and seven oxygen atoms <~ of potassium>--called
          also bichromate

   dichromatic
          [di.chro.mat.ic] adj (ca. 1847) 1: having or exhibiting two
          colors 2: of, relating to, or exhibiting dichromatism

   dichromatism
          [di.chro.ma.tism] n (ca. 1901): partial color blindness in
          which only two colors are perceptible

   dichroscope
          [di.chro.scope] n (1857): an instrument for examining crystals
          for dichroism

   dick
          [dick] n [Dick, nickname for Richard] (1553) 1 chiefly Brit:
          fellow, chap 2: penis--usu. considered vulgar 3 [by shortening
          & alter.]: detective

   dickcissel
          [dick.cis.sel] n [imit.] (1886): a common migratory black-throated
          finch (Spiza americana) of the central U.S.

   dickens
          [dick.ens] n [euphemism] (1598): devil, deuce

   [1]dicker
          [dick.er] n [ME dyker, fr. L decuria quantity of ten, fr.
          decem ten--more at ten] (14c): the number or quantity
          of 10 esp. of hides or skins [2]dicker vi dick.ered ;
          dick.er.ing [origin unknown] (ca. 1802): bargain <~ed
          over the price> [3]dicker n (1823) 1: barter 2: an act
          or session of bargaining

   dickey
          [dick.ey] or dicky also dick.ie n, pl dickeys or dick.ies
          [Dicky, nickname for Richard] (1753) 1: any of various
          articles of clothing: as a: a man's separate or detachable
          shirtfront b: a small fabric insert worn to fill in the
          neckline 2 chiefly Brit a: the driver's seat in a carriage
          b: a seat at the back of a carriage or automobile 3:
          a small bird

   Dick test
          [Dick test] n [George F. Dick and Gladys H. Dick] (1925):
          a test to determine susceptibility or immunity to scarlet
          fever by an injection of scarlet fever toxin

   diclinous
          [di.cli.nous] adj (1830): having the stamens and pistils
          in separate flowers

   dicot
          [di.cot] n (1877): dicotyledon

   dicotyledon
          [di.cot.y.le.don] n [NL] (ca. 1727): any of a class or subclass
          (Magnoliopsida or Dicotyledoneae) of angiospermous plants
          that produce an embryo with two cotyledons and usu. have
          floral organs arranged in cycles of four or five and
          leaves with reticulate venation--compare monocotyledon
          -- di.cot.y.le.don.ous adj

   dicoumarin
          [di.cou.ma.rin] n (1886): dicumarol

   dicrotic
          [di.crot.ic] adj [Gk dikrotos, fr. di- + krotos rattling
          noise, beat] (ca. 1811) 1 of the pulse: having a double
          beat 2: being or relating to the second part of the arterial
          pulse occurring during diastole of the heart or of an
          arterial pressure recording made during the same period
          -- di.cro.tism n

   dict
          [dict] abbreviation dictionary

   Dictaphone
          [Dic.ta.phone] trademark--used for a dictating machine

   [1]dictate
          [dic.tate] vb dic.tat.ed ; dic.tat.ing [L dictatus, pp. of
          dictare to assert, dictate, freq. of dicere to say--more
          at diction] vi (1592) 1: to give dictation 2: to speak
          or act domineeringly: prescribe ~ vt 1: to speak or read
          for a person to transcribe or for a machine to record
          2 a: to issue as an order b: to impose, pronounce, or
          specify authoritatively c: to require or determine necessarily
          <injuries dictated the choice of players> [2]dic.tate
          n (1594) 1 a: an authoritative rule, prescription, or
          injunction b: a ruling principle <according to the ~s
          of your conscience> 2: a command by one in authority

   dictating machine
          [dictating machine] n (1907): a machine used esp. for the
          recording of human speech for transcription

   dictation
          [dic.ta.tion] n (ca. 1656) 1 a: prescription b: arbitrary
          command 2 a (1): the act or manner of uttering words
          to be transcribed (2): material that is dictated or transcribed
          b (1): the performing of music to be reproduced by a
          student (2): music so reproduced

   dictator
          [dic.ta.tor] n [L, fr. dictare] (14c) 1 a: a person granted
          absolute emergency power; esp: one appointed by the senate
          of ancient Rome b: one holding complete autocratic control
          c: one ruling absolutely and often oppressively 2: one
          that dictates

   dictatorial
          [dic.ta.to.ri.al] adj (1701) 1 a: of, relating to, or befitting
          a dictator <~ power> b: ruled by a dictator 2: oppressive
          to or arrogantly overbearing toward others -- dic.ta.to.ri.al.ly
          adv -- dic.ta.to.ri.al.ness n syn dictatorial, magisterial,
          dogmatic, doctrinaire, oracular mean imposing one's will
          or opinions on others. dictatorial stresses autocratic,
          high-handed methods and a domineering manner <exercised
          dictatorial control over the office>. magisterial stresses
          assumption or use of prerogatives appropriate to a magistrate
          or schoolmaster in forcing acceptance of one's opinions
          <the magisterial tone of his pronouncements>. dogmatic
          implies being unduly and offensively positive in laying
          down principles and expressing opinions <dogmatic about
          what is art and what is not>. doctrinaire implies a disposition
          to follow abstract theories in framing laws or policies
          affecting people <a doctrinaire approach to improving
          the economy>. oracular implies the manner of one who
          delivers opinions in cryptic phrases or with pompous
          dogmatism <a designer who is the oracular voice of fashion>.

   dictatorship
          [dic.ta.tor.ship] n (1542) 1: the office of dictator 2: autocratic
          rule, control, or leadership 3 a: a form of government in which
          absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small clique
          b: a government organization or group in which absolute power
          is so concentrated c: a despotic state

   diction
          [dic.tion] n [L diction-, dictio speaking, style, fr. dicere
          to say; akin to OE teon to accuse, L dicare to proclaim,
          dedicate, Gk deiknynai to show, dike judgment, right]
          (1581) 1 obs: verbal description 2: choice of words esp.
          with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness
          3 a: vocal expression: enunciation b: pronunciation and
          enunciation of words in singing -- dic.tion.al adj --
          dic.tion.al.ly adv

   dictionary
          [dic.tio.nary] n, pl -nar.ies [ML dictionarium, fr. LL diction-,
          dictio word, fr. L, speaking] (1526) 1: a reference book
          containing words usu. alphabetically arranged along with
          information about their forms, pronunciations, functions,
          etymologies, meanings, and syntactical and idiomatic
          uses 2: a reference book listing alphabetically terms
          or names important to a particular subject or activity
          along with discussion of their meanings and applications
          3: a reference book giving for words of one language
          equivalents in another 4: a list (as of items of data
          or words) stored in a computer for reference (as for
          information retrieval or word processing)

   dictum
          [dic.tum] n, pl dic.ta also dictums [L, fr. neut. of dictus,
          ptp. of dicere] (1599) 1: a noteworthy statement: as
          a: a formal pronouncement of a principle, proposition,
          or opinion b: an observation intended or regarded as
          authoritative 2: a judicial opinion on a point other
          than the precise issue involved in determining a case

   dicty-
          [dicty-] or dictyo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk dikty-, diktyo-,
          fr. diktyon, fr. dikein to throw]: net <dictyostele>
          <dictyosome>

   dictyosome
          [dic.tyo.some] n (ca. 1930): any of the membranous or vesicular
          structures making up the Golgi apparatus

   dictyostele
          [dic.tyo.stele] n (ca. 1902): a stele in which the vascular
          cylinder is broken up into a longitudinal series or network
          of vascular strands around a central pith (as in many
          ferns)

   dicumarol
          [di.cu.ma.rol] also di.cou.ma.rol n [di- + coumarin + [1]-ol]
          (1943): a crystalline compound orig. obtained from spoiled
          sweet clover hay and used to delay clotting of blood
          esp. in preventing and treating thromboembolic disease

   dicynodont
          [di.cyn.o.dont] n [ultim. fr. Gk di- + kyn-, kyon dog + odont-,
          odous tooth--more at hound, tooth] (1854): any of a suborder
          (Dicynodontia) of small herbivorous therapsid reptiles
          with reduced dentition -- dicynodont adj

   did
          [did] past of do

   didact
          [di.dact] n [back-formation fr. didactic] (1954): a didactic
          person

   didactic
          [di.dac.tic] adj [Gk didaktikos, fr. didaskein to teach]
          (1658) 1 a: designed or intended to teach b: intended
          to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure
          and entertainment 2: making moral observations -- di.dac.ti.cal
          adj -- di.dac.ti.cal.ly adv -- di.dac.ti.cism n

   didactics
          [di.dac.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1644): systematic
          instruction: pedagogy

   diddle
          [did.dle] vb did.dled ; did.dling [origin unknown] vt (1786)
          1 chiefly dial: to move with short rapid motions 2: to
          waste (as time) in trifling 3: hoax, swindle 4: to copulate
          with--often considered vulgar ~ vi 1: dawdle, fool 2:
          fiddle, toy--usu. used with with <diddled with the machine
          until it broke> -- did.dler n

   diddly
          [did.dly] n (1964) slang: diddly-squat

   diddly-squat
          [did.dly-squat] n [prob. alter. of doodly-squat] (1974) slang:
          the least amount: anything at all <didn't know ~ about
          sports --Sam Toperoff>

   didgeridoo
          [did.ger.i.doo] also did.jer.i.doo n [Yolngu (Australian
          aboriginal language group of Arnhem Land) didjeridu]
          (1919): a large bamboo or wooden trumpet of the Australian
          Aborigines

   didn't
          [didn't] (1705): did not

   dido
          [di.do] n, pl didoes or didos [origin unknown] (1807) 1:
          a mischievous or capricious act: prank, antic--often
          used in the phrase cut didoes 2: something that is frivolous
          or showy Di.do n [L, fr. Gk Dido]: a legendary queen
          of Carthage in Virgil's Aeneid who kills herself when
          Aeneas leaves her

   didst
          [didst] archaic past 2d sing of do

   didymium
          [di.dym.i.um] n [NL, fr. Gk didymos twin, fr. dyo two--more
          at two] (1842): a mixture of rare-earth elements made
          up chiefly of neodymium and praseodymium and used esp.
          for coloring glass for optical filters

   [1]die
          [die] vi died ; dy.ing [ME dien, fr. or akin to ON deyja
          to die; akin to OHG touwen to die] (12c) 1: to pass from
          physical life: expire 2 a: to pass out of existence:
          cease <their anger died at these words> b: to disappear
          or subside gradually--often used with away, down, or
          out <the storm died down> 3 a: sink, languish <dying
          from fatigue> b: to long keenly or desperately <dying
          to go> c: to be overwhelmed by emotion <~ of embarrassment>
          4 a: to cease functioning: stop <the motor died> b: to
          end in failure <the bill died in committee> 5: to become
          indifferent <~ to worldly things> -- die hard 1: to be
          long in dying <such rumors die hard> 2: to continue resistance
          against hopeless odds <hard-shell conservatism dies hard>
          -- die on the vine : to fail esp. at an early stage through
          lack of support or enthusiasm <let the proposal die on
          the vine> [2]die n, pl dice or dies [ME dee, fr. MF de]
          (14c) 1 pl dice: a small cube marked on each face with
          from one to six spots and used usu. in pairs in various
          games and in gambling by being shaken and thrown to come
          to rest at random on a flat surface--often used figuratively
          in expressions concerning chance or the irrevocability
          of a course of action <the ~ was cast> 2 pl dies: dado
          1a 3 pl dies: any of various tools or devices for imparting
          a desired shape, form, or finish to a material or for
          impressing an object or material: as a (1): the larger
          of a pair of cutting or shaping tools that when moved
          toward each other produce a desired form in or impress
          a desired device on an object by pressure or by a blow
          (2): a device composed of a pair of such tools b: a hollow
          internally threaded screw-cutting tool used for forming
          screw threads c: a mold into which molten metal or other
          material is forced d: a perforated block through which
          metal or plastic is drawn or extruded for shaping

   dieback
          [die.back] n (ca. 1886): a condition in woody plants in which
          peripheral parts are killed esp. by parasites

   diecious
          [di.ecious] var of dioecious

   dieffenbachia
          [dief.fen.bach.ia] n [NL, fr. Ernst Dieffenbach d. 1855 Ger.
          naturalist] (ca. 1900): any of a genus (Dieffenbachia
          of the family Araceae) of erect poisonous tropical American
          plants that have oblong usu. variegated leaves and are
          often used as houseplants

   die-hard
          [die-hard] adj (1922): strongly or fanatically determined
          or devoted <~ fans>; esp: strongly resisting change <a
          ~ conservative> -- die.hard n -- die-hard.ism n

   diel
          [di.el] adj [irreg. fr. L dies day + E -al] (ca. 1935): involving
          a 24-hour period that usu. includes a day and the adjoining
          night <~ fluctuations in temperature>

   dieldrin
          [diel.drin] n [Diels-Alder reaction (an addition reaction
          forming a 6-membered ring), after Otto Diels & Kurt Alder]
          (ca. 1949): a white crystalline persistent chlorinated
          hydrocarbon insecticide that accumulates in and becomes
          toxic to vertebrates

   dielectric
          [di.elec.tric] n [dia- + electric] (1837): a nonconductor
          of direct electric current -- dielectric adj

   dielectric constant
          [dielectric constant] n (1875): permittivity

   dielectric heating
          [dielectric heating] n (1944): the rapid and uniform heating
          throughout a nonconducting material by means of a high-frequency
          electromagnetic field

   diencephalon
          [di.en.ceph.a.lon] n [NL, fr. dia- + encephalon] (ca. 1883):
          the posterior subdivision of the forebrain--called also
          betweenbrain -- di.en.ce.phal.ic adj

   diene
          [di.ene] n [di- + -ene] (1917): a compound containing two
          double bonds between carbon atoms

   die-off
          [die-off] n (1936): a sudden sharp decline of a population
          (as of rabbits) that is not caused directly by human
          activity (as hunting)

   die off
          [die off] vi (1697): to die sequentially either singly or
          in numbers so that the total number is greatly diminished

   die out
          [die out] vi (1853): to become extinct

   dieresis
          [di.er.e.sis] var of diaeresis

   diesel
          [die.sel] n [Rudolf Diesel] (1894) 1: diesel engine 2: a
          vehicle driven by a diesel engine

   diesel-electric
          [diesel-electric] adj (1914): of, relating to, or employing
          the combination of a diesel engine driving an electric
          generator <a ~ locomotive>

   diesel engine
          [diesel engine] n (1894): an internal combustion engine in
          which air is compressed to a temperature sufficiently
          high to ignite fuel injected into the cylinder where
          the combustion and expansion actuate a piston

   dieseling
          [die.sel.ing] n (ca. 1955): the continued operation of an
          internal combustion engine after the ignition is turned
          off

   dieselize
          [die.sel.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1925): to equip with a
          diesel engine or with electric locomotives having generators
          powered by diesel engines -- die.sel.iza.tion n

   dies faustus
          [di.es fau.stus] [L] foreign term : lucky day

   dies infaustus
          [dies in.fau.stus] [L] foreign term : unlucky day

   dies irae
          [dies irae] [L] foreign term : day of wrath--used of the
          Judgment Day

   Dies Irae
          [Di.es Irae] n [ML, day of wrath; fr. the first words of
          the hymn] (1860): a medieval Latin hymn on the Day of
          Judgment sung in requiem masses

   diesis
          [di.esis] n, pl di.eses [prob. fr. It, sharp (in music),
          symbol for a sharp, fr. ML, quarter tone, fr. L, fr.
          Gk, fr. diienai to send through, fr. dia- + hienai to
          send--more at jet] (ca. 1706): double dagger

   diester
          [di.es.ter] n (1935): a compound containing two ester groups

   diestock
          [die.stock] n (ca. 1859): a stock to hold dies used for cutting
          threads

   diestrus
          [di.es.trus] n [NL, fr. dia- + estrus] (1942): a period of
          sexual quiescence that intervenes between two periods
          of estrus -- di.es.trous adj

   [1]diet
          [di.et] n [ME diete, fr. OF, fr. L diaeta, fr. Gk diaita,
          lit., manner of living, fr. diaitasthai to lead one's
          life] (13c) 1 a: food and drink regularly provided or
          consumed b: habitual nourishment c: the kind and amount
          of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special
          reason 2: something provided esp. habitually <a ~ of
          Broadway shows and nightclubs --Frederick Wyatt> [2]diet
          vt (14c) 1: to cause to take food: feed 2: to cause to
          eat and drink sparingly or according to prescribed rules
          ~ vi: to eat sparingly or according to prescribed rules
          -- di.et.er n [3]diet adj (1969): reduced in calories
          <a ~ soft drink> [4]diet n [ME diete day's journey, day
          set for a meeting, fr. ML dieta, lit., daily regimen,
          diet (taken as a derivative of L dies day), fr. L diaeta]
          (1565) 1: a formal deliberative assembly of princes or
          estates 2: any of various national or provincial legislatures

   [1]dietary
          [di.e.tary] n, pl di.e.tar.ies (1838): the kinds and amounts
          of food available to or eaten by an individual, group,
          or population [2]dietary adj (1614): of or relating to
          a diet or to the rules of a diet -- di.e.tar.i.ly adv

   dietary law
          [dietary law] n (ca. 1930): any of the laws observed by Orthodox
          Jews that permit or prohibit certain foods

   dietetic
          [di.e.tet.ic] adj (1579) 1: of or relating to diet 2: adapted
          for use in special diets -- di.e.tet.i.cal.ly adv

   dietetics
          [di.e.tet.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1799): the
          science or art of applying the principles of nutrition
          to the diet

   diether
          [di.ether] n (1950): a compound containing two atoms of oxygen
          with ether linkages

   diethylcarbamazine
          [di.eth.yl.car.bam.a.zine] n [di- + ethyl + carboxy- + amide
          + azine] (1948): an anthelmintic administered in the
          form of its crystalline citrate esp. to control human
          filariasis and large roundworms in dogs and cats

   diethyl ether
          [di.eth.yl ether] n (ca. 1930): ether 3a

   diethylstilbestrol
          [di.eth.yl.stil.bes.trol] n [ISV] (1938): a colorless crystalline
          synthetic compound used as a potent estrogen but contraindicated
          in pregnancy for its tendency to cause cancer or birth
          defects in offspring--called also stilbestrol

   diethyl zinc
          [di.eth.yl zinc] n (1952): a volatile pyrophoric liquid
          organometallic compound used esp. to catalyze polymerization
          reactions and to deacidify paper

   dietitian
          [di.e.ti.tian] or di.e.ti.cian n [dietitian irreg. fr. [1]diet
          + -ician] (ca. 1846): a specialist in dietetics

   Dieu et mon droit
          [Dieu et mon droit] [F] foreign term : God and my right--motto
          on the British royal arms

   Dieu vous garde
          [Dieu vous garde] [F] foreign term : God keep you

   dif
          [dif] or diff abbreviation difference

   differ
          [dif.fer] vi dif.fered ; dif.fer.ing [ME, fr. MF or L; MF
          differer to postpone, be different, fr. L differre, fr.
          dis- + ferre to carry--more at bear] (14c) 1 a: to be
          unlike or distinct in nature, form, or characteristics
          <the law of one state ~s from that of another> b: to
          change from time to time or from one instance to another:
          vary <the number of cookies in a box may ~> 2: to be
          of unlike or opposite opinion: disagree <they ~ on religious
          matters>

   [1]difference
          [dif.fer.ence] n (14c) 1 a: the quality or state of being
          different b: an instance of differing in nature, form,
          or quality c archaic: a characteristic that distinguishes
          one from another or from the average d: the element or
          factor that separates or distinguishes contrasting situations
          2: distinction or discrimination in preference 3 a: disagreement
          in opinion: dissension b: an instance or cause of disagreement
          4: the degree or amount by which things differ in quantity
          or measure; specif: remainder 2b(1) 5: a significant
          change in or effect on a situation [2]difference vt -enced
          ; -enc.ing (1576): differentiate, distinguish

   [1]different
          [dif.fer.ent] adj [MF, fr. L different-, differens, prp.
          of differre] (14c) 1: partly or totally unlike in nature,
          form, or quality: dissimilar <could hardly be more ~>--often
          followed by from, than, or chiefly Brit. to <small, neat
          hand, very ~ from the captain's tottery characters --R.
          L. Stevenson> <vastly ~ in size than it was twenty-five
          years ago --N. M. Pusey> <a very ~ situation to the ...
          one under which we live --Sir Winston Churchill> 2: not
          the same: as a: distinct <~ age groups> b: various <~
          members of the class> c: another <switched to a ~ TV
          program> 3: unusual, special <she was ~ and superior>
          -- dif.fer.ent.ness n syn different, diverse, divergent,
          disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character.
          different may imply little more than separateness but
          it may also imply contrast or contrariness <different
          foods>. diverse implies both distinctness and marked
          contrast <such diverse interests as dancing and football>.
          divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood
          of ultimate meeting or reconciliation <went on to pursue
          divergent careers>. disparate emphasizes incongruity
          or incompatibility <disparate notions of freedom>. various
          stresses the number of sorts or kinds <tried various
          methods>. usage Numerous commentators have condemned
          different than in spite of its use since the 17th century
          by many of the best-known names in English literature.
          It is nevertheless standard and is even recommended in
          many handbooks when followed by a clause. Different from,
          the generally safe choice, is more common and is even
          used in constructions where than would work more smoothly.
          [2]different adv (1744): differently

   differentia
          [dif.fer.en.tia] n, pl -ti.ae [L, difference, fr. different-,
          differens] (1690): an element, feature, or factor that
          distinguishes one entity, state, or class from another;
          esp: a characteristic trait distinguishing a species
          from other species of the same genus

   [1]differential
          [dif.fer.en.tial] adj (1647) 1 a: of, relating to, or constituting
          a difference: distinguishing b: making a distinction between
          individuals or classes c: based on or resulting from a differential
          d: functioning or proceeding differently or at a different rate
          2: being, relating to, or involving a differential
          or differentiation 3 a: relating to quantitative differences
          b: producing effects by reason of quantitative differences
          -- dif.fer.en.tial.ly adv [2]differential n (1704) 1 a: the product
          of the derivative of a function of one variable by the increment
          of the independent variable b: a sum of products in which each
          product consists of a partial derivative of a given function
          of several variables multiplied by the corresponding increment and
          which contains as many products as there are independent variables
          in the function 2: a difference between comparable individuals
          or classes <a price ~>; also: the amount of such a difference
          3 a: differential gear b: a case covering a differential gear

   differential calculus
          [differential calculus] n (1702): a branch of mathematics
          concerned chiefly with the study of the rate of change
          of functions with respect to their variables esp. through
          the use of derivatives and differentials

   differential equation
          [differential equation] n (1763): an equation containing
          differentials or derivatives of functions--compare partial
          differential equation

   differential gear
          [differential gear] n (ca. 1859): an arrangement of gears
          forming an epicyclic train for connecting two shafts
          or axles in the same line, dividing the driving force
          equally between them, and permitting one shaft to revolve
          faster than the other--called also differential gearing

   differential geometry
          [differential geometry] n (ca. 1909): a branch of mathematics
          using calculus to study the geometric properties of curves
          and surfaces

   differentiate
          [dif.fer.en.ti.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vt (1816) 1: to obtain
          the mathematical derivative of 2: to mark or show a difference
          in: constitute a difference that distinguishes 3: to
          develop differential characteristics in 4: to cause differentiation
          of in the course of development 5: to express the specific
          distinguishing quality of: discriminate ~ vi 1: to recognize
          or give expression to a difference 2: to become distinct
          or different in character 3: to undergo differentiation
          -- dif.fer.en.tia.bil.i.ty n -- dif.fer.en.tia.ble adj

   differentiation
          [dif.fer.en.ti.a.tion] n (1802) 1: the act or process of
          differentiating 2: development from the one to the many,
          the simple to the complex, or the homogeneous to the
          heterogeneous 3 a: modification of body parts for performance
          of particular functions b: the sum of the processes whereby
          apparently indifferent cells, tissues, and structures
          attain their adult form and function 4: the processes
          by which various rock types are produced from a common
          magma

   differently
          [dif.fer.ent.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a different manner 2: otherwise

   difficile
          [dif.fi.cile] adj [F, lit., difficult] (1536): stubborn,
          unreasonable

   difficult
          [dif.fi.cult] adj [ME, back-formation fr. difficulty] (14c)
          1: hard to do, make, or carry out: arduous <a ~ climb>
          2 a: hard to deal with, manage, or overcome <a ~ child>
          b: hard to understand: puzzling <~ reading> syn see hard
          -- dif.fi.cult.ly adv

   difficulty
          [dif.fi.cul.ty] n, pl -ties [ME difficulte, fr. L difficultas,
          fr. difficilis not easy, fr. dis- + facilis easy--more
          at facile] (14c) 1: the quality or state of being difficult
          2: controversy, disagreement 3: objection 4: something
          difficult: impediment 5: embarrassment, trouble--usu.
          used in pl.

   diffidence
          [dif.fi.dence] n (14c): the quality or state of being diffident

   diffident
          [dif.fi.dent] adj [ME, fr. L diffident-, diffidens, prp.
          of diffidere to distrust, fr. dis- + fidere to trust--more
          at bide] (15c) 1: hesitant in acting or speaking through
          lack of self-confidence 2 archaic: distrustful 3: reserved,
          unassertive syn see shy -- dif.fi.dent.ly adv

   diffract
          [dif.fract] vt [back-formation fr. diffraction] (1803): to
          cause to undergo diffraction

   diffraction
          [dif.frac.tion] n [NL diffraction-, diffractio, fr. L diffringere
          to break apart, fr. dis- + frangere to break--more at
          break] (1671): a modification which light undergoes in
          passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow
          slits or in being reflected from ruled surfaces and in
          which the rays appear to be deflected and to produce
          fringes of parallel light and dark or colored bands;
          also: a similar modification of other waves (as sound
          waves)

   diffraction grating
          [diffraction grating] n (1867): grating 3

   diffractometer
          [dif.frac.tom.e.ter] n (ca. 1909): an instrument for analyzing
          the structure of a usu. crystalline substance from the
          scattering pattern produced when a beam of radiation
          or particles (as X rays or neutrons) strikes it
          -- dif.frac.to.met.ric adj -- dif.frac.tom.e.try n

   [1]diffuse
          [dif.fuse] adj [ME, fr. L diffusus, pp. of diffundere to
          spread out, fr. dis- + fundere to pour--more at found]
          (15c) 1: being at once verbose and ill-organized 2: not
          concentrated or localized <~ sclerosis> syn see wordy
          -- dif.fuse.ly adv -- dif.fuse.ness n [2]dif.fuse vb
          dif.fused ; dif.fus.ing [ME diffused, pp., fr. L diffusus,
          pp.] vt (14c) 1 a: to pour out and permit or cause to
          spread freely b: extend, scatter c: to spread thinly
          or wastefully 2: to subject to diffusion; esp: to break
          up and distribute (incident light) by reflection ~ vi
          1: to spread out or become transmitted esp. by contact
          2: to undergo diffusion -- dif.fus.ible adj

   diffuse-porous
          [dif.fuse-po.rous] adj [[1]diffuse] (ca. 1902): having vessels
          more or less evenly distributed throughout an annual
          ring and not varying greatly in size--compare ring-porous

   diffuser
          [dif.fus.er] n (ca. 1679) 1: one that diffuses: as a: a device
          (as a reflector) for distributing the light of a lamp
          evenly b: a screen (as of cloth or frosted glass) for
          softening lighting (as in photography) c: a device (as
          slats at different angles) for deflecting air from an
          outlet in various directions 2: a device for reducing
          the velocity and increasing the static pressure of a
          fluid passing through a system

   diffusion
          [dif.fu.sion] n (14c) 1: the action of diffusing: the state
          of being diffused 2: prolixity, diffuseness 3 a: the
          process whereby particles of liquids, gases, or solids
          intermingle as the result of their spontaneous movement
          caused by thermal agitation and in dissolved substances
          move from a region of higher to one of lower concentration
          b (1): reflection of light by a rough reflecting surface
          (2): transmission of light through a translucent material:
          scattering 4: the spread of cultural elements from one
          area or group of people to others by contact 5: the softening
          of sharp outlines in a photographic image -- dif.fu.sion.al
          adj

   diffusionist
          [dif.fu.sion.ist] n (1938): an anthropologist who emphasizes
          the role of diffusion in the history of culture rather
          than independent invention or discovery -- dif.fu.sion.ism
          n -- diffusionist adj

   diffusive
          [dif.fu.sive] adj (1614): tending to diffuse: characterized
          by diffusion <~ motion of atoms> -- dif.fu.sive.ly adv
          -- dif.fu.sive.ness n -- dif.fu.siv.i.ty n

   difunctional
          [di.func.tion.al] adj (1943): of, relating to, or being a
          compound with two highly reactive sites in each molecule

   [1]dig
          [dig] vb dug ; dig.ging [ME diggen] vt (13c) 1 a: to break
          up, turn, or loosen (earth) with an implement b: to prepare
          the soil of <~ a garden> 2 a: to bring to the surface
          by digging: unearth b: to bring to light or out of hiding
          <~ up facts> 3: to hollow out or form by removing earth:
          excavate 4: to drive down so as to penetrate: thrust
          5: poke, prod 6 a: to pay attention to: notice <~ that
          fancy hat> b: understand, appreciate <if you ... do something
          subtle ... only one tenth of the audience will ~ it --Nat
          Hentoff> c: like, admire <high school students ~ short
          poetry --David Burmester> ~ vi 1: to turn up, loosen,
          or remove earth: delve 2: to work hard or laboriously
          3: to advance by or as if by removing or pushing aside
          material [2]dig n (1819) 1 a: thrust, poke b: a cutting
          remark 2 pl a: living accommodations b chiefly Brit:
          lodging, hotel 3: an archaeological excavation site;
          also: the excavation itself

   dig
          [dig] abbreviation digest

   digamy
          [dig.a.my] n, pl -mies [LL digamia, fr. LGk, fr. Gk digamos
          married to two people, fr. di- + -gamos -gamous] (1635):
          a second marriage after the termination of the first

   digastric
          [di.gas.tric] adj [NL digastricus, fr. di- + gastricus gastric]
          (ca. 1721): of, relating to, or being a muscle with two
          bellies separated by a median tendon

   digenetic
          [di.ge.net.ic] adj [NL Digenetica, subclass name (syn. of
          Digenea), fr. di- + genetica, neut. pl. of geneticus
          genetic] (ca. 1883): of or relating to a subclass (Digenea)
          of trematode worms in which sexual reproduction as an
          internal parasite of a vertebrate alternates with asexual
          reproduction in a mollusk

   [1]digest
          [di.gest] n [ME, systematic arrangement of laws, fr. L digesta,
          fr. neut. pl. of digestus, pp. of digerere to arrange,
          distribute, digest, fr. dis- + gerere to carry] (14c)
          1: a summation or condensation of a body of information:
          as a: a systematic compilation of legal rules, statutes,
          or decisions b: a periodical devoted to condensed versions
          of previously published articles 2: a product of digestion
          [2]di.gest vb [ME, fr. L digestus] vt (14c) 1: to distribute
          or arrange systematically: classify 2: to convert (food)
          into absorbable form 3: to take into the mind or memory;
          esp: to assimilate mentally 4 a: to soften, decompose,
          or break down by heat and moisture or chemicals b: to
          extract soluble ingredients from by warming with a liquid
          5: to compress into a short summary 6: absorb 1 <the
          capacity of the U. S. to ~ immigrants> ~ vi 1: to digest
          food 2: to become digested

   digester
          [di.gest.er] n (1614) 1: one that digests or makes a digest
          2: a vessel for digesting esp. plant or animal materials

   digestibility
          [di.gest.ibil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1740) 1: the fitness of
          something for digestion 2: the percentage of a foodstuff
          taken into the digestive tract that is absorbed into
          the body

   digestible
          [di.gest.ible] adj (14c): capable of being digested

   digestion
          [di.ges.tion] n (14c): the action, process, or power of digesting:
          as a: the process of making food absorbable by dissolving it and
          breaking it down into simpler chemical compounds that occurs in the
          living body chiefly through the action of enzymes secreted into the
          alimentary canal b: the process in sewage treatment by which
          organic matter in sludge is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria with
          the release of a burnable mixture of gases

   [1]digestive
          [di.ges.tive] n (14c): an aid to digestion esp. of food
          [2]digestive adj (15c) 1: relating to or functioning in digestion
          <the ~ system> 2: having the power to cause or promote digestion
          <~ enzymes> -- di.ges.tive.ly adv

   digestive gland
          [digestive gland] n (1940): a gland secreting digestive enzymes

   digger
          [dig.ger] n (15c) 1 a: one that digs b: a tool or machine
          for digging 2 cap: a No. American Indian (as a Paiute)
          who dug roots for food--usu. used disparagingly esp.
          formerly 3 often cap, chiefly Austral & NewZeal: an Australian
          or New Zealand soldier

   digger wasp
          [digger wasp] n (1880): a burrowing wasp; esp: a usu. solitary
          wasp (superfamily Sphecoidea) that digs nest burrows
          in the soil and provisions them with insects or spiders
          paralyzed by stinging

   diggings
          [dig.gings] n pl (1538) 1: a place of excavating esp. for
          ore, metals, or precious stones 2: material dug out 3
          a: quarters, premises b chiefly Brit: lodgings for a
          student

   dight
          [dight] vt dight.ed or dight ; dight.ing [ME, fr. OE dihtan
          to arrange, compose, fr. L dictare to dictate, compose]
          (13c) archaic: dress, adorn

   dig in
          [dig in] vt (1839) 1: to cover or incorporate by burying
          <dig in compost> 2: to establish in a dug defensive position
          <the platoon was well dug in> ~ vi 1: to establish a
          defensive position esp. by digging trenches 2 a: to go
          resolutely to work b: to begin eating 3: to hold stubbornly
          to a position 4: to scuff the ground for better footing
          while batting (as in baseball) -- dig in one's heels
          : to take or persist in an uncompromising position or
          attitude despite opposition

   digit
          [dig.it] n [ME, fr. L digitus finger, toe; perh. akin to
          Gk deiknynai to show--more at diction] (14c) 1 a: any
          of the Arabic numerals 1 to 9 and usu. the symbol 0 b:
          one of the elements that combine to form numbers in a
          system other than the decimal system 2: a unit of length
          based on the breadth of a finger and equal in English
          measure to 3/4 inch 3: any of the divisions in which
          the limbs of amphibians and all higher vertebrates terminate,
          which are typically five in number but may be reduced
          (as in the horse), and which typically have a series
          of phalanges bearing a nail, claw, or hoof at the tip--compare
          finger 1, toe 1a

   digital
          [dig.i.tal] adj [L digitalis] (ca. 1656) 1: of or relating
          to the fingers or toes: digitate 2: done with a finger
          3: of, relating to, or using calculation by numerical
          methods or by discrete units 4: of or relating to data
          in the form of numerical digits 5: providing a readout
          in numerical digits <a ~ voltmeter> 6: relating to an
          audio recording method in which sound waves are represented
          digitally (as on magnetic tape) so that in the recording
          wow and flutter are eliminated and background noise is
          reduced -- dig.i.tal.ly adv

   digital computer
          [digital computer] n (1947): a computer that operates with
          numbers expressed directly as digits--compare analog
          computer, hybrid computer

   digitalin
          [dig.i.tal.in] n [NL Digitalis] (1837) 1: a white crystalline
          steroid glycoside obtained from seeds esp. of the common
          foxglove 2: a mixture of the glycosides of digitalis
          leaves or seeds

   digitalis
          [dig.i.tal.is] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, of a finger, fr.
          digitus; fr. its finger-shaped corolla] (1664) 1: foxglove
          2: the dried powdered leaf of the common foxglove containing
          important glycosides and serving as a powerful cardiac
          stimulant and a diuretic

   digitalization
          [dig.i.ta.li.za.tion] n [digitalis] (1882): the administration
          of digitalis until the desired physiological adjustment
          is attained; also: the bodily state so produced

   [1]digitalize
          [dig.i.ta.lize] vt -lized ; -liz.ing [digitalis] (1927):
          to subject to digitalization [2]dig.i.tal.ize vt -ized
          ; -iz.ing [digital] (1962): digitize

   digitate
          [dig.i.tate] adj (1661): having divisions arranged like those
          of a bird's foot <~ leaves> -- dig.i.tate.ly adv

   digiti-
          [digiti-] comb form [F, fr. L digitus]: digit: finger <digitigrade>

   digitigrade
          [dig.i.ti.grade] adj [F, fr. digiti- + -grade] (ca. 1833):
          walking on the digits with the posterior of the foot
          more or less raised

   digitize
          [dig.i.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1953): to convert (as
          data or an image) to digital form -- dig.i.ti.za.tion
          n -- dig.i.tiz.er n

   digitonin
          [dig.i.to.nin] n [ISV digit- (fr. NL Digitalis) + saponin]
          (1875): a steroid saponin occurring in the leaves and
          seeds of foxglove

   digitoxigenin
          [digi.toxi.gen.in] n [ISV, blend of digitoxin and -gen] (ca.
          1909): a steroid lactone obtained esp. by hydrolysis
          of digitoxin

   digitoxin
          [digi.tox.in] n [ISV, blend of NL Digitalis and ISV toxin]
          (ca. 1883): a poisonous glycoside that is the most active
          constituent of digitalis; also: a mixture of digitalis
          glycosides consisting chiefly of digitoxin

   diglyceride
          [di.glyc.er.ide] n (1918): an ester formed from glycerol
          by reacting two of its alcohol hydroxy groups with fatty
          acids

   dignified
          [dig.ni.fied] adj (1763): showing or expressing dignity

   dignify
          [dig.ni.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [MF dignifier, fr. LL dignificare,
          fr. L dignus worthy--more at decent] (15c) 1: to give
          distinction to: ennoble 2: to confer dignity upon; also:
          to give undue attention or status to <won't ~ that remark
          with a reply>

   dignitary
          [dig.ni.tary] n, pl -tar.ies (1673): one who possesses exalted
          rank or holds a position of dignity or honor -- dignitary
          adj

   dignity
          [dig.ni.ty] n, pl -ties [ME dignete, fr. OF dignete, fr.
          L dignitat-, dignitas, fr. dignus] (13c) 1: the quality
          or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed 2 a: high
          rank, office, or position b: a legal title of nobility
          or honor 3 archaic: dignitary 4: formal reserve or seriousness
          of manner, appearance, or language

   dig out
          [dig out] vt (14c) 1: find, unearth 2: to make hollow by
          digging ~ vi: take off 2a

   digoxin
          [di.gox.in] n [ISV dig- (fr. NL Digitalis) + toxin] (ca.
          1930): a poisonous cardiotonic steroid obtained from
          a foxglove (Digitalis lanata) and used similarly to digitalis

   digraph
          [di.graph] n (1780) 1: a group of two successive letters
          whose phonetic value is a single sound (as ea in bread
          or ng in sing) or whose value is not the sum of a value
          borne by each in other occurrences (as ch in chin where
          the value is /t/ + /sh/) 2: a group of two successive
          letters 3: ligature 4 -- di.graph.ic adj -- di.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   digress
          [di.gress] vi [L digressus, pp. of digredi, fr. dis- + gradi
          to step--more at grade] (1530): to turn aside esp. from
          the main subject of attention or course of argument syn
          see swerve

   digression
          [di.gres.sion] n (14c) 1: the act or an instance of digressing
          in a discourse or other usu. organized literary work
          2 archaic: a going aside -- di.gres.sion.al adj -- di.gres.sion.ary
          adj

   digressive
          [di.gres.sive] adj (ca. 1611): characterized by digressions
          <a ~ talk> -- di.gres.sive.ly adv -- di.gres.sive.ness
          n

   dig up
          [dig up] vt (14c): find, unearth

   dihedral
          [di.he.dral] n (ca. 1911) 1: dihedral angle 2: the angle
          between an aircraft supporting surface (as a wing) and
          a horizontal transverse line

   dihedral angle
          [dihedral angle] n [di- + -hedral] (1826): a figure formed
          by two intersecting planes

   dihybrid
          [di.hy.brid] adj [ISV] (1907): of, relating to, involving,
          or being an individual or strain that is heterozygous
          at two genetic loci -- dihybrid n

   dihydr-
          [dihydr-] or dihydro- comb form: combined with two atoms
          of hydrogen <dihydroergotamine>

   dihydroergotamine
          [di.hy.dro.er.got.a.mine] n (1945): a hydrogenated derivative
          of ergotamine that is used in the treatment of migraine

   dihydroxy-
          [dihydroxy-] comb form: containing two hydroxyl groups
          <dihydroxyacetone>

   dihydroxyacetone
          [di.hy.droxy.ac.e.tone] n (1895): a glyceraldehyde isomer
          used esp. to stain the skin to resemble a tan

   dik-dik
          [dik-dik] n, pl dik-diks or dik-dik [origin unknown] (1883):
          any of a genus (Madoqua) of small eastern African antelopes

   [1]dike
          [dike] n [ME, prob. fr. ON dik ditch and MLG dik dam; akin
          to OE dic ditch--more at ditch] (13c) 1: an artificial
          watercourse: ditch 2 a: a bank usu. of earth constructed
          to control or confine water: levee b: a barrier preventing
          passage esp. of something undesirable 3 a: a raised causeway
          b: a tabular body of igneous rock that has been injected
          while molten into a fissure [2]dike vt diked ; dik.ing
          (14c) 1: to surround or protect with a dike 2: to drain
          by a dike -- dik.er n [3]dike var of [2]dyke

   diktat
          [dik.tat] n [G, lit., something dictated, fr. NL dictatum,
          fr. L, neut. of dictatus, pp. of dictare to dictate]
          (1933) 1: a harsh settlement unilaterally imposed (as
          on a defeated nation) 2: decree, order

   dil
          [dil] abbreviation dilute

   Dilantin
          [Di.lan.tin] trademark--used for phenytoin

   dilapidate
          [di.lap.i.date] vb -dat.ed ; -dat.ing [L dilapidatus, pp.
          of dilapidare to squander, destroy, fr. dis- + lapidare
          to pelt with stones, fr. lapid-, lapis stone] vt (ca.
          1570) 1: to bring into a condition of decay or partial
          ruin <furniture is dilapidated by use --Janet Flanner>
          2 archaic: squander ~ vi: to become dilapidated -- di.lap.i.da.tion
          n

   dilapidated
          [di.lap.i.dat.ed] adj (ca. 1806): decayed, deteriorated,
          or fallen into partial ruin esp. through neglect or misuse
          <a ~ old house>

   dilatancy
          [di.lat.an.cy] n (1885): the property of being dilatant

   dilatant
          [di.lat.ant] adj (1885): increasing in viscosity and setting
          to a solid as a result of deformation by expansion, pressure,
          or agitation

   dilatation
          [di.la.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: amplification in writing or speech
          2 a: the condition of being stretched beyond normal dimensions
          esp. as a result of overwork, disease, or abnormal relaxation
          <~ of the heart> <~ of the stomach> b: dilation 2 3:
          the action of expanding: the state of being expanded
          4: a dilated part or formation -- di.la.ta.tion.al adj

   dilate
          [di.late] vb di.lat.ed ; di.lat.ing [ME, fr. MF dilater,
          fr. L dilatare, lit., to spread wide, fr. dis- + latus
          wide--more at latitude] vt (14c) 1 archaic: to describe
          or set forth at length or in detail 2: to enlarge or
          expand in bulk or extent: distend, widen ~ vi 1: to comment
          at length: discourse--usu. used with on or upon 2: to
          become wide: swell syn see expand -- di.lat.abil.i.ty
          n -- di.lat.able adj -- di.la.tor n

   dilated
          [di.lat.ed] adj (15c) 1: expanded laterally; esp: being flat
          and widened <~ leaves> 2: expanded normally or abnormally
          in all dimensions

   dilation
          [di.la.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or action of dilating: the
          state of being dilated: expansion, dilatation 2: the
          action of stretching or enlarging an organ or part of
          the body

   dilative
          [di.la.tive] adj (1634): causing dilation: tending to dilate

   dilatometer
          [di.la.tom.e.ter] n [ISV] (ca. 1883): an instrument for measuring
          expansion -- di.la.to.met.ric adj -- di.la.tom.e.try
          n

   dilatory
          [dil.a.to.ry] adj [ME, fr. LL dilatorius, fr. L differre
          (pp. dilatus) to postpone, differ--more at differ, tolerate]
          (15c) 1: tending or intended to cause delay <~ tactics>
          2: characterized by procrastination: tardy <~ in answering
          letters> -- dil.a.to.ri.ly adv -- dil.a.to.ri.ness n

   dildo
          [dil.do] n, pl dildos also dildoes [origin unknown] (ca.
          1598): an object serving as a penis substitute for vaginal
          insertion

   dilemma
          [di.lem.ma] n [LL, fr. LGk dilemmat-, dilemma, prob. back-formation
          fr. Gk dilemmatos involving two assumptions, fr. di- + lemmat-,
          lemma assumption--more at lemma] (1523) 1: an argument presenting
          two or more equally conclusive alternatives against an opponent
          2 a: a usu. undesirable or unpleasant choice <faces this ~: raise
          interest rates and slow the economy or lower them and risk serious
          inflation> b: a situation involving such a choice <here
          am I brought to a very pretty ~; I must commit murder or commit
          matrimony --George Farquhar>; broadly: predicament <lords and
          bailiffs were in a terrible ~ --G. M. Trevelyan> 3 a: a problem
          involving a difficult choice <the ~ of "liberty versus order" --J.
          M. Burns> b: a difficult or persistent problem <unemployment ...
          the great central ~ of our advancing technology --August Heckscher>
          -- dil.em.mat.ic adj usage Although some commentators insist that
          dilemma be restricted to instances in which the alternatives
          to be chosen are equally unsatisfactory, their concern
          is misplaced; the unsatisfactoriness of the options is usu.
          a matter of how the author presents them. What is distressing
          or painful about a dilemma is having to make a choice one does not
          want to make. The use of such adjectives as terrible, painful, and
          irreconcilable suggests that dilemma is losing some of its
          unpleasant force. There also seems to be a tendency esp. in sense
          3b toward applying the word to less weighty problems <solved their
          goaltending ~ --Pat Calabria>.

   dilettante
          [dil.et.tante] n, pl -tantes or -tan.ti [It, fr. prp. of
          dilettare to delight, fr. L dilectare--more at delight]
          (1748) 1: an admirer or lover of the arts 2: a person
          having a superficial interest in an art or a branch of
          knowledge: dabbler syn see amateur -- dilettante adj
          -- dil.et.tant.ish adj -- dil.et.tan.tism n

   [1]diligence
          [dil.i.gence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L diligentia, fr. diligent-,
          diligens] (14c) 1 a: persevering application: assiduity
          b obs: speed, haste 2: the attention and care legally
          expected or required of a person (as a party to a contract)
          [2]di.li.gence n [F, lit., haste, fr. MF, persevering
          application] (1742): stagecoach

   diligent
          [dil.i.gent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L diligent-, diligens,
          fr. prp. of diligere to esteem, love, fr. di- (fr. dis-
          apart) + legere to select--more at legend] (14c): characterized
          by steady, earnest, and energetic effort: painstaking
          syn see busy -- dil.i.gent.ly adv

   dill
          [dill] n [ME dile, fr. OE; akin to OHG tilli dill] (bef.
          12c) 1: any of several plants of the carrot family; esp:
          a European herb (Anethum graveolens) with aromatic foliage
          and seeds both of which are used in flavoring foods and
          esp. pickles 2: dill pickle -- dilled adj

   dill pickle
          [dill pickle] n (1904): a pickle seasoned with fresh dill
          or dill juice

   dilly
          [dil.ly] n, pl dillies [obs. dilly, adj. (delightful), perh.
          by shortening & alter. fr. delightful] (1935): one that
          is remarkable or outstanding <had a ~ of a storm> <for
          a practical joke, that was a ~>

   dilly bag
          [dil.ly bag] n [Jagara (Australian aboriginal language of
          Queensland) dili coarse grass, fiber bag] (1867): an
          Australian mesh bag made of native fibers

   dillydally
          [dil.ly.dal.ly] vi [redupl. of dally] (1741): to waste time
          by loitering or delaying: dawdle

   diluent
          [dil.u.ent] n [L diluent-, diluens, prp. of diluere] (ca.
          1721): a diluting agent (as the vehicle in a medicinal
          preparation)

   [1]dilute
          [di.lute] vt di.lut.ed ; di.lut.ing [L dilutus, pp. of diluere
          to wash away, dilute, fr. di- + lavere to wash--more
          at lye] (ca. 1555) 1: attenuate 2: to make thinner or
          more liquid by admixture 3: to diminish the strength,
          flavor, or brilliance of by admixture 4: to decrease
          the per share value of (common stock) by increasing the
          total number of shares -- di.lut.er or di.lu.tor n --
          di.lu.tive adj [2]dilute adj (1605): weak, diluted --
          di.lute.ness n

   dilution
          [di.lu.tion] n (1646) 1: the action of diluting: the state
          of being diluted 2: something (as a solution) that is
          diluted 3: a lessening of real value (as of equity) by
          a decrease in relative worth; specif: a decrease of per
          share value of common stock by an increase in the total
          number of shares

   diluvial
          [di.lu.vi.al] or di.lu.vi.an adj [LL diluvialis, fr. L diluvium
          deluge--more at deluge] (ca. 1656): of, relating to,
          or brought about by a flood

   [1]dim
          [dim] adj dim.mer ; dim.mest [ME, fr. OE dimm; akin to OHG
          timber dark] (bef. 12c) 1 a: emitting a limited or insufficient
          amount of light b: dull, lusterless c: lacking pronounced,
          clear-cut, or vigorous quality or character 2 a: seen
          indistinctly or without clear outlines or details b:
          perceived by the senses or mind indistinctly or weakly:
          faint <had only a ~ notion of what was going on> c: having
          little prospect of favorable result or outcome <a ~ future>
          d: characterized by an unfavorable, skeptical, or pessimistic
          attitude--usu. used in the phrase take a dim view of
          3: not perceiving clearly and distinctly <~ eyes> 4:
          dim-witted -- dim.ly adv -- dim.ma.ble adj -- dim.ness
          n [2]dim vb dimmed ; dim.ming vt (bef. 12c) 1: to make
          dim or lusterless 2: to reduce the light from ~ vi: to
          become dim [3]dim n (14c) 1 archaic: dusk, dimness 2:
          low beam

   dim
          [dim] abbreviation dimension, diminished, diminuendo, diminutive

   dim bulb
          [dim bulb] n (1947) slang: dimwit

   dime
          [dime] n [ME, tenth part, tithe, fr. MF, fr. L decima, fr.
          fem. of decimus tenth, fr. decem ten--more at ten] (1786)
          1 a: a coin of the U.S. worth 1/10 dollar b: a petty
          sum of money 2: a Canadian 10-cent piece -- a dime a
          dozen : so plentiful or commonplace as to be of little
          esteem or slight value -- on a dime 1: in a very small
          area <these cars can turn on a dime> 2: instantly

   dimenhydrinate
          [di.men.hy.dri.nate] n [dimethyl + amine + hydr- + amine
          + [1]-ate] (ca. 1950): a crystalline antihistaminic compound
          used esp. to prevent nausea

   dime novel
          [dime novel] n (1864): a usu. paperback melodramatic novel;
          esp: one popular in the U.S. from about the mid-19th
          century to the early 20th often featuring a Western theme

   [1]dimension
          [di.men.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L dimension-, dimensio,
          fr. dimetiri to measure out, fr. dis- + metiri to measure--more
          at measure] (14c) 1 a (1): measure in one direction;
          specif: one of three coordinates determining a position
          in space or four coordinates determining a position in
          space and time (2): one of a group of properties whose
          number is necessary and sufficient to determine uniquely
          each element of a system of usu. mathematical entities
          (as an aggregate of points in real or abstract space)
          <the surface of a sphere has two ~s>; also: a parameter
          or coordinate variable assigned to such a property <the
          three ~s of momentum> (3): the number of elements in
          a basis of a vector space b: the quality of spatial extension:
          magnitude, size c: a lifelike or realistic quality d:
          the range over which or the degree to which something
          extends: scope--usu. used in pl. e: one of the elements
          or factors making up a complete personality or entity:
          aspect 2 obs: bodily form or proportions 3: any of the
          fundamental units (as of mass, length, or time) on which
          a derived unit is based; also: the power of such a unit
          4: wood or stone cut to pieces of specified size 5: a
          level of existence or consciousness -- di.men.sion.al
          adj -- di.men.sion.al.i.ty n -- di.men.sion.al.ly adv
          -- di.men.sion.less adj [2]dimension vt di.men.sioned
          ; di.men.sion.ing (1754) 1: to form to the required dimensions
          2: to indicate the dimensions of (as on a drawing)

   dimer
          [di.mer] n [ISV] (ca. 1926): a compound formed by the union
          of two radicals or two molecules of a simpler compound;
          specif: a polymer formed from two molecules of a monomer
          -- di.mer.ic adj -- di.mer.iza.tion n -- di.mer.ize vt

   dimercaprol
          [di.mer.cap.rol] n [di- + mercaptan + propane + [1]-ol] (1947):
          a compound developed as an antidote against lewisite
          and used against arsenic, mercury, and gold poisoning--called
          also BAL

   dime-store
          [dime-store] adj (1938) 1: inexpensive <~ perfume> 2: tawdry,
          second-rate <~ philosophy>

   dime store
          [dime store] n (ca. 1928): five-and-ten

   dimeter
          [dim.e.ter] n [LL, fr. Gk dimetros, adj., being a dimeter,
          fr. di- + metron measure--more at measure] (1589): a
          line of verse consisting of two metrical feet or of two
          dipodies

   dimethoate
          [di.meth.o.ate] n [dimethyl + thio acid + [1]-ate] (1960):
          an insecticide used in agriculture and animal husbandry

   dimethyl
          [dimethyl] adj: containing two methyl groups in the molecule--often
          used in combination

   dimethylhydrazine
          [di.meth.yl.hy.dra.zine] n (1961): either of two flammable
          corrosive isomeric liquids which are methylated derivatives
          of hydrazine and of which one is used as a rocket fuel

   dimethylnitrosamine
          [di.meth.yl.ni.tro.sa.mine] n (1965): a carcinogenic nitrosamine
          that occurs esp. in tobacco smoke

   dimethyl sulfoxide
          [di.meth.yl sulfoxide] n (1964): a compound[ ]obtained as
          a by-product in wood-pulp manufacture and used as a solvent
          and in veterinary medicine as an anti-inflammatory--called
          also DMSO

   dimethyltryptamine
          [di.meth.yl.tryp.ta.mine] n (1966): a naturally occurring
          or easily synthesized hallucinogenic drug that is chemically
          similar to but shorter acting than psilocybin--called
          also DMT

   dimin
          [dimin] abbreviation diminuendo

   diminish
          [di.min.ish] vb [ME deminishen, alter. of diminuen, fr. MF
          diminuer, fr. LL diminuere, alter. of L deminuere, fr.
          de- + minuere to lessen--more at minor] vt (15c) 1: to
          make less or cause to appear less 2: to lessen the authority,
          dignity, or reputation of: belittle 3: to cause to taper
          ~ vi 1: to become gradually less (as in size or importance):
          dwindle 2: taper syn see decrease -- di.min.ish.able
          adj -- di.min.ish.ment n

   diminished
          [di.min.ished] adj (ca. 1751) of a musical interval: made
          one half step less than perfect or minor <a ~ fifth>

   diminishing returns
          [diminishing returns] n pl (1815): a rate of yield that beyond
          a certain point fails to increase in proportion to additional
          investments of labor or capital

   diminuendo
          [di.min.u.en.do] adv or adj [It, lit., diminishing, fr. LL
          diminuendum, gerund of diminuere] (1775): decrescendo
          -- diminuendo n

   diminution
          [dim.i.nu.tion] n [ME diminucioun, fr. MF diminution, fr.
          ML diminution-, diminutio, alter. of L deminution-, deminutio,
          fr. deminuere] (14c): the act, process, or an instance
          of diminishing: decrease

   [1]diminutive
          [di.min.u.tive] n [ME diminutif, fr. ML diminutivum, alter.
          of LL deminutivum, fr. neut. of deminutivus, adj., fr.
          deminutus, pp. of deminuere] (14c) 1: a diminutive word,
          affix, or name 2: a diminutive individual [2]diminutive
          adj (14c) 1: indicating small size and sometimes the
          state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable,
          pitiable, or contemptible--used of affixes (as -ette,
          -kin, -ling) and of words formed with them (as kitchenette,
          manikin, duckling), of clipped forms (as Jim), and of
          altered forms (as Peggy)--compare augmentative 2: exceptionally
          or notably small: tiny syn see small -- di.min.u.tive.ly
          adv -- di.min.u.tive.ness n

   dimity
          [dim.i.ty] n, pl -ties [alter. of ME demyt, fr. ML dimitum,
          fr. MGk dimitos of double thread, fr. Gk di- + mitos
          warp thread] (1570): a sheer usu. corded cotton fabric
          of plain weave in checks or stripes

   dimmer
          [dim.mer] n (ca. 1896) 1: a device for regulating the intensity
          of an electric lighting unit 2: low beam

   dimorphic
          [di.mor.phic] adj (1859) 1 a: dimorphous 1 b: occurring in
          two distinct forms <~ leaves of emergent plants> <sexually
          ~ coloration in birds> 2: combining qualities of two
          kinds of individuals in one

   dimorphism
          [di.mor.phism] n (1832): the condition or property of being
          dimorphic or dimorphous: as a: the existence of two different
          forms (as of color or size) of a species esp. in the
          same population <sexual ~> b: the existence of an organ
          (as the leaves of a plant) in two different forms

   dimorphous
          [di.mor.phous] adj [Gk dimorphos having two forms, fr. di-
          + -morphos -morphous] (1832) 1: crystallizing in two
          different forms 2: dimorphic 1b

   dimout
          [dim.out] n (1942): a restriction limiting the use or showing
          of lights at night esp. during the threat of an air raid;
          also: a condition of partial darkness produced by this
          restriction

   [1]dimple
          [dim.ple] n [ME dympull; akin to OHG tumphilo whirlpool,
          OE dyppan to dip--more at dip] (15c) 1: a slight natural
          indentation in the surface of some part of the human
          body 2: a depression or indentation on a surface (as
          of a golf ball) -- dim.ply adj [2]dimple vb dim.pled
          ; dim.pling vt (1602): to mark with dimples ~ vi: to
          exhibit or form dimples

   dim sum
          [dim sum] n [Chin (Guangdong) dimsam, fr. dim dot, speck
          + sam heart] (1948): traditional Chinese food consisting
          of a variety of items (as steamed or fried dumplings,
          pieces of cooked chicken, and rice balls) served in small
          portions

   dimwit
          [dim.wit] n (ca. 1922): a stupid or mentally slow person

   dim-witted
          [dim-wit.ted] adj (1934): not mentally bright: stupid --
          dim-wit.ted.ly adv -- dim-wit.ted.ness n

   [1]din
          [din] n [ME, fr. OE dyne; akin to ON dynr din, Skt dhvanati
          it roars] (bef. 12c) 1: a loud continued noise; esp:
          a welter of discordant sounds 2: a situation or condition
          resembling a din [2]din vb dinned ; din.ning vi (bef.
          12c): to make a loud noise ~ vt 1: to assail with loud
          continued noise 2: to impress by insistent repetition--often
          used with into

   din
          [din] abbreviation dinar  DIN [G Deutsche Industrie-Normen]
          abbreviation German Industrial Standards

   dinar
          [di.nar] n [Ar dinar, fr. LGk denarion denarius, fr.
          L denarius--more at denier] (1634) 1: a gold coin formerly used
          in countries of southwest Asia and north Africa 2 a: the basic
          monetary unit of Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya,
          Tunisia, Yemen, and Yugoslavia b: a monetary unit equal to 1/100
          rial (Iran) b--see rial at money table

   [1]dine
          [dine] vb dined ; din.ing [ME, fr. OF diner, fr. (assumed)
          VL disjejunare to break one's fast, fr. L dis- + LL jejunare
          to fast, fr. L jejunus fasting] vi (13c): to take dinner
          ~ vt: to give a dinner to [2]dine n (15c) Scot: dinner

   dine out
          [dine out] vi (1816): to eat a meal away from home -- dine
          out on : to use as a subject for dining table conversation

   diner
          [din.er] n (1815) 1: one that dines 2 a: dining car b: a
          restaurant usu. resembling a dining car in shape

   diner-out
          [din.er-out] n, pl di.ners-out (1808): one who dines out

   dinette
          [di.nette] n (1925): a small space usu. off a kitchen used
          for informal dining; also: furniture for such a space

   [1]ding
          [ding] vb [prob. imit.] vt (1582): to dwell on with tiresome
          repetition <keeps ~ing it into him that the less he smokes
          the better --Samuel Butler d.1902> ~ vi 1: to make a
          ringing sound: clang 2: to speak with tiresome reiteration
          [2]ding n [ding (to strike), fr. ME dingen] (ca. 1945):
          an instance of minor surface damage (as a dent)

   ding-a-ling
          [ding-a-ling] n [redupl. of [1]ding] (ca. 1935): nitwit,
          kook

   dingbat
          [ding.bat] n [origin unknown] (1904) 1: a typographical symbol
          or ornament (as a bullet or star) used typically to call
          attention to an opening sentence or to make a break between
          two paragraphs 2: nitwit, kook

   [1]dingdong
          [ding.dong] n [imit.] (1611): the ringing sound produced
          by repeated strokes esp. on a bell [2]dingdong vi (1659)
          1: to make a dingdong sound 2: to repeat a sound or action
          tediously or insistently [3]dingdong adj (1792) 1: of,
          relating to, or resembling the ringing sound made by
          a bell 2: marked by a rapid exchange or alternation

   dinge
          [dinge] n [back-formation fr. dingy] (1846): the condition
          of being dingy

   dinger
          [ding.er] n [perh. fr. ding (to strike) + [2]-er] (1974):
          home run

   dinghy
          [din.ghy] n, pl dinghies [Bengali dingi & Hindi dingi] (1810)
          1: an East Indian rowboat or sailboat 2 a: a small boat
          carried on or towed behind a larger boat as a tender
          or a lifeboat b: a small sailboat 3: a rubber life raft

   dingle
          [din.gle] n [ME, deep hollow] (13c): a small wooded valley:
          dell

   dingleberry
          [din.gle.ber.ry] n [origin unknown] (1955): a piece of dried
          fecal matter clinging to the hair around the anus

   dingo
          [din.go] n, pl dingoes [Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language
          of the Port Jackson area) dingu] (1789): a reddish brown
          wild dog (Canis dingo) of Australia

   dingus
          [din.gus] n [D or G; D dinges, prob. fr. G Dings, fr. gen.
          of Ding thing, fr. OHG--more at thing] (1876): doodad
          1

   dingy
          [din.gy] adj din.gi.er ; -est [origin unknown] (ca. 1736)
          1: dirty, discolored 2: shabby, squalid -- din.gi.ly
          adv -- din.gi.ness n

   dining car
          [dining car] n (1838): a railroad car in which meals are
          served

   dining room
          [dining room] n (1601): a room used for eating meals

   dinitro
          [dinitro] adj: containing two nitro groups--often used in
          combination

   dinitrobenzene
          [di.ni.tro.ben.zene] n [ISV] (1873): any of three toxic derivatives
          of benzene containing two nitro groups

   dinitrophenol
          [di.ni.tro.phe.nol] n (ca. 1897): any of six isomeric crystalline
          compounds some of whose derivatives are pesticides

   [1]dink
          [dink] n [by shortening & alter.] (1903): dinghy [2]dink
          n [dink (to hit with a drop shot), prob. of imit. origin]
          (1939): drop shot [3]dink n [perh. fr. dink, disparaging
          name for a Vietnamese] (1974) slang: nitwit, jerk, nerd

   Dinka
          [Din.ka] n, pl Dinkas also Dinka (1861) 1: a member of a
          pastoral people of the Nile Valley in south central Sudan
          2: the Nilotic language of the Dinkas

   dinkey
          [din.key] or din.ky n, pl dinkeys or dinkies [prob. fr. dinky]
          (1874): a small locomotive

   [1]dinkum
          [din.kum] adj [E dial. dinkum, n., work, share of work] (1905)
          Austral & NewZeal: authentic, genuine--often used with
          fair [2]dinkum adv (1915) Austral & NewZeal: truly, honestly--often
          used with fair--often used interjectionally

   dinky
          [din.ky] adj din.ki.er ; -est [Sc dink neat] (1880): small
          1a; also: insignificant

   dinner
          [din.ner] n, often attrib [ME diner, fr. OF, fr. diner to
          dine] (13c) 1 a: the principal meal of the day b: a formal
          feast or banquet 2: table d'hote 2 3: the food prepared
          for a dinner <eat your ~> 4: a packaged meal usu. for
          quick preparation <warmed up a frozen ~> -- din.ner.less
          adj

   dinner jacket
          [dinner jacket] n (1891): a jacket for formal evening wear

   dinner theater
          [dinner theater] n (1960): a restaurant in which a play is
          presented after the meal is over

   dinnertime
          [din.ner.time] n (14c): the customary time for dinner

   dinnerware
          [din.ner.ware] n (1895): tableware other than flatware

   dinoflagellate
          [di.no.fla.gel.late] n [ultim. fr. Gk dinos rotation, eddy
          + NL flagellum] (1889): any of an order (Dinoflagellata)
          of chiefly marine planktonic usu. solitary unicellular
          phytoflagellates that include luminescent forms, forms
          important in marine food chains, and forms causing red
          tide

   dinosaur
          [di.no.saur] n [NL Dinosaurus, genus name, fr. Gk deinos
          terrifying + sauros lizard--more at dire] (1841) 1: any
          of a group (Dinosauria) of extinct chiefly terrestrial
          carnivorous or herbivorous reptiles of the Mesozoic era
          2: any of various large extinct reptiles other than the
          true dinosaurs 3: one that is impractically large, out-of-date,
          or obsolete -- di.no.sau.ri.an adj

   [1]dint
          [dint] n [ME, fr. OE dynt; akin to ON dyntr noise] (bef.
          12c) 1 archaic: blow, stroke 2: force, power 3: [2]dent
          -- by dint of : by force of: because of [2]dint vt (1597)
          1: to make a dent in 2: to impress or drive in with force

   dinucleotide
          [di.nu.cle.o.tide] n (ca. 1927): a nucleotide consisting
          of two units each composed of a phosphate, a pentose,
          and a nitrogen base

   diocesan
          [di.oc.e.san] n (15c): a bishop having jurisdiction over
          a diocese

   diocese
          [di.o.cese] n, pl -ces.es [ME diocise, fr. MF, fr. LL diocesis,
          alter. of dioecesis, fr. L, administrative division,
          fr. Gk dioikesis administration, administrative division,
          fr. dioikein to keep house, govern, fr. dia- + oikein
          to dwell, manage, fr. oikos house--more at vicinity]
          (14c): the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop -- di.oc.e.san
          adj

   diode
          [di.ode] n [ISV] (1919): an electronic device that has two
          electrodes or terminals and is used esp. as a rectifier

   dioecious
          [di.oe.cious] adj [ultim. fr. Gk di- + oikos] (1752) 1: having
          male reproductive organs in one individual and female
          in another 2: having staminate and pistillate flowers
          borne on different individuals -- di.oe.cism n -- di.oe.cy
          n

   diol
          [di.ol] n [ISV] (1923): a compound containing two hydroxyl
          groups

   diolefin
          [di.ole.fin] n [ISV] (ca. 1909): diene

   Diomedes
          [Di.o.me.des] n [L, fr. Gk Diomedes]: one of the Greek heroes
          of the Trojan War

   Dionysia
          [Di.o.ny.sia] n pl [L, fr. Gk, fr. neut. pl. of dionysios
          of Dionysus, fr. Dionysos] (ca. 1895): ancient Greek
          festival observances held in seasonal cycles in honor
          of Dionysus; esp: such observances marked by dramatic
          performances

   Dionysiac
          [Di.o.ny.si.ac] adj [L dionysiacus, fr. Gk dionysiakos, fr.
          Dionysos] (1844): dionysian 2 -- Dionysiac n

   Dionysian
          [Di.o.ny.sian] adj (1607) 1 a: of or relating to Dionysius
          b: of or related to the theological writings once mistakenly
          attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite 2 a: devoted to
          the worship of Dionysus b: characteristic of Dionysus
          or the cult of worship of Dionysus; esp: being of a frenzied
          or orgiastic character--compare apollonian

   Dionysus
          [Di.o.ny.sus] n [L, fr. Gk Dionysos]: bacchus

   Diophantine equation
          [Di.o.phan.tine equation] n [Diophantus, 3d cent. a.d. Gk.
          mathematician] (ca. 1928): an indeterminate polynomial
          equation with integral coefficients for which it is required
          to find all integral solutions

   diopside
          [di.op.side] n [F, fr. di- + Gk opsis appearance--more at
          optic] (ca. 1808): a green to white mineral that consists
          of pyroxene containing little or no aluminum -- di.op.sid.ic
          adj

   diopter
          [di.op.ter] n [diopter (an optical instrument), fr. MF dioptre,
          fr. L dioptra, fr. Gk, fr. dia- + opsesthai to be going
          to see--more at optic] (ca. 1864): a unit of measurement
          of the refractive power of lenses equal to the reciprocal
          of the focal length in meters

   dioptric
          [di.op.tric] adj [Gk dioptrikos of a diopter (instrument),
          fr. dioptra] (1653): refractive; specif: assisting vision
          by refracting and focusing light

   diorama
          [di.ora.ma] n [F, fr. dia- + -orama (as in panorama, fr.
          E)] (1823) 1: a scenic representation in which a partly
          translucent painting is seen from a distance through
          an opening 2 a: a scenic representation in which sculptured
          figures and lifelike details are displayed usu. in miniature
          so as to blend indistinguishably with a realistic painted
          background b: a life-size exhibit (as of a wildlife specimen
          or scene) with realistic natural surroundings and a painted
          background -- di.oram.ic adj

   diorite
          [di.o.rite] n [F, irreg. fr. Gk diorizein to distinguish,
          fr. dia- + horizein to define--more at horizon] (1826):
          a granular crystalline igneous rock commonly of acid
          plagioclase and hornblende, pyroxene, or biotite -- di.o.rit.ic
          adj

   Dioscuri
          [Di.os.cu.ri] n pl [NL, fr. Gk Dioskouroi, lit., sons of
          Zeus, fr. Dios (gen. of Zeus; akin to L divus divine)
          + kouroi, pl. of kouros, koros boy--more at deity, crescent]:
          the twins Castor and Pollux reunited as stars in the
          sky by Zeus after Castor's death and regarded as patrons
          of athletes and sailors

   dioxane
          [di.ox.ane] also di.ox.an n [ISV] (1912): a flammable toxic
          liquid diether used esp. as a solvent

   dioxide
          [di.ox.ide] n [ISV] (ca. 1847): an oxide (as carbon dioxide)
          containing two atoms of oxygen in the molecule

   dioxin
          [di.ox.in] n (ca. 1919): any of several heterocyclic hydrocarbons
          that occur esp. as persistent toxic impurities in herbicides;
          esp: tcdd

   [1]dip
          [dip] vb dipped ; dip.ping [ME dippen, fr. OE dyppan; akin
          to OHG tupfen to wash, Lith dubus deep] vt (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to plunge or immerse momentarily or partially under
          the surface (as of a liquid) so as to moisten, cool,
          or coat <~ candles> b: to thrust in a way to suggest
          immersion c: to immerse (as a sheep or dog) in an antiseptic
          or parasiticidal solution 2 a: to lift a portion of by
          reaching below the surface with something shaped to hold
          liquid: ladle b: to take a portion of (snuff) 3 a archaic:
          involve b: mortgage 4 a: to lower and then raise again
          <~ a flag in salute> b chiefly Brit: dim 2 ~ vi 1 a:
          to plunge into a liquid and quickly emerge b: to immerse
          something into a processing liquid or finishing material
          2 a: to suddenly drop down or out of sight b of an airplane:
          to drop suddenly before climbing c: to decline or decrease
          moderately and usu. temporarily <prices dipped> d: to
          lower the body momentarily esp. as part of an athletic
          or dancing motion 3 a: to reach down inside or below
          or as if inside or below a surface esp. to withdraw a
          part of the contents--used with into <dipped into the
          family's savings> 4: to examine or read something casually
          or superficially--used with into 5: to incline downward
          from the plane of the horizon -- dip.pa.ble adj [2]dip
          n (1599) 1: an act of dipping; esp: a brief plunge into
          the water for sport or exercise 2: inclination downward:
          a: pitch b: a sharp downward course: drop c: the angle
          that a stratum or similar geological feature makes with
          a horizontal plane 3: the angle formed with the horizon
          by a magnetic needle free to rotate in the vertical plane
          4: hollow, depression 5: something obtained by or used
          in dipping 6 a: a sauce or soft mixture into which food
          may be dipped b: a liquid preparation for the dipping
          of something; esp: an insecticide or parasiticide for
          the dipping of animals--compare sheep-dip 7 slang: pickpocket
          8: a stupid or unsophisticated person

   dip
          [dip] abbreviation diploma

   dipeptidase
          [di.pep.ti.dase] n (1927): any of various enzymes that hydrolyze
          dipeptides but not polypeptides

   dipeptide
          [di.pep.tide] n (1903): a peptide that yields two molecules
          of amino acid on hydrolysis

   diphasic
          [di.pha.sic] adj (1881): having two phases

   diphenhydramine
          [di.phen.hy.dra.mine] n (1948): an antihistamine used esp.
          in the form of its hydrochloride to treat allergy symptoms
          and motion sickness

   diphenylamine
          [di.phe.nyl.amine] n [ISV] (1872): a crystalline pleasant-smelling
          compound used chiefly in the manufacture of dyes and
          as an indicator

   diphenylhydantoin
          [di.phe.nyl.hy.dan.to.in] n [di- + phenyl + hydrogen + allantoin]
          (1937): phenytoin

   diphosgene
          [di.phos.gene] n [ISV] (ca. 1922): a liquid compound used
          as a poison gas in World War I

   diphosphate
          [di.phos.phate] n (1826): a phosphate containing two phosphate
          groups

   diphosphoglyceric acid
          [di.phos.pho.gly.cer.ic acid] n (1959): a diphosphate of
          glyceric acid that is an important intermediate in photosynthesis
          and in glycolysis and fermentation

   diphosphopyridine nucleotide
          [di.phos.pho.pyr.i.dine nucleotide] n (1938): nad

   diphtheria
          [diph.the.ria] n [NL, fr. F diphtherie, fr. Gk diphthera
          leather; fr. the toughness of the false membrane] (ca.
          1851): an acute febrile contagious disease marked by
          the formation of a false membrane esp. in the throat
          and caused by a bacterium (Corynebacterium diphtheriae)
          that produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart
          and nervous system -- diph.the.ri.al adj -- diph.the.rit.ic
          adj

   [1]diphtheroid
          [diph.the.roid] adj (1861): resembling diphtheria [2]diphtheroid
          n (1908): a bacterium (esp. genus Corynebacterium) that
          resembles the bacterium of diphtheria but does not produce
          diphtheria toxin

   diphthong
          [diph.thong] n [ME diptonge, fr. MF diptongue, fr. LL dipthongus,
          fr. Gk diphthongos, fr. di- + phthongos voice, sound]
          (15c) 1: a gliding monosyllabic speech sound (as the
          vowel combination at the end of toy) that starts at or
          near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves
          to or toward the position of another 2: digraph 3: the
          ligature a and e joined together or o and e joined together
          -- diph.thon.gal adj

   diphthongization
          [diph.thong.i.za.tion] n (1874): the act of diphthongizing:
          the state of being diphthongized

   diphthongize
          [diph.thong.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1867) of a simple
          vowel: to change into a diphthong ~ vt: to pronounce
          as a diphthong

   diphy-
          [diphy-] or diphyo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk diphy-, fr. diphyes,
          fr. di- + phyein to bring forth--more at be]: double:
          bipartite <diphyodont>

   diphyletic
          [di.phy.let.ic] adj (1902): derived from two lines of evolutionary
          descent <~ dinosaurs>

   diphyodont
          [di.phy.odont] adj [ISV] (1854): marked by the successive
          development of deciduous and permanent sets of teeth

   dipl-
          [dipl-] or diplo- comb form [Gk, fr. diploos--more at double]
          1: double: twofold <diplopia> 2: diploid <diplophase>

   diplegia
          [di.ple.gia] n [NL] (ca. 1881): paralysis of corresponding
          parts on both sides of the body

   diploblastic
          [dip.lo.blas.tic] adj (ca. 1885): having two germ layers--used
          of an embryo or lower invertebrate that lacks a true
          mesoderm

   diplococcus
          [dip.lo.coc.cus] n [NL, genus name] (ca. 1881): any of various
          encapsulated bacteria (as Streptococcus pneumoniae, a
          common cause of pneumonia) that usu. occur in pairs and
          that were formerly grouped in a single taxon (genus Diplococcus)
          but are now all assigned to other genera

   diplodocus
          [di.plod.o.cus] n [NL, genus name, fr. dipl- + Gk dokos beam,
          fr. dekesthai, dechesthai to receive; akin to L decere
          to be fitting--more at decent] (1928): any of a genus
          (Diplodocus) of large herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs
          of the late Jurassic period in Colorado and Wyoming

   diploe
          [dip.loe] n [NL, fr. Gk diploe, fr. diploos double] (ca.
          1696): cancellous bony tissue between the external and
          internal layers of the skull -- di.plo.ic adj

   [1]diploid
          [dip.loid] adj [ISV] (1908): having the basic chromosome
          number doubled -- dip.loi.dy n [2]diploid n (1908): a
          single cell, individual, or generation characterized
          by the diploid chromosome number

   diploma
          [di.plo.ma] n, pl diplomas [L, passport, diploma, fr. Gk
          diploma folded paper, passport, fr. diploun to double,
          fr. diploos] (1622) 1 pl also di.plo.ma.ta : an official
          or state document: charter 2: a writing usu. under seal
          conferring some honor or privilege 3: a document bearing
          record of graduation from or of a degree conferred by
          an educational institution

   diplomacy
          [di.plo.ma.cy] n (1796) 1: the art and practice of conducting
          negotiations between nations 2: skill in handling affairs
          without arousing hostility: tact

   diploma mill
          [diploma mill] n (1914): a usu. unregulated institution of
          higher education granting degrees with few or no academic
          requirements

   diplomat
          [dip.lo.mat] n [F diplomate, back-formation fr. diplomatique]
          (1813): one employed or skilled in diplomacy

   diplomate
          [dip.lo.mate] n (1879): one who holds a diploma; esp: a physician
          qualified to practice in a medical specialty by advanced
          training and experience in the specialty followed by
          passing an intensive examination by a national board
          of senior specialists

   diplomatic
          [dip.lo.mat.ic] adj [in sense 1, fr. NL diplomaticus, fr.
          L diplomat-, diploma; in other senses, fr. F diplomatique
          connected with documents regulating international relations,
          fr. NL diplomaticus] (1711) 1 a: paleographic b: exactly
          reproducing the original <a ~ edition> 2: of, relating
          to, or concerned with diplomacy or diplomats <~ relations>
          3: employing tact and conciliation esp. in situations
          of stress syn see suave -- dip.lo.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   diplomatist
          [di.plo.ma.tist] n (1815): diplomat

   diplont
          [dip.lont] n [ISV] (1925): an organism with somatic cells
          having the diploid chromosome number--compare haplont
          -- dip.lon.tic adj

   diplophase
          [dip.lo.phase] n (ca. 1925): a diploid phase in a life cycle

   diplopia
          [dip.lo.pia] n [NL] (ca. 1811): a disorder of vision in which
          two images of a single object are seen because of unequal
          action of the eye muscles--called also double vision
          -- dip.lo.pic adj

   diplopod
          [dip.lo.pod] n [ultim. fr. Gk dipl- + pod-, pous foot--more
          at foot] (ca. 1864): millipede

   diplotene
          [dip.lo.tene] n [ISV] (1925): a stage of meiotic prophase
          which follows the pachytene and during which the paired
          homologous chromosomes begin to separate and chiasmata
          become visible -- diplotene adj

   dip net
          [dip net] n (1820): a bag net with a handle that is used
          esp. to scoop fish from the water -- dip.net vt

   dipnoan
          [dip.no.an] adj [ultim. fr. Gk dipnoos having two breathing
          apertures, fr. di- + pnoe breath, fr. pnein to breathe--more
          at sneeze] (1883): of or relating to a group (Dipnoi)
          of fishes with pulmonary circulation, gills, and lungs
          -- dipnoan n

   dipody
          [dip.o.dy] n, pl -dies [LL dipodia, fr. Gk, fr. dipod-, dipous
          having two feet, fr. di- + pod-, pous] (ca. 1844): a
          prosodic unit or measure of two feet -- di.pod.ic adj

   dipole
          [di.pole] n [ISV] (1912) 1 a: a pair of equal and opposite
          electric charges or magnetic poles of opposite sign separated
          esp. by a small distance b: a body or system (as a molecule)
          having such charges 2: a radio antenna consisting of
          two horizontal rods in line with each other with their
          ends slightly separated -- di.po.lar adj

   dipole moment
          [dipole moment] n (1926): the product of the distance between
          the two poles (as magnetic or electric) of a dipole and
          the magnitude of either pole

   dipper
          [dip.per] n (1611) 1: one that dips: as a: a worker who dips
          articles b: something (as a long-handled cup) used for
          dipping c slang: pickpocket 2: any of a genus (Cinclus
          and esp. C. cinclus of the Old World and C. mexicanus
          of No. America) of birds that comprise an oscine family
          (Cinclidae) related to the thrushes and including individuals
          that are not web-footed but dive into swift mountain
          streams and walk on the bottom in search of food--called
          also water ouzel 3 cap: a group of stars that resembles
          a dipper: as a: big dipper b: little dipper -- dip.per.ful
          n

   dippy
          [dip.py] adj dip.pi.er ; -est [origin unknown] (1911): foolish

   dipso
          [dip.so] n, pl dipsos [by shortening] (1880): one affected
          with dipsomania

   dipsomania
          [dip.so.ma.nia] n [NL, fr. Gk dipsa thirst + LL mania] (ca.
          1844): an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic liquors
          -- dip.so.ma.ni.ac n -- dip.so.ma.ni.a.cal adj

   dipstick
          [dip.stick] n (1927): a graduated rod for indicating depth
          (as of oil in a crankcase)

   dipteran
          [dip.ter.an] adj [ultim. fr. Gk dipteros two-winged, fr.
          di- + pteron wing--more at feather] (ca. 1842): of, relating
          to, or being a fly (sense 2a) -- dipteran n -- dip.ter.ous
          adj

   dipterocarp
          [dip.tero.carp] n [ultim. fr. Gk dipteros + -karpos -carpous]
          (ca. 1876): any of a family (Dipterocarpaceae) of tall
          hardwood trees of tropical Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines
          that have a 2-winged fruit and are the source of valuable
          timber, aromatic oils, and resins; esp: a member of the
          type genus (Dipterocarpus)

   dipteron
          [dip.ter.on] n, pl -tera [Gk, neut. of dipteros] (ca. 1891):
          [4]fly 2a

   diptych
          [dip.tych] n [LL diptycha, pl., fr. Gk, fr. neut. pl. of
          diptychos folded in two, fr. di- + ptyche fold] (1622)
          1: a 2-leaved hinged tablet folding together to protect
          writing on its waxed surfaces 2: a picture or series
          of pictures (as an altarpiece) painted or carved on two
          hinged tablets 3: a work made up of two matching parts

   diquat
          [di.quat] n [di- + quaternary] (1960): a powerful nonpersistent
          herbicide that has been used to control water weeds (as
          the water hyacinth)

   dir
          [dir] abbreviation direction, director

   dirdum
          [dir.dum] n [ME (northern dial.) durdan, durdum uproar, fr.
          Celt; akin to W dwrdd noise, clamor, MIr dordan humming,
          droning] (ca. 1693) Scot: blame

   dire
          [dire] adj dir.er ; dir.est [L dirus; akin to Gk deinos terrifying,
          Skt dvesti he hates] (1567) 1 a: exciting horror <~ suffering>
          b: dismal, oppressive <~ days> 2: warning of disaster
          <a ~ forecast> 3 a: desperately urgent <~ need> b: extreme
          <~ poverty> -- dire.ly adv -- dire.ness n

   [1]direct
          [di.rect] vb [ME, fr. L directus straight, fr. pp. of dirigere
          to direct--more at dress] vt (14c) 1 a obs: to write
          (a letter) to a person b: to mark with the name and address
          of the intended recipient c: to impart orally d: to adapt
          in expression so as to have particular applicability
          <a lawyer who ~s his appeals to intelligence> 2 a: to
          regulate the activities or course of b: to carry out
          the organizing, energizing, and supervising of c: to
          dominate and determine the course of d: to train and
          lead performances of 3: to cause to turn, move, or point
          undeviatingly or to follow a straight course <X rays
          are ~ed through the body> 4: to point, extend, or project
          in a specified line or course 5: to request or enjoin
          with authority 6: to show or point out the way for ~
          vi 1: to point out, prescribe, or determine a course
          or procedure 2: to act as director syn see command, conduct
          [2]direct adj [ME, fr. L directus] (15c) 1 of a celestial
          body: moving in the general planetary direction from
          west to east: not retrograde 2 a: stemming immediately
          from a source <~ result> b: being or passing in a straight
          line of descent from parent to offspring: lineal <~ ancestor>
          c: having no compromising or impairing element <~ insult>
          3 a: proceeding from one point to another in time or
          space without deviation or interruption: straight b:
          proceeding by the shortest way <the ~ route> 4: natural,
          straightforward <~ manner> 5 a: marked by absence of
          an intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence
          b: effected by the action of the people or the electorate
          and not by representatives <~ democracy> c: consisting
          of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer
          6: characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential
          relationship <~ evidence> 7: capable of dyeing without
          the aid of a mordant [3]direct adv (14c): in a direct
          way: as a: from point to point without deviation: by
          the shortest way <flew ~ to Miami> b: from the source
          without interruption or diversion <the writer must take
          his material ~ from life --Douglas Stewart> c: without
          an intervening agency or step <buy ~ from the manufacturer>

   direct action
          [direct action] n (1912): action that seeks to achieve an
          end directly and by the most immediately effective means
          (as boycott or strike)

   direct current
          [direct current] n (ca. 1889): an electric current flowing
          in one direction only and substantially constant in value--abbr.
          DC

   directed
          [di.rect.ed] adj (1891) 1: subject to supervision or regulation
          <a ~ reading program for students> 2: having a positive
          or negative sense <~ line segment> -- di.rect.ed.ness
          n

   direct examination
          [direct examination] n (ca. 1859): the first examination
          of a witness by the party calling the witness--compare
          cross-examination

   direction
          [di.rec.tion] n (15c) 1: guidance or supervision of action
          or conduct: management 2 archaic: superscription 3 a:
          an explicit instruction: order b: assistance in pointing
          out the proper route--usu. used in pl. <asked for ~s
          to the beach> 4: the line or course on which something
          is moving or is aimed to move or along which something
          is pointing or facing 5 archaic: directorate 1 6 a: a
          channel or direct course of thought or action b: tendency,
          trend c: a guiding, governing, or motivating purpose
          7 a: the art and technique of directing an orchestra,
          band, or a show (as for stage or screen) b: a word, phrase,
          or sign indicating the appropriate tempo, mood, or intensity
          of a passage or movement in music -- di.rec.tion.less
          adj -- di.rec.tion.less.ness n

   directional
          [di.rec.tion.al] adj (1881) 1: of, relating to, or indicating
          direction in space: a: suitable for detecting the direction
          from which radio signals come or for sending out radio
          signals in one direction only b: operating most effectively
          in a particular direction 2: relating to direction or
          guidance esp. of thought or effort -- di.rec.tion.al.i.ty
          n

   direction angle
          [direction angle] n (ca. 1909): an angle made by a given
          line with an axis of reference; specif: such an angle
          made by a straight line with the three axes of a rectangular
          Cartesian coordinate system--usu. used in pl.

   direction cosine
          [direction cosine] n (ca. 1889): any of the cosines of the
          three angles between a directed line in space and the
          positive direction of the axes of a rectangular Cartesian
          coordinate system--usu. used in pl.

   direction finder
          [direction finder] n (1913): a radio receiving device for
          determining the direction of incoming radio waves that
          typically consists of a coil antenna rotating freely
          on a vertical axis

   [1]directive
          [di.rec.tive] adj (15c) 1: serving or intended to guide,
          govern, or influence 2: serving to point direction; specif:
          directional 1b 3: of or relating to psychotherapy or
          counseling in which the counselor introduces information,
          content, or attitudes not previously expressed by the
          client [2]directive n (1902): something that serves to
          direct, guide, and usu. impel toward an action or goal;
          esp: an authoritative instrument issued by a high-level
          body or official

   directivity
          [di.rec.tiv.i.ty] n (1928): the property of being directional

   direct lighting
          [direct lighting] n (1928): lighting in which the greater
          part of the light goes directly from the source to the
          area lit

   [1]directly
          [di.rect.ly] adv (15c) 1 a: in a direct manner <~ relevant>
          <the road runs ~ east and west> b: in immediate physical
          contact c: in the manner of direct variation 2 a: without
          delay: immediately b: in a little while: shortly [2]di.rect.ly
          conj (1795) chiefly Brit: immediately after: as soon
          as <~ I received it I rang up the shipping company --F.
          W. Crofts>

   directly proportional
          [directly proportional] n (1796): related by direct
          variation--compare inversely proportional

   direct mail
          [direct mail] n (ca. 1923): printed matter (as circulars)
          prepared for soliciting business or contributions and
          mailed directly to individuals

   directness
          [di.rect.ness] n (1598) 1: the character of being accurate
          in course or aim 2: strict pertinence: straightforwardness
          <her ~ was disarming --Robin Cook>

   direct object
          [direct object] n (1879): a word or phrase denoting the goal
          or the result of the action of a verb

   Directoire
          [Di.rec.toire] adj [F, fr. Directoire, the group of five
          officials who governed France from 1795-99, fr. directeur
          director] (1878): of, relating to, or imitative of the
          style of clothing, furniture, or decoration prevalent
          in France during the period of the Directory

   director
          [di.rec.tor] n (15c): one that directs: as a: the head of
          an organized group or administrative unit (as a bureau
          or school) b: one of a group of persons entrusted with
          the overall direction of a corporate enterprise c: one
          that supervises the production of a show (as for stage
          or screen) usu. with responsibility for action, lighting,
          music, and rehearsals d: conductor c -- di.rec.tor.ship
          n

   directorate
          [di.rec.tor.ate] n (1837) 1: the office of director 2 a:
          a board of directors (as of a corporation) b: membership
          on a board of directors 3: an executive staff (as of
          a department)

   directorial
          [di.rec.to.ri.al] adj (1770) 1: serving to direct 2: of or
          relating to a director or to theatrical or motion-picture
          direction 3: of, relating to, or administered by a directory

   director's chair
          [director's chair] n [fr. its use by motion-picture directors
          on the set] (1953): a lightweight folding armchair with
          a back and seat usu. of cotton duck

   [1]directory
          [di.rec.to.ry] adj (15c): serving to direct; specif: providing
          advisory but not compulsory guidance [2]directory n,
          pl -ries [ME directorie guide, fr. ML directorium, fr.
          neut. of LL directorius directorial, fr. L dirigere]
          (1543) 1 a: a book or collection of directions, rules,
          or ordinances b: an alphabetical or classified list (as
          of names and addresses) 2: a body of directors

   direct primary
          [direct primary] n (1900): a primary in which nominations
          of candidates for office are made by direct vote

   direct product
          [direct product] n (ca. 1925): cartesian product; esp: a
          group that is the Cartesian product of two other groups

   directress
          [di.rec.tress] n (1580): a woman who is a director

   directrice
          [di.rec.trice] n [F, fr. ML directric-, directrix] (1631):
          directress

   directrix
          [di.rec.trix] n, pl -trix.es also -tri.ces [ML, fem. of LL
          director, fr. L dirigere] (1622) 1 archaic: directress
          2: a fixed curve with which a generatrix maintains a
          given relationship in generating a geometric figure;
          specif: a straight line the distance to which from any
          point of a conic section is in fixed ratio to the distance
          from the same point to a focus

   direct sum
          [direct sum] n (ca. 1928): cartesian product--compare direct
          product

   direct tax
          [direct tax] n (1801): a tax exacted directly from the taxpayer

   direct variation
          [direct variation] n (1949) 1: mathematical relationship
          between two variables that can be expressed by an equation
          in which one variable is equal to a constant times the
          other 2: an equation or function expressing direct
          variation--compare inverse variation

   direful
          [dire.ful] adj (1583) 1: dreadful 2: ominous -- dire.ful.ly
          adv

   dire wolf
          [dire wolf] n (1925): a large extinct lupine mammal (Canis
          dirus) known from Pleistocene deposits of No. America

   dirge
          [dirge] n [ME dirige, the Office of the Dead, fr. the first
          word of a LL antiphon, fr. L, imper. of dirigere to direct--more
          at dress] (13c) 1: a song or hymn of grief or lamentation;
          esp: one intended to accompany funeral or memorial rites
          2: a slow, solemn, and mournful piece of music 3: something
          (as a poem) that has the qualities of a dirge -- dirge.like
          adj

   dirham
          [dir.ham] n [Ar, fr. L drachma drachma] (1788) 1: the basic
          monetary unit of Morocco and United Arab Emirates 2:
          a monetary unit equal to 1/1000 dinar (Libya) and 1/100
          riyal (Qatar)

   [1]dirigible
          [di.ri.gi.ble] adj [L dirigere] (1581): capable of being
          steered [2]dirigible n [dirigible (balloon)] (1885):
          airship

   dirigisme
          [di.ri.gisme] n [F, fr. diriger to direct (fr. L dirigere)
          + -isme -ism] (1947): economic planning and control by
          the state -- di.ri.giste adj

   dirigo
          [di.ri.go] [L] foreign term : I direct--motto of Maine

   [1]dirk
          [dirk] n [Sc durk] (1557): a long straight-bladed dagger
          [2]dirk vt (1599): to stab with a dirk

   dirl
          [dirl] vi [perh. alter. of thirl] (1715) Scot: tremble, quiver

   dirndl
          [dirndl] n [short for G Dirndlkleid, fr. G dial. Dirndl girl
          + G Kleid dress] (1937) 1: a dress style with tight bodice,
          short sleeves, low neck, and gathered skirt 2: a full
          skirt with a tight waistband

   dirt
          [dirt] n [ME drit, fr. ON; akin to OE dritan to defecate]
          (13c) 1 a: excrement b: a filthy or soiling substance
          (as mud, dust, or grime) c archaic: something worthless
          d: a contemptible person 2: loose or packed soil or sand:
          earth 3 a: an abject or filthy state: squalor b: corruption,
          chicanery c: licentiousness of language or theme d: scandalous
          or malicious gossip e: embarrassing or incriminating
          information

   dirtbag
          [dirt.bag] n (ca. 1967) slang: a dirty, unkempt, or contemptible
          person

   dirt bike
          [dirt bike] n (1970): a usu. lightweight motorcycle designed
          for operation on unpaved surfaces

   dirt cheap
          [dirt cheap] adj or adv (1821): exceedingly cheap

   dirt farmer
          [dirt farmer] n (1920): a farmer who earns his living by
          farming his own land esp. without the help of hired hands
          or tenants

   dirt-poor
          [dirt-poor] adj (1937): suffering extreme poverty

   [1]dirty
          [dirty] adj dirt.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: not clean or pure
          <~ clothes> b: likely to befoul or defile with dirt <~
          jobs> c: tedious, disagreeable, and unrecognized or thankless
          <had to do the ~ work> d: contaminated with infecting
          organisms <~ wounds> e: containing impurities <~ coal>
          2 a: morally unclean or corrupt: as (1): indecent, vulgar
          <~ jokes> <a ~ movie> (2): dishonorable, base <~ tricks>
          (3): unsportsmanlike <~ players> b: acquired by disreputable
          or illegal means: ill-gotten <~ money> 3 a: abominable,
          hateful <war is a ~ business> b: highly regrettable <a
          ~ shame> 4: foggy, stormy <~ weather> 5 a of color: not
          clear and bright: dullish <~ blond> b: characterized
          by a husky, rasping, or raw tonal quality <~ trumpet
          tones> 6: conveying ill-natured resentment <gave him
          a ~ look> 7: having considerable fallout <~ bombs> --
          dirt.i.ly adv -- dirt.i.ness n syn dirty, filthy, foul,
          nasty, squalid mean conspicuously unclean or impure.
          dirty emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional
          reaction to it <a dirty littered street>. filthy carries
          a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of
          gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears
          <a stained greasy floor, utterly filthy>. foul implies
          extreme offensiveness and an accumulation of what is
          rotten or stinking <a foul-smelling open sewer>. nasty
          applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one
          expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness <it's
          a nasty job to clean up after a sick cat>. In practice,
          nasty is often weakened to the point of being no more
          than a synonym of unpleasant or disagreeable <had a nasty
          fall> <his answer gave her a nasty shock>. squalid adds
          to the idea of dirtiness and filth that of slovenly neglect
          <squalid slums>. All these terms are also applicable
          to moral uncleanness or baseness or obscenity. dirty
          then stresses meanness or despicableness <don't ask me
          to do your dirty work>, while filthy and foul describe
          disgusting obscenity or loathsome behavior <filthy street
          language> <a foul story of lust and greed>, and nasty
          implies a peculiarly offensive unpleasantness <a stand-up
          comedian known for nasty humor>. Distinctively, squalid
          implies sordidness as well as baseness and dirtiness
          <engaged in a series of squalid affairs>. [2]dirty adv
          dirt.i.er ; -est (ca. 1934): in a dirty manner: as a:
          deceptively, underhandedly <fight ~> b: indecently <talk
          ~> [3]dirty vb dirt.ied ; dirty.ing vt (1591) 1: to make
          dirty 2 a: to stain with dishonor: sully b: to debase
          by distorting the real nature of ~ vi: to become soiled

   dirty linen
          [dirty linen] n (1946): private matters whose public exposure
          brings distress and embarrassment--called also dirty
          laundry

   dirty old man
          [dirty old man] n (1932): a lecherous older man

   dirty pool
          [dirty pool] n (1940): underhanded or unsportsmanlike conduct

   dirty rice
          [dirty rice] n (ca. 1967): a Cajun dish of white rice cooked
          with chopped or ground giblets

   dirty word
          [dirty word] n (1842): a word, expression, or idea that is
          disagreeable or unpopular in a particular frame of reference

   dis
          [dis] vt dissed ; dis.sing [perh. short for disrespect] (1986)
          1 slang: to treat with disrespect or contempt: insult
          2 slang: to find fault with: criticize Dis n [L]: the
          Roman god of the underworld--compare pluto

   dis
          [dis] abbreviation discharge, discount, distance

   dis-
          [dis-] prefix [ME dis-, des-, fr. OF & L; OF des-, dis-,
          fr. L dis-, lit., apart; akin to OE te- apart, L duo
          two--more at two] 1 a: do the opposite of <disestablish>
          b: deprive of (a specified quality, rank, or object)
          <disfranchise> c: exclude or expel from <disbar> 2: opposite
          or absence of <disunion> <disaffection> 3: not <disagreeable>
          4: completely <disannul> 5 [by folk etymology]: dys-
          <disfunction>

   disability
          [dis.abil.i.ty] n (1580) 1 a: the condition of being disabled
          b: inability to pursue an occupation because of physical
          or mental impairment 2: lack of legal qualification to
          do something 3: a disqualification, restriction, or disadvantage

   disable
          [dis.able] vt dis.abled ; dis.abling (15c) 1: to deprive
          of legal right, qualification, or capacity 2: to make
          incapable or ineffective; esp: to deprive of physical,
          moral, or intellectual strength syn see weaken -- dis.able.ment
          n

   disabled
          [dis.abled] adj (1633): incapacitated by illness, injury,
          or wounds; broadly: physically or mentally impaired

   disabuse
          [dis.abuse] vt [F desabuser, fr. des- dis- + abuser to abuse]
          (1611): to free from error, fallacy, or misconception

   disaccharidase
          [di.sac.cha.ri.dase] n (1961): an enzyme (as maltase or lactase)
          that hydrolyzes disaccharides

   disaccharide
          [di.sac.cha.ride] n (1892): any of a class of sugars (as
          sucrose) that yields on hydrolysis two monosaccharide
          molecules

   disaccord
          [dis.ac.cord] vi [ME disacorden, fr. MF desacorder, fr. desacort
          disagreement, fr. des- dis- + acort accord] (15c): clash,
          disagree -- disaccord n

   disaccustom
          [dis.ac.cus.tom] vt [MF desaccoustumer, fr. OF desacostumer,
          fr. des- dis- + acostumer to accustom] (1530): to free
          from a habit

   [1]disadvantage
          [dis.ad.van.tage] n [ME disavauntage, fr. MF desavantage,
          fr. OF, fr. des- dis- + avantage advantage] (14c) 1:
          loss or damage esp. to reputation, credit, or finances:
          detriment 2 a: an unfavorable, inferior, or prejudicial
          condition <we were at a ~> b: handicap <it put us under
          a serious ~> [2]disadvantage vt (ca. 1534): to place
          at a disadvantage: harm

   disadvantaged
          [dis.ad.van.taged] adj (1648): lacking in the basic resources
          or conditions (as standard housing, medical and educational
          facilities, and civil rights) believed to be necessary
          for an equal position in society -- dis.ad.van.taged.ness
          n

   disadvantageous
          [dis.ad.van.ta.geous] adj (1603) 1: constituting a disadvantage
          2: derogatory, disparaging -- dis.ad.van.ta.geous.ly
          adv -- dis.ad.van.ta.geous.ness n

   disaffect
          [dis.af.fect] vt (1641): to alienate the affection or loyalty
          of syn see estrange -- dis.af.fec.tion n

   disaffected
          [dis.af.fect.ed] adj (1632): discontented and resentful esp.
          against authority: rebellious

   disaffiliate
          [dis.af.fil.i.ate] vt (1870): disassociate ~ vi: to terminate
          an affiliation -- dis.af.fil.i.a.tion n

   disaffirm
          [dis.af.firm] vt (1531) 1: to refuse to confirm: annul, repudiate
          2: contradict -- dis.af.fir.mance n

   disaggregate
          [dis.ag.gre.gate] vt (ca. 1828): to separate into component
          parts <~ sandstone> <~ demographic data> ~ vi: to break
          up or apart <the molecules of a gel ~ to form a sol>
          -- dis.ag.gre.ga.tion n -- dis.ag.gre.ga.tive adj

   disagree
          [dis.agree] vi [ME, fr. MF desagreer, fr. des- dis- + agreer
          to agree] (15c) 1: to fail to agree <the two accounts
          ~> 2: to differ in opinion <he disagreed with me on every
          topic> 3: to cause discomfort or distress <fried foods
          ~ with me>

   disagreeable
          [dis.agree.able] adj (15c) 1: causing discomfort: unpleasant,
          offensive 2: marked by ill temper: peevish -- dis.agree.able.ness
          n -- dis.agree.ably adv

   disagreement
          [dis.agree.ment] n (15c) 1: the act of disagreeing 2 a: the
          state of being at variance: disparity b: quarrel

   dis aliter visum
          [dis ali.ter vi.sum] [L] foreign term : the Gods decreed
          otherwise

   disallow
          [dis.al.low] vt (14c) 1: to deny the force, truth, or validity
          of 2: to refuse to allow -- dis.al.low.ance n

   disambiguate
          [dis.am.big.u.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1963): to establish
          a single semantic or grammatical interpretation for --
          dis.am.big.u.a.tion n

   disannul
          [dis.an.nul] vt (15c): annul, cancel

   disappear
          [dis.ap.pear] vi (15c) 1: to pass from view 2: to cease to
          be: pass out of existence or notice ~ vt: to cause the
          disappearance of -- dis.ap.pear.ance n

   disappoint
          [dis.ap.point] vb [ME disapoynten, fr. MF desapointier, fr.
          des- dis- + apointier to arrange--more at appoint] vt
          (15c): to fail to meet the expectation or hope of: frustrate
          ~ vi: to cause disappointment <where the show ~s most
          is in the work of the younger generation --John Ashbery>

   disappointed
          [dis.ap.point.ed] adj (1537) 1: defeated in expectation or
          hope 2 obs: not adequately equipped -- dis.ap.point.ed.ly
          adv

   disappointing
          [dis.ap.point.ing] adj (1530): failing to meet expectations
          -- dis.ap.point.ing.ly adv

   disappointment
          [dis.ap.point.ment] n (1614) 1: the act or an instance of
          disappointing: the state or emotion of being disappointed
          2: one that disappoints

   disapprobation
          [dis.ap.pro.ba.tion] n (1647): the act or state of disapproving:
          the state of being disapproved: condemnation

   disapproval
          [dis.ap.prov.al] n (1662): disapprobation, censure

   disapprove
          [dis.ap.prove] vt (1647) 1: to pass unfavorable judgment
          on 2: to refuse approval to: reject ~ vi: to feel or
          express disapproval -- dis.ap.prov.er n -- dis.ap.prov.ing.ly
          adv

   disarm
          [dis.arm] vb [ME desarmen, lit., to divest of arms, fr. MF
          desarmer, fr. OF, fr. des- dis- + armer to arm] vt (14c)
          1 a: to deprive of means, reason, or disposition to be
          hostile b: to win over 2 a: to divest of arms b: to deprive
          of a means of attack or defense c: to make harmless ~
          vi 1: to lay aside arms 2: to give up or reduce armed
          forces -- dis.ar.ma.ment n -- dis.arm.er n

   disarming
          [dis.arm.ing] adj (1839): allaying criticism or hostility:
          ingratiating -- dis.arm.ing.ly adv

   disarrange
          [dis.ar.range] vt (1744): to disturb the arrangement or order
          of -- dis.ar.range.ment n

   [1]disarray
          [dis.ar.ray] n (15c) 1: a lack of order or sequence: confusion,
          disorder 2: disorderly dress: dishabille [2]disarray
          vt [ME disarayen, fr. MF desarroyer, fr. OF desareer,
          fr. des- dis- + areer to array] (14c) 1: to throw into
          disorder 2: undress

   disarticulate
          [dis.ar.tic.u.late] vi (1830): to become disjointed ~ vt:
          disjoint -- dis.ar.tic.u.la.tion n

   disassemble
          [dis.as.sem.ble] vt (1903): to take apart <~ a watch> ~ vi
          1: to come apart <the frame ~s into sections> 2: disperse,
          scatter <the crowd began to ~> -- dis.as.sem.bly n

   disassociate
          [dis.as.so.ci.ate] vt (1603): to detach from association:
          dissociate -- dis.as.so.ci.a.tion n

   disaster
          [di.sas.ter] n [MF & OIt; MF desastre, fr. OIt disastro,
          fr. dis- (fr. L) + astro star, fr. L astrum--more at
          astral] (1591) 1: a sudden calamitous event bringing
          great damage, loss, or destruction; broadly: a sudden
          or great misfortune or failure 2 obs: an unfavorable
          aspect of a planet or star

   disaster area
          [disaster area] n (1953): an area officially declared to
          be the scene of an emergency created by a disaster and
          therefore qualified to receive certain types of governmental
          aid (as emergency loans and relief supplies)

   disastrous
          [di.sas.trous] adj (1603) 1: attended by or causing suffering
          or disaster: calamitous 2: terrible, horrendous <a ~
          score> -- di.sas.trous.ly adv

   disavow
          [dis.avow] vt [ME desavowen, fr. MF desavouer, fr. OF, fr.
          des- dis- + avouer to avow] (14c) 1: to deny responsibility
          for: repudiate 2: to refuse to acknowledge: disclaim
          -- dis.avow.able adj -- dis.avow.al n

   disband
          [dis.band] vb [MF desbander, fr. des- dis- + bande band]
          vt (1591): to break up the organization of: dissolve
          ~ vi: to break up as an organization: disperse -- dis.band.ment
          n

   disbar
          [dis.bar] vt (1633): to expel from the bar or the legal profession:
          deprive (an attorney) of legal status and privileges
          -- dis.bar.ment n

   disbelief
          [dis.be.lief] n (1672): the act of disbelieving: mental rejection
          of something as untrue

   disbelieve
          [dis.be.lieve] vt (ca. 1644): to hold not worthy of belief:
          not believe ~ vi: to withhold or reject belief -- dis.be.liev.er
          n

   disbenefit
          [dis.ben.e.fit] n (1968): something disadvantageous or
          objectionable: drawback

   disbud
          [dis.bud] vt (1727) 1: to thin out flower buds in order to
          improve the quality of bloom of 2: to dehorn (cattle)
          by destroying the undeveloped horn bud

   disburden
          [dis.bur.den] vt (1532) 1 a: to rid of a burden <~ a pack
          animal> b: unburden <~ your conscience> 2: unload <~ed
          their merchandise in the town square> ~ vi: discharge
          <the vessels ~ed at the dock> -- dis.bur.den.ment n

   disburse
          [dis.burse] vt dis.bursed ; dis.burs.ing [MF desbourser,
          fr. OF desborser, fr. des- dis- + borser to get money,
          fr. borse burse] (1530) 1 a: to pay out: expend esp.
          from a fund b: to make a payment in settlement of 2:
          distribute -- dis.burs.er n

   disbursement
          [dis.burse.ment] n (1596): the act of disbursing; also: funds
          paid out

   disc
          [disc] var of disk

   disc-
          [disc-] or disci- or disco- comb form [L, fr. Gk disk-, disko-,
          fr. diskos] 1: disk <discoid> 2: phonograph record <discophile>

   disc
          [disc] abbreviation discount

   discalced
          [dis.calced] adj [part trans. of L discalceatus, fr. dis-
          + calceatus, pp. of calceare to put on shoes, fr. calceus
          shoe, fr. calc-, calx heel] (1631): unshod, barefoot
          <~ friars>

   discant
          [dis.cant] var of descant

   [1]discard
          [dis.card] vt (ca. 1586) 1: to get rid of esp. as useless
          or unpleasant 2 a: to remove (a playing card) from one's
          hand b: to play (any card except a trump) from a suit
          different from the one led ~ vi: to discard a playing
          card -- dis.card.able adj -- dis.card.er n syn discard,
          cast, shed, slough, scrap, junk mean to get rid of. discard
          implies the letting go or throwing away of something
          that has become useless or superfluous though often not
          intrinsically valueless <discard old clothes>. cast,
          esp. when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful
          rejection or repudiation <cast off her friends>. shed
          and slough imply a throwing off of something both useless
          and encumbering and often suggest a consequent renewal
          of vitality or luster <shed a bad habit> <finally sloughed
          off the depression>. scrap and junk imply throwing away
          or breaking up as worthless in existent form <scrap all
          the old ways> <would junk our educational system>. [2]dis.card
          n (1744) 1 a: the act of discarding in a card game b:
          a card discarded 2: one that is cast off or rejected

   discarnate
          [dis.car.nate] adj [dis- + -carnate (as in incarnate)] (1895):
          having no physical body: incorporeal

   disc brake
          [disc brake] n (1904): a brake that operates by the friction
          of a caliper pressing against the sides of a rotating
          disc

   discern
          [dis.cern] vb [ME, fr. MF discerner, fr. L discernere to
          separate, distinguish between, fr. dis- apart + cernere
          to sift--more at dis-, certain] vt (14c) 1 a: to detect
          with the eyes b: to detect with senses other than vision
          2: to recognize or identify as separate and distinct:
          discriminate 3: to come to know or recognize mentally
          ~ vi: to see or understand the difference -- dis.cern.er
          n -- dis.cern.ible also dis.cern.able adj -- dis.cern.ibly
          adv

   discerning
          [dis.cern.ing] adj (1589): showing insight and understanding:
          discriminating <a ~ critic> -- dis.cern.ing.ly adv

   discernment
          [dis.cern.ment] n (1586) 1: the quality of being able to
          grasp and comprehend what is obscure: skill in discerning
          2: an act of discerning syn discernment, discrimination,
          perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power
          to see what is not evident to the average mind. discernment
          stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives
          or appreciating art) <the discernment to know true friends>.
          discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and
          select what is true or appropriate or excellent <the
          discrimination that develops through listening to a lot
          of great music>. perception implies quick and often sympathetic
          discernment (as of shades of feeling) <a novelist of
          keen perception into human motives>. penetration implies
          a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or
          superficial <lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath
          their friendly smiles>. insight suggests depth of discernment
          coupled with understanding sympathy <a documentary providing
          insight into the plight of the homeless>. acumen implies
          characteristic penetration combined with keen practical
          judgment <a director of reliable box-office acumen>.

   [1]discharge
          [dis.charge] vb [ME, fr. MF descharger, fr. LL discarricare,
          fr. L dis- + LL carricare to load--more at charge] vt
          (14c) 1: to relieve of a charge, load, or burden: a:
          unload b: to release from an obligation c: to release
          electrical energy from (as a battery or capacitor) by
          a discharge 2 a: to let or put off <~ passengers> <~
          cargo> b: shoot <~ an arrow> c: to release from confinement,
          custody, or care <~ a prisoner> d: to give outlet or
          vent to: emit 3 a (1): to dismiss from employment (2):
          to release from service or duty <~ a soldier> b: to get
          rid of (as a debt or obligation) by performing an appropriate
          action (as payment) c: to set aside: annul d: to order
          (a legislative committee) to end consideration of a bill
          in order to bring it before the house for action 4: to
          bear and distribute (as the weight of a wall above an
          opening) 5: to bleach out or remove (color or dye) in
          dyeing and printing textiles 6: to cancel the record
          of the loan of (a library book) upon return ~ vi 1 a:
          to throw off or deliver a load, charge, or burden b:
          to release electrical energy by a discharge 2 a: go off,
          fire--used of a gun b: spread, run <some dyes ~> c: to
          pour forth fluid or other contents syn see perform --
          dis.charge.able adj -- dis.charg.ee n -- dis.charg.er
          n [2]dis.charge n (14c) 1 a: the act of relieving of
          something that oppresses: release b: something that discharges
          or releases; esp: a certification of release or payment
          2: the state of being discharged or relieved 3: the act
          of discharging or unloading 4: legal release from confinement
          5: a firing off 6 a: a flowing or issuing out <a ~ of
          spores>; also: a rate of flow b: something that is emitted
          <a purulent ~> 7: the act of removing an obligation or
          liability 8 a: release or dismissal esp. from an office
          or employment b: complete separation from military service
          9 a: the equalization of a difference of electric potential
          between two points b: the conversion of the chemical
          energy of a battery into electrical energy

   discharge lamp
          [discharge lamp] n (1936): an electric lamp in which an enclosed
          gas or vapor glows or causes a phosphor coating on the
          lamp's inner surface to glow

   discharge tube
          [discharge tube] n (1898): an electron tube which contains
          gas or vapor at low pressure and through which conduction
          takes place when a high voltage is applied

   disci-
          [disci-] --see disc-

   disciform
          [dis.ci.form] adj (1830): round or oval in shape

   disciple
          [dis.ci.ple] n [ME, fr. OE discipul & OF desciple, fr. LL
          and L; LL discipulus follower of Jesus Christ in his
          lifetime, fr. L, pupil] (bef. 12c) 1: one who accepts
          and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as
          a: one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's
          followers according to the Gospel accounts b: a convinced
          adherent of a school or individual 2 cap: a member of
          the Disciples of Christ founded in the U.S. in 1809 that
          holds the Bible alone to be the rule of faith and practice,
          usu. baptizes by immersion, and has a congregational
          polity syn see follower -- dis.ci.ple.ship n

   disciplinable
          [dis.ci.plin.able] adj (15c) 1: docile, teachable 2: subject
          to or deserving discipline <a ~ offense>

   disciplinarian
          [dis.ci.pli.nar.i.an] n (1639): one who disciplines or enforces
          order -- disciplinarian adj

   disciplinary
          [dis.ci.plin.ary] adj (1598) 1 a: of or relating to discipline
          b: designed to correct or punish breaches of discipline
          <took ~ action> 2: of or relating to a particular field
          of study -- dis.ci.plin.ar.i.ly adv -- dis.ci.plin.ar.i.ty
          n

   [1]discipline
          [dis.ci.pline] n [ME, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L disciplina teaching,
          learning, fr. discipulus pupil] (13c) 1: punishment 2
          obs: instruction 3: a field of study 4: training that
          corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or
          moral character 5 a: control gained by enforcing obedience
          or order b: orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern
          of behavior c: self-control 6: a rule or system of rules
          governing conduct or activity -- dis.ci.plin.al adj [2]discipline
          vt -plined ; -plin.ing (14c) 1: to punish or penalize
          for the sake of discipline 2: to train or develop by
          instruction and exercise esp. in self-control 3 a: to
          bring (a group) under control <~ troops> b: to impose
          order upon <serious writers ~ and refine their writing
          styles> syn see punish, teach -- dis.ci.plin.er n

   disciplined
          [dis.ci.plined] adj (14c): marked by or possessing discipline
          <a ~ mind>

   disc jockey
          [disc jockey] n (1941): an announcer of a radio show of popular
          recorded music; also: one who plays recorded music for
          dancing at a nightclub or party

   disclaim
          [dis.claim] vb [ME, fr. AF disclaimer, fr. dis- + claimer
          to claim, fr. OF clamer] vi (15c) 1: to make a disclaimer
          2 a obs: to disavow all part or share b: to utter denial
          ~ vt 1: to renounce a legal claim to 2: deny, disavow
          <~ed any knowledge of the contents of the letter>

   disclaimer
          [dis.claim.er] n (15c) 1 a: a denial or disavowal of legal
          claim: relinquishment of or formal refusal to accept
          an interest or estate b: a writing that embodies a legal
          disclaimer 2 a: denial, disavowal b: repudiation

   disclamation
          [dis.cla.ma.tion] n (1592): renunciation, disavowal

   disclimax
          [dis.cli.max] n (1935): a relatively stable ecological community
          often including kinds of organisms foreign to the region
          and displacing the climax because of disturbance esp.
          by man

   [1]disclose
          [dis.close] vt [ME, fr. MF desclos-, stem of desclore to
          disclose, fr. ML disclaudere to open, fr. L dis- + claudere
          to close--more at close] (14c) 1 obs: to open up 2 a:
          to expose to view b archaic: hatch c: to make known or
          public <demands that politicians ~ the sources of their
          income> syn see reveal -- dis.clos.er n [2]disclose n
          (1548) obs: disclosure

   disclosing
          [dis.clos.ing] adj (1965): being or using an agent (as a
          tablet or liquid) that contains a usu. red dye that stains
          dental plaque

   disclosure
          [dis.clo.sure] n (ca. 1598) 1: the act or an instance of
          disclosing: exposure 2: something disclosed: revelation

   [1]disco
          [dis.co] n, pl discos [short for discotheque] (1964) 1: a
          nightclub for dancing to live and recorded music 2: popular
          dance music characterized by hypnotic rhythm, repetitive
          lyrics, and electronically produced sounds [2]disco vi
          (1979): to dance to disco music

   disco-
          [disco-] --see disc-

   discographer
          [dis.cog.ra.pher] n (1941): a person who compiles discographies

   discography
          [dis.cog.ra.phy] n, pl -phies [F discographie, fr. disc-
          + -graphie -graphy] (1933) 1: a descriptive list of phonograph
          records by category, composer, performer, or date of
          release 2: the history of recorded music -- dis.co.graph.i.cal
          also dis.co.graph.ic adj

   discoid
          [dis.coid] adj [LL discoides quoit-shaped, fr. Gk diskoeides,
          fr. diskos disk] (1794) 1: relating to or having a disk:
          as a of a composite floret: situated in the floral disk
          b of a composite flower head: having only tubular florets
          2: flat and circular like a disc

   discoidal
          [dis.coi.dal] adj (ca. 1706): of, resembling, or producing
          a disk

   discoidal cleavage
          [discoidal cleavage] n (ca. 1909): meroblastic cleavage in
          which a disk of cells is produced at the animal pole
          of the zygote (as in bird eggs)

   discolor
          [dis.col.or] vb [ME discolouren, fr. MF descolourer, fr.
          LL discolorari, fr. L discolor of another color, fr.
          dis- + color color] vt (14c): to alter or change the
          hue or color of ~ vi: to change color esp. for the worse

   discoloration
          [dis.col.or.ation] n (1642) 1: the act of discoloring: the
          state of being discolored 2: a discolored spot or formation:
          stain

   discombobulate
          [dis.com.bob.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [prob. alter.
          of discompose] (ca. 1916): upset, confuse <the offensive
          had discombobulated all the German defensive arrangements
          --A. J. Liebling> -- dis.com.bob.u.la.tion n

   [1]discomfit
          [dis.com.fit] vt [ME, fr. OF desconfit, pp. of desconfire,
          fr. des- dis- + confire to prepare--more at comfit] (13c)
          1 a archaic: to defeat in battle b: to frustrate the
          plans of: thwart 2: to put into a state of perplexity
          and embarrassment: disconcert syn see embarrass [2]discomfit
          n (15c): discomfiture

   discomfiture
          [dis.com.fi.ture] n (14c): the act of discomfiting: the state
          of being discomfited

   [1]discomfort
          [dis.com.fort] vt [ME, fr. MF desconforter, fr. OF, fr. des-
          dis- + conforter to comfort] (14c) 1 archaic: dismay
          2: to make uncomfortable or uneasy -- dis.com.fort.able
          adj [2]discomfort n (14c) 1 archaic: distress, grief
          2: mental or physical uneasiness: annoyance

   discommend
          [dis.com.mend] vt [ME dyscommenden] (15c) 1: disapprove,
          disparage 2: to cause to be viewed unfavorably

   discommode
          [dis.com.mode] vt -mod.ed ; -mod.ing [MF discommoder, fr.
          dis- + commode convenient--more at commode] (ca. 1721):
          to cause inconvenience to: trouble

   discompose
          [dis.com.pose] vt [ME] (15c) 1: to destroy the composure
          of 2: to disturb the order of -- dis.com.po.sure n syn
          discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset,
          fluster mean to destroy capacity for collected thought
          or decisive action. discompose implies some degree of
          loss of self-control or self-confidence esp. through
          emotional stress <discomposed by the loss of his beloved
          wife>. dis quiet suggests loss of sense of security or
          peace of mind <the disquieting news of factories closing>.
          disturb implies interference with one's mental processes
          caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption <the discrepancy
          in accounts disturbed me>. perturb implies deep disturbance
          of mind and emotions <perturbed by her husband's strange
          behavior>. agitate suggests obvious external signs of
          nervous or emotional excitement <in his agitated state
          we could see he was unable to work>. upset implies the
          disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment,
          distress, or grief <the family's constant bickering upsets
          the youngest child>. fluster suggests bewildered agitation
          <his declaration of love completely flustered her>.

   disconcert
          [dis.con.cert] vt [obs. F disconcerter, alter. of MF desconcerter,
          fr. desdis- + concerter to concert] (1687) 1: to throw into
          confusion 2: to disturb the composure of syn see embarrass
          -- dis.con.cert.ing adj -- dis.con.cert.ing.ly adv --
          dis.con.cert.ment n

   disconfirm
          [dis.con.firm] vt (1936): to deny the validity of

   disconformity
          [dis.con.for.mi.ty] n (1587) 1: nonconformity 2: a break
          in a sequence of sedimentary rocks all of which have
          approximately the same dip

   disconnect
          [dis.con.nect] vt (1770): to sever the connection of or between
          ~ vi 1: to terminate a connection 2: to become detached
          or withdrawn <~s into dark moods> -- dis.con.nec.tion
          n

   disconnected
          [dis.con.nect.ed] adj (1783): not connected: separate; also:
          incoherent -- dis.con.nect.ed.ly adv -- dis.con.nect.ed.ness
          n

   disconsolate
          [dis.con.so.late] adj [ME, fr. ML disconsolatus, fr. L dis-
          + consolatus, pp. of consolari to console] (14c) 1: cheerless
          <a clutch of ~ houses --D. H. Lawrence> 2: dejected,
          downcast <the team returned ~ from three losses>
          -- dis.con.so.late.ly adv -- dis.con.so.late.ness n --
          dis.con.so.la.tion n

   [1]discontent
          [dis.con.tent] adj (15c): discontented [2]discontent vt (1549):
          to make discontented -- dis.con.tent.ment n [3]discontent
          n (1591): lack of contentment: a: a sense of grievance:
          dissatisfaction <the winter of our ~ --Shak.> b: restless
          aspiration for improvement [4]discontent n (1596): one
          who is discontented: malcontent

   discontented
          [dis.con.tent.ed] adj (1525): dissatisfied, malcontent --
          dis.con.tent.ed.ly adv -- dis.con.tent.ed.ness n

   discontinuance
          [dis.con.tinu.ance] n (14c) 1: the act or an instance of
          discontinuing 2: the interruption or termination of a
          legal action by the plaintiff's not continuing it

   discontinue
          [dis.con.tin.ue] vb [ME, fr. MF discontinuer, fr. ML discontinuare,
          fr. L dis- + continuare to continue] vt (14c) 1: to break the
          continuity of: cease to operate, administer, use, produce, or take
          2: to abandon or terminate by a legal discontinuance ~ vi: to come
          to an end syn see stop

   discontinuity
          [dis.con.ti.nu.ity] n (1570) 1: lack of continuity or cohesion
          2: gap 5 3 a: the property of being not mathematically
          continuous <a point of ~> b: an instance of being not
          mathematically continuous; esp: a value of an independent
          variable at which a function is not continuous

   discontinuous
          [dis.con.tin.u.ous] adj (1718) 1 a (1): not continuous <a
          ~ series of events> (2): not continued: discrete <~ features
          of terrain> b: lacking sequence or coherence 2: having
          one or more mathematical discontinuities--used of a variable
          or a function -- dis.con.tin.u.ous.ly adv

   discophile
          [dis.co.phile] n (1940): one who studies and collects phonograph
          records

   [1]discord
          [dis.cord] n (13c) 1 a: lack of agreement or harmony (as
          between persons, things, or ideas) b: active quarreling
          or conflict resulting from discord among persons or factions:
          strife 2 a (1): a combination of musical sounds that
          strikes the ear harshly (2): dissonance b: a harsh or
          unpleasant sound syn discord, strife, conflict, contention,
          dissension, variance mean a state or condition marked
          by a lack of agreement or harmony. discord implies an
          intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling,
          factiousness, or antagonism <a political party long racked
          by discord>. strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority
          rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the
          persons or things involved <during his brief reign the
          empire was never free of civil strife>. conflict usu.
          stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static
          applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties
          or desires <the conflict of freedom and responsibility>.
          contention applies to strife or competition that shows
          itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy <several
          points of contention about the new zoning law>. dissension
          implies strife or discord and stresses a division into
          factions <religious dissension threatened to split the
          colony>. variance implies a clash between persons or
          things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest
          <cultural variances that work against a national identity>.
          [2]dis.cord vi [ME, fr. OF discorder, fr. L discordare,
          fr. discord-, discors discordant, fr. dis- + cord-, cor
          heart--more at heart] (14c): disagree, clash

   discordance
          [dis.cor.dance] n (14c) 1: the state or an instance of being
          discordant 2: dissonance

   discordancy
          [dis.cor.dan.cy] n, pl -cies (1607): discordance

   discordant
          [dis.cor.dant] adj (14c) 1 a: being at variance: disagreeing
          b: quarrelsome 2: relating to a discord -- dis.cor.dant.ly
          adv

   discordia concors
          [dis.cor.dia con.cors] [L] foreign term : harmonious discord:
          harmony or unity gained by combining disparate or conflicting
          elements

   discotheque
          [dis.co.theque] n [F discotheque, fr. disque disk, record
          + -o- + -theque (as in bibliotheque library)] (1954):
          disco 1

   [1]discount
          [dis.count] n (1622) 1: a reduction made from the gross amount
          or value of something: as a (1): a reduction made from
          a regular or list price (2): a proportionate deduction
          from a debt account usu. made for cash or prompt payment
          b: a deduction made for interest in advancing money upon
          or purchasing a bill or note not due 2: the act or practice
          of discounting 3: a deduction taken or allowance made
          [2]dis.count vb [modif. of F decompter, fr. OF desconter,
          fr. ML discomputare, fr. L dis- + computare to count--more
          at count] vt (1629) 1 a: to make a deduction from usu.
          for cash or prompt payment b: to sell or offer for sale
          at a discount 2: to lend money on after deducting the
          discount 3 a: to leave out of account: disregard b: to
          minimize the importance of c (1): to make allowance for
          bias or exaggeration in (2): to view with doubt d: to
          take into account (as a future event) in present calculations
          ~ vi: to give or make discounts -- dis.count.er n [3]discount
          adj (1889) 1 a: selling goods or services at a discount
          <~ stores> <a ~ broker> <~ airlines> b: offered or sold
          at a discount 2: reflecting a discount <~ prices>

   discountable
          [dis.count.able] adj (1800) 1: set apart for discounting
          <within the ~ period> 2: subject to being discounted
          <a ~ note>

   [1]discountenance
          [dis.coun.te.nance] vt (1580) 1: abash, disconcert 2: to
          look with disfavor on: discourage by evidence of disapproval
          [2]discountenance n (1580): disapprobation, disfavor

   discount rate
          [discount rate] n (ca. 1927) 1: the interest on an annual
          basis deducted in advance on a loan 2: the charge levied
          by a central bank for advances and rediscounts

   discourage
          [dis.cour.age] vt -aged ; -ag.ing [ME discoragen, fr. MF
          descorager, fr. OF descoragier, fr. des- dis- + corage
          courage] (15c) 1: to deprive of courage or confidence:
          dishearten 2 a: to hinder by disfavoring b: to attempt
          to dissuade -- dis.cour.age.able adj -- dis.cour.ag.er
          n -- dis.cour.ag.ing.ly adv

   discouragement
          [dis.cour.age.ment] n (1561) 1: the act of discouraging:
          the state of being discouraged 2: something that discourages

   [1]discourse
          [dis.course] n [ME discours, fr. ML & LL discursus; ML, argument,
          fr. LL, conversation, fr. L, act of running about, fr.
          discursus, pp. of discurrere to run about, fr. dis- +
          currere to run--more at car] (14c) 1 archaic: the capacity
          of orderly thought or procedure: rationality 2: verbal
          interchange of ideas; esp: conversation 3 a: formal and
          orderly and usu. extended expression of thought on a
          subject b: connected speech or writing c: a linguistic
          unit (as a conversation or a story) larger than a sentence
          4 obs: social familiarity [2]dis.course vb dis.coursed
          ; dis.cours.ing vi (1559) 1: to express oneself esp.
          in oral discourse 2: talk, converse ~ vt, archaic: to
          give forth: utter -- dis.cours.er n

   discourse analysis
          [discourse analysis] n (1952): the study of linguistic relations
          and structures in discourse

   discourteous
          [dis.cour.te.ous] adj (1578): lacking courtesy: rude --
          dis.cour.te.ous.ly adv -- dis.cour.te.ous.ness n

   discourtesy
          [dis.cour.te.sy] n (1555) 1: rudeness 2: a rude act

   discover
          [dis.cov.er] vb dis.cov.ered ; dis.cov.er.ing [ME, fr. MF
          descovrir, fr. LL discooperire, fr. L dis- + cooperire
          to cover--more at cover] vt (14c) 1 a: to make known
          or visible: expose b archaic: display 2 a: to obtain
          sight or knowledge of for the first time: find <~ the
          solution> b: find out <~ed he was out of gas> ~ vi: to
          make a discovery -- dis.cov.er.able adj -- dis.cov.er.er
          n syn discover, ascertain, determine, unearth, learn
          mean to find out what one did not previously know. discover
          may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation
          or to a chance encounter <discovered the source of the
          river>. ascertain implies effort to find the facts or
          the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty
          <attempts to ascertain the population of the region>.
          determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts
          definitely or precisely <unable to determine the origin
          of the word>. unearth implies bringing to light something
          forgotten or hidden <unearth old records>. learn may
          imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious
          intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study
          and practice <I learned her name only today> <learning
          Greek>.

   discovery
          [dis.cov.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1539) 1 a: the act or process
          of discovering b (1) archaic: disclosure (2) obs: display
          c obs: exploration 2: something discovered 3: the usu.
          pretrial disclosure of pertinent facts or documents by
          one or both parties to a civil action or proceeding

   Discovery Day
          [Discovery Day] n (ca. 1913): columbus day

   [1]discredit
          [dis.cred.it] vt (1559) 1: to refuse to accept as true or
          accurate: disbelieve 2: to cause disbelief in the accuracy
          or authority of 3: to deprive of good repute: disgrace
          [2]discredit n (1565) 1: loss of credit or reputation
          <I knew stories to the ~ of England --W. B. Yeats> 2:
          lack or loss of belief or confidence: doubt <contradictions
          cast ~ on his testimony>

   discreditable
          [dis.cred.it.able] adj (1640): injurious to reputation:
          disgraceful -- dis.cred.it.ably adv

   discreet
          [dis.creet] adj [ME, fr. MF discret, fr. ML discretus, fr.
          L, pp. of discernere to separate, distinguish between--more
          at discern] (14c) 1: having or showing discernment or
          good judgment in conduct and esp. in speech: prudent;
          esp: capable of preserving prudent silence 2: unpretentious,
          modest <the warmth and ~ elegance of a civilized home
          --Joseph Wechsberg> 3: unobtrusive, unnoticeable <followed
          at a ~ distance> -- dis.creet.ly adv -- dis.creet.ness
          n

   discrepancy
          [dis.crep.an.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1623) 1: the quality or
          state of being discrepant 2: an instance of being discrepant

   discrepant
          [dis.crep.ant] adj [ME discrepaunt, fr. L discrepant-, discrepans,
          prp. of discrepare to sound discordantly, fr. dis- + crepare
          to rattle, creak--more at raven] (15c): being at variance:
          disagreeing <widely ~ conclusions> -- dis.crep.ant.ly adv

   discrete
          [dis.crete] adj [ME, fr. L discretus] (14c) 1: constituting
          a separate entity: individually distinct 2 a: consisting
          of distinct or unconnected elements: noncontinuous b:
          taking on or having a finite or countably infinite number
          of values <~ probabilities> <a ~ random variable> syn
          see distinct -- dis.crete.ly adv -- dis.crete.ness n

   discretion
          [dis.cre.tion] n (14c) 1: the quality of being discreet:
          circumspection; esp: cautious reserve in speech 2: ability
          to make responsible decisions 3 a: individual choice
          or judgment <left the decision to his ~> b: power of
          free decision or latitude of choice within certain legal
          bounds <reached the age of ~> 4: the result of separating
          or distinguishing

   discretionary
          [dis.cre.tion.ary] adj (1698) 1: left to discretion: exercised
          at one's own discretion 2: available for discretionary
          use <~ purchasing power>

   discretionary account
          [discretionary account] n (ca. 1920): a security or commodity
          market account in which an agent (as a broker) is given
          power of attorney so as to be able to make independent
          decisions and buy and sell for the principal's account

   discriminability
          [dis.crim.i.na.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1901) 1: the quality
          of being discriminable 2: the ability to discriminate

   discriminable
          [dis.crim.i.na.ble] adj (1736): capable of being discriminated
          -- dis.crim.i.na.bly adv

   discriminant
          [dis.crim.i.nant] n (ca. 1948): a mathematical expression
          providing a criterion for the behavior of another more
          complicated expression, relation, or set of relations

   discriminant function
          [discriminant function] n (ca. 1936): a function of a set
          of variables (as measurements of taxonomic specimens)
          that is evaluated for samples of events or objects and
          used as an aid in discriminating between or classifying
          them

   discriminate
          [dis.crim.i.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L discriminatus,
          pp. of discriminare, fr. discrimin-, discrimen distinction,
          fr. discernere to distinguish between--more at discern]
          vt (1628) 1 a: to mark or perceive the distinguishing
          or peculiar features of b: distinguish, differentiate
          <~ hundreds of colors> 2: to distinguish by discerning
          or exposing differences; esp: to distinguish from another
          like object ~ vi 1 a: to make a distinction <~ among
          historical sources> b: to use good judgment 2: to make
          a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than
          individual merit <~ in favor of your friends> <~ against
          a certain nationality>

   discriminating
          [dis.crim.i.nat.ing] adj (1647) 1: making a distinction:
          distinguishing 2: marked by discrimination: a: discerning,
          judicious b: discriminatory -- dis.crim.i.nat.ing.ly
          adv

   discrimination
          [dis.crim.i.na.tion] n (1648) 1 a: the act of discriminating
          b: the process by which two stimuli differing in some
          aspect are responded to differently: differentiation
          2: the quality or power of finely distinguishing 3 a:
          the act, practice, or an instance of discriminating categorically
          rather than individually b: prejudiced or prejudicial
          outlook, action, or treatment <racial ~> syn see discernment
          -- dis.crim.i.na.tion.al adj

   discriminative
          [dis.crim.i.na.tive] adj (1677) 1: making distinctions 2:
          discriminatory 2

   discriminator
          [dis.crim.i.na.tor] n (1828): one that discriminates; esp:
          a circuit that can be adjusted to accept or reject signals
          of different characteristics (as amplitude or frequency)

   discriminatory
          [dis.crim.i.na.to.ry] adj (1828) 1: discriminative 1 2: applying
          or favoring discrimination in treatment -- dis.crim.i.na.to.ri.ly
          adv

   discursive
          [dis.cur.sive] adj [ML discursivus, fr. L discursus, pp.
          of discurrere to run about--more at discourse] (1598)
          1 a: moving from topic to topic without order: rambling
          b: proceeding coherently from topic to topic 2: marked
          by analytical reasoning -- dis.cur.sive.ly adv -- dis.cur.sive.ness
          n

   discus
          [dis.cus] n, pl dis.cus.es [L--more at dish] (1656): a disk
          (as of wood or plastic) that is thicker in the center
          than at the perimeter and that is hurled for distance
          as a track-and-field event; also: the event

   discuss
          [dis.cuss] vt [ME, fr. L discussus, pp. of discutere to disperse,
          fr. dis- apart + quatere to shake--more at dis-, quash]
          (14c) 1 obs: dispel 2 a: to investigate by reasoning
          or argument b: to present in detail for examination or
          consideration <~ed plans for the party> c: to talk about
          3 obs: declare -- dis.cuss.able or dis.cuss.ible adj
          -- dis.cuss.er n syn discuss, argue, debate mean to discourse
          about in order to reach conclusions or to convince. discuss
          implies a sifting of possibilities esp. by presenting
          considerations pro and con <discussed the need for a
          new highway>. argue implies the offering of reasons or
          evidence in support of convictions already held <argued
          that the project would be too costly>. debate suggests
          formal or public argument between opposing parties <debated
          the merits of the amendment>; it may also apply to deliberation
          with oneself <I'm debating whether I should go>.

   discussant
          [dis.cus.sant] n (1926): one who takes part in a formal discussion
          or symposium

   discussion
          [dis.cus.sion] n (14c) 1: consideration of a question in
          open and usu. informal debate 2: a formal treatment of
          a topic in speech or writing

   [1]disdain
          [dis.dain] n [ME desdeyne, fr. OF desdeign, fr. desdeignier]
          (14c): a feeling of contempt for what is beneath one:
          scorn [2]disdain vt [ME desdeynen, fr. MF desdeignier,
          fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL disdignare, fr. L dis- + dignare
          to deign--more at deign] (14c) 1: to look on with scorn
          2: to refuse or abstain from because of disdain 3: to
          treat as beneath one's notice or dignity syn see despise

   disdainful
          [dis.dain.ful] adj (ca. 1542): full of or expressing disdain
          syn see proud -- dis.dain.ful.ly adv -- dis.dain.ful.ness
          n

   disease
          [dis.ease] n [ME disese, fr. MF desaise, fr. des- dis- +
          aise ease] (14c) 1 obs: trouble 2: a condition of the
          living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that
          impairs normal functioning: sickness, malady 3: a harmful
          development (as in a social institution) -- dis.eased
          adj

   diseconomy
          [dis.econ.o.my] n (1937) 1: a lack of economy 2: a factor
          responsible for an increase in cost

   disembark
          [dis.em.bark] vb [MF desembarquer, fr. des- dis- + embarquer
          to embark] vt (1582): to remove to shore from a ship
          ~ vi 1: to go ashore out of a ship 2: to get out of a
          vehicle or craft -- dis.em.bar.ka.tion n

   disembarrass
          [dis.em.bar.rass] vt (1726): to free (as oneself) from something
          troublesome or superfluous syn see extricate

   disembody
          [dis.em.body] vt (1714): to divest of a body, of corporeal
          existence, or of reality

   disembogue
          [dis.em.bogue] vb -bogued ; -bogu.ing [modif. of Sp desembocar,
          fr. des- dis- (fr. L dis-) + embocar to put into the
          mouth, fr. en in (fr. L in) + boca mouth, fr. L bucca]
          vi (1595): to flow or come forth from or as if from a
          channel ~ vt, archaic: to pour out from or as if from
          a container

   disembowel
          [dis.em.bow.el] vt (1618) 1: to take out the bowels of: eviscerate
          2: to remove the substance of -- dis.em.bow.el.ment n

   disenchant
          [dis.en.chant] vt [MF desenchanter, fr. des- dis- + enchanter
          to enchant] (ca. 1586): to free from illusion -- dis.en.chant.er
          n -- dis.en.chant.ing adj -- dis.en.chant.ing.ly adv
          -- dis.en.chant.ment n

   disenchanted
          [dis.en.chant.ed] adj (1838): disappointed, dissatisfied

   disencumber
          [dis.en.cum.ber] vt [MF desencombrer, fr. des- dis- + encombrer
          to encumber] (1598): to free from encumbrance: disburden
          syn see extricate

   disendow
          [dis.en.dow] vt (1861): to strip of endowment -- dis.en.dow.er
          n -- dis.en.dow.ment n

   disenfranchise
          [dis.en.fran.chise] vt (1664): disfranchise --
          dis.en.fran.chise.ment n

   disengage
          [dis.en.gage] vb [F desengager, fr. MF, fr. des- dis- + engager
          to engage] vt (1611): to release from something that
          engages or involves ~ vi: to release or detach oneself:
          withdraw -- dis.en.gage.ment n

   disentail
          [dis.en.tail] vt (1641): to free from entail

   disentangle
          [dis.en.tan.gle] vt (1598): to free from entanglement: unravel
          ~ vi: to become disentangled syn see extricate --
          dis.en.tan.gle.ment n

   disenthrall
          [dis.en.thrall] also dis.en.thral vt (1643): to free from
          bondage: liberate

   disentitle
          [dis.en.tit.le] vt (1654): to deprive of title, claim, or
          right

   disequilibrate
          [dis.equil.i.brate] vt (1891): to put out of balance --
          dis.equil.i.bra.tion n

   disequilibrium
          [dis.equi.lib.ri.um] n (1840): loss or lack of equilibrium

   disestablish
          [dis.es.tab.lish] vt (1598): to deprive of an established
          status; esp: to deprive of the status and privileges
          of an established church -- dis.es.tab.lish.ment n

   disestablishmentarian
          [dis.es.tab.lish.men.tar.i.an] n, often cap [disestablishment]
          (1885): one who opposes an established order --
          disestablishmentarian adj, often cap

   [1]disesteem
          [dis.es.teem] vt (1594): to regard wi[ ]th disfavor [2]disesteem
          n (1603): disfavor, disrepute

   diseuse
          [di.seuse] n, pl di.seuses [F, fem. of diseur, fr. OF, fr.
          dire to say, fr. L dicere--more at diction] (1896): a
          skilled and usu. professional woman reciter

   [1]disfavor
          [dis.fa.vor] n [prob. fr. MF desfaveur, fr. des- dis- + faveur
          favor, fr. OF favor] (ca. 1533) 1: disapproval, dislike
          <practices looked upon with ~> 2: the state or fact of
          being no longer favored <fell into ~> 3: disadvantage
          [2]disfavor vt (1570): to withhold or withdraw favor
          from

   disfigure
          [dis.fig.ure] vt [ME, fr. MF desfigurer, fr. des- dis- +
          figure figure] (14c) 1: to impair (as in beauty) by deep
          and persistent injuries <a face disfigured by smallpox>
          2 obs: disguise -- dis.fig.ure.ment n

   disfranchise
          [dis.fran.chise] vt (15c): to deprive of a franchise, of
          a legal right, or of some privilege or immunity; esp:
          to deprive of the right to vote -- dis.fran.chise.ment
          n

   disfrock
          [dis.frock] vt (1837): defrock

   disfunction
          [dis.func.tion] var of dysfunction

   disfurnish
          [dis.fur.nish] vt [MF desfourniss-, stem of desfournir, fr.
          des- dis- + fournir to furnish] (1531): to make destitute
          of possessions: divest -- dis.fur.nish.ment n

   disgorge
          [dis.gorge] vb [ME, fr. MF desgorger, fr. des- dis- + gorge
          gorge] vt (15c) 1 a: to discharge by the throat and mouth:
          vomit b: to discharge or let go of in a manner suggesting
          vomiting <the train disgorged its passengers> c: to give
          up on request or under pressure <refused to ~ his ill-gotten
          gains> 2: to discharge the contents of (as the stomach)
          ~ vi: to discharge contents <where the river ~s into
          the sea>

   [1]disgrace
          [dis.grace] vt (1580) 1 archaic: to humiliate by a superior
          showing 2: to be a source of shame to <your actions disgraced
          the family> 3: to cause to lose favor or standing <was
          disgraced by the hint of scandal> -- dis.grac.er n [2]disgrace
          n [MF, fr. OIt disgrazia, fr. dis- (fr. L) + grazia grace,
          fr. L gratia--more at grace] (1586) 1 a: the condition
          of one fallen from grace or honor b: loss of grace, favor,
          or honor 2: something that disgraces <your manners are
          a ~> syn disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, infamy, ignominy
          mean the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem
          and of enduring reproach. disgrace often implies humiliation
          and sometimes ostracism <sent home in disgrace>. dishonor
          emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or
          the loss of self-esteem <preferred death to life with
          dishonor>. disrepute stresses loss of one's good name
          or the acquiring of a bad reputation <a once proud name
          fallen into disrepute>. infamy usu. implies notoriety
          as well as exceeding shame <a day that lives in infamy>.
          ignominy stresses humiliation <the ignominy of being
          arrested>.

   disgraceful
          [dis.grace.ful] adj (1597): bringing or involving disgrace
          -- dis.grace.ful.ly adv -- dis.grace.ful.ness n

   disgruntle
          [dis.grun.tle] vt dis.grun.tled ; dis.grun.tling [dis- +
          gruntle (to grumble), fr. ME gruntlen, freq. of grunten
          to grunt] (1682): to make ill-humored or discontented--usu.
          used as a participial adjective <they were a very disgruntled
          crew --Flannery O'Connor> -- dis.grun.tle.ment n

   [1]disguise
          [dis.guise] vt dis.guised ; dis.guis.ing [ME disgisen, fr.
          MF desguiser, fr. OF, fr. des- dis- + guise guise] (14c)
          1 a: to change the customary dress or appearance of b:
          to furnish with a false appearance or an assumed identity
          2 obs: disfigure 3: to obscure the existence or true
          state or character of: conceal -- dis.guised.ly adv --
          dis.guise.ment n -- dis.guis.er n syn disguise, cloak,
          mask mean to alter the dress or appearance of so as to
          conceal the identity or true nature. disguise implies
          a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting
          a different apparent identity <disguised himself as a
          peasant>. cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement
          or an intention <cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy>.
          mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising
          something <smiling to mask his discontent>. [2]disguise
          n (14c) 1: apparel assumed to conceal one's identity
          or counterfeit another's 2: the act of disguising 3 a:
          form misrepresenting the true nature of something <blessings
          in ~> b: an artificial manner: pretense <threw off all
          ~>

   [1]disgust
          [dis.gust] n (1598): marked aversion aroused by something
          highly distasteful: repugnance [2]disgust vb [MF desgouster,
          fr. des- dis- + goust taste, fr. L gustus; akin to L
          gustare to taste--more at choose] vt (1616) 1: to provoke
          to loathing, repugnance, or aversion: be offensive to
          2: to cause (one) to lose an interest or intention ~
          vi: to cause disgust -- dis.gust.ed adj -- dis.gust.ed.ly
          adv

   disgustful
          [dis.gust.ful] adj (ca. 1616) 1: provoking disgust 2: full
          of or accompanied by disgust -- dis.gust.ful.ly adv

   disgusting
          [dis.gust.ing] adj (1754): causing disgust -- dis.gust.ing.ly
          adv

   [1]dish
          [dish] n [ME, fr. OE disc plate, fr. L discus quoit, disk,
          dish, fr. Gk diskos, fr. dikein to throw] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a more or less concave vessel from which food is
          served b: the contents of a dish <a ~ of strawberries>
          2 a: food prepared in a particular way b: something one
          particularly enjoys: cup of tea 3 a (1): any of various
          shallow concave vessels; broadly: anything shallowly
          concave (2): a directional receiver having a concave
          usu. parabolic reflector; esp: one used as a microwave
          antenna b: the state of being concave or the degree of
          concavity 4 a: something that is favored <entertainment
          that is just his ~> b: an attractive or sexy person [2]dish
          vt (14c) 1: to put (as food for serving) into a dish--often
          used with up 2: present--usu. used with up 3: to make
          concave like a dish ~ vi: to pass to a teammate (as in
          basketball)--usu. used with off

   dishabille
          [dis.ha.bille] n [F deshabille, fr. pp. of deshabiller to
          undress, fr. des- dis- + habiller to dress--more at habiliment]
          (1673) 1 a archaic: negligee b: the state of being dressed
          in a casual or careless style 2: a deliberately careless
          or casual manner

   disharmonious
          [dis.har.mo.ni.ous] adj (1659): lacking in harmony

   disharmonize
          [dis.har.mo.nize] vt (1801): to make disharmonious

   disharmony
          [dis.har.mo.ny] n (ca. 1602): lack of harmony: discord

   dishcloth
          [dish.cloth] n (ca. 1828): a cloth for washing dishes

   dishclout
          [dish.clout] n (ca. 1530) Brit: dishcloth

   dishearten
          [dis.heart.en] vt (1590): to cause to lose spirit or morale
          -- dis.heart.en.ing.ly adv -- dis.heart.en.ment n

   dished
          [dished] adj (1737): concave

   dishevel
          [di.shev.el] vt di.shev.eled or di.shev.elled ; di.shev.el.ing
          or di.shev.el.ling [back-formation fr. disheveled] (1598):
          to throw into disorder or disarray

   disheveled
          [di.shev.eled] or di.shev.elled adj [ME discheveled with
          disordered hair, part trans. of MF deschevele, fr. pp.
          of descheveler to disarrange the hair, fr. des- dis-
          + chevel hair, fr. L capillus] (1583): marked by disorder
          or disarray

   dishonest
          [dis.hon.est] adj [ME, fr. MF deshoneste, fr. des- dis- +
          honeste honest] (14c) 1 obs: shameful, unchaste 2: characterized
          by lack of truth, honesty, or trustworthiness: unfair,
          deceptive -- dis.hon.est.ly adv syn dishonest, deceitful,
          mendacious, untruthful mean unworthy of trust or belief.
          dishonest implies a willful perversion of truth in order
          to deceive, cheat, or defraud <a swindle usually involves
          two dishonest people>. deceitful usu. implies an intent
          to mislead and commonly suggests a false appearance or
          double-dealing <the secret affairs of a deceitful spouse>.
          mendacious may suggest bland or even harmlessly mischievous
          deceit and when used of people often suggests a habit
          of telling untruths <mendacious tales of adventure>.
          untruthful stresses a discrepancy between what is said
          and fact or reality <an untruthful account of their actions>.

   dishonesty
          [dis.hon.es.ty] n (1599) 1: lack of honesty or integrity:
          disposition to defraud or deceive 2: a dishonest act:
          fraud

   [1]dishonor
          [dis.hon.or] n [ME dishonour, fr. MF deshonor, fr. des- dis-
          + honor honor] (13c) 1: lack or loss of honor or reputation
          2: the state of one who has lost honor or prestige: shame
          3: a cause of disgrace 4: the nonpayment or nonacceptance
          of commercial paper by the party on whom it is drawn
          syn see disgrace -- dis.hon.or.er n [2]dishonor vt (13c)
          1 a: to treat in a degrading manner b: to bring shame
          on 2: to refuse to accept or pay (as a bill or check)

   dishonorable
          [dis.hon.or.able] adj (1534) 1: lacking honor: shameful <~
          conduct> 2 archaic: not honored -- dis.hon.or.able.ness
          n -- dis.hon.or.ably adv

   dish out
          [dish out] vt (1641): to give or dispense freely <dish out
          gifts> <dish out advice> <dish out punishment>

   dishpan
          [dish.pan] n (1872): a large flat-bottomed pan used for washing
          dishes

   dishpan hands
          [dishpan hands] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1944): a condition
          of dryness, redness, and scaling of the hands that results
          typically from repeated exposure to, sensitivity to,
          or overuse of cleaning materials (as detergents) used
          in housework

   dishrag
          [dish.rag] n (1839): dishcloth

   dishware
          [dish.ware] n (1946): tableware (as of china) used in serving
          food

   dishwasher
          [dish.wash.er] n (15c) 1: a worker employed to wash dishes
          2: a machine for washing dishes

   dishwater
          [dish.wa.ter] n (15c): water in which dishes have been or
          are to be washed

   dishy
          [dishy] adj dish.i.er ; -est (1961): attractive 2

   [1]disillusion
          [dis.il.lu.sion] n (1851): the condition of being disenchanted
          [2]disillusion vt dis.il.lu.sioned ; dis.il.lu.sion.ing
          (1855): to leave without illusion or naive faith and
          trust -- dis.il.lu.sion.ment n

   disillusioned
          [disillusioned] adj (1871): disappointed, dissatisfied

   disincentive
          [dis.in.cen.tive] n (1946): deterrent

   disinclination
          [dis.in.cli.na.tion] n (1647): a preference for avoiding
          something: slight aversion

   disincline
          [dis.in.cline] vt (1647): to make unwilling

   disinclined
          [dis.in.clined] adj (1647): unwilling because of mild dislike
          or disapproval syn disinclined, hesitant, reluctant,
          loath, averse mean lacking the will or desire to do something
          indicated. disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination
          <disinclined to move again> <disinclined for reading>.
          hesitant implies a holding back esp. through fear or
          uncertainty <hesitant about asking for a date>. reluctant
          implies a holding back through unwillingness <a reluctant
          witness>. loath implies hesitancy because of conflict
          with one's opinions, predilections, or liking <seems
          loath to trust anyone>. averse implies a holding back
          from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance <averse
          to hard work> <not averse to an occasional drink>.

   disinfect
          [dis.in.fect] vt [MF desinfecter, fr. des- dis- + infecter
          to infect] (1598): to free from infection esp. by destroying
          harmful microorganisms; broadly: cleanse -- dis.in.fec.tion
          n

   disinfectant
          [dis.in.fec.tant] n (1837): an agent that frees from infection;
          esp: a chemical that destroys vegetative forms of harmful
          microorganisms esp. on inanimate objects but that may
          be less effective in destroying bacterial spores

   disinfest
          [dis.in.fest] vt (ca. 1920): to rid of small animal pests
          (as insects or rodents) -- dis.in.fes.ta.tion n

   disinfestant
          [dis.in.fes.tant] n (1943): a disinfesting agent

   disinflation
          [dis.in.fla.tion] n (1880): a reversal of inflationary pressures
          -- dis.in.fla.tion.ary adj

   disinformation
          [dis.in.for.ma.tion] n (1939): false information deliberately
          and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors)
          in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth

   disingenuous
          [dis.in.gen.u.ous] adj (1655): lacking in candor; also: giving
          a false appearance of simple frankness: calculating --
          dis.in.gen.u.ous.ly adv -- dis.in.gen.u.ous.ness n

   disinherit
          [dis.in.her.it] vt [ME] (15c) 1: to prevent deliberately
          from inheriting something (as by making a will) 2: to
          deprive of natural or human rights or of previously held
          special privileges -- dis.in.her.i.tance n

   disinhibition
          [dis.in.hi.bi.tion] n (ca. 1927): loss or reduction of an
          inhibition (as by the action of interfering stimuli or
          events) <~ of a reflex> <~ of violent tendencies> --
          dis.in.hib.it vt

   disintegrate
          [dis.in.te.grate] vt (1796) 1: to break or decompose into
          constituent elements, parts, or small particles 2: to
          destroy the unity or integrity of ~ vi 1: to break or
          separate into constituent elements or parts 2: to lose
          unity or integrity by or as if by breaking into parts
          3: to undergo a change in composition <an atomic nucleus
          that ~s because of radioactivity> -- dis.in.te.gra.tion
          n -- dis.in.te.gra.tive adj -- dis.in.te.gra.tor n

   disinter
          [dis.in.ter] vt (1611) 1: to take out of the grave or tomb
          2: to bring back into awareness or prominence; also:
          to bring to light: unearth -- dis.in.ter.ment n

   [1]disinterest
          [dis.in.ter.est] vt (1612): to cause to regard something
          with no interest or concern [2]disinterest n (1658) 1:
          disinterestedness 2: lack of interest: indifference

   disinterested
          [dis.in.ter.est.ed] adj (ca. 1612) 1 a: not having the mind
          or feelings engaged: not interested <telling them in
          a ~ voice --Tom Wicker> <Introverted. Unsocial ... Disinterested
          in women --J. A. Brussel> b: no longer interested <husband
          and wife become ~ in each other --T. I. Rubin> 2: free
          from selfish motive or interest: unbiased <a ~ decision>
          <~ intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of real civilization
          --G. M. Trevelyan> syn see indifferent -- dis.in.ter.est.ed.ly
          adv usage Disinterested and uninterested have a tangled
          history. Uninterested orig. meant impartial, but this
          sense fell into disuse during the 18th century. About
          the same time the original sense of disinterested also
          disappeared, with uninterested developing a new sense--the
          present meaning--to take its place. The original sense
          of uninterested is still out of use, but the original
          sense of disinterested revived in the early 20th century.
          The revival has since been under frequent attack as an
          illiteracy and a blurring or loss of a useful distinction.
          Actual usage shows otherwise. Sense 2 of disinterested
          is still its most frequent sense, esp. in edited prose;
          it shows no sign of vanishing. A careful writer may choose
          sense 1a of disinterested in preference to uninterested
          for emphasis <teaching the letters of the alphabet to
          her wiggling and supremely disinterested little daughter
          --C. L. Sulzberger> Further, disinterested has developed
          a sense (1b), perhaps influenced by sense 1 of the prefix
          dis-, that contrasts with uninterested <when I grow tired
          or disinterested in anything, I experience a disgust
          --Jack London (letter, 1914)> Still, use of senses 1a
          and 1b will incur the disapproval of some who may not
          fully appreciate the history of this word or the subtleties
          of its present use.

   disinterestedness
          [dis.in.ter.est.ed.ness] n (ca. 1682): the quality of being
          objective or impartial

   disintermediation
          [dis.in.ter.me.di.a.tion] n (1967): the diversion of savings
          from accounts with low fixed interest rates to direct
          investment in high-yielding instruments

   disintoxicate
          [dis.in.tox.i.cate] vt (1685): detoxify 2 -- dis.in.tox.i.ca.tion
          n

   disinvest
          [dis.in.vest] vi (1945): to reduce or eliminate capital investment
          (as in an industry or area)

   disinvestment
          [dis.in.vest.ment] n (1936): consumption of capital; also:
          the withdrawing of investment

   disinvite
          [dis.in.vite] vt (1580): to withdraw an invitation to

   disjoin
          [dis.join] vb [ME disjoynen, fr. MF desjoindre, fr. L disjungere,
          fr. dis- + jungere to join--more at yoke] vt (15c): to
          end the joining of ~ vi: to become detached

   [1]disjoint
          [dis.joint] adj [ME disjoynt, fr. MF desjoint, pp. of desjoindre]
          (15c) 1 obs: disjointed 1a 2: having no elements in common
          <~ mathematical sets> [2]disjoint vt (15c) 1: to disturb
          the orderly structure or arrangement of 2: to take apart
          at the joints ~ vi: to come apart at the joints

   disjointed
          [dis.joint.ed] adj (ca. 1586) 1 a: being thrown out of orderly
          function <a ~ society> b: lacking coherence or orderly
          sequence <an incomplete and ~ history> 2: separated at
          or as if at the joint -- dis.joint.ed.ly adv -- dis.joint.ed.ness
          n

   [1]disjunct
          [dis.junct] adj [ME, fr. L disjunctus, pp. of disjungere
          to disjoin] (15c): marked by separation of or from usu.
          contiguous parts or individuals: as a: discontinuous
          b: relating to melodic progression by intervals larger
          than a major second--compare conjunct [2]dis.junct n
          (1921) 1: any of the alternatives that make up a logical
          disjunction 2: an adverb or adverbial (as luckily in
          "Luckily we had an extra set" or in short in "In short,
          there is nothing we can do") that is loosely connected
          to a sentence and conveys the speaker's or writer's comment
          on its content, truth, or manner--compare adjunct 2b

   disjunction
          [dis.junc.tion] n (14c) 1: a sharp cleavage: disunion, separation
          <the ~ between theory and practice> 2: a compound sentence
          in logic formed by joining two simple statements by or:
          a: inclusive disjunction b: exclusive disjunction

   [1]disjunctive
          [dis.junc.tive] adj (15c) 1 a: relating to, being, or forming
          a logical disjunction b: expressing an alternative or
          opposition between the meanings of the words connected
          <the ~ conjunction or> c: expressed by mutually exclusive
          alternatives joined by or <~ pleading> 2: marked by breaks
          or disunity <a ~ narrative sequence> 3 of a pronoun form:
          stressed and not attached to the verb as an enclitic
          or proclitic -- dis.junc.tive.ly adv [2]disjunctive n
          (1530): a disjunctive conjunction

   disjuncture
          [dis.junc.ture] n [ME, modif. (influenced by L disjunctus)
          of MF desjointure, fr. desjoint disjoint] (14c): disjunction
          1

   [1]disk
          [disk] or disc n, often attrib [L discus--more at dish] (1664)
          1 a: the seemingly flat figure of a celestial body <the
          solar ~> b archaic: discus 2: any of various rounded
          and flattened animal anatomical structures (as an intervertebral
          disk)--compare slipped disk 3: the central part of the
          flower head of a typical composite made up of closely
          packed tubular flowers 4 a: a thin circular object b
          usu disc: a phonograph record c: a round flat plate coated
          with a magnetic substance on which data for a computer
          is stored d usu disc: optical disk: as (1): videodisc
          (2): compact disc 5 usu disc: one of the concave circular
          steel tools with sharpened edge making up the working
          part of a disc harrow or plow; also: an implement employing
          such tools -- disk.like adj [2]disk or disc vt (ca. 1884):
          to cultivate with an implement (as a harrow or plow)
          that turns and loosens the soil with a series of disks

   diskette
          [dis.kette] n (1973): floppy disk

   disk flower
          [disk flower] n (1870): one of the tubular flowers in the
          disk of a composite plant--called also disk floret

   dislikable
          [dis.lik.able] also dis.like.able adj (1843): easy to dislike

   [1]dislike
          [dis.like] n (1577) 1: a feeling of aversion or disapproval
          2 obs: discord [2]dislike vt (1579) 1 archaic: displease
          2: to regard with dislike: disapprove 3 obs: to show
          aversion to -- dis.lik.er n

   dislimn
          [dis.limn] vb (1606): dim

   dislocate
          [dis.lo.cate] vt [ML dislocatus, pp. of dislocare, fr. L
          dis- + locare to locate] (1605) 1: to put out of place;
          specif: to displace (a bone) from normal connections
          with another bone 2: to force a change in the usual status,
          relationship, or order of: disrupt

   dislocation
          [dis.lo.ca.tion] n (14c): the act of dislocating: the state
          of being dislocated: as a: displacement of one or more
          bones at a joint: luxation b: a discontinuity in the
          otherwise normal lattice structure of a crystal c: disruption
          of an established order

   dislodge
          [dis.lodge] vb [ME disloggen, fr. MF desloger, fr. des- dis-
          + loger to lodge, fr. OF loge lodge] vt (15c) 1: to drive
          from a position of hiding, defense, or advantage 2: to
          force out of a secure or settled position <dislodged
          the rock with a shovel> ~ vi: to leave a lodging place
          -- dis.lodg.ment or dis.lodge.ment n

   disloyal
          [dis.loy.al] adj [ME, fr. MF desloial, fr. OF, fr. des- dis-
          + loial loyal] (15c): lacking in loyalty; also: showing
          an absence of allegiance, devotion, obligation, faith,
          or support <his ~ refusal to help his friend> syn see
          faithless -- dis.loy.al.ly adv

   disloyalty
          [dis.loy.al.ty] n (15c): lack of loyal ty

   dismal
          [dis.mal] adj [ME, fr. dismal, n., days marked as unlucky
          in medieval calendars, fr. AF, fr. ML dies mali, lit.,
          evil days] (15c) 1 obs: disastrous, dreadful 2: showing
          or causing gloom or depression 3: lacking merit: particularly
          bad -- dis.mal.ly adv -- dis.mal.ness n

   dismantle
          [dis.man.tle] vt dis.man.tled ; dis.man.tling [MF desmanteler,
          fr. des- dis- + mantel mantle] (1602) 1: to take to pieces;
          also: to destroy the integrity or functioning of 2: to
          strip of dress or covering: divest 3: to strip of furniture
          and equipment -- dis.man.tle.ment n

   dismast
          [dis.mast] vt (1747): to remove or break off the mast of

   [1]dismay
          [dis.may] vt dis.mayed ; dis.may.ing [ME, fr. (assumed) OF
          desmaiier, fr. OF des- dis- + -maiier (as in esmaiier
          to dismay), fr. (assumed) VL -magare, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG magan to be able--more at may] (13c): to
          deprive of courage, resolution, and initiative through
          the pressure of sudden fear or anxiety or great perplexity
          -- dis.may.ing.ly adv syn dismay, appall, horrify, daunt
          mean to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension,
          or aversion. dismay implies that one is disconcerted
          and at a loss as to how to deal with something <dismayed
          at the size of the job>. appall implies that one is faced
          with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks <I am
          appalled by your behavior>. horrify stresses a reaction
          of horror or revulsion <was horrified by such wanton
          cruelty>. daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or
          frightening in a venture requiring courage <a cliff that
          would daunt the most intrepid climber>. [2]dismay n (14c)
          1: sudden loss of courage or resolution from alarm or
          fear 2 a: sudden disappointment b: perturbation 1

   disme
          [disme] n [obs. E, tenth, fr. obs. F, fr. MF disme, dime--more
          at dime] (1792): a U.S. 10-cent coin struck in 1792

   dismember
          [dis.mem.ber] vt -bered ; -ber.ing [ME dismembren, fr. OF
          desmembrer, fr. des- dis- + membre member] (14c) 1: to
          cut off or disjoin the limbs, members, or parts of 2:
          to break up or tear into pieces -- dis.mem.ber.ment n

   dismiss
          [dis.miss] vt [ME, modif. of L dimissus, pp. of dimittere,
          fr. dis- apart + mittere to send--more at dis-, smite]
          (15c) 1: to permit or cause to leave <~ed the visitors>
          2: to remove from position or service: discharge 3 a:
          to reject serious consideration of <~ed the thought>
          b: to put out of judicial consideration <~ed all charges>
          -- dis.mis.sion n -- dis.mis.sive adj -- dis.mis.sive.ly
          adv

   dismissal
          [dis.miss.al] n (1816): the act of dismissing: the fact or
          state of being dismissed

   [1]dismount
          [dis.mount] vb [prob. modif. of MF desmonter, fr. des- dis-
          + monter to mount] vi (1579) 1 obs: descend 2: to alight
          from an elevated position (as on a horse); also: to get
          out of an enclosed craft or vehicle ~ vt 1: to throw
          down or remove from a mount or an elevated position;
          esp: unhorse 2: disassemble [2]dismount n (1654): the
          act of dismounting

   disobedience
          [dis.obe.di.ence] n (15c): refusal or neglect to obey

   disobedient
          [dis.obe.di.ent] adj [ME, fr. MF desobedient, fr. OF, fr.
          des- dis- + obedient obedient] (15c): refusing or neglecting
          to obey -- dis.obe.di.ent.ly adv

   disobey
          [dis.obey] vb [ME, fr. MF desobeir, fr. OF, fr. des- dis-
          + obeir to obey] vi (14c): to be disobedient ~ vt: to
          fail to obey -- dis.obey.er n

   disoblige
          [dis.oblige] vt [F desobliger, fr. MF, fr. des- dis- + obliger
          to oblige] (1632) 1: to go counter to the wishes of 2:
          inconvenience

   disodium phosphate
          [di.so.di.um phosphate] n (ca. 1928): a sodium phosphate
          having two sodium atoms

   disomic
          [di.so.mic] adj [di- + -somic] (1924): having one or more
          chromosomes present in twice the normal number but not
          having the entire genome doubled

   [1]disorder
          [dis.or.der] vt (15c) 1: to disturb the order of 2: to disturb
          the regular or normal functions of [2]disorder n (1530)
          1: lack of order <clothes in ~> 2: breach of the peace
          or public order <troubled times marked by social ~s>
          3: an abnormal physical or mental condition: ailment
          <a nervous ~>

   disordered
          [dis.or.dered] adj (1548) 1 obs a: morally reprehensible
          b: unruly 2 a: marked by disorder b: not functioning
          in a normal orderly healthy way -- dis.or.dered.ly adv
          -- dis.or.dered.ness n

   [1]disorderly
          [dis.or.der.ly] adv (1564) archaic: in a disorderly manner
          [2]disorderly adj (1585) 1: engaged in conduct offensive
          to public order <charged with being drunk and ~> 2: characterized
          by disorder <a ~ pile of clothes> -- dis.or.der.li.ness
          n

   disorderly conduct
          [disorderly conduct] n (ca. 1845): a petty offense chiefly
          against public order and decency that falls short of
          an indictable misdemeanor

   disorderly house
          [disorderly house] n [euphemism] (ca. 1809): bordello

   disorganize
          [dis.or.ga.nize] vt [F desorganiser, fr. des- dis- + organiser
          to organize] (1793): to destroy or interrupt the orderly
          structure or function of -- dis.or.ga.ni.za.tion n

   disorganized
          [dis.or.ga.nized] adj (1812): lacking coherence, system,
          or central guiding agency <~ work habits>

   disorient
          [dis.ori.ent] vt [F desorienter, fr. des- dis- + orienter
          to orient] (1655) 1 a: to cause to lose bearings: displace
          from normal position or relationship b: to cause to lose
          the sense of time, place, or identity 2: confuse

   disorientate
          [dis.ori.en.tate] vt (ca. 1704): disorient -- dis.ori.en.ta.tion
          n

   disown
          [dis.own] vt (1649) 1: to refuse to acknowledge as one's
          own 2 a: to repudiate any connection or identification
          with b: to deny the validity or authority of -- dis.own.ment
          n

   disp
          [disp] abbreviation dispensary

   disparage
          [dis.par.age] vt -aged ; -ag.ing [ME, to degrade by marriage
          below one's class, disparage, fr. MF desparagier to marry
          below one's class, fr. OF, fr. des- dis- + parage extraction,
          lineage, fr. per peer] (14c) 1: to lower in rank or reputation:
          degrade 2: to depreciate by indirect means (as invidious
          comparison): speak slightingly about syn see decry --
          dis.par.age.ment n -- dis.par.ag.er n -- dis.par.ag.ing
          adj -- dis.par.ag.ing.ly adv

   disparate
          [dis.pa.rate] adj [L disparatus, pp. of disparare to separate,
          fr. dis- + parare to prepare--more at pare] (15c) 1:
          containing or made up of fundamentally different and
          often incongruous elements 2: markedly distinct in quality
          or character syn see different -- dis.pa.rate.ly adv
          -- dis.pa.rate.ness n -- dis.par.i.ty n

   dispart
          [dis.part] vb [It & L; It dispartire, fr. L, fr. dis- + partire
          to divide--more at part] (1590) archaic: separate, divide

   dispassion
          [dis.pas.sion] n (1692): absence of passion: coolness

   dispassionate
          [dis.pas.sion.ate] adj (1594): not influenced by strong feeling;
          esp: not affected by personal or emotional involvement
          <a ~ critic> <a ~ approach to an issue> syn see fair
          -- dis.pas.sion.ate.ly adv -- dis.pas.sion.ate.ness n

   [1]dispatch
          [dis.patch] vb [Sp despachar or It dispacciare, fr. Prov
          despachar to get rid of, fr. MF despeechier to set free,
          fr. OF, fr. des- dis- + -peechier (as in empeechier to
          hinder)--more at impeach] vt (1517) 1: to send off or
          away with promptness or speed; esp: to send off on official
          business 2 a: to kill with quick efficiency b obs: deprive
          3: to dispose of (as a task) rapidly or efficiently 4:
          defeat 3 ~ vi, archaic: to make haste: hurry syn see
          kill -- dis.patch.er n [2]dis.patch n (1537) 1 a: a message
          sent with speed; esp: an important official message sent
          by a diplomatic, military, or naval officer b: a news
          item filed by a correspondent 2: the act of dispatching:
          as a obs: dismissal b: the act of killing c (1): prompt
          settlement (as of an item of business) (2): quick riddance
          d: a sending off: shipment 3: promptness and efficiency
          in performance or transmission <done with ~> syn see
          haste

   dispatch case
          [dispatch case] n (ca. 1918): a case for carrying papers

   dispel
          [dis.pel] vt dis.pelled ; dis.pel.ling [ME, fr. L dispellere,
          fr. dis- + pellere to drive, beat--more at felt] (15c):
          to drive away by or as if by scattering: dissipate <~
          a rumor> syn see scatter

   dispensable
          [dis.pens.able] adj (1649): capable of being dispensed with
          -- dis.pens.abil.i.ty n

   dispensary
          [dis.pen.sa.ry] n, pl -ries (1699): a place where medicine
          or medical or dental treatment is dispensed

   dispensation
          [dis.pen.sa.tion] n (14c) 1 a: a general state or ordering
          of things; specif: a system of revealed commands and
          promises regulating human affairs b: a particular arrangement
          or provision esp. of providence or nature 2 a: an exemption
          from a law or from an impediment, vow, or oath b: a formal
          authorization 3 a: the act of dispensing b: something
          dispensed or distributed -- dis.pen.sa.tion.al adj

   dispensatory
          [dis.pen.sa.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1566): a medicinal formulary

   dispense
          [dis.pense] vb dis.pensed ; dis.pens.ing [ME, fr. ML & L;
          ML dispensare to exempt, fr. L, to distribute, fr. dis-
          + pensare to weigh, freq. of pendere to weigh, pay out--more
          at spin] vt (14c) 1 a: to deal out in portions b: administer
          <~ justice> 2: to give dispensation to: exempt 3: to
          prepare and distribute (medication) ~ vi, archaic: to
          grant dispensation syn see distribute -- dispense with
          1: to set aside: discard <dispensing with the usual introduction>
          2: to do without <could dispense with such a large staff>

   dispenser
          [dis.pens.er] n (14c): one that dispenses: as a: a container
          that extrudes, sprays, or feeds out in convenient units
          b: a usu. mechanical device for vending merchandise

   dispeople
          [dis.peo.ple] vt (15c): depopulate

   dispersal
          [dis.pers.al] n (1821): the act or result of dispersing;
          esp: the process or result of the spreading of organisms
          from one place to another

   dispersant
          [dis.per.sant] n (1941): a dispersing agent; esp: a substance
          for promoting the formation and stabilization of a dispersion
          of one substance in another -- dispersant adj

   disperse
          [dis.perse] vb dis.persed ; dis.pers.ing [ME dysparsen, fr.
          MF disperser, fr. L dispersus, pp. of dispergere to scatter,
          fr. dis- + spargere to scatter--more at spark] vt (14c)
          1 a: to cause to break up <police dispersed the crowd>
          b: to cause to become spread widely c: to cause to evaporate
          or vanish <sunlight dispersing the mist> 2: to spread
          or distribute from a fixed or constant source: as a archaic:
          disseminate b: to subject (as light) to dispersion c:
          to distribute (as fine particles) more or less evenly
          throughout a medium ~ vi 1: to break up in random fashion
          <the crowd dispersed on request> 2 a: to become dispersed
          b: dissipate, vanish <the fog dispersed toward morning>
          syn see scatter -- dis.persed.ly adv -- dis.pers.er n
          -- dis.pers.ible adj

   dispersion
          [dis.per.sion] n (14c) 1 cap: diaspora 1a 2: the act or process
          of dispersing: the state of being dispersed 3: the scattering
          of the values of a frequency distribution from an average
          4: the separation of light into colors by refraction
          or diffraction with formation of a spectrum; also: the
          separation of radiation into components in accordance
          with some varying characteristic (as energy) 5 a: a dispersed
          substance b: a system consisting of a dispersed substance
          and the medium in which it is dispersed: colloid 2b

   dispersive
          [dis.per.sive] adj (1677) 1: of or relating to dispersion
          <a ~ medium> <the ~ power of a lens> 2: tending to disperse
          -- dis.per.sive.ly adv -- dis.per.sive.ness n

   dispersoid
          [dis.per.soid] n (1911): finely divided particles of one
          substance dispersed in another

   dispirit
          [dispir.it] vt [dis- + spirit] (1647): to deprive of morale
          or enthusiasm -- dispir.it.ed adj -- dispir.it.ed.ly
          adv -- dispir.it.ed.ness n

   dispiteous
          [dis.pit.eous] adj [alter. of despiteous] (1803) archaic:
          cruel

   displace
          [dis.place] vt [prob. fr. MF desplacer, fr. des- dis- + place
          place] (1553) 1 a: to remove from the usual or proper
          place; specif: to expel or force to flee from home or
          homeland b: to remove from an office, status, or job
          c obs: to drive out: banish 2 a: to move physically out
          of position <a floating object ~s water> b: to take the
          place of (as in a chemical reaction): supplant syn see
          replace -- dis.place.able adj

   displacement
          [dis.place.ment] n (1611) 1: the act or process of displacing:
          the state of being displaced 2 a: the volume or weight
          of a fluid (as water) displaced by a floating body (as
          a ship) of equal weight b: the difference between the
          initial position of something (as a body or geometric
          figure) and any later position c: the volume displaced
          by a piston (as in a pump or an engine) in a single stroke;
          also: the total volume so displaced by all the pistons
          in an internal combustion engine (as in an automobile)
          3 a: the redirection of an emotion or impulse from its
          original object (as an idea or person) to another b:
          the substitution of another form of behavior for what
          is usual or expected esp. when the usual response is
          nonadaptive

   displant
          [dis.plant] vt [MF desplanter, fr. des- dis- + planter to
          plant, fr. LL plantare] (15c) 1: displace, remove 2:
          supplant

   [1]display
          [dis.play] vb [ME, fr. AF despleer, desploier, lit.,
          to unfold--more at deploy] vt (14c) 1 a: to put or spread before
          the view <~ the flag> b: to make evident <~ed great skill>
          c: to exhibit ostentatiously <liked to ~ his erudition> 2 obs:
          descry ~ vi 1 obs: show off 2: to make a breeding display <penguins
          ~ed and copulated> syn see show -- dis.play.able adj [2]display
          n, often attrib (1665) 1 a (1): a setting or presentation
          of something in open view <a fireworks ~> (2): a clear sign
          or evidence: exhibition <a ~ of courage> b: ostentatious show
          c: type, composition, or printing designed to catch the eye
          d: an eye-catching arrangement by which something is exhibited
          e: an electronic device (as a cathode-ray tube) that temporarily
          presents information in visual form; also: the visual information
          2: a pattern of behavior exhibited esp. by male birds in the
          breeding season

   displease
          [dis.please] vb [ME displesen, fr. MF desplaisir, modif.
          of (assumed) VL displacere, fr. L dis- + placere to please--more
          at please] vt (14c) 1: to incur the disapproval or dislike
          of esp. by annoying <their gossip ~s her> 2: to be offensive
          to <abstract art ~s him> ~ vi: to give displeasure <behavior
          calculated to ~>

   displeasure
          [dis.plea.sure] n (15c) 1: the feeling of one that is displeased:
          disfavor 2: discomfort, unhappiness 3 archaic: offense,
          injury

   displode
          [dis.plode] vb dis.plod.ed ; dis.plod.ing [L displodere,
          fr. dis- + plaudere to clap, applaud] (1667) archaic:
          explode -- dis.plo.sion n

   [1]disport
          [dis.port] n (14c) archaic: sport, pastime [2]disport vb
          [ME, fr. MF desporter, fr. des- dis- + porter to carry,
          fr. L portare--more at fare] vt (14c) 1: divert, amuse
          2: display ~ vi: to amuse oneself in light or lively
          fashion: frolic -- dis.port.ment n

   [1]disposable
          [dis.pos.able] adj (1643) 1: subject to or available for
          disposal; specif: remaining to an individual after deduction
          of taxes <~ income> 2: designed to be used once and then
          thrown away <~ diapers> -- dis.pos.abil.i.ty n [2]disposable
          n (1963): something that is disposable

   disposal
          [dis.pos.al] n (1630) 1: the power or authority to dispose
          or make use of as one chooses <the car was at my ~> 2:
          the act or process of disposing: as a: orderly placement
          or distribution b: regulation, administration c: the
          act or action of presenting or bestowing something <~
          of favors> d: systematic destruction; esp: destruction
          or transformation of garbage 3 [garbage disposal unit]:
          a device used to reduce waste matter (as by grinding)

   [1]dispose
          [dis.pose] vb dis.posed ; dis.pos.ing [ME, fr. MF disposer,
          fr. L disponere to arrange (perf. indic. disposui), fr.
          dis- + ponere to put--more at position] vt (14c) 1: to
          give a tendency to: incline <faulty diet ~s one to sickness>
          2 a: to put in place: set in readiness: arrange <disposing
          troops for withdrawal> b obs: regulate c: bestow ~ vi
          1: to settle a matter finally 2 obs: to come to terms
          syn see incline -- dis.pos.er n -- dispose of 1: to place,
          distribute, or arrange esp. in an orderly way 2 a: to
          transfer to the control of another <disposing of personal
          property to a total stranger> b (1): to get rid of <how
          to dispose of toxic waste> (2): to deal with conclusively
          <disposed of the matter efficiently> [2]dispose n (1590)
          1 obs: disposal 2 obs a: disposition b: demeanor

   disposition
          [dis.po.si.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L disposition-, dispositio,
          fr. disponere] (14c) 1: the act or the power of disposing
          or the state of being disposed: as a: administration,
          control b: final arrangement: settlement <the ~ of the
          case> c (1): transfer to the care or possession of another
          (2): the power of such transferal d: orderly arrangement
          2 a: prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination b: temperamental
          makeup c: the tendency of something to act in a certain
          manner under given circumstances -- dis.po.si.tion.al
          adj syn disposition, temperament, temper, character,
          personality mean the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing
          a person or group. disposition implies customary moods
          and attitude toward the life around one <a cheerful disposition>.
          temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics
          associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization
          <an artistic temperament>. temper implies the qualities
          acquired through experience that determine how a person
          or group meets difficulties or handles situations <a
          resilient temper>. character applies to the aggregate
          of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart
          from intelligence, competence, or special talents <strength
          of character>. personality applies to an aggregate of
          qualities that distinguish one as a person <a somber
          personality>.

   dispositive
          [dis.pos.i.tive] adj (1613): directed toward or effecting
          disposition (as of a case) <~ evidence>

   dispossess
          [dis.pos.sess] vt [MF despossesser, fr. des- dis- + possesser
          to possess] (1555): to put out of possession or occupancy
          <~ed the nobles of their land> -- dis.pos.ses.sion n
          -- dis.pos.ses.sor n

   dispossessed
          [dis.pos.sessed] adj (15c): deprived of homes, possessions,
          and security

   disposure
          [dis.po.sure] n (1569) archaic: disposal, disposition

   dispraise
          [dis.praise] vt [ME dispraisen, fr. MF despreisier, fr. OF,
          fr. des- dis- + preisier to praise] (13c): to comment
          on with disapproval or censure -- dispraise n -- dis.prais.er
          n -- dis.prais.ing.ly adv

   dispread
          [dispread] vt (1590): to spread abroad or out

   disprize
          [dis.prize] vt [MF despriser, fr. OF despreisier] (15c) archaic:
          undervalue, scorn

   disproof
          [dis.proof] n (15c) 1: the action of disproving 2: evidence
          that disproves

   [1]disproportion
          [dis.pro.por.tion] n (1555): lack of proportion, symmetry,
          or proper relation: disparity; also: an instance of such
          disparity -- dis.pro.por.tion.al adj [2]disproportion
          vt (1593): to make out of proportion: mismatch

   disproportionate
          [dis.pro.por.tion.ate] adj (1555): being out of proportion
          <a ~ share> -- dis.pro.por.tion.ate.ly adv

   disproportionation
          [dis.pro.por.tion.ation] n (ca. 1929): the transformation
          of a substance into two or more dissimilar substances
          usu. by simultaneous oxidation and reduction --
          dis.pro.por.tion.ate vi

   disprove
          [dis.prove] vt [ME, fr. MF desprover, fr. des- dis- + prover
          to prove] (14c): to prove to be false or wrong: refute
          -- dis.prov.able adj

   disputant
          [dis.pu.tant] n (1593): one that is engaged in a dispute

   disputation
          [dis.pu.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: the action of disputing: verbal
          controversy <continuous ~ between them> <ideological
          ~s> 2: an academic exercise in oral defense of a thesis
          by formal logic

   disputatious
          [dis.pu.ta.tious] adj (1660) 1 a: inclined to dispute b:
          marked by disputation 2: provoking debate: controversial
          -- dis.pu.ta.tious.ly adv -- dis.pu.ta.tious.ness n

   [1]dispute
          [dis.pute] vb dis.put.ed ; dis.put.ing [ME, fr. OF desputer,
          fr. L dispu tare to discuss, fr. dis- + putare to think]
          vi (13c): to engage in argument: debate; esp: to argue
          irritably or with irritating persistence ~ vt 1 a: to
          make the subject of disputation b: to call into question
          <her honesty was never disputed> 2 a: to struggle against:
          oppose <disputed the advance of the invaders> b: to contend
          over <both sides disputed the bridgehead> -- dis.put.able
          adj -- dis.put.ably adv -- dis.put.er n [2]dis.pute n
          (1608) 1 a: verbal controversy: debate b: quarrel 2 obs:
          physical combat

   disqualification
          [dis.qual.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1714) 1: something that disqualifies
          or incapacitates 2: the act of disqualifying: the state
          of being disqualified <~ from office>

   disqualify
          [dis.qual.i.fy] vt (1723) 1: to deprive of the required qualities,
          properties, or conditions: make unfit 2: to deprive of a power,
          right, or privilege 3: to make ineligible for a prize or for
          further competition because of violations of the rules

   disquantity
          [dis.quan.ti.ty] vt (1605) obs: diminish, lessen

   [1]disquiet
          [dis.qui.et] vt (ca. 1530): to take away the peace or tranquillity
          of: disturb, alarm syn see discompose -- dis.qui.et.ing adj
          -- dis.qui.et.ing.ly adv [2]disquiet n (1581): lack of peace
          or tranquillity: anxiety [3]disquiet adj (1587) archaic: uneasy,
          disquieted -- dis.qui.et.ly adv

   disquietude
          [dis.qui.etude] n (1709): anxiety, agitation

   disquisition
          [dis.qui.si.tion] n [L disquisition-, disquisitio, fr. disquirere
          to investigate, fr. dis- + quaerere to seek] (1647):
          a formal inquiry into or discussion of a subject: discourse

   disrate
          [dis.rate] vt (1811): to reduce in rank: demote

   [1]disregard
          [dis.re.gard] vt (1641): to pay no attention to: treat as
          unworthy of regard or notice syn see neglect [2]disregard
          n (1665): the act of disregarding: the state of being
          disregarded: neglect -- dis.re.gard.ful adj

   disrelated
          [dis.re.lat.ed] adj (1894): not related

   disrelation
          [dis.re.la.tion] n (1893): lack of a fitting or proportionate
          connection or relationship

   [1]disrelish
          [dis.rel.ish] vt (1604): to find unpalatable or distasteful
          [2]disrelish n (ca. 1625): lack of relish: distaste,
          dislike

   disremember
          [dis.re.mem.ber] vt (1815): forget

   disrepair
          [dis.re.pair] n (1798): the state of being in need of repair
          <a building fallen into ~>

   disreputable
          [dis.rep.u.ta.ble] adj (1772): not reputable --
          dis.rep.u.ta.bil.i.ty n -- dis.rep.u.ta.ble.ness n --
          dis.rep.u.ta.bly adv

   disrepute
          [dis.re.pute] n (1653): lack or decline of good reputation:
          a state of being held in low esteem syn see disgrace

   [1]disrespect
          [dis.re.spect] vt (1614): to have disrespect for [2]disrespect
          n (1631): lack of respect -- dis.re.spect.ful adj --
          dis.re.spect.ful.ly adv -- dis.re.spect.ful.ness n

   disrespectable
          [dis.re.spect.able] adj (1813): not respectable --
          dis.re.spect.abil.i.ty n

   disrobe
          [dis.robe] vb [MF desrober, fr. des- dis- + robe garment,
          fr. OF] vi (1581): to take off one's clothing ~ vt: to
          strip of clothing or covering

   disrupt
          [dis.rupt] vt [L disruptus, pp. of disrumpere, fr. dis- +
          rumpere to break--more at reave] (1817) 1 a: to break
          apart: rupture b: to throw into disorder <agitators trying
          to ~ the meeting> 2: to interrupt the normal course or
          unity of -- dis.rupt.er n -- dis.rup.tion n -- dis.rup.tive
          adj -- dis.rup.tive.ly adv -- dis.rup.tive.ness n

   diss
          [diss] abbreviation dissertation

   diss
          [diss] var of dis

   dissatisfaction
          [dis.sat.is.fac.tion] n (1640): the quality or state of being
          dissatisfied: discontent

   dissatisfactory
          [dis.sat.is.fac.to.ry] adj (ca. 1610): causing dissatisfaction

   dissatisfied
          [dis.sat.is.fied] adj (1675): expressing or showing lack
          of satisfaction: not pleased or satisfied

   dissatisfy
          [dis.sat.is.fy] vt (1666): to fail to satisfy: displease

   dissave
          [dis.save] vi (1936): to use savings for current expenses

   disseat
          [dis.seat] vt (1612) archaic: unseat

   dissect
          [dis.sect] vb [L dissectus, pp. of dissecare to cut apart,
          fr. dis- + secare to cut--more at saw] vt (1607) 1: to
          separate into pieces: expose the several parts of (as
          an animal) for scientific examination 2: to analyze and
          interpret minutely ~ vi: to make a dissection syn see
          analyze -- dis.sec.tor n

   dissected
          [dis.sect.ed] adj (1652) 1: cut deeply into fine lobes <a
          ~ leaf> 2: divided into hills and ridges (as by gorges)
          <a ~ plateau>

   dissecting microscope
          [dis.sect.ing microscope] n (ca. 1897): a microscope with
          low magnification

   dissection
          [dis.sec.tion] n (1605) 1: the act or process of dissecting:
          the state of being dissected 2: an anatomical specimen
          prepared by dissecting

   disseise
          [dis.seise] or dis.seize vt dis.seised or dis.seized ; dis.seis.ing
          or dis.seiz.ing [ME disseisen, fr. ML disseisiare & AF disseisir,
          fr. OF dessaisir, fr. desdis- + saisir to put in possession
          of--more at seize] (14c): to deprive esp. wrongfully of seisin:
          dispossess -- dis.sei.sor n

   disseisin
          [dis.sei.sin] or dis.sei.zin n [ME dysseysyne, fr. AF disseisine,
          fr. OF dessaisine, fr. des- dis- + saisine seisin] (14c):
          the act of disseising: the state of being disseised

   dissemble
          [dis.sem.ble] vb dis.sem.bled ; dis.sem.bling [ME dissymblen,
          alter. of dissimulen, fr. MF dissimuler, fr. L dissimulare--more
          at dissimulate] vt (15c) 1: to hide under a false appearance
          2: to put on the appearance of: simulate ~ vi: to put
          on a false appearance: conceal facts, intentions, or
          feelings under some pretense -- dis.sem.bler n

   disseminate
          [dis.sem.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L disseminatus, pp.
          of disseminare, fr. dis- + seminare to sow, fr. semin-,
          semen seed--more at semen] (1603) 1: to spread abroad
          as though sowing seed <~ ideas> 2: to disperse throughout
          -- dis.sem.i.na.tion n -- dis.sem.i.na.tor n

   disseminated
          [dis.sem.i.nat.ed] adj (1876): widely dispersed in a tissue,
          organ, or the entire body <~ gonococcal disease>

   disseminule
          [dis.sem.i.nule] n (1904): a part or organ (as a seed or
          spore) of a plant that ensures propagation

   dissension
          [dis.sen.sion] also dis.sen.tion n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L dissension-,
          dissensio, fr. dissentire] (14c): disagreement; esp: partisan and
          contentious quarreling syn see discord

   dissensus
          [dis.sen.sus] n [dis- + consensus] (1966): difference of
          opinion

   [1]dissent
          [dis.sent] vi [ME, fr. L dissentire, fr. dis- + sentire to
          feel--more at sense] (15c) 1: to withhold assent 2: to
          differ in opinion [2]dissent n (1585): difference of
          opinion: as a: religious nonconformity b: a justice's
          nonconcurrence with a decision of the majority--called
          also dissenting opinion

   dissenter
          [dis.sent.er] n (1639) 1: one that dissents 2 cap: an English
          Nonconformist

   dissentient
          [dis.sen.tient] adj [L dissentient-, dissentiens, prp. of
          dissentire] (1651): expressing dissent -- dissentient
          n

   dissenting
          [dis.sent.ing] adj, often cap (1644): of or relating to the
          English Nonconformists <a ~ church> <~ merchants>

   dissentious
          [dis.sen.tious] adj (1560): characterized by dissension or
          dissent

   dissepiment
          [dis.sep.i.ment] n [L dissaepimentum partition, fr. dissaepire
          to divide, fr. dis- + saepire to fence in--more at septum]
          (ca. 1727): a dividing tissue: septum

   dissert
          [dis.sert] vi [L dissertus, pp. of disserere, fr. dis- +
          serere to join, arrange--more at series] (1657): to speak
          or write at length

   dissertate
          [dis.ser.tate] vi -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L dissertatus, pp.
          of dissertare, fr. dissertus] (1766): dissert; also:
          to write a dissertation -- dis.ser.ta.tor n

   dissertation
          [dis.ser.ta.tion] n (1651): an extended usu. written treatment
          of a subject; specif: one submitted for a doctorate --
          dis.ser.ta.tion.al adj

   disserve
          [dis.serve] vt (1629): to serve badly or falsely: harm

   disservice
          [dis.ser.vice] n (1599): ill service: harm; also: an unhelpful,
          unkind, or harmful act

   disserviceable
          [dis.ser.vice.able] adj (1644): counterproductive

   dissever
          [dis.sev.er] vb [ME, fr. OF dessevrer, fr. LL disseparare,
          fr. L dis- + separare to separate] vt (13c): sever, separate
          ~ vi: to come apart: disunite -- dis.sev.er.ance n --
          dis.sev.er.ment n

   dissidence
          [dis.si.dence] n (ca. 1656): dissent, disagreement

   dissident
          [dis.si.dent] adj [L dissident-, dissidens, prp. of dissidere
          to sit apart, disagree, fr. dis- + sedere to sit--more
          at sit] (1837): disagreeing esp. with an established
          religious or political system, organization, or belief
          -- dissident n

   dissimilar
          [dis.sim.i.lar] adj (1599): unlike -- dis.sim.i.lar.i.ty
          n -- dis.sim.i.lar.ly adv -- dis.sim.i.lars n pl

   dissimilate
          [dis.sim.i.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [dis- + -similate
          (as in assimilate)] (1841): to undergo dissimilation
          -- dis.sim.i.la.to.ry adj

   dissimilation
          [dis.sim.i.la.tion] n (ca. 1874): the change or omission
          of one of two identical or closely related sounds in
          a word

   dissimilitude
          [dis.si.mil.i.tude] n [L dissimilitudo, fr. dissimilis unlike,
          fr. dis- + similis like--more at same] (15c): lack of
          resemblance

   dissimulate
          [dis.sim.u.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L dissimulatus, pp.
          of dissimulare, fr. dis- + simulare to simulate] vt (15c):
          to hide under a false appearance <smiled to ~ her urgency
          --Alice Glenday> ~ vi: dissemble -- dis.sim.u.la.tion
          n -- dis.sim.u.la.tor n

   dissipate
          [dis.si.pate] vb -pat.ed ; -pat.ing [L dissipatus, pp. of
          dissipare, dissupare, fr. dis- + supare to throw] vt
          (15c) 1 a: to break up and drive off (as a crowd) b:
          to cause to spread thin or scatter and gradually vanish
          <one's sympathy is eventually dissipated --Andrew Feinberg>
          c: to lose (as heat or electricity) irrecoverably 2:
          to spend or use up wastefully or foolishly <lifelong
          tendency to ~ his gifts in travel and pleasure --Edmund
          Morris> <his fortune is dissipated in imprudent political
          adventures --John Butt> ~ vi 1: to break up and scatter
          or vanish 2: to be extravagant or dissolute in the pursuit
          of pleasure; esp: to drink to excess syn see scatter
          -- dis.si.pat.er n

   dissipated
          [dis.si.pat.ed] adj (1744): given to or marked by dissipation:
          dissolute -- dis.si.pat.ed.ly adv -- dis.si.pat.ed.ness
          n

   dissipation
          [dis.si.pa.tion] n (15c) 1: the action or process of dissipating:
          the state of being dissipated: a: dispersion, diffusion
          b archaic: dissolution, disintegration c: wasteful expenditure
          d: intemperate living; esp: excessive drinking 2: an
          act of self-indulgence; esp: one that is not harmful:
          amusement

   dissipative
          [dis.si.pa.tive] adj (1684): relating to dissipation esp.
          of heat

   dissociable
          [dis.so.cia.ble] adj (1833): separable -- dis.so.cia.bil.i.ty
          n

   dissocial
          [dis.so.cial] adj (1762): unsocial, selfish

   dissociate
          [dis.so.ci.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L dissociatus, pp. of
          dissociare, fr. dis- + sociare to join, fr. socius companion--more
          at social] vt (1590) 1: to separate from association or union with
          another 2: disunite; specif: to subject to chemical dissociation
          ~ vi 1: to undergo dissociation 2: to mutate esp. reversibly

   dissociation
          [dis.so.ci.a.tion] n (1611) 1: the act or process of dissociating:
          the state of being dissociated: as a: the process by which
          a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents; esp:
          one that results from the action of energy (as heat) on a gas
          or of a solvent on a dissolved substance b: the separation of whole
          segments of the personality (as in multiple personality)
          or of discrete mental processes (as in the schizophrenias) from the
          mainstream of consciousness or of behavior 2: the property inherent
          in some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria)
          of differentiating into two or more distinct and relatively
          permanent strains; also: such a strain -- dis.so.cia.tive adj

   dissoluble
          [dis.sol.u.ble] adj [L dissolubilis, fr. dissolvere to dissolve]
          (1534): capable of being dissolved or disintegrated

   dissolute
          [dis.so.lute] adj [L dissolutus, fr. pp. of dissolvere to
          loosen, dissolve] (14c): lacking restraint; esp: marked
          by indulgence in things (as drink or promiscuous sex)
          deemed vices <the ~ and degrading aspects of human nature
          --Wallace Fowlie> -- dis.so.lute.ly adv -- dis.so.lute.ness
          n

   dissolution
          [dis.so.lu.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or process of dissolving:
          as a: separation into component parts b (1): decay, disintegration
          (2): death c: termination or destruction by breaking down,
          disrupting, or dispersing <the ~ of the republic> d: the dissolving
          of an assembly or organization e: liquefaction 2: a dissolute act
          or practice

   [1]dissolve
          [dis.solve] vb [ME, fr. L dissolvere, fr. dis- + solvere
          to loosen--more at solve] vt (14c) 1 a: to cause to disperse
          or disappear: destroy b: to separate into component parts:
          disintegrate c: to bring to an end: terminate <~ parliament>
          d: annul <~ an injunction> 2 a: to cause to pass into
          solution <~ sugar in water> b: melt, liquefy c: to cause
          to be emotionally moved d: to cause to fade out in a
          dissolve 3 archaic: detach, loosen 4: to clear up <~
          a problem> ~ vi 1 a: to become dissipated or decomposed
          b: break up, disperse c: to fade away 2 a: to become
          fluid: melt b: to pass into solution c: to be overcome
          emotionally <dissolved into tears> d: to resolve itself
          as if by dissolution <hate dissolved into fear> e: to
          change by a dissolve <the scene ~s to a Victorian parlor>
          -- dis.solv.able adj -- dis.sol.vent n or adj -- dis.solv.er
          n [2]dissolve n (1916): a gradual superimposing of one
          motion-picture or television shot upon another on a screen

   dissonance
          [dis.so.nance] n (15c) 1 a: lack of agreement; esp: inconsistency
          between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions
          and one's beliefs--compare cognitive dissonance b: an
          instance of such inconsistency or disagreement 2: a mingling
          of discordant sounds; esp: a clashing or unresolved musical
          interval or chord

   dissonant
          [dis.so.nant] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L dissonant-, dissonans,
          prp. of dissonare to be discordant, fr. dis- + sonare
          to sound--more at sound] (15c) 1: marked by dissonance:
          discordant 2: incongruous 3: harmonically unresolved
          -- dis.so.nant.ly adv

   dissuade
          [dis.suade] vt dis.suad.ed ; dis.suad.ing [MF or L; MF dissuader,
          fr. L dissuadere, fr. dis- + suadere to urge--more at
          sweet] (15c) 1 a: to advise (a person) against something
          b archaic: to advise against (an action) 2: to turn from
          something by persuasion -- dis.suad.er n

   dissuasion
          [dis.sua.sion] n [MF or L; MF, fr. L dissuasion-, dissuasio,
          fr. dissuadere] (15c): the action of dissuading

   dissuasive
          [dis.sua.sive] adj (1609): tending to dissuade -- dis.sua.sive.ly
          adv -- dis.sua.sive.ness n

   dissyllable
          [dis.syl.la.ble] var of disyllable

   dissymmetry
          [dis.sym.me.try] n (1845): the absence of or the lack of
          symmetry -- dis.sym.met.ric adj

   dist
          [dist] abbreviation distance, district

   [1]distaff
          [dis.taff] n, pl distaffs [ME distaf, fr. OE distaef, fr.
          dis- (akin to MLG dise bunch of flax) + staef staff]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a staff for holding the flax, tow, or
          wool in spinning b: woman's work or domain 2: the female
          branch or side of a family [2]distaff adj (ca. 1633):
          maternal <the ~ side of the family>--compare spear; also:
          female <~ executives>

   distain
          [dis.tain] vt [ME disteynen, fr. MF desteindre to take away
          the color of, fr. OF, fr. des- dis- + teindre to dye,
          fr. L tingere to wet, dye--more at tinge] (14c) 1 archaic:
          stain 2 archaic: dishonor

   distal
          [dis.tal] adj [distant + -al] (1808) 1: situated away from
          the point of attachment or origin or a central point
          esp. of the body--compare proximal 2: of, relating to,
          or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the tooth
          behind it or that is farthest from the middle of the
          front of the jaw--compare mesial 2 -- dis.tal.ly adv

   distal convoluted tubule
          [distal convoluted tubule] n (ca. 1901): the convoluted portion
          of the vertebrate nephron that lies between the loop
          of Henle and the nonsecretory part of the nephron and
          that is concerned esp. with the concentration of urine

   [1]distance
          [dis.tance] n (14c) 1 obs: discord 2 a: separation in time
          b: the degree or amount of separation between two points,
          lines, surfaces, or objects c (1): an extent of area
          or an advance along a route measured linearly (2): an
          extent of space measured other than linearly <within
          walking ~> d: an extent of advance from a beginning e:
          expanse f (1): length of a race or contest <won at all
          ~s> (2): the full length (as of a prizefight or ball
          game) (3): a long race <~ training> 3: the quality or
          state of being distant: as a: spatial remoteness b: personal
          and esp. emotional separation; also: reserve, coldness
          c: difference, disparity 4: a distant point or region
          5 a: aesthetic distance b: capacity to observe dispassionately
          -- go the distance also last the distance : to complete
          a course of action [2]distance vt dis.tanced ; dis.tanc.ing
          (1578) 1: to place or keep at a distance 2: to leave
          far behind: outstrip

   distant
          [dis.tant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L distant-, distans, prp.
          of distare to stand apart, be distant, fr. dis- + stare
          to stand--more at stand] (14c) 1 a: separated in space:
          away b: situated at a great distance: far-off c: separated
          by a great distance from each other: far apart d: far
          behind <finished a ~ third> 2: separated in a relationship
          other than spatial <a ~ cousin> <the ~ past> 3: different
          in kind 4: reserved or aloof in personal relationship:
          cold <was ~ and distracted> 5 a: going a long distance
          <~ voyages> b: concerned with remote things <~ thoughts>
          -- dis.tant.ly adv -- dis.tant.ness n

   [1]distaste
          [dis.taste] vt (1592) 1 archaic: to feel aversion to 2 archaic:
          offend, displease ~ vi, obs: to have an offensive taste
          [2]distaste n (1598) 1 a archaic: dislike of food or
          drink b: aversion, disinclination <a ~ for opera> 2 obs:
          annoyance, discomfort

   distasteful
          [dis.taste.ful] adj (1607) 1: objectionable because offensive
          to one's personal taste: disagreeable 2: unpleasant to
          the taste: loathsome -- dis.taste.ful.ly adv -- dis.taste.ful.ness
          n

   distelfink
          [dis.tel.fink] n [PaG dischdelfink, lit., goldfinch, fr.
          dischdel thistle + fink finch] (1939): a traditional
          Pennsylvania Dutch design motif in the form of a stylized
          bird

   [1]distemper
          [dis.tem.per] vt [ME distempren, fr. LL distemperare to temper
          badly, fr. L dis- + temperare to temper] (14c) 1: to
          throw out of order 2 archaic: derange, unsettle [2]distemper
          n (ca. 1555) 1: bad humor or temper 2: a disordered or
          abnormal bodily state esp. of quadruped mammals: as a:
          a highly contagious virus disease esp. of dogs marked
          by fever, leukopenia, and respiratory, gastrointestinal,
          and neurological symptoms b: strangles c: panleukopenia
          3: ailment, disorder <political ~> <intellectual ~s>
          -- dis.tem.per.ate adj [3]distemper n [obs. distemper,
          v., to dilute, mix to produce distemper, fr. ME, fr.
          MF destemprer, fr. L dis- + temperare] (1632) 1: a process
          of painting in which the pigments are mixed with an emulsion
          of egg yolk, with size, or with white of egg as a vehicle
          and which is used for painting scenery and murals 2 a:
          the paint or the prepared ground used in the distemper
          process b: a painting done in distemper 3: any of various
          water-based paints [4]distemper vt (ca. 1873): to paint
          in or with distemper

   distemperature
          [dis.tem.per.a.ture] n (1531): a disordered condition

   distend
          [dis.tend] vb [ME, fr. L distendere, fr. dis- + tendere to
          stretch--more at thin] vt (15c) 1: extend 2: to enlarge
          from internal pressure: swell ~ vi: to become expanded
          syn see expand

   distensible
          [dis.ten.si.ble] adj [distens- (fr. L distensus, pp. of distendere)
          + -ible] (ca. 1828): capable of being distended --
          dis.ten.si.bil.i.ty n

   distension
          [dis.ten.sion] or dis.ten.tion n [L distention-, distentio,
          fr. distendere] (15c): the act of distending or the state
          of being distended esp. unduly or abnormally

   distich
          [dis.tich] n [L distichon, fr. Gk, fr. neut. of distichos
          having two rows, fr. di- + stichos row, verse; akin to
          Gk steichein to go--more at stair] (1553): a strophic
          unit of two lines

   distichous
          [dis.ti.chous] adj [LL distichus, fr. Gk distichos] (ca.
          1753): disposed in two vertical rows <~ leaves>

   distill
          [dis.till] also dis.til vb dis.tilled ; dis.till.ing [ME
          distillen, fr. MF distiller, fr. LL distillare, alter.
          of L destillare, fr. de- + stillare to drip, fr. stilla
          drop] vt (14c) 1: to let fall, exude, or precipitate
          in drops or in a wet mist 2 a: to subject to or transform
          by distillation b: to obtain by or as if by distillation
          c: to extract the essence of: concentrate ~ vi 1 a: to
          fall or materialize in drops or in a fine moisture b:
          to appear slowly or in small quantities at a time 2 a:
          to undergo distillation b: to perform distillation

   distillate
          [dis.til.late] n (ca. 1859) 1: a liquid product condensed
          from vapor during distillation 2: something concentrated
          or extracted as if by distilling

   distillation
          [dis.til.la.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the process of purifying a
          liquid by successive evaporation and condensation b:
          a process like distillation; also: an instance of distilling
          2: something distilled: distillate 2

   distiller
          [dis.till.er] n (1577): one that distills esp. alcoholic
          liquors

   distillery
          [dis.till.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1759): the works where distilling
          (as of alcoholic liquors) is done

   distinct
          [dis.tinct] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L distinctus, fr. pp. of
          distinguere] (14c) 1: distinguishable to the eye or mind
          as discrete: separate <a ~ cultural group> <teaching
          as ~ from research> 2: presenting a clear unmistakable
          impression <a neat ~ handwriting> 3 archaic: notably
          decorated 4 a: notable <a ~ contribution to scholarship>
          b: readily and unmistakably apprehended <a ~ possibility
          of snow> <a ~ British accent> -- dis.tinct.ly adv --
          dis.tinct.ness n syn distinct, separate, discrete mean
          not being each and every one the same. distinct indicates
          that something is distinguished by the mind or eye as
          being apart or different from others <two distinct versions>.
          separate often stresses lack of connection or a difference
          in identity between two things <separate rooms>. discrete
          strongly emphasizes individuality and lack of connection
          <broke the job down into discrete stages>. syn see in
          addition evident

   distinction
          [dis.tinc.tion] n (13c) 1 a archaic: division b: class 4
          2: the distinguishing of a difference <without ~ as to
          race, sex, or religion>; also: the difference distinguished
          <the ~ between imply and infer> 3: something that distinguishes
          <regional ~s> 4: the quality or state of being distinguishable
          5 a: the quality or state of being distinguished or worthy
          <a politician of some ~> b: special honor or recognition
          <took a law degree with ~> <won many ~s> c: an accomplishment
          that sets one apart <the ~ of being the oldest to win
          the title>

   distinctive
          [dis.tinc.tive] adj (15c) 1 a: serving to distinguish b:
          having or giving style or distinction 2: capable of making
          a segment of utterance different in meaning as well as
          in sound from an otherwise identical utterance syn see
          characteristic -- dis.tinc.tive.ly adv -- dis.tinc.tive.ness
          n

   distingue
          [dis.tin.gue] adj [F, fr. pp. of distinguer] (1813): distinguished
          esp. in manner or bearing

   distinguish
          [dis.tin.guish] vb [MF distinguer, fr. L distinguere, lit.,
          to separate by pricking, fr. dis- + -stinguere (akin
          to L instigare to urge on)--more at stick] vt (1561)
          1: to perceive a difference in: mentally separate <so
          alike they could not be ~ed> 2 a: to mark as separate
          or different b: to separate into kinds, classes, or categories
          c: to give prominence or distinction to <~ed themselves
          in music> d: characterize 3 a: discern <~ed a light in
          the distance> b: to single out: take special notice of
          ~ vi: to perceive a difference -- dis.tin.guish.abil.i.ty
          n -- dis.tin.guish.able adj -- dis.tin.guish.ably adv

   distinguished
          [dis.tin.guished] adj (1714) 1: marked by eminence, distinction,
          or excellence 2: befitting an eminent person syn see
          famous

   Distinguished Conduct Medal
          [Distinguished Conduct Medal] n (1862): a British military
          decoration awarded for distinguished conduct in the field

   Distinguished Flying Cross
          [Distinguished Flying Cross] n (1918) 1: a British military
          decoration awarded for acts of gallantry when flying
          in operations against an enemy 2: a U.S. military decoration
          awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while
          participating in an aerial flight

   Distinguished Service Cross
          [Distinguished Service Cross] n (1914) 1: a British military
          decoration awarded for distinguished service against
          the enemy 2: a U.S. Army decoration awarded for extraordinary
          heroism during operations against an armed enemy

   Distinguished Service Medal
          [Distinguished Service Medal] n (1914) 1: a British military
          decoration awarded for distinguished conduct in war 2:
          a U.S. military decoration awarded for exceptionally
          meritorious service to the government in a wartime duty
          of great responsibility

   Distinguished Service Order
          [Distinguished Service Order] n (1886): a British military
          decoration awarded for special services in action

   distn
          [distn] abbreviation distillation

   distort
          [dis.tort] vb [L distortus, pp. of distorquere, fr. dis-
          + torquere to twist--more at torture] vt (ca. 1586) 1:
          to twist out of the true meaning or proportion <~ed the
          facts> 2: to twist out of a natural, normal, or original
          shape or condition <a face ~ed by pain>; also: to cause
          to be perceived unnaturally <the new lights ~ed colors>
          3: pervert ~ vi: to become distorted; also: to cause
          a twisting from the true, natural, or normal syn see
          deform -- dis.tort.er n

   distortion
          [dis.tor.tion] n (1581) 1: the act of distorting 2: the quality
          or state of being distorted: a product of distorting:
          as a: a lack of proportionality in an image resulting
          from defects in the optical system b: falsified reproduction
          of an audio or video signal caused by change in the wave
          form of the original signal -- dis.tor.tion.al adj

   distr
          [distr] abbreviation distribute, distribution

   [1]distract
          [dis.tract] adj (14c) archaic: insane, mad [2]dis.tract vt
          [ME, fr. L distractus, pp. of distrahere, lit., to draw
          apart, fr. dis- + trahere to draw] (14c) 1 a: to turn
          aside: divert b: to draw or direct (as one's attention)
          to a different object or in different directions at the
          same time 2: to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions
          or motives syn see puzzle -- dis.tract.i.bil.i.ty n --
          dis.tract.ible or dis.tract.able adj -- dis.tract.ing.ly
          adv

   distracted
          [dis.tract.ed] adj (1590) 1: maddened or deranged esp. by
          grief or anxiety 2: mentally confused, troubled, or remote
          -- dis.tract.ed.ly adv

   distraction
          [dis.trac.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of distracting or the
          state of being distracted; esp: mental confusion 2: something
          that distracts; esp: amusement -- dis.trac.tive adj

   distrain
          [dis.train] vb [ME distreynen, fr. OF destreindre, fr. ML
          distringere, fr. L, to draw apart, detain, fr. dis- +
          stringere to bind tight--more at strain] vt (14c) 1:
          to force or compel to satisfy an obligation by means
          of a distress 2: to seize by distress ~ vi: to levy a
          distress -- dis.train.able adj -- dis.train.er or dis.train.or
          n

   distraint
          [dis.traint] n [distrain + -t (as in constraint)] (ca. 1736):
          the act or action of distraining

   distrait
          [dis.trait] adj [ME, fr. OF destrait, fr. L distractus] (15c):
          apprehensively divided or withdrawn in attention: distracted
          2

   distraite
          [dis.traite] adj (15c): distrait--used esp. of women

   distraught
          [dis.traught] adj [ME, modif. of L distractus] (14c) 1: agitated
          with doubt or mental conflict 2: insane -- dis.traught.ly
          adv

   [1]distress
          [dis.tress] n [ME destresse, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL districtia,
          fr. L districtus, pp. of distringere] (13c) 1 a: seizure
          and detention of the goods of another as pledge or to
          obtain satisfaction of a claim by the sale of the goods
          seized b: something that is distrained 2 a: pain or suffering
          affecting the body, a bodily part, or the mind: trouble
          <gastric ~> b: a painful situation: misfortune 3: a state
          of danger or desperate need <a ship in ~> syn distress,
          suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great
          trouble. distress implies an external and usu. temporary
          cause of great physical or mental strain and stress <the
          hurricane put everyone in great distress>. suffering
          implies conscious endurance of pain or distress <the
          suffering of famine victims>. misery stresses the unhappiness
          attending esp. sickness, poverty, or loss <the homeless
          live with misery every day>. agony suggests pain too
          intense to be borne <in agony over the death of their
          child>. [2]distress vt (14c) 1: to subject to great strain
          or difficulties 2 archaic: to force or overcome by inflicting
          pain 3: to cause to worry or be troubled: upset 4: to
          mar (as clothing or wood) deliberately to give an effect
          of age -- dis.tress.ing.ly adv [3]distress adj (1926)
          1: offered for sale at a loss <~ merchandise> 2: involving
          distress goods <a ~ sale>

   distressful
          [dis.tress.ful] adj (1591): causing distress: full of distress
          -- dis.tress.ful.ly adv -- dis.tress.ful.ness n

   distributary
          [dis.trib.u.tary] n, pl -tar.ies (1863): a river branch flowing
          away from the main stream

   distribute
          [dis.trib.ute] vb -ut.ed ; -ut.ing [ME, fr. L distributus,
          pp. of distribuere, fr. dis- + tribuere to allot--more
          at tribute] vt (15c) 1: to divide among several or many:
          apportion <~ expenses> 2 a: to spread out so as to cover
          something: scatter b: to give out or deliver esp. to
          members of a group <~ newspapers> <~ leaflets> c: to
          place or position so as to be properly apportioned over
          or throughout an area <200 pounds distributed on a 6-foot
          frame> d: to use (a term) so as to convey information
          about every member of the class named <the proposition
          "all men are mortal" ~s "man" but not "mortal"> 3 a:
          to divide or separate esp. into kinds b: to return the
          units of (as typeset matter) to storage 4: to use in
          or as an operation so as to be mathematically distributive
          ~ vi: to be mathematically distributive <multiplication
          ~s over addition> -- dis.trib.u.tee n syn distribute,
          dispense, divide, deal, dole out mean to give out, usu.
          in shares, to each member of a group. distribute implies
          an apportioning by separation of something into parts,
          units, or amounts <distributed food to the needy>. dispense
          suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured
          portion to each of a group according to due or need <dispensed
          wisdom to the students>. divide stresses the separation
          of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are
          equal <three charitable groups divided the proceeds>.
          deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece
          <deal out equipment and supplies>. dole out implies a
          carefully measured portion that is often scant or niggardly
          <doled out what little food there was>.

   distributed
          [dis.trib.ut.ed] adj (1968) 1: characterized by a statistical
          distribution of a particular kind <a normally ~ random
          variable> 2: of, relating to, or being a computer network
          in which at least some of the processing is done by the
          individual workstations and information is shared by
          and often stored at the workstations

   distribution
          [dis.tri.bu.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act or process of distributing
          b: the apportionment by a court of the personal property
          of an intestate 2 a: the position, arrangement, or frequency
          of occurrence (as of the members of a group) over an
          area or throughout a space or unit of time b: the natural
          geographic range of an organism 3 a: something distributed
          b (1): frequency distribution (2): probability function
          (3): probability density function 2 4: the pattern of
          branching and termination of a ramifying structure (as
          a nerve) 5: the marketing or merchandising of commodities
          -- dis.tri.bu.tion.al adj

   distribution function
          [distribution function] n (ca. 1909): a function that gives
          the probability that a random variable is less than or
          equal to the independent variable of the function

   distributive
          [dis.trib.u.tive] adj (15c) 1: of or relating to distribution:
          as a: dealing a proper share to each of a group b: diffusing
          more or less evenly 2 of a word: referring singly and
          without exception to the members of a group <each, either,
          and none are ~> 3 a: being an operation (as multiplication
          in a(b + c) equals ab + ac) that produces the same result
          when operating on the whole mathematical expression as
          when operating on each part and collecting the results
          b: being or relating to a rule or property concerning
          a distributive operation <the ~ property of multiplication
          with respect to addition> -- dis.trib.u.tive.ly adv --
          dis.trib.u.tiv.i.ty n

   distributor
          [dis.trib.u.tor] n (1526) 1: one that distributes 2: one
          that markets a commodity; esp: wholesaler 3: an apparatus
          for directing the secondary current from the induction
          coil to the various spark plugs of an engine in their
          proper firing order

   [1]district
          [dis.trict] n, often attrib [F, fr. ML districtus jurisdiction,
          district, fr. distringere to distrain--more at distrain]
          (1611) 1 a: a territorial division (as for administrative
          or electoral purposes) b: the basic administrative unit
          for local government in Northern Ireland 2: an area,
          region, or section with a distinguishing character [2]district
          vt (1792): to divide or organize into districts

   district attorney
          [district attorney] n (1789): the prosecuting officer of
          a judicial district

   district court
          [district court] n (1789): a trial court that has jurisdiction
          over certain cases within a specific judicial district

   [1]distrust
          [dis.trust] n (1513): the lack or absence of trust [2]distrust
          vt (1548): to have no trust or confidence in

   distrustful
          [dis.trust.ful] adj (1589): having or showing distrust --
          dis.trust.ful.ly adv -- dis.trust.ful.ness n

   disturb
          [dis.turb] vb [ME disturben, destourben, fr. OF & L; OF destourber,
          fr. L disturbare, fr. dis- + turbare to throw into disorder, fr.
          turba disorder--more at turbid] vt (14c) 1 a: to interfere with:
          interrupt b: to alter the position or arrangement of c: to upset
          the natural and esp. the ecological balance or relations of <land
          ~ed by dumping> 2 a: to destroy the tranquillity or composure
          of b: to throw into disorder c: alarm d: to put to inconvenience
          ~ vi: to cause disturbance syn see discompose -- dis.turb.er
          n -- dis.turb.ing.ly adv

   disturbance
          [dis.tur.bance] n (13c) 1: the act of disturbing: the state
          of being disturbed 2: a local variation from the average
          or normal wind conditions

   disturbed
          [dis.turbed] adj (1904): showing symptoms of emotional illness
          <~ children> <~ behavior>

   disubstituted
          [di.sub.sti.tut.ed] adj (ca. 1909): having two substituent
          atoms or groups in a molecule

   disulfide
          [di.sul.fide] n (1872) 1: a compound containing two atoms
          of sulfur combined with an element or radical 2: an organic
          compound containing the bivalent group SS composed of
          two sulfur atoms

   disulfiram
          [di.sul.fi.ram] n [disulfide + thiourea + amyl] (1952): a
          compound that causes a severe physiological reaction
          to alcohol and is used esp. in the treatment of alcoholism

   disulfoton
          [di.sul.fo.ton] n [di- + sulfo- + -ton (prob. fr. thion-)]
          (1965): an organophosphorus systemic insecticide

   disunion
          [dis.union] n (15c) 1: the termination of union: separation
          2: disunity -- dis.union.ist n

   disunite
          [dis.unite] vt (1598): divide, separate

   disunity
          [dis.uni.ty] n (1632): lack of unity; esp: dissension

   [1]disuse
          [dis.use] vt (15c): to discontinue the use or practice of
          [2]dis.use n (15c): cessation of use or practice

   disutility
          [dis.util.i.ty] n (1879): the state or fact of being
          counterproductive

   [1]disvalue
          [dis.val.ue] vt (1603) 1 archaic: undervalue, depreciate
          2: to consider of little value [2]disvalue n (1603) 1
          obs: disregard, disesteem 2: a negative value

   disyllable
          [di.syl.la.ble] n [part trans. of MF dissilabe, fr. L disyllabus
          having two syllables, fr. Gk disyllabos, fr. di- + syllabe
          syllable] (1589): a linguistic form consisting of two
          syllables -- di.syl.lab.ic adj

   dit
          [dit] n [imit.] (1940): a dot in radio or telegraphic code

   ditat Deus
          [di.tat De.us] [L] foreign term : God enriches--motto of
          Arizona

   [1]ditch
          [ditch] n [ME dich, fr. OE dic dike, ditch; akin to MHG tich
          pond, dike] (bef. 12c): a long narrow excavation dug
          in the earth (as for drainage) [2]ditch vt (14c) 1 a:
          to enclose with a ditch b: to dig a ditch in 2: to make
          a forced landing of (an airplane) on water 3: to get
          rid of: discard ~ vi 1: to dig a ditch 2: to crash-land
          at sea

   ditchdigger
          [ditch.dig.ger] n (ca. 1897) 1: one that digs ditches 2:
          one employed at menial and usu. hard physical labor

   dite
          [dite] n [var. of doit] (ca. 1877) dial: mite, bit

   [1]dither
          [dith.er] vi dith.ered ; dith.er.ing [ME didderen] (15c)
          1: shiver, tremble 2: to act nervously or indecisively:
          vacillate -- dith.er.er n [2]dither n (1819): a highly
          nervous, excited, or agitated state: excitement, confusion
          -- dith.ery adj

   dithi-
          [dithi-] or dithio- comb form [ISV di- + thi-]: containing
          two atoms of sulfur usu. in place of two oxygen atoms
          <dithiocarbamate>

   dithiocarbamate
          [di.thio.car.ba.mate] n (1929): any of several sulfur analogues
          of the carbamates including some used as fungicides

   dithyramb
          [dith.y.ramb] n, pl -rambs [Gk dithyrambos] (1656) 1: a usu.
          short poem in an inspired wild irregular strain 2: a
          statement or writing in an exalted or enthusiastic vein
          -- dith.y.ram.bic adj -- dith.y.ram.bi.cal.ly adv

   ditransitive
          [di.tran.si.tive] adj (1972): able to take both a direct
          and an indirect object <a ~ verb> -- ditransitive n

   ditsy
          [dit.sy] or dit.zy adj dits.i.er or ditz.i.er ; -est [origin
          unknown] (1973): eccentrically silly, giddy, or inane:
          dizzy

   dittany
          [dit.ta.ny] n, pl -nies [ME ditoyne, fr. OF ditayne, fr.
          L dictamnum, fr. Gk diktamnon] (12c) 1: a pink-flowered
          herb (Origanum dictamnus) that is native to Crete 2:
          an American herb (Conila origanoides) of the mint family
          that has much-branched stems

   [1]ditto
          [dit.to] n, pl dittos [It ditto, detto, pp. of dire to say,
          fr. L dicere--more at diction] (ca. 1678) 1: a thing
          mentioned previously or above--used to avoid repeating
          a word--often symbolized by inverted commas or apostrophes
          2: a ditto mark [2]ditto adj (1776): having the same
          characteristics: similar [3]ditto vt (1837) 1: to repeat
          the action or statement of 2 [fr. Ditto, a trademark]:
          to copy (as printed matter) on a duplicator [4]ditto
          adv (ca. 1864): as before or aforesaid: in the same manner

   ditty
          [dit.ty] n, pl ditties [ME ditee, fr. MF ditie poem, fr.
          pp. of ditier to compose, fr. L dictare to dictate, compose]
          (14c): an esp. simple and unaffected song

   ditty bag
          [dit.ty bag] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1860): a bag used esp.
          by sailors to hold small articles (as needles and thread)

   ditty box
          [ditty box] n (ca. 1880): a box used for the same purpose
          as a ditty bag

   ditz
          [ditz] n (1982): a ditsy person

   diuresis
          [di.ure.sis] n, pl -ure.ses [NL] (ca. 1681): an increased
          excretion of urine

   diuretic
          [di.uret.ic] adj [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF diuretique, fr. LL
          diureticus, fr. Gk diouretikos, fr. diourein to urinate,
          fr. dia- + ourein to urinate--more at urine] (14c): tending
          to increase the flow of urine -- diuretic n -- di.uret.i.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]diurnal
          [di.ur.nal] adj [ME, fr. L diurnalis--more at journal] (14c)
          1 a: recurring every day <~ tasks> b: having a daily
          cycle <~ tides> 2 a: of, relating to, or occurring in
          the daytime <the city's ~ noises> b: active chiefly in
          the daytime <~ animals> c: opening during the day and
          closing at night <~ flowers> -- di.ur.nal.ly adv [2]diurnal
          n (1600) 1 archaic: diary, daybook 2: journal 2a

   diuron
          [di.u.ron] n [dichlor- + urea + [1]-on] (1957): a persistent
          herbicide used esp. to control annual weeds

   div
          [div] abbreviation divided, dividend, division, divorced

   diva
          [di.va] n, pl divas or di.ve [It, lit., goddess, fr. L, fem.
          of divus divine, god--more at deity] (1883): prima donna
          1

   divagate
          [di.va.gate] vi -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [LL divagatus, pp. of
          divagari, fr. L dis- + vagari to wander--more at vagary]
          (1599): to wander or stray from a course or subject:
          diverge, digress -- di.va.ga.tion n

   divalent
          [di.va.lent] adj (1869): having a chemical valence of two;
          also: bonded to two other atoms or groups

   divan
          [di.van] n [Turk, fr. Per diwan account book] (1586) 1 a:
          the privy council of the Ottoman Empire b: council 2:
          a council chamber 3: a large couch usu. without back
          or arms often designed for use as a bed 4: a collection
          of poems in Persian or Arabic usu. by one author

   divaricate
          [di.var.i.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L divaricatus, pp.
          of divaricare, fr. dis- + varicare to straddle--more
          at prevaricate] (1673): to spread apart: branch off:
          diverge

   divarication
          [di.var.i.ca.tion] n (1578) 1: the action, process, or fact
          of divaricating 2: a divergence of opinion

   [1]dive
          [dive] vb dived or dove ; dived also dove ; div.ing [ME diven,
          duven, fr. OE dyfan to dip & dufan to dive; akin to OE
          dyppan to dip--more at dip] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to plunge
          into water intentionally and esp. headfirst; also: to
          execute a dive b: submerge 2 a: to come or drop down
          precipitously: plunge 3 b: to plunge one's hand into
          something c of an airplane: to descend in a dive 3 a:
          to plunge into some matter or activity b: to plunge or
          dash for some place <diving for cover>; also: to lunge
          esp. in order to seize something <dove for the ball>
          ~ vt 1: to thrust into something 2: to cause to dive
          usage Dive, which was orig. a weak verb, developed a
          past tense dove, prob. by analogy with verbs like drive,
          drove. Dove exists in some British dialects and has become
          the standard past tense esp. in speech in some parts
          of Canada. In the U.S. dived and dove are both widespread
          in speech as past tense and past participle, with dove
          less common than dived in the south Midland area, and
          dived less common than dove in the Northern and north
          Midland areas. In writing, the past tense dived is usual
          in British English and somewhat more common in American
          English. Dove seems relatively rare as a past participle
          in writing. [2]dive n (1700) 1: the act or an instance
          of diving: as a (1): a plunge into water executed in
          a prescribed manner (2): a submerging of a submarine
          (3): a steep descent of an airplane at greater than the
          maximum horizontal speed b: a sharp decline 2: a disreputable
          entertainment establishment 3: a faked knockout--usu.
          used in the phrase take a dive 4: an offensive play in
          football in which the ballcarrier plunges into the line
          for short yardage

   dive-bomb
          [dive-bomb] vt (1935): to bomb from an airplane by making
          a steep dive toward the target before releasing the bomb
          -- dive-bomb.er n

   diver
          [div.er] n (1506) 1: one that dives 2 a: a person who stays
          underwater for long periods by having air supplied from
          the surface or by carrying a supply of compressed air
          b: any of various birds that obtain food by diving in
          water; esp: loon

   diverge
          [di.verge] vb di.verged ; di.verg.ing [ML divergere, fr.
          L dis- + vergere to incline--more at wrench] vi (1665)
          1 a: to move or extend in different directions from a
          common point: draw apart <diverging roads> b: to become
          or be different in character or form: differ in opinion
          2: to turn aside from a path or course: deviate 3: to
          be mathematically divergent ~ vt: deflect syn see swerve

   divergence
          [di.ver.gence] n (1656) 1 a: a drawing apart (as of lines
          extending from a common center) b: difference, disagreement
          c: the acquisition of dissimilar characters by related
          organisms in unlike environments 2: a deviation from
          a course or standard 3: the condition of being mathematically
          divergent

   divergency
          [di.ver.gen.cy] n, pl -cies (1709): divergence

   divergent
          [di.ver.gent] adj [L divergent-, divergens, prp. of divergere]
          (1696) 1 a: diverging from each other b: differing from
          each other or from a standard: deviant <the ~ interests
          of capital and labor> 2: relating to or being an infinite
          sequence that does not have a limit or an infinite series
          whose partial sums do not have a limit 3: causing divergence
          of rays <a ~ lens> syn see different -- di.ver.gent.ly
          adv

   divers
          [di.vers] adj [ME divers, diverse] (14c): various

   diverse
          [di.verse] adj [ME divers, diverse, fr. OF & L; OF divers,
          fr. L diversus, fr. pp. of divertere] (14c) 1: differing
          from one another: unlike 2: composed of distinct or unlike
          elements or qualities syn see different -- di.verse.ly
          adv -- di.verse.ness n

   diversify
          [di.ver.si.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (15c) 1: to make diverse:
          give variety to <~ a course of study> 2: to balance (as
          an investment portfolio) defensively by dividing funds
          among securities of different industries or of different
          classes 3: to increase the variety of the products of
          ~ vi 1: to produce variety 2: to engage in varied operations
          -- di.ver.si.fi.ca.tion n -- di.ver.si.fi.er n

   diversion
          [di.ver.sion] n (1600) 1: the act or an instance of diverting
          from a course, activity, or use: deviation 2: something
          that diverts or amuses: pastime 3: an attack or feint
          that draws the attention and force of an enemy from the
          point of the principal operation

   diversionary
          [di.ver.sion.ary] adj (1846): tending to draw attention away
          from the principal concern: being a diversion

   diversionist
          [di.ver.sion.ist] n (1937) 1: one engaged in diversionary
          activities 2: one characterized by political deviation

   diversity
          [di.ver.si.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the condition of being
          diverse: variety 2: an instance of being diverse

   divert
          [di.vert] vb [ME, fr. MF & L; MF divertir, fr. L divertere
          to turn in opposite directions, fr. dis- + vertere to
          turn--more at worth] vi (15c): to turn aside: deviate
          <studied law but ~ed to diplomacy> ~ vt 1 a: to turn
          from one course or use to another: deflect b: distract
          2: to give pleasure to esp. by distracting the attention
          from what burdens or distresses syn see amuse

   diverticulitis
          [di.ver.tic.u.li.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1900): inflammation of
          a diverticulum

   diverticulosis
          [di.ver.tic.u.lo.sis] n [NL] (1917): an intestinal disorder
          characterized by the presence of many diverticula

   diverticulum
          [di.ver.tic.u.lum] n, pl -la [NL, fr. L, bypath, prob. alter.
          of deverticulum, fr. devertere to turn aside, fr. de-
          + vertere] (ca. 1819) 1: an abnormal pouch or sac opening
          from a hollow organ (as the intestine or bladder) 2:
          a pocket or closed branch opening off a main passage
          -- di.ver.tic.u.lar adj

   divertimento
          [di.ver.ti.men.to] n, pl -men.ti or -mentos [It, lit., diversion,
          fr. divertire to divert, amuse, fr. L divertere] (1823)
          1: an instrumental chamber work in several movements
          usu. light in character 2: divertissement 1

   divertissement
          [di.ver.tisse.ment] n, pl divertissements [F, lit., diversion,
          fr. divertiss- (stem of divertir)] (1728) 1: a dance
          sequence or short ballet usu. used as an interlude 2:
          divertimento 1 3: diversion, entertainment

   Dives
          [Di.ves] n [ME, fr. L, rich, rich man; misunderstood as a
          proper name in Lk 16:19] (14c): a rich man

   divest
          [di.vest] vt [alter. of devest] (1563) 1 a: to deprive or
          dispossess esp. of property, authority, or title b: to
          undress or strip esp. of clothing, ornament, or equipment
          c: rid, free 2: to take away from a person -- di.vest.ment
          n

   divestiture
          [di.ves.ti.ture] n [divest + -iture (as in investiture)]
          (1601) 1: the act of divesting 2: the compulsory transfer
          of title or disposal of interests (as stock in a corporation)
          upon government order

   [1]divide
          [di.vide] vb di.vid.ed ; di.vid.ing [ME, fr. L dividere,
          fr. dis- + -videre to separate--more at widow] vt (14c)
          1 a: to separate into two or more parts, areas, or groups
          b: to separate into classes, categories, or divisions
          c: cleave, part 2 a: to separate into portions and give
          out in shares: distribute b: to possess, enjoy, or make
          use of in common c: apportion 3 a: to cause to be separate,
          distinct, or apart from one another b: to separate into
          opposing sides or parties c: to cause (a parliamentary
          body) to vote by division 4 a: to subject (a number or
          quantity) to the operation of finding how many times
          it contains another number or quantity <~ 42 by 14> b:
          to be used as a divisor with respect to (a dividend)
          <4 ~s 16 evenly> c: to use as a divisor--used with into
          <~ 14 into 42> ~ vi 1: to perform mathematical division
          2 a (1): to undergo replication, multiplication, fission,
          or separation into parts (2): to branch out b: to become
          separated or disunited esp. in opinion or interest syn
          see separate, distribute -- di.vid.able adj [2]divide
          n (1642) 1: an act of dividing 2 a: a dividing ridge
          between drainage areas: watershed b: a point or line
          of division

   divided
          [di.vid.ed] adj (14c) 1 a: separated into parts or pieces
          b of a leaf: cut into distinct parts by incisions extending
          to the base or to the midrib c: having a barrier (as
          a guardrail) to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite
          directions <a ~ highway> 2 a: disagreeing with each other:
          disunited b: directed or moved toward conflicting interests,
          states, or objects <~ loyalties> 3: separated by distance
          <familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of
          being ~ --James Joyce> -- di.vid.ed.ly adv -- di.vid.ed.ness
          n

   divide et impera
          [di.vi.de et im.pe.ra] [L] foreign term : divide and rule

   dividend
          [div.i.dend] n [ME divident, fr. L dividendus, gerundive
          of dividere] (15c) 1: an individual share of something
          distributed: as a: a share in a pro rata distribution
          (as of profits) to stockholders b: a share of surplus
          allocated to a policyholder in a participating insurance
          policy 2 a: a resultant return or reward b: bonus 3 a:
          a number to be divided b: a sum or fund to be divided
          and distributed -- div.i.dend.less adj

   divider
          [di.vid.er] n (1534) 1: one that divides 2 pl: an instrument
          for measuring or marking (as in dividing lines) 3: something
          serving as a partition between separate spaces within
          a larger area

   divi-divi
          [di.vi-di.vi] n [AmerSp dividivi, prob. fr. Cumanagoto (extinct
          Cariban language of northern Venezuela)] (ca. 1837):
          a small leguminous tree (Caesalpinia coriaria) of tropical
          America with twisted astringent pods that contain a large
          proportion of tannin

   divination
          [div.i.na.tion] n [ME divinacioun, fr. L divination-, divinatio,
          fr. divinare] (14c) 1: the art or practice that seeks
          to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden
          knowledge usu. by the interpretation of omens or by the
          aid of supernatural powers 2: unusual insight: intuitive
          perception -- di.vi.na.to.ry adj

   [1]divine
          [di.vine] adj di.vin.er ; -est [ME divin, fr. MF, fr. L divinus,
          fr. divus god--more at deity] (14c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or proceeding directly from God or a god <~ love>
          b: being a deity <the ~ Savior> c: directed to a deity
          <~ worship> 2 a: supremely good: superb <the pie was
          ~> b: heavenly, godlike -- di.vine.ly adv [2]divine n
          [ME, fr. ML divinus, fr. L, soothsayer, fr. divinus,
          adj.] (14c) 1: clergyman 2: theologian [3]divine vb di.vined
          ; di.vin.ing [ME, fr. MF & L; MF diviner, fr. L divinare,
          fr. divinus, n.] vt (14c) 1: to discover intuitively:
          infer 2: to discover or locate (as water or minerals
          underground) usu. by means of a divining rod ~ vi 1:
          to practice divination: prophesy 2: to perceive intuitively
          syn see foresee

   Divine Liturgy
          [Divine Liturgy] n (1870): the eucharistic rite of Eastern
          churches

   Divine Office
          [Divine Office] n (15c): the office for the canonical hours
          of prayer that priests and religious say daily

   diviner
          [di.vin.er] n (14c) 1: one who practices divination: soothsayer
          2: a person who divines the location of water or minerals

   divine right
          [divine right] n (ca. 1600): the right of a sovereign to
          rule as set forth by the theory of government that holds
          that a monarch receives the right to rule directly from
          God and not from the people

   divine service
          [divine service] n (14c): a service of Christian worship;
          specif: such a service that is not sacramental in character

   diving beetle
          [diving beetle] n (ca. 1889): any of various predatory aquatic
          beetles (family Dytiscidae) that breathe while submerged
          using air trapped under their elytra

   diving bell
          [diving bell] n (1661): a diving apparatus consisting of
          a container open only at the bottom and supplied with
          compressed air by a hose

   diving board
          [diving board] n (1893): springboard 1

   diving duck
          [diving duck] n (1813): any of various ducks (as a bufflehead)
          that frequent deep waters and obtain their food by diving

   diving suit
          [diving suit] n (1908): a waterproof suit with a removable
          helmet that is worn by a diver who is supplied with air
          pumped through a tube

   divining rod
          [divining rod] n (1751): a forked rod believed to indicate
          the presence of water or minerals esp. by dipping downward
          when held over a vein

   divinity
          [di.vin.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: theology 2: the quality
          or state of being divine 3 often cap: a divine being:
          as a: god 1 b (1): god 2 (2): goddess 4: fudge made of
          whipped egg whites, sugar, and nuts

   divinity school
          [divinity school] n (ca. 1555): a professional school having
          a religious curriculum esp. for ministerial candidates

   divisible
          [di.vis.i.ble] adj (15c): capable of being divided
          -- di.vis.i.bil.i.ty n

   division
          [di.vi.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L division-, divisio, fr.
          dividere to divide] (14c) 1 a: the act or process of
          dividing: the state of being divided b: the act, process,
          or an instance of distributing among a number: distribution
          c obs: a method of arranging or disposing (as troops)
          2: one of the parts or groupings into which a whole is
          divided or is divisible 3: the condition or an instance
          of being divided in opinion or interest: disagreement,
          disunity <exploited the ~s between the two countries>
          4 a: something that divides, separates, or marks off
          b: the act, process, or an instance of separating or
          keeping apart: separation 5: the mathematical operation
          of dividing something 6 a: a self-contained major military
          unit capable of independent action b: a tactical military
          unit composed of headquarters and usu. three to five
          brigades c (1): the basic naval administrative unit (2):
          a tactical subdivision of a squadron of ships d: a unit
          of the U.S. Air Force higher than a wing and lower than
          an air force 7 a: a portion of a territorial unit marked
          off for a particular purpose (as administrative or judicial
          functions) b: an administrative or operating unit of
          a governmental, business, or educational organization
          8: the physical separation into different lobbies of
          the members of a parliamentary body voting for and against
          a question 9: plant propagation by dividing parts and
          planting segments capable of producing roots and shoots
          10: a group of organisms forming part of a larger group;
          specif: a primary category of the plant kingdom 11: a
          competitive class or category (as in boxing or wrestling)
          syn see part -- di.vi.sion.al adj

   divisionism
          [di.vi.sion.ism] n, often cap (1901): pointillism -- di.vi.sion.ist
          n or adj

   division of labor
          [division of labor] (1776): the breakdown of labor into its
          components and their distribution among different persons,
          groups, or machines to increase productive efficiency

   division sign
          [division sign] n (ca. 1934) 1: a symbol used to indicate
          division 2: the diagonal / used to indicate a fraction

   divisive
          [di.vi.sive] adj (1642): creating disunity or dissension
          -- di.vi.sive.ly adv -- di.vi.sive.ness n

   divisor
          [di.vi.sor] n (15c): the number by which a dividend is divided

   [1]divorce
          [di.vorce] n [ME divorse, fr. MF, fr. L divortium, fr. divertere,
          divortere to divert, to leave one's husband] (14c) 1:
          the action or an instance of legally dissolving a marriage
          2: separation, severance [2]divorce vb di.vorced ; di.vorc.ing
          vt (15c) 1 a: to end marriage with (one's spouse) by
          divorce b: to dissolve the marriage contract between
          2: to terminate an existing relationship or union: separate
          <~ church from state> ~ vi: to obtain a divorce syn see
          separate -- di.vorce.ment n di.vor.ce n (1877): a divorced
          man

   divorcee
          [di.vor.cee] n [F, fr. fem. of divorce, pp. of divorcer to
          divorce, fr. MF divorse] (1813): a divorced woman

   divot
          [div.ot] n [alter. of earlier Sc devat, fr. ME (Sc dial.)
          duvat] (1586) 1 Scot: a square of turf or sod 2: a loose
          piece of turf (as one dug from a golf fairway in making
          a shot)

   divulge
          [di.vulge] vt di.vulged ; di.vulg.ing [ME, fr. L divulgare,
          fr. dis- + vulgare to make known, fr. vulgus mob] (15c)
          1 archaic: to make public: proclaim 2: to make known
          (as a confidence or secret) syn see reveal -- di.vul.gence
          n

   divvy
          [div.vy] vt div.vied ; div.vy.ing [by shortening & alter.
          fr divide] (1877): divide, share--usu. used with up

   Dixie
          [Dix.ie] n [name for the Southern states in the song Dixie
          (1859) by Daniel D. Emmett] (1859): the Southern states
          of the U.S.

   Dixiecrat
          [Dix.ie.crat] n (1948): a dissident Southern Democrat; specif:
          a supporter of a 1948 presidential ticket opposing the
          civil rights stand of the Democrats -- Dix.ie.crat.ic
          adj

   Dixieland
          [Dix.ie.land] n [prob. fr. the Original Dixieland Jazz Band]
          (1927): jazz music in duple time usu. played by a small
          band and characterized by ensemble and solo improvisation

   dizen
          [di.zen] vt [earlier disen to dress a distaff with flax,
          fr. MD] (1619) archaic: bedizen

   dizygotic
          [di.zy.got.ic] also di.zy.gous adj (1916) of twins: fraternal
          2

   [1]dizzy
          [diz.zy] adj diz.zi.er ; -est [ME disy, fr. OE dysig stupid;
          akin to OHG tusig stupid] (bef. 12c) 1: foolish, silly
          2 a: having a whirling sensation in the head with a tendency
          to fall b: mentally confused 3 a: causing giddiness or
          mental confusion b: caused by or marked by giddiness
          c: extremely rapid -- diz.zi.ly adv -- diz.zi.ness n
          [2]dizzy vt diz.zied ; diz.zy.ing (1501) 1: to make dizzy
          or giddy 2: bewilder <disasters that ~ the mind> -- diz.zy.ing.ly
          adv

   dj...
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   DJ
          [DJ] abbreviation district judge, doctor of jurisprudence,
          dust jacket

   DJ
          [DJ] n, often not cap (1950): disc jockey

   djellaba
          [djel.la.ba] also djel.la.bah n [F djellaba, fr. Ar jallabiya]
          (1919): a long loose garment with full sleeves and a
          hood

   DJIA
          [DJIA] abbreviation Dow-Jones Industrial Average

   djinni
          [djin.ni] or djinn or djin var of jinni

   dk...
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   dk
          [dk] abbreviation dark, deck, dock

   dl...
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   dl
          [dl] abbreviation deciliter  DL abbreviation disabled list

   dl-
          [dl-] prefix 1 also d,l- : consisting of equal amounts of
          the dextro and levo forms of a specified compound <dl-tartaric
          acid> 2: consisting of equal amounts of the d- and l-
          forms of a specified compound <dl-fructose>

   DLitt
          [DLitt] or DLit [NL doctor litterarum] abbreviation doctor
          of letters, doctor of literature

   DLO
          [DLO] abbreviation dead letter office, dispatch loading only

   DLS
          [DLS] abbreviation doctor of library science

   dm...
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   dm
          [dm] abbreviation decimeter  DM abbreviation deutsche mark

   DMZ
          [DMZ] abbreviation demilitarized zone

   DMA
          [DMA] abbreviation doctor of musical arts

   DMD
          [DMD] [NL dentariae medicinae doctor] abbreviation doctor
          of dental medicine

   DME
          [DME] n [distance measuring equipment] (1947): an electronic
          device that informs the pilot of an airplane of its distance
          from a particular ground station

   DMin
          [DMin] abbreviation doctor of ministry

   DML
          [DML] abbreviation doctor of modern languages

   DMSO
          [DMSO] n (1964): dimethyl sulfoxide

   DMT
          [DMT] n (ca. 1966): dimethyltryptamine

   dn...
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   dn
          [dn] abbreviation down

   DNA
          [DNA] n [deoxyribonucleic acid] (1944): any of various nucleic
          acids that are usu. the molecular basis of heredity,
          are localized esp. in cell nuclei, and are constructed
          of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between
          purine and pyrimidine bases which project inward from
          two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose
          and phosphate--compare recombinant dna

   DNA fingerprinting
          [DNA fingerprinting] n (1984): a method of identification
          (as for forensic purposes) by determining the sequence
          of base pairs in the DNA esp. of a person -- DNA fingerprint
          n

   DNA polymerase
          [DNA polymerase] n (ca. 1962): any of several polymerases
          that promote replication or repair of DNA usu. using
          single-stranded DNA as a template

   DNase
          [DN.ase] also DNA.ase n (ca. 1956): deoxyribonuclease

   DNB
          [DNB] abbreviation Dictionary of National Biography

   DNF
          [DNF] abbreviation did not finish

   DNR
          [DNR] abbreviation do not resuscitate

   do...
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   [1]do
          [do] vb did ; done ; do.ing ; does [ME don, fr. OE don; akin
          to OHG tuon to do, L -dere to put, facere to make, do,
          Gk tithenai to place, set] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to bring
          to pass: carry out 2: put--used chiefly in do to death
          3 a: perform, execute <~ some work> <did his duty> b:
          commit <crimes done deliberately> 4 a: bring about, effect
          <trying to ~ good> <~ violence> b: to give freely: pay
          <~ honor to her memory> 5: to bring to an end: finish--used
          in the past participle <the job is finally done> 6: to
          put forth: exert <did her best to win the race> 7 a:
          to wear out esp. by physical exertion: exhaust <at the
          end of the race they were pretty well done> b Brit: to
          attack physically: beat; also: kill 8: to bring into
          existence: produce <~ a biography on the general> 9--used
          as a substitute verb esp. to avoid repetition <if you
          must make such a racket, ~ it somewhere else> 10 a: to
          play the role or character of b: mimic; also: to behave
          like <~ a Houdini and disappear> c: to perform in or
          serve as producer of <~ a play> 11: to treat unfairly;
          esp: cheat <did him out of his inheritance> 12: to treat
          or deal with in any way typically with the sense of preparation
          or with that of care or attention: a (1): to put in order:
          clean <was ~ing the kitchen> (2): wash <did the dishes
          after supper> b: to prepare for use or consumption; esp:
          cook <like my steak done rare> c: set, arrange <had her
          hair done> d: to apply cosmetics to <wanted to ~ her
          face before the party> e: decorate, furnish <did the
          living room in Early American> 13: to be engaged in the
          study or practice of <~ science>; esp: to work at as
          a vocation <what to ~ after college> 14 a: to pass over
          (as distance): traverse b: to travel at a speed of <~ing
          55 on the turnpike> 15: tour <~ing 12 countries in 30
          days> 16: to spend or serve out (a period of time) <did
          ten years in prison> 17: to serve the needs of: suit,
          suffice <worms will ~ u adj -- do a number on : to defeat
          or confound thoroughly esp. by indirect or deceptive
          means -- do away with 1: to put an end to: abolish 2:
          to put to death: kill -- do by : to deal with: treat
          -- do for chiefly Brit 1: to attend to the wants and
          needs of: take care of 2: to bring about the death or
          ruin of -- do it : to have sexual intercourse -- do justice
          1 a: to act justly b: to treat fairly or adequately c:
          to show due appreciation for 2: to acquit in a way worthy
          of one's abilities -- do proud : to give cause for pride
          or gratification -- do the trick : to produce a desired
          result -- do with : to make good use of: benefit by <could
          do with a cup of coffee> -- to do : necessary to be done
          <I've done my best and all's to do again --A. E. Housman>
          [2]do n, pl dos or do's (1599) 1 chiefly dial: fuss,
          ado 2 archaic: deed, duty 3 a: a festive get-together:
          affair, party b chiefly Brit: battle 4: a command or
          entreaty to do something <a list of ~s and don'ts> 5
          Brit: cheat, swindle 6: hairdo [3]do n [It] (ca. 1754):
          the 1st tone of the diatonic scale in solmization

   do
          [do] abbreviation ditto  DO abbreviation defense order, doctor
          of osteopathy

   DOA
          [DOA] abbreviation dead on arrival

   DOB
          [DOB] abbreviation date of birth

   dobbin
          [dob.bin] n [Dobbin, nickname for Robert] (1596) 1: a farm
          horse 2: a quiet plodding horse

   dobby
          [dob.by] n, pl dobbies [perh. fr. Dobby, nickname for Robert]
          (1878) 1: a loom attachment for weaving small figures
          2: a fabric or figured weave made with a dobby

   Dobe
          [Dobe] n (1946): doberman pinscher

   Doberman pinscher
          [Do.ber.man pin.scher] n [G Dobermann-pinscher, fr. Ludwig
          Dobermann, 19th cent. Ger. dog breeder + G Pinscher,
          a breed of hunting dog] (1917): any of a breed of short-haired
          medium-sized dogs of German origin--called also Doberman

   dobra
          [do.bra] n [Pg, fr. fem. of obs. dobro double, fr. L duplus--more
          at double] (1978): the basic monetary unit of Sao Tome
          and Principe

   Dobro
          [Do.bro] trademark--used for an acoustic guitar having a
          metal resonator

   dobsonfly
          [dob.son.fly] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1904): a winged insect
          (family Corydalidae) that has very long slender mandibles
          in the male and a large carnivorous aquatic larva and
          that is now usu. considered a neuropteran--compare hellgrammite

   doc
          [doc] n (ca. 1850): doctor

   doc
          [doc] abbreviation document

   docendo discimus
          [do.cen.do dis.ci.mus] [L] foreign term : we learn by teaching

   docent
          [do.cent] n [obs. G (now Dozent), fr. L docent-, docens,
          prp. of docere] (1880) 1: a college or university teacher
          or lecturer 2: a person who leads guided tours esp. through
          a museum or art gallery

   docetic
          [do.ce.tic] adj, often cap [LGk Doketai Docetists, fr. Gk
          dokein to seem--more at decent] (1846): of or relating
          to Docetism or the Docetists

   Docetism
          [Do.ce.tism] n (1846): a belief opposed as heresy in early
          Christianity that Christ only seemed to have a human
          body and to suffer and die on the cross -- Do.ce.tist
          n

   doch-an-dorris
          [doch-an-dor.ris] or doch-an-dor.is n [ScGael deoch an doruis
          & Ir deoch an dorais, lit., drink of the door] (1691)
          Scot & Irish: a parting drink: stirrup cup

   docile
          [doc.ile] adj [L docilis, fr. docere to teach; akin to L
          decere to be fitting--more at decent] (15c) 1: easily
          taught 2: easily led or managed: tractable syn see obedient
          -- doc.ile.ly adv -- do.cil.i.ty n

   [1]dock
          [dock] n [ME, fr. OE docce; akin to MD docke dock] (bef.
          12c) 1: any of a genus (Rumex) of the buckwheat family
          of coarse weedy plants that have long taproots and are
          sometimes used as potherbs 2: any of several usu. broad-leaved
          weedy plants [2]dock n [ME dok, perh. fr. OE -docca (as
          in fingirdocca finger muscle); akin to OHG tocka doll,
          ON dokka bundle] (14c) 1: the solid part of an animal's
          tail as distinguished from the hair 2: the part of an
          animal's tail left after it has been shortened [3]dock
          vt (14c) 1 a: to cut off the end of a body part of; specif:
          to remove part of the tail of b: to cut (as ears or a
          tail) short 2 a: to take away a part of: abridge b: to
          subject (as wages) to a deduction c: to penalize by depriving
          of a benefit ordinarily due; esp: to fine by a deduction
          of wages <~ed him for tardiness> [4]dock n [ME dokke,
          prob. fr. MD docke] (15c) 1: a usu. artificial basin
          or enclosure for the reception of ships that is equipped
          with means for controlling the water height 2: the waterway
          extending between two piers for the reception of ships
          3: a place (as a wharf or platform) for the loading or
          unloading of materials [5]dock vt (1600) 1: to haul or
          guide into a dock 2: to join (as two spacecraft) mechanically
          while in space ~ vi 1: to come into dock 2: to become
          docked [6]dock n [Flem docke cage] (1586): the place
          in a criminal court where a prisoner stands or sits during
          trial -- in the dock : on trial

   dockage
          [dock.age] n (1648) 1: a charge for the use of a dock 2:
          the docking of ships 3: docking facilities

   [1]docker
          [dock.er] n (1810): one that docks the tails of animals [2]docker
          n (1887): one connected with docks; esp: longshoreman

   [1]docket
          [dock.et] n [ME doggette] (15c) 1: a brief written summary
          of a document: abstract 2 a (1): a formal abridged record
          of the proceedings in a legal action (2): a register
          of such records b (1): a list of legal causes to be tried
          (2): a calendar of business matters to be acted on: agenda
          3: an identifying statement about a document placed on
          its outer surface or cover [2]docket vt (1615) 1: to
          place on the docket for legal action 2: to make a brief
          abstract of (as a legal matter) and inscribe it in a
          list 3: to inscribe (as a document) with an identifying
          statement

   dockhand
          [dock.hand] n (1920): longshoreman

   dockland
          [dock.land] n (1904) Brit: the part of a port occupied by
          docks; also: a residential section adjacent to docks

   dockmaster
          [dock.mas.ter] n (1736): a person in charge of a dock or
          marina or of the docking of ships

   dockside
          [dock.side] n, often attrib (1887): the shore or area adjacent
          to a dock

   dockworker
          [dock.work.er] n (1921): longshoreman

   dockyard
          [dock.yard] n (1704) 1: shipyard 2 Brit: navy yard

   [1]doctor
          [doc.tor] n [ME doctour teacher, doctor, fr. MF & ML; MF,
          fr. ML doctor, fr. L, teacher, fr. docere to teach--more
          at docile] (14c) 1 a: an eminent theologian declared
          a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church--called
          also doctor of the church b: a learned or authoritative teacher
          c: a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (as
          a PhD) conferred by a university d: a person awarded an honorary
          doctorate (as an LLD or Litt D) by a college or university 2 a: one
          skilled or specializing in healing arts; esp: a physician, surgeon,
          dentist, or veterinarian who is licensed to practice b: medicine
          man 3 a: material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect
          b: a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping
          a surface 4: a person who restores or repairs things -- doc.tor.al
          adj -- doc.tor.less adj -- doc.tor.ship n [2]doctor vb doc.tored
          ; doc.tor.ing vt (1712) 1 a: to give medical treatment
          to b: to restore to good condition: repair <~ an old clock>
          2 a: to adapt or modify for a desired end by alteration or special
          treatment <~ed the play to suit the audience> <the drink was ~ed>
          b: to alter deceptively <accused of ~ing the election returns>
          ~ vi 1: to practice medicine 2 dial: to take medicine

   doctorate
          [doc.tor.ate] n (1676): the degree, title, or rank of a doctor

   [1]doctrinaire
          [doc.tri.naire] n [F, fr. doctrine] (1831): one who attempts
          to put into effect an abstract doctrine or theory with
          little or no regard for practical difficulties [2]doctrinaire
          adj (1834): of, relating to, or characteristic of a doctrinaire:
          dogmatic syn see dictatorial -- doc.tri.nair.ism n

   doctrinal
          [doc.trin.al] adj (15c): of, relating to, or preoccupied
          with doctrine -- doc.trin.al.ly adv

   doctrine
          [doc.trine] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L doctrina, fr. doctor]
          (14c) 1 archaic: teaching, instruction 2 a: something
          that is taught b: a principle or position or the body
          of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief:
          dogma c: a principle of law established through past
          decisions d: a statement of fundamental government policy
          esp. in international relations

   docudrama
          [docu.dra.ma] n [documentary + drama] (ca. 1961): a drama
          for television, motion pictures, or theater dealing freely
          with historical events esp. of a recent and controversial
          nature

   [1]document
          [doc.u.ment] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL & L; LL documentum official
          paper, fr. L, lesson, proof, fr. docere to teach--more
          at docile] (15c) 1 a archaic: proof, evidence b: an original
          or official paper relied on as the basis, proof, or support
          of something c: something (as a photograph or a recording)
          that serves as evidence or proof 2 a: a writing conveying
          information b: a material substance (as a coin or stone)
          having on it a representation of thoughts by means of
          some conventional mark or symbol c: documentary -- doc.u.men.tal
          adj [2]doc.u.ment vt (1711) 1: to furnish documentary
          evidence of 2: to furnish with documents 3 a: to provide
          with factual or substantial support for statements made
          or a hypothesis proposed; esp: to equip with exact references
          to authoritative supporting information b (1): to construct
          or produce (as a movie or novel) with authentic situations
          or events (2): to portray realistically 4: to furnish
          (a ship) with ship's papers -- doc.u.ment.able adj --
          doc.u.ment.er n

   documentalist
          [doc.u.men.tal.ist] n (1939): a specialist in documentation

   documentarian
          [doc.u.men.tar.i.an] n [[2]documentary] (1943): one who makes
          a documentary

   documentarist
          [doc.u.men.ta.rist] n [[2]documentary] (1949): documentarian

   [1]documentary
          [doc.u.men.ta.ry] adj (1802) 1: being or consisting of documents:
          contained or certified in writing <~ evidence> 2: of,
          relating to, or employing documentation in literature
          or art; broadly: factual, objective <a ~ film of the
          war> -- doc.u.men.tar.i.ly adv [2]documentary n, pl -ries
          (1935): a documentary presentation (as a film or novel)

   documentation
          [doc.u.men.ta.tion] n (1884) 1: the act or an instance of
          furnishing or authenticating with documents 2 a: the
          provision of documents in substantiation; also: documentary
          evidence b (1): the use of historical documents (2):
          conformity to historical or objective facts (3): the
          provision of footnotes, appendices, or addenda referring
          to or containing documentary evidence 3: information
          science 4: the usu. printed instructions, comments, and
          information for using a particular piece or system of
          computer software or hardware -- doc.u.men.ta.tion.al
          adj

   DOD
          [DOD] abbreviation Department of Defense

   [1]dodder
          [dod.der] n [ME doder; akin to MHG toter dodder, egg yolk]
          (13c): any of a genus (Cuscuta) of parasitic wiry twining
          vines of the morning-glory family that are deficient
          in chlorophyll and have tiny scales instead of leaves
          [2]dodder vi dod.dered ; dod.der.ing [ME dadiren] (14c)
          1: to tremble or shake from weakness or age 2: to progress
          feebly and unsteadily <was ~ing down the walk> -- dod.der.er
          n

   doddered
          [dod.dered] adj [prob. alter. of dodded, fr. pp. of E dial.
          dod to lop, fr. ME dodden] (1697) 1: deprived of branches
          through age or decay <a ~ oak> 2: infirm, enfeebled

   doddering
          [dod.der.ing] adj (1898): feeble, senile

   doddery
          [dod.dery] adj (1866) 1: doddered 2 2: doddering

   dodeca-
          [dodeca-] or dodec- comb form [L, fr. Gk dodeka-, dodek-,
          fr. dodeka, dyodeka, fr. dyo, dyo two + deka ten]: twelve
          <dodecaphonic>

   dodecagon
          [do.deca.gon] n [Gk dodekagonon, fr. dodeka- + -gonon -gon]
          (ca. 1658): a polygon of 12 angles and 12 sides

   dodecahedron
          [do.deca.he.dron] n, pl -drons or -dra [Gk dodekaedron, fr.
          dodeka- + -edron -hedron] (ca. 1570): a solid having
          12 plane faces -- do.deca.he.dral adj

   dodecaphonic
          [do.deca.phon.ic] adj [dodeca- + phon- + -ic] (1949): twelve-tone
          -- do.deca.phon.i.cal.ly adv -- do.deca.pho.nist n --
          do.deca.pho.ny n

   [1]dodge
          [dodge] n [origin unknown] (1575) 1 a: an artful device to
          evade, deceive, or trick b: expedient 2: an act of evading
          by sudden bodily movement [2]dodge vb dodged ; dodg.ing
          vt (1680) 1: to evade (as a duty) usu. indirectly or
          by trickery <dodged the draft by leaving the country>
          <dodged questions> 2 a: to evade by a sudden or repeated
          shift of position b: to avoid an encounter with ~ vi
          1 a: to make a sudden movement in a new direction (as
          to evade a blow) <dodged behind the door> b: to move
          to and fro or from place to place usu. in an irregular
          course <dodged through the crowd> 2: to evade a responsibility
          or duty esp. by trickery or deceit

   dodgeball
          [dodge.ball] n (ca. 1922): a game in which players stand
          in a circle and try to hit opponents within the circle
          with a large inflated ball

   dodgem
          [dodg.em] n, often cap (1921): an amusement ride featuring
          bumper cars

   dodgem car
          [dodgem car] n (1945): bumper car

   dodger
          [dodg.er] n (1568) 1: one that dodges; esp: one who uses
          tricky devices 2: a small leaflet: circular 3: corn dodger
          4: a usu. canvas screen on a boat or ship that provides
          protection from spray

   dodgery
          [dodg.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1670): evasion, trickery

   dodgy
          [dodgy] adj (1861) 1 chiefly Brit: evasive, tricky 2 chiefly
          Brit: not sound, stable, or reliable: shaky 3 Brit: requiring
          skill or care in handling; also: chancy, risky -- dodg.i.ness
          n

   dodo
          [do.do] n, pl dodoes or dodos [Pg doudo, fr. doudo silly,
          stupid] (1628) 1 a: an extinct heavy flightless bird
          (Raphus cucullatus, syn Didus ineptus) of the island
          of Mauritius that is related to the pigeon and larger
          than a turkey b: an extinct bird of the island of Reunion
          similar to and apparently closely related to the dodo
          2 a: one hopelessly behind the times b: a stupid person

   do down
          [do down] vt (14c) Brit: to get the better of (as by trickery)

   DOE
          [DOE] abbreviation Department of Energy

   doe
          [doe] n, pl does or doe [ME do, fr. OE da; akin to G dial.
          te doe] (bef. 12c): the adult female of various mammals
          (as a deer, rabbit, or kangaroo) of which the male is
          called buck

   doe-eyed
          [doe-eyed] adj (1933): having large innocent-looking eyes

   doer
          [do.er] n (14c): one that takes an active part <a thinker
          or a ~>

   does
          [does] pres 3d sing of do, pl of doe

   doeskin
          [doe.skin] n (15c) 1: the skin of does or leather made of
          it; also: soft leather from sheep- or lambskins 2: a
          compact coating and sportswear fabric napped and felted
          for a smooth surface

   doesn't
          [doesn't] (1860): does not

   doest
          [do.est] archaic pres 2d sing of do

   doeth
          [do.eth] archaic pres 3d sing of do

   doff
          [doff] vt [ME, fr. don to do + of off] (14c) 1 a: to remove
          (an article of wear) from the body b: to take off (the
          hat) in greeting or as a sign of respect 2: to rid oneself
          of: put aside -- doff one's hat to or doff one's cap
          to : to show respect to: salute

   [1]dog
          [dog] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE docga] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          canid; esp: a highly variable domestic mammal (Canis
          familiaris) closely related to the common wolf (Canis
          lupus) b: a male dog; also: a male usu. carnivorous mammal
          2 a: a worthless person b: fellow, chap <a lazy ~> <you
          lucky ~> 3 a: any of various usu. simple mechanical devices
          for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a
          spike, bar, or hook b: andiron 4: uncharacteristic or
          affected stylishness or dignity <put on the ~> 5 cap:
          either of the constellations Canis Major or Canis Minor
          6 pl: feet 7 pl: ruin <going to the ~s> 8: one inferior
          of its kind: as a: an investment not worth its price
          b: an undesirable piece of merchandise 9: an unattractive
          person and esp. a girl or woman 10: hot dog 1 -- dog.like
          adj [2]dog adj (14c) 1: canine 2: spurious; esp: unlike
          that used by native speakers or writers <~ Latin> <~
          French> [3]dog vt dogged ; dog.ging (1519) 1 a: to hunt
          or track like a hound b: to worry as if by pursuit with
          dogs: plague 2: to fasten with a dog -- dog it : to fail
          to do one's best: goldbrick [4]dog adv (ca. 1552): extremely,
          utterly <dog-tired>

   dog and pony show
          [dog and pony show] n (1965): an often elaborate public relations
          or sales presentation

   dogbane
          [dog.bane] n (1597): any of a genus (Apocynum of the family
          Apocynaceae, the dogbane family) comprising chiefly tropical
          and often poisonous plants with milky juice and usu.
          showy flowers

   dog biscuit
          [dog biscuit] n (ca. 1858): a hard dry cracker for dogs

   dogcart
          [dog.cart] n (1668) 1: a cart drawn by a dog 2: a light two-wheeled
          carriage with two transverse seats set back to back

   dogcatcher
          [dog.catch.er] n (1835): a community official assigned to
          catch and dispose of stray dogs

   dog collar
          [dog collar] n (1524) 1: a collar for a dog 2 slang: clerical
          collar 3: a wide flexible snug-fitting necklace

   dog days
          [dog days] n pl [fr. their being reckoned from the heliacal
          rising of the Dog Star (Sirius)] (1538) 1: the period
          between early July and early September when the hot sultry
          weather of summer usu. occurs in the northern hemisphere
          2: a period of stagnation or inactivity

   dogdom
          [dog.dom] n (1854): the world of dogs or of dog fanciers

   doge
          [doge] n [It dial., fr. L duc-, dux leader--more at duke]
          (1549): the chief magistrate in the republics of Venice
          and Genoa

   dog-ear
          [dog-ear] n (ca. 1725): the turned-down corner of a page
          esp. of a book -- dog-ear vt

   dog-eared
          [dog-eared] adj (1784) 1: having dog-ears <a ~ book> 2: shabby,
          timeworn <a ~ resort> <~ myths>

   dog-eat-dog
          [dog-eat-dog] adj (1834): marked by ruthless self-interest
          <~ competition>

   dogface
          [dog.face] n (1941): soldier; esp: infantryman

   dog fennel
          [dog fennel] n (14c): a strong-scented chamomile (Anthemis
          cotula) of Europe and Asia naturalized along roadsides
          in the U.S.

   dogfight
          [dog.fight] n (1656) 1: a fight between dogs; broadly: a
          fiercely disputed contest 2: a fight between two or more
          fighter planes usu. at close quarters -- dogfight vi

   dogfish
          [dog.fish] n (15c): any of various usu. small bottom-dwelling
          sharks (as of the families Squalidae, Carcharhinidae,
          and Scyliorhinidae) that often appear in schools near
          shore, prey chiefly on fish and invertebrates, and are
          a valuable food source

   dogged
          [dog.ged] adj (1653): marked by stubborn determination syn
          see obstinate -- dog.ged.ly adv -- dog.ged.ness n

   [1]doggerel
          [dog.ger.el] adj [ME dogerel, prob. dim. of dogge dog] (14c):
          loosely styled and irregular in measure esp. for burlesque
          or comic effect; also: marked by triviality or inferiority
          [2]doggerel n (1630): doggerel verse

   doggery
          [dog.gery] n, pl -ger.ies (1830): a cheap saloon: dive

   doggie bag
          [dog.gie bag] or doggy bag n [[1]doggy; fr. the presumption
          that such leftovers are intended for a pet dog] (1963):
          a container for carrying home leftover food and esp.
          meat from a restaurant meal

   doggish
          [dog.gish] adj (15c) 1: canine 2: stylish in a showy way
          -- dog.gish.ly adv -- dog.gish.ness n

   doggo
          [dog.go] adv [prob. fr. [1]dog] (1893): in hiding--used chiefly
          in the phrase to lie doggo

   [1]doggone
          [dog.gone] vb dog.goned ; dog.gon.ing [euphemism for God
          damn] (1828): damn [2]dog.gone or dog.goned adj or adv
          (1851): damned [3]doggone n (1928): damn

   [1]doggy
          [dog.gy] or dog.gie n, pl doggies (1825): a small dog [2]dog.gy
          adj dog.gi.er ; -est (1859) 1: concerned with or fond
          of dogs 2: resembling or suggestive of a dog <~ odor>
          3: stylish, showy 4: not worthy or profitable: inferior

   doghouse
          [dog.house] n (1594): a shelter for a dog -- in the doghouse
          : in a state of disfavor

   dogie
          [do.gie] n [origin unknown] (1888) chiefly West: a motherless
          calf in a range herd

   dog in the manger
          [dog in the manger] [fr. the fable of the dog who prevented
          an ox from eating hay which he did not want himself]
          (1573): a person who selfishly withholds from others
          something useless to himself

   [1]dogleg
          [dog.leg] adj (1889): crooked or bent like a dog's hind leg
          [2]dogleg n (ca. 1909) 1 a: something having an abrupt
          angle b: a sharp bend (as in a road) 2: a golf hole having
          an angled fairway [3]dogleg vi (1947): to proceed along
          a dogleg course <the single narrow street that ~s through
          town --Russ Leadabrand>

   dogma
          [dog.ma] n, pl dogmas also dog.ma.ta [L dogmat-, dogma, fr.
          Gk, fr. dokein to seem--more at decent] (1638) 1 a: something
          held as an established opinion; esp: a definite authoritative
          tenet b: a code of such tenets <pedagogical ~> c: a point
          of view or tenet put forth as authoritative without adequate
          grounds 2: a doctrine or body of doctrines concerning
          faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed
          by a church

   dogmatic
          [dog.mat.ic] also dog.mat.i.cal adj (ca. 1681) 1: characterized
          by or given to the use of dogmatism <a ~ critic> 2: of
          or relating to dogma syn see dictatorial -- dog.mat.i.cal.ly
          adv -- dog.mat.i.cal.ness n

   dogmatics
          [dog.mat.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1845): a branch
          of theology that seeks to interpret the dogmas of a religious
          faith

   dogmatic theology
          [dogmatic theology] n (1846): dogmatics

   dogmatism
          [dog.ma.tism] n (1603) 1: positiveness in assertion of opinion
          esp. when unwarranted or arrogant 2: a viewpoint or system
          of ideas based on insufficiently examined premises

   dogmatist
          [dog.ma.tist] n (1541): one who dogmatizes

   dogmatize
          [dog.ma.tize] vb -tized ; -tiz.ing [F dogmatiser, fr. LL
          dogmatizare, fr. Gk dogmatizein, fr. dogmat-, dogma]
          vi (1611): to speak or write dogmatically ~ vt: to state
          as a dogma or in a dogmatic manner -- dog.ma.ti.za.tion
          n -- dog.ma.tiz.er n

   dognap
          [dog.nap] vt -napped or -naped ; -nap.ping or -nap.ing [[1]dog
          + -nap (as in kidnap)] (1947): to steal (a dog) esp.
          to obtain a reward for its return or to sell to a scientific
          laboratory -- dog.nap.per or dog.nap.er n

   Dogon
          [Do.gon] n, pl Dogon or Dogons (ca. 1931) 1: a member of
          a people of Mali noted for their sculpture 2: the language
          of the Dogon

   do-good
          [do-good] adj (1952): designed or disposed sometimes impracticably
          and too zealously toward bettering the conditions under which
          others live -- do-good.ism n

   do-gooder
          [do-good.er] n (1926): an earnest often naive humanitarian
          or reformer -- do-good.ing n or adj

   dog paddle
          [dog paddle] n (1904): an elementary swimming stroke in which
          the arms paddle in the water and the legs maintain a
          kicking motion -- dog-pad.dle vi

   dog rose
          [dog rose] n (ca. 1597): a common European wild rose (Rosa
          canina)

   dogsbody
          [dogs.body] n [Brit naval slang dogsbody pudding made of
          peas, junior officer] (1922) chiefly Brit: drudge

   dog's chance
          [dog's chance] n (1902): a bare chance in one's favor

   dogsled
          [dog.sled] n (1810): a sled drawn by dogs -- dogsled vi --
          dog.sled.der n

   Dog Star
          [Dog Star] n: sirius

   dog tag
          [dog tag] n (1918): an identification tag (as for military
          personnel or pets)

   dog tick
          [dog tick] n (ca. 1552): american dog tick

   dogtooth
          [dog.tooth] n (1552) 1: canine 1, eyetooth 2: an architectural
          ornament common in early English Gothic consisting usu.
          of four leaves radiating from a raised point at the center
          3 chiefly Brit: houndstooth check

   dogtooth violet
          [dogtooth violet] n (1629): any of a genus (Erythronium)
          of small spring-flowering bulbous herbs of the lily family

   [1]dogtrot
          [dog.trot] n (15c) 1: a quick easy gait suggesting that of
          a dog 2 chiefly Southern & Midland: a roofed passage
          similar to a breezeway; esp: one connecting two parts
          of a cabin [2]dogtrot vi (ca. 1900): to move or progress
          at a dogtrot

   dogwatch
          [dog.watch] n (1700) 1: either of two watches of two hours
          on shipboard that extend from 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 p.m.
          2: any of various night shifts; esp: the last shift

   dogwood
          [dog.wood] n (1617): any of various trees and shrubs (genus
          Cornus of the family Cornaceae, the dogwood family) with
          clusters of small flowers and often large white, pink,
          or red involucral bracts

   doily
          [doi.ly] n, pl doilies [Doily or Doyley fl 1711 London draper]
          (1711) 1: a small napkin 2: a small often decorative
          mat

   do in
          [do in] vt (1905) 1 a: to bring about the defeat or destruction
          of; also: kill b: exhaust, wear out 2: cheat

   doing
          [do.ing] n (14c) 1: the act of performing or executing: action
          <that will take a great deal of ~> 2 pl a: things that
          are done or that occur: goings-on <everyday ~s> b: social
          activities

   doit
          [doit] n [D duit; akin to ON thveiti small coin, thveita
          to hew] (1592) 1: an old Dutch coin equal to about 1/8
          stiver 2: trifle 1

   do-it-yourself
          [do-it-your.self] n, often attrib (1952): the activity of
          doing or making something (as in woodworking or home
          repair) without professional training or assistance;
          broadly: an activity in which one does something oneself
          or on one's own initiative -- do-it-your.self.er n

   dojo
          [do.jo] n, pl dojos [Jp dojo, fr. do way, art + -jo ground]
          (1942): a school for training in various arts of self-defense
          (as judo or karate)

   dol
          [dol] abbreviation dollar

   Dolby
          [Dol.by] trademark--used for an electronic device that eliminates
          noise from recorded sound or sound broadcast on FM radio

   dolce
          [dol.ce] adj or adv [It, lit., sweet, fr. L dulcis--more
          at dulcet] (ca. 1847): soft, smooth--used as a direction
          in music

   dolce far niente
          [dol.ce far nien.te] n [It, lit., sweet doing nothing] (1814):
          pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness

   dolce stil nuovo
          [dol.ce stil nuo.vo] [It] foreign term : sweet new style

   dolce vita
          [dol.ce vi.ta] n [It, lit., sweet life] (1961): a life of
          indolence and self-indulgence

   doldrums
          [dol.drums] n pl [prob. akin to OE dol foolish] (1811) 1:
          a spell of listlessness or despondency 2 often cap: a
          part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms,
          squalls, and light shifting winds 3: a state or period
          of inactivity, stagnation, or slump

   [1]dole
          [dole] n [ME, fr. OE dal portion--more at deal] (bef. 12c)
          1 archaic: one's allotted share, portion, or destiny
          2 a (1): a giving or distribution of food, money, or
          clothing to the needy (2): a grant of government funds
          to the unemployed b: something distributed at intervals
          to the needy; also: handout 1 c: something portioned
          out bit by bit [2]dole vt doled ; dol.ing (15c): to give
          or distribute as a charity--usu. used with out [3]dole
          n [ME dol, fr. OF, fr. LL dolus, alter. of L dolor] (13c)
          archaic: grief, sorrow

   doleful
          [dole.ful] adj (13c) 1: causing grief or affliction <a ~
          loss> 2: full of grief: cheerless <a ~ face> 3: expressing
          grief: sad <a ~ melody> -- dole.ful.ly adv -- dole.ful.ness
          n

   dole out
          [dole out] vt (1749) 1: to give or deliver in small portions
          2: dish out syn see distribute

   dolerite
          [dol.er.ite] n [F dolerite, fr. Gk doleros deceitful, fr.
          dolos deceit; fr. its being easily mistaken for diorite]
          (1838) 1: any of various coarse basalts 2 chiefly Brit:
          diabase 3 -- dol.er.it.ic adj

   dolesome
          [dole.some] adj (1533): doleful

   dolichocephalic
          [dol.i.cho.ce.phal.ic] adj [NL dolichocephalus long-headed,
          fr. Gk dolichos long + -kephalos, fr. kephale head--more
          at cephalic] (1852): having a relatively long head with
          cephalic index of less than 75 -- dol.i.cho.ceph.a.ly
          n

   doll
          [doll] n [prob. fr. Doll, nickname for Dorothy] (ca. 1700)
          1: a small-scale figure of a human being used esp. as
          a child's plaything 2 a (1): a pretty but often empty-headed
          young woman (2): woman b: darling, sweetheart c: an attractive
          person -- doll.ish adj -- doll.ish.ly adv -- doll.ish.ness
          n

   dollar
          [dol.lar] n, often attrib [D or LG daler, fr. G Taler, short
          for Joachimstaler, fr. Sankt Joachimsthal, Bohemia, where
          talers were first made] (1553) 1: taler 2: any of numerous
          coins patterned after the taler (as a Spanish peso) 3
          a: the basic monetary unit of Australia, Bahamas, Barbados,
          Belize, Bermuda, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana,
          Hong Kong, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, St. Vincent
          and the Grenadines, Singapore, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago,
          United States, and Zimbabwe b: a coin, note, or token
          representing one dollar 4: ringgit

   dollar-a-year
          [dollar-a-year] adj (1918): compensated by a token salary
          usu. for government service <a ~ man>

   dollar cost averaging
          [dollar cost averaging] n (ca. 1957): investment in a security
          at regular intervals of a uniform sum regardless of the
          price level in order to obtain an overall reduction in
          cost per unit--called also dollar averaging

   dollar day
          [dollar day] n (1949): a day on which special low prices
          are offered--often used in pl.

   dollar diplomacy
          [dollar diplomacy] n (1910) 1: diplomacy used by a country
          to promote its financial or commercial interests abroad
          2: diplomacy that seeks to strengthen the power of a
          country or effect its purposes in foreign relations by
          the use of its financial resources

   dollars-and-cents
          [dollars-and-cents] adj (1899): dealing with or expressed
          in terms of money, sales, or profits

   dollar sign
          [dollar sign] n (1881): a mark $ placed before a number to
          indicate that it stands for dollars--called also dollar
          mark

   dollhouse
          [doll.house] also doll's house or dolls' house n (1783) 1:
          a child's small-scale toy house 2: a dwelling so small
          as to suggest a house for dolls

   [1]dollop
          [dol.lop] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1812) 1 chiefly Brit: an
          indefinite often large quantity esp. of something liquid
          <out of heaven, as if a plug had been pulled, fell a
          jolly ~ of rain --E. M. Forster> 2: a lump or glob of
          something soft or mushy <top it with a ~ of jam> 3: an
          amount given, spooned, or ladled out: portion <hold out
          their mess tins for a ~ of gruel --Robert Craft> 4: a
          small lump, portion, or amount <want just a ~ of catsup>
          <a ~ of brandy after dinner> 5: something added or served
          as if in dollops <fantasy with a ~ of satire --Lee Rogow>
          <a delicious ~ of gossip --Leon Harris> [2]dollop vt
          (ca. 1860): to serve or dispense in dollops

   doll up
          [doll up] vt (1906) 1: to dress elegantly or extravagantly
          2: to make more attractive (as by addition of decorative
          details) ~ vi: to get dolled up

   [1]dolly
          [dol.ly] n, pl dollies (1790) 1: doll 2: a wooden-pronged
          instrument for beating and stirring clothes in the process
          of washing them in a tub 3: a compact narrow-gauge railroad
          locomotive for moving construction trains and for switching
          4 a: a platform on a roller or on wheels or casters for
          moving heavy objects b: a wheeled platform for a television
          or motion-picture camera [2]dolly vb dol.lied ; dol.ly.ing
          vt (1878) 1: to treat with a dolly 2: to move or convey
          on a dolly ~ vi: to move a motion-picture or television
          camera about on a dolly while shooting a scene; also,
          of a camera: to be moved on a dolly

   dolly bird
          [dol.ly bird] n (1964) Brit: a pretty young woman

   dolly shot
          [dolly shot] n (1933): tracking shot

   Dolly Varden trout
          [Dol.ly Var.den trout] n [Dolly Varden, gaily dressed coquette
          in Barnaby Rudge (1841), novel by Charles Dickens] (ca.
          1876): a large char (Salvelinus malma) widespread in
          streams of western No. America and Japan as well as in
          coastal salt waters--called also Dolly Varden

   dolma
          [dol.ma] n, pl dolmas or dol.ma.des [Turk, lit., something
          stuffed] (ca. 1889): a stuffed grape leaf or vegetable
          shell

   dolman sleeve
          [dolman sleeve] n [F dolman coat with dolman sleeves, fr.
          G Dolman or Hung dolmany, fr. Turk dolama, a Turkish
          robe] (1934): a sleeve very wide at the armhole and tight
          at the wrist often cut in one piece with the bodice

   dolmen
          [dol.men] n [F, fr. Bret tolmen, fr. tol table + men stone]
          (1859): a prehistoric monument of two or more upright
          stones supporting a horizontal stone slab found esp.
          in Britain and France and thought to be a tomb

   dolomite
          [do.lo.mite] n [F, fr. Deodat de Dolomieu d. 1801 Fr. geologist]
          (1794) 1: a mineral consisting of a calcium magnesium
          carbonate found in crystals and in extensive beds as
          a compact limestone 2: a limestone or marble rich in
          magnesium carbonate -- do.lo.mit.ic adj

   dolomitization
          [do.lo.mi.ti.za.tion] n (1862): the process of converting
          into dolomite -- do.lo.mi.tize vt

   dolor
          [do.lor] n [ME dolour, fr. MF, fr. L dolor pain, grief, fr.
          dolere to feel pain, grieve] (14c): mental suffering
          or anguish: sorrow

   dolorous
          [do.lor.ous] adj (15c): causing, marked by, or expressing
          misery or grief -- do.lor.ous.ly adv -- do.lor.ous.ness
          n

   dolour
          [do.lour] chiefly Brit var of dolor

   dolphin
          [dol.phin] n [ME, fr. MF dophin, daufin, fr. OF dalfin, fr.
          OProv, fr. ML dalfinus, alter. of L delphinus, fr. Gk
          delphin-, delphis; akin to Gk delphys womb, Skt garbha]
          (14c) 1 a: any of various small toothed whales (family
          Delphinidae) with the snout more or less elongated into
          a beak and the neck vertebrae partially fused b: porpoise
          1 2: either of two active pelagic bony food fishes (genus
          Coryphaena of the family Coryphaenidae) of tropical and
          temperate seas that are used for food--called also dolphinfish
          3 cap: delphinus 4: a spar or buoy for mooring boats;
          also: a cluster of closely driven piles used as a fender
          for a dock or as a mooring or guide for boats

   dolphin striker
          [dolphin striker] n (1833): a vertical spar under the end
          of the bowsprit of a sailboat to extend and support the
          martingale

   dolt
          [dolt] n [prob. akin to OE dol foolish] (1553): a stupid
          person -- dolt.ish adj -- dolt.ish.ly adv -- dolt.ish.ness
          n

   Dom
          [Dom] [L dominus master] (1716) 1--used as a title for some
          monks and canons regular 2--used as a title prefixed
          to the Christian name of a Portuguese or Brazilian man
          of rank

   -dom
          [-dom] n suffix [ME, fr. OE -dom; akin to OHG -tuom -dom,
          OE dom judgment--more at doom] 1 a: dignity: office <dukedom>
          b: realm: jurisdiction <kingdom> 2: state or fact of
          being <freedom> 3: those having a (specified) office,
          occupation, interest, or character <officialdom>

   dom
          [dom] abbreviation domestic, dominant, dominion

   domain
          [do.main] n [ME domayne, fr. MF domaine, demaine, fr. L dominium,
          fr. dominus] (15c) 1 a: complete and absolute ownership
          of land--compare eminent domain b: land so owned 2: a
          territory over which dominion is exercised 3: a region
          distinctively marked by some physical feature <the ~
          of rushing streams, tall trees, and lakes> 4: a sphere
          of knowledge, influence, or activity <the ~ of art> 5:
          the set of elements to which a mathematical or logical
          variable is limited; specif: the set on which a function
          is defined 6: any of the small randomly oriented regions
          of uniform magnetization in a ferromagnetic substance
          7: integral domain

   [1]dome
          [dome] n [F, It, & L; F dome dome, cathedral, fr. It duomo
          cathedral, fr. ML domus church, fr. L, house; akin to
          Gk domos house, Skt dam] (1513) 1 archaic: a stately
          building: mansion 2: a large hemispherical roof or ceiling
          3: a natural formation or structure that resembles the
          dome or cupola of a building 4: a form of crystal composed
          of planes parallel to a lateral axis that meet above
          in a horizontal edge like a roof 5: an upward fold in
          rock whose sides dip uniformly in all directions 6: a
          roofed sports stadium -- dom.al adj [2]dome vb domed
          ; dom.ing vt (1876) 1: to cover with a dome 2: to form
          into a dome ~ vi: to swell upward or outward like a dome

   Domesday Book
          [Domes.day Book] n [ME, fr. domesday doomsday] (1591): a
          record of a survey of English lands and landholdings
          made by order of William the Conqueror about 1086

   [1]domestic
          [do.mes.tic] adj [ME, fr. MF domestique, fr. L domesticus,
          fr. domus] (15c) 1 a: living near or about human habitations
          b: tame, domesticated 2: of, relating to, or originating
          within a country and esp. one's own country <~ politics>
          <~ wines> 3: of or relating to the household or the family
          4: devoted to home duties and pleasures 5: indigenous
          -- do.mes.ti.cal.ly adv [2]domestic n (1613) 1: a household
          servant 2: an article of domestic manufacture--usu. used
          in pl.

   domestic animal
          [domestic animal] n (ca. 1855): any of various animals (as
          the horse or sheep) domesticated so as to live and breed
          in a tame condition

   [1]domesticate
          [do.mes.ti.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (ca. 1639) 1: to bring
          into domestic use: adopt 2: to adapt (an animal or plant)
          to life in intimate association with and to the advantage
          of humans 3: to make domestic: fit for domestic life
          4: to bring to the level of ordinary people: familiarize
          -- do.mes.ti.ca.tion n [2]do.mes.ti.cate n (1951): a
          domesticated animal or plant

   domesticity
          [do.mes.tic.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1721) 1: the quality or state
          of being domestic or domesticated 2: domestic activities
          or life 3 pl: domestic affairs

   domestic prelate
          [domestic prelate] n (1929): a priest having permanent honorary
          membership in the papal household

   domestic relations court
          [domestic relations court] n (ca. 1939): court of domestic
          relations

   domestic science
          [domestic science] n (1869): home economics

   domical
          [dom.i.cal] adj (1846): relating to, shaped like, or having
          a dome

   [1]domicile
          [do.mi.cile] also dom.i.cil n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L domicilium,
          fr. domus] (15c) 1: a dwelling place: place of residence:
          home 2 a: a person's fixed, permanent, and principal
          home for legal purposes b: residence 2b [2]domicile vt
          -ciled ; -cil.ing (1809): to establish in or provide
          with a domicile

   domiciliary
          [do.mi.cil.i.ary] adj (1790): of, relating to, or constituting
          a domicile: as a: provided or taking place in the home
          <~ midwifery> b: providing care and living space (as
          for disabled veterans)

   domiciliate
          [do.mi.cil.i.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L domicilium] vt (1778):
          domicile ~ vi: reside -- do.mi.cil.i.a.tion n

   dominance
          [dom.i.nance] n (1819) 1: the fact or state of being dominant:
          as a: dominant position esp. in a social hierarchy b:
          the property of one of a pair of alleles or traits that
          suppresses expression of the other in the heterozygous
          condition c: the influence or control over ecological
          communities exerted by a dominant 2: functional asymmetry
          between a pair of bodily structures (as the right and
          left hands)

   [1]dominant
          [dom.i.nant] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L dominant-, dominans,
          prp. of dominari] (ca. 1532) 1: commanding, controlling,
          or prevailing over all others 2: overlooking and commanding
          from a superior position 3: of, relating to, or exerting
          ecological or genetic dominance 4: being the one of a
          pair of bodily structures that is the more effective
          or predominant in action <~ eye> -- dom.i.nant.ly adv
          syn dominant, predominant, paramount, preponderant mean
          superior to all others in influence or importance. dominant
          applies to something that is uppermost because ruling
          or controlling <a dominant social class>. predominant
          applies to something that exerts, often temporarily,
          the most marked influence <a predominant emotion>. paramount
          implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction
          <unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign>.
          preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs
          all others in influence or effect <preponderant evidence
          in her favor>. [2]dominant n (1819) 1: the fifth tone
          of a diatonic scale 2 a: a dominant genetic character
          or factor b: any of one or more kinds of organism (as
          a species) in an ecological community that exerts a controlling
          influence on the environment and thereby largely determines
          what other kinds of organisms are present c: a dominant
          individual in a social hierarchy

   dominate
          [dom.i.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L dominatus, pp. of dominari,
          fr. dominus master; akin to L domus house--more at dome]
          vt (1611) 1: rule, control 2: to exert the supreme determining
          or guiding influence on 3: to overlook from a superior
          elevation or command because of superior height or position
          4: to have a commanding or preeminent place or position
          in <name brands ~ the market> ~ vi 1: to have or exert
          mastery, control, or preeminence 2: to occupy a more
          elevated or superior position -- dom.i.na.tive adj --
          dom.i.na.tor n

   domination
          [dom.i.na.tion] n (14c) 1: supremacy or preeminence over
          another 2: exercise of mastery or ruling power 3: exercise
          of preponderant, governing, or controlling influence
          4 pl: dominion 3

   dominatrix
          [do.mi.na.trix] n, pl -trices [L, fem. of dominator] (1971):
          a woman who physically and psychologically dominates
          and abuses her partner in sadomasochistic sex; broadly:
          a dominating woman

   Domine, dirige nos
          [Do.mi.ne, di.ri.ge nos] [L] foreign term : Lord, direct
          us--motto of the City of London

   domineer
          [dom.i.neer] vb [D domineren, fr. F dominer, fr. L dominari]
          vi (1591): to exercise arbitrary or overbearing control
          ~ vt: to tyrannize over

   domineering
          [dom.i.neer.ing] adj (1588): inclined to domineer syn see
          masterful -- dom.i.neer.ing.ly adv -- dom.i.neer.ing.ness
          n

   dominical
          [do.min.i.cal] adj [LL dominicalis, fr. dominicus (dies)
          the Lord's day, fr. L dominicus of a lord, fr. dominus
          lord, master] (15c) 1: of or relating to Jesus Christ
          as Lord 2: of or relating to the Lord's day

   Dominican
          [Do.min.i.can] n [St. Dominic] (ca. 1632): a member of a
          mendicant order of friars founded by St. Dominic in 1215
          and dedicated esp. to preaching -- Dominican adj

   dominicker
          [dom.i.nick.er] also dom.i.nick n, often cap (1806): dominique

   dominie
          [do.mi.nie] n [L domine, voc. of dominus] (1612) 1 chiefly
          Scot: schoolmaster 2: clergyman

   dominion
          [do.min.ion] n [ME dominioun, fr. MF dominion, modif. of
          L dominium, fr. dominus] (14c) 1: domain 2: supreme authority:
          sovereignty 3 pl: an order of angels--see celestial hierarchy
          4 often cap: a self-governing nation of the Commonwealth
          other than the United Kingdom that acknowledges the British
          monarch as chief of state 5: absolute ownership syn see
          power

   Dominion Day
          [Dominion Day] n (1867): canada day

   dominique
          [dom.i.nique] n [Dominique (Dominica), one of the Windward
          islands, West Indies] (1849): any of an American breed
          of domestic fowl with a rose comb, yellow legs, and barred
          plumage; broadly: a barred fowl

   domino
          [dom.i.no] n, pl -noes or -nos [F, prob. fr. L (in the ritual
          formula benedicamus Domino let us bless the Lord)] (ca.
          1694) 1 a (1): a long loose hooded cloak usu. worn with
          a half mask as a masquerade costume (2): a half mask
          worn over the eyes with a masquerade costume b: a person
          wearing a domino 2 a: a flat rectangular block (as of
          wood or plastic) whose face is divided into two equal
          parts that are blank or bear usu. from one to six dots
          arranged as on dice faces b pl but usu sing in constr:
          any of several games played with a set of usu. 28 dominoes
          3: a member of a group (as of nations) expected to behave
          in accordance with the domino theory

   domino effect
          [domino effect] n (1966): a cumulative effect produced when
          one event initiates a succession of similar events--compare
          ripple effect

   domino theory
          [domino theory] n [fr. the fact that if dominoes are stood
          on end one slightly behind the other, a slight push on
          the first will topple the others] (1965) 1: a theory
          that if one nation becomes Communist-controlled the neighboring
          nations will also become Communist-controlled 2: the
          theory that if one act or event is allowed to take place
          a series of similar acts or events will follow

   Dominus vobiscum
          [Do.mi.nus vo.bis.cum] [L] foreign term : the Lord be with
          you

   Don
          [Don] abbreviation Donegal

   [1]don
          [don] vt donned ; don.ning [ME, contr. of do on] (14c) 1:
          to put on (an article of clothing) 2: to wrap oneself
          in: take on 3a [2]don n [Sp, fr. L dominus master--more
          at dame] (1523) 1: a Spanish nobleman or gentleman--used
          as a title prefixed to the Christian name 2 archaic:
          a person of consequence: grandee 3: a head, tutor, or
          fellow in a college of Oxford or Cambridge University;
          broadly: a college or university professor 4 [It, title
          of respect, fr. donno, lit., lord, fr. L dominus]: a
          powerful Mafia leader

   dona
          [do.na] n [Pg, fr. L domina lady--more at dame] (ca. 1897):
          a Portuguese or Brazilian woman of rank--used as a title
          prefixed to the Christian name do.na n [Sp, fr. L domina]
          (1622): a Spanish woman of rank--used as a title prefixed
          to the Christian name

   donate
          [do.nate] vb do.nat.ed ; do.nat.ing [back-formation fr. donation]
          vt (1785) 1: to make a gift of; esp: to contribute to
          a public or charitable cause 2: to transfer (as electrons)
          to another atom or molecule ~ vi: to make a donation
          syn see give

   donation
          [do.na.tion] n [ME donatyowne, fr. L donation-, donatio,
          fr. donare to present, fr. donum gift; akin to L dare
          to give--more at date] (15c): the act or an instance
          of donating: as a: the making of a gift esp. to a charity
          or public institution b: a free contribution: gift

   Donatism
          [Do.na.tism] n [Donatus, 4th cent. bishop of Carthage] (1588):
          the doctrines of a Christian sect arising in No. Africa
          in 311 and holding that sanctity is essential for the
          administration of sacraments and church membership --
          Do.na.tist n

   [1]donative
          [do.na.tive] n (15c): a special gift or donation [2]do.na.tive
          adj [L donativus, fr. donatus] (1559): of or relating
          to donation

   donator
          [do.na.tor] n (15c): donor

   [1]done
          [done] past part of do [2]done adj (14c) 1: arrived at or
          brought to an end 2: doomed to failure, defeat, or death
          3: gone by: over 4: physically exhausted 5: cooked sufficiently
          6: conformable to social convention

   donee
          [do.nee] n [donor] (1523): a recipient of a gift

   done for
          [done for] adj (1803) 1: sunk in defeat: beaten 2: mortally
          stricken: doomed

   doneness
          [done.ness] n (1927): the condition of being cooked to the
          desired degree

   [1]dong
          [dong] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1930): penis--usu. considered
          vulgar [2]dong n, pl dong [Vietnamese dong] (1948): the
          basic monetary unit of Vietnam

   donjon
          [don.jon] n [ME--more at dungeon] (14c): a massive inner
          tower in a medieval castle

   Don Juan
          [Don Juan] n [Sp] 1: a legendary Spaniard proverbial for
          his seduction of women 2: a captivating man known as
          a great lover or seducer of women -- Don Juan.ism n

   donkey
          [don.key] n, pl donkeys [origin unknown] (ca. 1785) 1: the
          domestic ass (Equus asinus) 2: a stupid or obstinate
          person

   donkey engine
          [donkey engine] n (1858) 1: a small usu. portable auxiliary
          engine 2: a small locomotive used in switching

   donkey jacket
          [donkey jacket] n (1929) Brit: a jacket of heavy material
          worn esp. by laborers

   donkey's years
          [donkey's years] n pl (1927) chiefly Brit: a very long time

   donkeywork
          [don.key.work] n (1920): monotonous and routine work: drudgery

   donna
          [don.na] n, pl don.ne [It, fr. L domina] (1740): an Italian
          woman esp. of rank--used as a title prefixed to the Christian
          name

   donnee
          [don.nee] n, pl donnees [F, fr. fem. of donne, pp. of donner
          to give, fr. L donare to donate--more at donation] (1876):
          the set of assumptions on which a work of fiction or
          drama proceeds

   donnicker
          [don.nick.er] or don.ni.ker n [alter. of E dial. dunnekin
          toilet, cesspool] (ca. 1931): toilet 3a

   donnish
          [don.nish] adj (1848): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a university don -- don.nish.ly adv -- don.nish.ness
          n

   donnybrook
          [don.ny.brook] n, often cap [Donnybrook Fair, annual Irish
          event known for its brawls] (1852) 1: free-for-all, brawl
          2: a usu. public quarrel or dispute

   donor
          [do.nor] n [MF doneur, fr. L donator, fr. donare] (15c) 1:
          one that gives, donates, or presents something 2: one
          used as a source of biological material (as blood or
          an organ) 3 a: a compound capable of giving up a part
          (as an atom, chemical group, or subatomic particle) for
          combination with an acceptor b: an impurity added to
          a semiconductor to increase the number of mobile electrons

   [1]do-nothing
          [do-noth.ing] n (1579): a shiftless or lazy person [2]do-nothing
          adj (1832): marked by inactivity or failure to make positive
          progress -- do-noth.ing.ism n

   Don Quixote
          [Don Qui.xote] n [Sp, hero of Cervantes' Don Quixote]: an
          impractical idealist

   donsie
          [don.sie] or don.sy adj [ScGael donas evil, harm + E -ie]
          (1720) 1 dial Brit: unlucky 2 Scot a: restive b: saucy
          3 chiefly northern Midland: slightly ill

   [1]don't
          [don't] (1639) 1: do not 2: does not usage Don't is the earliest
          attested contraction of does not and until about 1900
          was the standard spoken form in the U.S. (it survived
          as spoken standard longer in British English). Dialect
          surveys find it more common in the speech of the less
          educated than in that of the educated; in those places
          (as the Midland and southern Atlantic seaboard regions)
          where it has lasted in educated speech, it is most common
          with older informants. Surveys of attitudes toward usage
          show it more widely disapproved in 1971 that it had been
          40 years earlier. Its chief use in edited prose is in
          fiction for purposes of characterization. It is sometimes
          used consciously, like ain't, to gain an informal effect.
          [2]don't n (1894): a command or entreaty not to do something

   donut
          [do.nut] var of doughnut

   doodad
          [doo.dad] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1905) 1: an often small
          article whose common name is unknown or forgotten: gadget
          2: an ornamental attachment or decoration

   [1]doodle
          [doo.dle] vb doo.dled ; doo.dling [perh. fr. doodle (to ridicule)]
          vi (1936) 1: to make a doodle 2: dawdle, trifle ~ vt: to produce
          by doodling -- doo.dler n [2]doodle n (1937): an aimless or casual
          scribble, design, or sketch; also: a minor work

   doodlebug
          [doo.dle.bug] n [prob. fr. doodle (fool) + bug] (ca. 1866)
          1: the larva of an ant lion; also: any of several other
          insects 2: a device (as a divining rod) used in attempting
          to locate underground gas, water, oil, or ores 3: buzz
          bomb

   doodley-squat
          [doodley-squat] or doodly-squat n [perh. fr. doodle + [4]-y
          + squat, euphemism for shit] (1934): diddly-squat

   doo-doo
          [doo-doo] n [baby talk] (1948): excrement -- in deep doo-doo
          : in trouble

   doofus
          [doo.fus] n, pl doo.fus.es [perh. alter. of [1]goof] (1970)
          slang: a stupid, incompetent, or foolish person

   doohickey
          [doo.hick.ey] n, pl -hickeys also -hickies [prob. fr. doodad
          + hickey] (1914): doodad 1

   [1]doom
          [doom] n [ME, fr. OE dom; akin to OHG tuom condition, state,
          OE don to do] (bef. 12c) 1: a law or ordinance esp. in
          Anglo-Saxon England 2 a: judgment, decision; esp: a judicial
          condemnation or sentence b (1): judgment 3a (2): judgment
          day 1 3 a: destiny; esp: unhappy destiny b: death, ruin
          syn see fate [2]doom vt (15c) 1: to give judgment against:
          condemn 2 a: to fix the fate of: destine b: to make certain
          the failure or destruction of

   doomful
          [doom.ful] adj (1586): presaging doom: ominous -- doom.ful.ly
          adv

   doomsayer
          [doom.say.er] n (1953): one given to forebodings and predictions
          of impending calamity -- doom.say.ing n

   doomsday
          [dooms.day] n, often attrib (bef. 12c): a day of final judgment

   doomsdayer
          [dooms.day.er] n (1972): doomsayer

   doomster
          [doom.ster] n (15c) 1: judge 2: doomsayer

   doomy
          [doomy] adj (1971): suggestive of doom: doomful -- doom.i.ly
          adv

   door
          [door] n, often attrib [ME dure, dor, fr. OE duru door &
          dor gate; akin to OHG turi door, L fores, Gk thyra] (bef.
          12c) 1: a usu. swinging or sliding barrier by which an
          entry is closed and opened; also: a similar part of a
          piece of furniture 2: doorway 3: a means of access or
          participation: opportunity <opens new ~s> <~ to success>
          -- door.less adj -- at one's door : as a charge against
          one as being responsible <laid the blame at our door>

   doorbell
          [door.bell] n (ca. 1815): a bell or set of chimes to be rung
          usu. by a push button at an outer door

   do-or-die
          [do-or-die] adj (1879) 1: doggedly determined to reach one's
          objective: indomitable 2: presenting as the only alternatives
          complete success or complete ruin <a ~ situation>

   doorjamb
          [door.jamb] n (1837): an upright piece forming the side of
          a door opening

   doorkeeper
          [door.keep.er] n (1535): a person who tends a door

   doorknob
          [door.knob] n (1846): a knob that releases a door latch

   doorman
          [door.man] n (ca. 1897): a usu. uniformed attendant at the
          door of a building (as a hotel or apartment house)

   doormat
          [door.mat] n (1665) 1: a mat placed before or inside a door
          for wiping dirt from the shoes 2: one that submits without
          protest to abuse or indignities 3: a team that regularly
          finishes last

   doornail
          [door.nail] n (14c): a large-headed nail--used chiefly in
          the phrase dead as a doornail

   doorplate
          [door.plate] n (1823): a nameplate on a door

   doorpost
          [door.post] n (1535): doorjamb

   door prize
          [door prize] n (1951): a prize awarded to the holder of a
          winning ticket passed out at the entrance to an entertainment
          or function

   doorsill
          [door.sill] n (1587): sill 1b

   doorstep
          [door.step] n (1767): a step before an outer door -- on one's
          doorstep : close at hand; esp: too close to be overlooked

   doorstop
          [door.stop] n (ca. 1895) 1: a device (as a wedge or weight)
          for holding a door open 2: a usu. rubber-tipped device
          attached to a wall or floor to prevent damaging contact
          between an opened door and the wall

   door-to-door
          [door-to-door] adj (1902): going or made by going to each
          house in a neighborhood <~ salesmen> <a ~ canvass> --
          door-to-door adv

   doorway
          [door.way] n (1799) 1: the opening that a door closes; esp:
          an entrance into a building or room 2: door 3

   dooryard
          [door.yard] n (ca. 1764): a yard next to the door of a house

   doo-wop
          [doo-wop] n [fr. nonsense syllables typical of the style]
          (1969): a vocal style of rock and roll characterized
          by the a cappella singing of nonsense syllables in rhythmical
          support of the melody

   doozy
          [doo.zy] or doo.zie also doo.zer n, pl doozies or doozers
          [perh. alter. of daisy] (1916): an extraordinary one
          of its kind

   dopa
          [do.pa] n [ISV dihydroxy- + phenylalanine] (1917): an amino
          acid that in the levorotatory form is found in the broad
          bean and is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease

   dopamine
          [do.pa.mine] n [dopa + amine] (1959): a monoamine that is
          a decarboxylated form of dopa and that occurs esp. as
          a neurotransmitter in the brain

   dopaminergic
          [do.pa.mi.ner.gic] adj (1970): relating to, participating
          in, or activated by dopamine or related substances

   dopant
          [dop.ant] n [[2]dope] (1962): an impurity added usu. in minute
          amounts to a pure substance to alter its properties

   [1]dope
          [dope] n [D doop sauce, fr. dopen to dip; akin to OE dyppan
          to dip] (1807) 1 a: a thick liquid or pasty preparation
          b: a preparation for giving a desired quality to a substance
          or surface 2: absorbent or adsorbent material used in
          various manufacturing processes (as the making of dynamite)
          3 a (1): an illicit, habit-forming, or narcotic drug
          (2): a preparation given to a racehorse to help or hinder
          its performance b chiefly Southern: a cola drink c: a
          stupid person 4: information esp. from a reliable source
          <the inside ~> [2]dope vb doped ; dop.ing vt (1889) 1:
          to treat or affect with dope; esp: to give a narcotic
          to 2: figure out--usu. used with out 3: to treat with
          a dopant ~ vi: to take dope -- dop.er n

   dopehead
          [dope.head] n (1903): a drug addict

   dopester
          [dope.ster] n (1907): a forecaster of the outcome of future
          events (as sports contests or elections)

   dopey
          [dop.ey] also dopy adj dop.i.er ; -est (1896) 1 a: dulled
          by alcohol or a narcotic b: sluggish, stupefied 2: stupid,
          fatuous -- dop.i.ness n

   doppelganger
          [dop.pel.gang.er] n [G Doppelganger, fr. doppel- double +
          -ganger goer] (1851) 1: a ghostly counterpart of a living
          person 2 a: double 2a b: alter ego b c: a person who
          has the same name as another

   Doppler
          [Dopp.ler] adj (1905): of, relating to, being, or utilizing
          a shift in frequency in accordance with the Doppler effect;
          also: of or relating to Doppler radar

   Doppler effect
          [Doppler effect] n [Christian J. Doppler] (1905): a change
          in the frequency with which waves (as sound or light)
          from a given source reach an observer when the source
          and the observer are in motion with respect to each other
          so that the frequency increases or decreases according
          to the speed at which the distance is decreasing or increasing

   Doppler radar
          [Doppler radar] n (1954): a radar system that utilizes the
          Doppler effect for measuring velocity

   Dorcas
          [Dor.cas] n [Gk Dorkas]: a Christian woman of New Testament
          times who made clothing for the poor

   Dorian
          [Do.ri.an] n [L Dorius of Doris, fr. Gk dorios, fr. Doris,
          region of ancient Greece] (1662): a member of an ancient
          Hellenic race that completed the overthrow of Mycenaean
          civilization and settled esp. in the Peloponnisos and
          Crete -- Dorian adj

   [1]Doric
          [Dor.ic] adj (1569) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the Dorians 2: belonging to the oldest and simplest
          Greek architectural order--see order illustration 3:
          of, relating to, or constituting Doric [2]Doric n (1837):
          a dialect of ancient Greek spoken esp. in the Peloponnisos,
          Crete, Sicily, and southern Italy

   dork
          [dork] n [perh. alter. of dick] (1972) slang: nerd; also:
          jerk 4

   dorky
          [dorky] adj dork.i.er ; -est (1983) slang: foolishly stupid:
          inept

   dorm
          [dorm] n (1900): dormitory

   dormancy
          [dor.man.cy] n (1789): the quality or state of being dormant

   dormant
          [dor.mant] adj [ME, fixed, stationary, fr. MF, fr. prp. of
          dormir to sleep, fr. L dormire; akin to Skt drati he
          sleeps] (1500) 1: represented on a coat of arms in a
          lying position with the head on the forepaws 2: marked
          by a suspension of activity: as a: temporarily devoid
          of external activity <a ~ volcano> b: temporarily in
          abeyance yet capable of being activated 3 a: asleep,
          inactive b: having the faculties suspended: sluggish
          c: having biological activity suspended: as (1): being
          in a state of suspended animation (2): not actively growing
          but protected (as by bud scales) from the environment--used
          of plant parts 4: associated with, carried out, or applied
          during a period of dormancy <~ grafting> syn see latent

   dormer
          [dor.mer] n [MF dormeor dormitory, fr. L dormitorium] (1592):
          a window set vertically in a structure projecting through
          a sloping roof; also: the roofed structure containing
          such a window

   dormie
          [dor.mie] or dor.my adj [origin unknown] (1847): being ahead
          by as many holes in golf as remain to be played

   dormitory
          [dor.mi.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ME, fr. L dormitorium, fr. dormitus,
          pp. of dormire] (15c) 1: a room for sleeping; esp: a
          large room containing numerous beds 2: a residence hall
          providing rooms for individuals or for groups usu. without
          private baths 3 chiefly Brit: a residential community
          inhabited chiefly by commuters

   dormouse
          [dor.mouse] n, pl dor.mice [ME dormowse, perh. fr. MF dormir
          + ME mous mouse] (15c): any of numerous small Old World
          rodents (families Gliridae and Seleviniidae) that are
          intermediate in form and behavior between mice and squirrels

   dornick
          [dor.nick] n [prob. fr. Ir dornog] (1840): a stone small
          enough to throw; also: a large piece of rock

   doronicum
          [do.ron.i.cum] n [NL, genus name, fr. Ar darunaj, a plant
          of this genus] (1892): any of a genus (Doronicum) of
          Eurasian perennial composite herbs including several
          cultivated for their showy yellow flower heads

   dorp
          [dorp] n [D, fr. MD; akin to OHG dorf village--more at thorp]
          (ca. 1576): village

   Dors
          [Dors] abbreviation Dorset

   dors-
          [dors-] or dorsi- or dorso- comb form [LL dors-, fr. L dorsum]
          1: back <dorsad> 2: dorsal and <dorsolateral>

   dorsad
          [dor.sad] adv (ca. 1803): toward the back: dorsally

   [1]dorsal
          [dorsal] var of dossal [2]dor.sal adj [LL dorsalis, fr. L
          dorsum back] (1727) 1: relating to or situated near or
          on the back esp. of an animal or of one of its parts
          2: abaxial -- dor.sal.ly adv [3]dorsal n (1834): a dorsally
          located part; esp: a thoracic vertebra

   dorsal lip
          [dorsal lip] n (1940): the margin of the fold of blastula
          wall that delineates the dorsal limit of the blastopore,
          constitutes the primary organizer, and forms the point
          of origin of chordamesoderm

   dorsal root
          [dorsal root] n (ca. 1934): the one of the two roots of a
          spinal nerve that passes dorsally to the spinal cord
          and consists of sensory fibers

   Dorset
          [Dor.set] n (1891): any of a breed of domestic white-faced
          sheep orig. developed in Dorset, England

   dorsiventral
          [dor.si.ven.tral] adj (ca. 1882) 1: having distinct dorsal
          and ventral surfaces 2: dorsoventral 1 -- dor.si.ven.tral.i.ty
          n -- dor.si.ven.tral.ly adv

   dorsolateral
          [dor.so.lat.er.al] adj (1835): of, relating to, or involving
          both the back and the sides

   dorsoventral
          [dor.so.ven.tral] adj [ISV] (1870) 1: relating to, involving,
          or extending along the axis joining the dorsal and ventral
          sides 2: dorsiventral 1 -- dor.so.ven.tral.i.ty n --
          dor.so.ven.tral.ly adv

   dorsum
          [dor.sum] n, pl dor.sa [L] (1840) 1: the upper surface of
          an appendage or part 2: back; esp: the entire dorsal
          surface of an animal

   dory
          [do.ry] n, pl dories [Miskito dori dugout] (1709): a flat-bottomed
          boat with high flaring sides, sharp bow, and deep V-shaped transom

   dos
          [dos] or do's pl of [2]do

   DOS
          [DOS] abbreviation disk operating system

   dosage
          [dos.age] n (ca. 1867) 1 a: the addition of an ingredient
          or the application of an agent in a measured dose b:
          the presence and relative representation or strength
          of a factor or agent 2 a: dose 2 b (1): the giving of
          a dose (2): regulation or determination of doses 3: an
          exposure to some experience in or as if in measured portions

   [1]dose
          [dose] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL dosis, fr. Gk, lit., act of
          giving, fr. didonai to give--more at date] (15c) 1 a:
          the measured quantity of a therapeutic agent to be taken
          at one time b: the quantity of radiation administered
          or absorbed 2: a portion of a substance added during
          a process 3: something experienced as if in a prescribed
          or measured amount <a daily ~ of hard work> 4: a gonorrheal
          infection [2]dose vt dosed ; dos.ing (1654) 1: to give
          a dose to; esp: to give medicine to 2: to divide (as
          a medicine) into doses 3: to treat with an application
          or agent

   do-si-do
          [do-si-do] n, pl do-si-dos [F dos-a-dos back to back] (1926):
          a square-dance figure: a: a figure in which the dancers
          pass each other right shoulder to right shoulder and
          circle each other back to back b: a figure in which the
          woman moves in a figure circling first her partner and
          then the man on her right

   dosimeter
          [do.sim.e.ter] n [LL dosis + ISV -meter] (1938): a device
          for measuring doses of radiations (as X rays) -- do.si.met.ric
          adj -- do.sim.e.try n

   [1]doss
          [doss] vi [origin unknown] (ca. 1785) chiefly Brit: to sleep
          or bed down in a convenient place--usu. used with down
          [2]doss n (ca. 1789) chiefly Brit: a crude or makeshift
          bed

   dossal
          [dos.sal] or dor.sal or dos.sel n [ML dossale, dorsale, fr.
          neut. of LL dorsalis dorsal] (1851): an ornamental cloth
          hung behind and above an altar

   doss-house
          [doss-house] n (1888) chiefly Brit: a cheap rooming house
          or hotel

   dossier
          [dos.sier] n [F, bundle of documents labeled on the back,
          dossier, fr. dos back, fr. L dorsum] (1880): a file containing
          detailed records on a particular person or subject

   dost
          [dost] archaic pres 2d sing of do

   DOT
          [DOT] abbreviation Department of Transportation

   [1]dot
          [dot] n [(assumed) ME, fr. OE dott head of a boil; akin to
          OHG tutta nipple] (1674) 1: a small spot: speck 2 a (1):
          a small point made with a pointed instrument <a ~ on
          the chart marked the ship's position> (2): a small round
          mark used in orthography or punctuation <put a ~ over
          the i> b: a centered point used as a multiplication sign
          c (1): a point after a note or rest in music indicating
          augmentation of the time value by one half (2): a point
          over or under a note indicating that it is to be played
          staccato 3: a precise point esp. in time <arrived at
          six on the ~> 4: a short click or buzz forming a letter
          or part of a letter (as in the Morse code) [2]dot vb
          dot.ted ; dot.ting vt (ca. 1740) 1: to mark with a dot
          2: to intersperse with dots or objects scattered at random
          <boats dotting the lake> ~ vi: to make a dot -- dot.ter
          n [3]dot n [F, fr. L dot-, dos dowry] (1855): dowry 2

   dotage
          [dot.age] n [dote] (14c): a state or period of senile decay
          marked by decline of mental poise and alertness

   dotal
          [do.tal] adj [L dotalis, fr. dot-, dos] (1513): of or relating
          to a woman's marriage dowry

   dotard
          [dot.ard] n (14c): a person in his or her dotage

   dote
          [dote] vi dot.ed ; dot.ing [ME; akin to MLG dotten to be
          foolish] (13c) 1: to exhibit mental decline of or like
          that of old age: be in one's dotage 2: to be lavish or
          excessive in one's attention, fondness, or affection--used
          esp. with on <doted on her only grandchild> -- dot.er
          n -- dot.ing.ly adv

   doth
          [doth] archaic pres 3d sing of do

   dot matrix
          [dot matrix] n (1963): a pattern of dots in a grid from which
          alphanumeric characters can be formed <a dot matrix printer>

   dot product
          [dot product] n [[1]dot; fr. its being commonly written as
          a raised dot between two factors] (1901): scalar product

   dotted swiss
          [dotted swiss] n (ca. 1924): a sheer light muslin ornamented
          with evenly spaced raised dots

   dotterel
          [dot.ter.el] n [ME dotrelle, irreg. fr. doten to dote] (15c):
          a Eurasian plover (Eudromias morinellus) formerly common
          in England; also: any of various related plovers chiefly
          of eastern Asia, Australia, and So. America

   dottle
          [dot.tle] n [ME dottel plug, fr. (assumed) ME dot] (ca. 1825):
          unburned and partially burned tobacco in the bowl of
          a pipe

   [1]dotty
          [dot.ty] adj dot.ti.er ; -est [alter. of Sc dottle fool,
          fr. ME dotel, fr. doten] (15c) 1 a: mentally unbalanced:
          crazy b: amiably eccentric 2: being obsessed or infatuated
          3: amusingly absurd: ridiculous <some sublimely ~ exchanges
          of letters> -- dot.ti.ly adv -- dot.ti.ness n [2]dotty
          adj (1812): composed of or marked by dots

   Douay Version
          [Dou.ay Version] n [Douay, France] (1837): an English translation
          of the Vulgate used by Roman Catholics

   [1]double
          [dou.ble] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L duplus (akin to Gk diploos),
          fr. duo two + -plus multiplied by; akin to OE -feald
          -fold--more at two, -fold] (13c) 1: having a twofold
          relation or character: dual 2: consisting of two usu.
          combined members or parts <an egg with a ~ yolk> 3 a:
          being twice as great or as many <~ the number of expected
          applicants> b of a coin: worth two of the specified amount
          <a ~ eagle> <a ~ crown> 4: marked by duplicity: deceitful
          5: folded in two 6: of extra size, strength, or value
          <a ~ martini> 7: having more than the normal number of
          floral leaves often at the expense of the sporophylls
          8 of rhyme: involving correspondence of two syllables
          (as in exciting and inviting) 9: designed for the use
          of two persons <a ~ room> <a ~ bed> -- dou.ble.ness n
          [2]double vb dou.bled ; dou.bling vt (13c) 1: to make
          twice as great or as many: as a: to increase by adding
          an equal amount b: to amount to twice the number of c:
          to make a call in bridge that increases the value of
          odd tricks or undertricks at (an opponent's bid) 2 a:
          to make of two thicknesses: fold b: clench <doubled his
          fist> c: to cause to stoop 3: to avoid by doubling: elude
          4 a: to replace in a dramatic role b: to play (dramatic
          roles) by doubling 5 a (1): to advance or score (a base
          runner) by a double (2): to bring about the scoring of
          (a run) by a double b: to put out (a base runner) in
          completing a double play ~ vi 1 a: to become twice as
          much or as many b: to double a bid (as in bridge) 2 a:
          to turn sharply and suddenly; esp: to turn back on one's
          course b: to follow a circuitous course 3: to become
          bent or folded usu. in the middle--usu. used with up
          <she doubled up in pain> 4 a: to serve an additional
          purpose or perform an additional duty b: to play a dramatic
          role as a double 5: to make a double in baseball -- dou.bler
          n [3]double adv (14c) 1: to twice the extent or amount
          2: two together [4]double n (14c) 1: something twice
          the usual size, strength, speed, quantity, or value:
          as a: a double amount b: a base hit that enables the
          batter to reach second base 2: one that is the counterpart
          of another: duplicate: as a: a living person that closely
          resembles another living person b: wraith c (1): understudy
          (2): one who resembles an actor and takes his or her
          place esp. in scenes calling for special skills (3):
          an actor who plays more than one role in a production
          3 a: a sharp turn (as in running): reversal b: an evasive
          shift 4: something consisting of two paired members:
          as a: fold b: a combined bet placed on two different
          contests c: two consecutive strikes in bowling 5 pl:
          a game between two pairs of players 6: an act of doubling
          in a card game 7: a room (as in a hotel) for two guests--compare
          single 4

   double agent
          [double agent] n (1935): a spy pretending to serve one government
          while actually serving another

   double bar
          [double bar] n (ca. 1674): two adjacent vertical lines or
          a heavy single line separating principal sections of
          a musical composition

   double-barrel
          [dou.ble-bar.rel] n (1811): a double-barreled gun

   double-barreled
          [dou.ble-bar.reled] adj (1709) 1 of a firearm: having two
          barrels mounted side by side or one beneath the other
          2: twofold; esp: having a double purpose <asked a ~ question>

   double bass
          [double bass] n (1752): the largest and lowest-pitched of
          the stringed instruments tuned in fourths -- double bass.ist
          n

   double bassoon
          [double bassoon] n (ca. 1876): contrabassoon

   double bill
          [double bill] n (1917): a bill (as at a theater) offering
          two principal features

   double bind
          [double bind] n (1956): a psychological predicament in which
          a person receives from a single source conflicting messages
          that allow no appropriate response to be made; broadly:
          dilemma 2

   double-blind
          [dou.ble-blind] adj (1950): of, relating to, or being an
          experimental procedure in which neither the subjects
          nor the experimenters know the makeup of the test and
          control groups during the actual course of the experiments--compare
          single-blind

   double boiler
          [double boiler] n (1879): a cooking utensil consisting of
          two saucepans fitting together so that the contents of
          the upper can be cooked or heated by boiling water in
          the lower

   double bond
          [double bond] n (1889): a chemical bond in which two pairs
          of electrons are shared by two atoms in a molecule--compare
          single bond, triple bond

   double-breasted
          [dou.ble-breast.ed] adj (1701) 1: having one half of the
          front lapped over the other and usu. a double row of
          buttons and a single row of buttonholes <a ~ coat> 2:
          having a double-breasted coat <a ~ suit>

   double-check
          [double-check] vt (1944): to subject to a double check <an
          article ~ed for accuracy> ~ vi: to make a double check

   double check
          [double check] n (1953): a careful checking to determine
          accuracy, condition, or progress esp. of something already
          checked

   double-clutch
          [dou.ble-clutch] vi (1928): to shift gears in an automotive
          vehicle by shifting into neutral and pumping the clutch
          before shifting to another gear

   double-crop
          [dou.ble-crop] vi (1918): to grow two or more crops on the
          same land in the same season or at the same time

   double-cross
          [dou.ble-cross] vt (1903): to deceive by double-dealing:
          betray -- dou.ble-cross.er n

   double cross
          [double cross] n (1834) 1 a: an act of winning or trying
          to win a fight or match after agreeing to lose it b:
          an act of betraying or cheating an associate 2: a cross
          between first-generation hybrids of four separate inbred
          lines (as in the production of hybrid seed corn)

   double dagger
          [double dagger] n (1706): a character resembling two
          opposite-pointing overlaid daggers used as a reference mark--called
          also diesis

   double date
          [double date] n (ca. 1931): a date participated in by two
          couples -- dou.ble-date vi

   [1]double-dealing
          [dou.ble-deal.ing] n (1529): action contradictory to a professed
          attitude: duplicity syn see deception -- dou.ble-deal.er
          n [2]double-dealing adj (1587): given to or marked by
          duplicity

   double-deck
          [dou.ble-deck] or dou.ble-decked adj (1894): having two decks,
          levels, or layers <a ~ bus> <a ~ sandwich>

   double-decker
          [dou.ble-deck.er] n (1835): something that is double-deck

   double-digit
          [dou.ble-dig.it] adj (1959): amounting to 10 percent or more
          <~ inflation> <~ price increases>

   double-dipper
          [dou.ble-dip.per] n (ca. 1974): a person who collects both
          a government pension and a government salary -- dou.ble-dip.ping
          n

   double-dome
          [dou.ble-dome] n (1938): intellectual

   double door
          [double door] n (1840): an opening with two vertical doors
          that meet in the middle of the opening when closed--compare
          dutch door

   double dribble
          [double dribble] n (ca. 1949): an illegal action in basketball
          made when a player dribbles the ball with two hands simultaneously
          or continues to dribble after allowing the ball to come to rest
          in one or both hands

   double Dutch
          [double Dutch] n (1876) 1: unintelligible language: gibberish
          2: the jumping of two jump ropes rotating in opposite
          directions simultaneously

   double-edged
          [dou.ble-edged] adj (15c) 1: having two cutting edges 2 a:
          having two components or aspects <a spy with a ~ mission>
          b: capable of being taken in two ways <a ~ remark>

   double-edged sword
          [double-edged sword] n (15c): something that has or can have
          both favorable and unfavorable consequences <freedom
          of expression ... can be a double-edged sword --Linda
          Connors>

   double-ended
          [dou.ble-end.ed] adj (ca. 1874): similar at both ends <a
          ~ bolt>

   double-ender
          [dou.ble-end.er] n (1864): a ship or boat with bow and stern
          of similar shape

   double entendre
          [dou.ble en.ten.dre] n, pl double entendres [obs. F, lit.,
          double meaning] (1673) 1: ambiguity of meaning arising
          from language that lends itself to more than one interpretation
          2: a word or expression capable of two interpretations
          with one usu. risque

   double entry
          [double entry] n (1741): a method of bookkeeping that recognizes
          both sides of a business transaction by debiting the
          amount of the transaction to one account and crediting
          it to another account so the total debits equal the total
          credits

   double-faced
          [dou.ble-faced] adj (1577) 1: hypocritical, two-faced 2 a:
          having two faces or sides designed for use <a ~ bookshelf>
          b also dou.ble-face : finished on both sides: reversible--used
          of fabric

   double fault
          [double fault] n (ca. 1909): two consecutive serving faults
          in tennis that result in the loss of a point -- dou.ble-fault
          vi

   double feature
          [double feature] n (1928): a movie program with two main
          films

   double fertilization
          [double fertilization] n (ca. 1909): fertilization characteristic
          of seed plants in which one sperm nucleus fuses with
          the egg nucleus to form an embryo and another fuses with
          polar nuclei to form endosperm

   double genitive
          [double genitive] n (1824): a syntactic construction in English
          in which possession is marked both by the preposition
          of and a noun or pronoun in the possessive case (as in
          "A friend of Bob's is a friend of mine")--called also
          double possessive

   double glazing
          [double glazing] n (1943): two layers of glass set in a window
          to reduce heat flow in either direction

   Double Gloucester
          [Double Glouces.ter] n [Gloucester, England] (1816): a firm
          mild orange-colored English cheese similar to cheddar

   doubleheader
          [dou.ble.head.er] n (1878) 1: a train pulled by two locomotives
          2: two games, contests, or events held consecutively
          on the same program

   double helix
          [double helix] n (1954): a helix or spiral consisting of
          two strands in the surface of a cylinder that coil around
          its axis; esp: the structural arrangement of DNA in space
          that consists of paired polynucleotide strands stabilized
          by cross-links between purine and pyrimidine bases--compare
          alpha-helix, watson -crick model -- dou.ble-he.li.cal
          adj

   double-hung
          [double-hung] adj (1823) of a window: having an upper and
          a lower sash that can slide vertically past each other

   double hyphen
          [double hyphen] n (1893): a punctuation mark used in place
          of a hyphen at the end of a line to indicate that the
          word so divided is normally hyphenated

   double indemnity
          [double indemnity] n (1924): a provision in a life-insurance
          or accident policy whereby the company agrees to pay
          twice the face of the contract in case of accidental
          death

   double jeopardy
          [double jeopardy] n (1910): the putting of a person on trial
          for an offense for which he or she has previously been
          put on trial under a valid charge: two adjudications
          for one offense

   double-jointed
          [dou.ble-joint.ed] adj (1831): having a joint that permits
          an exceptional degree of freedom of motion of the parts
          joined

   double knit
          [double knit] n (1895): a knitted fabric (as wool) made with
          a double set of needles to produce a double thickness
          of fabric with each thickness joined by interlocking
          stitches; also: an article of clothing made of such fabric

   double negative
          [double negative] n (1827): a now substandard syntactic
          construction containing two negatives and having a negative meaning
          <"I didn't hear nothing" is a double negative>

   double-park
          [dou.ble-park] vt (1936): to park (a vehicle) beside a row
          of vehicles already parked parallel to the curb ~ vi:
          to double-park a vehicle

   double play
          [double play] n (1867): a play in baseball by which two players
          are put out

   double-quick
          [dou.ble-quick] n (1834): double time 1; broadly: a rapid
          pace -- double-quick adj or adv

   double reed
          [double reed] n (ca. 1876): two reeds bound together with
          a slight separation between them so that air passing
          through them causes them to beat against one another
          and that are used as a sound-producing device in certain
          woodwind instruments (as members of the oboe family)

   double refraction
          [double refraction] n (1831): birefringence

   double-ring
          [dou.ble-ring] adj (ca. 1959): of or relating to a wedding
          ceremony in which each partner ceremonially gives the
          other a wedding ring while reciting vows

   double salt
          [double salt] n (ca. 1849): a salt (as an alum) yielding
          on hydrolysis two different cations or anions

   double-space
          [dou.ble-space] vt (ca. 1937): to type (text) leaving alternate
          lines blank ~ vi: to type on every other line

   doublespeak
          [dou.ble.speak] n (1952): language used to deceive usu. through
          concealment or misrepresentation of truth; also: gobbledygook
          -- dou.ble.speak.er n

   double standard
          [double standard] n (1894) 1: bimetallism 2: a set of principles
          that applies differently and usu. more rigorously to
          one group of people or circumstances than to another;
          esp: a code of morals that applies more severe standards
          of sexual behavior to women than to men

   double star
          [double star] n (1781) 1: binary star 2: two stars in very
          nearly the same line of sight but actually physically
          separate

   double-stop
          [dou.ble-stop] vt (ca. 1889): to produce two or more tones
          simultaneously on (as a violin) -- double-stop n

   double sugar
          [double sugar] n (1956): disaccharide

   doublet
          [dou.blet] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. double] (14c) 1: a man's
          close-fitting jacket worn in Europe esp. during the Renaissance
          2: something consisting of two identical or similar parts:
          as a: a lens consisting of two components; esp: a handheld
          magnifier consisting of two lenses in a metal cylinder
          b: a spectrum line having two close components c: a domino with the
          same number of spots on each end 3: a set of two identical
          or similar things: as a: two thrown dice with the same number
          of spots on the upper face b: one of nine pairs of microtubules
          found in cilia and flagella 4: one of a pair; specif: one of two
          or more words (as guard and ward) in the same language derived
          by different routes of transmission from the same source

   double take
          [dou.ble take] n (1930): a delayed reaction to a surprising
          or significant situation after an initial failure to
          notice anything unusual--usu. used in the phrase do a
          double take

   double-talk
          [dou.ble-talk] n (1936) 1: language that appears to be earnest
          and meaningful but in fact is a mixture of sense and
          nonsense 2: inflated, involved, and often deliberately
          ambiguous language -- dou.ble-talk vi -- dou.ble-talk.er
          n

   double-team
          [dou.ble-team] vt (1860): to block or guard (an opponent)
          with two players at one time

   Double Ten
          [Double Ten] n [trans. of Chin (Beijing) shuangshi; fr. its
          being the tenth day of the tenth month] (1940): October
          10 observed by the Republic of China in commemoration
          of the revolution of 1911

   doublethink
          [dou.ble.think] n (1949): a simultaneous belief in two
          contradictory ideas

   double-time
          [dou.ble-time] vi (1943): to move at double time

   double time
          [double time] n (1853) 1: a marching cadence of 180 36-inch
          steps per minute 2: payment of a worker at twice the
          regular wage rate

   doubleton
          [dou.ble.ton] n [double + -ton (as in singleton)] (ca. 1894):
          two cards that are the only ones of their suit orig.
          dealt to a player--compare singleton 1, void 4

   double-tongue
          [dou.ble-tongue] vi (ca. 1900): to cause the tongue to alternate
          rapidly between the positions for t and k so as to produce
          a fast succession of detached notes on a wind instrument

   double-u
          [dou.ble-u] n (1840): the letter w

   double up
          [double up] vi (1789): to share accommodations designed for
          one

   double vision
          [double vision] n (ca. 1860): diplopia

   double whammy
          [double whammy] n (1951): a combination of two usu. adverse
          forces, circumstances, or effects

   double-wide
          [double-wide] n (1970): a mobile home consisting of two units
          which have been fastened together along their length

   doubloon
          [dou.bloon] n [Sp doblon, aug. of dobla, an old Spanish coin,
          fr. L dupla, fem. of duplus double--more at double] (1622):
          an old gold coin of Spain and Spanish America

   doubly
          [dou.bly] adv (15c) 1: in a twofold manner 2: to twice the
          degree

   [1]doubt
          [doubt] vb [alter. of ME douten, fr. OF douter to doubt,
          fr. L dubitare; akin to L dubius dubious] vt (13c) 1
          archaic a: fear b: suspect 2: to be in doubt about <he
          ~s everyone's word> 3 a: to lack confidence in: distrust
          <find myself ~ing him even when I know that he is honest
          --H. L. Mencken> b: to consider unlikely <I ~ if I can
          go> ~ vi: to be uncertain -- doubt.able adj -- doubt.er
          n -- doubt.ing.ly adv [2]doubt n (13c) 1 a: uncertainty
          of belief or opinion that often interferes with decision-making
          b: a deliberate suspension of judgment 2: a state of
          affairs giving rise to uncertainty, hesitation, or suspense
          3 a: a lack of confidence: distrust b: an inclination
          not to believe or accept syn see uncertainty -- no doubt
          : [1]doubtless

   doubtful
          [doubt.ful] adj (14c) 1: giving rise to doubt: open to question
          <it is ~ that they ever knew what happened> 2 a: lacking
          a definite opinion, conviction, or determination <they
          were ~ about the advantages of the new system> b: uncertain
          in outcome: undecided <the outcome of the election remains
          ~> 3: marked by qualities that raise doubts about worth,
          honesty, or validity <of ~ repute> -- doubt.ful.ly adv
          -- doubt.ful.ness n syn doubtful, dubious, problematic,
          questionable mean not affording assurance of the worth,
          soundness, or certainty of something. doubtful implies
          little more than a lack of conviction or certainty <doubtful
          about whether I said the right thing>. dubious stresses
          suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation <dubious about the
          practicality of the scheme>. problematic applies esp.
          to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization
          is highly uncertain <whether the project will ever be
          finished is problematic>. questionable may imply no more
          than the existence of doubt but usu. suggests that the
          suspicions are well-grounded <a man of questionable honesty>.

   doubting Thomas
          [doubting Thom.as] n [St. Thomas, apostle who doubted Jesus'
          resurrection until he had proof of it (Jn 20:24-29)]
          (1883): a habitually doubtful person

   [1]doubtless
          [doubt.less] adv (14c) 1: without doubt 2: probably [2]doubtless
          adj (14c): free from doubt: certain -- doubt.less.ly
          adv -- doubt.less.ness n

   douce
          [douce] adj [ME, sweet, pleasant, fr. MF, fr. fem. of douz,
          fr. L dulcis sweet--more at dulcet] (1721) chiefly Scot:
          sober, sedate <the ~ faces of the mourners --L. J. A.
          Bell> -- douce.ly adv, chiefly Scot

   douceur
          [dou.ceur] n [F, pleasantness, fr. LL dulcor sweetness, fr.
          L dulcis] (1763): a conciliatory gift

   douche
          [douche] n [F, fr. It doccia, fr. docciare to douche, fr.
          doccia water pipe, prob. back-formation fr. doccione
          conduit, fr. L duction-, ductio means of conveying water,
          fr. ducere to lead--more at tow] (1766) 1 a: a jet or
          current esp. of water directed against a part or into
          a cavity of the body b: an act of cleansing with a douche
          2: a device for giving douches 3 Brit: a rude awakening
          <the icy ~ (what he said about my work) --John Fowles>
          -- douche vb

   douche bag
          [douche bag] n (ca. 1963) slang: an unattractive or offensive
          person

   dough
          [dough] n [ME dogh, fr. OE dag; akin to OHG teic dough, L
          fingere to shape, Gk teichos wall] (bef. 12c) 1: a mixture
          that consists essentially of flour or meal and a liquid
          (as milk or water) and is stiff enough to knead or roll
          2: something resembling dough esp. in consistency 3:
          money 4: doughboy -- dough.like adj

   dough box
          [dough box] n (ca. 1944): a rectangular wooden box mounted
          on legs that is used as a worktable and storage space

   doughboy
          [dough.boy] n (1865): an American infantryman esp. in World
          War I

   doughface
          [dough.face] n (1830): a Northern congressman not opposed
          to slavery in the South before or during the Civil War;
          also: a Northerner sympathetic to the South during the
          same period -- dough-faced adj

   doughnut
          [dough.nut] n (ca. 1809) 1: a small usu. ring-shaped cake
          fried in fat 2: something (as a mathematical torus) that
          resembles a doughnut esp. in shape -- dough.nut.like
          adj

   doughty
          [dough.ty] adj dough.ti.er ; -est [ME, fr. OE dohtig; akin
          to OHG toug is useful, Gk teuchein to make] (bef. 12c):
          marked by fearless resolution: valiant -- dough.ti.ly
          adv -- dough.ti.ness n

   doughy
          [doughy] adj dough.i.er ; -est (1601): resembling dough:
          as a: not thoroughly baked b: unhealthily pale: pasty

   Douglas fir
          [Doug.las fir] n [David Douglas d. 1834 Scot. botanist] (1873):
          any of a genus (Pseudotsuga) of tall evergreen timber
          trees having thick bark, pitchy wood, and pendulous cones;
          esp: one (P. menziesii syn. P. taxifolia) of the western
          U.S.

   Doukhobor
          [Dou.kho.bor] n [Russ dukhobor, dukhoborets, fr. dukh spirit
          + borets wrestler] (1876): a member of a Christian sect
          of 18th century Russian origin emphasizing the duty of
          obeying the inner light and rejecting church or civil
          authority

   do up
          [do up] vt (1666) 1: to prepare (as by cleaning or repairing)
          for wear or use <do up a shirt> 2 a: to wrap up <do up
          a package> b: put up, can 3 a: to deck out: clothe b:
          to furnish with something ornamental: decorate 4: exhaust,
          wear out

   dour
          [dour] adj [ME, fr. L durus hard--more at during] (14c) 1:
          stern, harsh 2: obstinate, unyielding 3: gloomy, sullen
          -- dour.ly adv -- dour.ness n

   douroucouli
          [dou.rou.cou.li] n [F, fr. an unidentified American Indian
          language of Venezuela] (1842): any of several small nocturnal
          monkeys (genus Aotus) of tropical America that have round
          heads, large eyes, and densely furred bodies

   [1]douse
          [douse] vb doused ; dous.ing [perh. fr. obs. E douse (to
          smite)] vt (1600) 1: to plunge into water 2 a: to throw
          a liquid on: drench b: slosh 3: extinguish <~ the lights>
          ~ vi: to fall or become plunged into water -- dous.er
          n [2]douse n (1881): a heavy drenching [3]douse n [origin
          unknown] (ca. 1625) Brit: blow, stroke [4]douse vt doused
          ; dous.ing (1627) 1 a: furl <~ a sail> b: slacken <~
          a rope> 2: take off, doff

   doux
          [doux] adj [F, lit., sweet, fr. OF douz--more at douce] (ca.
          1943) of champagne: very sweet

   [1]dove
          [dove] n [ME, fr. (assumed) OE dufe; akin to OHG tuba dove]
          (13c) 1: any of numerous pigeons; esp: a small wild pigeon
          2: a gentle woman or child 3: one who takes a conciliatory
          attitude and advocates negotiations and compromise; esp:
          an opponent of war--compare hawk -- dov.ish adj -- dov.ish.ness
          n [2]dove past of dive

   dovecote
          [dove.cote] also dove.cot n (15c) 1: a small compartmented
          raised house or box for domestic pigeons 2: a settled
          or harmonious group or organization

   dovekie
          [dove.kie] n [dim. of dove] (1821): a small short-billed
          auk (Alle alle) breeding on arctic coasts and ranging
          south in winter

   doven
          [doven] var of daven

   Dover sole
          [Dover sole] n [prob. fr. Dover, England] (ca. 1911) 1: a
          common European sole (Solea solea) esteemed as a food
          fish 2: a brownish blotched flatfish (Microstomus pacificus)
          of the Pacific coast of No. America that is a market
          fish in California

   Dover's powder
          [Do.ver's powder] n [Thomas Dover d. 1742 Eng. physician]
          (1801): a powder of ipecac and opium and used as a pain
          reliever and diaphoretic

   [1]dovetail
          [dove.tail] n (1573): something resembling a dove's tail;
          esp: a flaring tenon and a mortise into which it fits
          tightly making an interlocking joint between two pieces
          (as of wood) [2]dovetail vt (ca. 1656) 1 a: to join by
          means of dovetails b: to cut to a dovetail 2 a: to fit
          skillfully to form a whole b: to fit together with ~
          vi: to fit together into a whole

   dow
          [dow] vi dought or dowed ; dow.ing [ME dow, deih have worth,
          am able, fr. OE deah, deag; akin to OHG toug is worthy,
          is useful--more at doughty] (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot:
          to be able or capable Dow n (1949): dow-jones average

   dowager
          [dow.a.ger] n [MF douagiere, fr. douage dower, fr. douer
          to endow, fr. L dotare, fr. dot-, dos gift, dower--more
          at date] (1530) 1: a widow holding property or a title
          from her deceased husband 2: a dignified elderly woman

   dowager's hump
          [dowager's hump] n (1948): an abnormal curvature of the upper
          back with round shoulders and stooped posture caused
          esp. by bone loss and anterior compression of the vertebrae
          in osteoporosis

   [1]dowdy
          [dowdy] n, pl dowd.ies [dim. of dowd (dowdy), fr. ME doude]
          (1581) archaic: a dowdy woman [2]dowdy adj dowd.i.er
          ; -est (1676) 1: not neat or becoming in appearance:
          shabby 2 a: lacking smartness or taste b: old-fashioned
          -- dowd.i.ly adv -- dowd.i.ness n -- dowdy.ish adj [3]dowdy
          n [origin unknown] (1936): pandowdy

   [1]dowel
          [dow.el] n [ME dowle; akin to OHG tubili plug, LGk typhos
          wedge] (14c) 1: a pin fitting into a hole in an abutting
          piece to prevent motion or slipping; also: a round rod
          or stick used esp. for cutting up into dowels 2: a piece
          of wood driven into a wall so that other pieces can be
          nailed to it [2]dowel vt -elled also -eled ; -elling
          also -eling (1713): to fasten by or furnish with dowels

   [1]dower
          [dow.er] n [ME dowere, fr. MF douaire, modif. of ML dotarium--more
          at dowry] (14c) 1: the part of or interest in the real estate
          of a deceased husband given by law to his widow during her
          life--compare curtesy 2: dowry 2, 3 [2]dower vt (1605): to supply
          with a dower or dowry: endow

   dowitcher
          [dow.itch.er] n, pl dowitchers also dowitcher [prob. of Iroquoian
          origin; akin to Oneida tawistawis dowitcher] (1841):
          any of several long-billed wading birds (esp. Limnodromus
          griseus and L. scolopaceus of the family Scolopacidae)
          related to the sandpipers

   Dow-Jones average
          [Dow-Jones average] n [Charles H. Dow d. 1902 & Edward D.
          Jones d. 1920 Am. financial statisticians] (1922): an
          index of the relative price of securities

   [1]down
          [down] adv [ME doun, fr. OE dune, short for adune, of dune,
          fr. a- (fr. of), of off, from + dune, dat. of dun hill]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): toward or in a lower physical position
          (2): to a lying or sitting position (3): toward or to
          the ground, floor, or bottom b: as a down payment <paid
          $10 ~> c: on paper <put ~ what he says> 2: in a direction
          that is the opposite of up: as a: southward b: to or
          toward a point away from the speaker or the speaker's
          point of reference 3: to a lesser degree, level, or rate
          <cool ~ tensions> 4: to or toward a lower position in
          a series 5 a: to or in a lower or worse condition or
          status b--used to indicate completion <dusted ~ the house>
          6: from a past time 7: to or in a state of less activity
          or prominence 8: to a concentrated state <got the report
          ~ to three pages> 9: into defeat <voted the motion ~>
          -- down to the ground : perfectly, completely <that suits
          me down to the ground> [2]down prep (14c): down along,
          around, through, toward, in, into, or on <fell ~ the
          stairs> <~ the years> [3]down vt (1562) 1: to cause to
          go or come down 2: to cause (a football) to be out of
          play 3: defeat ~ vi: to go down [4]down adj (ca. 1565)
          1 a (1): occupying a low position; specif: lying on the
          ground <~ timber> (2): directed or going downward <attendance
          is ~> b: lower in price c: not being in play in football
          because of wholly stopped progress or because the officials
          stop the play d: defeated or trailing an opponent (as
          in points scored) <~ by two runs> e in baseball: out
          2 a: reduced or low in activity or intensity <a ~ economy>
          b: not operating or able to function <the computer is
          ~> c: depressed, dejected; also: depressing <a ~ movie>
          d: sick <~ with flu> 3: done, finished <eight ~ and two
          to go> 4: completely mastered <had her lines ~>--often
          used with pat 5 slang: cool 7 <a ~ dude> 6: being a quark
          with an electric charge of -1/3, zero charm, and zero
          strangeness <a ~ quark>--compare [2]up 5 7: being on
          record <you're ~ for two tickets> -- down on : having
          a low opinion of or dislike for [5]down n (1710) 1: descent,
          depression 2: an instance of putting down 3 a: a complete
          play to advance the ball in football b: one of a series
          of four attempts in American football or three attempts
          in Canadian football to advance the ball 10 yards 4 chiefly
          Brit: dislike, grudge 5: downer [6]down n [ME doun hill,
          fr. OE dun] (14c) 1: an undulating usu. treeless upland
          with sparse soil--usu. used in pl. 2 often cap: a sheep
          of any breed originating in the downs of southern England
          [7]down n [ME doun, fr. ON dunn] (14c) 1: a covering
          of soft fluffy feathers; also: these feathers 2: something
          soft and fluffy like down

   down and dirty
          [down and dirty] adj or adv (1967) 1: unvarnished <the down
          and dirty truth> 2: made or done hastily: not revised
          or polished 3: marked by fierce competition 4: bawdy
          5: seedy 2

   down-and-out
          [down-and-out] adj (1901) 1: destitute, impoverished 2: physically
          weakened or incapacitated -- down-and-out or down-and-out.er n

   down-at-the-heels
          [down-at-the-heels] or down-at-heel also down-at-the-heel
          or down-at-heels adj (1732): shabby

   [1]downbeat
          [down.beat] n (1876) 1: the downward stroke of a conductor
          indicating the principally accented note of a measure
          of music; also: the first beat of a measure 2: a decline
          in activity or prosperity [2]downbeat adj (1950): pessimistic,
          gloomy

   down-bow
          [down-bow] n (ca. 1889): a stroke in playing a bowed instrument
          (as a violin) in which the bow is drawn across the strings
          from the heel to the tip

   downburst
          [down.burst] n (1978): a powerful downdraft usu. associated
          with a thunderstorm that strikes the ground and deflects
          in all directions and that constitutes a hazard esp.
          for low-flying aircraft; also: microburst

   downcast
          [down.cast] adj (14c) 1: low in spirit: dejected 2: directed
          downward <with ~ eyes>

   downcourt
          [down.court] adv or adj (1952): in or into the opposite end
          of the court (as in basketball)

   downdraft
          [down.draft] n (1849): a downward current of gas (as air
          during a thunderstorm)

   down east
          [down east] adv, often cap D&E (1825): in or into the northeast
          coastal section of the U.S. and parts of the Maritime
          Provinces of Canada; specif: in or into coastal Maine
          -- down east adj, often cap D&E

   down-easter
          [down-east.er] n, often cap D&E (1827): one born or living
          down east

   downer
          [down.er] n (1966) 1: a depressant drug; esp: barbiturate
          2: someone or something depressing

   downfall
          [down.fall] n (13c) 1 a: a sudden fall (as from power) b:
          a fall (as of snow or rain) esp. when sudden or heavy
          2: something that causes a downfall (as of a person)
          -- down.fall.en adj

   downfield
          [down.field] adv or adj (1944): in or into the part of the
          field toward which the offensive team is headed

   [1]downgrade
          [down.grade] n (1858) 1: a downward grade (as of a road)
          2: a descent toward an inferior state <a career on the
          ~> [2]downgrade vt (1930) 1: minimize, depreciate 2:
          to lower in quality, value, status, or extent

   downhaul
          [down.haul] n (1669): a rope or line for hauling down or
          holding down a sail or spar

   downhearted
          [down.heart.ed] adj (ca. 1774): downcast, dejected --
          down.heart.ed.ly adv -- down.heart.ed.ness n

   [1]downhill
          [down.hill] adv (14c) 1: toward the bottom of a hill 2: toward
          a worsened or inferior state or level--used esp. in the
          phrase go downhill [2]down.hill n (1591) 1: a descending
          slope 2: a skiing race against time down a trail--often
          used attrib. [3]down.hill adj (1727) 1: sloping downhill
          2: closer to the bottom of an incline <your ~ ski> 3:
          not difficult: easy <after that problem the rest was
          ~> 4: progressively worse

   downhiller
          [down.hill.er] n (1967): a downhill skier

   down-home
          [down-home] adj (1938): of, relating to, or having qualities
          (as informality and simplicity) associated with rural
          or small-town people esp. of the Southern U.S. <~ country
          cooking>; broadly: simple, unpretentious

   down in the mouth
          [down in the mouth] adj (1649): dejected 1

   downland
          [down.land] n (bef. 12c): [6]down 1

   downlink
          [down.link] n (ca. 1969): a communications channel for receiving
          transmissions from a spacecraft; also: such transmissions

   download
          [down.load] vt (1980): to transfer (data) from a usu. large
          computer to the memory of another device (as a smaller
          computer) -- down.load.able adj

   down-market
          [down-market] adj (1970): relating or appealing to lower-income
          consumers

   down payment
          [down payment] n (1926): a part of the full price paid at
          the time of purchase or delivery with the balance to
          be paid later; broadly: the first step in a process

   downpipe
          [down.pipe] n (1858) Brit: downspout

   downplay
          [down.play] vt (1954): play down, de-emphasize

   downpour
          [down.pour] n (1811): a pouring or streaming downward; esp:
          a heavy rain

   downrange
          [down.range] adv (1952): away from a launching site

   [1]downright
          [down.right] adv (13c) 1 archaic: straight down 2: absolutely
          1 <~ handsome> <~ mean> 3 obs: forthright [2]downright
          adj (1530) 1 archaic: directed vertically downward 2:
          outright, thorough <a ~ lie> 3: plain, blunt <stories
          he had heard of her ~ tongue --Angus Wilson> -- down.right.ly
          adv -- down.right.ness n

   downriver
          [down.riv.er] adv or adj (1852): toward or at a point nearer
          the mouth of a river

   [1]downscale
          [down.scale] vt down.scaled ; down.scal.ing (1945): to cut
          back in size or scope <the recession forced us to ~ vacation
          plans> [2]downscale adj (ca. 1966): lower in class, income,
          or quality

   downshift
          [down.shift] vi (1955): to shift an automotive vehicle into
          a lower gear -- downshift n

   downside
          [down.side] n (1946) 1: a downward trend (as of prices) 2:
          a negative aspect <the ~ of fame>

   downsize
          [down.size] vt (1975): to reduce in size; esp: to design
          or produce in smaller size

   downslide
          [down.slide] n (1926): a downward movement

   downslope
          [down.slope] adj or adv (1928): toward the bottom of a slope

   downspout
          [down.spout] n (ca. 1896): a vertical pipe used to drain
          rainwater from a roof

   Down's syndrome
          [Down's syndrome] n [J. L. H. Down d. 1896 Eng. physician]
          (1961): a congenital condition characterized by moderate
          to severe mental retardation, slanting eyes, a broad
          short skull, broad hands with short fingers, and trisomy
          of the human chromosome numbered 21--called also Down's,
          Down syndrome

   [1]downstage
          [down.stage] adv or adj (1898) 1: toward or at the front
          of a theatrical stage 2: toward a motion-picture or television
          camera [2]down.stage n (ca. 1931): the part of a stage
          that is nearest the audience or camera

   [1]downstairs
          [down.stairs] adv (1596): down the stairs: on or to a lower
          floor [2]down.stairs adj (1819): situated on the main,
          lower, or ground floor of a building [3]down.stairs n
          pl but sing or pl in constr (1843): the lower floor of
          a building

   downstate
          [down.state] n (1909): the chiefly southerly sections of
          a state; also: the chiefly rural part of a state when
          the major metropolitan area is to the north -- down.state
          adj or adv -- down.stat.er n

   downstream
          [down.stream] adv or adj (1706) 1: in the direction of or
          nearer to the mouth of a stream 2: in or toward the latter
          stages of a usu. industrial process or the stages (as
          marketing) after manufacture

   downstroke
          [down.stroke] n (1852): a downward stroke

   downswing
          [down.swing] n (1899) 1: a downward swing 2: downtrend

   down-the-line
          [down-the-line] adj (1940): complete <a ~ union supporter>

   downtime
          [down.time] n (1928) 1: time during which production is stopped
          esp. during setup for an operation or when making repairs
          2: break time between periods of work <napping during
          our ~>

   down-to-earth
          [down-to-earth] adj (1932) 1: practical <~ traveling tips>
          2: unpretentious <surprised to find the movie star so
          ~>

   down-to-the-wire
          [down-to-the-wire] adj (1952): full of suspense; esp: unsettled
          until the very end

   downtown
          [down.town] n (1851): the lower part of a city; esp: the
          main business district--often used attrib. -- downtown
          adv -- down.town.er n

   downtrend
          [down.trend] n (1926): a downturn esp. in business and economic
          activity

   downtrodden
          [down.trod.den] adj (1595): suffering oppression

   downturn
          [down.turn] n (1926): a downward turn esp. toward a decline
          in business activity

   down under
          [down under] adv or adj, often cap D&U (1886): to or in Australia
          or New Zealand

   [1]downward
          [down.ward] or down.wards adv (13c) 1 a: from a higher to
          a lower place b: toward a direction that is the opposite
          of up 2: from a higher to a lower condition 3 a: from
          an earlier time b: from an ancestor or predecessor [2]downward
          adj (ca. 1552) 1: moving or extending downward 2: descending
          from a head, origin, or source -- down.ward.ly adv --
          down.ward.ness n

   downwash
          [down.wash] n (1915): an airstream directed downward (as
          by an airfoil)

   downwind
          [down.wind] adv or adj (1855): in the direction that the
          wind is blowing

   downy
          [downy] adj down.i.er ; -est (1578) 1: resembling a bird's
          down 2: covered with down 3: made of down 4: soft, soothing

   downy mildew
          [downy mildew] n (1886) 1: any of various parasitic lower
          fungi (family Peronosporaceae) that produce whitish masses
          of sporangiophores or conidiophores on the undersurface
          of the leaves of the host 2: a plant disease caused by
          a downy mildew

   downy woodpecker
          [downy woodpecker] n (1808): a small black-and-white woodpecker
          (Dendrocopos pubescens) of No. America that has a white
          back and is smaller than the hairy woodpecker

   dowry
          [dow.ry] n, pl dowries [ME dowarie, fr. AF, irreg. fr. ML
          dotarium, fr. L dot-, dos gift, marriage portion--more
          at date] (14c) 1 archaic: dower 1 2: the money, goods,
          or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage
          3: a gift of money or property by a man to or for his
          bride 4: a natural talent

   dowsabel
          [dowsabel] n [Dowsabel, fem. name] (ca. 1652) obs: sweetheart

   [1]dowse
          [dowse] var of douse [2]dowse vb dowsed ; dows.ing [origin
          unknown] vi (1894): to use a divining rod ~ vt: to find
          (as water) by dowsing

   dowser
          [dows.er] n (1838): divining rod; also: a person who uses
          it

   dowsing rod
          [dowsing rod] n (1691): divining rod

   doxology
          [dox.ol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [ML doxologia, fr. LGk, fr. Gk
          doxa opinion, glory (fr. dokein to seem, seem good) +
          -logia -logy--more at decent] (1649): a usu. liturgical
          expression of praise to God

   doxorubicin
          [doxo.ru.bi.cin] n [deoxy- + -orubicin (as in daunorubicin)]
          (ca. 1977): an antibiotic with broad antitumor activity
          that is obtained from a bacterium (Streptomyces peucetius)
          and is administered as the hydrochloride

   doxy
          [doxy] also dox.ie n, pl dox.ies [perh. modif. of obs. D
          docke doll, fr. MD] (ca. 1530) 1: floozy, prostitute
          2: mistress 4a

   doxycycline
          [doxy.cy.cline] n [deoxy- + tetracycline] (1966): a broad-spectrum
          tetracycline antibiotic with potent antibacterial activity that
          is often taken orally as a prophylactic against diarrhea
          by travelers

   doyen
          [doy.en] n [F, fr. LL decanus dean--more at dean] (1670)
          1 a: the senior member of a body or group b: a person
          considered to be knowledgeable or uniquely skilled as
          a result of long experience in some field of endeavor
          2: the oldest example of a category

   doyenne
          [doy.enne] n [F, fem. of doyen] (ca. 1897): a woman who is
          a doyen

   doyley
          [doy.ley] chiefly Brit var of doily

   doz
          [doz] abbreviation dozen

   [1]doze
          [doze] vb dozed ; doz.ing [prob. of Scand origin; akin to
          ON dusa to doze] vt (1693): to pass (as time) drowsily
          ~ vi 1 a: to sleep lightly b: to fall into a light sleep--usu.
          used with off 2: to be in a dull or stupefied condition
          -- doze n -- doz.er n [2]doze vt dozed ; doz.ing [prob.
          back-formation fr. dozer (bulldozer)] (1945): bulldoze
          2 -- doz.er n

   dozen
          [doz.en] n, pl dozens or dozen [ME dozeine, fr. MF dozaine,
          fr. doze twelve, fr. L duodecim, fr. duo two + decem
          ten--more at two, ten] (13c) 1: a group of 12 2: an indefinitely
          large number <~s of times> 3 pl but sing in constr: a
          ritualized word game that consists of exchanging insults
          usu. about the members of the opponent's family--used
          with the -- dozen adj -- doz.enth adj

   dozy
          [dozy] adj doz.i.er ; -est (1693): drowsy, sleepy -- doz.i.ly
          adv -- doz.i.ness n

   dp...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   DP
          [DP] abbreviation data processing, degree of polymerization,
          dew point, doctor of podiatry, double play

   DP
          [DP] n, pl DP's or DPs (ca. 1944): a displaced person

   DPE
          [DPE] abbreviation doctor of physical education

   DPh
          [DPh] abbreviation doctor of philosophy  DPH abbreviation
          department of public health, doctor of public health

   DPM
          [DPM] abbreviation doctor of podiatric medicine

   DPN
          [DPN] n [diphosphopyridine nucleotide] (1938): nad

   dpt
          [dpt] abbreviation department, deponent  DPT abbreviation
          diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus

   dq...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   DQ
          [DQ] abbreviation disqualification, disqualify

   dr...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   dr
          [dr] abbreviation debtor, drachma, dram, drive, drum  Dr
          abbreviation doctor  DR abbreviation dead reckoning,
          dining room

   [1]drab
          [drab] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1515) 1: slattern 2: prostitute
          [2]drab vi drabbed ; drab.bing (1602): to associate with
          prostitutes [3]drab n [MF drap cloth, fr. LL drappus]
          (1541) 1: any of various cloths of a dull brown or gray
          color 2 a: a light olive brown b: a dull, lifeless, or
          faded appearance or quality [4]drab adj drab.ber ; drab.best
          (1686) 1 a: of the dull brown color of drab b: of the
          color drab 2: characterized by dullness and monotony:
          cheerless -- drab.ly adv -- drab.ness n [5]drab n [prob.
          alter. of drib] (1828): a small amount--usu. used in
          the phrase dribs and drabs

   drabble
          [drab.ble] vb drab.bled ; drab.bling [ME drabelen; akin to
          LG drabbelen] vt (15c): draggle ~ vi: to become wet and
          muddy

   dracaena
          [dra.cae.na] n [NL, fr. LL, she-serpent, fr. Gk drakaina,
          fem. of drakon serpent--more at dragon] (ca. 1823): any
          of two genera (Dracaena and Cordyline) of Old World tropical
          shrubs or trees of the agave family that have naked branches
          ending in tufts of sword-shaped leaves and include some
          used as houseplants

   drachm
          [drachm] n [alter. of ME dragme--more at dram] (14c) 1: drachma
          2 chiefly Brit: dram

   drachma
          [drach.ma] n, pl drachmas or drach.mai or drach.mae [L, fr.
          Gk drachme--more at dram] (1525) 1 a: any of various
          ancient Greek units of weight b: any of various modern
          units of weight; esp: dram 1 2 a: an ancient Greek silver
          coin equivalent to 6 obols b: the basic monetary unit
          of Greece

   Draco
          [Dra.co] n [L (gen. Draconis), lit., dragon--more at dragon]:
          a northern circumpolar constellation within which is
          the north pole of the ecliptic

   draconian
          [dra.co.ni.an] adj, often cap [L Dracon-, Draco, fr. Gk Drakon
          Draco (Athenian lawgiver)] (1876) 1: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of Draco or the severe code of laws
          held to have been framed by him 2: cruel; also: severe
          <~ littering fines>

   [1]draconic
          [dra.con.ic] adj [L dracon-, draco] (1680): of or relating
          to a dragon [2]dra.con.ic adj (1708): draconian

   [1]draft
          [draft] n [ME draght; akin to OE dragan to draw--more at
          draw] (13c) 1: the act of drawing a net; also: the quantity
          of fish taken at one drawing 2 a: the act or an instance
          of drinking or inhaling; also: the portion drunk or inhaled
          in one such act b: a portion poured out or mixed for
          drinking: dose 3 a: the force required to pull an implement
          b: load or load-pulling capacity 4 a: the act of moving
          loads by drawing or pulling: pull b: a team of animals
          together with what they draw 5 a: delineation, representation
          b: scheme, design c: a preliminary sketch, outline, or
          version <the author's first ~> <a ~ treaty> 6: the act,
          result, or plan of drawing out or stretching 7 a: the
          act of drawing (as from a cask) b: a portion of liquid
          so drawn <a ~ of ale> c: draft beer <a glass of ~> 8:
          the depth of water a ship draws esp. when loaded 9 a
          (1): a system for or act of selecting individuals from
          a group (as for compulsory military service) (2): an
          act or process of selecting an individual (as for political
          candidacy) without his expressed consent b: a group of
          individuals selected esp. by military draft c: a system
          whereby exclusive rights to selected new players are
          apportioned among professional teams 10 a: an order for
          the payment of money drawn by one person or bank on another
          b: the act or an instance of drawing from or making demands
          upon something: demand 11 a: a current of air in a closed-in
          space <felt a ~> b: a device for regulating the flow
          of air (as in a fireplace) 12: angle, taper; specif:
          the taper given to a pattern or die so that the work
          can be easily withdrawn 13: a pocket of reduced air pressure
          behind a moving object; also: the use of such a draft
          to save energy -- on draft : ready to be drawn from a
          receptacle <beer on draft> [2]draft adj (15c) 1: used
          or adapted for drawing loads <~ horses> 2: being or having
          been on draft <drinking ~ beer> [3]draft vt (1714) 1:
          to select for some purpose: as a: to conscript for military
          service b: to select (a professional athlete) by draft
          2 a: to draw the preliminary sketch, version, or plan
          of b: compose, prepare 3: to draw off or away <water
          ~ed by pumps> 4: to stay close behind (another racer)
          so as to take advantage of the reduced air pressure created
          by the leading racer ~ vi 1: to practice draftsmanship
          2: to draft another racer (as in car or bike racing)
          -- draft.able adj -- draft.ee n -- draft.er n

   draft board
          [draft board] n (1953): a civilian board that registers,
          classifies, and selects men for compulsory military service

   draftsman
          [drafts.man] n (1663) 1: a person who draws plans and sketches
          (as of machinery or structures) 2: a person who draws
          legal documents or other writings 3: an artist who excels
          in drawing -- drafts.man.ship n

   draftsperson
          [drafts.person] n (1975): draftsman 1

   drafty
          [drafty] adj draft.i.er ; -est (1846): exposed to or abounding
          in drafts of air -- draft.i.ly adv -- draft.i.ness n

   [1]drag
          [drag] n (14c) 1: something used to drag with; esp: a device
          for dragging under water to detect or obtain objects
          2: something that is dragged, pulled, or drawn along
          or over a surface: as a: harrow b: a sledge for conveying
          heavy bodies c: conveyance 3 a: the act or an instance
          of dragging or drawing: as (1): a drawing along or over
          a surface with effort or pressure (2): motion effected
          with slowness or difficulty; also: the condition of having
          or seeming to have such motion (3): a draw on a pipe,
          cigarette, or cigar; also: a draft of liquid b: a movement,
          inclination, or retardation caused by or as if by dragging
          c slang: influence securing special favor: pull 4 a:
          something that retards motion or action b (1): the retarding
          force acting on a body (as an airplane) moving through
          a fluid (as air) parallel and opposite to the direction
          of motion (2): friction between engine parts; also: retardation
          due to friction c: burden, encumbrance <the ~ of population
          growth on living standards> <maturity is a ~> d: one
          that is boring or gets in the way of enjoyment <this
          sickly kid is going to be a social ~ --Edmund Morris>
          5 a: an object drawn over the ground to leave a scented
          trail b: a clog fastened to a trap to prevent the escape
          of a trapped animal 6: street, road <the main ~> 7 a:
          costume, outfit <in Victorian ~> b: clothing typical
          of one sex worn by a person of the opposite sex--often
          used in the phrase in drag 8: drag race [2]drag vb dragged
          ; drag.ging [ME draggen, fr. ON draga--more at draw]
          vt (15c) 1 a (1): to draw slowly or heavily: haul (2):
          to cause to move with painful or undue slowness or difficulty
          <dragging the national anthem> (3): to cause to trail
          along a surface <wandered off dragging the leash> b (1):
          to bring by or as if by force or compulsion <had to ~
          her husband to the opera> (2): to extract by or as if
          by pulling c: protract <~ a story out> 2 a: to explore
          with a drag b: to catch with a dragnet 3: to hit (a drag
          bunt) while moving toward first base ~ vi 1: to hang
          or lag behind 2: to fish or search with a drag 3: to
          trail along on the ground 4: to move or proceed laboriously
          or tediously <the lawsuit dragged on for years> <was
          dragging after the long trip> 5: draw 4a <~ on a cigarette>
          6: to make a plucking or pulling movement 7: to participate
          in a drag race -- drag.ging.ly adv -- drag one's feet
          also drag one's heels : to act in a deliberately slow
          or dilatory manner [3]drag adj (1887): of, being, involving,
          or intended for a person in drag <a ~ ball>

   drag bunt
          [drag bunt] n (ca. 1949): a bunt in baseball made by a left-handed
          batter by trailing the bat while moving toward first base; broadly:
          a bunt made with the object of getting on base safely rather than
          sacrificing

   drag coefficient
          [drag coefficient] n (ca. 1942): a factor representing the
          drag acting on a body (as an automobile or airfoil)

   dragee
          [dra.gee] n [F, fr. MF dragie--more at dredge] (1853) 1:
          a sugar-coated nut 2: a small silver-colored ball for
          decorating cakes

   dragger
          [drag.ger] n (ca. 1500): one that drags; specif: a fishing
          boat operating a trawl or dragnet

   draggle
          [drag.gle] vb drag.gled ; drag.gling [freq. of drag] vt (1513):
          to make wet and dirty by dragging ~ vi 1: to trail on
          the ground 2: straggle

   draggle-tail
          [drag.gle-tail] n (1596): slattern

   draggy
          [drag.gy] adj drag.gi.er ; -est (15c): sluggish, dull

   dragline
          [drag.line] n (ca. 1911) 1: a line used in or for dragging
          2: an excavating machine in which the bucket is attached
          by cables and operates by being drawn toward the machine

   dragnet
          [drag.net] n (ca. 1541) 1 a: a net drawn along the bottom
          of a body of water b: a net used on the ground (as to
          capture small game) 2: a network of measures for apprehension
          (as of criminals)

   dragoman
          [drag.o.man] n, pl -mans or -men [ME drogman, fr. MF, fr.
          OIt dragomanno, fr. MGk dragomanos, fr. Ar tarjuman,
          fr. Aram turgemana] (14c): an interpreter chiefly of
          Arabic, Turkish, or Persian employed esp. in the Near
          East

   dragon
          [drag.on] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L dracon-, draco serpent, dragon,
          fr. Gk drakon serpent; akin to OE torht bright, Gk derkesthai
          to see, look at] (13c) 1 archaic: a huge serpent 2: a
          mythical animal usu. represented as a monstrous winged
          and scaly serpent or saurian with a crested head and
          enormous claws 3: a violent, combative, or very strict
          person 4 cap: draco 5: something or someone formidable
          or baneful -- drag.on.ish adj

   dragonet
          [drag.on.et] n (14c) 1: a little dragon 2: any of various
          small often brightly colored scaleless marine fishes
          constituting a family (Callionymidae); esp: a European
          fish (Callionymus lyra) sometimes used as food

   dragonfly
          [drag.on.fly] n (1626): any of a suborder (Anisoptera) of
          odonate insects that are larger and stouter than damselflies,
          hold the wings horizontal in repose, and have rectal
          gills during the naiad stage; broadly: odonate

   dragonhead
          [drag.on.head] n (1784): any of several mints (genus Dracocephalum)
          often grown for their showy flower heads; esp: a No. American plant
          (D. parviflorum)

   dragon lady
          [dragon lady] n [character in the comic strip "Terry and
          the Pirates" by Milton Caniff] (1973): an overbearing
          or tyrannical woman; also: a glamorous often mysterious
          woman

   dragon's blood
          [dragon's blood] n (1599): any of several resinous mostly
          dark-red plant products; specif: a resin from the fruit
          of a palm (genus Daemonorops) used for coloring varnish
          and in photoengraving

   dragon's teeth
          [dragon's teeth] n pl [fr. the dragon's teeth sown by Cadmus
          which sprang up as armed warriors who killed one another
          off] (1853) 1: seeds of strife 2: wedge-shaped concrete
          antitank barriers laid in multiple rows

   [1]dragoon
          [dra.goon] n [F dragon dragon, dragoon, fr. MF] (1622): a
          member of a European military unit formerly composed
          of heavily armed mounted troops [2]dragoon vt (1689)
          1: to subjugate or persecute by harsh use of troops 2:
          to force or attempt to force into submission by violent
          measures: coerce

   drag queen
          [drag queen] n (ca. 1941): a male homosexual who dresses
          as a woman

   drag race
          [drag race] n (1949): an acceleration contest between vehicles
          (as automobiles) -- drag racing n

   dragster
          [drag.ster] n (ca. 1954) 1: a vehicle built or modified for
          use in a drag race 2: one who participates in a drag
          race

   drag strip
          [drag strip] n (1952): the site of a drag race; specif: a
          strip of pavement with a racing area at least 1/4 mile
          long

   [1]drain
          [drain] vb [ME draynen, fr. OE dreahnian--more at dry] vt
          (bef. 12c) 1 obs: filter 2 a: to draw off (liquid) gradually
          or completely <~ed all the water out> b: to cause the
          gradual disappearance of c: to exhaust physically or
          emotionally 3 a: to make gradually dry <~ a swamp> b:
          to carry away the surface water of <the river that ~s
          the valley> c: to deplete or empty by or as if by drawing
          off by degrees or in increments d: to empty by drinking
          the contents of 4: drop 7c, sink <~ed the putt> ~ vi
          1 a: to flow off gradually b: to disappear gradually:
          dwindle 2: to become emptied or freed of liquid by its
          flowing or dropping 3: to discharge surface or surplus
          water syn see deplete -- drain.er n [2]drain n (1552)
          1: a means (as a pipe) by which usu. liquid matter is
          drained 2 a: the act of draining b: a gradual outflow
          or withdrawal: depletion 3: something that causes depletion:
          burden 4: an electrode in a field-effect transistor toward
          which charge carriers move--compare gate, source -- down
          the drain : to a state of being wasted or irretrievably
          lost

   drainage
          [drain.age] n (1652) 1: the act, process, or mode of draining;
          also: something drained off 2: a device for draining:
          drain; also: a system of drains 3: an area or district
          drained

   drainpipe
          [drain.pipe] n (1857): a pipe for drainage

   Draize test
          [Draize test] n [John H. Draize b1900 Am. pharmacologist]
          (1980): a test for harmfulness of chemicals to the human
          eye that involves dropping the test substance into one
          eye of a rabbit without anesthesia using the other eye
          as a control--called also Draize eye test

   drake
          [drake] n [ME; akin to OHG antrahho drake] (14c): a male
          duck

   dram
          [dram] n [ME dragme, fr. MF & LL; MF, dram, drachma, fr.
          LL dragma, fr. L drachma, fr. Gk drachme, lit., handful,
          fr. drassesthai to grasp] (14c) 1 a: either of two units
          of weight: (1): an avoirdupois unit equal to 27.343 grains
          (2): an apothecaries' unit equal to 60 grains b: fluid
          dram 2 a: a small portion of something to drink b: a
          small amount DRAM n [dynamic + RAM (random-access memory)]
          (1980): a computer memory chip that must be continuously
          supplied with power in order to retain data

   dram
          [dram] abbreviation dramatic, dramatist

   drama
          [dra.ma] n [LL dramat-, drama, fr. Gk, deed, drama, fr. dran
          to do, act] (1515) 1: a composition in verse or prose
          intended to portray life or character or to tell a story
          usu. involving conflicts and emotions through action
          and dialogue and typically designed for theatrical performance:
          play--compare closet drama 2: dramatic art, literature,
          or affairs 3 a: a state, situation, or series of events
          involving interesting or intense conflict of forces b:
          dramatic state, effect, or quality <the ~ of the courtroom
          proceedings>

   Dramamine
          [Dram.a.mine] trademark--used for dimenhydrinate

   dramatic
          [dra.mat.ic] adj (1589) 1: of or relating to the drama 2
          a: suitable to or characteristic of the drama b: striking
          in appearance or effect 3 of an opera singer: having
          a powerful voice and a declamatory style--compare lyric
          -- dra.mat.i.cal.ly adv syn dramatic, theatrical, histrionic,
          melodramatic mean having a character or an effect like
          that of acted plays. dramatic applies to situations in
          life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions
          deeply <a dramatic meeting of world leaders>. theatrical
          implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration
          in gesture or vocal expression <a theatrical oration>.
          histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and
          suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess <a histrionic
          show of grief>. melodramatic suggests an exaggerated
          emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism <made
          a melodramatic plea>.

   dramatic irony
          [dramatic irony] n (ca. 1907): irony 3b

   dramatic monologue
          [dramatic monologue] n (ca. 1935): a literary work in which
          a character reveals himself in a monologue usu. addressed
          to a second person

   dramatics
          [dra.mat.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1796) 1: the
          study or practice of theatrical arts (as acting and stagecraft)
          2: dramatic behavior or expression

   dramatic unities
          [dramatic unities] n pl (ca. 1922): the unities of time,
          place, and action that are observed in classical drama

   dramatisation, dramatise
          [dramatisation, dramatise] Brit var of dramatization, dramatize

   dramatis personae
          [dra.ma.tis per.so.nae] n pl [NL] (1730) 1: the characters
          or actors in a drama 2 sing in constr: a list of the
          characters or actors in a drama 3: the participants in
          an event

   dramatist
          [dra.ma.tist] n (1678): playwright

   dramatization
          [dra.ma.ti.za.tion] n (1796) 1: the action of dramatizing
          2: a dramatized version (as of a novel)

   dramatize
          [dra.ma.tize] vb -tized ; -tiz.ing vt (1783) 1: to adapt
          (as a novel) for theatrical presentation 2: to present
          or represent in a dramatic manner ~ vi 1: to be suitable
          for dramatization 2: to behave dramatically -- dra.ma.tiz.able
          adj

   dramaturge
          [dra.ma.turge] or dra.ma.turg n (1870): a specialist in dramaturgy

   dramaturgy
          [dra.ma.tur.gy] n [G Dramaturgie, fr. Gk dramatourgia dramatic
          composition, fr. dramat-, drama + -ourgia -urgy] (1801):
          the art or technique of dramatic composition and theatrical
          representation -- dra.ma.tur.gic or dra.ma.tur.gi.cal
          adj -- dra.ma.tur.gi.cal.ly adv

   dramedy
          [dra.me.dy] n [blend of drama and comedy] (1978): a situation
          comedy having dramatic scenes

   drammock
          [dram.mock] n [ScGael dramag] (1562) chiefly Scot: raw oatmeal
          mixed with cold water

   dramshop
          [dram.shop] n (1725): barroom

   drank
          [drank] past and past part of drink

   [1]drape
          [drape] vb draped ; drap.ing [prob. back-formation fr. drapery]
          vt (1847) 1: to cover or adorn with or as if with folds
          of cloth 2: to cause to hang or stretch out loosely or
          carelessly 3: to arrange in flowing lines or folds ~
          vi: to become arranged in folds <this silk ~s beautifully>
          -- drap.able also drape.able adj -- drap.abil.i.ty also
          drape.abil.i.ty n [2]drape n (1889) 1: arrangement in
          or of folds 2 a: a drapery esp. for a window: curtain
          b: a sterile covering used in an operating room--usu.
          used in pl. 3: the cut or hang of clothing -- drap.ey
          adj

   draper
          [drap.er] n [ME, weaver, clothier, fr. MF drapier, fr. OF,
          fr. drap cloth--more at drab] (14c) chiefly Brit: a dealer
          in cloth and sometimes also in clothing and dry goods

   drapery
          [drap.ery] n, pl -er.ies (14c) 1 Brit: dry goods 2 a: a decorative
          piece of material usu. hung in loose folds and arranged
          in a graceful design b: hangings of heavy fabric for use
          as a curtain 3: the draping or arranging of materials

   drastic
          [dras.tic] adj [Gk drastikos, fr. dran to do] (ca. 1691)
          1: acting rapidly or violently <a ~ purgative> 2: extreme
          in effect or action: severe <~ measures> -- dras.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   drat
          [drat] vb drat.ted ; drat.ting [prob. euphemistic alter.
          of God rot] (1815): damn--used as a mild oath

   draught
          [draught] , draughty chiefly Brit var of draft, drafty

   draughts
          [draughts] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME draghtes, fr.
          pl. of draght draft, move in chess] (15c) Brit: checkers

   draughtsman
          [draughts.man] chiefly Brit var of draftsman

   Dravidian
          [Dra.vid.i.an] n [Skt Dravida] (1856) 1: a member of an ancient
          dark-skinned people of southern India 2: dravidian languages
          -- Dravidian adj

   Dravidian languages
          [Dravidian languages] n pl (1871): a language family of India,
          Sri Lanka, and Pakistan that includes Tamil, Telugu,
          Kannada, and Malayalam

   [1]draw
          [draw] vb drew ; drawn ; draw.ing [ME drawen, dragen, fr.
          OE dragan; akin to ON draga to draw, drag] vt (bef. 12c)
          1: to cause to move continuously toward or after a force
          applied in advance: pull <~ your chair up by the fire>:
          as a: to move (as a covering) over or to one side <~
          the drapes> b: to pull up or out of a receptacle or place
          where seated or carried <~ water from the well> <drew
          a gun>; also: to cause to come out of a container <~
          water for a bath> 2: to cause to go in a certain direction
          (as by leading) <drew him aside> 3 a: to bring by inducement
          or allure: attract <honey ~s flies> b: to bring in or
          gather from a specified group or area <a college that
          ~s its students from many states> c: bring on, provoke
          <drew enemy fire> d: to bring out by way of response:
          elicit <drew cheers from the audience> e: to receive
          in the course of play <the batter drew a walk> <~ a foul>
          4: inhale <drew a deep breath> 5 a: to extract the essence
          from <~ tea> b: eviscerate <plucking and ~ing a goose
          before cooking> c: to derive to one's benefit <drew inspiration
          from the old masters> 6: to require (a specified depth)
          to float in <a ship that ~s 12 feet of water> 7 a: accumulate,
          gain <~ing interest> b: to take (money) from a place
          of deposit c: to use in making a cash demand <~ing a
          check against his account> d: to receive regularly or
          in due course <~ a salary> 8 a: to take (cards) from
          a stack or from the dealer b: to receive or take at random
          <drew a winning number> 9: to bend (a bow) by pulling
          back the string 10: to cause to shrink, contract, or
          tighten 11: to strike (a ball) so as to impart a backward
          spin 12: to leave (a contest) undecided: tie 13 a (1):
          to produce a likeness or representation of by making
          lines on a surface <~ a picture> <~ a graph with chalk>
          (2): to give a portrayal of: delineate <a writer who
          ~s characters well> b: to write out in due form <~ a
          will> c: to design or describe in detail: formulate <~
          comparisons> 14: to infer from evidence or premises <~
          a conclusion> 15: to spread or elongate (metal) by hammering
          or by pulling through dies; also: to shape (as plastic)
          by stretching or by pulling through dies ~ vi 1: to come
          or go steadily or gradually <night ~s near> 2 a: to move
          something by pulling <~ing at the well> b: adj -- draw
          a bead on : to take aim at -- draw a blank : to fail
          to gain a desired object (as information sought); also:
          to be unable to think of something -- draw on or draw
          upon : to use as a source of supply <drawing on the whole
          community for support> -- draw straws : to decide or
          assign something by lottery in which straws of unequal
          length are used -- draw the line or draw a line 1: to
          fix an arbitrary boundary between things that tend to
          intermingle 2: to fix a boundary excluding what one will
          not tolerate or engage in [2]draw n (1663) 1: the act
          or process of drawing: as a: a sucking pull on something
          held with the lips b: a removal of a handgun from its
          holster <quick on the ~> c: backward spin given to a
          ball by striking it below center--compare follow 2: something
          that is drawn: as a: a card drawn to replace a discard
          in poker b: a lot or chance drawn at random c: the movable
          part of a drawbridge 3: a contest left undecided or deadlocked:
          tie 4: one that draws attention or patronage 5 a: the
          distance from the string to the back of a drawn bow b:
          the force required to draw a bow fully 6: a gully shallower
          than a ravine 7: the deal in draw poker to improve the
          players' hands after discarding 8: a football play that
          simulates a pass play so a runner can go straight up
          the middle past the pass rushers

   draw away
          [draw away] vi (1670): to move ahead (as of an opponent in
          a race)

   drawback
          [draw.back] n (1697) 1: a refund of duties esp. on an imported
          product subsequently exported or used to produce a product
          for export 2: an objectionable feature: disadvantage

   draw back
          [draw back] vi (14c): to avoid an issue or commitment

   drawbar
          [draw.bar] n (1839) 1: a railroad coupler 2: a beam across
          the rear of a vehicle (as a tractor) to which implements
          are hitched

   drawbridge
          [draw.bridge] n (14c): a bridge made to be raised up, let
          down, or drawn aside so as to permit or hinder passage

   drawdown
          [draw.down] n (1918) 1: a lowering of a water level (as in
          a reservoir) 2 a: the process of depleting b: reduction

   draw down
          [draw down] vt (1949): to deplete by using or spending

   drawee
          [draw.ee] n (1766): the party on which an order or bill of
          exchange is drawn

   drawer
          [draw.er] n (14c) 1: one that draws: as a: a person who draws
          liquor b: draftsman c: one that draws a bill of exchange
          or order for payment or makes a promissory note 2: a
          sliding box or receptacle opened by pulling out and closed
          by pushing in 3 pl: an article of clothing (as underwear)
          for the lower body -- drawer.ful n

   draw in
          [draw in] vt (1558) 1: to cause or entice to enter or participate
          2: to sketch roughly ~ vi 1 a: to draw to an end <the
          day drew in> b: to shorten seasonally <the evenings are
          already drawing in> 2: to become more cautious or economical

   drawing
          [draw.ing] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of drawing; esp:
          the process of deciding something by drawing lots 2:
          the art or technique of representing an object or outlining
          a figure, plan, or sketch by means of lines 3: something
          drawn or subject to drawing: as a: an amount drawn from
          a fund b: a representation formed by drawing: sketch

   drawing account
          [drawing account] n (1920): an account showing payments made
          to an employee in advance of actual earnings or for traveling
          expenses

   drawing board
          [drawing board] n (1725) 1: a board used as a base for drafting
          on paper 2: a planning stage <a project still on the
          drawing board>

   drawing card
          [drawing card] n (1887): one that attracts attention or patronage

   drawing pin
          [drawing pin] n (1859) Brit: thumbtack

   drawing room
          [drawing room] n [short for withdrawing room] (1642) 1 a:
          a formal reception room b: a private room on a railroad
          passenger car with three berths and an enclosed toilet
          2: a formal reception

   drawing table
          [drawing table] n (1706): a table with a surface adjustable
          for elevation and angle of incline

   drawknife
          [draw.knife] n (1703): a woodworker's tool consisting of
          a blade with a handle at each end for use in shaving
          off surfaces

   [1]drawl
          [drawl] vb [prob. freq. of draw] vi (1598): to speak slowly
          with vowels greatly prolonged ~ vt: to utter in a slow
          lengthened tone -- drawl.er n -- drawl.ing.ly adv [2]drawl
          n (1760): a drawling manner of speaking -- drawly adj

   [1]drawn
          [drawn] past part of draw [2]drawn adj (1613): showing the
          effects of tension, pain, or illness: haggard

   drawn butter
          [drawn butter] n (1826): melted clarified butter

   drawnwork
          [drawn.work] n (1595): decoration on cloth made by drawing
          out threads according to a pattern

   draw off
          [draw off] vt (13c): remove, withdraw ~ vi: to move apart
          or ahead

   draw on
          [draw on] vi (15c): approach <night draws on> ~ vt: bring
          on, cause

   draw out
          [draw out] vt (14c) 1: remove, extract 2: to extend beyond
          a minimum in time: protract 2 3: to cause to speak freely
          <a reporter's ability to draw a person out>

   drawplate
          [draw.plate] n (1832): a die with holes through which wires
          are drawn

   draw play
          [draw play] n (1952): draw 8

   draw poker
          [draw poker] n (1849): poker in which each player is dealt
          five cards face down and after betting may get replacements
          for discards

   drawshave
          [draw.shave] n (1828): drawknife

   draw shot
          [draw shot] n (1897): a shot in billiards or pool made by
          hitting the cue ball with draw so it moves back after
          striking the object ball

   drawstring
          [draw.string] n (1845): a string, cord, or tape inserted
          into hems or casings or laced through eyelets for use
          in closing a bag or controlling fullness in garments
          or curtains

   drawtube
          [draw.tube] n (ca. 1891): a telescoping tube (as for the
          eyepiece of a microscope)

   draw up
          [draw up] vt (1605) 1: to bring (as troops) into array 2:
          to prepare a draft or version of <draw up plans> 3: to
          bring to a halt 4: to straighten (oneself) to an erect
          posture esp. as an assertion of dignity or resentment
          ~ vi: to come to a halt

   [1]dray
          [dray] n [ME draye, a wheelless vehicle; akin to OE draege
          dragnet, dragan to pull--more at draw] (14c): a vehicle
          used to haul goods; esp: a strong cart or wagon without
          sides [2]dray vt (1857): to haul on a dray: cart

   drayage
          [dray.age] n (1791): the work or cost of hauling by dray

   dray horse
          [dray horse] n (1709): a horse adapted for drawing heavy
          loads

   drayman
          [dray.man] n (1581): one whose work is hauling by dray

   [1]dread
          [dread] vb [ME dreden, fr. OE draedan] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          to fear greatly b archaic: to regard with awe 2: to feel
          extreme reluctance to meet or face ~ vi: to be apprehensive
          or fearful [2]dread n (13c) 1 a: great fear esp. in the
          face of impending evil b: extreme uneasiness in the face
          of a disagreeable prospect <~ of a social blunder> c
          archaic: awe 2: one causing fear or awe syn see fear
          [3]dread adj (15c) 1: causing great fear or anxiety 2:
          inspiring awe

   [1]dreadful
          [dread.ful] adj (13c) 1 a: inspiring dread: causing great
          and oppressive fear b: inspiring awe or reverence 2:
          extremely bad, distasteful, unpleasant, or shocking 3:
          extreme <~ disorder> -- dread.ful.ly adv -- dread.ful.ness
          n [2]dreadful n (1873): a cheap and sensational story
          or periodical

   dreadlock
          [dread.lock] n (1960) 1: a narrow ropelike strand of hair
          formed by matting or braiding 2 pl: a hairstyle consisting
          of dreadlocks

   dreadnought
          [dread.nought] n (1806) 1: a warm garment of thick cloth;
          also: the cloth 2 [Dreadnought, Brit . battleship]: battleship
          3: one that is among the largest or most powerful of
          its kind

   [1]dream
          [dream] n, often attrib [ME dreem, fr. OE dream noise, joy,
          and ON draumr dream; akin to OHG troum dream] (13c) 1:
          a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during
          sleep--compare rem sleep 2: an experience of waking life
          having the characteristics of a dream: as a: a visionary
          creation of the imagination: daydream b: a state of mind
          marked by abstraction or release from reality: reverie
          c: an object seen in a dreamlike state: vision 3: something
          notable for its beauty, excellence, or enjoyable quality
          <the new car is a ~ to operate> 4 a: a strongly desired
          goal or purpose <a ~ of becoming president> b: something
          that fully satisfies a wish: ideal <a meal that was a
          gourmet's ~> -- dream.ful adj -- dream.ful.ly adv --
          dream.ful.ness n -- dream.less adj -- dream.less.ly adv
          -- dream.less.ness n -- dream.like adj [2]dream vb dreamed
          or dreamt ; dream.ing vi (13c) 1: to have a dream 2:
          to indulge in daydreams or fantasies <~ing of a better
          future> 3: to appear tranquil or dreamy <houses ~ in
          leafy shadows --Gladys Taber> ~ vt 1: to have a dream
          of 2: to consider as a possibility: imagine 3: to pass
          (time) in reverie or inaction <~ing the hours away> --
          dream of : to consider possible or fitting <wouldn't
          dream of disturbing you>

   dreamer
          [dream.er] n (14c) 1: one that dreams 2 a: one who lives
          in a world of fancy and imagination b: one who has ideas
          or conceives projects regarded as impractical: visionary

   dreamland
          [dream.land] n (ca. 1834): an unreal delightful country existing
          only in imagination or in dreams: never-never land

   dreamtime
          [dream.time] n, often cap (1896): the time of creation in
          the mythology of the Australian aborigines

   dream up
          [dream up] vt (1941): to form in the mind: devise, concoct

   dream vision
          [dream vision] n (1906): a usu. medieval poem having a framework
          in which the poet pictures himself as falling asleep
          and envisioning in his dream a series of allegorical
          people and events

   dreamworld
          [dream.world] n (1817): a world of illusion or fantasy

   dreamy
          [dreamy] adj dream.i.er ; -est (1567) 1 a: full of dreams
          <a ~ night's sleep> b: pleasantly abstracted from immediate
          reality 2: given to dreaming or fantasy <a ~ child> 3
          a: suggestive of a dream in vague or visionary quality
          b: quiet and soothing c: delightful, ideal <he's so handsome
          ... real ~ --Greg Foley> -- dream.i.ly adv -- dream.i.ness
          n

   drear
          [drear] adj (1629): dreary -- drear n

   dreary
          [drea.ry] adj drea.ri.er ; -est [ME drery, fr. OE dreorig
          sad, bloody, fr. dreor gore; akin to OHG truren to be
          sad, Goth driusan to fall] (bef. 12c) 1: feeling, displaying,
          or reflecting listlessness or discouragement 2: having
          nothing likely to provide cheer, comfort, or interest:
          gloomy, dismal -- drea.ri.ly adv -- drea.ri.ness n

   dreck
          [dreck] also drek n [Yiddish drek & G Dreck, fr. MHG drec;
          akin to OE threax rubbish] (1922): trash, rubbish

   [1]dredge
          [dredge] vb dredged ; dredg.ing vt (1508) 1 a: to dig, gather,
          or pull out with or as if with a dredge--often used with
          up b: to deepen (as a waterway) with a dredging machine
          2: to bring to light by deep searching--often used with
          up <dredging up memories> ~ vi 1: to use a dredge 2:
          to search deeply -- dredg.er n [2]dredge n [perh. fr.
          (assumed) OE drecge; akin to OE draege dragnet, dragan
          to draw] (1602) 1: an apparatus usu. in the form of an
          oblong iron frame with an attached bag net used esp.
          for gathering fish and shellfish 2: a machine for removing
          earth usu. by buckets on an endless chain or a suction
          tube 3: a barge used in dredging [3]dredge vt dredged
          ; dredg.ing [obs. dredge, n., sweetmeat, fr. ME drage,
          drege, fr. MF dragie, modif. of L tragemata sweetmeats,
          fr. Gk tragemata, pl. of tragema sweetmeat, fr. trogein
          to gnaw] (1596): to coat (food) by sprinkling (as with
          flour) -- dredg.er n

   dree
          [dree] vt dreed ; dree.ing [ME, fr. OE dreogan; akin to Goth
          driugan to perform military service] (bef. 12c) chiefly
          Scot: endure, suffer

   dreg
          [dreg] n [ME, fr. ON dregg; perh. akin to L fraces dregs
          of oil] (14c) 1: sediment contained in a liquid or precipitated
          from it: lees--usu. used in pl. 2: the most undesirable
          part--usu. used in pl. 3: the last remaining part: vestige
          -- dreg.gy adj

   dreich
          [dreich] adj [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON drjugr lasting]
          (1813) chiefly Scot: dreary

   dreidel
          [drei.del] also dreidl n [Yiddish dreydl, fr. dreyen to turn,
          fr. MHG draejen, fr. OHG draen--more at throw] (1926)
          1: a 4-sided toy marked with Hebrew letters and spun
          like a top in a game of chance 2: a children's game of
          chance played esp. at Hanukkah with a dreidel

   [1]drench
          [drench] n (bef. 12c) 1: a poisonous or medicinal drink;
          specif: a large dose of medicine mixed with liquid and
          put down the throat of an animal 2 a: something that
          drenches b: a quantity sufficient to drench or saturate
          [2]drench vt [ME, fr. OE drencan; akin to OE drincan
          to drink] (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: to force to drink b:
          to administer a drench to (an animal) 2: to wet thoroughly
          (as by soaking or immersing in liquid) 3: to soak or
          cover thoroughly with liquid that falls or is precipitated
          4: to fill or cover completely as if by soaking or precipitation
          <was ~ed in furs and diamonds --Richard Brautigan> syn
          see soak -- drench.er n

   [1]dress
          [dress] vb [ME, fr. MF dresser, fr. OF drecier, fr. (assumed)
          VL directiare, fr. L directus direct, pp. of dirigere
          to direct, fr. dis- + regere to lead straight--more at
          right] vt (14c) 1 a: to make or set straight b: to arrange
          (as troops) in a straight line and at proper intervals
          2: to prepare for use or service; specif: to prepare
          for cooking or for the table 3: to add decorative details
          or accessories to: embellish 4 a: to put clothes on b:
          to provide with clothing 5 archaic: dress down 6 a: to
          apply dressings or medicaments to b (1): to arrange (the
          hair) by combing, brushing, or curling (2): to groom
          and curry (an animal) c: to kill and prepare for market
          or for consumption--often used with out d: cultivate,
          tend; esp: to apply manure or fertilizer to e: to put
          through a finishing process; esp: to trim and smooth
          the surface of (as lumber or stone) ~ vi 1 a: to put
          on clothing b: to put on or wear formal, elaborate, or
          fancy clothes <~ for dinner> 2 of a food animal: to weigh
          after being dressed--often used with out 3: to align
          oneself with the next soldier in a line to make the line
          straight -- dress ship : to ornament a ship for a celebration
          by hoisting national ensigns at the mastheads and running
          a line of signal flags and pennants from bow to stern
          [2]dress n (1606) 1: apparel, clothing 2: an outer garment
          (as for a woman or girl) usu. consisting of a one-piece
          bodice and skirt 3: covering, adornment, or appearance
          appropriate or peculiar to a particular time 4: a particular
          form of presentation: guise [3]dress adj (1767) 1: suitable
          for a formal occasion 2: requiring or permitting formal
          dress <a ~ affair> 3: relating to or used for a dress

   dressage
          [dres.sage] n, often attrib [F, fr. dresser to train, drill,
          fr. MF] (1936): the execution by a trained horse of precision
          movements in response to barely perceptible signals from
          its rider

   dress circle
          [dress circle] n (1825): the first or lowest curved tier
          of seats above the main floor in a theater or opera house

   dress code
          [dress code] n (1968): formally or socially imposed standards
          of dress

   dress down
          [dress down] vt (ca. 1897): to reprove severely ~ vi: to
          dress casually esp. for reasons of fashion

   [1]dresser
          [dress.er] n (15c) 1 obs: a table or sideboard for preparing
          and serving food 2: a cupboard to hold dishes and cooking
          utensils 3: a chest of drawers or bureau with a mirror
          [2]dresser n (1520): one that dresses <a fashionable
          ~>

   dresser set
          [dresser set] n (ca. 1934): a set of toilet articles including
          hairbrush, comb, and mirror for use at a dresser or dressing
          table

   dressing
          [dress.ing] n (15c) 1 a: the act or process of one who dresses
          b: an instance of such act or process 2 a: a sauce for
          adding to a dish (as a salad) b: a seasoned mixture usu.
          used as a stuffing (as for poultry) 3 a: material (as
          ointment or gauze) applied to cover a lesion b: fertilizing
          material (as manure or compost)

   dressing-down
          [dres.sing-down] n (ca. 1890): a severe reprimand

   dressing glass
          [dressing glass] n (1714): a small mirror set to swing in
          a standing frame and used at a dresser or dressing table

   dressing gown
          [dressing gown] n (1777): a robe worn esp. while dressing
          or resting

   dressing room
          [dressing room] n (1675): a room used chiefly for dressing;
          esp: a room in a theater for changing costumes and makeup

   dressing table
          [dressing table] n (1692): a table often fitted with drawers
          and a mirror in front of which one sits while dressing
          and grooming oneself

   [1]dressmaker
          [dress.mak.er] n (1803): one that makes dresses -- dress.mak.ing
          n [2]dressmaker adj (1904) of women's clothes: having
          softness, rounded lines, and intricate detailing <a ~
          suit>

   dress rehearsal
          [dress rehearsal] n (1828) 1: a full rehearsal (as of a play)
          in costume and with stage properties shortly before the
          first performance 2: a practice exercise for something
          to come: dry run

   dress shield
          [dress shield] n (1884): a pad worn inside a part of the
          clothing liable to be soiled by perspiration (as at the
          underarm)

   dress shirt
          [dress shirt] n (1892): a man's shirt esp. for wear with
          evening dress; broadly: a shirt suitable for wear with
          a necktie

   dress uniform
          [dress uniform] n (ca. 1897): a uniform for formal wear

   dress up
          [dress up] vt (1674) 1 a: to attire in best or formal clothes
          b: to attire in clothes suited to a particular role 2
          a: to present in the most attractive or impressive light
          <a fiasco dressed up as a triumph> b: to make more attractive,
          glamorous, or fancy <dress up a plain dessert with a
          rich chocolate sauce> ~ vi: to get dressed up

   dressy
          [dressy] adj dress.i.er ; -est (1768) 1: showy in dress 2:
          stylish, smart -- dress.i.ness n

   drew
          [drew] past of draw

   Dreyfusard
          [Drey.fu.sard] n [F] (1898): a defender or partisan of Alfred
          Dreyfus

   drib
          [drib] n [prob. back-formation fr. dribble & driblet] (ca.
          1730): a small amount--usu. used in the phrase dribs
          and drabs

   [1]dribble
          [drib.ble] vb drib.bled ; drib.bling [freq. of drib (to dribble)]
          vt (ca. 1589) 1: to issue sporadically and in small bits
          2: to let or cause to fall in drops little by little
          3 a: to propel by successive slight taps or bounces with
          hand, foot, or stick b: to hit (as a baseball) so as
          to cause a slow bouncing ~ vi 1: to fall or flow in drops
          or in a thin intermittent stream: trickle 2: to let saliva
          trickle from the corner of the mouth: drool 3: to come
          or issue in piecemeal or desultory fashion 4 a: to dribble
          a ball or puck b: to proceed by dribbling c of a ball:
          to move with short bounces -- drib.bler n [2]dribble
          n (ca. 1680) 1: a tiny or insignificant bit or quantity
          2: a small trickling stream or flow 3: an act, instance,
          or manner of dribbling a ball or puck -- drib.bly adj

   driblet
          [drib.let] n (1678) 1: a trifling or small sum or part 2:
          a drop of liquid

   dried-up
          [dried-up] adj (1885): being wizened and shriveled

   [1]drier
          [drier] comparative of dry [2]dri.er or dry.er n (1528) 1:
          something that extracts or absorbs moisture 2: a substance
          that accelerates drying (as of oils, paints, and printing
          inks) 3 usu dryer: a device for drying

   driest
          [driest] superlative of dry

   [1]drift
          [drift] n [ME; akin to OE drifan to drive--more at drive]
          (14c) 1 a: the act of driving something along b: the
          flow or the velocity of the current of a river or ocean
          stream 2: something driven, propelled, or urged along
          or drawn together in a clump by or as if by a natural
          agency: as a: wind-driven snow, rain, cloud, dust, or
          smoke usu. at or near the ground surface b (1): a mass
          of matter (as sand) deposited together by or as if by
          wind or water (2): a helter-skelter accumulation c: drove,
          flock d: something (as driftwood) washed ashore e: rock
          debris deposited by natural agents; specif: a deposit
          of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders transported by a
          glacier or by running water from a glacier 3 a: a general
          underlying design or tendency b: the underlying meaning,
          import, or purport of what is spoken or written 4: something
          (as a tool) driven down upon or forced into a body 5:
          the motion or action of drifting esp. spatially and usu.
          under external influence: as a: the lateral motion of
          an aircraft due to air currents b: an easy moderate more
          or less steady flow or sweep along a spatial course c:
          a gradual shift in attitude, opinion, or position d:
          an aimless course; esp: a foregoing of any attempt at
          direction or control e: a deviation from a true reproduction,
          representation, or reading 6 a: a nearly horizontal mine
          passageway driven on or parallel to the course of a vein
          or rock stratum b: a small crosscut in a mine connecting
          two larger tunnels 7 a: an assumed trend toward a general
          change in the structure of a language over a period of
          time b: genetic drift c: a gradual change in the zero
          reading of an instrument or in any quantitative characteristic
          that is supposed to remain constant syn see tendency
          -- drifty adj [2]drift vi (ca. 1600) 1 a: to become driven
          or carried along (as by a current of water, wind, or
          air) b: to move or float smoothly and effortlessly 2
          a: to move along a line of least resistance b: to move
          in a random or casual way c: to become carried along
          subject to no guidance or control <the talk ~ed from
          topic to topic> 3 a: to accumulate in a mass or become
          piled up in heaps by wind or water b: to become covered
          with a drift 4: to vary or deviate from a set course
          or adjustment ~ vt 1 a: to cause to be driven in a current
          b West: to drive (livestock) slowly esp. to allow grazing
          2 a: to pile in heaps b: to cover with drifts -- drift.ing.ly
          adv

   driftage
          [drift.age] n (1768): drifted material

   drifter
          [drift.er] n (1897): one that drifts; esp: one that travels
          or moves about aimlessly

   drift fence
          [drift fence] n (1907): a stretch of fence on rangeland esp.
          in the western U.S. for preventing cattle from drifting
          from their home range

   drift net
          [drift net] n (1848): a fishing net often miles in extent
          arranged to drift with the tide or current and buoyed
          up by floats or attached to a boat

   driftwood
          [drift.wood] n (1633) 1: wood drifted or floated by water
          2: flotsam 2

   [1]drill
          [drill] vb [D drillen] vt (1622) 1 a: to fix something in
          the mind or habit pattern of by repetitive instruction
          <~ pupils in spelling> b: to impart or communicate by
          repetition <impossible to ~ the simplest idea into some
          people> c: to train or exercise in military drill 2 a
          (1): to bore or drive a hole in (2): to make by piercing
          action b: to shoot with or as if with a gun c (1): to
          propel (as a ball) with force or accuracy <~ed a single
          to right field> (2): to hit with force <~ed the batter
          with the first pitch> ~ vi 1: to make a hole with a drill
          2: to engage in an exercise -- drill.abil.i.ty n -- drill.able
          adj -- drill.er n [2]drill n (1611) 1: an instrument
          with an edged or pointed end for making holes in hard
          substances by revolving or by a succession of blows;
          also: a machine for operating such an instrument 2: the
          act or exercise of training soldiers in marching and
          in executing prescribed movements with a weapon 3 a:
          a physical or mental exercise aimed at perfecting facility
          and skill esp. by regular practice b: a formal exercise
          by a team of marchers c chiefly Brit: the approved or
          correct procedure for accomplishing something efficiently
          4 a: a marine snail (Urosalpinx cinerea) destructive
          to oysters by boring through their shells and feeding
          on the soft parts b: any of several mollusks related
          to the drill 5: a drilling sound [3]drill n [origin unknown]
          (1644): a western African baboon (Papio leucophaeus syn.
          Mandrillus leucophaeus) having a black face and brown
          coat and closely related to the typical mandrills [4]drill
          n [perh. fr. drill (rill)] (1727) 1 a: a shallow furrow
          or trench into which seed is sown b: a row of seed sown
          in such a furrow 2: a planting implement that makes holes
          or furrows, drops in the seed and sometimes fertilizer,
          and covers them with earth [5]drill vt (ca. 1740) 1:
          to sow (seeds) by dropping along a shallow furrow 2 a:
          to sow with seed or set with seedlings inserted in drills
          b: to distribute seed or fertilizer in by means of a
          drill [6]drill n [short for drilling] (1743): a durable
          cotton twilled fabric

   drilling
          [dril.ling] n [modif. of G Drillich, fr. MHG drilich fabric
          woven with a threefold thread, fr. OHG drilih made up
          of three threads, fr. L trilic-, trilix, fr. tri- + licium
          thread] (1640): [6]drill

   drillmaster
          [drill.mas.ter] n (1869) 1: an instructor in military drill
          2: an instructor or director who maintains severe discipline
          and often stresses method and detail

   drill press
          [drill press] n (ca. 1864): an upright drilling machine in
          which the drill is pressed to the work by a hand lever
          or by power

   drill team
          [drill team] n (1928): an exhibition marching team that engages
          in precision drill

   drily
          [drily] var of dryly

   [1]drink
          [drink] vb drank ; drunk or drank ; drink.ing [ME, fr. OE
          drincan; akin to OHG trinkan to drink] vt (bef. 12c)
          1 a: swallow, imbibe b: to take in or suck up: absorb
          <~ing air into his lungs> c: to take in or receive avidly--usu.
          used with in <drank in every word of the lecture> 2:
          to join in a toast to <I'll ~ your good health> 3: to
          bring to a specified state by drinking alcoholic beverages
          <drank himself into oblivion> ~ vi 1 a: to take liquid
          into the mouth for swallowing b: to receive into one's
          consciousness 2: to partake of alcoholic beverages 3:
          to make or join in a toast <I'll ~ to that]> [2]drink
          n (bef. 12c) 1 a: a liquid suitable for swallowing b:
          alcoholic beverages 2: a draft or portion of liquid 3:
          excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages 4: a sizable
          body of water--used with the

   [1]drinkable
          [drink.able] adj (1611): suitable or safe for drinking --
          drink.abil.i.ty n [2]drinkable n (1708): a liquid suitable
          for drinking: beverage

   drinker
          [drink.er] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: one that drinks b: a person
          who drinks alcoholic beverages esp. to a notable degree
          <a heavy ~> 2: waterer b

   drinking fountain
          [drinking fountain] n (1860): a fixture with nozzle that
          delivers a stream of water for drinking

   drinking song
          [drinking song] n (1597): a song on a convivial theme appropriate
          for a group engaged in social drinking

   [1]drip
          [drip] vb dripped ; drip.ping [ME drippen, fr. OE dryppan;
          akin to OE dropa drop] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to let fall in
          drops 2: to let out or seem to spill copiously <her voice
          dripping sarcasm> ~ vi 1 a: to let fall drops of moisture
          or liquid b: to overflow with or as if with moisture
          <a uniform dripping with gold braid> 2: to fall in or
          as if in drops 3: to waft or pass gently -- drip.per
          n [2]drip n (1664) 1: a part of a cornice or other member
          that projects to throw off rainwater; also: an overlapping
          metal strip or an underneath groove for the same purpose
          2 a: a falling in drops b: liquid that falls, overflows,
          or is extruded in drops 3: the sound made by or as if
          by falling drops 4: a device for the administration of
          a fluid at a slow rate esp. into a vein; also: a material
          so administered 5: a dull or unattractive person [3]drip
          adj (1895): of, relating to, or being coffee made by
          letting boiling water drip slowly through finely ground
          coffee <~ coffee> <a ~ pot>

   [1]drip-dry
          [drip-dry] vi (1953): to dry with few or no wrinkles when
          hung wet ~ vt: to hang (as wet clothing) to drip-dry
          [2]drip-dry adj (1957): made of a washable fabric that
          drip-dries [3]drip-dry n (1959): a drip-dry garment

   dripless
          [drip.less] adj (1887): designed not to drip <~ candles>

   dripping
          [drip.ping] n (1463): fat and juices drawn from meat during
          cooking--often used in pl.

   drippy
          [drip.py] adj drip.pi.er ; -est (ca. 1718) 1: characterized
          by dripping; esp: rainy, drizzly 2: mawkish 2

   dripstone
          [drip.stone] n (ca. 1818) 1: a stone drip (as over a window)
          2: calcium carbonate in the form of stalactites or stalagmites

   [1]drive
          [drive] vb drove ; driv.en ; driv.ing [ME, fr. OE drifan;
          akin to OHG triban to drive] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to frighten
          or prod (as game or cattle) into moving in a desired
          direction b: to go th rough (a district) driving game
          animals 2: to carry on or through energetically <~s a
          hard bargain> 3 a: to impart a forward motion to by physical
          force <waves drove the boat ashore> b: to repulse, remove,
          or cause to go by force, authority, or influence <~ the
          enemy back> c: to set or keep in motion or operation
          <~ machinery by electricity> 4 a: to direct the motions
          and course of (a draft animal) b: to operate the mechanism
          and controls and direct the course of (as a vehicle)
          c: to convey in a vehicle d: to float (logs) down a stream
          5 a: to exert inescapable or coercive pressure on: force
          b: to compel to undergo or suffer a change (as in situation
          or emotional state) <drove him crazy> <drove her out
          of business> c: to urge relentlessly to continuous exertion
          <the sergeant drove his recruits> d: to press or force
          into an activity, course, or direction <the drug habit
          ~s addicts to steal> e: to project, inject, or impress
          incisively <drove her point home> 6: to force (a passage)
          by pressing or digging 7 a: to propel (an object of play)
          swiftly b: to hit (a golf ball) from the tee esp. with
          a driver; also: to drive a golf ball onto (a green) c:
          to cause (a run or runner) to be scored in baseball--usu.
          used with in 8: to give shape or impulse to <factors
          that ~ the business cycle> ~ vi 1 a: to dash, plunge,
          or surge ahead rapidly or violently b: to progress with
          strong momentum <the rain was driving hard> 2 a: to operate
          a vehicle b: to have oneself carried in a vehicle 3:
          to drive a golf ball syn see move -- driv.abil.i.ty also
          drive.abil.i.ty n -- driv.able also drive.able adj --
          drive at : to intend to express, convey, or accomplish
          <did not understand what she was driving at --Eric Goldman>
          [2]drive n, often attrib (1785) 1: an act of driving:
          a: a trip in a carriage or automobile b: a collection
          and driving together of animals; also: the animals gathered
          c: a driving of cattle or sheep overland d: a hunt or
          shoot in which the game is driven within the hunter's
          range e: the guiding of logs downstream to a mill; also:
          the floating logs amassed in a drive f (1): the act or
          an instance of driving an object of play (as a golf ball)
          (2): the flight of a ball 2 a: a private road: driveway
          b: a public road for driving (as in a park) 3: the state
          of being hurried and under pressure 4 a: a strong systematic
          group effort <a fund-raising ~> b: a sustained offensive
          effort <the ~ ended in a touchdown> 5 a: the means for
          giving motion to a machine or machine part b: the means
          by which the propulsive power of an automobile is applied
          to the road <front wheel ~> c: the means by which the
          propulsion of an automotive vehicle is controlled and
          directed <a left-hand ~> 6: an offensive, aggressive,
          or expansionist move; esp: a strong military attack against
          enemy-held terrain 7 a: an urgent, basic, or instinctual
          need: a motivating physiological condition of an organism
          <a sexual ~> b: an impelling culturally acquired concern,
          interest, or longing c: dynamic quality 8: a device for
          reading and writing on magnetic media (as magnetic tape
          or disks)

   drive-in
          [drive-in] n (1937): an establishment (as a theater or restaurant)
          so laid out that patrons can be accommodated while remaining
          in their automobiles -- drive-in adj

   [1]drivel
          [driv.el] vb -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling [ME, fr.
          OE dreflian; perh. akin to ON draf malt dregs] vi (bef.
          12c) 1: to let saliva dribble from the mouth: slaver
          2: to talk stupidly and carelessly ~ vt 1: to utter in
          an infantile or imbecilic way 2: to waste or fritter
          in a childish fashion -- driv.el.er n [2]drivel n (14c)
          1 archaic: drool 1 2: nonsense

   driveline
          [drive.line] n (1949): drivetrain

   driven
          [driv.en] adj (1925): having a compulsive or urgent quality
          <a ~ sense of obligation> -- driv.en.ness n

   driver
          [driv.er] n (14c): one that drives: as a: coachman b: the
          operator of a motor vehicle c: an implement (as a hammer)
          for driving d: a mechanical piece for imparting motion
          to another piece e: a golf wood with a nearly straight
          face used in driving f: an electronic circuit that supplies
          input to another electronic circuit; also: loudspeaker
          g: a piece of computer software that controls input and
          output operations -- driv.er.less adj

   driver ant
          [driver ant] n (1859): army ant; specif: any of various African
          and Asian ants (Dorylus or related genera) that move
          in vast armies

   driver's license
          [driver's license] n (1926): a license issued under governmental
          authority that permits the holder to operate a motor
          vehicle

   driver's seat
          [driver's seat] n (1923): the position of top authority or
          dominance

   driveshaft
          [drive.shaft] n (1895): a shaft that transmits mechanical
          power

   drive time
          [drive time] n (1966): a time during rush hour when radio
          audiences are swelled by commuters listening to car radios

   drivetrain
          [drive.train] n (1954): the parts (as the universal joint
          and the driveshaft) that connect the transmission with
          the driving axles of an automobile

   driveway
          [drive.way] n (1871): a private road giving access from a
          public way to a building on abutting grounds

   driving
          [driv.ing] adj (14c) 1 a: communicating force <a ~ wheel>
          b: exerting pressure <a ~ influence> 2 a: having great
          force <a ~ rain> b: acting with vigor: energetic <a hard-driving
          worker>

   driving range
          [driving range] n (ca. 1949): an area equipped with distance
          markers, clubs, balls, and tees for practicing golf drives

   [1]drizzle
          [driz.zle] n (1554): a fine misty rain -- driz.zly adj [2]drizzle
          vb driz.zled ; driz.zling [perh. alter. of ME drysnen
          to fall, fr. OE -drysnian to disappear; akin to Goth
          driusan to fall] vt (1584) 1: to shed or let fall in
          minute drops or particles 2: to make wet with minute
          drops ~ vi: to rain in very small drops or very lightly:
          sprinkle -- driz.zling.ly adv

   drogue
          [drogue] n [prob. alter. of [1]drag] (1875) 1: sea anchor
          2 a: a cylindrical or funnel-shaped device towed as a
          target by an airplane b: a small parachute for stabilizing
          or decelerating something (as an astronaut's capsule)
          or for pulling a larger parachute out of stowage 3: a
          funnel-shaped device which is attached to the end of
          a long flexible hose suspended from a tanker airplane
          in flight and into which the probe of another airplane
          is fitted so as to receive fuel from the tanker

   droit
          [droit] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML directum, fr. LL, neut. of
          directus just, fr. L, direct--more at dress] (15c): a
          legal right

   droit du seigneur
          [droit du sei.gneur] n [F, right of the lord] (1825): a supposed
          legal or customary right of a feudal lord to have sexual
          relations with a vassal's bride on her wedding night

   [1]droll
          [droll] adj [F drole, fr. drole scamp, fr. MF drolle, fr.
          MD, imp] (1623): having a humorous, whimsical, or odd
          quality -- droll.ness n -- drol.ly adv [2]droll n (ca.
          1645): an amusing person: jester, comedian [3]droll vi
          (1654) archaic: to make fun: jest, sport

   drollery
          [droll.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1597) 1: something that is droll;
          esp: a comic picture or drawing 2: the act or an instance
          of jesting or burlesquing 3: whimsical humor

   -drome
          [-drome] n comb form [hippodrome] 1: racecourse <motordrome>
          2: large specially prepared place <aerodrome>

   dromedary
          [drom.e.dary] n, pl -dar.ies [ME dromedarie, fr. OF dromedaire,
          fr. LL dromedarius, fr. L dromad-, dromas, fr. Gk, running;
          akin to Gk dramein to run, dromos racecourse, Skt dramati
          he runs about] (13c): camel 1a

   -dromous
          [-d.ro.mous] adj comb form [NL -dromus, fr. Gk -dromos (akin
          to Gk dramein)]: running <catadromous>

   [1]drone
          [drone] n [ME, fr. OE dran; akin to OHG treno drone, Gk threnos
          dirge] (bef. 12c) 1: the male of a bee (as the honeybee)
          that has no sting and gathers no honey 2: one that lives
          on the labors of others: parasite 3: an unmanned airplane,
          helicopter, or ship guided by remote control 4: drudge
          [2]drone vb droned ; dron.ing vi (ca. 1520) 1 a: to make
          a sustained deep murmuring, humming, or buzzing sound
          b: to talk in a persistently dull or monotonous tone
          2: to pass, proceed, or act in a dull, drowsy, or indifferent
          manner ~ vt 1: to utter or pronounce with a drone 2:
          to pass or spend in dull or monotonous activity or in
          idleness -- dron.er n -- dron.ing.ly adv [3]drone n (ca.
          1520) 1: a deep sustained or monotonous sound: hum 2:
          an instrument or part of an instrument (as one of the
          fixed-pitch pipes of a bagpipe) that sounds a continuous
          unvarying tone 3: pedal point

   [1]drool
          [drool] vb [perh. alter. of drivel] vi (1802) 1 a: to secrete
          saliva in anticipation of food b: drivel 1 2: to make
          an effusive show of pleasure or often envious or covetous
          appreciation 3: to talk nonsense ~ vt: to express sentimentally
          or effusively [2]drool n (1869) 1: saliva trickling from
          the mouth 2: nonsense

   [1]droop
          [droop] vb [ME drupen, fr. ON drupa; akin to OE dropa drop]
          vi (13c) 1: to hang or incline downward 2: to sink gradually
          3: to become depressed or weakened: languish ~ vt: to
          let droop -- droop.ing.ly adv [2]droop n (1647): the
          condition or appearance of drooping

   droopy
          [droopy] adj droop.i.er ; -est (13c) 1: gloomy 2: drooping
          or tending to droop

   [1]drop
          [drop] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE dropa; akin to OHG tropfo
          drop] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): the quantity of fluid that
          falls in one spherical mass (2) pl: a dose of medicine
          measured by drops; esp: a solution for dilating the pupil
          of the eye b: a minute quantity or degree of something
          nonmaterial or intangible c: a small quantity of drink
          d: the smallest practical unit of liquid measure 2: something
          that resembles a liquid drop: as a: a pendent ornament
          attached to a piece of jewelry; also: an earring with
          such a pendant b: a small globular cookie or candy 3
          [[2]drop] a: the act or an instance of dropping: fall
          b: a decline in quantity or quality c: a descent by parachute;
          also: the people or equipment dropped by parachute d:
          a place or central depository to which something (as
          mail, money, or stolen property) is brought for distribution
          or transmission; also: the act of depositing something
          at such a place <made the ~> 4 a: the distance from a
          higher to a lower level or through which something drops
          b: a fall of electric potential 5: a slot into which
          something is to be dropped 6 [[2]drop]: something that
          drops, hangs, or falls: as a: a movable plate that covers
          the keyhole of a lock b: an unframed piece of cloth stage
          scenery; also: drop curtain c: a hinged platform on a
          gallows d: a fallen fruit 7: the advantage of having
          an opponent covered with a firearm; broadly: advantage,
          superiority--usu. used in the phrase get the drop on
          -- at the drop of a hat : as soon as the slightest provocation
          is given: immediately -- drop in the bucket : a part
          so small as to be negligible [2]drop vb dropped ; drop.ping
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to fall in drops 2 a (1): to fall unexpectedly
          or suddenly (2): to descend from one line or level to
          another b: to fall in a state of collapse or death c
          of a card: to become played by reason of the obligation
          to follow suit d of a ball: to fall or roll into a hole
          or basket 3: to enter or pass as if without conscious
          effort of will into some state, condition, or activity
          <dropped into sleep> 4 a: to cease to be of concern:
          lapse <let the matter ~> b: to pass from view or notice:
          disappear--often used with out <~ out of sight> c: to
          become less <production dropped>--often used with off
          5: to move with a favoring wind or current--usu. used
          with down ~ vt 1: to let fall: cause to fall 2 a: give
          up 2, abandon <~ an idea> <~ the charges> b: discontinue
          <dropped what she was doing> c: to break off an association
          or connection with: dismiss <~ a failing student> 3 a:
          to utter or mention in a casual way <~ a suggestion>
          <~ names> b: write <~ us a line soon> 4 a: to lower or
          cause to descend from one level or position to another
          b: to cause to lessen or decrease: reduce <dropped his
          speed> 5 of an animal: to give birth to 6 a: lose <dropped
          three games> <dropped $50 in a poker game> b: spend <~
          $20 for lunch> 7 a: to bring down with a shot or a blow
          b: to cause (a high card) to fall c: to toss or roll
          into a hole or basket <~ a putt> 8 a: to deposit or deliver
          during a usu. brief stop--usu. used with off <~ the kids
          off at school> b: air-drop 9: to cause (the voice) to
          be less loud 10 a: to leave (a letter representing a
          speech sound) unsounded <~ the g in running> b: to leave
          out in writing: omit 11: to draw from an external point
          <~ a perpendicular to the line> 12: to take (a drug)
          orally: swallow <~ acid> -- drop.pa.ble adj -- drop behind
          : to fail to keep up

   drop back
          [drop back] vi (1927) 1: retreat 2: to move straight back
          from the line of scrimmage <the quarterback drops back
          to pass>

   drop by
          [drop by] vi (ca. 1905): to pay a brief casual visit ~ vt:
          to visit casually or unexpectedly <drop by a friend's
          house>

   drop cloth
          [drop cloth] n (ca. 1928): a protective sheet (as of cloth
          or plastic) used esp. by painters to cover floors and
          furniture

   drop curtain
          [drop curtain] n (1832): a stage curtain that can be lowered
          and raised

   drop-dead
          [drop-dead] adj (1970): sensationally striking, attractive,
          or impressive <a ~ evening gown> -- drop-dead adv

   drop-forge
          [drop-forge] vt (1886): to forge between dies by means of
          a drop hammer or punch press -- drop forger n

   drop front
          [drop front] n (1925): a hinged cover on the front of a desk
          that may be lowered to provide a surface for writing

   drop hammer
          [drop hammer] n (ca. 1864): a power hammer raised and then
          released to drop (as on metal resting on an anvil or
          die)

   drophead
          [drop.head] n, often attrib (1932) Brit: a convertible automobile

   drop in
          [drop in] vi (ca. 1600): to pay an unexpected or casual
          visit--often used with on

   drop-in
          [drop-in] n (1819) 1: a casual visit or brief stop 2: one
          who drops in: a casual visitor

   dropkick
          [drop.kick] n (1857): a kick made by dropping a ball to the
          ground and kicking it at the moment it starts to rebound

   drop-kick
          [drop-kick] vi (ca. 1909): to make a dropkick ~ vt: to kick
          by means of a dropkick <~ a ball> <~ a field goal> --
          drop.kick.er n

   drop leaf
          [drop leaf] n (1882): a hinged leaf on the side or end of
          a table that can be folded down

   droplet
          [drop.let] n (1607): a tiny drop (as of a liquid)

   droplight
          [drop.light] n (1890): an electric light suspended by a cord
          or on a portable extension

   drop-off
          [drop-off] n (1923) 1: a very steep or perpendicular descent
          2: a marked dwindling or decline <a ~ in attendance>

   drop off
          [drop off] vi (1820): to fall asleep

   dropout
          [drop.out] n (1930) 1 a: one who drops out of school b: one
          who drops out of conventional society c: one who abandons
          an attempt, activity, or chosen path <a corporate ~>
          2: a spot on a magnetic tape or disk from which data
          has disappeared

   drop out
          [drop out] vi (1883): to withdraw from participation or membership:
          quit; esp: to withdraw from conventional society

   drop pass
          [drop pass] n (1949): a pass in ice hockey in which the passer
          skates past the puck leaving it for a teammate following
          close behind

   dropped
          [dropped] adj (1953): designed to extend or begin lower than
          normal <a dress with a ~ waist> <~ shoulders>

   dropped egg
          [dropped egg] n (1824): a poached egg

   dropper
          [drop.per] n (ca. 1700) 1: one that drops 2: a short glass
          tube fitted with a rubber bulb and used to measure liquids
          by drops--called also eyedropper, medicine dropper --
          drop.per.ful n

   dropping
          [drop.ping] n (14c) 1: something dropped 2 pl: dung

   drop seat
          [drop seat] n (1926) 1: a hinged seat (as in a taxi) that
          may be dropped down 2: a seat (as in an undergarment)
          that can be unbuttoned

   drop shot
          [drop shot] n (1908): a delicately hit shot (as in tennis
          or squash) that drops quickly after crossing the net
          or dies after hitting a wall

   dropsical
          [drop.si.cal] adj (1678) 1: relating to or affected with
          dropsy 2: turgid, swollen

   dropsy
          [drop.sy] n [ME dropesie, short for ydropesie, fr. OF, fr.
          L hydropisis, modif. of Gk hydrops, fr. hydor water--more
          at water] (13c): edema

   drop tank
          [drop tank] n (1943): an auxiliary fuel tank for airplanes
          that can be jettisoned when empty

   drop volley
          [drop volley] n (1907): a drop shot made on a volley in tennis

   drop zone
          [drop zone] n (ca. 1943): the area in which troops, supplies,
          or equipment are to be air-dropped; also: the target
          on which a skydiver lands

   droshky
          [drosh.ky] also dros.ky n, pl droshkies also droskies [Russ
          drozhki, fr. droga pole of a wagon] (1808): any of various
          2- or 4-wheeled carriages used esp. in Russia

   drosophila
          [dro.soph.i.la] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk drosos dew + NL
          -phila, fem. of -philus -phil] (1910): any of a genus
          (Drosophila) of small two-winged flies used in genetic
          research

   dross
          [dross] n [ME dros, fr. OE dros dregs] (bef. 12c) 1: the
          scum that forms on the surface of molten metal 2: waste
          or foreign matter: impurity 3: something that is base,
          trivial, or inferior -- drossy adj

   drought
          [drought] also drouth n [ME, fr. OE drugath, fr. drugian
          to dry up; akin to OE dryge dry--more at dry] (bef. 12c)
          1: a period of dryness esp. when prolonged that causes
          extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful
          growth 2: a prolonged or chronic shortage or lack of
          something expected or desired -- drought.i.ness n --
          droughty adj

   [1]drove
          [drove] n [ME, fr. OE draf, fr. drifan to drive--more at
          drive] (bef. 12c) 1: a group of animals driven or moving
          in a body 2: a large number: crowd--usu. used in pl.
          esp. with in <tourists arriving in ~s> <stayed away in
          ~s> [2]drove past of drive

   drover
          [drov.er] n (15c): one that drives cattle or sheep

   drown
          [drown] vb drowned ; drown.ing [ME drounen] vi (14c): to
          become drowned ~ vt 1 a: to suffocate by submersion esp.
          in water b: to submerge esp. by a rise in the water level
          c: to soak, drench, or cover with a liquid 2: to engage
          (oneself) deeply and strenuously 3: to cause (a sound)
          not to be heard by making a loud noise--usu. used with
          out 4 a: to drive out (as a sensation or an idea) <~ed
          his sorrows in liquor> b: overwhelm

   drownd
          [drownd] nonstand var of drown

   [1]drowse
          [drowse] vb drowsed ; drows.ing [prob. akin to Goth driusan
          to fall--more at dreary] vi (1573) 1: to be inactive
          2: to fall into a light slumber ~ vt 1: to make drowsy
          or inactive 2: to pass (time) drowsily or in drowsing
          [2]drowse n (1814): the act or an instance of drowsing:
          doze

   drowsy
          [drowsy] adj drows.i.er ; -est (1530) 1 a: ready to fall
          asleep b: inducing or tending to induce sleep c: indolent,
          lethargic 2: giving the appearance of peaceful inactivity
          -- drows.i.ly adv -- drows.i.ness n

   drub
          [drub] vb drubbed ; drub.bing [perh. fr. Ar daraba] vt (1634)
          1: to beat severely 2: to abuse with words: berate 3:
          to defeat decisively ~ vi: drum, stamp -- drub.ber n
          -- drub.bing n

   [1]drudge
          [drudge] vb drudged ; drudg.ing [ME druggen] vi (14c): to
          do hard, menial, or monotonous work ~ vt: to force to
          do hard, menial, or monotonous work -- drudg.er n [2]drudge
          n (15c) 1: one who is obliged to do menial work 2: one
          whose work is routine and boring

   drudgery
          [drudg.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1550): dull, irksome, and fatiguing
          work: uninspiring or menial labor syn see work

   drudging
          [drudg.ing] adj (1548): monotonou s, tiring -- drudg.ing.ly
          adv

   [1]drug
          [drug] n [ME drogge] (14c) 1 a obs: a substance used in dyeing
          or chemical operations b: a substance used as a medication
          or in the preparation of medication c according to the
          Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (1): a substance recognized
          in an official pharmacopoeia or formulary (2): a substance
          intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation,
          treatment, or prevention of disease (3): a substance
          other than food intended to affect the structure or function
          of the body (4): a substance intended for use as a component
          of a medicine but not a device or a component, part,
          or accessory of a device 2: a commodity that is not salable
          or for which there is no demand--used in the phrase drug
          on the market 3: something and often an illegal substance
          that causes addiction, habituation, or a marked change
          in consciousness -- drug.gy also drug.gie adj [2]drug
          vb drugged ; drug.ging vt (1605) 1: to affect with a
          drug; esp: to stupefy by a narcotic drug 2: to administer
          a drug to 3: to lull or stupefy as if with a drug ~ vi:
          to take drugs for narcotic effect [3]drug dial past of
          drag

   drugget
          [drug.get] n [MF droguet, dim. of drogue trash, drug] (1580)
          1: a wool or partly wool fabric formerly used for clothing
          2: a coarse durable cloth used chiefly as a floor covering
          3: a rug having a cotton warp and a wool filling

   druggie
          [drug.gie] also drug.gy n, pl druggies (1967): one who habitually
          uses drugs

   druggist
          [drug.gist] n (1611): one who sells or dispenses drugs and
          medicines: as a: pharmacist b: one who owns or manages
          a drugstore

   drugmaker
          [drug.mak.er] n (1964): one that manufactures pharmaceuticals

   drugstore
          [drug.store] n (1810): a retail store where medicines and
          miscellaneous articles are sold: pharmacy

   drugstore cowboy
          [drugstore cowboy] n (1925) 1: one who wears cowboy clothes
          but has had no experience as a cowboy 2: one who loafs
          on street corners and in drugstores

   druid
          [dru.id] n, often cap [L druides, druidae, pl., fr. Gaulish
          druides; akin to OIr drui druid, and perh. to OE treow
          tree] (1563): one of an ancient Celtic priesthood appearing
          in Irish and Welsh sagas and Christian legends as magicians
          and wizards -- dru.id.ic or dru.id.i.cal adj, often cap

   druidism
          [dru.id.ism] n, often cap (1715): the system of religion,
          philosophy, and instruction of the druids

   [1]drum
          [drum] n [prob. fr. D trom; akin to MHG trumme drum] (1539)
          1: a percussion instrument consisting of a hollow shell
          or cylinder with a drumhead stretched over one or both
          ends that is beaten with the hands or with some implement
          (as a stick or wire brush) 2: tympanic membrane 3: the
          sound of a drum; also: a sound similar to that of a drum
          4: any of various bony fishes (family Sciaenidae) that
          make a drumming noise 5: something resembling a drum
          in shape: as a: a cylindrical machine or mechanical device
          or part b: a cylindrical container; specif: a large usu.
          metal container for liquids <a 55-gallon ~> c: a disk-shaped
          magazine for an automatic weapon -- drum.like adj [2]drum
          vb drummed ; drum.ming vi (1583) 1: to make a succession
          of strokes or vibrations that produce sounds like drumbeats
          2: to beat a drum 3: to throb or sound rhythmically 4:
          to stir up interest: solicit ~ vt 1: to summon or enlist
          by or as if by beating a drum <were drummed into service>
          2: to dismiss ignominiously: expel--usu. used with out
          3: to drive or force by steady effort or reiteration
          <drummed the speech into her head> 4 a: to strike or
          tap repeatedly b: to produce (rhythmic sounds) by such
          action [3]drum n [ScGael druim back, ridge, fr. OIr druimm]
          (1725) 1 chiefly Scot: a long narrow hill or ridge 2:
          drumlin

   drumbeat
          [drum.beat] n (1855) 1: a stroke on a drum or its sound;
          also: a series of such strokes 2: vociferous advocacy
          of a cause 3: drumfire 2 -- drum.beat.er n -- drum.beat.ing
          n

   drum brake
          [drum brake] n (1950): a brake that operates by the friction
          of usu. a pair of shoes pressing against the inner surface
          of the cylinder of a rotating drum--compare disc brake

   drumfire
          [drum.fire] n (1916) 1: artillery firing so continuous as
          to sound like a drumroll 2: something suggestive of drumfire
          in intensity: barrage <a ~ of publicity>

   drumhead
          [drum.head] n (1622) 1: the material (as skin or plastic)
          stretched over one or both ends of a drum 2: the top
          of a capstan that is pierced with sockets for the levers
          used in turning it

   drumhead court-martial
          [drumhead court-martial] n [fr. the use of a drumhead as
          a table] (1835): a summary court-martial that tries offenses
          on the battlefield

   drumlin
          [drum.lin] n [Ir druim back, ridge (fr. OIr druimm) + E -lin
          (alter. of -ling)] (ca. 1833): an elongate or oval hill
          of glacial drift

   drum major
          [drum major] n (1844): the leader of a marching band

   drum majorette
          [drum ma.jor.ette] n (1938) 1: a girl or woman who leads
          a marching band 2: a baton twirler who accompanies a
          marching band

   drummer
          [drum.mer] n (1580) 1 a: one that plays a drum b--used figuratively
          in expressions denoting an unconventional way of behaving
          or thinking <march to a different ~> 2: traveling salesman

   drumroll
          [drum.roll] n (1887): a roll on a drum or its sound

   drumstick
          [drum.stick] n (1589) 1: a stick for beating a drum 2: the
          segment of a fowl's leg between the thigh and tarsus

   drum up
          [drum up] vt (1830) 1: to bring about by persistent effort
          <drum up some business> 2: invent, originate <drum up
          a new method>

   [1]drunk
          [drunk] past part of drink [2]drunk adj [ME drunke, alter.
          of drunken] (14c) 1 a: having the faculties impaired
          by alcohol b: having a level of alcohol in the blood
          that exceeds a maximum prescribed by law <legally ~>
          2: dominated by an intense feeling <~ with rage> 3: of,
          relating to, or caused by intoxication: drunken [3]drunk
          n (1779) 1: a period of drinking to intoxication or of
          being intoxicated <a 2-day ~> 2: one who is drunk; esp:
          drunkard

   drunkard
          [drunk.ard] n (15c): one who is habitually drunk

   drunken
          [drunk.en] adj [ME, fr. OE druncen, fr. pp. of drincan to
          drink] (bef. 12c) 1: drunk 1 <a ~ driver> 2 obs: saturated
          with liquid 3 a: given to habitual excessive use of alcohol
          b: of, relating to, or characterized by intoxication
          <they come from ... broken homes, ~ homes --P. B. Gilliam>
          c: resulting from or as if from intoxication <a ~ brawl>
          4: unsteady or lurching as if from alcoholic intoxication
          -- drunk.en.ly adv -- drunk.en.ness n

   drunk tank
          [drunk tank] n (1947): a large detention cell for arrested
          drunks

   drupaceous
          [dru.pa.ceous] adj (1822) 1: of or relating to a drupe 2:
          bearing drupes

   drupe
          [drupe] n [NL drupa, fr. L, overripe olive, fr. Gk dryppa
          olive] (ca. 1753): a one-seeded indehiscent fruit having
          a hard bony endocarp, a fleshy mesocarp, and a thin exocarp
          that is flexible (as in the cherry) or dry and almost
          leathery (as in the almond)

   drupelet
          [drupe.let] n (1880): a small drupe; specif: one of the individual
          parts of an aggregate fruit (as the raspberry)

   druthers
          [druth.ers] n pl [druther, alter. of would rather] (1875)
          dial: free choice: preference--used esp. in the phrase
          if one had one's druthers

   Druze
          [Druze] or Druse n, pl Druze or Druzes or Druse or Druses
          often attrib [Ar Duruz, pl., fr. Muhammed ibn-Isma'il
          al-Daraziy d. 1019 Muslim religious leader] (1786): a
          member of a religious sect originating among Muslims
          and centered in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria

   [1]dry
          [dry] adj dri.er also dry.er ; dri.est also dry.est [ME,
          fr. OE dryge; akin to OHG truckan dry, OE dreahnian to
          drain] (bef. 12c) 1 a: free or relatively free from a
          liquid and esp. water b: not being in or under water
          <~ land> c: lacking precipitation or humidity <~ climate>
          2 a: characterized by exhaustion of a supply of liquid
          <a ~ well> b: devoid of running water <a ~ ravine> c:
          devoid of natural moisture <my throat was ~> d: no longer
          sticky or damp <the paint is ~> e: not giving milk <a
          ~ cow> f: lacking freshness: stale g: anhydrous 3 a:
          marked by the absence or scantiness of secretions <a
          ~ cough> b: not shedding or accompanied by tears <a ~
          sob> 4 obs: involving no bloodshed or drowning <I would
          fain die a ~ death --Shak.> 5 a: marked by the absence
          of alcoholic beverages <a ~ party> b: prohibiting the
          manufacture or distribution of alcoholic beverages 6:
          served or eaten without butter or margarine <~ toast>
          7 a: lacking sweetness: sec <~ champagne> b: having all
          or most sugar fermented to alcohol <a ~ wine> <~ beer>
          8 a: solid as opposed to liquid <~ groceries> b: reduced
          to powder or flakes: dehydrated <~ milk> 9: functioning
          without lubrication <a ~ clutch> 10 of natural gas: containing
          no recoverable hydrocarbon (as gasoline) 11: requiring
          no liquid in preparation or operation <a ~ photocopying
          process> 12 a: not showing or communicating warmth, enthusiasm,
          or tender feeling: severe <a ~ style of painting> b:
          wearisome, uninteresting <~ passages of description>
          c: lacking embellishment: plain <the ~ facts> 13 a: not
          yielding what is expected or desired: unproductive b:
          having no personal bias or emotional concern <the ~ light
          of reason> c: reserved, aloof 14: marked by matter-of-fact,
          ironic, or terse manner of expression <~ wit> 15: lacking
          smooth sound qualities <a ~ rasping voice> 16: being
          a dry run <a ~ rehearsal> -- dry.ish adj -- dry.ly adv
          -- dry.ness n [2]dry vb dried ; dry.ing vt (bef. 12c):
          to make dry ~ vi: to become dry -- dry.able adj [3]dry
          n, pl drys (13c) 1: the condition of being dry: dryness
          2: something dry; esp: a dry place 3: prohibitionist

   dryad
          [dry.ad] n [L dryad-, dryas, fr. Gk, fr. drys tree--more
          at tree] (14c): wood nymph

   dryasdust
          [dry.as.dust] adj (ca. 1872): boring -- dryasdust n

   dry cell
          [dry cell] n (1893): a voltaic cell whose contents are not
          spillable--called also dry battery

   dry-clean
          [dry-clean] vt (1817): to subject to dry cleaning ~ vi: to
          undergo dry cleaning -- dry-clean.able adj

   dry cleaner
          [dry cleaner] n (1897): one whose business is dry cleaning

   dry cleaning
          [dry cleaning] n (1897) 1: the cleansing of fabrics with
          substantially nonaqueous organic solvents 2: something
          that is dry-cleaned

   dry dock
          [dry dock] n (ca. 1627): a dock that can be kept dry for
          use during the construction or repairing of ships

   dry-dock
          [dry-dock] vt (1884): to place in a dry dock

   dryer
          [dry.er] var of drier

   dry-eyed
          [dry-eyed] adj (1667) 1: not moved to tears or to empathy
          2: marked by the absence of sentimentalism or romanticism

   dry farming
          [dry farming] n (1878): farming on nonirrigated land with
          little rainfall that relies on moisture-conserving tillage
          and drought-resistant crops -- dry farm n -- dry-farm
          vt -- dry farmer n

   dry fly
          [dry fly] n (1846): an artificial angling fly designed to
          float

   Drygas
          [Dry.gas] trademark--used for fuel-line antifreeze for motor
          vehicles

   dry goods
          [dry goods] n pl (1657): textiles, ready-to-wear clothing,
          and notions as distinguished esp. from hardware and groceries

   dry hole
          [dry hole] n (1883): a well (as for gas or oil) that proves
          unproductive

   dry ice
          [dry ice] n (1925): solidified carbon dioxide

   drying oil
          [drying oil] n (ca. 1865): an oil (as linseed oil) that changes
          readily to a hard tough elastic substance when exposed
          in a thin film to air

   dryland
          [dry.land] adj (1893): of, relating to, or being a relatively
          arid region <a ~ wheat state>; also: of, adapted to,
          practicing, or being agricultural methods (as dry farming)
          suited to such a region

   drylot
          [dry.lot] n (1924): an enclosure of limited size usu. bare
          of vegetation and used for fattening livestock

   dry measure
          [dry measure] n (1688): a series of units of capacity for
          dry commodities

   dry mop
          [dry mop] n (1933): a long-handled mop for dusting floors

   dry-nurse
          [dry-nurse] vt (1581) 1: to act as dry nurse to 2: to give
          unnecessary supervision to

   dry nurse
          [dry nurse] n (1598): a nurse who takes care of but does
          not breast-feed another woman's baby

   dryopithecine
          [dryo.pith.e.cine] n [ultim. fr. Gk drys tree + pithekos
          ape] (1948): any of a subfamily (Dryopithecinae) of Miocene
          and Pliocene Old World anthropoid apes sometimes regarded
          as ancestors of both man and modern anthropoids -- dryopithecine
          adj

   dry out
          [dry out] vi (1892): to undergo an extended period of withdrawal
          from alcohol or drug use esp. at a special clinic

   drypoint
          [dry.point] n (1883): an engraving made with a steel or jeweled
          point directly into the metal plate without the use of
          acid as in etching; also: a print made from such an engraving

   dry-rot
          [dry-rot] vt (1870): to affect with dry rot ~ vi: to become
          affected with dry rot

   dry rot
          [dry rot] n (1795) 1 a: a decay of seasoned timber caused
          by fungi that consume the cellulose of wood leaving a
          soft skeleton which is readily reduced to powder b: a
          fungal rot of plant tissue in which the affected areas
          are dry and often firmer than normal or more or less
          mummified 2: a fungus causing dry rot 3: decay from within
          caused esp. by resistance to new forces

   dry run
          [dry run] n (ca. 1941) 1: a practice exercise: rehearsal,
          trial 2: a practice firing without ammunition

   drysalter
          [dry.salt.er] n (1707) Brit: a dealer in crude dry chemicals
          and dyes -- dry.salt.ery n, Brit

   dry-shod
          [dry-shod] adj (15c): having dry shoes or feet

   dry sink
          [dry sink] n (1951): a wooden cabinet with a tray top for
          holding a wash basin

   drystone
          [dry.stone] adj (ca. 1702) chiefly Brit: constructed of stone
          without the use of mortar as an adhesive <a ~ wall>

   dry suit
          [dry suit] n (1955): a close-fitting air-insulated waterproof
          suit for divers

   dry up
          [dry up] vt (14c): to cut off the supply of ~ vi 1: to disappear
          as if by evaporation, draining, or cutting off of a source
          of supply 2: to wither or die through gradual loss of
          vitality 3: to stop talking

   drywall
          [dry.wall] n (1952): plasterboard

   dry wash
          [dry wash] n (1872) West: wash 1d

   dry well
          [dry well] n (ca. 1942): a hole in the ground filled with
          gravel or rubble to receive drainage water and allow
          it to percolate away

   ds...
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   DS
          [DS] [It dal segno] abbreviation from the sign; days after
          sight, detached service, document signed

   DSc
          [DSc] abbreviation doctor of science DSC abbreviation Distinguished
          Service Cross, doctor of surgical chiropody

   DSM
          [DSM] abbreviation Distinguished Service Medal

   DSO
          [DSO] abbreviation Distinguished Service Order

   DSP
          [DSP] [L decessit sine prole] abbreviation died without issue

   DST
          [DST] abbreviation daylight saving time, doctor of sacred
          theology

   DSW
          [DSW] abbreviation doctor of social welfare, doctor of social
          work

   dt...
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   DT
          [DT] abbreviation daylight time, doctor of theology, double
          time

   DTh
          [DTh] abbreviation doctor of theology

   DTP
          [DTP] abbreviation desktop publishing; diphtheria, tetanus,
          pertussis

   dt's
          [d.t.'s] n pl, often cap D&T (1858): delirium tremens

   du...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Du
          [Du] abbreviation Dutch

   [1]dual
          [du.al] adj [L dualis, fr. duo two--more at two] (1607) 1
          of grammatical number: denoting reference to two 2 a:
          consisting of two parts or elements or having two like
          parts: double b: having a double character or nature
          -- du.al.ly adv [2]dual n (1650) 1: the dual number of
          a language 2: a linguistic form in the dual

   dual carriageway
          [dual carriageway] n (1933) chiefly Brit: a divided highway

   dual citizenship
          [dual citizenship] n (ca. 1924): the status of an individual
          who is a citizen of two or more nations

   dualism
          [du.al.ism] n (1794) 1: a theory that considers reality to
          consist of two irreducible elements or modes 2: the quality
          or state of being dual or of having a dual nature 3 a:
          a doctrine that the universe is under the dominion of
          two opposing principles one of which is good and the
          other evil b: a view of human beings as constituted of
          two irreducible elements (as matter and spirit) -- du.al.ist
          n -- du.al.is.tic adj -- du.al.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   duality
          [du.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c): dualism 2; also: dichotomy

   dualize
          [du.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1838): to make dual

   dual-purpose
          [dual-purpose] adj (1904): having breed characteristics that
          serve two purposes <~ cattle that supply milk and meat>

   [1]dub
          [dub] vt dubbed ; dub.bing [ME dubben, fr. OE dubbian; akin
          to ON dubba to dub, OHG tubili plug] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          to confer knighthood on b: to call by a distinctive title,
          epithet, or nickname 2: to trim or remove the comb and
          wattles of 3 a: to hit (a golf ball) poorly b: to execute
          poorly -- dub.ber n [2]dub n (1887): one who is inept
          or clumsy [3]dub n [ME (Sc dial.) dubbe] (15c) chiefly
          Scot: pool, puddle [4]dub vt dubbed ; dub.bing [by shortening
          & alter. fr. double] (1930) 1: to add (sound effects
          or new dialogue) to a film or to a radio or television
          production--usu. used with in 2: to provide (a motion-picture
          film) with a new sound track and esp. dialogue in a different
          language 3: to make a new recording of (sound or videotape
          already recorded); also: to mix (recorded sound or videotape
          from different sources) into a single recording -- dubber
          n [5]dub n (1974): Jamaican pop music in which audio
          effects and spoken or chanted words are imposed on an
          instrumental reggae background

   Dub
          [Dub] abbreviation Dublin

   dubbin
          [dub.bin] also dub.bing n [dubbing, gerund of dub (to dress
          leather)] (1781): a dressing of oil and tallow for leather

   dubiety
          [du.bi.ety] n, pl -eties [LL dubietas, fr. L dubius] (1750)
          1: a usu. hesitant uncertainty or doubt that tends to
          cause vacillation 2: a matter of doubt syn see uncertainty

   dubious
          [du.bi.ous] adj [L dubius, fr. dubare to vacillate; akin
          to L duo two--more at two] (1548) 1: giving rise to uncertainty:
          as a: of doubtful promise or outcome <felt that our plan
          was a little ~> b: questionable or suspect as to true
          nature or quality <the practice is of ~ legality> <the
          ~ honor of being the world's biggest polluter> 2: unsettled
          in opinion: doubtful <I was ~ about the plan> syn see
          doubtful -- du.bi.ous.ly adv -- du.bi.ous.ness n

   dubitable
          [du.bi.ta.ble] adj [L dubitabilis, fr. dubitare to doubt--more
          at doubt] (ca. 1616): open to doubt or question

   dubitation
          [du.bi.ta.tion] n (15c) archaic: doubt

   ducal
          [du.cal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL ducalis of a leader, fr.
          L duc-, dux leader--more at duke] (15c): of or relating
          to a duke or dukedom -- du.cal.ly adv

   ducat
          [duc.at] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OIt ducato coin with the doge's
          portrait on it, fr. duca doge, fr. LGk douk-, doux leader,
          fr. L duc-, dux] (14c) 1: a usu. gold coin formerly used
          in various European countries 2: ticket 2

   duce
          [du.ce] n [It (Il) Duce, lit., the leader, title of Benito
          Mussolini, fr. L duc-, dux] (1923): leader--used esp.
          for the leader of the Italian Fascist party

   Duchenne
          [Du.chenne] also Du.chenne's adj [Guillaume Armand Duchenne
          d. 1875 Fr. neurologist] (ca. 1882): relating to or being
          a severe form of muscular dystrophy of males that affects
          the muscles of the pelvic and shoulder girdles and the
          pectoral muscles first and is inherited as a sex-linked
          recessive trait

   duchess
          [duch.ess] n [ME duchesse, fr. MF, fr. duc duke] (14c) 1:
          the wife or widow of a duke 2: a woman who holds the
          rank of duke in her own right

   duchy
          [duchy] n, pl duch.ies [ME duche, fr. MF duche, fr. duc]
          (14c) 1: the territory of a duke or duchess: dukedom
          2: special domain

   [1]duck
          [duck] n, pl ducks often attrib [ME duk, doke, fr. OE duce]
          (bef. 12c) 1 or pl duck a: any of various swimming birds
          (family Anatidae, the duck family) in which the neck
          and legs are short, the body more or less depressed,
          the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes almost always
          different from each other in plumage b: the flesh of
          any of these birds used as food 2: a female duck--compare
          drake 3 chiefly Brit: darling--often used in pl. but
          sing. in constr. 4: person, creature [2]duck vb [ME douken;
          akin to OHG tuhhan to dive, OE duce duck] vt (14c) 1:
          to thrust under water 2: to lower (as the head) quickly:
          bow 3: avoid, evade <~ the issue> ~ vi 1 a: to plunge
          under the surface of water b: to descend suddenly: dip
          2 a: to lower the head or body suddenly: dodge b: bow,
          bob 3 a: to move quickly b: to evade a duty, question,
          or responsibility -- duck.er n [3]duck n (1554): an instance
          of ducking [4]duck n [D doek cloth; akin to OHG tuoh
          cloth] (1640) 1: a durable closely woven usu. cotton
          fabric 2 pl: light clothes and esp. trousers made of
          duck

   duckbill
          [duck.bill] n (1840) 1: platypus 2: hadrosaur

   duck-billed dinosaur
          [duck-billed dinosaur] n (ca. 1928): hadrosaur

   duck-billed platypus
          [duck-billed platypus] also duckbill platypus n (1799): platypus

   duckboard
          [duck.board] n (1917): a boardwalk or slatted flooring laid
          on a wet, muddy, or cold surface--usu. used in pl.

   duck call
          [duck call] n (1872): a device for imitating the calls of
          ducks

   duck hook
          [duck hook] n (1973): a pronounced and unintended hook in
          golf

   ducking stool
          [ducking stool] n (1597): a seat attached to a plank and
          formerly used to plunge culprits tied to it into water

   duckling
          [duck.ling] n (15c): a young duck

   duckpin
          [duck.pin] n (ca. 1911) 1: a small bowling pin shorter than
          a tenpin but proportionately wider at mid-diameter 2
          pl but sing in constr: a bowling game using duckpins

   ducks and drakes
          [ducks and drakes] or duck and drake n (1583): the pastime
          of skimming flat stones or shells along the surface of
          calm water -- play ducks and drakes with or make ducks
          and drakes of : to use recklessly: squander <played ducks
          and drakes with his money>

   duck soup
          [duck soup] n (1912): something easy to do

   ducktail
          [duck.tail] n [fr. its resemblance to the tail of a duck]
          (1948): a hairstyle in which the hair on each side is
          slicked back to meet in a ridge at the back of the head

   duckwalk
          [duck.walk] vi (1950): to walk while in a crouch or full
          squatting position

   duckweed
          [duck.weed] n (15c): a small floating aquatic monocotyledonous
          plant (family Lemnaceae, the duckweed family)

   ducky
          [ducky] adj duck.i.er ; -est (1897) 1: darling, cute <a ~
          little tearoom> 2: satisfactory, fine <everything is
          just ~>

   [1]duct
          [duct] n [NL ductus, fr. ML, aqueduct, fr. L, act of leading,
          fr. ducere to lead--more at tow] (1667) 1: a bodily tube
          or vessel esp. when carrying the secretion of a gland
          2 a: a pipe, tube, or channel that conveys a substance
          b: a pipe or tubular runway for carrying an electric
          power line, telephone cables, or other conductors 3 a:
          a continuous tube formed in plant tissue by a row of
          elongated cells that have lost their intervening end
          walls b: an elongated cavity (as a resin canal of a conifer)
          formed by disintegration or separation of cells 4: a
          layer (as in the atmosphere or the ocean) which occurs
          under usu. abnormal conditions and in which radio or
          sound waves are confined to a restricted path -- duc.tal
          adj -- duct.less adj [2]duct vt (1936) 1: to enclose
          in a duct 2: to convey (as a gas) through a duct; also:
          to propagate (as radio waves) through a duct

   ductile
          [duc.tile] adj [MF & L; MF, fr. L ductilis, fr. ducere] (14c)
          1: capable of being drawn out or hammered thin <~ iron>
          2: easily led or influenced 3: capable of being fashioned
          into a new form syn see plastic -- duc.til.i.ty n

   ducting
          [duct.ing] n (1945): a system of ducts; also: the material
          composing a duct

   ductless gland
          [ductless gland] n (ca. 1852): endocrine gland

   duct tape
          [duct tape] n (1970): a wide silvery cloth adhesive tape
          designed for sealing joints in heating or air-conditioning
          ducts

   ductule
          [duct.ule] n (1883): a small duct

   ductus arteriosus
          [duc.tus ar.te.ri.o.sus] n [NL, lit., arterial duct] (1811):
          a short broad vessel in the fetus that connects the pulmonary
          artery with the aorta and conducts most of the blood
          directly from the right ventricle to the aorta bypassing
          the lungs

   ductwork
          [duct.work] n (1934): ducting

   [1]dud
          [dud] n [ME dudde] (1567) 1 pl a: clothing b: personal belongings
          2 a: one that is ineffectual; also: failure <a box-office
          ~> b: misfit 3: a bomb or missile that fails to explode
          [2]dud adj (1903): of little or no worth: valueless <~
          checks>

   duddie
          [dud.die] or dud.dy adj (1718) Scot: ragged, tattered

   [1]dude
          [dude] n [origin unknown] (1883) 1: a man extremely fastidious
          in dress and manner: dandy 2: a city dweller unfamiliar
          with life on the range; esp: an Easterner in the West
          3: fellow, guy -- dud.ish adj -- dud.ish.ly adv [2]dude
          vt dud.ed ; dud.ing (1899): dress up--usu. used with
          up

   dudeen
          [du.deen] n [Ir duidin, dim. of dud pipe] (1841): a short
          tobacco pipe made of clay

   dude ranch
          [dude ranch] n (1921): a vacation resort offering activities
          (as horseback riding) typical of western ranches

   [1]dudgeon
          [dud.geon] n [ME dogeon, fr. AF digeon] (15c) 1 obs: a wood
          used esp. for dagger hilts 2 a archaic: a dagger with
          a handle of dudgeon b obs: a haft made of dudgeon [2]dudgeon
          n [origin unknown] (1573): a fit or state of indignation--often
          used in the phrase in high dudgeon syn see offense

   [1]due
          [due] adj [ME, fr. MF deu, pp. of devoir to owe, fr. L debere--more
          at debt] (14c) 1: owed or owing as a debt 2 a: owed or owing
          as a natural or moral right <everyone's right to dissent ...
          is ~ the full protection of the Constitution --Nat Hentoff>
          b: according to accepted notions or procedures: appropriate
          3 a: satisfying or capable of satisfying a need, obligation,
          or duty: adequate b: regular, lawful <~ proof of loss> 4: capable
          of being attributed: ascribable--used with to <this advance
          is partly ~ to a few men of genius --A. N. Whitehead> 5: having
          reached the date at which payment is required: payable 6: required
          or expected in the prescribed, normal, or logical course of events:
          scheduled; also: expected to give birth -- due.ness n [2]due
          n (15c): something due or owed: as a: something that rightfully
          belongs to one b: a payment or obligation required by law
          or custom: debt c pl: fees, charges [3]due adv (1597) 1 obs: duly
          2: directly, exactly <~ north>

   due diligence
          [due diligence] n (1903): the care that a reasonable person
          exercises under the circumstances to avoid harm to other
          persons or their property

   [1]duel
          [du.el] n [ME, fr. ML duellum, fr. OL, war] (15c) 1: a combat
          between two persons; specif: a formal combat with weapons
          fought between two persons in the presence of witnesses
          2: a conflict between antagonistic persons, ideas, or
          forces; also: a hard-fought contest between two opponents
          [2]duel vb du.eled or du.elled ; du.el.ing or du.el.ling
          vi (ca. 1645): to fight a duel ~ vt: to encounter (an
          opponent) in a duel -- du.el.er or du.el.ler n -- du.el.ist
          or du.el.list n

   duello
          [du.el.lo] n, pl -los [It, fr. ML duellum] (1588) 1: the
          rules or practice of dueling 2: duel

   duende
          [du.en.de] n [Sp dial., charm, fr. Sp, ghost, goblin, prob.
          fr. duen de casa, fr. dueno de casa owner of a house]
          (1964): the power to attract through personal magnetism
          and charm

   duenna
          [du.en.na] n [Sp duena, fr. L domina mistress--more at dame]
          (1623) 1: an elderly woman serving as governess and companion
          to the younger ladies in a Spanish or a Portuguese family
          2: chaperon -- du.en.na.ship n

   due process
          [due process] n (1791) 1: a course of formal proceedings
          (as legal proceedings) carried out regularly and in accordance
          with established rules and principles--called also procedural
          due process 2: a judicial requirement that enacted laws
          may not contain provisions that result in the unfair,
          arbitrary, or unreasonable treatment of an individual--called
          also substantive due process

   [1]duet
          [du.et] n [It duetto, dim. of duo] (ca. 1740): a composition
          for two performers [2]duet vi du.et.ted ; du.et.ting
          (1822): to perform a duet

   due to
          [due to] prep (1897): as a result of: because of <due to
          the complaints of uptight parents ... he lost his job
          --Herbert Gold> usage The objection to due to as a preposition
          is only a continuation of disagreements that began in
          the 18th century over the proper uses of owing and due.
          Due to is as grammatically sound as owing to, which is
          frequently recommended in its place. It has been and
          is used by reputable writers and has been recognized
          as standard for decades. There is no solid reason to
          avoid due to.

   [1]duff
          [duff] n [E dial., alter. of dough] (1816) 1: a boiled or
          steamed pudding often containing dried fruit 2: the partly
          decayed organic matter on the forest floor 3: fine coal:
          slack [2]duff n [origin unknown] (ca. 1888): buttocks
          <get off your ~> [3]duff adj [duff, n., something worthless,
          fr. [1]duff] (ca. 1889) Brit: inferior, worthless

   duffel
          [duf.fel] or duf.fle n [D duffel, fr. Duffel, Belgium] (1677)
          1: a coarse heavy woolen material with a thick nap 2:
          transportable personal belongings, equipment, and supplies
          3: duffel bag 4: duffle coat

   duffel bag
          [duffel bag] n (1917): a large cylindrical fabric bag for
          personal belongings

   duffer
          [duf.fer] n [perh. fr. duff, n., something worthless] (1756)
          1 a: a peddler esp. of cheap flashy articles b: something
          counterfeit or worthless 2: an incompetent, ineffectual,
          or clumsy person; esp: a mediocre golfer 3 Austral: a
          cattle rustler

   duffle coat
          [duffle coat] or duffel coat n (1684): a heavy usu. woolen
          medium-length coat with toggle fasteners and a hood

   [1]dug
          [dug] past and past part of dig [2]dug n [perh. of Scand
          origin; akin to OSw daeggia to suckle; akin to OE delu
          nipple--more at feminine] (1530): udder; also: teat--usu.
          used of a suckling animal--usu. considered vulgar when
          used of a woman

   dugong
          [du.gong] n [NL, genus name, modif. of Malay duyong dugong]
          (1800): an aquatic herbivorous mammal of a monotypic
          genus (Dugong) that has a bilobed tail and in the male
          upper incisors altered into short tusks, is related to
          the manatee, and inhabits warm coastal regions--called
          also sea cow

   dugout
          [dug.out] n (1819) 1: a boat made by hollowing out a large
          log 2 a: a shelter dug in a hillside; also: a shelter
          dug in the ground and roofed with sod b: an area in the
          side of a trench for quarters, storage, or protection
          3: either of two low shelters on either side of and facing
          a baseball diamond that contain the players' benches

   DUI
          [DUI] abbreviation driving under the influence

   duiker
          [dui.ker] n [Afrik, lit., diver, fr. duik to dive, fr. MD
          duken; akin to OHG tuhhan to dive--more at duck] (1777):
          any of several small African antelopes comprising two
          genera (Cephalophus and Sylvicapra)

   duit
          [duit] var of doit

   du jour
          [du jour] adj [F, lit., of the day] (1969): made for a particular
          day--used of an item not specified on the regular menu
          <soup du jour>

   [1]duke
          [duke] n [ME, fr. OF duc, fr. L duc-, dux, fr. ducere to
          lead--more at tow] (12c) 1: a sovereign male ruler of
          a continental European duchy 2: a nobleman of the highest
          hereditary rank; esp: a member of the highest grade of
          the British peerage 3 [prob. fr. dukes of York, rhyming
          slang for fork (hand, fist)] slang: fist, hand--usu.
          used in pl. -- duke.dom n [2]duke vi duked ; duk.ing
          (ca. 1947): fight -- duke it out : to engage in a fight
          and esp. a fistfight

   Dukhobor
          [Du.kho.bor] var of doukhobor

   dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
          [dul.ce et de.co.rum est pro pa.tria mo.ri] [L] foreign term
          : it is sweet and seemly to die for one's country

   dulcet
          [dul.cet] adj [ME doucet, fr. MF, fr. douz sweet, fr. L dulcis;
          perh. akin to Gk glykys sweet] (14c) 1: sweet to the
          taste 2: pleasing to the ear 3: generally pleasing or
          agreeable -- dul.cet.ly adv

   dulcify
          [dul.ci.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [LL dulcificare, fr. L dulcis]
          (1599) 1: to make sweet 2: to make agreeable: mollify

   dulcimer
          [dul.ci.mer] n [ME dowcemere, fr. MF doulcemer, fr. OIt dolcimelo,
          fr. dolce sweet, fr. L dulcis] (15c) 1: a stringed instrument
          of trapezoidal shape played with light hammers held in the hands
          2 or dul.ci.more : an American folk instrument with three or four
          strings stretched over an elongate fretted sound box that is held
          on the lap and played by plucking or strumming

   dulcinea
          [dul.ci.nea] n [Sp, fr. Dulcinea del Toboso, beloved of Don
          Quixote] (1748): mistress, sweetheart

   [1]dull
          [dull] adj [ME dul; akin to OE dol foolish, OIr dall blind]
          (13c) 1: mentally slow: stupid 2 a: slow in perception
          or sensibility: insensible b: lacking zest or vivacity:
          listless 3: slow in action: sluggish 4 a: lacking in
          force, intensity, or sharpness b: not resonant or ringing
          <a ~ booming sound> 5: lacking sharpness of edge or point
          6: lacking brilliance or luster 7 of a color: low in
          saturation and low in lightness 8: cloudy 9: tedious,
          uninteresting -- dull.ness or dul.ness n -- dul.ly adv
          syn dull, blunt, obtuse mean not sharp, keen, or acute.
          dull suggests a lack or loss of keenness, zest, or pungency
          <a dull pain> <a dull mind>. blunt suggests an inherent
          lack of sharpness or quickness of feeling or perception
          <a person of blunt sensibility>. obtuse implies such
          bluntness as makes one insensitive in perception or imagination
          <too obtuse to realize the remark was offensive>. syn
          see in addition stupid [2]dull vt (13c): to make dull
          ~ vi: to become dull

   dullard
          [dull.ard] n (15c): a stupid or unimaginative person

   dullish
          [dull.ish] adj (14c): somewhat dull -- dull.ish.ly adv

   dullsville
          [dulls.ville] n (ca. 1960): something or some place that
          is dull or boring; also: boredom

   dulse
          [dulse] n [modif. of ScGael duileasg; akin to W delysg dulse]
          (ca. 1698): any of several coarse red seaweeds (esp.
          Palmaria palmata syn. Rhodymenia palmata) found esp.
          in northern latitudes and used as a food condiment

   duly
          [du.ly] adv (14c): in a due manner or time: properly

   duma
          [du.ma] n [Russ, fr. ORuss, council, thought, prob. of Gmc
          origin; akin to OE dom judgment--more at doom] (ca. 1870):
          a representative council in Russia; esp, often cap: the
          principal legislative assembly in czarist Russia

   [1]dumb
          [dumb] adj [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG tumb mute] (bef. 12c)
          1: lacking the power of speech <deaf and ~ from birth>
          <~ animals> 2: temporarily unable to speak (as from shock
          or astonishment) <struck ~ with fear> 3: not expressed
          in uttered words <~ grief> 4: silent; also: taciturn
          5: lacking some usual attribute or accompaniment; esp:
          having no means of self-propulsion <~ barge> 6 a: markedly
          lacking in intelligence: stupid b: showing a lack of
          intelligence c: having little or no meaning--sometimes
          used in the phrase dumb luck 7: not having the capability
          to process data <a ~ terminal>--compare intelligent 3a
          syn see stupid -- dumb.ly adv -- dumb.ness n usage There
          is evidence that, when applied to persons who cannot
          speak, dumb has come to be considered offensive. [2]dumb
          vt (1608): to make silent: deaden <would lie around,
          ~ed by the drugs --Norman Mailer>

   dumbbell
          [dumb.bell] n (1785) 1: a short bar with weights at each
          end that is used usu. in pairs for exercise 2: one that
          is dull and stupid

   dumbcane
          [dumb.cane] n [fr. the fact that chewing it causes the tongue
          and throat to swell] (1696): dieffenbachia

   dumb down
          [dumb down] vt (1980): to lower the level of difficulty and
          the intellectual content of (as a textbook)

   dumbfound
          [dumb.found] or dum.found vt [dumb + -found (as in confound)]
          (1653): to confound briefly and usu. with astonishment
          syn see puzzle

   dumbfounder
          [dumb.foun.der] vt (1710) Brit: dumbfound

   dumbhead
          [dumb.head] n [prob. trans. of G dummkopf] (1887) slang:
          a stupid person: blockhead

   dumb show
          [dumb show] n (1561) 1: a part of a play presented in pantomime
          2: signs and gestures without words: pantomime

   dumbstruck
          [dumb.struck] adj (1887): made silent by astonishment

   dumbwaiter
          [dumb.wait.er] n (1749) 1: a portable serving table or stand
          2: a small elevator used for conveying food and dishes
          from one story of a building to another

   dum-dum
          [dum-dum] n [redupl. of [1]dumb] (1928): a stupid person:
          dummy

   dumdum
          [dum.dum] n [Dum Dum, arsenal near Calcutta, India] (ca.
          1889): a bullet (as one with a hollow point) that expands
          more than usual upon hitting an object

   Dumf Gal
          [Dumf Gal] abbreviation Dumfries and Galloway

   dumka
          [dum.ka] n, pl dum.ky [Czech, elegy, fr. Ukrainian, dim.
          of duma narrative folk poem, fr. ORuss] (1895): a musical
          composition containing alternating sad and gay passages

   dummkopf
          [dumm.kopf] n [G, fr. dumm stupid + Kopf head] (1809): blockhead

   [1]dummy
          [dum.my] n, pl dummies [[1]dumb + [4]-y] (1598) 1 a: one
          who is incapable of speaking b: one who is habitually
          silent c: one who is stupid 2 a: the exposed hand in
          bridge played by the declarer in addition to his own
          hand b: a bridge player whose hand is a dummy 3: an imitation,
          copy, or likeness of something used as a substitute:
          as a: mannequin b: a stuffed figure or cylindrical bag
          used by football players for tackling and blocking practice
          c: a large puppet usu. having movable features (as mouth
          and arms) manipulated by a ventriloquist d chiefly Brit:
          pacifier 2 4: one seeming to act independently but in
          reality controlled by another 5 a: a mock-up of a proposed
          publication (as a book or magazine) b: a set of pages
          (as for a newspaper or magazine) with the position of
          text and artwork indicated for the printer [2]dummy adj
          (1846) 1 a: having the appearance of being real: artificial
          <~ foods in the display case> b: existing in name only:
          fictitious <~ corporations> 2: apparently acting for
          oneself while really acting for or at the direction of
          another <a ~ director> [3]dummy vt dum.mied ; dum.my.ing
          (1928): to make a dummy of (as a publication)--often
          used with up <dummied up the front page>

   dummy up
          [dummy up] vi (1926): to say nothing: clam up

   dummy variable
          [dummy variable] n (1957): an arbitrary mathematical symbol
          or variable that can be replaced by another without affecting
          the value of the expression in which it occurs

   dumortierite
          [du.mor.ti.er.ite] n [F dumortierite, fr. Eugene Dumortier
          d. 1876 Fr. paleontologist] (1881): a bright blue or
          greenish blue mineral consisting of a silicate of aluminum
          and used esp. for jewelry

   [1]dump
          [dump] vb [perh. fr. MD dompen to immerse, topple; akin to
          ON dumpa to thump, fall suddenly] vt (14c) 1 a: to let
          fall in or as if in a heap or mass b: to get rid of unceremoniously
          or irresponsibly c: jettison <an airplane ~ing gasoline> 2 slang:
          to knock down: beat <the man rushed out and ~ed him --John Corry>
          3: to sell in quantity at a very low price; specif: to sell abroad
          at less than the market price at home 4: to copy (data
          in a computer's internal storage) to an external storage or output
          device 5: to throw (as a pass) short and softly--often used with
          off ~ vi 1: to fall abruptly: plunge 2: to dump refuse -- dump.er
          n -- dump on : to treat disrespectfully; esp: belittle, bad-mouth
          [2]dump n (1784) 1 a: an accumulation of refuse and discarded
          materials b: a place where such materials are dumped
          2 a: a quantity of reserve materials accumulated at one place
          b: a place where such materials are stored <ammunition
          ~> 3: a disorderly, slovenly, or objectionable place 4: an instance
          of dumping data stored in a computer 5: an act of defecation--usu.
          used with take--often considered vulgar

   dumping
          [dump.ing] n (1857): the act of one that dumps; esp: the
          selling of goods in quantity at below market price

   dumping ground
          [dumping ground] n (1857): a place to which unwanted people
          or things are sent

   dumpish
          [dump.ish] adj [dumps] (1519): sad, melancholy

   dumpling
          [dump.ling] n [perh. alter. of lump] (ca. 1600) 1 a: a small
          mass of leavened dough cooked by boiling or steaming
          b: a usu. baked dessert of fruit wrapped in dough 2:
          something soft and rounded like a dumpling; esp: a short
          fat person or animal

   dumps
          [dumps] n pl [prob. fr. D domp haze, fr. MD damp--more at
          damp] (1529): a gloomy state of mind: despondency <in
          the ~>

   Dumpster
          [Dump.ster] trademark--used for a large trash receptacle

   dump truck
          [dump truck] n (1930): an automotive truck for the transportation
          of bulk material that has a body which tilts to dump
          its contents

   dumpy
          [dumpy] adj dump.i.er ; -est [E dial. dump (lump)] (1750)
          1: being short and thick in build: squat 2: shabby, dingy
          -- dump.i.ly adv -- dump.i.ness n

   dumpy level
          [dumpy level] n (1838): a surveyor's level with a short telescope
          rigidly fixed and rotating only in a horizontal plane

   dum spiro, spero
          [dum spi.ro, spe.ro] [L] foreign term : while I breathe,
          I hope--one of the mottoes of South Carolina

   dum vivimus vivamus
          [dum vi.vi.mus vi.va.mus] [L] foreign term : while we live,
          let us live

   [1]dun
          [dun] adj [ME, fr. OE dunn--more at dusk] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          having the color dun b of a horse: having a grayish yellow
          coat with black mane and tail 2: marked by dullness and
          drabness -- dun.ness n [2]dun n (14c) 1: a dun horse
          2: a variable color averaging a nearly neutral slightly
          brownish dark gray 3: a subadult mayfly; also: an artificial
          fly tied to imitate such an insect [3]dun vt dunned ;
          dun.ning [origin unknown] (ca. 1626) 1: to make persistent
          demands upon for payment 2: plague, pester [4]dun n (1628)
          1: one who duns 2: an urgent request; esp: a demand for
          payment

   Duncan Phyfe
          [Dun.can Phyfe] adj (1926): of, relating to, or constituting
          furniture designed and built by or in the style of Duncan
          Phyfe

   dunce
          [dunce] n [John Duns Scotus, whose once accepted writings
          were ridiculed in the 16th cent.] (1587): one who is
          slow-witted or stupid

   dunce cap
          [dunce cap] n (1840): a conical cap formerly used as a punishment
          for slow learners at school--called also dunce's cap

   dunderhead
          [dun.der.head] n [perh. fr. D donder thunder + E head; akin
          to OHG thonar thunder--more at thunder] (ca. 1625): dunce,
          blockhead -- dun.der.head.ed adj

   dundrearies
          [dun.drea.ries] n pl, often cap [Lord Dundreary, character
          in the play Our American Cousin (1858), by Tom Taylor]
          (ca. 1922): long flowing sideburns

   dune
          [dune] n [F, fr. OF, fr. MD; akin to OE dun down--more at
          down] (1790): a hill or ridge of sand piled up by the
          wind -- dune.like adj

   dune buggy
          [dune buggy] n (1956): an off-road motor vehicle with oversize
          tires for use esp. on sand

   duneland
          [dune.land] n (1922): an area having many dunes

   [1]dung
          [dung] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to ON dyngja manure pile] (bef.
          12c) 1: the excrement of an animal: manure 2: something
          repulsive -- dungy adj [2]dung vt (bef. 12c): to fertilize
          or dress with manure ~ vi: defecate

   dungaree
          [dun.ga.ree] n [Hindi dugri] (1673) 1: a heavy coarse durable
          cotton twill woven from colored yarns; specif: blue denim
          2 pl: clothes made usu. of blue denim

   dung beetle
          [dung beetle] n (ca. 1634): a beetle (as a tumblebug) that
          rolls balls of dung in which to lay eggs and on which
          the larvae feed

   Dungeness crab
          [Dunge.ness crab] n [Dungeness, village on the Strait of
          Juan de Fuca, Washington] (1925): a large edible crab
          (Cancer magister) of the Pacific coast of No. America
          from Alaska to California

   dungeon
          [dun.geon] n [ME donjon, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL domnion-,
          domnio keep, mastery, fr. L dominus lord--more at dominate]
          (14c) 1: donjon 2: a dark usu. underground prison or
          vault

   dunghill
          [dung.hill] n (14c) 1: a heap of dung 2: something (as a
          situation or condition) that is repulsive or degraded

   dunite
          [du.nite] n [Mt. Dun, New Zealand] (ca. 1868): a granitoid
          igneous rock consisting chiefly of olivine -- du.nit.ic
          adj

   [1]dunk
          [dunk] vb [PaG dunke, fr. MHG dunken, fr. OHG dunkon--more
          at tinge] vt (1919) 1: to dip (as a piece of bread) into
          a beverage while eating 2: to dip or submerge temporarily
          in liquid 3: to throw (a basketball) into the basket
          from above the rim ~ vi 1: to submerge oneself in water
          2: to make a dunk shot in basketball [2]dunk n (ca. 1944):
          the act or action of dunking; esp: dunk shot

   Dunker
          [Dun.ker] or Dun.kard n [PaG Dunker, fr. dunke] (1744): a
          member of the Church of the Brethren or any of several
          other orig. German Baptist denominations practicing trine
          immersion and love feasts and refusing to take oaths
          or to perform military service

   Dunkirk
          [Dun.kirk] n [Dunkirk or Dunkerque, France, scene of the
          evacuation of Allied forces in 1940] (1941) 1: a retreat
          to avoid total defeat 2: a crisis situation that requires
          a desperate last effort to forestall certain failure
          <a ~ for U.S. foreign policy --Time>

   dunk shot
          [dunk shot] n (ca. 1961): a shot in basketball made by jumping
          high into the air and throwing the ball down through
          the basket

   dunlin
          [dun.lin] n, pl dunlins or dunlin [[1]dun + -lin (alter.
          of -ling)] (ca. 1532): a small widely distributed sandpiper
          (Calidris alpina) largely cinnamon to rusty brown above
          and white below

   Dunlop
          [Dun.lop] n [Dunlop, Ayrshire, Scotland] (ca. 1780): a Scottish
          cheese similar to cheddar

   dunnage
          [dun.nage] n [origin unknown] (15c) 1: loose materials used
          to support and protect cargo in a ship's hold; also:
          padding in a shipping container 2: baggage

   duo-
          [duo-] comb form [L duo]: two <duologue>

   duo
          [duo] n, pl du.os [It, fr. L, two--more at two] (1590) 1:
          duet 2: pair 2

   duodecillion
          [duo.de.cil.lion] n, often attrib [L duodecim twelve + E
          -illion (as in million)] (1875): the figure 1 followed
          by 39 zeroes: the figure 1,000 followed by 12 groups
          of three zeroes; also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by
          72 zeroes: one million to the 12th power

   duodecimal
          [duo.dec.i.mal] adj [L duodecim--more at dozen] (1727): of,
          relating to, or proceeding by twelve or the scale of
          twelves -- duodecimal n

   duodecimo
          [duo.dec.i.mo] n, pl -mos [L, abl. of duodecimus twelfth,
          fr. duodecim] (1658): twelvemo

   duodenum
          [du.o.de.num] n, pl -de.na or -denums [ME, fr. ML, fr. L
          duodeni twelve each, fr. duodecim twelve; fr. its length,
          about 12 fingers' breadth] (14c): the first part of the
          small intestine extending from the pylorus to the jejunum
          -- du.o.de.nal adj

   duologue
          [duo.logue] n (1864): a dialogue between two persons

   duomo
          [duo.mo] n, pl duomos [It, fr. L domus house--more at dome]
          (1549): cathedral

   duopoly
          [du.op.o.ly] n, pl -lies [duo- + -poly (as in monopoly)]
          (1920) 1: an oligopoly limited to two sellers 2: preponderant
          influence or control by two political powers -- du.op.o.lis.tic
          adj

   dup
          [dup] vt [contr. of do up] (1547) archaic: open

   dup
          [dup] abbreviation duplex, duplicate

   [1]dupe
          [dupe] n [F, fr. MF duppe, prob. alter. of huppe hoopoe]
          (1681): one that is easily deceived or cheated: fool
          [2]dupe vt duped ; dup.ing (1704): to make a dupe of
          -- dup.er n syn dupe, gull, trick, hoax mean to deceive
          by underhanded means. dupe suggests unwariness in the
          person deluded. gull stresses credulousness or readiness
          to be imposed on (as through greed) on the part of the
          victim. trick implies an intent to delude by means of
          a ruse or fraud but does not always imply a vicious intent.
          hoax implies the contriving of an elaborate or adroit
          imposture in order to deceive. [3]dupe n or vb (ca. 1900):
          duplicate

   dupery
          [dup.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1759) 1: the condition of being
          duped 2: the act or practice of duping

   duple
          [du.ple] adj [L duplus double--more at double] (15c) 1: having
          two elements 2 a: marked by two or a multiple of two
          beats per measure of music <~ time> b of rhythm: consisting
          of a meter based on disyllabic feet

   [1]duplex
          [du.plex] adj [L, fr. duo two + -plex -fold--more at two,
          -fold] (1567) 1 a: having two principal elements or parts:
          double, twofold b: having complementary polynucleotide
          strands <~ DNA> 2: allowing telecommunication in opposite
          directions simultaneously [2]duplex vt (1833): to make
          duplex [3]duplex n (1922): something duplex: as a: a
          2-family house b: duplex apartment c: a duplex molecule
          of DNA or of RNA and DNA

   duplex apartment
          [duplex apartment] n (ca. 1925): an apartment having rooms
          on two floors

   duplexer
          [du.plex.er] n (ca. 1932): a switching device that permits
          alternate transmission and reception with the same radio
          antenna

   [1]duplicate
          [du.pli.cate] adj [ME, fr. L duplicatus, pp. of duplicare
          to double, fr. duplic-, duplex] (15c) 1: consisting of
          or existing in two corresponding or identical parts or
          examples <~ invoices> 2: being the same as another <~
          copies> [2]du.pli.cate vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing vt (15c)
          1: to make double or twofold 2 a: to make a copy of <a
          cell ~s itself when it divides> b: to produce something
          equal to <trying to ~ last year's success> c: to do over
          or again often needlessly <duplicated effort> ~ vi: to
          become duplicated; also: repeat -- du.pli.ca.tive adj
          [3]du.pli.cate n (1532) 1 a: either of two things exactly
          alike and usu. produced at the same time or by the same
          process b: an additional copy of something (as a book
          or stamp) already in a collection 2: one that resembles
          or corresponds to another: counterpart 3: two identical
          copies--used in the phrase in duplicate syn see reproduction

   duplicate bridge
          [duplicate bridge] n (1926): a tournament form of contract
          bridge in which identical deals are played in order to
          compare individual scores

   duplication
          [du.pli.ca.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act or process of duplicating
          b: the quality or state of being duplicated 2: duplicate,
          counterpart 3: a part of a chromosome in which the genetic
          material is repeated; also: the process of forming a
          duplication

   duplicator
          [du.pli.ca.tor] n (1893): one that duplicates; specif: a
          machine for making copies of graphic matter

   duplicitous
          [du.plic.i.tous] adj (1928): marked by duplicity --
          du.plic.i.tous.ly adv

   duplicity
          [du.plic.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME duplicite, fr. MF, fr. LL
          duplicitat-, duplicitas, fr. L duplex] (15c) 1: contradictory
          doubleness of thought, speech, or action; esp: the belying
          of one's true intentions by deceptive words or action
          2: the quality or state of being double or twofold 3:
          the technically incorrect use of two or more distinct
          items (as claims, charges, or defenses) in a single legal
          action

   Dur
          [Dur] abbreviation Durham

   durable
          [du.ra.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L durabilis, fr. durare
          to last--more at during] (14c): able to exist for a long
          time without significant deterioration; also: designed
          to be durable <~ goods> syn see lasting -- du.ra.bil.i.ty
          n -- du.ra.ble.ness n -- du.ra.bly adv

   durable press
          [durable press] n (1966): permanent press

   durables
          [du.ra.bles] n pl (1941): consumer goods (as vehicles and
          household appliances) that are typically used repeatedly
          over a period of years--called also durable goods

   duralumin
          [du.ral.u.min] n [fr. Duralumin, a trademark] (1910): a light
          strong alloy of aluminum, copper, manganese, and magnesium

   dura mater
          [du.ra ma.ter] n [ME, fr. ML, lit., hard mother] (14c): the
          tough fibrous membrane that envelops the brain and spinal
          cord external to the arachnoid and pia mater

   durance
          [du.rance] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. durer to endure, fr. L durare]
          (15c) 1 archaic: endurance 2: restraint by or as if by
          physical force--usu. used in the phrase durance vile

   duration
          [du.ra.tion] n (14c) 1: continuance in time 2: the time during
          which something exists or lasts

   durative
          [du.ra.tive] adj (1889): continuative -- durative n

   durbar
          [dur.bar] n [Hindi darbar, fr. Per, fr. dar door + bar admission,
          audience] (1609) 1: court held by an Indian prince 2:
          a formal reception held by an Indian prince or an African
          ruler

   duress
          [du.ress] n [ME duresse, fr. MF duresce hardness, severity,
          fr. L duritia, fr. durus] (15c) 1: forcible restraint
          or restriction 2: compulsion by threat; specif: unlawful
          constraint

   Durham
          [Dur.ham] n [County Durham, England] (1810): shorthorn

   Durham Rule
          [Durham Rule] n [Monte Durham, 20th cent. Am. litigant] (1955):
          a legal hypothesis under which a person is not judged
          responsible for a criminal act that is attributed to
          a mental disease or defect

   durian
          [du.ri.an] n [Malay] (1588) 1: a large oval tasty but foul-smelling
          fruit with a prickly rind 2: an East Indian tree (Durio zibethinus)
          of the silk-cotton family that bears durians

   during
          [dur.ing] prep [ME, fr. prp. of duren to last, fr. OF durer,
          fr. L durare to harden, endure, fr. durus hard; perh.
          akin to Skt daru wood--more at tree] (14c) 1: throughout
          the duration of <swims every day ~ the summer> 2: at
          a point in the course of <was offered a job ~ a visit
          to the capital>

   durmast oak
          [dur.mast oak] n [perh. alter. of dun mast, fr. [1]dun +
          mast] (1791): a European oak (Quercus petraea) valued
          esp. for its dark heavy tough elastic wood and for its
          tannin-rich bark

   durn
          [durn] , durned var of darn, darned

   duro
          [du.ro] n, pl duros [Sp, short for peso duro hard peso] (1832):
          a Spanish or Spanish American peso or silver dollar

   duroc
          [du.roc] n, often cap [Duroc, 19th cent. Am. stallion] (1883):
          any of a breed of large vigorous red American hogs

   durometer
          [du.rom.e.ter] n [L durus hard] (ca. 1879): an instrument
          for measuring hardness

   durra
          [dur.ra] also du.ra n [Ar dhurah] (1798): any of several
          grain sorghums widely grown in warm dry regions

   durst
          [durst] archaic & dial past of dare

   durum wheat
          [du.rum wheat] n [NL durum, fr. L, neut. of durus hard] (ca.
          1903): a wheat (Triticum durum) that yields a glutenous
          flour used esp. in pasta--called also durum

   [1]dusk
          [dusk] adj [ME dosk, alter. of OE dox; akin to L fuscus dark
          brown, OE dunn dun, dust dust] (13c): dusky [2]dusk vi
          (13c): to become dark ~ vt: to make dark or gloomy [3]dusk
          n (1622) 1: the darker part of twilight esp. at night
          2: darkness or semidarkness caused by the shutting out
          of light

   dusky
          [dusky] adj dusk.i.er ; -est (1558) 1: somewhat dark in color;
          specif: having dark skin 2: marked by slight or deficient
          light: shadowy -- dusk.i.ly adv -- dusk.i.ness n

   [1]dust
          [dust] n [ME, fr. OE dust; akin to OHG tunst storm, and prob.
          to L fumus smoke--more at fume] (bef. 12c) 1: fine particles
          of matter (as of earth) 2: the particles into which something
          disintegrates 3 a: something worthless b: a state of
          humiliation 4 a: the earth esp. as a place of burial
          b: the surface of the ground 5 a: a cloud of dust b:
          confusion, disturbance 6 archaic: a single particle (as
          of earth) 7 Brit: refuse ready for collection -- dust.less
          adj -- dust.like adj [2]dust vt (1530) 1 archaic: to
          make dusty 2: to make free of dust 3 a: to sprinkle with
          fine particles b: to sprinkle in the form of dust ~ vi
          1 of a bird: to work dust into the feathers 2: to remove
          dust 3: to give off dust

   dustbin
          [dust.bin] n (1848) 1 Brit: a can for trash or garbage 2:
          dustheap 2

   dust bowl
          [dust bowl] n (1936): a region that suffers from prolonged
          droughts and dust storms

   dustcover
          [dust.cov.er] n (1899) 1: a cover (as of cloth or plastic)
          used to protect furniture or equipment from dust 2: dust
          jacket

   dust devil
          [dust devil] n (1888): a small whirlwind containing sand
          or dust

   duster
          [dust.er] n (1576) 1: one that removes dust 2 a (1): a long
          lightweight overgarment to protect clothing from dust
          (2): a long coat cut like a duster--called also duster
          coat b: a dress-length housecoat 3: one that scatters
          fine particles; specif: a device for applying insecticidal
          or fungicidal dusts to crops 4: dust storm

   dustheap
          [dust.heap] n (1599) 1: a pile of refuse 2: a category of
          forgotten items <the ~ of history --New Republic>

   dust jacket
          [dust jacket] n (1926): a paper cover for a book

   dustman
          [dust.man] n (1707) Brit: a collector of trash or garbage

   dust mop
          [dust mop] n (1953): dry mop

   dust off
          [dust off] vt (1940): to bring out or back to use again

   dustpan
          [dust.pan] n (1783): a shovel-shaped pan for sweepings

   dust storm
          [dust storm] n (1879) 1: a dust-laden whirlwind that moves
          across an arid region and is usu. associated with hot
          dry air and marked by high electrical tension 2: strong
          winds bearing clouds of dust

   dustup
          [dust.up] n (1897): row, fight

   dust wrapper
          [dust wrapper] n (1932): dust jacket

   dusty
          [dusty] adj dust.i.er ; -est (13c) 1: covered or abounding
          with dust 2: consisting of dust: powdery 3: resembling
          dust 4: lacking vitality: dry <~ scholarship> 5 Brit:
          unsatisfactory--used esp. in the phrases dusty answer
          and not so dusty -- dust.i.ly adv -- dust.i.ness n

   dusty miller
          [dusty miller] n (ca. 1825): any of several plants having
          ashy-gray or white tomentose leaves; esp: an herbaceous
          artemisia (Artemisia stelleriana) with greyish foliage
          found along the eastern coast of the U.S.

   dutch
          [dutch] adv, often cap (1914): with each person paying his
          or her own way [1]Dutch adj [ME Duch, fr. MD duutsch;
          akin to OHG diutisc German, OE theod nation, Goth thiudisko
          as a gentile, thiuda people, Oscan touto city] (14c)
          1 a archaic: of, relating to, or in any of the Germanic
          languages of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Low
          Countries b: of, relating to, or in the Dutch of the
          Netherlands 2 a archaic: of or relating to the Germanic
          peoples of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Low
          Countries b: of or relating to the Netherlands or its
          inhabitants c: [2]german 3: of or relating to the Pennsylvania
          Dutch or their language -- Dutch.ly adv [2]Dutch n (14c)
          1 a archaic (1): any of the Germanic languages of Germany,
          Austria, Switzerland, and the Low Countries (2): german
          3 b: the Germanic language of the Netherlands 2 Dutch
          pl a archaic: the Germanic peoples of Germany, Austria,
          Switzerland, and the Low Countries b: germans 2a, b c:
          the people of the Netherlands 3: pennsylvania dutch 4:
          dander <her ~ is up> 5: disfavor, trouble <in ~ with
          the boss>

   Dutch cheese
          [Dutch cheese] n (1829) chiefly Northern: cottage cheese

   Dutch clover
          [Dutch clover] n (1800): white clover

   Dutch Colonial
          [Dutch Colonial] adj (1922): characterized by a gambrel roof
          with overhanging eaves

   Dutch courage
          [Dutch courage] n (1809): courage artificially stimulated
          esp. by drink; also: drink taken for courage

   Dutch door
          [Dutch door] n (ca. 1890): a door divided horizontally so
          that the lower or upper part can be shut separately

   Dutch elm disease
          [Dutch elm disease] n (1927): a disease of elms caused by
          an ascomycetous fungus (Ceratocystis ulmi) and characterized
          by yellowing of the foliage, defoliation, and death

   Dutch hoe
          [Dutch hoe] n (1744): scuffle hoe

   dutchman
          [dutch.man] n (14c) 1 cap a archaic: a member of any of the
          Germanic peoples of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and
          the Low Countries b: a native or inhabitant of the Netherlands
          c: a person of Dutch descent d: german 1a, b 2: a device
          for hiding or counteracting structural defects

   Dutchman's-breeches
          [Dutch.man's-breech.es] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1837):
          a spring-flowering herb (Dicentra cucullaria) of the
          fumitory family occurring in the eastern U.S. and having
          finely divided leaves and cream-white double-spurred
          flowers

   Dutchman's-pipe
          [Dutchman's-pipe] n, pl Dutchman's-pipes (1845): a vine
          (Aristolochia durior) with large leaves and early summer flowers
          having the tube of the calyx curved like the bowl of a pipe

   Dutch oven
          [Dutch oven] n (1769) 1: a metal shield for roasting before
          an open fire 2: a brick oven in which cooking is done
          by the preheated walls 3 a: a cast-iron kettle with a
          tight cover that is used for baking in an open fire b:
          a heavy pot with a tight-fitting domed cover

   Dutch roll
          [Dutch roll] n (1913): a combination of directional and lateral
          oscillation of an airplane

   [1]dutch treat
          [dutch treat] n, often cap D (1887): a meal or other entertainment
          for which each person pays his or her own way [2]dutch treat adv,
          often cap D (1942): dutch <go dutch treat>

   Dutch uncle
          [Dutch uncle] n (1837): one who admonishes sternly and bluntly

   duteous
          [du.te.ous] adj [irreg. fr. duty] (1593): dutiful, obedient

   dutiable
          [du.ti.able] adj (1774): subject to a duty

   dutiful
          [du.ti.ful] adj (1552) 1: filled with or motivated by a sense
          of duty 2: proceeding from or expressive of a sense of
          duty -- du.ti.ful.ly adv -- du.ti.ful.ness n

   [1]duty
          [du.ty] n, pl duties [ME duete, fr. AF duete, fr. OF deu
          due] (13c) 1: conduct due to parents and superiors: respect
          2 a: obligatory tasks, conduct, service, or functions
          that arise from one's position (as in life or in a group)
          b (1): assigned service or business (2): active military
          service (3): a period of being on duty 3 a: a moral or
          legal obligation b: the force of moral obligation 4:
          tax; esp: a tax on imports 5 a: work 1a b (1): the service
          required (as of an electric machine) under specified
          conditions (2): functional application: use <got double
          ~ out of the trip> (3): use as a substitute <making the
          word do ~ for the thing --Edward Sapir> syn see function,
          task -- off duty : free from assignment or responsibility
          -- on duty : engaged in or responsible for an assigned
          task or duty [2]duty adj (1806) 1: done as a duty 2:
          being on duty: assigned to specified tasks or functions
          <the ~ officer>

   duty-free
          [duty-free] adj or adv (1689) 1: without payment of customs
          duties: free from duties <imported ~> <~ goods> 2: relating
          to or selling duty-free goods <a ~ shop>

   duumvir
          [du.um.vir] n [L, fr. duum (gen. of duo two) + vir man] (1600)
          1: one of two Roman officers or magistrates constituting
          a board or court 2: one of two people jointly holding
          power -- du.um.vi.rate n

   duvet
          [du.vet] n [F] (1758): comforter 2b

   duvetyn
          [duve.tyn] n [F duvetine, fr. duvet down, fr. MF, alter.
          of (assumed) MF dumet, dim. of OF dun, dum down, fr.
          ON dunn--more at down] (1913): a smooth lustrous velvety
          fabric

   duxelles
          [dux.elles] n [Marquis Louis Chalon du Ble d'Uxelles d. 1658
          Fr. nobleman] (1877): a garnish or stuffing made esp.
          of finely chopped sauteed mushrooms

   dux femina facti
          [dux fe.mi.na fac.ti] [L] foreign term : a woman was leader
          of the exploit

   dv...
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   DV
          [DV] [L Deo volente] abbreviation God willing; Douay Version

   DVM
          [DVM] abbreviation doctor of veterinary medicine

   dw...
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   DW
          [DW] abbreviation deadweight, delayed weather, distilled
          water, dust wrapper

   [1]dwarf
          [dwarf] n, pl dwarfs also dwarves often attrib [ME dwerg,
          dwerf, fr. OE dweorg, dweorh; akin to OHG twerg dwarf]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a person of unusually small stature;
          esp: one whose bodily proportions are abnormal b: an
          insignificant person 2: an animal or plant much below
          normal size 3: a small legendary manlike being who is
          usu. misshapen and ugly and skilled as an artificer 4:
          a star (as the sun) of ordinary or low luminosity and
          relatively small mass and size -- dwarf.ish adj -- dwarf.ish.ly
          adv -- dwarf.ish.ness n -- dwarf.like adj -- dwarf.ness
          n [2]dwarf vt (ca. 1626) 1: to restrict the growth of:
          stunt 2: to cause to appear smaller or to seem inferior
          ~ vi: to become smaller [3]dwarf adj (1664) of a plant:
          low-growing in habit <~er forms of citrus>

   dwarfism
          [dwarf.ism] n (1865): the condition of stunted growth

   dweeb
          [dweeb] n [origin unknown] (1983) slang: an unattractive,
          insignificant, or inept person

   dwell
          [dwell] vi dwelled or dwelt ; dwelling [ME, fr. OE dwellan
          to go astray, hinder; akin to OHG twellen to tarry] (13c)
          1: to remain for a time 2 a: to live as a resident b:
          exist, lie 3 a: to keep the attention directed--used
          with on or upon <tried not to ~ on my fears> b: to speak
          or write insistently--used with on or upon <leering reviewers
          ~ed on a publicity photograph --James Atlas> -- dwell.er
          n

   dwelling
          [dwell.ing] n (14c): a shelter (as a house) in which people
          live

   DWI
          [DWI] abbreviation driving while intoxicated, Dutch West
          Indies

   dwindle
          [dwin.dle] vb dwin.dled ; dwin.dling [prob. freq. of dwine
          to waste away, fr. ME, fr. OE dwinan; akin to ON dvina
          to pine away, deyja to die--more at die] vi (1596): to
          become steadily less: shrink ~ vt: to make steadily less
          syn see decrease

   dwt
          [dwt] abbreviation deadweight ton, pennyweight

   dy...
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   dy-
          [dy-] or dyo- comb form [LL, fr. Gk, fr. dyo--more at two]:
          two <dyarchy>

   dy
          [dy] abbreviation delivery, deputy, duty  Dy abbreviation
          dysprosium

   dyad
          [dy.ad] n [LL dyad-, dyas, fr. Gk, fr. dyo] (1675) 1: pair;
          specif: two individuals (as husband and wife) maintaining
          a sociologically significant relationship 2: a meiotic
          chromosome after separation of the two homologous members
          of a tetrad 3: a mathematical operator indicated by writing
          the symbols of two vectors without a dot or cross between
          (as AB) -- dy.ad.ic adj -- dy.ad.i.cal.ly adv

   dyadic
          [dy.ad.ic] n (1884): a mathematical expression formed by
          addition or subtraction of dyads

   Dyak
          [Dy.ak] var of dayak

   dyarchy
          [dy.ar.chy] n, pl -chies (1640): a government in which power
          is vested in two rulers or authorities

   dybbuk
          [dyb.buk] n, pl dyb.bu.kim also dybbuks [LHeb dibbuq] (ca.
          1903): a wandering soul believed in Jewish folklore to
          enter and control a living body until exorcised by a
          religious rite

   [1]dye
          [dye] n [ME dehe, fr. OE deah, deag] (bef. 12c) 1: color
          from dyeing 2: a soluble or insoluble coloring matter
          [2]dye vb dyed ; dye.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1: to impart a
          new and often permanent color to esp. by impregnating
          with a dye 2: to impart (a color) by dyeing <~ing blue
          on yellow> ~ vi: to take up or impart color in dyeing
          -- dye.abil.i.ty n -- dye.able adj -- dy.er n

   dyed-in-the-wool
          [dyed-in-the-wool] adj (1580): thoroughgoing, uncompromising
          <a ~ conservative>

   dyestuff
          [dye.stuff] n (1837): dye 2

   dyewood
          [dye.wood] n (1699): a wood (as logwood or fustic) from which
          coloring matter is extracted for dyeing

   dying
          [dying] pres part of die

   [1]dyke
          [dyke] chiefly Brit var of dike [2]dyke n [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1942): lesbian--often used disparagingly -- dykey
          adj

   dynam
          [dynam] abbreviation dynamics

   [1]dynamic
          [dy.nam.ic] adj [F dynamique, fr. Gk dynamikos powerful,
          fr. dynamis power, fr. dynasthai to be able] (1827) 1
          also dy.nam.i.cal a: of or relating to physical force
          or energy b: of or relating to dynamics 2 a: marked by
          usu. continuous and productive activity or change <a
          ~ city> b: energetic, forceful <a ~ personality> 3 of
          random-access memory: requiring periodic refreshment
          of charge in order to retain data -- dy.nam.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]dynamic n (1879) 1: a dynamic force 2: dynamics
          2; also: an underlying cause of change or growth

   dynamic range
          [dynamic range] n (1949): the ratio of the strongest to the
          weakest sound intensity that can be transmitted or reproduced
          by an audio or broadcasting system

   dynamics
          [dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1789) 1:
          a branch of mechanics that deals with forces and their
          relation primarily to the motion but sometimes also to
          the equilibrium of bodies 2: a pattern or process of
          change, growth, or activity <population ~> 3: variation
          and contrast in force or intensity (as in music)

   dynamism
          [dy.na.mism] n (ca. 1857) 1 a: a theory that all phenomena
          (as matter or motion) can be explained as manifestations
          of force--compare mechanism b: dynamics 2 2: a dynamic
          or expansionist quality -- dy.na.mist n -- dy.na.mis.tic
          adj

   [1]dynamite
          [dy.na.mite] n (1867) 1: an explosive that is made of nitroglycerin
          absorbed in a porous material and that often contains ammonium
          nitrate or cellulose nitrate; also: an explosive (as a mixture
          of ammonium nitrate and nitrocellulose) that contains
          no nitroglycerin 2: one that has a powerful effect; also: something
          that has great potential to cause trouble or conflict
          -- dy.na.mit.ic adj [2]dynamite vt -mit.ed ; -mit.ing (1881)
          1: to blow up with dynamite 2: to cause the failure or destruction
          of -- dy.na.mit.er n [3]dynamite adj (1940): terrific, wonderful

   dynamo
          [dy.na.mo] n, pl -mos [short for dynamoelectric machine]
          (ca. 1882) 1: generator 3 2: a forceful energetic individual

   dynamometer
          [dy.na.mom.e.ter] n [F dynamometre, fr. Gk dynamis power
          + F -metre -meter] (1810) 1: an instrument for measuring
          mechanical force 2: an apparatus for measuring mechanical
          power (as of an engine) -- dy.na.mo.met.ric adj -- dy.na.mom.e.try
          n

   dynamotor
          [dy.na.mo.tor] n [dynamo + motor] (1899): a motor generator
          combining the electric motor and generator

   dynast
          [dy.nast] n [L dynastes, fr. Gk dynastes, fr. dynasthai to
          be able, have power] (1631): ruler 1

   dynasty
          [dy.nas.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: a succession of rulers of
          the same line of descent 2: a powerful group or family
          that maintains its position for a considerable time --
          dy.nas.tic adj -- dy.nas.ti.cal.ly adv

   dynatron
          [dy.na.tron] n [Gk dynamis power] (1918): a vacuum tube in
          which the secondary emission of electrons from the plate
          results in a decrease in the plate current as the plate
          voltage increases

   dyne
          [dyne] n [F, fr. Gk dynamis] (ca. 1873): the unit of force
          in the centimeter-gram-second system equal to the force
          that would give a free mass of one gram an acceleration
          of one centimeter per second per second

   dynein
          [dy.ne.in] n [dyne (force) + -in] (1965): an ATPase that
          is associated esp. with microtubules involved in the
          ciliary and flagellar movement of cells

   dynode
          [dy.node] n [Gk dynamis] (1939): an electrode in an electron
          tube that functions to produce secondary emission of
          electrons

   dys-
          [dys-] prefix [ME dis- bad, difficult, fr. MF & L; MF dis-,
          fr. L dys-, fr. Gk; akin to OE to-, te- apart, Skt dus-
          bad, difficult] 1: abnormal <dysplasia> 2: difficult
          <dysphagia>--compare eu- 3: impaired <dysfunction> 4:
          bad <dyslogistic>--compare eu-

   dysarthria
          [dys.ar.thria] n [NL, fr. dys- + arthr- + -ia] (1878): difficulty
          in articulating words due to disease of the central nervous
          system

   dyscrasia
          [dys.cra.sia] n [NL, fr. ML, bad mixture of humors, fr. Gk
          dyskrasia, fr. dys- + krasis mixture, fr. kerannynai
          to mix--more at crater] (14c): an abnormal condition
          of the body and esp. the blood

   dysenteric
          [dys.en.ter.ic] adj (1727): of or relating to dysentery

   dysentery
          [dys.en.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME dissenterie, fr. L dysenteria,
          fr. Gk, fr. dys- + enteron intestine--more at inter-]
          (14c) 1: a disease characterized by severe diarrhea with
          passage of mucus and blood and usu. caused by infection
          2: diarrhea

   dysfunction
          [dys.func.tion] n (ca. 1916): impaired or abnormal functioning
          -- dys.func.tion.al adj

   dysgenesis
          [dys.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1883): defective development
          esp. of the gonads (as in Klinefelter's syndrome)

   dysgenic
          [dys.gen.ic] adj (1912) 1: tending to promote survival of
          or reproduction by less well-adapted individuals (as
          the weak or diseased) esp. at the expense of well-adapted
          individuals (as the strong or healthy) <the ~ effect
          of war> 2: biologically defective or deficient

   dyskinesia
          [dys.ki.ne.sia] n [NL, fr. Gk dyskinesia difficulty in moving,
          fr. dys- + -kinesia, fr. kinesis motion, fr. kinein to
          move--more at hight] (ca. 1706): impairment of voluntary
          movements resulting in fragmented or jerky motions (as
          in Parkinson's disease)--compare tardive dyskinesia --
          dys.ki.net.ic adj

   dyslexia
          [dys.lex.ia] n [NL, fr. dys- + Gk lexis word, speech, fr.
          legein to say--more at legend] (ca. 1888): a disturbance
          of the ability to read; broadly: disturbance of the ability
          to use language -- dys.lex.ic adj or n

   dyslogistic
          [dys.lo.gis.tic] adj [dys- + -logistic (as in eulogistic)]
          (1812): uncomplimentary -- dys.lo.gis.ti.cal.ly adv

   dysmenorrhea
          [dys.men.or.rhea] n [NL] (ca. 1810): painful menstruation
          -- dys.men.or.rhe.ic adj

   dyspepsia
          [dys.pep.sia] n [L, fr. Gk, fr. dys- + pepsis digestion,
          fr. peptein, pessein to cook, digest--more at cook] (ca.
          1706) 1: indigestion 2: ill humor: disgruntlement --
          dys.pep.tic adj or n -- dys.pep.ti.cal.ly adv

   dysphagia
          [dys.pha.gia] n [NL] (1783): difficulty in swallowing

   dysphasia
          [dys.pha.sia] n [NL] (ca. 1883): loss of or deficiency in
          the power to use or understand language as a result of
          injury to or disease of the brain -- dys.pha.sic n or
          adj

   dysphemism
          [dys.phe.mism] n [dys- + -phemism (as in euphemism)] (1884):
          the substitution of a disagreeable, offensive, or disparaging
          expression for an agreeable or inoffensive one; also:
          an expression so substituted -- dys.phe.mis.tic adj

   dysphonia
          [dys.pho.nia] n [NL] (ca. 1706): defective use of the voice

   dysphoria
          [dys.pho.ria] n [NL, fr. Gk, fr. dysphoros hard to bear,
          fr. dys- + pherein to bear--more at bear] (ca. 1842):
          a state of feeling unwell or unhappy -- dys.phor.ic adj

   dysplasia
          [dys.pla.sia] n [NL] (ca. 1923): abnormal growth or development
          (as of organs or cells); broadly: abnormal anatomic structure
          due to such growth -- dys.plas.tic adj

   dyspnea
          [dys.pnea] n [L dyspnoea, fr. Gk dyspnoia, fr. dyspnoos short
          of breath, fr. dys- + pnein to breathe--more at sneeze]
          (ca. 1681): difficult or labored respiration -- dys.pne.ic
          adj

   dyspnoea
          [dyspnoea] chiefly Brit var of dyspnea

   dysprosium
          [dys.pro.si.um] n [NL, fr. Gk dysprositos hard to get at,
          fr. dys- + prositos approachable, fr. prosienai to approach,
          fr. pros- + ienai to go--more at issue] (1886): an element
          of the rare-earth group that forms highly magnetic compounds

   dysrhythmia
          [dys.rhyth.mia] n [NL, fr. dys- + L rhythmus rhythm] (ca.
          1909): an abnormal rhythm; esp: a disordered rhythm exhibited
          in a record of electrical activity of the brain or heart
          -- dys.rhyth.mic adj

   dystocia
          [dys.to.cia] n [NL, fr. Gk dystokia, fr. dys- + tokos childbirth;
          akin to Gk tiktein to give birth to--more at thane] (ca.
          1706): slow or difficult labor or delivery

   dystopia
          [dys.to.pia] n [NL, fr. dys- + -topia (as in utopia)] (ca.
          1950) 1: an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized
          and often fearful lives 2: anti-utopia 2 -- dys.to.pi.an
          adj

   dystrophic
          [dys.tro.phic] adj (1893) 1 a: relating to or caused by faulty
          nutrition b: relating to or affected with a dystrophy
          <a ~ patient> 2 of a lake: brownish with much dissolved
          humic matter, a sparse bottom fauna, and a high oxygen
          consumption

   dystrophy
          [dys.tro.phy] n, pl -phies [NL dystrophia, fr. dys- + -trophia
          -trophy] (1901) 1: a condition produced by faulty nutrition
          2: any myogenic atrophy; esp: muscular dystrophy

   dysuria
          [dys.uria] n [NL, fr. Gk dysouria, fr. dys- + -ouria -uria]
          (14c): difficult or painful discharge of urine--compare
          strangury

   dz...
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   dz
          [dz] abbreviation dozen

   e...
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   e-
          [e-] prefix [ME, fr. OF & L; OF, out, forth, away, fr. L,
          fr. ex-] 1: missing: absent <edentulous> 2: away <eluviation>

   e
          [e] abbreviation earth, east, easterly, eastern, edge, eldest,
          ell, empty, end, energy, erg, error, excellent  E abbreviation
          electromotive force, energy, English, exponent

   e
          [e] n, pl e's or es often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 5th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic e 2: the 3d tone of a C-major scale 3:
          a graphic device for reproducing the letter e 4: one
          designated e esp. as the 5th in order or class 5 a: a
          grade rating a student's work as poor and usu. constituting
          a conditional pass b: a grade rating a student's work
          as failing c: one graded or rated with an E 6: a transcendental
          number having a value to eight decimal places of 2.71828183
          that is the base of natural logarithms 7: something shaped
          like the letter E

   E and OE
          [E and OE] abbreviation errors and omissions excepted

   e contrario
          [e con.tra.rio] [L] foreign term : on the contrary

   E layer
          [E layer] n (1933): a layer of the ionosphere occurring about
          65 miles (110 kilometers) above the earth's surface during
          daylight hours that is capable of reflecting shortwave
          frequencies

   E-mail
          [E-mail] n (1982): electronic mail

   e pluribus unum
          [e plu.ri.bus unum] [L] foreign term : one out of many--used
          on the Great Seal of the U.S. and on several U.S. coins

   E region
          [E region] n (1930): the part of the ionosphere occurring
          between 55 and 80 miles (90 and 130 kilometers) above
          the surface of the earth and containing the daytime E
          layer and the sporadic E layer

   ea...
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   ea
          [ea] abbreviation each

   [1]each
          [each] adj [ME ech, fr. OE aelc; akin to OHG iogilih each;
          both fr. a prehistoric WGmc compound whose first and
          second constituents respectively are represented by OE
          a always and by OE gelic alike] (bef. 12c): being one
          of two or more distinct individuals having a similar
          relation and often constituting an aggregate [2]each
          pron (bef. 12c): each one [3]each adv (bef. 12c): to
          or for each: apiece

   each other
          [each other] pron (bef. 12c): each of two or more in reciprocal
          action or relation <looked at each other in surprise>
          usage Some handbooks and textbooks recommend that each
          other be restricted to reference to two and one another
          to reference to three or more. The distinction, while
          neat, is not observed in actual usage. Each other and
          one another are used interchangeably by good writers
          and have been since at least the sixteenth century.

   eager
          [ea.ger] adj [ME egre, fr. MF aigre, fr. L acer--more at
          edge] (14c) 1 a archaic: sharp b obs: sour 2: marked
          by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest -- ea.ger.ly
          adv -- ea.ger.ness n syn eager, avid, keen, anxious,
          athirst mean moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest.
          eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience
          at delay or restraint <eager to get started>. avid adds
          to eager the implication of insatiability or greed <avid
          for new thrills>. keen suggests intensity of interest
          and quick responsiveness in action <keen on the latest
          fashions>. anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or
          failure or disappointment <anxious not to make a social
          blunder>. athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily
          readiness for action <athirst for adventure>.

   eager beaver
          [eager beaver] n (1943): a person who is extremely zealous
          about performing duties and volunteering for more

   eagle
          [ea.gle] n [ME egle, fr. OF aigle, fr. L aquila] (13c) 1:
          any of various large diurnal birds of prey of the accipiter
          family noted for their strength, size, keenness of vision,
          and powers of flight 2 a: the eagle-bearing standard
          of the ancient Romans b: one of a pair of eagle-bearing
          silver insignia of rank worn by a military colonel or
          a navy captain 3: a gold coin of the U.S. bearing an
          eagle on the reverse and usu. having a value of ten dollars
          4: a golf score of two strokes less than par on a hole--compare
          birdie 5 cap [Fraternal Order of Eagles]: a member of
          a major fraternal order

   eagle eye
          [eagle eye] n (1802) 1: the ability to see or observe with
          exceptional keenness 2: one that sees or observes keenly
          -- eagle-eyed adj

   eagle ray
          [eagle ray] n (ca. 1856): any of several widely distributed
          large active stingrays (family Myliobatidae) with broad
          pectoral fins like wings

   Eagle Scout
          [Eagle Scout] n (1913) 1: a Boy Scout who has reached the
          highest level of achievement in scouting 2: a straight-arrow
          and self-reliant man

   eaglet
          [ea.glet] n (1572): a young eagle

   ealdorman
          [eal.dor.man] n [OE--more at alderman] (bef. 12c): the chief
          officer in a district (as a shire) in Anglo-Saxon England

   Eames chair
          [Eames chair] n [Charles Eames d. 1978 Am. designer] (1946):
          any of several chairs designed by Charles Eames to fit
          the contours of the body and to be made from modern materials

   -ean
          [-ean] --see -an

   [1]ear
          [ear] n [ME ere, fr. OE eare; akin to OHG ora ear, L auris,
          Gk ous] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the characteristic vertebrate
          organ of hearing and equilibrium consisting in the typical
          mammal of a sound-collecting outer ear separated by the
          tympanic membrane from a sound-transmitting middle ear
          that in turn is separated from a sensory inner ear by
          membranous fenestrae b: any of various organs capable
          of detecting vibratory motion 2: the external ear of
          humans and most mammals 3 a: the sense or act of hearing
          b: acuity of hearing c: sensitivity to musical tone and
          pitch; also: the ability to retain and reproduce music
          that has been heard d: sensitivity to nuances of language
          esp. as revealed in the command of verbal melody and
          rhythm or in the ability to render a spoken idiom accurately
          4: something resembling a mammalian ear in shape, position,
          or function: as a: a projecting part (as a lug or handle)
          b: either of a pair of tufts of lengthened feathers on
          the head of some birds 5 a: sympathetic attention b:
          attention, awareness 6: a space in the upper corner of
          the front page of a periodical (as a newspaper) usu.
          containing advertising for the periodical itself or a
          weather forecast -- by ear : without reference to or
          memorization of written music <plays by ear> -- in one
          ear and out the other : through one's mind without making
          an impression <everything you say to him goes in one
          ear and out the other> -- on one's ear : in or into a
          state of irritation, shock, or discord <set the racing
          world on its ear by breaking the record> -- up to one's
          ears : deeply involved: heavily implicated <up to his
          ears in shady deals> [2]ear n [ME er, fr. OE ear; akin
          to OHG ahir ear, OE ecg edge--more at edge] (bef. 12c):
          the fruiting spike of a cereal (as wheat or Indian corn)
          including both the seeds and protective structures [3]ear
          vi (14c): to form ears in growing <the rye should be
          ~ing up>

   earache
          [ear.ache] n (1789): an ache or pain in the ear

   ear clip
          [ear clip] n (1945): an earring with a clip fastener

   eardrop
          [ear.drop] n (1720): earring; esp: one with a pendant

   eardrum
          [ear.drum] n (1645): tympanic membrane

   eared
          [eared] adj (14c): having ears esp. of a specified kind or
          number <a big-eared man> <golden-eared corn>

   eared seal
          [eared seal] n (1883): any of a family (Otariidae) of seals
          including the sea lions and fur seals and having independent
          mobile hind limbs and small well-developed external ear
          s--compare hair seal

   earflap
          [ear.flap] n (1907): a warm covering for the ears; esp: an
          extension on the lower edge of a cap that may be folded
          up or down

   earful
          [ear.ful] n (1916) 1: an outpouring of news or gossip 2:
          an outpouring of anger, abuse, or complaint

   earing
          [ear.ing] n [perh. fr. [1]ear] (1626): a line used to fasten
          a corner of a sail to the yard or gaff or to haul a reef
          cringle to the yard

   earl
          [earl] n [ME erl, fr. OE eorl warrior, nobleman; akin to
          ON jarl warrior, nobleman] (12c): a member of the British
          peerage ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
          -- earl.dom n

   earl marshal
          [earl marshal] n (13c): an officer of state in England serving
          chiefly as a royal attendant on ceremonial occasions,
          as marshal of state processions, and as head of the College
          of Arms

   earlobe
          [ear.lobe] n (1859): the pendent part of the ear of humans
          or some fowls

   earlock
          [ear.lock] n (ca. 1775): a curl of hair hanging in front
          of the ear

   [1]early
          [ear.ly] adv ear.li.er ; -est [ME erly, fr. OE aerlice, fr.
          aer early, soon--more at ere] (bef. 12c) 1 a: near the
          beginning of a period of time <awoke ~ in the morning>
          b: near the beginning of a course, process, or series
          <~ in his senatorial career> 2 a: before the usual or
          expected time b archaic: soon c: sooner than related
          forms <these apples bear ~> [2]early adj ear.li.er ;
          -est (13c) 1 a: of, relating to, or occurring near the
          beginning of a period of time, a development, or a series
          b (1): distant in past time (2): primitive 2 a: occurring
          before the usual or expected time b: occurring in the
          near future <at your earliest convenience> c: maturing
          or producing sooner than related forms <an ~ peach> --
          ear.li.ness n

   Early American
          [Early American] n (1895): a style (as of furniture, architecture,
          or fabric) originating in or characteristic of colonial America

   early bird
          [early bird] n [fr. the proverb, "the early bird catches
          the worm"] (ca. 1922) 1: an early riser 2: one that arrives
          early and esp. before possible competitors

   early on
          [early on] adv (1928): at or during an early point or stage
          <the reasons were obvious early on in the experiment>
          usage This adverb is sometimes objected to in American
          writing as an obtrusive Briticism. It is a relative newcomer
          to the language, having arisen in British English around
          1928. It seems to have filled a need, however. It came
          into frequent use in American English in the late 1960s
          and is now well established on both sides of the Atlantic
          in both speech and writing.

   earlywood
          [ear.ly.wood] n (ca. 1914): springwood

   [1]earmark
          [ear.mark] n (15c) 1: a mark of identification on the ear
          of an animal 2: a distinguishing mark <all the ~s of
          poverty> [2]earmark vt (1591) 1 a: to mark (livestock)
          with an earmark b: to mark in a distinguishing manner
          2: to designate (as funds) for a specific use or owner

   earmuff
          [ear.muff] n (1889): one of a pair of ear coverings connected
          by a flexible band and worn as protection against cold
          or noises

   [1]earn
          [earn] vt [ME ernen, fr. OE earnian; akin to OHG arnon to
          reap, Czech jesen autumn] (bef. 12c) 1 a: to receive
          as return for effort and esp. for work done or services
          rendered b: to bring in by way of return <bonds ~ing
          10% interest> 2 a: to come to be duly worthy of or entitled
          or suited to <she ~ed a promotion> b: to make worthy
          of or obtain for <the suggestion ~ed him a promotion>
          -- earn.er n [2]earn vi [prob. alter. of yearn] (1599)
          obs: grieve

   earned run
          [earned run] n (1886): a run in baseball that scores without
          benefit of an error before the fielding team has had
          a chance to make the third putout of the inning

   earned run average
          [earned run average] n (1947): the average number of earned
          runs per game scored against a pitcher in baseball determined
          by dividing the total of earned runs scored against him
          by the total number of innings pitched and multiplying
          by nine

   [1]earnest
          [ear.nest] n [ME ernest, fr. OE eornost; akin to OHG ernust
          earnest] (bef. 12c): a serious and intent mental state
          <in ~> [2]earnest adj (bef. 12c) 1: characterized by
          or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind
          2: grave, important syn see serious -- ear.nest.ly adv
          -- ear.nest.ness n [3]earnest n [ME ernes, ernest, fr.
          OF erres, pl. of erre earnest, fr. L arra, short for
          arrabo, fr. Gk arrhabon, of Sem origin; akin to Heb 'erabhon
          pledge] (13c) 1: something of value given by a buyer
          to a seller to bind a bargain 2: a token of what is to
          come: pledge

   earnings
          [earn.ings] n pl (1732) 1: something (as wages) earned 2:
          the balance of revenue after deduction of costs and expenses

   earphone
          [ear.phone] n (1924): a device that converts electrical energy
          into sound waves and is worn over or inserted into the
          ear

   ear pick
          [ear pick] n (14c): a device often of precious metal for
          removing wax or foreign bodies from the ear

   earpiece
          [ear.piece] n (1853) 1: a part of an instrument (as a stethoscope
          or hearing aid) which is applied to the ear; esp: earphone
          2: one of the two sidepieces that support eyeglasses
          by passing over or behind the ears

   earplug
          [ear.plug] n (1904) 1: an ornament inserted in the lobe of
          the ear esp. to distend it 2: a device of pliable material
          for insertion into the outer opening of the ear (as to
          keep out water or deaden sound)

   earring
          [ear.ring] n (bef. 12c): an ornament for the earlobe

   ear rot
          [ear rot] n (1926): a condition of Indian corn that
          is characterized by molding and decay of the ears and that
          is caused by fungi (genera Diplodia, Fusarium, or Gibberella)

   ear shell
          [ear shell] n (ca. 1753): abalone

   earshot
          [ear.shot] n (1607): the range within which the unaided voice
          may be heard

   earsplitting
          [ear.split.ting] adj (1884): distressingly loud or shrill
          syn see loud

   [1]earth
          [earth] n [ME erthe, fr. OE eorthe; akin to OHG erda earth,
          Gk era] (bef. 12c) 1: the fragmental material composing
          part of the surface of the globe; esp: cultivable soil
          2: the sphere of mortal life as distinguished from spheres
          of spirit life--compare heaven, hell 3 a: areas of land
          as distinguished from sea and air b: the solid footing
          formed of soil: ground 4 often cap: the planet on which
          we live that is third in order from the sun 5 a: the
          people of the planet Earth b: the mortal human body c:
          the pursuits, interests, and pleasures of earthly life
          as distinguished from spiritual concerns 6: the lair
          of a burrowing animal 7: an excessive amount of money--used
          with the <real suede, which costs the ~ to clean --Joanne
          Winship> -- earth.like adj -- on earth --used as an intensive
          <to find out what on earth he was up to --Michael Holroyd>
          [2]earth vt (1575) 1: to drive to hiding in the earth
          2: to draw soil about (plants)--often used with up 3
          chiefly Brit: ground 3 ~ vi, of a hunted animal: to hide
          in the ground

   earthborn
          [earth.born] adj (1667) 1: born on this earth: mortal 2:
          associated with earthly life <~ cares>

   earthbound
          [earth.bound] adj (1605) 1 a: fast in or to the soil <~ roots>
          b: located on or restricted to land or to the surface
          of the earth 2 a: bound by earthly interests b: pedestrian,
          unimaginative

   earth color
          [earth color] n (1931): earth tone

   earthen
          [earth.en] adj (13c) 1: made of earth 2: earthly

   earthenware
          [earth.en.ware] n (1648): ceramic ware made of slightly porous
          opaque clay fired at low heat

   earthily
          [earth.i.ly] adv (1953): in an earthy manner

   earthlight
          [earth.light] n (1833): earthshine

   earthling
          [earth.ling] n (1593) 1: an inhabitant of the earth 2: worldling

   earthly
          [earth.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: characteristic of or belonging
          to this earth b: relating to man's actual life on this
          earth 2: possible <there is no ~ reason for such behavior>
          -- earth.li.ness n syn earthly, worldly, mundane mean
          belonging to or characteristic of the earth. earthly
          often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual
          <abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent>. worldly
          and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns
          and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible
          personal gain or gratification <worldly goods> and mundane
          suggesting reference to the immediate and practical <a
          mundane discussion of finances>.

   earth mother
          [earth mother] n, often cap E&M (1902) 1: the earth viewed
          (as in primitive theology) as the divine source of terrestrial
          life 2: the embodiment of the female principle of fertility:
          a nurturing maternal woman

   earthmover
          [earth.mov.er] n (1941): a machine (as a bulldozer) for excavating,
          pushing, or transporting large quantities of earth (as in road
          building) -- earth.mov.ing n

   earthquake
          [earth.quake] n (14c) 1: a shaking or trembling of the earth
          that is volcanic or tectonic in origin 2: upheaval 2

   earthrise
          [earth.rise] n (1968): the rising of the earth above the
          horizon of the moon as seen from lunar orbit

   earth science
          [earth science] n (1939): any of the sciences (as geology,
          meteorology, or oceanography) that deal with the earth
          or with one or more of its parts--compare geoscience
          -- earth scientist n

   earthshaker
          [earth.shak.er] n (1953): one that is earthshaking

   earthshaking
          [earth.shak.ing] adj (1948): of great importance: momentous
          -- earth.shak.ing.ly adv

   earth-shattering
          [earth-shat.ter.ing] adj (1970): earthshaking

   earth-sheltered
          [earth-shel.tered] adj (1979): built partly or mostly underground
          <an ~ house>

   earthshine
          [earth.shine] n (1876): sunlight reflected by the earth that
          illuminates the dark part of the moon--called also earthlight

   earthstar
          [earth.star] n (1885): any of a genus (Geastrum) of globose
          basidiomycetous fungi with an outer peridium that splits
          into the shape of a star

   earth station
          [earth station] n (1970): dish 3a(2); esp: one used primarily
          for receiving and transmitting television signals

   earth tone
          [earth tone] n (1973): any of various rich colors containing
          some brown

   earthward
          [earth.ward] also earth.wards adv (14c): toward the earth

   earthwork
          [earth.work] n (1633) 1: an embankment or other construction
          made of earth; esp: one used as a field fortification
          2: the operations connected with excavations and embankments
          of earth 3: a work of art consisting of a portion of
          land modified by an artist

   earthworm
          [earth.worm] n (14c): a terrestrial annelid worm (class
          Oligochaeta); esp: any of a family (Lumbricidae) of numerous widely
          distributed hermaphroditic worms that move through the soil
          by means of setae

   earthy
          [earthy] adj earth.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: of, relating to,
          or consisting of earth <~ creatures like worms> b: suggestive
          of earth (as in texture, odor, or color) <an ~ yellow>
          c: rough, coarse, or plain in taste <~ flavors> 2 a archaic:
          earthly, worldly b: characteristic of or associated with
          mortal life on the earth <prefers ~ to ethereal themes>
          3: suggestive of plain or poor people or their ways:
          as a: practical, down-to-earth <~ problems of daily life>
          b: crude, gross <~ humor> c: plain and simple in style:
          unsophisticated <~ peasant cookery> <~ decor> <~ clothes>
          -- earth.i.ness n

   earwax
          [ear.wax] n (14c): cerumen

   [1]earwig
          [ear.wig] n [ME erwigge, fr. OE earwicga, fr. eare ear +
          wicga insect] (bef. 12c): any of numerous insects (order
          Dermaptera) having slender many-jointed antennae and
          a pair of cerci resembling forceps at the end of the
          body [2]earwig vt ear.wigged ; ear.wig.ging (1837): to
          annoy or attempt to influence by private talk

   earwitness
          [ear.wit.ness] n (1594): one who overhears something; esp:
          one who gives a report on what has been heard

   [1]ease
          [ease] n [ME ese, fr. OF aise convenience, comfort, fr. L
          adjacent-, adjacens neighboring--more at adjacent] (13c)
          1: the state of being comfortable: as a: freedom from
          pain or discomfort b: freedom from care c: freedom from
          labor or difficulty d: freedom from embarrassment or
          constraint: naturalness e: an easy fit 2: relief from
          discomfort or obligation 3: facility, effortlessness
          4: an act of easing or a state of being eased -- ease.ful
          adj -- ease.ful.ly adv -- at ease 1: free from pain or
          discomfort 2 a: free from restraint or formality b: standing
          silently (as in a military formation) with the feet apart,
          the right foot in place, and one or both hands behind
          the body--often used as a command [2]ease vb eased ;
          eas.ing vt (14c) 1: to free from something that pains,
          disquiets, or burdens 2: to make less painful: alleviate
          <~ his suffering> 3 a: to lessen the pressure or tension
          of esp. by slackening, lifting, or shifting b: to maneuver
          gently or carefully c: to moderate or reduce esp. in
          amount or intensity 4: to make less difficult <~ credit>
          5 a: to put the helm of (a ship) alee b: to let (a helm
          or rudder) come back a little after having been put hard
          over ~ vi 1: to give freedom or relief 2: to move or
          pass with freedom or with little resistance 3: moderate,
          slacken

   easel
          [ea.sel] n [D ezel, lit., ass, fr. MD esel; akin to OE esol
          ass; both fr. a prehistoric EGmc-WGmc word borrowed fr.
          L asinus ass] (1596): a frame for supporting something
          (as an artist's canvas)

   easement
          [ease.ment] n (14c) 1: an act or means of easing or relieving
          (as from discomfort) 2: an interest in land owned by
          another that entitles its holder to a specific limited
          use or enjoyment

   easily
          [eas.i.ly] adv (13c) 1: in an easy manner: without difficulty
          2: without question: by far 3: well 10b <it could ~ have
          been me>

   [1]east
          [east] adv [ME est, fr. OE east; akin to OHG ostar to the
          east, L aurora dawn, Gk eos, heos] (bef. 12c): to, toward,
          or in the east [2]east adj (bef. 12c) 1: situated toward
          or at the east <an ~ window> 2: coming from the east
          <an ~ wind> [3]east n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the general direction
          of sunrise: the direction toward the right of one facing
          north b: the compass point directly opposite to west
          2 cap a: regions lying to the east of a specified or
          implied point of orientation b: regions having a culture
          derived from ancient non-European esp. Asian areas 3:
          the altar end of a church 4 often cap a: the one of four
          positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the east
          or at the right of a diagram b: a person (as a bridge
          player) occupying this position in the course of a specified
          activity

   eastbound
          [east.bound] adj (1880): traveling or heading east

   east by north
          [east by north] (1594): a compass point that is one point
          north of due east : N78 degrees 45 minutes E

   east by south
          [east by south] (14c): a compass point that is one point
          south of due east: S78 degrees 45 minutes E

   East Caribbean dollar
          [East Caribbean dollar] n (ca. 1974): the basic monetary
          unit shared by a number of islands of the British West
          Indies

   Easter
          [Eas.ter] n [ME estre, fr. OE eastre; akin to OHG ostarun
          (pl.) Easter, OE east east] (bef. 12c): a feast that
          commemorates Christ's resurrection and is observed with
          variations of date due to different calendars on the
          first Sunday after the paschal full moon

   Easter egg
          [Easter egg] n (1804): an egg that is dyed and sometimes
          decorated and that is associated with the celebration
          of Easter

   Easter lily
          [Easter lily] n (1877): any of several white cultivated lilies
          (esp. Lilium longiflorum) that bloom in early spring

   [1]easterly
          [east.er.ly] adj or adv [obs. easter (eastern)] (1548) 1:
          situated toward or belonging to the east <the ~ shore
          of the lake> 2: coming from the east <an ~ storm> [2]easterly
          n, pl -lies (1901): a wind from the east

   Easter Monday
          [Easter Monday] n (14c): the Monday after Easter observed
          as a legal holiday in some nations of the Commonwealth
          and in No. Carolina

   eastern
          [east.ern] adj [ME estern, fr. OE easterne; akin to OHG ostroni
          eastern, OE east east] (bef. 12c) 1 cap: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated
          East 2 cap a: of, relating to, or being the Christian
          churches originating in the church of the Eastern Roman
          Empire b: eastern orthodox 3 a: lying toward the east
          b: coming from the east <an ~ wind> -- east.ern.most
          adj

   Easterner
          [East.ern.er] n (1840): a native or inhabitant of the East;
          esp: a native or resident of the eastern part of the
          U.S.

   eastern hemisphere
          [eastern hemisphere] n, often cap E&H (1624): the half of
          the earth east of the Atlantic Ocean including Europe,
          Asia, Australia, and Africa

   Eastern Orthodox
          [Eastern Orthodox] adj (1909): of or consisting of the Eastern
          churches that form a loose federation according primacy
          of honor to the patriarch of Constantinople and adhering
          to the decisions of the first seven ecumenical councils
          and to the Byzantine rite

   eastern time
          [eastern time] n, often cap E (1883): the time of the 5th
          time zone west of Greenwich that includes the eastern
          U.S.--see time zone illustration

   eastern white pine
          [eastern white pine] n (1925): white pine 1a

   Eastertide
          [Eas.ter.tide] n [ME estertide, fr. OE eastortid, fr. eastor
          + tid time--more at tide] (bef. 12c): the period from
          Easter to Ascension Day, to Whitsunday, or to Trinity
          Sunday

   East Germanic
          [East Germanic] n (ca. 1901): a subdivision of the Germanic
          languages that includes Gothic

   easting
          [east.ing] n (1628) 1: easterly progress 2: difference in
          longitude to the east from the last preceding point of
          reckoning

   east-northeast
          [east-northeast] n (1725): a compass point that is two points
          north of due east: N67 degrees 30 minutes E

   east-southeast
          [east-southeast] n (1555): a compass point that is two points
          south of due east: S67 degrees 30 minutes E

   [1]eastward
          [east.ward] adv or adj (bef. 12c): toward the east -- east.wards
          adv [2]eastward n (1695): eastward direction or part
          <sail to the ~>

   [1]easy
          [easy] adj eas.i.er ; -est [ME esy, fr. OF aaisie, pp. of
          aaisier to ease, fr. a- ad- (fr. L ad-) + aise ease]
          (13c) 1 a: causing or involving little difficulty or
          discomfort <no ~ task> <within ~ reach> b: requiring
          or indicating little effort, thought, or reflection <~
          cliches> <~ mediocrity> 2 a: not severe: lenient b: not
          steep or abrupt <~ slopes> c: not difficult to endure
          or undergo <an ~ penalty> d: readily taken advantage
          of <an ~ target for takeovers> e (1): readily available:
          easily come by <~ pickings> (2): plentiful in supply
          at low or declining interest rates <~ money> (3): less
          in demand and usu. lower in price <bonds were easier>
          f: pleasant <~ listening> <~ on the eyes> 3 a: marked
          by peace and comfort <the ~ life of a courtier> b: not
          hurried or strenuous <an ~ pace> <an ~ flick of the wrist>
          4 a: free from pain, annoyance, or anxiety <did all she
          could to make him easier> b: marked by social ease <an
          air of ~ assurance> c: easygoing <an ~ disposition> 5
          a: giving ease, comfort, or relaxation <~ chairs> b:
          not burdensome or straitened <bought on ~ terms> <living
          in ~ circumstances> c: fitting comfortably: allowing
          freedom of movement <~ jackets> d: marked by ready facility
          <an ~ flowing style> e: felt or attained to readily,
          naturally, and spontaneously <an ~ smile> -- eas.i.ness
          n syn easy, facile, simple, light, effortless, smooth
          mean not demanding effort or involving difficulty. easy
          is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks
          or to activity required by such tasks <an easy college
          course> <an easy marker>. facile often adds to easy the
          connotation of undue haste or shallowness <facile answers
          to complex questions>. simple stresses ease in understanding
          or dealing with because complication is absent <a simple
          problem in arithmetic>. light stresses freedom from what
          is burdensome <a light teaching load> <light reading>.
          effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usu. implies
          the prior attainment of artistry or expertness <moving
          with effortless grace>. smooth stresses the absence or
          removal of all difficulties, hardships, or obstacles
          <a smooth ride> <a smooth transition to the new administration>.
          syn see in addition comfortable [2]easy adv eas.i.er
          ; -est (14c) 1: easily 1 <promises come ~> 2 a: without
          undue speed or excitement <take it ~> b: in or with moderation
          <go ~ on the mustard> 3 a: without worry or care <rest
          ~> b: without a severe penalty <got off ~> c: without
          violent movement <the boat rode ~> 4: easily 2 <cost
          $500 ~>

   easygoing
          [easy.go.ing] adj (1674) 1 a: relaxed and casual in style
          or manner <an ~ boss> <living in ... ~ bohemian squalor
          --Edmund Wilson> b: morally lax 2: unhurried, comfortable
          <an ~ pace> -- easy.go.ing.ness n

   easy mark
          [easy mark] n (ca. 1896): one easily taken advantage of

   easy street
          [easy street] n (1900): a situation with no worries

   easy virtue
          [easy virtue] n (1809): sexually promiscuous behavior or
          habits <ladies of easy virtue>

   [1]eat
          [eat] vb ate ; eat.en ; eat.ing [ME eten, fr. OE etan; akin
          to OHG ezzan to eat, L edere, Gk edmenai] vt (bef. 12c)
          1: to take in through the mouth as food: ingest, chew,
          and swallow in turn 2 a: to destroy, consume, or waste
          by or as if by eating <expenses ate up the profits> b:
          to bear the expense of: take a loss on 3 a: to consume
          gradually: corrode b: to consume with vexation: bother
          <what's ~ing you now> ~ vi 1: to take food or a meal
          2: to affect something by gradual destruction or consumption--usu.
          used with into, away, or at -- eat.er n -- eat another's lunch
          : to deprive of profit, dominance, or success -- eat crow
          : to accept what one has fought against -- eat humble pie
          : to ap ologize or retract under pressure -- eat one's heart out
          1: to grieve bitterly 2: to be jealous -- eat one's words
          : to retract what one has said -- eat out of one's hand : to accept
          the domination of another [2]eat n [ME et, fr. OE aet; akin to OHG
          az food; derivative fr. the root of [1]eat] (bef. 12c): something
          to eat: food--usu. used in pl.

   [1]eatable
          [eat.able] adj (14c): fit or able to be eaten [2]eatable
          n (1672) 1: something to eat 2 pl: food

   eatery
          [eat.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1901): luncheonette, restaurant

   eath
          [eath] adv or adj [ME ethe, fr. OE eathe; akin to OHG odi
          easy] (bef. 12c) Scot: easy

   eating
          [eat.ing] adj (15c) 1: used for eating <~ utensils> 2: suitable
          to eat <the finest ~ fish>; also: suitable to eat raw
          <an ~ apple>

   eau de cologne
          [eau de co.logne] n, pl eaux de cologne [F, lit., Cologne
          water, fr. Cologne, Germany] (1802): cologne

   eau-de-vie
          [eau-de-vie] n, pl eaux-de-vie [F, lit., water of life, trans.
          of ML aqua vitae] (1748): a clear brandy distilled from
          the fermented juice of fruit (as pears or raspberries)

   eaves
          [eaves] n pl [ME eves (sing.), fr. OE efes; akin to OHG obasa
          portico, OE up up--more at up] (bef. 12c) 1: the lower
          border of a roof that overhangs the wall 2: a projecting
          edge (as of a hill)

   eavesdrop
          [eaves.drop] vi [prob. back-formation fr. eavesdropper, lit.,
          one standing under the drip from the eaves] (1606): to
          listen secretly to what is said in private -- eaves.drop.per
          n

   eaves trough
          [eaves trough] n (1878): gutter 1a

   eb...
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   EB
          [EB] abbreviation eastbound

   [1]ebb
          [ebb] n [ME ebbe, fr. OE ebba; akin to MD ebbe ebb, OE of
          from--more at of] (bef. 12c) 1: the reflux of the tide
          toward the sea 2: a point or condition of decline <our
          spirits were at a low ~> [2]ebb vi (bef. 12c) 1: to recede
          from the flood 2: to fall from a higher to a lower level
          or from a better to a worse state syn see abate

   ebb tide
          [ebb tide] n (ca. 1828) 1: the tide while ebbing or at ebb
          2: a period or state of decline

   EBC
          [EBC] abbreviation Educational Broadcasting Corporation

   EBCDIC
          [EBCDIC] n [extended binary coded decimal interchange code]
          (ca. 1966): a code for representing alphanumeric information
          (as on magnetic tape)

   ebon
          [eb.on] adj (15c): ebony

   ebonite
          [eb.o.nite] n (1861): hard rubber esp. when black

   ebonize
          [eb.o.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (ca. 1828): to stain black
          in imitation of ebony

   [1]ebony
          [eb.o.ny] n, pl -nies [prob. fr. LL hebeninus of ebony, fr.
          Gk ebeninos, fr. ebenos ebony, fr. Egypt hbnj] (14c)
          1: a hard heavy wood yielded by various Old World tropical
          dicotyledonous trees (genus Diospyros of the family Ebonaceae,
          the ebony family) 2 a: a tree yielding ebony b: any of
          several trees yielding wood like ebony [2]ebony adj (1598)
          1: made of or resembling ebony 2: black, dark

   ebullience
          [ebul.lience] n (1749): the quality of lively or enthusiastic
          expression of thoughts or feelings: exuberance

   ebulliency
          [ebul.lien.cy] n (1676): ebullience

   ebullient
          [ebul.lient] adj [L ebullient-, ebulliens, prp. of ebullire
          to bubble out, fr. e- + bullire to bubble, boil--more
          at boil] (1599) 1: boiling, agitated 2: characterized
          by ebullience -- ebul.lient.ly adv

   ebullition
          [eb.ul.li.tion] n (1534) 1: a sudden violent outburst or
          display 2: the act, process, or state of boiling or bubbling
          up

   EBV
          [EBV] abbreviation Epstein-Barr virus

   EB virus
          [EB virus] n (1968): epstein-barr virus

   ec...
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   EC
          [EC] abbreviation European Community

   [1]eccentric
          [ec.cen.tric] adj [ME, fr. ML eccentricus, fr. Gk ekkentros,
          fr. ex out of + kentron center] (ca. 1630) 1 a: deviating
          from an established or usual pattern or style b: deviating
          from conventional or accepted usage or conduct esp. in
          odd or whimsical ways 2 a: deviating from a circular
          path; esp: elliptical 1 <an ~ orbit> b: located elsewhere
          than at the geometrical center; also: having the axis
          or support so located <an ~ wheel> syn see strange --
          ec.cen.tri.cal.ly adv [2]eccentric n (1827) 1: a mechanical
          device consisting of a disk through which a shaft is
          keyed eccentrically and a circular strap which works
          freely round the rim of the disk for communicating its
          motion to one end of a rod whose other end is constrained
          to move in a straight line so as to produce reciprocating
          motion 2: an eccentric person

   eccentricity
          [ec.cen.tric.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1545) 1 a: the quality or
          state of being eccentric b: deviation from an established
          pattern or norm; esp: odd or whimsical behavior 2 a:
          a mathematical constant that for a given conic section
          is the ratio of the distances from any point of the conic
          section to a focus and the corresponding directrix b:
          the eccentricity of an astronomical orbit used as a measure
          of its deviation from circularity

   ecce signum
          [ec.ce sig.num] [L] foreign term : behold the sign: look
          at the proof

   ecchymosis
          [ec.chy.mo.sis] n, pl -mo.ses [NL, fr. Gk ekchymosis, fr.
          ekchymousthai to extravasate blood, fr. ex- + chymos
          juice--more at chyme] (1541): the escape of blood into
          the tissues from ruptured blood vessels -- ec.chy.mot.ic
          adj

   eccl
          [eccl] abbreviation ecclesiastic, ecclesiastical

   Eccles
          [Eccles] abbreviation Ecclesiastes

   ecclesi-
          [ecclesi-] or ecclesio- comb form [ME ecclesi-, fr. LL ecclesia,
          fr. Gk ekklesia assembly of citizens, church, fr. ekkalein
          to call forth, summon, fr. ex- + kalein to call--more
          at low]: church <ecclesiology>

   ecclesial
          [ec.cle.si.al] adj (1641): of or relating to a church

   Ecclesiastes
          [Ec.cle.si.as.tes] n [Gk Ekklesiastes, lit., preacher (trans.
          of Heb qoheleth), fr. ekklesiastes member of an assembly,
          fr. ekklesia]: a book of wisdom literature in canonical
          Jewish and Christian Scripture

   [1]ecclesiastic
          [ec.cle.si.as.tic] adj (15c): ecclesiastical [2]ecclesiastic
          n (1651): clergyman

   ecclesiastical
          [ec.cle.si.as.ti.cal] adj [ME, fr. LL ecclesiasticus, fr.
          LGk ekklesiastikos, fr. Gk, of an assembly of citizens,
          fr. ekklesiastes] (15c) 1: of or relating to a church
          esp. as a formal and established institution <~ law>
          2: suitable for use in a church <~ vestments> --
          ec.cle.si.as.ti.cal.ly adv

   ecclesiasticism
          [ec.cle.si.as.ti.cism] n (ca. 1859): excessive attachment
          to ecclesiastical forms and practices

   Ecclesiasticus
          [Ec.cle.si.as.ti.cus] n [LL, fr. ecclesiasticus]: a didactic
          book included in the Protestant Apocrypha and as Sirach
          in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament

   ecclesiology
          [ec.cle.si.ol.o.gy] n, pl -gies (ca. 1837) 1: the study of
          church architecture and adornment 2: theological doctrine
          relating to the church -- ec.cle.si.o.log.i.cal adj --
          ec.cle.si.ol.o.gist n

   Ecclus
          [Ecclus] abbreviation Ecclesiasticus

   eccrine gland
          [ec.crine gland] n [Gk ekkrinein to secrete, fr. ek-, ex-
          out + krinein to separate--more at certain] (ca. 1927):
          any of the rather small sweat glands in the human skin
          that produce a fluid secretion without removing cytoplasm
          from the secretory cells--called also eccrine sweat gland

   ecdysiast
          [ec.dys.i.ast] n [Gk ekdysis] (1940): stripteaser

   ecdysis
          [ec.dy.sis] n, pl ec.dy.ses [NL, fr. Gk ekdysis act of getting
          out, fr. ekdyein to strip, fr. ex- + dyein to enter,
          don] (ca. 1854): the act of molting or shedding an outer
          cuticular layer (as in insects and crustaceans)

   ecdysone
          [ec.dy.sone] also ec.dy.son n [ISV ecdysis + hormone] (1956):
          any of several arthropod hormones that in insects are
          produced by the prothoracic gland and that trigger molting
          and metamorphosis

   ecesis
          [ece.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk oikesis inhabitation, fr. oikein
          to inhabit--more at ecumenical] (ca. 1904): the establishment
          of a plant or animal in a new habitat

   ECG
          [ECG] abbreviation electrocardiogram

   echelle
          [echelle] n [F, lit., ladder, fr. OF eschele] (1949): a diffraction
          grating made by ruling a plane metallic mirror with lines having
          a relatively wide spacing

   [1]echelon
          [ech.e.lon] n [F echelon, lit., rung of a ladder, fr. OF
          eschelon, fr. eschele ladder, fr. LL scala] (1796) 1
          a (1): an arrangement of a body of troops with its units
          each somewhat to the left or right of the one in the
          rear like a series of steps (2): a formation of units
          or individuals resembling such an echelon (3): a flight
          formation in which each airplane flies at a certain elevation
          above or below and at a certain distance behind and to
          the right or left of the airplane ahead b: any of several
          military units in echelon formation 2 a: one of a series
          of levels or grades (as of leadership or responsibility)
          in an organization or field of activity b: a group of
          individuals at a particular level or grade in an organization
          [2]echelon vt (ca. 1860): to form or arrange in an echelon
          ~ vi: to take position in an echelon

   echeveria
          [ech.e.ve.ria] n [NL, genus name, after Atanasio Echeverria
          fl 1771 Mex. botanical illustrator] (1883): any of a
          large genus (Echeveria) of tropical American succulent
          plants of the orpine family that have showy rosettes
          of often plushy basal leaves and axillary clusters of
          flowers with erect petals and that are often grown as
          ornamentals

   echidna
          [echid.na] n [NL, fr. L, viper, fr. Gk--more at ophitic]
          (1832): an oviparous spiny-coated toothless burrowing
          nocturnal monotreme mammal (Tachyglossus aculeatus) of
          Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea that has a long extensile
          tongue and long heavy claws and that feeds chiefly on
          ants; also: a related mammal (Zaglossus bruijni) of New
          Guinea having a longer snout and shorter spines

   echin-
          [echin-] or echino- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. echinos sea
          urchin] 1: prickle <echinoderm> 2: sea urchin <echinoid>

   echinococcosis
          [echi.no.coc.co.sis] n, pl -co.ses [NL] (1900): infestation
          with or disease caused by an echinococcus (as Echinococcus
          granulosus)

   echinococcus
          [echi.no.coc.cus] n, pl -coc.ci [NL, genus name] (1839):
          any of a genus (Echinococcus) of tapeworms that alternate
          a minute adult living as a commensal in the intestine
          of carnivores with a hydatid larva invading tissues esp.
          of the liver of cattle, sheep, swine, and humans and
          acting as a dangerous pathogen

   echinoderm
          [echi.no.derm] n [NL Echinodermata, phylum name, fr. echin-
          + -dermata (fr. Gk derma skin)] (1835): any of a phylum
          (Echinodermata) of radially symmetrical coelomate marine
          animals including the starfishes, sea urchins, and related
          forms -- echi.no.der.ma.tous adj

   echinoid
          [echi.noid] n (1864): sea urchin

   echinus
          [echi.nus] n, pl -ni [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk echinos hedgehog,
          sea urchin--more at ophite] (14c) 1: sea urchin 2 a:
          the rounded molding forming the bell of the capital in
          the Greek Doric order b: a similar member in other orders

   echiuroid
          [echi.uroid] n [NL Echiuroidea or Echiura, ultim. fr. Gk
          echis viper + oura tail] (ca. 1889): any of a taxon (class
          Echiuroidea or phylum Echiura) of marine worms of uncertain
          taxonomic affinities that have a sensitive but nonretractile
          proboscis above the mouth

   [1]echo
          [echo] n, pl ech.oes also echos [ME ecco, fr. MF & L; MF
          echo, fr. L, fr. Gk echo; akin to L vagire to wail, Gk
          eche sound] (14c) 1 a: the repetition of a sound caused
          by reflection of sound waves b: the sound due to such
          reflection 2 a: a repetition or imitation of another:
          reflection b: repercussion, result c: trace, vestige
          d: response 3: one who closely imitates or repeats another's
          words, ideas, or acts 4: a soft repetition of a musical
          phrase 5 a: the repetition of a received radio signal
          due esp. to reflection of part of the wave from an ionized
          layer of the atmosphere b (1): the reflection of transmitted
          radar signals by an object (2): the visual indication
          of this reflection on a radarscope -- echo.ey adj [2]echo
          vb ech.oed ; echo.ing vi (1596) 1: to resound with echoes
          2: to produce an echo ~ vt 1: repeat, imitate 2: to send
          back (a sound) by the reflection of sound waves [1]Echo
          n [Gk Echo]: a nymph in Greek mythology who pines away
          for love of Narcissus until nothing is left of her but
          her voice [2]Echo (ca. 1952)--a communications code word
          for the letter e

   echocardiogram
          [echo.car.dio.gram] n (1967): a visual record made
          by echocardiography

   echocardiography
          [echo.car.di.og.ra.phy] n, pl -phies (1965): the use of ultrasound
          to examine the structure and functioning of the heart for
          abnormalities and disease -- echo.car.di.og.raph.er n
          -- echo.car.dio.graph.ic adj

   echo chamber
          [echo chamber] n (ca. 1937): a room with sound-reflecting
          walls used for producing hollow or echoing sound effects

   echoic
          [echo.ic] adj (ca. 1880) 1: formed in imitation of some natural
          sound: onomatopoeic 2: of or relating to an echo

   echolalia
          [echo.la.lia] n [NL] (ca. 1885): the often pathological repetition
          of what is said by other people as if echoing them -- echo.lal.ic
          adj

   echolocation
          [echo.lo.ca.tion] n (ca. 1944): a physiological process for
          locating distant or invisible objects (as prey) by means
          of sound waves reflected back to the emitter (as a bat)
          by the objects

   echo sounder
          [echo sounder] n (1927): an instrument for determining the
          depth of a body of water or of an object below the surface
          by sound waves

   echovirus
          [echo.vi.rus] n [enteric cytopathogenic human orphan + virus]
          (1955): any of a group of picornaviruses that are found
          in the gastrointestinal tract, that cause cytopathic
          changes in cells in tissue culture, and that are sometimes
          associated with respiratory ailments and meningitis

   eclair
          [eclair] n [F, lit., lightning] (1861): a usu. chocolate-frosted
          oblong light pastry with whipped cream or custard filling

   eclaircissement
          [eclair.cis.se.ment] n, pl -ments [F] (1667): a clearing
          up of something obscure: enlightenment

   eclampsia
          [eclamp.sia] n [NL, fr. Gk eklampsis sudden flashing, fr.
          eklampein to shine forth, fr. ex- out + lampein to shine]
          (ca. 1860): a convulsive state; esp: an attack of convulsions
          during pregnancy or parturition -- eclamp.tic adj

   eclat
          [eclat] n [F, splinter, burst, eclat] (1672) 1: ostentatious
          display: publicity 2: dazzling effect: brilliance 3 a:
          brilliant or conspicuous success b: praise, applause

   [1]eclectic
          [eclec.tic] adj [Gk eklektikos, fr. eklegein to select, fr.
          ex- out + legein to gather--more at legend] (1683) 1:
          selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines,
          methods, or styles 2: composed of elements drawn from
          various sources; also: heterogeneous -- eclec.ti.cal.ly
          adv [2]eclectic n (1817): one who uses an eclectic method
          or approach

   eclecticism
          [eclec.ti.cism] n (1798) 1: the theory or practice of an
          eclectic method 2: a mid-19th-century movement in architecture
          and design that revived the styles of various historical
          periods

   [1]eclipse
          [eclipse] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L eclipsis, fr. Gk ekleipsis,
          fr. ekleipein to omit, fail, suffer eclipse, fr. ex-
          + leipein to leave--more at loan] (13c) 1 a: the total
          or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another
          b: the passing into the shadow of a celestial body--compare
          occultation, transit 2: a falling into obscurity or decline;
          also: the state of being eclipsed 3: the state of being
          in eclipse plumage [2]eclipse vt eclipsed ; eclips.ing
          (13c): to cause an eclipse of: as a: obscure, darken
          b: to reduce in importance or repute c: surpass

   eclipse plumage
          [eclipse plumage] n (1906): comparatively dull plumage that
          is usu. of seasonal occurrence in birds exhibiting a
          distinct breeding plumage

   [1]ecliptic
          [eclip.tic] adj [ME ecliptik, fr. LL ecliptica linea, lit.,
          line of eclipses] (14c): of or relating to the ecliptic
          or an eclipse [2]ecliptic n (15c): the great circle of
          the celestial sphere that is the apparent path of the
          sun among the stars or of the earth as seen from the
          sun: the plane of the earth's orbit extended to meet
          the celestial sphere

   eclogue
          [ec.logue] n [ME eclog, fr. L Eclogae, title of Virgil's
          pastorals, lit., selections, pl. of ecloga, fr. Gk ekloge,
          fr. eklegein to select] (15c): a poem in which shepherds
          converse

   eclosion
          [eclo.sion] n [F eclosion, fr. eclore to hatch, fr. (assumed)
          VL exclaudere, alter. of L excludere to hatch out, exclude]
          (ca. 1889) of an insect: the act of emerging from the
          pupal case or hatching from the egg

   ECM
          [ECM] abbreviation electronic countermeasure, European Common
          Market

   eco-
          [eco-] comb form [LL oeco- household, fr. Gk oik-, oiko-,
          fr. oikos house--more at vicinity] 1: habitat or environment
          <ecospecies> 2: ecological or environmental <ecocatastrophe>

   ecocatastrophe
          [eco.ca.tas.tro.phe] n (1969): a major destructive upset
          in the balance of nature esp. when caused by the intervention
          of humans

   ecol
          [ecol] abbreviation ecological, ecology

   ecology
          [ecol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [G Okologie, fr. oko- eco- + -logie
          -logy] (1873) 1: a branch of science concerned with the
          interrelationship of organisms and their environments
          2: the totality or pattern of relations between organisms
          and their environment 3: human ecology -- eco.log.i.cal
          also eco.log.ic adj -- eco.log.i.cal.ly adv -- ecol.o.gist
          n

   econ
          [econ] abbreviation economics, economist, economy

   econobox
          [econo.box] n [economical + [2]box] (1980): a small economical
          car

   econometrics
          [econo.met.rics] n pl but sing in constr [blend of economics
          and metric] (1933): the application of statistical methods
          to the study of economic data and problems -- econo.met.ric
          adj -- econo.met.ri.cal.ly adv -- econo.me.tri.cian n
          -- econo.met.rist n

   economic
          [eco.nom.ic] adj (1592) 1 archaic: of or relating to a household
          or its management 2: economical 2 3 a: of or relating
          to economics b: of, relating to, or based on the production,
          distribution, and consumption of goods and services c:
          of or relating to an economy 4: having practical or industrial
          significance or uses: affecting material resources 5:
          profitable

   economical
          [eco.nom.i.cal] adj (15c) 1 archaic: economic 1 2: marked
          by careful, efficient, and prudent use of resources:
          thrifty 3: operating with little waste or at a saving
          syn see sparing -- eco.nom.i.cal.ly adv

   economic rent
          [economic rent] n (1889): the return for the use of a factor
          in excess of the minimum required to bring forth its
          service

   economics
          [eco.nom.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1792) 1: a social
          science concerned chiefly with description and analysis
          of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods
          and services 2: economic aspect or significance

   economise
          [economise] Brit var of economize

   economist
          [econ.o.mist] n (1586) 1 archaic: one who practices economy
          2: a specialist in economics

   economize
          [econ.o.mize] vb -mized ; -miz.ing vi (1820): to practice
          economy: be frugal ~ vt: to use more economically: save
          -- econ.o.miz.er n

   [1]economy
          [econ.o.my] n, pl -mies [MF yconomie, fr. ML oeconomia, fr.
          Gk oikonomia, fr. oikonomos household manager, fr. oikos
          house + nemein to manage--more at vicinity, nimble] (15c)
          1 archaic: the management of household or private affairs
          and esp. expenses 2 a: thrifty and efficient use of material
          resources: frugality in expenditures; also: an instance
          or a means of economizing: saving b: efficient and concise
          use of nonmaterial resources (as effort, language, or
          motion) 3: the arrangement or mode of operation of something:
          organization 4: the structure of economic life in a country,
          area, or period; specif: an economic system [2]economy
          adj (ca. 1906): designed to save money <~ cars>

   economy of scale
          [economy of scale] (1957): a reduction in unit costs brought
          about esp. by increased size of production facilities--usu.
          used in pl.

   ecophysiology
          [eco.phys.i.ol.o.gy] n (1962): the science of the
          interrelationships between the physiology of organisms and their
          environment -- eco.phys.i.o.log.i.cal adj

   ecospecies
          [eco.spe.cies] n, pl ecospecies (1922): a subdivision of
          a cenospecies comparable with a taxonomic species and
          composed of interbreeding individuals that are less capable
          of fertile crosses with individuals of other subdivisions

   ecosphere
          [eco.sphere] n (1953): the parts of the universe habitable
          by living organisms; esp: biosphere 1

   ecosystem
          [eco.sys.tem] n (1935): the complex of a community of organisms
          and its environment functioning as an ecological unit
          in nature

   ecotone
          [eco.tone] n [ec- + Gk tonos tension--more at tone] (1904):
          a transition area between two adjacent ecological communities

   ecotype
          [eco.type] n (1922): a subdivision of an ecospecies that
          survives as a distinct group through environmental selection
          and isolation and that is comparable with a taxonomic
          subspecies -- eco.typ.ic adj

   ecrasez l'infame
          [ecra.sez l'in.fame] [F] foreign term : crush the infamous
          thing

   ecru
          [ecru] n [F ecru, lit., unbleached, raw, fr. OF escru, fr.
          es- completely (fr. L ex-) + cru raw, fr. L crudus--more
          at raw] (1850): beige 2 -- ecru adj

   ecstasy
          [ec.sta.sy] n, pl -sies [ME extasie, fr. MF, fr. LL ecstasis,
          fr. Gk ekstasis, fr. existanai to derange, fr. ex- out
          + histanai to cause to stand--more at ex-, stand] (14c)
          1 a: a state of being beyond reason and self-control
          b archaic: swoon 2: a state of overwhelming emotion;
          esp: rapturous delight 3: trance; esp: a mystic or prophetic
          trance 4: a synthetic amphetamine analogue used illicitly
          for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties
          syn ecstasy, rapture, transport mean intense exaltation
          of mind and feelings. ecstasy and rapture both suggest
          a state of trance or near immobility produced by an overpowering
          emotion. ecstasy may apply to any strong emotion (as
          joy, fear, rage, adoration) <religious ecstasy>. rapture
          usu. implies intense bliss or beatitude <in speechless
          rapture>. transport applies to any powerful emotion that
          lifts one out of oneself and usu. provokes vehement expression
          or frenzied action <in a transport of rage>.

   [1]ecstatic
          [ec.stat.ic] adj [ML ecstaticus, fr. Gk ekstatikos, fr. existanai]
          (1590): of, relating to, or marked by ecstasy -- ec.stat.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]ecstatic n (1659): one that is subject to ecstasies

   ECT
          [ECT] abbreviation electroconvulsive therapy

   ect-
          [ect-] or ecto- comb form [NL, fr. Gk ekto-, fr. ektos, fr.
          ex out--more at ex-]: outside: external <ectoderm>--compare
          end-, exo-

   ectoderm
          [ec.to.derm] n [ISV] (1861) 1: the outer cellular membrane
          of a diploblastic animal (as a jellyfish) 2 a: the outermost
          of the three primary germ layers of an embryo b: a tissue
          (as neural tissue) derived from this germ layer -- ec.to.der.mal
          adj

   ectomorph
          [ec.to.morph] n [ectoderm + -morph] (1940): an ectomorphic
          individual

   ectomorphic
          [ec.to.mor.phic] adj [ectoderm + -morphic; fr. the predominance
          in such types of structures developed from the ectoderm]
          (1940) 1: of or relating to the component in W. H. Sheldon's
          classification of body types that measures the body's
          degree of slenderness, angularity, and fragility 2: characterized
          by a light body build with slight muscular development

   -ectomy
          [-ec.to.my] n comb form [NL -ectomia, fr. Gk ektemnein to
          cut out, fr. ec-, ex- out + temnein to cut--more at tome]:
          surgical removal <gastrectomy>

   ectoparasite
          [ec.to.par.a.site] n [ISV] (1861): a parasite that lives
          on the exterior of its host -- ec.to.par.a.sit.ic adj

   ectopic
          [ec.top.ic] adj [Gk ektopos out of place, fr. ex- out + topos
          place] (1873): occurring in an abnormal position or in
          an unusual manner or form <~ lesions> <~ heartbeat> --
          ec.top.i.cal.ly adv

   ectopic pregnancy
          [ectopic pregnancy] n (1929): gestation elsewhere than in
          the uterus (as in a fallopian tube or in the peritoneal
          cavity)

   ectoplasm
          [ec.to.plasm] n (1883) 1: the outer relatively rigid granule-free
          layer of the cytoplasm usu. held to be a gel reversibly
          convertible to a sol 2: a substance held to produce spirit
          materialization and telekinesis -- ec.to.plas.mic adj

   ectotherm
          [ec.to.therm] n (1945): a cold-blooded animal: poikilotherm
          -- ec.to.ther.mic adj

   ectotrophic
          [ec.to.tro.phic] adj (ca. 1889) of a mycorrhiza: growing
          in a close web on the surface of the associated root--compare
          endotrophic

   [1]ecu
          [ecu] n, pl ecus [MF, lit., shield, fr. OF escu, fr. L scutum;
          from the device of a shield on the coin--more at esquire]
          (ca. 1593): any of various old French units of value;
          also: a coin representing an ecu [2]ecu n, often cap
          E&C&U [European Currency Unit (influenced by F ecu ecu)]
          (1970): a money of account based on the currency units
          of members of the European Community

   Ecua
          [Ecua] abbreviation Ecuador

   ecumenical
          [ec.u.men.i.cal] adj [LL oecumenicus, fr. LGk oikoumenikos,
          fr. Gk oikoumene the inhabited world, fr. fem. of oikoumenos,
          pres. pass. part. of oikein to inhabit, fr. oikos house--more
          at vicinity] (ca. 1587) 1: worldwide or general in extent,
          influence, or application 2 a: of, relating to, or representing
          the whole of a body of churches b: promoting or tending
          toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation --
          ec.u.men.i.cal.ly adv

   ecumenicalism
          [ec.u.men.i.cal.ism] n (1888): ecumenism

   ecumenical patriarch
          [ecumenical patriarch] n (1862): the patriarch of Constantinople
          as the dignitary given first honor in the Eastern Orthodox
          Church

   ecumenicism
          [ec.u.men.i.cism] n (1961): ecumenism -- ec.u.men.i.cist
          n

   ecumenicity
          [ec.u.me.nic.i.ty] n (1840): the quality or state of being
          drawn close to others esp. through Christian ecumenical
          feeling or action

   ecumenics
          [ec.u.men.ics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1937): the study
          of the nature, mission, problems, and strategy of the
          Christian church from the perspective of its ecumenical
          character

   ecumenism
          [ecu.me.nism] n (1948): ecumenical principles and practices
          esp. as shown among religious groups (as Christian denominations)
          -- ecu.me.nist n

   eczema
          [ec.ze.ma] n [NL, fr. Gk ekzema, fr. ekzein to erupt, fr.
          ex- out + zein to boil--more at ex-, yeast] (ca. 1753):
          an inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by
          redness, itching, and oozing vesicular lesions which
          become scaly, crusted, or hardened -- ec.zem.a.tous adj

   ed...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]-ed
          [-ed] vb suffix or adj suffix [ME, fr. OE -ed, -od, -ad;
          akin to OHG -t, pp. ending, L -tus, Gk -tos, suffix forming
          verbals] 1--used to form the past participle of regular
          weak verbs <ended> <faded> <tried> <patted> 2--used to
          form adjectives of identical meaning from Latin-derived
          adjectives ending in -ate <crenulated> 3 a: having: characterized
          by <cultured> <two-legged> b: having the characteristics
          of <bigoted> [2]-ed vb suffix [ME -ede, -de, fr. OE -de,
          -ede, -ode, -ade; akin to OHG -ta, past ending (1st sing.)
          and prob. to OHG -t, pp. ending]--used to form the past
          tense of regular weak verbs <judged> <denied> <dropped>

   ed
          [ed] abbreviation edited, edition, editor, education

   ed
          [ed] n (1954): education <driver's ~> <adult ~>

   edacious
          [eda.cious] adj [L edac-, edax, fr. edere to eat--more at
          eat] (ca. 1798) 1 archaic: of or relating to eating 2:
          voracious -- edac.i.ty n

   Edam
          [Edam] n [Edam, Netherlands] (1836): a yellow pressed cheese
          of Dutch origin usu. made in flattened balls and often
          coated with red wax

   edaphic
          [edaph.ic] adj [Gk edaphos bottom, ground] (ca. 1900) 1:
          of or relating to the soil 2: resulting from or influenced
          by the soil rather than the climate--compare climatic
          2 -- edaph.i.cal.ly adv

   edaphic climax
          [edaphic climax] n (ca. 1934): an ecological climax resulting
          from soil factors and commonly persisting through cycles
          of climatic and physiographic change--compare climatic
          climax

   EDB
          [EDB] abbreviation ethylene dibromide

   EdD
          [EdD] abbreviation doctor of education  EDD abbreviation
          English Dialect Dictionary

   Eddic
          [Ed.dic] adj [ON Edda, a 13th cent. collection of mythological,
          heroic, and aphoristic poetry] (1868): of, relating to,
          or resembling the Old Norse Edda

   [1]eddy
          [ed.dy] n, pl eddies [ME (Sc dial.) ydy, prob. fr. ON itha]
          (15c) 1 a: a current of water or air running contrary
          to the main current; esp: a circular current: whirlpool
          b: something moving similarly 2: a contrary or circular
          current (as of thought or policy) [2]eddy vb ed.died
          ; ed.dy.ing vt (1810): to cause to move in an eddy ~
          vi: to move in an eddy or in the manner of an eddy

   eddy current
          [eddy current] n (1887): an electric current induced by an
          alternating magnetic field

   edelweiss
          [edel.weiss] n [G, fr. edel noble + weiss white] (1862):
          a small perennial composite herb (Leontopodium alpinum)
          that has a dense woolly white pubescence and grows high
          in the Alps

   edema
          [ede.ma] n [NL, fr. Gk oidema swelling, fr. oidein to swell;
          akin to OE ator poison] (15c) 1: an abnormal infiltration
          and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective
          tissue or in a serous cavity--called also dropsy 2 a:
          watery swelling of plant organs or parts b: any of various
          plant diseases characterized by such swellings -- edem.a.tous
          adj

   Eden
          [Eden] n [LL, fr. Heb 'Edhen] (13c) 1: paradise 2 2: the
          garden where according to the account in Genesis Adam
          and Eve first lived -- Eden.ic adj

   [1]edentate
          [eden.tate] adj [L edentatus, pp. of edentare to make toothless,
          fr. e- + dent-, dens tooth--more at tooth] (1828) 1:
          lacking teeth 2: being an edentate [2]edentate n (1835):
          any of an order (Edentata) of mammals having few or no
          teeth and including the sloths, armadillos, and New World
          anteaters and formerly also the pangolins and the aardvark

   edentulous
          [eden.tu.lous] adj [L edentulus, fr. e- + dent-, dens] (1782):
          toothless

   Edgar
          [Ed.gar] n [Edgar Allan Poe, regarded as father of the detective
          story] (1947): a statuette awarded annually by a professional
          organization for notable achievement in mystery-novel
          writing

   [1]edge
          [edge] n [ME egge, fr. OE ecg; akin to L acer sharp, Gk akme
          point] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the cutting side of a blade b:
          the sharpness of a blade c (1): force, effectiveness
          <blunted the ~ of the legislation> (2): vigor or energy
          esp. of body <maintains his hard ~> d (1): incisive or
          penetrating quality <writing with a satirical ~> (2):
          a noticeably harsh or sharp quality <her voice had an
          ~ to it> e: keenness of desire or enjoyment <lost my
          competitive ~> <took the ~ off our appetites> 2 a: the
          line where an object or area begins or ends: border <on
          the ~ of a plain> b: the narrow part adjacent to a border
          <the ~ of the deck> c: a point near the beginning or
          the end; esp: brink, verge <on the ~ of disaster> d:
          a favorable margin: advantage <has an ~ on the competition>
          3: a line or line segment that is the intersection of
          two plane faces (as of a pyramid) or of two planes --
          edge.less adj -- on edge : anxious, nervous [2]edge vb
          edged ; edg.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to give an edge to b: to
          be on an edge of <trees edging the lake> 2: to move or
          force gradually <edged him off the road> 3: to incline
          (a ski) sideways so that one edge cuts into the snow
          4: to defeat by a small margin--often used with out <edged
          out her opponent> ~ vi: to advance by short moves

   edged
          [edged] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having a specified kind of edge,
          boundary, or border or a specified number of edges <rough-edged>
          <two-edged> 2: sharp, cutting <an ~ knife> <an ~ remark>

   edge effect
          [edge effect] n (1933): the effect of an abrupt transition
          between two quite different adjoining ecological communities
          on the numbers and kinds of organisms in the marginal
          habitat

   edge-grain
          [edge-grain] or edge-grained adj (1906): quartersawn

   edge in
          [edge in] vt (1683): to work in: interpolate <edged in a
          few remarks>

   edger
          [edg.er] n (1591): one that edges; esp: a tool used to trim
          the edge of a lawn along a sidewalk or curb

   edge tool
          [edge tool] n (14c): a tool with a sharp cutting edge

   edgeways
          [edge.ways] adv (1566) chiefly Brit: sideways

   edgewise
          [edge.wise] adv (1715): sideways

   edging
          [edg.ing] n (1558): something that forms an edge or border

   edgy
          [edgy] adj edg.i.er ; -est (1775) 1: having an edge: sharp
          <displayed a perceptive, ~ wit --New Yorker> 2 a: being
          on edge: tense, irritable b: characterized by tension
          <~ negotiations> -- edg.i.ly adv -- edg.i.ness n

   edh
          [edh] n [Icel eth] (1875): the letter used in Old English
          and in Icelandic to represent either of the fricatives
          now spelled with th (as in thin and the) and in some
          phonetic alphabets to represent the sound of th in the

   edible
          [ed.i.ble] adj [LL edibilis, fr. L edere to eat--more at
          eat] (1594): fit to be eaten: eatable -- ed.i.bil.i.ty
          n -- edible n -- ed.i.ble.ness n

   edict
          [edict] n [ME, fr. L edictum, fr. neut. of edictus, pp. of
          edicere to decree, fr. e- + dicere to say--more at diction]
          (14c) 1: a proclamation having the force of law 2: order,
          command <we held firm to Grandmother's ~ --M. F. K. Fisher>
          -- edic.tal adj

   edification
          [ed.i.fi.ca.tion] n (14c): an act or process of edifying

   edifice
          [ed.i.fice] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L aedificium, fr. aedificare]
          (14c) 1: building; esp: a large or massive structure
          2: a large abstract structure <holds together the social
          ~ --R. H. Tawney>

   edify
          [ed.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME, fr. MF edifier, fr. LL
          & L; LL aedificare to instruct or improve spiritually,
          fr. L, to erect a house, fr. aedes temple, house; akin
          to OE ad funeral pyre, L aestas summer] (14c) 1 archaic
          a: build b: establish 2: to instruct and improve esp.
          in moral and religious knowledge: uplift; also: enlighten
          2, inform

   [1]edit
          [ed.it] vt [back-formation fr. editor] (1791) 1 a: to prepare
          (as literary material) for publication or public presentation
          b: to assemble (as a moving picture or tape recording)
          by cutting and rearranging c: to alter, adapt, or refine
          esp. to bring about conformity to a standard or to suit
          a particular purpose <carefully ~ed the speech> 2: to
          direct the publication of <~s the daily newspaper> 3:
          delete--usu. used with out -- ed.it.able adj [2]edit
          n (1955): an instance of editing

   edition
          [edi.tion] n [MF, fr. L edition-, editio publication, edition,
          fr. edere to bring forth, publish, fr. e- + -dere to
          put or -dere (fr. dare to give)--more at do, date] (1555)
          1 a: the form or version in which a text is published
          <a paperback ~> <the German ~> b (1): the whole number
          of copies published at one time (2): a usu. special issue
          of a newspaper (as for a particular day or purpose) <Sunday
          ~> <international ~> (3): one of the usu. several issues
          of a newspaper in a single day <city ~> <late ~> 2 a:
          one of the forms in which something is presented <this
          year's ~ of the annual charity ball> b: the whole number
          of articles of one style put out at one time <a limited
          ~ of collectors' pieces> 3: copy, version

   editio princeps
          [edi.tio prin.ceps] n, pl edi.ti.o.nes prin.ci.pes [NL, lit.,
          first edition] (1802): the first printed edition esp.
          of a work that circulated in manuscript before printing
          became common

   editor
          [ed.i.tor] n (1649) 1: someone who edits esp. as an occupation
          2: a device used in editing motion-picture film or magnetic
          tape 3: a computer program that permits the user to create
          or modify data (as text or graphics) esp. on a display
          screen -- ed.i.tor.ship n

   [1]editorial
          [ed.i.to.ri.al] adj (1744) 1: of or relating to an editor
          or editing <an ~ office> 2: being or resembling an editorial
          <an ~ statement> -- ed.i.to.ri.al.ly adv [2]editorial
          n (1830): a newspaper or magazine article that gives
          the opinions of the editors or publishers; also: an expression
          of opinion that resembles such an article <a television
          ~>

   editorialist
          [ed.i.to.ri.al.ist] n (1901): a writer of editorials

   editorialize
          [ed.i.to.ri.al.ize] vi -ized ; -iz.ing (1856) 1: to express
          an opinion in the form of an editorial 2: to introduce
          opinion into the reporting of facts 3: to express an
          opinion (as on a controversial issue) -- ed.i.to.ri.al.iza.tion
          n -- ed.i.to.ri.al.iz.er n

   editor in chief
          [editor in chief] n (1873): an editor who heads an editorial
          staff

   editress
          [ed.i.tress] n (1799): a woman who is an editor

   Edomite
          [Edom.ite] n [Edom (Esau), ancestor of the Edomites] (1534):
          a member of a Semitic people living south of the Dead
          Sea in biblical times

   EDP
          [EDP] abbreviation electronic data processing

   EdS
          [EdS] abbreviation specialist in education

   EDT
          [EDT] abbreviation eastern daylight time

   EDTA
          [EDTA] n [ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid] (1954): a white
          crystalline acid used esp. as a chelating agent and in
          medicine as an anticoagulant and in the treatment of
          lead poisoning

   educ
          [educ] abbreviation education, educational

   educable
          [ed.u.ca.ble] adj (1845): capable of being educated; specif:
          capable of some degree of learning -- ed.u.ca.bil.i.ty
          n

   educate
          [ed.u.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ME, to rear, fr. L educatus,
          pp. of educare to rear, educate, fr. educere to lead
          forth--more at educe] vt (15c) 1 a: to provide schooling
          for b: to train by formal instruction and supervised
          practice esp. in a skill, trade, or profession 2 a: to
          develop mentally, morally, or aesthetically esp. by instruction
          b: to provide with information: inform 3: to persuade
          or condition to feel, believe, or act in a desired way
          <~ the public to support our position> ~ vi: to educate
          a person or thing syn see teach

   educated
          [ed.u.cat.ed] adj (1588) 1: having an education; esp: having
          an education beyond the average 2 a: giving evidence
          of training or practice: skilled b: befitting one that
          is educated <~ taste> c: based on some knowledge of fact
          <an ~ guess> -- ed.u.cat.ed.ness n

   education
          [ed.u.ca.tion] n (1531) 1 a: the action or process of educating
          or of being educated; also: a stage of such a process
          b: the knowledge and development resulting from an educational
          process <a man of little ~> 2: the field of study that
          deals mainly with methods of teaching and learning in
          schools -- ed.u.ca.tion.al adj -- ed.u.ca.tion.al.ly
          adv

   educational psychology
          [educational psychology] n (1911): psychology concerned with
          human maturation, school learning, teaching methods,
          guidance, and evaluation of aptitude and progress by
          standardized tests -- educational psychologist n

   educational television
          [educational television] n (1951) 1: television that provides
          instruction esp. for students 2: public television

   educationese
          [ed.u.ca.tion.ese] n (1954): the jargon used esp. by educational
          theorists

   educationist
          [ed.u.ca.tion.ist] also ed.u.ca.tion.al.ist n (1829) 1 chiefly
          Brit: a professional educator 2: an educational theorist

   educative
          [ed.u.ca.tive] adj (1856) 1: tending to educate: instructive
          2: of or relating to education

   educator
          [ed.u.ca.tor] n (1673) 1: one skilled in teaching: teacher
          2 a: a student of the theory and practice of education:
          educationist 2 b: an administrator in education

   educe
          [educe] vt educed ; educ.ing [L educere to draw out, fr.
          e- + ducere to lead--more at tow] (1603) 1: to bring
          out (as something latent) 2: deduce -- educ.ible adj
          -- educ.tion n syn educe, evoke, elicit, extract, extort
          mean to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved.
          educe implies the bringing out of something potential
          or latent <educed order out of chaos>. evoke implies
          a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest
          or recalls an image or memory <a song that evokes warm
          memories>. elicit usu. implies some effort or skill in
          drawing forth a response <careful questioning elicited
          the truth>. extract implies the use of force or pressure
          in obtaining answers or information <extracted every
          bit of publicity value from their wedding>. extort suggests
          a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly
          <extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform>.

   eductor
          [educ.tor] n [LL, one that leads out, fr. L educere] (1796):
          ejector 2

   edulcorate
          [edul.co.rate] vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [NL edulcoratus, pp.
          of edulcorare, fr. L e- + dulcor sweetness, fr. dulcis
          sweet--more at dulcet] (1641): to free from harshness
          (as of attitude): make pleasant

   Edwardian
          [Ed.war.di.an] adj (1908): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Edward VII of England or his age; esp, of clothing:
          marked by the hourglass silhouette for women and long
          narrow fitted suits and high collars for men -- Edwardian
          n

   ee...
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   [1]-ee
          [-ee] n suffix [ME -e, fr. MF -e, fr. -e, pp. ending, fr.
          L -atus] 1: recipient or beneficiary of (a specified
          action) <appointee> <grantee> 2: person furnished with
          (a specified thing) <patentee> 3: person that performs
          (a specified action) <escapee> [2]-ee n suffix [prob.
          alter. of -y] 1: one associated with <bargee> 2: a particular
          esp. small kind of <bootee> 3: one resembling or suggestive
          of <goatee>

   EE
          [EE] abbreviation electrical engineer

   EEC
          [EEC] abbreviation European Economic Community

   EEG
          [EEG] abbreviation electroencephalogram, electroencephalograph

   eel
          [eel] n [ME ele, fr. OE ael; akin to OHG al eel] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: any of numerous voracious elongate snakelike bony
          fishes (order Anguilliformes) that have a smooth slimy
          skin, lack pelvic fins, and have the median fins confluent
          around the tail--compare american eel b: any of numerous
          other elongate fishes (as of the order Symbranchii) 2:
          any of various nematodes -- eel.like adj -- eely adj

   eelgrass
          [eel.grass] n (1790) 1: a[ ]submerged marine plant (Zostera
          marina) that has very long narrow leaves, is abundant
          along the No. Atlantic coast, and with related forms
          constitutes a monocotyledonous family (Zosteraceae, the
          eelgrass family) 2: tape grass

   eelpout
          [eel.pout] n (bef. 12c) 1: any of various elongate tapered
          marine fishes (family Zoarcidae) usu. living on the bottom
          of cold seas 2: burbot

   eelworm
          [eel.worm] n (1888): a nematode worm; esp: any of various
          small free-living or plant-parasitic roundworms

   -een
          [-een] n suffix [prob. fr. ratteen]: inferior fabric resembling
          (a specified fabric): imitation <velveteen>

   EENT
          [EENT] abbreviation eye, ear, nose, and throat

   EEO
          [EEO] abbreviation equal employment opportunity

   -eer
          [-eer] n suffix [MF -ier, fr. L -arius--more at -ary]: one
          that is concerned with professionally, conducts, or produces
          <auctioneer> <pamphleteer>--often in words with derogatory
          meaning <profiteer>

   eerie
          [ee.rie] also ee.ry adj ee.ri.er ; -est [ME (northern dial.)
          eri] (14c) 1 chiefly Scot: affected with fright: scared
          2: so mysterious, strange, or unexpected as to send a
          chill up the spine <a coyote's ~ howl> <the similarities
          were ~>; also: seemingly not of earthly origin <the flames
          cast an ~ glow> syn see weird -- ee.ri.ly adv -- ee.ri.ness
          n

   ef...
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   ef
          [ef] n (bef. 12c): the letter f

   eff
          [eff] abbreviation efficiency

   efface
          [ef.face] vt ef.faced ; ef.fac.ing [ME, fr. MF effacer, fr.
          OF esfacier, fr. e- + face face] (15c) 1: to eliminate
          or make indistinct by or as if by wearing away a surface
          <coins with dates effaced by wear>; also: to cause to
          vanish <regrowth has effaced the worst scars from the
          fire> 2: to make (oneself) modestly or shyly inconspicuous
          -- ef.face.able adj -- ef.face.ment n -- ef.fac.er n

   [1]effect
          [ef.fect] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L effectus, fr. efficere
          to bring about, fr. ex- + facere to make, do--more at
          do] (14c) 1 a: purport, intent b: basic meaning: essence
          2: something that inevitably follows an antecedent (as
          a cause or agent) 3: an outward sign: appearance 4: accomplishment,
          fulfillment 5: power to bring about a result: influence <the
          content itself of television ... is therefore less important than
          its ~ --Current Biog.> 6 pl: movable property: goods <personal ~s>
          7 a: a distinctive impression <the color gives the ~ of being warm>
          b: the creation of a desired impression <her tears were purely for
          ~> c (1): something designed to produce a distinctive or desired
          impression--usu. used in pl. (2) pl: special effects 8: the quality
          or state of being operative: operation <the law goes into ~ next
          week> -- in effect : in substance: virtually <the ... committee
          agreed to what was in effect a reduction in the hourly wage
          --Current Biog.> -- to the effect : with the meaning <issued
          a statement to the effect that he would resign> [2]effect vt (1533)
          1: to cause to come into being 2 a: to bring about often
          by surmounting obstacles: accomplish <~ a settlement of a dispute>
          b: to put into effect <the duty of the legislature to ~ the will
          of the citizens> syn see perform usage The confusion of the verbs
          affect and effect is not only quite common but has a long history.
          Effect was used in place of [3]affect as early as 1494 and in place
          of [2]affect as early as 1652. If you think you want to use the
          verb effect but are not certain, check the definitions in this
          dictionary. The noun affect is sometimes mistakenly used for
          effect. Except when your topic is psychology, you will seldom need
          the noun affect.

   [1]effective
          [ef.fec.tive] adj (14c) 1 a: producing a decided, decisive,
          or desired effect b: impressive, striking <a gold lame
          fabric studded with ~ ... precious stones --Stanley Marcus>
          2: ready for service or action <~ manpower> 3: actual
          <the need to increase ~ demand for goods> 4: being in
          effect: operative <the tax becomes ~ next year> 5 of
          a rate of interest: equal to the rate of simple interest
          that yields the same amount when the interest is paid
          once at the end of the interest period as a quoted rate
          of interest does when calculated at compound interest
          over the same period--compare nominal 4 -- ef.fec.tive.ness
          n -- ef.fec.tiv.i.ty n syn effective, effectual, efficient,
          efficacious mean producing or capable of producing a
          result. effective stresses the actual production of or
          the power to produce an effect <an effective rebuttal>.
          effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result
          esp. as viewed after the fact <the measures to stop the
          pilfering proved effectual>. efficient suggests an acting
          or a potential for action or use in such a way as to
          avoid loss or waste of energy in effecting, producing,
          or functioning <an efficient small car>. efficacious
          suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that
          gives effective power <a detergent that is efficacious
          in removing grease>. [2]effective n (1722): one that
          is effective; esp: a soldier equipped for duty

   effectively
          [ef.fec.tive.ly] adv (ca. 1536) 1: in effect: virtually 2:
          in an effective manner

   effector
          [ef.fec.tor] n (1906) 1: a bodily organ (as a gland or muscle)
          that becomes active in response to stimulation 2: a substance
          (as an inducer or corepressor) that controls protein
          synthesis by combining allosterically with a genetic
          repressor

   effectual
          [ef.fec.tu.al] adj (14c): producing or able to produce a
          desired effect syn see effective -- ef.fec.tu.al.i.ty
          n -- ef.fec.tu.al.ness n

   effectually
          [ef.fec.tu.al.ly] adv (14c) 1: in an effectual manner 2:
          with great effect: completely

   effectuate
          [ef.fec.tu.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1580): effect 2
          -- ef.fec.tu.a.tion n

   effeminacy
          [ef.fem.i.na.cy] n (1602): the quality of being effeminate

   [1]effeminate
          [ef.fem.i.nate] adj [ME, fr. L effeminatus, fr. pp. of effeminare
          to make effeminate, fr. ex- + femina woman--more at feminine]
          (15c) 1: having feminine qualities untypical of a man:
          not manly in appearance or manner 2: marked by an unbecoming
          delicacy or overrefinement <~ art> <an ~ civilization>
          [2]effeminate n (1597): an effeminate person

   effendi
          [ef.fen.di] n [Turk efendi master, fr. NGk aphentes, alter.
          of Gk authentes--more at authentic] (1614): a man of
          property, authority, or education in an eastern Mediterranean
          country

   efferent
          [ef.fer.ent] adj [F efferent, fr. L efferent-, efferens,
          prp. of efferre to carry outward, fr. ex- + ferre to
          carry--more at bear] (1856): conducting outward from
          a part or organ; specif: conveying nervous impulses to
          an effector--compare afferent -- efferent n -- ef.fer.ent.ly
          adv

   effervesce
          [ef.fer.vesce] vi -vesced ; -vesc.ing [L effervescere, fr.
          ex- + fervescere to begin to boil, incho. of fervere
          to boil--more at brew] (1784) 1: to bubble, hiss, and
          foam as gas escapes 2: to show liveliness or exhilaration
          -- ef.fer.ves.cence n -- ef.fer.ves.cent adj -- ef.fer.ves.cent.ly
          adv

   effete
          [ef.fete] adj [L effetus, fr. ex- + fetus fruitful--more
          at feminine] (1660) 1: no longer fertile 2 a: having
          lost character, vitality, or strength <the ~ monarchies
          ... of feudal Europe --G. M. Trevelyan> b: marked by
          weakness or decadence <the ~ East> c: soft or delicate
          from or as if from a pampered existence <peddled ...
          trendy tweeds to ~ Easterners --William Helmer> <~ tenderfeet>;
          also: characteristic of an effete person <a wool scarf
          ... a bit ~ on an outdoorsman --Nelson Bryant> 3: effeminate
          1 <a good-humored, ~ boy brought up by maiden aunts --Herman
          Wouk> -- ef.fete.ly adv -- ef.fete.ness n

   efficacious
          [ef.fi.ca.cious] adj [L efficac-, efficax, fr. efficere]
          (1528): having the power to produce a desired effect
          syn see effective -- ef.fi.ca.cious.ly adv -- ef.fi.ca.cious.ness
          n

   efficacity
          [ef.fi.cac.i.ty] n (15c): efficacy

   efficacy
          [ef.fi.ca.cy] n, pl -cies (13c): the power to produce an
          effect

   efficiency
          [ef.fi.cien.cy] n, pl -cies (1633) 1: the quality or degree
          of being efficient 2 a: efficient operation b (1): effective
          operation as measured by a comparison of production with
          cost (as in energy, time, and money) (2): the ratio of
          the useful energy delivered by a dynamic system to the
          energy supplied to it 3: efficiency apartment

   efficiency apartment
          [efficiency apartment] n (1930): a small usu. furnished apartment
          with minimal kitchen and bath facilities

   efficiency expert
          [efficiency expert] n (1913): one who analyzes methods, procedures,
          and jobs in order to secure maximum efficiency--called also
          efficiency engineer

   efficient
          [ef.fi.cient] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L efficient-,
          efficiens, fr. prp. of efficere] (14c) 1: being or involving
          the immediate agent in producing an effect <the ~ action
          of heat in changing water to steam> 2: productive of
          desired effects; esp: productive without waste syn see
          effective -- ef.fi.cient.ly adv

   effigy
          [ef.fi.gy] n, pl -gies [MF effigie, fr. L effigies, fr. effingere
          to form, fr. ex- + fingere to shape--more at dough] (1539):
          an image or representation esp. of a person; esp: a crude
          figure representing a hated person -- in effigy : publicly
          in the form of an effigy <the football coach was burned
          in effigy>

   effloresce
          [ef.flo.resce] vi -resced ; -resc.ing [L efflorescere, fr.
          ex- + florescere to begin to blossom--more at florescence]
          (1775) 1: to burst forth: bloom 2 a: to change to a powder
          from loss of water of crystallization b: to form or become
          covered with a powdery crust <bricks may ~ owing to the
          deposition of soluble salts>

   efflorescence
          [ef.flo.res.cence] n (1626) 1 a: the action or process of
          developing and unfolding as if coming into flower: blossoming
          <periods of ... intellectual and artistic ~ --Julian
          Huxley> b: an instance of such development c: fullness
          of manifestation: culmination 2: the period or state
          of flowering 3: the process or product of efflorescing
          chemically -- ef.flo.res.cent adj

   effluence
          [ef.flu.ence] n (1603) 1: something that flows out 2: an
          action or process of flowing out

   [1]effluent
          [ef.flu.ent] adj [L effluent-, effluens, prp. of effluere
          to flow out, fr. ex- + fluere to flow--more at fluid]
          (1726): flowing out: emanating, outgoing <an ~ river>
          [2]effluent n (1859): something that flows out: as a:
          an outflowing branch of a main stream or lake b: waste
          material (as smoke, liquid industrial refuse, or sewage)
          discharged into the environment esp. when serving as
          a pollutant

   effluvium
          [ef.flu.vi.um] also ef.flu.via n, pl -via or -vi.ums [L effluvium
          act of flowing out, fr. effluere] (1651) 1: an invisible
          emanation; esp: an offensive exhalation or smell 2: a
          by-product esp. in the form of waste

   efflux
          [ef.flux] n [ML effluxus, fr. effluere] (1647) 1: something
          given off in or as if in a stream 2 a: effluence 2 b:
          a passing away: expiration -- ef.flux.ion n

   effort
          [ef.fort] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF esfort, fr. esforcier to
          force, fr. ex- + forcier to force] (15c) 1: conscious
          exertion of power: hard work 2: a serious attempt: try
          3: something produced by exertion or trying <the novel
          was her most ambitious ~> 4: effective force as distinguished
          from the possible resistance called into action by such
          a force 5: the total work done to achieve a particular
          end <the war ~>

   effortful
          [ef.fort.ful] adj (ca. 1895): showing or requiring effort
          -- ef.fort.ful.ly adv -- ef.fort.ful.ness n

   effortless
          [ef.fort.less] adj (1801): showing or requiring little or
          no effort syn see easy -- ef.fort.less.ly adv -- ef.fort.less.ness
          n

   effrontery
          [ef.fron.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [F effronterie, ultim. fr.
          ML effront-, effrons shameless, fr. L ex- + front-, frons
          forehead] (1697): shameless boldness: insolence syn see
          temerity

   effulgence
          [ef.ful.gence] n [LL effulgentia, fr. L effulgent-, effulgens,
          prp. of effulgere to shine forth, fr. ex- + fulgere to
          shine--more at fulgent] (1667): radiant splendor: brilliance
          -- ef.ful.gent adj

   [1]effuse
          [ef.fuse] vb ef.fused ; ef.fus.ing [L effusus, pp. of effundere,
          fr. ex- + fundere to pour--more at found] vt (1526):
          to pour out (a liquid) ~ vi: to flow out: emanate [2]ef.fuse
          adj (ca. 1530): diffuse; specif: spread out flat without
          definite form <~ lichens>

   effusion
          [ef.fu.sion] n (15c) 1: an act of effusing 2: unrestrained
          expression of words or feelings <greeted her with great
          ~ --Olive H. Prouty> 3 a (1): the escape of a fluid from
          anatomical vessels by rupture or exudation (2): the flow
          of a gas through an aperture whose diameter is small
          as compared with the distance between the molecules of
          the gas b: the fluid that escapes

   effusive
          [ef.fu.sive] adj (1662) 1: excessively demonstrative 2 archaic:
          pouring freely 3: characterized or formed by a nonexplosive
          outpouring of lava <~ rocks> -- ef.fu.sive.ly adv --
          ef.fu.sive.ness n

   Efik
          [Ef.ik] n (1849) 1: a member of a people of southeastern
          Nigeria 2: the language of the Efik people

   eft
          [eft] n [ME evete, ewte, fr. OE efete] (bef. 12c): newt;
          esp: the terrestrial phase of a predominantly aquatic
          newt

   EFT
          [EFT] or EFTS abbreviation electronic funds transfer (system)

   eftsoons
          [eft.soons] adv [ME eftsones, alter. of OE eftsona, fr. OE
          eft after + sona soon; akin to OE aefter after] (bef.
          12c) archaic: soon after

   eg...
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   eg
          [e.g.] [L exempli gratia] abbreviation for example Eg abbreviation
          Egypt, Egyptian

   egad
          [egad] or egads interj [prob. euphemism for oh God] (1673)--used
          as a mild oath

   egal
          [egal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L aequalis] (14c) obs: equal

   egalitarian
          [egal.i.tar.i.an] adj [F egalitaire, fr. egalite equality,
          fr. L aequalitat-, aequalitas, fr. aequalis equal] (1885):
          asserting, promoting, or marked by egalitarianism --
          egalitarian n

   egalitarianism
          [egal.i.tar.i.an.ism] n (1905) 1: a belief in human equality
          esp. with respect to social, political, and economic
          rights and privileges 2: a social philosophy advocating
          the removal of inequalities among people

   egalite
          [ega.li.te] n [F] (1794): social or political equality

   Egeria
          [Ege.ria] n [L, a nymph who advised the legendary Roman king
          Numa Pompilius] (1621): a woman adviser or companion

   egesta
          [eges.ta] n pl [NL, fr. L, neut. pl. of egestus] (1727):
          something egested

   egestion
          [eges.tion] n [ME egestioun, fr. MF or L; MF egestion, fr.
          L egestion-, egestio, fr. egerere to carry outside, discharge,
          fr. e- + gerere to carry] (1547): the act or process
          of discharging undigested or waste material from a cell
          or organism; specif: defecation -- egest vt -- eges.tive
          adj

   EGF
          [EGF] abbreviation epidermal growth factor

   [1]egg
          [egg] vt [ME, fr. ON eggja; akin to OE ecg edge--more at
          edge] (13c): to incite to action--usu. used with on <~ed
          the mob on to riot> [2]egg n, often attrib [ME egge,
          fr. ON egg; akin to OE aeg egg, L ovum, Gk oion] (14c)
          1 a: the hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a
          bird and esp. by the common domestic chicken; also: its
          contents used as food b: an animal reproductive body
          consisting of an ovum together with its nutritive and
          protective envelopes and having the capacity to develop
          into a new individual capable of independent existence
          c: ovum 2: something resembling an egg 3: person, sort
          <a good ~> -- egg.less adj -- eggy adj -- egg on one's
          face : a state of embarrassment or humiliation [3]egg
          vt (1833) 1: to cover with egg 2: to pelt with eggs

   egg and dart
          [egg and dart] n (ca. 1864): a carved ornamental design in
          relief consisting of an egg-shaped figure alternating
          with a figure somewhat like an elongated javelin or arrowhead

   eggbeater
          [egg.beat.er] n (1828) 1: a hand-operated kitchen utensil
          used for beating, stirring, or whipping; esp: a rotary
          device for these purposes 2: helicopter

   egg case
          [egg case] n (1847): a protective case enclosing eggs:
          ootheca--called also egg capsule

   egg cell
          [egg cell] n (1880): ovum

   egg cream
          [egg cream] n (1954): a drink consisting of milk, a flavoring
          syrup, and soda water

   eggcup
          [egg.cup] n (1773): a cup for holding an egg that is to be
          eaten from the shell

   egghead
          [egg.head] n, often attrib (1952): intellectual, highbrow

   eggheaded
          [egg.head.ed] adj (1938): having the characteristics of an
          egghead -- egg.head.ed.ness n

   eggnog
          [egg.nog] n (ca. 1775): a drink consisting of eggs beaten
          with sugar, milk or cream, and often alcoholic liquor

   eggplant
          [egg.plant] n (1767) 1 a: a widely cultivated perennial herb
          (Solanum melongena) of the nightshade family yielding
          edible fruit b: the usu. smooth ovoid fruit of the eggplant
          2: a dark grayish or blackish purple

   egg roll
          [egg roll] n (1947): a thin egg-dough casing filled with
          minced vegetables and often bits of meat (as shrimp or
          chicken) and usu. deep-fried

   eggs Benedict
          [eggs Ben.e.dict] n pl but sing or pl in constr [prob. fr.
          the name Benedict] (1898): poached eggs and broiled ham
          placed on toasted halves of English muffin and covered
          with hollandaise

   [1]eggshell
          [egg.shell] n (14c) 1: the hard exterior covering of an egg
          2: something resembling an eggshell esp. in fragility
          [2]eggshell adj (1835) 1: thin and fragile 2: slightly
          glossy 3: yellowish white

   egg timer
          [egg timer] n (1884): a small sandglass for timing the boiling
          of eggs

   egg tooth
          [egg tooth] n (1893): a hard sharp prominence on the beak
          of an unhatched bird or the nose of an unhatched reptile
          that is used to break through the eggshell

   egis
          [egis] var of aegis

   eglantine
          [eg.lan.tine] n [ME eglentyn, fr. MF aiglent, fr. (assumed)
          VL aculentum, fr. L acus needle; akin to L acer sharp--more
          at edge] (14c): sweetbrier

   eglomise
          [eglo.mi.se] adj [F, pp. of eglomiser to decorate a glass
          panel by painting on its back, fr. Jean-Baptiste Glomy
          d. 1786 Fr. decorator] (1877): made of glass on the back
          of which is a painted picture that shows through <a clock
          with ~ panels>

   ego
          [ego] n, pl egos [NL, fr. L, I--more at i] (1789) 1: the
          self esp. as contrasted with another self or the world
          2 a: egotism 2 b: self-esteem 1 3: the one of the three
          divisions of the psyche in psychoanalytic theory that
          serves as the organized conscious mediator between the
          person and reality esp. by functioning both in the perception
          of and adaptation to reality--compare id, superego --
          ego.less adj

   egocentric
          [ego.cen.tric] adj (1894) 1: concerned with the individual
          rather than society 2: taking the ego as the starting
          point in philosophy 3 a: limited in outlook or concern
          to one's own activities or needs b: self-centered, selfish
          -- egocentric n -- ego.cen.tri.cal.ly adv -- ego.cen.tric.i.ty
          n -- ego.cen.trism n

   ego ideal
          [ego ideal] n (1922): the standards, ideals, and ambitions
          that according to psychoanalytic theory are assimilated
          from the superego

   egoism
          [ego.ism] n (1785) 1 a: a doctrine that individual self-interest
          is the actual motive of all conscious action b: a doctrine
          that individual self-interest is the valid end of all
          actions 2: excessive concern for oneself with or without
          exaggerated feelings of self-importance--compare egotism
          2

   egoist
          [ego.ist] n (1785) 1: a believer in egoism 2: an egocentric
          or egotistic person -- ego.is.tic also ego.is.ti.cal
          adj -- ego.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   egoistic hedonism
          [egoistic hedonism] n (1874): the ethical theory that achieving
          one's own happiness is the proper goal of all conduct

   egomania
          [ego.ma.nia] n (1825): the quality or state of being extremely
          egocentric -- ego.ma.ni.ac n -- ego.ma.ni.a.cal adj --
          ego.ma.ni.a.cal.ly adv

   egotism
          [ego.tism] n [L ego + E -tism (as in idiotism)] (1714) 1
          a: excessive use of the first person singular personal
          pronoun b: the practice of talking about oneself too
          much 2: an exaggerated sense of self-importance: conceit--compare
          egoism 2 -- ego.tist n -- ego.tis.tic or ego.tis.ti.cal
          adj -- ego.tis.ti.cal.ly adv

   ego trip
          [ego trip] n (1967): an act or course of action that enhances
          and satisfies one's ego -- ego-trip vi -- ego-trip.per
          n

   egregious
          [egre.gious] adj [L egregius, fr. e- + greg-, grex herd--more
          at gregarious] (ca. 1534) 1 archaic: distinguished 2:
          conspicuous; esp: conspicuously bad: flagrant <an ~ mistake>
          -- egre.gious.ly adv -- egre.gious.ness n

   [1]egress
          [egress] n [L egressus, fr. egressus, pp. of egredi to go
          out, fr. e- + gradi to go--more at grade] (1538) 1: the
          action or right of going or coming out 2: a place or
          means of going out: exit [2]egress vi (1578): to go or
          come out

   egression
          [egres.sion] n (15c): egress, emergence

   egret
          [egret] n [ME, fr. MF aigrette, fr. OProv aigreta, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG heigaro heron] (14c): any of various
          herons that bear long plumes during the breeding season

   [1]Egyptian
          [Egyp.tian] adj (14c): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Egypt or the Egyptians [2]Egyptian n (14c) 1: a native
          or inhabitant of Egypt 2: the Afro-Asiatic language of
          the ancient Egyptians from earliest times to about the
          3d century a.d. 3 often not cap: a typeface having little
          contrast between thick and thin strokes and squared serifs

   Egyptian alfalfa weevil
          [Egyptian alfalfa weevil] n (1943): an Old World weevil (Hypera
          brunneipennis) established in western No. America where
          it feeds on alfalfa and various clovers

   Egyptian clover
          [Egyptian clover] n (ca. 1900): berseem

   Egyptian cotton
          [Egyptian cotton] n (1877): a fine long-staple often somewhat
          brownish cotton grown chiefly in Egypt

   Egyptology
          [Egyp.tol.o.gy] n (1862): the study of Egyptian antiquities
          -- Egyp.to.log.i.cal adj -- Egyp.tol.o.gist n

   eh...
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   eh
          [eh] interj [ME ey] (13c)--used to ask for confirmation or
          repetition or to express inquiry--used esp. in Canadian
          English in anticipation of the listener's or reader's
          agreement

   eheu fugaces labuntur anni
          [eheu fu.ga.ces la.bun.tur an.ni] [L] foreign term : alas!
          the fleeting years glide on

   EHF
          [EHF] abbreviation extremely high frequency

   EHP
          [EHP] abbreviation effective horsepower, electric horsepower

   EHV
          [EHV] abbreviation extra high voltage

   ei...
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   eicosanoid
          [ei.cos.a.noid] n [eicosa- containing 20 atoms (fr. Gk eikosa-
          twenty, fr. eikosi) + -noic, suffix used in names of
          fatty acids (fr. -ane + -oic) + [1]-oid--more at vigesimal]
          (1980): any of a class of compounds (as the prostaglandins)
          derived from polyunsaturated acids (as arachidonic acid)
          and involved in cellular activity

   eider
          [ei.der] n [D, G, or Sw, fr. Icel aethur, fr. ON aethr] (1743)
          1: any of several large northern sea ducks (genera Somateria
          and Polystica) having fine soft down that is used by
          the female for lining the nest--called also eider duck
          2: eiderdown 1

   eiderdown
          [ei.der.down] n [prob. fr. G Eiderdaune, fr. Icel aethardunn,
          fr. aethur + dunn [7]down] (1774) 1: the down of the
          eider 2: a comforter filled with eiderdown 3: a soft
          lightweight clothing fabric knitted or woven and napped
          on one or both sides

   eidetic
          [ei.det.ic] adj [Gk eidetikos of a form, fr. eidos form--more
          at wise] (ca. 1924): marked by or involving extraordinarily
          accurate and vivid recall esp. of visual images <an ~
          memory> -- ei.det.i.cal.ly adv

   eidolon
          [ei.do.lon] n, pl -lons or -la [Gk eidolon--more at idol]
          (1828) 1: an unsubstantial image: phantom 2: ideal

   eigenmode
          [ei.gen.mode] n [eigen- (as in eigenvector) + [1]mode]: a
          normal mode of vibration of an oscillating system

   eigenvalue
          [ei.gen.val.ue] n [part trans. of G Eigenwert, fr. eigen
          own, peculiar + Wert value] (1927): a scalar associated
          with a given linear transformation of a vector space
          and having the property that there is some nonzero vector
          which when multiplied by the scalar is equal to the vector
          obtained by letting the transformation operate on the
          vector; esp: a root of the characteristic equation of
          a matrix

   eigenvector
          [ei.gen.vec.tor] n [ISV eigen- (fr. G eigen) + vector] (1941):
          a nonzero vector that is mapped by a given linear transformation
          of a vector space onto a vector that is the product of
          a scalar multiplied by the original vector--called also
          characteristic vector

   eight
          [eight] n [ME eighte, fr. eighte, adj., fr. OE eahta; akin
          to OHG ahto eight, L octo, Gk okto] (bef. 12c) 1: one
          more than seven 2: the eighth in a set or series <the
          ~ of spades> 3: something having eight units or members:
          as a: an 8-oared racing boat or its crew b: an 8-cylinder
          engine or automobile -- eight adj -- eight pron, pl in
          constr

   eight ball
          [eight ball] n (1932) 1: a black pool ball numbered 8 2:
          misfit -- behind the eight ball : in a highly disadvantageous
          position

   eighteen
          [eigh.teen] n [ME eightetene, adj., fr. OE eahtatiene, fr.
          eahta + -tiene; akin to OE tien ten] (bef. 12c): one
          more than seventeen -- eighteen adj -- eighteen pron,
          pl in constr -- eigh.teenth adj or n

   eightfold
          [eight.fold] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having eight units or members
          2: being eight times as great or as many -- eight.fold
          adv

   eightfold way
          [eightfold way] n (1961): a unified theoretical scheme for
          classifying the relationship among strongly interacting
          elementary particles on the basis of isospin and hypercharge

   eighth
          [eighth] n, pl eighths (1557) 1one that is number eight in
          a countable series; also: one of eight equal parts of
          something 2: octave -- eighth adj or adv

   eighth note
          [eighth note] n (ca. 1864): a musical note with the time
          value of 1/8 of a whole note--see note illustration

   eighth rest
          [eighth rest] n (ca. 1890): a musical rest corresponding
          in time value to an eighth note--see rest illustration

   eightpenny nail
          [eight.pen.ny nail] n [fr. its original price per hundred]
          (15c): a nail typically 2 1/2 inches (6.35 centimeters)
          long

   eighty
          [eighty] n, pl eight.ies [ME eighty, adj., fr. OE eahtatig,
          short for hundeahtatig, n., group of eighty, fr. hund-,
          lit., hundred + eahta eight + -tig group of ten; akin
          to OE tien ten] (bef. 12c) 1: eight times ten 2 pl: the
          numbers 80 to 89; specif: the years 80 to 89 in a lifetime
          or century -- eight.i.eth adj or n -- eighty adj -- eighty
          pron, pl in constr

   eighty-six
          [eighty-six] or 86 vt [prob. rhyming slang for [3]nix] (1967)
          slang: to refuse to serve (a customer); also: to get
          rid of: throw out

   ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott
          [ein' fes.te Burg ist un.ser Gott] [G] foreign term : a mighty
          fortress is our God

   einkorn
          [ein.korn] n [G, fr. OHG, fr. ein one + korn grain--more
          at one, corn] (ca. 1901): a one-grained wheat (Triticum
          monococcum) sometimes considered the most primitive wheat
          and grown esp. in poor soils in central Europe--called
          also einkorn wheat

   einsteinium
          [ein.stei.ni.um] n [NL, fr. Albert Einstein] (1955): a radioactive
          element produced artificially

   eirenic
          [ei.re.nic] chiefly Brit var of irenic

   eisegesis
          [eis.ege.sis] n, pl -ege.ses [Gk eis into (akin to Gk en
          in) + E exegesis--more at in] (1892): the interpretation
          of a text (as of the Bible) by reading into it one's
          own ideas--compare exegesis

   eisteddfod
          [ei.stedd.fod] n, pl -fods or -fod.au [W, lit., session,
          fr. eistedd to sit + bod being] (1822): a usu. Welsh
          competitive festival of the arts esp. in poetry and singing
          -- ei.stedd.fod.ic adj

   eiswein
          [eis.wein] n, often cap [G, fr. Eis ice + Wein wine] (1967):
          a sweet German wine made from grapes that have frozen
          on the vine

   [1]either
          [ei.ther] adj [ME, fr. OE aeghwaether both, each, fr. a always
          + ge-, collective prefix + hwaether which of two, whether--more
          at aye, co-] (bef. 12c) 1: being the one and the other
          of two: each <flowers blooming on ~ side of the walk>
          2: being the one or the other of two <take ~ road> [2]either
          pron (bef. 12c): the one or the other [3]either conj
          (bef. 12c)--used as a function word before two or more
          coordinate words, phrases, or clauses joined usu. by
          or to indicate that what immediately follows is the first
          of two or more alternatives [4]either adv (15c) 1: likewise,
          moreover--used for emphasis after a negative <not smart
          or handsome ~> 2: for that matter--used for emphasis
          after an alternative following a question or conditional
          clause esp. where negation is implied <who answers for
          the Irish parliament? or army ~? --Robert Browning>

   [1]either-or
          [ei.ther-or] n (1922): an unavoidable choice or exclusive
          division between only two alternatives [2]either-or adj
          (1926): of or marked by either-or: black-and-white

   ej...
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   [1]ejaculate
          [ejac.u.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L ejaculatus, pp. of
          ejaculari to throw out, fr. e- + jaculari to throw, fr.
          jaculum dart, fr. jacere to throw--more at jet] vt (1578)
          1: to eject from a living body; specif: to eject (semen)
          in orgasm 2: to utter suddenly and vehemently ~ vi: to
          eject a fluid -- ejac.u.la.tor n [2]ejac.u.late n (1927):
          the semen released by one ejaculation

   ejaculation
          [ejac.u.la.tion] n (1603) 1: an act of ejaculating; specif:
          a sudden discharging of a fluid from a duct 2: something
          ejaculated; esp: a short sudden emotional utterance

   ejaculatory
          [ejac.u.la.to.ry] adj (1644) 1: marked by or given to vocal
          ejaculation 2: casting or throwing out; specif: associated
          with or concerned in physiological ejaculation <~ vessels>

   ejaculatory duct
          [ejaculatory duct] n (1751): a duct through which semen is
          ejaculated; specif: either of the paired ducts in the
          human male that are formed by the junction of the duct
          from the seminal vesicle with the vas deferens and that
          pass through the prostate to empty into the urethra by
          means of a small opening

   eject
          [eject] vt [ME, fr. L ejectus, pp. of eicere, fr. e- + jacere]
          (15c) 1 a: to drive out esp. by physical force b: to
          evict from property 2: to throw out or off from within
          <~s the empty cartridges> -- eject.able adj -- ejec.tion
          n -- ejec.tive adj syn eject, expel, oust, evict mean
          to drive or force out. eject carries an esp. strong implication
          of throwing or thrusting out from within as a physical
          action <ejected an obnoxious patron from the bar>. expel
          stresses a thrusting out or driving away esp. permanently
          which need not be physical <a student expelled from college>.
          oust implies removal or dispossession by power of the
          law or by force or compulsion <got the sheriff to oust
          the squatters>. evict chiefly applies to turning out
          of house and home <evicted for nonpayment of rent>.

   ejecta
          [ejec.ta] n pl but sing or pl in constr [NL, fr. L, neut.
          pl. of ejectus] (1886): material thrown out (as from
          a volcano)

   ejection seat
          [ejection seat] n (1945): an emergency escape seat for propelling
          an occupant out and away from an airplane

   ejectment
          [eject.ment] n (1523) 1: the act or an instance of ejecting:
          dispossession 2: an action for the recovery of possession
          of real property and damages and costs

   ejector
          [ejec.tor] n (1640) 1: one that ejects; esp: a mechanism
          of a firearm that ejects an empty cartridge 2: a jet
          pump for withdrawing a gas, fluid, or powdery substance
          from a space

   ek...
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   eka-
          [eka-] comb form [ISV, fr. Skt eka one--more at one]: standing
          or assumed to stand next in order beyond (a specified
          element) in the same family of the periodic table--in
          names of chemical elements esp. when not yet discovered
          <eka-lead is the hypothetical element 114>

   [1]eke
          [eke] adv [ME, fr. OE eac; akin to OHG ouh also, L aut or,
          Gk au again] (bef. 12c) archaic: also [2]eke vt eked
          ; ek.ing [ME, fr. OE iecan, ecan; akin to OHG ouhhon
          to add, L augere to increase, Gk auxein] (bef. 12c) 1
          archaic: increase, lengthen 2: to get with great difficulty--usu.
          used with out <~ out a living>

   eke out
          [eke out] vt (1596) 1: to make up for the deficiencies of:
          supplement <eked out his income by getting a second job>
          2: to make (a supply) last by economy

   EKG
          [EKG] [G Elektrokardiogramm] abbreviation electrocardiogram,
          electrocardiograph

   ekistics
          [ekis.tics] n pl but sing in constr [NGk oikistike, fr. fem.
          of oikistikos of settlement, fr. Gk, fr. oikizein to
          settle, colonize, fr. oikos house--more at vicinity]
          (1958): a science dealing with human settlements and
          drawing on the research and experience of professionals
          in various fields (as architecture, engineering, city
          planning, and sociology) -- ekis.tic adj

   Ekman dredge
          [Ek.man dredge] n [prob. fr. V. W. Ekman d. 1954 Swed.
          oceanographer] (1948): a dredge that has opposable jaws operated
          by a messenger traveling down a cable to release a spring catch and
          that is used in ecology for sampling the bottom of a body of water

   ekuele
          [ekue.le] also ek.pwe.le n, pl ekuele also ekpweles [Fang
          (Bantu language of western equatorial Africa)] (ca. 1973):
          the basic monetary unit of Equatorial Guinea 1975-85

   el...
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   [1]el
          [el] n (14c): the letter l [2]el n, often cap (ca. 1906):
          an urban railway that operates chiefly on an elevated
          structure; also: a train belonging to such a railway

   el
          [el] abbreviation elevation

   [1]elaborate
          [elab.o.rate] adj [L elaboratus, fr. pp. of elaborare to
          work out, acquire by labor, fr. e- + laborare to work--more
          at laboratory] (1592) 1: planned or carried out with
          great care <took ~ precautions> 2: marked by complexity,
          fullness of detail, or ornateness <~ prose> -- elab.o.rate.ly
          adv -- elab.o.rate.ness n [2]elab.o.rate vb -rat.ed ;
          -rat.ing vt (1611) 1: to produce by labor 2: to build
          up (as complex organic compounds) from simple ingredients
          3: to work out in detail: develop ~ vi 1: to become elaborate
          2: to expand something in detail <would you care to ~
          on that statement> -- elab.o.ra.tion n -- elab.o.ra.tive
          adj

   Elaine
          [Elaine] n: any of several women in Arthurian legend; esp:
          one who dies for unrequited love of Lancelot

   Elamite
          [Elam.ite] n (1874): a language of unknown affinities used
          in Elam approximately from the 25th to the 4th centuries
          b.c.

   elan
          [elan] n [F, fr. MF eslan rush, fr. (s')eslancer to rush,
          fr. ex- + lancer to hurl--more at lance] (1864): vigorous
          spirit or enthusiasm

   eland
          [eland] n, pl eland also elands [Afrik, elk, fr. D, fr. obs.
          G Elend, prob. fr. obs. Lith ellenis; akin to OHG elaho
          elk--more at elk] (1600): either of two large African
          antelopes (Tragelephus oryx and T. derbianus) bovine
          in form with short spirally twisted horns in both sexes

   elan vital
          [elan vi.tal] n [F] (1907): the vital force or impulse of
          life; esp: a creative principle held by Bergson to be
          immanent in all organisms and responsible for evolution

   elapid
          [el.a.pid] n [NL Elap-, Elaps, genus of snakes, fr. MGk,
          a fish, alter. of Gk elops] (1885): any of a family (Elapidae)
          of venomous snakes with grooved fangs

   [1]elapse
          [elapse] vi elapsed ; elaps.ing [L elapsus, pp. of elabi,
          fr. e- + labi to slip--more at sleep] (1644): to slip
          or glide away: pass <four years elapsed before he returned>
          [2]elapse n (ca. 1677): passage <returned after an ~
          of 15 years>

   elapsed time
          [elapsed time] n (ca. 1909): the actual time taken (as by
          a boat or automobile in traveling over a racecourse)

   elasmobranch
          [elas.mo.branch] n, pl -branchs [ultim. fr. Gk elasmos metal
          plate (fr. elaunein) + branchia gills] (1872): any of
          a subclass (Elasmobranchii) of cartilaginous fishes that
          have five to seven lateral to ventral gill openings on
          each side and that comprise the sharks, rays, skates,
          and extinct related fishes -- elasmobranch adj

   elastase
          [elas.tase] n [elastin + -ase] (1949): an enzyme esp. of
          pancreatic juice that digests elastin

   [1]elastic
          [elas.tic] adj [NL elasticus, fr. LGk elastos ductile, beaten,
          fr. Gk elaunein to drive, beat out; prob. akin to Gk
          elythe he went, OIr luid] (1674) 1 a of a solid: capable
          of recovering size and shape after deformation b: being
          a collision between particles in which the total kinetic
          energy of the particles remains unchanged 2: capable
          of recovering quickly esp. from depression or disappointment
          3: capable of being easily stretched or expanded and
          resuming former shape: flexible 4 a: capable of ready
          change or easy expansion or contraction: not rigid or
          constricted b: receptive to new ideas: adaptable -- elas.ti.cal.ly
          adv syn elastic, resilient, springy, flexible, supple mean able
          to endure strain without being permanently injured. elastic implies
          the property of resisting deformation by stretching <an elastic
          waistband>. resilient implies the ability to recover shape quickly
          when the deforming force or pressure is removed <a resilient
          innersole>. springy stresses both the ease with which something
          yields to pressure and the quickness of its return to original
          shape <the cake is done when the top is springy>. flexible applies
          to something which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which
          can be bent or folded without breaking <flexible plastic tubing>.
          supple applies to something that can be readily bent, twisted,
          or folded without any sign of injury <supple leather>. [2]elastic
          n (1847) 1 a: easily stretched rubber usu. prepared in cords,
          strings, or bands b: rubber band 2 a: an elastic fabric usu. made
          of yarns containing rubber b: something made from this fabric

   elastic fiber
          [elastic fiber] n (1849): a thick very elastic smooth yellowish
          anastomizing fiber of connective tissue that contains
          elastin

   elasticity
          [elas.tic.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1664): the quality or state
          of being elastic: as a: the capability of a strained
          body to recover its size and shape after deformation:
          springiness b: resilience 2 c: the quality of being adaptable

   elasticized
          [elas.ti.cized] adj (ca. 1909): made with elastic thread
          or inserts

   elastic limit
          [elastic limit] n (1898): the greatest stress that an elastic
          solid can sustain without undergoing permanent deformation

   elastic modulus
          [elastic modulus] n (1904): the ratio of the stress in a
          body to the corresponding strain

   elastic scattering
          [elastic scattering] n (1933): a scattering of particles
          as the result of an elastic collision

   elastin
          [elas.tin] n [ISV, fr. NL elasticus] (1875): a protein that
          is similar to collagen and is the chief constituent of
          elastic fibers

   elastomer
          [elas.to.mer] n [elastic + -o- + -mer] (ca. 1939): any of
          various elastic substances resembling rubber <polyvinyl
          ~s> -- elas.to.mer.ic adj

   [1]elate
          [elate] vt elat.ed ; elat.ing [L elatus (pp. of efferre to
          carry out, elevate), fr. e- + latus, pp. of ferre to
          carry--more at tolerate, bear] (ca. 1619): to fill with
          joy or pride [2]elate adj (1647): elated

   elated
          [elat.ed] adj (ca. 1619): marked by high spirits: exultant
          -- elat.ed.ly adv -- elat.ed.ness n

   elater
          [el.a.ter] n [NL, fr. Gk elater driver, fr. elaunein to drive]
          (1830): a plant structure functioning in the distribution
          of spores: as a: one of the elongated filaments among
          the spores in the capsule of a liverwort b: one of the
          filamentous appendages of the spores in the scouring
          rushes

   elaterite
          [elat.er.ite] n [G Elaterit, fr. Gk elater] (1826): a dark
          brown elastic mineral resin occurring in soft flexible
          masses

   elation
          [ela.tion] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being elated
          2: pathological euphoria

   Elba
          [El.ba] n [Elba (Mediterranean island), residence of Napoleon
          Bonaparte after his first abdication May 14, 1814 to
          Feb. 26, 1815] (1924): a place or state of exile

   [1]elbow
          [el.bow] n [ME elbowe, fr. OE elboga, fr. el- (akin to eln
          ell) + OE boga bow--more at ell, bow] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          the joint of the human arm b: a corresponding joint in
          the anterior limb of a lower vertebrate 2: something
          (as macaroni or an angular pipe fitting) resembling an
          elbow -- at one's elbow : at one's side -- out at elbows
          or out at the elbows 1: shabbily dressed 2: short of
          funds [2]elbow vt (1605) 1 a: to push with the elbow:
          jostle b: to shove aside by pushing with or as if with
          the elbow 2: to force (as one's way) by pushing with
          or as if with the elbow <~ing our way through the crowd>
          <~s her way into the best social circles> ~ vi 1: to
          advance by pushing with the elbow 2: to make an angle:
          turn

   elbow grease
          [elbow grease] n (1672): vigorously applied physical labor:
          hard work

   elbowroom
          [el.bow.room] n (ca. 1540) 1 a: room for moving the elbows
          freely b: adequate space for work or operation <the large
          house gives plenty of ~> 2: free scope <~ to try new
          ideas>

   el cheapo
          [el cheapo] adj [Sp el the + E cheap + Sp -o (masc. n. ending)]
          (1969): cheap 3a, b

   eld
          [eld] n [ME, fr. OE ieldo; akin to OE eald old--more at old]
          (bef. 12c) 1: old age 2 archaic: old times: antiquity

   [1]elder
          [el.der] n [ME eldre, fr. OE ellaern; perh. akin to OE alor
          alder--more at alder] (bef. 12c): elderberry 2 [2]elder
          adj [ME, fr. OE ieldra, compar. of eald old] (bef. 12c)
          1: of earlier birth or greater age <his ~ brother> 2:
          of or relating to earlier times: former 3 obs: of or
          relating to a more advanced time of life 4: prior or
          superior in rank, office, or validity [3]elder n (bef.
          12c) 1: one living in an earlier period 2 a: one who
          is older: senior <a child trying to please her ~s> b:
          an aged person 3: one having authority by virtue of age
          and experience <the village ~s> 4: any of various officers
          of religious groups: as a: presbyter 1 b: a permanent
          officer elected by a Presbyterian congregation and ordained
          to serve on the session and assist the pastor at communion
          c: minister 2 d: a leader of the Shakers e: a Mormon
          ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood -- el.der.ship
          n

   elderberry
          [el.der.ber.ry] n (1589) 1: the edible black or red berrylike
          drupe of any of a genus (Sambucus) of shrubs or trees
          of the honeysuckle family bearing flat clusters of small
          white or pink flowers 2: a tree or shrub bearing elderberries

   [1]elderly
          [el.der.ly] adj (1611) 1 a: rather old; esp: being past middle
          age b: old-fashioned 2: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of later life or elderly persons -- el.der.li.ness n
          [2]elderly n, pl -ly or -lies (1865): an elderly person

   elder statesman
          [elder statesman] n (1904): an eminent senior member of a
          group or organization; esp: a retired statesman who unofficially
          advises current leaders

   eldest
          [el.dest] adj (bef. 12c): of the greatest age or seniority:
          oldest

   eldest hand
          [eldest hand] n (1599): the card player who first receives
          cards in the deal

   El Dorado
          [El Do.ra.do] n [Sp, lit., the gilded one] 1: a city or country
          of fabulous riches held by 16th century explorers to
          exist in So. America 2: a place of fabulous wealth or
          opportunity

   eldress
          [el.dress] n (1640): a woman elder esp. of the Shakers

   eldritch
          [el.dritch] adj [perh. fr. (assumed) ME elfriche fairyland,
          fr. ME elf + riche kingdom, fr. OE rice--more at rich]
          (1508): weird, eerie

   Eleatic
          [El.e.at.ic] adj [L Eleaticus, fr. Gk Eleatikos, fr. Elea
          (Velia), ancient town in southern Italy] (1695): of or
          relating to a school of Greek philosophers founded by
          Parmenides and developed by Zeno and marked by belief
          in the unity of being and the unreality of motion or
          change -- Eleatic n -- El.e.at.i.cism n

   elec
          [elec] abbreviation electric, electrical, electricity

   elecampane
          [ele.cam.pane] n [ME elena campana, fr. ML enula campana,
          lit., field elecampane, fr. inula, enula elecampane +
          campana of the field] (14c): a large coarse European
          composite herb (Inula helenium) that has yellow ray flowers
          and is naturalized in the U.S.

   [1]elect
          [elect] adj [ME, fr. L electus, pp. of eligere to select,
          fr. e- + legere to choose--more at legend] (15c) 1: carefully
          selected: chosen 2: chosen for salvation through divine
          mercy 3 a: chosen for office or position but not yet
          installed <the president-elect> b: chosen for marriage
          at some future time <the bride-elect> [2]elect n, pl
          elect (15c) 1: one chosen or set apart (as by divine
          favor) 2 pl: a select or exclusive group of people [3]elect
          vb [ME, fr. L electus] vt (15c) 1: to select by vote
          for an office, position, or membership <~ed her class
          president> 2: to make a selection of <will ~ an academic
          program> 3: to choose (as a course of action) esp. by
          preference <might ~ to sell the business> ~ vi: to make
          a selection

   electable
          [elect.able] adj (1879): capable of being elected (as to
          public office) -- elect.abil.i.ty n

   election
          [elec.tion] n (13c) 1 a: an act or process of electing b:
          the fact of being elected 2: predestination to eternal
          life 3: the right, power, or privilege of making a choice

   Election Day
          [Election Day] n (15c): a day legally established for the
          election of public officials; esp: the first Tuesday
          after the first Monday in November in an even year designated
          for national elections in the U.S. and observed as a
          legal holiday in many states

   electioneer
          [elec.tion.eer] vi [election + -eer (as in privateer, v.)]
          (1789): to take an active part in an election; specif:
          to work for the election of a candidate or party
          -- elec.tion.eer.er n

   [1]elective
          [elec.tive] adj (1531) 1 a: chosen or filled by popular election
          <an ~ official> b: of or relating to election c: based
          on the right or principle of election <the presidency
          is an ~ office> 2 a: permitting a choice: optional <an
          ~ course in school> b: beneficial to the patient but
          not essential for survival <~ surgery> 3 a: tending to
          operate on one substance rather than another <~ absorption>
          b: favorably inclined to one more than to another: sympathetic
          <an ~ affinity> -- elec.tive.ly adv -- elec.tive.ness
          n [2]elective n (1850): an elective course or subject

   elector
          [elec.tor] n (15c) 1: one qualified to vote in an election
          2: one entitled to participate in an election: as a:
          any of the German princes entitled to take part in choosing
          the Holy Roman Emperor b: a member of the electoral college
          in the U.S.

   electoral
          [elec.tor.al] adj (1675) 1: of or relating to an elector
          <the ~ vote> 2: of or relating to election <an ~ system>
          -- elec.tor.al.ly adv

   electoral college
          [electoral college] n (ca. 1691): a body of electors; esp:
          one that elects the president and vice president of the
          U.S.

   electorate
          [elec.tor.ate] n (1675) 1: the territory, jurisdiction, or
          dignity of a German elector 2: a body of people entitled
          to vote

   electr-
          [electr-] or electro- comb form [NL electricus] 1 a: electricity
          <electrometer> b: electric <electrode>: electric and
          <electrochemical>: electrically <electropositive> 2:
          electrolytic <electroanalysis> 3: electron <electrophilic>

   Electra
          [Elec.tra] n [L, fr. Gk Elektra]: a sister of Orestes who
          aids him in killing their mother Clytemnestra

   Electra complex
          [Electra complex] n (1913): the Oedipus complex when it occurs
          in a female

   electress
          [elec.tress] n (1618): the wife or widow of a German elector

   electret
          [elec.tret] n [electricity + magnet] (1885): a dielectric
          body in which a permanent state of electric polarization
          has been set up

   [1]electric
          [elec.tric] adj [NL electricus produced from amber by friction,
          electric, fr. ML, of amber, fr. L electrum amber, electrum,
          fr. Gk elektron; akin to Gk elektor beaming sun] (1675)
          1 or elec.tri.cal : of, relating to, or operated by electricity
          2: exciting as if by electric shock <an ~ performance>
          <an ~ personality>; also: charged with strong emotion
          <the room was ~ with tension> 3 a: electronic 3a b: amplifying
          sound by electronic means--used of a musical instrument
          <an ~ guitar> 4: very bright <~ blue> <~ orange> -- elec.tri.cal.ly
          adv [2]electric n (1646) 1 archaic: a nonconductor of electricity
          used to excite or accumulate electricity 2: something (as a light,
          automobile, or train) operated by electricity

   electrical storm
          [electrical storm] n (1941): thunderstorm--called also electric
          storm

   electric chair
          [electric chair] n (1889) 1: a chair used in legal electrocution
          2: the penalty of death by electrocution

   electric eel
          [electric eel] n (1794): a large eel-shaped fish (Electrophorus
          electricus) of the Orinoco and Amazon basins that is
          capable of giving a severe shock with its electric organs

   electric eye
          [electric eye] n (1898): photoelectric cell

   electric field
          [electric field] n (ca. 1889): a region associated with a
          distribution of electric charge or a varying magnetic
          field in which forces due to that charge or field act
          upon other electric charges

   electrician
          [elec.tri.cian] n (1869): one who installs, maintains, operates,
          or repairs electrical equipment

   electricity
          [elec.tric.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1646) 1 a: a fundamental entity
          of nature consisting of negative and positive kinds,
          observable in the attractions and repulsions of bodies
          electrified by friction and in natural phenomena (as
          lightning or the aurora borealis), and usu. utilized
          in the form of electric currents b: electric current
          or power 2: a science that deals with the phenomena and
          laws of electricity 3: keen contagious excitement

   electric organ
          [electric organ] n (1773): a specialized tract of tissue
          (as in the electric eel) in which electricity is generated

   electric ray
          [electric ray] n (1774): any of various round-bodied short-tailed
          rays (family Torpedinidae) of warm seas with a pair of
          electric organs

   electrification
          [elec.tri.fi.ca.tion] n (1748) 1: an act or process of electrifying
          2: the state of being electrified

   electrify
          [elec.tri.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1745) 1 a: to charge with
          electricity b (1): to equip for use of electric power
          (2): to supply with electric power (3): to amplify (music)
          electronically 2: to excite intensely or suddenly as
          if by electric shock

   electroacoustics
          [elec.tro.acous.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1927): a science
          that deals with the transformation of acoustic energy
          into electric energy or vice versa -- elec.tro.acous.tic adj

   electroanalysis
          [elec.tro.anal.y.sis] n (1903): chemical analysis by electrolytic
          methods -- elec.tro.an.a.lyt.i.cal adj

   electrocardiogram
          [elec.tro.car.dio.gram] n (ca. 1904): the tracing made by
          an electrocardiograph

   electrocardiograph
          [elec.tro.car.dio.graph] n (1913): an instrument for recording
          the changes of electrical potential occurring during
          the heartbeat used esp. in diagnosing abnormalities of
          heart action -- elec.tro.car.dio.graph.ic adj --
          elec.tro.car.dio.graph.i.cal.ly adv -- elec.tro.car.di.og.ra.phy n

   electrochemistry
          [elec.tro.chem.is.try] n (1814): a science that deals with
          the relation of electricity to chemical changes and with
          the interconversion of chemical and electrical energy
          -- elec.tro.chem.i.cal adj -- elec.tro.chem.i.cal.ly adv

   electroconvulsive
          [elec.tro.con.vul.sive] adj (1947): of, relating to, or involving
          convulsive response to electroshock <~ shocks>

   electroconvulsive therapy
          [electroconvulsive therapy] n (1948): electroshock therapy

   electrocorticogram
          [elec.tro.cor.ti.co.gram] n (1939): an electroencephalogram
          made with the electrodes in direct contact with the brain

   electrocute
          [elec.tro.cute] vt -cut.ed ; -cut.ing [electr- + -cute (as
          in execute)] (1889) 1: to execute (a criminal) by electricity
          2: to kill by electric shock -- elec.tro.cu.tion n

   electrode
          [elec.trode] n (1834) 1: a conductor used to establish electrical
          contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit 2: an element
          in a semiconductor device (as a transistor) that emits
          or collects electrons or holes or controls their movements

   [1]electrodeposit
          [elec.tro.de.pos.it] n (1864): a deposit formed in or at
          an electrode by electrolysis [2]electrodeposit vt (1882):
          to deposit (as a metal or rubber) by electrolysis --
          elec.tro.de.po.si.tion n

   electrodermal
          [elec.tro.der.mal] adj (1946): of or relating to electrical
          activity in or electrical properties of the skin

   electrodesiccation
          [elec.tro.des.ic.ca.tion] n (1919): the drying up of tissue
          by a high-frequency electric current applied with a needle-shaped
          electrode--called also fulguration

   electrodialysis
          [elec.tro.di.al.y.sis] n (1921): dialysis accelerated by
          an electromotive force applied to electrodes adjacent
          to the membranes -- elec.tro.di.a.lyt.ic adj

   electrodynamics
          [elec.tro.dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1827): a branch
          of physics that deals with the effects arising from the
          interactions of electric currents with magnets, with
          other currents, or with themselves -- elec.tro.dy.nam.ic
          adj

   electrodynamometer
          [elec.tro.dy.na.mom.e.ter] n [ISV] (1876): an instrument
          that measures current by indicating the strength of the
          forces between a current flowing in fixed coils and one
          flowing in movable coils

   electroencephalogram
          [elec.tro.en.ceph.a.lo.gram] n [ISV] (1934): the tracing
          of brain waves made by an electroencephalograph

   electroencephalograph
          [elec.tro.en.ceph.a.lo.graph] n [ISV] (1936): an apparatus
          for detecting and recording brain waves --
          elec.tro.en.ceph.a.log.ra.pher n --
          elec.tro.en.ceph.a.lo.graph.ic adj --
          elec.tro.en.ceph.a.lo.graph.i.cal.ly adv --
          elec.tro.en.ceph.a.log.ra.phy n

   electrofishing
          [elec.tro.fish.ing] n (1950): the taking of fish by a system
          based on their tendency to respond positively to a source
          of direct electric current

   electroform
          [elec.tro.form] vt (1931): to form (shaped articles)
          by electrodeposition on a mold -- electroform n

   electrogenic
          [elec.tro.gen.ic] adj (ca. 1891): of or relating to the production
          of electrical activity in living tissue <an ~ pump>
          -- elec.tro.gen.e.sis n

   electrogram
          [elec.tro.gram] n (ca. 1935): a tracing of the electrical
          potentials of a tissue (as the brain or heart) made by
          means of electrodes placed directly in the tissue instead
          of on the surface of the body

   electrohydraulic
          [elec.tro.hy.drau.lic] adj (1922) 1: of or relating to a
          combination of electric and hydraulic mechanisms 2: involving
          or produced by the action of very brief but powerful
          pulse discharges of electricity under a liquid resulting
          in the generation of shock waves and highly reactive
          chemical species <an ~ effect>

   electrojet
          [elec.tro.jet] n (1955): an overhead concentration of electric
          current found in the regions of strong auroral displays
          and along the magnetic equator

   electrokinetic
          [elec.tro.ki.net.ic] adj (1881): of or relating to the motion
          of particles or liquids that results from or produces
          a difference of electric potential

   electrokinetics
          [elec.tro.ki.net.ics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1925):
          a branch of physics dealing with the motion of electric
          currents or charged particles

   electroless
          [elec.tro.less] adj (1947): being or involving chemical deposition
          of metal instead of electrodeposition

   electrologist
          [elec.trol.o.gist] n [blend of electrolysis and -logist (fr.
          -logy + -ist)] (ca. 1902): one that removes hair, warts,
          moles, and birthmarks by means of an electric current
          applied to the body with a needle-shaped electrode --
          elec.trol.o.gy n

   electroluminescent
          [elec.tro.lu.mi.nes.cent] adj (ca. 1909): of or relating
          to luminescence resulting from a high-frequency discharge
          through a gas or from application of an alternating current
          to a layer of phosphor -- elec.tro.lu.mi.nes.cence n

   electrolysis
          [elec.trol.y.sis] n (1834) 1 a: the producing of chemical
          changes by passage of an electric current through an
          electrolyte b: subjection to this action 2: the destruction
          of hair roots with an electric current

   electrolyte
          [elec.tro.lyte] n (1834) 1: a nonmetallic electric conductor
          in which current is carried by the movement of ions 2:
          a substance that when dissolved in a suitable solvent
          or when fused becomes an ionic conductor

   electrolytic
          [elec.tro.lyt.ic] adj (1842): of or relating to electrolysis
          or an electrolyte; also: involving, produced by, or used
          in electrolysis <~ cell> -- elec.tro.lyt.i.cal.ly adv

   electrolyze
          [elec.tro.lyze] vt -lyzed ; -lyz.ing (1834): to subject to
          electrolysis

   electromagnet
          [elec.tro.mag.net] n (1831): a core of magnetic material
          surrounded by a coil of wire through which an electric
          current is passed to magnetize the core

   electromagnetic
          [elec.tro.mag.net.ic] adj (1821): of, relating to, or produced
          by electromagnetism -- elec.tro.mag.net.i.cal.ly adv

   electromagnetic pulse
          [electromagnetic pulse] n (1981): high-intensity electromagnetic
          radiation generated by a nuclear blast high above the
          earth's surface and held to disrupt electronic and electrical
          systems

   electromagnetic radiation
          [electromagnetic radiation] n (1939): a series of electromagnetic
          waves

   electromagnetic spectrum
          [electromagnetic spectrum] n (ca. 1934): the entire range
          of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation
          extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves
          and including visible light

   electromagnetic unit
          [electromagnetic unit] n (ca. 1889): any of a system of electrical
          units based primarily on the magnetic properties of electrical
          currents

   electromagnetic wave
          [electromagnetic wave] n (1908): one of the waves that are
          propagated by simultaneous periodic variations of electric
          and magnetic field intensity and that include radio waves,
          infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X rays, and gamma
          rays

   electromagnetism
          [elec.tro.mag.ne.tism] n (1828) 1: magnetism developed by
          a current of electricity 2 a: a fundamental physical
          force that is responsible for interactions between charged
          particles which occur because of their charge and for
          the emission and absorption of photons, that is about
          100 times weaker than the strong force, and that extends
          over infinite distances but is dominant over atomic and
          molecular distances--called also electromagnetic force--compare
          gravity 3a(2), strong force, weak force b: a branch of
          physical science that deals with the physical relations
          between electricity and magnetism

   electromechanical
          [elec.tro.me.chan.i.cal] adj (1888): of, relating to, or
          being a mechanical process or device actuated or controlled
          electrically; esp: being a transducer for converting
          electrical energy to mechanical energy -- elec.tro.me.chan.i.cal.ly
          adv

   electrometallurgy
          [elec.tro.met.al.lur.gy] n (1840): a branch of metallurgy
          that deals with the application of electric current either
          for electrolytic deposition or as a source of heat

   electrometer
          [elec.trom.e.ter] n (1749): any of various instruments for
          detecting or measuring electric-potential differences
          or ionizing radiations by means of the forces of attraction
          or repulsion between charged bodies

   electromotive force
          [elec.tro.mo.tive force] n (1827): something that moves or
          tends to move electricity: the potential difference derived
          from an electrical source per unit quantity of electricity
          passing through the source (as a cell or generator)

   electromyogram
          [elec.tro.myo.gram] n (1917): a tracing made with an
          electromyograph

   electromyograph
          [elec.tro.myo.graph] n [electr- + my- + -graph] (1948): an
          instrument that converts the electrical activity associated
          with functioning skeletal muscle into a visual record
          or into sound and used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders
          and in biofeedback training -- elec.tro.myo.graph.ic
          adj -- elec.tro.myo.graph.i.cal.ly adv -- elec.tro.my.og.ra.phy
          n

   electron
          [elec.tron] n [electr- + [2]-on] (1891): an elementary particle
          consisting of a charge of negative electricity equal
          to about 1.602E-19 coulomb and having a mass when at
          rest of about 9.109534E-28 gram or about 1/1836 that
          of a proton

   electron cloud
          [electron cloud] n (1926): the system of electrons surrounding
          the nucleus of an atom

   electronegative
          [elec.tro.neg.a.tive] adj (1834): having a tendency to attract
          electrons -- elec.tro.neg.a.tiv.i.ty n

   electron gas
          [electron gas] n (ca. 1929): a population of free electrons
          in a vacuum or in a metallic conductor

   electron gun
          [electron gun] n (1924): an electron-emitting cathode and
          its surrounding assembly (as in a cathode-ray tube) for
          directing, controlling, and focusing a beam of electrons

   electronic
          [elec.tron.ic] adj (1902) 1: of or relating to electrons
          2: of, relating to, or utilizing devices constructed
          or working by the methods or principles of electronics;
          also: implemented on or by means of a computer <~ food
          stamps> <~ banking> 3 a: generating musical tones by
          electronic means <an ~ organ> b: of, relating to, or
          being music that consists of sounds electronically generated
          or modified 4: of, relating to, or being a medium (as
          television) by which information is transmitted electronically
          <~ journalism> -- elec.tron.i.cal.ly adv

   electronic countermeasure
          [electronic countermeasure] n (1962): the disruption of the
          operation of an enemy's equipment (as by jamming radio
          or radar signals)

   electronic mail
          [electronic mail] n (1977): messages sent and received
          electronically (as between terminals linked by
          telephone lines or microwave relays)

   electronic publishing
          [electronic publishing] n (1980): publishing in which information
          is distributed by means of a computer network or is produced
          in a format for use with a computer

   electronics
          [elec.tron.ics] n pl (1910) 1 sing in constr: a branch of
          physics that deals with the emission, behavior, and effects
          of electrons (as in electron tubes and transistors) and
          with electronic devices 2: electronic devices or equipment

   electron lens
          [electron lens] n (1931): a device for focusing a beam of
          electrons by means of an electric or a magnetic field

   electron micrograph
          [electron micrograph] n (1934): a micrograph made with an
          electron microscope -- electron micrography n

   electron microscope
          [electron microscope] n (1932): an electron-optical instrument
          in which a beam of electrons focused by means of an electron
          lens is used to produce an enlarged image of a minute
          object on a fluorescent screen or photographic plate
          -- electron microscopist n -- electron microscopy n

   electron multiplier
          [electron multiplier] n (1936): a device utilizing secondary
          emission of electrons for amplifying a current of electrons

   electron optics
          [electron optics] n pl but sing in constr (1916): a branch
          of physics in which the principles of optics are applied
          to beams of electrons -- elec.tron-op.ti.cal adj

   electron probe
          [electron probe] n (1962): a microprobe that uses an electron
          beam to induce X-ray emissions in a sample

   electron transport
          [electron transport] n (1951): the sequential transfer of
          electrons esp. by cytochromes in cellular respiration
          from an oxidizable substrate to molecular oxygen by a
          series of oxidation-reduction reactions

   electron tube
          [electron tube] n (1922): an electronic device in which conduction
          by electrons takes place through a vacuum or a gaseous medium
          within a sealed glass or metal container and which has various uses
          based on the controlled flow of electrons

   electron volt
          [electron volt] n (1930): a unit of energy equal to the energy
          gained by an electron in passing from a point of low
          potential to a point one volt higher in potential: 1.60E-19
          joule

   electrooculogram
          [elec.tro.oc.u.lo.gram] n [electr- + L oculus eye + E -gram--more
          at eye] (1947): a record of the standing voltage between
          the front and back of the eye that is correlated with
          eyeba ll movement (as in REM sleep) and obtained by electrodes
          placed on the skin near the eye

   electrooculography
          [elec.tro.oc.u.log.ra.phy] n, pl -phies (1951): the preparation
          and study of electrooculograms

   electro-optical
          [elec.tro-op.ti.cal] or elec.tro-op.tic adj (1879) 1: of
          or relating to electro-optics 2 a: relating to or being
          a change in the refractive index of a material due to
          an electric field <~ effect> b: using or being a material
          that exhibits electro-optical properties <an ~ crystal>
          3: relating to or being an electronic device for emitting,
          modulating, transmitting, or sensing light -- elec.tro-op.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   electro-optics
          [elec.tro-op.tics] n pl (ca. 1889) 1 sing in constr: a branch
          of physics that deals with the effects of an electric
          field on light traversing it 2: electro-optical devices

   electroosmosis
          [elec.tro.os.mo.sis] n (1906): the movement of a liquid out
          of or through a porous material or a biological membrane
          under the influence of an electric field -- elec.tro.os.mot.ic
          adj

   electropherogram
          [elec.tro.phe.ro.gram] n [electr- + phero- (fr. Gk pherein
          to carry) + -gram] (1951): electrophoretogram

   electrophile
          [elec.tro.phile] n (1943): an electrophilic substance (as
          an electron-accepting reagent)

   electrophilic
          [elec.tro.phil.ic] adj (1936) 1 of an atom, ion, or molecule:
          having an affinity for electrons: being an electron acceptor
          2: involving an electrophilic species <an ~ reaction>--compare
          nucleophilic -- elec.tro.phi.lic.ity n

   electrophoresis
          [elec.tro.pho.re.sis] n [NL] (1911): the movement of suspended
          particles through a fluid or gel under the action of
          an electromotive force applied to electrodes in contact
          with the suspension -- elec.tro.pho.rese vt -- elec.tro.pho.ret.ic
          adj -- elec.tro.pho.ret.i.cal.ly adv

   electrophoretogram
          [elec.tro.pho.reto.gram] n [electrophoretic + -o- + -gram]
          (1954): a record that consists of the separated components
          of a mixture (as of proteins) produced by electrophoresis
          in a supporting medium (as filter paper)

   electrophorus
          [elec.troph.o.rus] n, pl -ri [NL, fr. electr- + -phorus -phore]
          (1778): a device for producing electric charges consisting
          of a disk that is negatively electrified by friction
          and a metal plate that becomes charged by induction when
          placed on the disk

   electrophotography
          [elec.tro.pho.tog.ra.phy] n (1894): photography in which
          images are produced by electrical means (as in xerography)
          -- elec.tro.pho.to.graph.ic adj

   electrophysiology
          [elec.tro.phys.i.ol.o.gy] n (1838) 1: physiology that is
          concerned with the electrical aspects of physiological
          phenomena 2: electrical phenomena associated with a physiological
          process (as the function of a body or bodily part) <~
          of the eye> -- elec.tro.phys.i.o.log.i.cal also
          elec.tro.phys.i.o.log.ic adj -- elec.tro.phys.i.o.log.i.cal.ly adv
          -- elec.tro.phys.i.ol.o.gist n

   electroplate
          [elec.tro.plate] vt (ca. 1859): to plate with an adherent
          continuous coating by electrodeposition

   electropositive
          [elec.tro.pos.i.tive] adj (1834): having a tendency to release
          electrons

   electroretinogram
          [elec.tro.ret.i.no.gram] n (1936): a graphic record of electrical
          activity of the retina used esp. in the diagnosis of
          retinal conditions

   electroretinograph
          [elec.tro.ret.i.no.graph] n (1962): an instrument for recording
          electrical activity in the retina -- elec.tro.ret.i.no.graph.ic
          adj -- elec.tro.ret.i.nog.ra.phy n

   electroscope
          [elec.tro.scope] n [prob. fr. F electroscope] (1810): any
          of various instruments for detecting the presence of
          an electric charge on a body, for determining whether
          the charge is positive or negative, or for indicating
          and measuring intensity of radiation

   electroshock
          [elec.tro.shock] n (1941) 1: [3]shock 5 2: electroshock therapy

   electroshock therapy
          [electroshock therapy] n (1942): the treatment of mental
          disorder and esp. depression by the induction of unconsciousness
          and convulsions through the use of an electric current
          now usu. on an anesthetized patient--called also electroconvulsive
          therapy

   electrostatic
          [elec.tro.stat.ic] adj [ISV] (1860) 1: of or relating to
          static electricity or electrostatics 2: of or relating
          to painting with a spray that utilizes electrically charged
          particles to ensure complete coating -- elec.tro.stat.i.cal.ly
          adv

   electrostatic generator
          [electrostatic generator] n (ca. 1931): Van de Graaff generator

   electrostatic precipitator
          [electrostatic precipitator] n (1949): an electrostatic device
          in chimney flues that removes particles from escaping
          gases

   electrostatics
          [elec.tro.stat.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1827): physics
          that deals with phenomena due to attractions or repulsions
          of electric charges but not dependent upon their motion

   electrosurgery
          [elec.tro.sur.gery] n (ca. 1903): surgery by means of diathermy
          -- elec.tro.sur.gi.cal adj

   electrotherapy
          [elec.tro.ther.a.py] n (1881): treatment of disease by means
          of electricity (as in diathermy)

   electrothermal
          [elec.tro.ther.mal] adj (1884): relating to or combining
          electricity and heat; specif: relating to the generation
          of heat by electricity -- elec.tro.ther.mal.ly adv

   electrotonic
          [elec.tro.ton.ic] adj (1832) 1: of, induced by, relating
          to, or constituting electrotonus 2: of, relating to,
          or being the spread of electrical activity through living
          tissue or cells in the absence of repeated action potentials
          <an ~ junction between cells> -- elec.tro.ton.i.cal.ly
          adv

   electrotonus
          [elec.trot.o.nus] n [NL] (1878): the altered sensitivity
          of a nerve when a constant current of electricity passes
          through any part of it

   electrotype
          [elec.tro.type] n (1840) 1: a duplicate printing surface
          made by an electroplating process 2: a copy (as of a
          coin) made by an electroplating process -- electrotype
          vt -- elec.tro.typ.er n

   electroweak
          [elec.tro.weak] adj (1978): of, relating to, or being the
          unification of electromagnetism and the weak force

   electrowinning
          [elec.tro.win.ning] n (1924): the recovery esp. of metals
          from solutions by electrolysis

   electrum
          [elec.trum] n [ME, fr. L--more at electric] (14c): a natural
          pale yellow alloy of gold and silver

   electuary
          [elec.tu.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [ME electuarie, fr. LL electuarium,
          prob. fr. Gk ekleikton, fr. ekleichein to lick up, fr.
          ex- + leichein to lick--more at lick] (14c): confection
          2b

   eledoisin
          [el.e.doi.sin] n [irreg. fr. NL Eledone, fr. Gk eledone,
          a kind of octopus] (1963): a small protein from the salivary
          glands of several octopuses (genus Eledone) that is a
          powerful vasodilator and hypotensive agent

   eleemosynary
          [el.ee.mo.sy.nary] adj [ML eleemosynarius, fr. LL eleemosyna
          alms--more at alms] (ca. 1616): of, relating to, or supported
          by charity

   elegance
          [el.e.gance] n (ca. 1510) 1 a: refined grace or dignified
          propriety: urbanity b: tasteful richness of design or
          ornamentation <the sumptuous ~ of the furnishings> c:
          dignified gracefulness or restrained beauty of style:
          polish <the essay is marked by lucidity, wit, and ~>
          d: scientific precision, neatness, and simplicity <the
          ~ of a mathematical proof> 2: something that is elegant

   elegancy
          [el.e.gan.cy] n, pl -cies (15c): elegance

   elegant
          [el.e.gant] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L elegant-, elegans; akin
          to L eligere to select--more at elect] (15c) 1: marked
          by elegance 2: of a high grade or quality: splendid <~
          gems priced at hundreds of thousands of dollars> syn
          see choice -- el.e.gant.ly adv

   elegiac
          [ele.gi.ac] also el.e.gi.a.cal adj [LL elegiacus, fr. Gk
          elegeiakos, fr. elegeion] (1542) 1 a: of, relating to,
          or consisting of two dactylic hexameter lines the second
          of which lacks the arsis in the third and sixth feet
          b (1): written in or consisting of elegiac couplets (2):
          noted for having written poetry in such couplets c: of
          or relating to the period in Greece about the seventh
          century b.c. when poetry written in such couplets flourished
          2: of, relating to, or comprising elegy or an elegy;
          esp: expressing sorrow often for something now past <an
          ~ lament for departed youth> -- elegiac n -- el.e.gi.a.cal.ly
          adv

   elegit
          [ele.git] n [L, lit., he has chosen, fr. eligere] (1504):
          a judicial writ of execution by which a defendant's goods
          and if necessary his or her lands are delivered for debt
          to the plaintiff until the debt is paid

   elegize
          [el.e.gize] vb -gized ; -giz.ing vi (1702): to write an elegy
          ~ vt: to write an elegy on

   elegy
          [el.e.gy] n, pl -gies [L elegia poem in elegiac couplets,
          fr. Gk elegeia, elegeion, fr. elegos song of mourning]
          (1501) 1: a poem in elegiac couplets 2 a: a song or poem
          expressing sorrow or lamentation esp. for one who is
          dead b: something (as a speech) resembling such a song
          or poem 3 a: a pensive or reflective poem that is usu.
          nostalgic or melancholy b: a short pensive musical composition

   elem
          [elem] abbreviation elementary

   element
          [el.e.ment] n [ME, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L elementum] (13c)
          1 a: any of the four substances air, water, fire, and
          earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe
          b pl: weather conditions; esp: violent or severe weather
          <battling the ~s> c: the state or sphere natural or suited
          to a person or thing <at school she was in her ~> 2:
          a constituent part: as a pl: the simplest principles
          of a subject of study: rudiments b (1): a part of a geometric
          magnitude <an infinitesimal ~ of volume> (2): a generator
          of a geometric figure; also: a line or line segment contained
          in the surface of a cone or cylinder (3): a basic member
          of a mathematical or logical class or set (4): one of
          the individual entries in a mathematical matrix or determinant
          c: one of a number of distinct groups composing a larger
          group or community <the criminal ~ in the city> d (1):
          one of the necessary data or values on which calculations
          or conclusions are based (2): one of the factors determining
          the outcome of a process e: any of more than 100 fundamental
          substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and
          that singly or in combination constitute all matter f:
          a distinct part of a composite device g: a subdivision
          of a military unit 3 pl: the bread and wine used in the
          Eucharist syn element, component, constituent, ingredient
          mean one of the parts of a compound or complex whole.
          element applies to any such part and often connotes irreducible
          simplicity <the basic elements of geometry>. component
          and constituent may designate any of the substances (whether
          elements or compounds) or the qualities that enter into
          the makeup of a complex product; component stresses its
          separate entity or distinguishable character <the components
          of a stereo system>. constituent stresses its essential
          and formative character <the constituents of a chemical
          compound>. ingredient applies to any of the substances
          which when combined form a particular mixture (as a medicine
          or alloy) <the ingredients of a cocktail>.

   elemental
          [el.e.men.tal] adj (15c) 1 a: of, relating to, or being an
          element; specif: existing as an uncombined chemical element
          b (1): of, relating to, or being the basic or essential
          constituent of something: fundamental <~ biological needs>
          (2): simple, uncomplicated <~ food> c: of, relating to,
          or dealing with the rudiments of something: elementary
          <taught ~ crafts to the children> d: forming an integral
          part: inherent <an ~ sense of rhythm> 2: of, relating
          to, or resembling a great force of nature <the rains
          come with ~ violence> <~ passions> -- elemental n --
          el.e.men.tal.ly adv

   elementary
          [el.e.men.ta.ry] adj (14c) 1 a: of, relating to, or dealing
          with the simplest elements or principles of something
          <avoids the most ~ decision-making> b: of or relating
          to an elementary school <an ~ curriculum> 2: elemental
          1a, 1b 3: elemental 2 -- el.e.men.ta.ri.ly adv --
          el.e.men.ta.ri.ness n

   elementary particle
          [elementary particle] n (1934): any of the particles of which
          matter and energy are composed or which mediate the fundamental
          forces of nature; esp: one whose existence has not been
          attributed to the combination of other more fundamental
          entities

   elementary school
          [elementary school] n (1841): a school including usu. the
          first four to the first eight grades and often a kindergarten

   elemi
          [el.e.mi] n [NL elimi, prob. fr. Ar al lami the elemi] (1543):
          any of various fragrant oleoresins obtained from tropical
          trees (family Burseraceae) and used chiefly in varnishes,
          lacquers, and printing inks

   elenchus
          [elen.chus] n, pl -chi [L, fr. Gk elenchos] (1663): refutation;
          esp: one in syllogistic form

   elephant
          [el.e.phant] n, pl elephants also elephant often attrib [ME,
          fr. MF & L; MF olifant, fr. L elephantus, fr. Gk elephant-,
          elephas] (14c) 1: any of a family (Elephantidae, the
          elephant family) of thickset usu. extremely large nearly
          hairless herbivorous mammals that have a snout elongated
          into a muscular trunk and two incisors in the upper jaw
          developed esp. in the male into large ivory tusks and
          that include two living forms and various extinct relatives:
          as a: a tall large-eared mammal (Loxodonta africana)
          of tropical Africa--called also African elephant b: a
          relatively small-eared mammal (Elephas maximus) of forests
          of southeastern Asia--called also Asian elephant, Indian
          elephant 2: an animal or fossil related to the elephants
          3: one that is uncommonly large or hard to manage

   elephant bird
          [elephant bird] n (ca. 1889): aepyornis

   elephant grass
          [elephant grass] n (1832) 1: an Old World cattail (Typha
          elephantina) used esp. in making baskets 2: napier grass

   elephantiasis
          [el.e.phan.ti.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL, fr. L, a kind of leprosy,
          fr. Gk, fr. elephant-, elephas] (1581) 1: enlargement
          and thickening of tissues; specif: the enormous enlargement
          of a limb or the scrotum caused by obstruction of lymphatics
          by filarial worms (esp. Wuchereria bancrofti) 2: an undesirable
          usu. enormous growth, enlargement, or overdevelopment
          <~ of intellect and atrophy of emotion --Michael Lerner>

   elephantine
          [el.e.phan.tine] adj (1610) 1 a: having enormous size or
          strength: massive b: clumsy, ponderous <~ verse> 2: of
          or relating to an elephant

   elephant seal
          [elephant seal] n (1841): either of two very large seals
          (genus Mirounga of the family Phocidae) characterized
          by a long inflatable proboscis: a: one (M. angustirostris)
          found in Pacific coastal waters from southeastern Alaska
          to Baja California b: one (M. leonina) found in coastal
          waters of subantarctic islands and Patagonia

   Eleusinian
          [El.eu.sin.i.an] adj (1611): of or relating to ancient Eleusis
          or to the religious mysteries celebrated there in worship
          of Demeter and Persephone

   elev
          [elev] abbreviation elevation

   [1]elevate
          [el.e.vate] adj (14c) archaic: elevated [2]el.e.vate vb -vat.ed
          ; -vat.ing [ME, fr. L elevatus, pp. of elevare, fr. e-
          + levare to raise--more at lever] vt (15c) 1: to lift
          up: raise 2: to raise in rank or status: exalt 3: to
          improve morally, intellectually, or culturally 4: to
          raise the spirits of: elate ~ vi: to become elevated:
          rise <his voice ~ed to a shout> syn see lift

   [1]elevated
          [el.e.vat.ed] adj (1553) 1 a: raised esp. above the ground
          or other surface <an ~ highway> b: increased esp. abnormally
          (as in degree or amount) <~ blood pressure> 2 a: being
          morally or intellectually on a high plane <~ conversation>
          b: formal, dignified <~ diction> 3: exhilarated in mood
          or feeling [2]elevated n (1881): [2]el

   elevation
          [el.e.va.tion] n (14c) 1: the height to which something is
          elevated: as a: the angular distance of something (as
          a celestial object) above the horizon b: the degree to
          which a gun is aimed above the horizon c: the height
          above the level of the sea: altitude 2: a ballet dancer's
          or a skater's leap and seeming suspension in the air;
          also: the ability to achieve an elevation 3: an act or
          instance of elevating 4: something that is elevated:
          as a: an elevated place b: a swelling esp. on the skin
          5: the quality or state of being elevated 6: a geometrical
          projection (as of a building) on a vertical plane syn
          see height

   elevator
          [el.e.va.tor] n (1646) 1: one that raises or lifts something
          up: as a: an endless belt or chain conveyor with cleats,
          scoops, or buckets for raising material b: a cage or
          platform and its hoisting machinery for conveying people
          or things to different levels c: grain elevator 2: a
          movable auxiliary airfoil usu. attached to the tail plane
          of an airplane for controlling pitch--see airplane illustration

   elevator music
          [elevator music] n (1979): instrumental arrangements of popular
          songs often piped in (as to an elevator or retail store)

   eleven
          [elev.en] n [ME enleven, fr. enleven, adj., fr. OE endleofan,
          fr. end- (alter. of an one) + -leofan; akin to OE leon
          to lend--more at one, loan] (bef. 12c) 1: one more than
          ten 2: the 11th in a set or series 3: something having
          11 units or members; esp: a football team -- eleven adj
          -- eleven pron, pl in constr -- elev.enth adj or n

   eleven-plus
          [eleven-plus] n (1955) Brit: an examination taken by schoolchildren
          between the ages of 11 and 12 that determines the type of secondary
          education to which they are assigned

   elevenses
          [elev.ens.es] n pl but sometimes sing in constr [double pl.
          of eleven (o'clock)] (ca. 1819) Brit: light refreshment
          (as a snack) taken in the middle of the morning

   eleventh hour
          [eleventh hour] n (1826): the latest possible time <still
          making changes at the eleventh hour>

   elevon
          [el.e.von] n [elevator + aileron] (1944): an airplane control
          surface that combines the functions of elevator and aileron

   ELF
          [ELF] abbreviation extremely low frequency

   elf
          [elf] n, pl elves [ME, fr. OE aelf; akin to ON alfr elf &
          perh. to L albus white--more at alb] (bef. 12c) 1: a
          small often mischievous fairy 2: a small lively creature;
          also: a usu. lively mischievous or malicious person --
          elf.ish adj -- elf.ish.ly adv

   elfin
          [elf.in] adj [irreg. fr. elf] (1596) 1 a: of, relating to,
          or produced by an elf b: resembling an elf esp. in its
          tiny size <~ portions> 2: having an otherworldly or magical
          quality or charm

   elflock
          [elf.lock] n (1592): hair matted as if by elves--usu. used
          in pl.

   elf owl
          [elf owl] n (1887): a very small insectivorous owl (Micrathene
          whitneyi) of the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico that often
          roosts and nests in giant cacti

   elhi
          [el.hi] adj [elementary (school) + high (school)] (ca. 1948):
          of, relating to, or designed for use in grades 1 to 12

   Eli
          [Eli] n [Heb 'Eli]: a judge and priest of Israel who according
          to the account in I Samuel was entrusted with the care
          of the boy Samuel

   Elias
          [Eli.as] n [LL, fr. Gk Elias, fr. Heb Eliyah]: elijah

   elicit
          [elic.it] vt [L elicitus, pp. of elicere, fr. e- + lacere
          to allure] (1605) 1: to draw forth or bring out (something
          latent or potential) <hypnotism ~ed his hidden fears>
          2: to call forth or draw out (as information or a response)
          <her performance ~ed wild applause> syn see educe --
          elic.i.ta.tion n -- elic.i.tor n

   elide
          [elide] vt elid.ed ; elid.ing [L elidere to strike out, fr.
          e- + laedere to injure by striking] (1796) 1 a: to suppress
          or alter (as a vowel or syllable) by elision b: to strike
          out (as a written word) 2 a: to leave out of consideration:
          omit b: curtail, abridge

   eligible
          [el.i.gi.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF & LL; MF, fr. LL eligibilis,
          fr. L eligere to choose--more at elect] (15c) 1 a: qualified
          to be chosen: entitled <~ to retire> b: permitted under
          football rules to catch a forward pass <an ~ receiver>
          2: worthy of being chosen: desirable <an ~ young bachelor>
          -- el.i.gi.bil.i.ty n -- eligible n -- el.i.gi.bly adv

   Elijah
          [Eli.jah] n [Heb Eliyah]: a Hebrew prophet of the 9th century
          b.c. who according to the account in I Kings championed
          the worship of Jehovah as against Baal

   eliminate
          [elim.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L eliminatus, pp. of
          eliminare, fr. e- + limin-, limen threshold] (1568) 1
          a: to cast out or get rid of: remove, eradicate <the
          need to ~ poverty> b: to set aside as unimportant: ignore
          2: to expel (as waste) from the living body 3: to cause
          (as an unknown) to disappear by combining two or more
          mathematical equations -- elim.i.na.tive adj -- elim.i.na.tor
          n

   elimination
          [elim.i.na.tion] n, often attrib (1627): the act, process,
          or an instance of eliminating or discharging: as a: the
          act of discharging or excreting waste products from the
          body b: the removal from a molecule of the constituents
          of a simpler molecule <ethylene is formed by the ~ of
          water from ethanol>--compare addition 4

   ELISA
          [ELISA] n (1978): enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

   Elisha
          [Eli.sha] n [Heb Elisha']: a Hebrew prophet and disciple
          and successor of Elijah

   elision
          [eli.sion] n [LL elision-, elisio, fr. L elidere] (1581)
          1 a: the use of a speech form that lacks a final or initial
          sound which a variant speech form has (as 's instead
          of is in there's) b: the omission of an unstressed vowel
          or syllable in a verse to achieve a uniform metrical
          pattern 2: the act or an instance of omitting something:
          omission

   elite
          [elite] n [F elite, fr. OF eslite, fr. fem. of eslit, pp.
          of eslire to choose, fr. L eligere] (1823) 1 a sing or
          pl in constr: the choice part: cream <the ~ of the entertainment
          world> b sing or pl in constr: the best of a class <superachievers
          who dominate the computer ~ --Marilyn Chase> c sing
          or pl in constr: the socially superior part of society <how the
          ~ live --A P World> <how the French-speaking ~ ... was changing
          --Economist> d: a group of persons who by virtue of position
          or education exercise much power or influence <members of the
          ruling ~> <the intellectual ~s of the country> e: a member of such
          an elite--usu. used in pl. <the ~s ... , pursuing their studies
          in Europe --Robert Wernick> 2: a typewriter type providing
          12 characters to the linear inch -- elite adj

   elitism
          [elit.ism] n (1947) 1: leadership or rule by an elite 2:
          the selectivity of the elite; esp: snobbery 1 <~ in choosing
          new members> 3: consciousness of being or belonging to
          an elite -- elit.ist n or adj

   elixir
          [elix.ir] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. Ar al-iksir the elixir, fr.
          al the + iksir elixir, prob. fr. Gk xerion desiccative
          powder, fr. xeros dry] (14c) 1 a (1): a substance held
          capable of changing base metals into gold (2): a substance
          held capable of prolonging life indefinitely b (1): cure-all
          (2): a medicinal concoction 2: a sweetened liquid usu.
          containing alcohol that is used in medication either
          for its medicinal ingredients or as a flavoring 3: the
          essential principle

   Eliz
          [Eliz] abbreviation Elizabethan

   Elizabethan
          [Eliz.a.be.than] adj (1807): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Elizabeth I of England or her reign -- Elizabethan
          n

   elk
          [elk] n, pl elks [ME, prob. fr. OE eolh; akin to OHG elaho
          elk, Gk elaphos deer] (bef. 12c) 1 pl usu elk a: moose
          1--used for one of the Old World b: a large gregarious
          deer (Cervus elaphus) of No. America, Europe, Asia, and
          northwestern Africa--called also red deer, wapiti c:
          any of various large Asian deer 2: soft tanned rugged
          leather 3 cap [Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks]:
          a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order

   elkhound
          [elk.hound] n (1889): norwegian elkhound

   [1]ell
          [ell] n [ME eln, fr. OE; akin to OHG elina ell, L ulna forearm,
          Gk olene elbow, Skt aratni] (bef. 12c): a former English
          unit of length (as for cloth) equal to 45 inches (about
          1.14 meters); also: any of various units of length used
          similarly [2]ell n [alter. of [1]el] (1773) 1: an extension
          at right angles to the length of a building 2: an elbow
          in a pipe or conduit

   ellagic acid
          [el.lag.ic acid] n [F ellagique, fr. ellag, anagram of galle
          gall] (1810): a crystalline phenolic compound with two
          lactone groupings that is obtained esp. from oak galls
          and some tannins and is used medicinally as a hemostatic

   ellipse
          [el.lipse] n [Gk elleipsis] (ca. 1753) 1 a: oval b: a closed
          plane curve generated by a point moving in such a way
          that the sums of its distances from two fixed points
          is a constant: a plane section of a right circular cone
          that is a closed curve 2: ellipsis

   ellipsis
          [el.lip.sis] n, pl el.lip.ses [L, fr. Gk elleipsis ellipsis,
          ellipse, fr. elleipein to leave out, fall short, fr.
          en in + leipein to leave--more at in, loan] (1540) 1
          a: the omission of one or more words that are obviously
          understood but that must be supplied to make a construction
          grammatically complete b: a sudden leap from one topic
          to another 2: marks or a mark (as ... or *** or --) indicating
          an omission (as of words) or a pause

   ellipsoid
          [el.lip.soid] n (1721): a surface all plane sections of which
          are ellipses or circles -- el.lip.soi.dal also ellipsoid
          adj

   elliptical
          [el.lip.ti.cal] or el.lip.tic adj [Gk elleiptikos defective,
          marked by ellipsis, fr. elleipein] (1656) 1: of, relating
          to, or shaped like an ellipse 2 a: of, relating to, or
          marked by ellipsis or an ellipsis b (1): of, relating
          to, or marked by extreme economy of speech or writing
          (2): of or relating to deliberate obscurity (as of literary
          or conversational style) -- el.lip.ti.cal.ly adv

   elliptical galaxy
          [elliptical galaxy] n (1948): a galaxy that has a generally
          elliptical shape and that has no apparent internal structure
          or spiral arms--called also elliptical--compare spiral
          galaxy

   ellipticity
          [el.lip.tic.i.ty] n (1753): deviation of an ellipse or a
          spheroid from the form of a circle or a sphere

   elm
          [elm] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG elme elm, L ulmus] (bef.
          12c) 1: any of a genus (Ulmus of the family Ulmaceae,
          the elm family) comprising large trees with alternate
          stipulate leaves and small apetalous flowers 2: the wood
          of an elm

   elm bark beetle
          [elm bark beetle] n (ca. 1909): either of two beetles (family
          Scolytidae) that are vectors for the fungus causing Dutch
          elm disease: a: one (Hylurgopinus rufipes) native to
          eastern No. America b: one (Scolytus multistriatus) introduced
          from Europe into eastern No. America

   elm leaf beetle
          [elm leaf beetle] n (1881): a small orange-yellow black-striped
          Old World chrysomelid beetle (Pyrrhalta luteola) that
          in the larval and adult stage is a leaf-eating pest of
          elms in eastern No. America

   El Nino
          [El Ni.no] n, pl El Ninos [Sp, lit., the child (i.e., the
          Christ child); fr. the appearance of the flow at the
          Christmas season] (1925): an irregularly occurring flow
          of unusually warm surface water along the western coast
          of South America that is accompanied by abnormally high
          rainfall in usu. arid areas and that prevents upwelling
          of nutrient-rich cold deep water causing a decline in
          the regional fish population

   elocution
          [el.o.cu.tion] n [ME elocucioun, fr. L elocution-, elocutio,
          fr. eloqui] (15c) 1: a style of speaking esp. in public
          2: the art of effective public speaking -- el.o.cu.tion.ary
          adj -- el.o.cu.tion.ist n

   elodea
          [elo.dea] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk helodes marshy, fr. helos
          marsh; akin to Skt saras pond] (ca. 1868): any of a small
          American genus (Elodea) of submerged aquatic monocotyledonous
          herbs

   eloign
          [eloign] vt [ME eloynen, fr. MF esloigner, fr. OF, fr. es-
          ex- (fr. L ex-) + loing (adv.) far, fr. L longe, fr.
          longus long] (15c) 1 archaic: to take (oneself) far away
          2 archaic: to remove to a distant or unknown place: conceal

   [1]elongate
          [elon.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [LL elongatus, pp. of elongare,
          to withdraw, fr. L e- + longus] vt (1578): to extend
          the length of ~ vi: to grow in length [2]elongate or
          elon.gat.ed adj (1751) 1: stretched out 2: slender

   elongation
          [elon.ga.tion] n (14c) 1: the angular distance of a celestial
          body from another around which it revolves or from a
          particular point in the sky 2 a: the state of being elongated
          or lengthened; also: the process of growing or increasing
          in length b: something that is elongated

   elope
          [elope] vi eloped ; elop.ing [AF aloper] (1628) 1: to slip
          away: escape 2 a: to run away from one's husband with
          a lover b: to run away secretly with the intention of
          getting married usu. without parental consent -- elope.ment
          n -- elop.er n

   eloquence
          [el.o.quence] n (14c) 1: discourse marked by force and
          persuasiveness; also: the art or power of using such discourse
          2: the quality of forceful or persuasive expressiveness

   eloquent
          [el.o.quent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L eloquent-, eloquens,
          fr. prp. of eloqui to speak out, fr. e- + loqui to speak]
          (14c) 1: marked by forceful and fluent expression <an
          ~ preacher> 2: vividly or movingly expressive or revealing
          <an ~ monument> -- el.o.quent.ly adv

   [1]else
          [else] adv [ME elles, fr. OE; akin to L alius other, alter
          other of two, Gk allos other] (bef. 12c) 1 a: in a different
          manner or place or at a different time <how ~ could he
          have acted> <here and nowhere ~> b: in an additional
          manner or place or at an additional time <where ~ is
          gold found> 2: if not: otherwise <leave or ~ you'll be
          sorry>--used absolutely to express a threat <do what
          I tell you or ~> [2]else adj (bef. 12c): other: a: being
          different in identity <it must have been somebody ~>
          b: being in addition <what ~ did he say>

   elsewhere
          [else.where] adv [ME elleswher, fr. OE elles hwaer] (bef.
          12c): in or to another place <took my business ~>

   eluant
          [el.u.ant] or el.u.ent n [L eluent-, eluens, prp. of eluere]
          (1941): a solvent used in eluting

   eluate
          [el.u.ate] n [L eluere + E [1]-ate] (1932): the washings
          obtained by eluting

   elucidate
          [elu.ci.date] vb -dat.ed ; -dat.ing [LL elucidatus, pp. of
          elucidare, fr. L e- + lucidus lucid] vt (ca. 1568): to
          make lucid esp. by explanation or analysis ~ vi: to give
          a clarifying explanation syn see explain -- elu.ci.da.tion
          n -- elu.ci.da.tive adj -- elu.ci.da.tor n

   elucubrate
          [elu.cu.brate] vt -brat.ed ; -brat.ing [L elucubratus, pp.
          of elucubrare to work on far into the night, fr. e- +
          lucubrare to work by lamplight--more at lucubration]
          (ca. 1623): to work out or express by studious effort
          -- elu.cu.bra.tion n

   elude
          [elude] vt elud.ed ; elud.ing [L eludere, fr. e- + ludere
          to play--more at ludicrous] (1667) 1: to avoid adroitly:
          evade <the mice eluded the traps> <managed to ~ capture>
          2: to escape the perception, understanding, or grasp
          of <subtlety simply ~s them> <victory continued to ~
          us> 3: defy 4 <it ~s explanation> syn see escape

   Elul
          [Elul] n [Heb Elul] (1535): the 12th month of the civil year
          or the 6th month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish
          calendar

   elusion
          [elu.sion] n [ML elusion-, elusio, fr. LL, deception, fr.
          L eludere] (1617): an act of eluding

   elusive
          [elu.sive] adj (1719): tending to elude: as a: tending to
          evade grasp or pursuit b: hard to comprehend or define
          <an ~ concept> c: hard to isolate or identify <a haunting
          ~ aroma> -- elu.sive.ly adv -- elu.sive.ness n

   elute
          [elute] vt elut.ed ; elut.ing [L elutus, pp. of eluere to
          wash out, fr. e- + lavere to wash--more at lye] (1731):
          extract; specif: to remove (adsorbed material) from an
          adsorbent by means of a solvent -- elu.tion n

   elutriate
          [elu.tri.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L elutriatus, pp. of elutriare
          to put in a vat, perh. fr. (assumed) elutrum vat, fr.
          Gk elytron reservoir, lit., covering] (ca. 1727): to
          purify, separate, or remove by washing -- elu.tri.a.tion
          n -- elu.tri.a.tor n

   eluviation
          [elu.vi.a.tion] n [eluvial of eluviation (fr. e- + -luvial--as
          in alluvial) + -ation] (1899): the transportation of
          dissolved or suspended material within the soil by the
          movement of water when rainfall exceeds evaporation --
          elu.vi.al adj -- elu.vi.at.ed adj

   elver
          [el.ver] n [alter. of eelfare (migration of eels)] (ca. 1640):
          a young eel

   elves
          [elves] pl of elf

   elvish
          [el.vish] adj (13c) 1: of or relating to elves 2: mischievous

   elysian
          [ely.sian] adj, often cap (1579) 1: of or relating to Elysium
          2: blissful, delightful

   elysian fields
          [elysian fields] n pl, often cap E (1579): elysium

   Elysium
          [Ely.si.um] n, pl -si.ums or -sia [L, fr. Gk Elysion] 1:
          the abode of the blessed after death in classical mythology
          2: paradise 2

   elytron
          [el.y.tron] n, pl -tra [NL, fr. Gk, sheath, wing cover, fr.
          eilyein to roll, wrap--more at voluble] (1774): one of
          the anterior wings in beetles and some other insects
          that serve to protect the posterior pair of functional
          wings

   em...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   em
          [em] n (13c) 1: the letter m 2: the width of a piece of type
          about as wide as it is tall used as a unit of measure
          of typeset matter

   EM
          [EM] abbreviation electromagnetic, electron microscope, electron
          microscopy, end matched, engineer of mines, enlisted
          man

   em-
          [em-] --see en-

   emaciate
          [ema.ci.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L emaciatus, pp. of emaciare,
          fr. e- + macies leanness, fr. macer lean--more at meager]
          vi (1646): to waste away physically ~ vt 1: to cause
          to lose flesh so as to become very thin 2: to make feeble
          -- ema.ci.a.tion n

   emalangeni
          [emalangeni] pl of lilangeni

   emanate
          [em.a.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L emanatus, pp. of emanare,
          fr. e- + manare to flow] vi (1756): to come out from
          a source ~ vt: emit syn see spring

   emanation
          [em.a.na.tion] n (1570) 1 a: the action of emanating b: the
          origination of the world by a series of hierarchically
          descending radiations from the Godhead through intermediate
          stages to matter 2 a: something that emanates or is produced
          by emanation: effluence b: an isotope of radon produced
          by radioactive disintegration <radium ~> -- em.a.na.tive
          adj

   emancipate
          [eman.ci.pate] vt -pat.ed ; -pat.ing [L emancipatus, pp.
          of emancipare, fr. e- + mancipare to transfer ownership
          of, fr. mancip-, manceps contractor, fr. manus hand +
          capere to take--more at manual, heave] (1613) 1: to free
          from restraint, control, or the power of another; esp:
          to free from bondage 2: to release from paternal care
          and responsibility and make sui juris 3: to free from
          any controlling influence (as traditional mores or beliefs)
          syn see free -- eman.ci.pa.tor n

   emancipation
          [eman.ci.pa.tion] n (1631): the act or process of emancipating
          -- eman.ci.pa.tion.ist n

   emarginate
          [emar.gin.ate] adj [L emarginatus, pp. of emarginare to deprive
          of a margin, fr. e- + margin-, margo margin] (1794):
          having the margin notched -- emar.gi.na.tion n

   emasculate
          [emas.cu.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L emasculatus, pp.
          of emasculare, fr. e- + masculus male--more at male]
          (1607) 1: to deprive of strength, vigor, or spirit: weaken
          2: to deprive of virility or procreative power: castrate
          3: to remove the androecium of (a flower) in the process
          of artificial cross-pollination syn see unnerve -- emas.cu.late
          adj -- emas.cu.la.tion n -- emas.cu.la.tor n

   embalm
          [em.balm] vt [ME embaumen, fr. MF embaumer, fr. OF embasmer,
          fr. en- + basme balm--more at balm] (14c) 1: to treat
          (a dead body) so as to protect from decay 2: to fill
          with sweet odors: perfume 3: to protect from decay or
          oblivion: preserve 4: to fix in a static condition --
          em.balm.er n -- em.balm.ment n

   embank
          [em.bank] vt (1576): to enclose or confine by an embankment

   embankment
          [em.bank.ment] n (1786) 1: a raised structure to hold back
          water or to carry a roadway 2: the action of embanking

   embarcadero
          [em.bar.ca.de.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp, fr. embarcado, pp. of embarcar
          to embark, fr. em- (fr. L in-) + barca bark, fr. LL]
          (1846) West: a landing place esp. on an inland waterway

   [1]embargo
          [em.bar.go] n, pl -goes [Sp, fr. embargar to bar, fr. (assumed)
          VL imbarricare, fr. L in- + (assumed) VL barra bar] (1593)
          1: an order of a government prohibiting the departure
          of commercial ships from its ports 2: a legal prohibition
          on commerce <an ~ on arms shipments> 3: stoppage, impediment;
          esp: prohibition <I lay no ~ on anybody's words --Jane
          Austen> 4: an order by a common carrier or public regulatory
          agency prohibiting or restricting freight transportation
          [2]embargo vt -goed ; -go.ing (1755): to place an embargo
          on

   embark
          [em.bark] vb [MF embarquer, fr. OProv embarcar, fr. em- (fr.
          L in-) + barca bark] vi (1533) 1: to go on board a vehicle
          for transportation 2: to make a start <~ed on a new career>
          ~ vt 1: to cause to go on board (as a boat or airplane)
          2: to engage, enlist, or invest in an enterprise -- em.bar.ka.tion
          n -- em.bark.ment n

   embarras de choix
          [em.bar.ras de choix] or embarras du choix [F] foreign term
          : embarrassing variety of choice

   embarras de richesses
          [em.bar.ras de ri.chesses] or embarras de ri.chesse [F] foreign
          term : embarrassing surplus of riches: confusing abundance

   embarrass
          [em.bar.rass] vt [F embarrasser, fr. Sp embarazar, fr. Pg
          embaracar, fr. em- (fr. L in-) + baraca noose] (1672)
          1 a: to place in doubt, perplexity, or difficulties b:
          to involve in financial difficulties c: to cause to experience
          a state of self-conscious distress <bawdy stories ~ed
          him> 2 a: to hamper the movement of b: hinder, impede
          3: to make intricate: complicate 4: to impair the activity
          of (a bodily function) or the function of (a bodily part)
          <digestion ~ed by overeating> -- em.bar.rass.able adj
          syn embarrass, discomfit, abash, disconcert, rattle mean
          to distress by confusing or confounding. embarrass implies
          some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action
          <embarrassed to admit that she liked the movie>. discomfit
          implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion
          <hecklers discomfited the speaker>. abash presupposes
          some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check,
          producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority
          <abashed by her swift and cutting retort>. disconcert
          implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing
          uncertainty or hesitancy <disconcerted by finding so
          many in attendance>. rattle implies an agitation that
          impairs thought and judgment <rattled by all the television
          cameras>.

   embarrassedly
          [em.bar.rassed.ly] adv (1883): with embarrassment

   embarrassingly
          [em.bar.rass.ing.ly] adv (ca. 1864): to an embarrassing degree:
          so as to cause embarrassment

   embarrassment
          [em.bar.rass.ment] n (1729) 1 a: something that embarrasses:
          impediment b: an excessive quantity from which to select--used
          esp. in the phrase embarrassment of riches 2: the state
          of being embarrassed: as a: confusion or disturbance
          of mind b: difficulty arising from the want of money
          to pay debts c: difficulty in functioning as a result
          of disease <cardiac ~>

   embassage
          [em.bas.sage] n (1526) 1: the message or commission entrusted
          to an ambassador 2 archaic: embassy

   embassy
          [em.bas.sy] n, pl -sies [MF ambassee, ultim. of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG ambaht service] (1534) 1: a body of diplomatic
          representatives; specif: one headed by an ambassador
          2 a: the function or position of an ambassador b: a mission
          abroad undertaken officially esp. by an ambassador 3:
          embassage 1 4: the official residence and offices of
          an ambassador

   embattle
          [em.bat.tle] vt em.bat.tled ; em.bat.tling [ME embatailen,
          fr. MF embatailler, fr. en- + batailler to battle] (14c)
          1: to arrange in order of battle: prepare for battle
          2: fortify

   embattled
          [em.bat.tled] adj (15c) 1 a: ready to fight: prepared to
          give battle <here once the ~ farmers stood --R. W. Emerson>
          b: engaged in battle, conflict, or controversy <an ~
          official accused of extortion> 2 a: being a site of battle,
          conflict, or controversy <the ~ capital> b: characterized
          by conflict or controversy <his ... often ~ experience
          as an educator --Nat Hentoff>

   embattlement
          [em.bat.tle.ment] n (15c) 1: battlement 2: the state of being
          embattled

   embay
          [em.bay] vt (1600): to trap or catch in or as if in a bay
          <an ~ed sailing ship>

   embayment
          [em.bay.ment] n (1815) 1: formation of a bay 2: a bay or
          a conformation resembl ing a bay

   Embden
          [Emb.den] n [Emden, Germany] (1903): a breed of large white
          domestic geese with an orange bill and deep orange shanks
          and toes

   embed
          [em.bed] vb em.bed.ded ; em.bed.ding vt (ca. 1794) 1 a: to
          enclose closely in or as if in a matrix <fossils embedded
          in stone> b: to make something an integral part of <the
          prejudices embedded in our language> c: to prepare (a
          microscopy specimen) for sectioning by infiltrating with
          and enclosing in a supporting substance 2: to surround
          closely <a sweet pulp ~s the plum seed> ~ vi: to become
          embedded -- em.bed.ment n

   embedded
          [em.bed.ded] adj (1961): occurring as a grammatical constituent
          (as a verb phrase or clause) within a like constituent
          -- em.bed.ding n

   embellish
          [em.bel.lish] vt [ME, fr. MF embeliss-, stem of embelir,
          fr. en- + bel beautiful--more at beauty] (14c) 1: to
          make beautiful with ornamentation: decorate 2: to heighten
          the attractiveness of by adding ornamental details: enhance
          <~ed our account of the trip> syn see adorn -- em.bel.lish.er
          n

   embellishment
          [em.bel.lish.ment] n (1591) 1: the act or process of embellishing
          2: something serving to embellish 3: ornament 5

   ember
          [em.ber] n [ME eymere, fr. ON eimyrja; akin to OE aemerge
          ashes, L urere to burn] (14c) 1: a glowing fragment (as
          of coal) from a fire; esp: one smoldering in ashes 2
          pl: the smoldering remains of a fire 3 pl: slowly dying
          or fading emotions, memories, ideas, or responses still
          capable of being revived

   ember day
          [ember day] n [ME, fr. OE ymbrendaeg, fr. ymbrene circuit,
          anniversary + daeg day] (bef. 12c): a Wednesday, Friday,
          or Saturday following the first Sunday in Lent, Whitsunday,
          September 14, or December 13 set apart for fasting and
          prayer in Western churches

   embezzle
          [em.bez.zle] vt em.bez.zled ; em.bez.zling [ME embesilen,
          fr. AF embeseiller, fr. MF en- + besillier to destroy]
          (15c): to appropriate (as property entrusted to one's
          care) fraudulently to one's own use -- em.bez.zle.ment
          n -- em.bez.zler n

   embitter
          [em.bit.ter] vt (15c) 1: to excite bitter feelings in 2:
          to make bitter -- em.bit.ter.ment n

   [1]emblaze
          [em.blaze] vt em.blazed ; em.blaz.ing (15c) 1: to illuminate
          esp. by a blaze 2: to set ablaze [2]emblaze vt em.blazed
          ; em.blaz.ing [en- + blaze (to blazon)] (1593) 1 archaic:
          emblazon 1 2: to adorn sumptuously <with gems and golden
          luster rich emblazed --John Milton>

   emblazon
          [em.bla.zon] vt em.bla.zoned ; em.bla.zon.ing (1589) 1 a:
          to inscribe or adorn with or as if with heraldic bearings
          or devices b: to inscribe (as heraldic bearings) on a
          surface 2: celebrate, extol <have his ... deeds ~ed by
          a poet --Thomas Nash> -- em.bla.zon.er n -- em.bla.zon.ment
          n

   emblazonry
          [em.bla.zon.ry] n (1667) 1: emblazoned figures: brilliant
          decoration 2: the act or art of emblazoning

   [1]emblem
          [em.blem] n [ME, fr. L emblema inlaid work, fr. Gk emblemat-,
          emblema, fr. emballein to insert, fr. en- + ballein to
          throw--more at devil] (15c) 1: a picture with a motto
          or set of verses intended as a moral lesson 2: an object
          or the figure of an object symbolizing and suggesting
          another object or an idea 3 a: a symbolic object used
          as a heraldic device b: a device, symbol, or figure adopted
          and used as an identifying mark [2]emblem vt (1584):
          emblematize

   emblematic
          [em.blem.at.ic] also em.blem.at.i.cal adj (1645): of, relating
          to, or constituting an emblem: symbolic, representative
          -- em.blem.at.i.cal.ly adv

   emblematize
          [em.blem.a.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1615): to represent
          by or as if by an emblem: symbolize

   emblements
          [em.ble.ments] n pl [ME emblayment, fr. MF emblaement, fr.
          emblaer to sow with grain, fr. en- + blee grain, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OE blaed fruit, growth, leaf--more at
          blade] (15c): crops from annual cultivation legally belonging
          to the tenant

   embodiment
          [em.bodi.ment] n (1828) 1: one that embodies something <the
          ~ of all our hopes> 2: the act of embodying: the state
          of being embodied

   embody
          [em.body] vt em.bod.ied ; em.body.ing (ca. 1548) 1: to give
          a body to (a spirit): incarnate 2 a: to deprive of spirituality
          b: to make concrete and perceptible 3: to cause to become
          a body or part of a body: incorporate 4: to represent
          in human or animal form: personify <men who greatly embodied
          the idealism of American life --A. M. Schlesinger b1917>
          -- em.bodi.er n

   embolden
          [em.bold.en] vt (15c): to instill with boldness or courage

   embolectomy
          [em.bo.lec.to.my] n, pl -mies (1923): surgical removal of
          an embolus

   embolic
          [em.bol.ic] adj (1866): of or relating to an embolus or embolism

   embolism
          [em.bo.lism] n [ME embolisme, fr. ML embolismus, fr. Gk embol-
          (fr. emballein to insert, intercalate)--more at emblem]
          (14c) 1: the insertion of one or more days in a calendar:
          intercalation 2 a: the sudden obstruction of a blood
          vessel by an embolus b: embolus -- em.bo.lis.mic adj

   embolization
          [em.bo.li.za.tion] n (1942): the process or state in which
          a blood vessel or organ is obstructed by the lodgment
          of a material mass (as an embolus)

   embolus
          [em.bo.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. Gk embolos wedge-shaped object,
          stopper, fr. emballein] (1859): an abnormal particle
          (as an air bubble) circulating in the blood--compare
          thrombus

   embonpoint
          [em.bon.point] n [F, fr. MF, fr. en bon point in good condition]
          (1670): plumpness of person: stoutness

   embosom
          [em.bos.om] vt (ca. 1590) 1 archaic: to take into or place
          in the bosom 2: to shelter closely: enclose <his house
          ~ed in the grove --Alexander Pope>

   [1]emboss
          [em.boss] vt [ME embosen, fr. MF embocer, fr. en- + boce
          boss] (15c) 1: to raise the surface of into bosses; esp:
          to ornament with raised work 2: to raise in relief from
          a surface 3: adorn, embellish -- em.boss.able adj --
          em.boss.er n -- em.boss.ment n [2]emboss vt [ME embosen
          to become exhausted from being hunted, ultim. fr. MF
          bois woods] (14c) archaic: to drive (as a hunted animal)
          to bay or to exhaustion

   embouchure
          [em.bou.chure] n [F, fr. (s')emboucher to flow into, fr.
          en- + bouche mouth--more at debouch] (1760) 1: the position
          and use of the lips, tongue, and teeth in playing a wind
          instrument 2: the mouthpiece of a musical instrument

   embourgeoisement
          [em.bour.geoise.ment] n [F, fr. embourgeoiser to make bourgeois,
          fr. em- + bourgeois] (1937): a shift to bourgeois values
          and practices

   embowed
          [em.bowed] adj (15c): bent like a bow: arched

   embowel
          [em.bow.el] vt -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling (1521)
          1: disembowel 2 obs: enclose

   embower
          [em.bow.er] vt (1580): to shelter or enclose in or as if
          in a bower <like a rose ~ed in its own green leaves --P.
          B. Shelley>

   [1]embrace
          [em.brace] vb em.braced ; em.brac.ing [ME, fr. MF embracer,
          fr. OF embracier, fr. en- + brace two arms--more at brace]
          vt (14c) 1 a: to clasp in the arms: hug b: cherish, love
          2: encircle, enclose 3 a: to take up esp. readily or
          gladly <~ a cause> b: to avail oneself of: welcome <embraced
          the opportunity to study further> 4 a: to take in or
          include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive
          whole <charity ~s all acts that contribute to human welfare>
          b: to be equal or equivalent to <his assets embraced
          $10> ~ vi: to participate in an embrace syn see adopt,
          include -- embrace.able adj -- em.brace.ment n -- em.brac.er
          n -- em.brac.ing.ly adv [2]embrace n (1592) 1: a close
          encircling with the arms and pressure to the bosom esp.
          as a sign of affection: hug 2: grip, encirclement <in
          the ~ of terror> 3: acceptance <her ~ of new ideas>

   embraceor
          [em.bra.ceor] n [AF, fr. MF embraseor instigator, fr. embraser
          to set on fire, fr. en- + brase, brese live coals] (15c):
          one guilty of embracery

   embracery
          [em.brac.ery] n, pl -er.ies [ME, fr. AF embraceor] (15c):
          an attempt to influence a jury corruptly

   embracive
          [em.brac.ive] adj (1855) 1: disposed to embrace 2: inclusive,
          comprehensive

   embrangle
          [em.bran.gle] vt -gled ; -gling [en- + brangle (squabble)]
          (1664): embroil -- em.bran.gle.ment n

   embrasure
          [em.bra.sure] n [F, fr. obs. embraser to widen an opening]
          (1702) 1: an opening with sides flaring outward in a
          wall or parapet of a fortification usu. for allowing
          the firing of cannon 2: a recess of a door or window

   embrittle
          [em.brit.tle] vb -brit.tled ; -brit.tling vt (1902): to make
          brittle ~ vi: to become brittle -- em.brit.tle.ment n

   embrocation
          [em.bro.ca.tion] n [ME embrocacioun, fr. MF embrocacion,
          fr. ML embrocation-, embrocatio, fr. LL embrocare to
          rub with lotion, fr. Gk embroche lotion, fr. en- + brechein
          to wet] (15c): liniment

   embroider
          [em.broi.der] vb em.broi.dered ; em.broi.der.ing [ME embroderen,
          fr. MF embroder, fr. en- + broder to embroider, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OE brord point, byrst bristle] vt (14c)
          1 a: to ornament with needlework b: to form with needlework
          2: to elaborate on: embellish ~ vi 1: to make embroidery
          2: to provide embellishments: elaborate -- em.broi.der.er
          n

   embroidery
          [em.broi.dery] n, pl -der.ies (14c) 1 a: the art or process
          of forming decorative designs with hand or machine needlework
          b: a design or decoration formed by or as if by embroidery
          c: an object decorated with embroidery 2: elaboration
          by use of decorative and often fictitious detail 3: something
          pleasing or desirable but unimportant <considered the
          humanities mere educational ~>

   embroil
          [em.broil] vt [F embrouiller, fr. MF, fr. en- + brouiller
          to broil] (1603) 1: to throw into disorder or confusion
          2: to involve in conflict or difficulties -- em.broil.ment
          n

   embrown
          [em.brown] vt (1667) 1: darken 2: to cause to turn brown

   embrue
          [embrue] var of imbrue

   embry-
          [embry-] or embryo- comb form [LL, fr. Gk, fr. embryon]:
          embryo <embryogeny>

   embryo
          [em.bryo] n, pl em.bry.os [ML embryon-, embryo, fr. Gk embryon,
          fr. en- + bryein to swell; akin to Gk bryon catkin] (1548)
          1 a archaic: a vertebrate at any stage of development
          prior to birth or hatching b: an animal in the early
          stages of growth and differentiation that are characterized
          by cleavage, the laying down of fundamental tissues,
          and the formation of primitive organs and organ systems;
          esp: the developing human individual from the time of
          implantation to the end of the eighth week after conception
          2: the young sporophyte of a seed plant usu. comprising
          a rudimentary plant with plumule, radicle, and cotyledons
          3 a: something as yet undeveloped b: a beginning or undeveloped
          state of something <productions seen in ~ during their
          out-of-town tryout period --Henry Hewes>

   embryogenesis
          [em.bryo.gen.e.sis] n (1830): the formation and development
          of the embryo -- em.bryo.ge.net.ic adj

   embryogeny
          [em.bry.og.e.ny] n, pl -nies (1835): embryogenesis --
          em.bryo.gen.ic adj

   embryoid
          [em.bry.oid] n (ca. 1927): a mass of plant or animal tissue
          that resembles an embryo -- embryoid adj

   embryology
          [em.bry.ol.o.gy] n [F embryologie] (ca. 1847) 1: a branch
          of biology dealing with embryos and their development
          2: the features and phenomena exhibited in the formation
          and development of an embryo -- em.bry.o.log.i.cal adj
          -- em.bry.o.log.i.cal.ly adv -- em.bry.ol.o.gist n

   embryon-
          [embryon-] or embryoni- comb form [ML embryon-, embryo]:
          embryo <embryonic>

   embryonal
          [em.bry.o.nal] adj (1652): embryonic 1

   embryonated
          [em.bry.o.nat.ed] adj (1687): having an embryo

   embryonic
          [em.bry.on.ic] adj (ca. 1841) 1: of or relating to an embryo
          2: being in an early stage of development: incipient,
          rudimentary -- em.bry.on.i.cal.ly adv

   embryonic disk
          [embryonic disk] n (ca. 1938) 1 a: blastodisc b: blastoderm
          2: the part of the inner cell mass of a blastocyst from
          which the embryo of a placental mammal develops--called
          also embryonic shield

   embryonic membrane
          [embryonic membrane] n (1947): a structure (as the amnion)
          that derives from the fertilized ovum but does not form
          a part of the embryo

   embryophyte
          [em.bryo.phyte] n (ca. 1909): any of a subkingdom (Embryophyta)
          of plants in which the embryo is retained within maternal
          tissue and which include the bryophytes and tracheophytes

   embryo sac
          [embryo sac] n (1872): the female gametophyte of a seed plant
          consisting of a thin-walled sac within the nucellus that
          contains the egg nucleus and other nuclei which give
          rise to endosperm on fertilization

   embryo transfer
          [embryo transfer] n (1969): a procedure used esp. in animal
          breeding in which an embryo from a superovulated female
          is removed and reimplanted in the uterus of another female--called
          also embryo transplant

   [1]emcee
          [em.cee] n [MC] (ca. 1933): master of ceremonies [2]emcee
          vb em.ceed ; em.cee.ing vt (1937): to act as master of
          ceremonies of ~ vi: to act as master of ceremonies

   -eme
          [-eme] n suffix [F -eme (fr. phoneme speech sound, phoneme)]:
          significantly distinctive unit of language structure
          <taxeme>

   emend
          [emend] vt [ME, fr. L emendare--more at amend] (15c): to
          correct usu. by textual alterations syn see correct --
          emend.able adj -- emend.er n

   emendation
          [emen.da.tion] n (1536) 1: the act or practice of emending
          2: an alteration designed to correct or improve

   emer
          [emer] abbreviation emeritus

   [1]emerald
          [em.er.ald] n [ME emerallde, fr. MF esmeralde, fr. (assumed)
          VL smaralda, fr. L smaragdus, fr. Gk smaragdos] (14c)
          1: a rich green variety of beryl prized as a gemstone
          2: any of various green gemstones (as synthetic corundum
          or demantoid) [2]emerald adj (1508): brightly or richly
          green

   emerald cut
          [emerald cut] n (1926): a rectangular cut for a gem having
          a series of parallel facets on each side and at each
          corner

   emerald green
          [emerald green] n (1646) 1: a clear bright green resembling
          that of the emerald 2: any of various strong greens

   emerge
          [emerge] vi emerged ; emerg.ing [L emergere, fr. e- + mergere
          to plunge--more at merge] (1563) 1: to become manifest
          2: to rise from or as if from an enveloping fluid: come
          out into view 3: to rise from an obscure or inferior
          position or condition 4: to come into being through evolution

   emergence
          [emer.gence] n (1704) 1: the act or an instance of emerging
          2: any of various superficial outgrowths of plant tissue
          usu. formed from both epidermis and immediately underlying
          tissues 3: penetration of the soil surface by a newly
          germinated plant

   emergency
          [emer.gen.cy] n, pl -cies often attrib (ca. 1631) 1: an unforeseen
          combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for
          immediate action 2: an urgent need for assistance or relief <the
          governor declared a state of ~ after the flood> syn see juncture

   emergency brake
          [emergency brake] n (1900): a brake (as on an automobile)
          that can be used for stopping in the event of failure
          of the main brakes and to keep the vehicle from rolling
          when parked

   emergency medical technician
          [emergency medical technician] n (1980): emt

   emergency room
          [emergency room] n (1964): a hospital room or area staffed
          and equipped for the reception and treatment of persons
          requiring immediate medical care

   [1]emergent
          [emer.gent] adj [ME, fr. L emergent-, emergens, prp. of emergere]
          (1593) 1 a: arising unexpectedly b: calling for prompt
          action: urgent 2: rising out of or as if out of a fluid
          3: arising as a natural or logical consequence 4: newly
          formed or prominent [2]emergent n (1620) 1: something
          emergent 2 a: a tree that rises above the surrounding
          forest b: a plant rooted in shallow water and having
          most of the vegetative growth above water

   emergent evolution
          [emergent evolution] n (1923): evolution that according to
          some theories involves the appearance of new characters
          and qualities at complex levels of organization (as the
          cell or organism) which cannot be predicted solely from
          the study of less complex levels (as the atom or molecule)--compare
          creative evolution

   emerging
          [emerg.ing] adj (1646): emergent 4 <the ~ nations of Africa>

   emerita
          [emer.i.ta] adj [L, fem. of emeritus] (1928): emeritus--used
          of a woman <Professor Emerita Mary Smith>

   [1]emeritus
          [emer.i.tus] n, pl -i.ti (1750): one retired from professional
          life but permitted to retain as an honorary title the
          rank of the last office held [2]emeritus adj [L, pp.
          of emereri to serve out one's term, fr. e- + mereri,
          merere to earn, deserve, serve--more at merit] (1794)
          1: holding after retirement an honorary title corresponding
          to that held last during active service 2: retired from
          an office or position <professor ~>--converted to emeriti
          after a plural <professors emeriti>

   emersed
          [emersed] adj (1686): standing out of or rising above a surface
          (as of a fluid) <~ aquatic weeds>

   emersion
          [emer.sion] n [L emersus, pp. of emergere] (1633): an act
          of emerging: emergence

   emery
          [em.ery] n, pl em.er.ies often attrib [ME, fr. MF emeri,
          fr. OIt smiriglio, fr. ML smiriglum, fr. Gk smyrid-,
          smyris] (15c): a dark granular mineral that consists
          essentially of corundum and is used for grinding and
          polishing; also: a hard abrasive powder

   emery board
          [emery board] n (1725): a cardboard nail file covered with
          emery

   emesis
          [eme.sis] n, pl eme.ses [NL, fr. Gk, fr. emein] (ca. 1847):
          an act or instance of vomiting

   emetic
          [emet.ic] n [L emetica, fr. Gk emetike, fr. fem. of emetikos
          causing vomiting, fr. emein to vomit--more at vomit]
          (1657): an agent that induces vomiting -- emetic adj
          -- emet.i.cal.ly adv

   emetine
          [em.e.tine] n (1819): an amorphous alkaloid extracted from
          ipecac root and used as an emetic and expectorant

   emeute
          [emeute] n, pl emeutes [F, fr. OF esmeute act of starting,
          fr. fem. of esmeut, pp. of esmovoir to start--more at
          emotion] (1782): uprising

   emf
          [emf] n [electromotive force] (1868): potential difference

   EMG
          [EMG] abbreviation electromyogram, electromyograph,
          electromyography

   -emia
          [-emia] n comb form [NL -emia, -aemia, fr. Gk -aimia, fr.
          haima blood] 1: condition of having (such) blood <leukemia>
          2: condition of having (a specified thing) in the blood
          <uremia>

   emic
          [emic] adj [phonemic] (1954): of, relating to, or involving
          analysis of linguistic or behavioral phenomena in terms
          of the internal structural or functional elements of
          a particular system--compare etic

   [1]emigrant
          [em.i.grant] n (1754) 1: one who emigrates 2: a migrant plant
          or animal [2]emigrant adj (1794): departing or having
          departed from a country to settle elsewhere

   emigrate
          [em.i.grate] vi -grat.ed ; -grat.ing [L emigratus, pp. of
          emigrare, fr. e- + migrare to migrate] (1778): to leave
          one's place of residence or country to live elsewhere
          -- em.i.gra.tion n

   emigre
          [emi.gre] n, often attrib [F emigre, fr. pp. of emigrer to
          emigrate, fr. L emigrare] (1792): emigrant; esp: a person
          forced to emigrate for political reasons

   eminence
          [em.i.nence] n (15c) 1: a position of prominence or superiority
          2: one that is eminent, prominent, or lofty: as a: an
          anatomical protuberance (as on a bone) b: a person of
          high rank or attainments--often used as a title for a
          cardinal c: a natural elevation

   eminence grise
          [emi.nence grise] n, pl eminences grises [F, lit., gray eminence,
          nickname of Pere Joseph (Francois du Tremblay) d. 1638
          Fr. monk and diplomat, confidant of Cardinal Richelieu
          who was known as Eminence Rouge red eminence; fr. the
          colors of their respective habits] (1925): a confidential
          agent; esp: one exercising unsuspected or unofficial
          power

   eminency
          [em.i.nen.cy] n, pl -cies (1605) archaic: eminence

   eminent
          [em.i.nent] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L eminent-, eminens,
          prp. of eminere to stand out, fr. e- + -minere; akin
          to L mont-, mons mountain--more at mount] (15c) 1: standing
          out so as to be readily perceived or noted: conspicuous
          2: jutting out: projecting 3: exhibiting eminence esp.
          in standing above others in some quality or position:
          prominent syn see famous

   eminent domain
          [eminent domain] n (1783): a right of a government to take
          private property for public use by virtue of the superior
          dominion of the sovereign power over all lands within
          its jurisdiction

   eminently
          [em.i.nent.ly] adv (1641): to a h igh degree: very <~ worthy>
          <an ~ sensible plan>

   emir
          [emir] n [Ar amir commander] (1595): a ruler, chief, or commander
          in Islamic countries

   emirate
          [emir.ate] n (1863): the state or jurisdiction of an emir

   emissary
          [em.is.sary] n, pl -sar.ies [L emissarius, fr. emissus, pp.
          of emittere] (1616) 1: one designated as the agent of
          another: representative 2: a secret agent

   emission
          [emis.sion] n (1607) 1 a: an act or instance of emitting:
          emanation b archaic: publication c: a putting into circulation
          2 a: something sent forth by emitting: as (1): electromagnetic
          waves radiated by an antenna or a celestial body (2):
          substances discharged into the air (as by a smokestack
          or an automobile gasoline engine) b: effluvium -- emis.sive
          adj

   emissivity
          [emis.siv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1880): the relative power of
          a surface to emit heat by radiation: the ratio of the
          radiant energy emitted by a surface to that emitted by
          a blackbody at the same temperature

   emit
          [emit] vt emit.ted ; emit.ting [L emittere to send out, fr.
          e- + mittere to send] (1626) 1 a: to throw or give off
          or out (as light) b: to send out: eject 2 a: to issue
          with authority; esp: to put (as money) into circulation
          b obs: publish 3: to give utterance or voice to <emitted
          a groan> -- emit.ter n

   emittance
          [emit.tance] n (1940) 1: the energy radiated by the surface
          of a body per second per unit area 2: emissivity

   Emmanuel
          [Emmanuel] var of immanuel

   emmenagogue
          [em.men.a.gogue] n [Gk emmena menses (fr. neut. pl. of emmenos
          monthly, fr. en- + men month) + E -agogue--more at moon]
          (ca. 1732): an agent that promotes the menstrual discharge

   Emmentaler
          [Em.men.ta.ler] or Em.men.tha.ler or Em.men.tal or Em.men.thal
          n [G, fr. Emmental, Switzerland] (1902): swiss cheese

   emmer
          [em.mer] n [G, fr. OHG amari] (ca. 1900): a wheat (Triticum
          dicoccum) having spikelets with two hard red kernels
          that remain in the glumes after threshing; broadly: a
          tetraploid wheat--called also emmer wheat

   emmet
          [em.met] n [ME emete, fr. OE aemette ant--more at ant] (bef.
          12c) chiefly dial: ant

   Emmy
          [Em.my] n, pl Emmys [fr. alter. of Immy, nickname for image
          orthicon (a camera tube used in television)] (1949):
          a statuette awarded annually by a professional organization
          for notable achievement in television

   emodin
          [em.o.din] n [ISV emodi- (fr. NL Rheum emodi, species of
          rhubarb) + -in] (1858): an orange crystalline phenolic
          compound that is obtained from plants (as rhubarb and
          cascara buckthorn) and is used as a laxative

   [1]emollient
          [emol.lient] adj [L emollient-, emolliens, prp. of emollire
          to soften, fr. e- + mollis soft--more at mollify] (ca.
          1640) 1: making soft or supple; also: soothing esp. to
          the skin or mucous membrane 2: making less intense or
          harsh: mollifying <soothe us in our agonies with ~ words
          --H. L. Mencken> [2]emollient n (1656): something that
          softens or soothes

   emolument
          [emol.u.ment] n [ME, fr. L emolumentum advantage, fr. emolere
          to produce by grinding, fr. e- + molere to grind--more
          at meal] (15c) 1: the returns arising from office or
          employment usu. in the form of compensation or perquisites
          2 archaic: advantage

   emote
          [emote] vi emot.ed ; emot.ing [back-formation fr. emotion]
          (1917): to give expression to emotion esp. in or as if
          in acting

   emotion
          [emo.tion] n [MF, fr. emouvoir to stir up, fr. OF esmovoir,
          fr. L emovere to remove, displace, fr. e- + movere to
          move] (1579) 1 a obs: disturbance b: excitement 2 a:
          the affective aspect of consciousness: feeling b: a state
          of feeling c: a psychic and physical reaction (as anger
          or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling and
          physiologically involving changes that prepare the body
          for immediate vigorous action syn see feeling

   emotional
          [emo.tion.al] adj (1834) 1: of or relating to emotion <an
          ~ disorder> 2: dominated by or prone to emotion <an ~
          person> 3: appealing to or arousing emotion <an ~ sermon>
          4: markedly aroused or agitated in feeling or sensibilities
          <gets ~ at weddings> -- emo.tion.al.i.ty n -- emo.tion.al.ly

   emotionalism
          [emo.tion.al.ism] n (1865) 1: a tendency to regard things
          emotionally 2: undue indulgence in or display of emotion

   emotionalist
          [emo.tion.al.ist] n (ca. 1866) 1: one who bases a theory
          or policy on an emotional conviction 2: one prone to
          emotionalism -- emo.tion.al.is.tic adj

   emotionalize
          [emo.tion.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1879): to give an emotional
          quality to

   emotionless
          [emo.tion.less] adj (1862): showing, having, or expressing
          no emotion -- emo.tion.less.ness n -- emo.tion.less.ly
          adv

   emotive
          [emo.tive] adj (1830) 1: of or relating to the emotions 2:
          appealing to or expressing emotion <the ~ use of language>
          -- emo.tive.ly adv -- emo.tiv.i.ty n

   emp
          [emp] abbreviation emperor, empress EMP abbreviation
          electromagnetic pulse

   empanada
          [em.pa.na.da] n [AmSp, fr. Sp, fem. of empanado, pp. of empanar
          to bread, fr. em- (fr. L in-) + pan bread, fr. L panis--more
          at food] (ca. 1922): a turnover with a sweet or savory
          filling

   empanel
          [empanel] var of impanel

   empathetic
          [em.pa.thet.ic] adj (1932): empathic -- em.pa.thet.i.cal.ly
          adv

   empathic
          [em.path.ic] adj (1909): involving, eliciting, characterized
          by, or based on empathy -- em.path.ic.al.ly adv

   empathise
          [em.pa.thise] Brit var of empathize

   empathize
          [em.pa.thize] vi -thized ; -thiz.ing (ca. 1921): to experience
          empathy <adults unable to ~ with a child's frustrations>

   empathy
          [em.pa.thy] n [Gk empatheia, lit., passion, fr. empathes
          emotional, fr. em- + pathos feelings, emotion--more at
          pathos] (1904) 1: the imaginative projection of a subjective
          state into an object so that the object appears to be
          infused with it 2: the action of understanding, being
          aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing
          the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of
          either the past or present without having the feelings,
          thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively
          explicit manner; also: the capacity for this

   empennage
          [em.pen.nage] n [F, feathers of an arrow, empennage, fr.
          empenner to feather an arrow, fr. em- [1]en- + penne
          feather, fr. MF--more at pen] (1909): the tail assembly
          of an airplane

   emperor
          [em.per.or] n [ME, fr. OF empereor, fr. L imperator, lit.,
          commander, fr. imperare to command, fr. in- + parare
          to prepare, order--more at pare] (13c): the sovereign
          or supreme male monarch of an empire -- em.per.or.ship
          n

   emperor penguin
          [emperor penguin] n (1885): a penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)
          that is the largest known and that is noted for its habit
          of brooding the egg or young between the feet and a fold
          of abdominal skin resembling a pouch

   empery
          [em.pery] n, pl em.per.ies [ME emperie, fr. OF, fr. emperer
          to command, fr. L imperare] (13c): wide dominion: empire

   emphasis
          [em.pha.sis] n, pl -pha.ses [L, fr. Gk, exposition, emphasis,
          fr. emphainein to indicate, fr. en- + phainein to show--more
          at fancy] (1573) 1 a: force or intensity of expression
          that gives impressiveness or importance to something
          b: a particular prominence given in reading or speaking
          to one or more words or syllables 2: special consideration
          of or stress or insistence on something

   emphasise
          [em.pha.sise] Brit var of emphasize

   emphasize
          [em.pha.size] vt -sized ; -siz.ing (ca. 1806): to place emphasis
          on: stress <emphasized the need for reform>

   emphatic
          [em.phat.ic] adj [Gk emphatikos, fr. emphainein] (ca. 1708)
          1: uttered with or marked by emphasis 2: tending to express
          oneself in forceful speech or to take decisive action
          3: attracting special attention 4: constituting or belonging
          to a set of tense forms in English consisting of the
          auxiliary do followed by an infinitive without to that
          are used to facilitate rhetorical inversion or to emphasize
          something -- em.phat.i.cal.ly adv

   emphysema
          [em.phy.se.ma] n [NL, fr. Gk emphysema, fr. emphysan to inflate,
          fr. em- [2]en- + physan to blow, fr. physa breath--more
          at pustule] (1661): a condition characterized by air-filled
          expansions of body tissues; specif: a condition of the
          lung marked by abnormal dilation of its air spaces and
          distension of its walls and frequently by impairment
          of heart action -- em.phy.se.ma.tous adj -- em.phy.se.mic
          adj

   empire
          [em.pire] n [ME, fr. OF empire, empirie, fr. L imperium absolute
          authority, empire, fr. imperare] (14c) 1 a (1): a major
          political unit having a territory of great extent or
          a number of territories or peoples under a single sovereign
          authority; esp: one having an emperor as chief of state
          (2): the territory of such a political unit b: something
          resembling a political empire; esp: an extensive territory
          or enterprise under single domination or control 2: imperial
          sovereignty, rule, or dominion Em.pire adj [F, fr. (le
          premier) Empire the first Empire of France] (1869): of,
          relating to, or characteristic of a style (as of clothing
          or furniture) popular in early 19th century France

   Empire Day
          [Em.pire Day] n (1902): commonwealth day--used before the
          official adoption of Commonwealth Day in 1958

   empiric
          [em.pir.ic] n [L empiricus, fr. Gk empeirikos doctor relying
          on experience alone, fr. empeiria experience, fr. em-
          [2]en- + peiran to attempt--more at fear] (1562) 1: charlatan
          2 2: one who relies on practical experience

   empirical
          [em.pir.i.cal] also em.pir.ic adj (1569) 1: originating in
          or based on observation or experience <~ data> 2: relying
          on experience or observation alone often without due
          regard for system and theory 3: capable of being verified
          or disproved by observation or experiment <~ laws> 4:
          of or relating to empiricism -- em.pir.i.cal.ly adv

   empirical formula
          [empirical formula] n (1885): a chemical formula showing
          the simplest ratio of elements in a compound rather than
          the total number of atoms in the molecule

   empiricism
          [em.pir.i.cism] n (1657) 1 a: a former school of medical
          practice founded on experience without the aid of science
          or theory b: quackery, charlatanry 2 a: the practice
          of relying on observation and experiment esp. in the
          natural sciences b: a tenet arrived at empirically 3:
          a theory that all knowledge originates in experience
          -- em.pir.i.cist n

   emplace
          [em.place] vt [back-formation fr. emplacement] (1865): to
          put into position <missiles emplaced around the city>

   emplacement
          [em.place.ment] n [F, fr. MF emplacer to emplace, fr. en-
          + place] (1802) 1: the situation or location of something
          2: a prepared position for weapons or military equipment
          <radar ~s> 3: a putting into position: placement

   emplane
          [em.plane] var of enplane

   [1]employ
          [em.ploy] vt [ME emploien, fr. MF emploier, fr. L implicare
          to enfold, involve, implicate, fr. in- + plicare to fold--more
          at ply] (15c) 1 a: to make use of (someone or something
          inactive) <~ a pen for sketching> b: to use (as time)
          advantageously c (1): to use or engage the services of
          (2): to provide with a job that pays wages or a salary
          2: to devote to or direct toward a particular activity
          or person <~ed all her energies to help the poor> syn
          see use -- em.ploy.er n [2]em.ploy n (1666) 1 a: use,
          purpose b: occupation, job 2: the state of being employed
          <in the government's ~>

   [1]employable
          [em.ploy.able] adj (1593): capable of being employed
          -- em.ploy.abil.i.ty n [2]employable n (1934): one who
          is employable

   employee
          [em.ploy.ee] or em.ploye n (1822): one employed by another
          usu. for wages or salary and in a position below the
          executive level

   employment
          [em.ploy.ment] n (15c) 1: use, purpose 2 a: activity in which
          one engages or is employed b: an instance of such activity
          3: the act of employing: the state of being employed
          syn see work

   employment agency
          [employment agency] n (1888): an agency whose business is
          to find jobs for people seeking them or to find people
          to fill jobs that are open

   empoison
          [em.poi.son] vt [ME empoysonen, fr. MF empoisoner, fr. en-
          + poison poison, fr. OF] (14c) 1 archaic: poison 2: embitter
          <a look of ~ed acceptance --Saul Bellow> -- em.poi.son.ment
          n

   emporium
          [em.po.ri.um] n, pl -ri.ums also -ria [L, fr. Gk emporion,
          fr. emporos traveler, trader, fr. em- [2]en- + poros
          passage, journey--more at fare] (1586) 1 a: a place of
          trade; esp: a commercial center b: a retail outlet <a
          hardware ~> <a pizza ~> 2: a store carrying a diversity
          of merchandise

   empower
          [em.pow.er] vt (1648) 1: to give official authority or legal
          power to 2: enable 1a 3: to promote the self-actualization
          or influence of <women's movement has been inspiring
          and ~ing women --Ron Hansen> -- em.pow.er.ment n

   empress
          [em.press] n [ME emperesse, fr. OF, fem. of empereor emperor]
          (12c) 1: the wife or widow of an emperor 2: a woman who
          is the sovereign or supreme monarch of an empire

   empressement
          [em.presse.ment] n [F, fr. (s')empresser to hurry, fr. en-
          + presser to press] (1709): demonstrative warmth or cordiality

   emprise
          [em.prise] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. emprendre to undertake,
          fr. (assumed) VL imprehendere, fr. L in- + prehendere
          to seize--more at get] (13c): an adventurous, daring,
          or chivalric enterprise

   [1]empty
          [emp.ty] adj emp.ti.er ; -est [ME, fr. OE aemettig unoccupied,
          fr. aemetta leisure, perh. fr. ae- without + -metta (prob.
          akin to motan to have to)--more at must] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: containing nothing b: not occupied or inhabited c:
          unfrequented d: not pregnant <~ heifer> e: null 4a <the
          ~ set> 2 a: lacking reality, substance, meaning, or value:
          hollow <an ~ pleasure> b: destitute of effect or force
          c: devoid of sense: foolish 3: hungry 4 a: idle <~ hours>
          b: having no purpose or result: useless 5: marked by
          the absence of human life, activity, or comfort -- emp.ti.ly
          adv -- emp.ti.ness n syn empty, vacant, blank, void,
          vacuous mean lacking contents which could or should be
          present. empty suggests a complete absence of contents
          <an empty bucket>. vacant suggests an absence of appropriate
          contents or occupants <a vacant apartment>. blank stresses
          the absence of any significant, relieving, or intelligible
          features on a surface <a blank wall>. void suggests absolute
          emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine
          <a statement void of meaning>. vacuous suggests the emptiness
          of a vacuum and esp. the lack of intelligence or significance
          <a vacuous facial expression>. syn see in addition vain
          [2]empty vb emp.tied ; emp.ty.ing vt (1555) 1 a: to make
          empty: remove the contents of b: deprive, divest c: to
          discharge (itself) of contents d: to fire (a repeating
          firearm) until empty 2: to remove from what holds or
          encloses <~ the grain from sacks> ~ vi 1: to become empty
          2: to discharge contents <the river empties into the
          ocean> [3]empty n, pl emp.ties (1535): something (as
          a container) that is empty

   empty-handed
          [emp.ty-hand.ed] adj (1589) 1: having or bringing nothing
          2: having acquired or gained nothing <came back ~>

   empty-headed
          [emp.ty-head.ed] adj (1650): scatterbrained

   empty nester
          [empty nest.er] n (1962): a parent whose children have grown
          and moved away from home

   empty-nest syndrome
          [emp.ty-nest syndrome] n (1972): the emotional letdown experienced
          by an empty nester

   empurple
          [em.pur.ple] vb em.pur.pled ; em.pur.pling vt (1590): to
          tinge or color purple ~ vi: to become purple

   empyema
          [em.py.ema] n, pl -ema.ta or -emas [LL, fr. Gk empyema, fr.
          empyein to suppurate, fr. em- [2]en- + pyon pus--more
          at foul] (ca. 1605): the presence of pus in a bodily
          cavity -- em.py.emic adj

   empyreal
          [em.py.re.al] adj [LL empyrius, empyreus, fr. LGk empyrios,
          fr. Gk em- [2]en- + pyr fire] (15c) 1: of or relating
          to the empyrean: celestial 2: sublime

   [1]empyrean
          [em.py.re.an] adj (15c): empyreal [2]empyrean n (ca. 1610)
          1 a: the highest heaven or heavenly sphere in ancient
          and medieval cosmology usu. consisting of fire or light
          b: the true and ultimate heavenly paradise 2: firmament,
          heavens 3: an ideal place or state

   EMT
          [EMT] n [emergency medical technician] (1972): a specially
          trained medical technician licensed to provide basic
          emergency services before and during transportation to
          a hospital--compare paramedic 2

   emu
          [emu] abbreviation electromagnetic unit

   emu
          [emu] n [modif. of Pg ema cassowary] (1656) 1: any of various
          tall flightless birds (as the rhea) 2: a swift-running
          Australian bird (Dromaius novae-hollandiae) with undeveloped
          wings that is related to and smaller than the ostrich

   [1]emulate
          [em.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L aemulatus, pp. of aemulari,
          fr. aemulus rivaling] (1582) 1 a: to strive to equal
          or excel b: imitate; esp: to imitate by means of an emulator
          2: to equal or approach equality with [2]em.u.late adj
          (1602) obs: emulous 1b <pricked on by a most ~ pride
          --Shak.>

   emulation
          [em.u.la.tion] n (1542) 1 obs: ambitious or envious rivalry
          2: ambition or endeavor to equal or excel others (as
          in achievement) 3 a: imitation b: the use of or technique
          of using an emulator -- em.u.la.tive adj -- em.u.la.tive.ly
          adv

   emulator
          [em.u.la.tor] n (1589) 1: one that emulates 2: hardware or
          software that permits programs written for one computer
          to be run on another usu. newer computer

   emulous
          [em.u.lous] adj (1535) 1 a: inspired by or deriving from
          a desire to emulate b: ambitious or eager to emulate
          2 obs: jealous -- em.u.lous.ly adv -- em.u.lous.ness
          n

   emulsifier
          [emul.si.fi.er] n (1888): one that emulsifies; esp:
          a surface-active agent (as a soap) promoting the formation and
          stabilization of an emulsion

   emulsify
          [emul.si.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1859): to disperse (as an
          oil) in an emulsion; also: to convert (two or more immiscible
          liquids) into an emulsion -- emul.si.fi.able adj --
          emul.si.fi.ca.tion n

   emulsion
          [emul.sion] n [NL emulsion-, emulsio, fr. L emulgere to milk
          out, fr. e- + mulgere to milk; akin to OE melcan to milk,
          Gk amelgein] (1612) 1 a: a system (as fat in milk) consisting
          of a liquid dispersed with or without an emulsifier in
          an immiscible liquid usu. in droplets of larger than
          colloidal size b: the state of such a system 2: suspension
          2b(3); esp: a suspension of a sensitive silver salt or
          a mixture of silver halides in a viscous medium (as a
          gelatin solution) forming a coating on photographic plates,
          film, or paper

   emulsoid
          [emul.soid] n (ca. 1909) 1: a colloidal system consisting
          of a liquid dispersed in a liquid 2: a lyophilic sol
          (as a gelatin solution) -- emul.soi.dal adj

   en...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]-en
          [-en] also -n adj suffix [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG -in made
          of, L -inus of or belonging to, Gk -inos made of, of
          or belonging to]: made of: consisting of <earthen> <leathern>
          [2]-en vb suffix [ME -nen, fr. OE -nian; akin to OHG
          -inon -en] 1 a: cause to be <sharpen> b: cause to have
          <lengthen> 2 a: come to be <steepen> b: come to have
          <lengthen>

   en
          [en] n (1792) 1: the width of a piece of type half the width
          of an em 2: the letter n

   [1]en-
          [en-] also em- prefix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L in-, im-, fr. in]
          1: put into or onto <enthrone>: cover with <enshroud>:
          go into or onto <enplane>--in verbs formed from nouns
          2: cause to be <enslave>--in verbs formed from adjectives
          or nouns 3: provide with <empower>--in verbs formed from
          nouns 4: so as to cover <enwrap>: thoroughly <entangle>--in
          verbs formed from verbs--in all senses usu. em- before
          b, m, or p [2]en- also em- prefix [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk,
          fr. en in--more at in]: in: within <enzootic>--usu. em-
          before b, m, or p <empathy> [3]en- comb form [ISV, fr.
          -ene]: chemically unsaturated; esp: having one double
          bond <enamine>

   enable
          [en.able] vt en.abled ; en.abling (15c) 1 a: to provide with
          the means or opportunity <training that ~s people to
          earn a living> b: to make possible, practical, or easy
          c: to cause to operate <software that ~s the keyboard>
          2: to give legal power, capacity, or sanction to <a law
          enabling admission of a state>

   enact
          [en.act] vt (15c) 1: to establish by legal and authoritative
          act; specif: to make (as a bill) into law 2: act out
          <~ a role> -- en.ac.tor n

   enactment
          [en.act.ment] n (1817) 1: the act of enacting: the state
          of being enacted 2: something (as a law) that has been
          enacted

   [1]enamel
          [enam.el] vt -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling [ME, fr.
          MF enamailler, fr. en- + esmail enamel, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG smelzan to melt--more at smelt] (14c) 1:
          to cover, inlay, or decorate with enamel 2: to beautify
          with a colorful surface 3: to form a glossy surface on
          (as paper, leather, or cloth) -- enam.el.er n -- enam.el.ist
          n [2]enamel n (15c) 1: a usu. opaque vitreous composition
          applied by fusion to the surface of metal, glass, or
          pottery 2: a surface or outer covering that resembles
          enamel 3 a: something that is enameled b: enamelware
          4: a cosmetic intended to give a smooth or glossy appearance
          5: a hard calcareous substance that forms a thin layer
          capping the teeth--see tooth illustration 6: a paint
          that flows out to a smooth coat when applied and that
          dries with a glossy appearance

   enamelware
          [enam.el.ware] n (1903): metalware (as kitchen utensils)
          coated with enamel

   en ami
          [en ami] [F] foreign term : as a friend

   enamine
          [en.amine] n (1942): an amine containing the double bond
          linkage C=C-N

   enamor
          [en.am.or] vt -ored ; -or.ing [ME enamouren, fr. MF enamourer,
          fr. en- + amour love--more at amour] (14c) 1: to inflame
          with love--usu. used in the passive with of 2: fascinate
          2b--usu. used in the passive with of or with

   enamour
          [en.am.our] chiefly Brit var of enamor

   enantiomer
          [en.an.tio.mer] n [Gk enantios + E -mer] (ca. 1929): either
          of a pair of chemical compounds whose molecular structures
          have a mirror-image relationship to each other -- en.an.tio.mer.ic
          adj

   enantiomorph
          [en.an.tio.morph] n [Gk enantios opposite (fr. enanti facing,
          fr. en in + anti against) + ISV -morph -morph] (1885):
          enantiomer; also: either of a pair of crystals (as of
          quartz) that are structural mirror images -- en.an.tio.mor.phic
          adj -- en.an.tio.mor.phism n -- en.an.tio.mor.phous adj

   enation
          [ena.tion] n [L enatus, pp. of enasci to rise out of, fr.
          e- + nasci to be born--more at nation] (ca. 1842): an
          outgrowth from the surface of an organ <a plant virus
          forming ~s on leaves>

   en banc
          [en banc] adv or adj [F, on the bench] (1863): in full court:
          with full judiciary authority

   en bloc
          [en bloc] adv or adj [F] (1861): as a whole: in a mass

   en brochette
          [en bro.chette] adj [F] (ca. 1909) of food: cooked or served
          on a skewer <shrimp en brochette>

   enc
          [enc] or encl abbreviation enclosure

   encaenia
          [en.cae.nia] n pl but sing or pl in constr, often cap [NL,
          fr. L, dedication festival, fr. Gk enkainia, fr. en +
          kainos new--more at recent] (1691): an annual university
          ceremony (as at Oxford) of commemoration with recital
          of poems and essays and conferring of degrees

   encage
          [en.cage] vt (1593): cage 1

   encamp
          [en.camp] vt (1568): to place or establish in a camp ~ vi:
          to set up or occupy a camp

   encampment
          [en.camp.ment] n (1598) 1 a: the place where a group (as
          a body of troops) is encamped b: the individuals that
          make up an encampment 2: the act of encamping: the state
          of being encamped

   encapsulate
          [en.cap.su.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing vt (1876) 1: to enclose
          in or as if in a capsule <a pilot encapsulated in the
          cockpit> 2: epitomize, summarize <~ an era in an aphorism>
          ~ vi: to become encapsulated -- en.cap.su.la.tion n

   encapsulated
          [en.cap.su.lat.ed] adj (1894) 1: surrounded by a gelatinous
          or membranous envelope <~ water bacteria> 2: condensed

   encapsule
          [en.cap.sule] vt -suled ; -sul.ing (1877): encapsulate

   encase
          [en.case] vt (1633): to enclose in or as if in a case

   encasement
          [en.case.ment] n (1741): the act or process of encasing:
          the state of being encased; also: case, covering

   encash
          [en.cash] vt (1861) Brit: cash -- en.cash.able adj, chiefly
          Brit -- en.cash.ment n, chiefly Brit

   encaustic
          [en.caus.tic] n [encaustic, adj., fr. L encausticus, fr.
          Gk enkaustikos, fr. enkaiein to burn in, fr. en- + kaiein
          to burn] (1601) 1: a paint made from pigment mixed with
          melted beeswax and resin and after application fixed
          by heat 2: the method involving the use of encaustic;
          also: a work produced by this method -- encaustic adj

   -ence
          [-ence] n suffix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L -entia, fr. -ent-, -ens,
          prp. ending + -ia [2]-y] 1: action or process <emergence>:
          instance of an action or process <reference> 2: quality
          or state <despondence>

   [1]enceinte
          [en.ceinte] adj [MF, perh. fr. (assumed) VL incenta, alter.
          of L incient-, inciens being with young, modif. of Gk
          enkyos pregnant, fr. en- + kyein to be pregnant--more
          at cyme] (1599): pregnant 3 [2]enceinte n [F, fr. OF,
          enclosing wall, fr. enceindre to surround, fr. L incingere,
          fr. in- + cingere to gird--more at cincture] (ca. 1708):
          a line of fortification enclosing a castle or town; also:
          the area so enclosed

   encephal-
          [encephal-] or encephalo- comb form [F encephal-, fr. Gk
          enkephal-, fr. enkephalos, fr. en- + kephale head--more
          at cephalic]: brain <encephalitis> <encephalomyocarditis>

   encephalitis
          [en.ceph.a.li.tis] n, pl -lit.i.des (1843): inflammation
          of the brain -- en.ceph.a.lit.ic adj

   encephalitogenic
          [en.ceph.a.li.to.gen.ic] adj (1923): tending to cause encephalitis
          <an ~ virus> -- en.ceph.a.li.to.gen n

   encephalogram
          [en.ceph.a.lo.gram] n (1928): an X-ray picture of the brain
          made by encephalography

   encephalograph
          [en.ceph.a.lo.graph] n (1928) 1: encephalogram 2:
          electroencephalograph

   encephalography
          [en.ceph.a.log.ra.phy] n (1922): roentgenography of the brain
          after the cerebrospinal fluid has been replaced by a
          gas (as air)

   encephalomyelitis
          [en.ceph.a.lo.my.eli.tis] n, pl -elit.i.des [NL] (1908):
          concurrent inflammation of the brain and spinal cord;
          specif: any of several virus diseases of horses

   encephalomyocarditis
          [en.ceph.a.lo.myo.car.di.tis] n [NL] (1947): an acute febrile
          virus disease characterized by degeneration and inflammation
          of skeletal and cardiac muscle and lesions of the central
          nervous system

   encephalon
          [en.ceph.a.lon] n, pl -la [NL, fr. Gk enkephalos] (1741):
          the vertebrate brain

   encephalopathy
          [en.ceph.a.lop.a.thy] n (1866): a disease of the brain; esp:
          one involving alterations of brain structure --
          en.ceph.a.lo.path.ic adj

   enchain
          [en.chain] vt [ME encheynen, fr. MF enchainer, fr. OF, fr.
          en- + chaeine chain] (14c): to bind or hold with or as
          if with chains -- en.chain.ment n

   enchant
          [en.chant] vt [ME, fr. MF enchanter, fr. L incantare, fr.
          in- + cantare to sing--more at chant] (14c) 1: to influence
          by or as if by charms and incantation: bewitch 2: to
          attract and move deeply: rouse to ecstatic admiration
          <the scene ~ed her to the point of tears --Elinor Wylie>
          syn see attract

   enchanter
          [en.chant.er] n (13c): one that enchants; esp: sorcerer

   enchanting
          [en.chant.ing] adj (1606): charming -- en.chant.ing.ly adv

   enchantment
          [en.chant.ment] n (13c) 1 a: the act or art of enchanting
          b: the quality or state of being enchanted 2: something
          that enchants

   enchantress
          [en.chant.ress] n (14c) 1: a woman who practices magic: sorceress
          2: a fascinating woman

   enchase
          [en.chase] vt [ME, to emboss, fr. MF enchasser to enshrine,
          set, fr. en- + chasse reliquary, fr. L capsa case--more
          at case] (15c) 1: ornament: as a: to cut or carve in
          relief b: inlay 2: set <~ a gem>

   enchilada
          [en.chi.la.da] n [AmerSp, fr. fem. of enchilado, pp. of enchilar
          to season with chili, fr. Sp en- [1]en- + chile chili]
          (1887) 1: a rolled filled tortilla covered with chili
          sauce and usu. baked 2: schmear, ball of wax <the whole
          ~>

   enchiridion
          [en.chi.rid.i.on] n, pl -rid.ia [LL, fr. Gk encheiridion,
          fr. en in + cheir hand--more at in, chir-] (15c): handbook,
          manual

   -enchyma
          [-en.chy.ma] n comb form, pl -en.chy.ma.ta or -enchymas [NL,
          fr. parenchyma]: cellular tissue <collenchyma>

   encipher
          [en.ci.pher] vt (1577): to convert (a message) into cipher
          -- en.ci.pher.er n -- en.ci.pher.ment n

   encircle
          [en.cir.cle] vt [ME enserclen] (15c) 1: to form a circle
          around: surround 2: to pass completely around -- en.cir.cle.ment
          n

   en clair
          [en clair] adv or adj [F, in clear] (ca. 1897): in plain
          language <a message sent en clair>

   enclasp
          [en.clasp] vt (1596): to seize and hold: embrace

   enclave
          [en.clave] n [F, fr. MF, fr. enclaver to enclose, fr. (assumed)
          VL inclavare to lock up, fr. L in- + clavis key--more
          at clavicle] (1868): a distinct territorial, cultural,
          or social unit enclosed within or as if within foreign
          territory <ethnic ~s>

   enclitic
          [en.clit.ic] n [LL encliticus, fr. Gk enklitikos, fr. enklinesthai
          to lean on, fr. en- + klinein to lean--more at lean] (ca. 1663):
          a clitic that is associated with a preceding word -- enclitic adj

   enclose
          [en.close] vt [ME, prob. fr. enclos enclosed, fr. MF, pp.
          of enclore to enclose, fr. (assumed) VL inclaudere, alter.
          of L includere--more at include] (14c) 1 a (1): to close
          in: surround <~ a porch with glass> (2): to fence off
          (common land) for individual use b: to hold in: confine
          2: to include along with something else in a parcel or
          envelope <a check is enclosed herewith>

   enclosure
          [en.clo.sure] n (15c) 1: the act or action of enclosing:
          the quality or state of being enclosed 2: something that
          encloses 3: something enclosed <a letter with two ~s>

   encode
          [en.code] vt (ca. 1919) 1: to convert (as a body of information)
          from one system of communication into another; esp: to
          convert (a message) into code 2: to specify the genetic
          code for -- en.cod.er n

   encomiast
          [en.co.mi.ast] n [Gk enkomiastes, fr. enkomiazein to praise,
          fr. enkomion] (1610): one that praises: eulogist -- en.co.mi.as.tic
          adj

   encomium
          [en.co.mi.um] n, pl -mi.ums or -mia [L, fr. Gk enkomion,
          fr. en in + komos revel, celebration] (1589): glowing
          and warmly enthusiastic praise; also: an expression of
          this syn encomium, eulogy, panegyric, tribute, citation
          mean a formal expression of praise. encomium implies
          enthusiasm and warmth in praising a person or a thing.
          eulogy applies to a prepared speech or writing extolling
          the virtues and services of a person. panegyric suggests
          an elaborate often poetic compliment. tribute implies
          deeply felt praise conveyed either through words or through
          a significant act. citation applies to the formal praise
          accompanying the mention of a person in a military dispatch
          or in awarding an honorary degree.

   encompass
          [en.com.pass] vt [ME] (14c) 1 a: to form a circle about:
          enclose b obs: to go completely around 2 a: envelop b:
          include <a plan that ~es a number of aims> 3: bring about,
          accomplish <~ a task> -- en.com.pass.ment n

   [1]encore
          [en.core] n [F, still, again] (1712): a demand for repetition
          or reappearance made by an audience; also: a reappearance
          or additional performance in response to such a demand
          [2]encore vt en.cored ; en.cor.ing (1748): to request
          an encore of or by

   [1]encounter
          [en.coun.ter] vb en.coun.tered ; en.coun.ter.ing [ME encountren,
          fr. MF encontrer, fr. ML incontrare, fr. LL incontra
          toward, fr. L in- + contra against--more at counter]
          vt (14c) 1 a: to meet as an adversary or enemy b: to
          engage in conflict with 2: to come upon face-to-face
          3: to come upon esp. unexpectedly ~ vi: to meet esp.
          by chance [2]encounter n (14c) 1 a: a meeting esp. between
          hostile factions or persons b: a sudden often violent
          clash: combat 2 a: a chance meeting b: a direct often
          momentary meeting 3: a coming into the vicinity of a
          celestial body <the Martian ~ of a spacecraft>

   encounter group
          [encounter group] n (1967): a usu. unstructured group that
          seeks to develop the capacity of the individual to express
          feelings and to form emotional ties by unrestrained confrontation
          of individuals

   encourage
          [en.cour.age] vt -aged ; -ag.ing [ME encoragen, fr. MF encoragier,
          fr. OF, fr. en- + corage courage] (15c) 1: to inspire with courage,
          spirit, or hope: hearten 2: to spur on: stimulate 3: to give help
          or patronage to: foster syn see hearten -- en.cour.ag.er n syn
          encourage, inspirit, hearten, embolden mean to fill with courage
          or strength of purpose. encourage suggests the raising of one's
          confidence esp. by an external agency <the teacher's praise
          encouraged the students to greater efforts>. inspirit, somewhat
          literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into
          something <patriots inspirited the people to resist>. hearten
          implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion
          of fresh courage or zeal <a hospital patient heartened by good
          news>. embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient
          to overcome timidity or reluctance <emboldened by her first
          success, she tried an even more difficult climb>.

   encouragement
          [en.cour.age.ment] n (1568) 1: the act of encouraging: the
          state of being encouraged 2: something that encourages

   encouraging
          [en.cour.ag.ing] adj (1593): giving hope or promise: inspiriting
          -- en.cour.ag.ing.ly adv

   encrimson
          [en.crim.son] vt (1597): to make or dye crimson

   encroach
          [en.croach] vi [ME encrochen to get, seize, fr. MF encrochier,
          fr. OF, fr. en- + croc, croche hook--more at crochet]
          (ca. 1534) 1: to enter by gradual steps or by stealth
          into the possessions or rights of another 2: to advance
          beyond the usual or proper limits <the gradually ~ing
          sea> syn see trespass -- en.croach.er n -- en.croach.ment
          n

   encrust
          [en.crust] vb [prob. fr. L incrustare, fr. in- + crusta crust]
          vt (1641): to cover, line, or overlay with or as if with
          a crust ~ vi: to form a crust

   encrustation
          [en.crus.ta.tion] var of incrustation

   encrypt
          [en.crypt] vt [en- + crypt- (as in cryptogram)] (1944) 1:
          encipher 2: encode 1 -- en.cryp.tion n

   encumber
          [en.cum.ber] vt -cum.bered ; -cum.ber.ing [ME encombren,
          fr. MF encombrer, fr. OF, fr. en- + (assumed) OF combre
          dam, weir] (14c) 1: weigh down, burden 2: to impede or
          hamper the function or activity of: hinder 3: to burden
          with a legal claim (as a mortgage) <~ an estate>

   encumbrance
          [en.cum.brance] n (1535) 1: something that encumbers: impediment
          2: a claim (as a mortgage) against property

   encumbrancer
          [en.cum.branc.er] n (1858): one that holds an encumbrance

   ency
          [ency] or encyc abbreviation encyclopedia

   -ency
          [-en.cy] n suffix [ME -encie, fr. L -entia--more at -ence]:
          quality or state <despondency>

   [1]encyclical
          [en.cyc.li.cal] adj [LL encyclicus, fr. Gk enkyklios circular,
          general, fr. en in + kyklos circle--more at in, wheel]
          (1647): addressed to all the individuals of a group:
          general [2]encyclical n (1837): an encyclical letter;
          specif: a papal letter to the bishops of the church as
          a whole or to those in one country

   encyclopedia
          [en.cy.clo.pe.dia] also en.cy.clo.pae.dia n [ML encyclopaedia
          course of general education, fr. Gk enkyklios + paideia
          education, child rearing, fr. paid-, pais child--more
          at few] (1644): a work that contains information on all
          branches of knowledge or treats comprehensively a particular
          branch of knowledge usu. in articles arranged alphabetically
          often by subject

   encyclopedic
          [en.cy.clo.pe.dic] also en.cy.clo.pae.dic adj (1824): of,
          relating to, or suggestive of an encyclopedia or its
          methods of treating or covering a subject: comprehensive
          <an ~ mind> <an ~ collection of armor> -- en.cy.clo.pe.di.cal.ly
          adv

   encyclopedism
          [en.cy.clo.pe.dism] n (1833): the quality or state of being
          encyclopedic

   encyclopedist
          [en.cy.clo.pe.dist] n (1651) 1: one who compiles or writes
          for an encyclopedia 2 often cap: one of the writers of
          a French encyclopedia (1751-80) who were identified with
          the Enlightenment and advocated deism and scientific
          rationalism

   encyst
          [en.cyst] vt (1845): to enclose in a cyst ~ vi: to form or
          become enclosed in a cyst -- en.cyst.ment n

   [1]end
          [end] n [ME ende, fr. OE; akin to OHG enti end, L ante before,
          Gk anti against] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the part of an area
          that lies at the boundary b (1): a point that marks the
          extent of something (2): the point where something ceases
          to exist <world without ~> c: the extreme or last part
          lengthwise: tip d: the terminal unit of something spatial
          that is marked off by units e: a player stationed at
          the extremity of a line (as in football) 2 a: cessation
          of a course of action, pursuit, or activity b: death,
          destruction c (1): the ultimate state (2): result, issue
          3: something incomplete, fragmentary, or undersized:
          remnant 4 a: an outcome worked toward: purpose <the ~
          of poetry is to be poetry --R. P. Warren> b: the object
          by virtue of or for the sake of which an event takes
          place 5 a: a share in an undertaking <kept your ~ up>
          b: a particular operation or aspect of an undertaking
          or organization <the sales ~ of the business> 6: something
          that is extreme: ultimate--used with the 7: a period
          of action or turn in any of various sports events (as
          archery or lawn bowling) syn see intention -- end.ed
          adj -- in the end : after all, ultimately -- no end :
          exceedingly -- on end : without a stop or letup <it rained
          for days on end> [2]end vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to bring to
          an end b: destroy 2: to make up the end of ~ vi 1 a:
          to come to an end b: to reach a specified ultimate rank
          or situation--usu. used with up <~ed up as a colonel>
          2: die syn see close [3]end adj (13c): final, ultimate
          <~ results> <~ markets> <~ product> [4]end vt [prob.
          alter. of E dial. in (to harvest)] (1607) dial Eng: to
          put (grain or hay) into a barn or stack

   end-
          [end-] or endo- comb form [F, fr. Gk, fr. endon within; akin
          to Gk en in, OL indu, Hitt andan within--more at in]
          1: within: inside <endoskeleton>--compare ect-, exo-
          2: taking in <endothermic>

   endamage
          [en.dam.age] vt [ME] (14c): to cause loss or damage to

   endamoeba
          [end.amoe.ba] n [NL, genus name] (ca. 1879): any of a genus
          (Endamoeba) comprising amoebas parasitic in the intestines
          of insects--compare entamoeba

   endanger
          [en.dan.ger] vb -dan.gered ; -dan.ger.ing vt (1509): to bring
          into danger or peril ~ vi: to create a dangerous situation
          <driving to ~> -- en.dan.ger.ment n

   endangered
          [en.dan.gered] adj (1964): being or relating to an endangered
          species <an ~ bird> <put on the ~ list>

   endangered species
          [endangered species] n (1964): a species threatened with
          extinction; broadly: anyone or anything whose continued
          existence is threatened

   endarch
          [en.darch] adj (ca. 1900): formed or taking place from inner
          cells outward <~ xylem>

   end around
          [end around] n (1926): a football play in which an offensive
          end comes behind the line of scrimmage to take a handoff
          and attempts to carry the ball around the opposite flank

   endarterectomy
          [end.ar.ter.ec.to.my] n, pl -mies [NL endarterium intima
          of an artery (fr. end- + arteria artery) + E -ectomy]
          (1950): surgical removal of the inner layer of an artery
          when thickened and atheromatous or occluded (as by intimal
          plaques)

   endbrain
          [end.brain] n (1927): telencephalon

   end brush
          [end brush] n (ca. 1891): end plate

   endear
          [en.dear] vt (1580) 1 obs: to make higher in cost, value,
          or estimation 2: to cause to become beloved or admired
          -- en.dear.ing.ly adv

   endearment
          [en.dear.ment] n (1610) 1: a word or an act (as a caress)
          expressing affection 2: the act or process of endearing

   [1]endeavor
          [en.deav.or] vb en.deav.ored ; en.deav.or.ing [ME endeveren
          to exert oneself, fr. en- + dever duty--more at devoir]
          vt (15c) 1 archaic: to strive to achieve or reach 2:
          to attempt (as the fulfillment of an obligation) by exertion
          of effort <~s to finish the race> ~ vi: to work with
          set purpose syn see attempt [2]endeavor n (15c) 1: serious
          determined effort 2: activity directed toward a goal:
          enterprise <fields of ~>

   endeavour
          [en.deav.our] chiefly Brit var of endeavor

   [1]endemic
          [en.dem.ic] adj [F endemique, fr. endemie endemic disease,
          fr. Gk endemia action of dwelling, fr. endemos endemic,
          fr. en in + demos people, populace--more at demagogue]
          (1759) 1 a: belonging or native to a particular people
          or country b: characteristic of or prevalent in a particular
          field, area, or environment <problems ~ to translation>
          <the self-indulgence ~ in the film industry> 2: restricted
          or peculiar to a locality or region <~ diseases> <an
          ~ species> syn see native -- en.dem.i.cal.ly adv -- en.de.mic.i.ty
          n -- en.de.mism n [2]endemic n (1926): an endemic organism

   endergonic
          [end.er.gon.ic] adj [end- + Gk ergon work--more at work]
          (1940): endothermic 1 <an ~ biochemical reaction>

   endexine
          [end.ex.ine] n (1947): an inner membranous layer of the exine

   endgame
          [end.game] n (1884): the stage of a chess game after major
          reduction of forces; also: the final stages of some action

   ending
          [end.ing] n (bef. 12c): something that constitutes an end:
          as a: conclusion b: one or more letters or syllables
          added to a word base esp. in inflection

   endite
          [endite] var of indite

   endive
          [en.dive] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL endivia, fr. LGk entybion,
          fr. L intubus] (14c) 1: an annual or biennial composite
          herb (Cichorium endivia) widely cultivated as a salad
          plant--called also escarole 2: the developing crown of
          chicory when blanched for use as a vegetable or in salads
          by growing in darkness or semidarkness

   endleaf
          [end.leaf] n (1888): endpaper

   endless
          [end.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1: being or seeming to be without
          end <an ~ speech> 2: extremely numerous <all the multiplied,
          ~, nameless iniquities --Edmund Burke> 3: joined at the
          ends <an ~ chain> -- end.less.ly adv -- end.less.ness
          n

   end line
          [end line] n (1893): a line marking an end or boundary esp.
          of a playing area: as a: a line at either end of a football
          field 10 yards beyond and parallel to the goal line b:
          a line at either end of a court (as in basketball or
          tennis) perpendicular to the sidelines

   endlong
          [end.long] adv [ME endelong, alter. of andlong, fr. OE andlang
          along, fr. andlang, prep.--more at along] (13c) archaic:
          lengthwise

   end man
          [end man] n (1865): a man at each end of the line of performers
          in a minstrel show who engages in comic repartee with
          the interlocutor

   endmost
          [end.most] adj (bef. 12c): situated at the very end

   endnote
          [end.note] n (1926): a note placed at the end of the text

   endobiotic
          [en.do.bi.ot.ic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1900): dwelling within the
          cells or tissues of a host <~ fungi>

   endocardial
          [en.do.car.di.al] adj (ca. 1849) 1: situated within the heart
          2: of or relating to the endocardium

   endocarditis
          [en.do.car.di.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1839): inflammation of the
          lining of the heart and its valves

   endocardium
          [en.do.car.di.um] n, pl -dia [NL, fr. end- + Gk kardia heart]
          (ca. 1864): a thin serous membrane lining the cavities
          of the heart

   endocarp
          [en.do.carp] n [F endocarpe] (1830): the inner layer of the
          pericarp of a fruit (as an apple or orange) when it consists
          of two or more layers of different texture or consistency

   endocast
          [en.do.cast] n (1949): endocranial cast

   endochondral
          [en.do.chon.dral] adj (1882): relating to, formed by, or
          being ossification that takes place from centers arising
          in cartilage and involves deposition of lime salts in
          the cartilage matrix followed by secondary absorption
          and replacement by true bony tissue

   endocranial cast
          [en.do.cra.ni.al cast] n (1923): a cast of the cranial cavity
          showing the approximate shape of the brain

   [1]endocrine
          [en.do.crine] adj [ISV end- + Gk krinein to separate--more
          at certain] (ca. 1911) 1: secreting internally; specif:
          producing secretions that are distributed in the body
          by way of the bloodstream <an ~ system> 2: of, relating
          to, affecting, or resembling an endocrine gland or secretion
          <~ tumors> [2]endocrine n (1922) 1: hormone 2: endocrine
          gland

   endocrine gland
          [endocrine gland] n (1914): a gland (as the thyroid or the
          pituitary) that produces an endocrine secretion--called
          also ductless gland

   endocrinologic
          [en.do.cri.no.log.ic] or en.do.cri.no.log.i.cal adj (ca.
          1934): involving or relating to the endocrine glands
          or secretions or to endocrinology

   endocrinology
          [en.do.cri.nol.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1913): a science dealing
          with the endocrine glands -- en.do.cri.nol.o.gist n

   endocytosis
          [en.do.cy.to.sis] n [NL, fr. end- + -cytosis (as in phagocytosis)]
          (1963): incorporation of substances into a cell by phagocytosis
          or pinocytosis -- en.do.cy.tot.ic adj

   endoderm
          [en.do.derm] n [F endoderme, fr. end- + Gk derma skin--more
          at derm-] (1861): the innermost of the germ layers of
          an embryo that is the source of the epithelium of the
          digestive tract and its derivatives; also: a tissue that
          is derived from this germ layer--compare hypoblast --
          en.do.der.mal adj

   endodermis
          [en.do.der.mis] n [NL] (1884): the innermost tissue of the
          cortex in many roots and stems

   endodontics
          [end.odon.tics] n pl but sing in constr [end- + odont- +
          -ics] (1946): a branch of dentistry concerned with diseases
          of the pulp -- end.odon.tic adj -- end.odon.ti.cal.ly
          adv -- end.odon.tist n

   endoenzyme
          [en.do.en.zyme] n [ISV] (ca. 1909): an enzyme that functions
          inside the cell

   endoergic
          [en.do.er.gic] adj (1940): absorbing energy: endothermic
          <~ nuclear reactions>

   endogamy
          [en.dog.a.my] n (1865): marriage within a specific group
          as required by custom or law -- en.dog.a.mous adj

   endogenic
          [en.do.gen.ic] adj (ca. 1904) 1: of or relating to metamorphism
          taking place within a planet or moon 2: endogenous

   endogenous
          [en.dog.e.nous] adj (1830) 1: growing or produced by growth
          from deep tissue <~ plant roots> 2 a: caused by factors
          inside the organism or system <an ~ psychic depression>
          <~ business cycles> b: produced or synthesized within
          the organism or system <an ~ hormone> -- en.dog.e.nous.ly
          adv

   endolithic
          [en.do.lith.ic] adj (1886): living within or penetrating
          deeply into stony substances (as rocks, coral, or mollusk
          shells) <~ lichens>

   endolymph
          [en.do.lymph] n [ISV] (ca. 1839): the watery fluid in the
          membranous labyrinth of the ear -- en.do.lym.phat.ic
          adj

   endometriosis
          [en.do.me.tri.osis] n [NL] (1925): the presence and growth
          of functioning endometrial tissue in places other than
          the uterus that often results in severe pain and infertility

   endometritis
          [en.do.me.tri.tis] n [NL] (1872): inflammation of the endometrium

   endometrium
          [en.do.me.tri.um] n, pl -tria [NL, fr. end- + Gk metra uterus,
          fr. metr-, meter mother--more at mother] (ca. 1882):
          the mucous membrane lining the uterus -- en.do.me.tri.al
          adj

   endomitosis
          [en.do.mi.to.sis] n [NL] (1942): division of chromosomes
          not followed by nuclear division that results in an increased
          number of chromosomes in the cell -- en.do.mi.tot.ic
          adj

   endomixis
          [en.do.mix.is] n [NL, fr. end- + Gk mixis act of mixing,
          fr. mignynai to mix--more at mix] (1914): a periodic
          nuclear reorganization in ciliated protozoans

   endomorph
          [en.do.morph] n [endoderm + -morph] (1940): an endomorphic
          individual

   endomorphic
          [en.do.mor.phic] adj [endoderm + -morphic; fr. the predominance
          in such types of structures developed from the endoderm]
          (1940) 1: of or relating to the component in W. H. Sheldon's
          classification of body types that measures the massiveness
          of the digestive viscera and the body's degree of roundedness
          and softness 2: having a heavy rounded body build often
          with a marked tendency to become fat -- en.do.mor.phy
          n

   endomorphism
          [en.do.mor.phism] n (1909): a homomorphism that maps a mathematical
          set into itself--compare isomorphism

   endonuclease
          [en.do.nu.cle.ase] n (1962): an enzyme that breaks down a
          nucleotide chain into two or more shorter chains by cleaving
          it at points not adjacent to the end--compare exonuclease

   endonucleolytic
          [en.do.nu.cleo.lyt.ic] adj [end- + nucleo- + -lytic] (1967):
          cleaving a nucleotide chain at an internal point <~ nicks>

   endoparasite
          [en.do.par.a.site] n [ISV] (ca. 1882): a parasite that lives
          in the internal organs or tissues of its host -- en.do.par.a.sit.ic
          adj -- en.do.par.a.sit.ism n

   endopeptidase
          [en.do.pep.ti.dase] n (1936): any of a group of enzymes that
          hydrolyze peptide bonds within the long chains of protein
          molecules: protease--compare exopeptidase

   endoperoxide
          [en.do.per.ox.ide] n (1962): any of various biosynthetic
          intermediates in the formation of prostaglandins

   endophyte
          [en.do.phyte] n [ISV] (1854): a plant living within another
          plant -- en.do.phyt.ic adj

   endoplasm
          [en.do.plasm] n [ISV] (1882): the inner relatively fluid
          part of the cytoplasm -- en.do.plas.mic adj

   endoplasmic reticulum
          [endoplasmic reticulum] n (1947): a system of interconnected
          vesicular and lamellar cytoplasmic membranes that functions
          esp. in the transport of materials within the cell and
          that is studded with ribosomes in some places--see cell
          illustration

   endopodite
          [en.dop.o.dite] n [ISV] (1870): the mesial or internal branch
          of a typical limb of a crustacean

   endopolyploidy
          [en.do.poly.ploidy] n (1945): a polyploid state in which
          the chromosomes have divided repeatedly without subsequent
          division of the nucleus or cell -- en.do.poly.ploid adj

   end organ
          [end organ] n (1878): a structure forming the end of a neural
          path and consisting of an effector or a receptor with
          its associated nerve terminations

   endorphin
          [en.dor.phin] n [ISV endogenous + morphine] (1976): any of
          a group of proteins with potent analgesic properties
          that occur naturally in the brain--compare enkephalin

   endorse
          [en.dorse] vt en.dorsed ; en.dors.ing [alter. of obs. endoss,
          fr. ME endosen, fr. MF endosser, fr. OF, to put on the
          back, fr. en- + dos back, fr. L dorsum] (1581) 1 a: to
          write on the back of; esp: to sign one's name as payee
          on the back of (a check) in order to obtain the cash
          or credit represented on the face b: to inscribe (one's
          signature) on a check, bill, or note c: to inscribe (as
          an official document) with a title or memorandum d: to
          make over to another (the value represented in a check,
          bill, or note) by inscribing one's name on the document
          e: to acknowledge receipt of (a sum specified) by one's
          signature on a document 2: to approve openly <~ an idea>;
          esp: to express support or approval of publicly and definitely
          <~ a mayoral candidate> syn see approve -- en.dors.able
          adj -- en.dors.ee n -- en.dors.er n

   endorsement
          [en.dorse.ment] n (1547) 1: the act or process of endorsing
          2 a: something that is written in the process of endorsing
          b: a provision added to an insurance contract altering
          its scope or application 3: sanction, approval

   endoscope
          [en.do.scope] n [ISV] (1861): an instrument for visualizing
          the interior of a hollow organ (as the rectum or urethra)
          -- en.dos.co.py n

   endoscopic
          [en.do.scop.ic] adj (1861): of, relating to, or performed
          by means of an endoscope or endoscopy -- en.do.scop.i.cal.ly
          adv

   endoskeleton
          [en.do.skel.e.ton] n (ca. 1847): an internal skeleton or
          supporting framework in an animal -- en.do.skel.e.tal
          adj

   endosperm
          [en.do.sperm] n [F endosperme, fr. end- + Gk sperma seed--more
          at sperm] (ca. 1850): a nutritive tissue in seed plants
          formed within the embryo sac

   endosperm nucleus
          [endosperm nucleus] n (ca. 1902): the triploid nucleus formed
          in the embryo sac of a seed plant by fusion of a sperm
          nucleus with two polar nuclei or with a nucleus formed
          by the prior fusion of the polar nuclei

   endospore
          [en.do.spore] n [ISV] (1875): an asexual spore developed
          within the cell esp. in bacteria

   endosteal
          [end.os.te.al] adj (ca. 1868) 1: of or relating to the endosteum
          2: located within bone or cartilage -- end.os.te.al.ly
          adv

   endosteum
          [end.os.te.um] n, pl -tea [NL, fr. end- + Gk osteon bone--more
          at osseous] (ca. 1881): the layer of vascular connective
          tissue lining the medullary cavities of bone

   endostyle
          [en.do.style] n [ISV end- + Gk stylos pillar--more at steer]
          (1854): a pair of parallel longitudinal folds projecting
          into the pharyngeal cavity and bounding a furrow lined
          with glandular ciliated cells in lower chordates (as
          the tunicates)

   endosulfan
          [en.do.sul.fan] n [endo- + sulf- + [3]-an] (1962): a brownish
          crystalline insecticide that is used in the control of
          numerous crop insects and some mites

   endosymbiosis
          [en.do.sym.bi.o.sis] n (ca. 1940): symbiosis in which a symbiont
          dwells within the body of its symbiotic partner -- en.do.sym.bi.ont
          n -- en.do.sym.bi.ot.ic adj

   endothecium
          [en.do.the.ci.um] n, pl -cia [NL] (1832): the inner lining
          of a mature anther

   endothelioma
          [en.do.the.li.o.ma] n, pl -o.mas or -o.ma.ta [NL] (1880):
          a tumor developing from endothelial tissue

   endothelium
          [en.do.the.li.um] n, pl -lia [NL, fr. end- + -thelium (as
          in epithelium)] (1872) 1: an epithelium of mesodermal
          origin composed of a single layer of thin flattened cells
          that lines internal body cavities 2: the inner layer
          of the seed coat of some plants -- en.do.the.li.al adj

   endotherm
          [en.do.therm] n (1946): a warm-blooded animal

   endothermic
          [en.do.ther.mic] adj [ISV] (1884) 1: characterized by or
          formed with absorption of heat 2: warm-blooded

   endothermy
          [en.do.ther.my] n (1922): physiological regulation of body
          temperature by metabolic means; esp: the property or
          state of being warm-blooded

   endotoxin
          [en.do.tox.in] n [ISV] (1904): a toxin of internal origin;
          specif: a poisonous substance present in bacteria (as
          the causative agent of typhoid fever) but separable from
          the cell body only on its disintegration -- en.do.tox.ic
          adj

   endotracheal
          [en.do.tra.che.al] adj (1910) 1: placed within the trachea
          <an ~ tube> 2: applied or effected through the trachea

   endotrophic
          [en.do.tro.phic] adj (1899) of a mycorrhiza: penetrating
          into the associated root and ramifying between the cells--compare
          ectotrophic

   endow
          [en.dow] vt [ME, fr. AF endouer, fr. MF en- + douer to endow,
          fr. L dotare, fr. dot-, dos gift, dowry--more at date]
          (15c) 1: to furnish with an income; esp: to make a grant
          of money providing for the continuing support or maintenance
          of <~ a hospital> 2: to furnish with a dower 3: to provide
          with something freely or naturally <~ed with a good sense
          of humor>

   endowment
          [en.dow.ment] n (15c) 1: the act or process of endowing 2:
          something that is endowed; specif: the part of an institution's
          income derived from donations 3: natural capacity, power,
          or ability

   endpaper
          [end.pa.per] n (1818): a once-folded sheet of paper having
          one leaf pasted flat against the inside of the front
          or back cover of a book and the other pasted at the base
          to the first or last page

   end plate
          [end plate] n (1878): a complex terminal treelike branching
          of a motor nerve cell

   end point
          [end point] n (1899) 1: a point marking the completion of
          a process or stage of a process; esp: a point in a titration
          at which a definite effect (as a color change) is observed
          2 usu end.point : either of two points or values that
          mark the ends of a line segment or interval; also: a
          point that marks the end of a ray

   endrin
          [en.drin] n [end- + dieldrin] (1952): a chlorinated hydrocarbon
          insecticide that is a stereoisomer of dieldrin and resembles
          dieldrin in toxicity

   end run
          [end run] n (1902) 1: a football play in which the ballcarrier
          attempts to run wide around the end of the line; specif:
          sweep 3e 2: an evasive trick or maneuver

   end-stopped
          [end-stopped] adj (1877): marked by a logical or rhetorical
          pause at the end <an ~ line of verse>--compare run-on

   end table
          [end table] n (1851): a small table usu. about the height
          of the arm of a chair that is used beside a larger piece
          of furniture (as a sofa)

   endue
          [en.due] vt en.dued ; en.du.ing [ME, fr. MF enduire to bring
          in, introduce, fr. L inducere--more at induce] (15c)
          1: provide, endow 2: imbue, transfuse 3 [ME induen; influenced
          by L induere to put on]: put on, don

   endurable
          [en.dur.able] adj (1800): capable of being endured: bearable
          -- en.dur.ably adv

   endurance
          [en.dur.ance] n (15c) 1: permanence, duration 2: the ability
          to withstand hardship or adversity; esp: the ability
          to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity <a
          marathon runner's ~> 3: the act or an instance of enduring
          or suffering <~ of many hardships>

   endure
          [en.dure] vb en.dured ; en.dur.ing [ME, fr. MF endurer, fr.
          (assumed) VL indurare, fr. L, to harden, fr. in- + durare
          to harden, endure--more at during] vt (14c) 1: to undergo
          (as a hardship) esp. without giving in: suffer 2: to
          regard with acceptance or tolerance <could not ~ noisy
          children> ~ vi 1: to continue in the same state: last
          2: to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without
          yielding syn see bear, continue

   enduring
          [en.dur.ing] adj (15c): lasting, durable -- en.dur.ing.ly
          adv -- en.dur.ing.ness n

   enduro
          [en.duro] n, pl en.dur.os [endurance + -o (It or Sp masc.
          n. ending)] (1935): a long race (as for automobiles or
          motorcycles) stressing endurance rather than speed

   end user
          [end user] n (ca. 1945): the ultimate consumer of a finished
          product

   endways
          [end.ways] adv or adj (ca. 1608) 1: in or toward the direction
          of the ends: lengthwise <~ pressure> 2: with the end
          forward (as toward the observer) 3: on end: upright <boxes
          set ~>

   endwise
          [end.wise] adv or adj (1657): endways

   Endymion
          [En.dym.i.on] n [L, fr. Gk Endymion]: a beautiful youth loved
          by Selene in Greek mythology

   end zone
          [end zone] n (ca. 1916): the area at either end of a football
          field between the goal line and the end line

   -ene
          [-ene] n suffix [ISV, fr. Gk -ene, fem. of -enos, adj. suffix]:
          unsaturated carbon compound <benzene>; esp: carbon compound
          with one double bond <ethylene>

   ENE
          [ENE] abbreviation east-northeast

   en effet
          [en ef.fet] [F] foreign term : in fact: indeed

   enema
          [en.e.ma] n, pl enemas also ene.ma.ta [LL, fr. Gk, fr. enienai
          to inject, fr. en- + hienai to send--more at jet] (15c)
          1: the injection of liquid into the intestine by way
          of the anus 2: material for injection as an enema

   enemy
          [en.e.my] n, pl -mies [ME enemi, fr. OF, fr. L inimicus,
          fr. in- [1]in- + amicus friend--more at amiable] (13c)
          1: one that is antagonistic to another; esp: one seeking
          to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent 2: something
          harmful or deadly 3 a: a military adversary b: a hostile
          unit or force

   energetic
          [en.er.get.ic] adj [Gk energetikos, fr. energein to be active,
          fr. energos] (1651) 1: operating with or marked by vigor
          or effect 2: marked by energy: strenuous 3: of or relating
          to energy <~ equation> syn see vigorous -- en.er.get.i.cal.ly
          adv

   energetics
          [en.er.get.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1855) 1: a branch
          of mechanics that deals primarily with energy and its
          transformations 2: the total energy relations and transformations
          of a physical, chemical, or biological system <the ~
          of an ecological community>

   energise
          [en.er.gise] Brit var of energize

   energize
          [en.er.gize] vb -gized ; -giz.ing vi (1752): to put forth
          energy: act ~ vt 1: to make energetic, vigorous, or active
          2: to impart energy to 3: to apply voltage to -- en.er.gi.za.tion
          n -- en.er.giz.er n

   energy
          [en.er.gy] n, pl -gies [LL energia, fr. Gk energeia activity,
          fr. energos active, fr. en in + ergon work--more at work]
          (1599) 1 a: dynamic quality <narrative ~> b: the capacity
          of acting or being active <intellectual ~> 2: vigorous
          exertion of power: effort <investing time and ~> 3: the
          capacity for doing work 4: usable power (as heat or electricity);
          also: the resources for producing such power syn see
          power

   energy level
          [energy level] n (1910): one of the stable states of constant
          energy that may be assumed by a physical system--used
          esp. of the quantum states of electrons in atoms and
          of nuclei--called also energy state

   [1]enervate
          [ener.vate] adj (1603): lacking physical, mental, or moral
          vigor: enervated [2]en.er.vate vt -vat.ed ; -vat.ing
          [L enervatus, pp. of enervare, fr. e- + nervus sinew--more
          at nerve] (1614) 1: to reduce the mental or moral vigor
          of 2: to lessen the vitality or strength of syn see unnerve
          -- en.er.va.tion n

   en famille
          [en fa.mille] [F] foreign term : in or with one's family:
          at home: informally

   enfant cheri
          [en.fant che.ri] [F] foreign term : loved or pampered child:
          one that is highly favored

   enfant gate
          [en.fant ga.te] [F] foreign term : spoiled child

   enfants perdus
          [en.fants per.dus] [F] foreign term : lost children: soldiers
          sent to a dangerous post

   enfant terrible
          [en.fant ter.ri.ble] n, pl enfants terribles [F, lit., terrifying
          child] (1851) 1 a: a child whose inopportune remarks
          cause embarrassment b: a person known for shocking remarks
          or outrageous behavior 2: a usu. young and successful
          person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde

   enfeeble
          [en.fee.ble] vt en.fee.bled ; en.fee.bling [ME enfeblen,
          fr. MF enfeblir, fr. OF, fr. en- + feble feeble] (14c):
          to make feeble: deprive of strength syn see weaken --
          en.fee.ble.ment n

   enfeoff
          [en.feoff] vt [ME enfeoffen, fr. AF enfeoffer, fr. OF en-
          + fief fief] (15c): to invest with a fief or fee -- en.feoff.ment
          n

   enfetter
          [en.fet.ter] vt (1599): to bind in fetters: enchain

   enfever
          [en.fe.ver] vt (1647): fever

   Enfield rifle
          [En.field rifle] n [Enfield, England] (1854): a .30 caliber
          bolt-action repeating rifle used by U.S. and British
          troops in World War I

   [1]enfilade
          [en.fi.lade] n [F, fr. enfiler to thread, enfilade, fr. OF,
          to thread, fr. en- + fil thread--more at file] (ca. 1730)
          1: an interconnected group of rooms arranged usu. in
          a row with each room opening into the next 2: gunfire
          directed from a flanking position along the length of
          an enemy battle line [2]enfilade vt -lad.ed ; -lad.ing
          (1706): to rake or be in a position to rake with gunfire
          in a lengthwise direction

   enfin
          [en.fin] [F] foreign term : in conclusion: in a word

   enflame
          [enflame] var of inflame

   enfleurage
          [en.fleu.rage] n [F, fr. enfleurer to saturate with the perfume
          of flowers, fr. en- [1]en- + fleur flower, fr. OF flor--more
          at flower] (1855): a process of extracting perfumes by
          exposing absorbents to the exhalations of flowers

   enfold
          [en.fold] vt (ca. 1674) 1 a: to cover with or as if with
          folds: envelop b: to surround with a covering: contain
          2: to clasp within the arms: embrace

   enforce
          [en.force] vt [ME, fr. MF enforcier, fr. OF, fr. en- + force
          force] (14c) 1: to give force to: strengthen 2: to urge
          with energy 3: constrain, compel 4 obs: to effect or
          gain by force 5: to carry out effectively <~ laws> --
          en.force.abil.i.ty n -- en.force.able adj -- en.force.ment
          n

   enforcer
          [en.forc.er] n (1580) 1: one that enforces 2 a: a violent
          criminal employed by a crime syndicate; esp: hit man
          1 b: an aggressive player (as in ice hockey) known for
          rough play and fighting

   enframe
          [en.frame] vt (1848): frame 6 -- en.frame.ment n

   enfranchise
          [en.fran.chise] vt -chised ; -chis.ing [ME, fr. MF enfranchiss-,
          stem of enfranchir, fr. OF, fr. en- + franc free--more
          at frank] (15c) 1: to set free (as from slavery) 2: to
          endow with a franchise: as a: to admit to the privileges
          of a citizen and esp. to the right of suffrage b: to
          admit (a municipality) to political privileges or rights
          -- en.fran.chise.ment n

   eng
          [eng] abbreviation engine, engineer, engineering Eng abbreviation
          England, English

   engage
          [en.gage] vb en.gaged ; en.gag.ing [ME, fr. MF engagier,
          fr. OF, fr. en- + gage token, gage] vt (15c) 1: to offer
          (as one's word) as security for a debt or cause 2 a obs:
          to entangle or entrap in or as if in a snare or bog b:
          to attract and hold by influence or power c: to interlock
          with: mesh; also: to cause (mechanical parts) to mesh
          3: to bind (as oneself) to do something; esp: to bind
          by a pledge to marry 4 a: to provide occupation for:
          involve <~ him in a new project> b: to arrange to obtain
          the use or services of: hire 5 a: to hold the attention
          of: engross <her work ~s her completely> b: to induce
          to participate <engaged the shy boy in conversation>
          6 a: to enter into contest with b: to bring together
          or interlock (weapons) 7: to deal with esp. at length
          ~ vi 1 a: to pledge oneself: promise b: guarantee <he
          ~s for the honesty of his brother> 2 a: to begin and
          carry on an enterprise or activity <engaged in trade
          for a number of years> b: to take part: participate <at
          college she engaged in gymnastics> 3: to enter into conflict
          4: to come together and interlock (as of machinery parts):
          be or become in gear en.ga.ge adj [F, pp. of engager
          to engage, fr. MF engagier] (1946): committed to or supportive
          of a cause

   engaged
          [en.gaged] adj (1665) 1: involved in activity: occupied 2:
          pledged to be married: betrothed 3: greatly interested:
          committed 4: involved esp. in a hostile encounter 5:
          partly embedded in a wall <an ~ column> 6: being in gear:
          meshed

   engagement
          [en.gage.ment] n (1601) 1 a: an arrangement to meet or be
          present at a specified time and place <a dinner ~> b:
          a job or period of employment esp. as a performer 2:
          something that engages: pledge 3 a: the act of engaging:
          the state of being engaged b: emotional involvement or
          commitment <seesaws between obsessive ~ and ambiguous
          detachment --Gary Taylor> c: betrothal 4: the state of
          being in gear 5: a hostile encounter between military
          forces

   engaging
          [en.gag.ing] adj (1673): tending to draw favorable attention:
          attractive -- en.gag.ing.ly adv

   en garcon
          [en gar.con] [F] foreign term : as or like a bachelor

   en garde
          [en garde] [F] foreign term : on guard

   engarland
          [en.gar.land] vt (1581): to adorn with or as if with a garland

   Engelmann spruce
          [En.gel.mann spruce] n [George Engelmann d. 1884 Am. botanist]
          (1908): a large spruce (Picea engelmannii) of the Rocky
          mountain region and British Columbia that yields a light-colored
          wood

   engender
          [en.gen.der] vb en.gen.dered ; en.gen.der.ing [ME engendren,
          fr. MF engendrer, fr. L ingenerare, fr. in- + generare
          to generate] vt (14c) 1: beget, procreate 2: to cause
          to exist or to develop: produce <angry words ~ strife>
          ~ vi: to assume form: originate

   engild
          [en.gild] vt (15c): to make bright with or as if with light

   [1]engine
          [en.gine] n [ME engin, fr. MF, fr. L ingenium natural disposition,
          talent, fr. in- + gignere to beget--more at kin] (13c) 1 obs
          a: ingenuity b: evil contrivance: wile 2: something used to effect
          a purpose: agent, instrument <mournful and terrible ~ of horror and
          of crime --E. A. Poe> 3 a: a mechanical tool: as (1): an instrument
          or machine of war (2) obs: a torture implement b: machinery c: any
          of various mechanical appliances--often used in combination <fire
          ~> 4: a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into
          mechanical force and motion; also: a mechanism or object that
          serves as an energy source <black holes may be the ~s for quasars>
          5: a railroad locomotive [2]engine vt en.gined ; en.gin.ing (1868):
          to equip with engines

   engine driver
          [engine driver] n (1828) Brit: engineer 4

   [1]engineer
          [en.gi.neer] n [alter. of earlier enginer, fr. ME, alter.
          of enginour, fr. MF engigneur, fr. OF engignier to contrive,
          fr. engin] (14c) 1: a member of a military group devoted
          to engineering work 2 obs: a crafty schemer: plotter
          3 a: a designer or builder of engines b: a person who
          is trained in or follows as a profession a branch of
          engineering c: a person who carries through an enterprise
          by skillful or artful contrivance 4: a person who runs
          or supervises an engine or an apparatus [2]engineer vt
          (1843) 1: to lay out, construct, or manage as an engineer
          2 a: to contrive or plan out usu. with more or less subtle
          skill and craft b: to guide the course of 3: to modify
          or produce by genetic engineering <grain crops ~ed to
          require fewer nutrients and produce higher yields> syn
          see guide

   engineering
          [en.gi.neer.ing] n (1720) 1: the activities or function of
          an engineer 2 a: the application of science and mathematics
          by which the properties of matter and the sources of
          energy in nature are made useful to people b: the design
          and manufacture of complex products <software ~> 3: calculated
          manipulation or direction (as of behavior) <social ~>--compare
          genetic engineering

   enginery
          [en.gine.ry] n (1641): instruments of war

   engird
          [en.gird] vt (1566) archaic: gird, encompass

   engirdle
          [en.gir.dle] vt (1602): to encircle with or as if with a
          girdle

   [1]English
          [En.glish] adj [ME, fr. OE englisc, fr. Engle (pl.) Angles]
          (bef. 12c): of, relating to, or characteristic of England,
          the English people, or the English language -- En.glish.ness
          n [2]English n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the language of the people
          of England and the U.S. and many areas now or formerly
          under British control b: a particular variety of English
          distinguished by peculiarities (as of pronunciation)
          c: English language, literature, or composition when
          a subject of study 2 pl in constr: the people of England
          3 a: an English translation b: idiomatic or intelligible
          English 4: spin around the vertical axis deliberately
          imparted to a ball that is driven or rolled--compare
          draw, follow; body english [3]English vt (14c) 1: to
          translate into English 2: to adopt into English: anglicize

   English breakfast
          [English breakfast] n (1807) 1: a substantial breakfast (as
          of eggs, ham or bacon, toast, and cereal) 2: congou;
          broadly: any similar black tea

   English cocker spaniel
          [English cocker spaniel] n (1948): any of a breed of spaniels
          that have square muzzles, wide well-developed noses,
          and distinctive heads which are ideally half muzzle and
          half skull with the forehead and skull arched and slightly
          flattened

   English daisy
          [English daisy] n (ca. 1890): daisy 1a

   English foxhound
          [English foxhound] n (1929): any of a breed of medium-sized
          foxhounds developed in England and characterized by a
          muscular body, bi- or tri-colored short coat, and lightly
          fringed tail

   English horn
          [English horn] n [trans. of It corno inglese] (1838): a double-reed
          woodwind instrument resembling the oboe in design but having
          a longer tube and a range a fifth lower than that of the oboe

   English ivy
          [English ivy] n (1624): ivy 1

   Englishman
          [En.glish.man] n (bef. 12c): a native or inhabitant of England

   English muffin
          [English muffin] n (1902): bread dough rolled and cut into
          rounds, baked on a griddle, and split and toasted just
          before eating

   English pea
          [English pea] n (1634) Southern: pea 1a, b

   Englishry
          [En.glish.ry] n (1620): the state, fact, or quality of being
          English: englishness

   English saddle
          [English saddle] n (1817): a saddle with long side bars,
          steel cantle and pommel, no horn, and a leather seat
          supported by webbing stretched between the saddlebow
          and cantle--see saddle illustration

   English setter
          [English setter] n (1859): any of a breed of dogs often trained
          as bird dogs and characterized by a moderately long flat
          silky coat of white or white with color and by feathering
          on the tail and legs

   English shepherd
          [English shepherd] n (1950): any of a breed of vigorous
          medium-sized working dogs with a long and glossy black coat usu.
          with tan to brown markings that was developed in England for
          herding sheep and cattle

   English sonnet
          [English sonnet] n (ca. 1903): a sonnet consisting of three
          quatrains and a couplet with a rhyme scheme of abab cdcd
          efef gg--called also Shakespearean sonnet

   English sparrow
          [English sparrow] n (1876): house sparrow

   English springer spaniel
          [English springer spaniel] n (1929): any of a breed of springer
          spaniels having a muscular build and a moderately long
          silky coat usu. of black and white or liver and white
          hair--called also English springer

   English system
          [English system] n (1927): the foot-pound-second system of
          units

   English toy spaniel
          [English toy spaniel] n (ca. 1934): any of a breed of small
          blocky spaniels with well-rounded upper skull projecting
          forward toward the short turned-up nose

   English walnut
          [English walnut] n (1772): a Eurasian walnut (Juglans regia)
          valued for its large edible nut and its hard richly figured
          wood; also: its nut

   Englishwoman
          [En.glish.wom.an] n (15c): a woman of English birth, nationality,
          or origin

   English yew
          [English yew] n (ca. 1930): yew 1a(1)

   engorge
          [en.gorge] vb [MF engorgier, fr. OF, to devour, fr. en- +
          gorge throat--more at gorge] vt (1515): gorge, glut;
          esp: to fill with blood to the point of congestion ~
          vi: to suck blood to the limit of body capacity -- en.gorge.ment
          n

   engr
          [engr] abbreviation engineer, engraved, engraver, engraving

   engraft
          [en.graft] vt (1585) 1: to join or fasten as if by grafting
          2: graft 1, 3 <~ed embryonic gill tissue into the back>
          -- en.graft.ment n

   engrailed
          [en.grailed] adj [ME engreled, fr. MF engresle, fr. en- +
          gresle slender, fr. L gracilis] (15c) 1: indented with
          small concave curves <an ~ heraldic bordure> 2: made
          of or bordered by a circle of raised dots <an ~ coin>

   engrain
          [en.grain] vt (ca. 1641): ingrain

   engram
          [en.gram] also en.gramme n [ISV] (1908): a hypothetical change
          in neural tissue postulated in order to account for persistence
          of memory

   engrave
          [en.grave] vt en.graved ; en.grav.ing [MF engraver, fr. en-
          + graver to grave, of Gmc origin; akin to OE grafan to
          grave] (1509) 1 a: to form by incision (as on wood or
          metal) b: to impress deeply as if with a graver <the
          incident was engraved in his memory> 2 a: to cut figures,
          letters, or devices on for printing; also: to print from
          an engraved plate b: photoengrave -- en.grav.er n

   engraving
          [en.grav.ing] n (1601) 1: the act or process of one that
          engraves 2: something that is engraved: as a: an engraved
          printing surface b: engraved work 3: an impression from
          an engraved printing surface

   engross
          [en.gross] vt [ME, fr. AF engrosser, prob. fr. ML ingrossare,
          fr. L in + ML grossa large handwriting, fr. L, fem. of
          grossus thick] (15c) 1 a: to copy or write in a large
          hand b: to prepare the usu. final handwritten or printed
          text of (an official document) 2 [ME, fr. MF en gros
          in large quantities] a: to purchase large quantities
          of (as for speculation) b archaic: amass, collect c:
          to take or engage the whole attention of: occupy completely
          <ideas that have ~ed the minds of scholars for generations>
          -- en.gross.er n

   engrossing
          [en.gross.ing] adj (1820): taking up the attention completely:
          absorbing -- en.gross.ing.ly adv

   engrossment
          [en.gross.ment] n (1526) 1: the act of engrossing 2: the
          state of being absorbed or occupied: preoccupation

   engulf
          [en.gulf] vt (1555) 1: to flow over and enclose: overwhelm
          <the mounting seas threatened to ~ the island> 2: to
          take in (food) by or as if by flowing over and enclosing
          -- en.gulf.ment n

   enhalo
          [en.ha.lo] vt (1842): to surround with or as if with a halo

   enhance
          [en.hance] vt en.hanced ; en.hanc.ing [ME enhauncen, fr.
          AF enhauncer, alter. of OF enhaucier, fr. (assumed) VL
          inaltiare, fr. L in + altus high--more at old] (13c)
          1 obs: raise 2: heighten, increase; esp: to increase
          or improve in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness
          -- en.hance.ment n

   enhanced recovery
          [enhanced recovery] n (1970): the extraction of oil from
          a nearly exhausted well by methods more costly and complex
          than waterflooding alone

   enhancer
          [en.hanc.er] n (14c) 1: one that enhances 2: a nucleotide
          sequence that increases the rate of genetic transcription
          by preferentially increasing the activity of the nearest
          promotor on the same DNA molecule

   enharmonic
          [en.har.mon.ic] adj [F enharmonique, fr. MF, of a scale employing
          quarter tones, fr. Gk enarmonios, fr. en in + harmonia
          harmony, scale] (1794): of, relating to, or being notes
          that are written differently (as A flat and G sharp)
          but sound the same in the tempered scale -- en.har.mon.i.cal.ly
          adv

   enigma
          [enig.ma] n [L aenigma, fr. Gk ainigmat-, ainigma, fr. ainissesthai
          to speak in riddles, fr. ainos fable] (15c) 1: an obscure speech
          or writing 2: something hard to understand or explain
          3: an inscrutable or mysterious person syn see mystery

   enigmatic
          [enig.mat.ic] also enig.mat.i.cal adj (1677): of, relating
          to, or resembling an enigma: mysterious syn see obscure
          -- enig.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   enisle
          [en.isle] vt (1612) 1: to place apart: isolate 2: to make
          an island of

   enjambment
          [en.jamb.ment] or en.jambe.ment n [F enjambement, fr. MF,
          encroachment, fr. enjamber to straddle, encroach on,
          fr. en- + jambe leg--more at jamb] (1839): the running
          over of a sentence from one verse or couplet into another
          so that closely related words fall in different lines--compare
          run-on

   enjoin
          [en.join] vt [ME, fr. OF enjoindre, fr. L injungere, fr.
          in- + jungere to join--more at yoke] (13c) 1: to direct
          or impose by authoritative order or with urgent admonition
          <~ed us to be careful> 2 a: forbid, prohibit <was ~ed
          by conscience from telling a lie> b: to prohibit by a
          judicial order: put an injunction on <a book had been
          ~ed prior to publication --David Margolick> syn see command

   enjoy
          [en.joy] vb [ME enjoie, fr. MF enjoir, fr. OF, fr. en- +
          joir to enjoy, fr. L gaudere to rejoice--more at joy]
          vi (15c): to have a good time ~ vt 1: to have for one's
          use, benefit, or lot: experience <~ed great success>
          2: to take pleasure or satisfaction in -- en.joy.able
          adj -- en.joy.able.ness n -- en.joy.ably adv -- en.joy.er
          n -- enjoy oneself : to have a good time

   enjoyment
          [en.joy.ment] n (1553) 1 a: the action or state of enjoying
          b: possession and use <the ~ of civic rights> 2: something
          that gives keen satisfaction

   enkephalin
          [en.keph.a.lin] n [enkephal- (alter. of encephal-) + -in]
          (1975): either of two pentapeptides with opiate and analgesic
          activity that occur naturally in the brain and have a
          marked affinity for opiate receptors--compare endorphin

   enkindle
          [en.kin.dle] vt (1542) 1: to set (as fuel) on fire 2: to
          make bright and glowing ~ vi: to take fire: flame

   enl
          [enl] abbreviation enlarged, enlisted

   enlace
          [en.lace] vt [ME, fr. MF enlacier, fr. OF, fr. en- + lacier
          to lace] (14c) 1: encircle, enfold 2: entwine, interlace

   enlacement
          [en.lace.ment] n (1830) 1: the process or result of interlacing
          2: a pattern of interlacing elements

   enlarge
          [en.large] vb en.larged ; en.larg.ing [ME, fr. MF enlargier,
          fr. OF, fr. en- + large large, abundant] vt (14c) 1:
          to make larger: extend 2: to give greater scope to: expand
          3: to set free (as a captive) ~ vi 1: to grow larger
          2: to speak or write at length: elaborate <let me ~ upon
          that point> syn see increase -- enlarge.able adj -- en.larg.er
          n

   enlargement
          [en.large.ment] n (1540) 1: an act or instance of enlarging:
          the state of being enlarged 2: a photographic print larger
          than the negative that is made by projecting the negative
          image through a lens onto a photographic printing surface

   enlighten
          [en.light.en] vt en.light.ened ; en.light.en.ing (1587) 1
          archaic: illuminate 2 a: to furnish knowledge to: instruct
          b: to give spiritual insight to

   enlightened
          [en.light.ened] adj (1652) 1: freed from ignorance and
          misinformation <an ~ people> 2: based on full comprehension of the
          problems involved <issued an ~ ruling>

   enlightenment
          [en.light.en.ment] n (1669) 1: the act or means of enlightening:
          the state of being enlightened 2 cap: a philosophic movement
          of the 18th century marked by a rejection of traditional
          social, religious, and political ideas and an emphasis
          on rationalism--used with the 3 Buddhism: a final blessed
          state marked by the absence of desire or suffering

   enlist
          [en.list] vt (1599) 1 a: to secure the support and aid of:
          employ in advancing an interest <~ all the available
          resources> <~ the community in an experiment> b: to win
          over: attract <trying to ~ my sympathies> 2: to engage
          (a person) for duty in the armed forces ~ vi 1: to enroll
          oneself in the armed forces 2: to participate heartily
          (as in a cause, drive, or crusade) -- en.list.ee n --
          en.list.ment n

   enlisted
          [en.list.ed] adj (1724): of, relating to, or constituting
          the part of a military or naval force below commissioned
          or warrant officers

   enlisted man
          [enlisted man] n (1724): a man or woman in the armed forces
          ranking below a commissioned or warrant officer; specif:
          one ranking below a noncommissioned officer or petty
          officer

   enliven
          [en.liv.en] vt (1604): to give life, action, or spirit to:
          animate syn see quicken

   en masse
          [en masse] adv [F] (1795): in a body:  as a whole

   enmesh
          [en.mesh] vt (1604): to catch or entangle in or as if in
          meshes -- en.mesh.ment n

   enmity
          [en.mi.ty] n, pl -ties [ME enmite, fr. MF enemite, fr. OF
          enemiste, fr. enemi enemy] (13c): positive, active, and
          typically mutual hatred or ill will syn enmity, hostility,
          antipathy, antagonism, animosity, rancor, animus mean
          deep-seated dislike or ill will. enmity suggests positive
          hatred which may be open or concealed <an unspoken enmity>.
          hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks
          or aggression <hostility between the two nations>. antipathy
          and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one's
          hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a
          desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting
          a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility
          <a natural antipathy for self-seekers> <antagonism between
          the brothers>. animosity suggests intense ill will and
          vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility <animosity
          that led to revenge>. rancor is esp. applied to bitter
          brooding over a wrong <rancor filled every line of his
          letters>. animus adds to animosity the implication of
          strong prejudice <objections devoid of personal animus>.

   ennead
          [en.ne.ad] n [Gk ennead-, enneas, fr. ennea nine--more at
          nine] (1550): a group of nine

   ennoble
          [en.no.ble] vt en.no.bled ; en.no.bling [ME ennobelen, fr.
          MF ennoblir, fr. OF, fr. en- + noble noble] (15c) 1:
          to make noble: elevate <seemed ennobled by suffering>
          2: to raise to the rank of nobility -- en.no.ble.ment
          n

   ennui
          [en.nui] n [F, fr. OF enui annoyance, fr. enuier to annoy--more
          at annoy] (1732): a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction:
          boredom

   Enoch
          [Enoch] n [Gk Enoch, fr. Heb Hanokh]: an Old Testament patriarch
          and father of Methuselah

   enokidake
          [eno.ki.da.ke] n [Jp enokitake, fr. enoki Chinese hackberry
          (Celtis sinensis) + take mushroom] (1983): enoki mushroom

   enoki mushroom
          [enoki mushroom] n [Jp enoki] (ca. 1977): a small white edible
          mushroom (Flammulina velutipes syn. Collybia velutipes
          of the family Agaricaceae)--called also enoki

   enol
          [enol] n [ISV ene- (fr. -ene) + -ol] (1904): an organic compound
          that contains a hydroxyl group bonded to a carbon atom
          having a double bond and that is usu. characterized by
          the grouping C=C(OH) -- eno.lic adj

   enolase
          [eno.lase] n [ISV enol + -ase] (1942): a crystalline enzyme
          that is found esp. in muscle and yeast and is important
          in the metabolism of carbohydrates

   enology
          [enol.o.gy] n [Gk oinos wine + E -logy--more at wine] (1814):
          a science that deals with wine and wine making -- eno.log.i.cal
          adj -- enol.o.gist n

   enormity
          [enor.mi.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: an outrageous, improper,
          vicious, or immoral act <the enormities of state power
          --Susan Sontag> <other enormities too juvenile to mention
          --Richard Freedman> 2: the quality or state of being
          immoderate, monstrous, or outrageous; esp: great wickedness
          <the ~ of the crimes committed during the Third Reich
          --G. A. Craig> 3: the quality or state of being huge:
          immensity 4: a quality of momentous importance usage
          Enormity, some people insist, is improperly used to denote
          large size. They insist on enormousness for this meaning,
          and would limit enormity to the meaning "great wickedness."
          Those who urge such a limitation may not recognize the
          subtlety with which enormity is actually used. It regularly
          denotes a considerable departure from the expected or
          normal <they awakened; they sat up; and then the enormity
          of their situation burst upon them. "How did the fire
          start?" --John Steinbeck>. When used to denote large
          size, either literal or figurative, it usu. suggests
          something so large as to seem overwhelming <no intermediate
          zone of study. Either the enormity of the desert or the
          sight of a tiny flower --Paul Theroux> <the enormity
          of the task of teachers in slum schools --J. B. Conant>
          and may even be used to suggest both great size and deviation
          from morality <the enormity of existing stockpiles of
          atomic weapons --New Republic>. It can also emphasize
          the momentousness of what has happened <the sombre enormity
          of the Russian Revolution --George Steiner> or of its
          consequences <perceived as no one in the family could
          the enormity of the misfortune --E. L. Doctorow>.

   enormous
          [enor.mous] adj [L enormis, fr. e, ex out of + norma rule]
          (1531) 1 a archaic: abnormal, inordinate b: exceedingly
          wicked: shocking <an ~ sin> 2: marked by extraordinarily
          great size, number, or degree; esp: exceeding usual bounds
          or accepted notions -- enor.mous.ly adv -- enor.mous.ness
          n syn enormous, immense, huge, vast, gigantic, colossal,
          mammoth mean exceedingly large. enormous and immense
          both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size
          or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication
          of abnormality or monstrousness <an enormous expense>
          <an immense shopping mall>. huge commonly suggests an
          immensity of bulk or amount <incurred a huge debt>. vast
          usu. suggests immensity of extent <the vast Russian steppes>.
          gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others
          of the same kind <a gigantic sports stadium>. colossal
          applies esp. to a human creation of stupendous or incredible
          dimensions <a colossal statue of Lincoln>. mammoth suggests
          both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk <a mammoth boulder>.

   enosis
          [eno.sis] n [NGk henosis, fr. Gk, union, fr. henoun to unite,
          fr. hen-, heis one--more at same] (1928): a movement
          to secure the political union of Greece and Cyprus

   [1]enough
          [enough] adj [ME ynough, fr. OE genog (akin to OHG ginuog
          enough), fr. ge- (perfective prefix) + -nog; akin to
          L nancisci to get, Gk enenkein to carry--more at co-]
          (bef. 12c): occurring in such quantity, quality, or scope
          as to fully meet demands, needs, or expectations syn
          see sufficient [2]enough adv (bef. 12c) 1: in or to a
          degree or quantity that satisfies or that is sufficient
          or necessary for satisfaction: sufficiently 2: fully,
          quite 3: in a tolerable degree [3]enough pron (bef. 12c):
          a sufficient number, quantity, or amount <~ were present
          to constitute a quorum> <had ~ of their foolishness>

   enounce
          [enounce] vt enounced ; enounc.ing [F enoncer, fr. L enuntiare
          to report--more at enunciate] (1805) 1: to set forth
          or state (as a proposition) 2: to pronounce distinctly:
          articulate

   enow
          [enow] adv or adj [ME inow, fr. OE genog] (bef. 12c) archaic:
          enough

   en pantoufles
          [en pan.tou.fles] [F] foreign term : in slippers: at ease:
          informally

   en passant
          [en pas.sant] adv [F] (1665) 1: in passing 2--used in chess
          of the capture of a pawn as it makes a first move of
          two squares by an enemy pawn that threatens the first
          of these squares

   enplane
          [en.plane] vi (1941): to board an airplane

   en plein air
          [en plein air] [F] foreign term : in the open air

   en plein jour
          [en plein jour] [F] foreign term : in broad day

   en poste
          [en poste] [F] foreign term : in a diplomatic post

   en prise
          [en prise] adj [F, lit., engaged, within grasp] (1899) of
          a chess piece: exposed to capture

   enquire
          [en.quire] , en.qui.ry var of inquire, inquiry

   enrage
          [en.rage] vt [MF enrager to become mad, fr. OF enragier,
          fr. en- + rage rage] (1589): to fill with rage: anger

   enrapt
          [en.rapt] adj (1606): wholly absorbed with rapture

   enrapture
          [en.rap.ture] vt en.rap.tured ; en.rap.tur.ing (1740): to
          fill with delight

   enregister
          [en.reg.is.ter] vt [MF enregistrer, fr. OF, fr. en- + registre
          register] (1523): to put on record: register

   en regle
          [en regle] [F] foreign term : in order: in due form

   en retard
          [en re.tard] [F] foreign term : behind time: late

   en retraite
          [en re.traite] [F] foreign term : in retreat: in retirement

   en revanche
          [en re.vanche] [F] foreign term : in return: in compensation

   enrich
          [en.rich] vt [ME, fr. MF enrichir, fr. OF, fr. en- + riche
          rich] (14c): to make rich or richer esp. by the addition
          or increase of some desirable quality, attribute, or
          ingredient <the experience will ~ your life>: as a: to
          add beauty to: adorn b: to enhance the taste of <butter
          will ~ the sauce> c: to make (a soil) more fertile d:
          to improve the nutritive value of (a food) by adding
          nutrients (as vitamins or amino acids) and esp. by restoring
          part of the nutrients lost in processing <~ed flour>
          e: to process so as to add or increase the proportion
          of a desirable ingredient <~ed uranium> <~ed natural
          gas> -- en.rich.er n -- en.rich.ment n

   enrobe
          [en.robe] vt (1593) 1: to cover with or as if with a robe
          2: coat 2

   enroll
          [en.roll] or en.rol vb en.rolled ; en.roll.ing [ME, fr. MF
          enroller, fr. en- + rolle roll, register] vt (14c) 1:
          to insert, register, or enter in a list, catalog, or
          roll <the school ~s about 800 pupils> 2: to prepare a
          final perfect copy of (a bill passed by a legislature)
          in written or printed form 3: to roll or wrap up ~ vi:
          to enroll oneself or cause oneself to be enrolled <we
          ~ed in the history course> -- en.roll.ee n -- en.roll.ment
          n

   enroot
          [en.root] vt [ME] (15c): establish, implant

   en route
          [en route] adv or adj [F] (1779): on or along the way <he
          reads en route> <arrived early despite en route delays>

   ENS
          [ENS] abbreviation ensign

   ensample
          [en.sam.ple] n [ME, fr. MF ensample, example] (13c) archaic:
          example, instance

   ensanguine
          [en.san.guine] vt -guined ; -guin.ing (1667) 1: to make bloody
          2: crimson

   ensconce
          [en.sconce] vt en.sconced ; en.sconc.ing [en- + [2]sconce]
          (1598) 1: shelter, conceal 2: establish, settle <ensconced
          in a new job>

   en secondes noces
          [en se.condes noces] [F] foreign term : in a second marriage

   [1]ensemble
          [en.sem.ble] n [F, fr. ensemble together, fr. L insimul at
          the same time, fr. in- + simul at the same time--more
          at same] (1750): a group producing a single effect: as
          a: concerted music of two or more parts b: a complete
          costume of harmonizing or complementary clothing and
          accessories c (1): the musicians engaged in the performance
          of a musical ensemble (2): a group of supporting players,
          singers, or dancers; esp: corps de ballet [2]ensemble
          adj (ca. 1911): emphasizing the roles of all performers
          as a whole rather than a star performance <~ acting>

   ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem
          [en.se pe.tit pla.ci.dam sub li.ber.ta.te qui.e.tem] [L]
          foreign term : with the sword she seeks calm repose under
          liberty: by the sword we seek peace, but peace only under
          liberty--motto of Massachusetts

   enserf
          [en.serf] vt (1882): to make a serf of: deprive of liberty
          and personal rights -- en.serf.ment n

   ensheathe
          [en.sheathe] vt (1593): to cover with or as if with a sheath

   enshrine
          [en.shrine] vt [ME] (14c) 1: to enclose in or as if in a
          shrine 2: to preserve or cherish as sacred -- en.shrine.ment
          n

   enshrinee
          [en.shri.nee] n (1968): a person inducted into a Hall of
          Fame

   enshroud
          [en.shroud] vt (1583): to cover or enclose with or as if
          with a shroud

   ensiform
          [en.si.form] adj [F ensiforme, fr. L ensis sword + F -forme
          -form; akin to Skt asi sword] (1541): having sharp edges
          and tapering to a slender point <~ leaves of the gladiolus>--see
          leaf illustration

   ensign
          [en.sign] n [ME ensigne, fr. MF enseigne, fr. L insignia
          insignia, flags] (15c) 1: a flag that is flown (as by
          a ship) as the symbol of nationality and that may also
          be flown with a distinctive badge added to its design
          2 a: a badge of office, rank, or power b: emblem, sign
          3 a: an infantry officer of what was formerly the lowest
          commissioned rank b: a commissioned officer in the navy
          or coast guard ranking above a chief warrant officer
          and below a lieutenant junior grade

   ensilage
          [en.si.lage] n [Fr, fr. ensiler to ensile, fr. en- + silo
          silo, fr. Sp] (1876) 1: the process of preserving fodder
          by ensiling 2: silage

   ensile
          [en.sile] vt en.siled ; en.sil.ing (1883): to prepare and
          store (fodder) for silage

   ensky
          [en.sky] vt (1603): exalt

   enslave
          [en.slave] vt (1630): to reduce to or as if to slavery: subjugate
          -- en.slave.ment n -- en.slav.er n

   ensnare
          [en.snare] vt (1576): to take in or as if in a snare syn
          see catch

   ensnarl
          [en.snarl] vt (1593): to involve in a snarl

   ensorcell
          [en.sor.cell] or en.sor.cel vt -celled or -celed ; -cell.ing
          or -cel.ing [MF ensorceler, alter. of OF ensorcerer,
          fr. en- + -sorcerer, fr. sorcier sorcerer--more at sorcery]
          (ca. 1541): bewitch, enchant -- en.sor.cell.ment n

   ensoul
          [en.soul] vt (1605): to endow or imbue with a soul

   ensphere
          [en.sphere] vt (1612): to enclose in or as if in a sphere

   ensue
          [en.sue] vb en.sued ; en.su.ing [ME, fr. MF ensuivre, fr.
          OF, fr. en- + suivre to follow--more at sue] vt (14c):
          to strive to attain: pursue <I wander, seeking peace,
          and ensuing it --Rupert Brooke> ~ vi: to take place afterward
          or as a result syn see follow

   en suite
          [en suite] adv or adj [F] (1818): so as to form a suite:
          connected <bathroom en suite>; also: so as to make a
          matching set

   ensure
          [en.sure] vt en.sured ; en.sur.ing [ME, fr. AF enseurer,
          prob. alter. of OF aseurer--more at assure] (ca. 1704):
          to make sure, certain, or safe: guarantee syn ensure,
          insure, assure, secure mean to make a thing or person
          sure. ensure, insure, and assure are interchangeable
          in many contexts where they indicate the making certain
          or inevitable of an outcome, but insure sometimes stresses
          the taking of necessary measures beforehand, and assure
          distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense
          from a person's mind. secure implies action taken to
          guard against attack or loss.

   enswathe
          [en.swathe] vt (1597): to enfold or enclose with or as if
          with a covering: swathe

   ENT
          [ENT] abbreviation ear, nose, and throat

   ent-
          [ent-] or ento- comb form [NL, fr. Gk entos within; akin
          to L intus within, Gk en in--more at in]: inner: within
          <entoderm>

   entablature
          [en.tab.la.ture] n [obs. F, modif. of It intavolatura, fr.
          intavolare to put on a board or table, fr. in- (fr. L)
          + tavola board, table, fr. L tabula] (1611): a horizontal
          part in classical architecture that rests on the columns
          and consists of architrave, frieze, and cornice

   [1]entail
          [en.tail] vt [ME entailen, entaillen, fr. [1]en- + taile,
          taille limitation--more at tail] (14c) 1: to restrict
          (property) by limiting the inheritance to the owner's
          lineal descendants or to a particular class thereof 2
          a: to confer, assign, or transmit as if by entail: fasten
          <~ed on them indelible disgrace --Robert Browning> b:
          to fix (a person) permanently in some condition or status
          <~ him and his heirs unto the crown --Shak.> 3: to impose,
          involve, or imply as a necessary accompaniment or result
          <the project will ~ considerable expense> -- en.tail.er
          n -- en.tail.ment n [2]en.tail n (14c) 1 a: an entailing
          esp. of lands b: an entailed estate 2: something transmitted
          as if by entail

   entamoeba
          [ent.amoe.ba] n [NL] (1914): any of a genus (Entamoeba) comprising
          various amoebas parasitic in vertebrates and including one (E.
          histolytica) that causes amebic dysentery in humans--compare
          endamoeba

   entangle
          [en.tan.gle] vt (15c) 1 a: to wrap or twist together: interweave
          b: ensnare 2 a: to involve in a perplexing or troublesome
          situation <became entangled in a lawsuit> b: to make
          complicated <the story is entangled with legends> --
          en.tan.gler n

   entanglement
          [en.tan.gle.ment] n (1535) 1 a: the action of entangling:
          the state of being entangled b: something that entangles,
          confuses, or ensnares 2: the condition of being deeply
          involved

   entasis
          [en.ta.sis] n, pl -ta.ses [Gk, lit., distension, stretching,
          fr. enteinen to stretch tight (fr. en- [2]en- + teinein
          to stretch)--more at thin] (1664): a slight convexity
          esp. in the shaft of a column

   entelechy
          [en.tel.e.chy] n, pl -chies [LL entelechia, fr. Gk entelecheia,
          fr. enteles complete (fr. en- [2]en- + telos end) + echein
          to have--more at wheel, scheme] (1603) 1: the actualization
          of form-giving cause as contrasted with potential existence
          2: a hypothetical agency not demonstrable by scientific
          methods that in some vitalist doctrines is considered
          an inherent regulating and directing force in the development
          and functioning of an organism

   entente
          [en.tente] n [F, fr. OF, intent, understanding--more at intent]
          (1854) 1: an international understanding providing for
          a common course of action 2 [F entente cordiale]: a coalition
          of parties to an entente

   entente cordiale
          [en.tente cor.diale] n [F, lit., cordial understanding] (1844)
          1: entente 1 2: a friendly agreement or working relationship

   enter
          [en.ter] vb en.tered ; en.ter.ing [ME entren, fr. OF entrer,
          fr. L intrare, fr. intra within; akin to L inter between--more
          at inter-] vi (13c) 1: to go or come in 2: to come or
          gain admission into a group: join--often used with into
          3 a: to make a beginning <~ing upon a career> b: to begin
          to consider a subject--usu. used with into or upon 4:
          to go upon land for the purpose of taking possession
          5: to play a part: be a factor <other considerations
          ~ when money is involved> ~ vt 1: to come or go into
          <~ a room> 2: inscribe, register <~ the names of qualified
          voters> 3: to cause to be received or admitted <~ a child
          at a school> 4: to put in: insert <~ the new data into
          the computer> 5 a: to make a beginning in <~ politics>
          b: to go into (a particular period of time) <~ middle
          age> 6: to become a member of or an active participant
          in <~ the university> <~ a race> 7: to make report of
          (a ship or its cargo) to customs authorities 8: to place
          in proper form before a court of law or upon record <~
          a writ> 9: to go into or upon and take actual possession
          of (as land) 10: to put formally on record <~ing a complaint>
          -- en.ter.able adj -- enter into 1: to make oneself a
          party to or in <enter into an agreement> 2: to form or
          be part of <your prejudices shouldn't enter into it>
          3: to participate or share in <enter into the spirit
          of the occasion> -- enter the lists : to engage in a
          fight or struggle syn enter, penetrate, pierce, probe
          mean to make way into something. enter is the most general
          of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way
          in <entered the city in triumph>. penetrate carries a
          strong implication of an impelling force or compelling
          power that achieves entrance <the enemy penetrated the
          fortress>. pierce means an entering or cutting through
          with a sharp pointed instrument <pierced the boil with
          a lancet>. probe implies penetration to investigate or
          explore something hidden from sight or knowledge <probed
          the depths of the sea>.

   enter-
          [enter-] or entero- comb form [Gk, fr. enteron--more at inter-]:
          intestine <enteritis>

   enteral
          [en.ter.al] adj (1903): enteric -- en.ter.al.ly adv

   enteric
          [en.ter.ic] adj (ca. 1859) 1: of or relating to the intestines;
          broadly: alimentary 2: of, relating to, or being a medicinal
          preparation treated to pass through the stomach unaltered
          and disintegrate in the intestines

   enteritis
          [en.ter.i.tis] n (1808) 1: inflammation of the intestines
          and esp. of the human ileum 2: a disease of domestic
          animals (as panleucopenia of cats) marked by enteritis
          and diarrhea

   enterobacterium
          [en.tero.bac.te.ri.um] n [NL] (ca. 1951): any of a family
          (Enterobacteriaceae) of gram-negative straight rod bacteria
          (as a salmonella or a colon bacillus) that ferment glucose
          and include saprophytes as well as some serious plant
          and animal pathogens -- en.tero.bac.te.ri.al adj

   enterobiasis
          [en.tero.bi.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL, fr. Enterobius, genus
          name (fr. Gk enter- + bios mode of life) + -iasis] (ca.
          1927): infestation with or disease caused by pinworms
          (genus Enterobius) that occurs esp. in children

   enterochromaffin
          [en.tero.chro.maf.fin] adj (ca. 1941): of or relating to
          epithelial cells of the intestinal mucosa that stain
          esp. with chromium salts and usu. contain serotonin

   enterococcus
          [en.tero.coc.cus] n, pl -coc.ci [NL, genus name] (1908):
          streptococcus; esp: a streptococcus (as Streptococcus
          faecalis) normally present in the intestine -- en.tero.coc.cal
          adj

   enterocoele
          [en.tero.coele] or en.tero.coel n (1877): a coelom originating
          by outgrowth from the archenteron -- en.tero.coe.lous
          adj -- en.tero.coe.lic adj

   enterocolitis
          [en.tero.co.li.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1857): enteritis affecting
          both the large and small intestine

   enterogastrone
          [en.tero.gas.trone] n [enter- + gastr- + -one (as in hormone)]
          (ca. 1930): a hormone that is produced by the duodenal
          mucosa and has an inhibitory action on gastric motility
          and secretion

   enterokinase
          [en.tero.ki.nase] n [ISV] (ca. 1902): an enzyme esp. of the
          upper intestinal mucosa that activates trypsinogen by
          converting it to trypsin

   enteron
          [en.ter.on] n [NL, fr. Gk, intestine--more at inter-] (ca.
          1842): the alimentary canal or system--used esp. of the
          embryo

   enteropathogenic
          [en.tero.patho.gen.ic] adj (1961): tending to produce disease
          in the intestinal tract <~ bacteria>

   enteropathy
          [en.ter.op.a.thy] n (ca. 1889): a disease of the intestinal
          tract

   enterostomy
          [en.ter.os.to.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (1878): a surgical formation
          of an opening into the intestine through the abdominal
          wall -- en.ter.os.to.mal adj

   enterotoxin
          [en.tero.tox.in] n (ca. 1928): a toxin that is produced by
          microorganisms (as some staphylococci) and causes gastrointestinal
          symptoms (as in some forms of food poisoning or cholera)

   enterovirus
          [en.tero.vi.rus] n [NL] (1957): any of a group of picornaviruses
          (as the poliomyelitis virus) that typically occur in
          the gastrointestinal tract but may be involved in respiratory
          ailments, meningitis, and neurological disorders -- en.tero.vi.ral
          adj

   enterprise
          [en.ter.prise] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF entreprendre to undertake,
          fr. entre- inter- + prendre to take--more at prize] (15c)
          1: a project or undertaking that is esp. difficult, complicated,
          or risky 2: readiness to engage in daring action: initiative
          3 a: a unit of economic organization or activity; esp:
          a business organization b: a systematic purposeful activity
          <agriculture is the main economic ~ among these people>

   enterpriser
          [en.ter.pris.er] n (1523): entrepreneur

   enterprising
          [en.ter.pris.ing] adj (1611): marked by an independent energetic
          spirit and by readiness to undertake or experiment

   entertain
          [en.ter.tain] vb [ME entertinen, fr. MF entretenir, fr. entre-
          inter- + tenir to hold--more at tenable] vt (15c) 1 a
          archaic: maintain b obs: receive 2: to show hospitality
          to 3 a: to keep, hold, or maintain in the mind <I ~ grave
          doubts about her sincerity> b: to receive and take into
          consideration <refused to ~ our plea> 4: to provide entertainment
          for 5: to play against (an opposing team) on one's home
          field or court ~ vi: to provide entertainment esp. for
          guests syn see amuse -- en.ter.tain.er n

   entertaining
          [en.ter.tain.ing] adj (1568): providing entertainment: diverting
          -- en.ter.tain.ing.ly adv

   entertainment
          [en.ter.tain.ment] n (15c) 1: the act of entertaining 2 a
          archaic: maintenance, provision b obs: employment 3:
          something diverting or engaging: as a: a public performance
          b: a usu. light comic or adventure novel

   enthalpy
          [en.thal.py] n [en- + Gk thalpein to heat] (ca. 1924): the
          sum of the internal energy of a body and the product
          of its volume multiplied by the pressure

   enthrall
          [en.thrall] or en.thral vt en.thralled ; en.thrall.ing [ME]
          (15c) 1: to hold in or reduce to slavery 2: to hold spellbound:
          charm -- en.thrall.ment n

   enthrone
          [en.throne] vt (1606) 1 a: to seat ceremonially on a throne
          b: to seat in a place associated with a position of authority
          or influence 2: to assign supreme virtue or value to:
          exalt -- en.throne.ment n

   enthuse
          [en.thuse] vb en.thused ; en.thus.ing [back-formation fr.
          enthusiasm] vt (1827) 1: to make enthusiastic 2: to express
          with enthusiasm ~ vi: to show enthusiasm <a splendid
          performance, and I was enthusing over it --Julian Huxley>
          usage Enthuse is apparently American in origin, although
          the earliest known example of its use occurs in a letter
          written in 1827 by a young Scotsman who spent about two
          years in the Pacific Northwest. It has been disapproved
          since about 1870. Current evidence shows it to be flourishing
          nonetheless on both sides of the Atlantic esp. in journalistic
          prose.

   enthusiasm
          [en.thu.si.asm] n [Gk enthousiasmos, fr. enthousiazein to
          be inspired, irreg. fr. entheos inspired, fr. en- + theos
          god] (1603) 1 a: belief in special revelations of the
          Holy Spirit b: religious fanaticism 2 a: strong excitement
          of feeling: ardor b: something inspiring zeal or fervor
          syn see passion

   enthusiast
          [en.thu.si.ast] n (1570): a person filled with enthusiasm:
          as a: one who is ardently attached to a cause, object,
          or pursuit <a sports car ~> b: one who tends to become
          ardently absorbed in an interest

   enthusiastic
          [en.thu.si.as.tic] adj (1603): filled with or marked by enthusiasm
          -- en.thu.si.as.ti.cal.ly adv

   enthymeme
          [en.thy.meme] n [L enthymema, fr. Gk enthymema, fr. enthymeisthai
          to keep in mind, fr. en- + thymos mind, soul] (1552):
          a syllogism in which one of the premises is implicit

   entice
          [en.tice] vt en.ticed ; en.tic.ing [ME, fr. MF enticier,
          fr. (assumed) VL intitiare, fr. L in- + titio firebrand]
          (14c): to attract artfully or adroitly or by arousing
          hope or desire: tempt syn see lure -- en.tice.ment n
          -- en.tic.ing.ly adv

   [1]entire
          [en.tire] adj [ME, fr. MF entir, fr. L integer, lit., untouched,
          fr. in- + tangere to touch--more at tangent] (14c) 1:
          having no element or part left out: whole <was alone
          the ~ day> 2: complete in degree: total <their ~ devotion
          to their family> 3 a: consisting of one piece b: homogeneous,
          unmixed c: intact <strove to keep the collection ~> 4:
          not castrated 5: having the margin continuous or free
          from indentations <an ~ leaf> syn see whole, perfect
          -- entire adv -- en.tire.ness n [2]entire n (1597) 1
          archaic: the whole: entirety 2: stallion

   entirely
          [en.tire.ly] adv (14c) 1: to the full or entire extent: completely
          <I agree ~> <you are ~ welcome> 2: to the exclusion of others:
          solely <~ by my own efforts>

   entirety
          [en.tire.ty] n, pl -ties (1548) 1: the state of being entire
          or complete 2: sum total, whole

   entitle
          [en.ti.tle] vt en.ti.tled ; en.ti.tling [ME, fr. MF entituler,
          fr. LL intitulare, fr. L in- + titulus title] (14c) 1:
          to give a title to: designate 2: to furnish with proper
          grounds for seeking or claiming something <this ticket
          ~s the bearer to free admission>

   entitlement
          [en.ti.tle.ment] n (1944) 1 a: the state or condition of
          being entitled: right b: a right to benefits specified
          esp. by law or contract 2: a government program providing
          benefits to members of a specified group; also: funds
          supporting or distributed by such a program

   entity
          [en.ti.ty] n, pl -ties [ML entitas, fr. L ent-, ens existing
          thing, fr. coined prp. of esse to be--more at is] (1596)
          1 a: being, existence; esp: independent, separate, or
          self-contained existence b: the existence of a thing
          as contrasted with its attributes 2: something that has
          separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual
          reality

   ento-
          [ento-] --see ent-

   entoderm
          [en.to.derm] n (1879): endoderm -- en.to.der.mal adj
          -- en.to.der.mic adj

   entoil
          [en.toil] vt (1581): entrap, enmesh

   entom
          [entom] or entomol abbreviation entomological, entomology

   entom-
          [entom-] or entomo- comb form [F, fr. Gk entomon]: insect
          <entomophagous>

   entomb
          [en.tomb] vt [ME entoumben, fr. MF entomber, fr. en- + tombe
          tomb] (1576) 1: to deposit in a tomb: bury 2: to serve
          as a tomb for -- en.tomb.ment n

   entomofauna
          [en.to.mo.fau.na] n [NL] (1951): a fauna of insects: the
          insects of an environment or region

   entomology
          [en.to.mol.o.gy] n [F entomologie, fr. Gk entomon insect
          (fr. neut. of entomos cut up, fr. en- + temnein to cut)
          + F -logie -logy--more at tome] (1766): a branch of zoology
          that deals with insects -- en.to.mo.log.i.cal adj --
          en.to.mo.log.i.cal.ly adv -- en.to.mol.o.gist n

   entomophagous
          [en.to.moph.a.gous] adj (1847): feeding on insects

   entomophilous
          [en.to.moph.i.lous] adj (1880): normally pollinated by
          insects--compare zoophilic -- en.to.moph.i.ly n

   entoproct
          [en.to.proct] n [ultim. fr. ent- + Gk proktos anus] (1940):
          any of a phylum (Entoprocta) of animals that are very
          similar to bryozoans but lack a true coelom and have
          the anus located near the mouth inside a crown of tentacles

   entourage
          [en.tou.rage] n [F, fr. MF, fr. entourer to surround, fr.
          entour around, fr. en in (fr. L in) + tour circuit--more
          at turn] (1834) 1: one's attendants or associates 2:
          surroundings

   entr'acte
          [en.tr'acte] n [F, fr. entre- inter- + acte act] (ca. 1842)
          1: a dance, piece of music, or interlude performed between
          two acts of a play 2: the interval between two acts of
          a play

   entrails
          [en.trails] n pl [ME entrailles, fr. MF, fr. ML intralia,
          alter. of L interanea, pl. of interaneum intestine, fr.
          neut. of interaneus interior] (14c) 1: bowels, viscera;
          broadly: internal parts 2: the inner workings of something
          <the ~ of the movie industry>

   [1]entrain
          [en.train] vt [MF entrainer, fr. en- + trainer to draw, drag--more
          at train] (1568) 1: to draw along with or after oneself 2: to draw
          in and transport (as solid particles or gas) by the flow of a fluid
          3: to incorporate (air bubbles) into concrete 4: to determine
          or modify the phase or period of <circadian rhythms ~ed by a light
          cycle> -- en.train.er n -- en.train.ment n [2]entrain vt (1881):
          to put aboard a train ~ vi: to go aboard a train

   [1]entrance
          [en.trance] n (15c) 1: power or permission to enter: admission
          2: the act of entering 3: the means or place of entry
          4: the point at which a voice or instrument part begins
          in ensemble music 5: the first appearance of an actor
          in a scene [2]en.trance vt en.tranced ; en.tranc.ing
          (1593) 1: to carry away with delight, wonder, or rapture
          2: to put into a trance -- en.trance.ment n

   entranceway
          [en.trance.way] n (1865): entryway

   entrant
          [en.trant] n (1635): one that enters; esp: one that enters
          a contest

   entrap
          [en.trap] vt [MF entraper, fr. en- + trape trap] (1534) 1:
          to catch in or as if in a trap 2: to lure into a compromising
          statement or act syn see catch

   entrapment
          [en.trap.ment] n (1597) 1 a: the action or process of entrapping
          b: the condition of being entrapped 2: the action of
          luring an individual into committing a crime in order
          to prosecute the person for it

   entreat
          [en.treat] vb [ME entreten, fr. MF entraitier, fr. en- +
          traitier to treat] vi (14c) 1 obs a: negotiate b: intercede
          2: to make an earnest request: plead ~ vt 1: to plead
          with esp. in order to persuade: ask urgently <~ed his
          boss for another chance> 2 archaic: to deal with: treat
          syn see beg -- en.treat.ing.ly adv -- en.treat.ment n

   entreaty
          [en.treaty] n, pl -treat.ies (15c): an act of entreating:
          plea

   entrechat
          [en.tre.chat] n [F, modif. of It (capriola) intrecciata,
          lit., intertwined caper] (1775): a leap in which a ballet
          dancer repeatedly crosses the legs and sometimes beats
          them together

   entrecote
          [en.tre.cote] n [F entrecote, fr. entre- inter- + cote rib,
          fr. L costa--more at inter-, coast] (1841): a steak cut
          from between the ribs

   entree
          [en.tree] n [F entree, fr. OF--more at entry] (1761) 1 a:
          the act or manner of entering: entrance b: freedom of
          entry or access 2: the main course of a meal in the U.S.

   entremets
          [en.tre.mets] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME, fr. MF,
          fr. OF entremes, fr. L intermissus, pp. of intermittere
          to intermit] (15c): dishes served in addition to the
          main course of a meal; esp: dessert

   entrench
          [en.trench] vt (1555) 1 a: to place within or surround with
          a trench esp. for defense b: to place (oneself) in a
          strong defensive position c: to establish solidly <~ed
          themselves in the business> 2: to cut into: furrow; specif:
          to erode downward so as to form a trench ~ vi 1: to dig
          or occupy a trench for defensive purposes 2: to enter
          upon or take over something unfairly, improperly, or
          unlawfully: encroach--used with on or upon -- en.trench.ment
          n

   entrepot
          [en.tre.pot] n [F, fr. MF entrepost, fr. entreposer to put
          between, fr. entre- inter- + poser to pose, put] (1758):
          an intermediary center of trade and transshipment

   entrepreneur
          [en.tre.pre.neur] n [F, fr. OF, fr. entreprendre to undertake--more
          at enterprise] (1852): one who organizes, manages, and assumes the
          risks of a business or enterprise -- en.tre.pre.neur.ial adj
          -- en.tre.pre.neur.ial.ism n -- en.tre.pre.neur.ial.ly adv
          -- en.tre.pre.neur.ship n

   entresol
          [en.tre.sol] n [F, fr. Sp entresuelo, fr. entre between +
          suelo level, fr. (assumed) VL sola, fr. L solea sandal,
          sole, sill--more at sole] (1711): mezzanine

   entropion
          [en.tro.pi.on] n [NL, fr. en- [2]en- + ectropion turning
          out of the eyelid, fr. Gk ektropion, fr. ektrepein to
          turn out, fr. ex- out + trepein to turn] (ca. 1860):
          the inversion or turning inward of the border of the
          eyelid against the eyeball

   entropy
          [en.tro.py] n, pl -pies [ISV [2]en- + Gk trope change, lit.,
          turn, fr. trepein to turn] (1875) 1: a measure of the
          unavailable energy in a closed thermodynamic system that
          is also usu. considered to be a measure of the system's
          disorder and that is a property of the system's state
          and is related to it in such a manner that a reversible
          change in heat in the system produces a change in the
          measure which varies directly with the heat change and
          inversely with the absolute temperature at which the
          change takes place; broadly: the degree of disorder or
          uncertainty in a system 2 a: the degradation of the matter
          and energy in the universe to an ultimate state of inert
          uniformity b: a process of degradation or running down
          or a trend to disorder 3: chaos, disorganization, randomness
          -- en.tro.pic adj -- en.tro.pi.cal.ly adv

   entrust
          [en.trust] vt (1602) 1: to confer a trust on; esp: to deliver
          something in trust to 2: to commit to another with confidence
          syn see commit -- en.trust.ment n

   entry
          [en.try] n, pl entries [ME entre, fr. OF entree, fr. fem.
          of entre, pp. of entrer to enter] (13c) 1: the right
          or privilege of entering: entree 2: the act of entering:
          entrance 3: a place of entrance: as a: vestibule, passage
          b: door, gate 4 a: the act of making or entering a record
          b: something entered: as (1): a record or notation of
          an occurrence, transaction, or proceeding (2): a descriptive
          record (as in a card catalog or an index) (3): headword
          (4): a headword with its definition or identification
          (5): vocabulary entry 5: a person, thing, or group entered
          in a contest

   entry-level
          [en.try-lev.el] adj (1975): of or being at the lowest level
          of a hierarchy <~ jobs>

   entryway
          [en.try.way] n (1746): a passage for entrance

   entry word
          [entry word] n (ca. 1908): headword

   entwine
          [en.twine] vt (1590): to twine together or around ~ vi: to
          become twisted or twined

   entwist
          [en.twist] vt (1590): entwine

   enucleate
          [enu.cle.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L enucleatus, pp. of enucleare,
          lit., to remove the kernel from, fr. e- + nucleus kernel--more
          at nucleus] (1548) 1 archaic: explain 2: to deprive of a nucleus
          3: to remove without cutting into <~ a tumor> <~ the eyeball>
          -- enu.cle.ation n

   enumerable
          [enu.mer.a.ble] adj (ca. 1889): denumerable -- enu.mer.a.bil.i.ty
          n

   enumerate
          [enu.mer.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L enumeratus, pp. of enumerare,
          fr. e- + numerare to count, fr. numerus number] (1616)
          1: to ascertain the number of: count 2: to specify one after
          another: list -- enu.mer.a.tion n -- enu.mer.a.tive adj

   enumerator
          [enu.mer.a.tor] n (1856): one that enumerates; esp: a census
          taker

   enunciate
          [enun.ci.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L enuntiatus, pp. of enuntiare
          to report, declare, fr. e- + nuntiare to report--more
          at announce] vt (1623) 1 a: to make a definite or systematic
          statement of b: announce, proclaim <enunciated the new
          policy> 2: articulate, pronounce <~ all the syllables>
          ~ vi: to utter articulate sounds -- enun.cia.ble adj
          -- enun.ci.a.tion n -- enun.ci.a.tor n

   enure
          [enure] var of inure

   enuresis
          [en.ure.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk enourein to urinate in, wet the
          bed, fr. en- + ourein to urinate--more at urine] (ca.
          1800): the involuntary discharge of urine: incontinence
          of urine -- en.uret.ic adj or n

   env
          [env] abbreviation envelope

   envelop
          [en.vel.op] vt [ME envolupen, fr. MF envoluper, enveloper,
          fr. OF envoloper, fr. en- + voloper to wrap] (14c) 1:
          to enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a
          covering 2: to mount an attack on (an enemy's flank)
          -- en.vel.op.ment n

   envelope
          [en.ve.lope] n (ca. 1714) 1: a flat usu. paper container
          (as for a letter) 2: something that envelops: wrapper
          <the ~ of air around the earth> 3 a: the outer covering
          of an aerostat b: the bag containing the gas in a balloon
          or airship 4: a natural enclosing covering (as a membrane,
          shell, or integument) 5 a: a curve tangent to each of
          a family of curves b: a surface tangent to each of a
          family of surfaces 6: a set of performance limits (as
          of an aircraft) that may not be safely exceeded; also:
          the set of operating parameters that exists within these
          limits

   envenom
          [en.ven.om] vt [ME envenimen, fr. OF envenimer, fr. en- +
          venim venom] (13c) 1: to make poisonous 2: embitter

   envenomization
          [en.ven.om.iza.tion] n (1960): a poisoning caused by a bite
          or sting

   enviable
          [en.vi.able] adj (1602): highly desirable -- en.vi.able.ness
          n -- en.vi.ably adv

   envier
          [en.vi.er] n (15c): one that envies

   envious
          [en.vi.ous] adj (13c) 1: feeling or showing envy <~ of their
          neighbor's new car> <~ looks> 2 archaic a: emulous b:
          enviable -- en.vi.ous.ly adv -- en.vi.ous.ness n

   environ
          [en.vi.ron] vt [ME envirounen, fr. MF environner, fr. environ
          around, fr. en in (fr. L in) + viron circle, fr. virer
          to turn--more at veer] (14c): encircle, surround

   environment
          [en.vi.ron.ment] n (1827) 1: the circumstances, objects,
          or conditions by which one is surrounded 2 a: the complex
          of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (as climate,
          soil, and living things) that act upon an organism or
          an ecological community and ultimately determine its
          form and survival b: the aggregate of social and cultural
          conditions that influence the life of an individual or
          community 3: the position or characteristic position
          of a linguistic element in a sequence syn see background
          -- en.vi.ron.men.tal adj -- en.vi.ron.men.tal.ly adv

   environmentalism
          [en.vi.ron.men.tal.ism] n (ca. 1922) 1: a theory that views
          environment rather than heredity as the important factor
          in the development and esp. the cultural and intellectual
          development of an individual or group 2: advocacy of
          the preservation or improvement of the natural environment;
          esp: the movement to control pollution

   environmentalist
          [en.vi.ron.men.tal.ist] n (1916) 1: an advocate of environmentalism
          2: one concerned about environmental quality esp. of the human
          environment with respect to the control of pollution

   environs
          [en.vi.rons] n pl (1665) 1: the districts around a city 2
          a: environing things: surroundings b: an adjoining region
          or space: vicinity

   envisage
          [en.vis.age] vt -aged ; -ag.ing [F envisager, fr. en- + visage
          face] (1837) 1: to view or regard in a certain way <~s
          the slum as a hotbed of crime> 2: to have a mental picture
          of esp. in advance of realization <~s an entirely new
          system of education> syn see think

   envision
          [en.vi.sion] vt (1919): to picture to oneself <~s a career
          dedicated to promoting peace> syn see think

   envoi
          [en.voi] or en.voy n [ME envoye, fr. MF envoi, lit., message,
          fr. OF envei, fr. envoier to send on one's way, fr. (assumed)
          VL inviare, fr. L in- + via way--more at way] (14c):
          the usu. explanatory or commendatory concluding remarks
          to a poem, essay, or book; esp: a short final stanza
          of a ballade serving as a summary or dedication

   envoy
          [en.voy] n [F envoye, fr. pp. of envoyer to send, fr. OF
          envoier] (1667) 1 a: a minister plenipotentiary accredited
          to a foreign government who ranks between an ambassador
          and a minister resident--called also envoy extraordinary
          b: a person delegated to represent one government in
          its dealings with another 2: messenger, representative

   [1]envy
          [en.vy] n, pl envies [ME envie, fr. OF, fr. L invidia, fr.
          invidus envious, fr. invidere to look askance at, envy,
          fr. in- + videre to see--more at wit] (13c) 1: painful
          or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another
          joined with a desire to possess the same advantage 2
          obs: malice 3: an object of envious notice or feeling
          <his new car made him the ~ of his friends> [2]envy vb
          en.vied ; en.vy.ing vt (14c) 1: to feel envy toward or
          on account of 2 obs: begrudge ~ vi, obs: to feel or show
          envy -- en.vy.ing.ly adv

   enwheel
          [en.wheel] vt (1604) obs: encircle

   enwind
          [en.wind] vt en.wound ; en.wind.ing (1850): to wind in or
          about: enfold

   enwomb
          [en.womb] vt (ca. 1591): to shut up as if in a womb

   enwrap
          [en.wrap] vt (14c) 1: to wrap in a covering: enfold 2 a:
          envelop b: to preoccupy or absorb mentally: engross

   enwreathe
          [en.wreathe] vt (15c): to encircle with or as if with a wreath:
          envelop

   enzootic
          [en.zo.ot.ic] adj [en- + epizootic] (1882) of animal diseases:
          peculiar to or constantly present in a locality -- enzootic
          n

   enzymatic
          [en.zy.mat.ic] also en.zy.mic adj (1900): of, relating to,
          or produced by an enzyme -- en.zy.mat.i.cal.ly also en.zy.mi.cal.ly
          adv

   enzyme
          [en.zyme] n [G Enzym, fr. MGk enzymos leavened, fr. Gk en-
          + zyme leaven--more at juice] (1881): any of numerous
          complex proteins that are produced by living cells and
          catalyze specific biochemical reactions at body temperatures

   enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
          [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay] n (1977): a quantitative
          in vitro test for an antibody or antigen in which the
          test material is adsorbed on a surface and exposed to
          a complex of an enzyme linked to an antibody specific
          for the substance being tested for with a positive result
          indicated by a treatment yielding a color in proportion
          to the amount of antigen or antibody in the test material--called
          also ELISA

   enzymology
          [en.zy.mol.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1900): a branch of biochemistry
          that deals with enzymes, their nature, activity, and
          significance -- en.zy.mol.o.gist n

   eo...
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   eo-
          [eo-] comb form [Gk eo- dawn, fr. eos--more at east]: earliest:
          oldest <eolithic>

   EO
          [EO] abbreviation executive order

   Eocene
          [Eo.cene] adj (1831): of, relating to, or being an epoch
          of the Tertiary between the Paleocene and the Oligocene
          or the corresponding system of rocks--see geologic time
          table -- Eocene n

   EOE
          [EOE] abbreviation equal opportunity employer

   eohippus
          [eo.hip.pus] n [NL, fr. eo- + Gk hippos horse--more at equine]
          (ca. 1879): any of a genus (Hyracotherium syn. Eohippus)
          of very small primitive horses from the Lower Eocene
          having four-toed forefeet and three-toed hind feet--called
          also dawn horse

   eo ipso
          [eo ip.so] [L] foreign term : by that itself: by that fact
          alone

   eolian
          [eo.lian] adj [L Aeolus, Aeolus] (1853): borne, deposited,
          produced, or eroded by the wind

   eolith
          [eo.lith] n (1895): a very crudely chipped flint

   Eolithic
          [Eo.lith.ic] adj (1890): of or relating to the early period
          of the Stone Age marked by the use of eoliths

   EOM
          [EOM] abbreviation end of month

   eon
          [eon] var of aeon

   eo nomine
          [eo no.mi.ne] [L] (1627): by or under that name

   Eos
          [Eos] n [Gk Eos]: the Greek goddess of dawn--compare aurora

   eosin
          [eo.sin] also eo.sine n [ISV, fr. Gk eos dawn] (1866) 1:
          a red fluorescent dye obtained by the action of bromine
          on fluorescein and used esp. in cosmetics and as a toner;
          also: its red to brown sodium or potassium salt used
          esp. as a biological stain for cytoplasmic structures
          2: any of several dyes related to eosin

   [1]eosinophil
          [eo.sin.o.phil] adj (ca. 1882): eosinophilic 1 [2]eosinophil
          n (ca. 1900): a leukocyte or other granulocyte with cytoplasmic
          inclusions readily stained by eosin

   eosinophilia
          [eo.sin.o.phil.ia] n [NL] (ca. 1903): abnormal increase in
          the number of eosinophils in the blood that is characteristic
          of allergic states and various parasitic infections

   eosinophilic
          [eo.sin.o.phil.ic] adj (ca. 1900) 1: staining readily with
          eosin 2: of, relating to, or characterized by eosinophilia

   ep...
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   EP
          [EP] abbreviation estimated position, European plan, extended
          play

   EPA
          [EPA] abbreviation Environmental Protection Agency

   epact
          [epact] n [MF epacte, fr. LL epacta, fr. Gk epakte, fr. epagein
          to bring in, intercalate, fr. epi- + agein to drive--more
          at agent] (1588): a period added to harmonize the lunar
          with the solar calendar

   eparchy
          [ep.ar.chy] n, pl -chies [Gk eparchia province, fr. eparchos
          prefect, fr. epi- + archos ruler--more at arch-] (1796):
          a diocese of an Eastern church

   epater le bourgeois
          [epa.ter le bour.geois] or epater les bourgeois [F] foreign
          term : to shock the middle classes

   epaulet
          [ep.au.let] also ep.au.lette n [F epaulette, dim. of epaule
          shoulder, fr. LL spatula shoulder blade, spoon, dim.
          of L spatha spoon, sword--more at spade] (1783): something
          that ornaments or protects the shoulder: as a: an ornamental
          fringed shoulder pad formerly worn as part of a military
          uniform b: an ornamental strip or loop sewn across the
          shoulder of a dress or coat -- ep.au.let.ted adj

   epazote
          [ep.a.zote] n [MexSp, fr. Nahuatl epazotl] (1975): wormseed
          b

   epee
          [epee] n [F, fr. L spatha] (1889) 1: a fencing or dueling
          sword having a bowl-shaped guard and a rigid blade of
          triangular section with no cutting edge that tapers to
          a sharp point blunted for fencing--compare [4]foil 1,
          saber 2: the art or sport of fencing with the epee

   epeeist
          [epee.ist] n (1910): one who fences with an epee

   epeirogeny
          [ep.ei.rog.e.ny] n, pl -nies [Gk epeiros mainland, continent
          + E -geny] (1890): the deformation of the earth's crust
          by which the broader features of relief are produced
          -- epei.ro.gen.ic adj -- epei.ro.gen.i.cal.ly adv

   epenthesis
          [epen.the.sis] n, pl -the.ses [LL, fr. Gk, fr. epentithenai
          to insert a letter, fr. epi- + entithenai to put in,
          fr. en- + tithenai to put--more at do] (1543): the insertion
          or development of a sound or letter in the body of a
          word -- ep.en.thet.ic adj

   epergne
          [epergne] n [prob. fr. F epargne saving] (1761): an often
          ornate tiered centerpiece consisting typically of a frame
          of wrought metal (as silver or gold) bearing dishes,
          vases, or candle holders or a combination of these

   epexegesis
          [ep.ex.e.ge.sis] n, pl -ge.ses [Gk epexegesis, fr. epi- +
          exegesis exegesis] (ca. 1577): additional explanation
          or explanatory matter -- ep.ex.e.get.i.cal or ep.ex.e.get.ic
          adj -- ep.ex.e.get.i.cal.ly adv

   Eph
          [Eph] or Ephes abbreviation Ephesians

   ephah
          [ephah] n [ME ephi, fr. LL, fr. Heb ephah, fr. Egypt 'pt]
          (1611): an ancient Hebrew unit of dry measure equal to
          1/10 homer or a little over a bushel

   ephebe
          [ephebe] n [L ephebus] (1880): ephebus; also: a young man:
          youth

   ephebic
          [ephe.bic] adj (1865): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of an ephebe or ephebus

   ephebus
          [ephe.bus] n, pl -bi [L, fr. Gk ephebos, fr. epi- + hebe
          youth, puberty] (1697): a youth of ancient Greece; esp:
          an Athenian 18 or 19 years old in training for full citizenship

   ephedra
          [ephe.dra] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, equisetum, fr. Gk, fr.
          ephedros sitting upon, fr. epi- + hedra seat--more at
          sit] (ca. 1889): any of a large genus (Ephedra of the
          family Gnetaceae) of jointed nearly leafless desert shrubs
          with the leaves reduced to scales at the nodes

   ephedrine
          [ephed.rine] n [NL Ephedra] (1889): a crystalline alkaloid
          extracted from Chinese ephedras or synthesized and used
          in the form of a salt for relief of hay fever, asthma,
          and nasal congestion

   ephemera
          [ephem.era] n, pl ephemera also ephem.er.ae or ephemeras
          [NL, fr. Gk ephemera, neut. pl. of ephemeros] (1751)
          1: something of no lasting significance--usu. used in
          pl. 2 ephemera pl: collectibles (as posters, broadsides,
          and tickets) not intended to have lasting value

   [1]ephemeral
          [ephem.er.al] adj [Gk ephemeros lasting a day, daily, fr.
          epi- + hemera day] (1576) 1: lasting one day only <an
          ~ fever> 2: lasting a very short time <~ pleasures> syn
          see transient -- ephem.er.al.ly adv [2]ephemeral n (1817):
          something ephemeral; specif: a plant that grows, flowers,
          and dies in a few days

   ephemerality
          [ephem.er.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1822) 1: the quality or state
          of being ephemeral 2 pl: ephemeral things

   ephemerid
          [ephem.er.id] n [ultim. fr. Gk ephemeron] (1872): mayfly

   ephemeris
          [ephem.er.is] n, pl eph.e.mer.i.des [L, diary, ephemeris,
          fr. Gk ephemeris, fr. ephemeros] (1508): a tabular statement
          of the assigned places of a celestial body for regular
          intervals

   ephemeris time
          [ephemeris time] n (1950): a uniform measure of time defined
          by the orbital motions of the planets

   Ephesians
          [Ephe.sians] n pl but sing in constr [short for Epistle to
          the Ephesians]: a letter addressed to early Christians
          and included as a book in the New Testament

   ephod
          [eph.od] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Heb ephodh] (14c) 1: a linen
          apron worn in ancient Hebrew rites; esp: a vestment for
          the high priest 2: an ancient Hebrew instrument of priestly
          divination

   ephor
          [eph.or] n [L ephorus, fr. Gk ephoros, fr. ephoran to oversee,
          fr. epi- + horan to see--more at wary] (1579) 1: one
          of five ancient Spartan magistrates having power over
          the king 2: a government official in modern Greece; esp:
          one who oversees public works -- eph.or.ate n

   Ephraim
          [Ephra.im] n [Heb Ephrayim]: a son of Joseph and the traditional
          eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel

   Ephraimite
          [Ephra.im.ite] n (1611) 1: a member of the Hebrew tribe of
          Ephraim 2: a native or inhabitant of the biblical northern
          kingdom of Israel

   epi-
          [epi-] or ep- prefix [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L, fr. Gk,
          fr. epi on, at, besides, after; akin to OE eofot crime]
          1: upon <epiphyte>: besides <epiphenomenon>: attached
          to <epididymis>: over <epicenter>: outer <epiblast>:
          after <epigenesis> 2 a: chemical entity related to (such)
          another <epimer> b: chemical entity distinguished from
          (such) another by having a bridge connection <epichlorohydrin>

   epiblast
          [epi.blast] n (1875): the outer layer of the blastoderm:
          ectoderm -- epi.blas.tic adj

   epiboly
          [epib.o.ly] n, pl -lies [Gk epibole addition, fr. epiballein
          to throw on, fr. epi- + ballein to throw--more at devil]
          (1875): the growing of one part about another; esp: such
          growth of the dorsal lip area during gastrulation --
          ep.i.bol.ic adj

   [1]epic
          [ep.ic] adj [L epicus, fr. Gk epikos, fr. epos word, speech,
          poem--more at voice] (1589) 1: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of an epic 2 a: extending beyond
          the usual or ordinary esp. in size or scope <his genius
          was ~ --Times Lit. Supp.> b: heroic -- ep.i.cal adj --
          ep.i.cal.ly adv [2]epic n (1706) 1: a long narrative
          poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary
          or historical hero <the Iliad and the Odyssey are ~s>
          2: a work of art (as a novel or drama) that resembles
          or suggests an epic 3: a series of events or body of
          legend or tradition thought to form the proper subject
          of an epic <the winning of the West was a great American
          ~>

   epicalyx
          [epi.ca.lyx] n (1870): an involucre resembling the calyx
          but consisting of a whorl of bracts that is exterior
          to the calyx or results from the union of the sepal appendages

   epicanthic fold
          [epi.can.thic fold] n [NL epicanthus epicanthic fold, fr.
          epi- + canthus canthus] (1913): a prolongation of a fold
          of the skin of the upper eyelid over the inner angle
          or both angles of the eye

   epicardium
          [epi.car.di.um] n, pl -dia [NL] (ca. 1865): the visceral
          part of the pericardium that closely envelops the heart
          -- epi.car.di.al adj

   epicarp
          [epi.carp] n [F epicarpe, fr. epi- epi- + -carpe -carp] (1835):
          exocarp

   epicene
          [ep.i.cene] adj [ME, fr. L epicoenus, fr. Gk epikoinos, fr.
          epi- + koinos common--more at co-] (15c) 1 of a noun:
          having but one form to indicate either sex 2 a: having
          characteristics typical of the other sex: intersexual
          b: effeminate 3: lacking characteristics of either sex
          -- epicene n -- ep.i.cen.ism n

   epicenter
          [epi.cen.ter] n [NL epicentrum, fr. epi- + L centrum center]
          (1887) 1: the part of the earth's surface directly above
          the focus of an earthquake--compare hypocenter 1 2: center
          2a, b, c <the ~ of world finance> -- epi.cen.tral adj

   epichlorohydrin
          [epi.chlo.ro.hy.drin] n (ca. 1891): a volatile liquid toxic
          epoxide having a chloroform odor and used esp. in making
          epoxy resins and rubbers

   epicontinental
          [epi.con.ti.nen.tal] adj (1900): lying upon a continent or
          a continental shelf <~ seas>

   epicotyl
          [epi.cot.yl] n [epi- + cotyledon] (1880): the portion of
          the axis of a plant embryo or seedling above the cotyledonary
          node

   epicritic
          [ep.i.crit.ic] adj [Gk epikritikos determinative, fr. epikrinein
          to decide, fr. epi- + krinein to judge--more at certain]
          (ca. 1905): of, relating to, being, or mediating cutaneous
          sensory reception marked by accurate discrimination between
          small degrees of sensation

   epic simile
          [epic simile] n (1931): an extended simile that is used typically
          in epic poetry to intensify the heroic stature of the
          subject

   epicure
          [ep.i.cure] n [Epicurus] (1565) 1 archaic: one devoted to
          sensual pleasure: sybarite 2: one with sensitive and
          discriminating tastes esp. in food or wine syn epicure,
          gourmet, gourmand, gastronome mean one who takes pleasure
          in eating and drinking. epicure implies fastidiousness
          and voluptuousness of taste. gourmet implies being a
          connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating
          enjoyment of them. gourmand implies a hearty appetite
          for good food and drink, not without discernment, but
          with less than a gourmet's. gastronome implies that one
          has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute
          cuisine.

   epicurean
          [ep.i.cu.re.an] adj (1586) 1 cap: of or relating to Epicurus
          or Epicureanism 2: of, relating to, or suited to an epicure
          Epicurean n (14c) 1: a follower of Epicurus 2 often not
          cap: epicure 2

   epicureanism
          [ep.i.cu.re.an.ism] n (ca. 1751) 1 cap a: the philosophy
          of Epicurus who subscribed to a hedonistic ethics that
          considered an imperturbable emotional calm the highest
          good and whose followers held intellectual pleasures
          superior to transient sensualism b: a mode of life in
          consonance with Epicureanism 2: epicurism

   epicurism
          [ep.i.cur.ism] n (1586): the practices or tastes of an epicure
          or an epicurean

   epicuticle
          [epi.cu.ti.cle] n (1929): an outermost waxy layer of the
          insect exoskeleton -- epi.cu.tic.u.lar adj

   epicycle
          [epi.cy.cle] n [ME epicicle, fr. LL epicyclus, fr. Gk epikyklos,
          fr. epi- + kyklos circle--more at wheel] (14c) 1 in Ptolemaic
          astron: a circle in which a planet moves and which has
          a center that is itself carried around at the same time
          on the circumference of a larger circle 2: a process
          going on within a larger one -- epi.cy.clic adj

   epicyclic train
          [epicyclic train] n (ca. 1890): a train (as of gear wheels)
          designed to have one or more parts travel around the
          circumference of another fixed or revolving part

   epicycloid
          [epi.cy.cloid] n (ca. 1755): a curve traced by a point on
          a circle that rolls on the outside of a fixed circle
          -- epi.cy.cloi.dal adj

   [1]epidemic
          [ep.i.dem.ic] adj [F epidemique, fr. MF, fr. epidemie, n.,
          epidemic, fr. LL epidemia, fr. Gk epidemia visit, epidemic,
          fr. epidemos visiting, epidemic, fr. epi- + demos people--more
          at demagogue] (1603) 1: affecting or tending to affect
          a disproportionately large number of individuals within
          a population, community, or region at the same time <typhoid
          was ~> 2 a: excessively prevalent b: contagious 4 <~
          laughter> 3: of, relating to, or constituting an epidemic
          <the practice had reached ~ proportions> -- ep.i.dem.i.cal
          adj -- ep.i.dem.i.cal.ly adv -- ep.i.de.mic.i.ty n [2]epidemic
          n (1799) 1: an outbreak of epidemic disease 2: an outbreak
          or product of sudden rapid spread, growth, or development;
          specif: a natural population suddenly and greatly enlarged

   epidemiology
          [ep.i.de.mi.ol.o.gy] n [LL epidemia + ISV -logy] (ca. 1860)
          1: a branch of medical science that deals with the incidence,
          distribution, and control of disease in a population
          2: the sum of the factors controlling the presence or
          absence of a disease or pathogen -- ep.i.de.mi.o.log.i.cal
          also ep.i.de.mi.o.log.ic adj -- ep.i.de.mi.o.log.i.cal.ly
          adv -- ep.i.de.mi.ol.o.gist n

   epidendrum
          [ep.i.den.drum] n [NL, fr. Gk epi- + dendron tree--more at
          dendr-] (1791): any of a large genus (Epidendrum) of
          chiefly epiphytic orchids found esp. in tropical America

   epidermal
          [epi.der.mal] also epi.der.mic adj (1816): of, relating to,
          or arising from the epidermis

   epidermal growth factor
          [epidermal growth factor] n (1966): a polypeptide hormone
          that stimulates cell proliferation

   epidermis
          [epi.der.mis] n [LL, fr. Gk, fr. epi- + derma skin--more
          at derm-] (1626) 1 a: the outer epithelial layer of the
          external integument of the animal body that is derived
          from the embryonic epiblast; specif: the outer nonsensitive
          and nonvascular layer of the skin of a vertebrate that
          overlies the dermis b: any of various animal integuments
          2: a thin surface layer of tissue in higher plants formed
          by growth of a primary meristem

   epidermoid
          [epi.der.moid] adj (1836): resembling epidermis or epidermal
          cells: made up of elements like those of epidermis <~
          cancer of the lung>

   epidiascope
          [epi.dia.scope] n [ISV] (1903) 1: a projector for images
          of both opaque objects and transparencies 2: episcope

   epididymis
          [ep.i.did.y.mis] n, pl -mi.des [NL, fr. Gk, fr. epi- + didymos
          testicle, twin, fr. dyo two--more at two] (1610): a system
          of ductules emerging posteriorly from the testis that
          holds sperm during maturation and that forms a tangled
          mass before uniting into a single coiled duct which is
          continuous with the vas deferens -- ep.i.did.y.mal adj

   epididymitis
          [epi.did.y.mi.tis] n [NL] (1852): inflammation of the epididymis

   epidote
          [ep.i.dote] n [F epidote, fr. Gk epididonai to give in addition,
          fr. epi- + didonai to give--more at date] (1808): a yellowish
          green mineral usu. occurring in grains or columnar masses
          and sometimes used as a gemstone

   epidural
          [epi.du.ral] adj (1882): situated upon or administered outside
          the dura mater <~ anesthesia> <~ structures>

   epifauna
          [epi.fau.na] n [NL] (ca. 1914): benthic fauna living on the
          substrate (as a hard sea floor) or on other organisms--compare
          infauna -- epi.fau.nal adj

   epigastric
          [epi.gas.tric] adj (ca. 1678) 1: lying upon or over the stomach
          2 a: of, relating to, supplying, or draining the anterior
          walls of the abdomen b: of or relating to the abdominal
          region

   epigeal
          [epi.ge.al] or epi.ge.an also epi.ge.ous or epi.ge.ic adj
          [Gk epigaios upon the earth, fr. epi- + gaia earth] (1861)
          1 of a cotyledon: forced above ground by elongation of
          the hypocotyl 2: marked by the production of epigeal
          cotyledons <~ germination> 3: living on or near the surface
          of the ground; also: relating to or being the environment
          near the surface of the ground

   epigenesis
          [epi.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1798) 1: development of a plant or
          animal from an egg or spore through a series of processes
          in which unorganized cell masses differentiate into organs
          and organ systems; also: the theory that plant and animal
          development proceeds in this way--compare preformation
          2 2: change in the mineral character of a rock owing
          to outside influences

   epigenetic
          [epi.ge.net.ic] adj (1883) 1: of, relating to, or produced
          by the chain of developmental processes in epigenesis
          that lead from genotype to phenotype after the initial
          action of the genes 2 of a deposit or structure: formed
          after the laying down of the enclosing rock -- epi.ge.net.i.cal.ly
          adv

   epiglottal
          [epi.glot.tal] also epi.glot.tic adj (1926): of, relating
          to, or produced with the aid of the epiglottis

   epiglottis
          [epi.glot.tis] n [NL, fr. Gk epiglottis, fr. epi- + glottis
          glottis] (1615): a thin plate of flexible cartilage in
          front of the glottis that folds back over and protects
          the glottis during swallowing

   epigone
          [ep.i.gone] n [G, fr. L epigonus successor, fr. Gk epigonos,
          fr. epigignesthai to be born after, fr. epi- + gignesthai
          to be born--more at kin] (1865): follower, disciple;
          also: an inferior imitator -- ep.i.gon.ic or epig.o.nous
          adj -- epig.o.nism n

   epigonus
          [epig.o.nus] n, pl -ni [L] (1922): epigone--usu. used in
          pl.

   epigram
          [ep.i.gram] n [ME epigrame, fr. L epigrammat-, epigramma,
          fr. Gk, fr. epigraphein to write on, inscribe, fr. epi-
          + graphein to write--more at carve] (15c) 1: a concise
          poem dealing pointedly and often satirically with a single
          thought or event and often ending with an ingenious turn
          of thought 2: a terse, sage, or witty and often paradoxical
          saying 3: epigrammatic expression -- ep.i.gram.ma.tism
          n -- ep.i.gram.ma.tist n

   epigrammatic
          [ep.i.gram.mat.ic] adj (ca. 1704) 1: of, relating to, or
          resembling an epigram 2: marked by or given to the use
          of epigrams -- ep.i.gram.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   epigrammatize
          [ep.i.gram.ma.tize] vb -tized ; -tiz.ing vt (1691) 1: to
          express in the form of an epigram 2: to make an epigram
          about ~ vi: to make an epigram -- ep.i.gram.ma.tiz.er
          n

   epigraph
          [ep.i.graph] n [Gk epigraphe, fr. epigraphein] (1624) 1:
          an engraved inscription 2: a quotation set at the beginning
          of a literary work or one of its divisions to suggest
          its theme

   epigrapher
          [epig.ra.pher] n (1887): epigraphist

   epigraphic
          [ep.i.graph.ic] also ep.i.graph.i.cal adj (1858): of or relating
          to epigraphs or epigraphy -- ep.i.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   epigraphist
          [epig.ra.phist] n (ca. 1864): a specialist in epigraphy

   epigraphy
          [epig.ra.phy] n (1851) 1: epigraphs, inscriptions 2: the
          study of inscriptions; esp: the deciphering of ancient
          inscriptions

   epigynous
          [epig.y.nous] adj (1830) 1 of a floral organ: adnate to the
          surface of the ovary and appearing to grow from the top
          of it 2: having epigynous floral organs -- epig.y.ny
          n

   epilation
          [ep.i.la.tion] n [F epilation, fr. epiler to remove hair,
          fr. e- e- + L pilus hair--more at pile] (1878): the loss
          or removal of hair

   epilepsy
          [ep.i.lep.sy] n, pl -sies [MF epilepsie, fr. LL epilepsia,
          fr. Gk epilepsia, fr. epilambanein to seize, fr. epi-
          + lambanein to take, seize--more at latch] (1543): any
          of various disorders marked by disturbed electrical rhythms
          of the central nervous system and typically manifested
          by convulsive attacks usu. with clouding of consciousness

   epilept-
          [epilept-] or epilepti- or epilepto- comb form [Gk epilept-,
          fr. epileptos seized by epilepsy, fr. epilambanein]:
          epilepsy <epileptoid>

   epileptic
          [ep.i.lep.tic] adj (1605): relating to, affected with, or
          having the characteristics of epilepsy -- epileptic n
          -- ep.i.lep.ti.cal.ly adv

   epileptiform
          [ep.i.lep.ti.form] adj (ca. 1859): resembling that of epilepsy
          <an ~ convulsion>

   epileptogenic
          [ep.i.lep.to.gen.ic] adj (ca. 1882): inducing or tending
          to induce epilepsy <an ~ drug>

   epileptoid
          [ep.i.lep.toid] adj (ca. 1860) 1: epileptiform 2: exhibiting
          symptoms resembling those of epilepsy <the ~ person>

   epilimnion
          [epi.lim.ni.on] n [NL, fr. epi- + Gk limnion, dim. of limne
          marshy lake--more at limnetic] (ca. 1910): the water
          layer overlying the thermocline of a lake

   epilogue
          [ep.i.logue] also ep.i.log n [ME epiloge, fr. MF epilogue,
          fr. L epilogus, fr. Gk epilogos, fr. epilegein to say
          in addition, fr. epi- + legein to say--more at legend]
          (15c) 1: a concluding section that rounds out the design
          of a literary work 2 a: a speech often in verse addressed
          to the audience by an actor at the end of a play; also:
          the actor speaking such an epilogue b: the final scene
          of a play that comments on or summarizes the main action
          3: the concluding section of a musical composition: coda

   epimer
          [epi.mer] n [epi- + isomer] (ca. 1911): either of the stereoisomers
          of a sugar or sugar derivative that differ in the arrangement
          of the hydrogen atom and the hydroxyl group on the first asymmetric
          carbon atom of a chain -- epi.mer.ic adj

   epimerase
          [epim.er.ase] n (1960): any of various isomerases that catalyze
          the inversion of asymmetric groups in a substrate with
          several centers of asymmetry

   epimysium
          [epi.my.si.um] n, pl -sia [NL, irreg. fr. epi- + Gk mys mouse,
          muscle--more at mouse] (1900): the external connective-tissue
          sheath of a muscle

   epinasty
          [epi.nas.ty] n [ISV epi- + Gk nastos close-pressed (fr. nassein
          to press) + ISV [2]-y] (1880): a nastic movement in which
          a plant part (as a flower petal) is bent outward and
          often downward

   epinephrine
          [epi.neph.rine] also epi.neph.rin n [ISV epi- + Gk nephros
          kidney--more at nephritis] (1899): a colorless crystalline
          feebly basic sympathomimetic hormone that is the principal
          blood-pressure raising hormone secreted by the adrenal
          medulla and is used medicinally esp. as a heart stimulant,
          a vasoconstrictor in controlling hemorrhages of the skin,
          and a muscle relaxant in bronchial asthma--called also
          adrenaline

   epineurium
          [epi.neu.ri.um] n [NL] (ca. 1882): the external connective-tissue
          sheath of a nerve trunk

   epipelagic
          [epi.pe.lag.ic] adj (1940): of, relating to, or constituting
          the part of the oceanic zone into which enough light
          penetrates for photosynthesis

   epiphanic
          [ep.i.phan.ic] adj (1951): of or having the character of
          an epiphany

   epiphanous
          [epiph.a.nous] adj (1823): epiphanic

   epiphany
          [epiph.a.ny] n, pl -nies [ME epiphanie, fr. MF, fr. LL epiphania,
          fr. LGk, pl., prob. alter. of Gk epiphaneia appearance,
          manifestation, fr. epiphainein to manifest, fr. epi-
          + phainein to show--more at fancy] (14c) 1 cap: January
          6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the
          coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ
          to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration
          of the baptism of Christ 2: an appearance or manifestation
          esp. of a divine being 3 a (1): a usu. sudden manifestation
          or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something
          (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something
          (as an event) usu. simple and striking (3): an illuminating
          discovery b: a revealing scene or moment

   epiphenomenal
          [epi.phe.nom.e.nal] adj (1899): of or relating to an epiphenomenon:
          derivative -- epi.phe.nom.e.nal.ly adv

   epiphenomenalism
          [epi.phe.nom.e.nal.ism] n (1899): a doctrine that mental
          processes are epiphenomena of brain processes

   epiphenomenon
          [epi.phe.nom.e.non] n, pl -na (ca. 1706): a secondary phenomenon
          accompanying another and caused by it

   epiphragm
          [ep.i.phragm] n [Gk epiphragma covering] (ca. 1854): a closing
          membrane or septum (as of a snail shell or a moss capsule)

   epiphyseal
          [epiph.y.se.al] also ep.i.phys.i.al adj (1842): of or relating
          to an epiphysis

   epiphysis
          [epiph.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL, fr. Gk, growth, fr. epiphyesthai
          to grow on, fr. epi- + phyesthai to grow, middle voice
          of phyein to bring forth--more at be] (1634) 1: a part
          or process of a bone that ossifies separately and later
          becomes ankylosed to the main part of the bone; esp:
          an end of a long bone 2: pineal gland

   epiphyte
          [epi.phyte] n (ca. 1847): a plant that derives its moisture
          and nutrients from the air and rain and grows usu. on
          another plant

   epiphytic
          [epi.phyt.ic] adj (1830) 1: of, relating to, or being an
          epiphyte 2: living on the surface of plants -- epi.phyt.i.cal.ly
          adv -- epi.phyt.ism n

   epiphytology
          [ep.i.phy.tol.o.gy] n [epiphytotic + -logy] (1940) 1: a science
          that deals with character, ecology, and causes of outbreak
          of plant diseases 2: the sum of the factors controlling
          the occurrence of a disease or pathogen of plants

   epiphytotic
          [ep.i.phy.tot.ic] adj [epi- + -phyte + -otic (as in epizootic)]
          (ca. 1899): of, relating to, or being a plant disease
          that tends to recur sporadically and to affect large
          numbers of susceptible plants -- epiphytotic n

   Episc
          [Episc] abbreviation Episcopal

   episcia
          [epi.scia] n [NL, fr. Gk episkios shaded, fr. epi- + skia
          shadow--more at shine] (ca. 1868): any of a genus (Episcia)
          of tropical American herbs that have hairy foliage and
          are related to the African violet

   episcopacy
          [epis.co.pa.cy] n, pl -cies (1647) 1: government of the church
          by bishops or by a hierarchy 2: episcopate

   episcopal
          [epis.co.pal] adj [ME, fr. LL episcopalis, fr. episcopus
          bishop--more at bishop] (15c) 1: of or relating to a
          bishop 2: of, having, or constituting government by bishops
          3 cap: of or relating to the Protestant Episcopal Church
          representing the Anglican communion in the U.S. -- epis.co.pal.ly
          adv Episcopal n (1752): episcopalian

   Episcopalian
          [Epis.co.pa.lian] n (1690) 1: an adherent of the episcopal
          form of church government 2: a member of an episcopal
          church (as the Protestant Episcopal Church) -- Episcopalian
          adj -- Epis.co.pa.lian.ism n

   episcopate
          [epis.co.pate] n (1641) 1: the rank, office, or term of bishop
          2: diocese 3: the body of bishops (as in a country)

   episcope
          [epi.scope] n [ISV] (ca. 1909): a projector for images of
          opaque objects (as photographs)

   episiotomy
          [epi.si.ot.o.my] n [ISV episio- vulva (fr. Gk epision pubic
          region) + -tomy] (1878): surgical enlargement of the
          vulval orifice for obstetrical purposes during parturition

   episode
          [ep.i.sode] n [Gk epeisodion, fr. neut. of epeisodios coming
          in besides, fr. epi- + eisodios coming in, fr. eis into
          (akin to Gk en in) + hodos road, journey--more at in]
          (1678) 1: a usu. brief unit of action in a dramatic or
          literary work: as a: the part of an ancient Greek tragedy
          between two choric songs b: a developed situation that
          is integral to but separable from a continuous narrative:
          incident c: one of a series of loosely connected stories
          or scenes d: the part of a serial presented at one performance
          2: an event that is distinctive and separate although
          part of a larger series 3: a digressive subdivision in
          a musical composition syn see occurrence

   episodic
          [ep.i.sod.ic] also ep.i.sod.i.cal adj (1711) 1: made up of
          separate esp. loosely connected episodes 2: having the
          form of an episode 3: of or limited in duration or significance
          to a particular episode: temporary <may be able to establish
          whether the sea-floor spreading is continuous or ~ --A.
          I. Hammond> 4: occurring, appearing, or changing at usu.
          irregular intervals: occasional <an ~ illness> -- ep.i.sod.i.cal.ly
          adv

   episome
          [epi.some] n (ca. 1931): a genetic determinant (as the DNA
          of some bacteriophages) that can replicate autonomously
          in bacterial cytoplasm or as an integral part of the
          chromosomes -- epi.som.al adj -- epi.som.al.ly adv

   epistasis
          [epis.ta.sis] n, pl -ta.ses [NL, fr. Gk, act of stopping,
          fr. ephistanai to stop, fr. epi- + histanai to cause
          to stand--more at stand] (ca. 1917): suppression of the
          effect of a gene by a nonallelic gene -- ep.i.stat.ic
          adj

   epistaxis
          [ep.i.stax.is] n, pl -stax.es [NL, fr. Gk, fr. epistazein
          to drip on, to bleed at the nose again, fr. epi- + stazein
          to drip] (1793): nosebleed

   epistemic
          [ep.i.ste.mic] adj (1922): of or relating to knowledge or
          knowing: cognitive -- ep.i.ste.mi.cal.ly adv

   epistemology
          [epis.te.mol.o.gy] n [Gk episteme knowledge, fr. epistanai
          to understand, know, fr. epi- + histanai to cause to
          stand--more at stand] (ca. 1856): the study or a theory
          of the nature and grounds of knowledge esp. with reference
          to its limits and validity -- epis.te.mo.log.i.cal adj
          -- epis.te.mo.log.i.cal.ly adv -- epis.te.mol.o.gist
          n

   epistle
          [epis.tle] n [ME, letter, Epistle, fr. OF, fr. L epistula,
          epistola letter, fr. Gk epistole message, letter, fr.
          epistellein to send to, fr. epi- + stellein to send]
          (13c) 1 cap a: one of the letters adopted as books of
          the New Testament b: a liturgical lection usu. from one
          of the New Testament Epistles 2 a: letter; esp: a formal
          or elegant letter b: a composition in the form of a letter
          -- epis.tler n

   [1]epistolary
          [epis.to.lary] adj (ca. 1656) 1: of, relating to, or suitable
          to a letter 2: contained in or carried on by letters
          <an endless sequence of ... ~ love affairs --Times Lit.
          Supp.> 3: written in the form of a series of letters
          <~ novel> [2]epistolary n, pl -lar.ies (ca. 1900): a
          lectionary containing a body of liturgical epistles

   epistoler
          [epis.to.ler] n (1530): the reader of the liturgical Epistle
          esp. in Anglican churches

   epistome
          [ep.i.stome] n [NL epistoma] (1852): any of several structures
          or regions situated above or covering the mouth of various
          invertebrates

   epistrophe
          [epis.tro.phe] n [Gk epistrophe, lit., turning about, fr.
          epi- + strophe turning--more at strophe] (ca. 1584):
          repetition of a word or expression at the end of successive
          phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses esp. for rhetorical
          or poetic effect (as Lincoln's "of the people, by the
          people, for the people")--compare anaphora

   epitaph
          [ep.i.taph] n [ME epitaphe, fr. MF & ML; MF, fr. ML epitaphium,
          fr. L, funeral oration, fr. Gk epitaphion, fr. epi- +
          taphos tomb, funeral] (14c) 1: an inscription on or at
          a tomb or a grave in memory of the one buried there 2:
          a brief statement commemorating or epitomizing a deceased
          person or something past -- ep.i.taph.ial adj -- ep.i.taph.ic
          adj

   epitasis
          [epit.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [Gk, increased intensity, fr. epiteinein
          to stretch tighter, fr. epi- + teinein to stretch--more at thin]
          (1589): the part of a play developing the main action and leading
          to the catastrophe

   epitaxy
          [ep.i.taxy] n [ISV] (ca. 1931): the growth on a crystalline
          substrate of a crystalline substance that mimics the
          orientation of the substrate -- ep.i.tax.i.al adj --
          ep.i.tax.i.al.ly adv

   epithalamium
          [ep.i.tha.la.mi.um] or ep.i.tha.la.mi.on n, pl -mi.ums or
          -mia [L & Gk; L epithalamium, fr. Gk epithalamion, fr.
          epi- + thalamos room, bridal chamber; perh. akin to Gk
          tholos rotunda] (ca. 1589): a song or poem in honor of
          a bride and bridegroom -- ep.i.tha.lam.ic adj

   epithelial
          [ep.i.the.li.al] adj (1845): of or relating to epithelium

   epithelioid
          [ep.i.the.li.oid] adj (1878): resembling epithelium <~ cells>

   epithelioma
          [ep.i.the.li.o.ma] n (1872): a tumor derived from epithelial
          tissue -- ep.i.the.li.o.ma.tous adj

   epithelium
          [ep.i.the.li.um] n, pl -lia [NL, fr. epi- + Gk thele nipple--more
          at feminine] (1748) 1: a membranous cellular tissue that
          covers a free surface or lines a tube or cavity of an
          animal body and serves esp. to enclose and protect the
          other parts of the body, to produce secretions and excretions,
          and to function in assimilation 2: a usu. thin layer
          of parenchyma that lines a cavity or tube of a plant

   epithelization
          [ep.i.the.li.za.tion] or ep.i.the.li.al.iza.tion n (ca. 1934):
          the process of becoming covered with or converted to
          epithelium -- ep.i.the.lize or ep.i.the.li.al.ize vt

   epithet
          [ep.i.thet] n [L epitheton, fr. Gk, fr. neut. of epithetos
          added, fr. epitithenai to put on, add, fr. epi- + tithenai
          to put--more at do] (1579) 1 a: a characterizing word
          or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name
          of a person or thing b: a disparaging or abusive word
          or phrase c: the part of a taxonomic name identifying
          a subordinate unit within a genus 2 obs: expression --
          ep.i.thet.ic or ep.i.thet.i.cal adj

   epitome
          [epit.o.me] n [L, fr. Gk epitome, fr. epitemnein to cut short,
          fr. epi- + temnein to cut--more at tome] (1520) 1 a:
          a summary of a written work b: a brief presentation or
          statement of something 2: a typical or ideal example:
          embodiment <the British monarchy itself is the ~ of tradition
          --Richard Joseph> 3: brief or miniature form--usu. used
          with in -- ep.i.tom.ic or ep.i.tom.i.cal adj

   epitomise
          [epit.o.mise] Brit var of epitomize

   epitomize
          [epit.o.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1594) 1: to make or give
          an epitome of 2: to serve as the typical or ideal example
          of

   epitope
          [epi.tope] n [ISV, fr. epi- + Gk topos place] (1960): a molecular
          region on the surface of an antigen capable of eliciting
          an immune response and of combining with the specific
          antibody produced by such a response--called also determinant,
          antigenic determinant

   epizoic
          [epi.zo.ic] adj (ca. 1857): living upon the body of an animal
          <an ~ plant> -- epi.zo.ite n

   epizootic
          [epi.zo.ot.ic] n [F epizootique, fr. epizootie such an outbreak,
          fr. epi- (as in epidemie epidemic) + Gk zoiotes animal
          nature, fr. zoe life--more at quick] (1748): an outbreak
          of disease affecting many animals of one kind at the
          same time; also: the disease itself -- epizootic adj

   epizootiology
          [epi.zo.ot.i.ol.o.gy] n (1910) 1: the sum of the factors
          controlling the occurrence of a disease or pathogen of
          animals 2: a science that deals with the character, ecology,
          and causes of outbreaks of animal diseases --
          epi.zo.oti.o.log.i.cal also epi.zo.oti.o.log.ic adj

   epoch
          [ep.och] n [ML epocha, fr. Gk epoche cessation, fixed point,
          fr. epechein to pause, hold back, fr. epi- + echein to
          hold--more at scheme] (1614) 1 a: an event or a time
          marked by an event that begins a new period or development
          b: a memorable event or date 2 a: an extended period
          of time usu. characterized by a distinctive development
          or by a memorable series of events b: a division of geologic
          time less than a period and greater than an age 3: an
          instant of time or a date selected as a point of reference
          (as in astronomy) syn see period

   epochal
          [ep.och.al] adj (1685) 1: of or relating to an epoch 2: uniquely
          or highly significant: momentous <during his three ~
          years in the assembly --C. G. Bowers>; also: unparalleled
          <~ stupidity> -- ep.och.al.ly adv

   epode
          [ep.ode] n [L epodos, fr. Gk epoidos, fr. epoidos sung or
          said after, fr. epi- + aidein to sing--more at ode] (1598)
          1: a lyric poem in which a long verse is followed by
          a shorter one 2: the third part of a triadic Greek ode
          following the strophe and the antistrophe

   eponym
          [ep.onym] n [Gk eponymos, fr. eponymos eponymous, fr. epi-
          + onyma name--more at name] (1846) 1: one for whom or
          which something is or is believed to be named 2: a name
          (as of a drug or a disease) based on or derived from
          an eponym -- ep.onym.ic adj

   eponymous
          [epon.y.mous] adj (1846): of, relating to, or being an eponym

   eponymy
          [epon.y.my] n, pl -mies (1865): the explanation of a proper
          name (as of a town or tribe) by supposing a fictitious
          eponym

   epopee
          [ep.o.pee] n [F epopee, fr. Gk epopoiia, fr. epos + poiein
          to make--more at poet] (1697): epic; esp: an epic poem

   epos
          [ep.os] n [Gk, word, epic poem--more at voice] (ca. 1828)
          1: epic 2: a number of poems that treat an epic theme
          but are not formally united

   epoxidation
          [ep.ox.i.da.tion] n (1944): a conversion of a usu. unsaturated
          compound into an epoxide

   epoxide
          [ep.ox.ide] n (1930): an epoxy compound

   epoxidize
          [ep.ox.i.dize] vt -dized ; -diz.ing (1945): to convert into
          an epoxide <epoxidized esters>

   [1]epoxy
          [ep.oxy] adj [epi- + oxy] (1916) 1: containing oxygen attached
          to two different atoms already united in some other way;
          specif: containing a 3-membered ring consi sting of one
          oxygen and two carbon atoms 2: of or relating to an epoxide
          [2]epoxy vt ep.ox.ied or ep.oxyed ; ep.oxy.ing (1966):
          to glue with epoxy resin

   epoxy resin
          [epoxy resin] n (1950): a flexible usu. thermosetting resin
          made by copolymerization of an epoxide with another compound
          having two hydroxyl groups and used chiefly in coatings
          and adhesives--called also epoxy

   eppur si muove
          [ep.pur si muo.ve] [It] foreign term : and yet it does
          move--attributed to Galileo after recanting his assertion of the
          earth's motion

   EPROM
          [EPROM] n [erasable programmable read-only memory] (1977):
          a programmable read-only memory that can be erased usu.
          by exposure to ultraviolet radiation

   epsilon
          [ep.si.lon] n [Gk e psilon, lit., simple e] (15c) 1: the
          5th letter of the Greek alphabet 2: an arbitrarily small
          positive quantity in mathematical analysis -- ep.si.lon.ic
          adj

   Epsom salt
          [Ep.som salt] n (1770): epsom salts

   Epsom salts
          [Epsom salts] n pl but sing in constr [Epsom, England] (1876):
          a bitter colorless or white crystalline salt that is
          a hydrated magnesium sulfate with cathartic properties

   Epstein-Barr virus
          [Ep.stein-Barr virus] n [Michael Anthony Epstein b1921 and
          Y. M. Barr b1932 Eng. pathologists] (1968): a herpesvirus
          that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated
          with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

   eq...
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   eq
          [eq] abbreviation equal, equation

   equable
          [equa.ble] adj [L aequabilis, fr. aequare to make level or
          equal, fr. aequus] (1677) 1: marked by lack of variation
          or change: uniform 2: marked by lack of noticeable, unpleasant,
          or extreme variation or inequality syn see steady --
          equa.bil.i.ty n -- equa.ble.ness n -- equa.bly adv

   [1]equal
          [equal] adj [ME, fr. L aequalis, fr. aequus level, equal]
          (14c) 1 a (1): of the same measure, quantity, amount,
          or number as another (2): identical in mathematical value
          or logical denotation: equivalent b: like in quality,
          nature, or status c: like for each member of a group,
          class, or society <provide ~ employment opportunities>
          2: regarding or affecting all objects in the same way:
          impartial 3: free from extremes: as a: tranquil in mind
          or mood b: not showing variation in appearance, structure,
          or proportion 4 a: capable of meeting the requirements
          of a situation or a task b: suitable <bored with work
          not ~ to his abilities> syn see same [2]equal vt equaled
          or equalled ; equal.ing or equal.ling (1590) 1: to be
          equal to; esp: to be identical in value to 2 archaic:
          equalize 3: to make or produce something equal to [3]equal
          n (1753) 1: one that is equal <insists that women can
          be absolute ~s with men --Anne Bernays> 2: an equal quantity

   equal-area
          [equal-area] adj (ca. 1929) of a map projection: maintaining
          constant ratio of size between quadrilaterals formed
          by the meridians and parallels and the quadrilaterals
          of the globe thereby preserving true areal extent of
          forms represented

   equalise, equaliser
          [equal.ise, equal.is.er] Brit var of equalize, equalizer

   equalitarian
          [equal.i.tar.i.an] adj or n (1799): egalitarian --
          equal.i.tar.i.an.ism n

   equality
          [equal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: the quality or state of
          being equal 2: equation 2a

   equalize
          [equal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1622) 1: to make equal
          2 a: to compensate for b: to make uniform; esp: to distribute
          evenly or uniformly <~ the tax burden> c: to adjust or
          correct the frequency characteristics of (an electronic
          signal) by restoring to their original level high frequencies
          that have been attenuated ~ vi, chiefly Brit: to tie
          the score -- equal.iza.tion n

   equalizer
          [equal.iz.er] n (1792): one that equalizes: as a: a score
          that ties a game b: an electronic device (as in a sound-reproducing
          system) used to adjust response to different audio frequencies

   equally
          [equal.ly] adv (14c) 1: in an equal or uniform manner: evenly
          2: to an equal degree <respected ~ by young and old>

   equal opportunity employer
          [equal opportunity employer] n (1963): an employer who agrees
          not to discriminate against any employee or job applicant
          because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
          physical or mental handicap, or age

   equal sign
          [equal sign] n (ca. 1909): a sign indicating mathematical
          or logical equivalence--called also equality sign, equals
          sign

   equanimity
          [equa.nim.i.ty] n, pl -ties [L aequanimitas, fr. aequo animo
          with even mind] (ca. 1616) 1: evenness of mind esp. under
          stress 2: right disposition: balance syn equanimity,
          composure, sangfroid mean evenness of mind under stress.
          equanimity suggests a habit of mind that is only rarely
          disturbed under great strain <accepted her troubles with
          equanimity>. composure implies the controlling of emotional
          or mental agitation by an effort of will or as a matter
          of habit <maintaining his composure even under hostile
          questioning>. sangfroid implies great coolness and steadiness
          under strain <handled the situation with professional
          sangfroid>.

   equate
          [equate] vb equat.ed ; equat.ing [ME, fr. L aequatus, pp.
          of aequare] vt (15c) 1 a: to make equal: equalize b:
          to make such an allowance or correction in as will reduce
          to a common standard or obtain a correct result 2: to
          treat, represent, or regard as equal, equivalent, or
          comparable <~s disagreement with disloyalty> ~ vi: to
          correspond as equal

   equation
          [equa.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act or process of equating b
          (1): an element affecting a process: factor (2): a complex
          of variable factors c: a state of being equated; specif:
          a state of close association or identification <bring
          governmental enterprises and payment for them into immediate
          ~ --R. G. Tugwell> 2 a: a usu. formal statement of the
          equality or equivalence of mathematical or logical expressions
          b: an expression representing a chemical reaction quantitatively
          by means of chemical symbols

   equational
          [equa.tion.al] adj (1864) 1: of, using, or involving equation
          or equations 2: dividing into two equal parts--used esp.
          of the mitotic cell division usu. following reduction
          in meiosis -- equa.tion.al.ly adv

   equation of time
          [equation of time] (1726): the difference between apparent
          time and mean time usu. expressed as a correction which
          is to be added to apparent time to give local mean time

   equator
          [equa.tor] n [ME, fr. ML aequator, lit., equalizer, fr. L
          aequare] (14c) 1: the great circle of the celestial sphere
          whose plane is perpendicular to the axis of the earth
          2: a great circle of the earth or a celestial body that
          is everywhere equally distant from the two poles and
          divides the surface into the northern and southern hemispheres
          3 a: a circle or circular band dividing the surface of
          a body into two usu. equal and symmetrical parts b: equatorial
          plane <the ~ of a dividing cell> 4: great circle

   equatorial
          [equa.to.ri.al] adj (1664) 1 a: of, relating to, or located
          at the equator or an equator; also: being in the plane
          of the equator <a satellite in ~ orbit> b: of, originating
          in, or suggesting the region around the geographic equator
          2 a: being or having a support that includes two axles
          at right angles to each other with one parallel to the
          earth's axis of rotation <an ~ telescope> b: extending
          in a direction essentially in the plane of a cyclic structure
          (as of cyclohexane) <~ hydrogens>--compare axial

   equatorial plane
          [equatorial plane] n (ca. 1892): the plane perpendicular
          to the spindle of a dividing cell and midway between
          the poles

   equatorial plate
          [equatorial plate] n (1887) 1: metaphase plate 2: equatorial
          plane

   equatorward
          [equa.tor.ward] adv or adj (1875): toward or near the equator
          <currents flowing ~> <~ winds>

   equerry
          [equer.ry] n, pl -ries [obs. escuirie, equerry stable, fr.
          MF escuirie office of a squire, stable, fr. escuier squire--more
          at esquire] (1591) 1: an officer of a prince or noble
          charged with the care of horses 2: an officer of the
          British royal household in personal attendance on the
          sovereign or a member of the royal family

   [1]equestrian
          [eques.tri.an] adj [L equestr-, equester of a horseman, fr.
          eques horseman, fr. equus horse--more at equine] (ca.
          1681) 1 a: of, relating to, or featuring horseback riding
          b archaic: riding on horseback: mounted c: representing
          a person on horseback <an ~ statue> 2: of, relating to,
          or composed of knights [2]equestrian n (1791): one who
          rides on horseback

   equestrienne
          [eques.tri.enne] n [[2]equestrian + -enne (as in tragedienne)]
          (ca. 1864): a female rider on horseback

   equi-
          [equi-] comb form [ME, fr. MF, fr. L aequi-, fr. aequus equal]:
          equal <equipoise>: equally <equiprobable>

   equiangular
          [equi.an.gu.lar] adj (1660): having all or corresponding
          angles equal <mutually ~ parallelograms>

   equicaloric
          [equi.ca.lor.ic] adj (1940): capable of yielding equal amounts
          of energy in the body <~ diets>

   equid
          [equid] n [NL Equidae, family name, fr. Equus, genus name,
          fr. L, horse] (ca. 1889): any of a family (Equidae) of
          perissodactyl mammals consisting of the horses, asses,
          zebras, and extinct related animals

   equidistant
          [equi.dis.tant] adj [MF or LL; MF, fr. LL aequidistant-,
          aequidistans, fr. L aequi- + distant-, distans, prp.
          of distare to stand apart--more at distant] (1593) 1:
          equally distant 2: representing map distances true to
          scale in all directions -- equi.dis.tant.ly adv

   equilateral
          [equi.lat.er.al] adj [LL aequilateralis, fr. L aequi- + later-,
          latus side--more at lateral] (1570) 1: having all sides
          equal <an ~ triangle> <an ~ polygon>--see triangle illustration
          2: having all the faces equal <an ~ polyhedron>

   equilateral hyperbola
          [equilateral hyperbola] n (1880): a hyperbola with its asymptotes
          at right angles

   equilibrant
          [equil.i.brant] n (1883): a force that will balance one or
          more unbalanced forces

   equilibrate
          [equil.i.brate] vb -brat.ed ; -brat.ing vt (1635): to bring
          into or keep in equilibrium: balance ~ vi: to bring about,
          come to, or be in equilibrium -- equil.i.bra.tion n --
          equil.i.bra.tor n -- equil.i.bra.to.ry adj

   equilibrist
          [equi.li.brist] n (1760): one (as a rope dancer) who performs
          difficult feats of balancing -- equil.i.bris.tic adj

   equilibrium
          [equi.lib.ri.um] n, pl -ri.ums or -ria [L aequilibrium, fr.
          aequilibris being in equilibrium, fr. aequi- + libra
          weight, balance] (1608) 1 a: a state of intellectual
          or emotional balance: poise b: a state of adjustment
          between opposing or divergent influences or elements
          2: a state of balance between opposing forces or actions
          that is either static (as in a body acted on by forces
          whose resultant is zero) or dynamic (as in a reversible
          chemical reaction when the velocities in both directions
          are equal) 3: balance 6a

   equilibrium constant
          [equilibrium constant] n (1929): a number that expresses
          the relationship between the amounts of products and
          reactants present at equilibrium in a reversible chemical
          reaction at a given temperature

   equimolar
          [equi.mo.lar] adj (ca. 1909) 1: of or relating to an equal
          number of moles <an ~ mixture> 2: having equal molar
          concentration

   equine
          [equine] adj [L equinus, fr. equus horse; akin to OE eoh
          horse, Gk hippos, Skt asva] (1778): of, relating to,
          or resembling a horse or the horse family -- equine n
          -- equine.ly adv

   [1]equinoctial
          [equi.noc.tial] adj (1545) 1: relating to an equinox or to
          a state or the time of equal day and night 2: relating
          to the regions or climate on or near the equator 3: relating
          to the time when the sun passes an equinoctial point
          [2]equinoctial n (1527) 1: equator 1 2: an equinoctial
          storm

   equinox
          [equi.nox] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF equinoxe, fr. ML equinoxium,
          alter. of L aequinoctium, fr. aequi- equi- + noct-, nox
          night--more at night] (14c) 1: either of the two points
          on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator intersects
          the ecliptic 2: either of the two times each year (as
          about March 21 and September 23) when the sun crosses
          the equator and day and night are everywhere of equal
          length

   equip
          [equip] abbreviation equipment

   equip
          [equip] vt equipped ; equip.ping [MF equiper, fr. OF esciper,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE scip ship] (1523) 1: to furnish
          for service or action by appropriate provisioning 2:
          dress, array 3: to make ready: prepare syn see furnish

   equipage
          [eq.ui.page] n (1579) 1 a: material or articles used in equipment:
          outfit b archaic (1): a set of small articles (as for table
          service) (2): etui c: trappings 2 archaic: retinue 3: a horse-drawn
          carriage with its servants; also: such a carriage alone

   equipment
          [equip.ment] n (1717) 1 a: the set of articles or physical
          resources serving to equip a person or thing: as (1):
          the implements used in an operation or activity: apparatus
          (2): all the fixed assets other than land and buildings
          of a business enterprise (3): the rolling stock of a
          railway b: a piece of such equipment 2 a: the equipping
          of a person or thing b: the state of being equipped 3:
          mental or emotional traits or resources: endowment

   [1]equipoise
          [equi.poise] n (1658) 1: a state of equilibrium 2: counterbalance
          [2]equipoise vt (1664) 1: to serve as an equipoise to
          2: to put or hold in equipoise

   equipollence
          [equi.pol.lence] n (15c): the quality of being equipollent

   equipollent
          [equi.pol.lent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L aequipollent-, aequipollens,
          fr. aequiequi- + pollent-, pollens, prp. of pollere to be able]
          (15c) 1: equal in force, power, or validity 2: the same in effect
          or signification -- equipollent n -- equi.pol.lent.ly adv

   equiponderant
          [equi.pon.der.ant] adj [ML aequiponderant-, aequiponderans,
          prp. of aequiponderare, fr. L aequi- + ponderare to weigh--more
          at ponder] (1630): evenly balanced

   equipotential
          [equi.po.ten.tial] adj (ca. 1865): having the same potential:
          of uniform potential throughout <~ points>

   equiprobable
          [equi.prob.a.ble] adj (1921): having the same degree of logical
          or mathematical probability <~ alternatives>

   equisetum
          [eq.ui.se.tum] n, pl -se.tums or -se.ta [NL, fr. L equisaetum
          horsetail plant, fr. equus horse + saeta bristle] (1830):
          any of a genus (Equisetum) of lower tracheophytes comprising
          perennial plants that spread by creeping rhizomes and
          have leaves reduced to nodal sheaths on the hollow jointed
          ribbed shoots--called also horsetail, scouring rush

   equitable
          [eq.ui.ta.ble] adj (1646) 1: having or exhibiting equity:
          dealing fairly and equally with all concerned 2: existing
          or valid in equity as distinguished from law syn see
          fair -- eq.ui.ta.bil.i.ty n -- eq.ui.ta.ble.ness n --
          eq.ui.ta.bly adv

   equitation
          [eq.ui.ta.tion] n [MF, fr. L equitation-, equitatio, fr.
          equitare to ride on horseback, fr. equit-, eques horseman,
          fr. equus horse] (1562): the act or art of riding on
          horseback

   equity
          [eq.ui.ty] n, pl -ties [ME equite, fr. MF equite, fr. L aequitat-,
          aequitas, fr. aequus equal, fair] (14c) 1 a: justice according
          to natural law or right; specif: freedom from bias or favoritism
          b: something that is equitable 2 a: a system of law originating
          in the English chancery and comprising a settled and formal body
          of legal and procedural rules and doctrines that supplement, aid,
          or override common and statute law and are designed to protect
          rights and enforce duties fixed by substantive law b: trial
          or remedial justice under or by the rules and doctrines of equity
          c: a body of legal doctrines and rules developed to enlarge,
          supplement, or override a narrow rigid system of law 3 a: a right,
          claim, or interest existing or valid in equity b: the money value
          of a property or of an interest in a property in excess of claims
          or liens against it c: a risk interest or ownership right
          in property d: the common stock of a corporation

   equity capital
          [equity capital] n (1942): venture capital

   equiv
          [equiv] abbreviation equivalency, equivalent

   equivalence
          [equiv.a.lence] n (ca. 1541) 1 a: the state or property of
          being equivalent b: the relation holding between two
          statements if they are either both true or both false
          so that to affirm one and to deny the other would result
          in a contradiction 2: a presentation of terms as equivalent
          3: equality in metrical value of a regular foot and one
          in which there are substitutions

   equivalence class
          [equivalence class] n (1952): a set for which an equivalence
          relation holds between every pair of elements

   equivalence relation
          [equivalence relation] n (ca. 1949): a relation (as equality)
          between elements of a set (as the real numbers) that
          is symmetric, reflexive, and transitive and for any two
          elements either holds or does not hold

   equivalency
          [equiv.a.len.cy] n, pl -cies (1535) 1: equivalence 2: a level
          of achievement equivalent to completion of an educational
          or training program <a high school ~ certificate>

   equivalent
          [equiv.a.lent] adj [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr. LL aequivalent-,
          aequivalens, prp. of aequivalere to have equal power,
          fr. L aequi- + valere to be strong--more at wield] (15c)
          1: equal in force, amount, or value; also: equal in area
          or volume but not admitting of superposition <a square
          ~ to a triangle> 2 a: like in signification or import
          b: having logical equivalence <~ statements> 3: corresponding
          or virtually identical esp. in effect or function 4 obs:
          equal in might or authority 5: having the same chemical
          combining capacity <~ quantities of two elements> 6 a:
          having the same solution set <~ equations> b: capable
          of being placed in one-to-one correspondence <~ sets>
          c: related by an equivalence relation syn see same --
          equivalent n -- equiv.a.lent.ly adv

   equivalent weight
          [equivalent weight] n (1904): the mass of a substance esp.
          in grams that combines with or is chemically equivalent
          to eight grams of oxygen or one gram of hydrogen: the
          atomic or molecular weight divided by the valence

   equivocal
          [equiv.o.cal] adj [LL aequivocus, fr. aequi- equi- + voc-,
          vox voice--more at voice] (1599) 1 a: subject to two
          or more interpretations and usu. used to mislead or confuse
          b: uncertain as an indication or sign 2 a: of uncertain
          nature or classification b: of uncertain disposition
          toward a person or thing: undecided c: of doubtful advantage,
          genuineness, or moral rectitude <~ behavior> syn see
          obscure -- equiv.o.cal.i.ty n -- equiv.o.cal.ly adv --
          equiv.o.cal.ness n

   equivocate
          [equiv.o.cate] vi -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (1590) 1: to use equivocal
          language esp. with intent to deceive 2: to avoid committing
          oneself in what one says syn see lie -- equiv.o.ca.tion
          n -- equiv.o.ca.tor n

   equivoque
          [equi.voque] also equi.voke n [F equivoque, fr. equivoque
          equivocal, fr. LL aequivocus] (1599) 1: an equivocal
          word or phrase; specif: pun 2 a: double meaning b: wordplay

   er...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]-er
          [-er] adj suffix or adv suffix [ME -er, -ere, -re, fr. OE
          -ra (in adjectives), -or (in adverbs); akin to OHG -iro,
          adj. compar. suffix, L -ior, Gk -ion]--used to form the
          comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs of one syllable
          <hotter> <drier> and of some adjectives and adverbs of
          two syllables <completer> and sometimes of longer ones
          <beautifuler> [2]-er also -ier or -yer n suffix [ME -er,
          -ere, -ier, -iere; partly fr. OE -ere (fr. L -arius);
          partly fr. OF -ier, -iere, fr. L -arius, -aria, -arium
          -ary; partly fr. MF -ere, fr. L -ator -or--more at -ary,
          -or] 1 a: person occupationally connected with <hatter>
          <furrier> <lawyer> b: person or thing belonging to or
          associated with <header> <old-timer> c: native of: resident
          of <cottager> <New Yorker> d: one that has <three-decker>
          e: one that produces or yields <porker> 2 a: one that
          does or performs (a specified action) <reporter>--sometimes
          added to both elements of a compound <builder-upper>
          b: one that is a suitable object of (a specified action)
          <broiler> 3: one that is <foreigner>--in all senses -yer
          in a few words after w, -ier in a few other words, otherwise
          -er

   Er
          [Er] abbreviation erbium  ER abbreviation earned run, emergency
          room

   ERA
          [ERA] abbreviation earned run average, Equal Rights Amendment

   era
          [era] n [LL aera, fr. L, counters, pl. of aer-, aes copper,
          money--more at ore] (1615) 1 a: a fixed point in time
          from which a series of years is reckoned b: a memorable
          or important date or event; esp: one that begins a new
          period in the history of a person or thing 2: a system
          of chronological notation computed from a given date
          as basis 3 a: a period identified by some prominent figure
          or characteristic feature b: a stage in development;
          esp: one of the four major divisions of geologic time
          <Paleozoic ~> syn see period

   eradicate
          [erad.i.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L eradicatus, pp. of
          eradicare, fr. e- + radic-, radix root--more at root]
          (1578) 1: to pull up by the roots 2: to do away with
          as completely as if by pulling up by the roots <programs
          to ~ illiteracy> syn see exterminate -- erad.i.ca.ble
          adj -- erad.i.ca.tion n -- erad.i.ca .tor n

   erase
          [erase] vb erased ; eras.ing [L erasus, pp. of eradere, fr.
          e- + radere to scratch, scrape--more at rodent] vt (1605)
          1 a: to rub or scrape out (as written, painted, or engraved
          letters) b: to remove (recorded matter) from a magnetic
          medium; also: to remove recorded matter from <~ a videotape>
          c: to delete from a computer storage device 2 a: to remove
          from existence or memory as if by erasing b: to nullify
          the effect or force of ~ vi: to yield to being erased
          -- eras.abil.i.ty n -- eras.able adj

   eraser
          [eras.er] n (1790): one that erases; esp: a device (as a
          piece of rubber, or a felt pad) used to erase marks (as
          of ink or chalk)

   Erastian
          [Eras.tian] adj [Thomas Erastus d. 1583 Swiss physician and
          Zwinglian theologian] (1839): of, characterized by, or
          advocating the doctrine of state supremacy in ecclesiastical
          affairs -- Erastian n -- Eras.tian.ism n

   erasure
          [era.sure] n (1734): an act or instance of erasing

   Erato
          [Er.a.to] n [Gk Erato]: the Greek Muse of lyric and love
          poetry

   erbium
          [er.bi.um] n [NL, fr. Ytterby, Sweden] (1843): a metallic
          element of the rare-earth group that occurs with yttrium

   [1]ere
          [ere] prep [ME er, fr. OE aer, fr. aer, adv., early, soon;
          akin to OHG er earlier, Gk eri early] (bef. 12c): [2]before
          2 <contrived ~ the beginning of the world --Norman Douglas>
          [2]ere conj (bef. 12c): [3]before

   Erebus
          [Er.e.bus] n [L, fr. Gk Erebos] 1: a personification of darkness
          in Greek mythology 2: a place of darkness in the underworld
          on the way to Hades

   [1]erect
          [erect] adj [ME, fr. L erectus, pp. of erigere to erect,
          fr. e- + regere to lead straight, guide--more at right]
          (14c) 1 a: vertical in position; also: not spread out
          or decumbent <an ~ plant stem> b: standing up or out
          from the body <~ hairs> c: characterized by firm or rigid
          straightness in bodily posture <an ~ bearing> 2 archaic:
          directed upward 3 obs: alert, watchful 4: being in a
          state of physiological erection -- erect.ly adv -- erect.ness
          n [2]erect vt (15c) 1 a (1): to put up by the fitting
          together of materials or parts: build (2): to fix in
          an upright position (3): to cause to stand up or stand
          out b archaic: to direct upward c: to change (an image)
          from an inverted to a normal position 2: to elevate in
          status 3: set up, establish 4 obs: encourage, embolden
          5: to draw or construct (as a perpendicular or figure)
          upon a given base -- erect.able adj

   erectile
          [erec.tile] adj (1830): capable of becoming erect <~
          tissue>--compare cavernous 1b -- erec.til.i.ty n

   erection
          [erec.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the state marked by firm turgid
          form and erect position of a previously flaccid bodily
          part containing cavernous tissue when that tissue becomes
          dilated with blood b: an occurrence of such a state in
          the penis or clitoris 2: the act or process of erecting
          something: construction 3: something erected

   erector
          [erec.tor] n (1538): one that erects; esp: a muscle that
          raises or keeps a part erect Erector trademark--used
          for a metal toy construction set

   erelong
          [ere.long] adv (1577) archaic: before long: soon

   eremite
          [er.e.mite] n [ME--more at hermit] (13c): hermit; esp: a
          religious recluse -- er.e.mit.ic or er.e.mit.i.cal adj
          -- er.e.mit.ism n

   eremurus
          [er.em.urus] n, pl -uri [NL, fr. Gk eremos solitary + oura
          tail--more at ass] (1829): any of a genus (Eremurus)
          of perennial herbs of the lily family that produce tall
          racemes of showy blooms--called also foxtail lily

   erenow
          [ere.now] adv (14c): before now: heretofore

   erepsin
          [erep.sin] n [ISV er- (prob. fr. L eripere to snatch away,
          fr. e- + rapere to seize) + pepsin--more at rapid] (1902):
          a proteolytic fraction obtained esp. from the intestinal
          juice and known to be a mixture of exopeptidases

   erethism
          [er.e.thism] n [F erethisme, fr. Gk erethismos irritation,
          fr. erethizein to irritate; akin to Gk ornynai to rouse--more
          at orient] (1800): abnormal irritability or responsiveness
          to stimulation

   erewhile
          [ere.while] also ere.whiles adv (13c) archaic: heretofore

   erg
          [erg] n [Gk ergon work--more at work] (ca. 1873):
          a centimeter-gram-second unit of work equal to the work
          done by a force of one dyne acting through a distance
          of one centimeter and equivalent to 0.0000001 joule

   erg-
          [erg-] or ergo- comb form [Gk, fr. ergon]: work <ergometer>

   ergastic
          [er.gas.tic] adj [Gk ergastikos able to work, fr. ergazesthai
          to work, fr. ergon work] (ca. 1896): constituting the
          nonliving by-products of protoplasmic activity <~ substances>

   ergastoplasm
          [er.gas.to.plasm] n [ISV] (1902): ribosome-studded endoplasmic
          reticulum -- er.gas.to.plas.mic adj

   ergative
          [er.ga.tive] adj [Gk ergates worker, fr. ergon work] (1939):
          of, relating to, or being a language (as Inuit or Georgian)
          in which the objects of transitive verbs and subjects
          of intransitive verbs are typically marked by the same
          linguistic forms; also: being an inflectional morpheme
          that typically marks the subject of a transitive verb
          in an ergative language

   -ergic
          [-er.gic] adj comb form [-ergy work (fr. LL -ergia, fr. Gk,
          fr. ergon work) + -ic--more at work]: exhibiting or stimulating
          activity of <dopaminergic>

   ergo
          [er.go] adv [ME, fr. L, fr. OL, because of, fr. (assumed)
          OL e rogo from the direction (of)] (14c): therefore,
          hence

   ergo-
          [ergo-] comb form [F, fr. ergot]: ergot <ergosterol>

   ergodic
          [er.go.dic] adj [ISV erg- + -ode] (1926) 1: of or relating
          to a process in which every sequence or sizable sample
          is equally representative of the whole (as in regard
          to a statistical parameter) 2: involving or relating
          to the probability that any state will recur; esp: having
          zero probability that any state will never recur --
          er.go.dic.i.ty n

   ergograph
          [er.go.graph] n [ISV] (1892): an apparatus for measuring
          the work capacity of a muscle

   ergometer
          [er.gom.e.ter] n (ca. 1879): an apparatus for measuring the
          work performed (as by a person exercising); also: an
          exercise machine equipped with an ergometer -- er.go.met.ric
          adj

   ergonomics
          [er.go.nom.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [erg- + -nomics
          (as in economics)] (1949): an applied science concerned
          with designing and arranging things people use so that
          the people and things interact most efficiently and safely--called
          also human engineering -- er.go.nom.ic adj -- er.go.nom.i.cal.ly
          adv -- er.gon.o.mist n

   ergonovine
          [er.go.no.vine] n [ergo- + L novus new--more at new] (ca.
          1936): an alkaloid from ergot with similar pharmacological
          action but reduced toxicity

   ergosterol
          [er.gos.ter.ol] n [ISV] (1906): a crystalline steroid alcohol
          that occurs esp. in yeast, molds, and ergot and is converted
          by ultraviolet irradiation ultimately into vitamin D2

   ergot
          [er.got] n [F, lit., cock's spur] (1683) 1: the black or
          dark purple sclerotium of fungi (genus Claviceps) that
          occurs as a club-shaped body replacing the seed of a
          grass (as rye); also: a fungus bearing ergots 2: a disease
          of rye and other cereals caused by an ergot fungus 3
          a: the dried sclerotia of an ergot fungus grown on rye
          and containing several alkaloids (as ergonovine and ergotamine)
          b: any of such alkaloids used medicinally for their contractile
          effect on smooth muscle (as of peripheral arterioles)
          -- er.got.ic adj

   ergotamine
          [er.got.a.mine] n [ISV] (1921): an alkaloid from ergot with
          similar pharmacological action that is used chiefly in
          the form of is tartrate esp. in treating migraine

   ergotism
          [er.got.ism] n (ca. 1841): a toxic condition produced by
          eating grain, grain products (as rye bread), or grasses
          infected with ergot fungus or by chronic excessive use
          of an ergot drug

   ergotized
          [er.got.ized] adj (1860): infected with ergot <~ grain>;
          also: poisoned by ergot <~ cattle>

   erica
          [er.i.ca] n [NL, fr. L erice heather, fr. Gk ereike --more
          at brier] (1826): any of a large genus (Erica) of the
          heath family of low much-branched evergreen shrubs

   ericaceous
          [er.i.ca.ceous] adj (ca. 1859): of, relating to, or being
          a heath or the heath family

   ericoid
          [er.i.coid] adj (ca. 1900): resembling heath <~ foliage>

   Erie
          [Erie] n (ca. 1909) 1: a member of an American Indian people
          living south of Lake Erie in the 17th century 2: the
          extinct and prob. Iroquoian language of the Erie people

   erigeron
          [erig.er.on] n [NL, fr. L, groundsel, fr. Gk erigeron, fr.
          eri early + geron old man; fr. the hoary down of some
          species--more at ere, geront-] (1601): any of a widely
          distributed genus (Erigeron) of composite herbs with
          flower heads that resemble asters but have fewer and
          narrower involucral bracts

   Erin go bragh
          [Erin go bragh] [Ir go brach or go brath, lit., till doomsday]
          foreign term : Ireland forever

   Erinys
          [Eri.nys] n, pl Eriny.es [Gk] (1590): fury 2a

   eriophyid
          [er.i.o.phy.id] n [ultim. fr. Gk erion wool + phye growth;
          akin to Gk physis growth--more at physics] (1942): any
          of a large family (Eriophyidae) of minute plant-feeding
          mites that have two pairs of legs placed far anterior
          and lack a respiratory system -- eriophyid adj

   ERISA
          [ERISA] abbreviation Employee Retirement Income Security
          Act

   [1]eristic
          [eris.tic] also eris.ti.cal adj [Gk eristikos fond of wrangling,
          fr. erizein to wrangle, fr. eris strife] (1637): characterized
          by disputatious and often subtle and specious reasoning
          -- eris.ti.cal.ly adv [2]eristic n (1659) 1: a person
          devoted to logical disputation 2: the art or practice
          of disputation and polemics

   Erlenmeyer flask
          [Er.len.mey.er flask] n [Emil Erlenmeyer] (ca. 1890):
          a flat-bottomed conical laboratory flask

   ermine
          [er.mine] n, pl ermines [ME, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG harmo weasel] (12c) 1 or pl ermine a: any of several
          weasels whose coats become white in winter usu. with
          black on the tip of the tail; esp: a short-tailed weasel
          (Mustela erminea) of the forests and tundra of Eurasia
          and No. America b: the white fur of the ermine 2: a rank
          or office whose ceremonial or official robe is ornamented
          with ermine

   ermined
          [er.mined] adj (15c): clothed or adorned with ermine

   erne
          [erne] n [ME, fr. OE earn; akin to OHG arn eagle, Gk ornis
          bird] (bef. 12c): eagle; esp: a long-winged sea eagle
          (Haliaetus albicilla) with a short white wedge-shaped
          tail

   erode
          [erode] vb erod.ed ; erod.ing [L erodere to eat away, fr.
          e- + rodere to gnaw--more at rodent] vt (1612) 1: to
          diminish or destroy by degrees: a: to eat into or away
          by slow destruction of substance (as by acid, infection,
          or cancer) b: to wear away by the action of water, wind,
          or glacial ice c: to cause to deteriorate or disappear
          as if by eating or wearing away <inflation eroding buying
          power> 2: to produce or form by eroding <glaciers ~ U-shaped
          valleys> ~ vi: to undergo erosion -- erod.ibil.i.ty n
          -- erod.ible adj

   erogenous
          [erog.e.nous] adj [Gk eros + E -genous, -genic] (ca. 1889)
          1: producing sexual excitement or libidinal gratification
          when stimulated: sexually sensitive 2: of, relating to,
          or arousing sexual feelings

   Eros
          [Eros] n [Gk Eros, fr. eros sexual love; akin to Gk erasthai
          to love, desire] 1: the Greek god of erotic love--compare
          cupid 2: the sum of life-preserving instincts that are
          manifested as impulses to gratify basic needs, as sublimated
          impulses, and as impulses to protect and preserve the
          body and mind--compare death instinct 3 a: love conceived
          in the philosophy of Plato as a fundamental creative
          impulse having a sensual element b often not cap: erotic
          love or desire

   erose
          [erose] adj [L erosus, pp. of erodere] (1793): irregular,
          uneven; specif: having the margin irregularly notched
          as if gnawed <an ~ leaf>

   erosion
          [ero.sion] n (1541) 1 a: the action or process of eroding
          b: the state of being eroded 2: an instance or product
          of erosive action -- ero.sion.al adj -- ero.sion.al.ly
          adv

   erosive
          [ero.sive] adj (1830): tending to erode or to induce or permit
          erosion -- ero.sive.ness n -- ero.siv.i.ty n

   erotic
          [erot.ic] also erot.i.cal adj [Gk erotikos, fr. erot-, eros]
          (1651) 1: of, devoted to, or tending to arouse sexual
          love or desire <~ art> 2: strongly marked or affected
          by sexual desire -- erotic n -- erot.i.cal.ly adv

   erotica
          [erot.i.ca] n pl but sing or pl in constr [NL, fr. Gk erotika,
          neut. pl. of erotikos] (1854) 1: literary or artistic
          works having an erotic theme or quality 2: depictions
          of things erotic

   eroticism
          [erot.i.cism] n (1881) 1: an erotic theme or quality 2: a
          state of sexual arousal 3: insistent sexual impulse or
          desire -- erot.i.cist n

   eroticize
          [erot.i.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing (ca. 1914): to make erotic
          -- erot.i.ci.za.tion n

   erotism
          [er.o.tism] n (1849): eroticism

   erotize
          [er.o.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1936): to invest with erotic
          significance or sexual feeling -- er.o.ti.za.tion n

   eroto-
          [eroto-] comb form [NL, fr. Gk eroto-, fr. erot-, eros]:
          sexual desire <erotogenic>

   erotogenic
          [ero.to.gen.ic] adj (ca. 1909): erogenous

   err
          [err] vi [ME, fr. MF errer, fr. L errare to wander, err;
          akin to OE ierre wandering, angry, ON ras race--more
          at race] (14c) 1 archaic: stray 2 a: to make a mistake
          b: to violate an accepted standard of conduct

   errancy
          [er.ran.cy] n, pl -cies (1621): the state or an instance
          of erring

   errand
          [er.rand] n [ME erend message, business, fr. OE aerend; akin
          to OHG arunti message] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic a: an oral
          message entrusted to a person b: embassy, mission 2 a:
          a short trip taken to attend to some business often for
          another <was on an ~ for his mother> b: the object or
          purpose of such a trip

   errant
          [er.rant] adj [ME erraunt, fr. MF errant, prp. of errer to
          err & errer to travel, fr. LL iterare, fr. L iter road,
          journey--more at itinerant] (14c) 1: traveling or given
          to traveling <an ~ knight> 2 a: straying outside the
          proper path or bounds <an ~ calf> b: moving about aimlessly
          or irregularly <an ~ breeze> c: deviating from a standard
          (as of truth or propriety) <an ~ child> d: fallible --
          errant n -- er.rant.ly adv

   errantry
          [er.rant.ry] n, pl -ries (1654): the quality, condition,
          or fact of wandering; esp: a roving in search of chivalrous
          adventure

   errare humanum est
          [er.ra.re hu.ma.num est] [L] foreign term : to err is human

   errata
          [er.ra.ta] n [L, pl. of erratum] (1589): a list of corrigenda;
          also: a page bearing such a list

   [1]erratic
          [er.rat.ic] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF erratique, fr. L erraticus,
          fr. erratus, pp. of errare] (14c) 1 a: having no fixed
          course: wandering <an ~ comet> b archaic: nomadic 2:
          transported from an original resting place esp. by a
          glacier <an ~ boulder> 3 a: characterized by lack of
          consistency, regularity, or uniformity b: deviating from
          what is ordinary or standard: eccentric <an ~ genius>
          syn see strange -- er.rat.i.cal adj -- er.rat.i.cal.ly
          adv -- er.rat.i.cism n [2]erratic n (ca. 1623): one that
          is erratic; esp: an erratic boulder or block of rock

   erratum
          [er.ra.tum] n, pl -ta [L, fr. neut. of erratus] (1589): error;
          esp: corrigendum

   erroneous
          [er.ro.ne.ous] adj [ME, fr. L erroneus, fr. erron-, erro
          wanderer, fr. errare] (15c) 1: containing or characterized
          by error: mistaken <~ assumptions> 2 archaic: wandering
          -- er.ro.ne.ous.ly adv -- er.ro.ne.ous.ness n

   error
          [er.ror] n [ME errour, fr. MF, fr. L error, fr. errare] (13c)
          1 a: an act or condition of ignorant or imprudent deviation
          from a code of behavior b: an act involving an unintentional
          deviation from truth or accuracy c: an act that through
          ignorance, deficiency, or accident departs from or fails
          to achieve what should be done: as (1): a defensive misplay
          other than a wild pitch or passed ball made by a baseball
          player when normal play would have resulted in an out
          or prevented an advance by a base runner (2): the failure
          of a player (as in tennis) to make a successful return
          of a ball during play d: a mistake in the proceedings
          of a court of record in matters of law or of fact 2 a:
          the quality or state of erring b Christian Science: illusion
          about the nature of reality that is the cause of human
          suffering: the contradiction of truth c: an instance
          of false belief 3: something produced by mistake; esp:
          a postage stamp exhibiting a consistent flaw (as a wrong
          color) in its manufacture 4 a: the difference between
          an observed or calculated value and a true value; specif:
          variation in measurements, calculations, or observations
          of a quantity due to mistakes or to uncontrollable factors
          b: the amount of deviation from a standard or specification
          5: a deficiency or imperfection in structure or function
          <an ~ of metabolism> -- er.ror.less adj syn error, mistake,
          blunder, slip, lapse mean a departure from what is true,
          right, or proper. error suggests the existence of a standard
          or guide and a straying from the right course through
          failure to make effective use of this <procedural errors>.
          mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usu.
          expresses less criticism than error <dialed the wrong
          number by mistake>. blunder regularly imputes stupidity
          or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame
          <diplomatic blunders>. slip stresses inadvertence or
          accident and applies esp. to trivial but embarrassing
          mistakes <a slip of the tongue>. lapse stresses forgetfulness,
          weakness, or inattention as a cause <a lapse in judgment>.

   ersatz
          [er.satz] adj [G ersatz-, fr. Ersatz, n., substitute] (1875):
          being a usu. artificial and inferior substitute or imitation
          <~ turf> <~ intellectuals> -- ersatz n

   Erse
          [Erse] n [ME (Sc) Erisch, adj., Irish, alter. of Irish] (15c)
          1: scottish gaelic 2: irish gaelic -- Erse adj

   erst
          [erst] adv [ME erest earliest, formerly, fr. OE aerest, superl.
          of aer early--more at ere] (12c) archaic: erstwhile

   [1]erstwhile
          [erst.while] adv (1569): in the past: formerly <cultures,
          ~ unknown to each other --Robert Plank> [2]erstwhile
          adj (1903): former, previous <her ~ students>

   erucic acid
          [eru.cic acid] n [NL Eruca, genus of herbs, fr. L, colewort]
          (1869): a crystalline fatty acid found in the form of
          glycerides esp. in rapeseed oil

   eruct
          [eruct] vb [L eructare, freq. of erugere to belch, disgorge;
          akin to OE rocettan to belch, Gk ereugesthai] (1666):
          belch

   eructation
          [eruc.ta.tion] n (15c): an act or instance of belching

   erudite
          [er.u.dite] adj [ME erudit, fr. L eruditus, fr. pp. of erudire
          to instruct, fr. e- + rudis rude, ignorant] (15c): possessing
          or displaying erudition: learned <an ~ scholar> -- er.u.dite.ly
          adv

   erudition
          [er.u.di.tion] n (15c): extensive knowledge acquired chiefly
          from books: profound, recondite, or bookish learning
          syn see knowledge

   erumpent
          [erum.pent] adj [L erumpent-, erumpens, prp. of erumpere]
          (1650): bursting forth <~ fungi>

   erupt
          [erupt] vb [L eruptus, pp. of erumpere to burst forth, fr.
          e- + rumpere to break--more at reave] vi (1657) 1 a (1):
          to burst from limits or restraint (2) of a tooth: to
          emerge through the gum b: to force out or release suddenly
          and often violently something (as lava or steam) that
          is pent up c: to become active or violent esp. suddenly
          2: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption ~
          vt: to force out or release usu. suddenly and violently
          -- erupt.ible adj -- erup.tive adj -- erup.tive.ly adv

   eruption
          [erup.tion] n (1555) 1 a: an act, process, or instance of
          erupting b: the breaking out of a rash on the skin or
          mucous membrane 2: a product of erupting (as a skin rash)

   -ery
          [-ery] n suffix, pl -er.ies [ME -erie, fr. OF, fr. -ier -er
          + -ie -y] 1: qualities collectively: character: -ness
          <snobb ery> 2: art: practice <quackery> 3: place of doing,
          keeping, producing, or selling (the thing specified)
          <fishery> <bakery> 4: collection: aggregate <finery>
          5: state or condition <slavery>

   eryngo
          [eryn.go] n, pl -goes or -gos [modif. of L eryngion sea holly,
          fr. Gk eryngion] (1543) 1: any of various plants (genus
          Eryngium) of the carrot family that have elongate
          spinulose-margined leaves and flowers in dense bracted heads 2 obs:
          candied root of the sea holly made to be used as an aphrodisiac

   erysipelas
          [ery.sip.e.las] n [ME erisipila, fr. L erysipelas, fr. Gk,
          fr. erysi- (prob. akin to Gk erythros red) + -pelas (prob.
          akin to L pellis skin)--more at red, fell] (14c): an
          acute febrile disease associated with intense edematous
          local inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues
          caused by a hemolytic streptococcus

   erythema
          [er.y.the.ma] n [NL, fr. Gk erythema, fr. erythainein to
          redden, fr. erythros] (ca. 1783): abnormal redness of
          the skin due to capillary congestion -- er.y.them.a.tous
          adj

   erythorbate
          [er.y.thor.bate] n (1963): a salt of erythorbic acid that
          is used in foods as an antioxidant

   erythorbic acid
          [er.y.thor.bic acid] n [erythr- + ascorbic acid] (1963):
          a diastereoisomer of ascorbic acid with optical activity

   erythr-
          [erythr-] or erythro- comb form [Gk, fr. erythros--more at
          red] 1: red <erythrocyte> 2: erythrocyte <erythroid>

   erythremia
          [er.y.thre.mia] n [NL] (1908): polycythemia vera

   erythrism
          [er.y.thrism] n (1864): a condition marked by exceptional
          prevalence of red pigmentation (as in skin or hair) --
          er.y.thris.tic also er.y.thris.mal adj

   erythrite
          [er.y.thrite] n (1844): a usu. rose-colored mineral consisting
          of a hydrous cobalt arsenate occurring esp. in monoclinic
          crystals

   erythroblast
          [eryth.ro.blast] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): a polychromatic nucleated
          cell of red marrow that synthesizes hemoglobin and that
          is an intermediate in the initial stage of red blood
          cell formation; broadly: a cell ancestral to red blood
          cells -- eryth.ro.blas.tic adj

   erythroblastosis
          [eryth.ro.blas.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL] (ca. 1923): abnormal
          presence of erythroblasts in the circulating blood; esp:
          erythroblastosis fetalis

   erythroblastosis fetalis
          [erythroblastosis fe.ta.lis] n [NL, fetal erythroblastosis]
          (ca. 1934): a hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn
          that occurs when the system of an Rh-negative mother
          produces antibodies to an antigen in the blood of an
          Rh-positive fetus which cross the placenta and destroy
          fetal erythrocytes and that is characterized by an increase
          in circulating erythroblasts and by jaundice

   erythrocyte
          [eryth.ro.cyte] n [ISV] (ca. 1894): red blood cell
          -- eryth.ro.cyt.ic adj

   erythroid
          [ery.throid] adj (1927): relating to erythrocytes or their
          precursors

   erythromycin
          [eryth.ro.my.cin] n (1952): a broad-spectrum antibiotic produced
          by an actinomycete (Streptomyces erythreus)

   erythropoiesis
          [eryth.ro.poi.e.sis] n [NL, fr. erythr- + Gk poiesis creation--more
          at poesy] (1918): the production of red blood cells (as from the
          bone marrow) -- eryth.ro.poi.et.ic adj

   erythropoietin
          [eryth.ro.poi.e.tin] n (1948): a hormonal substance that
          is formed esp. in the kidney and stimulates red blood
          cell formation

   erythrosin
          [eryth.ro.sin] also eryth.ro.sine n [ISV erythr- + eosin]
          (ca. 1882): any of several dyes made from fluorescein
          that yield reddish shades

   es...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]-es
          [-es] n pl suffix [ME -es, -s--more at [1]-s]--used to form
          the plural of most nouns that end in s <glasses>, z <fuzzes>,
          sh <bushes>, ch <peaches>, or a final y that changes
          to i <ladies> and of some nouns ending in f that changes
          to v <loaves>--compare [1]-s [2]-es vb suffix [ME--more
          at [3]-s]--used to form the third person singular present
          of most verbs that end in s <blesses>, z <fizzes>, sh
          <hushes>, ch <catches>, or a final y that changes to
          i <defies>--compare [3]-s

   Es
          [Es] abbreviation einsteinium

   Esau
          [Esau] n [L, fr. Gk Esau, fr. Heb 'Esaw]: the elder son of
          Isaac and Rebekah who sold his birthright to his twin
          brother Jacob

   ESB
          [ESB] abbreviation electrical stimulation of the brain

   escadrille
          [es.ca.drille] n [F, flotilla, escadrille, fr. Sp escuadrilla,
          dim. of escuadra squadron, squad--more at squad] (1912):
          a unit of a European air command containing usu. six
          airplanes

   escalade
          [es.ca.lade] n [F, fr. It scalata, fr. scalare to scale,
          fr. scala ladder, fr. LL--more at scale] (1598): an act
          of scaling esp. the walls of a fortification -- escalade
          vt -- es.ca.lad.er n

   escalate
          [es.ca.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [back-formation fr. escalator]
          vi (1944): to increase in extent, volume, number, amount,
          intensity, or scope <a little war threatens to ~ into
          a huge ugly one --Arnold Abrams> ~ vt: expand 2 -- es.ca.la.tion
          n -- es.ca.la.to.ry adj

   [1]escalator
          [es.ca.la.tor] n [fr. Escalator, a trademark] (1900) 1 a:
          a power-driven set of stairs arranged like an endless
          belt that ascend or descend continuously b: an upward
          course suggestive of an escalator <a never-stopping ~
          of economic progress --D. W. Brogan> 2: an escalator
          clause or provision [2]escalator adj (1930): providing
          for a periodic proportional upward or downward adjustment
          (as of prices or wages) <an ~ arrangement tying the base
          pay ... to living costs --N. Y. Times>

   escallop
          [es.cal.lop] var of scallop

   escapade
          [es.ca.pade] n [F, action of escaping, fr. Sp. escapada,
          fr. escapar to escape, fr. (assumed) VL excappare] (1672):
          a usu. adventurous action that runs counter to approved
          or conventional conduct

   [1]escape
          [es.cape] vb es.caped ; es.cap.ing [ME, fr. ONF escaper,
          fr. (assumed) VL excappare, fr. L ex- + LL cappa head
          covering, cloak] vi (13c) 1 a: to get away (as by flight)
          <escaped from prison> b: to issue from confinement <gas
          is escaping> c of a plant: to run wild from cultivation
          2: to avoid a threatening evil ~ vt 1: to get free of:
          break away from <~ the jungle> <~ the solar system> 2:
          to get or stay out of the way of: avoid 3: to fail to
          be noticed or recallable by <his name ~s me> 4 a: to
          issue from b: to be uttered involuntarily by -- es.cap.er
          n syn escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean
          to get away or keep away from something. escape stresses
          the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily
          through effort or by conscious intent <nothing escapes
          her sharp eyes>. avoid stresses forethought and caution
          in keeping clear of danger or difficulty <try to avoid
          past errors>. evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or
          lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding <evaded the question
          by changing the subject>. elude implies a slippery or
          baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes
          <what she sees in him eludes me>. shun often implies
          an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy
          and may imply repugnance or abhorrence <you have shunned
          your responsibilities>. eschew implies an avoiding or
          abstaining from as unwise or distasteful <a playwright
          who eschews melodrama>. [2]escape n (14c) 1: an act or
          instance of escaping: as a: flight from confinement b:
          evasion of something undesirable c: leakage or outflow
          esp. of a fluid d: distraction or relief from routine
          or reality 2: a means of escape 3: a cultivated plant
          run wild [3]escape adj (1817) 1: providing a means of
          escape <~ literature> 2: providing a means of evading
          a regulation, claim, or commitment <an ~ clause in a
          contract>

   escape artist
          [escape artist] n (1943): one (as a performer or criminal)
          unusually adept at escaping from confinement

   escapee
          [es.cap.ee] n (ca. 1866): one that has escaped; esp: an escaped
          prisoner

   escape hatch
          [escape hatch] n (1925) 1: a hatch providing an emergency
          exit from an enclosed space 2: a means of evading a difficulty,
          dilemma, or responsibility

   escape mechanism
          [escape mechanism] n (1927): a mode of behavior or thinking
          adopted to evade unpleasant facts or responsibilities

   escapement
          [es.cape.ment] n (1779) 1 a: a device in a timepiece which
          controls the motion of the train of wheelwork and through
          which the energy of the power source is delivered to
          the pendulum or balance by means of impulses that permit
          a tooth to escape from a pallet at regular intervals
          b: a ratchet device (as the spacing mechanism of a typewriter)
          that permits motion in one direction only in equal steps
          2 a: the act of escaping b: a way of escape: vent

   escape velocity
          [escape velocity] n (1934): the minimum velocity that a moving
          body (as a rocket) must have to escape from the gravitational
          field of a celestial body (as the earth) and move outward
          into space

   escapism
          [es.cap.ism] n (1933): habitual diversion of the mind to
          purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape
          from reality or routine -- es.cap.ist adj or n

   escapology
          [es.cap.ol.o.gy] n (1939): the art or practice of escaping
          -- es.cap.ol.o.gist n

   escargot
          [es.car.got] n, pl -gots [F, snail, fr. MF, fr. OProv escaragol]
          (ca. 1892): a snail prepared for use as food

   escarole
          [es.ca.role] n [F, fr. LL escariola, fr. L escarius of food,
          fr. esca food, fr. edere to eat--more at eat] (1897):
          endive 1

   escarpment
          [es.carp.ment] n [F escarpement, fr. escarper to scarp, fr.
          MF, fr. escarpe scarp, fr. OIt scarpa--more at scarp]
          (ca. 1802) 1: a steep slope in front of a fortification
          2: a long cliff or steep slope separating two comparatively
          level or more gently sloping surfaces and resulting from
          erosion or faulting

   -escence
          [-es.cence] n suffix [MF, fr. L -escentia, fr. -escent-,
          -escens + -ia -y]: state or process of becoming <obsolescence>

   -escent
          [-es.cent] adj suffix [MF, fr. L -escent-, -escens, prp.
          suffix of incho. verbs in -escere] 1: beginning: beginning
          to be: slightly <frutescent> 2: reflecting or emitting
          light (in a specified way) <opalescent>

   eschar
          [es.char] n [ME escare--more at scar] (1543): a scab formed
          esp. after a burn

   escharotic
          [es.cha.rot.ic] adj [F or LL; F escharotique, fr. LL escharoticus,
          fr. Gk escharotikos, fr. escharoun to form an eschar, fr. eschara
          eschar] (1612): producing an eschar -- escharotic n

   eschatological
          [es.cha.to.log.i.cal] adj (1854) 1: of or relating to eschatology
          or an eschatology 2: of or relating to the end of the
          world or the events associated with it in eschatology
          -- es.cha.to.log.i.cal.ly adv

   eschatology
          [es.cha.tol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [Gk eschatos last, farthest]
          (1844) 1: a branch of theology concerned with the final
          events in the history of the world or of mankind 2: a
          belief concerning death, the end of the world, or the
          ultimate destiny of mankind; specif: any of various Christian
          doctrines concerning the Second Coming, the resurrection
          of the dead, or the Last Judgment

   [1]escheat
          [es.cheat] n [ME eschete, fr. OF, reversion of property,
          fr. escheoir to fall, devolve, fr. (assumed) VL excadere,
          fr. L ex- + (assumed) VL cadere to fall, fr. L cadere--more
          at chance] (14c) 1: escheated property 2 a: the reversion
          of lands in English feudal law to the lord of the fee
          when there are no heirs capable of inheriting under the
          original grant b: the reversion of property to the crown
          in England or to the state in the U.S. when there are
          no legal heirs [2]escheat vt (14c): to cause to revert
          by escheat ~ vi: to revert by escheat -- es.cheat.able
          adj

   eschew
          [es.chew] vt [ME, fr. MF eschiuver, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OHG sciuhen to frighten off--more at shy] (14c): to avoid
          habitually esp. on moral or practical grounds: shun syn
          see escape -- es.chew.al n

   escolar
          [es.co.lar] n, pl escolar or escolars [Sp, lit., scholar,
          fr. ML scholaris--more at scholar] (ca. 1890): a large
          widely distributed rough-scaled fish (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum)
          that resembles a mackerel

   [1]escort
          [es.cort] n [F escorte, fr. It scorta, fr. scorgere to guide,
          fr. (assumed) VL excorrigere, fr. L ex- + corrigere to
          make straight, correct--more at correct] (1745) 1 a (1):
          a person or group of persons accompanying another to
          give protection or as a courtesy (2): the man who goes
          on a date with a woman b: a protective screen of warships
          or fighter planes or a single ship or plane used to fend
          off enemy attack from one or more vulnerable craft 2:
          accompaniment by a person or an armed protector (as a
          ship) [2]es.cort vt (1708): to accompany as an escort

   escot
          [es.cot] vt [MF escoter, fr. escot contribution, of Gmc origin;
          akin to ON skot contribution, shot--more at shot] (1602)
          obs: support, maintain

   escritoire
          [es.cri.toire] n [obs. F, writing desk, scriptorium, fr.
          ML scriptorium] (1694): a writing table or desk; specif:
          secretary 4b

   [1]escrow
          [es.crow] n [MF escroue scroll--more at scroll] (1594) 1:
          a deed, a bond, money, or a piece of property held in
          trust by a third party to be turned over to the grantee
          only upon fulfillment of a condition 2: a fund or deposit
          designed to serve as an escrow -- in escrow : in trust
          as an escrow <had $1000 in escrow to pay taxes> [2]es.crow
          vt (1949): to place in escrow

   escudo
          [es.cu.do] n, pl -dos [Sp & Pg, lit., shield, fr. L scutum]
          (ca. 1821) 1: any of various former gold or silver coins
          of Hispanic countries 2: the basic monetary unit of Cape
          Verde and Portugal 3: the basic monetary unit of Chile
          between 1960 and 1975 4: the peso of Guinea-Bissau

   esculent
          [es.cu.lent] adj [L esculentus, fr. esca food, fr. edere
          to eat--more at eat] (1626): edible -- esculent n

   escutcheon
          [es.cutch.eon] n [ME escochon, fr. MF escuchon, fr. (assumed)
          VL scution-, scutio, fr. L scutum shield--more at esquire]
          (15c) 1: a defined area on which armorial bearings are
          displayed and which usu. consists of a shield 2: a protective
          or ornamental plate or flange (as around a keyhole) 3:
          the part of a ship's stern on which the name is displayed

   Esd
          [Esd] abbreviation Esdras

   Esdras
          [Es.dras] n [LL, fr. Gk, fr. Heb 'Ezra] 1: either of two
          books of the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament:
          a: ezra 2 b: nehemiah 2 2: either of two uncanonical
          books of Scripture included in the Protestant Apocrypha

   ESE
          [ESE] abbreviation east-southeast

   [1]-ese
          [-ese] adj suffix [Pg -es & It -ese, fr. L -ensis]: of, relating
          to, or originating in (a certain place or country) <Japanese>
          [2]-ese n suffix, pl -ese 1: native or resident of (a
          specified place or country) <Chinese> 2 a: language of
          (a particular place, country, or nationality) <Siamese>
          b: speech, literary style, or diction peculiar to (a
          specified place, person, or group)--usu. in words applied
          in depreciation <journalese>

   esemplastic
          [es.em.plas.tic] adj [Gk es hen into one + E plastic] (1817):
          shaping or having the power to shape disparate things
          into a unified whole <the ~ power of the poetic imagination
          --W. H. Gardner>

   eserine
          [es.er.ine] n [F eserine] (1879): physostigmine

   Esk
          [Esk] abbreviation Eskimo

   esker
          [es.ker] n [Ir eiscir ridge] (1848): a long narrow ridge
          or mound of sand, gravel, and boulders deposited by a
          stream flowing on, within, or beneath a stagnant glacier

   Eskimo
          [Es.ki.mo] n [obs. Esquimawe, prob. fr. Sp esquimao, fr.
          Montagnais (Algonquian language of eastern Canada) aiachkime8
          Micmac, Eskimo; prob. akin to modern Montagnais assimew
          she laces a snowshoe, Ojibwa ashkime] (1584) 1 pl Eskimo
          or Eskimos : a member of a group of peoples of northern
          Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and eastern Siberia 2: any
          of the languages of the Eskimo peoples -- Es.ki.mo.an
          adj

   Eskimo curlew
          [Eskimo curlew] n (1813): an extremely rare New World curlew
          (Numenius borealis) that breeds in northern No. America
          and winters in So. America

   Eskimo dog
          [Eskimo dog] n (1774): a sled dog of American origin

   ESL
          [ESL] abbreviation English as a second language

   ESOP
          [ESOP] n [employee stock ownership plan] (1975): a program
          by which a corporation's employees acquire its capital
          stock

   ESOP
          [ESOP] abbreviation employee stock ownership plan

   esophagus
          [esoph.a.gus] n, pl -gi [ME ysophagus, fr. Gk oisophagos,
          fr. oisein to be going to carry + phagein to eat--more
          at baksheesh] (14c): a muscular tube that in humans is
          about nine inches long and passes from the pharynx down
          the neck between the trachea and the spinal column and
          behind the left bronchus where it pierces the diaphragm
          slightly to the left of the middle line and joins the
          cardiac end of the stomach -- esoph.a.ge.al adj

   esoteric
          [es.o.ter.ic] adj [LL esotericus, fr. Gk esoterikos, fr.
          esotero, compar. of eiso, eso within, fr. eis into; akin
          to Gk en in--more at in] (ca. 1660) 1 a: designed for
          or understood by the specially initiated alone <a body
          of ~ legal doctrine --B. N. Cardozo> b: of or relating
          to knowledge that is restricted to a small group 2 a:
          limited to a small circle <~ pursuits> b: private, confidential
          <an ~ purpose> -- es.o.ter.i.cal.ly adv

   esoterica
          [es.o.ter.i.ca] n pl [NL, fr. Gk esoterika, neut. pl. of
          esoterikos] (ca. 1929): esoteric items

   esotericism
          [es.o.ter.i.cism] n (1846) 1: esoteric doctrines or practices
          2: the quality or state of being esoteric

   esp
          [esp] abbreviation especially

   ESP
          [ESP] n [extrasensory perception] (1934): extrasensory perception

   espadrille
          [es.pa.drille] n [F, alter. of espardille, ultim. fr. L spartum]
          (1892): a sandal usu. having a fabric upper and a flexible
          sole

   [1]espalier
          [es.pal.ier] n [F, ultim. fr. It spalla shoulder, fr. LL
          spatula shoulder blade--more at epaulet] (1662) 1: a
          plant (as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against
          a support (as a wall) 2: a railing or trellis on which
          fruit trees or shrubs are trained to grow flat [2]espalier
          vt (1810) 1: to train as an espalier 2: to furnish with
          an espalier

   esparto
          [es.par.to] n, pl -tos [Sp, fr. L spartum, fr. Gk sparton--more
          at spire] (1845) 1: either of two Spanish and Algerian
          grasses (Stipa tenacissima and Lygeum spartum) used esp.
          to make cordage, shoes, and paper--called also esparto
          grass 2: the fiber of esparto

   especial
          [es.pe.cial] adj [ME, fr. MF--more at special] (14c): being
          distinctive: as a: directed toward a particular individual,
          group, or end <sent ~ greetings to his son> <took ~ care
          to speak clearly> b: of special note or importance: unusually
          great or significant <a decision of ~ relevance> c: highly
          distinctive or personal: peculiar <had an ~ dislike for
          music> d: close, intimate <his ~ crony> e: specific,
          particular <had no ~ destination in mind> syn see special
          -- in especial : in particular

   especially
          [es.pe.cial.ly] adv (15c) 1: specially 1 2 a: in particular:
          particularly <food seems cheaper, ~ meats> b: for a particular
          purpose <built ~ for research> 3--used as an intensive
          <an ~ good essay> <nothing ~ radical in the remarks>

   esperance
          [es.per.ance] n [ME esperaunce, fr. MF esperance] (15c) obs:
          hope, expectation

   Esperanto
          [Es.pe.ran.to] n [Dr. Esperanto, pseudonym of L. L. Zamenhof
          d. 1917 Pol. oculist, its inventor] (1892): an artificial
          international language based as far as possible on words
          common to the chief European languages -- Es.pe.ran.tist
          n or adj

   espial
          [es.pi.al] n (14c) 1: observation 2: an act of noticing:
          discovery

   espiegle
          [es.pie.gle] adj [F, after Ulespiegle (Till Eulenspiegel),
          peasant prankster] (1816): frolicsome, roguish

   espieglerie
          [es.pie.gle.rie] n [F, fr. espiegle] (1816): the quality
          or state of being roguish or frolicsome

   espionage
          [es.pi.o.nage] n [F espionnage, fr. MF, fr. espionner to
          spy, fr. espion spy, fr. OIt spione, fr. spia, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG spehon to spy--more at spy] (1793):
          the practice of spying or using spies to obtain information
          about the plans and activities esp. of a foreign government
          or a competing company <industrial ~>

   esplanade
          [es.pla.nade] n [MF, fr. It spianata, fr. spianare to level,
          fr. L explanare--more at explain] (1591): a level open
          stretch of paved or grassy ground; esp: one designed
          for walking or driving along a shore

   espousal
          [es.pous.al] n (14c) 1 a: betrothal b: wedding c: marriage
          2: a taking up or adopting of a cause or belief

   espouse
          [es.pouse] vt es.poused ; es.pous.ing [ME, fr. MF espouser,
          fr. LL sponsare to betroth, fr. L sponsus betrothed--more
          at spouse] (15c) 1: marry 2: to take up and support as
          a cause: become attached to syn see adopt -- es.pous.er
          n

   espresso
          [espres.so] n, pl -sos [It (caffe) espresso, lit., pressed
          out coffee] (1945) 1: coffee brewed by forcing steam
          through finely ground darkly roasted coffee beans 2:
          a cup of espresso

   esprit
          [es.prit] n [F, fr. L spiritus spirit] (1591) 1: vivacious
          cleverness or wit 2: esprit de corps

   esprit de corps
          [es.prit de corps] n [F] (1780): the common spirit existing
          in the members of a group and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion,
          and strong regard for the honor of the group

   esprit de l'escalier
          [es.prit de l'es.ca.lier] or es.prit d'es.ca.lier [F] foreign
          term : wit of the staircase: repartee thought of only
          too late, on the way home

   espy
          [es.py] vt es.pied ; es.py.ing [ME espien, fr. OF espier--more
          at spy] (14c): to[ ]catch sight of <among the several
          horses ... she espied the white mustang --Zane Grey>

   Esq
          [Esq] or Esqr abbreviation esquire

   -esque
          [-esque] adj suffix [F, fr. It -esco, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG -isc -ish--more at -ish]: in the manner or style
          of: like <statuesque>

   Esquimau
          [Es.qui.mau] n, pl Esquimau or Es.qui.maux [F, fr. Montagnais
          (Algonquian language)] (1744): eskimo

   esquire
          [es.quire] n [ME, fr. MF escuier squire, fr. LL scutarius,
          fr. L scutum shield; akin to OIr sciath shield] (15c)
          1: a member of the English gentry ranking below a knight
          2: a candidate for knighthood serving as shield bearer
          and attendant to a knight 3--used as a title of courtesy
          usu. placed in its abbreviated form after the surname
          <John R. Smith, Esq.> 4 archaic: a landed proprietor

   -ess
          [-ess] n suffix [ME -esse, fr. OF, fr. LL -issa, fr. Gk]:
          female <giantess>

   ess
          [ess] n (1540) 1: the letter s 2: something resembling the
          letter S in shape; esp: an S-shaped curve in a road

   [1]essay
          [es.say] vt (14c) 1: to put to a test 2: to make an often
          tentative or experimental effort to perform: try syn
          see attempt -- es.say.er n [2]es.say n [ME, fr. MF essai,
          ultim. fr. LL exagium act of weighing, fr. ex- + agere
          to drive--more at agent] (14c) 1: trial, test 2 a: effort,
          attempt; esp: an initial tentative effort b: the result
          or product of an attempt 3 a: an analytic or interpretative
          literary composition usu. dealing with its subject from
          a limited or personal point of view b: something resembling
          such a composition <a photographic ~> 4: a proof of an
          unaccepted design for a stamp or piece of paper money

   essayist
          [es.say.ist] n (1601): a writer of essays

   essayistic
          [es.say.is.tic] adj (1862) 1: of or relating to an essay
          or an essayist 2: resembling an essay in quality or character

   essay question
          [essay question] n (1947): an examination question that requires
          an answer in a sentence, paragraph, or short composition

   essence
          [es.sence] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L essentia, fr. esse
          to be--more at is] (14c) 1 a: the permanent as contrasted
          with the accidental element of being b: the individual,
          real, or ultimate nature of a thing esp. as opposed to
          its existence c: the properties or attributes by means
          of which something can be placed in its proper class
          or identified as being what it is 2: something that exists:
          entity 3 a (1): a volatile substance or constituent (as
          of perfume) (2): a constituent or derivative possessing
          the special qualities (as of a plant or drug) in concentrated
          form; also: a preparation of such an essence or a synthetic
          substitute b: odor, perfume 4: one that possesses or
          exhibits a quality in abundance as if in concentrated
          form <she was the ~ of punctuality> -- in essence : in
          or by its very nature: essentially, basically <was in
          essence an honest person> -- of the essence : of the
          utmost importance <time is of the essence>

   Essene
          [Es.sene] n [Gk Essenos] (1553): a member of a monastic brotherhood
          of Jews in Palestine from the 2d century b.c. to the 2d century
          a.d. -- Es.se.ni.an or Es.se.nic adj -- Es.se.nism n

   [1]essential
          [es.sen.tial] adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          essence: inherent 2: of the utmost importance: basic,
          indispensable, necessary <~ foods> <an ~ requirement
          for admission to college> 3: idiopathic <~ disease> --
          es.sen.tial.ly adv -- es.sen.tial.ness n syn essential,
          fundamental, vital, cardinal mean so important as to
          be indispensable. essential implies belonging to the
          very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable
          of removal without destroying the thing itself or its
          character <conflict is essential in drama>. fundamental
          applies to something that is a foundation without which
          an entire system or complex whole would collapse <fundamental
          principles of algebra>. vital suggests something that
          is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation
          <cut off from vital supplies>. cardinal suggests something
          on which an outcome turns or depends <a cardinal rule
          in buying a home>. [2]essential n (15c) 1: something
          basic <the ~s of astronomy> 2: something necessary, indispensable,
          or unavoidable

   essential amino acid
          [essential amino acid] n (1935): an amino acid (as lysine)
          required for normal health and growth, manufactured in
          the body in insufficient quantities or not at all, and
          usu. supplied by dietary protein

   essentialism
          [es.sen.tial.ism] n (1927) 1: an educational theory that
          ideas and skills basic to a culture should be taught
          to all alike by time-tested methods--compare progressivism
          2: a philosophical theory ascribing ultimate reality
          to essence embodied in a thing perceptible to the senses--compare
          nominalism -- es.sen.tial.ist adj or n

   essentiality
          [es.sen.ti.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1616) 1 a: essential nature:
          essence b: an essential quality, property, or aspect
          2: the quality or state of being essential <the ~ of
          freedom and justice --P. G. Hoffman>

   essentialize
          [es.sen.tial.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1913): to express or
          formulate in essential form: reduce to essentials

   essential oil
          [essential oil] n (1674): any of a class of volatile oils
          that give plants their characteristic odors and are used
          esp. in perfumes and flavorings--compare fixed oil

   esse quam videri
          [es.se quam vi.de.ri] [L] foreign term : to be rather than
          to seem--motto of North Carolina

   essoin
          [es.soin] n [ME essoine, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. essoinier to
          offer an essoin, fr. es- ex- + soine legal excuse, of
          Gmc origin; akin to OS sunnea denial, OE soth truth--more
          at sooth] (14c) 1: an excuse for not appearing in an
          English law court at the appointed time 2 obs: excuse,
          delay

   essonite
          [es.so.nite] n [F, fr. Gk hesson inferior; fr. its being
          less hard than true hyacinth] (1820): a yellow to brown
          garnet

   est
          [est] abbreviation established, estimate, estimated  EST
          abbreviation eastern standard time

   [1]-est
          [-est] adj suffix or adv suffix [ME, fr. OE -st, -est, -ost;
          akin to OHG -isto (adj. superl. suffix), Gk -istos]--used
          to form the superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs
          of one syllable <fattest> <latest>, of some adjectives
          and adverbs of two syllables <luckiest> <oftenest>, and
          less often of longer ones <beggarliest> [2]-est or -st
          vb suffix [ME, fr. OE -est, -ast, -st; akin to OHG -ist,
          -ost, -est, 2d sing. ending]--used to form the archaic
          2d person singular of English verbs (with thou) <didst>

   establish
          [es.tab.lish] vt [ME establissen, fr. MF establiss-, stem
          of establir, fr. L stabilire, fr. stabilis stable] (14c)
          1: to institute (as a law) permanently by enactment or
          agreement 2 obs: settle 7 3 a: to make firm or stable
          b: to introduce and cause to grow and multiply <~ grass
          on pasturelands> 4 a: to bring into existence: found
          <~ed a republic> b: bring about, effect <~ed friendly
          relations> 5 a: to put on a firm basis: set up <~ his
          son in business> b: to put into a favorable position
          c: to gain full recognition or acceptance of <the role
          ~ed her as a star> 6: to make (a church) a national or
          state institution 7: to put beyond doubt: prove <~ed
          my innocence> -- es.tab.lish.able adj -- es.tab.lish.er
          n

   established church
          [established church] n (1731): a church recognized by law
          as the official church of a nation or state and supported
          by civil authority

   establishment
          [es.tab.lish.ment] n (15c) 1: something established: as a:
          a settled arrangement; esp: a code of laws b: established
          church c: a permanent civil or military organization
          d: a place of business or residence with its furnishings
          and staff e: a public or private institution 2: an established
          order of society: as a often cap: a group of social,
          economic, and political leaders who form a ruling class
          (as of a nation) b often cap: a controlling group <the
          literary ~> 3 a: the act of establishing b: the state
          of being established

   establishmentarian
          [es.tab.lish.men.tar.i.an] adj (1847): of, relating to, or
          favoring the social or political establishment --
          establishmentarian n -- es.tab.lish.men.tar.i.an.ism n

   estaminet
          [es.ta.mi.net] n, pl -nets [F] (1814): a small cafe

   estate
          [es.tate] n [ME estat, fr. OF--more at state] (13c) 1: state,
          condition 2: social standing or rank esp. of a high order
          3: a social or political class; specif: one of the great
          classes (as the nobility, the clergy, and the commons)
          formerly vested with distinct political powers 4 a: the
          degree, quality, nature, and extent of one's interest
          in land or other property b (1): possessions, property;
          esp: a person's property in land and tenements <a man
          of small ~> (2): the assets and liabilities left by a
          person at death c: a landed property usu. with a large
          house on it d Brit: project 4 5 Brit: station wagon

   estate agent
          [estate agent] n (1880) Brit: a real estate broker or manager

   estate car
          [estate car] n (1950) Brit: station wagon

   estate tax
          [estate tax] n (1928): an excise in the form of a percentage
          of the net estate that is levied on the privilege of
          an owner of property of transmitting the property to
          others after his or her death--compare inheritance tax
          1

   [1]esteem
          [es.teem] n (14c) 1 archaic: worth, value 2 archaic: opinion,
          judgment 3: the regard in which one is held; esp: high
          regard <the ~ we all feel for her> [2]esteem vt [ME estemen
          to estimate, fr. MF estimer, fr. L aestimare] (15c) 1
          archaic: appraise 2 a: to view as: consider <~ it a privilege>
          b: think, believe 3: to set a high value on: regard highly
          and prize accordingly syn see regard

   ester
          [es.ter] n [G, fr. Essigather ethyl acetate, fr. Essig vinegar
          + Ather ether] (ca. 1852): any of a class of often fragrant
          compounds that can be represented by the formula RCOOR
          and that are usu. formed by the reaction between an acid
          and an alcohol with elimination of water

   esterase
          [es.ter.ase] n (1910): an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis
          or synthesis of esters

   esterify
          [es.ter.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (ca. 1905): to convert into
          an ester -- es.ter.i.fi.ca.tion n

   Esth
          [Esth] abbreviation Esther

   Esther
          [Es.ther] n [L, fr. Heb Ester] 1: the Jewish heroine of the
          Old Testament book of Esther 2: a narrative book of canonical
          Jewish and Christian Scripture

   esthete, esthetic, esthetician, estheticism
          [es.thete, es.thet.ic, es.the.ti.cian, es.the.ti.cism] var
          of aesthete, aesthetic, aesthetician, aestheticism

   estimable
          [es.ti.ma.ble] adj (15c) 1: capable of being estimated 2
          archaic: valuable 3: worthy of esteem -- es.ti.ma.ble.ness
          n -- es.ti.ma.bly adv

   [1]estimate
          [es.ti.mate] vt -mat.ed ; -mat.ing [L aestimatus, pp. of
          aestimare to value, estimate] (ca. 1532) 1 archaic a:
          esteem b: appraise 2 a: to judge tentatively or approximately
          the value, worth, or significance of b: to determine
          roughly the size, extent, or nature of c: to produce
          a statement of the approximate cost of 3: judge, conclude
          -- es.ti.ma.tive adj syn estimate, appraise, evaluate,
          value, rate, assess mean to judge something with respect
          to its worth or significance. estimate implies a judgment,
          considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place
          of actual measuring or counting or testing out <estimated
          the crowd at two hundred>. appraise commonly implies
          the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing,
          but it may be used of any critical judgment <having their
          house appraised>. evaluate suggests an attempt to determine
          relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary
          <evaluate a student's work>. value equals appraise but
          without implying expertness of judgment <a watercolor
          valued by the donor at $500>. rate adds to estimate the
          notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values
          <a highly rated restaurant>. assess implies a critical
          appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting,
          or as a guide in taking action <officials are trying
          to assess the damage>. [2]es.ti.mate n (1563) 1: the
          act of appraising or valuing: calculation 2: an opinion
          or judgment of the nature, character, or quality of a
          person or thing <had a high ~ of his abilities> 3 a:
          a rough or approximate calculation b: a numerical value
          obtained from a statistical sample and assigned to a
          population parameter 4: a statement of the cost of work
          to be done

   estimation
          [es.ti.ma.tion] n (14c) 1: judgment, opinion 2 a: the act
          of estimating something b: the value, amount, or size
          arrived at in an estimate 3: esteem, honor

   estimator
          [es.ti.ma.tor] n (1611) 1: one that estimates 2: estimate
          3b; also: a statistical function whose value for a sample
          furnishes an estimate of a population parameter

   estival
          [es.ti.val] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L aestivalis, fr.
          aestivus of summer, fr. aestas summer--more at edify]
          (14c): of or relating to the summer

   estivate
          [es.ti.vate] vi -vat.ed ; -vat.ing (1626) 1: to spend the
          summer usu. at one place 2: to pass the summer in a state
          of torpor--compare hibernate

   estivation
          [es.ti.va.tion] n (1625): the state of one that estivates

   est modus in rebus
          [est mo.dus in re.bus] [L] foreign term : there is a proper
          measure in things, i.e., the golden mean should always
          be observed

   Estonian
          [Es.to.nian] n (1795) 1: a native or inhabitant of Estonia
          2: the Finno-Ugric language of the Estonian people --
          Estonian adj

   estop
          [es.top] vt es.topped ; es.top.ping [ME estoppen, fr. MF
          estouper, fr. (assumed) VL stuppare to stop with a tow--more
          at stop] (15c) 1 archaic: to stop up 2: bar; specif:
          to impede by estoppel

   esto perpetua
          [es.to per.pe.tua] [L] foreign term : may she endure forever--motto
          of Idaho

   estoppel
          [es.top.pel] n [prob. fr. MF estoupail bung, fr. estouper]
          (1531): a legal bar to alleging or denying a fact because
          of one's own previous actions or words to the contrary

   estr-
          [estr-] or estro- comb form: estrus <estrogen>

   estradiol
          [es.tra.di.ol] n [ISV estra- (fr. estrane parent compound
          of estradiol, fr. NL estrus + E -ane) + di- + [1]-ol]
          (1934): an estrogenic hormone that is a phenolic steroid
          alcohol usu. made synthetically and that is often used
          combined as an ester esp. in treating menopausal symptoms

   estral cycle
          [es.tral cycle] n (1941): estrous cycle

   estrange
          [es.trange] vt es.tranged ; es.trang.ing [ME, fr. MF estranger,
          fr. ML extraneare, fr. L extraneus strange--more at strange]
          (15c) 1: to remove from customary environment or associations
          2: to arouse esp. mutual enmity or indifference in where
          there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness:
          alienate -- es.trange.ment n -- es.trang.er n syn estrange,
          alienate, disaffect mean to cause one to break a bond
          of affection or loyalty. estrange implies the development
          of indifference or hostility with consequent separation
          or divorcement <his estranged wife>. alienate may or
          may not suggest separation but always implies loss of
          affection or interest <managed to alienate all his coworkers>.
          disaffect refers esp. to those from whom loyalty is expected
          and stresses the effects (as rebellion or discontent)
          of alienation without actual separation <conservatives
          were disaffected by the new tax>.

   [1]estray
          [es.tray] n (ca. 1523): stray 1 [2]estray vi [MF estraier]
          (1572) archaic: stray

   estriol
          [es.tri.ol] n [estrane + tri- + [1]-ol] (1933): a crystalline
          estrogenic hormone that is a glycol usu. obtained from
          the urine of pregnant women

   estrogen
          [es.tro.gen] n [NL estrus + ISV -o- + -gen] (1927): a substance
          (as a sex hormone) tending to promote estrus and stimulate
          the development of female secondary sex characteristics

   estrogenic
          [es.tro.gen.ic] adj (1930) 1: promoting estrus 2: of, relating
          to, caused by, or being an estrogen -- es.tro.gen.i.cal.ly
          adv

   estrone
          [es.trone] n [estrane] (1933): an estrogenic hormone that
          is a ketone usu. obtained from the urine of pregnant
          females and used similarly to estradiol

   estrous
          [es.trous] adj (1900) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of estrus 2: being in heat

   estrous cycle
          [estrous cycle] n (1900): the correlated phenomena of the
          endocrine and generative systems of a female mammal from
          the beginning of one period of estrus to the beginning
          of the next--called also estral cycle, estrus cycle

   estrual
          [es.tru.al] adj (ca. 1857): estrous

   estrus
          [es.trus] n [NL, fr. L oestrus gadfly, frenzy, fr. Gk oistros--more
          at ire] (ca. 1890): a regularly recurrent state of sexual
          excitability during which the female of most mammals will accept
          the male and is capable of conceiving: heat; also: a single
          occurrence of this state

   estuarial
          [es.tu.ar.i.al] adj (1883): estuarine

   estuarine
          [es.tu.a.rine] adj (1846): of, relating to, or formed in
          an estuary <~ currents> <~ animals>

   estuary
          [es.tu.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [L aestuarium, fr. aestus boiling,
          tide; akin to L aestas summer--more at edify] (1538):
          a water passage where the tide meets a river current;
          esp: an arm of the sea at the lower end of a river

   esurience
          [esu.ri.ence] n (1825): the quality or state of being esurient

   esurient
          [esu.ri.ent] adj [L esurient-, esuriens, prp. of esurire
          to be hungry; akin to L edere to eat--more at eat] (ca.
          1672): hungry, greedy -- esu.ri.ent.ly adv

   et...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]-et
          [-et] n suffix [ME, fr. OF -et, masc., & -ete, fem., fr.
          LL -itus & -ita]: small one <baronet> <cellaret> [2]-et
          n suffix [duet]: group <octet>

   Et
          [Et] abbreviation ethyl  ET abbreviation eastern time

   et
          [et] dial past and past part of eat

   eta
          [eta] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk eta, of Sem origin; akin to Heb
          heth heth] (15c): the 7th letter of the Greek alphabet

   ETA
          [ETA] abbreviation estimated time of arrival

   etagere
          [eta.gere] n [F, fr. MF estagiere, fr. estage floor of a
          building, station, fr. OF--more at stage] (1851): a piece
          of furniture consisting of a set of open shelves for
          displaying small objects and sometimes having an enclosed
          cabinet as a base

   et al
          [et al] [L et alii (masc.), et aliae (fem.), or et alia (neut.)]
          abbreviation and others

   et alia
          [et alia] [L] (1953): and others

   etamine
          [eta.mine] n [F etamine] (1714): a light cotton or worsted
          fabric with an open mesh

   etatism
          [etat.ism] n [F etatisme, fr. etat state, fr. OF estat--more
          at state] (1923): state socialism -- etat.ist adj

   etc
          [etc] abbreviation et cetera

   et cetera
          [et cet.era] [L] (12c): and others esp. of the same kind:
          and so forth

   etcetera
          [et.cet.era] n (1656) 1: a number of unspecified additional
          persons or things 2 pl: unspecified additional items:
          odds and ends

   [1]etch
          [etch] vb [D etsen, fr. G atzen to etch, corrode, fr. OHG
          azzen to feed; akin to OHG ezzan to eat--more at eat]
          vt (1634) 1 a: to produce (as a pattern or design) on
          a hard material by eating into the material's surface
          (as by acid or laser beam) b: to subject to such etching
          2: to delineate or impress clearly <scenes ~ed in our
          minds> <pain was ~ed on his features> ~ vi: to practice
          etching -- etch.er n [2]etch n (1896) 1: the action or
          effect of etching a surface 2: a chemical agent used
          in etching

   etchant
          [etch.ant] n (1904): etch 2

   etching
          [etch.ing] n (1634) 1 a: the action or process of etching
          b: the art of producing pictures or designs by printing
          from an etched metal plate 2 a: an etched design b: an
          impression from an etched plate

   ETD
          [ETD] abbreviation estimated time of departure

   [1]eternal
          [eter.nal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL aeternalis, fr. L aeternus
          eternal, fr. aevum age, eternity--more at aye] (14c)
          1 a: having infinite duration: everlasting b: of or relating
          to eternity c: characterized by abiding fellowship with
          God <good teacher, what must I do to inherit ~ life?
          --Mk 10:17 (RSV)> 2 a: continued without intermission:
          perpetual b: seemingly endless 3 archaic: infernal <some
          ~ villain ... devised this slander --Shak.> 4: valid
          or existing at all times: timeless <~ verities> -- eter.nal.ize
          vt -- eter.nal.ly adv -- eter.nal.ness n [2]eternal n
          (1582) 1 cap: god 1--used with the 2: something eternal

   eterne
          [eterne] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L aeternus] (14c) archaic:
          eternal

   eternity
          [eter.ni.ty] n, pl -ties [ME eternite, fr. MF eternite, fr.
          L aeternitat-, aeternitas, fr. aeternus] (14c) 1: the
          quality or state of being eternal 2: infinite time 3
          pl: age 3b 4: the state after death: immortality 5: a
          seemingly endless or immeasurable time <the speaker droned
          on for an ~>

   eternize
          [eter.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1580) 1 a: to make eternal
          b: to prolong indefinitely 2: immortalize -- eter.ni.za.tion
          n

   Etesian
          [Ete.sian] adj [L etesius, fr. Gk etesios, fr. etos year--more
          at wether] (1601): recurring annually--used of summer
          winds that blow over the Mediterranean -- Etesian n

   eth-
          [eth-] comb form [ISV]: ethyl <ethene>

   eth
          [eth] var of edh

   [1]-eth
          [-eth] or -th vb suffix [ME, fr. OE -eth, -ath, -th; akin
          to OHG -it, -ot, -et, 3d sing. ending, L -t, -it]--used
          to form the archaic third person singular present of
          verbs <doth> [2]-eth --see -th

   ethacrynic acid
          [eth.a.cryn.ic acid] n [perh. fr. eth- + acetic + butyryl
          + phenol] (1964): a potent synthetic diuretic used esp.
          in the treatment of edema

   ethambutol
          [eth.am.bu.tol] n [ethylene + amine + butanol] (1965): a
          compound used esp. in the treatment of tuberculosis

   ethane
          [eth.ane] n [ISV, fr. ethyl] (1873): a colorless odorless
          gaseous alkane found in natural gas and used esp. as
          a fuel

   ethanol
          [eth.a.nol] n (1900): a colorless volatile flammable liquid
          that is the intoxicating agent in liquors and is also
          used as a solvent--called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol

   ethanolamine
          [eth.a.nol.amine] n (1897): a colorless liquid amino alcohol
          used esp. as a solvent in the synthesis of detergents
          and in gas purification

   ethene
          [eth.ene] n (1873): ethylene

   ethephon
          [eth.e.phon] n [ethyl + phosphonic acid (a dibasic organic
          acid)] (1971): a synthetic plant growth regulator that
          induces flowering and abscission by promoting the release
          of ethylene and has been used to cause early ripening
          (as of apples on the tree)

   ether
          [ether] n [ME, fr. L aether, fr. Gk aither, fr. aithein to
          ignite, blaze; akin to OE ad pyre--more at edify] (14c)
          1 a: the rarefied element formerly believed to fill the
          upper regions of space b: the upper regions of space:
          heavens 2 a: a medium that in the wave theory of light
          permeates all space and transmits transverse waves b:
          airwaves 3 a: a light volatile flammable liquid used
          chiefly as a solvent and anesthetic b: any of various
          organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom attached
          to two carbon atoms -- ethe.ric adj

   ethereal
          [ethe.re.al] adj (1513) 1 a: of or relating to the regions
          beyond the earth b: celestial, heavenly c: unworldly,
          spiritual 2 a: lacking material substance: immaterial,
          intangible b: marked by unusual delicacy or refinement
          <this smallest, most ~, and daintiest of birds --William
          Beebe> 3: relating to, containing, or resembling a chemical
          ether -- ethe.re.al.i.ty n -- ethe.re.al.iza.tion n --
          ethe.re.al.ize vt -- ethe.re.al.ly adv -- ethe.re.al.ness
          n

   ether extract
          [ether extract] n (ca. 1900): the part of a complex organic
          material that is soluble in ether and consists chiefly
          of fats and fatty acids

   etherize
          [ether.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1853) 1: to treat or anesthetize
          with ether 2: to make numb as if by anesthetizing --
          ether.iza.tion n -- ether.iz.er n

   ethic
          [eth.ic] n [ME ethik, fr. MF ethique, fr. L ethice, fr. Gk
          ethike, fr. ethikos] (14c) 1 pl but sing or pl in constr:
          the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and
          with moral duty and obligation 2 a: a set of moral principles
          or values b: a theory or system of moral values <the
          present-day materialistic ~> c pl but sing or pl in constr:
          the principles of conduct governing an individual or
          a group <professional ~s> d: a guiding philosophy

   ethical
          [eth.i.cal] also eth.ic adj [ME etik, fr. L ethicus, fr.
          Gk ethikos, fr. ethos character--more at sib] (1607)
          1: of or relating to ethics 2: involving or expressing
          moral approval or disapproval 3: conforming to accepted
          professional standards of conduct 4 of a drug: restricted
          to sale only on a doctor's prescription syn see moral
          -- eth.i.cal.i.ty n -- eth.i.cal.ly adv -- eth.i.cal.ness
          n

   ethician
          [ethi.cian] n (1629): ethicist

   ethicist
          [eth.i.cist] n (ca. 1890): a specialist in ethics

   ethidium bromide
          [ethid.ium bromide] n [ethyl + -id + -ium] (1963): a biological
          dye used esp. to block nucleic acid synthesis (as in
          mitochondria) and to destroy trypanosomes

   ethinyl
          [ethinyl] var of ethynyl--used esp. in pharmacology

   ethinyl estradiol
          [ethinyl estradiol] n (1939): a very potent synthetic estrogen
          used orally

   ethion
          [eth.i.on] n [blend of ethand thion-] (ca. 1960):
          an organophosphate used as a pesticide

   ethionamide
          [eth.i.on.amide] n (1960): a compound used against mycobacteria
          (as in tuberculosis and leprosy)

   ethionine
          [ethi.o.nine] n (1938): an amino acid that is the ethyl homologue
          of methionine and is biologically antagonistic to methionine

   Ethiop
          [Ethi.op] or Ethi.ope n [ME Ethiope, fr. L Aethiops, fr.
          Gk Aithiops] (13c) archaic: ethiopian

   [1]Ethiopian
          [Ethi.o.pi.an] n (13c) 1: a member of any of the mythical
          or actual peoples usu. described by the ancient Greeks
          as dark-skinned and living far to the south 2 archaic:
          a black person 3: a native or inhabitant of Ethiopia
          [2]Ethiopian adj (1578) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the inhabitants or the country of Ethiopia 2: of,
          relating to, or being the biogeographic region that includes
          Africa south of the Sahara, southern Arabia, and sometimes
          Madagascar and the adjacent islands

   [1]Ethiopic
          [Ethi.o.pic] adj (1654) 1: ethiopian 2 a: of, relating to,
          or constituting Ethiopic b: of, relating to, or constituting
          a group of related Semitic languages spoken in Ethiopia
          [2]Ethiopic n (ca. 1859) 1: a Semitic language formerly
          spoken in Ethiopia and still used as the liturgical language
          of the Christian church in Ethiopia 2: the Ethiopic group
          of Semitic languages

   ethmoid
          [eth.moid] n [F ethmoide, fr. Gk ethmoeides, lit., like a
          strainer, fr. ethmos strainer] (1842): a light spongy
          cubical bone forming much of the walls of the nasal cavity
          and part of those of the orbits -- ethmoid or eth.moi.dal
          adj

   [1]ethnic
          [eth.nic] adj [ME, fr. LL ethnicus, fr. Gk ethnikos national,
          gentile, fr. ethnos nation, people; akin to Gk ethos
          custom--more at sib] (15c) 1: heathen 2 a: of or relating
          to large groups of people classed according to common
          racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural
          origin or background <~ minorities> <~ enclaves> b: being
          a member of an ethnic group c: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of ethnics <~ neighborhoods> <~ foods> [2]ethnic n (1941):
          a member of an ethnic group; esp: a member of a minority
          group who retains the customs, language, or social views
          of the group

   ethnical
          [eth.ni.cal] adj (15c) 1: ethnic 2: of or relating to ethnology:
          ethnologic -- eth.ni.cal.ly adv

   ethnicity
          [eth.nic.i.ty] n (1950): ethnic quality or affiliation

   ethno-
          [ethno-] comb form [F, fr. Gk ethno-, ethn-, fr. ethnos]:
          race: people: cultural group <ethnocentric>

   ethnobotany
          [eth.no.bot.a.ny] n (1890): the plant lore of a race or people;
          also: the systematic study of such lore -- eth.no.bo.tan.i.cal
          adj -- eth.no.bot.a.nist n

   ethnocentric
          [eth.no.cen.tric] adj (1900): characterized by or based on
          the attitude that one's own group is superior --
          eth.no.cen.tric.i.ty n -- eth.no.cen.trism n

   ethnography
          [eth.nog.ra.phy] n [F ethnographie, fr. ethno- + -graphie
          -graphy] (1834): the study and systematic recording of
          human cultures; also: a descriptive work produced from
          such research -- eth.nog.ra.pher n -- eth.no.graph.ic
          or eth.no.graph.i.cal adj -- eth.no.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   ethnohistory
          [eth.no.his.to.ry] n (1943): a study of the development of
          cultures -- eth.no.his.to.ri.an n -- eth.no.his.to.ric
          or eth.no.his.to.ri.cal adj

   ethnology
          [eth.nol.o.gy] n (ca. 1828) 1: a science that deals with
          the division of human beings into races and their origin,
          distribution, relations, and characteristics 2: anthropology
          dealing chiefly with the comparative and analytical study
          of cultures: cultural anthropology -- eth.no.log.i.cal
          also eth.no.log.ic adj -- eth.nol.o.gist n

   ethnomethodology
          [eth.no.meth.od.ol.o.gy] n (1967): a branch of sociology
          dealing with nonspecialists' commonsense understanding
          of the structure and organization of society --
          eth.no.meth.od.ol.o.gist n

   ethnomusicology
          [eth.no.mu.si.col.o.gy] n (1950) 1: the study of music that
          is outside the European art tradition 2: the study of
          music in a sociocultural context -- eth.no.mu.si.co.log.i.cal
          adj -- eth.no.mu.si.col.o.gist n

   ethnoscience
          [eth.no.sci.ence] n (1961): the nature lore (as folk taxonomy
          of plants and animals) of primitive peoples

   et hoc genus omne
          [et hoc ge.nus om.ne] or et id genus omne [L] foreign term
          : and everything of this kind

   ethology
          [ethol.o.gy] n (ca. 1843) 1: a branch of knowledge dealing
          with human ethos and with its formation and evolution
          2: the scientific and objective study of animal behavior
          esp. under natural conditions -- etho.log.i.cal adj --
          ethol.o.gist n

   ethos
          [ethos] n [NL, fr. Gk ethos custom, character--more at sib]
          (1851): the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral
          nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution

   ethoxy
          [eth.oxy] adj (ca. 1909): relating to or containing the univalent
          group composed of ethyl united with oxygen

   ethyl
          [eth.yl] n [G Ethyl (now Athyl), fr. Ather ether + -yl] (1838):
          a univalent hydrocarbon group composed of two carbon
          and five hydrogen atoms -- eth.yl.ic adj

   ethyl acetate
          [ethyl acetate] n (1874): a colorless fragrant volatile flammable
          liquid ester used esp. as a solvent

   ethyl alcohol
          [ethyl alcohol] n (1869): ethanol

   ethylbenzene
          [eth.yl.ben.zene] n [ISV] (1873): a liquid hydrocarbon that
          is made usu. from benzene and ethylene and is used chiefly
          in the manufacture of styrene

   ethyl cellulose
          [ethyl cellulose] n (1936): any of various thermoplastic
          substances used esp. in plastics and lacquers

   ethyl chloride
          [ethyl chloride] n (ca. 1891): a colorless pungent flammable
          gaseous or volatile liquid used esp. as a local surface
          anesthetic

   ethylene
          [eth.yl.ene] n (ca. 1852) 1: a colorless flammable gaseous
          unsaturated hydrocarbon that is found in coal gas, can
          be produced by pyrolysis of petroleum hydrocarbons, and
          occurs in plants functioning esp. as a natural growth
          regulator that promotes the ripening of fruit 2: a divalent
          hydrocarbon group derived from ethane -- eth.yl.enic
          adj

   ethylenediaminetetraacetate
          [eth.yl.ene.di.amine.tet.ra.ac.e.tate] n (1954): a salt of
          EDTA

   ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
          [eth.yl.ene.di.amine.tet.ra.ace.tic acid] n (1942): edta

   ethylene dibromide
          [ethylene di.bro.mide] n (ca. 1929): a colorless toxic liquid
          compound that is used chiefly as a fuel additive in leaded
          gasolines, that has been found to be strongly carcinogenic
          in laboratory animals, and that was used formerly in
          the U.S. as an agricultural pesticide--abbr. EDB

   ethylene glycol
          [ethylene glycol] n (1901): a thick liquid diol used esp.
          as an antifreeze and in making polyester fibers

   ethylene oxide
          [ethylene oxide] n (1898): a colorless flammable toxic compound
          used esp. in synthesis (as of ethylene glycol) and in
          sterilization and fumigation

   ethyl ether
          [ethyl ether] n (1878): ether 3a

   ethyne
          [eth.yne] n [ethyl + [2]-ine] (ca. 1929): acetylene

   ethynyl
          [ethy.nyl] n (1929): a univalent unsaturated group derived
          from acetylene by removal of one hydrogen atom

   etic
          [et.ic] adj [phonetic] (1954): of, relating to, or having
          linguistic or behavioral characteristics considered without
          regard to their structural significance--compare emic

   -etic
          [-et.ic] adj suffix [L & Gk; L -eticus, fr. Gk -etikos, -etikos,
          fr. -etos, -etos, ending of certain verbals]: -ic <limnetic>--often
          in adjectives corresponding to nouns ending in -esis <genetic>

   et in Arcadia ego
          [et in Ar.ca.dia ego] [L] foreign term : I too (lived) in
          Arcadia

   etiolate
          [eti.o.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [F etioler] (1791) 1:
          to bleach and alter the natural development of (a green
          plant) by excluding sunlight 2 a: to make pale b: to
          deprive of natural vigor: make feeble -- eti.o.la.tion
          n

   etiologic
          [eti.o.log.ic] or eti.o.log.i.cal adj (ca. 1753) 1: assigning
          or seeking to assign a cause 2: of or relating to etiology
          -- eti.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   etiology
          [eti.ol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [ML aetiologia statement of causes,
          fr. Gk aitiologia, fr. aitia cause] (ca. 1555) 1: cause,
          origin; specif: all of the causes of a disease or abnormal
          condition 2: a branch of knowledge concerned with causes;
          specif: a branch of medical science concerned with the
          causes and origins of diseases

   etiquette
          [et.i.quette] n [F etiquette, lit., ticket--more at ticket]
          (1750): the conduct or procedure required by good breeding
          or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or
          official life

   ETO
          [ETO] abbreviation European theater of operations

   Eton collar
          [Eton collar] n [Eton College, English public school] (1887):
          a large stiff turnover collar

   Etonian
          [Eto.ni.an] n (ca. 1770): a student or former student of
          Eton College -- Etonian adj

   Eton jacket
          [Eton jacket] n (1881): a short black jacket with long sleeves,
          wide lapels, and an open front

   etouffee
          [etouf.fee] n [LaF, fr. F a l'etouffee braised, fr. fem.
          of etouffer, pp. of etouffer to smother, fr. OF estofer,
          alter. of estoper to plug up--more at estop] (ca. 1933):
          a Cajun stew of shellfish or chicken served over rice

   Etrurian
          [Etru.ri.an] n (1623): etruscan -- Etrurian adj

   [1]Etruscan
          [Etrus.can] adj [L etruscus; akin to L Etruria, ancient country]
          (1706): of, relating to, or characteristic of Etruria,
          the Etruscans, or the Etruscan language [2]Etruscan n
          (1773) 1: the language of the Etruscans which is of unknown
          affiliation 2: a native or inhabitant of ancient Etruria

   et seq
          [et seq] [L et sequens] abbreviation and the following one;
          [L et sequentes (masc. & fem. pl.), or et sequentia (neut.
          pl.)] and the following ones

   et sic de similibus
          [et sic de si.mi.li.bus] [L] foreign term : and so of like
          things

   -ette
          [-ette] n suffix [ME, fr. MF, fem. dim. suffix, fr. OF -ete--more
          at -et] 1: little one <kitchenette> 2: female <farmerette>

   et tu Brute
          [et tu Bru.te] [L] foreign term : thou too, Brutus--exclamation
          attributed to Julius Caesar on seeing his friend Brutus
          among his assassins

   etude
          [etude] n [F, lit., study, fr. MF estude, estudie, fr. OF--more
          at study] (ca. 1837) 1: a piece of music for the practice
          of a point of technique 2: a composition built on a technical
          motive but played for its artistic value

   etui
          [etui] n, pl etuis [F etui] (1611): a small ornamental case

   et ux
          [et ux] [L et uxor] abbreviation and wife

   ETV
          [ETV] abbreviation educational television

   etymologise
          [et.y.mol.o.gise] Brit var of etymologize

   etymologist
          [et.y.mol.o.gist] n (1635): a specialist in etymology

   etymologize
          [et.y.mol.o.gize] vb -gized ; -giz.ing vt (1530): to discover,
          formulate, or state an etymology for ~ vi: to study or
          formulate etymologies

   etymology
          [et.y.mol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [ME ethimologie, fr. L etymologia,
          fr. Gk, fr. etymon + -logia -logy] (14c) 1: the history
          of a linguistic form (as a word) shown by tracing its
          development since its earliest recorded occurrence in
          the language where it is found, by tracing its transmission
          from one language to another, by analyzing it into its
          component parts, by identifying its cognates in other
          languages, or by tracing it and its cognates to a common
          ancestral form in an ancestral language 2: a branch of
          linguistics concerned with etymologies -- et.y.mo.log.i.cal
          adj -- et.y.mo.log.i.cal.ly adv

   etymon
          [et.y.mon] n, pl -ma also -mons [L, fr. Gk, literal meaning
          of a word according to its origin, fr. etymos true; akin
          to Gk eteos true--more at sooth] (ca. 1576) 1 a: an earlier
          form of a word in the same language or an ancestral language
          b: a word in a foreign language that is the source of
          a particular loanword 2: a word or morpheme from which
          words are formed by composition or derivation

   eu...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   eu-
          [eu-] comb form [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr. eu well, fr. neut.
          of eys good; perh. akin to L esse to be] 1 a: well: easily
          <euclase>--compare dys- b: good <eudaemonism>--compare
          dys- 2: true <euchromatin>

   Eu
          [Eu] abbreviation europium

   eucalypt
          [eu.ca.lypt] n (1885): eucalyptus

   eucalyptol
          [eu.ca.lyp.tol] also eu.ca.lyp.tole n (1879): cineole

   eucalyptus
          [eu.ca.lyp.tus] n, pl -ti or -tus.es [NL, genus name, fr.
          eu- + Gk kalyptos covered, fr. kalyptein to conceal;
          fr. the conical covering of the buds--more at hell] (1801):
          any of a genus (Eucalyptus) of mostly Australian evergreen
          trees or rarely shrubs of the myrtle family that have
          rigid entire leaves and umbellate flowers and are widely
          cultivated for their gums, resins, oils, and woods

   eucaryote
          [eu.cary.ote] var of eukaryote

   Eucharist
          [Eu.cha.rist] n [ME eukarist, fr. MF euchariste, fr.
          LL eucharistia, fr. Gk, Eucharist, gratitude, fr. eucharistos
          grateful, fr. eu- + charizesthai to show favor, fr. charis favor,
          grace, gratitude; akin to Gk chairein to rejoice--more at yearn]
          (14c) 1: communion 2a 2 Christian Science: spiritual communion with
          God -- eu.cha.ris.tic adj, often cap

   [1]euchre
          [eu.chre] n [origin unknown] (1841): a card game in which
          each player is dealt five cards and the player making
          trump must take three tricks to win a hand [2]euchre
          vt eu.chred ; eu.chring (1847) 1: to prevent from winning
          three tricks in euchre 2: cheat, trick <euchred out of
          their life savings --Pete Martin>

   euchromatin
          [eu.chro.ma.tin] n [ISV] (1932): the genetically active portion
          of chromatin that is largely composed of genes -- eu.chro.mat.ic
          adj

   euclase
          [eu.clase] n [F, fr. eu- (fr. L) + Gk klasis breaking, fr.
          klan to break] (1804): a mineral that consists of a brittle
          silicate of beryllium and aluminum in pale-yellow, green,
          or blue prismatic crystals and is used esp. as a gemstone

   euclidean
          [eu.clid.e.an] also eu.clid.i.an adj, often cap (1660): of,
          relating to, or based on the geometry of Euclid or a
          geometry with similar axioms

   Euclidean algorithm
          [Euclidean algorithm] n (ca. 1955): a method of finding the
          greatest common divisor of two numbers by dividing the
          larger by the smaller, the smaller by the remainder,
          the first remainder by the second remainder, and so on
          until exact division is obtained whence the greatest
          common divisor is the exact divisor--called also Euclid's
          algorithm

   euclidean geometry
          [euclidean geometry] n, often cap E (ca. 1865) 1: geometry
          based on Euclid's axioms 2: the geometry of a euclidean
          space

   euclidean space
          [euclidean space] n, often cap E (1883): a space in which
          Euclid's axioms and definitions (as of straight and parallel
          lines and angles of plane triangles) apply

   eucrite
          [eu.crite] n [G Eukrit, fr. Gk eukritos easily discerned,
          fr. eu- + kritos separated, fr. krinein to separate--more
          at certain] (ca. 1899) 1: a stony meteorite composed
          essentially of plagioclase and pigeonite 2: a rock consisting
          of a very basic gabbro -- eu.crit.ic adj

   eudaemonism
          [eu.dae.mo.nism] or eu.dai.mo.nism n [Gk eudaimonia happiness,
          fr. eudaimon having a good attendant spirit, happy, fr.
          eu- + daimon spirit--more at demon] (1827): a theory
          that the highest ethical goal is happiness and personal
          well-being -- eu.dae.mo.nist n -- eu.dae.mo.nis.tic adj

   eudiometer
          [eu.di.om.e.ter] n [modif. of It eudiometro, fr. Gk eudia
          fair weather (fr. eu- + -dia weather--akin to L dies
          day) + It -metro -meter, fr. Gk metron measure] (1777):
          an instrument for the volumetric measurement and analysis
          of gases -- eu.dio.met.ric adj -- eu.dio.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv

   eugenic
          [eu.gen.ic] adj [Gk eugenes wellborn, fr. eu- + -genes born--more
          at -gen] (1883) 1: relating to or fitted for the production
          of good offspring 2: of or relating to eugenics -- eu.gen.i.cal.ly
          adv

   eugenicist
          [eu.gen.i.cist] n (ca. 1909): a student or advocate of eugenics

   eugenics
          [eu.gen.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1883): a science
          that deals with the improvement (as by control of human
          mating) of hereditary qualities of a race or breed

   eugenist
          [eu.gen.ist] n (1908): eugenicist

   eugenol
          [eu.ge.nol] n [ISV eugen-, fr. NL Eugenia, genus of tropical
          trees] (1886): a colorless aromatic liquid phenol found
          esp. in clove oil and used commercially in flavors and
          perfumes and in dentistry as an analgesic

   eugeosyncline
          [eu.geo.syn.cline] n (1944): a narrow rapidly subsiding geosyncline
          usu. with volcanic materials mingled with clastic sediments
          -- eu.geo.syn.cli.nal adj

   euglena
          [eu.gle.na] n [NL, genus name, fr. eu- + Gk glene eyeball,
          socket of a joint] (ca. 1889): any of a genus (Euglena)
          of green freshwater flagellates often classed as algae

   euglenoid
          [eu.gle.noid] n (1885): any of a taxon (Euglenoidina
          or Euglenophyta) of varied flagellates (as a euglena) that are
          typically green or colorless stigma-bearing solitary organisms with
          one or two flagella emerging from a well-defined gullet
          -- euglenoid adj

   euglenoid movement
          [euglenoid movement] n (1940): writhing usu. nonprogressive
          protoplasmic movement of plastic-bodied euglenoid flagellates

   euglobulin
          [eu.glob.u.lin] n [ISV] (1904): a simple protein that does
          not dissolve in pure water

   euhemerism
          [eu.he.mer.ism] n [Euhemerus, 4th cent. b.c. Greek mythographer]
          (1846): interpretation of myths as traditional accounts
          of historical persons and events -- eu.he.mer.ist n --
          eu.he.mer.is.tic adj

   eukaryote
          [eu.kary.ote] n [NL Eukaryotes, proposed subdivision of protists,
          fr. eu- + kary- + -otes, pl. n. suffix, fr. Gk -otos--more
          at -otic] (1943): an organism composed of one or more
          cells containing visibly evident nuclei and organelles--compare
          prokaryote -- eu.kary.ot.ic adj

   eulachon
          [eu.la.chon] n, pl eulachon or eulachons [Chinook Jargon
          ulakan] (1807): an anadromous marine food fish (Thaleichthys
          pacificus) of the north Pacific coast related to the
          smelt--called also candlefish

   eulogise
          [eulogise] Brit var of eulogize

   eulogist
          [eu.lo.gist] n (1808): one who eulogizes

   eulogium
          [eu.lo.gi.um] n, pl -gia or -gi.ums [ML] (1621): eulogy

   eulogize
          [eu.lo.gize] vt -gized ; -giz.ing (1810): to speak or write
          in high praise of: extol -- eu.lo.giz.er n

   eulogy
          [eu.lo.gy] n, pl -gies [ME euloge, fr. ML eulogium, fr. Gk
          eulogia praise, fr. eu- + -logia -logy] (15c) 1: a commendatory
          formal statement or set oration 2: high praise syn see
          encomium -- eu.lo.gis.tic adj -- eu.lo.gis.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   Eumenides
          [Eu.men.i.des] n pl [L, fr. Gk, lit., the gracious ones]:
          the Furies in Greek mythology

   eunuch
          [eu.nuch] n [ME eunuk, fr. L eunuchus, fr. Gk eunouchos,
          fr. eune bed + echein to have, have charge of--more at
          scheme] (15c) 1: a castrated man placed in charge of
          a harem or employed as a chamberlain in a palace 2: a
          man or boy deprived of the testes or external genitals
          3: one that lacks virility or power <political ~s> --
          eu.nuch.ism n

   eunuchoid
          [eu.nuch.oid] n (1906): a sexually deficient individual;
          esp: one lacking in sexual differentiation and tending
          toward the intersex state -- eunuchoid adj

   euonymus
          [eu.on.y.mus] n [NL, genus name, fr. L euonymos spindle tree,
          fr. Gk euonymos, fr. euonymos having an auspicious name,
          fr. eu- + onyma name--more at name] (1767): spindle tree

   eupatrid
          [eu.pa.trid] n, pl eu.pat.ri.dae often cap [Gk eupatrides,
          fr. eu- + patr-, pater father--more at father] (1836):
          one of the hereditary aristocrats of ancient Athens

   eupeptic
          [eu.pep.tic] adj (1831) 1: of, relating to, or having good
          digestion 2: cheerful, optimistic

   euphausiid
          [eu.phau.si.id] n [NL Euphausia, genus of crustaceans] (ca.
          1893): any of an order (Euphausiacea) of small usu. luminescent
          malacostracan crustaceans that resemble shrimps and in
          some areas form an important element in marine plankton
          -- euphausiid adj

   euphemise
          [euphemise] Brit var of euphemize

   euphemism
          [eu.phe.mism] n [Gk euphemismos, fr. euphemos auspicious,
          sounding good, fr. eu- + pheme speech, fr. phanai to
          speak--more at ban] (ca. 1681): the substitution of an
          agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may
          offend or suggest something unpleasant; also: the expression
          so substituted -- eu.phe.mist n -- eu.phe.mis.tic adj
          -- eu.phe.mis.ti.cal.ly adv

   euphemize
          [eu.phe.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1857): to express or
          describe euphemistically <~ death> -- eu.phe.miz.er n

   euphenics
          [eu.phen.ics] n pl but sing in constr [eu- + phen- (fr. phenotype)
          + -ics; after E genotype : eugenics] (1963): a science that deals
          with the biological improvement of human beings after birth
          -- eu.phen.ic adj

   euphonious
          [eu.pho.ni.ous] adj (1774): pleasing to the ear -- eu.pho.ni.ous.ly
          adv -- eu.pho.ni.ous.ness n

   euphonium
          [eu.pho.ni.um] n [Gk euphonos + E -ium (as in harmonium)]
          (1865): a brass instrument smaller than but resembling
          a tuba and having a range from B flat below the bass
          staff upward for three octaves

   euphony
          [eu.pho.ny] n, pl -nies [F euphonie, fr. LL euphonia, fr.
          Gk euphonia, fr. euphonos sweet-voiced, musical, fr.
          eu- + phone voice--more at ban] (ca. 1616) 1: pleasing
          or sweet sound; esp: the acoustic effect produced by
          words so formed or combined as to please the ear 2: a
          harmonious succession of words having a pleasing sound
          -- eu.phon.ic adj -- eu.phon.i.cal.ly adv

   euphorbia
          [eu.phor.bia] n [NL, alter. of L euphorbea, fr. Euphorbus,
          1st cent. a.d. Greek physician] (14c): any of a large
          genus (Euphorbia of the family Euphorbiaceae) of plants
          that have a milky juice and flowers lacking a calyx and
          included in an involucre which surrounds a group of several
          staminate flowers and a central pistillate flower with
          3-lobed pistils; broadly: spurge

   euphoria
          [eu.pho.ria] n [NL, fr. Gk, fr. euphoros healthy, fr. eu-
          + pherein to bear--more at bear] (ca. 1751): a feeling
          of well-being or elation -- eu.phor.ic adj -- eu.phor.i.cal.ly
          adv

   euphoriant
          [eu.pho.ri.ant] n (1947): a drug that tends to induce euphoria
          -- euphoriant adj

   euphotic
          [eu.pho.tic] adj [ISV] (1909): of, relating to, or constituting
          the upper layers of a body of water into which sufficient
          light penetrates to permit growth of green plants

   Euphrosyne
          [Eu.phros.y.ne] n [L, fr. Gk Euphrosyne]: one of the three
          Graces

   euphuism
          [eu.phu.ism] n [Euphues, character in prose romances by John
          Lyly] (1592) 1: an elegant Elizabethan literary style
          marked by excessive use of balance, antithesis, and alliteration
          and by frequent use of similes drawn from mythology and
          nature 2: artificial elegance of language -- eu.phu.ist
          n -- eu.phu.is.tic adj -- eu.phu.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   euploid
          [eu.ploid] adj [ISV] (1926): having a chromosome number that
          is an exact multiple of the monoploid number--compare
          aneuploid -- euploid n -- eu.ploi.dy n

   eupnea
          [eup.nea] also eup.noea n [NL, fr. Gk eupnoia, fr. eupnous
          breathing freely, fr. eu- + pnein to breathe--more at
          sneeze] (ca. 1706): normal respiration -- eup.ne.ic adj

   Eur-
          [Eur-] or Euro- comb form [Europe]: European and <Euramerican>:
          European <Eurocentric>: western European <Eurocommunism>:
          of the European Communities <Eurocrat>

   Eur
          [Eur] abbreviation Europe, European

   Euramerican
          [Eur.amer.i.can] or Eu.ro-Amer.i.can adj (1941): common to
          Europe and America

   Eurasian
          [Eur.asian] adj (1844) 1: of a mixed European and Asian origin
          2: of or relating to Europe and Asia -- Eurasian n

   eureka
          [eu.re.ka] interj [Gk heureka I have found, fr. heuriskein
          to find; fr. the exclamation attributed to Archimedes
          on discovering a method for determining the purity of
          gold--more at heuristic] (1603)--used to express triumph
          on a discovery

   eureka
          [eu.re.ka] [Gk] foreign term : I have found it--motto of
          California

   euro
          [eu.ro] n, pl euros [Adnyamadhanha (Australian aboriginal
          language of South Australia) yuru] (1855): wallaroo

   Eurobond
          [Eu.ro.bond] n (1966): a bond of a U.S. corporation that
          is sold outside the U.S. and that is denominated and
          paid for in dollars and yields interest in dollars

   Eurocentric
          [Eu.ro.cen.tric] adj (1963): centered on Europe or the Europeans;
          esp: reflecting a tendency to interpret the world in
          terms of western and esp. European values and experiences
          -- Eu.ro.cen.trism n

   Eurocommunism
          [Eu.ro.com.mu.nism] n (1976): the communism esp. of western
          European Communist parties that is marked by a willingness
          to reach power through coalitions and by independence
          from Soviet leadership -- Eu.ro.com.mu.nist n or adj

   Eurocrat
          [Eu.ro.crat] n (1961): a staff member of the administrative
          commission of the European Communities

   Eurocurrency
          [Eu.ro.cur.ren.cy] n (1963): moneys (as of the U.S. and Japan)
          held outside their countries of origin and used in the
          money markets of Europe

   Eurodollar
          [Eu.ro.dol.lar] n (1960): a U.S. dollar held as Eurocurrency

   Europa
          [Eu.ro.pa] n [L, fr. Gk Europe]: a Phoenician princess carried
          off by Zeus in the form of a white bull and by him mother
          of Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Sarpedon

   [1]European
          [Eu.ro.pe.an] adj (1603): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the continent of Europe or its people -- Eu.ro.pe.an.iza.tion
          n -- Eu.ro.pe.an.ize vt [2]European n (1632) 1: a native
          or inhabitant of Europe 2: a person of European descent

   European bison
          [European bison] n (1860): wisent

   European chafer
          [European chafer] n (1947): an Old World beetle (Rhizotragus
          majalis syn. Amphimallon majalis) established in parts
          of eastern No. America where its larva is a destructive
          pest on the roots of turf grasses

   European corn borer
          [European corn borer] n (1920): an Old World moth (Ostrinia
          nubilalis) that is widespread in eastern No. America
          where its larva is a major pest esp. in the stems and
          crowns of Indian corn, dahlias, and potatoes

   European plan
          [European plan] n (1834): a hotel plan whereby the daily
          rates cover only the cost of the room--compare american
          plan

   European red mite
          [European red mite] n (1940): a small bright or brownish
          red oval mite (Panonychus ulmi) that is a destructive
          orchard pest

   europium
          [eu.ro.pi.um] n [NL, fr. Europa Europe] (1901): a bivalent
          and trivalent metallic element of the rare-earth group
          found in monazite sand

   Europocentric
          [Eu.ro.po.cen.tric] adj (1926): eurocentric -- Eu.ro.po.cen.trism
          n

   eury-
          [eury-] comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. eurys; akin to Skt uru
          broad, wide]: broad: wide <euryhaline>

   eurybathic
          [eu.ry.bath.ic] adj [eury- + Gk bathos depth] (1902): capable
          of living on the bottom in both deep and shallow water

   Eurydice
          [Eu.ryd.i.ce] n [L, fr. Gk Eurydike]: the wife of Orpheus
          whom he attempts to bring back from Hades

   euryhaline
          [eu.ry.ha.line] adj [ISV eury- + Gk halinos of salt, fr.
          hals salt--more at salt] (1888): able to live in waters
          of a wide range of salinity <~ crabs>

   eurypterid
          [eu.ryp.ter.id] n [ultim. fr. Gk eury- + pteron wing--more
          at feather] (1871): any of an order (Eurypterida) of
          usu. large aquatic Paleozoic arthropods related to the
          horseshoe crabs -- eurypterid adj

   eurythermal
          [eu.ry.ther.mal] adj [ISV] (1881): tolerating a wide range
          of temperature <~ animals>

   eurythermic
          [eu.ry.ther.mic] adj [ISV] (1903): eurythermal

   eurythermous
          [eu.ry.ther.mous] adj [ISV] (1940): eurythermal

   eurythmic
          [eu.ryth.mic] or eu.rhyth.mic adj (1921) 1: harmonious 2:
          of or relating to eurythmy or eurythmics

   eurythmics
          [eu.ryth.mics] or eu.rhyth.mics n pl but sing or pl in constr
          (1912): the art of harmonious bodily movement esp. through
          expressive timed movements in response to improvised
          music

   eurythmy
          [eu.ryth.my] or eu.rhyth.my n [G Eurhythmie, fr. L eurythmia
          rhythmical movement, fr. Gk, fr. eurythmos rhythmical,
          fr. eu- + rhythmos rhythm] (1949): a system of harmonious
          body movement to the rhythm of spoken words

   eurytopic
          [eu.ry.top.ic] adj [ISV eury- + Gk topos place] (ca. 1945):
          tolerant of wide variation in one or more physical factors
          of the environment

   eustachian tube
          [eu.sta.chian tube] n, often cap E [Bartolommeo Eustachio]
          (1741): a bony and cartilaginous tube connecting the
          middle ear with the nasopharynx and equalizing air pressure
          on both sides of the tympanic membrane--called also auditory
          tube--see ear illustration

   eustatic
          [eu.stat.ic] adj [ISV] (1906): relating to or characterized
          by worldwide change of sea level

   eustele
          [eu.stele] n (ca. 1920): a stele typical of dicotyledonous
          plants that consists of vascular bundles of xylem and
          phloem strands with parenchymal cells between the bundles

   eutectic
          [eu.tec.tic] adj [Gk eutektos easily melted, fr. eu- + tektos
          melted, fr. tekein to melt--more at thaw] (1884) 1 of
          an alloy or solution: having the lowest melting point
          possible 2: of or relating to a eutectic alloy or solution
          or its melting or freezing point -- eutectic n -- eu.tec.toid
          adj or n

   Euterpe
          [Eu.ter.pe] n [L, fr. Gk Euterpe]: the Greek Muse of music

   euthanasia
          [eu.tha.na.sia] n [Gk, easy death, fr. euthanatos, fr. eu-
          + thanatos death--more at thanatos] (1869): the act or
          practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly
          sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals)
          in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy --
          eu.tha.na.sic adj

   euthanatize
          [eu.than.a.tize] also eu.tha.nize vt -tized also -nized ;
          -tiz.ing also -niz.ing [Gk euthanatos] (1873): to subject
          to euthanasia

   euthenics
          [eu.then.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [Gk euthenein
          to thrive, fr. eu- + -thenein] (1905): a science that
          deals with development of human well-being by improvement
          of living conditions -- eu.the.nist n

   eutherian
          [eu.the.ri.an] adj [ultim. fr. NL eu- + Gk therion beast--more
          at treacle] (1880): of or relating to a major division
          (Eutheria) of mammals comprising the placental mammals
          -- eutherian n

   euthyroid
          [eu.thy.roid] adj (1924): characterized by normal thyroid
          function

   eutrophic
          [eu.tro.phic] adj [prob. fr. G Eutroph eutrophic, fr. Gk
          eutrophos well-nourished, nourishing, fr. eu- + trephein
          to nourish] (1928) of a body of water: characterized
          by the state resulting from eutrophication--compare mesotrophic,
          oligotrophic -- eu.tro.phy n

   eutrophication
          [eu.tro.phi.ca.tion] n (1946): the process by which a body
          of water becomes enriched in dissolved nutrients (as
          phosphates) that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant
          life usu. resulting in the depletion of dissolved oxygen

   ev...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   eV
          [eV] abbreviation electron volt

   EVA
          [EVA] abbreviation extravehicular activity

   evacuate
          [evac.u.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME, to draw off morbid
          humors, fr. L evacuatus, pp. of evacuare to empty, fr.
          e- + vacuus empty] vt (15c) 1: to remove the contents
          of: empty 2: to discharge from the body as waste: void
          3: to remove something (as gas or water) from esp. by
          pumping 4 a: to remove esp. from a military zone or dangerous
          area b: to withdraw from military occupation of c: vacate
          <were ordered to ~ the building> ~ vi 1: to withdraw
          from a place in an organized way esp. for protection
          2: to pass urine or feces from the body -- evac.u.a.tive
          adj

   evacuation
          [evac.u.a.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or process of evacuating
          2: something evacuated or discharged

   evacuee
          [evac.u.ee] n (1918): an evacuated person

   evade
          [evade] vb evad.ed ; evad.ing [MF & L; MF evader, fr. L evadere,
          fr. e- + vadere to go, walk--more at wade] vi (1513)
          1: to slip away 2: to take refuge in evasion ~ vt 1:
          to elude by dexterity or stratagem 2 a: to avoid facing
          up to <evaded the real issues> b: to avoid the performance
          of: dodge, circumvent; esp: to fail to pay (taxes) c:
          to avoid answering directly: turn aside 3: to be elusive
          to: baffle <the simple, personal meaning evaded them
          --C. D. Lewis> syn see escape -- evad.able adj -- evad.er
          n

   evagination
          [evag.i.na.tion] n [LL evagination-, evaginatio, act
          of unsheathing, fr. L evaginatus, pp. of evaginare to unsheathe,
          fr. e- + vagina sheath] (ca. 1676) 1: an act or instance
          of everting 2: a product of eversion: outgrowth

   eval
          [eval] abbreviation evaluation

   evaluate
          [eval.u.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [back-formation fr. evaluation]
          (1842) 1: to determine or fix the value of 2: to determine
          the significance, worth, or condition of usu. by careful
          appraisal and study syn see estimate -- eval.u.a.tion
          n -- eval.u.a.tive adj -- eval.u.a.tor n

   evanesce
          [ev.a.nesce] vi -nesced ; -nesc.ing [L evanescere--more at
          vanish] (1822): to dissipate like vapor

   evanescence
          [ev.a.nes.cence] n (1751) 1: the process or fact of evanescing
          2: evanescent quality

   evanescent
          [ev.a.nes.cent] adj [L evanescent-, evanescens, prp. of evanescere]
          (1717): tending to vanish like vapor syn see transient

   [1]evangel
          [evan.gel] n [ME evangile, fr. MF, fr. LL evangelium, fr.
          Gk euangelion good news, gospel, fr. euangelos bringing
          good news, fr. eu- + angelos messenger] (14c): gospel
          [2]evangel n (1614): evangelist

   evangelical
          [evan.gel.i.cal] also evan.gel.ic adj (1531) 1: of, relating
          to, or being in agreement with the Christian gospel esp.
          as it is presented in the four Gospels 2: protestant
          3: emphasizing salvation by faith in the atoning death
          of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, the authority
          of Scripture, and the importance of preaching as contrasted
          with ritual 4 a cap: of or relating to the Evangelical
          Church in Germany b often cap: of, adhering to, or marked
          by fundamentalism: fundamentalist c often cap: low church
          5: marked by militant or crusading zeal: evangelistic
          <the ~ ardor of the movement's leaders --Amos Vogel>
          -- Evan.gel.i.cal.ism n -- evan.gel.i.cal.ly adv Evangelical
          n (1532): one holding evangelical principles or belonging
          to an evangelical party or church

   evangelism
          [evan.ge.lism] n (ca. 1626) 1: the winning or revival of
          personal commitments to Christ 2: militant or crusading
          zeal -- evan.ge.lis.tic adj -- evan.ge.lis.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   evangelist
          [evan.ge.list] n (13c) 1 often cap: a writer of any of the
          four Gospels 2: a person who evangelizes; specif: a Protestant
          minister or layman who preaches at special services

   evangelize
          [evan.ge.lize] vb -lized ; -liz.ing vt (14c) 1: to preach
          the gospel to 2: to convert to Christianity ~ vi: to
          preach the gospel -- evan.ge.li.za.tion n

   evap
          [evap] abbreviation evaporate

   evaporate
          [evap.o.rate] vb -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [ME, fr. L evaporatus,
          pp. of evaporare, fr. e- + vapor steam, vapor] vt (15c)
          1 a: to convert into vapor; also: to dissipate or draw
          off in vapor or fumes b: to deposit (as a metal) in the
          form of a film by sublimation 2 a: to expel moisture
          from b: expel <~ electrons from a hot wire> ~ vi 1 a:
          to pass off in vapor or in invisible minute particles
          b (1): to pass off or away: disappear <my despair evaporated
          --J. F. Wharton> (2): to diminish quickly 2: to give
          forth vapor -- evap.o.ra.tion n -- evap.o.ra.tive adj
          -- evap.o.ra.tor n

   evaporated milk
          [evaporated milk] n (1870): unsweetened milk concentrated
          by partial evaporation

   evaporite
          [evap.o.rite] n [evaporation + [1]-ite] (1924): a sedimentary
          rock (as gypsum) that originates by evaporation of seawater
          in an enclosed basin -- evap.o.rit.ic adj

   evapotranspiration
          [evapo.trans.pi.ra.tion] n [evaporation + transpiration]
          (1938): loss of water from the soil both by evaporation
          and by transpiration from the plants growing thereon

   evasion
          [eva.sion] n [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr. LL evasion-, evasio,
          fr. L evadere to evade] (15c) 1: a means of evading:
          dodge 2: the act or an instance of evading: escape <suspected
          of tax ~>

   evasive
          [eva.sive] adj (1725): tending or intended to evade: equivocal
          <~ answers> -- eva.sive.ly adv -- eva.sive.ness n

   eve
          [eve] n [ME eve, even] (13c) 1: evening 2: the evening or
          the day before a special day 3: the period immediately
          preceding Eve n [OE Efe, fr. LL Eva, fr. Heb Hawwah]:
          the first woman and wife of Adam

   [1]even
          [even] n [ME even, eve, fr. OE aefen] (bef. 12c) archaic:
          evening [2]even adj [ME, fr. OE efen; akin to OHG eban
          even] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having a horizontal surface: flat
          <~ ground> b: being without break, indentation, or irregularity:
          smooth c: being in the same plane or line 2 a: free from
          variation: uniform <his disposition was ~> b: level 4
          3 a: equal, fair <an ~ exchange> b (1): leaving nothing
          due on either side: square <w e will not be ~ until you
          repay my visit> (2): fully revenged c: being in equilibrium:
          balanced; specif: showing neither profit nor loss d obs:
          candid 4 a: being one of the sequence of natural numbers
          beginning with two and counting by twos that are exactly
          divisible by two b: marked by an even number c: being
          a mathematical function such that f(x) = f(-x) where
          the value remains unchanged if the sign of the independent
          variable is reversed 5: exact, precise <an ~ dollar>
          6: as likely as not: fifty-fifty <an ~ chance of winning>
          syn see level, steady -- even.ly adv -- even.ness n --
          on an even keel also on even keel : in a sound or stable
          condition [3]even adv [ME, fr. OE efne, fr. efen, adj.]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: exactly, precisely b: to a degree that
          extends: fully, quite <faithful ~ unto death> c: at the
          very time 2 a--used as an intensive to emphasize the
          identity or character of something <he looked content,
          ~ happy> b--used as an intensive to stress an extreme
          or highly unlikely condition or instance <so simple ~
          a child can do it> c--used as an intensive to stress
          the comparative degree <he did ~ better> d--used as an
          intensive to indicate a small or minimum amount <didn't
          ~ try> [4]even vb evened ; even.ing vt (13c): to make
          even ~ vi: to become even -- even.er n

   evenfall
          [even.fall] n (1814): the beginning of evening: dusk

   evenhanded
          [even.hand.ed] adj (1605): fair, impartial -- even.hand.ed.ly
          adv -- even.hand.ed.ness n

   [1]evening
          [eve.ning] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE aefnung, fr. aefnian
          to grow toward evening, fr. aefen evening; akin to OHG
          aband evening and perh. to Gk epi on] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          the latter part and close of the day and early part of
          the night b chiefly Southern & Midland: afternoon c:
          the period from sunset or the evening meal to bedtime
          2: the latter portion 3: the period of an evening's entertainment
          [2]evening adj (1797): suitable for formal or semiformal
          evening social occasions <~ dress> <~ clothes>

   evening prayer
          [evening prayer] n, often cap E&P (1598): the daily evening
          office of the Anglican liturgy

   evening primrose
          [evening primrose] n (1806): any of several dicotyledonous
          plants of a family (Onagraceae, the evening-primrose
          family) and esp. of the type genus (Oenothera); esp:
          a coarse biennial herb (O. biennis) with yellow flowers
          that open in the evening

   evenings
          [eve.nings] adv (1652): in the evening repeatedly: on any
          evening <goes bowling ~>

   evening star
          [evening star] n (1535) 1: a bright planet (as Venus) seen
          esp. in the western sky at or after sunset 2: a planet
          that rises before midnight

   even money
          [even money] n (1891): a situation in wagering in which the
          odds are even

   even permutation
          [even permutation] n (ca. 1932): a permutation that is produced
          by the successive application of an even number of interchanges
          of pairs of elements

   even so
          [even so] adv (1948): in spite of that: nevertheless

   evensong
          [even.song] n, often cap [ME, fr. OE aefensang, fr. aefen
          evening + sang song] (bef. 12c) 1: vespers 1 2: evening
          prayer

   event
          [event] n [MF or L; MF, fr. L eventus, fr. evenire to happen,
          fr. e- + venire to come--more at come] (1573) 1 a archaic:
          outcome b: the final outcome or determination of a legal
          action c: a postulated outcome, condition, or eventuality
          <in the ~ that I am not there, call the house> 2 a: something
          that happens: occurrence b: a noteworthy happening c:
          a social occasion or activity 3: any of the contests
          in a program of sports 4: the fundamental entity of observed
          physical reality represented by a point designated by
          three coordinates of place and one of time in the space-time
          continuum postulated by the theory of relativity 5: a
          subset of the possible outcomes of an experiment syn
          see occurrence -- event.less adj -- at all events : in
          any case -- in any event : in any case -- in the event
          Brit: as it turns out

   eventful
          [event.ful] adj (1600) 1: full of or rich in events 2: momentous
          -- event.ful.ly adv -- event.ful.ness n

   event horizon
          [event horizon] n (1969): the surface of a black hole: the
          boundary of a black hole at which the escape velocity
          equals the speed of light and beyond which nothing can
          escape from within it

   eventide
          [even.tide] n (bef. 12c): the time of evening: evening

   eventual
          [even.tu.al] adj (1683) 1 archaic: contingent, conditional
          2: taking place at an unspecified later time: ultimately
          resulting <they counted on our ~ success> syn see last

   eventuality
          [even.tu.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1759): a possible event or
          outcome: possibility

   eventually
          [even.tu.al.ly] adv (1680): at an unspecified later time:
          in the end

   eventuate
          [even.tu.ate] vi -at.ed ; -at.ing (1789): to come out finally:
          result, come about

   ever
          [ev.er] adv [ME, fr. OE aefre] (bef. 12c) 1: always <~ striving
          to improve> <the ever-increasing population> 2 a: at
          any time <more than ~ before> b: in any way <how can
          I ~ thank you> 3--used as an intensive <looks ~ so angry>
          <am I ~ happy to see you>

   everblooming
          [ev.er.bloom.ing] adj (ca. 1891): blooming more or less
          continuously throughout the growing season

   everduring
          [ev.er.dur.ing] adj (15c) archaic: everlasting

   everglade
          [ev.er.glade] n [the Everglades, Fla.] (1823): a swampy grassland
          esp. in southern Florida usu. containing saw grass and
          at least seasonally covered by slowly moving water--usu.
          used in pl.

   [1]evergreen
          [ev.er.green] n (1644) 1: an evergreen plant; also: conifer
          2 pl: twigs and branches of evergreen plants used for
          decoration 3: something that retains its freshness, interest,
          or popularity [2]evergreen adj (1671) 1: having foliage
          that remains green and functional through more than one
          growing season--compare deciduous 1 2: retaining freshness
          or interest: perennial

   evergreen oak
          [evergreen oak] n (ca. 1682): any of various oaks (as a live
          oak, a holm oak, or a tan oak) with foliage that persists
          for two years so that the plant is more or less continuously
          green

   [1]everlasting
          [ev.er.last.ing] adj (13c) 1: lasting or enduring through
          all time: eternal 2 a (1): continuing long or indefinitely
          (2): having or being flowers or foliage that retain form
          or color for a long time when dried b: tediously persistent
          <the ~ sympathy-seeker who demands attention --H. A.
          Overstreet> 3: wearing indefinitely -- ev.er.last.ing.ly
          adv -- ev.er.last.ing.ness n [2]everlasting n (14c) 1:
          eternity <from ~> 2 cap: god 1--used with the 3 a: any
          of several chiefly composite plants (as cudweed) with
          flowers that can be dried without loss of form or color--compare
          pearly everlasting b: the flower of an everlasting

   evermore
          [ev.er.more] adv (13c) 1: forever, always 2: in the future

   eversion
          [ever.sion] n (1751) 1: the act of turning inside out: the
          state of being turned inside out <~ of the bladder> 2:
          the condition (as of the foot) of being turned or rotated
          outward -- ever.si.ble adj

   evert
          [evert] vt [L evertere, fr. e- + vertere to turn--more at
          worth] (1538) 1: overthrow, upset 2: to subject to eversion

   every
          [ev.ery] adj [ME everich, every, fr. OE aefre aelc, fr. aefre
          ever + aelc each] (bef. 12c) 1 a: being each individual
          or part of a group without exception b: being each in
          a series or succession <~ few days> 2 obs: being all
          taken severally 3: being each within a range of possibilities
          <was given ~ chance> 4: complete, entire <we have ~ confidence
          in her> -- every now and then or every now and again
          or every so often : at intervals: occasionally

   everybody
          [ev.ery.body] pron (1530): every person: everyone

   everyday
          [ev.ery.day] adj (ca. 1623): encountered or used routinely
          or typically: ordinary <~ clothes> -- ev.ery.day.ness
          n

   everyman
          [ev.ery.man] n, often cap [Everyman, allegorical character
          in The Summoning of Everyman, 15th cent. Eng. morality
          play] (1906): the typical or ordinary person

   everyone
          [ev.ery.one] pron (13c): everybody

   everyplace
          [ev.ery.place] adv (ca. 1917): everywhere

   everything
          [ev.ery.thing] pron (14c) 1 a: all that exists b: all that
          relates to the subject 2: all that is important <you
          mean ~ to me> 3: all sorts of other things--used to indicate
          related but unspecified events, facts, or conditions
          <all the pains and colds and ~ --E. B. White>

   everywhere
          [ev.ery.where] adv (13c): in every place or part

   every which way
          [every which way] adv [prob. by folk etymology fr. ME everich
          way every way] (1824) 1: in every direction 2: in a disorderly
          manner: irregularly <toys scattered about every which
          way>

   everywoman
          [ev.ery.wom.an] n, often cap [after everyman] (1945): the
          typical or ordinary woman

   evg
          [evg] abbreviation evening

   evict
          [evict] vt [ME, fr. LL evictus, pp. of evincere, fr. L, to
          vanquish, win a point--more at evince] (15c) 1 a: to
          recover (property) from a person by legal process b:
          to put (a tenant) out by legal process 2: to force out:
          expel syn see eject -- evic.tion n -- evic.tor n

   evictee
          [evict.ee] n (1879): an evicted person

   [1]evidence
          [ev.i.dence] n (14c) 1 a: an outward sign: indication b:
          something that furnishes proof: testimony; specif: something
          legally submitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth
          of a matter 2: one who bears witness; esp: one who voluntarily
          confesses a crime and testifies for the prosecution against
          his accomplices -- in evidence 1: to be seen: conspicuous
          <trim lawns ... are everywhere in evidence --Amer. Guide
          Series: N.C.> 2: as evidence [2]evidence vt -denced ;
          -denc.ing (ca. 1610): to offer evidence of: prove, evince
          syn see show

   evident
          [ev.i.dent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L evident-, evidens, fr.
          e- + vident-, videns, prp. of videre to see--more at
          wit] (14c): clear to the vision or understanding syn
          evident, manifest, patent, distinct, obvious, apparent,
          plain, clear mean readily perceived or apprehended. evident
          implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a
          definite conclusion <an evident fondness for sweets>.
          manifest implies an external display so evident that
          little or no inference is required <manifest hostility>.
          patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature
          that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been
          directed to it <patent defects>. distinct implies such
          sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort
          to see or hear or comprehend is required <a distinct
          refusal>. obvious implies such ease in discovering that
          it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for
          perspicacity in the observer <the obvious solution>.
          apparent is very close to evident except that it may
          imply more conscious exercise of inference <for no apparent
          reason>. plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity,
          or elaboration <her feelings about him are plain>. clear
          implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind
          or obscures the pattern <a clear explanation>.

   evidential
          [ev.i.den.tial] adj (1641): evidentiary 1 -- ev.i.den.tial.ly
          adv

   evidentiary
          [ev.i.den.tia.ry] adj (1810) 1: being, relating to, or affording
          evidence <photographs of ~ value> 2: conducted so that
          evidence may be presented <an ~ hearing>

   evidently
          [ev.i.dent.ly] adv (1690) 1: in an evident manner: clearly,
          obviously <any style ... so ~ bad or second-rate --T.
          S. Eliot> 2: on the basis of available evidence <he was
          born ... ~ in Texas --Robert Coughlan>

   [1]evil
          [evil] adj evil.er or evil.ler ; evil.est or evil.lest [ME,
          fr. OE yfel; akin to OHG ubil evil] (bef. 12c) 1 a: morally
          reprehensible: sinful, wicked <an ~ impulse> b: arising
          from actual or imputed bad character or conduct <a man
          of ~ reputation> 2 a archaic: inferior b: causing discomfort
          or repulsion: offensive <an ~ odor> c: disagreeable <woke
          late and in an ~ temper> 3 a: causing harm: pernicious
          <the ~ institution of slavery> b: marked by misfortune:
          unlucky -- evil adv, archaic -- evil.ly adv -- evil.ness
          n [2]evil n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the fact of suffering, misfortune,
          and wrongdoing b: a cosmic evil force 2: something that
          brings sorrow, distress, or calamity

   evildoer
          [evil.do.er] n (14c): one who does evil

   evildoing
          [evil.do.ing] n (14c): the act or action of doing evil

   evil eye
          [evil eye] n (bef. 12c): an eye or glance held capable of
          inflicting harm; also: a person believed to have such
          an eye or glance

   evil-minded
          [evil-mind.ed] adj (1531): having an evil disposition or
          evil thoughts -- evil-mind.ed.ly adv -- evil-mind.ed.ness
          n

   evince
          [evince] vt evinced ; evinc.ing [L evincere to vanquish,
          win a point, fr. e- + vincere to conquer--more at victor]
          (1621) 1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display
          clearly: reveal syn see show -- evinc.ible adj

   eviscerate
          [evis.cer.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L evisceratus, pp. of
          eviscerare, fr. e- + viscera viscera] vt (1621) 1 a:
          to take out the entrails of: disembowel b: to deprive
          of vital content or force 2: to remove an organ from
          (a patient) or the contents of (an organ) ~ vi: to protrude
          through a surgical incision or suffer protrusion of a
          part through an incision -- evis.cer.a.tion n

   evitable
          [ev.i.ta.ble] adj [L evitabilis, fr. evitare to avoid, fr.
          e- + vitare to shun] (1502): capable of being avoided

   evocable
          [evo.ca.ble] adj (1886): capable of being evoked

   evocation
          [evo.ca.tion] n [L evocation-, evocatio, fr. evocare] (1633)
          1: the act or fact of evoking: summoning: as a: the summoning
          of a spirit b: imaginative recreation <an ~ of the past>
          2: induction 4e -- evo.ca.tor n

   evocative
          [evoc.a.tive] adj (1657): evoking or tending to evoke an
          esp. emotional response <settings ... so ~ that they
          bring tears to the eyes --Eric Malpass> -- evoc.a.tive.ly
          adv -- evoc.a.tive.ness n

   evoke
          [evoke] vt evoked ; evok.ing [F evoquer, fr. L evocare, fr.
          e- + vocare to call--more at vocation] (ca. 1626) 1:
          to call forth or up: as a: conjure 2a <~ evil spirits>
          b: to cite esp. with approval or for support: invoke
          c: to bring to mind or recollection <this place ~s memories>
          2: to recreate imaginatively syn see educe

   evolute
          [evo.lute] n (ca. 1736): the locus of the center of curvature
          or the envelope of the normals of a curve

   evolution
          [evo.lu.tion] n [L evolution-, evolutio unrolling, fr. evolvere]
          (1622) 1: one of a set of prescribed movements 2 a: a
          process of change in a certain direction: unfolding b:
          the action or an instance of forming and giving something
          off: emission c (1): a process of continuous change from
          a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex,
          or better state: growth (2): a process of gradual and
          relatively peaceful social, political, and economic advance
          d: something evolved 3: the process of working out or
          developing 4 a: the historical development of a biological
          group (as a race or species): phylogeny b: a theory that
          the various types of animals and plants have their origin
          in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable
          differences are due to modifications in successive generations
          5: the extraction of a mathematical root 6: a process
          in which the whole universe is a progression of interrelated
          phenomena -- evo.lu.tion.ari.ly adv -- evo.lu.tion.ary
          adj -- evo.lu.tion.ism n -- evo.lu.tion.ist n or adj

   evolve
          [evolve] vb evolved ; evolv.ing [L evolvere to unroll, fr.
          e- + volvere to roll--more at voluble] vt (1641) 1: emit
          2 a: derive, educe b: to produce by natural evolutionary
          processes c: develop, work out <~ social, political,
          and literary philosophies --L. W. Doob> ~ vi: to undergo
          evolutionary change -- evolv.able adj -- evolve.ment
          n

   evulsion
          [evul.sion] n [L evulsion-, evulsio, fr. evellere to pluck
          out, fr. e- + vellere to pluck--more at vulnerable] (ca.
          1611): extraction

   evzone
          [ev.zone] n [NGk euzonos, fr. Gk, active, lit., well girt,
          fr. eu- + zone girdle--more at zone] (1897): a member
          of a select Greek infantry unit often serving as a palace
          guard

   ew...
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   EW
          [EW] abbreviation enlisted woman

   ewe
          [ewe] n [ME, fr. OE eowu; akin to OHG ouwi ewe, L ovis sheep,
          Gk ois] (bef. 12c): the female of the sheep esp. when
          mature; also: the female of various related animals Ewe
          n, pl Ewe also Ewes (1861): a people of Ghana and Togo
          speaking a Kwa language; also: the language itself

   ewe-neck
          [ewe-neck] n (1820): a thin neck with a concave arch occurring
          as a defect in dogs and horses -- ewe-necked adj

   ewer
          [ew.er] n [ME, fr. AF, fr. OF evier, fr. L aquarium water
          source, neut. of aquarius of water, fr. aqua water--more
          at island] (14c): a vase-shaped pitcher or jug

   Ewig-Weibliche
          [Ewig-Weib.li.che] [G] foreign term : eternal feminine

   Ewing's sarcoma
          [Ew.ing's sarcoma] n [James Ewing d. 1943 Am. pathologist]
          (1951): a tumor that invades the shaft of a long bone
          and that tends to recur but rarely metastasizes

   ex...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]ex
          [ex] prep [L] (ca. 1755) 1: out of: from: as a: from a specified
          place or source b: from a specified dam <a promising
          calf by Eric XVI ~ Heatherbell> 2: free from: without:
          as a: without an indicated value or right--used esp.
          of securities b: free of charges precedent to removal
          from the specified place with purchaser to provide means
          of subsequent transportation <~ dock> [2]ex n [[1]ex-]
          (1827): one that formerly held a specified position or
          place; esp: a former spouse [3]ex n (ca. 1889): the letter
          x

   [1]ex-
          [ex-] prefix [ME, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L (also, prefix with
          perfective and causative value), fr. ex out of, from;
          akin to Gk ex, ex- out of, from OCS iz] 1: out of: outside
          <exclave> 2: not <exstipulate> 3 [ME, fr. LL, fr. L]:
          former <ex-president> [2]ex- --see exo-

   ex
          [ex] abbreviation example, exchange, executive, express,
          extra  Ex abbreviation Exodus

   exacerbate
          [ex.ac.er.bate] vt -bat.ed ; -bat.ing [L exacerbatus, pp.
          of exacerbare, fr. ex- + acerbus harsh, bitter, fr. acer
          sharp--more at edge] (1660): to make more violent, bitter,
          or severe <the proposed shutdown ... would ~ unemployment
          problems --Science> -- ex.ac.er.ba.tion n

   [1]exact
          [ex.act] vt [ME, to require as payment, fr. L exactus, pp.
          of exigere to drive out, demand, measure, fr. ex- + agere
          to drive--more at agent] (1564) 1: to call for forcibly
          or urgently and obtain: press for <from them has been
          ~ed the ultimate sacrifice --D. D. Eisenhower> 2: to
          call for as necessary or desirable syn see demand --
          ex.act.able adj -- ex.ac.tor also ex.act.er n [2]exact
          adj [L exactus] (1533) 1: exhibiting or marked by strict,
          particular, and complete accordance with fact or a standard
          2: marked by thorough consideration or minute measurement
          of small factual details syn see correct -- ex.act.ness
          n

   exacta
          [ex.ac.ta] n [AmerSp (quiniela) exacta exact quiniela] (1964):
          perfecta

   exact differential
          [exact differential] n (1825): a differential expression
          derived from a function of n variables and consisting
          of the sum of n terms each of which consists of a product
          with two parts of which the first is the partial derivative
          of the function with respect to one of the variables
          and the second is the differential of this variable

   exacting
          [ex.act.ing] adj (1634) 1: tryingly or unremittingly severe
          in making demands 2: requiring careful attention and
          precision syn see onerous -- ex.act.ing.ly adv -- ex.act.ing.ness
          n

   exaction
          [ex.ac.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act or process of exacting
          b: extortion 2: something exacted; esp: a fee, reward,
          or contribution demanded or levied with severity or injustice

   exactitude
          [ex.ac.ti.tude] n (1734): the quality or an instance of being
          exact: exactness

   exactly
          [ex.act.ly] adv (1612) 1 a: in a manner or measure or to
          a degree or number that strictly conforms to a fact or
          condition <it's ~ 3 o'clock> <these two pieces are ~
          the same size> b: in every respect: altogether, entirely
          <that was ~ the wrong thing to do> <not ~ what I had
          in mind> 2: quite so--used to express agreement

   exact science
          [exact science] n (1843): a science (as physics, chemistry,
          or astronomy) whose laws are capable of accurate quantitative
          expression

   exaggerate
          [ex.ag.ger.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L exaggeratus, pp. of
          exaggerare, lit., to heap up, fr. ex- + agger heap, fr.
          aggerere to carry toward, fr. ad- + gerere to carry]
          vt (ca. 1587) 1: to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth:
          overstate <a friend ~s a man's virtues --Joseph Addison>
          2: to enlarge or increase esp. beyond the normal: overemphasize
          ~ vi: to make an overstatement -- ex.ag.ger.at.ed.ly
          adv -- ex.ag.ger.at.ed.ness n -- ex.ag.ger.a.tion n --
          ex.ag.ger.a.tive adj -- ex.ag.ger.a.tor n -- ex.ag.ger.a.to.ry
          adj

   exalt
          [ex.alt] vb [ME, fr. MF & L; MF exalter, fr. L exaltare,
          fr. ex- + altus high--more at old] vt (15c) 1: to raise
          in rank, power, or character 2: to elevate by praise
          or in estimation: glorify 3 obs: elate 4: to raise high:
          elevate 5: to enhance the activity of: intensify <rousing
          and ~ing the imagination --George Eliot> ~ vi: to induce
          exaltation -- ex.alt.ed.ly adv -- ex.alt.er n

   exaltation
          [ex.al.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: an act of exalting: the state
          of being exalted 2: an excessively intensified sense
          of well-being, power, or importance 3: an increase in
          degree or intensity <~ of virulence of a virus>

   exalte
          [ex.al.te] [F] foreign term : emotionally excited or elated:
          fanatic

   exam
          [ex.am] n (1877): examination

   examen
          [ex.a.men] n [L, tongue of a balance, examination, fr.
          exigere--more at exact] (1606) 1: examination 2: a critical study

   examinant
          [ex.am.i.nant] n (1588) 1: examinee 2: one who examines:
          examiner

   examination
          [ex.am.i.na.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or process of examining:
          the state of being examined 2: an exercise designed to
          examine progress or test qualification or knowledge 3:
          a formal interrogation -- ex.am.i.na.tion.al adj

   examine
          [ex.am.ine] vb ex.am.ined ; ex.am.in.ing [ME, fr. MF examiner,
          fr. L examinare, fr. examen] vt (14c) 1 a: to inspect
          closely b: to test the condition of c: to inquire into
          carefully: investigate 2 a: to interrogate closely <~
          a prisoner> b: to test by questioning in order to determine
          progress, fitness, or knowledge ~ vi: to make or give
          an examination syn see scrutinize -- ex.am.in.able adj
          -- ex.am.in.er n

   examinee
          [ex.am.in.ee] n (1788): a person who is examined

   [1]example
          [ex.am.ple] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L exemplum, fr. eximere to
          take out, fr. ex- + emere to take--more at redeem] (14c)
          1: one that serves as a pattern to be imitated or not
          to be imitated <a good ~> <a bad ~> 2: a punishment inflicted
          on someone as a warning to others; also: an individual
          so punished 3: one (as an item or incident) that is representative
          of all of a group or type 4: a parallel or closely similar case
          esp. when serving as a precedent or model 5: an instance (as
          a problem to be solved) serving to illustrate a rule or precept
          or to act as an exercise in the application of a rule syn see
          instance, model -- for example : as an example <there are many
          sources of air pollution; exhaust fumes, for example> [2]example
          vt ex.am.pled ; ex.am.pling (15c) 1: to serve as an example
          of 2 archaic: to be or set an example to

   exanimate
          [ex.an.i.mate] adj [L exanimatus, pp. of exanimare to deprive
          of life or spirit, fr. ex- + anima breath, soul--more
          at animate] (ca. 1534) 1: lacking animation: spiritless
          2: lifeless or appearing lifeless

   ex animo
          [ex ani.mo] [L] foreign term : from the heart: sincerely

   exanthem
          [ex.an.them] also ex.an.the.ma n, pl -thems also -them.a.ta
          or -themas [LL exanthema, fr. Gk exanthema, fr. exanthein
          to bloom, break out, fr. ex- + anthos flower--more at
          anthology] (1656): an eruptive disease (as measles) or
          its symptomatic eruption -- ex.an.them.a.tous or ex.an.the.mat.ic
          adj

   [1]exarch
          [ex.arch] n [LL exarchus, fr. LGk exarchos, fr. Gk, leader,
          fr. exarchein to begin, take the lead, fr. ex- + archein
          to rule, begin--more at arch-] (1588) 1: a Byzantine
          viceroy 2: an Eastern bishop ranking below a patriarch
          and above a metropolitan; specif: the head of an independent
          church -- ex.ar.chal adj -- ex.arch.ate n -- ex.ar.chy
          n [2]exarch adj [exo- + -arch] (1891): formed or taking
          place from the periphery toward the center <~ xylem>

   [1]exasperate
          [ex.as.per.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L exasperatus, pp. of
          exasperare, fr. ex- + asper rough--more at asperity]
          (1534) 1 a: to excite the anger of: enrage b: to cause
          irritation or annoyance to 2 obs: to make more grievous:
          aggravate syn see irritate -- ex.as.per.at.ed.ly adv
          -- ex.as.per.at.ing.ly adv [2]ex.as.per.ate adj (1541)
          1: irritated or annoyed esp. to the point of injudicious
          action: exasperated 2: roughened with irregular prickles
          or elevations <~ seed coats>

   exasperation
          [ex.as.per.a.tion] n (1547) 1: the state of being exasperated
          2: the act or an instance of exasperating

   exc
          [exc] abbreviation excellent, except

   Excalibur
          [Ex.cal.i.bur] n [ME Excalaber, fr. OF Escalibor, fr. ML
          Caliburnus]: the sword of King Arthur

   ex cathedra
          [ex ca.the.dra] adv or adj [NL, lit., from the chair] (1818):
          by virtue of or in the exercise of one's office or position
          <ex cathedra pronouncements>

   excavate
          [ex.ca.vate] vb -vat.ed ; -vat.ing [L excavatus, pp. of excavare,
          fr. ex- + cavare to make hollow--more at cavatina] vt
          (1599) 1: to form a cavity or hole in 2: to form by hollowing
          out 3: to dig out and remove 4: to expose to view by
          or as if by digging away a covering <~ the remains of
          an ancient civilization> <another writer whose work I
          excavated --William Zinsser> ~ vi: to make excavations

   excavation
          [ex.ca.va.tion] n (ca. 1611) 1: the action or process of
          excavating 2: a cavity formed by cutting, digging, or
          scooping -- ex.ca.va.tion.al adj

   excavator
          [ex.ca.va.tor] n (ca. 1815): one that excavates; esp:
          a power-operated shovel

   exceed
          [ex.ceed] vb [ME exceden, fr. MF exceder, fr. L excedere,
          fr. ex- + cedere to go] vt (14c) 1: to extend outside
          of <the river will ~ its banks> 2: to be greater than
          or superior to 3: to go beyond a limit set by <~ed his
          authority> ~ vi 1 obs: overdo 2: predominate syn exceed,
          surpass, transcend, excel, outdo, outstrip mean to go
          or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree.
          exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority
          or established by custom or by prior achievement <exceed
          the speed limit>. surpass suggests superiority in quality,
          merit, or skill <the book surpassed our expectations>.
          transcend implies a rising or extending notably above
          or beyond ordinary limits <transcended the values of
          their culture>. excel implies preeminence in achievement
          or quality and may suggest superiority to all others
          <excels in mathematics>. outdo applies to a bettering
          or exceeding what has been done before <outdid herself
          this time>. outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or
          competition <outstripped other firms in sales>.

   exceeding
          [ex.ceed.ing] adj (15c): exceptional in amount, quality,
          or degree

   exceedingly
          [ex.ceed.ing.ly] also ex.ceed.ing adv (1535): to an extreme
          degree: extremely

   excel
          [ex.cel] vb ex.celled ; ex.cel.ling [ME excellen, fr. L excellere,
          fr. ex- + -cellere to rise, project; akin to L collis hill--more
          at hill] vt (15c): to be superior to: surpass in accomplishment
          or achievement ~ vi: to be distinguishable by superiority: surpass
          others <~ in sports> <excelled at lipreading> syn see exceed

   excellence
          [ex.cel.lence] n (14c) 1: the quality of being excellent
          2: an excellent or valuable quality: virtue 3: excellency
          2

   excellency
          [ex.cel.len.cy] n, pl -cies (15c) 1: excellence; esp: outstanding
          or valuable quality--usu. used in pl. <so crammed, as
          he thinks, with excellencies --Shak.> 2--used as a title
          for high dignitaries of state (as a governor or an ambassador)
          or church (as a Roman Catholic archbishop or bishop)

   excellent
          [ex.cel.lent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L excellent-, excellens,
          fr. prp. of excellere] (14c) 1 archaic: superior 2: very
          good of its kind: eminently good: first-class -- ex.cel.lent.ly
          adv

   excelsior
          [ex.cel.si.or] n [trade name, fr. L, higher, compar. of excelsus
          high, fr. pp. of excellere] (1868): fine curled wood
          shavings used esp. for packing fragile items

   excelsior
          [ex.cel.si.or] [L] foreign term : still higher--motto of
          New York

   [1]except
          [ex.cept] also ex.cept.ing prep (14c): with the exclusion
          or exception of <daily ~ Sundays> [2]except vb [ME, fr.
          MF excepter, fr. L exceptare, fr. exceptus, pp. of excipere
          to take out, except, fr. ex- + capere to take--more at
          heave] vt (14c): to take or leave out from a number or
          a whole: exclude ~ vi: to take exception: object -- ex.cep.tive
          adj [3]except also excepting conj (15c) 1: on any other
          condition than that: unless <~ you repent> 2: with this
          exception, namely <was inaccessible ~ by boat> 3: only--often
          followed by that <I would go ~ that it's too far>

   except for
          [except for] prep (1842) 1: with the exception of <everyone
          was gone except for me> 2: were it not for <except for
          you I would be dead>

   exception
          [ex.cep.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of excepting: exclusion
          2: one that is excepted; esp: a case to which a rule
          does not apply 3: question, objection <witnesses whose
          authority is beyond ~ --T. B. Macaulay> 4: an oral or
          written legal objection

   exceptionable
          [ex.cep.tion.able] adj (1691): being likely to cause objection:
          objectionable <visitors even drink the ~ beer --W. D.
          Howells> -- ex.cep.tion.abil.i.ty n -- ex.cep.tion.ably
          adv

   exceptional
          [ex.cep.tion.al] adj (ca. 1846) 1: forming an exception:
          rare <an ~ number of rainy days> 2: better than average:
          superior <~ skill> 3: deviating from the norm: as a:
          having above or below average intelligence b: physically
          handicapped -- ex.cep.tion.al.i.ty n -- ex.cep.tion.al.ness
          n

   exceptionalism
          [ex.cep.tion.al.ism] n (1937): the condition of being different
          from the norm; also: a theory expounding the exceptionalism
          esp. of a nation or region

   exceptionally
          [ex.cep.tion.al.ly] adv (1848): in an exceptional manner:
          to an exceptional degree; esp: more than average or usual
          <an ~ difficult task>

   exceptio probat regulam de rebus non exceptis
          [ex.cep.tio pro.bat re.gu.lam de re.bus non ex.cep.tis] [L]
          foreign term : an exception establishes the rule as to
          things not excepted

   exceptis excipiendis
          [ex.cep.tis ex.ci.pi.en.dis] [L] foreign term : with the
          proper or necessary exceptions

   [1]excerpt
          [ex.cerpt] vt [L excerptus, pp. of excerpere, fr. ex- + carpere
          to gather, pluck--more at harvest] (15c) 1: to select
          (a passage) for quoting: extract 2: to take or publish
          extracts from (as a book) -- ex.cerp.tor or ex.cerpt.er
          n -- ex.cerp.tion n [2]ex.cerpt n (1627): a passage (as
          from a book or musical composition) selected, performed,
          or copied: extract

   [1]excess
          [ex.cess] n [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF exces, fr. LL excessus,
          fr. L, departure, projection, fr. excedere to exceed]
          (14c) 1 a: the state or an instance of surpassing usual,
          proper, or specified limits: superfluity b: the amount
          or degree by which one thing or quantity exceeds another
          <an ~ of 10 bushels> 2: undue or immoderate indulgence:
          intemperance; also: an act or instance of intemperance
          <prevent ~es and abuses by newly created local powers
          --Albert Shanker> -- in excess of : to an amount or degree
          beyond: over [2]excess adj (15c): more than the usual,
          proper, or specified amount [3]excess vt (1974): to eliminate
          the position of <~ed several teachers because of budget
          cutbacks>

   excessive
          [ex.ces.sive] adj (14c): exceeding what is usual, proper,
          necessary, or normal -- ex.ces.sive.ly adv -- ex.ces.sive.ness
          n syn excessive, immoderate, inordinate, extravagant,
          exorbitant, extreme mean going beyond a normal limit.
          excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be
          reasonable or acceptable <excessive punishment>. immoderate
          implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint <immoderate
          spending>. inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits
          dictated by reason or good judgment <inordinate pride>.
          extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed
          by truth, prudence, or good taste <extravagant claims
          for the product>. exorbitant implies a departure from
          accepted standards regarding amount or degree <exorbitant
          prices>. extreme may imply an approach to the farthest
          limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only
          to a notably high degree <extreme shyness>.

   exch
          [exch] abbreviation exchange, exchanged

   [1]exchange
          [ex.change] n, often attrib [ME exchaunge, fr. MF eschange,
          fr. eschangier to exchange, fr. (assumed) VL excambiare,
          fr. L ex- + cambiare to exchange--more at change] (14c)
          1: the act of giving or taking one thing in return for
          another: trade <an ~ of prisoners> 2 a: the act or process
          of substituting one thing for another b: reciprocal giving
          and receiving 3: something offered, given, or received
          in an exchange 4 a: funds payable currently at a distant
          point either in a foreign currency or in domestic currency
          b (1): interchange or conversion of the money of two
          countries or of current and uncurrent money with allowance
          for difference in value (2): exchange rate (3): the amount
          of the difference in value between two currencies or
          between values of a particular currency at two places
          c: instruments (as checks or bills of exchange) presented
          in a clearinghouse for settlement 5: a place where things
          or services are exchanged: as a: an organized market
          or center for trading in securities or commodities b:
          a store or shop specializing in merchandise usu. of a
          particular type c: a cooperative store or society d:
          a central office in which telephone lines are connected
          to permit communication -- in exchange : as a substitute
          [2]exchange vb ex.changed ; ex.chang.ing vt (15c) 1 a:
          to part with, give, or transfer in consideration of something
          received as an equivalent b: to have replaced by other
          merchandise <exchanged the shirt for one in a larger
          size> 2: to part with for a substitute <exchanging future
          security for immediate pleasure> 3: to give and receive
          reciprocally <~ gifts> ~ vi 1: to pass or become received
          in exchange 2: to engage in an exchange -- ex.change.abil.i.ty
          n -- ex.change.able adj -- ex.chang.er n

   exchange rate
          [exchange rate] n (1896): the ratio at which the principal
          unit of two currencies may be traded

   exchange student
          [exchange student] n (ca. 1930): a student from one country
          received into an institution in another country in exchange
          for one sent to an institution in the home country of
          the first

   Exchangite
          [Ex.chang.ite] n [(National) Exchange (club)] (ca. 1934):
          a member of a major national service club

   exchequer
          [ex.che.quer] n [ME escheker, fr. AF, fr. OF eschequier chessboard,
          counting table--more at checker] (14c) 1 cap: a department
          or office of state in medieval England charged with the collection
          and management of the royal revenue and judicial determination
          of all revenue causes 2 cap: a former superior court having
          jurisdiction in England and Wales primarily over revenue matters
          and now merged with King's Bench 3 often cap a: the department
          or office of state in Great Britain and Northern Ireland charged
          with the receipt and care of the national revenue b: the national
          banking account of this realm 4: treasury; esp: a national or royal
          treasury 5: pecuniary resources: funds

   excimer laser
          [ex.ci.mer laser] n [excited + dimer] (1973): a laser that
          uses a noble-gas halide to generate radiation usu. in
          the ultraviolet region of the spectrum

   excipient
          [ex.cip.i.ent] n [L excipient-, excipiens, prp. of excipere
          to take out, take up--more at except] (1753): a usu.
          inert substance (as gum arabic or starch) that forms
          a vehicle (as for a drug)

   exciple
          [ex.ci.ple] n [NL excipulum, fr. L, receptacle, fr. excipere]
          (ca. 1866): a saucer-shaped rim around the hymenium of
          various lichens

   excisable
          [ex.cis.able] adj (1689): subject to excise

   [1]excise
          [ex.cise] n [obs. D excijs (now accijus), fr. MD, prob. modif.
          of OF assise session, assessment--more at assize] (15c)
          1: an internal tax levied on the manufacture, sale, or
          consumption of a commodity 2: any of various taxes on
          privileges often assessed in the form of a license or
          fee [2]ex.cise vt ex.cised ; ex.cis.ing (1652): to impose
          an excise on [3]ex.cise vt ex.cised ; ex.cis.ing [L excisus,
          pp. of excidere, fr. ex- + caedere to cut] (1634): to
          remove by or as if by excision

   exciseman
          [ex.cise.man] n (1647): an officer who inspects and rates
          articles liable to excise under British law

   excision
          [ex.ci.sion] n [ME excysion, fr. MF excision, fr. L excision-,
          excisio, fr. excidere] (1541): the act or procedure of
          removing by or as if by cutting out; esp: surgical removal
          or resection -- ex.ci.sion.al adj

   excitable
          [ex.cit.able] adj (1609) 1: capable of being readily roused
          into action or a state of excitement or irritability
          2: capable of being activated by and reacting to stimuli
          -- ex.cit.abil.i.ty n -- ex.cit.able.ness n

   excitant
          [ex.ci.tant] adj (1607): tending to excite or augment <~
          drugs> -- excitant n

   excitation
          [ex.ci.ta.tion] n (14c): excitement; esp: the disturbed or
          altered condition resulting from stimulation of an individual,
          organ, tissue, or cell

   excitative
          [ex.cit.ative] adj (15c): tending to induce excitation (as
          of a neuron) <~ substances>

   excitatory
          [ex.cit.ato.ry] adj (1803): exhibiting, resulting from, related
          to, or producing excitement or excitation <~ nerve fibers>

   excite
          [ex.cite] vt ex.cit.ed ; ex.cit.ing [ME, fr. MF exciter,
          fr. L excitare, fr. ex- + citare to rouse--more at cite]
          (14c) 1 a: to call to activity b: to rouse to an emotional
          response <scenes to ~ the hardest man to pity> c: to
          arouse (as a strong emotional response) by appropriate
          stimuli <~ enthusiasm for the new regime --Arthur Knight>
          2 a: energize <~ an electromagnet> b: to produce a magnetic
          field in <~ a dynamo> 3: to increase the activity of
          (as a living organism): stimulate 4: to raise (as an
          atomic nucleus, an atom, or a molecule) to a higher energy
          level syn see provoke -- ex.cit.ed.ly adv

   excited state
          [excited state] n (1927): a state of a physical system (as
          an atomic nucleus, an atom, or a molecule) that is higher
          in energy than the ground state

   excitement
          [ex.cite.ment] n (1604) 1: something that excites or rouses
          2: the action of exciting: the state of being excited

   exciter
          [ex.cit.er] n (14c) 1: one that excites 2 a: a generator
          or battery that supplies the electric current used to
          produce the magnetic field in another generator or motor
          b: an electrical oscillator that generates the carrier
          frequency (as for a radio transmitter)

   exciting
          [ex.cit.ing] adj (ca. 1811): producing excitement -- ex.cit.ing.ly
          adv

   exciton
          [ex.ci.ton] n [ISV excitation + [2]-on] (1936): a mobile
          combination of an electron and a hole in an excited crystal
          (as of a semiconductor) -- ex.ci.ton.ic adj

   excitor
          [ex.ci.tor] n (1816): an afferent nerve arousing increased
          action of the part that it supplies

   excl
          [excl] abbreviation exclude, excluded, excluding

   exclaim
          [ex.claim] vb [MF exclamer, fr. L exclamare, fr. ex- + clamare
          to cry out--more at claim] vi (ca. 1570) 1: to cry out
          or speak in strong or sudden emotion <~ed in delight>
          2: to speak loudly or vehemently <~ed against immorality>
          ~ vt: to utter sharply, passionately, or vehemently:
          proclaim -- ex.claim.er n

   exclamation
          [ex.cla.ma.tion] n (14c) 1: a sharp or sudden utterance 2:
          vehement expression of protest or complaint

   exclamation point
          [exclamation point] n (1824): a mark ] used esp. after an
          interjection or exclamation to indicate forceful utterance
          or strong feeling--called also exclamation mark

   exclamatory
          [ex.clam.a.to.ry] adj (1593): containing, expressing, using,
          or relating to exclamation <an ~ phrase>

   exclave
          [ex.clave] n [ex- + -clave (as in enclave)] (1888): a portion
          of a country separated from the main part and constituting
          an enclave in respect to the surrounding territory

   excludable
          [ex.clud.able] or ex.clud.ible adj (1916): subject to exclusion
          <~ income> -- ex.clud.abil.i.ty n

   exclude
          [ex.clude] vt ex.clud.ed ; ex.clud.ing [ME, fr. L excludere,
          fr. ex- + claudere to close--more at close] (14c) 1 a:
          to prevent or restrict the entrance of b: to bar from
          participation, consideration, or inclusion 2: to expel
          or bar esp. from a place or position previously occupied
          -- ex.clud.er n

   exclusion
          [ex.clu.sion] n [L exclusion-, exclusio, fr. excludere] (15c)
          1: the act or an instance of excluding 2: the state of
          being excluded -- ex.clu.sion.ary adj

   exclusionary rule
          [exclusionary rule] n (1964): a legal rule that bars u nlawfully
          obtained evidence from being used in court proceedings

   exclusionist
          [ex.clu.sion.ist] n (1822): one who would exclude another
          from some right or privilege -- exclusionist adj

   exclusion principle
          [exclusion principle] n (1926): a principle in physics: no
          two particles (as electrons) in an atom or molecule can
          have the same set of quantum numbers

   [1]exclusive
          [ex.clu.sive] adj (1515) 1 a: excluding or having power to
          exclude b: limiting or limited to possession, control,
          or use by a single individual or group 2 a: excluding
          others from participation b: snobbishly aloof 3 a: accepting
          or soliciting only a socially restricted patronage (as
          of the upper class) b: stylish, fashionable c: restricted
          in distribution, use, or appeal because of expense 4
          a: single, sole <~ jurisdiction> b: whole, undivided
          <his ~ attention> -- ex.clu.sive.ly adv -- ex.clu.sive.ness
          n [2]exclusive n (15c): something exclusive: as a: a
          newspaper story at first released to or printed by only
          one newspaper b: an exclusive right (as to sell a particular
          product in a certain area)

   exclusive disjunction
          [exclusive disjunction] n (1942): a compound proposition
          in logic that is true when one and only one of its constituent
          statements is true

   exclusive of
          [exclusive of] prep (1762): not taking into account <there
          were four of us exclusive of the guide>

   exclusivism
          [ex.clu.siv.ism] n (ca. 1834): the practice of excluding
          or of being exclusive -- ex.clu.siv.ist n or adj

   exclusivity
          [ex.clu.siv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1926) 1: the quality or state
          of being exclusive 2: exclusive rights or services

   excogitate
          [ex.cog.i.tate] vt [L excogitatus, pp. of excogitare, fr.
          ex- + cogitare to cogitate] (ca. 1530): to think out:
          devise -- ex.cog.i.ta.tion n -- ex.cog.i.ta.tive adj

   [1]excommunicate
          [ex.com.mu.ni.cate] vt [ME, fr. LL excommunicatus, pp. of
          excommunicare, fr. L ex- + LL communicare to communicate]
          (15c): to subject to excommunication -- ex.com.mu.ni.ca.tor
          n [2]ex.com.mu.ni.cate adj (1551): excluded from the
          rites of the church: excommunicated -- excommunicate
          n

   excommunication
          [ex.com.mu.ni.ca.tion] n (15c) 1: an ecclesiastical censure
          depriving a person of the rights of church membership
          2: exclusion from fellowship in a group or community
          -- ex.com.mu.ni.ca.tive adj

   excoriate
          [ex.co.ri.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME, fr. LL excoriatus,
          pp. of excoriare, fr. L ex- + corium skin, hide--more
          at cuirass] (15c) 1: to wear off the skin of: abrade
          2: to censure scathingly -- ex.co.ri.a.tion n

   excrement
          [ex.cre.ment] n [L excrementum, fr. excernere] (1533): waste
          matter discharged from the body; esp: waste (as feces)
          discharged from the alimentary canal -- ex.cre.men.tal
          adj -- ex.cre.men.ti.tious adj

   excrescence
          [ex.cres.cence] n (15c) 1: a projection or outgrowth esp.
          when abnormal <warty ~s in the colon> 2: a disfiguring,
          extraneous, or unwanted mark or part: blot

   excrescency
          [ex.cres.cen.cy] n, pl -cies (1545): excrescence

   excrescent
          [ex.cres.cent] adj [L excrescent-, excrescens, prp. of excrescere
          to grow out, fr. ex- + crescere to grow--more at crescent]
          (1633) 1: forming an abnormal, excessive, or useless
          outgrowth 2: of, relating to, or constituting epenthesis
          -- ex.cres.cent.ly adv

   excreta
          [ex.cre.ta] n pl [NL, fr. L, neut. pl. of excretus] (1857):
          waste matter eliminated or separated from an organism;
          esp: excretions -- ex.cre.tal adj

   excrete
          [ex.crete] vt ex.cret.ed ; ex.cret.ing [L excretus, pp. of
          excernere to sift out, discharge, fr. ex- + cernere to
          sift--more at certain] (1620): to separate and eliminate
          or discharge (waste) from the blood or tissues or from
          the active protoplasm -- ex.cret.er n

   excretion
          [ex.cre.tion] n (1603) 1: the act or process of excreting
          2: something excreted; esp: metabolic waste products
          (as urea and carbon dioxide) that are eliminated from
          the body and differ from a secretion in not being produced
          to perform a useful function

   excretory
          [ex.cre.to.ry] adj (ca. 1681): of, relating to, or functioning
          in excretion <~ ducts>

   excruciate
          [ex.cru.ci.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L excruciatus, pp. of
          excruciare, fr. ex- + cruciare to crucify, fr. cruc-,
          crux cross] (ca. 1570) 1: to inflict intense pain on:
          torture 2: to subject to intense mental distress
          -- ex.cru.ci.a.tion n

   excruciating
          [ex.cru.ci.at.ing] adj (1599) 1: causing great pain or anguish:
          agonizing <the nation's most ~ dilemma --W. H. Ferry>
          2: very intense: extreme <~ pain> -- ex.cru.ci.at.ing.ly
          adv

   exculpate
          [ex.cul.pate] vt -pat.ed ; -pat.ing [ML exculpatus, pp. of
          exculpare, fr. L ex- + culpa blame] (ca. 1681): to clear
          from alleged fault or guilt -- ex.cul.pa.tion n syn exculpate,
          absolve, exonerate, acquit, vindicate mean to free from
          a charge. exculpate implies a clearing from blame or
          fault often in a matter of small importance <exculpating
          himself from the charge of overenthusiasm>. absolve implies
          a release either from an obligation that binds the conscience
          or from the consequences of disobeying the law or committing
          a sin <cannot be absolved of blame>. exonerate implies
          a complete clearance from an accusation or charge and
          from any attendant suspicion of blame or guilt <exonerated
          by the investigation>. acquit implies a formal decision
          in one's favor with respect to a definite charge <voted
          to acquit the defendant>. vindicate may refer to things
          as well as persons that have been subjected to critical
          attack or imputation of guilt, weakness, or folly, and
          implies a clearing effected by proving the unfairness
          of such criticism or blame <her judgment was vindicated>.

   exculpatory
          [ex.cul.pa.to.ry] adj (1781): tending or serving to exculpate

   excurrent
          [ex.cur.rent] adj [L excurrent-, excurrens, prp. of excurrere
          to run out, extend, fr. ex- + currere to run--more at
          car] (1826) 1: characterized by a current that flows
          outward <~ canals of a sponge> 2 a: having the axis prolonged
          to form an undivided main stem or trunk (as in conifers)--compare
          deliquescent 2 b: projecting beyond the apex--used esp.
          of the midrib of a mucronate leaf

   excursion
          [ex.cur.sion] n [L excursion-, excursio, fr. excurrere] (1587)
          1 a: a going out or forth: expedition b (1): a usu. brief
          pleasure trip (2): a trip at special reduced rates 2:
          deviation from a direct, definite, or proper course;
          esp: digression <needless ~s into abstruse theory> 3
          a: a movement outward and back or from a mean position
          or axis; also: the distance traversed: amplitude <the
          ~ of a piston> b: one complete movement of expansion
          and contraction of the lungs and their membranes (as
          in breathing)

   excursionist
          [ex.cur.sion.ist] n (1830): a person who goes on an excursion

   excursive
          [ex.cur.sive] adj (1749): constituting a digression: characterized
          by digression -- ex.cur.sive.ly adv -- ex.cur.sive.ness n

   excursus
          [ex.cur.sus] n, pl ex.cur.sus.es also ex.cur.sus [L, digression,
          fr. excurrere] (1803): an appendix or digression that
          contains further exposition of some point or topic

   excusatory
          [ex.cu.sa.to.ry] adj (1535): making or containing excuse

   [1]excuse
          [ex.cuse] vt ex.cused ; ex.cus.ing [ME, fr. OF excuser, fr.
          L excusare, fr. ex- + causa cause, explanation] (13c)
          1 a: to make apology for b: to try to remove blame from
          2: to forgive entirely or disregard as of trivial import:
          regard as excusable <graciously excused his tardiness>
          3 a: to grant exemption or release to <was excused from
          jury duty> b: to allow to leave <excused the class> 4:
          to serve as excuse for: justify <nothing can ~ such neglect>
          -- ex.cus.able adj -- ex.cus.able.ness n -- ex.cus.ably
          adv -- ex.cus.er n syn excuse, condone, pardon, forgive
          mean to exact neither punishment nor redress. excuse
          may refer to specific acts esp. in social or conventional
          situations or the person responsible for these <excuse
          an interruption> <excused them for interrupting>. Often
          the term implies extenuating circumstances <injustice
          excuses strong responses>. condone implies that one overlooks
          without censure behavior (as dishonesty or violence)
          that involves a serious breach of a moral, ethical, or
          legal code, and the term may refer to the behavior or
          to the agent responsible for it <a society that condones
          alcohol but not narcotics>. pardon implies that one remits
          a penalty due for an admitted or established offense
          <pardon a criminal>. forgive implies that one gives up
          all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings
          <could not forgive their rudeness>. [2]ex.cuse n (14c)
          1: the act of excusing 2 a: something offered as justification
          or as grounds for being excused b pl: an expression of
          regret for failure to do something c: a note of explanation
          of an absence 3: justification, reason syn see apology

   ex-directory
          [ex-di.rec.to.ry] adj [L ex out of--more at ex-] (1936) Brit:
          not listed in a telephone directory: unlisted

   exec
          [exec] abbreviation executive

   exec
          [ex.ec] n (1896) 1: executive officer 2: executive

   execrable
          [ex.e.cra.ble] adj (14c) 1: deserving to be execrated: detestable
          <~ crimes> 2: very bad: wretched <~ hotel food>
          -- ex.e.cra.ble.ness n -- ex.e.cra.bly adv

   execrate
          [ex.e.crate] vt -crat.ed ; -crat.ing [L exsecratus, pp. of
          exsecrari to put under a curse, fr. ex + sacr-, sacer
          sacred] (1561) 1: to declare to be evil or detestable:
          denounce 2: to detest utterly -- ex.e.cra.tive adj --
          ex.e.cra.tor n

   execration
          [ex.e.cra.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of cursing or denouncing;
          also: the curse so uttered 2: an object of curses: something
          detested

   executant
          [ex.ec.u.tant] n (1858): one who executes or performs; esp:
          one skilled in the technique of an art: performer

   execute
          [ex.e.cute] vb -cut.ed ; -cut.ing [ME, fr. MF executer,
          back-formation fr. execution] vt (14c) 1: to carry out fully: put
          completely into effect <~ a command> 2: to do what is provided
          or required by <~ a decree> 3: to put to death esp. in compliance
          with a legal sentence 4: to make or produce (as a work of art) esp.
          by carrying out a design 5: to perform what is required to give
          validity to <~ a deed> 6: play <~ a piece of music>
          ~ vi 1: to perform properly or skillfully the fundamentals
          of a sport or of a particular play <never had a team ~ better
          --Bobby Knight> 2: to perform indicated tasks according to encoded
          instructions--used of a computer program or routine syn see kill,
          perform -- ex.e.cut.able adj

   execution
          [ex.e.cu.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L exsecution-, exsecutio,
          fr. exsequi to execute, fr. ex- + sequi to follow--more
          at sue] (14c) 1: the act or process of executing: performance
          2: a putting to death esp. as a legal penalty 3: the
          process of enforcing a legal judgment (as against a debtor);
          also: a judicial writ directing such enforcement 4: the
          act or mode or result of performance 5 archaic: effective
          or destructive action <his brandished steel, which smoked
          with bloody ~ --Shak.>--usu. used with do <as soon as
          day came, we went out to see what ~ we had done --Daniel
          Defoe>

   executioner
          [ex.e.cu.tion.er] n (1536): one who executes; esp: one who
          puts to death

   [1]executive
          [ex.ec.u.tive] adj (1649) 1 a: of or relating to the execution
          of the laws and the conduct of public and national affairs
          b: belonging to the branch of government that is charged
          with such powers as diplomatic representation, superintendence
          of the execution of the laws, and appointment of officials
          and that usu. has some power over legislation (as through
          veto)--compare judicial, legislative 2 a: designed for
          or relating to execution or carrying into effect <~ board>
          b: having administrative or managerial responsibility
          <~ director> 3: of or relating to an executive <the ~
          offices> [2]executive n (1774) 1: the executive branch
          of a government; also: the person or persons who constitute
          the executive magistracy of a state 2: a directing or
          controlling office of an organization 3: one that exercises
          administrative or managerial control

   executive agreement
          [executive agreement] n (1942): an agreement between the
          U.S. and a foreign government made by the executive branch
          of the government either alone or with Congressional
          approval and dealing usu. with routine matters

   executive council
          [executive council] n (1778) 1: a council constituted to
          advise or share in the functions of a political executive
          2: a council that exercises supreme executive power

   executive officer
          [executive officer] n (1881): the officer second in command
          of a military or naval organization

   executive order
          [executive order] n (1883): regulation 2b

   executive privilege
          [executive privilege] n (1940): exemption from legally enforced
          disclosure of communications within the executive branch
          of government when such disclosure would adversely affect
          the functions and decision-making processes of the executive
          branch

   executive secretary
          [executive secretary] n (1950): a secretary having administrative
          duties; esp: an official responsible for administering
          the activities and business affairs of an organization

   executive session
          [executive session] n (1840): a usu. closed session (as of
          a legislative body) that functions as an executive council
          (as of the U.S. Senate when considering appointments
          or the ratification of treaties)

   executor
          [ex.ec.u.tor] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L exsecutor, fr. exsequi]
          (13c) 1 a: one who executes something b obs: executioner
          2 a: the person appointed by a testator to execute a
          will b: literary executor -- ex.ec.u.to.ri.al adj

   executory
          [ex.ec.u.to.ry] adj (1592) 1: designed or of such a nature
          as to be executed in time to come or to take effect on
          a future contingency 2: relating to administration

   executrix
          [ex.ec.u.trix] n, pl ex.ec.u.tri.ces or ex.ec.u.trix.es (15c):
          a woman who is an executor

   exedra
          [ex.e.dra] n, pl -drae [L, fr. Gk, fr. ex- + hedra seat--more
          at sit] (1706) 1 in ancient Greece and Rome: a room for
          conversation formed by an open or columned recess often
          semicircular in shape and furnished with seats 2: a large
          outdoor nearly semicircular seat with a solid back

   exegesis
          [ex.e.ge.sis] n, pl -ge.ses [NL, fr. Gk exegesis, fr. exegeisthai
          to explain, interpret, fr. ex- + hegeisthai to lead--more
          at seek] (1619): exposition, explanation; esp: an explanation
          or critical interpretation of a text

   exegete
          [ex.e.gete] n [Gk exegetes, fr. exegeisthai] (ca. 1736):
          one who practices exegesis

   exegetical
          [ex.e.get.i.cal] also ex.e.get.ic adj [Gk exegetikos, fr.
          exegeisthai] (1623): of or relating to exegesis: explanatory

   exegetist
          [ex.e.get.ist] n (1848): exegete

   exemplar
          [ex.em.plar] n [ME, fr. L, fr. exemplum example] (15c): one
          that serves as a model or example: as a: an ideal model
          b: a typical or standard specimen c: a copy of a book
          or writing d: idea 1a syn see model

   exemplary
          [ex.em.pla.ry] adj (1589) 1 a: serving as a pattern b: deserving
          imitation: commendable <his courage was ~>; also: deserving
          imitation because of excellence <they serve ~ pastries
          --G. V. Higgins> 2: serving as a warning: monitory 3:
          serving as an example, instance, or illustration -- ex.em.plar.i.ly
          adv -- ex.em.pla.ri.ness n -- ex.em.plar.i.ty n

   exemplification
          [ex.em.pli.fi.ca.tion] n (1510) 1 a: the act or process of
          exemplifying b: example, case in point 2: an exemplified
          copy of a document

   exemplify
          [ex.em.pli.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME exemplifien, fr. MF
          exemplifier, fr. ML exemplificare, fr. L exemplum] (15c)
          1: to show or illustrate by example 2: to make an attested
          copy or transcript of (a document) under seal 3 a: to
          be an instance of or serve as an example: embody b: to
          be typical of

   exempli gratia
          [ex.em.pli gra.tia] adv [L] (1602): for example

   exemplum
          [ex.em.plum] n, pl -pla [L] (1890) 1: example, model 2: an
          anecdote or short narrative used to point a moral or
          sustain an argument

   [1]exempt
          [ex.empt] adj [ME, fr. L exemptus, pp. of eximere to take
          out--more at example] (14c) 1 obs: set apart 2: free
          or released from some liability or requirement to which
          others are subject <was ~ from jury duty> <the estate
          was ~ from taxes> [2]exempt vt (15c) 1: to release or
          deliver from some liability or requirement to which others
          are subject: excuse <a man ~ed from military service>
          2 obs: to set apart [3]exempt n (1670): one exempted
          or freed from duty

   exemption
          [ex.emp.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of exempting or state of
          being exempt: immunity 2: one that exempts or is exempted;
          esp: a source or amount of income exempted from taxation

   exenterate
          [ex.en.ter.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L exenteratus, pp. of
          exenterare to disembowel, modif. of Gk exenterizein,
          fr. ex- + enteron intestine--more at inter-] (1607):
          to remove the contents of (as the orbit or pelvis) --
          ex.en.ter.a.tion n

   [1]exercise
          [ex.er.cise] n [ME, fr. MF exercice, fr. L exercitium, fr.
          exercitare to train, exercise, freq. of exercere to train,
          occupy, fr. ex- + arcere to enclose, hold off--more at
          ark] (14c) 1 a: the act of bringing into play or realizing
          in action: use b: the discharge of an official function
          or professional occupation c: the act or an instance
          of carrying out the terms of an agreement (as an option)
          2 a: regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ
          b: bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining
          physical fitness 3: something performed or practiced
          in order to develop, improve, or display a specific power
          or skill <arithmetic ~s> 4: a performance having a strongly
          marked secondary or ulterior aspect <party politics has
          always been an ~ in compromise --H. S. Ashmore> 5 a:
          a maneuver, operation, or drill carried out for training
          and discipline b pl: a program including speeches, announcements
          of awards and honors, and various traditional practices
          of secular or religious character <commencement ~s> [2]exercise
          vb -cised ; -cis.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to make effective
          in action: use <didn't ~ good judgment> b: to bring to
          bear: exert <~ influence> c: to implement the terms of
          (as an option) 2 a: to use repeatedly in order to strengthen
          or develop b: to train (as troops) by drills and maneuvers
          c: to put through exercises <~ the horses> 3 a: to engage
          the attention and effort of b: to cause anxiety, alarm,
          or indignation in <the issues exercising voters this
          year> ~ vi: to take exercise -- ex.er.cis.able adj

   exerciser
          [ex.er.cis.er] n (1552) 1: one that exercises 2: an apparatus
          for use in physical exercise

   exercitation
          [ex.er.ci.ta.tion] n [ME exercitacioun, fr. L exercitation-,
          exercitatio, fr. exercitare] (14c): exercise

   Exercycle
          [Ex.er.cy.cle] trademark--used for a stationary bicycle

   exergonic
          [ex.er.gon.ic] adj [exo- + Gk ergon work--more at work] (1940):
          exothermic <an ~ biochemical reaction>

   exergue
          [ex.ergue] n [F, fr. NL exergum, fr. Gk ex out of + ergon
          work] (1697): a space on a coin, token, or medal usu.
          on the reverse below the central part of the design

   exert
          [ex.ert] vt [L exsertus, pp. of exserere to thrust out, fr.
          ex- + serere to join--more at series] (1681) 1 a: to
          put forth (as strength) b: to put (oneself) into action
          or to tiring effort 2: to bring to bear esp. with sustained
          effort or lasting effect 3: employ, wield <~ed her leadership
          abilities intelligently>

   exertion
          [ex.er.tion] n (1677): the act or an instance of exerting;
          esp: a laborious or perceptible effort

   exeunt
          [ex.e.unt] [L, they go out, fr. exire to go out--more at
          exit] (15c)--used as a stage direction to specify that
          all or certain named characters leave the stage

   exfoliate
          [ex.fo.li.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL exfoliatus, pp. of
          exfoliare to strip of leaves, fr. L ex- + folium leaf--more
          at blade] vt (1612) 1: to cast off in scales, laminae,
          or splinters 2: to remove the surface of in scales or
          laminae 3: to spread or extend by or as if by opening
          out leaves ~ vi 1: to split into or give off scales,
          laminae, or body cells 2: to come off in thin layers
          or scales 3: to grow by or as if by producing or unfolding
          leaves -- ex.fo.li.a.tion n -- ex.fo.li.a.tive adj

   ex gratia
          [ex gra.tia] adj or adv [NL] (1769): as a favor: not compelled
          by legal right <ex gratia pension payments>

   exhalant
          [ex.hal.ant] or ex.hal.ent adj (1771): bearing out or outward:
          emissive <an ~ siphon of a clam>

   exhalation
          [ex.ha.la.tion] n (14c) 1: something exhaled or given off:
          emanation 2: an act of exhaling

   exhale
          [ex.hale] vb ex.haled ; ex.hal.ing [ME exalen, fr. L exhalare,
          fr. ex- + halare to breathe] vi (14c) 1: to rise or be
          given off as vapor 2: to emit breath or vapor ~ vt 1
          a: to breathe out b: to give forth (gaseous matter):
          emit 2 archaic: to cause to be emitted in vapor

   [1]exhaust
          [ex.haust] vb [L exhaustus, pp. of exhaurire, fr. ex- + haurire
          to draw; akin to MHG oesen to empty, Gk auein to take]
          vt (1533) 1 a: to consume entirely: use up <~ed our funds
          in a week> b: to tire extremely or completely <~ed by
          overwork> c: to deprive of a valuable quality or constituent
          <~ a photographic developer> <~ a soil of fertility>
          2 a: to draw off or let out completely b: to empty by
          drawing off the contents; specif: to create a vacuum
          in 3 a: to develop (a subject) completely b: to try out
          the whole number of <~ed all the possibilities> ~ vi:
          discharge, empty <the engine ~s through the muffler>
          syn see deplete, tire -- ex.haust.er n -- ex.haust.ibil.i.ty
          n -- ex.haust.ible adj [2]exhaust n (1848) 1 a: the escape
          of used gas or vapor from an engine b: the gas or vapor
          thus escaping 2 a: the conduit through which used gases
          escape b: an arrangement for removing fumes, dusts, or
          odors from an enclosure 3: exhaustion

   exhaustion
          [ex.haus.tion] n (1646): the act or process of exhausting:
          the state of being exhausted

   exhaustive
          [ex.haus.tive] adj (1786): testing all possibilities or considering
          all elements: thorough <conducted an ~ investigation>
          -- ex.haus.tive.ly adv -- ex.haus.tive.ness n -- ex.haus.tiv.i.ty n

   exhaustless
          [ex.haust.less] adj (1712): not to be exhausted: inexhaustible
          -- ex.haust.less.ly adv -- ex.haust.less.ness n

   exhbn
          [exhbn] abbreviation exhibition

   [1]exhibit
          [ex.hib.it] vb [ME, fr. L exhibitus, pp. of exhibere, fr.
          ex- + habere to have, hold--more at give] vt (15c) 1:
          to submit (as a document) to a court or officer in course
          of proceedings; also: to present or offer officially
          or in legal form 2: to present to view: as a: to show
          or display outwardly esp. by visible signs or actions
          <~ed no fear> b: to have as a readily discernible quality
          or feature <in all cultures we know, men ~ an aesthetic
          sense --H. J. Muller> c: to show publicly esp. for purposes
          of competition or demonstration ~ vi: to display something
          for public inspection syn see show -- ex.hib.i.tive adj
          -- ex.hib.i.tor n -- ex.hib.i.to.ry adj [2]exhibit n
          (1626) 1: a document or material object produced and
          identified in court or before an examiner for use as
          evidence 2: something exhibited 3: an act or instance
          of exhibiting

   exhibition
          [ex.hi.bi.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of exhibiting
          2 Brit: a grant drawn from the funds of a school or university
          to help maintain a student 3: a public showing (as of
          works of art, objects of manufacture, or athletic skill)
          <a one-man ~> <an ~ game>

   exhibitioner
          [ex.hi.bi.tion.er] n (1679) Brit: one who holds a grant from
          a school or university

   exhibitionism
          [ex.hi.bi.tion.ism] n (1893) 1 a: a perversion marked by
          a tendency to indecent exposure b: an act of such exposure
          2: the act or practice of behaving so as to attract attention
          to oneself -- ex.hi.bi.tion.ist n or adj -- ex.hi.bi.tion.is.tic
          adj -- ex.hi.bi.tion.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   exhilarate
          [ex.hil.a.rate] vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L exhilaratus, pp.
          of exhilarare, fr. ex- + hilarare to gladden, fr. hilarus
          cheerful--more at hilarious] (1540) 1 a: to make cheerful
          b: enliven, excite 2: refresh, stimulate -- ex.hil.a.rat.ing.ly
          adv -- ex.hil.a.ra.tive adj

   exhilaration
          [ex.hil.a.ra.tion] n (ca. 1626) 1: the action of exhilarating
          2: the feeling or the state of being exhilarated

   exhort
          [ex.hort] vb [ME, fr. MF exhorter, fr. L exhortari, fr. ex-
          + hortari to incite--more at yearn] vt (15c): to incite
          by argument or advice: urge strongly ~ vi: to give warnings
          or advice: make urgent appeals -- ex.hort.er n

   exhortation
          [ex.hor.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of exhorting
          2: language intended to incite and encourage

   exhortative
          [ex.hor.ta.tive] adj (15c): serving to exhort

   exhortatory
          [ex.hor.ta.to.ry] adj (15c): using exhortation: exhortative
          <an ~ appeal>

   exhume
          [ex.hume] vt ex.humed ; ex.hum.ing [F or ML; F exhumer, fr.
          ML exhumare, fr. L ex out of + humus earth--more at ex-,
          humble] (15c) 1: disinter 2: to bring back from neglect
          or obscurity -- ex.hu.ma.tion n -- ex.hum.er n

   ex hypothesi
          [ex hy.po.the.si] adv (1603): according to assumptions made:
          by hypothesis <regard ... all elites as ex hypothesi
          incompatible with democracy --P. G. J. Pulzer>

   exigence
          [ex.i.gence] n (15c): exigency

   exigency
          [ex.i.gen.cy] n, pl -cies (1581) 1: that which is required
          in a particular situation--usu. used in pl. 2 a: the
          quality or state of being exigent b: a state of affairs
          that makes urgent demands <a leader must act in any sudden
          ~> syn see juncture

   exigent
          [ex.i.gent] adj [L exigent-, exigens, prp. of exigere to
          demand--more at exact] (1629) 1: requiring immediate
          aid or action 2: requiring or calling for much: demanding
          -- ex.i.gent.ly adv

   exiguity
          [ex.i.gu.ity] n, pl -ities (ca. 1626): the quality or state
          of being exiguous: scantiness

   exiguous
          [ex.ig.u.ous] adj [L exiguus, fr. exigere] (1651): excessively
          scanty: inadequate <wrest an ~ existence from the land>
          <~ evidence> -- ex.ig.u.ous.ly adv -- ex.ig.u.ous.ness
          n

   [1]exile
          [ex.ile] n [ME exil, fr. MF, fr. L exilium fr. exul, exsul
          an exile] (14c) 1 a: the state or a period of forced
          absence from one's country or home b: the state or a
          period of voluntary absence from one's country or home
          2: a person who is in exile -- ex.il.ic adj [2]exile
          vt ex.iled ; ex.il.ing (14c): to banish or expel from
          one's own country or home syn see banish

   eximious
          [ex.im.i.ous] adj [L eximius, fr. eximere to take out--more
          at example] (1547) archaic: choice, excellent

   exine
          [ex.ine] n [ISV ex- + in- fibrous tissue, fr. Gk in-, is
          tendon] (ca. 1884): the outer of the two major layers
          forming the walls of some spores and esp. pollen grains

   exist
          [ex.ist] vi [L exsistere to come into being, exist, fr. ex-
          + sistere to stand, stop; akin to L stare to stand--more
          at stand] (1602) 1 a: to have real being whether material
          or spiritual <did unicorns ~> <the largest galaxy known
          to ~> b: to have being in a specified place or with respect
          to understood limitations or conditions <strange ideas
          ~ed in his mind> 2: to continue to be <racism still ~s
          in society> 3 a: to have life or the functions of vitality
          <we cannot ~ without oxygen> b: to live at an inferior
          level or under adverse circumstances <the hungry ~ing
          from day to day>

   existence
          [ex.is.tence] n (14c) 1 a obs: reality as opposed to appearance
          b: reality as presented in experience c (1): the totality
          of existent things (2): a particular being <all the fair
          ~s of heaven --John Keats> d: sentient or living being:
          life 2 a: the state or fact of having being esp. independently
          of human consciousness and as contrasted with nonexistence
          b: the manner of being that is common to every mode of
          being c: being with respect to a limiting condition or
          under a particular aspect 3: continued or repeated manifestation

   existent
          [ex.is.tent] adj [L exsistent-, exsistens, prp. of exsistere]
          (1561) 1: having being: existing 2: existing now: present
          -- existent n

   existential
          [ex.is.ten.tial] adj (1693) 1: of, relating to, or affirming
          existence <~ propositions> 2 a: grounded in existence
          or the experience of existence: empirical b: having being
          in time and space 3 [trans. of Dan eksistentiel & G existential]:
          existentialist -- ex.is.ten.tial.ly adv

   existentialism
          [ex.is.ten.tial.ism] n (1941): a chiefly 20th century philosophical
          movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis
          of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight
          of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for his
          acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right
          or wrong or good or bad

   [1]existentialist
          [ex.is.ten.tial.ist] n (1942): an adherent of existentialism
          [2]existentialist adj (1946): of or relating to existentialism
          or existentialists -- ex.is.ten.tial.is.tic adj --
          ex.is.ten.tial.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   existential quantifier
          [existential quantifier] n (1940): a quantifier (as for some
          in "for some x, 2x + 5 = 8") that asserts that there
          exists at least one value of a variable--called also
          existential operator

   [1]exit
          [ex.it] [L, he goes out, fr. exire to go out, fr. ex- + ire
          to go--more at issue] (1538)--used as a stage direction
          to specify who goes off stage [2]exit n [L exitus, fr.
          exire] (1588) 1 [[1]exit]: a departure from a stage 2
          a: the act of going out or going away b: death 3: a way
          out of an enclosed place or space 4: one of the designated
          points of departure from an expressway -- ex.it.less
          adj [3]exit vi (1607) 1: to go out or away: depart 2:
          die ~ vt: leave 3a

   exit poll
          [exit poll] n (1980): a poll taken (as by news media) of
          voters leaving the voting place that is usu. used for
          predicting the winners -- exit polling n

   exitus acta probat
          [ex.i.tus ac.ta pro.bat] [L] foreign term : the outcome justifies
          the deed

   ex libris
          [ex li.bris] [L] foreign term : from the books of--used on
          bookplates

   ex libris
          [ex li.bris] n, pl ex libris [NL, from the books; used before
          the owner's name on bookplates] (1880): bookplate

   ex mero motu
          [ex me.ro mo.tu] [L] foreign term : out of mere impulse:
          of one's own accord

   Exmoor
          [Ex.moor] n [Exmoor, England] (1808) 1: any of a breed of
          horned sheep of Devonshire in England valued esp. for
          mutton 2: any of a breed of hardy ponies native to the
          Exmoor district and having a mealy-colored muzzle

   ex necessitate rei
          [ex ne.ces.si.ta.te rei] [L] foreign term : from the necessity
          of the case

   ex nihilo
          [ex ni.hi.lo] adv or adj [L] (1580): from or out of nothing
          <creation ex nihilo>

   ex nihilo nihil fit
          [ex ni.hi.lo ni.hil fit] [L] foreign term : from nothing
          nothing is produced

   exo-
          [exo-] or ex- comb form [Gk exo out, outside, fr. ex out
          of--more at ex-] 1: outside <exogamy>: outer <exoskeleton>--compare
          ect-, end- 2: turning out <exoergic>

   exobiology
          [exo.bi.ol.o.gy] n (1960): a branch of biology concerned
          with the search for life outside the earth and with the
          effects of extraterrestrial environments on living organisms
          -- exo.bi.o.log.i.cal adj -- exo.bi.ol.o.gist n

   exocarp
          [exo.carp] n [ISV] (ca. 1845): the outermost layer of the
          pericarp of a fruit--see endocarp illustration

   exocrine
          [exo.crine] adj [ISV exo- + Gk krinein to separate--more
          at certain] (ca. 1911): producing, being, or relating
          to a secretion that is released outside its source <~
          pancreatic cells>

   exocrine gland
          [exocrine gland] n (ca. 1927): a gland (as a salivary gland
          or part of the pancreas) that releases a secretion external
          to or at the surface of an organ by means of a canal
          or duct

   exocyclic
          [exo.cy.clic] adj (1888): situated outside of a ring in a
          chemical structure

   exocytosis
          [exo.cy.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL, fr. exo- + cyt- + -osis]
          (1963): the release of cellular substances (as secretory
          products) contained in cell vesicles by fusion of the
          vesicular membrane with the plasma membrane and subsequent
          release of the contents to the exterior of the cell --
          exo.cy.tot.ic adj

   Exod
          [Exod] abbreviation Exodus

   exodermis
          [exo.der.mis] n [NL] (ca. 1900): a layer of the outer living
          cortical cells of plants that takes over the functions
          of the epidermis in roots lacking secondary thickening

   exodontia
          [ex.odon.tia] n [NL, fr. ex- + -odontia] (1913): a branch
          of dentistry that deals with the extraction of teeth
          -- ex.odon.tist n

   exodus
          [ex.o.dus] n [L, fr. Gk Exodos, lit., road out, fr. ex- +
          hodos road] 1 cap: the mainly narrative second book of
          canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture 2: a mass departure:
          emigration

   exoenzyme
          [exo.en.zyme] n [ISV] (ca. 1923): an extracellular enzyme

   exoergic
          [exo.er.gic] adj (1942): releasing energy: exothermic

   exoerythrocytic
          [exo.eryth.ro.cyt.ic] adj (1942): occurring outside the red
          blood cells--used esp. of stages of malaria parasites

   ex officio
          [ex of.fi.cio] adv or adj [LL] (1533): by virtue or because
          of an office <the Vice President serves ex officio as
          president of the Senate>

   exogamy
          [ex.og.a.my] n, pl -mies (1865): marriage outside of a specific
          group esp. as required by custom or law -- ex.og.a.mous
          or exo.gam.ic adj

   exogenous
          [ex.og.e.nous] adj [F exogene exogenous, fr. exo- + -gene
          (fr. Gk -genes born)--more at -gen] (1830) 1: produced
          by growth from superficial tissue <~ roots produced by
          leaves> 2 a: caused by factors (as food or a traumatic
          factor) or an agent (as a disease-producing organism)
          from outside the organism or system <~ obesity> <~ psychic
          depression> b: introduced from or produced outside the
          organism or system; specif: not synthesized within the
          organism or system -- ex.og.e.nous.ly adv

   exon
          [ex.on] n [expressed sequence + [2]-on] (ca. 1978):
          a polynucleotide sequence in a nucleic acid that codes information
          for protein synthesis and that is copied and spliced together with
          other such sequences to form messenger RNA--compare intron
          -- ex.on.ic adj

   exonerate
          [ex.on.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME, fr. L exoneratus,
          pp. of exonerare to unburden, fr. ex- + oner-, onus load]
          (1524) 1: to relieve of a responsibility, obligation,
          or hardship 2: to clear from accusation or blame syn
          see exculpate -- ex.on.er.a.tion n -- ex.on.er.a.tive
          adj

   exonuclease
          [exo.nu.cle.ase] n (1963): an enzyme that breaks down a nucleic
          acid by removing nucleotides one by one from the end
          of a chain--compare endonuclease

   exonumia
          [exo.nu.mia] n pl [NL, fr. exo- + E numismatic + NL -ia]
          (1966): numismatic items (as tokens, medals, or scrip)
          other than coins and paper money

   exopeptidase
          [exo.pep.ti.dase] n (1936): any of a group of enzymes that
          hydrolyze peptide bonds formed by the terminal amino
          acids of peptide chains: peptidase--compare endopeptidase

   exophthalmos
          [ex.oph.thal.mos] also ex.oph.thal.mus n [NL, fr. Gk exophthalmos
          having prominent eyes, fr. ex out + ophthalmos eye; akin
          to Gk ops eye--more at eye] (1872): abnormal protrusion
          of the eyeball -- ex.oph.thal.mic adj

   exor
          [exor] abbreviation executor

   exorbitance
          [ex.or.bi.tance] n (1611) 1: an exorbitant action or procedure;
          esp: excessive or gross deviation from rule, right, or
          propriety 2: the tendency or disposition to be exorbitant

   exorbitant
          [ex.or.bi.tant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL exorbitant-, exorbitans,
          prp. of exorbitare to deviate, fr. L ex- + orbita track
          of a wheel, rut, fr. orbis disk, hoop] (15c) 1: not coming
          within the scope of the law 2: exceeding in intensity,
          quality, amount, or size the customary or appropriate
          limits syn see excessive -- ex.or.bi.tant.ly adv

   exorcise
          [ex.or.cise] also ex.or.cize vt -cised also -cized ; -cis.ing
          also -ciz.ing [ME, fr. MF exorciser, fr. LL exorcizare,
          fr. Gk exorkizein, fr. ex- + horkizein to bind by oath,
          adjure, fr. horkos oath] (1539) 1 a: to expel (an evil
          spirit) by adjuration b: to get rid of (something troublesome,
          menacing, or oppressive) 2: to free of an evil spirit
          -- ex.or.cis.er n

   exorcism
          [ex.or.cism] n (14c) 1: the act or practice of exorcising
          2: a spell or formula used in exorcising -- ex.or.cist
          n -- ex.or.cis.tic or ex.or.cis.ti.cal adj

   exordium
          [ex.or.di.um] n, pl -diums or -dia [L, fr. exordiri to begin,
          fr. ex- + ordiri to begin--more at order] (1577): a beginning
          or introduction esp. to a discourse or composition --
          ex.or.di.al adj

   exoskeleton
          [exo.skel.e.ton] n (1847) 1: an external supportive covering
          of an animal (as an arthropod) 2: bony or horny parts
          of a vertebrate produced from epidermal tissues -- exo.skel.e.tal
          adj

   exosphere
          [exo.sphere] n [ISV] (1949): the outer fringe region of the
          atmosphere of the earth or a planet -- exo.spher.ic adj

   exospore
          [exo.spore] n [ISV] (1859): an asexual spore cut off from
          a parent sporophore by the formation of septa

   exostosis
          [ex.os.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL, fr. Gk exostosis, fr. ex
          out of + osteon bone--more at ex-, osseous] (1736): a
          spur or bony outgrowth from a bone or the root of a tooth

   exoteric
          [ex.o.ter.ic] adj [L & Gk; L exotericus, fr. Gk exoterikos,
          lit., external, fr. exotero more outside, compar. of
          exo outside--more at exo-] (1660) 1 a: suitable to be
          imparted to the public <the ~ doctrine>--compare esoteric
          b: belonging to the outer or less initiate circle 2:
          relating to the outside: external -- ex.o.ter.i.cal.ly
          adv

   exothermal
          [exo.ther.mal] (1906): exothermic -- exo.ther.mal.ly adv

   exothermic
          [exo.ther.mic] adj [ISV] (1884): characterized by or formed
          with evolution of heat -- exo.ther.mi.cal.ly adv --
          exo.ther.mi.ci.ty n

   [1]exotic
          [ex.ot.ic] adj [L exoticus, fr. Gk exotikos, fr. exo] (1599)
          1: introduced from another country: not native to the
          place where found 2 archaic: foreign, alien 3: strikingly,
          excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual 4: of
          or relating to striptease <~ dancing> -- ex.ot.i.cal.ly
          adv -- ex.ot.ic.ness n [2]exotic n (1645) 1: one (as
          a plant or animal) that is exotic 2: stripteaser

   exotica
          [ex.ot.i.ca] n pl [NL, fr. L, neut. pl. of exoticus] (1876):
          things excitingly different or unusual; esp: literary
          or artistic items having an exotic theme or nature

   exoticism
          [ex.ot.i.cism] also ex.o.tism n (1827): the quality or state
          of being exotic

   exotoxin
          [exo.tox.in] n [ISV] (1920): a soluble poisonous substance
          produced during growth of a microorganism and released
          into the surrounding medium

   exp
          [exp] abbreviation expense, experience, experiment, experimental,
          exponent, export, express

   expand
          [ex.pand] vb [ME expaunden, fr. L expandere, fr. ex- + pandere
          to spread--more at fathom] vt (15c) 1: to open up: unfold
          2: to increase the extent, number, volume, or scope of:
          enlarge 3 a: to express at length or in greater detail
          b: to write out in full <~ all abbreviations> c: to subject
          to mathematical expansion <~ a function in a power series>
          ~ vi 1: to open out: spread 2: to increase in extent,
          number, volume, or scope 3: to speak or write fully or
          in detail <~ed on the theme> 4: to feel generous or optimistic
          -- ex.pand.abil.i.ty n -- ex.pand.able adj syn expand,
          amplify, swell, distend, inflate, dilate mean to increase
          in size or volume. expand may apply whether the increase
          comes from within or without and regardless of manner
          (as growth, unfolding, addition of parts). amplify implies
          the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.
          swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original
          or normal limits. distend implies outward extension caused
          by pressure from within. inflate implies expanding by
          introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests
          a resulting vulnerability and liability to sudden collapse.
          dilate applies esp. to expansion of circumference.

   expanded
          [ex.pand.ed] adj (1875) of a typeface: extended

   expanded metal
          [expanded metal] n (1890): sheet metal cut and expanded into
          a lattice and used esp. as lath

   expanded plastic
          [expanded plastic] n (1945): lightweight cellular plastic
          used esp. as insulation and protective packing material--called
          also foamed plastic, plastic foam

   expander
          [ex.pand.er] n (1862): one that expands; specif: any of several
          colloidal substances (as dextran) of high molecular weight
          used as a blood or plasma substitute for increasing the
          blood volume

   expanse
          [ex.panse] n [NL expansum, fr. L, neut. of expansus, pp.
          of expandere] (1667) 1: firmament 2: great extent of
          something spread out <an ~ of calm ocean>

   expansible
          [ex.pan.si.ble] adj (ca. 1691): capable of being expanded
          -- ex.pan.si.bil.i.ty n

   expansion
          [ex.pan.sion] n (1611) 1: expanse 2: the act or process of
          expanding <territorial ~> 3: the quality or state of
          being expanded 4: the increase in volume of working fluid
          (as steam) in an engine cylinder after cutoff or in an
          internal combustion engine after explosion 5 a: an expanded
          part b: something that results from an act of expanding
          <the book is an ~ of a lecture series> 6: the result
          of carrying out an indicated mathematical operation:
          the expression of a function in the form of a series
          -- ex.pan.sion.al adj

   expansionary
          [ex.pan.sion.ary] adj (1936): tending toward expansion <an
          ~ economy>

   expansionism
          [ex.pan.sion.ism] n (1899): a policy or practice of expansion
          and esp. of territorial expansion by a nation -- ex.pan.sion.ist
          n -- expansionist also ex.pan.sion.is.tic adj

   expansive
          [ex.pan.sive] adj (1651) 1: having a capacity or a tendency
          to expand 2: causing or tending to cause expansion 3
          a: characterized by high spirits, generosity, or readiness
          to talk: open <grew ~ after dinner> b: marked by or indicative
          of exaggerated euphoria and delusions of self-importance
          <an ~ patient> 4: marked by expansion; esp: having a
          great expanse or extent: sizable, extensive 5: characterized
          by richness, abundance, or magnificence <~ living> --
          ex.pan.sive.ly adv -- ex.pan.sive.ness n

   expansivity
          [ex.pan.siv.i.ty] n (1837): the quality or state of being
          expansive; esp: the capacity to expand

   ex parte
          [ex par.te] adv or adj [ML] (1672) 1: on or from one side
          or party only--used of legal proceedings 2: from a one-sided
          or partisan point of view

   expat
          [ex.pat] n (1962) chiefly Brit: an expatriate person: expatriate

   expatiate
          [ex.pa.ti.ate] vi -at.ed ; -at.ing [L exspatiatus, pp. of
          exspatiari to wander, digress, fr. ex- + spatium space,
          course] (1538) 1: to move about freely or at will: wander
          2: to speak or write at length or in detail <expatiating
          upon the value of the fabric --Thomas Hardy> -- ex.pa.ti.a.tion
          n

   [1]expatriate
          [ex.pa.tri.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML expatriatus, pp.
          of expatriare to leave one's own country, fr. L ex- +
          patria native country, fr. fem. of patrius of a father,
          fr. patr-, pater father--more at father] vt (1784) 1:
          to withdraw (oneself) from residence in or allegiance
          to one's native country 2: banish, exile ~ vi: to leave
          one's native country to live elsewhere; also: to renounce
          allegiance to one's native country -- ex.pa.tri.ate n
          -- ex.pa.tri.a.tion n [2]ex.pa.tri.ate adj (1812): living
          in a foreign land

   expatriatism
          [ex.pa.tri.a.tism] n (1937): the fact or state of being an
          expatriate

   expect
          [ex.pect] vb [L exspectare to look forward to, fr. ex- +
          spectare to look at, fr. spectus, pp. of specere to look--more
          at spy] vi (1560) 1 archaic: wait, stay 2: to look forward
          3: to be pregnant: await the birth of one's child--used
          in progressive tenses <she's ~ing next month> ~ vt 1
          archaic: await 2: suppose, think 3: to anticipate or
          look forward to the coming or occurrence of <we ~ them
          any minute now> <~ed a telephone call> 4 a: to consider
          probable or certain <~ to be forgiven> <~ that things
          will improve> b: to consider reasonable, due, or necessary
          <~ed hard work from the students> c: to consider bound
          in duty or obligated <they ~ you to pay your bills> --
          ex.pect.able adj -- ex.pect.ably adv -- ex.pect.ed.ly
          adv -- ex.pect.ed.ness n syn expect, hope, look mean
          to await some occurrence or outcome. expect implies a
          high degree of certainty and usu. involves the idea of
          preparing or envisioning <expects to be finished by Tuesday>.
          hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence
          or assurance in the possibility that what one desires
          or longs for will happen <hopes to find a job soon>.
          look, with to, implies assurance that expectations will
          be fulfilled <looks to a tidy profit from the sale>;
          with for it implies less assurance and suggests an attitude
          of expectancy and watchfulness <look for rain when the
          wind shifts to the northeast>.

   expectance
          [ex.pec.tance] n (1603): expectancy

   expectancy
          [ex.pec.tan.cy] n, pl -cies (1600) 1 a: the act, action,
          or state of expecting b: the state of being expected
          2 a: something expected b: the expected amount (as of
          the number of years of life) based on statistical probability
          <life ~>

   [1]expectant
          [ex.pec.tant] adj (14c) 1: characterized by expectation 2:
          expecting the birth of a child <~ mothers> -- ex.pec.tant.ly
          adv [2]expectant n (1628): one who is looking forward
          to something

   expectation
          [ex.pec.ta.tion] n (1540) 1: the act or state of expecting:
          anticipation 2 a: something expected <not up to ~s> b:
          basis for expecting: assurance <they have every ~ of
          success> c: prospects of inheritance--usu. used in pl.
          3: the state of being expected 4 a: expectancy 2b b:
          expected value -- ex.pec.ta.tion.al adj

   expectative
          [ex.pec.ta.tive] adj (15c): of, relating to, or constituting
          an object of expectation

   expected value
          [expected value] n (1947) 1: the sum of the values of a random
          variable with each value multiplied by its probability
          of occurrence 2: the integral of the product of a probability
          density function of a continuous random variable and
          the random variable itself when taken over all possible
          values of the variable

   expectorant
          [ex.pec.to.rant] n (1782): an agent that promotes the discharge
          or expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract; broadly:
          an antitussive agent -- expectorant adj

   expectorate
          [ex.pec.to.rate] vb -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L expectoratus, pp.
          of expectorare to banish from the mind (taken to mean
          lit. "to expel from the chest"), fr. ex- + pector-, pectus
          breast, soul--more at pectoral] vt (1601) 1: to eject
          from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting
          2: spit ~ vi 1: to discharge matter from the throat or
          lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting 2: spit --
          ex.pec.to.ra.tion n

   ex pede Herculem
          [ex pe.de Her.cu.lem] [L] foreign term : from the foot (we
          may judge of the size of) Hercules: from a part we may
          judge of the whole

   expedience
          [ex.pe.di.ence] n (1593): expediency

   expediency
          [ex.pe.di.en.cy] n, pl -cies (1612) 1: the quality or state
          of being suited to the end in view: suitability, fitness
          2 obs a: haste, dispatch b: an enterprise requiring haste
          or caution 3: adherence to expedient means and methods
          <put more emphasis on ~ than on principle --W. H. Jones>
          4: a means of achieving a particular end: expedient --
          ex.pe.di.en.tial adj

   [1]expedient
          [ex.pe.di.ent] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L expedient-,
          expendiens, prp. of expedire to extricate, prepare, be
          useful, fr. ex- + ped-, pes foot--more at foot] (14c)
          1: suitable for achieving a particular end in a given
          circumstance 2: characterized by concern with what is
          opportune; esp: governed by self-interest -- ex.pe.di.ent.ly
          adv syn expedient, politic, advisable mean dictated by
          practical or prudent motives. expedient usu. implies
          what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics
          or consistent principles <a politically expedient decision>.
          politic stresses judiciousness and tactical value but
          usu. implies some lack of candor or sincerity <a politic
          show of interest>. advisable applies to what is practical,
          prudent, or advantageous but lacks the derogatory implication
          of expedient and politic <sometimes it's advisable to
          say nothing>. [2]expedient n (1653): something expedient:
          a temporary means to an end syn see resource

   expedite
          [ex.pe.dite] vt -dit.ed ; -dit.ing [L expeditus, pp. of expedire]
          (15c) 1: to execute promptly 2: to accelerate the process
          or progress of: speed up 3: issue, dispatch

   expediter
          [ex.pe.dit.er] also ex.pe.di.tor n (1891): one that expedites;
          specif: one employed to ensure efficient movement of
          goods or supplies in a business

   expedition
          [ex.pe.di.tion] n (15c) 1 a: a journey or excursion undertaken
          for a specific purpose b: the group of persons making
          such a journey 2: efficient promptness: speed 3: a sending
          or setting forth syn see haste

   expeditionary
          [ex.pe.di.tion.ary] adj (1817): of, relating to, or being
          an expedition; also: sent on military service abroad
          <an ~ force>

   expeditious
          [ex.pe.di.tious] adj (1559): characterized by or acting promptly
          and efficiently syn see fast -- ex.pe.di.tious.ly adv
          -- ex.pe.di.tious.ness n

   expel
          [ex.pel] vt ex.pelled ; ex.pel.ling [ME expellen, fr. L expellere,
          fr. ex- + pellere to drive--more at felt] (14c) 1: to force out:
          eject <expelled the smoke from her lungs> 2: to force to leave (as
          a place or organization) by official action: take away rights
          or privileges of membership <expelled from college> syn see eject
          -- ex.pel.la.ble adj

   expellee
          [ex.pel.lee] n (1888): a person who is expelled esp. from
          a native or adopted country

   expend
          [ex.pend] vt [ME, fr. L expendere to weigh out, expend, fr.
          ex- + pendere to weigh--more at spin] (15c) 1: to pay
          out: spend <the social services upon which public revenue
          is ~ed --J. A. Hobson> 2: to make use of for a specific
          purpose: utilize <projects on which they ~ed great energy>;
          also: use up -- ex.pend.er n

   [1]expendable
          [ex.pend.able] adj (1805): that may be expended: as a: normally
          used up or consumed in service <~ supplies like pencils
          and paper> b: more easily or economically replaced than
          rescued, salvaged, or protected -- ex.pend.abil.i.ty
          n [2]expendable n (1942): one that is expendable--usu.
          used in pl.

   expenditure
          [ex.pen.di.ture] n [irreg. fr. expend] (1769) 1: the act
          or process of expending <an ~ of energy> 2: something
          expended: disbursement, expense <income should exceed
          ~s>

   [1]expense
          [ex.pense] n [ME, fr. AF or LL; AF, fr. LL expensa, fr. L,
          fem. of expensus, pp. of expendere] (14c) 1 archaic:
          the act or an instance of expending: expenditure 2 a:
          something expended to secure a benefit or bring about
          a result b: financial burden or outlay: cost <built the
          monument at their own ~> c: an item of business outlay
          chargeable against revenue for a specific period 3: a
          cause or occasion of expenditure <an estate is a great
          ~> 4: a loss, detriment, or embarrassment that results
          from some action or gain: sacrifice <everyone had a good
          laugh at my ~>--usu. used in the phrase at the expense
          of <develop a boy's physique at the ~ of his intelligence
          --Bertrand Russell> [2]expense vt ex.pensed ; ex.pens.ing
          (ca. 1909) 1: to charge with expenses 2 a: to charge
          to an expense account b: to write off as an expense

   expense account
          [expense account] n (1872): an account of expenses reimbursable
          to an employee; also: the right of charging expenses
          to such an account

   expensive
          [ex.pen.sive] adj (1634) 1: involving high cost or sacrifice
          <an ~ hobby> 2 a: commanding a high price and esp. one
          that is not based on intrinsic worth or is beyond a prospective
          buyer's means b: characterized by high prices <~ shops>
          -- ex.pen.sive.ly adv -- ex.pen.sive.ness n

   [1]experience
          [ex.pe.ri.ence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L experientia act of trying,
          fr. experient-, experiens, prp. of experiri to try, fr.
          ex- + -periri (akin to periculum attempt)--more at fear]
          (14c) 1 a: direct observation of or participation in
          events as a basis of knowledge b: the fact or state of
          having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct
          observation or participation 2 a: practical knowledge,
          skill, or practice derived from direct observation of
          or participation in events or in a particular activity
          b: the length of such participation <has 10 years ~ in
          the job> 3 a: the conscious events that make up an individual
          life b: the events that make up the conscious past of
          a community or nation or mankind generally 4: something
          personally encountered, undergone, or lived through 5:
          the act or process of directly perceiving events or reality
          [2]experience vt -enced ; -enc.ing (1580) 1: to learn
          by experience <I have experienced that a landscape and
          the sky unfold the deepest beauty --Nathaniel Hawthorne>
          2: to have experience of: undergo <experienced severe
          hardships as a child>

   experienced
          [ex.pe.ri.enced] adj (1576): made skillful or wise through
          experience: practiced <an ~ driver>

   experiential
          [ex.pe.ri.en.tial] adj (1816): relating to, derived from,
          or providing experience: empirical <~ knowledge> <~ lessons>
          -- ex.pe.ri.en.tial.ly adv

   [1]experiment
          [ex.per.i.ment] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L experimentum, fr. experiri]
          (14c) 1 a: test, trial <make another ~ of his suspicion
          --Shak.> b: a tentative procedure or policy c: an operation
          carried out under controlled conditions in order to discover
          an unknown effect or law, to test or establish a hypothesis,
          or to illustrate a known law 2 obs: experience 3: the
          process of testing: experimentation [2]ex.per.i.ment
          vi (1787): to carry out experiments: try out a new procedure,
          idea, or activity -- ex.per.i.men.ta.tion n -- ex.per.i.ment.er
          n

   experimental
          [ex.per.i.men.tal] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or based
          on experience or experiment 2 a: serving the ends of
          or used as a means of experimentation <an ~ school> b:
          relating to or having the characteristics of experiment:
          tentative <still in the ~ stage> -- ex.per.i.men.tal.ly
          adv

   experimentalism
          [ex.per.i.men.tal.ism] n (ca. 1834): reliance on or advocacy
          of experimental or empirical principles and procedures;
          specif: instrumentalism

   experimentalist
          [ex.per.i.men.tal.ist] n (1762): one who experiments; specif:
          a person conducting scientific experiments

   experiment station
          [experiment station] n (1874): an establishment for scientific
          research (as in agriculture) where experiments are carried
          out, studies of practical application are made, and information
          is disseminated

   [1]expert
          [ex.pert] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L expertus, fr. pp.
          of experiri] (14c) 1 obs: experienced 2: having, involving,
          or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from
          training or experience syn see proficient -- ex.pert.ly
          adv -- ex.pert.ness n [2]ex.pert n [F, fr. expert, adj.]
          (1535): one with the special skill or knowledge representing
          mastery of a particular subject [3]ex.pert vi (ca. 1889):
          to serve as an expert

   expertise
          [ex.per.tise] n [F, fr. MF, expertness, fr. expert] (1868)
          1: expert opinion or commentary 2: the skill of an expert

   expertism
          [ex.pert.ism] n (1886): expertise 2

   expertize
          [ex.pert.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1889): to give a professional
          opinion usu. after careful study ~ vt: to examine and give expert
          judgment on

   experto crede
          [ex.per.to cre.de] or experto cre.di.te [L] foreign term
          : believe one who has had experience: trust me

   expert system
          [expert system] n (1977): computer software that attempts
          to mimic the reasoning of a human specialist

   expiate
          [ex.pi.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L expiatus, pp. of expiare
          to atone for, fr. ex- + piare to atone for, appease,
          fr. pius faithful, pious] vt (1594) 1 obs: to put an
          end to 2 a: to extinguish the guilt incurred by b: to
          make amends for <permission to ~ their offences by their
          assiduous labours --Francis Bacon> ~ vi: to make expiation
          -- ex.pi.a.ble adj -- ex.pi.a.tor n

   expiation
          [ex.pi.a.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of making atonement 2:
          the means by which atonement is made

   expiatory
          [ex.pi.a.to.ry] adj (15c): serving to expiate

   expiration
          [ex.pi.ra.tion] n (1526) 1 a: the last emission of breath:
          death b (1): the act or process of releasing air from
          the lungs through the nose or mouth (2): the escape of
          carbon dioxide from the body protoplasm (as through the
          blood and lungs or by diffusion) 2: the fact of coming
          to an end or the point at which something ends: termination

   expiratory
          [ex.pi.ra.to.ry] adj (ca. 1847): of, relating to, or employed
          in the expiration of air from the lungs

   expire
          [ex.pire] vb ex.pired ; ex.pir.ing [ME, fr. MF or L; MF expirer,
          fr. L exspirare, fr. ex- + spirare to breathe] vi (14c)
          1: to breathe one's last breath: die 2: to come to an
          end 3: to emit the breath ~ vt 1 obs: conclude 2: to
          breathe out from or as if from the lungs 3 archaic: emit

   expiry
          [ex.pi.ry] n, pl -ries (1752): expiration: as a: exhalation
          of breath b: death c: termination; esp: the termination
          of a time or period fixed by law, contract, or agreement

   explain
          [ex.plain] vb [ME explanen, fr. L explanare, lit., to make
          level, fr. ex- + planus level, flat--more at floor] vt
          (15c) 1 a: to make known b: to make plain or understandable
          <footnotes that ~ the terms> 2: to give the reason for
          or cause of 3: to show the logical development or relationships
          of ~ vi: to make something plain or understandable --
          ex.plain.able adj -- ex.plain.er n -- explain oneself
          : to clarify one's statements or the reasons for one's
          conduct syn explain, expound, explicate, elucidate, interpret
          mean to make something clear or understandable. explain
          implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately
          obvious or entirely known <explain the rules>. expound
          implies a careful often elaborate explanation <expounding
          a scientific theory>. explicate adds the idea of a developed
          or detailed analysis <explicate a poem>. elucidate stresses
          the throwing of light upon as by offering details or
          motives previously unclear or only implicit <elucidate
          an obscure passage>. interpret adds to explain the need
          for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing
          with something <interpreting a work of art>.

   explain away
          [explain away] vt (1704) 1: to get rid of by or as if by
          explanation 2: to minimize the significance of by or
          as if by explanation

   explanation
          [ex.pla.na.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or process of explaining
          2: something that explains <gave no ~>

   explanative
          [ex.plan.a.tive] adj (ca. 1616): explanatory -- ex.plan.a.tive.ly
          adv

   explanatory
          [ex.plan.a.to.ry] adj (1618): serving to explain <~ notes>
          -- ex.plan.a.to.ri.ly adv

   [1]explant
          [ex.plant] vt [ex- + -plant (as in implant)] (1915): to remove
          (living tissue) esp. to a medium for tissue culture --
          ex.plan.ta.tion n [2]ex.plant n (1917): living tissue
          removed from an organism and placed in a medium for tissue
          culture

   [1]expletive
          [ex.ple.tive] n (1612) 1 a: a syllable, word, or phrase inserted
          to fill a vacancy (as in a sentence or a metrical line)
          without adding to the sense; esp: a word (as it in "make
          it clear which you prefer") that occupies the position
          of the subject or object of a verb in normal English
          word order and anticipates a subsequent word or phrase
          that supplies the needed meaningful content b: an exclamatory
          word or phrase; esp: one that is obscene or profane 2:
          one that serves to fill out or as a filling [2]expletive
          adj [LL expletivus, fr. L expletus, pp. of explere to
          fill out, fr. ex- + plere to fill--more at full] (1666)
          1: serving to fill up <~ phrases> 2: marked by the use
          of expletives

   expletory
          [ex.ple.to.ry] adj (1672): expletive

   explicable
          [ex.pli.ca.ble] adj (1556): capable of being explained --
          ex.pli.ca.bly adv

   explicate
          [ex.pli.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L explicatus, pp. of
          explicare, lit., to unfold, fr. ex- + plicare to fold--more
          at ply] (1531) 1: to give a detailed explanation of 2:
          to develop the implications of: analyze logically syn
          see explain -- ex.pli.ca.tion n -- ex.pli.ca.tor n

   explication de texte
          [ex.pli.ca.tion de texte] n, pl explications de texte [F,
          lit., explanation of text] (1935): a method of literary
          criticism involving a detailed analysis of a work

   explicative
          [ex.pli.ca.tive] adj (1649): serving to explicate; specif:
          serving to explain logically what is contained in the
          subject <an ~ proposition> -- ex.pli.ca.tive.ly adv

   explicatory
          [ex.pli.ca.to.ry] adj (1625): explicative

   explicit
          [ex.plic.it] adj [F or ML; F explicite, fr. ML explicitus,
          fr. L, pp. of explicare] (ca. 1609) 1 a: fully revealed
          or expressed without vagueness, implication, or ambiguity:
          leaving no question as to meaning or intent <~ instructions>
          b: open in the depiction of nudity or sexuality <~ books
          and films> 2: fully developed or formulated <an ~ plan>
          <an ~ notion of our objective> 3: unambiguous in expression
          <was very ~ on how we are to behave> 4 of a mathematical
          function: defined by an expression containing only independent
          variables--compare implicit 1c -- ex.plic.it.ly adv --
          ex.plic.it.ness n syn explicit, definite, express, specific
          mean perfectly clear in meaning. explicit implies such
          verbal plainness and distinctness that there is no need
          for inference and no room for difficulty in understanding
          <explicit instructions>. definite stresses precise, clear
          statement or arrangement that leaves no doubt or indecision
          <the law is definite in such cases>. express implies
          both explicitness and direct and positive utterance <her
          express wishes>. specific applies to what is precisely
          and fully treated in detail or particular <two specific
          criticisms>.

   explode
          [ex.plode] vb ex.plod.ed ; ex.plod.ing [L explodere to drive
          off the stage by clapping, fr. ex- + plaudere to clap]
          vt (ca. 1611) 1 archaic: to drive from the stage by noisy
          disapproval 2: to bring into disrepute or discred it
          <~ a theory> 3: to cause to explode or burst noisily
          <~ a bomb> ~ vi 1: to burst forth with sudden violence
          or noise from internal energy: as a: to undergo a rapid
          chemical or nuclear reaction with the production of noise,
          heat, and violent expansion of gases <dynamite ~s> b:
          to burst violently as a result of pressure from within
          2 a: to give forth a sudden strong and noisy outburst
          of emotion <exploded in anger> b: to move with sudden
          speed and force <exploded from the starting gate> 3:
          to increase rapidly <the population of the city exploded>
          -- ex.plod.er n

   exploded
          [ex.plod.ed] adj (1944): showing the parts separated but
          in correct relationship to each other <an ~ view of a
          carburetor>

   [1]exploit
          [ex.ploit] n [ME, outcome, success, fr. MF, fr. L explicitum,
          neut. of explicitus, pp.] (ca. 1538): deed, act; esp:
          a notable or heroic act syn see feat [2]ex.ploit vt (1838)
          1: to make productive use of: utilize <~ing your talents>
          <~ your opponent's weakness> 2: to make use of meanly
          or unjustly for one's own advantage <~ing migrant farm
          workers> -- ex.ploit.able adj -- ex.ploit.er n

   exploitation
          [ex.ploi.ta.tion] n (1803): an act or instance of exploiting
          <~ of natural resources> <~ of immigrant laborers> <clever
          ~ of the system>

   exploitative
          [ex.ploit.ative] adj (1885): exploiting or tending to exploit;
          esp: unfairly or cynically using another person or group
          for profit or advantage <~ terms of employment> <an ~
          film> -- ex.ploit.ative.ly adv

   exploitive
          [ex.ploit.ive] adj (1921): exploitative

   exploration
          [ex.plo.ra.tion] n (1537): the act or an instance of exploring
          -- ex.plo.ra.tion.al adj

   explorative
          [ex.plor.ative] adj (1738): exploratory -- ex.plor.ative.ly
          adv

   exploratory
          [ex.plor.ato.ry] adj (1620): of, relating to, or being exploration
          <~ surgery> <~ drilling for oil>

   explore
          [ex.plore] vb ex.plored ; ex.plor.ing [L explorare, fr. ex-
          + plorare to cry out] vt (1585) 1 a: to investigate,
          study, or analyze: look into <~ the relationship between
          social class and learning ability>--sometimes used with
          indirect questions <to ~ where ethical issues arise --R.
          T. Blackburn> b: to become familiar with by testing or
          experimenting <~ new cuisines> 2: to travel over (new
          territory) for adventure or discovery 3: to examine minutely
          esp. for diagnostic purposes <~ the wound> ~ vi: to make
          or conduct a systematic search <~ for oil>

   explorer
          [ex.plor.er] n (1685) 1: one that explores; esp: a person
          who travels in search of geographical or scientific information
          2 cap: a member of a coed scouting program of the Boy
          Scouts of America for young people ages 14 to 20 focusing
          on career awareness

   explosion
          [ex.plo.sion] n [L explosion-, explosio act of driving off
          by clapping, fr. explodere] (ca. 1616) 1: the act or
          an instance of exploding <injured in a laboratory ~>
          2: a large-scale, rapid, or spectacular expansion or
          bursting out or forth <the ~ of suburbia> <an ~ of red
          hair> 3: the release of occluded breath that occurs in
          one kind of articulation of stop consonants

   [1]explosive
          [ex.plo.sive] adj (1667) 1 a: relating to, characterized
          by, or operated by explosion <an ~ hatch> b: resulting
          from or as if from an explosion <~ population growth>
          2 a: tending to explode <an ~ person> b: likely to erupt
          in or produce hostile reaction or violence <an ~ ghetto
          situation> -- ex.plo.sive.ly adv -- ex.plo.sive.ness
          n [2]explosive n (1874) 1: an explosive substance 2:
          a consonant characterized by explosion in its articulation
          when it occurs in certain environments: stop

   expo
          [ex.po] n, pl expos (1913): exposition 3

   exponent
          [ex.po.nent] n [L exponent-, exponens, prp. of exponere]
          (1706) 1: a symbol written above and to the right of
          a mathematical expression to indicate the operation of
          raising to a power 2 a: one that expounds or interprets
          b: one that champions, practices, or exemplifies

   exponential
          [ex.po.nen.tial] adj (1704) 1: of or relating to an exponent
          2: involving a variable in an exponent 3: expressible
          or approximately expressible by an exponential function;
          esp: characterized by or being an extremely rapid increase
          (as in size or extent) <an ~ growth rate> -- ex.po.nen.tial.ly
          adv

   exponential function
          [exponential function] n (ca. 1890): a mathematical function
          in which an independent variable appears in one of the
          exponents--called also exponential

   exponentiation
          [ex.po.nen.ti.a.tion] n (1903): the act or process of raising
          a quantity to a power--called also involution

   [1]export
          [ex.port] vb [ME, fr. L exportare, fr. ex- + portare to carry--more
          at fare] vt (15c) 1: to carry away: remove 2: to carry or send (as
          a commodity) to some other place (as another country) ~ vi:
          to export something abroad -- ex.port.abil.i.ty n -- ex.port.able
          adj [2]ex.port n (1690) 1: something exported; specif: a commodity
          conveyed from one country or region to another for purposes
          of trade 2: the act of exporting: exportation <the ~ of wheat>
          [3]ex.port adj (1795): of or relating to exportation or exports
          <~ duties>

   exportation
          [ex.por.ta.tion] n (1641): the act of exporting; also: a
          commodity exported

   exporter
          [ex.port.er] n (1691): one that exports; specif: a wholesaler
          who sells to merchants or industrial consumers in foreign
          countries

   expose
          [ex.pose] vt ex.posed ; ex.pos.ing [ME, fr. MF exposer, fr.
          L exponere to set forth, explain (perf. indic. exposui),
          fr. ex- + ponere to put, place--more at position] (15c)
          1 a: to deprive of shelter, protection, or care: subject
          to risk from a harmful action or condition <~ troops
          needlessly> <has not yet been exposed to measles> b:
          to submit or make accessible to a particular action or
          influence <~ children to good books>; esp: to subject
          (a sensitive photographic film, plate, or paper) to radiant
          energy c: to abandon (an infant) esp. by leaving in the
          open 2 a: to make known: bring to light (as something
          shameful) b: to disclose the faults or crimes of <~ a
          murderer> 3: to cause to be visible or open to view:
          display: as a: to offer publicly for sale b: to exhibit
          for public veneration c: to reveal the face of (a playing
          card) or the cards of (a player's hand) d: to engage
          in indecent exposure of (oneself) syn see show -- ex.pos.er
          n ex.po.se n [F expose, fr. pp. of exposer] (1803) 1:
          a formal statement of facts 2: an exposure of something
          discreditable <a newspaper ~ of government corruption>

   exposed
          [ex.posed] adj (ca. 1623) 1: open to view 2: not shielded
          or protected; also: not insulated <an ~ electric wire>
          syn see liable

   exposit
          [ex.pos.it] vt [L expositus, pp. of exponere] (1882): expound

   exposition
          [ex.po.si.tion] n (14c) 1: a setting forth of the meaning
          or purpose (as of a writing) 2 a: discourse or an example
          of it designed to convey information or explain what
          is difficult to understand b (1): the first part of a
          musical composition in sonata form in which the thematic
          material of the movement is presented (2): the opening
          section of a fugue 3: a public exhibition or show --
          ex.po.si.tion.al adj

   expositive
          [ex.pos.i.tive] adj (15c): descriptive, expository

   expositor
          [ex.pos.i.tor] n [ME expositour, fr. MF expositeur, fr. LL
          expositor, fr. L exponere] (14c): a person who explains:
          commentator

   expository
          [ex.pos.i.to.ry] adj (1628): of, relating to, or containing
          exposition <~ writing>

   [1]ex post facto
          [ex post fac.to] adv [LL, lit., from a thing done afterward]
          (1621): after the fact: retroactively [2]ex post facto
          adj (1787): done, made, or formulated after the fact:
          retroactive <ex post facto approval> <ex post facto laws>

   expostulate
          [ex.pos.tu.late] vb [L expostulatus, pp. of expostulare to
          demand, dispute, fr. ex- + postulare to ask for--more
          at postulate] vt (1573) obs: discuss, examine ~ vi: to
          reason earnestly with a person for purposes of dissuasion
          or remonstrance

   expostulation
          [ex.pos.tu.la.tion] n (1540): an act or an instance
          of expostulating -- ex.pos.tu.la.to.ry adj

   exposure
          [ex.po.sure] n (1606) 1: the fact or condition of being exposed:
          as a: the condition of being presented to view or made
          known <a politician seeks a lot of ~> b: the condition
          of being unprotected esp. from severe weather <died of
          ~> c: the condition of being subject to some effect or
          influence <risk ~ to the flu> d: the condition of being
          at risk of financial loss; also: an amount at risk 2:
          the act or an instance of exposing: as a: disclosure
          of something secret <tried to prevent ~ of their past>
          b: the treating of sensitized material (as film) to controlled
          amounts of radiant energy; also: the amount of such energy
          or length of such treatment <a 3-second ~> 3 a: the manner
          of being exposed b: the position (as of a house) with
          respect to weather influences or compass points <a room
          with a southern ~> 4: a piece or section of sensitized
          material (as film) on which an exposure is or can be
          made <36 ~s per roll>

   exposure meter
          [exposure meter] n (1891): a device for indicating correct
          photographic exposure under varying conditions of illumination

   expound
          [ex.pound] vb [ME, fr. MF expondre, fr. L exponere to explain--more
          at expose] vt (14c) 1 a: to set forth: state b: to defend with
          argument 2: to explain by setting forth in careful and often
          elaborate detail <~ a law> ~ vi: to make a statement: comment syn
          see explain -- ex.pound.er n

   [1]express
          [ex.press] adj [ME, fr. MF expres, fr. L expressus, pp. of
          exprimere to press out, express, fr. ex- + premere to
          press--more at press] (14c) 1 a: directly, firmly, and
          explicitly stated <my ~ orders> b: exact, precise 2 a:
          designed for or adapted to its purpose b: of a particular
          sort: specific <for that ~ purpose> 3 a: traveling at
          high speed; specif: traveling with few or no stops along
          the way <~ train> b: adapted or suitable for travel at
          high speed <an ~ highway> c Brit: designated to be delivered
          without delay by special messenger syn see explicit [2]express
          adv (14c) 1 obs: expressly 2: by express <delivered ~>
          [3]express n (1619) 1 a Brit: a messenger sent on a special
          errand b Brit: a dispatch conveyed by a special messenger
          c (1): a system for the prompt and safe transportation
          of parcels, money, or goods at rates higher than standard
          freight charges (2): a company operating such a merchandise
          freight service d Brit: special delivery 2: an express
          vehicle [4]express vt [ME, fr. MF & L; MF expresser,
          fr. OF, fr. expres, adj., fr. L expressus, pp.] (14c)
          1 a: delineate, depict b: to represent in words: state
          c: to give or convey a true impression of: show, reflect
          d: to make known the opinions or feelings of (oneself)
          e: to give expression to the artistic or creative impulses
          or abilities of (oneself) f: to represent by a sign or
          symbol: symbolize 2 a: to force out (as the juice of
          a fruit) by pressure b: to subject to pressure so as
          to extract something 3: to send by express 4: to cause
          (a gene) to manifest its effects in the phenotype --
          ex.press.er n -- ex.press.ible adj syn express, vent,
          utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one
          thinks or feels. express suggests an impulse to reveal
          in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces
          <expressed her feelings in music>. vent stresses a strong
          inner compulsion to express esp. in words <a tirade venting
          his frustration>. utter implies the use of the voice
          not necessarily in articulate speech <utter a groan>.
          voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but
          does imply expression or formulation in words <an editorial
          voicing their concerns>. broach adds the implication
          of disclosing for the first time something long thought
          over or reserved for a suitable occasion <broached the
          subject of a divorce>. air implies an exposing or parading
          of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy
          or attention <publicly airing their differences>.

   expressage
          [ex.press.age] n (1857): a carrying of parcels by express;
          also: a charge for such carrying

   expression
          [ex.pres.sion] n (15c) 1 a: an act, process, or instance
          of representing in a medium (as words): utterance <freedom
          of ~> b (1): something that manifests, embodies, or symbolizes
          something else <this gift is an ~ of my admiration for
          you> (2): a significant word or phrase (3): a mathematical
          or logical symbol or a meaningful combination of symbols
          (4): the detectable effect of a gene; also: expressivity
          1 2 a: a mode, means, or use of significant representation
          or symbolism; esp: felicitous or vivid indication or
          depiction of mood or sentiment <read the poem with ~>
          b (1): the quality or fact of being expressive (2): facial
          aspect or vocal intonation as indicative of feeling 3:
          an act or product of pressing out -- ex.pres.sion.al
          adj

   expressionism
          [ex.pres.sion.ism] n, often cap (ca. 1901): a theory or practice
          in art of seeking to depict the subjective emotions and
          responses that objects and events arouse in the artist
          -- ex.pres.sion.ist n or adj, often cap -- ex.pres.sion.is.tic
          adj -- ex.pres.sion.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   expressionless
          [ex.pres.sion.less] adj (1831): lacking expression <an ~
          face> -- ex.pres.sion.less.ly adv -- ex.pres.sion.less.ness
          n

   expressive
          [ex.pres.sive] adj (15c) 1: of or relating to expression
          <the ~ function of language> 2: serving to express, utter,
          or represent <foul and novel terms ~ of rage --H. G.
          Wells> 3: effectively conveying meaning or feeling <an
          ~ silence> <~ line drawings> -- ex.pres.sive.ly adv --
          ex.pres.sive.ness n

   expressivity
          [ex.pres.siv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1934) 1: the relative capacity
          of a gene to affect the phenotype of the organism of
          which it is a part 2: the quality of being expressive

   expressly
          [ex.press.ly] adv (14c) 1: in an express manner: explicitly
          <~ rejected the proposal> 2: for the express purpose:
          particularly, specifically <made ~ for me>

   Express Mail
          [Express Mail] service mark--used for overnight delivery
          of mail

   expressman
          [ex.press.man] n (1839): a person employed in the express
          business

   expresso
          [ex.pres.so] var of espresso

   expressway
          [ex.press.way] n (1944): a high-speed divided highway for
          through traffic with access partially or fully controlled

   expropriate
          [ex.pro.pri.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML expropriatus, pp.
          of expropriare, fr. L ex- + proprius own] (1611) 1: to
          deprive of possession or proprietary rights 2: to transfer
          (the property of another) to one's own possession --
          ex.pro.pri.a.tor n

   expropriation
          [ex.pro.pri.a.tion] n (15c): the act of expropriating or
          the state of being expropriated; specif: the action of
          the state in taking or modifying the property rights
          of an individual in the exercise of its sovereignty

   expt
          [expt] abbreviation experiment

   exptl
          [exptl] abbreviation experimental

   expulse
          [ex.pulse] vt ex.pulsed ; ex.puls.ing (15c): expel

   expulsion
          [ex.pul.sion] n [ME, fr. L expulsion-, expulsio, fr. expellere
          to expel] (15c): the act of expelling: the state of being
          expelled -- ex.pul.sive adj

   expunction
          [ex.punc.tion] n [L expungere] (1606): the act of expunging:
          the state of being expunged: erasure

   expunge
          [ex.punge] vt ex.punged ; ex.pung.ing [L expungere to mark
          for deletion by dots, fr. ex- + pungere to prick--more
          at pungent] (1602) 1: to strike out, obliterate, or mark
          for deletion 2: to efface completely: destroy -- ex.pung.er
          n

   expurgate
          [ex.pur.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L expurgatus, pp. of
          expurgare, fr. ex- + purgare to purge] (1678): to cleanse
          of something morally harmful, offensive, or erroneous;
          esp: to expunge objectionable parts from before publication
          or presentation <an expurgated edition of the letters>
          -- ex.pur.ga.tion n -- ex.pur.ga.tor n

   expurgatorial
          [ex.pur.ga.to.ri.al] adj (1807): relating to expurgation
          or an expurgator: expurgatory

   expurgatory
          [ex.pur.ga.to.ry] adj (1625): serving to purify from something
          morally harmful, offensive, or erroneous

   expwy
          [expwy] abbreviation expressway

   [1]exquisite
          [ex.qui.site] adj [ME exquisit, fr. L exquisitus, pp. of
          exquirere to search out, fr. ex- + quaerere to seek]
          (15c) 1: carefully selected: choice 2 archaic: accurate
          3 a: marked by flawless craftsmanship or by beautiful,
          ingenious, delicate, or elaborate execution b: marked
          by nice discrimination, deep sensitivity, or subtle understanding
          <~ taste> c: accomplished, perfected <an ~ gentleman>
          4 a: pleasing through beauty, fitness, or perfection
          <an ~ white blossom> b: acute, intense <~ pain> c: having
          uncommon or esoteric appeal syn see choice -- ex.qui.site.ly
          adv -- ex.qui.site.ness n [2]exquisite n (1819): one
          who is overly fastidious in dress or ornament

   exrx
          [exrx] abbreviation executrix

   exsanguination
          [ex.san.gui.na.tion] n [L exsanguinatus drained of blood,
          fr. ex- + sanguin-, sanguis blood] (ca. 1909): the action
          or process of draining or losing blood -- ex.san.gui.nate
          vt

   exscind
          [ex.scind] vt [L exscindere, fr. ex- + scindere to cut, tear--more
          at shed] (1662): to cut off or out: excise

   exsert
          [ex.sert] vt [L exsertus, pp. of exserere--more at exert]
          (1836): to thrust out -- ex.ser.tile adj -- ex.ser.tion
          n

   exserted
          [ex.sert.ed] adj (1816): projecting beyond an enclosing organ
          or part

   exsiccate
          [ex.sic.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ME, fr. L exsiccatus,
          pp. of exsiccare, fr. ex- + siccare to dry, fr. siccus
          dry--more at sack] (15c): to remove moisture from: dry
          -- ex.sic.ca.tion n

   exsolution
          [ex.so.lu.tion] n (1929): the process of separating
          or precipitating from a solid crystalline phase

   ext
          [ext] abbreviation extension, exterior, external, externally,
          extra, extract

   extant
          [ex.tant] adj [L exstant-, exstans, prp. of exstare to stand
          out, be in existence, fr. ex- + stare to stand--more
          at stand] (1545) 1 archaic: standing out or above 2 a:
          currently or actually existing <the most charming writer
          ~ --G. W. Johnson> b: not destroyed or lost <~ manuscripts>

   extemporal
          [ex.tem.po.ral] adj [L extemporalis, fr. ex tempore] (1570)
          archaic: extemporaneous -- ex.tem.po.ral.ly adv

   extemporaneity
          [ex.tem.po.ra.ne.ity] n (1937): the quality or state of being
          extemporaneous

   extemporaneous
          [ex.tem.po.ra.ne.ous] adj [LL extemporaneus, fr. L ex tempore]
          (1673) 1 a (1): composed, performed, or uttered on the
          spur of the moment: impromptu (2): carefully prepared
          but delivered without notes or text b: skilled at or
          given to extemporaneous utterance c: happening suddenly
          and often unexpectedly and usu. without clearly known
          causes or relationships <a great deal of criminal and
          delinquent behavior is ... ~ --W. C. Reckless> 2: provided, made,
          or put to use as an expedient: makeshift -- ex.tem.po.ra.ne.ous.ly
          adv -- ex.tem.po.ra.ne.ous.ness n

   extemporary
          [ex.tem.po.rary] adj (1596): extemporaneous -- ex.tem.po.rar.i.ly
          adv

   extempore
          [ex.tem.po.re] adv or adj [L ex tempore, fr. ex + tempore,
          abl. of tempus time] (1553): in an extemporaneous manner
          <speaking ~>

   extemporisation, extemporise
          [ex.tem.por.i.sa.tion, ex.tem.po.rise] Brit var of extemporization,
          extemporize

   extemporization
          [ex.tem.po.ri.za.tion] n (ca. 1860) 1: the act of extemporizing:
          improvisation 2: something extemporized

   extemporize
          [ex.tem.po.rize] vb -rized ; -riz.ing vi (1644) 1: to do
          something extemporaneously: improvise; esp: to speak
          extemporaneously 2: to get along in a makeshift manner
          ~ vt: to compose, perform, or utter extemporaneously:
          improvise -- ex.tem.po.riz.er n

   extend
          [ex.tend] vb [ME, fr. MF or L; MF estendre, fr. L extendere,
          fr. ex- + tendere to stretch--more at thin] vt (14c)
          1: to spread or stretch forth: unbend <~ed both her arms>
          2 a: to stretch out to fullest length b: to cause (as
          a horse) to move at full stride c: to exert (oneself)
          to full capacity <could work long and hard without seeming
          to ~ himself> d (1): to increase the bulk of (as by adding
          a cheaper substance or a modifier) (2): adulterate 3
          [ME, fr. ML extendere (fr. L) or AF estendre, fr. OF]
          a Brit: to take possession of (as lands) by a writ of
          extent b obs: to take by force 4 a: to make the offer
          of: proffer <~ing aid to the needy> b: to make available
          <~ing credit to customers> 5 a: to cause to reach (as
          in distance or scope) <national authority was ~ed over
          new territories> b: to cause to be longer: prolong <~
          the side of a triangle> <~ed their visit another day>;
          also: to prolong the time of payment of c: advance, further
          <~ing her potential through job training> 6 a: to cause
          to be of greater area or volume: enlarge b: to increase
          the scope, meaning, or application of: broaden <beauty,
          I suppose, opens the heart, ~s the consciousness --Algernon
          Blackwood> c archaic: exaggerate ~ vi 1: to stretch out
          in distance, space, or time: reach <their jurisdiction
          ~ed over the whole area> 2: to reach in scope or application
          <his concern ~s beyond mere business to real service
          to his customers> -- ex.tend.abil.i.ty n -- ex.tend.able
          also ex.tend.ible adj syn extend, lengthen, prolong,
          protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase
          in length. extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in
          space or time but extend may also imply increase in width,
          scope, area, or range <extend a vacation> <extend welfare
          services> <lengthen a skirt> <lengthen the workweek>.
          prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration esp. beyond
          usual limits <prolonged illness>. protract adds to prolong
          implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness
          <protracted litigation>.

   extended
          [ex.tend.ed] adj (15c) 1: drawn out in length esp. of time
          <an ~ visit> 2 a: fully stretched out <an ~ battle line>
          b of a horse's gait: performed with a greatly lengthened
          stride but without a break--compare collected c: intensive
          <~ efforts> 3: having spatial magnitude: being larger
          than a point <an ~ source of light> 4: extensive 1 <made
          available ~ information --Ruth G. Strickland> 5: derivative
          1, secondary 2a <an ~ sense of a word> 6 of a typeface:
          having a wider face than that of a standard typeface
          -- ex.tend.ed.ly adv -- ex.tend.ed.ness n

   extended family
          [extended family] n (ca. 1935): a family that includes in
          one household near relatives in addition to a nuclear
          family

   extender
          [ex.tend.er] n (1611): one that extends: as a: a substance
          added to a product esp. in the capacity of a diluent,
          adulterant, or modifier b: an added ingredient used to
          increase the bulk of a food (as soup or meat)

   extensible
          [ex.ten.si.ble] adj (1611): capable of being extended --
          ex.ten.si.bil.i.ty n

   extensile
          [ex.ten.sile] adj (1744): extensible

   extension
          [ex.ten.sion] n [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr. LL extension-,
          extensio, fr. L extendere] (15c) 1 a: the action of extending:
          state of being extended b: an enlargement in scope or
          operation <tools are ~s of human hands> 2 a: the total
          range over which something extends: compass b: denotation
          4 3 a: the stretching of a fractured or dislocated limb
          so as to restore it to its natural position b: an unbending
          movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow)
          that increases the angle between the bones of the limb
          at the joint--compare flexion 4a 4: a property whereby
          something occupies space 5: an increase in length of
          time; specif: an increase in time allowed under agreement
          or concession <was granted an ~> 6: a program that geographically
          extends the educational resources of an institution by
          special arrangements (as correspondence courses) to persons
          otherwise unable to take advantage of such resources
          7 a: a part constituting an addition b: a section or
          line segment forming an additional length c: an extra
          telephone connected to the principal line 8: a mathematical
          set (as a field or group) that includes a given and similar
          set as a subset

   extension agent
          [extension agent] n (1949): county agent

   extensional
          [ex.ten.sion.al] adj (1647) 1: of, relating to, or marked
          by extension; specif: denotative 2: concerned with objective
          reality -- ex.ten.sion.al.i.ty n -- ex.ten.sion.al.ly
          adv

   extension cord
          [extension cord] n (1946): an electric cord fitted with a
          plug at one end and a receptacle at the other

   extensity
          [ex.ten.si.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1834) 1 a: the quality of
          having extension b: degree of extension: range 2: an
          attribute of sensation whereby space or size is perceived

   extensive
          [ex.ten.sive] adj (1605) 1: having wide or considerable extent
          <~ reading> 2: extensional 3: of, relating to, or constituting
          farming in which large areas of land are utilized with
          minimum outlay and labor -- ex.ten.sive.ly adv -- ex.ten.sive.ness
          n

   extensometer
          [ex.ten.som.e.ter] n [extension + -o- + -meter] (1887): an
          instrument for measuring minute deformations of test
          specimens caused by tension, compression, bending, or
          twisting

   extensor
          [ex.ten.sor] n (1713): a muscle serving to extend a bodily
          part (as a limb)

   extent
          [ex.tent] n [ME, fr. AF & MF; AF extente land valuation,
          fr. MF, area, surveying of land, fr. extendre, estendre
          to extend] (14c) 1 archaic: valuation (as of land) in
          Great Britain esp. for taxation 2 a: seizure (as of land)
          in execution of a writ of extent in Great Britain: the
          condition of being so seized b: a writ giving to a creditor
          temporary possession of his debtor's property 3 a: the
          range over which something extends: scope <the ~ of her
          jurisdiction> b: the point, degree, or limit to which
          something extends <using talents to the greatest ~> c:
          the amount of space or surface that something occupies
          or the distance over which it extends: magnitude <the
          ~ of the forest>

   extenuate
          [ex.ten.u.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L extenuatus, pp. of
          extenuare, fr. ex- + tenuis thin--more at thin] (1529)
          1 a archaic: to make light of b: to lessen or to try
          to lessen the seriousness or extent of by making partial
          excuses: mitigate c obs: disparage 2 a archaic: to make
          thin or emaciated b: to lessen the strength or effect
          of -- ex.ten.u.a.tor n -- ex.ten.u.a.to.ry adj

   extenuation
          [ex.ten.u.a.tion] n (ca. 1543) 1: the act of extenuating
          or state of being extenuated; esp: partial justification
          2: something extenuating; esp: a partial excuse

   [1]exterior
          [ex.te.ri.or] adj [L, compar. of exter, exterus being on
          the outside, foreign, fr. ex] (1528) 1: being on an outside
          surface: situated on the outside 2: observable by outward
          signs <his ~ quietness is belied by an occasional nervous
          twitch --Current Biog.> 3: suitable for use on outside
          surfaces -- ex.te.ri.or.ly adv [2]exterior n (1591) 1
          a: an exterior part or surface: outside b: outward manner
          or appearance 2: a representation (as on stage or film)
          of an outdoor scene; also: a scene filmed outdoors

   exterior angle
          [exterior angle] n (ca. 1864) 1: the angle between a side
          of a polygon and an extended adjacent side 2: an angle
          formed by a transversal as it cuts one of two lines and
          situated on the outside of the line

   exteriorise
          [ex.te.ri.or.ise] Brit var of exteriorize

   exteriority
          [ex.te.ri.or.i.ty] n (1611): the quality or state of being
          exterior or exteriorized: externality

   exteriorize
          [ex.te.ri.or.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1879) 1: externalize
          2: to bring out of the body (as for surgery)
          -- ex.te.ri.or.iza.tion n

   exterminate
          [ex.ter.mi.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L exterminatus, pp.
          of exterminare, fr. ex- + terminus boundary--more at
          term] (1591): to get rid of completely usu. by killing
          off <~ crabgrass from a lawn> -- ex.ter.mi.na.tion n
          -- ex.ter.mi.na.tor n syn exterminate, extirpate, eradicate,
          uproot mean to effect the destruction or abolition of
          something. exterminate implies complete and immediate
          extinction by killing off all individuals <exterminate
          cockroaches>. extirpate implies extinction of a race,
          family, species, or sometimes an idea or doctrine by
          destruction or removal of its means of propagation <many
          species have been extirpated from the area>. eradicate
          implies the driving out or elimination of something that
          has established itself <a campaign to eradicate illiteracy>.
          uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses
          displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction
          <the war uprooted thousands>.

   exterminatory
          [ex.ter.mi.na.to.ry] adj (1790): of, relating to, or marked
          by extermination

   extermine
          [ex.ter.mine] vt -mined ; -min.ing (1539) obs: exterminate

   [1]extern
          [ex.tern] adj [MF or L; MF externe, fr. L externus] (1530)
          archaic: external [2]ex.tern also ex.terne n (ca. 1610):
          a person connected with an institution but not living
          or boarding in it; specif: a nonresident doctor or medical
          student at a hospital

   [1]external
          [ex.ter.nal] adj [L externus external, fr. exter] (1556)
          1 a: capable of being perceived outwardly <~ signs of
          a disease> <~ reality> b (1): having merely the outward
          appearance of something: superficial (2): not intrinsic
          or essential <~ circumstances> 2 a: of, relating to,
          or connected with the outside or an outer part b: applied
          or applicable to the outside 3 a (1): situated outside,
          apart, or beyond; specif: situated near or toward the
          surface of the body (2): arising or acting from outside
          <~ force> b: of or relating to dealings or relationships
          with foreign countries c: having existence independent
          of the mind <~ reality> -- ex.ter.nal.ly adv [2]external
          n (ca. 1635): something that is external: as a: an outer
          part b: an external feature or aspect--usu. used in pl.

   external combustion engine
          [external combustion engine] n (1915): a heat engine (as
          a steam engine) that derives its heat from fuel consumed
          outside the engine cylinder

   external degree
          [external degree] n (1928): a degree conferred on a student
          who has not attended the university but has passed the
          qualifying examination

   externalisation, externalise
          [ex.ter.nal.isa.tion, ex.ter.nal.ise] Brit var of externalization,
          externalize

   externalism
          [ex.ter.nal.ism] n (1856) 1: attention to externals; esp:
          excessive preoccupation with externals 2: externality
          1

   externality
          [ex.ter.nal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1673) 1: the quality or state
          of being external or externalized 2: something that is
          external 3: a secondary or unintended consequence <pollution
          and other externalities of manufacturing>

   externalization
          [ex.ter.nal.iza.tion] n (1803) 1 a: the action or process
          of externalizing b: the quality or state of being externalized
          2: something externalized: embodiment

   externalize
          [ex.ter.nal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1852) 1: to make external
          or externally manifest 2: to attribute to causes outside
          the self: rationalize

   external respiration
          [external respiration] n (1940): exchange of gases between
          the external environment and a distributing system of
          the animal body (as the lungs of higher vertebrates or
          the tracheal tubes of insects) or between the alveoli
          of the lungs and the blood--compare internal respiration

   externship
          [ex.tern.ship] n (1945): a training program that is part
          of a course of study of an educational institution and
          is taken in private business

   exteroceptive
          [ex.tero.cep.tive] adj [exterior + -o- + -ceptive (as in
          receptive)] (ca. 1921): activated by, relating to, or
          being stimuli received by an organism from outside

   exteroceptor
          [ex.tero.cep.tor] n (1906): a sense organ excited by exteroceptive
          stimuli

   exterritorial
          [ex.ter.ri.to.ri.al] adj (ca. 1880): extraterritorial --
          ex.ter.ri.to.ri.al.i.ty n

   [1]extinct
          [ex.tinct] adj [ME, fr. L exstinctus, pp. of exstinguere]
          (15c) 1 a: no longer burning b: no longer active <an
          ~ volcano> 2: no longer existing <an ~ animal> 3 a: gone
          out of use: superseded b: having no qualified claimant
          <an ~ title> [2]extinct vt (15c) archaic: extinguish

   extinction
          [ex.tinc.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of making extinct or causing
          to be extinguished 2: the condition or fact of being
          extinct or extinguished; also: the process of becoming
          extinct <~ of a species> 3: the process of eliminating
          or reducing a conditioned response by not reinforcing
          it

   extinction coefficient
          [extinction coefficient] n (1902): a measure of the rate
          of diminution of transmitted light via scattering and
          absorption for a medium

   extinctive
          [ex.tinc.tive] adj (1600): tending or serving to extinguish
          or make extinct

   extinguish
          [ex.tin.guish] vt [L exstinguere (fr. ex- + stinguere to
          extinguish) + E -ish (as in abolish); akin to L instigare
          to incite--more at stick] (1551) 1 a: to cause to cease
          burning: quench b (1): to bring to an end: make an end
          of <hope for their safety was slowly ~ed> (2): to reduce
          to silence or ineffectiveness c: to cause extinction
          of (a conditioned response) d: to dim the brightness
          of: eclipse 2 a: to cause to be void: nullify <~ a claim>
          b: to get rid of usu. by payment <~ a debt> -- ex.tin.guish.able
          adj -- ex.tin.guish.er n -- ex.tin.guish.ment n

   extirpate
          [ex.tir.pate] vt -pat.ed ; -pat.ing [L exstirpatus, pp. exstirpare,
          fr. ex- + stirp-, stirps trunk, root--more at torpid] (1535)
          1 a: to destroy completely: wipe out b: to pull up by the root
          2: to cut out by surgery syn see exterminate -- ex.tir.pa.tion
          n -- ex.tir.pa.tor n

   extol
          [ex.tol] also ex.toll vt ex.tolled ; ex.tol.ling [ME, fr.
          L extollere, fr. ex- + tollere to lift up--more at tolerate]
          (15c): to praise highly: glorify -- ex.tol.ler n -- ex.tol.ment
          n

   extort
          [ex.tort] vt [L extortus, pp. of extorquere to wrench out,
          extort, fr. ex- + torquere to twist--more at torture]
          (1529): to obtain from a person by force, intimidation,
          or undue or illegal power: wring; also: to gain esp.
          by ingenuity or compelling argument syn see educe --
          ex.tort.er n -- ex.tor.tive adj

   extortion
          [ex.tor.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or practice of extorting
          esp. money or other property; esp: the offense committed
          by an official engaging in such practice 2: something
          extorted; esp: a gross overcharge -- ex.tor.tion.er n
          -- ex.tor.tion.ist n

   extortionary
          [ex.tor.tion.ary] adj (1805) archaic: extortionate 1

   extortionate
          [ex.tor.tion.ate] adj (1789) 1: characterized by extortion
          2: excessive, exorbitant <~ prices> -- ex.tor.tion.ate.ly
          adv

   [1]extra
          [ex.tra] adj [prob. short for extraordinary] (1776) 1 a:
          more than is due, usual, or necessary: additional <~
          work> b: subject to an additional charge <room service
          is ~> 2: superior <~ quality> [2]extra n (1793) 1: one
          that is extra or additional: as a: a special edition
          of a newspaper b: an added charge c: an additional worker;
          specif: one hired to act in a group scene in a motion
          picture or stage production 2: something of superior
          quality or grade [3]extra adv (1823): beyond the usual
          size, extent, or degree <~ large>

   extra-
          [extra-] prefix [ME, fr. L, fr. extra, adv. & prep., outside,
          except, beyond, fr. exter being on the outside--more
          at exterior]: outside: beyond <extrajudicial>

   extra-base hit
          [extra-base hit] n (ca. 1949): a hit in baseball that lets
          the batter take more than one base

   extracellular
          [ex.tra.cel.lu.lar] adj (1867): situated or occurring outside
          a cell or the cells of the body <~ digestion> <~ enzymes>
          -- ex.tra.cel.lu.lar.ly adv

   extrachromosomal
          [ex.tra.chro.mo.som.al] adj (1940): situated or controlled
          by factors outside the chromosome <~ inheritance>

   extracorporeal
          [ex.tra.cor.po.re.al] adj (1865): occurring or based outside
          the living body <heart surgery employing ~ circulation>
          -- ex.tra.cor.po.re.al.ly adv

   extracranial
          [ex.tra.cra.ni.al] adj (ca. 1884): situated or occurring
          outside the cranium

   [1]extract
          [ex.tract] vt [ME, fr. L extractus, pp. of extrahere, fr.
          ex- + trahere to draw] (15c) 1 a: to draw forth (as by
          research) <~ data> b: to pull or take out forcibly <~ed
          a wisdom tooth> c: to obtain by much effort from someone
          unwilling <~ed a confession> 2: to withdraw (as a juice
          or fraction) by physical or chemical process; also: to
          treat with a solvent so as to remove a soluble substance
          3: to separate (a metal) from an ore 4: to determine
          (a mathematical root) by calculation 5: to select (excerpts)
          and copy out or cite syn see educe -- ex.tract.abil.i.ty
          n -- ex.tract.able adj [2]ex.tract n (15c) 1: a selection
          from a writing or discourse: excerpt 2: a product (as
          an essence or concentrate) prepared by extracting; esp:
          a solution (as in alcohol) of essential constituents
          of a complex material (as meat or an aromatic plant)

   extraction
          [ex.trac.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of extracting
          something 2: ancestry, origin 3: something extracted

   [1]extractive
          [ex.trac.tive] adj (1599) 1 a: of, relating to, or involving
          extraction b: tending toward or resulting in withdrawal
          of natural resources by extraction with no provision
          for replenishment <~ agriculture> 2: capable of being
          extracted -- ex.trac.tive.ly adv [2]extractive n (1847):
          something extracted or extractable: extract

   extractor
          [ex.trac.tor] n (1611): one that extracts; esp: the mechanism
          in a firearm that dislodges a spent cartridge from the
          chamber

   extracurricular
          [ex.tra.cur.ric.u.lar] adj (1925) 1: not falling within the
          scope of a regular curriculum; specif: of or relating
          to officially or semiofficially approved and usu. organized
          student activities (as athletics) connected with school
          and usu. carrying no academic credit 2 a: lying outside
          one's regular duties or routine b: extramarital -- extracurricular
          n

   extraditable
          [ex.tra.dit.able] adj (1881) 1: subject or liable to extradition
          2: making one liable to extradition <an ~ offense>

   extradite
          [ex.tra.dite] vt -dit.ed ; -dit.ing [back-formation fr.
          extradition] (1864) 1: to deliver up to extradition 2: to obtain
          the extradition of

   extradition
          [ex.tra.di.tion] n [F, fr. ex- + L tradition-, traditio act
          of handing over--more at treason] (1839): the surrender
          of an alleged criminal usu. under the provisions of a
          treaty or statute by one authority (as a state) to another
          having jurisdiction to try the charge

   extrados
          [ex.tra.dos] n, pl -dos.es or -dos [F, fr. L extra + F dos
          back--more at dossier] (1772): the exterior curve of
          an arch--see arch illustration

   extraembryonic
          [ex.tra.em.bry.on.ic] adj (ca. 1903): situated outside the
          embryo; esp: developed from the zygote but not part of
          the embryo <~ membranes>

   extragalactic
          [ex.tra.ga.lac.tic] adj [ISV] (1851): lying or coming from
          outside the Milky Way; also: of or relating to extragalactic
          space <~ astronomy>

   extrahepatic
          [ex.tra.he.pat.ic] adj (ca. 1923): situated or originating
          outside the liver

   extrajudicial
          [ex.tra.ju.di.cial] adj (1630) 1 a: not forming a valid part
          of regular legal proceedings <an ~ investigation> b:
          delivered without legal authority: private 2a(2) <the
          judge's ~ statements> 2: done in contravention of due
          process of law <an ~ execution> -- ex.tra.ju.di.cial.ly
          adv

   extralegal
          [ex.tra.le.gal] adj (1644): not regulated or sanctioned by
          law -- ex.tra.le.gal.ly adv

   extralimital
          [ex.tra.lim.it.al] adj (1874): not present in a given area--used
          of kinds of organisms (as species)

   extralinguistic
          [ex.tra.lin.guis.tic] adj (1927): lying outside the province
          of linguistics -- ex.tra.lin.guis.ti.cal.ly adv

   extraliterary
          [ex.tra.lit.er.ary] adj (1945): lying outside the field of
          literature

   extrality
          [ex.tral.i.ty] n [by contr.] (1925): extraterritoriality

   extralogical
          [ex.tra.log.i.cal] adj (1833): not guided or determined by
          considerations of logic

   extramarital
          [ex.tra.mar.i.tal] adj (1925): of, relating to, or being
          sexual intercourse between a married person and someone
          other than his or her spouse: adulterous

   extramundane
          [ex.tra.mun.dane] adj [LL extramundanus, fr. L extra + mundus
          the world] (1665): situated in or relating to a region
          beyond the material world

   extramural
          [ex.tra.mu.ral] adj (1854) 1: existing or functioning outside
          or beyond the walls, boundaries, or precincts of an organized
          unit (as a school or hospital) 2 chiefly Brit: of, relating
          to, or taking part in extension courses or facilities
          -- ex.tra.mu.ral.ly adv

   extramusical
          [ex.tra.mu.si.cal] adj (1923): lying outside the province
          of music

   extraneous
          [ex.tra.ne.ous] adj [L extraneus--more at strange] (1638)
          1: existing on or coming from the outside 2 a: not forming
          an essential or vital part <~ ornamentation> b: having
          no relevance <an ~ digression> 3: being a number obtained
          in solving an equation that is not a solution of the
          equation <~ roots> syn see extrinsic -- ex.tra.ne.ous.ly
          adv -- ex.tra.ne.ous.ness n

   extranuclear
          [ex.tra.nu.cle.ar] adj (1887) 1: situated in or affecting
          the parts of a cell external to the nucleus: cytoplasmic
          2: situated outside the nucleus of an atom

   extraocular muscle
          [ex.tra.oc.u.lar muscle] n (1939): any of six small voluntary
          muscles that pass between the eyeball and the orbit and
          control the movement of the eyeball in relation to the
          orbit

   extraordinaire
          [ex.traor.di.naire] adj [F] (1940): extraordinary--used
          postpositively <a chef ~>

   extraordinary
          [ex.traor.di.nary] adj [ME extraordinarie, fr. L extraordinarius,
          fr. extra ordinem out of course, fr. extra + ordinem,
          acc. of ordin-, ordo order] (15c) 1 a: going beyond what
          is usual, regular, or customary <~ powers> b: exceptional
          to a very marked ext ent <~ beauty> c of a financial
          transaction: nonrecurring 2: employed for or sent on
          a special function or service <an ambassador ~> --
          ex.traor.di.nari.ly adv -- ex.traor.di.nari.ness n

   extra point
          [extra point] n (ca. 1949): a point gained on a conversion
          in football

   extrapolate
          [ex.trap.o.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L extra outside +
          E -polate (as in interpolate)--more at extra-] vt (1874)
          1: to infer (values of a variable in an unobserved interval)
          from values within an already observed interval 2 a:
          to project, extend, or expand (known data or experience)
          into an area not known or experienced so as to arrive
          at a usu. conjectural knowledge of the unknown area <~s
          present trends to construct an image of the future> b:
          to predict by projecting past experience or known data
          <~ public sentiment on one issue from known public reaction
          on others> ~ vi: to perform the act or process of extrapolating
          -- ex.trap.o.la.tion n -- ex.trap.o.la.tive adj -- ex.trap.o.la.tor
          n

   extrapyramidal
          [ex.tra.py.ra.mi.dal] adj (ca. 1902): situated outside of
          and esp. involving descending nerve tracts other than
          the pyramidal tracts

   extrasensory
          [ex.tra.sen.so.ry] adj (1934): residing beyond or outside
          the ordinary senses

   extrasensory perception
          [extrasensory perception] n (1934): perception (as in telepathy,
          clairvoyance, and precognition) that involves awareness
          of information about events external to the self not
          gained through the senses and not deducible from previous
          experience--called also ESP

   extrasystole
          [ex.tra.sys.to.le] n [NL] (ca. 1900): a premature beat of
          one of the chambers of the heart that leads to momentary
          arrhythmia

   [1]extraterrestrial
          [ex.tra.ter.res.tri.al] adj (1868): originating, existing,
          or occurring outside the earth or its atmosphere <~ life>
          [2]extraterrestrial n (1960): an extraterrestrial being

   extraterritorial
          [ex.tra.ter.ri.to.ri.al] adj (1869): existing or taking place
          outside the territorial limits of a jurisdiction

   extraterritoriality
          [ex.tra.ter.ri.to.ri.al.i.ty] n (1836): exemption from the
          application or jurisdiction of local law or tribunals

   extratextual
          [ex.tra.tex.tu.al] adj (1960): of, relating to, or being
          something outside a literary text

   extratropical cyclone
          [ex.tra.trop.i.cal cyclone] n (1923): a cyclone in the middle
          latitudes often being 1500 miles (2400 kilometers) in
          diameter and usu. containing a cold front that extends
          toward the equator for hundreds of miles

   extrauterine
          [ex.tra.uter.ine] adj (1709): situated or occurring outside
          the uterus <~ pregnancy>

   extravagance
          [ex.trav.a.gance] n (1650) 1 a: an instance of excess or
          prodigality; specif: an excessive outlay of money b:
          something extravagant 2: the quality or fact of being
          extravagant

   extravagancy
          [ex.trav.a.gan.cy] n, pl -cies (1625): extravagance

   extravagant
          [ex.trav.a.gant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML extravagant-, extravagans,
          fr. L extra- + vagant-, vagans, prp. of vagari to wander about, fr.
          vagus wandering] (15c) 1 a obs: strange, curious b archaic:
          wandering 2 a: exceeding the limits of reason or necessity
          <~ claims> b: lacking in moderation, balance, and restraint
          <~ praise> c: extremely or excessively elaborate 3 a: spending much
          more than necessary b: profuse, lavish 4: unreasonably high
          in price syn see excessive -- ex.trav.a.gant.ly adv

   extravaganza
          [ex.trav.a.gan.za] n [It estravaganza, lit., extravagance,
          fr. estravagante extravagant, fr. ML extravagant-, extravagans]
          (1754) 1: a literary or musical work marked by extreme
          freedom of style and structure and usu. by elements of
          burlesque or parody 2: a lavish or spectacular show or
          event 3: something extravagant

   extravagate
          [ex.trav.a.gate] vi -gat.ed ; -gat.ing (ca. 1755) archaic:
          to go beyond proper limits

   extravasate
          [ex.trav.a.sate] vb -sat.ed ; -sat.ing [L extra + vas vessel]
          vt (1668): to force out or cause to escape from a proper
          vessel or channel ~ vi: to pass by infiltration or effusion
          from a proper vessel or channel (as a blood vessel) into
          surrounding tissue -- ex.trav.a.sa.tion n

   extravascular
          [ex.tra.vas.cu.lar] adj (1804): not occurring or contained
          in body vessels <~ tissue fluids>

   extravehicular
          [ex.tra.ve.hic.u.lar] adj (1965): taking place outside a
          vehicle (as a spacecraft) <~ activity>

   [1]extreme
          [ex.treme] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L extremus, superl. of exter,
          exterus being on the outside--more at exterior] (15c)
          1 a: existing in a very high degree <~ poverty> b: going
          to great or exaggerated lengths: radical <went on an
          ~ diet> c: exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected
          <~ weather conditions> 2 archaic: last 3: situated at
          the farthest possible point from a center <the country's
          ~ north> 4 a: most advanced or thoroughgoing <the ~ political
          left> b: maximum syn see excessive -- ex.treme.ness n
          [2]extreme n (1555) 1 a: something situated at or marking
          one end or the other of a range <~s of heat and cold>
          b: the first term or the last term of a mathematical
          proportion c: the major term or minor term of a syllogism
          2 a: a very pronounced or excessive degree b: highest
          degree: maximum 3: an extreme measure or expedient <going
          to ~s> -- in the extreme : to the greatest possible extent

   extremely
          [ex.treme.ly] adv (1531) 1: in an extreme manner 2: to an
          extreme extent

   extremely high frequency
          [extremely high frequency] n (1952): a radio frequency in
          the highest range of the radio spectrum

   extremely low frequency
          [extremely low frequency] n (1966): a radio frequency in
          the lowest range of the radio spectrum

   extreme unction
          [extreme unction] n (15c): a sacrament in which a priest
          anoints and prays for the recovery and salvation of a
          critically ill or injured person

   extremism
          [ex.trem.ism] n (1865) 1: the quality or state of being extreme
          2: advocacy of extreme political measures: radicalism
          -- ex.trem.ist n or adj

   extremity
          [ex.trem.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a: the farthest or most
          remote part, section, or point b: a limb of the body;
          esp: a human hand or foot 2 a: extreme danger or critical
          need b: a moment marked by imminent destruction or death
          3 a: an intense degree <the ~ of his participation --Saturday
          Rev.> b: the utmost degree (as of emotion or pain) 4:
          a drastic or desperate act or measure <driven to extremities>

   extremum
          [ex.tre.mum] n, pl -ma [NL, fr. L, neut. of extremus] (1904):
          a maximum or a minimum of a mathematical function--called
          also extreme value

   extricate
          [ex.tri.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L extricatus, pp. of
          extricare, fr. ex- + tricae trifles, perplexities] (1614)
          1 a archaic: unravel b: to distinguish from a related
          thing 2: to free or remove from an entanglement or difficulty
          -- ex.tri.ca.ble adj -- ex.tri.ca.tion n syn extricate,
          disentangle, untangle, disencumber, disembarrass mean
          to free from what binds or holds back. extricate implies
          the use of care or ingenuity in freeing from a difficult
          position or situation <extricated himself from financial
          difficulties>. disentangle and untangle suggest painstaking
          separation of a thing from other things <disentangling
          fact from fiction> <untangle a web of deceit>. disencumber
          implies a release from something that clogs or weighs
          down <an article disencumbered of jargon>. disembarrass
          suggests a release from something that impedes or hinders
          <disembarrassed herself of her advisers>.

   extrinsic
          [ex.trin.sic] adj [F & LL; F extrinseque, fr. LL extrinsecus,
          fr. L, adv., from without; akin to L exter outward and
          to L sequi to follow--more at exterior, sue] (1613) 1
          a: not forming part of or belonging to a thing: extraneous
          b: originating from or on the outside; esp: originating
          outside a part and acting upon the part as a whole <~
          muscles of the tongue> 2: external -- ex.trin.si.cal.ly
          adv syn extrinsic, extraneous, foreign, alien mean external
          to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character.
          extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing
          in question or is not contained in or derived from its
          essential nature <sentimental value that is extrinsic
          to the house's market value>. extraneous applies to what
          is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be
          capable of becoming an essential part <arguments extraneous
          to the issue>. foreign applies to what is so different
          as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming
          assimilated <techniques foreign to French cuisine>. alien
          is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance,
          or irreconcilability <a practice totally alien to her
          nature>.

   extrinsic factor
          [extrinsic factor] n (1938): vitamin b2

   extro-
          [extro-] prefix [alter. of L extra-]: outward <extrovert>--compare
          intro-

   extrorse
          [ex.trorse] adj [prob. fr. (assumed) NL extrorsus, fr. LL,
          adv., outward, fr. L extra- + -orsus (as in introrsus)--more
          at introrse] (1858): facing outward <an ~ anther>

   extroversion
          [ex.tro.ver.sion] or ex.tra.ver.sion n [G Extraversion, fr.
          L extra- + versus, pp. of vertere to turn--more at worth]
          (1915): the act, state, or habit of being predominantly
          concerned with and obtaining gratification from what
          is outside the self

   extrovert
          [ex.tro.vert] also ex.tra.vert n [modif. of G extravertiert,
          fr. L extra- + vertere] (1918): one whose personality
          is characterized by extroversion; broadly: a gregarious
          and unreserved person -- extrovert also extravert adj
          -- ex.tro.vert.ed also ex.tra.vert.ed adj

   extrude
          [ex.trude] vb ex.trud.ed ; ex.trud.ing [L extrudere, fr.
          ex- + trudere to thrust--more at threat] vt (1566) 1:
          to force, press, or push out 2: to shape (as metal or
          plastic) by forcing through a die ~ vi: to become extruded
          -- ex.trud.abil.i.ty n -- ex.trud.able adj -- ex.trud.er
          n

   extrusion
          [ex.tru.sion] n [ML extrusion-, extrusio, fr. L extrudere]
          (1540): the act or process of extruding; also: a form
          or product produced by this process

   extrusive
          [ex.tru.sive] adj (1816): relating to or formed by geological
          extrusion from the earth in a molten state or as volcanic
          ash

   exuberance
          [ex.u.ber.ance] n (1631) 1: the quality or state of being
          exuberant 2: an exuberant act or expression

   exuberant
          [ex.u.ber.ant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L exuberant-, exuberans,
          prp. of exuberare to be abundant, fr. ex- + uber fruitful,
          fr. uber udder--more at udder] (15c) 1: extreme or excessive
          in degree, size, or extent 2 a: joyously unrestrained
          and enthusiastic b: unrestrained or elaborate esp. in
          style: flamboyant <~ architecture> 3: produced in extreme
          abundance: plentiful syn see profuse -- ex.u.ber.ant.ly
          adv

   exuberate
          [ex.u.ber.ate] vi -at.ed ; -at.ing (15c) 1 archaic: to have
          something in abundance: overflow 2: to become exuberant:
          show exuberance <exuberated over his victory>

   exudate
          [ex.u.date] n (1876): exuded matter

   exudation
          [ex.u.da.tion] n (1612) 1: the process of exuding 2: exudate
          -- ex.u.da.tive adj

   exude
          [ex.ude] vb ex.ud.ed ; ex.ud.ing [L exsudare, fr. ex- + sudare
          to sweat--more at sweat] vi (1574) 1: to ooze out 2:
          to undergo diffusion ~ vt 1: to cause to ooze or spread
          out in all directions 2: to display conspicuously or
          abundantly <~s charm>

   exult
          [ex.ult] vi [MF exulter, fr. L exsultare, lit., to leap up,
          fr. ex- + saltare to leap--more at saltation] (1570)
          1 obs: to leap for joy 2: to be extremely joyful: rejoice
          -- ex.ult.ing.ly adv

   exultance
          [ex.ul.tance] n (1650): exultation

   exultancy
          [ex.ul.tan.cy] n (1621): exultation

   exultant
          [ex.ul.tant] adj (1653): filled with or expressing great
          joy or triumph: jubilant -- ex.ul.tant.ly adv

   exultation
          [ex.ul.ta.tion] n (15c): the act of exulting: the state of
          being exultant

   ex ungue leonem
          [ex un.gue le.o.nem] [L] foreign term : from the claw (we
          may judge of) the lion: from a part we may judge of the
          whole

   exurb
          [ex.urb] n [ex- + suburb] (1955): a region or settlement
          that lies outside a city and usu. beyond its suburbs
          and that often is inhabited chiefly by well-to-do families
          -- ex.ur.ban adj

   exurbanite
          [ex.ur.ban.ite] n (1955): one who lives in an exurb

   exurbia
          [ex.ur.bia] n (1955): the generalized region of exurbs

   exuviae
          [ex.u.vi.ae] n pl [L, fr. exuere to take off, fr. ex- + -uere
          to put on; akin to OCS obuti to put on (footwear)] (1653):
          sloughed off natural animal coverings (as the skins of
          snakes) -- ex.u.vi.al adj

   exuviation
          [ex.u.vi.a.tion] n (1839): the process of molting

   ex vi termini
          [ex vi ter.mi.ni] [L] foreign term : from the force of the
          term

   [1]ex-voto
          [ex-vo.to] n, pl ex-votos [L ex voto according to a vow]
          (1787): a votive offering [2]ex-voto adj (1823): votive

   ey...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   -ey
          [-ey] --see -y

   eyas
          [ey.as] n [ME, alter. (by incorrect division of a neias)
          of neias, fr. MF niais fresh from the nest, fr. (assumed)
          VL nidax nestling, fr. L nidus nest--more at nest] (15c):
          an unfledged bird; specif: a nestling hawk

   [1]eye
          [eye] n [ME, fr. OE eage; akin to OHG ouga eye, L oculus,
          Gk ops eye, face, Skt aksi eye] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an organ
          of sight; esp: a nearly spherical hollow organ that is
          lined with a sensitive retina, is lodged in a bony orbit
          in the skull, is the vertebrate organ of sight, and is
          normally paired b: all the visible structures within
          and surrounding the orbit and including eyelids, eyelashes,
          and eyebrows c (1): the faculty of seeing with eyes (2):
          the faculty of intellectual or aesthetic perception or
          appreciation <an ~ for beauty> d: look, glance <cast
          an eager ~> e (1): an attentive look <kept an ~ on his
          valuables> (2): attention, notice <caught his ~> (3):
          close observation: scrutiny <works under the ~ of her
          boss> <in the public ~> f: point of view, judgment <beauty
          is in the ~ of the beholder>--often used in pl. <an offender
          in the ~s of the law> g: view 5 <with an ~ to the future>
          2: something having an appearance suggestive of an eye:
          as a: the hole through the head of a needle b: a usu.
          circular marking (as on a peacock's tail) c: loop; esp:
          a loop or catch to receive a hook d: an undeveloped bud
          (as on a potato) e: an area like a hole in the center
          of a tropical cyclone marked by only light winds or complete
          calm with no precipitation f: the center of a flower
          esp. when differently colored or marked; specif: the
          disk of a composite g (1): a triangular piece of beef
          cut from between the top and bottom of a round (2): the
          chief muscle of a chop (3): a compact mass of muscular
          tissue usu. embedded in fat in a rib or loin cut of meat
          h: a device (as a photoelectric cell) that functions
          in a manner analogous to human vision 3: something central:
          center <the ~ of the problem --Norman Mailer> 4: the
          direction from which the wind is blowing -- eye.less
          adj -- eye.like adj -- an eye for an eye : retribution
          in kind -- my eye --used to express mild disagreement
          or sometimes surprise <a diamond, my eye] That's glass>
          [2]eye vb eyed ; eye.ing or ey.ing vt (15c) 1 a: to fix
          the eyes on: look at b: to watch closely 2: to furnish
          with an eye ~ vi, obs: seem, look -- ey.er n

   [1]eyeball
          [eye.ball] n (1590): the more or less globular capsule of
          the vertebrate eye formed by the sclera and cornea together
          with their contained structures [2]eyeball vt (1901):
          to look at intently [3]eyeball adj (1971): based on observation
          <~ judgment>

   eyeball-to-eyeball
          [eyeball-to-eyeball] adv or adj (1962): face-to-face

   eye bank
          [eye bank] n (1944): a storage place for human corneas from
          the newly dead for transplanting to the eyes of those
          blind through corneal defects

   eyebar
          [eye.bar] n (ca. 1889): a metal bar having a closed loop
          at one or both ends

   eyebolt
          [eye.bolt] n (1769): a bolt with a looped head

   eyebright
          [eye.bright] n (1533): any of a genus (Euphrasia) of herbs
          of the snapdragon family with opposite toothed or cut
          leaves

   eyebrow
          [eye.brow] n (15c): the ridge over the eye or the hair growing
          on it

   eyebrow pencil
          [eyebrow pencil] n (1881): a cosmetic pencil for the eyebrows

   eye-catcher
          [eye-catch.er] n (1923): something that arrests the eye --
          eye-catch.ing adj -- eye-catch.ing.ly adv

   eye chart
          [eye chart] n (1943): a chart read at a fixed distance for
          purposes of testing sight; esp: one with rows of letters
          or objects of decreasing size

   eye contact
          [eye contact] n (1955): visual contact with another person's
          eyes

   eyecup
          [eye.cup] n (ca. 1874) 1: a small oval cup with a rim curved
          to fit the orbit of the eye used for applying liquid
          remedies to the eyes 2: optic cup 3: a usu. rubber cup
          at the eyepiece of an optical instrument (as binoculars)
          for keeping out extraneous light

   eyed
          [eyed] adj (14c): having an eye or eyes esp. of a specified
          kind or number--often used in combination <an almond-eyed
          girl>

   eyedness
          [eyed.ness] n [-eyed (as in right-eyed, left-eyed)] (1924):
          preference for the use of one eye instead of the other
          (as in using a monocular microscope)

   eyedropper
          [eye.drop.per] n (1937): dropper 2

   eyedrops
          [eye.drops] n pl (1926): a medicated solution for the eyes
          applied in drops

   eyeful
          [eye.ful] n (ca. 1864) 1: a full or completely satisfying
          view 2: one that is visually attractive; esp: a strikingly
          beautiful woman

   eyeglass
          [eye.glass] n (1664) 1 a: eyepiece b: a lens worn to aid
          vision; specif: monocle c pl: glasses, spectacles 2:
          eyecup 1

   eyehole
          [eye.hole] n (1637) 1: [1]orbit 2: peephole

   eyelash
          [eye.lash] n (1752) 1: the fringe of hair edging the eyelid--usu.
          used in pl. 2: a single hair of the eyelashes

   eye lens
          [eye lens] n (1871): the lens nearest the eye in an eyepiece

   eyelet
          [eye.let] n [alter. of ME oilet, fr. MF oillet, dim. of oil
          eye, fr. L oculus] (14c) 1 a: a small hole designed to
          receive a cord or used for decoration (as in embroidery)
          b: a small typically metal ring to reinforce an eyelet:
          grommet 2: peephole, loophole

   eyelid
          [eye.lid] n (13c): either of the movable folds of skin and
          muscle that can be closed over the eyeball

   eyeliner
          [eye.lin.er] n (1947): makeup used to emphasize the contour
          of the eyes

   eyen
          [ey.en] archaic pl of eye

   eye-opener
          [eye-open.er] n (1818) 1: a drink intended to wake one up
          2: something startling, surprising, or enlightening --
          eye-open.ing adj

   eyepiece
          [eye.piece] n (1790): the lens or combination of lenses at
          the eye end of an optical instrument

   eyepopper
          [eye.pop.per] n (1941): something that excites, astonishes,
          or attracts the eye -- eye-pop.ping adj

   eye rhyme
          [eye rhyme] n (1871): an imperfect rhyme that appears to
          have identical vowel sounds from similarity of spelling
          (as move and love)

   eyeshade
          [eye.shade] n (1845): a visor that shields the eyes from
          strong light and is fastened on with a headband

   eye shadow
          [eye shadow] n (1930): a cosmetic cream or powder in one
          of various colors that is applied to the eyelids to accent
          the eyes

   eyeshot
          [eye.shot] n (1599): the range of the eye: view

   eyesight
          [eye.sight] n (13c) 1: sight 4a 2 archaic: observation 1

   eye socket
          [eye socket] n (ca. 1844): [1]orbit

   eyes only
          [eyes only] adj (1972): to be read by only the person addressed

   eyesore
          [eye.sore] n (1530): something offensive to view

   eyespot
          [eye.spot] n (1877) 1 a: a simple visual organ of pigment
          or pigmented cells covering a sensory termination: ocellus
          b: a small pigmented body of various unicellular algae
          2: a spot of color 3: any of several fungal diseases
          of plants characterized by yellowish oval lesions on
          the leaves and stem; esp: a disease of various grasses
          (as sugarcane) caused by a fungus (Helminthosporium sacchari)

   eyestalk
          [eye.stalk] n (1854): one of the movable peduncles bearing
          an eye at the tip in a decapod crustacean

   eyestrain
          [eye.strain] n (1874): weariness or a strained state of the
          eye

   eyestrings
          [eye.strings] n pl (1590) obs: organic eye attachments formerly
          believed to break at death or blindness

   eyetooth
          [eye.tooth] n (ca. 1545): a canine tooth of the upper jaw

   eye view
          [eye view] n (ca. 1771): point of view <an alien eye view>

   eyewash
          [eye.wash] n (ca. 1859) 1: an eye lotion 2: misleading or
          deceptive statements, actions, or procedures

   eyewear
          [eye.wear] n (1926): corrective or protective devices (as
          glasses or contact lenses) for the eyes

   eyewink
          [eye.wink] n (1598): look, glance

   eyewitness
          [eye.wit.ness] n (1539): one who sees an occurrence or an
          object; esp: one who gives a report on what he or she
          has seen

   eyre
          [eyre] n [ME eire, fr. AF, fr. OF erre trip, fr. errer to
          travel--more at errant] (14c): a circuit traveled by
          an itinerant justice in medieval England or the court
          he presided over

   eyrie
          [ey.rie] var of aerie

   eyrir
          [ey.rir] n, pl au.rar [Icel, fr. ON, money (in pl.), prob.
          fr. L aureus a gold coin] (ca. 1927): a monetary unit
          of Iceland equal to 1/100 krona

   ez...
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   Ez
          [Ez] or Ezr abbreviation Ezra

   Ezech
          [Ezech] abbreviation Ezechiel

   Ezechiel
          [Eze.chiel] n [LL]: ezekiel

   Ezek
          [Ezek] abbreviation Ezekiel

   Ezekiel
          [Eze.kiel] n [LL Ezechiel, fr. Heb Yehezqel] 1: a Hebrew
          priest and prophet of the 6th century b.c. 2: a prophetic
          book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture written
          by Ezekiel

   Ezra
          [Ez.ra] n [LL, fr. Heb 'Ezra] 1: a Hebrew priest, scribe,
          and reformer of Judaism of the 5th century b.c. in Babylon
          and Jerusalem 2: a narrative book of canonical Jewish
          and Christian Scripture

   f...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   f
          [f] n, pl f's or fs often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 6th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic f 2: the 4th tone of a C-major scale
          3: a graphic device for reproducing the letter f 4: one
          designated f esp. as the 6th in order or class 5 a: a
          grade rating a student's work as failing b: one graded
          or rated with an F 6: something shaped like the letter
          F

   f
          [f] abbreviation failure, false, family, faraday, feast,
          female, feminine, femto-, fermi, fine, finish, fluid,
          fluidness, focal length, [following] and the following
          one; force, forte, fragile, frequency, from, full  F
          abbreviation Fahrenheit, farad, fluorine, French, Friday

   F1 layer
          [F1 layer] n (1933): the lower of the two layers into which
          the F region of the ionosphere splits in the daytime
          that occurs at varying heights from about 80 to 120 miles
          (130 to 200 kilometers) above the earth's surface

   F2 layer
          [F2 layer] n (1933): the upper of the two layers into which
          the F region of the ionosphere splits in the daytime
          at varying heights from about 120 miles (200 kilometers)
          to more than 300 miles (500 kilometers) above the earth

   F and A
          [F and A] abbreviation fore and aft

   F clef
          [F clef] n (1596): bass clef

   F distribution
          [F distribution] n [Sir Ronald Fisher d. 1962 Eng. geneticist
          and statistician] (1947): a probability density function
          that is used esp. in analysis of variance and is a function
          of the ratio of two independent random variables each
          of which has a chi-square distribution and is divided
          by its number of degrees of freedom

   F layer
          [F layer] n (1928): the highest and most densely ionized
          regular layer of the ionosphere occurring at night within
          the F region

   f-number
          [f-num.ber] n [focal length] (ca. 1903) 1: the ratio of the
          focal length to the aperture in an optical system 2:
          a number following the symbol f/ that expresses the effectiveness
          of the aperture of a camera lens in relation to brightness
          of image so that the smaller the number the brighter
          the image and therefore the shorter the exposure required

   F region
          [F region] n (1923): the highest region of the ionosphere
          occurring from 80 miles (130 kilometers) to more than
          300 miles (500 kilometers)

   f-stop
          [f-stop] n (1946): a camera lens aperture setting indicated
          by an f-number

   fa...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   fa
          [fa] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. the syllable sung to this note in
          a medieval hymn to St. John the Baptist] (13c): the 4th
          tone of the diatonic scale in solmization

   FA
          [FA] abbreviation field artillery, fielding average, football
          association

   FAA
          [FAA] abbreviation Federal Aviation Administration, free
          of all average

   Fabian
          [Fa.bi.an] adj (1777) 1 a: of, relating to, or in the manner
          of the Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus known for
          his defeat of Hannibal in the Second Punic War by the
          avoidance of decisive contests b: cautious, dilatory
          2 [the Fabian Society; fr. the members' belief in slow
          rather than revolutionary change in government]: of,
          relating to, or being a society of socialists organized
          in England in 1884 to spread socialist principles gradually
          -- Fabian n -- Fa.bi.an.ism n

   [1]fable
          [fa.ble] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L fabula conversation, story,
          play, fr. fari to speak--more at ban] (14c): a fictitious
          narrative or statement: as a: a legendary story of supernatural
          happenings b: a narration intended to enforce a useful
          truth; esp: one in which animals speak and act like human
          beings c: falsehood, lie [2]fable vb fa.bled ; fa.bling
          vi (14c) archaic: to tell fables ~ vt: to talk or write
          about as if true -- fa.bler n

   fabled
          [fa.bled] adj (1606) 1: fictitious 2: told or celebrated
          in fables 3: renowned, famous

   fabliau
          [fab.li.au] n, pl -aux [F, fr. OF, dim. of fable] (1804):
          a short, usu. comic, frankly coarse, and often cynical
          tale in verse popular esp. in the 12th and 13th centuries

   fabric
          [fab.ric] n [MF fabrique, fr. L fabrica workshop, structure]
          (15c) 1 a: structure, building b: underlying structure:
          framework <the ~ of society> 2: an act of constructing:
          erection; specif: the construction and maintenance of
          a church building 3 a: structural plan or style of construction
          b: texture, quality--used chiefly of textiles c: the
          arrangement of physical components (as of soil) in relation
          to each other 4 a: cloth 1a b: a material that resembles
          cloth 5: the appearance or pattern produced by the shapes
          and arrangement of the crystal grains in a rock

   fabricant
          [fab.ri.cant] n (1757): manufacturer

   fabricate
          [fab.ri.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ME, fr. L fabricatus,
          pp. of fabricari, fr. fabrica] (15c) 1 a: invent, create
          b: to make up for the purpose of deception 2: construct,
          manufacture; specif: to construct from diverse and usu.
          standardized parts -- fab.ri.ca.tor n

   fabrication
          [fab.ri.ca.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of fabricating
          2: a product of fabrication; esp: lie, falsehood

   fabric softener
          [fabric softener] n (1965): a product used to make laundered
          fabrics softer and fluffier

   fabular
          [fab.u.lar] adj (1684): of, relating to, or having the form
          of a fable

   fabulist
          [fab.u.list] n (1593) 1: a creator or writer of fables 2:
          liar -- fabulist or fab.u.lis.tic adj

   fabulous
          [fab.u.lous] adj [ME, fr. L fabulosus, fr. fabula] (15c)
          1 a: resembling or suggesting a fable: of an incredible,
          astonishing, or exaggerated nature <~ wealth> b: wonderful,
          marvelous <had a ~ time> 2: told in or based on fable
          syn see fictitious -- fab.u.lous.ly adv -- fab.u.lous.ness
          n

   fac
          [fac] abbreviation facsimile, faculty

   facade
          [fa.cade] n [F facade, fr. It facciata, fr. faccia face,
          fr. (assumed) VL facia] (ca. 1681) 1: the front of a
          building; also: any face of a building given special
          architectural treatment <a museum's east ~> 2: a false,
          superficial, or artificial appearance or effect

   [1]face
          [face] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL facia,
          fr. L facies make, form, face, fr. facere to make, do--more
          at do] (13c) 1 a: the front part of the human head including
          the chin, mouth, nose, cheeks, eyes, and usu. the forehead
          b: the face as a means of identification: countenance
          <would know that ~ anywhere> 2 archaic: presence, sight
          3 a: facial expression b: grimace c: makeup 3a(1) 4 a:
          outward appearance <suspicious on the ~ of it> b: disguise,
          pretense c (1): assurance, confidence <maintaining a
          firm ~ in spite of adversity> (2): effrontery <how anyone
          could have the ~ to ask that question> d: dignity, prestige
          <afraid to lose ~> 5: surface: a (1): a front, upper,
          or outer surface (2): the front of something having two
          or four sides (3): facade (4): an exposed surface of
          rock (5): any of the plane surfaces that bound a geometric
          solid b: a surface specially prepared: as (1): the principal
          dressed surface (as of a disk) (2): the right side (as
          of cloth or leather) (3): an inscribed, printed, or marked
          side c (1): the surface (as of type) that receives the
          ink and transfers it to the paper (2): a style of type
          6: the end or wall of a mine tunnel, drift, or excavation
          at which work is progressing 7: face value 8: person
          <lots of new ~s around here> -- in the face of also in
          face of : face-to-face with: despite <succeed in the
          face of great difficulties> -- to one's face : in one's
          presence or so that one is fully aware of what is going
          on: frankly [2]face vb faced ; fac.ing vt (15c) 1: to
          confront impudently 2 a: to line near the edge esp. with
          a different material b: to cover the front or surface
          of <faced the building with marble> 3: to meet face-to-face
          or in competition 4 a: to stand or sit with the face
          toward b: to have the front oriented toward <a house
          facing the park> 5 a: to recognize and deal with straightforwardly
          <~ the facts> b: to master by confronting with determination--used
          with down <faced down his critics> 6 a: to have as a prospect:
          be confronted by <~ a grim future> b: to be a prospect or a source
          of concern for <the problems that ~ us> c: to bring face-to-face
          <he was faced with ruin> 7: to make the surface of (as a stone)
          flat or smooth 8: to cause (troops) to face in a particular
          direction on command ~ vi 1: to have the face or front turned
          in a specified direction 2: to turn the face in a specified
          direction -- face the music : to meet an unpleasant situation,
          a danger, or the consequences of one's actions

   face angle
          [face angle] n (1913): an angle formed by two edges of a
          polyhedral angle

   face card
          [face card] n (1826): a king, queen, or jack in a deck of
          cards

   face-centered
          [face-cen.tered] adj (1913): relating to or being a crystal
          space lattice in which each cubic unit cell has an atom
          at the center and at the corners of each face--compare
          body-centered

   facecloth
          [face.cloth] n (1602): washcloth

   face cord
          [face cord] n (ca. 1926): a unit of wood cut for fuel equal
          to a stack 4 by 8 feet with lengths of pieces from about
          12 to 16 inches

   -faced
          [-faced] adj comb form: having (such) a face or (so many)
          faces <rosy-faced> <two-faced>

   facedown
          [face.down] adv (1949): with the face down <sliding ~>

   face fly
          [face fly] n (1961): a European fly (Musca autumnalis) that
          is similar to the housefly, is widely established in
          No. America, and causes distress to livestock by clustering
          about the face

   faceless
          [face.less] adj (1596) 1: lacking a face 2 a: lacking character
          or individuality: nondescript <the ~ masses> b: not identified:
          anonymous <a ~ accuser> -- face.less.ness n

   face-lift
          [face-lift] n (1934) 1: a cosmetic operation for removal
          of facial defects (as wrinkles) typical of aging 2: an
          alteration, restoration, or restyling (as of a building)
          intended esp. to modernize -- face-lift vt

   face mask
          [face mask] n (1906): a mask covering the face (as in football
          or scuba diving): mask 3

   face-off
          [face-off] n (1896) 1: a method of beginning play (as in
          hockey or lacrosse) in which two opponents face each
          other and attempt to gain control of a puck or ball dropped
          between them 2: confrontation

   faceplate
          [face.plate] n (1841) 1: a disk fixed with its face at right
          angles to the live spindle of a lathe for the attachment
          of the work 2 a: a protective plate for a machine or
          device b: a protective cover for the human face (as of
          a diver) 3: the glass front of a cathode-ray tube on
          which the image is seen

   facer
          [fac.er] n (15c) 1: one that faces 2 Brit: a sudden often
          stunning check or obstacle

   face-saver
          [face-sav.er] n (1923): something (as a compromise) that
          saves face -- face-sav.ing adj or n

   facet
          [fac.et] n [F facette, dim. of face] (1625) 1: a small plane
          surface (as on a cut gem)--see brilliant illustration
          2: any of the definable aspects that make up a subject
          (as of contemplation) or an object (as of consideration)
          3: the external corneal surface of an ommatidium 4: a
          smooth flat circumscribed anatomical surface (as of a
          bone) -- fac.et.ed or fac.et.ted adj

   facete
          [fa.cete] adj [L facetus] (1603) archaic: facetious, witty

   facetiae
          [fa.ce.ti.ae] n pl [L, fr. pl. of facetia jest, fr. facetus
          elegant, witty] (1529): witty or humorous writings or
          sayings

   facetious
          [fa.ce.tious] adj [MF facetieux, fr. facetie jest, fr. L
          facetia] (1599) 1: joking or jesting often inappropriately:
          waggish <just being ~> 2: meant to be humorous or funny:
          not serious <a ~ remark> syn see witty -- fa.ce.tious.ly
          adv -- fa.ce.tious.ness n

   face-to-face
          [face-to-face] adv or adj (14c) 1: within each other's sight
          or presence <met and talked ~> <a ~ consultation> 2:
          in or into direct contact or confrontation <came ~ with
          the problem>

   face up
          [face up] vi (1920): to confront or deal directly with someone
          or something previously avoided--usu. used with to <faced
          up to the situation>

   faceup
          [face.up] adv (1897): with the face up

   face value
          [face value] n (1876) 1: the value indicated on the face
          (as of a postage stamp or a stock certificate) 2: the
          apparent value or significance <if their remarks may
          be taken at face value>

   facia
          [facia] var of fascia

   [1]facial
          [fa.cial] adj (ca. 1818) 1: of or relating to the face 2:
          concerned with or used in improving the appearance of
          the face -- fa.cial.ly adv [2]facial n (1914): a facial
          treatment

   facial index
          [facial index] n (ca. 1889): the ratio of the breadth of
          the face to its length multiplied by 100

   facial nerve
          [facial nerve] n (ca. 1818): either of the 7th pair of cranial
          nerves that supply motor fibers esp. to the muscles of
          the face and jaw and sensory and parasympathetic fibers
          to the tongue, palate, and fauces

   -facient
          [-fa.cient] adj comb form [L -facient-, -faciens (as
          in calefacient-, calefaciens making warm, prp. of calefacere
          to warm)]: making: causing <somnifacient>

   facies
          [fa.cies] n, pl facies [NL, fr. L, face] (ca. 1736) 1: an
          appearance and expression of the face characteristic
          of a particular condition esp. when abnormal <adenoid
          ~> 2: general appearance <a plant species with a particularly
          distinct ~> 3: a part of a rock or group of rocks that
          differs from the whole formation (as in composition,
          age, or fossil content)

   facile
          [fac.ile] adj [MF, fr. L facilis, fr. facere to do--more
          at do] (15c) 1 a (1): easily accomplished or attained
          <a ~ victory> (2): specious, superficial <I am not concerned
          ... with offering any ~ solution for so complex a problem
          --T. S. Eliot> b: used or comprehended with ease c: readily
          manifested and often lacking sincerity or depth <~ tears>
          2 archaic: mild or pleasing in manner or disposition
          3 a: ready, fluent <~ prose> b: poised, assured syn see
          easy -- fac.ile.ly adv -- fac.ile.ness n

   facile princeps
          [fa.ci.le prin.ceps] [L] foreign term : easily first

   facilis descensus Averno
          [fa.ci.lis de.scen.sus Aver.no] or facilis descensus Aver.ni
          [L] foreign term : the descent to Avernus is easy: the
          road to evil is easy

   facilitate
          [fa.cil.i.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing (1611): to make easier:
          help bring about <~ economic recovery> -- fa.cil.i.ta.tive
          adj -- fa.cil.i.ta.tor n

   facilitation
          [fa.cil.i.ta.tion] n (1619) 1: the act of facilitating: the
          state of being facilitated 2 a: the lowering of the threshold
          for reflex conduction along a particular neural pathway
          esp. from repeated use of that pathway b: the increasing
          of the ease or intensity of a response by repeated stimulation

   facilitatory
          [fa.cil.i.ta.to.ry] adj (1944): inducing or involved
          in facilitation esp. of a reflex action

   facility
          [fa.cil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1531) 1: the quality of being
          easily performed 2: ease in performance: aptitude 3:
          readiness of compliance 4 a (1): something that makes
          an action, operation, or course of conduct easier--usu.
          used in pl. <facilities for study> (2): lavatory 2--often
          used in pl. b: something (as a hospital) that is built,
          installed, or established to serve a particular purpose

   facing
          [fac.ing] n (1566) 1 a: a lining at the edge esp. of a garment
          b pl: the collar, cuffs, and trimmings of a uniform coat
          2: an ornamental or protective layer 3: material for
          facing

   facon de parler
          [fa.con de par.ler] [F] foreign term : manner of speaking:
          figurative or conventional expression

   facsimile
          [fac.sim.i.le] n [L fac simile make similar] (1691) 1: an
          exact copy 2: a system of transmitting and reproducing
          graphic matter (as printing or still pictures) by means
          of signals sent over telephone lines syn see reproduction

   fact
          [fact] n [L factum, fr. neut. of factus, pp. of facere] (15c)
          1: a thing done: as a obs: feat b: crime <accessory after
          the ~> c archaic: action 2 archaic: performance, doing
          3: the quality of being actual: actuality <a question
          of ~ hinges on evidence> 4 a: something that has actual
          existence <space exploration is now a ~> b: an actual
          occurrence <prove the ~ of damage> 5: a piece of information
          presented as having objective reality -- in fact : in
          truth

   fact finder
          [fact finder] n (1926): one that tries to determine the realities
          of a case, situation, or relationship; esp: an impartial
          examiner designated by a government agency to appraise
          the facts underlying a particular matter (as a labor
          dispute) -- fact-find.ing n or adj

   facticity
          [fac.tic.i.ty] n [F or G; F facticite, fr. G Faktizitat,
          fr. Factum fact, fr. L factum] (1945): the quality or
          state of being a fact

   -faction
          [-fac.tion] n comb form [ME -faccioun, fr. MF & L; MF -faction,
          fr. L -faction-, -factio (as in satisfaction-, satisfactio
          satisfaction)]: making: -fication <petrifaction>

   faction
          [fac.tion] n [MF & L; MF, fr. L faction-, factio act of making,
          faction--more at fashion] (1509) 1: a party or group
          (as within a government) that is often contentious or
          self-seeking: clique 2: party spirit esp. when marked
          by dissension -- fac.tion.al adj -- fac.tion.al.ism n
          -- fac.tion.al.ly adv

   factious
          [fac.tious] adj [MF or L; MF factieux, fr. L factiosus, fr.
          factio] (1532): of or relating to faction: as a: caused
          by faction <~ disputes> b: inclined to faction or the
          formation of factions c: seditious -- fac.tious.ly adv
          -- fac.tious.ness n

   factitious
          [fac.ti.tious] adj [L facticius, fr. factus, pp. of facere
          to make, do--more at do] (1646) 1: produced by humans
          rather than by natural forces 2 a: formed by or adapted
          to an artificial or conventional standard b: produced
          by special effort: sham <created a ~ demand by spreading
          rumors of shortage> -- fac.ti.tious.ly adv -- fac.ti.tious.ness
          n

   factitive
          [fac.ti.tive] adj [prob. fr. L factitare to do habitually,
          freq. of facere] (1846): of, relating to, or being a
          transitive verb that in some constructions requires an
          objective complement as well as an object -- fac.ti.tive.ly
          adv

   -factive
          [-fac.tive] adj comb form [MF -factif, fr. -faction]: making:
          causing <putrefactive>

   fact of life
          [fact of life] (1854) 1: something that exists and must be
          taken into consideration 2 pl: the fundamental physiological
          processes and behavior involved in sex and reproduction

   factoid
          [fac.toid] n (1973) 1: an invented fact believed to be true
          because of its appearance in print 2: a brief and usu.
          trivial news item

   [1]factor
          [fac.tor] n [ME, fr. MF facteur, fr. L factor doer, fr. facere]
          (15c) 1: one who acts or transacts business for another:
          as a: broker 1b b: one that lends money to producers
          and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable)
          2 a (1): one that actively contributes to the production
          of a result: ingredient <price wasn't a ~ in the decision>
          (2): a substance that functions in or promotes the function
          of a particular physiological process or bodily system
          b: a good or service used in the process of production
          3: gene 4 a: any of the numbers or symbols in mathematics
          that when multiplied together form a product; also: a
          number or symbol that divides another number or symbol
          b: a quantity by which a given quantity is multiplied
          or divided in order to indicate a difference in measurement
          <costs increased by a ~ of 10> -- fac.tor.ship n [2]factor
          vb fac.tored ; fac.tor.ing vi (1621): to work as a factor
          ~ vt 1: to resolve into factors 2 a: to include or admit
          as a factor--used with in or into <~ inflation into our
          calculations> b: to exclude as a factor--used with out
          -- fac.tor.able adj

   factorage
          [fac.tor.age] n (1613) 1: the charges made by a factor for
          services 2: the business of a factor

   factor analysis
          [factor analysis] n (1931): the analytical process of transforming
          statistical data (as measurements) into linear combinations of usu.
          independent variables -- factor analytic adj

   factor group
          [factor group] n (1897): quotient group

   [1]factorial
          [fac.to.ri.al] adj (1837): of, relating to, or being a factor
          or a factorial [2]factorial n (1869) 1: the product of
          all the positive integers from 1 to n--symbol n] 2: the
          quantity 0] arbitrarily defined as equal to 1

   factorization
          [fac.tor.iza.tion] n (1886): the operation of resolving a
          quantity into factors; also: a product obtained by factorization
          -- fac.tor.ize vt

   factor VIII
          [factor VIII] n (1954): a glycoprotein of blood plasma that
          is essential for blood clotting and is absent or inactive
          in hemophilia--called also antihemophilic factor

   factory
          [fac.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1582) 1: a station where resident
          factors trade 2 a: a building or set of buildings with
          facilities for manufacturing b: the seat of some kind
          of production <the vice factories of the slums> -- fac.to.ry.like
          adj

   factory ship
          [factory ship] n (1927): a ship equipped to process a whale
          or fish catch at sea

   factotum
          [fac.to.tum] n [NL, lit., do everything, fr. L fac (imper.
          of facere do) + totum everything] (1566) 1: a person
          having many diverse activities or responsibilities 2:
          a general servant

   factual
          [fac.tu.al] adj [fact + -ual (as in actual)] (ca. 1834) 1:
          of or relating to facts 2: restricted to or based on
          fact -- fac.tu.al.i.ty n -- fac.tu.al.ly adv -- fac.tu.al.ness
          n

   factualism
          [fac.tu.al.ism] n (1936): adherence or dedication to facts
          -- fac.tu.al.ist n

   facture
          [fac.ture] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L factura action of making,
          fr. factus] (15c): the manner in which something (as
          an artistic wo rk) is made: execution

   facula
          [fac.u.la] n, pl -lae [NL, fr. L, dim. of fac-, fax torch]
          (1706): any of the bright regions of the sun's photosphere
          seen most easily near the sun's edge

   facultative
          [fac.ul.ta.tive] adj (1820) 1 a: of or relating to the grant
          of permission, authority, or privilege <~ legislation>
          b: optional 2: of or relating to a mental faculty 3 a:
          taking place under some conditions but not under others
          <~ diapause> b: exhibiting an indicated lifestyle under
          some environmental conditions but not under others <~
          anaerobes> -- fac.ul.ta.tive.ly adv

   faculty
          [fac.ul.ty] n, pl -ties [ME faculte, fr. MF faculte, fr.
          ML & L; ML facultat-, facultas branch of learning or
          teaching, fr. L, ability, abundance, fr. facilis facile]
          (14c) 1: ability, power: as a: innate or acquired ability
          to act or do b: an inherent capability, power, or function
          <the ~ of hearing> c: any of the powers of the mind formerly
          held by psychologists to form a basis for the explanation
          of all mental phenomena d: natural aptitude <has a ~
          for saying the right things> 2 a: a branch of teaching
          or learning in an educational institution b archaic:
          something in which one is trained or qualified 3 a: the
          members of a profession b: the teaching and administrative
          staff and those members of the administration having
          academic rank in an educational institution c faculty
          pl: faculty members <many ~ were present> 4: power, authority,
          or prerogative given or conferred syn see gift

   fad
          [fad] n [origin unknown] (1867): a practice or interest followed
          for a time with exaggerated zeal: craze syn see fashion
          -- fad.dish adj -- fad.dish.ness n -- fad.dism n -- fad.dist
          n -- fad.dy adj FAD n (1944): flavin adenine dinucleotide

   [1]fade
          [fade] vb fad.ed ; fad.ing [ME, fr. MF fader, fr. fade feeble,
          insipid, fr. (assumed) VL fatidus, alter. of L fatuus
          fatuous, insipid] vi (14c) 1: to lose freshness, strength,
          or vitality: wither 2: to lose freshness or brilliance
          of color 3: to sink away: vanish 4: to change gradually
          in loudness, strength, or visibility--used of a motion-picture
          image or of an electronics signal and usu. with in or
          out 5 of an automobile brake: to lose braking power gradually
          6: to move back from the line of scrimmage--used of a
          quarterback ~ vt: to cause to fade -- fad.er n [2]fade
          n (1918) 1 a: fade-out b: a gradual changing of one picture
          to another in a motion-picture or television sequence
          2: a fading of an automobile brake 3: a slight to moderate
          and usu. intentional slice in golf [3]fade adj [ME, fr.
          MF] (15c): insipid, commonplace

   fadeaway
          [fade.away] n (1909) 1 a: screwball 1 b: a slide in which
          a base runner throws his body sideways to avoid the tag
          2: an act or instance of fading away

   fade-in
          [fade-in] n (1917): a gradual increase in a motion-picture
          or television image's visibility at the beginning of
          a sequence

   fadeless
          [fade.less] adj (1652): not susceptible to fading

   fade-out
          [fade-out] n (1917): an act or instance of fading out; esp:
          a gradual decrease in a motion-picture or television
          image's visibility at the end of a sequence

   FADM
          [FADM] abbreviation fleet admiral

   fado
          [fa.do] n, pl fados [Pg, lit., fate, fr. L fatum] (1902):
          a plaintive Portuguese folk song

   faecal, faeces
          [fae.cal, fae.ces] var of fecal, feces

   faena
          [fa.e.na] n [Sp, lit., task, fr. obs. Catal, fr. L facienda
          things to be done, fr. facere to do--more at do] (1927):
          a series of final passes leading to the kill made by
          the matador in a bullfight

   faerie
          [fa.er.ie] also fa.ery n, pl fa.er.ies [MF faerie--more at
          fairy] (1590) 1: fairyland 2: fairy -- faery adj

   Faeroese
          [Faero.ese] n, pl Faeroese (1855) 1: a member of the people
          inhabiting the Faeroes 2: the North Germanic language
          of the Faeroese people -- Faeroese adj

   Fafnir
          [Faf.nir] n [ON Fafnir]: a dragon in Norse mythology that
          guards the Nibelungs' gold hoard until slain by Sigurd

   [1]fag
          [fag] vb fagged ; fag.ging [obs. fag to droop, perh. fr.
          fag (fag end)] vi (1772) 1: to work hard: toil 2: to
          act as a fag esp. in an English public school <fagging
          for older boys during his first year> ~ vt: to tire by
          strenuous activity: exhaust syn see tire [2]fag n (1780)
          1 chiefly Brit: toil, drudgery 2 a: an English public-school
          boy who acts as servant to an older schoolmate b: drudge
          [3]fag n [fag end] (ca. 1888): cigarette [4]fag n [prob.
          by shortening] (ca. 1931): faggot--usu. used disparagingly
          -- fag.gy adj

   fag end
          [fag end] n [earlier fag, fr. ME fagge flap] (1613) 1 a:
          a poor or worn-out end: remnant b: the extreme end 2
          a: the last part or coarser end of a web of cloth b:
          the untwisted end of a rope

   faggot
          [fag.got] n [origin unknown] (1914): a male homosexual--usu.
          used disparagingly -- fag.got.ry n -- fag.goty adj

   fagin
          [fa.gin] n, often cap [Fagin, character in Charles Dickens'
          Oliver Twist (1839)] (1847): an adult who instructs others
          (as children) in crime

   [1]fagot
          [fag.ot] or fag.got n [ME fagot, fr. MF] (14c): bundle: as
          a: a bundle of sticks b: a bundle of pieces of wrought
          iron to be shaped by rolling or hammering at high temperature
          [2]fagot or faggot vt (ca. 1598): to make a fagot of:
          bind together into a bundle <~ed sticks>

   fagoting
          [fag.ot.ing] or fag.got.ing n (1885) 1: an embroidery produced
          by pulling out horizontal threads from a fabric and tying
          the remaining cross threads into groups of an hourglass
          shape 2: an openwork stitch joining hemmed edges

   Fah
          [Fah] or Fahr abbreviation Fahrenheit

   Fahrenheit
          [Fahr.en.heit] adj [Gabriel D. Fahrenheit] (1753): relating
          or conforming to a thermometric scale on which under
          standard atmospheric pressure the boiling point of water
          is at 212 degrees above the zero of the scale, the freezing
          point is at 32 degrees above zero, and the zero point
          approximates the temperature produced by mixing equal
          quantities by weight of snow and common salt--abbr. F

   faience
          [fa.ience] n [F, fr. Faenza, Italy] (1714): earthenware decorated
          with opaque colored glazes

   [1]fail
          [fail] vb [ME failen, fr. OF faillir, fr. (assumed) VL fallire,
          alter. of L fallere to deceive, disappoint] vi (13c)
          1 a: to lose strength: weaken <her health was ~ing> b:
          to fade or die away <until our family line ~s> c: to
          stop functioning <the patient's heart ~ed> 2 a: to fall
          short <~ed in his duty> b: to be or become absent or
          inadequate <the water supply ~ed> c: to be unsuccessful
          (as in passing an examination) d: to become bankrupt
          or insolvent ~ vt 1 a: to disappoint the expectations
          or trust of <her friends ~ed her> b: to miss performing
          an expected service or function for <his wit ~ed him>
          2: to be deficient in: lack <never ~ed an invincible
          courage --Douglas MacArthur> 3: to leave undone: neglect
          <~ to lock the door> 4 a: to be unsuccessful in passing
          (as a test) b: to grade (as a student) as not passing
          -- fail.ing.ly adv [2]fail n (13c) 1: failure--usu. used
          in the phrase without fail 2: a failure (as by a security
          dealer) to deliver or receive securities within a prescribed
          period after purchase or sale

   [1]failing
          [fail.ing] n (1590): a usu. slight or insignificant defect
          in character, conduct, or ability syn see fault [2]failing
          prep (1810): in absence or default of <~ specific instructions,
          use your own judgment>

   faille
          [faille] n [F, fr. OF] (1869): a somewhat shiny closely woven
          silk, rayon, or cotton fabric characterized by slight
          ribs in the weft

   fail-safe
          [fail-safe] adj (1946) 1: incorporating some feature for
          automatically counteracting the effect of an anticipated
          possible source of failure 2: being or relating to a
          safeguard that prevents continuing on a bombing mission
          according to a preconceived plan 3: having no chance
          of failure: infallibly problem-free

   failure
          [fail.ure] n [alter. of earlier failer, fr. AF, fr. OF faillir
          to fail] (1643) 1 a: omission of occurrence or performance;
          specif: a failing to perform a duty or expected action
          b: a state of inability to perform a normal function
          <kidney ~>--compare heart failure c: a fracturing or
          giving way under stress <structural ~> 2 a: lack of success
          b: a failing in business: bankruptcy 3 a: a falling short:
          deficiency <a crop ~> b: deterioration, decay 4: one
          that has failed

   [1]fain
          [fain] adj [ME fagen, fayn, fr. OE faegen; akin to ON fegiun
          happy, OE faeger fair] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: happy, pleased
          2 archaic: inclined, desirous 3 a: willing <he was very
          ~, for the young widow was "altogether fair and lovely
          ... " --Amy Kelly> b: being obliged or constrained: compelled
          <Great Britain was ~ to devote its whole energy ... to
          the business of slaying and being slain --G. M. Trevelyan>
          [2]fain adv (12c) 1: with pleasure: gladly <a speech
          of fire that ~ would blaze --Michael Billington> 2 a:
          by preference <knew it, too, though he would ~ not admit
          it publicly --John Lukacs> b: by desire <I would ~ consult
          you --W. S. Gilbert>

   [1]faineant
          [fai.ne.ant] n, pl faineants [F, fr. MF fait-nient, lit.,
          does nothing, by folk etymology fr. faignant, fr. prp.
          of faindre, feindre to feign] (1619): an irresponsible
          idler [2]fai.ne.ant adj (1855): idle and ineffectual:
          indolent

   [1]faint
          [faint] adj [ME faint, feint, fr. MF, fr. pp. of faindre,
          feindre to feign, shirk--more at feign] (14c) 1: lacking
          courage and spirit: cowardly 2: weak, dizzy, and likely
          to faint 3: lacking strength or vigor: performed, offered,
          or accomplished weakly or languidly 4: producing a sensation
          of faintness: oppressive <the ~ atmosphere of a tropical
          port> 5: lacking distinctness: dim -- faint.ish adj --
          faint.ish.ness n -- faint.ly adv -- faint.ness n [2]faint
          vi (14c) 1 archaic: to lose courage or spirit 2 archaic:
          to become weak 3: to lose consciousness because of a
          temporary decrease in the blood supply to the brain [3]faint
          n (1808): the physiological action of fainting; also:
          the resulting condition: syncope 1

   fainthearted
          [faint.heart.ed] adj (15c): lacking courage or resolution:
          timid -- faint.heart.ed.ly adv -- faint.heart.ed.ness
          n

   [1]fair
          [fair] adj [ME fager, fair, fr. OE faeger; akin to OHG fagar
          beautiful] (bef. 12c) 1: pleasing to the eye or mind
          esp. because of fresh, charming, or flawless quality
          2: superficially pleasing: specious <she trusted his
          ~ promises> 3 a: clean, pure <~ sparkling water> b: clear,
          legible 4: not stormy or foul: fine <~ weather> 5: ample
          <a ~ estate> 6 a: marked by impartiality and honesty:
          free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism <a
          very ~ person to do business with> b (1): conforming
          with the established rules: allowed (2): consonant with
          merit or importance: due <a ~ share> c: open to legitimate
          pursuit, attack, or ridicule <~ game> 7 a: promising,
          likely <in a ~ way to win> b: favorable to a ship's course
          <a ~ wind> 8 archaic: free of obstacles 9: not dark:
          blond 10: sufficient but not ample: adequate <a ~ understanding
          of the work> 11: being such to the utmost: utter <a ~
          treat to watch him --New Republic> -- fair.ness n syn
          fair, just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate,
          objective mean free from favor toward either or any side.
          fair implies an elimination of one's own feelings, prejudices,
          and desires so as to achieve a proper balance of conflicting
          interests <a fair decision>. just implies an exact following
          of a standard of what is right and proper <a just settlement
          of territorial claims>. equitable implies a less rigorous
          standard than just and usu. suggests equal treatment
          of all concerned <the equitable distribution of the property>.
          impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice <an
          impartial third party>. unbiased implies even more strongly
          an absence of all prejudice <your unbiased opinion>.
          dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of
          strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment
          <a dispassionate summation of the facts>. objective stresses
          a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself
          and one's own interest or feelings <I can't be objective
          about my own child>. syn see in addition beautiful [2]fair
          n (bef. 12c) 1 obs: beauty, fairness 2: something that
          is fair or fortunate 3 archaic: woman; esp: sweetheart
          -- for fair : to the greatest extent or degree: fully
          <the rush is on for fair> -- no fair : something that
          is not according to the rules <that's no fair> [3]fair
          adv (bef. 12c) chiefly Brit: fairly 5 [4]fair vi (1836)
          of the weather: clear ~ vt: to join so that the external
          surfaces blend smoothly [5]fair n [ME feire, fr. OF,
          fr. ML feria weekday, fair, fr. LL, festal day, fr. L
          feriae (pl.) holidays--more at feast] (13c) 1: a gathering
          of buyers and sellers at a particular place and time
          for trade 2 a: a competitive exhibition (as of farm products)
          usu. with accompanying entertainment and amusements b:
          an exhibition designed to acquaint prospective buyers
          or the general public with a product 3: a sale of assorted
          articles usu. for a charitable purpose

   fair ball
          [fair ball] n (1856): a batted baseball that lands within
          the foul lines or that is within the foul lines when
          bounding to the outfield past first or third base or
          when going beyond the outfield for a home run

   fair catch
          [fair catch] n (ca. 1876): a catch of a kicked football by
          a player who gives a prescribed signal, may not advance
          the ball, and may not be tackled

   fair copy
          [fair copy] n (1709): a neat and exact copy esp. of a corrected
          draft

   faire suivre
          [faire suivre] [F] foreign term : have forwarded: please
          forward

   fairground
          [fair.ground] n (1741): an area where outdoor fairs, circuses,
          or exhibitions are held--often used in pl. with sing.
          constr. <what a spot for a ~s --W. L. Gresham>

   fair-haired
          [fair-haired] adj (1909): specially favored: white-headed--used
          esp. in the phrase fair-haired boy

   [1]fairing
          [fair.ing] n (1574) 1 Brit a: a present bought or given at
          a fair b: gift 2 Brit: [3]desert 2 [2]fairing n (1914):
          a member or structure whose primary function is to produce
          a smooth outline and to reduce drag (as on an airplane)

   fairish
          [fair.ish] adj (1611): fairly good <a ~ wage for those days>
          -- fair.ish.ly adv

   Fair Isle
          [Fair Isle] n (1851): a style of knitting originating in
          the Shetland Islands that is characterized by bands of
          multicolored geometric patterns; also: an article of
          clothing knitted in this style

   fairlead
          [fair.lead] n (ca. 1841) 1 also fair.lead.er : a block, ring,
          or strip of plank with holes that serves as a guide for
          the running rigging or any ship's rope and keeps it from
          chafing 2: a course of running ship's rope that avoids
          all chafing

   fairly
          [fair.ly] adv (12c) 1: in a handsome manner <a table ~ set>
          2 obs a: in a gentle manner: quietly b: in a courteous
          manner 3: in a manner of speaking <~ bursting with pride>
          4 a: in a proper or legal manner <~ priced stocks> b:
          without bias or distortion: impartially <a story told
          ~ and objectively> 5: to a full degree or extent: plainly,
          distinctly <had ~ caught sight of him> 6: rather 5, moderately
          <a ~ easy job>

   fair market value
          [fair market value] n (1901): a price at which both buyers
          and sellers are willing to do business

   fair-minded
          [fair-mind.ed] adj (1874): marked by impartiality and honesty:
          just, unprejudiced -- fair-mind.ed.ness n

   fairness doctrine
          [fairness doctrine] n (1967): a tenet of licensed broadcasting
          that ensures a reasonable opportunity for the airing
          of conflicting viewpoints on controversial issues

   fair play
          [fair play] n (1595): equitable or impartial treatment: justice

   fair shake
          [fair shake] n (1830): a fair chance or fair treatment <give
          the negative side a fair shake --S. L. Payne>

   fair-spoken
          [fair-spo.ken] adj (15c): pleasant and courteous in speech
          <a ~ youth>

   fair-trade
          [fair-trade] vt (1947): to market (a commodity) in compliance
          with the provisions of a fair-trade agreement -- fair
          trade n -- fair trader n

   fair-trade agreement
          [fair-trade agreement] n (1937): an agreement between a producer
          and a seller that commodities bearing a trademark, label,
          or brand name belonging to the producer be sold at or
          above a specified price

   fairway
          [fair.way] n (1584) 1 a: a navigable part of a river, bay,
          or harbor b: an open path or space 2: the closely mowed
          part of a golf course between a tee and a green

   fair-weather
          [fair-weather] adj (1736) 1: loyal only during a time of
          success <a ~ friend> 2: suitable for or done during fair
          weather <a ~ sail>

   fairy
          [fairy] n, pl fair.ies [ME fairie fairyland, fairy people,
          fr. OF faerie, fr. feie, fee fairy, fr. L Fata, goddess
          of fate, fr. fatum fate] (14c) 1: a mythical being of
          folklore and romance usu. having diminutive human form
          and magic powers 2: a male homosexual--usu. used disparagingly
          -- fairy adj -- fairy.like adj

   fairy godmother
          [fairy godmother] n (1851): a generous friend or benefactor

   fairyism
          [fairy.ism] n (1715) archaic: the power to enchant

   fairyland
          [fairy.land] n (1590) 1: the land of fairies 2: a place of
          delicate beauty or magical charm

   fairy ring
          [fairy ring] n [fr. the folk belief that such rings were
          dancing places of the fairies] (1599) 1: a ring of basidiomycetous
          mushrooms produced at the periphery of a body of mycelium which has
          grown outward from an initial growth point; also: a ring
          of luxuriant vegetation esp. when associated with these mushrooms
          2: a mushroom (esp. Marasmius oreades) that commonly grows in fairy
          rings

   fairy shrimp
          [fairy shrimp] n (1857): any of several delicate transparent
          freshwater branchiopod crustaceans (order Anostraca)

   fairy tale
          [fairy tale] n (1749) 1: a story (as for children) involving
          fantastic forces and beings (as fairies, wizards, and
          goblins)--called also fairy story 2: a made-up story
          usu. designed to mislead

   fairy-tale
          [fairy-tale] adj (1924): characteristic of or suitable to
          a fairy tale; esp: marked by seemingly unreal beauty,
          perfection, luck, or happiness

   fait accompli
          [fait ac.com.pli] n, pl faits accomplis [F, accomplished
          fact] (1845): a thing accomplished and presumably irreversible

   [1]faith
          [faith] n, pl faiths [ME feith, fr. OF feid, foi, fr. L fides;
          akin to L fidere to trust--more at bide] (13c) 1 a: allegiance
          to duty or a person: loyalty b (1): fidelity to one's
          promises (2): sincerity of intentions 2 a (1): belief
          and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional
          doctrines of a religion b (1): firm belief in something
          for which there is no proof (2): complete trust 3: something
          that is believed esp. with strong conviction; esp: a
          system of religious beliefs syn see belief -- in faith
          : without doubt or question: verily [2]faith vt (15c)
          archaic: believe, trust

   [1]faithful
          [faith.ful] adj (14c) 1 obs: full of faith 2: steadfast in
          affection or allegiance: loyal 3: firm in adherence to
          promises or in observance of duty: conscientious 4: given
          with strong assurance: binding <~ promise> 5: true to
          the facts, to a standard, or to an original <a ~ copy>
          -- faith.ful.ly adv -- faith.ful.ness n syn faithful,
          loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, resolute mean firm
          in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance. faithful
          implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or
          to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted
          <faithful to her promise>. loyal implies a firm resistance
          to any temptation to desert or betray <remained loyal
          to the czar>. constant stresses continuing firmness of
          emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict
          obedience to promises or vows <constant friends>. staunch
          suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness
          to influences that would weaken it <a staunch defender
          of free speech>. steadfast implies a steady and unwavering
          course in love, allegiance, or conviction <steadfast
          in their support>. resolute implies firm determination
          to adhere to a cause or purpose <a resolute ally>. [2]faithful
          n (1558) 1 pl in constr a: church members in full communion
          and good standing--used with the b: the body of believers
          in Islam--used with the 2 pl faithful or faithfuls :
          one who is faithful; esp: a loyal follower, member, or
          fan <party ~s>

   faith healing
          [faith healing] n (1885): a method of treating diseases by
          prayer and exercise of faith in God -- faith healer n

   faithless
          [faith.less] adj (14c) 1: not true to allegiance or duty:
          treacherous, disloyal <a ~ servant> 2: not to be relied
          on: untrustworthy <a ~ tool> -- faith.less.ly adv --
          faith.less.ness n syn faithless, false, disloyal, traitorous,
          treacherous, perfidious mean untrue to what should command
          one's fidelity or allegiance. faithless applies to any
          failure to keep a promise or pledge or any breach of
          allegiance or loyalty <faithless allies>. false stresses
          the fact of failing to be true in any manner ranging
          from fickleness to cold treachery <betrayed by false
          friends>. disloyal implies a lack of complete faithfulness
          to a friend, cause, leader, or country <disloyal to their
          country>. traitorous implies either actual treason or
          a serious betrayal of trust <traitorous acts punishable
          by death>. treacherous implies readiness to betray trust
          or confidence <a treacherous adviser>. perfidious adds
          to faithless the implication of an incapacity for fidelity
          or reliability <a perfidious double-crosser>.

   faitour
          [fai.tour] n [ME, fr. AF, fr. OF faitor perpetrator, fr.
          L factor doer--more at factor] (14c) archaic: cheat,
          imposter

   fajita
          [fa.ji.ta] n [AmerSp, dim. of Sp faja sash, belt, prob. fr.
          Catal faixa, fr. L fascia band--more at fascia] (1984):
          a marinated strip usu. of beef or chicken grilled or
          broiled and served usu. with a flour tortilla and various
          savory fillings--usu. used in pl.

   [1]fake
          [fake] vt faked ; fak.ing [ME] (15c): to coil in fakes [2]fake
          n (1627): one loop of a coil (as of ship's rope or a
          fire hose) coiled free for running [3]fake adj [origin
          unknown] (1775): counterfeit, sham [4]fake n (1827):
          one that is not what it purports to be: as a: a worthless
          imitation passed off as genuine b: impostor, charlatan
          c: a simulated movement in a sports contest (as a pretended
          kick, pass, or jump or a quick movement in one direction
          before going in another) designed to deceive an opponent
          d: a device or apparatus used by a magician to achieve
          the illusion of magic in a trick syn see imposture [5]fake
          vb faked ; fak.ing vt (1851) 1: to alter, manipulate,
          or treat so as to give a spuriously genuine appearance
          to: doctor <faked the lab results> 2: counterfeit, simulate,
          concoct 3: to deceive (an opponent) in a sports contest
          by means of a fake 4: improvise, ad-lib <whistle a few
          bars ... and I'll ~ the rest --Robert Sylvester> ~ vi
          1: to engage in faking something: pretend 2: to give
          a fake to an opponent -- fak.er n -- fak.ery n

   fake out
          [fake out] vt (1968): to deliberately mislead: fool, trick

   fakir
          [fa.kir] n [Ar faqir, lit., poor man] (1609) 1 a: a Muslim
          mendicant: dervish b: an itinerant Hindu ascetic or wonder-worker
          2: impostor; esp: swindler

   fa la
          [fa la] n [fa-la, meaningless syllables often occurring in
          its refrain] (1597): a 16th and 17th century part-song

   falafel
          [fa.la.fel] n, pl falafel [Ar falafil] (1950): a spicy mixture
          of ground vegetables (as chick-peas or fava beans) formed
          into balls or patties and then fried

   Falangist
          [Fa.lan.gist] n [Sp falangista, fr. Falange espanola Spanish
          Phalanx, a fascist organization] (1936): a member of
          the fascist political party governing Spain after the
          civil war of 1936-39

   Falasha
          [Fa.la.sha] n, pl -sha or -shas [Amharic] (1710): a member
          of a people of highland Ethiopia who practice a variety
          of Judaism

   falcate
          [fal.cate] adj [L falcatus, fr. falc-, falx sickle, scythe]
          (1826): hooked or curved like a sickle

   falchion
          [fal.chion] n [ME fauchoun, fr. MF fauchon, fr. fauchier
          to mow, fr. (assumed) VL falcare, fr. L falc-, falx]
          (14c) 1: a broad-bladed slightly curved sword of medieval
          times 2 archaic: sword

   falciform
          [fal.ci.form] adj [L falc-, falx + E -iform] (1766): having
          the shape of a scythe or sickle

   falcon
          [fal.con] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL falcon-, falco, prob. fr.
          L falc-, falx] (13c) 1: any of various hawks trained
          for use in falconry; esp: peregrine--used technically
          only of a female--compare tiercel 2: any of various hawks
          (family Falconidae) that have long pointed wings, a long
          tail, and a notched beak and that usu. inhabit open areas

   falconer
          [fal.con.er] n (14c): a person who breeds, trains, or hunts
          with hawks

   falconet
          [fal.con.et] n (1559) 1: a very small cannon used in the
          16th and 17th centuries 2: any of several very small
          falcons (genera Microhierax, Prolihierax, and Spiziapteryx)

   falcon-gentle
          [fal.con-gen.tle] n [ME faucon gentil peregrine falcon, fr.
          MF, lit., noble falcon] (15c): the female peregrine falcon

   falconine
          [fal.co.nine] adj (ca. 1889): of or resembling a falcon <a
          ~ face>

   falconry
          [fal.con.ry] n (1575) 1: the art of training hawks to hunt
          in cooperation with a person 2: the sport of hunting
          with hawks

   falderal
          [fal.de.ral] var of folderol

   faldstool
          [fald.stool] n [ML faldistolium, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          faltistuol folding chair, fr. falt (akin to OHG faldan
          to fold) + stuol chair--more at fold, stool] (1603) 1:
          a folding stool or chair; specif: one used by a bishop
          2: a folding stool or small desk at which one kneels
          during devotions; esp: one used by the sovereigns of
          England at their coronation 3: the desk from which the
          litany is read in Anglican churches

   [1]fall
          [fall] vb fell ; fall.en ; fall.ing [ME, fr. OE feallan;
          akin to OHG fallan to fall and perh. to Lith pulti] vi
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: to descend freely by the force of gravity
          b: to hang freely <her hair ~s over her shoulders> c:
          to drop oneself to a lower position <fell to his knees>
          d: to come or go as if by falling <darkness ~s early
          in the winter> 2: to become born--usu. used of lambs
          3 a: to become lower in degree or level <the temperature
          fell 10 degrees> b: to drop in pitch or volume <their
          voices fell to a whisper> c: issue 1a,b <wisdom that
          fell from his lips> d: to become lowered <her eyes fell>
          4 a: to leave an erect position suddenly and involuntarily
          <slipped and fell on the ice> b: to enter as if unawares:
          stumble, stray <fell into error> c: to drop down wounded
          or dead; esp: to die in battle d: to suffer military
          capture <after a long siege the city fell> e: to lose
          office <the party fell from power> f: to suffer ruin,
          defeat, or failure <the deal fell through> 5: to commit
          an immoral act; esp: to lose one's chastity 6 a: to move
          or extend in a downward direction <the land ~s away to
          the east> b: subside, abate <the wind is ~ing> c: to
          decline in quality, activity, or quantity <production
          fell off> d: to lose weight--used with off or away e:
          to assume a look of shame, disappointment, or dejection
          <his face fell> f: to decline in financial value or price
          <stocks fell sharply> 7 a: to occur at a certain time
          b: to come by chance <fell in with a fast crowd> c: to
          come or pass by lot, assignment, or inheritance: devolve
          <it fell to him to break the news> d: to have a certain
          or proper position, place, or station <the accent ~s
          on the second syllable> 8: to come within the limits,
          scope, or jurisdiction of something <this word ~s into
          the class of verbs> 9: to pass suddenly and passively
          into a state of body or mind or a new state or condition
          <~ asleep> <~ in love> 10: to set about heartily or actively
          <fell to work> 11: strike, impinge <music ~ing on the
          ear> ~ vt: fell 1 -- fall apart 1: disintegrate 2: to
          succumb to mental or emotional stress: break down --
          fall behind 1: to lag behind 2: to be in arrears -- fall
          between two stools : to fail because of inability to
          choose between or reconcile two alternative or conflicting
          courses of action -- fall flat : to produce no response
          or result <the joke fell flat> -- fall for 1: to fall
          in love with 2: to become a victim of <fell for the trick>
          -- fall foul : to have a quarrel: clash--often used with
          of -- fall from grace : backslide 1 -- fall home : to
          curve inward--used of the timbers or upper parts of a
          ship's side -- fall into line : to comply with a certain
          course of action -- fall on or fall upon : to meet with
          <fell on hard times> -- fall over oneself or fall over
          backward : to display excessive eagerness -- fall short
          1: to be deficient 2: to fail to attain something (as
          a goal or target) [2]fall n (13c) 1: the act of falling
          by the force of gravity 2 a: a falling out, off, or away:
          dropping <the ~ of leaves> <a ~ of snow> b: the season
          when leaves fall from trees: autumn c: a thing or quantity
          that falls or has fallen <a ~ of rock at the base of
          the cliff>; esp: one or more meteorites or their fragments
          that have fallen together d (1): birth (2): the quantity
          born--usu. used of lambs 3 a: a costume decoration of
          lace or thin fabric arranged to hang loosely and gracefully
          b: a very wide turned-down collar worn in the 17th century
          c: the part of a turnover collar from the crease to the
          outer edge d: a wide front flap on trousers (as those
          worn by sailors) e: the freely hanging lower edge of
          the skirt of a coat f: one of the three outer and often
          drooping segments of the flower of an iris g: long hair
          overhanging the face of dogs of some breeds h: a usu.
          long straight portion of hair that is attached to a person's
          own hair 4: a hoisting-tackle rope or chain; esp: the
          part of it to which the power is applied 5 a: loss of
          greatness: collapse <the ~ of the Roman Empire> b: the
          surrender or capture of a besieged place <the ~ of Troy>
          c: lapse or departure from innocence or goodness d: loss
          of a woman's chastity 6 a: the downward slope (as of
          a hill): declivity b: a precipitous descent of water:
          waterfall--usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.
          c: a musical cadence d: a falling-pitch intonation in
          speech 7: a decrease in size, quantity, degree, or value
          8 a: the distance which something falls b: inclination,
          pitch 9 a: the act of felling something b: the quantity
          of trees cut down c (1): an act of forcing a wrestler's
          shoulders to the mat for a specified time (as one second)
          (2): a bout of wrestling 10 Scot: destiny, lot [3]fall
          adj (1677): of, relating to, or suitable for autumn <a
          new ~ coat>

   fallacious
          [fal.la.cious] adj (1509) 1: embodying a fallacy 2: tending
          to deceive or mislead: delusive -- fal.la.cious.ly adv
          -- fal.la.cious.ness n

   fallacy
          [fal.la.cy] n, pl -cies [L fallacia, fr. fallac-, fallax
          deceitful, fr. fallere to deceive] (14c) 1 a obs: guile,
          trickery b: deceptive appearance: deception 2 a: a false
          or mistaken idea <popular fallacies> b: erroneous character:
          erroneousness 3: an often plausible argument using false
          or invalid inference

   fal-lal
          [fal-lal] n [perh. alter. of falbala furbelow, fr. F, fr.
          F dial. ferbela, farbella] (ca. 1706): a fancy ornament
          esp. in dress -- fal.lal.ery n

   fall armyworm
          [fall armyworm] n (1881): a migratory American moth (Spodoptera
          frugiperda) that is esp. destructive to small grains
          and grasses as a larva

   fallaway
          [fall.away] adj (1966): made while moving away from the basket
          in basketball <a ~ jumper> -- fallaway n

   fall away
          [fall away] vi (1535) 1 a: to withdraw friendship or support
          b: to renounce one's faith 2 a: to diminish gradually
          in size b: to drift off a course

   fallback
          [fall.back] n (1851) 1: something on which one can fall back:
          reserve 2: a falling back: retreat 3: something that
          falls back <the ~ from an explosion>

   fall back
          [fall back] vi (1607): retreat, recede -- fall back on or
          fall back upon : to have recourse to <had to fall back
          on their reserves>

   fall down
          [fall down] vi (1873): to fail to meet expectations or requirements
          <fell down on the job>

   faller
          [fall.er] n (1677) 1: a machine part that acts by falling
          2: a logger who fells trees

   fallfish
          [fall.fish] n (ca. 1811): a common cyprinid fish (Semotilus
          corporalis) of the streams of northeastern No. America

   fall guy
          [fall guy] n (1906) 1: one that is easily duped 2: scapegoat

   fallibility
          [fal.li.bil.i.ty] n (1634): liability to err

   fallible
          [fal.li.ble] adj [ME, fr. ML fallibilis, fr. L fallere] (15c)
          1: liable to be erroneous <a ~ generalization> 2: capable
          of making a mistake <all men are ~> -- fal.li.bly adv

   fall in
          [fall in] vi (1719) 1: to sink inward <the roof fell in>
          2: to take one's proper place in a military formation
          -- fall in with 1: to concur with <had to fall in with
          her wishes> 2: to harmonize with <it falls in exactly
          with my views>

   falling diphthong
          [falling diphthong] n (1888): a diphthong composed of a vowel
          followed by a less sonorous glide

   falling-out
          [fall.ing-out] n, pl fallings-out or falling-outs (1568):
          an instance of falling out: quarrel

   falling rhythm
          [falling rhythm] n (1918): rhythm with stress occurring regularly
          on the first syllable of each foot--compare rising rhythm

   falling star
          [falling star] n (1563): meteor 2a

   fall line
          [fall line] n (1882) 1: a line joining the waterfalls on
          numerous rivers that marks the point where each river
          descends from the upland to the lowland and the limit
          of the navigability of each river 2: the natural downhill
          course (as for skiing) between two points on a slope

   falloff
          [fall.off] n (1880): a decline esp. in quantity or quality
          <a ~ in exports> <a ~ of light intensity>

   fall off
          [fall off] vi (1613) 1: trend 1b 2 of a ship: to deviate
          to leeward of the point to which the bow was directed

   fallopian tube
          [fal.lo.pi.an tube] n, often cap F [Gabriel Fallopius d.
          1562 Ital. anatomist] (ca. 1706): either of the pair
          of tubes conducting the egg from the ovary to the uterus

   fallout
          [fall.out] n (1949) 1 a: the often radioactive particles
          stirred up by or resulting from a nuclear explosion and
          descending through the atmosphere; also: other polluting
          particles (as volcanic ash) descending likewise b: descent
          (as of fallout) through the atmosphere 2: a secondary
          and often lingering effect, result, or set of consequences
          <have to take a position and accept the political ~ --Andy
          Logan>

   fall out
          [fall out] vi (15c) 1: quarrel; also: to cut off relations
          over a quarrel <former friends who have fallen out> 2:
          turn out, happen <expected to be in the States ... ,
          but things fell out otherwise --Mark Twain> 3 a: to leave
          one's place in the ranks b: to leave a building in order
          to take one's place in a military formation

   [1]fallow
          [fal.low] adj [ME falow, fr. OE fealu; akin to OHG falo pale,
          fallow, L pallere to be pale, Gk polios gray] (bef. 12c):
          of a light yellowish brown color [2]fallow n [ME falwe,
          falow, fr. OE fealg--more at felly] (bef. 12c) 1: usu.
          cultivated land that is allowed to lie idle during the
          growing season 2 obs: plowed land 3: the state or period
          of being fallow 4: the tilling of land without sowing
          it for a season [3]fallow vt (15c): to plow, harrow,
          and break up (land) without seeding to destroy weeds
          and conserve soil moisture [4]fallow adj (15c) 1: left
          untilled or unsown after plowing 2: dormant, inactive--used
          esp. in the phrase to lie fallow <at this very moment
          there are probably important inventions lying ~ --Harper's>
          -- fal.low.ness n

   fallow deer
          [fallow deer] n [[1]fallow] (15c): a deer (Cervus dama syn.
          Dama dama) of variable color with broad antlers and typically
          a yellow-brown coat spotted with white in the summer
          that was orig. found in Europe and Asia Minor but has
          been introduced elsewhere

   fall to
          [fall to] vi (1593): to begin doing something (as working
          or eating) esp. vigorously--often used in invitation
          or command

   [1]false
          [false] adj fals.er ; fals.est [ME fals, fr. OF & L; OF,
          fr. L falsus, fr. pp. of fallere to deceive] (12c) 1:
          not genuine <~ documents> <~ teeth> 2 a: intentionally
          untrue <~ testimony> b: adjusted or made so as to deceive
          <~ scales> <a trunk with a ~ bottom> c: intended or tending
          to mislead <a ~ promise> 3: not true <~ concepts> 4 a:
          not faithful or loyal: treacherous <a ~ friend> b: lacking
          naturalness or sincerity <~ sympathy> 5 a: not essential
          or permanent--used of parts of a structure that are temporary
          or supplemental b: fitting over a main part to strengthen
          it, to protect it, or to disguise its appearance <a ~
          ceiling> 6: inaccurate in pitch <a ~ note> 7 a: based
          on mistaken ideas <~ pride> b: inconsistent with the
          facts <a ~ position> <a ~ sense of security> 8: threateningly
          sudden or deceptive <don't make a ~ move> syn see faithless
          -- false.ly adv -- false.ness n [2]false adv (13c): in
          a false or faithless manner: treacherously <his friends
          played him ~>

   false alarm
          [false alarm] n (1579) 1: one causing alarm or excitement
          that proves to be unfounded 2: an alarm (as a fire or
          burglar alarm) that is set off needlessly

   false arrest
          [false arrest] n (1926): an arrest not justifiable under
          law

   false color
          [false color] n (1968): color in an image (as a photograph)
          of an object that does not actually appear in the object
          but is used to enhance, contrast, or distinguish details
          which are evident solely or chiefly from differences
          in the absorption and reflection of electromagnetic radiation
          at wavelengths outside the visual spectrum

   falsehood
          [false.hood] n (13c) 1: an untrue statement: lie 2: absence
          of truth or accuracy 3: the practice of lying: mendacity

   false imprisonment
          [false imprisonment] n (14c): imprisonment of a person contrary
          to law

   false miterwort
          [false mi.ter.wort] n [miterwort fr. the resemblance of the
          plant's capsule to a bishop's miter] (1868): foamflower

   false morel
          [false morel] n (1942): any of a genus (Gyromitra) of fungi
          that are often poisonous and have a cap with convolutions
          resembling a brain

   false pregnancy
          [false pregnancy] n (ca. 1860): pseudocyesis, pseudopregnancy

   false rib
          [false rib] n (15c): a rib whose cartilages unite indirectly
          or not at all with the sternum--compare floating rib

   false Solomon's seal
          [false Solomon's seal] n (ca. 1856): any of a genus (Smilacina)
          of herbs of the lily family that differ from Solomon's
          seal in having flowers in a terminal raceme or panicle--called
          also false Solomonseal

   false start
          [false start] n (1815) 1: a premature start (as of a race)
          2: an unsuccessful attempt to begin something (as a career)

   [1]falsetto
          [fal.set.to] n, pl -tos [It, fr. dim. of falso false, fr.
          L falsus] (1774) 1: an artificially high voice; esp:
          an artificially produced singing voice that overlaps
          and extends above the range of the full voice esp. of
          a tenor 2: a singer who uses falsetto [2]falsetto adv
          (1940): in falsetto

   falsework
          [false.work] n (ca. 1874): temporary construction work on
          which a main work is wholly or partly built and supported
          until the main work is strong enough to support itself

   falsie
          [fals.ie] n (ca. 1943): an artificial addition to a bodily
          part worn to enhance appearance; specif: a breast-shaped
          usu. fabric or rubber cup used to pad a brassiere--usu.
          used in pl.

   falsify
          [fal.si.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME falsifien, fr. MF falsifier,
          fr. ML falsificare, fr. L falsus] vt (15c) 1: to prove
          or declare false 2: to make false: as a: to make false
          by mutilation or addition <the accounts were falsified
          to conceal a theft> b: to represent falsely: misrepresent
          3: to prove unsound by experience ~ vi: to tell lies:
          lie -- fal.si.fi.abil.i.ty n -- fal.si.fi.able adj --
          fal.si.fi.ca.tion n -- fal.si.fi.er n

   falsity
          [fal.si.ty] n, pl -ties (13c) 1: something false: lie 2:
          the quality or state of being false

   Falstaff
          [Fal.staff] n: a fat, convivial, roguish character in Shakespeare's
          Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV -- Fal.staff.ian adj

   [1]falter
          [fal.ter] vb fal.tered ; fal.ter.ing [ME] vi (14c) 1 a: to
          walk unsteadily: stumble b: to give way: totter <could
          feel my legs ~ing> c: to move waveringly or hesitatingly
          2: to speak brokenly or weakly: stammer 3 a: to hesitate
          in purpose or action: waver b: to lose drive or effectiveness
          <the business was ~ing> ~ vt: to utter hesitatingly or
          brokenly syn see hesitate -- fal.ter.er n -- fal.ter.ing.ly
          adv [2]falter n (1834): an act or instance of faltering

   fam
          [fam] abbreviation familiar, family

   [1]fame
          [fame] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L fama report, fame; akin to L
          fari to speak--more at ban] (13c) 1 a: public estimation:
          reputation b: popular acclaim: renown 2 archaic: rumor
          [2]fame vt famed ; fam.ing (14c) 1 archaic: report, repute
          2: to make famous

   famed
          [famed] adj (ca. 1533): known widely and well: famous

   familial
          [fa.mil.ial] adj [F, fr. L familia] (ca. 1900) 1: tending
          to occur in more members of a family than expected by
          chance alone <a ~ disorder> 2: of, relating to, or suggestive
          of a family

   [1]familiar
          [fa.mil.iar] n (13c) 1: a member of the household of a high
          official 2: one that is familiar; esp: an intimate associate:
          companion 3: a spirit often embodied in an animal and
          held to attend and serve or guard a person 4 a: one who
          is well acquainted with something b: one who frequents
          a place [2]familiar adj [ME familier, fr. MF, fr. L familiaris,
          fr. familia] (14c) 1: closely acquainted: intimate <a
          ~ family friend> 2 obs: affable, sociable 3 a: of or
          relating to a family <remembering past ~ celebrations>
          b: frequented by families <a ~ resort> 4 a: being free
          and easy <the ~ association of old friends> b: marked
          by informality <a ~ essay> c: overly free and unrestrained:
          presumptuous <grossly ~ behavior> d: moderately tame
          <~ animals> 5 a: frequently seen or experienced: easily
          recognized <a ~ theme> b: of everyday occurrence c: possibly
          known but imperfectly remembered <her face looked ~>
          6: having personal or intimate knowledge--used with with
          <~ with the facts of the case> syn see common -- fa.mil.iar.ly
          adv -- fa.mil.iar.ness n

   familiarise
          [fa.mil.iar.ise] Brit var of familiarize

   familiarity
          [fa.mil.iar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (13c) 1 a: the quality or
          state of being familiar b: a state of close relationship:
          intimacy 2 a: absence of ceremony: informality b: an
          unduly informal act or expression: impropriety c: a sexual
          liberty 3: close acquaintance with something <my ~ with
          American history>

   familiarize
          [fa.mil.iar.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1608) 1: to make known
          or familiar <Shakespeare ... ~s the wonderful --Samuel
          Johnson> 2: to make well acquainted <~ students with
          good literature> -- fa.mil.iar.iza.tion n

   familiar spirit
          [familiar spirit] n (1565) 1: a spirit or demon that serves
          or prompts an individual 2: the spirit of a dead person
          invoked by a medium to advise or prophesy

   familism
          [fam.i.lism] n (1925): a social pattern in which the family
          assumes a position of ascendance over individual interests
          -- fam.i.lis.tic adj

   famille rose
          [fa.mille rose] n [F, lit., rose family] (ca. 1898): Chinese
          porcelain in the decoration of which a rose color predominates

   famille verte
          [fa.mille verte] n [F, lit., green family] (1872): Chinese
          porcelain in the decoration of which green predominates

   [1]family
          [fam.i.ly] n, pl -lies [ME familie, fr. L familia household
          (including servants as well as kin of the householder),
          fr. famulus servant] (15c) 1: a group of individuals
          living under one roof and usu. under one head: household
          2 a: a group of persons of common ancestry: clan b: a
          people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from
          a common stock: race 3 a: a group of people united by
          certain convictions or a common affiliation: fellowship
          b: the staff of a high official (as the President) 4:
          a group of things related by common characteristics:
          as a: a closely related series of elements or chemical
          compounds b: a group of soils that have similar profiles
          and include one or more series c: a group of related
          languages descended from a single ancestral language
          5 a: the basic unit in society traditionally consisting
          of two parents rearing their own or adopted children;
          also: any of various social units differing from but
          regarded as equivalent to the traditional family <a single-parent
          ~> b: spouse and children <want to spend more time with
          my ~> 6 a: a group of related plants or animals forming
          a category ranking above a genus and below an order and
          usu. comprising several to many genera b in livestock
          breeding (1): the descendants or line of a particular
          individual esp. of some outstanding female (2): an identifiable
          strain within a breed 7: a set of curves or surfaces
          whose equations differ only in parameters 8: a unit of
          a crime syndicate (as the Mafia) operating within a geographical
          area [2]family adj (1602) 1: of or relating to a family
          2: designed or suitable for both children and adults
          <~ restaurants> <~ movies>

   family Bible
          [family Bible] n (1740): a large Bible usu. having special
          pages for recording births, marriages, and deaths

   family court
          [family court] n (ca. 1931): court of domestic relations

   family doctor
          [family doctor] n (1846) 1: a doctor regularly consulted
          by a family 2: a doctor specializing in family practice

   family jewels
          [family jewels] n pl (ca. 1946) slang: a man's testicles

   family man
          [family man] n (1856) 1: a man with a wife and children dependent
          on him 2: a responsible man of domestic habits

   family name
          [family name] n (1699): surname 2

   family physician
          [family physician] n (1807): family doctor

   family planning
          [family planning] n (1939): planning intended to determine
          the number and spacing of one's children through birth
          control

   family practice
          [family practice] n (1969): a medical practice or specialty
          which provides continuing general medical care for the
          individual and family--called also family medicine

   family practitioner
          [family practitioner] n (1846): family doctor

   family room
          [family room] n (1853): a large room designed as a recreation
          center for members of a family

   family style
          [family style] adv or adj (1932): with the food placed on
          the table in serving dishes from which those eating may
          help themselves

   family tree
          [family tree] n (1807) 1: a genealogical diagram 2: genealogy

   family way
          [family way] n (1796): condition of being pregnant--used
          with in and the or a <she is in a family way>

   famine
          [fam.ine] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. faim hunger, fr. L fames] (14c)
          1: an extreme scarcity of food 2 archaic: starvation
          3 archaic: a ravenous appetite 4: a great shortage

   famish
          [fam.ish] vb [ME, prob. alter. of famen, fr. MF afamer, fr.
          (assumed) VL affamare, fr. L ad- + fames] vt (15c) 1:
          to cause to suffer severely from hunger 2 archaic: to
          cause to starve to death ~ vi 1 archaic: starve 2: to
          suffer for lack of something necessary <a moment when
          French poetry in particular was ~ing for such invention
          --T. S. Eliot> -- fam.ish.ment n

   famished
          [fam.ished] adj (15c): intensely hungry; also: needy

   famous
          [fa.mous] adj [ME, fr. MF fameux, fr. L famosus, fr. fama
          fame] (14c) 1 a: widely known b: honored for achievement
          2: excellent, first-rate <~ weather for a walk> -- fa.mous.ness
          n syn famous, renowned, celebrated, noted, notorious,
          distinguished, eminent, illustrious mean known far and
          wide. famous implies little more than the fact of being,
          sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known <a famous
          actress>. renowned implies more glory and acclamation
          <one of the most renowned figures in sports history>.
          celebrated implies notice and attention esp. in print
          <the most celebrated beauty of her day>. noted suggests
          well-deserved public attention <the noted mystery writer>.
          notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of
          questionableness or evil <a notorious gangster>. distinguished
          implies acknowledged excellence or superiority <a distinguished
          scientist who won the Nobel Prize>. eminent implies even
          greater conspicuousness for outstanding quality or character
          <the country's most eminent writers>. illustrious stresses
          enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person
          <our illustrious national heroes>.

   famously
          [fa.mous.ly] adv (1579) 1: in a celebrated manner 2: in a
          superlative fashion 3: to an unusual degree: very

   famulus
          [fam.u.lus] n, pl -li [G, assistant to a professor, fr. L,
          servant] (1837): a private secretary or attendant

   [1]fan
          [fan] n [ME, fr. OE fann, fr. L vannus--more at winnow] (bef.
          12c) 1: any of various devices for winnowing grain 2:
          an instrument for producing a current of air: as a: a
          device for cooling the person that is usu. shaped like
          a segment of a circle and is composed of material (as
          feathers or paper) mounted on thin rods or slats moving
          about a pivot so that the device may be closed compactly
          when not in use b: a device that consists of a series
          of vanes radiating from a hub rotated on its axle by
          a motor c slang: an airplane propeller 3 a: something
          resembling an open fan b: a gently sloping fan-shaped
          body of detritus; esp: alluvial fan -- fan.like adj [2]fan
          vb fanned ; fan.ning vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to drive away
          the chaff of (grain) by means of a current of air b:
          to eliminate (as chaff) by winnowing 2: to move or impel
          (air) with a fan 3: to blow or breathe upon <the breeze
          fanning her hair> 4 a: to direct a current of air upon
          with a fan b: to stir up to activity as if by fanning:
          stimulate <fanning the fires of nationalism> 5 archaic:
          wave 6 slang: spank 7: to spread like a fan <the peacock
          fanned his tail> 8: to strike (a batter) out in baseball
          9: to fire a series of shots from (a single-action revolver)
          by holding the trigger back and successively striking
          the hammer to the rear with the free hand ~ vi 1: to
          move like a fan: flutter 2: to spread like a fan--often
          used with out <deputies fanning out on the hunt> 3: strike
          out 3 -- fan.ner n [3]fan n [prob. short for fanatic]
          (1682) 1: an enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or a
          performing art) usu. as a spectator 2: an ardent admirer
          or enthusiast (as of a celebrity or a pursuit) <science-fiction
          ~s>

   fanatic
          [fa.nat.ic] or fa.nat.i.cal adj [L fanaticus inspired by
          a deity, frenzied, fr. fanum temple--more at feast] (1550):
          marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical
          devotion <they're ~ about politics> -- fanatic n -- fa.nat.i.cal.ly
          adv -- fa.nat.i.cal.ness n

   fanaticism
          [fa.nat.i.cism] n (1652): fanatic outlook or behavior

   fanaticize
          [fa.nat.i.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing (1812): to cause to
          become fanatic

   fancier
          [fan.ci.er] n (1765) 1: one that has a special liking or
          interest 2: a person who breeds or grows a particular
          animal or plant for points of excellence <a pigeon ~>

   fanciful
          [fan.ci.ful] adj (ca. 1627) 1: marked by fancy or unrestrained
          imagination rather than by reason and experience <a ~
          person> 2: existing in fancy only <a ~ notion> 3: marked
          by or as if by fancy or whim <gave their children ~ names>
          syn see imaginary -- fan.ci.ful.ly adv -- fan.ci.ful.ness
          n

   fancify
          [fan.ci.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1890): to make ornate, elaborate,
          or fancy <a fancified hamburger>

   [1]fancy
          [fan.cy] vt fan.cied ; fan.cy.ing (14c) 1: to have a fancy
          for: like 2: to form a conception of: imagine <~ our
          embarrassment> 3 a: to believe mistakenly or without
          evidence b: to believe without being certain <she fancied
          she had met him before> 4: to visualize or interpret
          as <fancied myself a child again> syn see think [2]fancy
          n, pl fancies [ME fantasie, fantsy fantasy, fancy, fr.
          MF fantasie, fr. L phantasia, fr. Gk, appearance, imagination,
          fr. phantazein to present to the mind (middle voice,
          to imagine), fr. phainein to show; akin to OE geboned
          polished, Gk phos light] (15c) 1 a: a liking formed by
          caprice rather than reason: inclination <took a ~ to
          the strange little animal> b: amorous fondness: love
          2 a: notion, whim b: an image or representation of something
          formed in the mind 3 archaic: fantastic quality or state
          4 a: imagination esp. of a capricious or delusive sort
          b: the power of conception and representation used in
          artistic expression (as by a poet) 5: taste, judgment
          6 a: devotees of some particular art, practice, or amusement
          b: the object of interest of such a fancy; esp: [2]boxing
          [3]fancy adj fan.ci.er ; -est (1646) 1: dependent or
          based on fancy: whimsical 2 a (1): not plain: ornamental
          <a ~ hairdo> (2): swanky 2, posh <a ~ restaurant> b (1):
          of particular excellence or highest grade <~ tuna> (2):
          impressive <posted some ~ numbers> c of an animal or
          plant: bred esp. for bizarre or ornamental qualities
          that lack practical utility 3: based on conceptions of
          the fancy <~ sketches> 4 a: dealing in fancy goods b:
          extravagant <paying ~ prices> 5: executed with technical
          skill and style <~ footwork> <~ diving> 6: parti-color
          <~ carnations> -- fan.ci.ly adv -- fan.ci.ness n

   fancy-dan
          [fancy-dan] adj, often cap D (1938): showy 2, fancy

   fancy Dan
          [fancy Dan] n, often cap F (ca. 1943): one given to flamboyant
          display esp. of technique or dress

   fancy dress
          [fancy dress] n (1770): a costume (as for a masquerade) chosen
          to suit the wearer's fancy

   fancy-free
          [fan.cy-free] adj (1590) 1: free from amorous attachment
          or engagement 2: free to imagine or fancy

   fancy man
          [fancy man] n (ca. 1811): a woman's paramour; also: pimp

   fancy-pants
          [fancy-pants] adj (1945): overly elegant or refined: la-di-da

   fancy up
          [fancy up] vt (1934): to add superficial adornment to

   fancy woman
          [fancy woman] n (1812): a woman of questionable morals; specif:
          prostitute

   fancywork
          [fan.cy.work] n (1810): decorative needlework

   fandango
          [fan.dan.go] n, pl -gos [Sp] (1774) 1: a lively Spanish or
          Spanish-American dance in triple time that is usu. performed
          by a man and a woman to the accompaniment of guitar and
          castanets; also: music for this dance 2: tomfoolery

   fandom
          [fan.dom] n (1903): all the fans (as of a sport)

   fane
          [fane] n [ME, fr. L fanum--more at feast] (15c) 1: temple
          2: church

   fanfare
          [fan.fare] n [F] (1676) 1: a showy outward display 2: a short
          and lively sounding of trumpets

   fanfaronade
          [fan.far.o.nade] n [F fanfaronnade, fr. Sp fanfarronada,
          fr. fanfarron braggart] (1652): empty boasting: bluster

   fanfold
          [fan.fold] n (1925): paper (as business forms or tape) made
          from a web and folded like a fan lengthwise and sometimes
          crosswise -- fanfold vt

   fang
          [fang] n [ME, that which is taken, fr. OE; akin to OHG fang
          seizure, OE fon to seize--more at pact] (1555) 1 a: a
          long sharp tooth: as (1): one by which an animal's prey
          is seized and held or torn (2): one of the long hollow
          or grooved and often erectile teeth of a venomous snake
          b: one of the chelicerae of a spider at the tip of which
          a poison gland opens 2: the root of a tooth or one of
          the processes or prongs into which a root divides 3:
          a projecting tooth or prong -- fanged adj Fang also Fan
          n, pl Fang or Fangs also Fan or Fans (1861) 1: a member
          of a Bantu-speaking people of northern Gabon, mainland
          Equatorial Guinea, and southern Cameroon 2: the language
          of the Fang people

   fan-jet
          [fan-jet] n (1962): a jet engine having a fan that operates
          in a duct and draws in extra air whose compression and
          expulsion provide extra thrust; also: an airplane powered
          by a fan-jet engine

   fan letter
          [fan letter] n (1932): a letter sent to a public figure by
          an admirer

   fanlight
          [fan.light] n (1819): a semicircular window with radiating
          bars like the ribs of a fan that is placed over a door
          or window

   fan mail
          [fan mail] n (1924): fan letters

   fanny
          [fan.ny] n, pl fannies [perh. fr. Fanny, nickname of Frances]
          (1928) 1: buttocks 2 slang Brit: vulva

   fanny pack
          [fanny pack] n (1967): a pack for carrying personal articles
          that straps to the waist

   fantabulous
          [fan.tab.u.lous] adj [blend of fantastic and fabulous] (1959)
          slang: marvelously good

   fantail
          [fan.tail] n (1728) 1: a fan-shaped tail or end 2: a domestic
          pigeon having a broad rounded tail often with 30 or 40
          feathers 3: an architectural part resembling a fan 4:
          a counter or after overhang of a ship shaped like a duck's
          bill

   fan-tan
          [fan-tan] n [Chin (Guangdong) faantaan] (1878) 1: a Chinese
          gambling game in which the banker divides a pile of objects
          (as beans) into fours and players bet on what number
          will be left at the end of the count 2: a card game in
          which players must build in sequence upon sevens and
          attempt to be the first one out of cards

   fantasia
          [fan.ta.sia] n [It, lit., fancy, fr. L phantasia--more at
          fancy] (1724) 1: a free usu. instrumental composition
          not in strict form 2 a: a work (as a poem or play) in
          which the author's fancy roves unrestricted b: something
          possessing grotesque, bizarre, or unreal qualities

   fantasie
          [fan.ta.sie] n [G Phantasie, fr. L phantasia] (ca. 1859):
          fantasia

   fantasied
          [fan.ta.sied] adj (1561) 1: existing only in the imagination:
          fancied 2 obs: full of fancies or strange whims

   fantasise
          [fan.ta.sise] Brit var of fantasize

   fantasist
          [fan.ta.sist] n (1896): one who creates fantasias or fantasies

   fantasize
          [fan.ta.size] vb -sized ; -siz.ing vi (1926): to indulge
          in reverie: create or develop imaginative and often fantastic
          views or ideas <doing things I'd fantasized about in
          my sheltered childhood --Diane Arbus> ~ vt: to portray
          in the mind: fancy <likes to ~ herself as very wealthy>
          -- fan.ta.siz.er n

   fantasm
          [fan.tasm] var of phantasm

   fantast
          [fan.tast] n [G, fr. ML fantasta, prob. back-formation fr.
          LL phantasticus] (1588) 1: visionary 2: a fantastic or
          eccentric person 3: fantasist

   [1]fantastic
          [fan.tas.tic] also fan.tas.ti.cal adj [ME fantastic, fantastical,
          fr. MF & LL; MF fantastique, fr. LL phantasticus, fr.
          Gk phantastikos producing mental images, fr. phantazein
          to present to the mind] (14c) 1 a: based on fantasy:
          not real b: conceived or seemingly conceived by unrestrained
          fancy c: so extreme as to challenge belief: unbelievable;
          broadly: exceedingly large or great 2: marked by extravagant
          fantasy or extreme individuality: eccentric 3 fantastic:
          excellent, superlative <a ~ dinner> -- fan.tas.ti.cal.i.ty
          n -- fan.tas.ti.cal.ness n syn fantastic, bizarre, grotesque
          mean conceived, made, or carried out without adherence
          to truth or reality. fantastic may connote unrestrained
          extravagance in conception or merely ingenuity of decorative
          invention <dreamed up fantastic rumors to spread>. bizarre
          applies to the sensationally queer or strange and implies
          violence of contrast or incongruity of combination <a
          bizarre medieval castle built in the heart of a modern
          city>. grotesque may apply to what is conventionally
          ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous
          awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic
          overtones <grotesque statues adorn the cathedral> <though
          grief-stricken, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile>.
          syn see in addition imaginary [2]fantastic n (1598):
          eccentric 2

   fantastically
          [fan.tas.ti.cal.ly] adv (1543) 1: in a fantastic manner 2:
          to a fantastic degree: extremely <~ expensive clothes>

   fantasticate
          [fan.tas.ti.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (1600): to make fantastic
          -- fan.tas.ti.ca.tion n

   fantastico
          [fan.tas.ti.co] n, pl -coes [It, fantastic (adj.), fr. LL
          phantasticus] (1596): a ridiculously fantastic individual

   [1]fantasy
          [fan.ta.sy] n, pl -sies [ME fantasie--more at fancy] (14c)
          1 obs: hallucination 2: fancy; esp: the free play of
          creative imagination 3: a creation of the imaginative
          faculty whether expressed or merely conceived: as a:
          a fanciful design or invention b: a chimerical or fantastic
          notion c: fantasia 1 d: imaginative fiction featuring
          esp. strange settings and grotesque characters--called
          also fantasy fiction 4: caprice 5: the power or process
          of creating esp. unrealistic or improbable mental images
          in response to psychological need <an object of ~>; also:
          a mental image or a series of mental images (as a daydream)
          so created <sexual fantasies of adolescence> 6: a coin
          usu. not intended for circulation as currency and often
          issued by a dubious authority (as a government-in-exile)
          [2]fantasy vb -sied ; -sy.ing (15c): fantasize

   fantasyland
          [fan.ta.sy.land] n (1967): an imaginary or ideal place or
          situation

   fantoccini
          [fan.toc.ci.ni] n pl [It, pl. of fantoccino, dim. of fantoccio
          doll, aug. of fante child, fr. L infant-, infans infant]
          (1771): a puppet show using puppets operated by strings
          or mechanical devices; also: such puppets

   fantod
          [fan.tod] n [perh. alter. of E dial. fantique, fanteeg] (1839)
          1 pl a: a state of irritability and tension b: fidgets
          2: an emotional outburst: fit

   fantom
          [fan.tom] var of phantom

   fan vault
          [fan vault] n (ca. 1901): a Gothic vault in which the ribs
          from each springer spread out like the vanes of a fan
          -- fan vaulting n

   fanwise
          [fan.wise] adv or adj (1882): in the manner or position of
          the slats of an open fan <boats anchored ~ at the pier>

   fanzine
          [fan.zine] n [[3]fan + magazine] (1949): a magazine written
          by and for fans esp. of science fiction or fantasy writing

   FAO
          [FAO] abbreviation Food and Agriculture Organization of the
          United Nations

   FAQ
          [FAQ] abbreviation fair average quality

   [1]far
          [far] adv far.ther or fur.ther ; far.thest or fur.thest [ME
          fer, fr. OE feorr; akin to OHG ferro far, OE faran to
          go--more at fare] (bef. 12c) 1: at or to a considerable
          distance in space <wandered ~ from home> 2 a: to a great
          extent: much <~ better methods> b: by a broad interval:
          widely <the ~ distant future> 3: to or at a definite
          distance, point, or degree <as ~ as I know> 4: to an
          advanced point or extent <a bright student will go ~>
          <worked ~ into the night> 5: at a considerable distance
          in time <not ~ from the year 1870> -- by far : far and
          away <is by far the best runner> -- far be it from :
          it would be inappropriate or impossible for <far be it
          from God, that he should do wickedness --Job 34:10 (AV)>
          -- far from : of a distinctly different and esp. opposite
          quality than <the trip was far from a failure> -- how
          far : to what extent, degree, or distance <didn't know
          how far to trust them> -- so far 1: to a certain extent,
          degree, or distance <when the water rose so far, the
          villagers sought higher ground> 2: up to the present
          <has written just one novel so far> -- thus far : so
          far <thus far our findings have been negative> [2]far
          adj farther or further ; farthest or furthest (bef. 12c)
          1 a: remote in space b: distinctly different in quality
          or relationship c: remote in time 2 a: long <a ~ journey>
          b: of notable extent: comprehensive <a man of ~ vision>
          3: the more distant of two 4: extreme <the ~ left> <a
          ~ right political organization>

   far
          [far] abbreviation farthing

   farad
          [far.ad] n [Michael Faraday] (1873): the unit of capacitance
          equal to the capacitance of a capacitor between whose
          plates there appears a potential of one volt when it
          is charged by one coulomb of electricity

   faraday
          [far.a.day] n [Michael Faraday] (1904): the quantity of electricity
          transferred in electrolysis per equivalent weight of an element
          or ion equal to about 96,500 coulombs

   faradic
          [fa.rad.ic] also far.a.da.ic adj (1875): of or relating to
          an asymmetric alternating current of electricity produced
          by an induction coil <~ stimulation of the muscles>

   faradism
          [far.a.dism] n (1876): the application of a faradic current
          of electricity (as for therapeutic purposes)

   far and aw ay
          [far and aw ay] adv (1852): by a considerable margin <was
          far and away the better team>

   farandole
          [far.an.dole] n [F farandole, fr. Prov farandoulo] (1863)
          1: a lively Provencal dance in which men and women hold
          hands, form a chain, and follow a leader through a serpentine
          course 2: music in sextuple time for a farandole

   far and wide
          [far and wide] adv (bef. 12c): in every direction: everywhere
          <searched far and wide>

   faraway
          [far.away] adj (1735) 1: lying at a great distance: remote
          2: dreamy, abstracted <a ~ look in her eyes>

   [1]farce
          [farce] vt farced ; farc.ing [ME farsen, fr. MF farcir, fr.
          L farcire] (14c) 1: stuff 2: to improve as if by stuffing
          [2]farce n [ME farse, fr. MF farce, fr. (assumed) VL
          farsa, fr. L, fem. of farsus, pp. of farcire] (14c) 1:
          a savory stuffing: forcemeat 2: a light dramatic composition
          marked by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot
          3: the broad humor characteristic of farce or pretense
          4 a: ridiculous or empty show b: mockery <the enforcement
          of this law became a ~>

   farceur
          [far.ceur] n [F, fr. MF, fr. farcer to joke, fr. OF, fr.
          farce] (1781) 1: joker, wag 2: a writer or actor of farce

   farci
          [far.ci] or far.cie adj [F, fr. pp. of farcir] (1903): stuffed
          esp. with forcemeat <oysters ~>

   farcical
          [far.ci.cal] adj (1716) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          farce: ludicrous 2: laughably inept: absurd -- far.ci.cal.i.ty
          n -- far.ci.cal.ly adv

   farcy
          [far.cy] n [ME farsin, farsi, fr. MF farcin, fr. LL farcimen,
          fr. L, sausage, fr. farcire] (15c): glanders; esp: cutaneous
          glanders

   fard
          [fard] vt [ME, fr. MF farder, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          faro colored--more at perch] (15c) 1: to paint (the face)
          with cosmetics 2 archaic: to gloss over -- fard n, archaic

   fardel
          [far.del] n [ME, fr. MF, prob. fr. Ar fardah] (14c) 1: bundle
          2: burden

   [1]fare
          [fare] vi fared ; far.ing [ME faren, fr. OE faran; akin to
          OHG faran to go, L portare to carry, Gk peran to pass
          through, poros passage, journey] (bef. 12c) 1: go, travel
          2: get along, succeed <how did you ~ on your exam?> 3:
          eat, dine [2]fare n [ME, journey, passage, supply of
          food, fr. OE faru, faer; akin to OE faran to go] (15c)
          1 a: range of food: diet b: material provided for use,
          consumption, or enjoyment 2 a: the price charged to transport
          a person b: a paying passenger on a public conveyance

   fare-thee-well
          [fare-thee-well] also fare-you-well n (1884) 1: the utmost
          degree <researched the story to a ~> 2: a state of perfection
          <imitated the speaker's pompous manner to a ~>

   [1]farewell
          [fare.well] vb imper (14c): get along well--used interjectionally
          to or by one departing [2]farewell n (14c) 1: a wish
          of well-being at parting: good-bye 2 a: an act of departure:
          leave-taking b: a formal occasion honoring a person about
          to leave or retire [3]fare.well vt (1580) chiefly Austral
          & NewZeal: to bid farewell to [4]fare.well adj (1669):
          of or relating to leave-taking: final <a ~ appearance>

   farfel
          [far.fel] or far.fal n [Yiddish farfl (pl.), fr. MHG varveln
          noodles, noodle soup] (1892): noodles in the form of
          small pellets or granules

   far-fetched
          [far-fetched] adj (1583) 1: brought from a remote time or
          place 2: not easily or naturally deduced or introduced:
          improbable <a ~ story> -- far.fetched.ness n

   far-flung
          [far-flung] adj (1895) 1: widely spread or distributed <a
          ~ empire> 2: remote <a ~ correspondent>

   farina
          [fa.ri.na] n [L, meal, flour, fr. far spelt--more at barley]
          (14c) 1: a fine meal of vegetable matter (as cereal grains)
          used chiefly for puddings or as a breakfast cereal 2:
          any of various powdery or mealy substances

   farinaceous
          [far.i.na.ceous] adj (1646) 1: having a mealy texture or
          surface 2: containing or rich in starch

   far-infrared
          [far-in.fra.red] adj (1923): of or relating to the longer
          wavelengths of radiation in the infrared spectrum and
          esp. to those between 10 and 1000 micrometers

   farinha
          [fa.ri.nha] n [Pg, flour, cassava meal, fr. L farina] (1726):
          cassava meal

   farkleberry
          [far.kle.ber.ry] n [origin unknown] (1765): a shrub or small
          tree (Vaccinium arboreum) of the heath family of the
          southeastern U.S. having a black berry with stony seeds

   farl
          [farl] n [contr. of Sc fardel, lit., fourth part, fr. ME
          (Sc), fr. ferde del; fr. ferde fourth + del part] (1686)
          Scot: a small thin triangular cake or biscuit made esp.
          with oatmeal or wheat flour

   [1]farm
          [farm] n, often attrib [ME ferme rent, lease, fr. OF, lease,
          fr. fermer to fix, make a contract, fr. L firmare to
          make firm, fr. firmus firm] (14c) 1 obs: a sum or due
          fixed in amount and payable at fixed intervals 2: a letting
          out of revenues or taxes for a fixed sum to one authorized
          to collect and retain them 3: a district or division
          of a country leased out for the collection of government
          revenues 4: a tract of land devoted to agricultural purposes
          5 a: a plot of land devoted to the raising of animals
          and esp. domestic livestock b: a tract of water reserved
          for the artificial cultivation of some aquatic life form
          6: a minor-league team (as in baseball) associated with
          a major-league team as a subsidiary 7: an area containing
          a number of similar structures (as radio antennas or
          storage tanks) [2]farm vt (15c) 1 obs: rent 2: to collect
          and take the fees or profits of (an occupation or business)
          on payment of a fixed sum 3: to give up (as an estate
          or a business) to another on condition of receiving in
          return a fixed sum 4 a: to devote to agriculture b: to
          manage and cultivate as a farm c: to grow or cultivate
          in quantity <~ trees for fuel> <~ salmon> ~ vi: to engage
          in raising crops, animals, or fish

   farmer
          [farm.er] n (14c) 1: a person who pays a fixed sum for some
          privilege or source of income 2: a person who cultivates
          land or crops or raises animals or fish 3: yokel, bumpkin

   farmer cheese
          [farmer cheese] n (1949): a pressed unripened cheese similar
          to but drier and firmer than cottage cheese

   farmerette
          [farm.er.ette] n (1902): a woman who is a farmer or farmhand

   farmer's lung
          [farmer's lung] n (1945): an acute pulmonary disorder characterized
          by sudden onset, fever, cough, expectoration, and breathlessness
          that results from the inhalation of dust from moldy hay or straw

   farmhand
          [farm.hand] n (1843) 1: a farm laborer; esp: a hired laborer
          on a farm 2: a player on a farm team

   farmhouse
          [farm.house] n (1598): a dwelling on a farm

   farming
          [farm.ing] n (1733): the practice of agriculture or aquaculture

   farmland
          [farm.land] n (1638): land used or suitable for farming

   farm out
          [farm out] vt (1607) 1: to turn over (as a job) for performance
          by another usu. under contract 2 a: to put (as children)
          into the hands of another for care b: to send (as a baseball
          player) to a farm team 3: to exhaust (land) by farming
          esp. by continuously raising one crop

   farmstead
          [farm.stead] n (1807): the buildings and adjacent service
          areas of a farm; broadly: a farm with its buildings

   farmwife
          [farm.wife] n (1880): a farmer's wife

   farmworker
          [farm.work.er] n (1946): farmhand 1 -- farm.work n

   farmyard
          [farm.yard] n (1748): land around or enclosed by farm buildings;
          esp: barnyard

   faro
          [faro] n, pl far.os [prob. alter. of earlier pharaoh, trans.
          of F pharaon] (ca. 1735): a gambling game in which players
          bet on cards drawn from a dealing box

   Faroese
          [Faro.ese] var of faeroese

   far-off
          [far-off] adj (15c): remote in time or space

   farouche
          [fa.rouche] adj [F, wild, shy, fr. LL forasticus living outside,
          fr. L foras outdoors; akin to L fores door--more at door]
          (1765) 1: wild 2: marked by shyness and lack of social
          graces

   far-out
          [far-out] adj (1954): marked by a considerable departure
          from the conventional or traditional <~ clothes> -- far-out.ness
          n

   farraginous
          [far.rag.i.nous] adj (1615): consisting of a farrago

   farrago
          [far.ra.go] n, pl -goes [L farragin-, farrago mixed fodder,
          mixture, fr. far spelt--more at barley] (1632): a confused
          mixture: hodgepodge

   far-reaching
          [far-reach.ing] adj (1824): having a wide range or effect

   far-red
          [far-red] adj (1951): near-infrared

   farrier
          [far.ri.er] n [alter. of ME ferrour, fr. MF ferrour blacksmith,
          fr. OF ferreor, fr. ferrer to fit with iron, fr. (assumed)
          VL ferrare, fr. L ferrum iron] (15c): a person who shoes
          horses

   [1]farrow
          [far.row] vb [ME farwen, fr. (assumed) OE feargian, fr. OE
          fearh young pig; akin to OHG farah young pig, L porcus
          pig] vt (13c): to give birth to (a farrow) ~ vi, of swine:
          to bring forth young--often used with down [2]farrow
          n (1577) 1: a litter of pigs 2: an act of farrowing [3]farrow
          adj [ME (Sc) ferow] (15c) of a cow: not pregnant

   farseeing
          [far.see.ing] adj (1837): farsighted 1

   Farsi
          [Far.si] n [Per farsi, fr. Fars Persia] (1878): persian 2b

   farside
          [far.side] n (15c): the farther side; esp: the side of the
          moon away from the earth -- on the far side of : beyond
          <just on the far side of 40>

   farsighted
          [far.sight.ed] adj (1609) 1 a: seeing or able to see to a
          great distance b: having or showing foresight or good
          judgment: sagacious 2: affected with hyperopia -- far.sight.ed.ly
          adv

   farsightedness
          [far.sight.ed.ness] n (ca. 1829) 1: the quality or state
          of being farsighted 2: hyperopia

   [1]fart
          [fart] vi [ME ferten, farten; akin to OHG ferzan to break
          wind, ON freta, Gk perdesthai, Skt pardate he breaks
          wind] (13c): to expel intestinal gas from the anus--often
          considered vulgar [2]fart n (14c) 1: an expulsion of
          intestinal gas--often considered vulgar 2: a foolish
          or contemptible person <couldn't stand the old ~>--seldom
          in polite use

   [1]farther
          [far.ther] adv [ME ferther, alter. of further] (14c) 1: at
          or to a greater distance or more advanced point <got
          no ~ than the first page> <nothing could be ~ from the
          truth> 2: to a greater degree or extent <see to it that
          I do not have to act any ~ in the matter --Bernard DeVoto>
          usage Farther and further have been used more or less
          interchangeably throughout most of their history, but
          currently they are showing signs of diverging. As adverbs
          they continue to be used interchangeably whenever spatial,
          temporal, or metaphorical distance is involved. But where
          there is no notion of distance, further is used <our
          techniques can be further refined>. Further is also used
          as a sentence modifier <further, the workshop participants
          were scarcely optimistic --L. B. Mayhew>, but farther
          is not. A polarizing process appears to be taking place
          in their adjective use. Farther is taking over the meaning
          of distance <the farther shore> and further the meaning
          of addition <needed no further invitation>. [2]farther
          adj (14c) 1: more distant: remoter <the ~ side of town>
          2: further 2 <clearing his throat preparatory to ~ revelations
          --Edith Wharton>

   farthermost
          [far.ther.most] adj (15c): most distant: farthest

   [1]farthest
          [far.thest] adj (14c): most distant esp. in space or time
          [2]farthest adv (15c) 1: to or at the greatest distance
          in space or time <who can jump the ~> 2: to the most
          advanced point <goes ~ toward answering the question>
          3: by the greatest degree or extent: most <the painting
          ~ removed from reality>

   farthing
          [far.thing] n [ME ferthing, fr. OE feorthung (akin to MHG
          vierdunc fourth part), fr. OE feortha fourth] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a former British monetary unit equal to 1/4 of a
          penny b: a coin representing this unit 2: something of
          small value: mite

   farthingale
          [far.thin.gale] n [modif. of MF verdugale, fr. OSp verdugado,
          fr. verdugo young shoot of a tree, fr. verde green, fr.
          L viridis--more at verdant] (1552): a support (as of
          hoops) worn esp. in the 16th century beneath a skirt
          to expand it at the hipline

   far ultraviolet
          [far ultraviolet] adj (1947): of, relating to, or being the
          shortest wavelengths of radiation in the ultraviolet
          spectrum and esp. those between 100 and 300 nanometers

   FAS
          [FAS] abbreviation firsts and seconds, free alongside (ship)

   fasc
          [fasc] abbreviation fascicle

   fasces
          [fas.ces] n pl but sing or pl in constr [L, fr. pl. of fascis
          bundle; akin to L fascia] (1598): a bundle of rods and
          among them an ax with projecting blade borne before ancient
          Roman magistrates as a badge of authority

   fascia
          [fas.cia] n, pl -ci.ae or -cias [It, fr. L, band, bandage;
          akin to MIr basc necklace] (1563) 1: a flat usu. horizontal
          member of a building having the form of a flat band or
          broad fillet: as a: a flat piece used as a molding b:
          a horizontal piece (as a board) covering the joint between
          the top of a wall and the projecting eaves--called also
          fascia board c: a nameplate over the front of a shop
          2: a sheet of connective tissue covering or binding together
          body structures; also: tissue of this character 3 or
          fa.cia Brit: the dashboard of an automobile -- fas.cial
          adj

   fasciated
          [fas.ci.at.ed] adj (ca. 1835) 1: exhibiting fasciation 2:
          arranged in fascicles

   fasciation
          [fas.ci.a.tion] n (1677): a malformation of plant stems commonly
          manifested as enlargement and flattening as if several
          stems were fused

   fascicle
          [fas.ci.cle] n [L fasciculus, dim. of fascis] (15c) 1: a
          small or slender bundle (as of pine needles or nerve
          fibers) 2: one of the divisions of a book published in
          parts -- fas.ci.cled adj

   fascicular
          [fas.cic.u.lar] adj (1816): of, relating to, or consisting
          of fascicles or fasciculi -- fas.cic.u.lar.ly adv

   fasciculate
          [fas.cic.u.late] also fas.cic.u.lat.ed adj (1794): fascicular

   fasciculation
          [fas.cic.u.la.tion] n (1938): muscular twitching involving
          the simultaneous contraction of contiguous groups of
          muscle fibers

   fascicule
          [fas.ci.cule] n [F, fr. L fasciculus] (1880): fascicle 2

   fasciculus
          [fas.cic.u.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. L] (1713) 1: a slender
          bundle of anatomical fibers 2: fascicle 2

   fascinate
          [fas.ci.nate] vb fas.ci.nat.ed ; fas.ci.nat.ing [L fascinatus,
          pp. of fascinare, fr. fascinum evil spell] vt (1598)
          1 obs: bewitch 2 a: to transfix and hold spellbound by
          an irresistible power <believed that the serpent could
          ~ its prey> b: to command the interest of: allure <was
          fascinated by carnivals> ~ vi: to be irresistibly attractive
          <the novel's flamboyant cover ~s> syn see attract

   fascinating
          [fas.ci.nat.ing] adj (1648): extremely interesting or charming:
          captivating -- fas.ci.nat.ing.ly adv

   fascination
          [fas.ci.na.tion] n (1605) 1 a: the quality or power of fascinating
          b: something fascinating 2: the state of being fascinated

   fascinator
          [fas.ci.na.tor] n (1750) 1: one that fascinates 2: a woman's
          lightweight head scarf usu. of crochet or lace

   fascine
          [fas.cine] n [F, fr. L fascina, fr. fascis] (ca. 1688): a
          long bundle of sticks of wood bound together and used
          for such purposes as filling ditches and making revetments
          for riverbanks

   fascioliasis
          [fa.sci.o.li.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL, fr. Fasciola, genus
          of flukes + -iasis] (1890): infestation with or disease
          caused by liver flukes (genus Fasciola)

   fascism
          [fas.cism] n [It fascismo, fr. fascio bundle, fasces, group,
          fr. L fascis bundle & fasces fasces] (1921) 1 often cap:
          a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that
          of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above
          the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic
          government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic
          and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of
          opposition 2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of
          strong autocratic or dictatorial control <early instances
          of army ~ and brutality --J. W. Aldridge> -- fas.cist
          n or adj, often cap -- fas.cis.tic adj, often cap --
          fas.cis.ti.cal.ly adv, often cap

   Fascista
          [Fa.sci.sta] n, pl -sti [It, fr. fascio] (1921): a member
          of an Italian political organization under Mussolini
          governing Italy 1922-1943 according to the principles
          of fascism

   fas est et ab hoste doceri
          [fas est et ab ho.ste do.ce.ri] [L] foreign term : it is
          right to learn even from an enemy

   fash
          [fash] vb [MF fascher, fr. (assumed) VL fastidiare to disgust,
          fr. L fastidium disgust--more at fastidious] (1533) chiefly
          Scot: vex -- fash n, chiefly Scot

   [1]fashion
          [fash.ion] n [ME facioun, fasoun shape, manner, fr. MF facon,
          fr. L faction-, factio act of making, faction, fr. facere
          to make--more at do] (14c) 1 a: the make or form of something
          b archaic: kind, sort 2 a: a distinctive or peculiar
          and often habitual manner or way <he will, after his
          sour ~, tell you --Shak.> b: mode of action or operation
          <assembled in an orderly ~> 3 a: a prevailing custom,
          usage, or style b (1): the prevailing style (as in dress)
          during a particular time (2): a garment in such a style
          <always wears the latest ~s> c: social standing or prominence
          esp. as signalized by dress or conduct <men and women
          of ~> -- after a fashion : in an approximate or rough
          way <became an artist after a fashion> syn fashion, style,
          mode, vogue, fad, rage, craze mean the usage accepted
          by those who want to be up-to-date. fashion is the most
          general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving,
          writing, or performing that is favored at any one time
          or place <the current fashion>. style often implies a
          distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste <a media
          baron used to traveling in style>. mode suggests the
          fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant
          and sophisticated <slim bodies are the mode at this resort>.
          vogue stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion <short
          skirts are back in vogue>. fad suggests caprice in taking
          up or in dropping a fashion <last year's fad is over>.
          rage and craze stress intense enthusiasm in adopting
          a fad <Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for
          a time> <crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing
          craze but have lasted>. syn see in addition method [2]fashion
          vt fash.ioned ; fash.ion.ing (15c) 1 a: to give shape
          or form to: mold b: alter, transform c: to mold into
          a particular character by influencing or training d:
          to make or construct usu. with the use of imagination
          and ingenuity <~ a lamp from an old churn> 2: fit, adapt
          3 obs: contrive -- fash.ion.er n

   [1]fashionable
          [fash.ion.able] adj (1606) 1: conforming to the custom, fashion,
          or established mode 2: of or relating to the world of
          fashion -- fash.ion.abil.i.ty n -- fash.ion.able.ness
          n -- fash.ion.ably adv [2]fashionable n (ca. 1800): a
          fashionable person

   fashionmonger
          [fash.ion.mon.ger] n (1599): one that studies, imitates,
          or sets the fashion

   fashion plate
          [fashion plate] n (1851) 1: an illustration of a clothing
          style 2: a person who dresses in the latest fashions

   [1]fast
          [fast] adj [ME, fr. OE faest; akin to OHG festi firm, ON
          fastr, Arm hast] (bef. 12c) 1 a: firmly fixed <roots
          ~ in the ground> b: tightly shut <the drawers were ~>
          c: adhering firmly d: not easily freed: stuck <a ball
          ~ in the mouth of the cannon> e: stable <movable items
          were made ~ to the deck> 2: firmly loyal <became ~ friends>
          3 a: characterized by quick motion, operation, or effect:
          (1): moving or able to move rapidly: swift (2): taking
          a comparatively short time (3): imparting quickness of
          motion <a ~ bowler> (4): accomplished quickly (5): agile
          of mind; esp: quick to learn <a class for ~ students>
          b: conducive to rapidity of play or action c (1) of a
          timepiece or weighing device: indicating in advance of
          what is correct (2): according to or being daylight saving
          time d: contributing to a shortening of exposure time
          <~ film> e: acquired with unusually little effort and
          often by shady or dishonest methods <had a keen eye for
          a ~ buck --R. A. Keith> 4 a: securely attached <a rope
          ~ to the wharf> b: tenacious <a ~ hold on her purse>
          5 a archaic: sound asleep b of sleep: not easily disturbed
          6: not fading or changing color readily 7 a: wild <a
          pretty ~ crowd> b: sexually promiscuous 8: resistant
          to change (as from destructive action or fading) <~ dyes>--often
          used in combination <sunfast> <acid-fast bacteria> syn
          fast, rapid, swift, fleet, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious
          mean moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity. fast
          and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies
          particularly to the thing that moves <fast horses> and
          rapid to the movement itself <rapid current>. swift suggests
          great rapidity coupled with ease of movement <returned
          the ball with one swift stroke>. fleet adds the implication
          of lightness[ ]and nimbleness <fleet runners>. quick
          suggests promptness and the taking of little time <a
          quick wit>. speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment
          <speedy delivery of mail> and may also suggest unusual
          velocity. hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and
          often connotes carelessness <a hasty inspection>. expeditious
          suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment
          <the expeditious handling of an order>. [2]fast adv (bef.
          12c) 1: in a firm or fixed manner <stuck ~> 2: in a sound
          manner: deeply <~ asleep> 3 a: in a rapid manner: quickly
          b: in quick succession <kaleidoscopic impressions that
          come so thick and ~ --M. B. Tucker> 4: in a reckless
          or dissipated manner 5: ahead of a correct time or schedule
          6 archaic: close, near [3]fast vi [ME, fr. OE faestan]
          (bef. 12c) 1: to abstain from food 2: to eat sparingly
          or abstain from some foods [4]fast n (bef. 12c) 1: the
          practice of fasting 2: a time of fasting [5]fast n [alter.
          of ME fest, fr. ON festr rope, mooring cable, fr. fastr
          firm] (15c): something that fastens (as a mooring line)
          or holds a fastening

   fast and loose
          [fast and loose] adv (1557) 1: in a reckless or irresponsible
          manner <played fast and loose with the public purse strings
          --Paul Stuewe> 2: in a craftily deceitful way <manipulated
          evidence ... and played fast and loose with the truth
          --C. V. Woodward>

   fastback
          [fast.back] n (1954): an automobile with a roof having a
          long curving downward slope to the rear; also: the back
          of such an automobile

   fastball
          [fast.ball] n (1912): a baseball pitch thrown at full speed
          and often rising slightly as it nears the plate -- fast.ball.er
          n

   fast break
          [fast break] n (ca. 1949): a quick offensive drive toward
          a goal (as in basketball) in an attempt to score before
          the opponent's defense is set up -- fast-break vi

   fasten
          [fas.ten] vb fas.tened ; fas.ten.ing [ME fastnen, fr. OE
          faestnian to make fast; akin to OHG festinon to make
          fast, OE faest fast] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to attach esp.
          by pinning, tying, or nailing b: to make fast and secure
          c: to fix firmly or securely d: to secure against opening
          2: to fix or set steadily <~ed her attention on the main
          problem> 3: to take a firm grip with <the dog ~ed its
          teeth in the shoe> 4 a: to attach (oneself) persistently
          and usu. objectionably b: impose <~ed the blame on the
          wrong person> ~ vi 1: to become fast or fixed 2 a: to
          take a firm grip or hold b: to focus attention -- fas.ten.er
          n syn fasten, fix, attach, affix mean to make something
          stay firmly in place. fasten implies an action such as
          tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing
          <fasten the reins to a post>. fix usu. implies a driving
          in, implanting, or embedding <fixed the stake in the
          ground>. attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a
          bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together <attach
          the W-2 form here>. affix implies an imposing of one
          thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing <affix
          your address label here>.

   fastening
          [fas.ten.ing] n (12c): something that fastens: fastener

   fast-food
          [fast-food] adj (1951) 1: of, relating to, or specializing
          in food that can be prepared and served quickly <a ~
          restaurant> 2: designed for ready availability, use,
          or consumption and with little consideration given to
          quality or significance <~ TV programming> -- fast food
          n

   [1]fast-forward
          [fast-for.ward] n, often attrib (1948) 1: a function of a
          tape player by which the tape is advanced at a higher
          speed than when it is playing normally 2: a state or
          an instance of rapid advancement <put her career in fast-forward>
          [2]fast-forward vt (1974) 1: to advance (a magnetic tape)
          using the fast-forward of a tape player 2: to bypass
          (as a commercial) by fast-forwarding ~ vi 1: to advance
          a magnetic tape using the fast-forward 2: to proceed
          rapidly forward esp. in time <~ to the future>

   fastidious
          [fas.tid.i.ous] adj [ME, fr. L fastidiosus, fr. fastidium
          disgust, prob. fr. fastus arrogance (prob. akin to L
          fastigium top) + taedium irksomeness--more at tedium]
          (15c) 1 archaic: scornful 2 a: having high and often
          capricious standards: difficult to please <critics ...
          so ~ that they can talk only to a small circle of initiates
          --Granville Hicks> b: showing or demanding excessive
          delicacy or care c: reflecting a meticulous, sensitive,
          or demanding attitude <~ workmanship> 3: having complex
          nutritional requirements <~ microorganisms> -- fas.tid.i.ous.ly
          adv -- fas.tid.i.ous.ness n

   fastigiate
          [fas.ti.gi.ate] adj [prob. fr. (assumed) NL fastigiatus,
          fr. L fastigium--more at bristle] (1662): narrowing toward
          the top; esp: having upright usu. clustered branches
          <~ trees>

   fast lane
          [fast lane] n (1966) 1: a traffic lane intended for vehicles
          traveling at higher speeds 2: a way of life marked by
          a fast pace and usu. the pursuit of immediate gratification
          3: fast track -- fast-lane adj

   fastness
          [fast.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1: the quality or state of being
          fast: as a: the quality or state of being fixed b: the
          quality or state of being swift c: colorfast quality
          d: resistance (as of an organism) to the action of a
          usu. toxic substance 2 a: a fortified or secure place
          b: a remote and secluded place <vacationed in their mountain
          ~>

   Fast of Esther
          [Fast of Esther] (1887): a Jewish fast day observed the day
          before Purim in commemoration of a fast proclaimed by
          Queen Esther

   fast-talk
          [fast-talk] vt (1946): to influence or persuade by fluent,
          facile, and usu. deceptive or tricky talk <~ed him into
          buying a lemon>

   [1]fast-track
          [fast-track] adj (1967) 1: of, relating to, or moving along
          a fast track <~ executives> 2: of, relating to, or being
          a construction procedure in which work on a building
          begins before designs are completed [2]fast-track vt
          (1971): to speed up the processing, production, or construction
          of in order to meet a goal -- fast-track.er n

   fast track
          [fast track] n (1980): a course leading to rapid advancement
          or success

   fast-twitch
          [fast-twitch] adj (1970): of, relating to, or being muscle
          fiber that contracts quickly esp. during brief high-intensity
          physical activity requiring strength--compare slow-twitch

   fastuous
          [fas.tu.ous] adj [L fastuosus, fr. fastus arrogance] (1638)
          1: haughty, arrogant <a ~ air of finality --Carl Van
          Vechten> 2: ostentatious, showy <disdained ~ ceremonies>

   [1]fat
          [fat] adj fat.ter ; fat.test [ME, fr. OE faett, pp. of faetan
          to cram; akin to OHG feizit fat] (bef. 12c) 1: notable
          for having an unusual amount of fat: a: plump b: obese
          c of a meat animal: fattened for market d of food: oily,
          greasy 2 a: well filled out: thick, big <a ~ book> b:
          full in tone and quality: rich <a gorgeous ~ bass voice
          --Irish Digest> c: well stocked <a ~ larder> d: prosperous,
          wealthy <grew ~ on the war --Time> e: being substantial
          and impressive <a ~ bank account> 3 a: richly rewarding
          or profitable <a ~ part in a movie> <a ~ contract> b:
          practically nonexistent <a ~ chance> 4: productive, fertile
          <a ~ year for crops> 5: stupid, foolish 6: being swollen
          <got a ~ lip from the fight> 7 of a baseball pitch: easy
          to hit -- fat.ness n [2]fat vt fat.ted ; fat.ting (bef.
          12c): to make fat: fatten [3]fat n (14c) 1: animal tissue
          consisting chiefly of cells distended with greasy or
          oily matter 2 a: oily or greasy matter making up the
          bulk of adipose tissue and often abundant in seeds b:
          any of numerous compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
          that are glycerides of fatty acids, are the chief constituents
          of plant and animal fat, are a major class of energy-rich
          food, and are soluble in organic solvents but not in
          water c: a solid or semisolid fat as distinguished from
          an oil 3: the best or richest part 4: obesity 5: something
          in excess: superfluity <trim the ~ from the news operation
          --Ray Olson> -- fat.less adj

   fatal
          [fa.tal] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L fatalis, fr. fatum]
          (14c) 1 obs: fated 2: fateful <a ~ hour> 3 a: of or relating
          to fate b: resembling fate in proceeding according to
          a fixed sequence c: determining one's fate 4 a: causing
          death b: bringing ruin syn see deadly

   fatalism
          [fa.tal.ism] n (1678): a doctrine that events are fixed in
          advance so that human beings are powerless to change
          them; also: a belief in or attitude determined by this
          doctrine -- fa.tal.ist n -- fa.tal.is.tic adj --
          fa.tal.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   fatality
          [fa.tal.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME, fr. MF fatalite, fr. LL fatalitat-,
          fatalitas, fr. L fatalis] (15c) 1 a: the quality or state
          of causing death or destruction b: the quality or condition
          of being destined for disaster 2: something established by fate
          3 a: fate 1 b: fatalism 4: the agent or agency of fate 5 a: death
          resulting from a disaster b: one that experiences a fatal outcome

   fatally
          [fa.tal.ly] adv (15c) 1: in a way determined by fate 2: in
          a manner suggesting fate or an act of fate: as a: in
          a manner resulting in death: mortally <~ wounded> b:
          beyond repair: irrevocably c: in a manner resulting in
          ruin or evil <it is ~ easy to pass off our prejudices
          as our opinions --W. F. Hambly> d: in a manner that cannot
          be easily resisted <thinks she is ~ attractive --J. W.
          Krutch>

   fata morgana
          [fa.ta mor.ga.na] n [It, lit., Morgan le Fay (sorceress of
          Arthurian legend)] (1818): mirage

   Fata viam invenient
          [Fa.ta vi.am in.ve.ni.ent] [L] foreign term : the Fates will
          find a way

   fatback
          [fat.back] n (1903): the strip of fat from the back of a
          hog carcass usu. cured by drying and salting

   fat body
          [fat body] n (1869): a fatty tissue esp. of nearly mature
          insect larvae that serves as a food reserve

   fat cat
          [fat cat] n (1928) 1 a: a wealthy contributor to a political
          campaign fund b: a wealthy and privileged person c: big
          shot 2: a lethargic complacent person -- fat-cat adj

   fat cell
          [fat cell] n (1845): one of the fat-laden cells making up
          adipose tissue

   fat depot
          [fat depot] n (1946): adipose tissue

   [1]fate
          [fate] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L fatum, lit., what has
          been spoken, fr. neut. of fatus, pp. of fari to speak--more
          at ban] (14c) 1: the principle or determining cause or
          will by which things in general are believed to come
          to be as they are or events to happen as they do: destiny
          2 a: an inevitable and often adverse outcome, condition,
          or end b: disaster; esp: death 3 a: final outcome b:
          the expected result of normal development <prospective
          ~ of embryonic cells> 4 pl, cap: the three goddesses
          who determine the course of human life in classical mythology
          syn fate, destiny, lot, portion, doom mean a predetermined
          state or end. fate implies an inevitable and usu. an
          adverse outcome <the fate of the submarine is unknown>.
          destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests
          a great or noble course or end <the country's destiny
          to be a model of liberty to the world>. lot and portion
          imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting
          blind chance <it was her lot to die childless>, portion
          implying the apportioning of good and evil <remorse was
          his daily portion>. doom distinctly implies a grim or
          calamitous fate <if the rebellion fails, his doom is
          certain>. [2]fate vt fat.ed ; fat.ing (1601): destine;
          also: doom

   fated
          [fat.ed] adj (ca. 1606): decreed, controlled, or marked by
          fate

   fateful
          [fate.ful] adj (ca. 1720) 1: having a quality of ominous
          prophecy <a ~ remark> 2 a: involving momentous consequences:
          decisive <made his ~ decision to declare war --W. L.
          Shirer> b: deadly, catastrophic 3: controlled by fate:
          foreordained syn see ominous -- fate.ful.ly adv -- fate.ful.ness
          n

   fat farm
          [fat farm] n (1969): a health spa that specializes in weight
          reduction

   fath
          [fath] abbreviation fathom

   fathead
          [fat.head] n (1842): a stupid person -- fat.head.ed adj --
          fat.head.ed.ly adv -- fat.head.ed.ness n

   [1]father
          [fa.ther] n [ME fader, fr. OE faeder; akin to OHG fater father,
          L pater, Gk pater] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a man who has begotten
          a child; also: sire 3 b cap (1): god 1 (2): the first
          person of the Trinity 2: forefather 3 a: one related
          to another in a way suggesting that of father to child
          b: an old man--used as a respectful form of address 4
          often cap: a pre-Scholastic Christian writer accepted
          by the church as an authoritative witness to its teaching
          and practice--called also church father 5 a: one that
          originates or institutes <the ~ of modern science> b:
          source <the sun, the ~ of warmth and light --Lena M.
          Whitney> c: prototype 6: a priest of the regular clergy;
          broadly: priest--used esp. as a title 7: one of the leading
          men (as of a city)--usu. used in pl. -- fa.ther.hood
          n -- fa.ther.less adj -- fa.ther.like adj or adv [2]father
          vb fa.thered ; fa.ther.ing vt (15c) 1 a: beget b: to
          make oneself the founder, producer, or author of <~ed
          the improvement plan> c: to accept responsibility for
          2 a: to fix the paternity or origin of b: to place responsibility
          for the origin or cause of <collected gossip and ~ed
          it on responsible men --J. A. Williamson> 3: foist, impose
          ~ vi: to care for or look after someone as a father might

   Father Christmas
          [Father Christmas] n Brit: santa claus

   father figure
          [father figure] n (1934): one often of particular power or
          influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a
          father

   father image
          [father image] n (1937): an idealization of one's father
          often projected onto someone to whom one looks for guidance
          and protection

   father-in-law
          [father-in-law] n, pl fa.thers-in-law (14c) 1: the father
          of one's spouse 2 archaic: stepfather

   fatherland
          [fa.ther.land] n (12c) 1: the native land or country of one's
          father or ancestors 2: one's native land or country

   fatherly
          [fa.ther.ly] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or befitting a
          father <~ responsibilities> 2: resembling a father (as
          in affection or care) <a ~ old man> -- fa.ther.li.ness
          n -- fatherly adv

   Father's Day
          [Father's Day] n (1927): the third Sunday in June appointed
          for the honoring of fathers

   [1]fathom
          [fath.om] n [ME fadme, fr. OE faethm outstretched arms, length
          of the outstretched arms; akin to ON fathmr fathom, L
          patere to be open, pandere to spread out, Gk petannynai]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a unit of length equal to six feet (1.83
          meters) used esp. for measuring the depth of water 2:
          comprehension [2]fathom vi (1607) 1: probe 2: to take
          soundings ~ vt 1: to measure by a sounding line 2: to
          penetrate and come to understand <couldn't ~ the problem>
          -- fath.om.able adj

   Fathometer
          [Fa.thom.e.ter] trademark--used for a sonic depth finder

   fathomless
          [fath.om.less] adj (1638): incapable of being fathomed --
          fath.om.less.ly adv -- fath.om.less.ness n

   fatidic
          [fa.tid.ic] or fa.tid.i.cal adj [L fatidicus, fr. fatum fate
          + dicere to say--more at diction] (1607): of or relating
          to prophecy

   fatigable
          [fa.ti.ga.ble] adj (1608): susceptible to fatigue --
          fa.ti.ga.bil.i.ty n

   [1]fatigue
          [fa.tigue] n [F, fr. MF, fr. fatiguer to fatigue, fr. L fatigare;
          akin to L affatim sufficiently] (1669) 1 a: labor b:
          manual or menial work performed by military personnel
          c pl: the uniform or work clothing worn on fatigue and
          in the field 2 a: weariness or exhaustion from labor,
          exertion, or stress b: the temporary loss of power to
          respond induced in a sensory receptor or motor end organ
          by continued stimulation 3: the tendency of a material
          to break under repeated stress [2]fatigue vb fa.tigued
          ; fa.tigu.ing vt (1693) 1: to weary with labor or exertion
          2: to induce a condition of fatigue in ~ vi: to suffer
          fatigue syn see tire -- fa.tigu.ing.ly adv [3]fatigue
          adj (1774) 1: consisting of, done, or used in fatigue
          <~ detail> 2: belonging to fatigues <a ~ cap>

   fatling
          [fat.ling] n (ca. 1534): a young animal fattened for slaughter

   fatly
          [fat.ly] adv (15c) 1: richly 2: in the manner of one that
          is fat <waddled ~> 3: in a smug manner: complacently
          <snickered ~>

   fatshedera
          [fats.hed.era] n [NL Fatsia, genus of shrubs + Hedera, genus
          of vines (fr. L, ivy)] (1948): a vigorous upright hybrid
          ornamental foliage plant (Hedera helix X Aralia elata)
          with glossy deeply lobed palmate leaves

   fatso
          [fat.so] n, pl fat.soes [prob. fr. Fats, nickname for a fat
          person + -o] (1944): a fat person--often used as a disparaging
          form of address

   fatstock
          [fat.stock] n (1880) chiefly Brit: livestock that is fat
          and ready for market

   fat-tailed sheep
          [fat-tailed sheep] n (1842): a coarse-wooled mutton sheep
          that has great quantities of fat on each side of the
          tail bones

   fatten
          [fat.ten] vb fat.tened ; fat.ten.ing vt (1552) 1 a: to make
          fat, fleshy, or plump; esp: to feed (as a stock animal)
          for slaughter b: to make more substantial 2: to make
          fertile ~ vi: to become fat -- fat.ten.er n

   fatti maschii, parole femine
          [fat.ti mas.chii, pa.ro.le fe.mi.ne] [It] foreign term :
          deeds are males, words are females: deeds are more effective
          than words--motto of Maryland, where it is generally
          interpreted as meaning "manly deeds, womanly words"

   fattish
          [fat.tish] adj (14c): somewhat fat

   [1]fatty
          [fat.ty] adj fat.ti.er ; -est (14c) 1: containing fat esp.
          in unusual amounts; also: unduly stout: corpulent 2:
          greasy 3: derived from or chemically related to fat --
          fat.ti.ness n [2]fatty n, pl fat.ties (1797): one that
          is fat; esp: an overweight person

   fatty acid
          [fatty acid] n (ca. 1872) 1: any of numerous saturated aliphatic
          monocarboxylic acids (as acetic acid) including many
          that occur naturally usu. in the form of esters in fats,
          waxes, and essential oils 2: any of the saturated or
          unsaturated monocarboxylic acids (as palmitic acid) usu.
          with an even number of carbon atoms that occur naturally
          in the form of glycerides in fats and fatty oils

   fatuity
          [fa.tu.ity] n, pl -ities [MF fatuite foolishness, fr. L fatuitat-,
          fatuitas, fr. fatuus] (1538) 1 a: something foolish or stupid
          b: stupidity, foolishness 2 archaic: imbecility, dementia

   fatuous
          [fat.u.ous] adj [L fatuus foolish] (1633): complacently or
          inanely foolish: silly syn see simple -- fat.u.ous.ly
          adv -- fat.u.ous.ness n

   fat-witted
          [fat-wit.ted] adj (1596): stupid, idiotic

   fatwood
          [fat.wood] n (1904) chiefly Southern: lightwood

   faubourg
          [fau.bourg] n [ME fabour, fr. MF fauxbourg, alter. of forsbourg,
          fr. OF forsborc, fr. fors outside + borc town--more at
          bourg] (15c) 1: suburb; esp: a suburb of a French city
          2: a city quarter

   fauces
          [fau.ces] n pl but sing or pl in constr [L, pl., throat,
          fauces] (1541): the narrow passage from the mouth to
          the pharynx situated between the soft palate and the
          base of the tongue -- fau.cial adj

   faucet
          [fau.cet] n [ME, bung, faucet, fr. MF fausset bung, perh.
          fr. fausser to damage, fr. LL falsare to falsify, fr.
          L falsus false] (15c): a fixture for drawing or regulating
          the flow of liquid esp. from a pipe

   faugh
          [faugh] interj (1542)--used to express contempt, disgust,
          or abhorrence

   [1]fault
          [fault] n [ME faute, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL fallita, fr.
          fem. of fallitus, pp. of L fallere to deceive, disappoint]
          (14c) 1 obs: lack 2 a: weakness, failing; esp: a moral
          weakness less serious than a vice b: a physical or intellectual
          imperfection or impairment: defect c: an error esp. in
          service in a net or racket game 3 a: misdemeanor b: mistake
          4: responsibility for wrongdoing or failure <the accident
          was the driver's ~> 5: a fracture in the crust of a planet
          (as the earth) or moon accompanied by a displacement
          of one side of the fracture with respect to the other
          usu. in a direction parallel to the fracture -- at fault
          1: unable to find the scent and continue chase 2: open
          to blame: responsible <couldn't determine who was really
          at fault> -- to a fault : to an excessive degree <precise
          to a fault> syn fault, failing, frailty, foible, vice
          mean an imperfection or weakness of character. fault
          implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach
          some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or
          habit <a writer of many virtues and few faults>. failing
          suggests a minor shortcoming in character <being late
          is a failing of mine>. frailty implies a general or chronic
          proneness to yield to temptation <human frailties>. foible
          applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy
          <an eccentric's charming foibles>. vice can be a general
          term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests
          violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to
          the moral sensibilities of others <compulsive gambling
          was his vice>. [2]fault vi (15c) 1: to commit a fault:
          err 2: to fracture so as to produce a geologic fault
          ~ vt 1: to find a fault in <easy to praise this book
          and to ~ it --H. G. Roepke> 2: to produce a geologic
          fault in 3: blame, censure <can't ~ them for not coming>

   faultfinder
          [fault.find.er] n (1561): one given to faultfinding

   [1]faultfinding
          [fault.find.ing] adj (1622): disposed to find fault: captiously
          critical syn see critical [2]faultfinding n (1626): petty,
          nagging, or unreasonable criticism

   faultless
          [fault.less] adj (14c): having no fault: irreproachable <~
          workmanship> -- fault.less.ly adv -- fault.less.ness
          n

   fault line
          [fault line] n (1869): something resembling a fault: split,
          rift <a major conceptual fault line in foreign policy
          --Morton Kondrake>

   faulty
          [faulty] adj fault.i.er ; -est (14c): marked by fault or
          defect: imperfect -- fault.i.ly adv -- fault.i.ness n

   faun
          [faun] n [ME, fr. L faunus, fr. Faunus] (14c): a figure in
          Roman mythology similar to the satyr

   fauna
          [fau.na] n, pl faunas also fau.nae [NL, fr. L Fauna, sister
          of Faunus] (1771): animal life; esp: the animals characteristic
          of a region, period, or special environment--compare
          flora -- fau.nal adj -- fau.nal.ly adv

   faunistic
          [fau.nis.tic] adj (1881): of or relating to zoogeography:
          faunal -- fau.nis.ti.cal.ly adv

   Faunus
          [Fau.nus] n [L]: the Roman god of animals

   Faust
          [Faust] or Fau.stus n [G]: a magician of German legend who
          enters into a compact with the devil

   Faustian
          [Faust.ian] adj (1876): of, relating to, resembling, or suggesting
          Faust; esp: made or done for present gain without regard for future
          cost or consequences <a ~ bargain>

   faute de mieux
          [faute de mieux] adv [F] (1766): for lack of something better
          or more desirable <sherry made him dopey but he drank
          it faute de mieux --F. T. Marsh>

   fauteuil
          [fau.teuil] n, pl fau.teuils [F, fr. OF faudestuel, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG faltistuol folding chair--more at
          faldstool] (1744): armchair; esp: an upholstered chair
          with open arms

   [1]fauve
          [fauve] n, often cap [F, lit., wild animal, fr. fauve tawny,
          wild, fr. OF falve tawny, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          falo fallow--more at fallow] (1931): a painter practicing
          fauvism: fauvist [2]fauve adj (1945) 1 often cap: of
          or relating to the fauves 2: vivid in color

   fauvism
          [fau.vism] n, often cap (1922): a movement in painting typified
          by the work of Matisse and characterized by vivid colors,
          free treatment of form, and a resulting vibrant and decorative
          effect -- fau.vist n, often cap

   faux
          [faux] adj [F, false] (1975): imitation, ersatz <~ marble>

   faux bonhomme
          [faux bon.homme] [F] foreign term : pretended good fellow

   faux-naif
          [faux-naif] [F] foreign term : spuriously or affectedly childlike:
          artfully simple

   faux pas
          [faux pas] n, pl faux pas [F, lit., false step] (1676): blunder;
          esp: a social blunder

   fava
          [fa.va] n [It, fr. L faba bean] (1928): broad bean--called
          also fava bean

   fave
          [fave] n (1938): favorite 1 -- fave adj

   favela
          [fa.ve.la] also fa.vel.la n [Brazilian Pg favela, perh. fr.
          Favela, hill outside Rio de Janeiro] (1946): a settlement
          of jerry-built shacks lying on the outskirts of a Brazilian
          city

   favism
          [fa.vism] n (ca. 1927): a hereditary condition esp. of males
          of Mediterranean descent that involves a severe allergic
          reaction to the broad bean or its pollen which is characterized
          by hemolytic anemia, fever, and jaundice

   favonian
          [fa.vo.ni.an] adj [L favonianus, fr. Favonius, the west wind]
          (ca. 1681): of or relating to the west wind: mild

   [1]favor
          [fa.vor] n [ME, friendly regard, attractiveness, fr. OF favor
          friendly regard, fr. L, fr. favere to be favorable; perh.
          akin to OHG gouma attention, OCS goveti to revere] (14c)
          1 a (1): friendly regard shown toward another esp. by
          a superior (2): approving consideration or attention:
          approbation b: partiality c archaic: leniency d archaic:
          permission e: popularity 2 archaic a: appearance b (1):
          face (2): a facial feature 3 a: gracious kindness; also:
          an act of such kindness b archaic: aid, assistance c
          pl: effort in one's behalf or interest: attention 4 a:
          a token of love (as a ribbon) usu. worn conspicuously
          b: a small gift or decorative item given out at a party
          c: badge 5 a: a special privilege or right granted or
          conceded b: sexual privileges--usu. used in pl. 6 archaic:
          letter 7: behalf, interest -- in favor of 1 a: in accord
          or sympathy with b: for the acquittal of <a verdict in
          favor of the accused> c: in support of 2: to the order
          of 3: in order to choose: out of preference for <turned
          down the scholarship in favor of a pro career> -- in
          one's favor 1: in one's good graces 2: to one's advantage
          <the odds were in my favor> -- out of favor : unpopular,
          disliked <was out of favor with his neighbors> [2]favor
          vt fa.vored ; fa.vor.ing (14c) 1 a: to regard or treat
          with favor b (1): to do a kindness for: oblige (2): endow
          c: to treat gently or carefully <~ed his injured leg>
          2: to show partiality toward: prefer 3 a: to give support
          or confirmation to: sustain b: to afford advantages for
          success to: facilitate <good weather ~ed the outing>
          4: to bear a resemblance to <he ~s his father> -- fa.vor.er
          n

   favorable
          [fa.vor.able] adj (14c) 1 a: disposed to favor: partial b:
          expressing approval: commendatory c: giving a result
          that is in one's favor <a ~ comparison> d: affirmative
          2: winning approval: pleasing 3 a: tending to promote
          or facilitate: advantageous <~ wind> b: marked by success
          -- fa.vor.able.ness n -- fa.vor.ably adv syn favorable,
          auspicious, propitious mean pointing toward a happy outcome.
          favorable implies that the persons involved are approving
          or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous
          <favorable weather conditions>. auspicious applies to
          something taken as a sign or omen promising success before
          or at the start of an event <an auspicious beginning>.
          propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies
          a continuing favorable condition <a propitious time for
          starting a business>.

   favored
          [fa.vored] adj (15c) 1: having an appearance or features
          of a particular kind <hard-favored> 2: endowed with special
          advantages or gifts 3: providing preferential treatment

   [1]favorite
          [fa.vor.ite] n [It favorito, pp. of favorire to favor, fr.
          favore favor, fr. L favor] (1583) 1: one that is treated
          or regarded with special favor or liking; esp: one unusually
          loved, trusted, or provided with favors by a person of
          high rank or authority 2: a competitor judged most likely
          to win [2]favorite adj (1711): constituting a favorite;
          esp: markedly popular

   favorite son
          [favorite son] n (1788) 1: one favored by the delegates of
          his state as presidential candidate at a national political
          convention 2: a famous person who is popular with hometown
          people

   favoritism
          [fa.vor.it.ism] n (1763) 1: the showing of special favor:
          partiality 2: the state or fact of being a favorite

   favour
          [fa.vour] chiefly Brit var of favor

   favus
          [fa.vus] n [NL, fr. L, honeycomb] (ca. 1543): a contagious
          skin disease caused by a fungus (as Trichophyton schoenleinii)
          and occurring in humans and many domestic animals and
          fowls

   [1]fawn
          [fawn] vi [ME faunen, fr. OE fagnian to rejoice, fr. faegen,
          fagan glad--more at fain] (13c) 1: to show affection--used
          esp. of a dog 2: to court favor by a cringing or flattering
          manner -- fawn.er n -- fawn.ing.ly adv syn fawn, toady,
          truckle, cringe, cower mean to behave abjectly before
          a superior. fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery
          or exaggerated attention <waiters fawning over a celebrity>.
          toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an
          abjectly menial or subservient attitude <toadying to
          his boss>. truckle implies the subordination of oneself
          and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior
          <truckling to a powerful lobbyist>. cringe suggests a
          bowing or shrinking in fear or servility <a cringing
          sycophant>. cower suggests a display of abject fear in
          the company of threatening or domineering people <cowering
          before a bully>. [2]fawn n [ME foun, fr. MF feon, faon
          young of an animal, fr. (assumed) VL feton-, feto, fr.
          L fetus offspring--more at fetus] (14c) 1: a young deer;
          esp: one still unweaned or retaining a distinctive baby
          coat 2: kid 1 3: a light grayish brown

   fawn lily
          [fawn lily] n (ca. 1894): dogtooth violet

   fawny
          [fawny] adj (1849): of a color approximating fawn

   fax
          [fax] n [by shortening & alter.] (1948) 1: facsimile 2 2:
          a machine used to send or receive facsimile communications
          3: a facsimile communication -- fax vt

   [1]fay
          [fay] vb [ME feien, fr. OE fegan; akin to OHG fuogen to fit,
          L pangere to fasten--more at pact] (bef. 12c): to fit
          or join closely or tightly [2]fay n [ME fai, fei, fr.
          OF feid, fei--more at faith] (13c) obs: faith [3]fay
          n [ME faie, fr. MF feie, fee--more at fairy] (14c): fairy,
          elf [4]fay adj (14c): resembling an elf [5]fay n (1927):
          ofay

   faze
          [faze] vt fazed ; faz.ing [alter. of feeze (to drive away,
          frighten), fr. ME fesen, fr. OE fesian to drive away]
          (1830): to disturb the composure of: disconcert, daunt
          <nothing fazed her>

   fb...
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   FB
          [FB] abbreviation foreign body, freight bill

   FBI
          [FBI] abbreviation Federal Bureau of Investigation

   fc...
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   FC
          [FC] abbreviation fire control, fire controlman, follow copy,
          food control, footcandle

   FCA
          [FCA] abbreviation Farm Credit Administration

   FCC
          [FCC] abbreviation Federal Communications Commission

   fcp
          [fcp] abbreviation foolscap

   fcy
          [fcy] abbreviation fancy

   fd...
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   FD
          [FD] abbreviation fire department, free dock

   FDA
          [FDA] abbreviation Food and Drug Administration

   FDIC
          [FDIC] abbreviation Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

   fe...
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   Fe
          [Fe] [L ferrum] abbreviation iron

   fealty
          [fe.al.ty] n, pl -ties [alter. of ME feute, fr. OF feelte,
          fealte, fr. L fidelitat-, fidelitas--more at fidelity]
          (14c) 1 a: the fidelity of a vassal or feudal tenant
          to his lord b: the obligation of such fidelity 2: intense
          fidelity syn see fidelity

   [1]fear
          [fear] vt (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: frighten 2 archaic: to feel
          fear in (oneself) 3: to have a reverential awe of <~
          God> 4: to be afraid of: expect with alarm ~ vi: to be
          afraid or apprehensive -- fear.er n [2]fear n [ME fer,
          fr. OE faer sudden danger; akin to L periculum attempt,
          peril, Gk peiran to attempt] (12c) 1 a: an unpleasant
          often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness
          of danger b (1): an instance of this emotion (2): a state
          marked by this emotion 2: anxious concern: solicitude
          3: profound reverence and awe esp. toward God 4: reason
          for alarm: danger syn fear, dread, fright, alarm, panic,
          terror, trepidation mean painful agitation in the presence
          or anticipation of danger. fear is the most general term
          and implies anxiety and usu. loss of courage <fear of
          the unknown>. dread usu. adds the idea of intense reluctance
          to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion
          as well as anxiety <faced the meeting with dread>. fright
          implies the shock of sudden, startling fear <fright at
          being awakened suddenly>. alarm suggests a sudden and
          intense awareness of immediate danger <view the situation
          with alarm>. panic implies unreasoning and overmastering
          fear causing hysterical activity <the news caused widespread
          panic>. terror implies the most extreme degree of fear
          <immobilized with terror>. trepidation adds to dread
          the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation
          <raised the subject with trepidation>.

   fearful
          [fear.ful] adj (14c) 1: causing or likely to cause fear,
          fright, or alarm esp. because of dangerous quality <a
          ~ storm> 2 a: full of fear b: indicating or arising from
          fear <a ~ glance> c: inclined to fear: timorous 3: very
          great or bad--used as an intensive <a ~ waste> <~ slum
          conditions> -- fear.ful.ly adv -- fear.ful.ness n syn
          fearful, apprehensive, afraid mean disturbed by fear.
          fearful implies often a timorous or worrying temperament
          <the child is fearful of loud noises>. apprehensive suggests
          a state of mind and implies a premonition of evil or
          danger <apprehensive of being found out>. afraid often
          suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies
          inhibition of action or utterance <afraid to speak the
          truth>.

   fearless
          [fear.less] adj (1591): free from fear: brave -- fear.less.ly
          adv -- fear.less.ness n

   fearsome
          [fear.some] adj (1768) 1: causing fear 2: timid, timorous
          -- fear.some.ly adv -- fear.some.ness n

   feasible
          [fea.si.ble] adj [ME faisible, fr. MF, fr. fais-, stem of
          faire to make, do, fr. L facere--more at do] (15c) 1:
          capable of being done or carried out <a ~ plan> 2: capable
          of being used or dealt with successfully: suitable 3:
          reasonable, likely syn see possible -- fea.si.bil.i.ty
          n -- fea.si.bly adv

   [1]feast
          [feast] n [ME feste festival, feast, fr. MF, festival, fr.
          L festa, pl. of festum festival, fr. neut. of festus
          solemn, festal; akin to L feriae holidays, fanum temple]
          (13c) 1 a: an elaborate meal often accompanied by a ceremony
          or entertainment: banquet b: something that gives unusual
          or abundant pleasure 2: a periodic religious observance
          commemorating an event or honoring a deity, person, or
          thing [2]feast vi (14c) 1: to take part in a feast 2:
          to enjoy some unusual pleasure or delight ~ vt 1: to
          give a feast for 2: delight, gratify -- feast.er n

   Feast of Tabernacles
          [Feast of Tabernacles] (14c): sukkoth

   [1]feat
          [feat] n [ME fait, fr. MF, fr. L factum, fr. neut. of factus,
          pp. of facere to make, do--more at do] (14c) 1: act,
          deed 2 a: a deed notable esp. for courage b: an act or
          product of skill, endurance, or ingenuity syn feat, exploit,
          achievement mean a remarkable deed. feat implies strength
          or dexterity or daring <an acrobatic feat>. exploit suggests
          an adventurous or heroic act <his exploits as a spy>.
          achievement implies hard-won success in the face of difficulty
          or opposition <her achievements as a chemist>. [2]feat
          adj [ME fete, fayt, fr. MF fait, pp. of faire] (15c)
          1 archaic: becoming, neat 2 archaic: smart, dexterous

   [1]feather
          [feath.er] n [ME fether, fr. OE; akin to OHG federa wing,
          L petere to go to, seek, Gk petesthai to fly, piptein
          to fall, pteron wing] (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of the light
          horny epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering
          of the body of birds and that consist of a shaft bearing
          on each side a series of barbs which bear barbules which
          in turn bear barbicels commonly ending in hooked hamuli
          and interlocking with the barbules of an adjacent barb
          to link the barbs into a continuous vane b: plume c:
          the vane of an arrow 2 a: plumage b: kind, nature <birds
          of a ~ flock together> c: attire, dress d: condition,
          mood 3: feathering 2 4: a projecting strip, rib, fin,
          or flange 5: a feathery flaw in the eye or in a precious
          stone 6: the act of feathering an oar -- feath.ered adj
          -- feath.er.less adj -- a feather in one's cap : a mark
          of distinction: honor [2]feather vb feath.ered ; feath.er.ing
          vt (13c) 1 a: to furnish (as an arrow) with a feather
          b: to cover, clothe, or adorn with or as if with feathers
          2 a: to turn (an oar blade) almost horizontal when lifting
          from the water at the end of a stroke to reduce air resistance
          b (1): to change the angle of (airplane propeller blades)
          so that the chords become approximately parallel to the
          line of flight; also: to change the angle of airplane
          propeller blades of (an engine) in such a manner (2):
          to change the angle of (a rotor blade of a rotorcraft)
          periodically in forward flight 3: to reduce the edge
          of to a featheredge 4: to cut (as air) with or as if
          with a wing 5: to join by a tongue and groove ~ vi 1:
          to grow or form feathers 2: to have or take on the appearance
          of a feather or something feathered 3: to soak in and
          spread: blur--used of ink or a printed impression 4:
          to feather an oar or an airplane propeller blade -- feather
          one's nest : to provide for oneself esp. while in a position
          of trust

   feather bed
          [feather bed] n (bef. 12c) 1: a feather mattress 2: a bed
          having a feather mattress

   [1]featherbed
          [feath.er.bed] adj (1938): calling for, sanctioning, or resulting
          from featherbedding [2]featherbed vi (1949) 1 a: to require
          that more workers be hired than are needed b: to limit
          production under a featherbed rule 2: to do featherbed
          work or put in time under a featherbed rule ~ vt 1: to
          bring under a featherbed rule 2: to assist (as an industry)
          by government aid

   featherbedding
          [feath.er.bed.ding] n (1921): the requiring of an employer
          usu. under a union rule or safety statute to hire more
          employees than are needed or to limit production

   featherbrain
          [feath.er.brain] n (1839): a foolish scatterbrained person
          -- feath.er.brained adj

   featheredge
          [feath.er.edge] n (1616): a very thin sharp edge; esp: one
          that is easily broken or bent over -- featheredge vt

   featherhead
          [feath.er.head] n (1831): featherbrain -- feath.er.head.ed
          adj

   feathering
          [feath.er.ing] n (1721) 1: a covering of feathers: plumage
          2: a fringe of hair (as on the legs of a dog)--see dog
          illustration

   featherlight
          [feath.er.light] adj (ca. 1837): extremely light

   feather star
          [feather star] n (1862): any of an order (Comatulida) of
          free-swimming stalkless crinoids

   featherstitch
          [feath.er.stitch] n (1835): an embroidery stitch consisting
          of a line of diagonal blanket stitches worked alternately
          to the left and right -- featherstitch vb

   featherweight
          [feath.er.weight] n, often attrib (1812) 1: one that is very
          light in weight; esp: a boxer in a weight division having
          a maximum limit of 126 pounds for professionals and 125
          pounds for amateurs--compare bantamweight, lightweight
          2: lightweight 2

   feathery
          [feath.ery] adj (1580): resembling, suggesting, or covered
          with feathers; esp: extremely light

   [1]featly
          [feat.ly] adv [ME fetly, fr. fete feat (adj.)] (14c) 1: in
          a graceful manner: nimbly 2: in a suitable manner: properly
          3: with skill and ingenuity [2]featly adj (1801): graceful,
          neat

   [1]feature
          [fea.ture] n [ME feture, fr. MF, fr. L factura act of making,
          fr. factus, pp. of facere to make--more at do] (14c)
          1 a: the structure, form, or appearance esp. of a person
          b obs: physical beauty 2 a: the makeup or appearance
          of the face or its parts b: a part of the face: lineament
          3 a: a prominent part or characteristic b: any of the
          properties (as voice or gender) that are characteristic
          of a grammatical element (as a phoneme or morpheme);
          esp: one that is distinctive 4: a special attraction:
          as a: the principal motion picture shown on a program
          with other pictures b: a featured article, story, or
          department in a newspaper or magazine c: something offered
          to the public or advertised as particularly attractive
          -- fea.ture.less adj [2]feature vb fea.tured ; fea.tur.ing
          vt (ca. 1755) 1 chiefly dial: to resemble in features
          2: to picture or portray in the mind: imagine 3 a: to
          give special prominence to b: to have as a characteristic
          or feature ~ vi: to play an important part

   featured
          [fea.tured] adj (15c) 1: having facial features of a particular
          kind--used in combination <a heavy-featured lout> 2:
          displayed, advertised, or presented as a special attraction

   featurette
          [fea.tur.ette] n (1940): a short film

   feaze
          [feaze] var of faze

   Feb
          [Feb] abbreviation February

   febri-
          [febri-] comb form [LL, fr. L febris]: fever <febrific>

   febrific
          [fe.brif.ic] adj (1710) archaic: feverish

   febrifuge
          [feb.ri.fuge] n [F febrifuge, prob. fr. (assumed) NL febrifuga,
          fr. LL febrifuga, febrifugia centaury, fr. febri- + LL
          -fuga -fuge] (1686): antipyretic -- febrifuge adj

   febrile
          [fe.brile] adj [ML febrilis, fr. L febris fever] (1651):
          feverish

   February
          [Feb.ru.ary] n, pl -ar.ies or -ar.ys [ME Februarie, fr. OE
          Februarius, fr. L, fr. Februa, pl., feast of purification]
          (bef. 12c): the 2d month of the Gregorian calendar

   fec
          [fec] [L fecit] abbreviation he made it

   fecal
          [fe.cal] adj (1541): of, relating to, or constituting feces

   feces
          [fe.ces] n pl [ME, fr. L faec-, faex (sing.) dregs] (14c):
          bodily waste discharged through the anus: excrement

   feckless
          [feck.less] adj [Sc, fr. feck effect, majority, fr. ME (Sc)
          fek, alter. of ME effect] (ca. 1585) 1: weak, ineffective
          2: worthless, irresponsible -- feck.less.ly adv -- feck.less.ness
          n

   feckly
          [feck.ly] adv [feck + -ly] (1768) chiefly Scot: almost, nearly

   feculent
          [fec.u.lent] adj [ME, fr. L faeculentus, fr. faec-, faex]
          (15c): foul with impurities: fecal -- fe.cu.lence n

   fecund
          [fe.cund] adj [ME, fr. MF fecond, fr. L fecundus--more at
          feminine] (15c) 1: fruitful in offspring or vegetation:
          prolific 2: intellectually productive or inventive to
          a marked degree syn see fertile -- fe.cun.di.ty n

   fecundate
          [fe.cun.date] vt -dat.ed ; -dat.ing [L fecundatus, pp. of
          fecundare, fr. fecundus] (ca. 1631) 1: to make fecund
          2: impregnate -- fe.cun.da.tion n

   fed
          [fed] n, often cap (1916): a federal agent, officer,
          or official--usu. used in pl.

   fed
          [fed] abbreviation federal, federation

   fedayee
          [fe.da.yee] n, pl fe.da.yeen [Ar fida'i, lit., one who sacrifices
          himself] (1955): a member of an Arab commando group operating
          esp. against Israel--usu. used in pl.

   federal
          [fed.er.al] adj [L foeder-, foedus compact, league; akin
          to L fidere to trust--more at bide] (1660) 1 archaic:
          of or relating to a compact or treaty 2 a: formed by
          a compact between political units that surrender their
          individual sovereignty to a central authority but retain
          limited residuary powers of government b: of or constituting
          a form of government in which power is distributed between
          a central authority and a number of constituent territorial
          units c: of or relating to the central government of
          a federation as distinguished from the governments of
          the constituent units 3 cap: advocating or friendly to
          the principle of a federal government with strong centralized
          powers; esp: of or relating to the American Federalists
          4 often cap: of, relating to, or loyal to the federal
          government or the Union armies of the U.S. in the American
          Civil War 5 cap: being or belonging to a style of architecture
          and decoration current in the U.S. following the Revolution
          -- fed.er.al.ly adv Federal n (1861) 1: a supporter of
          the U.S. government in the Civil War; esp: a soldier
          in the federal armies 2: fed--usu. used in pl.

   federal case
          [federal case] n (1955): big deal <don't make a federal case
          out of it>

   federal court
          [federal court] n (1789): a court established by a federal
          government; esp: one established under the constitution
          and laws of the U.S.

   federal district
          [federal district] n (ca. 1934): a district set apart as
          the seat of the central government of a federation

   federal district court
          [federal district court] n (1948): a district trial court
          of law and equity that hears cases under federal jurisdiction

   federalese
          [fed.er.al.ese] n (1944): bureaucratese

   federal funds
          [federal funds] n pl (1950): reserve funds lent overnight
          by one Federal Reserve bank to another

   federalism
          [fed.er.al.ism] n (1789) 1 a often cap: the distribution
          of power in an organization (as a government) between
          a central authority and the constituent units--compare
          centralism b: support or advocacy of this principle 2
          cap: Federalist principles

   federalist
          [fed.er.al.ist] n (1787) 1: an advocate of federalism: as
          a often cap: an advocate of a federal union between the
          American colonies after the Revolution and of the adoption
          of the U.S. Constitution b often cap: world federalist
          2 cap: a member of a major political party in the early
          years of the U.S. favoring a strong centralized national
          government -- federalist adj, often cap

   federalization
          [fed.er.al.iza.tion] n (ca. 1860) 1: the act of federalizing
          2: the state of being federalized

   federalize
          [fed.er.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1801) 1: to unite in
          or under a federal system 2: to bring under the jurisdiction
          of a federal government

   Federal Reserve bank
          [Federal Reserve bank] n (1914): one of 12 reserve banks
          set up under the Federal Reserve Act to hold reserves
          and discount commercial paper for affiliated banks in
          their respective districts

   [1]federate
          [fed.er.ate] adj [L foederatus, fr. foeder-, foedus] (1710):
          united in an alliance or federation: federated [2]fed.er.ate
          vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1837): to join in a federation

   federated church
          [federated church] n (ca. 1926): a local church uniting two
          or more congregations that maintain different denominational
          ties--compare union church

   federation
          [fed.er.a.tion] n (1791) 1: something formed by federation:
          as a: a federal government b: a union of organizations
          2: the act of federating; esp: the forming of a federal
          union

   federative
          [fed.er.a.tive] adj (1690): federal -- fed.er.a.tive.ly adv

   fedn
          [fedn] abbreviation federation

   fedora
          [fe.do.ra] n [Fedora (1882), drama by V. Sardou] (1895):
          a low soft felt hat with the crown creased lengthwise

   fed up
          [fed up] adj (1900): tired, sated, or disgusted beyond endurance

   [1]fee
          [fee] n [ME, fr. MF fe, fief, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE feoh cattle, property, OHG fihu cattle; akin to
          L pecus cattle, pecunia money] (14c) 1 a (1): an estate
          in land held in feudal law from a lord on condition of
          homage and service (2): a piece of land so held b: an
          inherited or heritable estate in land 2 a: a fixed charge
          b: a sum paid or charged for a service -- in fee : in
          absolute and legal possession [2]fee vt feed ; fee.ing
          (15c) 1 chiefly Scot: hire 2: [9]tip 2

   feeble
          [fee.ble] adj fee.bler ; fee.blest [ME feble, fr. OF, fr.
          L flebilis lamentable, wretched, fr. flere to weep--more
          at bleat] (12c) 1 a: markedly lacking in strength b:
          indicating weakness 2 a: deficient in qualities or resources
          that indicate vigor, authority, force, or efficiency
          b: inadequate, inferior syn see weak -- fee.ble.ness
          n -- fee.bly adv

   feebleminded
          [fee.ble.mind.ed] adj (1534) 1 obs: irresolute, vacillating
          2: mentally deficient 3: foolish, stupid -- fee.ble.mind.ed.ly
          adv -- fee.ble.mind.ed.ness n

   feeblish
          [fee.blish] adj (1674): somewhat feeble

   [1]feed
          [feed] vb fed ; feed.ing [ME feden, fr. OE fedan; akin to
          OE foda food--more at food] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to give
          food to b: to give as food 2 a: to furnish something
          essential to the growth, sustenance, maintenance, or
          operation of b: to supply (material to be operated on)
          to a machine 3: to produce or provide food for 4 a: satisfy,
          gratify b: support, encourage 5 a (1): to supply for
          use or consumption (2): channel, route b (1): to supply
          (a signal) to an electronic circuit (2): to send (as
          by wire or satellite) to a transmitting station for broadcast
          6: to supply (a fellow actor) with cues and situations
          that make a role more effective 7: to pass a ball or
          puck to (a teammate) esp. for a shot at the goal ~ vi
          1 a: to consume food: eat b: prey--used with on, upon,
          or off 2: to become nourished or satisfied or sustained
          as if by food 3 a: to become channeled or directed b:
          to move into a machine or opening in order to be used
          or processed [2]feed n (1576) 1 a: an act of eating b:
          meal; esp: a large meal 2 a: food for livestock; specif:
          a mixture or preparation for feeding livestock b: the
          amount given at each feeding 3 a: material supplied (as
          to a furnace or machine) b: a mechanism by which the
          action of feeding is effected c: the motion or process
          of carrying forward the material to be operated upon
          (as in a machine) d: the process of feeding a television
          program (as to a local station) 4: the action of passing
          a ball or puck to a team member who is in position to
          score

   feedback
          [feed.back] n (1920) 1: the return to the input of a part
          of the output of a machine, system, or process (as for
          producing changes in an electronic circuit that improve
          performance or in an automatic control device that provide
          self-corrective action) 2 a: the partial reversion of
          the effects of a process to its source or to a preceding
          stage b: the transmission of evaluative or corrective
          information to the original or controlling source about
          an action, event, or process; also: the information so
          transmitted

   feedback inhibition
          [feedback inhibition] n (1960): inhibition of an enzyme controlling
          an early stage of a series of biochemical reactions by the end
          product when it reaches a critical concentration

   feed dog
          [feed dog] n (ca. 1939): a notched piece of metal on a sewing
          machine that feeds material into position under the needle

   feeder
          [feed.er] n (14c) 1: one that feeds: as a: one that fattens
          livestock for slaughter b: a device or apparatus for
          supplying food 2: one that eats or takes nourishment;
          esp: an animal being fattened or one suitable for fattening
          3 a: one that supplies, replenishes, or connects b: tributary
          c: a heavy wire conductor supplying electricity at some
          point of an electric distribution system (as from a substation)
          d: branch; esp: a branch transportation line e: feeder
          road

   feeder road
          [feeder road] n (1938): a road that provides access to a
          major artery

   feeding frenzy
          [feeding frenzy] n (1973): a frenzy of eating; also: the
          excited pursuit of something by a group

   feedlot
          [feed.lot] n (1889): a plot of land on which livestock are
          fattened for market

   feedstock
          [feed.stock] n (1932): raw material supplied to a machine
          or processing plant

   feedstuff
          [feed.stuff] n (1856): feed 2a; also: any of the constituent
          nutrients of an animal ration

   [1]feel
          [feel] vb felt ; feel.ing [ME felen, fr. OE felan; akin to
          OHG fuolen to feel, L palpare to caress] vt (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or
          explore some quality b: to perceive by a physical sensation
          coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)
          2 a: to undergo passive experience of b: to have one's
          sensibilities markedly affected by 3: to ascertain by
          cautious trial--usu. used with out 4 a: to be aware of
          by instinct or inference b: believe, think ~ vi 1 a:
          to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation
          b: to search for something by using the sense of touch
          2 a: to be conscious of an inward impression, state of
          mind, or physical condition b: to have a marked sentiment
          or opinion <~s strongly about it> 3: seem <it ~s like
          spring today> 4: to have sympathy or pity <I ~ for you>
          -- feel like : to have an inclination for <feel like
          a walk?> [2]feel n (13c) 1: sensation, feeling 2: the
          sense of touch 3 a: the quality of a thing as imparted
          through or as if through touch b: typical or peculiar
          quality or atmosphere; also: an awareness of such a quality
          or atmosphere 4: intuitive knowledge or ability

   feeler
          [feel.er] n (1526): one that feels: as a: a tactile process
          (as a tentacle) of an animal b: something (as a proposal)
          ventured to ascertain the views of others

   feeler gauge
          [feeler gauge] n (1925): a thin metal strip or wire of known
          thickness used as a gauge

   feel-good
          [feel-good] adj (1978): relating to or promoting an often
          specious sense of satisfaction or well-being

   [1]feeling
          [feel.ing] n (12c) 1 a (1): the one of the basic physical
          senses of which the skin contains the chief end organs
          and of which the sensations of touch and temperature
          are characteristic: touch (2): a sensation experienced
          through this sense b: generalized bodily consciousness
          or sensation c: appreciative or responsive awareness
          or recognition 2 a: an emotional state or reaction <had
          a kindly ~ toward the child> b pl: susceptibility to
          impression: sensitivity <the remark hurt her ~s> 3 a:
          the undifferentiated background of one's awareness considered
          apart from any identifiable sensation, perception, or
          thought b: the overall quality of one's awareness c:
          conscious recognition: sense 4 a: often unreasoned opinion
          or belief: sentiment b: presentiment 5: capacity to respond
          emotionally esp. with the higher emotions 6: the character
          ascribed to something: atmosphere 7 a: the quality of
          a work of art that conveys the emotion of the artist
          b: sympathetic aesthetic response 8: feel 4 syn feeling,
          emotion, affection, sentiment, passion mean a subjective
          response to a person, thing, or situation. feeling denotes
          any partly mental, partly physical response marked by
          pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest
          the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about
          the nature or intensity of it <the feelings that once
          moved me are gone>. emotion carries a strong implication
          of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses
          both positive and negative responses <the drama portrays
          the emotions of adolescence>. affection applies to feelings
          that are also inclinations or likings <a memoir of childhood
          filled with affection for her family>. sentiment often
          implies an emotion inspired by an idea <her feminist
          sentiments are well known>. passion suggests a very powerful
          or controlling emotion <revenge became his ruling passion>.
          [2]feeling adj (14c) 1 a: sentient, sensitive b: easily
          moved emotionally 2 obs: deeply felt 3: expressing emotion
          or sensitivity -- feel.ing.ly adv -- feel.ing.ness n

   feel up
          [feel up] vt (1930): to touch or fondle (someone) for sexual
          pleasure

   fee simple
          [fee simple] n, pl fees simple (14c): a fee without limitation
          to any class of heirs or restrictions on transfer of
          ownership

   fee splitting
          [fee splitting] n (1943): payment by a specialist (as a doctor
          or a lawyer) of a part of his fee to the person who made
          the referral

   feet
          [feet] pl of foot

   fee tail
          [fee tail] n, pl fees tail (15c): a fee limited to a particular
          class of heirs

   feetfirst
          [feet.first] adv (ca. 1901): with the feet foremost

   feet of clay
          [feet of clay] [fr. the feet of the idol in Dan 2:33] (1814):
          a flaw of character that is usu. not readily apparent

   feeze
          [feeze] n [ME veze, fr. fesen, vesen to drive away--more
          at faze] (14c) 1 chiefly dial: rush 2 dial: a state of
          alarm or excitement

   Fehling's solution
          [Feh.ling's solution] n [Hermann Fehling d. 1885 Ger. chemist]
          (1873): a blue solution of Rochelle salt and copper sulfate
          used as an oxidizing agent in a test for sugars and aldehydes

   feign
          [feign] vb [ME, fr. OF feign-, stem of feindre, fr. L fingere
          to shape, feign--more at dough] vi (13c): pretend, dissemble
          ~ vt 1 a: to give a false appearance of: induce as a
          false impression <~ death> b: to assert as if true: pretend
          2 archaic a: invent, imagine b: to give fictional representation
          to 3 obs: disguise, conceal syn see assume -- feign.er
          n

   feigned
          [feigned] adj (14c) 1: fictitious 2: not genuine or real

   feijoa
          [fei.joa] n [NL, genus name, fr. Joao da Silva Feijo d. 1824
          Brazilian naturalist] (1898): the green edible fruit
          of a shrub or small tree (Feijoa sellowiana) of the myrtle
          family that is native to So. America and is grown commercially
          esp. in New Zealand; also: the tree or shrub

   [1]feint
          [feint] n [F feinte, fr. OF, fr. feint, pp. of feindre] (1679):
          something feigned; specif: a mock blow or attack on or
          toward one part in order to distract attention from the
          point one really intends to attack syn see trick [2]feint
          vi (1810): to make a feint ~ vt 1: to lure or deceive
          with a feint 2: to make a pretense of

   feirie
          [fei.rie] adj [ME (Sc) fery, fr. ME fere strong, fr. OE fere
          able to go; akin to OE faran to travel, fare] (bef. 12c)
          Scot: nimble, strong

   feist
          [feist] n [obs. fisting hound, fr. obs. fist (to break wind)]
          (1770) chiefly dial: a small dog

   feisty
          [feisty] adj feist.i.er ; -est (1896) 1 chiefly Southern
          & Midland a: full of nervous energy: fidgety b: being
          touchy and quarrelsome c: being frisky and exuberant
          2: having or showing a lively aggressiveness: spunky
          -- feist.i.ness n

   felafel
          [fe.la.fel] var of falafel

   feldsher
          [feld.sher] n [Russ fel'dsher, fr. G Feldscher, Feldscherer
          field surgeon, fr. Feld field + Scherer barber, surgeon]
          (1877): a medical or surgical practitioner without full
          professional qualifications or status in some east European
          countries and esp. Russia

   feldspar
          [feld.spar] n [modif. of obs. G Feldspath (now Feldspat),
          fr. G Feld field + obs. G Spath (now Spat) spar] (1772):
          any of a group of crystalline minerals that consist of
          aluminum silicates with either potassium, sodium, calcium,
          or barium and that are an essential constituent of nearly
          all crystalline rocks

   feldspathic
          [feld.spath.ic] adj [feldspath (var. of feldspar), fr. obs.
          G] (ca. 1828): relating to or containing feldspar--used
          esp. of a porcelain glaze

   felicific
          [fe.li.cif.ic] adj [L felic-, felix] (1865): causing or intended
          to cause happiness

   felicific calculus
          [felicific calculus] n (1945): a method of determining the
          rightness of an action by balancing the probable pleasures
          and pains that it would produce

   [1]felicitate
          [fe.lic.i.tate] adj [LL felicitatus, pp. of felicitare to
          make happy, fr. L felicitas] (1605) obs: made happy [2]felicitate
          vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing (1628) 1 archaic: to make happy
          2 a: to consider happy or fortunate b: to offer congratulations
          to -- fe.lic.i.ta.tion n -- fe.lic.i.ta.tor n

   felicitous
          [fe.lic.i.tous] adj (1789) 1: very well suited or expressed:
          apt <a ~ remark> 2: pleasant, delightful syn see fit
          -- fe.lic.i.tous.ly adv -- fe.lic.i.tous.ness n

   felicity
          [fe.lic.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME felicite, fr. MF felicite,
          fr. L felicitat-, felicitas, fr. felic-, felix fruitful,
          happy--more at feminine] (14c) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being happy; esp: great happiness b: an instance of
          happiness 2: something that causes happiness 3: a pleasing
          manner or quality esp. in art or language 4: an apt expression

   felid
          [fe.lid] n [NL Felidae, family name, fr. Felis, genus of
          cats, fr. L, cat] (ca. 1889): cat 1b -- felid adj

   feline
          [fe.line] adj [L felinus, fr. felis] (1681) 1: of, relating
          to, or affecting cats or the cat family 2: resembling
          a cat: as a: sleekly graceful b: sly, treacherous c:
          stealthy -- feline n -- fe.line.ly adv -- fe.lin.i.ty
          n

   feline distemper
          [feline distemper] n (1942): panleukopenia

   feline panleukopenia
          [feline panleukopenia] n (ca. 1943): panleukopenia

   felix culpa
          [fe.lix cul.pa] [L] foreign term : fortunate fault--used
          esp. of original sin in relation to the consequent coming
          of Christ

   [1]fell
          [fell] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG fel skin, L pellis] (bef.
          12c) 1: skin, hide, pelt 2: a thin tough membrane covering
          a carcass directly under the hide [2]fell vt [ME, fr.
          OE fellan; akin to OE feallan to fall--more at fall]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: to cut, knock, or bring down b: kill
          2: to sew (a seam) by folding one raw edge under the
          other and sewing flat on the wrong side -- fell.able
          adj -- fell.er n [3]fell past of fall [4]fell adj [ME
          fel, fr. MF, fr. OF--more at felon] (14c) 1 a: fierce,
          cruel, terrible b: sinister, malevolent <a ~ purpose>
          c: very destructive: deadly <a ~ disease> 2 Scot: sharp,
          pungent -- fell.ness n -- fel.ly adv -- at one fell swoop
          or in one fell swoop : all at once; also: with a single
          concentrated effort [5]fell n [ME, fr. ON fell, fjall
          mountain; akin to OHG felis rock] (14c) dial Brit: a
          high barren field or moor

   fellah
          [fel.lah] n, pl fel.la.hin or fel.la.heen [Ar fallah] (1743):
          a peasant or agricultural laborer in an Arab country
          (as Egypt)

   fellate
          [fel.late] vb fel.lat.ed ; fel.lat.ing [back-formation fr.
          fellatio] vt (1948): to perform fellatio on ~ vi: to
          fellate someone -- fel.la.tor n

   fellatio
          [fel.la.tio] also fel.la.tion n [NL fellation-, fellatio,
          fr. L felare, fellare, lit., to suck--more at feminine]
          (ca. 1893): oral stimulation of the penis

   fellmonger
          [fell.mon.ger] n [[1]fell] (1530) Brit: one who removes hair
          or wool from hides in preparation for leather making
          -- fell.mon.gered adj, Brit -- fell.mon.ger.ing n, Brit
          -- fell.mon.gery n, Brit

   fellow
          [fel.low] n, often attrib [ME felawe, fr. OE feolaga, fr.
          ON felagi, fr. felag partnership, fr. fe cattle, money
          + lag act of laying] (bef. 12c) 1: comrade, associate
          2 a: an equal in rank, power, or character: peer b: one
          of a pair: mate 3: a member of a group having common
          characteristics; specif: a member of an incorporated
          literary or scientific society 4 a obs: a person of one
          of the lower social classes b: a worthless man or boy
          c: man, boy d: boyfriend, beau 5: an incorporated member
          of a college or collegiate foundation esp. in a British
          university 6: a person appointed to a position granting
          a stipend and allowing for advanced study or research

   fellow feeling
          [fellow feeling] n (1712): a feeling of community of interest
          or of mutual understanding

   fellowly
          [fel.low.ly] adj (13c): sociable -- fellowly adv

   fellowman
          [fel.low.man] n (1667): a kindred human being

   fellow servant
          [fellow servant] n (1900): an employee working with another
          employee under such circumstances that each one if negligent
          may expose the other to harm which the employer cannot
          reasonably be expected to guard against or be held legally
          liable for

   [1]fellowship
          [fel.low.ship] n (bef. 12c) 1: companionship, company 2 a:
          community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience
          b: the state of being a fellow or associate 3: a company
          of equals or friends: association 4: the quality or state
          of being comradely 5 obs: membership, partnership 6 a:
          the position of a fellow (as of a university) b: the
          stipend of a fellow c: a foundation for the providing
          of such a stipend [2]fellowship vb -shipped also -shiped
          ; -ship.ping also -ship.ing vi (14c): to join in fellowship
          esp. with a church member ~ vt: to admit to fellowship
          (as in a church)

   fellow traveler
          [fellow traveler] n [trans. of Russ poputchik] (1925): one
          that sympathizes with and often furthers the ideals and
          program of an organized group (as the Communist party)
          without membership in the group or regular participation
          in its activities -- fel.low-trav.el.ing adj

   felly
          [fel.ly] or fel.loe n, pl fellies or felloes [ME fely, felive,
          fr. OE felg; akin to OHG felga felly, OE fealg piece
          of plowed land] (bef. 12c): the exterior rim or a segment
          of the rim of a wheel supported by the spokes

   felo-de-se
          [felo-de-se] n, pl fe.lo.nes-de-se or felos-de-se [ML felo
          de se, fello de se, lit., evildoer in respect to oneself]
          (1607) 1: one who deliberately kills himself or who dies
          from the effects of his commission of an unlawful malicious
          act 2: an act of deliberate self-destruction: suicide

   [1]felon
          [fel.on] n [ME, fr. MF felon, fel evildoer, prob. of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG fillen to beat, whip, fel skin--more
          at fell] (13c) 1: one who has committed a felony 2 archaic:
          villain 3: whitlow [2]felon adj (13c) 1 archaic a: cruel
          b: evil 2 archaic: wild

   felonious
          [fe.lo.ni.ous] adj (1575) 1 archaic: very evil: villainous
          2: of, relating to, or having the nature of a felony
          -- fe.lo.ni.ous.ly adv -- fe.lo.ni.ous.ness n

   felonry
          [fel.on.ry] n (1837): felons; esp: the convict population
          of a penal colony

   felony
          [fel.o.ny] n, pl -nies (14c) 1: an act on the part of a feudal
          vassal involving the forfeiture of his fee 2 a: a grave
          crime formerly differing from a misdemeanor under English
          common law by involving forfeiture in addition to any
          other punishment b: a grave crime declared to be a felony
          by the common law or by statute regardless of the punishment
          actually imposed c: a crime declared a felony by statute
          because of the punishment imposed d: a crime for which
          the punishment in federal law may be death or imprisonment
          for more than one year

   felsite
          [fel.site] n [felspar + -ite] (1794): a dense igneous rock
          consisting almost entirely of feldspar and quartz --
          fel.sit.ic adj

   felspar
          [fel.spar] chiefly Brit var of feldspar

   [1]felt
          [felt] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG filz felt, L pellere to
          drive, beat] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a cloth made of wool and
          fur often mixed with natural or synthetic fibers through
          the action of heat, moisture, chemicals, and pressure
          b: a firm woven cloth of wool or cotton heavily napped
          and shrunk 2: an article made of felt 3: a material resembling
          felt: as a: a heavy paper of organic or asbestos fibers
          impregnated with asphalt and used in building construction
          b: semirigid pressed fiber insulation used in building
          -- felt.like adj [2]felt vt (14c) 1: to make out of or
          cover with felt 2: to cause to adhere and mat together
          3: to make into felt or a similar substance [3]felt past
          and past part of feel

   felting
          [felt.ing] n (1686) 1: the process of making felt 2: felt

   felucca
          [fe.luc.ca] n [It feluca] (1615): a narrow fast lateen-rigged
          sailing vessel chiefly of the Mediterranean area

   fem
          [fem] abbreviation female, feminine

   FEMA
          [FEMA] abbreviation Federal Emergency Management Agency

   [1]female
          [fe.male] adj (14c) 1 a: of, relating to, or being the sex
          that bears young or produces eggs b: pistillate 2: having
          some quality (as gentleness) associated with the female
          sex 3: designed with a hollow or groove into which a
          corresponding male part fits <~ coupling of a hose> --
          fe.male.ness n [2]female n [ME, alter. of femel, femelle,
          fr. MF & ML; MF femelle, fr. ML femella, fr. L, girl,
          dim. of femina] (14c) 1 a: a female person: woman, girl
          b: an individual that bears young or produces large usu.
          immobile gametes (as eggs) that are fertilized by small
          usu. motile gametes of a male 2: a pistillate plant

   [1]feminine
          [fem.i.nine] adj [ME, fr. MF feminin, fr. L femininus, fr.
          femina woman; akin to OE delu nipple, L filius son, felix,
          fetus, & fecundus fruitful, felare to suck, Gk thele
          nipple] (14c) 1: female 1a 2: characteristic of or appropriate
          or unique to women 3: of, relating to, or constituting
          the gender that ordinarily includes most words or grammatical
          forms referring to females <a ~ noun> 4 a: being an unstressed
          and usu. hypermetric final syllable <~ ending> b of rhyme:
          having an unstressed final syllable c: having the final
          chord occurring on a weak beat <music in ~ cadences>
          -- fem.i.nine.ly adv -- fem.i.nine.ness n [2]feminine
          n (15c) 1 a: a noun, pronoun, adjective, or inflectional
          form or class of the feminine gender b: the feminine
          gender 2: the female principle <eternal ~>

   femininity
          [fem.i.nin.i.ty] n (14c) 1: the quality or nature of the
          female sex 2: effeminacy 3: women, womankind

   feminise
          [fem.i.nise] Brit var of feminize

   feminism
          [fem.i.nism] n (1895) 1: the theory of the political, economic,
          and social equality of the sexes 2: organized activity
          on behalf of women's rights and interests -- fem.i.nist
          n or adj -- fem.i.nis.tic adj

   feminity
          [fe.min.i.ty] n (14c): femininity

   feminize
          [fem.i.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1652) 1: to give a feminine
          quality to 2: to cause (a male or castrate) to take on
          feminine characters (as by implantation of ovaries or
          administration of estrogenic substances) -- fem.i.ni.za.tion
          n

   femme
          [femme] also fem n [prob. fr. F femme woman, fr. L femina]
          (1958): a lesbian who plays the female role in a homosexual
          relationship

   femme de chambre
          [femme de cham.bre] [F] foreign term : chambermaid: lady's
          maid

   femme fatale
          [femme fa.tale] n, pl femmes fa.tales  [F, lit., disastrous
          woman] (1912) 1: a seductive woman who lures men into
          dangerous or compromising situations 2: a woman who attracts
          men by an aura of charm and mystery

   femoral
          [fem.o.ral] adj (ca. 1771): of or relating to the femur or
          thigh

   femoral artery
          [femoral artery] n (ca. 1771): the chief artery of the thigh
          lying in its anterior inner part

   femto-
          [fem.to-] comb form [ISV, fr. Dan or Norw femten fifteen,
          fr. ON fimmtan; akin to OE fiftene fifteen]: one quadrillionth[
          ]part of <femtosecond>

   femtosecond
          [fem.to.sec.ond] n (1976): one quadrillionth of a second

   femur
          [fe.mur] n, pl fe.murs or fem.o.ra [NL femor-, femur, fr.
          L, thigh] (ca. 1771) 1: the proximal bone of the hind
          or lower limb--called also thighbone 2: the segment of
          an insect's leg that is third from the body

   [1]fen
          [fen] n [ME, fr. OE fenn; akin to OHG fenna fen, Skt panka
          mud] (bef. 12c): low land covered wholly or partly with
          water unless artificially drained [2]fen n, pl fen [Chin
          (Beijing) fen] (1916): a monetary unit of China equal
          to 1/100 yuan

   [1]fence
          [fence] n, often attrib [ME fens, short for defens defense]
          (14c) 1 archaic: a means of protection: defense 2: a
          barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to
          mark a boundary; esp: such a barrier made of posts and
          wire or boards 3: fencing 1 4 a: a receiver of stolen
          goods b: a place where stolen goods are bought -- fence.less
          adj -- fence.less.ness n -- on the fence : in a position
          of neutrality or indecision [2]fence vb fenced ; fenc.ing
          vt (15c) 1 a: to enclose with a fence b (1): to keep
          in or out with a fence (2): to ward off 2: to provide
          a defense for 3: to sell (stolen property) to a fence
          ~ vi 1 a: to practice fencing b (1): to use tactics of
          attack and defense resembling those of fencing (2): to
          parry arguments by shifting ground 2 archaic: to provide
          protection -- fenc.er n

   fence-mending
          [fence-mend.ing] n (1947): the rehabilitating of a deteriorated
          political relationship

   fencerow
          [fence.row] n (1842): the land occupied by a fence including
          the uncultivated area on each side

   fence-sitting
          [fence-sit.ting] n (1904): a state of indecision or neutrality
          with respect to conflicting positions -- fence-sit.ter
          n

   fencing
          [fenc.ing] n (1581) 1: the art or practice of attack and
          defense with the foil, epee, or saber 2 a (1): fence
          2 (2): the fences of a property or region b: material
          used for building fences

   [1]fend
          [fend] vb [ME fenden, short for defenden] vt (14c) 1: defend
          2: to keep or ward off: repel--often used with off 3
          dial Brit: to provide for: support ~ vi 1 dial Brit:
          to make an effort: struggle 2 a: to try to get along
          without help: shift <had to ~ for themselves> b: to provide
          a livelihood [2]fend n (1721) chiefly Scot: an effort
          or attempt esp. for oneself

   fender
          [fend.er] n (13c): a device that protects: as a (1): a cushion
          (as foam rubber or a wood float) between a boat and a
          dock or between two boats that lessens shock and prevents
          chafing (2): a pile or a row or cluster of piles placed
          to protect a dock or bridge pier from damage by ships
          or floating objects b: railing c: a device in front of
          locomotives and streetcars to lessen injury to animals
          or pedestrians in case of collision d: a guard over the
          wheel of a motor vehicle e: a low metal frame or a screen
          before an open fireplace f: an oblong or triangular shield
          of leather attached to the stirrup leather of a saddle
          to protect a rider's legs -- fend.ered adj -- fend.er.less
          adj

   fender bender
          [fender bender] n (ca. 1962): a minor automobile accident

   fenestra
          [fe.nes.tra] n, pl -trae [NL, fr. L, window] (ca. 1737) 1:
          a small anatomical opening (as in a bone): as a: an oval
          opening between the middle ear and the vestibule having
          the base of the stapes or columella attached to its
          membrane--called also fenestra ovalis , fenestra vestibuli , oval
          window b: a round opening between the middle ear and the
          cochlea--called also fenestra cochleae, fenestra rotunda, round
          window 2: an opening cut in bone -- fe.nes.tral adj

   fenestrate
          [fe.nes.trate] adj [L fenestratus, fr. fenestra] (1835):
          fenestrated

   fenestrated
          [fen.es.trat.ed] adj (ca. 1852): having one or more openings
          or pores <~ blood capillaries>

   fenestration
          [fen.es.tra.tion] n (1846) 1: the arrangement, proportioning,
          and design of windows and doors in a building 2: an opening
          in a surface (as a wall or membrane) 3: the operation
          of cutting an opening in the bony labyrinth between the
          inner ear and tympanum to replace natural fenestrae that
          are not functional

   Fenian
          [Fe.ni.an] n [Ir feinne, pl. of fiann, legendary band of
          Irish warriors] (1816) 1: a member of a legendary band
          of warriors defending Ireland in the 2d and 3d centuries
          a.d. 2: a member of a secret 19th century Irish and Irish-American
          organization dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland
          -- Fenian adj -- Fe.ni.an.ism n

   fenland
          [fen.land] n (bef. 12c): an area of low often marshy ground

   fennec
          [fen.nec] n [Ar fanak] (1790): a small pale-fawn fox (Vulpes
          zerda syn. Fennecus zerda) with large ears that inhabits
          the deserts of northern Africa and Arabia

   fennel
          [fen.nel] n [ME fenel, fr. OE finugl, fr. (assumed) VL fenuculum,
          fr. L feniculum fennel, irreg. dim. of fenum hay] (bef.
          12c): a perennial European herb (Foeniculum vulgare)
          of the carrot family introduced into No. America and
          cultivated for its foliage and aromatic seeds

   fenny
          [fen.ny] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having the characteristics of
          a fen: boggy 2 archaic: peculiar to or found in a fen

   fenugreek
          [fenu.greek] n [ME fenugrek, fr. MF fenugrec, fr. L fenum
          Graecum, lit., Greek hay] (14c): a leguminous annual
          Asian herb (Trigonella foenumgraecum) with aromatic seeds

   feoffee
          [feoff.ee] n (15c): one to whom a feoffment is made

   feoffment
          [feoff.ment] n [ME feoffement, fr. AF, fr. feoffer to invest
          with a fee, fr. OF fief fee] (14c): the granting of a
          fee

   feoffor
          [feof.for] or feoff.er n (15c): one who makes a feoffment

   FEPA
          [FEPA] abbreviation Fair Employment Practices Act

   FEPC
          [FEPC] abbreviation Fair Employment Practices Commission

   -fer
          [-fer] n comb form [F & L; F -fere, fr. L -fer bearing, one
          that bears, fr. ferre to carry--more at bear]: one that
          bears <aquifer>

   FERA
          [FERA] abbreviation Federal Emergency Relief Administration

   ferae naturae
          [fe.rae na.tu.rae] adj [L, of a wild nature] (ca. 1661):
          wild by nature and not usu. tamed

   feral
          [fe.ral] adj [ML feralis, fr. L fera wild animal, fr. fem.
          of ferus wild--more at fierce] (1604) 1: of, relating
          to, or suggestive of a wild beast: savage 2 a: not domesticated
          or cultivated: wild b: having escaped from domestication
          and become wild syn see brutal

   fer-de-lance
          [fer-de-lance] n, pl fer-de-lance [F, lit., lance iron, spearhead]
          (1880): a large extremely venomous pit viper (Bothrops atrox)
          of Central and So. America

   fere
          [fere] n [ME, fr. OE gefera; akin to OE faran to go, travel--more
          at fare] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: companion, comrade 2 archaic:
          spouse

   [1]feria
          [fe.ria] n [ML--more at fair] (15c): a weekday of a church
          calendar on which no feast falls -- fe.ri.al adj [2]fe.ria
          n [Sp, fair, market, fr. ML--more at fair] (1844): an
          Hispanic market festival often in observance of a religious
          holiday

   ferine
          [fe.rine] adj [L ferinus, fr. fera] (1640): feral

   ferity
          [fer.i.ty] n, pl -ties [L feritas, fr. ferus] (1534) archaic:
          the quality or state of being feral; also: barbarity

   ferlie
          [fer.lie] also fer.ly n, pl fer.lies [ME, fr. ferly strange,
          fr. OE faerlic unexpected, fr. faer sudden danger--more
          at fear] (13c) Scot: wonder

   Ferm
          [Ferm] abbreviation Fermanagh

   fermata
          [fer.ma.ta] n [It, lit., stop, fr. fermare to stop, fr. L
          firmare to make firm] (ca. 1859): a prolongation at the
          discretion of the performer of a musical note, chord,
          or rest beyond its given time value; also: a sign denoting
          such a prolongation --called also hold

   [1]ferment
          [fer.ment] vi (14c) 1: to undergo fermentation 2: to be in
          a state of agitation or intense activity ~ vt 1: to cause
          to undergo fermentation 2: to work up (as into a state
          of agitation): foment -- fer.ment.able adj [2]fer.ment
          n [ME, fr. L fermentum yeast--more at barm] (15c) 1 a:
          a living organism (as a yeast) that causes fermentation
          by virtue of its enzymes b: enzyme 2 a: a state of unrest:
          agitation b: a process of active often disorderly development
          <the great period of creative ~ in literature --William
          Barrett>

   fermentation
          [fer.men.ta.tion] n (1601) 1 a: a chemical change with
          effervescence b: an enzymatically controlled anaerobic breakdown
          of an energy-rich compound (as a carbohydrate to carbon dioxide and
          alcohol or to an organic acid); broadly: an enzymatically
          controlled transformation of an organic compound 2: ferment 2

   fermentative
          [fer.men.ta.tive] adj (1661) 1: causing or producing a substance
          that causes fermentation <~ organisms> 2: of, relating
          to, or produced by fermentation

   fermenter
          [fer.men.ter] n (1918) 1: an organism that causes fermentation
          2 or fer.men.tor : an apparatus for carrying out fermentation

   fermi
          [fer.mi] n [Enrico Fermi] (1955): a unit of length equal
          to 10E-13 centimeter

   fermion
          [fer.mi.on] n [Enrico Fermi + E [2]-on] (1947): a particle
          (as an electron, proton, or neutron) whose spin quantum
          number is an odd multiple of 1/2 --compare boson

   fermium
          [fer.mi.um] n [Enrico Fermi] (1955): a radioactive metallic
          element artificially produced (as by bombardment of plutonium
          with neutrons)

   fern
          [fern] n [ME, fr. OE fearn; akin to OHG farn fern, Skt parna
          wing, leaf] (bef. 12c): any of a large class (Filicopsida)
          of flowerless spore-producing vascular plants; esp: any
          of an order (Filicales) of homosporous plants possessing
          roots, stems, and leaflike fronds -- fern.like adj --
          ferny adj

   fern bar
          [fern bar] n (1976): a bar or restaurant fashionably decorated
          with green plants and esp. ferns

   fernery
          [fern.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1840) 1: a place or stand where
          ferns grow 2: a collection of growing ferns

   fern seed
          [fern seed] n (1596): the dustlike asexual spores of ferns
          formerly thought to be seeds and believed to make the
          possessor invisible

   ferocious
          [fe.ro.cious] adj [L feroc-, ferox, lit., fierce looking,
          fr. ferus + -oc-, -ox (akin to Gk ops eye)--more at eye]
          (1646) 1: exhibiting or given to extreme fierceness and
          unrestrained violence and brutality 2: extremely intense
          <~ heat> syn see fierce -- fe.ro.cious.ly adv -- fe.ro.cious.ness
          n

   ferocity
          [fe.roc.i.ty] n (1606): the quality or state of being ferocious

   -ferous
          [-ferous] adj comb form [ME, fr. MF & L; MF -fere -fer, fr.
          L -fer]: bearing: producing <carboniferous>

   ferredoxin
          [fer.re.dox.in] n [L ferrum + E redox + -in] (1962): any
          of a group of iron-containing plant proteins that function
          as electron carriers in photosynthetic organisms and
          in some anaerobic bacteria

   [1]ferret
          [fer.ret] n [ME furet, ferret, fr. MF furet, fr. (assumed)
          VL furittus, lit., little thief, dim. of L fur thief--more
          at furtive] (14c) 1: a partially domesticated usu. albino
          European polecat that is sometimes classed as a separate
          species (Mustela furo) 2: an active and persistent searcher
          -- fer.rety adj [2]ferret vi (15c) 1: to hunt with ferrets
          2: to search about ~ vt 1 a (1): to hunt (as rabbits)
          with ferrets (2): to force out of hiding: flush b: to
          find and bring to light by searching--usu. used with
          out <~ out the answers> 2: harry, worry -- fer.ret.er
          n [3]ferret n [prob. modif. of It fioretti floss silk,
          fr. pl. of fioretto, dim. of fiore flower, fr. L flor-,
          flos--more at blow] (1649): a narrow cotton, silk, or
          wool tape--called also ferreting

   ferri-
          [ferri-] comb form [L, fr. ferrum] 1: iron <ferriferous>
          2: ferric iron <ferricyanide>

   ferriage
          [fer.ri.age] n [ME] (14c) 1: the fare paid for a ferry passage
          2: the act or business of transporting by ferry

   ferric
          [fer.ric] adj (1799) 1: of, relating to, or containing iron
          2: being or containing iron usu. with a valence of three

   ferric ammonium citrate
          [ferric ammonium citrate] n (ca. 1924): a complex salt containing
          varying amounts of iron and used esp. for making blueprints

   ferric chloride
          [ferric chloride] n (1885): a deliquescent dark salt that
          readily hydrates to the yellow-orange form and that is
          used in sewage treatment and as an astringent

   ferric hydroxide
          [ferric hydroxide] n (1885): a hydrate of ferric oxide that
          is capable of acting both as a base and as a weak acid

   ferric oxide
          [ferric oxide] n (1882): the red or black oxide of iron found
          in nature as hematite and as rust and also obtained synthetically
          and used as a pigment and for polishing

   ferricyanide
          [fer.ri.cy.a.nide] n [ISV] (1845) 1: the triply charged anion
          consisting of an iron atom bonded to six cyanide groups
          2: a compound containing the ferricyanide anion; esp:
          the red potassium salt used in making blue pigments

   ferriferous
          [fer.rif.er.ous] adj (1811): containing or yielding iron

   ferrimagnetic
          [fer.ri.mag.net.ic] adj (1951): of or relating to a substance
          (as ferrite) characterized by magnetization in which
          one group of magnetic ions is polarized in a direction
          opposite to the other -- fer.ri.mag.net n --
          fer.ri.mag.net.i.cal.ly adv -- fer.ri.mag.ne.tism n

   Ferris wheel
          [Fer.ris wheel] n [G. W. G. Ferris d. 1896 Am. engineer]
          (1893): an amusement device consisting of a large upright
          power-driven wheel carrying seats that remain horizontal
          around its rim

   ferrite
          [fer.rite] n (1851) 1: any of several magnetic substances
          that consist essentially of ferric oxide combined with
          the oxides of one or more metals (as manganese, nickel,
          or zinc), have high magnetic permeability and high electrical
          resistivity, and are used esp. in electronic devices
          2: a solid solution in which alpha iron is the solvent
          -- fer.rit.ic adj

   ferritin
          [fer.ri.tin] n [ISV, alter. of ferratin, iron-containing
          protein, fr. L ferratus bound with iron (fr. ferrum)
          + ISV -in] (1937): a crystalline iron-containing protein
          that functions in the storage of iron and is found esp.
          in the liver and spleen

   ferro-
          [ferro-] comb form [ML, fr. L ferrum] 1: iron <ferroconcrete>
          2: ferrous iron <ferrocyanide>

   ferro-cement
          [fer.ro-ce.ment] n (1956): a building material made of thin
          cement slabs reinforced with steel mesh

   ferrocene
          [fer.ro.cene] n [ferro- + cycl- + -ene] (1952): a crystalline
          stable organometallic coordination compound consisting
          of an iron atom sandwiched between two planar pentagonal
          hydrocarbon groups; also: an analogous compound with
          a heavy metal (as chromium)

   ferroconcrete
          [fer.ro.con.crete] n (1900): reinforced concrete

   ferrocyanide
          [fer.ro.cy.a.nide] n (ca. 1826) 1: the quadruply charged
          anion consisting of an iron atom bonded to six cyanide
          groups 2: a compound containing the ferrocyanide anion;
          esp: the potassium salt used in making blue pigments
          (as Prussian blue)

   ferroelectric
          [fer.ro.elec.tric] adj (1935): of or relating to crystalline
          substances having spontaneous electric polarization reversible
          by an electric field -- ferroelectric n -- fer.ro.elec.tric.i.ty
          n

   ferromagnesian
          [fer.ro.mag.ne.sian] adj (1899): containing iron and magnesium
          <~ minerals>

   ferromagnetic
          [fer.ro.mag.net.ic] adj (1896): of or relating to substances
          with an abnormally high magnetic permeability, a definite
          saturation point, and appreciable residual magnetism
          and hysteresis -- fer.ro.mag.net n -- fer.ro.mag.ne.tism
          n

   ferromanganese
          [fer.ro.man.ga.nese] n (1864): an alloy of iron and manganese
          containing usu. about 80 percent manganese and used in
          the manufacture of steel

   ferrosilicon
          [fer.ro.sil.i.con] n (1882): an alloy of iron and silicon
          containing 15 to 95 percent silicon and used for deoxidizing
          molten steel and making silicon steel and high-silicon
          cast iron

   ferrotype
          [fer.ro.type] n (1844) 1: a positive photograph made by a
          collodion process on a thin iron plate having a darkened
          surface 2: the process by which a ferrotype is made

   ferrous
          [fer.rous] adj [NL ferrosus, fr. L ferrum] (1865) 1: of,
          relating to, or containing iron 2: being or containing
          divalent iron

   ferrous oxide
          [ferrous oxide] n (1873): a black easily oxidizable powder
          that is the monoxide of iron

   ferrous sulfate
          [ferrous sulfate] n (1865): a salt of iron with sulfate used
          in treating industrial wastes and in medicine; esp: copperas

   ferruginous
          [fer.ru.gi.nous] adj [L ferrugineus, ferruginus, fr. ferrugin-,
          ferrugo iron rust, fr. ferrum] (ca. 1661) 1: of, relating
          to, or containing iron <a ~ soil> 2: resembling iron
          rust in color

   ferrule
          [fer.rule] n [alter. of ME virole, fr. MF, fr. L viriola,
          dim. of viria bracelet, of Celtic origin; akin to OIr
          fiar oblique] (1611) 1: a ring or cap usu. of metal put
          around a slender shaft (as a cane or a tool handle) to
          strengthen it or prevent splitting 2: a usu. metal sleeve
          used esp. for joining or binding one part to another
          (as pipe sections or the bristles and handle of a brush)
          -- fer.ruled adj

   [1]ferry
          [fer.ry] vb fer.ried ; fer.ry.ing [ME ferien, fr. OE ferian
          to carry, convey; akin to OE faran to go--more at fare]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to carry by boat over a body of water
          b: to cross by a ferry 2 a: to convey (as by aircraft
          or motor vehicle) from one place to another: transport
          b: to fly (an airplane) from the factory or other shipping
          point to a designated delivery point or from one base
          to another ~ vi: to cross water in a boat [2]ferry n,
          pl fer.ries (15c) 1: a place where persons or things
          are carried across a body of water (as a river) in a
          boat 2: ferryboat 3: a franchise or right to operate
          a ferry service across a body of water 4: an organized
          service and route for flying airplanes esp. across a
          sea or continent for delivery to the user

   ferryboat
          [fer.ry.boat] n (15c): a boat used to ferry passengers, vehicles,
          or goods

   ferryman
          [fer.ry.man] n (15c): a person who operates a ferry

   fertile
          [fer.tile] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L fertilis, fr. ferre
          to carry, bear--more at bear] (15c) 1 a: producing or
          bearing fruit in great quantities: productive b: characterized
          by great resourcefulness of thought or imagination: inventive
          <a ~ mind> c obs: plentiful 2 a (1): capable of sustaining
          abundant plant growth <~ soil> (2): affording abundant
          possibilities for development <a ~ area for research>
          b: capable of growing or developing <~ egg> c (1): capable
          of producing fruit (2) of an anther: containing pollen
          (3): developing spores or spore-bearing organs d: capable
          of breeding or reproducing 3: capable of being converted
          into fissionable material <~ uranium 238> -- fer.tile.ly
          adv -- fer.tile.ness n syn fertile, fecund, fruitful,
          prolific mean producing or capable of producing offspring
          or fruit. fertile implies the power to reproduce in kind
          or to assist in reproduction and growth <fertile soil>;
          applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention
          and development <a fertile imagination>. fecund emphasizes
          abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring <a
          fecund herd>. fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the
          implication of desirable or useful results <fruitful
          research>. prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or
          multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction <a prolific
          writer>.

   fertility
          [fer.til.i.ty] n (15c) 1: the quality or state of being fertile
          2: the birthrate of a population

   fertilization
          [fer.til.iza.tion] n (ca. 1787): an act or process of making
          fertile: as a: the application of fertilizer b (1): an
          act or process of fecundation, insemination, or pollination--not
          used technically (2): the process of union of two gametes
          whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and
          the development of a new individual is initiated

   fertilization membrane
          [fertilization membrane] n (1931): a resistant membranous
          layer in eggs of many animals that forms following fertilization
          by the thickening and separation of the vitelline membrane
          from the cell surface and that prevents multiple fertilization

   fertilize
          [fer.til.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1648): to make fertile:
          as a: to apply a fertilizer to <~ land> b: to cause the
          fertilization of -- fer.til.iz.able adj

   fertilizer
          [fer.til.iz.er] n (ca. 1661): one that fertilizes; specif:
          a substance (as manure or a chemical mixture) used to
          make soil more fertile

   ferule
          [fer.ule] also fer.u.la n [L ferula giant fennel, ferule]
          (1580) 1: an instrument (as a flat piece of wood like
          a ruler) used to punish children 2: school discipline

   ferulic acid
          [fe.ru.lic acid] n [ferula] (1876): a white crystalline acid
          that is structurally related to vanillin and is obtained
          esp. from plant sources (as aspen bark)

   fervency
          [fer.ven.cy] n, pl -cies (15c): fervor

   fervent
          [fer.vent] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L fervent-, fervens,
          prp. of fervere to boil, froth--more at barm] (14c) 1:
          very hot: glowing 2: exhibiting or marked by great intensity
          of feeling: zealous <~ prayers> syn see impassioned --
          fer.vent.ly adv

   fervid
          [fer.vid] adj [L fervidus, fr. fervere] (1599) 1: very hot:
          burning 2: marked by often extreme fervor <a ~ crusader>
          syn see impassioned -- fer.vid.ly adv -- fer.vid.ness
          n

   fervor
          [fer.vor] n [ME fervour, fr. MF & L; MF ferveur, fr. L fervor,
          fr. fervere] (14c) 1: intensity of feeling or expression
          <booing and cheering with almost equal ~ --Alan Rich>
          2: intense heat syn see passion

   fervour
          [fer.vour] chiefly Brit var of fervor

   fescennine
          [fes.cen.nine] adj [L fescennini (versus), ribald songs sung
          at rustic weddings, prob. fr. Fescinninus of Fescennium,
          fr. Fescennium, town in Etruria] (1601): scurrilous,
          obscene

   fescue
          [fes.cue] n [ME festu stalk, straw, fr. MF, fr. LL festucum,
          fr. L festuca] (1513) 1: a small pointer (as a stick)
          used to point out letters to children learning to read
          2: any of a genus (Festuca) of tufted perennial grasses
          with panicled spikelets

   fescue foot
          [fescue foot] n (1949): a disease of the feet of cattle resembling
          ergotism that is associated with feeding on fescue grass and esp.
          tall fescue

   [1]fess
          [fess] also fesse n [ME fesse, fr. MF faisse, fr. L fascia
          band--more at fascia] (15c) 1: a broad horizontal bar
          across the middle of a heraldic field 2: the center point
          of an armorial escutcheon [2]fess vi [short for confess]
          (1840): to own up: confess--usu. used with up

   -fest
          [-fest] n comb form [G, fr. Fest celebration, fr. L festum--more
          at feast]: meeting or occasion marked by (such) activity
          <songfest>

   festal
          [fes.tal] adj [L festum] (15c): of or relating to a feast
          or festival: festive -- fes.tal.ly adv

   [1]fester
          [fes.ter] n [ME, fr. MF festre, fr. L fistula pipe, fistulous
          ulcer] (14c): a suppurating sore: pustule [2]fester vb
          fes.tered ; fes.ter.ing vi (14c) 1: to generate pus 2:
          putrefy, rot 3 a: to cause increasing poisoning, irritation,
          or bitterness: rankle <dissent ~ed unchecked> b: to undergo
          or exist in a state of progressive deterioration <allowed
          slums to ~> ~ vt: to make inflamed or corrupt

   festina lente
          [fe.sti.na len.te] [L] foreign term : make haste slowly

   [1]festinate
          [fes.ti.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1596): hasten [2]fes.ti.nate
          adj [L festinatus, pp. of festinare to hasten; perh.
          akin to MIr bras forceful, W brys haste] (1605): hasty
          -- fes.ti.nate.ly adv

   [1]festival
          [fes.ti.val] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L festivus festive] (14c):
          of, relating to, appropriate to, or set apart as a festival
          [2]festival n (1589) 1 a: a time of celebration marked
          by special observances b: feast 2 2: a periodic season
          or program of cultural events or entertainment 3: gaiety,
          conviviality

   festivalgoer
          [fes.ti.val.go.er] n (1959): one who attends a festival

   festive
          [fes.tive] adj [L festivus, fr. festum] (1651) 1: of, relating
          to, or suitable for a feast or festival 2: joyful, gay
          -- fes.tive.ly adv -- fes.tive.ness n

   festivity
          [fes.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: festival 1 2: the quality
          or state of being festive: gaiety 3: festive activity

   [1]festoon
          [fes.toon] n [F feston, fr. It festone, fr. festa festival,
          fr. L--more at feast] (1630) 1: a decorative chain or
          strip hanging between two points 2: a carved, molded,
          or painted ornament representing a decorative chain [2]festoon
          vt (1800) 1: to hang or form festoons on 2: to shape
          into festoons 3: decorate, adorn

   festoonery
          [fes.toon.ery] n (1836): an arrangement of festoons

   Festschrift
          [Fest.schrift] n, pl Fest.schrif.ten or Fest.schrifts [G,
          fr. Fest celebration + Schrift writing] (1898): a volume
          of writings by different authors presented as a tribute
          or memorial esp. to a scholar

   FET
          [FET] abbreviation Federal excise tax, field-effect transistor

   feta
          [fe.ta] n, often cap [NGk (tyri) pheta, fr. tyri cheese +
          pheta slice, fr. It fetta--more at fettuccine] (1940):
          a white moderately hard and crumbly Greek cheese made
          from sheep's or goat's milk and cured in brine

   fetal
          [fe.tal] adj (1811): of, relating to, or being a fetus

   fetal alcohol syndrome
          [fetal alcohol syndrome] n (1974): a highly variable group
          of birth defects including mental retardation, deficient
          growth, and defects of the skull, face, and brain that
          tend to occur in the infants of women who consume large
          amounts of alcohol during pregnancy

   fetal hemoglobin
          [fetal hemoglobin] n (1950): a hemoglobin variant that predominates
          in the blood of a newborn and persists in increased proportions
          in some forms of anemia (as thalassemia)

   fetal position
          [fetal position] n (1963): a position (as of a sleeping person)
          in which the body lies on one side, curled up with the
          arms and legs drawn up toward the chest and the head
          bowed forward

   [1]fetch
          [fetch] vb [ME fecchen, fr. OE fetian, feccan; perh. akin
          to OE fot foot--more at foot] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to go
          or come after and bring or take back b: derive, deduce
          2 a: to cause to come b: to bring in (as a price): realize
          c: interest, attract 3 a: to give (a blow) by striking:
          deal b chiefly dial: bring about, accomplish c (1): to
          take in (as a breath): draw (2): to bring forth (as a
          sound): heave <~ a sigh> 4 a: to reach by sailing esp.
          against the wind or tide b: to arrive at: reach ~ vi
          1: to get and bring something; specif: to retrieve killed
          game 2: to take a roundabout way: circle 3 a: to hold
          a course on a body of water b: veer -- fetch.er n [2]fetch
          n (ca. 1530) 1: trick, stratagem 2: an act or instance
          of fetching 3 a: the distance along open water or land
          over which the wind blows b: the distance traversed by
          waves without obstruction [3]fetch n [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1787): doppelganger 1

   fetching
          [fetch.ing] adj (1880): attractive, pleasing -- fetch.ing.ly
          adv

   fetch up
          [fetch up] vt (1599) 1: to bring up or out: produce 2: to
          make up (as lost time) 3: to bring to a stop ~ vi: to
          reach a standstill, stopping place, or goal: end up <may
          have fetched up running a village store --Geoffrey Household>

   [1]fete
          [fete] n [ME fete, fr. MF, fr. OF feste--more at feast] (15c)
          1: festival 2 a: a lavish often outdoor entertainment
          b: a large elaborate party [2]fete vt fet.ed ; fet.ing
          (1819) 1: to honor or commemorate with a fete 2: to pay
          high honor to

   fete champetre
          [fete cham.pe.tre] n, pl fetes champetres [F, lit., rural
          festival] (1774): an outdoor entertainment

   feticide
          [fe.ti.cide] n (ca. 1844): the act of causing the death of
          a fetus

   fetid
          [fet.id] adj [ME, fr. L foetidus, fr. foetere to stink] (15c):
          having a heavy offensive smell syn see malodorous --
          fet.id.ly adv -- fet.id.ness n

   fetish
          [fe.tish] also fe.tich n [F & Pg; F fetiche, fr. Pg feitico,
          fr. feitico artificial, false, fr. L facticius factitious]
          (1613) 1 a: an object (as a small stone carving of an
          animal) believed to have magical power to protect or
          aid its owner; broadly: a material object regarded with
          superstitious or extravagant trust or reverence b: an
          object of irrational reverence or obsessive devotion:
          prepossession c: an object or bodily part whose real
          or fantasied presence is psychologically necessary for
          sexual gratification and that is an object of fixation
          to the extent that it may interfere with complete sexual
          expression 2: a rite or cult of fetish worshipers 3:
          fixation

   fetishism
          [fe.tish.ism] also fe.tich.ism n (1801) 1: belief in magical
          fetishes 2: extravagant irrational devotion 3: the pathological
          displacement of erotic interest and satisfaction to a
          fetish -- fe.tish.ist n -- fe.tish.is.tic adj --
          fe.tish.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   fetlock
          [fet.lock] n [ME fitlok, fetlak; akin to OE fot foot] (14c)
          1 a: a projection bearing a tuft of hair on the back
          of the leg above the hoof of a horse or similar animal--see
          horse illustration b: the tuft of hair itself 2: the
          joint of the limb at the fetlock

   feto-
          [feto-] or feti- comb form [NL fetus]: fetus <feticide>

   fetology
          [fe.tol.o.gy] n (1965): a branch of medical science concerned
          with the study and treatment of the fetus in the uterus
          -- fe.tol.o.gist n

   fetoprotein
          [fe.to.pro.tein] n (1965): any of several fetal antigens
          present in the adult in some abnormal conditions

   fetor
          [fe.tor] n [ME fetoure, fr. L foetor, fr. foetere] (15c):
          a strong offensive smell: stench

   fetoscopy
          [fe.tos.co.py] n, pl -pies (1971): examination of the pregnant
          uterus by means of a fiber-optic tube -- fe.to.scope
          n

   [1]fetter
          [fet.ter] n [ME feter, fr. OE; akin to OE fot foot] (bef.
          12c) 1: a chain or shackle for the feet 2: something
          that confines: restraint [2]fetter vt (bef. 12c) 1: to
          put fetters on: shackle 2: to restrain from motion, action,
          or progress syn see hamper

   [1]fettle
          [fet.tle] n (1740): state or condition of health, fitness,
          wholeness, spirit, or form--often used in the phrase
          in fine fettle [2]fettle vt fet.tled ; fet.tling [ME
          fetlen to shape, prepare; perh. akin to OE faet vessel--more
          at vat] (1881): to cover or line the hearth of (as a
          reverberatory furnace) with loose material (as sand or
          gravel)

   fettuccine
          [fet.tuc.ci.ne] or fet.tuc.ci.ni or fet.tu.ci.ne or fet.tu.ci.ni
          n pl but sing or pl in constr [It, pl. of fettuccina,
          dim. of fettuccia small slice, ribbon, dim. of fetta
          slice, prob. alter. of (assumed) offetta, fr. offa flour
          cake, fr. L] (1912): pasta in the form of narrow ribbons;
          also: a dish of which fettuccine forms the base

   fettuccine Alfredo
          [fettuccine Al.fre.do] n [fr. Alfredo all'Augusteo, restaurant
          in Rome where it originated] (1961): a dish consisting
          of fettuccine with butter, Parmesan cheese, cream, and
          seasonings--called also fettuccine all'Alfredo

   fetus
          [fe.tus] n [ME, fr. L, act of bearing young, offspring; akin
          to L fetus newly delivered, fruitful--more at feminine]
          (14c): an unborn or unhatched vertebrate esp. after attaining
          the basic structural plan of its kind; specif: a developing
          human from usu. three months after conception to birth

   [1]feud
          [feud] n [alter. of ME feide, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG fehida hostility, feud, OE fah hostile--more at
          foe] (15c): a mutual enmity or quarrel that is often
          prolonged or inveterate; esp: a lasting state of hostilities
          between families or clans marked by violent attacks for
          revenge -- feud vi [2]feud n [ML feodum, feudum, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OE feoh cattle, property--more at fee]
          (1614): fee 1a

   feudal
          [feu.dal] adj (1612) 1: of, relating to, or having the
          characteristics of a medieval fee 2: of, relating to, or suggestive
          of feudalism <~ law> -- feu.dal.ly adv

   feudalism
          [feu.dal.ism] n (ca. 1818) 1: the system of political organization
          prevailing in Europe from the 9th to about the 15th centuries
          having as its basis the relation of lord to vassal with all land
          held in fee and as chief characteristics homage, the service
          of tenants under arms and in court, wardship, and forfeiture 2: any
          of various political or social systems similar to medieval
          feudalism -- feu.dal.ist n -- feu.dal.is.tic adj

   feudality
          [feu.dal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1790) 1: the quality or state
          of being feudal 2: a feudal holding, domain, or concentration
          of power

   feudalize
          [feu.dal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1828): to make feudal --
          feu.dal.iza.tion n

   [1]feudatory
          [feu.da.to.ry] adj [ML feudatorius, fr. feudatus, pp. of
          feudare to enfeoff, fr. feudum] (1592) 1: owing feudal
          allegiance 2: being under the overlordship of a foreign
          state [2]feudatory n, pl -ries (1644) 1: a dependent
          lordship: fee 2: one holding lands by feudal tenure

   [1]feudist
          [feud.ist] n (1607): a specialist in feudal law [2]feudist
          n (1901): one who feuds

   feuilleton
          [feuil.le.ton] n [F, fr. feuillet sheet of paper, fr. OF
          foillet, dim. of foille leaf--more at foil] (1845) 1:
          a part of a European newspaper or magazine devoted to
          material designed to entertain the general reader 2:
          something (as an installment of a novel) printed in a
          feuilleton 3 a: a novel printed in installments b: a
          work of fiction catering to popular taste 4: a short
          literary composition often having a familiar tone and
          reminiscent content -- feuil.le.ton.ism n -- feuil.le.ton.ist
          n

   Feulgen
          [Feul.gen] adj (1928): of, relating to, utilizing, or staining
          by the Feulgen reaction <positive ~ mitochondria>

   Feulgen reaction
          [Feulgen reaction] n [Robert Feulgen d. 1955 Ger. physiologist]
          (1928): the development of a brilliant purple color by
          DNA in a microscopic preparation stained with a modified
          Schiff's reagent

   feux d'artifice
          [feux d'ar.ti.fice] [F] foreign term : fireworks: display
          of wit

   [1]fever
          [fe.ver] n [ME, fr. OE fefer, fr. L febris] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: a rise of body temperature above the normal b: any
          of various diseases of which fever is a prominent symptom
          2 a: a state of heightened or intense emotion or activity
          b: a contagious usu. transient enthusiasm: craze [2]fever
          vb fe.vered ; fe.ver.ing vt (1606): to throw into a fever:
          agitate ~ vi: to contract or be in a fever: become feverish

   fever blister
          [fever blister] n (ca. 1860): cold sore

   feverfew
          [fe.ver.few] n [ME, fr. OE feferfuge, fr. LL febrifugia
          centaury--more at febrifuge] (15c): a perennial European composite
          herb (Chrysanthemum parthenium) widely cultivated as an ornamental

   feverish
          [fe.ver.ish] adj (14c) 1 a: tending to cause fever b: having
          the symptoms of a fever c: indicating or relating to
          fever 2: marked by intense emotion, activity, or instability
          -- fe.ver.ish.ly adv -- fe.ver.ish.ness n

   feverous
          [fe.ver.ous] adj (14c): feverish

   fever pitch
          [fever pitch] n (1915): a state of intense excitement and
          agitation

   fever tree
          [fever tree] n (1868): any of several shrubs or trees that
          are thought to indicate regions free from fever or that
          yield remedies for fever; esp: an African acacia (Acacia
          xanthlophloea)

   feverwort
          [fe.ver.wort] n (ca. 1814): a coarse American herb (Triosteum
          perfoliatum) of the honeysuckle family--called also horse
          gentian

   [1]few
          [few] pron, pl in constr [ME fewe, pron. & adj., fr. OE feawa;
          akin to OHG fo little, L paucus little, pauper poor,
          Gk paid-, pais child, Skt putra son] (bef. 12c): not
          many persons or things <~ were present> <~ of his stories
          are true> [2]few adj (bef. 12c) 1: consisting of or amounting
          to only a small number <one of our ~ pleasures> 2: at
          least some but indeterminately small in number--used
          with a <caught a ~ fish> -- few.ness n -- few and far
          between : few in number and infrequently met: rare [3]few
          n, pl in constr (bef. 12c) 1: a small number of units
          or individuals <a ~ of them> 2: a special limited number
          <the discriminating ~>

   [1]fewer
          [few.er] pron, pl in constr (bef. 12c): a smaller number
          of persons or things [2]fewer adj comparative of few
          usage see less

   fewtrils
          [few.trils] n pl [origin unknown] (ca. 1750) dial Eng: things
          of little value: trifles

   fey
          [fey] adj [ME feye, fr. OE faege; akin to OHG feigi fey and
          perh. to OE fah hostile, outlawed--more at foe] (bef.
          12c) 1 a chiefly Scot: fated to die: doomed b: marked
          by a foreboding of death or calamity 2 a: able to see
          into the future: visionary b: marked by an otherworldly
          air or attitude c: crazy, touched 3 a: precious 3 b:
          unconventional, campy -- fey.ly adv -- fey.ness n

   fez
          [fez] n, pl fez.zes also fez.es [F, fr. Fez, Morocco] (ca.
          1803): a brimless cone-shaped flat-crowned hat that usu.
          has a tassel, is usu. made of red felt, and is worn esp.
          by men in eastern Mediterranean countries -- fezzed adj

   ff...
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   ff
          [ff] abbreviation folios, [following] and the following ones;
          fortissimo

   fh...
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   FHA
          [FHA] abbreviation Federal Housing Administration

   fi...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   fiacre
          [fi.acre] n, pl fi.acres [F, fr. the Hotel St. Fiacre, Paris]
          (1699): a small hackney coach

   fiance
          [fi.an.ce] n [F, fr. MF, fr. pp. of fiancer to promise, betroth,
          fr. OF fiancier, fr. fiance promise, trust, fr. fier
          to trust, fr. (assumed) VL fidare, alter. of L fidere--more
          at bide] (1864): a man engaged to be married

   fiancee
          [fi.an.cee] n [F, fem. of fiance] (1853): a woman engaged
          to be married

   fianchetto
          [fi.an.chet.to] vb [fianchetto (an opening in chess), fr.
          It, dim. of fianco side, flank, fr. OF flanc--more at
          flank] vt (1927): to develop (a bishop) in a chess game
          to the second square on the adjacent knight's file ~
          vi: to fianchetto a bishop in a chess game

   [1]fiasco
          [fi.as.co] n, pl -coes [F, fr. It, fr. fare fiasco, lit.,
          to make a bottle] (ca. 1854): a complete failure [2]fi.as.co
          n, pl -coes also fi.as.chi [It, fr. LL flasco bottle--more
          at flask] (1887): bottle, flask; esp: a bulbous long-necked
          straw-covered bottle for wine

   fiat
          [fi.at] n [L, let it be done, 3d sing. pres. subj. of fieri
          to become, be done--more at be] (ca. 1631) 1: a command
          or act of will that creates something without or as if
          without further effort 2: an authoritative determination:
          dictate <a ~ of conscience> 3: an authoritative or arbitrary
          order: decree <government by ~>

   fiat experimentum in corpore vili
          [fi.at ex.pe.ri.men.tum in cor.po.re vi.li] [L] foreign term
          : let experiment be made on a worthless body

   fiat justitia, ruat caelum
          [fi.at ju.sti.tia, ru.at cae.lum] [L] foreign term : let
          justice be done though the heavens fall

   fiat lux
          [fi.at lux] [L] foreign term : let there be light

   fiat money
          [fiat money] n (1876): money (as paper currency) not convertible
          into coin or specie of equivalent value

   [1]fib
          [fib] n [perh. by shortening & alter. fr. fable] (1611):
          a trivial or childish lie [2]fib vi fibbed ; fib.bing
          (1690): to tell a fib syn see lie -- fib.ber n [3]fib
          vb fibbed ; fib.bing [origin unknown] (ca. 1665) Brit:
          beat, pummel

   fiber
          [fi.ber] or fi.bre n [F fibre, fr. L fibra] (1540) 1: a thread
          or a structure or object resembling a thread: as a (1):
          a slender root (as of a grass) (2): an elongated tapering
          thick-walled plant cell void at maturity that imparts
          elasticity, flexibility, and tensile strength b (1):
          a strand of nerve tissue: axon, dendrite (2): one of
          the filaments composing most of the intercellular matrix
          of connective tissue (3): one of the elongated contractile
          cells of muscle tissue c: a slender and greatly elongated
          natural or synthetic filament (as of wool, cotton, asbestos,
          gold, glass, or rayon) typically capable of being spun
          into yarn d: indigestible material in human food that
          stimulates the intestine to peristalsis--called also
          bulk, roughage 2: material made of fibers; esp: vulcanized
          fiber 3 a: an element that gives texture or substance
          b: basic toughness: strength, fortitude c: essential
          structure or character <the very ~ of a person's being>
          -- fi.bered adj

   fiberboard
          [fi.ber.board] also fi.bre.board n (1897): a material made
          by compressing fibers (as of wood) into stiff sheets;
          also: paperboard

   fiberfill
          [fi.ber.fill] also fi.bre.fill n (1962): synthetic fibers
          used as a filling material (as for cushions)

   [1]fiberglass
          [fi.ber.glass] also fi.bre.glass n (1937) 1: glass in fibrous
          form used in making various products (as glass wool for
          insulation) 2: a composite structural material of plastic
          and fiberglass [2]fiberglass vt (1967): to protect or
          repair by the application of fiberglass

   fiberize
          [fi.ber.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1925): to make or break
          down into fibers -- fi.ber.iza.tion n

   fiber-optic
          [fi.ber-op.tic] adj (1961): of, relating to, or using fiber
          optics

   fiber optics
          [fiber optics] n pl (1956) 1: thin transparent fibers of
          glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower
          index of refraction and that transmit light throughout
          their length by internal reflections; also: a bundle
          of such fibers used in an instrument (as for viewing
          body cavities) 2 sing in constr: the technique of the
          use of fiber optics

   fiberscope
          [fi.ber.scope] n (1954): a flexible instrument utilizing
          fiber optics and used for examination of inaccessible
          areas

   Fibonacci number
          [Fi.bo.nac.ci number] n [Leonardo Fibonacci d. ab 1250 Ital.
          mathematician] (1914): an integer in the infinite sequence
          1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ... of which the first two terms
          are 1 and 1 and each succeeding term is the sum of the
          two immediately preceding

   fibr-
          [fibr-] or fibro- comb form [L fibra]: fiber: fibrous tissue
          <fibroid>: fibrous and <fibrovascular>

   fibranne
          [fi.branne] n [F, viscose rayon, fr. fibre] (1941): a fabric
          made of spun-rayon yarn

   fibril
          [fi.bril] n [NL fibrilla, dim. of L fibra] (1664): a small
          filament or fiber: as a: root hair b (1): one of the
          fine threads into which a striated muscle fiber can be
          longitudinally split (2): neurofibril -- fi.bril.lar
          adj

   fibrillate
          [fi.bril.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing vi (ca. 1847): to undergo
          or exhibit fibrillation ~ vt: to cause to undergo fibrillation

   fibrillation
          [fi.bril.la.tion] n (1845) 1: an act or process of forming
          fibers or fibrils 2 a: a muscular twitching involving
          individual muscle fibers acting without coordination
          b: very rapid irregular contractions of the muscle fibers
          of the heart resulting in a lack of synchronism between
          heartbeat and pulse

   fibrin
          [fi.brin] n (1800): a white insoluble fibrous protein formed
          from fibrinogen by the action of thrombin esp. in the
          clotting of blood

   fibrinogen
          [fi.brin.o.gen] n [ISV] (1872): a plasma protein that is
          produced in the liver and is converted into fibrin during
          blood clot formation

   fibrinoid
          [fi.bri.noid] n, often attrib (1910): a homogeneous acidophilic
          refractile material that somewhat resembles fibrin and
          is formed in the walls of blood vessels and in connective
          tissue in some pathological conditions and normally in
          the placenta

   fibrinolysin
          [fi.bri.no.ly.sin] n [ISV] (1915): any of several proteolytic
          enzymes that promote the dissolution of blood clots;
          esp: plasmin

   fibrinolysis
          [fi.bri.no.ly.sis] n [NL] (1907): the usu. enzymatic breakdown
          of fibrin -- fi.bri.no.lyt.ic adj

   fibrinopeptide
          [fi.bri.no.pep.tide] n (1960): any of the vertebrate polypeptides
          that are cleaved from fibrinogen by thrombin during blood
          clot formation

   fibroblast
          [fi.bro.blast] n [ISV] (1876): a connective-tissue cell of
          mesenchymal origin that secretes proteins and esp. molecular
          collagen from which the extracellular fibrillar matrix
          of connective tissue forms -- fi.bro.blas.tic adj

   fibrocystic
          [fi.bro.cys.tic] adj (1854): characterized by the presence
          or development of fibrous tissue and cysts

   [1]fibroid
          [fi.broid] adj (1852): resembling, forming, or consisting
          of fibrous tissue [2]fibroid n (ca. 1860): a benign tumor
          that consists of fibrous and muscular tissue and occurs
          esp. in the uterine wall

   fibroin
          [fi.bro.in] n [F fibroine, fr. fibr- + -ine -in] (1878):
          an insoluble protein comprising the filaments of the
          raw silk fiber

   fibroma
          [fi.bro.ma] n, pl -mas also -ma.ta (ca. 1849): a benign tumor
          consisting mainly of fibrous tissue -- fi.bro.ma.tous
          adj

   fibronectin
          [fi.bro.nec.tin] n [fibr- + L nectere to tie, bind + E -in]
          (1976): any of a group of glycoproteins of cell surfaces,
          blood plasma, and connective tissue that promote cellular
          adhesion and migration

   fibrosarcoma
          [fi.bro.sar.co.ma] n (1878): a sarcoma of relatively low
          malignancy consisting chiefly of spindle-shaped cells
          that tend to form collagenous fibrils

   fibrosis
          [fi.bro.sis] n [NL] (1873): a condition marked by increase
          of interstitial fibrous tissue -- fi.brot.ic adj

   fibrositis
          [fi.bro.si.tis] n [NL, fr. fibrosus fibrous, fr. ISV fibrous]
          (1904): a rheumatic disorder of fibrous tissue

   fibrous
          [fi.brous] adj [modif. of F fibreux, fr. fibre fiber] (1626)
          1 a: containing, consisting of, or resembling fibers
          b: characterized by fibrosis c: capable of being separated
          into fibers <a ~ mineral> 2: tough, sinewy <~ texture>

   fibrous root
          [fibrous root] n (1626): a root (as in most grasses) that
          has no prominent central axis and that branches in all
          directions

   fibrovascular
          [fi.bro.vas.cu.lar] adj (1845): having or consisting of fibers
          and conducting cells

   fibrovascular bundle
          [fibrovascular bundle] n (ca. 1889): vascular bundle

   fibula
          [fib.u.la] n, pl -lae or -las [L, pin, clasp; akin to L figere
          to fasten] (1615) 1: the outer and usu. smaller of the
          two bones between the knee and ankle in the hind or lower
          limbs of vertebrates 2: a clasp resembling a safety pin
          used esp. by the ancient Greeks and Romans -- fib.u.lar
          adj

   -fic
          [-fic] adj suffix [MF & L; MF -fique, fr. L -ficus, fr. facere
          to make--more at do]: making: causing <felicific>

   FICA
          [FICA] abbreviation Federal Insurance Contributions Act

   -fication
          [-fi.ca.tion] n comb form [ME -ficacioun, fr. MF & L; MF
          -fication, fr. L -fication-, -ficatio, fr. -ficare to
          make, fr. -ficus]: making: production <reification>

   fice
          [fice] var of feist

   fiche
          [fiche] n, pl fiche also fiches (1951): microfiche

   fichu
          [fi.chu] n [F, fr. pp. of ficher to stick in, throw on, fr.
          (assumed) VL figicare, fr. L figere to fasten, pierce]
          (1803): a woman's light triangular scarf that is draped
          over the shoulders and fastened in front or worn to fill
          in a low neckline

   ficin
          [fi.cin] n [L ficus fig] (1930): a protease obtained from
          the latex of fig trees and used as an anthelmintic and
          protein digestive

   fickle
          [fick.le] adj [ME fikel deceitful, inconstant, fr. OE ficol
          deceitful; akin to OE befician to deceive, and prob.
          to OE fah hostile--more at foe] (13c): marked by lack
          of steadfastness, constancy, or stability: given to erratic
          changeableness syn see inconstant -- fick.le.ness n --
          fick.ly adv

   fico
          [fi.co] n, pl ficoes [obs. fico, obscene gesture of contempt,
          modif. of It fica fig, vulva, gesture of contempt, fr.
          (assumed) VL fica fig--more at fig] (1598) archaic: fig
          2

   fict
          [fict] abbreviation fiction, fictitious

   fictile
          [fic.tile] adj [L fictilis molded of clay, fr. fingere] (1626)
          1 archaic: plastic 2a 2: of or relating to pottery 3:
          malleable 2a

   fiction
          [fic.tion] n [ME ficcioun, fr. MF fiction, fr. L fiction-,
          fictio act of fashioning, fiction, fr. fingere to shape,
          fashion, feign--more at dough] (14c) 1 a: something invented
          by the imagination or feigned; specif: an invented story
          b: fictitious literature (as novels or short stories)
          c: a work of fiction; esp: novel 2 a: an assumption of
          a possibility as a fact irrespective of the question
          of its truth <a legal ~> b: a useful illusion or pretense
          3: the action of feigning or of creating with the imagination
          -- fic.tion.al adj -- fic.tion.al.i.ty n -- fic.tion.al.ly
          adv

   fictionalise
          [fictionalise] Brit var of fictionalize

   fictionalize
          [fic.tion.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1918): to make into
          or treat in the manner of fiction <~ a biography> --
          fic.tion.al.iza.tion n

   fictioneer
          [fic.tion.eer] n (1923): one who writes fiction esp. in quantity
          and without high standards -- fic.tion.eer.ing n

   fictionist
          [fic.tion.ist] n (1829): a writer of fiction; esp: novelist

   fictionize
          [fic.tion.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1831): fictionalize --
          fic.tion.iza.tion n

   fictitious
          [fic.ti.tious] adj [L ficticius artificial, feigned, fr.
          fictus] (1634) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of fiction: imaginary 2 a: conventionally or hypothetically
          assumed or accepted <a ~ concept> b of a name: false,
          assumed 3: not genuinely felt -- fic.ti.tious.ly adv
          -- fic.ti.tious.ness n syn fictitious, fabulous, legendary,
          mythical, apocryphal mean having the nature of something
          imagined or invented. fictitious implies fabrication
          and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate
          falsification or deception <fictitious characters>. fabulous
          stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something
          without necessarily implying impossibility or actual
          nonexistence <a land of fabulous riches>. legendary suggests
          the elaboration of invented details and distortion of
          historical facts produced by popular tradition <the legendary
          exploits of Davy Crockett>. mythical implies a purely
          fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings
          and events out of the imagination <mythical creatures>.
          apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin
          or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate
          <a book that repeats many apocryphal stories>.

   fictive
          [fic.tive] adj (1612) 1: not genuine: feigned 2: of, relating
          to, or capable of imaginative creation 3: of, relating
          to, or having the characteristics of fiction: fictional
          -- fic.tive.ly adv -- fic.tive.ness n

   ficus
          [fi.cus] n, pl ficus or fi.cus.es [NL, fr. L, fig] (1864):
          fig 1b

   fid
          [fid] n [origin unknown] (1615): a tapered usu. wooden pin
          used in opening the strands of a rope

   -fid
          [-fid] adj comb form [L -fidus, fr. findere to split--more
          at bite]: divided into (so many) parts or (such) parts
          <pinnatifid>

   [1]fiddle
          [fid.dle] n [ME fidel, fr. (assumed) OE fithele, prob. fr.
          ML vitula] (13c) 1: violin 2: a device (as a slat, rack,
          or light railing) to keep dishes from sliding off a table
          aboard ship 3: fiddlesticks--used as an interjection
          4 [[2]fiddle] chiefly Brit: swindle [2]fiddle vb fid.dled
          ; fid.dling vi (14c) 1: to play on a fiddle 2 a: to move
          the hands or fingers restlessly b: to spend time in aimless
          or fruitless activity: putter, tinker <fiddled around
          with the engine for hours> c: meddle, tamper ~ vt 1:
          to play (as a tune) on a fiddle 2: cheat, swindle 3:
          to alter or manipulate deceptively for fraudulent gain
          <accountants fiddling the books --Stanley Cohen> -- fid.dler
          n

   fiddle away
          [fiddle away] vt (1667): to fritter away <fiddling away the
          time>

   fiddleback
          [fid.dle.back] n (1890): something resembling a fiddle

   fiddle-faddle
          [fid.dle-fad.dle] n [redupl. of fiddle (fiddlesticks)] (1577):
          nonsense--often used as an interjection

   fiddle-footed
          [fid.dle-foot.ed] adj (1941) 1: skittish, jumpy <a ~ horse>
          2: prone to wander <the nameless ~ drifters, the shifty
          riders who traveled the back trails --Luke Short>

   fiddlehead
          [fid.dle.head] n (1882): one of the young unfurling fronds
          of some ferns that are often eaten as greens

   fiddler crab
          [fiddler crab] n (1843): any of a genus (Uca) of burrowing
          crabs in which the male has one claw that is greatly
          enlarged

   fiddlestick
          [fid.dle.stick] n (15c) 1: a violin bow 2 a: something of
          little value: trifle <didn't care a ~ for that> b pl:
          nonsense--used as an interjection

   fiddling
          [fid.dling] adj (1652): trifling, petty <a ~ excuse>

   fiddly
          [fid.dly] adj (1926) chiefly Brit: requiring close attention
          to detail: fussy

   Fidei Defensor
          [Fi.dei De.fen.sor] [L] foreign term : Defender of the Faith--a
          title of the sovereigns of England

   fideism
          [fi.de.ism] n [prob. fr. F fideisme, fr. L fides] (1885):
          reliance on faith rather than reason in pursuit of religious
          truth -- fi.de.ist n -- fi.de.is.tic adj

   Fidelista
          [Fi.del.is.ta] n [AmerSp, fr. Fidel Castro + -ista -ist]
          (1960): an adherent of Castroism

   fidelity
          [fi.del.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME fidelite, fr. MF fidelite,
          fr. L fidelitat-, fidelitas, fr. fidelis faithful, fr.
          fides faith, fr. fidere to trust--more at bide] (15c)
          1 a: the quality or state of being faithful b: accuracy
          in details: exactness 2: the degree to which an electronic
          device (as a record player, radio, or television) accurately
          reproduces its effect (as sound or picture) syn fidelity,
          allegiance, fealty, loyalty, devotion, piety mean faithfulness
          to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty.
          fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to
          an obligation, trust, or duty <marital fidelity>. allegiance
          suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their
          country <pledging allegiance>. fealty implies a fidelity
          acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a
          sworn vow <fealty to the truth>. loyalty implies a faithfulness
          that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce,
          desert, or betray <valued the loyalty of his friends>.
          devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication
          <a painter's devotion to her art>. piety stresses fidelity
          to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental <filial
          piety>.

   fidge
          [fidge] vi fidged ; fidg.ing [prob. alter. of E dial. fitch,
          fr. ME fichen] (1575) chiefly Scot: fidget

   [1]fidget
          [fidg.et] n [irreg. fr. fidge] (1674) 1: uneasiness or restlessness
          as shown by nervous movements--usu. used in pl. 2 [[2]fidget]: one
          that fidgets [2]fidget vi (1754): to move or act restlessly
          or nervously ~ vt: to cause to move or act nervously

   fidgety
          [fidg.ety] adj (ca. 1736) 1: inclined to fidget 2: making
          unnecessary fuss: fussy -- fidg.et.i.ness n

   fido
          [fi.do] n, pl fidos [freaks + irregulars + defects + oddities]
          (1967): a coin having a minting error

   fiducial
          [fi.du.cial] adj (1571) 1: taken as standard of reference
          <a ~ mark> 2: founded on faith or trust 3: having the
          nature of a trust: fiduciary -- fi.du.cial.ly adv

   [1]fiduciary
          [fi.du.cia.ry] n, pl -ries (1631): one that holds a fiduciary
          relation or acts in a fiduciary capacity [2]fiduciary
          adj [L fiduciarius, fr. fiducia confidence, trust, fr.
          fidere] (ca. 1641): of, relating to, or involving a confidence
          or trust: as a: held or founded in trust or confidence
          b: holding in trust c: depending on public confidence
          for value or currency <~ fiat money>

   fidus Achates
          [fi.dus Acha.tes] [L] foreign term : faithful Achates: trusty
          friend

   fie
          [fie] interj [ME fi, fr. OF] (14c)--used to express disgust
          or disapproval

   fief
          [fief] n [F, fr. OF--more at fee] (ca. 1611) 1: a feudal
          estate: fee 2: something over which one has rights or
          exercises control <a politician's ~> -- fief.dom n

   [1]field
          [field] n [ME, fr. OE feld; akin to OHG feld field, OE flor
          floor--more at floor] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): an open land
          area free of woods and buildings (2): an area of land
          marked by the presence of particular objects or features
          <dune ~> b (1): an area of cleared enclosed land used
          for cultivation or pasture <a ~ of wheat> (2): land containing
          a natural resource (3): airfield c: the place where a
          battle is fought; also: battle d: a large unbroken expanse
          (as of ice) 2 a: an area or division of an activity b:
          the sphere of practical operation outside a base (as
          a laboratory, office, or factory) <geologists working
          in the ~> c: an area for military exercises or maneuvers
          d (1): an area constructed, equipped, or marked for sports
          (2): the portion of an indoor or outdoor sports area
          enclosed by the running track and on which field events
          are conducted (3): any of the three sections of a baseball
          outfield <hits to all ~s> 3: a space on which something
          is drawn or projected: as a: the space on the surface
          of a coin, medal, or seal that does not contain the design
          b: the ground of each division in a flag c: the whole
          surface of an escutcheon 4: the individuals that make
          up all or part of the participants in a sports activity;
          esp: all participants with the exception of the favorite
          or the winner in a contest where more than two are entered
          5: the area visible through the lens of an optical instrument
          6 a: a region or space in which a given effect (as magnetism)
          exists b: a region of embryonic tissue capable of a particular
          type of differentiation <a morphogenetic ~> 7: a set
          of mathematical elements that is subject to two binary
          operations the second of which is distributive relative
          to the first and that constitutes a commutative group
          under the first operation and also under the second if
          the zero or unit element under the first is omitted 8:
          a complex of forces that serve as causative agents in
          human behavior 9: a series of drain tiles and an absorption
          area for septic-tank overflow 10: a particular area (as
          of a record in a database) in which the same type of
          information is regularly recorded [2]field adj (12c):
          of or relating to a field: as a: growing in or inhabiting
          the fields or open country b: made, conducted, or used
          in the field c: operating or active in the field [3]field
          vt (1823) 1 a: to catch or pick up (a batted ball) and
          usu. throw to a teammate b: to take care of or respond
          to (as a telephone call or a request) c: to give an impromptu
          answer or solution to <the senator ~ed the reporters'
          questions> 2: to put into the field <~ an army> <~ a
          team>; also: to enter in competition ~ vi: to play as
          a fielder

   field artillery
          [field artillery] n (1644): artillery other than antiaircraft
          artillery used with armies in the field

   field bed
          [field bed] n (1926): a four-poster with a canopy arched
          at the center

   field corn
          [field corn] n (1856): an Indian corn (as dent corn or flint
          corn) with starchy kernels grown for feeding stock or
          for market grain

   field crop
          [field crop] n (1860): an agricultural crop (as hay, grain,
          or cotton) grown on large areas

   field day
          [field day] n (1747) 1 a: a day for military exercises or
          maneuvers b: an outdoor meeting or social gathering c:
          a day of sports and athletic competition 2: a time of
          extraordinary pleasure or opportunity <the newspaper
          had a field day with the scandal>

   field-effect transistor
          [field-ef.fect transistor] n (1959): a transistor in which
          the output current is controlled by a variable electric
          field

   fielder
          [field.er] n (1832): one that fields; esp: a defensive player
          stationed in the field (as in baseball)

   fielder's choice
          [fielder's choice] n (1902): a situation in baseball in which
          a batter reaches base safely because the fielder attempts
          to put out another base runner on the play

   field event
          [field event] n (1899): an event (as weight-throwing or jumping)
          in a track-and-field meet other than a race

   fieldfare
          [field.fare] n [ME feldefare, fr. OE, fr. feld + -fare; prob.
          akin to OE fara companion; akin to OE faran to go--more
          at fare] (bef. 12c): a medium-sized Eurasian thrush (Turdus
          pilaris) with an ash-colored head and chestnut wings

   field glass
          [field glass] n (1836): a binocular without prisms esp. for
          use outdoors--usu. used in pl.

   field goal
          [field goal] n (1902) 1: a score of three points in football
          made by drop-kicking or place-kicking the ball over the
          crossbar from ordinary play 2: a goal in basketball made
          while the ball is in play

   field grade
          [field grade] n (1944): the rank of a field officer

   field guide
          [field guide] n (1934): a manual for identifying natural
          objects, flora, or fauna in the field

   field hand
          [field hand] n (1826): an outdoor farm laborer

   field hockey
          [field hockey] n (1903): a game played on a turfed field
          between two teams of 11 players each whose object is
          to direct a ball into the opponent's goal with a hockey
          stick

   field house
          [field house] n (1895) 1: a building at an athletic field
          for housing equipment or providing dressing facilities
          2: a building enclosing a large area suitable for various
          forms of athletics and usu. providing seats for spectators

   fielding average
          [fielding average] n (1947): the average (as of a baseball
          fielder) determined by dividing the number of putouts
          and assists by the number of chances--compare batting
          average

   field judge
          [field judge] n (ca. 1929): a football official whose duties
          include covering action on kicks and forward passes and
          timing intermission periods and time-outs

   field lens
          [field lens] n (1837): the lens in a compound eyepiece that
          is nearer the objective

   field magnet
          [field magnet] n (1883): a magnet for producing and maintaining
          a magnetic field esp. in a generator or electric motor

   field marshal
          [field marshal] n (1614): the highest ranking military officer
          (as in the British army)

   field mouse
          [field mouse] n (15c): any of various mice and voles that
          inhabit fields

   field officer
          [field officer] n (1656): a commissioned officer in the army,
          air force, or marine corps of the rank of colonel, lieutenant
          colonel, or major--compare company officer, general officer

   field of force
          [field of force] (1850): field 6a

   field of honor
          [field of honor] (1824) 1: battlefield 2: a place where a
          duel is fought

   field of view
          [field of view] (ca. 1816): field 5

   field of vision
          [field of vision] (1862): visual field

   field pea
          [field pea] n (1709): a small-seeded pea (Pisum sativum var.
          arvense) widely grown for forage and food

   fieldpiece
          [field.piece] n (1590): a gun or howitzer for use in the
          field

   field spaniel
          [field spaniel] n (1867): any of a breed of medium-sized
          hunting and retrieving spaniels that have a flat dense
          usu. black, liver, red, or roan coat

   fieldstone
          [field.stone] n (1799): stone (as in building) in usu. unaltered
          form as taken from the field

   fieldstrip
          [field.strip] vt (1947): to take apart (a weapon) to the
          extent authorized for routine cleaning, lubrication,
          and minor repairs

   field-test
          [field-test] vt (1948): to test (as a procedure or product)
          in a natural environment -- field test n

   field theory
          [field theory] n (1901): a detailed mathematical description
          of the assumed physical properties of a region under
          some influence (as gravitation)

   field trial
          [field trial] n (1895) 1: a trial of sporting dogs in actual
          performance 2: a trial of a new product in actual situations
          for which it is intended

   field trip
          [field trip] n (1926): a visit (as to a factory, farm, or
          museum) made (as by students and a teacher) for purposes
          of firsthand observation

   field winding
          [field winding] n (1893): the winding of a field magnet

   fieldwork
          [field.work] n (1819) 1: a temporary fortification thrown
          up by an army in the field 2: work done in the field
          (as by students) to gain practical experience and knowledge
          through firsthand observation 3: the gathering of anthropological
          or sociological data through the interviewing and observation
          of subjects in the field -- field-work.er n

   fiend
          [fiend] n [ME, fr. OE fiend; akin to OHG fiant enemy, Skt
          piyati he scorns] (bef. 12c) 1 a: devil 1 b: demon c:
          a person of great wickedness or maliciousness 2: a person
          extremely devoted to a pursuit or study: fanatic <a golf
          ~> 3: addict 1 <a dope ~> 4: wizard 3 <a ~ at mathematics>

   fiendish
          [fiend.ish] adj (1529) 1: perversely diabolical <took a ~
          pleasure in hurting people> 2: extremely cruel or wicked
          3: excessively bad, unpleasant, or difficult <~ weather>
          -- fiend.ish.ly adv -- fiend.ish.ness n

   fierce
          [fierce] adj fierc.er ; fierc.est [ME fiers, fr. MF, fr.
          L ferus wild, savage; akin to Gk ther wild animal] (14c)
          1 a: violently hostile or aggressive in temperament b:
          given to fighting or killing: pugnacious 2 a: marked
          by unrestrained zeal or vehemence <a ~ argument> b: extremely
          vexatious, disappointing, or intense <~ pain> 3: furiously
          active or determined <make a ~ effort> 4: wild or menacing
          in appearance -- fierce.ly adv -- fierce.ness n syn fierce,
          ferocious, barbarous, savage, cruel mean showing fury
          or malignity in looks or actions. fierce applies to humans
          and animals that inspire terror because of their wild
          and menacing aspect or fury in attack <fierce warriors>.
          ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained
          violence and brutality <a ferocious dog>. barbarous implies
          a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized
          people <barbarous treatment of prisoners>. savage implies
          the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people
          filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion <a savage
          criminal>. cruel implies indifference to suffering and
          even positive pleasure in inflicting it <the cruel jokes
          of schoolboys>.

   fieri facias
          [fi.eri fa.cias] n [L, cause (it) to be done] (15c): a writ
          authorizing the sheriff to obtain satisfaction of a judgment
          in debt or damages from the goods and chattels of the
          defendant

   fiery
          [fi.ery] adj fi.er.i.er ; -est [ME, fr. fire, fier fire]
          (13c) 1 a: consisting of fire b: burning, blazing c:
          using or carried out with fire d: liable to catch fire
          or explode: flammable <a ~ vapor> 2 a: hot like a fire
          b (1): being in an inflamed state or condition <a ~ boil>
          (2): feverish and flushed <a ~ forehead> 3: of the color
          of fire: red <a ~ sunset> 4 a: full of or exuding emotion
          or spirit <a ~ sermon> b: easily provoked: irritable
          -- fi.eri.ly adv -- fi.eri.ness n -- fiery adv

   fiesta
          [fi.es.ta] n [Sp, fr. L festa--more at feast] (1844): festival;
          specif: a saint's day celebrated in Spain and Latin America
          with processions and dances

   fi fa
          [fi fa] abbreviation fieri facias

   fife
          [fife] n [G Pfeife pipe, fife, fr. OHG pfifa, fr. (assumed)
          VL pipa pipe--more at pipe] (1539): a small transverse
          flute with six to eight finger holes and usu. no keys

   fife rail
          [fife rail] n (ca. 1800): a rail about the mast near the
          deck to which rigging is belayed

   FIFO
          [FIFO] abbreviation first in, first out

   fifteen
          [fif.teen] n [ME fiftene, adj., fr. OE fiftene, fr. fif five
          + -tiene (akin to OE tien ten)--more at five, ten] (bef.
          12c) 1: one more than fourteen 2: the first point scored
          by a side in a game of tennis--called also five -- fifteen
          adj -- fifteen pron, pl in constr -- fif.teenth adj or
          n

   fifth
          [fifth] n, pl fifths (bef. 12c) 1: one that is number five
          in a countable series 2 a: the musical interval embracing
          five diatonic degrees b: a tone at this interval; specif:
          dominant 1 c: the harmonic combination of two tones at
          this interval 3: a unit of measure for liquor equal to
          one fifth of a U.S. gallon (0.757 liter) 4 cap: the Fifth
          Amendment of the U.S. Constitution -- fifth adj or adv
          -- fifth.ly adv

   fifth column
          [fifth column] n [name applied to rebel sympathizers in Madrid
          in 1936 when four rebel columns were advancing on the
          city] (1936): a group of secret sympathizers or supporters
          of an enemy that engage in espionage or sabotage within
          defense lines or national borders -- fifth col.um.nism
          n -- fifth col.um.nist n

   fifth wheel
          [fifth wheel] n (ca. 1874) 1 a: a horizontal wheel or segment
          of a wheel that consists of two parts rotating on each
          other above the fore axle of a carriage and that forms
          support to prevent tipping b: a similar coupling between
          tractor and trailer of a semitrailer 2: one that is superfluous,
          unnecessary, or burdensome

   fifty
          [fif.ty] n, pl fifties [ME, fr. fifty, adj., fr. OE fiftig,
          fr. fiftig, n., group of 50, fr. fif five + -tig group
          of ten; akin to tien ten] (bef. 12c) 1: five times ten
          2 pl: the numbers 50 to 59; specif: the years 50 to 59
          in a lifetime or century 3: a 50-dollar bill -- fif.ti.eth
          adj or n -- fifty adj -- fifty pron, pl in constr --
          fif.ty.ish adj

   fifty-fifty
          [fif.ty-fif.ty] adj (1913) 1: shared, assumed, or borne equally
          <a ~ proposition> 2: half favorable and half unfavorable
          <a ~ chance> -- fifty-fifty adv

   fig
          [fig] abbreviation figurative, figuratively, figure

   [1]fig
          [fig] n [ME fige, fr. OF, fr. OProv figa, fr. (assumed) VL
          fica, fr. L ficus fig tree, fig] (13c) 1 a: an oblong
          or pear-shaped fruit that is a syconium b: any of a genus
          (Ficus) of trees of the mulberry family bearing fruits
          that are syconia; esp: a widely cultivated tree (F. carica)
          that produces edible figs 2: a worthless trifle: the
          least bit <doesn't care a ~> [2]fig n [fig, vb. (to adorn)]
          (1835): dress, array <a young woman in dazzling royal
          full ~ --Mollie Panter-Downes>

   [1]fight
          [fight] vb fought ; fight.ing [ME, fr. OE feohtan; akin to
          OHG fehtan to fight and perh. to L pectere to comb--more
          at pectinate] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to contend in battle
          or physical combat; esp: to strive to overcome a person
          by blows or weapons b: to engage in boxing 2: to put
          forth a determined effort ~ vt 1 a (1): to contend against
          in or as if in battle or physical combat (2): to box
          against in the ring b (1): to attempt to prevent the
          success or effectiveness of <the company fought the takeover
          attempt> (2): to oppose the passage or development of
          <~ a bill in Congress> 2 a: wage, carry on <~ a battle>
          b: to take part in (as a boxing match) 3: to struggle
          to endure or surmount <~ a cold> 4 a: to gain by struggle
          <~s his way through> b: to resolve by struggle <fought
          out their differences in court> 5 a: to manage (a ship)
          in a battle or storm b: to cause to struggle or contend
          c: to manage in an unnecessarily rough or awkward manner
          -- fight shy of : to avoid facing or meeting [2]fight
          n (bef. 12c) 1 a: a hostile encounter: battle, combat
          b: a boxing match c: a verbal disagreement: argument
          2: a struggle for a goal or an objective <a ~ for justice>
          3: strength or disposition for fighting: pugnacity <still
          full of ~>

   fighter
          [fight.er] n (13c): one that fights: as a (1): warrior, soldier
          (2): a pugnacious or game individual (3): [1]boxer 1
          b: an airplane of high speed and maneuverability with
          armament designed to destroy enemy aircraft

   fighter-bomber
          [fight.er-bomb.er] n (1936): a fighter aircraft fitted to
          carry bombs and rockets in addition to its normal armament

   fighting chair
          [fighting chair] n (1950): a chair from which a salt-water
          angler plays a hooked fish

   fighting chance
          [fighting chance] n (1889): a chance that may be realized
          by a struggle <the patient had a fighting chance to live>

   fighting word
          [fighting word] n (1917): a word likely to provoke a fight

   fight song
          [fight song] n (1954): a song used to inspire enthusiasm
          usu. during an athletic competition

   fig leaf
          [fig leaf] n (14c) 1: the leaf of a fig tree 2 [fr. the use
          by Adam and Eve of fig leaves to cover their nakedness
          after eating the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:7)]: something
          that conceals or camouflages usu. inadequately or dishonestly

   fig marigold
          [fig marigold] n (1731): any of several herbs (genus
          Mesembryanthemum) of the carpetweed family with showy white or pink
          flowers

   figment
          [fig.ment] n [ME, fr. L figmentum, fr. fingere to shape--more
          at dough] (15c): something made up or contrived

   figural
          [fig.ur.al] adj (1813): of, relating to, or consisting of
          human or animal figures <a ~ composition>

   figuration
          [fig.u.ra.tion] n (14c) 1: form, outline 2: the act or process
          of creating or providing a figure 3: an act or instance
          of representation in figures and shapes <cubism was explained
          as a synthesis of colored ~s of objects --Janet Flanner>
          4: ornamentation of a musical passage by using decorative
          and usu. repetitive figures

   figurative
          [fig.u.ra.tive] adj (14c) 1 a: representing by a figure or
          resemblance: emblematic b: of or relating to representation
          of form or figure in art <~ sculpture> 2 a: expressing
          one thing in terms normally denoting another with which
          it may be regarded as analogous: metaphorical <~ language>
          b: characterized by figures of speech <a ~ description>
          -- fig.u.ra.tive.ly adv -- fig.u.ra.tive.ness n

   [1]figure
          [fig.ure] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L figura, fr. fingere] (13c)
          1 a: a number symbol: numeral, digit <a salary running
          into six ~s> b pl: arithmetical calculations <good at
          ~s> c: a written or printed character d: value esp. as
          expressed in numbers: sum, price <sold at a low ~> 2
          a: a geometric form (as a line, triangle, or sphere)
          esp. when considered as a set of geometric elements (as
          points) in space of a given number of dimensions <a square
          is a plane ~> b: bodily shape or form esp. of a person
          <a slender ~> c: an object noticeable only as a shape
          or form <~s moving in the dusk> 3 a: the graphic representation
          of a form esp. of a person or geometric entity b: a diagram
          or pictorial illustration of textual matter 4: a person,
          thing, or action representative of another 5 a: figure
          of speech b: an intentional deviation from the ordinary
          form or syntactical relation of words 6: the form of
          a syllogism with respect to the relative position of
          the middle term 7: an often repetitive pattern or design
          in a manufactured article (as cloth) or natural product
          (as wood) <a polka-dot ~> 8: appearance made: impression
          produced <the couple cut quite a ~> 9 a: a series of
          movements in a dance b: an outline representation of
          a form traced by a series of evolutions (as with skates
          on an ice surface or by an airplane in the air) 10: a
          prominent personality: personage <great ~s of history>
          11: a short coherent group of notes or chords that may
          constitute part of a phrase, theme, or composition [2]figure
          vb fig.ured ; fig.ur.ing vt (14c) 1: to represent by
          or as if by a figure or outline 2: to decorate with a
          pattern; also: to write figures over or under (the bass)
          in order to indicate the accompanying chords 3: to indicate
          or represent by numerals 4 a: calculate b: conclude,
          decide <figured there was no use in further effort> c:
          regard, consider d: to appear likely <~s to win> ~ vi
          1 a: to be or appear important or conspicuous b: to be
          involved or implicated <figured in a robbery> 2: to perform
          a figure in dancing 3: compute, calculate 4: to seem
          rational, normal, or expected <that ~s> -- fig.ur.er
          n -- figure on 1: to take into consideration <figuring
          on the extra income> 2: to rely on 3: plan <I figure
          on going into town>

   figured
          [fig.ured] adj (15c) 1: adorned with, formed into, or marked
          with a figure <~ muslin> <~ wood> 2: being represented:
          portrayed 3: indicated by figures

   figured bass
          [figured bass] n (1801): continuo

   figure eight
          [figure eight] n (1887): something resembling the Arabic
          numeral eight in form or shape: as a: a small knot--see
          knot illustration b: an embroidery stitch c: a dance
          pattern d: a skater's figure--called also figure-of-eight

   figurehead
          [fig.ure.head] n (1765) 1: the figure on a ship's bow 2:
          a head or chief in name only

   figure in
          [figure in] vt (ca. 1934): to include esp. in a reckoning

   figure of merit
          [figure of merit] (ca. 1865): a numerical quantity based
          on one or more characteristics of a system or device
          that represents a measure of efficiency or effectiveness

   figure of speech
          [figure of speech] (1824): a form of expression (as a simile
          or metaphor) used to convey meaning or heighten effect
          often by comparing or identifying one thing with another
          that has a meaning or connotation familiar to the reader
          or listener

   figure out
          [figure out] vt (1833) 1: discover, determine <try to figure
          out a way to do it> 2: solve, fathom <figure out a problem>

   figure skating
          [figure skating] n (1852): skating characterized by the performance
          of various jumps, spins, and dance movements and formerly by the
          tracing of prescribed figures -- figure skater n

   figurine
          [fig.u.rine] n [F, fr. It figurina, dim. of figura figure,
          fr. L--more at figure] (1854): a small carved or molded
          figure: statuette

   fig wasp
          [fig wasp] n (1883): a minute wasp (Blastophaga psenes of
          the family Agaontidae) that breeds in the caprifig and
          is the agent of caprification; broadly: any wasp of the
          same family

   figwort
          [fig.wort] n (1548): any of a genus (Scrophularia) of chiefly
          herbaceous plants of the snapdragon family with leaves
          having no stipules, an irregular bilabiate corolla, and
          a 2-celled ovary

   Fijian
          [Fi.ji.an] n (1809) 1: a member of a Melanesian people of
          Fiji 2: the Austronesian language of the Fijians -- Fijian
          adj

   filament
          [fil.a.ment] n [MF, fr. ML filamentum, fr. LL filare to spin--more
          at file] (1594): a single thread or a thin flexible threadlike
          object, process, or appendage: as a: a tenuous conductor (as
          of carbon or metal) made incandescent by the passage of an electric
          current; specif: a cathode in the form of a metal wire
          in an electron tube b (1): a thin and fine elongated constituent
          part of a gill (2): an elongated thin series of cells attached one
          to another or a very long thin cylindrical single cell (as of some
          algae, fungi, or bacteria) c: the anther-bearing stalk
          of a stamen--see flower illustration -- fil.a.men.ta.ry adj
          -- fil.a.men.tous adj

   filar
          [fi.lar] adj [L filum thread] (ca. 1859): of or relating
          to a thread or line; esp: having threads across the field
          of view <a ~ eyepiece>

   filaria
          [fi.lar.ia] n, pl -i.ae [NL, genus name, fr. L filum] (1834):
          any of numerous slender filamentous nematodes (Filaria
          and related genera) that as adults are parasites in the
          blood or tissues of mammals and as larvae usu. develop
          in biting insects -- fi.lar.i.al adj -- fi.lar.i.id adj
          or n

   filariasis
          [fil.a.ri.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL] (1879): infestation with
          or disease caused by filariae

   filature
          [fil.a.ture] n [F, fr. LL filatus, pp. of filare] (1759):
          a factory where silk is reeled

   filbert
          [fil.bert] n [ME, fr. AF philber, fr. St. Philibert d. 684
          Frankish abbot whose feast day falls in the nutting season]
          (14c) 1: either of two European hazels (Corylus avellana
          and C. maxima); also: the sweet thick-shelled nut of
          the filbert 2: hazelnut

   filch
          [filch] vt [ME] (1561): to appropriate furtively or casually
          <~ a cookie> syn see steal

   [1]file
          [file] n [ME, fr. OE feol; akin to OHG fila file] (bef. 12c)
          1: a tool usu. of hardened steel with cutting ridges
          for forming or smoothing surfaces esp. of metal 2: a
          shrewd or crafty person [2]file vt filed ; fil.ing (13c):
          to rub, smooth, or cut away with or as if with a file
          [3]file vt filed ; fil.ing [ME, fr. OE fylan, fr. ful
          foul] (bef. 12c) chiefly dial: defile, corrupt [4]file
          vb filed ; fil.ing [ME, fr. MF filer to string documents
          on a string or wire, fr. fil thread, fr. OF, fr. L filum;
          akin to Arm jil sinew] vt (15c) 1: to arrange in order
          for preservation and reference <~ letters> 2 a: to place
          among official records as prescribed by law <~ a mortgage>
          b: to send (copy) to a newspaper <filed a story> c: to
          return to the office of the clerk of a court without
          action on the merits 3: to initiate (as a legal action)
          through proper formal procedure <threatened to ~ charges>
          ~ vi 1: to register as a candidate esp. in a primary
          election 2: to place items in a file -- fil.er n [5]file
          n (1525) 1: a device (as a folder, case, or cabinet)
          by means of which papers are kept in order 2 a archaic:
          roll, list b: a collection of papers or publications
          usu. arranged or classified c (1): a collection of related
          data records (as for a computer) (2): a complete collection
          of data (as text or a program) treated by a computer
          as a unit esp. for purposes of input and output -- on
          file : in or as if in a file for ready reference [6]file
          n [MF, fr. filer to spin, fr. LL filare, fr. L filum]
          (1598) 1: a row of persons, animals, or things arranged
          one behind the other 2: any of the rows of squares that
          extend across a chessboard from one player's side to
          the other player's side [7]file vi filed ; fil.ing (1616):
          to march or proceed in file [8]file n [LaF, fr. F, pp.
          of filer to twist, spin] (1806): powdered young leaves
          of sassafras used to thicken soups or stews

   file clerk
          [file clerk] n (1919): a clerk who works on files

   filefish
          [file.fish] n (1814): any of various bony fishes (order
          Tetraodontiformes and esp. genera Aluterus, Cantherhines, and
          Monacanthus of the family Balistidae) with rough granular leathery
          skins

   filet
          [fi.let] n [F, lit., net] (1881): a lace with a square mesh
          and geometric designs

   filet mignon
          [fi.let mi.gnon] n, pl filets mignons [F, lit., dainty fillet]
          (1906): a thick slice of beef cut from the narrow end
          of a beef tenderloin

   fili-
          [fili-] or filo- comb form [L filum]: thread <filiform>

   filial
          [fil.ial] adj [ME, fr. LL filialis, fr. L filius son--more
          at feminine] (14c) 1: of, relating to, or befitting a
          son or daughter <~ obedience> 2: having or assuming the
          relation of a child or offspring -- fil.ial.ly adv

   filial generation
          [filial generation] n (1909): a generation in a breeding
          experiment that is successive to a mating between parents
          of two distinctively different but usu. relatively pure
          genotypes

   filiation
          [fil.i.a.tion] n (15c) 1 a: filial relationship esp. of a
          son to his father b: the adjudication of paternity 2
          a: descent or derivation esp. from a culture or language
          b: the act or process of determining such relationship

   [1]filibuster
          [fil.i.bus.ter] n [Sp filibustero, lit., freebooter] (1851)
          1: an irregular military adventurer; specif: an American
          engaged in fomenting insurrections in Latin America in
          the mid-19th century 2 [[2]filibuster] a: the use of
          extreme dilatory tactics in an attempt to delay or prevent
          action esp. in a legislative assembly b: an instance
          of this practice [2]filibuster vb -tered ; -ter.ing vi
          (1853) 1: to carry out insurrectionist activities in
          a foreign country 2: to engage in a filibuster ~ vt:
          to subject to a filibuster -- fil.i.bus.ter.er n

   filiform
          [fi.li.form] adj (1757): shaped like a filament

   [1]filigree
          [fil.i.gree] n [modif. of F filigrane, fr. It filigrana,
          fr. L filum + granum grain--more at corn] (1693) 1: ornamental
          work esp. of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper applied
          chiefly to gold and silver surfaces 2 a: ornamental openwork
          of delicate or intricate design b: a pattern or design
          resembling such openwork <a ~ of frost> c: ornamentation,
          embellishment <writings ... heavy with late Victorian
          ~ --Jack Beatty> [2]filigree vt fil.i.greed ; fil.i.gree.ing
          (1831): to adorn with or as if with filigree

   filing
          [fil.ing] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of using a file 2:
          a fragment rubbed off in filing <iron ~s>

   filiopietistic
          [fil.io.pi.etis.tic] adj [filial + -o- + pietistic] (1893):
          of or relating to an often excessive veneration of ancestors
          or tradition

   Filipina
          [Fil.i.pi.na] n [Sp] (1899): a Filipino girl or woman

   Filipino
          [Fil.i.pi.no] n, pl Filipinos [Sp] (ca. 1889) 1: a native
          of the Philippine islands 2: a citizen of the Republic
          of the Philippines -- Filipino adj

   [1]fill
          [fill] vb [ME, fr. OE fyllan; akin to OE full full] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to put into as much as can be held or conveniently
          contained <~ a cup with water> b: to supply with a full
          complement <the class is already ~ed> c (1): to cause
          to swell or billow <wind ~ed the sails> (2): to trim
          (a sail) to catch the wind d: to raise the level of with
          fill <~ed land> e: to repair the cavities of (teeth)
          f: to stop up: obstruct, plug <wreckage ~ed the channel>
          g: to stop up the interstices, crevices, or pores of
          (as cloth, wood, or leather) with a foreign substance
          2 a: feed, satiate b: satisfy, fulfill <~s all requirements>
          c: make out, complete--used with out or in <~ out a form>
          <~ in the blanks> d: to draw the playing cards necessary
          to complete (as a straight or flush in poker) 3 a: to
          occupy the whole of <smoke ~ed the room> b: to spread
          through c: to make full <a mind ~ed with fantasies> 4
          a: to possess and perform the duties of: hold <~ an office>
          b: to place a person in <~ a vacancy> 5: to supply as
          directed <~ a prescription> 6: to cover the surface of
          with a layer of precious metal ~ vi: to become full --
          fill one's shoes : to take over one's job, position,
          or responsibilities [2]fill n (bef. 12c) 1: a full supply;
          esp: a quantity that satisfies or satiates <eat your
          ~> 2: something that fills: as a: material used to fill
          a receptacle, cavity, passage, or low place b: a bit
          of instrumental music that fills the pauses between phrases
          (as of a vocalist or soloist)

   fill away
          [fill away] vi (1840) 1: to trim a sail to catch the wind
          2: to proceed on the course esp. after being brought
          up in the wind

   fille de chambre
          [fille de cham.bre] [F] foreign term : lady's maid

   fille d'honneur
          [fille d'hon.neur] [F] foreign term : maid of honor

   [1]filler
          [fill.er] n (15c): one that fills: as a: a substance added
          to a product (as to increase bulk, weight, viscosity,
          opacity, or strength) b: a composition used to fill the
          pores and grain esp. of a wood surface before painting
          or varnishing c: a piece used to cover or fill in a space
          between two parts of a structure d: tobacco used to form
          the core of a cigar e: material used to fill extra space
          in a column or page of a newspaper or magazine f: a pack
          of paper for a loose-leaf notebook g: a sound, word,
          or phrase (as "you know?") used to fill pauses in speaking
          [2]fil.ler n, pl fillers or filler [Hung filler] (1904):
          a monetary unit of Hungary equal to 1/100 forint

   [1]fillet
          [fil.let] also fi.let n [ME filet, fr. MF, dim. of fil thread--more
          at file] (14c) 1: a ribbon or narrow strip of material used esp.
          as a headband 2 a: a thin narrow strip of material b: a piece
          or slice of boneless meat or fish; esp: the tenderloin of beef
          3 a: a concave junction formed where two surfaces meet (as
          at an angle) b: a strip that gives a rounded appearance to such
          a junction; also: a strip to reinforce the corner where two
          surfaces meet 4: a narrow flat architectural member: a: a flat
          molding separating others--see base illustration b: the space
          between two flutings in a shaft [2]fil.let vt (1604) 1: to bind,
          furnish, or adorn with or as if with a fillet 2: to cut into
          fillets

   fillet weld
          [fillet weld] n (1926): a weld of approximately triangular
          cross section used to join two pieces esp. perpendicularly

   fill-in
          [fill-in] n (1917): someone or something that fills in

   fill in
          [fill in] vt (1840) 1: to give necessary or recently acquired
          information to <I'll fill you in> 2: to enrich (as a
          design) with detail ~ vi: to fill a vacancy usu. temporarily

   filling
          [fill.ing] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of filling 2: something
          used to fill a cavity, container, or depression 3: something
          that completes: as a: the yarn interlacing the warp in
          a fabric; also: yarn for the shuttle b: a food mixture
          used to fill pastry or sandwiches

   filling station
          [filling station] n (1921): service station 1

   [1]fillip
          [fil.lip] vt [prob. of imit. origin] (15c) 1 a: to make a
          filliping motion with b: to strike or tap with a fillip
          <~ed him on the nose> 2: to project quickly by or as
          if by a fillip <~ crumbs off the table> 3: stimulate
          <with this to ~ his spirits --Robert Westerby> [2]fillip
          n (1519) 1 a: a blow or gesture made by the sudden forcible
          straightening of a finger curled up against the thumb
          b: a short sharp blow: buffet 2: something tending to
          arouse or excite: as a: stimulus <just the ~ my confidence
          needed> <lent a ~ of danger to the sport> b: a trivial
          addition: embellishment <showy ~s of language> c: a significant
          and often unexpected development: wrinkle <plot twists
          and ~s>

   fill out
          [fill out] vi (1888): to put on flesh

   fill-up
          [fill-up] n (1853): an action or instance of filling up something
          (as a gas tank)

   filly
          [fil.ly] n, pl fillies [ME fyly, fr. ON fylja; akin to OE
          fola foal] (15c) 1: a young female horse usu. of less
          than four years 2: a young woman: girl

   [1]film
          [film] n, often attrib [ME filme, fr. OE filmen; akin to
          Gk pelma sole of the foot, OE fell skin--more at fell]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a thin skin or membranous covering: pellicle
          b: an abnormal growth on or in the eye 2: a thin covering
          or coating <a ~ of ice> 3 a: an exceedingly thin layer:
          lamina b (1): a thin flexible transparent sheet (as of
          plastic) used esp. as a wrapping (2): such a sheet of
          cellulose acetate or nitrocellulose coated with a
          radiation-sensitive emulsion for taking photographs 4: motion
          picture [2]film vt (1602) 1: to cover with or as if with a film
          2: to make a motion picture of or from <~ a scene>
          ~ vi 1: to become covered or obscured with or as if with a film
          2: to make a motion picture -- film.able adj

   film badge
          [film badge] n (1945): a small pack of sensitive photographic
          film worn as a badge for indicating exposure to radiation

   filmdom
          [film.dom] n (1914): the motion-picture industry

   filmgoer
          [film.go.er] n (1919): one who frequently attends films

   filmic
          [film.ic] adj (ca. 1930): of, relating to, or resembling
          motion pictures -- film.i.cal.ly adv

   filmland
          [film.land] n (1913): filmdom

   filmmaker
          [film.mak.er] n (1908): one who makes motion pictures

   filmmaking
          [film.mak.ing] n (1913): the making of motion pictures

   film noir
          [film noir] n [F, lit., black film] (1958): a type of crime
          film featuring cynical malevolent characters in a sleazy
          setting and an ominous atmosphere that is conveyed by
          shadowy photography and foreboding background music;
          also: a film of this type

   filmography
          [film.og.ra.phy] n, pl -phies [film + -ography (as
          in bibliography)] (1962): a list of motion pictures featuring the
          work of a prominent film figure or relating to a particular topic

   filmsetting
          [film.set.ting] n (1954): photocomposition -- film.set adj
          -- filmset vt -- film.set.ter n

   filmstrip
          [film.strip] n (1930): a strip of film bearing a sequence
          of images for projection as still pictures

   filmy
          [filmy] adj film.i.er ; -est (1604) 1: of, resembling, or
          composed of film: gauzy <~ draperies> 2: covered with
          a haze or film -- film.i.ly adv -- film.i.ness n

   filo
          [filo] also fil.lo var of phyllo

   filo-
          [filo-] --see fili-

   fils
          [fils] n, pl fils [Ar] (1931): a monetary unit equal to 1/1000
          dinar (Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Southern Yemen),
          1/1000 dirham (United Arab Emirates), or 1/100 rial (Yemen
          Arab Republic)

   fils
          [fils] [F] foreign term : son--used orig. after French and
          now also after other family names to distinguish a son
          from his father

   [1]filter
          [fil.ter] n [ME filtre, fr. ML filtrum piece of felt used
          as a filter, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG filz felt--more
          at felt] (1563) 1 a: a porous article or mass (as of
          paper or sand) through which a gas or liquid is passed
          to separate out matter in suspension b: something that
          has the effect of a filter 2: an apparatus containing
          a filter medium 3 a: a device or material for suppressing
          or minimizing waves or oscillations of certain frequencies
          (as of electricity, light, or sound) b: a transparent
          material (as colored glass) that absorbs light of certain
          wavelengths or colors selectively and is used for modifying
          light that reaches a sensitized photographic material--called
          also color filter [2]filter vb fil.tered ; fil.ter.ing
          vt (1576) 1: to subject to the action of a filter 2:
          to remove by means of a filter ~ vi 1: to pass or move
          through or as if through a filter 2: to come or go in
          small units over a period of time <people began ~ing
          in>

   filterable
          [fil.ter.able] also fil.tra.ble adj (1908): capable of being
          filtered or of passing through a filter -- fil.ter.abil.i.ty
          n

   filterable virus
          [filterable virus] n (1911): any of the infectious agents
          that pass through a filter of diatomite or unglazed porcelain
          with the filtrate and remain virulent and that include
          the viruses as presently understood and various other
          groups (as the mycoplasmas and rickettsias) which were
          orig. considered viruses before their cellular nature
          was established

   filter bed
          [filter bed] n (ca. 1874): a sand or gravel bed for filtering
          water or sewage

   filter feeder
          [filter feeder] n (1928): an animal that obtains its food
          by filtering organic matter or minute organisms from
          a current of water that passes through some part of its
          system

   filter paper
          [filter paper] n (ca. 1846): porous unsized paper used esp.
          for filtering

   filter tip
          [filter tip] n (1932): a cigar or cigarette tip designed
          to filter the smoke before it enters the smoker's mouth;
          also: a cigar or cigarette provided with such a tip --
          fil.ter-tipped adj

   filth
          [filth] n [ME, fr. OE fylth, fr. ful foul] (bef. 12c) 1:
          foul or putrid matter; esp: loathsome dirt or refuse
          2 a: moral corruption or defilement b: something that
          tends to corrupt or defile

   filthy
          [filthy] adj filth.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: covered with or containing
          filth: offensively dirty 2 a: underhand, vile b: obscene syn see
          dirty -- filth.i.ly adv -- filth.i.ness n

   filtrate
          [fil.trate] n (ca. 1846): material that has passed through
          a filter

   filtration
          [fil.tra.tion] n (1605) 1: the process of filtering 2: the
          process of passing through or as if through a filter;
          also: diffusion

   fimbria
          [fim.bria] n, pl -bri.ae [NL, fr. L, fringe] (1752): a bordering
          fringe esp. at the entrance of the fallopian tubes --
          fim.bri.al adj

   fimbriated
          [fim.bri.at.ed] also fim.bri.ate adj (15c): having the edge
          or extremity bordered by slender processes: fringed --
          fim.bri.a.tion n

   fin
          [fin] abbreviation finance, financial, finish

   [1]fin
          [fin] n [ME finn, fr. OE] (bef. 12c) 1: an external membranous
          process of an aquatic animal (as a fish) used in propelling
          or guiding the body--see fish illustration 2: something
          resembling a fin: as a: hand, arm b (1): an appendage
          of a boat (as a submarine) (2): an airfoil attached to
          an airplane for directional stability c: flipper 1b d:
          any of the projecting ribs on a radiator or an engine
          cylinder -- fin.like adj -- finned adj [2]fin vb finned
          ; fin.ning vt (1933): to equip with fins ~ vi 1: to show
          the fins above the water 2: to move through the water
          propelled by fins [3]fin n [Yiddish finf five, fr. MHG,
          fr. OHG--more at five] (1925) slang: a 5-dollar bill

   finagle
          [fi.na.gle] vb fi.na.gled ; fi.na.gling [perh. alter. of
          fainaigue (to renege)] vt (ca. 1924) 1: to obtain by
          indirect or involved means 2: to obtain by trickery ~
          vi: to use devious or dishonest methods to achieve one's
          ends -- fi.na.gler n

   [1]final
          [fi.nal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L finalis, fr. finis boundary,
          end] (14c) 1 a: not to be altered or undone <all sales
          are ~> b: of or relating to a concluding court action
          or proceeding <~ decree> 2: coming at the end: being
          the last in a series, process, or progress <the ~ chapter>
          3: of or relating to the ultimate purpose or result of
          a process <our ~ goal> syn see last -- fi.nal.ly adv
          [2]final n (1609): something that is final: as a: a deciding
          match, game, heat, or trial--usu. used in pl. b: the
          last examination in a course--often used in pl.

   finale
          [fi.na.le] n [It, fr. finale, adj., final, fr. L finalis]
          (1783): the close or termination of something: as a:
          the last section of an instrumental musical composition
          b: the closing part, scene, or number in a public performance
          c: the last and often climactic event or item in a sequence

   finalise
          [fi.nal.ise] Brit var of finalize

   finalist
          [fi.nal.ist] n (1898): a contestant in the finals of a competition

   finality
          [fi.nal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1833) 1 a: the character or condition
          of being final, settled, irrevocable, or complete b:
          the condition of being at an ultimate point esp. of development
          or authority 2: something final; esp: a fundamental fact,
          action, or belief

   finalize
          [fi.nal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1901) 1: to put in final
          or finished form <soon my conclusion will be finalized
          --D. D. Eisenhower> 2: to give final approval to <finalizing
          the papers prepared ... by his staff --Newsweek> -- fi.nal.iza.tion
          n usage Finalize has been frequently castigated as an unnecessary
          neologism or as U.S. government gobbledygook. It appears to have
          first gained currency in Australia (where it has been acceptable
          all along) in the early 1920s. The U.S. Navy picked it up in the
          late 20s, and from there it came into widespread use.
          It is a standard formation (see -ize). Our current evidence
          indicates it is most frequently used in government, business
          dealings, and child adoption; it usu. is not found
          in belles-lettres.

   final solution
          [final solution] n, often cap F&S (1947): the Nazi program
          for extermination of all Jews in Europe

   [1]finance
          [fi.nance] n [ME, payment, ransom, fr. MF, fr. finer to end,
          pay, fr. fin end--more at fine] (1739) 1 pl: money or
          other liquid resources of a government, business, group,
          or individual 2: the system that includes the circulation
          of money, the granting of credit, the making of investments,
          and the provision of banking facilities 3: the science
          or study of the management of funds 4: the obtaining
          of funds or capital: financing [2]finance vt fi.nanced
          ; fi.nanc.ing (1866) 1 a: to raise or provide funds or
          capital for <~ a new house> b: to furnish with necessary
          funds <~ a son through college> 2: to sell something
          to on credit

   finance company
          [finance company] n (ca. 1924): a company that makes usu.
          small short-term loans usu. to individuals

   financial
          [fi.nan.cial] adj (1769): relating to finance or financiers
          -- fi.nan.cial.ly adv

   financier
          [fi.nan.cier] n (1618) 1: one who specializes in raising
          and expending public moneys 2: one who deals with finance
          and investment on a large scale

   financing
          [fi.nanc.ing] n (1827): the act or process or an insta nce
          of raising or providing funds; also: the funds thus raised
          or provided

   finback
          [fin.back] n (1725): fin whale

   finch
          [finch] n [ME, fr. OE finc; akin to OHG fincho finch and
          perh. to Gk spiza chaffinch] (bef. 12c): any of numerous
          songbirds (esp. families Fringillidae, Estrildidae, and
          Emberizidae) having a short stout usu. conical bill adapted
          for crushing seeds--compare bunting, crossbill, goldfinch,
          grosbeak, linnet, sparrow

   [1]find
          [find] vb found ; find.ing [ME, fr. OE findan; akin to OHG
          findan to find, L pont-, pons bridge, Gk pontos sea,
          Skt patha way, course] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to come upon
          often accidentally: encounter b: to meet with (a particular
          reception) <hoped to ~ favor> 2 a: to come upon by searching
          or effort <must ~ a suitable person for the job> b: to
          discover by study or experiment <~ an answer> c: to obtain
          by effort or management <~ the time to study> d: attain,
          reach <the bullet found its mark> 3 a: to discover by
          the intellect or the feelings: experience <~ much pleasure
          in your company> b: to perceive (oneself) to be in a
          certain place or condition c: to gain or regain the use
          or power of <trying to ~ his tongue> d: to bring (oneself)
          to a realization of one's powers or of one's proper sphere
          of activity <must help the student to ~ himself as an
          individual --N. M. Pusey> 4 a: provide, supply b: to
          furnish (room and board) esp. as a condition of employment
          5: to determine and make a statement about <~ a verdict>
          <found her guilty> ~ vi: to determine a case judicially
          by a verdict <~ for the defendant> -- find.able adj --
          find fault : to criticize unfavorably [2]find n (1825)
          1: an act or instance of finding 2: something found:
          as a: a valuable discovery <an archaeological ~> b: a
          person whose ability proves to be unexpectedly good

   finder
          [find.er] n (14c) 1: one that finds 2: a small astronomical
          telescope of low power and wide field attached to a larger
          telescope for finding an object 3: viewfinder

   fin de siecle
          [fin de sie.cle] adj [F, end of the century] (1890): of,
          relating to, or characteristic of the close of the 19th
          century and esp. its literary and artistic climate of
          sophistication, world-weariness, and fashionable despair

   finding
          [find.ing] n (14c) 1 a: the act of one that finds b: find
          2 2 pl: small tools and supplies used by an artisan (as
          a dressmaker, jeweler, or shoemaker) 3 a: the result
          of a judicial examination or inquiry b: the results of
          an investigation--usu. used in pl.

   find out
          [find out] vt (13c) 1: to learn by study, observation, or
          search: discover 2 a: to catch in an offense (as a crime)
          <the culprits were soon found out> b: to ascertain the
          true character or identity of <the informer was found
          out> ~ vi: to discover, learn, or verify something <I
          don't know, but I'll find out for you>

   [1]fine
          [fine] n [ME, fr. OF fin, fr. L finis boundary, end] (13c)
          1 obs: end, conclusion 2: a compromise of a fictitious
          suit used as a form of conveyance of lands 3 a: a sum
          imposed as punishment for an offense b: a forfeiture
          or penalty paid to an injured party in a civil action
          -- in fine : in short [2]fine vt fined ; fin.ing (1559):
          to impose a fine on: punish by a fine [3]fine adj fin.er
          ; fin.est [ME fin, fr. OF, fr. L finis, n., end, limit]
          (13c) 1 a: free from impurity b of a metal: having a
          stated proportion of pure metal in the composition expressed
          in parts per thousand <a gold coin .9166 ~> 2 a (1):
          very thin in gauge or texture <~ thread> (2): not coarse
          <~ sand> (3): very small <~ print> (4): keen <a knife
          with a ~ edge> (5): very precise or accurate <a ~ adjustment>
          <trying to be too ~ with his pitches> b: physically trained
          or hardened close to the limit of efficiency--used of
          an athlete or animal 3: delicate, subtle, or sensitive
          in quality, perception, or discrimination <a ~ distinction>
          4: superior in kind, quality, or appearance: excellent
          <a ~ job> <a ~ day> <~ wines> 5 a: ornate 1 <~ writing>
          b: marked by or affecting elegance or refinement <~ manners>
          6 a: very well <feel ~> b: all right <that's ~ with me>
          7--used as an intensive <the leader, in a ~ frenzy, beheaded
          one of his wives --Brian Crozier> -- fine.ness n [4]fine
          adv (14c) 1: finely: as a: very well b: all right 2:
          with a very narrow margin of time or space <she had not
          intended to cut her escape so ~ --Melinda Beck et al.>
          [5]fine vb fined ; fin.ing vt (14c) 1: purify, clarify
          <~ and filter wine> 2: to make finer in quality or size
          ~ vi 1: to become pure or clear <the ale will ~> 2: to
          become smaller in lines or proportions [6]fi.ne n [It,
          fr. L finis end] (ca. 1798): end--used as a direction
          in music to mark the closing point after a repeat

   fine art
          [fine art] n (1767) 1 a: art (as painting, sculpture, or
          music) concerned primarily with the creation of beautiful
          objects--usu. used in pl. b: objects of fine art 2: an
          activity requiring a fine skill

   finely
          [fine.ly] adv (14c): in a fine manner: as a: extremely well:
          excellently <plays the hero very ~ --New Yorker> b: with
          close discrimination: precisely c: with delicacy or subtlety:
          sensitively <a leader ~ attuned to the needs of the people>
          d: minutely <~ ground meal>

   finem respice
          [fi.nem re.spi.ce] [L] foreign term : consider the end

   fine print
          [fine print] n (1951): something thoroughly and often deliberately
          obscure; esp: a part of an agreement or document spelling out
          restrictions and limitations often in small type or obscure
          language

   finery
          [fin.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1680): ornament, decoration; esp:
          dressy or showy clothing and jewels

   fines
          [fines] n pl [[3]fine] (ca. 1903): finely crushed or powdered
          material (as ore); also: very small particles in a mixture
          of various sizes

   fines herbes
          [fines herbes] n pl [F, lit., fine herbs] (1846): a mixture
          of herbs used as a seasoning or garnish

   finespun
          [fine.spun] adj (1647): developed with extreme care or delicacy;
          also: developed in excessively fine or subtle detail

   [1]finesse
          [fi.nesse] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. fin] (1528) 1: refinement or
          delicacy of workmanship, structure, or texture 2: skillful
          handling of a situation: adroit maneuvering 3: the withholding
          of one's highest card or trump in the hope that a lower
          card will take the trick because the only opposing higher
          card is in the hand of an opponent who has already played
          [2]finesse vb fi.nessed ; fi.ness.ing vi (1746): to make
          a finesse in playing cards ~ vt 1: to play (a card) in
          a finesse 2 a: to bring about or manage by adroit maneuvering
          <~ his way through tight places --Marquis James> b: evade,
          trick

   finest
          [fin.est] n, pl in constr [superl. of [3]fine] (1951): police
          officers--usu. used with the possessive form of a city
          or area <the city's ~>

   fine structure
          [fine structure] n (1935): microscopic structure of a biological
          entity or one of its parts esp. as studied in preparations
          for the electron microscope -- fine structural adj

   fine-tooth comb
          [fine-tooth comb] n (1839) 1: a comb with close-set teeth
          used esp. for clearing parasites or foreign matter from
          the hair 2: an attitude or system of thorough searching
          or scrutinizing <went over the report with a fine-tooth
          comb>

   fine-tune
          [fine-tune] vt (1967) 1 a: to adjust precisely so as to bring
          to the highest level of performance or effectiveness
          <~ a TV set> <~ the format> b: to improve through minor
          alteration or revision <~ the temperature of the room>
          2: to stabilize (an economy) by small-scale fiscal and
          monetary manipulations

   finfish
          [fin.fish] n (ca. 1890): fish 1b--compare shellfish

   [1]finger
          [fin.ger] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG fingar finger] (bef.
          12c) 1: any of the five terminating members of the hand:
          a digit of the forelimb; esp: one other than the thumb
          2 a: something that resembles a finger <a narrow ~ of
          land> b: a part of a glove into which a finger is inserted
          c: a projecting piece (as a pawl for a ratchet) brought
          into contact with an object to affect its motion 3: the
          breadth of a finger 4: interest, share--often used in
          the phrase have a finger in the pie 5: bird 10--usu.
          used with the -- fin.ger.like adj [2]finger vb fin.gered
          ; fin.ger.ing vt (15c) 1: to touch or feel with the fingers
          2 a: to play (a musical instrument) with the fingers
          b: to play (as notes or chords) with a specific fingering
          c: to mark the notes of (a music score) as a guide in
          playing 3: to point out: identify 4: to extend into or
          penetrate in the shape of a finger ~ vi 1: to touch or
          handle something 2 a: to use the fingers in playing a
          musical instrument b: to have a certain fingering--used
          of a musical instrument 3: to extend in the shape or
          manner of a finger

   fingerboard
          [fin.ger.board] n (ca. 1672): the part of a stringed instrument
          against which the fingers press the strings to vary the
          pitch--see violin illustration

   finger bowl
          [finger bowl] n (ca. 1860): a small water bowl for rinsing
          the fingers at the table

   fingered
          [fin.gered] adj (ca. 1529) 1: having fingers esp. of a specified
          kind or number--used in combination <stubby-fingered>
          <five-fingered> 2: having projections or processes like
          fingers <the ~ roots of giant trees>

   finger food
          [finger food] n (1928): a food that is to be held with the
          fingers for eating

   fingerhold
          [fin.ger.hold] n (1909) 1: a hold or place of support for
          the fingers 2: a tenuous hold or support

   finger hole
          [finger hole] n (1854) 1: any of several holes in the side
          of a wind instrument (as a recorder) which may be covered
          or left open by the fingers to change the pitch of the
          tone 2: a hole (as in a telephone dial or a bowling ball)
          into which the finger is placed to provide a grip

   fingering
          [fin.ger.ing] n (14c) 1 a: the act or method of using the
          fingers in playing an instrument b: the marking (as by
          figures on a musical score) of the method of fingering
          2: the act or process of handling or touching with the
          fingers

   fingerling
          [fin.ger.ling] n (1836): a small fish esp. up to one year
          of age

   fingernail
          [fin.ger.nail] n (13c): the nail of a finger

   finger painting
          [finger painting] n (1937): a technique of spreading pigment
          on wet paper chiefly with the fingers; also: a picture
          so produced

   fingerpicking
          [fin.ger.pick.ing] n (1969): a method of playing a stringed
          instrument (as a guitar) with the thumb and tips of the
          fingers rather than with a pick -- fin.ger.pick vb

   finger-pointing
          [fin.ger-point.ing] n (1949): the act of making explicit
          and often unfair accusations of blame

   fingerpost
          [fin.ger.post] n (1785) 1: a post bearing one or more signs
          often terminating in a pointing finger 2: something serving
          as a guide to understanding or knowledge

   fingerprint
          [fin.ger.print] n (1859) 1: the impression of a fingertip
          on any surface; also: an ink impression of the lines
          upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification
          2: something that identifies: as a: a trait, trace, or
          characteristic revealing origin or responsibility b:
          analytical evidence (as a spectrogram) that characterizes
          an object or substance; esp: the chromatogram or electrophoretogram
          obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting
          the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional
          chromatography or electrophoresis -- fingerprint vt --
          fin.ger.print.ing n

   finger spelling
          [finger spelling] n (1918): communication by signs made with
          the fingers--called also dactylology

   [1]fingertip
          [fin.ger.tip] n (1842) 1: the tip of a finger 2: a protective
          covering for the end of a finger -- at one's fingertips
          : instantly or readily available [2]fingertip adj (1926)
          1: readily accessible: being within easy reach <~ information>
          <~ controls> 2: extending from head or shoulders to mid-thigh--used
          of clothing

   finger wave
          [finger wave] n (ca. 1934): a method of setting hair by dampening
          with water or wave solution and forming waves or curls
          with the fingers and a comb

   finial
          [fin.i.al] n [ME, fr. final, finial final] (15c) 1: a usu.
          foliated ornament forming an upper extremity esp. in
          Gothic architecture 2: a crowning ornament or detail
          (as a decorative knob)

   finical
          [fin.i.cal] adj [prob. fr. [3]fine] (1592): finicky -- fin.i.cal.ly
          adv -- fin.i.cal.ness n

   finicking
          [fin.ick.ing] adj [alter. of finical] (1661): finicky

   finicky
          [fin.icky] adj [alter. of finicking] (ca. 1825) 1: extremely
          or excessively nice, exacting, or meticulous in taste
          or standards 2: requiring much care, precision, or attentive
          effort <a ~ recipe> -- fin.ick.i.ness n

   finis
          [fi.nis] n [ME, fr. L] (15c): end, conclusion

   finis coronat opus
          [fi.nis co.ro.nat opus] [L] foreign term : the end crowns
          the work

   [1]finish
          [fin.ish] vb [ME finisshen, fr. MF finiss-, stem of finir,
          fr. L finire, fr. finis] vi (14c) 1 a: to come to an
          end: terminate b: end 1b 2 a: to come to the end of a
          course, task, or undertaking b: to end relations--used
          with with <decided to ~ with him for good> 3: to end
          a competition in a specified manner or position <~ed
          third in the race> ~ vt 1 a: to bring to an end: terminate
          <~ed the speech and sat down> b: to use or dispose of
          entirely <her sandwich ~ed the loaf> 2 a: to bring to
          completion or issue <hope to ~ their new home before
          winter> b: to provide with a finish; esp: to put a final
          coat or surface on <~ a table with varnish> 3 a: to defeat
          or ruin utterly and finally <the scandal ~ed his career>
          b: to bring about the death of syn see close -- fin.ish.er
          n [2]finish n (1779) 1: something that completes or perfects:
          as a: the fine or decorative work required for a building
          or one of its parts b: a finishing material used in painting
          c: the final treatment or coating of a surface d: the
          taste in the mouth after swallowing a beverage (as wine)
          2 a: final stage: end b: the cause of one's ruin 3: the
          result or product of a finishing process 4: the quality
          or state of being perfected

   finished
          [fin.ished] adj (1709): marked by the highest quality: consummate

   finishing school
          [finishing school] n (ca. 1837): a private school for girls
          that emphasizes cultural studies and prepares students
          esp. for social activities

   finish line
          [finish line] n (1899): a line marking the end of a racecourse

   finite
          [fi.nite] adj [ME finit, fr. L finitus, pp. of finire] (15c)
          1 a: having definite or definable limits <~ number of
          possibilities> b: having a limited nature or existence
          <~ beings> 2: completely determinable in theory or in
          fact by counting, measurement, or thought <the ~ velocity
          of light> 3 a: less than an arbitrary positive integer
          and greater than the negative of that integer b: having
          a finite number of elements <a ~ set> 4: of, relating
          to, or being a verb or verb form that can function as
          a predicate or as the initial element of one and that
          is limited (as in tense, person, and number) -- finite
          n -- fi.nite.ly adv -- fi.nite.ness n

   finite difference
          [finite difference] n (1807): any of a sequence of differences
          obtained by incrementing successively the dependent variable
          of a function by a fixed amount; esp: any of such differences
          obtained from a polynomial function using successive
          integral values of its dependent variable

   finitude
          [fi.ni.tude] n (1644): finite quality or state

   [1]fink
          [fink] n [origin unknown] (1903) 1: one who is disapproved
          of or is held in contempt 2: strikebreaker 3: informer
          2 [2]fink vi (ca. 1925): to turn informer: squeal

   fink out
          [fink out] vi (1956): back out, cop out

   Finlandisation
          [Fin.land.isa.tion] Brit var of finlandization

   Finlandization
          [Fin.land.iza.tion] n [Finland] (1969): a foreign policy
          of neutrality under the influence of the Soviet Union;
          also: the conversion to such a policy -- Fin.land.ize
          vt

   Finn
          [Finn] n [Sw Finne] (bef. 12c) 1: a member of a people speaking
          Finnish or a Finnic language 2 a: a native or inhabitant
          of Finland b: one who is of Finnish descent

   finnan haddie
          [fin.nan had.die] n [alter. of findon haddock, fr. Findon,
          village in Scotland] (1811): smoked haddock--called also
          finnan haddock

   Finnic
          [Finn.ic] adj (1668) 1: of or relating to the Finns 2: of,
          relating to, or constituting the branch of the Finno-Ugric
          subfamily that includes Finnish, Estonian, and Lapp

   [1]Finnish
          [Finn.ish] adj (1699): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Finland, the Finns, or Finnish [2]Finnish n (ca. 1845):
          a Finno-Ugric language spoken in Finland, Karelia, and
          small areas of Sweden and Norway

   Finno-Ugrian
          [Fin.no-Ugri.an] adj (1880): finno-ugric -- Finno-Ugrian
          n

   Finno-Ugric
          [Fin.no-Ugric] adj (1879) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          a subfamily of the Uralic family of languages comprising
          various languages spoken in Hungary, Lapland, Finland,
          Estonia, and parts of western Russia 2: of or relating
          to any of the peoples speaking Finno-Ugric languages
          -- Finno-Ugric n

   finny
          [fin.ny] adj (1590) 1: provided with or characterized by
          fins 2: relating to or being fish

   fino
          [fino] n, pl finos [Sp, fr. fino fine, fr. fin end, fr. L
          finis] (1846): a very dry Spanish sherry

   fin whale
          [fin whale] n (1885): a baleen whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
          that attains a length of over 60 feet (18.3 meters) and
          is found in arctic to tropical waters worldwide--called
          also finback

   FIO
          [FIO] abbreviation free in and out

   fiord
          [fiord] var of fjord

   fioritura
          [fio.ri.tu.ra] n, pl -tu.re [It, lit., flowering, fr. fiorito,
          pp. of fiorire to flower, fr. (assumed) VL florire--more
          at flourish] (1841): ornament 5

   fipple flute
          [fip.ple flute] n [origin unknown] (1911): any of a group
          of wind instruments (as a flageolet or recorder) having
          a straight tubular shape, a whistle mouthpiece, and finger
          holes

   fir
          [fir] n [ME, fr. OE fyrh; akin to OHG forha fir, L quercus
          oak] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Abies) of north temperate
          evergreen trees of the pine family that have flattish
          leaves, circular leaf scars, and erect female cones and
          are valued for their wood; also: any of various conifers
          (as the Douglas fir) of other genera 2: the wood of a
          fir

   [1]fire
          [fire] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE fyr; akin to OHG fiur
          fire, Gk pyr] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): the phenomenon of combustion
          manifested in light, flame, and heat (2): one of the
          four elements of the alchemists b (1): burning passion:
          ardor (2): liveliness of imagination: inspiration 2 a:
          fuel in a state of combustion (as on a hearth) b Brit:
          a small gas or electric space heater 3 a: a destructive
          burning (as of a building) b (1): death or torture by
          fire (2): severe trial or ordeal 4: brilliancy, luminosity
          <the ~ of a gem> 5 a: the firing of weapons (as firearms,
          artillery, or missiles) b: intense verbal attack or criticism
          c: a rapidly delivered series (as of remarks) -- fire.less
          adj -- on fire 1: being consumed by fire: aflame 2: eager,
          burning -- under fire 1: exposed to fire from an enemy's
          weapons 2: under attack [2]fire vb fired ; fir.ing vt
          (13c) 1 a: to set on fire: kindle; also: ignite <~ a
          rocket engine> b (1): to give life or spirit to: inspire
          (2): to fill with passion or enthusiasm--often used with
          up c: to light up as if by fire d: to cause to start
          operating--usu. used with up 2 a: to drive out or away
          by or as if by fire b: to dismiss from a position 3 a
          (1): to cause to explode: detonate (2): to propel from
          or as if from a gun: discharge, launch <~ a rocket> (3):
          shoot 1b <~ a gun> (4): to score (a number) in a game
          or contest b: to throw with speed or force <fired the
          ball to first base> <~ a left jab> c: to utter with force
          and rapidity 4: to apply fire or fuel to: as a: to process
          by applying heat b: to feed or serve the fire of ~ vi
          1 a: to take fire: kindle, ignite b: to begin operation:
          start <the engine fired> c: to operate esp. as the result
          of the application of an electrical impulse <the spark
          plug ~s> 2 a: to become irritated or angry--often used
          with up b: to become filled with excitement or enthusiasm
          3 a: to discharge a firearm b: to emit or let fly an
          object 4: to tend a fire 5: to transmit a nerve impulse
          -- fire.able adj -- fir.er n

   fire and brimstone
          [fire and brimstone] n (13c): the torments suffered by sinners
          in hell -- fire-and-brimstone adj

   fire ant
          [fire ant] n (1796): any of a genus (Solenopsis) of fiercely
          stinging omnivorous ants; esp: imported fire ant

   firearm
          [fire.arm] n (1646): a weapon from which a shot is discharged
          by gunpowder--usu. used of small arms

   fire away
          [fire away] vi (1840): to speak without hesitation--usu.
          used as an imperative

   fireback
          [fire.back] n (1847): an often decorated cast-iron plate
          lining the back wall of a fireplace

   fireball
          [fire.ball] n (1555) 1: a ball of fire; also: something resembling
          such a ball <the primordial ~ associated with the beginning of the
          universe --Scientific American> 2: a brilliant meteor that may
          trail bright sparks 3: the highly luminous cloud of vapor and dust
          created by a nuclear explosion 4: a highly energetic person

   fireballer
          [fire.ball.er] n (1946): a baseball pitcher known for throwing
          fastballs -- fire.ball.ing adj

   firebase
          [fire.base] n (1968): a secured site from which field artillery
          can lay down interdicting fire

   fire blight
          [fire blight] n (1817): a destructive infectious disease
          esp. of apples, pears, and related fruits caused by a
          bacterium (Erwinia amylovora)

   fireboat
          [fire.boat] n (1849): a ship equipped with fire-fighting
          apparatus

   firebomb
          [fire.bomb] n (1895): an incendiary bomb -- firebomb vt

   firebox
          [fire.box] n (1791) 1: a chamber (as of a furnace or steam
          boiler) that contains a fire 2: a box containing an apparatus
          for transmitting an alarm to a fire station

   firebrand
          [fire.brand] n (13c) 1: a piece of burning wood 2: one that
          creates unrest or strife (as in aggressively promoting
          a cause): agitator

   firebrat
          [fire.brat] n (1895): a wingless insect (Thermobia domestica)
          related to the silverfish and found in warm moist places

   firebreak
          [fire.break] n (1841): a barrier of cleared or plowed land
          intended to check a forest or grass fire

   fire-breathing
          [fire-breath.ing] adj (1933): intimidatingly or violently
          aggressive in speech and manner <a ~ orator>

   firebrick
          [fire.brick] n (1793): a refractory brick capable of sustaining
          high temperatures that is used esp. for lining furnaces
          or fireplaces

   fire brigade
          [fire brigade] n (1838): a body of firefighters: as a: a
          usu. private or temporary fire-fighting organization
          b Brit: fire department

   firebug
          [fire.bug] n (1872): incendiary, pyromaniac

   fire chief
          [fire chief] n (1889): the head of a fire department

   fireclay
          [fire.clay] n (1819): clay capable of withstanding high
          temperatures that is used esp. for firebrick and crucibles

   fire control
          [fire control] n (1864): the planning, preparation, and delivery
          of fire on targets

   firecracker
          [fire.crack.er] n (1829): a usu. paper cylinder containing
          an explosive and a fuse and set off to make a noise

   fired
          [fired] adj (1889): using a specified fuel--usu. used in
          combination <oil-fired power plant>

   firedamp
          [fire.damp] n (1677): a combustible mine gas that consists
          chiefly of methane; also: the explosive mixture of this
          gas with air

   fire department
          [fire department] n (1825) 1: an organization for preventing
          or extinguishing fires; esp: a government division (as
          in a municipality) having these duties 2: the members
          of a fire department

   firedog
          [fire.dog] n (1792) chiefly Southern & Midland: andiron

   firedrake
          [fire.drake] n [ME firdrake, fr. OE fyrdraca, fr. fyr + draca
          dragon, fr. L draco--more at dragon] (bef. 12c): a fire-breathing
          dragon esp. in Germanic mythology

   fire drill
          [fire drill] n (ca. 1890): a practice drill in extinguishing
          fires or in the conduct and manner of exit in case of
          fire

   fire-eater
          [fire-eat.er] n (1672) 1: a performer who pretends to eat
          fire 2 a: a violent or pugnacious person b: a person
          who displays very militant or aggressive partisanship

   fire-eating
          [fire-eat.ing] adj (1819): violent or highly militant in
          disposition, bearing, or policy <a ~ radical>

   fire engine
          [fire engine] n (ca. 1680): a usu. mobile apparatus for directing
          an extinguishing agent upon fires; esp: fire truck

   fire-engine red
          [fire-en.gine red] n (1954): a bright red

   fire escape
          [fire escape] n (1788): a device for escape from a burning
          building; esp: a metal stairway attached to the outside
          of a building

   fire extinguisher
          [fire extinguisher] n (1849): a portable or wheeled apparatus
          for putting out small fires by ejecting extinguishing
          chemicals

   firefight
          [fire.fight] n (1899) 1 a: a usu. brief intense exchange
          of fire between opposing military units b: a hostile
          confrontation that involves gunfire 2: skirmish 2b

   firefighter
          [fire.fight.er] n (1903): a person who fights fires: fireman
          2 -- fire fighting n

   firefly
          [fire.fly] n (1658): any of various winged nocturnal beetles
          (esp. family Lampyridae) that produce a bright soft intermittent
          light by oxidation of luciferin esp. for courtship purposes

   fireguard
          [fire.guard] n (1833) 1: a person who watches for the outbreak
          of fire; also: a person whose duty is to extinguish fires
          2: fire screen 3: firebreak

   fire hall
          [fire hall] n (1881) chiefly Canad: fire station

   firehouse
          [fire.house] n (1901): fire station

   fire irons
          [fire irons] n pl (1648): utensils (as tongs) for tending
          a fire esp. in a fireplace

   firelight
          [fire.light] n (bef. 12c): the light of a fire (as in a fireplace)
          -- fire.lit adj

   firelock
          [fire.lock] n (1547) 1: a gun's lock employing a slow match
          to ignite the powder charge; also: a gun having such
          a lock 2 a: flintlock b: wheel lock

   fireman
          [fire.man] n (14c) 1: a person who tends or feeds fires:
          stoker 2: a member of a fire department: firefighter
          3: an enlisted man in the navy who works with engineering
          machinery 4: a relief pitcher in baseball

   firemanic
          [fire.man.ic] adj [fireman + [1]-ic] (1902): of or relating
          to firefighters or fire fighting

   fire off
          [fire off] vt (1888): to write and send usu. in haste or
          anger <fired off a memo>

   fire opal
          [fire opal] n (1816): girasole 2

   fireplace
          [fire.place] n (1698) 1: a framed opening made in a chimney
          to hold an open fire: hearth; also: a metal container
          with a smoke pipe used for the same purpose 2: an outdoor
          structure of brick, stone, or metal for an open fire
          -- fire.placed adj

   fireplug
          [fire.plug] n (1713): hydrant

   firepot
          [fire.pot] n (1627) 1: a clay pot filled with combustibles
          formerly used as a missile in war 2: a vessel used in
          Oriental cuisine for cooking foods in broth at the table;
          also: the food cooked in it

   firepower
          [fire.pow.er] n (1913) 1 a: the capacity (as of a military
          unit) to deliver effective fire on a target b: effective
          fire 2 a: effective power or force <intellectual ~> b:
          the scoring action or potential of a team or player

   [1]fireproof
          [fire.proof] adj (ca. 1638): proof against or resistant to
          fire [2]fireproof vt (1867): to make fireproof

   fire sale
          [fire sale] n (1891): a sale of merchandise damaged in a
          fire; also: a sale at very low prices

   fire screen
          [fire screen] n (15c): a protective screen before a fireplace

   fire ship
          [fire ship] n (1588): a ship carrying combustibles or explosives
          sent among the enemy's ships or works to set them on
          fire

   [1]fireside
          [fire.side] n (1563) 1: a place near the fire or hearth 2:
          home [2]fireside adj (1740): having an informal or intimate
          quality <a ~ chat>

   fire station
          [fire station] n (1877): a building housing fire apparatus
          and usu. firefighters

   firestone
          [fire.stone] n (bef. 12c) 1: pyrite formerly used for striking
          fire; also: flint 2: a stone that will endure high heat

   fire-stop
          [fire-stop] n (1897): material used to close open parts esp.
          of a building for preventing the spread of fire -- fire-stop
          vt

   firestorm
          [fire.storm] n (1945) 1: a large usu. stationary fire characterized
          by very high temperatures in which the central column of rising
          heated air induces strong inward winds which supply oxygen to the
          fire 2: a sudden or violent outburst <a ~ of public protest>

   firethorn
          [fire.thorn] n (ca. 1900): any of a genus (Pyracantha) of
          usu. thorny ornamental shrubs of the rose family; esp:
          a European semievergreen shrub (P. coccinea) with orange-red
          berries

   fire tower
          [fire tower] n (1827): a tower (as in a forest) from which
          a watch for fires is maintained

   firetrap
          [fire.trap] n (1881): a place (as a building) apt to catch
          on fire or difficult to escape from in case of fire

   fire truck
          [fire truck] n (1935): an automotive vehicle equipped with
          fire-fighting apparatus

   fire wall
          [fire wall] n (1759): a wall constructed to prevent the spread
          of fire

   firewater
          [fire.wa.ter] n (1817): strong alcoholic liquor

   fireweed
          [fire.weed] n (1784): any of several plants that grow esp.
          in clearings or burned districts: as a: a weedy composite
          (Erechtites hieracifolia) of the eastern U.S. and Canada
          that has clusters of brush-shaped flower heads with no
          ray flowers b: a tall perennial (Epilobium angustifolium)
          of the evening-primrose family that has long spikes of
          pinkish purple flowers and is an important honey plant
          in some areas--called also willow herb

   firewood
          [fire.wood] n (14c): wood used for fuel

   firework
          [fire.work] n (1575) 1: a device for producing a striking
          display by the combustion of explosive or flammable compositions
          2 pl: a display of fireworks 3 pl a: a display of temper
          or intense conflict b: a spectacular display <the ~s
          of autumn leaves>

   firing
          [fir.ing] n (14c) 1: the act or process of one that fires
          2: the process of maturing ceramic products by the application
          of heat

   firing line
          [firing line] n (1881) 1: a line from which fire is delivered
          against a target 2: the forefront of an activity--used
          esp. in the phrase on the firing line

   firing pin
          [firing pin] n (1874): the pin that strikes the cartridge
          primer in the breech mechanism of a firearm

   firing squad
          [firing squad] n (1904) 1: a detachment detailed to fire
          volleys over the grave of one buried with military honors
          2: a detachment detailed to carry out a sentence of death
          by shooting

   firkin
          [fir.kin] n [ME, ultim. fr. MD veerdel fourth, fr. veer four;
          akin to OE feower--more at four] (14c) 1: a small wooden
          vessel or cask 2: any of various British units of capacity
          usu. equal to 1/4 barrel

   [1]firm
          [firm] adj [ME ferm, fr. MF, fr. L firmus; akin to Gk thronos
          chair, throne] (14c) 1 a: securely or solidly fixed in
          place b: not weak or uncertain: vigorous c: having a
          solid or compact structure that resists stress or pressure
          2 a (1): not subject to change or revision (2): not subject
          to price weakness: steady b: not easily moved or disturbed:
          steadfast c: well-founded 3: indicating firmness or resolution
          <a ~ mouth> -- firm.ly adv -- firm.ness n [2]firm adv
          (14c): in a firm manner: steadfastly, fixedly [3]firm
          vt (14c) 1 a: to make secure or fast: tighten <~ing her
          grip on the racquet>--often used with up b: to make solid
          or compact <~ the soil> 2: to put into final form: settle
          <~ a contract> <~ up plans> 3: to give additional support
          to: strengthen--usu. used with up ~ vi 1: to become firm:
          harden--often used with up 2: to recover from a decline:
          improve <the market is ~ing> [4]firm n [G Firma, fr.
          It, signature, ultim. fr. L firmare to make firm, confirm,
          fr. firmus] (1744) 1: the name or title under which a
          company transacts business 2: a partnership of two or
          more persons that is not recognized as a legal person
          distinct from the members composing it 3: a business
          unit or enterprise

   firmament
          [fir.ma.ment] n [ME, fr. LL & L; LL firmamentum, fr. L, support,
          fr. firmare] (13c) 1: the vault or arch of the sky: heavens
          2 obs: basis 3: the field or sphere of an interest or
          activity <the international fashion ~> -- fir.ma.men.tal
          adj

   firmer chisel
          [fir.mer chisel] n [F fermoir chisel, alter. of MF formoir,
          fr. former to form, fr. OF forme form] (1823): a woodworking
          chisel with a thin flat blade

   firmware
          [firm.ware] n (1967): computer programs contained permanently
          in a hardware device (as a read-only memory)

   firn
          [firn] n [G, fr. OHG firni old; akin to OE faran] (1853):
          neve

   [1]first
          [first] adj [ME, fr. OE fyrst; akin to OHG furist first,
          OE faran to go--more at fare] (bef. 12c): preceding all
          others in time, order, or importance: as a: earliest
          b: being the lowest forward gear or speed of a motor
          vehicle c: having the highest or most prominent part
          among a group of similar voices or instruments <~ tenor>
          <~ violins> [2]first adv (bef. 12c) 1 a: before another
          in time, space, or importance b: in the first place--often
          used with of all c: for the first time 2: in preference
          to something else: sooner [3]first n (13c) 1: one that
          is number one in a countable series 2: something that
          is first: as a: the first occurrence or item of a kind
          b: the first forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
          c: the highest or chief voice or instrument of a group
          d: an article of commerce of the finest grade e: the
          winning or highest place in a competition, examination,
          or contest 3: first base -- at first : at the beginning:
          initially

   first aid
          [first aid] n (1882): emergency care or treatment given to
          an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can
          be obtained

   first base
          [first base] n (1845) 1: the base that must be touched first
          by a base runner in baseball 2: the player position for
          defending the area around first base 3: the first step
          or stage in a course of action <plans never got to first
          base> -- first base.man n

   firstborn
          [first.born] adj (14c): first brought forth: eldest -- firstborn
          n

   first cause
          [first cause] n (14c): the self-created ultimate source of
          all being

   first class
          [first class] n (1750): the first or highest group
          in a classification: as a: the highest of usu. three classes
          of travel accommodations b: a class of mail that comprises letters,
          postcards, or matter sealed against inspection

   first-class
          [first-class] adj (ca. 1838) 1: of or relating to first class
          2: of the highest quality <a ~ meal> -- first-class adv

   first cousin
          [first cousin] n (1661): cousin 1a

   first day cover
          [first day cover] n (1932): a philatelic cover franked with
          a newly issued postage stamp and postmarked on the first
          day of issue at a city officially chosen for first day
          sale

   first-degree burn
          [first-degree burn] n (ca. 1929): a mild burn characterized
          by heat, pain, and reddening of the burned surface but
          not exhibiting blistering or charring of tissues

   first down
          [first down] n (1897) 1: the first of a series of usu. four
          downs in which a football team must net a 10-yard gain
          to retain possession of the ball 2: a gain of a total
          of 10 or more yards within usu. four downs giving the
          team the right to start a new series of downs

   first edition
          [first edition] n (ca. 1828): the copies of a literary work
          first printed from the same type and issued at the same
          time; also: a single copy from a first edition

   first estate
          [first estate] n, often cap F&E (1935): the first of the
          traditional political estates; specif: clergy

   first floor
          [first floor] n (15c) 1: ground floor 1 2 chiefly Brit: the
          floor next above the ground floor

   firstfruits
          [first.fruits] n pl (14c) 1: the earliest gathered fruits
          offered to the Deity in acknowledgment of the gift of
          fruitfulness 2: the earliest products or results of an
          endeavor

   firsthand
          [first.hand] adj (1748): obtained by, coming from, or being
          direct personal observation or experience <a ~ account
          of the war> -- firsthand adv

   first lady
          [first lady] n, often cap F&L (1834) 1: the wife or hostess
          of the chief executive of a country or jurisdiction 2:
          the leading woman of an art or profession

   first lieutenant
          [first lieutenant] n (1782) 1: a commissioned officer in
          the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a
          second lieutenant and below a captain 2: a naval officer
          responsible for a ship's upkeep

   firstling
          [first.ling] n (1535) 1: the first of a class or kind 2:
          the first produce or result of something

   firstly
          [first.ly] adv (ca. 1532): in the first place: first

   first mortgage
          [first mortgage] n (1855): a mortgage that has priority as
          a lien over all mortgages and liens except those imposed
          by law

   first name
          [first name] n (13c): the name that stands first in one's
          full name

   first night
          [first night] n (1711): the night on which a theatrical production
          is first performed at a given place; also: the performance itself

   first-nighter
          [first-night.er] n (1882): a spectator at a first-night performance

   first off
          [first off] adv (1880): in the first place: before anything
          else

   first offender
          [first offender] n (1849): one convicted of an offense for
          the first time

   first papers
          [first papers] n pl (1912): papers declaring intention filed
          by an applicant for citizenship as the first step in
          the naturalization process

   first person
          [first person] n (1520) 1 a: a set of linguistic forms (as
          verb forms, pronouns, and inflectional affixes) referring
          to the speaker or writer of the utterance in which they
          occur b: a linguistic form belonging to such a set c:
          reference of a linguistic form to the speaker or writer
          of the utterance in which it occurs 2: a style of discourse
          marked by general use of verbs and pronouns of the first
          person

   [1]first-rate
          [first-rate] adj (1671): of the first order of size, importance,
          or quality -- first-rate.ness n -- first-rat.er n [2]first-rate
          adv (1844): very well <is getting along ~, now --Mark
          Twain>

   First Reader
          [First Reader] n (1895): a Christian Scientist chosen to
          conduct meetings for a specified time and specif. to
          read aloud from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy

   first reading
          [first reading] n (ca. 1703): the first submitting of a bill
          before a quorum of a legislative assembly usu. by title
          or number only

   first-run
          [first-run] adj (1912): available for public viewing for
          the first time <~ movies>; also: exhibiting first-run
          movies <~ theaters>

   first sergeant
          [first sergeant] n (ca. 1860) 1: a noncommissioned officer
          serving as the chief assistant to the commander of a
          military unit (as a company or squadron) 2: the rank
          of a first sergeant; specif: a rank in the army above
          a platoon sergeant and below a command sergeant major
          and in the marine corps above a gunnery sergeant and
          below a sergeant major

   first strike
          [first strike] n (1960): a preemptive nuclear attack
          -- first-strike adj

   first-string
          [first-string] adj (1917) 1: being a regular as distinguished
          from a substitute (as on a team) 2: first-rate

   first water
          [first water] n (1753) 1: the purest luster--used of gems
          2: the highest grade, degree, or quality

   first world
          [first world] n, often cap F&W [after third world] (1967):
          the highly developed industrialized nations often considered
          the westernized countries of the world

   firth
          [firth] n [ME, fr. ON fjorthr--more at ford] (14c): estuary

   fisc
          [fisc] n [L fiscus] (1598): a state or royal treasury

   [1]fiscal
          [fis.cal] adj [L fiscalis, fr. fiscus basket, treasury] (1563)
          1: of or relating to taxation, public revenues, or public
          debt <~ policy> 2: of or relating to financial matters
          -- fis.cal.ly adv [2]fiscal n (1929) 1: revenue stamp
          2: fiscal year

   fiscal year
          [fiscal year] n (1843): an accounting period of 12 months

   [1]fish
          [fish] n, pl fish or fish.es often attrib [ME, fr. OE fisc;
          akin to OHG fisc fish, L piscis] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an aquatic
          animal--usu. used in combination <starfish> <cuttlefish>
          b: any of numerous cold-blooded strictly aquatic craniate
          vertebrates that include the bony fishes and usu. the
          cartilaginous and jawless fishes and that have typically
          an elongated somewhat spindle-shaped body terminating
          in a broad caudal fin, limbs in the form of fins when
          present at all, and a 2-chambered heart by which blood
          is sent through thoracic gills to be oxygenated 2: the
          flesh of fish used as food 3 a: a person who is caught
          or is wanted (as in a criminal investigation) b: fellow,
          person <an odd ~> c: sucker 5a 4: something that resembles
          a fish: as a pl, cap: pisces 1, 2a b: torpedo 2b -- fish.less
          adj -- fish.like adj -- fish out of water : a person
          who is in an unnatural or uncomfortable sphere or situation
          -- fish to fry : concerns or interests to pursue--usu.
          used with other -- neither fish nor fowl : one that does
          not belong to a particular class or category [2]fish
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to attempt to catch fish 2: to seek
          something by roundabout means <~ing for a compliment>
          3 a: to search for something underwater <~ for pearls>
          b: to engage in a search by groping or feeling <~ing
          around in her purse for her keys> ~ vt 1 a: to try to
          catch fish in b: to fish with: use (as a boat, net, or
          bait) in fishing 2 a: to go fishing for <~ salmon> b:
          to pull or draw as if fishing <~ed the ball from under
          the car> <~ wires through a conduit> -- fish.abil.i.ty
          n -- fish.able adj -- fish or cut bait : to make a choice
          between alternatives

   fish-and-chips
          [fish-and-chips] n pl (1876): fried fish and french fried
          potatoes

   fishbowl
          [fish.bowl] n (1906) 1: a bowl for the keeping of live fish
          2: a place or condition that affords no privacy

   fish cake
          [fish cake] n (1854): a round fried cake made of shredded
          fish and mashed potato

   fish duck
          [fish duck] n (1858): merganser

   fisher
          [fish.er] n (bef. 12c) 1: one that fishes 2 a: a large dark
          brown No. American carnivorous mammal (Martes pennanti)
          related to the weasels b: the fur or pelt of this animal

   fisherfolk
          [fish.er.folk] n pl (1854): people who fish esp. for a living

   fisherman
          [fish.er.man] n (15c) 1: one who engages in fishing as an
          occupation or for pleasure 2: a ship used in commercial
          fishing

   fisherman's bend
          [fisherman's bend] n (1823): a knot made by passing the end
          twice round a spar or through a ring and then back under
          both turns--see knot illustration

   fisherwoman
          [fish.er.wo.man] n (1816): a woman who fishes as an occupation
          or for pleasure

   fishery
          [fish.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1528) 1:  the occupation, industry,
          or season of taking fish or other sea animals (as sponges,
          shrimp, or seals): fishing 2: a place for catching fish
          or taking other sea animals 3: a fishing establishment;
          also: its fishermen 4: the legal right to take fish at
          a particular place or in particular waters 5: the technology
          of fishery--usu. used in pl.

   fish-eye
          [fish-eye] adj (1943): being, having, or produced by a wide-angle
          photographic lens that has a highly curved protruding
          front, that covers an angle of about 180 degrees, and
          that gives a circular image

   fish farm
          [fish farm] n (1865): a commercial facility for raising aquatic
          animals for human food -- fish-farm vt

   fish finger
          [fish finger] n (1962) Brit: fish stick

   fish fry
          [fish fry] n (1824) 1: a picnic or supper featuring fried
          fish 2: fried fish

   fish hawk
          [fish hawk] n (1709): osprey 1

   fishhook
          [fish.hook] n (14c): a usu. barbed hook for catching fish

   fishing
          [fish.ing] n (13c) 1: the sport or business of catching fish
          2: a place for catching fish

   fishing expedition
          [fishing expedition] n (ca. 1925) 1: a legal interrogation
          or examination to discover information for a later proceeding
          2: an investigation that does not stick to a stated objective
          but hopes to uncover incriminating or newsworthy evidence

   fish ladder
          [fish ladder] n (1865): a series of pools arranged like steps
          by which fish can pass over a dam in going upstream

   fish meal
          [fish meal] n (1854): ground dried fish and fish waste used
          as fertilizer and animal food

   fishmonger
          [fish.mong.er] n (15c) chiefly Brit: a fish dealer

   fishnet
          [fish.net] n (bef. 12c) 1: netting fitted with floats and
          weights or a supporting frame for catching fish 2: a
          coarse open-mesh fabric

   fish out
          [fish out] vt (1892): to exhaust the supply of fish in by
          fishing

   fishplate
          [fish.plate] n (1855): a steel plate used to lap a butt joint

   fishpond
          [fish.pond] n (14c): a pond stocked with fish

   fish protein concentrate
          [fish protein concentrate] n (1961): a protein-rich food
          additive made from ground whole fish

   fish stick
          [fish stick] n (1953): a small elongated breaded fillet of
          fish

   fish story
          [fish story] n [fr. the traditional exaggeration by fishermen
          of the size of fish almost caught] (1819): an extravagant
          or incredible story

   fishtail
          [fish.tail] vi (1927) 1: to swing the tail of an airplane
          from side to side to reduce speed esp. when landing 2:
          to have the rear end slide from side to side out of control
          while moving forward <the car ~ed on the icy curve>

   fishway
          [fish.way] n (1845): a contrivance for enabling fish to pass
          around a fall or dam in a stream; specif: fish ladder

   fishwife
          [fish.wife] n [ME] (15c) 1: a woman who sells fish 2: a vulgar
          abusive woman

   fishy
          [fishy] adj fish.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: of or resembling fish
          esp. in taste or odor 2: creating doubt or suspicion:
          questionable

   fissile
          [fis.sile] adj [L fissilis, fr. findere] (1661) 1: capable
          of being split or divided in the direction of the grain
          or along natural planes of cleavage <~ wood> <~ crystals>
          2: capable of undergoing fission -- fis.sil.i.ty n

   [1]fission
          [fis.sion] n [L fission-, fissio, fr. findere to split--more
          at bite] (ca. 1617) 1: a splitting or breaking up into
          parts 2: reproduction by spontaneous division of the
          body into two or more parts each of which grows into
          a complete organism 3: the splitting of an atomic nucleus
          resulting in the release of large amounts of energy --
          fis.sion.al adj [2]fission vi (1929): to undergo fission
          ~ vt: to cause to undergo fission

   fissionable
          [fis.sion.able] adj (1945): fissile 2 -- fis.sion.abil.i.ty
          n -- fissionable n

   fissiparous
          [fis.sip.a.rous] adj [L fissus, pp. of findere + E -parous]
          (1874): tending to break up into parts: divisive
          -- fis.sip.a.rous.ness n

   [1]fissure
          [fis.sure] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L fissura, fr. fissus] (14c)
          1: a narrow opening or crack of considerable length and
          depth usu. occurring from some breaking or parting 2
          a: a natural cleft between body parts or in the substance
          of an organ b: a break or slit in tissue usu. at the
          junction of skin and mucous membrane 3: a separation
          or disagreement in thought or viewpoint: schism <~s in
          a political party> [2]fissure vb fis.sured ; fis.sur.ing
          vt (1656): to break into fissures: cleave ~ vi: crack,
          divide

   [1]fist
          [fist] n [ME, fr. OE fyst; akin to OHG fust fist, Pol piesc,
          and prob. to OE fif five] (bef. 12c) 1: the hand clenched
          with the fingers doubled into the palm and the thumb
          doubled inward across the fingers 2: the hand closed
          as in grasping: clutch 3: index 5 [2]fist vt (1607) 1:
          to grip with the fist: handle 2: to clench into a fist

   -fisted
          [-fist.ed] comb form: having (such or so many) fists <two-fisted>
          <tightfisted>

   fistfight
          [fist.fight] n (1603): a usu. spontaneous fight with bare
          fists

   fistful
          [fist.ful] n (1611) 1: handful <a ~ of coins> 2: a considerable
          number or amount <a whole ~ of musicians --Thomas Lask>

   fistic
          [fist.ic] adj (1806): of or relating to boxing or to fighting
          with the fists

   fisticuffs
          [fist.i.cuffs] n pl [alter. of fisty cuff, fr. fisty (fistic)
          + cuff] (1605): a fight with the fists

   fistnote
          [fist.note] n (ca. 1934): matter in a text to which attention
          is directed by means of an index mark

   fistula
          [fis.tu.la] n, pl -las or -lae [ME, fr. L, pipe, fistula]
          (14c): an abnormal passage leading from an abscess or
          hollow organ to the body surface or from one hollow organ
          to another and permitting passage of fluids or secretions

   fistulous
          [fis.tu.lous] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or having the
          form or nature of a fistula 2: hollow like a pipe or
          reed

   fistulous withers
          [fistulous withers] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1900):
          a deep-seated chronic inflammation of the withers of
          the horse in which bloody fluid is discharged

   [1]fit
          [fit] n [ME, fr. OE fitt; akin to OS fittea division of a
          poem, OHG fizza skein] (bef. 12c) archaic: a division
          of a poem or song [2]fit adj fit.ter ; fit.test [ME;
          akin to ME fitten] (14c) 1 a (1): adapted to an end or
          design: suitable by nature or by art (2): adapted to
          the environment so as to be capable of surviving b: acceptable
          from a particular viewpoint (as of competence or morality):
          proper <a movie ~ for the whole family> 2 a: put into
          a suitable state: made ready <get the house ~ for company>
          b: being in such a state as to be or seem ready to do
          or suffer something <fair ~ to cry I was --Bryan MacMahon>
          <laughing ~ to burst> 3: sound physically and mentally:
          healthy -- fit.ly adv -- fit to be tied : extremely angry
          or irritated -- fit to kill : in a striking manner <dressed
          fit to kill> syn fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate,
          fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect
          to some end, need, use, or circumstance. fit stresses
          adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use
          or action <fit for battle>. suitable implies an answering
          to requirements or demands <clothes suitable for camping>.
          meet suggests a just proportioning <meet payment>. proper
          suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance
          with custom <proper acknowledgement>. appropriate implies
          eminent or distinctive fitness <an appropriate gift>.
          fitting implies harmony of mood or tone <a fitting end>.
          apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination
          <apt quotations>. happy suggests what is effectively
          or successfully appropriate <a happy choice of words>.
          felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling,
          or graceful <a felicitous phrase>. [3]fit n [ME, fr.
          OE fitt strife] (ca. 1541) 1 a: a sudden violent attack
          of a disease (as epilepsy) esp. when marked by convulsions
          or unconsciousness: paroxysm b: a sudden but transient
          attack of a physical disturbance 2: a sudden burst or
          flurry (as of activity) <cleaned the whole house in a
          ~ of efficiency> 3: an emotional reaction (as in anger
          or frustration) <has a ~ when I show up late> -- by fits
          or by fits and starts or in fits and starts : in an impulsive
          and irregular manner [4]fit vb fit.ted also fit ; fit.ting
          [ME fitten to marshal troops, fr. or akin to MD vitten
          to be suitable; akin to OHG fizza skein] vt (15c) 1 a:
          to be suitable for or to: harmonize with b archaic: to
          be seemly or proper for <it ~s us then to be as provident
          as fear may teach us --Shak.> 2 a: to conform correctly
          to the shape or size of <it doesn't ~ me anymore> b (1):
          to insert or adjust until correctly in place <~ the mechanism
          into the box> (2): to make or adjust to the right shape
          and size <fitting the jacket to the customer> (3): to
          measure for determining the specifications of something
          to be worn by <fitted him for a new suit> c: to make
          a place or room for: accommodate 3: to be in agreement
          or accord with <the theory ~s all the facts> 4 a: to
          put into a condition of readiness b: to cause to conform
          to or suit something 5: supply, equip <fitted the ship
          with new engines>--often used with out 6: to adjust (a
          smooth curve of a specified type) to a given set of points
          ~ vi 1 archaic: to be seemly, proper, or suitable 2:
          to conform to a particular shape or size; also: to be
          accommodated <will we all ~ into the car?> 3: to be in
          harmony or accord: belong--often used with in -- fit.ter
          n [5]fit n (1823): the fact, condition, or manner of
          fitting or being fitted: as a: the way clothing fits
          the wearer b: the degree of closeness between surfaces
          in an assembly of parts c: goodness of fit [6]fit dial
          past and past part of fight

   fitch
          [fitch] or fitch.ew n [ME fiche, ficheux, fr. MF or MD; MF
          fichau, fr. MD vitsau] (15c) 1: polecat 1 2: the fur
          or pelt of the polecat

   fitchet
          [fitch.et] n (1535): polecat 1

   fitful
          [fit.ful] adj (1592) 1 obs: characterized by fits or paroxysms
          2: having an erratic or intermittent character: irregular
          -- fit.ful.ly adv -- fit.ful.ness n syn fitful, spasmodic,
          convulsive mean lacking steadiness or regularity in movement.
          fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts
          and stops or risings and fallings <fitful sleep>. spasmodic
          adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity
          alternating with inactivity <spasmodic growth>. convulsive
          suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled
          movement <convulsive shocks>.

   fitment
          [fit.ment] n [[4]fit] (1851) chiefly Brit: furnishing 2,
          fixture, cabinetry--usu. used in pl.

   fitness
          [fit.ness] n (1580) 1: the quality or state of being fit
          2: the capacity of an organism to survive and transmit
          its genotype to reproductive offspring as compared to
          competing organisms; also: the contribution of an allele
          or genotype to the gene pool of subsequent generations
          as compared to that of other alleles or genotypes

   fitted
          [fit.ted] adj (ca. 1666) 1: fit, suitable 2: shaped for a
          precise fit <a ~ sheet>; esp: shaped to conform to the
          lines of the body <a ~ shirt>

   [1]fitting
          [fit.ting] adj (15c): of a kind appropriate to the situation:
          suitable syn see fit -- fit.ting.ly adv -- fit.ting.ness
          n [2]fitting n (1607) 1: an action or act of one that
          fits; specif: a trying on of clothes which are in the
          process of being made or altered 2: a small often standardized
          part <an electrical ~>

   five
          [five] n [ME, fr. five, adj., fr. OE fif; akin to OHG finf
          five, L quinque, Gk pente] (bef. 12c) 1: one more than
          four 2 pl: a British handball game 3: the fifth in a
          set or series <the ~ of clubs> 4: something having five
          units or members; esp: a basketball team 5: a 5-dollar
          bill 6: fifteen 2 -- five adj -- five pron, pl in constr

   five-and-ten
          [five-and-ten] n [fr. the fact that all articles in such
          stores were formerly priced at either 5 or 10 cents]
          (1880): a retail store that carries chiefly inexpensive
          merchandise (as notions and household goods)--called
          also five-and-dime

   five-finger
          [five-fin.ger] n (bef. 12c): cinquefoil 1

   fivefold
          [five.fold] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having five units or members
          2: being five times as great or as many -- five.fold
          adv

   five of a kind
          [five of a kind] (1897): four cards of the same rank plus
          a wild card in one hand--see poker illustration

   fiver
          [fiv.er] n (1843) 1 slang: a 5-dollar bill 2 Brit: a 5-pound
          note

   five-spice powder
          [five-spice powder] n (1970): a blend of spices typically
          including anise, pepper, fennel, cloves, and cinnamon
          that is used in Chinese cooking

   five-star
          [five-star] adj (1913): of first class or quality

   [1]fix
          [fix] vb [ME, fr. L fixus, pp. of figere to fasten; akin
          to Lith dygti to sprout, break through] vt (14c) 1 a:
          to make firm, stable, or stationary b: to give a permanent
          or final form to: as (1): to change into a stable compound
          or available form <bacteria that ~ nitrogen> (2): to
          kill, harden, and preserve for microscopic study (3):
          to make the image of (a photographic film) permanent
          by removing unused salts c: affix, attach 2 a: to hold
          or direct steadily <~es his eyes on the horizon> b: to
          capture the attention of <~ed her with a stare> 3 a:
          to set or place definitely: establish b: to make an accurate
          determination of: discover <~ing our location on the
          chart> c: assign <~ the blame> 4: to set in order: adjust
          5: to get ready: prepare <~ lunch> 6 a: repair, mend
          <~ the clock> b: restore, cure <the doctor ~ed him up>
          c: spay, castrate 7 a: to get even with b: to influence
          the actions, outcome, or effect of by improper or illegal
          methods <the race had been ~ed> ~ vi 1: to become firm,
          stable, or fixed 2: to get set: be on the verge <we're
          ~ing to leave soon> 3: to direct one's attention or efforts:
          focus; also: decide, settle--usu. used with on syn see
          fasten -- fix.able adj [2]fix n (1809) 1: a position
          of difficulty or embarrassment: predicament 2 a: the
          position (as of a ship) determined by bearings, observations,
          or radio; also: a determination of one's position b:
          an accurate determination or understanding esp. by observation
          or analysis 3: an act or instance of improper or illegal
          fixing <the ~ was in> 4: a supply or dose of something
          strongly desired or craved; esp: a shot of a narcotic
          5: fixation 6: something that fixes or restores <a quick
          ~>

   fixate
          [fix.ate] vb fix.at.ed ; fix.at.ing vt (1885) 1: to make
          fixed, stationary, or unchanging 2: to focus one's gaze
          on 3: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form
          of gratification ~ vi 1: to focus or concentrate one's
          gaze or attention intently or obsessively 2: to undergo
          arrestment at a stage of development

   fixated
          [fix.at.ed] adj (1926): arrested in development or adjustment;
          esp: arrested at a pregenital level of psychosexual development

   fixation
          [fix.a.tion] n (14c): the act, process, or result of fixing,
          fixating, or becoming fixated: as a: a persistent concentration
          of libidinal energies upon objects characteristic of
          psychosexual stages of development preceding the genital
          stage b: stereotyped behavior (as in response to frustration)
          c: an obsessive or unhealthy preoccupation or attachment

   fixative
          [fix.a.tive] n (ca. 1859): something that fixes or sets:
          as a: a substance added to a perfume esp. to prevent
          too rapid evaporation b: a substance used to fix living
          tissue c: a varnish used esp. for the protection of drawings
          (as in pastel or charcoal) -- fixative adj

   fixed
          [fixed] adj (14c) 1 a: securely placed or fastened: stationary
          b (1): nonvolatile (2): formed into a chemical compound
          c (1): not subject to change or fluctuation <a ~ income>
          (2): firmly set in the mind <a ~ idea> (3): having a
          final or crystallized form or character (4): recurring
          on the same date from year to year <~ holidays> d: immobile,
          concentrated <a ~ stare> 2: supplied with something (as
          money) needed <comfortably ~> -- fixed.ly adv -- fixed.ness
          n

   fixed charge
          [fixed charge] n (ca. 1901): a regularly recurring expense
          (as rent, taxes, or interest) that must be met when due

   fixed oil
          [fixed oil] n (ca. 1800): a nonvolatile oil; esp: a fatty
          oil--compare essential oil

   fixed-point
          [fixed-point] adj (1960): involving or being a mathematical
          notation (as in a decimal system) in which the point
          separating whole numbers and fractions is fixed--compare
          floating-point

   fixed star
          [fixed star] n (1561): a star so distant that its motion
          can be measured only by very precise observations over
          long periods

   fixer
          [fix.er] n (1849): one that fixes: as a: one who intervenes
          to enable a person to circumvent the law or obtain a
          political favor b: one who adjusts matters or disputes
          by negotiation c: [2]hypo

   fixing
          [fix.ing] n (1605) 1: the act or process of one that fixes
          2 pl: customary accompaniments: trimmings <a turkey dinner
          with all the ~s>

   fixity
          [fix.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1666) 1: the quality or state of
          being fixed or stable 2: something that is fixed

   fixture
          [fix.ture] n [modif. of LL fixura, fr. L fixus] (1598) 1:
          the act or process of fixing: the state of being fixed
          2 a: something that is fixed or attached (as to a building)
          as a permanent appendage or as a structural part <a plumbing
          ~> b: a device for supporting work during machining c:
          an item of movable property so incorporated into real
          property that it may be regarded as legally a part of
          it 3: a familiar or invariably present element or feature
          in some particular setting; esp: a person long associated
          with a place or activity 4: a settled date or time esp.
          for a sporting or festive event; also: such an event
          esp. as a regularly scheduled affair

   fix up
          [fix up] vt (1831) 1: refurbish <fix up the attic> 2: to
          set right: settle <fixed up their dispute> 3: to provide
          with something needed or wanted; esp: to arrange a date
          for

   [1]fizz
          [fizz] vi [prob. of imit. origin] (1685) 1: to make a hissing
          or sputtering sound: effervesce 2: to show excitement
          or exhilaration [2]fizz n (1842) 1 a: a hissing sound
          b: spirit, liveliness 2: an effervescent beverage --
          fizzy adj

   [1]fizzle
          [fiz.zle] vi fiz.zled ; fiz.zling [prob. alter. of fist (to
          break wind)] (ca. 1841) 1: fizz 2: to fail or end feebly
          esp. after a promising start--often used with out [2]fizzle
          n (1842): an abortive effort: failure

   fj...
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   fjord
          [fjord] n [Norw fjord, fr. ON fjorthr--more at ford] (1674):
          a narrow inlet of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes

   fl...
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   fl
          [fl] abbreviation flanker, floor, florin, [L floruit] flourished;
          fluid  FL abbreviation Florida, focal length, foreign
          language

   Fla
          [Fla] abbreviation Florida

   flab
          [flab] n [back-formation fr. flabby] (1951): soft flabby
          body tissue

   flabbergast
          [flab.ber.gast] vt [origin unknown] (1772): to overwhelm
          with shock, surprise, or wonder: dumbfound syn see surprise
          -- flab.ber.gast.ing.ly adv

   flabby
          [flab.by] adj flab.bi.er ; -est [alter. of flappy] (1697)
          1: lacking resilience or firmness: flaccid 2: weak and
          ineffective: feeble -- flab.bi.ly adv -- flab.bi.ness
          n

   flabellate
          [fla.bel.late] adj [L flabellum fan] (1819): shaped like
          a fan

   flabelliform
          [fla.bel.li.form] adj (1777): flabellate

   flaccid
          [flac.cid] adj [L flaccidus, fr. flaccus flabby] (1620) 1
          a: not firm or stiff; also: lacking normal or youthful
          firmness <~ muscles> b of a plant part: deficient in
          turgor 2: lacking vigor or force <~ leadership> -- flac.cid.i.ty
          n -- flac.cid.ly adv

   [1]flack
          [flack] n [origin unknown] (1939): one who provides publicity;
          esp: press agent -- flack.ery n [2]flack var of flak
          [3]flack vi (1965): to provide publicity: engage in press-agentry

   flacon
          [fla.con] n [F, fr. MF, bottle--more at flagon] (1824): a
          small usu. ornamental bottle with a tight cap

   [1]flag
          [flag] n [ME flagge reed, rush] (14c): any of various
          monocotyledonous plants with long ensiform leaves: as a: iris; esp:
          a wild iris b: sweet flag [2]flag n, often attrib [perh. fr.
          [1]flag] (1530) 1: a usu. rectangular piece of fabric
          of distinctive design that is used as a symbol (as of a nation),
          as a signaling device, or as a decoration 2 a: the tail of some
          dogs (as a setter or hound); also: the long hair fringing a dog's
          tail b: the tail of a deer 3 a: something used like a flag
          to signal or attract attention b: one of the cross strokes
          of a musical note less than a quarter note in value 4: something
          represented by a flag: as a: flagship b: an admiral functioning
          in his office of command c: nationality; esp: the nationality
          of registration of a ship or aircraft [3]flag vt flagged
          ; flag.ging (1856) 1: to signa l with or as if with a flag; esp:
          to signal to stop <flagged the train>--often used with down
          2: to put a flag on (as for identification) 3: to call a penalty
          on: penalize <a lineman flagged for being offside> [4]flag
          vi flagged ; flag.ging [prob. fr. [2]flag] (1545) 1: to hang loose
          without stiffness 2 a: to become unsteady, feeble, or spiritless
          b: to decline in interest or attraction [5]flag n [ME flagge turf,
          fr. ON flaga slab; akin to OE floh chip] (1604): a hard evenly
          stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving;
          also: a piece of such stone [6]flag vt flagged ; flag.ging (1615):
          to lay (as a pavement) with flags

   flag day
          [flag day] n (1894) 1 cap F&D: June 14 observed in various
          states in commemoration of the adoption in 1777 of the
          official U.S. flag 2 Brit: a day on which charitable
          contributions are solicited in exchange for small flags

   flagellant
          [fla.gel.lant] n (ca. 1587) 1: a person who scourges himself
          as a public penance 2: a person who responds sexually
          to being beaten by or to beating another person -- flagellant
          adj -- fla.gel.lant.ism n

   flagellar
          [fla.gel.lar] adj (ca. 1889): of or relating to a flagellum

   [1]flagellate
          [flag.el.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L flagellatus, pp.
          of flagellare, fr. flagellum, dim. of flagrum whip; perh.
          akin to ON blaka to wave] (ca. 1623) 1: whip, scourge
          2: to drive or punish as if by whipping [2]fla.gel.late
          adj [NL flagellatus, fr. flagellum] (ca. 1859) 1 a or
          flag.el.lat.ed : having flagella b: shaped like a flagellum
          2 [[3]flagellate]: of, relating to, or caused by flagellates
          <~ diarrhea> [3]flagellate n [NL Flagellata, class of
          unicellular organisms, fr. neut. pl. of flagellatus]
          (1879): a flagellate protozoan or alga

   flagellation
          [flag.el.la.tion] n (15c): the act or practice of flagellating;
          esp: the practice of a flagellant

   flagellin
          [fla.gel.lin] n [flagellum + [1]-in] (1955): a polymeric
          protein that is the chief constituent of bacterial flagella
          and is responsible for the specificity of their flagellar
          antigens

   flagellum
          [fla.gel.lum] n, pl -la also -lums [NL, fr. L, whip, shoot
          of a plant] (1852): any of various elongated filiform
          appendages of plants or animals: as a: the slender distal
          part of an antenna b: a long tapering process that projects
          singly or in groups from a cell and is the primary organ
          of motion of many microorganisms

   [1]flageolet
          [fla.geo.let] n [F, fr. OF flajolet, fr. flajol flute, fr.
          (assumed) VL flabeolum, fr. L flare to blow--more at
          blow] (1659): a small fipple flute resembling the treble
          recorder [2]flageolet n [F, dim. of flageolle kidney
          bean, modif. of It fagiolo, fr. L phaseolus--more at
          frijole] (1877): a green kidney bean used in French cuisine

   flag football
          [flag football] n (1954): a variation of football in which
          a player must remove a flag attached to the ballcarrier's
          clothing to stop the play

   flagging
          [flag.ging] adj (1545) 1: languid, weak 2: becoming progressively
          less: dwindling -- flag.ging.ly adv

   flagitious
          [fla.gi.tious] adj [ME flagicious, fr. L flagitiosus, fr.
          flagitium shameful thing] (14c): marked by scandalous
          crime or vice: villainous -- fla.gi.tious.ly adv --
          fla.gi.tious.ness n

   flagman
          [flag.man] n (1832): a person who signals with a flag

   flag of convenience
          [flag of convenience] (1956): registry of a merchant ship
          under a foreign flag in order to profit from less restrictive
          regulations

   flag officer
          [flag officer] n [fr. his being entitled to display a flag
          with one or more stars indicating his rank] (1665): any
          of the officers in the navy or coast guard above captain--compare
          general officer

   flag of truce
          [flag of truce] (1627): a white flag carried or displayed
          to an enemy as an invitation to conference or parley

   flagon
          [flag.on] n [ME, fr. MF flascon, flacon bottle, fr. LL flascon-,
          flasco--more at flask] (15c) 1 a: a large usu. metal
          or pottery vessel (as for wine) with handle and spout
          and often a lid b: a large bulging short-necked bottle
          2: the contents of a flagon

   flagpole
          [flag.pole] n (1884): a pole on which to raise a flag

   flagrance
          [fla.grance] n (ca. 1615): flagrancy

   flagrancy
          [fla.gran.cy] n (1599): the quality or state of being flagrant

   flag rank
          [flag rank] n (1894): the rank of a flag officer

   flagrant
          [fla.grant] adj [L flagrant-, flagrans, prp. of flagrare
          to burn--more at black] (1513) 1 archaic: fiery hot:
          burning 2: conspicuously offensive <~ errors>; esp: so
          obviously inconsistent with what is right or proper as
          to appear to be a flouting of law or morality <~ violations
          of human rights> -- fla.grant.ly adv syn flagrant, glaring,
          gross, rank mean conspicuously bad or objectionable.
          flagrant applies usu. to offenses or errors so bad that
          they can neither escape notice nor be condoned <flagrant
          abuse of the office of president>. glaring implies painful
          or damaging obtrusiveness of something that is conspicuously
          wrong, faulty, or improper <glaring errors>. gross implies
          the exceeding of reasonable or excusable limits <gross
          carelessness>. rank applies to what is openly and extremely
          objectionable and utterly condemned <rank heresy>.

   flagrante delicto
          [fla.gran.te de.lic.to] adv or adj [ML, lit., while the crime
          is blazing] (1826): in the very act of committing a misdeed:
          red-handed; also: in the midst of sexual activity

   flagship
          [flag.ship] n (1672) 1: the ship that carries the commander
          of a fleet or subdivision of a fleet and flies his flag
          2: the finest, largest, or most important one of a series,
          network, or chain

   flagstaff
          [flag.staff] n (ca. 1613): a staff on which a flag is hoisted

   flagstick
          [flag.stick] n (1926): a staff for a flag marking the location
          of the cup on a golf putting green

   flagstone
          [flag.stone] n (1730): [5]flag

   flag stop
          [flag stop] n (1941): a point at which a vehicle in public
          transportation stops only on prearrangement or signal

   flag-waver
          [flag-wav.er] n (1894) 1: one who is intensely and conspicuously
          patriotic 2: one who waves a flag in signaling 3: a song
          intended to rouse patriotic sentiment

   flag-waving
          [flag-wav.ing] n (1892): passionate appeal to patriotic or
          partisan sentiment: chauvinism

   [1]flail
          [flail] n [ME fleil, flail, partly fr. (assumed) OE flegel
          (whence OE fligel), fr. LL flagellum flail, fr. L, whip
          & partly fr. MF flaiel, fr. LL flagellum--more at flagellate]
          (bef. 12c): a hand threshing implement consisting of
          a wooden handle at the end of which a stouter and shorter
          stick is so hung as to swing freely [2]flail vt (15c)
          1 a: to strike with or as if with a flail <arms ~ing
          the water> b: to move, swing, or beat as if wielding
          a flail <~ing a club to drive away the insects> 2: to
          thresh (grain) with a flail ~ vi: to move, swing, or
          beat like a flail

   flair
          [flair] n [F, lit., sense of smell, fr. OF, odor, fr. flairier
          to give off an odor, fr. LL flagrare, alter. of L fragrare]
          (1881) 1: a skill or instinctive ability to appreciate
          or make good use of something: talent <a ~ for color>;
          also: inclination, tendency <a ~ for the dramatic> 2:
          a uniquely attractive quality: style <fashionable dresses
          with a ~ all their own>

   flak
          [flak] n, pl flak [G, fr. Fliegerabwehrkanonen, fr. Flieger
          flyer + Abwehr defense + Kanonen cannons] (1938) 1: antiaircraft
          guns 2: the bursting shells fired from flak 3: criticism,
          opposition

   [1]flake
          [flake] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to Norw flak disk] (14c)
          1: a small loose mass or bit <snow ~s> 2: a thin flattened
          piece or layer: chip 3 slang: cocaine [2]flake vb flaked
          ; flak.ing vi (1627): to separate into flakes; also:
          to peel in flakes ~ vt 1: to form or break into flakes:
          chip 2: to cover with or as if with flakes -- flak.er
          n [3]flake n [ME, hurdle, fr. ON flaki] (1623): a stage,
          platform, or tray for drying fish or produce [4]flake
          n [perh. fr. flake out] (1964): a person who is flaky:
          oddball

   flake out
          [flake out] vi [prob. fr. dial. flake to lie, bask] (1939)
          1 slang: to fall asleep 2 slang: to be overcome esp.
          by exhaustion

   flake tool
          [flake tool] n (ca. 1947): a Stone-Age tool that is a flake
          of stone struck off from a larger piece

   flak jacket
          [flak jacket] n (1950): a jacket containing metal plates
          for protection against flak; broadly: a bulletproof vest--called
          also flak vest

   [1]flaky
          [flaky] also flak.ey adj flak.i.er ; -est (1580) 1: consisting
          of flakes <~ snow> 2: tending to flake <a ~ piecrust>
          -- flak.i.ness n [2]flaky adj flak.i.er ; -est [[4]flake]
          (ca. 1963): markedly odd or unconventional: offbeat,
          wacky -- flak.i.ness n

   flam
          [flam] n [prob. imit.] (1819): a drumbeat of two strokes
          of which the first is a very quick grace note

   [1]flambe
          [flam.be] adj [F flambe, fr. pp. of flamber to flame, singe,
          fr. OF, fr. flambe flame] (1914): dressed or served covered
          with flaming liquor--usu. used postpositively <crepes
          suzette ~> [2]flambe vt flam.beed ; flam.be.ing (ca.
          1946): to douse with a liquor (as brandy, rum, or cognac)
          and ignite

   flambeau
          [flam.beau] n, pl flam.beaux or flambeaus [F, fr. MF, fr.
          flambe flame] (1632): a flaming torch; broadly: torch

   flamboyance
          [flam.boy.ance] n (1891): the quality or state of being flamboyant

   flamboyancy
          [flam.boy.an.cy] n (ca. 1889): flamboyance

   [1]flamboyant
          [flam.boy.ant] adj [F, fr. prp. of flamboyer to flame, fr.
          OF, fr. flambe] (1832) 1 often cap: characterized by
          waving curves suggesting flames <~ tracery> <~ architecture>
          2: marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful
          display or behavior -- flam.boy.ant.ly adv [2]flamboyant
          n (1879): royal poinciana

   [1]flame
          [flame] n [ME flaume, flaumbe, fr. MF flamme (fr. L flamma)
          & flambe, fr. OF, fr. flamble, fr. L flammula, dim. of
          flamma flame; akin to L flagrare to burn--more at black]
          (14c) 1: the glowing gaseous part of a fire 2 a: a state
          of blazing combustion <the car burst into ~> b: a condition
          or appearance suggesting a flame or burning: as (1):
          burning zeal or passion (2): a strong reddish orange
          color 3: brilliance, brightness 4: sweetheart [2]flame
          vb flamed ; flam.ing vi (14c) 1: to burn with a flame:
          blaze 2: to burst or break out violently or passionately
          <flaming with indignation> 3: to shine brightly: glow
          <color flaming up in her cheeks> ~ vt 1: to send or convey
          by means of flame <~ a message by signal fires> 2: to
          treat or affect with flame: as a: to sear, sterilize,
          or destroy by fire b: flambe -- flam.er n

   flame cell
          [flame cell] n (1888): a hollow cell that has a tuft of vibratile
          cilia and is part of some lower invertebrate excretory
          systems (as of a flatworm)

   flamen
          [fla.men] n, pl flamens or flam.i.nes [ME flamin, fr. L flamin-,
          flamen] (14c): a priest esp. in ancient Rome

   flamenco
          [fla.men.co] n, pl -cos [Sp, fr. flamenco of the Gypsies,
          lit., Flemish, fr. MD Vlaminc Fleming] (1896) 1: a vigorous
          rhythmic dance style of the Andalusian Gypsies; also:
          a dance in flamenco style 2: music or song suitable to
          accompany a flamenco dance

   flameout
          [flame.out] n (1950) 1: the unintentional cessation of operation
          of a jet airplane engine 2: a sudden or spectacular failure
          3: a person whose successful career ends abruptly

   flame photometer
          [flame photometer] n (1945): a spectrophotometer in which
          a spray of metallic salts in solution is vaporized in
          a very hot flame and subjected to quantitative analysis
          by measuring the intensities of the spectral lines of
          the metals present -- flame photometric adj -- flame
          photometry n

   flameproof
          [flame.proof] adj (1886): resistant to damage or burning
          on contact with flame -- flameproof vt -- flame.proof.er
          n

   flame-retardant
          [flame-retardant] adj (1947): made or treated so as to resist
          burning

   flame stitch
          [flame stitch] n (1936): a needlepoint stitch that produces
          a pattern resembling flames

   flamethrower
          [flame.throw.er] n (1917) 1: a device that expels from a
          nozzle a burning stream of liquid or semiliquid fuel
          under pressure 2: a pitcher who throws hard: a fastball
          pitcher

   flame tree
          [flame tree] n (1860): any of several trees or shrubs with
          showy scarlet or yellow flowers: as a: a tree (Brachychiton
          acerifolium of the family Sterculiaceae) of southern
          Australia with panicles of brilliant scarlet flowers
          b: royal poinciana

   flaming
          [flam.ing] adj (14c) 1: resembling or suggesting a flame
          in color, brilliance, or wavy outline <the ~ sunset sky>
          <~ red hair> 2: being on fire: blazing 3: intense, passionate
          <~ youth> 4--used as an intensive <you ~ idiot> -- flam.ing.ly
          adv

   flamingo
          [fla.min.go] n, pl -gos also -goes [obs. Sp flamengo (now
          flamenco), lit., Fleming, German (conventionally thought
          of as ruddy-complexioned)] (1565): any of several large
          aquatic birds (family Phoenicopteridae) with long legs
          and neck, webbed feet, a broad lamellate bill resembling
          that of a duck but abruptly bent downward, and usu. rosy-white
          plumage with scarlet wing coverts and black wing quills

   flammability
          [flam.ma.bil.i.ty] n (1646): ability to support combustion;
          esp: a high capacity for combustion

   flammable
          [flam.ma.ble] adj [L flammare to flame, set on fire, fr.
          flamma] (1813): capable of being easily ignited and of
          burning quickly -- flammable n

   flan
          [flan] n [F, fr. OF flaon, fr. LL fladon-, flado flat cake,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG flado flat cake] (1846) 1
          a: an open pie containing any of various sweet or savory
          fillings b: custard baked with a caramel glaze 2: the
          metal disk of a coin, token, or medal as distinguished
          from the design and lettering stamped on it

   flaneur
          [fla.neur] n [F flaneur] (1854): an idle man-about-town

   [1]flange
          [flange] n [perh. alter. of flanch (a curving charge on a
          heraldic shield)] (ca. 1735) 1: a rib or rim for strength,
          for guiding, or for attachment to another object <a ~
          on a pipe> <a ~ on a wheel> 2: a projecting edge of cloth
          used for decoration on clothing <a jacket with ~ shoulders>
          [2]flange vt flanged ; flang.ing (ca. 1859): to furnish
          with a flange

   [1]flank
          [flank] n [ME, fr. OF flanc, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG hlanca
          loin, flank--more at lank] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the fleshy
          part of the side between the ribs and the hip; broadly:
          the side of a quadruped b: a cut of meat from this part
          of an animal--see beef illustration 2 a: side b: the
          right or left of a formation 3: the area along either
          side of a heraldic shield [2]flank vt (1596) 1: to protect
          a flank of 2: to attack or threaten the flank of (as
          a body of troops) 3 a: to be situated at the side of;
          esp: to be situated on both sides of <a road ~ed with
          linden trees> b: to place something on each side of

   flanken
          [flan.ken] n [Yiddish, pl. of flank, lit., flank, ultim.
          fr. OF flanc] (1950): beef flank cooked esp. by boiling

   flanker
          [flank.er] n (1940): a football player stationed wide of
          the formation slightly behind the line of scrimmage as
          a pass receiver--called also flanker back

   flank steak
          [flank steak] n (1902): a pear-shaped muscle of the beef
          flank; also: a steak cut from this muscle--see beef illustration

   flannel
          [flan.nel] n [ME flaunneol woolen cloth or garment] (1503)
          1 a: a soft twilled wool or worsted fabric with a loose
          texture and a slightly napped surface b: a napped cotton
          fabric of soft yarns simulating the texture of wool flannel
          c: a stout cotton fabric usu. napped on one side 2 pl
          a: flannel underwear b: outer garments of flannel; esp:
          men's trousers 3 Brit: washcloth 4 Brit: flattering or
          evasive talk; also: nonsense, rubbish -- flannel adj
          -- flan.nel.ly adj

   flannelette
          [flan.nel.ette] n (ca. 1882): a lightweight cotton flannel

   flannelmouthed
          [flan.nel.mouthed] adj (ca. 1893) 1: speaking indistinctly
          2: speaking in a tricky or ingratiating way

   [1]flap
          [flap] n [ME flappe] (14c) 1: a stroke with something broad:
          slap 2 obs: something broad and flat used for striking
          3: something that is broad, limber, or flat and usu.
          thin and that hangs loose or projects freely: as a: a
          piece on a garment that hangs free b: a part of a book
          jacket that folds under the book's cover c: a piece of
          tissue partly severed from its place of origin for use
          in surgical grafting d: an extended part forming the
          closure (as of an envelope or carton) 4: the motion of
          something broad and limber (as a sail or wing) 5: a movable
          auxiliary airfoil usu. attached to an airplane wing's
          trailing edge to increase lift or drag--see airplane
          illustration 6 a: a state of excitement or agitation:
          tizzy, uproar b: something (as an incident or remark)
          that generates an uproar 7: a consonant (as the sound
          /d/ in ladder and /t/ in latter) characterized by a single
          rapid contact of the tongue or lower lip against another
          point in the mouth--called also tap [2]flap vb flapped
          ; flap.ping vt (14c) 1: to beat with or as if with a
          flap 2: to toss sharply: fling 3: to move or cause to
          move in flaps ~ vi 1: to sway loosely usu. with a noise
          of striking and esp. when moved by wind 2 a: to beat
          or pulsate wings or something suggesting wings b: to
          progress by flapping c: to flutter ineffectively 3: to
          talk foolishly and persistently

   flapdoodle
          [flap.doo.dle] n [origin unknown] (1878): nonsense

   flapjack
          [flap.jack] n (ca. 1600): pancake

   flappable
          [flap.pa.ble] adj (1968): lacking self-assurance: easily
          upset

   flapper
          [flap.per] n (ca. 1570) 1 a: one that flaps b: something
          (as a flyswatter) used in flapping or striking c: flipper
          1 2: a young woman; specif: a young woman of the period
          of World War I and the following decade who showed freedom
          from conventions (as in conduct)

   flappy
          [flap.py] adj (1905): flapping or tending to flap

   [1]flare
          [flare] vb flared ; flar.ing [origin unknown] vi (ca. 1700)
          1 a: to burn with an unsteady flame b: to stream in the
          wind 2 a: to shine with a sudden light <a match ~s in
          the darkness> b (1): to become suddenly excited or angry--usu.
          used with up (2): to break out or intensify usu. suddenly
          or violently--often used with up <fighting flared up
          after a two-week lull> c: to express strong emotion (as
          anger) <flaring out at such abuses> 3: to open or spread
          outward <the pants ~ at the bottom> ~ vt 1: to display
          conspicuously <flaring her scarf to attract attention>
          2: to cause to flare <the breeze ~s the candle> 3: to
          signal with a flare or by flaring 4: to burn (a jet of
          waste gas) in the open air [2]flare n (1814) 1: an unsteady
          glaring light 2 a: a fire or blaze of light used esp.
          to signal, illuminate, or attract attention; also: a
          device or composition used to produce such a flare b:
          solar flare; also: a sudden increase and decrease in
          the brightness of a star often amounting to a difference
          of several magnitudes 3: a sudden outburst (as of excitement
          or anger) 4 a: a spreading outward; also: a place or
          part that spreads b: an area of skin flush 5: light resulting
          from reflection (as between lens surfaces) or an effect
          of this light (as a fogged or dense area in a photographic
          negative)

   flare-up
          [flare-up] n (1839) 1: a sudden outburst or intensification
          2: a sudden bursting (as of a smoldering fire) into flame
          or light

   flaring
          [flar.ing] adj (1593) 1: opening or spreading outward <~
          nostrils> 2 a: flaming or as if flaming brightly or unsteadily
          b: gaudy <a ~ resort hotel> -- flar.ing.ly adv

   [1]flash
          [flash] vb [ME flaschen, of imit. origin] vi (13c) 1: rush,
          dash--used of flowing water 2: to break forth in or like
          a sudden flame or flare 3 a: to appear suddenly <an idea
          ~es into her mind> b: to move with great speed <the days
          ~ by> 4 a: to break forth or out so as to make a sudden
          display <the sun ~ed from behind a cloud> b: to act or
          speak vehemently and suddenly esp. in anger 5 a: to give
          off light suddenly or in transient bursts b: to glow
          or gleam esp. with animation or passion <her eyes ~ed
          with anger> 6: to change suddenly or violently into vapor
          <hot water ~ing to steam under reduced pressure> 7: to
          expose one's genitals usu. suddenly and briefly in public
          8: to have sudden insight--often used with on ~ vt 1
          a archaic: splash b: to fill by a sudden inflow of water
          2 a: to cause the sudden appearance of (light) b: to
          cause to burst violently into flame c (1): to cause (light)
          to reflect (2): to cause (as a mirror) to reflect light
          (3): to cause (a lamp) to flash d: to convey by means
          of flashes of light 3 a: to make known or cause to appear
          with great speed <~ a message on the screen> b: to display
          obtrusively and ostentatiously <always ~ing a roll of
          bills> c: to expose to view suddenly and briefly <~ed
          a badge> 4: to cover with or form into a thin layer:
          as a: to protect against rain by covering with sheet
          metal or a substitute b: to coat (as glass) with a thin
          layer (as of metal or a differently colored glass) 5:
          to subject (an exposed photographic negative or positive)
          to a supplementary uniform exposure to light before development
          in order to modify detail or tone syn flash, gleam, glint,
          sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send
          forth light. flash implies a sudden and transient outburst
          of bright light <lightning flashed>. gleam suggests a
          steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against
          a dark background <lights gleamed in the valley>. glint
          implies a cold glancing light <glinting steel>. sparkle
          suggests innumerable moving points of bright light <the
          sparkling waters of the gulf>. glitter connotes a brilliant
          sparkling or gleaming <glittering diamonds>. glisten
          applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface
          <glistening rain-drenched sidewalks>. glimmer suggests
          a faint or wavering gleam <a distant glimmering light>.
          shimmer implies a soft tremulous gleaming or a blurred
          reflection [2]flash n (1566) 1 a: a sudden burst of
          light b: a movement of a flag in signaling 2: a sudden
          and often brilliant burst <a ~ of wit> 3: a brief time
          <I'll be back in a ~> 4 a: show, display; esp: a vulgar
          ostentatious display b archaic: a showy ostentatious
          person c: one that attracts notice; esp: an outstanding
          athlete d: pizzazz 5 obs: thieves' slang 6: something
          flashed: as a: glimpse, look b: smile c: a first brief
          news report d: flashlight 1,2 e: a quick-spreading flame
          or momentary intense outburst of radiant heat f: a device
          for producing a brief and very bright flash of light
          for taking photographs 7: rush 7a 8: the rapid conversion
          of a liquid into vapor [3]flash adj (ca. 1700) 1 a: flashy,
          showy b: of, relating to, or characteristic of flashy
          people or things <~ behavior> c: of, relating to, or
          characteristic of persons considered social outcasts
          <~ language> 2 a: of sudden origin and short duration
          <a ~ fire> b: involving very brief exposure to an intense
          altering agent (as heat or cold) <~ drying of milk> <~
          freezing of food>

   flashback
          [flash.back] n (1903) 1: a recession of flame to an unwanted
          position (as into a blowpipe) 2 a: interruption of chronological
          sequence (as in a film or literary work) by interjection
          of events of earlier occurrence; also: an instance of
          flashback b: a past incident recurring vividly in the
          mind

   flash back
          [flash back] vi (1944) 1: to focus one's mind on or vividly
          remember a past time or incident--usu. used with to 2:
          to employ a flashback (as in a film)--usu. used with
          to

   flashboard
          [flash.board] n (ca. 1774): one or more boards projecting
          above the top of a dam to increase the depth of the water

   flashbulb
          [flash.bulb] n (1935): an electric bulb that can be used
          only once to produce a brief and very bright flash of
          light for taking photographs

   flash card
          [flash card] n (1923): a card bearing words, numbers, or
          pictures that is briefly displayed (as by a teacher to
          a class) usu. as a learning aid

   flashcube
          [flash.cube] n (1965): a cubical device incorporating four
          flashbulbs

   flasher
          [flash.er] n (1686): one that flashes: as a: a light (as
          a traffic signal or automobile light) that catches the
          attention by flashing b: a device for automatically flashing
          a light c: an exhibitionist who flashes

   flash flood
          [flash flood] n (1940): a local flood of great volume and
          short duration generally resulting from heavy rainfall
          in the immediate vicinity -- flash flood vb

   flash-forward
          [flash-for.ward] n (1949): interruption of chronological
          sequence (as in a film or literary work) by interjection
          of events of future occurrence; also: an instance of
          flash-forward

   flashgun
          [flash.gun] n (1925): a device for producing a bright flash
          of light for photography

   flashing
          [flash.ing] n (1742): sheet metal used in waterproofing (as
          at roof valleys or hips or the angle between a chimney
          and a roof)

   flash in the pan
          [flash in the pan] [fr. the firing of the priming in the
          pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece]
          (1901) 1: a sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes
          nothing 2: one that appears promising but turns out to
          be disappointing or worthless

   flashlamp
          [flash.lamp] n (1890): a lamp for producing a brief but intense
          flash of light (as for taking photographs)

   flashlight
          [flash.light] n (1886) 1 a: a sudden bright artificial light
          used in taking photographic pictures b: a photograph
          taken by such a light 2: a small battery-operated portable
          electric light

   flashover
          [flash.over] n (1892) 1: an abnormal electrical discharge
          (as through the air to the ground from a high potential
          source or between two conducting portions of a structure)
          2: the sudden spread of flame over an area when it becomes
          heated to the flash point

   flash point
          [flash point] n (1878) 1: the lowest temperature at which
          vapors above a volatile combustible substance ignite
          in air when exposed to flame 2: a point at which someone
          or something bursts suddenly into action or being 3:
          tinderbox 2

   flashtube
          [flash.tube] n (1945): a gas discharge tube that produces
          very brief intense flashes of light and is used esp.
          in photography

   flashy
          [flashy] adj flash.i.er ; -est (ca. 1598) 1 chiefly dial:
          lacking in substance or flavor: insipid 2: momentarily
          dazzling 3 a: superficially attractive or impressive
          b: ostentatious or showy often beyond the bounds of good
          taste; esp: marked by gaudy brightness syn see gaudy
          -- flash.i.ly adv -- flash.i.ness n

   flask
          [flask] n [MF flasque powder flask, ultim. fr. LL flascon-,
          flasco bottle, prob. of Gmc origin; akin to OHG flaska
          bottle] (1549): a container often somewhat narrowed toward
          the outlet and often fitted with a closure: as a: a broad
          flattened necked vessel used esp. to carry alcoholic
          beverages on the person b Brit: vacuum bottle

   [1]flat
          [flat] adj flat.ter ; flat.test [ME, fr. ON flatr; akin to
          OHG flaz flat, and prob. Gk platys broad--more at place]
          (14c) 1 a: lying at full length or spread out upon the
          ground: prostrate b: utterly ruined or destroyed c: resting
          with a surface against something 2 a: having a continuous
          horizontal surface b: being or characterized by a horizontal
          line or tracing without peaks or depressions <a ~ EEG>
          3: having a relatively smooth or even surface 4: arranged
          or laid out so as to be level or even 5 a: having the
          major surfaces essentially parallel and distinctly greater
          than the minor surfaces <a ~ piece of wood> b of a heel:
          very low and broad 6 a: clearly unmistakable: downright
          <a ~ denial> b (1): not varying: fixed <a ~ rate> (2):
          having no fraction either lacking or in excess: exact
          <in a ~ 10 seconds> (3) of a frequency response: not
          varying significantly throughout its range 7 a: lacking
          in animation, zest, or vigor: dull <life seemed ~ without
          her> b: lacking flavor: tasteless c: lacking effervescence
          or sparkle <~ ginger ale> d: commercially inactive; also:
          characterized by no significant rise or decline from
          one period to another <sales were ~> e of a tire: lacking
          air: deflated f chiefly Brit, of a battery: dead 3c,
          discharged 8 a (1) of a tone: lowered a half step in
          pitch (2): lower than the proper pitch b of the vowel
          a: pronounced as in bad or bat 9 a: having a low trajectory
          b of a tennis stroke: made so as to give little or no
          spin to the ball 10 of a sail: taut 11 a: uniform in
          hue or shade b: having little or no illusion of depth
          c of a photograph or negative: lacking contrast d of
          lighting conditions: lacking shadows or contours e: free
          from gloss <a ~ paint> f: two-dimensional 2 12: of, relating
          to, or used in competition on the flat <a ~ horse> syn
          see level, insipid -- flat.ly adv -- flat.ness n -- flat.tish
          adj [2]flat n (14c) 1 a: a level surface of land--usu.
          used in pl. <sagebrush ~s> <tidal ~s> b: a stretch of
          land without obstacles; esp: a track or course for a
          flat race--usu. used with the <has won twice on the ~>
          2: a flat part or surface <the ~ of one's hand> 3 a:
          a musical note or tone one half step lower than a specified
          note or tone b: a character on a line or space of the
          musical staff indicating a half step drop in pitch 4:
          something flat: as a: a shallow container for shipping
          produce b: a shallow box in which seedlings are started
          c: a flat piece of theatrical scenery d: a shoe or slipper
          having a flat heel or no heel 5 chiefly Brit: an apartment
          on one floor 6: a deflated tire 7: the area to either
          side of an offensive football formation [3]flat adv (1531)
          1: in a flat manner: directly, positively 2: in a complete
          manner: absolutely <~ broke> 3: below the proper musical
          pitch 4: without interest charge; esp: without allowance
          or charge for accrued interest <bonds sold ~> [4]flat
          vb flat.ted ; flat.ting vt (ca. 1604) 1: flatten 2: to
          lower in pitch esp. by a half step ~ vi: to sing or play
          below the true pitch

   [1]flatbed
          [flat.bed] adj (1892): having a horizontal bed on which the
          work rests <a ~ printing press> <a ~ plotter> [2]flatbed
          n (1944): a motortruck or trailer with a body in the
          form of a platform or shallow box

   flatboat
          [flat.boat] n (1660): a boat with a flat bottom and square
          ends used for transportation of bulky freight esp. in
          shallow waters

   flatcar
          [flat.car] n (1881): a railroad freight car without permanent
          raised sides, ends, or covering

   flat-coated retriever
          [flat-coated retriever] n (1929): any of an English breed
          of medium-sized sporting dogs that have a dense smooth
          black or liver-colored coat

   flat-earther
          [flat-earth.er] also flat-earth.ist n (1926): a person who
          believes that the Earth is flat

   flatfish
          [flat.fish] n (1710): any of an order (Heterosomata) of marine
          typically bottom-dwelling bony fishes (as the halibuts,
          flounders, turbots, and soles) that as adults swim on
          one side of the laterally compressed body and have both
          eyes on the upper side

   flatfoot
          [flat.foot] n, pl flat.feet (1860) 1: a condition in which
          the arch of the instep is flattened so that the entire
          sole rests upon the ground 2: a foot affected with flatfoot
          3 a or pl flatfoots slang: police officer; esp: a patrolman
          walking a regular beat b slang: sailor

   [1]flat-footed
          [flat-foot.ed] adj (1601) 1: affected with flatfoot; broadly:
          walking with a dragging or shambling gait 2 a: firm and
          well balanced on the feet b: free from reservation: forthright
          <had an honest ~ way of saying a thing> 3: not ready:
          unprepared--used chiefly in the phrase catch one flat-footed
          4: proceeding in a plodding or unimaginative way: pedestrian
          <~ prose> -- flat-foot.ed.ly adv -- flat-foot.ed.ness
          n [2]flat-footed adv (1828) 1: in an open and determined
          manner: flatly 2: with the feet flat on a surface (as
          the ground)

   flat-hat
          [flat-hat] vi [fr. an alleged incident in which a pedestrian's
          hat was crushed by a low-flying plane] (1940): to fly
          low in an airplane in a reckless manner: hedgehop --
          flat-hat.ter n

   Flathead
          [Flat.head] n, pl Flatheads or Flathead (1709) 1: a member
          of any of several No. American Indian peoples that practiced
          head-flattening 2: an American Indian people of Montana
          3 not cap: any of a family (Platycephalidae) of mostly
          Australian and East Indian marine food fishes that resemble
          sculpins

   flathead catfish
          [flat.head catfish] n (1945): a large yellowish brown-mottled
          catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) of the central and Gulf
          states of the U.S.

   flatiron
          [flat.iron] n (1744): iron 2c

   flatland
          [flat.land] n (1735) 1: a region in which the land is predominantly
          flat--usu. used in pl. 2: land that lacks significant variation
          in elevation -- flat.land.er n

   flatlet
          [flat.let] n (1925) Brit: efficiency apartment

   flatling
          [flat.ling] or flat.lings adv (15c) dial Brit: with a flat
          side or edge

   flatmate
          [flat.mate] n (1955) chiefly Brit: one of two or more persons
          sharing the same flat

   flat-out
          [flat-out] adj (1906) 1: being or going at maximum effort
          or speed 2: out-and-out, downright <it was a ~ lie>

   flat out
          [flat out] adv (1932) 1: in a blunt and direct manner: openly
          <called flat out for revolution --Nat'l Review> 2: at
          top speed or peak performance <the car does 180 m.p.h.
          flat out> 3 usu flat-out : to the greatest degree: completely--usu.
          used as an intensive <is just flat-out confusing>

   flat-picking
          [flat-picking] n (1970): a method of playing a stringed instrument
          (as a guitar) with a plectrum held between the thumb and forefinger

   flat race
          [flat race] n (1848): a race (as for horses) on a level course
          without obstacles (as hurdles)--compare steeplechase
          -- flat racing n

   flatten
          [flat.ten] vb flat.tened ; flat.ten.ing vt (1630): to make
          flat: as a: to make level or smooth b: to knock down;
          also: to defeat decisively c: to make dull or uninspired--often
          used with out d: to make (as paint) lusterless e: to
          stabilize esp. at a lower level ~ vi: to become flat
          or flatter: as a: to become dull or spiritless b: to
          extend in or into a flat position or form c: to become
          uniform or stabilized often at a new lower level--usu.
          used with out -- flat.ten.er n

   [1]flatter
          [flat.ter] vb [ME flateren, fr. OF flater to lick, flatter,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG flaz flat] vt (13c) 1: to
          praise excessively esp. from motives of self-interest
          2 a archaic: beguile 4 b: to encourage or gratify esp.
          with the assurance that something is right <I ~ myself
          that my interpretation is correct> 3 a: to portray too
          favorably <the portrait ~s him> b: to display to advantage
          <candlelight often ~s the face> ~ vi: to use flattery
          -- flat.ter.er n -- flat.ter.ing.ly adv [2]flatter n
          (1714): one that flattens; esp: a flat-faced swage used
          in smithing

   flattery
          [flat.tery] n, pl -ter.ies (14c) 1 a: the act or practice
          of flattering b (1): something that flatters (2): insincere
          or excessive praise 2 obs: a pleasing self-deception

   flattop
          [flat.top] n (1940): something with a flat or flattened upper
          surface: as a: aircraft carrier b: a modified crew cut

   flatulence
          [flat.u.lence] n (1711): the quality or state of being flatulent

   flatulency
          [flat.u.len.cy] n (1660): flatulence

   flatulent
          [flat.u.lent] adj [MF, fr. L flatus act of blowing, wind,
          fr. flare to blow--more at blow] (1599) 1 a: marked by
          or affected with gas generated in the intestine or stomach
          b: likely to cause gas 2: pompously or portentously overblown:
          inflated -- flat.u.lent.ly adv

   flatus
          [fla.tus] n [L, act of blowing, act of breaking wind] (1651):
          gas generated in the stomach or bowels

   flatware
          [flat.ware] n (1851): tableware more or less flat and usu.
          formed or cast in a single piece; esp: eating and serving
          utensils (as knives, forks, and spoons)--compare hollowware

   flatways
          [flat.ways] adv (1692): flatwise

   flatwise
          [flat.wise] adv (1601): with the flat surface presented in
          some expressed or implied position

   flatwork
          [flat.work] n (1925): laundry that can be finished mechanically
          and does not require hand ironing

   flatworm
          [flat.worm] n (ca. 1889): platyhelminth; esp: turbellarian

   flaunt
          [flaunt] vb [perh. of Scand origin; akin to ON flana to rush
          around--more at planet] vi (1566) 1: to display or obtrude
          oneself to public notice 2: to wave or flutter showily
          <the flag ~s in the breeze> ~ vt 1: to display ostentatiously
          or impudently: parade <~ing his superiority> 2: to treat
          contemptuously <~ed the rules --Louis Untermeyer> syn
          see show -- flaunt n -- flaunt.ing.ly adv -- flaunty
          adj usage Although transitive sense 2 of flaunt undoubtedly
          arose from confusion with flout, the contexts in which
          it appears cannot be called substandard <meting out punishment
          to the occasional mavericks who operate rigged games,
          tolerate rowdyism, or otherwise flaunt the law --Oscar
          Lewis> <observed with horror the flaunting of their authority
          in the suburbs, where men ... put up buildings that had
          no place at all in a Christian commonwealth --Marchette
          Chute> <in our profession ... very rarely do we publicly
          chastise a colleague who has flaunted our most basic
          principles --R. T. Blackburn, AAUP Bull.>. If you use
          it, however, you should be aware that many people will
          consider it a mistake. Use of flout in the sense of flaunt
          1 is found occasionally <"The proper pronunciation,"
          the blonde said, flouting her refined upbringing, "is
          pree feeks" --Mike Royko>.

   flautist
          [flau.tist] n [It flautista, fr. flauto flute, fr. OProv
          flaut] (1860): flutist

   flavanone
          [fla.va.none] n [L flavus + ISV -ane + -one] (1949): a colorless
          crystalline ketone containing 15 carbon atoms and two
          oxygen atoms; also: any of the derivatives of this ketone
          many of which occur in plants often in the form of glycosides

   flavin
          [fla.vin] n [ISV, fr. L flavus yellow--more at blue] (1933):
          any of a class of yellow water-soluble nitrogenous pigments
          derived from isoalloxazine and occurring in the form
          of nucleotides as coenzymes of flavoproteins; esp: riboflavin

   flavin adenine dinucleotide
          [flavin adenine dinucleotide] n (1960): a coenzyme of some
          flavoproteins

   flavine
          [fla.vine] n [ISV, fr. L flavus] (ca. 1853): any of a series
          of yellow acridine dyes (as acriflavine) often used medicinally
          for their antiseptic properties

   flavin mononucleotide
          [flavin mononucleotide] n (ca. 1953): fmn

   flavone
          [fla.vone] n [ISV, fr. L flavus] (1897): a colorless crystalline
          ketone found in the leaves, stems, and seed capsules
          of many primroses; also: any of the derivatives of this
          ketone many of which occur as yellow plant pigments in
          the form of glycosides and are used as dyestuffs

   flavonoid
          [fla.vo.noid] n [flavone + -oid] (1947): any of a group of
          aromatic compounds that includes many common pigments
          (as the anthocyanins and flavones)

   flavonol
          [fla.vo.nol] n (1898): any of various hydroxy derivatives
          of flavone

   flavoprotein
          [fla.vo.pro.tein] n [ISV flavin + -o- + protein] (1934):
          a dehydrogenase that contains a flavin and often a metal
          and plays a major role in biological oxidations

   [1]flavor
          [fla.vor] n [ME, fr. MF flaor, flavor, fr. (assumed) VL flator,
          alter. of L flatus breath, act of blowing--more at flatulent]
          (14c) 1 a archaic: odor, fragrance b: the quality of
          something that affects the sense of taste c: the blend
          of taste and smell sensations evoked by a substance in
          the mouth <the ~ of apples> 2: a substance that flavors
          <artificial ~s> 3: characteristic or predominant quality
          <the ethnic ~ of a neighborhood> 4 a: variety 3a b: a
          property that distinguishes different types of elementary
          particles (as quarks and neutrinos); also: any of the
          different types of particles that are distinguished by
          flavor -- fla.vored adj -- fla.vor.ful adj -- fla.vor.ful.ly
          adv -- fla.vor.less adj -- fla.vor.some adj [2]flavor
          vt fla.vored ; fla.vor.ing (1542): to give or add flavor
          to

   flavoring
          [fla.vor.ing] n (1845): flavor 2

   flavorist
          [fla.vor.ist] n (1964): a specialist in the creation of artificial
          flavors

   flavour
          [fla.vour] chiefly Brit var of flavor

   [1]flaw
          [flaw] n [of Scand origin; akin to Norw flaga gust] (1513)
          1: a sudden brief burst of wind; also: a spell of stormy
          weather 2 obs: an outburst esp. of passion [2]flaw n
          [ME, flake, prob. of Scand origin; akin to Sw flaga flake,
          flaw; akin to OE floh flat stone] (1586) 1 a: a defect
          in physical structure or form b: an imperfection or weakness
          and esp. one that detracts from the whole or hinders
          effectiveness <vanity was the ~ in his character> <a
          ~ in the book's plot> 2 obs: fragment -- flawed adj --
          flaw.less adj -- flaw.less.ly adv -- flaw.less.ness n
          [3]flaw vt (1610): to make flaws in: mar ~ vi: to become
          defective

   flax
          [flax] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE fleax; akin to OHG flahs
          flax, L plectere to braid--more at ply] (bef. 12c) 1:
          any of a genus (Linum of the family Linaceae, the flax
          family) of herbs; esp: a slender erect annual (L. usitatissimum)
          with blue flowers commonly cultivated for its bast fiber
          and seed 2: the fiber of the flax plant esp. when prepared
          for spinning 3: any of several plants resembling flax

   flaxen
          [flax.en] adj (15c) 1: made of flax 2: resembling flax esp.
          in pale soft strawy color <~ hair>

   flaxseed
          [flax.seed] n (1562): the seed of flax used as a source of
          oil and medicinally as a demulcent and emollient

   flaxy
          [flaxy] adj flax.i.er ; -est (1634): resembling flax esp.
          in texture

   flay
          [flay] vt [ME flen, fr. OE flean; akin to ON fla to flay,
          Lith plesti to tear] (bef. 12c) 1: to strip off the skin
          or surface of: skin 2: to criticize harshly: excoriate
          3: lash 1b <the wind whipped up to gale fury, ~ing his
          face --Richard Kent>

   fl dr
          [fl dr] abbreviation fluid dram

   flea
          [flea] n [ME fle, fr. OE flea; akin to OHG floh flea] (bef.
          12c): any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small wingless
          bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed
          body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded
          animals -- flea in one's[ ]ear : rebuke <sent him away
          with a flea in his ear>

   fleabag
          [flea.bag] n (1839): an inferior hotel or rooming house

   fleabane
          [flea.bane] n (1548): any of various composite plants (as
          of the genus Erigeron) that were once believed to drive
          away fleas

   flea beetle
          [flea beetle] n (1842): any of a subfamily (Alticinae, esp.
          genera Alticia and Epitrix) of small chrysomelid beetles
          with legs adapted for leaping that feed on foliage and
          sometimes serve as vectors of virus diseases of plants

   fleabite
          [flea.bite] n (ca. 1570) 1: the bite of a flea; also: the
          red spot caused by such a bite 2: a trifling pain or
          annoyance

   flea-bitten
          [flea-bit.ten] adj (1570) 1 of a horse: having a white or
          gray coat flecked with a darker color 2: bitten by or
          infested with fleas

   flea collar
          [flea collar] n (1953): a collar for animals (as dogs and
          cats) that contains insecticide for killing fleas

   flea-flicker
          [flea-flick.er] n (1927): any of various deceptive football
          plays in which the ball is quickly transferred between
          players (as by a lateral) before or after a forward pass

   fleahopper
          [flea.hop.per] n (1902): any of various small jumping bugs
          that feed on cultivated plants

   flea market
          [flea market] n [trans. of F Marche aux Puces, a market in
          Paris] (1922): a usu. open-air market for secondhand
          articles and antiques

   fleapit
          [flea.pit] n (1937) Brit: a dilapidated building usu. housing
          a movie theater

   fleawort
          [flea.wort] n (bef. 12c): any of three Old World plantains
          (esp. Plantago psyllium) whose seeds are sometimes used
          as a mild laxative--compare psyllium seed

   fleche
          [fleche] n [F, lit., arrow, fr. OF fleche, of Gmc origin;
          akin to MD vlieke arrow, OE fleogan to fly] (1848): spire;
          esp: a slender spire above the intersection of the nave
          and transepts of a church

   flechette
          [fle.chette] n [F, fr. dim. of fleche arrow] (1915): a small
          dart-shaped projectile that is clustered in an explosive
          warhead, dropped as a missile from an airplane, or fired
          from a handheld gun

   [1]fleck
          [fleck] vt [back-formation fr. flecked spotted, fr. ME, prob.
          fr. ON flekkottr, fr. flekkr spot] (14c) 1: streak, spot
          <whitecaps ~ed the blue sea> 2: to color as if by sprinkling
          with flecks <his wit is ~ed with sarcasm --James Atlas>
          [2]fleck n (1598) 1: spot, mark <a brown tweed with ~s
          of yellow> 2: flake, particle <~s of snow drifted down>

   fledge
          [fledge] vb fledged ; fledg.ing [fledge capable of flying,
          fr. ME flegge, fr. OE -flycge; akin to OHG flucki capable
          of flying, OE fleogan to fly--more at fly] vi (1566)
          of a bird: to acquire the feathers necessary for flight
          or independent activity ~ vt 1: to rear until ready for
          flight or independent activity 2: to cover with or as
          if with feathers or down 3: to furnish (as an arrow)
          with feathers

   fledgling
          [fledg.ling] n (1830) 1: a young bird just fledged 2: an
          immature or inexperienced person 3: one that is new <a
          ~ company>

   flee
          [flee] vb fled ; flee.ing [ME flen, fr. OE fleon; akin to
          OHG fliohan to flee] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to run away often
          from danger or evil: fly b: to hurry toward a place of
          security 2: to pass away swiftly: vanish ~ vt: to run
          away from: shun

   [1]fleece
          [fleece] n [ME flees, fr. OE fleos; akin to MHG vlius fleece
          and perh. to L pluma feather, down] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the
          coat of wool covering a wool-bearing animal (as a sheep)
          b: the wool obtained from a sheep at one shearing 2 a:
          any of various soft or woolly coverings b: a soft bulky
          deep-piled knitted or woven fabric used chiefly for clothing
          [2]fleece vt fleeced ; fleec.ing (1537) 1 a: to strip
          of money or property by fraud or extortion b: to charge
          excessively for goods or services 2: to remove the fleece
          from: shear 3: to dot or cover with fleecy masses

   fleeced
          [fleeced] adj (1580) 1: covered with or as if with a fleece
          2 of a textile: having a soft nap

   fleech
          [fleech] vb [ME (Sc) flechen] (14c) dial: coax, wheedle

   fleecy
          [fleecy] adj fleec.i.er ; -est (1590): covered with, made
          of, or resembling fleece <a ~ winter coat>

   [1]fleer
          [fleer] vi [ME fleryen, of Scand origin; akin to Norw flire
          to giggle] (15c): to laugh or grimace in a coarse derisive
          manner: sneer syn see scoff -- fleer.ing.ly adv [2]fleer
          n (1604): a word or look of derision or mockery

   [1]fleet
          [fleet] vb [ME fleten, fr. OE fleotan; akin to OHG fliozzan
          to float, OE flowan to flow] vi (bef. 12c) 1 obs: drift
          2 a archaic: flow b: to fade away: vanish 3 [[3]fleet]:
          to fly swiftly ~ vt: to cause (time) to pass usu. quickly
          or imperceptibly [2]fleet n [ME flete, fr. OE fleot ship,
          fr. fleotan] (13c) 1: a number of warships under a single
          command; specif: an organization of ships and aircraft
          under the command of a flag officer 2: group 2a, b; esp:
          a group (as of ships, planes, or trucks) operated under
          unified control [3]fleet adj [prob. fr. [1]fleet] (ca.
          1529) 1: swift in motion: nimble 2: evanescent, fleeting
          syn see fast -- fleet.ly adv -- fleet.ness n

   fleet admiral
          [fleet admiral] n (1946): an admiral of the highest rank
          in the navy whose insignia is five stars

   fleet-footed
          [fleet-foot.ed] adj (ca. 1743): able to run fast

   fleeting
          [fleet.ing] adj (1563): passing swiftly: transitory syn see
          transient -- fleet.ing.ly adv -- fleet.ing.ness n

   Fleet Street
          [Fleet Street] n [Fleet Street, London, England, center of
          the London newspaper district] (1882): the London press

   fleishig
          [flei.shig] adj [Yiddish fleyshik, fr. MHG vleischic meaty,
          fr. vleisch flesh, meat, fr. OHG fleisk] (1943): made
          of, prepared with, or used for meat or meat products--compare
          milchig, pareve

   Flem
          [Flem] abbreviation Flemish

   Fleming
          [Flem.ing] n [ME, fr. MD Vlaminc (akin to MD Vlander Flanders)]
          (12c): a member of the Germanic people inhabiting northern
          Belgium and a small section of northern France

   [1]Flemish
          [Flem.ish] adj (14c): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Flanders or the Flemings or their language [2]Flemish
          n (ca. 1741) 1: the Germanic language of the Flemings
          that is made up of dialects of Dutch 2 pl in constr:
          flemings

   Flemish giant
          [Flemish giant] n (1898): any of a breed of very large
          solid-colored rabbits prob. of Belgian origin

   flense
          [flense] vt flensed ; flens.ing [D flensen or Dan & Norw
          flense] (1820): to strip (as a whale) of blubber or skin

   [1]flesh
          [flesh] n [ME, fr. OE flaesc; akin to OHG fleisk flesh and
          perh. to ON fla to flay--more at flay] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          the soft parts of the body of an animal and esp. of a
          vertebrate; esp: the parts composed chiefly of skeletal
          muscle as distinguished from visceral structures, bone,
          and integuments b: sleek well-fatted condition of body
          c: skin 2 a: edible parts of an animal b: flesh of a
          mammal or fowl eaten as food 3 a: the physical nature
          of human beings <the spirit indeed is willing, but the
          ~ is weak --Mt 26:41 (AV)> b: human nature 4 a: human
          beings: mankind b: living beings c: stock, kindred 5:
          a fleshy plant part used as food; also: the fleshy part
          of a fruit 6 Christian Science: an illusion that matter
          has sensation 7: substance <insights buried in the ~
          of the narrative --Jan Carew> -- in the flesh : in person
          and alive [2]flesh vt (1530) 1: to initiate or habituate
          esp. by giving a foretaste 2 archaic: gratify 3: to clothe
          or cover with or as if with flesh; broadly: to give substance
          to--usu. used with out 4: to free from flesh ~ vi: to
          become fleshy--often used with up or out

   flesh and blood
          [flesh and blood] n (bef. 12c) 1: corporeal nature as composed
          of flesh and of blood 2: near kindred--used chiefly in
          the phrase one's own flesh and blood 3: substance, reality

   fleshed
          [fleshed] adj (15c): having flesh esp. of a specified kind--often
          used in combination <pink-fleshed> <thick-fleshed>

   flesh fly
          [flesh fly] n (14c): a dipteran fly whose maggots feed on
          flesh; esp: any of a family (Sarcophagidae) of flies
          some of which cause myiasis

   fleshings
          [flesh.ings] n pl (1860): material removed in fleshing a
          hide

   fleshly
          [flesh.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: corporeal, bodily b: of, relating
          to, or characterized by indulgence of bodily appetites;
          esp: lascivious <~ desires> c: not spiritual: worldly
          2: fleshy, plump 3: having a sensuous quality <~ art>
          syn see carnal

   fleshment
          [flesh.ment] n [[2]flesh] (1605) obs: excitement associated
          with a successful beginning

   flesh out
          [flesh out] vt (1886): to make fuller or more nearly complete
          <museums fleshing out their collections with borrowed
          works> -- fleshed-out adj

   fleshpot
          [flesh.pot] n (1592) 1 pl: bodily comfort: luxury 2: a place
          of lascivious entertainment--usu. used in pl.

   flesh wound
          [flesh wound] n (ca. 1674): an injury involving penetration
          of the body musculature without damage to bones or internal
          organs

   fleshy
          [fleshy] adj flesh.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: marked by, consisting
          of, or resembling flesh b: marked by abundant flesh;
          esp: corpulent 2 a: succulent, pulpy <the ~ texture of
          a melon> b: not thin, dry, or membranous <~ fungi> --
          flesh.i.ness n

   fleshy fruit
          [fleshy fruit] n (1929): a fruit (as a berry, drupe, or pome)
          consisting largely of soft succulent tissue

   fletch
          [fletch] vt [back-formation fr. fletcher] (ca. 1656): feather
          <~ an arrow>

   fletcher
          [fletch.er] n [ME fleccher, fr. OF flechier, fr. fleche arrow--more
          at fleche] (14c): a maker of arrows

   fletching
          [fletch.ing] n (ca. 1930): the feathers on an arrow; also:
          the arrangement of such feathers

   fleur de coin
          [fleur de coin] adj [F a fleur de coin, lit., with the bloom
          of the die] (ca. 1889): being in the preserved mint condition

   fleur-de-lis
          [fleur-de-lis] or fleur-de-lys n, pl fleurs-de-lis or fleur-de-lis
          or fleurs-de-lys or fleur-de-lys [ME flourdelis, fr. MF flor
          de lis, lit., lily flower] (14c) 1: iris 3 2: a conventionalized
          iris in artistic design and heraldry

   fleury
          [fleu.ry] adj [alter. of ME flory, fr. OF flore, fr. flor
          flower--more at flower] (15c) of a heraldic cross: having
          the ends of the arms broadening out into the heads of
          fleurs-de-lis--see cross illustration

   flew
          [flew] past of fly

   flews
          [flews] n pl [origin unknown] (1575): the pendulous lateral
          parts of a dog's upper lip--see dog illustration

   [1]flex
          [flex] vb [L flexus, pp. of flectere to bend] vt (ca. 1521)
          1: to bend esp. repeatedly 2 a: to move muscles so as
          to cause flexion of (a joint) b: to move or tense (a
          muscle) by contraction ~ vi: bend -- flex one's muscles
          : to demonstrate one's strength <an exaggerated need
          to flex his political muscles --J. P. Lash> [2]flex n
          [short for flexible cord] (1905) chiefly Brit: an electric
          cord [3]flex n (ca. 1934): an act or instance of flexing

   flexible
          [flex.i.ble] adj (15c) 1: capable of being flexed: pliant
          2: yielding to influence: tractable 3: characterized
          by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or
          changing requirements <a ~ foreign policy> <a ~ schedule>
          syn see elastic -- flex.i.bil.i.ty n -- flex.i.bly adv

   flexile
          [flex.ile] adj (1633): flexible

   flexion
          [flex.ion] n [L flexion-, flexio, fr. flectere] (1615) 1:
          the act of flexing or bending 2: a part bent: bend 3:
          inflection 3 4 a: a bending movement around a joint in
          a limb (as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle
          between the bones of the limb at the joint--compare extension
          3b b: a forward raising of the arm or leg by a movement
          at the shoulder or hip joint

   flexography
          [flex.og.ra.phy] n [flexible + -o- + -graphy] (1954): a process
          of rotary letterpress printing using flexible plates
          and fast-drying inks -- flexo.graph.ic adj -- flexo.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   flexor
          [flex.or] n (1615): a muscle serving to bend a body part
          (as a limb)

   flextime
          [flex.time] or flexi.time n (1972): a system that allows
          employees to choose their own times for starting and
          finishing work within a broad range of available hours

   flexuous
          [flex.u.ous] adj [L flexuosus, fr. flexus bend, fr. flectere]
          (1605) 1: having curves, turns, or windings 2: lithe
          or fluid in action or movement

   flexural
          [flex.ur.al] adj (1879) 1: of, relating to, or resulting
          from flexure 2: characterized by flexure

   flexure
          [flex.ure] n (1592) 1: the quality or state of being flexed:
          flexion 2: turn, bend, fold

   fley
          [fley] vt [ME flayen, fr. OE aflegan, fr. a-, perfective
          prefix + -flegan to put to flight] (13c) Scot: frighten

   flibbertigibbet
          [flib.ber.ti.gib.bet] n [ME flepergebet] (15c): a silly flighty
          person -- flib.ber.ti.gib.bety adj

   flic
          [flic] n [F] (1899): a French police officer

   [1]flick
          [flick] n [imit.] (15c) 1: a light sharp jerky stroke or
          movement 2: a sound produced by a flick 3: flicker 1
          [2]flick vt (1816) 1 a: to move or propel with or as
          if with a flick <~ed her hair back over her shoulder>
          <~ a switch> b: to activate, deactivate, or change by
          or as if by flicking a switch <~ on a cigarette lighter>
          <~ off the radio> 2 a: to strike lightly with a quick
          sharp motion <~ed the horse with a whip> b: to remove
          with light blows <~ed an ash off her sleeve> ~ vi 1:
          to go or pass quickly or abruptly <a bird ~ed by> <~ing
          through some papers> 2: to direct flicks at something
          [3]flick n [short for [2]flicker] (1926): movie

   [1]flicker
          [flick.er] vb flick.ered ; flick.er.ing [ME flikeren, fr.
          OE flicorian] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to move irregularly or
          unsteadily: flutter 2: to burn or shine fitfully or with
          a fluctuating light 3: to appear briefly ~ vt 1: to cause
          to flicker 2: to produce by flickering -- flick.er.ing.ly
          adv [2]flicker n (1849) 1 a: an act of flickering b:
          a sudden brief movement c: a momentary quickening <a
          ~ of anger> d: a slight indication: hint <a ~ of recognition>
          2: a wavering light 3: movie--often used in pl. -- flick.ery
          adj [3]flicker n [prob. imit. of its call] (1809): a
          large barred and spotted No. American woodpecker (Colaptes
          auratus) with a brown back that commonly forages on the
          ground for ants--compare red-shafted flicker, yellow-shafted
          flicker

   flick-knife
          [flick-knife] n (1957) Brit: switchblade

   flied
          [flied] past of [3]fly

   flier
          [fli.er] n (15c) 1: one that flies; specif: airman 2: a reckless
          or speculative venture--usu. used in the phrase take
          a flier 3 usu flyer : an advertising circular

   [1]flight
          [flight] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE flyht; akin to MD vlucht
          flight, OE fleogan to fly] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an act or
          instance of passing through the air by the use of wings
          <the ~ of a bee> b: the ability to fly <~ is natural
          to birds> 2 a: a passing through the air or through space
          outside the earth's atmosphere <~ of an arrow> <~ of
          a rocket to the moon> b: the distance covered in such
          a flight c: swift movement 3 a: a trip made by or in
          an airplane or spacecraft b: a scheduled airplane trip
          4: a group of similar beings or objects flying through
          the air together 5: a brilliant, imaginative, or unrestrained
          exercise or display <a ~ of fancy> 6 a: a continuous
          series of stairs from one landing or floor to another
          b: a series (as of terraces or conveyors) resembling
          a flight of stairs 7: a unit of the U.S. Air Force below
          a squadron -- flight.less adj [2]flight vi (1873): to
          rise, settle, or fly in a flock <geese ~ing on the marsh>
          ~ vt: [1]flush [3]flight n [ME fluht, fliht; akin to
          OHG fluht flight, OE fleon to flee] (13c): an act or
          instance of running away

   flight attendant
          [flight attendant] n (1947): a person who attends passengers
          on an airplane

   flight bag
          [flight bag] n [[1]flight] (1943) 1: a lightweight traveling
          bag with zippered outside pockets 2: a small canvas satchel

   flight deck
          [flight deck] n (1924) 1: the uppermost complete deck of
          an aircraft carrier 2: the forward compartment in some
          airplanes

   flight engineer
          [flight engineer] n (1938): a flight crewman responsible
          for mechanical operation

   flight feather
          [flight feather] n (1735): one of the quills of a bird's
          wing or tail that support it in flight--compare contour
          feather

   flight lieutenant
          [flight lieutenant] n (1914): a commissioned officer in the
          British air force who ranks with a captain in the army

   flight line
          [flight line] n (1943): a parking and servicing area for
          airplanes

   flight path
          [flight path] n (1911): the path in the air or space made
          or followed by something (as a particle, an airplane,
          or a spacecraft) in flight

   flight pay
          [flight pay] n (1928): an additional allowance paid to military
          personnel who take part in regular authorized aircraft
          flights

   flight plan
          [flight plan] n (ca. 1936): a usu. written statement (as
          by a pilot) of the details of an intended flight (as
          of an airplane or spacecraft) usu. filed with an authority

   flight recorder
          [flight recorder] n (1939): a crashworthy instrument for
          recording flight data (as airspeed and altitude)

   flight suit
          [flight suit] n (1944): a usu. one-piece garment esp. of
          fire-resistant fabric worn esp. by military aircrews

   flight surgeon
          [flight surgeon] n (1925): a military medical officer trained
          in aerospace medicine

   flight-test
          [flight-test] vt (1930): to test (as an airplane or spacecraft)
          in flight

   flighty
          [flighty] adj flight.i.er ; -est (1552) 1: swift 2: lacking
          stability or steadiness: a: easily upset: volatile <a
          ~ temper> b: easily excited: skittish <a ~ horse> c:
          capricious, silly -- flight.i.ly adv -- flight.i.ness
          n

   [1]flimflam
          [flim.flam] n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON flim mockery]
          (ca. 1538) 1: deception, fraud 2: deceptive nonsense
          [2]flimflam vt flim.flammed ; flim.flam.ming (1660):
          to subject to a flimflam -- flim.flam.mer n -- flim.flam.mery
          n

   [1]flimsy
          [flim.sy] adj flim.si.er ; -est [perh. alter. of [1]film
          + -sy (as in tricksy)] (1702) 1 a: lacking in physical
          strength or substance <~ silks> b: of inferior materials
          and workmanship 2: having little worth or plausibility
          -- flim.si.ly adv -- flim.si.ness n [2]flimsy n, pl flim.sies
          (1857) chiefly Brit: a lightweight paper used esp. for
          multiple copies; also: a document printed on flimsy

   flinch
          [flinch] vi [MF flenchir to bend, of Gmc origin; akin to
          MHG lenken to bend, OHG hlanca flank--more at lank] (1579):
          to withdraw or shrink from or as if from pain: wince;
          also: to tense the muscles involuntarily in anticipation
          of discomfort syn see recoil -- flinch n -- flinch.er
          n

   flinders
          [flin.ders] n pl [ME flendris] (15c): splinters, fragments

   [1]fling
          [fling] vb flung ; fling.ing [ME, perh. of Scand origin;
          akin to ON flengja to whip] vi (14c) 1: to move in a
          brusque or headlong manner <flung out of the room in
          a rage> 2 of an animal: to kick or plunge vigorously
          3 Scot: caper ~ vt 1 a: to throw forcefully, impetuously,
          or casually <flung herself down on the sofa> <clothes
          were flung on the floor> b: to cast as if by throwing
          <flung off all restraint> 2: to place or send suddenly
          and unceremoniously <was arrested and flung into prison>
          3: to give unrestrainedly <flung himself into music>
          syn see throw -- fling.er n [2]fling n (1589) 1: an act
          or instance of flinging 2 a: a casual try or involvement
          b: a casual or brief love affair 3: a period devoted
          to self-indulgence

   Flint
          [Flint] or Flints abbreviation Flintshire

   flint
          [flint] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG flins pebble, hard stone]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a massive hard quartz that produces a spark
          when struck by steel 2: an implement of flint used in
          prehistoric cultures 3 a: a piece of flint b: a material
          used for producing a spark; esp: an alloy (as of iron
          and cerium) used in lighters 4: something resembling
          flint in hardness -- flint.like adj

   flint corn
          [flint corn] n (1705): an Indian corn (Zea mays indurata)
          having hard horny usu. rounded kernels with the soft
          endosperm enclosed by a hard outer layer

   flint glass
          [flint glass] n (1683): heavy brilliant glass that contains
          lead oxide, has a relatively high index of refraction,
          and is used in lenses and prisms

   flintlock
          [flint.lock] n (1683) 1: a lock for a gun or pistol having
          a flint in the hammer for striking a spark to ignite
          the charge 2: a firearm fitted with a flintlock

   flinty
          [flinty] adj flint.i.er ; -est (1536) 1: resembling flint;
          esp: stern, unyielding 2 : composed of or covered with
          flint -- flint.i.ly adv -- flint.i.ness n

   [1]flip
          [flip] vb flipped ; flip.ping [prob. imit.] vt (1616) 1:
          to toss so as to cause to turn over in the air <~ a coin>;
          also: toss <~ me the ball> <~ one end of the scarf over
          your shoulder> 2 a: to cause to turn and esp. to turn
          over <flipped the car> <flipping the pages of> b: to
          move with a small quick motion <~ a switch> ~ vi 1: to
          make a twitching or flicking movement <the fish flipped
          and flopped on the deck>; also: to change from one position
          to another and esp. turn over <the car flipped> 2: leaf
          2 <flipped through the pages> 3 slang a: to lose one's
          mind or composure--often used with out b: to become very
          enthusiastic [2]flip n (1695) 1: a mixed drink usu. consisting
          of a sweetened spiced liquor with beaten eggs 2: an act
          or instance of flipping 3: the motion used in flipping
          4: a somersault esp. in the air [3]flip adj (ca. 1847):
          flippant, impertinent

   flip-flop
          [flip-flop] n (1600) 1: the sound or motion of something
          flapping loosely 2 a: a backward handspring b: a sudden
          reversal (as of direction or point of view) 3: a usu.
          electronic device or a circuit (as in a computer) capable
          of assuming either of two stable states 4: a rubber sandal
          loosely fastened to the foot by a thong -- flip-flop
          vi

   flippancy
          [flip.pan.cy] n, pl -cies (1746): unbecoming levity or pertness
          esp. in respect to grave or sacred matters

   flippant
          [flip.pant] adj [prob. fr. [1]flip] (1605) 1 archaic: glib,
          talkative 2: lacking proper respect or seriousness --
          flip.pant.ly adv

   flipper
          [flip.per] n (1822) 1 a: a broad flat limb (as of a seal
          or cetacean) adapted for swimming b: a flat rubber shoe
          with the front expanded into a paddle used in skin diving
          2: one that flips

   flippy
          [flip.py] adj (1967): loose and flaring at the bottom <a
          ~ skirt>

   flip side
          [flip side] n (1949) 1: the reverse and usu. less popular
          side of a phonograph record 2: a reverse or opposite
          side, aspect, or result <the flip side of deficient saving
          ... is overconsumption --R. S. Gay>

   FLIR
          [FLIR] abbreviation forward-looking infrared

   [1]flirt
          [flirt] vb [origin unknown] vt (1583) 1: flick 2: to move
          in a jerky manner ~ vi 1: to move erratically: flit 2
          a: to behave amorously without serious intent b: to show
          superficial or casual interest or liking <~ed with the
          idea>; also: experiment <a novelist ~ing with poetry>
          3: to come close to--used with with <the temperature
          ~ed with 100 degrees> syn see trifle -- flir.ta.tion
          n -- flirt.er n -- flirty adj [2]flirt n (ca. 1590) 1:
          an act or instance of flirting 2: a person who flirts

   flirtatious
          [flir.ta.tious] adj (1834): inclined to flirt: coquettish
          -- flir.ta.tious.ly adv -- flir.ta.tious.ness n

   flit
          [flit] vi flit.ted ; flit.ting [ME flitten, of Scand origin;
          akin to ON flytjask to move, OE fleotan to float] (13c)
          1: to pass quickly or abruptly from one place or condition
          to another 2 archaic: alter, shift 3: to move in an erratic
          fluttering manner -- flit n

   flitch
          [flitch] n [ME flicche, fr. OE flicce; akin to OHG fleisk
          flesh--more at flesh] (bef. 12c) 1: a side of cured meat;
          esp: a side of bacon 2 a: a longitudinal section of a
          log b: a bundle of sheets of veneer laid together in
          sequence

   [1]flitter
          [flit.ter] vi [freq. of flit] (1534): flutter, flicker [2]flitter
          n (1554): one that flits

   flivver
          [fliv.ver] n [origin unknown] (1910): a small cheap usu.
          old automobile

   [1]float
          [float] n [ME flote boat, float, fr. OE flota ship; akin
          to OHG floz raft, stream, OE fleotan to float--more at
          fleet] (bef. 12c) 1: an act or instance of floating 2:
          something that floats in or on the surface of a fluid:
          as a: a device (as a cork) buoying up the baited end
          of a fishing line b: a floating platform anchored near
          a shoreline for use by swimmers or boats c: a hollow
          ball that floats at the end of a lever in a cistern,
          tank, or boiler and regulates the liquid level d: a sac
          containing air or gas and buoying up the body of a plant
          or animal--compare pneumatophore 1 e: a watertight structure
          giving an airplane buoyancy on water 3: a tool or apparatus
          for smoothing a surface (as of wet concrete) 4: a government
          grant of a fixed amount of land not yet located by survey
          out of a larger specific tract 5 a: a vehicle with a
          platform used to carry an exhibit in a parade b: the
          vehicle and exhibit together 6 a: an amount of money
          represented by checks outstanding and in process of collection
          b: the time between a transaction (as the writing of
          a check or a purchase on credit) and the actual withdrawal
          of funds to cover it c: the volume of a company's shares
          available for active trading in the auction market 7:
          a soft drink with ice cream floating in it -- floaty
          adj [2]float vi (bef. 12c) 1: to rest on the surface
          of or be suspended in a fluid 2 a: to drift on or through
          or as if on or through a fluid <yellow leaves ~ed down>
          b: wander 3 of a currency: to find a level in the international
          exchange market in response to the law of supply and
          demand and without any restrictive effect of artificial
          support or control ~ vt 1 a: to cause to float in or
          on the surface of a fluid b: to cause to float as if
          in a fluid 2: flood <~ a cranberry bog> 3: to smooth
          (as plaster or cement) with a float 4 a: to put forth
          (as a proposal) for acceptance b: to place (an issue
          of securities) on the market c: to obtain money for the
          establishment or development of (an enterprise) by issuing
          and selling securities d: negotiate <~ a loan>

   floatation
          [floa.ta.tion] var of flotation

   floater
          [float.er] n (1717) 1 a: one that floats b: a person who
          floats something 2: a person who votes illegally in various
          polling places 3 a: a person without a permanent residence
          or regular employment b: a worker who moves from job
          to job; esp: one without fixed duties 4: a policy insuring
          specific items of personal property (as jewelry or art)

   float glass
          [float glass] n (1959): flat glass produced by solidifying
          molten glass on the surface of a bath of molten tin

   floating
          [float.ing] adj (1600) 1: buoyed on or in a fluid 2: located
          out of the normal position <a ~ kidney> 3 a: continually
          drifting or changing position <the ~ population> b: not
          presently committed or invested <~ capital> c: short-term
          and usu. not funded <~ debt> d: having no fixed value
          or rate <~ currencies> <~ interest rates> 4: connected
          or constructed so as to operate and adjust smoothly <a
          ~ axle>

   floating dock
          [floating dock] n (1866): a dock that floats on the water
          and can be partly submerged to permit entry of a ship
          and raised to keep the ship high and dry--called also
          floating drydock

   floating island
          [floating island] n (1771): a dessert consisting of custard
          with floating masses of beaten egg whites

   floating-point
          [floating-point] adj (1948): expressed in, using, or being
          a mathematical notation in which a number is represented
          (as in a computer display) by an integer or a decimal
          fraction multiplied by a power of the number base indicated
          by an exponent (as in 4.52E2 for 452)--compare fixed-point

   floating rib
          [floating rib] n (1831): a rib (as one of either of the last
          two pairs in humans) that has no attachment to the sternum--compare
          false rib

   floatplane
          [float.plane] n (1922): a seaplane supported on the water
          by one or more floats

   floc
          [floc] n [short for floccule] (1921): a flocculent mass formed
          by the aggregation of a number of fine suspended particles

   flocculate
          [floc.cu.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing vt (1877): to cause
          to aggregate into a flocculent mass <~ clay> ~ vi: to
          become flocculent -- floc.cu.lant n -- floc.cu.la.tion
          n -- floc.cu.la.tor n

   floccule
          [floc.cule] n [LL flocculus] (ca. 1846): floc

   flocculent
          [floc.cu.lent] adj [L floccus + E -ulent] (1800) 1: resembling
          wool esp. in loose fluffy organization 2: made up of
          flocs or floccules <a ~ precipitate>

   flocculus
          [floc.cu.lus] n, pl -li [LL, dim. of L floccus tuft of wool]
          (1799) 1: a small loosely aggregated mass 2: a bright
          or dark patch on the sun

   [1]flock
          [flock] n [ME, fr. OE flocc crowd, band; akin to ON flokkr
          crowd, band] (13c) 1: a group of birds or mammals assembled
          or herded together 2: a group under the guidance of a
          leader; esp: a church congregation 3: a large number
          <a ~ of tourists> [2]flock vi (14c): to gather or move
          in a flock <they ~ed to the beach> [3]flock n [ME flok,
          fr. OF floc, fr. L floccus] (13c) 1: a tuft of wool or
          cotton fiber 2: woolen or cotton refuse used for stuffing
          furniture and mattresses 3: very short or pulverized
          fiber used esp. to form a velvety pattern on cloth or
          paper or a protective covering on metal 4: floc [4]flock
          vt (1530) 1: to fill with flock 2: to decorate with flock

   flocking
          [flock.ing] n (ca. 1874): a design in flock

   floe
          [floe] n [prob. fr. Norw flo flat layer] (1817) 1: floating
          ice formed in a large sheet on the surface of a body
          of water 2: ice floe

   flog
          [flog] vb flogged ; flog.ging [perh. modif. of L flagellare
          to whip--more at flagellate] vt (ca. 1676) 1 a: to beat
          with or as if with a rod or whip b: to criticize harshly
          2: to force or urge into action: drive 3 a chiefly Brit:
          to sell (as stolen goods) illegally <flogged their employers'
          petrol to ordinary motorists --Economist> b: sell 7 <traveled
          by horse, flogging encyclopedias --Robert Darnton> c:
          to promote aggressively: plug <flying around the world
          flogging your movies --Peter Bogdanovich> 4 Brit: steal
          1 ~ vi 1: flap, flutter <sails flogging> 2 Brit: to move
          along with difficulty: slog -- flog.ger n

   flokati
          [flo.ka.ti] n [NGk phlokate] (1967): a hand-woven Greek woolen
          rug with a thick shaggy pile

   [1]flood
          [flood] n [ME, fr. OE flod; akin to OHG fluot flood, OE flowan
          to flow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a rising and overflowing of
          a body of water esp. onto normally dry land; also: a
          condition of overflowing <rivers in ~> b cap: a flood
          described in the Bible as covering the earth in the time
          of Noah 2: the flowing in of the tide 3: an overwhelming
          quantity or volume; also: a state of abundant flow or
          volume <a debate in full ~> 4: floodlight [2]flood vt
          (1663) 1: to cover with a flood: inundate 2 a: to fill
          abundantly or excessively <~ the market> b: to supply
          to (the carburetor of an internal combustion engine)
          an excess of fuel so that engine operation is hampered
          ~ vi 1: to pour forth, go, or come in a flood 2: to become
          filled with a flood -- flood.er n

   floodgate
          [flood.gate] n [ME flodgate] (13c) 1: a gate for shutting
          out, admitting, or releasing a body of water: sluice
          2: something serving to restrain an outburst <opened
          the ~s>

   [1]floodlight
          [flood.light] vt -lit also -light.ed ; -light.ing (1923):
          to illuminate by means of one or more floodlights [2]floodlight
          n (1924) 1 a: artificial illumination in a broad beam
          b: a source of such illumination 2: a lighting unit for
          projecting a beam of light

   floodplain
          [flood.plain] n (1873) 1: level land that may be submerged
          by floodwaters 2: a plain built up by stream deposition

   flood tide
          [flood tide] n (1719) 1: a rising tide 2 a: an overwhelming
          quantity b: a high point: peak

   floodwater
          [flood.wa.ter] n (1791): the water of a flood

   floodway
          [flood.way] n (1928): a channel for diverting floodwaters

   flooey
          [floo.ey] adj [origin unknown] (1920): awry, askew <go ~>

   [1]floor
          [floor] n, often attrib [ME flor, fr. OE flor; akin to OHG
          fluor meadow, L planus level, and perh. to Gk planasthai
          to wander] (bef. 12c) 1: the level base of a room 2 a:
          the lower inside surface of a hollow structure (as a
          cave or bodily part) b: a ground surface <the ocean ~>
          3 a: a structure dividing a building into stories; also:
          story b: the occupants of such a floor 4: the surface
          of a structure on which one travels <the ~ of a bridge>
          5 a: a main level space (as in a stock exchange or legislative
          chamber) distinguished from a platform or gallery b:
          the members of an assembly <took questions from the ~>
          c: the right to address an assembly <the senator from
          Utah has the ~> 6: a lower limit: base -- floored adj
          [2]floor vt (15c) 1: to cover with a floor or flooring
          2 a: to knock or bring down b: flabbergast, dumbfound
          3: to press (the accelerator of a vehicle) to the floorboard;
          also: to accelerate rapidly <~ed the van> -- floor.er
          n

   floorboard
          [floor.board] n (1881) 1: a board in a floor 2: the floor
          of an automobile

   floorcloth
          [floor.cloth] n, pl -cloths (1746): a usu. decorated heavy
          cloth (as of canvas) used for a floor covering

   floor exercise
          [floor exercise] n (1961): an event in gymnastics competition
          consisting of various ballet and tumbling movements (as
          jumps, somersaults, and handstands) performed without
          apparatus

   flooring
          [floor.ing] n (1624) 1: floor, base 2: material for floors

   floor lamp
          [floor lamp] n (1892): a tall lamp that stands on the floor

   floor leader
          [floor leader] n (1899): a member of a legislative body chosen
          by a party to have charge of its organization and strategy
          on the floor

   floor-length
          [floor-length] adj (1939): reaching to the floor <a ~ gown>

   floor manager
          [floor manager] n (1887): a person who directs something
          from the floor (as of a nominating convention)

   floor show
          [floor show] n (1927): a series of acts presented in a nightclub

   floor-through
          [floor-through] n (1967): an apartment that occupies an entire
          floor of a building

   floorwalker
          [floor.walk.er] n (1876): a person employed in a retail store
          to oversee the salespeople and aid customers

   floozy
          [floo.zy] or floo.zie n, pl floozies [origin unknown] (1911):
          a usu. young woman of loose morals

   [1]flop
          [flop] vb flopped ; flop.ping [alter. of [2]flap] vi (1602)
          1: to swing or move loosely: flap 2: to throw or move
          oneself in a heavy, clumsy, or relaxed manner <flopped
          into the chair> 3: to change or turn suddenly 4: to go
          to bed <a place to ~ at night> 5: to fail completely
          <the play flopped> ~ vt: to move or drop heavily or noisily:
          cause to flop <flopped the bundles down> <~ the rag over>
          -- flop.per n [2]flop adv (1728): right, squarely <fell
          ~ on my face> [3]flop n (1823) 1: an act or sound of
          flopping 2: a complete failure 3 slang: a place to sleep;
          esp: flophouse 4: dung <cow ~>; also: a piece of dung

   flophouse
          [flop.house] n (1916): a cheap rooming house or hotel

   [1]floppy
          [flop.py] adj flop.pi.er ; -est (1858): tending to flop;
          esp: being both soft and flexible -- flop.pi.ly adv --
          flop.pi.ness n [2]floppy n, pl -pies (1974): floppy disk

   floppy disk
          [floppy disk] n (1972): a small flexible plastic disk coated
          with magnetic material on which data for a computer can
          be stored

   flora
          [flo.ra] n, pl floras also flo.rae [NL, fr. L Flora, Roman
          goddess of flowers, fr. L flor-, flos] (1777) 1: a treatise
          on or list of the plants of an area or period 2: plant
          or bacterial life; esp: such life characteristic of a
          region, period, or special environment <fossil ~> <intestinal
          ~>--compare fauna

   [1]floral
          [flo.ral] adj [L flor-, flos flower--more at blow] (1753):
          of or relating to flowers or a flora [2]floral n (1897):
          a design, pattern, or picture in which flowers predominate

   floral envelope
          [floral envelope] n (ca. 1829): perianth

   floreat
          [flo.re.at] [L] foreign term : may (he, she, or it) flourish--usu.
          followed by a name

   Florence flask
          [Flor.ence flask] n [Florence, Italy; fr. the use of flasks
          of this shape for certain Italian wines] (1744): a round
          usu. flat-bottomed laboratory vessel with a long neck

   Florentine
          [Flor.en.tine] adj [ML Florentinus] (1597) 1 a: of or relating
          to Florence, Italy b: machiavellian <~ politics> 2: served
          or dressed with spinach <poached eggs ~> 3: having a
          matte brushed finish <~ gold>

   florescence
          [flo.res.cence] n [NL florescentia, fr. L florescent-, florescens,
          prp. of florescere, incho. of florere to blossom, flourish--more
          at flourish] (1793): a state or period of flourishing
          -- flo.res.cent adj

   floret
          [flo.ret] n [ME flourette, fr. MF flouret, dim. of flour
          flower] (1671) 1: a small flower; esp: one of the small
          flowers forming the head of a composite plant 2: a cluster
          of flower buds separated from a head esp. when used as
          food <cauliflower ~s>

   flori-
          [flori-] comb form [L, fr. flor-, flos]: flower or flowers
          <floriculture>

   floriated
          [flo.ri.at.ed] adj (1845): having floral ornaments or a floral
          form -- flo.ri.a.tion n

   floribunda
          [flo.ri.bun.da] n [NL, fem. of floribundus flowering freely]
          (1898): any of various bush roses with large flowers
          in open clusters that derive from crosses of polyantha
          and tea roses

   floriculture
          [flo.ri.cul.ture] n (1822): the cultivation and management
          of ornamental and esp. flowering plants -- flo.ri.cul.tur.al
          adj -- flo.ri.cul.tur.ist n

   florid
          [flor.id] adj [L floridus blooming, flowery, fr. florere]
          (ca. 1656) 1 a obs: covered with flowers b: very flowery
          in style: ornate <~ prose> <~ declamations>; also: having
          a florid style <a ~ writer> c: elaborately decorated
          <a ~ interior> 2 a: tinged with red: ruddy <a ~ complexion>
          b: marked by emotional or sexual fervor <a ~ secret life>
          <a ~ sensibility> 3 archaic: healthy 4: fully developed:
          manifesting a complete and typical clinical syndrome
          <the ~ stage of a disease> -- flo.rid.i.ty n -- flor.id.ly
          adv -- flor.id.ness n

   floriferous
          [flo.rif.er.ous] adj [L florifer, fr. flori- + -fer fer]
          (1678): bearing flowers; esp: blooming freely --
          flo.rif.er.ous.ness n

   florigen
          [flo.ri.gen] n [ISV] (1936): a hormone or hormonal agent
          that promotes flowering -- flo.ri.gen.ic adj

   florilegium
          [flo.ri.le.gium] n, pl -gia [NL, fr. L florilegus culling
          flowers, fr. flori- + legere to gather--more at legend]
          (1647): a volume of writings: anthology

   florin
          [flo.rin] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OIt fiorino, fr. fiore flower,
          fr. L flor-, flos; fr. the lily on the coins] (14c) 1
          a: an old gold coin first struck at Florence in 1252
          b: any of various European gold coins patterned after
          the Florentine florin 2 a: a British silver coin worth
          two shillings b: any of several similar coins issued
          in Commonwealth countries 3: gulden 4: forint

   florist
          [flo.rist] n (1623): one who sells or grows for sale flowers
          and ornamental plants -- flo.rist.ry n

   floristic
          [flo.ris.tic] adj (1898): of or relating to flowers, a flora,
          or the phytogeographical study of plants and plant groups
          -- flo.ris.ti.cal.ly adv

   floruit
          [flo.ru.it] n [L, he flourished, fr. florere to flourish]
          (1843): a period of flourishing (as of a person or movement)

   [1]floss
          [floss] n [prob. modif. of F floche soft, weak (of silk fiber),
          fr. Gascon, fr. L fluxus, lit., loose, flowing, pp. of
          fluere to flow--more at fluid] (1759) 1 a: soft thread
          of silk or mercerized cotton for embroidery b: dental
          floss 2: fluffy fibrous material [2]floss vt (1974):
          to use dental floss on ~ vi: to use dental floss

   flossy
          [flossy] adj floss.i.er ; -est (1839) 1: of, relating to,
          or having the characteristics of floss 2: stylish or
          glamorous esp. at first impression <~ new hotels> --
          floss.i.ly adv

   flota
          [flo.ta] n [Sp] (1527): a fleet of Spanish ships

   flotation
          [flo.ta.tion] n [[2]float] (1806) 1: the act, process, or
          state of floating 2: an act or instance of financing
          (as an issue of stock) 3: the separation of the particles
          of a mass of pulverized ore according to their relative
          capacity for floating on a given liquid; also: any of
          various similar processes involving the relative capacity
          of materials for floating 4: the ability (as of a tire
          or snowshoes) to stay on the surface of soft ground or
          snow

   flotilla
          [flo.til.la] n [Sp, dim. of flota fl eet, fr. OF flote, fr.
          ON floti; akin to OE flota ship, fleet--more at float]
          (1711) 1: a fleet of ships or boats; esp: a navy organizational
          unit consisting of two or more squadrons of small warships
          2: an indefinite large number <a ~ of changes>

   flotsam
          [flot.sam] n [AF floteson, fr. OF floter to float, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OE flotian to float, flota ship] (ca.
          1607) 1: floating wreckage of a ship or its cargo; broadly:
          floating debris 2 a: a floating population (as of emigrants
          or castaways) b: an accumulation of miscellaneous or
          unimportant stuff

   [1]flounce
          [flounce] vi flounced ; flounc.ing [perh. of Scand origin;
          akin to Norw flunsa to hurry] (1542) 1 a: to move with
          exaggerated jerky or bouncy motions <flounced about the
          room, jerking her shoulders, gesticulating --Agatha Christie>;
          also: to move so as to draw attention to oneself <flounced
          into the lobby> b: to go with sudden determination <flounced
          out of the room in a huff> 2: flounder, struggle [2]flounce
          n (1583): an act or instance of flouncing -- flouncy
          adj [3]flounce vt flounced ; flounc.ing [alter. of earlier
          frounce, fr. ME frouncen to curl] (1711): to trim with
          flounces [4]flounce n (1713): a strip of fabric attached
          by one edge; also: a wide ruffle -- flouncy adj

   flouncing
          [flounc.ing] n (1865): material used for flounces

   [1]flounder
          [floun.der] n, pl flounder or flounders [ME, fr. AF floundre,
          of Scand origin; akin to ON flythra flounder] (15c):
          flatfish; esp: a fish of either of two families (Pleuronectidae
          and Bothidae) that include important marine food fishes
          [2]flounder vi floun.dered ; floun.der.ing [prob. alter.
          of founder] (1592) 1: to struggle to move or obtain footing:
          thrash about wildly 2: to proceed or act clumsily or
          ineffectually

   [1]flour
          [flour] n [ME--more at flower] (13c) 1: finely ground meal
          of wheat usu. largely freed from bran; also: a similar
          meal of another material (as a cereal grain, an edible
          seed, or dried processed fish) 2: a fine soft powder
          -- flour.less adj -- floury adj [2]flour vt (ca. 1657):
          to coat with or as if with flour ~ vi: to break up into
          particles

   [1]flourish
          [flour.ish] vb [ME florisshen, fr. MF floriss-, stem of florir,
          fr. (assumed) VL florire, alter. of L florere, fr. flor-,
          flos flower] vi (14c) 1: to grow luxuriantly: thrive
          2 a: to achieve success: prosper b: to be in a state
          of activity or production <~ed around 1850> c: to reach
          a height of development or influence 3: to make bold
          and sweeping gestures ~ vt: to wield with dramatic gestures:
          brandish syn see swing -- flour.ish.er n -- flour.ish.ing.ly
          adv [2]flourish n (1597) 1 a: a period of thriving b:
          a luxuriant growth or profusion <a ~ of white hair> <a
          springtime ~ of color> 2 a: a florid bit of speech or
          writing <rhetorical ~es> b: an ornamental stroke in writing
          or printing c: a decorative or finishing detail <a house
          with clever little ~es> 3: fanfare 4: an act or instance
          of brandishing or waving 5: showiness in the doing of
          something <opened the door with a ~> 6: a sudden burst
          (as of activity) <the week ends with a ~ of tests>

   [1]flout
          [flout] vb [prob. fr. ME flouten to play the flute, fr. floute
          flute] vt (1551): to treat with contemptuous disregard:
          scorn <~ing the rules> ~ vi: to indulge in scornful behavior
          syn see scoff usage see flaunt -- flout.er n [2]flout
          n (ca. 1570): jeer

   [1]flow
          [flow] vb [ME, fr. OE flowan; akin to OHG flouwen to rinse,
          wash, L pluere to rain, Gk plein to sail, float] vi (bef.
          12c) 1 a (1): to issue or move in a stream (2): circulate
          b: to move with a continual change of place among the
          constituent particles <molasses ~s slowly> 2: rise <the
          tide ebbs and ~s> 3: abound 4 a: to proceed smoothly
          and readily <conversation ~ed easily> b: to have a smooth
          continuity 5: to hang loose and billowing 6: to derive
          from a source: come <the wealth that ~s from trade> 7:
          to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing--used
          esp. of minerals and rocks 8: menstruate ~ vt 1: to cause
          to flow 2: to discharge in a flow syn see spring -- flow.ing.ly
          adv [2]flow n (15c) 1: an act of flowing 2: flood 1a,
          2 3 a: a smooth uninterrupted movement or progress <a
          ~ of information> b: stream; also: a mass of material
          which has flowed when molten <an old lava ~> c: the direction
          of movement or development <go with the ~> 4: the quantity
          that flows in a certain time 5: menstruation 6 a: the
          motion characteristic of fluids b: a continuous transfer
          of energy

   flowage
          [flow.age] n (1830) 1 a: an overflowing onto adjacent land
          b: a body of water formed by overflowing or damming c:
          floodwater esp. of a stream 2: gradual deformation of
          a body of plastic solid (as rock) by intermolecular shear

   flowchart
          [flow.chart] n (1920): a diagram that shows step-by-step
          progression through a procedure or system esp. using
          connecting lines and a set of conventional symbols --
          flow.chart.ing n

   flow cytometry
          [flow cy.tom.e.try] n (1978): a technique for identifying
          and sorting cells and their components (as DNA) by staining
          with a fluorescent dye and detecting the fluorescence
          usu. by laser beam illumination

   flow diagram
          [flow diagram] n (1943): flowchart

   [1]flower
          [flow.er] n [ME flour flower, best of anything, flour, fr.
          OF flor, flour, fr. L flor-, flos--more at blow] (13c)
          1 a: blossom, inflorescence b: a shoot of the sporophyte
          of a higher plant that is modified for reproduction and
          consists of a shortened axis bearing modified leaves;
          esp: one of a seed plant differentiated into a calyx,
          corolla, stamens, and carpels c: a plant cultivated for
          its blossoms 2 a: the best part or example <the ~ of
          our youth> b: the finest most vigorous period c: a state
          of blooming or flourishing <in full ~> 3 pl: a finely
          divided powder produced esp. by condensation or sublimation
          <~s of sulfur> -- flow.ered adj -- flow.er.ful adj --
          flow.er.less adj -- flow.er.like adj [2]flower vi (13c)
          1 a: develop <~ed into young womanhood> b: flourish 2:
          to produce flowers: blossom ~ vt 1: to cause to bear
          flowers 2: to decorate with flowers or floral designs
          -- flow.er.er n

   flowerage
          [flow.er.age] n (1840): a flowering process, state, or condition

   flower bud
          [flower bud] n (1828): a plant bud that produces only a flower

   flower bug
          [flower bug] n (ca. 1889): any of various small mostly
          black-and-white predaceous bugs (family Anthocoridae) that frequent
          flowers and feed on pest insects (as aphids and thrips)

   flower child
          [flower child] n (1967): a hippie who advocates love, beauty,
          and peace

   floweret
          [flow.er.et] also flow.er.ette n (15c): floret 1

   flower girl
          [flower girl] n (1925): a little girl who carries flowers
          at a wedding

   flower head
          [flower head] n (1845): a capitulum (as of a composite) having
          sessile flowers so arranged that the whole inflorescence
          looks like a single flower

   flowering dogwood
          [flowering dogwood] n (1843): a common spring-flowering
          white-bracted dogwood (Cornus florida)

   flowering plant
          [flowering plant] n (1745): angiosperm

   flower people
          [flower people] n pl (1967): flower children

   flowerpot
          [flow.er.pot] n (1598): a pot in which to grow plants

   flowery
          [flow.ery] adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or resembling flowers
          2: marked by or given to rhetorical elegance -- flow.er.i.ly
          adv -- flow.er.i.ness n

   flowmeter
          [flow.me.ter] n (1915): an instrument for measuring one or
          more properties (as velocity or pressure) of a flow (as
          of a liquid in a pipe)

   [1]flown
          [flown] past part of fly [2]flown adj [archaic pp. of [1]flow]
          (1626): filled to excess

   flow sheet
          [flow sheet] n (1912): flowchart

   flowstone
          [flow.stone] n (1925): calcite deposited by a thin sheet
          of flowing water usu. along the walls or floor of a cave

   fl oz
          [fl oz] abbreviation fluid ounce

   FLSA
          [FLSA] abbreviation Fair Labor Standards Act

   flu
          [flu] n [by shortening] (1839) 1: influenza 2: any of several
          virus diseases marked esp. by respiratory symptoms

   [1]flub
          [flub] vb flubbed ; flub.bing [origin unknown] vt (1904):
          to make a mess of: botch <flubbed my lines> ~ vi: blunder
          [2]flub n (1948): an act or instance of flubbing

   flubdub
          [flub.dub] n [origin unknown] (1888): bunkum, balderdash

   fluctuant
          [fluc.tu.ant] adj (1560) 1: moving in waves 2: variable,
          unstable 3: being movable and compressible <a ~ abscess>

   fluctuate
          [fluc.tu.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L fluctuatus, pp. of fluctuare,
          fr. fluctus flow, wave, fr. fluere--more at fluid] vi (1634)
          1: to shift back and forth uncertainly 2: to ebb and flow in waves
          ~ vt: to cause to fluctuate syn see swing -- fluc.tu.a.tion
          n -- fluc.tu.a.tion.al adj

   fluctuat nec mergitur
          [fluc.tu.at nec mer.gi.tur] [L] foreign term : it is tossed
          by the waves but does not sink--motto of Paris

   flue
          [flue] n [origin unknown] (1582): an enclosed passageway
          for directing a current: as a: a channel in a chimney
          for conveying flame and smoke to the outer air b: a pipe
          for conveying flame and hot gases around or through water
          in a steam boiler c: an air channel leading to the lip
          of a wind instrument d: flue pipe

   flue-cured
          [flue-cured] adj (1905): cured with heat transmitted through
          a flue without exposure to smoke or fumes <~ tobacco>

   fluency
          [flu.en.cy] n (1636): the quality or state of being fluent

   fluent
          [flu.ent] adj [L fluent-, fluens, prp. of fluere] (1599)
          1 a: capable of flowing: fluid b: capable of moving with
          ease and grace <the ~ body of a dancer> 2 a: ready or
          facile in speech <~ in Spanish> b: effortlessly smooth
          and rapid: polished <a ~ performance> -- flu.ent.ly adv

   flue pipe
          [flue pipe] n (1852): an organ pipe whose tone is produced
          by an air current striking the lip and causing the air
          within to vibrate--compare reed pipe

   flue stop
          [flue stop] n (1855): an organ stop made up of flue pipes

   [1]fluff
          [fluff] n [perh. blend of flue (fluff) and puff] (1790) 1:
          nap, down 2: something fluffy 3: something inconsequential
          4: blunder; esp: an actor's lapse of memory [2]fluff
          vi (1875) 1: to become fluffy 2: to make a mistake; esp:
          to forget or bungle one's lines in a play ~ vt 1: to
          make fluffy 2 a: to spoil by a mistake: botch b: to deliver
          badly or forget (one's lines) in a play

   fluffy
          [fluffy] adj fluff.i.er ; -est (ca. 1825) 1 a: covered with
          or resembling fluff b: being light and soft or airy <a
          ~ omelet> 2: lacking in meaning or substance: superficial
          2c -- fluff.i.ly adv -- fluff.i.ness n

   flugelhorn
          [flu.gel.horn] or flue.gel.horn n [G, fr. Flugel wing, flank
          + Horn horn; fr. its use to signal the flanking drivers
          in a battue] (1854): a valved brass instrument resembling
          a cornet but having a larger bore -- flu.gel.horn.ist
          n

   [1]fluid
          [flu.id] adj [F or L; F fluide, fr. L fluidus, fr. fluere
          to flow; akin to Gk phlyzein to boil over] (1603) 1 a:
          having particles that easily move and change their relative
          position without a separation of the mass and that easily
          yield to pressure: capable of flowing b: subject to change
          or movement <boundaries became ~> 2: characterized by
          or employing a smooth easy style <the ballerina's ~ movements>
          3 a: available for a different use b: liquid 4 <~ assets>
          -- flu.id.ly adv -- flu.id.ness n [2]fluid n (1661):
          a substance (as a liquid or gas) tending to flow or conform
          to the outline of its container -- flu.id.al adj -- flu.id.al.ly
          adv

   fluid dram
          [fluid dram] or flu.i.dram n (ca. 1860): a unit of liquid
          capacity equal to 1/8 fluid ounce

   fluidextract
          [flu.id.ex.tract] n (1851): an alcohol preparation of a vegetable
          drug containing the active constituents of one gram of
          the dry drug in each milliliter

   fluidic
          [flu.id.ic] adj (1960): of, relating to, or being a device
          (as an amplifier or control) that depends for operation
          on the pressures and flows of a fluid in precisely shaped
          channels -- fluidic n -- flu.id.ics n pl but sing in
          constr

   fluidity
          [flu.id.i.ty] n (1603) 1: the quality or state of being fluid
          2: the physical property of a substance that enables
          it to flow

   fluidize
          [flu.id.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1855) 1: to cause to
          flow like a fluid 2: to suspend (as solid particles)
          in a rapidly moving stream of gas or vapor to induce
          flowing motion of the whole -- flu.id.iza.tion n -- flu.id.iz.er
          n

   fluidized bed
          [fluidized bed] n (1949): a bed of small solid particles
          (as in a coal burning furnace) suspended and kept in
          motion by an upward flow of a fluid (as a gas)--called
          also fluid bed

   fluid mechanics
          [fluid mechanics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1937): a
          branch of mechanics dealing with the properties of liquids
          and gases

   fluid ounce
          [fluid ounce] n (ca. 1860) 1: a U.S. unit of liquid capacity
          equal to 1/16 pint 2: a British unit of liquid capacity
          equal to 1/20 pint

   [1]fluke
          [fluke] n [ME, fr. OE floc; akin to OE floh chip, OHG flah
          smooth, Gk plax flat surface, and prob. to OE flor floor--more
          at floor] (bef. 12c) 1: flatfish 2: a flattened digenetic
          trematode worm; broadly: trematode--compare liver fluke
          [2]fluke n [perh. fr. [1]fluke] (1561) 1: the part of
          an anchor that fastens in the ground--see anchor illustration
          2: one of the lobes of a whale's tail [3]fluke n [origin
          unknown] (1857) 1: an accidentally successful stroke
          at billiards or pool 2: a stroke of luck <the discovery
          was a ~>

   fluky
          [fluky] also fluk.ey adj fluk.i.er ; -est (1867) 1: happening
          by or depending on chance 2: being unsteady or uncertain--used
          esp. of wind

   flume
          [flume] n [prob. fr. ME flum river, fr. OF, fr. L flumen,
          fr. fluere--more at fluid] (1748) 1: an inclined channel
          for conveying water (as for power) 2: a ravine or gorge
          with a stream running through it

   flummery
          [flum.mery] n, pl -mer.ies [W llymru] (1623) 1 a: a soft
          jelly or porridge made with flour or meal b: any of several
          sweet desserts 2: mummery, mumbo jumbo

   flummox
          [flum.mox] vt [origin unknown] (1837): confuse

   [1]flump
          [flump] [imit.] vi (1816): to move or fall suddenly and heavily
          <~ed down into the chair> ~ vt: to place or drop with
          a flump [2]flump n (1832): a dull heavy sound (as of
          a fall)

   flung
          [flung] past and past part of fling

   [1]flunk
          [flunk] vb [perh. blend of flinch and funk] vi (1823): to
          fail esp. in an examination or course ~ vt 1: to give
          a failing grade to 2: to get a failing grade in -- flunk.er
          n [2]flunk n (1846): an act or instance of flunking

   flunk out
          [flunk out] vi (1920): to be dismissed from a school or college
          for failure ~ vt: to dismiss from a school or college
          for failure

   flunky
          [flun.ky] or flun.key n, pl flunkies or flunkeys [Sc, of
          unknown origin] (ca. 1782) 1 a: a liveried servant b:
          one performing menial or miscellaneous duties 2: yes-man

   fluocinolone acetonide
          [flu.o.cin.o.lone ac.e.to.nide] n [fluor- + -cinolone, prob.
          alter. of -nisolone (as in prednisolone)] (1963): a glucocorticoid
          steroid used esp. as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment
          of skin diseases

   fluor-
          [fluor-] or fluoro- comb form [F] 1: fluorine <fluoride>
          2 also fluori- : fluorescence <fluoroscope> <fluorimeter>

   fluor
          [flu.or] n [NL, mineral belonging to a group used as fluxes
          and including fluorite, fr. L, flow, fr. fluere--more
          at fluid] (1661): fluorite

   fluoresce
          [fluo.resce] vi -resced ; -resc.ing [back-formation fr.
          fluorescence] (1874): to produce, undergo, or exhibit fluorescence
          -- fluo.resc.er n

   fluorescein
          [fluo.res.ce.in] n (1876): a yellow or red crystalline dye
          with a bright yellow-green fluorescence in alkaline solution

   fluorescence
          [fluo.res.cence] n [fluorspar + opalescence] (1852): luminescence
          that is caused by the absorption of radiation at one
          wavelength followed by nearly immediate reradiation usu.
          at a different wavelength and that ceases almost immediately
          when the incident radiation stops; also: the radiation
          emitted--compare phosphorescence

   fluorescent
          [fluo.res.cent] adj (1853) 1: having or relating to fluorescence
          2: bright and glowing as a result of fluorescence <~
          inks>; broadly: very bright in color -- fluorescent n

   fluorescent lamp
          [fluorescent lamp] n (1896): a tubular electric lamp having
          a coating of fluorescent material on its inner surface
          and containing mercury vapor whose bombardment by electrons
          from the cathode provides ultraviolet light which causes
          the material to emit visible light

   fluoridate
          [fluo.ri.date] vt -dat.ed ; -dat.ing (1949): to add a fluoride
          to (as drinking water) to reduce tooth decay -- fluo.ri.da.tion
          n

   fluoride
          [fluo.ride] n, often attrib (1826) 1: a compound of fluorine
          2: the monovalent anion of flourine

   fluorinate
          [fluo.ri.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (ca. 1929): to treat
          or cause to combine with fluorine or a compound of fluorine
          -- fluo.ri.na.tion n

   fluorine
          [fluo.rine] n [F, fr. NL fluor] (1813): a nonmetallic halogen
          element that is isolated as a pale yellowish flammable
          irritating toxic diatomic gas

   fluorite
          [fluo.rite] n [It, fr. NL fluor] (1868): a transparent or
          translucent mineral of different colors that consists
          of the fluoride of calcium and is used as a flux and
          in the making of opalescent and opaque glasses

   fluorocarbon
          [fluo.ro.car.bon] n (1937): any of various chemically inert
          compounds containing carbon and fluorine used chiefly
          as lubricants, refrigerants, nonstick coatings, and formerly
          aerosol propellants and in making resins and plastics;
          also: chlorofluorocarbon

   fluorochrome
          [fluo.ro.chrome] n (1943): any of various fluorescent substances
          used in biological staining to produce fluorescence in
          a specimen

   fluorography
          [fluo.rog.ra.phy] n (1941): photofluorography -- flu.o.ro.graph.ic
          adj

   fluorometer
          [fluo.rom.e.ter] or fluo.rim.e.ter n (1897): an instrument
          for measuring fluorescence and related phenomena (as
          intensity of radiation) -- fluo.ro.met.ric or fluo.ri.met.ric
          adj -- fluo.rom.e.try or fluo.rim.e.try n

   [1]fluoroscope
          [fluo.ro.scope] n [ISV] (1896): an instrument used for observing
          the internal structure of an opaque object (as the living body)
          by means of X rays -- fluo.ro.scop.ic adj -- fluo.ro.scop.i.cal.ly
          adv -- fluo.ros.co.pist n -- fluo.ros.co.py n [2]fluoroscope
          vt -scoped ; -scop.ing (1898): to examine by fluoroscopy

   fluorosis
          [fluo.ro.sis] n [NL] (1927): an abnormal condition (as mottling
          of the teeth) caused by fluorine or its compounds --
          fluo.rot.ic adj

   fluorouracil
          [fluo.ro.ura.cil] n [fluor- + uracil] (ca. 1958): a
          fluorine-containing pyrimidine base used to treat some kinds
          of cancer

   fluorspar
          [fluor.spar] n (1794): fluorite

   fluphenazine
          [flu.phen.azine] n [fluor- + phenazine] (ca. 1960): a tranquilizing
          compound used esp. combined as a salt

   [1]flurry
          [flur.ry] n, pl flurries [prob. fr. flurr (to throw scatteringly)]
          (1686) 1 a: a gust of wind b: a brief light snowfall 2 a: a brief
          period of commotion or excitement b: a sudden occurrence of many
          things at once: barrage 2 <a ~ of insults> 3: a brief advance
          or decline in prices: a short-lived outburst of trading activity
          [2]flurry vb flur.ried ; flur.ry.ing vt (1757): to cause to become
          agitated and confused ~ vi: to move in an agitated or confused
          manner

   [1]flush
          [flush] vb [ME flusshen] vi (13c): to take wing suddenly
          ~ vt 1: to cause (a bird) to flush 2: to expose or chase
          from a place of concealment <~ed the boys from their
          hiding place> [2]flush n [MF flus, fluz, fr. L fluxus
          flow, flux] (ca. 1529) 1: a hand of playing cards all
          of the same suit; specif: a poker hand containing five
          cards of the same suit but not in sequence--see poker
          illustration 2: a series of three or more slalom gates
          set vertically on a slope [3]flush n [perh. modif. of
          L fluxus] (1529) 1: a sudden flow (as of water); also:
          a rinsing or cleansing with or as if with a flush of
          water 2 a: a sudden increase or expansion; esp: sudden
          and usu. abundant new plant growth b: a surge of emotion
          <felt a ~ of anger at the insult> 3 a: a tinge of red:
          blush b: a fresh and vigorous state <in the first ~ of
          womanhood> 4: a transitory sensation of extreme heat--compare
          hot flash [4]flush vi (1548) 1: to flow and spread suddenly
          and freely 2 a: to glow brightly b: blush 3: to produce
          new growth <the plants ~ twice during the year> ~ vt
          1 a: to cause to flow b: to pour liquid over or through;
          esp: to cleanse or wash out with or as if with a rush
          of liquid <~ the toilet> <~ the lungs with air> 2: inflame,
          excite--usu. used passively <~ed with pride> 3: to cause
          to blush [5]flush adj (1594) 1 a: of a ruddy healthy
          color b: full of life and vigor: lusty 2 a: filled to
          overflowing b: affluent 3: readily available: abundant
          4 a: having or forming a continuous plane or unbroken
          surface <~ paneling> b: directly abutting or immediately
          adjacent: as (1): set even with an edge of a type page
          or column: having no indention (2): arranged edge to
          edge so as to fit snugly -- flush.ness n [6]flush adv
          (1700) 1: in a flush manner 2: squarely <hit him ~ on
          the chin> [7]flush vt (ca. 1842): to make flush <~ the
          headings on a page>

   flushable
          [flush.able] adj (1973): suitable for disposal by flushing
          down a toilet

   [1]fluster
          [flus.ter] vb flus.tered ; flus.ter.ing [prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to Icel flaustur hurry] vt (1604) 1: to make tipsy
          2: to put into a state of agitated confusion: upset ~
          vi: to move or behave in an agitated or confused manner
          syn see discompose -- flus.tered.ly adv [2]fluster n
          (1728): a state of agitated confusion

   [1]flute
          [flute] n [ME floute, fr. MF fleute, fr. OF flaute, prob.
          fr. OProv flaut] (14c) 1 a: recorder 3 b: a keyed woodwind
          instrument consisting of a cylindrical tube which is
          stopped at one end and which has a side hole over which
          air is blown to produce the tone and having a range from
          middle C upward for three octaves 2: something long and
          slender: as a: a tall slender wineglass b: a grooved
          pleat (as on a hat brim) 3: a rounded groove; specif:
          one of the vertical parallel grooves on a classical architectural
          column -- flute.like adj -- fluty or flut.ey adj [2]flute
          vb flut.ed ; flut.ing vi (14c) 1: to play a flute 2:
          to produce a flutelike sound ~ vt 1: to utter with a
          flutelike sound 2: to form flutes in -- flut.er n

   fluted
          [flut.ed] adj (1611): having or marked by grooves

   fluting
          [flut.ing] n (1611) 1: a series of flutes <the ~ of a column>
          2: fluted material

   flutist
          [flut.ist] n (1603): one who plays a flute

   [1]flutter
          [flut.ter] vb [ME floteren to float, flutter, fr. OE floterian,
          freq. of flotian to float; akin to OE fleotan to float--more
          at fleet] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to flap the wings rapidly
          2 a: to move with quick wavering or flapping motions
          b: to vibrate in irregular spasms 3: to move about or
          behave in an agitated aimless manner ~ vt: to cause to
          flutter -- flut.ter.er n -- flut.tery adj [2]flutter
          n (1641) 1: an act of fluttering 2 a: a state of nervous
          confusion or excitement b: flurry, commotion c: abnormal
          spasmodic fluttering of a body part <treatment of atrial
          ~> 3 a: a distortion in reproduced sound similar to but
          of a higher pitch than wow b: fluctuation in the brightness
          of a television image 4: an unwanted oscillation (as
          of an aileron or a bridge) set up by natural forces 5
          chiefly Brit: a small speculative venture or gamble

   flutterboard
          [flut.ter.board] n (1950): a rectangular board used by swimmers
          in practicing leg strokes

   flutter kick
          [flutter kick] n (ca. 1934): an alternating whipping motion
          of the legs used in various swimming styles (as the crawl)

   flutter sleeve
          [flutter sleeve] n (1973): a loose-fitting tapered sleeve
          falling in folds over the upper arm

   fluvial
          [flu.vi.al] adj [L fluvialis, fr. fluvius river, fr. fluere]
          (14c) 1: of, relating to, or living in a stream or river
          2: produced by the action of a stream

   fluviatile
          [flu.vi.a.tile] adj [MF, fr. L fluviatilis, fr. fluvius]
          (1599): fluvial

   [1]flux
          [flux] n [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF, fr. ML fluxus, fr. L, flow,
          fr. fluere to flow--more at fluid] (14c) 1: a flowing
          of fluid from the body; esp: an excessive abnormal discharge
          from the bowels 2: a continuous moving on or passing
          by (as of a stream) 3: a continued flow: flood 4 a: influx
          b: change, fluctuation <in a state of ~> 5: a substance
          used to promote fusion (as of metals or minerals); esp:
          one (as rosin) applied to surfaces to be joined by soldering,
          brazing, or welding to clean and free them from oxide
          and promote their union 6: the rate of transfer of fluid,
          particles, or energy across a given surface [2]flux vt
          (15c) 1: to cause to become fluid 2: to treat with a
          flux ~ vi: to become fluid: fuse

   fluxgate
          [flux.gate] n (1944): a device used to indicate the direction
          and intensity of the magnetic field (as on a planet)

   fluxion
          [flux.ion] n (1599) 1: the action of flowing or changing;
          also: something subjected to such action 2: derivative
          3--compare method of fluxions -- flux.ion.al adj

   [1]fly
          [fly] vb flew ; flown ; fly.ing [ME flien, fr. OE fleogan;
          akin to OHG fliogan to fly and prob. OE flowan to flow]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to move in or pass through the air
          with wings b: to move through the air or before the wind
          or through outer space c: to float, wave, or soar in
          the air <flags ~ing at half-mast> 2 a: to take flight:
          flee b: to fade and disappear: vanish 3 a: to move, pass,
          or spread quickly <rumors were ~ing> b: to be moved with
          sudden extreme emotion <flew into a rage> c: to seem
          to pass quickly <the time simply flew> 4: to become expended
          or dissipated rapidly 5: to operate or travel in an airplane
          or spacecraft 6: to work successfully: win popular acceptance
          <knew ... a pure human-rights approach would not ~ --Charles
          Brydon> ~ vt 1 a: to cause to fly, float, or hang in
          the air <~ing a kite> b: to operate (as a balloon, aircraft,
          rocket, or spacecraft) in flight c: to journey over or
          through by flying 2 a: to flee or escape from b: avoid,
          shun 3: to transport by aircraft or spacecraft -- fly
          at : to assail suddenly and violently -- fly blind :
          to fly an airplane solely by instruments -- fly high
          : to be elated -- fly in the face of or fly in the teeth
          of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance
          or contradiction of [2]fly n, pl flies (bef. 12c) 1:
          the action or process of flying: flight 2 a: a device
          consisting of two or more radial vanes capable of rotating
          on a spindle to act as a fan or to govern the speed of
          clockwork or very light machinery b: flywheel 3 pl: the
          space over a theater stage where scenery and equipment
          can be hung 4: something attached by one edge: as a:
          a garment closing concealed by a fold of cloth extending
          over the fastener b (1): the length of an extended flag
          from its staff or support (2): the outer or loose end
          of a flag 5: a baseball hit high into the air 6: flyleaf
          7: a sheet of material (as canvas) that is attachable
          to a tent for use as a double top or as a rooflike extension
          8: a football pass pattern in which the receiver runs
          straight downfield -- on the fly 1: in motion: busy 2:
          while still in the air: without the ball bouncing <the
          home run carried 450 feet on the fly> [3]fly vi flied
          ; fly.ing (1893): to hit a fly in baseball [4]fly n,
          pl flies [ME flie, fr. OE fleoge; akin to OHG flioga
          fly, OE fleogan to fly] (bef. 12c) 1: a winged insect--used
          chiefly in combination <mayflies> <butterfly> 2 a: any
          of a large order (Diptera) of winged or rarely wingless
          insects (as the housefly, mosquito, or gnat) that have
          segmented often headless, eyeless, and legless larvae,
          the anterior wings functional, and the posterior wings
          reduced to halteres b: a large stout-bodied fly 3: a
          fishhook dressed (as with feathers or tinsel) to suggest
          an insect -- fly in the ointment : a detracting factor
          or element [5]fly adj [prob. fr. [1]fly] (1811) chiefly
          Brit: keen, artful

   flyable
          [fly.able] adj (ca. 1909): suitable for flying or for being
          flown

   fly agaric
          [fly agaric] n (1788): a poisonous mushroom (Amanita muscaria)
          with a usu. bright red cap

   fly ash
          [fly ash] n (1931): fine solid particles of ashes, dust,
          and soot carried out from burning fuel (as coal or oil)
          by the draft

   flyaway
          [fly.away] adj (1844) 1: loose and flowing esp. because of
          unconfined fullness at the back <a ~ jacket> 2: of, relating
          to, or being an aircraft that is ready to fly <a ~ price>

   fly ball
          [fly ball] n (1865): [2]fly 5

   [1]flyblow
          [fly.blow] vt -blew ; -blown [[4]fly + [1]blow] (1603) 1:
          taint, contaminate 2: to deposit eggs or young larvae
          of a flesh fly or blowfly in [2]flyblow n (1825): fly-strike

   flyblown
          [fly.blown] adj (ca. 1529) 1 a: not pure: tainted <a world
          ~ with the vices of irresponsible power --V. L. Parrington>
          b: not bright and new: seedy, moth-eaten c: trite, hackneyed
          <a long list of ~ metaphors --Horizon> 2 a: infested
          with eggs or young larvae of a flesh fly or blowfly b:
          covered with flyspecks

   flyboat
          [fly.boat] n [modif. of D vlieboot, fr. Vlie, channel between
          North Sea & Wadden Zee + boot boat] (1577): any of various
          fast boats

   flyboy
          [fly.boy] n (1946): a member of the air force; broadly: an
          aircraft pilot

   flybridge
          [fly.bridge] n (1965): an open deck on a cabin cruiser located
          above the bridge on the cabin roof and usu. having a
          duplicate set of navigating equipment

   flyby
          [fly.by] n, pl flybys (1953) 1: a prearranged usu. low-altitude
          flight by one or more airplanes over a public gathering
          (as an air show) 2 a: a flight of a spacecraft past a
          celestial body (as Mars) close enough to obtain scientific
          data b: a spacecraft that makes a flyby

   [1]fly-by-night
          [fly-by-night] n (1822) 1: one that seeks to evade responsibilities
          and esp. creditors by flight 2: one without established reputation
          or standing; esp: a shaky business enterprise [2]fly-by-night adj
          (1914) 1: given to making a quick profit usu. by shady
          or irresponsible acts 2: transitory, passing <~ fashions>

   fly-by-nighter
          [fly-by-night.er] n (1946): fly-by-night

   fly-by-wire
          [fly-by-wire] adj (1968): of, relating to, being, or utilizing
          a flight-control system in which controls are operated
          electrically rather than mechanically

   fly casting
          [fly casting] n (ca. 1889): the casting of artificial flies
          in fly-fishing or as a competitive sport

   flycatcher
          [fly.catch.er] n (1678): any of various passerine birds (families
          Muscicapidae and Tyrannidae) that feed on insects taken
          on the wing

   fly dope
          [fly dope] n (1897): an insect repellent

   flyer
          [fly.er] var of flier

   fly fisherman
          [fly fisherman] n (1886): an angler who uses the technique
          of fly-fishing

   fly-fishing
          [fly-fish.ing] n (1653): a method of fishing in which an
          artificial fly is cast by use of a fly rod, a reel, and
          a relatively heavy oiled or treated line

   fly front
          [fly front] n (1893): a concealed closing on the front of
          a coat, skirt, shirt, dress, or pants -- fly-front adj

   fly gallery
          [fly gallery] n (1888): a narrow raised platform at the side
          of a theater stage from which flying scenery lines are
          operated

   [1]flying
          [fly.ing] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: moving or capable of moving
          in the air b: moving or made by moving rapidly <~ feet>
          <a ~ leap> c: very brief 2: intended for ready movement
          or action <a ~ squad car> 3: having stylized wings--used
          esp. of livestock brand marks 4: of or relating to the
          operation of aircraft <a ~ club> 5: traversed or to be
          traversed (as in speed-record trials) after a running
          start <a ~ kilometer> -- with flying colors : with complete
          or eminent success [2]flying n (1548) 1: travel by air
          2: the operation of an aircraft or spacecraft

   flying boat
          [flying boat] n (1913): a seaplane with a hull designed for
          floating

   flying bomb
          [flying bomb] n (1944) chiefly Brit: buzz bomb

   flying bridge
          [flying bridge] n (ca. 1909) 1: the highest navigational
          bridge on a ship 2: flybridge

   flying buttress
          [flying buttress] n (1669): a masonry structure that typically
          consists of a straight inclined bar carried on an arch
          and a solid pier or buttress against which it abuts and
          that receives the thrust of a roof or vault

   Flying Dutchman
          [Flying Dutchman] n 1: a legendary Dutch mariner condemned
          to sail the seas until Judgment Day 2: a spectral ship
          that according to legend haunts the seas near the Cape
          of Good Hope

   flying fish
          [flying fish] n (ca. 1511): any of numerous fishes (family
          Exocoetidae) chiefly of tropical and warm seas that are
          capable of long gliding flights out of water by spreading
          their large pectoral fins like wings

   flying fox
          [flying fox] n (1759): fruit bat

   flying gurnard
          [flying gurnard] n (1884): any of several marine fishes (family
          Dactylopteridae) that resemble gurnards and have large
          pectoral fins allowing them to glide above the water
          for short distances

   flying jib
          [flying jib] n (1711): a sail outside the jib on an extension
          of the jibboom--see sail illustration

   flying lemur
          [flying lemur] n (1883): either of two East Indian or Philippine
          arboreal nocturnal mammals (Cynocephalus volans and C.
          variegatus) that are about the size of a cat, that make
          long gliding leaps using a broad fold of skin on each
          side attached to and extending between the limbs, and
          that are placed in a separate order (Dermoptera)

   flying machine
          [flying machine] n (1736): an apparatus for navigating the
          air

   flying mare
          [flying mare] n (1754): a wrestling maneuver in which the
          aggressor seizes his opponent's wrist, turns about, and
          jerks him over his back

   flying officer
          [flying officer] n (1913): a commissioned officer in the
          British air force who ranks with a first lieutenant in
          the army

   flying saucer
          [flying saucer] n (1947): any of various unidentified flying
          objects usu. described as being saucer-shaped or disk-shaped

   flying spot
          [flying spot] n (1933): a spot of light moved over a surface
          (as one bearing printing or an image) so that light reflected
          from or transmitted by different parts of the surface
          is translated into electrical signals for transmission
          (as in television or computers)

   flying squad
          [flying squad] n (1927): a usu. small standby group of people
          ready to move or act swiftly; esp: a police unit formed
          to respond quickly in an emergency

   flying squirrel
          [flying squirrel] n (1624): either of two small nocturnal
          No. American squirrels (Glaucomys volans and G. sabrinus)
          with folds of skin connecting the forelegs and hind legs
          that enable it to make long gliding leaps; also: any
          of various squirrels that possess a patagium

   flying start
          [flying start] n (1851) 1: a start in racing in which the
          participants are already moving when they cross the starting
          line or receive the starting signal 2: a favorable start
          of something

   flying wedge
          [flying wedge] n (1909): a moving formation (as of guards
          or police) resembling a wedge

   flyleaf
          [fly.leaf] n, pl fly.leaves (1832): one of the free endpapers
          of a book

   flyman
          [fly.man] n (1883): a worker in the flies of a theater who
          manipulates curtains and scenery

   fly net
          [fly net] n (bef. 12c): a net to exclude or keep off insects
          (as from a harness horse)

   flyover
          [fly.over] n (1931) 1: flyby 1 2 Brit: overpass

   flypaper
          [fly.pa.per] n (1847): paper coated with a sticky often poisonous
          substance for killing flies

   flypast
          [fly.past] n (1914) chiefly Brit: flyby 1

   fly rod
          [fly rod] n (1684): a light springy fishing rod used in fly
          casting

   flysch
          [flysch] n [G dial.] (1853): a thick and extensive deposit
          largely of sandstone that is formed in a geosyncline
          adjacent to a rising mountain belt and is esp. common
          in the Alpine region of Europe

   fly sheet
          [fly sheet] n (1833) 1: a small loose advertising sheet:
          handbill 2: a sheet of a folder, booklet, or catalog
          giving directions for the use of or information about
          the material that follows

   flyspeck
          [fly.speck] n (ca. 1847) 1: a speck made by fly excrement
          2: something small and insignificant -- flyspeck vt

   fly-strike
          [fly-strike] n (1940): infestation with fly maggots -- fly-struck
          adj

   flyswatter
          [fly.swat.ter] n (1917): a device for killing insects that
          consists of a flat piece of perforated rubber or plastic
          or fine-mesh wire netting attached to a handle

   flytier
          [fly.ti.er] n [fly + tier (one that ties)] (1881): a person
          who makes flies for fishing

   flyting
          [flyt.ing] n [Sc, lit., contention, gerund of flyte to contend,
          argue, fr. ME fliten, fr. OE flitan; akin to OHG flizan
          to argue] (1508): a dispute or exchange of personal abuse
          in verse form

   flyway
          [fly.way] n (1891): an established air route of migratory
          birds

   flyweight
          [fly.weight] n (1911): a boxer in a weight division having
          a maximum limit of 112 pounds--compare bantamweight

   flywheel
          [fly.wheel] n (1784): a heavy wheel for opposing and moderating
          by its inertia any fluctuation of speed in the machinery
          with which it revolves; also: a similar wheel used for
          storing kinetic energy (as for motive power)

   fly whisk
          [fly whisk] n (1841): a whisk for brushing away flies

   fm...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   fm
          [fm] abbreviation fathom Fm abbreviation fermium FM abbreviation
          field manual

   FM
          [FM] n, often attrib [frequency modulation] (1940): a broadcasting
          system using frequency modulation; also: a radio receiver of such
          a system

   FMCS
          [FMCS] abbreviation Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

   FMN
          [FMN] n [flavin mononucleotide] (ca. 1953): a yellow crystalline
          phosphoric ester of riboflavin that is a coenzyme of
          several flavoprotein enzymes

   fn...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   fn
          [fn] abbreviation footnote

   fo...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   fo
          [fo] or fol abbreviation folio  FO abbreviation field officer,
          field order, finance officer, flight officer, foreign
          office, forward observer

   [1]foal
          [foal] n [ME fole, fr. OE fola; akin to L pullus young of
          an animal, Gk pais child--more at few] (bef. 12c): the
          young of an animal of the horse family; esp: one under
          one year -- in foal : pregnant 3 [2]foal vi (14c): to
          give birth to a foal

   [1]foam
          [foam] n [ME fome, fr. OE fam; akin to OHG feim foam, L spuma
          foam, pumex pumice] (bef. 12c) 1: a light frothy mass
          of fine bubbles formed in or on the surface of a liquid:
          as a: a frothy mass formed in salivating or sweating
          b: a stabilized froth produced chemically or mechanically
          and used esp. in fighting oil fires c: a material in
          a lightweight cellular form resulting from introduction
          of gas bubbles during manufacture 2: sea 3: something
          resembling foam -- foam.less adj [2]foam vi (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to produce or form foam b: to froth at the mouth
          esp. in anger; broadly: to be angry 2: to gush out in
          foam 3: to become covered with or as if with foam <streets
          ... ~ing with life --Thomas Wolfe> ~ vt 1: to cause to
          foam; specif: to cause air bubbles to form in 2: to convert
          (as a plastic) into a foam -- foam.able adj -- foam.er
          n

   foamed plastic
          [foamed plastic] n (1945): expanded plastic

   foamflower
          [foam.flow.er] n (1895): an American woodland spring-flowering
          herb (Tiarella cordifolia) that has white flowers with
          very long stamens and no stem leaves--called also false
          miterwort

   foam rubber
          [foam rubber] n (ca. 1939): spongy rubber of fine texture
          made from latex by foaming (as by whipping) before vulcanization

   foamy
          [foamy] adj foam.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: covered with foam:
          frothy 2: full of, consisting of, or resembling foam
          -- foam.i.ly adv -- foam.i.ness n

   FOB
          [FOB] abbreviation free on board

   [1]fob
          [fob] vt fobbed ; fob.bing [ME fobben] (14c) archaic: deceive,
          cheat [2]fob n [perh. akin to G dial. Fuppe pocket] (1653)
          1: watch pocket 2: a short strap, ribbon, or chain attached
          esp. to a pocket watch 3: an ornament attached to a fob
          chain

   fob off
          [fob off] vt (1597) 1: to put off with a trick, excuse, or
          inferior substitute 2: to pass or offer (something spurious)
          as genuine 3: to put aside <now fob off what once they
          would have welcomed eagerly --Walter Lippmann>

   FOC
          [FOC] abbreviation free of charge

   focaccia
          [fo.cac.cia] n [It, fr. LL focacia (neut. pl.), fr. L focus
          hearth] (1969): a flat Italian bread typically seasoned
          with herbs and olive oil

   focal
          [fo.cal] adj (1693): of, relating to, being, or having a
          focus -- fo.cal.ly adv

   focal infection
          [focal infection] n (ca. 1923): a persistent bacterial infection
          of some organ or region; esp: one causing symptoms elsewhere
          in the body

   focalize
          [fo.cal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1845) 1: to bring to
          a focus 2: localize ~ vi 1: to come to a focus: concentrate
          2: localize -- fo.cal.iza.tion n

   focal length
          [focal length] n (1753): the distance of a focus from the
          surface of a lens or concave mirror

   focal plane
          [focal plane] n (1889): a plane that is perpendicular to
          the axis of a lens or mirror and passes through the focus

   focal point
          [focal point] n (1713): focus 1a, 5a

   focal ratio
          [focal ratio] n (1926): f-number

   fo'c'sle
          [fo'.c'sle] var of forecastle

   [1]focus
          [fo.cus] n, pl fo.ci also fo.cus.es [NL, fr. L, hearth] (1644)
          1 a: a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound)
          converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge;
          specif: the point where the geometrical lines or their
          prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or
          converging toward another point intersect and give rise
          to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction
          by a lens or optical system b: a point of convergence
          of a beam of particles (as electrons) 2 a: focal length
          b: adjustment for distinct vision; also: the area that
          may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image
          c: a state or condition permitting clear perception or
          understanding <tried to bring the issues into ~> d: direction
          6c 3: one of the fixed points that with the corresponding
          directrix defines a conic section 4: a localized area
          of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease
          or infection 5 a: a center of activity, attraction, or
          attention <the ~ of the meeting was drug abuse> b: a
          point of concentration 6: the place of origin of an earthquake
          or moonquake 7: directed attention: emphasis -- fo.cus.less
          adj -- in focus : having or giving the proper sharpness
          of outline due to good focusing -- out of focus : not
          in focus [2]focus vb fo.cused also fo.cussed ; fo.cus.ing
          also fo.cus.sing vt (1775) 1 a: to bring into focus b:
          to adjust the focus of (as the eye or a lens) 2: to cause
          to be concentrated <~ed their attention on the most urgent
          problems> 3: to bring (as light rays) to a focus: concentrate
          ~ vi 1: to come to a focus: converge 2: to adjust one's
          eye or a camera to a particular range 3: to concentrate
          attention or effort -- fo.cus.able adj -- fo.cus.er n

   fodder
          [fod.der] n [ME, fr. OE fodor; akin to OHG fuotar food--more
          at food] (bef. 12c) 1: something fed to domestic animals;
          esp: coarse food for cattle, horses, or sheep 2: inferior
          or readily available material used to supply a heavy
          demand <routine entertainment ~> <~ for gossip columnists>
          -- fodder vt

   fodgel
          [fod.gel] adj [origin unknown] (1724) Scot: buxom

   FOE
          [FOE] abbreviation Fraternal Order of Eagles

   foe
          [foe] n [ME fo, fr. OE fah, fr. fah, adj., hostile; akin
          to OHG gifeh hostile] (bef. 12c) 1: one who has personal
          enmity for another 2 a: an enemy in war b: adversary,
          opponent 3: one who opposes on principle <a ~ of needless
          expenditures> 4: something prejudicial or injurious

   foehn
          [foehn] or fohn n [G Fohn] (1861): a warm dry wind blowing
          down the side of a mountain

   foeman
          [foe.man] n (bef. 12c): foe 2

   foetal
          [foe.tal] , foe.tus chiefly Brit var of fetal, fetus

   foetid
          [foe.tid] var of fetid

   foeto-
          [foeto-] or foeti- chiefly Brit var of feto-

   [1]fog
          [fog] n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Dan fog spray, shower]
          (1544) 1 a: vapor condensed to fine particles of water
          suspended in the lower atmosphere that differs from cloud
          only in being near the ground b: a fine spray or a foam
          for fire fighting 2: a murky condition of the atmosphere
          or a substance causing it 3 a: a state of confusion or
          bewilderment b: something that confuses or obscures <hid
          behind a ~ of rhetoric> 4: cloudiness or partial opacity
          in a developed photographic image caused by chemical
          action or stray radiation -- fog.less adj [2]fog vb fogged
          ; fog.ging vt (1599) 1: to cover, envelop, or suffuse
          with or as if with fog <~ the barns with pesticide> 2:
          to make obscure or confusing <accusations which fogged
          the real issues> 3: to make confused 4: to produce fog
          on (as a photographic film) during development ~ vi 1:
          to become covered or thick with fog 2 a: to become blurred
          by a covering of fog or mist b: to become indistinct
          through exposure to light or radiation

   fogbound
          [fog.bound] adj (ca. 1855) 1: unable to move because of fog
          <~ ship> 2: covered with or surrounded by fog <~ coast>

   fogbow
          [fog.bow] n (1831): a nebulous arc or circle of white or
          yellowish light sometimes seen in fog

   foggage
          [fog.gage] n [Sc, fr. ME (Sc) fogage, fr. AL fogagium, fr.
          ME fogge second growth of grass + ML -agium -age] (1786)
          Scot: a second growth of grass

   foggy
          [fog.gy] adj fog.gi.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: filled or abounding
          with fog b: covered or made opaque by moisture or grime
          2: blurred or obscured as if by fog <hadn't the foggiest
          notion> -- fog.gi.ly adv -- fog.gi.ness n

   Foggy Bottom
          [Foggy Bottom] n [Foggy Bottom, district in Washington, D.C.]
          (1951): the U.S. Department of State

   foghorn
          [fog.horn] n (1858) 1: a horn (as on a ship) sounded in a
          fog to give warning 2: a loud hoarse voice

   fogy
          [fo.gy] also fo.gey n, pl fogies also fogeys [origin unknown]
          (1780): a person with old-fashioned ideas--usu. used
          with old -- fo.gy.ish adj -- fo.gy.ism n

   FOIA
          [FOIA] abbreviation Freedom of Information Act

   foible
          [foi.ble] n [obs. F (now faible), fr. obs. foible weak, fr.
          OF feble feeble] (ca. 1648) 1: the part of a sword or
          foil blade between the middle and point 2: a minor flaw
          or shortcoming in character or behavior: weakness syn
          see fault

   foie gras
          [foie gras] n [F, lit., fat liver] (1818): the fatted liver
          of an animal and esp. of a goose usu. served as a pate

   [1]foil
          [foil] vt [ME, to trample, full cloth, fr. MF fouler--more
          at full] (14c) 1 obs: trample 2 a: to prevent from attaining
          an end: defeat b: to bring to naught: thwart syn see
          frustrate [2]foil n [ME, leaf, fr. MF foille (fr. L folia,
          pl. of folium) & foil, fr. L folium--more at blade] (14c)
          1: very thin sheet metal <aluminum ~> 2: a thin piece
          of material (as metal) put under an inferior or paste
          stone to add color or brilliance 3: someone or something
          that serves as a contrast to another <acted as a ~ for
          a comedian> 4 a: an indentation between cusps in Gothic
          tracery b: one of several arcs that enclose a complex
          figure 5: hydrofoil 1 [3]foil n (15c) 1 archaic: defeat
          2 archaic: the track or trail of an animal [4]foil n
          [origin unknown] (1594) 1: a light fencing sword having
          a usu. circular guard and a flexible blade of rectangular
          section tapering to a blunted point--compare epee, saber
          2: the art or sport of fencing with the foil--often used
          in pl. [5]foil vt (1611) 1: to back or cover with foil
          2: to enhance by contrast

   foiled
          [foiled] adj (1835): ornamented with foils <a ~ arch>

   foilsman
          [foils.man] n (1927): one who fences with a foil

   [1]foin
          [foin] vi [ME, fr. foin fork for spearing fish, fr. MF foisne]
          (14c) archaic: to thrust with a pointed weapon: lunge
          [2]foin n (15c) archaic: a pass in fencing: lunge

   foison
          [foi.son] n [ME foisoun, fr. MF foison, fr. L fusion-, fusio
          pouring, effusion--more at fusion] (14c) 1 archaic: rich
          harvest 2 chiefly Scot: physical energy or strength 3
          pl, obs: resources

   foist
          [foist] vt [prob. fr. obs. D vuisten to take into one's hand,
          fr. MD vuysten, fr. vuyst fist; akin to OE fyst fist]
          (ca. 1587) 1 a: to introduce or insert surreptitiously
          or without warrant b: to force another to accept esp.
          by stealth or deceit 2: to pass off as genuine or worthy
          <~ costly and valueless products on the public --Jonathan
          Spivak>

   folacin
          [fo.la.cin] n [folic acid + -in] (1949): folic acid

   folate
          [fo.late] n (1951): folic acid

   [1]fold
          [fold] n [ME, fr. OE falod; akin to OS faled enclosure] (bef.
          12c) 1: an enclosure for sheep 2 a: a flock of sheep
          b: a group of people or institutions that share a common
          faith, belief, activity, or enthusiasm [2]fold vt (bef.
          12c): to pen up or confine (as sheep) in a fold [3]fold
          vb [ME, fr. OE fealdan; akin to OHG faldan to fold, Gk
          diplasios twofold] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to lay one part over
          another part of <~ a letter> 2: to reduce the length
          or bulk of by doubling over <~ a tent> 3: to clasp together:
          entwine <~ the hands> 4: to clasp or enwrap closely:
          embrace 5: to bend (as a layer of rock) into folds 6
          a: to incorporate (a food ingredient) into a mixture
          by repeated gentle overturnings without stirring or beating
          b: to incorporate closely 7 a: to concede defeat by withdrawing
          (one's cards) from play (as in poker) b: to bring to
          an end ~ vi 1: to become doubled or pleated 2: to fail
          completely: collapse; esp: to go out of business 3: to
          fold one's cards (as in poker) -- fold.able adj [4]fold
          n (13c) 1: a part doubled or laid over another part:
          pleat 2: something that is folded together or that enfolds
          3 a: a bend or flexure produced in rock by forces operative
          after the depositing or consolidation of the rock b chiefly
          Brit: an undulation in the landscape 4: a margin apparently
          formed by the doubling upon itself of a flat anatomical
          structure (as a membrane) 5: a crease made by folding
          something (as a newspaper)

   -fold
          [-fold] suffix [ME, fr. OE -feald; akin to OHG -falt -fold,
          L -plex, -plus, OE fealdan] 1: multiplied by (a specified
          number): times--in adjectives <a sixfold increase> and
          adverbs <repay you tenfold> 2: having (so many) parts
          <threefold aspect of the problem>

   foldaway
          [fold.away] adj (1948): designed to be folded for storage
          or portability <~ doors> <~ bed> <a ~ table>

   foldboat
          [fold.boat] n [trans. of G Faltboot] (1938): a small collapsible
          canoe made of rubberized sailcloth stretched over a framework

   folder
          [fold.er] n (1552) 1: one that folds 2: a folded printed
          circular 3: a folded cover or large envelope for holding
          or filing loose papers

   folderol
          [fol.de.rol] n [fol-de-rol, a nonsense refrain in songs]
          (1820) 1: a useless ornament or accessory: trifle 2:
          nonsense

   folding
          [fold.ing] adj (15c): capable of being folded into a more
          compact shape <~ chairs> <a ~ door>

   folding money
          [folding money] n (ca. 1930): paper money

   foldout
          [fold.out] n, often attrib (1950): a folded leaf in a publication
          (as a book) that is larger in some dimension than the
          page <a ~ map>

   foliaceous
          [fo.li.a.ceous] adj [L foliaceus, fr. folium leaf + -aceus
          -aceous] (1658): of, relating to, or resembling an ordinary
          green leaf as distinguished from a modified leaf (as
          a petal, bract, or scale)

   foliage
          [fo.liage] n [MF fuellage, fr. foille leaf--more at foil]
          (1598) 1: a representation of leaves, flowers, and branches
          for architectural ornamentation 2: the aggregate of leaves
          of one or more plants 3: a cluster of leaves, flowers,
          and branches -- fo.liaged adj

   foliage plant
          [foliage plant] n (1862): a plant grown primarily for its
          decorative foliage

   foliar
          [fo.li.ar] adj [F foliaire, fr. L folium leaf + F -aire -ar]
          (ca. 1859): of, relating to, or applied to leaves <~
          sprays>

   foliate
          [fo.li.ate] adj [L foliatus leafy, fr. folium leaf--more
          at blade] (ca. 1658) 1: shaped like a leaf <a ~ sponge>
          2: foliated

   foliated
          [fo.li.at.ed] adj (1650) 1: composed of or separable into
          layers <a ~ rock> 2: ornamented with foils or a leaf
          design

   foliation
          [fo.li.a.tion] n (ca. 1623) 1 a: the process of forming into
          a leaf b: the state of being in leaf c: vernation 2:
          the numbering of the leaves of a manuscript or early
          printed book 3 a: ornamentation with foliage b: a decoration
          resembling a leaf 4: the enrichment of an opening by
          foils 5: foliated texture

   folic acid
          [fo.lic acid] n [L folium] (1941): a crystalline vitamin
          of the B complex that is used esp. in the treatment of
          nutritional anemias--called also pteroylglutamic acid

   folie a deux
          [fo.lie a deux] n [F, lit., double madness] (ca. 1892): the
          presence of the same or similar delusional ideas in two
          persons closely associated with one another

   folie de grandeur
          [fo.lie de gran.deur] or fo.lie des gran.deurs [F] foreign
          term : delusion of greatness: megalomania

   [1]folio
          [fo.lio] n, pl fo.li.os [ME, fr. L, abl. of folium] (1447)
          1 a: a leaf esp. of a manuscript or book b: a leaf number
          c: a page number d: an identifying reference in accounting
          used in posting 2 a: a sheet of paper folded once b:
          a case or folder for loose papers 3 a: the size of a
          piece of paper cut two from a sheet; also: paper or a
          page of this size b: a book printed on folio pages c:
          a book of the largest size 4: a certain number of words
          taken as a unit or division in a document for purposes
          of measurement or reference [2]folio vt (1858): to put
          a serial number on each leaf or page of

   foliose
          [fo.li.ose] adj [L foliosus leafy] (1758): having a flat,
          thin, and usu. lobed thallus attached to the substratum
          <~ lichens>--compare crustose, fruticose

   [1]folk
          [folk] n, pl folk or folks [ME, fr. OE folc; akin to OHG
          folc people] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: a group of kindred
          tribes forming a nation: people 2: the great proportion
          of the members of a people that determines the group
          character and that tends to preserve its characteristic
          form of civilization and its customs, arts and crafts,
          legends, traditions, and superstitions from generation
          to generation 3 pl: a certain kind, class, or group of
          people <old ~s> <just plain ~> <country ~> <media ~>
          4 folks pl: people generally 5 folks pl: the persons
          of one's own family; esp: parents [2]folk adj (bef. 12c)
          1: originating or traditional with the common people
          of a country or region and typically reflecting their
          lifestyle <~ hero> <~ music> 2: of or relating to the
          common people or to the study of the common people <~
          sociology>

   folk etymology
          [folk etymology] n (1882): the transformation of words so
          as to give them an apparent relationship to other better-known
          or better-understood words (as in the change of Spanish
          cucaracha to English cockroach)

   [1]folkie
          [folk.ie] also folky n, pl folkies (1965): a folk singer
          or instrumentalist [2]folkie or folky adj (1965): of
          or relating to folk music

   folkish
          [folk.ish] adj (1938): folklike -- folk.ish.ness n

   folklife
          [folk.life] n (1864): the traditions, activities, skills,
          and products (as handicrafts) of a particular people
          or group

   folklike
          [folk.like] adj (1939): having a folk character

   folklore
          [folk.lore] n (1846) 1: traditional customs, tales, sayings,
          dances, or art forms preserved among a people 2: a branch
          of knowledge that deals with folklore 3: an often unsupported
          notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated --
          folk.lor.ic adj -- folk.lor.ish adj -- folk.lor.ist n
          -- folk.lor.is.tic adj

   folk mass
          [folk mass] n (1966): a mass in which traditional liturgical
          music is replaced by folk music

   folk medicine
          [folk medicine] n (1878): traditional medicine as practiced
          nonprofessionally esp. by people isolated from modern
          medical services and usu. involving the use of plant-derived
          remedies on an empirical basis

   folkmoot
          [folk.moot] or folk.mote n [alter. of OE folcmot, folcgemot,
          fr. folc people + mot, gemot meeting--more at moot] (bef.
          12c): a general assembly of the people (as of a shire)
          in early England

   folksinger
          [folk.sing.er] n (1884): one who sings folk songs or sings
          in a style associated with folk songs -- folk.sing.ing
          n

   folk song
          [folk song] n (1847): a traditional or composed song typically
          characterized by stanzaic form, refrain, and simplicity
          of melody

   folksy
          [folksy] adj folks.i.er ; -est (1852) 1: sociable, friendly
          2: informal, casual, or familiar in manner or style <~
          humor> -- folks.i.ly adv -- folks.i.ness n

   folktale
          [folk.tale] n (1852): a characteristically anonymous, timeless,
          and placeless tale circulated orally among a people

   folkway
          [folk.way] n (ca. 1906): a mode of thinking, feeling, or
          acting common to a given group of people; esp: a traditional
          social custom

   follicle
          [fol.li.cle] n [NL folliculus, fr. L, dim. of follis bag--more
          at fool] (1646) 1 a: a small anatomical cavity or deep
          narrow-mouthed depression b: a small lymph node c: a
          vesicle in the mammalian ovary that contains a developing
          egg surrounded by a covering of cells; esp: graafian
          follicle 2: a dry dehiscent one-celled many-seeded fruit
          (as of the milkweed) that has a single carpel and opens
          along one suture -- fol.lic.u.lar adj

   follicle mite
          [follicle mite] n (1925): any of several minute mites (genus
          Demodex) parasitic in hair follicles

   follicle-stimulating hormone
          [follicle-stimulating hormone] n (ca. 1943): a hormone produced
          by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates
          the growth of the ovum-containing follicles in the ovary
          and activates sperm-forming cells

   folliculitis
          [fol.lic.u.li.tis] n [NL, fr. folliculus + -itis] (ca. 1860):
          inflammation of one or more follicles esp. of the hair

   [1]follow
          [fol.low] vb [ME folwen, fr. OE folgian; akin to OHG folgen
          to follow] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to go, proceed, or come after
          <~ed the guide> 2 a: to engage in as a calling or way
          of life: pursue <wheat-growing is generally ~ed here>
          b: to walk or proceed along <~ a path> 3 a: to be or
          act in accordance with <~ directions> b: to accept as
          authority: obey <~ed his conscience> 4 a: to pursue in
          an effort to overtake b: to seek to attain <~ knowledge>
          5: to come into existence or take place as a result or
          consequence of <disaster ~ed the blunder> 6 a: to come
          or take place after in time, sequence, or order b: to
          cause to be followed <~ed dinner with a liqueur> 7: to
          copy after: imitate 8 a: to watch steadily <~ed the flight
          of the ball> b: to keep the mind on <~ a speech> c: to
          attend closely to: keep abreast of <~ed his career with
          interest> d: to understand the sense or logic of (as
          a line of thought) ~ vi 1: to go or come after a person
          or thing in place, time, or sequence 2: to result or
          occur as a consequence, effect, or inference -- as follows
          : as comes next--used impersonally -- follow one's nose
          1: to go in a straight or obvious course 2: to proceed
          without plan or reflection: obey one's instincts -- follow
          suit 1: to play a card of the same suit as the card led
          2: to follow an example set syn follow, succeed, ensue,
          supervene mean to come after something or someone. follow
          may apply to a coming after in time, position, or logical
          sequence <speeches followed the dinner>. succeed implies
          a coming after immediately in a sequence determined by
          natural order, inheritance, election, or laws of rank
          <she succeeded her father as head of the business>. ensue
          commonly suggests a logical consequence or naturally
          expected development <after the talk a general discussion
          ensued>. supervene suggests the following or beginning
          of something unforeseen or unpredictable <supervening
          events brought unhappiness to him>. syn see in addition
          chase [2]follow n (1870) 1: the act or process of following
          2: forward spin given to a ball by striking it above
          center--compare draw, english

   follower
          [fol.low.er] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: one in the service of another:
          retainer b: one that follows the opinions or teachings
          of another c: one that imitates another 2 archaic: one
          that chases 3: a sheet added to the first sheet of an
          indenture or other deed 4: a machine part that receives
          motion from another part 5: a spring-loaded plate at
          the bottom of a firearm's magazine that angles cartridges
          for proper insertion into the chamber 6: fan, devotee
          syn follower, adherent, disciple, partisan mean one who
          gives full loyalty and support to another. follower may
          apply to people who attach themselves either to the person
          or beliefs of another <an evangelist and his followers>.
          adherent suggests a close and persistent attachment <adherents
          to Marxism>. disciple implies a devoted allegiance to
          the teachings of one chosen as a master <disciples of
          Gandhi>. partisan suggests a zealous often prejudiced
          attachment <partisans of the President>.

   followership
          [fol.low.er.ship] n (ca. 1928) 1: following 2: the capacity
          or willingness to follow a leader

   [1]following
          [fol.low.ing] adj (15c) 1: being next in order or time <the
          ~ day> 2: listed or shown next <trains will leave at
          the ~ times> [2]following n (15c): a group of followers,
          adherents, or partisans [3]following prep (ca. 1926):
          subsequent to <~ the lecture tea was served>

   follow-on
          [fol.low-on] adj (1960): being or relating to something that
          follows as a natural or logical consequence, development,
          or progression -- follow-on n

   follow out
          [follow out] vt (1762) 1: to follow to the end or to a conclusion
          2: carry out, execute <followed out their orders>

   follow shot
          [follow shot] n (ca. 1909) 1: a shot in billiards or pool
          made by striking the cue ball above its center to cause
          it to continue forward after striking the object ball
          2: a camera shot in which the camera follows the movement
          of the subject

   follow through
          [follow through] vi (1895) 1: to continue a stroke or motion
          to the end of its arc 2: to press on in an activity or
          process esp. to a conclusion

   follow-through
          [fol.low-through] n (ca. 1899) 1: the act or an instance
          of following through 2: the part of the stroke following
          the striking of a ball

   [1]follow-up
          [fol.low-up] n (1916) 1 a: the act or an instance of following
          up b: something that follows up 2: maintenance of contact
          with or reexamination of a person (as a patient) esp.
          following treatment 3: a news story presenting new information
          on a story published earlier [2]follow-up adj (1912)
          1: of, relating to, or being something that follows up
          <~ action by the police --Frank Faulkner> 2: done, conducted,
          or administered in the course of following up persons
          <~ care for discharged hospital patients>

   follow up
          [follow up] vt (1792) 1: to follow with something similar,
          related, or supplementary <following up his convictions
          with action --G. P. Merrill> 2: to maintain contact with
          (a person) so as to monitor the effects of earlier activities
          or treatments 3: to pursue in an effort to take further
          action <the police follow up leads> ~ vi: to take appropriate
          action <follow up on complaints>

   folly
          [fol.ly] n, pl follies [ME folie, fr. OF, fr. fol fool] (13c)
          1: lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight
          2 a: criminally or tragically foolish actions or conduct
          b obs: evil, wickedness; esp: lewd behavior 3: a foolish
          act or idea 4: an excessively costly or unprofitable
          undertaking 5: an often extravagant picturesque building
          erected to suit a fanciful taste

   Folsom
          [Fol.som] adj [Folsom, town in New Mexico] (1928): of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a prehistoric culture of No.
          America on the east side of the Rocky Mountains that
          is characterized by flint projectile points having a
          concave base with side projections and a longitudinal
          groove on each face

   foment
          [fo.ment] vt [ME fomenten to apply a warm substance to, fr.
          LL fomentare, fr. L fomentum compress, fr. fovere to
          heat, soothe; akin to Lith degti to burn, Skt dahati
          it burns] (ca. 1613): to promote the growth or development
          of: rouse, incite <~ a rebellion> syn see incite -- fo.ment.er
          n

   fomentation
          [fo.men.ta.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the application of hot moist
          substances to the body to ease pain b: the material so
          applied 2: the act of fomenting: instigation

   [1]fond
          [fond] adj [ME, fr. fonne fool] (14c) 1: foolish, silly <~
          pride> 2 a: prizing highly: desirous <~ of praise> b:
          having an affection or liking--used with of <~ of music>
          3 a: foolishly tender: indulgent <a ~ mother> b: affectionate,
          loving <absence makes the heart grow ~er> 4: cherished
          with great affection: doted on <our ~est hopes> [2]fond
          vi (1530) obs: to lavish affection: dote [3]fond n, pl
          fonds [F, fr. L fundus bottom, piece of property--more
          at bottom] (1664) 1: background, basis 2 obs: fund

   fondant
          [fon.dant] n [F, fr. prp. of fondre to melt--more at found]
          (1877) 1: a soft creamy preparation of sugar, water,
          and flavorings that is used as a basis for candies or
          icings 2: a candy consisting chiefly of fondant

   fondle
          [fon.dle] vb fon.dled ; fon.dling [freq. of obs. fond to
          fondle] vt (1694) 1 obs: pamper 2: to handle tenderly,
          lovingly, or lingeringly: caress ~ vi: to show affection
          or desire by caressing -- fon.dler n

   fondly
          [fond.ly] adv (14c) 1 archaic: in a foolish manner: foolishly
          2: in a fond manner: affectionately 3: in a willingly
          credulous manner <it would stun, I ~ hoped, the reader
          --Annie Dillard>

   fondness
          [fond.ness] n (14c) 1 obs: foolishness, folly 2: tender affection
          3: appetite, relish <had a ~ for argument>

   fondue
          [fon.due] also fon.du n [F fondue, fr. fem. of fondu, pp.
          of fondre to melt] (1878) 1 a (1): a preparation of melted
          cheese (as Swiss cheese and Gruyere) usu. flavored with
          white wine and kirsch (2): a dish that consists of small
          pieces of food (as meat or fruit) cooked in or dipped
          into a hot liquid <beef ~> <chocolate ~> b: a chafing
          dish in which fondue is made 2: a dish similar to a souffle
          usu. made with cheese and bread crumbs

   [1]font
          [font] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL font-, fons, fr. L, fountain]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a receptacle for baptismal water b: a
          receptacle for holy water c: a receptacle for various
          liquids 2: source, fountain <a ~ of information> -- font.al
          adj [2]font n [MF fonte act of founding, fr. (assumed)
          VL fundita, fem. of funditus, pp. of L fundere to found,
          pour--more at found] (ca. 1688): an assortment or set
          of type all of one size and style

   fontanel
          [fon.ta.nel] or fon.ta.nelle n [ME fontinelle a bodily hollow
          or pit, fr. MF fontenele, dim. of fontaine fountain]
          (1741): a membrane-covered opening in bone or between
          bones; specif: any of the spaces closed by membranous
          structures between the uncompleted angles of the parietal
          bones and the neighboring bones of a fetal or young skull

   fontina
          [fon.ti.na] n, often cap [It] (1938): a cheese that is semisoft
          to hard in texture and mild to medium sharp in flavor

   food
          [food] n, often attrib [ME fode, fr. OE foda; akin to OHG
          fuotar food, fodder, L panis bread, pascere to feed]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: material consisting essentially of protein,
          carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism
          to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to
          furnish energy; also: such food together with supplementary
          substances (as minerals, vitamins, and condiments) b:
          inorganic substances absorbed by plants in gaseous form
          or in water solution 2: nutriment in solid form 3: something
          that nourishes, sustains, or supplies <~ for thought>
          -- food.less adj -- food.less.ness n

   food chain
          [food chain] n (1926): an arrangement of the organisms of
          an ecological community according to the order of predation
          in which each uses the next usu. lower member as a food
          source

   foodie
          [food.ie] n (1982): a person having an avid interest in the
          latest food fads

   foo dog
          [foo dog] n, often cap F [Chin (Beijing) fo Buddha; fr. the
          use of such figures in ceramic or stone as guardians
          of Buddhist temples] (1953): a mythical lion-dog used
          as a decorative motif in Far Eastern art

   food poisoning
          [food poisoning] n (1887): an acute gastrointestinal disorder
          caused by bacteria or their toxic products or by chemical
          residues in food

   food processor
          [food processor] n (1974): an electric kitchen appliance
          with a set of interchangeable blades revolving inside
          a container

   food pyramid
          [food pyramid] n (1949): an ecological hierarchy of food
          relationships in which a chief predator is at the top,
          each level preys on the next lower level, and usu. green
          plants are at the bottom

   food stamp
          [food stamp] n (1940): a government-issued coupon that is
          sold or given to low-income persons and is redeemable
          for food

   foodstuff
          [food.stuff] n (1872): a substance with food value; specif:
          the raw material of food before or after processing

   food vacuole
          [food vacuole] n (ca. 1889): a membrane-bound vacuole (as
          in an amoeba) in which ingested food is digested--see
          amoeba illustration

   foodways
          [food.ways] n pl (1946): the eating habits and culinary practices
          of a people, region, or historical period

   food web
          [food web] n (1949): the totality of interacting food chains
          in an ecological community

   foofaraw
          [foo.fa.raw] n [origin unknown] (1934) 1: frills and flashy
          finery 2: a disturbance or to-do over a trifle: fuss

   [1]fool
          [fool] n [ME, fr. OF fol, fr. LL follis, fr. L, bellows,
          bag; akin to OHG bolla blister, balg bag--more at belly]
          (13c) 1: a person lacking in judgment or prudence 2 a:
          a retainer formerly kept in great households to provide
          casual entertainment and commonly dressed in motley with
          cap, bells, and bauble b: one who is victimized or made
          to appear foolish: dupe 3 a: a harmlessly deranged person
          or one lacking in common powers of understanding b: one
          with a marked propensity or fondness for something <a
          dancing ~> <a ~ for candy> 4: a cold dessert of pureed
          fruit mixed with whipped cream or custard [2]fool adj
          (13c): foolish, silly <barking its ~ head off> [3]fool
          vi (1593) 1 a: to behave foolishly <why old men ~ and
          children calculate --Shak.>--often used with around b:
          to meddle, tamper, or experiment esp. thoughtlessly or
          ignorantly <don't ~ with that gun>--often used with around
          2 a: to play or improvise a comic role b: to speak in
          jest: joke <I was only ~ing> 3: to contend or fight without
          serious intent or with less than full strength: toy <a
          dangerous man to ~ with> ~ vt 1: to make a fool of: deceive
          2 obs: infatuate 3: to spend on trifles or without advantage:
          fritter--used with away

   fool around
          [fool around] vi (1837) 1: to spend time idly, aimlessly,
          or frivolously 2: to engage in casual sexual activity

   foolery
          [fool.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1552) 1: a foolish act, utterance,
          or belief 2: foolish behavior

   foolhardy
          [fool.har.dy] adj (13c): foolishly adventurous and bold:
          rash syn see adventurous -- fool.har.di.ly adv -- fool.har.di.ness
          n

   foolish
          [fool.ish] adj (13c) 1: lacking in sense, judgment, or discretion
          2 a: absurd, ridiculous b: marked by a loss of composure:
          nonplussed, abashed 3: insignificant, trifling, humble
          syn see simple -- fool.ish.ly adv

   foolishness
          [fool.ish.ness] n (15c) 1: foolish behavior: folly 2: a foolish
          act or idea

   foolproof
          [fool.proof] adj (1902): so simple, plain, or reliable as
          to leave no opportunity for error, misuse, or failure
          <a ~ plan>

   foolscap
          [fools.cap] also fool's cap n (1632) 1: a cap or hood usu.
          with bells worn by jesters 2: a conical cap for slow
          or lazy students 3 usu foolscap [fr. the watermark of
          a foolscap formerly applied to such paper]: a size of
          paper formerly standard in Great Britain; broadly: a
          piece of writing paper

   fool's gold
          [fool's gold] n (1872): pyrite; broadly: any of various pyritic
          minerals resembling gold

   fool's paradise
          [fool's paradise] n (15c): a state of delusory happiness

   fool's parsley
          [fool's parsley] n (1755): a poisonous European weed (Aethusa
          cynapium) of the carrot family that resembles parsley
          and is naturalized in the northern U.S. and southern
          Canada

   [1]foot
          [foot] n, pl feet also foot [ME fot, fr. OE fot; akin to
          OHG fuot foot, L ped-, pes, Gk pod-, pous] (bef. 12c)
          1: the terminal part of the vertebrate leg upon which
          an individual stands 2: an invertebrate organ of locomotion
          or attachment; esp: a ventral muscular surface or process
          of a mollusk--see clam illustration 3: any of various
          units of length based on the length of the human foot;
          esp: a unit equal to 1/3 yard and comprising 12 inches--pl.
          foot used between a number and a noun <a 10-foot pole>--pl.
          feet or foot used between a number and an adjective <6
          feet tall> 4: the basic unit of verse meter consisting
          of any of various fixed combinations or groups of stressed
          and unstressed or long and short syllables 5 a: motion
          or power of walking or running: step <fleet of ~> b:
          speed, swiftness <showed early ~> 6: something resembling
          a foot in position or use: as a: the lower end of the
          leg of a chair or table b (1): the basal portion of the
          sporogonium in mosses (2): a specialized outgrowth by
          which the embryonic sporophyte of many ferns and related
          plants and some seed plants absorbs nourishment from
          the gametophyte c: a piece on a sewing machine that presses
          the cloth against the feed 7 foot pl, chiefly Brit: infantry
          8: the lower edge (as of a sail) 9: the lowest part:
          bottom <the ~ of the hill> 10 a: the end that is lower
          or opposite the head <the ~ of the bed> b: the part (as
          of a stocking) that covers the foot 11 foots pl but sing
          or pl in constr: material deposited esp. in aging or
          refining: dregs 12 foots pl: footlights -- at one's feet
          : under one's spell or influence -- foot in the door
          : the initial step toward a goal -- off one's feet :
          in a sitting or lying position -- on foot : by walking
          or running <tour the campus on foot> -- on one's feet
          1: in a standing position 2: in an established position
          or state 3: in a recovered condition (as from illness)
          <back on my feet> 4: in an extemporaneous manner: while
          in action <good debaters can think on their feet> --
          to one's feet : to a standing position <brought the crowd
          to its feet> [2]foot vi (15c) 1: dance 2: to go on foot
          3 of a sailboat: to make speed: move ~ vt 1 a: to perform
          the movements of (a dance) b: to walk, run, or dance
          on, over, or through 2 archaic a: kick b: reject 3 archaic:
          establish 4 a: to add up b: to pay or stand credit for
          <~ the bill> 5: to make or renew the foot of (as a stocking)

   footage
          [foot.age] n (1892): length or quantity expressed in feet:
          as a: board feet b: the total number of running feet
          of motion-picture film used (as for a scene or subject);
          also: the material contained on such footage

   foot-and-mouth disease
          [foot-and-mouth disease] n (1862): an acute contagious febrile
          virus disease esp. of cloven-footed animals marked by
          ulcerating vesicles in the mouth, about the hooves, and
          on the udder and teats--called also foot-and-mouth, hoof-and-mouth
          disease

   football
          [foot.ball] n (15c) 1: any of several games played between
          two teams on a rectangular field having two goalposts
          at each end and whose object is to get the ball over
          a goal line or between goalposts by running, passing,
          or kicking: as a Brit: soccer b Brit: rugby c: an American
          game played between two teams of 11 players each in which
          the ball is in possession of one side at a time and is
          advanced by running or passing d Austral: australian
          rules football e Canad: canadian football 2 a: an inflated
          oval ball used in the game of football b Brit: a soccer
          ball 3: something treated roughly esp. as the subject
          of a prolonged dispute <the issue became a political
          ~ in Congress> -- foot.ball.er n

   footbath
          [foot.bath] n (1599): a bath (as at the entrance to an indoor
          swimming pool) for cleansing, warming, or disinfecting
          the feet

   footboard
          [foot.board] n (1766) 1: a narrow platform on which to stand
          or brace the feet 2: a board forming the foot of a bed

   footboy
          [foot.boy] n (1590): a serving boy: page, attendant

   footbridge
          [foot.bridge] n (14c): a bridge for pedestrians

   foot-candle
          [foot-can.dle] n (1906): a unit of illuminance on a surface
          that is everywhere one foot from a uniform point source
          of light of one candle and equal to one lumen per square
          foot

   footcloth
          [foot.cloth] n (14c) 1 archaic: an ornamental cloth draped
          over the back of a horse to reach the ground on each
          side 2: carpet

   footdragger
          [foot.drag.ger] n (1957): one who engages in foot-dragging

   foot-dragging
          [foot-drag.ging] n (1952): failure to act with the necessary
          promptness or vigor

   footed
          [foot.ed] adj (14c): having a foot or feet esp. of a specified
          kind or number--often used in combination <a four-footed
          animal>

   footer
          [foot.er] n (1608) archaic: pedestrian

   -footer
          [-foot.er] n comb form: one that is a specified number of
          feet in height, length, or breadth <a six-footer>

   footfall
          [foot.fall] n (1610): the sound of a footstep

   foot fault
          [foot fault] n (1886): an infraction of the service rules
          (as in tennis, racquetball, or volleyball) that results
          from illegal placement of the server's feet -- foot.fault
          vi

   footgear
          [foot.gear] n (1837): footwear

   foothill
          [foot.hill] n (1850) 1: a hill at the foot of higher hills
          2 pl: a hilly region at the base of a mountain range

   foothold
          [foot.hold] n (1625) 1: a hold for the feet: footing 2: a
          position usable as a base for further advance

   footing
          [foot.ing] n (14c) 1: a stable position or placing of the
          feet 2: a surface or its condition with respect to one
          walking or running on it; esp: the condition of a racetrack
          3: the act of moving on foot: step, tread 4 a: a place
          or space for standing: foothold b: established position:
          status; esp: position or rank in relation to others <they
          all started off on an equal ~> 5: basis 6: terms of social
          intercourse 7: an enlargement at the lower end of a foundation
          wall, pier, or column to distribute the load 8: the sum
          of a column of figures

   footlambert
          [foot.lam.bert] n (1925): a unit of luminance equal to the
          luminance of a perfectly diffusing surface that emits
          or reflects one lumen per square foot

   footle
          [foo.tle] vi foo.tled ; foo.tling [alter. of footer (to footle)]
          (1892) 1: to talk or act foolishly 2: to waste time:
          trifle, fool -- footle n -- foo.tler n

   footless
          [foot.less] adj (14c) 1 a: having no feet b: lacking foundation:
          unsubstantial 2: stupid, inept -- foot.less.ly adv --
          foot.less.ness n

   footlights
          [foot.lights] n pl (ca. 1839) 1: a row of lights set across
          the front of a stage floor 2: the stage as a profession

   footling
          [foo.tling] adj [footle] (ca. 1897) 1: lacking judgment or
          ability: inept <~ amateurs who understand nothing --E.
          R. Bentley> 2: lacking use or value: trivial

   footlocker
          [foot.lock.er] n (ca. 1942): a small trunk designed to be
          placed at the foot of a bed (as in a barracks)

   footloose
          [foot.loose] adj (1873): having no ties: free to move about

   footman
          [foot.man] n (14c) 1 a archaic: a traveler on foot: pedestrian
          b: infantryman 2 a: a servant in livery formerly attending
          a rider or required to run in front of his master's carriage
          b: a servant who serves at table, tends the door, and
          runs errands

   footmark
          [foot.mark] n (1826): footprint

   [1]footnote
          [foot.note] n (1822) 1: a note of reference, explanation,
          or comment usu. placed below the text on a printed page
          2: something that is subordinately related to a larger
          event or work: commentary <that biography is an illuminating
          ~ to our times> [2]footnote vt (1864): to furnish with
          a footnote: annotate

   footpace
          [foot.pace] n (1538) 1: a walking pace 2: platform, dais

   [1]footpad
          [foot.pad] n [foot + pad (highwayman)] (1683): one who robs
          a pedestrian [2]footpad n [foot + [1]pad] (1966): a flattish
          foot on the leg of a spacecraft for distributing weight
          to minimize sinking into a surface

   footpath
          [foot.path] n (1526): a narrow path for pedestrians

   foot-pound
          [foot-pound] n, pl foot-pounds (1850): a unit of work equal
          to the work done by a force of one pound acting through
          a distance of one foot in the direction of the force

   foot-pound-second
          [foot-pound-second] adj (1892): being or relating to a system
          of units based upon the foot as the unit of length, the
          pound as the unit of weight and the second as the unit
          of time--abbr. fps

   footprint
          [foot.print] n (1552) 1: an impression of the foot on a surface
          2: the area on a surface covered by something <a tire
          with a wide ~> <the ~ of a laser beam on the surface
          of a planet>

   footrace
          [foot.race] n (1663): a race run by humans on foot

   footrest
          [foot.rest] n (1861): a support for the feet

   footrope
          [foot.rope] n (1772) 1: the part of a boltrope sewed to the
          lower edge of a sail 2: a rope rigged below a yard for
          men to stand on

   foot rot
          [foot rot] n (1807) 1: a progressive inflammation of the
          feet of sheep or cattle that is associated with bacterial
          infection 2: a plant disease marked by rot of the stem
          near the ground

   footsie
          [foot.sie] or foot.sy n [dim. of [1]foot] (1944) 1: a furtive
          flirtatious caressing with the feet (as under a table)
          2: a usu. surreptitious cooperation or negotiation with
          someone supposed hostile to one's own interests--usu.
          used with play

   footslog
          [foot.slog] vi (1899): to march or tramp through mud
          -- foot.slog.ger n

   foot soldier
          [foot soldier] n (1622): infantryman

   footsore
          [foot.sore] adj (1719): having sore or tender feet (as from
          much walking) -- foot.sore.ness n

   footstep
          [foot.step] n (13c) 1: the mark of the foot: track 2 a: tread
          b: distance covered by a step: pace 3: a step on which
          to ascend or descend 4: a way of life, conduct, or action
          <followed in his father's ~s>

   footstone
          [foot.stone] n (1724): a stone placed at the foot of a grave

   footstool
          [foot.stool] n (1530): a low stool used to support the feet

   footwall
          [foot.wall] n (1860) 1: the lower underlying wall of a vein,
          ore deposit, or coal seam in a mine 2: the lower wall
          of an inclined fault

   footway
          [foot.way] n (15c): a narrow way or path for pedestrians

   footwear
          [foot.wear] n (1881): wearing apparel (as shoes or boots)
          for the feet

   footwork
          [foot.work] n (1895) 1: the management of the feet (as in
          boxing); also: the work done with them 2: the activity
          of moving from place to place <the investigation entailed
          a lot of ~> 3: active and adroit maneuvering to achieve
          an end <fancy political ~>

   [1]foozle
          [foo.zle] n (1890): an act of foozling; esp: a bungling golf
          stroke [2]foozle vt foo.zled ; foo.zling [perh. fr. G
          dial. fuseln to work carelessly] (1892): to manage or
          play awkwardly: bungle

   [1]fop
          [fop] n [ME; akin to ME fobben to deceive, MHG voppen] (15c)
          1 obs: a foolish or silly person 2: a man who is devoted
          to or vain about his appearance or dress: coxcomb, dandy
          [2]fop vt fopped ; fop.ping (1602) obs: fool, dupe

   foppery
          [fop.pery] n, pl -per.ies (1546) 1: foolish character or
          action: folly 2: the behavior or dress of a fop

   foppish
          [fop.pish] adj (1599) 1 obs: foolish, silly 2 a: characteristic
          of a fop <a ~ dressing gown> b: behaving or dressing
          in the manner of a fop -- fop.pish.ly adv -- fop.pish.ness
          n

   [1]for
          [for] prep [ME, fr. OE; akin to L per through, prae before,
          pro before, for, ahead, Gk pro, OE faran to go--more
          at fare] (bef. 12c) 1 a--used as a function word to indicate
          purpose <a grant ~ studying medicine> b--used as a function
          word to indicate an intended goal <left ~ home> <acted
          ~ the best> c--used as a function word to indicate the
          object or recipient of a perception, desire, or activity
          <now ~ a good rest> <run ~ your life> <an eye ~ a bargain>
          2 a: as being or constituting <taken ~ a fool> <eggs
          ~ breakfast> b--used as a function word to indicate an
          actual or implied enumeration or selection <~ one thing,
          the price is too high> 3: because of <can't sleep ~ the
          heat> 4--used as a function word to indicate suitability
          or fitness <it is not ~ you to choose> <ready ~ action>
          5 a: in place of <go to the store ~ me> b (1): on behalf
          of: representing <speaks ~ the court> (2): in favor of
          <all ~ the plan> 6: in spite of--usu. used with all <~
          all his large size, he moves gracefully> 7: with respect
          to: concerning <a stickler ~ detail> <heavy ~ its size>
          8 a--used as a function word to indicate equivalence
          in exchange <$10 ~ a hat>, equality in number or quantity
          <point ~ point>, or correspondence or correlation <~
          every one that works, you'll find five that don't> b--used
          as a function word to indicate number of attempts <0
          ~ 4> 9--used as a function word to indicate duration
          of time or extent of space <gone ~ two days> 10: in honor
          of: after <named ~ her grandmother> [2]for conj (12c):
          for the reason that: on this ground: because

   for
          [for] abbreviation foreign, forestry  FOR abbreviation free
          on rail

   for-
          [for-] prefix [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG far- for-, OE for]
          1: so as to involve prohibition, exclusion, omission,
          failure, neglect, or refusal <forbid> 2: destructively
          or detrimentally <fordo> 3: completely: excessively:
          to exhaustion: to pieces <forspent>

   fora
          [fora] pl of forum

   [1]forage
          [for.age] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. forre fodder, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG fuotar food, fodder--more at food] (14c)
          1: food for animals esp. when taken by browsing or grazing
          2 [[2]forage]: the act of foraging: search for provisions
          [2]forage vb for.aged ; for.ag.ing vt (15c) 1: to strip
          of provisions: collect forage from 2: to secure by foraging
          <foraged a chicken for the feast> ~ vi 1: to wander in
          search of forage or food 2: to secure forage (as for
          horses) by stripping the country 3: ravage, raid 4: to
          make a search: rummage -- for.ag.er n

   foram
          [fo.ram] n (1927): foraminifer

   foramen
          [fo.ra.men] n, pl fo.ram.i.na or fo.ra.mens [L foramin-,
          foramen, fr. forare to bore--more at bore] (1671): a
          small opening, perforation, or orifice: fenestra -- fo.ram.i.nal
          or fo.ram.i.nous adj

   foramen magnum
          [fo.ra.men mag.num] n [NL, lit., large opening] (1860): the
          opening in the skull through which the spinal cord passes
          to become the medulla oblongata

   foramen ovale
          [foramen ova.le] n [NL, lit., oval opening] (ca. 1860): an
          opening in the septum between the two atria of the heart
          that is normally present only in the fetus

   foraminifer
          [for.a.min.i.fer] n (ca. 1842): any of an order (Foraminifera)
          of large chiefly marine rhizopod protozoans usu. having
          calcareous shells that often are perforated with minute
          holes for protrusion of slender pseudopodia and form
          the bulk of chalk and nummulitic limestone -- fo.ra.mi.nif.er.al
          adj

   foraminifera
          [fo.ra.mi.nif.era] n pl [NL, fr. L foramin-, foramen + -fera,
          neut. pl. of -fer -fer] (ca. 1836): organisms that are
          foraminifers

   foraminiferan
          [fo.ra.mi.nif.er.an] n (1920): foraminifer

   for and
          [for and] conj (ca. 1529) obs: and also

   forasmuch as
          [for.as.much as] conj (13c): in view of the fact that

   [1]foray
          [for.ay] vb [ME forrayen, fr. MF forrer, fr. forre fodder--more
          at forage] vt (14c) archaic: to ravage in search of spoils:
          pillage ~ vi: to make a raid or brief invasion <~ed into
          enemy territory> -- for.ay.er n [2]foray n (14c) 1: a
          sudden or irregular invasion or attack for war or spoils:
          raid 2: a brief excursion or attempt esp. outside one's
          accustomed sphere <the novelist's ~ into nonfiction>

   forb
          [forb] n [Gk phorbe fodder, food, fr. pherbein to graze]
          (1924): an herb other than grass

   [1]forbear
          [for.bear] vb -bore ; -borne ; -bear.ing [ME forberen, fr.
          OE forberan to endure, do without, fr. for- + beran to
          bear] vt (bef. 12c) 1 obs: to do without 2: to hold oneself
          back from esp. with an effort 3 obs: to leave alone:
          shun <~ his presence --Shak.> ~ vi 1: hold back, abstain
          <can write with ease what I ~ to read --Flannery O'Connor>
          2: to control oneself when provoked: be patient -- for.bear.er
          n [2]forbear var of forebear

   forbearance
          [for.bear.ance] n (1576) 1: a refraining from the enforcement
          of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is
          due 2: the act of forbearing: patience 3: the quality
          of being forbearing: leniency

   [1]forbid
          [for.bid] vt -bade also -bad ; -bid.den ; -bid.ding [ME forbidden,
          fr. OE forbeodan, fr. for- + beodan to bid--more at bid] (bef. 12c)
          1: to proscribe from or as if from the position of one
          in authority: command against <the law ~s stores to sell liquor
          to minors> <her mother ~s her to go> 2: to hinder or prevent
          as if by an effectual command <space ~s further treatment here>
          -- for.bid.der n syn forbid, prohibit, interdict, inhibit mean
          to debar one from doing something or to order that something not
          be done. forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and
          that obedience is expected <smoking is forbidden in the building>.
          prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations
          <prohibited the sale of liquor>. interdict implies prohibition
          by civil or ecclesiastical authority usu. for a given time
          or a declared purpose <practices interdicted by the church>.
          inhibit implies the imposition of restraints or restrictions that
          amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the
          exigencies of the time or situation <conditions inhibiting the
          growth of free trade>. [2]forbid adj (1606) archaic: accursed <he
          shall live a man ~ --Shak.>

   forbiddance
          [for.bid.dance] n (ca. 1611): the act of forbidding

   forbidden
          [for.bid.den] adj (13c) 1: not permitted or allowed 2: not
          conforming to the usual selection principles--used of
          quantum phenomena <~ transition> <~ radiation> <~ spectral
          line>

   forbidden fruit
          [forbidden fruit] n [fr. the forbidden fruit of the Garden
          of Eden in Gen 3:2-19] (1662): an immoral or illegal
          pleasure

   forbidding
          [for.bid.ding] adj (1712) 1: such as to make approach or
          passage difficult or impossible <~ walls> 2: disagreeable,
          repellent <a ~ task> 3: grim, menacing <a dark ~ sky>
          -- for.bid.ding.ly adv

   forbode
          [forbode] var of forebode

   [1]forby
          [for.by] or for.bye prep [ME forby, prep. & adv., fr. fore-
          + by] (14c) 1 archaic a: past b: near 2 chiefly Scot:
          besides [2]forby or forbye adv (1590) chiefly Scot: besides:
          in addition

   [1]force
          [force] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL fortia, fr. L fortis
          strong] (14c) 1 a (1): strength or energy exerted or
          brought to bear: cause of motion or change: active power
          <the ~s of nature> <the motivating ~ in her life> (2)
          usu cap--used with a number to indicate the strength
          of the wind according to the Beaufort scale <a Force
          10 hurricane> b: moral or mental strength c: capacity
          to persuade or convince <the ~ of the argument> 2 a:
          military strength b (1): a body (as of troops or ships)
          assigned to a military purpose (2) pl: the whole military
          strength (as of a nation) c: a body of persons or things
          available for a particular end <a labor ~> <the missile
          ~> d: an individual or group having the power of effective
          action <join ~s to prevent violence> <a ~ in politics>
          e often cap: police force--usu. used with the 3: violence,
          compulsion, or constraint exerted upon or against a person
          or thing 4 a: an agency or influence that if applied
          to a free body results chiefly in an acceleration of
          the body and sometimes in elastic deformation and other
          effects b: any of the natural influences (as electromagnetism,
          gravity, the strong force, and the weak force) that exist
          esp. between particles and determine the structure of
          the universe 5: the quality of conveying impressions
          intensely in writing or speech syn see power -- force.less
          adj -- in force 1: in great numbers <picnickers were
          out in force> 2: valid, operative <the ban remains in
          force> [2]force vt forced ; forc.ing (14c) 1: to do violence
          to; esp: rape 2: to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual
          means 3: to make or cause esp. through natural or logical
          necessity <forced to admit my error> 4 a: to press, drive,
          attain to, or effect against resistance or inertia <~
          your way through> b: to impose or thrust urgently, importunately,
          or inexorably <~ unwanted attentions on a woman> 5: to
          achieve or win by strength in struggle or violence: as
          a: to win one's way into <~ a castle> <forced the mountain
          passes> b: to break open or through <~ a lock> 6 a: to
          raise or accelerate to the utmost <forcing the pace>
          b: to produce only with unnatural or unwilling effort
          <forced a smile> c: to wrench, strain, or use (language)
          with marked unnaturalness and lack of ease 7 a: to hasten
          the rate of progress or growth of b: to bring (as plants)
          to maturity out of the normal season <forcing lilies
          for Easter> 8: to induce (as a particular bid or play
          by another player) in a card game by some conventional
          act, play, bid, or response 9 a: to cause (a runner in
          baseball) to be put out on a force-out b: to cause (a
          run) to be scored in baseball by giving a base on balls
          when the bases are full -- forc.er n -- force one's hand
          : to cause one to act precipitously: force one to reveal
          one's purpose or intention syn force, compel, coerce,
          constrain, oblige mean to make someone or something yield.
          force is the general term and implies the overcoming
          of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or
          duress <forced to flee for their lives>. compel typically
          suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by
          an irresistible force <compelled to admit my mistake>.
          coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness
          by actual or threatened violence or pressure <coerced
          into signing over the rights>. constrain suggests the
          effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom
          of action or choice <constrained by conscience>. oblige
          implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty <felt
          obliged to go>.

   forced
          [forced] adj (ca. 1537) 1: compelled by force or necessity:
          involuntary <a ~ landing> 2: done or produced with effort,
          exertion, or pressure <a ~ laugh> -- forced.ly adv

   force de frappe
          [force de frappe] [F] foreign term : military striking force
          esp. with nuclear weapons

   force-feed
          [force-feed] vt -fed ; -feed.ing (1901) 1: to feed (as an
          animal) by forcible administration of food 2: to force
          to take in <~ students the classics>--also used with
          a single object <~ the classics to students> <~ students
          with the classics>

   forceful
          [force.ful] adj (1571): possessing or filled with force:
          effective -- force.ful.ly adv -- force.ful.ness n

   force majeure
          [force ma.jeure] n [F, superior force] (1883) 1: superior
          or irresistible force 2: an event or effect that cannot
          be reasonably anticipated or controlled--compare act
          of god

   forcemeat
          [force.meat] n [force (alter. of [2]farce) + meat] (ca. 1688):
          finely chopped and highly seasoned meat or fish that
          is either served alone or used as a stuffing--called
          also farce

   force of habit
          [force of habit] (ca. 1925): behavior made involuntary or
          automatic by repeated practice

   force of nature
          [force of nature] (1981): force 4b

   force-out
          [force-out] n (1896): a play in baseball in which a runner
          is put out by being forced to advance to the next base
          but failing to do so safely

   force play
          [force play] n (1912): force-out

   forceps
          [for.ceps] n, pl forceps [L, tongs, perh. fr. formus warm
          + capere to take--more at therm, heave] (1634): an instrument
          for grasping, holding firmly, or exerting traction upon
          objects esp. for delicate operations (as by jewelers
          or surgeons) -- for.ceps.like adj

   force pump
          [force pump] n (1659): a pump with a solid piston for drawing
          and forcing through valves a liquid (as water) to a considerable
          height above the pump or under a considerable pressure

   forcible
          [forc.ible] adj (15c) 1: effected by force used against opposition
          or resistance 2: characterized by force, efficiency, or energy:
          powerful -- forc.ible.ness n -- forc.ibly adv

   [1]ford
          [ford] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to ON fjorthr fjord, L portus
          port, OE faran to go--more at fare] (bef. 12c): a shallow
          part of a body of water that may be crossed by wading
          [2]ford vt (1614): to cross (a body of water) by wading
          -- ford.able adj

   fordo
          [for.do] vt -did ; -done ; -do.ing [ME fordon, fr. OE fordon,
          fr. for- + don to do] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: to do away
          with: destroy 2: to overcome with fatigue--used only
          as past participle <quite fordone with the heat>

   fore-
          [fore-] comb form [ME for-, fore-, fr. OE fore-, fr. fore,
          adv.] 1 a: earlier: beforehand <foresee> b: occurring
          earlier: occurring beforehand <foreshock> 2 a: situated
          at the front: in front <foreleg> b: front part of (something
          specified) <forearm> c: foremast <foretop>

   [1]fore
          [fore] adv [ME, fr. OE; akin to OE for] (bef. 12c) 1 obs:
          at an earlier time or period 2: in, toward, or adjacent
          to the front: forward [2]fore also 'fore prep (bef. 12c)
          1 chiefly dial: before 2: in the presence of [3]fore
          adj [fore-] (15c) 1: situated in front of something else:
          forward 2: prior in order of occurrence: former [4]fore
          n (1842): something that occupies a front position --
          to the fore : in or into a position of prominence: forward
          [5]fore interj [prob. short for before] (ca. 1878)--used
          by a golfer to warn anyone within range of the probable
          line of flight of the ball

   fore-and-aft
          [fore-and-aft] adj (1820) 1: lying, running, or acting in
          the general line of the length of a construction (as
          a ship or a house): longitudinal 2: having no square
          sails

   fore and aft
          [fore and aft] adv (ca. 1618) 1: lengthwise of a ship: from
          stem to stern 2: in, at, or toward both the bow and stern
          3: in or at the front and back or the beginning and end

   fore-and-after
          [fore-and-aft.er] n (1823): a ship with a fore-and-aft rig;
          esp: schooner

   fore-and-aft rig
          [fore-and-aft rig] n (1879): a sailing-ship rig in which
          most or all of the sails are not attached to yards but
          are bent to gaffs or set on the masts or on stays in
          a fore-and-aft line

   [1]forearm
          [fore.arm] vt (1592): to arm in advance: prepare [2]fore.arm
          n (1741): the part of the arm between the elbow and the
          wrist; also: the corresponding part in other vertebrates

   forebay
          [fore.bay] n (1770): a reservoir or canal from which water
          is taken to run equipment (as a waterwheel or turbine)

   forebear
          [fore.bear] n [ME (Sc), fr. fore- + -bear (fr. been to be)]
          (15c): ancestor, forefather; also: precursor--usu. used
          in pl.

   forebode
          [fore.bode] vt (1603) 1: to have an inward conviction of
          (as coming ill or misfortune) 2: foretell, portend ~
          vi: augur, predict -- fore.bod.er n

   [1]foreboding
          [fore.bod.ing] n (14c): the act of one who forebodes; also:
          an omen, prediction, or presentiment esp. of coming evil:
          portent [2]foreboding adj (1679): indicative of or marked
          by foreboding -- fore.bod.ing.ly adv -- fore.bod.ing.ness
          n

   forebrain
          [fore.brain] n (1879): the anterior of the three primary
          divisions of the developing vertebrate brain or the corresponding
          part of the adult brain that includes esp. the cerebral
          hemispheres, the thalamus, and the hypothalamus and that
          esp. in higher vertebrates is the main control center
          for sensory and associative information processing, visceral
          functions, and voluntary motor functions--called also
          prosencephalon--compare diencephalon, telencephalon

   forecaddie
          [fore.cad.die] n (1792): a golf caddie who is stationed in
          the fairway and who indicates the position of balls on
          the course

   [1]forecast
          [fore.cast] vb forecast also fore.cast.ed ; fore.cast.ing
          vt (15c) 1 a: to calculate or predict (some future event
          or condition) usu. as a result of study and analysis
          of available pertinent data; esp: to predict (weather
          conditions) on the basis of correlated meteorological
          observations b: to indicate as likely to occur 2: to
          serve as a forecast of: presage <such events may ~ peace>
          ~ vi: to calculate the future syn see foretell -- fore.cast.able
          adj -- fore.cast.er n [2]fore.cast n (ca. 1541) 1 archaic:
          foresight of consequences and provision against them:
          forethought 2: a prophecy, estimate, or prediction of
          a future happening or condition

   forecastle
          [fore.cas.tle] n (15c) 1: the forward part of the upper deck
          of a ship 2: the crew's quarters usu. in a ship's bow

   forecheck
          [fore.check] vi (1951): to check an opponent in ice hockey
          in his own defensive zone -- fore.check.er n

   foreclose
          [fore.close] vb [ME, fr. MF forclos, pp. of forclore, fr.
          fors outside (fr. L foris) + clore to close--more at
          forum] vt (15c) 1: to shut out: preclude 2: to hold exclusively
          3: to deal with or close in advance 4: to subject to
          foreclosure proceedings ~ vi: to foreclose a mortgage

   foreclosure
          [fore.clo.sure] n (1728): an act or instance of foreclosing;
          specif: a legal proceeding that bars or extinguishes
          a mortgagor's right of redeeming a mortgaged estate

   forecourt
          [fore.court] n (1535) 1: an open court in front of a building
          2: the area near the net in a court game

   foredeck
          [fore.deck] n (1565): the forepart of a ship's main deck

   foredo
          [fore.do] var of fordo

   foredoom
          [fore.doom] vt (1603): doom 2

   foreface
          [fore.face] n (1545): the part of the head of a quadruped
          that is in front of the eyes

   forefather
          [fore.fa.ther] n (14c) 1: ancestor 1a 2: a person of an earlier
          period and common heritage

   forefeel
          [fore.feel] vt -felt ; -feel.ing (1580): to have a presentiment
          of

   forefend
          [fore.fend] var of forfend

   forefinger
          [fore.fin.ger] n (15c): the finger next to the thumb--called
          also index finger

   forefoot
          [fore.foot] n (14c) 1 a: one of the anterior feet esp. of
          a quadruped b: the front part of the human foot 2: the
          forward part of a ship where the stem and keel meet

   forefront
          [fore.front] n (15c): the foremost part or place

   foregather
          [fore.gath.er] var of forgather

   [1]forego
          [fore.go] vt -went ; -gone ; -go.ing (bef. 12c): to go before:
          precede -- fore.go.er n [2]forego var of forgo

   foregoing
          [fore.go.ing] adj (15c): listed, mentioned, or occurring
          before <the ~ statement can be proven> syn see preceding

   foregone
          [fore.gone] adj (ca. 1600): previous, past

   foregone conclusion
          [foregone conclusion] n (1604) 1: a conclusion that has preceded
          argument or examination 2: an inevitable result: certainty
          <the victory was a foregone conclusion>

   [1]foreground
          [fore.ground] n (1695) 1: the part of a scene or representation
          that is nearest to and in front of the spectator 2: a
          position of prominence: forefront [2]foreground vt (1892):
          to bring to the foreground; esp: to give prominence or
          emphasis to

   foregut
          [fore.gut] n (ca. 1889): the anterior part of the alimentary
          canal of a vertebrate embryo that develops into the pharynx,
          esophagus, stomach, and extreme anterior part of the
          intestine

   [1]forehand
          [fore.hand] n (1557) 1 archaic: superior position: advantage
          2: the part of a horse that is before the rider 3: a
          forehand stroke (as in tennis or racquets); also: the
          side on which such strokes are made [2]forehand adj (1599)
          1 obs: done or given in advance: prior 2: made with the
          palm of the hand turned in the direction in which the
          hand is moving <a ~ tennis stroke> [3]forehand adv (1925):
          with a forehand stroke

   forehanded
          [fore.hand.ed] adj (1650) 1 a: mindful of the future: prudent
          b: well-to-do 2: forehand 2 -- fore.hand.ed.ly adv --
          fore.hand.ed.ness n

   forehead
          [fore.head] n (bef. 12c) 1: the part of the face above the
          eyes 2: the front or forepart of something <flames in
          the ~ of the morning sky --John Milton>

   forehoof
          [fore.hoof] n (1770): the hoof of a forefoot

   foreign
          [for.eign] adj [ME forein, fr. OF, fr. LL foranus on the
          outside, fr. L foris outside--more at forum] (13c) 1:
          situated outside a place or country; esp: situated outside
          one's own country 2: born in, belonging to, or characteristic
          of some place or country other than the one under consideration
          3: of, relating to, or proceeding from some other person
          or material thing than the one under consideration 4:
          alien in character: not connected or pertinent 5: related
          to or dealing with other nations 6: occurring in an abnormal
          situation in the living body and often introduced from
          outside 7: not being within the jurisdiction of a political
          unit (as a state) syn see extrinsic -- for.eign.ness
          n

   foreign affairs
          [foreign affairs] n pl (1611): matters having to do with
          international relations and with the interests of the
          home country in foreign countries

   foreign aid
          [foreign aid] n (1949): assistance (as economic aid) provided
          by one nation to another

   foreign bill
          [foreign bill] n (1682): a bill of exchange that is not both
          drawn and payable within a particular jurisdiction

   foreign-born
          [for.eign-born] adj (1856): foreign by birth

   foreign correspondent
          [foreign correspondent] n (1948): a correspondent employed
          to send news or comment from a foreign country

   foreigner
          [for.eign.er] n (15c) 1: a person belonging to or owing allegiance
          to a foreign country 2 chiefly dial: one not native to a place
          or community: stranger 1c

   foreign exchange
          [foreign exchange] n (1691) 1: a process of settling accounts
          or debts between persons residing in different countries
          2: foreign currency or current short-term credit instruments
          payable in such currency

   foreignism
          [for.eign.ism] n (1855): something peculiar to a foreign
          language or people; specif: a foreign idiom or custom

   foreign minister
          [foreign minister] n (1709): a governmental minister for
          foreign affairs

   foreign office
          [foreign office] n (1859): a government office (as a ministry)
          that deals with foreign affairs

   foreign policy
          [foreign policy] n (1859): the policy of a sovereign state
          in its interaction with other sovereign states

   foreign service
          [foreign service] n (1927): the field force of a foreign
          office comprising diplomatic and consular personnel

   [1]forejudge
          [fore.judge] vt [ME forjuggen, fr. MF forjugier, fr. fors
          outside (fr. L foris) + jugier to judge] (15c): to expel,
          oust, or put out by judgment of a court [2]fore.judge
          vt (1561): prejudge

   foreknow
          [fore.know] vt -knew ; -known ; -know.ing (14c): to have
          previous knowledge of: known beforehand esp. by paranormal
          means or by revelation syn see foresee -- fore.knowl.edge
          n

   forelady
          [fore.la.dy] n (ca. 1889): forewoman

   foreland
          [fore.land] n (14c): promontory, headland

   foreleg
          [fore.leg] n (15c): a front leg

   forelimb
          [fore.limb] n (ca. 1796): a limb (as an arm, wing, fin, or
          leg) that is situated anteriorly <the ~ of a bat>

   forelock
          [fore.lock] n (1589): a lock of hair growing from the front
          of the head

   foreman
          [fore.man] n (15c): a first or chief person: as a: a member
          of a jury who acts as chairman and spokesman b (1): a
          chief and often specially trained worker who works with
          and commonly leads a gang or crew (2): a person in charge
          of a group of workers, a particular operation, or a section
          of a plant -- fore.man.ship n

   foremast
          [fore.mast] n (1582): the mast nearest the bow of a ship

   [1]foremost
          [fore.most] adj [ME formest, fr. OE, superl. of forma first;
          akin to OHG fruma advantage, OE fore fore] (bef. 12c)
          1: first in a series or progression 2: of first rank
          or position: preeminent [2]foremost adv (bef. 12c) 1:
          in the first place 2: most importantly <first and ~>

   foremother
          [fore.moth.er] n (1582): a female ancestor

   forename
          [fore.name] n (1533): a name that precedes one's surname

   forenamed
          [fore.named] adj (13c): named previously: aforesaid

   forenoon
          [fore.noon] n (15c): the early part of the day ending with
          noon: morning

   [1]forensic
          [fo.ren.sic] adj [L forensis public, forensic, fr. forum
          forum] (1659) 1: belonging to, used in, or suitable to
          courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate
          2: argumentative, rhetorical 3: relating to or dealing
          with the application of scientific knowledge to legal
          problems <~ medicine> <~ science> <~ pathologist> <~
          experts> -- fo.ren.si.cal.ly adv [2]forensic n (1814)
          1: an argumentative exercise 2 pl but sing or pl in constr:
          the art or study of argumentative discourse

   foreordain
          [fore.or.dain] vt (15c): to dispose or appoint in advance:
          predestine -- fore.or.di.na.tion n

   forepart
          [fore.part] n (14c) 1: the anterior part of something 2:
          the earlier part of a period of time

   forepassed
          [fore.passed] or fore.past adj (1557): bygone

   forepaw
          [fore.paw] n (1825): the paw of a foreleg

   forepeak
          [fore.peak] n (1693): the extreme forward lower compartment
          or tank usu. used for trimming or storage in a ship

   foreplay
          [fore.play] n (1929) 1: erotic stimulation preceding sexual
          intercourse 2: action or behavior that precedes an event

   forequarter
          [fore.quar.ter] n (15c): the front half of a lateral half
          of the body or carcass of a quadruped <a ~ of beef>

   forereach
          [fore.reach] vi (1644) of a ship: to gain ground in tacking
          ~ vt: to gain on or go ahead of (a ship) when close-hauled

   forerun
          [fore.run] vt -ran ; -run ; -run.ning (bef. 12c) 1: to run
          before 2: to come before as a token of something to follow
          3: forestall, anticipate

   forerunner
          [fore.run.ner] n (13c) 1: one that precedes and indicates
          the approach of another: as a: a premonitory sign or
          symptom b: a skier who runs the course before the start
          of a race 2: predecessor, ancestor syn forerunner, precursor,
          harbinger, herald mean one that goes before or announces
          the coming of another. forerunner is applicable to anything
          that serves as a sign or presage <the blockade was the
          forerunner of war>. precursor applies to a person or
          thing paving the way for the success or accomplishment
          of another <18th-century poets like Burns were precursors
          of the Romantics>. harbinger and herald both apply, chiefly
          figuratively, to one that proclaims or announces the
          coming or arrival of a notable event <their early victory
          was the harbinger of a winning season> <the herald of
          a new age in medicine>.

   foresaid
          [fore.said] adj (bef. 12c) archaic: aforesaid

   foresail
          [fore.sail] n (15c) 1: the lowest sail set on the foremast
          of a square-rigged ship or schooner--see sail illustration
          2: the sole or principal headsail (as of a sloop, cutter,
          or schooner)

   foresee
          [fore.see] vt -saw ; -seen ; -see.ing (bef. 12c): to see
          (as a development) beforehand -- fore.seer n syn foresee,
          foreknow, divine, anticipate mean to know beforehand.
          foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived
          and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience <economists
          should have foreseen the recession>. foreknow usu. implies
          supernatural assistance, as through revelation <if only
          we could foreknow our own destinies>. divine adds to
          foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment
          <was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the
          war>. anticipate implies taking action about or responding
          emotionally to something before it happens <the waiter
          anticipated our every need>.

   foreseeable
          [fore.see.able] adj (1804) 1: being such as may be reasonably
          anticipated <~ problems> 2: lying within the range for
          which forecasts are possible <in the ~ future> --
          fore.see.abil.i.ty n

   foreshadow
          [fore.shad.ow] vt (1577): to represent, indicate, or typify
          beforehand: prefigure -- fore.shad.ow.er n

   foreshank
          [fore.shank] n (1924): the upper part of the foreleg of cattle;
          also: meat cut from this part

   foresheet
          [fore.sheet] n (1667) 1: one of the sheets of a foresail
          2 pl: the forward part of an open boat

   foreshock
          [fore.shock] n (1902): any of the usu. minor tremors commonly
          preceding the principal shock of an earthquake

   foreshore
          [fore.shore] n (1764) 1: a strip of land margining a body
          of water 2: the part of a seashore between high-water
          and low-water marks

   foreshorten
          [fore.short.en] vt (1606) 1: to shorten by proportionately
          contracting in the direction of depth so that an illusion
          of projection or extension in space is obtained 2: to
          make more compact: abridge, shorten

   foreside
          [fore.side] n (14c): the front side or part: front

   foresight
          [fore.sight] n (14c) 1: an act or the power of foreseeing:
          prescience 2: provident care: prudence <had the ~ to
          invest his money wisely> 3: an act of looking forward;
          also: a view forward -- fore.sight.ed adj -- fore.sight.ed.ly
          adv -- fore.sight.ed.ness n -- fore.sight.ful adj

   foreskin
          [fore.skin] n (1535): a fold of skin that covers the glans
          of the penis--called also prepuce

   forespeak
          [fore.speak] vt -spoke ; -spo.ken ; -speak.ing (14c) 1: foretell,
          predict 2: to arrange for in advance

   [1]forest
          [for.est] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL forestis (silva)
          unenclosed (woodland), fr. L foris outside--more at forum]
          (13c) 1: a dense growth of trees and underbrush covering
          a large tract 2: a tract of wooded land in England formerly
          owned by the sovereign and used for game 3: something
          resembling a forest esp. in profusion <a ~ of microphones>
          -- for.est.al or fo.res.tial adj -- for.est.ed adj [2]forest
          vt (ca. 1828): to cover with trees or forest -- for.es.ta.tion
          n

   forestage
          [fore.stage] n (1923): apron 2e

   forestall
          [fore.stall] vt [ME, fr. forstall act of waylaying, fr. OE
          foresteall, fr. fore- + steall position, stall] (bef.
          12c) 1: to prevent the normal trading in by buying or
          diverting goods or by persuading persons to raise prices
          2 archaic: intercept 3 obs: obstruct, beset 4: to exclude,
          hinder, or prevent by prior occupation or measures 5:
          to get ahead of: anticipate syn see prevent -- fore.stall.er
          n -- fore.stall.ment n

   forestay
          [fore.stay] n (13c): a stay from the foremast to the foredeck
          or bow of a ship

   forestaysail
          [fore.stay.sail] n (1742): the triangular aftermost headsail
          of a schooner, ketch, or yawl set on the forestay--see
          sail illustration

   forester
          [for.est.er] n [ME forster, forester, fr. OF forestier, fr.
          forest] (14c) 1: a person trained in forestry 2: an inhabitant
          of a forest 3: any of various woodland moths (family
          Agaristidae) 4 cap: a member of a major benevolent and
          fraternal order

   forest floor
          [forest floor] n (1849): the richly organic layer of soil
          and debris characteristic of forested land

   forest green
          [forest green] n (1810): a dark yellowish or moderate olive
          green

   forestland
          [for.est.land] n (1649): land covered with forest or reserved
          for the growth of forests

   forest ranger
          [forest ranger] n (1830): an officer charged with the patrolling
          and guarding of a forest; esp: one in charge of the management
          and protection of a portion of a public forest

   forestry
          [for.est.ry] n (1823) 1: forestland 2 a: the science of developing,
          caring for, or cultivating forests b: the management of growing
          timber

   forest tent caterpillar
          [forest tent caterpillar] n (1854): a moth (Malacosoma disstria
          of the family Lasiocampidae) whose orange-marked larva
          is a tent caterpillar and a serious defoliator of deciduous
          trees

   foreswear, foresworn
          [foreswear, foresworn] var of forswear, forsworn

   [1]foretaste
          [fore.taste] n (15c) 1: a small anticipatory sample 2: an
          advance indication or warning syn see prospect [2]fore.taste
          vt (15c): to taste beforehand: anticipate

   foretell
          [fore.tell] vt -told ; -tell.ing (14c): to tell beforehand:
          predict -- fore.tell.er n syn foretell, predict, forecast,
          prophesy, prognosticate mean to tell beforehand. foretell
          applies to the telling of the coming of a future event
          by any procedure or any source of information <seers
          foretold the calamity>. predict commonly implies inference
          from facts or accepted laws of nature <astronomers predicted
          an eclipse>. forecast adds the implication of anticipating
          eventualities and differs from predict in being usually
          concerned with probabilities rather than certainties
          <forecast snow>. prophesy connotes inspired or mystic
          knowledge of the future esp. as the fulfilling of divine
          threats or promises <prophesying a new messiah>. prognosticate
          is used less often than the other words; it may suggest
          learned or skilled interpretation, but more often it
          is simply a colorful substitute for predict or prophesy
          <prognosticating the future>.

   [1]forethought
          [fore.thought] n (14c) 1: a thinking or planning out in advance:
          premeditation 2: consideration for the future [2]forethought
          adj (15c) archaic: aforethought

   forethoughtful
          [fore.thought.ful] adj (1809): full of or having forethought
          -- fore.thought.ful.ly adv -- fore.thought.ful.ness n

   foretime
          [fore.time] n (ca. 1540): former or past time: the time before
          the present

   [1]foretoken
          [fore.to.ken] n (bef. 12c): a premonitory sign [2]fore.to.ken
          vt fore.to.kened ; fore.to.ken.ing (15c): to indicate
          or warn of in advance

   foretop
          [fore.top] n (1509): the platform at the head of a ship's
          foremast

   foretopman
          [fore.top.man] n (1816): a sailor on duty on the foremast
          and above

   fore-topmast
          [fore-top.mast] n (1626): a mast next above the foremast

   [1]forever
          [for.ev.er] adv (1629) 1: for a limitless time <wants to
          live ~> 2: at all times: continually <is ~ making bad
          puns> [2]forever n (1858): a seemingly interminable time:
          excessively long <it took her ~ to find the answer>

   forevermore
          [for.ev.er.more] adv (1837): forever 1

   foreverness
          [for.ev.er.ness] n (1945): eternity

   forewarn
          [fore.warn] vt (14c): to warn in advance

   forewing
          [fore.wing] n (ca. 1889): either of the anterior wings of
          a 4-winged insect

   forewoman
          [fore.wom.an] n (1709): a woman who is a foreman

   foreword
          [fore.word] n (1842): prefatory comments (as for a book)
          esp. when written by someone other than the author

   foreworn
          [fore.worn] archaic var of forworn

   [1]forfeit
          [for.feit] n [ME forfait, fr. MF, fr. pp. of forfaire to
          commit a crime, forfeit, fr. fors outside (fr. L foris)
          + faire to do, fr. L facere--more at forum, do] (14c)
          1: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited
          (as for a crime, offense, or neglect of duty): penalty
          2: forfeiture esp. of civil rights 3 a: something deposited
          (as for making a mistake in a game) and then redeemed
          on payment of a fine b pl: a game in which forfeits are
          exacted [2]forfeit vt (14c) 1: to lose or lose the right
          to by some error, offense, or crime 2: to subject to
          confiscation as a forfeit -- for.feit.able adj -- for.feit.er
          n [3]forfeit adj (14c): forfeited or subject to forfeiture

   forfeiture
          [for.fei.ture] n (14c) 1: the act of forfeiting: the loss
          of property or money because of a breach of a legal obligation
          2: something (as money or property) that is forfeited:
          penalty

   forfend
          [for.fend] vt (14c) 1 a archaic: forbid b: to ward off: prevent
          2: protect, preserve

   forgather
          [for.gath.er] vi (1513) 1: to come together: assemble 2:
          to meet someone usu. by chance

   [1]forge
          [forge] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L fabrica, fr. fabr-, faber smith]
          (13c) 1: a furnace or a shop with its furnace where metal
          is heated and wrought: smithy 2: a workshop where wrought
          iron is produced or where iron is made malleable [2]forge
          vb forged ; forg.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to form (as metal)
          by heating and hammering b: to form (metal) by a mechanical
          or hydraulic press with or without heat 2: to make or
          imitate falsely esp. with intent to defraud: counterfeit
          3: to form or bring into being esp. by an expenditure
          of effort <working to ~ party unity> ~ vi 1: to work
          at a forge 2: to commit forgery -- forge.abil.i.ty n
          -- forge.able adj [3]forge vi forged ; forg.ing [origin
          unknown] (1611) 1: to move forward slowly and steadily
          <the ship forged ahead through heavy seas> 2: to move
          with a sudden increase of speed and power <forged into
          the lead> <forged ahead in marketing the product>

   forger
          [forg.er] n [[2]forge] (14c) 1: one that forges metals 2
          a: one that falsifies; esp: a creator of false tales
          b: a person guilty of forgery

   forgery
          [forg.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1583) 1 archaic: invention 2: something
          forged 3: an act of forging; esp: the crime of falsely
          and fraudulently making or altering a document (as a
          check)

   forget
          [for.get] vb -got ; -got.ten or -got ; -get.ting [ME, fr.
          OE forgietan, fr. for- + -gietan (akin to ON geta to
          get)] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to lose the remembrance of:
          be unable to think of or recall <I ~ his name> b obs:
          to cease from doing 2: to treat with inattention or disregard
          <forgot their old friends> 3: to disregard intentionally:
          overlook--usu. used in the imperative <~ it> ~ vi 1:
          to cease remembering or noticing <forgive and ~> 2: to
          fail to become mindful at the proper time <~ about paying
          the bill> syn see neglect -- for.get.ter n -- forget
          oneself : to lose one's dignity, temper, or self-control

   forgetful
          [for.get.ful] adj (14c) 1: likely to forget 2: characterized
          by negligent failure to remember: neglectful 3: inducing
          oblivion <~ sleep> -- for.get.ful.ly adv -- for.get.ful.ness
          n

   forgetive
          [for.ge.tive] adj [prob. fr. [2]forge + -tive (as in inventive)]
          (1597) archaic: inventive, imaginative

   forget-me-not
          [for.get-me-not] n (1532): any of a genus (Myosotis) of small
          herbs of the borage family having bright-blue or white
          flowers usu. arranged in a curving spike

   forgettable
          [for.get.ta.ble] adj (1845): fit or likely to be forgotten
          <a ~ movie>

   forging
          [forg.ing] n (14c) 1: the art or process of forging 2: a
          piece of forged work 3: forgery 3

   forgive
          [for.give] vb -gave ; -giv.en ; -giv.ing [ME, fr. OE forgifan,
          fr. for- + gifan to give] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to give
          up resentment of or claim to requital for <~ an insult>
          b: to grant relief from payment of <~ a debt> 2: to cease
          to feel resentment against (an offender): pardon <~ one's
          enemies> ~ vi: to grant forgiveness syn see excuse --
          for.giv.able adj -- for.giv.ably adv -- for.giv.er n

   forgiveness
          [for.give.ness] n (bef. 12c): the act of forgiving

   forgiving
          [for.giv.ing] adj (1690) 1: willing or able to forgive 2:
          allowing room for error or weakness <designed to be a
          ~ tennis racquet> -- for.giv.ing.ly adv -- for.giv.ing.ness
          n

   forgo
          [for.go] vt -went ; -gone ; -go.ing [ME, fr. OE forgan to
          pass by, forgo, fr. for- + gan to go] (bef. 12c) 1: to
          give up the enjoyment or advantage of: do without 2 archaic:
          forsake -- for.go.er n

   forgotten man
          [forgotten man] n (1925): a person or category of persons
          that receives less attention than is merited

   for instance
          [for instance] n (1959): example <I'll give you a for instance>

   forint
          [fo.rint] n, pl forints also forint [Hung] (ca. 1916): the
          basic monetary unit of Hungary

   forjudge
          [for.judge] var of forejudge

   [1]fork
          [fork] n [ME forke, fr. OE & ONF; OE forca & ONF forque,
          fr. L furca] (bef. 12c) 1: an implement with two or more
          prongs used esp. for taking up (as in eating), pitching,
          or digging 2: a forked part, tool, or piece of equipment
          3 a: a division into branches or the place where something
          divides into branches b: confluence 4: one of the branches
          into which something forks 5: an attack by one chess
          piece (as a knight) on two pieces simultaneously -- fork.ful
          n [2]fork vi (15c) 1: to divide into two or more branches
          <where the road ~s> 2 a: to use or work with a fork b:
          to turn into a fork ~ vt 1: to give the form of a fork
          to <~ing her fingers> 2: to attack (two chessmen) simultaneously
          3: to raise, pitch, dig, or work with a fork <~ hay>
          4: pay, contribute--used with over, out, or up <had to
          ~ over $5000> -- fork.er n

   forkball
          [fork.ball] n (1936): a baseball pitch in which the ball
          is gripped between the forked index and middle fingers

   forked
          [forked] adj (13c) 1: resembling a fork esp. in having one
          end divided into two or more branches or points <~ lightning>
          2: shaped like a fork or having a forked part <a ~ road>

   forked tongue
          [forked tongue] n (1836): intent to mislead or deceive--usu.
          used in the phrase to speak with forked tongue

   forklift
          [fork.lift] n (1944): a self-propelled machine for hoisting
          and transporting heavy objects by means of steel fingers
          inserted under the load

   fork-tender
          [fork-ten.der] adj (1973): tender enough to be easily pierced
          or cut with a fork <~ filet mignon>

   forky
          [forky] adj fork.i.er ; -est (1697): forked <a ~ beard>

   forlorn
          [for.lorn] adj [ME forloren, fr. OE, pp. of forleosan to
          lose, fr. for- + leosan to lose--more at lose] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: bereft, forsaken <left quite ~ of hope> b:
          sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion: desolate
          2: being in poor condition: miserable, wretched <~ tumbledown
          buildings> 3: nearly hopeless <a ~ attempt> syn see alone
          -- for.lorn.ly adv -- for.lorn.ness n

   forlorn hope
          [forlorn hope] n [by folk etymology fr. D verloren hoop,
          lit., lost band] (1579) 1: a body of men selected to
          perform a perilous service 2: a desperate or extremely
          difficult enterprise

   form-
          [form-] or formo- comb form [formic]: formic acid <formate>

   [1]form
          [form] n [ME forme, fr. OF, fr. L forma form, beauty] (13c)
          1 a: the shape and structure of something as distinguished
          from its material b: a body (as of a person) esp. in
          its external appearance or as distinguished from the
          face: figure c archaic: beauty 2: the essential nature
          of a thing as distinguished from its matter: as a: idea
          1a b: the component of a thing that determines its kind
          3 a: established method of expression or proceeding:
          procedure according to rule or rote b: a prescribed and
          set order of words: formula <the ~ of the marriage service>
          4: a printed or typed document with blank spaces for
          insertion of required or requested information <tax ~s>
          5 a (1): conduct regulated by extraneous controls (as
          of custom or etiquette): ceremony (2): show without substance
          b: manner or conduct as tested by a prescribed or accepted
          standard <rudeness is simply bad ~> c: manner or style
          of performing or accomplishing according to recognized
          standards of technique <a strong swimmer but weak on
          ~> 6 a: the resting place or nest of a hare b: a long
          seat: bench 7 a: a supporting frame model of the human
          figure or part (as the torso) of the human figure usu.
          used for displaying apparel b: a proportioned and often
          adjustable model for fitting clothes c: a mold in which
          concrete is placed to set 8: the printing type or other
          matter arranged and secured in a chase ready for printing
          9 a: one of the different modes of existence, action,
          or manifestation of a particular thing or substance:
          kind <one ~ of respiratory disorder> <a ~ of art> b:
          a distinguishable group of organisms c: linguistic form
          d: one of the different aspects a word may take as a
          result of inflection or change of spelling or pronunciation
          <verbal ~s> e: a mathematical expression of a particular
          type <a bilinear ~> <a polynomial ~> 10 a (1): orderly
          method of arrangement (as in the presentation of ideas):
          manner of coordinating elements (as of an artistic production
          or course of reasoning) (2): a particular kind or instance
          of such arrangement <the sonnet is a poetical ~> b: pattern,
          schema <arguments of the same logical ~> c: the structural
          element, plan, or design of a work of art--compare content
          2c d: a visible and measurable unit defined by a contour:
          a bounded surface or volume 11: a grade in a British
          school or in some American private schools 12 a (1):
          the past performance of a race horse (2): racing form
          b: known ability to perform <a singer at the top of her
          ~> c: condition suitable for performing (as in athletic
          competition) <b [2]form vt (13c) 1 a: to give a particular
          shape to: shape or mold into a certain state or after
          a particular model <~ the dough into a ball> <a state
          ~ed along republican lines> b: to arrange themselves
          in <the dancers ~ed a line> c: to model by instruction
          and discipline <a mind ~ed by classical education> 2:
          to give form or shape to: fashion, construct 3: to serve
          to make up or constitute: be an essential or basic element
          of 4: develop, acquire <~ a habit> 5: to arrange in order:
          draw up 6 a: to assume an inflection so as to produce
          (as a tense) <~s the past in -ed> b: to combine to make
          (a compound word) ~ vi 1: to become formed or shaped
          2: to take form: come into existence: arise 3: to take
          on a definite form, shape, or arrangement -- form.abil.i.ty
          n -- form.able adj -- form on : to take up a formation
          next to

   -form
          [-form] adj comb form [MF & L; MF -forme, fr. L -formis,
          fr. forma]: in the form or shape of: resembling <filiform>

   [1]formal
          [for.mal] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L formalis, fr. forma]
          (14c) 1 a: belonging to or constituting the form or essence
          of a thing <~ cause> b: relating to or involving the
          outward form, structure, relationships, or arrangement
          of elements rather than content <~ logic> <~ style of
          painting> <~ approach to comparative linguistics> 2 a:
          following or according with established form, custom,
          or rule <lacked ~ schooling> <a ~ dinner party> <~ attire>
          b: done in due or lawful form <a ~ contract> <received
          ~ recognition> 3 a: characterized by punctilious respect
          for form: methodical <very ~ in all his dealings> b:
          rigidly ceremonious: prim 4: having the appearance without
          the substance <~ Christians who go to church only at
          Easter> syn see ceremonial -- for.mal.ly adv -- for.mal.ness
          n [2]formal n (1605): something (as a dance or a dress)
          formal in character [3]formal adj [formula + [1]-al]
          (ca. 1934): [3]molar

   formaldehyde
          [form.al.de.hyde] n [ISV form- + aldehyde] (1872): a colorless
          pungent irritating gas used chiefly as a disinfectant
          and preservative and in chemical synthesis

   formalin
          [for.ma.lin] n [Formalin, a trademark] (1893): a clear aqueous
          solution of formaldehyde containing a small amount of
          methanol

   formalise
          [for.mal.ise] Brit var of formalize

   formalism
          [for.mal.ism] n (ca. 1840) 1: the practice or the doctrine
          of strict adherence to prescribed or external forms (as
          in religion or art); also: an instance of this 2: marked
          attention to arrangement, style, or artistic means (as
          in art or literature) usu. with corresponding de-emphasis
          of content -- for.mal.ist n or adj -- for.mal.is.tic
          adj

   formality
          [for.mal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1597) 1: compliance with formal
          or conventional rules: ceremony 2: the quality or state
          of being formal 3: an established form or procedure that
          is required or conventional

   formalize
          [for.mal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1646) 1: to give a certain
          or definite form to: shape 2 a: to make formal b: to
          give formal status or approval to -- for.mal.iz.able
          adj -- for.mal.iza.tion n -- for.mal.iz.er n

   formamide
          [form.am.ide] n (1852): a colorless hygroscopic liquid used
          chiefly as a solvent

   formant
          [for.mant] n (1901): a characteristic component of the quality
          of a speech sound; specif: any of several resonance bands
          held to determine the phonetic quality of a vowel

   [1]format
          [for.mat] n [F or G; F, fr. G, fr. L formatus, pp. of formare
          to form, fr. forma] (1840) 1: the shape, size, and general
          makeup (as of something printed) 2: general plan of organization,
          arrangement, or choice of material (as for a television
          show) [2]format vt for.mat.ted ; for.mat.ting (1964):
          to arrange (as material to be printed or stored data)
          in a particular format -- for.mat.ter n

   formate
          [for.mate] n (1807): a salt or ester of formic acid

   formation
          [for.ma.tion] n (15c) 1: an act of giving form or shape to
          something or of taking form: development 2: something
          that is formed <new word ~s> 3: the manner in which a
          thing is formed: structure <the peculiar ~ of the heart>
          4: the largest unit in an ecological community comprising
          two or more associations and their precursors <grassland
          ~> 5 a: any igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock
          represented as a unit b: any sedimentary bed or consecutive
          series of beds sufficiently homogeneous or distinctive
          to be a unit 6: an arrangement of a body or group of
          persons or things in some prescribed manner or for a
          particular purpose

   [1]formative
          [for.ma.tive] adj (15c) 1 a: giving or capable of giving
          form: constructive <a ~ influence> b: used in word formation
          or inflection 2: capable of alteration by growth and
          development; also: producing new cells and tissues 3:
          of, relating to, or characterized by formative effects
          or formation <~ years> -- for.ma.tive.ly adv [2]formative
          n (1816): the element (as a suffix) in a word that serves
          to give the word appropriate form and is not part of
          the base

   form class
          [form class] n (1921): a class of linguistic forms that can
          be used in the same position in a construction and that
          have one or more morphological or syntactical features
          in common

   form-critical
          [form-critical] adj (1933): based on or applying form criticism

   form criticism
          [form criticism] n (1928): a method of criticism for determining
          the sources and historicity of biblical writings through
          analysis of the writings in terms of ancient literary
          forms and oral traditions (as love poems, parables, and
          proverbs) -- form critic n

   forme
          [forme] n (15c) Brit: form 8

   formed
          [formed] adj (1605): organized in a way characteristic of
          living matter <mitochondria are ~ bodies of the cell>

   formee
          [for.mee] adj [F, fem. pp. of former to form, fr. L formare]
          (15c) of a heraldic cross: having the arms narrow at
          the center and expanding toward the ends--see cross illustration

   [1]former
          [for.mer] adj [ME, fr. forme first, fr. OE forma--more at
          foremost] (12c) 1 a: coming before in time b: of, relating
          to, or occurring in the past <~ correspondence> 2: preceding
          in place or arrangement: foregoing <~ part of the chapter>
          3: first in order of two or more things cited or understood
          <of the two given, the ~ spelling is more common> <of
          the two spellings, the ~ is more common> 4: having been
          previously: onetime <a ~ athlete> syn see preceding [2]form.er
          n (14c) 1: one that forms 2 chiefly Brit: a member of
          a school form--usu. used in combination <sixth ~>

   formerly
          [for.mer.ly] adv (1534) 1: at an earlier time: previously
          2 obs: just before

   formfitting
          [form.fit.ting] adj (1897): conforming to the outline of
          the body: fitting snugly <a ~ sweater>

   formful
          [form.ful] adj (1832): exhibiting or notable for form

   form genus
          [form genus] n (1873): an artificial taxonomic category established
          for organisms (as imperfect fungi) of obscure true relationships

   Formica
          [For.mi.ca] trademark--used for any of various laminated
          plastic products used esp. for surface finish

   formic acid
          [for.mic acid] n [irreg. fr. L formica ant--more at pismire]
          (1791): a colorless pungent fuming vesicant liquid acid
          found esp. in ants and in many plants and used chiefly
          in dyeing and finishing textiles

   formicary
          [for.mi.cary] n, pl -car.ies [ML formicarium, fr. L formica]
          (1816): an ant nest

   formidable
          [for.mi.da.ble] adj [ME, fr. L formidabilis, fr. formidare
          to fear, fr. formido terror, bogey; akin to Gk mormo
          bogey] (15c) 1: causing fear, dread, or apprehension
          <a ~ prospect> 2: having qualities that discourage approach
          or attack 3: tending to inspire awe or wonder -- for.mi.da.bil.i.ty
          n -- for.mi.da.ble.ness n -- for.mi.da.bly adv

   formless
          [form.less] adj (1591) 1: having no regular form or shape
          2: lacking order or arrangement 3: having no physical
          existence -- form.less.ly adv -- form.less.ness n

   form letter
          [form letter] n (1909) 1: a letter on a subject of frequent
          recurrence that can be sent to different people without
          essential change except in the address 2: a letter for
          mass circulation that is printed in many copies and has
          a very general salutation (as Dear Friend)

   formo-
          [formo-] --see form-

   [1]formula
          [for.mu.la] n, pl -las or -lae [L, dim. of forma form] (1618)
          1 a: a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritual
          b: a conventionalized statement intended to express some
          fundamental truth or principle esp. as a basis for negotiation
          or action 2 a (1): recipe (2): prescription b: a milk
          mixture or substitute for feeding an infant 3 a: a general
          fact, rule, or principle expressed in usu. mathematical
          symbols b: a symbolic expression of the chemical composition
          or constitution of a substance c: a group of symbols
          (as letters and numbers) associated to express concisely
          facts or data (as the number and kinds of teeth in the
          jaw) d: a combination of signs in a logical calculus
          4: a customary or set form or method allowing little
          room for originality -- for.mu.la.ic adj -- for.mu.la.ical.ly
          adv [2]formula adj (1927): of, relating to, or being
          an open-wheel open-cockpit rear-engine racing car conforming
          to prescribed specifications as to size, weight, and
          engine displacement

   formularize
          [for.mu.la.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing (1852): to state in
          or reduce to a formula: formulate -- for.mu.la.ri.za.tion
          n -- for.mu.la.riz.er n

   formulary
          [for.mu.lary] n, pl -lar.ies (1541) 1: a collection of prescribed
          forms (as oaths or prayers) 2: formula 1 3: a book listing
          medicinal substances and formulas -- formulary adj

   formulate
          [for.mu.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing (1860) 1 a: to reduce
          to or express in a formula b: to put into a systematized
          statement or expression c: devise <~ a policy> 2 a: to
          develop a formula for the preparation of (as a soap or
          plastic) b: to prepare according to a formula -- for.mu.la.tor
          n

   formulation
          [for.mu.la.tion] n (1876): an act or the product of formulating

   formula weight
          [formula weight] n (ca. 1920): molecular weight--used esp.
          of ionic compounds

   formulize
          [for.mu.lize] vt -lized ; -liz.ing (1842): formulate 1

   form word
          [form word] n (1875): function word

   formwork
          [form.work] n (1918): a set of forms in place to hold wet
          concrete until it sets

   formyl
          [for.myl] n [ISV] (ca. 1859): the radical HCO of formic acid
          that is also characteristic of aldehydes

   fornicate
          [for.ni.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [LL fornicatus, pp. of
          fornicare to have intercourse with prostitutes, fr. L
          fornic-, fornix arch, vault, brothel] vi (1552): to commit
          fornication ~ vt: to commit fornication with -- for.ni.ca.tor
          n

   fornication
          [for.ni.ca.tion] n (14c): consensual sexual intercourse between
          two persons not married to each other--compare adultery

   fornix
          [for.nix] n, pl for.ni.ces [NL, fr. L] (1681): an anatomical
          arch or fold

   forrader
          [for.rad.er] also for.rard.er adv [E dial., compar. of E
          forward] (1888) chiefly Brit: further ahead

   forsake
          [for.sake] vt for.sook ; for.sak.en ; for.sak.ing [ME, fr.
          OE forsacan, fr. for- + sacan to dispute; akin to OE
          sacu action at law--more at sake] (bef. 12c): to renounce
          or turn away from entirely <friends have forsaken her>
          <forsook the theater for politics> syn see abandon

   forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit
          [fors.an et haec olim me.mi.nis.se ju.va.bit] [L] foreign
          term : perhaps this too will be a pleasure to look back
          on one day

   forsooth
          [for.sooth] adv [ME for soth, fr. OE forsoth, fr. for + soth
          sooth] (bef. 12c): in truth: indeed--often used to imply
          contempt or doubt

   forspent
          [for.spent] adj (1563) archaic: worn-out, exhausted

   forswear
          [for.swear] vb -swore ; -sworn ; -swear.ing [ME forsweren,
          fr. OE forswerian, fr. for- + swerian to swear] vt (bef.
          12c) 1: to make a liar of (oneself) under or as if under
          oath 2 a: to reject or renounce under oath b: to renounce
          earnestly 3: to deny under oath ~ vi: to swear falsely
          syn see abjure

   forsworn
          [for.sworn] adj (bef. 12c) 1: guilty of perjury 2: marked
          by perjury

   forsythia
          [for.syth.ia] n [NL, genus name, fr. William Forsyth d. 1804
          Brit. botanist] (ca. 1814): any of a genus (Forsythia)
          of ornamental shrubs of the olive family with opposite
          leaves and yellow bell-shaped flowers appearing before
          the leaves in early spring

   fort
          [fort] n [ME forte, fr. MF fort, fr. fort, adj., strong,
          fr. L fortis] (15c) 1: a strong or fortified place; esp:
          a fortified place occupied only by troops and surrounded
          with such works as a ditch, rampart, and parapet: fortification
          2: a permanent army post--often used in place names

   fortalice
          [for.ta.lice] n [ME, fr. ML fortalitia--more at fortress]
          (15c) 1 archaic: fortress 2 archaic: a small fort

   [1]forte
          [forte] n [F fort, fr. fort, adj., strong] (ca. 1648) 1:
          the part of a sword or foil blade that is between the
          middle and the hilt and that is the strongest part of
          the blade 2: one's strong point [2]for.te adv or adj
          [It, fr. forte strong, fr. L fortis] (ca. 1724): loud--used
          as a direction in music [3]for.te n (1759): a tone or
          passage played forte

   fortepiano
          [for.te.pia.no] n [F or It; F, fr. It, fr. forte loud + piano
          soft] (1771): an early for m of the piano originating
          in the 18th and early 19th centuries and having a smaller
          range and softer timbre than a modern piano

   forte-piano
          [for.te-pi.a.no] adv or adj (ca. 1889): loud then immediately
          soft--used as a direction in music

   fortes fortuna juvat
          [for.tes for.tu.na ju.vat] [L] foreign term : fortune favors
          the brave

   [1]forth
          [forth] adv [ME, fr. OE; akin to OE for] (bef. 12c) 1: onward
          in time, place, or order: forward <from that day ~> 2:
          out into notice or view <put ~ leaves> 3 obs: away, abroad
          [2]forth prep (ca. 1577) archaic: forth from: out of

   forthcoming
          [forth.com.ing] adj [obs. forthcome (to come forth)] (ca.
          1532) 1: being about to appear or to be produced or made
          available <the ~ holidays> <your ~ novel> <funds are
          ~> 2 a: responsive, outgoing <a ~ and courteous man>
          b: characterized by openness, candidness, and forthrightness
          <not ~ about his memories of medical school --Mark Kramer>

   forth of
          [forth of] prep (13c) archaic: out from: out of

   [1]forthright
          [forth.right] adv [ME, fr. OE forthriht, fr. forth + riht
          right] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic a: directly forward b: without
          hesitation: frankly 2 archaic: at once [2]forthright
          adj (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: proceeding straight on 2: free
          from ambiguity or evasiveness: going straight to the
          point <a ~ critic> <was ~ in appraising the problem>
          3: notably simple in style or quality <~ furniture> --
          forth.right.ly adv -- forth.right.ness n [3]forthright
          n (1606) archaic: a straight path

   forthwith
          [forth.with] adv (14c): immediately

   fortification
          [for.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (15c) 1: an act or process of fortifying
          2: something that fortifies, defends, or strengthens;
          esp: works erected to defend a place or position

   fortified wine
          [fortified wine] n (1906): a wine (as sherry) to which alcohol
          usu. in the form of grape brandy has been added during
          or after fermentation

   fortifier
          [for.ti.fi.er] n (ca. 1552): one that fortifies

   fortify
          [for.ti.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME fortifien, fr. MF fortifier,
          fr. LL fortificare, fr. L fortis strong] vt (15c): to
          make strong: as a: to strengthen and secure (as a town)
          by forts or batteries b: to give physical strength, courage,
          or endurance to c: to add mental or moral strength to:
          encourage <fortified by prayer> d: to add material to
          for strengthening or enriching ~ vi: to erect fortifications

   fortis
          [for.tis] adj [NL, fr. L, strong] (1897): produced with relatively
          great articulatory tenseness and strong expiration </t/ in toe
          is ~, /d/ in doe is lenis>

   [1]fortissimo
          [for.tis.si.mo] adv or adj [It, superl. of forte] (1724):
          very loud--used esp. as a direction in music [2]fortissimo
          n, pl -mos or -mi (1856): a very loud passage, sound,
          or tone

   fortitude
          [for.ti.tude] n [ME, fr. L fortitudin-, fortitudo, fr. fortis]
          (12c) 1: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter
          danger or bear pain or adversity with courage 2 obs:
          strength

   fortnight
          [fort.night] n [ME fourtenight, alter. of fourtene night,
          fr. OE feowertyne niht fourteen nights] (bef. 12c): a
          period of 14 days: two weeks

   [1]fortnightly
          [fort.night.ly] adj (1800): occurring or appearing once in
          a fortnight [2]fortnightly adv (1820): once in a fortnight:
          every fortnight [3]fortnightly n, pl -lies (1940): a
          publication issued fortnightly

   FORTRAN
          [FOR.TRAN] or For.tran n [formula translation] (1956): a
          computer programming language that resembles algebra
          in its notation and is widely used for scientific applications

   fortress
          [for.tress] n [ME forteresse, fr. MF forteresce, fr. ML fortalitia,
          fr. L fortis strong] (14c): a fortified place: stronghold; esp:
          a large and permanent fortification sometimes including a town
          -- for.tress.like adj

   fortuitous
          [for.tu.itous] adj [L fortuitus; akin to L fort-, fors] (1653)
          1: occurring by chance 2 a: fortunate, lucky <from a
          cost standpoint, the company's timing is ~ --Business
          Week> b: coming or happening by a lucky chance <belted
          down the stairs, and there was a ~ train --Doris Lessing>
          syn see accidental -- for.tu.itous.ly adv -- for.tu.itous.ness
          n usage Sense 2a has been influenced in meaning by fortunate.
          It has been in standard if not elevated use for some
          70 years, but is still disdained by some critics. Sense
          2b, a blend of 1 and 2a, is virtually unnoticed by the
          critics. Sense 1 is the only sense commonly used in negative
          constructions.

   fortuity
          [for.tu.ity] n, pl -ities (ca. 1747) 1: the quality or state
          of being fortuitous 2: a chance event or occurrence

   fortunate
          [for.tu.nate] adj (14c) 1: bringing some good thing not forseen
          as certain: auspicious 2: receiving some unexpected good
          syn see lucky -- for.tu.nate.ness n

   fortunately
          [for.tu.nate.ly] adv (1548) 1: in a fortunate manner 2: it
          is fortunate that

   [1]fortune
          [for.tune] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L fortuna; akin to L fort-,
          fors chance, luck, and perh. to ferre to carry--more
          at bear] (14c) 1 often cap: a hypothetical force or personified
          power that unpredictably determines events and issues
          favorably or unfavorably 2 obs: accident, incident 3
          a: prosperity attained partly through luck: success b:
          luck 1 c pl: the turns and courses of luck accompanying
          one's progress (as through life) <her ~s varied but she
          never gave up> 4: destiny, fate <can tell your ~>; also:
          a prediction of fortune 5 a: riches, wealth <a man of
          ~> b: a store of material possessions <the family ~>
          c: a very large sum of money <spent a ~ redecorating>
          [2]fortune vb for.tuned ; for.tun.ing vt (14c) 1 obs:
          to give good or bad fortune to 2 archaic: to endow with
          a fortune ~ vi, archaic: happen, chance

   fortune cookie
          [fortune cookie] n (1962): a thin cookie folded to contain
          a slip of paper on which is printed a fortune, proverb,
          or humorous statement

   fortune hunter
          [fortune hunter] n (1689): a person who seeks wealth esp.
          by marriage

   fortune-teller
          [for.tune-tell.er] n (1590): one that professes to foretell
          future events -- for.tune-tell.ing n or adj

   forty
          [for.ty] n, pl forties [ME fourty, adj., fr. OE feowertig,
          fr. feowertig group of 40, fr. feower four + -tig group
          of 10; akin to OE tien ten] (bef. 12c) 1: four times
          ten 2 pl: the numbers 40 to 49; specif: the years 40
          to 49 in a lifetime or century 3: the third point scored
          by a side in a game of tennis -- for.ti.eth adj or n
          -- forty adj -- forty pron, pl in constr -- for.ty.ish
          adj

   forty-five
          [for.ty-five] n (1904) 1: five more than forty 2: a .45 caliber
          handgun--usu. written .45 3: a phonograph record designed
          to be played at 45 revolutions per minute--usu. written
          45 -- forty-five adj -- forty-five pron, pl in constr

   Forty Hours
          [Forty Hours] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1759): a Roman
          Catholic devotion in which the churches of a diocese
          in two-day turns have the Blessed Sacrament exposed on
          the altar for continuous daytime veneration

   forty-niner
          [for.ty-nin.er] n (1853): one taking part in the rush to
          California for gold in 1849

   forty winks
          [forty winks] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1872): a short
          sleep: nap

   forum
          [fo.rum] n, pl forums also fo.ra [L; akin to L foris outside,
          fores door--more at door] (15c) 1 a: the marketplace
          or public place of an ancient Roman city forming the
          center of judicial and public business b: a public meeting
          place for open discussion c: a medium (as a newspaper)
          of open discussion or expression of ideas 2: a judicial
          body or assembly: court 3 a: a public meeting or lecture
          involving audience discussion b: a program (as on radio
          or television) involving discussion of a problem usu.
          by several authorities

   [1]forward
          [for.ward] adj [ME, fr. OE foreweard, fr. fore- + -weard
          -ward] (bef. 12c) 1 a: near, being at, or belonging to
          the forepart b: situated in advance 2 a: strongly inclined:
          ready b: lacking modesty or reserve: brash 3: notably
          advanced or developed: precocious 4: moving, tending,
          or leading toward a position in front; also: moving toward
          an opponent's goal 5 a: advocating an advanced policy
          in the direction of what is considered progress b: extreme,
          radical 6: of, relating to, or getting ready for the
          future <~ buying of produce> -- for.ward.ly adv -- for.ward.ness
          n [2]forward adv (bef. 12c): to or toward what is ahead
          or in front <from that time ~> <moved slowly ~> [3]forward
          vt (1596) 1: to help onward: promote <~ed his friend's
          career> 2 a: to send forward: transmit <will ~ the goods
          on receipt of your check> b: to send or ship onward from
          an intermediate post or station in transit <~ mail> syn
          see advance [4]forward n (1879): a player who plays at
          the front of his team's formation near the goal at which
          his team is attempting to score

   forwarder
          [for.ward.er] n (1549): one that forwards; esp: an agent
          who performs services (as receiving, transshipping, or
          delivering) designed to move goods to their destination

   forward-looking
          [for.ward-look.ing] adj (1800): concerned with or planning
          for the future

   forward pass
          [forward pass] n (1903): a pass (as in football) made in
          the direction of the opponents' goal

   forwards
          [for.wards] adv (15c): forward

   forworn
          [for.worn] adj (1528) archaic: worn-out

   forz
          [forz] abbreviation forzando

   forzando
          [for.zan.do] adj or adv [It] (ca. 1828): sforzando

   FOS
          [FOS] abbreviation free on steamer

   [1]fossa
          [fos.sa] n, pl fos.sae [NL, fr. L, ditch] (1771): an anatomical
          pit, groove, or depression [2]fossa n [Malagasy] (1838):
          a slender lithe carnivorous mammal (Cryptoprocta ferox)
          of Madagascar that resembles a cat esp. in having retractile
          claws but is usu. considered a viverrid

   fosse
          [fosse] or foss n [ME fosse, fr. OF, fr. L fossa, fr. fem.
          of fossus] (15c): ditch, moat

   fossick
          [fos.sick] vb [E dial. fossick to ferret out] vi (1852) 1
          Austral & NewZeal: to search for gold or gemstones typically
          by picking over abandoned workings 2 chiefly Austral
          & NewZeal: to search about: rummage ~ vt, chiefly Austral
          & NewZeal: to search for by or as if by rummaging: ferret
          out -- fos.sick.er n, chiefly Austral & NewZeal

   [1]fossil
          [fos.sil] adj [L fossilis obtained by digging, fr. fodere
          to dig--more at bed] (1665) 1: preserved from a past
          geologic age <~ plants> <~ water in an underground reservoir>
          2: being or resembling a fossil 3: of or relating to
          fossil fuel [2]fossil n (1736) 1: a remnant, impression,
          or trace of an organism of past geologic ages that has
          been preserved in the earth's crust--compare living fossil
          2 a: one whose views are outmoded: fogy b: something
          (as a theory) that has become rigidly fixed 3: an old
          word or word element preserved only by idiom (as fro
          in to and fro)

   fossil fuel
          [fossil fuel] n (1835): a fuel (as coal, oil, or natural
          gas) that is formed in the earth from plant or animal
          remains -- fos.sil-fueled adj

   fossiliferous
          [fos.sil.if.er.ous] adj (ca. 1846): containing fossils

   fossilise
          [fos.sil.ise] chiefly Brit var of fossilize

   fossilize
          [fos.sil.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1794) 1: to convert
          into a fossil 2: to make outmoded, rigid, or fixed ~
          vi: to become changed into a fossil -- fos.sil.iza.tion
          n

   fossorial
          [fos.so.ri.al] adj [ML fossorius used for digging, fr. L
          fossor digger, fr. fodere] (1837): adapted to digging
          <a ~ foot>

   [1]foster
          [fos.ter] adj [ME, fr. OE fostor-, fr. fostor food, feeding;
          akin to OE foda food] (bef. 12c): affording, receiving,
          or sharing nurture or parental care though not related
          by blood or legal ties [2]foster vt fos.tered ; fos.ter.ing
          (12c) 1: to give parental care to: nurture 2: to promote
          the growth or development of: encourage -- fos.ter.er
          n

   fosterage
          [fos.ter.age] n (1614) 1: the act of fostering 2: a custom
          once prevalent in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland of entrusting
          one's child to foster parents to be brought up

   foster home
          [foster home] n (1886): a household in which an orphaned,
          neglected, or delinquent child is placed for care

   fosterling
          [fos.ter.ling] n (bef. 12c): a foster child

   FOT
          [FOT] abbreviation free on truck

   fou
          [fou] adj [ME (Sc) fow full, fr. ME full] (1535) Scot: drunk
          1a

   Foucault pendulum
          [Fou.cault pendulum] n [J.B.L. Foucault] (1931): a freely
          swinging pendulum that consists of a heavy weight hung
          by a long wire and that swings in a constant direction
          which appears to change showing that the earth rotates

   fouette
          [fouet.te] n [F, fr. pp. of fouetter to whip, fr. MF, fr.
          fouet whip, fr. OF, fr. fou beech, fr. L fagus--more
          at beech] (1830): a quick whipping movement of the raised
          leg in ballet usu. accompanying a pirouette

   fought
          [fought] past and past part of fight

   [1]foul
          [foul] adj [ME, fr. OE ful; akin to OHG ful rotten, L pus
          pus, putere to stink, Gk pyon pus] (bef. 12c) 1 a: offensive
          to the senses: loathsome b: filled or covered with offensive
          matter 2: full of dirt or mud 3 a: morally or spiritually
          odious: detestable <a ~ crime> b: notably unpleasant
          or distressing: wretched, horrid <in a ~ mood> 4: obscene,
          abusive <~ language> 5 a: being wet and stormy b: obstructive
          to navigation <a ~ tide> 6 dial Brit: homely, ugly 7
          a: treacherous, dishonorable <fair means or ~> b: constituting
          an infringement of rules in a game or sport <a ~ blow
          in boxing> 8: containing marked-up corrections <~ manuscript>
          <~ proofs> 9: encrusted, clogged, or choked with a foreign
          substance <the chimney was ~ and smoked badly> 10: being
          odorous and impure: polluted <~ air> 11: placed in a
          situation that impedes physical movement: entangled 12:
          being outside the foul lines in baseball syn see dirty
          -- foul.ly adv -- foul.ness n [2]foul n (bef. 12c) 1
          archaic: something foul 2: an entanglement or collision
          esp. in angling or sailing 3 a: an infringement of the
          rules in a game or sport b: free throw 4: foul ball [3]foul
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to become or be foul: as a: decompose,
          rot b: to become encrusted, clogged, or choked with a
          foreign substance c: to become entangled or come into
          collision 2: to commit a violation of the rules in a
          sport or game 3: to hit a foul ball ~ vt 1: to make foul:
          as a: to make dirty: pollute b: to tangle or come into
          collision with c: to encrust with a foreign substance
          <a ship's bottom ~ed with barnacles> d: obstruct, block
          2: dishonor, discredit 3: to commit a foul against 4:
          to hit (a baseball) foul [4]foul adv (13c): in a foul
          manner: so as to be foul

   foulard
          [fou.lard] n [F] (1830) 1 a: a lightweight plain-woven or
          twilled silk usu. decorated with a printed pattern b:
          an imitation of this fabric 2: an article of clothing
          made of foulard

   foul ball
          [foul ball] n (1860): a baseball batted into foul territory

   foulbrood
          [foul.brood] n (1863): a destructive disease of honeybee
          larvae caused by bacteria (as Bacillus larvae)

   fouling
          [foul.ing] n (14c): deposit, incrustation <~ on a ship's
          bottom>

   foul line
          [foul line] n (1878) 1: either of two straight lines extending
          from the rear corner of home plate through the outer
          corners of first and third base respectively and prolonged
          to the boundary of a baseball field 2: a line across
          a bowling alley that a player must not step over when
          delivering the ball 3: either of two lines on a basketball
          court parallel to and 15 feet from the backboards behind
          which a player must stand while shooting a free throw

   foulmouthed
          [foul.mouthed] adj (1596): given to the use of obscene, profane,
          or abusive language

   foul out
          [foul out] vi (1948): to be put out of a basketball game
          for exceeding the number of fouls permitted

   foul play
          [foul play] n (15c): violence; esp: murder

   foul shot
          [foul shot] n (ca. 1949): free throw

   foul tip
          [foul tip] n [[1]foul + tip (tap)] (1870): a pitched ball
          in baseball that is slightly deflected by the bat; specif:
          a tipped pitch legally caught by the catcher and counting
          as a full strike with the ball remaining in play

   foul-up
          [foul-up] n (1950) 1: a state of confusion or an error caused
          by ineptitude, carelessness, or mismanagement <~s in
          transportation> 2: a mechanical difficulty

   foul up
          [foul up] vt (1947) 1: to make dirty: contaminate 2: to spoil
          by making mistakes or using poor judgment: confuse 3:
          entangle, block <fouled up communications> ~ vi: to cause
          a foul-up: bungle <it was his fault. He had fouled up
          --Pat Frank>

   [1]found
          [found] past and past part of find [2]found adj (1793) 1:
          having all usual, standard, or reasonably expected equipment
          <the boat comes fully ~, ready to go --Holiday> 2: presented
          as or incorporated into an artistic work essentially
          as found <sculpture of fabric, wood, and other ~ materials
          --Hilton Kramer> [3]found n (1830): free food and lodging
          in addition to wages <they're paid $175 a month and ~
          --New Yorker> [4]found vt [ME, fr. OF fonder, fr. L fundare,
          fr. fundus bottom--more at bottom] (13c) 1: to take the
          first steps in building 2: to set or ground on something
          solid: base 3: to establish (as an institution) often
          with provision for future maintenance [5]found vt [MF
          fondre to pour, melt, fr. L fundere; akin to OE geotan
          to pour, Gk chein] (1562): to melt (as metal) and pour
          into a mold

   foundation
          [foun.da.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of founding 2: a basis
          (as a tenet, principle, or axiom) upon which something
          stands or is supported <the ~s of geometry> <the rumor
          is without ~ in fact> 3 a: funds given for the permanent
          support of an institution: endowment b: an organization
          or institution established by endowment with provision
          for future maintenance 4: an underlying base or support;
          esp: the whole masonry substructure of a building 5 a:
          a body or ground upon which something is built up or
          overlaid b: a woman's supporting undergarment: corset
          c: a cosmetic usu. used as a base for makeup -- foun.da.tion.al
          adj -- foun.da.tion.al.ly adv -- foun.da.tion.less adj

   foundation stone
          [foundation stone] n (1651) 1: basis, groundwork 2: a stone
          in the foundation of a building; esp: such a stone laid
          with public ceremony--compare cornerstone

   [1]founder
          [found.er] n [[4]found] (14c): one that founds or establishes
          [2]foun.der vb foun.dered ; foun.der.ing [ME foundren
          to send to the bottom, collapse, fr. MF fondrer, ultim.
          fr. L fundus] vi (14c) 1: to become disabled; esp: to
          go lame 2: to give way: collapse 3: to sink below the
          surface of the water 4: to come to grief: fail ~ vt:
          to disable (an animal) esp. by excessive feeding [3]foun.der
          n (ca. 1547): laminitis [4]found.er n [[5]found] (15c):
          one that founds metal; esp: typefounder

   founding father
          [founding father] n (1914) 1: an originator of an institution
          or movement: founder 2 often cap both Fs: a leading figure
          in the founding of the U.S.; specif: a member of the
          American Constitutional Convention of 1787

   foundling
          [found.ling] n (14c): an infant found after its unknown parents
          have abandoned it

   found object
          [found object] n (1950): objet trouve

   found poem
          [found poem] n (1966): a poem consisting of words found in
          a nonpoetic context (as a product label) and usu. broken
          into lines that convey a verse rhythm

   foundry
          [found.ry] n, pl foundries (1536) 1: an establishment where
          founding is carried on 2: the act, process, or art of
          casting metals

   [1]fount
          [fount] n [ME, fr. MF font, fr. L font-, fons] (15c): fountain,
          source [2]fount n [F fonte, fr. MF--more at font] (ca.
          1683) Brit: a type font

   [1]fountain
          [foun.tain] n [ME, fr. MF fontaine, fr. LL fontana, fr. L,
          fem. of fontanus of a spring, fr. font-, fons] (14c)
          1: the source from which something proceeds or is supplied
          2: a spring of water issuing from the earth 3: an artificially
          produced jet of water; also: the structure from which
          it rises 4: a reservoir containing a liquid that can
          be drawn off as needed 5: soda fountain 2 [2]fountain
          vi (1903): to flow or spout like a fountain ~ vt: to
          cause to flow like a fountain

   fountainhead
          [foun.tain.head] n (1585) 1: a spring that is the source
          of a stream 2: principal source: origin

   fountain pen
          [fountain pen] n (1710): a pen containing a reservoir that
          automatically feeds the writing point with ink

   four
          [four] n [ME, fr. four adj., fr. OE feower; akin to OHG fior
          four, L quattuor, Gk tessares, tettares] (bef. 12c) 1:
          one more than three 2: the fourth in a set or series
          <the ~ of hearts> 3: something having four units or members:
          as a: a 4-oared racing shell or its crew b: a 4-cylinder
          engine or automobile -- four adj -- four pron, pl in
          constr

   four-bagger
          [four-bag.ger] n (1926): home run

   four-ball
          [four-ball] adj (1904): relating to or being a golf match
          in which the best individual score of one partnership
          is matched against the best individual score of another
          partnership for each hole

   fourchee
          [four.chee] adj [F (fem.), lit., forked] (1706) of a heraldic
          cross: having the end of each arm forked--see cross illustration

   four-dimensional
          [four-dimensional] adj (1880): relating to or having four
          dimensions <~ space-time continuum>; esp: consisting
          of or relating to elements requiring four coordinates
          to determine them

   fourdrinier
          [four.dri.nier] n, often cap [Henry & Sealy Fourdrinier]
          (1839): a machine for making paper in an endless web

   four-eyed
          [four-eyed] adj (1926): wearing glasses

   four-flush
          [four-flush] vi (1896): to bluff in poker holding a four
          flush; broadly: to make a false claim: bluff -- four-flush.er
          n

   four flush
          [four flush] n (1887): four cards of the same suit in a 5-card
          poker hand

   fourfold
          [four.fold] adj [ME, fr. OE feowerfeald, fr. feower + -feald
          -fold] (bef. 12c) 1: being four times as great or as
          many 2: having four units or members -- four.fold adv

   four-footed
          [four-foot.ed] adj (14c): having four feet: quadruped

   fourgon
          [four.gon] n, pl fourgons [F] (1848): a wagon for carrying
          baggage

   four-hand
          [four-hand] adj (ca. 1909): four-handed

   four-handed
          [four-hand.ed] adj (1824) 1: engaged in by four persons <a
          ~ card game> 2: designed for four hands <a ~ musical
          composition>

   Four Horsemen
          [Four Horsemen] n pl [fr. the apocalyptic vision in Rev 6:2-8]
          (1918): war, famine, pestilence, and death personified
          as the four major plagues of mankind

   Four Hundred
          [Four Hundred] or 400 n (1888): the exclusive social set
          of a community--used with the

   Fourier analysis
          [Fou.ri.er analysis] n [Baron J.B.J. Fourier d. 1830 Fr.
          geometrician & physicist] (ca. 1928): the process of
          using the terms of a Fourier series to find a function
          that approximates periodic data

   Fourierism
          [Fou.ri.er.ism] n [F fourierisme, fr. F.M.C. Fourier] (1843):
          a system for reorganizing society into cooperative communities
          of small self-sustaining groups -- Fou.ri.er.ist n

   Fourier series
          [Fou.ri.er series] n [Baron J.B.J. Fourier] (1877): an infinite
          series in which the terms are constants multiplied by
          sine or cosine functions of integer multiples of the
          variable and which is used in the analysis of periodic
          functions

   Fourier's theorem
          [Fourier's theorem] n (1834): a theorem in mathematics: under
          suitable conditions any periodic function can be represented
          by a Fourier series

   Fourier transform
          [Fourier transform] n (1923): any of various functions (as
          F(u)) that under suitable conditions can be obtained
          from given functions (as f(x)) by multiplying by the
          transcendental number e to the exponent iux and integrating
          over all values of x and that in scientific instrumentation
          describe the dependence of the average of a series of
          measurements (as of a spectrum) on a quantity of interest
          (as brightness) esp. of a very small magnitude--called
          also Fourier transformation

   four-in-hand
          [four-in-hand] n (1793) 1 a: a team of four horses driven
          by one person b: a vehicle drawn by such a team 2: a
          necktie tied in a slipknot with long ends overlapping
          vertically in front

   four-letter
          [four-letter] adj (1897): of, relating to, or being four-letter
          words

   four-letter word
          [four-letter word] n (1897): any of a group of vulgar or
          obscene words typically made up of four letters

   four-line octave
          [four-line octave] n [fr. the four accent marks appended
          to the letters representing its notes] (1931): the musical
          octave that begins on the third C above middle C--see
          pitch illustration

   four-o'clock
          [four-o'clock] n (1756): any of a genus (Mirabilis) of chiefly
          American annual or perennial herbs (family Nyctaginaceae,
          the four-o'clock family) having apetalous flowers with
          a showy involucre simulating a calyx; esp: a garden plant
          (M. jalapa) with fragrant yellow, red, or white flowers
          opening late in the afternoon

   four of a kind
          [four of a kind] (ca. 1934): four cards of the same rank
          in one hand--see poker illustration

   fourplex
          [four.plex] n (1952): a building that contains four separate
          apartments

   four-poster
          [four-post.er] n (1836): a bed with tall often carved corner
          posts orig. designed to support curtains or a canopy

   fourragere
          [four.ra.gere] n [F, fr. fem. of fourrager of forage, fr.
          fourrage forage] (1919): a braided cord worn usu. around
          the left shoulder; esp: such a cord awarded as a decoration
          to a military unit

   fourscore
          [four.score] adj (13c): being four times twenty: eighty

   foursome
          [four.some] n (14c) 1 a: a group of four persons or things:
          quartet b: two couples 2: a golf match in which two players
          compete against two others with players on each side
          taking turns playing one ball; broadly: any golf match
          involving four players

   foursquare
          [four.square] adj (14c) 1: square 2: marked by boldness and
          conviction: forthright -- foursquare adv

   four-star
          [four-star] adj [fr. the number of asterisks used to denote
          relative excellence in guidebooks] (1921): of a superior
          degree of excellence <a ~ French restaurant>

   fourteen
          [four.teen] n [ME fourtene, fr. OE feowertiene, fr. feowertiene,
          adj., fr. feower + -tiene; akin to OE tien ten] (bef.
          12c): one more than thirteen -- fourteen adj -- fourteen
          pron, pl in constr -- four.teenth adj or n

   fourteener
          [four.teen.er] n (1884): a verse consisting of 14 syllables
          or esp. of 7 iambic feet

   fourth
          [fourth] n, pl fourths (bef. 12c) 1: one that is number four
          in a countable series 2 a: a musical interval embracing
          four tones of the diatonic scale b: a tone at this interval;
          specif: subdominant 1 c: the harmonic combination of
          two tones a fourth apart 3: the 4th forward gear or speed
          of a motor vehicle 4 cap: independence day--used with
          the -- fourth adj or adv -- fourth.ly adv

   fourth class
          [fourth class] n (1862) 1: a class or group ranking fourth
          in a series 2: a class of mail in the U.S. that comprises
          merchandise and non-second-class printed matter and is
          not sealed against inspection

   fourth dimension
          [fourth dimension] n (1875) 1: a dimension in addition to
          length, breadth, and depth; specif: a coordinate in addition
          to three rectangular coordinates esp. when interpreted
          as the time coordinate in a space-time continuum 2: something
          outside the range of ordinary experience -- fourth-dimensional
          adj

   fourth estate
          [fourth estate] n, often cap F&E (1752): the public press

   Fourth of July
          [Fourth of July] (1779): independence day

   fourth world
          [fourth world] n, often cap F&W (1974): a group of nations
          esp. in Africa and Asia characterized by extremely low
          per capita income and an absence of valuable natural
          resources

   four-way
          [four-way] adj (1824) 1: allowing or affecting passage in
          any of four directions 2: including four participants

   four-wheel
          [four-wheel] or four-wheeled adj (1740) 1: having four wheels
          2: acting on or by means of four wheels of an automotive
          vehicle <~ drive>

   four-wheeler
          [four-wheel.er] n (1846): a vehicle with four wheels

   fovea
          [fo.vea] n, pl fo.ve.ae [NL, fr. L, pit] (1849) 1: a small
          fossa 2: a small rodless area of the retina that affords
          acute vision--see eye illustration -- fo.ve.al adj --
          fo.ve.ate adj

   fovea centralis
          [fovea cen.tra.lis] n [NL, central fovea] (1858): fovea 2

   fow
          [fow] abbreviation first open water

   [1]fowl
          [fowl] n, pl fowl or fowls [ME foul, fr. OE fugel; akin to
          OHG fogal bird, and prob. to OE fleogan to fly--more
          at fly] (bef. 12c) 1: a bird of any kind--compare waterfowl,
          wildfowl 2 a: a cock or hen of the domestic chicken (Gallus
          gallus); esp: an adult hen b: any of several domesticated
          or wild gallinaceous birds--compare guinea fowl, jungle
          fowl 3: the meat of fowls used as food [2]fowl vi (bef.
          12c): to seek, catch, or kill wildfowl -- fowl.er n

   fowling piece
          [fowling piece] n (1596): a shotgun for shooting birds or
          small quadrupeds

   [1]fox
          [fox] n, pl fox.es also fox often attrib [ME, fr. OE; akin
          to OHG fuhs fox and perh. to Skt puccha tail] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: any of various carnivorous mammals (esp. genus Vulpes)
          of the dog family related to but smaller than wolves
          with shorter legs, more pointed muzzle, large erect ears,
          and long bushy tail b: the fur of a fox 2: a clever crafty
          person 3 archaic: sword 4 cap: a member of an American
          Indian people formerly living in what is now Wisconsin
          5: a good-looking young woman or man [2]fox vt (1611)
          1 obs: intoxicate 2 a: to trick by ingenuity or cunning:
          outwit b: baffle

   foxed
          [foxed] adj (1847): discolored with yellowish brown stains
          <~ leaves of old books>

   fox fire
          [fox fire] n (15c): an eerie phosphorescent light (as of
          decaying wood); also: a luminous fungus (as Armillaria
          mellea) that causes decaying wood to glow

   foxglove
          [fox.glove] n (bef. 12c): any of a genus (Digitalis) of erect
          herbs of the snapdragon family; esp: a common European
          biennial or perennial (D. purpurea) cultivated for its
          showy racemes of dotted white or purple tubular flowers
          and as a source of digitalis

   fox grape
          [fox grape] n (1657): any of several native grapes (esp.
          Vitis labrusca) of eastern No. America with sour or musky
          fruit

   foxhole
          [fox.hole] n (1919): a pit dug usu. hastily for individual
          cover from enemy fire

   foxhound
          [fox.hound] n (ca. 1763): any of various large swift powerful
          hounds of great endurance used in hunting foxes and developed
          to form several breeds and many distinctive strains--compare
          american foxhound, english foxhound

   foxhunter
          [fox.hunt.er] n (1692) 1: one who engages in foxhunting 2:
          hunter 1c

   foxhunting
          [fox.hunt.ing] n (1674): a pastime in which participants
          on horseback ride over the countryside following a pack
          of hounds on the trail of a fox -- fox.hunt vi

   foxtail
          [fox.tail] n (14c) 1 a: the tail of a fox b: something resembling
          the tail of a fox 2: any of several grasses (esp. genera
          Alopecurus, Hordeum, and Setaria) with spikes resembling
          brushes--called also foxtail grass

   foxtail lily
          [foxtail lily] n (1946): eremurus

   foxtail millet
          [foxtail millet] n (ca. 1899): a coarse drought-resistant
          but frost-sensitive annual grass (Setaria italica) grown
          for grain, hay, and forage

   fox terrier
          [fox terrier] n (1823): any of a smooth-haired or a wirehaired
          breed of small lively terriers formerly used to dig out
          foxes

   [1]fox-trot
          [fox-trot] n (1872) 1: a short broken slow trotting gait
          in which the hind foot of the horse hits the ground a
          trifle before the diagonally opposite forefoot 2: a ballroom
          dance in duple time that includes slow walking steps,
          quick running steps, and the step of the two-step [2]fox-trot
          vi (1916): to dance the fox-trot

   Foxtrot
          [Fox.trot] (1952)--a communications code word for the letter
          f

   foxy
          [foxy] adj fox.i.er ; -est (1528) 1: resembling or suggestive
          of a fox <a narrow ~ face>: as a: cunningly shrewd b:
          of a warm reddish brown color <~ eyebrows> 2: having
          a sharp brisk flavor <~ grapes> 3: physically attractive
          <a ~ lady> syn see sly -- fox.i.ly adv -- fox.i.ness
          n

   foy
          [foy] n [D dial. fooi feast at end of the harvest] (ca. 1645)
          chiefly Scot: a farewell feast or gift

   foyer
          [foy.er] n [F, lit., fireplace, fr. (assumed) VL focarium,
          fr. L focus hearth] (1859): an anteroom or lobby esp.
          of a theater; also: an entrance hallway: vestibule

   fp...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   fp
          [fp] abbreviation freezing point

   FPA
          [FPA] abbreviation Foreign Press Association, free of particular
          average

   FPC
          [FPC] abbreviation fish protein concentrate

   fpm
          [fpm] abbreviation feet per minute

   FPO
          [FPO] abbreviation fleet post office

   fps
          [fps] abbreviation feet per second, foot-pound-second, frames
          per second

   fr...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   fr
          [fr] abbreviation father, franc, friar, from  Fr abbreviation
          France, francium, French, Friday

   Fra
          [Fra] n [It, short for frate, fr. L frater--more at brother]
          (ca. 1890)--used as a title equivalent to brother preceding
          the name of an Italian monk or friar

   fracas
          [fra.cas] n, pl fra.cas.es or Brit frac.as [F, din, row,
          fr. It fracasso, fr. fracassare to shatter] (1727): a
          noisy quarrel: brawl

   fractal
          [frac.tal] n [F fractale, fr. L fractus broken, uneven (pp.
          of frangere to break) + F -ale -al (n. suffix)] (1975):
          any of various extremely irregular curves or shapes that
          repeat themselves at any scale on which they are examined
          -- fractal adj

   fracted
          [fract.ed] adj [L fractus] (1547) obs: broken

   fraction
          [frac.tion] n [ME fraccioun, fr. LL fraction-, fractio act
          of breaking, fr. L frangere to break--more at break]
          (14c) 1 a: a numerical representation (as 3/4, 5/8, 3.234)
          indicating the quotient of two numbers b (1): a piece
          broken off: fragment (2): a discrete unit: portion 2:
          one of several portions (as of a distillate) separable
          by fractionation 3: bit, little <a ~ closer>

   fractional
          [frac.tion.al] adj (1675) 1: of, relating to, or being a
          fraction 2: of, relating to, or being fractional currency
          3: relatively small: inconsiderable 4: of, relating to,
          or involving a process for separating components of a
          mixture through differences in physical or chemical properties
          <~ distillation> -- frac.tion.al.ly adv

   fractional currency
          [fractional currency] n (1862) 1: paper money in denominations
          of less than one dollar issued by the U.S. 1863-76 2:
          currency in denominations less than the basic monetary
          unit

   fractionalize
          [frac.tion.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1924): to break up
          into parts or sections -- frac.tion.al.iza.tion n

   fractionate
          [frac.tion.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1867) 1: to separate
          (as a mixture) into different portions 2: to divide or
          break up -- frac.tion.ation n -- frac.tion.ator n

   fractious
          [frac.tious] adj [fraction (discord) + -ous] (1725) 1: tending
          to be troublesome: unruly 2: quarrelsome, irritable --
          frac.tious.ly adv -- frac.tious.ness n

   [1]fracture
          [frac.ture] n [ME, fr. L fractura, fr. fractus] (15c) 1:
          the result of fracturing: break 2 a: the act or process
          of breaking or the state of being broken; esp: the breaking
          of hard tissue (as bone) b: the rupture (as by tearing)
          of soft tissue <kidney ~> 3: the general appearance of
          a freshly broken surface of a mineral [2]fracture vb
          frac.tured ; frac.tur.ing vt (1612) 1 a: to cause a fracture
          in: break <~ a rib> b: rupture, tear 2 a: to damage or
          destroy as if by rupturing b: to cause great disorder
          in c: to break up: fractionate d: to go beyond the limits
          of (as rules): violate <fractured the English language
          with malaprops --Goodman Ace> ~ vi: to undergo fracture

   fracture zone
          [fracture zone] n (1946): an area of suboceanic crust characterized
          by fractures

   frae
          [frae] prep [ME (northern) fra, frae, fr. ON fra; akin to
          OE fram from] (1700) Scot: from

   fragile
          [frag.ile] adj [MF, fr. L fragilis--more at frail] (1607)
          1 a: easily broken or destroyed b: constitutionally delicate:
          lacking in physical vigor 2: tenuous, slight -- fra.gil.i.ty
          n syn fragile, frangible, brittle, crisp, friable mean
          breaking easily. fragile implies extreme delicacy of
          material or construction and need for careful handling
          <a fragile antique chair>. frangible implies susceptibility
          to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy
          <frangible stone used for paving>. brittle implies hardness
          together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness
          <patients with brittle bones>. crisp implies a firmness
          and brittleness desirable esp. in some foods <crisp lettuce>.
          friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled
          or pulverized <friable soil>. syn see in addition weak

   [1]fragment
          [frag.ment] n [ME, fr. L fragmentum, fr. frangere to break--more
          at break] (15c): a part broken off, detached, or incomplete
          syn see part [2]frag.ment vi (1818): to fall to pieces
          ~ vt: to break up or apart into fragments

   fragmental
          [frag.men.tal] adj (1798): fragmentary -- frag.men.tal.ly
          adv

   fragmentary
          [frag.men.tary] adj (1611): consisting of fragments: incomplete
          -- frag.men.tari.ly adv -- frag.men.tari.ness n

   fragmentation
          [frag.men.ta.tion] n (1881) 1: the act or process of fragmenting
          or making fragmentary 2: the state of being fragmented
          or fragmentary -- frag.men.tate vb

   fragmentation bomb
          [fragmentation bomb] n (1918): a bomb or shell whose relatively
          thick casing is splintered upon explosion and thrown
          in fragments in all directions

   fragmentize
          [frag.men.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1815): fragment

   fragrance
          [fra.grance] n (1667) 1 a: a sweet or delicate odor (as of
          fresh flowers, pine trees, or perfume) b: something (as
          a perfume) compounded to give off a sweet or pleasant
          odor 2: the quality or state of having a sweet odor syn
          fragrance, perfume, scent, redolence mean a sweet or
          pleasant odor. fragrance suggests the odors of flowers
          or other growing things <the fragrance of pine>. perfume
          may suggest a stronger or heavier odor <the perfume of
          lilacs>. scent is very close to perfume but of wider
          application because more neutral in connotation <scent-free
          soaps>. redolence implies a mixture of fragrant or pungent
          odors <the redolence of a forest after a rain>.

   fragrancy
          [fra.gran.cy] n (1578): fragrance

   fragrant
          [fra.grant] adj [ME, fr. L fragrant-, fragrans, fr. prp.
          of fragrare to be fragrant] (15c): marked by fragrance
          syn see odorous -- fra.grant.ly adv

   frail
          [frail] adj [ME, fr. MF fraile, fr. L fragilis fragile, fr.
          frangere] (14c) 1: easily led into evil <~ humanity>
          2: easily broken or destroyed: fragile 3 a: physically
          weak b: slight, unsubstantial syn see weak -- frail.ly
          adv -- frail.ness n

   frailty
          [frail.ty] n, pl frailties (14c) 1: the quality or state
          of being frail 2: a fault due to weakness esp. of moral
          character syn see fault

   fraise
          [fraise] n [F] (1775): an obstacle of pointed stakes driven
          into the ramparts of a fortification in a horizontal
          or inclined position

   Fraktur
          [Frak.tur] also Frac.tur n [G, fr. L fractura fracture] (1904)
          1: a German style of black letter 2 often not cap: a
          Pennsylvania German document (as a birth or wedding certificate)
          that is written in calligraphy and illuminated with decorative
          motifs (as tulips, birds, and scrolls)

   frambesia
          [fram.be.sia] n [NL, fr. F framboise raspberry; fr. the appearance
          of the lesions] (1803): yaws

   framboise
          [fram.boise] n [F, lit., raspberry, fr. OF, of Gmc origin;
          akin to D braambes blackberry, lit., bramble berry, OHG
          bramberi--more at broom, berry] (ca. 1945): a brandy
          or liqueur made from raspberries

   [1]frame
          [frame] vb framed ; fram.ing [ME, to benefit, construct,
          fr. OE framian to benefit, make progress; akin to ON
          fram forward, OE fram from] vt (14c) 1: to construct
          by fitting and uniting the parts of the skeleton of (a
          structure) 2 a: plan, contrive <framed a new method of
          achieving their purpose> b: shape, construct c: to give
          expression to: formulate d: to draw up (as a document)
          3 a: to devise falsely (as a criminal charge) b: to contrive
          the evidence against (an innocent person) so that a verdict
          of guilty is assured c: fix 7b 4: to fit or adjust esp.
          to something or for an end: arrange 5 obs: produce 6:
          to enclose in a frame; also: to enclose as if in a frame
          ~ vi 1 archaic: proceed, go 2 obs: manage -- fram.able
          or frame.able adj -- fram.er n [2]frame n (14c) 1 a:
          something composed of parts fitted together and united
          b: the physical makeup of an animal and esp. a human
          body: physique, figure 2 a: the constructional system
          that gives shape or strength (as to a building); also:
          a frame dwelling b: such a skeleton not filled in or
          covered 3 obs: the act or manner of framing 4 a: a machine
          built upon or within a framework <a spinning ~> b: an
          open case or structure made for admitting, enclosing,
          or supporting something <a window ~> c (1): a part of
          a pair of glasses that holds one of the lenses (2) pl:
          that part of a pair of glasses other than the lenses
          d: a structural unit in an automobile chassis supported
          on the axles and supporting the rest of the chassis and
          the body 5 a: an enclosing border b: the matter or area
          enclosed in such a border: as (1): one of the squares
          in which scores for each round are recorded (as in bowling);
          also: a round in bowling (2): an individual drawing in
          a comic strip usu. enclosed by a bordering line (3):
          one picture of the series on a length of film (4): a
          complete image for display (as on a television set) c:
          an inning in baseball d (1): framework 1a (2): context,
          frame of reference e: an event that forms the background
          for the action of a novel or play 6: frame-up [3]frame
          adj (1775): having a wood frame <~ houses>

   frame of mind
          [frame of mind] (1665): mental attitude or outlook: mood

   frame of reference
          [frame of reference] (1897) 1: an arbitrary set of axes with
          reference to which the position or motion of something
          is described or physical laws are formulated 2: a set
          of ideas, conditions, or assumptions that determine how
          something will be approached, perceived, or understood
          <a Marxian frame of reference>

   frameshift
          [frame.shift] adj (1967): relating to, being, or causing
          a mutation in which a number of nucleotides not divisible
          by three is inserted or deleted so as to change the reading
          frame of some triplet codons during genetic translation
          -- frameshift n

   frame-up
          [frame-up] n (1889) 1: an act or series of actions in which
          someone is framed 2: an action that is framed

   framework
          [frame.work] n (1644) 1 a: a basic conceptional structure
          (as of ideas) <the ~ of the constitution> b: a skeletal,
          openwork, or structural frame 2: frame of reference 3:
          the larger branches of a tree that determine its shape

   framing
          [fram.ing] n (1703): frame, framework

   franc
          [franc] n [F] (14c): the chief monetary unit of Belgium,
          Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African
          Republic, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, France,
          Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali,
          Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Switzerland, and Togo

   [1]franchise
          [fran.chise] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. franchir to free, fr. OF
          franc free--more at frank] (14c) 1: freedom or immunity
          from some burden or restriction vested in a person or
          group 2 a: a special privilege granted to an individual
          or group; esp: the right to be and exercise the powers
          of a corporation b: a constitutional or statutory right
          or privilege; esp: the right to vote c (1): the right
          or license granted to an individual or group to market
          a company's goods or services in a particular territory;
          also: a business granted such a right or license (2):
          the territory involved in such a right 3 a: the right
          of membership in a professional sports league b: a team
          and its operating organization having such membership
          [2]franchise vt fran.chised ; fran.chis.ing (14c) 1 archaic:
          free 2: to grant a franchise to

   franchisee
          [fran.chi.see] n (1954): one granted a franchise

   franchiser
          [fran.chis.er] n [in sense 1, fr. [1]franchise; in sense
          2, fr. [2]franchise] (1843) 1: franchisee 2: franchisor

   franchisor
          [fran.chi.sor] n [[2]franchise + [1]-or] (1967): one that
          grants a franchise

   Franciscan
          [Fran.cis.can] n [ML Franciscus Francis] (1599): a member
          of the Order of Friars Minor founded by St. Francis of
          Assisi in 1209 and dedicated esp. to preaching, missions,
          and charities -- Franciscan adj

   francium
          [fran.ci.um] n [NL, fr. France] (1946): a radioactive element
          of the alkali-metal group discovered as a disintegration
          product of actinium and obtained artificially by the
          bombardment of thorium with protons

   Franco-
          [Franco-] comb form [ML, fr. Francus Frenchman, fr. LL, Frank]
          1: French and <Franco-American> 2: French <Francophile>

   Franco-American
          [Fran.co-Amer.i.can] n (1859): an American of French or esp.
          French-Canadian descent -- Franco-American adj

   francolin
          [fran.co.lin] n [F, fr. It francolino] (1653): any of a genus
          (Francolinus) of partridges of southern Asia and Africa

   Francophile
          [Fran.co.phile] or Fran.co.phil adj (1889): markedly friendly
          to France or French culture -- Francophile n -- Fran.co.phil.ia
          n

   Francophobe
          [Fran.co.phobe] adj (1891): marked by a fear or strong dislike
          of France or French culture or customs -- Francophobe
          n -- Fran.co.pho.bia n

   francophone
          [fran.co.phone] adj, often cap (1962): of, having, or belonging
          to a population using French as its first or sometimes
          second language -- Francophone n

   franc-tireur
          [franc-ti.reur] n [F, fr. franc free + tireur shooter] (1808):
          a civilian fighter or sniper

   frangible
          [fran.gi.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF, fr. ML frangibilis,
          fr. L frangere to break--more at break] (15c): readily
          or easily broken syn see fragile -- fran.gi.bil.i.ty
          n

   frangipane
          [fran.gi.pane] n [F, frangipani (perfume), fragipane, fr.
          It] (1858): a custard usu. flavored with almonds

   frangipani
          [fran.gi.pa.ni] also fran.gi.pan.ni n, pl -pani also -panni
          [modif. of It frangipane, fr. Muzio Frangipane, 16th
          cent. Ital. nobleman] (1676) 1: a perfume derived from
          or imitating the odor of the flower of a frangipani (Plumeria
          rubra) 2: any of a genus (Plumeria) of shrubs or small
          trees of the dogbane family that are native to the American
          tropics and widely cultivated as ornamentals

   franglais
          [fran.glais] n, often cap [F, blend of francais French and
          anglais English] (1964): French marked by a considerable
          number of borrowings from English

   [1]frank
          [frank] adj [ME, free, fr. OF franc, fr. ML francus, fr.
          LL Francus Frank] (1548) 1: marked by free, forthright,
          and sincere expression <a ~ reply> 2 a: unmistakably
          evident <~ materialism> b: clinically evident and unmistakable
          <~ pus> -- frank.ness n syn frank, candid, open, plain
          mean showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks.
          frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of
          evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience
          <frank discussions>. candid suggests expression marked
          by sincerity and honesty esp. in offering unwelcome criticism
          or opinion <a candid appraisal>. open implies frankness
          but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness
          than candid <open in saying what they think>. plain suggests
          outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety
          in expression <plain talk>. [2]frank vt (1708) 1 a: to
          mark (a piece of mail) with an official signature or
          sign indicating the right of the sender to free mailing
          b: to mail free c: to affix to (mail) a stamp or a marking
          indicating the payment of postage 2: to enable to pass
          or go freely or easily -- frank.able adj -- frank.er
          n [3]frank n (1713) 1 a: the signature of the sender
          on a piece of franked mail serving in place of a postage
          stamp b: a mark or stamp on a piece of mail indicating
          postage paid c: a franked envelope 2: the privilege of
          sending mail free of charge [4]frank n (1904): frankfurter
          Frank n [ME, partly fr. OE Franca; partly fr. OF Franc,
          fr. LL Francus, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG Franko Frank,
          OE Franca] (bef. 12c): a member of a West Germanic people
          that entered the Roman provinces in a.d. 253, occupied
          the Netherlands and most of Gaul, and established themselves
          along the Rhine

   Frankenstein
          [Fran.ken.stein] n 1 a: the title character in Mary W. Shelley's
          novel Frankenstein who creates a monster by which he
          is eventually killed b: a monster in the shape of a man
          esp. in popularized versions of the Frankenstein story
          2: a monstrous creation; esp: a work or agency that ruins
          its originator -- Fran.ken.stein.ian adj

   frankfurter
          [frank.furt.er] or frank.furt n [G Frankfurter of Frankfurt,
          fr. Frankfurt am Main, Germany] (1894): a cured cooked
          sausage (as of beef or beef and pork) that may be skinless
          or stuffed in a casing

   frankincense
          [frank.in.cense] n [ME fraunk encense, fr. OF franc encens,
          fr. franc (perh. in sense "of high quality") + encens
          incense] (14c): a fragrant gum resin from trees of a
          genus (Boswellia of the family Burseraceae) of Somalia
          and southern coastal Arabia that is an important incense
          resin and was used in ancient times in religious rites
          and in embalming

   [1]Frankish
          [Frank.ish] adj (14c): of or relating to the Franks [2]Frankish
          n (1863): the Germanic language of the Franks

   franklin
          [frank.lin] n [ME frankeleyn, fr. AF fraunclein, fr. OF franc]
          (14c): a medieval English landowner of free but not noble
          birth

   franklinite
          [frank.lin.ite] n [Franklin, N.J.] (1820): a black slightly
          magnetic mineral consisting of an oxide of iron and zinc

   Franklin stove
          [Frank.lin stove] n [Benjamin Franklin, its inventor] (1787):
          a metal heating stove resembling an open fireplace but
          designed to be set out in a room

   frankly
          [frank.ly] adv (1537) 1: in a frank manner 2: in truth: indeed
          usage see hopefully

   frankpledge
          [frank.pledge] n [ME frankeplegge, fr. AF fraunc plege (prob.
          trans. of ME friborg peace pledge), fr. fraunc free (fr.
          OF franc) + plege pledge] (15c): an Anglo-Saxon system
          under which each adult male member of a tithing was responsible
          for the good conduct of the others; also: the member
          himself or the tithing

   frantic
          [fran.tic] adj [ME frenetik, frantik--more at frenetic] (14c)
          1 a archaic: mentally deranged b: emotionally out of
          control <~ with anger and frustration> 2: marked by fast
          and nervous, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity <made
          a ~ search for the lost child> -- fran.ti.cal.ly adv
          -- fran.tic.ness n

   frap
          [frap] vt frapped ; frap.ping [ME, to strike, beat, fr. MF
          fraper] (1548): to draw tight (as with ropes or cables)
          <~ a sail>

   [1]frappe
          [frap.pe] adj [F, fr. pp. of frapper to strike, chill, fr.
          MF fraper to strike] (1848): chilled or partly frozen
          [2]frap.pe n (1903) 1 a: a partly frozen drink (as of
          fruit juice) b: a liqueur served over shaved ice 2: a
          thick milk shake

   Fraser fir
          [Fra.ser fir] n [John Fraser d. 1811 Brit. botanist] (1897):
          a southern Appalachian fir (Abies fraseri) that resembles
          the balsam fir

   frass
          [frass] n [G, insect damage, lit., eating away, fr. OHG vraz
          food, fr. frezzan to devour--more at fret] (1854): debris
          or excrement produced by insects

   frat
          [frat] n (ca. 1895): fraternity 1c

   fraternal
          [fra.ter.nal] adj [ME, fr. ML fraternalis, fr. L fraternus,
          fr. frater brother--more at brother] (15c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or involving brothers b: of, relating to, or being
          a fraternity or society <a ~ order> 2: derived from two
          ova: dizygotic <~ twins> 3: friendly, brotherly -- fra.ter.nal.ism
          n -- fra.ter.nal.ly adv

   fraternity
          [fra.ter.ni.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: a group of people associated
          or formally organized for a common purpose, interest,
          or pleasure: as a: a fraternal order b: guild c: a men's
          student organization formed chiefly for social purposes
          having secret rites and a name consisting of Greek letters
          d: a student organization for scholastic, professional,
          or extracurricular activities <a debating ~> 2: the quality
          or state of being brothers: brotherliness 3: persons
          of the same class, profession, character, or tastes <the
          racetrack ~>

   fraternize
          [frat.er.nize] vi -nized ; -niz.ing (1611) 1: to associate
          or mingle as brothers or on fraternal terms 2 a: to associate
          on close terms with members of a hostile group esp. when
          contrary to military orders b: to be friendly or amiable
          -- frat.er.ni.za.tion n -- frat.er.niz.er n

   fratricide
          [frat.ri.cide] n [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr.
          L fratricida, fr. fratr-, frater brother + -cida -cide;
          in sense 2, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L fratricidium, fr.
          fratr-, frater + -cidium -cide] (15c) 1: one that murders
          or kills his or her own brother or sister or an individual
          (as a countryman) having a relationship like that of
          a brother or sister 2: the act of a fratricide -- frat.ri.cid.al
          adj

   Frau
          [Frau] n, pl Frau.en [G, woman, wife, fr. OHG frouwa mistress,
          lady; akin to OE frea lord, OHG fruma advantage--more
          at foremost] (ca. 1813): a German married woman: wife--used
          as a title equivalent to Mrs.

   fraud
          [fraud] n [ME fraude, fr. MF, fr. L fraud-, fraus] (14c)
          1 a: deceit, trickery; specif: intentional perversion
          of truth in order to induce another to part with something
          of value or to surrender a legal right b: an act of deceiving
          or misrepresenting: trick 2 a: a person who is not what
          he or she pretends to be: impostor; also: one who defrauds:
          cheat b: one that is not what it seems or is represented
          to be syn see deception, imposture

   fraudulence
          [fraud.u.lence] n (1601): the quality or state of being fraudulent

   fraudulent
          [fraud.u.lent] adj (15c): characterized by, based on, or
          done by fraud: deceitful -- fraud.u.lent.ly adv --
          fraud.u.lent.ness n

   [1]fraught
          [fraught] n [ME, freight, load, fr. MD or MLG vracht, vrecht]
          (14c) chiefly Scot: load, cargo [2]fraught vt fraught.ed
          or fraught ; fraught.ing [ME fraughten, fr. [1]fraught]
          (14c) chiefly Scot: load, freight [3]fraught adj [ME,
          fr. pp. of fraughten] (14c) 1 archaic a: laden b: well
          supplied or provided 2: full of or accompanied by something
          specified--used with with <a situation ~ with danger>
          3 chiefly Brit: causing or characterized by emotional
          distress or tension: uneasy

   fraulein
          [frau.lein] n [G, dim. of Frau] (ca. 1689) 1 cap: an unmarried
          German woman--used as a title equivalent to Miss 2: a
          German governess

   fraxinella
          [frax.i.nel.la] n [NL, dim. of L fraxinus ash tree--more
          at birch] (1664): a Eurasian perennial herb (Dictamnus
          albus) of the rue family with flowers that exhale a flammable
          vapor in hot weather--called also gas plant

   [1]fray
          [fray] vt [ME fraien, short for affraien to affray] (14c)
          archaic: scare; also: to frighten away [2]fray n (14c):
          a usu. disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute
          [3]fray vb [ME fraien, fr. MF froyer, frayer to rub,
          fr. L fricare--more at friction] vt (15c) 1 a: to wear
          (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing: fret b:
          to separate the threads at the edge of 2: strain, irritate
          <tempers became a bit ~ed> ~ vi 1: to wear out or into
          shreds 2: to show signs of strain <~ing nerves> [4]fray
          n (1630): a raveled place or worn spot (as on fabric)

   fraying
          [fray.ing] n (1637): something rubbed or worn off by fraying

   [1]frazzle
          [fraz.zle] vb fraz.zled ; fraz.zling [alter. of E dial. fazle
          (to tangle, fray)] vt (ca. 1825) 1: [3]fray 2 a: to put
          in a state of extreme physical or nervous fatigue b:
          upset ~ vi: to become frazzled [2]frazzle n (1865) 1:
          the state of being frazzled 2: a condition of fatigue
          or nervous exhaustion <worn to a ~>

   FRB
          [FRB] abbreviation Federal Reserve Board

   [1]freak
          [freak] n [origin unknown] (1563) 1 a: a sudden and odd or
          seemingly pointless idea or turn of the mind b: a seemingly
          capricious action or event 2 archaic: a whimsical quality
          or disposition 3: one that is markedly unusual or abnormal:
          as a: a person or animal with a physical oddity who appears
          in a circus sideshow b slang (1): a sexual deviate (2):
          a person who uses an illicit drug c: hippie d: an atypical
          postage stamp usu. caused by a unique defect in paper
          (as a crease) or a unique event in the manufacturing
          process (as a speck of dirt on the plate) that does not
          produce a constant or systematic effect 4: an ardent
          enthusiast <film ~s> [2]freak adj (ca. 1887): having
          the character of a freak <a ~ accident> [3]freak vi (1965)
          1: to withdraw from reality esp. by taking drugs--often
          used with out 2: to experience nightmarish hallucinations
          as a result of taking drugs--often used with out 3 a:
          to behave irrationally or unconventionally under the
          influence of drugs--often used with out b: to react with
          extreme or irrational distress or discomposure--often
          used with out ~ vt 1: to put under the influence of a
          psychedelic drug--often used with out 2: to make greatly
          distressed, astonished, or discomposed--often used with
          out <the news ~ed them out> -- freaked adj -- freaked-out
          adj [4]freak vt [perh. fr. or akin to [1]freckle] (1637):
          to streak esp. with color <silver and mother-of-pearl
          ~ing the intense azure --Robert Bridges d.1930>

   freaking
          [freak.ing] adj or adv [euphemism for frigging or fucking]
          (1963): damned--used as an intensive

   freakish
          [freak.ish] adj (1653) 1: whimsical, capricious 2: markedly
          strange or abnormal -- freak.ish.ly adv -- freak.ish.ness
          n

   freak of nature
          [freak of nature] (1883): freak 3a

   freak-out
          [freak-out] n (1966) 1: an act or instance of freaking out
          2: a gathering of hippies

   freak show
          [freak show] n (1887): an exhibition (as a sideshow) featuring
          freaks of nature

   freaky
          [freaky] adj freak.i.er ; -est (1824): freakish -- freak.i.ness
          n

   [1]freckle
          [freck.le] n [ME freken, frekel, of Scand origin; akin to
          ON freknottr freckled] (14c): any of the small brownish
          spots in the skin usu. due to precipitation of pigment
          that increase in number and intensity on exposure to
          sunlight -- freck.ly adj [2]freckle vb freck.led ; freck.ling
          vt (1613): to sprinkle or mark with freckles or small
          spots ~ vi: to become marked with freckles

   [1]free
          [free] adj fre.er ; fre.est [ME, fr. OE freo; akin to OHG
          fri free, W rhydd, Skt priya own, dear] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: having the legal and political rights of a citizen
          b: enjoying civil and political liberty <~ citizens>
          c: enjoying political independence or freedom from outside
          domination d: enjoying personal freedom: not subject
          to the control or domination of another 2 a: not determined
          by anything beyond its own nature or being: choosing
          or capable of choosing for itself b: determined by the
          choice of the actor or performer <~ actions> c: made,
          done, or given voluntarily or spontaneously 3 a: relieved
          from or lacking something unpleasant or burdensome <~
          from pain> <a speech ~ of political rhetoric> b: not
          bound, confined, or detained by force 4 a: having no
          trade restrictions b: not subject to government regulation
          c of foreign exchange: not subject to restriction or
          official control 5 a: having no obligations (as to work)
          or commitments <I'll be ~ this evening> b: not taken
          up with commitments or obligations <a ~ evening> 6: having
          a scope not restricted by qualification <a ~ variable>
          7 a (1): not obstructed or impeded: clear (2): not being
          used or occupied <waved with his ~ hand> b: not hampered
          or restricted in its normal operation 8 a: not fastened
          <the ~ end of the rope> b: not confined to a particular
          position or place; also: not having a specific opponent
          to cover in football <a ~ safety> c: capable of moving
          or turning in any direction <a ~ particle> d: performed
          without apparatus <~ tumbling> e: done with artificial
          aids (as pitons) used only for protection against falling
          and not for support <a ~ climb> 9 a: not parsimonious
          <~ spending> b: outspoken c: availing oneself of something
          without stint d: frank, open e: overly familiar or forward
          in action or attitude f: licentious 10: not costing or
          charging anything 11 a (1): not united with, attached
          to, combined with, or mixed with something else: separate
          <~ ores> <a ~ surface of a bodily part> (2): freestanding
          <a ~ column> b: chemically uncombined <~ oxygen> <~ acids>
          c: not permanently attached but able to move about <a
          ~ electron in a metal> d: capable of being used alone
          as a meaningful linguistic form <the word hats is a ~
          form>--compare [5]bound 7 12 a: not literal or exact
          <~ translation> b: not restricted by or conforming to
          conventional forms <~ skating> 13: favorable--used of
          a wind blow n -- for free : without charge syn free,
          independent, sovereign, autonomous mean not subject to
          the rule or control of another. free stresses the complete
          absence of external rule and the full right to make all
          of one's own decisions <you're free to do as you like>.
          independent implies a standing alone; applied to a state
          it implies lack of connection with any other having power
          to interfere with its citizens, laws, or policies <the
          colony's struggle to become independent>. sovereign stresses
          the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy
          within a thing's own domain or sphere <separate and sovereign
          armed services>. autonomous stresses independence in
          matters pertaining to self-government <in this denomination
          each congregation is regarded as autonomous>. [2]free
          vt freed ; free.ing (bef. 12c) 1 a: to cause to be free
          b: to relieve or rid of what restrains, confines, restricts,
          or embarrasses <~ a person from debt> c: disentangle,
          clear 2 obs: banish -- fre.er n syn free, release, liberate,
          emancipate, manumit mean to set loose from restraint
          or constraint. free implies a usu. permanent removal
          from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses
          <freed the animals from their cages>. release suggests
          a setting loose from confinement, restraint, or a state
          of pressure or tension, often without implication of
          permanent liberation <released his anger on a punching
          bag>. liberate stresses particularly the resulting state
          of liberty <liberated their country from the tyrant>.
          emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection
          or domination <labor-saving devices emancipated us from
          household drudgery>. manumit implies emancipation from
          slavery <the document manumitted the slaves>. [3]free
          adv (1559) 1: in a free manner 2: without charge 3: with
          the wind more than six p oints from dead ahead <sailing
          ~>

   free agent
          [free agent] n (1955): a professional athlete (as a baseball
          player) who is free to negotiate a contract with any
          team -- free agency n

   free alongside ship
          [free alongside ship] adv or adj (ca. 1903): with delivery
          at the side of the ship free of charges and the buyer's
          liability then beginning

   free and easy
          [free and easy] adj (1699) 1: marked by informality and lack
          of constraint <the free and easy, open-air life of the
          plains --Allan Murray> 2: not observant of strict demands
          <too free and easy in accepting political contributions>
          -- free-and-eas.i.ness n -- free and easy adv

   free association
          [free association] n (1899) 1 a: the expression (as by speaking
          or writing) of the content of consciousness without censorship
          as an aid in gaining access to unconscious processes
          esp. in psychoanalysis b: the reporting of the first
          thought that comes to mind in response to a given stimulus
          (as a word) 2: an idea or image elicited by free association
          3: a method using free association -- free-as.so.ci.ate
          vi -- free-as.so.ci.at.ive adj

   [1]freebase
          [free.base] vi (1980): to prepare or use freebase cocaine
          ~ vt: to prepare or use (cocaine) as freebase -- free.bas.er
          n [2]freebase n (1980): cocaine freed from impurities
          by treatment (as with ether) and heated to produce vapors
          for inhalation or smoked as crack

   free beach
          [free beach] n (1975): a beach at which nudity is permitted

   freebie
          [free.bie] or free.bee n [by alter. fr. obs. freeby gratis,
          irreg. fr. free] (1942): something (as a theater ticket)
          given without charge

   freeboard
          [free.board] n (1726) 1: the distance between the waterline
          and the main deck or weather deck of a ship or between
          the level of the water and the upper edge of the side
          of a small boat 2: the height above the recorded high-water
          mark of a structure (as a dam) associated with the water

   freebooter
          [free.boo.ter] n [by folk etymology fr. D vrijbuiter, fr.
          vrijbuit plunder, fr. vrij free + buit booty] (1570):
          pirate, plunderer -- free.boot vi

   freeborn
          [free.born] adj (13c) 1: not born in vassalage or slavery
          2: of, relating to, or befitting one that is freeborn

   free diver
          [free diver] n (1953): one who engages in skin diving --
          free diving n

   freedman
          [freed.man] n (1601): a man freed from slavery

   freedom
          [free.dom] n (bef. 12c) 1: the quality or state of being
          free: as a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint
          in choice or action b: liberation from slavery or restraint
          or from the power of another: independence c: the quality
          or state of being exempt or released usu. from something
          onerous <~ from care> d: ease, facility <spoke the language
          with ~> e: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken
          <answered with ~> f: improper familiarity g: boldness
          of conception or execution h: unrestricted use <gave
          him the ~ of their home> 2 a: a political right b: franchise,
          privilege syn freedom, liberty, license mean the power
          or condition of acting without compulsion. freedom has
          a broad range of application from total absence of restraint
          to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated
          <freedom of the press>. liberty suggests release from
          former restraint or compulsion <the released prisoner
          had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty>. license
          implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may
          connote an abuse of freedom <freedom without responsibility
          may degenerate into license>.

   freedom of the seas
          [freedom of the seas] (1917): the right of a merchant ship
          to travel any waters except territorial waters either
          in peace or war

   freedom ride
          [freedom ride] n, often cap F&R (1961): a ride made by civil
          rights workers through states of the southern U.S. to
          ascertain whether public facilities (as bus terminals)
          are desegregated -- freedom rider n

   freedwoman
          [freed.wom.an] n (1866): a woman freed from slavery

   free-electron laser
          [free-elec.tron laser] n (1979): a laser that can be tuned
          over a wide range of frequencies and that produces electromagnetic
          radiation by the motion of electrons moving at relativistic
          velocities in a magnetic field

   free enterprise
          [free enterprise] n (1890): freedom of private business to
          organize and operate for profit in a competitive system
          without interference by government beyond regulation
          necessary to protect public interest and keep the national
          economy in balance

   free enterpriser
          [free enterpriser] n (1943): a supporter or advocate of free
          enterprise

   free fall
          [free fall] n (1919) 1: the condition of unrestrained motion
          in a gravitational field; also: such motion 2 a: the
          part of a parachute jump before the parachute opens b:
          a rapid and continuing drop or decline <a free fall in
          stock prices> -- free-fall vi

   free-fire zone
          [free-fire zone] n (1967): a combat area in which any moving
          thing is a legitimate target

   free-floating
          [free-float.ing] adj (1921) 1 a: floating freely <~ vegetation>
          b: lacking specific attachment, direction, or purpose
          <~ ideas> 2: felt as an emotion without apparent cause
          <~ anxiety>

   free-flowing
          [free-flow.ing] adj (1920): characterized by easy freedom
          in movement, progression, or style <a ~ essay>

   free-for-all
          [free-for-all] n (1881): a competition, dispute, or fight
          open to all comers and usu. with no rules: brawl -- free-for-all
          adj

   free-form
          [free-form] adj (1950) 1: having or being an irregular or
          asymmetrical shape or design <~ furniture> 2: free 12b
          <~ dancing>

   freehand
          [free.hand] adj (ca. 1862): done without mechanical aids
          or devices <~ drawing> -- freehand adv

   free hand
          [free hand] n (1929): freedom of action or decision

   freehanded
          [free.hand.ed] adj (ca. 1656): generous, openhanded --
          free.hand.ed.ly adv -- free.hand.ed.ness n

   freehearted
          [free.heart.ed] adj (14c) 1: frank, unreserved 2: generous
          -- free.heart.ed.ly adv

   freehold
          [free.hold] n (15c) 1: a tenure of real property by which
          an estate of inheritance in fee simple or fee tail or
          an estate for life is held; also: an estate held by such
          tenure--compare fee 1 2 Brit: an estate held in fee simple
          -- freehold adj or adv -- free.hold.er n

   free kick
          [free kick] n (1882): a kick (as in football, soccer, or
          rugby) with which an opponent may not interfere; esp:
          such a kick in any direction awarded because of an infraction
          of the rules by an opponent

   [1]freelance
          [free.lance] n (1820) 1 a usu free lance : a mercenary soldier
          esp. of the Middle Ages: condottiere b: a person who
          acts independently without being affiliated with or authorized
          by an organization 2: a person who pursues a profession
          without a long-term commitment to any one employer [2]freelance
          adj (1901) 1 a: of, relating to, or being a freelance:
          independent <a ~ photographer> <~ fees> b: done by a
          freelance <~ reviewing> <~ jobs> 2: not sponsored by
          an organization <~ terrorists> <a ~ demonstration> --
          freelance adv [3]freelance vi (1902): to act or work
          as a freelance ~ vt: to produce as a freelance <freelancing
          magazine articles>

   freelancer
          [free.lanc.er] n (1937): freelance 1b, 2

   free-living
          [free-liv.ing] adj (1818) 1: marked by more than usual freedom
          in the gratification of appetites 2 a: not fixed to the
          substrate but capable of motility <a ~ protozoan> b:
          being metabolically independent: neither parasitic nor
          symbiotic

   freeload
          [free.load] vi (ca. 1934): to impose upon another's generosity
          or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility
          involved: sponge -- free.load.er n

   free love
          [free love] n (1822) 1: the practice of living openly with
          one of the opposite sex without marriage 2: sexual relations
          without any commitments by either partner

   free lunch
          [free lunch] n (1975): something one does not have to pay
          for; also: free ride

   freely
          [free.ly] adv (bef. 12c): in a free manner: as a: of one's
          own accord <left home ~> b: with freedom from external
          control <a ~ elected government> c: without restraint
          or reservation <spent ~ on clothes> d: without hindrance
          <a gate swinging ~> <currencies are ~ convertible> e:
          not strictly following a model, convention, or rule <~
          translated>

   freeman
          [free.man] n (bef. 12c) 1: one enjoying civil or political
          liberty 2: one having the full rights of a citizen

   free market
          [free market] n (1907): an economic market operating by free
          competition

   free-marketeer
          [free-mar.ke.teer] n (1954): a proponent of a free-market
          economy

   freemartin
          [free.mar.tin] n [origin unknown] (1681): a sexually imperfect
          usu. sterile female calf twinborn with a male

   Freemason
          [Free.ma.son] n (1646): a member of a major fraternal organization
          called Free and Accepted Masons or Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
          that has certain secret rituals

   freemasonry
          [free.ma.son.ry] n (1741) 1 cap: the principles, institutions,
          or practices of Freemasons--called also Masonry 2: natural
          fellowship based on some common experience

   free on board
          [free on board] adv or adj (1924): without charge for delivery
          to and placing on board a carrier at a specified point

   free port
          [free port] n (1711): an enclosed port or section of a port
          where goods are received and shipped free of customs
          duty

   freer
          [freer] comparative of free

   free radical
          [free radical] n (1900): an esp. reactive atom or group of
          atoms that has one or more unpaired electrons

   free-range
          [free-range] adj (1912): allowed to range and forage with
          relative freedom <~ chickens>; also: of, relating to,
          or produced by free-range poultry <~ eggs>

   free reed
          [free reed] n (1855): a reed in a musical instrument (as
          a harmonium) that vibrates in an air opening just large
          enough to allow the reed to move freely--compare beating
          reed

   free rein
          [free rein] n (1952): unrestricted liberty of action or decision

   free ride
          [free ride] n (1899): a benefit obtained at another's expense
          or without the usual cost or effort -- free ride vi --
          free rider n

   free safety
          [free safety] n (1973): a safety in football who has no particular
          receiver to cover in a man-to-man defense

   freesia
          [free.sia] n [NL, fr. F. H. T. Freese d. 1876 Ger. physician]
          (ca. 1882): any of a genus (Freesia) of the iris family
          of sweet-scented African herbs with red, pink, white,
          or yellow flowers

   free-soil
          [free-soil] adj (1846) 1: characterized by free soil <~ states>
          2 cap F&S: opposing the extension of slavery into U.S.
          territories and the admission of slave states into the
          Union prior to the Civil War; specif: of, relating to,
          or constituting a minor U.S. political party having these
          aims -- Free-Soil.er n -- Free-Soil.ism n

   free soil
          [free soil] n (1848): U.S. territory where prior to the Civil
          War slavery was prohibited

   free-spoken
          [free-spo.ken] adj (1625): speaking freely: outspoken

   freest
          [freest] superlative of free

   freestanding
          [free.stand.ing] adj (1876) 1: standing alone or on its own
          foundation free of support or attachment <a ~ wall> 2:
          being independent; esp: not part of or affiliated with
          another organization <a ~ clinic> <a ~ city> <a ~ computer
          store>

   Free State
          [Free State] n (1819): a state of the U.S. in which slavery
          was prohibited before the Civil War

   freestone
          [free.stone] n (13c) 1: a stone that may be cut freely without
          splitting 2 a: a fruit stone to which the flesh does
          not cling b: a fruit having such a stone

   freestyle
          [free.style] n, often attrib (ca. 1934) 1: a competition
          in which the contestant is given more latitude than in
          related events; esp: swimming competition in which the
          swimmer may use any stroke 2: crawl 2 -- free.styl.er
          n

   free-swimming
          [free-swim.ming] adj (ca. 1890): able to swim about: not
          attached <the ~ larva of the barnacle>

   free-swinging
          [free-swing.ing] adj (1949): bold, forthright, and heedless
          of personal consequences <a ~ soldier of fortune --Will
          Herberg>

   free-tailed bat
          [free-tailed bat] n (1895): any of a family (Molossidae)
          of bats characterized by a tail that projects beyond
          the posterior part of the flight membrane and found in
          warm regions of the world

   freethinker
          [free.think.er] n (1692): one that forms opinions on the
          basis of reason independently of authority; esp: one
          who doubts or denies religious dogma -- free.think.ing
          n or adj

   free thought
          [free thought] n (1711): unorthodox attitudes or beliefs;
          specif: 18th century deism

   free throw
          [free throw] n (ca. 1929): an unhindered shot in basketball
          made from behind a set line and awarded because of a
          foul by an opponent

   free throw lane
          [free throw lane] n (ca. 1929): a 12 or 16 foot wide lane
          on a basketball court that extends from underneath the
          goal to a line 15 feet in front of the backboard and
          that players may not enter during a free throw

   free trade
          [free trade] n (1823): trade based on the unrestricted
          international exchange of goods with tariffs used only as a source
          of revenue

   free trader
          [free trader] n (1832): one that practices or advocates free
          trade

   free verse
          [free verse] n (1908): verse whose meter is irregular in
          some respect or whose rhythm is not metrical

   freeway
          [free.way] n (1930) 1: an expressway with fully controlled
          access 2: a toll-free highway

   [1]freewheel
          [free.wheel] n (1930) 1: a clutch fitted in the rear hub
          of a bicycle that permits the rear wheel to run on free
          from the rear sprocket when the pedals are stopped 2:
          a power-transmission system in a motor vehicle with a
          device that permits the propeller shaft to run freely
          when its speed is greater than that of the engine shaft
          [2]freewheel vi (1903) 1: to roll along freely independent
          of a gear 2: to move, live, or play freely or irresponsibly
          -- free.wheel.er n

   freewheeling
          [free.wheel.ing] adj (1931): free and loose in form or manner:
          as a: heedless of social norms or niceties <the raider
          style of his ~ father --Garry Wills> b: not repressed
          or restrained <~ promiscuity> <a ~ competitive spirit>
          <a ~ vocabulary> c: not bound by formal rules, procedures,
          or guidelines <a ~ investigation> <~ improvisation> d:
          loose and undisciplined: not defensive <a ~ style of
          hockey> -- free.wheel.ing.ly adv

   free will
          [free will] n (13c) 1: voluntary choice or decision <I do
          this of my own free will> 2: freedom of humans to make
          choices that are not determined by prior causes or by
          divine intervention

   freewill
          [free.will] adj (1535): voluntary, spontaneous

   Freewill Baptist
          [Freewill Baptist] n (1732): a member of a Baptist group
          holding to Arminian doctrine and practicing open communion

   free world
          [free world] n, often cap F&W (1949): the part of the world
          where democracy and capitalism or moderate socialism
          rather than totalitarian or Communist political and economic
          systems prevail

   freewriting
          [free.writ.ing] n (1980): automatic writing done esp. as
          a classroom exercise

   [1]freeze
          [freeze] vb froze ; fro.zen ; freez.ing [ME fresen, fr. OE
          freosan; akin to OHG friosan to freeze, L pruina hoarfrost,
          OE frost frost] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to become congealed
          into ice by cold b: to solidify as a result of abstraction
          of heat c: to withstand freezing <the bread ~s well>
          2: to become chilled with cold <almost froze to death>
          3: to adhere solidly by or as if by freezing <pressure
          caused the metals to ~> 4: to become fixed or motionless;
          esp: to become incapable of acting or speaking 5: to
          become clogged with ice <the water pipes froze> ~ vt
          1 a: to harden into ice b: to convert from a liquid to
          a solid by cold 2: to make extremely cold: chill 3 a:
          to act on usu. destructively by frost b: to anesthetize
          by cold 4: to cause to grip tightly or remain in immovable
          contact 5 a: to cause to become fixed, immovable, unavailable,
          or unalterable <~ interest rates> b: to immobilize by
          governmental regulation the expenditure, withdrawal,
          or exchange of <~ foreign assets> c: to render motionless
          <a fake froze the defender> 6: to attempt to retain continuous
          possession of (a ball or puck) without an attempt to
          score usu. in order to protect a small lead -- freez.ing.ly
          adv [2]freeze n (15c) 1 a: an act or instance of freezing
          b: the state of being frozen 2: a state of weather marked
          by low temperature esp. when below the freezing point
          3: a halt in the production, testing, and deployment
          of military weapons <a nuclear ~>

   freeze-dried
          [freeze-dried] adj (1946): being in a state produced by or
          as if by freeze-drying

   freeze-dry
          [freeze-dry] vt (1949): to dry (as food) in a frozen state
          under high vacuum esp. for preservation

   freeze-etching
          [freeze-etch.ing] n (1968): preparation of a specimen (as
          of tissue) for electron microscopic examination by freezing,
          fracturing along natural structural lines, and preparing
          a replica (as by simultaneous vapor deposition of carbon
          and platinum) -- freeze-etch  adj -- freeze-etched adj

   freeze fracture
          [freeze fracture] n (1973): freeze-etching

   freeze-frame
          [freeze-frame] n (1948) 1 a: a frame of a motion-picture
          film that is repeated so as to give the illusion of a
          static picture b: a static picture produced from a videodisc
          or videotape recording 2: something resembling a freeze-frame
          esp. in unchanging quality

   freeze out
          [freeze out] vt (1861): exclude -- freeze-out n

   freezer
          [freez.er] n (1847): one that freezes or keeps cool; esp:
          a compartment, room, or device for freezing food or keeping
          it frozen

   freezer burn
          [freezer burn] n (1926): light-colored spots developed in
          frozen foods as a result of surface evaporation and drying
          when inadequately wrapped or packaged

   freezing point
          [freezing point] n (1747): the temperature at which a liquid
          solidifies

   free zone
          [free zone] n (1900): an area within which goods may be received
          and stored without payment of duty

   [1]freight
          [freight] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MD or MLG vracht, vrecht]
          (15c) 1 a: the compensation paid for the transportation
          of goods b: cost <help pay the ~> 2 a: goods to be shipped:
          cargo b: load, burden c: meaning 3, significance 3 a:
          the ordinary transportation of goods by a common carrier
          and distinguished from express b: a train designed or
          used for such transportation [2]freight vt (15c) 1 a:
          to load with goods for transportation b: burden, charge
          <~ed with memories> 2: to transport or ship by freight

   freightage
          [freight.age] n (1694): freight

   freighter
          [freight.er] n (1622) 1: one that loads or charters and loads
          a ship 2: shipper 3: a ship or airplane used chiefly
          to carry freight

   fremitus
          [frem.i.tus] n [NL, fr. L, murmur, fr. fremere to murmur;
          akin to OE bremman to roar] (1879): a sensation felt
          by a hand placed on a part of the body (as the chest)
          that vibrates during speech

   french
          [french] vt, often cap (1941) 1: to trim the meat from the
          end of the bone of (as a chop) 2: to cut (green beans)
          in thin lengthwise strips before cooking [1]French adj
          [ME, fr. OE frencisc, fr. Franca Frank] (bef. 12c) 1:
          of, relating to, or characteristic of France, its people,
          or their language 2: of or relating to the overseas descendents
          of the French people -- French.ness n [2]French n (12c)
          1: a Romance language that developed out of the Vulgar
          Latin spoken in northern and central Transalpine Gaul
          and that became the literary and official language of
          France 2 pl in constr: the French people 3: strong language
          <pardon my ~>

   French bean
          [French bean] n (1632) 1 chiefly Brit: a bean (as a green
          bean) of which the whole young pod is eaten 2 chiefly
          Brit: kidney bean 2

   French bread
          [French bread] n (15c): a crusty white bread baked usu. in
          long thin loaves

   French bulldog
          [French bulldog] n (1875): any of a breed of small compact
          heavy-boned dogs developed in France and having erect
          ears

   French Canadian
          [French Canadian] n (1758): one of the descendants of French
          settlers in Lower Canada -- French-Canadian adj

   French chalk
          [French chalk] n (ca. 1728): a soft white granular variety
          of steatite used esp. for drawing lines on cloth and
          for removing grease in dry cleaning

   French cuff
          [French cuff] n (1916): a soft double cuff that is made by
          turning back half of a wide cuff band and fastening with
          cuff links

   french curve
          [french curve] n, often cap F (1885): a curved piece of flat
          often plastic material used as a guide in drawing curves

   French door
          [French door] n (1923): a door with rectangular glass panes
          extending the full length; also: french window

   French dressing
          [French dressing] n (1876) 1: a salad dressing made with
          oil and vinegar or lemon juice, and spices 2: a commercial
          salad dressing that is tomato-flavored and of creamy
          consistency

   [1]french fry
          [french fry] n, often cap 1st F (1918): a strip of potato
          fried in deep fat--usu. used in pl. [2]french fry vt,
          often cap 1st F (ca. 1930): to fry (as strips of potato)
          in deep fat until brown

   French horn
          [French horn] n (1682): a circular valved brass instrument
          having a conical bore, a funnel-shaped mouthpiece, and
          a usual range from B below the bass staff upward for
          more than three octaves

   frenchify
          [french.ify] vt -ified ; -ify.ing often cap (1592): to make
          French in qualities, traits, or typical practices --
          french.i.fi.ca.tion n, often cap

   French kiss
          [French kiss] n (ca. 1923): an open-mouth kiss usu. involving
          tongue-to-tongue contact -- French-kiss vb

   French leave
          [French leave] n [fr. an 18th cent. French custom of leaving
          a reception without taking leave of the host or hostess]
          (1771): an informal, hasty, or secret departure

   French letter
          [French letter] n (ca. 1856) chiefly Brit: condom

   Frenchman
          [French.man] n (bef. 12c) 1: a native or inhabitant of France
          2: one who is of French descent

   French pastry
          [French pastry] n (1922): a rich pastry filled esp. with
          custard or fruit

   French provincial
          [French provincial] n, often cap P (1945): a style of furniture,
          architecture, or fabric originating in or characteristic
          of the 17th and 18th century French provinces

   French seam
          [French seam] n (ca. 1890): a strong seam stitched on both
          sides of the fabric to enclose all raw edges

   French telephone
          [French telephone] n (1932): handset

   French toast
          [French toast] n (1871): bread dipped in a mixture of egg
          and milk and sauteed

   French window
          [French window] n (1801): a pair of casement windows that
          reaches to the floor, opens in the middle, and is placed
          in an exterior wall

   Frenchwoman
          [French.wom.an] n (1593) 1: a woman who is a native or inhabitant
          of France 2: a woman of French descent

   frenetic
          [fre.net.ic] adj [ME frenetik insane, fr. MF frenetique,
          fr. L phreneticus, modif. of Gk phrenitikos, fr. phrenitis
          inflammation of the brain, fr. phren-, phren diaphragm,
          mind] (14c): frenzied, frantic -- fre.net.i.cal.ly adv
          -- fre.net.i.cism n

   frenulum
          [fren.u.lum] n, pl -la [NL, dim. of L frenum] (ca. 1706)
          1: a connecting fold of membrane serving to support or
          restrain a part (as the tongue) 2: a bristle or group
          of bristles on the front edge of the posterior wings
          of some lepidoptera that unites the wings by interlocking
          with the retinaculum of the forewings

   frenum
          [fre.num] n, pl frenums or fre.na [NL, fr. L, bridle, reins,
          and bit; prob. akin to L frendere to grind--more at grind]
          (1741): frenulum 1

   frenzied
          [fren.zied] adj (1796): marked by frenzy -- fren.zied.ly
          adv

   [1]frenzy
          [fren.zy] n, pl frenzies [ME frenesie, fr. MF, fr. ML phrenesia,
          alter. of L phrenesis, fr. phreneticus] (14c) 1 a: a
          temporary madness b: a violent mental or emotional agitation
          2: intense usu. wild and often disorderly compulsive
          or agitated activity [2]frenzy vt fren.zied ; fren.zy.ing
          (1791): to affect with frenzy

   Freon
          [Fre.on] trademark--used for any of various nonflammable
          fluorocarbons used as refrigerants and as propellants
          for aerosols

   freq
          [freq] abbreviation frequency, frequent, frequentative, frequently

   frequence
          [fre.quence] n (1603): frequency

   frequency
          [fre.quen.cy] n, pl -cies (1600) 1: the fact or condition
          of occurring frequently 2 a: the number of times that
          a periodic function repeats the same sequence of values
          during a unit variation of the independent variable b:
          the number of individuals in a single class when objects
          are classified according to variations in a set of one
          or more specified attributes 3: the number of repetitions
          of a periodic process in a unit of time: as a: the number
          of complete alternations per second of an alternating
          current b: the number of complete oscillations per second
          of energy (as sound or electromagnetic radiation) in
          the form of waves

   frequency distribution
          [frequency distribution] n (1895): an arrangement of statistical
          data that exhibits the frequency of the occurrence of
          the values of a variable

   frequency modulation
          [frequency modulation] n (1922): modulation of the frequency
          of the carrier wave in accordance with speech or a signal;
          also: fm

   frequency response
          [frequency response] n (1926): the ability of a device (as
          an audio amplifier) to handle the frequencies applied
          to it; also: a graph representing this ability

   [1]frequent
          [fre.quent] vt (15c) 1: to associate with, be in, or resort
          to often or habitually 2 archaic: to read systematically
          or habitually -- fre.quen.ta.tion n -- fre.quent.er n
          [2]fre.quent adj [ME, ample, fr. MF or L; MF, crowded,
          fr. L frequent-, frequens] (1531) 1 a: common, usual
          b: happening at short intervals: often repeated or occurring
          2 obs: full, thronged 3: habitual, persistent 4 archaic:
          intimate, familiar -- fre.quent.ness n

   frequentative
          [fre.quen.ta.tive] adj (1533): denoting repeated or recurrent
          action or state--used of a verb aspect, verb form, or
          meaning -- frequentative n

   frequently
          [fre.quent.ly] adv (1531): at frequent or short intervals

   fresco
          [fres.co] n, pl frescoes [It, fr. fresco fresh, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG frisc fresh] (1598) 1: the art of painting
          on freshly spread moist lime plaster with water-based
          pigments 2: a painting executed in fresco -- fresco vt

   [1]fresh
          [fresh] adj [ME, fr. OF freis, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          frisc fresh, OE fersc fresh] (13c) 1 a: having its original
          qualities unimpaired: as (1): full of or renewed in vigor:
          refreshed <rose ~ from a good night's sleep> (2): not
          stale, sour, or decayed <~ bread> (3): not faded <the
          lessons remain ~ in her memory> (4): not worn or rumpled
          <a ~ white shirt> b: not altered by processing <~ vegetables>
          2 a: not salt b (1): free from taint: pure <~ air> (2)
          of wind: moderately strong 3 a (1): experienced, made,
          or received newly or anew <form ~ friendships> (2): additional,
          another <a ~ start> b: original, vivid <a ~ portrayal>
          c: lacking experience: raw d: newly or just come or arrived
          <~ from school> e: having the milk flow recently established
          <a ~ cow> 4 [prob. by folk etymology fr. G frech]: disposed
          to take liberties: impudent syn see new -- fresh.ly adv
          -- fresh.ness n [2]fresh adv (14c): just recently: newly
          <we're ~ out of eggs> <~ caught fish> [3]fresh n (1538)
          1: an increased flow or rush (as of water): freshet 2
          archaic: a stream, spring, or pool of freshwater

   fresh breeze
          [fresh breeze] n (ca. 1881): wind having a speed of 19 to
          24 miles per hour (30 to 38 kilometers per hour)--see
          beaufort scale table

   freshen
          [fresh.en] vb fresh.ened ; fresh.en.ing vi (1697) 1: to grow
          or become fresh: as a of wind: to increase in strength
          b: to become fresh in appearance or vitality--usu. used
          with up <~ up with a shower> 2 of a milk animal: to begin
          lactating ~ vt: to make fresh; also: refresh, revive
          -- fresh.en.er n

   freshet
          [fresh.et] n (1596) 1 archaic: stream 1 2 a: a great rise
          or overflowing of a stream caused by heavy rains or melted
          snow b: something resembling or suggesting a freshet
          <a ~ of visitors>

   fresh gale
          [fresh gale] n (1582): wind having a speed of 39 to 46 miles
          per hour (62 to 74 kilometers per hour)--see beaufort
          scale table

   freshman
          [fresh.man] n, often attrib (1550) 1: a first-year student
          2: beginner, newcomer

   [1]freshwater
          [fresh.wa.ter] n (14c): water that is not salty esp. when
          considered as a natural resource [2]freshwater adj (1528)
          1: of, relating to, being, or living in freshwater 2:
          accustomed to navigating only in inland waters <a ~ sailor>;
          also: unskilled 3: inland and usu. provincial <a ~ college>

   freshwater drum
          [freshwater drum] n (1879): a croaker (Aplodinotus grunniens)
          of the Great Lakes and Mississippi valley that may attain
          a weight of 50 pounds (23 kilograms) or more--called
          also sheepshead, white perch

   freshwater pearl
          [freshwater pearl] n (1918): a usu. very small pearl produced
          by a freshwater mollusk

   Fresnel lens
          [Fres.nel lens] n [Augustin J. Fresnel] (ca. 1884): a lens
          that has a surface consisting of a concentric series
          of simple lens sections so that a thin lens with a short
          focal length and large diameter is possible and that
          is used esp. for spotlights

   [1]fret
          [fret] vb fret.ted ; fret.ting [ME, to devour, fret, fr.
          OE fretan to devour; akin to OHG frezzan to devour, ezzan
          to eat--more at eat] vt (12c) 1 a: to eat or gnaw into:
          corrode; also: fray b: rub, chafe c: to make by wearing
          away a substance <the stream fretted a channel> 2: to
          cause to suffer emotional strain: vex 3: to pass (as
          time) in fretting 4: agitate, ripple ~ vi 1 a: to eat
          into something b: to affect something as if by gnawing
          or biting: grate 2 a: wear, corrode b: chafe c: fray
          1 3 a: to become vexed or worried b of running water:
          to become agitated [2]fret n (15c) 1 a: the action of
          wearing away: erosion b: a worn or eroded spot 2: an
          agitation of mind: irritation [3]fret vt fret.ted ; fret.ting
          [ME, back-formation fr. fret, fretted adorned, interwoven,
          fr. MF frete, fr. OF, pp. of freter, ferter to tie, bind,
          prob. fr. (assumed) VL firmitare, fr. L firmus firm]
          (14c) 1 a: to decorate with interlaced designs b: to
          form a pattern upon 2: to enrich with embossed or pierced
          carved patterns [4]fret n (14c) 1: an ornamental network;
          esp: a medieval metallic or jeweled net for a woman's
          headdress 2: an ornament or ornamental work often in
          relief consisting of small straight bars intersecting
          one another in right or oblique angles [5]fret n [perh.
          fr. MF frete ferrule, fr. freter] (ca. 1500): one of
          a series of ridges fixed across the fingerboard of a
          stringed musical instrument (as a guitar) -- fret.less
          adj -- fret.ted adj [6]fret vt fret.ted ; fret.ting (1602):
          to press (the strings of a stringed instrument) against
          the frets

   fretful
          [fret.ful] adj (1602): disposed to fret: irritable -- fret.ful.ly
          adv -- fret.ful.ness n

   fretsaw
          [fret.saw] n (1865): a narrow-bladed fine-toothed saw held
          under tension in a frame and used for cutting curved
          outlines

   fretwork
          [fret.work] n (1601) 1: decoration consisting of work adorned
          with frets 2: ornamental openwork or work in relief

   Freudian
          [Freud.ian] adj (1910): of, relating to, or according with
          the psychoanalytic theories or practices of Freud --
          Freudian n -- Freud.ian.ism n

   Freudian slip
          [Freudian slip] n (1953): a slip of the tongue that is motivated
          by and reveals some unconscious aspect of the mind

   Frey
          [Frey] n [ON Freyr]: the Norse god of fertility, crops, peace,
          and prosperity

   Freya
          [Freya] n [ON Freyja]: the Norse goddess of love and beauty

   FRG
          [FRG] abbreviation Federal Republic of Germany

   Fri
          [Fri] abbreviation Friday

   friable
          [fri.a.ble] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L friabilis, fr. friare
          to crumble--more at friction] (1563): easily crumbled
          or pulverized <~ soil> syn see fragile -- fri.a.bil.i.ty
          n

   friar
          [fri.ar] n [ME frere, fryer, fr. OF frere, lit., brother,
          fr. L fratr-, frater--more at brother] (13c): a member
          of a mendicant order

   friarly
          [fri.ar.ly] adj (1549): resembling a friar: relating to friars

   friar's lantern
          [friar's lantern] n (1632) obs: ignis fatuus

   friary
          [fri.ary] n, pl -ar.ies (1538): a monastery of friars

   [1]fribble
          [frib.ble] vb frib.bled ; frib.bling [origin unknown] vi
          (1633) 1: trifle 2 obs: dodder ~ vt: to trifle or fool
          away [2]fribble n (1664): a frivolous person, thing,
          or idea: trifler -- frib.ble adj

   fricandeau
          [fric.an.deau] n [F, fr. MF, prob. fr. fricasser + -ande
          (as in viande meat) + -eau, n. suffix] (1706): larded
          veal roasted and glazed in its own juices

   [1]fricassee
          [fric.as.see] n [MF, fr. fem. of fricasse, pp. of fricasser
          to fricassee] (1568): a dish of cut-up pieces of meat
          (as chicken) stewed in stock and served in a white sauce
          [2]fricassee vt -seed ; -see.ing (1657): to cook as a
          fricassee

   fricative
          [fric.a.tive] n [L fricatus, pp. of fricare] (1863): a consonant
          characterized by frictional passage of the expired breath
          through a narrowing at some point in the vocal tract
          -- fricative adj

   friction
          [fric.tion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L friction-, frictio,
          fr. fricare to rub; akin to L friare to crumble, and
          perh. to Skt bhrinanti they injure] (1704) 1 a: the rubbing
          of one body against another b: the force that resists
          relative motion between two bodies in contact 2: the
          clashing between two persons or parties of opposed views:
          disagreement -- fric.tion.less adj -- fric.tion.less.ly
          adv

   frictional
          [fric.tion.al] adj (1850) 1: of or relating to friction 2:
          moved or produced by friction -- fric.tion.al.ly adv

   friction clutch
          [friction clutch] n (ca. 1842): a clutch in which connection
          is made through sliding friction

   friction drive
          [friction drive] n (1907): a power-transmission system that
          transmits motion by surface friction instead of teeth

   friction tape
          [friction tape] n (1920): a usu. cloth tape impregnated with
          water-resistant insulating material and an adhesive and
          used esp. to protect, insulate, and support electrical
          conductors

   Friday
          [Fri.day] n [ME, fr. OE frigedaeg (akin to OHG friatag Friday),
          fr. (assumed) Frig Frigga + daeg day, prehistoric trans.
          of L dies Veneris Venus' day] (bef. 12c): the sixth day
          of the week -- Fri.days adv

   fridge
          [fridge] also frig n [by shortening & alter.] (1926): refrigerator

   fried
          [fried] adj (1926): intoxicated

   friedcake
          [fried.cake] n (1839): doughnut, cruller

   [1]friend
          [friend] n [ME frend, fr. OE freond; akin to OHG friunt friend,
          OE freon to love, freo free] (bef. 12c) 1 a: one attached
          to another by affection or esteem b: acquaintance 2 a:
          one that is not hostile b: one that is of the same nation,
          party, or group 3: one that favors or promotes something
          (as a charity) 4: a favored companion 5 cap: a member
          of a Christian sect that stresses Inner Light, rejects
          sacraments and an ordained ministry, and opposes war--called
          also Quaker -- friend.less adj -- friend.less.ness n
          -- be friends with : to have a friendship or friendly
          relationship with -- make friends with : to establish
          a friendship or friendly relations with [2]friend vt
          (13c): to act as the friend of: befriend

   [1]friendly
          [friend.ly] adj friend.li.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: of, relating
          to, or befitting a friend: as a: showing kindly interest
          and goodwill b: not hostile <a ~ merger offer>; also:
          involving or coming from actions of one's own forces
          <~ fire> c: cheerful, comforting <the ~ glow of the fire>
          2: serving a beneficial or helpful purpose 3: easy to
          use or understand <~ computer software> syn see amicable
          -- friend.li.ly adv -- friend.li.ness n [2]friendly adv
          (bef. 12c): in a friendly manner: amicably [3]friendly
          n, pl friendlies (1861) 1: one that is friendly; esp:
          a native who is friendly to settlers or invaders 2 Brit:
          a match between sports teams and esp. international teams
          that has no connection with league or championship play

   friendly society
          [friendly society] n (1703) Brit: a mutual association for
          providing life and health insurance and old-age pension
          benefits to members

   friend of the court
          [friend of the court] (1944): amicus curiae

   friendship
          [friendship] n (bef. 12c) 1: the state of being friends 2:
          the quality or state of being friendly: friendliness
          3 obs: aid

   frier
          [fri.er] var of fryer

   Friesian
          [Frie.sian] n [var. of Frisian] (1923) chiefly Brit: holstein

   [1]frieze
          [frieze] n [ME frise, fr. MF, fr. MD vriese] (15c) 1: a heavy
          durable coarse wool and shoddy fabric with a rough surface
          2: a pile surface of uncut loops or of patterned cut
          and uncut loops [2]frieze n [MF frise, perh. fr. ML phrygium,
          frisium embroidered cloth, fr. L phrygium, fr. neut.
          of Phrygius Phrygian, fr. Phrygia] (1563) 1: the part
          of an entablature between the architrave and the cornice--see
          entablature illustration 2: a sculptured or richly ornamented
          band (as on a building or piece of furniture) 3: a band,
          line, or series suggesting a frieze <a constant ~ of
          visitors wound its way around the ... ruins --Mollie
          Panter-Downes> -- frieze.like adj

   frig
          [frig] vi frigged ; frig.ging [ME fryggen to wriggle] (1598):
          copulate--usu. considered vulgar--sometimes used in present
          participle as a meaningless intensive

   frigate
          [frig.ate] n [MF, fr. OIt fregata] (1585) 1: a light boat
          propelled orig. by oars but later by sails 2: a square-rigged
          war vessel intermediate between a corvette and a ship
          of the line 3: a warship that is smaller than a destroyer

   frigate bird
          [frigate bird] n (1738): any of a family (Fregatidae) of
          tropical seabirds having a forked tail and large wingspans
          that are noted for aggressively taking food from other
          birds

   Frigga
          [Frig.ga] n [ON Frigg]: the wife of Odin and Norse goddess
          of married love and of the hearth

   [1]fright
          [fright] n [ME, fr. OE fyrhto, fryhto; akin to OHG forhta
          fear] (bef. 12c) 1: fear excited by sudden danger: alarm
          2: something strange, ugly, or shocking syn see fear
          [2]fright vt (bef. 12c): to alarm suddenly: frighten

   frighten
          [fright.en] vb fright.ened ; fright.en.ing vt (1666) 1: to
          make afraid: terrify 2: to drive or force by frightening
          <~ed the boy into confessing> ~ vi: to become frightened
          -- fright.en.ing.ly adv

   frightful
          [fright.ful] adj (1607) 1: causing intense fear or alarm:
          terrifying 2: startling esp. in being bad or objectionable
          <a ~ novel> 3: extreme <~ thirst> -- fright.ful.ly adv
          -- fright.ful.ness n

   fright wig
          [fright wig] n (1886): a wig with hair that stands out from
          the head

   frigid
          [frig.id] adj [L frigidus, fr. frigere to be cold; akin to
          L frigus frost, cold, Gk rhigos] (1622) 1 a: intensely
          cold b: lacking warmth or ardor: indifferent 2: lacking
          imaginative qualities: insipid 3 a: abnormally averse
          to sexual intercourse--used esp. of women b of a female:
          unable to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse --
          frig.id.ly adv -- frig.id.ness n

   Frigidaire
          [Frig.i.daire] trademark--used for a mechanical refrigerator

   frigidity
          [fri.gid.i.ty] n (15c): the quality or state of being frigid;
          specif: marked or abnormal sexual indifference esp. in
          a woman

   frigid zone
          [frigid zone] n (1622): the area or region between the arctic
          circle and the north pole or between the antarctic circle
          and the south pole

   frigorific
          [frig.o.rif.ic] adj [L frigorificus, fr. frigor-, frigus
          frost] (1667): causing cold: chilling

   frijole
          [fri.jo.le] also fri.jol n, pl fri.jo.les [AmerSp frijol,
          fr. Sp, kidney bean, fr. earlier fesol, fresol, prob.
          modif. of Galician feijoo, fr. L phaseolus, dim. of phaselus
          cowpea, fr. Gk phaselos] (1577): any of various beans
          used in Mexican style cooking--usu. used in pl.

   [1]frill
          [frill] vt (1574): to provide or decorate with a frill [2]frill
          n [perh. fr. Flem frul] (1591) 1 a: a gathered, pleated,
          or bias-cut fabric edging used on clothing b: a strip
          of paper curled at one end and rolled to be slipped over
          the bone end (as of a chop) in serving 2: a ruff of hair
          or feathers or a bony projection about the neck of an
          animal 3 a: affectation, air--usu. used in pl. <an honest
          ... man who had no ~s,  ... no nonsense about him --W.
          A. White> b: something decorative or useful and desirable
          but not essential: luxury -- frilly adj

   [1]fringe
          [fringe] n, often attrib [ME frenge, fr. MF, fr. (assumed)
          VL frimbia, fr. L fimbriae (pl.)] (14c) 1: an ornamental
          border consisting of short straight or twisted threads
          or strips hanging from cut or raveled edges or from a
          separate band 2 a: something resembling a fringe: edge,
          periphery--often used in pl. <operated on the ~s of the
          law> b: one of various light or dark bands produced by
          the interference or diffraction of light c: an area bordering
          a putting green on a golf course with grass trimmed longer
          than on the green itself 3 a: something that is marginal,
          additional, or secondary to some activity, process, or
          subject b: a group with marginal or extremist views c:
          fringe benefit -- fringy adj [2]fringe vt fringed ; fring.ing
          (15c) 1: to furnish or adorn with a fringe 2: to serve
          as a fringe for: border

   fringe area
          [fringe area] n (1950): a region in which reception from
          a given broadcasting station is weak or subject to serious
          distortion

   fringe benefit
          [fringe benefit] n (1948) 1: an employment benefit (as a
          pension, a paid holiday, or health insurance) granted
          by an employer that has a monetary value but does not
          affect basic wage rates 2: any additional benefit

   fringe tree
          [fringe tree] n (ca. 1730): a small tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
          of the olive family that has clusters of white flowers
          and is native to the southern U.S. but is widely cultivated
          as an ornamental

   frippery
          [frip.pery] n, pl -per.ies [MF friperie, alter. of OF freperie,
          fr. frepe old garment] (1568) 1 obs a: cast-off clothes
          b archaic: a place where old clothes are sold 2 a: finery;
          also: an elegant or showy garment b: something showy,
          frivolous, or nonessential: luxury, trifle c: ostentation;
          esp: something foolish or affectedly elegant

   Frisbee
          [Fris.bee] trademark--used for a plastic disk several inches
          in diameter sailed between players by a flip of the wrist

   frise
          [fri.se] n [F, fr. pp. of friser to curl] (1884): [1]frieze

   Frise aileron
          [Frise aileron] n [Leslie George Frise b1897 Eng. engineer]
          (ca. 1934): an aileron having a nose portion projecting
          ahead of the hinge axis and a lower surface in line with
          the lower surface of the wing

   friseur
          [fri.seur] n [F, fr. friser] (1750): hairdresser

   [1]Frisian
          [Fri.sian] adj [L Frisius Frisian; akin to OE Frisa, Fresa
          a Frisian] (1598): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Friesland, the Frisians, or Frisian [2]Frisian n (1601)
          1: a member of a people that inhabit principally the
          Netherlands province of Friesland and the Frisian islands
          in the North Sea 2: the Germanic language of the Frisian
          people

   [1]frisk
          [frisk] vb [obs. frisk (lively)] vi (1519): to leap, skip,
          or dance in a lively or playful way: gambol ~ vt: to
          search (a person) for something (as a concealed weapon)
          by running the hand rapidly over the clothing and through
          the pockets -- frisk.er n [2]frisk n (1525) 1 a archaic:
          caper b: gambol, romp c: diversion 2: an act of frisking

   frisket
          [fris.ket] n [F frisquette, fr. MF] (ca. 1898): a masking
          device or material used esp. in printing or graphic arts

   frisky
          [frisky] adj frisk.i.er ; -est (ca. 1500): inclined to frisk:
          playful; also: lively -- frisk.i.ly adv -- frisk.i.ness
          n

   frisson
          [fris.son] n, pl frissons [F, shiver, fr. OF fricon, fr.
          LL friction-, frictio, fr. L, lit., friction (taken in
          LL as derivative of frigere to be cold)] (1777): a brief
          moment of emotional excitement: shudder, thrill

   [1]frit
          [frit] n [It fritta, fr. fem. of fritto, pp. of friggere
          to fry, fr. L frigere to roast--more at fry] (1662) 1:
          the calcined or partly fused materials of which glass
          is made 2: any of various chemically complex glasses
          used ground esp. to introduce soluble or unstable ingredients
          into glazes or enamels [2]frit vt frit.ted ; frit.ting
          (1832) 1: to prepare (materials for glass) by heat: fuse
          2: to convert into a frit

   frith
          [frith] n (14c) archaic: estuary

   fritillaria
          [frit.il.lar.ia] n [NL, fr. L fritillus dice cup; fr. the
          markings of the petals] (1664): any of a widespread genus
          (Fritillaria) of bulbous herbs of the lily family with
          variably colored and often mottled or checkered flowers

   fritillary
          [frit.il.lary] n, pl -lar.ies [NL fritillaria] (1633) 1:
          fritillaria 2: any of numerous nymphalid butterflies
          (Argynnis, Speyeria, and related genera) that usu. are
          orange with black spots on the upper side of both wings
          and silver spotted on the underside of the hind wing

   frittata
          [frit.ta.ta] n [It, fr. fritto] (1931): an unfolded omelet
          often containing chopped vegetables or meats

   fritted
          [frit.ted] adj [[2]frit] (1879): being porous glass made
          of sintered powdered glass or fiberglass

   [1]fritter
          [frit.ter] n [ME fritour, fr. MF friture, fr. (assumed) VL
          frictura, fr. L frictus, pp. of frigere to roast] (14c):
          a small mass of fried or sauteed batter often containing
          fruit or meat [2]fritter vb [fritter, n. (fragment, shred)]
          vt (1728) 1: to spend or waste bit by bit, on trifles,
          or without commensurate return--usu. used with away 2:
          to break into small fragments ~ vi: dissipate, dwindle
          -- frit.ter.er n

   fritto misto
          [frit.to mi.sto] n [It, lit., mixed fried (food)] (1903):
          small morsels of meat, seafood, or vegetables coated
          with batter and deep fried

   fritz
          [fritz] n [origin unknown] (1902): a state of disorder or
          disrepair--used in the phrase on the fritz

   frivol
          [friv.ol] vi -oled or -olled ; -ol.ing or -ol.ling [back-formation
          fr. frivolous] (1866): to act frivolously: trifle -- friv.ol.er
          or friv.ol.ler n

   frivolity
          [fri.vol.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1796) 1: the quality or state
          of being frivolous 2: a frivolous act or thing

   frivolous
          [friv.o.lous] adj [ME, fr. L frivolus] (15c) 1 a: of little
          weight or importance b: having no sound basis (as in
          fact or law) <a ~ lawsuit> 2 a: lacking in seriousness
          b: marked by unbecoming levity -- friv.o.lous.ly adv
          -- friv.o.lous.ness n

   [1]frizz
          [frizz] vb [F friser] vt (1660): to form into small tight
          curls ~ vi, of hair: to form a mass of tight curls [2]frizz
          n (1668) 1: a tight curl 2: hair that is tightly curled
          [3]frizz vb [alter. of [1]fry] vt (1835): to fry or sear
          with a sizzling noise ~ vi: sizzle

   [1]frizzle
          [friz.zle] vb friz.zled ; friz.zling [prob. akin to OFris
          frisle curl] (1573): frizz, curl [2]frizzle n (1613):
          a crisp curl [3]frizzle vb friz.zled ; friz.zling [[1]fry
          + sizzle] vt (1839) 1: to fry until crisp and curled
          2: burn, scorch ~ vi: to cook with a sizzling noise

   frizzy
          [frizzy] adj frizz.i.er ; -est (ca. 1864): tightly curled
          -- frizz.i.ness n

   FRM
          [FRM] abbreviation fixed rate mortgage

   [1]fro
          [fro] prep [ME, fr. ON fra; akin to OE fram from] (13c) dial
          Brit: from [2]fro adv (14c): back, away--used in the
          phrase to and fro

   [1]frock
          [frock] n [ME frok, fr. MF froc, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          hroch mantle, coat] (14c) 1: an outer garment worn by
          monks and friars: habit 2: an outer garment worn chiefly
          by men: a: a long loose mantle b: a workman's outer shirt;
          esp: smock frock c: a woolen jersey worn esp. by sailors
          3: a woman's dress [2]frock vt (1828) 1: to clothe in
          a frock 2: to make a cleric of

   frock coat
          [frock coat] n (1823): a man's knee-length usu. double-breasted
          coat

   froe
          [froe] n [perh. alter. of obs. froward turned away, fr. ME;
          fr. the position of the handle] (1574): a cleaving tool
          for splitting cask staves and shingles from the block

   frog
          [frog] n [ME frogge, fr. OE frogga; akin to OHG frosk frog;
          senses 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 unclearly derived & perh. of distinct
          origin] (bef. 12c) 1: any of various smooth-skinned web-footed
          largely aquatic tailless agile leaping amphibians (as
          a ranid)--compare toad 2: the triangular elastic horny
          pad in the middle of the sole of the foot of a horse--see
          hoof illustration 3 a: a loop attached to a belt to hold
          a weapon or tool b: an ornamental braiding for fastening
          the front of a garment that consists of a button and
          a loop through which it passes 4 often cap: frenchman--usu.
          taken to be offensive 5: a device permitting the wheels
          on one rail of a track to cross an intersecting rail
          6: a condition in the throat that produces hoarseness
          <had a ~ in his throat> 7: the nut of a violin bow 8:
          a small holder (as of metal, glass, or plastic) with
          perforations or spikes for holding flowers in place in
          a bowl or vase

   frogeye
          [frog.eye] n (ca. 1909): any of numerous leaf diseases
          characterized by concentric rings about the diseased spots

   froghopper
          [frog.hop.per] n (1711): spittlebug

   frog kick
          [frog kick] n (1940): a breaststroke kick executed with the
          knees turned outward and the legs separated and then
          swung together

   frogman
          [frog.man] n (1945): a person equipped (as with face mask,
          flippers, and air supply) for extended periods of underwater
          swimming; esp: a person so equipped for military reconnaissance
          and demolition

   frog-march
          [frog-march] vt (1923): to seize from behind roughly and
          forcefully propel forward <~ed him out the door>

   frog spit
          [frog spit] n (ca. 1825): cuckoo spit 1

   [1]frolic
          [frol.ic] adj [D vroolijk, fr. MD vrolijc, fr. vro happy;
          akin to OHG fro happy] (1538): full of fun: merry [2]frolic
          vi frol.icked ; frol.ick.ing (1593) 1: to amuse oneself:
          make merry 2: to play and run about happily: romp [3]frolic
          n (1616) 1: a playful or mischievous action 2 a: an occasion
          or scene of fun: party b: fun, merriment

   frolicsome
          [frol.ic.some] adj (1699): full of gaiety: sportive, playful

   from
          [from] prep [ME, fr. OE from, fram; akin to OHG fram, adv.,
          forth, away, OE faran to go--more at fare] (bef. 12c)
          1--used as a function word to indicate a starting point
          of a physical movement or a starting point in measuring
          or reckoning or in a statement of limits <came here ~
          the city> <a week ~ today> <cost ~ $5 to $10> 2--used
          as a function word to indicate physical separation or
          an act or condition of removal, abstention, exclusion,
          release, subtraction, or differentiation <protection
          ~ the sun> <relief ~ anxiety> 3--used as a function word
          to indicate the source, cause, agent, or basis <we conclude
          ~ this> <a call ~ my lawyer> <inherited a love of music
          ~ his father> <worked hard ~ necessity>

   frond
          [frond] n [L frond-, frons foliage] (1785) 1: a large leaf
          (esp. of a palm or fern) usu. with many divisions 2:
          a thallus or thalloid shoot (as of a lichen or seaweed)
          resembling a leaf -- frond.ed adj

   frondeur
          [fron.deur] n [F, lit., slinger, participant in a 17th cent.
          revolt in which the rebels were compared to schoolboys
          using slings only when the teacher was not looking] (1798):
          rebel, malcontent

   [1]front
          [front] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L front-, frons] (13c) 1 a: forehead;
          also: the whole face b: external and often feigned appearance
          esp. in the face of danger or adversity 2 a (1): vanguard
          (2): a line of battle (3): a zone of conflict between
          armies b (1): a stand on an issue: policy (2): an area
          of activity (as study or debate) <progress on the educational
          ~> (3): a movement linking divergent elements to achieve
          common objectives; esp: a political coalition 3: a side
          of a building; esp: the side that contains the principal
          entrance 4 a: the forward part or surface b (1): frontage
          (2): a beach promenade at a seaside resort c: dickey
          1a d: the boundary between two dissimilar air masses
          5 archaic: beginning 6 a (1): a position ahead of a person
          or of the foremost part of a thing (2)--used as a call
          by a hotel desk clerk in summoning a bellhop b: a position
          of leadership or superiority 7 a: a person, group, or
          thing used to mask the identity or true character or
          activity of the actual controlling agent b: a person
          who serves as the nominal head or spokesman of an enterprise
          or group to lend it prestige -- in front of : directly
          before or ahead of -- out front : in the audience [2]front
          vi (1523) 1: to have the front or principal side adjacent
          to something; also: to have frontage on something <a
          ten-acre plot ~ing on a lake --Current Biog.> 2: to serve
          as a front <~ing for special interests> ~ vt 1 a: confront
          <went to the woods because I wished ... to ~ only the
          essential facts of life --H. D. Thoreau> b: to appear
          before <daily ~ed him in some fresh splendor --Alfred
          Tennyson> 2 a: to be in front of <lawn ~ing the house>
          b: to be the leader of (a musical group) <appeared as
          a soloist and ~ed bands> 3: to face toward or have frontage
          on <the house ~s the street> 4: to supply a front to
          <~ed the building with bricks> 5 a: to articulate (a
          sound) with the tongue farther forward b: to move (a
          word or phrase) to the beginning of a sentence 6 basketball:
          to play in front of (an opposing player) rather than
          between the player and the basket [3]front adj (1600)
          1 a: of, relating to, or situated at the front b: acting
          as a front <~ company> 2: articulated at or toward the
          front of the oral passage <~ vowels> 3: constituting
          the first nine holes of an 18-hole golf course -- front
          adv

   front
          [front] abbreviation frontispiece

   frontage
          [front.age] n (1622) 1 a: a piece of land that lies adjacent
          (as to a street or the ocean) b: the land between the
          front of a building and the street c: the length of a
          frontage 2: the act or fact of facing a given way 3:
          the front side of a building

   frontage road
          [frontage road] n (1949): a local street that parallels an
          expressway or through street and that provides access
          to property near the expressway--called also service
          road

   [1]frontal
          [fron.tal] n (14c) 1 [ME frontel, fr. ML frontellum, dim.
          of L front-, frons]: a cloth hanging over the front of
          an altar 2: facade 1 [2]frontal adj [NL frontalis, fr.
          L front-, frons] (1656) 1: of, relating to, or adjacent
          to the forehead or the frontal bone 2 a: of, relating
          to, or situated at the front b: directed against the
          front or at the main point or issue: direct <~ assault>
          3: parallel to the main axis of the body and at right
          angles to the sagittal plane 4: of or relating to a meteorological
          front -- fron.tal.ly adv

   frontal bone
          [frontal bone] n (1741): a bone that forms the forehead and
          roofs over most of the orbits and nasal cavity and that
          at birth consists of two halves separated by a suture

   frontality
          [fron.tal.i.ty] n (1905) 1 sculpture: a schematic composition
          of the front view that is complete without lateral movement
          2 painting: the depiction of an object, figure, or scene
          in a plane parallel to the plane of the picture surface

   frontal lobe
          [frontal lobe] n (1879): the anterior division of each cerebral
          hemisphere

   front and center
          [front and center] adv (1951): in or to the forefront of
          activity or consideration

   front bench
          [front bench] n (ca. 1889): either of the two benches nearest
          the chair in a British legislature (as the House of Commons)
          occupied by government and opposition leaders; also:
          the leaders themselves--compare backbench -- front-bench.er
          n

   front burner
          [front burner] n (1973): the condition of being in active
          consideration or development--compare back burner

   frontcourt
          [front.court] n (ca. 1949): a basketball team's offensive
          half of the court; also: the positions of forward and
          center on a basketball team

   front dive
          [front dive] n (ca. 1934): a dive from a position facing
          the water

   front-end
          [front-end] adj (1962): relating to or required at the beginning
          of an undertaking <no ~ charge at the time of investment>

   front end
          [front end] n (1973): a unit in a computer system devoted
          to controlling the data communications link between terminals
          and the main computer and often to the preliminary processing
          of data

   front-end load
          [front-end load] n (1962): the part of the total commission
          and expenses taken out of early payments under a contract
          plan for the periodic purchase of investment-company
          shares

   front-end loader
          [front-end loader] n (1954): a usu. wheeled vehicle with
          a hydraulically operated scoop in front for excavating
          and loading loose material--called also front loader

   frontier
          [fron.tier] n [ME fronter, fr. MF frontiere, fr. front] (15c)
          1 a: a border between two countries b obs: a stronghold
          on a frontier 2 a: a region that forms the margin of
          settled or developed territory b: the farthermost limits
          of knowledge or achievement in a particular subject c:
          a line of division between different or opposed things
          <the ~s separating science and the humanities --R. W.
          Clark> d: a new field for exploitative or developmental
          activity -- frontier adj

   frontiersman
          [fron.tiers.man] n (1782): one who lives or works on a frontier

   fronti nulla fides
          [fron.ti nul.la fi.des] [L] foreign term : no reliance can
          be placed on appearance

   frontispiece
          [fron.tis.piece] n [MF frontispice, fr. LL frontispicium
          facade, fr. L front-, frons + -i- + specere to look at--more
          at spy] (ca. 1598) 1 a: the principal front of a building
          b: a decorated pediment over a portico or window 2: an
          illustration preceding and usu. facing the title page
          of a book or magazine

   frontless
          [front.less] adj (1605) archaic: shameless

   frontlet
          [front.let] n [ME frontlette, fr. MF frontelet, dim. of frontel,
          fr. L frontale, fr. front-, frons] (15c) 1: a band or
          phylactery worn on the forehead 2: the forehead esp.
          of an animal

   front line
          [front line] n (1917) 1 a: a military line formed by the
          most advanced tactical combat units; also: front 2a(2)
          b: an area of potential or actual conflict or struggle
          2: the most advanced, responsible, or visible position
          in a field or activity

   frontline
          [front.line] adj (1915) 1: relating to, being, or involved
          in a front line <~ ambulances> 2: first-rate <~ teachers>;
          also: first-string <~ goalie>

   front-load
          [front-load] vt (1976): to assign costs or benefits to the
          early stages of (as a contract, project, or time period)

   front man
          [front man] n (1927) 1: a person serving as a front or figurehead
          2: the lead performer in a musical group

   front matter
          [front matter] n (ca. 1909): matter preceding the main text
          of a book

   front money
          [front money] n (ca. 1928): money that is paid in advance
          for a promised service or product

   fronto-
          [fronto-] comb form [[1]front]: boundary of an air mass
          <frontogenesis>

   front office
          [front office] n, often attrib (1900): the policy-making
          officials of an organization

   frontogenesis
          [front.o.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1931): the coming together into
          a distinct front of two dissimilar air masses that commonly
          react upon each other to induce cloud and precipitation

   frontolysis
          [front.ol.y.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1938): a process tending to
          destroy a meteorological front

   fronton
          [fron.ton] n [Sp fronton gable, wall of a pelota court, fronton,
          fr. aug. of frente forehead, fr. L front-, frons] (1896):
          a jai alai arena

   [1]front-page
          [front-page] adj (1917): printed on the front page of a newspaper;
          also: very newsworthy [2]front-page vt (1929): to print or report
          on the front page

   front room
          [front room] n (1853): living room, parlor

   front-runner
          [front-run.ner] n (1914) 1: a contestant who runs best when
          in the lead 2: a leading contestant in or as if in a
          rivalry or competition <a political ~> <dubbed ... ~
          for the title of "worst Senator" --Edward Roeder>

   frontward
          [front.ward] or front.wards adv or adj (1865): toward the
          front

   frore
          [frore] adj [ME froren, fr. OE, pp. of freosan to freeze]
          (13c): frosty, frozen

   frosh
          [frosh] n, pl frosh [by shortening & alter.] (1915): freshman

   [1]frost
          [frost] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG frost--more at freeze]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: the process of freezing b: a covering
          of minute ice crystals on a cold surface; also: ice particles
          formed from a gas c: the temperature that causes freezing
          2 a: coldness of deportment or temperament: an indifferent,
          reserved, or unfriendly manner b: failure <the play was
          ... a most dreadful ~ --Arnold Bennett> [2]frost vt (1635)
          1 a: to cover with or as if with frost; esp: to put icing
          on (cake) b: to produce a fine-grained slightly roughened
          surface on (as metal or glass) 2: to injure or kill (as
          plants) by frost 3: to make angry or irritated <your
          attitude really ~s me> ~ vi: to become frosted

   [1]frostbite
          [frost.bite] vt -bit ; -bit.ten ; -bit.ing (1601): to affect
          or injure by frost or frostbite [2]frostbite n (1813):
          the freezing or the local effect of a partial freezing
          of some part of the body [3]frostbite adj (1953): done
          in cold weather <~ sailing>; also: of or relating to
          cold-weather sailing <~ sailors>

   frostbiting
          [frost.bit.ing] n (1965): the sport of sailing in cold weather

   frosted
          [frost.ed] adj (1947): having undergone frosting <~ hair>

   frost heave
          [frost heave] n (1941): an upthrust of ground or pavement
          caused by freezing of moist soil--called also frost heaving

   frosting
          [frost.ing] n (1858) 1 a: icing b: trimming, ornamentation
          2: lusterless finish of metal or glass: mat; also: a
          white finish produced on glass (as by etching) 3: the
          lightening (as by chemicals) of small strands of hair
          throughout the entire head to produce a two-tone effect--compare
          streaking

   frostwork
          [frost.work] n (1729): the figures that moisture sometimes
          forms in freezing (as on a windowpane)

   frosty
          [frosty] adj frost.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 a: attended with
          or producing frost: freezing b: briskly cold: chilly
          2: covered or appearing as if covered with frost: hoary
          <a man of 65, with ~ eyebrows and hair --Nan Robertson>
          3: marked by coolness or extreme reserve in manner <his
          smile was distinctly ~ --Erle Stanley Gardner> -- frost.i.ly
          adv -- frost.i.ness n

   [1]froth
          [froth] n, pl froths [ME, fr. ON frotha; akin to OE afreothan
          to froth] (14c) 1 a: bubbles formed in or on a liquid:
          foam b: a foamy slaver sometimes accompanying disease
          or exhaustion 2: something resembling froth (as in being
          unsubstantial, worthless, or light and airy) [2]froth
          vi (14c) 1: to foam at the mouth 2: to throw froth out
          or up 3: to become covered with or as if with froth <whole
          groves ~ with nodding blossoms --Amy Lovejoy> ~ vt 1:
          to cause to foam 2: to cover with froth 3: vent, voice

   frothy
          [frothy] adj froth.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: full of or consisting
          of froth 2 a: gaily frivolous or light in content or
          treatment: insubstantial <a ~ comedy> b: made of light
          thin material -- froth.i.ly adv -- froth.i.ness n

   frottage
          [frot.tage] n [F, fr. frotter to rub] (1935): the technique
          of creating a design by rubbing (as with a pencil) over
          an object placed underneath the paper; also: a composition
          so made

   froufrou
          [frou.frou] n [F, of imit. origin] (1870) 1: a rustling esp.
          of a woman's skirts 2: showy or frilly ornamentation

   frow
          [frow] var of froe

   froward
          [fro.ward] adj [ME, turned away, froward, fr. fro from +
          -ward -ward] (13c) 1: habitually disposed to disobedience
          and opposition 2 archaic: adverse -- fro.ward.ly adv
          -- fro.ward.ness n

   [1]frown
          [frown] vb [ME frounen, fr. MF froigner to snort, frown,
          of Celt origin; akin to W ffroen nostril, OIr sron nose]
          vi (14c) 1: to contract the brow in displeasure or concentration
          2: to give evidence of displeasure or disapproval by
          or as if by facial expression <critics ~ on the idea>
          ~ vt: to sh ow displeasure with or disapproval of esp.
          by facial expression -- frown.er n -- frown.ing.ly adv
          [2]frown n (1581) 1: an expression of displeasure 2:
          a wrinkling of the brow in displeasure or concentration

   frowsty
          [frows.ty] adj frowst.i.er ; -est [alter. of frowsy] (1865)
          1 chiefly Brit: musty 2 chiefly Brit: frowsy 2

   frowsy
          [frow.sy] or frow.zy adj frow.si.er or frow.zi.er ; -est
          [origin unknown] (1681) 1: musty, stale <a ~ smell of
          stale beer and stale smoke --W. S. Maugham> 2: having
          a slovenly or uncared-for appearance <a couple of ~ stuffed
          chairs --R. M. Williams>

   froze
          [froze] past of freeze

   frozen
          [fro.zen] adj (14c) 1 a: treated, affected, or crusted over
          by freezing b: subject to long and severe cold <~ north>
          2 a: incapable of being changed, moved, or undone: fixed;
          specif: debarred by official action from movement or
          from change in status <~ wages> b: not available for
          present use <~ capital> c (1): drained or incapable of
          emotion (2): expressing or characterized by cold unfriendliness
          -- fro.zen.ly adv -- fro.zen.ness n

   FRS
          [FRS] abbreviation Federal Reserve System

   frt
          [frt] abbreviation freight

   fructification
          [fruc.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (1764): the reproductive organs or
          fruit of a plant; esp: sporophore

   fructify
          [fruc.ti.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME fructifien, fr. MF fructifier,
          fr. L fructificare, fr. fructus fruit] vi (14c): to bear fruit <its
          seeds shall ~ --Amy Lowell> <no partnership can ~ without candor
          on both sides --D. M. Ogilvy> ~ vt: to make fruitful or productive

   fructose
          [fruc.tose] n (ca. 1864) 1: an optically active sugar that
          differs from glucose in having a ketonic rather than
          aldehydic carbonyl group 2: the very sweet soluble levorotatory
          d-form of fructose that occurs esp. in fruit juices and
          honey--called also levulose

   fructuous
          [fruc.tu.ous] adj (14c): fruitful <a ~ land>

   frugal
          [fru.gal] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L frugalis virtuous, frugal,
          fr. frug-, frux fruit, value; akin to L frui to enjoy]
          (1598): characterized by or reflecting economy in the
          use of resources syn see sparing -- fru.gal.i.ty n --
          fru.gal.ly adv

   frugivorous
          [fru.giv.o.rous] adj [L frug-, frux + E -vorous] (1713):
          feeding on fruit -- fru.gi.vore n

   [1]fruit
          [fruit] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF, fr. L fructus fruit,
          use, fr. frui to enjoy, have the use of--more at brook]
          (12c) 1 a: a product of plant growth (as grain, vegetables,
          or cotton) <the ~s of the field> b (1): the usu. edible
          reproductive body of a seed plant; esp: one having a
          sweet pulp associated with the seed <the ~ of the tree>
          (2): a succulent plant part (as the petioles of a rhubarb
          plant) used chiefly in a dessert or sweet course c: a
          dish, quantity, or diet of fruits <live on ~> d: a product
          of fertilization in a plant with its modified envelopes
          or appendages; specif: the ripened ovary of a seed plant
          and its contents e: the flavor or aroma of fresh fruit
          in mature wine 2: offspring, progeny 3 a: the state of
          bearing fruit <a tree in ~> b: the effect or consequence
          of an action or operation: product, result <the ~s of
          our labor> 4: a male homosexual--often used disparagingly
          -- fruit.ed adj [2]fruit vi (14c): to bear fruit ~ vt:
          to cause to bear fruit

   fruitage
          [fruit.age] n (15c) 1 a: fruit b: the condition or process
          of bearing fruit 2: the product or result of an action

   fruitarian
          [frui.tar.i.an] n (1893): a person who lives on fruit

   fruit bat
          [fruit bat] n (1877): any of a family (Pteropodidae of the
          suborder Megachiroptera) of often large tropical and
          subtropical Old World bats that feed on ripe fruit, pollen,
          and nectar and that usu. use visual navigation rather
          than echolocation--called also flying fox

   fruitcake
          [fruit.cake] n (1848) 1: a rich cake containing nuts, dried
          or candied fruits, and spices 2: nut 6a

   fruiterer
          [fruit.er.er] n [ME, modif. of MF fruitier, fr. fruit] (15c)
          chiefly Brit: a person who deals in fruit

   fruit fly
          [fruit fly] n (ca. 1753): any of various small dipteran flies
          (as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying
          vegetable matter

   fruitful
          [fruit.ful] adj (14c) 1 a: yielding or producing fruit b:
          conducive to an abundant yield 2: abundantly productive
          syn see fertile -- fruit.ful.ly adv -- fruit.ful.ness
          n

   fruiting body
          [fruiting body] n (1918): a plant organ specialized for producing
          spores; esp: sporophore

   fruition
          [fru.ition] n [ME fruicioun, fr. MF or LL; MF fruition, fr.
          LL fruition-, fruitio, fr. L frui] (15c) 1: pleasurable
          use or possession: enjoyment 2 a: the state of bearing
          fruit b: realization

   fruitless
          [fruit.less] adj (14c) 1: unsuccessful 2: lacking or not
          bearing fruit syn see futile -- fruit.less.ly adv --
          fruit.less.ness n

   fruitlet
          [fruit.let] n (1882) 1: a small fruit 2: a unit of a collective
          fruit

   fruit machine
          [fruit machine] n (1933) Brit: slot machine 2

   fruit sugar
          [fruit sugar] n (ca. 1889): fructose 2

   fruitwood
          [fruit.wood] n, often attrib (1927): the wood of a fruit
          tree (as the apple, cherry, or pear) <~ furniture>

   fruity
          [fruity] adj fruit.i.er ; -est (1657) 1 a: relating to, made
          with, or resembling fruit b: having the flavor or aroma
          of ripe fruit 2 a: extremely effective, interesting,
          or enjoyable b: sweet or sentimental esp. to excess c
          of a voice: rich and deep 3 a slang: crazy, silly b:
          homosexual--often used disparagingly -- fruit.i.ness
          n

   frumenty
          [fru.men.ty] n, pl -ties [ME, fr. MF frumentee, fr. frument
          grain, fr. L frumentum, fr. frui to enjoy--more at brook]
          (14c): a dish of wheat boiled in milk and usu. sweetened
          and spiced

   frump
          [frump] n [prob. fr. frumple (to wrinkle)] (1817) 1: a dowdy
          unattractive girl or woman 2: a staid, drab, old-fashioned
          person

   frumpish
          [frump.ish] adj (ca. 1847): dowdy, drab

   frumpy
          [frumpy] adj frump.i.er ; -est (ca. 1840): dowdy, drab

   [1]frustrate
          [frus.trate] vt frus.trat.ed ; frus.trat.ing [ME, fr. L frustratus,
          pp. of frustrare to deceive, frustrate, fr. frustra in error,
          in vain] (15c) 1 a: to balk or defeat in an endeavor b: to induce
          feelings of discouragement in 2 a (1): to make ineffectual: bring
          to nothing (2): impede, obstruct b: to make invalid or of no effect
          syn frustrate, thwart, foil, baffle, balk mean to check or defeat
          another's plan or block achievement of a goal. frustrate implies
          making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous
          or persistent <frustrated attempts at government reform>. thwart
          suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing <the army
          thwarted his attempt at a coup>. foil implies checking or defeating
          so as to discourage further effort <foiled by her parents,
          he stopped trying to see her>. baffle implies frustration
          by confusing or puzzling <baffled by the maze of rules and
          regulations>. balk suggests the interposing of obstacles
          or hindrances <officials felt that legal restrictions had balked
          their efforts to control crime>. [2]frustrate adj (15c):
          characterized by frustration

   frustrating
          [frus.trat.ing] adj (1871): tending to produce or characterized
          by frustration -- frus.trat.ing.ly adv

   frustration
          [frus.tra.tion] n (1555) 1: the act of frustrating 2 a: the
          state or an instance of being frustrated b: a deep chronic
          sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising
          from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs 3: something
          that frustrates

   frustule
          [frus.tule] n [F, fr. L frustulum, dim. of frustum] (1857):
          the 2-valved siliceous shell of a diatom

   frustum
          [frus.tum] n, pl frustums or frus.ta [NL, fr. L, piece, bit--more
          at bruise] (1658): the basal part of a solid cone or
          pyramid formed by cutting off the top by a plane parallel
          to the base; also: the part of a solid intersected between
          two usu. parallel planes

   frutescent
          [fru.tes.cent] adj [L frutex + E -escent] (1709): having
          or approaching the habit or appearance of a shrub: shrubby

   fruticose
          [fru.ti.cose] adj [L fruticosus, fr. frutic-, frutex shrub]
          (1882): having a shrubby often branched thallus that
          grows perpendicular to the substrate <~ lichens>--compare
          crustose, foliose

   frwy
          [frwy] abbreviation freeway

   [1]fry
          [fry] vb fried ; fry.ing [ME frien, fr. OF frire, fr. L frigere
          to roast; akin to Gk phrygein to roast, fry, Skt bhrjjati
          he roasts] vt (13c): to cook in a pan or on a griddle
          over heat esp. with the use of fat ~ vi 1: to undergo
          frying 2: to get very hot or burn as if being fried <bodies
          ~ing on the beach> [2]fry n, pl fries (1833) 1: a social
          gathering or picnic where food is fried and eaten <a
          fish ~> 2 a: a dish of something fried b: french fry--usu.
          used in pl. [3]fry n, pl fry [ME, prob. fr. ONF fri,
          fr. OF frier, froyer to rub, spawn--more at fray] (14c)
          1 a: recently hatched or juvenile fishes b: the young
          of other animals 2: very small adult fishes 3: members
          of a group or class: individuals <small ~> <a great part
          of the earth is peopled with these ~ --Katherine Mansfield>

   fry bread
          [fry bread] n (1950): quick bread cooked (as by American
          Indians) by deep-frying

   fryer
          [fry.er] n (1851): something intended for or used in frying:
          as a: a young chicken; esp: one weighing 2 1/2 to 4 pounds
          (1.1 to 1.8 kilograms) when dressed b: a deep utensil
          for frying foods

   frying pan
          [frying pan] n (14c): a metal pan with a handle that is used
          for frying foods--called also fry pan -- out of the frying
          pan into the fire : clear of one difficulty only to fall
          into a greater one

   fry-up
          [fry-up] n (1967) Brit: a dish or meal of fried food

   fs...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   fs
          [fs] abbreviation femtosecond  FS abbreviation filmstrip,
          Foreign Service

   FSH
          [FSH] abbreviation follicle-stimulating hormone

   FSLIC
          [FSLIC] abbreviation Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation

   FSO
          [FSO] abbreviation Foreign Service Officer

   ft...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ft
          [ft] abbreviation feet, foot, fort  FT abbreviation Fourier
          transform, free throw, full time

   FTC
          [FTC] abbreviation Federal Trade Commission

   FTE
          [FTE] abbreviation full-time equivalent

   fth
          [fth] abbreviation fathom

   ft lb
          [ft lb] abbreviation foot-pound

   fu...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   fubsy
          [fubsy] adj [obs. E fubs (chubby person)] (1780): chubby
          and somewhat squat

   fuchsia
          [fuch.sia] n [NL, fr. Leonhard Fuchs d. 1566 Ger. botanist]
          (1846) 1: any of a genus (Fuchsia) of decorative shrubs
          of the evening-primrose family having showy nodding flowers
          usu. in deep pinks, reds, and purples 2: a vivid reddish
          purple

   fuchsin
          [fuch.sin] or fuch.sine n [F fuchsine, prob. fr. NL Fuchsia;
          fr. its color] (1865): a dye that is produced by oxidation
          of a mixture of aniline and toluidines and yields a brilliant
          bluish red

   [1]fuck
          [fuck] vb [akin to D fokken to breed (cattle), Sw dial. fokka
          to copulate] vi (15c) 1: copulate--usu. considered
          obscene--sometimes used in the present participle as a meaningless
          intensive 2: mess 3--used with with--usu. considered vulgar
          ~ vt 1: to engage in coitus with--usu. considered
          obscene--sometimes used interjectionally with an object (as
          a personal or reflexive pronoun) to express anger, contempt,
          or disgust 2: to deal with unfairly or harshly: cheat, screw--usu.
          considered vulgar [2]fuck n (1680) 1: an act of copulation--usu.
          considered obscene 2: a sexual partner--usu. considered obscene
          3 a: damn 2--usu. considered vulgar b--used esp. with the
          as a meaningless intensive--usu. considered vulgar <what the
          ~ do they want from me>

   fucked-up
          [fucked-up] adj (1966): thoroughly confused or disordered--usu.
          considered vulgar

   fucker
          [fuck.er] n (1598): one that fucks--often used as a generalized
          term of abuse--usu. considered vulgar

   fuck off
          [fuck off] vi (1929): scram--usu. used as a command--usu.
          considered vulgar

   fuck up
          [fuck up] vi (1951): to act foolishly or stupidly: blunder--usu.
          considered vulgar ~ vt: to ruin or spoil esp. through
          stupidity or carelessness: bungle--usu. considered vulgar
          -- fuck.up n

   [1]fucoid
          [fu.coid] adj [NL Fucus, fr. L] (1839): relating to or resembling
          the rockweeds [2]fucoid n (ca. 1841): a fucoid seaweed
          or fossil

   fucose
          [fu.cose] n [ISV fuc- (fr. L fucus) + -ose] (ca. 1909): an
          aldose sugar that occurs in bound form in the dextrorotatory
          form in various glycosides and in the levorotatory form
          in some brown algae and in mammalian polysaccharides
          typical of some blood groups

   fucoxanthin
          [fu.co.xan.thin] n (1873): a brown carotenoid pigment occurring
          esp. in the chloroplasts of brown algae

   fucus
          [fu.cus] n [L, seaweed, archil, dye obtained from archil,
          fr. Gk phykos] (1599) 1 obs: a face paint 2 [NL, genus
          name, fr. L]: any of a genus (Fucus) of cartilaginous
          brown algae used in the kelp industry; broadly: any of
          various brown algae

   fud
          [fud] n (1913): fuddy-duddy

   fuddle
          [fud.dle] vb fud.dled ; fud.dling [origin unknown] vi (1588):
          booze, tipple ~ vt 1: to make drunk: intoxicate 2: to
          make confused: muddle

   fuddy-duddy
          [fud.dy-dud.dy] n, pl -dies [origin unknown] (ca. 1904):
          one that is old-fashioned, unimaginative, or conservative
          -- fuddy-duddy adj

   [1]fudge
          [fudge] vb fudged ; fudg.ing [origin unknown] vt (1674) 1
          a: to devise as a substitute: fake b: falsify <fudged
          the figures> 2: to fail to come to grips with: dodge
          <fudged the issue> ~ vi 1: to exceed the proper bounds
          or limits of something <feel that the author has fudged
          a little on the ... rules for crime fiction --Newsweek>;
          also: cheat <fudging on an exam> 2: to fail to perform
          as expected 3: to avoid commitment: hedge <the government's
          tendency to ~ on delicate matters of policy --Claire
          Sterling> [2]fudge n (1766) 1: foolish nonsense--often
          used interjectionally to express annoyance, disappointment,
          or disbelief 2: a soft creamy candy made typically of
          sugar, milk, butter, and flavoring 3: something that
          is fudged; esp: a bending of rules or a compromise

   fudge factor
          [fudge factor] n (1962): an arbitrary mathematical term inserted
          into a calculation in order to arrive at an expected
          solution or to allow for errors esp. of underestimation;
          broadly: any arbitrary unspecified factor

   fu dog
          [fu dog] often cap F var of foo dog

   [1]fuel
          [fu.el] n, often attrib [ME fewel, fr. OF fouaille, fr. (assumed)
          VL focalia, fr. L focus hearth] (13c) 1 a: a material
          used to produce heat or power by burning b: nutritive
          material c: a material from which atomic energy can be
          liberated esp. in a reactor 2: a source of sustenance
          or incentive: reinforcement [2]fuel vb -eled or -elled
          ; -el.ing or -el.ling vt (1592) 1: to provide with fuel
          2: support, stimulate <movement is ~ed by massive grants-in-aid
          --Allen Schick> ~ vi: to take in fuel--often used with
          up

   fuel cell
          [fuel cell] n (1922): a device that continuously changes
          the chemical energy of a fuel (as hydrogen) and an oxidant
          directly into electrical energy

   fuel oil
          [fuel oil] n (1893): an oil that is used for fuel and that
          usu. has a higher flash point than kerosene

   fuelwood
          [fuel.wood] n (14c): wood grown or used for fuel

   [1]fug
          [fug] n [perh. alter. of [1]fog] (1888): the stuffy atmosphere
          of a poorly ventilated space; also: a stuffy or malodorous
          emanation -- fug.gy adj [2]fug vb fugged ; fug.ging vi
          (ca. 1889): to loll indoors in a stuffy atmosphere ~
          vt: to make stuffy and odorous

   fugacious
          [fu.ga.cious] adj [L fugac-, fugax, fr. fugere] (1634) 1:
          lasting a short time: evanescent 2: disappearing before
          the usual time--used chiefly of plant parts (as stipules)
          other than floral organs

   fugacity
          [fu.gac.i.ty] n [fugacious] (ca. 1929): the vapor pressure
          of a vapor assumed to be an ideal gas obtained by correcting
          the determined vapor pressure and useful as a measure
          of the escaping tendency of a substance from a heterogeneous
          system

   fugal
          [fu.gal] adj (1854): of, relating to, or being in the style
          of a musical fugue -- fu.gal.ly adv

   -fuge
          [-fuge] n comb form [F, fr. LL -fuga, fr. L fugare to put
          to flight, fr. fuga]: one that drives away <febrifuge>

   [1]fugitive
          [fu.gi.tive] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF fugitif, fr. L fugitivus,
          fr. fugitus, pp. of fugere to flee; akin to Gk pheugein
          to flee] (14c) 1: running away or intending flight <~
          slave> <~ debtor> 2: moving from place to place: wandering
          3 a: being of short duration b: difficult to grasp or
          retain: elusive c: likely to evaporate, deteriorate,
          change, fade, or disappear <dyed with ~ colors> 4: being
          of transient interest <~ essays> syn see transient --
          fu.gi.tive.ly adv -- fu.gi.tive.ness n [2]fugitive n
          (14c) 1: a person who flees or tries to escape; esp:
          refugee 2: something elusive or hard to find

   fugleman
          [fu.gle.man] n [modif. of G Flugelmann, fr. Flugel wing +
          Mann man] (1804) 1: a trained soldier formerly posted
          in front of a line of soldiers at drill to serve as a
          model in their exercises 2: one at the head or forefront
          of a group or movement

   fugu
          [fu.gu] n [Jp] (1909): any of various very poisonous puffers
          (sense 2a) that contain tetrodotoxin and that are used
          as food in Japan after the toxin-containing organs are
          removed

   fugue
          [fugue] n [prob. fr. It fuga flight, fugue, fr. L, flight,
          fr. fugere] (1597) 1 a: a musical composition in which
          one or two themes are repeated or imitated by successively
          entering voices and contrapuntally developed in a continuous
          interweaving of the voice parts b: something that resembles
          a fugue esp. in interweaving repetitive elements 2: a
          disturbed state of consciousness in which the one affected
          seems to perform acts in full awareness but upon recovery
          cannot recollect the deeds -- fugue vb -- fugu.ist n

   fuhrer
          [fuh.rer] or fueh.rer n [G (der) Fuhrer, lit., the leader
          (title assumed by Adolf Hitler), fr. MHG vuerer, fr.
          vueren to lead, bear, fr. OHG fuoren to lead; akin to
          OE faran to go--more at fare] (1934): leader 2; esp:
          tyrant

   fuit Ilium
          [fu.it Ili.um] [L] foreign term : Troy has been (i.e., is
          no more)

   fuji
          [fu.ji] n [Fuji, mountain in Japan] (1925): a spun silk clothing
          fabric in plain weave orig. made in Japan

   [1]-ful
          [-ful] adj suffix, sometimes -ful.ler sometimes -ful.lest
          [ME, fr. OE, fr. full, adj] 1: full of <prideful> 2:
          characterized by <peaceful> 3: having the qualities of
          <masterful> 4: tending, given, or liable to <helpful>
          [2]-ful n suffix: number or quantity that fills or would
          fill <roomful>

   Fula
          [Fu.la] or Fu.lah n, pl Fula or Fulas or Fulah or Fulahs
          (1832) 1: a member of a mainly pastoral African people
          dispersed over savanna and desert from Senegal to eastern
          Sudan 2: the language of the Fula people

   Fulani
          [Fu.la.ni] n, pl -ni or -nis (1860) 1: fula 1; esp: the Fula
          of northern Nigeria and adjacent areas 2: fula 2

   fulcrum
          [ful.crum] n, pl fulcrums or ful.cra [LL, fr. L, bedpost,
          fr. fulcire to prop--more at balk] (1674) 1 a: prop;
          specif: the support about which a lever turns b: one
          that supplies capability for action 2: a part of an animal
          that serves as a hinge or support

   fulfill
          [ful.fill] or ful.fil vt ful.filled ; ful.fill.ing [ME fulfillen,
          fr. OE fullfyllan, fr. full + fyllan to fill] (bef. 12c)
          1 archaic: to make full: fill <her subtle, warm, and
          golden breath ... ~s him with beatitude --Alfred Tennyson>
          2 a: to put into effect: execute b: to bring to an end
          c: to measure up to: satisfy 3 a: to convert into reality
          b: to develop the full potentialities of syn see perform
          -- ful.fill.er n -- ful.fill.ment n

   fulgent
          [ful.gent] adj [ME, fr. L fulgent-, fulgens, prp. of fulgere
          to shine; akin to L flagrare to burn--more at black]
          (15c): dazzlingly bright: radiant -- ful.gent.ly adv

   fulgurant
          [ful.gu.rant] adj (1647): flashing like lightning; also:
          brilliant

   fulguration
          [ful.gu.ra.tion] n [L fulguration-, fulguratio sheet lightning,
          fr. fulgurare to flash with lightning, fr. fulgur lightning,
          fr. fulgere] (1633) 1: the act or process of flashing
          like lightning 2: electrodesiccation -- ful.gu.rate vt

   fulgurite
          [ful.gu.rite] n [ISV, fr. L fulgur] (1834): an often tubular
          vitrified crust produced by the fusion of sand or rock
          by lightning

   fulgurous
          [ful.gu.rous] adj [L fulgur] (1865): flashing with lightning

   fulham
          [ful.ham] n [alter. of earlier fullan, perh. fr. [1]full
          + [3]one] (ca. 1592) archaic: a loaded die

   fuliginous
          [fu.lig.i.nous] adj [LL fuliginosus, fr. L fuligin-, fuligo
          soot; akin to Lith dulis cloud, vapor, and prob. to L
          fumus smoke--more at fume] (1621) 1 a: sooty b: obscure,
          murky 2: having a dark or dusky color -- fu.lig.i.nous.ly
          adv

   [1]full
          [full] adj [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG fol full, L plenus full,
          plere to fill, Gk pleres full, plethein to be full] (bef.
          12c) 1: containing as much or as many as is possible
          or normal <a bin ~ of corn> 2 a: complete esp. in detail,
          number, or duration <a ~ report> <my ~ share> <gone a
          ~ hour> b: lacking restraint, check, or qualification
          <~ retreat> <~ support> c: having all distinguishing
          characteristics: enjoying all authorized rights and privileges
          <~ member> <~ professor> d: not lacking in any essential:
          perfect <in ~ control of your senses> 3 a: being at the
          highest or greatest degree: maximum <~ speed> <~ strength>
          b: being at the height of development <~ bloom> 4: rounded
          in outline <a ~ figure> 5 a: possessing or containing
          a great number or amount--used with of <a room ~ of pictures>
          <~ of hope> b: having an abundance of material esp. in
          the form of gathered, pleated, or flared parts <a ~ skirt>
          c: rich in experience <a ~ life> 6 a: satisfied esp.
          with food or drink b: large enough to satisfy <a ~ meal>
          7 archaic: completely weary 8: having both parents in
          common <~ sisters> 9: having volume or depth of sound
          <~ tones> 10: completely occupied esp. with a thought
          or plan <~ of their own concerns> 11: possessing a rich
          or pronounced quality <a food of ~ flavor> -- full.ness
          also ful.ness n -- full of it : not to be believed syn
          full, complete, plenary, replete mean containing all
          that is wanted or needed or possible. full implies the
          presence or inclusion of everything that is wanted or
          required by something or that can be held, contained,
          or attained by it <a full schedule>. complete applies
          when all that is needed is present <a complete picture
          of the situation>. plenary adds to complete the implication
          of fullness without qualification <given plenary power>.
          replete implies being filled to the brim or to satiety
          <replete with delightful details>. [2]full adv (bef.
          12c) 1 a: very, extremely <knew ~ well they had lied
          to me> b: entirely <swung ~ around --Morley Callaghan>
          2: straight, squarely <got hit ~ in the face> 3--used
          as an intensive <wound up winning by a ~ four strokes
          --William Johnson> [3]full n (14c) 1 a: the highest or
          fullest state or degree <the ~ of the moon> b: the utmost
          extent <enjoy to the ~> 2: the requisite or complete
          amount <paid in ~> [4]full vi (1794) of the moon: to
          become full ~ vt: to make full in sewing [5]full vt [ME,
          fr. MF fouler to trample under foot, fr. ML fullare to
          walk, trample, full, fr. L fullo fuller] (14c): to shrink
          and thicken (woolen cloth) by moistening, heating, and
          pressing

   fullback
          [full.back] n (1887) 1: an offensive football back used primarily
          for line plunges and blocking 2: a primarily defensive
          player usu. stationed nearest the defended goal (as in
          soccer or field hockey)

   full blast
          [full blast] adv (1909): at full capacity: with great intensity

   [1]full-blood
          [full-blood] adj (1812): full-blooded 1 [2]full-blood n (1846):
          a full-blooded individual

   full-blooded
          [full-blood.ed] adj (1774) 1: of unmixed ancestry: purebred
          2: florid, ruddy <of ~ face> 3: forceful <~ prose style>
          4 a: lacking no particulars: genuine b: containing fullness
          of substance: rich -- full-blood.ed.ness n

   full-blown
          [full-blown] adj (1601) 1 a: fully mature b: being at the
          height of bloom c: full-fledged 2: possessing all the
          usual or necessary features <a general philosophy, if
          not a ~ ideology, is emerging --W. H. Jones>

   full-bodied
          [full-bod.ied] adj (1686) 1: having a large body 2 of a beverage:
          imparting to the palate the general impression of substantial
          weight and rich texture 3: having importance, significance,
          or meaningfulness <~ study of literature>

   full circle
          [full circle] adv (1879): through a series of developments
          that lead back to the original source, position, or situation
          or to a complete reversal of the original position--usu.
          used in the phrase come full circle

   full dress
          [full dress] n (1790): the style of dress prescribed for
          ceremonial or formal social occasions

   full-dress
          [full-dress] adj (1761): involving attention to every detail
          in preparation or execution <a ~ rehearsal> <a ~ investigation>

   [1]fuller
          [full.er] n [ME, fr. OE fullere, fr. L fullo] (bef. 12c):
          one that fulls cloth [2]ful.ler n [fuller (to form a
          groove in)] (ca. 1864): a blacksmithing hammer for grooving
          and spreading iron

   fullerene
          [ful.ler.ene] n [R. Buckminster Fuller; fr. the resemblance
          of the molecules to the geodesic domes designed by Fuller]
          (1988): any of a class of closed hollow aromatic carbon
          compounds that are made up of twelve pentagonal and differing
          numbers of hexagonal faces

   fuller's earth
          [fuller's earth] n [[1]fuller; fr. its earlier use as fulling
          agent] (15c): an earthy substance that consists chiefly
          of clay mineral but lacks plasticity and that is used
          as an adsorbent, a filter medium, and a carrier for catalysts

   fuller's teasel
          [ful.ler's teasel] n (15c): teasel 1a

   full-fashioned
          [full-fash.ioned] adj (1883): employing or produced by a
          knitting process for shaping to conform to body lines
          <~ hosiery>

   full-fledged
          [full-fledged] adj (1883) 1: fully developed: total, complete
          <a ~ war> 2: having attained complete status <~ lawyer>

   full house
          [full house] n (1887): a poker hand containing three of a
          kind and a pair--see poker illustration

   full-length
          [full-length] adj (1760) 1: showing or adapted to the entire
          length esp. of the human figure <a ~ mirror> <a ~ dress>
          2: having a length as great as that which is normal or
          standard for an object of its kind <a ~ play>

   full marks
          [full marks] n pl (1916) chiefly Brit: due credit or commendation

   full moon
          [full moon] n (bef. 12c): the moon with its whole apparent
          disk illuminated

   fullmouthed
          [full.mouthed] adj (1577) 1: having a full complement of
          teeth <~ ewes> 2: uttered loudly

   full nelson
          [full nelson] n (ca. 1922): a wrestling hold gained from
          behind an opponent by thrusting the arms under the opponent's
          arms and clasping the hands behind the opponent's head--compare
          half nelson

   full-out
          [full-out] adj (14c): complete, total

   full-scale
          [full-scale] adj (1933) 1: identical to an original in proportion
          and size <~ drawing> 2 a: involving full use of available
          resources <a ~ biography> <~ war> b: total, complete
          <a ~ musical renaissance --Current Biog.>

   full-service
          [full-ser.vice] adj (1957): providing comprehensive service
          of a particular kind <a ~ bank>

   full-size
          [full-size] adj (1832) 1: having the usual or normal size
          of its kind 2: having the dimensions 54 inches by 75
          inches (about 1.4 by 1.9 meters)--used of a bed--compare
          king-size, queen-size, twin-size

   full stop
          [full stop] n (1596): period 5a

   full tilt
          [full tilt] adv [[3]tilt] (1600): at high speed

   full-time
          [full-time] adj (1898) 1: employed for or involving full
          time <~ employees> 2: devoting one's full attention and
          energies to something <a ~ gambler> -- full-time adv

   full time
          [full time] n (1898): the amount of time considered the normal
          or standard amount for working during a given period

   full-timer
          [full-tim.er] n (1864): a person who works full-time

   fully
          [ful.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: in a full manner or degree: completely
          2: at least <~ nine tenths of us> usage see plenty

   fulmar
          [ful.mar] n [of Scand origin; akin to ON fulmar fulmar, fr.
          full foul + mar gull--more at mew] (1698): a seabird
          (Fulmarus glacialis) of colder northern seas closely
          related to the petrels; also: a related bird (F. glacialoides)
          of circumpolar distribution in colder southern seas

   fulminant
          [ful.mi.nant] adj (1602): fulminating 3

   [1]fulminate
          [ful.mi.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [ME, fr. ML fulminatus,
          pp. of fulminare, fr. L, to strike (of lightning), fr.
          fulmin-, fulmen lightning; akin to L flagrare to burn--more
          at black] vt (15c): to utter or send out with denunciation
          ~ vi: to send forth censures or invectives -- ful.mi.na.tion
          n [2]fulminate n [fulminic acid, fr. L fulmin-, fulmen]
          (1826): an often explosive salt (as mercury fulminate)
          containing the group -CNO

   fulminating
          [ful.mi.nat.ing] adj (1626) 1: hurling denunciations or menaces
          2: explosive 3: coming on suddenly with great severity

   fulmine
          [ful.mine] vb (1590) archaic: fulminate

   fulsome
          [ful.some] adj [ME fulsom copious, cloying, fr. full + -som
          -some] (13c) 1 a: characterized by abundance: copious
          <describes in ~ detail --G. N. Shuster> <~ bird life.
          The feeder overcrowded --Maxine Kumin> b: generous in
          amount, extent, or spirit <the passengers were ~ in praise
          of the plane's crew --Don Oliver> <a ~ victory for the
          far left --Bruce Rothwell> <the greetings have been ~,
          the farewells tender --Simon Gray> c: being full and
          well developed <she was in generally ~, limpid voice
          --Thor Eckert, Jr.> 2: aesthetically, morally, or generally
          offensive <~ lies and nauseous flattery --William Congreve>
          <the devil take thee for a ... ~ rogue --George Villiers>
          3: exceeding the bounds of good taste: overdone <the
          ~ chromium glitter of the escalators dominating the central
          hall --Lewis Mumford> 4: excessively complimentary or
          flattering: effusive <an admiration whose extent I did
          not express, lest I be thought ~ --A. J. Liebling> --
          ful.some.ly adv -- ful.some.ness n usage The senses shown
          above are the chief living senses of fulsome. Sense 2,
          which was a generalized term of disparagement in the
          late 17th century, is the least common of these. Fulsome
          became a point of dispute when sense 1, thought to be
          obsolete in the 19th century, began to be revived in
          the 20th. The dispute was exacerbated by the fact that
          the large dictionaries of the first half of the century
          missed the beginnings of the revival. Sense 1 has not
          only been revived but has spread in its application and
          continues to do so. The chief danger for the user of
          fulsome is ambiguity. Unless the context is made very
          clear, the reader or hearer can't be sure whether such
          an expression as "fulsome praise" or "a fulsome tribute"
          is meant in sense 1b or in sense 4.

   fulvous
          [ful.vous] adj [L fulvus; perh. akin to L flavus yellow--more
          at blue] (1664): of a dull brownish yellow: tawny

   Fu Manchu mustache
          [Fu Man.chu mustache] n [Fu Manchu, Chinese villain in stories
          by "Sax Rohmer" (A. S. Ward d. 1955)] (1968): a long
          mustache with ends that turn down to the chin

   fumarase
          [fu.ma.rase] n (1936): an enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion
          (as in the Krebs cycle) of fumaric acid and malic acid or their
          salts

   fumarate
          [fu.ma.rate] n (1864): a salt or ester of fumaric acid

   fumaric acid
          [fu.mar.ic acid] n [ISV, fr. NL Fumaria, genus of herbs,
          fr. LL, fumitory, fr. L fumus] (ca. 1864): a crystalline
          acid found in various plants or made synthetically and
          used esp. in making resins

   fumarole
          [fu.ma.role] n [It fumarola, fr. It dial. (Neapolitan), fr.
          LL fumariolum vent, fr. L fumarium smoke chamber for
          aging wine, fr. fumus] (1811): a hole in a volcanic region
          from which hot gases and vapors issue -- fu.ma.rol.ic
          adj

   [1]fumble
          [fum.ble] vb fum.bled ; fum.bling [prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to Sw fumla to fumble] vi (1534) 1 a: to grope for
          or handle something clumsily or aimlessly b: to make
          awkward attempts to do or find something <fumbled in
          his pocket for a coin> c: to search by trial and error
          d: blunder 2: to feel one's way or move awkwardly 3 a:
          to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder
          b: to lose hold of a football while handling or running
          with it ~ vt 1: to bring about by clumsy manipulation
          2 a: to feel or handle clumsily b: to deal with in a
          blundering way: bungle 3: to make (one's way) in a clumsy
          manner 4 a: misplay <~ a grounder> b: to lose hold of
          (a football) while handling or running -- fum.bler n
          -- fum.bling.ly adv [2]fumble n (1634) 1: an act or instance
          of fumbling 2: a fumbled ball

   [1]fume
          [fume] n [ME, fr. MF fum, fr. L fumus; akin to OHG toumen
          to be fragrant, Skt dhuma smoke, OCS dymu] (14c) 1 a:
          a smoke, vapor, or gas esp. when irritating or offensive
          <engine exhaust ~s> b: an often noxious suspension of
          particles in a gas (as air) 2: something (as an emotion)
          that impairs one's reasoning <sometimes his head gets
          a little hot with the ~s of patriotism --Matthew Arnold>
          3: a state of excited irritation or anger--usu. used
          in the phrase in a fume -- fumy adj [2]fume vb fumed
          ; fum.ing vt (14c) 1: to expose to or treat with fumes
          2: to give off in fumes <fuming thick black smoke> 3:
          to utter while in a state of excited irritation or anger
          ~ vi 1 a: to emit fumes b: to be in a state of excited
          irritation or anger <fretted and fumed over the delay>
          2: to rise in or as if in fumes

   fumet
          [fu.met] n [F, lit., pleasant aroma (of meat cooking), fr.
          MF, fr. fumer to give off smoke or steam, fr. L fumare,
          fr. fumus] (1906): a reduced and seasoned fish, meat,
          or vegetable stock

   fumigant
          [fu.mi.gant] n (1890): a substance used in fumigating

   fumigate
          [fu.mi.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L fumigatus, pp. of fumigare,
          fr. fumus + -igare (akin to L agere to drive)--more at
          agent] (1781): to apply smoke, vapor, or gas to esp.
          for the purpose of disinfecting or of destroying pests
          -- fu.mi.ga.tion n -- fu.mi.ga.tor n

   fumitory
          [fu.mi.to.ry] n [ME fumeterre, fr. MF, fr. ML fumus terrae,
          lit., smoke of the earth, fr. L fumus + terrae, gen.
          of terra earth--more at terrace] (14c): any of a genus
          (Fumaria of the family Fumariaceae, the fumitory family)
          of erect or climbing herbs; esp: a common European herb
          (F. officinalis)

   [1]fun
          [fun] n [E dial. fun to hoax, perh. alter. of ME fonnen,
          fr. fonne dupe] (1727) 1: what provides amusement or
          enjoyment; specif: playful often boisterous action or
          speech <full of ~> 2: a mood for finding or making amusement
          <all in ~> 3 a: amusement, enjoyment <sickness takes
          all the ~ out of life> b: derisive jest: sport, ridicule
          <a figure of ~> 4: violent or excited activity or argument
          <let a snake loose in the classroom; then the ~ began>
          syn fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech
          that provides amusement or arouses laughter. fun usu.
          implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack
          of serious or ulterior purpose <played cards just for
          fun>. jest implies lack of earnestness in what is said
          or done and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing <hurt by
          remarks said only in jest>. sport applies esp. to the
          arousing of laughter against someone <teasing begun in
          sport led to anger>. game is close to sport, and often
          stresses mischievous or malicious fun <made game of their
          poor relations>. play stresses the opposition to earnest
          without implying any element of malice or mischief <pretended
          to strangle his brother in play>. [2]fun vi funned ;
          fun.ning (1833): to indulge in banter or play: joke [3]fun
          adj, sometimes fun.ner sometimes fun.nest (ca. 1846)
          1: providing entertainment, amusement, or enjoyment <a
          ~ party> <a ~ person to be with> 2: full of fun: pleasant
          <a ~ night> <have a ~ time>

   funambulism
          [fu.nam.bu.lism] n [L funambulus ropewalker, fr. funis rope
          + ambulare to walk] (1824) 1: tightrope walking 2: a
          show esp. of mental agility -- fu.nam.bu.list n

   fun and games
          [fun and games] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1920): light
          amusement

   [1]function
          [func.tion] n [L function-, functio performance, fr. fungi
          to perform; prob. akin to Skt bhunkte he enjoys] (1533)
          1: professional or official position: occupation 2: the
          action for which a person or thing is specially fitted
          or used or for which a thing exists: purpose 3: any of
          a group of related actions contributing to a larger action;
          esp: the normal and specific contribution of a bodily
          part to the economy of a living organism 4: an official
          or formal ceremony or social gathering 5 a: a mathematical
          correspondence that assigns exactly one element of one
          set to each element of the same or another set b: a variable
          (as a quality, trait, or measurement) that depends on
          and varies with another <height is a ~ of age>; also:
          result <illnesses that are a ~ of stress> 6: characteristic
          behavior of a chemical compound due to a particular reactive
          unit; also: functional group 7: a computer subroutine;
          specif: one that performs a calculation with variables
          provided by a program and supplies the program with a
          single result -- func.tion.less adj syn function, office,
          duty, province mean the acts or operations expected of
          a person or thing. function implies a definite end or
          purpose that the one in question serves or a particular
          kind of work it is intended to perform <the function
          of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to
          give information --Aldous Huxley>. office is typically
          applied to the function or service expected of a person
          by reason of his trade or profession or his special relationship
          to others <they exercise the offices of the judge, the
          priest, the counsellor --W. E. Gladstone>. duty applies
          to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation,
          rank, status, or calling <it is the judicial duty of
          the court, to examine the whole case --R. B. Taney>.
          province applies to a function, office, or duty that
          naturally or logically falls to one <nursing does not
          belong to a man; it is not his province --Jane Austen>.
          [2]function vi func.tioned ; func.tion.ing (1856) 1:
          to have a function: serve <an attributive noun ~s as
          an adjective> 2: to carry on a function or be in action:
          operate <a government ~s through numerous divisions>

   functional
          [func.tion.al] adj (1631) 1 a: of, connected with, or being
          a function b: affecting physiological or psychological
          functions but not organic structure <~ heart disease>
          2: used to contribute to the development or maintenance
          of a larger whole <~ and practical school courses>; also:
          designed or developed chiefly from the point of view
          of use <~ clothing> 3: performing or able to perform
          a regular function -- func.tion.al.ity n -- func.tion.al.ly
          adv

   functional calculus
          [functional calculus] n (1933): predicate calculus

   functional group
          [functional group] n (1943): a characteristic reactive unit
          of a chemical compound esp. in organic chemistry

   functional illiterate
          [functional illiterate] n (1946): a person having had some
          schooling but not meeting a minimum standard of literacy
          -- functionally illiterate adj

   functionalism
          [func.tion.al.ism] n (1914) 1: a philosophy of design (as
          in architecture) holding that form should be adapted
          to use, material, and structure 2: a theory that stresses
          the interdependence of the patterns and institutions
          of a society and their interaction in maintaining cultural
          and social unity 3: a doctrine or practice that emphasizes
          practical utility or functional relations -- func.tion.al.ist
          n -- functionalist or func.tion.al.is.tic adj

   functional shift
          [functional shift] n (1942): the process by which a word
          or form comes to be used in another grammatical function

   functionary
          [func.tion.ary] n, pl -ar.ies (1791) 1: one who serves in
          a certain function 2: one holding office in a government
          or political party

   function word
          [function word] n (1940): a word (as a preposition, auxiliary
          verb, or conjunction) expressing primarily grammatical
          relationship

   functor
          [func.tor] n (1935): something that performs a function or
          an operation

   fund
          [fund] abbreviation fundamental

   [1]fund
          [fund] n [L fundus bottom, country estate--more at bottom]
          (1694) 1 a: a sum of money or other resources whose principal
          or interest is set apart for a specific objective b:
          money on deposit on which checks or drafts can be drawn--usu.
          used in pl. c: capital d pl: the stock of the British
          national debt--usu. used with the 2: an available quantity
          of material or intangible resources: supply 3 pl: available
          pecuniary resources 4: an organization administering
          a special fund [2]fund vt (1789) 1 a: to make provision
          of resources for discharging the interest or principal
          of b: to provide funds for <a science program federally
          ~ed> 2: to place in a fund: accumulate 3: to convert
          into a debt that is payable either at a distant date
          or at no definite date and that bears a fixed interest
          <~ a floating debt>

   fundament
          [fun.da.ment] n [ME, fr. OF fondement, fr. L fundamentum,
          fr. fundare to found, fr. fundus] (13c) 1: an underlying
          ground, theory, or principle 2 a: buttocks b: anus 3:
          the part of a land surface that has not been altered
          by human activities

   [1]fundamental
          [fun.da.men.tal] adj (15c) 1 a: serving as an original or
          generating source: primary <a discovery ~ to modern computers>
          b: serving as a basis supporting existence or determining
          essential structure or function: basic 2 a: of or relating
          to essential structure, function, or facts: radical <~
          change>; also: of or dealing with general principles
          rather than practical application <~ science> b: adhering
          to fundamentalism 3: of, relating to, or produced by
          the lowest component of a complex vibration 4: of central
          importance: principal <~ purpose> 5: belonging to one's
          innate or ingrained characteristics: deep-rooted <her
          ~ good humor> syn see essential -- fun.da.men.tal.ly
          adv [2]fundamental n (1637) 1: something fundamental;
          esp: one of the minimum constituents without which a
          thing or a system would not be what it is 2 a: the principal
          musical tone produced by vibration (as of a string or
          column of air) on which a series of higher harmonics
          is based b: the root of a chord 3: the harmonic component
          of a complex wave that has the lowest frequency and commonly
          the greatest amplitude

   fundamental group
          [fundamental group] n (1957): a set that is a subset of all
          paths defined on a set of points each pair of which is
          joined by a path and that is the quotient group of the
          group of all paths beginning and ending with a given
          point

   fundamentalism
          [fun.da.men.tal.ism] n (1922) 1 a often cap: a movement in
          20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally
          interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and
          teaching b: the beliefs of this movement c: adherence
          to such beliefs 2: a movement or attitude stressing strict
          and literal adherence to a set of basic principles --
          fun.da.men.tal.ist n -- fundam entalist or fun.da.men.tal.is.tic
          adj

   fundamental law
          [fundamental law] n (ca. 1914): the organic or basic law
          of a political unit as distinguished from legislative
          acts; specif: constitution

   fundamental particle
          [fundamental particle] n (1947): elementary particle

   fundic
          [fun.dic] adj (ca. 1927): of or relating to a fundus

   fund-raiser
          [fund-rais.er] n (1957) 1: a person employed to raise funds
          2: a social event (as a cocktail party) held for the
          purpose of raising funds

   fund-raising
          [fund-rais.ing] n, often attrib (1940): the organized activity
          of raising funds (as for an institution or political
          cause)

   fundus
          [fun.dus] n, pl fun.di [NL, fr. L, bottom] (1764): the bottom
          of or part opposite the aperture of the internal surface
          of a hollow organ: as a: the greater curvature of the
          stomach b: the lower back part of the bladder c: the
          large upper end of the uterus d: the part of the eye
          opposite the pupil

   [1]funeral
          [fu.ner.al] adj [ME, fr. LL funeralis, fr. L funer-, funus
          funeral (n.)] (14c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          a funeral 2: funereal 2 [2]funeral n [ME funerelles (pl.),
          fr. MF funerailles (pl.), fr. ML funeralia (pl.), fr.
          LL, neut. pl. of funeralis, adj.] (ca. 1512) 1: the observances
          held for a dead person usu. before burial or cremation
          2 chiefly dial: a funeral sermon 3: a funeral procession
          4: an end of something's existence 5: a matter of concern
          to one: worry <if you flunk, that's your ~>

   funeral director
          [funeral director] n (1886): one whose profession is the
          management of funerals and who is usu. an embalmer

   funeral home
          [funeral home] n (1926): an establishment with facilities
          for the preparation of the dead for burial or cremation,
          for the viewing of the body, and for funerals--called
          also funeral parlor

   funerary
          [fu.ner.ary] adj (ca. 1693): of, used for, or associated
          with burial <a pharaoh's ~ chamber>

   funereal
          [fu.ne.re.al] adj [L funereus, fr. funer-, funus] (1725)
          1: of or relating to a funeral 2: befitting or suggesting
          a funeral (as in solemnity) -- fu.ne.re.al.ly adv

   funfair
          [fun.fair] n (1925) chiefly Brit: amusement park

   fungal
          [fun.gal] adj (1835) 1: of, relating to, or having the
          characteristics of fungi 2: caused by a fungus

   fungi-
          [fungi-] comb form [L fungus]: fungus <fungiform>

   [1]fungible
          [fun.gi.ble] n (ca. 1765): something that is fungible--usu.
          used in pl. [2]fungible adj [NL fungibilis, fr. L fungi
          to perform--more at function] (1818) 1: being of such
          a nature that one part or quantity may be replaced by
          another equal part or quantity in the satisfaction of
          an obligation <oil, wheat, and lumber are ~ commodities>
          2: interchangeable -- fun.gi.bil.i.ty n

   fungicidal
          [fun.gi.cid.al] adj (1905): antifungal -- fun.gi.cid.al.ly
          adv

   fungicide
          [fun.gi.cide] n [ISV] (1889): an agent that destroys fungi
          or inhibits their growth

   fungiform
          [fun.gi.form] adj (1823): shaped like a mushroom

   fungistatic
          [fun.gi.stat.ic] adj (1922): inhibiting the growth of fungi
          without destroying them

   fungo
          [fun.go] n, pl fungoes [origin unknown] (ca. 1867) 1: a fly
          ball hit esp. for practice fielding by a player who tosses
          a ball in the air and hits it as it comes down 2: fungo
          bat

   fungo bat
          [fungo bat] n (1926): a long thin bat used for hitting fungoes

   fungoid
          [fun.goid] adj (ca. 1836): resembling, characteristic of,
          caused by, or being a fungus <a ~ growth> -- fungoid
          n

   fungous
          [fun.gous] adj (15c): fungal

   fungus
          [fun.gus] n, pl fun.gi also fun.gus.es often attrib [L] (1527):
          any of a major group (Fungi) of saprophytic and parasitic
          spore-producing organisms usu. classified as plants that
          lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts,
          mushrooms, and yeasts

   fun house
          [fun house] n (1948): a building in an amusement park that
          contains various devices designed to startle or amuse

   [1]funicular
          [fu.nic.u.lar] adj [L funiculus] (1664) 1: having the form
          of or associated with a cord usu. under tension 2 [NL
          funiculus]: of, relating to, or being a funiculus 3:
          of, relating to, or being a funicular <a ~ system> [2]funicular
          n (1911): a cable railway ascending a mountain; esp:
          one in which an ascending car counterbalances a descending
          car

   funiculus
          [fu.nic.u.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. L, dim. of funis rope]
          (1826) 1: a bodily structure suggesting a cord; esp:
          a bundle of nerve fibers 2: the stalk of a plant ovule

   [1]funk
          [funk] vi (ca. 1739): to become frightened and shrink back
          ~ vt 1: to be afraid of: dread 2: to shrink from undertaking
          or facing [2]funk n [prob. fr. obs. Flem fonck] (1743)
          1 a: a state of paralyzing fear b: a depressed state
          of mind 2: one that funks: coward [3]funk n [back-formation
          fr. [2]funky] (1959) 1: music that combines traditional
          forms of black music (as blues, gospel, or soul) and
          is characterized by a strong backbeat 2: the quality
          or state of being funky <jeans ... have lost much of
          their ~ --Tom Wolfe>

   funk hole
          [funk hole] n (1900) 1: dugout 2 2: a place of safe retreat

   funkia
          [fun.kia] n [NL, genus name, fr. C. H. Funck d. 1839 Ger.
          botanist] (1839): plantain lily

   [1]funky
          [funky] adj (1845): being in a funk: panicky [2]funky adj
          funk.i.er ; -est [funk (offensive odor)] (ca. 1899) 1:
          having an offensive odor: foul 2: having an earthy unsophisticated
          style and feeling; esp: having the style and feeling of older black
          American music (as blues or gospel) or of funk <a slick, heavy beat
          that is unmistakably contemporary and irresistibly ~ --Jay Cocks>
          3 a: odd or quaint in appearance or feeling b: lacking style
          or taste c: unconventionally stylish: hip -- funk.i.ness n

   [1]funnel
          [fun.nel] n [ME fonel, fr. OProv fonilh, fr. ML fundibulum,
          short for L infundibulum, fr. infundere to pour in, fr.
          in- + fundere to pour--more at found] (15c) 1 a: a utensil
          that is usu. a hollow cone with a tube extending from
          the smaller end and that is designed to catch and direct
          a downward flow b: something shaped like a funnel 2:
          a stack or flue for the escape of smoke or for ventilation
          (as on a ship) [2]funnel vb -neled also -nelled ; -nel.ing
          also -nel.ling vi (1594) 1: to have or take the shape
          of a funnel 2: to pass through or as if through a funnel
          or conduit ~ vt 1: to form in the shape of a funnel <~ed
          his hands and shouted through them> 2: to move to a focal
          point or into a conduit or central channel <contributions
          were ~ed into one account>

   funnel cloud
          [funnel cloud] n (ca. 1909): a funnel-shaped cloud that projects
          from the base of a thundercloud and that often betokens
          the formation of a tornado; also: tornado 2b

   funnelform
          [fun.nel.form] adj (ca. 1828): infundibuliform

   [1]funny
          [fun.ny] adj fun.ni.er ; -est (1756) 1 a: affording light
          mirth and laughter: amusing b: seeking or intended to
          amuse: facetious 2: differing from the ordinary in a
          suspicious, perplexing, quaint, or eccentric way: peculiar--often
          used as a sentence modifier <~, things didn't turn out
          the way we planned> 3: involving trickery or deception
          <told his prisoner not to try anything ~> -- fun.ni.ly
          adv -- fun.ni.ness n -- funny adv [2]funny n, pl funnies
          (1852) 1: one that is funny; esp: joke 2 pl: comic strips
          or the comic section of a periodical--usu. used with
          the

   funny bone
          [funny bone] n [fr. the tingling felt when it is struck]
          (1840) 1: the place at the back of the elbow where the
          ulnar nerve rests against a prominence of the humerus
          2: a sense of humor

   funny book
          [funny book] n (1947): comic book

   funny car
          [funny car] n (1969): a specialized dragster that has a one-piece
          molded body resembling the body of a mass-produced car

   funny farm
          [funny farm] n (1963) slang: a psychiatric hospital

   funnyman
          [fun.ny.man] n (1852): comedian 2, humorist

   funny money
          [funny money] n (1943) 1: artificially inflated currency
          2: counterfeit money

   funny paper
          [funny paper] n (1924): a comic section of a newspaper

   [1]fur
          [fur] vb furred ; fur.ring [ME furren, fr. MF fourrer, fr.
          OF forrer, fr. fuerre sheath, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OHG fuotar sheath; akin to Gk poma lid, cover, Skt pati
          he protects] vt (14c) 1: to cover, line, trim, or clothe
          with fur 2: to coat or clog as if with fur 3: to apply
          furring to ~ vi: to become coated or clogged as if with
          fur [2]fur n, often attrib (14c) 1: a piece of the dressed
          pelt of an animal used to make, trim, or line wearing
          apparel 2: an article of clothing made of or with fur
          3: the hairy coat of a mammal esp. when fine, soft, and
          thick; also: such a coat with the skin 4: a coating resembling
          fur: as a: a coat of epithelial debris on the tongue
          b: the thick pile of a fabric (as chenille) -- fur.less
          adj

   fur
          [fur] abbreviation furlong

   furan
          [fu.ran] also fu.rane n [ISV, fr. furfural] (1894): a flammable
          liquid that is obtained from wood oils of pines or made
          synthetically and is used esp. in organic synthesis;
          also: a derivative of furan

   furanose
          [fu.ra.nose] n (1927): a sugar having an oxygen-containing
          ring of five atoms

   furanoside
          [fu.ran.o.side] n (1932): a glycoside containing the ring
          characteristic of furanose

   furazolidone
          [fu.ra.zol.i.done] n [furfural + azole + -ide + -one] (1955):
          an antimicrobial drug used against bacteria and some
          protozoa esp. in infections of the gastrointestinal tract

   furbearer
          [fur.bear.er] n (1875): an animal that bears fur esp. of
          a commercially desired quality

   furbelow
          [fur.be.low] n [by folk etymology fr. F dial. farbella] (1706)
          1: a pleated or gathered piece of material; esp: a flounce
          on women's clothing 2: something that suggests a furbelow
          esp. in being showy or superfluous -- furbelow vt

   furbish
          [fur.bish] vt [ME furbisshen, fr. MF fourbiss-, stem of fourbir,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG furben to polish] (14c) 1:
          to make lustrous: polish 2: to give a new look to: renovate--often
          used with up -- fur.bish.er n

   furcation
          [fur.ca.tion] n [ML furcation-, furcatio, fr. furcare to
          branch, fr. L furca fork] (1646) 1: something that is
          branched: fork 2: the act or process of branching

   furcula
          [fur.cu.la] n, pl -lae [NL, fr. L, forked prop, dim. of furca]
          (1859): a forked process or part: as a: wishbone b: the
          forked leaping appendage arising from the fourth abdominal
          segment of a springtail

   furfural
          [fur.fu.ral] n [L furfur bran + ISV [3]-al] (1879): a liquid
          aldehyde of penetrating odor that is usu. made from plant
          materials and used esp. in making furan or phenolic resins
          and as a solvent

   furioso
          [fu.ri.o.so] adv or adj [It, lit., furious] (ca. 1823): with
          great force or vigor--used as a direction in music

   furious
          [fu.ri.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF furieus, fr. L furiosus, fr.
          furia madness, fury] (14c) 1 a (1): exhibiting or goaded
          by anger (2): indicative of or proceeding from anger
          b: giving a stormy or turbulent appearance <~ bursts
          of flame> c: marked by noise, excitement, activity, or
          rapidity 2: intense 1a <the ~ growth of tropical vegetation>
          -- fu.ri.ous.ly adv

   [1]furl
          [furl] vb [MF ferler, fr. ONF ferlier to tie tightly, fr.
          OF fer, ferm tight (fr. L firmus firm) + lier to tie,
          fr. L ligare--more at ligature] vt (1556): to wrap or
          roll (as a sail or a flag) close to or around something
          ~ vi: to curl or fold as in being furled [2]furl n (1643)
          1: a furled coil 2: the act of furling

   furlong
          [fur.long] n [ME, fr. OE furlang, fr. furh furrow + lang
          long] (14c): a unit of distance equal to 220 yards (about
          201 meters)

   [1]furlough
          [fur.lough] n [D verlof, lit., permission, fr. MD, fr. ver-
          for- + lof permission; akin to MHG loube permission--more
          at for-, leave] (1625): a leave of absence from duty
          granted esp. to a soldier; also: a document authorizing
          such a leave of absence [2]furlough vt (1781) 1: to grant
          a furlough to 2: to lay off from work

   furmity
          [fur.mi.ty] var of frumenty

   furnace
          [fur.nace] n [ME furnas, fr. OF fornaise, fr. L fornac-,
          fornax; akin to L formus warm--more at therm] (13c):
          an enclosed structure in which heat is produced (as for
          heating a house or for reducing ore)

   furnish
          [fur.nish] vt [ME furnisshen, fr. MF fourniss-, stem of fournir
          to complete, equip, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG frummen
          to further, fruma advantage--more at foremost] (15c)
          1: to provide with what is needed; esp: to equip with
          furniture 2: supply, give <~ed food and shelter for the
          refugees> -- fur.nish.er n syn furnish, equip, outfit,
          appoint, accoutre mean to supply one with what is needed.
          furnish implies the provision of any or all essentials
          for performing a function <a sparsely furnished apartment>.
          equip suggests the provision of something making for
          efficiency in action or use <a fully equipped kitchen>.
          outfit implies provision of a complete list or set of
          articles as for a journey, an expedition, or a special
          occupation <outfitted the family for a ski trip>. appoint
          implies provision of complete and usu. elegant or elaborate
          equipment or furnishings <a lavishly appointed apartment>.
          accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or
          equipment for a special activity <fully accoutred members
          of a polar expedition>.

   furnishing
          [fur.nish.ing] n (1594) 1: an article or accessory of dress--usu.
          used in pl. 2: an object that tends to increase comfort
          or utility; esp: an article of furniture for the interior
          of a building--usu. used in pl.

   furniture
          [fur.ni.ture] n [MF fourniture, fr. fournir] (1542): equipment
          that is necessary, useful, or desirable: as a archaic:
          the trappings of a horse b: movable articles used in
          readying an area (as a room or patio) for occupancy or
          use

   furniture beetle
          [furniture beetle] n (1925): a widespread deathwatch beetle
          (Anobium punctatum) noted for boring in and damaging
          furniture and seasoned wood

   furor
          [fu.ror] n [MF & L; MF, fr. L, fr. furere to rage] (15c)
          1: an angry or maniacal fit: rage 2: fury 4 3: a fashionable
          craze: vogue 4 a: furious or hectic activity b: an outburst
          of public excitement or indignation: uproar

   furore
          [fu.rore] n [It, fr. L furor] (1790) 1: furor 4b 2: furor
          3

   furor loquendi
          [fu.ror lo.quen.di] [L] foreign term : rage for speaking

   furor poeticus
          [furor po.e.ti.cus] [L] foreign term : poetic frenzy

   furor scribendi
          [furor scri.ben.di] [L] foreign term : rage for writing

   furosemide
          [fu.ro.se.mide] n [furfural + -o- + sulf- + -emide, prob.
          alter. of amide] (1965): a powerful diuretic used esp.
          to treat edema

   furred
          [furred] adj [ME] (14c) 1: lined, trimmed, or faced with
          fur 2: coated as if with fur; specif: having a coating
          consisting chiefly of mucus and dead epithelial cells
          <a ~ tongue> 3: bearing or wearing fur 4: provided with
          furring <~ wall>

   furrier
          [fur.ri.er] n [alter. of ME furrer, fr. AF furrere, fr. OF
          forrer to fur--more at fur] (14c) 1: a fur dealer 2 a:
          one that dresses furs b: one that makes, repairs, alters,
          or cleans fur garments

   furriery
          [fur.ri.ery] n (ca. 1864) 1: the fur business 2: fur craftsmanship

   furriner
          [fur.rin.er] n [alter. of foreigner] (1849): foreigner 2--used
          to represent a dial. pronunc.

   furring
          [fur.ring] n (14c) 1: a fur trimming or lining 2 a: the application
          of thin wood, brick, or metal to joists, studs, or walls to form
          a level surface (as for attaching wallboard) or an air space b: the
          material used in this process

   [1]furrow
          [fur.row] n [ME furgh, forow, fr. OE furh; akin to OHG furuh
          furrow, L porca] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a trench in the earth
          made by a plow b: plowed land: field 2: something that
          resembles the track of a plow: as a: a marked narrow
          depression: groove b: a deep wrinkle <~s in his brow>
          [2]furrow vt (15c): to make furrows, grooves, wrinkles,
          or lines in ~ vi: to make or form furrows, grooves, wrinkles,
          or lines

   furry
          [fur.ry] adj fur.ri.er ; -est (ca. 1674) 1: consisting of
          or resembling fur <animals with ~ coats> 2: covered with
          fur 3: thick in quality <spoke with a ~ voice>

   fur seal
          [fur seal] n (1775): any of two genera (Callorhinus and
          Arctocephalus) of eared seals that have a double coat with a dense
          soft underfur

   [1]further
          [fur.ther] adv [ME, fr. OE furthor (akin to OHG furthar further),
          compar., fr. the base of OE forth forth] (bef. 12c) 1:
          farther 1 <my ponies are tired, and I have ~ to go --Thomas
          Hardy> 2: in addition: moreover 3: to a greater degree
          or extent <~ annoyed by a second intrusion> usage see
          farther [2]further vt fur.thered ; fur.ther.ing (bef.
          12c): to help forward: promote syn see advance -- fur.ther.er
          n [3]further adj (13c) 1: farther 1 <rode ... across
          the valley and up the ~ slopes --T. E. Lawrence> 2: going
          or extending beyond: additional <~ volumes> <~ education>
          usage see farther

   furtherance
          [fur.ther.ance] n (15c): the act of furthering: advancement

   further education
          [further education] n (1937) Brit: adult education

   furthermore
          [fur.ther.more] adv (13c): in addition to what precedes:
          besides

   furthermost
          [fur.ther.most] adj (15c): most distant: farthest

   furthest
          [fur.thest] adv or adj (14c): farthest

   furtive
          [fur.tive] adj [F or L; F furtif, fr. L furtivus, fr. furtum
          theft, fr. fur thief, fr. or akin to Gk phor thief, pherein
          to carry--more at bear] (1612) 1 a: done by stealth:
          surreptitious b: expressive of stealth: sly <had a ~
          look about him> 2: obtained underhandedly: stolen syn
          see secret -- fur.tive.ly adv -- fur.tive.ness n

   furuncle
          [fu.run.cle] n [L furunculus petty thief, boil, dim. of furon-,
          furo ferret, thief, fr. fur] (1676): [2]boil

   furunculosis
          [fu.run.cu.lo.sis] n, pl -lo.ses [NL] (1886) 1: the condition
          of having or tending to develop multiple furuncles 2:
          a highly infectious disease of various salmonoid fishes
          (as trout) that is caused by a bacterium (Bacterium salmonicida)
          and is esp. virulent in dense fish populations (as in
          hatcheries)

   fury
          [fu.ry] n, pl furies [ME furie, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L furia,
          fr. furere to rage] (14c) 1: intense, disordered, and
          often destructive rage 2 a cap: any of the avenging deities
          in Greek mythology who torment criminals and inflict
          plagues b: an avenging spirit c: one who resembles an
          avenging spirit; esp: a spiteful woman 3: extreme fierceness
          or violence 4: a state of inspired exaltation: frenzy
          syn see anger

   furze
          [furze] n [ME firse, fr. OE fyrs; akin to Russ pyrei quack
          grass, Gk pyros wheat] (bef. 12c): gorse -- furzy adj

   fuscous
          [fus.cous] adj [L fuscus--more at dusk] (1662): of any of
          several colors averaging a brownish gray

   [1]fuse
          [fuse] vb fused ; fus.ing [L fusus, pp. of fundere to pour,
          melt--more at found] vt (1592) 1: to reduce to a liquid
          or plastic state by heat 2: to blend thoroughly by or
          as if by melting together: combine <in her richest work
          she ~s comedy and tragedy --T. A. Gullason> 3: to stitch
          by applying heat and pressure with or without the use
          of an adhesive ~ vi 1 a: to become fluid with heat b
          Brit: to fail because of the blowing of a fuse 2: to
          become blended or joined by or as if by melting together
          syn see mix [2]fuse n (1884): an electrical safety device
          consisting of or including a wire or strip of fusible
          metal that melts and interrupts the circuit when the
          current exceeds a particular amperage [3]fuse n [It fuso
          spindle, fr. L fusus, of unknown origin] (1644) 1: a
          continuous train of a combustible substance enclosed
          in a cord or cable for setting off an explosive charge
          by transmitting fire to it 2 usu fuze : a mechanical
          or electrical detonating device for setting off the bursting
          charge of a projectile, bomb, or torpedo [4]fuse or fuze
          vt fused or fuzed ; fus.ing or fuz.ing (1802): to equip
          with a fuse

   fused quartz
          [fused quartz] n (1925): quartz glass--called also fused
          silica

   fusee
          [fu.see] n [F fusee, lit., spindleful of yarn, fr. OF, fr.
          fus spindle, fr. L fusus] (1622) 1: a conical spirally
          grooved pulley in a timepiece from which a cord or chain
          unwinds onto a barrel containing the spring and which
          by its increasing diameter compensates for the lessening
          power of the spring 2: a red signal flare used esp. for
          protecting stalled trains and trucks

   fuselage
          [fu.se.lage] n [F, fr. fusele spindle-shaped, fr. MF, fr.
          fusel, dim. of fus] (1909): the central bo dy portion
          of an aircraft designed to accommodate the crew and the
          passengers or cargo--see airplane illustration

   fusel oil
          [fu.sel oil] n [G Fusel bad liquor] (1850): an acrid oily
          liquid occurring in insufficiently distilled alcoholic
          liquors, consisting chiefly of amyl alcohol, and used
          esp. as a source of alcohols and as a solvent

   fusible
          [fus.ible] adj (14c): capable of being fused and esp. liquefied
          by heat <~ alloy> -- fus.ibil.i.ty n

   fusiform
          [fu.si.form] adj [L fusus spindle] (1746): tapering toward
          each end <~ bacteria>

   [1]fusil
          [fu.sil] or fu.sile adj [ME, fr. L fusilis, fr. fundere]
          (14c) 1 archaic a: made by melting and pouring into forms:
          cast b: liquefied by heat 2 archaic: fusible [2]fusil
          n [F, lit., steel for striking fire, fr. OF foisil, fr.
          (assumed) VL focilis, fr. LL focus fire--more at fuel]
          (1680): a light flintlock musket

   fusilier
          [fu.sil.ier] or fu.sil.eer n [F fusilier, fr. fusil] (1680)
          1: a soldier armed with a fusil 2: a member of a British
          regiment formerly armed with fusils

   fusillade
          [fu.sil.lade] n [F, fr. fusiller to shoot, fr. fusil] (1801)
          1 a: a number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid
          succession b: something that gives the effect of a fusillade
          <a ~ of rocks and bottles> 2: a spirited outburst esp.
          of criticism

   fusilli
          [fu.sil.li] n [It, pl. of fusillo, fr. It dial. (southern
          Italy), dim. of fuso spindle, fr. L fusus] (1948): spiral-shaped
          pasta

   fusion
          [fu.sion] n, often attrib [L fusion-, fusio, fr. fundere]
          (1555) 1: the act or process of liquefying or rendering
          plastic by heat 2: a union by or as if by melting: as
          a: a merging of diverse, distinct, or separate elements
          into a unified whole b: a political partnership: coalition
          c: popular music combining different styles (as jazz
          and rock) 3: the union of atomic nuclei to form heavier
          nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities
          of energy when certain light elements unite

   fusionist
          [fu.sion.ist] n (1851): a person involved in a political
          fusion or in nuclear or musical fusion

   [1]fuss
          [fuss] n [origin unknown] (1701) 1 a: needless bustle or
          excitement: commotion b: a show of flattering attention
          <made a big ~ over his favorite niece> 2 a: a state of
          agitation esp. over a trivial matter b: objection, protest
          c: an often petty controversy or quarrel <ended up having
          a pretty good ~ with my wife --Mac Hyman> [2]fuss vi
          (1792) 1 a: to create or be in a state of restless activity;
          esp: to shower flattering attentions <~ing over the grandchildren>
          b: to pay close or undue attention to small details <~ed with her
          hair> 2 a: to become upset: worry b: to express annoyance or pique:
          complain ~ vt: agitate, upset -- fuss.er n

   fussbudget
          [fuss.bud.get] n (ca. 1904): one who fusses or is fussy esp.
          about trifles -- fuss.bud.gety adj

   fusspot
          [fuss.pot] n (1921): fussbudget

   fussy
          [fussy] adj fuss.i.er ; -est (1831) 1: easily upset: irritable
          2: overly decorative <a ~ wallpaper pattern> 3 a: requiring
          or giving close attention to details <~ bookkeeping procedures>
          b: revealing a sometimes extreme concern for niceties:
          fastidious, picky -- fuss.i.ly adv -- fuss.i.ness n

   fustian
          [fus.tian] n [ME, fr. OF fustaine, fr. ML fustaneum, perh.
          fr. fustis tree trunk, fr. L, club] (13c) 1 a: a strong
          cotton and linen fabric b: a class of cotton fabrics
          usu. having a pile face and twill weave 2: highflown
          or affected writing or speech; broadly: anything highflown
          or affected in style -- fus.tian adj

   fustic
          [fus.tic] n [ME fustyk smoke tree, fr. MF fustoc, fr. Ar
          fustuq, fr. Gk pistake pistachio tree--more at pistachio]
          (15c): the wood of a tropical American tree (Chlorophora
          tinctoria) of the mulberry family that yields a yellow
          dye; also: any of several similar dyewoods

   fustigate
          [fus.ti.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [LL fustigatus, pp. of
          fustigare, fr. L fustis + -igare (as in fumigare to fumigate)]
          (ca. 1661) 1: cudgel 2: to criticize severely -- fus.ti.ga.tion
          n

   fusty
          [fus.ty] adj fus.ti.er ; -est [ME, fr. fust wine cask, fr.
          MF, club, cask, fr. L fustis] (14c) 1 Brit: impaired
          by age or dampness: moldy 2: saturated with dust and
          stale odors: musty 3: rigidly old-fashioned or reactionary
          syn see malodorous -- fus.ti.ly adv -- fus.ti.ness n

   fusulinid
          [fu.su.li.nid] n [NL Fusulinidae, fr. Fusulina, a genus,
          fr. L fusus spindle + -ulus -ule + NL -ina, dim. suffix]
          (1941): any of a family (Fusulinidae) of extinct marine
          foraminifers

   fut
          [fut] abbreviation future

   futhark
          [fu.thark] also fu.thorc or fu.thork n [fr. the first six
          letters, f, u, thorn, o (or a), r, c (= k)] (1851): the
          runic alphabet--see rune illustration

   futile
          [fu.tile] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L futilis brittle, pointless,
          prob. fr. fu- (akin to fundere to pour)--more at found]
          (ca. 1555) 1: serving no useful purpose: completely ineffective
          <efforts to convince him were ~> 2: occupied with trifles:
          frivolous -- fu.tile.ly adv -- fu.tile.ness n syn futile,
          vain, fruitless mean producing no result. futile may
          connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking
          <resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the
          only choice left>. vain usu. implies simple failure to
          achieve a desired result <a vain attempt to get the car
          started>. fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests
          long and arduous effort or severe disappointment <fruitless
          efforts to obtain a lasting peace>.

   futilitarian
          [fu.til.i.tar.i.an] n [blend of futile and utilitarian] (1827):
          one who believes that human striving is futile -- futilitarian
          adj -- fu.til.i.tar.i.an.ism n

   futility
          [fu.til.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1623) 1: the quality or state
          of being futile: uselessness 2: a useless act or gesture
          <the futilities of debate for its own sake --W. A. White>

   futon
          [fu.ton] n, pl futons also futon [Jp] (1876): a usu. cotton-filled
          mattress used on the floor or in a frame as a bed

   futtock
          [fut.tock] n [ME votek, futtek] (13c): one of the curved
          timbers scarfed together to form the lower part of the
          compound rib of a ship

   futtock shroud
          [futtock shroud] n (1840): a short iron rod connecting the
          topmast rigging with the lower mast

   [1]future
          [fu.ture] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF futur, fr. L futurus about
          to be--more at be] (14c) 1: that is to be; specif: existing
          after death 2: of, relating to, or constituting a verb
          tense expressive of time yet to come 3: existing or occurring
          at a later time <met his ~ wife> [2]future n (15c) 1
          a: time that is to come b: what is going to happen 2:
          an expectation of advancement or progressive development
          3: something (as a bulk commodity) bought for future
          acceptance or sold for future delivery--usu. used in
          pl. <grain ~s> 4 a: the future tense of a language b:
          a verb form in the future tense

   futureless
          [fu.ture.less] adj (1863): having no future -- fu.ture.less.ness
          n

   future perfect
          [future perfect] adj (ca. 1898): of, relating to, or constituting
          a verb tense that is traditionally formed in English
          with will have and shall have and that expresses completion
          of an action by a specified time that is yet to come
          -- future perfect n

   future shock
          [future shock] n (1965): the physical and psychological distress
          suffered by one who is unable to cope with the rapidity
          of social and technological changes

   futurism
          [fu.tur.ism] n (1909) 1: a movement in art, music, and literature
          begun in Italy about 1909 and marked esp. by an effort
          to give formal expression to the dynamic energy and movement
          of mechanical processes 2: a point of view that finds
          meaning or fulfillment in the future rather than in the
          past or present

   futurist
          [fu.tur.ist] n (1911) 1: one who advocates or practices futurism
          2: one who studies and predicts the future esp. on the
          basis of current trends -- futurist adj

   futuristic
          [fu.tur.is.tic] adj (1915): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the future, futurism, or futurology; also: very modern
          -- fu.tur.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   futuristics
          [fu.tur.is.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1969): futurology

   futurity
          [fu.tu.ri.ty] n, pl -ties (1604) 1: time to come: future
          2: the quality or state of being future 3 pl: future
          events or prospects 4 a: a horse race usu. for two-year-olds
          in which the competitors are nominated at birth or before
          b: a race or competition for which entries are made well
          in advance of the event

   futurology
          [fu.tur.olo.gy] n (1946): a study that deals with future
          possibilities based on current trends -- fu.tur.olog.i.cal
          adj -- fu.tur.olo.gist n

   futz
          [futz] vi [perh. part modif., part trans. of Yiddish arumfartsn
          zikh, lit., to fart around] (1932) slang: fool around
          1--often used with around <~ around without producing
          any worthwhile music --John Koegel>

   fuze, fuzee
          [fuze, fu.zee] var of fuse, fusee

   [1]fuzz
          [fuzz] n [prob. back-formation fr. fuzzy] (1674) 1: fine
          light particles or fibers (as of down or fluff) 2: a
          blurred effect [2]fuzz vi (ca. 1702) 1: to fly off in
          or become covered with fluffy particles 2: to become
          blurred <her frame of reference ~ing at the edges --Jane
          O'Reilly> ~ vt 1: to make fuzzy 2: to envelop in a haze:
          blur [3]fuzz n [origin unknown] (1927): police; also:
          a police officer

   fuzzy
          [fuzzy] adj fuzz.i.er ; -est [perh. fr. LG fussig loose,
          spongy] (1713) 1: marked by or giving a suggestion of
          fuzz <a ~ covering of felt> 2: lacking in clarity or
          definition <moving the camera causes ~ photos> <~ thinking>
          -- fuzz.i.ly adv -- fuzz.i.ness n

   fv...
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   FV
          [FV] [L folio verso the page being turned] abbreviation on
          the back of the page

   fw...
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   fwd
          [fwd] abbreviation foreword, forward FWD abbreviation front-wheel
          drive

   fy...
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   -fy
          [-fy] vb suffix [ME -fien, fr. OF -fier, fr. L -ficare, fr.
          -ficus -fic] 1: make: form into <dandify> 2: invest with
          the attributes of: make similar to <citify>

   fyce
          [fyce] var of feist

   fyke
          [fyke] n [D fuik] (1832): a long bag net kept open by hoops

   fylfot
          [fyl.fot] n [ME, device used to fill the lower part of a
          painted glass window (fr. a conjectural MS reading)]
          (1842): swastika

   g...
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   g
          [g] abbreviation acceleration of gravity, game, gauge, gelding,
          gender, good, gram, grand, gravity  G abbreviation German,
          giga-, guanine, Gulf

   g
          [g] n, pl g's or gs often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 7th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic g 2: the 5th tone of a C-major scale
          3: a graphic device for reproducing the letter g 4: one
          designated g esp. as the 7th in order or class 5 [gravity]:
          acceleration of gravity; also: a unit of force equal
          to the force exerted by gravity on a body at rest and
          used to indicate the force to which a body is subjected
          when accelerated 6 [grand] slang: a sum of $1000 7: something
          shaped like the letter G G certification mark--used to
          certify that a motion picture is of such a nature that
          persons of all ages may be allowed admission--compare
          nc-17, pg, pg-13, r

   G1 phase
          [G1 phase] n [growth] (1966): the period in the cell cycle
          from the end of cell division to the beginning of DNA
          replication--compare g2 phase, m phase, s phase

   G2 phase
          [G2 phase] n [growth] (1968): the period in the cell cycle
          from the completion of DNA replication to the beginning
          of cell division--compare g1 phase, m phase, s phase

   G clef
          [G clef] n (1596): treble clef

   g-factor
          [g-fac.tor] n (1942): gyromagnetic ratio

   G-man
          [G-man] n [prob. fr. government man] (1928): a special agent
          of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

   G-string
          [G-string] n [origin unknown] (1878): a strip of cloth passed
          between the legs and supported by a waist cord that is
          worn esp. by striptease dancers

   G suit
          [G suit] n [gravity suit] (1944): a suit designed to counteract
          the physiological effects of acceleration on an aviator
          or astronaut

   ga...
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   ga
          [ga] abbreviation gauge  Ga abbreviation gallium, Georgia
          GA abbreviation Gamblers Anonymous, general agent, general
          assembly, general average, general of the army, Georgia

   GAAP
          [GAAP] abbreviation generally accepted accounting principles

   [1]gab
          [gab] vi gabbed ; gab.bing [prob. short for gabble] (1786):
          to talk in a rapid or thoughtless manner: chatter --
          gab.ber n [2]gab n (1790): talk; esp: idle talk [3]gab
          n (1939): gabardine 2

   gabardine
          [gab.ar.dine] n [MF gaverdine] (1520) 1: gaberdine 1 2 a:
          a firm hard-finish durable fabric (as of wool or rayon)
          twilled with diagonal ribs on the right side b: a garment
          of gabardine

   gabble
          [gab.ble] vb gab.bled ; gab.bling [prob. of imit. origin]
          vi (1577) 1: to talk fast or foolishly: jabber 2: to
          utter inarticulate or animal sounds ~ vt: to say with
          incoherent rapidity: babble -- gabble n -- gab.bler n

   gabbro
          [gab.bro] n, pl gabbros [It, prob. modif. of L glaber smooth--more
          at glad] (ca. 1828): a granular igneous rock composed essentially
          of calcic plagioclase, a ferromagnesian mineral, and accessory
          minerals -- gab.bro.ic adj

   gabby
          [gab.by] adj gab.bi.er ; -est (1719): talkative, garrulous

   gabelle
          [ga.belle] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OIt gabella tax, fr. Ar qabalah]
          (15c): a tax on salt levied in France prior to 1790

   gaberdine
          [gab.er.dine] n [MF gaverdine] (1520) 1: a long loose outer
          garment worn in medieval times and associated esp. with
          Jews since the 16th century 2: gabardine 2

   gabfest
          [gab.fest] n (1897) 1: an informal gathering for general
          talk <political ~s> 2: an extended conversation

   gabion
          [ga.bi.on] n [MF, fr. OIt gabbione, lit., large cage, aug.
          of gabbia cage, fr. L cavea--more at cage] (1579): a
          basket or cage filled with earth or rocks and used esp.
          in building a support or abutment

   gable
          [ga.ble] n [ME, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to ON gafl gable--more
          at cephalic] (14c) 1 a: the vertical triangular end of a building
          from cornice or eaves to ridge b: the similar end of a gambrel roof
          c: the end wall of a building 2: a triangular part or structure
          -- ga.bled adj

   gable roof
          [gable roof] n (1850): a double-sloping roof that forms a
          gable at each end

   gaboon
          [gab.oon] n [alter. of [1]gob + -oon (as in spittoon)] (1929)
          dial: spittoon

   Gabriel
          [Ga.bri.el] n [Heb Gabhri'el]: one of the four archangels
          named in Hebrew tradition

   gaby
          [ga.by] n, pl gabies [perh. of Scand origin; akin to ON gapa
          to gape--more at gape] (ca. 1796) dial chiefly Eng: simpleton

   [1]gad
          [gad] n [ME, spike, fr. ON gaddr; akin to OE geard rod--more
          at yard] (1671) 1: a chisel or pointed iron or steel
          bar for loosening ore or rock 2 chiefly dial: a long
          stick [2]gad vi gad.ded ; gad.ding [ME gadden] (15c):
          to be on the go without a specific aim or purpose--usu.
          used with about [3]gad interj [euphemism for God] (1608)--used
          as a mild oath Gad n [Heb Gadh]: a son of Jacob and the
          traditional eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of
          Israel -- Gad.ite n

   gadabout
          [gad.about] n (1837): a person who flits about in social
          activity -- gadabout adj

   gadarene
          [gad.a.rene] adj, often cap [fr. the demon-possessed Gadarene
          swine in Mt 8:28 that rushed into the sea] (1922): headlong,
          precipitate <a ~ rush to the cities>

   gadfly
          [gad.fly] n [[1]gad] (1626) 1: any of various flies (as a
          horsefly, botfly, or warble fly) that bite or annoy livestock
          2: a person who stimulates or annoys esp. by persistent
          criticism

   gadget
          [gad.get] n [origin unknown] (1886): an often small mechanical
          or electronic device with a practical use but often thought
          of as a novelty -- gad.ge.teer n -- gad.get.ry n -- gad.gety
          adj

   gadoid
          [ga.doid] adj [NL Gadus, genus of fishes, fr. Gk gados, a
          fish] (ca. 1842): resembling or related to the cods --
          gadoid n

   gadolinite
          [gad.o.lin.ite] n [G Gadolinit, fr. Johann Gadolin d. 1852
          Finn. chemist] (1802): a black or brown mineral that
          is a source of rare earths and consists of a silicate
          of iron, beryllium, yttrium, cerium, and erbium

   gadolinium
          [gad.o.lin.i.um] n [NL, fr. J. Gadolin] (1886): a magnetic
          metallic element of the rare-earth group occurring in
          combination in gadolinite and several other minerals

   gadroon
          [ga.droon] n [F godron round plait, gadroon] (ca. 1724) 1:
          the ornamental notching or carving of a rounded molding
          2: a short often oval fluting or reeding used in decoration
          -- gadroon vt -- ga.droon.ing n

   gadwall
          [gad.wall] n, pl gadwalls or gadwall [origin unknown] (1666):
          a grayish brown medium-sized dabbling duck (Anas strepera)

   gadzookery
          [gad.zook.ery] n (1955) Brit: the use of archaisms (as in
          a historical novel)

   gadzooks
          [gad.zooks] interj, often cap [perh. fr. God's hooks, the
          nails of the Crucifixion] (1694) archaic--used as a mild
          oath

   Gaea
          [Gaea] n [Gk Gaia]: the Greek earth goddess and mother of
          the Titans

   Gael
          [Gael] n [ScGael Gaidheal & Ir Gaedheal] (1753) 1: a Scottish
          Highlander 2: a Celtic esp. Gaelic-speaking inhabitant
          of Ireland, Scotland, or the Isle of Man -- Gael.dom
          n

   Gaelic
          [Gael.ic] adj [ScGael Gaidhlig the Scottish Gaelic language,
          fr. Gaidheal Gael] (1741) 1: of or relating to the Gaels
          and esp. the Celtic Highlanders of Scotland 2: of, relating
          to, or constituting the Goidelic speech of the Celts
          in Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Scottish Highlands
          -- Gaelic n

   Gaeltacht
          [Gael.tacht] n [Ir, fr. Gael, spelling var. of Gaedheal Irishman,
          Gael] (1929): any of the Irish-speaking regions remaining
          in Ireland

   [1]gaff
          [gaff] n [F gaffe, fr. Prov gaf] (ca. 1656) 1 a: a spear
          or spearhead for taking fish or turtles b: a handled
          hook for holding or lifting heavy fish c: a metal spur
          for a gamecock d: a butcher's hook e: a climbing iron
          or its steel point used by a telephone lineman 2: the
          spar on which the head of a fore-and-aft sail is extended
          3: gaffe [2]gaff vt (1844) 1: to strike or secure with
          a gaff 2: to fit (a gamecock) with a gaff [3]gaff n [origin
          unknown] (1812) Brit: a cheap theater or music hall [4]gaff
          n [origin unknown] (1896) 1 a: something painful or difficult
          to bear: ordeal--usu. used in the phrase stand the gaff;
          esp: persistent raillery or criticism b: rough treatment:
          abuse 2 a: hoax, fraud b: gimmick, trick [5]gaff vt (1933)
          1: deceive, trick; also: fleece 2: to fix for the purpose
          of cheating <~ the dice>

   gaffe
          [gaffe] n [F, gaff, gaffe] (1909): a social or diplomatic
          blunder

   gaffer
          [gaf.fer] n [alter. of godfather] (1575) 1: an old man--compare
          gammer 2 Brit a: foreman, overseer b: employer 3: a head
          glassblower 4: a lighting electrician on a motion-picture
          or television set

   gaff-topsail
          [gaff-top.sail] n (1794): a usu. triangular topsail with
          its foot extended upon the gaff--see sail illustration

   [1]gag
          [gag] vb gagged ; gag.ging [ME gaggen to strangle, of imit.
          origin] vt (1509) 1 a: to restrict use of the mouth of
          by inserting a gag b: to prevent from exercising freedom
          of speech or expression c: to pry or hold open with a
          gag 2: to provide or write quips or pranks for <~ a show>
          3: to choke or cause to retch ~ vi 1 a: choke; also:
          to suffer a throat spasm that makes swallowing or breathing
          difficult b: retch 2: to be unable to endure something:
          balk 3: to make quips -- gag.ger n [2]gag n (1553) 1:
          something thrust into the mouth to keep it open or to
          prevent speech or outcry 2: an official check or restraint
          on debate or free speech <a ~ order> <a ~ rule> 3: a
          laugh-provoking remark or act 4: prank, trick

   gaga
          [ga.ga] adj [F, fr. gaga fool, of imit. origin] (1920) 1:
          crazy, foolish 2: marked by wild enthusiasm: infatuated,
          doting

   gagaku
          [ga.ga.ku] n [Jp, fr. ga elegance + gaku music] (1929): the
          ancient court music of Japan

   [1]gage
          [gage] n [ME, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG wetti pledge--more
          at wed] (14c) 1: a token of defiance; specif: a glove or cap cast
          on the ground to be taken up by an opponent as a pledge of combat
          2: something deposited as a pledge of performance [2]gage vt (15c)
          1 archaic: pledge 2 archaic: stake, risk [3]gage var of gauge
          [4]gage n (1847): greengage

   gaggle
          [gag.gle] n [ME gagyll, fr. gagelen to cackle] (15c) 1: flock;
          esp: a flock of geese when not in flight--compare skein
          2: aggregation, cluster <a ~ of reporters and photographers>

   gagman
          [gag.man] n (1928) 1: a gag writer 2: comedian 2

   gagster
          [gag.ster] n (1935): gagman; also: one who plays practical
          jokes

   gahnite
          [gahn.ite] n [G Gahnit, fr. J. G. Gahn d. 1818 Swed. chemist]
          (ca. 1808): a usu. dark green mineral consisting of an
          oxide of zinc and aluminum

   gaiety
          [gai.ety] n, pl -eties [F gaiete] (1634) 1: merrymaking;
          also: festive activity--often used in pl. 2: high spirits:
          merriment 3: elegance, finery

   gaijin
          [gai.jin] n, pl gaijin [Jp, fr. gai- outer, foreign + -jin
          person] (1964): a foreigner in Japan

   gaillardia
          [gail.lar.dia] n [NL, fr. Gaillard de Marentonneau, 18th
          cent. Fr. botanist] (1888): any of a genus (Gaillardia)
          of chiefly western American composite herbs with showy
          flower heads

   gaily
          [gai.ly] adv (14c): in a gay manner: marked by gaiety

   [1]gain
          [gain] n [ME gayne, fr. MF gaigne, gain, fr. OF gaaigne,
          gaaing, fr. gaaignier to till, earn, gain, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG weidanon to hunt for food, OE wath pursuit,
          hunt] (14c) 1: resources or advantage acquired or increased:
          profit <made substantial ~s last year> 2: the act or
          process of gaining 3 a: an increase in amount, magnitude,
          or degree <a ~ in efficiency> b: the increase (as of
          voltage or signal intensity) caused by an amplifier;
          esp: the ratio of output over input c: the signal-gathering
          ability of an antenna [2]gain vt (14c) 1 a: to acquire
          or get possession of usu. by industry, merit, or craft
          <~ an advantage> <he stood to ~ a fortune> b: to win
          in competition or conflict <the troops ~ed enemy territory>
          c (1): to arrive at: reach, attain <~ed the river that
          night> (2): traverse, cover <~ed 10 yards on the play>
          d: to get by a natural development or process <~ strength>
          e: to establish a specific relationship with <~ a friend>
          2 a: to make an increase of (a specified amount) <~ed
          3% in the past month> b: to increase in (a particular
          quality) <~ momentum> 3: to win to one's side: persuade
          <~ adherents to a cause> 4: to cause to be obtained or
          given: attract <~ attention> 5 of a timepiece: to run
          fast by the amount of <the clock ~s a minute a day> ~
          vi 1: to get advantage: profit <hoped to ~ by the deal>
          2 a: increase <the day was ~ing in warmth> b: to increase
          in weight c: to improve in health or ability 3 of a timepiece:
          to run fast 4: to get closer to something pursued--usu.
          used with on or upon -- gain.er n -- gain ground : to
          make progress

   gainful
          [gain.ful] adj (1555): productive of gain: profitable <~
          employment> -- gain.ful.ly adv -- gain.ful.ness n

   gaingiving
          [gain.giv.ing] n [gain- (against) + giving] (1602) archaic:
          misgiving

   gainsay
          [gain.say] vt -said ; -say.ing ; -says [ME gainsayen, fr.
          gain- against (fr. OE gean-) + sayen to say--more at
          again] (14c) 1: to declare to be untrue or invalid 2:
          contradict, oppose syn see deny -- gain.say.er n

   [1]gait
          [gait] n [ME gait, gate gate, way] (1509) 1: a manner of
          walking or moving on foot 2: a sequence of foot movements
          (as a walk, trot, pace, or canter) by which a horse or
          a dog moves forward 3: a manner or rate of movement or
          progress <the leisurely ~ of summer> [2]gait vt (ca.
          1900) 1: to train (a horse or a dog) to use a particular
          gait or set of gaits 2: to lead (a show dog) before a
          judge to display carriage and movement ~ vi: to walk
          with a particular gait

   gaited
          [gait.ed] adj (1588): having a particular gait or so many
          gaits <slow-gaited> <a ~ horse>

   gaiter
          [gai.ter] n [F guetre] (1775) 1: a cloth or leather leg covering
          reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf
          or knee 2 a: an overshoe with fabric upper b: an ankle-high
          shoe with elastic gores in the sides

   gal
          [gal] abbreviation gallery, gallon  Gal abbreviation Galatians

   [1]gal
          [gal] n [by alter.] (1795): girl, woman [2]gal n [Galileo
          Galilei] (1914): a unit of acceleration equivalent to
          one centimeter per second per second--used esp. for values
          of gravity

   gala
          [ga.la] n [It, fr. MF gale festivity, pleasure--more at gallant]
          (1777): a festive celebration; esp: a public entertainment
          marking a special occasion -- gala adj

   galabia
          [ga.la.bia] or ga.la.bi.eh or ga.la.bi.ya n [Ar dial. (Egypt)
          gallabiyah] (1725): djellaba

   galact-
          [galact-] or galacto- comb form [L galact-, fr. Gk galakt-,
          galakto-, fr. galakt-, gala] 1: milk <galactorrhea> 2:
          related to galactose <galactosemia>

   galactic
          [ga.lac.tic] adj (1839) 1: of or relating to a galaxy and
          esp. the Milky Way galaxy 2: huge <a ~ sum of money>

   galactorrhea
          [ga.lac.tor.rhea] n (ca. 1860): a spontaneous flow of milk
          from the nipple

   galactosamine
          [ga.lac.tos.amine] n (1900): an amino derivative of galactose
          that occurs in cartilage

   galactose
          [ga.lac.tose] n [F, fr. galact-] (1869): a sugar less soluble
          and less sweet than glucose

   galactosemia
          [ga.lac.to.semia] n (1934): an inherited metabolic disorder
          in which galactose accumulates in the blood due to deficiency
          of an enzyme catalyzing its conversion to glucose --
          ga.lac.to.semic adj

   galactosidase
          [ga.lac.to.si.dase] n (1917): an enzyme (as lactase) that
          hydrolyzes a galactoside

   galactoside
          [ga.lac.to.side] n (1862): a glycoside that yields galactose
          on hydrolysis

   galactosyl
          [ga.lac.to.syl] n (1950): a glycosyl radical that is derived
          from galactose

   galacturonic acid
          [ga.lact.uron.ic acid] n [ISV] (1917): a crystalline aldehyde-acid
          that occurs esp. in polymerized form in pectin

   galago
          [ga.la.go] n, pl -gos [NL, perh. fr. Wolof golokh monkey]
          (ca. 1848): any of several small active nocturnal arboreal
          African primates (Galago and related genera) with large
          eyes, long ears, a long tail, and elongated hind limbs
          that enable them to leap with great agility--called also
          bush baby

   galah
          [ga.lah] n [Yuwaalaraay (Australian aboriginal language of
          northern New South Wales) gilaa] (1862): a showy Australian
          cockatoo (Eolophus roseicapillus) that is a pest in wheat-growing
          areas and is often kept as a cage bird

   Galahad
          [Gal.a.had] n 1: the knight of the Round Table who successfully
          seeks the Holy Grail 2: one who is pure, noble, and unselfish

   galantine
          [gal.an.tine] n [F, fr. OF galentine, galatine fish sauce,
          fr. ML galatina, prob. fr. L gelatus, pp. of gelare to
          congeal, freeze--more at cold] (1725): a cold dish consisting
          of boned meat or fish that has been stuffed, poached,
          and covered with aspic

   Galatea
          [Gal.a.tea] n [L, fr. Gk Galateia]: a female figure sculpted
          by Pygmalion and given life by Aphrodite in fulfillment
          of his prayer

   Galatians
          [Ga.la.tians] n pl but sing in constr: an argumentative letter
          of St. Paul written to the Christians of Galatia and
          included as a book in the New Testament

   galavant
          [gal.a.vant] var of gallivant

   galax
          [ga.lax] n [NL] (ca. 1753): an evergreen herb (Galax urceolata
          syn. G. aphylla of the order Diapensiales) of the southeastern
          U.S. that has glossy leaves and is related to the heaths
          (order Ericales)

   galaxy
          [gal.axy] n, pl -ax.ies [ME galaxie, galaxias, fr. LL galaxias,
          fr. Gk, fr. galakt-, gala milk; akin to L lac milk] (14c)
          1 a often cap: milky way galaxy--used with the b: any
          of the very large groups of stars and associated matter
          that are found throughout the universe 2: an assemblage
          of brilliant or notable persons or things <a ~ of artists>

   galbanum
          [gal.ba.num] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk chalbane, of Sem origin;
          akin to Heb helbenah galbanum] (14c): a yellowish to
          green or brown aromatic bitter gum resin derived from
          several Asian plants (as Ferula galbaniflua) and used
          in incense

   gale
          [gale] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1547) 1 a: a strong current
          of air: (1): a wind from 32 to 63 miles per hour (about
          51 to 101 kilometers per hour) (2): fresh gale b archaic:
          breeze 2: an emotional outburst <~s of laughter>

   galea
          [ga.lea] n [NL, fr. L, helmet] (1834): an anatomical part
          suggesting a helmet: as a: the upper lip of the corolla
          of a mint b: the outer or lateral lobe of the maxilla
          in mandibulate insects -- ga.le.ate adj

   galena
          [ga.le.na] n [L, lead ore] (1671): a bluish gray mineral
          with metallic luster consisting of lead sulfide, showing
          highly perfect cubic cleavage, and constituting the principal
          ore of lead

   galenical
          [ga.len.i.cal] n [Galen + [1]-ic + [1]-al] (1768): a medicine
          prepared by extracting one or more active constituents
          of a plant

   galere
          [ga.lere] n [F, galley, fr. MF, fr. Catal galera, fr. MGk
          galea] (1756): a group of people having an attribute
          in common

   gal Friday
          [gal Friday] n (1958): girl friday

   Galgenhumor
          [Gal.gen.hu.mor] [G] foreign term : gallows humor

   Galilean
          [Gal.i.le.an] adj (ca. 1751): of, relating to, or discovered
          by Galileo Galilei

   galilee
          [gal.i.lee] n [AF, fr. ML galilaea, prob. fr. Galilaea Galilee,
          fr. L] (15c): a chapel or porch at the entrance of an
          English church

   galingale
          [gal.in.gale] n [ME, a kind of ginger, fr. MF galingal, fr.
          Ar khalanjan] (1578): an Old World sedge (Cyperus longus)
          that is used for papermaking and basket-weaving and has
          an aromatic root; broadly: any of various other sedges
          of the same genus

   galiot
          [gal.i.ot] var of galliot

   [1]gall
          [gall] n [ME, fr. OE gealla; akin to Gk chole, cholos gall,
          wrath, OE geolu yellow--more at yellow] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: bile; esp: bile obtained from an animal and used in
          the arts or medicine b: something bitter to endure c:
          bitterness of spirit: rancor 2: brazen boldness coupled
          with impudent assurance and insolence syn see temerity
          [2]gall n [ME galle, fr. OE gealla, fr. L galla gallnut]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a skin sore caused by chronic irritation
          b: a cause or state of exasperation 2 archaic: flaw [3]gall
          vt (14c) 1: to fret and wear away by friction: chafe
          <the loose saddle ~ed the horse's back> <the ~ing of
          a metal bearing> 2: irritate, vex <sarcasm ~s her> ~
          vi 1: to become sore or worn by rubbing 2: seize 2 [4]gall
          n [ME galle, fr. MF, fr. L galla] (14c): a swelling of
          plant tissue usu. due to fungi or insect parasites and
          sometimes forming an important source of tannin

   Galla
          [Gal.la] n, pl Galla or Gallas (1875): oromo

   gallamine triethiodide
          [gal.la.mine tri.eth.io.dide] n [pyrogallol + amine + triethyl
          + iodide] (1951): a substituted ammonium salt that is
          used to produce muscle relaxation esp. during anesthesia--called
          also gallamine

   [1]gallant
          [gal.lant] n (14c) 1: a young man of fashion 2 a: ladies'
          man b: suitor c: paramour [2]gal.lant adj [ME galaunt,
          fr. MF galant, fr. prp. of galer to have a good time,
          fr. gale pleasure, of Gmc origin; akin to OE wela weal--more
          at weal] (15c) 1: showy in dress or bearing: smart 2
          a: splendid, stately <a ~ ship> b: spirited, brave <~
          efforts against the enemy> c: nobly chivalrous and often
          self-sacrificing 3: courteously and elaborately attentive
          esp. to ladies syn see civil -- gal.lant.ly adv [3]gal.lant
          vt (1672) 1: to pay court to (a lady): attend <used to
          ~ her in his youth --Washington Irving> 2 obs: to manipulate
          (a fan) in a modish manner ~ vi: to pay court to ladies

   gallantry
          [gal.lant.ry] n, pl -ries (1613) 1 archaic: gallant appearance
          2 a: an act of marked courtesy b: courteous attention
          to a lady c: amorous attention or pursuit 3: spirited
          and conspicuous bravery

   gallate
          [gal.late] n (1794): a salt or ester of gallic acid

   gallbladder
          [gall.blad.der] n (1676): a membranous muscular sac in which
          bile from the liver is stored

   galleass
          [gal.le.ass] n [MF galeasse, fr. OF galie galley] (1544):
          a large fast galley used esp. as a warship by Mediterranean
          countries in the 16th and 17th centuries and having both
          sails and oars but usu. propelled chiefly by rowing

   galleon
          [gal.le.on] n [OSp galeon, fr. MF galion, fr. OF galie] (1529):
          a heavy square-rigged sailing ship of the 15th to early
          18th centuries used for war or commerce esp. by the Spanish

   galleria
          [gal.le.ria] n [It, gallery, fr. ML galeria] (ca. 1901):
          a roofed and usu. glass-enclosed promenade or court (as
          at a mall)

   gallery
          [gal.lery] n, pl -ler.ies [ME galerie, fr. ML galeria, prob.
          alter. of galilaea galilee] (15c) 1 a: a roofed promenade:
          colonnade b: corridor 2 a: an outdoor balcony b Southern
          & Midland: porch, veranda c: a platform at the quarters
          or stern of a ship 3 a: a long and narrow passage, apartment,
          or corridor b: a subterranean passageway in a cave or
          military mining system; also: a working drift or level
          in mining c: an underground passage made by a mole or
          ant or a passage made in wood by an insect 4 a: a room
          or building devoted to the exhibition of works of art
          b: an institution or business exhibiting or dealing in
          works of art c: collection, aggregation <the rich ~ of
          characters in this novel --H. S. Canby> 5 a: a structure
          projecting from one or more interior walls of an auditorium
          to accommodate additional people; esp: the highest balcony
          in a theater commonly having the cheapest seats b: the
          part of a theater audience seated in the top gallery
          c: the undiscriminating general public d: the spectators
          at a tennis or golf match 6: a small ornamental barrier
          or railing (as along the edge of a table or shelf) 7:
          a photographer's studio -- gal.ler.ied adj -- gal.lery.ite
          n

   gallery forest
          [gallery forest] n (1920): a forest growing along a watercourse
          in a region otherwise devoid of trees

   gallerygoer
          [gal.lery.go.er] n (1888): one who frequently goes to art
          galleries

   galleta
          [ga.lle.ta] n [Sp, hardtack] (1872): either of two perennial
          forage grasses (Hilaria rigida and H. jamesii) used for
          hay in the southwestern U.S. and in Mexico

   galley
          [gal.ley] n, pl galleys [ME galeie, fr. OF galie, galee,
          ultim. fr. MGk galea] (13c) 1: a ship or boat propelled
          solely or chiefly by oars: as a: a long low ship used
          for war and trading esp. in the Mediterranean Sea from
          the Middle Ages to the 19th century; also: galleass b:
          a warship of classical antiquity--compare bireme, trireme
          c: a large open boat (as a gig) formerly used in England
          2: the kitchen and cooking apparatus esp. of a ship or
          airplane 3 a: an oblong tray to hold esp. a single column
          of set type b: a proof of typeset matter esp. in a single
          column before being made into pages

   galley-west
          [gal.ley-west] adv [prob. alter. of E dial. collywest (badly
          askew)] (1875): into destruction or confusion <was knocked
          ~>

   gallfly
          [gall.fly] n (ca. 1834): an insect (as a gall wasp) that
          deposits its eggs in plants causing the formation of
          galls in which the larvae feed

   [1]galliard
          [gal.liard] adj [ME gaillard, fr. MF] (14c) archaic: gay,
          lively [2]galliard n (1533): a sprightly dance with five
          steps to a phrase popular in the 16th and 17th centuries

   Gallic
          [Gal.lic] adj [L Gallicus, fr. Gallia Gaul] (1672): of or
          relating to Gaul or France

   gallic acid
          [gal.lic acid] n [F gallique, fr. galle gall] (1791): a white
          crystalline acid found widely in plants or combined in
          tannins and used esp. in dyes and as a photographic developer

   Gallican
          [Gal.li.can] adj (14c) 1: gallic 2 often not cap: of or relating
          to Gallicanism -- Gallican n

   Gallicanism
          [Gal.li.can.ism] n (1858): a movement originating in France
          and advocating administrative independence from papal
          control for the Roman Catholic Church in each nation

   Gallice
          [Gal.li.ce] [L] foreign term : in French: after the French
          manner

   gallicism
          [gal.li.cism] n, often cap (ca. 1656) 1: a characteristic
          French idiom or expression appearing in another language
          2: a French trait

   gallicize
          [gal.li.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing often cap (1773): to cause
          to conform to a French mode or idiom -- gal.li.ci.za.tion
          n, often cap

   galligaskins
          [gal.li.gas.kins] n pl [prob. modif. of MF garguesques, fr.
          OSp greguescos, fr. griego Greek, fr. L Graecus] (1577)
          1 a: loose wide hose or breeches worn in the 16th and
          17th centuries b: very loose trousers 2 dial chiefly
          Brit: leggings

   gallimaufry
          [gal.li.mau.fry] n, pl -fries [MF galimafree stew] (ca. 1556):
          hodgepodge <a ~ of opinions>

   gallinaceous
          [gal.li.na.ceous] adj [L gallinaceus of domestic fowl, fr.
          gallina hen, fr. gallus cock] (1783): of or relating
          to an order (Galliformes) of heavy-bodied largely terrestrial
          birds including the pheasants, turkeys, grouse, and the
          common domestic fowl

   galling
          [gall.ing] adj [[3]gall] (1583): markedly irritating: vexing
          <a most ~ defeat> -- gall.ing.ly adv

   gallinipper
          [gal.li.nip.per] n [origin unknown] (1709) chiefly Southern
          & Midland: any of various insects (as a large mosquito
          or crane fly)

   gallinule
          [gal.li.nule] n [NL Gallinula, genus of birds, fr. L, pullet,
          dim. of gallina] (1776): any of several aquatic birds
          of the rail family with long thin feet and a platelike
          frontal area on the head; esp: one (Gallinula chloropus)
          widespread in the New World, Eurasia, and Africa that
          has a largely red bill, red frontal area on the head,
          and a white band on the flanks

   galliot
          [gal.li.ot] n [ME galiote, fr. MF, fr. ML galeota, dim. of
          galea galley, fr. MGk] (14c) 1: a small swift galley
          formerly used in the Mediterranean 2 [D galjoot, fr.
          MF galiote]: a long narrow shallow-draft Dutch merchant
          sailing ship

   gallipot
          [gal.li.pot] n [ME galy pott] (15c) 1: a small usu. ceramic
          vessel 2 archaic: druggist

   gallium
          [gal.li.um] n [NL, fr. L gallus cock (intended as trans.
          of surname of Paul Lecoq de Boisbaudran d. 1912 Fr. chemist)]
          (1875): a rare bluish white metallic element that is
          hard and brittle at low temperatures but melts just above
          room temperature and expands on freezing

   gallium arsenide
          [gallium arsenide] n (ca. 1961): a synthetic compound GaAs
          used esp. as a semiconducting material

   gallivant
          [gal.li.vant] vi [perh. alter. of [3]gallant] (1823) 1: to
          go about usu. ostentatiously or indiscreetly with members
          of the opposite sex 2: to travel, roam, or move about
          for pleasure

   gall midge
          [gall midge] n (ca. 1889): any of numerous minute dipteran
          flies (family Cecidomyiidae) most of which cause gall
          formation in plants

   gall mite
          [gall mite] n (1881): any of various minute 4-legged mites
          (family Eriophyidae) that form galls on plants

   gallnut
          [gall.nut] n [[4]gall] (1572): a gall resembling a nut

   gallon
          [gal.lon] n [ME galon, a liquid measure, fr. ONF, fr. ML
          galeta pail, a liquid measure] (13c): a unit of liquid
          capacity equal to 231 cubic inches or four quarts

   gallonage
          [gal.lon.age] n (ca. 1909): amount in gallons

   galloon
          [gal.loon] n [F galon] (1604): a narrow trimming (as of lace,
          embroidery, or braid with metallic threads) having both
          edges scalloped

   [1]gallop
          [gal.lop] vi (15c) 1: to progress or ride at a gallop 2:
          to run fast ~ vt 1: to cause to gallop 2: to transport
          at a gallop -- gal.lop.er n [2]gallop n [MF galop] (1523)
          1: a bounding gait of a quadruped; specif: a fast natural
          3-beat gait of the horse--compare [3]canter, run 2: a
          ride or run at a gallop 3: a stretch of land suitable
          for galloping horses 4: a rapid or hasty progression
          or pace

   gallopade
          [gal.lo.pade] n (1831): galop

   Gallophile
          [Gal.lo.phile] adj [L Gallus Gaul + E -phile] (1923): francophile
          -- Gallophile n

   galloping
          [gal.lop.ing] adj (1642): progressing, developing, or increasing
          rapidly <~ inflation> <a ~ farce> <~ alcoholism>

   Galloway
          [Gal.lo.way] n [Galloway, Scotland] (1805): any of a breed
          of hardy medium-sized hornless chiefly black beef cattle
          native to southwestern Scotland

   gallowglass
          [gal.low.glass] n [alter. of Ir galloglach, fr. gall foreigner
          + oglach young man, warrior] (ca. 1515) 1: a mercenary
          or retainer of an Irish chief 2: an armed Irish foot
          soldier

   [1]gallows
          [gal.lows] n, pl gallows or gal.lows.es [ME galwes, pl. of
          galwe, fr. OE gealga; akin to ON gelgja pole, stake,
          Arm jalk twig] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a frame usu. of two upright
          posts and a crossbeam from which criminals are hanged--called
          also gallows tree b: the punishment of hanging 2: a structure
          consisting of an upright frame with a crosspiece 3: suspender
          2a [2]gallows adj (15c): deserving the gallows

   gallows bird
          [gallows bird] n (ca. 1785): a person who deserves hanging

   gallows humor
          [gallows humor] n (1901): humor that makes fun of
          a life-threatening, disastrous, or terrifying situation

   gallstone
          [gall.stone] n (1758): a calculus formed in the gallbladder
          or biliary passages

   gallus
          [gal.lus] n [alter. of [1]gallows] (1836): suspender 2a--usu.
          used in pl.

   gallused
          [gal.lused] adj (1927): wearing galluses

   gall wasp
          [gall wasp] n (1879): any of a family (Cynipidae) of hymenopterous
          gallflies

   gally
          [gal.ly] vt gal.lied ; gal.ly.ing [origin unknown] (1605)
          chiefly dial: frighten, terrify

   Galois theory
          [Ga.lois theory] n [Evariste Galois] (1893): a part of the
          theory of mathematical groups concerned esp. with the
          conditions under which a solution to a polynomial equation
          with coefficients in a given mathematical field can be
          obtained in the field by the repetition of operations
          and the extraction of nth roots

   galoot
          [ga.loot] n [origin unknown] (1866) slang: fellow; esp: one
          who is strange or foolish

   galop
          [ga.lop] n [F] (1831): a lively dance in duple measure; also:
          the music of a galop

   galore
          [ga.lore] adj [Ir go leor enough] (1628): abundant, plentiful--used
          postpositively <bargains ~>

   galosh
          [ga.losh] n [ME galoche, fr. MF] (14c) 1 obs: a shoe with
          a heavy sole 2: a high overshoe worn esp. in snow and
          slush -- ga.loshed adj

   galumph
          [ga.lumph] vi [prob. alter. of [1]gallop] (1872): to move
          with a clumsy heavy tread

   galv
          [galv] abbreviation galvanized

   galvanic
          [gal.van.ic] adj (1797) 1: of, relating to, or producing
          a direct current of electricity <a ~ cell> 2 a: having
          an electric effect: intensely exciting <a ~ performance>
          b: produced as if by an electric shock <had a ~ effect
          on the audience> -- gal.van.i.cal.ly adv

   galvanic skin response
          [galvanic skin response] n (1942): a change in the electrical
          resistance of the skin that is a physiochemical response
          to an emotional change

   galvanise
          [gal.va.nise] Brit var of galvanize

   galvanism
          [gal.va.nism] n [F or It; F galvanisme, fr. It galvanismo,
          fr. Luigi Galvani] (1797) 1: a direct current of electricity
          esp. when produced by chemical action 2: the therapeutic
          use of direct electric current 3: vital or forceful activity

   galvanize
          [gal.va.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vt (1802) 1 a: to subject
          to the action of an electric current esp. for the purpose
          of stimulating physiologically <~ a muscle> b: to stimulate
          or excite as if by an electric shock <an issue that would
          ~ public opinion> 2: to coat (iron or steel) with zinc;
          esp: to immerse in molten zinc to produce a coating of
          zinc-iron alloy ~ vi: to react as if stimulated by an
          electric shock <they galvanized into action> -- gal.va.ni.za.tion
          n -- gal.va.niz.er n

   galvano-
          [galvano-] comb form [galvanic]: galvanic current <galvanometer>

   galvanometer
          [gal.va.nom.e.ter] n (1802): an instrument for detecting
          or measuring a small electric current by movements of
          a magnetic needle or of a coil in a magnetic field --
          gal.va.no.met.ric adj

   galvanoscope
          [gal.va.no.scope] n (1832): an instrument for detecting the
          presence and direction of an electric current by the
          deflection of a magnetic needle

   [1]gam
          [gam] n [prob. ultim. fr. Lingua Franca gamba leg, fr. It,
          fr. LL] (1781) slang: leg [2]gam n [perh. short for obs.
          gammon (talk)] (1846) 1: a visit or friendly conversation
          at sea or ashore esp. between whalers 2: a school of
          whales [3]gam vb gammed ; gam.ming vi (1849): to engage
          in a gam ~ vt 1: to have a gam with 2: to spend or pass
          (as time) talking

   gam-
          [gam-] or gamo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, marriage, fr. gamos,
          fr. gamein to marry]: united: joined <gamopetalous>

   gama grass
          [gama grass] n [prob. alter. of grama] (1833): a tall coarse
          American grass (Tripsacum dactyloides) valuable for forage

   gamay
          [ga.may] n, often cap [F, fr. Gamay, village in Burgundy]
          (ca. 1941): a light dry red table wine made from the
          same grape used for French Beaujolais <~ rose>

   gamba
          [gam.ba] n (1598): viola da gamba

   [1]gambado
          [gam.ba.do] n, pl -does also -dos [perh. modif. of It gambale,
          fr. gamba leg] (ca. 1656): a horseman's legging [2]gambado
          n, pl -does also -dos [modif. of F gambade--more at gambol]
          (1820) 1: a spring of a horse 2: caper, gambol

   gambier
          [gam.bier] also gam.bir n [Malay gambir] (1830): a yellowish
          catechu that is obtained from a Malayan woody vine (Uncaria
          gambir) of the madder family and is used for chewing
          with the betel nut and for tanning and dyeing

   gambit
          [gam.bit] n [It gambetto, lit., act of tripping someone,
          fr. gamba leg, fr. LL gamba, camba, fr. Gk kampe bend;
          prob. akin to Goth hamfs maimed, Lith kampas corner]
          (1656) 1: a chess opening in which a player risks one
          or more minor pieces to gain an advantage in position
          2 a (1): a remark intended to start a conversation or
          make a telling point (2): topic b: a calculated move:
          stratagem

   [1]gamble
          [gam.ble] vb gam.bled ; gam.bling [prob. back-formation fr.
          gambler, prob. alter. of obs. gamner, fr. obs. gamen
          (to play)] vi (ca. 1775) 1 a: to play a game for money
          or property b: to bet on an uncertain outcome 2: to stake
          something on a contingency: take a chance ~ vt 1: to
          risk by gambling: wager 2: venture, hazard -- gam.bler
          n [2]gamble n (1823) 1 a: an act having an element of
          risk b: something chancy 2: the playing of a game of
          chance for stakes

   gamboge
          [gam.boge] n [NL gambogium, alter. of cambugium, fr. or akin
          to Pg Camboja Cambodia] (1712) 1: an orange to brown
          gum resin from southeast Asian trees (genus Garcinia)
          of the Saint-John's-wort family that is used as a yellow
          pigment and cathartic 2: a strong yellow

   [1]gambol
          [gam.bol] vi -boled or -bolled ; -bol.ing or -bol.ling (1508):
          to skip about in play: frisk, frolic [2]gambol n [modif.
          of MF gambade spring of a horse, gambol, prob. fr. OProv
          camba leg, fr. LL] (ca. 1510): a skipping or leaping
          about in play

   gambrel
          [gam.brel] n [ONF gamberel, fr. gambe leg, fr. LL gamba]
          (1547): a stick or iron for suspending slaughtered animals

   gambrel roof
          [gambrel roof] n (1765): a roof with a lower steeper slope
          and an upper less steep one on each of its two sides--see
          roof illustration

   gambusia
          [gam.bu.sia] n [NL, modif. of AmerSp gambusino gambusia]
          (ca. 1889): any of a genus (Gambusia) of live-bearers
          (family Poeciliidae) introduced as exterminators of mosquito
          larvae in warm fresh waters

   [1]game
          [game] n [ME, fr. OE gamen; akin to OHG gaman amusement]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): activity engaged in for diversion
          or amusement: play (2): the equipment for a game b: often
          derisive or mocking jesting: fun, sport <make ~ of a
          nervous player> 2 a: a procedure or strategy for gaining
          an end: tactic b: an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver:
          racket 3 a (1): a physical or mental competition conducted
          according to rules with the participants in direct opposition
          to each other (2): a division of a larger contest (3):
          the number of points necessary to win (4): points scored
          in certain card games (as in all fours) by a player whose
          cards count up the highest (5): the manner of playing
          in a contest (6): the set of rules governing a game (7):
          a particular aspect or phase of play in a game or sport
          <a football team's kicking ~> b pl: organized athletics
          c (1): a field of gainful activity: line <the newspaper
          ~> (2): any activity undertaken or regarded as a contest
          involving rivalry, strategy, or struggle <the dating
          ~> <the ~ of politics>; also: the course or period of
          such an activity <got into aviation early in the ~> (3):
          area of expertise: specialty 3 <comedy is not my ~> 4
          a (1): animals under pursuit or taken in hunting; esp:
          wild animals hunted for sport or food (2): the flesh
          of game animals b archaic: pluck c: a target or object
          esp. of ridicule or attack--often used in the phrase
          fair game syn see fun -- game.like adj [2]game vb gamed
          ; gam.ing vi (1529): to play for a stake ~ vt, archaic:
          to lose or squander by gambling [3]game adj (1610) 1
          a: having or showing a resolute unyielding spirit <~
          to the end> b: willing or ready to proceed <were ~ for
          anything> 2: of or relating to game <~ laws> -- game.ly
          adv -- game.ness n [4]game adj [origin unknown] (ca.
          1787): lame <a ~ leg>

   game ball
          [game ball] n (1966): a ball (as a football) presented to
          a player or coach in recognition of an outstanding contribution
          to a team victory

   game bird
          [game bird] n (1866): a bird that may be legally hunted according
          to the laws esp. of a state of the U.S.

   gamecock
          [game.cock] n (1873): a rooster of the domestic chicken trained
          for fighting

   game fish
          [game fish] n (1862) 1: a fish of a family (Salmonidae) including
          salmons, trouts, chars, and whitefishes 2: sport fish;
          esp: a fish made a legal catch by law

   gamekeeper
          [game.keep.er] n (ca. 1671): a person in charge of the breeding
          and protection of game animals or birds on a private
          preserve

   gamelan
          [gam.elan] n [Jav] (1817): an Indonesian orchestra made up
          esp. of percussion instruments (as gongs, xylophones,
          and drums)

   game of chance
          [game of chance] (ca. 1925): a game (as a dice game) in which
          chance rather than skill determines the outcome

   game plan
          [game plan] n (1941): a strategy for achieving an objective

   game point
          [game point] n (ca. 1949): a situation (as in tennis) in
          which one player will win the game by winning the next
          point; also: the point itself

   gamer
          [gam.er] n (ca. 1630): a player who is game; esp: an athlete
          who relishes competition

   game show
          [game show] n (1958): a television program on which contestants
          compete for prizes in a game (as a quiz)

   gamesman
          [games.man] n (1947): one who practices gamesmanship; also:
          one who plays games

   gamesmanship
          [games.man.ship] n (1947) 1: the art or practice of winning
          games by questionable expedients without actually violating
          the rules 2: the use of ethically dubious methods to
          gain an objective

   gamesome
          [game.some] adj [ME] (14c): merry, frolicsome -- game.some.ly
          adv -- game.some.ness n

   gamester
          [game.ster] n (1553): one who plays games; esp: gambler

   gamet-
          [gamet-] or gametocomb form [NL, fr. gameta]: gamete <gametophore>

   gametangium
          [gam.etan.gi.um] n, pl -gia [NL, fr. gamet- + Gk angeion
          vessel--more at angi-] (1886): a cell or organ in which
          gametes are developed

   gamete
          [ga.mete] n [NL gameta, fr. Gk gametes husband, fr. gamein
          to marry] (1886): a mature male or female germ cell usu.
          possessing a haploid chromosome set and capable of initiating
          formation of a new diploid individual by fusion with
          a gamete of the opposite sex -- ga.met.ic adj -- ga.met.i.cal.ly
          adv

   game theory
          [game theory] n (1949): the analysis of a situation involving
          conflicting interests (as in business or military strategy)
          in terms of gains and losses among opposing players --
          game theorist n

   gametocyte
          [ga.me.to.cyte] n [ISV] (1899): a cell (as of a protozoan
          causing malaria) that divides to produce gametes

   gametogenesis
          [ga.me.to.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1900): the production of
          gametes -- ga.me.to.gen.ic or gam.etog.e.nous adj

   gametophore
          [ga.me.to.phore] n (1895): a modified branch (as of a moss)
          bearing gametangia

   gametophyte
          [ga.me.to.phyte] n [ISV] (ca. 1889): the individual or generation
          of a plant exhibiting alternation of generations that
          bears sex organs--compare sporophyte -- ga.me.to.phyt.ic
          adj

   -gamic
          [-gamic] adj comb form [ISV, fr. Gk -gamos -gamous]: having
          (such) reproductive organs <cleistogamic>

   gamin
          [gam.in] n [F] (1840) 1: a boy who hangs around on the streets:
          urchin 2: gamine 2

   [1]gamine
          [ga.mine] n [F, fem. of gamin] (1889) 1: a girl who hangs
          around on the streets 2: a small playfully mischievous
          girl [2]gamine adj (1925): of, relating to, or suggesting
          a gamine

   gaming
          [gam.ing] n (1501) 1: the practice of gambling 2: the playing
          of games that simulate actual conditions (as of business
          or war) esp. for training or testing purposes

   [1]gamma
          [gam.ma] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk, of Sem origin; akin to Heb
          gimel gimel] (15c) 1: the 3d letter of the Greek alphabet
          2: the degree of contrast of a developed photographic
          image or of a television image 3: a unit of magnetic
          flux density equal to one nanotesla 4: gamma ray--usu.
          used as the attributive form of gamma ray <~ counter>
          5: microgram [2]gamma adj (1896) 1: of, relating to,
          or being one of three or more closely related chemical
          substances 2: third in position in the structure of an
          organic molecule from a particular group or atom

   gamma-aminobutyric acid
          [gam.ma-ami.no.bu.tyr.ic acid] n (1957): an amino acid that
          is a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system

   gamma camera
          [gamma camera] n (1964): a camera that detects the radiation
          from a radioactive tracer injected into the body and
          is used esp. in medical diagnostic scanning

   gamma globulin
          [gamma globulin] n (1937) 1 a: a protein fraction of blood
          rich in antibodies b: a sterile solution of gamma globulin
          from pooled human blood administered esp. for passive
          immunity against measles, German measles, infectious
          hepatitis, or poliomyelitis 2: any of numerous globulins
          of blood plasma or serum that have less electrophoretic
          mobility at alkaline pH than serum albumins, alpha globulins,
          or beta globulins and that include most antibodies--compare
          antibody

   gamma radiation
          [gamma radiation] n (1904): radiation composed of gamma rays

   gamma ray
          [gamma ray] n (1903): a photon emitted spontaneously by a
          radioactive substance; also: a high-energy photon--usu.
          used in plural

   gammer
          [gam.mer] n [alter. of godmother] (1575) archaic: an old
          woman--compare gaffer

   [1]gammon
          [gam.mon] n [ME, fr. ONF gambon ham, fr. gambe leg--more
          at gam] (15c) 1 chiefly Brit: ham 2 2 chiefly Brit a:
          a side of bacon b: the lower end of a side of bacon [2]gammon
          n [perh. alter. of ME gamen game] (ca. 1734) 1 archaic:
          backgammon 2: the winning of a backgammon game before
          the loser removes any men from the board [3]gammon vt
          (1735): to beat by scoring a gammon [4]gammon vi (1789)
          1: to talk gammon 2: pretend, feign ~ vt: deceive, fool
          [5]gammon n [obs. gammon (talk)] (1805): talk intended
          to deceive: humbug

   gammy
          [gam.my] adj [perh. fr. [4]game] (1870) Brit: lame, game

   gamo-
          [gamo-] --see gam-

   gamopetalous
          [gamo.pet.al.ous] adj (1830): having the corolla composed
          of united petals <the morning glory is ~>

   -gamous
          [-gamous] adj comb form [Gk -gamos, fr. gamos marriage, fr.
          gamein to marry] 1: characterized by having or practicing
          (such) a marriage or (such or so many) marriages <exogamous>
          2: -gamic <heterogamous>

   gamp
          [gamp] n [Sarah Gamp, nurse with a large umbrella in Martin
          Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens] (1864) Brit: a large umbrella

   gamut
          [gam.ut] n [ML gamma, lowest note of a medieval scale (fr.
          LL, 3d letter of the Greek alphabet) + ut ut] (15c) 1:
          the whole series of recognized musical notes 2: an entire
          range or series <ran the ~ from praise to contempt> syn
          see range

   gamy
          [gamy] or gam.ey adj gam.i.er ; -est (1844) 1: brave, plucky--used
          esp. of animals 2 a: having the flavor of game; esp: having the
          flavor of game near tainting b: smelly 3 a: sordid, scandalous
          <gave us all the ~ details> b: corrupt, disreputable
          <a ~ character> c: sexually suggestive: racy <~ witticisms>
          -- gam.i.ly adv -- gam.i.ness n

   -gamy
          [-gamy] n comb form [ME -gamie, fr. LL -gamia, fr. Gk, fr.
          gamein to marry] 1: marriage <exogamy> 2: union for propagation
          or reproduction <allogamy> 3: possession of (such) reproductive
          organs or (such) a mode of fertilization <cleistogamy>

   gan
          [gan] past of gin

   ganache
          [ga.nache] n [F, lit., jowl, fr. It ganascia, modif. of Gk
          gnathos jaw--more at -gnathous] (1977): a sweet creamy
          chocolate mixture used esp. as a filling or frosting

   Ganda
          [Gan.da] n, pl Ganda or Gandas (1934) 1: a member
          of a Bantu-speaking people of Uganda 2: luganda

   [1]gander
          [gan.der] n [ME, fr. OE gandra; akin to OE gos goose] (bef.
          12c) 1: the adult male goose 2: simpleton [2]gander n
          [prob. fr. [1]gander; fr. the outstretched neck of a
          person craning to look at something] (ca. 1914): look,
          glance <take a ~>

   gandy dancer
          [gan.dy dancer] n [origin unknown] (1923) 1: a laborer in
          a railroad section gang 2: an itinerant or seasonal laborer

   ganef
          [ga.nef] n [Yiddish, fr. Heb gannabh thief] (1923) slang:
          thief, rascal

   Ganelon
          [Ga.ne.lon] n [F]: the traitor in the Charlemagne romances
          who is responsible for the death of Roland

   [1]gang
          [gang] vi [ME, fr. OE gangan; akin to Lith zengti to stride]
          (bef. 12c) Scot: go [2]gang n [ME, walking, journey,
          fr. OE; akin to OE gangan] (15c) 1 a (1): a set of articles:
          outfit <a ~ of oars> (2): a combination of similar implements
          or devices arranged for convenience to act together <a
          ~ of saws> b: group: as (1): a group of persons working
          together (2): a group of persons working to unlawful
          or antisocial ends; esp: a band of antisocial adolescents
          2: a group of persons having informal and usu. close
          social relations [3]gang vt (1856) 1 a: to assemble or
          operate simultaneously as a group b: to arrange in or
          produce as a gang 2: to attack in a gang ~ vi: to move
          or act as a gang

   gang bang
          [gang bang] n (1950) 1: copulation by several persons in
          succession with the same passive partner--often considered
          vulgar 2: gang rape--often considered vulgar -- gang-bang
          vb

   gangbuster
          [gang.bust.er] n (1940): one engaged in the aggressive breakup
          of organized criminal gangs -- like gangbusters : with
          great or excessive force or aggressiveness <came on like
          gangbusters>; also: with great speed or success <making
          money like gangbusters --Martha Hume>

   gangbusters
          [gangbusters] also gangbuster adj (1971): outstandingly excellent
          or successful <doesn't make her a ~ ... player --Tim
          Allis> -- gangbusters adv

   ganger
          [gang.er] n (1849) Brit: the foreman of a gang of workers

   gang hook
          [gang hook] n (ca. 1934): two or three fishhooks with their
          shanks joined together

   gangland
          [gang.land] n, often attrib (1912): the world of organized
          crime

   gangling
          [gan.gling] adj [perh. alter. of Sc gangrel vagrant, lanky
          person] (ca. 1825): loosely and awkwardly built: lanky

   ganglion
          [gan.gli.on] n, pl -glia also -gli.ons [LL, fr. Gk] (ca.
          1681) 1: a small cystic tumor connected either with a
          joint membrane or tendon sheath 2 a: a mass of nerve
          tissue containing nerve cells external to the brain or
          spinal cord; also: nucleus 2b b: something likened to
          a nerve ganglion <cave was a ~ of hoses and tubes --John
          McPhee> -- gan.gli.on.at.ed adj -- gan.gli.on.ic adj

   ganglioside
          [gan.gli.o.side] n [ISV ganglion + [2]-ose + -ide] (1943):
          any of a group of glycolipids that yield a hexose sugar
          on hydrolysis and are found esp. in the plasma membrane
          of cells of the gray matter

   gangly
          [gan.gly] adj gan.gli.er ; -est (1872): gangling

   gangplank
          [gang.plank] n (1846): a movable bridge used in boarding
          or leaving a ship at a pier

   gangplow
          [gang.plow] n (1850): a plow designed to turn two or more
          furrows at one time

   gang rape
          [gang rape] n (1968): rape of one person by several attackers
          in succession -- gang-rape vt

   gangrel
          [gang.rel] n [ME, fr. gangen to go, fr. OE gangan] (14c)
          Scot: vagrant

   [1]gangrene
          [gan.grene] n [L gangraena, fr. Gk gangraina; akin to Gk
          gran to gnaw] (1543) 1: local death of soft tissues due
          to loss of blood supply 2: pervasive decay or corruption:
          rot <moral ~> -- gan.gre.nous adj [2]gangrene vb gan.grened
          ; gan.gren.ing vt (1607): to make gangrenous ~ vi: to
          become gangrenous

   gangster
          [gang.ster] n (1896): a member of a gang of criminals: racketeer
          -- gang.ster.dom n -- gang.ster.ish adj -- gang.ster.ism
          n

   gang-tackle
          [gang-tackle] vt (1951): to bring down (a ballcarrier in
          football) with several tacklers

   gangue
          [gangue] n [F, fr. G Gang vein of metal, fr. OHG, act of
          going] (1809): the worthless rock or vein matter in which
          valuable metals or minerals occur

   gang up
          [gang up] vi (1925) 1: to make a joint assault <ganged up
          on him and beat him up> 2: to combine for a specific
          purpose <ganged up to raise prices> 3: to exert group
          pressure <the class ganged up against the teacher>

   gangway
          [gang.way] n (bef. 12c) 1: passageway; esp: a temporary way
          of planks 2 a: either of the sides of the upper deck
          of a ship b:  the opening by which a ship is boarded
          c: gangplank 3 Brit: aisle 4 a: a cross aisle dividing
          the front benches from the backbenches in the British
          House of Commons b: an aisle in the British House of
          Commons that separates government and opposition benches
          5: a clear passage through a crowd--often used as an
          interjection

   ganister
          [gan.is.ter] also gan.nis.ter n [origin unknown] (1811):
          a fine-grained quartzite used in the manufacture of refractory
          brick

   ganja
          [gan.ja] n [Hindi gaja, fr. Skt ganja hemp] (1689): a potent
          and selected preparation of marijuana used esp. for smoking;
          broadly: marijuana

   gannet
          [gan.net] n, pl gannets also gannet [ME ganet, fr. OE ganot;
          akin to OE gos goose] (bef. 12c): any of a genus (Morus
          of the family Sulidae) of large fish-eating seabirds
          that breed in colonies chiefly on offshore islands

   [1]ganoid
          [gan.oid] adj [ultim. fr. Gk ganos brightness; akin to Gk
          gethein to rejoice--more at joy] (ca. 1847): of, having,
          or being fish scales consisting of bone and an outer
          shiny layer resembling enamel; also: relating to or being
          fish with ganoid scales [2]ganoid n (ca. 1839): a fish
          (as a sturgeon or gar) with ganoid scales

   gantelope
          [gante.lope] or gant.lope n [modif. of Sw gatlopp, fr. OSw
          gatulop, fr. gata road + lop course] (1646) archaic:
          [2]gauntlet

   gantlet
          [gant.let] var of gauntlet

   gantry
          [gan.try] n, pl gantries [perh. modif. of ONF gantier, fr.
          L cantherius trellis] (ca. 1574) 1: a frame for supporting
          barrels 2: a frame structure raised on side supports
          so as to span over or around something: as a: a platform
          made to carry a traveling crane and supported by towers
          or side frames running on parallel tracks; also: a movable
          structure with platforms at different levels used for
          erecting and servicing rockets before launching b: a
          structure spanning several railroad tracks and displaying
          signals for each

   Ganymede
          [Gan.y.mede] n [L Ganymedes, fr. Gk Ganymedes]: a beautiful
          youth in classical mythology carried off to Olympus to
          be the cupbearer of the gods

   GAO
          [GAO] abbreviation General Accounting Office

   gaol
          [gaol] , gaol.er chiefly Brit var of jail, jailer

   [1]gap
          [gap] n [ME, fr. ON, chasm, hole; akin to ON gapa to gape]
          (14c) 1 a: a break in a barrier (as a wall, hedge, or
          line of military defense) b: an assailable position 2
          a: a mountain pass b: ravine 3: spark gap 4 a: a separation
          in space b: an incomplete or deficient area <a ~ in her
          knowledge> 5: a break in continuity: hiatus 6: a break
          in the vascular cylinder of a plant where a vascular
          trace departs from the central cylinder 7: lack of balance:
          disparity <the ~ between imports and exports> 8: a wide
          difference in character or attitude <the generation ~>
          9: a problem caused by some disparity <a communication
          ~> <credibility ~> -- gap.py adj [2]gap vb gapped ; gap.ping
          vt (1879) 1: to make an opening in 2: to adjust the space
          between the electrodes of (a spark plug) ~ vi: to fall
          or stand open

   [1]gape
          [gape] vi gaped ; gap.ing [ME, fr. ON gapa; perh. akin to
          L hiare to gape, yawn--more at yawn] (13c) 1 a: to open
          the mouth wide b: to open or part widely <holes gaped
          in the pavement> 2: to gaze stupidly or in openmouthed
          surprise or wonder 3: yawn -- gap.ing.ly adv [2]gape
          n (1535) 1: an act of gaping: a: yawn b: an openmouthed
          stare 2: an unfilled space or extent 3 a: the median
          margin-to-margin length of the open mouth b: the line
          along which the mandibles of a bird close c: the width
          of an opening 4 pl but sing in constr a: a disease of
          birds and esp. young birds in which gapeworms invade
          and irritate the trachea b: a fit of yawning

   gaper
          [gap.er] n (ca. 1637) 1: one that gapes 2: any of several
          large sluggish burrowing clams (families Myacidae and
          Mactridae) including several used for food

   gapeworm
          [gape.worm] n (1873): a nematode worm (Syngamus trachea)
          that causes gapes in birds

   gaping
          [gap.ing] adj (1588): wide open <a ~ hole>

   gap junction
          [gap junction] n (1967): an area of contact between adjacent
          cells characterized by modification of the cell membranes
          for intercellular communication or transfer of low molecular-weight
          substances

   gapped scale
          [gapped scale] n (1910): a musical scale derived from a larger
          system of tones by omitting certain tones

   gap-toothed
          [gap-toothed] adj (1567): having gaps between the teeth

   gar
          [gar] abbreviation garage  GAR abbreviation Grand Army of
          the Republic

   [1]gar
          [gar] interj [euphemism for God] (1598)--used as a mild oath
          in the phrase by gar [2]gar n [short for garfish] (1765):
          any of various fishes that have an elongate body resembling
          that of a pike and long and narrow jaws: as a: needlefish
          1 b: any of several predaceous No. American freshwater
          bony fishes (family Lepisosteidae) with heavy ganoid
          scales

   [1]garage
          [ga.rage] n [F, act of docking, garage, fr. garer to dock,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG biwaron to protect--more at
          ware] (1902): a shelter or repair shop for automotive
          vehicles [2]garage vt ga.raged ; ga.rag.ing (1905): to
          keep or put in a garage

   garageman
          [ga.rage.man] n (1919): one who works in a garage

   garage sale
          [garage sale] n (1964): a sale of used household or personal
          articles (as furniture, tools, or clothing) held on the
          seller's own premises

   garam masala
          [ga.ram ma.sa.la] n [Hindi garam masala, lit., hot spices]
          (1970): a pungent and aromatic mixture of ground spices
          used in Indian cooking

   Garand rifle
          [Ga.rand rifle] n [John C. Garand] (1931): m1 rifle

   [1]garb
          [garb] n [MF or OIt; MF garbe graceful contour, grace, fr.
          OIt garbo grace] (1599) 1 obs: fashion, manner 2 a: a
          style of apparel b: outward form: appearance [2]garb
          vt (1846): to cover with or as if with clothing <~ed
          in T-shirt and blue jeans>

   garbage
          [gar.bage] n [ME, offal] (15c) 1 a: food waste: refuse b:
          unwanted or useless material 2 a: trash 1b b: inaccurate
          or useless data

   garbageman
          [gar.bage.man] n (1888): one who collects and hauls away
          garbage

   garbanzo
          [gar.ban.zo] n, pl -zos [Sp] (1759): chickpea

   garbanzo bean
          [garbanzo bean] n (1944): chickpea

   [1]garble
          [gar.ble] vt gar.bled ; gar.bling [ME garbelen, fr. OIt garbellare
          to sift, fr. Ar gharbala, fr. LL cribellare, fr. cribellum sieve;
          akin to L cernere to sift--more at certain] (15c) 1 archaic: cull
          2: to sift impurities from 3 a: to so alter or distort as to create
          a wrong impression or change the meaning <~ a story>
          b: to introduce textual error into (a message) by inaccurate
          encipherment, transmission, or decipherment -- gar.bler n [2]garble
          n (1502) 1: the impurities removed from spices in sifting 2: an act
          or an instance of garbling

   garboard
          [gar.board] n [obs. D gaarboord] (1627): the strake next
          to a ship's keel

   garboil
          [gar.boil] n [MF garbouil, fr. OIt garbuglio] (1548) archaic:
          a confused disordered state: turmoil

   garcon
          [gar.con] n, pl garcons [F, boy, servant, fr. OF, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG hrechjo fugitive--more at wretch]
          (1788): waiter

   garcon d'honneur
          [gar.con d'hon.neur] [F] foreign term : bridegroom's attendant

   garde du corps
          [garde du corps] [F] foreign term : bodyguard

   garde-manger
          [garde-man.ger] n, pl garde-mangers [F, lit., one who keeps
          food] (1928): a cook who specializes in the preparation
          of cold foods (as meats, fish, and salads)

   [1]garden
          [gar.den] n [ME gardin, fr. ONF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          gart enclosure--more at yard] (13c) 1 a: a plot of ground
          where herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables are cultivated
          b: a rich well-cultivated region c: a container (as a
          window box) planted with usu. a variety of small plants
          2 a: a public recreation area or park usu. ornamented
          with plants and trees <a botanical ~> b: an open-air
          eating or drinking place c: a large hall for public entertainment
          -- gar.den.ful n [2]garden vb gar.dened ; gar.den.ing
          vi (1577): to lay out or work in a garden ~ vt 1: to
          make into a garden 2: to ornament with gardens -- gar.den.er
          n [3]garden adj (1622) 1: of, relating to, used in, or
          frequenting a garden 2 a: of a kind grown in the open
          as distinguished from one more delicate <~ plant> b:
          commonly found: garden-variety

   garden apartment
          [garden apartment] n (1946): a multiple-unit low-rise dwelling
          having considerable lawn or garden space

   garden city
          [garden city] n (1898): a planned residential community with
          park and planted areas

   garden cress
          [garden cress] n (1577): an annual herb (Lepidium sativum)
          of the mustard family sometimes cultivated for its pungent
          basal leaves

   garden heliotrope
          [garden heliotrope] n (ca. 1902): a tall rhizomatous Old
          World valerian (Valeriana officinalis) widely cultivated
          for its fragrant tiny flowers and for its roots which
          yield the drug valerian

   gardenia
          [gar.de.nia] n [NL, fr. Alexander Garden d. 1791 Scot. naturalist]
          (1760): any of a large genus (Gardenia) of Old World tropical trees
          and shrubs of the madder family with showy fragrant white or yellow
          flowers

   Garden of Eden
          [Garden of Eden] (1535): eden

   garden rocket
          [garden rocket] n (1832): arugula

   garden-variety
          [garden-variety] adj (1928): ordinary, commonplace

   garderobe
          [garde.robe] n [ME, fr. MF; akin to ONF warderobe wardrobe]
          (15c) 1: a wardrobe or its contents 2: a private room:
          bedroom 3: privy 1

   gardez la foi
          [gar.dez la foi] [F] foreign term : keep faith

   gardyloo
          [gar.dy.loo] interj [perh. fr. F garde a l'eau] look out
          for the water]] (1622)--used in Edinburgh as a warning
          cry when it was customary to throw slops from the windows
          into the streets

   Gareth
          [Gar.eth] n: a knight of the Round Table and nephew of King
          Arthur

   garfish
          [gar.fish] n [ME garfysshe] (15c): gar

   Gargantua
          [Gar.gan.tua] n [F]: a gigantic king in Rabelais' Gargantua
          having a great capacity for food and drink

   gargantuan
          [gar.gan.tuan] adj, often cap [Gargantua] (1596): of tremendous
          size or volume: gigantic, colossal <entire cities fleeing
          before ~ walls of water --William Cleary>

   [1]gargle
          [gar.gle] vb gar.gled ; gar.gling [MF gargouiller, of imit.
          origin] vt (1527) 1 a: to hold (a liquid) in the mouth
          or throat and agitate with air from the lungs b: to cleanse
          or disinfect (the oral cavity) in this manner 2: to utter
          with a gargling sound ~ vi 1: to use a gargle 2: to speak
          or sing as if gargling [2]gargle n (1657) 1: a liquid
          used in gargling 2: a sound of or like that of gargling

   gargoyle
          [gar.goyle] n [ME gargoyl, fr. MF gargouille; akin to MF
          gargouiller] (13c) 1 a: a spout in the form of a grotesque
          human or animal figure projecting from a roof gutter
          to throw rainwater clear of a building b: a grotesquely
          carved figure 2: a person with an ugly face -- gar.goyled
          adj

   garibaldi
          [gar.i.bal.di] n (1862): a woman's blouse copied from the
          red shirt worn by the Italian patriot Garibaldi

   garigue
          [ga.rigue] n [F] (1896): a low open scrubland with many evergreen
          shrubs, low trees, aromatic herbs, and bunchgrasses found
          in poor or dry soil in the Mediterranean region

   garish
          [gar.ish] adj [origin unknown] (1545) 1: clothed in vivid
          colors 2 a: excessively vivid: flashy b: offensively
          or distressingly bright: glaring 3: tastelessly showy
          syn see gaudy -- gar.ish.ly adv -- gar.ish.ness n

   [1]garland
          [gar.land] n [ME, fr. MF garlande] (14c) 1: wreath, chaplet
          2: anthology, collection [2]garland vt (15c) 1: to form
          into a garland 2: to adorn with or as if with a garland

   garlic
          [gar.lic] n [ME garlek, fr. OE garleac, fr. gar spear + leac
          leek--more at gore] (bef. 12c) 1: a European bulbous
          herb (Allium sativum) of the lily family widely cultivated
          for its pungent compound bulbs much used in cookery;
          broadly: any plant of the same genus 2: a bulb of garlic
          -- gar.licky adj

   garlicked
          [gar.licked] adj (1950): containing or prepared with garlic
          <a ~ sauce> <~ roast lamb>

   garlic salt
          [garlic salt] n (1927): a seasoning of ground dried garlic
          and salt

   [1]garment
          [gar.ment] n [ME, fr. MF garnement, fr. OF, fr. garnir to
          equip--more at garnish] (14c): an article of clothing
          [2]garment vt (1547): to clothe with or as if with a
          garment

   [1]garner
          [gar.ner] n [ME, fr. OF gernier, grenier, fr. L granarium,
          fr. granum grain--more at corn] (12c) 1 a: granary b:
          a grain bin 2: something that is collected: accumulation
          [2]garner vt gar.nered ; gar.ner.ing (14c) 1 a: to gather
          into storage b: to deposit as if in a granary <volumes
          in which he has ~ed the fruits of his lifetime labors
          --Reinhold Niebuhr> 2 a: to acquire by effort: earn b:
          accumulate, collect

   garnet
          [gar.net] n [ME grenat, fr. MF, fr. grenat, adj., red like
          a pomegranate, fr. (pomme) grenate pomegranate] (14c)
          1: a brittle and more or less transparent usu. red silicate
          mineral that has a vitreous luster, occurs mainly in
          crystals but also in massive form and in grains, is found
          commonly in gneiss and mica schist, and is used as a
          semiprecious stone and as an abrasive 2: a variable color
          averaging a dark red -- gar.net.if.er.ous adj

   garnet paper
          [garnet paper] n (ca. 1902): an abrasive paper with crushed
          garnet as the abrasive

   garnierite
          [gar.ni.er.ite] n [Jules Garnier d. 1904 Fr. geologist] (1875):
          a soft mineral consisting of hydrous nickel magnesium
          silicate and constituting an important ore of nickel

   [1]garnish
          [gar.nish] vt [ME, fr. MF garniss-, stem of garnir to warn,
          equip, garnish, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG warnon to
          take heed--more at warn] (14c) 1 a: decorate, embellish
          b: to add decorative or savory touches to (food or drink)
          2: to equip with accessories: furnish 3: garnishee syn
          see adorn [2]garnish n (1596) 1: embellishment, ornament
          2: something (as lemon wedges or parsley) used to garnish
          food or drink 3 a: an unauthorized fee formerly extorted
          from a new inmate of an English jail b: a similar payment
          required of a new worker

   [1]garnishee
          [gar.nish.ee] n (1627): a person who is served with a garnishment
          [2]garnishee vt -eed ; -ee.ing (ca. 1876) 1: to serve
          with a garnishment 2: to take (as a debtor's wages) by
          legal authority

   garnishment
          [gar.nish.ment] n (1550) 1: garnish 2: a legal summons or
          warning concerning the attachment of property to satisfy
          a debt 3: a stoppage of a specified sum from wages to
          satisfy a creditor

   garniture
          [gar.ni.ture] n [MF, equipment, alter. of OF garnesture,
          fr. garnir] (1667) 1: embellishment, trimming 2: a set
          of decorative objects (as vases, urns, or clocks)

   garpike
          [gar.pike] n (1776): gar b

   garret
          [gar.ret] n [ME garette watchtower, fr. MF garite watchtower,
          refuge, fr. OF garir] (14c): a room or unfinished part
          of a house just under the roof

   [1]garrison
          [gar.ri.son] n [ME garisoun protection, fr. OF garison, fr.
          garir to protect, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG werien to
          defend--more at weir] (15c) 1: a military post; esp:
          a permanent military installation 2: the troops stationed
          at a garrison [2]garrison vt gar.ri.soned ; gar.ri.son.ing
          (1569) 1: to station troops in 2 a: to assign as a garrison
          b: to occupy with troops

   garrison cap
          [garrison cap] n (1944): a visorless folding cap worn as
          part of a military uniform--compare service cap

   Garrison finish
          [Gar.ri.son finish] n [prob. fr. Edward "Snapper" Garrison,
          19th cent. Am. jockey] (1935): a finish in which the
          winner comes from behind at the end

   garrison house
          [garrison house] n (1676) 1: a house fortified against Indian
          attack 2: blockhouse 3: a house having the second story
          overhanging the first in the front

   garrison state
          [garrison state] n (1937): a state organized to serve primarily
          its own need for military security; also: a state maintained
          by military power

   garron
          [gar.ron] n [Ir gearran & ScGael gearran, gelding] (1540)
          Scot & Irish: a small sturdy workhorse

   [1]garrote
          [gar.rote] or ga.rotte n [Sp garrote] (1622) 1 a: a method
          of execution by strangulation b: the apparatus used 2:
          an implement (as a wire with a handle at each end) for
          strangulation [2]garrote or garotte vt gar.rot.ed or
          ga.rott.ed ; gar.rot.ing or ga.rott.ing (1851): to strangle
          with or as if with a garrote -- gar.rot.er n

   garrulity
          [gar.ru.li.ty] n (1581): the quality or state of being garrulous

   garrulous
          [gar.ru.lous] adj [L garrulus, fr. garrire to chatter--more
          at care] (ca. 1611) 1: given to prosy, rambling, or tedious
          loquacity: pointlessly or annoyingly talkative 2: wordy
          1 <~ speeches> syn see talkative -- gar.ru.lous.ly adv
          -- gar.ru.lous.ness n

   [1]garter
          [gar.ter] n [ME, fr. ONF gartier, fr. garet bend of the knee,
          of Celt origin; akin to W gar shank] (14c) 1 a: a band
          worn to hold up a stocking or sock b: a band worn to
          hold up a shirt sleeve c: a strap hanging from a girdle
          or corset to support a stocking 2 cap a: the British
          Order of the Garter; also: the blue velvet garter that
          is its badge b: membership in the order [2]garter vt
          (15c): to support with or as if with a garter

   garter snake
          [garter snake] n (1769): any of a genus (Thamnophis) of harmless
          viviparous American snakes with longitudinal stripes
          on the back

   garth
          [garth] n [ME, fr. ON garthr yard; akin to OHG gart enclosure--more
          at yard] (14c): a small yard or enclosure: close

   garvey
          [gar.vey] n, pl garveys [prob. fr. the name Garvey] (ca.
          1896): a small scow esp. of the New Jersey coast

   [1]gas
          [gas] n, pl gas.es also gas.ses [NL, alter. of L chaos space,
          chaos] (1779) 1: a fluid (as air) that has neither independent
          shape nor volume but tends to expand indefinitely 2 a:
          a combustible gas or gaseous mixture for fuel or lighting;
          esp: natural gas b: a gaseous product of digestion; also:
          discomfort from this c: a gas or gaseous mixture used
          to produce anesthesia d: a substance that can be used
          to produce a poisonous, asphyxiating, or irritant atmosphere
          3: empty talk: bombast 4: gasoline; also: the accelerator
          pedal of an automotive vehicle 5: driving force: energy
          <I was young, and full of ~ --H. L. Mencken> <ran out
          of ~ in the seventh inning> 6 slang: something that gives
          pleasure: delight <the party was a ~> [2]gas vb gassed
          ; gas.sing vi (1852) 1: to talk idly or garrulously 2:
          to give off gas 3: to fill the tank (as of an automobile)
          with gasoline--usu. used with up ~ vt 1: to supply with
          gas or esp. gasoline <~ up the car> 2 a: to treat chemically
          with gas b: to poison or otherwise affect adversely with
          gas 3 slang: to please greatly

   gasbag
          [gas.bag] n (1827) 1: a bag for holding gas 2: an idle or
          garrulous talker

   gas chamber
          [gas chamber] n (1945): a chamber in which prisoners are
          executed by poison gas

   gas chromatograph
          [gas chromatograph] n (1958): an instrument used to separate
          a sample into components in gas chromatography

   gas chromatography
          [gas chromatography] n (1952): chromatography in which the
          sample mixture is vaporized and injected into a stream
          of carrier gas (as nitrogen or helium) moving through
          a column containing a stationary phase composed of a
          liquid or particulate solid and is separated into its
          component compounds according to their affinity for the
          stationary phase -- gas chromatographic adj

   gascon
          [gas.con] n (14c) 1 cap a: a native of Gascony b: the Romance
          speech of Gascony 2: a boastful swaggering person --
          Gascon adj

   gasconade
          [gas.co.nade] n [F gasconnade, fr. gasconner to boast, fr.
          gascon gascon, boaster] (1709): bravado, boasting --
          gasconade vi -- gas.con.ad.er n

   gaseous
          [gas.eous] adj (1799) 1: having the form of or being gas;
          also: of or relating to gases 2 a: lacking substance
          or solidity b: gassy 3 <trick phrases and ~ circumlocutions
          --Edwin Newman> -- gas.eous.ness n

   gas fitter
          [gas fitter] n (ca. 1858): a worker who installs or repairs
          gas pipes and appliances

   gas gangrene
          [gas gangrene] n (1914): progressive gangrene marked
          by impregnation of the dead and dying tissue with gas and caused
          by one or more toxin-producing clostridia

   gas-guzzler
          [gas-guz.zler] n (1973): a usu. large automobile that gets
          relatively poor mileage -- gas-guz.zling adj

   [1]gash
          [gash] n (1548) 1: a deep long cut in flesh 2 : a deep narrow
          depression or cut <cut a ~ through the forest> <a ~ in
          the hull> [2]gash vb [alter. of ME garsen, fr. ONF garser,
          fr. (assumed) VL charissare, fr. Gk charassein to scratch,
          engrave] vt (1570): to make a gash in ~ vi: to make a
          gash: cut [3]gash adj [origin unknown] (1706) 1 chiefly
          Scot: knowing, witty 2 chiefly Scot: well-dressed: trim

   gasholder
          [gas.hold.er] n (1802): a container for gas; esp: a huge
          cylindrical tank for storing fuel gas under pressure

   gashouse
          [gas.house] n (1880): gasworks

   gasification
          [gas.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1812): conversion into gas; esp: conversion
          of coal into natural gas

   gasify
          [gas.i.fy] vb -i.fied ; -i.fy.ing vt (ca. 1828): to convert
          into gas <~ coal> ~ vi: to become gaseous -- gas.ifi.er
          n

   gasket
          [gas.ket] n [perh. modif. of F garcette] (ca. 1889): a material
          (as rubber) or a member (as an O-ring) used to make a
          joint fluid-tight

   gaskin
          [gas.kin] n [prob. short for galligaskins] (1573) 1 pl, obs:
          hose, breeches 2: a part of the hind leg of a quadruped
          between the stifle and the hock--see horse illustration

   gaslight
          [gas.light] n (1808) 1: light made by burning illuminating
          gas 2: a gas flame or gas lighting fixture

   gas-liquid chromatography
          [gas-liquid chromatography] n (1952): gas chromatography
          in which the stationary phase is a liquid -- gas-liquid
          chromatographic adj

   gaslit
          [gas.lit] adj (1837): illuminated by gaslight

   gas log
          [gas log] n (1885): a hollow perforated imitation log used
          as a gas burner in a fireplace

   gas mask
          [gas mask] n (1915): a mask connected to a chemical air filter
          and used to protect the face and lungs from toxic gases;
          broadly: respirator 1

   gasogene
          [gas.o.gene] n [F gazogene, fr. gaz gas (fr. NL gas) + -o-
          + -gene -gen] (ca. 1853) 1: a portable apparatus for
          carbonating liquids 2: an apparatus carried by a vehicle
          to produce gas for fuel by partial burning of charcoal
          or wood

   gasohol
          [gas.o.hol] n [blend of gasoline and alcohol] (1977): a fuel
          consisting of a blend usu. of 10 percent ethyl alcohol
          and 90 percent gasoline

   gas oil
          [gas oil] n (1901): a hydrocarbon oil used as a fuel oil;
          esp: a petroleum distillate intermediate in boiling range
          and viscosity between kerosene and lubricating oil

   gasolier
          [gas.olier] n [alter. of gaselier, fr. gas + -elier (as in
          chandelier)] (1905): a gaslight chandelier

   gasoline
          [gas.o.line] also gas.o.lene n [[1]gas + [2]-ol + [2]-ine
          or -ene] (1865): a volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon
          mixture used as a fuel esp. for internal combustion engines
          and usu. blended from several products of natural gas
          and petroleum -- gas.o.lin.ic adj

   gasometer
          [gas.om.e.ter] n [F gazometre, fr. gaz + -o- + -metre -meter]
          (1808) 1: gasholder 2: a laboratory apparatus for holding
          and measuring gases

   gas-operated
          [gas-operated] adj (1944) of a firearm: using part of the
          force of expanding propellant gases to operate the action

   gasp
          [gasp] vb [ME; akin to ON geispa to yawn] vi (14c) 1: to
          catch the breath convulsively and audibly (as with shock)
          2: to breathe laboriously ~ vt: to utter in a gasping
          manner -- gasp n

   gasper
          [gasp.er] n (1914) slang Brit: cigarette

   gas plant
          [gas plant] n (ca. 1909): fraxinella

   gas ring
          [gas ring] n (1901): a ring-shaped portable gas burner for
          cooking

   gassed
          [gassed] adj (ca. 1925): drunk 1

   gasser
          [gas.ser] n (ca. 1944) slang: something outstanding

   gas station
          [gas station] n (1925): service station 1

   gassy
          [gas.sy] adj gas.si.er ; -est (1757) 1: full of or containing
          gas 2: having the characteristics of gas 3: characterized
          by many words but little content: emptily verbose --
          gas.si.ly adv -- gas.si.ness n

   gast
          [gast] vt [ME, fr. gast, gost ghost--more at ghost] (14c)
          obs: scare <~ed by the noise I made, full suddenly he
          fled --Shak.>

   Gastarbeiter
          [Gast.ar.beit.er] n, pl Gastarbeiter also Gastarbeiters [G,
          fr. Gast guest + Arbeiter worker] (1970): a foreign worker
          esp. in Germany

   gaster
          [gas.ter] n [Gk gaster] (ca. 1909): the enlarged part of
          the abdomen behind the pedicel in hymenopterous insects
          (as ants)

   gastight
          [gas.tight] adj (1831): impervious to gas -- gas.tight.ness
          n

   gastness
          [gast.ness] n (14c) obs: fright, terror

   gastr-
          [gastr-] or gastro- also gastri- comb form [Gk, fr. gastr-,
          gaster] 1: stomach <gastrectomy> 2: gastric and <gastrointestinal>

   gastrea
          [gas.trea] also gas.traea n [NL, fr. Gk gastr-, gaster] (1879):
          a hypothetical metazoan ancestral form corresponding
          in organization to a simple invaginated gastrula

   gastrectomy
          [gas.trec.to.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (1886): surgical removal
          of all or part of the stomach

   gastric
          [gas.tric] adj [Gk gastr-, gaster, alter. of (assumed) Gk
          graster, fr. Gk gran to gnaw, eat] (1656): of or relating
          to the stomach

   gastric gland
          [gastric gland] n (1900): any of various glands in the walls
          of the stomach that secrete gastric juice

   gastric juice
          [gastric juice] n (ca. 1736): a thin watery acid digestive
          fluid secreted by glands in the mucous membrane of the
          stomach

   gastric ulcer
          [gastric ulcer] n (ca. 1910): a peptic ulcer situated in
          the stomach

   gastrin
          [gas.trin] n (1905): any of various polypeptide hormones
          that are secreted by the gastric mucosa and induce secretion
          of gastric juice

   gastritis
          [gas.tri.tis] n (1806): inflammation esp. of the mucous membrane
          of the stomach

   gastrocnemius
          [gas.troc.ne.mi.us] n, pl -mii [NL, fr. Gk gastrokneme calf
          of the leg, fr. gastr- + kneme shank--more at ham] (1676):
          the largest and most superficial muscle of the calf of
          the leg arising by two heads from the condyles of the
          femur and attaching to a tendon that becomes part of
          the Achilles tendon

   gastroduodenal
          [gas.tro.du.o.de.nal] adj (1854): of, relating to, or involving
          the stomach and the duodenum

   gastroenteritis
          [gas.tro.en.ter.i.tis] n (ca. 1829): inflammation of the
          lining membrane of the stomach and the intestines

   gastroenterology
          [gas.tro.en.ter.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1904): a branch of
          medicine concerned with the structure, functions, diseases,
          and pathology of the stomach and intestines --
          gas.tro.en.ter.o.log.i.cal adj -- gas.tro.en.ter.ol.o.gist n

   gastroesophageal
          [gas.tro.esoph.a.ge.al] adj (ca. 1909): of, relating to,
          or involving the stomach and esophagus

   gastrointestinal
          [gas.tro.in.tes.ti.nal] adj (1831): of, relating to, affecting,
          or including both stomach and intestine <~ tract>

   gastrolith
          [gas.tro.lith] n (1854): a stone or pebble ingested by an
          animal and functioning to grind food in gastric digestion

   gastronome
          [gas.tro.nome] n [F, back-formation fr. gastronomie] (1823):
          a lover of good food; esp: one with a serious interest
          in gastronomy syn see epicure

   gastronomically
          [gas.tro.nom.i.cal.ly] adv (1875) 1: from the standpoint
          of gastronomy <~ fashionable> 2: toward gastronomy <~
          inclined>

   gastronomist
          [gas.tron.o.mist] n (1825): gastronome

   gastronomy
          [gas.tron.o.my] n [F gastronomie, fr. Gk Gastronomia, title
          of a 4th cent. b.c. poem, fr. gastro- gastr- + -nomia
          -nomy] (1814) 1: the art or science of good eating 2:
          culinary customs or style -- gas.tro.nom.ic also gas.tro.nom.i.cal
          adj

   gastropod
          [gas.tro.pod] n [NL Gastropoda, class name] (1826): any of
          a large class (Gastropoda) of mollusks (as snails and
          slugs) usu. with a univalve shell or none and a distinct
          head bearing sensory organs -- gastropod adj

   gastroscope
          [gas.tro.scope] n [ISV] (1888): an instrument for viewing
          the interior of the stomach -- gas.tro.scop.ic adj --
          gas.tros.co.pist n -- gas.tros.co.py n

   gastrotrich
          [gas.tro.trich] n [ultim. fr. Gk gastr- + trich-, thrix hair--more
          at trich-] (1940): any of a phylum (Gastrotricha) of minute aquatic
          pseudocoelomate animals that usu. have a spiny or scaly cuticle and
          cilia on the ventral surface

   gastrovascular
          [gas.tro.vas.cu.lar] adj [ISV] (1876): functioning in both
          digestion and circulation <the ~ cavity of a coelenterate>

   gastrula
          [gas.tru.la] n, pl -las or -lae [NL, fr. gastr-] (1877):
          an early metazoan embryo in which the ectoderm, mesoderm,
          and endoderm are established either by invagination of
          the blastula (as in fish and amphibians) to form a multilayered
          cellular cup with a blastopore opening into the archenteron
          or by differentiation of the blastodisc (as in reptiles,
          birds, and mammals) and inward cellular migration--compare
          blastula, morula -- gas.tru.lar adj

   gastrulation
          [gas.tru.la.tion] n (1879): the process of becoming or of
          forming a gastrula -- gas.tru.late vi

   gas turbine
          [gas turbine] n (1904): an internal combustion engine in
          which expanding gases from the combustion chamber drive
          the blades of a turbine

   gasworks
          [gas.works] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1819): a plant
          for manufacturing gas and esp. illuminating gas

   [1]gat
          [gat] archaic past of get [2]gat n [prob. fr. D, lit., hole;
          akin to OE geat gate] (1723): a natural or artificial
          channel or passage [3]gat n [short for Gatling gun] (1904)
          slang: handgun

   -gate
          [-gate] n comb form [Watergate]: usu. political scandal often
          involving the concealment of wrongdoing <Irangate>

   [1]gate
          [gate] n [ME, fr. OE geat; akin to ON gat opening] (bef.
          12c) 1: an opening in a wall or fence 2: a city or castle
          entrance often with defensive structures (as towers)
          3 a: the frame or door that closes a gate b: a movable
          barrier (as at a grade crossing) 4 a: a means of entrance
          or exit b: starting gate c: an area (as at a railroad
          station or an airport) for departure or arrival d: a
          space between two markers through which a competitor
          must pass in the course of a slalom race 5 a: a door,
          valve, or other mechanism for controlling the passage
          esp. of a fluid, ion, or molecule b (1): an electronic
          switch that allows or prevents the flow of current in
          a circuit (2): an electrode in a field-effect transistor
          that modulates the current flowing through the transistor
          according to the voltage applied to the electrode--compare
          drain, source c: a device (as in a computer) that outputs
          a signal when specified input conditions are met <logic
          ~> 6 slang: dismissal <gave him the ~> 7: the total admission
          receipts or the number of spectators (as at a sports
          event) [2]gate vt gat.ed ; gat.ing (1835) 1 Brit: to
          punish by confinement to a campus or dormitory 2: to
          supply with a gate 3: to control by means of a gate [3]gate
          n [ME, fr. ON gata road; akin to OHG gazza road] (13c)
          1 archaic: way, path 2 dial: method, style

   gateau
          [ga.teau] n, pl ga.teaux also gateaus [F, fr. OF gastel,
          prob. of Gmc origin; akin to OE wist sustenance, food]
          (1845) 1: food baked or served in the form of a cake
          <eggplant ~> 2: a rich or fancy cake

   gate-crasher
          [gate-crash.er] n (1926): a person who enters, attends, or
          participates without ticket or invitation -- gate-crash
          vb

   gatefold
          [gate.fold] n (1946): foldout; esp: one with a single fold
          that opens out like a gate

   gatehouse
          [gate.house] n (14c): a building or house connected or associated
          with a gate

   gatekeeper
          [gate.keep.er] n (1572) 1: one that tends or guards a gate
          2: a person who controls access -- gate.keep.ing adj

   gateleg table
          [gate.leg table] n (1926): a table with drop leaves supported
          by movable paired legs

   gatepost
          [gate.post] n (1522): the post to which a gate is hung or
          the one against which it closes

   gateway
          [gate.way] n (1707) 1: an opening for a gate 2: gate 4a

   [1]gather
          [gath.er] vb gath.ered ; gath.er.ing [ME gaderen, fr. OE
          gaderian; akin to Skt gadhya what one clings to--more
          at good] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to bring together: collect
          <tried to ~ a crowd> <~ed firewood> 2 a: pick, harvest
          <~ flowers> b: to pick up or accumulate as if by harvesting
          <~ing ideas for the project> c: to assemble (the signatures
          of a book) in sequence for binding 3: to serve as a center
          of attraction for 4: to effect the collection of (as
          tax) 5 a: to summon up <~ed his courage> b: to gain by
          gradual increase: accumulate <~ speed> c: to prepare
          (as oneself) by mustering strength 6: to reach a conclusion
          often intuitively from hints or through inferences <I
          ~ that you want to leave> 7 a: to pull (fabric) along
          a line of stitching so as to draw into puckers b: to
          draw about or close to something <~ing her cloak about
          her> c: to bring together the parts of d: to haul in
          ~ vi 1 a: to come together in a body b: to cluster around
          a focus of attraction 2 a: to swell and fill with pus
          b: grow, increase -- gath.er.er n syn gather, collect,
          assemble, congregate mean to come or bring together into
          a group, mass, or unit. gather is the most general term
          for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or
          scattered state <a crowd quickly gathered>. collect often
          implies careful selection or orderly arrangement <collected
          books on gardening>. assemble implies an ordered union
          or organization of persons or things often for a definite
          purpose <experts assembled for a conference on aeronautics>.
          congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into
          a crowd or huddle <congregating under shelter in a storm>.
          syn see in addition infer [2]gather n (1555) 1: something
          gathered: as a: a puckering in cloth made by gathering
          b: a mass of molten glass collected for use in glassblowing
          2: an act or instance of gathering

   gathering
          [gath.er.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: assembly, meeting 2: a suppurating
          swelling: abcess 3: the collecting of food or raw materials
          from the wild 4: collection, compilation 5: a gather
          in cloth

   Gatling gun
          [Gat.ling gun] n [Richard J. Gatling d. 1903 Am. inventor]
          (1867): a machine gun with a revolving cluster of barrels
          fired once each per revolution

   gator
          [ga.tor] n (1844): alligator

   GATT
          [GATT] abbreviation General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

   gauche
          [gauche] adj, sometimes gauch.er sometimes gauch.est [F,
          lit., left] (1751) 1 a: lacking social experience or
          grace; also: not tactful: crude <it would be ~ to mention
          the subject> b: crudely made or done <a ~ turn of phrase>
          2: not planar <~ conformation of molecules> syn see awkward
          -- gauche.ly adv -- gauche.ness n

   gaucherie
          [gau.che.rie] n [F] (1826): a tactless or awkward act

   Gaucher's disease
          [Gau.cher's disease] n [Philippe C. E. Gaucher d. 1918 Fr.
          physician] (1902): a rare hereditary disorder of lipid
          metabolism caused by an enzyme deficiency and characterized
          by enlargement of the spleen and neurological impairment

   gaucho
          [gau.cho] n, pl gauchos [AmerSp] (1824): a cowboy of the
          So. American pampas

   gaud
          [gaud] n [ME gaude] (15c): ornament, trinket

   gaudeamus igitur
          [gau.de.a.mus igi.tur] [L] foreign term : let us then be
          merry

   gaudery
          [gaud.ery] n (ca. 1598): showy ornamentation; esp: personal
          finery

   [1]gaudy
          [gau.dy] adj gaud.i.er ; -est (1583) 1: ostentatiously or
          tastelessly ornamented 2: marked by dazzling brilliance,
          showiness, or extravagance <~ praise> -- gaud.i.ly adv
          -- gaud.i.ness n syn gaudy, tawdry, garish, flashy, meretricious
          mean vulgarly or cheaply showy. gaudy implies a tasteless
          use of overly bright, often clashing colors or excessive
          ornamentation <circus performers in gaudy costumes>.
          tawdry applies to what is at once gaudy and cheap and
          sleazy <tawdry saloons>. garish describes what is distressingly
          or offensively bright <garish neon signs>. flashy implies
          an effect of brilliance quickly and easily seen to be
          shallow or vulgar <a flashy nightclub act>. meretricious
          stresses falsity and may describe a tawdry show that
          beckons with a false allure or promise <a meretricious
          wasteland of casinos and bars>. [2]gaudy n, pl gaudies
          [prob. fr. L gaudium joy--more at joy] (1651): a feast
          or entertainment esp. in the form of an annual college
          dinner at a British university

   gauffer
          [gauf.fer] var of goffer

   [1]gauge
          [gauge] n [ME gauge, fr. ONF] (15c) 1 a: a measurement (as
          of linear dimension) according to some standard or system:
          as (1): the distance between the rails of a railroad
          (2): the size of a shotgun barrel's inner diameter nominally
          expressed as the number of lead balls each just fitting
          that diameter required to make a pound <a 12-gauge shotgun>
          (3): the thickness of a thin material (as sheet metal
          or plastic film) (4): the diameter of a slender object
          (as wire or a hypodermic needle) (5): the fineness of
          a knitted fabric expressed by the number of loops per
          unit width b: dimensions, size c: measure 1 <surveys
          are a ~ of public sentiment> 2: an instrument for or
          a means of measuring or testing: as a: an instrument
          for measuring a dimension or for testing mechanical accuracy
          b: an instrument with a graduated scale or dial for measuring
          or indicating quantity 3: relative position of a ship
          with reference to another ship and the wind 4: a function
          introduced into a field equation to produce a convenient
          form of the equation but having no observable physical
          consequences syn see standard [2]gauge vt gauged ; gaug.ing
          (15c) 1 a: to measure precisely the size, dimensions,
          or other measurable quantity of b: to determine the capacity
          or contents of c: estimate, judge <hard to ~ his moods>
          2 a: to check for conformity to specifications or limits
          b: to measure off or set out

   gauged
          [gauged] adj (1823) of masonry: dressed to size (as by rubbing
          or sawing)

   gauger
          [gaug.er] n (15c) 1: one that gauges 2 chiefly Brit: an exciseman
          who inspects dutiable bulk goods

   gauge theory
          [gauge theory] n (1925): any of several theories in physics
          that explain the transmission of a fundamental force
          between two interacting particles by the exchange of
          an elementary particle

   Gaul
          [Gaul] n (1625) 1: a Celt of ancient Gaul 2: frenchman

   [1]Gaulish
          [Gaul.ish] adj (1659): of or relating to the Gauls or their
          language or land [2]Gaulish n (1668): the Celtic language
          of the ancient Gauls

   Gaullism
          [Gaull.ism] n [Charles de Gaulle] (1943) 1: a French political
          movement during World War II led by Charles de Gaulle
          in opposition to the Vichy regime 2: a postwar French
          political movement led by Charles de Gaulle -- Gaull.ist
          adj or n

   gault
          [gault] n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON gald hard-packed
          snow] (1575) chiefly Brit: a heavy thick clay soil

   gaum
          [gaum] vt [origin unknown] (1796) dial: smudge, smear

   gaunt
          [gaunt] adj [ME] (15c) 1: excessively thin and angular <a
          long ~ face> 2: barren, desolate syn see lean -- gaunt.ly
          adv -- gaunt.ness n

   [1]gauntlet
          [gaunt.let] n [ME, fr. MF gantelet, dim. of gant glove, of
          Gmc origin; akin to MD want glove, ON vottr] (15c) 1:
          a glove worn with medieval armor to protect the hand
          2: any of various protective gloves used esp. in industry
          3: an open challenge (as to combat)--used in phrases
          like throw down the gauntlet 4: a dress glove extending
          above the wrist -- gaunt.let.ed adj [2]gauntlet n [by
          folk etymology fr. gantelope] (1661) 1: a severe trial:
          ordeal <ran the ~ of criticism and censure> 2 a: a double
          file of men facing each other and armed with clubs or
          other weapons with which to strike at an individual who
          is made to run between them--used with run b: a long
          line (as of guards or well-wishers)

   gaur
          [gaur] n [Hindi, fr. Skt gaura; akin to Skt go bull, cow--more
          at cow] (1806): a large wild ox (Bos gaurus) of India
          and southeast Asia with a broad forehead and short thick
          curved horns

   gauss
          [gauss] n, pl gauss also gauss.es [Karl F. Gauss] (1882):
          the centimeter-gram-second unit of magnetic flux density
          that is equal to 0.0001 tesla

   Gaussian
          [Gauss.ian] adj [Karl F. Gauss] (1905): being or having the
          shape of a Gaussian curve or a Gaussian distribution

   Gaussian curve
          [Gaussian curve ] n (1905): normal curve

   Gaussian distribution
          [Gaussian distribution] n (1905): normal distribution

   gauze
          [gauze] n [MF gaze] (1561) 1 a: a thin often transparent
          fabric used chiefly for clothing or draperies b: a loosely
          woven cotton surgical dressing c: a firm woven fabric
          of metal or plastic filaments 2: haze -- gauze.like adj
          -- gauz.i.ly adv -- gauzy adj

   gavage
          [ga.vage] n [F, fr. gaver to stuff, force-feed, fr. MF dial.
          (Picardy) gave gullet, crop] (1889): introduction of
          material into the stomach by a tube

   gave
          [gave] past of give

   [1]gavel
          [gav.el] n [ME, fr. OE gafol; akin to OE giefan to give]
          (bef. 12c): rent or tribute in medieval England [2]gavel
          n [origin unknown] (ca. 1859): a mallet used (as by a
          presiding officer or auctioneer) for commanding attention
          or confirming an action (as a vote or sale) [3]gavel
          vt -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling (1925): to bring
          or force by use of a gavel <~ed the audience to silence>

   gavelkind
          [gav.el.kind] n [ME gavelkynde, fr. [1]gavel + kinde kind]
          (14c): a tenure of land existing chiefly in Kent from
          Anglo-Saxon times until 1925 and providing for division
          of an intestate's estate equally among the sons or other
          heirs

   gavel-to-gavel
          [gavel-to-gavel] adj (1968): extending from the beginning
          to the end of a meeting or session <~ television coverage>

   gavial
          [ga.vi.al] n [F, modif. of Bengali ghariyal or Hindi gharyal,
          fr. Skt ghantika crocodilian] (ca. 1825): a large long-snouted
          crocodilian (Gavialis gangeticus) of India

   gavotte
          [ga.votte] n [F, fr. MF, fr. OProv gavato, fr. gavot Alpine
          dweller] (1696) 1: a dance of French peasant origin marked
          by the raising rather than sliding of the feet 2: a tune
          for the gavotte in moderately quick 4/4 time -- gavotte
          vi

   Gawain
          [Ga.wain] n: a knight of the Round Table and nephew of King
          Arthur

   [1]gawk
          [gawk] n [prob. fr. E dial. gawk (left-handed)] (1757): a
          clumsy stupid person: lout [2]gawk vi [perh. alter. of
          obs. gaw (to stare)] (1785): to gape or stare stupidly
          -- gawk.er n

   gawkish
          [gawk.ish] adj (1876): gawky -- gawk.ish.ly adv -- gawk.ish.ness
          n

   gawky
          [gawky] adj gawk.i.er ; -est (1759): awkward, clumsy <a ~
          adolescent> -- gawk.i.ly adv -- gawky n

   gawp
          [gawp] vi [E dial. gawp to yawn, gape, fr. obs. galp, fr.
          ME] (1855) chiefly Brit: gawk -- gawp.er n

   [1]gay
          [gay] adj [ME, fr. MF gai] (14c) 1 a: happily excited: merry
          b: keenly alive and exuberant: having or inducing high
          spirits <abandoned a sober traditional style for one
          more timely and ~> 2 a: bright, lively <~ sunny meadows>
          b: brilliant in color 3: given to social pleasures; also:
          licentious 4 a: homosexual b: of, relating to, or used
          by homosexuals <the ~ rights movement> <a ~ bar> syn
          see lively -- gay adv -- gay.ness n [2]gay n (1953):
          homosexual

   gayety, gayly
          [gay.ety, gay.ly] var of gaiety, gaily

   gaz
          [gaz] abbreviation gazette

   gazania
          [ga.za.nia] n [NL, fr. Theodorus Gaza d. 1478 Greek scholar]
          (1813): any of a genus (Gazania) of So. African composite
          herbs often cultivated for their brightly colored flowers

   gazar
          [ga.zar] n [origin unknown] (1967): a silk organza

   [1]gaze
          [gaze] vi gazed ; gaz.ing [ME] (14c): to fix the eyes in
          a steady and intent look and often with eagerness or
          studious attention -- gaz.er n [2]gaze n (1566): a fixed
          intent look

   gazebo
          [ga.ze.bo] n, pl -bos [perh. fr. [1]gaze + L -ebo (as in
          videbo I shall see)] (1752) 1: belvedere 2: a freestanding
          roofed structure usu. open on the sides

   gazehound
          [gaze.hound] n (1610): a dog that hunts by sight rather than
          by scent; esp: greyhound

   gazelle
          [ga.zelle] n, pl gazelles also gazelle [F, fr. MF, fr. Ar
          ghazal] (1600): any of numerous small to medium graceful
          and swift African and Asian antelopes (Gazella and related
          genera)

   [1]gazette
          [ga.zette] n [F, fr. It gazetta] (1605) 1: newspaper 2: an
          official journal 3 Brit: an announcement in an official
          gazette [2]gazette vt ga.zett.ed ; ga.zett.ing (1678)
          1 chiefly Brit: to announce or publish in a gazette 2
          Brit: to announce the appointment or status of in an
          official gazette

   gazetteer
          [gaz.et.teer] n (1611) 1 archaic: journalist, publicist 2:
          a geographical dictionary; also: a book in which a subject
          is treated esp. in regard to geographic distribution
          and regional specialization

   gazogene
          [gaz.o.gene] var of gasogene

   gazpacho
          [gaz.pa.cho] n, pl -chos [Sp] (1845): a spicy soup that is
          usu. made from chopped raw vegetables (as tomato, onion,
          pepper, and cucumber) and that is served cold

   gb...
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   GB
          [GB] abbreviation Great Britain

   GB
          [GB] n [code name] (1961): sarin

   GBF
          [GBF] abbreviation Great Books Foundation

   gc...
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   GC
          [GC] abbreviation gas chromatograph, gas chromatography

   GCA
          [GCA] abbreviation ground-controlled approach

   GCB
          [GCB] abbreviation Knight Grand Cross of the Bath

   GCD
          [GCD] abbreviation greatest common divisor

   GCF
          [GCF] abbreviation greatest common factor

   GCT
          [GCT] abbreviation Greenwich civil time

   gd...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   gd
          [gd] abbreviation good  Gd abbreviation gadolinium

   GDR
          [GDR] abbreviation German Democratic Republic

   ge...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ge-
          [ge-] or geo- comb form [ME geo-, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L,
          fr. Gk ge-, geo-, fr. ge] 1: earth: ground: soil <geanticline>
          <geophyte> 2: geographic: geography and <geopolitics>

   Ge
          [Ge] abbreviation germanium  GE abbreviation gilt edges

   geanticline
          [ge.an.ti.cline] n (1889): a great upward flexure of the
          earth's crust--compare geosyncline

   [1]gear
          [gear] n [ME gere, fr. ON gervi, gorvi; akin to OE gearwe
          equipment, clothing, gearu ready--more at yare] (14c)
          1 a: clothing, garments b: movable property: goods 2:
          equipment, paraphernalia <fishing ~> 3 a: the rigging
          of a ship or boat b: the harness esp. of horses 4 dial
          chiefly Brit: absurd talk: nonsense 5 dial chiefly Brit:
          doings 6 a (1): a mechanism that performs a specific
          function in a complete machine <steering ~> (2): a toothed
          wheel (3): working relation, position, order, or adjustment
          <got her career in ~> b: one of two or more adjustments
          of a transmission (as of a bicycle or motor vehicle)
          that determine mechanical advantage, relative speed,
          and direction of travel -- gear.less adj [2]gear vt (1851)
          1 a: to provide (as machinery) with gearing b: to connect
          by gearing 2 a: to make ready for effective operation
          b: to adjust so as to match, blend with, or satisfy something
          <~ing wages to productivity> ~ vi 1 a Brit, of machinery:
          to be in gear: mesh b: shift 1c <~ down> 2: to become
          adjusted so as to match, blend, or harmonize

   gearbox
          [gear.box] n (1887) 1: gearing 2 2: transmission 3

   gearchange
          [gear.change] n (1927) Brit: gearshift

   gearing
          [gear.ing] n (1833) 1: the act or process of providing or
          fitting with gears 2: the parts by which motion is transmitted
          from one portion of machinery to another; esp: a train
          of gears

   gearshift
          [gear.shift] n (1926): a mechanism by which the transmission
          gears in a power-transmission system are engaged and
          disengaged; also: a lever for controlling such a mechanism

   gear up
          [gear up] vi (1951): to get ready <the team is gearing up
          for the big game>

   gearwheel
          [gear.wheel] n (ca. 1874): gear 6a(2)

   Geat
          [Geat] n [OE Geat] (bef. 12c): a member of a Scandinavian
          people of southern Sweden to which the legendary hero
          Beowulf belonged -- Geat.ish adj

   gecko
          [gecko] n, pl geck.os or geck.oes [perh. fr. Malay dial.
          ge'kok] (1774): any of numerous small harmless chiefly
          tropical and nocturnal insectivorous lizards (family
          Gekkonidae)

   GED
          [GED] abbreviation General Educational Development (tests),
          general equivalency diploma

   gedankenexperiment
          [ge.dank.en.ex.per.i.ment] n [G, fr. Gedanke thought + Experiment
          experiment] (1941): an experiment carried out in thought
          only

   [1]gee
          [gee] vb [origin unknown] vb imper (1628)--used as a direction
          to turn to the right or move ahead--compare [5]haw ~
          vi geed gee.ing : to turn to the right side [2]gee interj
          [euphemism for Jesus] (1895)--used as an introductory
          expletive or to express surprise or enthusiasm [3]gee
          n (1926) 1: the letter g 2 [grand] slang: a thousand
          dollars

   geegaw
          [gee.gaw] var of gewgaw

   geek
          [geek] n [prob. fr. E dial. geek, geck fool, fr. LG geck,
          fr. MLG] (1914) 1: a person often of an intellectual
          bent who is disapproved of 2: a carnival performer often
          billed as a wild man whose act usu. includes biting the
          head off a live chicken or snake -- geeky adj

   geese
          [geese] pl of goose

   gee-whiz
          [gee-whiz] adj (1934) 1: designed to arouse wonder or excitement
          or to amplify the merits or significance of something
          esp. by the use of clever or sensational language <play-by-play
          specialists who wallow in ~ banality --Jack Gould> 2:
          marked by spectacular or astonishing qualities or achievement
          <~ technology> 3: characterized by wide-eyed enthusiasm,
          excitement, and wonder

   gee whiz
          [gee whiz] interj (1885): [2]gee

   geez
          [geez] var of jeez Ge.ez n (1790): a Semitic language formerly
          spoken in Ethiopia and still used as the liturgical language
          of the Christian church in Ethiopia

   geezer
          [gee.zer] n [prob. alter. of Sc guiser (one in disguise)]
          (1885): a queer, odd, or eccentric person--used esp.
          of elderly men

   gefilte fish
          [ge.fil.te fish] n [Yiddish, lit., stuffed fish] (1892):
          balls or cakes of seasoned minced fish usu. simmered
          in a fish stock or baked in a tomato sauce

   gegenschein
          [ge.gen.schein] n, often cap [G, fr. gegen against, counter-
          + Schein shine] (1880): a faint light about 20 degrees
          across on the celestial sphere opposite the sun probably
          caused by backscatter of sunlight by solar-system dust

   Gehenna
          [Ge.hen.na] n [LL, fr. Gk Geenna, fr. Heb Ge' Hinnom, lit.,
          valley of Hinnom] (1594) 1: a place or state of misery
          2: hell 1a(2)

   Geiger counter
          [Gei.ger counter] n [Hans Geiger d. 1945 Ger. physicist]
          (1924): an instrument for detecting the presence and
          intensity of radiations (as cosmic rays or particles
          from a radioactive substance) by means of the ionizing
          effect on an enclosed gas which results in a pulse that
          is amplified and fed to a device giving a visible or
          audible indication

   Geiger-Muller counter
          [Gei.ger-Mul.ler counter] n [W. Muller, 20th cent. Ger. physicist]
          (1932): geiger counter

   geisha
          [gei.sha] n, pl geisha or geishas [Jp, fr. gei art + -sha
          person] (1887): a Japanese girl or woman who is trained
          to provide entertaining and lighthearted company esp.
          for a man or a group of men

   [1]gel
          [gel] n [gelatin] (1899) 1: a colloid in a more solid form
          than a sol; broadly: jelly 2 2: a thin colored transparent
          sheet used over a stage light to color it 3: a gelatinous
          preparation used in styling hair [2]gel vi gelled ; gel.ling
          (1917): to change into or take on the form of a gel:
          set -- gel.able adj

   gelada baboon
          [gel.a.da baboon] n [Amharic ch'allada] (1878): a large long-haired
          primate (Theropithecus gelada) of Ethiopia related to the
          baboon--called also gelada

   gelandesprung
          [ge.lan.de.sprung] n [G, fr. Gelande open fields + Sprung
          jump] (1931): a jump usu. over an obstacle in skiing
          that is made from a low crouch with the aid of both ski
          poles

   gelate
          [gel.ate] vi gel.at.ed ; gel.at.ing (1915): gel

   gelatin
          [gel.a.tin] also gel.a.tine n [F gelatine edible jelly, gelatin,
          fr. It gelatina, fr. gelato, pp. of gelare to freeze,
          fr. L--more at cold] (1800) 1: glutinous material obtained
          from animal tissues by boiling; esp: a colloidal protein
          used as a food, in photography, and in medicine 2 a:
          any of various substances (as agar) resembling gelatin
          b: an edible jelly made with gelatin 3: gel 2

   gelatinization
          [ge.la.ti.ni.za.tion] n (1843): the process of converting
          into a gelatinous form or into a jelly -- ge.la.ti.nize
          vb

   gelatinous
          [ge.lat.i.nous] adj (1766) 1: resembling gelatin or jelly:
          viscous <a ~ precipitate> 2: of, relating to, or containing
          gelatin -- ge.lat.i.nous.ly adv -- ge.lat.i.nous.ness
          n

   [1]gelation
          [ge.la.tion] n [L gelation-, gelatio, fr. gelare] (1854):
          the action or process of freezing [2]gel.ation n [[1]gel
          + -ation] (1915): the formation of a gel from a sol

   gelato
          [ge.la.to] n, pl -ti also -tos [It, lit., frozen] (1929):
          a soft rich ice cream containing little or no air

   [1]geld
          [geld] vt [ME, fr. ON gelda; akin to OE gelde sterile] (14c)
          1: castrate 2: to deprive of a natural or essential part
          <sick of workingmen being ~ed of their natural expression
          --Atlantic> [2]geld n [OE gield, geld service, tribute;
          akin to OE gieldan to pay, yield--more at yield] (1610):
          the crown tax paid under Anglo-Saxon and Norman kings

   gelding
          [geld.ing] n [ME, fr. ON geldingr, fr. gelda] (14c) 1: a
          castrated animal; specif: a castrated male horse 2 archaic:
          eunuch

   gelee
          [ge.lee] n [F, jelly, fr. MF--more at jelly] (1966): a cosmetic
          gel

   gel electrophoresis
          [gel electrophoresis] n (1960): electrophoresis in which
          molecules (as proteins and nucleic acids) migrate through
          a gel and esp. a polyacrylamide gel and separate into
          bands according to size

   gelid
          [gel.id] adj [L gelidus, fr. gelu frost, cold--more at cold]
          (1599): extremely cold: icy <~ water> <a man of ~ reserve
          --New Yorker> -- ge.lid.i.ty n -- gel.id.ly adv

   gelignite
          [gel.ig.nite] n [gelatin + L ignis fire + E -ite--more at
          igneous] (1889): a dynamite in which the adsorbent base
          is largely potassium nitrate or a similar nitrate usu.
          with some wood pulp

   gellant
          [gel.lant] n (1956): a substance used to produce gelling

   gel permeation chromatography
          [gel permeation chromatography] n (1966): chromatography
          in which macromolecules (as polymers) in a solution are
          separated by size on a column packed with a gel (as of
          polystyrene)

   gelt
          [gelt] n [D & G geld & Yiddish gelt; all akin to OE geld
          [2]geld] (ca. 1529): money

   [1]gem
          [gem] n [ME gemme, fr. MF, fr. L gemma bud, gem] (14c) 1
          a: jewel b: a precious or sometimes semiprecious stone
          cut and polished for ornament 2 a: something prized esp.
          for great beauty or perfection b: a highly prized or
          well-beloved person 3: muffin [2]gem vt gemmed ; gem.ming
          (1610): to adorn with or as if with gems

   GEM
          [GEM] abbreviation ground-effect machine

   Gemara
          [Ge.ma.ra] n [Aram gemara completion] (1613): a commentary
          on the Mishnah forming the second part of the Talmud
          -- Ge.ma.ric adj -- Ge.ma.rist n

   gemeinschaft
          [ge.mein.schaft] n [G, community, fr. gemein common, general
          (fr. OHG gimeini) + -schaft -ship--more at mean] (1937):
          a spontaneously arising organic social relationship characterized
          by strong reciprocal bonds of sentiment and kinship within
          a common tradition; also: a community or society characterized
          by this relationship--compare gesellschaft

   geminal
          [gem.i.nal] adj [L geminus twin] (1967): relating to
          or characterized by two usu. similar substituents on the same atom
          -- gem.i.nal.ly adv

   [1]geminate
          [gem.i.nate] adj [L geminatus, pp. of geminare to double,
          fr. geminus twin] (15c) 1: arranged in pairs: duplicate
          2: being a sequence of identical speech sounds (as in
          meanness or Italian notte  "night") [2]gem.i.nate vb
          -nat.ed ; -nat.ing vt (1637): to make geminate ~ vi:
          to be or become geminate -- gem.i.na.tion n

   Gemini
          [Gem.i.ni] n pl but sing in constr [L (gen. Geminorum), lit.,
          the twins (Castor and Pollux)] 1: the 3d zodiacal constellation
          pictorially represented as the twins Castor and Pollux
          sitting together and located on the opposite side of
          the Milky Way from Taurus and Orion 2 a: the 3d sign
          of the zodiac in astrology b: one born under the sign
          of Gemini

   gemma
          [gem.ma] n, pl gem.mae [L] (1830): bud; broadly: an asexual
          reproductive body that becomes detached from a parent
          plant

   gemmation
          [gem.ma.tion] n (ca. 1839): reproduction by gemmae

   gemmule
          [gem.mule] n [F, fr. L gemmula, dim. of gemma] (ca. 1841):
          a small bud: a: a theoretical particle proposed in the
          theory of pangenesis that is shed by a somatic cell and
          contains all the information necessary to reproduce that
          cell type (as in an offspring) b: a reproductive bud
          produced by freshwater and some marine sponges that consists
          of a usu. hardened aggregate of cells

   gemmy
          [gem.my] adj (15c) 1: having the characteristics desired
          in a gemstone 2: bright, glittering

   gemologist
          [gem.ol.o.gist] also gem.mol.o.gist n (1931): a specialist
          in gems; specif: one who appraises gems

   gemology
          [gem.ol.o.gy] or gem.mol.o.gy n [L gemma gem] (1811): the
          science of gems -- gem.olog.i.cal adj

   gemot
          [ge.mot] or ge.mote n [OE gemot, fr. ge- (perfective prefix)
          + mot assembly--more at co-, moot] (bef. 12c): a judicial
          or legislative assembly in Anglo-Saxon England

   gemsbok
          [gems.bok] n [Afrik, fr. G Gemsbock male chamois, fr. Gems
          chamois + Bock male goat] (1777): a large and strikingly
          marked oryx (Oryx gazella) formerly abundant in southern
          Africa

   gemstone
          [gem.stone] n (bef. 12c): a mineral or petrified material
          that when cut and polished can be used in jewelry

   gemutlich
          [ge.mut.lich] adj [G, fr. MHG gemuetlich pleasant, fr. gemuete
          mentality, mind] (1852): agreeably pleasant: comfortable

   gemutlichkeit
          [ge.mut.lich.keit] n [G, fr. gemutlich + -keit, alter. of
          -heit -hood] (1892): cordiality, friendliness

   gen
          [gen] abbreviation general, genitive, genus  Gen abbreviation
          Genesis

   gen
          [gen] n [perh. fr. general information] (1940) chiefly Brit:
          information 2a

   -gen
          [-gen] also -gene n comb form [F -gene, fr. Gk -genes born;
          akin to Gk genos birth] 1: producer <androgen> 2: one
          that is (so) produced <cultigen>

   [1]gen-
          [gen-] or geno- comb form [Gk genos birth, race, kind--more
          at kin] 1: race <genocide> 2: genus: kind <genotype>
          [2]gen- or geno- comb form: gene <genome>

   Gen AF
          [Gen AF] abbreviation general of the air force

   gendarme
          [gen.darme] n [F, fr. MF, back-formation fr. gensdarmes,
          pl. of gent d'armes, lit., armed people] (1796) 1: a
          member of a body of soldiers esp. in France serving as
          an armed police force for the maintenance of public order
          2: police officer

   gendarmerie
          [gen.dar.mer.ie] or gen.dar.mery n, pl -mer.ies [F gendarmerie,
          fr. gendarme] (ca. 1796): a body of gendarmes

   [1]gender
          [gen.der] n [ME gendre, fr. MF genre, gendre, fr. L gener-,
          genus birth, race, kind, gender--more at kin] (14c) 1
          a: a subclass within a grammatical class (as noun, pronoun,
          adjective, or verb) of a language that is partly arbitrary
          but also partly based on distinguishable characteristics
          (as shape, social rank, manner of existence, or sex)
          and that determines agreement with and selection of other
          words or grammatical forms b: membership of a word or
          a grammatical form in such a subclass c: an inflectional
          form showing membership in such a subclass 2 a: sex <black
          divinities of the feminine ~ --Charles Dickens> b: the
          behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically
          associated with one sex [2]gender vb gen.dered ; gen.der.ing
          [ME gendren, fr. MF gendrer, fr. L generare--more at
          generate] (14c): engender

   gendered
          [gen.dered] adj (1972): reflecting the experience, prejudices,
          or orientations of one sex more than the other <~ language>

   gene
          [gene] n [G Gen, short for Pangen, fr. pan- + -gen] (1911):
          a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that
          is located in the germ plasm usu. on a chromosome and
          that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling
          the transmission and expression of one or more traits
          by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide
          and esp. a protein or controlling the function of other
          genetic material

   genealogist
          [ge.ne.al.o.gist] n (1605): a person who traces or studies
          the descent of persons or families

   genealogy
          [ge.ne.al.o.gy] n, pl -gies [ME genealogie, fr. MF, fr. LL
          genealogia, fr. Gk, fr. genea race, family + -logia -logy;
          akin to Gk genos race] (14c) 1: an account of the descent
          of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from
          older forms 2: regular descent of a person, family, or
          group of organisms from a progenitor or older form: pedigree
          3: the study of family pedigrees -- ge.ne.a.log.i.cal
          adj -- ge.ne.a.log.i.cal.ly adv

   gene amplification
          [gene amplification] n (1968): replication and esp. massive
          replication (as in the polymerase chain reaction) of
          the genetic material in part of a genome

   gene conversion
          [gene conversion] n (1955): a genetic process in which a
          heterozygote with one damaged strand of DNA produces
          gametes in an aberrant allelic ratio (as 3:1) instead
          of the normal 1:1 Mendelian ratio due to repair of the
          damaged strand with genetic material complementary to
          the other strand

   gene flow
          [gene flow] n (1947): the passage and establishment of genes
          typical of one breeding population into the gene pool
          of another by hybridization and backcrossing

   gene frequency
          [gene frequency] n (1930): the ratio of the number of a specified
          allele in a population to the total of all alleles at
          its genetic locus

   gene mutation
          [gene mutation] n (1927): point mutation

   gene pool
          [gene pool] n (1946): the collection of genes of all the
          individuals in an interbreeding population

   genera
          [genera] pl of genus

   generable
          [gen.er.a.ble] adj (15c): capable of being generated

   [1]general
          [gen.er.al] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L generalis, fr. gener-,
          genus kind, class--more at kin] (14c) 1: involving, applicable
          to, or affecting the whole 2: involving, relating to,
          or applicable to every member of a class, kind, or group
          <the ~ equation of a straight line> 3: not confined by
          specialization or careful limitation 4: belonging to
          the common nature of a group of like individuals: generic
          5 a: applicable to or characteristic of the majority
          of individuals involved: prevalent b: concerned or dealing
          with universal rather than particular aspects 6: relating
          to, determined by, or concerned with main elements rather
          than limited details <bearing a ~ resemblance to the
          original> 7: holding superior rank or taking precedence
          over others similarly titled <the ~ manager> [2]general
          n (14c) 1: something (as a concept, principle, or statement)
          that involves or is applicable to the whole 2: superior
          general 3 archaic: the general public: people 4 a: general
          officer b: a commissioned officer in the army, air force,
          or marine corps who ranks above a lieutenant general
          and whose insignia is four stars--compare admiral --
          in general : for the most part: generally

   general admission
          [general admission] n (ca. 1949): a fee paid for admission
          to a usu. unreserved seating area (as in an auditorium
          or stadium)

   general agent
          [general agent] n (1835) 1: one employed to transact generally
          all legal business entrusted to him by his principal
          2: an insurance company agent working within a specified
          area

   general assembly
          [general assembly] n (1619) 1: the highest governing body
          in a religious denomination (as the United Presbyterian
          Church) 2: a legislative assembly; esp: a U.S. state
          legislature 3 cap G&A: the supreme deliberative body
          of the United Nations

   general aviation
          [general aviation] n (1966): the operation of civilian aircraft
          not under the control of a common carrier; also: such
          aircraft collectively

   General Court
          [General Court] n (1629): a legislative assembly; specif:
          the state legislature in Massachusetts and New Hampshire

   general delivery
          [general delivery] n (1846): a department of a post office
          that handles the delivery of mail at a post office window
          to persons who call for it

   general election
          [general election] n (1716): an election usu. held at regular
          intervals in which candidates are elected in all or most
          constituencies of a nation or state

   generalisation, generalise, generalised
          [gen.er.al.isa.tion, gen.er.al.ise, gen.er.al.ised] Brit
          var of generalization, generalize, generalized

   generalissimo
          [gen.er.a.lis.si.mo] n, pl -mos [It, fr. generale general]
          (1621): the chief commander of an army

   generalist
          [gen.er.al.ist] n (1611): one whose skills, interests, or
          habits are varied or unspecialized

   generality
          [gen.er.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: the quality or state
          of being general 2 a: generalization 2 b: a vague or
          inadequate statement 3: the greatest part: bulk <the
          ~ of the population>

   generalization
          [gen.er.al.iza.tion] n (1761) 1: the act or process of generalizing
          2: a general statement, law, principle, or proposition 3: the act
          or process whereby a response is made to a stimulus similar to but
          not identical with a reference stimulus

   generalize
          [gen.er.al.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (ca. 1751) 1: to give
          a general form to 2 a: to derive or induce (a general
          conception or principle) from particulars b: to draw
          a general conclusion from 3: to give general applicability
          to <~ a law>; also: to make indefinite ~ vi 1: to form
          generalizations; also: to make vague or indefinite statements
          2: to spread or extend throughout the body --
          gen.er.al.iz.abil.i.ty n -- gen.er.al.iz.able adj --
          gen.er.al.iz.er n

   generalized
          [gen.er.al.ized] adj (ca. 1843): made general; esp: not highly
          differentiated biologically nor strictly adapted to a
          particular environment

   generally
          [gen.er.al.ly] adv (14c): in a general manner: as a: in disregard
          of specific instances and with regard to an overall picture
          <~ speaking> b: as a rule: usually

   general officer
          [general officer] n (1681): any of the officers in the army,
          air force, or marine corps above colonel--compare company
          officer, field officer, flag officer

   general of the air force
          [general of the air force] (1949): a general of the highest
          rank in the air force whose insignia is five stars

   general of the army
          [general of the army] (1945): a general of the highest rank
          in the army whose insignia is five stars

   general paresis
          [general paresis] n (1874): insanity caused by syphilitic
          alteration of the brain that leads to dementia and
          paralysis--called also general paralysis of the insane

   general partner
          [general partner] n (1887): a partner whose liability for
          partnership debts and obligations is unlimited

   general practitioner
          [general practitioner] n (ca. 1885): a physician or veterinarian
          whose practice is not limited to a specialty; broadly:
          generalist

   general-purpose
          [general-purpose] adj (1894): suitable to be used for two
          or more basic purposes

   general quarters
          [general quarters] n pl (1902): a condition of maximum readiness
          of a warship for action

   general relativity
          [general relativity] n (1916): relativity 3b

   general semantics
          [general semantics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1933):
          a doctrine and educational discipline intended to improve
          habits of response of human beings to their environment
          and one another esp. by training in the more critical
          use of words and other symbols

   generalship
          [gen.er.al.ship] n (1610) 1: office or tenure of office of
          a general 2: leadership 3: military skill in a high commander

   general store
          [general store] n (1835): a retail store located usu. in
          a small or rural community that carries a wide variety
          of goods including groceries but is not divided into
          departments

   general theory of relativity
          [general theory of relativity] (1921): relativity 3b

   general will
          [general will] n (ca. 1902): the collective will of a community
          that is the embodiment or expression of its common interest

   generate
          [gen.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L generatus, pp. of generare,
          fr. gener-, genus descent, birth--more at kin] (1509)
          1: to bring into existence: as a: procreate, beget b:
          to originate by a vital, chemical, or physical process:
          produce <~ electricity> 2: to be the cause of (a situation,
          action, or state of mind) <these stories ... ~ a good
          deal of psychological suspense --Atlantic> 3: to define
          or originate (as a mathematical or linguistic set or
          structure) by the application of one or more rules or
          operations; esp: to trace out (as a curve) by a moving
          point or trace out (as a surface) by a moving curve

   generation
          [gen.er.a.tion] n (14c) 1 a: a body of living beings constituting
          a single step in the line of descent from an ancestor
          b: a group of individuals born and living contemporaneously
          c: a group of individuals having contemporaneously a
          status (as that of students in a school) which each one
          holds only for a limited period d: a type or class of
          objects usu. developed from an earlier type <first of
          the ... new ~ of powerful supersonic fighters --Kenneth
          Koyen> 2 a: the action or process of producing offspring:
          procreation b: the process of coming or bringing into
          being <~ of income> c: origination by a generating process:
          production; esp: formation of a geometric figure by motion
          of another 3: the average span of time between the birth
          of parents and that of their offspring -- gen.er.a.tion.al
          adj -- gen.er.a.tion.al.ly adv

   generative
          [gen.er.a.tive] adj (14c): having the power or function of
          generating, originating, producing, or reproducing

   generative cell
          [generative cell] n (ca. 1892): a sexual reproductive cell:
          gamete

   generative grammar
          [generative grammar] n (1959) 1: a description in the form
          of an ordered set of rules for producing the grammatical
          sentences of a language 2: transformational grammar

   generative nucleus
          [generative nucleus] n (ca. 1892): the one of the two nuclei
          resulting from the first division in the pollen grain
          of a seed plant that gives rise to sperm nuclei--compare
          tube nucleus

   generative semantics
          [generative semantics] n pl but usu sing in constr (1970):
          a description of a language emphasizing a semantic deep
          structure that is logical in form, that provides syntactic
          structure, and that is related to surface structure by
          transformations

   generator
          [gen.er.a.tor] n (1646) 1: one that generates 2: an apparatus
          in which vapor or gas is formed 3: a machine by which
          mechanical energy is changed into electrical energy 4:
          a mathematical entity that when subjected to one or more
          operations yields another mathematical entity or its
          elements; specif: generatrix

   generatrix
          [gen.er.a.trix] n, pl -er.a.tri.ces (1840): a point, line,
          or surface whose motion generates a line, surface, or
          solid

   [1]generic
          [ge.ner.ic] adj [F generique, fr. L gener-, genus birth,
          kind, class] (1676) 1 a: relating to or characteristic
          of a whole group or class: general b: being or having
          a nonproprietary name c: having no particularly distinctive
          quality or application 2: relating to or having the rank
          of a biological genus -- ge.ner.i.cal.ly adv -- ge.ner.ic.ness
          n [2]generic n (1967): a generic product (as a drug)

   generosity
          [gen.er.os.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1616) 1 a: the quality
          or fact of being generous b: a generous act 2: abundance

   generous
          [gen.er.ous] adj [MF or L; MF genereus, fr. L generosus,
          fr. gener-, genus] (1588) 1 archaic: highborn 2 a: characterized
          by a noble or forbearing spirit: magnanimous, kindly
          b: liberal in giving: openhanded c: marked by abundance
          or ample proportions: copious syn see liberal -- gen.er.ous.ly
          adv -- gen.er.ous.ness n

   genesis
          [gen.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [L, fr. Gk, fr. gignesthai to be
          born--more at kin] (ca. 1604): the origin or coming into
          being of something Genesis n [Gk]: the mainly narrative
          first book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scriptures

   gene-splicing
          [gene-splic.ing] n (ca. 1978): any of various techniques
          by which recombinant DNA is produced and made to function
          in an organism

   genet
          [gen.et] n [ME genete, fr. MF, fr. Ar jarnayt] (15c): any
          of a genus (Genetta) of small Old World usu. carnivorous
          mammals related to the civets and having retractile claws,
          spotted or striped fur, and a ringed tail

   gene therapy
          [gene therapy] n (1974): the insertion of normal or genetically
          altered genes into cells usu. to replace defective genes
          esp. in the treatment of genetic disorders

   -genetic
          [-ge.net.ic] adj comb form: -genic 1, 2 <psychogenetic>

   genetic
          [ge.net.ic] also ge.net.i.cal adj [genesis] (1831) 1: relating
          to or determined by the origin, development, or causal
          antecedents of something 2 a: of, relating to, or involving
          genetics b: genic -- ge.net.i.cal.ly adv

   genetic code
          [genetic code] n (1961): the biochemical basis of heredity
          consisting of codons in DNA and RNA that determine the
          specific amino acid sequence in proteins and appear to
          be uniform for all known forms of life

   genetic counseling
          [genetic counseling] n (1968): medical education of affected
          individuals and the general public concerning inherited
          disorders

   genetic drift
          [genetic drift] n (1945): random changes in gene frequency
          esp. in small populations when leading to preservation
          or extinction of particular genes

   genetic engineering
          [genetic engineering] n (1966): the directed alteration of
          genetic material by intervention in genetic processes;
          esp: gene-splicing -- genetically engineered adj -- genetic
          engineer n

   genetic map
          [genetic map] n (ca. 1960): map 3

   genetic marker
          [genetic marker] n (1950): a usu. dominant gene or trait
          that serves esp. to identify genes or traits linked with
          it

   genetics
          [ge.net.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1905) 1: a branch of
          biology that deals with the heredity and variation of
          organisms 2: the genetic makeup and phenomena of an organism,
          type, group, or condition -- ge.net.i.cist n

   geneva
          [ge.ne.va] n [modif. of obs. D genever (now jenever), lit.,
          juniper, fr. MD, fr. OF geneivre, ultim. fr. L juniperus]
          (1706): a highly aromatic bitter gin orig. made in the
          Netherlands

   Geneva bands
          [Ge.ne.va bands] n pl [Geneva, Switzerland; fr. their use
          by the Calvinist clergy of Geneva] (1882): two strips
          of white cloth suspended from the front of a clerical
          collar and sometimes used by Protestant clergymen--called
          also Geneva tabs

   Geneva convention
          [Geneva convention] n (1880): one of a series of agreements
          concerning the treatment of prisoners of war and of the
          sick, wounded, and dead in battle first made at Geneva,
          Switzerland in 1864 and subsequently accepted in later
          revisions by most nations

   Geneva cross
          [Geneva cross] n [fr. its adoption by the Geneva convention]
          (ca. 1889): red cross

   Geneva gown
          [Geneva gown] n [fr. its use by the Calvinist clergy of Geneva]
          (1820): a loose large-sleeved black academic gown widely
          used as a vestment by members of the Protestant clergy

   Genevan
          [Ge.ne.van] adj (1573) 1: of or relating to Geneva, Switzerland
          2: of or relating to Calvinism -- Genevan n

   [1]genial
          [ge.nial] adj [L genialis, fr. genius] (1566) 1 obs: of or
          relating to marriage or generation <the ~ bed --John
          Milton> 2 obs: inborn, native 3 a: favorable to growth
          or comfort: mild <~ sunshine> b: marked by or diffusing
          sympathy or friendliness <your ~ host> 4: displaying
          or marked by genius syn see gracious -- ge.nial.i.ty
          n -- ge.nial.ly adv [2]ge.ni.al adj [Gk geneion chin,
          fr. genys jaw--more at chin] (1831): of or relating to
          the chin

   -genic
          [-gen.ic] adj comb form [ISV -gen & -geny + -ic] 1: producing:
          forming <carcinogenic> 2: produced by: formed from <biogenic>
          3 [photogenic]: suitable for production or reproduction
          by (such) a medium <telegenic>

   genic
          [gen.ic] adj (1918): of, relating to, or being a gene --
          gen.i.cal.ly adv

   geniculate
          [ge.nic.u.late] or ge.nic.u.lat.ed adj [L geniculatus, fr.
          geniculum, dim. of genu knee--more at knee] (1657): bent
          abruptly at an angle like a bent knee

   genie
          [ge.nie] n, pl ge.nies also ge.nii [F genie, fr. Ar jinniy]
          (1748) 1: jinni 1 2: a magic spirit believed to take
          human form and serve the person who calls it

   genital
          [gen.i.tal] adj [ME, fr. L genitalis, fr. genitus, pp. of
          gignere to beget--more at kin] (14c) 1: generative 2:
          of, relating to, or being a sexual organ 3: of, relating
          to, or characterized by the stage of psychosexual development
          in psychoanalytic theory during which oral and anal impulses
          are subordinated to adaptive interpersonal mechanisms
          -- gen.i.tal.ly adv

   genital herpes
          [genital herpes] n (1968): herpes simplex of the type typically
          affecting the genitalia

   genitalia
          [gen.i.ta.lia] n pl [L, fr. neut. pl. of genitalis] (1876):
          the organs of the reproductive system; esp: the external
          genital organs -- gen.i.ta.lic adj

   genitals
          [gen.i.tals] n pl (14c): genitalia

   genitival
          [gen.i.ti.val] adj (1818): of, relating to, or formed with
          or from the genitive case -- gen.i.ti.val.ly adv

   genitive
          [gen.i.tive] adj [ME, fr. L genetivus, genitivus, lit., of
          generation (erroneous translation of Gk genikos genitive),
          fr. genitus] (14c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          a grammatical case marking typically a relationship of
          possessor or source--compare possessive 2: expressing
          a relationship that in some inflected languages is often
          marked by a genitive case--used esp. of English prepositional
          phrases introduced by of -- genitive n

   genito-
          [genito-] comb form [genital]: genital and <genitourinary>

   genitourinary
          [gen.i.to.uri.nary] adj (ca. 1836): of or relating to the
          genital and urinary organs or functions

   geniture
          [gen.i.ture] n (15c): nativity, birth

   genius
          [ge.nius] n, pl ge.nius.es or ge.nii [L, tutelary spirit,
          natural inclinations, fr. gignere to beget] (1513) 1
          a pl genii: an attendant spirit of a person or place
          b pl usu genii: a person who influences another for good
          or bad 2: a strong leaning or inclination: penchant 3
          a: a peculiar, distinctive, or identifying character
          or spirit b: the associations and traditions of a place
          c: a personification or embodiment esp. of a quality
          or condition 4 pl usu genii: spirit, jinni 5 pl usu geniuses
          a: a single strongly marked capacity or aptitude <had
          a ~ for getting along with boys --Mary Ross> b: extraordinary
          intellectual power esp. as manifested in creative activity
          c: a person endowed with transcendent mental superiority;
          esp: a person with a very high intelligence quotient
          syn see gift

   genius loci
          [genius lo.ci] n [L] (1605) 1: the pervading spirit of a
          place 2: a tutelary deity of a place

   genl
          [genl] abbreviation general

   geno-
          [geno-] --see gen-

   genoa
          [gen.oa] n [Genoa, Italy] (1932): a large jib that overlaps
          the mainsail and is used esp. in racing

   genocide
          [geno.cide] n (1944): the deliberate and systematic destruction
          of a racial, political, or cultural group -- geno.cid.al
          adj

   genoise
          [ge.noise] n [F genoise, fr. fem. of genois of Genoa, Italy]
          (1931): a sponge cake containing butter and leavened
          by stiffly beaten eggs

   genome
          [ge.nome] n [G Genom, fr. Gen gene + -om (as in Chromosom
          chromosome)] (1930): one haploid set of chromosomes with
          the genes they contain; broadly: the genetic material
          of an organism -- ge.no.mic adj

   genotype
          [ge.no.type] n (1897) 1: type species 2 [ISV [2]gen-]: all
          or part of the genetic constitution of an individual
          or group--compare phenotype -- ge.no.typ.ic also ge.no.typ.i.cal
          adj -- ge.no.typ.i.cal.ly adv

   -genous
          [-genous] adj comb form [-gen + -ous] 1: producing: yielding
          <erogenous> 2: having (such) an origin <terrigenous>

   genre
          [genre] n [F, fr. MF, kind, gender--more at gender] (1770)
          1: a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition
          characterized by a particular style, form, or content
          2: kind, sort 3: painting that depicts scenes or events
          from everyday life usu. realistically

   genro
          [gen.ro] n pl, often cap [Jp genro] (1876): the elder statesmen
          of Japan who formerly advised the emperor

   gens
          [gens] n, pl gen.tes [L gent-, gens--more at gentle] (1847)
          1: a Roman clan embracing the families of the same stock
          in the male line with the members having a common name
          and worshiping a common ancestor 2: clan; esp: a patrilineal
          clan 3: a distinguishable group of related organisms

   gens d'eglise
          [gens d'e.glise] [F] foreign term : church people: clergy

   gens de guerre
          [gens de guerre] [F] foreign term : military people: soldiery

   gens du monde
          [gens du monde] [F] foreign term : people of the world: fashionable
          people

   [1]gent
          [gent] adj [ME, noble, graceful, fr. OF, fr. L genitus, pp.
          of gignere to beget--more at kin] (13c) archaic: pretty,
          graceful [2]gent n (1564): gentleman

   gentamicin
          [gen.ta.mi.cin] n [alter. of earlier gentamycin, fr. gentian
          violet + kanamycin; fr. the color of the actinomycete]
          (1963): a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is derived from
          an actinomycete (Micromonospora purpurea or M. echinospora)
          and is extensively used as the sulfate in treating infections
          esp. of the urinary tract

   genteel
          [gen.teel] adj [MF gentil gentle] (1599) 1 a: having
          an aristocratic quality or flavor: stylish b: of or relating to the
          gentry or upper class c: elegant or graceful in manner, appearance,
          or shape d: free from vulgarity or rudeness: polite
          2 a: maintaining or striving to maintain the appearance of superior
          or middle-class social status or respectability b (1): marked
          by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation (2): conventionally
          or insipidly pretty <timid and ~ artistic style> -- gen.teel.ly adv
          -- gen.teel.ness n

   genteelism
          [gen.teel.ism] n (1926): a word believed by its user to be
          more polite or less vulgar than a common synonym; also:
          the use of genteelisms

   gentian
          [gen.tian] n [ME gencian, fr. MF gentiane, fr. L gentiana]
          (14c) 1: any of numerous herbs (family Gentianaceae,
          the gentian family, and esp. genus Gentiana) with opposite
          smooth leaves and showy usu. blue flowers 2: the rhizome
          and roots of a yellow-flowered gentian (Gentiana lutea)
          of southern Europe that is used as a tonic, stomachic,
          and flavoring in vermouth

   gentian violet
          [gentian violet] n, often cap G&V (1897): any of several
          dyes or dye mixtures consisting of one or more methyl
          derivatives of pararosaniline; esp: a dark green or greenish
          mixture used esp. as a bactericide, fungicide, and anthelmintic

   [1]gentile
          [gen.tile] n [ME, fr. LL gentilis, fr. L gent-, gens nation]
          (14c) 1 often cap: a person of a non-Jewish nation or
          of non-Jewish faith; esp: a Christian as distinguished
          from a Jew 2: heathen, pagan 3 often cap: a non-Mormon
          [2]gentile adj (15c) 1 often cap a: of or relating to
          the nations at large as distinguished from the Jews;
          also: of or relating to Christians as distinguished from
          the Jews b: of or relating to non-Mormons 2: heathen,
          pagan 3 [L gentilis]: relating to a tribe or clan

   gentilesse
          [gen.ti.lesse] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. gentil] (14c): decorum
          of conduct befitting a member of the gentry

   gentility
          [gen.til.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a: the condition of belonging
          to the gentry b: gentlefolk, gentry 2 a (1): decorum
          of conduct: courtesy (2): attitudes or activity marked
          by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation b: superior
          social status or prestige evidenced by manners, possessions,
          or mode of life

   [1]gentle
          [gen.tle] adj gen.tler ; gen.tlest [ME gentil, fr. OF, fr.
          L gentilis of a gens, of one's family, fr. gent-, gens
          gens, nation; akin to L gignere to beget--more at kin]
          (13c) 1 a: belonging to a family of high social station
          b archaic: chivalrous c: honorable, distinguished; specif:
          of or relating to a gentleman d: kind, amiable--used
          esp. in address as a complimentary epithet <~ reader>
          e: suited to a person of high social station 2 a: tractable,
          docile b: free from harshness, sternness, or violence
          3: soft, delicate 4: moderate -- gent.ly adv [2]gentle
          n (14c): a person of gentle birth or status [3]gentle
          vb gen.tled ; gen.tling vt (14c) 1: to raise from the
          commonalty: ennoble 2 a: to make gentler b: to make (an
          animal) tame and docile c: mollify, placate d: to stroke
          soothingly: pet ~ vi: to become gentle <the wind gentled>

   gentle breeze
          [gentle breeze] n (ca. 1881): wind having a speed of 8 to
          12 miles per hour (about 13 to 19 kilometers per hour)--see
          beaufort scale table

   gentlefolk
          [gen.tle.folk] also gen.tle.folks n pl (1594): persons of
          gentle or good family and breeding

   gentleman
          [gen.tle.man] n, often attrib [ME gentilman] (12c) 1 a: a
          man of noble or gentle birth b: a man belonging to the
          landed gentry c (1): a man who combines gentle birth
          or rank with chivalrous qualities (2): a man whose conduct
          conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior
          d (1): a man of independent means who does not engage
          in any occupation or profession for gain (2): a man who
          does not engage in a menial occupation or in manual labor
          for gain 2: valet--often used in the phrase gentleman's
          gentleman 3: a man of any social class or condition--often
          used in a courteous reference <show this ~ to a seat>
          or usu. in the pl. in address <ladies and gentlemen>
          -- gen.tle.man.like adj -- gen.tle.man.like.ness n

   gentleman-at-arms
          [gentleman-at-arms] n, pl gentlemen-at-arms (1859): one of
          a military corps of 40 gentlemen who attend the British
          sovereign on state occasions

   gentleman-commoner
          [gentleman-commoner] n, pl gentlemen-commoners (1687): any
          of a privileged class of commoners formerly required
          to pay higher fees than ordinary commoners at the universities
          of Oxford and Cambridge

   gentleman farmer
          [gentleman farmer] n, pl gentlemen farmers (1749): a man
          who farms mainly for pleasure rather than for profit

   gentlemanly
          [gen.tle.man.ly] adj (15c): characteristic of or having the
          character of a gentleman -- gen.tle.man.li.ness n

   gentleman of fortune
          [gentleman of fortune] (1883): adventurer

   gentleman's agreement
          [gentleman's agreement] or gentlemen's agreement n (1886):
          an agreement secured only by the honor of the participants

   gentleness
          [gen.tle.ness] n (14c): the quality or state of being gentle;
          esp: mildness of manners or disposition

   gentleperson
          [gen.tle.per.son] n (1943): a gentleman or lady

   gentle sex
          [gentle sex] n (1583): the female sex: women in general

   gentlewoman
          [gen.tle.wom.an] n (13c) 1 a: a woman of noble or gentle
          birth b: a woman attendant upon a lady of rank 2: a woman
          of refined manners or good breeding: lady

   Gentoo
          [Gen.too] n, pl Gentoos [Pg gentio, lit., gentile, fr. LL
          gentilis] (1638) archaic: hindu

   gentoo penguin
          [gen.too penguin] n [perh. fr. Gentoo] (1860): a penguin
          (Pygoscelis papua) of Antarctica and nearby islands with
          a gray back and throat, white underparts, and white spots
          above the eyes--called also gentoo

   gentrice
          [gen.trice] n [ME gentrise, fr. OF genterise, alter. of gentelise,
          fr. gentil gentle] (14c) archaic: gentility of birth: rank

   gentrification
          [gen.tri.fi.ca.tion] n (1964): the process of renewal and
          rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or
          affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces
          earlier usu. poorer residents

   gentrify
          [gen.tri.fy] vb -fied ; -fying vt (1972): to attempt or accomplish
          the gentrification of ~ vi: to become gentrified -- gen.tri.fi.er n

   gentry
          [gen.try] n, pl gentries [ME gentrie, alter. of gentrise]
          (14c) 1 a obs: the qualities appropriate to a person
          of gentle birth; esp: courtesy b: the condition or rank
          of a gentleman 2 a: upper or ruling class: aristocracy
          b: a class whose members are entitled to bear a coat
          of arms though not of noble rank; esp: the landed proprietors
          having such status 3: people of a specified class or
          kind: folks <no real heroes or heroines among the academic
          ~ --R. G. Hanvey>

   gents
          [gents] n, often cap (1938) chiefly Brit: men's room

   genuflect
          [gen.u.flect] vi [LL genuflectere, fr. L genu knee + flectere
          to bend--more at knee] (1630) 1 a: to bend the knee b:
          to touch the knee to the floor or ground esp. in worship
          2: to be servilely obedient or respectful -- gen.u.flec.tion
          n

   genuine
          [gen.u.ine] adj [L genuinus innate, genuine; akin to L gignere
          to beget--more at kin] (ca. 1639) 1 a: actually having
          the reputed or apparent qualities or character <~ vintage
          wines> b: actually produced by or proceeding from the
          alleged source or author <the signature is ~> c: sincerely
          and honestly felt or experienced <a deep and ~ love>
          d: actual, true <a ~ improvement> 2: free from hypocrisy
          or pretense: sincere syn see authentic -- gen.u.ine.ly
          adv -- gen.u.ine.ness n

   genus
          [ge.nus] n, pl gen.era [L gener-, genus birth, race, kind--more
          at kin] (1551) 1: a class, kind, or group marked by common
          characteristics or by one common characteristic; specif:
          a category of biological classification ranking between
          the family and the species, comprising structurally or
          phylogenetically related species or an isolated species
          exhibiting unusual differentiation, and being designated
          by a Latin or latinized capitalized singular noun 2:
          a class of objects divided into several subordinate species

   -geny
          [-geny] n comb form [Gk -geneia act of being born, fr. -genes
          born--more at -gen]: generation: production <phylogeny>

   geo-
          [geo-] --see ge-

   geobotany
          [geo.bot.a.ny] n (1904): phytogeography -- geo.bo.tan.i.cal
          also geo.bo.tan.ic adj -- geo.bot.a.nist n

   geocentric
          [geo.cen.tric] adj (1686) 1 a: relating to, measured from,
          or as if observed from the earth's center--compare topocentric
          b: having or relating to the earth as center--compare
          heliocentric 2: taking or based on the earth as the center
          of perspective and valuation -- geo.cen.tri.cal.ly adv

   geochemistry
          [geo.chem.is.try] n (1902) 1: a science that deals with the
          chemical composition of and chemical changes in the solid
          matter of the earth or a celestial body (as the moon)
          2: the related chemical and geological properties of
          a substance -- geo.chem.i.cal adj -- geo.chem.i.cal.ly
          adv -- geo.chem.ist n

   geochronology
          [geo.chro.nol.o.gy] n (1893) 1: the chronology of the past
          as indicated by geologic data 2: the study of geochronology
          -- geo.chro.no.log.i.cal also geo.chro.no.log.ic adj
          -- geo.chro.no.log.i.cal.ly adv -- geo.chro.nol.o.gist
          n

   geode
          [ge.ode] n [L geodes, a gem, fr. Gk geodes earthlike, fr.
          ge earth] (ca. 1732) 1: a nodule of stone having a cavity
          lined with crystals or mineral matter 2: the cavity in
          a geode

   [1]geodesic
          [geo.de.sic] adj (1821) 1: geodetic 2: made of light straight
          structural elements mostly in tension <a ~ dome> [2]geodesic
          n (1883): the shortest line between two points that lies
          in a given surface

   geodesy
          [ge.od.e.sy] n [Gk geodaisia, fr. geo- ge- + daiesthai to
          divide--more at tide] (1570): a branch of applied mathematics
          concerned with the determination of the size and shape
          of the earth and the exact positions of points on its
          surface and with the description of variations of its
          gravity field -- ge.od.e.sist n

   geodetic
          [geo.det.ic] also geo.det.i.cal adj [geodesy; after such
          pairs as heresy : heretic] (ca. 1828): of, relating to,
          or determined by geodesy

   geodetic survey
          [geodetic survey] n (1880): a survey of a large land area
          in which corrections are made for the curvature of the
          earth's surface

   Geodimeter
          [Geo.dim.e.ter] trademark--used for an electronic-optical
          device that measures distance using the velocity of light

   geoduck
          [geo.duck] n [Lushootseed (Salishan language of the Puget
          Sound region) gwideq] (1883): a large edible clam (Panopea
          abrupta syn. P. generosa) of the Pacific coast that sometimes
          weighs over five pounds

   geog
          [geog] abbreviation geographic, geographical, geography

   geographer
          [ge.og.ra.pher] n (1542): a specialist in geography

   geographic
          [geo.graph.ic] or geo.graph.i.cal adj (1559) 1: of or relating
          to geography 2: belonging to or characteristic of a particular
          region -- geo.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   geographical mile
          [geographical mile] n (1823): nautical mile a

   geography
          [ge.og.ra.phy] n, pl -phies [L geographia, fr. Gk geographia,
          fr. geographein to describe the earth's surface, fr.
          geo- + graphein to write--more at carve] (15c) 1: a science
          that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction
          of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features
          of the earth's surface 2: the geographic features of
          an area 3: a treatise on geography 4: a delineation or
          systematic arrangement of constituent elements: configuration
          <the philosophers ... have tried to construct geographies
          of human reason --Times Lit. Supp.>

   geohydrology
          [geo.hy.drol.o.gy] n (ca. 1909): a science that deals with
          the character, source, and mode of occurrence of underground
          water -- geo.hy.dro.log.ic adj -- geo.hy.drol.o.gist
          n

   geoid
          [ge.oid] n [G, fr. Gk geoeides earthlike, fr. ge] (1881):
          the surface within or around the earth that is everywhere
          normal to the direction of gravity and coincides with
          mean sea level in the oceans -- ge.oi.dal adj

   geol
          [geol] abbreviation geologic, geological, geology

   geologic
          [geo.log.ic] or geo.log.i.cal adj (1791): of, relating to,
          or based on geology -- geo.log.i.cal.ly adv

   geologic time
          [geologic time] n (1861): the long period of time occupied
          by the earth's geologic history

   geologize
          [ge.ol.o.gize] vi -gized ; -giz.ing (1831): to study geology
          or make geologic investigations

   geology
          [ge.ol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [NL geologia, fr. ge- + -logia -logy]
          (1735) 1 a: a science that deals with the history of
          the earth and its life esp. as recorded in rocks b: a
          study of the solid matter of a celestial body (as the
          moon) 2: geologic features 3: a treatise on geology --
          ge.ol.o.gist n

   geom
          [geom] abbreviation geometric, geometrical, geometry

   geomagnetic
          [geo.mag.net.ic] adj (1904): of or relating to terrestrial
          magnetism -- geo.mag.net.i.cal.ly adv -- geo.mag.ne.tism
          n

   geomagnetic storm
          [geomagnetic storm] n (1941): magnetic storm

   geomancy
          [geo.man.cy] n [ME geomancie, fr. MF, fr. ML geomantia, fr.
          LGk geomanteia, fr. Gk geo- + -manteia -mancy] (14c):
          divination by means of figures or lines or geographic
          features -- geo.man.cer n -- geo.man.tic adj

   geometer
          [ge.om.e.ter] n (15c) 1: a specialist in geometry 2: geometrid

   geometric
          [geo.met.ric] or geo.met.ri.cal adj (14c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or according to the methods or principles of geometry
          b: increasing in a geometric progression <~ population
          growth> 2 cap: of or relating to a style of ancient Greek
          pottery characterized by geometric decorative motifs
          3 a: utilizing rectilinear or simple curvilinear motifs
          or outlines in design b: of or relating to art based
          on simple geometric shapes (as straight lines, circles,
          or squares) <~ abstractions> -- geo.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   geometrician
          [geo.me.tri.cian] n (15c): geometer 1

   geometric mean
          [geometric mean] n (ca. 1901): the nth root of the product
          of n numbers; specif: a number that is the second term
          of three consecutive terms of a geometric progression
          <the geometric mean of 9 and 4 is 6>

   geometric progression
          [geometric progression] n (ca. 1856): a sequence (as 1, 1/2,
          1/4) in which the ratio of a term to its predecessor
          is always the same--called also geometrical progression,
          geometric sequence

   geometrics
          [geo.met.rics] n pl (1977): decorative patterns or designs
          based on geometric shapes

   geometric series
          [geometric series] n (ca. 1909): a series (as one whose first
          term is 1 and whose nth term consists of x to the exponent
          n - 1) whose terms form a geometric progression

   geometrid
          [geo.me.trid] n [ultim. fr. Gk geometres geometer, fr. geometrein]
          (1876): any of a family (Geometridae) of usu. medium-sized moths
          with large wings and larvae that are loopers -- geometrid adj

   geometrise
          [ge.om.e.trise] Brit var of geometrize

   geometrize
          [ge.om.e.trize] vb -trized ; -triz.ing vi (1603): to work
          by or as if by geometric methods or laws ~ vt 1: to represent
          geometrically 2: to make conform to geometric principles
          and laws -- ge.om.e.tri.za.tion n

   geometry
          [ge.om.e.try] n, pl -tries [ME geometrie, fr. MF, fr. L geometria,
          fr. Gk geometria, fr. geometrein to measure the earth, fr. geoge-
          + metron measure--more at measure] (14c) 1 a: a branch
          of mathematics that deals with the measurement, properties, and
          relationships of points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids;
          broadly: the study of properties of given elements that remain
          invariant under specified transformations b: a particular type
          or system of geometry 2 a: configuration b: surface shape
          3: an arrangement of objects or parts that suggests geometric
          figures

   geomorphic
          [geo.mor.phic] adj (1893): geomorphological

   geomorphological
          [geo.mor.pho.log.i.cal] adj (1896): of or relating to the
          form or surface features of the earth or other celestial
          body (as the moon)

   geomorphology
          [geo.mor.phol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [ISV] (1893) 1: a science
          that deals with the relief features of the earth or of
          another celestial body (as the moon) and seeks a genetic
          interpretation of them 2: the features dealt with in
          geomorphology -- geo.mor.phol.o.gist n

   geophagy
          [ge.oph.a.gy] n [ISV] (1850): a practice in rural or preindustrial
          societies of eating earthy substances (as clay) to augment a scanty
          or mineral-deficient diet--compare [1]pica

   geophone
          [geo.phone] n (1919): an instrument for detecting vibrations
          passing through rocks, soil, or ice

   geophysics
          [geo.phys.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ISV] (ca. 1889):
          a branch of earth science dealing with the physical processes
          and phenomena occurring esp. in the earth and in its
          vicinity -- geo.phys.i.cal adj -- geo.phys.i.cal.ly adv
          -- geo.phys.i.cist n

   geophyte
          [geo.phyte] n (ca. 1900): a perennial plant that bears its
          perennating buds below the surface of the soil

   geopolitician
          [geo.pol.i.ti.cian] n (1941): a specialist in geopolitics

   geopolitics
          [geo.pol.i.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1904) 1: a study
          of the influence of such factors as geography, economics,
          and demography on the politics and esp. the foreign policy
          of a state 2: a governmental policy guided by geopolitics
          3: a combination of political and geographic factors
          relating to something (as a state or particular resources)
          -- geo.po.lit.i.cal adj -- geo.po.lit.i.cal.ly adv

   geopressured
          [geo.pres.sured] adj (1968): subjected to great pressure
          from geologic forces <~ methane>

   Geordie
          [Geor.die] n [fr. Geordie, dim. of the name George] (1866)
          chiefly Brit: an inhabitant of Newcastle upon Tyne or
          its environs; also: the dialect of English spoken by
          Geordies

   George
          [George] n [St. George] (1506) 1: either of two of the insignia
          of the British Order of the Garter 2: a British coin
          bearing the image of St. George

   georgette
          [geor.gette] n [fr. Georgette, a trademark] (1915): a sheer
          crepe woven from hard-twisted yarns to produce a dull
          pebbly surface

   [1]Georgian
          [Geor.gian] n (15c) 1: a native or inhabitant of Georgia
          in the Caucasus 2: the language of the Georgian people
          [2]Georgian adj (1607): of, relating to, or constituting
          Georgia in the Caucasus, the Georgians, or Georgian [3]Georgian
          n (1741): a native or resident of the state of Georgia
          [4]Georgian adj (1762): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the state of Georgia or its people [5]Georgian adj
          (ca. 1855) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic of the
          reigns of the first four Georges of Great Britain 2:
          of, relating to, or characteristic of the reign of George
          V of Great Britain [6]Georgian n (1901) 1: one belonging
          to either of the Georgian periods; esp: a poet of the
          second decade of the 20th century 2: Georgian taste or
          style esp. in architecture

   [1]georgic
          [geor.gic] n [the Georgics, poem by Virgil, fr. L georgicus]
          (1513): a poem dealing with agriculture [2]georgic adj
          [L georgicus, fr. Gk georgikos, fr. georgos farmer, fr.
          geo- ge- + ergon work--more at work] (ca. 1720): of or
          relating to agriculture

   geoscience
          [geo.sci.ence] n (1942) 1: the sciences (as geology, geophysics,
          and geochemistry) dealing with the earth 2: any of the
          geosciences--compare earth science -- geo.sci.en.tist
          n

   geostationary
          [geo.sta.tion.ary] adj (1961): being or having an equatorial
          orbit requiring an angular velocity the same as that
          of the earth so that the position of a satellite in such
          an orbit is fixed with respect to the earth

   geostrategy
          [geo.strat.e.gy] n (1942) 1: a branch of geopolitics that
          deals with strategy 2: the combination of geopolitical
          and strategic factors characterizing a particular geographic
          region 3: the use by a government of strategy based on
          geopolitics -- geo.stra.te.gic adj -- geo.strat.e.gist
          n

   geostrophic
          [geo.stroph.ic] adj [ge- + Gk strophikos turned, fr. strophe
          turning--more at strophe] (1916): of, relating to, or
          arising from the Coriolis force -- geo.stroph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   geosynchronous
          [geo.syn.chro.nous] adj (1968): geostationary

   geosyncline
          [geo.syn.cline] n (1895): a great downward flexure of the
          earth's crust--compare geanticline -- geo.syn.cli.nal
          adj

   geotactic
          [geo.tac.tic] adj (1899): of or relating to geotaxis

   geotaxis
          [geo.tax.is] n [NL] (1899): a taxis in which the force of
          gravity is the directive factor

   geotechnical
          [geo.tech.ni.cal] adj (1967): of or relating to geotechnical
          engineering

   geotechnical engineering
          [geotechnical engineering] n (1974): a science that deals
          with the application of geology to engineering

   geotectonic
          [geo.tec.ton.ic] adj (1882): of or relating to the form,
          arrangement, and structure of rock masses of the earth's
          crust resulting from folding or faulting -- geo.tec.ton.i.cal.ly
          adv

   geothermal
          [geo.ther.mal] adj [ISV] (1875): of, relating to, or utilizing
          the heat of the earth's interior; also: produced or permeated
          by such heat <~ steam> <~ region> -- geo.ther.mal.ly
          adv

   geotropic
          [geo.tro.pic] adj (1875): of or relating to geotropism --
          geo.tro.pi.cal.ly adv

   geotropism
          [ge.ot.ro.pism] n [ISV] (1875): a tropism (as of plant roots)
          in which gravity is the orienting factor

   ger
          [ger] abbreviation gerund  Ger abbreviation German, Germany

   gerah
          [ge.rah] n [Heb gerah] (1530): an ancient Hebrew unit of
          weight equal to 1/20 shekel

   geraniol
          [ge.ra.ni.ol] n [ISV, fr. NL Geranium] (1871): a fragrant
          liquid unsaturated alcohol used chiefly in perfumes and
          soap

   geranium
          [ge.ra.ni.um] n [NL, fr. L, geranium, fr. Gk geranion, fr.
          dim. of geranos crane--more at crane] (1548) 1: any of
          a widely distributed genus (Geranium of the family Geraniaceae,
          the geranium family) of plants having regular usu. white,
          pink, or purple flowers with elongated styles and glands
          that alternate with the petals 2: pelargonium 3: a vivid
          or strong red

   gerardia
          [ge.rar.dia] n [NL, fr. John Gerard d. 1612 Eng. botanist]
          (1851): any of a genus (Agalinis syn. Gerardia) of often
          root-parasitic herbs of the snapdragon family having
          pink, purple, or yellow flowers

   gerbera
          [ger.bera] n [NL, fr. Traugott Gerber d. 1743 Ger. naturalist]
          (1889): any of a genus (Gerbera) of Old World composite
          herbs having basal tufted leaves and showy heads of yellow,
          pink, or orange flowers with prominent rays

   gerbil
          [ger.bil] also ger.bille n [F gerbille, fr. NL Gerbillus,
          dim. of gerboa, jerboa jerboa] (1849): any of numerous
          Old World burrowing desert rodents (Gerbillus and related
          genera) with long hind legs adapted for leaping

   gerent
          [ge.rent] n [L gerent-, gerens, prp. of gerere to bear, carry
          on] (1576): one that rules or manages

   gerenuk
          [ge.re.nuk] n, pl gerenuk or gerenuks [Somali garanuug] (1895):
          a large-eyed antelope (Litocranius walleri) of eastern
          Africa with a long neck and limbs

   gerfalcon
          [ger.fal.con] var of gyrfalcon

   [1]geriatric
          [ge.ri.at.ric] n (1909) 1 pl but sing in constr: a branch
          of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases
          of old age and aging people--compare gerontology 2: an
          aged person [2]geriatric adj [Gk geras old age + E -iatric]
          (1926) 1 a: of or relating to geriatrics or the process
          of aging b: of, relating to, or appropriate for elderly
          people <the ~ set> 2 a: old, elderly <a ~ dachshund>
          b: being old and outmoded <~ airplanes>

   geriatrician
          [ger.i.a.tri.cian] n (1926): a specialist in geriatrics

   germ
          [germ] n [F germe, fr. L germin-, germen, fr. gignere to
          beget--more at kin] (1644) 1 a: a small mass of living
          substance capable of developing into an organism or one
          of its parts b: the embryo with the scutellum of a cereal
          grain that is usu. separated from the starchy endosperm
          during milling 2: something that initiates development
          or serves as an origin: rudiments, beginning 3: microorganism;
          esp: a microorganism causing disease

   [1]german
          [ger.man] adj [ME germain, fr. MF, fr. L germanus having
          the same parents, fr. germen] (14c): having the same
          parents or the same grandparents on either the maternal
          or paternal side--usu. used after the noun which it modifies
          and joined to it by a hyphen <brother-german> <cousin-german>
          [2]german n (15c) obs: a near relative [1]Ger.man n [ME,
          fr. ML Germanus, fr. L] (14c) 1: a member of any of the
          Germanic peoples inhabiting western Europe in Roman times
          2 a: a native or inhabitant of Germany b: a person of
          German descent c: one whose native language is German
          and who is a native of a country other than Germany 3
          a: the Germanic language spoken mainly in Germany, Austria,
          and parts of Switzerland b: the literary and official
          language of Germany 4 often not cap a: a dance consisting
          of intricate figures that are improvised and intermingled
          with waltzes b chiefly Midland: a dancing party; specif:
          one at which the german is danced [2]German adj (1552):
          of, relating to, or characteristic of Germany, the Germans,
          or German

   German cockroach
          [German cockroach] n (1896): a small active winged cockroach
          (Blattella germanica) prob. of African origin that is
          a common household pest in the U.S.--called also Croton
          bug

   germander
          [ger.man.der] n [ultim. fr. Gk chamaidrys, fr. chamai on
          the ground + drys tree--more at humble, tree] (15c):
          any of a genus (Teucrium) of plants of the mint family
          with flowers having four exserted stamens, a short corolla
          tube, and a prominent lower lip

   germane
          [ger.mane] adj [ME germain, lit., having the same parents,
          fr. MF] (14c) 1 obs: closely akin 2: being at once relevant
          and appropriate: fitting <omit details that are not ~
          to the discussion> syn see relevant -- ger.mane.ly adv

   [1]Germanic
          [Ger.man.ic] adj (1633) 1: german 2: of, relating to, or
          characteristic of the Germanic-speaking peoples 3: of,
          relating to, or constituting Germanic [2]Germanic n (1892):
          a branch of the Indo-European language family containing
          English, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Flemish, Frisian,
          the Scandinavian languages, and Gothic

   Germanism
          [Ger.man.ism] n (1611) 1: a characteristic feature of German
          occurring in another language 2: partiality for Germany
          or German customs 3: the practices or objectives characteristic
          of the Germans

   Germanist
          [Ger.man.ist] n (1831): a specialist in German or Germanic
          language, literature, or culture

   germanium
          [ger.ma.ni.um] n [NL, fr. ML Germania Germany] (1886): a
          grayish white hard brittle metalloid element that resembles
          silicon and is used as a semiconductor

   germanize
          [ger.man.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing often cap vt (1598) 1 archaic:
          to translate into German 2: to cause to acquire German
          characteristics ~ vi: to have or acquire German customs
          or leanings -- ger.man.iza.tion n, often cap

   German measles
          [German measles] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1875):
          an acute contagious virus disease that is milder than
          typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring
          early in pregnancy

   Germano-
          [Ger.mano-] comb form: German <Germanophile>

   [1]Germanophile
          [Ger.mano.phile] adj (1898): approving or favoring the German
          people and their institutions and customs [2]Germanophile
          n (1911): one that is Germanophile

   German shepherd
          [German shepherd] n (1926): any of a breed of working dogs
          of German origin that are intelligent and responsive
          and are often used in police work and as guide dogs for
          the blind--called also Alsatian

   German shorthaired pointer
          [German shorthaired pointer] n (1931): any of a breed of
          gundogs of German origin that have a liver or liver and
          white coat

   German silver
          [German silver] n (1830): a silver-white alloy of copper,
          zinc, and nickel

   German wirehaired pointer
          [German wirehaired pointer] n (ca. 1964): any of a breed
          of gundogs of German origin that have a liver or liver
          and white flat-lying wiry coat

   germ cell
          [germ cell] n (ca. 1855): a gamete (as an egg or sperm cell)
          or one of its antecedent cells

   germen
          [ger.men] n [L] (1605) archaic: germ 1a, 2

   germfree
          [germ.free] adj (1926): free of microorganisms: axenic

   germicidal
          [ger.mi.cid.al] adj (ca. 1888): of or relating to a germicide;
          also: destroying germs

   germicide
          [ger.mi.cide] n (1881): an agent that destroys germs

   germinability
          [ger.mi.na.bil.i.ty] n (1896): the capacity to germinate

   germinal
          [ger.mi.nal] adj [F, fr. L germin-, germen--more at germ]
          (1808) 1 a: being in the earliest stage of development
          b: creative, productive 2: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of a germ cell or early embryo --
          ger.mi.nal.ly adv

   germinal vesicle
          [germinal vesicle] n (ca. 1856): the enlarged nucleus of
          the egg before completion of meiosis

   germinate
          [ger.mi.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L germinatus, pp. of
          germinare to sprout, fr. germin-, germen bud, germ] vt
          (1610): to cause to sprout or develop ~ vi 1: to come
          into being: evolve <before Western civilization began
          to ~ --A. L. Kroeber> 2: to begin to grow: sprout --
          ger.mi.na.tion n -- ger.mi.na.tive adj

   germ layer
          [germ layer] n (1879): any of the three primary layers of
          cells differentiated in most embryos during and immediately
          following gastrulation

   germ plasm
          [germ plasm] n (1889) 1: germ cells and their precursors
          serving as the bearers of heredity and being fundamentally
          independent of other cells 2: the hereditary material
          of the germ cells: genes

   germproof
          [germ.proof] adj (1902): impervious to the penetration or
          action of germs

   germ theory
          [germ theory] n (1871): a theory in medicine: infections,
          contagious diseases, and various other conditions result
          from the action of microorganisms

   germ warfare
          [germ warfare] n (1938): the use of harmful microorganisms
          (as bacteria) as weapons in war

   germy
          [germy] adj germ.i.er ; -est (1912): full of germs

   geront-
          [geront-] or geronto- comb form [F geront-, geronto-, fr.
          Gk geront-, geronto-, fr. geront-, geron old man; akin
          to Gk geras old age, Skt jarati he grows old]: aged one:
          old age <gerontology>

   gerontic
          [ge.ron.tic] adj (1885): of or relating to decadence or old
          age

   gerontocracy
          [ger.on.toc.ra.cy] n, pl -cies [F gerontocratie, fr. geronto-
          geront- + -cratie -cracy] (1830): rule by elders; specif:
          a form of social organization in which a group of old
          men or a council of elders dominates or exercises control
          -- ge.ron.to.crat n -- ge.ron.to.crat.ic adj

   gerontology
          [ger.on.tol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1903): the comprehensive study
          of aging and the problems of the aged--compare geriatric
          1 -- ge.ron.to.log.i.cal also ge.ron.to.log.ic adj --
          ger.on.tol.o.gist n

   gerontomorphic
          [ge.ron.to.mor.phic] adj (1939): characterized by physical
          specialization most fully developed in the aged male
          of a species <~ traits>

   [1]gerrymander
          [ger.ry.man.der] n [Elbridge Gerry + salamander; fr. the
          shape of an election district formed during Gerry's governorship
          of Mass.] (1812) 1: the act or method of gerrymandering
          2: a district or pattern of districts varying greatly
          in size or population as a result of gerrymandering [2]gerrymander
          vt -dered ; -der.ing (1812) 1: to divide (a territorial unit) into
          election districts to give one political party an electoral
          majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the
          voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible
          2: to divide (an area) into political units to give special
          advantages to one group <~ a school district>

   gerund
          [ger.und] n [LL gerundium, fr. L gerundus, gerundive of gerere
          to bear, carry on] (1513) 1: a verbal noun in Latin that
          expresses generalized or uncompleted action 2: any of
          several linguistic forms analogous to the Latin gerund
          in languages other than Latin; esp: the English verbal
          noun in -ing that has the function of a substantive and
          at the same time shows the verbal features of tense,
          voice, and capacity to take adverbial qualifiers and
          to govern objects

   gerundive
          [ge.run.dive] n (15c) 1: the Latin future passive participle
          that functions as the verbal adjective, that expresses
          the fitness or necessity of the action to be performed,
          and that has the same suffix as the gerund 2: a verbal
          adjective in a language other than Latin analogous to
          the gerundive

   gesellschaft
          [ge.sell.schaft] n [G, companionship, society] (1887): a
          rationally developed mechanistic type of social relationship
          characterized by impersonally contracted associations
          between persons; also: a community or society characterized
          by this relationship--compare gemeinschaft

   gesneriad
          [ges.ne.ri.ad] n [NL Gesneria, genus name, fr. Konrad Gesner
          d. 1565 Swiss naturalist] (ca. 1925): any of a family
          (Gesneriaceae) of tropical herbs (as an African violet
          or gloxinia) with chiefly opposite leaves and highly
          zygomorphic flowers

   gesso
          [ges.so] n, pl gessoes [It, lit., gypsum, fr. L gypsum] (1596)
          1: plaster of paris or gypsum prepared with glue for
          use in painting or making bas-reliefs 2: a paste prepared
          by mixing whiting with size or glue and spread upon a
          surface to fit it for painting or gilding -- ges.soed
          adj

   gest
          [gest] or geste n [ME geste--more at jest] (13c) 1: a tale
          of adventures; esp: a romance in verse 2: adventure,
          exploit

   gestalt
          [ge.stalt] n, pl ge.stalt.en or gestalts [G, lit., shape,
          form] (1922): a structure, configuration, or pattern
          of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so
          integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties
          not derivable by summation of its parts

   gestaltist
          [ge.stalt.ist] n, often cap (1931): a specialist in Gestalt
          psychology

   Gestalt psychology
          [Gestalt psychology] n (1927): the study of perception and
          behavior from the standpoint of an individual's response
          to configurational wholes with stress on the uniformity
          of psychological and physiological events and rejection
          of analysis into discrete events of stimulus, percept,
          and response

   gestapo
          [ge.sta.po] n, pl -pos [G, fr. Geheime Staatspolizei, lit.,
          secret state police] (1934): a secret-police organization
          employing underhanded and terrorist methods against persons
          suspected of disloyalty

   gestate
          [ges.tate] vb ges.tat.ed ; ges.tat.ing [back-formation fr.
          gestation] vt (1866) 1: to carry in the uterus during
          pregnancy 2: to conceive and gradually develop in the
          mind ~ vi: to be in the process of gestation

   gestation
          [ges.ta.tion] n [L gestation-, gestatio, fr. gestare to bear,
          freq. of gerere to bear] (1615) 1: the carrying of young
          in the uterus: pregnancy 2: conception and development
          esp. in the mind -- ges.ta.tion.al adj

   geste
          [geste] also gest n [MF geste, fr. L gestus, fr. gerere]
          (14c) 1 archaic: deportment 2 archaic: gesture

   gestic
          [ges.tic] adj (1764): relating to or consisting of bodily
          movements or gestures

   gesticulant
          [ges.tic.u.lant] adj (1877): making gesticulations <the little
          wiry man ~ and wild --William Faulkner>

   gesticulate
          [ges.tic.u.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L gesticulatus, pp.
          of gesticulari, fr. (assumed) L gesticulus, dim. of L
          gestus] (ca. 1609): to make gestures esp. when speaking
          -- ges.ti.cu.la.tive adj -- ges.tic.u.la.tor n --
          ges.tic.u.la.to.ry adj

   gesticulation
          [ges.tic.u.la.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of making gestures
          2: gesture; esp: an expressive gesture made in showing
          strong feeling or in enforcing an argument

   [1]gesture
          [ges.ture] n [ME, fr. ML gestura mode of action, fr. L gestus,
          pp. of gerere] (15c) 1 archaic: carriage, bearing 2:
          a movement usu. of the body or limbs that expresses or
          emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or attitude 3: the use
          of motions of the limbs or body as a means of expression
          4: something said or done by way of formality or courtesy,
          as a symbol or token, or for its effect on the attitudes
          of others <a political ~ to draw popular support --V.
          L. Parrington> -- ges.tur.al adj -- ges.tur.al.ly adv
          [2]gesture vb ges.tured ; ges.tur.ing vi (1542): to make
          a gesture ~ vt: to express or direct by a gesture

   gesture language
          [gesture language] n (1865): communication by gestures; esp:
          sign language--called also gestural language

   gesundheit
          [ge.sund.heit] interj [G, lit., health, fr. gesund healthy
          (fr. OHG gisunt) + -heit -hood--more at sound] (1914)--used
          to wish good health esp. to one who has just sneezed

   [1]get
          [get] vb got ; got or got.ten ; get.ting [ME, fr. ON geta
          to get, beget; akin to OE bigietan to beget, L prehendere
          to seize, grasp, Gk chandanein to hold, contain] vt (13c)
          1 a: to gain possession of b: to receive as a return:
          earn <he got a bad reputation for carelessness> 2 a:
          to obtain by concession or entreaty <~ your mother's
          permission to go> b: to become affected by (a disease
          or bodily condition): catch <got measles from his sister>
          3 a: to seek out and obtain <hoped to ~ dinner at the
          inn> b: to obtain and bring where wanted or needed <~
          a pencil from the desk> 4: beget 5 a: to cause to come
          or go <quickly got his luggage through customs> b: to
          cause to move <~ it out of the house> c: to cause to
          be in a certain position or condition <got his feet wet>
          d: to make ready: prepare <~ breakfast> 6 a: to be subjected
          to <got a bad fall> b: to receive by way of punishment
          c: to suffer a specified injury to <got my nose broken>
          7 a: to achieve as a result of military activity b: to
          obtain or receive by way of benefit or advantage <he
          got little for his trouble> <~ the better of an enemy>
          8 a: seize b: overcome c: to have an emotional effect
          on <the final scene always ~s me> d: irritate <the delays
          were starting to ~ her> e: puzzle f: to take vengeance
          on; specif: kill g: hit 9: to prevail on: cause <finally
          got them to tidy up their room> 10 a: have--used in the
          present perfect tense form with present meaning <I've
          got no money> b: to have as an obligation or necessity--used
          in the present perfect tense form with present meaning
          <you have got to come> 11 a: to find out by calculation
          <~ the answer to a problem> b: memorize <got the verse
          by heart> c: hear d: understand 12: to establish communication
          with 13: to put out in baseball 14: deliver 6b <the car
          ~s 20 miles to the gallon> ~ vi 1 a: to succeed in coming
          or going: to bring or move oneself <~ away to the country>
          <got into the car> b: to reach or enter into a certain
          condition <got to sleep after midnight> c: to make progress
          <hasn't gotten far with the essay> 2: to acquire wealth
          3 a: to be able <never got to go to college> b: to :
          to gain a precise and telling knowledge or understanding
          of <got a bead on his motives> -- get after : to pursue
          with exhortation, reprimand, or attack -- get ahead :
          to achieve success <determined to get ahead in life>
          -- get a move on : hurry -- get at 1: to reach effectively
          2: to influence corruptly: bribe 3: to turn one's attention
          to 4: to try to prove or make clear <what is he getting
          at> -- get away with : to avoid criticism or punishment
          for or the consequences of (as a reprehensible act) --
          get cracking : to make a start: get going <ought to get
          cracking on that assignment> -- get even : to get revenge
          -- get even with : to repay in kind -- get going : to
          make a start -- get into : to become strongly involved
          with or deeply interested in -- get it : to receive a
          scolding or punishment -- get it on 1: to become enthusiastic,
          energetic, or excited 2: to engage in sexual intercourse
          -- get on : to produce an unfortunate effect on: upset
          <the noise got on my nerves> -- get one's act together
          1: to put one's life, thoughts, or emotions in order:
          cease to be confused or misdirected 2: to begin to function
          in a skillful or efficient manner <the company finally
          got its act together> -- get one's goat : to make one
          angry or annoyed -- get over 1 a: overcome, surmount
          b: to recover from c: to reconcile oneself to: become
          accustomed to 2: to move or travel across -- get somewhere
          : to be successful -- get there : to be successful --
          get through : to reach the end of: complete -- get to
          1 a: begin <gets to worrying over nothing at all> b:
          to be ready to begin or deal with <I'll get to the accounts
          as soon as I can> 2: to have an effect on: as a: influence
          b: bother -- get together 1: to bring together: accumulate
          2: to come together: assemble, meet 3: to reach agreement
          -- get wind of : to become aware of -- get with it :
          to become alert or aware: show sophisticated consciousness
          [2]get n (14c) 1 a: something begotten: (1): offspring
          (2): the entire progeny of a male animal b: lineage 2:
          a return of a difficult shot in a game (as tennis) [3]get
          n, pl git.tin [LHeb get] (1892) 1: a document of release
          from obligation in Jewish law; specif: a bill of divorce
          2: a religious divorce by Jewish law

   geta
          [ge.ta] n, pl geta or getas [Jp] (1884): a Japanese wooden
          clog for outdoor wear

   get about
          [get about] vi (1816) 1: to become current: circulate 2:
          to be up and about: begin to walk <able to get about
          again>

   get across
          [get across] vi (1913): to become clear or convincing ~ vt:
          to make clear or convincing <we couldn't get our point
          across>

   get along
          [get along] vi (1768) 1 a: to proceed toward a destination:
          progress b: to approach an advanced stage; esp: to approach
          old age 2: to meet one's needs: manage <we got along
          on a minimum of clothing> 3: to be or remain on congenial
          terms

   get around
          [get around] vt (1875) 1: circumvent, evade 2: to get the
          better of ~ vi 1 a: to find or take the necessary time
          or effort--used with to b: to give attention or consideration--used
          with to 2: to go from place to place 3: to become known or current
          <word got around that he was resigning>

   getatable
          [get.at.able] adj (1799): accessible, approachable

   getaway
          [get.away] n (1890) 1: an act or instance of getting away:
          as a: escape b: start 2: a place suitable for a vacation
          3: a vacation esp. of brief duration

   get back
          [get back] vi (1605) 1: to come or go again to a person,
          place, or condition: return, revert <getting back to
          the main topic of the lecture> 2: to gain revenge: retaliate--used
          with at ~ vt: to regain possession of: recover

   get by
          [get by] vi (1908) 1: to succeed with the least possible
          effort or accomplishment 2: to make ends meet: survive
          3: to proceed without being discovered, criticized, or
          punished

   get down
          [get down] vi (1757) 1: to alight esp. from a vehicle: descend
          2: to give one's attention or consideration--used with
          to <get down to business> ~ vt 1: to cause to be physically,
          mentally, or emotionally exhausted: depress <the weather
          was getting her down> 2: to manage to swallow 3: to commit
          to writing: describe

   Gethsemane
          [Geth.sem.a.ne] n [Gk Gethsemane] 1: the garden outside Jerusalem
          mentioned in Mk 14 as the scene of the agony and arrest
          of Jesus 2: a place or occasion of great mental or spiritual
          suffering

   get in
          [get in] vi (ca. 1533) 1 a: enter b: arrive 2 a: to become
          friendly b: to become involved 3: to become accepted
          for membership or chosen for office ~ vt 1: to succeed
          in doing, making, or delivering 2: to include in one's
          schedule 3: to cause to become involved

   get off
          [get off] vi (1640) 1: to avoid the most serious consequences
          of a dangerous situation or punishment <got off with
          a light sentence> 2: start, leave <got off on the trip
          early> 3: to leave work with permission or as scheduled
          4: to get high on a drug 5: to experience orgasm 6: to
          experience great pleasure--often used with on ~ vt 1:
          to secure the release of or procure a modified penalty
          for <his lawyers got him off> 2 a: utter <get off a joke>
          b: to write and send: dispatch 3: to succeed in doing,
          making, or delivering 4: to cause to get off

   get on
          [get on] vi (1816) 1: get along <was getting on in years>
          <got on well with the boss> <get on with the game> 2:
          to gain knowledge or understanding <got on to the racket>

   get out
          [get out] vi (14c) 1: leave, escape <doubted that he would
          get out alive> 2: to become known: leak out <their secret
          got out> ~ vt 1: to cause to leave or escape 2: to bring
          before the public; esp: publish

   get round
          [get round] vi (1748): get around

   getter
          [get.ter] n (15c) 1: one that gets 2: a substance introduced
          into a vacuum tube or electric lamp to remove traces
          of gas

   get through
          [get through] vi (1694) 1: to reach a destination 2: to gain
          approval or a desired outcome 3 a: to make something
          clear b: to complete a communications connection

   get-together
          [get-to.geth.er] n (1911): meeting; esp: an informal social
          gathering

   getup
          [get.up] n (1847) 1: outfit, costume 2: general composition
          or structure

   get up
          [get up] vi (14c) 1 a: to arise from bed b: to rise to one's
          feet c: climb, ascend 2: to go ahead or faster--used
          in the imperative as a command esp. to driven animals
          ~ vt 1: to make preparations for: organize <got up a
          party for the newcomers> 2: to arrange as to external
          appearance: dress 3: to acquire a knowledge of 4: to
          create in oneself <cannot get up the courage to tell
          them>

   get-up-and-go
          [get-up-and-go] n (1906): energy, drive

   geum
          [ge.um] n [L] (ca. 1548): avens

   GeV
          [GeV] abbreviation giga-electron-volt

   gewgaw
          [gew.gaw] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1529): a showy trifle:
          bauble, trinket

   gewurztraminer
          [ge.wurz.tra.mi.ner] n, often cap [G, variety of grape, fr.
          Gewurz spice + Traminer, variety of grape, fr. Tramin
          (Termeno, Italy)] (ca. 1950): a light dry Alsatian white
          wine with a spicy bouquet; also: a similar wine made
          elsewhere

   gey
          [gey] adv [alter. of gay, adv.] (1796) chiefly Scot: very,
          quite

   geyser
          [gey.ser] n [Icel Geysir, hot spring in Iceland, fr. geysa
          to rush forth, fr. ON; akin to OE geotan to pour--more
          at found] (1780) 1: a spring that throws forth intermittent
          jets of heated water and steam 2 Brit: an apparatus for
          heating water rapidly with a gas flame (as for a bath)

   geyserite
          [gey.ser.ite] n [F geyserite, fr. geyser, fr. Icel Geysir]
          (ca. 1814): a hydrous silica that constitutes one variety
          of opal and is deposited around some hot springs and
          geysers in white or grayish concretions

   gh...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   gharial
          [gha.ri.al] n [Hindi gharyal] (ca. 1809): gavial

   gharry
          [ghar.ry] n, pl gharries [Hindi gari] (1810): a horse-drawn
          cab used esp. in India and Egypt

   ghast
          [ghast] adj (1622) archaic: ghastly

   ghastful
          [ghast.ful] adj (14c) archaic: frightful -- ghast.ful.ly
          adv, archaic

   ghastly
          [ghast.ly] adj ghast.li.er ; -est [ME gastly, fr. gasten
          to terrify--more at gast] (14c) 1 a: terrifyingly horrible
          to the senses: frightening <a ~ crime> b: intensely unpleasant,
          disagreeable, or objectionable <such a life seems ~ in
          its emptiness and sterility --Aldous Huxley> 2: resembling
          a ghost 3 obs: filled with fear 4: very great <~ mistake>
          -- ghast.li.ness n -- ghastly adv syn ghastly, grisly,
          gruesome, macabre, lurid mean horrifying and repellent
          in appearance or aspect. ghastly suggests the terrifying
          aspects of corpses and ghosts <a ghastly accident>. grisly
          and gruesome suggest additionally the results of extreme
          violence or cruelty <an unusually grisly murder> <the
          gruesome history of the Nazi death camps>. macabre implies
          a morbid preoccupation with the physical aspects of death
          <a macabre tale of premature burial>. lurid adds to gruesome
          the suggestion of shuddering fascination with violent
          death and esp. with murder <the lurid details of a crime>.

   ghat
          [ghat] n [Hindi ghat, fr. Skt ghatta] (1783): a broad flight
          of steps that is situated on an Indian riverbank and
          that provides access to the water esp. for bathing

   ghee
          [ghee] or ghi n [Hindi ghi, fr. Skt ghrta] (1665): a semifluid
          clarified butter made esp. in India

   gherkin
          [gher.kin] n [D gurken, pl. of gurk cucumber, ultim. fr.
          MGk agouros] (1661) 1: a small prickly fruit used for
          pickling; also: the slender annual vine (Cucumis anguria)
          of the gourd family that bears it 2: the immature fruit
          of the cucumber

   [1]ghetto
          [ghet.to] n, pl ghettos also ghettoes [It, fr. Venetian dial.
          gheto island where Jews were forced to live, lit., foundry
          (located on the island), fr. ghetar to cast, fr. L jactare
          to throw--more at jet] (1611) 1: a quarter of a city
          in which Jews were formerly required to live 2: a quarter
          of a city in which members of a minority group live esp.
          because of social, legal, or economic pressure 3 a: an
          isolated group <a geriatric ~> b: a situation that resembles
          a ghetto esp. in conferring inferior status or limiting
          opportunity <stuck in daytime TV's ~> [2]ghetto vt (1936):
          ghettoize

   ghetto blaster
          [ghetto blaster] n (1983): boom box

   ghettoize
          [ghet.to.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1939): to isolate in or
          as if in a ghetto -- ghet.to.iza.tion n

   Ghibelline
          [Ghib.el.line] n [It Ghibellino] (1573): a member of
          an aristocratic political party in medieval Italy supporting the
          authority of the German emperors--compare guelf

   ghibli
          [ghib.li] n [Ar dial. gibliy south wind, fr. gibli southern]
          (1942): a hot desert wind of northern Africa

   ghillie
          [ghil.lie] var of gillie

   [1]ghost
          [ghost] n [ME gost, gast, fr. OE gast; akin to OHG geist
          spirit, Skt heda anger] (bef. 12c) 1: the seat of life
          or intelligence: soul <give up the ~> 2: a disembodied
          soul; esp: the soul of a dead person believed to be an
          inhabitant of the unseen world or to appear to the living
          in bodily likeness 3: spirit, demon 4 a: a faint shadowy
          trace <a ~ of a smile> b: the least bit <not a ~ of a
          chance> 5: a false image in a photographic negative or
          on a television screen caused esp. by reflection 6: one
          who ghostwrites 7: a red blood cell that has lost its
          hemoglobin -- ghost.like adj -- ghosty adj [2]ghost vt
          (1606) 1: to haunt like a ghost 2: ghostwrite ~ vi 1
          a: to move silently like a ghost b: to sail quietly in
          light winds 2: ghostwrite

   Ghost Dance
          [Ghost Dance] n (1890): a group dance of a late 19th century
          American Indian messianic cult believed to promote the
          return of the dead and the restoration of traditional
          ways of life

   ghosting
          [ghost.ing] n (ca. 1957): a false image on a television screen;
          also: the formation of such images

   ghostly
          [ghost.ly] adj ghost.li.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: of or relating
          to the soul: spiritual 2: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of a ghost: spectral -- ghost.li.ness
          n -- ghostly adv

   ghost story
          [ghost story] n (1819) 1: a story about ghosts 2: a tale
          based on imagination rather than fact

   ghost town
          [ghost town] n (1931): a once-flourishing town wholly or
          nearly deserted usu. as a result of the exhaustion of
          some natural resource

   ghost word
          [ghost word] n (1886): a word form never in established usage

   ghostwrite
          [ghost.write] vb -wrote ; -writ.ten [back-formation fr.
          ghostwriter] vi (1927): to write for and in the name of another
          ~ vt: to write (as a speech) for another who is the presumed author
          -- ghost.writ.er n

   ghoul
          [ghoul] n [Ar ghul] (1786) 1: a legendary evil being that
          robs graves and feeds on corpses 2: one suggestive of
          a ghoul -- ghoul.ish adj -- ghoul.ish.ly adv -- ghoul.ish.ness
          n

   ghoulie
          [ghou.lie] n (1928): ghoul 1

   GHQ
          [GHQ] abbreviation general headquarters

   GHz
          [GHz] abbreviation gigahertz

   gi...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]GI
          [GI] adj [galvanized iron; fr. abbr. used in listing such
          articles as garbage cans, but taken as abbr. for government
          issue] (ca. 1935) 1: provided by an official U.S. military
          supply department <~ shoes> 2: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of U.S. military personnel 3: conforming to military
          regulations or customs <a ~ haircut> [2]GI n, pl GIs
          or GI's (1943): a member or former member of the U.S.
          armed forces; esp: a man enlisted in the army [3]GI adv
          (1949): in a strictly regulation manner [4]GI vt GI'd
          ; GI'.ing (1951): to clean thoroughly (as floors) in
          preparation for or as if for a military inspection

   gi
          [gi] abbreviation gill  GI abbreviation galvanized iron,
          gastrointestinal, general issue, government issue

   [1]giant
          [gi.ant] n [ME giaunt, fr. OF geant, fr. L gigant-, gigas,
          fr. Gk] (14c) 1: a legendary humanlike being of great
          stature and strength 2 a: a living being of great size
          b: a person of extraordinary powers 3: something unusually
          large or powerful -- gi.ant.like adj [2]giant adj (15c):
          having extremely large size, proportion, or power

   giant anteater
          [giant anteater] n (1940): a large bushy-tailed anteater
          (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) of Central and South America

   giant cactus
          [giant cactus] n (ca. 1884): saguaro

   giant clam
          [giant clam] n (ca. 1889): a very large clam (Tridacna gigas)
          found on the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific oceans
          that sometimes weighs more than 500 pounds (227 kilograms)

   giantess
          [gi.ant.ess] n (14c): a female giant

   giantism
          [gi.ant.ism] n (1639) 1: the quality or state of being a
          giant <~ in industry> 2: gigantism 2

   giant panda
          [giant panda] n (1920): a large black-and-white mammal (Ailuropoda
          melanoleuca) of chiefly central China now usu. classified with the
          bears (family Ursidae)--see panda illustration

   giant reed
          [giant reed] n (1851): a tall European grass (Arundo donax)
          with woody stems used esp. in making organ reeds, baskets,
          and shelters

   giant schnauzer
          [giant schnauzer] n (ca. 1934): any of a breed of powerful
          heavyset schnauzers that attain a height of 23 1/2 to
          27 1/2 inches (60 to 70 centimeters)

   giant sequoia
          [giant sequoia] n (ca. 1931): big tree

   giant slalom
          [giant slalom] n (1952): a slalom race for skiers on a longer
          and steeper course than that used for the regular slalom

   giant squid
          [giant squid] n (ca. 1890): any of a genus (Architeuthis)
          of extremely large squids that include the largest mollusks
          known

   giant star
          [giant star] n (1912): a star of great luminosity and of
          large mass

   giant tortoise
          [giant tortoise] n (ca. 1909): any of various large long-lived
          herbivorous land tortoises (genus Geochelone) formerly
          common on the islands of the western Indian Ocean and
          on the Galapagos Islands

   giant water bug
          [giant water bug] n (1901): any of a family (Belostomatidae
          and esp. genus Lethocerus) of very large predatory bugs
          capable of inflicting a painful bite

   giaour
          [giaour] n [F, fr. It dial. (Venetian) giaur, fr. Turk gavur,
          fr. Pers gawr] (1564): one outside the Islamic faith:
          infidel 2a

   giardiasis
          [giar.di.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL, fr. Giardia, fr. Alfred
          M. Giard d. 1908 Fr. biologist] (1919): infestation with
          or disease caused by a flagellate protozoan (genus Giardia
          and esp. G. lamblia in humans) that is often characterized
          by diarrhea

   Gib
          [Gib] or Gibr abbreviation Gibraltar

   [1]gib
          [gib] n [ME, fr. Gib, nickname for Gilbert] (1561): a male
          cat; specif: a castrated male cat [2]gib n [origin unknown]
          (1795): a plate of metal or other material machined to
          hold other parts in place, to afford a bearing surface,
          or to provide means for overcoming looseness

   gibber
          [gib.ber] vi gib.bered ; gib.ber.ing [imit.] (1604): to speak
          rapidly, inarticulately, and often foolishly -- gibber
          n

   gibberellic acid
          [gib.ber.el.lic acid] n (1954): a crystalline acid that is
          a gibberellin used esp. in the malting of barley

   gibberellin
          [gib.ber.el.lin] n [NL Gibberella fujikoroi, fungus from
          which it was first isolated] (1939): any of several
          growth-regulating plant hormones that promote cell elongation and
          activity of the cambium, induce parthenocarpy, and stimulate
          synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins

   gibberish
          [gib.ber.ish] n [prob. fr. gibber] (ca. 1554): unintelligible
          or meaningless language: a: a technical or esoteric language
          b: pretentious or needlessly obscure language

   [1]gibbet
          [gib.bet] n [ME gibet, fr. OF] (13c) 1: gallows 2: an upright
          post with a projecting arm for hanging the bodies of
          executed criminals as a warning [2]gibbet vt (1646) 1
          a: to expose to infamy or public scorn b: to hang on
          a gibbet 2: to execute by hanging on a gibbet

   gibbon
          [gib.bon] n [F] (1774): any of a genus (Hylobates) of brachiating
          tailless apes of southeastern Asia that are the smallest
          and most arboreal anthropoid apes

   gibbosity
          [gib.bos.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c): protuberance, swelling

   gibbous
          [gib.bous] adj [ME, fr. MF gibbeux, fr. LL gibbosus humpbacked,
          fr. L gibbus hump] (14c) 1 a: marked by convexity or
          swelling b of the moon or a planet: seen with more than
          half but not all of the apparent disk illuminated 2:
          having a hump: humpbacked

   gibe
          [gibe] vb gibed ; gib.ing [perh. fr. MF giber to shake, handle
          roughly] vi (1567): to utter taunting words ~ vt: to
          deride or tease with taunting words syn see scoff --
          gibe n -- gib.er n

   giblets
          [gib.lets] n pl [ME gibelet entrails, garbage, fr. MF, stew
          of wildfowl] (15c): the edible viscera of a fowl

   Gibraltar
          [Gi.bral.tar] n [Gibraltar, fortress in the Brit. colony
          of Gibraltar] (1856): an impregnable stronghold

   Gibson
          [Gib.son] n [fr. the name Gibson] (1948): a martini garnished
          with a cocktail onion

   Gibson girl
          [Gibson girl] adj [Charles D. Gibson] (1936): of or relating
          to a style esp. in women's clothing characterized by
          high necks, full sleeves, and wasp waists

   gid
          [gid] n [back-formation fr. giddy] (1601): a disease esp.
          of sheep caused by the larva of a tapeworm (Multiceps
          multiceps) in the brain

   giddap
          [gid.dap] also gid.dy.ap vb imper [alter. of get up] (ca.
          1897)--a command to a horse to go ahead or go faster

   [1]giddy
          [gid.dy] adj gid.di.er ; -est [ME gidy mad, foolish, fr.
          OE gydig possessed, mad; akin to OE god god] (14c) 1
          a: dizzy <~ from the unaccustomed exercise> b: causing
          dizziness <a ~ height> c: whirling rapidly 2 a: lightheartedly
          silly: frivolous b: joyfully elated: euphoric -- gid.di.ly
          adv -- gid.di.ness n [2]giddy vb gid.died ; gid.dy.ing
          vt (1602): to make giddy ~ vi: to become giddy

   Gideon
          [Gid.e.on] n [Heb Gidh'on] 1: an early Hebrew hero noted
          for his defeat of the Midianites 2: a member of
          an interdenominational organization whose activities include the
          placing of Bibles in hotel rooms

   gie
          [gie] chiefly Scot var of give

   Giemsa stain
          [Gi.em.sa stain] n [Gustav Giemsa d. 1948 Ger. chemotherapist]
          (ca. 1909): a stain consisting of eosin and a blue dye
          and used chiefly in the differential staining of blood
          films--called also Giemsa, Giemsa's stain

   [1]gift
          [gift] n [ME, fr. ON, something given, talent; akin to OE
          giefan to give] (12c) 1: a notable capacity, talent,
          or endowment 2: something voluntarily transferred by
          one person to another without compensation 3: the act,
          right, or power of giving syn gift, faculty, aptitude,
          bent, talent, genius, knack mean a special ability for
          doing something. gift often implies special favor by
          God or nature <the gift of singing beautifully>. faculty
          applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for
          a particular accomplishment or function <a faculty for
          remembering names>. aptitude implies a natural liking
          for some activity and the likelihood of success in it
          <a mechanical aptitude>. bent is nearly equal to aptitude
          but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific
          ability <a family with an artistic bent>. talent suggests
          a marked natural ability that needs to be developed <has
          enough talent to succeed>. genius suggests impressive
          inborn creative ability <has no great genius for poetry>.
          knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability
          making for ease and dexterity in performance <the knack
          of getting along>. [2]gift vt (ca. 1550) 1: to endow
          with some power, quality, or attribute 2: present <generously
          ~ed us with a copy --Saturday Rev.>

   gift certificate
          [gift certificate] n (1942): a certificate entitling the
          recipient to purchase goods or services in the establishment
          of the issuer to the amount specified

   gifted
          [gift.ed] adj (1644) 1: having great natural ability: talented
          <~ children> 2: revealing a special gift <~ voices> --
          gift.ed.ly adv -- gift.ed.ness n

   gift of gab
          [gift of gab] (ca. 1890): the ability to talk glibly and
          persuasively

   gift of tongues
          [gift of tongues] [fr. the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Cor 12:1-13]
          (1560): the charismatic gift of ecstatic speech

   giftware
          [gift.ware] n (1904): wares or goods suitable for gifts

   gift wrap
          [gift wrap] vt (1936): to wrap (merchandise intended as a
          gift) decoratively

   [1]gig
          [gig] n [ME -gyge (in whyrlegyge whirligig), of unknown origin]
          (1570) 1: something that whirls or is whirled: as a obs:
          top, whirligig b: a 3-digit selection in a numbers game
          2: a person of odd or grotesque appearance 3 a: a long
          light ship's boat b: a rowboat designed for speed rather
          than for work 4: a light two-wheeled one-horse carriage
          [2]gig vi gigged ; gig.ging (1807): to travel in a gig
          [3]gig n [short for earlier fizgig, fishgig, of unknown
          origin] (1722) 1: a pronged spear for catching fish 2:
          an arrangement of hooks to be drawn through a school
          of fish in order to hook their bodies [4]gig vb gigged
          ; gig.ging vt (1803) 1: to spear with a gig 2 a chiefly
          West: spur, jab b: goad, provoke ~ vi: to fish with a
          gig [5]gig n [origin unknown] (1926): a job usu. for
          a specified time; esp: an entertainer's engagement [6]gig
          vi gigged ; gig.ging (1939): to work as a musician <gigged
          with various bands --Downbeat> [7]gig n [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1941): a military demerit [8]gig vt gigged ; gig.ging
          (ca. 1941): to give a military gig to

   giga-
          [giga-] comb form [ISV, fr. Gk gigas giant]: billion <gigahertz>
          <gigawatt>

   gigabit
          [giga.bit] n (1970): a unit of information equal to one billion
          bits

   gigabyte
          [giga.byte] n (1975): 1,073,741,824 bytes

   gigahertz
          [giga.hertz] n (1964): a unit of frequency equal to one billion
          hertz

   gigantesque
          [gi.gan.tesque] adj (1821): of enormous or grotesquely large
          proportions

   gigantic
          [gi.gan.tic] adj [Gk gigantikos, fr. gigant-, gigas giant]
          (1651): exceeding the usual or expected (as in size,
          force, or prominence) <a man of ~ stature> <made a last
          ~ effort> <~ industrial combines> syn see enormous --
          gi.gan.ti.cal.ly adv

   gigantism
          [gi.gan.tism] n (ca. 1885) 1: giantism 1 2: development to
          abnormally large size 3: excessive vegetative growth
          often accompanied by the inhibiting of reproduction

   gigas
          [gi.gas] adj [NL, fr. L, giant, fr. Gk] (1915) of a polyploid
          plant: having thicker stem, taller growth, darker thicker
          leaves, and larger flowers and seeds than a corresponding
          diploid

   gigawatt
          [giga.watt] n (ca. 1962): a unit of power equal to one billion
          watts

   [1]giggle
          [gig.gle] vb gig.gled ; gig.gling [imit.] vi (1509): to laugh
          with repeated short catches of the breath ~ vt: to utter
          with a giggle -- gig.gler n -- gig.gling.ly adv -- gig.gly
          adj [2]giggle n (ca. 1677) 1: the act of giggling 2 chiefly
          Brit: a source of amusement

   GIGO
          [GIGO] abbreviation garbage in, garbage out

   gigolo
          [gig.o.lo] n, pl -los [F] (1922) 1: a man supported by a
          woman usu. in return for his attentions 2: a professional
          dancing partner or male escort

   gigot
          [gi.got] n, pl gi.gots [MF, dim. of gigue fiddle; fr. its
          shape--more at jig] (1526) 1: a leg of meat (as lamb)
          esp. when cooked 2: a leg-of-mutton sleeve

   gigue
          [gigue] n [F, fr. E jig] (1685): a lively dance movement
          (as of a suite) having compound triple rhythm and composed
          in fugal style

   Gila monster
          [Gi.la monster] n [Gila River, Ariz.] (1877): a large orange
          and black venomous lizard (Heloderma suspectum) of the
          southwestern U.S.; also: a related lizard (H. horridum)
          of Mexico

   gilbert
          [gil.bert] n [William Gilbert] (1893): the centimeter-gram-second
          unit of magnetomotive force

   [1]gild
          [gild] vt gild.ed or gilt ; gild.ing [ME, fr. OE gyldan;
          akin to OE gold gold] (14c) 1: to overlay with or as
          if with a thin covering of gold 2 a: to give money to
          b: to give an attractive but often deceptive appearance
          to c archaic: to make bloody -- gild.er n -- gild the
          lily : to add unnecessary ornamentation to something
          beautiful in its own right [2]gild var of guild

   Gilgamesh
          [Gil.ga.mesh] : a legendary Sumerian king and hero of the
          Gilgamesh Epic

   [1]gill
          [gill] n [ME gille, fr. ML gillus, fr. LL gillo, gello water
          pot] (14c): either of two units of capacity: a:  a British
          imperial pint or 8.669 cubic inches b: a U.S. liquid
          unit equal to 1/4 U.S. liquid pint or 7.218 cubic inches
          [2]gill n [ME gile, of Scand origin; akin to Sw gal gill,
          ON gjolnar lips; akin to Gk chelyne lip, jawbone] (14c)
          1: an organ (as of a fish) for obtaining oxygen from
          water 2 a: wattle 2 b: the flesh under or about the chin
          or jaws--usu. used in pl. c: one of the radiating plates
          forming the undersurface of the cap of a mushroom fungus
          -- gilled adj -- to the gills : as full as possible [3]gill
          vt (1884): gillnet ~ vi, of fish: to become entangled
          in a gill net -- gill.er n [4]gill n [ME gille, fr. ON
          gil; akin to OHG gil hernia] (14c) 1 Brit: ravine 2 Brit:
          a narrow stream or rivulet [5]gill n, often cap [ME,
          fr. Gill, nickname for Gillian] (15c): girl, sweetheart

   gill arch
          [gill arch] n (1879) 1: any of the bony or cartilaginous
          arches or curved bars extending dorsoventrally and placed
          one behind the other on each side of the pharynx and
          supporting the gills of fishes and amphibians 2: any
          of the rudimentary ridges in the embryos of all higher
          vertebrates that correspond to the gill arches

   gill cleft
          [gill cleft] n (ca. 1889): gill slit 1, 2

   gill cover
          [gill cover] n (1776): operculum 1b

   [1]gillie
          [gil.lie] n [ScGael gille & Ir giolla youth, gillie] (1705)
          1: a male attendant on a Scottish Highland chief; broadly:
          attendant 2 chiefly Scot & Irish: a fishing and hunting
          guide 3: a shoe with a low top and decorative lacing
          [2]gillie vi gil.lied ; gil.ly.ing (1900): to serve as
          a gillie

   gillnet
          [gill.net] vt (1949): to catch (fish) with a gill net

   gill net
          [gill net] n (1796): a flat net suspended vertically in the
          water with meshes that allow the head of a fish to pass
          but entangle it as it seeks to withdraw

   gillnetter
          [gill.net.ter] n (ca. 1889): a boat equipped for or engaged
          in fishing with gill nets; also: a person who fishes
          with a gill net

   gill raker
          [gill raker] n (1880): any of the bony processes on a gill
          arch that divert solid substances away from the gills

   gill slit
          [gill slit] n (1854) 1: any of the openings or clefts between
          the gill arches in vertebrates that breathe by gills
          through which water taken in at the mouth passes to the
          exterior and so bathes the gills 2: any of the rudimentary
          grooves in the neck region of the embryos of air-breathing
          vertebrates that correspond to the gill slits 3: the
          external opening to the cavity containing the gills when
          a protective covering of the gills is present

   gillyflower
          [gil.ly.flow.er] n [by folk etymology fr. ME gilofre clove,
          fr. MF girofle, gilofre, fr. L caryophyllum, fr. Gk karyophyllon,
          fr. karyon nut + phyllon leaf--more at careen, blade]
          (1551): carnation 2

   Gilsonite
          [Gil.son.ite] trademark--used for uintaite

   [1]gilt
          [gilt] adj [ME, fr. pp. of gilden to gild] (14c): covered
          with gold or gilt: of the color of gold [2]gilt n (15c)
          1: gold or something that resembles gold laid on a surface
          2 slang: money 3: superficial brilliance 4: a bond issued
          by the government of the United Kingdom [3]gilt n [ME
          gylte, fr. ON gyltr; akin to OE gelde sterile--more at
          geld] (14c): a young female swine

   gilt-edged
          [gilt-edged] or gilt-edge adj (1818) 1: having a gilt edge
          2: of the best quality or rating <~ securities>

   [1]gimbal
          [gim.bal] n [alter. of obs. gemel (double ring)] (1780):
          a device that permits a body to incline freely in any
          direction or suspends it so that it will remain level
          when its support is tipped--usu. used in pl.--called
          also gimbal ring [2]gimbal vt -balled or -baled ; -bal.ling
          or -bal.ing (1875): to provide with or support on gimbals

   gimcrack
          [gim.crack] n [origin unknown] (1676): a showy object of
          little use or value: gewgaw -- gimcrack adj -- gim.crack.ery
          n

   gimel
          [gim.el] n [Heb gimel] (1828): the 3d letter of the Hebrew
          alphabet

   [1]gimlet
          [gim.let] n [ME, fr. MF guimbelet, prob. modif. of MD wimmelkijn,
          fr. wimmel wimble] (14c): a small tool with a screw point,
          grooved shank, and cross handle for boring holes [2]gimlet
          adj (1752): having a piercing or penetrating quality
          [3]gimlet vt (1840): to pierce as if with a gimlet [4]gimlet
          n [prob. fr. [1]gimlet] (1928): a drink consisting of
          sweetened lime juice and gin or vodka and sometimes carbonated
          or plain water

   gimlet-eyed
          [gim.let-eyed] adj (1752): sharp-sighted

   gimmal
          [gim.mal] n [alter. of obs. gemel (double ring)] (1598) 1
          pl: joined work (as in a clock) whose parts move within
          each other 2: a pair or series of interlocked rings

   gimme
          [gim.me] n, pl gimmes [fr. gimme, contr. of give me] (1982):
          something easily achieved or won esp. in a contest

   [1]gimmick
          [gim.mick] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1926) 1 a: a mechanical
          device for secretly and dishonestly controlling gambling
          apparatus b: an ingenious or novel mechanical device:
          gadget 2 a: an important feature that is not immediately
          apparent: catch <what's the ~ ... what's in it for you
          --Maxwell Griffith> b: an ingenious and usu. new scheme
          or angle -- gim.micky adj [2]gimmick vt (1928) 1: to
          alter or influence by means of a gimmick 2: to provide
          with a gimmick--often used with up

   gimmickry
          [gim.mick.ry] n, pl -ries (1948): an array or profusion of
          gimmicks; also: use of gimmicks

   [1]gimp
          [gimp] n [perh. fr. D] (1664): an ornamental flat braid or
          round cord used as a trimming [2]gimp n [perh. fr. gimp
          (fish line strengthened with wire)] (1901): spirit, vim
          [3]gimp n [origin unknown] (1929) 1: cripple 2: limp
          <walks with a ~ --Damon Runyon> -- gimpy adj [4]gimp
          vi (1948): limp, hobble <~ing up the stairs>

   [1]gin
          [gin] vb gan ; gin.ning [ME ginnen, short for beginnen] (13c)
          archaic: begin [2]gin n [ME gin, modif. of OF engin--more
          at engine] (13c): any of various tools or mechanical
          devices: as a: a snare or trap for game b: cotton gin
          [3]gin vt ginned ; gin.ning (ca. 1625) 1: snare 2: to
          separate (cotton fiber) from seeds and waste material
          -- gin.ner n [4]gin conj [perh. by contr. fr. dial. gif
          if + an if] (1580) dial: if [5]gin n [by shortening &
          alter. fr. geneva] (1714) 1: a colorless alcoholic beverage
          made from distilled or redistilled neutral grain spirits
          flavored with juniper berries and aromatics (as anise
          and caraway seeds) 2 a: gin rummy b: the act of laying
          down a full hand of matched cards in gin rummy -- gin.ny
          adj

   [1]ginger
          [gin.ger] n [ME, fr. OE gingifer, fr. ML gingiber, alter.
          of L zingiber, fr. Gk zingiberi, ultim. fr. Pali singivera]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome
          that is used as a spice and sometimes medicinally (2):
          the spice usu. prepared by drying and grinding ginger
          b: any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae,
          the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes;
          esp: a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale)
          that supplies most of the ginger of commerce 2: high
          spirit: pep <the ~ to care hard and work hard --Willa
          Cather> 3: a strong brown -- gin.gery adj [2]ginger vt
          gin.gered ; gin.ger.ing (1849): to make lively: pep up
          <~ up the tourist trade --N.Y. Times>

   ginger ale
          [ginger ale] n (1886): a sweetened carbonated nonalcoholic
          beverage flavored mainly with ginger extract

   ginger beer
          [ginger beer] n (1809): a sweetened carbonated nonalcoholic
          beverage heavily flavored with ginger or capsicum or
          both

   gingerbread
          [gin.ger.bread] n (15c) 1: a cake whose ingredients include
          molasses and ginger 2 [fr. the fancy shapes and gilding
          formerly often applied to gingerbread]: lavish or superfluous
          ornament esp. in architecture -- gingerbread adj --
          gin.ger.bread.ed adj -- gin.ger.bready adj

   ginger group
          [ginger group] n (1925) chiefly Brit: a group that serves
          as an energizing force within a larger body (as a political
          party)

   gingerly
          [gin.ger.ly] adj [perh. fr. [1]ginger] (1594): very cautious
          or careful -- gin.ger.li.ness n -- gingerly adv

   ginger nut
          [ginger nut] n (1842) Brit: gingersnap

   gingerroot
          [gin.ger.root] n (1831): ginger 1a(1)

   gingersnap
          [gin.ger.snap] n (1805): a thin brittle cookie sweetened
          with molasses and flavored with ginger

   gingham
          [ging.ham] n [modif. of Malay genggang striped cloth] (1615):
          a clothing fabric usu. of yarn-dyed cotton in plain weave

   gingiva
          [gin.gi.va] n, pl -vae [L] (ca. 1889): [1]gum -- gin.gi.val
          adj

   gingivectomy
          [gin.gi.vec.to.my] n, pl -mies (ca. 1927): the excision of
          a portion of the gingiva

   gingivitis
          [gin.gi.vi.tis] n (1874): inflammation of the gums

   gink
          [gink] n [origin unknown] (1910) slang: person, guy

   ginkgo
          [gink.go] also ging.ko n, pl ginkgoes or ginkgos [NL Ginkgo,
          fr. Jp ginkyo] (1773): a gymnospermous tree (Ginkgo biloba)
          of eastern China that is widely grown as an ornamental
          or shade tree and has fan-shaped leaves and yellow fruit

   gin mill
          [gin mill] n (1865): bar, saloon

   gin rummy
          [gin rummy] n [[5]gin] (1941): a rummy game for two players
          in which each player is dealt 10 cards and in which a
          player may win a hand by matching all the cards in it
          or may end play when the unmatched cards count up to
          10 points or less

   ginseng
          [gin.seng] n [Chin (Beijing) renshen] (1654) 1 a: a Chinese
          perennial herb (Panax schinseng of the family Araliaceae,
          the ginseng family) having 5-foliolate leaves, scarlet
          berries, and an aromatic root valued esp. locally as
          a medicine b: any of several plants related to ginseng;
          esp: a No. American herb (P. quinquefolius) 2: the root
          of a ginseng

   Gipsy
          [Gip.sy] chiefly Brit var of gypsy

   giraffe
          [gi.raffe] n, pl giraffes [It giraffa, fr. Ar zirafah] (ca.
          1600) 1 or pl giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant
          mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of
          living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short
          coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines 2 cap:
          camelopardalis -- gi.raff.ish adj

   girandole
          [gir.an.dole] n [F & It; F, fr. It girandola, fr. girare
          to turn, fr. LL gyrare, fr. L gyrus gyre] (1749) 1: a
          radiating and showy composition (as a cluster of skyrockets
          fired together) 2: an ornamental branched candlestick
          3: a pendant earring usu. with three ornaments hanging
          from a central piece

   girasole
          [gir.a.sole] also gir.a.sol n [It girasole sunflower, fr.
          girare + sole sun, fr. L sol--more at solar] (ca. 1586)
          1: jerusalem artichoke 2 usu girasol: an opal of varying
          color that gives out fiery reflections in bright light

   [1]gird
          [gird] vb gird.ed or girt ; gird.ing [ME, fr. OE gyrdan;
          akin to OE geard yard--more at yard] vt (bef. 12c) 1
          a: to encircle or bind with a flexible band (as a belt)
          b: to make fast (as a sword by a belt or clothing with
          a cord) c: surround 2: provide, equip; esp: to invest
          with the sword of knighthood 3: to prepare (oneself)
          for action ~ vi: to prepare for action -- gird one's
          loins : to prepare for action: muster up one's resources
          [2]gird vb [ME, to strike, thrust] vi (1546): gibe, rail
          ~ vt: to sneer at: mock [3]gird n (1566): a sarcastic
          remark

   girder
          [gird.er] n [[1]gird] (1611): a horizontal main structural
          member (as in a building or bridge) that supports vertical
          loads and that consists of a single piece or of more
          than one piece bound together

   [1]girdle
          [gir.dle] n [ME girdel, fr. OE gyrdel; akin to OHG gurtil
          girdle, OE gyrdan to gird] (bef. 12c) 1: something that
          encircles or confines: as a: an article of dress encircling
          the body usu. at the waist b: a woman's close-fitting
          undergarment often boned and usu. elasticized that extends
          from the waist to below the hips c (1): pectoral girdle
          (2): pelvic girdle 2: the edge of a brilliant that is
          grasped by the setting--see brilliant illustration [2]girdle
          vt gir.dled ; gir.dling (1582) 1: to encircle with or
          as if with a girdle 2: to cut away the bark and cambium
          in a ring around (a plant) usu. to kill by interrupting
          the circulation of water and nutrients 3: to move around:
          circle <girdled the world>

   girl
          [girl] n [ME gurle, girle young person of either sex] (14c)
          1 a: a female child b: a young unmarried woman c: a single
          or married woman of any age--sometimes taken to be offensive
          2 a: sweetheart b: a female servant or employee--sometimes
          taken to be offensive c: daughter -- girl.hood n

   girl Friday
          [girl Friday] n [girl + Friday (as in man Friday)] (1940):
          a female assistant (as in an office) entrusted with a
          wide variety of tasks

   girlfriend
          [girl.friend] n (1859) 1: a female friend 2: a frequent or
          regular female companion of a boy or man 3: mistress
          4a

   Girl Guide
          [Girl Guide] n (1909): a member of a worldwide scouting movement
          for girls 7 to 18 years of age that is equivalent to
          the Girl Scouts in the U.S.

   girlie
          [girl.ie] also girly adj (1942): featuring scantily clothed
          women <~ magazines> <~ show>

   girlish
          [girl.ish] adj (1565): of, relating to, or having the
          characteristics of a girl or girlhood -- girl.ish.ly adv
          -- girl.ish.ness n

   Girl Scout
          [Girl Scout] n (1909): a member of any of the scouting programs
          of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for
          girls ages 5 through 17

   girn
          [girn] vi [ME, alter. of grinnen to grin, snarl] (12c) chiefly
          Scot: snarl -- girn n, chiefly Scot

   giro
          [gi.ro] n [G, circulation (of currency), fr. It, fr. L gyrus
          gyre] (1890): a service of many European banks that permits
          authorized direct transfer of funds among account holders
          as well as conventional transfers by check

   giron
          [gi.ron] var of gyron

   Girondin
          [Gi.ron.din] n [F, fr. girondin of Gironde] (1837): girondist

   Girondist
          [Gi.rond.ist] n [F girondiste, fr. Gironde, a political party,
          fr. Gironde, department of France represented by its
          leaders] (1795): a member of the moderate republican
          party in the French legislative assembly in 1791

   girt
          [girt] vb [ME girten, alter. of girden] vt (15c) 1: gird
          2: to fasten by means of a girth ~ vi: to measure in
          girth

   [1]girth
          [girth] n [ME, fr. ON gjorth; akin to OE gyrdan to gird]
          (13c) 1: a band or strap that encircles the body of an
          animal to fasten something (as a saddle) on its back
          2 a: a measure around a body <a man of more than average
          ~> b: size, dimensions [2]girth vt (15c) 1: encircle
          2: to bind or fasten with a girth 3: to measure the girth
          of

   gisarme
          [gi.sarme] n [ME, fr. OF] (13c): a medieval weapon consisting
          of a sharpened blade mounted on a long staff and carried
          by foot soldiers

   gist
          [gist] n [AF, it lies, fr. MF, fr. gesir to lie, ultim. fr.
          L jacere--more at adjacent] (ca. 1711) 1: the ground
          of a legal action 2: the main point or part: essence
          <the ~ of an argument>

   git
          [git] n [var. of get, term of abuse, fr. [2]get] (1943) Brit:
          a foolish or worthless person

   GIT
          [GIT] abbreviation Group Inclusive Tour

   gittern
          [git.tern] n [ME giterne, fr. MF guiterne, modif. of OSp
          guitarra guitar] (14c): a medieval guitar

   [1]give
          [give] vb gave ; giv.en ; giv.ing [ME, of Scand origin; akin
          to OSw giva to give; akin to OE giefan, gifan to give,
          and perh. to L habere to have, hold] vt (13c) 1: to make
          a present of <~ a doll to a child> 2 a: to grant or bestow
          by formal action <the law ~s citizens the right to vote>
          b: to accord or yield to another <gave him her confidence>
          3 a: to put into the possession of another for his use
          b (1): to administer as a sacrament (2): to administer
          as a medicine c: to commit to another as a trust or responsibility
          and usu. for an expressed reason d: to transfer from one's
          authority or custody <the sheriff gave the prisoner to the warden>
          e: to execute and deliver <all employees must ~ bond> f: to convey
          to another <~ them my regards> 4 a: to offer to the action
          of another: proffer <gave her his hand> b: to yield (oneself)
          to a man in sexual intercourse 5 a: to present in public
          performance <~ a concert> b: to present to view or observation
          <gave the signal to start> 6: to provide by way of entertainment
          <~ a party> 7: to propose as a toast 8 a: to designate as a share
          or portion: allot <all the earth to thee and to thy race I ~ --John
          Milton> b: to make assignment of (a name) c: to set forth
          as an actual or hypothetical datum <~ the dimensions of the room>
          d: to attribute in thought or utterance: ascribe <gave the credit
          to you> 9 a: to yield as a product, consequence, or effect: produce
          <cows ~ milk> <84 divided by 12 ~s 7> b: to bring forth: bear
          10 a: to yield possession of by way of exchange: pay b: to dispose
          of for a price: sell 11 a: to deliver by some bodily action <gave
          him a push> b: to carry out (as a bodily movement) <gave a cynical
          smile> c: to inflict as punishment d: to award by formal verdict
          <judgment was given against the plaintiff> 12: to offer for
          consideration, acceptance, or use <~s no reason for his absence>
          13 a: to suffer the loss of: sacrifice b: to offer as appropriate
          or due esp. to something higher or more worthy <gave his spirit
          to God> c: to apply freely or fully: devote <gave themselves
          to their work> d: to offer as a pledge <I ~ you my word>
          14 a: to cause one to have or receive <mountains always gave him
          pleasure> b: to cause a person to catch by contagion, infection,
          or exposure 15 a: to allow one to have or take <~ me time>
          b: to lead or attempt to lead--used with an infinitive <you gave
          me to understand you'd be late> 16: t : to acquit (oneself) well
          -- give birth : to have a baby <gave birth last Thursday> -- give
          birth to 1: to produce as offspring <gave birth to a son>
          2: to be the source of -- give chase : to set off in pursuit
          -- give ground : to withdraw before superior force: retreat -- give
          of : to make available: provide generously <freely gave of their
          time> -- give or take : as an estimate accurate within (an amount
          to be added or subtracted) -- give place to : to be replaced
          or succeeded by <optimism gave place to worry> -- give rise
          to : to be the cause or source of: produce -- give the gun
          : to open the throttle of: speed up -- give the lie to 1: to accuse
          of falsehood 2: to show to be false, inaccurate, or invalid -- give
          tongue of hounds: to begin barking on the scent -- give way
          1 a: retreat b: to yield the right of way 2: to yield oneself
          without restraint or control 3 a: to yield to or as if to physical
          stress b: to yield to entreaty or insistence 4: to yield place
          5: to begin to row syn give, present, donate, bestow, confer,
          afford mean to convey to another as a possession. give, the general
          term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means
          <give alms> <gave her a ride on a pony> <give my love to your
          mother>. present carries a note of formality and ceremony <present
          an award>. donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as
          to charity) <donate a piano to the orphanage>. bestow implies the
          conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension
          on the part of the giver <bestow unwanted advice>. confer implies
          a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor) <confer an honorary
          degree>. afford implies a giving or bestowing usu. as a natural
          or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver <the trees
          afford shade> <a development that affords us some hope>. [2]give
          n (1868) 1: capacity or tendency to yield to force or strain:
          flexibility 2: the quality or state of being springy

   give-and-go
          [give-and-go] n (1965): a play (as in basketball or hockey)
          in which a player passes to a teammate and immediately
          cuts toward the net or goal to receive a return pass

   give-and-take
          [give-and-take] n (1778) 1: the practice of making mutual
          concessions: compromise 2: a usu. good-natured exchange
          (as of ideas or comments)

   giveaway
          [give.away] n (1882) 1: an unintentional revelation or betrayal
          2 a: something given away free; specif: premium 1d b:
          the act of giving something away free <staging a promotional
          ~> 3: a radio or television program on which prizes are
          given away

   give away
          [give away] vt (14c) 1: to make a present of 2: to deliver
          (a bride) ceremonially to the bridegroom at a wedding
          3 a: betray b: disclose, reveal 4: to give (as weight)
          by way of a handicap

   giveback
          [give.back] n (1978): a previous gain (as an increase in
          wages or benefits) given back to management by workers
          (as in a labor contract)

   give back
          [give back] vi (1548): retire, retreat ~ vt: to send in return
          or reply: restore, return

   give in
          [give in] vt (1602): deliver, submit <gave in his resignation>
          ~ vi: to yield under insistence or entreaty: surrender

   [1]given
          [giv.en] adj (14c) 1: prone, disposed <~ to swearing> 2:
          presented as a gift: bestowed without compensation 3:
          particular, specified <at a ~ time> 4 of an official
          document: having been executed: dated 5: immediately
          present in experience [2]given n (1879): something given;
          esp: something taken for granted: a basic condition or
          assumption [3]given prep (1904): in view of: considering
          <~ what she knew about others' lives, how could she complain
          about her own? --Marilyn French>

   given name
          [given name] n (1827): a name that precedes one's surname;
          esp: first name

   give off
          [give off] vt (1831) 1: to send out as a branch 2: emit <gave
          off an unpleasant smell> ~ vi: to branch off

   give out
          [give out] vt (14c) 1 a: declare, publish <giving out that
          the doctor ... required a few days of complete rest --Charles
          Dickens> b: to read aloud the words of (a hymn or psalm)
          for congregational singing 2: emit <gave out a constant
          hum> 3: issue <gave out new uniforms> ~ vi 1: break down,
          fail 2: to become exhausted: collapse

   give over
          [give over] vt (14c) 1: cease 2: entrust 3 a: to yield without
          restraint or control: abandon <gave themselves over to
          laughter> b: to set apart for a particular purpose or
          use 4 archaic: to pronounce incurable ~ vi, Brit: to
          cease an activity: stop <told him to give over and let
          me alone --Brendan Behan>

   giver
          [giv.er] n (14c): one that gives: donor

   give up
          [give up] vt (13c) 1: to yield control or possession of:
          surrender <forced to give up his job> 2: to desist from:
          abandon <refused to give up her efforts> 3: to declare
          incurable or insoluble 4 a: to abandon (oneself) to a
          particular feeling, influence, or activity <gave himself
          up to despair> b: to devote to a particular purpose or
          use 5: to despair of seeing <we'd given you up> 6: to
          allow (a hit or run in baseball) while pitching ~ vi:
          to cease doing or attempting something esp. as an admission
          of defeat: quit--often used with on <don't give up on
          the project> -- give up the ghost : to cease to live
          or function: die

   gizmo
          [giz.mo] also gis.mo n, pl gizmos also gismos [origin unknown]
          (1943): gadget

   gizzard
          [giz.zard] n [alter. of ME giser, fr. OF guisier, giser,
          fr. L gigeria (pl.) giblets] (1565) 1 a: the muscular
          enlargement of the alimentary canal of birds that has
          usu. thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for
          grinding the food and when the crop is present follows
          it and the proventriculus b: a thickened part of the
          alimentary canal in some animals (as an insect or an
          earthworm) that is similar in function to the crop of
          a bird 2: innards

   gk...
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   Gk
          [Gk] abbreviation Greek

   gl...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   glabella
          [gla.bel.la] n, pl -bel.lae [NL, fr. L, fem. of glabellus
          hairless, dim. of glaber] (ca. 1823): the smooth prominence
          between the eyebrows -- gla.bel.lar adj

   glabrescent
          [gla.bres.cent] adj (1857) 1: somewhat glabrous 2: tending
          to become glabrous

   glabrous
          [gla.brous] adj [L glabr-, glaber smooth, bald--more at glad]
          (1640): smooth; esp: having a surface without hairs or
          projections <~ skin> <~ leaves>

   glace
          [gla.ce] adj [F, fr. pp. of glacer to freeze, ice, glaze,
          fr. L glaciare, fr. glacies] (1847) 1: made or finished
          so as to have a smooth glossy surface <~ silk> 2 also
          gla.ceed : coated with a glaze: candied <~ cherries>

   glacial
          [gla.cial] adj [L glacialis, fr. glacies] (1656) 1 a: extremely
          cold: frigid <a ~ wind> b: devoid of warmth and cordiality
          <a ~ handshake> c: coldly imperturbable <maintained a
          ~ calm> 2: resembling ice in appearance <~ acetic acid>
          3 a (1): of, relating to, or being any of those parts
          of geologic time from Precambrian onward when a much
          larger portion of the earth was covered by glaciers than
          at present (2) cap: pleistocene b: of, relating to, or
          produced by glaciers c: suggestive of the very slow movement
          of glaciers <progress on the bill has been ~> -- gla.cial.ly
          adv

   glaciate
          [gla.ci.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1623) 1: freeze 2 a:
          to subject to glacial action; also: to produce glacial
          effects in or on b: to cover with a glacier -- gla.ci.a.tion
          n

   glacier
          [gla.cier] n [F dial., fr. MF dial., fr. MF glace ice, fr.
          L glacies; akin to L gelu frost--more at cold] (1744):
          a large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley
          or spreading outward on a land surface

   glaciology
          [gla.ci.ol.o.gy] n [L glacies + ISV -logy] (1889): any of
          the branches of science dealing with snow or ice accumulation,
          glaciation, or glacial epochs -- gla.ci.o.log.i.cal adj
          -- gla.ci.ol.o.gist n

   glacis
          [gla.cis] n, pl glacis [F, fr. glacer to freeze, slide] (1672)
          1 a: a gentle slope: incline b: a slope that runs downward
          from a fortification 2: buffer state; also: buffer zone

   [1]glad
          [glad] adj glad.der ; glad.dest [ME, shining, glad, fr. OE
          glaed; akin to OHG glat shining, smooth, L glaber smooth,
          bald] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: having a cheerful or happy
          disposition by nature 2 a: experiencing pleasure, joy,
          or delight: made happy b: made pleased, satisfied, or
          grateful--often used with of <was ~ of their help> c:
          very willing <~ to do it> 3 a: marked by, expressive
          of, or caused by happiness and joy <a ~ shout> b: causing
          happiness and joy: pleasant <~ tidings> 4: full of brightness
          and cheerfulness <a ~ spring morning> -- glad.ly adv
          -- glad.ness n [2]glad vb glad.ded ; glad.ding (bef.
          12c) archaic: gladden [3]glad n (1923): gladiolus 1

   gladden
          [glad.den] vb glad.dened ; glad.den.ing vi (13c) archaic:
          to be glad ~ vt: to make glad

   glade
          [glade] n [perh. fr. [1]glad] (1529): an open space surrounded
          by woods -- glady adj

   glad-hand
          [glad-hand] vt (1903): to extend a glad hand to <candidates
          ~ing everyone they meet> ~ vi: to extend a glad hand
          <~ing as if he were running for mayor> -- glad-hand.er
          n

   glad hand
          [glad hand] n (ca. 1895): a warm welcome or greeting often
          prompted by ulterior reasons

   gladiator
          [glad.i.a.tor] n [L, fr. gladius sword, of Celt origin; akin
          to W cleddyf sword] (15c) 1: a person engaged in a fight
          to the death as public entertainment for ancient Romans
          2: a person engaging in a public fight or controversy
          3: a trained fighter; esp: a professional boxer --
          glad.i.a.to.ri.al adj

   gladiola
          [glad.i.o.la] n [back-formation fr. gladiolus, taken as a
          pl.] (1926): gladiolus 1

   gladiolus
          [glad.i.o.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. L, gladiolus, fr. dim.
          of gladius] (15c) 1 or pl gladiolus also glad.i.o.lus.es
          : any of a genus (Gladiolus) of chiefly African plants
          of the iris family with erect sword-shaped leaves and
          spikes of brilliantly colored irregular flowers arising
          from corms 2: the large middle portion of the sternum

   glad rags
          [glad rags] n pl (1896): dressy clothes

   gladsome
          [glad.some] adj (14c): giving or showing joy: cheerful --
          glad.some.ly adv -- glad.some.ness n

   gladstone
          [glad.stone] n, often cap [W. E. Gladstone] (1889): a suitcase
          with flexible sides on a rigid frame that opens flat
          into two equal compartments--called also gladstone bag

   glaikit
          [glai.kit] or glai.ket adj [ME (Sc) glaikit] (15c) chiefly
          Scot: foolish, giddy

   glair
          [glair] or glaire n [ME gleyre egg white, fr. MF glaire,
          modif. of (assumed) VL claria, fr. L clarus clear--more
          at clear] (13c) 1: a sizing liquid made from egg white
          2: a viscid substance suggestive of an egg white

   glairy
          [glairy] adj glair.i.er ; -est (1662): having the characteristics
          of or overlaid with glair

   glaive
          [glaive] n [ME, fr. MF, javelin, sword, modif. of L gladius
          sword] (15c) archaic: sword; esp: broadsword

   glamorise
          [glam.or.ise] Brit var of glamorize

   glamorize
          [glam.or.ize] also glam.our.ize vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1936)
          1: to look upon or depict as glamorous: romanticize <the
          novel ~s war> 2: to make glamorous <~ the living room>
          -- glam.or.iza.tion n -- glam.or.iz.er n

   glamorous
          [glam.or.ous] also glam.our.ous adj (1882): full of glamour
          -- glam.or.ous.ly adv -- glam.or.ous.ness n

   glamour
          [glam.our] or glam.or n [Sc glamour, alter. of E grammar;
          fr. the popular association of erudition with occult
          practices] (1715) 1: a magic spell <the girls appeared
          to be under a ~ --Llewelyn Powys> 2: an exciting and
          often illusory and romantic attractiveness; esp: alluring
          or fascinating personal attraction--often used attributively
          <~ stock> <~ boy> <~ girl> -- glamour vt -- glam.our.less
          adj

   glamour-puss
          [glam.our-puss] n (1941): a glamorously attractive person

   [1]glance
          [glance] vb glanced ; glanc.ing [ME glencen, glenchen] vi
          (15c) 1: to strike a surface obliquely so as to go off
          at an angle <the bullet glanced off the wall> 2 a: to
          make sudden quick movements <dragonflies glancing over
          the pond> b: to flash or gleam with quick intermittent
          rays of light <brooks glancing in the sun> 3: to touch
          on a subject or refer to it briefly or indirectly <the
          work ~s at the customs of ancient cultures> 4 a of the
          eyes: to move swiftly from one thing to another b: to
          take a quick look at something <glanced at his watch>
          ~ vt 1 archaic a: to take a quick look at b: to catch
          a glimpse of 2: to give an oblique path of direction
          to: a: to throw or shoot so that the object glances from
          a surface b archaic: to aim (as an innuendo) indirectly:
          insinuate -- glanc.er n [2]glance n (1503) 1 a: a quick
          intermittent flash or gleam b archaic: a sudden quick
          movement 2 a archaic: a rapid oblique movement b: a deflected
          impact or blow 3 a: a swift movement of the eyes b: a
          quick or cursory look 4 archaic a: a brief satirical
          reference to something: gibe b: allusion -- at first
          glance : on first consideration <at first glance the
          subject seems harmless enough>

   glancing
          [glanc.ing] adj (ca. 1541) 1: hitting so as to glance off
          <a ~ blow> 2: incidental, indirect <made ~ allusions
          to her past> -- glanc.ing.ly adv

   [1]gland
          [gland] n [F glande, fr. OF, glandular swelling on the neck,
          gland, ultim. fr. L gland-, glans acorn; akin to Gk balanos
          acorn] (1692) 1 a: a cell, group of cells, or organ of
          endothelial origin that selectively removes materials
          from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes
          them for further use in the body or for elimination from
          the body b: any of various animal structures suggestive
          of glands though not secretory in function 2: any of
          various secreting organs (as a nectary) of plants --
          gland.less adj [2]gland n [origin unknown] (1839) 1:
          a device for preventing leakage of fluid past a joint
          in machinery 2: the movable part of a stuffing box by
          which the packing is compressed

   glandered
          [glan.dered] adj (1667): affected with glanders

   glanders
          [glan.ders] n pl but sing or pl in constr [MF glandre glandular
          swelling on the neck, fr. L glandulae, fr. pl. of glandula,
          dim. of gland-, glans] (1523): a contagious and destructive
          disease esp. of horses caused by a bacterium (Pseudomonas
          mallei syn. Actinobacillus mallei) and characterized
          by caseating nodular lesions esp. on the respiratory
          mucosae and lungs that tend to break down and form ulcers

   glandular
          [glan.du.lar] adj (ca. 1740) 1 a: of, relating to, or involving
          glands, gland cells, or their products b: having the
          characteristics or function of a gland 2 a: innate, inherent
          <the almost ~ ... instinct for adventure and romance
          --Newsweek> b: physical, sexual -- glan.du.lar.ly adv

   glandular fever
          [glandular fever] n (1902): infectious mononucleosis

   glans
          [glans] n, pl glan.des [L gland-, glans, lit., acorn] (1650)
          1: a conical vascular body forming the extremity of the
          penis--called also glans penis 2: a structure of the
          clitoris similar to the glans penis--called also glans
          clitoridis

   [1]glare
          [glare] vb glared ; glar.ing [ME glaren; akin to OE glaes
          glass] vi (13c) 1 a: to shine with a harsh uncomfortably
          brilliant light b: stand out, obtrude 2: to stare angrily
          or fiercely ~ vt 1: to express (as hostility) by staring
          angrily 2 archaic: to cause to be sharply reflected [2]glare
          n (15c) 1 a: a harsh uncomfortably bright light <the
          ~ of a neon sign> <the ~ of publicity>; esp: painfully
          bright sunlight b: cheap showy brilliance: garishness
          2: an angry or fierce stare 3: a surface or sheet of
          smooth and slippery ice

   glaring
          [glar.ing] adj (14c) 1: having a fixed look of hostility,
          fierceness, or anger 2 a: shining with or reflecting
          an uncomfortably bright light b (1): garish (2): vulgarly
          ostentatious 3: obtrusively and often painfully obvious
          <a ~ error> syn see flagrant -- glar.ing.ly adv -- glar.ing.ness
          n

   glary
          [glary] adj glar.i.er ; -est (1632): having a dazzling brightness:
          glaring

   glasnost
          [glas.nost] n [Russ glasnost', lit., publicity, fr. glasnyi
          public, fr. glas voice, fr. OCS glasu --more at call]
          (1986): a Soviet policy permitting open discussion of
          political and social issues and freer dissemination of
          news and information

   [1]glass
          [glass] n, often attrib [ME glas, fr. OE glaes; akin to OE
          geolu yellow--more at yellow] (bef. 12c) 1: any of various
          amorphous materials formed from a melt by cooling to
          rigidity without crystallization: as a: a usu. transparent
          or translucent material consisting esp. of a mixture
          of silicates b: a material (as obsidian) produced by
          fast cooling of magma 2 a: something made of glass: as
          (1): tumbler; also: glassware (2): mirror (3): barometer
          (4): hourglass (5): backboard b (1): an optical instrument
          or device that has one or more lenses and is designed
          to aid in the viewing of objects not readily seen (2):
          field glasses, binoculars--usu. used in pl. c pl: a device
          used to correct defects of vision or to protect the eyes
          that consists typically of a pair of glass or plastic
          lenses and the frame by which they are held in place--called
          also eyeglasses, spectacles 3: the quantity held by a
          glass container 4: fiberglass -- glass.ful n -- glass.less
          adj [2]glass vt (14c) 1 a: to provide with glass: glaze
          1 b: to enclose, case, or wall with glass <the sunroom
          was ~ed in> 2: to make glassy 3 a: reflect b: to see
          mirrored 4: to look at through an optical instrument
          (as binoculars) ~ vi: [1]glaze 1

   glassblowing
          [glass.blow.ing] n (ca. 1829): the art of shaping a mass
          of glass that has been softened by heat by blowing air
          into it through a tube -- glass.blow.er n

   glass ceiling
          [glass ceiling] n (1986): an intangible barrier within the
          hierarchy of a company that prevents women or minorities
          from obtaining upper-level positions

   glass eye
          [glass eye] n (1687) 1: an artificial eye made of glass 2:
          an eye having a pale, whitish, or colorless iris -- glass-eyed
          adj

   glass fiber
          [glass fiber] n (1882): fiberglass

   glass harmonica
          [glass harmonica] n (ca. 1909): a musical instrument consisting
          of a series of rotating glass bowls of differing sizes
          played by touching the dampened edges with a finger

   glasshouse
          [glass.house] n (14c) 1: a place where glass is made 2 chiefly
          Brit: greenhouse 3 Brit: a military prison

   glassie
          [glass.ie] or glassy n, pl glass.ies (1887): a playing marble
          made of glass

   glassine
          [glass.ine] n (1916): a thin dense transparent or semitransparent
          paper highly resistant to the passage of air and grease

   glass jaw
          [glass jaw] n (1940): vulnerability (as of a boxer) to knockout
          punches

   glassmaker
          [glass.mak.er] n (1576): one that makes glass -- glass.mak.ing
          n

   glasspaper
          [glass.pa.per] n (1815) Brit: abrasive paper coated with
          pulverized glass and used like sandpaper -- glasspaper
          vb

   glass snake
          [glass snake] n (1709): any of a genus (Ophisaurus) of limbless
          snakelike lizards of the southern U.S., Eurasia, and
          Africa with a fragile tail that readily breaks into pieces

   glass sponge
          [glass sponge] n (1875): any of a class (Hexactinellida syn.
          Hyalospongiae) of chiefly deep-water siliceous sponges
          with 6-rayed spicules and a skeleton often resembling
          glass when dried

   glassware
          [glass.ware] n (1745): articles made of glass

   glass wool
          [glass wool] n (1879): glass fibers in a mass resembling
          wool and being used esp. for thermal insulation and air
          filters

   glasswork
          [glass.work] n (1611) 1 a: the manufacture of glass or glassware;
          also: glaziers' work b pl: glasshouse 1 2: glassware
          -- glass.work.er n

   glasswort
          [glass.wort] n [fr. its former use in the manufacture of
          glass] (1597): any of a genus (Salicornia) of woody jointed
          succulent herbs of the goosefoot family with leaves reduced
          to fleshy sheaths

   glassy
          [glassy] adj glass.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: resembling or made
          of glass 2: having little animation: dull, lifeless <~
          eyes> -- glass.i.ly adv -- glass.i.ness n

   glassy-eyed
          [glassy-eyed] adj (1895): marked by or having glassy eyes

   Glauber's salt
          [Glau.ber's salt] n [Johann R. Glauber d. 1668 Ger. chemist]
          (1736): a colorless crystalline sulfate of sodium used
          esp. in dyeing, as a cathartic, and in solar energy systems--called
          also Glauber salt--sometimes used in pl.

   glaucoma
          [glau.co.ma] n [L, cataract, fr. Gk glaukoma, fr. glaukoun
          to have a cataract, fr. glaukos] (1885): a disease of
          the eye marked by increased pressure within the eyeball
          tha t can result in damage to the optic disk and gradual
          loss of vision

   glauconite
          [glau.co.nite] n [G Glaukonit, irreg. fr. Gk glaukos] (1836):
          a mineral consisting of a dull green earthy iron potassium
          silicate occurring in greensand -- glau.co.nit.ic adj

   glaucous
          [glau.cous] adj [L glaucus, fr. Gk glaukos gleaming, gray]
          (1671) 1 a: of a pale yellow-green color b: of a light
          bluish gray or bluish white color 2: having a powdery
          or waxy coating that gives a frosted appearance and tends
          to rub off -- glau.cous.ness n

   [1]glaze
          [glaze] vb glazed ; glaz.ing [ME glasen, fr. glas glass]
          vt (14c) 1: to furnish or fit with glass 2 a: to coat
          with or as if with a glaze <the storm glazed trees with
          ice> b: to apply a glaze to <~ doughnuts> 3: to give
          a smooth glossy surface to ~ vi 1: to become glazed or
          glassy <my eyes glazed over> 2: to form a glaze -- glaz.er
          n [2]glaze n (1752) 1: a smooth slippery coating of thin
          ice 2 a (1): a liquid preparation applied to food on
          which it forms a firm glossy coating (2): a mixture mostly
          of oxides (as silica and alumina) applied to the surface
          of ceramic wares to form a moisture-impervious and often
          lustrous or ornamental coating b: a transparent or translucent
          color applied to modify the effect of a painted surface
          c: a smooth glossy or lustrous surface or finish 3: a
          glassy film [3]glaze vi glazed ; glaz.ing [prob. blend
          of glare and gaze] (1601) archaic: stare

   glazed
          [glazed] adj (15c) 1: covered with or as if with a glassy
          film <~ eyes> 2: marked by lack of expression

   glazier
          [gla.zier] n (14c): one who sets glass -- gla.ziery n

   glazing
          [glaz.ing] n (1677) 1: the action, process, or trade of fitting
          windows with glass 2 a: glasswork b: glaze 3: transparent
          material (as glass) used for windows

   [1]gleam
          [gleam] n [ME gleem, fr. OE glaem; akin to OE geolu yellow--more
          at yellow] (15c) 1 a: a transient appearance of subdued
          or partly obscured light <the ~ of dawn in the east>
          b (1): a small bright light <the ~ of a match> (2): glint
          <a ~ in his eyes> 2: a brief or faint appearance <a ~
          of hope> -- gleamy adj [2]gleam vi (1508) 1: to shine
          with or as if with subdued steady light or moderate brightness
          2: to appear briefly or faintly <a light ~ed in the distance>
          ~ vt: to cause to gleam syn see flash

   glean
          [glean] vb [ME glenen, fr. MF glener, fr. LL glennare, of
          Celtic origin; akin to OIr doglenn he selects] vi (14c)
          1: to gather grain or other produce left by reapers 2:
          to gather information or material bit by bit ~ vt 1 a:
          to pick up after a reaper b: to strip (as a field) of
          the leavings of reapers 2 a: to gather (as information)
          bit by bit b: to pick over in search of relevant material
          <~ing old files for information> 3: find out -- glean.able
          adj -- glean.er n

   gleanings
          [glean.ings] n pl (15c): things acquired by gleaning

   glebe
          [glebe] n [L gleba clod, land] (14c) 1 archaic: land; specif:
          a plot of cultivated land 2: land belonging or yielding
          revenue to a parish church or ecclesiastical benefice

   glede
          [glede] n [ME, fr. OE glida; akin to OE glidan to glide]
          (bef. 12c): any of several birds of prey (as a kite of
          Europe)

   glee
          [glee] n [ME, fr. OE gleo entertainment, music; akin to ON
          gly joy, and perh. to Gk chleue joke] (bef. 12c) 1: exultant
          high-spirited joy: merriment 2: a part-song for usu.
          male voices

   glee club
          [glee club] n (1844): a chorus organized for singing usu.
          short pieces

   gleed
          [gleed] n [ME, fr. OE gled; akin to OE glowan to glow] (bef.
          12c) archaic: a glowing coal

   gleeful
          [glee.ful] adj (1586): full of glee: merry -- glee.ful.ly
          adv -- glee.ful.ness n

   gleek
          [gleek] vi [origin unknown] (1590) archaic: gibe, joke

   gleeman
          [glee.man] n [ME gleman, fr. OE gleoman, fr. gleo + man man]
          (bef. 12c): jongleur

   gleesome
          [glee.some] adj (1603) archaic: gleeful

   gleet
          [gleet] n [ME glet slimy or mucous matter, fr. MF glete,
          fr. L glittus viscous; akin to L gluten glue--more at
          clay] (14c): a chronic inflammation (as gonorrhea) of
          a bodily orifice usu. accompanied by an abnormal discharge;
          also: the discharge itself

   gleg
          [gleg] adj [ME, fr. ON gloggr clear-sighted] (14c) Scot:
          marked by quickness of perception or movement

   gleization
          [glei.za.tion] n (1938): development of or conversion into
          gley

   glen
          [glen] n [ME (Sc), valley, fr. (assumed) ScGael glenn; akin
          to MIr glend valley] (15c): a secluded narrow valley

   glengarry
          [glen.gar.ry] n, pl -ries often cap [Glengarry, valley in
          Scotland] (1845): a woolen cap of Scottish origin--called
          also glengarry bonnet

   glen plaid
          [glen plaid] n [short for glenurquhart plaid, fr. Glen Urquhart,
          valley in Inverness-shire, Scotland] (1926): a twill
          pattern of broken checks; also: a fabric woven in this
          pattern--called also glen check

   gley
          [gley] n, often attrib [Ukrainian glei clayey earth; akin
          to OE claeg clay--more at clay] (1927): a sticky clay
          soil or soil layer formed under the surface of some waterlogged
          soils -- gleyed adj

   gleying
          [gley.ing] n (1949): gleization

   glia
          [glia] n [NL, fr. MGk, glue--more at clay] (1891): neuroglia
          -- gli.al adj

   gliadin
          [gli.a.din] n [It gliadina, fr. MGk glia] (ca. 1828): prolamin;
          esp: one obtained by alcoholic extraction of gluten from
          wheat and rye

   glib
          [glib] adj glib.ber ; glib.best [prob. modif. of LG glibberig
          slippery] (1593) 1 a: marked by ease and informality:
          nonchalant b: showing little forethought or preparation:
          offhand <~ answers> c: lacking depth and substance: superficial
          <~ solutions to knotty problems> 2 archaic: smooth, slippery
          3: marked by ease and fluency in speaking or writing
          often to the point of being insincere or deceitful <a
          ~ politician> -- glib.ly adv -- glib.ness n

   [1]glide
          [glide] vb glid.ed ; glid.ing [ME, fr. OE glidan; akin to
          OHG glitan to glide] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to move smoothly,
          continuously, and effortlessly <swans gliding over the
          lake> 2: to go or pass imperceptibly <hours glided by>
          3 a of an airplane: to descend gradually in controlled
          flight b: to fly in a glider 4: to produce a glide (as
          in music or speech) ~ vt: to cause to glide [2]glide
          n (1596) 1: the act or action of gliding 2: a calm stretch
          of shallow water flowing smoothly 3: portamento 4 a:
          a less prominent vowel sound produced by the passing
          of the vocal organs to or from the articulatory position
          of a speech sound--compare diphthong b: semivowel 5:
          a device for facilitating movement of something; esp:
          a circular usu. metal button attached to the bottom of
          furniture legs to provide a smooth surface

   glide path
          [glide path] n (1936): glide slope

   glider
          [glid.er] n (15c) 1: one that glides: as a: an aircraft similar
          to an airplane but without an engine b: a porch seat
          suspended from an upright framework 2: something that
          aids gliding

   glide slope
          [glide slope] n (ca. 1949) 1: the proper path of descent
          for an aircraft preparing to land; esp: such a path indicated
          by a radio beam 2: the radio beam that marks a glide
          slope

   glim
          [glim] n [perh. short for [2]glimmer] (ca. 1700): something
          that furnishes light (as a lantern or candle); also:
          illumination given off by such a source

   [1]glimmer
          [glim.mer] vi glim.mered ; glim.mer.ing [ME glimeren; akin
          to OE glaem gleam] (15c) 1 a: to shine faintly or unsteadily
          b: to give off a subdued unsteady reflection 2: to appear
          indistinctly with a faintly luminous quality syn see
          flash [2]glimmer n (1590) 1 a: a feeble or intermittent
          light b: a subdued unsteady shining or sparkle 2 a: a
          dim perception or faint idea: inkling b: hint, spark
          <a ~ of intelligence>

   glimmering
          [glim.mer.ing] n (15c): glimmer

   [1]glimpse
          [glimpse] vb glimpsed ; glimps.ing [ME glimsen; akin to MHG
          glimsen to glimmer, OE glaem gleam] vi (14c) 1 archaic:
          glimmer 2: to look briefly ~ vt: to get a brief look
          at -- glimps.er n [2]glimpse n (ca. 1540) 1 archaic:
          glimmer 2: a fleeting view or look

   [1]glint
          [glint] vb [ME, to dart obliquely, glint, alter. of glenten,
          of Scand origin; akin to Sw dial. glanta to clear up;
          akin to OHG glanz bright, OE geolu yellow--more at yellow]
          vi (14c) 1 a archaic: to glance off an object b of rays
          of light: to be reflected at an angle from a surface
          2: to give off reflection in brilliant flashes; also:
          gleam 3: to look quickly or briefly: glance 4: to appear
          briefly or faintly ~ vt: to cause to glint syn see flash
          [2]glint n (14c) 1: a tiny bright flash of light 2: a
          brief or faint manifestation: glimmer <a ~ of recognition>;
          also: a trace of emotion expressed through the eyes <a
          steely ~ in his eye>

   glioblastoma
          [glio.blas.to.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL, fr. glia neuroglia
          + blast- + -oma] (ca. 1923): a malignant tumor of the
          central nervous system and usu. of a cerebral hemisphere

   glioma
          [gli.o.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL, fr. glia] (1870): a
          tumor arising from neuroglia

   [1]glissade
          [glis.sade] vi glis.sad.ed ; glis.sad.ing [F, n., slide,
          glissade, fr. glisser to slide, fr. OF glicier, alter.
          of glier, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG glitan to glide]
          (1837) 1: to perform a ballet glissade 2: to slide in
          a standing or squatting position down a snow-covered
          slope without the aid of skis -- glis.sad.er n [2]glissade
          n (1843) 1: a gliding step in ballet 2: the action of
          glissading

   glissando
          [glis.san.do] n, pl -di or -dos [prob. modif. of F glissade]
          (ca. 1854): a rapid sliding up or down the musical scale

   [1]glisten
          [glis.ten] vi glis.tened ; glis.ten.ing [ME glistnen, fr.
          OE glisnian; akin to OE glisian to glitter, geolu yellow--more
          at yellow] (bef. 12c): to give off a sparkling or lustrous
          reflection of or as if of a moist or polished surface
          syn see flash [2]glisten n (1840): glitter, sparkle

   glister
          [glis.ter] vi glis.tered ; glis.ter.ing [ME glistren; akin
          to OE glisian] (14c): glitter -- glister n

   glitch
          [glitch] n [perh. fr. Yiddish glitsh slippery place, fr.
          glitshn (zikh) to slide, glide; akin to OHG glitan to
          glide--more at glide] (1962) 1 a: a usu. minor malfunction
          <a ~ in a spacecraft's fuel cell>; also: [2]bug 2 b:
          a minor problem that causes a temporary setback: snag
          2: a false or spurious electronic signal

   [1]glitter
          [glit.ter] vi [ME gliteren, fr. ON glitra; akin to OE geolu
          yellow] (14c) 1 a: to shine by reflection with many small
          flashes of brilliant light: sparkle <sequins ~ed in the
          spotlight> b: to shine with strong emotion: flash <eyes
          ~ing in anger> 2: to be brilliantly attractive, lavish,
          or spectacular; also: to be superficially attractive
          or exciting syn see flash -- glit.ter.ing.ly adv [2]glitter
          n (1602) 1 a: sparkling brilliance of something that
          glitters b: a bright usu. superficial attractiveness
          c: the quality of being spectacular 2: small glittering
          objects used for ornamentation -- glit.tery adj

   glitterati
          [glit.te.ra.ti] n pl [blend of [2]glitter and literati] (1940):
          celebrities, beautiful people

   glitter rock
          [glitter rock] n (1973): rock music characterized by performers
          wearing glittering costumes and bizarre often grotesque
          makeup

   glitz
          [glitz] n [perh. modif. of G glitzern to glitter, fr. MHG
          glitzen; akin to ON glitra to glitter] (1971): extravagant
          showiness: glitter, ostentation -- glitzy adj

   gloam
          [gloam] n [Sc gloam to become twilight, back-formation fr.
          gloaming] (ca. 1821) archaic: twilight

   gloaming
          [gloam.ing] n [ME (Sc) gloming, fr. OE gloming, fr. glom
          twilight; akin to OE glowan to glow] (bef. 12c): twilight,
          dusk

   [1]gloat
          [gloat] vi [prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON glotta to grin
          scornfully] (1676) 1 obs: to look or glance admiringly
          or amorously 2: to observe or think about something with
          triumphant and often malicious satisfaction, gratification,
          or delight <~ over an enemy's misfortune> -- gloat.er
          n -- gloat.ing.ly adv [2]gloat n (1899): the act or feeling
          of one who gloats

   glob
          [glob] n [perh. blend of globe and blob] (1900) 1: a small
          drop: blob 2: a usu. large and rounded mass -- glob.by
          adj

   global
          [glob.al] adj (1676) 1: spherical 2: of, relating to, or
          involving the entire world: worldwide <~ warfare> <a
          ~ system of communication>; also: of or relating to a
          celestial body (as the moon) 3: of, relating to, or applying
          to a whole (as a mathematical function or a computer
          program) <a ~ search of a file> -- glob.al.ly adv

   globalise
          [glob.al.ise] Brit var of globalize

   globalism
          [glob.al.ism] n (1943): a national policy of treating the
          whole world as a proper sphere for political influence--compare
          imperialism, internationalism -- glob.al.ist n

   globalize
          [glob.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1944): to make global;
          esp: to make worldwide in scope or application -- glob.al.iza.tion
          n

   global village
          [global village] n (1960): the world viewed as a community
          in which distance and isolation have been dramatically
          reduced by electronic media (as television)

   [1]globe
          [globe] n [MF, fr. L globus] (15c): something spherical or
          rounded: as a: a spherical representation of the earth,
          a celestial body, or the heavens b: earth 4 c: orb 4
          [2]globe vt globed ; glob.ing (1641) archaic: to form
          into a globe

   globe artichoke
          [globe artichoke] n (ca. 1858): artichoke 1

   globefish
          [globe.fish] n (1668): puffer 2a

   globeflower
          [globe.flow.er] n (1597): any of a genus (Trollius) of plants
          of the buttercup family with globose yellow flowers

   globe thistle
          [globe thistle] n (1597): any of a genus (Echinops)
          of widely-cultivated Asian and Mediterranean composite herbs with
          spiky globose blue or white flowers

   globe-trotter
          [globe-trot.ter] n (1875): a person who travels widely --
          globe-trot.ting n or adj

   globin
          [glo.bin] n [ISV, fr. hemoglobin] (1877): a colorless protein
          obtained by removal of heme from a conjugated protein
          and esp. hemoglobin

   globoid
          [glo.boid] adj (1887): shaped like a sphere

   globose
          [glo.bose] adj (15c): globular 1a(1) <~ pollen>

   globular
          [glob.u.lar] adj [partly fr. L globus + E -ular; partly fr.
          L globulus + E -ar] (1654) 1 a (1): having the shape
          of a globe or globule (2): having a compact folded molecular
          structure <~ proteins> b: global 2: having or consisting
          of globules

   globular cluster
          [globular cluster] n (1859): any of various approximately
          spherical clusters of gravitationally associated stars
          that typically populate galactic halos

   globule
          [glob.ule] n [F, fr. L globulus, dim. of globus] (1661):
          a tiny globe or ball esp. of a liquid <~s of mercury>

   globulin
          [glob.u.lin] n (1845): any of a class of simple proteins
          (as myosin) that are insoluble in pure water but are
          soluble in dilute salt solutions and that occur widely
          in plant and animal tissues--compare alpha globulin,
          beta globulin, gamma globulin

   glochidium
          [glo.chid.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. Gk glochis projecting
          point + NL -idium] (1882): the larva of a freshwater
          mussel (family Unionidae) that develops as an external
          parasite on fish

   glockenspiel
          [glock.en.spiel] n [G, fr. Glocke bell + Spiel play] (ca.
          1834): a percussion instrument consisting of a series
          of graduated metal bars tuned to the chromatic scale
          and played with two hammers

   glogg
          [glogg] n [Sw glogg, fr. glodga to burn, mull, fr. glod glowing
          coal, fr. ON gloth; akin to OE gled glowing coal--more
          at gleed] (1927): a hot spiced wine and liquor punch
          served in Scandinavian countries as a Christmas drink

   glom
          [glom] vt glommed ; glom.ming [alter. of E dial. glaum to
          grab] (1907) 1: take, steal 2: seize, catch -- glom on
          to : to grab hold of: appropriate to oneself

   glomerular
          [glo.mer.u.lar] adj (1885): of, relating to, or produced
          by a glomerulus <~ nephritis> <~ capillaries>

   glomerule
          [glom.er.ule] n [NL glomerulus] (1793): a compacted cyme
          of almost sessile and usu. small flowers

   glomerulonephritis
          [glo.mer.u.lo.ne.phri.tis] n, pl -phrit.i.des (ca. 1886):
          nephritis marked by inflammation of the capillaries of
          the renal glomeruli

   glomerulus
          [glo.mer.u.lus] n, pl -li [NL, glomerulus, glomerule, dim.
          of L glomer-, glomus ball; akin to L globus globe] (1856):
          a small convoluted or intertwined mass; esp: a tuft of
          capillaries at the point of origin of each vertebrate
          nephron that passes a protein-free filtrate to the surrounding
          Bowman's capsule

   glomus
          [glo.mus] n, pl glo.mera [NL, fr. L glomer-, glomus] (1903):
          a small arteriovenous anastomosis together with its supporting
          structures

   [1]gloom
          [gloom] vb [ME gloumen] vi (14c) 1: to look, feel, or act
          sullen or despondent 2: to be or become overcast 3: to
          loom up dimly ~ vt: to make dark, murky, or somber: make
          gloomy [2]gloom n (1629) 1 a: partial or total darkness
          b: a dark or shadowy place 2 a: lowness of spirits: dejection
          b: an atmosphere of despondency <a ~ fell over the household>

   gloomy
          [gloomy] adj gloom.i.er ; -est (1588) 1 a: partially or totally
          dark; esp: dismally and depressingly dark <~ weather>
          b: having a frowning or scowling appearance: forbidding
          <a ~ countenance> c: low in spirits: melancholy 2 a:
          causing gloom: depressing <a ~ story> <a ~ landscape>
          b: lacking in promise or hopefulness: pessimistic <~
          prophecies> <a ~ future> syn see sullen -- gloom.i.ly
          adv -- gloom.i.ness n

   glop
          [glop] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1944) 1: a thick semiliquid
          substance (as food) that is usu. unattractive in appearance
          2: tasteless or worthless material -- glop.py adj

   Gloria
          [Glo.ria] n [L, glory] (13c) 1: gloria in excelsis 2: gloria
          patri

   Gloria in Excelsis
          [Gloria in Ex.cel.sis] [LL, glory (be to God) on high] (14c):
          a Christian liturgical hymn having the verse form of
          the Psalms

   Gloria Patri
          [Gloria Pa.tri] n [LL, glory (be) to the Father] (13c): a
          2-verse doxology to the Trinity

   glorify
          [glo.ri.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME glorifien, fr. MF glorifier,
          fr. LL glorificare, fr. gloria] (14c) 1 a: to make glorious
          by bestowing honor, praise, or admiration b: to elevate
          to celestial glory 2: to light up brilliantly <a large
          chandelier glorifies the whole room> 3 a: to represent
          as glorious: extol <a song ~ing romantic love> b: to
          cause to be or seem to be better than the actual condition
          <the new position is just a glorified version of the
          old stockroom job> 4: to give glory to (as in worship)
          -- glo.ri.fi.ca.tion n -- glo.ri.fi.er n

   glorious
          [glo.ri.ous] adj [ME, fr. OF & L; OF glorieus, glorios, fr.
          L gloriosus glorious, vainglorious, fr. gloria] (13c)
          1 a: possessing or deserving glory: illustrious b: entitling
          one to glory <a ~ victory> 2: marked by great beauty
          or splendor: magnificent 3: delightful, wonderful <had
          a ~ weekend> syn see splendid -- glo.ri.ous.ly adv --
          glo.ri.ous.ness n

   [1]glory
          [glo.ry] n, pl glories [ME glorie, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L
          gloria] (14c) 1 a: praise, honor, or distinction extended
          by common consent: renown b: worshipful praise, honor,
          and thanksgiving <giving ~ to God> 2 a: something that
          secures praise or renown <the ~ of a brilliant career>
          b: a distinguished quality or asset 3 a (1): great beauty
          and splendor: magnificence <the ~ that was Greece and
          the grandeur that was Rome --E. A. Poe> (2): something
          marked by beauty or resplendence <a perfect ~ of a day>
          b: the splendor and beatific happiness of heaven; broadly:
          eternity 4 a: a state of great gratification or exaltation
          <when she's acting she's in her ~> b: a height of prosperity
          or achievement 5: a ring or spot of light: as a: aureole
          b: corona 2a, b [2]glory vi glo.ried ; glo.ry.ing (14c):
          to rejoice proudly--used with in [3]glory or glory be
          interj (1816)--used to express surprise or delight

   glory-of-the-snow
          [glory-of-the-snow] n (ca. 1890): any of a genus ( Chionodoxa)
          of hardy spring-flowering bulbous herbs of the lily family
          with narrow basal leaves and terminal racemes of blue,
          white, or pink flowers

   Glos
          [Glos] abbreviation Gloucestershire

   gloss-
          [gloss-] or glosso- comb form [L, fr. Gk gloss-, glosso-,
          fr. glossa] 1: tongue <glossitis> 2: language <glossolalia>

   [1]gloss
          [gloss] n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Icel glossa to
          glow; akin to OE geolu yellow] (1538) 1: a surface luster
          or brightness: shine 2 a: a deceptively attractive appearance
          <selfishness that had a ~ of humanitarianism about it>
          b: bright often superficial attractiveness <show-biz
          ~> 3: a transparent cosmetic preparation for adding shine
          and usu. color to the lips [2]gloss vt (1656) 1 a: to
          mask the true nature of: give a deceptively attractive
          appearance to--used with over <the misery was general,
          where not ~ed over by liberal application of alcohol
          --Marston Bates> b: to deal with (a subject or problem)
          too lightly or not at all--used with over <~es over scholarly
          controversies rather than confronting them head-on --John
          Israel> 2: to give a gloss to [3]gloss n [alter. of gloze,
          fr. ME glose, fr. MF, fr. ML glosa, glossa, fr. Gk glossa,
          glotta tongue, language, obscure word; akin to Gk glochis
          projecting point] (1548) 1 a: a brief explanation (as
          in the margin or between the lines of a text) of a difficult
          or obscure word or expression b: a false and often willfully
          misleading interpretation (as of a text) 2 a: glossary
          b: an interlinear translation c: a continuous commentary
          accompanying a text 3: commentary, interpretation [4]gloss
          vt (1603) 1 a: to provide a gloss for: explain, define
          b: interpret 2: to dispose of by false or perverse interpretation
          <trying to ~ away the irrationalities of the universe
          --Irwin Edman>

   glossa
          [glos.sa] n, pl glos.sae also glossas [NL, fr. Gk glossa]
          (ca. 1852): a tongue or lingual structure esp. in an
          insect; esp: the median distal lobe of the labium of
          an insect

   glossarist
          [glos.sa.rist] n (1774): glossator

   glossary
          [glos.sa.ry] n, pl -ries (14c): a collection of textual glosses
          or of specialized terms with their meanings -- glos.sar.i.al
          adj

   glossator
          [glos.sa.tor] n (14c) 1: one that makes textual glosses 2:
          a compiler of a glossary

   glossitis
          [glos.si.tis] n (ca. 1834): inflammation of the tongue

   glossographer
          [glos.sog.ra.pher] n [Gk glossographos, fr. glossa + graphein
          to write--more at carve] (1607): glossator

   glossolalia
          [glos.so.la.lia] n [NL] (1879): tongue 4c -- glos.so.la.list
          n

   glossopharyngeal nerve
          [glos.so.pha.ryn.geal nerve] n (ca. 1823): either of the
          9th pair of cranial nerves that are mixed nerves and
          supply chiefly the pharynx, posterior tongue, and parotid
          gland--called also glossopharyngeal

   [1]glossy
          [glossy] adj gloss.i.er ; -est (1556) 1: having a surface
          luster or brightness <rich ~ leather> <~ paper> 2: attractive
          in an artificially opulent, sophisticated, or smoothly
          captivating manner: slick <lots of ~ and phony chatter>
          syn see sleek -- gloss.i.ly adv -- gloss.i.ness n [2]glossy
          n, pl gloss.ies (1928) 1: a photograph printed on smooth
          shiny paper 2 chiefly Brit: slick 3

   glott-
          [glott-] or glotto- comb form [Gk glott-, glotto- tongue,
          fr. glossa, glotta]: language <glottochronology>

   glottal
          [glot.tal] adj (ca. 1846): of, relating to, or produced in
          or by the glottis <~ constriction>

   glottal stop
          [glottal stop] n (1888): the interruption of the breath stream
          during speech by closure of the glottis

   glottis
          [glot.tis] n, pl glot.tis.es or glot.ti.des [Gk glottid-,
          glottis, fr. glotta tongue--more at gloss] (1578): the
          elongated space between the vocal cords; also: the structures
          that surround this space--compare epiglottis

   glottochronology
          [glot.to.chro.nol.o.gy] n (1953): a linguistic method that
          uses the rate of vocabulary replacement to estimate the
          date of divergence for distinct but genetically related
          languages -- glot.to.chro.no.log.i.cal adj

   glout
          [glout] vi [ME, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON glotta
          to grin scornfully] (14c) archaic: frown, scowl

   [1]glove
          [glove] n [ME, fr. OE glof; akin to ON glofi glove] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a covering for the hand having separate sections
          for each of the fingers and the thumb and often extending
          part way up the arm b: [1]gauntlet 1, 3 2 a (1): a padded
          leather covering for the hand used in baseball to catch
          a thrown or batted ball; specif: one having individual
          thumb and finger sections usu. connected with a lacing
          or webbing--compare mitt (2): fielding ability <he's
          got a good ~ at three positions and can pinch-hit --Casey
          Stengel> b: boxing glove [2]glove vt gloved ; glov.ing
          (15c) 1 a: to cover with or as if with a glove b: to
          furnish with gloves 2: to catch (a baseball) in one's
          gloved hand

   glove box
          [glove box] n (1946) 1: glove compartment 2: a sealed protectively
          lined compartment having holes to which are attached gloves for use
          in handling dangerous materials inside the compartment

   glove compartment
          [glove compartment] n (1939): a small storage cabinet in
          the dashboard of an automobile

   glove leather
          [glove leather] n (1721): a soft lightweight leather

   glover
          [glov.er] n (14c): one that makes or sells gloves

   [1]glow
          [glow] vi [ME, fr. OE glowan; akin to OE geolu yellow--more
          at yellow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: to shine with or as if with
          an intense heat <embers ~ing in the darkness> b (1):
          to have a rich warm typically ruddy color <cheeks ~ing
          with health> (2): flush, blush <the children ~ed with
          excitement> 2 a: to experience a sensation of or as if
          of heat <~ing with rage> b: to show exuberance or elation
          <~ with pride> -- glow.ing.ly adv [2]glow n (1600) 1:
          brightness or warmth of color; esp: redness 2 a: warmth
          of feeling or emotion b: a sensation of warmth <the drug
          produces a sustained ~> 3 a: the state of glowing with
          heat and light b: light such as is emitted by a solid
          body heated to luminosity: incandescence

   glow discharge
          [glow discharge] n (1844): a luminous electrical discharge
          without sparks through a gas

   [1]glower
          [glow.er] vi [ME (Sc) glowren; perh. of Scand origin; akin
          to Norw dial. glyra to look askance, Icel glossa to glow--more
          at gloss] (15c): to look or stare with sullen annoyance
          or anger [2]glower n (1715): a sullen brooding look of
          annoyance or anger

   glow lamp
          [glow lamp] n (1884): a gas-discharge electric lamp in which
          most of the light proceeds from the glow of the gas near
          the cathode

   glow plug
          [glow plug] n (ca. 1941): a heating element in a diesel-engine
          cylinder to preheat the air and facilitate starting;
          also: a similar element for ignition in other internal-combustion
          engines

   glowworm
          [glow.worm] n [ME] (14c): any of various luminous insect
          larvae or adults with wings rudimentary or lacking; esp:
          a larva or wingless female of a firefly (family Lampyridae)
          that emits light from the abdomen

   gloxinia
          [glox.in.ia] n [NL, fr. B. P. Gloxin 18th cent. Ger. botanist]
          (ca. 1820): any of a genus (Sinningia) of Brazilian tuberous
          herbaceous gesneriads; esp: a plant (S. speciosa) widely
          cultivated for its showy bell-shaped or slipper-shaped
          flowers

   [1]gloze
          [gloze] vt glozed ; gloz.ing [ME glosen to gloss, flatter,
          fr. glose gloss] (14c) archaic: [4]gloss 1 [2]gloze vt
          glozed ; gloz.ing (14c): [2]gloss 1--often used with
          over

   gluc-
          [gluc-] or gluco- comb form [ISV] 1: glucose <glucokinase>
          2: related to or containing glucose <glucosamine>

   glucagon
          [glu.ca.gon] n [gluc- + -agon (perh. fr. Gk agon, prp. of
          agein to lead, drive)--more at agent] (1923): a protein
          hormone that is produced esp. by the islets of Langerhans
          and that promotes an increase in the sugar content of
          the blood by increasing the rate of glycogen breakdown
          in the liver

   glucan
          [glu.can] n (1941): a polysaccharide (as glycogen or cellulose)
          that is a polymer of glucose

   glucocorticoid
          [glu.co.cor.ti.coid] n (1950): any of a group of corticoids
          (as hydrocortisone) that are involved esp. in carbohydrate,
          protein, and fat metabolism, that are anti-inflammatory
          and immunosuppressive, and that are used widely in medicine
          (as in the alleviation of the symptoms of rheumatoid
          arthritis)--compare mineralocorticoid

   glucokinase
          [glu.co.ki.nase] n (1950): a hexokinase found esp. in the
          liver that catalyzes the phosphorylation of glucose

   gluconate
          [glu.co.nate] n (1884): a salt or ester of gluconic acid

   gluconeogenesis
          [glu.co.neo.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1912): formation of glucose
          within the animal body esp. by the liver from substances
          (as fats and proteins) other than carbohydrates

   gluconic acid
          [glu.con.ic acid] n [ISV, irreg. fr. glucose + -ic] (1871):
          a crystalline acid obtained by oxidation of glucose and
          used chiefly in cleaning metals

   glucosamine
          [glu.cos.amine] n (1884): an amino derivative of glucose
          that occurs esp. as a constituent of polysaccharides
          in animal supporting structures and some plant cell walls

   glucose
          [glu.cose] n [F, modif. of Gk gleukos must, sweet wine; akin
          to Gk glykys sweet--more at dulcet] (1840) 1: an optically
          active sugar that has an aldehydic carbonyl group; esp:
          the sweet colorless soluble dextrorotatory form that
          occurs widely in nature and is the usual form in which
          carbohydrate is assimilated by animals 2: a light-colored
          syrup made from cornstarch

   glucose-1-phosphate
          [glucose-1-phosphate] n [fr. the position at which the phosphate
          group is attached] (1938): an ester that reacts in the
          presence of a phosphorylase with aldoses and ketoses
          to yield disaccharides or with itself in liver and muscle
          to yield glycogen and phosphoric acid

   glucose-6-phosphate
          [glucose-6-phosphate] n [fr. the position at which the phosphate
          group is attached] (1954): an ester that is formed from
          glucose and ATP in the presence of a glucokinase and
          that is an essential early stage in glucose metabolism

   glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
          [glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase] n (1954): an enzyme found
          esp. in red blood cells that dehydrogenates glucose-6-phosphate
          in a glucose degradation pathway alternative to the Krebs
          cycle

   glucose phosphate
          [glucose phosphate] n (1912): a phosphate ester of glucose:
          as a: glucose-1-phosphate b: glucose-6-phosphate

   glucosidase
          [glu.co.si.dase] n (ca. 1926): an enzyme (as maltase) that
          hydrolyzes a glucoside

   glucoside
          [glu.co.side] n (1855): glycoside; esp: a glycoside that
          yields glucose on hydrolysis -- glu.co.sid.ic adj

   glucuronic acid
          [glu.cu.ron.ic acid] n (1911): a compound that occurs esp.
          as a constituent of mucopolysaccharides (as hyaluronic
          acid) and combined as a glucuronide

   glucuronidase
          [glu.cu.ron.i.dase] n (1945): an enzyme that hydrolyzes a
          glucuronide; esp: one that occurs widely (as in liver
          and spleen) and hydrolyzes the beta form of a glucuronide

   glucuronide
          [glu.cu.ro.nide] n (1934): any of various derivatives of
          glucuronic acid that are formed esp. as combinations
          with often toxic aromatic hydroxyl compounds and are
          excreted in the urine

   [1]glue
          [glue] n [ME glu, fr. MF, fr. LL glut-, glus; akin to L gluten
          glue--more at clay] (14c) 1 a: any of various strong
          adhesive substances; esp: a hard protein chiefly gelatinous
          substance that absorbs water to form a viscous solution
          with strong adhesive properties and that is obtained
          by cooking down collagenous materials (as hides or bones)
          b: a solution of glue used for sticking things together
          2: something that binds together <enough social ~ ...
          to satisfy the human desire for community --E. D. Hirsch,
          Jr.> -- glu.ey adj -- glu.i.ly adv [2]glue vt glued ;
          glu.ing also glue.ing (14c) 1: to cause to stick tightly
          with or as if with glue <gluing the wings onto the model
          airplane> <used that war to ~ together a frail story
          --Gloria Emerson> 2: to fix (as the eyes) on an object
          steadily or with deep concentration <kept his eyes glued
          to the TV screen>

   glum
          [glum] adj glum.mer ; glum.mest [akin to ME gloumen to gloom]
          (1547) 1: broodingly morose <became ~ when they heard
          the news> 2: dreary, gloomy <a ~ countenance> syn see
          sullen -- glum.ly adv -- glum.ness n

   glume
          [glume] n [NL gluma, fr. L, hull, husk; akin to L glubere
          to peel--more at cleave] (1789): a chaffy bract; specif:
          either of two empty bracts at the base of the spikelet
          in grasses

   gluon
          [glu.on] n [[1]glue + [2]-on] (1971): a hypothetical neutral
          massless particle held to bind together quarks to form
          hadrons

   [1]glut
          [glut] vb glut.ted ; glut.ting [ME glouten, prob. fr. MF
          gloutir to swallow, fr. L gluttire--more at glutton]
          vt (14c) 1: to fill esp. with food to satiety 2: to flood
          (the market) with goods so that supply exceeds demand
          ~ vi: to eat gluttonously syn see satiate [2]glut n (ca.
          1546) 1: an excessive quantity: oversupply 2 archaic:
          the act or process of glutting [3]glut vt glut.ted ;
          glut.ting [prob. fr. obs. glut, n., swallow] (1600) archaic:
          to swallow greedily

   glutamate
          [glu.ta.mate] n (1876): a salt or ester of glutamic acid--compare
          monosodium glutamate

   glutamic acid
          [glu.tam.ic acid] n [ISV gluten + amino + -ic] (1871): a
          crystalline amino acid widely distributed in plant and
          animal proteins

   glutaminase
          [glu.ta.min.ase] n (1938): an enzyme that hydrolyzes glutamine
          to glutamic acid and ammonia

   glutamine
          [glu.ta.mine] n [ISV gluten + amine] (ca. 1885): a crystalline
          amino acid that is found both free and in proteins in
          plants and animals and that yields glutamic acid and
          ammonia on hydrolysis

   glutaraldehyde
          [glu.tar.al.de.hyde] n [glutaric acid + aldehyde] (1951):
          a compound that contains two aldehyde groups and is used
          esp. in tanning leather and in the fixation of biological
          tissues

   glutaric acid
          [glu.tar.ic acid] n [prob. fr. gluten + -aric (as in tartaric
          acid)] (ca. 1885): a crystalline acid used esp. in organic
          synthesis

   glutathione
          [glu.ta.thi.one] n [ISV gluta- (fr. glutamic acid) + thi-
          + -one] (1921): a peptide that contains one amino-acid
          residue each of glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine,
          that occurs widely in plant and animal tissues, and that
          plays an important role in biological oxidation-reduction
          processes and as a coenzyme

   gluteal
          [glu.te.al] adj (1804): of or relating to the gluteus muscles

   gluten
          [glu.ten] n [L glutin-, gluten glue--more at clay] (1803):
          a tenacious elastic protein substance esp. of wheat flour
          that gives cohesiveness to dough -- glu.ten.ous adj

   glutethimide
          [glu.teth.i.mide] n [gluten + eth- + imide] (1955):
          a sedative-hypnotic drug that induces sleep with less depression
          of respiration that occurs with comparable doses of barbiturates

   gluteus
          [glu.te.us] n, pl glu.tei [NL glutaeus, gluteus, fr. Gk gloutos
          buttock--more at cloud] (ca. 1681): any of the large
          muscles of the buttocks; esp: gluteus maximus

   gluteus maximus
          [gluteus max.i.mus] n, pl glutei max.i.mi [NL, lit., largest
          gluteus] (1886): the outermost muscle of the three glutei
          found in each of the human buttocks

   glutinous
          [glu.ti.nous] adj [MF or L; MF glutineux, fr. L glutinosus,
          fr. glutin-, gluten] (15c): having the quality of glue:
          gummy -- glu.ti.nous.ly adv

   glutton
          [glut.ton] n [ME glotoun, fr. OF gloton, fr. L glutton-,
          glutto; akin to L gluttire to swallow, gula throat, OE
          ceole] (13c) 1 a: one given habitually to greedy and
          voracious eating and drinking b: one that has a great
          capacity for accepting or enduring something <a ~ for
          punishment> 2: wolverine 1a

   gluttonous
          [glut.ton.ous] adj (14c): marked by or given to gluttony
          syn see voracious -- glut.ton.ous.ly adv -- glut.ton.ous.ness
          n

   gluttony
          [glut.tony] n, pl -ton.ies (13c) 1: excess in eating or drinking
          2: greedy or excessive indulgence

   glyc-
          [glyc-] or glyco- comb form [ISV, fr. Gk glyk- sweet, fr.
          glykys] 1: sugar <glycoprotein> 2: glycine <glycyl>

   glycan
          [gly.can] n (1953): polysaccharide

   glyceraldehyde
          [glyc.er.al.de.hyde] n [glyceric acid + aldehyde] (1882):
          a sweet crystalline compound that is formed as an intermediate
          in carbohydrate metabolism by the breakdown of sugars
          and that yields glycerol on reduction

   glyceric acid
          [gly.cer.ic acid] n [ISV, fr. glycerin] (ca. 1864): a syrupy
          acid obtainable by oxidation of glycerol or glyceraldehyde

   glyceride
          [glyc.er.ide] n (ca. 1864): an ester of glycerol esp. with
          fatty acids -- glyc.er.id.ic adj

   glycerin
          [glyc.er.in] or glyc.er.ine n [F glycerine, fr. Gk glykeros
          sweet; akin to Gk glykys] (1838): glycerol

   glycerinate
          [glyc.er.in.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1897): to treat with
          or preserve in glycerin

   glycerol
          [glyc.er.ol] n [glycerin + -ol] (1884): a sweet syrupy hygroscopic
          trihydroxy alcohol usu. obtained by the saponification of fats and
          used esp. as a solvent and plasticizer

   glyceryl
          [glyc.er.yl] n (1845): a radical derived from glycerol by
          removal of hydroxide; esp: a trivalent hydrocarbon radical
          having three carbon atoms each of which can bond to another
          group

   glycine
          [gly.cine] n (1851): a sweet crystalline amino acid obtained
          esp. by hydrolysis of proteins

   glycogen
          [gly.co.gen] n (ca. 1864): a white amorphous tasteless
          polysaccharide that is the principal form in which carbohydrate
          is stored in animal tissues and esp. muscle and liver tissue

   glycogenesis
          [gly.co.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1886): the formation and storage
          of glycogen

   glycogenolysis
          [gly.co.gen.ol.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL] (1909): the breakdown
          of glycogen esp. to glucose in the animal body
          -- gly.co.gen.o.lyt.ic adj

   glycol
          [gly.col] n [ISV glyc- + -ol] (1858): diol; esp: ethylene
          glycol

   glycolic acid
          [gly.col.ic acid] or gly.col.lic acid n [ISV glycol + [1]-ic]
          (1852): a translucent crystalline compound found esp.
          in unripe grapes and sugar beets and used esp. in textile
          and leather processing

   glycolipid
          [gly.co.lip.id] n (1936): a lipid (as a ganglioside or a
          cerebroside) that contains a carbohydrate radical

   glycolysis
          [gly.col.y.sis] n [NL] (1892): the enzymatic breakdown of
          a carbohydrate (as glucose) by way of phosphate derivatives
          with the production of pyruvic or lactic acid and energy
          stored in high-energy phosphate bonds of ATP -- gly.co.lyt.ic
          adj

   glycopeptide
          [gly.co.pep.tide] n (1959): glycoprotein

   glycoprotein
          [gly.co.pro.tein] n (ca. 1908): a conjugated protein in which
          the nonprotein group is a carbohydrate

   glycosaminoglycan
          [gly.cos.ami.no.gly.can] n [glyc- + hexosamine (amine derived
          from a hexose) + -o- + glycan] (1962): any of various
          polysaccharides derived from an amino hexose that are
          constituents of mucoproteins, glycoproteins, and blood-group
          substances--called also mucopolysaccharide

   glycosidase
          [gly.co.si.dase] n (1944): an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis
          of a bond joining a sugar of a glycoside to an alcohol or another
          sugar unit

   glycoside
          [gly.co.side] n [alter. of glucoside] (ca. 1889): any of
          numerous sugar derivatives that contain a nonsugar group
          bonded to an oxygen or nitrogen atom and that on hydrolysis
          yield a sugar (as glucose) -- gly.co.sid.ic adj --
          gly.co.sid.i.cal.ly adv

   glycosuria
          [gly.cos.uria] n [NL, fr. ISV glycose glucose + NL -uria]
          (1860): the presence in the urine of abnormal amounts
          of sugar

   glycosyl
          [gly.co.syl] n [ISV glycose glucose] (1945): a univalent
          radical derived from a cyclic form of glucose by removal
          of the hemiacetal hydroxyl group

   glycosylation
          [gly.co.syl.a.tion] n (1946): the process of adding glycosyl
          groups to a protein to form a glycoprotein -- gly.co.sy.late
          vt

   glycyl
          [gly.cyl] n (1901): the univalent acyl group of glycine consisting
          of an amino group bonded to a methylene group which is also bonded
          to a carbonyl group

   glyph
          [glyph] n [Gk glyphe carved work, fr. glyphein to carve--more
          at cleave] (1775) 1: an ornamental vertical groove esp.
          in a Doric frieze 2: a symbolic figure or a character
          (as in the Mayan system of writing) usu. incised or carved
          in relief 3: a symbol (as a curved arrow on a road sign)
          that conveys information nonverbally -- glyph.ic adj

   Glyptal
          [Glyp.tal] trademark--used for an alkyd

   glyptic
          [glyp.tic] n [prob. fr. F glyptique, fr. Gk glyptike, fr.
          glyphein] (ca. 1818): the art or process of carving or
          engraving esp. on gems

   gm...
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   gm
          [gm] abbreviation gram  GM abbreviation general manager,
          grand master, guided missile

   GMT
          [GMT] abbreviation Greenwich mean time

   GMW
          [GMW] abbreviation gram-molecular weight

   gn...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   gn
          [gn] abbreviation guinea

   gnar
          [gnar] or gnarr vi gnarred ; gnar.ring [imit.] (15c): snarl,
          growl

   [1]gnarl
          [gnarl] vi [prob. freq. of gnar] (1593): snarl, growl [2]gnarl
          vt [back-formation fr. gnarled] (1814): to twist into
          a state of deformity [3]gnarl n (1824): a hard protuberance
          with twisted grain on a tree

   gnarled
          [gnarled] adj [prob. alter. of knurled] (1603) 1: full of
          knots or gnarls: knotty <~ hands> 2: crabbed in disposition,
          aspect, or character

   gnarly
          [gnarly] adj (1829) 1: gnarled 2 slang--used as a generalized
          term of approval or disparagement

   gnash
          [gnash] vt [alter. of ME gnasten] (15c): to strike or grind
          (as the teeth) together -- gnash n

   gnat
          [gnat] n [ME, fr. OE gnaett; akin to OE gnagan to gnaw] (bef.
          12c): any of various small usu. biting dipteran flies
          -- gnat.ty adj

   gnatcatcher
          [gnat.catch.er] n (1839): any of a genus (Polioptila) of
          several small No. and So. American insectivorous oscine
          birds

   gnathic
          [gnath.ic] or gna.thal adj [Gk gnathos jaw] (1882): of or
          relating to the jaw

   -gnathous
          [-gnathous] adj comb form [NL -gnathus, fr. Gk gnathos; akin
          to Gk genys jaw--more at chin]: having (such) a jaw <prognathous>

   gnaw
          [gnaw] vb [ME gnawen, fr. OE gnagan; akin to OHG gnagan to
          gnaw] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to bite or chew on with the
          teeth; esp: to wear away by persistent biting or nibbling
          <a dog ~ing a bone> b: to make by gnawing <rats ~ed a
          hole> 2 a: to be a source of vexation to: plague <anxiety
          always ~ing him> b: to affect like gnawing <hunger ~ing
          her vitals> 3: erode, corrode ~ vi 1: to bite or nibble
          persistently <~ing at his underlip> 2: to produce an
          effect of or as if of gnawing <waves ~ing away at the
          cliffs> -- gnaw.er  n

   gneiss
          [gneiss] n [G Gneis, alter. of MHG gneiste spark, fr. OHG
          gneisto; akin to OE fyrgnast spark] (1757): a foliated
          metamorphic rock corresponding in composition to a feldspathic
          plutonic rock (as granite) -- gneiss.ic adj -- gneiss.oid
          adj -- gneiss.ose adj

   GNI
          [GNI] abbreviation gross national income

   gnocchi
          [gnoc.chi] n pl [It, pl. of gnocco, fr. It dial. (Veneto),
          prob. of Gmc origin; akin to MHG knochel knuckle, knoche
          bone--more at knuckle] (1891): dumplings usu. made with
          potato or semolina and served with sauce

   [1]gnome
          [gnome] n [Gk gnome, fr. gignoskein to know--more at know]
          (1577): maxim, aphorism [2]gnome n [F, fr. NL gnomus]
          (1712) 1: an ageless and often deformed dwarf of folklore
          who lives in the earth and usu. guards treasure 2: an
          elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus that inhabits
          earth -- gnome.like adj -- gnom.ish adj

   gnomic
          [gno.mic] adj (1815) 1: characterized by aphorism <~ utterances>
          2: given to the composition of gnomic writing <a ~ poet>

   gnomon
          [gno.mon] n [L, fr. Gk gnomon interpreter, pointer on a sundial,
          fr. gignoskein] (1546) 1: an object that by the position
          or length of its shadow serves as an indicator esp. of
          the hour of the day: as a: the pin of a sundial b: a
          column or shaft erected perpendicular to the horizon
          2: the remainder of a parallelogram after the removal
          of a similar parallelogram containing one of its corners

   gnosis
          [gno.sis] n [Gk gnosis, lit., knowledge, fr. gignoskein]
          (1703): esoteric knowledge of spiritual truth held by
          the ancient Gnostics to be essential to salvation

   gnostic
          [gnos.tic] n, often cap [LL gnosticus, fr. Gk gnostikos of
          knowledge, fr. gignoskein] (ca. 1587): an adherent of
          gnosticism -- gnostic adj, often cap

   gnosticism
          [gnos.ti.cism] n, often cap (1664): the thought and practice
          esp. of various cults of late pre-Christian and early
          Christian centuries distinguished by the conviction that
          matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis

   gnothi seauton
          [gno.thi se.au.ton] [Gk] foreign term : know thyself

   gnotobiotic
          [gno.to.bi.ot.ic] adj [Gk gnotos known (fr. gignoskein to
          know) + biote life, way of life--more at know, biota]
          (1949): of, relating to, living in, or being a controlled
          environment containing one or a few kinds of organisms;
          also: axenic -- gno.to.bi.ot.i.cal.ly adv

   GNP
          [GNP] abbreviation gross national product

   gnu
          [gnu] n, pl gnu or gnus [Khoikhoi t'gnu] (1777): either of
          two large African antelopes (Connochaetes gnou and C.
          taurinus) with a head like that of an ox, short mane,
          long tail, and horns in both sexes that curve downward
          and outward

   go...
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   [1]go
          [go] vb went ; gone ; go.ing ; goes [ME gon, fr. OE gan;
          akin to OHG gan to go, Gk kichanein to reach, attain]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to move on a course: proceed <~ slow>
          <went by train>--compare stop 2: to move out of or away
          from a place expressed or implied: leave, depart <went
          from school to the party> <~ing away for vacation> 3
          a: to take a certain course or follow a certain procedure
          <reports ~ through channels to the president> b: to pass
          by means of a process like journeying <the message went
          by wire> c: to proceed without delay and often in a thoughtless
          or reckless manner--used esp. to intensify a complementary
          verb <why did you ~ and spoil it> <~ jump in a lake>
          d (1): to extend from point to point or in a certain
          direction <the road ~es to the lake> (2): to give access:
          lead <that door ~es to the cellar> 4 obs: walk 5: to
          be habitually in a certain state or condition <~ bareheaded>
          6 a: to become lost, consumed, or spent <our time has
          gone> b: die c: to slip away: elapse <the evening went
          quickly> d: to come to be given up or discarded <these
          slums have to ~> e: to pass by sale <went for a good
          price> f: to become impaired or weakened <his hearing
          started to ~> g: to give way esp. under great force or
          pressure: break <the roof went> 7 a: to move along in
          a specified manner: fare <everything was ~ing well> b:
          to be in general or on an average <cheap, as yachts ~>
          c: to be or become esp. as the result of a contest <the
          election went in her favor> d: to turn out well: succeed
          <worked hard to make the party ~> 8 a: to apply oneself
          <went to work> b: to put or subject oneself <went to
          unnecessary expense> c chiefly Southern & Midland: intend
          <I didn't ~ to do it> 9: to have recourse to another
          for corroboration, vindication, or decision: resort <~
          to court to recover damages> 10 a: to begin an action
          or motion <here ~es> b: to maintain or perform a certain
          action or motion <still ~ing strong> c: to function in
          the proper or expected manner: run <the motor won't ~>
          11: to be known <~es by an alias> 12 a: to act in accordance
          or harmony <a good rule to ~ by> b: to come to be determined
          <dreams ~ by contraries> c: to come to be applied or
          appropriated <all proceeds ~ to charity> d: to pass by
          award, assignment, or lot <the prize n -- go about :
          to set about -- go after : to try to get: seek -- go
          all the way 1: to enter into complete agreement 2: to
          engage in sexual intercourse -- go at 1 a: to make an
          attack on b: to make an approach to 2: undertake -- go
          back on 1: abandon 2: betray 3: fail -- go begging :
          to be in little demand -- go by the board 1: to be carried
          over a ship's side 2: to be discarded -- go down the
          line : to give wholehearted support -- go easy : to be
          sparing <go easy with the sugar> <go easy on the kid>
          -- go fly a kite : to stop being an annoyance or disturbance
          <told him to go fly a kite> -- go for 1: to pass for
          or serve as 2: to try to secure or attain (as a goal)
          <go for the prize> 3 a: favor, accept <cannot go for
          your idea> b: to have an interest in or liking for <she
          went for him in a big way --Chandler Brossard> 4: attack,
          assail <my dog went for the intruder> -- go for broke
          : to put forth all one's strength or resources -- go
          great guns : to achieve great success -- go hang : to
          cease to be of interest or concern -- go into : to be
          contained in <5 goes into 60 12 times> -- go it 1: to
          behave in a reckless, excited, or impromptu manner 2:
          to proceed in a rapid or furious manner 3: to conduct
          one's affairs: act <insists on going it alone> -- go
          missing chiefly Brit: to become lost: disappear -- go
          one better : outdo, surpass -- go over 1: examine 2 a:
          repeat b: study, review -- go places : to be on the way
          to success -- go public 1 of a close corporation: to
          offer shares for sale to the general public 2: to make
          a public disclosure -- go steady : to date one person
          exclusively and frequently -- go the vole : to risk all
          for great gains -- go through 1: to subject to thorough
          examination, consideration, or study 2: experience, undergo
          3: carry out, perform <went through his work in a daze>
          -- go to bat for : to give active support or assistance
          to: defend, champion -- go to bed with : to have sexual
          intercourse with -- go to one's head 1: to cause one
          to become confused, excited, or dizzy 2: to cause one
          to become conceited or overconfident -- go to pieces
          : to become shattered (as in nerves or health) -- go
          to the mat : to make an all-out combative effort (as
          in support of a position) -- go to town 1: to work or
          act rapidly or efficiently 2: to be markedly successful
          3: to indulge oneself excessively -- go with 1: date
          2: choose 2 <went with an iron off the tee> -- go without
          saying : to be self-evident -- go with the flow : conform
          2b -- to go 1: still remaining <ten minutes to go> 2
          of prepared food: sold for consumption off the premises
          [2]go n, pl goes (1727) 1: the act or manner of going
          2: the height of fashion: rage <elegant shawls labeled
          ... "quite the ~" --R. S. Surtees> 3: an often unexpected
          turn of affairs: occurrence 4: the quantity used or furnished
          at one time <you can obtain a ~ of brandy for sixpence
          --C. B. Fairbanks> 5: energy, vigor 6 a: a turn in an
          activity (as a game) <it's your ~> b: attempt, try <have
          a ~ at painting> 7: a spell of activity <finished the
          job at one ~> 8: success <made a ~ of the business> 9:
          permission to proceed: go-ahead <gave the astronauts
          a ~ for another orbit> -- no go : to no avail: useless
          -- on the go : constantly or restlessly active [3]go
          adj (1961): functioning properly: being in good and ready
          condition <declared all systems ~> [4]go n, often cap
          [Jp] (1890): a Japanese game played between two players
          who alternately place black and white stones on a board
          checkered by 19 vertical lines and 19 horizontal lines
          in an attempt to enclose the larger area on the board

   GO
          [GO] abbreviation general order

   [1]goad
          [goad] n [ME gode, fr. OE gad spear, goad; akin to Langobardic
          gaida spear, and perh. to Skt hinoti he urges on] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: something that pricks like a goad: thorn b:
          something that urges or stimulates into action: spur
          2: a pointed rod used to urge on an animal syn see motive
          [2]goad vt (1579) 1: to incite or rouse as if with a
          goad 2: to drive (as cattle) with a goad

   [1]go-ahead
          [go-ahead] adj (1834) 1: marked by energy and enterprise:
          progressive <a vigorous ~ company> 2: indicating that
          one may proceed <~ signal> 3: being a score that gives
          a team the lead in a game <drove in the ~ run> [2]go-ahead
          n (1840) 1 a: energy, spirit <had a great deal of courage
          and ~> b: one possessing go-ahead 2: a sign, signal,
          or authority to proceed: green light

   goal
          [goal] n [ME gol boundary, limit] (1531) 1 a: the terminal
          point of a race b: an area to be reached safely in children's
          games 2: the end toward which effort is directed: aim
          3 a: an area or object toward which players in various
          games attempt to advance a ball or puck and usu. through
          or into which it must go to score points b: the act or
          action of causing a ball or puck to go through or into
          such a goal c: the score resulting from such an act syn
          see intention -- goal vi -- goal.less adj

   goalie
          [goal.ie] n (1921): goalkeeper

   goalkeeper
          [goal.keep.er] n (1658): a player who defends the goal in
          any of various games (as hockey, lacrosse, or soccer)

   goal kick
          [goal kick] n (1891): a free kick in soccer awarded to a
          defensive player when the ball is driven out of bounds
          over the end line by an opposing player

   goal line
          [goal line] n (1867): a line at either end and usu. running
          the width of a playing area on which a goal or goalpost
          is situated

   goalmouth
          [goal.mouth] n (1882): the area directly in front of the
          goal (as in soccer or hockey)

   go along
          [go along] vi (1602) 1: to move along: proceed 2: to go or
          travel as a companion 3: to act in cooperation or express
          agreement <go along with the crowd>

   goalpost
          [goal.post] n (1857): one of usu. two vertical posts that
          with or without a crossbar constitute the goal in various
          games

   goaltender
          [goal.tend.er] n (ca. 1909): goalkeeper

   goaltending
          [goal.tend.ing] n (1968) 1: the act of guarding a goal (as
          in hockey) 2: a violation in basketball that involves
          touching or deflecting a ball that is on its downward
          path toward the basket or on or within the rim of the
          basket

   goalward
          [goal.ward] adv or adj (1949): toward a goal

   goanna
          [go.an.na] n [alter. of iguana] (1831): a ny of several large
          Australian monitor lizards (genus Varanus of the family
          Varanidae)

   go-around
          [go-around] n (ca. 1929) 1: runaround <gave me the ~> 2 a:
          round <reached an agreement during the first ~> b: a
          heated argument or struggle <had a real ~ with her about
          it> 3: an act or instance of going around (as in an air
          traffic pattern)

   go around
          [go around] vi (ca. 1520) 1 a: to pass from place to place:
          go here and there b: to have currency: circulate <an
          amusing story is going around> 2: to satisfy demand:
          fill the need <not enough jobs to go around>

   goat
          [goat] n, pl goats [ME gote, fr. OE gat; akin to OHG geiz
          goat, ON geit, L haedus kid] (bef. 12c) 1 a or pl goat
          : any of various hollow-horned ruminant mammals (esp.
          of the genus Capra) related to the sheep but of lighter
          build and with backwardly arching horns, a short tail,
          and usu. straight hair b cap: capricorn 2: a licentious
          man: lecher 3: scapegoat 2 -- goat.ish adj -- goat.like
          adj

   goat cheese
          [goat cheese] n (1893): any of various cheeses made from
          goat's milk

   goatee
          [goa.tee] n [fr. its resemblance to the beard of a he-goat]
          (1844): a small pointed or tufted beard on a man's chin
          -- goa.teed adj

   goatfish
          [goat.fish] n (ca. 1639): any of a family (Mullidae)
          of moderate-sized usu. red or golden fishes with two barbels on the
          chin--called also red mullet

   goatherd
          [goat.herd] n [ME goteherd, fr. OE gathyrd] (bef. 12c): a
          person who tends goats

   goatskin
          [goat.skin] n (14c) 1: the skin of a goat 2: leather made
          from goatskin

   goatsucker
          [goat.suck.er] n (1611): nightjar

   [1]gob
          [gob] n [ME gobbe, fr. MF gobe large piece of food, back-formation
          fr. gobet] (14c) 1: lump 2: a large amount--usu. used in pl. <~s
          of money> [2]gob n [prob. fr. ScGael, mouth & Ir, beak, pursed
          mouth] (ca. 1550) chiefly Brit: mouth [3]gob n [origin unknown]
          (1915): sailor

   gobbet
          [gob.bet] n [ME gobet, fr. MF, mouthful, piece] (14c) 1:
          a piece or portion (as of meat) 2: lump, mass 3: a small
          fragment or extract <a ~ of information> 4: a small quantity
          of liquid: drop

   [1]gobble
          [gob.ble] vt gob.bled ; gob.bling [prob. irreg. fr. [1]gob]
          (1601) 1: to swallow or eat greedily 2: to take eagerly:
          grab--usu. used with up 3: to read rapidly or greedily--usu.
          used with up [2]gobble vi gob.bled ; gob.bling [imit.]
          (1680) 1: to make the natural guttural noise of a male
          turkey 2: to make a sound resembling the gobble of a
          turkey -- gobble n

   gobbledygook
          [gob.ble.dy.gook] also gob.ble.de.gook n [irreg. fr. gobble,
          n.] (1944): wordy and generally unintelligible jargon

   [1]gobbler
          [gob.bler] n (ca. 1737): a male turkey [2]gobbler n (ca.
          1755): one that gobbles

   Gobelin
          [Go.be.lin] adj [Gobelin dye and tapestry works, Paris, France]
          (1788): of, relating to, or characteristic of tapestry
          produced at the Gobelin works in Paris -- Gobelin n

   go-between
          [go-be.tween] n (1598): an intermediate agent: broker

   goblet
          [gob.let] n [ME gobelet, fr. MF] (14c) 1 archaic: a bowl-shaped
          drinking vessel without handles 2: a drinking vessel
          (as of glass) with a foot and stem--compare tumbler

   goblet cell
          [goblet cell] n [fr. its shape] (1878): a mucus-secreting
          epithelial cell (as of intestinal columnar epithelium)
          that is distended at the free end

   goblin
          [gob.lin] n [ME gobelin, fr. MF, fr. ML gobelinus, ultim.
          fr. Gk kobalos rogue] (14c): an ugly or grotesque sprite
          that is mischievous and sometimes evil and malicious

   gobo
          [go.bo] n, pl gobos also goboes [origin unknown] (ca. 1930)
          1: a dark strip (as of wallboard) to shield a motion-picture
          or television camera from light 2: a device to shield
          a microphone from sound

   goby
          [go.by] n, pl gobies also goby [L gobius gudgeon, fr. Gk
          kobios] (1769): any of numerous spiny-finned fishes (family
          Gobiidae) that usu. have the pelvic fins united to form
          a ventral sucking disk

   go by
          [go by] vi (1508): pass 3b <as time goes by>

   go-cart
          [go-cart] n (1689) 1 a: walker b: stroller 2: handcart 3:
          a light open carriage

   [1]god
          [god] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG got god] (bef. 12c) 1 cap:
          the supreme or ultimate reality: as a: the Being perfect
          in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator
          and ruler of the universe b Christian Science: the incorporeal
          divine Principle ruling over all as eternal Spirit: infinite
          Mind 2: a being or object believed to have more than
          natural attributes and powers and to require human worship;
          specif: one controlling a particular aspect or part of
          reality 3: a person or thing of supreme value 4: a powerful
          ruler [2]god vt god.ded ; god.ding (1595): to treat as
          a god: idolize, deify

   god-awful
          [god-aw.ful] adj [goddamned + awful] (1878): extremely unpleasant
          or disagreeable: abominable <~ weather>

   godchild
          [god.child] n (13c): a person for whom another person becomes
          sponsor at baptism

   [1]goddamn
          [god.damn] or god.dam n, often cap (1640): damn <they were
          in no mood to give a good ~ about anything --Robert Lowry>
          [2]goddamn or goddam vb, often cap (1928): damn

   goddamned
          [god.damned] or god.damn or god.dam adj or adv (1918): damned

   goddaughter
          [god.daugh.ter] n (bef. 12c): a female godchild

   goddess
          [god.dess] n (14c) 1: a female god 2: a woman whose great
          charm or beauty arouses adoration

   Godel's theorem
          [Go.del's theorem] n [Kurt Godel d. 1978 Am. mathematician]
          (1933): a theorem in advanced logic: in any logical system
          as complex as or more complex than the arithmetic of
          the integers there can always be found either a statement
          which can be shown to be both true and false or a statement
          whose truth or falsity cannot be deduced from other statements
          in the system--called also Godel's incompleteness theorem

   godet
          [go.det] n, often attrib [F, fr. goder to form creases, prob.
          fr. goderon rounded pleat on a ruffle, gadroon] (1872):
          an inset of cloth placed in a seam to give fullness (as
          at the bottom of a skirt)

   go-devil
          [go-dev.il] n (1852): any of various devices: as a: a cultivator
          with wooden runners b: a weight formerly dropped in a
          bored hole (as of an oil well) to set off an explosive
          c: a cleaning scraper propelled through a pipeline d:
          a handcar or small gasoline car used on a railroad e:
          a child's sled

   [1]godfather
          [god.fa.ther] n (bef. 12c) 1: a man who sponsors a person
          at baptism 2: one having a relation to someone or something
          analogous to that of a male sponsor to his godchild:
          as a: one that founds, supports, or inspires <made him
          the ~ of a whole generation of rebels --Times Lit. Supp.>
          b: the leader of an organized crime syndicate [2]godfather
          vt (1780): to act as godfather to

   God-fearing
          [God-fear.ing] adj (1835): having a reverent feeling toward
          God: devout

   godforsaken
          [god.for.sak.en] adj (1860) 1: remote, desolate 2: neglected
          and miserable in appearance or circumstances

   godhead
          [god.head] n [ME godhed, fr. god + -hed -hood; akin to ME
          -hod -hood] (13c) 1: divine nature or essence: divinity
          2 cap a: god 1 b: the nature of God esp. as existing
          in three persons--used with the

   godhood
          [god.hood] n [ME godhod, fr. OE godhad, fr. god + -had -hood]
          (1563): divinity

   Godiva
          [Go.di.va] n: an English earl's wife who in legend rode naked
          through Coventry to save its citizens from a tax

   godless
          [god.less] adj (1528): not acknowledging a deity or divine
          law -- god.less.ness n

   godlike
          [god.like] adj (bef. 12c): resembling or having the qualities
          of God or a god: divine -- god.like.ness n

   godling
          [god.ling] n (ca. 1500): an inferior or local god

   godly
          [god.ly] adj god.li.er ; -est (14c) 1: divine 2: pious, devout
          -- god.li.ness n -- godly adv, archaic

   godmother
          [god.moth.er] n (bef. 12c): a woman who sponsors a person
          at baptism

   godown
          [go.down] n [by folk etymology fr. Malay gudang] (1552):
          a warehouse in an oriental country

   go down
          [go down] vi (14c) 1 a: to go below the horizon: set <the
          sun went down> b: to fall to or as if to the ground <the
          plane went down in flames> c: to become submerged: sink
          <the ship went down with all hands> 2: to admit of being
          swallowed <the medicine went down easily> 3 a: to find
          acceptance <will the plan go down with the farmers> b:
          to come to be remembered esp. in posterity <will he go
          down in history as a great president> 4 Brit: to leave
          a university 5 a: to undergo defeat or failure b chiefly
          Brit: to become incapacitated <went down with ... acute
          tonsillitis --Helen Cathcart> 6 slang: to take place:
          happen -- go down on : to perform fellatio or cunnilingus
          on

   godparent
          [god.par.ent] n (1865): a sponsor at baptism

   God's acre
          [God's acre] n (1617): churchyard

   godsend
          [god.send] n [back-formation fr. god-sent] (1820): a desirable
          or needed thing or event that comes unexpectedly

   godson
          [god.son] n (bef. 12c): a male godchild

   Godspeed
          [God.speed] n [ME god speid, fr. the phrase God spede you
          God prosper you] (15c): a prosperous journey: success
          <bade him ~>

   godwit
          [god.wit] n [origin unknown] (1552): any of a genus (Limosa)
          of wading birds that are related to the curlews and sandpipers
          and have a long slender slightly upturned or straight
          bill

   goes
          [goes] pres 3d sing of go, pl of go

   goethite
          [goe.thite] n [G Gothit, fr. J. W. von Goethe] (ca. 1823):
          a mineral that consists of an iron hydrogen oxide and
          is the commonest constituent of many forms of natural
          rust

   gofer
          [go.fer] n [alter. of go for] (1967): an employee whose duties
          include running errands

   goffer
          [gof.fer] vt [F gaufrer, fr. gaufre honeycomb, waffle, fr.
          OF, of Gmc origin; akin to MD wafel waffle] (1706): to
          crimp, plait, or flute (as linen or lace) esp. with a
          heated iron -- goffer n

   go-getter
          [go-get.ter] n (1921): an aggressively enterprising person
          -- go-get.ting adj or n

   [1]goggle
          [gog.gle] vi gog.gled ; gog.gling [ME gogelen to squint]
          (1616): to stare with wide or protuberant eyes -- gog.gler
          n [2]goggle adj (1540): protuberant, staring <~ eyes>
          -- gog.gly adj

   goggle-eye
          [gog.gle-eye] n (1840) 1: rock bass 2: warmouth

   goggle-eyed
          [gog.gle-eyed] adj (1711): having bulging or rolling eyes

   goggles
          [gog.gles] n pl (1715): protective glasses set in a flexible
          frame (as of rubber or plastic) that fits snugly against
          the face -- gog.gled adj

   go-go
          [go-go] adj [partly fr. a-go-go, partly fr. redupl. of [1]go]
          (1965) 1 a: employed to entertain in a disco <~ dancers>
          b: of, relating to, or being a disco or the music or
          dances performed there 2: marked by spirited or aggressive
          action <~ baseball> 3 a: relating to or dealing in popular
          often speculative investment expected to yield high returns
          <~ mutual funds> b: relating to, involved in, or marked
          by business growth and prosperity and aggressive efforts
          to turn a quick profit <~ bankers and entrepreneurs ...
          who put together the megabuck deals --Ken Auletta>

   [1]Goidelic
          [Goi.del.ic] adj [MIr Goidel Gael, Irishman] (1896) 1: of,
          relating to, or characteristic of the Gaels 2: of, relating
          to, or constituting Goidelic [2]Goidelic n (1882): the
          branch of the Celtic languages that includes Irish, Scottish
          Gaelic, and Manx

   go in
          [go in] vi (1812) 1: to make an approach (as in attacking)
          2 a: to take part in a game or contest b: to call the
          opening bet in poker: stay 3 of a celestial body: to
          become obscured by a cloud 4: to form a union or alliance:
          join--often used with with <asked the rest of us to go
          in with them> -- go in for 1: to give support to: advocate
          2: to have or show an interest in or a liking for 3:
          to engage in: take part in

   [1]going
          [go.ing] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of going 2 pl: behavior,
          actions <for his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he
          seeth all his ~s --Job 34:21 (AV)> 3: the condition of
          the ground (as for walking) 4: advance toward an objective
          <when the ~ gets tough> [2]going adj (14c) 1 a: that
          goes--often used in combination <easygoing> <outgoing>
          b: working, moving <everything was in ~ order> 2: living,
          existing <the best novelist ~> 3: current, prevailing
          <~ price> 4: conducting business with the expectation
          of indefinite continuance <~ concern> -- going on : drawing
          near to: approaching <is six years old going on seven>

   going-over
          [go.ing-over] n, pl go.ings-over (1872) 1 a: a severe scolding
          b: beating 2: a thorough examination or investigation

   goings-on
          [go.ings-on] n pl (1775) 1: actions, events 2: irregular
          or reprehensible happenings or conduct <titillating stories
          about the ~ of the carefree millionaires --Eleanor Early>

   goiter
          [goi.ter] n [F goitre, fr. MF, back-formation fr. goitron
          throat, fr. (assumed) VL guttrion-, guttrio, fr. L guttur]
          (1625): an enlargement of the thyroid gland visible as
          a swelling of the front of the neck--compare hyperthyroidism,
          hypothyroidism -- goi.trous adj

   goitre
          [goi.tre] chiefly Brit var of goiter

   goitrogen
          [goi.tro.gen] n [goiter + -o- + -gen] (1946): a substance
          (as thiourea or thiouracil) that induces goiter formation

   goitrogenic
          [goi.tro.gen.ic] adj (1929): producing or tending to produce
          goiter -- goi.tro.ge.nic.i.ty n

   Golconda
          [Gol.con.da] n [Golconda, India, famous for its diamonds]
          (1884): a rich mine; broadly: a source of great wealth

   gold
          [gold] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG gold gold,
          OE geolu yellow--more at yellow] (bef. 12c) 1: a malleable
          ductile yellow metallic element that occurs chiefly free
          or in a few minerals and is used esp. in coins, jewelry,
          and dentures 2 a (1): gold coins (2): a gold piece b:
          money c: gold standard 3: a variable color averaging
          deep yellow 4: something resembling gold; esp: something
          valued as the finest of its kind <a heart of ~> 5: a
          medal awarded as the top prize in a competition: a gold
          medal

   [1]goldbrick
          [gold.brick] n (1881) 1 a: a worthless brick that appears
          to be of gold b: something that appears to be valuable
          but is actually worthless 2: a person who shirks assigned
          work [2]goldbrick vt (1902): swindle ~ vi: to shirk duty
          or responsibility

   goldbug
          [gold.bug] n (1878) 1: a supporter of the gold standard 2:
          a person who invests in or hoards gold

   gold coast
          [gold coast] n, often cap G&C (1877): an exclusive residential
          district

   gold digger
          [gold digger] n (1830) 1: one who digs for gold 2: a person
          who uses charm to extract money or gifts from others

   golden
          [gold.en] adj [ME] (13c) 1: consisting of, relating to, or
          containing gold 2 a: being or having the color gold or
          the color of gold b: blond 1a 3: lustrous, shining 4:
          of a high degree of excellence: superb 5: prosperous,
          flourishing <~ days> 6 a: radiantly youthful and vigorous
          b: possessing talents that promise worldly success--often
          used with boy c: highly favored: popular 7: favorable,
          advantageous <a ~ opportunity> 8: of, relating to, or
          being a 50th anniversary or its celebration 9: mellow,
          resonant <a smooth ~ tenor> -- gold.en.ly adv -- gold.en.ness
          n

   golden age
          [golden age] n (1555): a period of great happiness, prosperity,
          and achievement

   golden-ager
          [gold.en-ag.er] n (1961): an elderly and often retired person
          usu. engaging in club activities

   golden alexanders
          [golden al.ex.an.ders] n pl but sing or pl in constr, often
          cap A [ML alexandrum] (ca. 1923): a No. American yellow-flowered
          perennial herb (Zizia aurea) of the carrot family occurring
          in moist woods and meadows; also: any of several related
          herbs

   golden-brown alga
          [golden-brown alga] n (ca. 1957): any of a division (Chrysophyta)
          of marine and freshwater algae (as diatoms) containing
          yellowish green to golden brown pigments that obscure
          the chlorophyll--called also chrysophyte, golden alga

   golden club
          [golden club] n (1837): an American aquatic plant (Orontium
          aquaticum) of the arum family with a spadix of tiny yellow
          flowers

   golden eagle
          [golden eagle] n (1839): a brown eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
          of the northern hemisphere with gold-colored feathers
          on the back of the head and neck

   goldeneye
          [gold.en.eye] n (ca. 1678) 1: either of two diving ducks
          (genus Bucephala); esp: a large-headed swift-flying Holarctic
          diving duck (B. clangula) with the male having a green
          head and striking black and white markings 2: a lacewing
          (family Chrysopidae) with yellow eyes

   Golden Fleece
          [Golden Fleece] n (14c): a fleece of gold placed by the king
          of Colchis in a dragon-guarded grove and recovered by
          the Argonauts

   golden glow
          [golden glow] n (1902): a tall branching composite herb (Rudbeckia
          laciniata hortensia) with showy yellow flower heads

   golden hamster
          [golden hamster] n (1939): a small tawny hamster (Mesocricetus
          auratus) native to Asia Minor--called also Syrian hamster

   golden handshake
          [golden handshake] n (1960): a generous severance agreement
          given esp. as an inducement to early retirement

   Golden Horde
          [Golden Horde] n (1863): a body of Mongols that overran eastern
          Europe in the 13th century and dominated Russia until
          1486

   golden lion tamarin
          [golden lion tamarin] n (1975): a marmoset (Leontopithecus
          rosalia rosalia) with a reddish gold coat and long mane
          that occurs in remnants of tropical forest in southeastern
          Brazil

   golden mean
          [golden mean] n (1587): the medium between extremes: moderation

   golden nematode
          [golden nematode] n (1946): a small yellowish Old World nematode
          worm (Globodera rostochiensis syn. Heterodera rostochiensis)
          established locally as a pest of potatoes in eastern
          No. America

   golden oldie
          [golden oldie] n (1970): one that was a hit or favorite in
          the past

   golden parachute
          [golden parachute] n (1981): a generous severance agreement
          for an executive in the event of a sudden dismissal (as
          because of a merger)

   golden plover
          [golden plover] n (1785): either of two gregarious plovers
          (genus Pluvialis); esp: one (P. dominica) that breeds
          in arctic America and Siberia and winters in Hawaii and
          the southern hemisphere

   goldenrain tree
          [gold.en.rain tree] n (1923): an Asian tree (Koelreuteria
          paniculata of the family Sapindaceae) that has a rounded
          crown with very long showy clusters of yellow flowers

   golden retriever
          [golden retriever] n (1919): any of a breed of medium-sized
          retrievers having a flat moderately long golden coat

   goldenrod
          [gold.en.rod] n (1568): any of numerous chiefly No. American
          composite biennial or perennial plants (esp. of the genus
          Solidago) with alternate leaves and heads of small yellow
          or sometimes white flowers often clustered in panicles

   golden rule
          [golden rule] n (1861) 1: a guiding principle 2 cap G&R:
          a rule of ethical conduct referring to Mt 7:12 and Lk
          6:31: do to others as you would have them do to you

   goldenseal
          [gold.en.seal] n (1839): a perennial American herb (Hydrastis
          canadensis) of the buttercup family with large rounded
          leaves and a thick knotted yellow rootstock sometimes
          used in pharmacy

   golden section
          [golden section] n (1875): a proportion (as one involving
          a line divided into two segments or the length and width
          of a rectangle and their sum) in which the ratio of the
          whole to the larger part is the same as the ratio of
          the larger part to the smaller

   golden shiner
          [golden shiner] n (ca. 1889): a common cyprinid fish (Notemigonus
          crysoleucas) of eastern No. America having silvery sides
          with bright golden reflections

   golden syrup
          [golden syrup] n (1860) chiefly Brit: treacle 2b

   goldfield
          [gold.field] n (1851): a gold-mining district

   gold-filled
          [gold-filled] adj (ca. 1903): consisting of a base metal
          covered with a layer of gold <a ~ bracelet>

   goldfinch
          [gold.finch] n (bef. 12c) 1: a small Palearctic finch (Carduelis
          carduelis) with a red, white, and black head and yellow
          and black wings 2: any of three small American finches
          (genus Carduelis and esp. C. tristis) having the breeding
          plumage of the male variably yellow with black markings
          on the wings, tail, and crown

   goldfish
          [gold.fish] n (1791): a small usu. golden yellow or orange
          cyprinid fish (Carassius auratus) often kept as an aquarium
          and pond fish

   goldfish bowl
          [goldfish bowl] n (1935): a place or situation offering no
          privacy

   gold leaf
          [gold leaf] n (ca. 1741): an extremely thin sheet of gold
          that is used esp. for gilding

   gold mine
          [gold mine] n (1833): a rich source of something desired

   gold of pleasure
          [gold of pleasure] (1597): a European herb (Camelina sativa)
          of the mustard family that is cultivated for its oil-rich
          seeds

   gold rush
          [gold rush] n (1876) 1: a rush to newly discovered goldfields
          in pursuit of riches 2: the headlong pursuit of sudden
          wealth in a new or lucrative field -- gold rush.er n

   goldsmith
          [gold.smith] n (bef. 12c): one who makes or deals in articles
          of gold

   gold standard
          [gold standard] n (1831): a monetary standard under which
          the basic unit of currency is defined by a stated quantity
          of gold and which is usu. characterized by the coinage
          and circulation of gold, unrestricted convertibility
          of other money into gold, and the free export and import
          of gold for the settlement of international obligations

   goldstone
          [gold.stone] n (ca. 1889): aventurine glass spangled close
          and fine with particles of gold-colored material

   golem
          [go.lem] n [Yiddish goylem, fr. Heb golem shapeless mass]
          (1897) 1: an artificial human being in Hebrew folklore
          endowed with life 2: something or someone resembling
          a golem: as a: automaton b: blockhead

   golf
          [golf] n, often attrib [ME (Sc)] (15c): a game in which a
          player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with
          as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive
          holes on a course -- golf vi -- golf.er n Golf (1952)--a
          communications code word for the letter g

   golf ball
          [golf ball] n (1545) 1: a small hard dimpled ball used in
          golf 2: the spherical printing element of an electric
          typewriter or printer

   golf cart
          [golf cart] n (1899) 1: a small cart for wheeling a golf
          bag around a golf course 2: a motorized cart for carrying
          golfers and their equipment over a golf course--called
          also golf car

   golf course
          [golf course] n (1890): an area of land laid out for golf
          with a series of 9 or 18 holes each including tee, fairway,
          and putting green and often one or more natural or artificial
          hazards--called also golf links

   Golgi
          [Gol.gi] adj (1891): of or relating to the Golgi apparatus,
          Golgi bodies, or a method of staining nerve tissue <~
          vesicles>

   Golgi apparatus
          [Golgi apparatus] n [Camillo Golgi] (1916): a cytoplasmic
          organelle that consists of a stack of smooth membranous
          saccules and associated vesicles and that is active in
          the modification and transport of proteins--called also
          Golgi complex--see cell illustration

   Golgi body
          [Golgi body] n (1925): golgi apparatus; also: dictyosome

   goliard
          [go.liard] n [ME, fr. MF, goliard, glutton, fr. gole throat,
          fr. L gula--more at glutton] (15c): a wandering student
          of the 12th or 13th century given to the writing of satiric
          Latin verse and to convivial living and minstrelsy --
          go.liar.dic adj

   Goliath
          [Go.li.ath] n [Heb Golyath] 1: a Philistine champion who
          in I Samuel 17 is killed by David 2: giant

   golliwog
          [gol.li.wog] also gol.ly.wog or gol.li.wogg n [Golliwogg,
          an animated doll in children's fiction by Bertha Upton
          d. 1912 Am. writer] (1895) 1: a grotesque black doll
          2: a person resembling a golliwog

   golly
          [gol.ly] interj [euphemism for God] (1775)--used as a mild
          oath or to express surprise

   Gomorrah
          [Go.mor.rah] n [fr. Gomorrah, ancient city destroyed by God
          for its wickedness in Gen 19] (1907): a place notorious
          for vice and corruption

   gon-
          [gon-] or gono- comb form [Gk, fr. gonos procreation, seed,
          fr. gignesthai to be born--more at kin]: sexual: generative:
          semen: seed <gonocyte>

   -gon
          [-gon] n comb form [NL -gonum, fr. Gk -gonon, fr. gonia angle;
          akin to Gk gony knee--more at knee]: figure having (so
          many) angles <decagon>

   gonad
          [go.nad] n [NL gonad-, gonas, fr. Gk gonos] (1880): a reproductive
          gland (as an ovary or testis) that produces gametes -- go.nad.al
          adj

   gonadectomy
          [go.nad.ec.to.my] n, pl -mies (1915): surgical removal of
          an ovary or testis -- go.nad.ec.to.mized adj

   gonadotropic
          [go.nad.o.trop.ic] also go.nad.o.tro.phic adj (ca. 1923):
          acting on or stimulating the gonads

   gonadotropin
          [go.nad.o.tro.pin] also go.nad.o.tro.phin n (1931): a gonadotropic
          hormone (as follicle-stimulating hormone)

   Gond
          [Gond] n (1801): a member of a Dravidian or pre-Dravidian
          people of central India

   Gondi
          [Gondi] n (1855): the Dravidian language of the Gonds

   gondola
          [gon.do.la] n [It dial. (Venetian), prob. fr. MGk kontoura
          small vessel] (1549) 1: a long narrow flat-bottomed boat
          with a high prow and stern used on the canals of Venice
          2: a heavy flat-bottomed boat used on New England rivers
          and on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers 3: a railroad
          car with no top, a flat bottom, and fixed sides that
          is used chiefly for hauling heavy bulk commodities 4
          a: an elongated car attached to the underside of an airship
          b: an often spherical airtight enclosure suspended from
          a balloon for carrying passengers or instruments c: an
          enclosed car suspended from a cable and used for transporting
          passengers; esp: one used as a ski lift

   gondolier
          [gon.do.lier] n (1603): one who propels a gondola

   gone
          [gone] adj [fr. pp. of go] (1598) 1 a: dead b: lost, ruined
          <lost looks and ~ faculties --Penelope Gilliatt> c: characterized
          by sinking or dropping <the empty or ~ feeling in the
          abdomen so common in elevators --H. G. Armstrong> 2 a:
          involved, absorbed <far ~ in hysteria> b: possessed with
          a strong attachment or a foolish or unreasoning love
          or desire: infatuated--often used with on <was real ~
          on that man --Pete Martin> c: pregnant <she's six months
          ~> 3: past <memories of ~ summers --John Cheever> 4 slang:
          great <a real ~ fashion reporter --Inez Robb>

   goner
          [gon.er] n (1854): one whose case is hopeless

   gonfalon
          [gon.fa.lon] n [It gonfalone] (1595) 1: the ensign of certain
          princes or states (as the medieval republics of Italy)
          2: a flag that hangs from a crosspiece or frame

   gong
          [gong] n [Malay & Jav, of imit. origin] (ca. 1590) 1: a disk-shaped
          percussion instrument that produces a resounding tone when struck
          with a usu. padded hammer 2 a: a saucer-shaped bell (as in a fire
          alarm) that is struck by a mechanical hammer b: a wire rod wound
          in a flat spiral for sounding the time or chime or alarm (as
          in a clock) 3 Brit: medal -- gong vi

   Gongorism
          [Gon.go.rism] n [Sp gongorismo, fr. Luis de Gongora y Argote
          d. 1627 Span. poet] (1813): a literary style characterized
          by studied obscurity and by the use of various ornate
          devices -- gon.go.ris.tic adj

   gonidium
          [go.nid.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. gon- + -idium] (1882): an
          asexual reproductive cell or group of cells esp. in algae
          (as volvox)

   gonif, goniff
          [gon.if, gon.iff] var of ganef

   goniometer
          [go.ni.om.e.ter] n [Gk gonia angle] (1766) 1: an instrument
          for measuring angles 2: direction finder -- go.nio.met.ric
          adj -- go.ni.om.e.try n

   -gonium
          [-gonium] comb form [NL, fr. Gk gonos] 1: germ cell
          <spermatogonium> 2: reproductive structure of a plant or fungus
          <oogonium>

   gonococcus
          [gon.o.coc.cus] n, pl -coc.ci [NL] (1889): a pus-producing
          bacterium (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) that causes gonorrhea
          -- gon.o.coc.cal adj

   gonocyte
          [gon.o.cyte] n [ISV] (1900): a cell that produces gametes;
          esp: gametocyte

   go-no-go
          [go-no-go] adj (ca. 1945) 1: being or relating to a required
          decision to continue or stop a course of action 2: being
          or relating to a point at which a go-no-go decision must
          be made

   gonophore
          [gon.o.phore] n [ISV] (1859): an attached reproductive zooid
          of a hydroid colony

   gonopore
          [gon.o.pore] n (1897): a genital pore in some invertebrates
          and esp. some insects

   gonorrhea
          [gon.or.rhea] n [NL, fr. LL, morbid loss of semen, fr. Gk
          gonorrhoia, fr. gon- + -rrhoia -rrhea] (ca. 1526): a
          contagious inflammation of the genital mucous membrane
          caused by the gonococcus--called also clap -- gon.or.rhe.al
          adj

   -gony
          [-gony] n comb form [L -gonia, fr. Gk, fr. gonos]: generation:
          reproduction: manner of coming into being <isogony>

   gonzo
          [gon.zo] adj [origin unknown] (1971): idiosyncratically subjective
          but engage <~ journalism>; also: bizarre

   goo
          [goo] n [perh. short for burgoo] (1900) 1: a viscid or sticky
          substance 2: sentimental tripe -- goo.ey adj -- goo.ey.ness
          n

   goober
          [goo.ber] n [of Bantu origin; akin to Kimbundu nguba peanut]
          (1833) Southern & Midland: peanut

   [1]good
          [good] adj bet.ter ; best [ME, fr. OE god; akin to OHG guot
          good, Skt gadhya what one clings to] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1):
          of a favorable character or tendency <~ news> (2): bountiful,
          fertile <~ land> (3): handsome, attractive <~ looks>
          b (1): suitable, fit <~ to eat> (2): free from injury
          or disease <one ~ arm> (3): not depreciated <bad money
          drives out ~> (4): commercially sound <a ~ risk> (5):
          that can be relied on <~ for another year> <~ for a hundred
          dollars> <always ~ for a laugh> (6): profitable, advantageous
          <made a very ~ deal> c (1): agreeable, pleasant <had
          a ~ time> (2): salutary, wholesome <~ for a cold> (3):
          amusing, clever <a ~ joke> d (1): of a noticeably large
          size or quantity: considerable <won by a ~ margin> <a
          ~ bit of the time> (2): full <waited a ~ hour> (3)--used
          as an intensive <a ~ many of us> e (1): well-founded,
          cogent <~ reasons> (2): true <holds ~ for society at
          large> (3): deserving of respect: honorable <in ~ standing>
          (4): legally valid or effectual <~ title> f (1): adequate,
          satisfactory <~ care>--often used in faint praise <his
          serve is only ~ --Frank Deford> (2): conforming to a
          standard <~ English> (3): choice, discriminating <~ taste>
          (4): containing less fat and being less tender than higher
          grades--used of meat and esp. of beef 2 a (1): virtuous,
          right, commendable <a ~ person> <~ conduct> (2): kind,
          benevolent <~ intentions> b: upper-class <a ~ family>
          c: competent, skillful <a ~ doctor> d (1): loyal <a ~
          party man> <a ~ Catholic> (2): close <a ~ friend> e:
          free from infirmity or sorrow <I feel ~> -- good.ish
          adj -- as good as : in effect: virtually <as good as
          dead> -- as good as gold 1: of the highest worth or reliability
          <his promise is as good as gold> 2: well-behaved <the
          child was as good as gold> -- good and : very, entirely
          <was good and mad> usage An old notion that it is wrong
          to say "I feel good" in reference to health still occas.
          appears in print. The origins of this notion, which goes
          back to the turn of the century, are obscure, but they
          seem to combine someone's idea that good should be reserved
          to describe virtue and uncertainty about whether an adverb
          or an adjective should follow feel. Today nearly everyone
          agrees that both good and well can be predicate adjectives
          after feel. Both are used to express good health, but
          good may connote good spirits in addition to good health.
          [2]good n (bef. 12c) 1 a: something that is good b (1):
          something conforming to the moral order of the universe
          (2): praiseworthy character: goodness c: a good element
          or portion 2 a: advancement of prosperity or well-being
          <the ~ of the community> <it's for your own ~> b: something
          useful or beneficial <it's no ~ trying> 3 a: something
          that has economic utility or satisfies an economic want
          b pl: personal property having intrinsic value but usu.
          excluding money, securities, and negotiable instruments
          c pl: cloth d pl: something manufactured or produced
          for sale: wares, merchandise <canned ~s> e pl, Brit:
          freight 4: good persons--used with the 5 pl a: the qualities
          required to achieve an end b: proof of wrongdoing <didn't
          have the ~s on him --T. G. Cooke> -- for good also for
          good and all : forever, permanently -- in good with :
          in a favored position with -- to the good 1: for the
          best: beneficial <efforts to restrict credit were all
          to the good --Time> 2: in a position of net gain or profit
          <wound up $10 to the good> [3]good adv (13c) 1: well
          <he showed me how ~ I was doing --Herbert Gold> 2--used
          as an intensive <a ~ 200 pounds> <a ~ long time> usage
          Adverbial good has been under attack from the schoolroom
          since the 19th century. Insistence on well rather than
          good has resulted in a split in connotation: well is
          standard, neutral, and colorless, while good is emotionally
          charged and emphatic. This makes good the adverb of choice
          in sports <"I'm seeing the ball real good" is what you
          hear --Roger Angell>. In such contexts as <listen up.
          And listen good --Alex Karras> <lets fly with his tomatoes
          before they can flee. He gets Clarence good --Charles
          Dickinson> good cannot be adequately replaced by well.
          Adverbial good is primarily a spoken form; in writing
          it occurs in reported and fictional speech and in generally
          familiar or informal contexts.

   good book
          [good book] n, often cap G&B (1860): bible

   good-bye
          [good-bye] or good-by n [alter. of God be with you] (ca.
          1580) 1: a concluding remark or gesture at parting--often
          used interjectionally 2: a taking of leave <a tearful
          ~>

   good deal
          [good deal] n (1881): a considerable quantity or extent:
          lot <knows a good deal about disease> <a good deal faster>

   good faith
          [good faith] n (1893): honesty or lawfulness of purpose

   good fellow
          [good fellow] n (13c): an affable companionable person --
          good-fel.low.ship n

   good-for-nothing
          [good-for-noth.ing] adj (1533): of no use or value
          -- good-for-nothing n

   Good Friday
          [Good Friday] n [fr. its special sanctity] (13c): the Friday
          before Easter observed in churches as the anniversary
          of the crucifixion of Christ and in some states of the
          U.S. as a legal holiday

   good-hearted
          [good-heart.ed] adj (1552): having a kindly generous disposition
          -- good-heart.ed.ly adv -- good-heart.ed.ness n

   good-humored
          [good-hu.mored] adj (1662): good-natured, cheerful --
          good-hu.mored.ly adv -- good-hu.mored.ness n

   good life
          [good life] n (1946): a life marked by a high standard of
          living

   good-looking
          [good-look.ing] adj (1780): having a pleasing or attractive
          appearance -- good-look.er n

   goodly
          [good.ly] adj good.li.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: pleasantly
          attractive 2: significantly large: considerable <a ~
          number>

   goodman
          [good.man] n (13c) 1 archaic: the master of a household 2
          archaic: mr.

   good-natured
          [good-na.tured] adj (1577): of a pleasant cheerful cooperative
          disposition syn see amiable -- good-na.tured.ly adv --
          good-na.tured.ness n

   good-neighbor
          [good-neighbor] adj (1936): marked by principles of friendship,
          cooperation, and noninterference in the internal affairs
          of another country <a ~ policy>

   goodness
          [good.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1: the quality or state of being
          good 2--used interjectionally or in phrases esp. to express
          mild surprise or shock <oh, my ~ ]> <~ knows> 3: the
          nutritious, flavorful, or beneficial part of something

   goodness of fit
          [goodness of fit] (ca. 1939): the conformity between
          an experimental result and theoretical expectation or between data
          and an approximating curve

   good offices
          [good offices] n pl (1904): services as a mediator

   good old boy
          [good old boy] or good ol' boy or good ole boy n (ca. 1967):
          a usu. white Southerner who conforms to the social behavior
          of his peers

   Good Samaritan
          [Good Samaritan] n (1846): samaritan 2

   good-tempered
          [good-tem.pered] adj (1768): not easily vexed -- good-tem.pered.ly
          adv -- good-tem.pered.ness n

   goodwife
          [good.wife] n (13c) 1 archaic: the mistress of a household
          2 archaic: mrs.

   goodwill
          [good.will] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: a kindly feeling of approval
          and support: benevolent interest or concern b (1): the
          favor or prestige that a business has acquired beyond
          the mere value of what it sells (2): the value of projected
          earnings increases of a business esp. as part of its
          purchase price (3): the value of other intangible assets
          (as tax credits) of a business esp. as part of its purchase
          price 2 a: cheerful consent b: willing effort -- good.willed
          adj

   [1]goody
          [goody] n [alter. of goodwife] (1559) archaic: a usu. married
          woman of lowly station--used as a title preceding a surname
          [2]goody or good.ie n, pl good.ies (1756) 1: something
          that is particularly attractive, pleasurable, good, or
          desirable 2 chiefly Brit: one that is good; esp: an opponent
          of the villain (as in a motion picture)

   goody-goody
          [goody-goody] adj (1871): affectedly or ingratiatingly good
          or proper -- goody-goody n

   Goody Two-shoes
          [Goody Two-shoes] n, often cap S [fr. Goody Two-Shoes, heroine
          of a children's story perh. by Oliver Goldsmith] (1934):
          a person who is goody-goody; also: a person who is uncommonly
          good -- goody-two-shoes adj

   [1]goof
          [goof] n [prob. alter. of E dial. goff (simpleton)] (1915)
          1: a silly or stupid person 2: blunder [2]goof vi (1932)
          1 a: to spend time idly or foolishly--usu. used with
          off b: to engage in playful activity--usu. used with
          around 2: to make a usu. foolish or careless mistake:
          blunder--often used with up ~ vt: to make a mess of:
          bungle--usu. used with up -- goof on slang: to make fun
          of: kid, put on <you're goofing on me, right?>

   goofball
          [goof.ball] n (1950) 1 slang: a barbiturate sleeping pill
          2: a goofy person

   go off
          [go off] vi (1579) 1: explode 2: to burst forth or break
          out suddenly or noisily 3: to go forth, out, or away:
          leave 4: to undergo decline or deterioration 5: to follow
          the expected or desired course: proceed <the party went
          off well> 6: to make a characteristic noise: sound --
          go off the deep end 1: to enter recklessly on a course
          2: to become very much excited

   goof-off
          [goof-off] n (1953): one who evades work or responsibility

   goofy
          [goofy] adj goof.i.er ; -est (1921): being crazy, ridiculous,
          or mildly ludicrous: silly -- goof.i.ly adv -- goof.i.ness
          n

   googly-eyed
          [goo.gly-eyed] adj [by alter.] (1926): goggle-eyed

   googol
          [goo.gol] n [coined by Milton Sirotta b ab 1929 nephew of
          Edward Kasner d. 1955 Am. mathematician] (1938): the
          figure 1 followed by 100 zeroes

   googolplex
          [goo.gol.plex] n (1938): the figure 1 followed by a googol
          of zeroes

   [1]goo-goo
          [goo-goo] adj [perh. alter. of [2]goggle] (1900): loving,
          enticing--used chiefly in the phrase goo-goo eyes [2]goo-goo
          n, pl goo-goos [fr. good government] (1912): a member
          or advocate of a political reform movement

   [1]gook
          [gook] n [origin unknown] (1935): a nonwhite or non-American
          person; specif: asian--usu. used disparagingly [2]gook
          var of guck

   goon
          [goon] n [prob. short for E dial. gooney (simpleton)] (1921)
          1: a stupid person 2: a man hired to terrorize or eliminate
          opponents

   go on
          [go on] vi (15c) 1 a: to continue on or as if on a journey
          <life goes on> <went on to greater things> b: to keep
          on: continue <went on smoking> c: proceed <went on to
          win the election> 2: to take place: happen <what's going
          on> 3: to talk esp. in an effusive manner <the way people
          go on about their ancestors --Hamilton Basso>

   gooney
          [goo.ney] or goo.ny n, pl gooneys or goonies [prob. fr. E
          dial. gooney (simpleton)] (1895): black-footed albatross;
          broadly: albatross

   goop
          [goop] n [prob. alter. of goo] (ca. 1958): goo, gunk

   goosander
          [goo.san.der] n [origin unknown] (1766): the common merganser
          (Mergus merganser) of the northern hemisphere

   [1]goose
          [goose] n, pl geese [ME gos, fr. OE gos; akin to OHG gans
          goose, L anser, Gk chen] (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of numerous
          large waterfowl (family Anatidae) that are intermediate
          between the swans and ducks and have long necks, feathered
          lores, and reticulate tarsi b: a female goose as distinguished
          from a gander 2: simpleton, dolt 3 pl goos.es : a tailor's
          smoothing iron with a gooseneck handle 4 pl goos.es :
          a poke between the buttocks [2]goose vt goosed ; goos.ing
          (ca. 1880) 1: to poke between the buttocks with an upward
          thrust 2: to increase the activity, speed, power, intensity,
          or amount of: spur <an effort to ~ newsstand sales>

   gooseberry
          [goose.ber.ry] n (1573) 1 a: the acid usu. prickly fruit
          of any of several shrubs (genus Ribes) of the saxifrage
          family b: a shrub bearing gooseberries 2: currant 2

   goose bumps
          [goose bumps] n pl (1933): a roughness of the skin produced
          by erection of its papillae esp. from cold, fear, or
          a sudden feeling of excitement

   goose egg
          [goose egg] n (1866): zero, nothing; esp: a score of zero
          in a game or contest

   goosefish
          [goose.fish] n (1807): any of a family (Lophiidae) of pediculate
          fishes with a large flattened head, a fringe of flaps
          along each side of the lower jaw, head, and body, and
          a long stalk on the head with a flap of flesh at the
          tip for attracting prey; esp: monkfish

   gooseflesh
          [goose.flesh] n (ca. 1810): goose bumps

   goosefoot
          [goose.foot] n, pl goose.foots (1548): any of a genus (Chenopodium)
          or family (Chenopodiaceae, the goosefoot family) of glabrous herbs
          with utricular fruit

   goosegrass
          [goose.grass] n (1530) 1: cleavers 2: yard grass

   gooseneck
          [goose.neck] n, often attrib (1688) 1: something (as a flexible
          jointed metal pipe) curved like the neck of a goose or
          U-shaped 2: a truck trailer (as for transporting livestock)
          with a projecting front end designed to attach to the
          bed of a pickup truck -- goose.necked adj

   goose pimples
          [goose pimples] n pl (ca. 1889): goose bumps

   goose step
          [goose step] n (1806): a straight-legged stiff-kneed step
          used by troops of some armies when passing in review

   goose-step
          [goose-step] vi (1879) 1: to march in a goose step 2: to
          practice an unthinking conformity

   goosey
          [goos.ey] adj goos.i.er ; -est (1811) 1: resembling a goose
          2 a: affected with goose bumps: scared b: very nervous
          c: reacting strongly when goosed or startled

   go out
          [go out] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to go forth, abroad, or outdoors;
          specif: to leave one's house b (1): to take the field
          as a soldier (2): to participate as a principal in a
          duel c: to travel as or as if a colonist or immigrant
          d: to work away from home 2 a: to come to an end b: to
          give up office: resign c: to become obsolete or unfashionable
          d (1): to play the last card of one's hand (2): to reach
          or exceed the total number of points required for game
          in cards 3: to take part in social activities 4: to go
          on strike 5: break, collapse 6: to become a candidate
          <went out for the football team>

   go over
          [go over] vi (1645) 1: to go on a journey 2: to become converted
          3: to receive approval: succeed <his plan went over well>

   GOP
          [GOP] abbreviation Grand Old Party (Republican)

   [1]gopher
          [go.pher] n [origin unknown] (1791) 1: a burrowing land tortoise
          (Gopherus polyphemus) of the southern U.S.; broadly:
          any of several related land tortoises--called also gopher
          tortoise 2 a: any of a family (Geomyidae) of burrowing
          rodents of western No. America, Central America, and
          the southern U.S. that are the size of a large rat and
          have large cheek pouches opening beside the mouth--called
          also pocket gopher b: any of several small ground squirrels
          (genus Citellus) of the prairie region of No. America
          closely related to the chipmunks 3: gopher ball [2]gopher
          var of gofer

   gopher ball
          [gopher ball] n (ca. 1949): a pitched baseball hit for a
          home run

   gopher snake
          [gopher snake] n (1837) 1: indigo snake 2: bull snake

   Gordian knot
          [Gor.di.an knot] n 1: an intricate problem; esp: a problem
          insoluble in its own terms--usu. used in the phrase cut
          the Gordian knot 2: a knot tied by Gordius, king of Phrygia,
          held to be capable of being untied only by the future
          ruler of Asia, and cut by Alexander the Great with his
          sword

   Gordon setter
          [Gor.don setter] n [Alexander, 4th Duke of Gordon d. 1827
          Scot. sportsman] (1865): any of a breed of large bird
          dogs that have a long flat black-and-tan coat

   [1]gore
          [gore] n [ME, fr. OE gara; akin to OE gar spear, and perh.
          to Gk chaion shepherd's staff] (bef. 12c) 1: a small
          usu. triangular piece of land 2 a: a tapering or triangular
          piece (as of cloth in a skirt) b: an elastic gusset for
          providing a snug fit in a shoe [2]gore vt gored ; gor.ing
          (1548) 1: to cut into a tapering triangular form 2: to
          provide with a gore [3]gore vt gored ; gor.ing [ME] (15c):
          to pierce or wound with something pointed (as a horn
          or knife) <gored by a bull> [4]gore n [ME, filth, fr.
          OE gor] (1563): blood; esp: clotted blood

   [1]gorge
          [gorge] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL gurga, alter. of gurges, fr.
          L, whirlpool--more at voracious] (14c) 1: throat--often
          used with rise to indicate revulsion accompanied by a
          sensation of constriction <my ~ rises at the sight of
          blood> 2 a: a hawk's crop b: stomach, belly 3: the entrance
          into an outwork (as a bastion) of a fort 4: a narrow
          passage through land; esp: a narrow steep-walled canyon
          or part of a canyon 5: a primitive device used instead
          of a fishhook that consists of an object (as a piece
          of bone attached in the middle of a line) easy to swallow
          but difficult to eject 6: a mass choking a passage <a
          river dammed by an ice ~> 7: the line on the front of
          a coat or jacket formed by the crease of the lapel and
          collar [2]gorge vb gorged ; gorg.ing vi (14c): to eat
          greedily or to repletion ~ vt 1 a: to stuff to capacity:
          glut b: to fill completely or to the point of distension
          <veins gorged with blood> 2: to consume greedily syn
          see satiate -- gorg.er n [3]gorge n (1854): the act or
          an instance of gorging

   gorgeous
          [gor.geous] adj [ME gorgayse, fr. MF gorgias elegant, fr.
          gorgias wimple, fr. gorge gorget] (15c): splendidly or
          showily brilliant or magnificent syn see splendid --
          gor.geous.ly adv -- gor.geous.ness n

   gorget
          [gor.get] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. gorge] (15c) 1: a piece of armor
          protecting the throat--see armor illustration 2 a: an
          ornamental collar b: a part of a wimple covering the
          throat and shoulders

   gorgon
          [gor.gon] n [L Gorgon-, Gorgo, fr. Gk Gorgon] 1 cap: any
          of three snake-haired sisters in Greek mythology whose
          appearance turns the beholder to stone 2: an ugly or
          repulsive woman -- Gor.go.ni.an adj

   gorgonian
          [gor.go.ni.an] n [NL Gorgonia, a coral genus, fr. L, coral,
          fr. Gorgon-, Gorgo] (1835): any of an order (Gorgonacea)
          of colonial anthozoans with a usu. horny and branching
          axial skeleton -- gorgonian adj

   gorgonize
          [gor.gon.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1609): to have a paralyzing
          or mesmerizing effect on: stupefy, petrify

   Gorgonzola
          [Gor.gon.zo.la] n [It, fr. Gorgonzola, Italy] (1878): a pungent
          blue cheese of Italian origin

   gorilla
          [go.ril.la] n [NL, fr. Gk Gorillai, pl., a tribe of hairy
          women mentioned in an account of a voyage around Africa]
          (1847) 1: an anthropoid ape (Gorilla gorilla) of western
          equatorial Africa related to the chimpanzee but less
          erect and much larger 2 a: an ugly or brutal man b: thug,
          goon

   gormandise
          [gor.man.dise] chiefly Brit var of gormandize

   gormandize
          [gor.man.dize] vb -dized ; -diz.ing [gormand, alter. of gourmand]
          vi (1548): to eat gluttonously or ravenously ~ vt: to
          eat greedily: devour -- gor.man.diz.er n

   gormless
          [gorm.less] adj [alter. of E dial. gaumless, fr. gaum attention,
          understanding (fr. ME gome, fr. ON gaum, gaumr) + -less]
          (1883) chiefly Brit: lacking intelligence: stupid

   go-round
          [go-round] n (1891): go-around

   gorp
          [gorp] n [origin unknown] (1968): a snack consisting of high-energy
          food (as raisins and nuts)

   gorse
          [gorse] n [ME gorst, fr. OE; akin to OHG gersta barley, L
          hordeum] (bef. 12c): a spiny yellow-flowered European
          shrub (Ulex europaeus) of the legume family; broadly:
          any of several related plants (genera Ulex and Genista)
          -- gorsy adj

   gory
          [gory] adj gor.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: covered with gore: bloodstained
          2: bloodcurdling, sensational <wanted to hear the ~ details> syn
          see bloody

   gosh
          [gosh] interj [euphemism for God] (1757)--used as a mild
          oath or to express surprise

   goshawk
          [gos.hawk] n [ME goshawke, fr. OE goshafoc, fr. gos goose
          + hafoc hawk] (bef. 12c): any of several long-tailed
          accipitrine hawks with short rounded wings; esp: a hawk
          (Accipiter gentilis) of the northern parts of both the
          Old and the New World that is larger than a crow and
          has a white stripe above and behind the eye

   gosling
          [gos.ling] n [ME, fr. gos goose] (14c) 1: a young goose 2:
          a foolish or callow person

   go-slow
          [go-slow] n (1926) Brit: slowdown

   [1]gospel
          [gos.pel] n [ME, fr. OE godspel (trans. of LL evangelium),
          fr. god good + spell tale--more at spell] (bef. 12c)
          1 a often cap: the message concerning Christ, the kingdom
          of God, and salvation b cap: one of the first four New
          Testament books telling of the life, death, and resurrection
          of Jesus Christ; also: a similar apocryphal book c: an
          interpretation of the Christian message <the social ~>
          2 cap: a lection from one of the New Testament Gospels
          3: the message or teachings of a religious teacher 4:
          something accepted as infallible truth or as a guiding
          principle <the ~ of conservation --R. M. Hodesh> 5: gospel
          music [2]gospel adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: having a basis in
          or being in accordance with the gospel: evangelical <ordained
          to the ~ ministry --Christian Century> b: marked by special
          or fervid emphasis on the gospel <a ~ meeting> 2: of,
          relating to, or being religious songs of American origin
          associated with evangelism and popular devotion and marked
          by simple melody and harmony and elements of folk songs
          and blues

   gospeler
          [gos.pel.er] or gos.pel.ler n (1506) 1: one who reads or
          sings the liturgical Gospel 2: one who preaches or propounds
          a gospel

   gospel side
          [gospel side] n, often cap G [fr. the custom of reading the
          Gospel from this side] (1891): the left side of an altar
          or chancel as one faces it

   [1]gossamer
          [gos.sa.mer] n [ME gossomer, fr. gos goose + somer summer]
          (14c) 1: a film of cobwebs floating in air in calm clear
          weather 2: something light, delicate, or insubstantial
          <the ~ of youth's dreams --Andrea Parke> -- gos.sa.mery
          adj [2]gossamer adj (ca. 1807): extremely light, delicate,
          or tenuous

   gossan
          [gos.san] n [Corn gossen, fr. gos blood] (1776): decomposed
          rock or vein material of reddish or rusty color that
          results from oxidized pyrites

   [1]gossip
          [gos.sip] n [ME gossib, fr. OE godsibb, fr. god god + sibb
          kinsman, fr. sibb related--more at sib] (bef. 12c) 1
          a dial Brit: godparent b: companion, crony c: a person
          who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts
          about others 2 a: rumor or report of an intimate nature
          b: a chatty talk c: the subject matter of gossip -- gos.sip.ry
          n [2]gossip vi (1627): to relate gossip -- gos.sip.er
          n

   gossipmonger
          [gos.sip.mon.ger] n (1836): a person who starts or spreads
          gossip

   gossipy
          [gos.sipy] adj (1818): characterized by, full of, or given
          to gossip <a ~ letter> <~ neighbors>

   gossypol
          [gos.sy.pol] n [ISV, ultim. fr. L gossypion cotton] (1899):
          a toxic phenolic pigment in cottonseed

   got
          [got] past and past part of get

   Goth
          [Goth] n [ME Gothes, Gotes (pl.), partly fr. OE Gotan (pl.);
          partly fr. LL Gothi (pl.)] (14c): a member of a Germanic
          people that overran the Roman Empire in the early centuries
          of the Christian era

   Goth
          [Goth] abbreviation Gothic

   [1]Gothic
          [Goth.ic] adj (1591) 1 a: of, relating to, or resembling
          the Goths, their civilization, or their language b: teutonic,
          germanic c: medieval d: uncouth, barbarous 2 a: of, relating
          to, or having the characteristics of a style of architecture
          developed in northern France and spreading through western
          Europe from the middle of the 12th century to the early
          16th century that is characterized by the converging
          of weights and strains at isolated points upon slender
          vertical piers and counterbalancing buttresses and by
          pointed arches and vaulting b: of or relating to an architectural
          style reflecting the influence of the medieval Gothic
          3 often not cap: of or relating to a style of fiction
          characterized by the use of desolate or remote settings
          and macabre, mysterious, or violent incidents -- goth.i.cal.ly
          adv -- Goth.ic.ness n [2]Gothic n (1691) 1 a: black letter
          b: sans serif 2: Gothic art style or decoration; specif:
          the Gothic architectural style 3: the East Germanic language
          of the Goths 4 often not cap: a work of fiction in the
          gothic style

   Gothic arch
          [Gothic arch] n (1739): a pointed arch; esp: one with a joint
          instead of a keystone at its apex

   Gothicism
          [Goth.i.cism] n (1710) 1: barbarous lack of taste or elegance
          2: conformity to or practice of Gothic style -- Goth.i.cist
          n

   gothicize
          [goth.i.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing often cap (1712): to make
          Gothic

   Gothick
          [Goth.ick] chiefly Brit var of gothic

   Gothic Revival
          [Gothic Revival] n (1869): an artistic style or movement
          of the 18th and 19th centuries inspired by and imitative
          of the Gothic style esp. in architecture

   go through
          [go through] vi (1513) 1: to continue firmly or obstinately
          to the end <I was going through with it if it killed
          me --A. W. Long> 2 a: to receive approval or sanction:
          pass b: to come to a desired or satisfactory conclusion

   go to
          [go to] vi (15c) 1 archaic--used interjectionally as an exhortation
          <and they said one to another, go to, let us make brick --Gen 11:3
          (AV)> 2 archaic--used interjectionally to express disapproval
          or disbelief <go to, go to; you have known what you should not
          --Shak.>

   gotten
          [gotten] past part of get

   Gotterdammerung
          [Got.ter.dam.mer.ung] n [G, lit., twilight of the gods, fr.
          Gotter (pl. of Gott god) + Dammerung twilight] (1909):
          a collapse (as of a society or regime) marked by catastrophic
          violence and disorder

   gouache
          [gouache] n [F, fr. It guazzo, lit., puddle, prob. fr. L
          aquatio watering place, fr. aquari to fetch water, fr.
          aqua water--more at island] (1882) 1: a method of painting
          with opaque watercolors 2 a: a picture painted by gouache
          b: the pigment used in gouache

   Gouda
          [Gou.da] n [Gouda, Netherlands] (1885): a mild cheese of
          Dutch origin that is similar to Edam but contains more
          fat

   [1]gouge
          [gouge] n [ME gowge, fr. MF gouge, fr. LL gulbia, of Celt
          origin; akin to OIr gulban beak, sting] (14c) 1: a chisel
          with a concavo-convex cross section 2 a: the act of gouging
          b: a groove or cavity scooped out 3: an excessive or
          improper exaction: extortion [2]gouge vt gouged ; goug.ing
          (1570) 1: to scoop out with or as if with a gouge 2 a:
          to force out (an eye) with the thumb b: to thrust the
          thumb into the eye of 3: to subject to extortion or undue
          exaction: overcharge -- goug.er n

   goulash
          [gou.lash] n [Hung gulyas, short for gulyashus, lit., herdsman's
          meat] (1866) 1: a stew made with meat (as beef), assorted
          vegetables, and paprika 2: a round in bridge played with
          hands produced by a redistribution of previously dealt
          cards 3: a mixture of heterogeneous elements: jumble

   go under
          [go under] vi (1848): to be overwhelmed, destroyed, or defeated:
          fail

   go up
          [go up] vi (15c) 1 chiefly Brit: to attend a university 2
          of an actor: to become confused -- go up in flames :
          burn -- go up in smoke : to be destroyed by or as if
          by burning

   gourami
          [gou.ra.mi] n, pl -mi or -mis also -mies [Malay dial. (Java),
          fr. Jav grameh] (1878): any of numerous African and Asian
          tropical freshwater fishes (order Perciformes): as a:
          a large Asian food fish (Osphronemus goramy, family Osphronemidae)
          b: any of various small fishes (families Belontiidae and
          Helostomatidae) often kept in aquariums

   gourd
          [gourd] n [ME gourde, fr. MF, fr. L cucurbita] (14c) 1: any
          of a family (Cucurbitaceae, the gourd family) of chiefly
          herbaceous tendril-bearing vines including the cucumber,
          melon, squash, and pumpkin 2: the fruit of a gourd: pepo;
          esp: any of various hard-rinded inedible fruits of plants
          of two genera (Lagenaria and Cucurbita) often used for
          ornament or for vessels and utensils -- out of one's
          gourd also off one's gourd : crazy

   gourde
          [gourde] n [AmerF] (ca. 1858): the basic monetary unit of
          Haiti

   gourmand
          [gour.mand] n [ME, fr. MF gourmant] (15c) 1: one who is excessively
          fond of eating and drinking 2: one who is heartily interested
          in good food and drink syn see epicure -- gour.mand.ism
          n -- gour.man.dize vi

   gourmandise
          [gour.man.dise] n [F, fr. MF, fr. gourmand] (15c): appreciation
          of or interest in good food and drink: gourmandism

   gourmet
          [gour.met] n [F, fr. MF, alter. of gromet boy servant, vintner's
          assistant, prob. ultim. fr. ME grom groom] (1820): a
          connoisseur of food and drink; broadly: connoisseur 2
          <a film ~> syn see epicure -- gourmet adj

   gout
          [gout] n [ME goute, fr. OF, gout, drop, fr. L gutta drop]
          (13c) 1: a metabolic disease marked by a painful inflammation
          of the joints, deposits of urates in and around the joints,
          and usu. an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood
          2: a mass or aggregate esp. of something fluid often
          gushing or bursting forth -- gouty adj

   gout de terroir
          [gout de ter.roir] [F] foreign term : taste of the earth

   gov
          [gov] abbreviation government, governor

   govern
          [gov.ern] vb [ME, fr. OF governer, fr. L gubernare to steer,
          govern, fr. Gk kybernan] vt (14c) 1 a: to exercise continuous
          sovereign authority over; esp: to control and direct
          the making and administration of policy in b: to rule
          without sovereign power and usu. without having the authority
          to determine basic policy 2 a archaic: manipulate b:
          to control the speed of (as a machine) esp. by automatic
          means 3 a: to control, direct, or strongly influence
          the actions and conduct of b: to exert a determining
          or guiding influence in or over <income must ~ expenditure>
          c: to hold in check: restrain 4: to require (a word)
          to be in a certain case 5: to serve as a precedent or
          deciding principle for <customs that ~ human decisions>
          ~ vi 1: to prevail or have decisive influence: control
          2: to exercise authority -- gov.ern.able adj

   governance
          [gov.er.nance] n (14c): government

   governess
          [gov.ern.ess] n (15c) 1: a woman who governs 2: a woman entrusted
          with the care and supervision of a child esp. in a private
          household

   governessy
          [gov.ern.essy] adj (1872): characteristic of or resembling
          a governess (as in primness)

   government
          [gov.ern.ment] n, often attrib (14c) 1: the act or process
          of governing; specif: authoritative direction or control
          2 obs: moral conduct or behavior: discretion 3 a: the
          office, authority, or function of governing b obs: the
          term during which a governing official holds office 4:
          the continuous exercise of authority over and the performance
          of functions for a political unit: rule 5 a: the organization,
          machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises
          authority and performs functions and which is usu. classified
          according to the distribution of power within it b: the
          complex of political institutions, laws, and customs
          through which the function of governing is carried out
          6: the body of persons that constitutes the governing
          authority of a political unit or organization: as a:
          the officials comprising the governing body of a political
          unit and constituting the organization as an active agency
          b cap: the executive branch of the U.S. federal government
          c cap: a small group of persons holding simultaneously
          the principal political executive offices of a nation
          or other political unit and being responsible for the
          direction and supervision of public affairs: (1): such
          a group in a parliamentary system constituted by the
          cabinet or by the ministry (2): administration 4b 7:
          political science -- gov.ern.men.tal adj -- gov.ern.men.tal.ize
          vt -- gov.ern.men.tal.ly adv

   governmentalism
          [gov.ern.men.tal.ism] n (1848) 1: a theory advocating extension
          of the sphere and degree of government activity 2: the
          tendency toward extension of the role of government --
          gov.ern.men.tal.ist n

   governmentese
          [gov.ern.men.tese] n (1944): jargon held to be characteristic
          of government officials

   governor
          [gov.er.nor] n (14c) 1: one that govern s: as a: one that
          exercises authority esp. over an area or group b: an
          official elected or appointed to act as ruler, chief
          executive, or nominal head of a political unit c: commanding
          officer d: the managing director and usu. the principal
          officer of an institution or organization e: a member
          of a group that directs or controls an institution or
          society 2: tutor 3 a slang: one looked upon as governing
          b: mister, sir--usu. used as a term of address 4 a: an
          attachment to a machine (as a gasoline engine) for automatic
          control or limitation of speed b: a device giving automatic
          control (as of pressure or temperature) -- gov.er.nor.ate
          n

   governor-general
          [governor-general] n, pl governors-general or governor-generals
          (1586): a governor of high rank; esp: one who governs
          a large territory or has deputy governors under him

   governorship
          [gov.er.nor.ship] n (1658) 1: the office of governor 2: the
          period of incumbency of a governor

   govt
          [govt] abbreviation government

   gowan
          [gow.an] n [prob. alter. of ME gollan] (1570) chiefly Scot:
          daisy 1; broadly: a white or yellow field flower -- gow.any
          adj, chiefly Scot

   gown
          [gown] n [ME, fr. MF goune, fr. LL gunna, a fur or leather
          garment] (14c) 1 a: a loose flowing outer garment formerly
          worn by men b: a distinctive robe worn by a professional
          or academic person c: a woman's dress d (1): dressing
          gown (2): nightgown e: a coverall worn in an operating
          room 2: the body of students and faculty of a college
          or university <rivalry between town and ~> -- gown vt

   gownsman
          [gowns.man] n (1627): a professional or academic person

   goy
          [goy] n, pl goy.im also goys [Yiddish, fr. Heb goy people,
          nation] (1841): gentile 1--sometimes used disparagingly
          -- goy.ish adj

   gp...
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   gp
          [gp] abbreviation group  GP abbreviation general practice,
          general practitioner, geometric progression

   GPA
          [GPA] abbreviation grade point average

   GPD
          [GPD] abbreviation gallons per day

   GPH
          [GPH] abbreviation gallons per hour

   GPM
          [GPM] abbreviation gallons per minute

   GPO
          [GPO] abbreviation general post office, Government Printing
          Office

   GPS
          [GPS] abbreviation gallons per second

   gq...
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   GQ
          [GQ] abbreviation general quarters

   gr...
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   gr
          [gr] abbreviation grade, grain, gram, gravity, gross  Gr
          abbreviation Greece, Greek

   graafian follicle
          [graaf.ian follicle] n, often cap G [Regnier de Graaf d.
          1673 Du. anatomist] (1883): a liquid-filled cavity in
          a mammalian ovary containing a mature egg before ovulation

   [1]grab
          [grab] vb grabbed ; grab.bing [obs. D or LG grabben] vt (ca.
          1581) 1: to take or seize by or as if by a sudden motion
          or grasp <~ up an ax> <grabbed the opportunity> <~ attention>
          2: to obtain unscrupulously <~ public lands> 3: to take
          hastily <~ a bite to eat> <~ a cab> 4 a: to seize the
          attention of <the technique of grabbing an audience --Pauline
          Kael> b: to impress favorably and deeply ~ vi: to make
          a grab syn see take -- grab.ber n [2]grab adj (1608)
          1: intended to be grabbed <a ~ rail> 2: taken at random
          <~ samples of rocks> [3]grab n (1777) 1 a: something
          grabbed b: a sudden snatch c: an unlawful or unscrupulous
          seizure 2 chiefly Brit a: a device for clutching an object
          b: clamshell -- up for grabs : available for anyone to
          take, win, or settle

   grab bag
          [grab bag] n (1855) 1: a receptacle (as a bag) containing
          small articles which are to be drawn (as at a party or
          fair) without being seen 2: a miscellaneous collection:
          potpourri

   grabble
          [grab.ble] vi grab.bled ; grab.bling [D grabbelen, fr. MD,
          freq. of grabben] (ca. 1580) 1: to search with the hand:
          grope 2: to lie or fall prone: sprawl -- grab.bler n

   grabby
          [grab.by] adj grab.bi.er ; -est (1910) 1: tending to grab:
          grasping, greedy 2: having the power to grab the attention
          <~ previews>

   graben
          [gra.ben] n [G, ditch, fr. OHG grabo, fr. graban to dig--more
          at grave] (1896): a depressed segment of the crust of
          the earth or a celestial body (as the moon) bounded on
          at least two sides by faults

   [1]grace
          [grace] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L gratia favor, charm, thanks,
          fr. gratus pleasing, grateful; akin to Skt grnati he
          praises] (12c) 1 a: unmerited divine assistance given
          man for his regeneration or sanctification b: a virtue
          coming from God c: a state of sanctification enjoyed
          through divine grace 2 a: approval, favor <stayed in
          his good ~s> b archaic: mercy, pardon c: a special favor:
          privilege <each in his place, by right, not ~, shall
          rule his heritage --Rudyard Kipling> d: disposition to
          or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency
          e: a temporary exemption: reprieve 3 a: a charming or
          attractive trait or characteristic b: a pleasingly graceful
          appearance or effect: charm c: ease and suppleness of
          movement or bearing 4--used as a title of address or
          reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop 5:
          a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving
          thanks 6 pl, cap: three sister goddesses in Greek mythology
          who are the givers of charm and beauty 7: a musical trill,
          turn, or appoggiatura 8 a: sense of propriety or right
          <had the ~ not to run for elective office --Calvin Trillin>
          b: the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful
          syn see mercy [2]grace vt graced ; grac.ing (1585) 1:
          to confer dignity or honor on 2: adorn, embellish <graveled
          walks graced with statues --J. A. Michener>

   graceful
          [grace.ful] adj (ca. 1586): displaying grace in form or action:
          pleasing or attractive in line, proportion, or movement
          -- grace.ful.ly adv -- grace.ful.ness n

   graceless
          [grace.less] adj (14c) 1: lacking in divine grace: immoral,
          unregenerate 2 a: lacking a sense of propriety b: devoid
          of attractive qualities 3: artistically inept or unbeautiful
          -- grace.less.ly adv -- grace.less.ness n

   grace note
          [grace note] n (ca. 1823) 1: a musical note added as an ornament;
          esp: appoggiatura 2: a small addition or embellishment

   grace period
          [grace period] n (1945): a period of time beyond a due date
          during which a financial obligation may be met without
          penalty or cancellation

   gracile
          [grac.ile] adj [L gracilis] (1623) 1: slender, slight 2:
          graceful 3: relating to, resembling, or being any of
          the primitive relatively small slender hominids (genus
          Australopithecus) characterized esp. by molars and incisors
          of similar size that are adapted to an omnivorous diet--compare
          robust -- grac.ile.ness n -- gra.cil.i.ty n

   gracioso
          [gra.ci.o.so] n, pl -sos [Sp, fr. gracioso, adj., agreeable,
          amusing, fr. L gratiosus] (1749): a buffoon in Spanish
          comedy

   gracious
          [gra.cious] adj [ME, fr. MF gracieus, fr. L gratiosus enjoying
          favor, agreeable, fr. gratia] (14c) 1 a obs: godly b
          archaic: pleasing, acceptable 2 a: marked by kindness
          and courtesy b: graceful c: marked by tact and delicacy:
          urbane d: characterized by charm, good taste, generosity
          of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good
          breeding <~ living> 3: merciful, compassionate--used
          conventionally of royalty and high nobility -- gra.cious.ly
          adv -- gra.cious.ness n syn gracious, cordial, affable,
          genial, sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social
          intercourse. gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration
          <the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues>. cordial
          stresses warmth and heartiness <our host was cordial
          as he greeted us>. affable implies easy approachability
          and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or
          requests or proposals <though wealthy, she was affable
          to all>. genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality
          <a genial companion with a ready quip>. sociable suggest
          a genuine liking for the companionship of others <sociable
          people who enjoy entertaining>.

   grackle
          [grack.le] n [NL Gracula, genus name, alter. of L graculus
          jackdaw] (1772) 1: any of a genus (Quiscalus of the family
          Icteridae) of large American blackbirds having iridescent
          black plumage 2: any of various Asian starlings (as the
          hill mynahs)

   [1]grad
          [grad] n or adj [by shortening] (ca. 1871): graduate [2]grad
          n [F grade degree, fr. L gradus] (1898): one hundredth
          of a right angle

   grad
          [grad] abbreviation graduate, graduated

   gradation
          [gra.da.tion] n (1549) 1 a: a series forming successive stages
          b: a step or place in an ordered scale 2: an advance
          by regular degrees 3: a gradual passing from one tint
          or shade to another 4: the act or process of grading
          5: ablaut -- gra.da.tion.al adj -- gra.da.tion.al.ly
          adv

   -grade
          [-grade] adj comb form [F, fr. L -gradus, fr. gradi]: walking
          <plantigrade>

   [1]grade
          [grade] n [F, fr. L gradus step, degree, fr. L gradi to step,
          go; akin to Lith gridyti to go, wander] (1796) 1 a (1):
          a stage in a process (2): a position in a scale of ranks
          or qualities b: a degree of severity in illness <~ III
          carcinoma> c: a class organized for the work of a particular
          year of a school course d: a military or naval rank 2
          a: a class of things of the same stage or degree b: a
          mark indicating a degree of accomplishment in school
          c: a standard of food quality 3 a: the degree of inclination
          of a road or slope; also: a sloping road b: a datum or
          reference level; esp: ground level 4: a domestic animal
          with one parent purebred and the other of inferior breeding
          5 pl: the elementary school system -- grade.less adj
          [2]grade vb grad.ed ; grad.ing vt (1659) 1 a: to arrange
          in grades: sort b: to arrange in a scale or series c:
          to assign to a grade or assign a grade to 2: to level
          off to a smooth horizontal or sloping surface ~ vi 1
          a: to form a series b: blend 2: to be of a particular
          grade -- grad.able adj [3]grade adj (1852): being, involving,
          or yielding domestic animals of improved but not pure
          stock <~ ewes> <~ breeding>

   grade crossing
          [grade crossing] n (ca. 1890): a crossing of highways, railroad
          tracks, or pedestrian walks or combinations of these
          on the same level

   grade point
          [grade point] n (1951): one of the points assigned to each
          course credit (as in a college) in accordance with the
          letter grade earned in the course--called also quality
          point

   grade point average
          [grade point average] n (1966): the average obtained by dividing
          the total number of grade points earned by the total
          number of credits attempted--called also quality point
          average

   grader
          [grad.er] n (1832) 1: one that grades 2: a machine for leveling
          earth 3: a pupil in a school grade <a fifth ~>

   grade school
          [grade school] n (1869): elementary school -- grade-school.er
          n

   grade separation
          [grade separation] n (ca. 1949): a highway or railroad crossing
          using an underpass or overpass

   grade up
          [grade up] vt (1903): to improve by breeding females to purebred
          males

   gradient
          [gra.di.ent] n [L gradient-, gradiens, prp. of gradi] (1835)
          1 a: the rate of regular or graded ascent or descent:
          inclination b: a part sloping upward or downward 2: change
          in the value of a quantity (as temperature, pressure,
          or concentration) with change in a given variable and
          esp. per unit distance in a specified direction 3: the
          vector sum of the partial derivatives with respect to
          the three coordinate variables x, y, and z of a scalar
          quantity whose value varies from point to point 4: a
          graded difference in physiological activity along an
          axis (as of the body or an embryonic field) 5: change
          in response with distance from the stimulus

   gradiometer
          [gra.di.om.e.ter] n [gradient + -o- + -meter] (1899): an
          instrument for measuring the gradient of a physical quantity
          (as the earth's magnetic field)

   [1]gradual
          [grad.u.al] n, often cap [ME, fr. ML graduale, fr. L gradus
          step, fr. its being sung on the steps of the altar] (15c)
          1: a book containing the choral parts of the Mass 2:
          a pair of verses (as from the Psalms) proper after the
          Epistle in the Mass [2]gradual adj [ML gradualis, fr.
          L gradus] (1692) 1: proceeding by steps or degrees 2:
          moving, changing, or developing by fine or often imperceptible
          degrees -- grad.u.al.ly adv -- grad.u.al.ness n

   gradualism
          [grad.u.al.ism] n (1835) 1: the policy of approaching a desired
          end by gradual stages 2: the evolution of new species
          by gradual accumulation of small genetic changes over
          long periods of time; also: a theory or model of evolution
          emphasizing this--compare punctuated equilibrium -- grad.u.al.ist
          n or adj

   graduand
          [grad.u.and] n [ML graduandus, gerundive of graduare] (1882)
          Brit: one about to graduate: a candidate for a degree

   [1]graduate
          [grad.u.ate] n (15c) 1: a holder of an academic degree or
          diploma 2: a graduated cup, cylinder, or flask [2]graduate
          adj (15c) 1: holding an academic degree or diploma 2:
          of, relating to, or engaged in studies beyond the first
          or bachelor's degree <~ school> <a ~ student> [3]grad.u.ate
          vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML graduare, fr. L gradus step,
          degree] vt (15c) 1 a: to grant an academic degree or
          diploma to b: to be graduated from 2 a: to mark with
          degrees of measurement b: to divide into grades or intervals
          3: to admit to a particular standing or grade ~ vi 1:
          to receive an academic degree or diploma 2: to pass from
          one stage of experience, proficiency, or prestige to
          a usu. higher one 3: to change gradually -- grad.u.a.tor
          n usage In the 19th century the transitive sense (1a)
          was prescribed; the intransitive <I graduated from college>
          was condemned. The intransitive prevailed nonetheless,
          and today it is the sense likely to be prescribed and
          the newer transitive (sense 1b) the one condemned. All
          three are standard. The intransitive is currently the
          most common, the new transitive the least common.

   graduated
          [grad.u.at.ed] adj (1861) of a tax: increasing in rate with
          increase in taxable base: progressive <~ income tax>

   graduated cylinder
          [graduated cylinder] n (1948): a tall narrow container with
          a volume scale used esp. for measuring liquids

   graduation
          [grad.u.a.tion] n (1594) 1: a mark on an instrument or vessel
          indicating degrees or quantity; also: these marks 2 a:
          the award or acceptance of an academic degree or diploma
          b: commencement 3: arrangement in degrees or ranks

   Graeco-
          [Graeco-] --see greco-

   graffito
          [graf.fi.to] n, pl -ti [It, incised inscription, fr. graffiare
          to scratch, prob. fr. grafio stylus, fr. L graphium]
          (1851): an inscription or drawing made on some public
          surface (as a rock or wall); also: a message or slogan
          written as or as if as a graffito -- graf.fi.tist n usage
          The plural graffiti is sometimes used with a singular
          verb as a mass noun <the graffiti is being covered with
          fresh paint --Springfield (Mass.) Union> <graffiti comes
          in various styles --S. K. Oberbeck> but this use is not
          yet as well established as the mass-noun use of data.
          Use of graffiti as a singular count noun is still quite
          rare and is not standard.

   [1]graft
          [graft] n [ME graffe, grafte, fr. MF grafe, fr. ML graphium,
          fr. L, stylus, fr. Gk grapheion, fr. graphein to write--more
          at carve] (14c) 1 a: a grafted plant b: scion 1 c: the
          point of insertion of a scion upon a stock 2 a: the act
          of grafting b: something grafted; specif: living tissue
          used in grafting [2]graft vt (14c) 1 a: to cause (a scion)
          to unite with a stock; also: to unite (plants or scion
          and stock) to form a graft b: to propagate (a plant)
          by grafting 2 a: to join or unite as if by grafting b:
          to attach (a chemical unit) to a main molecular chain
          3: to implant (living tissue) surgically ~ vi 1: to become
          grafted 2: to perform grafting -- graft.er n [3]graft
          n [E dial. graft, vb., to work, perh. alter. of [1]grave
          (to dig)] (1853) chiefly Brit: work, labor [4]graft [origin
          unknown] vt (1859): to get (illicit gain) by graft ~
          vi: to practice graft [5]graft n (1865): the acquisition
          of gain (as money) in dishonest or questionable ways;
          also: illegal or unfair gain

   graftage
          [graft.age] n (ca. 1895): the principles and practice of
          grafting

   graft-versus-host
          [graft-versus-host] adj (1972): relating to or being the
          bodily condition that results when cells from a tissue
          or organ transplant mount an immunological attack against
          the cells or tissues of the host

   graham cracker
          [gra.ham cracker] n [graham flour] (1882): a slightly sweet
          cracker made of whole wheat flour

   graham flour
          [graham flour] n [Sylvester Graham d. 1851 Am. dietary reformer]
          (1834): whole wheat flour

   grail
          [grail] n [ME graal, fr. MF, bowl, grail, fr. ML gradalis]
          1 cap: the cup or platter used according to medieval
          legend by Christ at the Last Supper and thereafter the
          object of knightly quests 2: the object of an extended
          or difficult quest

   [1]grain
          [grain] n [ME, partly fr. MF grain cereal grain, fr. L granum;
          partly fr. MF graine seed, kermes, fr. L grana, pl. of
          granum--more at corn] (14c) 1 a (1) obs: a single small
          hard seed (2): a seed or fruit of a cereal grass: caryopsis
          b: the seeds or fruits of various food plants including
          the cereal grasses and in commercial and statutory usage
          other plants (as the soybean) c: plants producing grain
          2 a (1): a small hard particle or crystal (2): any of
          the particles produced in a photographic material by
          its development; also: the size of such grains in the
          aggregate (3): an individual crystal in a metal b: a
          minute portion or particle c: the least amount possible
          <a ~ of truth> 3 a: kermes or a scarlet dye made from
          it b: cochineal or a brilliant scarlet dye made from
          it c: a fast dye d archaic: color, tint 4 a: a granulated
          surface or appearance b: the outer or hair side of a
          skin or hide 5: a unit of weight based on the weight
          of a grain of wheat taken as an average of the weight
          of grains from the middle of the ear 6 a: the stratification
          of the wood fibers in a piece of wood b: a texture due
          to constituent particles or fibers <the ~ of a rock>
          c: the direction of threads in cloth 7: tactile quality
          8 a: natural disposition: temper <against my ~> b: a
          basic or characteristic quality <doctrines ... very much
          in the American ~ --R. W. Noland> -- grained adj [2]grain
          vt (1530) 1: ingrain 2: to form into grains: granulate
          3: to paint in imitation of the grain of wood or stone
          4: to feed with grain ~ vi: to become granular: granulate
          -- grain.er n

   grain alcohol
          [grain alcohol] n (1889): ethanol

   grain elevator
          [grain elevator] n (1852): a building for elevating, storing,
          discharging, and sometimes processing grain

   grainfield
          [grain.field] n (ca. 1818): a field where grain is grown

   grain of salt
          [grain of salt] (1647): a skeptical attitude

   grains of paradise
          [grains of paradise] (15c): the pungent seeds of a West African
          plant (Aframomum melegueta) of the ginger family that
          are used as a spice

   grain sorghum
          [grain sorghum] n (1920): any of several sorghums cultivated
          primarily for grain--compare sorgo

   grainy
          [grainy] adj grain.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: resembling or having
          some characteristic of grain: not smooth or fine 2 of
          a photograph: appearing to be composed of grain-like
          particles -- grain.i.ness n

   [1]gram
          [gram] n [obs. Pg (now spelled grao), grain, fr. L granum]
          (1702): any of several leguminous plants (as a chickpea)
          grown esp. for their seed; also: their seeds [2]gram
          n [F gramme, fr. LL gramma, a small weight, fr. Gk grammat-,
          gramma letter, writing, a small weight, fr. graphein
          to write--more at carve] (1810) 1: a metric unit of mass
          equal to 1/1000 kilogram and nearly equal to the mass
          of one cubic centimeter of water at its maximum density
          2: the weight of a gram under standard gravity [3]gram
          n [by shortening & alter.] (ca. 1934): grandmother

   -gram
          [-gram] n comb form [L -gramma, fr. Gk, fr. gramma]: drawing:
          writing: record <chronogram> <telegram>

   gram
          [gram] abbreviation grammar, grammatical

   grama
          [grama] n [Sp, fr. L gramina, pl. of gramen grass] (1828):
          any of several pasture grasses (genus Bouteloua) of the
          western U.S.

   gram-atomic weight
          [gram-atomic weight] n (1927): the mass of one mole of an
          element equal in grams to the atomic weight--called also
          gram-atom

   gram calorie
          [gram calorie] n (1902): calorie 1a

   gram equivalent
          [gram equivalent] n (ca. 1897): the quantity of an element,
          group, or compound that has a mass in grams equal to
          the equivalent weight

   gramercy
          [gra.mer.cy] interj [ME grand mercy, fr. MF grand merci great
          thanks] (14c) archaic--used to express gratitude or surprise

   gramicidin
          [gram.i.ci.din] n [gram-positive + -i- + -cide + -in] (1940):
          any of several toxic crystalline polypeptide antibiotics
          produced by a soil bacterium (Bacillus brevis) and used
          against gram-positive bacteria in local infections

   gramineous
          [gra.min.e.ous] adj [L gramineus, fr. gramin-, gramen grass]
          (ca. 1658): of or relating to a grass

   graminivorous
          [gram.i.niv.o.rous] adj [L gramin-, gramen] (1739): feeding
          on grass or the seeds of grass <~ locusts> <~ birds>

   grammar
          [gram.mar] n [ME gramere, fr. MF gramaire, modif. of L grammatica,
          fr. Gk grammatike, fr. fem. of grammatikos of letters, fr.
          grammat-, gramma--more at gram] (14c) 1 a: the study of the classes
          of words, their inflections, and their functions and relations
          in the sentence b: a study of what is to be preferred and what
          avoided in inflection and syntax 2 a: the characteristic system
          of inflections and syntax of a language b: a system of rules that
          defines the grammatical structure of a language 3 a: a grammar
          textbook b: speech or writing evaluated according to its conformity
          to grammatical rules 4: the principles or rules of an art, science,
          or technique <a ~ of the theater> -- gram.mar.i.an n

   grammar school
          [grammar school] n (14c) 1 a: a secondary school emphasizing
          Latin and Greek in preparation for college b: a British
          college preparatory school 2: a school intermediate between
          primary school and high school 3: elementary school

   grammatical
          [gram.mat.i.cal] adj (1530) 1: of or relating to grammar
          2: conforming to the rules of grammar -- gram.mat.i.cal.i.ty
          n -- gram.mat.i.cal.ly adv -- gram.mat.i.cal.ness n

   grammatical meaning
          [grammatical meaning] n (1769): the part of meaning that
          varies from one inflectional form to another (as from
          plays to played to playing)--compare lexical meaning

   gramme
          [gramme] chiefly Brit var of [2]gram

   gram molecular weight
          [gram molecular weight] n (ca. 1902): the mass of one mole
          of a compound equal in grams to the molecular weight--called
          also gram-molecule

   Grammy
          [Gram.my] service mark--used for the annual presentation
          of a statuette for notable achievement in the recording
          industry

   gram-negative
          [gram-neg.a.tive] adj (1907): not holding the purple dye
          when stained by Gram's stain--used chiefly of bacteria

   gramophone
          [gram.o.phone] n [fr. Gramophone, a trademark] (1887): phonograph

   gramp
          [gramp] or gramps n, pl gramps [by shortening & alter.] (ca.
          1900): grandfather

   Gramp
          [Gramp] abbreviation Grampian

   gram-positive
          [gram-pos.i.tive] adj (1907): holding the purple dye when
          stained by Gram's stain--used chiefly of bacteria

   grampus
          [gram.pus] n [alter. of ME graspey, grapay, fr. MF graspeis,
          fr. gras fat (fr. L crassus) + peis fish, fr. L piscis--more
          at crass, fish] (ca. 1529) 1: a dolphin (Grampus griseus)
          of temperate and tropical seas; also: any of various
          small cetaceans 2: the giant whip scorpion (Mastigoproctus
          giganteus) of the southern U.S.

   Gram's stain
          [Gram's stain] or Gram stain n [Hans C. J. Gram d. 1938 Dan.
          physician] (1903) 1: a method for the differential staining
          of bacteria by treatment with a watery solution of iodine
          and the iodide of potassium after staining with a triphenylmethane
          dye (as crystal violet)--called also Gram's method 2: the chemicals
          used in Gram's stain

   gram-variable
          [gram-vari.able] adj (1956): staining irregularly or inconsistently
          by Gram's stain

   grana
          [grana] pl of granum

   granadilla
          [gran.a.dil.la] n [Sp, dim. of granada pomegranate, fr. LL
          granata--more at grenade] (1613): the oblong fruit of
          various passionflowers (esp. Passiflora quadrangularis
          of tropical America) used as a dessert; also: a plant
          that produces granadillas

   granary
          [gra.na.ry] n, pl -ries [L granarium, fr. granum grain] (1530)
          1 a: a storehouse for threshed grain b: a region producing
          grain in abundance 2: a chief source or storehouse

   [1]grand
          [grand] adj [MF, large, great, grand, fr. L grandis] (1584)
          1 a: having more importance than others: foremost b:
          having higher rank than others bearing the same general
          designation <the ~ champion> 2 a: inclusive, comprehensive
          <the ~ total of all money paid out> b: definitive, incontrovertible
          <~ example> 3: chief, principal 4: large and striking in size,
          scope, extent, or conception <~ design> 5 a: lavish, sumptuous
          <a ~ celebration> b: marked by a regal form and dignity c: fine
          or imposing in appearance or impression d: lofty, sublime <writing
          in the ~ style> 6 a: pretending to social superiority: supercilious
          b: intended to impress <a person of ~ gestures> 7: very good:
          wonderful <a ~ time> -- grand.ly adv -- grand.ness n syn grand,
          magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, grandiose mean large and
          impressive. grand adds to greatness of size the implications
          of handsomeness and dignity <a grand staircase>. magnificent
          implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without
          sacrifice of dignity or good taste <magnificent paintings>.
          imposing implies great size and dignity but esp. stresses
          impressiveness <an imposing edifice>. stately may suggest poised
          dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions,
          ceremonious deliberation of movement <the stately procession>.
          majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usu.
          adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur <a majestic waterfall>.
          grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience
          <grandiose hydroelectric projects> but is most commonly applied
          derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration
          <grandiose schemes>. [2]grand n (1840) 1: grand piano 2 slang:
          a thousand dollars

   grandam
          [gran.dam] n [ME graundam, fr. AF graund dame, lit., great
          lady] (13c) 1 or gran.dame a: grandmother b: an old woman
          2 or grand.dam : a dam's or sire's dam--used of an animal

   grandaunt
          [grand.aunt] n (1826): the aunt of one's father or mother--called
          also great-aunt

   grandbaby
          [grand.ba.by] n (1916): an infant grandchild

   grandchild
          [grand.child] n (1587): the child of one's son or daughter

   granddad
          [grand.dad] or gran.dad n (1782): grandfather

   granddaddy
          [grand.dad.dy] also gran.dad.dy n (1769) 1: grandfather 2:
          one that is the first, earliest, or most venerable of
          its kind

   granddaughter
          [grand.daugh.ter] n (1611): the daughter of one's son or
          daughter

   grand duchess
          [grand duchess] n (ca. 1757) 1: a woman who rules a grand
          duchy in her own right 2: the wife or widow of a grand
          duke

   grand duchy
          [grand duchy] n (1835): the territory or dominion of a grand
          duke or grand duchess

   grand duke
          [grand duke] n (ca. 1693) 1: the sovereign duke of any of
          various European states 2: a male descendant of a Russian
          czar in the male line

   grande dame
          [grande dame] n, pl grandes dames  also grande dames [F,
          lit., great lady] (1775): a usu. elderly woman of great
          prestige or ability

   grandee
          [gran.dee] n [Sp grande, fr. grande, adj., large, great,
          fr. L grandis] (1598): a man of elevated rank or station;
          esp: a Spanish or Portuguese nobleman of the first rank

   grande ecole
          [grande ecole] [F] foreign term : great school: French institution
          of higher education for postbaccalaureate professional
          or technological training

   grandeur
          [gran.deur] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. grand] (1600) 1: the quality
          or state of being grand: magnificence <the glory that
          was Greece and the ~ that was Rome --E. A. Poe> 2: an
          instance or example of grandeur

   [1]grandfather
          [grand.fa.ther] n (15c): the father of one's father or mother;
          also: ancestor 1a -- grand.fa.ther.ly adj [2]grandfather
          vt (1972): to permit to continue under a grandfather
          clause

   grandfather clause
          [grandfather clause] n (1900): a clause creating an exemption
          based on circumstances previously existing; esp: a provision
          in several southern state constitutions designed to enfranchise
          poor whites and disfranchise Negroes by waiving high
          voting requirements for descendants of men voting before
          1867

   grandfather clock
          [grandfather clock] n [fr. the song My Grandfather's Clock
          (1876) by Henry C. Work d. 1884 Am. songwriter] (1909):
          a tall pendulum clock that stands on the floor--called
          also grandfather, grandfather's clock

   grand finale
          [grand finale] n (1800): a climactic finale (as of an opera)

   grand fir
          [grand fir] n (1897): a lofty fir tree (Abies grandis) of
          the northwestern Pacific coastal region of No. America
          with cylindrical greenish cones and soft wood

   Grand Guignol
          [Grand Gui.gnol] n [Le Grand Guignol, small theater in Montmartre,
          Paris, specializing in such performances] (1908): dramatic
          entertainment featuring the gruesome or horrible -- Grand Guignol
          adj

   grandiflora
          [gran.di.flo.ra] n [NL, fr. L grandis great + flor-, flos
          flower--more at blow] (1944): a bush rose derived from
          crosses of floribunda and hybrid tea roses and characterized
          by production of blooms both singly and in clusters on
          the same plant

   grandiloquence
          [gran.dil.o.quence] n [prob. fr. MF, fr. L grandiloquus using
          lofty language, fr. grandis + loqui to speak] (1589):
          a lofty, extravagantly colorful, pompous, or bombastic
          style, manner, or quality esp. in language -- gran.dil.o.quent
          adj -- gran.dil.o.quent.ly adv

   grandiose
          [gran.di.ose] adj [F, fr. It grandioso, fr. grande great,
          fr. L grandis] (1840) 1: characterized by affectation
          of grandeur or splendor or by absurd exaggeration 2:
          impressive because of uncommon largeness, scope, effect,
          or grandeur syn see grand -- gran.di.ose.ly adv -- gran.di.ose.ness
          n -- gran.di.os.i.ty n

   grandioso
          [gran.di.o.so] adv or adj [It] (ca. 1859): in a broad and
          noble style--used as a direction in music

   grand jury
          [grand jury] n (15c): a jury that examines accusations against
          persons charged with crime and if the evidence warrants
          makes formal charges on which the accused persons are
          later tried -- grand juror n

   grandkid
          [grand.kid] n (1927): grandchild

   Grand Lama
          [Grand Lama] n (1807): dalai lama

   grand larceny
          [grand larceny] n (1828): larceny of property of a value
          greater than that fixed as constituting petit larceny

   grandma
          [grand.ma] n (1867): grandmother

   grand mal
          [grand mal] n [F, lit., great illness] (1897): severe epilepsy

   grand manner
          [grand manner] n (1775): an elevated or grand style (as in
          music or literature)

   grand march
          [grand march] n (1898): an opening ceremony at a ball that
          consists of a march participated in by all the guests

   grand marshal
          [grand marshal] n (1951): a person honored as the ceremonial
          marshal of a parade

   grand master
          [grand master] n (1724) 1: the chief officer of a principal
          lodge in various fraternal orders (as Freemasonry) 2:
          an expert player (as of chess) who has consistently scored
          high in international competition

   grand monde
          [grand monde] [F] foreign term : great world: high society

   grandmother
          [grand.moth.er] n (15c): the mother of one's father or mother;
          also: a female ancestor -- grand.moth.er.ly adj

   grandnephew
          [grand.neph.ew] n (ca. 1639): a grandson of one's brother
          or sister

   grandniece
          [grand.niece] n (ca. 1830): a granddaughter of one's brother
          or sister

   grand old man
          [grand old man] n (1860): a venerated practitioner or former
          practitioner of an art, profession, or sport <the grand
          old man of jazz>

   grand opera
          [grand opera] n (1803): opera in which the plot is serious
          or tragic and the entire text is set to music

   grandpa
          [grand.pa] n (ca. 1889): grandfather

   grandparent
          [grand.par.ent] n (1830): a parent of one's father or mother
          -- grand.pa.ren.tal adj -- grand.par.ent.hood n

   grand piano
          [grand piano] n (1834): a piano with horizontal frame and
          strings--compare upright piano

   grand prix
          [grand prix] n, pl grand prix also grands prix often cap
          G&P [F Grand Prix de Paris, an international horse race
          established 1863, lit., grand prize of Paris] (1863)
          1: the highest level of international equestrian competition;
          also: a contest at this level 2: one of a series of international
          formula car races

   grandsire
          [grand.sire] n [ME] (14c) 1 or grand.sir dial: grandfather
          2 archaic: forefather 3 archaic: an aged man 4: a dam's
          or sire's sire--used of an animal

   grand slam
          [grand slam] n (1814) 1: the winning of all the tricks in
          one hand of a card game (as bridge) 2: a clean sweep
          or total success; specif: the winning of all the major
          or specified tournaments on a tour <twice won the tennis
          grand slam> 3: a home run made with the bases loaded
          -- grand-slam adj

   grandson
          [grand.son] n (1586): the son of one's son or daughter

   [1]grandstand
          [grand.stand] n (1834) 1: a usu. roofed stand for spectators
          at a racecourse or stadium 2: audience [2]grandstand
          adj (1893): done for show or to impress onlookers <a
          ~ play> [3]grandstand vi (ca. 1917): to play or act so
          as to impress onlookers -- grand.stand.er n

   grand theft
          [grand theft] n (ca. 1930): grand larceny

   grand tour
          [grand tour] n (1670) 1: an extended tour of the Continent
          that was formerly a usual part of the education of young
          British gentlemen 2: an extensive and usu. educational
          tour

   grand touring car
          [grand touring car] n (1970): a usu. 2-passenger coupe

   granduncle
          [grand.un.cle] n (15c): an uncle of one's father or mother

   grand unified theory
          [grand unified theory] n (1978): any of several theories
          that seek to unite in a single mathematical framework
          the electromagnetic and weak forces with the strong force
          or with the strong force and gravity--called also grand
          unification theory

   grange
          [grange] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML granica, fr. L granum grain]
          (14c) 1 archaic: granary, barn 2: farm; esp: a farmhouse
          with outbuildings 3 cap: one of the lodges of a national
          fraternal association orig. made up of farmers; also:
          the association itself

   granger
          [grang.er] n (1873) 1 cap: a member of a Grange 2 chiefly
          West: farmer, homesteader

   grangerism
          [grang.er.ism] n (1875): the policy or methods of the grangers

   granita
          [gra.ni.ta] n [It, fr. fem. of granito, pp. of granire] (1869):
          a coarse-textured ice confection typically made from
          fruit

   granite
          [gran.ite] n [It granito, fr. pp. of granire to granulate,
          fr. grano grain, fr. L granum] (1646) 1: a very hard
          natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline
          texture formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or
          microcline and used esp. for building and for monuments
          2: unyielding firmness or endurance <the cold ~ of Puritan
          formalism --V. L. Parrington> -- gran.ite.like adj --
          gra.nit.ic adj -- gran.it.oid adj

   graniteware
          [gran.ite.ware] n (1878): ironware with grayish or bluish
          mottled enamel

   granivorous
          [gra.niv.o.rous] adj [L granum grain] (1646): feeding on
          seeds or grain <~ rodents>

   granny
          [gran.ny] or gran.nie n, pl grannies [by shortening & alter.]
          (1663) 1 a: grandmother b: a fussy person 2 chiefly Southern
          & south Midland: midwife

   granny dress
          [granny dress] n (1909): a long loose-fitting dress usu.
          with high neck and long sleeves

   granny glasses
          [granny glasses] n pl (1966): spectacles with usu. small
          oval, round, or square lenses and metal frames

   granny knot
          [granny knot] n (1853): an insecure knot often made instead
          of a square knot--see knot illustration

   Granny Smith
          [Granny Smith] n [Maria Ann Smith d. 1870 who cultivated
          it near Sydney, Australia] (1895): a tart green apple
          of Australian origin

   grano-
          [grano-] comb form [G, fr. granit, fr. It granito]: granite:
          granitic <granodiorite>

   granodiorite
          [grano.di.o.rite] n (1893): a granular intrusive quartzose
          igneous rock intermediate between granite and quartz-containing
          diorite with plagioclase predominant over orthoclase
          -- grano.di.o.rit.ic adj

   granola
          [gra.no.la] n [fr. Granola, a trademark] (1970): a mixture
          typically of rolled oats and various added ingredients
          (as brown sugar, raisins, coconut, and nuts) that is
          eaten esp. for breakfast or as a snack

   granolithic
          [grano.lith.ic] adj (1881): relating to or composed of a
          mixture of crushed granite and cement

   granophyre
          [grano.phyre] n [ISV, fr. grano- + F -phyre (as in porphyre
          porphyry)] (1882): a porphyritic igneous rock chiefly
          of feldspar and quartz with granular groundmass -- grano.phyr.ic
          adj

   [1]grant
          [grant] vt [ME, fr. OF creanter, graanter, fr. (assumed)
          VL credentare, fr. L credent-, credens, prp. of credere
          to believe--more at creed] (13c) 1 a: to consent to carry
          out for a person: allow fulfillment of <~ a request>
          b: to permit as a right, privilege, or favor <luggage
          allowances ~ed to passengers> 2: to bestow or transfer
          formally <~ a scholarship to a student>; specif: to give
          the possession or title of by a deed 3 a: to be willing
          to concede b: to assume to be true <~ing that you are
          correct, you may find it hard to prove your point> --
          grant.able adj -- grant.er n -- grant.or n syn grant,
          concede, vouchsafe, accord, award mean to give as a favor
          or a right. grant implies giving to a claimant or petitioner
          something that could be withheld <granted them a new
          hearing>. concede implies yielding something reluctantly
          in response to a rightful or compelling claim <even her
          critics concede she can be charming>. vouchsafe implies
          granting something as a courtesy or an act of gracious
          condescension <vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen
          disciples>. accord implies giving to another what is
          due or proper <accorded all the honors befitting a head
          of state>. award implies giving what is deserved or merited
          usu. after a careful weighing of pertinent factors <awarded
          the company a huge defense contract>. [2]grant n (13c)
          1: the act of granting 2: something granted; esp: a gift
          (as of land or money) for a particular purpose 3 a: a
          transfer of property by deed or writing b: the instrument
          by which such a transfer is made; also: the property
          so transferred 4: a minor territorial division of Maine,
          New Hampshire, or Vermont orig. granted by the state
          to an individual or institution

   grantee
          [grant.ee] n (15c): one to whom a grant is made

   grant-in-aid
          [grant-in-aid] n, pl grants-in-aid (1851) 1: a grant or subsidy
          for public funds paid by a central to a local government
          in aid of a public undertaking 2: a grant or subsidy
          to a school or individual for an educational or artistic
          project

   grantsman
          [grants.man] n (1966): a specialist in grantsmanship

   grantsmanship
          [grants.man.ship] n [grants + -manship] (1961): the art of
          obtaining grants (as for research)

   granul-
          [granul-] or granuli- or granulo- comb form [LL granulum]:
          granule <granulocyte>

   granular
          [gran.u.lar] adj (1794): consisting of or appearing to consist
          of granules: having a grainy texture -- gran.u.lar.i.ty
          n

   granulate
          [gran.u.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing vt (1666): to form or
          crystallize into grains or granules ~ vi: to form granulations
          <an open granulating wound> -- gran.u.la.tor n

   granulation
          [gran.u.la.tion] n (1612) 1: the act or process of granulating:
          the condition of being granulated 2: one of the minute
          red granules of new capillaries formed on the surface
          of a wound in healing 3: granule 2

   granulation tissue
          [granulation tissue] n (1873): tissue made up of granulations
          that temporarily replaces lost tissue in a wound

   granule
          [gran.ule] n [LL granulum, dim. of L granum grain] (1652)
          1: a small particle; esp: one of numerous particles forming
          a larger unit 2: any of the small short-lived brilliant
          spots on the sun's photosphere

   granulite
          [gran.u.lite] n (1849): a granular metamorphic rock consisting
          mainly of feldspar and quartz -- gran.u.lit.ic adj

   granulocyte
          [gran.u.lo.cyte] n [ISV] (1906): a polymorphonuclear white
          blood cell with granule-containing cytoplasm -- gran.u.lo.cyt.ic
          adj

   granulocytopoiesis
          [gran.u.lo.cy.to.poi.e.sis] n [NL] (1944): the formation
          of blood granulocytes typically in the bone marrow

   granuloma
          [gran.u.lo.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta (1861): a mass or nodule
          of chronically inflamed tissue with granulations that
          is usu. associated with an infective process -- gran.u.lo.ma.tous
          adj

   granuloma inguinale
          [granuloma in.gui.na.le] n [NL, lit., inguinal granuloma]
          (1918): a sexually transmitted disease characterized
          by ulceration and formation of granulations on the genitalia
          and in the groin area and caused by a bacterium (Calymmatobacterium
          granulomatis, syn. Donovania granulomatis)

   granulosa cell
          [gran.u.lo.sa cell] n [NL granulosa, fr. fem. of granulosus
          granulose] (1936): one of the estrogen-secreting cells
          of the epithelial lining of a graafian follicle or its
          follicular precursor

   granulose
          [gran.u.lose] adj (1852): granular; esp: having the surface
          roughened with granules

   granulosis
          [gran.u.lo.sis] n, pl -lo.ses [NL] (1949): a virus disease
          of insect larvae distinguished by the presence of minute
          granular inclusions in infected cells

   granum
          [gra.num] n, pl gra.na [NL, fr. L, grain--more at corn] (1894):
          one of the lamellar stacks of chlorophyll-containing
          thylakoids found in plant chloroplasts

   grape
          [grape] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF crape, grape hook, grape
          stalk, bunch of grapes, grape, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OHG krapfo hook] (14c) 1: a smooth-skinned juicy greenish
          white to deep red or purple berry eaten dried or fresh
          as a fruit or fermented to produce wine 2: any of numerous
          woody vines (genus Vitis of the family Vitaceae, the
          grape family) that usu. climb by tendrils, produce clustered
          fruits that are grapes, and are nearly cosmopolitan in
          cultivation 3: grapeshot -- grape.like adj

   grapefruit
          [grape.fruit] n (1814) 1 pl grapefruit or grapefruits : a
          large citrus fruit with a bitter yellow rind and inner
          skin and a highly flavored somewhat acid juicy pulp 2:
          a small roundheaded tree (Citrus paradisi) that produces
          grapefruit and is prob. derived from the shaddock

   grape hyacinth
          [grape hyacinth] n (1733): any of several small bulbous
          spring-flowering herbs (genus Muscari) of the lily family with
          racemes of usu. blue flowers

   grapeshot
          [grape.shot] n (1747): an antipersonnel weapon consisting
          of a cluster of small iron balls shot from a cannon

   grape sugar
          [grape sugar] n (1831): dextrose

   grapevine
          [grape.vine] n (ca. 1736) 1: grape 2 2 a: an informal
          person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip <heard
          about the meeting through the ~> b: a secret source of information

   -graph
          [-graph] n comb form [MF -graphe, fr. L -graphum, fr. Gk
          -graphon, fr. neut. of -graphos written, fr. graphein
          to write--more at carve] 1: something written or drawn
          <monograph> 2 [F -graphe, fr. LL -graphus]: instrument
          for making or transmitting records or images <chronograph>

   [1]graph
          [graph] n [short for graphic formula] (1886) 1: the collection
          of all points whose coordinates satisfy a given relation
          (as a function) 2: a diagram (as a series of one or more
          points, lines, line segments, curves, or areas) that
          represents the variation of a variable in comparison
          with that of one or more other variables [2]graph vt
          (1898) 1: to represent by a graph 2: to plot on a graph
          [3]graph n [prob. fr. -graph] (1933) 1: a written or
          printed representation of a basic unit of speech (as
          a phoneme or syllable); esp: grapheme 2 2: a single occurrence
          of a letter of an alphabet in any of its various shapes

   grapheme
          [graph.eme] n (1935) 1: the set of units of a writing system
          (as letters and letter combinations) that represent a
          phoneme 2: a unit (as a letter) of a writing system --
          gra.phe.mic adj -- gra.phe.mi.cal.ly adv

   graphemics
          [gra.phe.mics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1951): the
          study and analysis of a writing system in terms of graphemes

   [1]graphic
          [graph.ic] also graph.i.cal adj [L graphicus, fr. Gk graphikos,
          fr. graphein] (1637) 1: formed by writing, drawing, or
          engraving 2 usu graphic a: marked by clear lifelike or
          vividly realistic description b: vividly or plainly shown
          or described <a ~ example of waste> <a ~ sex scene> 3
          a: of or relating to the pictorial arts; also: pictorial
          b: of, relating to, or involving such reproductive methods
          as those of engraving, etching, lithography, photography,
          serigraphy, and woodcut c: of or relating to the art
          of printing d: relating or according to graphics 4 usu
          graphical: of, relating to, or represented by a graph
          5: of or relating to the written or printed word or the
          symbols or devices used in writing or printing to represent
          sound or convey meaning -- graph.i.cal.ly adv -- graph.ic.ness
          n syn graphic, vivid, picturesque mean giving a clear
          visual impression in words. graphic stresses the evoking
          of a clear lifelike picture <a graphic account of combat>.
          vivid suggests an impressing on the mind of the vigorous
          aliveness of something <a vivid re-creation of an exciting
          event>. picturesque suggests the presentation of a striking
          or effective picture composed of features notable for
          their distinctness and charm <a picturesque account of
          his travels>. [2]graphic n (1944) 1 a: a product of graphic
          art b pl: the graphic media 2 a: a graphic representation
          (as a picture, map, or graph) used esp. for illustration
          b pl but sing or pl in constr: the art or science of
          drawing a representation of an object on a two-dimensional
          surface according to mathematical rules of projection
          3 pl but sing or pl in constr: the process whereby a
          computer displays graphics on a CRT and an operator can
          manipulate them (as with a light pen) 4: a printed message
          superimposed on a television picture

   -graphic
          [-graphic] or -graphical adj comb form [LL -graphicus, fr.
          Gk -graphikos, fr. graphikos]: written or transmitted
          in a (specified) way <stylographic>

   graphic arts
          [graphic arts] n pl (1882): the fine and applied arts of
          representation, decoration, and writing or printing on
          flat surfaces together with the techniques and crafts
          associated with them

   graphic equalizer
          [graphic equalizer] n (1969): an electronic device for adjusting
          the frequency response of an audio system by means of
          a number of slides that each control the response for
          a band centered on a particular frequency

   graphics tablet
          [graphics tablet] n (1980): a device by which pictorial information
          is entered into a computer in a manner similar to drawing

   graphite
          [graph.ite] n [G Graphit, fr. Gk graphein to write] (1796)
          1: a soft black lustrous form of carbon that conducts
          electricity and is used in lead pencils and electrolytic
          anodes, as a lubricant, and as a moderator in nuclear
          reactors 2: a composite material in which carbon fibers
          are the reinforcing material -- gra.phit.ic adj

   graphitize
          [graph.i.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1899): to convert into
          graphite -- graph.i.tiz.able adj -- graph.i.ti.za.tion
          n

   grapho-
          [grapho-] comb form [F, fr. MF, fr. Gk, fr. graphe, fr. graphein
          to write]: writing <grapholect>

   grapholect
          [graph.o.lect] n [grapho- + -lect (as in dialect)] (1977):
          a standard written language

   graphologist
          [gra.phol.o.gist] n (1885): a specialist in graphology

   graphology
          [gra.phol.o.gy] n [F graphologie, fr. grapho- + -logie -logy]
          (1886): the study of handwriting esp. for the purpose
          of character analysis -- graph.o.log.i.cal adj

   graph paper
          [graph paper] n (1927): paper ruled for drawing graphs

   -graphy
          [-graphy] n comb form [L -graphia, fr. Gk, fr. graphein]
          1: writing or representation in a (specified) manner
          or by a (specified) means or of a (specified) object
          <stenography> <photography> 2: writing on a (specified)
          subject or in a (specified) field <hagiography>

   grapnel
          [grap.nel] n [ME grapenel, fr. (assumed) MF grapinel, dim.
          of grapin, dim. of grape hook--more at grape] (14c):
          a small anchor with usu. four or five flukes used in
          dragging or grappling operations and for anchoring a
          dory or skiff--see anchor illustration

   grappa
          [grap.pa] n [It, fr. It dial., grape stalk, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG krapfo hook] (ca. 1893): a dry colorless
          brandy distilled from fermented grape pomace

   [1]grapple
          [grap.ple] n [OF grappelle, dim. of grape hook--more at grape]
          (1601) 1 a: the act or an instance of grappling b: a
          hand-to-hand struggle c: a contest for superiority or
          mastery 2: a bucket similar to a clamshell but usu. having
          more jaws [2]grapple vb grap.pled ; grap.pling vt (1530)
          1: to seize with or as if with a grapple 2: to come to
          grips with: wrestle 3: to bind closely ~ vi 1: to make
          a ship fast with a grappling iron 2: to come to grips:
          wrestle 3: to use a grapple -- grap.pler n

   grappling
          [grap.pling] n (1598) 1: grappling iron 2: grapnel

   grappling iron
          [grappling iron] n (1538): a hooked iron for anchoring a
          boat, grappling ships to each other, or recovering sunken
          objects--called also grappling hook

   graptolite
          [grap.to.lite] n [Gk graptos painted (fr. graphein to write,
          paint) + E -lite--more at carve] (1841): any of numerous
          extinct fossil colonial Paleozoic animals (group Graptolitoidea)
          with zooids in cups along a chitinous support

   grapy
          [grapy] or grap.ey adj grap.i.er ; -est (1594): of or relating
          to grapes; esp, of wine: having the taste or aroma of
          fresh grapes -- grap.i.ness n

   GRAS
          [GRAS] abbreviation generally recognized as safe

   [1]grasp
          [grasp] vb [ME graspen] vi (14c): to make the motion of seizing:
          clutch ~ vt 1: to take or seize eagerly 2: to clasp or
          embrace esp. with the fingers or arms 3: to lay hold
          of with the mind: comprehend syn see take -- grasp.able
          adj -- grasp.er n -- grasp at straws : to reach for or
          try anything in desperation -- grasp the nettle : to
          act boldly [2]grasp n (1561) 1 a: handle b: embrace 2:
          hold, control 3 a: the reach of the arms b: the power
          of seizing and holding or attaining <a perfection beyond
          human ~> 4: mental hold or comprehension esp. when broad
          <a remarkable ~ of the subject>

   grasping
          [grasp.ing] adj (1748): desiring material possessions urgently
          and excessively and often to the point of ruthlessness
          syn see covetous -- grasp.ing.ly adv -- grasp.ing.ness
          n

   [1]grass
          [grass] n, often attrib [ME gras, fr. OE graes; akin to OHG
          gras grass, OE growan to grow] (bef. 12c) 1: herbage
          suitable or used for grazing animals 2: any of a large
          family (Gramineae) of monocotyledonous mostly herbaceous
          plants with jointed stems, slender sheathing leaves,
          and flowers borne in spikelets of bracts 3: land (as
          a lawn or a turf racetrack) covered with growing grass
          <keep off the ~> <the horse had never won on ~> 4 pl:
          leaves or plants of grass 5: a state or place of retirement
          <put out to ~> 6 [short for grasshopper, rhyming slang
          for copper] slang Brit: a police informer 7: electronic
          noise on a radarscope that takes the form of vertical
          lines resembling lawn grass 8: marijuana -- grass.less
          adj -- grass.like adj [2]grass vt (ca. 1500) 1: to feed
          (livestock) on grass sometimes without grain or other
          concentrates 2: to cover with grass; esp: to seed to
          grass ~ vi 1: to produce grass 2 slang Brit: inform 2--often
          used with on

   grass carp
          [grass carp] n (1885): an herbivorous cyprinid fish
          (Ctenopharyngodon idella) of Russia and mainland China that has
          been introduced elsewhere to control aquatic weeds--called also
          white amur

   grass cloth
          [grass cloth] n (1857): a lustrous plain textile of usu.
          loosely woven fibers

   grass court
          [grass court] n (1883): a tennis court with a grass surface

   grasshopper
          [grass.hop.per] n (14c) 1: any of numerous plant-eating
          orthopterous insects (Acrididae, Tettigoniidae, and some related
          families) having the hind legs adapted for leaping and sometimes
          engaging in migratory flights in which whole regions may
          be stripped of vegetation 2: a cocktail made with creme de menthe,
          creme de cacao, and light cream

   grassland
          [grass.land] n (1682) 1: farmland occupied chiefly by forage
          plants and esp. grasses 2 a: land on which the natural
          dominant plant forms are grasses and forbs b: an ecological
          community in which the characteristic plants are grasses

   grassroots
          [grass.roots] also grass.root adj (1907) 1: basic, fundamental
          <the ~ factor in deciding to buy a house> 2: being, originating,
          or operating in or at the grass roots <a ~ organization>
          <~ political support> 3: not adapted from or added to
          an existing facility or operation: totally new <a ~ refinery>

   grass roots
          [grass roots] n pl but sing or pl in constr, often attrib
          (1901) 1: the very foundation or source 2: the basic
          level of society or of an organization esp. as viewed
          from higher or more centralized positions of power

   grass tree
          [grass tree] n (1802): any of a genus (Xanthorrhoea) of Australian
          plants of the lily family with a thick woody trunk bearing
          a cluster of stiff linear leaves and a terminal spike of small
          flowers

   grass widow
          [grass widow] n (1528) 1 chiefly dial a: a discarded mistress
          b: a woman who has had an illegitimate child 2 a: a woman
          whose husband is temporarily away from her b: a woman
          divorced or separated from her husband

   grass widower
          [grass widower] n (1862) 1: a man divorced or separated from
          his wife 2: a man whose wife is temporarily away from
          him

   grassy
          [grassy] adj grass.i.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: covered or abounding
          with grass <~ lawns> b: having a flavor or odor of grass
          <~ tea> <wine with a ~ bouquet> 2: resembling grass esp.
          in color

   grat
          [grat] past of greet

   [1]grate
          [grate] vb grat.ed ; grat.ing [ME, fr. MF grater to scratch,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG krazzon to scratch] vt (14c)
          1 archaic: abrade 2: to reduce to small particles by
          rubbing on something rough <~ cheese> 3: fret, irritate
          4 a: to gnash or grind noisily b: to cause to make a
          rasping sound c: to utter in a harsh voice ~ vi 1: to
          rub or rasp noisily 2: to cause irritation: jar <dry,
          cerebral talk that tends to ~ on the nerves --Hollis
          Alpert> -- grat.er n -- grat.ing.ly adv [2]grate n [ME,
          fr. ML crata, grata hurdle, alter. of L cratis--more
          at hurdle] (14c) 1 a: a barred frame for cooking over
          a fire b: a frame or bed of iron bars to hold a stove
          or furnace fire c: fireplace 2: grating 2 3 obs: cage,
          prison [3]grate vt grat.ed ; grat.ing (1547): to furnish
          with a grate

   grateful
          [grate.ful] adj [obs. grate pleasing, thankful, fr. L gratus--more
          at grace] (1552) 1 a: appreciative of benefits received
          b: expressing gratitude 2 a: affording pleasure or contentment:
          pleasing b: pleasing by reason of comfort supplied or discomfort
          alleviated -- grate.ful.ly adv -- grate.ful.ness n

   graticule
          [grat.i.cule] n [F, fr. L craticula fine latticework, dim.
          of cratis wickerwork, hurdle] (1914) 1: reticle 2: the
          network of lines of latitude and longitude upon which
          a map is drawn

   gratification
          [grat.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1576) 1: reward, recompense; esp:
          gratuity 2: the act of gratifying: the state of being
          gratified 3: a source of satisfaction or pleasure

   gratify
          [grat.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [MF gratifier, fr. L gratificari
          to show kindness to, fr. gratus + -ificari, pass. of
          -ificare -ify] (1539) 1 archaic: remunerate, reward 2:
          to be a source of or give pleasure or satisfaction to
          <it gratified him to have his wife wear jewels --Willa
          Cather> 3: to give in to: indulge, satisfy <~ a whim>

   gratifying
          [grat.i.fy.ing] adj (ca. 1611): giving pleasure or satisfaction:
          pleasing -- grat.i.fy.ing.ly adv

   gratin
          [gra.tin] n [F, fr. MF, fr. grater to scratch] (1806): a
          brown crust formed on food that has been cooked au gratin;
          also: a dish so cooked 2: upper crust <the ~ of London
          society>

   gratine
          [gra.ti.ne] or gra.ti.nee adj [F, fr. pp. of gratiner to
          cook au gratin, fr. gratin] (1931): au gratin

   gratinee
          [gra.ti.nee] vt, past & past part gra.ti.need (1974): to
          cook au gratin

   grating
          [grat.ing] n (1626) 1: a wooden or metal lattice used to
          close or floor any of various openings 2: a partition,
          covering, or frame of parallel bars or crossbars 3: a
          system of close equidistant and parallel lines or bars
          ruled on a polished surface to produce spectra by diffraction

   gratis
          [gra.tis] adv or adj [ME, fr. L gratiis, gratis, fr. abl.
          pl. of gratia favor--more at grace] (15c): without charge
          or recompense: free

   gratitude
          [grat.i.tude] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF, fr. ML gratitudo,
          fr. L gratus grateful] (1565): the state of being grateful:
          thankfulness

   gratuitous
          [gra.tu.itous] adj [L gratuitus, fr. gratus] (1656) 1 a:
          given unearned or without recompense b: not involving
          a return benefit, compensation, or consideration c: costing
          nothing: free 2: not called for by the circumstances:
          unwarranted <~ insolence> <a ~ assumption> -- gra.tu.itous.ly
          adv -- gra.tu.itous.ness n

   gratuity
          [gra.tu.ity] n, pl -ities (1540): something given voluntarily
          or beyond obligation usu. for some service; esp: tip

   gratulate
          [grat.u.late] vt [L gratulatus, pp. of gratulari--more at
          congratulate] (1584) archaic: congratulate -- grat.u.la.tion
          n -- grat.u.la.to.ry adj

   graupel
          [grau.pel] n [G] (1889): granular snow pellets--called also
          soft hail

   Graustark
          [Grau.stark] n [Graustark, imaginary country in the novel
          Graustark (1901) by George B. McCutcheon d. 1928 Am.
          novelist] (1941): an imaginary land of high romance;
          also: a highly romantic piece of writing -- Grau.stark.ian
          adj

   gravamen
          [gra.va.men] n, pl -va.mens or -vam.i.na [LL, burden, fr.
          L gravare to burden, fr. gravis] (1647): the material
          or significant part of a grievance or complaint

   [1]grave
          [grave] vt graved ; grav.en or graved ; grav.ing [ME, fr.
          OE grafan; akin to OHG graban to dig, OCS pogreti to
          bury] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: dig, excavate 2 a: to carve
          or shape with a chisel: sculpture b: to carve or cut
          (as letters or figures) into a hard surface: engrave
          3: to impress or fix (as a thought) deeply [2]grave n
          [ME, fr. OE graef; akin to OHG grab grave, OE grafan
          to dig] (bef. 12c) 1: an excavation for burial of a body;
          broadly: a burial place 2: death 1, 4 [3]grave vt graved
          ; grav.ing [ME graven] (15c): to clean and pay with pitch
          <~ a ship's bottom> [4]grave adj grav.er ; grav.est [MF,
          fr. L gravis heavy, grave--more at grieve] (1539) 1 a
          obs: authoritative, weighty b: meriting serious consideration:
          important <~ problems> c: likely to produce great harm
          or danger <a ~ mistake> d: significantly serious: considerable,
          great <~ importance> 2: having a serious and dignified
          quality or demeanor <a ~ and thoughtful look> 3: drab
          in color: somber 4: low-pitched in sound 5 a of an accent
          mark: having the form of a mark moving downward from
          left to right b: marked with a grave accent c: of the
          variety indicated by a grave accent syn see serious --
          grave.ly adv -- grave.ness n [5]grave n (1609): a grave
          accent used to show that a vowel is pronounced with a
          fall of pitch (as in ancient Greek), that a vowel has
          a certain quality (as e in French), that a final e is
          stressed and close and that a final o is stressed and
          low (as in Italian), that a syllable has a degree of
          stress between maximum and minimum (as in phonetic transcription),
          or that the e of the English ending -ed is to be pronounced (as
          in "this cursed day") [6]gra.ve adv or adj [It, lit., grave, fr.
          L gravis] (1683): slowly and solemnly--used as a direction in music

   [1]gravel
          [grav.el] n [ME, fr. OF gravele, dim. of grave, greve pebbly
          ground, beach] (13c) 1 obs: sand 2 a: loose rounded fragments
          of rock b: a stratum or deposit of gravel; also: a surface
          covered with gravel <a ~ road> 3: a deposit of small
          calculous concretions in the kidneys and urinary bladder
          [2]gravel vt -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling (1543)
          1: to cover or spread with gravel 2 a: perplex, confound
          b: irritate, nettle [3]gravel adj (1939): gravelly 2--used
          of the human voice

   gravel-blind
          [grav.el-blind] adj [suggested by sand-blind] (1596): having
          very weak vision

   graveless
          [grave.less] adj (1606) 1: not buried <these ~ bones> 2:
          not requiring graves: deathless <the ~ home of the blessed>

   gravelly
          [grav.el.ly] adj (14c) 1: of, containing, or covered with
          gravel 2: having a rough or grating sound <a ~ voice>

   graven image
          [graven image] n [graven, pp. of [1]grave] (14c): an object
          of worship carved usu. from wood or stone: idol

   graver
          [grav.er] n [ME] (13c) 1: sculptor, engraver 2: any of various
          cutting or shaving tools used in graving or in hand metal-turning

   Graves' disease
          [Graves' disease] n [Robert J. Graves d. 1853 Irish physician]
          (1868): a common form of hyperthyroidism characterized
          by goiter and often a slight protrusion of the eyeballs

   graveside
          [grave.side] n (1838): the area beside a grave <mourners
          at ~>

   gravestone
          [grave.stone] n (14c): a burial monument

   graveyard
          [grave.yard] n (1773) 1: cemetery 2: something resembling
          a graveyard <an automobile ~>

   graveyard shift
          [graveyard shift] n (1908): a work shift beginning late at
          night (as 11 o'clock); also: the workers on such a shift

   gravi-
          [gravi-] comb form [MF, fr. L, fr. gravis]: weight <gravimetric>

   gravid
          [grav.id] adj [L gravidus, fr. gravis heavy] (1597) 1: pregnant
          2: distended with or full of eggs -- gra.vid.i.ty n

   gravida
          [grav.i.da] n, pl -i.das or -i.dae [L, fr. fem. of gravidus]
          (1926): a pregnant woman--often used with a number to
          indicate the number of pregnancies a woman has had <a
          4-gravida>

   gravimeter
          [gra.vi.me.ter] n [F gravimetre, fr. gravi- + -metre -meter]
          (1932): a sensitive weighing instrument for measuring
          variations in the gravitational field of the earth or
          moon

   gravimetric
          [gravi.met.ric] adj (1873) 1: of or relating to measurement
          by weight 2: of or relating to variations in the gravitational
          field determined by means of a gravimeter -- gravi.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv

   gravimetry
          [gra.vim.e.try] n (1858): the measurement of weight,
          a gravitational field, or density

   graving dock
          [graving dock] n (1840): dry dock

   gravitas
          [grav.i.tas] n [L] (1924): high seriousness (as in a person's
          bearing or in the treatment of a subject)

   gravitate
          [grav.i.tate] vi -tat.ed ; -tat.ing (1692) 1: to move under
          the influence of gravitation 2 a: to move toward something
          b: to be drawn or attracted esp. by natural inclination
          <youngsters ... ~ toward a strong leader --Rose Friedman>

   gravitation
          [grav.i.ta.tion] n (ca. 1645) 1: a force manifested by acceleration
          toward each other of two free material particles or bodies
          or of radiant-energy quanta: gravity 3a(2) 2: the action or process
          of gravitating -- grav.i.ta.tion.al adj -- grav.i.ta.tion.al.ly adv
          -- grav.i.ta.tive adj

   gravitational lens
          [gravitational lens] n (1950): a massive celestial object
          (as a galaxy) that bends and focuses the light of another
          more distant object (as a quasar) by gravit y and that
          is usu. detected by the multiple images it forms of the
          second object

   gravitational wave
          [gravitational wave] n (1906): a hypothetical wave held to
          travel at the speed of light and to propagate the gravitational
          field--called also gravity wave

   graviton
          [grav.i.ton] n [ISV gravity + [2]-on] (1942): a hypothetical
          particle with zero charge and rest mass that is held
          to be the quantum of the gravitational field

   gravity
          [grav.i.ty] n, pl -ties often attrib [MF or L; MF gravite,
          fr. L gravitat-, gravitas, fr. gravis] (1509) 1 a: dignity
          or sobriety of bearing b: importance, significance; esp:
          seriousness c: a serious situation or problem 2: weight
          3 a (1): the gravitational attraction of the mass of
          the earth, the moon, or a planet for bodies at or near
          its surface (2): a fundamental physical force that is
          responsible for interactions which occur because of mass
          between particles, between aggregations of matter (as
          stars and planets), and between particles (as photons)
          and aggregations of matter, that is 1E39 times weaker
          than the strong force, and that extends over infinite
          distances but is dominant over macroscopic distances
          esp. between aggregations of matter--called also gravitation,
          gravitational force--compare electromagnetism 2a, strong
          force, weak force b: acceleration of gravity c: specific
          gravity

   gravlax
          [grav.lax] or grav.laks n [Sw gravlax or Norw gravlaks, fr.
          grav buried + Sw lax, Norw laks salmon--more at lox]
          (1977): salmon usu. cured with salt, pepper, dill, and
          aquavit

   gravure
          [gra.vure] n [F, fr. graver to grave, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG graban to dig, engrave--more at grave] (1893):
          photogravure

   gravy
          [gra.vy] n, pl gravies [ME gravey, fr. MF grave] (14c) 1:
          a sauce made from the thickened and seasoned juices of
          cooked meat 2 a: something additional or unexpected that
          is pleasing or valuable <with expenses now paid, future
          money is pure ~ --K. Crossen> b: unearned or illicit
          gain: [5]graft

   gravy train
          [gravy train] n (ca. 1927): a much exploited source of easy
          money; also: gravy 2a

   [1]gray
          [gray] adj [ME, fr. OE graeg; akin to OHG gris, grao gray]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: of the color gray b: tending toward gray
          <blue-gray eyes> c: dull in color 2: having the hair
          gray: hoary 3: clothed in gray 4 a: lacking cheer or
          brightness in mood, outlook, style, or flavor; also:
          dismal, gloomy <a ~ day> b: prosaically ordinary: dull,
          uninteresting 5: having an intermediate and often vaguely
          defined position, condition, or character <an ethically
          ~ area> -- gray.ly adv -- gray.ness n [2]gray n (13c)
          1: something (as an animal, garment, cloth, or spot)
          of a gray color 2: any of a series of neutral colors
          ranging between black and white 3: one who wears a gray
          uniform: as a: a soldier in the Confederate army during
          the American Civil War b: the Confederate army [3]gray
          vt (14c): to make gray ~ vi 1: to become gray <~ing hair>
          2: age; also: to contain an increasing percentage of
          older people

   graybeard
          [gray.beard] n (ca. 1580): an old man

   gray birch
          [gray birch] n (1851) 1: a small birch (Betula populifolia)
          of northeastern No. America that has many lateral branches,
          grayish white bark, triangular leaves, and soft weak
          wood and that occurs esp. in old fields reverting to
          woodland 2: yellow birch

   gray eminence
          [gray eminence] n [trans. of F Eminence grise, nickname of
          Pere Joseph (Francois Joseph du Tremblay) d. 1638 Fr.
          monk and diplomat who was confidant of Cardinal Richelieu,
          styled Eminence rouge (red eminence); fr. the colors
          of their respective habits] (1941): a person who exercises
          power behind the scenes

   grayfish
          [gray.fish] n (1917): dogfish

   gray fox
          [gray fox] n (ca. 1679): a fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
          with coarse gray hair and white underparts that occurs
          from southern Canada to northern So. America

   grayish
          [gray.ish] adj (1562) 1: somewhat gray 2 of a color: low
          in saturation

   grayling
          [gray.ling] n, pl grayling also graylings (15c): any of several
          freshwater salmonoid fishes (genus Thymallus) valued
          as food and sport fishes

   gray market
          [gray market] n (1946): a market employing irregular but
          not illegal methods; esp: a market that legally circumvents
          authorized channels of distribution to sell goods at
          prices lower than those intended by the manufacturer

   gray matter
          [gray matter] n (1840) 1: neural tissue esp. of the brain
          and spinal cord that contains nerve-cell bodies as well
          as nerve fibers and has a brownish gray color 2: brains,
          intellect

   gray squirrel
          [gray squirrel] n (1674): a common light gray to black squirrel
          (Sciurus carolinensis) that is native to eastern No.
          America and has been introduced into England

   graywacke
          [gray.wacke] n [partial trans. of G Grauwacke] (1811): a
          coarse usu. dark gray sandstone or fine-grained conglomerate
          composed of firmly cemented fragments (as of quartz or
          feldspar)

   gray whale
          [gray whale] n (1860): a large baleen whale (Eschrichtius
          robustus) of the northern Pacific having short jaws and
          no dorsal fin

   gray wolf
          [gray wolf] n (1814): a large usu. gray Holarctic wolf (Canis
          lupus) now restricted to northern No. America and Asia--called
          also timber wolf

   [1]graze
          [graze] vb grazed ; graz.ing [ME grasen, fr. OE grasian,
          fr. graes grass] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to feed on growing
          herbage, attached algae, or phytoplankton 2: to eat small
          amounts of various foods several times a day ~ vt 1 a:
          to crop and eat in the field b: to feed on the herbage
          of 2 a: to put to graze <grazed the cows on the meadow>
          b: to put cattle to graze on 3: to supply herbage for
          the grazing of -- graze.able or graz.able adj -- graz.er
          n [2]graze n (1692) 1: an act of grazing 2: herbage for
          grazing [3]graze vb grazed ; graz.ing [perh. fr. [1]graze]
          vt (1604) 1: to touch lightly in passing 2: abrade, scratch
          <grazed her knee when she fell> ~ vi: to touch or rub
          against something in passing [4]graze n (1847): a scraping
          along a surface or an abrasion made by it; esp: a superficial
          abrasion of the skin

   grazier
          [gra.zier] n (15c) 1: a person who grazes cattle; broadly:
          rancher 2 Austral: a sheep raiser

   grazing
          [grazing] n (1517): herbage or land for grazing

   GRE
          [GRE] abbreviation Graduate Record Examination

   [1]grease
          [grease] n [ME grese, fr. OF craisse, graisse, fr. (assumed)
          VL crassia, fr. L crassus fat] (13c) 1 a: rendered animal
          fat b: oily matter c: a thick lubricant 2: wool as it
          comes from the sheep retaining the natural oils or fats
          -- grease.less adj -- grease.proof adj -- in the grease
          of wool or fur: in the natural uncleaned condition [2]grease
          vt greased ; greas.ing (14c) 1: to smear or daub with
          grease 2: to lubricate with grease 3: to soil with grease
          4: to hasten the process or progress of; also: facilitate
          -- grease the hand of or grease the palm of : bribe

   greaseball
          [grease.ball] n (ca. 1922): a person of Hispanic or Mediterranean
          descent--usu. used disparagingly

   grease monkey
          [grease monkey] n (1928): mechanic

   greasepaint
          [grease.paint] n (1886) 1: a melted tallow or grease used
          in theater makeup 2: theater makeup

   grease pencil
          [grease pencil] n (1944): a pencil in which the marking substance
          is pigment and grease

   greaseproof paper
          [greaseproof paper] n (1900) Brit: a heavy stiff waxed
          paper--called also greaseproof

   greaser
          [greas.er] n [[1]grease] (1641) 1: one that greases 2: a
          native or inhabitant of Latin America or a Mediterranean
          land; esp: mexican--usu. used disparagingly 3: an aggressive
          swaggering young white male usu. of working-class background

   greasewood
          [grease.wood] n (1838): a low stiff shrub (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
          of the goosefoot family common in alkaline soils in the western
          U.S.; also: any of various related or similar shrubs

   greasy
          [greasy] adj greas.i.er ; -est (1514) 1 a: smeared or soiled
          with grease <~ clothes> b: oily in appearance, texture,
          or manner <his ~ smile --Jack London> c: slippery 2:
          containing an unusual amount of grease <~ food> -- greas.i.ly
          adv -- greas.i.ness n

   greasy spoon
          [greasy spoon] n (ca. 1925): a dingy small cheap restaurant

   [1]great
          [great] adj [ME grete, fr. OE great; akin to OHG groz large]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: notably large in size: huge b: of a kind
          characterized by relative largeness--used in plant and
          animal names c: elaborate, ample <~ detail> 2 a: large
          in number or measure: numerous <~ multitudes> b: predominant
          <the ~ majority> 3: remarkable in magnitude, degree,
          or effectiveness <~ bloodshed> 4: full of emotion <~
          with anger> 5 a: eminent, distinguished <a ~ poet> b:
          chief or preeminent over others--often used in titles
          <Lord Great Chamberlain> c: aristocratic, grand <~ ladies>
          6: long continued <a ~ while> 7: principal, main <a reception
          in the ~ hall> 8: more remote in a family relationship
          by a single generation than a specified relative
          <great-grandfather> 9: markedly superior in character or quality;
          esp: noble <~ of soul> 10 a: remarkably skilled <~ at tennis>
          b: marked by enthusiasm: keen <~ on science fiction> 11--used
          as a generalized term of approval <had a ~ time> <it was just
          ~> -- great.ness n [2]great adv (13c): in a great manner:
          successfully, well <things are going ~> [3]great n, pl great
          or greats (13c): an outstandingly superior or skillful person

   great ape
          [great ape] n (1949): any of a family (Pongidae) of primates
          including the gorilla, orangutan, and chimpanzees--called
          also pongid

   great auk
          [great auk] n (ca. 1828): an extinct large flightless auk
          (Pinguinus impennis) formerly abundant along No. Atlantic
          coasts

   great-aunt
          [great-aunt] n (1656): grandaunt

   Great Bear
          [Great Bear] n: ursa major

   great blue heron
          [great blue heron] n (1835): a large slaty-blue American
          heron (Ardea herodias) with a crested head

   great circle
          [great circle] n (1594): a circle formed on the surface of
          a sphere by the intersection of a plane that passes through
          the center of the sphere; specif: such a circle on the
          surface of the earth an arc of which connecting two terrestrial
          points constitutes the shortest distance on the earth's
          surface between them

   greatcoat
          [great.coat] n (ca. 1685): a heavy overcoat

   Great Dane
          [Great Dane] n (1774): any of a breed of tall massive powerful
          smooth-coated dogs

   great divide
          [great divide] n [the Great Divide, No. Am. watershed] (1868):
          a significant point of division; esp: death

   greaten
          [great.en] vb great.ened ; great.en.ing vt (1614): to make
          greater ~ vi: to become greater

   greater
          [great.er] adj, often cap [compar. of great] (1882): consisting
          of a central city together with adjacent areas that are
          naturally or administratively connected with it <Greater
          London>

   greater yellowlegs
          [greater yellowlegs] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1909):
          a common No. American marsh and shorebird (Tringa melanoleuca)
          that is largely gray above and white below with black
          or dark gray flecks and yellow legs--compare lesser yellowlegs

   greatest common divisor
          [greatest common divisor] n (ca. 1924): the largest integer
          or the polynomial of highest degree that is an exact
          divisor of each of two or more integers or polynomials--called
          also greatest common factor

   great group
          [great group] n (1960): a group of soils that is characterized
          by common characteristics usu. developed under the influence
          of environmental factors (as vegetation and climate)
          active over a considerable geographic range and that
          comprises one or more families of soil--called also great
          soil group

   greathearted
          [great.heart.ed] adj (14c) 1: characterized by bravery: courageous
          2: generous, magnanimous -- great.heart.ed.ly adv --
          great.heart.ed.ness n

   great horned owl
          [great horned owl] n (1812): a large American owl (Bubo
          virginianus) with conspicuous ear tufts

   great laurel
          [great laurel] n (1784): a large-leaved evergreen rhododendron
          (Rhododendron maximum) of eastern No. America with rosy
          bell-shaped flowers more or less speckled with green--called
          also rosebay rhododendron

   greatly
          [great.ly] adv (13c) 1: to a great extent or degree: very
          much <contributed ~ to improved relations> <not ~ bothered>
          2: in a great manner: nobly, magnanimously <a man may
          live ~ in the law --O. W. Holmes d. 1935>

   Great Mogul
          [Great Mogul] n (1588): the sovereign of the empire founded
          in India by the Moguls in the 16th century

   great-nephew
          [great-nephew] n (1581): grandnephew

   great-niece
          [great-niece] n (1884): grandniece

   great octave
          [great octave] n (ca. 1854): the musical octave that begins
          on the second C below middle C--see pitch illustration

   great power
          [great power] n, often cap G&P (ca. 1890): one of the nations
          that figure most decisively in international affairs:
          superpower

   Great Pyrenees
          [Great Pyr.e.nees] n, pl Great Pyrenees (1938): any of a
          breed of large heavy-coated white dogs often used to
          guard livestock

   great room
          [great room] n (1700): a large room usu. combining several
          functions (as of a dining room, living room, and family
          room)

   Great Russian
          [Great Russian] n (1854): russian 1b -- Great Russian adj

   great seal
          [great seal] n (15c): a large seal that constitutes an emblem
          of sovereignty and is used esp. for the authentication
          of important documents

   great skua
          [great skua] n (ca. 1954): a large seabird (Catharacta skua)
          that is related to the jaeger, has dusky plumage and
          broad rounded wings, breeds chiefly along arctic and
          antarctic shores, and forages over most cold and temperate
          seas

   great-uncle
          [great-uncle] n (1656): granduncle

   great vowel shift
          [great vowel shift] n, often cap G&V&S (1909): a change in
          pronunciation of the long vowels of Middle English that
          began in the 15th century and continued into the 16th
          century in which the high vowels were diphthongized and
          the other vowels were raised

   great white shark
          [great white shark] n (ca. 1931): a large mackerel shark
          (Carcharodon carcharias) of warm seas that is bluish
          when young but becomes whitish with age and is a man-eater--called
          also white shark--see shark illustration

   great year
          [great year] n (ca. 1741): the period of about 25,800 years
          required for one complete cycle of the equinoxes around
          the ecliptic

   greave
          [greave] n [ME greve, fr. MF] (14c): armor for the leg below
          the knee

   grebe
          [grebe] n [F grebe] (1766): any of a family (Podicipedidae)
          of swimming and diving birds closely related to the loons
          but having lobate toes--compare dabchick

   Grecian
          [Gre.cian] adj [ME greciane, fr. L Graecia Greece] (15c):
          greek -- Grecian n -- gre.cian.ize vt, often cap

   Grecism
          [Gre.cism] n (1570) 1: a Greek idiom 2: a quality or style
          imitative of Greek art or culture

   grecize
          [gre.cize] vt gre.cized ; gre.ciz.ing often cap (1692): to
          make Greek or Hellenistic in character

   Greco-
          [Gre.co-] or Grae.co- comb form [L Graeco-, fr. Graecus]
          1: Greece: Greeks <Grecophile> 2: Greek and <Graeco-Roman>

   [1]gree
          [gree] n [ME, fr. MF gre step, degree, fr. L gradus--more
          at grade] (14c) Scot: mastery, superiority [2]gree vb
          greed ; gree.ing [ME green, short for agreen] (14c) dial:
          agree

   greed
          [greed] n [back-formation fr. greedy] (1609): excessive or
          reprehensible acquisitiveness: avarice

   greedy
          [greedy] adj greed.i.er ; -est [ME gredy, fr. OE graedig;
          akin to OHG gratac greedy] (bef. 12c) 1: having a strong
          desire for food or drink 2: marked by greed 3: eager,
          keen <elated and ~ for the future --Frances G. Patton>
          syn see covetous -- greed.i.ly adv -- greed.i.ness n

   [1]Greek
          [Greek] n [ME Greke, fr. OE Greca, fr. L Graecus, fr. Gk
          Graikos] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a native or inhabitant of ancient
          or modern Greece b: a person of Greek descent 2 a: the
          language used by the Greeks from prehistoric times to
          the present constituting a branch of Indo-European b:
          ancient Greek as used from the time of the earliest records
          to the end of the 2d century a.d.--see indo-european
          languages table c often not cap [trans. of L Graecum
          (in the medieval phrase Graecum est; non potest legi
          It is Greek; it cannot be read)]: something unintelligible
          <it's ~ to me> 3: a member of a Greek-letter fraternity
          or sorority [2]Greek adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or
          characteristic of Greece, the Greeks, or Greek <~ architecture>
          2 a: eastern orthodox b: of or relating to an Eastern
          church using the Byzantine rite in Greek c: of or relating
          to the established Orthodox church of Greece

   Greek Catholic
          [Greek Catholic] n (1909) 1: a member of an Eastern church
          2: a member of an Eastern rite of the Roman Catholic
          Church

   Greek cross
          [Greek cross] n (1725): a cross having an upright and a transverse
          shaft equal in length and intersecting at their middles--see cross
          illustration

   Greek fire
          [Greek fire] n (ca. 1823): an incendiary composition used
          in warfare by the Byzantine Greeks that is said to have
          burst into flame on wetting

   Greekless
          [Greek.less] adj (1891): not proficient in Greek

   Greek Orthodox
          [Greek Orthodox] adj (ca. 1900): eastern orthodox; specif:
          greek 2c

   Greek Revival
          [Greek Revival] n (1918) 1: a style of architecture in the
          first half of the 19th century marked by the use or imitation
          of Greek orders 2: a style of decoration (as of furniture)
          using or imitating the decorative motifs of ancient Greece

   [1]green
          [green] adj [ME grene, fr. OE grene; akin to OE growan to
          grow] (bef. 12c) 1: of the color green 2 a: covered by
          green growth or foliage <~ fields> b of winter: mild,
          clement c: consisting of green plants and usu. edible
          herbage <a ~ salad> 3: pleasantly alluring 4: youthful,
          vigorous 5: not ripened or matured: immature <~ apples>
          <tender ~ grasses> 6: fresh, new 7 a: marked by a pale,
          sickly, or nauseated appearance b: envious 1--used esp.
          in the phrase green with envy 8 a: not fully processed
          or treated: as (1): not aged <~ liquor> (2): not dressed
          or tanned <~ hides> (3): freshly sawed: unseasoned b:
          not in condition for a particular use 9 a: deficient
          in training, knowledge, or experience b: deficient in
          sophistication and savoir faire: naive c: not fully qualified
          for or experienced in a particular function <~ horse>
          10 a often cap: relating to or being an environmentalist
          political movement b: concerned with or supporting environmentalism
          -- green.ish adj -- green.ish.ness n -- green.ly adv -- green.ness
          n -- green around the gills : pale or sickly in appearance [2]green
          vi (bef. 12c): to become green ~ vt 1: to make green 2: rejuvenate,
          revitalize [3]green n (13c) 1: a color whose hue is somewhat less
          yellow than that of growing fresh grass or of the emerald
          or is that of the part of the spectrum lying between blue and
          yellow 2: something of a green color 3: green vegetation: as a pl:
          leafy parts of plants for use as decoration b pl (1): leafy herbs
          (as spinach, dandelions, Swiss chard) that are cooked
          as a vegetable: potherbs (2): green vegetables 4: a grassy plain
          or plot: as a: a common or park in the center of a town or village
          b: putting green 5: money; esp: greenbacks 6 often cap:
          environmentalist; esp: a member of an environmentalist political
          party -- greeny adj

   green alga
          [green alga] n (1903): any of a division (Chlorophyta) of
          green-colored algae that have chloroplasts and occur
          esp. in freshwater

   greenback
          [green.back] n (1862): a legal-tender note issued by the
          U.S. government

   greenbacker
          [green.back.er] n (1876) 1 cap: a member of a post-Civil
          War American political party opposing reduction in the
          amount of paper money in circulation 2: one who advocates
          a paper currency backed only by the U.S. government --
          green.back.ism n

   green bean
          [green bean] n (1847): a kidney bean that is used as a snap
          bean when the pods are colored green

   greenbelt
          [green.belt] n (1932): a belt of parkways, parks, or farmlands
          that encircles a community

   Green Beret
          [Green Beret] n [fr. the beret worn by Special Forces soldiers]
          (1962): a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces

   greenbrier
          [green.bri.er] n (ca. 1785): any of a genus (Smilax) of woody
          or herbaceous vines of the lily family; esp: a prickly
          vine (S. rotundifolia) of the eastern U.S. with umbels
          of small greenish flowers

   greenbug
          [green.bug] n (1712): a green aphid (Schizaphis graminum)
          very destructive to small grains

   green card
          [green card] n [fr. the fact that it was formerly colored
          green] (1969): an identity card attesting the permanent
          resident status of an alien in the U.S. -- green-carder
          n

   green corn
          [green corn] n (1645): the young tender ears of Indian corn

   green dragon
          [green dragon] n (ca. 1818): an American arum (Arisaema dracontium)
          with digitate leaves, slender green spathe, and elongated spadix

   greenery
          [green.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1797) 1: green foliage or plants
          2: green 3a

   green-eyed
          [green-eyed] adj (1596): jealous

   green-eyed monster
          [green-eyed monster] n (1604): jealousy

   greenfinch
          [green.finch] n (15c): a very common European finch (Carduelis
          chloris) having olive-green and yellow plumage

   green fingers
          [green fingers] n pl (1934): green thumb

   green flash
          [green flash] n (1912): a momentary green appearance of the
          uppermost part of the sun's disk at sunrise or sunset
          that results from atmospheric refraction

   greenfly
          [green.fly] n (ca. 1750) Brit: aphid; esp: green peach aphid

   greengage
          [green.gage] n [green + Sir William Gage d. 1820 Eng. botanist]
          (1724): any of several rather small rounded greenish
          or green ish yellow cultivated plums

   green gland
          [green gland] n (ca. 1890): one of a pair of large green
          glands in some crustaceans (as crayfishes) that have
          an excretory function and open at the bases of the larger
          antennae

   greengrocer
          [green.gro.cer] n (1723) chiefly Brit: a retailer of fresh
          vegetables and fruit -- green.gro.cery n

   greenhead
          [green.head] n (1837): any of several green-eyed horseflies
          (as Tabanus nigrovittatus)

   greenheart
          [green.heart] n (1756): a tropical So. American evergreen
          tree (Ocotea rodiaei syn. Nectandra rodiaei) of the laurel
          family with a hard greenish wood; also: its wood

   greenhorn
          [green.horn] n [obs. greenhorn (animal with young horns)]
          (1682) 1: an inexperienced or unsophisticated person
          2: a newcomer (as to a country) unacquainted with local
          manners and customs

   [1]greenhouse
          [green.house] n (1664) 1: a structure enclosed (as by glass)
          and used for the cultivation or protection of tender
          plants 2: a clear plastic shell (as a canopy) covering
          a section of an airplane; also: a compartment (as for
          a bombardier) enclosed by such a shell [2]greenhouse
          adj (1969): of, relating to, or caused by the greenhouse
          effect <~ warming> <~ gas>

   greenhouse effect
          [greenhouse effect] n (1937): warming of the surface and
          lower atmosphere of a planet (as the earth or Venus)
          that is caused by conversion of solar radiation into
          heat in a process involving selective transmission of
          short wave solar radiation by the atmosphere, its absorption
          by the planet's surface, and reradiation as infrared
          which is absorbed and partly reradiated back to the surface
          by atmospheric gases

   greening
          [green.ing] n (1664): any of several green-skinned apples

   greenkeeper
          [green.keep.er] or greens.keep.er n (ca. 1730): a person
          responsible for the care and upkeep of a golf course

   greenlet
          [green.let] n (1831): vireo

   green light
          [green light] n [fr. the green traffic light which signals
          permission to proceed] (1937): authority or permission
          to proceed

   greenling
          [green.ling] n (ca. 1898): any of several food fishes (family
          Hexagrammidae) of the rocky coasts of the northern Pacific;
          esp: a common food and sport fish (Hexagrammos decagrammus)

   greenmail
          [green.mail] n (1983): the practice of buying enough of a
          company's stock to threaten a hostile takeover and reselling
          it to the company at a price above market value; also:
          the money paid for such stock -- greenmail vt -- green.mail.er
          n

   green manure
          [green manure] n (1842): an herbaceous crop (as clover) plowed
          under while green to enrich the soil -- green-manure
          vt

   green mold
          [green mold] n (1919): a green or green-spored mold (as of
          the genera Penicillium or Aspergillus)

   green monkey
          [green monkey] n (1840): a long-tailed monkey of any of several
          African races of a guenon (Cercopithecus aethiops) having
          greenish-appearing hair and often used in medical research

   greenockite
          [gree.nock.ite] n [Charles M. Cathcart, Lord Greenock d.
          1859 Eng. soldier] (1844): a mineral consisting of native
          cadmium sulfide occurring in yellow translucent hexagonal
          crystals or as an earthy incrustation

   green onion
          [green onion] n (1847): a young onion pulled before the bulb
          has enlarged and used esp. in salads

   green paper
          [green paper] n, often cap G&P (1967) Brit: a government
          document that proposes and invites discussion on approaches
          to a problem

   green peach aphid
          [green peach aphid] n (1922): a nearly cosmopolitan yellowish
          green aphid (Myzus persicae) that is frequently a vector
          of plant virus diseases

   green pepper
          [green pepper] n (1700): a sweet pepper before it turns red
          at maturity

   green revolution
          [green revolution] n (1968): the great increase in production
          of food grains (as rice and wheat) due to the introduction
          of high-yielding varieties, to the use of pesticides,
          and to better management techniques

   greenroom
          [green.room] n (1701): a room in a theater or concert hall
          where performers can relax before or after appearances

   greensand
          [green.sand] n (1796): a sedimentary deposit that consists
          largely of dark greenish grains of glauconite often mingled
          with clay or sand

   greens fee
          [greens fee] n (1909): a fee paid for the privilege of playing
          on a golf course--called also green fee

   greenshank
          [green.shank] n (1766): an Old World sandpiper (Tringa nebularia)
          with greenish legs and a slightly upturned bill

   greensickness
          [green.sick.ness] n (1583): chlorosis -- green.sick adj

   green snake
          [green snake] n (1709): either of two bright green harmless
          largely insectivorous No. American colubrid snakes (Opheodrys
          vernalis and O. aestivus)

   green soap
          [green soap] n (ca. 1840): a soft soap made from vegetable
          oils and used esp. in the treatment of skin diseases

   greenstick fracture
          [green.stick fracture] n (ca. 1885): a bone fracture in a
          young individual in which the bone is partly broken and
          partly bent

   greenstone
          [green.stone] n (ca. 1784) 1: nephrite 2: any of numerous
          usu. altered dark green compact rocks (as diorite)

   greenstuff
          [green.stuff] n (1851): green vegetation used as foodstuff

   green sunfish
          [green sunfish] n (ca. 1896): a sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)
          of the Great Lakes region and southwestward to the Rio
          Grande that is largely greenish above with a blue spot
          on each scale

   greensward
          [green.sward] n (1600): turf green with growing grass

   green tea
          [green tea] n (1704): tea that is light in color from incomplete
          fermentation of the leaf before firing

   green thumb
          [green thumb] n (1943): an unusual ability to make plants
          grow -- green-thumbed adj

   green turtle
          [green turtle] n (1657): a large usu. herbivorous sea turtle
          (Chelonia mydas) of warm waters with a smooth greenish
          or olive-colored shell

   green vegetable
          [green vegetable] n (1884): a vegetable whose foliage or
          foliage-bearing stalks are the chief edible part

   greenway
          [green.way] n (1966): a corridor of undeveloped land in or
          near a city that is designed for recreational use

   Greenwich mean time
          [Green.wich mean time] n, often cap M&T [Greenwich, England]
          (1938): the mean solar time of the meridian of Greenwich
          used as the prime basis of standard time throughout the
          world--called also Greenwich time

   greenwing
          [green.wing] n (ca. 1889): green-winged teal

   green-winged teal
          [green-winged teal] n (1792): a small dabbling duck (Anas
          crecca) the male of which has a chestnut head with a
          green eye patch and a metallic green area on the wing
          speculum

   greenwood
          [green.wood] n (14c): a forest green with foliage

   [1]greet
          [greet] vt [ME greten, fr. OE gretan; akin to OE graetan
          to weep] (bef. 12c) 1: to address with expression of
          kind wishes: hail 2 a: to meet or react to in a specified
          manner <~ed him with boos> b: to occur as a response
          to <apathy ~ed the plan> 3: to appear to the perception
          of <a surprising sight ~ed her eyes> -- greet.er n [2]greet
          vi grat ; grut.ten [ME greten, fr. OE graetan; akin to
          ON grata to weep] (bef. 12c) Scot: weep, lament

   greeting
          [greet.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: a salutation at meeting 2: an
          expression of good wishes: regards--usu. used in plural
          <holiday ~s>

   greeting card
          [greeting card] n (1898): a piece of paper or thin paperboard
          having any of a variety of shapes and formats and bearing
          a greeting or message of sentiment

   gregarine
          [greg.a.rine] n [ultim. fr. L gregarius] (1867): any of a
          subclass (Gregarinia) of parasitic vermiform sporozoan
          protozoans that occur esp. in insects and other invertebrates
          -- gregarine adj

   gregarious
          [gre.gar.i.ous] adj [L gregarius of a flock or herd, fr.
          greg-, grex flock, herd] (1668) 1 a: tending to associate
          with others of one's kind: social b: marked by or indicating
          a liking for companionship: sociable c: of or relating
          to a social group 2 a of a plant: growing in a cluster
          or a colony b: living in contiguous nests but not forming
          a true colony--used esp. of wasps and bees -- gre.gar.i.ous.ly
          adv -- gre.gar.i.ous.ness n

   [1]Gregorian
          [Gre.go.ri.an] adj (1642): of or relating to Pope Gregory
          XIII or the Gregorian calendar [2]Gregorian adj (1653)
          1: of or relating to Pope Gregory I 2: of, relating to,
          or having the characteristics of Gregorian chant [3]Gregorian
          adj [St. Gregory the Illuminator d. 332, apostle of Armenia]
          (1955): of or relating to the Armenian national church

   Gregorian calendar
          [Gregorian calendar] n (ca. 1771): a calendar in general
          use introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a revision
          of the Julian calendar, adopted in Great Britain and
          the American colonies in 1752, marked by the suppression
          of 10 days or after 1700 11 days, and having leap years
          in every year divisible by four with the restriction
          that centesimal years are leap years only when divisible
          by 400

   Gregorian chant
          [Gregorian chant] n (1751): a monodic and rhythmically free
          liturgical chant of the Roman Catholic Church

   greige
          [greige] adj [F grege raw (of silk), fr. It greggio] (1926):
          being in an unbleached undyed state as taken from a loom--used
          of textiles

   greisen
          [grei.sen] n [G] (1878): a crystalline rock consisting of
          quartz and mica that is common in Cornwall and Saxony

   gremlin
          [grem.lin] n [origin unknown] (1941): a cause of error or
          equipment malfunction (as in aircraft) conceived of as
          a small mischievous gnome

   grenade
          [gre.nade] n [MF, pomegranate, fr. LL granata, fr. L, fem.
          of granatus seedy, fr. granum grain--more at corn] (1591):
          a small missile that contains an explosive or a chemical
          agent (as tear gas, a flame producer, or a smoke producer)
          and that is thrown by hand or projected (as by a rifle
          or special launcher)

   grenadier
          [gren.a.dier] n [F, fr. grenade grenade] (1676) 1 a: a soldier
          who carries and throws grenades b: a member of a special
          regiment or corps formerly armed with grenades 2: any
          of various deep-sea fishes (family Macruridae) that are
          related to the cods and have an elongate tapering body
          and compressed pointed tail

   grenadine
          [gren.a.dine] n [F, fr. grenade coarse silk fabric, pomegranate]
          (1852) 1: an open-weave fabric of various fibers 2: a
          moderate reddish orange 3: a syrup flavored with pomegranates
          and used in mixed drinks

   Grendel
          [Gren.del] n [OE]: a monstrous man-eating descendant of Cain
          slain by Beowulf in the Old English poem Beowulf

   Gresham's law
          [Gresh.am's law] n [Sir Thomas Gresham] (1858): an observation
          in economics: when two coins are equal in debt-paying
          value but unequal in intrinsic value, the one having
          the lesser intrinsic value tends to remain in circulation
          and the other to be hoarded or exported as bullion; broadly:
          any process by which inferior products or practices drive
          out superior ones

   Gretna Green
          [Gret.na Green] n [Gretna Green, village in Scotland] (1813):
          a place where many eloping couples are married

   Grevy's zebra
          [Gre.vy's zebra] n [Jules Grevy] (1891): a zebra (Equus grevyi)
          of eastern Africa with narrow stripes and a white belly

   grew
          [grew] past of grow

   grewsome
          [grew.some] var of gruesome

   grey
          [grey] var of gray

   grey friar
          [grey friar] n, often cap G&F (14c): a Franciscan friar

   greyhound
          [grey.hound] n [ME grehound, fr. OE grighund, fr. grig- (akin
          to ON grey bitch) + hund hound] (bef. 12c): any of a
          breed of tall slender graceful smooth-coated dogs characterized
          by swiftness and keen sight and used for coursing game
          and racing; also: any of several related dogs

   greylag
          [grey.lag] n [perh. fr. gray + lag (last)] (ca. 1713): the
          common gray wild goose (Anser anser) of Europe--called
          also greylag goose

   gribble
          [grib.ble] n [perh. alter. of [2]grub] (1838): either of
          two small marine isopods (Limnoria lignorum and L. tripunctata)
          that destroy submerged timber

   grid
          [grid] n [back-formation fr. gridiron] (1839) 1: grating
          2 a (1): a perforated or ridged metal plate used as a
          conductor in a storage battery (2): an electrode consisting
          of a mesh or a spiral of fine wire in an electron tube
          (3): a network of conductors for distribution of electric
          power; also: a network of radio or television stations
          b: a network of uniformly spaced horizontal and perpendicular
          lines (as for locating points on a map); also: something
          resembling such a network <a road ~> c: gridiron 2; broadly:
          football 3: the starting positions of cars on a racecourse
          4: a device in a photocomposer on which are located the
          characters to be exposed as the text is composed

   gridder
          [grid.der] n (1928): a football player

   griddle
          [grid.dle] n [ME gredil gridiron, fr. ONF, fr. L craticulum,
          dim. of cratis wickerwork--more at hurdle] (14c): a flat
          metal surface or pan on which food is cooked by dry heat

   griddle cake
          [griddle cake] n (1783): pancake

   gridiron
          [grid.iron] n [ME gredire] (14c) 1: a grate for broiling
          food 2: something consisting of or covered with a network
          3: a football field

   gridlock
          [grid.lock] n (1980) 1: a traffic jam in which a grid of
          intersecting streets is so completely congested that
          no vehicular movement is possible 2: a situation resembling
          a gridlock -- gridlock vt

   grief
          [grief] n [ME gref, fr. MF, heavy, grave, fr. (assumed) VL
          grevis, alter. of L gravis] (15c) 1 obs: grievance 3
          2 a: deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by
          bereavement b: a cause of such suffering 3 a: an unfortunate
          outcome: disaster--used chiefly in the phrase come to
          grief b: mishap, misadventure c: trouble, annoyance <enough
          ~ for one day> syn see sorrow

   grievance
          [griev.ance] n (14c) 1 obs: suffering, distress 2: a cause
          of distress (as an unsatisfactory working condition)
          felt to afford reason for complaint or resistance 3:
          the formal expression of a grievance: complaint syn see
          injustice

   grievance committee
          [grievance committee] n (1927): a committee formed by a labor
          union or by employer and employees jointly to discuss
          and where possible to eliminate grievances

   grievant
          [griev.ant] n (1958): one who submits a grievance for arbitration

   grieve
          [grieve] vb grieved ; griev.ing [ME greven, fr. OF grever,
          fr. L gravare to burden, fr. gravis heavy, grave; akin
          to Gk barys heavy, Skt guru] vt (13c): to cause to suffer:
          distress ~ vi: to feel grief: sorrow -- griev.er n

   grievous
          [griev.ous] adj (13c) 1: causing or characterized by severe
          pain, suffering, or sorrow <a ~ wound> <a ~ loss> 2:
          oppressive, onerous <~ costs of war> 3: serious, grave
          <~ fault> -- griev.ous.ly adv -- griev.ous.ness n

   griffin
          [grif.fin] or grif.fon n [ME griffon, fr. MF grifon, fr.
          grif, fr. L gryphus, fr. Gk gryp-, gryps] (14c): a mythical
          animal typically having the head, forepart, and wings
          of an eagle and the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion

   griffon
          [grif.fon] n [F, lit., griffin] (1882) 1: brussels griffon
          2: wirehaired pointing griffon

   grift
          [grift] vt [grift, n., perh. alter. of graft] (1915) slang:
          to obtain (money) illicitly (as in a confidence game)
          -- grift n, slang -- grift.er n, slang

   grig
          [grig] n [ME grege] (1566): a lively lighthearted usu. small
          or young person

   grigri
          [gri.gri] var of gris-gris

   [1]grill
          [grill] vt (1668) 1: to broil on a grill; also: to fry or
          toast on a griddle 2 a: to torment as if by broiling
          b: to question intensely <the police ~ed the suspect>
          -- grill.er n [2]grill n [F gril, fr. L craticulum--more
          at griddle] (1685) 1: a cooking utensil of parallel bars
          on which food is exposed to heat (as from charcoal or
          electricity) 2: food that is broiled usu. on a grill--compare
          mixed grill 3: a usu. informal restaurant or dining room

   grillage
          [gril.lage] n [F, fr. griller to supply with grillwork, fr.
          gril ] (1776) 1: a framework of timber or steel for support
          in marshy or treacherous soil 2: a framework for supporting
          a load (as a column)

   grille
          [grille] or grill n [F grille, alter. of OF greille, fr.
          L craticula, dim. of cratis wickerwork--more at hurdle]
          (1686) 1: a grating forming a barrier or screen; esp:
          an ornamental one at the front end of an automobile 2:
          an opening covered with a grille

   grillroom
          [grill.room] n (1883): grill 3

   grillwork
          [grill.work] n (1896): work constituting or resembling a
          grille

   grilse
          [grilse] n, pl grilse [ME grills] (15c): a young Atlantic
          salmon returning to its native river to spawn for the
          first time after one winter at sea; broadly: any of various
          salmon at such a stage of development

   grim
          [grim] adj grim.mer ; grim.mest [ME, fr. OE grimm; akin to
          OHG grimm fierce, Gk chremetizein to neigh] (bef. 12c)
          1: fierce in disposition or action: savage 2 a: stern
          or forbidding in action or appearance <a ~ taskmaster>
          b: somber, gloomy 3: ghastly, repellent, or sinister
          in character <a ~ tale> 4: unflinching, unyielding <~
          determination> -- grim.ly adv -- grim.ness n

   grimace
          [gri.mace] n [F, fr. MF, alter. of grimache, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE grima mask] (1651): a facial expression usu.
          of disgust or disapproval -- grimace vi -- gri.mac.er
          n

   grimalkin
          [gri.mal.kin] n [gray + malkin] (1630): a domestic cat; esp:
          an old female cat

   grime
          [grime] n [MD grime soot, mask; akin to OE grima mask] (14c):
          soot, smut, or dirt adhering to or embedded in a surface;
          broadly: accumulated dirtiness and disorder -- grime
          vt

   Grimm's law
          [Grimm's law] n [Jacob Grimm] (1838): a statement in historical
          linguistics: Proto-Indo-European voiceless stops became
          Proto-Germanic voiceless fricatives (as in Greek pyr,
          treis, kardia compared with English fire, three, heart),
          Proto-Indo-European voiced stops became Proto-Germanic
          voiceless stops (as in Latin duo, genus compared with
          English two, kin), and Proto-Indo-European voiced aspirated
          stops became Proto-Germanic voiced fricatives (as in
          Sanskrit madhya "mid" compared with Old Norse mithr "mid")

   grim reaper
          [grim reaper] n, often cap G&R (ca. 1927): death esp. when
          personified as a man or skeleton with a scythe

   grimy
          [grimy] adj grim.i.er ; -est (1612): full of or covered with
          grime: dirty -- grim.i.ness n

   grin
          [grin] vi grinned ; grin.ning [ME grennen, fr. OE grennian;
          akin to OHG grennen to snarl] (bef. 12c): to draw back
          the lips so as to show the teeth esp. in amusement or
          laughter; broadly: smile -- grin n -- grin.ner n -- grin.ning.ly
          adv

   grinch
          [grinch] n [fr. the Grinch, character in the children's story
          How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957) by Dr. Seuss] (1979):
          killjoy, spoilsport

   [1]grind
          [grind] vb ground ; grind.ing [ME, fr. OE grindan; akin to
          L frendere to crush, grind] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to reduce
          to powder or small fragments by friction (as in a mill
          or with the teeth) 2: to wear down, polish, or sharpen
          by friction <~ an ax> 3 a: oppress, harass b: to weaken
          or destroy gradually--usu. used with down <poverty ground
          her spirit down> 4 a: to press together with a rotating
          motion <~ the teeth> b: to rub or press harshly <ground
          the cigarette out> 5: to operate or produce by turning
          a crank <~ a hand organ> ~ vi 1: to perform the operation
          of grinding 2: to become pulverized, polished, or sharpened
          by friction 3: to move with difficulty or friction esp.
          so as to make a grating noise <gears ~ing> 4: drudge;
          esp: to study hard <~ for an exam> 5: to rotate the hips
          in an erotic manner (as in a burlesque striptease) --
          grind.ing.ly adv [2]grind n (13c) 1 a: an act of grinding
          b: the sound of grinding 2 a: dreary, monotonous, or
          difficult labor, study, or routine b: one who works or
          studies excessively 3: the result of grinding; also:
          material ground to a particular degree of fineness <a
          drip ~ of coffee> 4: the act of rotating the hips in
          an erotic manner syn see work

   grinder
          [grind.er] n (14c) 1 a: molar b pl: teeth 2: one that grinds
          3: a machine or device for grinding 4: submarine 2

   grind house
          [grind house] n (1927): an often shabby movie theater having
          continuous showings esp. of pornographic or violent films

   grind out
          [grind out] vt (1868): to produce in a mechanical way

   grindstone
          [grind.stone] n (13c) 1: millstone 1 2: a flat circular stone
          of natural sandstone that revolves on an axle and is
          used for grinding, shaping, or smoothing

   gringo
          [grin.go] n, pl gringos [Sp, alter. of griego Greek, stranger,
          fr. L Graecus Greek] (1849): a foreigner in Spain or
          Latin America esp. when of English or American origin;
          broadly: a non-Hispanic person--often used disparagingly

   griot
          [gri.ot] n [F] (1906): any of a class of musician-entertainers
          of western Africa whose performances include tribal histories
          and genealogies

   [1]grip
          [grip] vt gripped ; grip.ping [ME grippen, fr. OE grippan;
          akin to OE gripan] (bef. 12c) 1: to seize or hold firmly
          2: to hold the interest of strongly <a story that ~s
          the reader> -- grip.per n -- grip.ping.ly adv [2]grip
          n (bef. 12c) 1 a: a strong or tenacious grasp b: strength
          in gripping c: manner or style of gripping 2 a: a firm
          tenacious hold typically giving control, mastery, or
          understanding b: mental grasp 3: a part or device for
          gripping 4: a part by which something is grasped; esp:
          handle 5: suitcase 6: stagehand

   [1]gripe
          [gripe] vb griped ; grip.ing [ME, fr. OE gripan; akin to
          OHG grifan to grasp, Lith griebti] vt (bef. 12c) 1 archaic:
          seize, grasp 2 a: afflict, distress b: irritate, vex
          3: to cause pinching and spasmodic pain in the bowels
          of ~ vi 1: to experience gripes 2: to complain with grumbling
          -- grip.er n [2]gripe n (13c) 1 archaic: clutch, grasp;
          broadly: control, mastery 2: a pinching spasmodic intestinal
          pain--usu. used in pl. 3: grievance, complaint

   gripman
          [grip.man] n (1886): a cable car operator

   grippe
          [grippe] n [F, lit., seizure] (1776): an acute febrile contagious
          virus disease; esp: influenza 1 -- grippy adj

   gripsack
          [grip.sack] n (1877): suitcase

   grisaille
          [gri.saille] n [F, fr. gris gray, fr. MF--more at grizzle]
          (1848): decoration in tones of a single color and esp.
          gray designed to produce a three-dimensional effect

   Griselda
          [Gri.sel.da] n [ME, fr. It]: a woman of humble origins in
          medieval legend who endures tests of wifely patience
          laid on her by her wellborn husband

   griseofulvin
          [gris.eo.ful.vin] n [NL griseofulvum, specific epithet of
          Penicillium griseofulvum, mold from which it is obtained]
          (1939): an antibiotic used systematically in treating
          superficial fungal infections

   grisette
          [gri.sette] n [F, grisette, cheap unbleached cloth, fr. gris]
          (1723) 1: a young French working-class woman 2: a young
          woman combining part-time prostitution with some other
          occupation

   gris-gris
          [gris-gris] n, pl gris-gris [F] (1698): an amulet or incantation
          used chiefly by people of black African ancestry

   grisly
          [gris.ly] adj gris.li.er ; -est [ME, fr. OE grislic, fr.
          gris- (akin to OE agrisan to fear); akin to OHG grisenlih
          terrible] (12c) 1: inspiring horror or intense fear <houses
          that were dark and ~ under the blank, cold sky --D. H.
          Lawrence> 2: inspiring disgust or distaste <a ~ account
          of the fire> syn see ghastly -- gris.li.ness n

   grist
          [grist] n [ME, fr. OE grist; akin to OE grindan to grind]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: grain or a batch of grain for grinding
          b: the product obtained from a grist of grain including
          the flour or meal and the grain offals 2: a required
          or usual amount 3: matter of interest or value forming
          the basis of a story or analysis 4: something turned
          to advantage or use--used esp. in the phrase grist for
          one's mill

   gristle
          [gris.tle] n [ME gristil, fr. OE gristle; akin to MLG gristel
          gristle] (bef. 12c): cartilage; broadly: tough cartilaginous,
          tendinous, or fibrous matter esp. in table meats

   gristly
          [gris.tly] adj gris.tli.er ; -est (14c): consisting of or
          containing gristle <~ steak> -- gris.tli.ness n

   gristmill
          [grist.mill] n (1602): a mill for grinding grain

   [1]grit
          [grit] n [ME grete, fr. OE greot; akin to OHG grioz sand]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: sand, gravel b: a hard sharp granule
          (as of sand); also: material (as many abrasives) composed
          of such granules 2: any of several sandstones 3 a: the
          structure of a stone that adapts it to grinding b: the
          size of abrasive particles usu. expressed as their mesh
          4: firmness of mind or spirit: unyielding courage in
          the face of hardship or danger 5 cap: a Liberal in Canadian
          politics [2]grit vb grit.ted ; grit.ting vi (1762): to
          give forth a grating sound ~ vt 1: to cause (as one's
          teeth) to grind or grate 2: to cover or spread with grit;
          esp: to smooth (as marble) with a coarse abrasive

   grith
          [grith] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. ON, security] (bef. 12c): peace,
          security, or sanctuary imposed or guaranteed in early
          medieval England under various special conditions

   grits
          [grits] n pl but sing or pl in constr [perh. partly fr. [1]grit,
          partly fr. dial. grit coarse meal, fr. OE grytt; akin
          to OE greot] (1579): coarsely ground hulled grain; esp:
          ground hominy with the germ removed

   gritty
          [grit.ty] adj grit.ti.er ; -est (1598) 1: containing or resembling
          grit 2: courageously persistent: plucky 3: having strong qualities
          of tough uncompromising realism <a ~ novel> -- grit.ti.ly adv
          -- grit.ti.ness n

   [1]grizzle
          [griz.zle] n [ME grisel, adj., gray, fr. MF, fr. gris, of
          Gmc origin; akin to OHG gris gray] (1601) 1 archaic:
          gray hair 2 a: a roan coat pattern or color b: a gray
          or roan animal [2]grizzle vb griz.zled ; griz.zling vt
          (1740): to make grayish ~ vi 1: gripe, grumble 2: to
          become grayish

   grizzled
          [griz.zled] adj (15c): sprinkled or streaked with gray: graying
          <a ~ beard>

   [1]grizzly
          [griz.zly] adj griz.zli.er ; -est (1594): grizzled [2]grizzly
          var of grisly

   grizzly bear
          [grizzly bear] n (1791): a very large brown bear (Ursus arctos
          horribilis) of the uplands of western No. America--called
          also grizzly

   gro
          [gro] abbreviation gross

   groan
          [groan] vb [ME gronen, fr. OE granian; akin to OHG grinan
          to growl] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to utter a deep moan indicative
          of pain, grief, or annoyance 2: to make a harsh sound
          (as of creaking) under sudden or prolonged strain ~ vt:
          to utter or express with groaning -- groan n

   groaner
          [groan.er] n (1795) 1: one that groans 2: a stale or corny
          joke, observation, or story

   [1]groat
          [groat] n [ME grotes, pl., fr. OE grotan, pl. of grot; akin
          to OE greot grit] (12c) 1 usu pl but sing or pl in constr:
          hulled grain broken into fragments larger than grits
          2: a grain (as of oats) exclusive of the hull [2]groat
          n [ME groot, fr. MD] (14c): an old British coin worth
          four pennies

   grocer
          [gro.cer] n [ME, fr. MF grossier wholesaler, fr. gros coarse,
          wholesale--more at gross] (15c): a dealer in staple foodstuffs,
          meats, produce, and dairy products and usu. household
          supplies

   grocery
          [gro.cery] n, pl -cer.ies (15c) 1 pl: commodities sold by
          a grocer--usu. sing. in Brit. usage 2: a grocer's store

   grog
          [grog] n [Old Grog, nickname of Edward Vernon d. 1757 Eng.
          admiral responsible for diluting the sailors' rum] (1770)
          1: alcoholic liquor; esp: liquor (as rum) cut with water
          and now often served hot with lemon juice and sugar sometimes
          added 2: refractory materials (as crushed pottery and
          firebricks) used in the manufacture of refractory products
          (as crucibles) to reduce shrinkage in drying and firing

   groggy
          [grog.gy] adj grog.gi.er ; -est [grog] (1832): weak and unsteady
          on the feet or in action -- grog.gi.ly adv -- grog.gi.ness
          n

   grogram
          [gro.gram] n [MF gros grain coarse texture] (1562): a coarse
          loosely woven fabric of silk, silk and mohair, or silk
          and wool--compare grosgrain

   grogshop
          [grog.shop] n (1790) chiefly Brit: a usu. low-class barroom

   [1]groin
          [groin] n [alter. of ME grynde, fr. OE, abyss; akin to OE
          grund ground] (ca. 1532) 1: the fold or depression marking
          the juncture of the lower abdomen and the inner part
          of the thigh; also: the region of this line 2 a: the
          projecting curved line along which two intersecting vaults
          meet b: a rib that covers this edge 3: a rigid structure
          built out from a shore to protect the shore from erosion,
          to trap sand, or to direct a current for scouring a channel
          [2]groin vt (ca. 1816): to build or equip with groins

   grommet
          [grom.met] n [obs. F gormette curb of a bridle] (1626) 1:
          a flexible loop that serves as a fastening, support,
          or reinforcement 2: an eyelet of firm material to strengthen
          or protect an opening or to insulate or protect something
          passed through it

   gromwell
          [grom.well] n [ME gromil, fr. MF] (14c): any of a genus
          (Lithospermum) of plants of the borage family having polished white
          stony nutlets

   [1]groom
          [groom] n [ME grom] (14c) 1 archaic: man, fellow 2 a (1)
          archaic: manservant (2): one of several officers of the
          English royal household b: a person responsible for the
          feeding, exercising, and stabling of horses 3: bridegroom
          [2]groom vt (1809) 1: to clean and condition (as a horse
          or dog) 2: to make neat or attractive <an impeccably
          ~ed woman> 3: to get into readiness for a specific objective:
          prepare <was being ~ed as a presidential candidate> ~
          vi: to groom oneself

   groomer
          [groom.er] n (ca. 1890): one who grooms (as dogs)

   groomsman
          [grooms.man] n (1698): a male friend who attends a bridegroom
          at his wedding

   [1]groove
          [groove] n [ME groof; akin to OE grafan to dig--more at grave]
          (1659) 1: a long narrow channel or depression 2 a: a
          fixed routine: rut b: a situation suited to one's abilities
          or interests: niche 3: top form <a great talker when
          he is in the ~> 4: the middle of the strike zone in baseball
          where a pitch is most easily hit <a fastball right in
          the ~> 5: an enjoyable or exciting experience 6: a pronounced
          enjoyable rhythm [2]groove vb grooved ; groov.ing vt
          (1686) 1 a: to make a groove in b: to join by a groove
          2: to perfect by repeated practice <grooved her golf
          swing> 3: to throw (a pitch) in the groove ~ vi 1: to
          become joined or fitted by a groove 2: to form a groove
          3: to enjoy oneself intensely 4: to interact harmoniously
          <contemporary minds and rock ~ together --Benjamin DeMott>
          -- groov.er n

   groovy
          [groovy] adj groov.i.er ; -est (ca. 1937) 1: marvelous, wonderful,
          excellent <felt that this poetry was ... enjoyable, not to mention
          ~ --R. M. Muccigrosso> 2: hip <a younger and groovier audience
          --Robert MacKenzie>

   grope
          [grope] vb groped ; grop.ing [ME, fr. OE grapian; akin to
          OE gripan to seize] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to feel about blindly
          or uncertainly in search <~ for the light switch> 2:
          to look for something blindly or uncertainly <~ for the
          right words> 3: to feel one's way ~ vt 1: feel up 2:
          to find (as one's way) by groping -- grope n -- grop.er
          n

   grosbeak
          [gros.beak] n [part trans. of F grosbec, fr. gros thick +
          bec beak] (ca. 1678): any of several finches of Europe
          or America having large stout conical bills

   groschen
          [gro.schen] n, pl groschen [G] (1946): a monetary unit of
          Austria equal to 1/100 schilling

   grosgrain
          [gros.grain] n [F gros grain coarse texture] (1869): a strong
          close-woven corded fabric usu. of silk or rayon and often
          with cotton filler--compare grogram

   [1]gross
          [gross] adj [ME, fr. MF gros thick, coarse, fr. L grossus]
          (14c) 1 a archaic: immediately obvious b (1): glaringly
          noticeable usu. because of inexcusable badness or objectionableness
          <~ error> (2): out-and-out, utter <~ injustice> c: visible without
          the aid of a microscope 2 a: big, bulky; esp: excessively fat
          b: growing or spreading with excessive luxuriance 3 a: of, relating
          to, or dealing with general aspects or broad distinctions
          b: consisting of an overall total exclusive of deductions
          <~ income>--compare net 4: made up of material or perceptible
          elements 5 archaic: not fastidious in taste: undiscriminating
          6 a: coarse in nature or behavior: unrefined b: gravely deficient
          in civility or decency: crudely vulgar <merely ~, a scatological
          rather than a pornographic impropriety --Aldous Huxley> c slang:
          inspiring disgust or distaste <that sandwich looks ~> 7: deficient
          in knowledge: ignorant, untutored syn see coarse, flagrant
          -- gross.ly adv -- gross.ness n [2]gross n (1579) 1 obs: amount,
          sum 2: overall total exclusive of deductions [3]gross vt (1884):
          to earn or bring in (an overall total) exclusive of deductions (as
          for taxes or expenses) -- gross.er n [4]gross n, pl gross [ME
          groce, fr. MF grosse, fr. fem. of gros] (14c): an aggregate
          of 12 dozen things <a ~ of pencils>

   gross anatomy
          [gross anatomy] n (1888): a branch of anatomy that deals
          with the macroscopic structure of tissues and organs

   gross national product
          [gross national product] n (1947): the total value of the
          goods and services produced by the residents of a nation
          during a specified period (as a year)

   grosso modo
          [gros.so mo.do] [It] foreign term : roughly

   gross-out
          [gross-out] n, often attrib (1973): something inspiring disgust
          or distaste

   gross out
          [gross out] vt (1968): to offend, insult, or disgust by something
          gross

   grossular
          [gros.su.lar] n [NL Grossularia, genus name of the gooseberry]
          (1819): a variety of garnet that is most commonly green
          and consists of calcium aluminum silicate

   grossularite
          [gros.su.la.rite] n [G Grossularit, fr. NL Grossularia] (ca.
          1847): grossular

   groszy
          [gro.szy] also grosz or grosze n, pl groszy [Pol] (1916):
          a monetary unit of Poland equal to 1/100 zloty

   grot
          [grot] n [MF grotte, fr. It grotta] (1506): grotto

   [1]grotesque
          [gro.tesque] n [MF & OIt; MF, fr. OIt (pittura) grottesca,
          lit., cave painting, fem. of grottesco of a cave, fr.
          grotta] (1561) 1 a: a style of decorative art characterized
          by fanciful or fantastic human and animal forms often
          interwoven with foliage or similar figures that may distort
          the natural into absurdity, ugliness, or caricature b:
          a piece of work in this style 2: one that is grotesque
          3: sans serif [2]grotesque adj (1603): of, relating to,
          or having the characteristics of the grotesque: as a:
          fanciful, bizarre b: absurdly incongruous c: departing
          markedly from the natural, the expected, or the typical
          syn see fantastic -- gro.tesque.ly adv -- gro.tesque.ness
          n

   grotesquerie
          [gro.tes.que.rie] also gro.tes.que.ry n, pl -ries [grotesque
          + F -erie -ery] (ca. 1666) 1: something that is grotesque
          2: the quality or state of being grotesque: grotesqueness

   grotto
          [grot.to] n, pl grottoes also grottos [It grotta, grotto,
          fr. L crypta cavern, crypt] (1617) 1: cave 2: an artificial
          recess or structure made to resemble a natural cave

   grotty
          [grot.ty] adj grot.ti.er ; -est [origin unknown] (1964) chiefly
          Brit: wretchedly shabby: of poor quality

   grouch
          [grouch] n [prob. alter. of grutch (grudge)] (ca. 1895) 1
          a: a fit of bad temper b: grudge, complaint 2: a habitually
          irritable or complaining person: grumbler -- grouch vi

   grouchy
          [grouchy] adj grouch.i.er ; -est (ca. 1895): given to grumbling:
          peevish -- grouch.i.ly adv -- grouch.i.ness n

   [1]ground
          [ground] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE grund; akin to OHG grunt
          ground] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the bottom of a body of water
          b pl (1): sediment 1 (2): ground coffee beans after brewing
          2 a: a basis for belief, action, or argument <~ for
          complaint>--often used in pl. b (1): a fundamental logical
          condition (2): a basic metaphysical cause 3 a: a surrounding area:
          background b: material that serves as a substratum 4 a: the surface
          of the earth b: an area used for a particular purpose <parade
          ~> <fishing ~s> c pl: the area around and belonging to a house
          or other building d: an area to be won or defended
          in or as if in battle e: an area of knowledge or special interest
          <covered a lot of ~ in his lecture> 5 a: soil, earth b: a special
          soil 6 a: an object that makes an electrical connection with the
          earth b: a large conducting body (as the earth) used as a common
          return for an electric circuit and as an arbitrary zero
          of potential c: electric connection with a ground 7: a football
          offense utilizing primarily running plays -- from the ground
          up 1: entirely new or afresh 2: from top to bottom: thoroughly
          -- into the ground : beyond what is necessary or tolerable:
          to exhaustion <labored an issue into the ground --Newsweek> -- off
          the ground : in or as if in flight: off to a good start <the
          program never got off the ground> -- on the ground : at the scene
          of action -- to ground 1: into a burrow <the fox went to ground>
          2: into hiding <might need to make a run for it and go to ground
          someplace --Edward Hoagland> [2]ground vt (13c) 1 a: to bring
          to or place on the ground b: to cause to run aground
          2 a: to provide a reason or justification for <our fears about
          technological change may be well ~ed --L. K. Williams>
          b: to furnish with a foundation of knowledge: base <an
          understanding ... that is ~ed in fact --Michael Kimmelman>
          3: to connect electrically with a ground 4 a: to restrict to the
          ground <~ a pilot> b: to prohibit from taking part in some usual
          activities <~ed her for a week> 5: to throw (a football)
          intentionally to the ground to avoid being tackled for a loss
          ~ vi 1: to have a ground or basis: rely 2: to run aground 3: to hit
          a grounder [3]ground past and past part of grind

   ground ball
          [ground ball] n (1857): a batted baseball that bounds or
          rolls along the ground

   ground bass
          [ground bass] n (1699): a short bass passage continually
          repeated below constantly changing melody and harmony

   ground beetle
          [ground beetle] n (1848): any of a large cosmopolitan family
          (Carabidae) of soil-inhabiting usu. carnivorous often
          shiny black or metallic beetles commonly having fused
          elytra

   groundbreaker
          [ground.break.er] n (1940): one that innovates: pioneer

   groundbreaking
          [ground.break.ing] adj (1907): markedly innovative <has written
          a ~ work>

   groundburst
          [ground.burst] n (ca. 1951): the detonation of a nuclear
          warhead at ground level

   ground-cherry
          [ground-cher.ry] n (1807): any of numerous chiefly New World
          plants (genus Physalis) of the nightshade family with
          pulpy fruits in papery husks; also: the fruit of the
          ground-cherry

   ground cloth
          [ground cloth] n (1931): a waterproof sheet placed on the
          ground for protection (as of a sleeping bag) against
          soil moisture

   ground cover
          [ground cover] n (1900) 1: the small plants on a forest floor
          except young trees 2 a: a planting of low plants (as
          ivy) that covers the ground in place of turf b: a plant
          adapted for use as ground cover

   ground crew
          [ground crew] n (1934): the mechanics and technicians who
          maintain and service an airplane

   ground-effect machine
          [ground-effect machine] n [fr. the lift provided by compression
          of air between the vehicle and the ground] (1962): hovercraft

   grounder
          [ground.er] n (ca. 1867): ground ball

   groundfish
          [ground.fish] n (1856): a bottom fish; esp: a marine fish
          (as a cod, haddock, pollack, or flounder) of commercial
          importance

   ground floor
          [ground floor] n (1601) 1: the floor of a house most nearly
          on a level with the ground--compare first floor 2: a
          favorable position or privileged opportunity usu. obtained
          by early participants--used esp. in the phrase in on
          the ground floor

   ground glass
          [ground glass] n (1848): glass with a light-diffusing surface
          produced by etching or abrading

   groundhog
          [ground.hog] n (1742): woodchuck

   Groundhog Day
          [Groundhog Day] n [fr. the legend that a groundhog emerging
          from its burrow returns to hibernate if it sees its shadow
          on this day] (1871): February 2 that traditionally indicates
          six more weeks of winter if sunny or an early spring
          if cloudy

   grounding
          [ground.ing] n (1644): training or instruction in the fundamentals
          of a field of knowledge

   ground ivy
          [ground ivy] n (14c): a trailing mint (Glechoma hederacea)
          with rounded leaves and blue-purple flowers

   groundless
          [ground.less] adj (1620): having no ground or foundation
          <~ fears> -- ground.less.ly adv -- ground.less.ness n

   groundling
          [ground.ling] n (1602) 1 a: a spectator who stood in the
          pit of an Elizabethan theater b: a person of unsophisticated
          taste 2: one that lives or works on or near the ground

   ground loop
          [ground loop] n (1928): a sharp uncontrollable turn made
          by an aircraft on the ground and usu. caused by an unbalanced
          drag (as from a wingtip touching the ground)

   groundmass
          [ground.mass] n (1879): the fine-grained or glassy base of
          a porphyry in which the larger distinct crystals are
          embedded

   ground meristem
          [ground meristem] n (1938): the part of a primary apical
          meristem remaining after differentiation of protoderm
          and procambium

   groundnut
          [ground.nut] n (1602) 1 a: any of several plants having edible
          tuberous roots; esp: a No. American leguminous vine (Apios
          americana) with pinnate leaves and clusters of brownish
          purple fragrant flowers b: the root of a groundnut 2
          chiefly Brit: peanut

   groundout
          [ground.out] n (1965): a play in baseball in which a batter
          is put out after hitting a grounder to an infielder

   ground pine
          [ground pine] n (1551) 1: a European bugle (Ajuga chamaepitys)
          with a resinous odor 2: any of several club mosses (esp.
          Lycopodium clavatum and L. complanatum) with long creeping
          stems and erect branches

   ground plan
          [ground plan] n (1731) 1: a plan of a floor of a building
          as distinguished from an elevation 2: a first or basic
          plan

   ground rent
          [ground rent] n (1667): the rent paid by a lessee for the
          use of land esp. for building

   ground rule
          [ground rule] n (1890) 1: a sports rule adopted to modify
          play on a particular field, court, or course 2: a rule
          of procedure <ground rules for selecting a superintendent
          --Amer. School Board Jour.>

   [1]groundsel
          [ground.sel] n [ME groundeswele, fr. OE grundeswelge, fr.
          grund ground + swelgan to swallow--more at swallow] (bef.
          12c): any of various senecios (as the nearly cosmopolitan
          weed Senecio vulgaris) [2]groundsel n [ME ground sille,
          fr. ground + sille sill] (15c): a foundation timber

   groundsheet
          [ground.sheet] n (1907): ground cloth

   groundskee per
          [grounds.kee p.er] n (1903): a person who cares for the grounds
          of a usu. large property (as a sports field)

   ground sloth
          [ground sloth] n (1860): any of various often huge extinct
          American edentates related to the recent sloths

   groundsman
          [grounds.man] n (1886) chiefly Brit: groundskeeper

   ground speed
          [ground speed] n (1917): the speed (as of an airplane) with
          relation to the ground--compare airspeed

   ground squirrel
          [ground squirrel] n (1688): any of various burrowing rodents
          (esp. genus Spermophilus) of No. America and Eurasia
          that are related to the squirrels and often live in colonies
          esp. in open areas--called also spermophile

   ground state
          [ground state] n (1926): the state of a physical system (as
          of an atomic nucleus or an atom) having the least energy
          of all the possible states--called also ground level

   ground stroke
          [ground stroke] n (1895): a stroke made (as in tennis) by
          hitting a ball that has rebounded from the ground--compare
          volley

   ground substance
          [ground substance] n (1882): a more or less homogeneous matrix
          in which the specific differentiated elements of a system
          are suspended: a: the intercellular substance of tissues
          b: cytosol

   groundswell
          [ground.swell] n (1818) 1 usu ground swell : a broad deep
          undulation of the ocean caused by an often distant gale
          or seismic disturbance 2: a rapid spontaneous growth
          (as of political opinion) <a ~ of support>

   groundwater
          [ground.wa.ter] n (ca. 1889): water within the earth that
          supplies wells and springs

   ground wave
          [ground wave] n (1925): a radio wave that is propagated along
          the surface of the earth

   groundwood
          [ground.wood] n [[3]ground] (1885): wood ground up and used
          to make pulp for paper

   groundwork
          [ground.work] n (15c): foundation, basis <laid the ~ for
          a new program>; also: preparation made beforehand <the
          ~ was done before the winter tour --Susan Reiter>

   ground zero
          [ground zero] n (1946) 1: the point directly above, below,
          or at which a nuclear explosion occurs 2: the center
          or origin of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change
          3: the very beginning: square one

   [1]group
          [group] n, often attrib [F groupe, fr. It gruppo, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG kropf craw--more at crop] (1686)
          1: two or more figures forming a complete unit in a composition
          2 a: a number of individuals assembled together or having
          some unifying relationship b: an assemblage of objects
          regarded as a unit c (1): a military unit consisting
          of a headquarters and attached battalions (2): a unit
          of the U.S. Air Force higher than a squadron and lower
          than a wing 3 a: an assemblage of related organisms--often
          used to avoid taxonomic connotations when the kind or
          degree of relationship is not clearly defined b (1):
          two or more atoms joined together or sometimes a single
          atom forming part of a molecule; esp: functional group
          <a methyl ~> (2): an assemblage of elements forming one
          of the vertical columns of the periodic table c: a stratigraphic
          division comprising rocks deposited during an era 4:
          a mathematical set that is closed under a binary associative
          operation, contains an identity element, and has an inverse
          for every element [2]group vt (1718) 1: to combine in
          a group 2: to assign to a group: classify ~ vi 1: to
          form a group 2: to belong to a group 3: to make groups
          of closely spaced hits on a target <the gun ~ed beautifully
          --R. C. Ruark> -- group.able adj

   group captain
          [group captain] n (1919): a commissioned officer in the British
          air force who ranks with a colonel in the army

   group dynamics
          [group dynamics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1939): the
          interacting forces within a small human group; also:
          the sociological study of these forces

   grouper
          [grou.per] n, pl groupers also grouper [Pg garoupa] (1671):
          any of numerous fishes (family Serranidae and esp. genera
          Epinephelus and Mycteroperca) that are typically large
          solitary bottom-dwelling fishes of warm seas

   groupie
          [group.ie] n (1967) 1: a fan of a rock group who usu. follows
          the group around on concert tours 2: an admirer of a
          celebrity who attends as many of his or her public appearances
          as possible 3: enthusiast, aficionado <a political ~>
          <golf ~s>

   grouping
          [group.ing] n (1748) 1: the act or process of combining in
          groups 2: a set of objects combined in a group <a furniture
          ~>

   group practice
          [group practice] n (1942): medicine practiced by a group
          of associated physicians or dentists (as specialists
          in different fields) working as partners or as partners
          and employees

   group theory
          [group theory] n (1898): a branch of mathematics concerned
          with finding all mathematical groups and determining
          their properties

   group therapy
          [group therapy] n (1943): therapy in the presence of a therapist
          in which several patients discuss and share their personal
          problems--called also group psychotherapy -- group therapist
          n

   groupthink
          [group.think] n [[1]group + -think (as in doublethink)] (1952):
          a pattern of thought characterized by self-deception,
          forced manufacture of consent, and conformity to group
          values and ethics

   groupuscule
          [grou.pus.cule] n [F, fr. groupe group + -uscule (as in corpuscule
          corpuscle)] (1969): a small group of political activists

   [1]grouse
          [grouse] n, pl grouse or grouses [origin unknown] (1531):
          any of numerous chiefly ground-dwelling birds (family
          Tetraonidae) that are usu. of reddish brown or other
          protective color and have feathered legs and that include
          many important game birds [2]grouse vi groused ; grous.ing
          [origin unknown] (1887): complain, grumble -- grous.er
          n [3]grouse n (1918): complaint

   [1]grout
          [grout] n [ME, coarse meal, fr. OE grut; akin to OE greot
          grit] (1638) 1 a: thin mortar used for filling spaces
          (as the joints in masonry); also: any of various other
          materials (as a mixture of cement and water or chemicals
          that solidify) used for a similar purpose b: plaster
          2: lees [2]grout vt (1838) 1: to fill up or finish with
          grout 2: to fix in place by means of grout <~ a bolt
          into a wall> -- grout.er n

   grove
          [grove] n [ME, fr. OE graf] (bef. 12c) 1: a small wood without
          underbrush <a picnic ~> 2: a planting of fruit or nut
          trees

   grovel
          [grov.el] vi -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling [back-formation
          fr. groveling prone, fr. groveling, adv., fr. ME, fr. gruf, adv.,
          on the face (fr. ON a grufu) + -ling] (1593) 1: to creep with the
          face to the ground: crawl 2 a: to lie or creep with the body
          prostrate in token of subservience or abasement b: to abase oneself
          3: to give oneself over to what is base or unworthy: wallow <~ing
          in self-pity> -- grov.el.er n -- grov.el.ing.ly adv

   groves of academe
          [groves of academe] often cap A (1849): the academic world

   grow
          [grow] vb grew ; grown ; grow.ing [ME, fr. OE growan; akin
          to OHG gruowan to grow] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to spring
          up and develop to maturity b: to be able to grow in some
          place or situation <trees that ~ in the tropics> c: to
          assume some relation through or as if through a process
          of natural growth <ferns ~ing from the rocks> 2 a: to
          increase in size by assimilation of material into the
          living organism or by accretion of material in a nonbiological
          process (as crystallization) b: increase, expand <~s
          in wisdom> 3: to develop from a parent source <the book
          grew out of a series of lectures> 4 a: to pass into a
          condition: become <grew pale> b: to have an increasing
          influence <habit ~s on a person> c: to become increasingly
          acceptable or attractive <didn't like it at first, but
          it grew on him> ~ vt 1: to cause to grow <~ wheat> 2:
          develop 5 -- grow.er n -- grow.ing.ly adv

   growing pains
          [growing pains] n pl (1810) 1: pains in the legs of growing
          children having no demonstrable relation to growth 2:
          the stresses and strains attending a new project or development

   growing point
          [growing point] n (1835): the undifferentiated end of a plant
          shoot from which additional shoot tissues differentiate

   [1]growl
          [growl] vb [ME groulen, grollen] vi (14c) 1 a: rumble <his
          stomach ~ed> b: to utter a growl <the dog ~ed at the
          stranger> 2: to complain angrily ~ vt: to utter with
          a growl: utter angrily [2]growl n (1727): a deep guttural
          inarticulate sound

   growler
          [growl.er] n (1753) 1: one that growls 2: a container (as
          a can or pitcher) for beer bought by the measure 3: a
          small iceberg

   growling
          [growl.ing] adj (1752): marked by a growl <a low ~ voice>
          <listened to the ~ thunder> -- growl.ing.ly adv

   growly
          [growly] adj growl.i.er ; -est (1920): resembling a growl
          <a ~ voice> -- growl.i.ness n

   grown
          [grown] adj (1645) 1: fully grown: mature <~ men and women>
          2: covered or surrounded with vegetation <land well ~
          with trees> 3 a: cultivated or produced in a specified
          way or locality--used in combination <shade-grown tobacco>
          b: overgrown with--used in combination <a weed-grown
          patio>

   [1]grown-up
          [grown-up] adj (1633): not childish or immature: adult [2]grown-up
          n (1813): adult

   growth
          [growth] n (1557) 1 a (1): a stage in the process of growing:
          size (2): full growth b: the process of growing c: progressive
          development: evolution d: increase, expansion <the ~
          of the oil industry> 2 a: something that grows or has
          grown b: an abnormal proliferation of tissue (as a tumor)
          c: outgrowth d: the result of growth: product 3: a producing
          esp. by growing <fruits of his own ~>

   growth company
          [growth company] n (1959): a company that grows at a greater
          rate than the economy as a whole and that usu. directs
          a relatively high proportion of income back into the
          business

   growth factor
          [growth factor] n (1926): a substance (as an interleukin)
          that promotes growth and esp. cellular growth

   growth hormone
          [growth hormone] n (1924) 1: a vertebrate polypeptide hormone
          that is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary
          gland and regulates growth--called also somatotropin
          2: growth regulator

   growth regulator
          [growth regulator] n (1936): any of various synthetic or
          naturally occurring plant substances (as an auxin or
          gibberellin) that regulate growth

   growth ring
          [growth ring] n (1907): a layer of wood (as an annual ring)
          produced during a single period of growth

   growthy
          [growthy] adj growth.i.er ; -est (1884) of livestock: exceptionally
          fast in growing and gaining weight -- growth.i.ness n

   grow up
          [grow up] vi (1535): to grow toward or arrive at full stature
          or physical or mental maturity <growing up intellectually,
          socially, and physically>

   groyne
          [groyne] n [by alter.] (1582): groin 3

   GRP
          [GRP] abbreviation glass-reinforced plastic

   GRU
          [GRU] [Russ Glavnoe razvedyvatel'noe upravlenic] abbreviation
          Chief Intelligence Directorate

   [1]grub
          [grub] vb grubbed ; grub.bing [ME grubben; akin to OE grafan
          to dig--more at grave] vt (14c) 1: to clear by digging
          up roots and stumps 2: to dig up by or as if by the roots
          ~ vi 1 a: to dig in the ground esp. for something that
          is difficult to find or extract b: to search about <grubbed
          in the countryside for food --Lamp> 2: toil, drudge <folks
          who ~ for money --James Street> -- grub.ber n [2]grub
          n [ME grubbe, fr. grubben] (15c) 1: a soft thick wormlike
          larva of an insect 2 a: one who does menial work: drudge
          b: a slovenly person 3: food

   grubby
          [grub.by] adj grub.bi.er ; -est (1725) 1: infested with fly
          maggots 2 a: dirty, grimy <~ hands> b: slovenly, sloppy
          3: worthy of contempt: base <~ political motives> --
          grub.bi.ly adv -- grub.bi.ness n

   [1]grubstake
          [grub.stake] n (1863) 1: supplies or funds furnished a mining
          prospector on promise of a share in his discoveries 2:
          material assistance (as a loan) provided for launching
          an enterprise or for a person in difficult circumstances
          [2]grubstake vt (1879): to provide with a grubstake --
          grub.stak.er n

   Grub Street
          [Grub Street] n [Grub Street, London, formerly inhabited
          by literary hacks] (1630): the world or category of needy
          literary hacks

   [1]grudge
          [grudge] vt grudged ; grudg.ing [ME grucchen, grudgen to
          grumble, complain, fr. MF groucier, of Gmc origin; akin
          to MHG grogezen to howl] (14c): to be unwilling to give
          or admit: give or allow with reluctance or resentment:
          begrudge <didn't ~ the time spent on planning> -- grudg.er
          n [2]grudge n (15c): a feeling of deep-seated resentment
          or ill will syn see malice

   grudging
          [grudg.ing] adj (ca. 1533) 1: unwilling, reluctant 2: done,
          given, or allowed unwillingly, reluctantly, or sparingly
          <~ compliance> -- grudg.ing.ly adv

   gruel
          [gru.el] n [ME grewel, fr. MF gruel, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE grut grout] (14c) 1: a thin porridge 2 chiefly
          Brit: punishment

   grueling
          [gru.el.ing] or gru.el.ling adj [fr. prp. of obs. gruel (to
          exhaust)] (1852): trying or taxing to the point of exhaustion:
          punishing <a ~ race> -- gru.el.ing.ly adv

   gruesome
          [grue.some] adj [alter. of earlier growsome, fr. E dial.
          grow, grue to shiver, fr. ME gruen, prob. fr. MD gruwen;
          akin to OHG ingruen to shiver] (1816): inspiring horror
          or repulsion: grisly <~ scenes of battle and death --E.
          J. Fitzgerald> syn see ghastly -- grue.some.ly adv --
          grue.some.ness n

   [1]gruff
          [gruff] adj [D grof; akin to OHG grob coarse, hruf scurf--more
          at dandruff] (1706) 1: rough, brusque, or stern in manner,
          speech, or aspect <a ~ reply> 2: being deep and harsh:
          hoarse <a ~ voice> syn see bluff -- gruff.ly adv -- gruff.ness
          n [2]gruff vt (1706): to utter in a gruff voice or manner

   grumble
          [grum.ble] vb grum.bled ; grum.bling [prob. fr. MF grommeler,
          ultim. fr. MD grommen; akin to OHG grimm grim] vi (ca.
          1586) 1: to mutter in discontent 2: growl, rumble ~ vt:
          to express with grumbling -- grumble n -- grum.bler n
          -- grum.bling.ly adv -- grum.bly adj

   grummet
          [grum.met] var of grommet

   [1]grump
          [grump] n [obs. E grumps (snubs, slights)] (1844) 1: a fit
          of ill humor or sulkiness--usu. used in pl. 2: a person
          given to complaining [2]grump vi (1875) 1: sulk 2: grumble,
          complain ~ vt: to utter in a grumpy manner

   grumpy
          [grumpy] adj grump.i.er ; -est (1778): moodily cross: surly
          -- grump.i.ly adv -- grump.i.ness n

   grungy
          [grun.gy] adj grun.gi.er ; -est [origin unknown] (1965):
          shabby or dirty in character or condition

   grunion
          [grun.ion] n [prob. fr. Sp grunon grunter] (1917): a silversides
          (Leuresthes tenuis) of the California coast notable for
          the regularity with which it comes inshore to spawn at
          nearly full moon

   [1]grunt
          [grunt] vb [ME grunten, fr. OE grunnettan, freq. of grunian,
          of imit. origin] vi (bef. 12c): to utter a grunt ~ vt:
          to utter with a grunt -- grunt.er n [2]grunt n (1553)
          1 a: the deep short sound characteristic of a hog b:
          a similar sound 2 [fr. the noise it makes when taken
          from the water]: any of a family (Haemulidae syn. Pomadasyidae)
          of chiefly tropical marine bony fishes 3: a dessert made
          by dropping biscuit dough on top of boiling berries and
          steaming <blueberry ~> 4: a U.S. army or marine foot
          soldier esp. in the Vietnam war 5: one who does routine
          unglamorous work--often used attributively <~ work>

   gruntle
          [grun.tle] vt grun.tled ; grun.tling [back-formation fr.
          disgruntle] (1926): to put in a good humor <were gruntled
          with a good meal and good conversation --W. P. Webb>

   grutch
          [grutch] vt [ME grucchen] (14c) obs: begrudge

   grutten
          [grutten] past part of greet

   Gruyere
          [Gru.yere] n [Gruyere, district in Switzerland] (1802) 1:
          a firm cheese with small holes and a nutty flavor that
          is of Swiss origin and is often used in cooking 2: a
          process cheese made from natural Gruyere

   gr wt
          [gr wt] abbreviation gross weight

   gryphon
          [gryph.on] var of griffin

   gs...
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   GS
          [GS] abbreviation general staff, giant slalom, government
          service, ground speed

   GSA
          [GSA] abbreviation General Services Administration, Girl
          Scouts of America

   GSC
          [GSC] abbreviation general staff corps

   GSL
          [GSL] abbreviation Guaranteed Student Loan

   GSO
          [GSO] abbreviation general staff officer

   GSR
          [GSR] abbreviation galvanic skin response

   GST
          [GST] abbreviation Greenwich sidereal time

   GSUSA
          [GSUSA] abbreviation Girl Scouts of the United States of
          America

   gt...
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   gt
          [gt] abbreviation gilt top, great  GT abbreviation gross
          ton

   GT
          [GT] n [It Gran Turismo] (1966): grand touring car

   Gt Brit
          [Gt Brit] abbreviation Great Britain

   gtd
          [gtd] abbreviation guaranteed

   GTP
          [GTP] n [guanosine triphosphate] (1961): an energy-rich nucleotide
          analogous to ATP that is composed of guanine, ribose, and three
          phosphate groups and is necessary for peptide-bond formation during
          protein synthesis--called also guanosine triphosphate

   Gtr Man
          [Gtr Man] abbreviation Greater Manchester

   gtt
          [gtt] [L gutta, pl. guttae] abbreviation drop

   gu...
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   GU
          [GU] abbreviation genitourinary, Guam

   guacamole
          [gua.ca.mo.le] n [MexSp, fr. Nahuatl ahuacamolli, fr. ahuacatl
          avocado + molli sauce] (1920): pureed or mashed avocado
          seasoned with condiments

   guacharo
          [gua.cha.ro] n, pl -ros or -roes [AmerSp guacharo] (1830):
          oilbird

   guaiac
          [guai.ac] n [NL Guaiacum] (ca. 1751): guaiacum 2

   guaiacum
          [guai.a.cum] n [NL, fr. Sp guayaco, fr. Taino guayacan] (1553)
          1: any of a genus (Guaiacum) of the caltrop family of
          tropical American evergreen trees and shrubs having pinnate
          leaves, usu. blue flowers, and capsular fruit 2 a: the
          hard greenish brown wood of a guaiacum (esp. Guaiacum
          officinale) b: a resin with a faint balsamic odor that
          is obtained from the trunk of two guaiacums (G. officinale
          and G. sanctum) and often used as a clinical reagent

   guan
          [guan] n [alter. of earlier quam, prob. fr. Cuna (Chibchan
          language of Panama) kwama] (1743): any of various large
          tropical American lowland-forest birds (family Cracidae)
          that somewhat resemble turkeys

   guanaco
          [gua.na.co] n, pl -cos also -co [Sp, fr. Quechua wanaku]
          (1604): a So. American mammal (Lama guanicoe) of dry
          open country that has a soft thick fawn-colored coat
          and is related to the camel but lacks a dorsal hump

   guanethidine
          [gua.neth.i.dine] n [guanidine + eth-] (1959): a drug used
          esp. as the sulfate in treating severe high blood pressure

   guanidine
          [gua.ni.dine] n [ISV, fr. guanine] (ca. 1864): a base derived
          from guanine, found esp. in young tissues, and used in
          organic synthesis and as a parasympathetic stimulant
          in medicine esp. as the hydrochloride salt

   guanine
          [gua.nine] n [guano + -ine; fr. its being found esp. in guano]
          (1850): a purine base that codes genetic information
          in the polynucleotide chain of DNA or RNA--compare adenine,
          cytosine, thymine, uracil

   guano
          [gua.no] n [Sp, fr. Quechua wanu fertilizer, dung] (1604):
          a substance composed chiefly of the excrement of seafowl
          and used as a fertilizer; also: a similar substance (as
          bat excrement or cannery waste) esp. when used for fertilizer

   guanosine
          [gua.no.sine] n [guan- (as in guanine) + ribose + -ine] (1909):
          a nucleoside composed of guanine and ribose

   guanosine triphosphate
          [guanosine triphosphate] n (ca. 1962): gtp

   guar
          [guar] n [Hindi guar] (1882): a drought-tolerant legume (Cyamopsis
          tetragonoloba) cultivated in warm regions as a vegetable, for
          forage, and for its seeds which produce guar gum

   guarani
          [gua.ra.ni] n [Sp guarani] (1797) 1 cap a pl guarani or guaranis
          : a member of a Tupi-Guaranian people of Bolivia, Paraguay,
          and southern Brazil b: the language of the Guarani 2
          pl guaranies also guaranis : the basic monetary unit
          of Paraguay

   [1]guarantee
          [guar.an.tee] n [prob. alter. of [1]guaranty] (1710) 1: guarantor
          2: guaranty 1 3: an assurance for the fulfillment of
          a condition: as a: an agreement by which one person undertakes
          to secure another in the possession or enjoyment of something
          b: an assurance of the quality of or of the length of
          use to be expected from a product offered for sale often
          with a promise of reimbursement 4: guaranty 4 [2]guarantee
          vt -teed ; -tee.ing (1791) 1: to undertake to answer
          for the debt, default, or miscarriage of 2: to engage
          for the existence, permanence, or nature of: undertake
          to do or secure <~ the winning of three tricks> 3: to
          give security to 4: to assert confidently

   guarantor
          [guar.an.tor] n (ca. 1828) 1: one that makes or gives a guaranty
          2: one that guarantees

   [1]guaranty
          [guar.an.ty] n, pl -ties [MF garantie, fr. OF, fr. garantir
          to guarantee, fr. garant warrant, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG werento guarantor--more at warrant] (1592) 1:
          an undertaking to answer for the payment of a debt or
          the performance of a duty of another in case of the other's
          default or miscarriage 2: guarantee 3 3: guarantor 4:
          something given as security: pledge 5: the protection
          of a right afforded by legal provision (as in a constitution)
          [2]guaranty vt -tied ; -ty.ing (1753): guarantee

   [1]guard
          [guard] n [ME garde,  fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. garder to guard,
          defend, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG warten to watch, take
          care--more at ward] (15c) 1: one assigned to protect
          or oversee another: as a: a person or a body of persons
          on sentinel duty b pl: troops attached to the person
          of the sovereign c Brit: conductor 2 a: a defensive state
          or attitude <asked him out when his ~ was down> b: a
          defensive position (as in boxing) 3 a: the act or duty
          of protecting or defending b: the state of being protected:
          protection 4: a protective or safety device; specif:
          a device for protecting a machine part or the operator
          of a machine 5 archaic: precaution 6 a: a position or
          player next to the center in a football line b: a player
          stationed in the backcourt in basketball -- off guard
          : in an unprepared or unsuspecting state -- on guard
          : defensively watchful: alert [2]guard vt (1500) 1: to
          protect an edge of with an ornamental border 2 a: to
          protect from danger esp. by watchful attention: make
          secure <police ~ing our cities> <a room ~ed by locked
          doors> b: to stand at the entrance of as if on guard
          or as a barrier c: to tend to carefully: preserve, protect
          <~ed their privacy> 3 archaic: escort 4 a: to watch over
          so as to prevent escape, disclosure, or indiscretion
          b: to attempt to prevent (an opponent) from playing effectively
          or scoring ~ vi: to watch by way of caution or defense:
          stand guard syn see defend -- guard.er n

   [1]guardant
          [guar.dant] adj [MF gardant, prp. of garder to guard, look
          at] (1572): having the head turned toward the spectator--used
          of a heraldic animal whose body is seen from the side
          <a lion passant ~> [2]guardant n (1591) obs: guardian

   guard cell
          [guard cell] n (1875): one of the two crescent-shaped epidermal
          cells that border and open and close a plant stoma

   guarded
          [guard.ed] adj (1709): cautious, circumspect -- guard.ed.ly
          adv -- guard.ed.ness n

   guard hair
          [guard hair] n (1913): one of the long coarse hairs forming
          a protective coating over the undercoat of a mammal

   guardhouse
          [guard.house] n (1592) 1: a building occupied by a guard
          or used as a headquarters by soldiers on guard duty 2:
          a military jail

   guardian
          [guard.ian] n (15c) 1: one that guards: custodian 2: a superior
          of a Franciscan monastery 3: one who has the care of
          the person or property of another -- guard.ian.ship n

   guardian angel
          [guardian angel] n (ca. 1631): an angel believed to have
          special care of a particular individual; broadly: savior
          1, protector

   guard of honor
          [guard of honor] (1887): honor guard

   guardrail
          [guard.rail] n (1860): a railing for guarding against danger
          or trespass; esp: a barrier (as of steel cables) placed
          along the edge of a highway at dangerous points

   guardroom
          [guard.room] n (1762) 1: a room occupied by a military guard
          during its term of duty 2: a room where military prisoners
          are confined

   guardsman
          [guards.man] n (1817): a member of a military body called
          guard or guards

   guar gum
          [guar gum] n (1950): a gum that consists of the ground endosperm
          of guar seeds and is used esp. as a thickening agent
          and as a sizing material for paper and textiles

   Guarnerius
          [Guar.ne.ri.us] n [NL, fr. It Guarneri] (1866): a violin
          made by one of the Italian Guarneri family in the 17th
          and 18th centuries

   guava
          [gua.va] n [Sp guaba, guayaba, perh. fr. Taino] (1604) 1:
          any of several tropical American shrubs or small trees
          (genus Psidium) of the myrtle family; esp: a shrubby
          tree (P. guajava) widely cultivated for its sweet acid
          yellow or pink fruit 2: the globose to pear-shaped fruit
          of a guava

   guayabera
          [gua.ya.bera] n [AmerSp] (1947): a usu. short-sleeved lightweight
          sport shirt designed to be worn untucked

   guayule
          [gua.yu.le] n [AmerSp, fr. Nahuatl cuauholli or huauholli]
          (1906): a much-branched composite shrub (Parthenium argentatum)
          of Mexico and the southwestern U.S. cultivated as a source
          of rubber

   gubernatorial
          [gu.ber.na.to.ri.al] adj [L gubernator governor, steersman,
          fr. gubernare to govern--more at govern] (1734): of or
          relating to a governor

   guck
          [guck] n [perh. alter. of goo] (1949): oozy sloppy dirt or
          debris; broadly: goo, gunk

   [1]gudgeon
          [gud.geon] n [ME gudyon, fr. MF goujon] (15c) 1: pivot 1,
          journal 2: a socket for a rudder pintle [2]gudgeon n
          [ME gojune, fr. MF gouvion, gougon, fr. L gobion-, gobio,
          alter. of gobius--more at goby] (15c): a small European
          freshwater fish (Gobio gobio) related to the carps and
          often used for food or bait

   gudgeon pin
          [gudgeon pin] n (1891): wrist pin

   Gudrun
          [Gud.run] n [ON Guthrun]: the wife of Sigurd and later of
          Atli in Norse mythology

   guelder rose
          [guel.der rose] n [Guelderland, Gelderland, Netherlands]
          (1597): a bush of a cultivated variety of the cranberry
          bush with large globose heads of sterile flowers

   Guelf
          [Guelf] or Guelph n [It Guelfo] (1579): a member of a papal
          and popular political party in medieval Italy that opposed
          the authority of the German emperors in Italy--compare
          ghibelline

   guenon
          [gue.non] n [F] (1838): any of various long-tailed chiefly
          arboreal African monkeys (genera Cercopithecus and Erythrocebus)

   guerdon
          [guer.don] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OHG widarlon reward] (14c): reward, recompense -- guerdon
          vt

   gueridon
          [gue.ri.don] n [F gueridon, fr. Gueridon, character in 17th-cent.
          farces and popular songs] (1853): a small usu. ornately
          carved and embellished stand or table

   guernsey
          [guern.sey] n, pl guernseys often cap [Guernsey, Channel
          islands] (1834): any of a breed of fawn and white dairy
          cattle that are larger than the jersey and produce rich
          yellowish milk

   guerre a outrance
          [guerre a ou.trance] [F] foreign term : war to the uttermost

   [1]guerrilla
          [guer.ril.la] or gue.ril.la n [Sp guerrilla, fr. dim. of
          guerra war, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG werra strife--more
          at war] (1809): a person who engages in irregular warfare
          esp. as a member of an independent unit carrying out
          harassment and sabotage [2]guerrilla adj (1811): of,
          relating to, or characteristic of guerrillas esp. in
          being aggressive, radical, or unconventional

   guerrilla theater
          [guerrilla theater] n (1968): street theater

   [1]guess
          [guess] vb [ME gessen, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON
          geta to get, guess--more at get] vt (14c) 1: to form
          an opinion of from little or no evidence 2: believe,
          suppose <I ~ you're right> 3: to arrive at a correct
          conclusion about by conjecture, chance, or intuition
          <~ the answer> ~ vi: to make a guess -- guess.able adj
          -- guess.er n [2]guess n (14c): conjecture, surmise

   guesstimate
          [guess.ti.mate] n [blend of guess and estimate] (1923): an
          estimate usu. made without adequate information -- guess.ti.mate
          vt

   guesswork
          [guess.work] n (1725): work performed or results obtained
          by guess: conjecture

   [1]guest
          [guest] n [ME gest, fr. ON gestr; akin to OE giest guest,
          stranger, L hostis stranger, enemy] (13c) 1 a: a person
          entertained in one's house b: a person to whom hospitality
          is extended c: a person who pays for the services of
          an establishment (as a hotel or restaurant) 2: an organism
          (as an insect) sharing the dwelling of another; esp:
          inquiline 3: a substance that is incorporated in a host
          substance 4: a usu. prominent person not a regular member
          of a cast or organization who appears in a program or
          performance [2]guest vt (14c): to receive as a guest
          ~ vi: to appear as a guest

   guest worker
          [guest worker] n (1967): a foreign laborer working temporarily
          in an industrialized usu. European country

   guff
          [guff] n [prob. imit.] (1888): nonsense, humbug

   guffaw
          [guf.faw] n [imit.] (1720): a loud or boisterous burst of
          laughter -- guf.faw vi

   guggle
          [gug.gle] vi gug.gled ; gug.gling [imit.] (1611): gurgle
          -- guggle n

   guidable
          [guid.able] adj (1676): capable of being guided

   guidance
          [guid.ance] n (1590) 1: the act or process of guiding 2 a:
          the direction provided by a guide b: advice on vocational
          or educational problems given to students 3: the process
          of controlling the course of a projectile by a built-in
          mechanism

   [1]guide
          [guide] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OProv guida, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE witan to look after, witan to know--more at wit]
          (14c) 1 a: one that leads or directs another's way b:
          a person who exhibits and explains points of interest
          c: something that provides a person with guiding information
          d: signpost 1 e: a person who directs another's conduct
          or course of life 2 a: a device for steadying or directing
          the motion of something b: a ring or loop for holding
          the line of a fishing rod in position c: a sheet or a
          card with projecting tab for labeling inserted in a card
          index to facilitate reference 3: a member of a unit on
          whom the movements or alignments of a military command
          are regulated--used esp. in commands <~ right> [2]guide
          vb guid.ed ; guid.ing vt (14c) 1: to act as a guide to:
          direct in a way or course 2 a: to direct, supervise,
          or influence usu. to a particular end b: to superintend
          the training or instruction of ~ vi: to act or work as
          a guide -- guid.er n syn guide, lead, steer, pilot, engineer
          mean to direct in a course or show the way to be followed.
          guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all
          its difficulties and dangers <guided the scouts through
          the cave>. lead implies showing the way and often keeping
          those that follow under control and in order <led his
          team to victory>. steer implies an ability to keep to
          a chosen course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering
          correctly <steered the ship through a narrow channel>.
          pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous, intricate,
          or complicated course <piloted the bill through the Senate>.
          engineer implies guidance by one who finds ways to avoid
          or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying
          out a plan <engineered his son's election to the governorship>.

   guidebook
          [guide.book] n (1814): handbook 1; esp: a book of information
          for travelers

   guided missile
          [guided missile] n (1945): a missile whose course may be
          altered during flight (as by a target-seeking radar device)

   guide dog
          [guide dog] n (1932): a dog trained to lead the blind

   guideline
          [guide.line] n (1785): a line by which one is guided: as
          a: a cord or rope to aid a passer over a difficult point
          or to permit retracing a course b: an indication or outline
          of policy or conduct

   guidepost
          [guide.post] n (1761) 1: indication, sign 2: guideline b

   guideway
          [guide.way] n (1876): a channel or track for controlling
          the line of motion of something

   guide word
          [guide word] n (ca. 1928): either of the terms at the head
          of a page of an alphabetical reference work (as a dictionary)
          indicating the alphabetically first and last words on
          the page

   guidon
          [gui.don] n [MF, fr. guide] (1548) 1: a small flag; esp:
          one borne by a military unit as a unit marker 2: one
          who carries a guidon

   guidwillie
          [guid.will.ie] adj [Sc guidwill goodwill] (1788) Scot: cordial,
          cheering

   guild
          [guild] n [ME gilde, fr. ON gildi payment, guild; akin to
          OE gield tribute, guild--more at geld] (14c): an association
          of people with similar interests or pursuits; esp: a
          medieval association of merchants or craftsmen -- guild.ship
          n

   guilder
          [guil.der] n [ME gylder, gyldren, modif. of MD gulden] (15c):
          gulden

   guildhall
          [guild.hall] n (14c): a hall where a guild or corporation
          usu. assembles

   guildsman
          [guilds.man] n (1873) 1: a guild member 2: an advocate of
          guild socialism

   guild socialism
          [guild socialism] n (1912): an early 20th century English
          socialistic theory advocating state ownership of industry
          with control and management by guilds of workers

   guile
          [guile] n [ME, fr. OF, prob. of Gmc origin; akin to OE wigle
          divination--more at witch] (13c) 1: deceitful cunning:
          duplicity 2 obs: stratagem, trick -- guile.ful adj --
          guile.ful.ly adv -- guile.ful.ness n

   guileless
          [guile.less] adj (1728): innocent, naive -- guile.less.ly
          adv -- guile.less.ness n

   Guillain-Barre syndrome
          [Guil.lain-Bar.re syndrome] n [Georges Guillain d. 1961 Fr.
          physician and Jean A. Barre b1880 Fr. neurologist] (1940):
          a polyneuritis of unknown cause characterized esp. by
          muscle weakness and paralysis

   guillemet
          [guil.le.met] n [F, fr. dim. of Guillaume William (perh.
          a printer's name)] (ca. 1905): either of the marks used
          as quotation marks in French writing

   guillemot
          [guil.le.mot] n [F, fr. MF, dim. of Guillaume William] (1678)
          1 Brit: a common murre (Uria aalge) 2: any of a genus
          (Cepphus) of narrow-billed auks of northern seas

   guilloche
          [guil.loche] n [F guillochis] (ca. 1842) 1: an architectural
          ornament formed of two or more interlaced bands with
          openings containing round devices 2: a pattern (as on
          metalwork) made by interlacing curved lines

   guillotine
          [guil.lo.tine] n [F, fr. Joseph Guillotin d. 1814 Fr. physician]
          (1793) 1: a machine for beheading by means of a heavy
          blade that slides down in vertical guides 2: a shearing
          machine or instrument (as a paper cutter) that in action
          resembles a guillotine 3 chiefly Brit: closure by the
          imposition of a predetermined time limit on the consideration
          of specific sections of a bill or portions of other legislative
          business -- guillotine vt

   guilt
          [guilt] n [ME, delinquency, guilt, fr. OE gylt delinquency]
          (bef. 12c) 1: the fact of having committed a breach of
          conduct esp. violating law and involving a penalty; broadly:
          guilty conduct 2 a: the state of one who has committed
          an offense esp. consciously b: feelings of culpability
          esp. for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy:
          self-reproach 3: a feeling of culpability for offenses

   guiltless
          [guilt.less] adj (13c): innocent -- guilt.less.ly adv --
          guilt.less.ness n

   guilty
          [guilty] adj guilt.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: justly chargeable
          with or responsible for a usu. grave breach of conduct
          or a crime 2 obs: justly liable to or deserving of a
          penalty 3 a: suggesting or involving guilt <~ looks>
          b: aware of or suffering from guilt <~ consciences> syn
          see blameworthy -- guilt.i.ly adv -- guilt.i.ness n

   guimpe
          [guimpe] n [F, fr. OF guimple, of Gmc origin; akin to OE
          wimpel wimple] (1850) 1: a blouse worn under a jumper
          or pinafore 2: a wide cloth used by some nuns to cover
          the neck and shoulders 3 [by alter.]: [1]gimp

   guinea
          [guin.ea] n [Guinea, Africa, supposed source of the gold
          from which it was made] (1664) 1: an English gold coin
          issued from 1663 to 1813 and fixed in 1717 at 21 shillings
          2: a unit of value equal to one pound and one shilling

   guinea fowl
          [guinea fowl] n (1788): an African bird (Numida meleagris)
          related to the pheasants, raised for food in many parts
          of the world, and marked by a bare neck and head and
          slaty plumage speckled with white; broadly: any of several
          related birds

   guinea grass
          [guinea grass] n (1785): a tall African forage grass (Panicum
          maximum) introduced into tropical America and the southern
          U.S.

   guinea hen
          [guinea hen] n (1599): a female guinea fowl; broadly: guinea
          fowl

   guinea pepper
          [guinea pepper] n (1597): grains of paradise

   guinea pig
          [guinea pig] n (1664) 1: a small stout-bodied short-eared
          tailless domesticated rodent (Cavia porcellus) often
          kept as a pet and widely used in biological research--called
          also cavy 2: a subject of research, experimentation,
          or testing

   guinea worm
          [guinea worm] n (1699): a slender nematode worm (Dracunculus
          medinensis) of tropical regions parasitic in mammals
          including humans and having an adult female that infests
          subcutaneous tissues and may attain a length of several
          feet

   Guinevere
          [Guin.e.vere] n: the wife of King Arthur and mistress of
          Lancelot

   guipure
          [gui.pure] n [F] (1843): a heavy large-patterned decorative
          lace

   guiro
          [gui.ro] n [AmerSp guiro, lit., calabash] (1898): a percussion
          instrument of Latin-American origin made of a serrated
          gourd and played by scraping a stick along its surface

   guisard
          [gui.sard] n [obs. Sc gyze to disguise, fr. ME gyzen to dress,
          fr. guise, gyze guise] (1626) chiefly Scot: masker, mummer

   guise
          [guise] n [ME, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG wisa manner--more
          at wise] (13c) 1: a form or style of dress: costume 2 a obs:
          manner, fashion b archaic: a customary way of speaking or behaving
          3 a: external appearance: semblance b: pretext

   guitar
          [gui.tar] n [F guitare, fr. Sp guitarra, fr. Ar qitar, fr.
          Gk kithara cithara] (1621): a flat-bodied stringed instrument
          with a long fretted neck and usu. six strings plucked
          with a pick or with the fingers -- gui.tar.ist n

   guitarfish
          [gui.tar.fish] n (ca. 1900): any of several viviparous rays
          (family Rhinobatidae) somewhat like a guitar in shape
          viewed from above

   Gujarati
          [Gu.ja.ra.ti] n [Hindi gujarati, fr. Gujarat Gujarat] (1808)
          1 or Gu.je.ra.ti : the Indo-Aryan language of Gujarat
          and neighboring regions in northwestern India 2 or Guj.ra.ti
          : a member of a people chiefly of Gujarat speaking the
          Gujarati language

   gul
          [gul] n [Per] (1813) archaic: rose 1

   gulag
          [gu.lag] n, often cap [Russ, fr. Glavnoe upravlenie
          ispravitel'no-trudovykh lagerei chief administration
          of corrective labor camps] (1974): the penal system
          of the U.S.S.R. consisting of a network of labor camps;
          also: labor camp 1

   gular
          [gu.lar] adj [L gula throat--more at glutton] (1828): of,
          relating to, or situated on the throat

   gulch
          [gulch] n [perh. fr. E dial. gulch to gulp, fr. ME gulchen]
          (1832): a deep or precipitous cleft: ravine; esp: one
          occupied by a torrent

   gulden
          [gul.den] n, pl guldens or gulden [ME (Sc), fr. MD gulden
          florijn golden florin] (16c): the basic monetary unit
          of Netherlands

   gules
          [gules] n, pl gules [ME goules, fr. MF] (14c): the heraldic
          color red

   [1]gulf
          [gulf] n [ME goulf, fr. MF golfe, fr. It golfo, fr. LL colpus,
          fr. Gk kolpos bosom, gulf; akin to OE hwealf vault, OHG
          walbo] (15c) 1: a part of an ocean or sea extending into
          the land 2: a deep chasm: abyss 3: whirlpool 4: a wide
          gap <the ~ between generations> [2]gulf vt (1807): engulf

   gulfweed
          [gulf.weed] n [Gulf of Mexico] (1674): any of several sargassums;
          esp: a branching olive-brown seaweed (Sargassum bacciferum)
          of tropical American seas with numerous berrylike air
          vesicles

   [1]gull
          [gull] n [ME, of Celt origin; akin to W gwylan gull] (15c):
          any of numerous long-winged web-footed aquatic birds
          (subfamily Larinae of the family Laridae); esp: a usu.
          gray and white bird (as of the genus Larus) differing
          from a tern in usu. larger size, stouter build, thicker
          somewhat hooked bill, less pointed wings, and short unforked
          tail [2]gull vt [obs. gull gullet, fr. ME golle, fr.
          MF goule] (ca. 1550): to take advantage of (one who is
          foolish or unwary): deceive syn see dupe [3]gull n (1594):
          a person who is easily deceived or cheated: dupe

   Gullah
          [Gul.lah] n (1822) 1: a member of a group of blacks inhabiting
          the sea islands and coastal districts of So. Carolina,
          Georgia, and northeastern Florida 2: an English-based
          creole spoken by the Gullahs that is marked by vocabulary
          and grammatical elements from various African languages

   gullet
          [gul.let] n [ME golet, fr. MF goulet, dim. of goule throat,
          fr. L gula--more at glutton] (14c) 1: esophagus; broadly:
          throat 2: an invagination of the protoplasm in various
          protozoans (as a paramecium) that sometimes functions
          in the intake of food 3: the space between the tips of
          adjacent saw teeth

   gullible
          [gull.ible] also gull.able adj (1818): easily duped or cheated
          -- gull.ibil.i.ty n -- gull.ibly adv

   Gulliver
          [Gul.li.ver] n: an Englishman in Jonathan Swift's satire
          Gulliver's Travels who makes voyages to the imaginary
          lands of the Lilliputians, Brobdingnagians, Laputans,
          and Houyhnhnms

   [1]gully
          [gul.ly] n, pl gullies [short for E dial. gully knife] (1582)
          dial Brit: a large knife [2]gul.ly also gul.ley n, pl
          gullies [obs. E gully (gullet)] (1637) 1: a trench which
          was orig. worn in the earth by running water and through
          which water often runs after rains 2: a small valley
          or gulch [3]gul.ly vb gul.lied ; gul.ly.ing vt (1754):
          to make gullies in ~ vi: to undergo erosion: form gullies

   gully erosion
          [gully erosion] n (1928): soil erosion produced by running
          water

   gulosity
          [gu.los.i.ty] n [ME gulosite, fr. LL gulositas, fr. L gulosus
          gluttonous, fr. gula gullet] (15c): excessive appetite:
          greediness

   gulp
          [gulp] vb [ME, fr. a MD or MLG word akin to D & Fris gulpen
          to bubble forth, drink deep; akin to OE gielpan to boast--more
          at yelp] vt (14c) 1: to swallow hurriedly or greedily
          or in one swallow 2: to keep back as if by swallowing
          <~ down a sob> 3: to take in readily as if by swallowing
          <~ down knowledge> ~ vi: to catch the breath as if in
          taking a long drink -- gulp n -- gulp.er n

   [1]gum
          [gum] n [ME gome, fr. OE goma palate; akin to OHG guomo palate,
          and perh. to Gk chaos abyss] (bef. 12c): the tissue that
          surrounds the necks of teeth and covers the alveolar
          parts of the jaws; broadly: the alveolar portion of a
          jaw with its enveloping soft tissues [2]gum vt gummed
          ; gum.ming (1777) 1: to enlarge gullets of (a saw) 2:
          to chew with the gums [3]gum n [ME gomme, fr. MF, fr.
          L cummi, gummi, fr. Gk kommi, fr. Egypt qmyt] (14c) 1
          a: any of numerous colloidal polysaccharide substances
          of plant origin that are gelatinous when moist but harden
          on drying and are salts of complex organic acids--compare
          mucilage 1 b: any of various plant exudates (as an oleoresin
          or gum resin) 2: a substance or deposit resembling a
          plant gum (as in sticky or adhesive quality) 3 a: a tree
          (as a black gum) that yields gum b Austral: eucalyptus
          4: the wood or lumber of a gum; esp: that of the sweet
          gum 5: chewing gum [4]gum vb gummed ; gum.ming vt (1597):
          to clog, impede, or damage with or as if with gum <~
          up the works> ~ vi 1: to exude or form gum 2: to become
          gummy -- gum.mer n

   gum arabic
          [gum arabic] n (14c): a water-soluble gum obtained from several
          acacias (esp. Acacia senegal) and used esp. in the manufacture
          of inks, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and confections

   [1]gumbo
          [gum.bo] n, often cap [AmerF gombo, perh. fr. Kongo nkombo
          runaway slave] (1838): creole 4a [2]gumbo n, pl gumbos
          [AmerF gombo, of Bantu origin; akin to Umbundu ochinggombo
          okra] (1845) 1: a soup thickened with okra pods or file
          and containing meat or seafoods and usu. vegetables 2:
          okra 1 3 a: any of various fine-grained silty soils esp.
          of the central U.S. that when wet become impervious and
          soapy or waxy and very sticky b: a heavy sticky mud 4:
          mixture, melange -- gumbo adj

   gumboil
          [gum.boil] n (1753): an abscess in the gum

   gumbo-limbo
          [gum.bo-lim.bo] n [origin unknown] (1837): a tree (Bursera
          simaruba of the family Burseraceae) of southern Florida
          and the American tropics that has a smooth coppery bark
          and supplies a reddish resin used locally in cements
          and varnishes

   gum boot
          [gum boot] n (1850): a rubber boot

   gumdrop
          [gum.drop] n (1860): a sugar-coated candy made usu. from
          corn syrup with gelatin or gum arabic

   gumma
          [gum.ma] n, pl gummas also gum.ma.ta [NL gummat-, gumma,
          fr. LL, gum, alter. of L gummi gum] (ca. 1722): a tumor
          of gummy or rubbery consistency that is characteristic
          of the tertiary stage of syphilis -- gum.ma.tous adj

   gummite
          [gum.mite] n (1868): a yellow to reddish brown mixture of
          hydrous oxides of uranium, thorium, and lead

   gummosis
          [gum.mo.sis] n [NL] (1882): a pathological production of
          gummy exudate in a plant; also: a plant disease marked
          by gummosis

   gummous
          [gum.mous] adj (1669): resembling or composed of gum

   gummy
          [gum.my] adj gum.mi.er ; -est (14c) 1: viscous, sticky 2
          a: consisting of or containing gum b: covered with gum
          -- gum.mi.ness n

   gumption
          [gump.tion] n [origin unknown] (1719) 1 chiefly dial: common
          sense, horse sense 2: enterprise, initiative <lacked
          the ~ to try>

   gum resin
          [gum resin] n (1712): a product consisting essentially of
          a mixture of gum and resin usu. obtained by making an
          incision in a plant and allowing the juice which exudes
          to solidify

   [1]gumshoe
          [gum.shoe] n (1906): detective [2]gumshoe vi gum.shoed ;
          gum.shoe.ing (1930): to engage in detective work

   gum tragacanth
          [gum tragacanth] n (1573): tragacanth

   gum tree
          [gum tree] n (1676): [3]gum 3

   gum turpentine
          [gum turpentine] n (1926): turpentine 2a

   gumwood
          [gum.wood] n (1709): [3]gum 4

   [1]gun
          [gun] n [ME gonne, gunne] (14c) 1 a: a piece of ordnance
          usu. with high muzzle velocity and comparatively flat
          trajectory b: a portable firearm (as a rifle or handgun)
          c: a device that throws a projectile 2 a: a discharge
          of a gun esp. as a salute or signal b: a signal marking
          a beginning or ending 3 a: hunter b: gunman 4: something
          suggesting a gun in shape or function 5: throttle --
          gunned adj -- under the gun : under pressure or attack
          [2]gun vb gunned ; gun.ning vi (1622): to hunt with a
          gun ~ vt 1 a: to fire on b: shoot <gunned down by a hit
          man> 2 a: to open up the throttle of so as to increase
          speed <~ the engine> b: fire 3b <gunned the ball to first
          base> -- gun for : to aim at or go after with determination
          or effort

   gunboat
          [gun.boat] n (1777): an armed ship of shallow draft

   gunboat diplomacy
          [gunboat diplomacy] n (1927): diplomacy backed by the use
          or threat of military force

   gun control
          [gun control] n (1969): regulation of the selling, owning,
          and use of guns

   guncotton
          [gun.cot.ton] n (1846): nitrocellulose; esp: an explosive
          highly nitrated product used chiefly in smokeless powder

   gundog
          [gun.dog] n (1744): a dog trained to work with hunters by
          locating and retrieving game

   gunfight
          [gun.fight] n (1659): a hostile encounter in which antagonists
          fire upon each other -- gun.fight.er n

   gunfire
          [gun.fire] n (1801): the firing of guns

   gunflint
          [gun.flint] n (1731): a small sharp flint fashioned to ignite
          the priming in a flintlock

   gung ho
          [gung ho] adj [Gung ho], motto (interpreted as meaning "work
          together") adopted by certain U.S. marines, fr. Chin
          (Beijing) gonghe, short for Zhongguo Gongye Hezuo She
          Chinese Industrial Cooperative Society] (1942): extremely
          or overly zealous or enthusiastic

   gunite
          [gun.ite] n (1914): a building material consisting of a mixture
          of cement, sand, and water that is sprayed onto a mold

   gunk
          [gunk] n [fr. Gunk, trademark for a cleaning solvent] (1943):
          filthy, sticky, or greasy matter -- gunky adj

   gun lap
          [gun lap] n (ca. 1949): the final lap of a race in track
          signaled by the firing of a gun as the leader begins
          the lap

   gunman
          [gun.man] n (1624) 1: a man armed with a gun; esp: a professional
          killer 2: a man noted for speed or skill in handling
          a gun

   gunmetal
          [gun.met.al] n (1541) 1: a metal used for guns; specif: a
          bronze formerly much used as a material for cannon 2:
          an alloy or metal treated to imitate nearly black tarnished
          copper-alloy gunmetal 3: a bluish gray color

   gun moll
          [gun moll] n [slang gun thief, rascal, by shortening & alter.
          fr. gonoph, ganef thief--more at ganef] (ca. 1908) slang:
          moll 2b

   Gunnar
          [Gun.nar] n [ON Gunnarr]: the king of the Nibelungs and husband
          of Brynhild in Norse mythology

   [1]gunnel
          [gun.nel] var of gunwale [2]gunnel n [origin unknown] (1740):
          a small slimy elongate north Atlantic blenny (Pholis
          gunnellus); broadly: any fish of the family (Pholidae)
          to which the gunnel belongs

   gunner
          [gun.ner] n (14c) 1: a soldier or airman who operates or
          aims a gun 2: one who hunts with a gun 3: a warrant officer
          who supervises ordnance and ordnance stores

   gunnery
          [gun.nery] n (1605): the use of guns; esp: the science of
          the flight of projectiles and of the effective use of
          guns

   gunnery sergeant
          [gunnery sergeant] n (ca. 1961): a noncommissioned officer
          in the marine corps ranking above a staff sergeant and
          below a master sergeant or first sergeant

   gunnysack
          [gun.ny.sack] n [gunny coarse fabric, of Indo-Aryan origin;
          akin to Hindi gon sack, Punjabi guni] (1862): a sack
          made of a coarse heavy fabric (as burlap)

   gunplay
          [gun.play] n (1881): the shooting of small arms with intent
          to scare or kill

   gunpoint
          [gun.point] n (1951): the muzzle of a gun -- at gunpoint
          : under a threat of death by being shot

   gunpowder
          [gun.pow.der] n (15c): an explosive mixture of potassium
          nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur used in gunnery and blasting;
          broadly: any of various powders used in guns as propelling
          charges

   gun room
          [gun room] n (1626): quarters on a British warship orig.
          used by the gunner and his mates but now by midshipmen
          and junior officers

   gunrunner
          [gun.run.ner] n (1899): one that traffics in contraband arms
          and ammunition -- gun.run.ning n

   gunsel
          [gun.sel] n [slang gunsel catamite, perh. modif. of Yiddish
          gendzl gosling] (1944) slang: gunman

   gunship
          [gun.ship] n (1966): a helicopter or cargo aircraft armed
          with rockets and machine guns

   gunshot
          [gun.shot] n (15c) 1: shot or a projectile fired from a gun
          2: the range of a gun 3: the firing of a gun

   gun-shy
          [gun-shy] adj (1884) 1: afraid of loud noise (as that of
          a gun) 2: markedly distrustful, afraid, or cautious

   gunslinger
          [gun.sling.er] n (1928): a person noted for speed and skill
          in handling and shooting a gun esp. in the American West

   gunslinging
          [gun.sling.ing] n (ca. 1944): the shooting of a gun esp.
          in a gunfight

   gunsmith
          [gun.smith] n (1588): one who designs, makes, or repairs
          small firearms -- gun.smith.ing n

   Gunter's chain
          [Gun.ter's chain] n [Edmund Gunter] (ca. 1679): a chain 66
          feet (20.1 meters) long that is the unit of length for
          surveys of U.S. public lands

   Gunther
          [Gun.ther] n [G]: a Burgundian king and husband of Brunhild
          in Germanic legend

   gunwale
          [gun.wale] also gun.nel n [ME gonne-wale, fr. gonne gun +
          [1]wale; fr. its former use as a support for guns] (15c):
          the upper edge of a ship's or boat's side -- to the gunwales
          : as full as possible

   guppy
          [gup.py] n, pl guppies [R.J.L. Guppy d. 1916 Trinidadian
          naturalist] (1925): a small live-bearer (Poecilia reticulata
          of the family Poeciliidae) of Barbados, Trinidad, and
          Venezuela often kept as an aquarium fish

   gurgle
          [gur.gle] vi gur.gled ; gur.gling [prob. imit.] (1713) 1:
          to flow in a broken irregular current <the brook gurgling
          over the rocks> 2: to make a sound like that of a gurgling
          liquid <the baby gurgling in his crib> -- gurgle n

   Gurkha
          [Gur.kha] n [Ghurka, member of a Rajput clan who dominated
          Nepal in the 18th cent.] (1811): a soldier from Nepal
          in the British or Indian army

   gurnard
          [gur.nard] n, pl gurnard or gurnards [ME, fr. MF gornart,
          irreg. fr. grognier to grunt, fr. L grunnire, of imit.
          origin] (14c): sea robin--compare flying gurnard

   gurney
          [gur.ney] n, pl gurneys [prob. fr. the name Gurney] (1939):
          a wheeled cot or stretcher

   gurry
          [gur.ry] n [origin unknown] (1850): fishing offal

   guru
          [gu.ru] n, pl gurus [Hindi guru, fr. Skt guru, fr. guru,
          adj., heavy, venerable--more at grieve] (1613) 1: a personal
          religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism 2 a:
          a teacher and esp. intellectual guide in matters of fundamental
          concern b: one who is an acknowledged leader or chief
          proponent c: a person with knowledge or expertise: expert

   [1]gush
          [gush] vb [ME guschen] vi (15c) 1: to issue copiously or
          violently 2: to emit a sudden copious flow 3: to make
          an effusive display of affection or enthusiasm <an aunt
          ~ing over the baby> ~ vt 1: to emit in a copious free
          flow 2: to say or write effusively -- gush.ing.ly adv
          [2]gush n (ca. 1682) 1 a: a sudden outpouring b: something
          emitted in a gushing forth 2: an effusive display or
          outpouring

   gusher
          [gush.er] n (1864): one that gushes; specif: an oil well
          with a copious natural flow

   gushy
          [gushy] adj gush.i.er ; -est (1845): marked by effusive
          sentimentality -- gush.i.ly adv -- gush.i.ness n

   gusset
          [gus.set] n [ME, piece of armor covering the joints in a
          suit of armor, fr. MF gousset] (ca. 1570) 1: a usu. diamond-shaped
          or triangular insert in a seam (as of a sleeve, pocketbook, or shoe
          upper) to provide expansion or reinforcement 2: a plate or bracket
          for strengthening an angle in framework (as in a building
          or bridge) -- gusset vt

   gussy up
          [gus.sy up] vt gus.sied up ; gus.sy.ing up [origin unknown]
          (1952): dress up, embellish

   [1]gust
          [gust] n [ME guste, fr. L gustus; akin to L gustare to taste--more
          at choose] (15c) 1 obs a: the sensation of taste b: inclination,
          liking 2: keen delight [2]gust n [prob. fr. ON gustr; akin to OHG
          gussa flood, and perh. to OE geotan to pour--more at found] (1588)
          1: a sudden brief rush of wind 2: a sudden outburst: surge
          <a ~ of emotion> -- gust.i.ly adv -- gust.i.ness n -- gusty adj
          [3]gust vi (1813): to blow in gusts <winds ~ing up to 40 mph>

   gustation
          [gus.ta.tion] n [L gustation-, gustatio, fr. gustare] (1599):
          the act or sensation of tasting

   gustatory
          [gus.ta.to.ry] adj (1684): relating to or associated with
          eating or the sense of taste -- gus.ta.to.ri.ly adv

   gusto
          [gus.to] n, pl gustoes [It, fr. L gustus, pp.] (1620) 1 a:
          an individual or special taste <different ~es> b: enthusiastic
          and vigorous enjoyment or appreciation c: vitality marked
          by an abundance of vigor and enthusiasm 2 archaic: artistic
          style

   [1]gut
          [gut] n [ME, fr. OE guttas, pl.; prob. akin to OE geotan
          to pour] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): bowels, entrails--usu. used
          in pl. (2): the basic visceral or emotional part of a
          person b: the alimentary canal or part of it (as the
          intestine or stomach) c: belly, abdomen d: catgut 2 pl:
          the inner essential parts <the ~s of a car> 3: a narrow
          passage; also: a narrow waterway or small creek 4: the
          sac of silk taken from a silkworm ready to spin its cocoon
          and drawn out into a thread for use as a snell 5 pl:
          fortitude and stamina in coping with what alarms, repels,
          or discourages: courage, pluck 6: gut course [2]gut vt
          gut.ted ; gut.ting (14c) 1 a: eviscerate b: to extract
          all the essential passages or portions from 2 a: to destroy
          the inside of <fire gutted the building> b: to destroy
          the essential power or effectiveness of <inflation gutting
          the economy> -- gut it out : persevere [3]gut adj (1964)
          1: arising from one's inmost self: visceral <a ~ reaction>
          2: having strong impact or immediate relevance <~ issues>

   GUT
          [GUT] abbreviation grand unified theory, grand unification
          theory

   gutbucket
          [gut.buck.et] n (1929) 1: barrelhouse 2 2: a homemade bass
          fiddle consisting of a stick attached to an inverted
          washtub and having a single string

   gut course
          [gut course] n (1948): a course (as in college) that is easily
          passed

   guten Tag
          [gu.ten Tag] [G] foreign term : good day

   gutless
          [gut.less] adj (1900) 1: lacking courage: cowardly 2: lacking
          significance or vitality -- gut.less.ness n

   gutsy
          [gutsy] adj guts.i.er ; -est (ca. 1893) 1: marked by courage,
          pluck, or determination <a ~ little fighter> <a ~ decision>
          2 a: expressing or characterized by basic physical senses
          or passions <~ macho talk> <~ country blues> b: rough
          or plain in style: not bland or sophisticated <a ~ soup>
          -- gut.si.ly adv -- guts.i.ness n

   gutta
          [gut.ta] n, pl gut.tae [L, lit., drop] (1563): one of a series
          of ornaments in the Doric entablature that is usu. in
          the form of a frustum of a cone

   gutta-percha
          [gut.ta-per.cha] n [Malay getah-percha, fr. getah sap, latex
          + percha scrap, rag] (1845): a tough plastic substance
          from the latex of several Malaysian trees (genera Payena
          and Palaquium) of the sapodilla family that resembles
          rubber but contains more resin and is used esp. as insulation
          and in dentistry

   guttation
          [gut.ta.tion] n [L gutta drop] (ca. 1889): the exudation
          of liquid water from the uninjured surface of a plant
          leaf

   [1]gutter
          [gut.ter] n [ME goter, fr. MF goutiere, fr. goute drop, fr.
          L gutta] (14c) 1 a: a trough along the eaves to catch
          and carry off rainwater b: a low area (as at the edge
          of a street) to carry off surface water (as to a sewer)
          c: a trough or groove to catch and direct something <the
          ~s of a bowling alley> 2: a white space formed by the
          adjoining inside margins of two facing pages (as of a
          book) 3: the lowest or most vulgar level or condition
          of human life [2]gutter vt (14c) 1: to cut or wear gutters
          in 2: to provide with a gutter ~ vi 1 a: to flow in rivulets
          b of a candle: to melt away through a channel out of
          the side of the cup hollowed out by the burning wick
          2: to incline downward in a draft <the candle flame ~ing>
          [3]gutter adj (15c): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the gutter; esp: marked by extreme vulgarity, cheapness,
          or indecency <~ politics>

   guttering
          [gut.ter.ing] n (1703) 1: material for gutters 2: gutter
          1a

   gutter out
          [gutter out] vi (1875) 1: to become gradually weaker and
          then go out <the candle guttered out> 2: to end feebly
          or undramatically <his screen career had slowly guttered
          out>

   guttersnipe
          [gut.ter.snipe] n (ca. 1869) 1: street arab 2: a person of
          the lowest moral or economic station -- gut.ter.snip.ish
          adj

   guttural
          [gut.tur.al] adj [MF, prob. fr. ML gutturalis, fr. L guttur
          throat] (1594) 1: articulated in the throat <~ sounds>
          2: velar 3: being or marked by utterance that is strange,
          unpleasant, or disagreeable -- guttural n -- gut.tur.al.ism
          n

   gutty
          [gut.ty] adj gut.ti.er ; -est (1947) 1: gutsy 1 <a ~ quarterback>
          2: having a vigorous challenging quality <~ realism>

   gut-wrenching
          [gut-wrench.ing] adj (1974): causing mental or emotional
          anguish

   [1]guy
          [guy] n [prob. fr. D gei brail] (1623): a rope, chain, rod,
          or wire attached to something as a brace or guide--called
          also guyline [2]guy vt (1712): to steady or reinforce
          with a guy [3]guy n [Guy Fawkes] (1806) 1 often cap:
          a grotesque effigy of Guy Fawkes traditionally displayed
          and burned in England on Guy Fawkes Day 2 chiefly Brit:
          a person of grotesque appearance 3 a: man, fellow b:
          person--used in pl. to refer to the members of a group
          regardless of sex <saw her and the rest of the ~s> [4]guy
          vt (1854): to make fun of: ridicule

   Guy Fawkes Day
          [Guy Fawkes Day] n (1825): November 5 observed in England
          in commemoration of the seizure of Guy Fawkes in 1605
          for an attempt to blow up the houses of parliament

   guyot
          [guy.ot] n [Arnold H. Guyot d. 1884 Am. geographer & geologist]
          (1946): a flat-topped seamount

   guzzle
          [guz.zle] vb guz.zled ; guz.zling [origin unknown] vi (1583):
          to drink esp. liquor greedily, continually, or habitually
          ~ vt: to drink greedily or habitually <~ beer> -- guz.zler
          n

   gw...
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   gweduc
          [gwe.duc] var of geoduck

   GWRBI
          [GWRBI] abbreviation game winning run batted in

   Gwyn
          [Gwyn] abbreviation Gwynedd

   gy...
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   gybe
          [gybe] var of jibe

   gym
          [gym] n (ca. 1871) 1: gymnasium 2: physical education 3:
          a usu. metal frame supporting an assortment of outdoor
          play equipment (as a swing, seesaw, and rings)

   gymkhana
          [gym.kha.na] n [prob. modif. of Hindi gedkhana, lit., ball
          court] (1877): a meet featuring sports contests or athletic
          skills: as a: competitive games on horseback b: a timed
          contest for automobiles featuring a series of events
          designed to test driving skill

   gymnasium
          [gym.na.si.um] n, pl -na.si.ums or -na.sia [L, exercise ground,
          school, fr. Gk gymnasion, fr. gymnazein to exercise naked,
          fr. gymnos naked--more at naked] (1598) 1 a: a large
          room used for various indoor sports (as basketball or
          boxing) and usu. equipped with gymnastic apparatus b:
          a building (as on a college campus) containing space
          and equipment for various indoor sports activities and
          usu. including spectator accommodations, locker and shower
          rooms, offices, classrooms, and a swimming pool 2 [G,
          fr. L, school]: a European secondary school that prepares
          students for the university

   gymnast
          [gym.nast] n [MF gymnaste, fr. Gk gymnastes trainer, fr.
          gymnazein] (1594): one trained in gymnastics

   [1]gymnastic
          [gym.nas.tic] adj (1574): of or relating to gymnastics: athletic
          -- gym.nas.ti.cal.ly adv [2]gymnastic n (1652) 1 pl but
          sing in constr a: physical exercises designed to develop
          strength and coordination b: a competitive sport in which
          individuals perform optional and prescribed acrobatic
          feats mostly on special apparatus in order to demonstrate
          strength, balance, and body control 2: an exercise in
          intellectual or artistic dexterity <my earlier philosophic
          study had been an intellectual ~ --John Dewey> <mental
          ~s> 3: a physical feat or contortion <the ~s necessary
          for the killer to have swung from the fire escape --E.
          D. Radin>

   gymnosophist
          [gym.nos.o.phist] n [L gymnosophista, fr. Gk gymnosophistes,
          fr. gymnos + sophistes wise man, sophist] (15c): any
          of a sect of ascetics in ancient India who went naked
          and practiced meditation

   gymnosperm
          [gym.no.sperm] n [ultim. fr. Gk gymnos + sperma seed--more
          at sperm] (ca. 1838): any of a class (Gymnospermae) of
          woody vascular seed plants (as conifers) that produce
          naked seeds not enclosed in an ovary and that in some
          instances have motile spermatozoids -- gym.no.sper.mous
          adj -- gym.no.sper.my n

   gyn-
          [gyn-] or gyno- comb form [Gk gyn-, fr. gyne woman--more
          at queen]: female reproductive organ: ovary <gynophore>

   gyn
          [gyn] or gynecol abbreviation gynecology

   gynaecology
          [gy.nae.col.o.gy] chiefly Brit var of gynecology

   gynandromorph
          [gyn.an.dro.morph] n [ISV, fr. Gk gynandros + -morph] (ca.
          1890): an abnormal individual exhibiting characters of
          both sexes in various parts of the body: a sexual mosaic
          -- gyn.an.dro.mor.phic adj -- gyn.an.dro.mor.phism n
          -- gyn.an.dro.mor.phy n

   gynandrous
          [gyn.an.drous] adj [Gk gynandros of doubtful sex, fr. gyne
          woman + andr-, aner man--more at andr-] (1807): having
          the androecium and gynoecium united in a column

   -gyne
          [-gyne] n comb form [Gk gyne]: female reproductive organ
          <trichogyne>

   gynec-
          [gynec-] or gyneco- also gynaec- or gynaeco- comb form [Gk
          gynaik-, gynaiko-, fr. gynaik-, gyne woman--more at queen]:
          woman <gynecology>

   gynecocracy
          [gy.ne.coc.ra.cy] n, pl -cies [Gk gynaikokratia, fr. gynaik-
          + -kratia -cracy] (1612): political supremacy of women
          -- gy.ne.co.crat.ic adj

   gynecoid
          [gy.ne.coid] adj (1907): typical or characteristic of the
          human female <~ pelvis>

   gynecology
          [gy.ne.col.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1847): a branch of medicine
          that deals with the diseases and routine physical care
          of the reproductive system of women -- gy.ne.co.log.ic
          or gy.ne.co.log.i.cal adj -- gy.ne.col.o.gist n

   gynecomastia
          [gy.neco.mas.tia] n [NL, fr. gynec- + Gk mastos breast +
          NL -ia] (1881): excessive development of the breast in
          the male

   gynoecium
          [gy.noe.ci.um] n, pl -cia [NL, alter. of L gynaeceum women's
          apartments, fr. Gk gynaikeion, fr. gynaik-, gyne] (1832):
          the aggregate of carpels or pistils in a flower

   gynogenesis
          [gy.no.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1925): development in which the
          embryo contains only maternal chromosomes due to activation
          of an egg by a sperm that degenerates without fusing
          with the egg nucleus -- gy.no.ge.net.ic adj

   gynophore
          [gy.no.phore] n (1821): a prolongation of the receptacle
          (as in a caper flower) with the gynoecium at its apex

   -gynous
          [-gynous] adj comb form [NL -gynus, fr. Gk -gynos, fr. gyne
          woman--more at queen] 1: of, relating to, or having (such
          or so many) wives <monogynous> 2: situated (in a specified
          place) in relation to a female organ of a plant <hypogynous>

   -gyny
          [-gyny] n comb form 1: existence of or condition of having
          (such or so many) wives <polygyny> 2: condition of being
          situated (in a specified place) in relation to a female
          organ of a plant <epigyny>

   [1]gyp
          [gyp] n [prob. short for gypsy] (1750) 1 Brit: a college
          servant 2 a: cheat, swindler b: fraud, swindle [2]gyp
          vb gypped ; gyp.ping (1880): cheat

   gypseous
          [gyp.se.ous] adj (1661): resembling, containing, or consisting
          of gypsum <~ clay loam>

   gypsiferous
          [gyp.sif.er.ous] adj (ca. 1847): containing gypsum

   gypsophila
          [gyp.soph.i.la] n [NL, fr. L gypsum + NL -phila -phil] (1771):
          any of a large genus (Gypsophila) of Old World herbs
          of the pink family having small delicate usu. paniculate
          flowers

   gypsum
          [gyp.sum] n [L, fr. Gk gypsos] (14c) 1: a widely distributed
          mineral consisting of hydrous calcium sulfate that is
          used esp. as a soil amendment and in making plaster of
          paris 2: plasterboard

   gypsy
          [gyp.sy] vi gyp.sied ; gyp.sy.ing (ca. 1627): to live or
          roam like a Gypsy Gyp.sy n, pl Gypsies [by shortening
          & alter. fr. Egyptian] (1537) 1: a member of a traditionally
          itinerant people who originated in northern India and
          now live chiefly in south and southwest Asia, Europe,
          and No. America 2: romany 2 3 not cap: one that resembles
          a Gypsy; esp: wanderer

   gypsy cab
          [gypsy cab] n (1964): a taxicab licensed only to answer calls;
          esp: such a cab that cruises in search of passengers

   gypsy moth
          [gypsy moth] n (1819): an Old World tussock moth (Lymantria
          dispar) that was introduced about 1869 into the U.S.
          and has a grayish brown mottled hairy caterpillar which
          is a destructive defoliator of many trees

   gyr-
          [gyr-] or gyro- comb form [prob. fr. MF, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr.
          gyros rounded] 1: ring: circle: spiral <gyromagnetic>
          2: gyroscope <gyrocompass>

   gyrase
          [gyr.ase] n [gyr- + -ase] (1976): an enzyme that catalyzes
          the breaking and rejoining of bonds linking adjacent
          nucleotides in DNA to generate supercoiled DNA helices

   [1]gyrate
          [gy.rate] adj (1830): winding or coiled around: convoluted
          <~ branches of a tree> [2]gyrate vi gy.rat.ed ; gy.rat.ing
          (1830) 1: to revolve around a point or axis 2: to oscillate
          with or as if with a circular or spiral motion -- gy.ra.tor
          n -- gy.ra.to.ry adj

   gyration
          [gy.ra.tion] n (1615) 1: an act or instance of gyrating 2:
          something (as a coil of a shell) that is gyrate -- gy.ra.tion.al
          adj

   [1]gyre
          [gyre] n [L gyrus, fr. Gk gyros] (1566): a circular or spiral
          motion or form; esp: a giant circular oceanic surface
          current -- gy.ral adj [2]gyre vi gyred ; gyr.ing [LL
          gyrare, fr. L gyrus] (1593): to move in a circle or spiral

   gyrene
          [gy.rene] n [prob. alter. of marine] (1944) slang: a U.S.
          marine

   gyrfalcon
          [gyr.fal.con] n [ME gerfaucun, fr. OF girfaucon, prob. fr.
          gir vulture (fr. OHG gir) + faucon falcon] (14c): an
          arctic falcon (Falco rusticolus) that occurs in several
          color forms and is the largest of all falcons

   [1]gyro
          [gy.ro] n, pl gyros (1910) 1: gyrocompass 2: gyroscope [2]gy.ro
          n, pl gyros [NGk gyros turn, fr. Gk; fr. the rotation
          of the meat on a spit] (1971): a sandwich esp. of lamb
          and beef, tomato, and onion on pita bread Gy.ro n, pl
          Gyros [Gyro International (association)] (1971): a member
          of a major international service club

   gyrocompass
          [gy.ro.com.pass] n (1910): a compass consisting of a continuously
          driven gyroscope whose spinning axis is confined to a
          horizontal plane so that the earth's rotation causes
          it to assume a position parallel to the earth's axis
          and thus point to the true north

   gyrofrequency
          [gy.ro.fre.quen.cy] n (1938): the frequency with which a
          charged particle (as an electron) executes spiral gyrations
          in moving obliquely across a magnetic field

   gyro horizon
          [gyro horizon] n (1938): artificial horizon

   gyromagnetic
          [gy.ro.mag.net.ic] adj (1922): of or relating to the magnetic
          properties of a rotating electrical particle

   gyromagnetic ratio
          [gyromagnetic ratio] n (1922): the ratio of the magnetic
          moment of a spinning charged particle to its angular
          momentum

   gyron
          [gy.ron] n [MF giron gore, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG gera
          wedge-shaped object, OE gar spear--more at gore] (1572):
          a heraldic charge of triangular form having one side
          at the edge of the field and the opposite angle usu.
          at the fess point

   gyroplane
          [gy.ro.plane] n [ISV] (1907): an airplane balanced and supported
          by the aerodynamic forces acting on rapidly rotating
          horizontal or slightly inclined airfoils

   gyroscope
          [gy.ro.scope] n [F] (1856): a wheel or disk mounted to spin
          rapidly about an axis and also free to rotate about one
          or both of two axes perpendicular to each other and to
          the axis of spin so that a rotation of one of the two
          mutually perpendicular axes results from application
          of torque to the other when the wheel is spinning and
          so that the entire apparatus offers considerable opposition
          depending on the angular momentum to any torque that
          would change the direction of the axis of spin -- gy.ro.scop.ic
          adj -- gy.ro.scop.i.cal.ly adv

   gyrostabilizer
          [gy.ro.sta.bi.liz.er] n (1921): a stabilizing device (as
          for a ship or airplane) that consists of a continuously
          driven gyro spinning about a vertical axis and pivoted
          so that its axis of spin may be tipped fore-and-aft in
          the vertical plane and that serves to oppose sideways
          motion--called also gyrostat

   gyrus
          [gy.rus] n, pl gy.ri [NL, fr. L, circle--more at gyre] (ca.
          1842): a convoluted ridge (as a convolution of the brain)
          between anatomical grooves

   Gy Sgt
          [Gy Sgt] abbreviation gunnery sergeant

   gyve
          [gyve] n [ME] (13c): fetter, shackle -- gyve vt

   h...
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   h
          [h] n, pl h's or hs often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 8th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic h 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter h 3: one designated h esp. as the 8th in order
          or class 4: something shaped like the letter H

   h
          [h] abbreviation half, harbor, hard, hardness, hecto-, height,
          high, hit, horse, hour, humidity, hundred, Hungary, husband
          H abbreviation Hamiltonian, henry, heroin, hydrogen

   H-bomb
          [H-bomb] n (1950): hydrogen bomb

   H Res
          [H Res] abbreviation House resolution

   ha...
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   ha
          [ha] interj [ME, fr. OE] (bef. 12c)--used esp. to express
          surprise or joy

   ha
          [ha] abbreviation hectare  HA abbreviation hour angle

   Hab
          [Hab] abbreviation Habakkuk

   Habacuc
          [Ha.ba.cuc] n [LL, fr. Heb Habhaqquq]: habakkuk

   Habakkuk
          [Ha.bak.kuk] n [Heb Habhaqquq] 1: a Hebrew prophet of 7th
          century b.c. Judah who prophesied an imminent Chaldean
          invasion 2: a prophetic book of canonical Jewish and
          Christian Scripture

   habanera
          [ha.ba.ne.ra] n [Sp (danza) habanera, lit., Havanan dance]
          (1878) 1: a Cuban dance in slow duple time 2: the music
          for the habanera

   hab corp
          [hab corp] abbreviation habeas corpus

   habdalah
          [hab.da.lah] n, often cap [Heb habhdalah separation] (1733):
          a Jewish ceremony marking the close of a Sabbath or holy
          day

   habeas corpus
          [ha.be.as cor.pus] n [ME, fr. ML, lit., you should have the
          body (the opening words of the writ)] (15c) 1: any of
          several common-law writs issued to bring a party before
          a court or judge; esp: habeas corpus ad subjiciendum
          2: the right of a citizen to obtain a writ of habeas
          corpus as a protection against illegal imprisonment

   habeas corpus ad subjiciendum
          [habeas corpus ad sub.ji.ci.en.dum] n [NL, lit., you should
          have the body for submitting] (1768): a writ for inquiring
          into the lawfulness of the restraint of a person who
          is imprisoned or detained in another's custody

   haberdasher
          [hab.er.dash.er] n [ME haberdassher, fr. modif. of AF hapertas
          petty merchandise] (14c) 1 Brit: a dealer in notions
          2: a dealer in men's clothing and accessories

   haberdashery
          [hab.er.dash.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1593) 1: goods sold by a
          haberdasher 2: a haberdasher's shop

   habergeon
          [ha.ber.geon] n [ME haubergeoun, fr. MF haubergeon, dim.
          of hauberc hauberk] (14c) 1: a medieval jacket of mail
          shorter than a hauberk 2: hauberk

   Haber process
          [Ha.ber process] n [Fritz Haber d. 1934 Ger. chemist] (1916):
          a catalytic process for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen
          and hydrogen

   habile
          [hab.ile] adj [F, fr. L habilis--more at able] (15c): having
          general skill: able, skillful

   habiliment
          [ha.bil.i.ment] n [MF habillement, fr. habiller to dress,
          prepare, fr. OF abiller, fr. bille log--more at billet]
          (15c) 1 pl: characteristic apparatus: fittings <the ~s
          of civilization --W. P. Webb> 2 a: the dress characteristic
          of an occupation or occasion--usu. used in pl. b: clothes--usu.
          used in pl.

   habilitate
          [ha.bil.i.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [LL habilitatus, pp.
          of habilitare, fr. L habilitas ability--more at ability]
          vt (1604) 1: to make fit or capable (as for functioning
          in society) 2: clothe, dress ~ vi: to qualify oneself
          -- ha.bil.i.ta.tion n

   [1]habit
          [hab.it] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L habitus condition, character,
          fr. habere to have, hold--more at give] (13c) 1 archaic:
          clothing 2 a: a costume characteristic of a calling,
          rank, or function <a nun's ~> b: a costume worn for horseback
          riding 3: manner of conducting oneself: bearing 4: bodily
          appearance or makeup <a man of fleshy ~> 5: the prevailing
          disposition or character of a person's thoughts and feelings:
          mental makeup 6: a settled tendency or usual manner of
          behavior 7 a: a behavior pattern acquired by frequent
          repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself
          in regularity or increased facility of performance b:
          an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or
          completely involuntary c: addiction 8: characteristic
          mode of growth or occurrence <a grass similar to Indian
          corn in ~> 9 of a crystal: characteristic assemblage
          of forms at crystallization leading to a usual appearance
          syn habit, practice, usage, custom, wont mean a way of
          acting fixed through repetition. habit implies a doing
          unconsciously and often compulsively <had a habit of
          tapping his fingers>. practice suggests an act or method
          followed with regularity and usu. through choice <our
          practice is to honor all major credit cards>. usage suggests
          a customary action so generally followed that it has
          become a social norm <western-style dress is now common
          usage in international business>. custom applies to a
          practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual
          or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law
          <the custom of wearing black at funerals>. wont usu.
          applies to an habitual manner, method, or practice of
          an individual or group <as was her wont, she slept until
          noon>. [2]habit vt (1594): clothe, dress

   habitable
          [hab.it.able] adj (14c): capable of being lived in: suitable
          for habitation -- hab.it.abil.i.ty n -- hab.it.able.ness
          n -- hab.it.ably adv

   habitant
          [ha.bi.tant] n (15c) 1: inhabitant, resident 2 also ha.bi.tan
          : a settler or descendant of a settler of French origin
          working as a farmer in Canada

   habitat
          [hab.i.tat] n [L, it inhabits, fr. habitare] (1796) 1 a:
          the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally
          or normally lives and grows b: the typical place of residence
          of a person or a group c: a housing for a controlled
          physical environment in which people can live under surrounding
          inhospitable conditions (as under the sea) 2: the place
          where something is commonly found

   habitation
          [hab.i.ta.tion] n [ME habitacioun, fr. MF habitation, fr.
          L habitation-, habitatio, fr. habitare to inhabit, freq.
          of habere] (14c) 1: the act of inhabiting: occupancy
          2: a dwelling place: residence 3: settlement, colony

   habit-forming
          [hab.it-form.ing] adj (1913): inducing the formation of an
          addiction

   habitual
          [ha.bit.u.al] adj (1611) 1: having the nature of a habit:
          being in accordance with habit: customary <~ smoking>
          2: doing, practicing, or acting in some manner by force
          of habit <~ drunkard> 3: resorted to on a regular basis
          <our ~ diet> 4: inherent in an individual <~ grace> syn
          see usual -- ha.bit.u.al.ly adv -- ha.bit.u.al.ness n

   habituate
          [ha.bit.u.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vt (15c) 1: to make used
          to something: accustom 2: frequent 1 ~ vi 1: to cause
          habituation 2: to undergo habituation <~ to a stimulus>

   habituation
          [ha.bit.u.a.tion] n (15c) 1: the process of habituating:
          the state of being habituated 2 a: tolerance to the effects
          of a drug acquired through continued use b: psychological
          dependence on a drug after a period of use--compare addiction
          3: decrease in responsiveness upon repeated exposure
          to a stimulus

   habitude
          [hab.i.tude] n (14c) 1 archaic: native or essential character
          2 obs: habitual association 3 a: habitual disposition
          or mode of behavior or procedure b: custom

   habitue
          [ha.bi.tue] n [F, fr. pp. of habituer to frequent, fr. LL
          habituare to habituate, fr. L habitus] (1818): one who
          may be regularly found in or at (as a place of entertainment)
          <cafe ~s> <an ~ of science-fiction movies>

   habitus
          [hab.i.tus] n, pl habitus [NL, fr. L] (1886): habit; specif:
          body build and constitution esp. as related to predisposition
          to disease

   haboob
          [ha.boob] n [Ar habub violent storm] (1897): a violent dust
          storm or sandstorm esp. of Sudan

   Habsburg
          [Habs.burg] var of hapsburg

   hacek
          [ha.cek] n [Czech ha.cek, lit., little hook] (1953): a diacritic
          having the form of an inverted circumflex placed over
          a letter to modify it

   hacendado
          [ha.cen.da.do] also ha.ci.en.da.do n, pl -dos [Sp, fr. hacienda]
          (1840): the owner or proprietor of a hacienda

   [1]hachure
          [ha.chure] n [F, fr. hacher to chop up, hash] (1858): a short
          line used for shading and denoting surfaces in relief
          (as in map drawing) and drawn in the direction of slope
          [2]hachure vt ha.chured ; ha.chur.ing (ca. 1859): to
          shade with or show by hachures

   hacienda
          [ha.ci.en.da] n [Sp, fr. OSp facienda, fr. L, lit., things
          to be done, neut. pl. of faciendus, gerundive of facere
          to do--more at do] (ca. 1772) 1: a large estate esp.
          in a Spanish-speaking country: plantation 2: the main
          dwelling of a hacienda

   [1]hack
          [hack] vb [ME hakken, fr. OE -haccian; akin to OHG hacchon
          to hack, OE hoc hook] vt (13c) 1 a: to cut or sever with
          repeated irregular or unskillful blows b: to cut or shape
          by or as if by crude or ruthless strokes <~ing out new
          election districts> c: annoy, vex--often used with off
          2: to clear or make by or as if by cutting away vegetation
          <~ed his way through the brush> 3 a: to manage successfully
          <just couldn't ~ the new job> b: tolerate <I can't ~
          all this noise> ~ vi 1 a: to make chopping strokes or
          blows <~ed at the weeds>; also: to make cuts as if by
          chopping <~ing away at the work force> b: to play inexpert
          golf <~ed around the course> 2: to cough in a short dry
          manner 3: loaf--usu. used with around [2]hack n (14c)
          1: an implement for hacking 2: nick, notch 3: a short
          dry cough 4: a hacking stroke or blow 5: restriction
          to quarters as punishment for naval officers--usu. used
          in the phrase under hack [3]hack n [short for hackney]
          (ca. 1721) 1 a (1): a horse let out for common hire (2):
          a horse used in all kinds of work b: a horse worn out
          in service: jade c: a light easy saddle horse; esp: a
          three-gaited saddle horse d: a ride on a horse 2 a: hackney
          b (1): taxicab (2): cabdriver 3 a: a person who works
          solely for mercenary reasons: hireling <party ~s> b:
          a writer who works on order; also: a writer who aims
          solely for commercial success [4]hack adj (ca. 1734)
          1: working for hire esp. with mediocre professional standards
          2: performed by, suited to, or characteristic of a hack
          <~ writing> 3: hackneyed, trite [5]hack vi (ca. 1888)
          1: to ride or drive at an ordinary pace or over the roads
          esp. as distinguished from racing or hunting 2: to operate
          a taxicab ~ vt: to ride (a horse) at an ordinary pace
          [6]hack n [origin unknown] (ca. 1914) slang: a guard
          esp. at a prison

   hackamore
          [hack.a.more] n [by folk etymology fr. Sp jaquima bridle]
          (1850): a bridle with a loop capable of being tightened
          about the nose in place of a bit or with a slip noose
          passed over the lower jaw

   hackberry
          [hack.ber.ry] n [alter. of hagberry (a cherry resembling
          the chokecherry)] (1779): any of a genus (Celtis) of
          trees and shrubs of the elm family with small often edible
          berries; also: its wood

   hacker
          [hacker] n (14c) 1: one that hacks 2: a person who is inexperienced
          or unskilled at a particular activity <a tennis ~> 3: an expert
          at programming and solving problems with a computer 4: a person who
          illegally gains access to and sometimes tampers with information
          in a computer system

   hackie
          [hack.ie] n (ca. 1926): cabdriver

   [1]hackle
          [hack.le] n [ME hakell; akin to OHG hako hook--more at hook]
          (15c) 1 a: one of the long narrow feathers on the neck
          or saddle of a bird b: the neck plumage of the domestic
          fowl 2: a comb or board with long metal teeth for dressing
          flax, hemp, or jute 3 pl a: erectile hairs along the
          neck and back esp. of a dog b: temper, dander 4 a: an
          artificial fishing fly made chiefly of the filaments
          of a cock's neck feathers b: filaments of cock feather
          projecting from the head of an artificial fly [2]hackle
          vt hack.led ; hack.ling (1616): to comb out with a hackle
          -- hack.ler n

   hackly
          [hack.ly] adj (1796): having the appearance of something
          hacked: jagged

   hackman
          [hack.man] n (1796): cabdriver

   hackmatack
          [hack.ma.tack] n [earlier hakmantak, prob. fr. Western Abenaki
          (Algonquian language of New Hampshire and Vermont)] (1792):
          tamar ack

   [1]hackney
          [hack.ney] n, pl hack.neys [ME hakeney] (14c) 1 a: a horse
          suitable for ordinary riding or driving b: a trotting
          horse used chiefly for driving c often cap: any of an
          English breed of rather compact usu. chestnut, bay, or
          brown high-stepping horses 2 obs: one that works for
          hire: drudge 3: a carriage or automobile kept for hire
          [2]hackney adj (1589) 1: kept for public hire 2: hackneyed
          3 archaic: done or suitable for doing by a drudge [3]hackney
          vt hack.neyed ; hack.ney.ing (1596) 1 a: to make common
          or frequent use of b: to make trite, vulgar, or commonplace
          2 archaic: to make sophisticated or jaded

   hackney coach
          [hackney coach] n (1635): a coach kept for hire; esp:
          a four-wheeled carriage drawn by two horses and having seats for
          six persons

   hackneyed
          [hack.neyed] adj (1749): lacking in freshness or originality
          syn see trite

   hacksaw
          [hack.saw] n (1654): a fine-tooth saw with a blade under
          tension in a frame that is used for cutting hard materials
          (as metal)

   hackwork
          [hack.work] n (1851): literary, artistic, or professional
          work done on order usu. according to formula and in conformity
          with commercial standards

   had
          [had] past and past part of have

   hadal
          [ha.dal] adj [F, fr. Hades Hades] (1959): of, relating to,
          or being the parts of the ocean below 6000 meters

   haddock
          [had.dock] n, pl haddock also haddocks [ME haddok] (14c):
          an important food fish (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) that
          is usu. smaller than the related cod and that occurs
          on both sides of the No. Atlantic

   Hades
          [Ha.des] n [Gk Haides] 1: pluto 2: the underground abode
          of the dead in Greek mythology 3: sheol 4 often not cap:
          hell

   hadith
          [ha.dith] n, pl hadith or hadiths often cap [Ar hadith, lit.,
          speech, report] (ca. 1817) 1: a narrative record of the
          sayings or customs of Muhammad and his companions 2:
          the collective body of traditions relating to Muhammad
          and his companions

   hadj, hadji
          [hadj, hadji] var of hajj, hajji

   Hadley cell
          [Had.ley cell] n [George Hadley d. 1768 Eng. scientific writer]
          (1969): a pattern of atmospheric circulation in which
          warm air rises near the equator, cools as it travels
          poleward at high altitude, sinks as cold air, and warms
          as it travels equatorward; also: a similar atmospheric
          circulation pattern on another planet (as Mars)

   hadn't
          [hadn't] (1695): had not

   hadron
          [had.ron] n [ISV hadr- thick, heavy (fr. Gk. hadros thick)
          + [2]-on] (1962): any of the subatomic particles that
          are made up of quarks and are subject to the strong force
          -- ha.dron.ic adj

   hadrosaur
          [had.ro.saur] n [NL Hadrosaurus, genus name, fr. Gk hadros
          thick, bulky + sauros lizard] (1877): any of a family
          (Hadrosauridae) of medium-sized bipedal herbivorous dinosaurs
          of the Upper Cretaceous with long flat snouts and an
          often crested skull

   hadst
          [hadst] archaic past 2d sing of have

   hae
          [hae] chiefly Scot var of have

   haem
          [haem] chiefly Brit var of heme

   haem-
          [haem-] or haemo- chiefly Brit var of hem-

   haema-
          [haema-] chiefly Brit var of hema-

   haemat-
          [haemat-] or haemato- chiefly Brit var of hemat-

   haematite
          [hae.ma.tite] Brit var of hematite

   -haemia
          [-haemia] chiefly Brit var of -emia

   haet
          [haet] n [contr. of Sc hae it (as in Deil hae it] Devil take
          it])] (1603) chiefly Scot: a small quantity: whit, bit

   haffet
          [haf.fet] n [ME (Sc) halfheid, fr. ME half half + hed head]
          (1513) Scot: cheek, temple

   hafnium
          [haf.ni.um] n [NL, fr. Hafnia (Copenhagen), Denmark] (1923):
          a metallic element that resembles zirconium in its chemical
          properties and occurs in zirconium minerals and that
          readily absorbs neutrons

   [1]haft
          [haft] n [ME, fr. OE haeft; akin to OE hebban to lift--more
          at heave] (bef. 12c): the handle of a weapon or tool
          [2]haft vt (15c): to set in or furnish with a haft

   haftarah
          [haf.ta.rah] or haf.to.rah n [Heb haphtarah conclusion] (1723):
          one of the biblical selections from the Books of the
          Prophets read after the parashah in the Jewish synagogue
          service

   Hag
          [Hag] abbreviation Haggai

   [1]hag
          [hag] n [ME hagge demon, old woman] (14c) 1: an ugly, slatternly,
          or evil-looking old woman 2 archaic a: a female demon
          b: an evil or frightening spirit: hobgoblin 3: witch
          -- hag.gish adj [2]hag n [Sc, break in a moor, fr. ON
          hogg cut, cleft; akin to OE heawan to hew] (1662) 1 Brit:
          quagmire, bog 2 Brit: a firm spot in a bog

   Hagar
          [Ha.gar] n [Heb Haghar]: a concubine of Abraham driven into
          the desert with her son Ishmael because of Sarah's jealousy
          according to the account in Genesis

   hagfish
          [hag.fish] n (1611): any of a family (Myxinidae) of marine
          cyclostomes that are related to the lampreys and in general
          resemble eels but have a round mouth surrounded by barbels
          and that feed upon other fishes and invertebrates by
          boring into their bodies

   Haggadah
          [Hag.ga.dah] n, pl Hag.ga.doth [Heb haggadhah] (1856) 1:
          ancient Jewish lore forming esp. the nonlegal part of
          the Talmud 2: the prayer book containing the seder ritual
          -- hag.ga.dic adj, often cap

   haggadist
          [hag.ga.dist] n, often cap (1886) 1: a haggadic writer 2:
          a student of the Haggadah -- hag.ga.dis.tic adj, often
          cap

   Haggai
          [Hag.gai] n [Heb Haggai] 1: a Hebrew prophet who flourished
          about 500 b.c. and who advocated that the Temple in Jerusalem
          be rebuilt 2: a prophetic book of canonical Jewish and
          Christian Scriptures

   [1]haggard
          [hag.gard] adj [MF hagard] (1567) 1 of a hawk: not tamed
          2 a: wild in appearance b: having a worn or emaciated
          appearance: gaunt <~ faces looked up sadly from out of
          the straw --W. M. Thackeray> -- hag.gard.ly adv -- hag.gard.ness
          n [2]haggard n (1567) 1: an adult hawk caught wild 2
          obs: an intractable person

   haggis
          [hag.gis] n [ME hagese] (15c): a traditionally Scottish dish
          that consists of the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep
          or a calf minced with suet, onions, oatmeal, and seasonings
          boiled in the stomach of the animal

   [1]haggle
          [hag.gle] vb hag.gled ; hag.gling [freq. of hag (to hew)]
          vt (1599) 1: to cut roughly or clumsily: hack 2 archaic:
          to annoy or exhaust with wrangling ~ vi: bargain, wrangle
          -- hag.gler n [2]haggle n (1858): an act or instance
          of haggling

   hagi-
          [hagi-] or hagio- comb form [LL, fr. Gk, fr. hagios] 1: holy
          <hagioscope> 2: saints <hagiography>

   Hagiographa
          [Ha.gi.og.ra.pha] n pl but sing or pl in constr [LL, fr.
          LGk, fr. hagio- + graphein to write--more at carve] (1583):
          the third part of the Jewish scriptures

   hagiographer
          [ha.gi.og.ra.pher] n (1849): a writer of hagiography

   hagiographic
          [ha.gio.graph.ic] also ha.gio.graph.i.cal adj (1819) 1: of
          or relating to hagiography 2: of or relating to the Hagiographa

   hagiography
          [ha.gi.og.ra.phy] n (1821) 1: biography of saints or venerated
          persons 2: idealizing or idolizing biography

   hagiology
          [ha.gi.ol.o.gy] n (1807) 1: literature dealing with venerated
          persons or writings 2: a list of venerated figures --
          ha.gi.o.log.ic or ha.gi.o.log.i.cal adj

   hagioscope
          [ha.gio.scope] n (ca. 1840): an opening in the interior walls
          of a cruciform church so placed as to afford a view of
          the altar to those in the transept -- ha.gio.scop.ic
          adj

   hagride
          [hag.ride] vt -rode ; -rid.den (1702): harass, torment

   hah
          [hah] var of ha

   [1]ha-ha
          [ha-ha] interj [ME, fr. OE ha ha] (bef. 12c)--used to express
          amusement or derision [2]ha-ha n [F haha] (1749): sunk
          fence

   hahnium
          [hahn.ium] n [NL, fr. Otto Hahn] (1970): unnilpentium

   Haida
          [Hai.da] n, pl Haida or Haidas (1841) 1: a member of an American
          Indian people of the Queen Charlotte islands, British
          Columbia, and Prince of Wales island, Alaska 2: the language
          of the Haida people

   haik
          [haik] n [Ar ha'ik] (1713): a voluminous piece of usu. white
          cloth worn as an outer garment in northern Africa

   haiku
          [hai.ku] n, pl haiku [Jp] (1902): an unrhymed verse form
          of Japanese origin having three lines containing usu.
          5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively; also: a poem in this
          form usu. having a seasonal reference--compare tanka

   [1]hail
          [hail] n [ME, fr. OE haegl; akin to OHG hagal hail] (bef.
          12c) 1: precipitation in the form of small balls or lumps
          usu. consisting of concentric layers of clear ice and
          compact snow 2: something that gives the effect of a
          shower of hail <a ~ of rifle fire> [2]hail vi (bef. 12c)
          1: to precipitate hail <it was ~ing hard> 2: to pour
          down or strike like hail [3]hail interj [ME, fr. ON heill,
          fr. heill healthy--more at whole] (13c) 1 archaic--used
          as a salutation 2--used to express acclamation <~ to
          the chief --Sir Walter Scott> [4]hail vt (13c) 1 a: salute,
          greet b: to greet with enthusiastic approval: acclaim
          2: to greet or summon by calling <~ a taxi> ~ vi: to
          call out; esp: to call a greeting to a passing ship --
          hail.er n -- hail from : to be or have been native to
          or a resident of [5]hail n (1500) 1: an exclamation of
          greeting or acclamation 2: a calling to attract attention
          3: hearing distance <stayed within ~>

   hail-fellow
          [hail-fel.low] adj (1580): hail-fellow-well-met -- hail-fellow
          n

   hail-fellow-well-met
          [hail-fel.low-well-met] adj [fr. the archaic salutation "Hail,
          fellow Well met"] (1581): heartily informal: comradely
          -- hail-fellow-well-met n

   Hail Mary
          [Hail Mary] n [trans. of ML Ave, Maria, fr. the opening words]
          (15c): a Roman Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary that
          consists of salutations and a plea for her intercession

   hailstone
          [hail.stone] n (bef. 12c): a pellet of hail

   hailstorm
          [hail.storm] n (15c): a storm accompanied by hail

   hair
          [hair] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE haer; akin to OHG har
          hair] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a slender threadlike outgrowth
          of the epidermis of an animal; esp: one of the usu. pigmented
          filaments that form the characteristic coat of a mammal
          b: the hairy covering of an animal or a body part; esp:
          the coating of hairs on a human head 2: haircloth 3 a:
          a minute distance or amount <won by a ~> b: a precise
          degree <aligned to a ~> 4 obs: nature, character 5: a
          filamentous structure that resembles hair <leaf ~> --
          hair.less adj -- hair.less.ness n -- hair.like adj

   hair ball
          [hair ball] n (1712): a compact mass of hair formed in the
          stomach esp. of a shedding animal (as a cat) that cleanses
          its coat by licking

   [1]hairbreadth
          [hair.breadth] or hairs.breadth n (1561): a very small distance
          or margin [2]hairbreadth adj (1604): very narrow: close
          <a ~ escape>

   hairbrush
          [hair.brush] n (1599): a brush for the hair

   hair cell
          [hair cell] n (ca. 1890): a cell with hairlike processes;
          esp: one of the sensory cells in the auditory epithelium
          of the organ of Corti

   haircloth
          [hair.cloth] n (1500): any of various stiff wiry fabrics
          esp. of horsehair or camel hair used for upholstery or
          for stiffening in garments

   haircut
          [hair.cut] n (1899): the act, process, or result of cutting
          and shaping the hair -- hair.cut.ter n -- hair.cut.ting
          n

   hairdo
          [hair.do] n, pl hairdos (1932): a way of wearing the hair:
          coiffure

   hairdresser
          [hair.dress.er] n (1770) 1: one whose occupation is the dressing
          or cutting of hair 2 Brit: barber

   hairdressing
          [hair.dress.ing] n (1771) 1 a: the action or process of washing,
          cutting, curling, or arranging the hair b: the occupation
          of a hairdresser 2: a preparation for grooming and styling
          the hair

   haired
          [haired] adj (14c): having hair esp. of a specified kind--usu.
          used in combination <dark-haired>

   hair follicle
          [hair follicle] n (1838): the tubular epithelial sheath that
          surrounds the lower part of the hair shaft and encloses
          at the bottom a vascular papilla supplying the growing
          basal part of the hair with nourishment

   hairline
          [hair.line] n (1846) 1: a very slender line: as a: a tiny
          line or crack on a surface <a ~ bone fracture> b: a fine
          line connecting thicker strokes in a printed letter 2:
          hairbreadth 3 a: a textile design consisting of lengthwise
          or crosswise lines usu. one thread wide b: a fabric with
          such a design 4 a: the outline of scalp hair esp. on
          the forehead b: the way the hair frames the face -- hairline
          adj

   hairpiece
          [hair.piece] n (1926) 1: supplementary hair (as a switch)
          used in some feminine coiffures 2: toupee 2

   [1]hairpin
          [hair.pin] n (1779) 1: a pin to hold the hair in place; specif:
          a long U-shaped pin 2: something shaped like a hairpin;
          specif: a sharp U-shaped turn in a road [2]hairpin adj
          (1887): having the shape of a hairpin <a ~ turn>; also:
          having hairpin turns <a steep ~ road>

   hair-raiser
          [hair-rais.er] n (1897): thriller

   hair-raising
          [hair-rais.ing] adj (1900): causing terror, excitement, or
          astonishment -- hair-rais.ing.ly adv

   hair seal
          [hair seal] n (1865): any of a family (Phocidae) of seals
          having a coarse hairy coat, the hind limbs reduced to
          swimming flippers, and no external ears--called also
          true seal--compare eared seal

   hair shirt
          [hair shirt] n (14c) 1: a shirt made of rough animal hair
          worn next to the skin as a penance 2: one that irritates
          like a hair shirt

   hairsplitter
          [hair.split.ter] n (1849): one that makes excessively fine
          distinctions in reasoning: quibbler -- hair.split.ting
          adj or n

   hairspring
          [hair.spring] n (1830): a slender spiraled recoil spring
          that regulates the motion of the balance wheel of a timepiece

   hairstreak
          [hair.streak] n (1816): any of a subfamily (Theclinae of
          the family Lycaenidae) of small butterflies usu. having
          striped markings on the underside of the wings and thin
          filamentous projections from the hind wings

   hairstyle
          [hair.style] n (1913): hairdo

   hairstyling
          [hair.styl.ing] n (1936): the work of a hairstylist

   hairstylist
          [hair.styl.ist] n (1935): hairdresser; esp: one who does
          creative styling of coiffures

   hair trigger
          [hair trigger] n (1806): a gun trigger so adjusted as to
          permit the firearm to be fired by a very slight pressure

   hair-trigger
          [hair-trigger] adj (1834) 1: immediately responsive to the
          slightest stimulus <a ~ temper> 2: delicately adjusted
          or easily disrupted

   hairworm
          [hair.worm] n (1658) 1: any of a phylum (Nematomorpha) of
          elongated worms that have separate sexes, are parasitic
          in arthropods as larvae, and are free-living in water
          as adults--called also horsehair worm 2: any of a genus
          (Capillaria) of nematode worms that include serious parasites
          of the alimentary tract of fowls and tissue and organ
          parasites of mammals

   hairy
          [hairy] adj hair.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: covered with hair
          or hairlike material b: having a downy fuzz on the stems
          and leaves 2: made of or resembling hair 3 a: tending
          to cause nervous tension (as from danger) <a ~ adventure>
          b: difficult to deal with or comprehend <a ~ math problem>
          -- hair.i.ness n

   hairy cell leukemia
          [hairy cell leukemia] n (1979): a lymphocytic leukemia that
          is usu. of B cell origin and is characterized by malignant
          cells with a ciliated appearance

   hairy-chested
          [hairy-chest.ed] adj (ca. 1937): characterized by esp. exaggerated
          or stereotypical manliness

   hairy vetch
          [hairy vetch] n (1901): a Eurasian vetch (Vicia villosa)
          extensively cultivated as a cover and early forage crop

   hairy woodpecker
          [hairy woodpecker] n (ca. 1728): a common No. American woodpecker
          (Picoides villosus) closely resembling the downy woodpecker
          but larger with a longer bill

   Haitian
          [Hai.tian] n (1805) 1: a native or inhabitant of Haiti 2:
          haitian creole -- Haitian adj

   Haitian Creole
          [Haitian Creole] n (ca. 1938): a French-based creole spoken
          by Haitians

   hajj
          [hajj] n [Ar hajj] (1673): the pilgrimage to Mecca prescribed
          as a religious duty for Muslims

   hajji
          [hajji] n [Ar hajji, fr. hajj] (1609): one who has made a
          pilgrimage to Mecca--often used as a title

   hake
          [hake] n [ME] (14c): any of several marine food fishes (as
          of the genera Merluccius and Urophycis) that are related
          to the common Atlantic cod

   [1]hakim
          [ha.kim] n [Ar hakim] (1611): an administrator in a Muslim
          country [2]ha.kim n [Ar hakim, lit., wise one] (1638):
          a physician in a Muslim country

   hal-
          [hal-] or halo- comb form [F, fr. Gk, fr. hals--more at salt]
          1: salt <halophyte> 2 [ISV, fr. halogen]: halogen <halide>

   halakah
          [ha.la.kah] or ha.la.cha n, often cap [Heb halakhah, lit.,
          way] (1856): the body of Jewish law supplementing the
          scriptural law and forming esp. the legal part of the
          Talmud -- ha.lak.ic adj, often cap

   halala
          [ha.la.la] n, pl halala or halalas [Ar] (1970): a monetary
          unit of Saudi Arabia equal to 1/100 riyal

   halation
          [ha.la.tion] n [halo + -ation] (1859) 1: the spreading of
          light beyond its proper boundaries in a developed photographic
          image 2: a bright ring that sometimes surrounds a bright
          object on a television screen

   halberd
          [hal.berd] also hal.bert n [ME, fr. MF hallebarde, fr. MHG
          helmbarte, fr. helm handle (fr. OHG helmo) + barte ax,
          fr. OHG barta; akin to OHG bart beard--more at helm,
          beard] (15c): a weapon esp. of the 15th and 16th centuries
          consisting typically of a battle-ax and pike mounted
          on a handle about six feet long

   [1]halcyon
          [hal.cy.on] n [ME alceon, fr. L halcyon, fr. Gk alkyon, halkyon]
          (14c) 1: a bird identified with the kingfisher and held
          in ancient legend to nest at sea about the time of the
          winter solstice and to calm the waves during incubation
          2: kingfisher [2]halcyon adj (1540) 1: of or relating
          to the halcyon or its nesting period 2 a: calm, peaceful
          b: happy, golden c: prosperous, affluent

   [1]hale
          [hale] adj [partly fr. ME (northern) hale, fr. OE hal; partly
          fr. ME hail, fr. ON heill--more at whole] (bef. 12c):
          free from defect, disease, or infirmity: sound; also:
          retaining exceptional health and vigor <a ~ and hearty
          old man> syn see healthy [2]hale vt haled ; hal.ing [ME
          halen, fr. OF haler--more at haul] (13c) 1: haul, pull
          2: to compel to go

   haler
          [ha.ler] n, pl ha.le.ru [Czech haler, gen. pl. haleru] (ca.
          1934): a monetary unit of Czechoslovakia equal to 1/100
          koruna

   [1]half
          [half] n, pl halves [ME, fr. OE healf; akin to OHG halb half]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: either of two equal parts into which
          a thing is divisible; also: a part of a thing approximately
          equal to the remainder--often used without of <~ the
          distance> b: half an hour--used in designation of time
          2: one of a pair: as a: partner b: semester, term c:
          either of the two equal periods that together make up
          the playing time of some games (as football); also: the
          midpoint in playing time <the score was tied at the ~>
          3: half-dollar 4: halfback -- by half : by a great deal
          -- by halves : in part: halfheartedly -- half again as
          : one-and-a-half times as <half again as many> -- in
          half : into two equal or nearly equal parts [2]half adj
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: being one of two equal parts <a ~ share>
          <a ~ sheet of paper> b (1): amounting to approximately
          half <a ~ mile> <a ~ million> (2): falling short of the
          full or complete thing: partial <~ measures> <a ~ smile>
          2: extending over or covering only half <a ~ window>
          <a ~ mask> -- half.ness n [3]half adv (12c) 1 a: in an
          equal part or degree <the crowd was ~ jeering, ~ respectful>
          b: not completely: partially <~ persuaded> 2: by any
          means: at all <her singing isn't ~ bad>

   half-and-half
          [half-and-half] n (1756): something that is approximately
          half one thing and half another: as a: a mixture of two
          malt beverages (as dark and light beer) b: a mixture
          of cream and whole milk -- half-and-half adj or adv

   half-assed
          [half-assed] adj (ca. 1932) 1: lacking significance, adequacy,
          or completeness--often considered vulgar 2: lacking intelligence,
          character, or effectiveness--often considered vulgar
          -- half-assed adv

   halfback
          [half.back] n (1882) 1: one of the backs stationed near either
          flank in football 2: a player stationed immediately behind
          the forward line (as in field hockey, soccer, or rugby)

   half-baked
          [half-baked] adj (1621) 1 a: lacking adequate planning or
          forethought <a ~ scheme for getting rich> b: lacking
          in judgment, intelligence, or common sense 2: imperfectly
          baked: underdone

   halfbeak
          [half.beak] n (1880): any of various narrow-bodied fishes
          of warm waters that have an elongated lower jaw and are
          grouped with the flying fishes (family Exocoetidae) or
          placed in their own family (Hemiramphidae)

   half-blood
          [half-blood] or half-blood.ed adj (1605): having half blood
          or being a half blood

   half blood
          [half blood] n (1553) 1 a: the relation between persons having
          only one parent in common b: a person so related to another
          2: half-breed 3: grade 4

   half boot
          [half boot] n (1787): a boot with a top reaching above the
          ankle and ending below the knee

   half-bound
          [half-bound] adj (1775) of a book: bound in material of two
          qualities with the material of better quality on the
          spine and corners -- half binding n

   half-bred
          [half-bred] adj (1701): having one purebred parent -- half-bred
          n

   half-breed
          [half-breed] n (1760): the offspring of parents of different
          races; esp: the offspring of an American Indian and a
          white person--often used disparagingly -- half-breed
          adj

   half brother
          [half brother] n (14c): a brother related through one parent
          only

   half-caste
          [half-caste] n (1789): one of mixed racial descent: half-breed
          -- half-caste adj

   half cock
          [half cock] n (1745) 1: the position of the hammer of a firearm
          when about half retracted and held by the sear so that
          it cannot be operated by a pull on the trigger 2 chiefly
          Brit: a state of inadequate preparation or mental confusion
          <go off at half cock>

   half-cocked
          [half-cocked] adj (1809) 1: being at half cock 2: lacking
          adequate preparation or forethought <go off ~>

   half-court
          [half-court] n (1888): a dividing line that separates a playing
          court into equal halves (as in basketball); also: the
          area comprising each half

   half crown
          [half crown] n (1542): a British coin worth two shillings
          and sixpence used as legal tender until 1970

   half dime
          [half dime] n (1792): a silver 5-cent coin struck by the
          U.S. mint in 1792 and from 1794 to 1873

   half disme
          [half disme] n (1792): a half dime struck in 1792

   half-dollar
          [half-dol.lar] n (1786) 1: a coin representing one half of
          a dollar 2: the sum of 50 cents

   half duplex
          [half duplex] n (1950): a mode of communication esp. with
          a computer via telephone line in which information can
          be sent in only one direction at a time--compare duplex

   half eagle
          [half eagle] n (1786): a 5-dollar gold piece issued by the
          U.S. from 1795 to 1916 and in 1929

   half-hardy
          [half-hardy] adj (1824) of a plant: able to withstand a moderately
          low temperature but injured by severe freezing and surviving the
          winter in cold climates only if carefully protected

   halfhearted
          [half.heart.ed] adj (15c): lacking heart, spirit, or interest
          -- half.heart.ed.ly adv -- half.heart.ed.ness n

   half hitch
          [half hitch] n (1769): a simple knot tied by passing the
          end of a line around an object, across the main part
          of the line, and then through the resulting loop--see
          knot illustration

   half hour
          [half hour] n (15c) 1: thirty minutes 2: the middle point
          of an hour -- half-hour.ly adv or adj

   half-knot
          [half-knot] n (1933): a knot intertwining the ends of two
          cords and used in tying other knots

   half-length
          [half-length] n (1699): something (as a portrait) that is
          or represents only half the complete length

   half-life
          [half-life] n (1907) 1: the time required for half of something
          to undergo a process: as a: the time required for half
          of the atoms of a radioactive substance to become disintegrated
          b: the time required for half the amount of a substance
          (as a drug or radioactive tracer) in or introduced into
          a living system or ecosystem to be eliminated or disintegrated
          by natural processes 2: a period of usefulness or popularity
          preceding decline or obsolescence <slang usually has
          a short ~>

   half-light
          [half-light] n (1625): dim grayish light

   half line
          [half line] n (ca. 1914): a straight line extending from
          a point indefinitely in one direction only

   [1]half-mast
          [half-mast] n (1627): a point some distance but not necessarily
          halfway down below the top of a mast or staff or the
          peak of a gaff [2]half-mast vt (1891): to cause to hang
          at half-mast <~ a flag>

   half-moon
          [half-moon] n (15c) 1: the moon when half its disk appears
          illuminated 2: something shaped like a crescent 3: the
          lunule of a fingernail -- half-moon adj

   half nelson
          [half nelson] n (1889): a wrestling hold in which one arm
          is thrust under the corresponding arm of an opponent
          and the hand placed on the back of the opponent's neck--compare
          full nelson

   half note
          [half note] n (1597): a musical note with the time value
          of 1/2 of a whole note--see note illustration

   halfpenny
          [half.pen.ny] n (13c) 1 pl halfpence or halfpennies : a former
          British coin representing one half of a penny 2: the
          sum of half a penny 3: a small amount -- halfpenny adj

   [1]half-pint
          [half-pint] n (1611) 1: half a pint 2: a short, small, or
          inconsequential person [2]half-pint adj (ca. 1926): of
          less than average size: diminutive

   half plane
          [half plane] n (1891): the part of a plane on one side of
          an indefinitely extended straight line drawn in the plane

   half rest
          [half rest] n (ca. 1899): a musical rest corresponding in
          time value to a half note--see rest illustration

   half shell
          [half shell] n (1860): either of the valves of a bivalve
          -- on the half shell : served in a half shell <oysters
          on the half shell>

   half sister
          [half sister] n (13c): a sister related through one parent
          only

   half-slip
          [half-slip] n (ca. 1948): a topless slip with an elasticized
          waistband

   half-sole
          [half-sole] vt (1795): to put half soles on

   half sole
          [half sole] n (1865): a shoe sole extending from the shank
          forward

   half sovereign
          [half sovereign] n (ca. 1504): a British gold coin worth
          10 shillings

   half-space
          [half-space] n (1962): the part of three-dimensional euclidean
          space lying on one side of a plane

   half-staff
          [half-staff] n (1708): half-mast

   half step
          [half step] n (1904) 1: a walking step of 15 inches or in
          double time of 18 inches 2: a musical interval (as E-F
          or B-C) equivalent to one twelfth of an octave--called
          also semitone

   half-timber
          [half-timber] or half-tim.bered adj (ca. 1876) of a building:
          constructed of wood framing with spaces filled with masonry
          -- half-tim.ber.ing n

   halftime
          [half.time] n (1871): an intermission between halves of a
          game or contest (as in football or basketball)

   half-time
          [half-time] adj (1961): involving or working half the standard
          hours -- half-time adv

   half title
          [half title] n (1879): the title of a book appearing alone
          on a right-hand page immediately preceding the title
          page; also: the page itself

   halftone
          [half.tone] n (1651) 1: half step 2 2 a: any of the shades
          of gray between the darkest and the lightest parts of
          a photographic image b: a photoengraving made from an
          image photographed through a screen and then etched so
          that the details of the image are reproduced in dots
          -- halftone adj

   half-track
          [half-track] n (1935) 1: an endless chain-track drive system
          that propels a vehicle supported in front by a pair of
          wheels 2: a motor vehicle propelled by half-tracks; specif:
          one lightly armored for military use -- half-track or
          half-tracked adj

   half-truth
          [half-truth] n (1658) 1: a statement that is only partially
          true 2: a statement that mingles truth and falsehood
          with deliberate intent to deceive

   half volley
          [half volley] n (1843): a stroke of a ball (as in tennis)
          at the instant it rebounds from the ground -- half-volley
          vb

   halfway
          [half.way] adj (1694) 1: midway between two points 2: partial
          -- halfway adv

   halfway house
          [halfway house] n (1694) 1 a: a place to stop midway on a
          journey b: a halfway place in a progression 2: a residence
          for formerly institutionalized individuals (as mental
          patients, drug addicts, or convicts) that is designed
          to facilitate their readjustment to private life

   half-wit
          [half-wit] n (1640): a foolish or imbecilic person -- half-wit.ted
          adj -- half-wit.ted.ness n

   half-world
          [half-world] n (1870): demimonde

   halibut
          [hal.i.but] n, pl halibut also halibuts [ME halybutte, fr.
          haly, holy holy + butte flatfish, fr. MD or MLG but;
          fr. its being eaten on holy days] (14c): any of several
          marine flatfishes (esp. Hippoglossus hippoglossus of
          the Atlantic and H. stenolepis of the Pacific) that are
          widely used for food and include some of the largest
          bony fishes

   halide
          [ha.lide] n (1876): a binary compound of a halogen with a
          more electropositive element or radical

   halidom
          [hal.i.dom] or hal.i.dome n [ME, fr. OE haligdom, fr. halig
          holy + -dom -dom] (bef. 12c) archaic: something held
          sacred

   halite
          [ha.lite] n (1868): rock salt

   halitosis
          [hal.i.to.sis] n [NL, fr. L halitus breath, fr. halare to
          breathe--more at exhale] (1874): a condition of having
          fetid breath

   hall
          [hall] n [ME halle, fr. OE heall; akin to L cella small room,
          celare to conceal--more at hell] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the
          castle or house of a medieval king or noble b: the chief
          living room in such a structure 2: the manor house of
          a landed proprietor 3: a large usu. imposing building
          for public or semipublic purposes 4 a (1): a building
          used by a college or university for some special purpose
          (2): dormitory b: a college or a division of a college
          at some universities c (1): the common dining room of
          an English college (2): a meal served there 5 a: the
          entrance room of a building: lobby b: a corridor or passage
          in a building 6: a large room for assembly: auditorium
          7: a place used for public entertainment

   hallah
          [hal.lah] var of challah

   Hall effect
          [Hall effect] n [Edwin H. Hall d. 1938 Am. physicist] (ca.
          1889): a potential difference observed between the edges
          of a conducting strip carrying a longitudinal current
          when placed in a magnetic field perpendicular to the
          plane of the strip

   Hallel
          [Hal.lel] n [Heb hallel praise] (1702): a selection comprising
          Psalms 113-118 chanted during Jewish feasts (as the Passover)

   [1]hallelujah
          [hal.le.lu.jah] interj [Heb halleluyah praise (ye) the Lord]
          (1535)--used to express praise, joy, or thanks [2]hallelujah
          n (1625): a shout or song of praise or thanksgiving

   halliard
          [hal.liard] var of halyard

   [1]hallmark
          [hall.mark] n [Goldsmiths' Hall, London, England, where gold
          and silver articles were assayed and stamped] (1721)
          1 a: an official mark stamped on gold and silver articles
          in England to attest their purity b: a mark or device
          placed or stamped on an article of trade to indicate
          origin, purity, or genuineness 2: a distinguishing characteristic,
          trait, or feature <the dramatic flourishes which are the ~ of the
          trial lawyer --Marion K. Sanders> [2]hallmark vt (1773): to stamp
          with a hallmark

   hallo
          [hal.lo] or hal.loo var of hollo

   Hall of Fame
          [Hall of Fame] (ca. 1909) 1: a structure housing memorials
          to famous or illustrious individuals usu. chosen by a
          group of electors 2: a group of individuals in a particular
          category (as a sport) who have been selected as particularly
          illustrious -- Hall of Fam.er

   hallow
          [hal.low] vt [ME halowen, fr. OE halgian, fr. halig holy--more
          at holy] (bef. 12c) 1: to make holy or set apart for
          holy use 2: to respect greatly: venerate syn see devote

   hallowed
          [hal.lowed] adj (bef. 12c) 1: holy, consecrated 2: sacred,
          revered <~ customs>

   Halloween
          [Hal.low.een] also Hal.low.e'en n [short for All Hallow Even
          (All Saints' Eve)] (ca. 1700): October 31 observed esp.
          with dressing up in disguise, trick-or-treating, and
          displaying jack-o'-lanterns during the evening

   Hallowmas
          [Hal.low.mas] n [short for ME Alholowmesse, fr. OE ealra
          halgena maesse, lit., all saints' mass] (14c): all saints'
          day

   halls of ivy
          [halls of ivy] [fr. the traditional training of ivy on the
          walls of older college buildings] (1965): university,
          college

   Hallstatt
          [Hall.statt] also Hall.stadt adj [Hallstatt, Austria] (1899):
          of or relating to the earlier period of the Iron Age
          in Europe

   hallucinate
          [hal.lu.ci.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L hallucinatus, pp.
          of hallucinari, allucinari to prate, dream, modif. of
          Gk alyein to be distressed, to wander] vt (ca. 1834)
          1: to affect with visions or imaginary perceptions 2:
          to perceive or experience as an hallucination ~ vi: to
          have hallucinations -- hal.lu.ci.na.tor n

   hallucination
          [hal.lu.ci.na.tion] n (1629) 1 a: perception of objects with
          no reality usu. arising from disorder of the nervous
          system or in response to drugs (as LSD) b: the object
          so perceived 2: an unfounded or mistaken impression or
          notion: delusion

   hallucinatory
          [hal.lu.ci.na.to.ry] adj (1830) 1: tending to produce hallucination
          <~ drugs> 2: resembling, involving, or being an hallucination
          <~ dreams> <an ~ figure>

   hallucinogen
          [hal.lu.ci.no.gen] n [hallucination + -o- + -gen] (1954):
          a substance that induces hallucinations -- hal.lu.ci.no.gen.ic
          adj or n

   hallucinosis
          [hal.lu.ci.no.sis] n [NL] (1905): a pathological mental state
          characterized by hallucinations

   hallux
          [hal.lux] n, pl hal.lu.ces [NL, fr. L hallus, hallux] (1831):
          the innermost digit (as the big toe) of a hind or lower
          limb

   hallway
          [hall.way] n (1876) 1: an entrance hall 2: corridor

   halma
          [hal.ma] n [Gk halma leap, fr. hallesthai to leap--more at
          sally] (1889): a game played on a square board and having
          rules similar to those of Chinese checkers

   [1]halo
          [ha.lo] n, pl halos or haloes [L halos, fr. Gk halos threshing
          floor, disk, halo] (1603) 1: a circle of light appearing
          to surround the sun or moon and resulting from refraction
          or reflection of light by ice particles in the atmosphere
          2: something resembling a halo: as a: nimbus b: a region
          of space surrounding a galaxy that is sparsely populated
          with luminous objects (as globular clusters) but is believed
          to contain a great deal of dark matter c: a differentiated
          zone surrounding a central zone or object 3: the aura
          of glory, veneration, or sentiment surrounding an idealized
          person or thing [2]halo vt (1801): to form into or surround
          with a halo <rainbows ~ed the waterfalls --Michael Crawford>

   halo-
          [halo-] --see hal-

   halocarbon
          [hal.o.car.bon] n (1950): any of various compounds (as
          fluorocarbon) of carbon and one or more halogens

   halocline
          [hal.o.cline] n (1960): a usu. vertical gradient in salinity
          (as of the ocean)

   halo effect
          [halo effect] n (ca. 1928): generalization from the perception
          of one outstanding personality trait to an overly favorable
          evaluation of the whole personality

   halogen
          [hal.o.gen] n [Sw, fr. hal- + -gen] (1842): any of the five
          elements fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine
          that form part of group VII A of the periodic table and
          exist in the free state normally as diatomic molecules
          -- ha.log.e.nous adj

   halogenate
          [ha.lo.ge.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1882): to treat or
          cause to combine with a halogen -- ha.lo.ge.na.tion n

   halogeton
          [hal.o.ge.ton] n [NL, fr. hal- + Gk geiton neighbor] (1943):
          a coarse annual herb (Halogeton glomeratus) of the goosefoot
          family that is a noxious weed in western American ranges

   halomorphic
          [hal.o.mor.phic] adj (ca. 1938) of a soil: developed in the
          presence of neutral or alkali salts or both

   haloperidol
          [hal.o.per.i.dol] n [hal- + piperidine + [1]-ol] (1960):
          a depressant of the central nervous system used esp.
          as an antipsychotic drug

   halophile
          [hal.o.phile] n [ISV] (1923): an organism that flourishes
          in a salty environment -- hal.o.phil.ic adj

   halophyte
          [hal.o.phyte] n [ISV] (ca. 1886): a plant (as saltbush or
          sea lavender) that grows in salty soil and usu. has a
          physiological resemblance to a true xerophyte -- hal.o.phyt.ic
          adj

   halothane
          [hal.o.thane] n [halo- + ethane] (1957): a nonexplosive
          inhalational anesthetic

   [1]halt
          [halt] adj [ME, fr. OE healt; akin to OHG halz lame] (bef.
          12c): lame [2]halt vi (bef. 12c) 1: to walk or proceed
          lamely: limp 2: to stand in perplexity or doubt between
          alternate courses: waver 3: to display weakness or imperfection:
          falter [3]halt n [G, fr. MHG, fr. halt, imper. of halten
          to hold, fr. OHG haltan--more at hold] (ca. 1598): stop
          [4]halt vi (1656) 1: to cease marching or journeying
          2: discontinue, terminate <the project ~ed for lack of
          funds> ~ vt 1: to bring to a stop <the strike ~ed subways
          and buses> 2: to cause the discontinuance of: end

   [1]halter
          [hal.ter] n [ME, fr. OE haelftre; akin to OHG halftra halter,
          OE hielfe helve] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a rope or strap for
          leading or tying an animal b: a headstall usu. with noseband
          and throatlatch to which a lead may be attached 2: a
          rope for hanging criminals: noose; also: death by hanging
          3: a woman's blouse that leaves the back, arms, and midriff
          bare and that is typically held in place by straps around
          the neck and across the back [2]halter vt hal.tered ;
          hal.ter.ing (14c) 1 a: to catch with or as if with a
          halter; also: to put a halter on b: hang 2: to put restraint
          upon: hamper

   halterbreak
          [hal.ter.break] vt -broke ; -bro.ken ; -break.ing (1837):
          to break (as a colt) to a halter

   haltere
          [hal.tere] n, pl hal.teres [NL halter, fr. L, jumping weight,
          fr. Gk halter, fr. hallesthai to leap--more at sally]
          (1823): one of a pair of club-shaped organs in a dipteran
          insect that are the modified second pair of wings and
          function as sensory flight stabilizers

   halting
          [halt.ing] adj (1585): marked by a lack of sureness
          or effectiveness <spoke in a ~ manner> -- halt.ing.ly adv

   halvah
          [hal.vah] or hal.va n [Yiddish halva, fr. Rom, fr. Turk helva,
          fr. Ar halwa sweetmeat] (1846): a flaky confection of
          crushed sesame seeds in a base of syrup (as of honey)

   halve
          [halve] vt halved ; halv.ing [ME, fr. half half] (13c) 1
          a: to divide into two equal parts b: to reduce to one
          half <halving the present cost> c: to share equally 2:
          to play (as a hole in golf) in the same number of strokes
          as one's opponent

   halvers
          [halv.ers] n pl (1517): half shares: halves

   halves
          [halves] pl of half

   halyard
          [hal.yard] n [ME halier, fr. halen to pull--more at hale]
          (14c): a rope or tackle for hoisting and lowering something
          (as sails)

   [1]ham
          [ham] n [ME hamme, fr. OE hamm; akin to OHG hamma ham, Gk
          kneme shinbone, OIr cnaim bone] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the hollow
          of the knee b: a buttock with its associated thigh--usu.
          used in pl. 2: a cut of meat consisting of a thigh; esp:
          one from a hog 3 [short for hamfatter, fr. "The Ham-fat
          Man," minstrel song] a: a showy performer; esp: an actor
          performing in an exaggerated theatrical style b: a licensed
          operator of an amateur radio station 4: a cushion used
          esp. by tailors for pressing curved areas of garments
          -- ham adj [2]ham vb hammed ; ham.ming vt (1933): to
          execute with exaggerated speech or gestures: overact
          ~ vi: to overplay a part Ham n [Heb]: a son of Noah held
          to be the progenitor of the Egyptians, Nubians, and Canaanites

   hamadryad
          [hama.dry.ad] n [L hamadryad-, hamadryas, fr. Gk, fr. hama
          together with + dryad-, dryas dryad--more at same] (14c)
          1: wood nymph 2: king cobra

   hamadryas baboon
          [hama.dry.as baboon] n [NL hamadryas, fr. L] (ca. 1890):
          a baboon (Papio hamadryas) that has a reddish pink muzzle
          and a large bare patch of pink skin on each buttock and
          that was venerated by the ancient Egyptians--called also
          sacred baboon

   hamal
          [ ha.mal] also ham.mal n [Ar hammal porter] (ca. 1760): a
          porter in eastern countries (as Turkey)

   Haman
          [Ha.man] n [Heb Haman]: an enemy of the Jews hanged according
          to the book of Esther for plotting their destruction

   hamantasch
          [ha.man.tasch] n, pl -tasch.en [Yiddish homentash, fr. Homen
          Haman + tash pocket, bag] (1927): a three-cornered pastry
          with a filling (as of poppy seeds or prunes) traditionally
          eaten during the Jewish holiday Purim

   hamartia
          [ha.mar.tia] n [Gk, fr. hamartanein to miss the mark, err]
          (1927): tragic flaw

   hamate
          [ha.mate] n [L hamatus hooked, fr. hamus hook] (1924): a
          bone on the inner side of the second row of the carpus
          in mammals

   hamburger
          [ham.burg.er] or ham.burg n [G Hamburger of Hamburg, Germany]
          (1884) 1 a: ground beef b: a patty of ground beef 2:
          a sandwich consisting of a patty of hamburger in a split
          round bun

   [1]hame
          [hame] n [ME] (14c): one of two curved supports attached
          to the collar of a draft horse to which the traces are
          fastened [2]hame Scot var of home

   ham-fisted
          [ham-fist.ed] adj (1928): ham-handed

   ham-handed
          [ham-hand.ed] adj (1918): lacking dexterity or grace: heavy-handed
          -- ham-hand.ed.ly adv -- ham-hand.ed.ness n

   Hamiltonian
          [Ham.il.to.ni.an] n [Sir William Hamilton d. 1865 Irish
          mathematician] (1933): a function that is used to describe
          a dynamic system (as the motion of a particle) in terms
          of components of momentum and coordinates of space and time and
          that is equal to the total energy of the system when time is not
          explicitly part of the function--compare lagrangian

   Hamiltonianism
          [Ham.il.to.ni.an.ism] n (1901): the political principles
          and ideas held by or associated with Alexander Hamilton
          that center around a belief in a strong central government,
          broad interpretation of the federal constitution, encouragement
          of an industrial and commercial economy, and a general
          distrust of the political capacity or wisdom of the common
          man -- Hamiltonian adj

   Hamite
          [Ham.ite] n [Ham] (1854): a member of a Hamitic-speaking
          people

   [1]Hamitic
          [Ham.it.ic] adj (1844): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the Hamites or one of the Hamitic languages [2]Hamitic
          n (ca. 1890): hamitic languages

   Hamitic languages
          [Hamitic languages] n pl (ca. 1890): any of various groupings
          of non-Semitic Afro-Asiatic languages (as Berber, Egyptian,
          and Cushitic) that were formerly thought to comprise
          a single branch of the Afro-Asiatic family

   Hamito-Semitic
          [Ham.i.to-Se.mit.ic] adj (1901): of, relating to, or constituting
          the Afro-Asiatic languages -- Hamito-Semitic n

   hamlet
          [ham.let] n [ME, fr. MF hamelet, dim. of ham village, of
          Gmc origin; akin to OE ham village, home] (bef. 12c):
          a small village Ham.let n: a legendary Danish prince
          and hero of Shakespeare's play Hamlet

   [1]hammer
          [ham.mer] n [ME hamer, fr. OE hamor; akin to OHG hamar hammer,
          and perh. to OCS kamen-, kamy stone, Gk akme point, edge--more
          at edge] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a hand tool consisting of a
          solid head set crosswise on a handle and used for pounding
          b: a power tool that often substitutes a metal block
          or a drill for the hammerhead 2: something that resembles
          a hammer in form or action: as a: a lever with a striking
          head for ringing a bell or striking a gong b (1): an
          arm that strikes the cap in a percussion lock to ignite
          the propelling charge (2): a part of the action of a
          modern gun that strikes the primer of the cartridge in
          firing or that strikes the firing pin to ignite the cartridge
          c: malleus d: gavel e (1): a padded mallet in a piano
          action for striking a string (2): a hand mallet for playing
          on various percussion instruments (as a xylophone) 3:
          a metal sphere thrown for distance in the hammer throw
          4: accelerator b -- under the hammer : for sale at auction
          [2]hammer vb ham.mered ; ham.mer.ing vi (14c) 1: to strike
          blows esp. repeatedly with or as if with a hammer: pound
          2: to make repeated efforts; esp: to reiterate an opinion
          or attitude <the lectures all ~ed away at the same points>
          ~ vt 1 a: to beat, drive, or shape with repeated blows
          of a hammer b: to fasten or build with a hammer 2: to
          strike or drive with a force suggesting a hammer blow
          or repeated blows <~ed the ball over the fence> <tried
          to ~ me into submission> -- ham.mer.er n

   hammer and sickle
          [hammer and sickle] n (1921): an emblem consisting of a crossed
          hammer and sickle used esp. as a symbol of Soviet Communism

   hammer and tongs
          [hammer and tongs] adv (ca. 1780): with great force, vigor,
          or violence <went at it hammer and tongs> -- hammer-and-tongs
          adj

   hammer dulcimer
          [hammer dulcimer] n (1953): dulcimer 1--called also hammered
          dulcimer

   hammered
          [hammered] adj (1522): having surface indentations produced
          or appearing to have been produced by hammering <~ copper>

   hammerhead
          [ham.mer.head] n (1562) 1: the striking part of a hammer
          2: blockhead 3: any of a family (Sphyrnidae) of active
          voracious medium-sized sharks that have the eyes at the
          ends of lateral extensions of the flattened head--see
          shark illustration

   hammerless
          [ham.mer.less] adj (1875): having the hammer concealed <a
          ~ revolver>

   hammerlock
          [ham.mer.lock] n (1897): a wrestling hold in which an opponent's
          arm is held bent behind his back; broadly: a strong hold

   hammer mill
          [hammer mill] n (1610): a grinder or crusher in which materials
          are broken up by hammers

   hammer out
          [hammer out] vt (ca. 1632): to produce or bring about as
          if by repeated blows <hammered out an agreement>

   hammer throw
          [hammer throw] n (1898): a field event in which a usu. 16-pound
          metal sphere attached to a flexible handle is thrown
          for distance

   hammertoe
          [ham.mer.toe] n (ca. 1885): a deformed claw-shaped toe and
          esp. the second that results from permanent angular flexion
          between one or both phalangeal joints

   [1]hammock
          [ham.mock] n [Sp hamaca, fr. Taino] (1555): a swinging couch
          or bed usu. made of netting or canvas and slung by cords
          from supports at each end [2]hammock n [origin unknown]
          (1555) 1: hummock 2: a fertile area in the southern U.S.
          and esp. Florida that is usu. higher than its surroundings
          and that is characterized by hardwood vegetation and
          deep humus-rich soil

   hammy
          [ham.my] adj ham.mi.er ; -est (1929): marked by exaggerated
          and usu. self-conscious theatricality -- ham.mi.ly adv
          -- ham.mi.ness n

   [1]hamper
          [ham.per] vt ham.pered ; ham.per.ing [ME] (14c) 1 a: to restrict
          the movement of by bonds or obstacles: impede b: to interfere
          with the operation of: disrupt 2 a: curb, restrain b:
          to interfere with: encumber syn hamper, trammel, clog,
          fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in
          moving, progressing, or acting. hamper may imply the
          effect of any impeding or restraining influence <hampered
          the investigation by refusing to cooperate>. trammel
          suggests entangling by or confining within a net <rules
          that trammel the artist's creativity>. clog usu. implies
          a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering <a court
          system clogged by frivolous suits>. fetter suggests a
          restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress
          is almost lost <a nation fettered by an antiquated class
          system>. shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter
          and suggest total loss of freedom <a mind shackled by
          stubborn prejudice> <a people manacled by tyranny>. [2]hamper
          n [ME hampere, alter. of hanaper, lit., case to hold
          goblets, fr. MF hanapier, fr. hanap goblet, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE hnaepp bowl] (14c): a large basket usu. with
          a cover for packing, storing, or transporting articles
          (as food or laundry)

   Hampshire
          [Hamp.shire] n [Hampshire, England] (1918) 1: any of a British
          breed of large hornless black-faced mutton-producing
          sheep--called also Hampshire Down 2: any of an American
          breed of black white-belted swine

   hamster
          [ham.ster] n (1607): any of a subfamily (Cricetinae) of small
          Old World rodents having very large cheek pouches

   [1]hamstring
          [ham.string] n (1565) 1 a: either of two groups of tendons
          at the back of the human knee b: hamstring muscle 2:
          a large tendon above and behind the hock of a quadruped
          [2]hamstring vt -strung ; -string.ing (1641) 1: to make
          ineffective or powerless: cripple <hamstrung by guilt>
          2: to cripple by cutting the leg tendons

   hamstring muscle
          [hamstring muscle] n (ca. 1888): any of three muscles at
          the back of the thigh that function to flex and rotate
          the leg and extend the thigh

   hamulus
          [ham.u.lus] n, pl -u.li [NL, fr. L, dim. of hamus hook] (ca.
          1751): a hook or hooked process (as of a bone)

   hamza
          [ham.za] or ham.zah n [Ar hamzah, lit., compression] (1938):
          the sign for a glottal stop in Arabic orthography usu.
          represented in English by an apostrophe

   Han
          [Han] n [Chin (Beijing) Han] (1736) 1: a Chinese dynasty
          dated 207b.c.-a.d.220 and marked by centralized control
          through an appointive bureaucracy, a revival of learning,
          and the penetration of Buddhism 2: the Chinese peoples
          esp. as distinguished from non-Chinese (as Mongolian)
          elements in the population

   [1]hand
          [hand] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG hant hand]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): the terminal part of the vertebrate
          forelimb when modified (as in humans) as a grasping organ
          (2): the forelimb segment (as the terminal section of
          a bird's wing) of a vertebrate higher than the fishes
          that corresponds to the hand irrespective of its form
          or functional specialization b: a part serving the function
          of or resembling a hand: as (1): the hind foot of an
          ape (2): the chela of a crustacean c: something resembling
          a hand: as (1): an indicator or pointer on a dial <the
          ~s of a clock> (2): index 5 (3): a cluster of bananas
          developed from a single flower group (4): a branched
          rootstock of ginger (5): a bunch of large leaves (as
          of tobacco) tied together usu. with another leaf 2 a:
          personal possession--usu. used in pl. <the documents
          fell into the ~s of the enemy> b: control, supervision--usu.
          used in pl. <left the matter in her ~s> 3 a: side, direction
          <men fighting on either ~> b: one of two sides or aspects
          of an issue or argument <on the one ~ we can appeal for
          peace, and on the other, declare war> 4: a pledge esp.
          of betrothal or bestowal in marriage 5 a: style of penmanship:
          handwriting <wrote in a fancy ~> b: signature 6 a: skill,
          ability <tried her ~ at sailing> b: an instrumental part
          <had a ~ in the victory> 7: a unit of measure equal to
          4 inches (10.2 centimeters) used esp. for the height
          of horses 8 a: assistance or aid esp. involving physical
          effort <lend a ~> b: participation, interest c: a round
          of applause 9 a (1): a player in a card game or board
          game (2): the cards or pieces held by a player b: a single
          round in a game c: the force or solidity of one's position
          (as in negotiations) 10 a: a person who performs or executes
          a particular work <two portraits by the same ~> b (1):
          a person employed at manual labor or general tasks <a
          ranch ~> (2): worker, employee <employed over a hundred
          ~s> c: a member of a ship's crew <all ~s on deck> d:
          a person skilled in a particular action or pursuit e:
          a specialist or veteran in a usu. designated activity
          or region <a China ~> 11 a: handiwork, doings b: style
          of execution: workmanship <the ~ of a master> c: the
          feel of or tactile reaction to something (as silk or
          leather) 12: a punch made with a specified hand <knocked
          him o 1: near in time or place: within reach <use whatever
          ingredients are at hand> 2: currently receiving or deserving
          attention <the business at hand> -- at the hands of also
          at the hand of : by or through the action of -- by hand
          1: with the hands or a hand-worked implement (as a tool
          or pen) rather than with a machine 2: from one individual
          directly to another <deliver the document by hand> --
          in hand 1: in one's possession or control 2: in preparation
          3: under consideration -- on all hands or on every hand
          : everywhere -- on hand 1: in present possession or readily
          available 2: about to appear: pending 3: in attendance:
          present -- on one's hands : in one's possession or care
          <too much time on my hands> -- out of hand 1: without
          delay or deliberation; also: in a summary or peremptory
          manner 2: done with: finished 3: out of control 4: with
          the hands <fruit eaten out of hand> -- to hand 1: into
          possession 2: within reach [2]hand adv (bef. 12c): with
          the hands rather than by machine [3]hand vt (15c) 1 a
          obs: to touch or manage with the hands; also: to deal
          with b: furl 2: to lead, guide, or assist with the hand
          <~ a lady into a bus> 3 a: to give, pass, or transmit
          with the hand <~ a letter to her> b: to present or provide
          with <~ed him a surprise> -- hand it to : to give credit
          to: concede the excellence of

   hand and foot
          [hand and foot] adv (bef. 12c): totally, assiduously

   hand ax
          [hand ax] n (13c) 1: a short-handled ax intended for use
          with one hand 2: a prehistoric stone tool having one
          end pointed for cutting and the other end rounded for
          holding in the hand

   handbag
          [hand.bag] n (1862) 1: suitcase 2: a bag held in the hand
          or hung from a shoulder strap and used for carrying small
          personal articles and money

   handball
          [hand.ball] n (1886) 1: a game played in a walled court or
          against a single wall or board by two or four players
          who use their hands to strike the ball 2: a small rubber
          ball used in the game of handball

   handbarrow
          [hand.bar.row] n (15c): a flat rectangular frame with handles
          at both ends that is carried by two persons

   handbasket
          [hand.bas.ket] n (15c): a small portable basket--usu. used
          in the phrase to hell in a handbasket denoting rapid
          and utter ruination

   handbell
          [hand.bell] n (bef. 12c): a small bell with a handle; esp:
          one of a set tuned in a scale for musical performance

   handbill
          [hand.bill] n (1753): a small printed sheet to be distributed
          (as for advertising) by hand

   handblown
          [hand.blown] adj (1925): made by glassblowing and molded
          by hand

   handbook
          [hand.book] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: a book capable of being conveniently
          carried as a ready reference: manual b: a concise reference book
          covering a particular subject 2 a: a bookmaker's book of bets
          b: a place where bookmaking is carried on

   handbreadth
          [hand.breadth] n (bef. 12c): any of various units of length
          varying from about 2 1/2 to 4 inches based on the breadth
          of a hand

   handcar
          [hand.car] n (1850): a small four-wheeled railroad car propelled
          by a hand-operated mechanism or by a small motor

   handcart
          [hand.cart] n (1640): a cart drawn or pushed by hand

   hand cheese
          [hand cheese] n (1890): a soft cheese with a sharp pungent
          odor and flavor that was orig. molded by hand

   handclasp
          [hand.clasp] n (1583): handshake

   [1]handcraft
          [hand.craft] n (bef. 12c): handicraft [2]handcraft vt (1947):
          to fashion by handicraft

   handcraftsman
          [hand.crafts.man] n (15c): a person who is skilled in handicraft
          -- hand.crafts.man.ship n

   [1]handcuff
          [hand.cuff] n (1695): a metal fastening that can be locked
          around a wrist and is usu. connected by a chain or bar
          with another such fastening--usu. used in pl. [2]handcuff
          vt (1720) 1: to apply handcuffs to: manacle 2: to hold
          in check: make ineffective or powerless

   hand down
          [hand down] vt (1692) 1: to transmit in succession (as from
          father to son) 2: to make official formulation of and
          express (the opinion of a court)

   handed
          [hand.ed] adj (15c) 1: having a hand or hands esp. of a specified
          kind or number--usu. used in combination <a large-handed
          man> 2: using a specified hand or number of hands--used
          in combination <right-handed> <a one-handed catch>

   handedness
          [hand.ed.ness] n (1915): a tendency to use one hand rather
          than the other

   handfast
          [hand.fast] n [ME, fr. OE handfaest] (1611) archaic: a contract
          or covenant esp. of betrothal or marriage

   hand-feed
          [hand-feed] vt -fed ; -feed.ing (1805): to feed (as animals)
          by hand

   handful
          [hand.ful] n, pl handfuls also hands.ful (bef. 12c) 1: as
          much or as many as the hand will grasp 2: a small quantity
          or number 3: as much as one can manage

   hand glass
          [hand glass] n (1882): a small mirror with a handle

   handgrip
          [hand.grip] n (bef. 12c) 1: a grasping with the hand 2: handle
          3 pl: hand-to-hand combat

   handgun
          [hand.gun] n (15c): a firearm (as a revolver or pistol) designed
          to be held and fired with one hand

   handheld
          [hand.held] adj (1923): held in the hand; esp: designed to
          be operated while being held in the hand <~ computers>
          -- handheld n

   handhold
          [hand.hold] n (1643) 1: hold, grip 2: something to hold on
          to (as in mountain climbing)

   hand-holding
          [hand-hold.ing] n (1967): solicitous attention, support,
          or instruction (as in the use of new technology)

   [1]handicap
          [hand.i.cap] n [obs. E handicap (a game in which forfeit
          money was held in a cap), fr. hand in cap] (1754) 1 a:
          a race or contest in which an artificial advantage is
          given or disadvantage imposed on a contestant to equalize
          chances of winning b: an advantage given or disadvantage
          imposed usu. in the form of points, strokes, weight to
          be carried, or distance from the target or goal 2 a:
          a disadvantage that makes achievement unusually difficult
          b: a physical disability [2]handicap vt -capped ; -cap.ping
          (1852) 1 a: to give a handicap to b: to assess the relative
          winning chances of (contestants) or the likely winner
          of (a contest) 2: to put at a disadvantage

   handicapped
          [hand.i.capped] adj (1915): having a physical or mental disability
          that substantially limits activity esp. in relation to employment
          or education; also: of or reserved for handicapped persons
          <~ parking spaces>

   handicapper
          [hand.i.cap.per] n (1754) 1: a person who assigns handicaps
          2: a person who predicts the winners in a race (as a
          horse race) 3: a person who competes with a (specified)
          handicap (as in golf)--usu. used in combination <a 5-handicapper>

   handicraft
          [hand.i.craft] n [ME handi-crafte, alter. of handcraft] (13c)
          1 a: manual skill b: an occupation requiring skill with
          the hands 2: the articles fashioned by those engaged
          in handicraft -- hand.i.craft.er n

   handicraftsman
          [hand.i.crafts.man] n (1551): a person who engages in a handicraft:
          artisan

   Handie-Talk-ie
          [Hand.ie-Talk-ie] trademark--used for a small portable radio
          transmitter-receiver

   handily
          [hand.i.ly] adv (1719) 1: in a dexterous manner 2: easily
          <defeated the other candidate ~> 3: conveniently nearby

   hand in
          [hand in] vt (1837): submit 2 <hand in your homework>

   hand in glove
          [hand in glove] or hand and glove adv (1680): in extremely
          close relationship or agreement <working hand in glove
          with the police>

   hand in hand
          [hand in hand] adv (15c) 1: with hands clasped (as in intimacy
          or affection) 2: in close association: together

   handiwork
          [hand.i.work] n [ME handiwerk, fr. OE handgeweorc, fr. hand
          + geweorc, fr. ge- (collective prefix) + weorc work--more
          at co-] (bef. 12c) 1 a: work done by the hands b: work
          done personally 2: the product of handiwork

   handkerchief
          [hand.ker.chief] n, pl -chiefs also -chieves (1530) 1: a
          small usu. square piece of cloth used for various usu.
          personal purposes (as blowing the nose or wiping the
          eyes) or as a clothing accessory 2: kerchief 1

   [1]handle
          [han.dle] n [ME handel, fr. OE handle; akin to OE hand] (bef.
          12c) 1: a part that is designed esp. to be grasped by
          the hand 2: something that resembles a handle 3 a: title
          8 b: name; also: nickname 4 : hand 11c 5: the total amount
          of money bet on a race, game, or event 6: a means of
          understanding or controlling <can't quite get a ~ on
          things> -- han.dled adj -- han.dle.less adj -- off the
          handle : into a state of sudden and violent anger--usu.
          used with fly [2]handle vb han.dled ; han.dling vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to try or examine (as by touching, feeling,
          or moving) with the hand <~ silk to judge its weight>
          b: to manage with the hands <~ a horse> 2 a: to deal
          with in writing or speaking or in the plastic arts b:
          to have overall responsibility for supervising or directing:
          manage <a lawyer ~s all my affairs> c: to train and act
          as second for (a boxer) d: to put up with: stand <can't
          ~ the heat> 3: to act on or perform a required function
          with regard to <~ the day's mail> 4: to engage in the
          buying, selling, or distributing of (a commodity) ~ vi:
          to act, behave, or feel in a certain way when handled
          or directed <a car that ~s well> -- han.dle.able adj

   handlebar
          [han.dle.bar] n (1886): a straight or bent bar with a handle
          at each end; specif: one used to steer a bicycle or similar
          vehicle--usu. used in pl.

   handlebar mustache
          [handlebar mustache] n (1933): a heavy mustache with long
          sections that curve upward at each end

   hand lens
          [hand lens] n (1930): a magnifying glass to be held in the
          hand

   handler
          [han.dler] n (14c) 1: one that handles something 2 a: a person
          in immediate physical charge of an animal; esp: a person
          who exhibits dogs at shows or field trials b: a person
          who trains or acts as second for a boxer c: a manager
          of a political figure or campaign

   handless
          [hand.less] adj (15c) 1: having no hands 2: inefficient in
          manual tasks: clumsy

   handling
          [han.dling] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the action of one that handles
          something b: a process by which something is handled
          in a commercial transaction; esp: the packaging and shipping
          of an object or material (as to a consumer) 2: the manner
          in which something is treated (as in a musical, literary,
          or art work)

   handlist
          [hand.list] n (1859): a list (as of books) for purposes of
          reference or checking

   handmade
          [hand.made] adj (1613): made by hand or by a hand process

   handmaiden
          [hand.maid.en] also hand.maid n (13c) 1: a personal maid
          or female servant 2: something whose essential function
          is to serve or assist <criticism is not the enemy of
          art but rather its ~ --Gary Michael>

   hand-me-down
          [hand-me-down] adj (1827) 1: put in use by one person or
          group after being used, discarded, or handed down by
          another <~ clothes> <~ anecdotes> 2: ready-made and usu.
          cheap and shoddy -- hand-me-down n

   hand off
          [hand off] vt (1949): to hand (a football) to a nearby teammate
          on a play ~ vi: to hand off a football -- hand.off n

   hand on
          [hand on] vt (1865): hand down

   hand organ
          [hand organ] n (1796): a barrel organ operated by a hand
          crank

   handout
          [hand.out] n (1882) 1: a portion of food, clothing, or money
          given to or as if to a beggar 2: a folder or circular
          of information for free distribution 3: a prepared statement
          released to the news media

   hand out
          [hand out] vt (1877) 1 a: to give without charge b: to give
          freely 2: administer <handed out a severe punishment>

   hand over
          [hand over] vt (1816): to yield control of -- hand.over n

   hand over fist
          [hand over fist] adv (1825): quickly and in large amounts

   handpick
          [hand.pick] vt (1831) 1: to pick by hand as opposed to a
          machine process 2: to select personally or for personal
          ends

   handpress
          [hand.press] n (1679): a hand-operated press

   handprint
          [hand.print] n (1886): an impression of a hand on a surface

   hand puppet
          [hand puppet] n (1947): puppet 1a

   handrail
          [hand.rail] n (1793): a narrow rail for grasping with the
          hand as a support

   hand running
          [hand running] adv (1828) dial: in unbroken succession

   handsaw
          [hand.saw] n (14c): a saw designed to be used with one hand

   handsbreadth
          [hands.breadth] var of handbreadth

   hands down
          [hands down] adv (1867) 1: without much effort: easily 2:
          without question -- hands-down adj

   [1]handsel
          [hand.sel] n [ME hansell] (14c) 1: a gift made as a token
          of good wishes or luck esp. at the beginning of a new
          year 2: something received first (as in a day of trading)
          and taken to be a token of good luck 3 a: a first installment:
          earnest money b: earnest, foretaste [2]handsel vt -seled
          or -selled ; -sel.ing or -sel.ling (15c) 1: to give a
          handsel to 2: to inaugurate with a token or gesture of
          luck or pleasure 3: to use or do for the first time

   handset
          [hand.set] n (ca. 1919): a combined telephone transmitter
          and receiver mounted on a handle

   handshake
          [hand.shake] n (1873): a clasping usu. of right hands by
          two people (as in greeting or farewell)

   hands-off
          [hands-off] adj (1902): characterized by noninterference
          <a ~ policy toward the internal affairs of other nations>

   handsome
          [hand.some] adj hand.som.er ; -est [ME handsom easy to manipulate]
          (1530) 1 chiefly dial: appropriate, suitable 2: moderately large:
          sizable <a painting that commanded a ~ price> 3: marked by skill
          or cleverness: adroit 4: marked by graciousness or generosity:
          liberal <~ contributions to charity> 5: having a pleasing and usu.
          impressive or dignified appearance syn see beautiful
          -- hand.some.ly adv -- hand.some.ness n

   hands-on
          [hands-on] adj (1969) 1: relating to, being, or providing
          direct practical experience in the operation or functioning
          of something <~ training>; also: involving or allowing
          use of or touching with the hands <a ~ museum display>
          2: characterized by active personal involvement <a ~
          manager>

   handspike
          [hand.spike] n [by folk etymology fr. D handspaak, fr. hand
          hand + spaak pole; akin to OE spaca spoke] (1615): a
          bar used as a lever

   handspring
          [hand.spring] n (1875): an acrobatic feat in which the body
          turns forward or backward in a full circle from a standing
          position and lands first on the hands and then on the
          feet

   handstand
          [hand.stand] n (1899): an act of supporting the body on the
          hands with the trunk and legs balanced in the air

   hand-to-hand
          [hand-to-hand] adj (1836): involving physical contact or
          close enough range for physical contact <~ fighting>

   hand to hand
          [hand to hand] adv (ca. 1533): at very close range

   hand-to-mouth
          [hand-to-mouth] adj (1748): having or providing nothing to
          spare beyond basic necessities <a ~ existence>

   hand truck
          [hand truck] n (1920): a small hand-propelled truck; esp:
          truck 3b

   hand up
          [hand up] vt (1970) of a jury: to deliver (an indictment)
          to a judge or higher judicial authority

   handwheel
          [hand.wheel] n (ca. 1889): a wheel worked by hand

   handwork
          [hand.work] n (bef. 12c): work done with the hands and not
          by machines: handiwork -- hand.work.er n

   handwoven
          [hand.wo.ven] adj (1880) 1: produced on a hand-operated loom
          2: woven by hand <~ baskets>

   hand-wringing
          [hand-wring.ing] n (1922): an overwrought expression of concern
          or guilt -- hand.wring.er n

   handwrite
          [hand.write] vt -wrote ; -writ.ten ; -writ.ing [back-formation
          fr. handwriting] (ca. 1853): to write by hand

   handwriting
          [hand.writ.ing] n (15c) 1: writing done by hand; esp: the
          form of writing peculiar to a particular person 2: something
          written by hand -- handwriting on the wall : an omen
          of one's unpleasant fate

   handwrought
          [hand.wrought] adj (1876): fashioned by hand or chiefly by
          hand processes <~ silver>

   handy
          [handy] adj hand.i.er ; -est (1650) 1 a: conveniently near
          b: convenient for use c of a ship: easily handled 2:
          clever in using the hands esp. in a variety of useful
          ways <~ with a hammer as well as with a paintbrush> --
          hand.i.ness n

   handyman
          [handy.man] n (1872) 1: one who does odd jobs 2: one competent
          in a variety of small skills or inventive or ingenious
          in repair or maintenance work--called also handyperson

   [1]hang
          [hang] vb hung also hanged ; hang.ing [partly fr. ME hon,
          fr. OE hon, v.t.; partly fr. ME hangen, fr. OE hangian,
          v.i. & v.t.; both akin to OHG hahan, v.t., to hang, hangen,
          v.i.--more at cunctation] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to fasten
          to some elevated point without support from below: suspend
          b: to suspend by the neck until dead--often hanged in
          the past--often used as a mild oath <I'll be ~ed> c:
          to fasten so as to allow free motion within given limits
          upon a point of suspension <~ a door> d: to adjust the
          hem of (a skirt) so as to hang evenly and at a proper
          height 2: to furnish with hanging decorations (as flags
          or bunting) 3: to hold or bear in a suspended or inclined
          manner <hung his head in shame> 4: to apply to a wall
          <~ wallpaper> 5: to display (pictures) in a gallery 6:
          to throw (as a curveball) so that it fails to break properly
          7: to make (a turn) esp. while driving <~ a right> <hung
          a quick U-turn --Tom Clancy> ~ vi 1 a: to remain suspended
          or fastened to some point above without support from
          below: dangle b: to die by hanging--often hanged in the
          past <he ~ed for his crimes> 2: to remain poised or stationary
          in the air <clouds ~ing low overhead> 3: linger, persist
          4: to be imminent: impend <doom hung over the nation>
          5: to fall or droop from a usu. tense or taut position
          6: depend <election ~s on one vote> 7 a (1): to take
          hold for support: cling <she hung on his arm> (2): to
          keep persistent contact <dogs hung to the trail> b: to
          be burdensome or oppressive <time ~s on his hands> 8:
          to be uncertain or in suspense <the decision is still
          ~ing> 9: to lean, incline, or jut over or downward 10:
          to be in a state of rapt attention <hung on her every
          word> 11: to fit or fall from the figure in easy lines
          <the coat ~s loosely> 12 of a thrown ball: to fail to
          break or drop as intended -- hang.able adj -- hang fire
          1: to be slow in the explosion of a charge after its
          primer has been discharged 2: delay, hesitate 3: to remain
          unsettled or unresolved -- hang it up : to cease an activity
          or effort -- hang loose : to remain calm or relaxed --
          hang one on 1: to inflict a blow on 2 slang: to get very
          drunk -- hang one's hat : to situate oneself in (as a
          residence or place of employment) -- hang tough : to
          remain resolute in the face of adversity: hang in usage
          For both transitive and intransitive senses 1b the past
          and past participle hung, as well as hanged, is standard.
          Hanged is most appropriate for official executions <he
          was to be hanged, cut down whilst still alive ... and
          his bowels torn out --Louis Allen> but hung is also used
          <gave orders that she should be hung --Peter Quennell>.
          Hung is more appropriate for less formal hangings <by
          morning I'll be hung in effigy --Ronald Reagan>. [2]hang
          n (ca. 1797) 1: the manner in which a thing hangs 2:
          declivity, slope; also: droop 3: facility with or an
          understanding of something <can't get the ~ of this>
          4: a hesitation or slackening in motion or in a course
          -- give a hang or care a hang : to be the least bit concerned
          or worried

   hang about
          [hang about] vi (1849) Brit: hang around

   [1]hangar
          [han.gar] n [F] (1852): shelter, shed; esp: a covered and
          usu. enclosed area for housing and repairing aircraft
          [2]hangar vt (1943): to place or store in a hangar

   hang around
          [hang around] vi (1830) 1: to pass time or stay aimlessly:
          loiter idly 2: to spend one's time in company ~ vt: to
          pass time or stay aimlessly in or at <hung around the
          house all day>

   hang back
          [hang back] vi (1581) 1: to drag behind others 2: to be reluctant

   [1]hangdog
          [hang.dog] adj (1677) 1: sad, dejected 2: sheepish [2]hangdog
          n (1687): a despicable or miserable person

   hanger
          [hang.er] n (15c) 1: one that hangs or causes to be hung
          or hanged 2: something that hangs, overhangs, or is suspended:
          as a: a decorative strip of cloth b: a small sword formerly
          used by seamen c chiefly Brit: a small wood on steeply
          sloping land 3: a device by which or to which something
          is hung or hangs: as a: a strap on a sword belt by which
          a sword or dagger can be suspended b: a loop by which
          a garment is hung up c: a device that fits inside or
          around a garment for hanging from a hook or rod

   hanger-on
          [hang.er-on] n, pl hangers-on (1542): one that hangs around
          a person, place, or institution esp. for personal gain

   hang glider
          [hang glider] n (1930): a kitelike glider from which a harnessed
          rider hangs while gliding down from a cliff or hill --
          hang glid.ing n

   hang in
          [hang in] vi (1966): to refuse to be discouraged or intimidated:
          show pluck <hang in there>

   [1]hanging
          [hang.ing] adj (12c) 1: situated or lying on steeply sloping
          ground 2 a: jutting out: overhanging <a ~ rock> b: supported
          only by the wall on one side <a ~ staircase> 3 archaic:
          downcast in appearance 4: adapted for sustaining a hanging
          object 5: deserving, likely to cause, or prone to inflict
          death by hanging [2]hanging n (14c) 1: an execution by
          strangling or breaking the neck by a suspended noose
          2: something hung: as a: curtain b: a covering (as a
          tapestry) for a wall 3: a downward slope: declivity

   hanging indention
          [hanging indention] n (1904): indention of all the lines
          of a paragraph except the first

   hangman
          [hang.man] n (14c): one who hangs a condemned person; also:
          a public executioner

   hangnail
          [hang.nail] n [by folk etymology fr. agnail (inflammation
          about the nail), fr. ME, corn on the foot or toe, fr.
          OE angnaegl, fr. ang- (akin to enge tight, painful) +
          naegl nail--more at anger] (1678): a bit of skin hanging
          loose at the side or root of a fingernail

   hang off
          [hang off] vi (1641): hang back

   hang on
          [hang on] vi (ca. 1719) 1: to keep hold: hold onto something
          2: to persist tenaciously <a cold that hung on all spring>
          3: hold on 2 <hang on a second while I look it up> --
          hang on to : to hold, grip, or keep tenaciously <hang
          on to your money>

   hangout
          [hang.out] n (ca. 1893): a favorite place for spending time;
          also: a place frequented for entertainment or for socializing

   hang out
          [hang out] vi (14c) 1: to protrude and droop 2 a slang: live,
          reside b: hang around ~ vt: to display outside as an
          announcement to the public--used chiefly in the phrase
          hang out one's shingle

   hangover
          [hang.over] n (1894) 1: something (as a surviving custom)
          that remains from what is past 2 a: disagreeable physical
          effects following heavy consumption of alcohol or the
          use of drugs b: a letdown following great excitement
          or excess

   hangtag
          [hang.tag] n (1952): a tag attached to an article of merchandise
          giving information about its material and proper care

   hang time
          [hang time] n (1976): the amount of time a kicked football
          remains in the air; also: the length of time a leaping
          athlete is in the air

   hang together
          [hang together] vi (1551) 1: to remain united: stand by one
          another 2: to have unity: form a consistent or coherent
          whole

   Hangtown fry
          [Hang.town fry] n, often cap F [Hangtown, nickname for Placerville,
          Calif.] (1949): an omelet or scrambled eggs containing oysters

   hangul
          [han.gul] n, often cap [Korean hangul] (1946): the alphabetic
          script in which Korean is written

   hang-up
          [hang-up] n (1959): a source of mental or emotional difficulty;
          broadly: problem

   hang up
          [hang up] vt (12c) 1 a: to place on a hook or hanger designed
          for the purpose <hang up your coat> b: to replace (a
          telephone receiver) on the cradle so that the connection
          is broken 2: to keep delayed, suspended, or held up 3:
          to cause to stick or snag immovably <the ship was hung
          up on a sandbar> ~ vi 1: to break a telephone connection
          2: to become stuck or snagged so as to be immovable

   haniwa
          [ha.ni.wa] n pl, often cap [Jp] (1931): large hollow baked
          clay sculptures placed on ancient Japanese burial mounds

   hank
          [hank] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON honk hank; akin
          to OE hangian to hang] (14c) 1: coil, loop; specif: a
          coiled or looped bundle (as of yarn or rope) usu. containing
          a definite yardage 2: any of a series of rings or clips
          by which a jib or staysail is attached to a stay

   hanker
          [han.ker] vi han.kered ; han.ker.ing [prob. fr. Flem hankeren,
          freq. of hangen to hang; akin to OE hangian] (1642):
          to have a strong or persistent desire: yearn--often used
          with for or after syn see long -- han.ker.er n

   hankie
          [han.kie] or han.ky n, pl hankies [handkerchief + -ie] (1895):
          handkerchief

   hanky-panky
          [han.ky-pan.ky] n [origin unknown] (1841) 1: questionable
          or underhanded activity 2: sexual dalliance

   [1]Hanoverian
          [Han.o.ve.ri.an] adj [Hanover, Germany] (ca. 1775) 1: of,
          relating to, or supporting the German ducal house of
          Hanover 2: of or relating to the British royal house
          that ruled from 1714 to 1901 [2]Hanoverian n (1827):
          a member or supporter of the ducal or of the British
          royal Hanoverian house

   Hansa
          [Han.sa] or Hanse n [Hansa fr. ML, fr. MLG hanse; Hanse fr.
          ME Hanze, fr. MF hanse, fr. MLG] (15c) 1: a league orig.
          constituted of merchants of various free German cities
          dealing abroad in the medieval period and later of the
          cities themselves and organized to secure greater safety
          and privileges in trading 2: a medieval merchant guild
          or trading association -- Han.se.at.ic n or adj

   Hansard
          [Han.sard] n [Luke Hansard] (ca. 1859): the official published
          report of debates in a Commonwealth parliament

   hansel
          [han.sel] var of handsel

   Hansen's disease
          [Han.sen's disease] n [Armauer Hansen d. 1912 Norw. physician]
          (1938): leprosy

   hansom
          [han.som] n [Joseph A. Hansom d. 1882 Eng. architect] (1847):
          a light 2-wheeled covered carriage with the driver's
          seat elevated behind--called also hansom cab

   hant
          [hant] dial var of haunt

   Hants
          [Hants] abbreviation Hampshire

   Hanukkah
          [Ha.nuk.kah] n [Heb hanukkah dedication] (1891): an 8-day
          Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th of Kislev and commemorating
          the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem after its
          defilement by Antiochus of Syria

   hao
          [hao] n, pl hao [Vietnamese hao] (1948): a monetary unit
          of Vietnam equal to 1/10 dong

   haole
          [hao.le] n [Hawaiian] (1834): one who is not descended from
          the aboriginal Polynesian inhabitants of Hawaii; esp:
          white--sometimes used disparagingly

   [1]hap
          [hap] n [ME, fr. ON happ good luck; akin to OE gehaep suitable,
          OCS kobi lot, fate] (13c) 1: happening 1 2: chance, fortune
          [2]hap vi happed ; hap.ping (14c): happen [3]hap vt happed
          ; hap.ping [ME happen] (14c) dial: clothe, cover [4]hap
          n (1724) dial: something (as a bed quilt or cloak) that
          serves as a covering or wrap

   hapa haole
          [ha.pa hao.le] adj [Hawaiian, fr. hapa half (fr. E half)
          + haole] (1919): of part-white ancestry or origin; esp:
          of white and Hawaiian ancestry

   hapax legomenon
          [ha.pax le.go.me.non] n, pl hapax le.go.me.na [Gk, something
          said only once] (1882): a word or form occurring only
          once in a document or corpus

   ha'penny
          [ha'.pen.ny] n [by contr.] (ca. 1550): halfpenny

   [1]haphazard
          [hap.haz.ard] n [[1]hap + hazard] (1576): chance [2]haphazard
          adj (1671): marked by lack of plan, order, or direction
          syn see random -- haphazard adv -- hap.haz.ard.ly adv
          -- hap.haz.ard.ness n -- hap.haz.ard.ry n

   hapl-
          [hapl-] or haplo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. haploos, fr.
          ha- one (akin to homos same) + -ploos multiplied by;
          akin to L -plex -fold--more at same, -fold] 1: single
          <haplology> 2: haploid <haplont>

   hapless
          [hap.less] adj (14c): having no luck: unfortunate -- hap.less.ly
          adv -- hap.less.ness n

   haploid
          [hap.loid] adj [ISV, fr. Gk haploeides single, fr. haploos]
          (1908): having the gametic number of chromosomes or half
          the number characteristic of somatic cells--compare diploid
          -- haploid n -- hap.loi.dy n

   haplology
          [hap.lol.o.gy] n (1895): contraction of a word by omission
          of one or more similar sounds or syllables (as in mineralogy
          for *mineralology)

   haplont
          [hap.lont] n [ISV] (1920): an organism (as some primitive
          algae) having a diploid zygote that undergoes meiosis
          to produce haploid cells--compare diplont -- hap.lon.tic
          adj

   haplotype
          [hap.lo.type] n (1969): a set of genes that determine different
          antigens but are closely enough linked to be inherited
          as a unit; also: the antigenic phenotype determined by
          a haplotype

   haply
          [hap.ly] adv (14c): by chance, luck, or accident

   happen
          [hap.pen] vi hap.pened ; hap.pen.ing [ME, fr. hap] (14c)
          1: to occur by chance--often used with it <it so ~s I'm
          going your way> 2: to come into being or occur as an
          event, process, or result <mistakes will ~> <what good
          things ~ed to you?> 3: to do, encounter, or attain something
          by or as if by chance <~ed to overhear the plotters>
          4 a: to meet or discover something by chance <~ed upon
          a system that worked --Richard Corbin> b: to come or
          go casually: make a chance appearance <he ~ed into the
          room just then> 5: to come esp. by way of injury or harm
          <I promise nothing will ~ to you>

   happenchance
          [hap.pen.chance] n (1876): happenstance

   happening
          [hap.pen.ing] n (1551) 1: something that happens: occurrence
          2: an event or series of events designed to evoke a spontaneous
          reaction to sensory, emotional, or spiritual stimuli
          3: something (as an event) that is particularly interesting,
          entertaining, or important

   happenstance
          [hap.pen.stance] n [happen + circumstance] (1897): a circumstance
          esp. that is due to chance -- hap.pen.stance adj

   happily
          [hap.pi.ly] adv (14c) 1 a: in a fortunate manner b: as it
          fortunately happens <~, some boyhood pleasures don't
          change --P. A. Witteman> 2 archaic: by chance 3: in a
          happy manner or state <lived ~ ever after> 4: in an adequate
          or fitting manner: successfully

   happiness
          [hap.pi.ness] n (15c) 1 obs: good fortune: prosperity 2 a:
          a state of well-being and contentment: joy b: a pleasurable
          or satisfying experience 3: felicity, aptness

   happy
          [hap.py] adj hap.pi.er ; -est [ME, fr. hap] (14c) 1: favored
          by luck or fortune: fortunate 2: notably fitting, effective,
          or well adapted: felicitous <a ~ choice> 3 a: enjoying
          or characterized by well-being and contentment: joyous
          b: expressing or suggestive of happiness: pleasant c:
          glad, pleased d: having or marked by an atmosphere of
          good fellowship: friendly 4 a: characterized by a dazed
          irresponsible state <a punch-happy boxer> b: impulsively
          or obsessively quick to use or do something <trigger-happy>
          c: enthusiastic about something to the point of obsession:
          obsessed <education-conscious and statistic-happy --Helen
          Rowen> syn see lucky, fit

   happy-go-lucky
          [hap.py-go-lucky] adj (1856): blithely unconcerned: carefree

   happy hour
          [happy hour] n (1961): a period of time during which the
          price of drinks (as at a bar) is reduced or hors d'oeuvres
          are served free

   happy hunting ground
          [happy hunting ground] n (1837) 1: the paradise of some American
          Indian tribes to which the souls of warriors and hunters
          pass after death to spend a happy hereafter in hunting
          and feasting 2: a choice or profitable area of activity
          or exploitation

   happy talk
          [happy talk] n (1973): informal talk among the participants
          in a television news broadcast; also: a broadcast format
          featuring such talk

   Hapsburg
          [Haps.burg] adj [Habsburg, Aargau, Switzerland] (ca. 1895):
          of or relating to the German royal house to which belong
          the rulers of Austria from 1278 to 1918, the rulers of
          Spain from 1516 to 1700, and many of the Holy Roman emperors
          -- Hapsburg n

   hapten
          [hap.ten] n [G, fr. Gk haptein to fasten] (1921): a small
          separable part of an antigen that reacts specif. with
          an antibody but is incapable of stimulating antibody
          production except in combination with a carrier protein
          molecule -- hap.ten.ic adj

   haptic
          [hap.tic] adj [ISV, fr. Gk haptesthai to touch] (ca. 1890)
          1: relating to or based on the sense of touch 2: characterized
          by a predilection for the sense of touch <a ~ person>

   haptoglobin
          [hap.to.glo.bin] n [ISV, fr. Gk haptein + ISV hemoglobin]
          (1941): any of several carbohydrate-containing serum
          alpha globulins that can combine with free hemoglobin
          in the plasma

   hara-kiri
          [hara-kiri] n [Jp harakiri, fr. hara belly + kiri cutting]
          (1840) 1: ritual suicide by disembowelment practiced
          by the Japanese samurai or formerly decreed by a court
          in lieu of the death penalty 2: suicide 1b

   [1]harangue
          [ha.rangue] n [ME arang, fr. MF arenge, fr. OIt aringa, fr.
          aringare to speak in public, fr. aringo public assembly,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG hring ring] (15c) 1: a speech
          addressed to a public assembly 2: a ranting speech or
          writing 3: lecture [2]harangue vb ha.rangued ; ha.rangu.ing
          vi (1660): to make a harangue: declaim ~ vt: to address
          in a harangue <haranguing me ... on the folly of my ways
          --Jay Jacobs> -- ha.rangu.er n

   harass
          [ha.rass] vt [F harasser, fr. MF, fr. harer to set a dog
          on, fr. OF hare, interj. used to incite dogs, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG hier here--more at here] (1617) 1
          a: exhaust, fatigue b: to annoy persistently 2: to worry
          and impede by repeated raids <~ed the enemy> syn see
          worry -- ha.rass.er n -- ha.rass.ment n

   [1]harbinger
          [har.bin.ger] n [ME herbergere, fr. MF, host, fr. herberge
          hostelry, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG heriberga] (14c)
          1 archaic: a person sent ahead to provide lodgings 2
          a: one that pioneers in or initiates a major change:
          precursor b: one that presages or foreshadows what is
          to come syn see forerunner [2]harbinger vt (1646): to
          be a harbinger of: presage

   [1]harbor
          [har.bor] n [ME herberge, herberwe, fr. OE herebeorg military
          quarters, fr. here army (akin to OHG heri) + beorg refuge;
          akin to OE burg fortified town--more at harry, borough]
          (12c) 1: a place of security and comfort: refuge 2: a
          part of a body of water protected and deep enough to
          furnish anchorage; esp: one with port facilities -- har.bor.ful
          n -- har.bor.less adj [2]harbor vb har.bored ; har.bor.ing
          vt (12c) 1 a: to give shelter or refuge to b: to be the
          home or habitat of <the ledges still ~ rattlesnakes>;
          broadly: contain 2 2: to hold esp. persistently in the
          mind: cherish <~ed a grudge> ~ vi 1: to take shelter
          in or as if in a harbor 2: live -- har.bor.er n

   harborage
          [har.bor.age] n (15c): shelter, harbor

   harbormaster
          [har.bor.mas.ter] n (1769): an officer who executes the regulations
          respecting the use of a harbor

   harbor seal
          [harbor seal] n (1766): a small seal (Phoca vitulina) that
          occurs along oceanic coasts of the northern hemisphere
          and often ascends rivers

   harborside
          [har.bor.side] adj (1924): located next to a harbor

   harbour
          [har.bour] chiefly Brit var of harbor

   [1]hard
          [hard] adj [ME, fr. OE heard; akin to OHG hart hard, Gk kratos
          strength] (bef. 12c) 1 a: not easily penetrated: not
          easily yielding to pressure b of cheese: not capable
          of being spread: very firm 2 a of liquor (1): having
          a harsh or acid taste (2): strongly alcoholic b: characterized
          by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium)
          that prevent lathering with soap <~ water> 3 a: of or
          relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating
          power <~ X rays> b: having or producing relatively great
          photographic contrast <a ~ negative> 4 a: metallic as
          distinct from paper <~ money> b of currency: convertible
          into gold: stable in value c: usable as currency <paid
          in ~ cash> d of currency: readily acceptable in international
          trade e: being high and firm <~ prices> 5 a: firmly and
          closely twisted <~ yarns> b: having a smooth close napless
          finish <a ~ worsted> 6 a: physically fit <in good ~ condition>
          b: resistant to stress (as disease) c: free of weakness
          or defects 7 a (1): firm, definite <reached a ~ agreement>
          (2): not speculative or conjectural: factual <~ evidence>
          (3): important or informative rather than sensational
          or entertaining <~ news> b: close, searching <gave a
          ~ look> c: free from sentimentality or illusion: realistic
          <good ~ sense> d: lacking in responsiveness: obdurate,
          unfeeling <a ~ heart> 8 a (1): difficult to bear or endure
          <~ luck> <~ times> (2): oppressive, inequitable <sales
          taxes are ~ on the poor> <a ~ restriction> b (1): lacking
          consideration, compassion, or gentleness: callous <a
          ~ greedy landlord> (2): incorrigible, tough <a ~ gang>
          c (1): harsh, severe, or offensive in tendency or effect
          <said some ~ things> (2): resentful <~ feelings> (3):
          strict, unrelenting <drives a ~ bargain> d: inclement
          <~ winter> e (1): intense in force, manner, or degree
          <~ blows> (2): demanding the exertion of energy: calling
          for stamina and endurance <~ work> (3): performing or
          carrying on with great energy, intensity, or persistence
          <a ~ worker> f: extreme 4a <the ~ political right> 9
          a: characterized by sharp or harsh outline, rigid execution,
          and stiff drawing b: [2]hard adv (bef. 12c) 1 a: with
          great or utmost effort or energy: strenuously <were ~
          at work> <the children played ~> b: in a violent manner:
          fiercely c: to the full extent--usu. used in nautical
          directions <steer ~ aport> d: to an immoderate degree
          <hitting the bottle ~> e: in a searching, close, or concentrated
          manner <stared ~ at me> 2 a: in such a manner as to cause
          hardship, difficulty, or pain b: with rancor, bitterness,
          or grief <took the defeat ~> 3: in a firm manner: tightly
          4: to the point of hardness <frozen ~> 5: close in time
          or space <stands ~ by the river>

   hard-and-fast
          [hard-and-fast] adj (1867): not to be modified or evaded:
          strict <a ~ rule>

   hard-ass
          [hard-ass] n (1972): a tough, demanding, or uncompromising
          person--often considered vulgar -- hard-assed adj

   hardback
          [hard.back] n (1952): a book bound in hard covers

   hardball
          [hard.ball] n (ca. 1883) 1: baseball 2: forceful uncompromising
          methods employed to gain an end <played political ~>

   hard-bitten
          [hard-bit.ten] adj (1784) 1: inclined to bite hard 2: seasoned
          or steeled by difficult experience: tough

   hardboard
          [hard.board] n (1925): a very dense fiberboard usu. having
          one smooth face

   hard-boil
          [hard-boil] vt [back-formation fr. hard-boiled] (1895): to
          cook (an egg) in the shell until both white and yolk
          have solidified

   hard-boiled
          [hard-boiled] adj (1886) 1 a: devoid of sentimentality: tough
          <a ~ drill sergeant> b: of, relating to, or being a detective
          story featuring a tough unsentimental protagonist and
          a matter-of-fact attitude towards violence 2: hardheaded,
          practical <handle aid programs on a friendly but ~ business
          basis --N.Y. Times>

   hardboot
          [hard.boot] n (1922): an esp. small-time horseman

   hardbound
          [hard.bound] adj (1926): hardcover

   hard candy
          [hard candy] n (1925): a candy made of sugar and corn syrup
          boiled without crystallizing

   hard case
          [hard case] n (1836): a tough or hardened person

   hardcase
          [hard.case] adj (1896): hard-bitten, tough

   hard cheese
          [hard cheese] n (1861) chiefly Brit: tough luck--often used
          interjectionally

   hard cider
          [hard cider] n (1789): fermented apple juice

   hard clam
          [hard clam] n (1846): a clam with a thick hard shell; specif:
          quahog

   hard coal
          [hard coal] n (1846): anthracite

   hard-coated
          [hard-coat.ed] adj (ca. 1898) of a dog: having a crisp
          harsh-textured coat

   hard copy
          [hard copy] n (1954): a copy of textual or graphic information
          (as from microfilm or computer storage) produced on paper
          in normal size

   hard-core
          [hard-core] adj (1940) 1 a: of, relating to, or being part
          of a hard core <~ poverty> <the ~ unemployed> b: confirmed,
          die-hard <~ rock fans> <a ~ liberal> 2 of pornography:
          containing explicit descriptions of sex acts or scenes
          of actual sex acts--compare soft-core 3: characterized
          by or being the purest or most basic form of something:
          fundamental <a room gussied up in ~ French provincial
          style --John Canaday>

   hard core
          [hard core] n (1936) 1: a central or fundamental and usu.
          enduring group or part: as a: a relatively small enduring
          core of society marked by apparent resistance to change
          or inability to escape a persistent wretched condition
          (as poverty or chronic unemployment) b: a militant or
          fiercely loyal faction 2 usu hard.core chiefly Brit:
          hard material in pieces (as broken bricks or stone) used
          as a bottom (as in making roads and in foundations)

   hardcover
          [hard.cov.er] adj (1949) 1: having rigid boards on the sides
          covered in cloth or paper <~ books> 2: of or relating
          to hardcover books <~ sales> -- hardcover n

   hard disk
          [hard disk] n (1978): a rigid metal disk that is sealed against
          dust and is used as a high-capacity storage device for
          a microcomputer

   hard-edge
          [hard-edge] adj (1961): of or relating to abstract painting
          characterized by geometric forms with clearly defined
          boundaries

   hard-edged
          [hard-edged] adj (1954): having a tough, driving, or sharp
          quality <~ stories about life in the city>

   harden
          [hard.en] vb hard.ened ; hard.en.ing vt (13c) 1: to make
          hard or harder 2: to confirm in disposition, feelings,
          or action; esp: to make callous <~ed his heart> 3 a:
          inure, toughen <~ troops> b: to inure to unfavorable
          environmental conditions (as cold)--often used with off
          <~ off plants> 4: to protect from blast, heat, or radiation
          (as by a thick barrier or placement underground) ~ vi
          1: to become hard or harder 2 a: to become firm, stable,
          or settled b: to assume an appearance of harshness or
          severity <her face ~ed at the word>

   hardener
          [hard.en.er] n (1611): one that hardens; esp: a substance
          added (as to a paint or varnish) to harden the film

   hardening
          [hard.en.ing] n (1953): sclerosis <~ of the arteries>

   hardfisted
          [hard.fist.ed] adj (ca. 1656) 1: stingy, closefisted 2: hardhanded
          2

   hard goods
          [hard goods] n pl (1934): durables

   hardhack
          [hard.hack] n (1814): a shrubby American spirea (Spiraea
          tomentosa) with dense terminal panicles of pink or occas.
          white flowers and leaves having a hairy and yellow to
          rust-colored underside

   hardhanded
          [hard.hand.ed] adj (1590) 1: having hands made hard by labor
          2: strict, oppressive -- hard.hand.ed.ness n

   hard hat
          [hard hat] n (1926) 1 a: a protective hat made of rigid material
          (as metal or fiberglass) and worn esp. by construction
          workers b: a construction worker 2: a conservative who
          is intolerant of opposing views

   hardhead
          [hard.head] n (15c) 1 a: a hardheaded person b: blockhead
          2 pl hardheads also hardhead : any of several fishes
          esp. with a spiny or bony head; esp: atlantic croaker

   hardheaded
          [hard.head.ed] adj (1583) 1: stubborn, willful 2: concerned
          with or involving practical considerations: sober, realistic
          <some ~ advice> <a ~ observer of winds and tides> --
          hard.head.ed.ly adv -- hard.head.ed.ness n

   hard-hearted
          [hard-heart.ed] adj (13c): lacking in sympathetic understanding:
          unfeeling, pitiless -- hard-heart.ed.ly adv -- hard-heart.ed.ness
          n

   hard-hitting
          [hard-hit.ting] adj (1926): strikingly effective in force
          or result <a ~ expose> <plain ~ English>

   hardihood
          [har.di.hood] n (1570) 1 a: resolute courage and fortitude
          b: resolute and self-assured audacity often carried to
          the point of impudent insolence 2: vigor, robustness
          syn see temerity

   hardiment
          [har.di.ment] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. hardi bold, hardy]
          (14c) 1 archaic: hardihood 2 obs: a bold deed

   hardinggrass
          [har.ding.grass] n, often cap [R. R. Harding fl ab 1900 Australian
          botanist] (1917): a perennial grass (Phalaris tuberosa var.
          stenoptera) widely used as a forage grass

   hard knocks
          [hard knocks] n pl (1913): rough unsparing treatment (as
          in use or in life)--often used in the phrase school of
          hard knocks

   hard labor
          [hard labor] n (1853): compulsory labor of imprisoned criminals
          as a part of the prison discipline

   hard-line
          [hard-line] adj (1962): advocating or involving a rigidly
          uncompromising course of action -- hard-lin.er n

   hard lines
          [hard lines] n pl (1824) chiefly Brit: hard luck--often used
          interjectionally

   hardly
          [hard.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: with force: vigorously 2: in
          a severe manner: harshly 3: with difficulty: painfully
          4 a--used to emphasize a minimal amount <I ~ knew her>
          <almost new -- ~ a scratch on it> b--used to soften a
          negative <you can't ~ tell who anyone is --G. B. Shaw>
          5: certainly not <that news is ~ surprising> usage Hardly
          in sense 5 is used sometimes with not for emphasis <just
          another day at the office? Not hardly>. In sense 4b with
          a negative verb (as can't, wouldn't, didn't) it does
          not make a double negative but softens the negative.
          In "you can't hardly find a red one," the sense is that
          you can find a red one, but only with difficulty; in
          "you can't find a red one," the sense is that red ones
          are simply not available. Use of hardly with a negative
          verb is a speech form; it is most commonly heard in Southern
          and Midland speech areas. In other speech areas and in
          all discursive prose, hardly is normally used with a
          positive <you can hardly find a red one>.

   hard maple
          [hard maple] n (1790): sugar maple

   hardmouthed
          [hard.mouthed] adj (1617) 1 of a horse: not sensitive to
          the bit 2: obstinate, stubborn

   hardness
          [hard.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1: the quality or state of being
          hard 2 a: the cohesion of the particles on the surface
          of a mineral as determined by its capacity to scratch
          another or be itself scratched--compare mohs' scale b:
          resistance of metal to indentation under a static load
          or to scratching

   hardnose
          [hard.nose] n (ca. 1960): a hard-nosed person

   hard-nosed
          [hard-nosed] adj (ca. 1927) 1: being tough, stubborn, or
          uncompromising 2: hardheaded 2, tough-minded

   hard-of-hearing
          [hard-of-hear.ing] adj (1564): of or relating to a defective
          but functional sense of hearing

   hard-on
          [hard-on] n, pl hard-ons (ca. 1893): an erection of the
          penis--sometimes considered vulgar

   hard palate
          [hard palate] n (ca. 1847): the bony anterior part of the
          palate forming the roof of the mouth

   hardpan
          [hard.pan] n (1817) 1: a cemented or compacted and often
          clayey layer in soil that is impenetrable by roots 2:
          a fundamental part: bedrock

   hard pine
          [hard pine] n (1884): a pine (as longleaf pine or pitch pine)
          that has hard wood and leaves usu. in groups of two or
          three; also: the wood of a hard pine

   hard-pressed
          [hard-pressed] adj (1825): hard put; also: being under financial
          strain

   hard put
          [hard put] adj (1893): barely able: faced with difficulty
          or perplexity <was hard put to find an explanation>

   hard rock
          [hard rock] n (1967): rock music marked by a heavy regular
          beat, high amplification, and usu. frenzied performances

   hard rubber
          [hard rubber] n (1860): a firm rubber or rubber product;
          esp: a normally black horny substance made by vulcanizing
          natural rubber with high percentages of sulfur

   hard sauce
          [hard sauce] n (1880): a creamed mixture of butter and powdered
          sugar often with added cream and flavoring (as vanilla
          or rum)

   hardscrabble
          [hard.scrab.ble] adj (1804) 1 a: being or relating to a place
          of barren or barely arable soil <a ~ farm> <~ prairies>
          b: getting a meager living from poor soil <a ~ farmer>
          2: marked by poverty <a ~ cotton town> <a ~ childhood>

   hard sell
          [hard sell] n (1952): aggressive high-pressure
          salesmanship--compare soft sell

   hard-set
          [hard-set] adj (1813): rigid, fixed

   hard-shell
          [hard-shell] or hard-shelled adj (1838): fundamental 2b,
          fundamentalist <a ~ preacher> <~ Baptists>; also: uncompromising,
          hidebound <a ~ conservative>

   hard-shell clam
          [hard-shell clam] n (1799): quahog--called also hard-shelled
          clam

   hard-shell crab
          [hard-shell crab] n (1902): a crab that has not recently
          shed its shell--called also hard-shelled crab

   hardship
          [hard.ship] n (13c) 1: privation, suffering 2: something
          that causes or entails suffering or privation

   hardstand
          [hard.stand] n (1944): a paved area for parking an airplane

   hardstanding
          [hard.stand.ing] n (1944) chiefly Brit: hardstand; also:
          parking lot

   hard stone
          [hard stone] n (1931): an opaque usu. semiprecious stone
          that can be shaped or carved (as for jewelery or mosaics)

   hardtack
          [hard.tack] n, pl hardtack or hardtacks (1836) 1: a saltless
          hard biscuit, bread, or cracker 2: any of several mountain
          mahoganies (esp. Cercocarpus betuloides)

   hard-times token
          [hard-times token] n (1922): any of the tokens issued during
          the controversy between the Jackson administration and
          the bank of the U.S.

   hardtop
          [hard.top] n (1950): an automobile or a motorboat having
          a permanent rigid top; also: such an automobile styled
          to resemble a convertible

   hard up
          [hard up] adj (1821) 1: short of money 2: poorly provided
          <hard up for friends>

   hardware
          [hard.ware] n (ca. 1515) 1: ware (as fittings, cutlery, tools,
          utensils, or parts of machines) made of metal 2: major
          items of equipment or their components used for a particular
          purpose <educational ~>: as a: military equipment b:
          the physical components (as electronic and electrical
          devices) of a vehicle (as a spacecraft) or an apparatus
          (as a computer)

   hardware cloth
          [hardware cloth] n (ca. 1914): rugged galvanized screening

   hard wheat
          [hard wheat] n (1812): a wheat with hard flinty kernels that
          are high in gluten and that yield a flour esp. suitable
          for bread and macaroni

   hardwired
          [hard.wired] adj (1968): implemented in the form of permanent
          electronic circuits; also: having permanent electrical
          connections <~ phone>

   hard-won
          [hard-won] adj (ca. 1843): gained by great effort

   [1]hardwood
          [hard.wood] n (1568) 1: the wood of an angiospermous tree
          as distinguished from that of a coniferous tree 2: a
          tree that yields hardwood [2]hardwood adj (ca. 1817)
          1: having or made of hardwood <~ floors> 2: consisting
          of mature woody tissue <~ cuttings>

   hardworking
          [hard.work.ing] adj (1774): industrious

   hardy
          [har.dy] adj har.di.er ; -est [ME hardi, fr. OF, fr. (assumed)
          OF hardir to make hard, of Gmc origin; akin to OE heard
          hard] (13c) 1: bold, brave 2: audacious, brazen 3 a:
          inured to fatigue or hardships: robust b: capable of
          withstanding adverse conditions <~ outdoor furniture>
          <~ plants> <~ cattle> -- har.di.ly adv -- har.di.ness
          n

   Hardy-Weinberg law
          [Har.dy-Wein.berg law] n [G. H. Hardy d. 1947 Eng. mathematician
          and W. Weinberg, 20th cent. Ger. scientist] (1950): a
          fundamental principle of population genetics: population
          gene frequencies and genotype frequencies remain constant
          from generation to generation if mating is random and
          if mutation, selection, immigration, and emigration do
          not occur--called also Hardy-Weinberg principle

   [1]hare
          [hare] n, pl hare or hares [ME, fr. OE hara; akin to OHG
          haso hare, Skt sasa, OE hasu gray] (bef. 12c): any of
          various swift long-eared lagomorph mammals (family Leporidae
          and esp. genus Lepus) that are usu. solitary or sometimes
          live in pairs and have the young open-eyed and furred
          at birth--compare rabbit 1a [2]hare vi hared ; har.ing
          (1719): to go swiftly: [3]tear

   hare and hounds
          [hare and hounds] n (ca. 1845): a game in which some of the
          players leave a trail and others try to follow the trail
          to find and catch them

   harebell
          [hare.bell] n (1765): a slender blue-flowered herb (Campanula
          rotundifolia) with linear leaves on the stem

   harebrained
          [hare.brained] adj (1534): foolish 1, 2a

   Hare Krishna
          [Ha.re Krish.na] n, pl Hare Krishna or Hare Krishnas [fr.
          Hare Krishna, phrase in a chant, fr. Hindi hare Krsna
          O Krishna] (1969): a member of a religious group dedicated
          to the worship of the Hindu god Krishna

   harelip
          [hare.lip] n (1567): a congenital deformity characterized
          by a cleft upper lip resulting from failure of the embryonic
          parts of the lip to unite

   harem
          [har.em] n [Ar harim, lit., something forbidden & haram,
          lit., sanctuary] (1623) 1 a: a usu. secluded house or
          part of a house allotted to women in a Muslim household
          b: the wives, concubines, female relatives, and servants
          occupying a harem 2: a group of women associated with
          one man 3: a group of females associated with one male--used
          of polygamous animals

   harem pants
          [harem pants] n [fr. their oriental appearance] (1952): women's
          loose trousers that fit closely at the ankle

   haricot
          [har.i.cot] n [F] (1653): the ripe seed or the unripe pod
          of any of several beans (genus Phaseolus and esp. P.
          vulgaris)

   harijan
          [ha.ri.jan] n, often cap [Skt harijana one belonging to the
          god Vishnu, fr. Hari Vishnu + jana person] (1931): a
          member of the outcaste group in India: untouchable

   hari-kari
          [hari-kari] var of hara-kiri

   hark
          [hark] vi [ME herkien; akin to OHG horechen to listen, OE
          hieran to hear] (14c): to pay close attention: listen

   hark back
          [hark back] vi (1829) 1: to turn back to an earlier topic
          or circumstance 2: to go back to something as an origin
          or source

   harken
          [harken] vi (bef. 12c) 1: hearken 2: hark back--usu. used
          with back

   harlequin
          [har.le.quin] n [ultim. fr. It arlecchino, fr. MF Helquin,
          a demon] (1590) 1 a cap: a character in comedy and pantomime
          with a shaved head, masked face, variegated tights, and
          wooden sword b: buffoon 2 a: a variegated pattern (as
          of a textile) b: a combination of patches on a solid
          ground of contrasting color (as in the coats of some
          dogs)

   harlequinade
          [har.le.quin.ade] n (1790): a play or pantomime in which
          Harlequin has a leading role

   harlot
          [har.lot] n [ME, fr. OF herlot rogue] (15c): prostitute

   harlotry
          [har.lot.ry] n, pl -ries (14c) 1: sexual profligacy: prostitution
          2: an unprincipled or immoral woman <he sups tonight
          with a ~ --Shak.>

   [1]harm
          [harm] n [ME, fr. OE hearm; akin to OHG harm injury, OCS
          sramu shame] (bef. 12c) 1: physical or mental damage:
          injury 2: mischief, hurt [2]harm vt (bef. 12c): to cause
          harm to syn see injure -- harm.er n

   harmattan
          [har.mat.tan] n, often cap [Twi haramata] (1671): a dust-laden
          wind on the Atlantic coast of Africa in some seasons

   harmful
          [harm.ful] adj (14c): of a kind likely to be damaging: injurious
          -- harm.ful.ly adv -- harm.ful.ness n

   harmless
          [harm.less] adj (14c) 1: free from harm, liability, or loss
          2: lacking capacity or intent to injure: innocuous --
          harm.less.ly adv -- harm.less.ness n

   [1]harmonic
          [har.mon.ic] adj (1570) 1: musical 2: of or relating to musical
          harmony or a harmonic 3: pleasing to the ear: harmonious
          4: of an integrated nature: congruous -- har.mon.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]harmonic n (1777) 1 a: overtone; esp: one whose
          vibration frequency is an integral multiple of that of
          the fundamental b: a flutelike tone produced on a stringed
          instrument by touching a vibrating string at a nodal
          point 2: a component frequency of a complex wave (as
          of electromagnetic energy) that is an integral multiple
          of the fundamental frequency

   harmonica
          [har.mon.i.ca] n [It armonica, fem. of armonico harmonious]
          (1762) 1: glass harmonica 2: a small rectangular wind
          instrument with free reeds recessed in air slots from
          which tones are sounded by exhaling and inhaling -- har.mon.i.cist
          n

   harmonic analysis
          [harmonic analysis] n (1867): the expression of a periodic
          function as a sum of sines and cosines and specif. by
          a Fourier series

   harmonic mean
          [harmonic mean] n (1856): the reciprocal of the arithmetic
          mean of the reciprocals of a finite set of numbers

   harmonic motion
          [harmonic motion] n (1867): a periodic motion (as of a sounding
          violin string or swinging pendulum) that has a single
          frequency or amplitude or a periodic motion that is composed
          of two or more such simple periodic motions

   harmonic progression
          [harmonic progression] n (1856): a sequence of numbers whose
          reciprocals form an arithmetic progression

   harmonic series
          [harmonic series] n (1866): an infinite series in which the
          first term is 1 and the kth term consists of a fraction
          with the numerator being 1 and the denominator being
          k raised to the exponent x and which diverges when x
          is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal
          to 1 and converges when x is greater than 1

   harmonious
          [har.mo.ni.ous] adj (1530) 1: musically concordant 2: having
          the parts agreeably related: congruous <blended into
          a ~ whole> 3: marked by accord in sentiment or action
          -- har.mo.ni.ous.ly adv -- har.mo.ni.ous.ness n

   harmonise
          [har.mo.nise] Brit var of harmonize

   harmonium
          [har.mo.ni.um] n [F, fr. MF harmonie, armonie] (1847): reed
          organ

   harmonize
          [har.mo.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vi (15c) 1: to play or
          sing in harmony 2: to be in harmony ~ vt 1: to bring
          into consonance or accord 2: to provide or accompany
          with harmony -- har.mo.ni.za.tion n -- har.mo.niz.er
          n

   harmony
          [har.mo.ny] n, pl -nies [ME armony, fr. MF armonie, fr. L
          harmonia, fr. Gk, joint, harmony, fr. harmos joint--more
          at arm] (14c) 1 archaic: tuneful sound: melody 2 a: the
          combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord
          b: the structure of music with respect to the composition
          and progression of chords c: the science of the structure,
          relation, and progression of chords 3 a: pleasing or
          congruent arrangement of parts <a painting exhibiting
          ~ of color and line> b: correspondence, accord <lives
          in ~ with her neighbors> c: internal calm: tranquillity
          4 a: an interweaving of different accounts into a single
          narrative b: a systematic arrangement of parallel literary
          passages (as of the Gospels) for the purpose of showing
          agreement or harmony

   harm's way
          [harm's way] n (ca. 1661): a dangerous place or situation
          <was placed in harm's way> <got them out of harm's way>

   [1]harness
          [har.ness] n [ME herneis baggage, gear, fr. OF] (14c) 1 a:
          the gear other than a yoke of a draft animal b: gear,
          equipment; esp: military equipment for a horse or man
          2 a: occupational surroundings or routine <get back into
          ~ after a vacation> b: close association <ability to
          work in ~ with others --R. P. Brooks> 3 a: something
          that resembles a harness (as in holding or fastening
          something) <a parachute ~> b: prefabricated wiring with
          insulation and terminals ready to be attached 4: a part
          of a loom which holds and controls the heddles [2]harness
          vt (14c) 1 a: to put a harness on b: to attach by means
          of a harness 2: to tie together: yoke 3: utilize <~ the
          computer's potential>

   harness horse
          [harness horse] n (1861): a horse for racing or working in
          harness

   harness racing
          [harness racing] n (1901): the sport of racing standardbred
          horses harnessed to 2-wheeled sulkies

   [1]harp
          [harp] n [ME, fr. OE hearpe; akin to OHG harpha harp] (bef.
          12c) 1: a plucked stringed instrument consisting of a
          resonator, an arched or angled neck that may be supported
          by a post, and strings of graded length that are perpendicular
          to the soundboard 2: something that resembles a harp
          3: harmonica 2 -- harp.ist n [2]harp vi (bef. 12c) 1:
          to play on a harp 2: to dwell on or recur to a subject
          tiresomely or monotonously--usu. used with on

   harper
          [harp.er] n (bef. 12c) 1: a harp player 2: one that harps

   harpoon
          [har.poon] n [prob. fr. D harpoen, fr. OF harpon brooch,
          fr. harper to grapple] (1625): a barbed spear or javelin
          used esp. in hunting large fish or whales -- harpoon
          vt -- har.poon.er n

   harp seal
          [harp seal] n [fr. the shape of its markings] (1766): a dark-faced
          seal (Phoca groenlandicus) of the No. Atlantic that is a variable
          light gray with the male usu. having a dark crescent on its back
          and sides

   harpsichord
          [harp.si.chord] n [modif. of It arpicordo, fr. arpa harp
          + corda string] (1611): a stringed instrument resembling
          a grand piano but usu. having two keyboards and two or
          more strings for each note and producing tones by the
          plucking of strings with plectra -- harp.si.chord.ist
          n

   harpy
          [har.py] n, pl harpies [L Harpyia, fr. Gk] (1513) 1 cap:
          a foul malign creature in Greek mythology that is part
          woman and part bird 2 a: a predatory person: leech b:
          a shrewish woman

   harpy eagle
          [harpy eagle] n (1830): a large powerful crested eagle (Harpia
          harpyja) of Central and So. America

   harquebus
          [har.que.bus] n [MF harquebuse, arquebuse, modif. of MD hakebusse,
          fr. hake hook + busse tube, box, gun, fr. LL buxis box] (1532):
          a matchlock gun invented in the 15th century which was portable but
          heavy and was usu. fired from a support -- har.que.bus.ier n

   harridan
          [har.ri.dan] n [perh. modif. of F haridelle old horse, gaunt
          woman] (ca. 1700): shrew 2

   harried
          [har.ried] adj (ca. 1915): beset by problems: harassed

   [1]harrier
          [har.ri.er] n [irreg. fr. [1]hare] (1542) 1: any of a breed
          of hunting dogs resembling a small foxhound and orig.
          bred for hunting rabbits 2: a runner on a cross-country
          team [2]harrier n [alter. of harrower, fr. [1]harrow]
          (1556): any of a genus (Circus) of slender hawks having
          long angled wings and long legs and feeding chiefly on
          small mammals, reptiles, and insects [3]harrier n (1596):
          one that harries

   [1]harrow
          [har.row] vt [ME harwen, fr. OE hergian] (bef. 12c) archaic:
          pillage, plunder [2]harrow n [ME harwe, prob. of Scand
          origin; akin to ON hervi harrow] (14c): a cultivating
          implement set with spikes, spring teeth, or disks and
          used primarily for pulverizing and smoothing the soil
          [3]harrow vt (14c) 1: to cultivate with a harrow 2: torment,
          vex -- har.row.er n

   harrumph
          [har.rumph] vi [imit.] (1942) 1: to clear the throat in a
          pompous way 2: to comment disapprovingly

   harry
          [har.ry] vt har.ried ; har.ry.ing [ME harien, fr. OE hergian;
          akin to OHG herion to lay waste, heri army, Gk koiranos
          ruler] (bef. 12c) 1: to make a pillaging or destructive
          raid on: assault 2: to force to move along by harassing
          <~ing the terrified horses down out of the mountains
          --R. A. Sokolov> 3: to torment by or as if by constant
          attack syn see worry

   harsh
          [harsh] adj [ME harsk, of Scand origin; akin to Norw harsk
          harsh] (14c) 1: having a coarse uneven surface that is
          rough or unpleasant to the touch 2 a: causing a disagreeable
          or painful sensory reaction: irritating b: physically
          discomforting: painful 3: unduly exacting: severe 4:
          lacking in aesthetic appeal or refinement: crude syn
          see rough -- harsh.ly adv -- harsh.ness n

   harshen
          [harsh.en] vb harsh.ened ; harsh.en.ing vt (1824): to make
          (as a voice) harsh ~ vi: to become harsh <saw the grain
          of his skin ~ing over face bones --Elizabeth Bowen>

   hart
          [hart] n [ME hert, fr. OE heort; akin to L cervus hart, Gk
          keras horn--more at horn] (bef. 12c) chiefly Brit: the
          male of the red deer esp. when over five years old: stag--compare
          hind

   hartebeest
          [harte.beest] n [obs. Afrik (now hartbees), fr. D, fr. hart
          deer + beest beast] (1786): either of two large African
          antelopes (Alcelaphus buselaphus and Sigmoceros lichtensteini)
          with long faces and short annulate divergent horns; also:
          a smaller antelope (Damaliscus hunteri syn. Beatragus
          hunteri) of eastern Africa having a horizontal white
          line between the eyes

   hartshorn
          [harts.horn] n [fr. the earlier use of hart's horns as the
          chief source of ammonia] (1685): a preparation of ammonia
          used as smelling salts

   harum-scarum
          [har.um-scar.um] adj [perh. fr. archaic hare (to harass)
          + scare] (1751): reckless, irresponsible -- harum-scarum
          adv

   haruspex
          [ha.rus.pex] n, pl ha.rus.pi.ces [L, fr. haru- (akin to chorde
          gut, cord) + -spex, fr. specere to look--more at yarn,
          spy] (1584): a diviner in ancient Rome basing his predictions
          on inspection of the entrails of sacrificial animals

   haruspication
          [ha.rus.pi.ca.tion] n (1871) chiefly Brit: an act or instance
          of foretelling something

   [1]harvest
          [har.vest] n, often attrib [ME hervest, fr. OE haerfest;
          akin to L carpere to pluck, gather, Gk karpos fruit]
          (bef. 12c) 1: the season for gathering in agricultural
          crops 2: the act or process of gathering in a crop 3
          a: a mature crop (as of grain or fruit): yield b: the
          quantity of a natural product gathered in a single season
          <deer ~> <ice ~> 4: an accumulated store or productive
          result <a fantastic revenue ~ from lower tax rates --Peter
          Passell> [2]harvest vt (15c) 1 a: to gather in (a crop):
          reap b: to gather, catch, hunt, or kill (as salmon, oysters,
          or deer) for human use, sport, or population control
          c: to remove or extract (as living cells, tissues, or
          organs) from culture or a living or recently deceased
          body esp. for transplanting 2 a: to accumulate a store
          of <has now ~ed this new generation's scholarly labors
          --M. J. Wiener> b: to win by achievement <the team ~ed
          several awards> ~ vi: to gather in a crop esp. for food
          -- har.vest.able adj -- har.vest.er n

   harvest fly
          [harvest fly] n (ca. 1753): cicada

   harvest home
          [harvest home] n (1596) 1: the gathering or the time of harvest
          2: a feast at the close of harvest 3: a song sung by
          the reapers at the close of the harvest

   harvestman
          [har.vest.man] n (1830): an arachnid (order Phalangida) that
          superficially resembles a true spider but has a small
          rounded body and very long slender legs--called also
          daddy longlegs

   harvest mite
          [harvest mite] n (1873): chigger 2

   harvest moon
          [harvest moon] n (1706): the full moon nearest the time of
          the September equinox

   harvesttime
          [har.vest.time] n (14c): the time during which an annual
          crop (as wheat) is harvested

   has
          [has] pres 3d sing of have

   has-been
          [has-been] n (1606): one that has passed the peak of effectiveness
          or popularity

   hasenpfeffer
          [ha.sen.pfef.fer] n [G, fr. Hase hare + Pfeffer pepper] (1892):
          a highly seasoned stew made of marinated rabbit meat

   [1]hash
          [hash] vt [F hacher, fr. OF hachier, fr. hache battle-ax,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG happa sickle; akin to Gk koptein
          to cut--more at capon] (1590) 1 a: to chop (as meat and
          potatoes) into small pieces b: confuse, muddle 2: to
          talk about: review--often used with over or out [2]hash
          n (ca. 1663) 1: chopped food; specif: chopped meat mixed
          with potatoes and browned 2: a restatement of something
          that is already known 3 a: hodgepodge, jumble b: a confused
          muddle <made a ~ of the whole project> [3]hash n (1959):
          hashish

   hash browns
          [hash browns] n pl (1951): boiled potatoes that have been
          diced, mixed with chopped onions and shortening, and
          fried usu. until they form a browned cake--called also
          hash brown potatoes, hashed brown potatoes, hashed browns

   Hashemite
          [Hash.em.ite] or Hash.im.ite n [Hashim, great-grandfather
          of Muhammad] (1697): a member of an Arab family having
          common ancestry with Muhammad and founding dynasties
          in countries of the eastern Mediterranean

   hash house
          [hash house] n (1869): an inexpensive eating place

   hashish
          [hash.ish] n [Ar hashish] (1598): the concentrated resin
          from the flowering tops of the female hemp plant (Cannabis
          sativa) that is smoked, chewed, or drunk for its intoxicating
          effect--called also charas--compare bhang, marijuana

   hash mark
          [hash mark] n (1907) 1: service stripe 2: inbounds line

   Hasid
          [Ha.sid] n, pl Ha.si.dim [Heb hasidh pious] (1812) 1: a member
          of a Jewish sect of the second century b.c. opposed to
          Hellenism and devoted to the strict observance of the
          ritual law 2 also Has.sid : a member of a Jewish mystical
          sect founded in Poland about 1750 in opposition to rationalism
          and ritual laxity -- Ha.sid.ic also Has.sid.ic adj

   Hasidism
          [Ha.si.dism] n (1893) 1: the practices and beliefs of the
          Hasidim 2: the Hasidic movement

   Hasmonaean
          [Has.mo.nae.an] or Has.mo.ne.an n [LL Asmonaeus Hasmon, ancestor
          of the Maccabees, fr. Gk Asamonaios] (1620): a member
          of the Maccabees -- Hasmonaean or Hasmonean adj

   hasn't
          [hasn't] (1746): has not

   hasp
          [hasp] n [ME, alter. fr. OE haepse; akin to MHG haspe hasp]
          (bef. 12c): any of several devices for fastening; esp:
          a fastener esp. for a door or lid consisting of a hinged
          metal strap that fits over a staple and is secured by
          a pin or padlock -- hasp vt

   [1]hassle
          [has.sle] n (1945) 1: a heated often protracted argument:
          wrangle 2: a violent skirmish: fight 3 a: a state of
          confusion: turmoil b: an annoying or troublesome concern
          [2]hassle vb has.sled ; has.sling [perh. blend of harass
          and hustle] vi (1951): argue, fight <hassled with the
          umpire> ~ vt: to annoy persistently or acutely: harass
          <he gets hassled in the street because he dresses funny
          --William Kloman>

   hassock
          [has.sock] n [ME, sedge, fr. OE hassuc] (bef. 12c) 1: tussock
          2 a: a cushion for kneeling <a church ~> b: a padded
          cushion or low stool that serves as a seat or leg rest

   hast
          [hast] archaic pres 2d sing of have

   hasta la vista
          [has.ta la vis.ta] [Sp] foreign term : good-bye

   hastate
          [has.tate] adj [NL hastatus, fr. L hasta spear--more at yard]
          (1788) 1: triangular with sharp basal lobes spreading
          away from the base of the petiole <~ leaves>--see leaf
          illustration 2: shaped like a spear or the head of a
          spear <a ~ spot of a bird>

   [1]haste
          [haste] n [ME, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to OE haest violence]
          (14c) 1: rapidity of motion: swiftness 2: rash or headlong
          action: precipitateness <the beauty of speed uncontaminated
          by ~ --Harper's> 3: undue eagerness to act syn haste,
          hurry, speed, expedition, dispatch mean quickness in
          movement or action. haste applies to personal action
          and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness
          <marry in haste>. hurry often has a strong suggestion
          of agitated bustle or confusion <in the hurry of departure
          she forgot her toothbrush>. speed suggests swift efficiency
          in movement or action <exercises to increase your reading
          speed>. expedition and dispatch both imply speed and
          efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses
          ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch carries
          a stronger suggestion of promptness in bringing matters
          to a conclusion <the case came to trial with surprising
          expedition> <paid her bills with dispatch>. [2]haste
          vb hast.ed ; hast.ing vt (14c) archaic: to urge on: hasten
          ~ vi: to move or act swiftly

   hasten
          [has.ten] vb has.tened ; has.ten.ing vi (1568): to move or
          act quickly ~ vt 1: to urge on <~ed her to the door --A.
          J. Cronin> 2: accelerate <~ the coming of a new order
          --D. W. Brogan> -- has.ten.er n

   hastily
          [hast.i.ly] adv (14c): in haste: hurriedly

   hasty
          [hasty] adj hast.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a archaic: rapid in
          action or movement: speedy b: done or made in a hurry
          c: fast and typically superficial <made a ~ examination
          of the wound> 2: eager, impatient 3: precipitate, rash
          4: prone to anger: irritable syn see fast -- hast.i.ness
          n

   hasty pudding
          [hasty pudding] n (1599) 1 Brit: a porridge of oatmeal or
          flour boiled in water 2 NewEng a: cornmeal mush b: indian
          pudding

   [1]hat
          [hat] n [ME, fr. OE haet; akin to OHG huot head covering--more
          at hood] (bef. 12c) 1: a covering for the head usu. having
          a shaped crown and brim 2 a: a distinctive head covering
          worn as a symbol of office b: an office, position, or
          role assumed by or as if by the wearing of a special
          hat -- hat.less adj [2]hat vb hat.ted ; hat.ting vt (15c):
          to furnish or provide with a hat ~ vi: to make or supply
          hats

   hatband
          [hat.band] n (15c): a band (as of fabric, leather, or cord)
          around the crown of a hat just above the brim

   hatbox
          [hat.box] n (1794) 1: a box for holding or storing a hat
          2: a usu. round piece of luggage designed esp. for carrying
          hats

   [1]hatch
          [hatch] n [ME hache, fr. OE haec; akin to MD hecke trapdoor]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a small door or opening (as in an airplane
          or spaceship) <an escape ~> 2 a: an opening in the deck
          of a ship or in the floor or roof of a building b: the
          covering for such an opening c: hatchway d: compartment
          3: floodgate [2]hatch vb [ME hacchen; akin to MHG hecken
          to mate] vi (13c) 1: to produce young by incubation 2
          a: to emerge from an egg, chrysalis, or pupa b: to give
          forth young or imagoes 3: to incubate eggs: brood ~ vt
          1 a: to produce (young) from an egg by applying natural
          or artificial heat b: incubate 1 2: to bring into being:
          originate; esp: to concoct in secret -- hatch.abil.i.ty
          n -- hatch.able adj -- hatch.er n [3]hatch n (1601) 1:
          an act or instance of hatching 2: a brood of hatched
          young [4]hatch vt [ME hachen, fr. MF hacher to inlay,
          chop up, fr. OF hachier--more at hash] (15c) 1: to inlay
          with narrow bands of distinguishable material <a silver
          handle ~ed with gold> 2: to mark (as a drawing or engraving)
          with fine closely spaced lines [5]hatch n (1658): line;
          esp: one used to give the effect of shading

   hatchback
          [hatch.back] n (1970): an automobile the back of which consists
          of a hatch that opens upward; also: the back of such
          an automobile

   hatcheck
          [hat.check] adj (1917): employed in checking hats and articles
          of outdoor clothing <a ~ girl>

   hatchery
          [hatch.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1880): a place for hatching eggs
          (as of poultry or fish)

   hatchet
          [hatch.et] n [ME hachet, fr. MF hachette, dim. of hache
          battle-ax--more at hash] (14c) 1: a short-handled ax often with
          a hammerhead to be used with one hand 2: tomahawk

   hatchet face
          [hatchet face] n (ca. 1666): a thin sharp face -- hatch.et-faced
          adj

   hatchet job
          [hatchet job] n (1944): a forceful or malicious verbal attack

   hatchet man
          [hatchet man] n (1880) 1: one hired for murder, coercion,
          or attack 2 a: a writer specializing in invective b:
          a person hired to perform underhanded or unscrupulous
          tasks (as ruin reputations)

   hatchet work
          [hatchet work] n (1944): the work of a hatchet man

   hatching
          [hatch.ing] n (1662): the engraving or drawing of fine lines
          in close proximity chiefly to give an effect of shading;
          also: the pattern so created

   hatchling
          [hatch.ling] n (1899): a recently hatched animal

   hatchment
          [hatch.ment] n [perh. alter. of achievement] (1548): a panel
          on which a coat of arms of a deceased person is temporarily
          displayed

   hatchway
          [hatch.way] n (1626): a passage giving access usu. by a ladder
          or stairs to an enclosed space (as a cellar); also: hatch
          2a

   [1]hate
          [hate] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE hete; akin to OHG haz
          hate, Gk kedos care] (bef. 12c) 1 a: intense hostility
          and aversion usu. deriving from fear, anger, or sense
          of injury b: extreme dislike or antipathy: loathing <had
          a great ~ of hard work> 2: an object of hatred <a generation
          whose finest ~ had been big business --F. L. Paxson>
          [2]hate vb hat.ed ; hat.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1: to feel
          extreme enmity toward <~s his country's enemies> 2: to
          have a strong aversion to: find very distasteful <hated
          to have to meet strangers> <~ hypocrisy> ~ vi: to express
          or feel extreme enmity or active hostility -- hat.er
          n -- hate one's guts : to hate someone with great intensity
          syn hate, detest, abhor, abominate, loathe mean to feel
          strong aversion or intense dislike for. hate implies
          an emotional aversion often coupled with enmity or malice
          <hated the enemy with a passion>. detest suggests violent
          antipathy <detests cowards>. abhor implies a deep often
          shuddering repugnance <a crime abhorred by all>. abominate
          suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation
          <every society abominates incest>. loathe implies utter
          disgust and intolerance <loathed self-appointed moral
          guardians>.

   hateful
          [hate.ful] adj (14c) 1: full of hate: malicious 2: deserving
          of or arousing hate -- hate.ful.ly adv -- hate.ful.ness
          n

   hath
          [hath] archaic pres 3d sing of have

   hatha yoga
          [hatha yo.ga] n [Skt hatha force + yoga yoga] (1890): a system
          of physical exercises for the control and perfection
          of the body that constitutes one of the four chief Hindu
          disciplines

   hat in hand
          [hat in hand] adv (1851): in an attitude of respectful humility
          <have to go hat in hand to apologize>

   hatmaker
          [hat.mak.er] n (15c): one who makes hats

   hatred
          [ha.tred] n [ME, fr. hate + OE raeden condition--more at
          kindred] (12c) 1: hate 2: prejudiced hostility or animosity
          <old racial prejudices and national ~s --Peter Thomson>

   hatter
          [hat.ter] n (14c): one that makes, sells, or cleans and repairs
          hats

   hat trick
          [hat trick] n [prob. fr. the former practice of rewarding
          the feat with the gift of a hat] (1877) 1: the retiring
          of three batsmen with three consecutive balls by a bowler
          in cricket 2: the scoring of three goals in one game
          (as of hockey or soccer) by a single player 3: a succession
          of three victories, successes, or related accomplishments
          <scored a hat trick when her three best steers corralled
          top honors --People>

   hauberk
          [hau.berk] n [ME, fr. OF hauberc, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OE healsbeorg neck armor] (14c): a tunic of chain mail
          worn as defensive armor from the 12th to the 14th century

   haugh
          [haugh] n [ME (Sc) halch, fr. OE healh corner of land; akin
          to OE holh hole] (bef. 12c) Scot: a low-lying meadow
          by the side of a river

   haughty
          [haugh.ty] adj haugh.ti.er ; -est [obs. haught, fr. ME haute,
          fr. MF haut, lit., high, fr. L altus--more at old] (15c):
          blatantly and disdainfully proud syn see proud -- haugh.ti.ly
          adv -- haugh.ti.ness n

   [1]haul
          [haul] vb [ME halen to pull, fr. OF haler, of Gmc origin;
          akin to MD halen to pull; akin to OE geholian to obtain]
          vt (13c) 1 a: to exert traction on: draw <~ a wagon>
          b: to obtain or move by or as if by hauling <was ~ed
          to parties night after night by his wife> c: to transport
          in a vehicle: cart 2: to change the course of (a ship)
          esp. so as to sail closer to the wind 3: to bring before
          an authority for interrogation or judgment: hale <~ traffic
          violators into court> ~ vi 1: to exert traction: pull
          2: to move along: proceed 3: to furnish transportation
          4 of the wind: shift -- haul ass : to move quickly--often
          considered vulgar [2]haul n (1670) 1 a: the act or process
          of hauling: pull b: a device for hauling 2 a: the result
          of an effort to obtain, collect, or win <the burglar's
          ~> b: the fish taken in a single draft of a net 3 a:
          transportation by hauling b: the length or course of
          a transportation route <a long ~> c: a quantity transported:
          load

   haulage
          [haul.age] n (1826) 1: the act or process of hauling 2: a
          charge made for hauling

   hauler
          [haul.er] n (1674): one that hauls: as a: a commercial
          establishment or worker whose business is hauling b: an automotive
          vehicle for hauling goods or material

   haulier
          [haul.ier] Brit var of hauler

   haulm
          [haulm] n [ME halm, fr. OE healm; akin to OHG halm stem,
          L culmus stalk, Gk kalamos reed] (bef. 12c): the stems
          or tops of cultivated plants (as peas, beans, or potatoes)
          esp. after the crop has been gathered

   haul off
          [haul off] vi (1870): to get ready--used with and and a following
          verb describing a usu. sudden and violent act <I hauled
          off and hit him>

   haunch
          [haunch] n [ME haunche, fr. OF hanche, of Gmc origin; akin
          to MD hanke haunch] (13c) 1 a: hip 1a b: hindquarter
          2--usu. used in pl. 2: hindquarter 1 3: either side of
          an arch between the springing and the crown -- on one's
          haunches : in a squatting position

   [1]haunt
          [haunt] vb [ME, fr. OF hanter, prob. fr. ON heimta to lead
          home, pull, claim, fr. heimr home] vt (14c) 1 a: to visit
          often: frequent b: to continually seek the company of
          2 a: to have a disquieting or harmful effect on: trouble
          <problems we ignore now will come back to ~ us> b: to
          recur constantly and spontaneously to <the tune ~ed her>
          c: to reappear continually in <a sense of tension that
          ~s his writing> 3: to visit or inhabit as a ghost ~ vi
          1: to stay around or persist: linger 2: to appear habitually
          as a ghost -- haunt.er n -- haunt.ing.ly adv [2]haunt
          n (14c) 1: a place habitually frequented 2 chiefly dial:
          ghost

   Hausa
          [Hau.sa] n, pl Hausa or Hausas (1853) 1: the Chadic language
          of the Hausa people widely used in western Africa as
          a trade language 2: a member of a black people of northern
          Nigeria and southern Niger

   hausfrau
          [haus.frau] n [G, fr. Haus house + Frau woman, wife] (1798):
          housewife

   haustellum
          [haus.tel.lum] n, pl -la [NL, dim. of L haustrum scoop on
          a waterwheel, fr. haurire to drink, draw--more at exhaust]
          (1816): a proboscis (as of an insect) adapted to suck
          blood or juices of plants

   haustorial
          [haus.to.ri.al] adj (1894): of, relating to, or having a
          haustorium

   haustorium
          [haus.to.ri.um] n, pl -ria [NL, fr. L haurire] (1875): a
          food-absorbing outgrowth of a plant organ (as a hypha
          or stem)

   hautbois
          [haut.bois] or haut.boy n, pl hautbois or haut.boys [MF hautbois,
          fr. haut high + bois wood] (1575): oboe

   haute
          [haute] also haut adj [F] (1787): fashionable, high-class
          <~ interior decorators> <a store filled with ~ kitsch>

   haute couture
          [haute cou.ture] n [F, lit., high sewing] (1908): the houses
          or designers that create exclusive and often trend-setting
          fashions for women; also: the fashions created

   haute cuisine
          [haute cui.sine] n [F, lit., high cooking] (1928): artful
          or elaborate cuisine; esp: traditionally elaborate French
          cuisine

   haute ecole
          [haute ecole] n [F, lit., high school] (1858): a highly stylized
          form of classical riding: advanced dressage

   hauteur
          [hau.teur] n [F, fr. haut high--more at haughty] (ca. 1628):
          arrogance, haughtiness

   haute vulgarisation
          [haute vul.ga.ri.sa.tion] [F] foreign term : high popularization:
          effective presentation of a difficult subject to a general
          audience

   haut gout
          [haut gout] [F] foreign term : high flavor: slight taint
          of decay

   haut monde
          [haut monde] also haute monde n [F, lit., high world] (1864):
          high society

   Havana
          [Ha.vana] n [prob. fr. Sp habano, fr. habano of Havana, fr.
          La Habana (Havana), Cuba] (1826) 1: a cigar made from
          Cuban tobacco 2: a tobacco orig. grown in Cuba

   Havarti
          [Ha.var.ti] n [Havarti, locale in Denmark] (1957): a semisoft
          Danish cheese having a porous texture and usu. a mild
          flavor

   havdalah
          [havdalah] var of habdalah

   [1]have
          [have] vb had ; hav.ing ; has [ME, fr. OE habban; akin to
          OHG haben to have, and perh. to hevan to lift--more at
          heave] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to hold or maintain as a possession,
          privilege, or entitlement <they ~ a new car> <I ~ my
          rights> b: to hold in one's use, service, regard, or
          at one's disposal <the group will ~ enough tickets for
          everyone> <we don't ~ time to stay> c: to hold, include,
          or contain as a part or whole <the car has power brakes>
          <April has 30 days> 2: to feel obligation in regard to--usu.
          used with an infinitive with to <we ~ things to do> <~
          a deadline to meet> 3: to stand in a certain relationship
          to <has three fine children> <we will ~ the wind at our
          backs> 4 a: to acquire or get possession of: obtain <these
          shoes are the best to be had> b: receive <had news> c:
          accept; specif: to accept in marriage d: to copulate
          with 5 a: to be marked or characterized by (a quality,
          attribute, or faculty) <both ~ red hair> <has a way with
          words> b: exhibit, show <had the gall to refuse> c: use,
          exercise <~ mercy on us> 6 a: to experience esp. by submitting
          to, undergoing, or suffering <I ~ a cold> b: to make
          the effort to perform (an action) or engage in (an activity)
          <~ a look at that cut> c: to entertain in the mind <~
          an opinion> 7 a: to cause or command to do something--used
          with the infinitive without to <~ the children stay>
          b: to cause to be in a certain place or state <has people
          around at all times> 8: allow <we'll ~ no more of that>
          9: to be competent in <has only a little French> 10 a:
          to hold in a position of disadvantage or certain defeat
          <we ~ him now> b: to take advantage of: trick, fool <been
          had by a partner> 11: beget, bear <~ a baby> 12: to partake
          of <~ dinner> <~ a smoke> 13: bribe, suborn <can be had
          for a price> ~ verbal auxiliary 1--used with the past
          participle to form the present perfect, past perfect,
          or future perfect <has gone home> <had already eaten>
          <will ~ finished dinner by then> 2: to be compelled,
          obliged, or required--used with an infinitive with to
          or to alone <we had to go> <do what you have to> <it
          has to be said> -- had better or had best : would be
          wise to -- have at : to go at or deal with: attack --
          have coming : to deserve or merit what one gets, benefits
          by, or suffers <he had that coming> -- have done : finish,
          stop -- have done with : to bring to an end: have no
          further concern with <let us have done with name-calling>
          -- have had it 1: to have had or have done all one is
          going to be allowed to 2: to have experienced, endured,
          or suffered all one can -- have it : assert, claim <rumor
          has it that he was drunk> -- have it in for : to intend
          to do harm to -- have it out : to settle a matter of
          contention by discussion or a fight -- have none of :
          to refuse to have anything to do with -- have one's eye
          on 1 a: to look at b: to watch constantly and attentively
          2: to have as an objective -- have to do with 1: to deal
          with <the story has to do with real people --Alice M.
          Jordan> 2: to have a specified relationship with or effect
          on <the size of the brain has nothing to do with intelligence
          --Ruth Benedict> [2]have n (1836): one that is well-endowed
          esp. in material wealth

   havelock
          [have.lock] n [Sir Henry Havelock] (1861): a covering attached
          to a cap to protect the neck from the sun or bad weather

   haven
          [ha.ven] n [ME, fr. OE haefen; akin to MHG habene harbor]
          (bef. 12c) 1: harbor, port 2: a place of safety: asylum
          3: a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions
          <a tourist's ~> -- haven vt

   have-not
          [have-not] n (1836): one that is poor esp. in material wealth

   haven't
          [haven't] (1777): have not

   have on
          [have on] vt (bef. 12c) 1: wear <has on a new suit> 2 chiefly
          Brit: to trick or deceive intentionally: put on 5 3:
          to have plans for < what do you have on for tomorrow>

   haver
          [ha.ver] vi [origin unknown] (1866) chiefly Brit: to hem
          and haw

   haversack
          [hav.er.sack] n [F havresac, fr. G Habersack bag for oats,
          fr. Haber oats + Sack bag] (1749): a bag similar to a
          knapsack but worn over one shoulder

   haversian canal
          [ha.ver.sian canal] n, often cap H [Clopton Havers d. 1702
          Eng. physician & anatomist] (1842): any of the small
          canals through which the blood vessels ramify in bone

   haversian system
          [haversian system] n, often cap H (ca. 1846): a haversian
          canal with the concentrically arranged laminae of bone
          that surround it

   [1]havoc
          [hav.oc] n [ME havok, fr. AF, modif. of OF havot plunder]
          (15c) 1: wide and general destruction: devastation 2:
          great confusion and disorder <children can create ~ in
          a house> [2]havoc vt hav.ocked ; hav.ock.ing (1577):
          to lay waste: destroy

   [1]haw
          [haw] n [ME hawe, fr. OE haga--more at hedge] (bef. 12c)
          1: a hawthorn berry 2: hawthorn [2]haw n [origin unknown]
          (15c): nictitating membrane; esp: an inflamed nictitating
          membrane of a domesticated mammal [3]haw vi [imit.] (1632)
          1: to utter the sound represented by haw <hemmed and
          ~ed before answering> 2: equivocate <the administration
          hemmed and ~ed over the students' demands> [4]haw interj
          (1679)--often used to indicate a vocalized pause in speaking
          [5]haw vb [origin unknown] vb imper (1777)--used as a
          direction to turn to the left--compare gee ~ vi: to turn
          to the near or left side

   Hawaii-Aleutian time
          [Hawaii-Aleutian time] n (1983): the time of the 10th time
          zone west of Greenwich that includes the Hawaiian islands
          and the Aleutians west of the Fox group

   Hawaiian
          [Ha.wai.ian] n (ca. 1864) 1: a native or resident of Hawaii;
          esp: one of Polynesian ancestry 2: the Polynesian language
          of the Hawaiians -- Hawaiian adj

   Hawaiian goose
          [Hawaiian goose] n (ca. 1909): nene

   Hawaiian guitar
          [Hawaiian guitar] n (1928): a usu. electric stringed instrument
          having a long fretted neck and six to eight steel strings
          that are plucked while being pressed with a movable steel
          bar for a glissando effect

   Hawaiian shirt
          [Hawaiian shirt] n (1962): a usu. short-sleeved sport shirt
          with a colorful pattern

   hawfinch
          [haw.finch] n [[1]haw] (ca. 1674): an Old World finch
          (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) with a large heavy bill and short
          thick neck and the male marked with black, white, and brown

   [1]hawk
          [hawk] n [ME hauk, fr. OE hafoc; akin to OHG habuh hawk,
          Russ kobets a falcon] (bef. 12c) 1: any of numerous diurnal
          birds of prey belonging to a suborder (Falcones of the
          order Falconiformes) and including all the smaller members
          of this group; esp: accipiter--compare owl 2: a small
          board or metal sheet with a handle on the underside used
          to hold mortar 3: one who takes a militant attitude and
          advocates immediate vigorous action; esp: a supporter
          of a war or warlike policy--compare dove -- hawk.ish
          adj -- hawk.ish.ly adv -- hawk.ish.ness n [2]hawk vi
          (14c) 1: to hunt birds by means of a trained hawk 2:
          to soar and strike like a hawk ~ vt: to hunt on the wing
          like a hawk [3]hawk vb [imit.] vt (1581): to raise by
          trying to clear the throat <~ up phlegm> ~ vi: to utter
          a harsh guttural sound in or as if hawking [4]hawk n
          (1604): an audible effort to force up phlegm from the
          throat [5]hawk vt [back-formation fr. [2]hawker] (1713):
          to offer for sale by calling out in the street <~ing
          newspapers>; broadly: sell

   [1]hawker
          [hawk.er] n [ME, fr. OE hafocere, fr. hafoc] (bef. 12c):
          falconer [2]hawker n [by folk etymology fr. LG hoker,
          fr. MLG hoker, fr. hoken to peddle] (1512): one that
          hawks wares

   Hawkeye
          [Hawk.eye] n (1823): a native or resident of Iowa--used as
          a nickname

   hawkeyed
          [hawk.eyed] adj (ca. 1818): having keen sight

   hawkmoth
          [hawk.moth] n (1785): any of a family (Sphingidae) of stout-bodied
          moths with a long proboscis, long narrow more or less pointed
          forewings, and small hind wings--called also sphinx

   hawksbill
          [hawks.bill] n (1712): a small brown or brown and yellow
          sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) of warm waters that
          has a carapace of overlapping plates--compare tortoiseshell
          1

   hawkshaw
          [hawk.shaw] n [fr. Hawkshaw, detective in the play The Ticket
          of Leave Man (1863) by Tom Taylor] (1888): detective

   hawkweed
          [hawk.weed] n (1562): any of a genus (Hieracium) of composite
          plants usu. having flower heads with red or orange rays--compare
          orange hawkweed

   hawse
          [hawse] n [alter. of ME halse, fr. ON hals neck, hawse--more
          at collar] (14c) 1 a: the part of a ship's bow that contains
          the hawseholes b: hawsehole 2: the distance between a
          ship's bow and her anchor

   hawsehole
          [hawse.hole] n (1664): a hole in the bow of a ship through
          which a cable passes

   hawser
          [haw.ser] n [ME, fr. AF hauceour, fr. MF haucier to hoist,
          fr. (assumed) VL altiare, fr. L altus high--more at old]
          (13c): a large rope for towing, mooring, or securing
          a ship

   hawser-laid
          [haw.ser-laid] adj (1769): composed of three ropes laid together
          right-handed with each containing three strands twisted
          together

   hawthorn
          [haw.thorn] n [ME hawethorn, fr. OE hagathorn, fr. haga hawthorn
          + thorn--more at hedge] (bef. 12c): any of a genus (Crataegus)
          of spring-flowering spiny shrubs of the rose family with
          glossy and often lobed leaves, white or pink fragrant
          flowers, and small red fruits

   Hawthorne effect
          [Haw.thorne effect] n [fr. the Hawthorne Works of the Western
          Electric Co., Cicero, Ill., where its existence was established
          by experiment] (1962): the stimulation to output or accomplishment
          that results from the mere fact of being under observation; also:
          such an increase in output or accomplishment

   [1]hay
          [hay] n [ME hey, fr. OE hieg; akin to OHG hewi hay, OE heawan
          to hew] (bef. 12c) 1: herbage and esp. grass mowed and
          cured for fodder 2: reward 3 slang: bed 4: a small sum
          of money <a saving of ... $14 million is not ~ --H. C.
          Schonberg> [2]hay vi (1556): to cut, cure, and store
          hay ~ vt: to feed with hay

   haycock
          [hay.cock] n (13c): a somewhat rounded conical pile of hay

   hay fever
          [hay fever] n (1829): an acute allergic rhinitis and
          conjunctivitis; esp: pollinosis

   haylage
          [hay.lage] n [hay + silage] (ca. 1958): a stored forage that
          is essentially a grass silage wilted to 35 to 50 percent
          moisture

   hayloft
          [hay.loft] n (1573): a loft esp. for storing hay

   haymaker
          [hay.mak.er] n (1912): a powerful blow

   haymow
          [hay.mow] n (15c): a mow esp. of or for hay

   hayrack
          [hay.rack] n (1825) 1: a feeding rack that holds hay for
          livestock 2: a frame mounted on the running gear of a
          wagon and used esp. in hauling hay or straw; also: a
          wagon equipped with a hayrack

   hayrick
          [hay.rick] n (15c): a relatively large sometimes thatched
          outdoor pile of hay: haystack

   hayride
          [hay.ride] n (1896): a pleasure ride usu. at night by a group
          in a wagon, sleigh, or open truck partly filled with
          straw or hay

   hay-scented fern
          [hay-scent.ed fern] n (1915): a common fern (Dennstaedtia
          punctilobula) of eastern No. America with fragrant finely
          divided pale green fronds

   hayseed
          [hay.seed] n, pl hayseed or hayseeds (1577) 1 a: seed shattered
          from hay b: clinging bits of straw or chaff from hay
          2 pl hayseeds: bumpkin, yokel

   haystack
          [hay.stack] n (15c) 1: a stack of hay 2: a vertical standing
          wave in turbulent river waters

   haywire
          [hay.wire] adv or adj [fr. the use of baling wire for makeshift
          repairs] (1929) 1: being out of order or having gone
          wrong <the radio went ~> 2: emotionally or mentally upset
          or out of control: crazy <is going ~ with grief>

   hazan
          [ha.zan] n, pl ha.za.nim [LHeb hazzan] (1650) 1: an official
          of a Jewish synagogue or community of the period when
          the Talmud was compiled 2: cantor 2

   [1]hazard
          [haz.ard] n [ME, fr. MF hasard, fr. Ar az-zahr the die] (14c)
          1: a game of chance like craps played with two dice 2:
          a source of danger 3 a: chance, risk b: a chance event:
          accident 4 obs: stake 3a 5: a golf-course obstacle --
          at hazard : at stake [2]hazard vt (1530): venture, risk
          <~ a guess as to the outcome>

   hazardous
          [haz.ard.ous] adj (1585) 1: depending on hazard or chance
          2: involving or exposing one to risk (as of loss or harm)
          <a ~ occupation> <disposing of ~ waste> syn see dangerous
          -- haz.ard.ous.ly adv -- haz.ard.ous.ness n

   [1]haze
          [haze] n [prob. back-formation fr. hazy] (1706) 1 a: fine
          dust, smoke, or light vapor causing lack of transparency
          of the air b: a cloudy appearance in a transparent liquid
          or solid; also: a dullness of finish (as on furniture)
          2: something suggesting atmospheric haze; esp: vagueness
          of mind or mental perception [2]haze vb hazed ; haz.ing
          vt (1801): to make hazy, dull, or cloudy ~ vi: to become
          hazy or cloudy [3]haze vt hazed ; haz.ing [origin unknown]
          (1840) 1 a: to harass by exacting unnecessary or disagreeable
          work b: to harass by banter, ridicule, or criticism 2:
          to haze by way of initiation <~ the fraternity pledges>
          3 West: to drive (as cattle or horses) from horseback
          -- haz.er n

   [1]hazel
          [ha.zel] n [ME hasel, fr. OE haesel; akin to OHG hasal hazel,
          L corulus] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Corylus and
          esp. the American C. americana and the European C. avellana)
          of shrubs or small trees of the birch family bearing
          nuts enclosed in a leafy involucre 2: a light brown to
          strong yellowish brown [2]hazel adj (14c) 1: consisting
          of hazels or of the wood of the hazel 2: of the color
          hazel

   hazel hen
          [hazel hen] n (1661): a European woodland grouse (Bonasa
          bonasia) related to the ruffed grouse--called also hazel
          grouse

   hazelnut
          [ha.zel.nut] n (bef. 12c): the nut of a hazel

   hazing
          [haz.ing] n (ca. 1855): the action of hazing; esp: an initiation
          process involving harassment

   hazy
          [hazy] adj haz.i.er ; -est [origin unknown] (1625) 1: obscured
          or made dim or cloudy by or as if by haze 2: vague, indefinite
          <has only a ~ recollection>; also: uncertain <I'm ~ on
          that point> -- haz.i.ly adv -- haz.i.ness n

   hb...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Hb
          [Hb] abbreviation hemoglobin

   HBM
          [HBM] abbreviation Her Britannic Majesty, His Britannic Majesty

   hc...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   HC
          [HC] abbreviation Holy Communion, House of Commons, hydrocarbon

   HCF
          [HCF] abbreviation highest common factor

   HCG
          [HCG] abbreviation human chorionic gonadotropin

   HCL
          [HCL] abbreviation high cost of living

   hd...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   hd
          [hd] abbreviation head  HD abbreviation heavy-duty

   hdbk
          [hdbk] abbreviation handbook

   hdkf
          [hdkf] abbreviation handkerchief

   HDL
          [HDL] n [high-density lipoprotein] (ca. 1965): a cholesterol-poor
          protein-rich lipoprotein of blood plasma correlated with
          reduced risk of atherosclerosis--compare ldl

   HDTV
          [HDTV] abbreviation high-definition television

   hdwe
          [hdwe] abbreviation hardware

   he...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]he
          [he] pron [ME, fr. OE he; akin to OE heo she, hit it, OHG
          he he, L cis, citra on this side, Gk ekeinos that person]
          (bef. 12c) 1: that male one who is neither speaker nor
          hearer <~ is my father>--compare him, his, it, she, they
          2--used in a generic sense or when the sex of the person
          is unspecified <~ that hath ears to hear, let him hear
          --Mt 11:15 (AV)> <one should do the best ~ can> [2]he
          n (bef. 12c) 1: a male person or animal 2: one that is
          strongly masculine or has strong masculine appeal--usu.
          used in combination <that's what I call he-literature
          --Sinclair Lewis> [3]he n [Heb he'] (1639): the 5th letter
          of the Hebrew alphabet

   He
          [He] abbreviation helium  HE abbreviation Her Excellency,
          high explosive, His Eminence, His Excellency

   he/she
          [he/she] pron (1974): he or she--used in writing as a pronoun
          of common gender

   [1]head
          [head] n [ME hed, fr. OE heafod; akin to OHG houbit head,
          L caput] (bef. 12c) 1: the upper or anterior division
          of the animal body that contains the brain, the chief
          sense organs, and the mouth 2 a: the seat of the intellect:
          mind <two ~s are better than one> b: a person with respect
          to mental qualities <let wiser ~s prevail> c: natural
          aptitude or talent <a good ~ for figures> d: mental or
          emotional control: poise <a level ~> e: headache 3: the
          obverse of a coin--usu. used in pl. <~s, I win> 4 a:
          person, individual <count ~s> b pl head : one of a number
          (as of domestic animals) 5 a: the end that is upper or
          higher or opposite the foot <the ~ of the table> <~ of
          a sail> b: the source of a stream c: either end of something
          (as a drum) whose two ends need not be distinguished
          6: director, leader: as a: headmaster b: one in charge
          of a division or department in an office or institution
          <the ~ of the English department> 7 a: capitulum 2 b:
          the foliaged part of a plant esp. when consisting of
          a compact mass of leaves or close fructification 8 a:
          the leading element of a military column or a procession
          b: headway 9 a: the uppermost extremity or projecting
          part of an object: top b: the striking part of a weapon,
          tool, or implement c: the rounded proximal end of a long
          bone (as the humerus) d: the end of a muscle nearest
          the origin--compare origin e: the oval part of a printed
          musical note 10 a: a body of water kept in reserve at
          a height; also: the containing bank, dam, or wall b:
          a mass of water in motion 11 a: the difference in elevation
          between two points in a body of fluid b: the resulting
          pressure of the fluid at the lower point expressible
          as this height; broadly: pressure of a fluid 12 a: the
          bow and adjacent parts of a ship b: a ship's toilet;
          broadly: toilet 13: the approximate length of the head
          of a horse <won by a ~> 14: the place of leadership,
          honor, or command <at the ~ of her class> 15 a (1): a
          word or series of words often in larger letters placed
          at the beginning of a passage or at the top of a page
          in order to introduce or categorize (2): a separate part
          or topic b: a portion of a page or sheet that is above
          the first line of printing 16: the foam or scum that
          rises on a fermenting or effervescing liquid (as beer)
          17 a: the part of a boil, pimple, or abscess at which
          it is likely to break b: culminating point of action:
          crisis <events came to a ~> 18 a: a part or attachment
          of a machine or machine tool containing a device (as
          a cutter or drill); also: the part of an apparatus that
          performs the chief function or a particular function
          b: an electromagnet used as a transducer in magnetic
          recording for recording on, reading, or erasing a magnetic
          medium (as tape) 19: an immediate constituent of a construction
          that can have the same grammatical function as the whole
          (as man in "an old man", "a very old man", or "the man
          in the street") 20 a: one who uses a drug b: devotee
          <chili ~s> 21: fellatio, cunnilingus--usu. used with
          give : drawing the greater depth of water forward --
          off one's head : crazy, distracted -- out of one's head
          : delirious -- over one's head 1: beyond one's comprehension
          or competence <the most awful intellectual detail, all
          of it over my head --E. B. White> 2: so as to pass over
          one's superior standing or authority <went over my head
          to complain> [2]head adj (bef. 12c) 1: of, relating to,
          or intended for the head 2: principal, chief <~ cook>
          3: situated at the head 4: coming from in front <~ sea>
          [3]head vt (14c) 1: behead 2 a: to put a head on: fit
          a head to <~ an arrow> b: to form the head or top of
          <tower ~ed by a spire> 3: to act as leader or head to
          <~ a revolt> 4 a: to get in front of so as to hinder,
          stop, or turn back b: to take a lead over (as a racehorse):
          surpass c: to pass (a stream) by going round above the
          source 5 a: to put something at the head of (as a list)
          b: to stand as the first or leading member of <~s the
          list of heroes> 6: to set the course of <~ a ship northward>
          7: to drive (as a soccer ball) with the head ~ vi 1:
          to form a head <this cabbage ~s early> 2: to point or
          proceed in a certain direction <the fleet was ~ing out>
          3: to have a source: originate

   headache
          [head.ache] n (bef. 12c) 1: pain in the head 2: a vexatious
          or baffling situation or problem -- head.achy adj

   head and shoulders
          [head and shoulders] adv (ca. 1864): beyond comparison: by
          far <head and shoulders above the competition>

   headband
          [head.band] n (1535) 1: a band worn on or around the head
          2: a narrow strip of cloth sewn or glued by hand to a
          book at the extreme ends of the backbone

   headboard
          [head.board] n (1730): a board forming the head (as of a
          bed)

   headcheese
          [head.cheese] n (1841): a jellied loaf or sausage made from
          edible parts of the head, feet, and sometimes the tongue
          and heart esp. of a pig

   head cold
          [head cold] n (1937): a common cold centered in the nasal
          passages and adjacent mucous tissues

   headdress
          [head.dress] n (1703): an often elaborate covering for the
          head

   headed
          [head.ed] adj (13c) 1: having a head or a heading 2: having
          a head or heads of a specified kind or number--used in
          combination <became light-headed from the fever> <a roundheaded
          screw>

   header
          [head.er] n (15c) 1: one that removes heads; esp:
          a grain-harvesting machine that cuts off the grain heads and
          elevates them to a wagon 2 a: a brick or stone laid in a wall with
          its end toward the face of the wall b: a beam fitted at one side
          of an opening to support free ends of floor joists, studs,
          or rafters c: a horizontal structural or finish piece over
          an opening: lintel d: a conduit (as an exhaust pipe for
          a many-cylindered engine) into which a number of smaller conduits
          open e: a mounting plate through which electrical terminals pass
          from a sealed device (as a transistor) 3: a fall or dive headfirst
          4: a shot or pass in soccer made by heading the ball 5: head 15a(1)

   headfirst
          [head.first] adv (ca. 1828): with the head foremost: headlong
          <dove ~ into the waves> -- headfirst adj

   headforemost
          [head.fore.most] adv (1697): headfirst

   headgate
          [head.gate] n (1832): a gate for controlling the water flowing
          into a channel (as an irrigation ditch)

   headgear
          [head.gear] n (15c) 1: a covering or protective device for
          the head 2: a harness for a horse's head

   headhunter
          [head.hunt.er] n (1853) 1: one that engages in head-hunting
          2: a recruiter of personnel esp. at the executive level

   head-hunting
          [head-hunt.ing] n (1853) 1: the act or custom of seeking
          out, decapitating, and preserving the heads of enemies
          as trophies 2: a seeking to deprive usu. political enemies
          of position or influence

   heading
          [head.ing] n (1676) 1 a: something that forms or serves as
          a head; esp: an inscription, headline, or title standing
          at the top or beginning (as of a letter or chapter) b:
          the address and date at the beginning of a letter showing
          its place and time of origin 2: the compass direction
          in which the longitudinal axis of a ship or aircraft
          points; broadly: direction 3: drift 6

   headlamp
          [head.lamp] n (1885): headlight

   headland
          [head.land] n (bef. 12c) 1: unplowed land at the ends of
          furrows or near a fence 2: a point of usu. high land
          jutting out into a body of water: promontory

   headless
          [head.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: having no head b: having
          the head cut off: beheaded 2: having no chief 3: lacking
          good sense or prudence: foolish -- head.less.ness n

   headlight
          [head.light] n (1861) 1: a light with a reflector and special
          lens mounted on the front of a vehicle to illuminate
          the road ahead; also: the beam cast by a headlight 2:
          a light worn on the forehead (as of a miner or physician)

   [1]headline
          [head.line] n (1824) 1: words set at the head of a passage
          or page to introduce or categorize 2 a: a head of a newspaper
          story or article usu. printed in large type and giving
          the gist of the story or article that follows b pl: front-page
          news <the scandal made ~s> [2]headline vt (1891) 1: to
          provide with a headline 2: to publicize highly 3: to
          be engaged as a leading performer in (a show)

   headliner
          [head.lin.er] n (1896) 1: the principal performer in a show:
          star; broadly: personality 4b 2: fabric covering the
          inside of the roof of an automobile

   head linesman
          [head linesman] n (ca. 1949): a football linesman

   headlock
          [head.lock] n (1905): a hold in which a wrestler encircles
          his opponent's head with one arm

   [1]headlong
          [head.long] adv [ME hedlong, alter. of hedling, fr. hed head]
          (14c) 1: headfirst 2: without deliberation: recklessly
          3: without pause or delay [2]head.long adj (ca. 1550)
          1 archaic: steep, precipitous 2: lacking in calmness
          or restraint: precipitate <a ~ torrent of emotion> 3:
          plunging headforemost syn see precipitate

   head louse
          [head louse] n (1547): one of a variety (Pediculus humanus
          capitis) of the common louse that lives on the human
          scalp

   headman
          [head.man] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: foreman, overseer b: a lesser
          chief of a primitive community 2: headsman

   headmaster
          [head.mas.ter] n (1576): a man heading the staff of a private
          school: principal -- head.mas.ter.ship n

   headmistress
          [head.mis.tress] n (1872): a woman heading the staff of a
          private school

   headmost
          [head.most] adj (1628): most advanced: leading

   headnote
          [head.note] n (1855) 1: a prefixed note of comment or explanation
          2: a note prefixed to the report of a decided legal case

   head off
          [head off] vt (1841): to turn back or turn aside: block,
          prevent <head them off at the pass > <attempts to head
          off the imminent crisis>

   [1]head-on
          [head-on] adv (1840) 1: with the head or front making the
          initial contact <the cars collided ~> 2: in direct opposition,
          confrontation, or contradiction <met the problem ~> [2]head-on
          adj (1903) 1: having the front facing in the direction
          of initial contact or line of sight <a ~ collision> 2:
          frontal

   head over heels
          [head over heels] adv (1771) 1 a: in or as if in a somersault:
          helter-skelter b: upside down 2: very much: deeply <head
          over heels in love>

   headphone
          [head.phone] n (1914): an earphone held over the ear by a
          band worn on the head--usu. used in pl.

   headpiece
          [head.piece] n (1535) 1 a: a protective or defensive covering
          for the head b: an ornamental, ceremonial, or traditional
          covering for the head 2: brains, intelligence 3: an ornament
          esp. at the beginning of a chapter

   headpin
          [head.pin] n (1927): a bowling pin that stands foremost in
          the arrangement of pins

   headquarter
          [head.quar.ter] vt (1903): to place in headquarters ~ vi:
          to make one's headquarters

   headquarters
          [head.quar.ters] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1647) 1:
          a place from which a commander performs the functions
          of command 2: the administrative center of an enterprise

   headrest
          [head.rest] n (1853) 1: a support for the head 2: head restraint

   head restraint
          [head restraint] n (1967): a resilient pad at the top of
          the back of an automobile seat esp. for preventing whiplash
          injury

   head rhyme
          [head rhyme] n (ca. 1943): alliteration

   headroom
          [head.room] n (1851): vertical space in which to stand, sit,
          or move

   headsail
          [head.sail] n (1627): a sail set forward of the foremast

   headset
          [head.set] n (1921) 1: an attachment for holding an earphone
          and transmitter at one's head 2: a pair of headphones

   headship
          [head.ship] n (1582): the position, office, or dignity of
          a head

   head shop
          [head shop] n (1968): a shop specializing in articles (as
          hashish pipes and roach clips) of interest to drug users

   headshrinker
          [head.shrink.er] n (1950): shrink 3

   headsman
          [heads.man] n (1601): one that beheads: executioner

   headspace
          [head.space] n (1936): the volume above a liquid or solid
          in a closed container

   headspring
          [head.spring] n (14c): fountainhead, source

   headstall
          [head.stall] n (14c): a part of a bridle or halter that encircles
          the head

   headstand
          [head.stand] n (ca. 1934): the gymnastic feat of standing
          on one's head usu. with support from the hands

   head start
          [head start] n (1886) 1: an advantage granted or achieved
          at the beginning of a race, a chase, or a competition
          <a 10-minute head start> 2: a favorable or promising
          beginning

   headstock
          [head.stock] n (1731): a bearing or pedestal for a revolving
          or moving part; specif: a part of a lathe that holds
          the revolving spindle and its attachments

   headstone
          [head.stone] n (1775): a memorial stone at the head of a
          grave

   headstream
          [head.stream] n (14c): a stream that is the source of a river

   headstrong
          [head.strong] adj (14c) 1: not easily restrained: impatient
          of control, advice, or suggestions 2: directed by ungovernable
          will <violent ~ actions> syn see unruly

   heads-up
          [heads-up] adj (1947): alert, resourceful <~ football>

   heads up
          [heads up] interj (ca. 1941)--used as a warning to look out
          for danger esp. overhead or to clear a passageway

   head-to-head
          [head-to-head] adv or adj (ca. 1728): in a direct confrontation
          or encounter usu. between individuals

   headwaiter
          [head.wait.er] n (1805): the head of the dining-room staff
          of a restaurant or hotel

   headwater
          [head.wa.ter] n (1802): the source of a stream--usu. used
          in pl.

   headway
          [head.way] n (1748) 1 a: motion or rate of motion in a forward
          direction b: advance, progress 2: headroom (as under
          an arch) sufficient to allow passage 3: the time interval
          between two vehicles traveling in the same direction
          on the same route

   headword
          [head.word] n (ca. 1823) 1: a word or term placed at the
          beginning (as of a chapter or an entry in an encyclopedia)
          2: head 19

   headwork
          [head.work] n (1837): mental labor; esp: clever thinking

   heady
          [heady] adj head.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: willful, rash <~
          opinions> b: violent, impetuous 2 a: tending to intoxicate
          or make giddy or elated <~ wine> <being in such distinguished
          company was a ~ experience> b: giddy, exhilarated <~
          with his success> c: rich <a ~ sauce> <a ~ variety> d:
          impressive <a man of ~ accomplishments> 3 a: marked by
          or showing good judgment: shrewd, intelligent b: intellectually
          stimulating or demanding -- head.i.ly adv -- head.i.ness
          n

   heal
          [heal] vb [ME helen, fr. OE haelan; akin to OHG heilen to
          heal, OE hal whole--more at whole] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          to make sound or whole <~ a wound> b: to restore to health
          2 a: to cause (an undesirable condition) to be overcome:
          mend <the troubles ... had not been forgotten, but they
          had been ~ed --William Power> b: to patch up (a breach
          or division) <~ a breach between friends> 3: to restore
          to original purity or integrity <~ed of sin> ~ vi: to
          return to a sound state

   healer
          [heal.er] n (12c) 1: one that heals 2: a Christian Science
          practitioner

   health
          [health] n, often attrib [ME helthe, fr. OE haelth, fr. hal]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: the condition of being sound in body,
          mind, or spirit; esp: freedom from physical disease or
          pain b: the general condition of the body <in poor ~>
          <enjoys good ~> 2 a: flourishing condition: well-being
          <defending the ~ of the beloved oceans --Peter Wilkinson>
          b: general condition or state <poor economic ~> 3: a
          toast to someone's health or prosperity

   health food
          [health food] n (1882): a food promoted as highly conducive
          to health

   healthful
          [health.ful] adj (14c) 1: beneficial to health of body or
          mind 2: healthy <he felt incapable of looking into the
          girl's pretty, ~ face --Saul Bellow> -- health.ful.ness
          n syn healthful, wholesome, salubrious, salutary mean
          favorable to the health of mind or body. healthful implies
          a positive contribution to a healthy condition <a healthful
          diet>. wholesome applies to what benefits, builds up,
          or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually <wholesome
          foods> <the movie is wholesome family entertainment>.
          salubrious applies chiefly to the helpful effects of
          climate or air <cool and salubrious weather>. salutary
          describes something corrective or beneficially effective,
          even though it may in itself be unpleasant <a salutary
          warning that resulted in increased production>.

   health insurance
          [health insurance] n (1901): insurance against loss through
          illness of the insured; esp: insurance providing compensation
          for medical expenses

   health maintenance organization
          [health maintenance organization] n (1973): hmo

   health spa
          [health spa] n (1960): a commercial establishment (as a resort)
          providing facilities devoted to health and fitness

   healthy
          [healthy] adj health.i.er ; -est (1552) 1: enjoying health
          and vigor of body, mind, or spirit: well 2: evincing
          health <a ~ complexion> 3: conducive to health <walk
          three miles every day ... a beastly bore, but ~ --G.
          S. Patton> 4 a: prosperous, flourishing b: not small
          or feeble: considerable -- health.i.ly adv -- health.i.ness
          n syn healthy, sound, wholesome, robust, hale, well mean
          enjoying or indicative of good health. healthy implies
          full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs
          of disease <a healthy family>. sound emphasizes the absence
          of disease, weakness, or malfunction <a sound heart>.
          wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating
          soundness and balance <a face with a wholesome glow>.
          robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or
          sickly <a lively, robust little boy>. hale applies particularly
          to robustness in old age <still hale at the age of eighty>.
          well implies merely freedom from disease or illness <she
          has never been a well person>.

   [1]heap
          [heap] n [ME heep, fr. OE heap; akin to OHG houf heap] (bef.
          12c) 1: a collection of things thrown one on another:
          pile 2: a great number or large quantity: lot [2]heap
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to throw or lay in a heap: pile or
          collect in great quantity <his sole object was to ~ up
          riches> b: to form or round into a heap <~ed the dirt
          into a mound> c: to form a heap on: load heavily <~ the
          plates with food> 2: to accord or bestow lavishly or
          in large quantities <~ed honors upon them>

   hear
          [hear] vb heard ; hear.ing [ME heren, fr. OE hieran; akin
          to OHG horen to hear, and prob. to L cavere to be on
          guard, Gk akouein to hear] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to perceive
          or apprehend by the ear 2: to gain knowledge of by hearing
          3 a: to listen to with attention: heed b: attend <~ mass>
          4 a: to give a legal hearing to b: to take testimony
          from <~ witnesses> ~ vi 1: to have the capacity of apprehending
          sound 2 a: to gain information: learn b: to receive communication
          <haven't heard from her lately> 3: to entertain the idea--used
          in the negative <wouldn't ~ of it> 4--often used in the
          expression Hear] Hear] to express approval (as during
          a speech) -- hear.er n

   hearing
          [hear.ing] n (13c) 1 a: the process, function, or power of
          perceiving sound; specif: the special sense by which
          noises and tones are received as stimuli b: earshot 2
          a: opportunity to be heard, to present one's side of
          a case, or to be generally known or appreciated b (1):
          a listening to arguments (2): a preliminary examination
          in criminal procedure c: a session (as of a legislative
          committee) in which testimony is taken from witnesses
          3 chiefly dial: a piece of news

   hearing aid
          [hearing aid] n (1922): an electronic device usu. worn by
          a person for amplifying sound before it reaches the receptor
          organs

   hearing dog
          [hearing dog] n (1952): a dog trained to alert its deaf or
          hearing-impaired owner to sounds (as of a doorbell, alarm,
          or telephone)--called also hearing ear dog

   hearken
          [hear.ken] vb hear.kened ; hear.ken.ing [ME herknen, fr.
          OE heorcnian; akin to OHG horechen to listen, OE hieran
          to hear] vi (bef. 12c) 1: listen 2: to give respectful
          attention ~ vt, archaic: to give heed to: hear

   hearken back
          [hearken back] vi (1933): hark back

   hearsay
          [hear.say] n (ca. 1532): rumor

   hearsay evidence
          [hearsay evidence] n (1753): evidence based not on a witness's
          personal knowledge but on another's statement not made
          under oath

   [1]hearse
          [hearse] n [ME herse, fr. MF herce harrow, frame for holding
          candles, fr. L hirpic-, hirpex harrow] (14c) 1 a: an
          elaborate framework erected over a coffin or tomb to
          which memorial verses or epitaphs are attached b: a triangular
          candelabrum for 15 candles used esp. at Tenebrae 2 a
          archaic: coffin b obs: bier 2 3: a vehicle for conveying
          the dead to the grave [2]hearse vt hearsed ; hears.ing
          (1592) 1 a archaic: to place on or in a hearse b: to
          convey in a hearse 2: bury

   [1]heart
          [heart] n [ME hert, fr. OE heorte; akin to OHG herza heart,
          L cord-, cor, Gk kardia] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a hollow muscular
          organ of vertebrate animals that by its rhythmic contraction
          acts as a force pump maintaining the circulation of the
          blood b: a structure in an invertebrate animal functionally
          analogous to the vertebrate heart c: breast, bosom d:
          something resembling a heart in shape; specif: a stylized
          representation of a heart 2 a: a playing card marked
          with a stylized figure of a red heart b pl: the suit
          comprising cards marked with hearts c pl but sing or
          pl in constr: a game in which the object is to avoid
          taking tricks containing hearts 3 a: personality, disposition
          <a cold ~> b obs: intellect 4: the emotional or moral
          as distinguished from the intellectual nature: as a:
          generous disposition: compassion <a leader with ~> b:
          love, affections <won her ~> c: courage, ardor <never
          lost ~> 5: one's innermost character, feelings, or inclinations
          <knew it in his ~> <a man after my own ~> 6 a: the central
          or innermost part: center b: the essential or most vital
          part of something c: the younger central compact part
          of a leafy rosette (as a head of lettuce) -- at heart
          : in essence: basically, essentially -- by heart : by
          rote or from memory -- to heart : with deep concern [2]heart
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: hearten 2 archaic: to fix in
          the heart

   heartache
          [heart.ache] n (1602): anguish of mind: sorrow

   heart attack
          [heart attack] n (1928): an acute episode of heart disease
          (as myocardial infarction) due to insufficient blood
          supply to the heart muscle esp. when caused by a coronary
          thrombosis or a coronary occlusion

   heartbeat
          [heart.beat] n (1850) 1: one complete pulsation of the heart
          2: the vital center or driving impulse

   heart block
          [heart block] n (1903): incoordination of the heartbeat in
          which the atria and ventricles beat independently and
          which is marked by decreased cardiac output

   heartbreak
          [heart.break] n (14c): crushing grief

   heartbreaker
          [heart.break.er] n (1863): one that causes heartbreak

   heartbreaking
          [heart.break.ing] adj (1591) 1 a: causing intense sorrow
          or distress b: extremely trying or difficult 2: producing
          an intense emotional reaction or response <~ beauty>
          -- heart.break.ing.ly adv

   heartbroken
          [heart.bro.ken] adj (ca. 1586): overcome by sorrow

   heartburn
          [heart.burn] n (1597): a burning discomfort behind the lower
          part of the sternum usu. related to spasm of the lower
          end of the esophagus or of the upper part of the stomach

   heartburning
          [heart.burn.ing] n (1513): intense or rancorous jealousy
          or resentment

   heart disease
          [heart disease] n (1864): an abnormal organic condition of
          the heart or of the heart and circulation

   hearted
          [heart.ed] adj (13c) 1: having a heart esp. of a specified
          kind--usu. used in combination <a fainthearted leader>
          <a lighthearted wanderer> 2: seated in the heart

   hearten
          [heart.en] vt heart.ened ; heart.en.ing (1526): to give heart
          to: cheer syn see encourage -- heart.en.ing.ly adv

   heart failure
          [heart failure] n (1894) 1: a condition in which the heart
          is unable to pump blood at an adequate rate or in adequate
          volume 2: cessation of heartbeat: death

   heartfelt
          [heart.felt] adj (1734): deeply felt: earnest syn see sincere

   heart-free
          [heart-free] adj (1748): not in love

   hearth
          [hearth] n [ME herth, fr. OE heorth; akin to OHG herd hearth,
          and prob. to Skt kudayati he scorches] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          a brick, stone, or cement area in front of a fireplace
          b: the floor of a fireplace; also: fireplace c: the lowest
          section of a furnace; esp: the section of a furnace on
          which the ore or metal is exposed to the flame or heat
          2: home 3: a vital or creative center <the central ~
          of occidental civilization --A. L. Kroeber>

   hearthstone
          [hearth.stone] n (14c) 1: stone forming a hearth 2: home

   heartily
          [heart.i.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a hearty manner 2 a: with all
          sincerity: wholeheartedly b: with zest or gusto 3: wholly,
          thoroughly <~ sick of all this talk>

   heartland
          [heart.land] n (1904): a central area: as a: a central land
          area (as northern Eurasia) having strategic advantages
          b: a central geographical region esp. of the U.S. in
          which mainstream or traditional values predominate

   heartless
          [heart.less] adj (14c) 1 archaic: spiritless 2: lacking feeling:
          cruel -- heart.less.ly adv -- heart.less.ness n

   heart-lung machine
          [heart-lung machine] n (1953): a mechanical pump that maintains
          circulation during heart surgery by shunting blood away
          from the heart, oxygenating it, and returning it to the
          body

   heartrending
          [heart.rend.ing] adj (1594): heartbreaking 1a -- heart.rend.ing.ly
          adv

   heartsease
          [hearts.ease] n (15c) 1: peace of mind: tranquillity 2: any
          of various violas; esp: johnny-jump-up

   heartsick
          [heart.sick] adj (1526): very despondent: depressed --
          heart.sick.ness n

   heartsome
          [heart.some] adj (1596) chiefly Scot: giving spirit or vigor:
          animating, enlivening -- heart.some.ly adv, chiefly Scot

   heartsore
          [heart.sore] adj (1591): heartsick

   heartstring
          [heart.string] n (15c) 1 obs: a nerve once believed to sustain
          the heart 2: the deepest emotions or affections <pulled
          at his ~s>

   heartthrob
          [heart.throb] n (1839) 1: the throb of a heart 2 a: sentimental
          emotion: passion b: sweetheart

   [1]heart-to-heart
          [heart-to-heart] adj (1867): sincere, frank <a ~ talk>
          [2]heart-to-heart n (1910): a frank, serious, and often intimate
          conversation

   heartwarming
          [heart.warm.ing] adj (1899): inspiring sympathetic feeling:
          cheering -- heart-warm.er n

   heart-whole
          [heart-whole] adj (1600) 1: heart-free 2: sincere, genuine

   heartwood
          [heart.wood] n (1810): the older harder nonliving central
          wood of trees that is usu. darker, denser, less permeable,
          and more durable than the surrounding sapwood

   heartworm
          [heart.worm] n (1888): a filarial worm (Dirofilaria immitis)
          that is a parasite esp. in the right heart of dogs and
          is transmitted by mosquitoes; also: infestation or disease
          caused by the heartworm

   [1]hearty
          [hearty] adj heart.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: giving unqualified
          support <a ~ endorsement> b: enthusiastically or exuberantly
          cordial: jovial c: expressed unrestrainedly 2 a: exhibiting
          vigorous good health b (1): having a good appetite (2):
          abundant, rich, or flavorful enough to satisfy the appetite
          3: vigorous, vehement <a ~ pull> syn see sincere -- heart.i.ness
          n [2]hearty n, pl heart.ies (1803): a hearty fellow;
          also: sailor

   [1]heat
          [heat] vb [ME heten, fr. OE haetan; akin to OE hat hot] vi
          (bef. 12c) 1: to become warm or hot 2: to start to spoil
          from heat ~ vt 1: to make warm or hot 2: excite -- heat.able
          adj [2]heat n [ME hete, fr. OE haete, haetu; akin to
          OE hat hot] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a condition of being
          hot: warmth (2): a marked or notable degree of hotness
          b: pathological excessive bodily temperature c: a hot
          place or situation d (1): a period of heat (2): a single
          complete operation of heating; also: the quantity of
          material so heated e (1): added energy that causes substances
          to rise in temperature, fuse, evaporate, expand, or undergo
          any of various other related changes, that flows to a
          body by contact with or radiation from bodies at higher
          temperatures, and that can be produced in a body (as
          by compression) (2): the energy associated with the random
          motions of the molecules, atoms, or smaller structural
          units of which matter is composed f: appearance, condition,
          or color of a body as indicating its temperature 2 a:
          intensity of feeling or reaction: passion b: the height
          or stress of an action or condition <in the ~ of battle>
          c: sexual excitement esp. in a female mammal; specif:
          estrus 3: a single continuous effort: as a: a single
          round of a contest (as a race) having two or more rounds
          for each contestant b: one of several preliminary contests
          held to eliminate less competent contenders 4: pungency
          of flavor 5 a slang (1): the intensification of law-enforcement
          activity or investigation (2): police b: pressure, coercion
          c: abuse, criticism <took a lot of ~> 6: smoke 8 -- heat.less
          adj -- heat.proof adj

   heat cramps
          [heat cramps] n pl (1938): a condition that is marked by
          sudden development of cramps in skeletal muscles and
          that results from prolonged work in high temperatures
          accompanied by profuse perspiration with loss of sodium
          chloride from the body

   heated
          [heat.ed] adj (1886): marked by anger <a ~ argument> -- heat.ed.ly
          adv

   heat engine
          [heat engine] n (ca. 1895): a mechanism (as an internal-combustion
          engine) for converting heat energy into mechanical or electrical
          energy

   heater
          [heat.er] n (15c) 1: one that heats; esp: a device that imparts
          heat or holds something to be heated 2: fastball

   heat exchanger
          [heat exchanger] n (1902): a device (as an automobile radiator)
          for transferring heat from one fluid to another without
          allowing them to mix

   heat exhaustion
          [heat exhaustion] n (1939): a condition marked by weakness,
          nausea, dizziness, and profuse sweating that results
          from physical exertion in a hot environment--called also
          heat prostration--compare heatstroke

   heath
          [heath] n [ME heth, fr. OE haeth; akin to OHG heida heather,
          OW coit forest] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a tract of wasteland
          b: an extensive area of rather level open uncultivated
          land usu. with poor coarse soil, inferior drainage, and
          a surface rich in peat or peaty humus 2 a: any of a family
          (Ericaceae, the heath family) of shrubby dicotyledonous
          and often evergreen plants that thrive on open barren
          usu. acid and ill-drained soil; esp: an evergreen subshrub
          of either of two genera (Erica and Calluna) with whorls
          of needlelike leaves and clusters of small flowers b:
          any of various plants that resemble true heaths -- heath.less
          adj -- heath.like adj -- heathy adj

   [1]heathen
          [hea.then] adj [ME hethen, fr. OE haethen; akin to OHG heidan
          heathen, and prob. to OE haeth heath] (bef. 12c) 1: of
          or relating to heathens, their religions, or their customs
          2: strange, uncivilized [2]heathen n, pl heathens or
          heathen (bef. 12c) 1: an unconverted member of a people
          or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible
          2: an uncivilized or irreligious person -- hea.then.dom
          n -- hea.then.ism n -- hea.then.ize vt

   heathenish
          [hea.then.ish] adj (1593): resembling or characteristic of
          heathens: barbarous -- hea.then.ish.ly adv

   [1]heather
          [heath.er] n [ME (northern) hather] (14c): heath 2a; esp:
          a common Eurasian heath (Calluna vulgaris) of northern
          and alpine regions that has small crowded sessile leaves
          and racemes of tiny usu. purplish pink flowers and is
          naturalized in the northeastern U.S. [2]heather adj (1615):
          heathery

   heathery
          [heath.ery] adj (1535) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          heather 2: having flecks of various colors <a soft ~
          tweed>

   heath hen
          [heath hen] n (1644): a now extinct grouse (Tympanuchus cupido
          cupido) of the northeastern U.S.--compare prairie chicken

   heathland
          [heath.land] n (1819): heath 1

   heat lightning
          [heat lightning] n (1834): vivid and extensive flashes of
          electric light without thunder seen near the horizon
          esp. at the close of a hot day and ascribed to far-off
          lightning reflected by high clouds

   heat prostration
          [heat prostration] n (1938): heat exhaustion

   heat pump
          [heat pump] n (1894): an apparatus for heating or cooling
          a building by transferring heat by mechanical means from
          or to a reservoir (as the ground, water, or air) outside
          the building

   heat rash
          [heat rash] n (1887): prickly heat

   heat shield
          [heat shield] n (1962): a barrier of ablative material to
          protect a space capsule from heat on its entry into an
          atmosphere

   heat sink
          [heat sink] n (1936): a substance or device for the absorption
          or dissipation of unwanted heat (as from a process or
          an electronic device)

   heatstroke
          [heat.stroke] n (1874): a condition marked esp. by cessation
          of sweating, extremely high body temperature, and collapse
          that results from prolonged exposure to high temperature--compare
          heat exhaustion

   heat-treat
          [heat-treat] vt (1907): to subject to heat; esp: to treat
          (as metals) by heating and cooling in a way that will
          produce desired properties -- heat treater n -- heat
          treatment n

   heat wave
          [heat wave] n (1893): a period of unusually hot weather

   [1]heave
          [heave] vb heaved or hove ; heav.ing [ME heven, fr. OE hebban;
          akin to OHG hevan to lift, L capere to take] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 obs: elevate 2: lift, raise 3: throw, cast 4 a:
          to cause to swell or rise b: to displace (as a rock stratum)
          esp. by a fault 5: to utter with obvious effort or with
          a deep breath 6: haul, draw ~ vi 1: labor, struggle 2:
          retch 3 a: to rise and fall rhythmically b: pant 4 a:
          pull, push b: to move a ship in a specified direction
          or manner c past usu hove: to move in an indicated way--used
          of a ship 5: to rise or become thrown or raised up syn
          see lift -- heav.er n -- heave to : to bring a ship to
          a stop [2]heave n (ca. 1571) 1 a: an effort to heave
          or raise b: hurl, cast 2: an upward motion: rising; esp:
          a rhythmical rising 3: horizontal displacement esp. by
          the faulting of a rock 4 pl but sing or pl in constr:
          chronic pulmonary emphysema of the horse resulting in
          difficult expiration, heaving of the flanks, and a persistent
          cough

   heave-ho
          [heave-ho] n [fr. heave ho], interjection used when heaving
          on a rope] (1947): dismissal <gave him the old ~>

   heaven
          [heav.en] n [ME heven, fr. OE heofon; akin to OHG himil heaven]
          (bef. 12c) 1: the expanse of space that seems to be over
          the earth like a dome: firmament--usu. used in pl. 2
          a often cap: the dwelling place of the Deity and the
          joyful abode of the blessed dead b: a spiritual state
          of everlasting communion with God 3 cap: god 1 4: a place
          or condition of utmost happiness 5 Christian Science:
          a state of thought in which sin is absent and the harmony
          of divine Mind is manifest

   heavenly
          [heav.en.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1: of or relating to heaven or
          the heavens: celestial <the ~ choirs> <use a telescope
          to study the ~ bodies> 2 a: suggesting the blessed state
          of heaven: beatific <~ peace> b: delightful -- heav.en.li.ness
          n

   heaven-sent
          [heav.en-sent] adj (ca. 1649): providential

   heavenward
          [heav.en.ward] adv or adj (13c): toward heaven

   heavenwards
          [heav.en.wards] adv (1650): heavenward

   heavier-than-air
          [heavier-than-air] adj (1903): of greater weight than the
          air displaced

   heavily
          [heavi.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: to a great degree: severely
          2: slowly and laboriously: dully 3 archaic: with sorrow:
          grievously 4: in a heavy manner

   Heaviside layer
          [Heav.i.side layer] n [Oliver Heaviside] (1912): ionosphere

   [1]heavy
          [heavy] adj heavi.er ; -est [ME hevy, fr. OE hefig; akin
          to OHG hebic heavy, OE hebban to lift--more at heave]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: having great weight; also: characterized
          by mass or weight <how ~ is it?> b: having a high specific
          gravity: having great weight in proportion to bulk c
          (1) of an isotope: having or being atoms of greater than
          normal mass for that element (2) of a compound: containing
          heavy isotopes 2: hard to bear; specif: grievous, afflictive
          <a ~ sorrow> 3: of weighty import: serious 4: deep, profound
          5 a: borne down by something oppressive: burdened b:
          pregnant; esp: approaching parturition 6 a: slow or dull
          from loss of vitality or resiliency: sluggish b: lacking
          sparkle or vivacity: drab c: lacking mirth or gaiety:
          doleful d: characterized by declining prices 7: dulled
          with weariness: drowsy 8: greater in quantity or quality
          than the average of its kind or class: as a: of unusually
          large size or amount <a ~ turnout> <~ traffic> b: of
          great force <~ seas> c: threatening to rain or snow d
          (1): impeding motion (2): full of clay and inclined to
          hold water e: coming as if from a depth: loud <~ breathing>
          f: thick, coarse g: oppressive <~ odor> h: steep, acute
          i: laborious, difficult <~ going> j: immoderate <a ~
          smoker> k: more powerful than usual for its kind <~ cavalry>
          <~ cruiser> l: of large capacity or output 9 a: very
          rich and hard to digest <~ desserts> b: not properly
          raised or leavened <~ bread> 10: producing goods (as
          coal, steel, or chemicals) used in the production of
          other goods <~ industry> 11 a: having stress <~ rhythm>--used
          esp. of syllables in accentual verse b: being the strongest
          degree of stress in speech 12: relating to theatrical
          parts of a grave or somber nature 13: long 9 <~ on ideas>
          14: important, prominent <a ~ politician> -- heavi.ness
          n syn heavy, weighty, ponderous, cumbrous, cumbersome
          mean having great weight. heavy implies that something
          has greater density or thickness than the average of
          its kind or class <a heavy child for his age>. weighty
          suggests having actual and not just relative weight <a
          load of weighty boxes>. ponderous implies having great
          weight because of size and massiveness with resulting
          great inertia <ponderous elephants in a circus parade>.
          cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness
          that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying,
          or manipulating <wrestled with the cumbrous furniture>
          <early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient>. [2]heavy
          adv (bef. 12c): in a heavy manner: heavily [3]heavy n,
          pl heav.ies (1897) 1: heavyweight 2 2 a: a theatrical
          role of a dignified or somber character; also: an actor
          playing such a role b: villain 4 c: someone or something
          influential, serious, or important

   heavy chain
          [heavy chain] n (1964): either of the two larger of the four
          polypeptide chains comprising antibodies--compare light
          chain

   heavy cream
          [heavy cream] n (1930): a cream that is markedly thick; esp:
          cream that by law contains not less than 36 percent butterfat

   heavy-duty
          [heavy-du.ty] adj (1914) 1: able or designed to withstand
          unusual strain 2: intensive <~ bargaining>

   heavy-footed
          [heavy-foot.ed] adj (1625): heavy and slow in movement

   heavy-handed
          [heavy-hand.ed] adj (1647) 1: clumsy 2: oppressive, harsh
          -- heavy-hand.ed.ly adv -- heavy-hand.ed.ness n

   heavyhearted
          [heavy.heart.ed] adj (14c): despondent, saddened --
          heavy.heart.ed.ly adv -- heavy.heart.ed.ness n

   heavy hitter
          [heavy hitter] n (1976): big shot, heavy

   heavy hydrogen
          [heavy hydrogen] n (1933): deuterium

   heavy metal
          [heavy metal] n (1974): energetic and highly amplified electronic
          rock music having a hard beat

   heavyset
          [heavy.set] adj (1922): stocky and compact and sometimes
          tending to stoutness in build

   heavy water
          [heavy water] n (1933) 1: a chemical compound having two
          deuterium atoms and one oxygen atom in a molecule--called
          also deuterium oxide 2: water enriched in deuterium

   heavyweight
          [heavy.weight] n (1857) 1: one that is above average in weight
          2: one in the usu. heaviest class of contestants: as
          a: a boxer in an unlimited weight division--compare light
          heavyweight b: a weight lifter weighing more than 198
          pounds 3: big shot, heavy

   Heb
          [Heb] abbreviation Hebrew, Hebrews

   hebdomad
          [heb.do.mad] n [L hebdomad-, hebdomas, fr. Gk, fr. hebdomos
          seventh, fr. hepta seven--more at seven] (1545) 1: a
          group of seven 2: a period of seven days: week

   hebdomadal
          [heb.dom.a.dal] adj (1711): weekly -- heb.dom.a.dal.ly adv

   hebe
          [hebe] n, often cap [short for Hebrew] (1932): jew--usu.
          taken to be offensive He.be n [L, fr. Gk Hebe]: the Greek
          goddess of youth and a cupbearer to the gods

   hebephrenia
          [he.be.phre.nia] n [NL, irreg. fr. Gk hebetes young adult
          (fr. hebe youth) + E -phrenia; fr. the childish behavior
          which is often found with it] (1883): a form of schizophrenia
          characterized esp. by incoherence, delusions lacking
          an underlying theme, and affect that is flat, inappropriate,
          or silly -- he.be.phre.nic adj or n

   hebetate
          [heb.e.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L hebetatus, pp. of hebetare,
          fr. hebet-, hebes dull] (1574): to make dull or obtuse
          -- heb.e.ta.tion n

   hebetude
          [heb.e.tude] n [LL hebetudo, fr. hebere to be dull; akin
          to L hebes dull] (ca. 1621): lethargy, dullness -- heb.e.tu.di.nous
          adj

   Hebraic
          [He.bra.ic] adj [ME Ebrayke, fr. LL Hebraicus, fr. Gk Hebraikos,
          fr. Hebraios] (14c): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the Hebrews or their language or culture -- He.bra.i.cal.ly
          adv

   Hebraism
          [He.bra.ism] n (1570) 1: a characteristic feature of Hebrew
          occurring in another language 2: the thought, spirit,
          or practice characteristic of the Hebrews 3: a moral
          theory or emphasis attributed to the Hebrews

   Hebraist
          [He.bra.ist] n (ca. 1755): a specialist in Hebrew and Hebraic
          studies

   Hebraistic
          [He.bra.is.tic] adj (1690) 1: marked by Hebraisms 2: hebraic

   hebraize
          [he.bra.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing often cap vi (1645): to use
          Hebraisms ~ vt: to make Hebraic in character or form
          -- he.bra.iza.tion n, often cap

   Hebrew
          [He.brew] n [ME Ebreu, fr. OF, fr. LL Hebraeus, fr. L, adj.,
          fr. Gk Hebraios, fr. Aram 'Ebrai] (13c) 1 a: the Semitic
          language of the ancient Hebrews b: any of various later
          forms of this language 2: a member of or descendant from
          one of a group of northern Semitic peoples including
          the Israelites; esp: israelite -- Hebrew adj

   Hebrews
          [He.brews] n pl but sing in constr: a theological treatise
          addressed to early Christians and included as a book
          in the New Testament

   Hecate
          [Hec.ate] n [L, fr. Gk Hekate]: a Greek goddess associated
          esp. with the underworld, night, and witchcraft

   hecatomb
          [hec.a.tomb] n [L hecatombe, fr. Gk hekatombe, fr. hekaton
          hundred + -be; akin to Gk bous cow--more at hundred,
          cow] (ca. 1592) 1: an ancient Greek and Roman sacrifice
          of 100 oxen or cattle 2: the sacrifice or slaughter of
          many victims

   heck
          [heck] n [euphemism] (1887): hell <a ~ of a lot of money>

   heckle
          [heck.le] vt heck.led ; heck.ling [ME hekelen to dress flax,
          scratch, fr. heckele hackle; akin to OHG hako hook--more
          at hook] (ca. 1825): to harass and try to disconcert
          with questions, challenges, or gibes: badger syn see
          bait -- heck.ler n

   hect-
          [hect-] or hecto- comb form [F, irreg. fr. Gk hekaton]: hundred
          <hectare>

   hectare
          [hect.are] n [F, fr. hect- + are [2]are] (1810): a metric
          unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters

   hectic
          [hec.tic] adj [ME etyk, fr. MF etique, fr. LL hecticus, fr.
          Gk hektikos habitual, consumptive, fr. echein to have--more
          at scheme] (14c) 1: of, relating to, or being a fluctuating
          but persistent fever (as in tuberculosis) 2: having a
          hectic fever 3: red, flushed 4: characterized by activity,
          excitement, or confusion <the ~ days before Christmas>
          -- hec.ti.cal.ly adv

   hectogram
          [hec.to.gram] n [F hectogramme, fr. hect- + gramme gram]
          (1810): a metric unit of mass and weight equal to 100
          grams

   hectograph
          [hec.to.graph] n [G Hektograph, fr. hekto- hect- + -graph
          -graph] (1880): a machine for making copies of a writing
          or drawing produced on a gelatin surface -- hectograph
          vt

   hectoliter
          [hec.to.li.ter] n [F hectolitre, fr. hect- + litre liter]
          (1810): a metric unit of capacity equal to 100 liters

   hectometer
          [hec.to.me.ter] n [F hectometre, fr. hect- + metre meter]
          (1810): a metric unit of length equal to 100 meters

   [1]hector
          [hec.tor] n [L, fr. Gk Hektor] 1 cap: a son of Priam, husband
          of Andromache, and Trojan champion slain by Achilles
          2: bully, braggart [2]hector vb hec.tored ; hec.tor.ing
          vi (1660): to play the bully: swagger ~ vt: to intimidate
          or harass by bluster or personal pressure syn see bait
          -- hec.tor.ing.ly adv

   Hecuba
          [Hec.u.ba] n [L, fr. Gk Hekabe]: the wife of Priam in Homer's
          Iliad

   he'd
          [he'd] (ca. 1600): he had: he would

   heddle
          [hed.dle] n [prob. alter. of ME helde, fr. OE hefeld; akin
          to ON hafald heddle, OE hebban to lift--more at heave]
          (1513): one of the sets of parallel cords or wires that
          with their mounting compose the harness used to guide
          warp threads in a loom

   heder
          [he.der] n [Yiddish kheyder, fr. Heb hedher room] (1882):
          an elementary Jewish school in which children are taught
          to read the Torah and other books in Hebrew

   [1]hedge
          [hedge] n [ME hegge, fr. OE hecg; akin to OE haga hedge,
          hawthorn] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a fence or boundary formed
          by a dense row of shrubs or low trees b: barrier, limit
          2: a means of protection or defense (as against financial
          loss) 3: a calculatedly noncommittal or evasive statement
          [2]hedge vb hedged ; hedg.ing vt (14c) 1: to enclose
          or protect with or as if with a hedge: encircle 2: to
          hem in or obstruct with or as if with a barrier: hinder
          <hedged about by special regulations and statutes --Sandi
          Rosenbloom> 3: to protect oneself from losing or failing
          by a counterbalancing action <~ a bet> ~ vi 1: to plant,
          form, or trim a hedge 2: to evade the risk of commitment
          esp. by leaving open a way of retreat: trim 3: to protect
          oneself financially: as a: to buy or sell commodity futures
          as a protection against loss due to price fluctuation
          b: to minimize the risk of a bet -- hedg.er n -- hedg.ing.ly
          adv [3]hedge adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or designed
          for a hedge 2: born, living, or made near or as if near
          hedges: roadside 3: inferior 3

   hedge fund
          [hedge fund] n (1967): an investing group usu. in the form
          of a limited partnership that employs speculative techniques
          in the hope of obtaining large capital gains

   hedgehog
          [hedge.hog] n (15c) 1 a: any of a subfamily (Erinaceinae)
          of Old World nocturnal insectivores that have both hair
          and spines which they present outwardly by rolling themselves
          up when threatened b: any of several spiny mammals (as
          a porcupine) 2 a: a military defensive obstacle (as of
          barbed wire) b: a well-fortified military stronghold

   hedgehop
          [hedge.hop] vi [back-formation fr. hedgehopper] (1926): to
          fly an airplane close to the ground and rise over obstacles
          as they appear -- hedge.hop.per n

   hedgepig
          [hedge.pig] n (1605): hedgehog

   hedgerow
          [hedge.row] n (bef. 12c): a row of shrubs or trees enclosing
          or separating fields

   hedonic
          [he.don.ic] adj (1656) 1: of, relating to, or characterized
          by pleasure 2: of, relating to, or characterized by hedonism
          -- he.don.i.cal.ly adv

   hedonism
          [he.do.nism] n [Gk hedone pleasure; akin to Gk hedys sweet--more
          at sweet] (1856) 1: the doctrine that pleasure or happiness
          is the sole or chief good in life 2: a way of life based
          on or suggesting the principles of hedonism -- he.do.nist
          n -- he.do.nis.tic adj -- he.do.nis.ti.cal.ly adv

   -hedral
          [-he.dral] adj comb form [NL -hedron]: having (such) a surface
          or (such or so many) surfaces <dihedral>

   -hedron
          [-he.dron] n comb form, pl -hedrons or -he.dra [NL, fr. Gk
          -edron, fr. hedra seat--more at sit]: crystal or geometrical
          figure having a (specified) form or number of surfaces
          <pentahedron> <trapezohedron>

   heebie-jeebies
          [hee.bie-jee.bies] n pl [coined by Billy DeBeck d. 1942 Am.
          cartoonist] (1923): jitters, creeps

   [1]heed
          [heed] vb [ME, fr. OE hedan; akin to OHG huota guard, OE
          hod hood] vi (bef. 12c): to pay attention ~ vt: to give
          consideration or attention to: mind <~ what he says>
          <~ the call> [2]heed n (14c): attention, notice

   heedful
          [heed.ful] adj (1548): taking heed: attentive <~ of what
          they were doing> -- heed.ful.ly adv -- heed.ful.ness
          n

   heedless
          [heed.less] adj (1579): not taking heed: inconsiderate, thoughtless
          <~ follies of unbridled youth --John DeBruyn> -- heed.less.ly adv
          -- heed.less.ness n

   hee-haw
          [hee-haw] n [imit.] (1815) 1: the bray of a donkey 2: a loud
          rude laugh: guffaw -- hee-haw vi

   [1]heel
          [heel] n [ME, fr. OE hela; akin to ON haell heel, OE hoh--more
          at hock] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the back of the human foot below
          the ankle and behind the arch b: the part of the hind
          limb of other vertebrates that is homologous with the
          human heel 2: an anatomical structure suggestive of the
          human heel; esp: the part of the palm of the hand nearest
          the wrist 3: one of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread
          4 a: the part (as of a shoe) that covers the human heel
          b: a solid attachment of a shoe or boot forming the back
          of the sole under the heel of the foot 5: a rear, low,
          or bottom part: as a: the after end of a ship's keel
          or the lower end of a mast b: the base of a tuber or
          cutting of a plant used for propagation c: the base of
          a ladder 6: a contemptible person -- heel.less adj --
          by the heels : in a tight grip -- down at heel or down
          at the heel : in or into a run-down or shabby condition
          -- on the heels of : immediately following -- to heel
          1: close behind 2: into agreement or line -- under heel
          : under control or subjection [2]heel vt (1605) 1 a:
          to furnish with a heel b: to supply esp. with money 2
          a: to exert pressure on, propel, or strike with the heel
          <~ed her horse> b: to urge (as a lagging animal) by following
          closely or by nipping at the heels <dogs ~ing cattle>
          ~ vi: to move along at someone's heels [3]heel vb [alter.
          of ME heelden, fr. OE hieldan; akin to OHG hald inclined,
          Lith salis side, region] vi (1575): to lean to one side:
          tip; esp, of a boat or ship: to lean temporarily (as
          from the action of wind or waves)--compare list ~ vt:
          to cause (a boat) to heel [4]heel n (1760): a tilt (as
          of a boat) to one side; also: the extent of such a tilt

   heel-and-toe
          [heel-and-toe] adj (1827): marked by a stride in which the
          heel of one foot touches the ground before the toe of
          the other foot leaves it <~ walking>

   heelball
          [heel.ball] n (1822): a composition of wax and lampblack
          used by shoemakers for polishing and by antiquarians
          for making rubbings of inscriptions

   heeler
          [heel.er] n (1665) 1 a: one that heels b: australian cattle
          dog 2 a: a henchman of a local political boss b: a worker
          for a local party organization; esp: ward heeler

   heel fly
          [heel fly] n (1878): cattle grub

   heelpiece
          [heel.piece] n (1709): a piece designed for or forming the
          heel (as of a shoe)

   heeltap
          [heel.tap] n (1780): a small quantity of alcoholic beverage
          remaining (as in a glass after drinkin g)

   [1]heft
          [heft] n [fr. heave, after such pairs as weave : weft] (15c)
          1 a: weight, heaviness b: importance, influence 2 archaic:
          the greater part of something: bulk [2]heft vt (1661)
          1: to heave up: hoist 2: to test the weight of by lifting
          <~ing the rod ... to get the feel of it --Consumer Reports>

   hefty
          [hefty] adj heft.i.er ; -est (1867) 1: quite heavy 2 a: marked
          by bigness, bulk, and usu. strength <a ~ football player>
          b: powerful, mighty c: impressively large: substantial
          <~ portions> -- heft.i.ly adv -- heft.i.ness n

   hegari
          [he.gari] n [Ar dial. (Sudan) hegiri] (1919): any of several
          Sudanese grain sorghums having chalky white seeds including
          one grown in the southwestern U.S.

   [1]Hegelian
          [He.ge.li.an] adj (1838): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Hegel, his philosophy, or his dialectic method [2]Hegelian
          n (1843): a follower of Hegel: an adherent of Hegelianism

   Hegelianism
          [He.ge.li.an.ism] n (1846): the philosophy of Hegel that
          places ultimate reality in ideas rather than in things
          and that uses dialectic to comprehend an absolute idea
          behind phenomena

   hegemony
          [he.ge.mo.ny] n [Gk hegemonia, fr. hegemon leader, fr. hegeisthai
          to lead--more at seek] (1567): preponderant influence
          or authority over others: domination -- heg.e.mon.ic
          adj

   hegira
          [he.gi.ra] also he.ji.ra n [the Hegira, flight of Muhammad
          from Mecca in a.d. 622, fr. ML, fr. Ar hijrah, lit.,
          flight] (1753): a journey esp. when undertaken to escape
          from a dangerous or undesirable situation: exodus

   Heidelberg man
          [Hei.del.berg man] n [Heidelberg, Germany] (1920): an early
          Pleistocene man known from a massive fossilized jaw with
          distinctly human dentition and now classified with the
          pithecanthropines

   heifer
          [heif.er] n [ME hayfare, fr. OE heahfore] (bef. 12c): a young
          cow; esp: one that has not had a calf

   heigh-ho
          [heigh-ho] interj (ca. 1553)--used typically to express boredom,
          weariness, or sadness or sometimes as a cry of encouragement

   height
          [height] n [ME heighthe, fr. OE hiehthu; akin to OHG hohida
          height, OE heah high] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the highest part:
          summit b: highest or most advanced point: zenith <at
          the ~ of his powers> 2 a: the distance from the bottom
          to the top of something standing upright b: the extent
          of elevation above a level 3: the condition of being
          tall or high 4 a: an extent of land rising to a considerable
          degree above the surrounding country b: a high point
          or position 5 obs: an advanced social rank syn height,
          altitude, elevation mean vertical distance either between
          the top and bottom of something or between a base and
          something above it. height refers to something measured
          vertically whether high or low <a wall two meters in
          height>. altitude and elevation apply to height as measured
          by angular measurement or atmospheric pressure; altitude
          is preferable when referring to vertical distance above
          the surface of the earth or above sea level; elevation
          is used esp. in reference to vertical height on land
          <fly at an altitude of 10,000 meters> <Denver is a city
          with a high elevation>.

   heighten
          [height.en] vb height.ened ; height.en.ing vt (1523) 1 a:
          to increase the amount or degree of: augment b: to make
          brighter or more intense: deepen c: to bring out more
          strongly: point up d: to make more acute: sharpen 2 a:
          to raise high or higher: elevate b: to raise above the
          ordinary or trite 3 obs: elate ~ vi 1 archaic: grow,
          rise 2 a: to become great or greater in amount, degree,
          or extent b: to become brighter or more intense

   height to paper
          [height to paper] (1771): the height of printing type standardized
          at 0.9186 inch (2.333 centimeters) in English-speaking countries

   Heimlich maneuver
          [Heim.lich maneuver] n [Henry J. Heimlich b1920 Am. surgeon]
          (1974): the manual application of sudden upward pressure
          on the upper abdomen of a choking victim to force a foreign
          object from the windpipe

   heinie
          [hei.nie] n [alter. of [2]hinder] (1940) slang: buttocks

   heinous
          [hei.nous] adj [ME, fr. MF haineus, fr. haine hate, fr. hair
          to hate, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG haz hate--more at
          hate] (14c): hatefully or shockingly evil: abominable
          -- hei.nous.ly adv -- hei.nous.ness n

   [1]heir
          [heir] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L hered-, heres; akin to Gk cheros
          bereaved] (13c) 1: one who inherits or is entitled to
          inherit property 2: one who inherits or is entitled to
          succeed to a hereditary rank, title, or office <~ to
          the throne> 3: one who receives or is entitled to receive
          some endowment or quality from a parent or predecessor
          -- heir.less adj -- heir.ship n [2]heir vt (14c) chiefly
          dial: inherit

   heir apparent
          [heir apparent] n, pl heirs apparent (14c) 1: an heir whose
          right to an inheritance is indefeasible in law if he
          survives the legal ancestor 2: heir presumptive 3: one
          whose succession esp. to a position or role appears certain
          under existing circumstances

   heir at law
          [heir at law] (1729): an heir in whom an intestate's real
          property is vested by operation of law

   heiress
          [heir.ess] n (1607): a female heir; esp: a female heir to
          great wealth

   heirloom
          [heir.loom] n [ME heirlome, fr. heir + lome implement--more
          at loom] (15c) 1: a piece of property that descends to
          the heir as an inseparable part of an inheritance of
          real property 2: something of special value handed on
          from one generation to another

   heir presumptive
          [heir presumptive] n, pl heirs presumptive (ca. 1737): an
          heir whose legal right to an inheritance may be defeated
          (as by the birth of a nearer relative)

   Heisenberg uncertainty principle
          [Hei.sen.berg uncertainty principle] n [Werner Heisenberg]
          (1939): uncertainty principle--called also Heisenberg's
          uncertainty principle

   [1]heist
          [heist] vt [var. of [1]hoist] (1865) 1 chiefly dial: hoist
          2 slang a: to commit armed robbery on b: steal 1a [2]heist
          n (1930) slang: armed robbery: holdup; also: theft

   Hel
          [Hel] n [ON]: the Norse goddess of the dead and queen of
          the underworld

   hela cell
          [hela cell] n, often cap H&1stL [Henrietta Lacks d. 1951
          patient from whom the cells were taken] (1953): a cell
          of a continuously cultured strain isolated from a human
          uterine cervical carcinoma in 1951 and used in biomedical
          research esp. to culture viruses

   held
          [held] past and past part of hold

   heldentenor
          [hel.den.te.nor] n, often cap [G, fr. Held hero + Tenor tenor]
          (ca. 1903): a tenor with a powerful dramatic voice well
          suited to heroic (as Wagnerian) roles

   Helen of Troy
          [Helen of Troy] : the wife of Menelaus whose abduction by
          Paris brings about the Trojan War

   [1]heli-
          [heli-] or helio- comb form [L, fr. Gk heli-, helio-, fr.
          helios--more at solar]: sun <heliocentric> [2]heli- comb
          form [by shortening]: helicopter <heliport>

   heliacal
          [he.li.a.cal] adj [LL heliacus, fr. Gk heliakos, fr. helios]
          (1545): relating to or near the sun--used esp. of the
          last setting of a star before and its first rising after
          invisibility due to conjunction with the sun -- he.li.a.cal.ly
          adv

   helic-
          [helic-] or helico- comb form [Gk helik-, heliko-, fr. helik-,
          helix spiral--more at helix]: helix: spiral <helical>

   helical
          [he.li.cal] adj (1591): of, relating to, or having the form
          of a helix; broadly: spiral 1a -- he.li.cal.ly adv

   helicoid
          [he.li.coid] or he.li.coi.dal adj (1704) 1: forming or arranged
          in a spiral 2: having the form of a flat coil or flattened
          spiral <~ snail shell>

   helicon
          [hel.i.con] n [prob. fr. Gk helik-, helix + E -on (as in
          bombardon); from its tube's forming a spiral encircling
          the player's body] (1875): a large circular tuba similar
          to a sousaphone but lacking an adjustable bell

   [1]helicopter
          [he.li.cop.ter] n [F helicoptere, fr. Gk heliko- + pteron
          wing--more at feather] (1887): an aircraft whose lift
          is derived from the aerodynamic forces acting on one
          or more powered rotors turning about substantially vertical
          axes [2]helicopter vi (1952): to travel by helicopter
          ~ vt: to transport by helicopter

   heliocentric
          [he.lio.cen.tric] adj (1685) 1: referred to or measured from
          the sun's center or appearing as if seen from it 2: having
          or relating to the sun as center--compare geocentric

   heliograph
          [he.lio.graph] n [ISV] (1877): an apparatus for telegraphing
          by means of the sun's rays flashed from a mirror -- heliograph
          vt

   heliographic
          [he.lio.graph.ic] adj (1706): measured on the sun's disk
          <~ latitude>

   heliolatry
          [he.li.ol.a.try] n (ca. 1828): sun worship -- he.li.ol.a.trous
          adj

   heliometer
          [he.li.om.e.ter] n [F heliometre, fr. helio- [1]heli- + -metre
          -meter] (1753): a visual telescope that has a divided
          objective designed for measuring the apparent diameter
          of the sun but also used for measuring angles between
          celestial bodies or between points on the moon -- he.lio.met.ric
          adj -- he.lio.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   Helios
          [He.li.os] n [Gk Helios]: the god of the sun in Greek
          mythology--compare sol

   heliostat
          [he.lio.stat] n [NL heliostata, fr. [1]heli- + Gk -states
          -stat] (1747): an instrument consisting of a mirror mounted
          on an axis moved by clockwork by which a sunbeam is steadily
          reflected in one direction

   heliotrope
          [he.lio.trope] n [L heliotropium, fr. Gk heliotropion, fr.
          helio- [1]heli- + tropos turn; fr. its flowers' turning
          toward the sun--more at trope] (ca. 1626) 1: any of a
          genus (Heliotropium) of herbs or shrubs of the borage
          family--compare garden heliotrope 2: bloodstone 3: a
          variable color averaging a moderate to reddish purple

   heliotropism
          [he.li.ot.ro.pism] n (ca. 1854): phototropism in which sunlight
          is the orienting stimulus -- he.lio.tro.pic adj

   heliozoan
          [he.lio.zo.an] n [NL Heliozoa, fr. [1]heli- + -zoa] (ca.
          1889): any of a class (Heliozoa) of free-living holozoic
          usu. freshwater rhizopod protozoans that reproduce by
          binary fission or budding

   helipad
          [he.li.pad] n (1960): heliport

   heliport
          [he.li.port] n (1948): a landing and takeoff place for a
          helicopter

   heli-skiing
          [he.li-ski.ing] n (1976): downhill skiing on remote mountains
          reached by helicopter

   helium
          [he.li.um] n [NL, fr. Gk helios] (1872): a light colorless
          nonflammable gaseous element found esp. in natural gases
          and used chiefly for inflating airships and balloons,
          for filling incandescent lamps, and for cryogenic research

   helix
          [he.lix] n, pl he.li.ces also he.lix.es [L, fr. Gk; akin
          to Gk eilyein to roll, wrap--more at voluble] (1563)
          1: something spiral in form: as a: an ornamental volute
          b: a coil formed by winding wire around a uniform tube
          2: the incurved rim of the external ear 3: a curve traced
          on a cylinder or cone by the rotation of a point crossing
          its right sections at a constant oblique angle; broadly:
          spiral 1b

   hell
          [hell] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OE helan to conceal, OHG helan,
          L celare, Gk kalyptein] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a nether
          world in which the dead continue to exist: hades (2):
          the nether realm of the devil and the demons in which
          the damned suffer everlasting punishment--often used
          in curses <go to ~> or as a generalized term of abuse
          <the ~ with it> b Christian Science: error 2b, sin 2
          a: a place or state of misery, torment, or wickedness
          <war is ~ --W. T. Sherman> b: a place or state of turmoil
          or destruction <all ~ broke loose> c: a severe scolding
          <got ~ for coming in late> d: unrestrained fun or sportiveness
          <the kids were full of ~>--often used in the phrase for
          the hell of it esp. to suggest action on impulse or without
          a serious motive <decided to go for the ~ of it> 3 archaic:
          a tailor's receptacle 4--used as an interjection <~,
          I don't know]> or as an intensive <hurts like ~> <funny
          as ~>--often used in the phrase hell of a <it was one
          ~ of a good fight> or hell out of <scared the ~ out of
          him> or with the or in <moved way the ~ up north> <what
          in ~ is wrong, now?> -- hell on : very hard on or destructive
          to <the constant traveling is hell on your digestive
          system> -- hell or high water : difficulties of whatever
          kind or size <will stand by her convictions come hell
          or high water> -- hell to pay : dire consequences <if
          he's late there'll be hell to pay>

   he'll
          [he'll] (1588): he will: he shall

   hellacious
          [hel.la.cious] adj [hell + -acious (as in audacious)] (1943)
          1: exceptionally powerful or violent 2: remarkably good
          3: extremely difficult 4: extraordinarily large -- hel.la.cious.ly
          adv

   hellbender
          [hell.ben.der] n (1812): a large aquatic usu. gray salamander
          (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) of the Ohio valley region

   hell-bent
          [hell-bent] adj (1835): stubbornly and often recklessly determined
          or intent <~ to cut taxes again --New Republic> <~ on winning>
          -- hell-bent adv

   hellbroth
          [hell.broth] n (1605): a brew for working black magic

   hellcat
          [hell.cat] n (ca. 1605) 1: witch 2 2: a violently temperamental
          person; esp: an ill-tempered woman

   hellebore
          [hel.le.bore] n [ME elebre, fr. L elleborus, helleborus,
          fr. Gk helleboros] (15c) 1: any of a genus (Helleborus)
          of poisonous herbs of the buttercup family having showy
          flowers with petaloid sepals; also: the dried rhizome
          or an extract or powder of this formerly used in medicine
          2: a poisonous herb (genus Veratrum) of the lily family;
          also: the dried rhizome of a hellebore (Veratrum album
          or V. viride) or a powder or extract of this containing
          alkaloids used as a cardiac and respiratory depressant
          and as an insecticide

   Hellene
          [Hel.lene] n [Gk Hellen] (1662): greek 1a

   [1]Hellenic
          [Hel.len.ic] adj (1644): of or relating to Greece, its people,
          or its language; specif: of or relating to ancient Greek
          history, culture, or art before the Hellenistic period
          [2]Hellenic n (1847): greek 2a

   Hellenism
          [Hel.le.nism] n (1609) 1: grecism 1 2: devotion to or imitation
          of ancient Greek thought, customs, or styles 3: Greek
          civilization esp. as modified in the Hellenistic period
          by oriental influences 4: a body of humanistic and classical
          ideals associated with ancient Greece and including reason,
          the pursuit of knowledge and the arts, moderation, civic
          responsibility, and bodily development

   Hellenist
          [Hel.le.nist] n (1613) 1: a person living in Hellenistic
          times who was Greek in language, outlook, and way of
          life but was not Greek in ancestry; esp: a hellenized
          Jew 2: a specialist in the language or culture of ancient
          Greece

   Hellenistic
          [Hel.le.nis.tic] adj (ca. 1706) 1: of or relating to Greek
          history, culture, or art after Alexander the Great 2:
          of or relating to the Hellenists -- Hel.le.nis.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   hellenize
          [hel.le.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing often cap vi (1613): to
          become Greek or Hellenistic ~ vt: to make Greek or Hellenistic
          in form or culture -- hel.le.ni.za.tion n, often cap

   heller
          [hell.er] n (ca. 1895): hellion

   helleri
          [hel.leri] n, pl -ler.ies [NL (specific epithet of Xiphophorus
          helleri), fr. C. Heller, 20th cent. tropical fish collector]
          (1931) 1: swordtail 2: any of various brightly colored
          aquarium fishes developed by hybridization of swordtails
          and platys

   hellfire
          [hell.fire] n (bef. 12c): the eternal fire of hell that tortures
          sinners -- hellfire adj

   [1]hell-for-leather
          [hell-for-leather] adv (1889): in a hell-for-leather manner:
          at full speed <rode ~ down the trail> [2]hell-for-leather
          adj (1920): marked by determined recklessness, great
          speed, or lack of restraint <a cocky, ~ fighting man
          --H. H. Martin>

   hellgrammite
          [hell.gram.mite] n [origin unknown] (1866): a carnivorous
          aquatic No. American insect larva that is the young form
          of a dobsonfly (esp. Corydalis cornutus) and is used
          for fish bait

   hellhole
          [hell.hole] n (1866): a place of extreme misery or squalor

   hellhound
          [hell.hound] n (bef. 12c) 1: a dog represented in mythology
          as a guardian of the underworld 2: a fiendish person

   hellion
          [hel.lion] n [prob. alter. (influenced by hell) of hallion
          (scamp)] (1787): a troublesome or mischievous person

   hellish
          [hell.ish] adj (ca. 1530): of, resembling, or befitting hell;
          broadly: terrible -- hell.ish.ly adv -- hell.ish.ness
          n

   hello
          [hel.lo] n, pl hellos [alter. of hollo] (1889): an expression
          or gesture of greeting--used interjectionally in greeting,
          in answering the telephone, or to express surprise

   hell-raiser
          [hell-rais.er] n (1914): one given to wild, boisterous, or
          intemperate behavior -- hell-rais.ing n or adj

   [1]helm
          [helm] n [ME, fr. OE] (bef. 12c): helmet 1 [2]helm vt (bef.
          12c): to cover or furnish with a helmet [3]helm n [ME
          helme, fr. OE helma; akin to OHG helmo tiller] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a lever or wheel controlling the rudder of
          a ship for steering; broadly: the entire apparatus for
          steering a ship b: position of the helm with respect
          to the amidships position <turn the ~ hard alee> 2: a
          position of control: head <a new dean is at the ~ of
          the medical school> [4]helm vt (1603): to direct with
          or as if with a helm: steer

   helmet
          [hel.met] n [MF, dim. of helme helmet, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE helm helmet, OHG helan to conceal--more at hell]
          (15c) 1: a covering or enclosing headpiece of ancient
          or medieval armor--see armor illustration 2: any of various
          protective head coverings usu. made of a hard material
          to resist impact 3: something resembling a helmet --
          hel.met.ed adj -- hel.met.like adj

   helminth
          [hel.minth] n [Gk helminth-, helmis] (1852): a parasitic
          worm (as a tapeworm, liver fluke, ascarid, or leech);
          esp: an intestinal worm -- hel.min.thic adj

   helminthiasis
          [hel.min.thi.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL] (ca. 1811): infestation
          with or disease caused by parasitic worms

   helminthology
          [hel.min.thol.o.gy] n (1819): a branch of zoology concerned
          with helminths; esp: the study of parasitic worms

   helmsman
          [helms.man] n (1627): the person at the helm: steersman --
          helms.man.ship n

   helo
          [he.lo] n, pl helos [by shortening & alter.] (1968): helicopter

   helot
          [hel.ot] n [L Helotes, pl., fr. Gk Heilotes] (1579) 1 cap:
          a member of a class of serfs in ancient Sparta 2: serf,
          slave -- hel.ot.ry n

   helotism
          [hel.ot.ism] n (ca. 1900): the physiological relation existing
          in a lichen where a fungus appears to control an alga

   [1]help
          [help] vb [ME, fr. OE helpan; akin to OHG helfan to help,
          and perh. to Lith selpti] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to give assistance
          or support to <~ a child with homework> 2 a: to make
          more pleasant or bearable: improve, relieve <bright curtains
          will ~ the room> <took an aspirin to ~ her headache>
          b archaic: rescue, save 3 a: to be of use to: benefit
          b: to further the advancement of: promote 4 a: to change
          for the better b: to refrain from: avoid c: to keep from
          occurring: prevent <they couldn't ~ the accident> d:
          to restrain (oneself) from doing something <knew they
          shouldn't go but couldn't ~ themselves> 5: to serve with
          food or drink esp. at a meal <told the guests to ~ themselves>
          6: to appropriate something for (oneself) <~ed himself
          to the car keys> ~ vi 1: give assistance or support--often
          used with out 2: to be of use or benefit syn see improve
          -- so help me : upon my word: believe it or not [2]help
          n (bef. 12c) 1: aid, assistance 2: a source of aid <printed
          ~s to the memory --C. S. Braden> 3: remedy, relief <there
          was no ~ for it> 4 a: one who serves or assists another
          (as in housework): helper b: employee <~ wanted>--often
          used collectively <the hired ~>

   helper
          [help.er] n (13c): one that helps; esp: a relatively unskilled
          worker who assists a skilled worker usu. by manual labor

   helper T cell
          [helper T cell] n (1976): a T cell that participates in an
          immune response by recognizing a foreign antigen and
          secreting lymphokines to activate T cell and B cell proliferation,
          that usu. carries CD4 molecular markers on its cell surface, and
          that is reduced to 20 percent or less of normal numbers
          in AIDS--called also helper cell, T-helper cell

   helpful
          [help.ful] adj (14c): of service or assistance: useful --
          help.ful.ly adv -- help.ful.ness n

   helping
          [help.ing] n (1883): a serving of food

   helping hand
          [helping hand] n (15c): hand 8a

   helping verb
          [help.ing verb] n (1824): an auxiliary verb

   helpless
          [help.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1: lacking protection or support:
          defenseless 2 a: marked by an inability to act or react
          <the crowd looked on in ~ horror --Current Biog.> b:
          not able to be controlled or restrained <~ laughter>
          -- help.less.ly adv -- help.less.ness n

   helpmate
          [help.mate] n [by folk etymology fr. helpmeet] (ca. 1714):
          one who is a companion and helper; esp: wife

   helpmeet
          [help.meet] n [[2]help + meet, adj.] (1673): helpmate

   [1]helter-skelter
          [hel.ter-skel.ter] adv [perh. fr. ME skelten to come, go]
          (1593) 1: in undue haste, confusion, or disorder <ran
          ~, getting in each other's way --F. V. W. Mason> 2: in
          a haphazard manner [2]helter-skelter n (1713) 1: a disorderly
          confusion: turmoil 2 Brit: a spiral slide around a tower
          at an amusement park [3]helter-skelter adj (1785) 1:
          confusedly hurried: precipitate 2: marked by a lack of
          order or plan: haphazard <the ~ arrangement of the papers,
          all mussed and frayed --Jean Stafford>

   helve
          [helve] n [ME, fr. OE hielfe; prob. akin to OE helma helm]
          (bef. 12c): a handle of a tool or weapon: haft

   Helvetii
          [Hel.ve.tii] n pl [L] (1889): an early Celtic people in the
          area of western Switzerland at the time of Julius Caesar

   [1]hem
          [hem] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to MHG hemmen to hem in, Arm kamel
          to press] (bef. 12c) 1: a border of a cloth article doubled
          back and stitched down 2: rim, margin <bright green ~
          of reeds about the ponds --R. M. Lockley> [2]hem vb hemmed
          ; hem.ming vt (14c) 1 a: to finish with a hem b: border,
          edge 2: to surround in a restrictive manner: confine--usu.
          used with in <hemmed in by enemy troops> ~ vi: to make
          a hem in sewing -- hem.mer n [3]hem vi hemmed ; hem.ming
          (15c) 1: to utter the sound represented by hem <hemmed
          and hawed before answering> 2: equivocate <the administration
          hemmed and hawed over the students' demands> [4]hem interj
          [imit.]--often used to indicate a vocalized pause in
          speaking

   hem-
          [hem-] or hemo- comb form [MF hemo-, fr. L haem-, haemo-,
          fr. Gk haim-, haimo-, fr. haima]: blood <hemagglutination>
          <hemoflagellate>

   hema-
          [hema-] comb form [NL, fr. Gk haima]: hem- <hemacytometer>

   hemacytometer
          [he.ma.cy.tom.e.ter] n (1877): an instrument for counting
          blood cells

   hemagglutination
          [hem.ag.glu.ti.na.tion] n (1907): agglutination of red blood
          cells -- hem.ag.glu.ti.nate vt

   hemagglutinin
          [hem.ag.glu.ti.nin] n [ISV] (ca. 1903): an agglutinin (as
          an antibody or viral capsid protein) that causes hemagglutination

   he-man
          [he-man] n (1832): a strong virile man

   hemangioma
          [hem.an.gi.o.ma] n [NL, fr. hem- + angioma] (ca. 1890): a
          usu. benign tumor made up of blood vessels that typically
          occurs as a purplish or reddish slightly elevated area
          of skin

   hemat-
          [hemat-] or hemato- comb form [L haemat-, haemato-, fr. Gk
          haimat-, haimato-, fr. haimat-, haima]: hem- <hematogenous>

   hematin
          [he.ma.tin] n (1845): a brownish black or bluish black derivative
          of oxidized heme; also: any of several similar compounds

   hematinic
          [he.ma.tin.ic] n (1855): an agent that tends to stimulate
          blood cell formation or to increase the hemoglobin in
          the blood -- hematinic adj

   hematite
          [he.ma.tite] n (1540): a mineral constituting an important
          iron ore and occurring in crystals or in a red earthy
          form -- he.ma.ti.tic adj

   hematocrit
          [he.mat.o.crit] n [ISV hemat- + Gk krites judge, fr. krinein
          to judge--more at certain] (ca. 1903) 1: an instrument
          for determining usu. by centrifugation the relative amounts
          of plasma and corpuscles in blood 2: the ratio of the
          volume of packed red blood cells to the volume of whole
          blood as determined by a hematocrit

   hematogenous
          [he.ma.tog.e.nous] adj (1886) 1: producing blood 2: involving,
          spread by, or arising in the blood <~ spread of infection>

   hematologic
          [he.ma.to.log.ic] also he.ma.to.log.i.cal adj (1854): of
          or relating to blood or to hematology

   hematology
          [he.ma.tol.o.gy] n (ca. 1811): a medical science that deals
          with the blood and blood-forming organs -- he.ma.tol.o.gist
          n

   hematoma
          [he.ma.to.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (ca. 1849): a mass
          of usu. clotted blood that forms in a tissue, organ,
          or body space as a result of a broken blood vessel

   hematophagous
          [he.ma.toph.a.gous] adj [ISV] (ca. 1854): feeding on blood

   hematopoiesis
          [he.ma.to.poi.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1854): the formation of
          blood or of blood cells in the living body -- he.ma.to.poi.et.ic
          adj

   hematoporphyrin
          [he.ma.to.por.phy.rin] n [ISV] (1885): any of several isomeric
          porphyrins that are hydrated derivatives of protoporphyrins;
          esp: the deep red crystalline pigment obtained by treating
          hematin or heme with acid

   hematoxylin
          [he.ma.tox.y.lin] n [ISV, fr. NL Haematoxylon, genus of plants]
          (ca. 1847): a crystalline phenolic compound found in
          logwood and used chiefly as a biological stain

   hematuria
          [he.ma.tu.ria] n [NL] (ca. 1811): the presence of blood or
          blood cells in the urine

   heme
          [heme] n [ISV, fr. hematin] (1925): the deep red iron-containing
          prosthetic group of hemoglobin and myoglobin

   hemelytron
          [hem.el.y.tron] n, pl -tra [NL, fr. hemi- + elytron] (ca.
          1889): one of the basally thickened anterior wings of
          various insects (as true bugs)

   hemerocallis
          [hem.ero.cal.lis] n [NL, fr. Gk hemerokalles, fr. hemera
          day + kallos beauty] (1625): daylily

   hemerythrin
          [hem.er.y.thrin] n [hem- + erythr- + [1]-in] (1903):
          an iron-containing respiratory pigment in the blood of various
          invertebrates (as some annelids)

   hemi-
          [hemi-] prefix [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk hemi---more at semi-]:
          half <hemihedral>

   -hemia
          [-hemia] --see -emia

   hemiacetal
          [hemi.ac.e.tal] n (1893): any of a class of compounds characterized
          by the grouping C(OH)(OR) where R is an alkyl group and usu. formed
          as intermediates in the preparation of acetals from aldehydes
          or ketones

   hemic
          [he.mic] adj (1857): of, relating to, or produced by the
          blood or the circulation of blood <a ~ murmur>

   hemicellulose
          [hemi.cel.lu.lose] n [ISV] (1891): any of various plant
          polysaccharides less complex than cellulose and easily hydrolyzable
          to simple sugars and other products

   hemichordate
          [hemi.chor.date] n [NL Hemichordata, fr. hemi- + Chordata
          chordates] (1885): any of a phylum (Hemichordata) of
          wormlike marine animals (as an acorn worm) that have
          in the proboscis an outgrowth of the pharyngeal wall
          which superficially resembles the notochord of chordates

   hemicycle
          [hemi.cy.cle] n [F hemicycle, fr. L hemicyclium, fr.
          Gk hemikyklion, fr. hemi- + kyklos circle--more at cycle] (15c):
          a curved or semicircular structure or arrangement

   hemidemisemiquaver
          [hemi.demi.semi.qua.ver] n (1853): sixty-fourth note

   hemihedral
          [hemi.he.dral] adj [hemi- + -hedron] (1837) of a crystal:
          having half the faces required by complete symmetry--compare
          holohedral, tetartohedral

   hemihydrate
          [hemi.hy.drate] n (ca. 1901): a hydrate (as plaster of paris)
          containing half a mole of water to one mole of the compound
          forming the hydrate -- hemi.hy.drat.ed adj

   hemimetabolous
          [hemi.me.tab.o.lous] adj (1870): characterized by incomplete
          metamorphosis <~ insects>--compare holometabolous

   hemimorphic
          [hemi.mor.phic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1859) of a crystal: having
          different crystalline forms at each end of a crystallographic
          axis -- hemi.mor.phism n

   hemin
          [he.min] n [ISV] (ca. 1857): a red-brown to blue-black crystalline
          salt derived from oxidized heme but usu. obtained
          in a characteristic crystalline form from hemoglobin

   hemiola
          [hemi.o.la] n [LL hemiolia, fr. Gk hemiolia ratio of one
          and a half to one, fr. hemi- + holos whole--more at safe]
          (ca. 1934): a musical rhythmic alteration in which six
          equal notes may be heard as two groups of three or three
          groups of two

   hemiplegia
          [hemi.ple.gia] n [NL, fr. MGk hemiplegia paralysis, fr. Gk
          hemi- + -plegia -plegia] (1600): total or partial paralysis
          of one side of the body that results from disease of
          or injury to the motor centers of the brain -- hemi.ple.gic
          adj or n

   hemipteran
          [he.mip.ter.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk hemi- + pteron wing--more
          at feather] (ca. 1864): any of a large order (Hemiptera)
          of hemimetabolous insects (as the true bugs) that have
          hemelytra and mouthparts adapted to piercing and sucking
          -- he.mip.ter.ous adj

   hemisphere
          [hemi.sphere] n [ME hemispere, fr. L hemisphaerium, fr. Gk
          hemisphairion, fr. hemi- + sphairion, dim. of sphaira
          sphere] (14c) 1 a: a half of the celestial sphere divided
          into two halves by the horizon, the celestial equator,
          or the ecliptic b: half of a spherical or roughly spherical
          body (as a planet); specif: the northern or southern
          half of the earth divided by the equator or the eastern
          or western half divided by a meridian c: the inhabitants
          of a terrestrial hemisphere 2: realm, province 3: one
          of two half spheres formed by a plane through the sphere's
          center 4: a map or projection of a celestial or terrestrial
          hemisphere 5: cerebral hemisphere -- hemi.spher.ic or
          hemi.spher.i.cal adj

   hemistich
          [hemi.stich] n [L hemistichium, fr. Gk hemistichion, fr.
          hemi- + stichos line, verse; akin to Gk steichein to
          go--more at stair] (1575): half a poetic line of verse
          usu. divided by a caesura

   hemizygous
          [hemi.zy.gous] adj (ca. 1921): having or characterized by
          one or more genes (as in a genetic deficiency or in an
          X chromosome paired with a Y chromosome) that have no
          allelic counterparts

   hemline
          [hem.line] n (1923): the line formed by the lower edge of
          a dress, skirt, or coat

   hemlock
          [hem.lock] n [ME hemlok, fr. OE hemlic] (bef. 12c) 1 a: any
          of several poisonous herbs (as a poison hemlock or a
          water hemlock) of the carrot family having finely cut
          leaves and small white flowers b: a drug or lethal drink
          prepared from the poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) 2:
          any of a genus (Tsuga) of evergreen coniferous trees
          of the pine family; also: the soft light splintery wood
          of a hemlock

   hemo-
          [hemo-] --see hem-

   hemochromatosis
          [he.mo.chro.ma.to.sis] n [NL, fr. hem- + chromat- + -osis]
          (1899): a metabolic disorder involving the deposition
          of iron-containing pigments in the tissues and characterized
          by bronzing of the skin, diabetes, and weakness

   hemocoel
          [he.mo.coel] n (1839): a body cavity (as in arthropods or
          some mollusks) that contains blood or hemolymph and functions
          as part of the circulatory system

   hemocyanin
          [he.mo.cy.a.nin] n [ISV hem- + cyan- + [1]-in] (1885): a
          colorless copper-containing respiratory pigment in the
          circulatory fluid of various arthropods and mollusks

   hemocyte
          [he.mo.cyte] n [ISV] (ca. 1903): a blood cell esp. of an
          invertebrate animal

   hemocytometer
          [he.mo.cy.tom.e.ter] n [ISV] (1877): hemacytometer

   hemodialysis
          [he.mo.di.al.y.sis] n (1947): the process of removing blood
          from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it
          by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it
          to a vein

   hemodilution
          [he.mo.di.lu.tion] n (1939): decreased concentration of cells
          and solids in the blood resulting from gain of fluid

   hemodynamic
          [he.mo.dy.nam.ic] adj (1907) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          hemodynamics 2: relating to or functioning in the mechanics
          of blood circulation -- he.mo.dy.nam.i.cal.ly adv

   hemodynamics
          [he.mo.dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1857)
          1: a branch of physiology that deals with the circulation
          of the blood 2: the forces or mechanisms involved in
          circulation

   hemoflagellate
          [he.mo.fla.gel.late] n (1909): a flagellate (as a trypanosome)
          that is a blood parasite

   hemoglobin
          [he.mo.glo.bin] n [ISV, short for earlier hematoglobulin]
          (1869) 1: an iron-containing respiratory pigment of vertebrate
          red blood cells that consists of a globin composed of
          four subunits each of which is linked to a heme molecule,
          that functions in oxygen transport to the tissues after
          conversion to oxygenated form in the gills or lungs,
          and that assists in carbon dioxide transport back to
          the gills or lungs after surrender of its oxygen 2: any
          of numerous iron-containing respiratory pigments of invertebrates
          and some plants (as yeasts)

   hemoglobinopathy
          [he.mo.glo.bin.op.a.thy] n, pl -thies (1957): a blood disorder
          (as sickle-cell anemia) caused by a genetically determined
          change in the molecular structure of hemoglobin

   hemoglobin S
          [hemoglobin S] n (1954): an abnormal hemoglobin that occurs
          in the red blood cells in sickle-cell anemia and sickle-cell
          trait

   hemoglobinuria
          [he.mo.glo.bin.uria] n [NL] (1866): the presence of free
          hemoglobin in the urine -- he.mo.glo.bin.uric adj

   hemolymph
          [he.mo.lymph] n (1885): the circulatory fluid of various
          invertebrate animals that is functionally comparable
          to the blood and lymph of vertebrates

   hemolysin
          [he.mo.ly.sin] n [ISV] (1900): a substance that causes the
          dissolution of red blood cells

   hemolysis
          [he.mo.ly.sis] n [NL] (1890): lysis of red blood cells with
          liberation of hemoglobin -- he.mo.lyt.ic adj

   hemolytic anemia
          [hemolytic anemia] n (1938): anemia caused by excessive destruction
          (as in chemical poisoning, infection, or sickle-cell anemia) of red
          blood cells

   hemolytic disease of the newborn
          [hemolytic disease of the newborn] (1948): erythroblastosis
          fetalis

   hemolyze
          [he.mo.lyze] vb -lyzed ; -lyz.ing [irreg. fr. hemolysis]
          vt (1902): to cause hemolysis of ~ vi: to undergo hemolysis

   hemophilia
          [he.mo.phil.ia] n [NL] (1872): a sex-linked hereditary blood
          defect that occurs almost exclusively in males and is
          characterized by delayed clotting of the blood and consequent
          difficulty in controlling hemorrhage even after minor
          injuries

   [1]hemophiliac
          [he.mo.phil.i.ac] adj (1896): of, resembling, or affected
          with hemophilia [2]hemophiliac n (1897): one affected
          with hemophilia--called also bleeder

   hemophilic
          [he.mo.phil.ic] n or adj (1864): hemophiliac

   hemopoiesis
          [he.mo.poi.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1900): hematopoiesis --
          he.mo.poi.et.ic adj

   hemoprotein
          [he.mo.pro.tein] n (1948): a conjugated protein (as hemoglobin
          or cytochrome) whose prosthetic group is a porphyrin
          combined with iron

   hemoptysis
          [he.mop.ty.sis] n [NL, fr. hem- + Gk ptysis act of spitting,
          fr. ptyein to spit--more at spew] (1646): expectoration
          of blood from some part of the respiratory tract

   [1]hemorrhage
          [hem.or.rhage] n [L haemorrhagia, fr. Gk haimorrhagia, fr.
          haimo- hem- + -rrhagia] (1671): a copious discharge of
          blood from the blood vessels -- hem.or.rhag.ic adj [2]hemorrhage
          vb -rhaged ; -rhag.ing vi (1928): to undergo heavy or
          uncontrollable bleeding ~ vt: to lose rapidly and uncontrollably
          <~ money>

   hemorrhagic fever
          [hemorrhagic fever] n (1948): any of a diverse group
          of arthropod-borne virus diseases characterized by a sudden onset,
          fever, aching, bleeding in the internal organs, petechiae, and
          shock

   hemorrhoid
          [hem.or.rhoid] n [ME emeroides, pl., fr. MF hemorrhoides,
          fr. L haemorrhoidae, fr. Gk haimorrhoides, fr. haimorrhoos
          flowing with blood, fr. haimo- hem- + rhein to flow--more
          at stream] (14c): a mass of dilated veins in swollen
          tissue at the margin of the anus or nearby within the
          rectum--usu. used in pl.--called also piles

   [1]hemorrhoidal
          [hem.or.rhoid.al] n (15c): a hemorrhoidal part (as an artery
          or vein) [2]hemorrhoidal adj (1651) 1: of, relating to,
          or involving hemorrhoids 2: rectal

   hemosiderin
          [he.mo.sid.er.in] n [ISV hem- + sider- + [1]-in] (ca. 1885):
          a yellowish brown granular pigment that is formed in
          some phagocytic cells by the breakdown of hemoglobin
          and is probably essentially a denatured form of ferritin

   hemostasis
          [he.mo.sta.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk haimostasis styptic, fr. haimo-
          hem- + -stasis] (1843): arrest of bleeding

   hemostat
          [he.mo.stat] n (ca. 1900): hemostatic; esp: an instrument
          for compressing a bleeding vessel

   [1]hemostatic
          [he.mo.stat.ic] n (ca. 1706): a hemostatic agent [2]hemostatic
          adj (1834) 1: of or caused by hemostasis 2: serving to
          check bleeding

   hemp
          [hemp] n [ME, fr. OE haenep; akin to OHG hanaf hemp, Gk kannabis]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a tall widely cultivated Asian herb (Cannabis
          sativa) of the mulberry family with tough bast fiber
          used esp. for cordage b: the fiber of hemp c: a psychoactive
          drug (as marijuana or hashish) from hemp 2: a fiber (as
          jute) from a plant other than the true hemp; also: a
          plant yielding such fiber

   hempen
          [hemp.en] adj (14c): composed of hemp

   hemp nettle
          [hemp nettle] n (1801): any of a genus (Galeopsis) of coarse
          Old World herbs of the mint family; esp: a bristly Eurasian
          herb (G. tetrahit) naturalized in the U.S. as a weed

   [1]hemstitch
          [hem.stitch] vt (1839): to decorate (as a border) with hemstitch
          -- hem.stitch.er n [2]hemstitch n (1853) 1: decorative
          needlework similar to drawnwork that is used esp. on
          or next to the stitching line of hems 2: a stitch used
          in hemstitching

   hen
          [hen] n [ME, fr. OE henn; akin to OE hana rooster--more at
          chant] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a female chicken esp. over a year
          old; broadly: a female bird b: the female of various
          mostly aquatic animals (as lobsters or fish) 2: woman;
          esp: a fussy middle-aged woman

   hen and chickens
          [hen and chickens] n (1884): any of several plants having
          offsets, runners, or flowers that send out shoots; esp:
          houseleek

   henbane
          [hen.bane] n (14c): a poisonous fetid Old World herb (Hyoscyamus
          niger) of the nightshade family having sticky hairy dentate
          leaves and yellowish brown flowers and yielding hyoscyamine
          and scopolamine

   henbit
          [hen.bit] n (1597): a Eurasian herb (Lamium amplexicaule)
          of the mint family that has scalloped reniform leaves
          and purplish flowers and is naturalized in No. America

   hence
          [hence] adv [ME hennes, henne, fr. OE heonan; akin to OHG
          hinnan away, OE her here] (13c) 1: from this place: away
          2 a archaic: henceforth b: from this time 3: because
          of a preceding fact or premise: therefore 4: from this
          source or origin -- from hence archaic: from this place:
          from this time

   henceforth
          [hence.forth] adv (14c): from this point on

   henceforward
          [hence.for.ward] adv (14c): henceforth

   henchman
          [hench.man] n [ME henshman, hengestman groom, fr. hengest
          stallion (fr. OE) + man; akin to OHG hengist gelding]
          (15c) 1 obs: a squire or page to a person of high rank
          2 a: a trusted follower: a right-hand man b: a political
          follower whose support is chiefly for personal advantage
          c: a member of a gang

   hendecasyllabic
          [hen.deca.syl.lab.ic] adj [L hendecasyllabus, fr. Gk hendeka
          eleven (fr. hen-, heis one + deka ten) + syllabe syllable--more
          at same, ten] (ca. 1751): consisting of 11 syllables
          or composed of verses of 11 syllables -- hendecasyllabic
          n -- hen.deca.syl.la.ble n

   hendiadys
          [hen.di.a.dys] n [LL hendiadys, hendiadyoin, modif. of Gk
          hen dia dyoin, lit., one through two] (ca. 1577): the
          expression of an idea by the use of usu. two independent
          words connected by and (as nice and warm) instead of
          the usual combination of independent word and its modifier
          (as nicely warm)

   henequen
          [hen.e.quen] n [Sp henequen] (1880): a strong yellowish or
          reddish hard fiber obtained from the leaves of a tropical
          American agave chiefly in Yucatan and used esp. for binder
          twine; also: a plant (Agave fourcroydes) that yields
          henequen

   henhouse
          [hen.house] n (ca. 1513): a house or shelter for fowl

   Henle's loop
          [Hen.le's loop] n (ca. 1890): loop of henle

   [1]henna
          [hen.na] n [Ar hinna'] (1600) 1: a reddish brown dye obtained
          from leaves of the henna plant and used esp. on hair
          2: an Old World tropical shrub or small tree (Lawsonia
          inermis) of the loosestrife family with small opposite
          leaves and axillary panicles of fragrant white flowers
          [2]henna vt (1919): to dye (as hair) with henna

   hennery
          [hen.nery] n, pl -ner.ies (1850): a poultry farm; also: an
          enclosure for poultry

   henotheism
          [heno.the.ism] n [G Henotheismus, fr. Gk hen-, heis one +
          theos god--more at same] (1860): the worship of one god
          without denying the existence of other gods -- heno.the.ist
          n -- heno.the.is.tic adj

   hen party
          [hen party] n (ca. 1885): a party for women only

   henpeck
          [hen.peck] vt (1688): to subject (one's husband) to persistent
          nagging and domination

   henry
          [hen.ry] n, pl henrys or henries [Joseph Henry] (ca. 1890):
          the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of inductance
          equal to the self-inductance of a circuit or the mutual
          inductance of two circuits in which the variation of
          one ampere per second results in an induced electromotive
          force of one volt

   hent
          [hent] vt [ME, fr. OE hentan--more at hunt] archaic (bef.
          12c): seize

   hen track
          [hen track] n (1907): an illegible or scarcely legible mark
          intended as handwriting--called also hen scratch

   [1]hep
          [hep] interj [origin unknown] (1862)--used to mark a marching
          cadence [2]hep adj [origin unknown] (1908): [5]hip

   heparin
          [hep.a.rin] n [ISV, fr. Gk hepar liver] (1918): a
          mucopolysaccharide sulfuric acid ester that is found esp. in liver,
          that prolongs the clotting time of blood, and that is used
          medically -- hep.a.rin.ized adj

   hepat-
          [hepat-] or hepato- comb form [L, fr. Gk hepat-, hepato-,
          fr. hepat-, hepar; akin to L jecur liver] 1: liver <hepatectomy>
          <hepatotoxic> 2: hepatic and <hepatocellular>

   hepatectomy
          [hep.a.tec.to.my] n, pl -mies (ca. 1890): excision of the
          liver or of part of the liver -- hep.a.tec.to.mized adj

   [1]hepatic
          [he.pat.ic] adj [L hepaticus, fr. Gk hepatikos, fr. hepat-,
          hepar] (1599): of, relating to, affecting, associated
          with, supplying, or draining the liver <a ~ complaint>
          <~ arteries> [2]hepatic n (1900): liverwort

   hepatica
          [he.pat.i.ca] n [NL, fr. ML, liverwort, fr. L, fem. of hepaticus]
          (1578): any of a genus (Hepatica) of herbs of the buttercup
          family with lobed leaves and delicate flowers

   hepatitis
          [hep.a.ti.tis] n, pl -tit.i.des [NL] (ca. 1751) 1: inflammation
          of the liver 2: a disease or condition (as hepatitis
          A or hepatitis B) marked by inflammation of the liver

   hepatitis A
          [hepatitis A] n (1972): an acute usu. benign hepatitis caused
          by an RNA virus that does not persist in the blood serum
          and is transmitted esp. in food and water contaminated
          with infected fecal matter--called also infectious hepatitis

   hepatitis B
          [hepatitis B] n (1972): a sometimes fatal hepatitis caused
          by a double-stranded DNA virus that tends to persist
          in the blood serum and is transmitted esp. by contact
          with infected blood (as by transfusion) or blood products--called
          also serum hepatitis

   hepatocellular
          [he.pa.to.cel.lu.lar] adj (1940): of or involving hepatocytes
          <~ carcinoma>

   hepatocyte
          [he.pa.to.cyte] n (1965): an epithelial parenchymatous cell
          of the liver

   hepatoma
          [hep.a.to.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (ca. 1923): a usu.
          malignant tumor of the liver

   hepatomegaly
          [he.pa.to.meg.a.ly] n, pl -lies (ca. 1901): enlargement of
          the liver

   hepatopancreas
          [he.pa.to.pan.cre.as] n (1884): a glandular structure (as
          of a crustacean) that combines the digestive functions
          of the vertebrate liver and pancreas

   hepatotoxic
          [hep.a.to.tox.ic] adj (1926): relating to or causing injury
          to the liver <~ drugs>

   hepatotoxicity
          [hep.a.to.tox.ic.i.ty] n (1952) 1: a state of toxic damage
          to the liver 2: a tendency or capacity to cause hepatotoxicity

   hepcat
          [hep.cat] n (1938): hipster

   Hephaestus
          [He.phaes.tus] n [L, fr. Gk Hephaistos]: the Greek god of
          fire and metalworking--compare vulcan

   hepped up
          [hepped up] adj (1947): enthusiastic

   Hepplewhite
          [Hep.ple.white] adj [George Hepplewhite] (1897): of, relating
          to, or imitating a style of furniture originating in
          late 18th century England

   hepta-
          [hepta-] or hept- comb form [Gk, fr. hepta--more at seven]
          1: seven <heptameter> 2: containing seven atoms, groups,
          or equivalents <heptane>

   heptachlor
          [hep.ta.chlor] n [hepta- + chlorine] (1949): a cyclodiene
          chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide that causes liver disease
          in animals and is a suspected human carcinogen

   heptad
          [hep.tad] n [Gk heptad-, heptas, fr. hepta] (1660): a group
          of seven

   heptagon
          [hep.ta.gon] n [Gk heptagonos heptagonal, fr. hepta + gonia
          angle--more at -gon] (1570): a polygon of seven angles
          and seven sides -- hep.tag.o.nal adj

   heptameter
          [hep.tam.e.ter] n (ca. 1898): a line of verse consisting
          of seven metrical feet

   heptane
          [hep.tane] n (1877): any of several isomeric alkanes containing
          seven carbon atoms in a molecule; esp: the liquid normal
          isomer occurring in petroleum and used esp. as a solvent
          and in determining octane numbers

   heptarchy
          [hep.tar.chy] n (1576): a hypothetical confederacy of seven
          Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of the 7th and 8th centuries

   Heptateuch
          [Hep.ta.teuch] n [LL heptateuchos, fr. Gk, fr. hepta + teuchos
          book--more at pentateuch] (1678): the first seven books
          of the canonical Jewish and Christian Scriptures

   heptose
          [hep.tose] n (1890): any of various monosaccharides containing
          seven carbon atoms in a molecule

   [1]her
          [her] adj [ME hire, fr. OE hiere, gen. of heo she--more at
          he] (bef. 12c): of or relating to her or herself esp.
          as possessor, agent, or object of an action <~ house>
          <~ research> <~ rescue>--compare [1]she [2]her pron objective
          case of she

   her
          [her] abbreviation heraldry

   Hera
          [He.ra] n [Gk Hera, Here]: the sister and consort of Zeus--compare
          juno

   Heracles
          [Her.a.cles] n [Gk Herakles]: hercules

   [1]herald
          [her.ald] n [ME, fr. MF hiraut, fr. an (assumed) Gmc compound
          whose first component is akin to OHG heri army, and whose
          second is akin to OHG waltan to rule--more at harry,
          wield] (14c) 1 a: an official at a tournament of arms
          with duties including the making of announcements and
          the marshaling of combatants b: an officer with the status
          of ambassador acting as official messenger between leaders
          esp. in war c (1): officer of arms (2): an officer of
          arms ranking above a pursuivant and below a king of arms
          2: an official crier or messenger 3 a: one that precedes
          or foreshadows b: one that conveys news or proclaims:
          announcer <it was the lark, the ~ of the morn --Shak.>
          c: one who actively promotes or advocates: exponent syn
          see forerunner [2]herald vt (14c) 1: to give notice of:
          announce 2 a: to greet esp. with enthusiasm: hail b:
          publicize 3: to signal the approach of: foreshadow

   heraldic
          [he.ral.dic] adj (1772): of or relating to heralds or heraldry
          -- he.ral.di.cal.ly adv

   heraldry
          [her.ald.ry] n, pl -ries (1572) 1: the practice of devising,
          blazoning, and granting armorial insignia and of tracing
          and recording genealogies 2: an armorial ensign; broadly:
          insignia 3: pageantry

   herb
          [herb] n, often attrib [ME herbe, fr. OF, fr. L herba] (14c)
          1: a seed-producing annual, biennial, or perennial that
          does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down
          at the end of a growing season 2: a plant or plant part
          valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities
          3 slang: marijuana 2 -- herb.like adj -- herby adj

   herbaceous
          [her.ba.ceous] adj (1646) 1 a: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of an herb b of a stem: having little
          or no woody tissue and persisting usu. for a single growing
          season 2: having the texture, color, or appearance of
          a leaf

   herbage
          [herb.age] n (14c) 1: herbaceous vegetation (as grass) esp.
          when used for grazing 2: the succulent parts of herbaceous
          plants

   [1]herbal
          [herb.al] n (1516) 1: a book about plants esp. with reference
          to their medicinal properties 2 archaic: herbarium 1
          [2]herbal adj (1612): of, relating to, or made of herbs

   herbalist
          [herb.al.ist] n (1589) 1: one who practices healing by the
          use of herbs 2: one who collects or grows herbs

   herbarium
          [her.bar.i.um] n, pl -ia (1776) 1: a collection of dried
          plant specimens usu. mounted and systematically arranged
          for reference 2: a place that houses an herbarium

   herb doctor
          [herb doctor] n (1828): herbalist 2

   herbed
          [herbed] adj (1950): seasoned with herbs

   herbicide
          [her.bi.cide] n [L herba + ISV -cide] (1899): an agent used
          to destroy or inhibit plant growth -- her.bi.cid.al adj
          -- her.bi.cid.al.ly adv

   herbivore
          [her.bi.vore] n [NL Herbivora, group of mammals, fr. neut.
          pl. of herbivorus] (1854): a plant-eating animal

   herbivorous
          [her.biv.o.rous] adj [NL herbivorus, fr. L herba grass +
          -vorus -vorous] (1661): feeding on plants -- her.biv.o.ry
          n

   herb Robert
          [herb Rob.ert] n [ML herba Roberti, prob. fr. Robertus (St.
          Robert) d. 1067 Fr. ecclesiastic] (13c): a sticky low
          geranium (Geranium robertianum) with small reddish purple
          flowers

   Herculean
          [Her.cu.le.an] adj (1593) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Hercules 2 often not cap: of extraordinary power,
          extent, intensity, or difficulty

   Hercules
          [Her.cu.les] n [L, fr. Gk Herakles] 1: a mythical Greek hero
          renowned for his great strength and esp. for performing
          12 labors imposed on him by Hera 2 [L (gen. Herculis)]:
          a northern constellation between Corona Borealis and
          Lyra

   Hercules'-club
          [Her.cu.les'-club] n (1847) 1: a small prickly eastern U.S.
          tree (Aralia spinosa) of the ginseng family--called also
          angelica tree 2: a small prickly southern U.S. tree (Zanthoxylum
          clava-herculis) of the rue family

   [1]herd
          [herd] n [ME, fr. OE heord; akin to OHG herta herd, MW cordd
          troop, Lith kerdzius shepherd] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a number
          of animals of one kind kept together under human control
          b: a congregation of gregarious wild animals 2 a (1):
          a group of people usu. having a common bond (2): a large
          assemblage of like things b: the undistinguished masses:
          crowd <isolate the individual prophets from the ~ --Norman
          Cousins> -- herd.like adj [2]herd vt (13c) 1 a: to gather,
          lead, or drive as if in a herd <seventy-five boys and
          girls were ~ed by six or eight teachers --W. A. White>
          b: to keep or move (animals) together 2: to place in
          a group ~ vi 1: to assemble or move in a herd 2: to place
          oneself in a group: associate

   herder
          [herd.er] n (1635): one that herds; specif: herdsman 1

   herdsman
          [herds.man] n (1603) 1: a manager, breeder, or tender of
          livestock 2 cap: bootes

   [1]here
          [here] adv [ME, fr. OE her; akin to OHG hier here, OE he
          he] (bef. 12c) 1 a: in or at this place <turn ~>--often
          used interjectionally esp. in answering a roll call b:
          now <~ it's morning already> c: in an arbitrary location
          <a book ~, a paper there> 2: at or in this point, particular,
          or case <~ we agree> 3: in the present life or state
          4: hither <come ~> 5--used interjectionally in rebuke
          or encouragement -- here goes --used interjectionally
          to express resolution or resignation esp. at the beginning
          of a difficult or unpleasant undertaking -- neither here
          nor there : having no interest or relevance: of no consequence
          <comfort is neither here nor there to a real sailor>
          [2]here adj (15c) 1--used for emphasis esp. after a demonstrative
          pronoun or after a noun modified by a demonstrative adjective
          <this book ~> 2 nonstand--used for emphasis after a demonstrative
          adjective but before the noun modified <this ~ book>
          [3]here n (1605): this place

   hereabouts
          [here.abouts] or here.about adv (13c): in this vicinity

   [1]hereafter
          [here.af.ter] adv (bef. 12c) 1: after this in sequence or
          in time 2: in some future time or state [2]hereafter
          n, often cap (1546) 1: future 2: an existence beyond
          earthly life [3]hereafter adj (1591) archaic: future

   here and now
          [here and now] n (1829): the present time--used with the
          <man's obligation is in the here and now --W. H. Whyte>

   here and there
          [here and there] adv (14c) 1: in one place and another 2:
          from time to time

   hereaway
          [here.away] or here.aways adv (14c) dial: hereabouts

   hereby
          [here.by] adv (13c): by this means

   hereditament
          [her.e.dit.a.ment] n [ML hereditamentum, fr. LL hereditare
          to inherit, fr. L hered-, heres] (15c): heritable property

   hereditarian
          [he.red.i.tar.i.an] n (1881): an advocate of the theory that
          individual differences in human beings can be accounted
          for primarily on the basis of genetics -- hereditarian
          adj

   hereditary
          [he.red.i.tary] adj [L hereditarius, fr. hereditas] (15c)
          1 a: genetically transmitted or transmittable from parent
          to offspring b: characteristic of or fostered by one's
          predecessors 2 a: received or passing by inheritance
          or required to pass by inheritance or by reason of birth
          b: having title or possession through inheritance or
          by reason of birth 3: of a kind established by tradition
          <~ enemies> 4: of or relating to inheritance or heredity
          syn see innate -- he.red.i.tar.i.ly adv

   heredity
          [he.red.i.ty] n [MF heredite, fr. L hereditat-, hereditas,
          fr. hered-, heres heir--more at heir] (ca. 1540) 1 a:
          inheritance b: tradition 2 a: the sum of the qualities
          and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors
          b: the transmission of such qualities from ancestor to
          descendant through the genes

   Heref/Worcs
          [Heref/Worcs] abbreviation Hereford and Worcester

   Hereford
          [Her.e.ford] n [Hereford former county in England] (1805):
          any of a breed of hardy red-coated beef cattle of English
          origin with white faces and markings

   herein
          [here.in] adv (bef. 12c): in this

   hereinabove
          [here.in.above] adv (ca. 1812): at a prior point in this
          writing or document

   hereinafter
          [here.in.af.ter] adv (1590): in the following part of this
          writing or document

   hereinbefore
          [here.in.be.fore] adv (1687): in the preceding part of this
          writing or document

   hereinbelow
          [here.in.be.low] adv (1946): at a subsequent point in this
          writing or document

   hereof
          [here.of] adv (bef. 12c): of this

   hereon
          [here.on] adv (12c): on this

   Herero
          [He.re.ro] n, pl Herero or Hereros (1880): a member of a
          Bantu people of central Namibia

   heresiarch
          [he.re.si.arch] n [LL haeresiarcha, fr. LGk hairesiarches,
          fr. hairesis + Gk -arches -arch] (1624): an originator
          or chief advocate of a heresy

   heresy
          [her.e.sy] n, pl -sies [ME heresie, fr. OF, fr. LL haeresis,
          fr. LGk hairesis, fr. Gk, action of taking, choice, sect,
          fr. hairein to take] (13c) 1 a: adherence to a religious
          opinion contrary to church dogma b: denial of a revealed
          truth by a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church
          c: an opinion or doctrine contrary to church dogma 2
          a: dissent or deviation from a dominant theory, opinion,
          or practice b: an opinion, doctrine, or practice contrary
          to the truth or to generally accepted beliefs or standards

   heretic
          [her.e.tic] n (14c) 1: a dissenter from established church
          dogma; esp: a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church
          who disavows a revealed truth 2: one who dissents from
          an accepted belief or doctrine: nonconformist

   heretical
          [he.ret.i.cal] also he.re.tic adj (15c) 1: of, relating to,
          or characterized by heresy 2: of, relating to, or characterized
          by departure from accepted beliefs or standards: unorthodox
          -- he.ret.i.cal.ly adv

   hereto
          [here.to] adv (12c): to this writing or document

   heretofore
          [here.to.fore] adv (13c): up to this time: hitherto

   hereunder
          [here.un.der] adv (15c): under or in accordance with this
          writing or document

   hereunto
          [here.un.to] adv (1509): to this

   hereupon
          [here.up.on] adv (12c): on this: immediately after this

   herewith
          [here.with] adv (bef. 12c) 1: with this communication: enclosed
          in this 2: hereby

   Herez
          [He.rez] or He.riz n [Herez, Heriz, town in Iran] (ca. 1922):
          a Persian rug characterized by a large central geometric
          medallion and by angular floral designs

   heriot
          [her.i.ot] n [ME, fr. OE heregeatwe, pl., military equipment,
          fr. here army (akin to OHG heri army) + geatwe equipment--more
          at harry] (bef. 12c): a feudal duty or tribute due under
          English law to a lord on the death of a tenant

   heritability
          [her.i.ta.bil.i.ty] n (1832) 1: the quality or state of being
          heritable 2: the proportion of observed variation in
          a particular trait (as intelligence) that can be attributed
          to inherited genetic factors in contrast to environmental
          ones

   heritable
          [her.i.ta.ble] adj (14c) 1: capable of being inherited or
          of passing by inheritance 2: hereditary

   heritage
          [her.i.tage] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. heriter to inherit, fr. LL
          hereditare, fr. L hered-, heres heir--more at heir] (13c)
          1: property that descends to an heir 2 a: something transmitted
          by or acquired from a predecessor: legacy, inheritance
          b: tradition 3: something possessed as a result of one's
          natural situation or birth: birthright <the nation's
          ~ of tolerance>

   heritor
          [her.i.tor] n (15c): one that inherits: inheritor

   herky-jerky
          [herky-jerky] adj [redupl. of jerky] (1957): characterized
          by sudden, irregular, or unpredictable movement or style

   herm
          [herm] n [L hermes, fr. Gk hermes statue of Hermes, herm,
          fr. Hermes] (ca. 1580): a statue in the form of a square
          stone pillar surmounted by a bust or head esp. of Hermes

   herma
          [her.ma] n, pl her.mae or her.mai (1638): herm

   hermaphrodite
          [her.maph.ro.dite] n [ME hermofrodite, fr. L hermaphroditus,
          fr. Gk hermaphroditos, fr. Hermaphroditos] (14c) 1: an
          animal or plant having both male and female reproductive
          organs 2: something that is a combination of diverse
          elements -- hermaphrodite adj -- her.maph.ro.dit.ic adj
          -- her.maph.ro.dit.ism n

   Hermaphroditus
          [Her.maph.ro.di.tus] n [L, fr. Gk Hermaphroditos, fr. Hermes
          + Aphrodite Aphrodite]: a son of Hermes and Aphrodite
          who becomes joined in one body with a nymph while bathing

   hermatypic
          [her.ma.typ.ic] adj [Gk herma prop, reef + typtein to strike,
          coin + E -ic--more at type] (1950): building reefs <~
          corals>

   hermeneutical
          [her.me.neu.ti.cal] or her.me.neu.tic adj [Gk hermeneutikos,
          fr. hermeneuein to interpret, fr. hermeneus interpreter]
          (1678): of or relating to hermeneutics: interpretative
          -- her.me.neu.ti.cal.ly adv

   hermeneutics
          [her.me.neu.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1737): the
          study of the methodological principles of interpretation
          (as of the Bible)

   Hermes
          [Her.mes] n [L, fr. Gk Hermes]: a Greek god of commerce,
          eloquence, invention, travel, and theft who serves as
          herald and messenger of the other gods--compare mercury

   Hermes Trismegistus
          [Hermes Tris.me.gis.tus] n [ML, fr. Gk Hermes trismegistos,
          lit., Hermes thrice greatest]: a legendary author of
          works embodying magical, astrological, and alchemical
          doctrines

   hermetic
          [her.met.ic] also her.met.i.cal adj [NL hermeticus, fr. Hermet-,
          Hermes Trismegistus] (1605) 1 often cap a: of or relating
          to the Gnostic writings or teachings arising in the first
          three centuries a.d. and attributed to Hermes Trismegistus
          b: relating to or characterized by occultism or abstruseness:
          recondite 2 [fr. the belief that Hermes Trismegistus
          invented a magic seal to keep vessels airtight] a: airtight
          <~ seal> b: impervious to external influence <trapped
          inside the ~ military machine --Jack Newfield> c: recluse,
          solitary <leads a ~ life> -- her.met.i.cal.ly adv

   hermeticism
          [her.met.i.cism] n, often cap (1897): hermetism

   hermetism
          [her.me.tism] n, often cap (1897) 1 a: a system of ideas
          based on hermetic teachings b: adherence to or practice
          of hermetic doctrine 2: the practice of being hermetically
          mysterious <it is not ... willful ~, if the message of
          their art is veiled and indirect --R. J. Goldwater> --
          her.me.tist n

   hermit
          [her.mit] n [ME eremite, fr. OF, fr. LL eremita, fr. LGk
          eremites, fr. Gk, adj., living in the desert, fr. eremia
          desert, fr. eremos desolate] (12c) 1 a: one that retires
          from society and lives in solitude esp. for religious
          reasons: recluse b obs: beadsman 2: a spiced molasses
          cookie -- her.mit.ism n

   hermitage
          [her.mit.age] n (14c) 1 a: the habitation of a hermit b:
          a secluded residence or private retreat: hideaway c:
          monastery 2: the life or condition of a hermit Her.mi.tage
          n [Tain-l'Ermitage, commune in France] (1680): a red
          or white Rhone valley wine

   hermit crab
          [hermit crab] n (1735): any of numerous chiefly marine decapod
          crustaceans (esp. families Diogenidae, Paguridae, and
          Parapaguridae) having soft asymmetrical abdomens and
          occupying the empty shells of gastropods

   Hermitian matrix
          [Her.mi.tian matrix] n [Charles Hermite d. 1901 Fr. mathematician]
          (1935): a square matrix having the property that each pair
          of elements in the ith row and jth column and in the jth row and
          ith column are conjugate complex numbers

   hern
          [hern] dial var of heron

   hernia
          [her.nia] n, pl -ni.as or -ni.ae [L--more at yarn] (14c):
          a protrusion of an organ or part through connective tissue
          or through a wall of the cavity in which it is normally
          enclosed--called also rupture -- her.ni.al adj

   herniate
          [her.ni.ate] vi -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1922): to protrude
          through an abnormal body opening: rupture -- her.ni.a.tion
          n

   hero
          [he.ro] n, pl heroes [L heros, fr. Gk heros] (14c) 1 a: a
          mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent
          endowed with great strength or ability b: an illustrious
          warrior c: a man admired for his achievements and noble
          qualities d: one that shows great courage 2 a: the principal
          male character in a literary or dramatic work b: the
          central figure in an event, period, or movement 3 pl
          usu heros : submarine 2 4: an object of extreme admiration
          and devotion: idol Hero n [L, fr. Gk Hero]: a legendary
          priestess of Aphrodite loved by Leander

   [1]heroic
          [he.ro.ic] also he.ro.ical adj (1549) 1: of, relating to,
          or resembling heroes esp. of antiquity 2 a: exhibiting
          or marked by courage and daring b: supremely noble or
          self-sacrificing 3 a: of impressive size, power, extent,
          or effect: potent <~ doses> <a ~ voice> b (1): of great
          intensity: extreme, drastic <~ effort> (2): of a kind
          that is likely only to be undertaken to save a life <~
          surgery> 4: of, relating to, or constituting drama written
          during the Restoration in heroic couplets and concerned
          with a conflict between love and honor -- he.ro.ical.ly
          adv [2]heroic n (1596) 1: a heroic verse or poem 2 pl
          a: flamboyantly heroic language or action b: heroic action
          or behavior c: determined effort esp. in the face of
          difficulty

   heroic couplet
          [heroic couplet] n (1889): a rhyming couplet in iambic pentameter

   heroicomic
          [he.roi.com.ic] or he.roi.com.i.cal adj [F heroicomique,
          fr. heroique heroic + comique comic] (1756): comic by
          being ludicrously noble, bold, or elevated

   heroic poem
          [heroic poem] n (1693): an epic or a poem in epic style

   heroic stanza
          [heroic stanza] n (ca. 1922): a rhymed quatrain in heroic
          verse with a rhyme scheme of abab--called also heroic
          quatrain

   heroic verse
          [heroic verse] n (1586) 1: dactylic hexameter esp. of epic
          verse of classical times--called also heroic meter 2:
          the iambic pentameter used esp. in English epic poetry
          during the 17th and 18th centuries--called also heroic
          line, heroic meter

   heroin
          [her.o.in] n [fr. Heroin, a trademark] (1898): a strongly
          physiologically addictive narcotic that is made by acetylation
          of but is more potent than morphine and that is prohibited
          for medical use in the U.S. but is used illicitly for
          its euphoric effects -- her.o.in.ism n

   heroine
          [her.o.ine] n [L heroina, fr. Gk heroine, fem. of heros]
          (1609) 1 a: a mythological or legendary woman having
          the qualities of a hero b: a woman admired and emulated
          for her achievements and qualities 2 a: the principal
          female character in a literary or dramatic work b: the
          central female figure in an event or period

   heroism
          [her.o.ism] n (1717) 1: heroic conduct esp. as exhibited
          in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end
          2: the qualities of a hero

   heroize
          [he.ro.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1738): to make heroic

   heron
          [her.on] n, pl herons also heron [ME heiroun, fr. MF hairon,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG heigaro heron] (14c): any
          of various long-necked wading birds (family Ardeidae)
          with a long tapering bill, large wings, and soft plumage

   heronry
          [her.on.ry] n, pl -ries (1616): a heron rookery

   hero worship
          [hero worship] n (1774) 1: veneration of a hero 2: foolish
          or excessive adulation for an individual

   hero-worship
          [hero-worship] vt (1884): to feel or express hero worship
          for -- hero-worshiper n

   herpes
          [her.pes] n [L, fr. Gk herpes, fr. herpein to creep--more
          at serpent] (14c): any of several inflammatory virus
          diseases of the skin characterized by clusters of vesicles;
          esp: herpes simplex -- her.pet.ic adj

   herpes simplex
          [her.pes sim.plex] n [NL, lit., simple herpes] (1907): either
          of two virus diseases marked in one case by groups of
          watery blisters on the skin or mucous membranes (as of
          the mouth and lips) above the waist and in the other
          by such blisters on the genitals

   herpesvirus
          [her.pes.vi.rus] n (1925): any of a group of DNA-containing
          viruses that replicate in cell nuclei and produce herpes

   herpes zoster
          [herpes zos.ter] n [NL, lit., girdle herpes] (1807): an acute
          viral inflammation of the sensory ganglia of spinal and
          cranial nerves associated with a vesicular eruption and
          neuralgic pains and caused by reactivation of the poxvirus
          causing chicken pox--called also shingles

   herpetology
          [her.pe.tol.o.gy] n [Gk herpeton quadruped, reptile, fr.
          neut. of herpetos crawling, fr. herpein] (1824): a branch
          of zoology dealing with reptiles and amphibians --
          her.pe.to.log.i.cal adj -- her.pe.tol.o.gist n

   Herr
          [Herr] n, pl Her.ren [G] (1653)--used among German-speaking
          people as a title equivalent to Mr.

   herrenvolk
          [her.ren.volk] n, often cap [G] (1940): master race

   herring
          [her.ring] n, pl herring or herrings [ME hering, fr. OE haering;
          akin to OHG harinc herring] (bef. 12c) 1: either of two
          clupeid food fishes (genus Clupeus): a: one (C. harengus)
          that is abundant in the temperate and colder parts of
          the No. Atlantic and that in the adult state is preserved
          by smoking or salting and in the young state is extensively
          canned and sold as sardines b: one (C. pallasi syn. C.
          h. pallasi) of the No. Pacific harvested esp. for its
          roe 2: clupeid

   [1]herringbone
          [her.ring.bone] n, often attrib (1659) 1: a pattern made
          up of rows of parallel lines which in any two adjacent
          rows slope in opposite directions 2 a: a twilled fabric
          with a herringbone pattern; also: a suit made of this
          fabric b: a herringbone arrangement (as of materials
          or parts) 3: a method in skiing of ascending a slope
          by herringboning [2]herringbone vt (1787) 1: to produce
          a herringbone pattern on 2: to arrange in a herringbone
          pattern ~ vi 1: to produce a herringbone pattern 2: to
          ascend a slope by toeing out on skis and placing the
          weight on the inner side

   herring gull
          [herring gull] n (1857): a common large gull (Larus argentatus)
          of the northern hemisphere that as an adult is largely
          white with a gray mantle, dark wing tips, pink feet,
          and yellow bill

   hers
          [hers] pron, sing or pl in constr: that which belongs to
          her--used without a following noun as a pronoun equivalent
          in meaning to the adjective her

   herself
          [her.self] pron (bef. 12c) 1: that identical female one--compare
          [1]she--used reflexively, for emphasis, in absolute constructions,
          or in place of her esp. when joined to another object <she
          considers ~ lucky> <she ~ did it> <~ an orphan, she understood the
          situation> <accepted the award for her colleagues and ~> 2: her
          normal, healthy, or sane condition or self 3 chiefly Irish & Scot:
          a woman of consequence; esp: the mistress of the house

   herstory
          [her.sto.ry] n, pl -ries [blend of her and history] (1971):
          history; specif: history considered or presented from
          a feminist viewpoint or with special attention to the
          experience of women

   Herts
          [Herts] abbreviation Hertfordshire

   hertz
          [hertz] n, pl hertz [Heinrich R. Hertz] (ca. 1928): a unit
          of frequency equal to one cycle per second--abbr. Hz

   he's
          [he's] (1588): he is: he has

   Heshvan
          [Hesh.van] n [Heb Heshwan] (ca. 1769): the 2d month of the
          civil year or the 8th month of the ecclesiastical year
          in the Jewish calendar

   hesitance
          [hes.i.tance] n (1601): hesitancy

   hesitancy
          [hes.i.tan.cy] n, pl -cies (1617) 1: the quality or state
          of being hesitant: as a: indecision b: reluctance <took
          that drastic step only with the greatest ~> 2: hesitation
          1

   hesitant
          [hes.i.tant] adj (1647): tending to hesitate syn see disinclined
          -- hes.i.tant.ly adv

   hesitate
          [hes.i.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L haesitatus, pp. of
          haesitare to stick fast, hesitate, freq. of haerere to
          stick] vi (ca. 1623) 1: to hold back in doubt or indecision
          2: to delay momentarily: pause 3: stammer ~ vt: to hold
          back from in doubt or uncertainty <wouldn't ~ to commit
          herself> -- hes.i.tat.er n -- hes.i.tat.ing.ly adv syn
          hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter mean to show irresolution
          or uncertainty. hesitate implies a pause before deciding
          or acting or choosing <hesitated before answering the
          question>. waver implies hesitation after seeming to
          decide and so connotes weakness or a retreat <wavered
          in his support of the rebels>. vacillate implies prolonged
          hesitation from inability to reach a firm decision <vacillated
          until events were out of control>. falter implies a wavering
          or stumbling and often connotes nervousness, lack of
          courage, or outright fear <never once faltered during
          her testimony>.

   hesitation
          [hes.i.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of hesitating
          2: a pausing or faltering in speech

   Hesperian
          [Hes.pe.ri.an] adj [L Hesperia, the west, fr. Gk, fr. fem.
          of hesperios of the evening, western, fr. hesperos evening--more
          at west] (15c): western, occidental

   Hesperides
          [Hes.per.i.des] n pl [L, fr. Gk] 1: the nymphs in classical
          mythology who guard with the aid of a dragon a garden
          in which golden apples grow 2: a legendary garden at
          the western extremity of the world producing golden apples

   hesperidin
          [hes.per.i.din] n [NL hesperidium orange, fr. L Hesperides]
          (1838): a crystalline glycoside found in most citrus
          fruits and esp. in orange peel

   hesperidium
          [hes.per.id.i.um] n, pl -id.ia [NL] (ca. 1866): a berry (as
          an orange or lime) having a leathery rind

   Hesperus
          [Hes.per.us] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk Hesperos] (14c): evening
          star 1

   hessian
          [hes.sian] n (1729) 1 cap a: a native of Hesse b: a German
          mercenary serving in the British forces during the American
          Revolution; broadly: a mercenary soldier 2 chiefly Brit:
          burlap

   Hessian boot
          [Hessian boot] n (1809): a high boot that extends to just
          below the knee and is commonly ornamented with a tassel
          and that was introduced into England by the Hessians
          early in the 19th century

   Hessian fly
          [Hessian fly] n (1786): a small dipteran fly (Mayetiola destructor)
          that is destructive to wheat in the U.S.

   hessite
          [hess.ite] n [G Hessit, fr. Henry Hess d. 1850 Swiss chemist]
          (1849): a mineral consisting of a lead-gray sectile silver
          telluride

   hessonite
          [hes.so.nite] var of essonite

   hest
          [hest] n [ME hest, hes, fr. OE haes; akin to OE hatan to
          command--more at hight] (bef. 12c) archaic: command,
          precept

   Hestia
          [Hes.tia] n [Gk]: the Greek goddess of the hearth and chief
          goddess of domestic activity--compare vesta

   hetaera
          [he.tae.ra] or he.tai.ra n, pl he.tae.rae or hetaeras or
          hetairas or he.tai.rai [Gk hetaira, lit., companion,
          fem. of hetairos] (1820) 1: one of a class of highly
          cultivated courtesans in ancient Greece 2: demimondaine

   heter-
          [heter-] or hetero- comb form [MF or LL; MF, fr. LL, fr.
          Gk, fr. heteros; akin to Gk heis one--more at same] 1:
          other than usual: other: different <heterophyllous> 2:
          containing atoms of different kinds <heterocyclic>

   hetero
          [het.ero] n, pl -er.os (1933): heterosexual -- hetero adj

   heteroatom
          [het.ero.at.om] n (1900): an atom other than carbon in the
          ring of a heterocyclic compound

   heteroauxin
          [het.ero.aux.in] n (1935): indoleacetic acid

   heterocercal
          [het.ero.cer.cal] adj (1838) 1 of a fish tail fin: having
          the upper lobe larger than the lower with the vertebral
          column extending into the upper lobe 2: having or relating
          to a heterocercal tail fin

   heterochromatin
          [het.ero.chro.ma.tin] n [G] (1932): densely staining chromatin
          that appears as nodules in or along chromosomes and contains
          relatively few genes -- het.ero.chro.mat.ic adj

   [1]heteroclite
          [het.ero.clite] n (1580) 1: a word irregular in inflection;
          esp: a noun irregular in declension 2: one that deviates
          from common rules or forms [2]heteroclite adj [MF or
          LL; MF, fr. LL heteroclitus, fr. Gk heteroklitos, fr.
          heter- + klinein to lean, inflect--more at lean] (1598):
          deviating from common forms or rules

   heterocyclic
          [het.ero.cy.clic] adj [ISV] (1899): relating to, characterized
          by, or being a ring composed of atoms of more than one
          kind -- het.ero.cy.cle n -- heterocyclic n

   heterocyst
          [het.ero.cyst] n (1872): a large transparent thick-walled
          cell that is found in the filaments of some blue-green
          algae and is the site of nitrogen fixation -- het.ero.cys.tous
          adj

   heterodox
          [het.ero.dox] adj [LL heterodoxus, fr. Gk heterodoxos, fr.
          heter- + doxa opinion--more at doxology] (ca. 1650) 1:
          contrary to or different from an acknowledged standard,
          a traditional form, or an established religion: unorthodox,
          unconventional <a ~ book> <~ ideas> 2: holding unorthodox
          opinions or doctrines

   heterodoxy
          [het.ero.doxy] n, pl -dox.ies (1659) 1: the quality or state
          of being heterodox 2: a heterodox opinion or doctrine

   heteroduplex
          [het.ero.du.plex] n (1962): a nucleic-acid molecule composed
          of two chains with each derived from a different parent
          molecule -- heteroduplex adj

   [1]heterodyne
          [het.ero.dyne] adj [heter- + -dyne, modif. of Gk dynamis
          power--more at dynamic] (1908): of or relating to the
          production of an electrical beat between two radio frequencies
          of which one usu. is that of a received signal-carrying
          current and the other that of an uninterrupted current
          introduced into the apparatus; also: of or relating to
          the production of a beat between two optical frequencies
          [2]heterodyne vt -dyned ; -dyn.ing (1923): to combine
          (as a radio frequency) with a different frequency so
          that a beat is produced

   heteroecious
          [het.er.oe.cious] adj [heter- + Gk oikia house--more at vicinity]
          (1882): passing through the different stages in the life
          cycle on alternate and often unrelated hosts <~ insects>
          -- het.er.oe.cism n

   heterogamete
          [het.ero.ga.mete] n [ISV] (1897): either of a pair of gametes
          that differ in form, size, or behavior and occur typically
          as large nonmotile oogametes and small motile sperms

   heterogametic
          [het.ero.ga.met.ic] adj (1910): forming two kinds of gametes
          of which one produces male offspring and the other female
          offspring <the human male is ~> -- het.ero.gam.e.ty n

   heterogamous
          [het.er.og.a.mous] adj (1839): having or characterized by
          fusion of unlike gametes--compare anisogamous, isogamous

   heterogamy
          [het.er.og.a.my] n (ca. 1894) 1: sexual reproduction involving
          fusion of unlike gametes often differing in size, structure,
          and physiology 2: the condition of reproducing by heterogamy

   heterogeneity
          [het.ero.ge.ne.ity] n (1641): the quality or state of being
          heterogeneous

   heterogeneous
          [het.ero.ge.neous] adj [ML heterogeneus, fr. Gk heterogenes,
          fr. heter- + genos kind--more at kin] (1630): consisting
          of dissimilar or diverse ingredients or constituents:
          mixed -- het.ero.ge.neous.ly adv -- het.ero.ge.neous.ness
          n

   heterogenous
          [het.er.og.e.nous] adj (1695): heterogeneous

   heterogeny
          [het.er.og.e.ny] n (1838): a heterogenous collection or group

   heterogony
          [het.er.og.o.ny] n (ca. 1887) 1: alternation of generations;
          esp: alternation of a dioecious with a parthenogenetic
          generation 2: allometry -- het.ero.gon.ic adj

   heterograft
          [het.ero.graft] n (1923): a graft of tissue taken from a
          donor of one species and grafted into a recipient of
          another species--called also xenograft--compare homograft

   heterokaryon
          [het.ero.kary.on] n [NL, fr. heter- + karyon, caryon nucleus,
          fr. Gk karyon nut, kernel] (1941): a cell (as in the
          mycelium of a fungus) that contains two or more genetically
          unlike nuclei

   heterokaryosis
          [het.ero.kary.o.sis] n [NL] (1916): the condition of having
          cells that are heterokaryons -- het.ero.kary.ot.ic adj

   heterologous
          [het.er.ol.o.gous] adj [heter- + -logous (as in homologous)]
          (1893): derived from a different species <~ DNAs> <~
          transplants> -- het.er.ol.o.gous.ly adv

   heterolysis
          [het.ero.ly.sis] n [NL] (1938): decomposition of a compound
          into two oppositely charged particles or ions -- het.ero.lyt.ic
          adj

   heteromorphic
          [het.ero.mor.phic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1859) 1: deviating from
          the usual form 2: exhibiting diversity of form or forms
          <~ pairs of chromosomes> -- het.ero.mor.phism n

   heteronomous
          [het.er.on.o.mous] adj (ca. 1871): subject to external controls
          and impositions

   heteronomy
          [het.er.on.o.my] n [heter- + -nomy (as in autonomy)] (1798):
          subjection to something else; esp: a lack of moral freedom
          or self-determination

   heteronym
          [het.ero.nym] n (ca. 1889): one of two or more homographs
          (as a bass voice and bass, a fish) that differ in pronunciation
          and meaning

   heterophile
          [het.ero.phile] or het.ero.phil adj (1920): relating to or
          being any of a group of antigens in organisms of different
          species that induce the formation of antibodies that
          will cross-react with the other antigens of the group;
          also: being or relating to any of these antibodies

   heterophony
          [het.er.oph.o.ny] n, pl -nies [Gk heterophonia diversity
          of note, fr. heter- + -phonia -phony] (1919): independent
          variation on a single melody by two or more voices

   heterophyllous
          [het.ero.phyl.lous] adj (ca. 1828): having the foliage leaves
          of more than one form on the same plant or stem -- het.ero.phyl.ly
          n

   heteroploid
          [het.ero.ploid] adj [ISV] (1926): having a chromosome number
          that deviates from and is not an integral multiple of
          the number characteristic of a given species -- heteroploid
          n -- het.ero.ploi.dy n

   heteropterous
          [het.er.op.ter.ous] adj [ultim. fr. Gk heter- + pteron wing--more
          at feather] (1895): of or relating to an insect order
          or suborder (Heteroptera) comprising the true bugs

   [1]heterosexual
          [het.ero.sex.u.al] adj [ISV] (1892) 1 a: of, relating to,
          or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire
          toward the opposite sex b: of, relating to, or involving
          sexual intercourse between individuals of opposite sex
          2: of or relating to different sexes -- het.ero.sex.u.al.i.ty
          n -- het.ero.sex.u.al.ly adv [2]heterosexual n (1920):
          a heterosexual person

   heterosis
          [het.er.o.sis] n [NL] (1914): the marked vigor or capacity
          for growth often exhibited by crossbred animals or plants--called
          also hybrid vigor -- het.er.ot.ic adj

   heterospory
          [het.ero.spo.ry] n (1898): the production of microspores
          and megaspores (as in seed plants and some ferns) --
          het.ero.spo.rous adj

   heterothallic
          [het.ero.thal.lic] adj [heter- + thallus + -ic] (1904) 1:
          having two or more morphologically similar haploid phases
          or types of which individuals from the same type are
          mutually sterile but individuals from different types
          are cross-fertile <~ fungi> <~ spores> 2: dioecious --
          het.ero.thal.lism n

   heterotopic
          [het.ero.top.ic] adj [heter- + Gk topos place] (1878): occurring
          in an abnormal place <~ bone formation> <~ liver transplantation>

   heterotroph
          [het.ero.troph] n (ca. 1900): a heterotrophic individual

   heterotrophic
          [het.ero.tro.phic] adj (1893): requiring complex organic
          compounds of nitrogen and carbon for metabolic synthesis
          -- het.ero.tro.phi.cal.ly adv -- het.ero.tro.phy n

   heterotypic
          [het.ero.typ.ic] adj (1889): different in kind, arrangement,
          or form

   heterozygosis
          [het.ero.zy.go.sis] n [NL] (1902): heterozygosity

   heterozygosity
          [het.ero.zy.gos.i.ty] n (1912): the state of being heterozygous

   heterozygote
          [het.ero.zy.gote] n (1902): a heterozygous individual

   heterozygous
          [het.ero.zy.gous] adj (1902): having the two alleles
          at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes different for one
          or more loci

   heth
          [heth] n [Heb heth] (1823): the 8th letter of the Hebrew
          alphabet

   hetman
          [het.man] n, pl hetmans [Ukrainian het'man] (1710): a cossack
          leader

   het up
          [het up] adj [het, dial. past of heat] (1909): highly excited:
          upset

   heulandite
          [heu.land.ite] n [Henry Heuland, 19th cent. Eng. mineral
          collector] (1822): a zeolite consisting of a hydrous
          aluminosilicate of sodium and calcium

   [1]heuristic
          [heu.ris.tic] adj [G heuristisch, fr. NL heuristicus, fr.
          Gk heuriskein to discover; akin to OIr fo-fuair he found]
          (1821): involving or serving as an aid to learning, discovery,
          or problem-solving by experimental and esp. trial-and-error
          methods <~ techniques> <a ~ assumption>; also: of or
          relating to exploratory problem-solving techniques that
          utilize self-educating techniques (as the evaluation
          of feedback) to improve performance <a ~ computer program>
          -- heu.ris.ti.cal.ly adv [2]heuristic n (1860) 1: the
          study or practice of heuristic procedure 2: heuristic
          argument 3: a heuristic method or procedure

   HEW
          [HEW] abbreviation Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

   hew
          [hew] vb hewed ; hewed or hewn ; hew.ing [ME, fr. OE heawan;
          akin to OHG houwan to hew, Lith kauti to forge, L cudere
          to beat] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to cut with blows of a heavy
          cutting instrument 2: to fell by blows of an ax <~ a
          tree> 3: to give form or shape to with or as if with
          heavy cutting blows <~ed their farms from the wilderness
          --J. T. Shotwell> ~ vi 1: to make cutting blows 2: conform,
          adhere--often used in the phrase hew to the line <no
          pressure ... on newspapers to ~ to the official line
          --N.Y. Times Mag.> -- hew.er n

   hex
          [hex] abbreviation hexagon, hexagonal

   [1]hex
          [hex] vb [PaG hexe, fr. G hexen, fr. Hexe witch, fr. OHG
          hagzissa; akin to ME hagge hag] vi (1830): to practice
          witchcraft ~ vt 1: to put a hex on 2: to affect as if
          by an evil spell: jinx <giving in to an unscientific
          fear of ~ing the whole project --Daniel Lang> -- hex.er
          n [2]hex n (1856) 1: a person who practices witchcraft:
          witch 2: spell, jinx [3]hex adj (1924): hexagonal <a
          bolt with a ~ head> [4]hex adj or n (1970): hexadecimal

   hexa-
          [hexa-] or hex- comb form [Gk, fr. hex six--more at six]
          1: six <hexaploid> 2: containing six atoms, groups, or
          equivalents <hexane>

   hexachloroethane
          [hexa.chlo.ro.eth.ane] or hexa.chlor.eth.ane n [ISV] (1898):
          a toxic crystalline compound used esp. in smoke bombs
          and in the control of liver flukes in ruminants

   hexachlorophene
          [hexa.chlo.ro.phene] n [hexa- + chlor- + phenol] (1948):
          a powdered phenolic bacteria-inhibiting agent used in
          soap

   hexachord
          [hexa.chord] n [hexa- + Gk chorde string--more at yarn] (1730):
          a diatonic series of six tones having a semitone between
          the third and fourth tones

   hexadecimal
          [hexa.dec.i.mal] adj (1954): of, relating to, or being a
          number system with a base of 16 -- hexadecimal n

   hexagon
          [hexa.gon] n [Gk hexagonon, neut. of hexagonos hexagonal,
          fr. hexa- + gonia angle--more at -gon] (1570): a polygon
          of six angles and six sides

   hexagonal
          [hex.ag.o.nal] adj (1571) 1: having six angles and six sides
          2: having a hexagon as section or base 3: relating to
          or being a crystal system characterized by three equal
          lateral axes intersecting at angles of 60 degrees and
          a vertical axis of variable length at right angles --
          hex.ag.o.nal.ly adv

   hexagram
          [hexa.gram] n [ISV] (1871): a plane figure that has the shape
          of a 6-pointed star, that consists of two intersecting
          congruent equilateral triangles having the same point
          as center and their sides parallel, and that can be formed
          by constructing external equilateral triangles on the
          sides of a regular hexagon--compare solomon's seal 2

   hexahedron
          [hexa.he.dron] n, pl -drons also -dra [LL, fr. Gk hexaedron,
          fr. neut. of hexaedros of six surfaces, fr. hexa- + hedra
          seat--more at sit] (1571): a polyhedron of six faces
          (as a cube)

   hexahydrate
          [hexa.hy.drate] n (1908): a chemical compound with six molecules
          of water

   hexameter
          [hex.am.e.ter] n [L, fr. Gk hexametron, fr. neut. of hexametros
          having six measures, fr. hexa- + metron measure--more
          at measure] (1546): a line of verse consisting of six
          metrical feet

   hexamethonium
          [hexa.me.tho.ni.um] n [hexa- + meth- + -onium] (1949): either
          of two compounds used as ganglionic blocking agents in
          the treatment of hypertension

   hexamethylenetetramine
          [hexa.meth.y.lene.tet.ra.mine] n [ISV hexa- + methylene +
          tetra- + amine] (1888): a crystalline compound used esp.
          as an accelerator in vulcanizing rubber and as a urinary
          antiseptic--compare methenamine

   hexane
          [hex.ane] n [ISV] (1877): any of several isomeric volatile
          liquid alkanes found in petroleum

   hexanoic acid
          [hex.a.no.ic acid] n [ISV hexane + -oic] (1926): caproic
          acid

   hexaploid
          [hexa.ploid] adj [ISV] (1912): having or being six times
          the monoploid chromosome number -- hexaploid n -- hexa.ploi.dy
          n

   [1]hexapod
          [hexa.pod] n [Gk hexapod-, hexapous having six feet, fr.
          hexa- + pod-, pous foot--more at foot] (1668): insect
          1b [2]hexapod adj (ca. 1847) 1: six-footed 2: of or relating
          to insects

   Hexateuch
          [Hexa.teuch] n [hexa- + Gk teuchos book--more at pentateuch]
          (1878): the first six books of the Bible

   hexerei
          [hex.e.rei] n [PaG, fr. G, fr. Hexe witch] (1898): witchcraft

   hexobarbital
          [hexo.bar.bi.tal] n [hexo- (fr. hexa-) + barbital] (1941):
          a barbiturate used as a sedative and hypnotic and in
          the form of its soluble sodium salt as an intravenous
          anesthetic of short duration

   hexokinase
          [hexo.ki.nase] n [hexose + kinase] (1930): any of a group
          of enzymes that accelerate the phosphorylation of hexoses
          (as in the formation of glucose-6-phosphate from glucose
          and ATP) in carbohydrate metabolism

   hexosaminidase
          [hex.os.a.min.i.dase] n [hexose + amino + -ide + -ase] (1969):
          either of two hydrolytic enzymes that catalyze the splitting
          off of a hexose from a ganglioside and are deficient
          in some metabolic diseases (as a variant of Tay-Sachs
          disease)

   hexosan
          [hex.o.san] n (1894): a polysaccharide yielding only hexoses
          on hydrolysis

   hexose
          [hex.ose] n [ISV] (1892): a monosaccharide (as glucose) containing
          six carbon atoms in the molecule

   hexyl
          [hex.yl] n [ISV] (1869): a univalent chemical group having
          six carbon atoms

   hexylresorcinol
          [hex.yl.res.or.cin.ol] n (1924): a crystalline phenol used
          as an antiseptic and anthelmintic

   hey
          [hey] interj [ME] (13c)--used esp. to call attention or to
          express interrogation, surprise, or exultation

   [1]heyday
          [hey.day] interj [irreg. fr. hey] (1672) archaic--used to
          express elation or wonder [2]heyday n (1590) 1 archaic:
          high spirits 2: the period of one's greatest strength,
          vigor, or prosperity

   hey presto
          [hey presto] interj (1731) Brit: suddenly as if by magic

   Hezekiah
          [Hez.e.ki.ah] n [Heb Hizqiyah]: a king of Judah under whom
          the kingdom underwent a ruinous Assyrian invasion at
          the end of the 8th century b.c.

   hf...
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   hf
          [hf] abbreviation half  Hf abbreviation hafnium  HF abbreviation
          height finding, high frequency, home forces

   hg...
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   hg
          [hg] abbreviation hectogram, heliogram, hemoglobin  Hg [NL
          hydrargyrum, lit., water silver] abbreviation mercury

   HGH
          [HGH] abbreviation human growth hormone

   hgt
          [hgt] abbreviation height

   hgwy
          [hgwy] abbreviation highway

   hh...
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   HH
          [HH] abbreviation Her Highness, His Highness, His Holiness

   HHD
          [HHD] [NL humanitatum doctor] abbreviation doctor of humanities

   HHS
          [HHS] abbreviation Department of Health and Human Services

   hi...
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   hi
          [hi] interj [ME hy] (15c)--used esp. as a greeting

   HI
          [HI] abbreviation Hawaii, high intensity, humidity index

   hiatal
          [hi.a.tal] adj (1909): of, relating to, or involving a hiatus

   hiatal hernia
          [hiatal hernia] n (ca. 1944): a hernia in which an anatomical
          part (as the stomach) protrudes through the esophageal
          hiatus of the diaphragm--called also hiatus hernia

   hiatus
          [hi.a.tus] n [L, fr. hiare to yawn--more at yawn] (1563)
          1 a: a break in or as if in a material object: gap <the
          ~ between the theory and the practice of the party --J.
          G. Colton> b: a gap or passage in an anatomical part
          or organ 2 a: an interruption in time or continuity:
          break b: the occurrence of two vowel sounds without pause
          or intervening consonantal sound

   Hiawatha
          [Hi.a.wa.tha] n: the Indian hero of Longfellow's poem The
          Song of Hiawatha

   hibachi
          [hi.ba.chi] n [Jp] (1863): a charcoal brazier

   hibernaculum
          [hi.ber.nac.u.lum] n, pl -la [NL, fr. L, winter residence,
          fr. hibernare] (1789): a shelter occupied during the
          winter by a dormant animal (as an insect or reptile)

   hibernal
          [hi.ber.nal] adj (1646): of, relating to, or occurring in
          winter

   hibernate
          [hi.ber.nate] vi -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L hibernatus, pp. of
          hibernare to pass the winter, fr. hibernus of winter;
          akin to L hiems winter, Gk cheimon] (ca. 1802) 1: to
          pass the winter in a torpid or resting state 2: to be
          or become inactive or dormant -- hi.ber.na.tion n --
          hi.ber.na.tor n

   [1]Hibernian
          [Hi.ber.ni.an] adj [L Hibernia Ireland] (1632): of, relating
          to, or characteristic of Ireland or the Irish [2]Hibernian
          n (1709): a native or inhabitant of Ireland

   Hiberno-
          [Hi.ber.no-] comb form [L Hibernia] 1: Irish and <Hiberno-British>
          2: Irish <Hiberno-English>

   Hiberno-English
          [Hiberno-English] n (1985): the English language spoken in
          Ireland

   hibiscus
          [hi.bis.cus] n [NL, fr. L, marshmallow] (1706): any of a
          large genus (Hibiscus) of herbs, shrubs, or small trees
          of the mallow family with large showy flowers and usu.
          dentate leaves

   [1]hiccup
          [hic.cup] also hic.cough n [imit.] (ca. 1580) 1: a spasmodic
          inhalation with closure of the glottis accompanied by
          a peculiar sound 2: an attack of hiccuping--usu. used
          in pl. but sing or pl. in constr. [2]hiccup also hiccough
          vi hic.cuped also hic.cupped ; hic.cup.ing also hic.cup.ping
          (ca. 1580): to make a hiccup; also: to be affected with
          hiccups

   hic et nunc
          [hic et nunc] [L] foreign term : here and now

   hic et ubique
          [hic et ubi.que] [L] foreign term : here and everywhere

   hic jacet
          [hic ja.cet] [L] foreign term : here lies--used preceding
          a name on a tombstone

   hic jacet
          [hic ja.cet] n [L, lit., here lies] (1654): epitaph

   [1]hick
          [hick] n [Hick, nickname for Richard] (ca. 1690):
          an unsophisticated provincial person -- hick.ish adj [2]hick adj
          (1920): unsophisticated, provincial <a ~ town>

   [1]hickey
          [hick.ey] n, pl hickeys [origin unknown] (1913): device,
          gadget [2]hickey n, pl hickeys [origin unknown] (ca.
          1915) 1 a: pimple b: a temporary red mark on the skin
          (as one produced by biting and sucking) 2 pl also hick.ies
          : a small imperfection in printing

   hickory
          [hick.o.ry] n, pl -ries [short for obs. pokahickory, fr.
          Virginia Algonquian pawcohiccora food prepared from pounded
          nuts] (1670) 1 a: any of a genus (Carya) of No. American
          hardwood trees of the walnut family that often have sweet
          edible nuts b: the usu. tough wood of a hickory 2: a
          switch or cane (as of hickory wood) used esp. for punishing
          a child -- hickory adj

   hid
          [hid] adj (12c): hidden

   hidalgo
          [hi.dal.go] n, pl -gos often cap [Sp, fr. OSp fijo dalgo,
          lit., son of something] (1594): a member of the lower
          nobility of Spain

   Hidatsa
          [Hi.dat.sa] n, pl Hidatsa also Hidatsas (1873) 1: a member
          of an American Indian people of the Missouri River valley
          in No. Dakota 2: the Siouan language of the Hidatsa

   hidden
          [hid.den] adj (13c) 1: being out of sight or not readily
          apparent: concealed 2: obscure, unexplained, undisclosed
          -- hid.den.ness n

   hidden agenda
          [hidden agenda] n (1971): an ulterior motive

   hiddenite
          [hid.den.ite] n [William E. Hidden d. 1918 Am. mineralogist]
          (1881): a transparent yellow to green spodumene valued
          as a gem

   hidden tax
          [hidden tax] n (1936) 1: a tax that is ultimately paid by
          someone other than the person on whom it is levied 2:
          an economic inequity that reduces one's real income or
          buying power

   [1]hide
          [hide] n [ME, fr. OE higid, hid] (bef. 12c): any of various
          old English units of land area; esp: a unit of 120 acres
          [2]hide vb hid ; hid.den or hid ; hid.ing [ME hiden,
          fr. OE hydan; akin to Gk keuthein to conceal] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to put out of sight: secrete b: to conceal
          for shelter or protection: shield 2: to keep secret 3:
          to screen from or as if from view: obscure 4: to turn
          (the eyes or face) away in shame or anger ~ vi 1: to
          remain out of sight--often used with out 2: to seek protection
          or evade responsibility -- hid.er n syn hide, conceal,
          screen, secrete, bury mean to withhold or withdraw from
          sight. hide may or may not suggest intent <hide in the
          closet> <a house hidden in the woods>. conceal usu. does
          imply intent and often specif. implies a refusal to divulge
          <concealed the weapon>. screen implies an interposing
          of something that prevents discovery <a house screened
          by trees>. secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown
          to others <secreted the amulet inside his shirt>. bury
          implies covering up so as to hide completely <buried
          the treasure>. [3]hide n (14c) chiefly Brit: blind 2
          [4]hide n [ME, fr. OE hyd; akin to OHG hut hide, L cutis
          skin, Gk kytos hollow vessel] (bef. 12c) 1: the skin
          of an animal whether raw or dressed--used esp. of large
          heavy skins 2: the life or physical well-being of a person
          <betrayed his friend to save his own ~> -- hide or hair
          or hide nor hair : a vestige or trace of someone or something
          <a wife he hadn't seen hide or hair of in over 20 years
          --H. L. Davis> [5]hide vt hid.ed ; hid.ing (ca. 1825):
          to give a beating to: flog

   hide-and-seek
          [hide-and-seek] n (ca. 1727): a children's game in which
          one player does not look while others hide and then goes
          to find them

   hideaway
          [hide.away] n (1926): retreat, hideout

   hidebound
          [hide.bound] adj (1559) 1 of a domestic animal: having a
          dry skin lacking in pliancy and adhering closely to the
          underlying flesh 2: having an inflexible or ultraconservative
          character

   hideous
          [hid.eous] adj [alter. of ME hidous, fr. MF, fr. hisde, hide
          terror] (14c) 1: offensive to the senses and esp. to
          sight: exceedingly ugly 2: morally offensive: shocking
          -- hid.eos.ity n -- hid.eous.ly adv -- hid.eous.ness
          n

   hideout
          [hide.out] n (1904): a place of refuge, retreat, or concealment

   hidey-hole
          [hid.ey-hole] or hidy-hole n [alter. of earlier hiding-hole]
          (1817): hideaway

   hie
          [hie] vb hied ; hy.ing or hie.ing [ME, fr. OE higian to strive,
          hasten] (12c) vi: to go quickly: hasten ~ vt: to cause
          (oneself) to go quickly

   hierarch
          [hi.er.arch] n [ME ierarchis, pl., fr. MF or ML; MF hierarche,
          fr. ML hierarcha, fr. Gk hierarches, fr. hieros sacred
          + -arches -arch] (15c) 1: a religious leader in a position
          of authority 2: a person high in a hierarchy -- hi.er.ar.chal
          adj

   hierarchical
          [hi.er.ar.chi.cal] or hi.er.ar.chic adj (1561): of, relating
          to, or arranged in a hierarchy -- hi.er.ar.chi.cal.ly
          adv

   hierarchize
          [hi.er.ar.chize] vt -chized ; -chiz.ing (1884): to arrange
          in a hierarchy

   hierarchy
          [hi.er.ar.chy] n, pl -chies (14c) 1: a division of angels
          2 a: a ruling body of clergy organized into orders or
          ranks each subordinate to the one above it; esp: the
          bishops of a province or nation b: church government
          by a hierarchy 3: a body of persons in authority 4: the
          classification of a group of people according to ability
          or to economic, social, or professional standing; also:
          the group so classified 5: a graded or ranked series
          <Christian ~ of values> <a machine's ~ of responses>

   hieratic
          [hi.er.at.ic] adj [L hieraticus sacerdotal, fr. Gk hieratikos,
          fr. hierasthai to perform priestly functions, fr. hieros
          sacred; prob. akin to Skt isara vigorous] (1669) 1: constituting
          or belonging to a cursive form of ancient Egyptian writing
          simpler than the hieroglyphic 2: sacerdotal 3: highly
          stylized or formal <~ poses> -- hi.er.at.i.cal.ly adv

   hierodule
          [hi.ero.dule] n [LL hierodulus, fr. Gk hierodoulos, fr. hieron
          temple + doulos slave] (1835): a slave or prostitute
          in the service of a temple (as in ancient Greece)

   hieroglyph
          [hi.ero.glyph] n [F hieroglyphe, fr. MF, back-formation fr.
          hieroglyphique] (1598) 1: a character used in a system
          of hieroglyphic writing 2: something that resembles a
          hieroglyph

   [1]hieroglyphic
          [hi.ero.glyph.ic] also hi.ero.glyph.i.cal adj [MF hieroglyphique,
          fr. LL hieroglyphicus, fr. Gk hieroglyphikos, fr. hieros
          + glyphein to carve--more at cleave] (1585) 1: written
          in, constituting, or belonging to a system of writing
          mainly in pictorial characters 2: inscribed with hieroglyphic
          3: resembling hieroglyphic in difficulty of decipherment
          -- hi.ero.glyph.i.cal.ly adv [2]hieroglyphic n (1586)
          1: hieroglyph 2: a system of hieroglyphic writing; specif:
          the picture script of the ancient Egyptian priesthood--often
          used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr. 3: something
          that resembles a hieroglyph esp. in difficulty of decipherment

   hierophant
          [hi.ero.phant] n [LL hierophanta, fr. Gk hierophantes, fr.
          hieros + phainein to show--more at fancy] (1677) 1: a
          priest in ancient Greece; specif: the chief priest of
          the Eleusinian mysteries 2 a: expositor b: advocate --
          hi.ero.phan.tic adj

   hifalutin
          [hi.fa.lu.tin] var of highfalutin

   hi-fi
          [hi-fi] n (1950) 1: high fidelity 2: equipment for reproduction
          of sound with high fidelity

   higgle
          [hig.gle] vi hig.gled ; hig.gling [prob. alter. of haggle]
          (1633): haggle -- hig.gler n

   higgledy-piggledy
          [hig.gle.dy-pig.gle.dy] adv [origin unknown] (ca. 1598):
          in a confused, disordered, or random manner <tiny hovels
          piled ~ against each other --Edward Behr> -- higgledy-piggledy
          adj

   [1]high
          [high] adj [ME, fr. OE heah; akin to OHG hoh high, Lith kaukaras
          hill] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having large extension upward:
          taller than average, usual, or expected <a ~ wall> b:
          having a specified elevation: tall <six feet ~>--often
          used in combinations <sky-high> <waist-high> 2 a (1):
          advanced toward the acme or culmination <~ summer> (2):
          advanced toward the most active or culminating period
          <on the Riviera during ~ season> (3): constituting the
          late, most fully developed, or most creative stage or
          period <~ Gothic> (4): advanced in complexity, development,
          or elaboration <the ~er apes> <~er mathematics> b: verging
          on lateness--usu. used in the phrase high time c: long
          past: remote <~ antiquity> 3: elevated in pitch <a ~
          note> 4: relatively far from the equator <~ latitude>
          5: rich in quality: luxurious <~ living> 6: slightly
          tainted <~ game>; also: malodorous <smelled rather ~>
          7: exalted in character: noble <~ purposes> 8: of greater
          degree, amount, cost, value, or content than average,
          usual, or expected <~ prices> <food ~ in iron> <the ~
          bid> 9: of relatively great importance: as a: foremost
          in rank, dignity, or standing <~ officials> b: serious,
          grave <~ crimes> c: observed with the utmost solemnity
          <~ religious observances> d: critical, climactic <the
          ~ point of the novel> e: intellectually or artistically
          of the first order <~ culture> f: marked by sublime,
          heroic, or stirring events or subject matter <~ tragedy>
          <~ adventure> 10: forcible, strong <~ winds> 11: stressing
          matters of doctrine and ceremony; specif: high church
          12 a: filled with or expressing great joy or excitement
          <~ spirits> b: intoxicated; also: excited or stupefied
          by or as if by a drug 13: articulated with some part
          of the tongue close to the palate <a ~ vowel> -- high
          on : enthusiastically in favor or support of syn high,
          tall, lofty mean above the average in height. high implies
          marked extension upward and is applied chiefly to things
          which rise from a base or foundation or are placed at
          a conspicuous height above a lower level <a high hill>
          <a high ceiling>. tall applies to what grows or rises
          high by comparison with others of its kind and usu. implies
          relative narrowness <a tall thin man>. lofty suggests
          great or imposing altitude <lofty mountain peaks>. [2]high
          adv (bef. 12c) 1: at or to a high place, altitude, level,
          or degree <climbed ~er> <passions ran ~> 2: well,
          luxuriously--often used in the phrases high off the hog and high
          on the hog [3]high n (13c) 1: an elevated place or region:
          as a: hill, knoll b: the space overhead: sky--usu. used with
          on c: heaven--usu. used with on 2: a region of high barometric
          pressure--called also anticyclone 3 a: a high point or level:
          height <sales reached a new ~> b: the transmission gear
          of a vehicle (as an automobile) giving the highest speed of travel
          4 a: an excited, euphoric, or stupefied state produced
          by or as if by a drug b: a state of elation or high spirits

   high altar
          [high altar] n (bef. 12c): the principal altar in a church

   high analysis
          [high analysis] adj (1949) of a fertilizer: containing more
          than 20 percent of total plant nutrients

   high and dry
          [high and dry] adj (1822) 1: being out of reach of the current
          or tide or out of the water 2: being in a helpless or
          abandoned position

   high and low
          [high and low] adv (14c): everywhere

   high-and-mighty
          [high-and-mighty] adj (1654): characterized by arrogance:
          imperious

   [1]highball
          [high.ball] n (1897) 1: a railroad signal for a train to
          proceed at full speed 2: an iced drink containing liquor
          (as whiskey) and water or a carbonated beverage and served
          in a tall glass [2]highball vi (1912): to go at full
          or high speed <a ~ing express train>

   high beam
          [high beam] n (1939): the long-range focus of a vehicle headlight

   highbinder
          [high.bind.er] n [the Highbinders, gang of ruffians in New
          York City ab1806] (1876) 1: a professional killer operating
          in the Chinese quarter of an American city 2: a corrupt
          politician

   high blood pressure
          [high blood pressure] n (1916): hypertension

   highborn
          [high.born] adj (13c): of noble birth

   highboy
          [high.boy] n (1891): a tall chest of drawers with a legged
          base

   highbred
          [high.bred] adj (1674): coming from superior stock

   highbrow
          [high.brow] n (ca. 1903): a person who possesses or has pretensions
          to superior learning or culture -- highbrow adj -- high.browed adj
          -- high.brow.ism n

   highbush
          [high.bush] adj (1805): forming a notably tall or erect bush;
          also: borne on a highbush plant

   highbush blueberry
          [highbush blueberry] n (1913): a variable moisture-loving
          No. American shrub (Vaccinium corymbosum) that is the
          source of most cultivated blueberries; also: its fruit

   high chair
          [high chair] n (1848): a child's chair with long legs, a
          footrest, and usu. a feeding tray

   High Church
          [High Church] adj (1687): favoring esp. in Anglican worship
          the sacerdotal, liturgical, ceremonial, and traditional
          elements in worship

   High Churchman
          [High Churchman] n (1687): an Anglican who adheres to High
          Church elements in worship

   high-class
          [high-class] adj (1864): of superior quality or status

   high comedy
          [high comedy] n (1895): comedy employing subtle characterizations
          and witty dialogue--compare low comedy

   high command
          [high command] n (1917) 1: the supreme headquarters of a
          military force 2: the highest leaders in an organization

   high commissioner
          [high commissioner] n (1881): a principal or a high-ranking
          commissioner; esp: an ambassadorial representative of
          the government of one country stationed in another

   high-concept
          [high-con.cept] adj (1985): having or exploiting elements
          (as fast action, glamour, or suspense) that appeal to
          a wide audience <~ movies>

   high-count
          [high-count] adj (1926): having a large number of warp and
          weft yarns to the square inch <~ percale sheeting>

   high court
          [high court] n (14c): supreme court

   high-density lipoprotein
          [high-density lipoprotein] n (1960): hdl

   high-end
          [high-end] adj (1980): upscale <~ boutiques>

   high-energy
          [high-energy] adj (1934) 1 a: having such speed and kinetic
          energy as to exhibit relativistic departure from classical
          laws of motion--used esp. of elementary particles whose
          velocity has been imparted by an accelerator b: of or
          relating to high-energy particles <a ~ reaction> 2: yielding
          a relatively large amount of energy when undergoing hydrolysis
          <~ phosphate bonds in ATP>

   high-energy physics
          [high-energy physics] n (1964): particle physics

   higher criticism
          [higher criticism] n (1836): study of biblical writings to
          determine their literary history and the purpose and
          meaning of the authors--compare lower criticism -- higher
          critic n

   higher education
          [higher education] n (1866): education beyond the secondary
          level; esp: education provided by a college or university

   higher law
          [higher law] n (1844): a principle of divine or moral law
          that is considered to be superior to constitutions and
          enacted legislation

   higher learning
          [higher learning] n (1926): education, learning, or scholarship
          on the collegiate or university level

   higher-up
          [high.er-up] n (1911): a superior officer or official

   high explosive
          [high explosive] n (1877): an explosive (as TNT) that generates
          gas with extreme rapidity and has a shattering effect

   highfalutin
          [high.fa.lu.tin] adj [perh. fr. [2]high + alter. of fluting,
          prp. of flute] (1839) 1: pretentious 2: expressed in
          or marked by the use of high-flown bombastic language:
          pompous

   high fashion
          [high fashion] n (1945) 1: high style 2: haute couture

   high fidelity
          [high fidelity] n (1934): the reproduction of an effect (as
          sound or an image) with a high degree of faithfulness
          to the original -- high-fidelity adj

   high five
          [high five] n (1981): a slapping of upraised right hands
          by two people (as in celebration) -- high-five vb

   highflier
          [high.fli.er] or high.fly.er n (ca. 1961) 1: a stock whose
          price rises much more rapidly than the market average
          2: a company whose stock is a highflier 3: an ambitiously
          competitive person with high aspirations

   high-flown
          [high-flown] adj (1647) 1: exceedingly or excessively high
          or favorable 2: having an excessively embellished or
          inflated character: pretentious <inflated rhetoric and
          ~ vocabulary --James Yaffe>

   high-flying
          [high-fly.ing] adj (1581) 1: marked by extravagance, pretension,
          or excessive ambition 2: rising to considerable height

   high frequency
          [high frequency] n (1892): a radio frequency between very
          high frequency and medium frequency

   high gear
          [high gear] n (1896) 1: high 3b 2: a state of intense or
          maximum activity--usu. used with in

   High German
          [High German] n (1838) 1: German as natively used in southern
          and central Germany 2: german 3b

   high-grade
          [high-grade] adj (1878) 1: of superior grade or quality <~
          bonds> 2: being near the upper or most favorable extreme
          of a specified range

   high ground
          [high ground] n (1944): a position of advantage or preeminence

   high-handed
          [high-hand.ed] adj (1631): having or showing no regard for
          the rights, concerns, or feelings of others: arbitrary,
          overbearing -- high-hand.ed.ly adv -- high-hand.ed.ness
          n

   high-hat
          [high-hat] adj (1924): supercilious, snobbish -- high-hat
          vt

   high hat
          [high hat] n (1889) 1: [1]beaver 2 2 or hi-hat : a pair of
          cymbals operated by a foot pedal

   high heels
          [high heels] n pl (1671): shoes with high heels

   High Holiday
          [High Holiday] n (1946): either of two important Jewish holidays:
          a: rosh hashanah b: yom kippur

   high horse
          [high horse] n (1721): an arrogant and unyielding mood or
          attitude

   high-jack
          [high-jack] var of hijack

   high jinks
          [high jinks] n pl (1825): boisterous or rambunctious carryings-on:
          carefree antics or horseplay

   high jump
          [high jump] n (1895): a jump for height over a horizontal
          bar in a track-and-field contest -- high jumper n

   [1]highland
          [high.land] n (bef. 12c): elevated or mountainous land [2]highland
          adj (15c) 1: of or relating to a highland 2 cap: of or relating
          to the Highlands of Scotland

   highlander
          [high.land.er] n (1610) 1: an inhabitant of a highland 2
          cap: an inhabitant of the Highlands of Scotland

   Highland fling
          [Highland fling] n (1804): a lively Scottish folk dance

   high-level
          [high-lev.el] adj (1876) 1: occurring, done, or placed at
          a high level 2: being of high importance or rank <~ diplomats>
          3: of, relating to, or being a computer programming language
          (as BASIC or Pascal) which is similar to a natural language
          (as English) and in which each statement is translated
          by a compiler usu. into several machine language instructions

   [1]highlight
          [high.light] n (ca. 1889) 1: the lightest spot or area (as
          in a painting): any of several spots in a modeled drawing
          or painting that receives the greatest amount of illumination
          2: something (as an event or detail) that is of major
          significance or special interest [2]highlight vt -light.ed
          ; -light.ing (1927) 1: to throw a strong light on 2 a:
          to center attention on b: to constitute a highlight of

   high-low-jack
          [high-low-jack] n (1818): an all-fours game in which scores
          are made by winning the highest trump, the lowest trump,
          the jack of trumps, and either the ten of trumps or the
          most points

   highly
          [high.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: in or to a high place, level,
          or rank 2: in or to a high degree or amount 3: with approval:
          favorably

   high mass
          [high mass] n, often cap H&M (12c): a mass marked by the
          singing of prescribed parts by the celebrant and the
          choir or congregation

   high-minded
          [high-mind.ed] adj (1556): marked by elevated principles
          and feelings; also: pretentious <too ~ to read any fiction
          --Alfred Kazin> -- high-mind.ed.ly adv -- high-mind.ed.ness
          n

   high-muck-a-muck
          [high-muck-a-muck] or high-muck.e.ty-muck n [by folk etymology
          fr. Chinook Jargon hayo makamak plenty to eat] (1856):
          an important and often arrogant person

   highness
          [high.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1: the quality or state of being
          high 2--used as a title for a person of exalted rank
          (as a king or prince)

   high noon
          [high noon] n (1523) 1: precisely noon 2: the most advanced,
          flourishing, or creative stage or period <the high noon
          of her career>

   high-octane
          [high-octane] adj (1932) 1: having a high octane number and
          hence good antiknock properties <~ gasoline> 2: high-powered

   high-pitched
          [high-pitched] adj (1748) 1: having a high pitch <a ~ voice>
          2: marked by or exhibiting strong feeling: agitated <a
          ~, almost frantic campaign --Geoffrey Rice>

   high place
          [high place] n (14c): a temple or altar used by the ancient
          Semites and built usu. on a hill or elevation

   high polymer
          [high polymer] n (1942): a substance (as polystyrene) consisting
          of molecules that are large multiples of units of low
          molecular weight

   high-powered
          [high-pow.ered] also high-pow.er adj (1893) 1: having great
          drive, energy, or capacity: dynamic <a ~ executive> 2:
          having or conferring great influence <a ~ job>

   [1]high-pressure
          [high-pressure] adj (1824) 1 a: having or involving a high
          or comparatively high pressure esp. greatly exceeding
          that of the atmosphere b: having a high barometric pressure
          2 a: using or involving aggressive and insistent sales
          techniques b: imposing or involving severe strain or
          tension <~ occupations> [2]high-pressure vt (1926): to
          sell or influence by high-pressure tactics

   high priest
          [high priest] n (14c) 1: a chief priest esp. of the ancient
          Jewish Levitical priesthood traditionally traced from
          Aaron 2: a priest of the Melchizedek priesthood in the
          Mormon Church 3: the head of a movement or chief exponent
          of a doctrine or an art -- high priesthood n

   high priestess
          [high priestess] n (1645): a chief priestess

   high relief
          [high relief] n (ca. 1828): sculptural relief in which at
          least half of the circumference of the modeled form projects

   high-rise
          [high-rise] adj (1954) 1: being multistory and equipped with
          elevators <~ apartments> 2: of, relating to, or characterized
          by high-rise buildings -- high-rise n

   high road
          [high road] n (1709) 1: highway 2: the easiest course 3:
          an ethical course

   high roller
          [high roller] n (1881) 1: a person who spends freely in luxurious
          living 2: a person who gambles recklessly or for high
          stakes -- high-rolling adj

   [1]high school
          [high school] n (1824): a school esp. in the U.S. usu. including
          grades 9-12 or 10-12 -- high school.er n [2]high school
          n [trans. of F haute ecole] (1884): a system of advanced
          exercises in horsemanship

   high sea
          [high sea] n (bef. 12c): the open part of a sea or ocean
          esp. outside territorial waters--usu. used in pl.

   high sign
          [high sign] n (1903): a gesture used as a signal (as of approval
          or warning)--usu. used in the phrase give the high sign

   high-sounding
          [high-sound.ing] adj (1784): pompous, imposing

   high-speed
          [high-speed] adj (1873) 1: operated or adapted for operation
          at high speed 2: relating to the production of short-exposure
          photographs of rapidly moving objects or events of short
          duration

   high-spirited
          [high-spir.it.ed] adj (ca. 1631): characterized by a bold
          or energetic spirit -- high-spir.it.ed.ly adv --
          high-spir.it.ed.ness n

   highspot
          [high.spot] n (1910): highlight 2

   high-sticking
          [high-stick.ing] n (1947): the act of carrying the blade
          of the stick at an illegal height in ice hockey

   high street
          [high street] n (bef. 12c) Brit: a main or principal street

   high-strung
          [high-strung] adj (1748): having an extremely nervous or
          sensitive temperament

   high style
          [high style] n (1939): the newest style in fashion or design
          usu. adopted by a limited number of people

   hight
          [hight] adj [ME, pp. (earlier past) of hoten to command,
          call, be called, fr. OE hatan; akin to OHG heizzan to
          command, call] (15c) archaic: being called: named

   high table
          [high table] n (1711): an elevated table in the dining room
          of a British college for use by the master and fellows
          and distinguished guests

   hightail
          [high.tail] vi (1925): to move at full speed or rapidly often
          in making a retreat--usu. used with it

   high tea
          [high tea] n (1831): a fairly substantial late afternoon
          or early evening meal at which tea is served

   high tech
          [high tech] n (1973) 1: high technology 2: a style of interior
          design featuring industrial products, materials, or designs
          -- high-tech adj

   high technology
          [high technology] n (1968): scientific technology involving
          the production or use of advanced or sophisticated devices
          esp. in the fields of electronics and computers

   high-tension
          [high-tension] adj (1905): having or using a high voltage

   high-test
          [high-test] adj (1923): meeting a high standard; also: high-octane

   high tide
          [high tide] n (1745) 1: the tide when the water is at its
          greatest elevation 2: culminating point: climax

   high-toned
          [high-toned] adj (1807) 1: high in social, moral, or intellectual
          quality 2: pretentious, pompous

   high-top
          [high-top] adj (1966): extending up over the ankle <~ sneakers>
          -- high-tops n pl

   high treason
          [high treason] n (15c): treason 2

   high-voltage
          [high-volt.age] adj (1948): marked by great energy: electric,
          dynamic <a ~ performance>

   high water
          [high water] n (15c): a high stage of the water in a river
          or lake; also: high tide

   high-water
          [high-water] adj (1856): unusually short <~ pants>

   high-water mark
          [high-water mark] n (1814): highest point: peak

   highway
          [high.way] n (bef. 12c): a public way; esp: a main direct
          road

   highwayman
          [high.way.man] n (1649): a person who robs travelers on a
          road

   highway robbery
          [highway robbery] n (1778) 1: robbery committed on or near
          a public highway usu. against travelers 2: excessive
          profit or advantage derived from a business transaction

   high-wire
          [high-wire] adj (1956) 1: involving great risk <a financial
          ~ act> 2: daring <~ prose>

   high-wrought
          [high-wrought] adj (1604): extremely agitated

   high yellow
          [high yellow] n (1923): a black person of light complexion--called
          also high yaller --often taken to be offensive

   hi-hat
          [hi-hat] var of high hat 2

   hijack
          [hi.jack] vt [origin unknown] (1923) 1 a: to steal by stopping
          a vehicle on the highway b: to commandeer (a flying airplane)
          esp. by coercing the pilot at gunpoint c: to stop and
          steal from (a vehicle in transit) d: kidnap 2 a: to steal
          or rob as if by hijacking b: to subject to extortion
          or swindling -- hijack n -- hi.jack.er n

   hijinks
          [hi.jinks] var of high jinks

   [1]hike
          [hike] vb hiked ; hik.ing [perh. akin to [1]hitch] vi (1804)
          1 a: to go on a hike b: to travel by any means 2: to
          rise up; esp: to work upward out of place <skirt had
          hiked up in back> ~ vt 1 a: to move, pull, or raise with
          a sudden motion <hiked himself onto the top bunk> b:
          snap 6b c: to raise in amount sharply or suddenly <~
          rents> 2: to take on a hike -- hik.er n [2]hike n (1865)
          1: a long walk esp. for pleasure or exercise 2: an increase
          esp. in quantity or amount <a new wage ~> 3: snap 11

   hilar
          [hi.lar] adj (ca. 1859): of, relating to, or located near
          a hilum

   hilarious
          [hi.lar.i.ous] adj [irreg. fr. L hilarus, hilaris cheerful,
          fr. Gk hilaros] (ca. 1840): marked by or affording hilarity
          -- hi.lar.i.ous.ly adv -- hi.lar.i.ous.ness n

   hilarity
          [hi.lar.i.ty] n (15c): high spirits that may be carried to
          the point of boisterous conviviality or merriment

   Hilbert space
          [Hil.bert space] n [David Hilbert] (1939): a vector space
          for which a scalar product is defined and in which every
          Cauchy sequence composed of elements in the space converges
          to a limit in the space

   hilding
          [hil.ding] n [hilding, adj. (base)] (1592) archaic: a base
          contemptible person

   [1]hill
          [hill] n [ME, fr. OE hyll; akin to L collis hill, culmen
          top] (bef. 12c) 1: a usu. rounded natural elevation of
          land lower than a mountain 2: an artificial heap or mound
          (as of earth) 3: several seeds or plants planted in a
          group rather than a row 4: slope, incline [2]hill vt
          (1581) 1: to form into a heap 2: to draw earth around
          the roots or base of -- hill.er n

   hillbilly
          [hill.bil.ly] n, pl -lies [[1]hill + Billy, nickname for
          William] (1900): a person from a backwoods area

   hillbilly music
          [hillbilly music] n (1943): country music

   hill climb
          [hill climb] n (1905): a road race for automobiles or motorcycles
          in which competitors are individually timed up a hill

   hillcrest
          [hill.crest] n (ca. 1898): the top line of a hill

   hill mynah
          [hill mynah] n (ca. 1890): a largely black Asian mynah (Gracula
          religiosa) often tamed and taught to pronounce words

   hillock
          [hill.ock] n (14c): a small hill -- hill.ocky adj

   Hill reaction
          [Hill reaction] n [Robin Hill, 20th cent. Brit. biochemist]
          (1950): the light-dependent transfer of electrons by
          chloroplasts in photosynthesis that results in the cleavage
          of water molecules and liberation of oxygen

   hillside
          [hill.side] n (14c): a part of a hill between the top and
          the foot

   hilltop
          [hill.top] n (15c): the highest part of a hill

   hilly
          [hilly] adj hill.i.er ; -est (14c): abounding in hills

   hilt
          [hilt] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG helza hilt] (bef. 12c):
          a handle esp. of a sword or dagger -- to the hilt : to
          the very limit: completely

   hilum
          [hi.lum] n, pl hi.la [NL, fr. L, trifle] (ca. 1753) 1: a
          scar on a seed (as a bean) marking the point of attachment
          of the ovule 2: a notch in or opening from a bodily part
          suggesting the hilum of a bean

   him
          [him] pron objective case of he

   him/her
          [him/her] pron objective case of he/she

   Himalayan
          [Hi.ma.la.yan] n [Himalaya Mountains] (1949): any of a breed
          of domestic cats developed by crossing the Persian and
          the Siamese and having the stocky build and long thick
          coat of the former and the blue eyes and coat patterns
          of the latter

   himation
          [hi.mat.i.on] n [Gk, dim. of heimat-, heima garment; akin
          to Gk hennynai to clothe--more at wear] (1850): a rectangular
          cloth draped over the left shoulder and about the body
          and worn as a garment in ancient Greece

   himself
          [him.self] pron (bef. 12c) 1 a: that identical male one--compare
          [1]he--used reflexively, for emphasis, in absolute constructions,
          and in place of him esp. when joined to another object
          <considers ~ lucky> <he ~ did it> <~ unhappy, he understood
          the situation> <a gift to his wife and ~> b--used reflexively
          when the sex of the antecedent is unspecified <everyone
          must fend for ~> 2: his normal, healthy, or sane condition
          or self 3 chiefly Irish & Scot: a man of consequence;
          esp: the master of the house

   hin
          [hin] n [Heb hin, fr. Egypt hnw] (14c): an ancient Hebrew
          unit of liquid measure equal to about 1.5 gallons (5.7
          liters)

   Hinayana
          [Hi.na.ya.na] n [Skt hinayana lesser vehicle] (1868): theravada
          -- Hi.na.ya.nist n -- Hi.na.ya.nis.tic adj

   hinc illae lacrimae
          [hinc il.lae la.cri.mae] [L] foreign term : hence those tears

   [1]hind
          [hind] n, pl hinds also hind [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG hinta
          hind, Gk kemas young deer] (bef. 12c) 1: the female of
          the red deer--compare hart 2: any of various spotted
          groupers (esp. genus Epinephelus) [2]hind n [ME hine
          servant, farmhand, fr. OE hina, gen. of hiwan, pl., members
          of a household; akin to OHG hiwo spouse, L civis fellow
          citizen, and prob. to OIr coim dear, Lith seima family]
          (1520) 1: a British farm assistant 2 archaic: rustic
          [3]hind adj [ME, prob. back-formation fr. OE hinder,
          adv., behind; akin to OHG hintar, prep., behind] (14c):
          of or forming the part that follows or is behind: rear

   hindbrain
          [hind.brain] n (1888) 1: the posterior of the three primary
          divisions of the developing vertebrate brain or the corresponding
          part of the adult brain that includes the cerebellum,
          the medulla oblongata, and in mammals the pons and that
          controls autonomic functions and equilibrium--called
          also rhombencephalon--compare metencephalon, myelencephalon
          2: the posterior segment of the brain of an invertebrate

   [1]hinder
          [hin.der] vb hin.dered ; hin.der.ing [ME hindren, fr. OE
          hindrian; akin to OE hinder behind] vt (bef. 12c) 1:
          to make slow or difficult the progress of: hamper 2:
          to hold back: check ~ vi: to delay, impede, or prevent
          action -- hin.der.er n syn hinder, impede, obstruct,
          block mean to interfere with the activity or progress
          of. hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay
          or interference with progress <rain hindered the climb>.
          impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging,
          hampering, or fettering <tight clothing that impedes
          movement>. obstruct implies interfering with something
          in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional
          placing of obstacles in the way <the view was obstructed
          by billboards>. block implies complete obstruction to
          passage or progress <a landslide blocked the road>. [2]hind.er
          adj [ME, fr. OE hinder, adv.] (13c): situated behind
          or in the rear: posterior

   hindgut
          [hind.gut] n (1878): the posterior part of the alimentary
          canal

   Hindi
          [Hin.di] n [Hindi hindi, fr. Hind India, fr. Per] (1801)
          1: a literary and official language of northern India
          2: a complex of Indo-Aryan languages and dialects of
          northern India for which Hindi is the usual literary
          language -- Hindi adj

   hindmost
          [hind.most] adj (14c): farthest to the rear: last

   hindquarter
          [hind.quar.ter] n (1881) 1: one side of the back half of
          the carcass of a quadruped including a leg and usu. one
          or more ribs 2 pl: the hind pair of legs of a quadruped;
          broadly: all the structures of a quadruped that lie posterior
          to the attachment of the hind legs to the trunk

   hindrance
          [hin.drance] n (1526) 1: the state of being hindered 2: impediment
          3: the action of hindering

   hindsight
          [hind.sight] n (1866): perception of the nature of an event
          after it has happened

   [1]Hindu
          [Hin.du] also Hin.doo n [Per Hindu inhabitant of India, fr.
          Hind India] (1662) 1: an adherent of Hinduism 2: a native
          or inhabitant of India [2]Hindu also Hindoo adj (1698):
          of, relating to, or characteristic of the Hindus or Hinduism

   Hindu-Arabic
          [Hindu-Arabic] adj (1925): relating to, being, or composed
          of Arabic numerals <~ numeration system>

   Hindu calendar
          [Hindu calendar] n (ca. 1909): a lunar calendar usu. dating
          from 3101 b.c. and used esp. in India

   Hinduism
          [Hin.du.ism] n (1809): the dominant religion of India that
          emphasizes dharma with its resulting ritual and social
          observances and often mystical contemplation and ascetic
          practices

   [1]Hindustani
          [Hin.du.stani] also Hin.do.stani n [Hindi Hindustani, fr.
          Per Hindustan India] (1808): a group of Indo-Aryan dialects
          of northern India of which literary Hindi and Urdu are
          considered diverse written forms [2]Hindustani also Hindostani
          adj (1800): of or relating to Hindustan or its people
          or Hindustani

   hind wing
          [hind wing] n (1899): either of the posterior wings of a
          4-winged insect

   [1]hinge
          [hinge] n [ME heng; akin to MD henge hook, OE hangian to
          hang] (14c) 1 a: a jointed or flexible device on which
          a door, lid, or other swinging part turns b: a flexible
          ligamentous joint c: a small piece of thin gummed paper
          used in fastening a postage stamp in an album 2: a determining
          factor: turning point [2]hinge vb hinged ; hing.ing vi
          (1719): to be contingent on a single consideration or
          point--used with on or upon ~ vt: to attach by or furnish
          with hinges

   hinge joint
          [hinge joint] n (1802): a joint between bones (as at the
          elbow) that permits motion in only one plane

   hinny
          [hin.ny] n, pl hinnies [L hinnus, fr. Gk innos] (1688): a
          hybrid between a stallion and a female donkey--compare
          mule

   [1]hint
          [hint] n [prob. alter. of obs. hent act of seizing, fr. hent
          vb.] (1604) 1 archaic: opportunity, turn 2 a: a statement
          conveying by implication what it is preferred not to
          say explicitly b: an indirect or summary suggestion <helpful
          ~s> 3: a slight indication of the existence, approach,
          or nature of something: clue 4: a very small amount:
          suggestion [2]hint vt (1648): to convey indirectly and
          by allusion rather than explicitly <a suspicion that
          she scarcely dared to ~> ~ vi: to give a hint--usu. used
          with at syn see suggest -- hint.er n

   hinterland
          [hin.ter.land] n [G, fr. hinter hinder + Land] (1890) 1:
          a region lying inland from a coast 2 a: a region remote
          from urban areas b: a region lying beyond major metropolitan
          or cultural centers

   [1]hip
          [hip] n [ME hipe, fr. OE heope; akin to OHG hiafo hip] (bef.
          12c): rose hip [2]hip n [ME, fr. OE hype; akin to OHG
          huf hip] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the laterally projecting region
          of each side of the lower or posterior part of the mammalian
          trunk formed by the lateral parts of the pelvis and upper
          part of the femur together with the fleshy parts covering
          them b: hip joint 2: the external angle formed by the
          meeting of two sloping sides of a roof that have their
          wall plates running in different directions [3]hip interj
          [origin unknown] (1827)--used in a cheer <~ ~ hooray>
          [4]hip adj hip.per ; hip.pest [alter. of [2]hep] (1904):
          characterized by a keen informed awareness of or involvement
          in the newest developments or styles [5]hip vt hipped
          ; hip.ping (ca. 1932): to make aware: tell, inform [6]hip
          n (1952): hipness

   hip and thigh
          [hip and thigh] adv (1560): in a fierce or ruthless manner:
          unsparingly

   hipbone
          [hip.bone] n (12c): innominate bone

   hip boot
          [hip boot] n (1893): a waterproof boot reaching to the hips

   hip-hop
          [hip-hop] n, often attrib [perh. fr. [4]hip + [1]hop] (1983):
          a subculture esp. of inner-city youths whose amusements
          include rap music, graffiti, and break dancing; also:
          an element or art form prevalent within this subculture

   hip joint
          [hip joint] n (1794): the articulation between the femur
          and the innominate bone

   hipline
          [hip.line] n (1907) 1: an arbitrary line encircling the fullest
          part of the hips 2: body circumference at the hips

   hipness
          [hip.ness] n (1946): the quality or state of being hip

   [1]hipped
          [hipped] adj (1508) 1: having hips esp. of a specified kind--often
          used in combination <a broad-hipped person> 2: constructed with
          hips <a ~ roof> [2]hipped adj [hip (hypochondria)] (ca. 1710):
          depressed [3]hipped adj [[5]hip] (1920): extremely absorbed
          or interested <~ on astrology>

   hippie
          [hip.pie] or hip.py n, pl hippies [[4]hip + -ie] (1965):
          a usu. young person who rejects the mores of established
          society (as by dressing unconventionally or favoring
          communal living) and advocates a nonviolent ethic; broadly:
          a long-haired unconventionally dressed young person --
          hip.pie.dom n -- hip.pie.ness or hip.pi.ness n

   hippo
          [hip.po] n, pl hippos (1872): hippopotamus

   hippocampus
          [hip.po.cam.pus] n, pl -pi [NL, fr. Gk hippokampos sea horse,
          fr. hippos horse + kampos sea monster--more at equine]
          (1706): a curved elongated ridge that extends over the
          floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle
          of the brain and consists of gray matter covered on the
          ventricular surface with white matter -- hip.po.cam.pal
          adj

   hippocras
          [hip.po.cras] n [ME ypocras, fr. Ypocras Hippocrates, to
          whom its invention was ascribed] (14c): a mulled wine
          popular in medieval Europe

   Hippocratic
          [Hip.po.crat.ic] adj (ca. 1620): of or relating to Hippocrates
          or to the school of medicine that took his name

   Hippocratic oath
          [Hippocratic oath] n (1747): an oath embodying a code of
          medical ethics usu. taken by those about to begin medical
          practice

   Hippocrene
          [Hip.po.crene] n [L, fr. Gk Hippokrene] (1605): a fountain
          on Mount Helicon sacred to the Muses and believed to
          be a source of poetic inspiration

   hippodrome
          [hip.po.drome] n [MF, fr. L hippodromos, fr. Gk, fr. hippos
          + dromos racecourse--more at dromedary] (1585) 1: an
          oval stadium for horse and chariot races in ancient Greece
          2: an arena for equestrian performances

   hippogriff
          [hip.po.griff] n [F hippogriffe, fr. It ippogrifo, fr. ippo-
          (fr. Gk hippos horse) + grifo griffin, fr. L gryphus]
          (ca. 1656): a legendary animal having the foreparts of
          a griffin and the body of a horse

   Hippolyta
          [Hip.pol.y.ta] n [L, fr. Gk Hippolyte]: a queen of the Amazons
          given in marriage to Theseus by Hercules

   Hippolytus
          [Hip.pol.y.tus] n [L, fr. Gk Hippolytos]: a son of Theseus
          falsely accused of amorous advances by his stepmother
          and killed by his father through the agency of Poseidon

   Hippomenes
          [Hip.pom.e.nes] n [L, fr. Gk Hippomenes]: the successful
          suitor of Atalanta in Greek mythology

   hippopotamus
          [hip.po.pot.a.mus] n, pl -mus.es or -mi [L, fr. Gk hippopotamos,
          alter. of hippos potamios, lit., riverine horse] (1563):
          a very large herbivorous 4-toed chiefly aquatic artiodactyl
          mammal (Hippopotamus amphibius) of sub-Saharan Africa
          with an extremely large head and mouth, bare and very
          thick grayish skin, and short legs; also: a smaller closely
          related mammal (Choeropsis liberiensis) of western Africa

   hippy
          [hip.py] adj (1919): having large hips

   hip roof
          [hip roof] n (ca. 1741): a roof having sloping ends and sloping
          sides--see roof illustration

   hip-shooting
          [hip-shoot.ing] n (1951): action or reaction that is quick
          and often reckless -- hip shooter n

   hipster
          [hip.ster] n [[4]hip] (ca. 1941): a person who is unusually
          aware of and interested in new and unconventional patterns
          (as in jazz or the use of stimulants)

   hipsterism
          [hip.ster.ism] n (1958) 1: hipness 2: the way of life
          characteristic of hipsters

   hiragana
          [hi.ra.ga.na] n [Jp, fr. hira- ordinary + kana syllabary]
          (1859): the cursive script that is one of two sets of
          symbols of Japanese syllabic writing--compare katakana

   [1]hire
          [hire] n [ME, fr. OE hyr; akin to OS huria hire] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: payment for the temporary use of something b: payment
          for labor or personal services: wages 2 a: the act or
          an instance of hiring b: the state of being hired: employment
          3 Brit: rental--often used attributively 4: one who is
          hired <starting wage for the new ~s> -- for hire also
          on hire : available for use or service in return for
          payment [2]hire vb hired ; hir.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          to engage the personal services of for a set sum <~ a
          crew> b: to engage the temporary use of for a fixed sum
          <~ a hall> 2: to grant the personal services of or temporary
          use of for a fixed sum <~ themselves out> 3: to get done
          for pay <~ the mowing done> ~ vi: to take employment
          <~ out as a guide during the tourist season> -- hir.er
          n syn hire, let, lease, rent, charter mean to engage
          or grant for use at a price. hire and let, strictly speaking,
          are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging
          or taking for use and let the granting of use <we hired
          a car for the summer> <decided to let the cottage to
          a young couple>. lease strictly implies a letting under
          the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring
          on a lease <the diplomat leased an apartment for a year>.
          rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of
          property and may imply either hiring or letting <instead
          of buying a house, they decided to rent> <will not rent
          to families with children>. charter applies to the hiring
          or letting of a vehicle usu. for exclusive use <charter
          a bus to go to the game>.

   hired gun
          [hired gun] n (1971): an expert hired to do a specific job;
          esp: hireling--often used disparagingly

   hireling
          [hire.ling] n (bef. 12c): a person who serves for hire esp.
          for purely mercenary motives

   hire purchase
          [hire purchase] n (1895) chiefly Brit: purchase on the installment
          plan

   hiring hall
          [hiring hall] n (1934): a union-operated placement office
          where registered applicants are referred in rotation
          to jobs

   hirsute
          [hir.sute] adj [L hirsutus; akin to L horrere to bristle--more
          at horror] (1621): hairy 1; esp: covered with coarse
          stiff hairs <~ leaf> -- hir.sute.ness n

   hirsutism
          [hir.sut.ism] n (1927): excessive growth of hair of normal
          or abnormal distribution

   hirudin
          [hi.ru.din] n [fr. Hirudin, a trademark] (1905): an anticoagulant
          extracted from the buccal glands of a leech

   [1]his
          [his] adj [ME, fr. OE, gen. of he he] (bef. 12c): of or relating
          to him or himself esp. as possessor, agent, or object
          of an action <~ house> <~ writings> <~ confirmation>--compare
          [1]he [2]his pron, sing or pl in constr (bef. 12c): that
          which belongs to him--used without a following noun as
          a pronoun equivalent in meaning to the adjective his

   his/her
          [his/her] adj (1952): his or her--used in writing as an adjective
          of common gender

   Hispanic
          [His.pan.ic] adj [L hispanicus, fr. Hispania Iberian Peninsula,
          Spain] (ca. 1889): of, relating to, or being a person
          of Latin American descent living in the U.S.; esp: one
          of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin -- Hispanic
          n -- His.pan.i.cism n -- His.pan.i.cist n -- His.pan.i.cize
          vt

   hispanidad
          [his.pa.ni.dad] n (1941): hispanism 1

   hispanism
          [his.pa.nism] n, often cap (1940) 1: a movement to reassert
          the cultural unity of Spain and Latin America 2: a characteristic
          feature of Spanish occurring in another language

   Hispanist
          [His.pa.nist] n (1786): a scholar specially informed in Spanish
          or Portuguese language, literature, linguistics, or civilization

   Hispano
          [His.pa.no] n, pl -nos [AmerSp hispano, prob. short for
          hispanoamericano, lit., Spanish-American] (1946): a native
          or resident of the southwestern U.S. descended from Spaniards
          settled there before annexation; also: mexican 1

   hispid
          [his.pid] adj [L hispidus; akin to L horrere] (1646): rough
          or covered with bristles, stiff hairs, or minute spines
          <~ leaf>

   hiss
          [hiss] vb [ME, of imit. origin] vi (14c): to make a sharp
          sibilant sound <the crowd ~ed in disapproval> <~ing steam>
          ~ vt 1: to express disapproval of by hissing 2: to utter
          or whisper angrily or threateningly and with a hiss --
          hiss n -- hiss.er n

   hisself
          [his.self] pron (12c) chiefly dial: himself 1

   hissy
          [hissy] n [perh. by shortening & alter. fr. hysterical] (ca.
          1934) chiefly Southern & southern Midland: tantrum--called
          also hissy fit

   hist
          [hist] abbreviation historian, historical, history

   hist-
          [hist-] or histo- comb form [F, fr. Gk histos mast, loom
          beam, web, fr. histanai to cause to stand--more at stand]:
          tissue <histophysiology>

   [1]hist
          [hist] interj [origin unknown] (1592)--used to attract attention
          [2]hist dial var of hoist

   histaminase
          [his.ta.mi.nase] n [ISV] (1930): a widely occurring flavoprotein
          enzyme that oxidizes histamine and various diamines

   histamine
          [his.ta.mine] n [ISV hist- + amine] (ca. 1913): a compound
          esp. of mammalian tissues that causes dilatation of capillaries,
          contraction of smooth muscle, and stimulation of gastric
          acid secretion, that is released during allergic reactions,
          and that is formed by decarboxylation of histidine

   histaminergic
          [his.ta.min.er.gic] adj [ISV] (1936) of autonomic nerve fibers:
          liberating or activated by histamine <~ receptors>

   histidine
          [his.ti.dine] n [ISV hist- + -idine] (1896): a crystalline
          essential amino acid formed by the hydrolysis of most
          proteins

   histiocyte
          [his.tio.cyte] n [Gk histion web (dim. of histos) + ISV -cyte]
          (1924): a nonmotile macrophage of extravascular tissues
          and esp. connective tissue -- his.tio.cyt.ic adj

   histochemistry
          [his.to.chem.is.try] n [ISV] (ca. 1860): a science that combines
          the techniques of biochemistry and histology in the study
          of the chemical constitution of cells and tissues --
          his.to.chem.i.cal adj -- his.to.chem.i.cal.ly adv

   histocompatibility
          [his.to.com.pat.i.bil.i.ty] n (1948): a state of mutual tolerance
          that allows some tissues to be grafted effectively to
          others

   histogenesis
          [his.to.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1854): the formation and
          differentiation of tissues -- his.to.ge.net.ic adj

   histogram
          [his.to.gram] n [Gk histos mast, web + E -gram] (1891): a
          representation of a frequency distribution by means of
          rectangles whose widths represent class intervals and
          whose areas are proportional to the corresponding frequencies

   histology
          [his.tol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [F histologie, fr. hist- + -logie
          -logy] (ca. 1847) 1: a branch of anatomy that deals with
          the minute structure of animal and plant tissues as discernible
          with the microscope 2: a treatise on histology 3: tissue
          structure or organization -- his.to.log.i.cal or his.to.log.ic
          adj -- his.to.log.i.cal.ly adv -- his.tol.o.gist n

   histolysis
          [his.tol.y.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1857): the breakdown of bodily
          tissues

   histone
          [his.tone] n [G Histon] (1885): any of various simple water-soluble
          proteins that are rich in the basic amino acids lysine and arginine
          and are complexed with DNA in the nucleosomes of eukaryotic
          chromatin

   histopathology
          [his.to.pa.thol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1896) 1: a branch of pathology
          concerned with the tissue changes characteristic of disease
          2: the tissue changes that affect a part or accompany
          a disease -- his.to.path.o.log.ic or his.to.path.o.log.i.cal
          adj -- his.to.path.o.log.i.cal.ly adv -- his.to.pa.thol.o.gist n

   histophysiology
          [his.to.phys.i.ol.o.gy] n (ca. 1886) 1: a branch of physiology
          concerned with the function and activities of tissues
          2: structural and functional tissue organization --
          his.to.phys.i.o.log.i.cal or his.to.phys.i.o.log.ic adj

   histoplasmosis
          [his.to.plas.mo.sis] n [NL, fr. Histoplasma, genus of fungi]
          (1907): a respiratory disease with symptoms like those
          of influenza that is caused by a fungus (Histoplasma
          capsulatum) and is marked by benign involvement of lymph
          nodes of the trachea and bronchi or by severe progressive
          generalized involvement of the lymph nodes and the
          reticuloendothelial system

   historian
          [his.to.ri.an] n (15c) 1: a student or writer of history;
          esp: one that produces a scholarly synthesis 2: a writer
          or compiler of a chronicle

   historic
          [his.tor.ic] adj (1607): historical: as a: famous or important
          in history <~ battlefields> b: having great and lasting
          importance <an ~ occasion> c: known or established in
          the past <~ interest rates> d: dating from or preserved
          from a past time or culture <~ buildings> <~ artifacts>

   historical
          [his.tor.i.cal] adj (15c) 1 a: of, relating to, or having
          the character of history b: based on history c: used
          in the past and reproduced in historical presentations
          2: famous in history: historic a 3 a: secondary 1c b:
          diachronic <~ grammar> -- his.tor.i.cal.ness n

   historically
          [his.tor.i.cal.ly] adv (1550) 1: in accordance with or with
          respect to history <an ~ accurate account> 2: in the
          past <~, stagnant cities seldom have recovered --Jane
          Jacobs>

   historical materialism
          [historical materialism] n (1925): the Marxist theory of
          history and society that holds that ideas and social
          institutions develop only as the superstructure of a
          material economic base--compare dialectical materialism

   historical present
          [historical present] n (1867): the present tense used in
          relating past events

   historicism
          [his.tor.i.cism] n (1895): a theory, doctrine, or style that
          emphasizes the importance of history: as a: a theory
          in which history is seen as a standard of value or as
          a determinant of events b: a style (as in architecture)
          characterized by the use of traditional forms and elements
          -- his.tor.i.cist adj or n

   historicity
          [his.to.ric.i.ty] n (1880): historical actuality

   historicize
          [his.tor.i.cize] vb -cized ; -ciz.ing vt (1846): to make
          historical ~ vi: to use historical material

   historiographer
          [his.to.ri.og.ra.pher] n [MF historiographeur, fr. LL
          historiographus, fr. Gk historiographos, fr. historia + graphein
          to write--more at carve] (15c): historian

   historiography
          [his.to.ri.og.ra.phy] n (1569) 1 a: the writing of history;
          esp: the writing of history based on the critical examination
          of sources, the selection of particulars from the authentic
          materials, and the synthesis of particulars into a narrative
          that will stand the test of critical methods b: the principles,
          theory, and history of historical writing <a course in
          ~> 2: the product of historical writing: a body of historical
          literature -- his.to.rio.graph.i.cal also his.to.rio.graph.ic
          adj -- his.to.rio.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   history
          [his.to.ry] n, pl -ries [L historia, fr. Gk, inquiry, history,
          fr. histor, istor knowing, learned; akin to Gk eidenai
          to know--more at wit] (14c) 1: tale, story 2 a: a chronological
          record of significant events (as affecting a nation or
          institution) often including an explanation of their
          causes b: a treatise presenting systematically related
          natural phenomena c: an account of a patient's medical
          background d: an established record <a prisoner with
          a ~ of violence> 3: a branch of knowledge that records
          and explains past events <medieval ~> 4 a: events that
          form the subject matter of a history b: events of the
          past c: one that is finished or done for <the winning
          streak was ~> <you're ~> d: previous treatment, handling,
          or experience (as of a metal)

   histrionic
          [his.tri.on.ic] adj [LL histrionicus, fr. L histrion-, histrio
          actor] (1648) 1: deliberately affected: theatrical 2:
          of or relating to actors, acting, or the theater syn
          see dramatic -- his.tri.on.i.cal.ly adv

   histrionics
          [his.tri.on.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1864) 1:
          theatrical performances 2: deliberate display of emotion
          for effect

   [1]hit
          [hit] vb hit ; hit.ting [ME, fr. OE hittan, fr. ON hitta
          to meet with, hit] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to reach with or
          as if with a blow b: to come in contact with <the ball
          ~ the window> 2 a: to cause to come into contact b: to
          deliver (as a blow) by action c: to apply forcefully
          or suddenly <~ the brakes> 3: to affect esp. detrimentally
          <farmers ~ by drought> 4: to make a request of <~ his
          friend for 10 dollars>--often used with up 5: to discover
          or meet esp. by chance 6 a: to accord with: suit b: reach,
          attain <prices ~ a new high> c: to arrive or appear at,
          in, or on <~ town> <the best time to ~ the stores> d
          of fish: to bite at or on e: to reflect accurately <~
          the right note> f: to reach or strike (as a target) esp.
          for a score in a game or contest <couldn't seem to ~
          the basket> g: bat 2b 7: to indulge in excessively <~
          the bottle> ~ vi 1 a: to strike a blow b: to arrive with
          a forceful effect like that of a blow <the storm ~> 2
          a: to come into contact with something b: attack c of
          a fish: strike 11b d: bat 1 3: to succeed in attaining
          or coming up with something--often used with on or upon
          <~ on a solution> 4 obs: to be in agreement: suit 5 of
          an internal-combustion engine: to fire the charge in
          the cylinders -- hit.ter n -- hit it big : to achieve
          great success -- hit it off : to get along well: become
          friends <they hit it off immediately> -- hit on : to
          make esp. sexual overtures to -- hit one's stride : to
          reach one's best speed or highest potential -- hit the
          books : to study esp. with intensity -- hit the fan :
          to have a major usu. undesirable impact -- hit the hay
          or hit the sack : to go to bed -- hit the high points
          or hit the high spots : to touch on or at the most important
          points or places -- hit the jackpot : to become notably
          and unexpectedly successful -- hit the nail on the head
          : to be exactly right -- hit the road : leave, travel;
          also: to set out -- hit the roof or hit the ceiling :
          to give vent to a burst of anger or angry protest --
          hit the spot : to give complete or special satisfaction--used
          esp. of food or drink [2]hit n (15c) 1: an act or instance
          of hitting or being hit <more ~s than misses> <took a
          financial ~> 2 a: a stroke of luck b: a great success
          3: a telling or critical remark 4: base hit 5: a quantity
          of a narcotic drug ingested at one time 6: a premeditated
          murder committed esp. by a member of a crime syndicate
          -- hit.less adj

   hit-and-miss
          [hit-and-miss] adj (1897): sometimes successful and sometimes
          not: not reliably good or successful

   [1]hit-and-run
          [hit-and-run] adj (1899) 1: being or relating to a hit-and-run
          in baseball 2: being or involving a motor-vehicle driver
          who does not stop after being involved in an accident
          3: involving or intended for quick specific action or
          results [2]hit-and-run n (1904): a baseball play calling
          for a runner on first to begin running as a pitch is
          delivered and for the batter to attempt to hit the pitch
          [3]hit-and-run vi (1966): to execute a hit-and-run play
          in baseball

   [1]hitch
          [hitch] vb [ME hytchen] vt (14c) 1: to move by jerks or with
          a tug 2 a: to catch or fasten by or as if by a hook or
          knot <~ed his horse to the fence post> b (1): to connect
          (a vehicle or implement) with a source of motive power
          <~ a rake to a tractor> (2): to attach (a source of motive
          power) to a vehicle or instrument <~ the horses to the
          wagon> c: to join in marriage <got ~ed> 3: hitchhike
          ~ vi 1: to move with halts and jerks: hobble 2 a: to
          become entangled, made fast, or linked b: to become joined
          in marriage 3: hitchhike -- hitch.er n [2]hitch n (1664)
          1: limp 2: a sudden movement or pull: jerk <gave his
          trousers a ~> 3 a: a sudden halt: stoppage b: a usu.
          unforeseen difficulty or obstacle <the plan went off
          without a ~> 4: the act or fact of catching hold 5: a
          connection between a vehicle or implement and a detachable
          source of power (as a tractor or horse) 6: a delimited
          period esp. of military service 7: any of various knots
          used to form a temporary noose in a line or to secure
          a line temporarily to an object 8: lift 5b

   hitchhike
          [hitch.hike] vi (1926) 1: to travel by securing free rides
          from passing vehicles 2: to be carried or transported
          by chance or unintentionally <destructive insects hitchhiking
          on ships> ~ vt: to solicit and obtain (a free ride) esp.
          in a passing vehicle -- hitch.hik.er n

   hitch up
          [hitch up] vi (1817): to hitch a draft animal or team to
          a vehicle

   hi-tech
          [hi-tech] var of high-tech

   [1]hither
          [hith.er] adv [ME hider, hither, fr. OE hider; akin to Goth
          hidre hither, L citra on this side--more at he] (bef.
          12c): to this place [2]hither adj (14c): being on the
          near or adjacent side

   hithermost
          [hith.er.most] adj (1563): nearest on this side

   hitherto
          [hith.er.to] adv (13c): up to this or that time

   hitherward
          [hith.er.ward] adv (bef. 12c): hither

   Hitlerism
          [Hit.ler.ism] n (1930): the principles and policies associated
          with Hitler -- Hit.ler.ite n or adj

   hit list
          [hit list] n (1972): a list of persons or programs to be
          opposed or eliminated; broadly: a list of those targeted
          for special attention or treatment

   hit man
          [hit man] n (1968) 1: a professional assassin who works for
          a crime syndicate 2: hatchet man

   hit-or-miss
          [hit-or-miss] adj (1848): marked by a lack of care, forethought,
          system, or plan; also: hit-and-miss

   hit or miss
          [hit or miss] adv (1606): in a hit-or-miss manner: haphazardly

   hit parade
          [hit parade] n (1929): a group or listing of the most popular
          or noteworthy items of a particular kind (as popular
          songs)

   Hitt
          [Hitt] abbreviation Hittite

   Hittite
          [Hit.tite] n [Heb Hitti, fr. Hitt hatti] (1608) 1: a member
          of a conquering people in Asia Minor and Syria with an
          empire in the 2d millennium b.c. 2: the extinct Indo-European
          language of the Hittites -- Hittite adj

   HIV
          [HIV] n (1986): any of a group of retroviruses and esp. HIV-1
          that infect and destroy helper T cells of the immune
          system causing the marked reduction in their numbers
          that is diagnostic of AIDS--called also AIDS virus, human
          immunodeficiency virus

   HIV-1
          [HIV-1] n (1986): a retrovirus that is the most common HIV

   [1]hive
          [hive] n [ME, fr. OE hyf; perh. akin to ON hufr ship's hull,
          L cupa tub, Skt kupa cave] (bef. 12c) 1: a container
          for housing honeybees 2: a colony of bees 3: a place
          swarming with activity -- hive.less adj [2]hive vb hived
          ; hiv.ing vi (14c) 1 of bees: to enter and take possession
          of a hive 2: to reside in close association ~ vt 1: to
          collect into a hive 2: to store up in or as if in a hive

   hive off
          [hive off] vi (ca. 1856) chiefly Brit: to break away from
          or as if from a group: become separate ~ vt, chiefly
          Brit: to make separate: as a: to remove from a group
          <hive off the youngest campers into another room> b:
          to assign (as assets or responsibilities) to another
          c: spin off

   hives
          [hives] n pl but sing or pl in constr [origin unknown] (ca.
          1500): urticaria

   hizzoner
          [hiz.zon.er] n, often cap [alter. of his honor] (ca. 1924)--used
          as a title for a man holding the office of mayor

   hj...
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   HJ
          [HJ] [L hic jacet] abbreviation here lies

   HJR
          [HJR] abbreviation House joint resolution

   hl...
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   hl
          [hl] abbreviation hectoliter  HL abbreviation House of Lords

   HLA
          [HLA] n [human leukocyte antigen] (1968) 1: the major
          histocompatibility complex in humans 2: a genetic locus, gene,
          or antigen of HLA--often used with one or more letters to designate
          a locus or with letters and a number to designate an allele at the
          locus or the antigen corresponding to the locus and allele

   hld
          [hld] abbreviation hold

   hlqn
          [hlqn] abbreviation harlequin

   HLS
          [HLS] [L hoc loco situs] abbreviation laid in this place;
          holograph letter signed

   hlt
          [hlt] abbreviation halt

   hm...
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   hm
          [hm] abbreviation hectometer  HM abbreviation Her Majesty,
          Her Majesty's, His Majesty, His Majesty's

   HMAS
          [HMAS] abbreviation Her Majesty's Australian ship, His Majesty's
          Australian ship

   HMBS
          [HMBS] abbreviation Her Majesty's British ship, His Majesty's
          British ship

   HMC
          [HMC] abbreviation Her Majesty's Customs, His Majesty's Customs

   HMCS
          [HMCS] abbreviation Her Majesty's Canadian ship, His Majesty's
          Canadian ship

   HMO
          [HMO] n (1972): an organization that provides comprehensive
          health care to voluntarily enrolled individuals and families
          in a particular geographic area by member physicians
          with limited referral to outside specialists and that
          is financed by fixed periodic payments determined in
          advance--called also health maintenance organization

   HMS
          [HMS] abbreviation Her Majesty's ship, His Majesty's ship

   hn...
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   HN
          [HN] abbreviation head nurse

   ho...
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   ho
          [ho] interj [ME] (15c)--used esp. to attract attention to
          something specified <land ~>

   Ho
          [Ho] abbreviation holmium

   hoagie
          [hoa.gie] also hoa.gy n, pl hoagies [origin unknown] (1955):
          submarine 2

   [1]hoar
          [hoar] adj [ME hor, fr. OE har; akin to OHG her hoary] (bef.
          12c): hoary [2]hoar n [ME hor hoariness, fr. hor, adj.]
          (1567): frost 1c

   [1]hoard
          [hoard] n [ME hord, fr. OE; akin to Goth huzd treasure, OE
          hydan to hide] (bef. 12c): a supply or fund stored up
          and often hidden away [2]hoard vt (bef. 12c) 1: to lay
          up a hoard of 2: to keep (as one's thoughts) to oneself
          ~ vi: to lay up a hoard -- hoard.er n

   hoarding
          [hoard.ing] n [hourd, hoard (hoarding)] (ca. 1823) 1: a temporary
          board fence put about a building being erected or repaired--called
          also hoard 2 Brit: billboard

   hoarfrost
          [hoar.frost] n (14c): frost 1c

   hoarse
          [hoarse] adj hoars.er ; hoars.est [ME hos, hors, prob. fr.
          (assumed) ON hars; akin to OE has hoarse, OHG heis] (bef.
          12c) 1: rough or harsh in sound: grating <a ~ voice>
          2: having a hoarse voice <shouted himself ~> -- hoarse.ly
          adv -- hoarse.ness n

   hoarsen
          [hoars.en] vb hoars.ened ; hoars.en.ing vt (1748): to make
          hoarse ~ vi: to become hoarse

   hoary
          [hoary] adj hoar.i.er ; -est (1530) 1: gray or white with
          or as if with age 2: extremely old: ancient <~ legends>
          -- hoar.i.ness n

   hoatzin
          [hoa.tzin] n [Nahuatl huactzin the laughing falcon (Herpetotheres
          cachinnans)] (1661): a crested large So. American bird
          (Opisthocomos hoazin syn. O. hoatzin) with blue facial
          skin, red eyes, brown plumage marked with white above,
          and claws on the first and second digits of the wing
          when young

   [1]hoax
          [hoax] vt [prob. contr. of hocus] (ca. 1796): to trick into
          believing or accepting as genuine something false and
          often preposterous syn see dupe -- hoax.er n [2]hoax
          n (1808) 1: an act intended to trick or dupe: imposture
          2: something accepted or established by fraud or fabrication

   [1]hob
          [hob] n [ME hobbe, fr. Hobbe, nickname for Robert] (15c)
          1 dial Eng: hobgoblin, elf 2: mischief, trouble--used
          with play and raise <always raising ~> [2]hob n [origin
          unknown] (1511) 1: a projection at the back or side of
          a fireplace on which something may be kept warm 2: a
          cutting tool used for cutting the teeth of worm wheels
          or gears [3]hob vt hobbed ; hob.bing (1799) 1: to cut
          with a hob 2: to furnish with hobnails

   Hobbesian
          [Hobbes.ian] adj (1776): of or relating to the English philosopher
          Thomas Hobbes or Hobbism

   Hobbism
          [Hob.bism] n (1691): the philosophical system of Thomas Hobbes;
          esp: the Hobbesian theory that people have a fundamental
          right to self-preservation and to pursue selfish aims
          but will relinquish these rights to an absolute monarch
          in the interest of common safety and happiness -- Hob.bist
          n or adj

   hobbit
          [hob.bit] n [coined by J.R.R. Tolkien] (1937): a member of
          a fictitious peaceful and genial race of small humanlike
          creatures that dwell underground

   [1]hobble
          [hob.ble] vb hob.bled ; hob.bling [ME hoblen; akin to MD
          hobbelen to turn, roll] vi (14c): to move along unsteadily
          or with difficulty; esp: to limp along ~ vt 1: to cause
          to limp: make lame: cripple 2 [prob. alter. of hopple
          (to hobble)] a: to fasten together the legs of (as a
          horse) to prevent straying: fetter b: to place under
          handicap: hamper, impede -- hob.bler n [2]hobble n (1726)
          1: a hobbling movement 2 archaic: an awkward situation
          3: something used to hobble an animal

   hobblebush
          [hob.ble.bush] n (ca. 1818): a white-flowered shrubby viburnum
          (Vibernum alnifolium) of northeastern No. America having
          serrate rounded leaves and red berries

   hobbledehoy
          [hob.ble.de.hoy] n [origin unknown] (1540): an awkward gawky
          youth

   hobble skirt
          [hobble skirt] n (1911): a skirt constricted at the bottom

   [1]hobby
          [hob.by] n, pl hobbies [ME hoby, fr. MF hobe] (15c): a small
          Old World falcon (Falco subbuteo) formerly trained to
          catch small birds (as larks) [2]hobby n, pl hobbies [short
          for hobbyhorse] (1816): a pursuit outside one's regular
          occupation engaged in esp. for relaxation -- hob.by.ist
          n

   hobbyhorse
          [hob.by.horse] n [hobby (small light horse)] (1557) 1 a:
          a figure of a horse fastened about the waist in the morris
          dance b: a dancer wearing this figure 2 obs: buffoon
          3 a: a stick having an imitation horse's head at one
          end that a child pretends to ride b: rocking horse c:
          a toy horse suspended by springs from a frame 4 a: a
          topic to which one constantly reverts b: [2]hobby

   hobgoblin
          [hob.gob.lin] n (1530) 1: a mischievous goblin 2: bogey 2,
          bugaboo

   hobnail
          [hob.nail] n [[2]hob] (1592): a short large-headed nail for
          studding shoe soles -- hob.nailed adj

   hobnob
          [hob.nob] vi hob.nobbed ; hob.nob.bing [fr. the obs. phrase
          drink hobnob (to drink alternately to one another)] (1763)
          1 archaic: to drink sociably 2: to associate familiarly
          -- hob.nob.ber n

   [1]hobo
          [ho.bo] n, pl hoboes also hobos [origin unknown] (1889) 1:
          a migratory worker 2: a homeless and usu. penniless person
          who wanders from place to place [2]hobo vi (1906): to
          live or travel in the manner of a hobo

   Hobson's choice
          [Hob.son's choice] n [Thomas Hobson d. 1631 Eng. liveryman,
          who required every customer to take the horse nearest
          the door] (1649): an apparently free choice when there
          is no real alternative

   hoc age
          [hoc age] [L] foreign term : do this: apply yourself to what
          you are about

   [1]hock
          [hock] n [ME hoch, hough, fr. OE hoh heel; akin to ON hasin
          hock] (1540) 1 a: the tarsal joint or region in the hind
          limb of a digitigrade quadruped (as the horse) corresponding
          to the human ankle but elevated and bending backward--see
          horse illustration b: a joint of a fowl's leg that corresponds
          to the hock of a quadruped 2: a small cut of meat from
          either the front or hind leg just above the foot <ham
          ~s> [2]hock n, often cap [modif. of G Hochheimer, fr.
          Hochheim, Germany] (ca. 1625) chiefly Brit: rhine wine
          1 [3]hock vt (1878): pawn -- hock.er n [4]hock n [D hok
          pen, prison] (1883) 1 a: [2]pawn 2 <got his watch out
          of ~> b: debt 3 <in ~ to the bank> 2: prison

   hockey
          [hock.ey] n [perh. fr. MF hoquet shepherd's crook, dim. of
          hoc hook, of Gmc origin; akin to OE hoc hook] (1527)
          1: field hockey 2: ice hockey

   hockshop
          [hock.shop] n (1871): pawnshop

   hoc opus, hic labor est
          [hoc opus, hic la.bor est] [L] foreign term : this is the
          hard work, this is the toil

   hocus
          [ho.cus] vt ho.cussed or ho.cused ; ho.cus.sing or ho.cus.ing
          [obs. hocus, n., short for hocus-pocus] (1675) 1: to
          perpetrate a trick or hoax on: deceive 2: to befuddle
          often with drugged liquor; also: dope, drug <hocussed
          the favorite before the race>

   [1]hocus-pocus
          [ho.cus-po.cus] n [prob. fr. hocus pocus, imitation Latin
          phrase used by jugglers] (1647) 1: sleight of hand 2:
          nonsense or sham used esp. to cloak deception [2]hocus-pocus
          vt -cussed or -cused ; -cus.sing or -cus.ing (1774):
          to play tricks on

   hod
          [hod] n [prob. fr. MD hodde; akin to MHG hotte cradle] (1573)
          1: a tray or trough that has a pole handle and that is
          borne on the shoulder for carrying loads (as of mortar
          or brick) 2: a coal scuttle

   hod carrier
          [hod carrier] n (1771): a laborer employed in carrying supplies
          to bricklayers, stonemasons, cement finishers, or plasterers
          on the job

   hodgepodge
          [hodge.podge] n [alter. of hotchpotch] (15c): a heterogeneous
          mixture: jumble

   Hodgkin's disease
          [Hodg.kin's disease] n [Thomas Hodgkin d. 1866 Eng. physician]
          (1865): a neoplastic disease that is characterized by
          progressive enlargement of lymph nodes, spleen, and liver
          and by progressive anemia

   hodoscope
          [ho.do.scope] n [Gk hodos road, path + E -scope] (ca. 1933):
          an instrument for tracing the paths of ionizing particles
          by means of ion counters in close array

   [1]hoe
          [hoe] n [ME howe, fr. MF houe, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          houwa mattock, houwan to hew--more at hew] (14c) 1: any
          of various implements for tilling, mixing, or raking;
          esp: an implement with a thin flat blade on a long handle
          used esp. for cultivating, weeding, or loosening the
          earth around plants 2: backhoe [2]hoe vb hoed ; hoe.ing
          vi (15c): to use a hoe: work with a hoe ~ vt 1: to weed,
          cultivate, or thin (a crop) with a hoe 2: to remove (weeds)
          by hoeing 3: to dress or cultivate (land) by hoeing --
          ho.er n

   hoecake
          [hoe.cake] n (1745): a small cake made of cornmeal

   hoedown
          [hoe.down] n (1841) 1: square dance 2: a gathering featuring
          hoedowns

   [1]hog
          [hog] n, pl hogs also hog [ME hogge, fr. OE hogg] (14c) 1:
          a domestic swine esp. when weighing more than 120 pounds;
          broadly: any of various wild and domestic swine 2 usu
          hogg Brit: a young unshorn sheep; also: wool from such
          a sheep 3 a: a selfish, gluttonous, or filthy person
          b: one that uses something to excess <old cars that are
          gas ~s> [2]hog vb hogged ; hog.ging vt (1769) 1: to cut
          (a horse's mane) short: roach 2: to cause to arch 3:
          to take in excess of one's due <~ the credit> 4: to tear
          up or shred (as waste wood) into bits by machine ~ vi:
          to become curved upward in the middle--used of a ship's
          bottom or keel

   hogan
          [ho.gan] n [Navajo hooghan] (1871): a Navajo Indian dwelling
          usu. made of logs and mud with a door traditionally facing
          east

   hogback
          [hog.back] n (1840): a ridge of land formed by the outcropping
          edges of tilted strata; broadly: a ridge with a sharp
          summit and steeply sloping sides

   hog cholera
          [hog cholera] n (1859): a highly infectious often fatal virus
          disease of swine characterized by fever, loss of appetite,
          weakness, erythematous lesions esp. in light-skinned
          animals, and severe leukopenia

   hogfish
          [hog.fish] n (1734): a large West Indian and Florida wrasse
          (Lachnolaimus maximus) often used for food

   hogget
          [hog.get] n [ME, fr. [1]hog + -et] (15c) chiefly Brit: hog
          2

   hoggish
          [hog.gish] adj (15c): grossly selfish, gluttonous, or filthy
          -- hog.gish.ly adv -- hog.gish.ness n

   hog heaven
          [hog heaven] n (1945): an extremely satisfying state or situation

   Hogmanay
          [Hog.ma.nay] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1680) 1 Scot: the eve
          of New Year's Day 2 Scot: a gift solicited or given at
          Hogmanay

   hognose snake
          [hog.nose snake] n (1736): any of a genus (Heterodon) of
          rather small harmless stout-bodied No. American colubrid
          snakes with keeled scales and an upturned snout that
          seldom bite but hiss wildly and often play dead when
          disturbed--called also hog-nosed snake, puff adder

   hog score
          [hog score] n [hog (curling stone that fails to reach the
          score)] (1685): a line which is marked across a curling
          rink seven yards from the tee and beyond which a stone
          must pass or be removed from the ice--called also hog
          line

   hogshead
          [hogs.head] n (14c) 1: a large cask or barrel 2: any of various
          units of capacity; esp: a U.S. unit equal to 63 gallons
          (238 liters)

   hog sucker
          [hog sucker] n (1877): a No. American sucker (Hy pentelium
          nigricans) that is brassy olive marked with brown and
          is sometimes used for food

   hog-tie
          [hog-tie] vt (1894) 1: to tie together the feet of 2: to
          make helpless

   hogwash
          [hog.wash] n (15c) 1: swill 2a, slop 2: nonsense, balderdash

   hog-wild
          [hog-wild] adj (1904): lacking in restraint of judgment or
          temper <~ enthusiasm> <would go ~ if unconfined by constitutional
          limitations --Leo Egan>

   [1]Hohenstaufen
          [Ho.hen.stau.fen] n (ca. 1895): a member of the Hohenstaufen
          family; esp: a Hohenstaufen monarch [2]Hohenstaufen adj
          (1921): of or relating to a princely German family that
          reigned over the Holy Roman Empire from 1138-1254 and
          over Sicily from 1194-1266

   [1]Hohenzollern
          [Ho.hen.zol.lern] n (ca. 1895): a member of the Hohenzollern
          family; esp: a Hohenzollern monarch [2]Hohenzollern adj
          (1924): of or relating to a princely German family that
          reigned in Prussia from 1701-1918 and in Germany from
          1871-1918

   Hohokam
          [Ho.ho.kam] n, pl Hohokam [O'odham (Uto-Aztecan language
          of southern Arizona) huhugam, lit., those who have gone]
          (1884): a member of a prehistoric desert culture of the
          southwestern U.S. centering in the Gila Valley of Arizona
          and characterized esp. by irrigated agriculture -- Hohokam
          adj

   ho hum
          [ho hum] interj [imit.] (1924)--used to express weariness,
          boredom, or disdain

   ho-hum
          [ho-hum] adj (1969) 1: routine, dull <a ~ existence> 2: bored,
          indifferent <a ~ reaction>

   hoick
          [hoick] vt [prob. alter. of [1]hike] (1898): to move or pull
          abruptly: yank <was ~ed out of my job --Vincent Sheean>

   hoi polloi
          [hoi pol.loi] n pl [Gk, the many] (1837): the general populace:
          masses

   hoise
          [hoise] vt hoised or hoist ; hois.ing [alter. of hysse to
          hoist, perh. fr. LG hissen] (1509): hoist -- hoist with
          one's own petard : victimized or hurt by one's own scheme

   [1]hoist
          [hoist] vb [alter. of hoise] vt (15c) 1: lift, raise; esp:
          to raise into position by or as if by means of tackle
          2: drink 1 <~ a few beers> ~ vi: to become hoisted: rise
          syn see lift -- hoist.er n [2]hoist n (1654) 1: an act
          of hoisting: lift 2: an apparatus for hoisting 3: the
          height of a flag when viewed flying

   [1]hoity-toity
          [hoi.ty-toi.ty] n [rhyming compound fr. E dial. hoit to play
          the fool] (1668): thoughtless giddy behavior [2]hoity-toity
          adj (1690) 1: thoughtlessly silly or frivolous: flighty
          2: marked by an air of assumed importance: highfalutin

   hoke
          [hoke] vt hoked ; hok.ing [hokum] (1925): to give an impressive
          but false value or quality to: fake--usu. used with up
          <used parts of B-grade movies to ~ up a film --Robert
          Sherrill>

   hokey
          [hok.ey] adj hok.i.er ; -est (1927) 1: [1]corny 3 <the usual
          ~ melodrama> 2: obviously contrived: phony <the plots
          are tricky but not ~ --Cleveland Amory> -- hok.ey.ness
          or hok.i.ness n -- hok.i.ly adv

   hokeypokey
          [ho.key.po.key] n (ca. 1878) 1: hocus-pocus 2 2: ice cream
          sold by street vendors

   hokku
          [hok.ku] n, pl hokku [Jp] (1898): haiku

   hokum
          [ho.kum] n [prob. blend of hocus-pocus and bunkum] (1917)
          1: a device used (as by showmen) to evoke a desired audience
          response 2: pretentious nonsense: bunkum

   hol-
          [hol-] or holo- comb form [ME, fr. OF, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr.
          holos whole--more at safe] 1: complete: total <holohedral>
          2: completely: totally <holandric>

   holandric
          [hol.an.dric] adj [ISV, fr. hol- + andr- + -ic] (1930): transmitted
          by a gene in the nonhomologous portion of the Y chromosome

   Holarctic
          [Hol.arc.tic] adj (1883): of, relating to, or being the
          biogeographic region including the northern parts of the Old and
          the New Worlds and comprising the Nearctic and Palearctic regions
          or subregions

   [1]hold
          [hold] vb held ; hold.ing [ME, fr. OE healdan; akin to OHG
          haltan to hold, and perh. to L celer rapid, Gk klonos
          agitation] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to have possession or ownership
          of or have at one's disposal <~s property worth millions>
          <the bank ~s the title to the car> b: to have as a privilege
          or position of responsibility <~ a professorship> c:
          to have as a mark of distinction <~s the record for the
          100-yard dash> <~s a PhD> 2: to keep under restraint
          <~ price increases to a minimum>: as a: to prevent free
          expression of <~ your temper> b: to prevent from some
          action <ordered the troops to ~ fire> <the only restraining
          motive which may ~ the hand of a tyrant --Thomas Jefferson>
          c: to keep back from use <ask them to ~ a room for us>
          <I'll have a hot dog, and ~ the mustard> d: to delay
          temporarily the handling of <please ~ all my calls> 3:
          to make liable or accountable or bound to an obligation
          <I'll ~ you to your promise> 4 a: to have or maintain
          in the grasp <~ my hand> <this is how you ~ the racket>;
          also: aim, point <held a gun on them> b: to support in
          a particular position or keep from falling or moving
          <~ me up so I can see> <~ the ladder steady> <a clamp
          ~s the whole thing together> <~ your head up> c: to bear
          the pressure of: support <can the roof ~ all of that
          weight> 5: to prevent from leaving or getting away <~
          the train>: as a: to avoid emitting or letting out <how
          long can you ~ your breath> b: to restrain as or as if
          a captive <the suspect was held without bail> <held them
          at gunpoint>; also: to have strong appeal to <the book
          held my interest throughout> 6 a: to enclose and keep
          in a container or within bounds: contain <the jug ~s
          one gallon> <this corral will not ~ all of the horses>
          b: to be able to consume easily or without undue effect
          <can't ~ any more pie>; esp: to be able to drink (alcoholic
          beverages) without becoming noticeably drunk <can't ~
          your liquor> c: accommodate <the restaurant ~s 400 diners>
          d: to have as a principal or essential feature or attribute
          <the book ~s a number of surprises>; also: to have in
          store <no one knows what the future ~s> 7 a: to have
          in the mind or express as a judgment, opinion, or belief
          <I ~ the view that this is wrong> <~ a grudge> <~ing
          that it is nobody's business but his --Jack Olsen>--often
          used with against <in America they ~ everything you say
          against you --Paul McCartney> b: to think of in a particular
          way: regard <were held in high esteem> 8 a: to assemble
          for and carry on the activity of <held a convention>
          b: to cause to be carried on: conduct <will ~ a seminar>
          c: to qualify for comparison with -- hold court : to
          be the center of attention among friends or admirers
          -- hold forth : to speak at length: expatiate -- hold
          hands : to engage one's hand with another's esp. as an
          expression of affection -- hold one's horses : to slow
          down or stop for a moment--usu. used in the imperative
          -- hold one's own : to do well in the face of difficulty
          or opposition -- hold one's tongue : to keep silent --
          hold sway : to have a dominant influence: rule -- hold
          the bag 1: to be left empty-handed 2: to bear alone a
          responsibility that should have been shared by others
          -- hold the fort 1: to maintain a firm position 2: to
          take care of usual affairs <is holding the fort until
          the manager returns> -- hold the line : to maintain the
          current position or situation <hold the line on prices>
          -- hold to : to give firm assent to: adhere to strongly
          <holds to his promise> -- hold to account : to hold responsible
          -- hold water : to stand up under criticism or analysis
          -- hold with : to agree with or approve of [2]hold n
          (14c) 1: stronghold 1 2 a: confinement, custody b: prison
          3 a (1): the act or the manner of holding or grasping:
          grip <released his ~ on the handle> (2): a manner of
          grasping an opponent in wrestling b: a nonphysical bond
          that attaches, restrains, or constrains or by which something
          is affected, controlled, or dominated <has lost its ~
          on the broad public --Oscar Cargill> c: full comprehension
          <get ~ of exactly what is happening --J. P. Lyford> d:
          full or immediate control: possession <get ~ of yourself>
          <wants to get ~ of a road map> e: touch 14--used with
          of <tried to get ~ of me> 4: something that may be grasped
          as a support 5 a: fermata b: the time between the onset
          and the release of a vocal articulation 6: a sudden motionless
          posture at the end of a dance 7 a: an order or indication
          that something is to be reserved or delayed b: a delay
          in a countdown (as in launching a spacecraft) -- on hold
          1: into a state of interruption during a telephone call
          when one party switches to another line without totally
          disconnecting the other party 2: into a state or period
          of indefinite suspension <put our plans on hold> [3]hold
          n [alter. of hole] (1591) 1: the interior of a ship below
          decks; esp: the cargo deck of a ship 2: the cargo compartment
          of a plane

   holdall
          [hold.all] n (1851) chiefly Brit: an often cloth traveling
          case or bag

   holdback
          [hold.back] n (1581) 1: something that retains or restrains
          2 a: the act of holding back b: something held back

   hold back
          [hold back] vt (1535) 1: to hinder the progress or achievement
          of: restrain 2: to refrain from revealing or parting
          with ~ vi 1: to keep oneself in check 2: to refrain from
          revealing or parting with something

   hold-down
          [hold-down] n (1888) 1: something used to fasten an object
          in place 2 a: an act of holding down b: limit <agreed
          to wage-rate ~s>

   hold down
          [hold down] vt (1533) 1: to keep within limits <hold the
          noise down> 2: to assume the responsibility for <holding
          down two jobs>

   holden
          [hold.en] archaic past part of hold

   holder
          [hold.er] n (14c) 1: a person that holds: as a (1): owner
          (2): tenant b: a person in possession of and legally
          entitled to receive payment of a bill, note, or check
          2: a device that holds <cigarette ~>

   holder in due course
          [holder in due course] (1882): one other than the original
          recipient who holds a legally effective negotiable instrument
          (as a promissory note) and who has a right to collect
          from and no responsibility toward the issuer

   holdfast
          [hold.fast] n (1566) 1: something to which something else
          may be firmly secured 2 a: a part by which a plant clings
          to a flat surface b: an organ by which a parasitic animal
          attaches itself to its host

   [1]holding
          [hold.ing] n (15c) 1 a: land held esp. by a vassal or tenant
          b: property (as land or securities) owned--usu. used
          in pl. 2: a ruling of a court esp. on an issue of law
          raised in a case--compare dictum 3: something that holds
          [2]holding adj (1568) 1: having the effect of holding
          back or delaying something <the [war] represented a ~
          action against the spread of world Communism --Sidney
          Offit> 2: intended for usu. temporary storage or retention
          <a ~ tank>

   holding company
          [holding company] n (1906): a company whose primary business
          is holding a controlling interest in the securities of
          other companies--compare investment company

   holding pattern
          [holding pattern] n (ca. 1952) 1: the usu. oval course flown
          (as over an airport) by aircraft awaiting clearance esp.
          to land 2: a state of waiting or suspended activity or
          progress

   hold off
          [hold off] vt (15c) 1: to block from an objective: delay
          2: to defer action on: postpone 3: to fight to a standoff:
          withstand ~ vi: to defer or temporarily stop doing something

   hold on
          [hold on] vi (13c) 1 a: to maintain a condition or position:
          persist b: to maintain a grasp on something: hang on
          2: to await something (as a telephone connection) desired
          or requested; broadly: wait -- hold on to : to maintain
          possession of or adherence to

   hold out
          [hold out] vi (1585) 1: to remain unsubdued or operative:
          continue to cope or function 2: to refuse to go along
          with others in a concerted action or to come to an agreement
          <holding out for a shorter workweek> ~ vt 1: to present
          as something realizable: proffer 2: to represent to be
          -- hold out on : to withhold something (as information)
          from

   holdout
          [hold.out] n (1945): one that holds out (as in negotiations);
          also: an instance of holding out

   holdover
          [hold.over] n (1893): one that is held over

   hold over
          [hold over] vi (1647): to continue (as in office) for a prolonged
          period ~ vt 1 a: postpone, defer b: to retain in a condition
          or position from an earlier period 2: to prolong the
          engagement of <the film was held over another week>

   holdup
          [hold.up] n (1837) 1: delay 2: a robbery carried out at gunpoint

   hold up
          [hold up] vt (1851) 1: to rob at gunpoint 2: delay, impede
          3: to call attention to: single out <his work was held
          up to ridicule> <hold this up as perfection --Times Lit.
          Supp.> ~ vi: to continue in the same condition without
          failing or losing effectiveness or force <you seem to
          be holding up under the strain>

   [1]hole
          [hole] n [ME, fr. OE hol (fr. neut. of hol, adj., hollow)
          & holh; akin to OHG hol, adj., hollow; perh. akin to
          OE helan to conceal--more at hell] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an
          opening through something: perforation <have a ~ in my
          coat> b: an area where something is missing: gap: as
          (1): a serious discrepancy: flaw, weakness <there are
          ~s in your logic> (2): an opening in a defensive formation;
          esp: the area of a baseball field between the positions
          of shortstop and third baseman (3): a defect in a crystal
          (as of a semiconductor) that is due to an electron's
          having left its normal position in one of the crystal
          bonds and that is equivalent in many respects to a positively
          charged particle 2: a hollowed-out place: as a: a cave,
          pit, or well in the ground b: burrow c: an unusually
          deep place in a body of water 3: a wretched or dreary
          place 4 a: a shallow cylindrical hole in the putting
          green of a golf course into which the ball is played
          b: a part of the golf course from tee to putting green
          <just beginning play on the third ~>; also: the play
          on such a hole as a unit of scoring <won the ~ by two
          strokes> 5 a: an awkward position or circumstance: fix
          <got the rebels out of a ~ at the battle --Kenneth Roberts>
          b: a position of owing or losing money <$10 million in
          the ~> <raising money to get out of the ~> -- in the
          hole 1: having a score below zero 2: at a disadvantage
          [2]hole vb holed ; hol.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1: to make a
          hole in 2: to drive or hit into a hole ~ vi: to make
          a hole in something

   hole-and-corner
          [hole-and-corner] adj (1835) 1: being or carried on in a
          place away from public view: clandestine 2: insignificant

   hole card
          [hole card] n (1908): a card in stud poker that is properly
          dealt facedown and that the holder need not expose before
          the showdown

   hole in one
          [hole in one] (1925): ace 4

   hole-in-the-wall
          [hole-in-the-wall] n, pl holes-in-the-wall (1856): a small
          and often unpretentious out-of-the-way place (as a restaurant)

   hole out
          [hole out] vi (1857): to play one's ball into the hole in
          golf

   hole up
          [hole up] vi (1875): to take refuge or shelter in or as if
          in a hole or cave ~ vt: to place in or as if in a refuge
          or hiding place

   holey
          [hol.ey] adj (13c): having holes

   [1]holiday
          [hol.i.day] n [ME, fr. OE haligdaeg, fr. halig holy + daeg
          day] (bef. 12c) 1: holy day 2: a day on which one is
          exempt from work; specif: a day marked by a general suspension
          of work in commemoration of an event 3 chiefly Brit:
          a period of relaxation: vacation--often used in the phrase
          on holiday--often used in pl. [2]holiday vi (1869): to
          take or spend a holiday esp. in travel or at a resort
          -- hol.i.day.er n

   holidaymaker
          [hol.i.day.mak.er] n (1836) chiefly Brit: vacationer

   holidays
          [hol.i.days] adv (ca. 1961): on holidays repeatedly: on any
          holiday

   holier-than-thou
          [ho.li.er-than-thou] adj (1859): marked by an air of superior
          piety or morality

   [1]holiness
          [ho.li.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1: the quality or state of being
          holy--used as a title for various high religious dignitaries
          <his holiness the pope> 2: sanctification 2 [2]holiness
          adj, often cap (1888): emphasizing the doctrine of the
          second blessing; specif: of or relating to a perfectionist
          movement arising in U.S. Protestantism in the late 19th
          century

   holism
          [ho.lism] n [hol- + -ism] (1926) 1: a theory that the universe
          and esp. living nature is correctly seen in terms of
          interacting wholes (as of living organisms) that are
          more than the mere sum of elementary particles 2: a holistic
          study or method of treatment -- hol.ist n

   holistic
          [ho.lis.tic] adj (1926) 1: of or relating to holism 2: relating
          to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems
          rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection
          into parts <~ medicine attempts to treat both the mind
          and the body> <~ ecology views man and the environment
          as a single system> -- ho.lis.ti.cal.ly adv

   holland
          [hol.land] n, often cap [ME holand, fr. Holand, county in
          the Netherlands, fr. MD Holland] (14c): a cotton or linen
          fabric in plain weave usu. heavily sized or glazed and
          used for window shades, bookbinding, and clothing

   hollandaise
          [hol.lan.daise] n [F sauce hollandaise, lit., Dutch sauce]
          (1907): a rich sauce made basically of butter, egg yolks,
          and lemon juice or vinegar

   Hollands
          [Hol.lands] n [D hollandsch, fr. hollandsch genever Dutch
          gin] (1788): gin made in the Netherlands--called also
          Holland gin

   [1]holler
          [hol.ler] vb hol.lered ; hol.ler.ing [alter. of hollo] vi
          (1699) 1: to cry out (as to attract attention or in pain):
          shout 2: gripe, complain ~ vt: to call out (a word or
          phrase) [2]holler n (1825) 1: shout, cry 2: complaint
          3: a freely improvised work song of black Americans <field
          ~s> [3]holler chiefly dial var of hollow

   Hollerith card
          [Hol.ler.ith card] n [Herman Hollerith d. 1929 Am. engineer]
          (1946): punched card

   Hollerith code
          [Hollerith code] n (1962): a system for encoding alphanumeric
          information on punched cards

   [1]hollo
          [hol.lo] also hol.loa or hol.la vi (14c): to cry hollo: holler
          ~ vt 1: to call or cry hollo to 2: to utter loudly: holler
          [2]hollo also holloa or holla n, pl hollos also holloas
          or hollas (15c): an exclamation or call of hollo [3]hol.lo
          also hol.loa or hol.la interj [origin unknown] (1588)
          1--used to attract attention (as when a fox is spied
          during a fox hunt) 2--used as a call of encouragement
          or jubilation

   [1]hollow
          [hollow] n (bef. 12c) 1: an unfilled space: cavity, hole
          2: a depressed or low part of a surface; esp: a small
          valley or basin [2]hol.low adj hol.low.er ; hol.low.est
          [ME holw, holh, fr. holh hole, den, fr. OE holh hole,
          hollow--more at hole] (13c) 1: having an indentation
          or inward curve: concave, sunken 2: having a cavity within
          <~ tree> 3: lacking in real value, sincerity, or substance:
          false, meaningless <~ promises> <a victory over a weakling
          is ~ and without triumph --Ernest Beaglehole> 4: reverberating
          like a sound made in or by beating on a large empty enclosure:
          muffled syn see vain -- hol.low.ly adv -- hol.low.ness
          n [3]hollow vt (15c) 1: to make hollow 2: to form by
          a hollowing action--usu. used with out <rain barrels
          ~ed out from trees --Robert Shaplen> ~ vi: to become
          hollow [4]hollow adv (1601) 1: so as to have a hollow
          sound 2: completely, thoroughly <an ongoing story that
          has the old cowboy-and-Indians genre beat ~ --Barbara
          Bannon>--often used with all

   hollowware
          [hol.low.ware] or hol.lo.ware n (1682): vessels (as bowls,
          cups, or vases) usu. of pottery, glass, or metal that
          have a significant depth and volume--compare flatware

   holly
          [hol.ly] n, pl hollies [ME holin, holly, fr. OE holen; akin
          to OHG hulis holly, MIr cuilenn] (bef. 12c) 1: any of
          a genus (Ilex of the family Aquifoliaceae, the holly
          family) of trees and shrubs; esp: either of two (I. opaca
          of the eastern U.S. and I. aquifolium of Eurasia) with
          spiny-margined evergreen leaves and usu. red berries
          often used for Christmas decorations 2: the foliage or
          branches of the holly

   hollyhock
          [hol.ly.hock] n [ME holihoc marshmallow, fr. holi holy +
          hoc mallow, fr. OE] (1548): a tall widely cultivated
          perennial Chinese herb (Alcea rosea syn. Althaea rosea)
          of the mallow family with large coarse rounded leaves
          and tall spikes of showy flowers

   [1]Hollywood
          [Hol.ly.wood] n [Hollywood, district of Los Angeles, Calif.]
          (1923): the American motion-picture industry -- Hol.ly.wood.ish
          adj [2]Hollywood adj (1935): of or characteristic of
          people in the American motion-picture industry <~ lifestyle>

   Hollywood bed
          [Hollywood bed] n (1947): a mattress on a box spring supported
          by low legs and often having an upholstered headboard

   holm
          [holm] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. ON holmr; akin to OE hyll hill]
          (bef. 12c) Brit: a small inland or inshore island; also:
          bottoms

   Holmesian
          [Holmes.ian] adj [Sherlock Holmes, detective in stories by
          Sir Arthur Conan Doyle] (1929): of, characteristic of,
          or suggestive of the detective Sherlock Holmes

   holmium
          [hol.mi.um] n [NL, fr. Holmia Stockholm, Sweden] (1879):
          a metallic element of the rare-earth group that occurs
          with yttrium and forms highly magnetic compounds

   holm oak
          [holm oak] n (1597): a southern European evergreen oak (Quercus
          ilex)

   holo-
          [holo-] --see hol-

   holoblastic
          [ho.lo.blas.tic] adj [ISV] (1872): characterized by cleavage
          planes that divide the whole egg into distinct and separate
          though coherent blastomeres--compare meroblastic

   holocaust
          [ho.lo.caust] n [ME, fr. OF holocauste, fr. LL holocaustum,
          fr. Gk holokauston, fr. neut. of holokaustos burnt whole,
          fr. hol- + kaustos burnt, fr. kaiein to burn--more at
          caustic] (13c) 1: a sacrifice consumed by fire 2: a thorough
          destruction involving extensive loss of life esp. through
          fire <a nuclear ~> 3 a often cap: the mass slaughter
          of European civilians and esp. Jews by the Nazis during
          World War II--usu. used with the b: a mass slaughter
          of people; esp: genocide

   Holocene
          [Ho.lo.cene] adj [ISV] (1897): of, relating to, or being
          the present or post-Pleistocene geologic epoch--see geologic
          time table -- Holocene n

   holocrine
          [ho.lo.crine] adj [ISV hol- + Gk krinein to separate--more
          at certain] (ca. 1905): producing or being a secretion
          resulting from lysis of secretory cells <~ gland>

   holoenzyme
          [ho.lo.en.zyme] n [ISV] (1943): a catalytically active enzyme
          consisting of an apoenzyme combined with its cofactor

   Holofernes
          [Ho.lo.fer.nes] n [LL, fr. Gk Holophernes]: a general of
          Nebuchadnezzar's who led an Assyrian army against Israel
          and was beheaded in his sleep by Judith

   hologram
          [ho.lo.gram] n (1949): a three-dimensional image reproduced
          from a pattern of interference produced by a split coherent
          beam of radiation (as a laser); also: the pattern of
          interference itself

   holograph
          [ho.lo.graph] n [LL holographus, fr. LGk holographos, fr.
          Gk hol- + graphein to write--more at carve] (ca. 1623):
          a document wholly in the handwriting of its author; also:
          the handwriting itself <a letter in the president's ~>
          -- holograph or ho.lo.graph.ic adj

   holography
          [ho.log.ra.phy] n (1964): the art or process of making or
          using a hologram -- ho.lo.graph vt -- ho.log.ra.pher
          n -- ho.lo.graph.ic adj -- ho.lo.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   holohedral
          [ho.lo.he.dral] adj (1837) of a crystal: having all the faces
          required by complete symmetry--compare hemihedral, tetartohedral

   holometabolous
          [ho.lo.me.tab.o.lous] adj (1870): characterized by complete
          metamorphosis <~ insects>--compare hemimetabolous --
          ho.lo.me.tab.o.lism n

   holophrastic
          [ho.lo.phras.tic] adj [ISV hol- + -phrastic (fr. Gk phrazein
          to point out, declare)] (1860): expressing a complex
          of ideas in a single word or in a fixed phrase

   holophytic
          [ho.lo.phyt.ic] adj (1885): obtaining food after the manner
          of a green plant by photosynthetic activity

   holothurian
          [ho.lo.thu.ri.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk holothourion water polyp]
          (ca. 1842): sea cucumber -- holothurian adj

   holotype
          [ho.lo.type] n (1897) 1: the single specimen designated by
          an author as the type of a species or lesser taxon at
          the time of establishing the group 2: the type of a species
          or lesser taxon designated at a date later than that
          of establishing a group or by another person than the
          author of the taxon -- ho.lo.typ.ic adj

   holozoic
          [ho.lo.zo.ic] adj (1885): characterized by food procurement
          after the manner of most animals by the ingestion of
          complex organic matter: heterotrophic <~ nutrition>

   holp
          [holp] chiefly dial past of help

   holpen
          [hol.pen] chiefly dial past part of help

   hols
          [hols] n pl [short for holidays] (1905) Brit: vacation 2

   holstein
          [hol.stein] n [short for holstein-friesian] (1865): any of
          a breed of large usu. black-and-white dairy cattle orig.
          from northern Holland and Friesland that produce large
          quantities of comparatively low-fat milk

   holstein-friesian
          [hol.stein-frie.sian] n [Holstein, Germany, its later locality
          + Friesian (var. of Frisian)] (1889): holstein

   holster
          [hol.ster] n [D; akin to OE heolstor cover, helan to conceal--more
          at hell] (1663): a leather or fabric case for carrying a firearm
          on the person (as on the hip or chest), on a saddle,
          or in a vehicle

   holt
          [holt] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG holz wood, Gk klados twig]
          (bef. 12c) archaic: a small woods: coppice

   holus-bolus
          [ho.lus-bo.lus] adv [prob. redupl. of bolus] (1857): all
          at once

   holy
          [ho.ly] adj ho.li.er ; -est [ME, fr. OE halig; akin to OE
          hal whole--more at whole] (bef. 12c) 1: exalted or worthy
          of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
          2: divine <for the Lord our God is ~ --Ps 99:9 (AV)>
          3: devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity
          <a ~ temple> <~ prophets> 4 a: having a divine quality
          <~ love> b: venerated as or as if sacred <~ scripture>
          <a ~ relic> <lampooning the ~ conventions of playwriting
          --William Zinsser> 5--used as an intensive <this is a
          ~ mess> <he was a ~ terror when he drank --Thomas Wolfe>--often
          used in combination as a mild oath <~ smoke> -- ho.li.ly
          adv

   Holy Year
          [Holy Year] n (1900): a Roman Catholic jubilee year

   holy city
          [holy city] n (14c): a city that is the center of religious
          worship and traditions

   Holy Communion
          [Holy Communion] n (1548): communion 2a

   holy day
          [holy day] n (bef. 12c): a day set aside for special religious
          observance

   holy day of obligation
          [holy day of obligation] (1909): a feast on which Roman Catholics
          are duty-bound to attend mass

   Holy Father
          [Holy Father] n (15c): pope 1

   Holy Ghost
          [Holy Ghost] n (bef. 12c): the third person of the Trinity:
          holy spirit

   Holy Grail
          [Holy Grail] n (1590): grail

   Holy Joe
          [Holy Joe] n (ca. 1874) slang: parson, chaplain

   Holy Office
          [Holy Office] n (ca. 1741): a congregation of the curia charged
          with protecting faith and morals

   holy of holies
          [holy of holies] [trans. of LL sanctum sanctorum, trans.
          of Heb qodhesh haq-qodhashim] (1641): the innermost and
          most sacred chamber of the Jewish tabernacle and temple

   holy oil
          [holy oil] n (14c): olive oil blessed by a bishop for use
          in a sacrament or sacramental

   holy order
          [holy order] n, often cap H&O (14c) 1 a: major order--usu.
          used in pl. b: one of the orders of the ministry in the
          Anglican or Episcopal church 2: the rite or sacrament
          of ordination--usu. used in pl.

   Holy Roller
          [Holy Roller] n (1842): a member of one of the Protestant
          sects whose worship meetings are characterized by spontaneous
          expressions of emotional excitement--often taken to be
          offensive

   Holy Roman Empire
          [Holy Roman Empire] n (1728): an empire consisting primarily
          of a loose confederation of German and Italian territories
          under the suzerainty of an emperor and existing from
          the 9th or 10th century to 1806

   Holy Saturday
          [Holy Saturday] n (14c): the Saturday before Easter

   Holy See
          [Holy See] n (1765): the see of the pope

   Holy Spirit
          [Holy Spirit] n (14c): the third person of the Christian
          Trinity

   holystone
          [ho.ly.stone] n (ca. 1823): a soft sandstone used to scrub
          a ship's decks -- holystone vt

   Holy Synod
          [Holy Synod] n (1768): the governing body of a national Eastern
          church

   Holy Thursday
          [Holy Thursday] n (13c) 1: ascension day 2: maundy thursday

   holy war
          [holy war] n (1691): a war waged by religious partisans to
          propagate or defend their faith

   holy water
          [holy water] n (bef. 12c): water blessed by a priest and
          used as a purifying sacramental

   Holy Week
          [Holy Week] n (1710): the week before Easter during which
          the last days of Christ's life are commemorated

   holy writ
          [holy writ] n, often cap H&W (bef. 12c) 1: bible 1 2: a writing
          or utterance having unquestionable authority <its financial
          precepts were not necessarily Holy Writ --Herbert Stein>

   hom-
          [hom-] or homo- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. homos--more at
          same] 1: one and the same: similar: alike <homograph>
          <homosporous> 2: homosexual <homophobia>

   hom
          [hom] abbreviation homiletics, homily

   homage
          [hom.age] n [ME, fr. OF hommage, fr. homme man, vassal, fr.
          L homin-, homo human being; akin to OE guma human being,
          L humus earth--more at humble] (14c) 1 a: a feudal ceremony
          by which a man acknowledges himself the vassal of a lord
          b: the relationship between a feudal lord and his vassal
          c: an act done or payment made in meeting the obligations
          of vassalage 2 a: expression of high regard: respect--often
          used with pay b: something that shows respect or attests
          to the worth or influence of another: tribute <his long
          life filled with international ~s to his unique musical
          talent --People> syn see honor

   homager
          [hom.ag.er] n (15c): vassal

   hombre
          [hom.bre] n [Sp, man, fr. L homin-, homo] (1846): guy, fellow

   homburg
          [hom.burg] n [Homburg, Germany] (1894): a man's felt hat
          with a stiff curled brim and a high crown creased lengthwise

   [1]home
          [home] n [ME hom, fr. OE ham village, home; akin to OHG heim
          home] (bef. 12c) 1 a: one's place of residence: domicile
          b: house 2: the social unit formed by a family living
          together 3 a: a familiar or usual setting: congenial
          environment; also: the focus of one's domestic attention
          <~ is where the heart is> b: habitat 4 a: a place of
          origin <salmon returning to their ~ to spawn>; also:
          one's own country <having troubles at ~ and abroad> b:
          headquarters 2 <~ of the dance company> 5: an establishment
          providing residence and care for people with special
          needs <~s for the elderly> <a ~ for unwed mothers> 6:
          the objective in various games; esp: home plate -- at
          home 1: relaxed and comfortable: at ease <felt completely
          at home on the stage> 2: in harmony with the surroundings
          3: on familiar ground: knowledgeable <teachers at home
          in their subject fields> [2]home adv (bef. 12c) 1: to,
          from, or at one's home <go ~> <left ~ at the age of 12>
          2 a: to a final, closed, or ultimate position <drive
          a nail ~> b: to or at an ultimate objective (as a goal
          or finish line) 3: to a vital sensitive core <the truth
          struck ~> -- home free : out of jeopardy: in a comfortable
          position with respect to some objective [3]home adj (1552)
          1: of, relating to, or being a home, place of origin,
          or base of operations <~ office> <checkers in position
          on their ~ squares> 2: prepared, done, or designed for
          use in a home <~ remedies> <~ cooking> <a ~ videotape
          system> 3: operating or occurring in a home area <the
          ~ team> <~ games> [4]home vb homed ; hom.ing vi (1765)
          1: to go or return home 2 of an animal: to return accurately
          to one's home or natal area from a distance 3: to proceed
          to or toward a source of radiated energy used as a guide
          <missiles ~ in on radar> 4: to proceed or direct attention
          toward an objective <science is homing in on the mysterious
          human process --Sam Glucksberg> ~ vt: to send to or provide
          with a home

   homebody
          [home.body] n (1821): one whose life centers in the home

   [1]homebound
          [home.bound] adj [home + [1]bound] (ca. 1625): going homeward:
          bound for home <~ travelers> [2]homebound adj [home +
          [5]bound] (1882): confined to the home

   homeboy
          [home.boy] n (1927) 1: a boy or man from one's neighborhood,
          hometown, or region 2: a fellow member of a youth gang

   homebred
          [home.bred] adj (1587): produced at home: indigenous

   home brew
          [home brew] n (1853): an alcoholic beverage (as beer) made
          at home

   homebuilt
          [home.built] adj (1676): homemade 1

   homecoming
          [home.com.ing] n (14c) 1: a return home 2: the return of
          a group of people usu. on a special occasion to a place
          formerly frequented or regarded as home; esp: an annual
          celebration for alumni at a college or university

   home computer
          [home computer] n (1976): a small inexpensive microcomputer

   home economics
          [home economics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1899): the
          theory and practice of homemaking--called also home ec
          -- home economist n

   home fries
          [home fries] n pl (1951): potatoes that have usu. been parboiled,
          sliced, and then fried--called also home fried potatoes

   home front
          [home front] n (1919): the sphere of civilian activity in
          war

   homegrown
          [home.grown] adj (1827) 1: grown or produced at home or in
          a particular local area <~ vegetables> <~ films> 2: native
          to or characteristic of a particular area <the festival
          will feature ~ artists>

   homeland
          [home.land] n (1670) 1: native land: fatherland 2: a state
          or area set aside to be a state for a people of a particular
          national, cultural, or racial origin; esp: bantustan

   homeless
          [home.less] adj (1615): having no home or permanent place
          of residence

   homelike
          [home.like] adj (1817): characteristic of a home

   homely
          [home.ly] adj home.li.er ; -est (14c) 1: suggestive
          or characteristic of a home 2: being something familiar with which
          one is at home <satisfy themselves with houses, furniture, books
          and clothes that were worn and ~ and friendly to the touch
          --Brendan Gill> 3 a: unaffectedly natural: simple b: not elaborate
          or complex <~ virtues> 4: plain or unattractive in appearance
          -- home.li.ness n

   homemade
          [home.made] adj (ca. 1659) 1: made in the home, on the premises,
          or by one's own efforts 2: of domestic manufacture

   homemaker
          [home.mak.er] n (1876): one who manages a household esp.
          as a wife and mother -- home.mak.ing n or adj

   homeo-
          [homeo-] or homoe- or homoeo- also homoio- comb form [L &
          Gk; L homoeo-, fr. Gk homoi-, homoio-, fr. homoios, fr.
          homos same--more at same]: like: similar <homeostasis>
          <homeothermic> 2: homeotic <homeobox>

   homeobox
          [ho.meo.box] n (1984): a short usu. highly conserved DNA
          sequence in various eukaryotic genes (as many homeotic
          genes) that codes for a peptide which may be a DNA-binding
          protein

   homeomorphism
          [ho.meo.mor.phism] n [ISV] (1854): a function that is a one-to-one
          mapping between sets such that both the function and its inverse
          are continuous and that in topology exists for geometric figures
          which can be transformed one into the other by an elastic
          deformation -- ho.meo.mor.phic adj

   homeopathic
          [ho.meo.path.ic] adj (1830) 1: of or relating to homeopathy
          2: of a diluted or insipid nature <a ~ abolitionist --W.
          A. White> -- ho.meo.path.i.cal.ly adv

   homeopathy
          [ho.me.op.a.thy] n [G Homoopathie, fr. homoo- homeo- + -pathie
          -pathy] (1826): a system of medical practice that treats
          a disease esp. by the administration of minute doses
          of a remedy that would in healthy persons produce symptoms
          similar to those of the disease -- ho.meo.path n

   homeostasis
          [ho.meo.sta.sis] n [NL] (1926): a relatively stable state
          of equilibrium or a tendency toward such a state between
          the different but interdependent elements or groups of
          elements of an organism, population, or group -- ho.meo.stat.ic
          adj

   homeothermic
          [ho.meo.ther.mic] adj (1870): warm-blooded 1 -- homeotherm
          n -- homeothermy n

   homeotic
          [ho.me.o.tic] adj [fr. homeosis, homoeosis a shift in structural
          development, fr. Gk homoiosis assimilation, resemblance,
          fr. homoioun to make like, fr. homoios] (ca. 1903): relating
          to or being a gene producing a usu. major shift in structural
          development

   home plate
          [home plate] n (1875): a 5-sided rubber slab at one corner
          of a baseball diamond at which a batter stands when batting
          and which must be touched by a base runner in order to
          score

   homeport
          [home.port] vt (1957): to provide with or assign to a home
          port

   home port
          [home port] n (ca. 1891): the port from which a ship hails
          or from which it is documented

   [1]homer
          [ho.mer] n [Heb homer] (1535): an ancient Hebrew unit of
          capacity equal to about 10 1/2 or later 11 1/2 bushels
          or 100 gallons (378 liters) [2]hom.er n [[1]home] (1868)
          1: home run 2: homing pigeon [3]hom.er vi (1940): to
          hit a home run

   home range
          [home range] n (1884): the area to which an animal usu. confines
          its daily activities

   Homeric
          [Ho.mer.ic] adj (ca. 1771) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the Greek poet Homer, his age, or his writings 2:
          of epic proportions: heroic <~ feats of reporting --Stanley
          Walker> -- Ho.mer.i.cal.ly adv

   homeroom
          [home.room] n (1915): a classroom where pupils report esp.
          at the beginning of each school day

   home rule
          [home rule] n (1860): self-government or limited autonomy
          in internal affairs by a dependent political unit (as
          a territory or municipality)

   home run
          [home run] n (1856): a hit in baseball that enables the batter
          to make a complete circuit of the bases and score a run

   home screen
          [home screen] n (1968): television 2

   homesick
          [home.sick] adj (ca. 1798): longing for home and family while
          absent from them -- home.sick.ness n

   homesite
          [home.site] n (1911): a location of or suitable for a home

   [1]homespun
          [home.spun] adj (1591) 1 a: spun or made at home b: made
          of homespun 2: simple, homely <~ philosophy> [2]homespun
          n (1607): a loosely woven usu. woolen or linen fabric
          orig. made from homespun yarn

   home stand
          [home stand] n (1965): a series of baseball games played
          at a team's home field

   homestay
          [home.stay] n (1956): a period during which a visitor in
          a foreign country lives with a local family

   [1]homestead
          [home.stead] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the home and adjoining land
          occupied by a family b: an ancestral home c: house 2:
          a tract of land acquired from U.S. public lands by filing
          a record and living on and cultivating the tract [2]home.stead
          vt (1872): to acquire or occupy as a homestead ~ vi:
          to acquire or settle on land under a homestead law --
          home.stead.er n

   homestead law
          [homestead law] n (1850) 1: a law exempting a homestead from
          attachment or sale under execution for general debts
          2: any of several legislative acts authorizing the sale
          of public lands in homesteads

   homestretch
          [home.stretch] n (1841) 1: the part of a racecourse between
          the last turn and the winning post 2: a final stage (as
          of a project)

   hometown
          [home.town] n, often attrib (1912): the city or town where
          one was born or grew up; also: the place of one's principal
          residence

   home truth
          [home truth] n (1711) 1: an unpleasant fact that jars the
          sensibilities 2: a statement of undisputed fact

   [1]homeward
          [home.ward] or home.wards adv (bef. 12c): toward home <look
          ~, angel --John Milton> [2]homeward adj (1566): being
          or going in the direction of home

   homework
          [home.work] n (ca. 1683) 1: piecework done at home for pay
          2: an assignment given to a student to be completed outside
          the regular class period 3: preparatory reading or research
          (as for a discussion or a debate)

   homey
          [hom.ey] adj hom.i.er ; -est (1856): homelike <a restaurant
          with a ~ atmosphere> -- hom.ey.ness or hom.i.ness n

   homicidal
          [ho.mi.cid.al] adj (1725): of, relating to, or tending toward
          homicide -- ho.mi.cid.al.ly adv

   homicide
          [ho.mi.cide] n [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. MF, fr. L homicida,
          fr. homo human being + -cida -cide; in sense 2, fr. ME,
          fr. MF, fr. L homicidium, fr. homo + -cidium -cide] (14c)
          1: a person who kills another 2: a killing of one human
          being by another

   homiletic
          [hom.i.let.ic] or hom.i.let.i.cal adj [LL homileticus, fr.
          Gk homiletikos of conversa tion, fr. homilein] (1644)
          1: of, relating to, or resembling a homily 2: of or relating
          to homiletics; also: preachy

   homiletics
          [hom.i.let.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1830): the art of
          preaching

   homily
          [hom.i.ly] n, pl -lies [ME omelie, fr. MF, fr. LL homilia,
          fr. LGk, fr. Gk, conversation, discourse, fr. homilein
          to consort with, address, fr. homilos crowd, assembly;
          akin to Gk homos same--more at same] (14c) 1: a usu.
          short sermon 2: a lecture or discourse on or of a moral
          theme 3: an inspirational catchphrase; also: platitude

   homing pigeon
          [homing pigeon] n (1886): a racing pigeon trained to return
          home

   hominid
          [hom.i.nid] n [NL Hominidae, fr. Homin-, Homo + -idae] (ca.
          1889): any of a family (Hominidae) of erect bipedal primate
          mammals comprising recent humans together with extinct
          ancestral and related forms -- hominid adj

   hominization
          [hom.i.ni.za.tion] n [L homin-, homo + E -ization] (1952):
          the evolutionary development of human characteristics
          that differentiate hominids from their primate ancestors

   hominoid
          [hom.i.noid] n [NL Hominoidea, fr. Homin-, Homo + -oidea,
          suffix of higher taxa, fr. L -oides [2]-oid] (1949):
          any of a superfamily (Hominoidea) of primates including
          recent hominids, gibbons, and pongids together with extinct
          ancestral and related forms (as of the genera Proconsul
          and Dryopithecus) -- hominoid adj

   hominy
          [hom.i.ny] n [Virginia Algonquian -homen, lit., that treated
          (in the way specified)] (1629): kernels of corn that
          have been soaked in a caustic solution (as of lye) and
          then washed in order to remove the hulls

   hominy grits
          [hominy grits] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1879): grits

   homme d'affaires
          [homme d'af.faires] [F] foreign term : man of business: business
          agent

   homme d'esprit
          [homme d'es.prit] [F] foreign term : man of wit

   homme moyen sensuel
          [homme moyen sen.suel] [F] foreign term : the average
          nonintellectual man

   homo-
          [homo-] --see hom-

   [1]homo
          [ho.mo] n, pl homos [NL Homin-, Homo, fr. L, human being--more
          at homage] (1596): any of a genus (Homo) of primate mammals
          that includes modern humans (H. sapiens) and several
          extinct related species [2]homo n, pl homos [by shortening]
          (1929): homosexual--often used disparagingly

   homocercal
          [ho.mo.cer.cal] adj (1838) 1 of a fish tail fin: having the
          upper and lower lobes approximately symmetrical and the
          vertebral column ending at or near the middle of the
          base 2: having or relating to a homocercal tail fin

   homoe-
          [homoe-] --see homeo-

   homoerotic
          [ho.mo.erot.ic] adj (1916): homosexual -- ho.mo.erot.i.cism
          n

   homogametic
          [ho.mo.ga.met.ic] adj (1910): forming gametes which all have
          the same type of sex chromosome

   homogamy
          [ho.mog.a.my] n [G Homogamie, fr. hom- + -gamie -gamy] (1897):
          the mating of like with like -- ho.mog.a.mous adj

   homogenate
          [ho.mog.e.nate] n (1941): a product of homogenizing

   homogeneity
          [ho.mo.ge.ne.i.ty] n (1625) 1: the quality or state of being
          homogeneous 2: the state of having identical distribution
          functions or values <a test for ~ of variances> <~ of
          two statistical populations>

   homogeneous
          [ho.mo.ge.neous] adj [ML homogeneus, homogenus, fr. Gk homogenes,
          fr. hom- + genos kind--more at kin] (1641) 1: of the
          same or a similar kind or nature 2: of uniform structure
          or composition throughout <a culturally ~ neighborhood>
          3: having the property that if each variable is replaced
          by a constant times that variable the constant can be
          factored out: having each term of the same degree if
          all variables are considered <a ~ equation> -- ho.mo.ge.neous.ly
          adv -- ho.mo.ge.neous.ness n

   homogenisation, homogenise
          [ho.mog.e.ni.sa.tion, ho.mog.e.nise] Brit var of homogenization,
          homogenize

   homogenization
          [ho.mog.e.ni.za.tion] n (1908) 1: the act or process
          of homogenizing 2: the quality or state of being homogenized

   homogenize
          [ho.mog.e.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vt (1886) 1 a: to blend
          (diverse elements) into a uniform mixture b: to make
          homogeneous 2 a: to reduce to small particles of uniform
          size and distribute evenly usu. in a liquid b: to reduce
          the particles of so that they are uniformly small and
          evenly distributed; specif: to break up the fat globules
          of (milk) into very fine particles ~ vi: to become homogenized
          -- ho.mog.e.niz.er n

   homogenous
          [ho.mog.e.nous] adj (1919) 1: homoplastic 2 2: homogeneous

   homograft
          [ho.mo.graft] n (1923): a graft of tissue taken from a donor
          of the same species as the recipient--compare heterograft

   homograph
          [ho.mo.graph] n (1873): one of two or more words spelled
          alike but different in meaning or derivation or pronunciation
          (as the bow of a ship, a bow and arrow) -- ho.mo.graph.ic
          adj

   homoio-
          [homoio-] --see homeo-

   homoiotherm, homoiothermic
          [ho.moio.therm, ho.moio.ther.mic] var of homeotherm, homeothermic

   homoiousian
          [ho.moi.ou.si.an] n [LGk homoiousios of like substance, fr.
          Gk homoi- homeo- + ousia essence, substance, fr. ont-,
          on, prp. of einai to be--more at is] (1732): an adherent
          of an ecclesiastical party of the 4th century holding
          that the Son is essentially like the Father but not of
          the same substance

   homologate
          [ho.mol.o.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [ML homologatus, pp.
          of homologare to agree, fr. Gk homologein, fr. homologos]
          (1593): sanction, allow; esp: to approve or confirm officially
          -- ho.mol.o.ga.tion n

   homological
          [ho.mo.log.i.cal] adj (ca. 1847) 1: homologous 2: of or relating
          to topological homology theory <~ algebra> -- ho.mo.log.i.cal.ly
          adv

   homologize
          [ho.mol.o.gize] vt -gized ; -giz.ing (1811) 1: to make homologous
          2: to demonstrate the homology of -- ho.mol.o.giz.er
          n

   homologous
          [ho.mol.o.gous] adj [Gk homologos agreeing, fr. hom- + legein
          to say--more at legend] (1660) 1 a: having the same relative
          position, value, or structure: as (1): exhibiting biological
          homology (2): having the same or allelic genes with genetic
          loci usu. arranged in the same order <~ chromosomes>
          b: belonging to or consisting of a chemical series whose
          successive members have a regular difference in composition
          esp. of one methylene group 2: derived from or developed
          in response to organisms of the same species <~ tissue
          graft>

   homologue
          [ho.mo.logue] or ho.mo.log n (1848): something (as a chemical
          compound or a chromosome) homologous

   homology
          [ho.mol.o.gy] n, pl -gies (ca. 1656) 1: a similarity often
          attributable to common origin 2 a: likeness in structure
          between parts of different organisms due to evolutionary
          differentiation from the same or a corresponding part
          of a remote ancestor--compare analogy b: correspondence
          in structure between different parts of the same individual
          3: similarity of nucleotide or amino-acid sequence in
          nucleic acids, peptides, or proteins 4: a branch of the
          theory of topology concerned with partitioning space
          into geometric components (as points, lines, and triangles)
          and with the study of the number and interrelationships
          of these components esp. by the use of group theory--called
          also homology theory--compare cohomology

   homolytic
          [ho.mo.lyt.ic] adj (1941) of a chemical compound: decomposing
          into two uncharged atoms or radicals -- ho.mol.y.sis
          n

   homomorphism
          [ho.mo.mor.phism] n [ISV] (1935): a mapping of a mathematical
          set (as a group, ring, or vector space) into or onto
          another set or itself in such a way that the result obtained
          by applying the operations to elements of the first set
          is mapped onto the result obtained by applying the corresponding
          operations to their respective images in the second set
          -- ho.mo.mor.phic adj

   homonuclear
          [ho.mo.nu.cle.ar] adj (1930): of or relating to a molecule
          composed of identical nuclei

   homonym
          [hom.onym] n [L homonymum, fr. Gk homonymon, fr. neut. of
          homonymos] (1697) 1 a: homophone b: homograph c: one
          of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but
          different in meaning (as the noun quail and the verb
          quail) 2: namesake 3: a taxonomic designation rejected
          as invalid because the identical term has been used to
          designate another group of the same rank--compare synonym
          -- hom.onym.ic adj

   homonymous
          [hom.on.y.mous] adj [L homonymus having the same name, fr.
          Gk homonymos, fr. hom- + onyma, onoma name--more at name]
          (1621) 1: ambiguous 2: having the same designation 3:
          of, relating to, or being homonyms: homonymic -- hom.on.y.mous.ly
          adv

   homonymy
          [hom.on.y.my] n (1597): the quality or state of being homonymous

   homoousian
          [ho.mo.ou.si.an] n [LGk homoousios of the same substance,
          fr. Gk hom- + ousia substance--more at homoiousian] (1565):
          an adherent of an ecclesiastical party of the 4th century
          holding to the doctrine of the Nicene Creed that the
          Son is of the same substance with the Father

   homophile
          [ho.mo.phile] adj [hom- + [2]-phil] (1960): gay 4b

   homophobe
          [ho.mo.phobe] n (1975): a person characterized by homophobia

   homophobia
          [ho.mo.pho.bia] n (1969): irrational fear of, aversion to,
          or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals
          -- ho.mo.pho.bic adj

   homophone
          [ho.mo.phone] n [ISV] (1843) 1: one of two or more words
          pronounced alike but different in meaning or derivation
          or spelling (as the words to, too, and two) 2: a character
          or group of characters pronounced the same as another
          character or group -- ho.moph.o.nous adj

   homophonic
          [ho.mo.pho.nic] adj [Gk homophonos being in unison, fr. hom-
          + phone sound--more at ban] (ca. 1879) 1: chordal 2:
          of or relating to homophones -- ho.moph.o.ny n

   homoplastic
          [ho.mo.plas.tic] adj (1870) 1: of or relating to homoplasy
          2: of, relating to, or derived from another individual
          of the same species <~ grafts>

   homoplasy
          [ho.mo.pla.sy] n (1870): correspondence between parts or
          organs acquired as the result of parallel evolution or
          convergence

   homopolar
          [ho.mo.po.lar] adj (1896) 1 of a motor or generator: using
          or producing direct current without the use of commutators
          2: of or relating to a union of atoms of like polarity:
          nonionic

   homopolymer
          [ho.mo.pol.y.mer] n (1946): a polymer (as polyethylene) consisting
          of identical monomer units -- ho.mo.pol.y.mer.ic adj

   homopteran
          [ho.mop.ter.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk hom- + pteron wing--more
          at feather] (ca. 1842): any of a large order or suborder
          (Homoptera) of insects (as cicadas, aphids, and scale
          insects) that have sucking mouthparts -- homopteran adj
          -- ho.mop.ter.ous adj

   homos
          [homos] pl of homo

   Homo sapiens
          [Ho.mo sa.pi.ens] n [NL, species name, fr. Homo, genus name
          + sapiens, specific epithet, fr. L, wise, intelligent--more
          at homo, sapient] (1802): humankind

   homoscedasticity
          [ho.mo.sce.das.tic.i.ty] n [hom- + Gk skedastikos able to
          disperse, fr. skedannynai to disperse] (1905): the property
          of having equal statistical variances -- ho.mo.sce.das.tic
          adj

   [1]homosexual
          [ho.mo.sex.u.al] adj (1892) 1: of, relating to, or characterized
          by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another
          of the same sex 2: of, relating to, or involving sexual
          intercourse between persons of the same sex -- ho.mo.sex.u.al.ly
          adv [2]homosexual n (1902): a homosexual person and esp.
          a male

   homosexuality
          [ho.mo.sex.u.al.i.ty] n (1892) 1: the quality or state of
          being homosexual 2: erotic activity with another of the
          same sex

   homosporous
          [ho.mo.spo.rous] adj (1887): producing asexual spores of
          one kind only

   homospory
          [ho.mo.spo.ry] n (1903): the production by various plants
          (as the club mosses and horsetails) of asexual spores
          of only one kind

   homo sum: humani nil a me alienum puto
          [ho.mo sum: hu.ma.ni nil a me ali.e.num pu.to] [L] foreign
          term : I am a human being: I regard nothing of human
          concern as foreign to my interests

   homothallic
          [ho.mo.thal.lic] adj [hom- + Gk thallein to sprout, grow--more
          at thallus] (1904) 1: having a haploid phase that produces
          two kinds of gametes capable of fusing to form a zygote--used
          esp. of algae and fungi 2: monoecious -- ho.mo.thal.lism
          n

   homotransplant
          [ho.mo.trans.plant] n (1927): homograft -- ho.mo.trans.plan.ta.tion
          n

   homozygosis
          [ho.mo.zy.go.sis] n [NL] (1905): homozygosity

   homozygosity
          [ho.mo.zy.gos.i.ty] n (1916): the state of being homozygous

   homozygote
          [ho.mo.zy.gote] n [ISV] (1902): a homozygous individual

   homozygous
          [ho.mo.zy.gous] adj (1902): having the two genes at corresponding
          loci on homologous chromosomes identical for one or more
          loci -- ho.mo.zy.gous.ly adv

   homunculus
          [ho.mun.cu.lus] n, pl -li [L, dim. of homin-, homo human
          being--more at homage] (1656) 1: a little man: manikin
          2: a miniature adult that in the theory of preformation
          is held to inhabit the germ cell and to produce a mature
          individual merely by an increase in size

   homy
          [homy] var of homey

   hon
          [hon] abbreviation honor, honorable, honorary  Hon or Hond
          abbreviation Honduras

   hon
          [hon] n (ca. 1906): honey 2a

   honcho
          [hon.cho] n, pl honchos [Jp hancho squad leader, fr. han
          squad + cho head, chief] (1947): boss, big shot; also:
          hotshot

   [1]hone
          [hone] n [ME, fr. OE han stone; akin to ON hein whetstone,
          L cot-, cos, Skt sisati he whets] (14c): whetstone [2]hone
          vt honed ; hon.ing (1826) 1: to sharpen or smooth with
          a whetstone 2: to make more acute, intense, or effective:
          whet <helped her ~ her comic timing --Patricia Bosworth>
          -- hon.er n [3]hone vi honed ; hon.ing [MF hoigner to
          grumble] (1600) 1 dial: yearn--often used with for or
          after 2 dial: grumble, moan

   hone in
          [hone in] vi [alter. of home in] (1965): to move toward or
          focus attention on an objective <looking back for the
          ball honing in --George Plimpton> <a missile honing in
          on its target --Bob Greene> <hones in on the plights
          and victories of the common man --Lisa Russell> usage
          The few commentators who have noticed hone in consider
          it to be a mistake for home in. It may have arisen from
          home in by the weakening of the /m/ sound to /n/ or may
          perhaps simply be due to the influence of hone. Even
          though it seems to have established itself in American
          English (and its mention in a British usage book suggests
          it is used in British English too), your use of it esp.
          in writing is likely to be called a mistake. Home in
          or in figurative use zero in is an easy alternative.

   [1]honest
          [hon.est] adj [ME, fr. MF honeste, fr. L honestus honorable,
          fr. honos, honor honor] (14c) 1 a: free from fraud or
          deception: legitimate, truthful <an ~ plea> b: genuine,
          real <making ~ stops at stop signs --Christian Science
          Monitor> c: humble, plain <good ~ food> 2 a: reputable,
          respectable <~ decent people> b chiefly Brit: good, worthy
          3: creditable, praiseworthy <an ~ day's work> 4 a: marked
          by integrity b: marked by free, forthright, and sincere
          expression: frank <an ~ appraisal> c: innocent, simple
          syn see upright [2]honest adv (1596) 1: in an honest
          manner: honestly <I have ever found thee ~ true --Shak.>
          2: with all sincerity <I didn't do it, ~>

   honest broker
          [honest broker] n (ca. 1884): a neutral mediator

   honestly
          [hon.est.ly] adv (14c) 1: in an honest manner: as a: without
          cheating <counted the ballots ~> b: really, genuinely
          <was ~ scared> c: without frills <food ~ prepared> 2:
          to be honest: to tell the truth <~, I don't know>

   honesty
          [hon.es.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 obs: chastity 2 a: fairness
          and straightforwardness of conduct b: adherence to the
          facts: sincerity 3: any of a genus (Lunaria) of European
          herbs of the mustard family with toothed leaves and flat
          disk-shaped siliques syn honesty, honor, integrity, probity
          mean uprightness of character or action. honesty implies
          a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way. honor
          suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards
          of one's profession, calling, or position. integrity
          implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree
          that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility,
          or pledge. probity implies tried and proven honesty or
          integrity.

   [1]honey
          [hon.ey] n, pl honeys [ME hony, fr. OE hunig; akin to OHG
          honag honey, L canicae bran] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a sweet
          viscid material elaborated out of the nectar of flowers
          in the honey sac of various bees b: a sweet fluid resembling
          honey that is collected or elaborated by various insects
          2 a: a loved one: sweetheart, dear b: a superlative example
          3: the quality or state of being sweet: sweetness [2]honey
          vb hon.eyed also hon.ied ; hon.ey.ing vt (14c) 1: to
          sweeten with or as if with honey 2: to speak ingratiatingly
          to: flatter ~ vi: to use blandishments or cajolery [3]honey
          adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or resembling honey 2:
          much loved: dear

   honeybee
          [hon.ey.bee] n (15c): a honey-producing bee (Apis and related
          genera); esp: a European bee (A. mellifera) introduced
          worldwide and kept in hives for the honey it produces

   [1]honeycomb
          [hon.ey.comb] n (bef. 12c) 1: a mass of hexagonal wax cells
          built by honeybees in their nest to contain their brood
          and stores of honey 2: something that resembles a honeycomb
          in structure or appearance; esp: a strong lightweight
          cellular structural material [2]honeycomb vt (1774) 1
          a: to cause to be full of cavities like a honeycomb b:
          to make into a checkered pattern: fret 2 a: to penetrate
          into every part: fill b: subvert, weaken ~ vi: to become
          pitted, checked, or cellular

   honeycreeper
          [hon.ey.creep.er] n (1872) 1: any of numerous small bright-colored
          oscine birds (esp. genera Cyanerpes and Chlorophanes of the family
          Coerebidae) of tropical America 2: any of a family (Drepanididae)
          of oscine birds that are found only in Hawaii

   honeydew
          [hon.ey.dew] n (1577): a saccharine deposit secreted on the
          leaves of plants usu. by aphids or scale insects or sometimes
          by a fungus

   honeydew melon
          [honeydew melon] n (1916): a pale smooth-skinned winter melon
          with sweet greenish flesh

   honeyeater
          [hon.ey.eat.er] n (1822): any of a family (Meliphagidae)
          of oscine birds chiefly of the So. Pacific that have
          a long protrusible tongue adapted for extracting nectar
          and small insects from flowers

   honeyguide
          [hon.ey.guide] n (1777): any of a family (Indicatoridae)
          of small plainly colored nonpasserine birds that inhabit
          Africa, the Himalayas, and the East Indies and that include
          some which lead people or animals to the nests of bees

   honey locust
          [honey locust] n (1743): a tall usu. spiny No. American leguminous
          tree (Gleditsia triacanthos) with very hard wood and long twisted
          pods containing a sweet edible pulp and seeds that resemble beans

   honeymoon
          [hon.ey.moon] n [fr. the idea that the first month of marriage
          is the sweetest] (1546) 1: a period of harmony immediately
          following marriage 2: a period of unusual harmony esp.
          following the establishment of a new relationship 3:
          a trip or vacation taken by a newly married couple --
          honeymoon vi -- hon.ey.moon.er n

   honey sac
          [honey sac] n (ca. 1909): a distension of the esophagus of
          a bee in which honey is elaborated--called also honey
          stomach

   honeysuckle
          [hon.ey.suck.le] n [ME honysoukel clover, alter. of honysouke,
          fr. OE hunisuce, fr. hunig honey + sucan to suck] (1548):
          any of a genus (Lonicera of the family Caprifoliaceae,
          the honeysuckle family) of shrubs with opposite leaves
          and often showy flowers rich in nectar; broadly: any
          of various plants (as a columbine or azalea) with tubular
          flowers rich in nectar

   hong
          [hong] n [Chin (Guangdong) hohng, lit., row] (1726): a commercial
          establishment or house of foreign trade in China

   honi soit qui mal y pense
          [ho.ni soit qui mal y pense] [F] foreign term : shamed be
          he who thinks evil of it--motto of the Order of the Garter

   [1]honk
          [honk] vb [imit.] vi (ca. 1835) 1: to make the characteristic
          cry of a goose 2: to make a sound resembling the cry
          of a goose ~ vt: to cause (as a horn) to honk -- honk.er
          n [2]honk n (1854): the characteristic cry of a goose;
          also: a similar sound

   honky
          [hon.ky] or hon.kie also hon.key n, pl honkies also honkeys
          [prob. alter. of Hunky] (1967): a white person--usu.
          used disparagingly

   [1]honky-tonk
          [hon.ky-tonk] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1909) 1: a usu. tawdry
          nightclub or dance hall; esp: one that features country
          music 2: a district marked by places of cheap entertainment
          [2]honky-tonk adj (ca. 1920) 1: of, used in, or being
          a form of ragtime piano playing performed typically on
          an upright piano 2: marked by or characteristic of honky-tonks

   honnete homme
          [hon.nete homme] [F] foreign term : honest man: respectable
          and honorable citizen of the middle class

   [1]honor
          [hon.or] n [ME, fr. OF honor, fr. L honos, honor] (13c) 1
          a: good name or public esteem: reputation b: a showing
          of usu. merited respect: recognition <pay ~ to our founder>
          2: privilege 3: a person of superior standing--now used
          esp. as a title for a holder of high office <if Your
          Honor please> 4: one whose worth brings respect or fame:
          credit <an ~ to the profession> 5: the center point of
          the upper half of an armorial escutcheon 6: an evidence
          or symbol of distinction: as a: an exalted title or rank
          b (1): badge, decoration (2): a ceremonial rite or observance
          <buried with full military ~s> c: an award in a contest
          or field of competition d archaic: a gesture of deference:
          bow e pl (1): an academic distinction conferred on a
          superior student (2): a course of study for superior
          students supplementing or replacing a regular course
          7: chastity, purity <fought fiercely for her ~ and her
          life --Barton Black> 8 a: a keen sense of ethical conduct:
          integrity b: one's word given as a guarantee of performance
          9 pl: social courtesies or civilities extended by a host
          <did the ~s at the table> 10 a (1): an ace, king, queen,
          jack, or ten esp. of the trump suit in bridge (2): the
          scoring value of honors held in bridge--usu. used in
          pl. b: the privilege of playing first from the tee in
          golf syn honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect
          and esteem shown to another. honor may apply to the recognition
          of one's right to great respect or to any expression
          of such recognition <the nomination is an honor>. homage
          adds the implication of accompanying praise <paying homage
          to Shakespeare>. reverence implies profound respect mingled
          with love, devotion, or awe <great reverence for my father>.
          deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's
          judgment or preference out of respect or reverence <showed
          no deference to their elders>. syn see in addition honesty
          [2]honor vt hon.ored ; hon.or.ing (13c) 1 a: to regard
          or treat with honor or respect b: to confer honor on
          2 a: to live up to or fulfill the terms of <~ a commitment>
          b: to accept as payment <~ a credit card> 3: to salute
          with a bow in square dancing -- hon.or.ee n -- hon.or.er
          n

   honorable
          [hon.or.able] adj (14c) 1: deserving of honor 2 a: of great
          renown: illustrious b: entitled to honor--used as a title
          for the children of certain British noblemen and for
          various government officials 3: performed or accompanied
          with marks of honor or respect 4 a: attesting to creditable
          conduct b: consistent with an untarnished reputation
          <an ~ withdrawal> 5: characterized by integrity: guided
          by a high sense of honor and duty syn see upright --
          hon.or.abil.i.ty n -- hon.or.able.ness n -- hon.or.ably
          adv

   honorable mention
          [honorable mention] n (1866): a distinction conferred (as
          in a contest or exhibition) on works or persons of exceptional
          merit but not deserving of top honors

   honorarium
          [hon.o.rar.i.um] n, pl -ia also -i.ums [L, fr. neut. of honorarius]
          (1658): a payment for a service (as making a speech) on which
          custom or propriety forbids a price to be set

   honorary
          [hon.or.ary] adj [L honorarius, fr. honor] (1614) 1 a: having
          or conferring distinction b: commemorative 2: dependent
          on honor for fulfillment 3 a: conferred or elected in
          recognition of achievement or service without the usual
          prerequisites or obligations <an ~ degree> <an ~ member>
          b: unpaid, voluntary <an ~ chairman> -- hon.or.ari.ly
          adv -- honorary n

   honor guard
          [honor guard] n (1925): a guard assigned to a ceremonial
          duty (as to accompany a casket at a military funeral)

   honorific
          [hon.or.if.ic] adj (1650) 1: conferring or conveying honor
          <~ titles> 2: belonging to or constituting a class of
          grammatical forms used in speaking to or about a social
          superior -- honorific n -- hon.or.if.i.cal.ly adv

   honor roll
          [honor roll] n (1909): a roster of names of persons deserving
          honor; esp: a list of students achieving academic distinction

   honor society
          [honor society] n (1927): a society for the recognition of
          scholarly achievement esp. of undergraduates

   honor system
          [honor system] n (1904): a system (as at a college or prison)
          whereby persons are trusted to abide by the regulations
          (as for a code of conduct) without supervision or surveillance

   honour, honourable
          [hon.our, hon.our.able] chiefly Brit var of honor, honorable

   [1]hooch
          [hooch] n [short for hoochinoo, a distilled liquor made by
          the Hoochinoo (Hutsnuwu) Indians, a Tlingit tribe] (1897)
          slang: alcoholic liquor esp. when inferior or illicitly
          made or obtained [2]hooch or hootch n [modif. of Jp uchi
          house] (1960) slang: a usu. thatched hut; broadly: dwelling

   -hood
          [-hood] n suffix [ME -hod, fr. OE -had; akin to OHG -heit
          state, Goth haidus way, manner] 1: state: condition:
          quality: character <widowerhood> <hardihood> 2: time:
          period <childhood> 3: instance of a (specified) state
          or quality <falsehood> 4: individuals sharing a (specified)
          state or character <brotherhood>

   [1]hood
          [hood] n [ME, fr. OE hod; akin to OHG huot head covering,
          huota guard] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a flexible covering
          for the head and neck (2): a protective covering for
          the head and face b: a covering for a hawk's head and
          eyes c: a covering for a horse's head; also: blinder
          2 a: an ornamental scarf worn over an academic gown that
          indicates by its color the wearer's college or university
          b: a color marking or crest on the head of an animal
          or an expansion of the head that suggests a hood 3 a:
          something resembling a hood in form or use b: a cover
          for parts of mechanisms; specif: the movable metal covering
          over the engine of an automobile c chiefly Brit: a top
          cover over the passenger section of a vehicle usu. designed
          to be folded back d: an enclosure or canopy provided
          with a draft for carrying off disagreeable or noxious
          fumes, sprays, smokes, or dusts e: a covering for an
          opening (as a companion hatch) on a boat -- hood vt --
          hood.like adj [2]hood n (1930): hoodlum -- hoody adj
          [3]hood n [by shortening] (1967): neighborhood 4

   hooded
          [hood.ed] adj (15c) 1: having a hood 2: shaped like a hood
          <~ spathes> 3 a: having the head conspicuously different
          in color from the rest of the body <~ bird> b: having
          a crest on the head that suggests a hood <~ seals> c:
          having the skin at each side of the neck capable of expansion
          by movements of the ribs <~ cobra> 4: half-closed <~
          eyes> -- hood.ed.ness n

   hoodlum
          [hood.lum] n [perh. fr. G dial. (Swabia) hudelum disorderly]
          (1871) 1: thug; esp: one who commits acts of violence
          2: a young ruffian -- hood.lum.ish adj -- hood.lum.ism
          n

   hoodman-blind
          [hood.man-blind] n (1565) archaic: blindman's buff

   [1]hoodoo
          [hoo.doo] n, pl hoodoos [of African origin; akin to Hausa
          hu'du'ba to arouse resentment] (1875) 1: a body of practices
          of sympathetic magic traditional esp. among blacks in
          the southern U.S. 2: a natural column of rock in western
          No. America often in fantastic form 3: something that
          brings bad luck -- hoo.doo.ism n [2]hoodoo vt (1886):
          to cast a spell on; broadly: to be a source of misfortune
          to

   hoodwink
          [hood.wink] vt [[1]hood + wink] (1562) 1 archaic: blindfold
          2 obs: hide 3: to deceive by false appearance: dupe --
          hood.wink.er n

   hooey
          [hoo.ey] n [origin unknown] (1924): nonsense

   [1]hoof
          [hoof] n, pl hooves also hoofs [ME, fr. OE hof; akin to OHG
          huof hoof, Skt sapha] (bef. 12c) 1: a curved covering
          of horn that protects the front of or encloses the ends
          of the digits of an ungulate mammal and that corresponds
          to a nail or claw 2: a hoofed foot esp. of a horse --
          on the hoof of a meat animal: before butchering: living
          <90 cents a pound on the hoof> [2]hoof vt (1641) 1: walk
          <~ed it to the lecture hall> 2: kick, trample ~ vi: to
          move on the feet; esp: dance

   hoof-and-mouth disease
          [hoof-and-mouth disease] n (1884): foot-and-mouth disease

   hoofbeat
          [hoof.beat] n (1847): the sound of a hoof striking a hard
          surface (as the ground)

   hoofed
          [hoofed] or hooved adj (1513): furnished with hooves: ungulate

   hoofer
          [hoof.er] n (ca. 1918): a professional dancer

   hoofprint
          [hoof.print] n (1804): an impression or hollow made by a
          hoof

   hoo-ha
          [hoo-ha] n [prob. fr. Yiddish hu-ha uproar, exclamation of
          surprise] (1931): uproar

   [1]hook
          [hook] n [ME, fr. OE hoc; akin to MD hoec fishhook, corner,
          Lith kenge hook] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a curved or bent device
          for catching, holding, or pulling b: something intended
          to attract and ensnare 2: something curved or bent like
          a hook; esp, pl: fingers 3: a flight or course of a ball
          that deviates from straight in a direction opposite to
          the dominant hand of the player propelling it; also:
          a ball following such a course--compare slice 4: a short
          blow delivered with a circular motion by a boxer while
          the elbow remains bent and rigid 5: hook shot 6: buttonhook
          7: quick or summary removal--used with get or give <the
          pitcher got the ~ after giving up three runs> 8: a device
          esp. in music or writing that catches the attention 9:
          a selling point or marketing scheme -- by hook or by
          crook : by any means -- off the hook 1: out of trouble
          2: free of responsibility or accountability -- on one's
          own hook : by oneself: independently [2]hook vt (13c)
          1: to form into a hook: crook 2 a: to seize or make fast
          by or as if by a hook b: to connect by or as if by a
          hook--often used with up 3: steal, pilfer 4: to make
          (as a rug) by drawing loops of yarn, thread, or cloth
          through a coarse fabric with a hook 5: to hit or throw
          (a ball) so that a hook results ~ vi 1: to form a hook:
          curve 2: to become hooked 3: to work as a prostitute

   hookah
          [hoo.kah] n [Ar huqqah bottle of a water pipe] (1763): water
          pipe 2

   hook and eye
          [hook and eye] n (ca. 1626): a 2-part fastening device (as
          on a garment or a door) consisting of a metal hook that
          catches over a bar or into a loop

   hook and ladder truck
          [hook and ladder truck] n (1865): a piece of mobile fire
          apparatus carrying ladders and usu. other fire-fighting
          and rescue equipment--called also hook and ladder, ladder
          truck

   hook check
          [hook check] n (ca. 1939): an act or instance of attempting
          to knock the puck away from an opponent in ice hockey
          by hooking it with the stick

   hooked
          [hooked] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having the form of a hook 2: provided
          with a hook 3: made by hooking <a ~ rug> 4 a: addicted
          to narcotics b: fascinated by or devoted to something
          <~ on skiing>

   [1]hooker
          [hook.er] n (1567) 1: one that hooks 2: drink <a ~ of Scotch>
          3: prostitute [2]hooker n [D hoeker, alter. of MD hoecboot,
          fr. hoec fishhook + boot boat] (1801): a one-masted fishing
          boat used on the English and Irish coasts; also: a small
          clumsy boat

   Hooke's law
          [Hooke's law] n [Robert Hooke] (1853): a statement in physics:
          the stress within an elastic solid is proportional to
          the strain responsible for it

   hooklet
          [hook.let] n (ca. 1839): a small hook

   hook, line and sinker
          [hook, line and sinker] adv [fr. analogy with a well-hooked
          fish] (1838): without hesitation or reservation: completely
          <fell for the story hook, line and sinker>

   hook shot
          [hook shot] n (ca. 1932): a shot in basketball made usu.
          while standing sideways to the basket by swinging the
          ball up in an arc with the far hand

   hookup
          [hook.up] n (1903) 1: a state of cooperation or alliance
          2: an assemblage (as of circuits) used for a specific
          purpose (as radio transmission); also: the plan of such
          an assemblage 3: an arrangement of mechanical parts;
          also: connection <a campsite with electric, water, and
          sewer ~s>

   hook up
          [hook up] vi (1925): to become associated esp. in a working
          or social relationship

   hookworm
          [hook.worm] n (1902) 1: any of several parasitic nematode
          worms (family Ancylostomatidae) that have strong buccal
          hooks or plates for attaching to the host's intestinal
          lining and that include serious bloodsucking pests 2:
          ancylostomiasis

   hooky
          [hooky] or hook.ey n, pl hook.ies or hookeys [prob. fr. slang
          hook, hook it (to make off)] (ca. 1848): truant--used
          chiefly in the phrase play hooky

   hooligan
          [hoo.li.gan] n [perh. fr. Patrick Hooligan fl1898 Irish hoodlum
          in Southwark, London] (1898): ruffian, hoodlum -- hoo.li.gan.ism
          n

   [1]hoop
          [hoop] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE hop; akin to MD hoep ring,
          hoop] (12c) 1: a circular strip used esp. for holding
          together the staves of containers or as a plaything 2
          a: a circular figure or object: ring b: the rim of a
          basketball goal; broadly: the entire goal 3: a circle
          or series of circles of flexible material used to expand
          a woman's skirt 4: basketball--usu. used in pl. -- hoop.like
          adj [2]hoop vt (15c): to bind or fasten with or as if
          with a hoop -- hoop.er n

   hoopla
          [hoop.la] n [F houp-la, interj.] (1877): excited commotion:
          to-do; also: ballyhoo

   hoopoe
          [hoo.poe] n [alter. of obs. hoop, fr. MF huppe, fr. L upupa,
          of imit. origin] (1668): a crested Old World nonpasserine
          bird (Upupa epops of the family Upupidae) having a slender
          decurved bill and barred black-and-white wings and tail

   hoopskirt
          [hoop.skirt] n (1857): a skirt stiffened with or as if with
          hoops

   hoorah
          [hoo.rah] , hoo.ray var of hurrah

   hoosegow
          [hoose.gow] n [Sp juzgado panel of judges, courtroom, fr.
          pp. of juzgar to judge, fr. L judicare--more at judge]
          (1909): jail

   Hoosier
          [Hoo.sier] n [perh. alter. of E dial. hoozer anything large
          of its kind] (1826): a native or resident of Indiana--used
          as a nickname -- Hoosier adj

   [1]hoot
          [hoot] vb [ME houten, of imit. origin] vi (13c) 1: to shout
          or laugh usu. derisively 2: to make the natural throat
          noise of an owl or a similar cry 3: to make a loud clamorous
          mechanical sound ~ vt 1: to assail or drive out by hooting
          <~ed down the speaker> 2: to express or utter with hoots
          <~ed their disapproval> -- hoot.er n [2]hoot n (15c)
          1: a sound of hooting; esp: the cry of an owl 2: a minimum
          amount or degree: the least bit <don't give a ~> 3: something
          or someone amusing <the play is a real ~> -- hooty adj
          [3]hoot or hoots interj [origin unknown] (1540) chiefly
          Scot--used to express impatience, dissatisfaction, or
          objection

   hootenanny
          [hoo.te.nan.ny] n, pl -nies [origin unknown] (1925) 1 chiefly
          dial: gadget 2: a gathering at which folksingers entertain
          often with the audience joining in

   Hooverville
          [Hoo.ver.ville] n [Herbert Hoover + -ville] (1933): a shantytown
          of temporary dwellings during the depression years in
          the U.S.; broadly: any similar area of temporary dwellings

   [1]hop
          [hop] vb hopped ; hop.ping [ME hoppen, fr. OE hoppian; prob.
          akin to OE hype hip] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to move by a quick
          springy leap or in a series of leaps; also: to move as
          if by hopping <~ in the car> 2: to make a quick trip
          esp. by air ~ vt 1: to jump over <~ a fence> 2: to ride
          on <hopped a flight>; also: to ride surreptitiously and
          without authorization <~ a freight train> [2]hop n (1508)
          1 a: a short brisk leap esp. on one leg b: bounce, rebound
          <shortstop scooped it up on the first ~> 2: dance 3 3
          a: a flight in an aircraft b: a short trip [3]hop n [ME
          hoppe, fr. MD; akin to OHG hopfo hop] (15c) 1 pl: the
          ripe dried pistillate catkins of a hop used esp. to impart
          a bitter flavor to malt liquors 2: a twining vine (Humulus
          lupulus) of the mulberry family with 3-lobed or 5-lobed
          leaves and inconspicuous flowers of which the pistillate
          ones are in glandular cone-shaped catkins [4]hop vt hopped
          ; hop.ping (1572): to impregnate with hops

   [1]hope
          [hope] vb hoped ; hop.ing [ME, fr. OE hopian; akin to MHG
          hoffen to hope] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to cherish a desire
          with anticipation <~s for a promotion> 2 archaic: trust
          ~ vt 1: to desire with expectation of obtainment 2: to
          expect with confidence: trust syn see expect -- hop.er
          n -- hope against hope : to hope without any basis for
          expecting fulfillment [2]hope n (bef. 12c) 1 archaic:
          trust, reliance 2 a: desire accompanied by expectation
          of or belief in fulfillment <came in ~s of seeing you>;
          also: expectation of fulfillment or success <no ~ of
          a cure> b: someone or something on which hopes are centered
          <our only ~ for victory> c: something hoped for

   HOPE
          [HOPE] abbreviation Health Opportunity for People Everywhere

   hope chest
          [hope chest] n (1911): a young woman's accumulation of clothes
          and domestic furnishings (as silver and linen) kept in
          anticipation of her marriage; also: a chest for such
          an accumulation

   [1]hopeful
          [hope.ful] adj (1568) 1: having qualities which inspire hope
          <~ signs of economic recovery> 2: full of hope: inclined
          to hope -- hope.ful.ness n [2]hopeful n (1720): aspirant
          <Olympic ~s>

   hopefully
          [hope.ful.ly] adv (ca. 1639) 1: in a hopeful manner 2: it
          is hoped: I hope: we hope usage In the early 1960s the
          second sense of hopefully, which had been in sporadic
          use since around 1932, underwent a surge of popular use.
          A surge of popular criticism followed in reaction, but
          the criticism took no account of the grammar of adverbs.
          Hopefully in its second sense is a member of a class
          of adverbs known as disjuncts. Disjuncts serve as a means
          by which the author or speaker can comment directly to
          the reader or hearer usu. on the content of the sentence
          to which they are attached. Many other adverbs (as interestingly,
          frankly, clearly, luckily, unfortunately) are similarly
          used; most are so ordinary as to excite no comment or
          interest whatsoever. The second sense of hopefully is
          entirely standard.

   hopeless
          [hope.less] adj (1534) 1 a: having no expectation of good
          or success: despairing b: not susceptible to remedy or
          cure c: incapable of redemption or improvement 2 a: giving
          no ground for hope: desperate b: incapable of solution,
          management, or accomplishment: impossible syn see despondent
          -- hope.less.ness n

   hopelessly
          [hope.less.ly] adv (1616): in a hopeless manner--used esp.
          as an intensifier <the formerly despised and ~ middle-class
          game of golf --Ejner Jensen>

   hophead
          [hop.head] n (1911) slang: a drug addict

   hop hornbeam
          [hop hornbeam] n (1785): a chiefly eastern U.S. tree (Ostrya
          virginiana) of the birch family with fruiting clusters
          resembling hops

   Hopi
          [Ho.pi] n, pl Hopi or Hopis [Hopi hopi, lit., good, peaceful]
          (1877) 1: a member of an American Indian people of northeastern
          Arizona 2: the Uto-Aztecan language of the Hopi people

   hoplite
          [hop.lite] n [Gk hoplites, fr. hoplon tool, weapon, fr. hepein
          to care for, work at--more at sepulchre] (ca. 1741):
          a heavily armed infantry soldier of ancient Greece

   hop-o'-my-thumb
          [hop-o'-my-thumb] n [earlier hop on my thumb, imperative
          issued to one supposedly small enough to be held in the
          hand] (1530): a very small person

   hopped-up
          [hopped-up] adj (ca. 1924) 1 a: being under the influence
          of a narcotic b: full of enthusiasm or excitement; also:
          overly excited c: more exciting or attractive than normal
          or usual 2: having more than usual power: being souped
          up

   hopper
          [hop.per] n (13c) 1 a: one that hops b: a leaping insect;
          specif: an immature hopping form of an insect (as a grasshopper
          or locust) 2 [fr. the shaking motion of hoppers used
          to feed grain into a mill] a: a usu. funnel-shaped receptacle
          for delivering material (as grain or coal); also: any
          of various other receptacles for the temporary storage
          of material b: a freight car with a floor sloping to
          one or more hinged doors for discharging bulk materials--called
          also hopper car c: a box in which a bill to be considered
          by a legislative body is dropped d: a tank holding liquid
          and having a device for releasing its contents through
          a pipe

   [1]hopping
          [hop.ping] adv (1675): extremely, violently--used in the
          phrase hopping mad [2]hopping adj (1785) 1: intensely
          active: busy <they kept us ~> 2: extremely angry [3]hopping
          n (1879): a going from one place to another of the same
          kind--usu. used in combination <gallery-hopping>

   hopping John
          [hopping John] or hop.pin' John n, often cap H (1838): a
          dish made essentially of cowpeas, rice, and salt pork
          or bacon

   hoppy
          [hop.py] adj hop.pi.er ; -est (ca. 1889): having the taste
          or aroma of hops--used esp. of ale or beer

   hopsack
          [hop.sack] also hop.sack.ing n [ME hopsak sack for hops,
          fr. hoppe hop + sak sack] (1888): a rough-surfaced loosely
          woven clothing fabric

   [1]hopscotch
          [hop.scotch] n [[1]hop + scotch (line)] (1801): a child's
          game in which a player tosses an object (as a stone)
          into areas of a figure outlined on the ground and hops
          through the figure and back to regain the object [2]hopscotch
          vi (1918): to move as if by hopping <~ed across Europe>

   hop, skip, and jump
          [hop, skip, and jump] n (1760): a short distance

   hop, step, and jump
          [hop, step, and jump] n (ca. 1719): triple jump

   hor
          [hor] abbreviation horizontal

   hora
          [ho.ra] also ho.rah n [NHeb horah, fr. Rom hora] (1878):
          a circle dance of Romania and Israel

   Horae
          [Ho.rae] n pl [L, fr. Gk Horai]: the Greek goddesses of the
          seasons

   horary
          [ho.ra.ry] adj [ML horarius, fr. L hora hour--more at hour]
          (1632): of or relating to an hour; also: hourly

   Horatio Alger
          [Ho.ra.tio Al.ger] adj (1925): of, relating to, or resembling
          the fiction of Horatio Alger in which success is achieved
          through self-reliance and hard work

   Horatius
          [Ho.ra.tius] n [L]: a hero in Roman legend noted for his
          defense of a bridge over the Tiber against the Etruscans

   horde
          [horde] n [MF, G, & Pol; MF & G, fr. Pol horda, fr. Ukrainian
          dial. gorda, alter. of Ukrainian orda, fr. ORuss, fr.
          Turkic orda, ordu khan's residence] (1555) 1 a: a political
          subdivision of central Asian nomads b: a people or tribe
          of nomadic life 2: a teeming crowd or throng: swarm syn
          see crowd

   horehound
          [hore.hound] n [ME horhoune, fr. OE harhune, fr. har hoary
          + hune horehound--more at hoar] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a bitter
          mint (Marrubium vulgare) with downy leaves b: an extract
          or confection made from this plant 2: any of several
          mints resembling the horehound

   horizon
          [ho.ri.zon] n [ME orizon, fr. LL horizont-, horizon, fr.
          Gk horizont-, horizon, fr. prp. of horizein to bound,
          define, fr. horos boundary; perh. akin to L urvum curved
          part of a plow] (14c) 1 a: the apparent junction of earth
          and sky b: the great circle on the celestial sphere formed
          by the intersection of a plane tangent to the earth's
          surface at an observer's position with the celestial
          sphere c: range of perception or experience d: something
          that might be attained <new ~s> 2 a: the geological deposit
          of a particular time usu. identified by distinctive fossils
          b: any of the reasonably distinct layers of soil or its
          underlying material in a vertical section of land c:
          a cultural area or level of development indicated by
          separated groups of artifacts -- ho.ri.zon.al adj

   horizonless
          [ho.ri.zon.less] adj (ca. 1839) 1 a: having no horizon b:
          endless 1 2: hopeless

   horizontal
          [hor.i.zon.tal] adj (1555) 1 a: of, relating to, or situated
          near the horizon b: parallel to, in the plane of, or
          operating in a plane parallel to the horizon or to a
          base line: level <~ distance> <~ engine> 2: relating
          to, directed toward, or consisting of individuals or
          entities of similar status or on the same level <~ mergers>
          <~ hostility> -- horizontal n -- hor.i.zon.tal.i.ty n
          -- hor.i.zon.tal.ly adv

   horizontal bar
          [horizontal bar] n (1827) 1: a steel bar supported in a horizontal
          position approximately eight feet above the floor and used for
          swinging feats in gymnastics 2: an event in gymnastics competition
          in which the horizontal bar is used

   hormogonium
          [hor.mo.go.ni.um] n, pl -nia [NL, fr. Gk hormos chain, necklace
          + NL -gonium--more at series] (1880): a portion of a
          filament in many blue-green algae that becomes detached
          as a reproductive body

   hormonal
          [hor.mon.al] adj (1926): of, relating to, or effected by
          hormones -- hor.mon.al.ly adv

   hormone
          [hor.mone] n [Gk hormon, prp. of horman to stir up, fr. horme
          impulse, assault; akin to Gk ornynai to rouse--more at
          rise] (1905) 1: a product of living cells that circulates
          in body fluids or sap and produces a specific effect
          on the activity of cells remote from its point of origin;
          esp: one exerting a stimulatory effect on a cellular
          activity 2: a synthetic substance that acts like a hormone
          -- hor.mone.like adj

   horn
          [horn] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG horn, L cornu, Gk keras]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: one of the usu. paired bony processes
          that arise from the head of many ungulates and that are
          found in some extinct mammals and reptiles: as (1): one
          of the permanent paired hollow sheaths of keratin usu.
          present in both sexes of cattle and their relatives that
          function chiefly for defense and arise from a bony core
          anchored to the skull--see cow illustration (2): antler
          (3): a permanent solid horn of keratin that is attached
          to the nasal bone of a rhinoceros (4): one of a pair
          of permanent bone protuberances from the skull of a giraffe
          or okapi that are covered with hairy skin b: a part like
          an animal's horn attributed esp. to the devil c: a natural
          projection or excrescence from an animal resembling or
          suggestive of a horn d (1): the tough fibrous material
          consisting chiefly of keratin that covers or forms the
          horns of cattle and related animals, hooves, or other
          horny parts (as claws or nails) (2): a manufactured product
          (as a plastic) resembling horn e: a hollow horn used
          to hold something 2: something resembling or suggestive
          of a horn: as a: one of the curved ends of a crescent
          b: a sharp mountain peak c: a body of land or water shaped
          like a horn d: a beak-shaped part of an anvil e: a high
          pommel of a saddle f: cornu 3 a: an animal's horn used
          as a wind instrument b: a brass wind instrument: as (1):
          hunting horn (2): french horn c: a wind instrument used
          in a jazz band; esp: trumpet d: a usu. electrical device
          that makes a noise like that of a horn 4: a source of
          strength 5: one of the equally disadvantageous alternatives
          presented by a dilemma 6 slang: telephone -- horn adj
          -- horned adj -- horned.ness n -- horn.less adj -- horn.less.ness
          n -- horn.like adj

   hornbeam
          [horn.beam] n (14c): any of a genus (Carpinus) of trees of
          the birch family having smooth gray bark and hard white
          wood

   hornbill
          [horn.bill] n (1773): any of a family (Bucerotidae) of large
          nonpasserine Old World birds having enormous bills

   hornblende
          [horn.blende] n [G] (1770): a mineral that is the common
          dark variety of aluminous amphibole; broadly: amphibole
          2 -- horn.blend.ic adj

   hornbook
          [horn.book] n (ca. 1595) 1: a child's primer consisting of
          a sheet of parchment or paper protected by a sheet of
          transparent horn 2: a rudimentary treatise

   horned lizard
          [horned lizard] n (1806): horned toad

   horned owl
          [horned owl] n (14c): any of various owls having conspicuous
          tufts of feathers on the head

   horned pout
          [horned pout] n (1837): a bullhead (genus Ameiurus); esp:
          a common bullhead (A. nebulosus) of the eastern U.S.
          that has been introduced into streams of the Pacific
          coast

   horned toad
          [horned toad] n (1806): any of several small harmless insectivorous
          lizards (genus Phrynosoma) of the western U.S. and Mexico having
          hornlike spines

   horned viper
          [horned viper] n (1767): cerastes

   hornet
          [hor.net] n [ME hernet, fr. OE hyrnet; akin to OHG hornaz
          hornet, L crabro] (bef. 12c): any of the larger social
          wasps (family Vespidae)--compare yellow jacket

   hornet's nest
          [hornet's nest] n (ca. 1740) 1: a troublesome or hazardous
          situation 2: an angry reaction <must have known that
          his frank comments ... would stir up a hornet's nest
          --U.S. Investor>

   hornfels
          [horn.fels] n [G, fr. Horn horn + Fels cliff, rock] (1854):
          a fine-grained silicate rock produced by metamorphism
          esp. of slate

   horn fly
          [horn fly] n (1708): a small black European fly (Haematobia
          irritans) that has been introduced into No. America where
          it is a blood-sucking pest of cattle

   horn in
          [horn in] vi (1912): to participate without invitation or
          consent: intrude

   hornist
          [horn.ist] n (1836): a French horn player

   horn-mad
          [horn-mad] adj (1579): furiously enraged

   horn of plenty
          [horn of plenty] (ca. 1586): cornucopia

   hornpipe
          [horn.pipe] n (15c) 1: a single-reed wind instrument consisting
          of a wooden or bone pipe with finger holes, a bell, and
          mouthpiece usu. of horn 2: a lively folk dance of the
          British Isles orig. accompanied by hornpipe playing

   horn-rims
          [horn-rims] n pl (1927): glasses with horn rims

   hornstone
          [horn.stone] n (1728): a mineral that is a variety of quartz
          much like flint but more brittle

   hornswoggle
          [horn.swog.gle] vt -swog.gled ; -swog.gling [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1829) slang: bamboozle, hoax

   horntail
          [horn.tail] n (1884): any of various hymenopterous insects
          (family Siricidae) related to the typical sawflies but
          having larvae that burrow in woody plants and on the
          females a stout hornlike ovipositor for depositing the
          egg

   hornworm
          [horn.worm] n (1676): a hawkmoth caterpillar having a hornlike
          tail process--compare tomato hornworm

   hornwort
          [horn.wort] n (ca. 1805): any of a genus (Ceratophyllum)
          of rootless thin-stemmed aquatic herbs that have flowers
          with a sepaloid perianth and a single carpel

   horny
          [horny] adj horn.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: of or made of horn
          b: hard, callous <horny-handed> c: compact and homogeneous
          with a dull luster--used of a mineral 2: having horns
          3 [horn erect penis + [1]-y] a: desiring sexual gratification
          b: excited sexually -- horn.i.ness n

   horologe
          [hor.o.loge] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L horologium, fr. Gk horologion,
          fr. hora hour + legein to gather--more at year, legend]
          (14c): a timekeeping device

   horological
          [hor.o.log.i.cal] adj (15c): of or relating to a horologe
          or horology

   horologist
          [ho.rol.o.gist] n (1798) 1: a person skilled in the practice
          or theory of horology 2: a maker of clocks or watches

   horology
          [ho.rol.o.gy] n [Gk hora + E -logy] (1819) 1: the science
          of measuring time 2: the art of making instruments for
          indicating time

   horoscope
          [horo.scope] n [ME oruscope, fr. MF horoscope, fr. L horoscopus,
          fr. Gk horoskopos, fr. hora + skopos watcher; akin to
          Gk skopein to look at--more at spy] (14c) 1: a diagram
          of the relative positions of planets and signs of the
          zodiac at a specific time (as at one's birth) for use
          by astrologers in inferring individual character and
          personality traits and in foretelling events of a person's
          life 2: an astrological forecast

   horrendous
          [hor.ren.dous] adj [L horrendus, fr. gerundive of horrere]
          (1659): perfectly horrid: dreadful <the tax rate was
          ~> -- hor.ren.dous.ly adv

   horrent
          [hor.rent] adj [L horrent-, horrens, prp. of horrere] (1667)
          1 archaic: covered with bristling points: bristled 2
          archaic: standing up like bristles: bristling

   horrible
          [hor.ri.ble] adj [ME orrible, horrible, fr. MF, fr. L horribilis,
          fr. horrere] (14c) 1: marked by or conducive to horror
          2: extremely unpleasant or disagreeable -- horrible n
          -- hor.ri.ble.ness n -- hor.ri.bly adv

   horrid
          [hor.rid] adj [L horridus, fr. horrere] (1590) 1 archaic:
          rough, bristling 2: innately offensive or repulsive:
          a: inspiring horror: shocking b: inspiring disgust or
          loathing: nasty -- hor.rid.ly adv -- hor.rid.ness n

   horrific
          [hor.rif.ic] adj (1653): having the power to horrify <a ~
          account of the tragedy> -- hor.rif.i.cal.ly adv

   horrify
          [hor.ri.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1791) 1: to cause to feel
          horror 2: to fill with distaste: shock syn see dismay
          -- hor.ri.fy.ing.ly adv

   [1]horror
          [hor.ror] n [ME horrour, fr. MF horror, fr. L, action of
          bristling, fr. horrere to bristle, shiver; akin to Skt
          harsate he is excited] (14c) 1 a: painful and intense
          fear, dread, or dismay <astonishment giving place to
          ~ on the faces of the people about me --H. G. Wells>
          b: intense aversion or repugnance 2 a: the quality of
          inspiring horror: repulsive, horrible, or dismal quality
          or character <contemplating the ~ of their lives --Liam
          O'Flaherty> b: something that inspires horror 3 pl: a
          state of extreme depression or apprehension [2]horror
          adj (1797): calculated to inspire feelings of dread or
          horror: bloodcurdling <a ~ story>

   horror-struck
          [hor.ror-struck] adj (1814): struck with horror <stood ~
          as they watched ... their own city destroyed --Nashville
          Tennessean>

   hors commerce
          [hors com.merce] [F] foreign term : outside the trade: not
          offered through regular commercial channels

   hors de combat
          [hors de com.bat] adv or adj [F] (1757): out of combat: disabled

   hors d'oeuvre
          [hors d'oeuvre] n, pl hors d'oeuvres also hors d'oeuvre [F
          hors-d'oeuvre, lit., outside of the work] (1714): any
          of various savory foods usu. served as appetizers

   [1]horse
          [horse] n, pl hors.es also horse [ME hors, fr. OE; akin to
          OHG hros horse] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a large solid-hoofed
          herbivorous mammal (Equus caballus, family Equidae, the
          horse family) domesticated since a prehistoric period
          and used as a beast of burden, a draft animal, or for
          riding (2): racehorse <play the ~s> b: a male horse;
          esp: stallion c: a recent or extinct animal (as a zebra,
          ass, or onager) of the horse family 2 a: jackstay b:
          a frame usu. with legs used for supporting something
          (as planks or staging) c (1): pommel horse (2): vaulting
          horse 3 horse pl: cavalry 4: a mass of the same geological
          character as the wall rock occurring within a vein 5:
          horsepower 6 slang: heroin 7: an athlete whose performance
          is consistently strong and reliable <a team with the
          ~s to win the pennant> -- horse.less adj -- horse.like
          adj -- from the horse's mouth : from the original source
          [2]horse vb horsed ; hors.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1: to provide
          with a horse 2: to move by brute force ~ vi, of a mare:
          to be in heat [3]horse adj (15c) 1 a: of or relating
          to a horse b: hauled or powered by a horse <a ~ barge>
          2: large or coarse of its kind 3: mounted on horses <~
          guards>

   horse-and-buggy
          [horse-and-buggy] adj (ca. 1926) 1: of or relating to the
          era before the advent of certain socially revolutionizing
          inventions (as the automobile) 2: clinging to outdated
          attitudes or ideas: old-fashioned

   horse around
          [horse around] vi (ca. 1928): to engage in horseplay <horse
          around together, joking and laughing and pushing each
          other --D. K. Shipler>; also: fool around 1

   [1]horseback
          [horse.back] n (14c): the back of a horse [2]horseback adv
          (1727): on horseback [3]horseback adj (1879): given without
          thorough consideration <a ~ opinion>

   horsebean
          [horse.bean] n (1684) 1: broad bean 2: jerusalem thorn

   horsecar
          [horse.car] n (1833) 1: a streetcar drawn by horses 2: a
          car fitted for transporting horses

   horse chestnut
          [horse chestnut] n (1597) 1: a large Asian tree (Aesculus
          hippocastanum of the family Hippocastanaceae, the horse-chestnut
          family) that has palmate leaves and erect conical clusters
          of showy flowers and is widely cultivated as an ornamental
          and shade tree and naturalized as an escape; also: buckeye
          2: the large glossy brown seed of a horse chestnut

   horse coper
          [horse coper] n (1614) Brit: coper

   horsefeathers
          [horse.feath.ers] n pl (1928) slang: nonsense, balderdash

   horseflesh
          [horse.flesh] n (15c): horses considered esp. with reference
          to riding, driving, or racing

   horsefly
          [horse.fly] n (14c): any of a family (Tabanidae) of swift
          usu. large two-winged flies with bloodsucking females

   horse gentian
          [horse gentian] n (1837): feverwort

   horsehair
          [horse.hair] n (14c) 1: the hair of a horse esp. from the
          mane or tail 2: cloth made from horsehair

   horsehair worm
          [horsehair worm] n (ca. 1753): hairworm 1--called also horsehair
          snake

   horsehide
          [horse.hide] n (14c) 1: the dressed or raw hide of a horse
          2: the ball used in the game of baseball

   horse latitudes
          [horse latitudes] n pl (1777): either of two belts or regions
          in the neighborhood of 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S
          latitude characterized by high pressure, calms, and light
          variable winds

   horselaugh
          [horse.laugh] n (1713): a loud boisterous laugh: guffaw

   horseless carriage
          [horseless carriage] n (1895): automobile

   horse mackerel
          [horse mackerel] n (ca. 1705) 1: any of various large carangid
          food fishes; esp: jack mackerel 2: bluefin tuna

   horseman
          [horse.man] n (14c) 1: a rider or driver of horses; esp:
          one whose skill is exceptional 2: a person skilled in
          caring for or managing horses 3: a person who breeds
          or raises horses -- horse.man.ship n

   horsemint
          [horse.mint] n (bef. 12c): any of various coarse mints; esp:
          monarda

   horse nettle
          [horse nettle] n (ca. 1818): a coarse prickly weed (Solanum
          carolinense) of the nightshade family with bright yellow
          fruit resembling berries

   horse opera
          [horse opera] n (1927): western 2

   horseplay
          [horse.play] n (1589): rough or boisterous play

   horseplayer
          [horse.play.er] n (1947): one who habitually bets on horse
          races

   horsepower
          [horse.pow.er] n (1806) 1: the power that a horse exerts
          in pulling 2: a unit of power equal in the U.S. to 746
          watts and nearly equivalent to the English gravitational
          unit of the same name that equals 550 foot-pounds of
          work per second 3: effective power <intellectual ~> <computing
          ~>

   horse race
          [horse race] n (1954): a close contest (as in politics)

   horseradish
          [horse.rad.ish] n (1597) 1: a tall coarse white-flowered
          herb (Armoracia lapathifolia) of the mustard family 2:
          a condiment made from ground-up horseradish root

   horse's ass
          [horse's ass] n (ca. 1942): a stupid or incompetent person:
          blockhead--often considered vulgar

   horse sense
          [horse sense] n (1832): common sense

   horseshit
          [horse.shit] n (1946): nonsense, bunk--usu. considered vulgar

   horseshoe
          [horse.shoe] n (14c) 1: a usu. U-shaped band of iron fitted
          and nailed to the rim of a horse's hoof to protect it
          2: something (as a valley) shaped like a horseshoe 3
          pl: a game like quoits played with horseshoes or with
          horseshoe-shaped pieces of metal -- horseshoe vt -- horse.sho.er
          n

   horseshoe arch
          [horseshoe arch] n (ca. 1816): an arch having an intrados
          that widens above the springing before narrowing to a
          rounded or pointed crown--see arch illustration

   horseshoe crab
          [horseshoe crab] n (1797): any of several closely related
          marine arthropods (order Xiphosura and class Merostomata)
          with a broad crescentic cephalothorax--called also king
          crab

   horse show
          [horse show] n (1856): an exhibition of horses that usu.
          includes competition in riding, driving, and jumping

   horsetail
          [horse.tail] n (15c): equisetum

   horse trade
          [horse trade] n (1846): negotiation accompanied by shrewd
          bargaining and reciprocal concessions <a political horse
          trade> -- horse-trade vi -- horse trader n

   horseweed
          [horse.weed] n (1790) 1: a common No. American fleabane (Conyza
          canadensis syn. Erigeron canadensis) with linear leaves
          and small discoid heads of yellowish flowers 2: a coarse
          annual ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)

   horsewhip
          [horse.whip] vt (1768): to flog with or as if with a whip
          made to be used on a horse -- horse.whip.per n

   horsewoman
          [horse.wom.an] n (ca. 1578) 1: a woman rider or driver of
          horses; esp: one whose skill is exceptional 2: a woman
          skilled in caring for or managing horses 3: a woman who
          breeds or raises horses

   horsey
          [hors.ey] or horsy adj hors.i.er ; -est (1591) 1: of, relating
          to, or resembling a horse 2: having to do with horses
          or horse racing 3: characteristic of the manners, dress,
          or tastes of horsemen or horsewomen -- hors.i.ly adv
          -- hors.i.ness n

   horst
          [horst] n [G, lit., thicket] (1893): a block of the earth's
          crust separated by faults from adjacent relatively depressed
          blocks

   hort
          [hort] abbreviation horticultural, horticulture

   hortative
          [hor.ta.tive] adj [LL hortativus, fr. L hortatus, pp. of
          hortari to urge--more at yearn] (1623): giving exhortation:
          advisory -- hor.ta.tive.ly adv

   hortatory
          [hor.ta.to.ry] adj (1586): hortative, exhortatory

   horticulture
          [hor.ti.cul.ture] n [L hortus garden + E -i- + culture--more
          at yard] (1678): the science and art of growing fruits,
          vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants -- hor.ti.cul.tur.al
          adj -- hor.ti.cul.tur.al.ly adv -- hor.ti.cul.tur.ist
          n

   Horus
          [Ho.rus] n [LL, fr. Gk Horos, fr. Egypt Hr]: the Egyptian
          god of light and the son of Osiris and Isis

   Hos
          [Hos] abbreviation Hosea

   hosanna
          [ho.san.na] also ho.san.nah interj [ME osanna, fr. OE, fr.
          LL, fr. Gk hosanna, fr. Heb hoshi'ah-nna pray, save (us)]]
          (bef. 12c)--used as a cry of acclamation and adoration
          -- hosanna n

   HO scale
          [HO scale] n [half + O (gauge)] (1939): a scale of 3.5 millimeters
          to one foot used esp. for model toys (as automobiles or trains)

   [1]hose
          [hose] n, pl hose or hos.es [ME, fr. OE hosa stocking, husk;
          akin to OHG hosa leg covering] (bef. 12c) 1 pl hose a
          (1): a cloth leg covering that sometimes covers the foot
          (2): stocking, sock b (1): a close-fitting garment covering
          the legs and waist that is usu. attached to a doublet
          by points (2): short breeches reaching to the knee 2:
          a flexible tube for conveying fluids (as from a faucet
          or hydrant) [2]hose vt hos ed ; hos.ing (1889) 1: to
          spray, water, or wash with a hose--often used with down
          <~ down a stable floor> 2 slang a: to deprive of something
          due or expected: trick, cheat b: to shoot with automatic
          weapons fire

   Hosea
          [Ho.sea] n [Heb Hoshea'] 1: a Hebrew prophet of the 8th century
          b.c. 2: a prophetic book of canonical Jewish and Christian
          Scripture

   hosel
          [ho.sel] n [dim. of [1]hose] (1899): a socket in the head
          of a golf club into which the shaft is inserted

   hosepipe
          [hose.pipe] n (1835) chiefly Brit: hose 2

   hosiery
          [ho.siery] n (1796) 1: hose 1a 2 chiefly Brit: knitwear

   hosp
          [hosp] abbreviation hospital

   hospice
          [hos.pice] n [F, fr. L hospitium, fr. hospit-, hospes host--more
          at host] (1818) 1: a lodging for travelers, young persons,
          or the underprivileged esp. when maintained by a religious
          order 2: a facility or program designed to provide a
          caring environment for supplying the physical and emotional
          needs of the terminally ill

   hospitable
          [hos.pi.ta.ble] adj (ca. 1570) 1 a: given to generous and
          cordial reception of guests b: promising or suggesting
          generous and cordial welcome c: offering a pleasant or
          sustaining environment 2: readily receptive: open <~
          to new ideas> -- hos.pi.ta.bly adv

   hospital
          [hos.pi.tal] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML hospitale
          hospice, guest house, fr. neut. of L hospitalis of a
          guest, fr. hospit-, hospes] (14c) 1: a charitable institution
          for the needy, aged, infirm, or young 2: an institution
          where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical
          care--usu. used in British English without an article
          after a preposition 3: a repair shop for specified small
          objects <clock ~>

   hospitalise
          [hos.pi.tal.ise] Brit var of hospitalize

   hospitality
          [hos.pi.tal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c): hospitable treatment,
          reception, or disposition

   hospitality suite
          [hospitality suite] n (1963): a room or suite esp. in a hotel
          set aside as a place for socializing esp. for business
          purposes

   hospitalize
          [hos.pi.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1899): to place
          in a hospital as a patient -- hos.pi.tal.iza.tion n

   Hospitaller
          [Hos.pi.tal.ler] or Hos.pi.tal.er n [ME hospitalier, fr.
          MF, fr. ML hospitalarius, fr. LL hospitale] (14c): a
          member of a religious military order established in Jerusalem
          in the 12th century

   [1]host
          [host] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL hostis, fr. L, stranger, enemy--more
          at guest] (14c) 1: army 2: a very large number: multitude
          [2]host vi (15c): to assemble in a host usu. for a hostile
          purpose [3]host n [ME hoste host, guest, fr. OF, fr.
          L hospit-, hospes, prob. fr. hostis] (14c) 1 a: one that
          receives or entertains guests socially, commercially,
          or officially b: one that provides facilities for an
          event or function <our college served as ~ for the basketball
          tournament> 2 a: a living animal or plant affording subsistence
          or lodgment to a parasite b: the larger, stronger, or
          dominant member of a commensal or symbiotic pair c: an
          individual into which a tissue, part, or embryo is transplanted
          from another 3: a mineral or rock that is older than
          the minerals or rocks in it; also: a substance that contains
          a usu. small amount of another substance incorporated
          in its structure 4: a radio or television emcee 5: a
          computer that controls communications in a network that
          administers a database [4]host vt (15c) 1: to serve as
          host to, at, or for <~ friends> <~ a dinner> 2: emcee
          <~ed a series of TV programs> [5]host n, often cap [ME
          hoste, oste, fr. MF hoiste, fr. LL & L; LL hostia Eucharist,
          fr. L, sacrifice] (14c): the eucharistic bread

   hosta
          [hos.ta] n [NL, fr. Nicolaus Host d. 1834 Austrian botanist]
          (1828): plantain lily

   hostage
          [hos.tage] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. hoste] (13c) 1 a: a person
          held by one party in a conflict as a pledge that promises
          will be kept or terms met by the other party b: a person
          taken by force to secure the taker's demands 2: one that
          is involuntarily controlled by an outside influence

   [1]hostel
          [hos.tel] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. ML hospitale hospice] (14c)
          1: inn 2 a chiefly Brit: a supervised institutional residence
          b: a supervised lodging for usu. young travelers--called
          also youth hostel [2]hostel vi -teled or -telled ; -tel.ing
          or -tel.ling (14c): to stay at hostels overnight in the
          course of traveling

   hosteler
          [hos.tel.er] or hos.tel.ler n (14c) 1: one that lodges guests
          or strangers 2: a young traveler who stops at hostels
          overnight

   hostelry
          [hos.tel.ry] n, pl -ries (14c): inn, hotel

   [1]hostess
          [host.ess] n (14c) 1: a woman who entertains socially 2 a:
          a woman in charge of a public dining room who seats diners
          b: a female employee on a public conveyance (as an airplane)
          who manages the provisioning of food and attends passengers
          c: a woman who acts as a dancing partner or companion
          to male patrons in a dance hall or bar [2]hostess vi
          (1927): to act as hostess ~ vt: to serve as hostess to

   hostile
          [hos.tile] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L hostilis, fr. hostis]
          (1580) 1 a: of or relating to an enemy <~ fire> b: marked
          by malevolence <a ~ act> c: openly opposed or resisting
          <a ~ critic> <~ to new ideas> d: not hospitable <a ~
          environment> 2 a: of or relating to the opposing party
          in a legal controversy <a ~ witness> b: adverse to the
          interests of a property owner or corporation management
          <a ~ takeover> -- hostile n -- hos.tile.ly adv

   hostility
          [hos.til.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1 a: deep-seated usu. mutual
          ill will b (1): hostile action (2) pl: overt acts of
          warfare: war 2: conflict, opposition, or resistance in
          thought or principle syn see enmity

   hostler
          [hos.tler] n [ME, innkeeper, hostler, fr. hostel] (14c) 1:
          one who takes care of horses or mules 2: one who moves
          locomotives in and out of a roundhouse; also: one who
          services locomotives

   hostly
          [host.ly] adj (1893): of or appropriate to a host

   [1]hot
          [hot] adj hot.ter ; hot.test [ME, fr. OE hat; akin to OHG
          heiz hot, Lith kaisti to get hot] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having
          a relatively high temperature b: capable of giving a
          sensation of heat or of burning, searing, or scalding
          c: having heat in a degree exceeding normal body heat
          2 a: violent, stormy <a ~ temper> <a ~ battle>; also:
          angry <got ~ about the remark> b: sexually excited or
          receptive; also: sexy c: eager, zealous <~ for reform>
          d of jazz: emotionally exciting and marked by strong
          rhythms and free melodic improvisations 3: having or
          causing the sensation of an uncomfortable degree of body
          heat <~ and tired> <it's ~ in here> 4 a: newly made:
          fresh <a ~ scent> <~ off the press> b: close to something
          sought <~ on the trail> 5 a: suggestive of heat or of
          burning or glowing objects <~ colors> b: pungent, peppery
          6 a: of intense and immediate interest <some ~ gossip>
          b: unusually lucky or favorable <on a ~ streak> c: temporarily
          capable of unusual performance (as in a sport) d: currently
          popular or in demand <a ~ commodity> e: very good <a
          ~ idea> <not feeling too ~> f: absurd, unbelievable <wants
          to fight the champ? that's a ~ one> 7 a: electrically
          energized esp. with high voltage b: radioactive; also:
          dealing with radioactive material c of an atom or molecule:
          being in an excited state 8 a: recently and illegally
          obtained <~ jewels> b: wanted by the police; also: unsafe
          for a fugitive 9: fast <a ~ new fighter plane> <a ~ lap
          around the track> -- hot.ness n -- hot.tish adj -- hot
          under the collar : extremely exasperated or angry [2]hot
          adv (bef. 12c) 1: hotly 2: fast, quickly [3]hot n (13c)
          1: heat 1d(1) <the ~ of the day> 2: one that is hot (as
          a hot meal or a horse just after a workout) 3 pl: strong
          sexual desire--used with the [4]hot vt hot.ted ; hot.ting
          (1561) chiefly Southern, southern Midland, & Brit: heat,
          warm--usu. used with up

   hot air
          [hot air] n (1873): empty talk

   hotbed
          [hot.bed] n (1626) 1: a bed of soil enclosed in glass, heated
          esp. by fermenting manure, and used for forcing or for
          raising seedlings 2: an environment that favors rapid
          growth or development <a ~ of activity>

   hotblood
          [hot.blood] n (1798) 1: one that is hot-blooded; esp: one
          having strong passions or a quick temper 2: thoroughbred
          1

   hot-blooded
          [hot-blood.ed] adj (1598) 1: easily excited: passionate 2
          of a horse: having Arab or Thoroughbred ancestors --
          hot-blood.ed.ness n

   hotbox
          [hot.box] n (1848): a journal bearing (as of a railroad car)
          overheated by friction

   hotcake
          [hot.cake] n (1683): pancake -- like hotcakes : at a rapid
          rate <selling like hotcakes>

   hotch
          [hotch] vi [ME, prob. fr. MF hocher to shake, fr. OF hochier]
          (15c) 1 Scot: wiggle, fidget 2 chiefly Scot: swarm

   hotchpot
          [hotch.pot] n [AF hochepot, fr. OF, hotchpotch] (1552): the
          combining of properties into a common lot to ensure equality
          of division among heirs

   hotchpotch
          [hotch.potch] n [ME hochepot, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. hochier
          to shake + pot] (1583) 1 a: a thick soup or stew of vegetables,
          potatoes, and usu. meat b: hodgepodge 2: hotchpot

   hot comb
          [hot comb] n (1970): a metal comb usu. electrically heated
          for straightening or styling the hair -- hot-comb vt

   hot corner
          [hot corner] n (1903): the fielding position of the third
          baseman in baseball

   hotdog
          [hot.dog] vi [[2]hot dog] (1962): to perform in a conspicuous
          or often ostentatious manner; esp: to perform fancy stunts
          and maneuvers (as while surfing or skiing) -- hot.dog.ger
          n

   [1]hot dog
          [hot dog] n (ca. 1900) 1: frankfurter; esp: a frankfurter
          heated and served in a long split roll 2 [perh. fr. [2]hot
          dog]: one that hotdogs; also: show-off [2]hot dog interj
          (ca. 1906)--used to express approval or gratification

   hotel
          [ho.tel] n [F hotel, fr. OF hostel hostel] (1765): an establishment
          that provides lodging and usu. meals, entertainment, and various
          personal services for the public: inn -- ho.tel.dom n Hotel (ca.
          1952)--a communications code word for the letter h

   hotelier
          [ho.te.lier] n [F hotelier, fr. OF hostelier, fr. hostel]
          (1905): a proprietor or manager of a hotel

   hotelman
          [ho.tel.man] n (1920): one who is engaged in the hotel business
          esp. in a supervisory or managerial capacity

   hot flash
          [hot flash] n (1910): a sudden brief flushing and sensation
          of heat caused by dilation of skin capillaries usu. associated
          with menopausal endocrine imbalance--called also hot
          flush

   [1]hotfoot
          [hot.foot] adv (14c): in haste [2]hotfoot vi (1896): to go
          hotfoot: hurry--usu. used with it [3]hotfoot n, pl hotfoots
          (1934): a practical joke in which a match is surreptitiously
          inserted between the upper and the sole of a victim's
          shoe and lighted

   hothead
          [hot.head] n (1884): a hotheaded person

   hotheaded
          [hot.head.ed] adj (1641): fiery, impetuous -- hot.head.ed.ly
          adv -- hot.head.ed.ness n

   [1]hothouse
          [hot.house] n (1511) 1 obs: bordello 2: a greenhouse maintained
          at a high temperature esp. for the culture of tropical
          plants 3: hotbed 2 [2]hothouse adj (1838) 1: grown in
          a hothouse 2: suggestive of growth and development in
          a hothouse <a ~ existence>; also: suggesting a hothouse
          <a ~ atmosphere>

   hot line
          [hot line] n (1955) 1: a direct telephone line in constant
          operational readiness so as to facilitate immediate communication
          2: a usu. toll-free telephone service available to the
          public for some specific purpose <a consumer hot line>

   hotly
          [hot.ly] adv (15c): in a hot manner <a ~ contested series>

   hot-melt
          [hot-melt] n (1939): a fast-drying nonvolatile adhesive applied
          hot in the molten state

   hot metal
          [hot metal] n (1960): composition in which the type is cast
          from molten metal

   hot money
          [hot money] n (1936): investment funds intended for the highest
          short-term rate of return

   hot pepper
          [hot pepper] n (1945): any of various small and usu. thin-walled
          capsicum fruits of marked pungency; also: a plant bearing
          hot peppers

   hot plate
          [hot plate] n (1845) 1: a heated iron plate for cooking 2:
          a simple portable appliance for heating or for cooking
          in limited spaces

   hot pot
          [hot pot] n (1851) 1: a stew of meat and vegetables 2: firepot
          2

   hot potato
          [hot potato] n (1846): a controversial question or issue
          that involves unpleasant or dangerous consequences for
          anyone dealing with it

   hot pursuit
          [hot pursuit] n (ca. 1922): close continuous pursuit of a
          fleeing suspected lawbreaker or hostile military force
          esp. across territorial lines

   hot rod
          [hot rod] n (1945): an automobile rebuilt or modified for
          high speed and fast acceleration -- hot-rod vb -- hot-rod.der
          n

   hot seat
          [hot seat] n (1925) 1 slang: electric chair 2: a position
          of uneasiness, embarrassment, or anxiety

   hotshot
          [hot.shot] n, often attrib (ca. 1925) 1: a fast freight 2:
          a person who is conspicuously talented or successful

   hot spot
          [hot spot] n (1929) 1: a place of more than usual interest,
          activity, or action 2: a place in the upper mantle of
          the earth at which hot magma from the lower mantle upwells
          to melt through the crust usu. in the interior of a tectonic
          plate to form a volcanic feature; also: a place in the
          crust overlying a hot spot

   hot spring
          [hot spring] n (1669): a spring whose water issues at a temperature
          higher than that of its surroundings

   hot stuff
          [hot stuff] n (1889): someone or something unusually good

   Hottentot
          [Hot.ten.tot] n [Afrik] (1677) 1: a member of any of a group
          of Khoisan-speaking pastoral peoples of southern Africa
          2: the group of Khoisan languages spoken by the Hottentots

   hot ticket
          [hot ticket] n (1972): someone or something very popular:
          rage

   hot tub
          [hot tub] n (1975): a large usu. wooden tub of hot water
          in which bathers soak and usu. socialize

   hot up
          [hot up] vi (1878) chiefly Brit: to increase in intensity,
          pace, or excitement <air raids began to hot up about
          the beginning of February --George Orwell> ~ vt, chiefly
          Brit: to make livelier, speedier, or more intense

   hot war
          [hot war] n (1947): a conflict involving actual fighting--compare
          cold war

   hot water
          [hot water] n (1537): trouble 4, difficulty <was in hot water
          with the authorities>

   hot-wire
          [hot-wire] vt (1954): to start (as an automobile)
          by short-circuiting the ignition system

   [1]hound
          [hound] n [ME, fr. OE hund; akin to OHG hunt dog, L canis,
          Gk kyon] (bef. 12c) 1 a: dog b: a dog of any of various
          hunting breeds typically having large drooping ears and
          a deep voice and following their prey by scent 2: a mean
          or despicable person 3: dogfish 4: a person who pursues
          like a hound; esp: one who avidly seeks or collects something
          <autograph ~s> [2]hound vt (1528) 1: to pursue with or
          as if with hounds 2: to drive or affect by persistent
          harassing syn see bait -- hound.er n

   hounds
          [hounds] n pl [ME houne, fr. ON hunn knob at the top of a
          masthead] (15c): the framing at the masthead of a ship
          that supports the heel of the topmast and the upper parts
          of the lower rigging

   hound's-tongue
          [hound's-tongue] n (bef. 12c): any of various coarse plants
          (genus Cynoglossum, esp. C. officinale) of the borage
          family having tongue-shaped leaves and reddish flowers

   houndstooth check
          [hounds.tooth check] or hound's-tooth check n (1937): a usu.
          small broken-check textile pattern

   hour
          [hour] n [ME, fr. OF heure, fr. LL & L; LL hora canonical
          hour, fr. L, hour of the day, fr. Gk hora--more at year]
          (13c) 1: a time or office for daily liturgical devotion;
          esp: canonical hour 2: the 24th part of a day: 60 minutes
          3 a: the time of day reckoned in two 12-hour periods
          b pl: the time reckoned in one 24-hour period from midnight
          to midnight using a 4-digit number of which the first
          two digits indicate the hour and the last two digits
          indicate the minute <in the military 4:30 p.m. is called
          1630 ~s> 4 a: a customary or particular time <lunch ~>
          <in our ~ of need> b pl: time of going to bed <keeps
          late ~s>; also: time of working <banker's ~s> 5: an angular
          unit of right ascension equal to 15 degrees measured
          along the celestial equator 6: the work done or distance
          traveled at normal rate in an hour <the city was two
          ~s away> 7 a: a class session b: credit hour, semester
          hour -- after hours : after the regular quitting or closing
          time

   hour angle
          [hour angle] n (ca. 1837): the angle between the celestial
          meridian of an observer and the hour circle of a celestial
          object measured westward from the meridian

   hour circle
          [hour circle] n (1690): a circle on the celestial sphere
          that passes through both celestial poles

   [1]hourglass
          [hour.glass] n (ca. 1515): an instrument for measuring time
          consisting of a glass vessel having two compartments
          from the uppermost of which a quantity of sand, water,
          or mercury runs in an hour into the lower one [2]hourglass
          adj (ca. 1834): shaped like an hourglass <an ~ figure>

   hour hand
          [hour hand] n (1669): the short hand that marks the hours
          on the face of a watch or clock

   houri
          [hou.ri] n [F, fr. Per huri, fr. Ar huriyah] (1737) 1: one
          of the beautiful maidens that in Muslim belief live with
          the blessed in paradise 2: a voluptuously beautiful young
          woman

   hour-long
          [hour-long] adj (1803): lasting an hour

   [1]hourly
          [hour.ly] adv (15c): at or during every hour; also: frequently,
          continually [2]hourly adj (ca. 1530) 1 a: occurring hour
          by hour <~ bus service> b: frequent, continual <in ~
          expectation of the rain's stopping> 2: computed in terms
          of an hour <an ~ wage> 3: paid by the hour <~ workers>

   [1]house
          [house] n, pl hous.es often attrib [ME hous, fr. OE hus;
          akin to OHG hus house] (bef. 12c) 1: a building that
          serves as living quarters for one or a few families:
          home 2 a (1): a shelter or refuge (as a nest or den)
          of a wild animal (2): a natural covering (as a test or
          shell) that encloses and protects an animal or a colony
          of zooids b: a building in which something is housed
          <a carriage ~> 3 a: one of the 12 equal sectors in which
          the celestial sphere is divided in astrology b: a zodiacal
          sign that is the seat of a planet's greatest influence
          4 a: household b: a family including ancestors, descendants,
          and kindred <the ~ of Tudor> 5 a: a residence for a religious
          community or for students b: the community or students
          in residence 6 a: a legislative, deliberative, or consultative
          assembly; esp: one constituting a division of a bicameral
          body b: the building or chamber where such an assembly
          meets c: a quorum of such an assembly 7 a: a place of
          business or entertainment b (1): a business organization
          <a publishing ~> (2): a gambling establishment c: the
          audience in a theater or concert hall <a full ~ on opening
          night> 8: the circular area 12 feet in diameter surrounding
          the tee and within which a curling stone must rest in
          order to count -- house.ful n -- house.less adj -- house.less.ness
          n -- on the house : without charge: free [2]house vb housed
          ; hous.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to provide with living quarters
          or shelter b: to store in a house 2: to encase, enclose, or shelter
          as if by putting in a house 3: to serve as shelter for: contain
          ~ vi: to take shelter: lodge

   house arrest
          [house arrest] n (1936): confinement often under guard to
          one's house or quarters instead of in prison

   houseboat
          [house.boat] n (1790): a boat fitted for use as a dwelling;
          esp: a pleasure craft with a broad beam, a usu. shallow
          draft, and a large superstructure resembling a house
          -- house.boat.er n

   housebound
          [house.bound] adj (1878): confined to the house

   houseboy
          [house.boy] n (ca. 1898): houseman

   housebreak
          [house.break] vt -broke ; -bro.ken ; -break.ing [back-formation
          fr. housebroken] (1944) 1: to make housebroken 2 a: to
          teach acceptable social manners to b: tame, subdue

   housebreaking
          [house.break.ing] n (1617): an act of breaking open and entering
          the dwelling house of another with a felonious purpose
          -- house.break.er n

   housebroken
          [house.bro.ken] adj (1900) 1: trained to excretory habits
          acceptable in indoor living--used of a household pet
          2: made tractable or polite

   house call
          [house call] n (1960): a visit (as by a doctor or a repair
          person) to a home to provide a requested service

   housecarl
          [house.carl] n [OE huscarl, fr. ON huskarl, fr. hus house
          + karl man; akin to OE ceorl churl] (bef. 12c): a member
          of the bodyguard of a Danish or early English king or
          noble

   house cat
          [house cat] n (1607): cat 1a

   houseclean
          [house.clean] vb [back-formation fr. housecleaning] vi (1863)
          1: to clean a house and its furniture 2: to get rid of
          unwanted or undesirable items or people ~ vt 1: to clean
          the surfaces and furnishings of 2: to improve or reform
          by ridding of undesirable people or practi ces -- house.clean.ing
          n

   housecoat
          [house.coat] n (1913): a woman's often long-skirted informal
          garment for wear around the house

   house cricket
          [house cricket] n (1774): a widely distributed cricket (Acheta
          domesticus) usu. living in or about dwellings

   house detective
          [house detective] n (1898): a person who is employed (as
          by a hotel) to prevent disorderly or improper conduct
          of patrons

   housedress
          [house.dress] n (1897): a dress with simple lines that is
          suitable for housework and is made usu. of a washable
          fabric

   housefather
          [house.fa.ther] n (1901): a man in charge of a dormitory,
          hall, or hostel

   house finch
          [house finch] n (1869): a small finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
          that has a male with a red head, breast, and rump and
          that is native to Mexico and the western U.S. and has
          been introduced in the eastern U.S.

   housefly
          [house.fly] n (15c): a cosmopolitan dipteran fly (Musca domestica)
          that is often about human habitations and may act as a mechanical
          vector of diseases (as typhoid fever); also: any of various flies
          of similar appearance or habitat

   housefront
          [house.front] n (1838): the facade of a house

   house girl
          [house girl] n (1835): housemaid

   houseguest
          [house.guest] n (1917): guest 1a

   [1]household
          [house.hold] n (14c): those who dwell under the same roof
          and compose a family; also: a social unit comprised of
          those living together in the same dwelling [2]household
          adj (14c) 1: of or relating to a household: domestic
          <cooking and other ~ arts> 2: familiar, common <a ~ name>

   householder
          [house.hold.er] n (14c): a person who occupies a house or
          tenement alone or as the head of a household

   household troops
          [household troops] n pl (1711): troops appointed to attend
          and guard a sovereign or the residence of a sovereign

   househusband
          [house.hus.band] n (1955): a husband who does housekeeping
          usu. while his wife earns the family income

   housekeep
          [house.keep] vi -kept ; -keep.ing [back-formation fr. housekeeper]
          (1842): to perform the routine duties (as cooking and cleaning)
          of managing a house

   housekeeper
          [house.keep.er] n (1607) 1: a woman employed to keep house
          2: housewife 1

   housekeeping
          [house.keep.ing] n (1550) 1: the management of a house and
          home affairs 2: the care and management of property and
          the provision of equipment and services (as for an industrial
          organization) 3: the routine tasks that must be done
          in order for a system to function or to function efficiently

   [1]housel
          [hou.sel] n [ME, fr. OE husel sacrifice, Eucharist; akin
          to Goth hunsl sacrifice] (bef. 12c) archaic: the Eucharist
          or the act of administering or receiving it [2]housel
          vt (bef. 12c) archaic: to administer communion to

   houseleek
          [house.leek] n (14c): a pink-flowered thick-leaved European
          plant (Sempervivum tectorum) of the orpine family that
          tends to form clusters of rosettes and is often grown
          in rock gardens; broadly: sempervivum

   houselights
          [house.lights] n pl (1920): the lights that illuminate the
          auditorium of a theater

   housemaid
          [house.maid] n (ca. 1694): a female servant employed to do
          housework

   housemaid's knee
          [housemaid's knee] n [so called fr. its occurrence among
          women who work a great deal on their knees] (1831): a
          swelling over the knee due to an enlargement of the bursa
          in the front of the patella

   houseman
          [house.man] n (1920): a person who performs general work
          about a house or hotel

   housemaster
          [house.mas.ter] n (1884): a master in charge of a house in
          a boy's boarding school

   housemate
          [house.mate] n (ca. 1810): a person who lives in the same
          house with another

   housemother
          [house.moth.er] n (1882): a woman acting as hostess, chaperon,
          and often housekeeper in a group residence

   house mouse
          [house mouse] n (1835): a common nearly cosmopolitan grayish-brown
          mouse (Mus musculus) that usu. lives and breeds about buildings,
          may act as a vector of diseases, and is an important laboratory
          animal

   house of assembly
          [house of assembly] (1653): a legislative body or the lower
          house of a legislature (as in various British colonies,
          protectorates, and countries of the Commonwealth)

   House of Burgesses
          [House of Burgesses] (1658): the colonial representative
          assembly of Virginia

   house of cards
          [house of cards] (1903): a structure, situation, or institution
          that is insubstantial, shaky, or in constant danger of
          collapse

   House of Commons
          [House of Commons] (1621): the lower house of the British
          and Canadian parliaments

   house of correction
          [house of correction] (ca. 1576): an institution where persons
          who have committed a minor offense and are considered
          capable of reformation are confined

   house of delegates
          [house of delegates] (1783): house 6a; esp: the lower house
          of the state legislature in Maryland, Virginia, and West
          Virginia

   House of Lords
          [House of Lords] (1818): the upper house of the British Parliament
          composed of the lords temporal and spiritual

   house of representatives
          [house of representatives] (1716): the lower house of a legislative
          body (as the U.S. Congress)

   house of studies
          [house of studies] (1929): an educational institution serving
          scholars of a religious order--called also house of study

   house organ
          [house organ] n (1907): a periodical distributed by a business
          concern among its employees, sales personnel, or customers

   housepainter
          [house.paint.er] n (1689): one whose business or occupation
          is painting houses

   houseparent
          [house.par.ent] n: an adult in charge of a dormitory, hall,
          hostel, or group residence

   house party
          [house party] n (1876): a party lasting over one or more
          nights at a residence (as a home or fraternity house)

   houseperson
          [house.per.son] n (1974): a person who does housekeeping

   houseplant
          [house.plant] n (1871): a plant grown or kept indoors

   house-proud
          [house-proud] adj (1849) chiefly Brit: proud of one's house
          or housekeeping

   houser
          [hous.er] n (1940): one that promotes or administers housing
          projects

   house-raising
          [house-rais.ing] n (1704): the joint erection of a house
          or its framework by a gathering of neighbors

   houseroom
          [house.room] n (1582): space for accommodation in or as if
          in a house <given ~ by a family all too eager to have
          a celebrity in their midst --Walter Kerr>

   house rule
          [house rule] n (1947): a rule (as in a game) that applies
          only among a certain group or in a certain place

   house seat
          [house seat] n (1948): a theater seat reserved by the management
          for a special guest

   house sitter
          [house sitter] n (1971): a person who occupies a dwelling
          to provide security and maintenance while the tenant
          is away -- house-sit vi -- house-sit.ting n

   house sparrow
          [house sparrow] n (1674): a sparrow (Passer domesticus) native
          to Eurasia that has been introduced worldwide and is
          found esp. in urban and agricultural areas--called also
          English sparrow

   house-to-house
          [house-to-house] adj (1859): going or done by going from
          one building to the next <~ fighting>

   housetop
          [house.top] n (1526): roof; esp: the level surface of a flat
          roof -- from the housetops : for all to hear: openly
          <shouting their grievances from the housetops>

   house trailer
          [house trailer] n (1937): mobile home

   house-train
          [house-train] vt (1924) chiefly Brit: housebreak

   housewares
          [house.wares] n pl (1921): furnishings for a house; esp:
          small articles of household equipment (as cooking utensils
          or small appliances)

   housewarming
          [house.warm.ing] n (1577): a party to celebrate the taking
          possession of a house or premises

   housewife
          [house.wife] n, pl house.wives (13c) 1: a married woman in
          charge of a household 2: a pocket-size container for
          small articles (as thread) -- house.wife.li.ness n --
          house.wife.ly adj -- house.wif.ery n -- house.wif.ey
          adj

   housework
          [house.work] n (1841): the work of housekeeping

   [1]housing
          [hous.ing] n (14c) 1 a: shelter, lodging b: dwellings provided
          for people 2 a: a niche for a sculpture b: the space
          taken out of a structural member (as a timber) to admit
          the insertion of part of another 3: something that covers
          or protects: as a: a case or enclosure (as for a mechanical
          part or an instrument) b: a casing (as an enclosed bearing)
          in which a shaft revolves c: a support (as a frame) for
          mechanical parts [2]housing n [ME, fr. house housing
          (fr. MF houce, of Gmc origin) + -ing; akin to MHG hulft
          covering] (15c): caparison 1

   housing development
          [housing development] n (1951): a group of individual dwellings
          or apartment houses typically of similar design that
          are usu. built and sold or leased by one management

   housing estate
          [housing estate] n (1920) Brit: housing development

   housing project
          [housing project] n (ca. 1937): a publicly supported and
          administered housing development planned usu. for low-income
          families

   Houyhnhnm
          [Hou.yhn.hnm] n: a member of a race of horses endowed with
          reason in Swift's Gulliver's Travels

   HOV
          [HOV] abbreviation high-occupancy vehicle

   hove
          [hove] past and past part of heave

   hovel
          [hov.el] n [ME] (15c) 1: an open shed or shelter 2: tabernacle
          3: a small, wretched, and often dirty house: hut

   hover
          [hov.er] vi hov.ered ; hov.er.ing [ME hoveren, freq. of hoven
          to hover] (15c) 1 a: to hang fluttering in the air or
          on the wing b: to remain suspended over a place or object
          2 a: to move to and fro near a place: fluctuate around
          a given point <unemployment ~ed around 10%> b: to be
          in a state of uncertainty, irresolution, or suspense
          -- hover n -- hov.er.er n

   hovercraft
          [hov.er.craft] n (1959): a vehicle that is supported above
          the surface of land or water by a cushion of air produced
          by downwardly directed fans

   [1]how
          [how] adv [ME, fr. OE hu; akin to OHG hwuo how, OE hwa who--more
          at who] (bef. 12c) 1 a: in what manner or way b: for
          what reason: why c: with what meaning: to what effect
          d: by what name or title <~ art thou called --Shak.>
          2: to what degree or extent 3: in what state or condition
          <~ are you> 4: at what price <~ a score of ewes now --Shak.>
          -- how about : what do you say to or think of <how about
          it, are you going?> -- how come : how does it happen
          that: why [2]how conj (bef. 12c) 1 a: the way or manner
          in which <remember ~ they fought>; also: the state or
          condition in which b: that <told them ~ he had a situation
          --Charles Dickens> 2: however, as <a reader can shift
          his attention ~ he likes --William Empson> [3]how n (1533)
          1: a question about manner or method 2: manner, method

   [1]howbeit
          [how.be.it] conj (14c): although [2]howbeit adv (15c): nevertheless

   howdah
          [how.dah] n [Hindi hauda, fr. Ar hawdaj] (1774): a seat or
          covered pavilion on the back of an elephant or camel

   howdy
          [how.dy] interj [alter. of how do ye] (1712)--used to express
          greeting -- howdy vb

   howe
          [howe] n [ME (northern) holl hollow place, fr. OE hol, fr.
          hol, adj., hollow--more at hole] (bef. 12c) Scot: hollow,
          valley

   [1]however
          [how.ev.er] conj (14c) 1: in whatever manner or way that
          <will help ~ I can> 2 archaic: although [2]however adv
          (14c) 1 a: in whatever manner or way <shall serve you,
          sir, truly, ~ else --Shak.> b: to whatever degree or
          extent <has done this for ~ many thousands of years --Emma
          Hawkridge> 2: in spite of that: on the other hand <still
          seems possible, ~, that conditions will improve> <would
          like to go; ~, I think I'd better not> 3: how in the
          world <~ did you manage to do it>

   howff
          [howff] or howf n [D hof enclosure; akin to OE hof enclosure,
          and perh. to hufil hill] (1711) Scot: haunt, resort

   howitzer
          [how.it.zer] n [D houwitser, ultim. fr. Czech houfnice ballista]
          (1695): a short cannon used to fire projectiles at medium
          muzzle velocities and with relatively high trajectories

   howl
          [howl] vb [ME houlen; akin to MHG hiulen to howl] vi (14c)
          1: to emit a loud sustained doleful sound characteristic
          of members of the dog family 2: to cry out loudly and
          without restraint under strong impulse (as pain, grief,
          or amusement) 3: to go on a spree or rampage ~ vt 1:
          to utter with unrestrained outcry 2: to drown out or
          cause to fail by adverse outcry--used esp. with down
          <~ed down the speaker> -- howl n

   howler
          [howl.er] n (1800) 1 a: one that howls b: howler monkey 2:
          a humorous and ridiculous blunder

   howler monkey
          [howler monkey] n (1932): any of a genus (Alouatta) of So.
          and Central American monkeys that have a long prehensile
          tail and enlargement of the hyoid and laryngeal apparatus
          enabling them to make loud howling noises

   howling
          [howl.ing] adj (1599) 1: producing or marked by a sound resembling
          a sustained howl <a ~ storm> 2: desolate, wild <a ~ wilderness>
          3: very great: pronounced <a ~ success> -- howl.ing.ly adv

   howsoever
          [how.so.ev.er] adv (14c) 1: in whatever manner 2: to whatever
          degree or extent

   [1]how-to
          [how-to] adj (1926): giving practical instruction and advice
          (as on a craft) <~ books on all sorts of hobbies --Harry
          Milt> [2]how-to n (1954): a practical method or instruction
          <the ~s of balancing a checkbook>

   [1]hoy
          [hoy] interj [ME] (14c)--used in attracting attention or
          in driving animals [2]hoy n [ME, fr. MD hoei] (15c) 1:
          a small usu. sloop-rigged coasting ship 2: a heavy barge
          for bulky cargo

   hoya
          [hoya] n [NL, fr. Thomas Hoy d. 1821 Eng. gardener] (1851):
          any of a genus (Hoya) of climbing Asian and Australian
          evergreen shrubs of the milkweed family

   hoyden
          [hoy.den] n [perh. fr. obs D heiden country lout, fr. MD,
          heathen; akin to OE haethen heathen] (1676): a girl or
          woman of saucy, boisterous, or carefree behavior -- hoy.den.ish
          adj

   hoyle
          [hoyle] n, often cap [Edmond Hoyle d. 1769 Eng. writer on
          games] (1906): an encyclopedia of the rules of indoor
          games and esp. card games

   hp...
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   hp
          [hp] abbreviation horsepower  HP abbreviation half pay, high
          pressure, hire purchase

   HPA
          [HPA] abbreviation high-power amplifier

   HPF
          [HPF] abbreviation highest possible frequency, high power
          field

   HPV
          [HPV] abbreviation human-powered vehicle

   hq...
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   HQ
          [HQ] abbreviation headquarters

   hr...
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   hr
          [hr] abbreviation here, hour  HR abbreviation home run, House
          of Representatives

   HRH
          [HRH] abbreviation Her Royal Highness, His Royal Highness

   hrzn
          [hrzn] abbreviation horizon

   hs...
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   HS
          [HS] abbreviation high school

   Hsia
          [Hsia] n [Chin (Beijing) Xia] (ca. 1909): the legendary first
          dynasty of Chinese history traditionally dated from about
          2200-1766 b.c.

   HSL
          [HSL] abbreviation high-speed launch

   HST
          [HST] abbreviation Hawaiian standard time, hypersonic transport

   ht...
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   ht
          [ht] abbreviation height  HT abbreviation half time, halftone,
          hardtop, Hawaii time, high-tension, high tide, [L hoc
          tempore] at this time; [L hoc titulo] under this title

   HTLV
          [HTLV] n [human T-cell lymphotropic virus] (1980): any of
          several retroviruses--often used with a number or Roman
          numeral to indicate type

   HTLV-III
          [HTLV-III] n (1984): hiv-1

   hu...
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   HUAC
          [HUAC] abbreviation House Un-American Activities Committee

   huarache
          [hua.ra.che] n [MexSp, fr. Tarascan kwarachi] (1892): a low-heeled
          sandal having an upper made of interwoven leather strips

   hub
          [hub] n [prob. alter. of [2]hob] (1649) 1: the central part
          of a circular object (as a wheel or propeller) 2 a: a
          center of activity: focal point b: an airport or city
          through which an airline routes most of its traffic 3:
          a steel punch from which a working die for a coin or
          medal is made

   hub-and-spoke
          [hub-and-spoke] adj (1980): being or relating to a system
          of routing air traffic in which a major airport serves
          as a central point for coordinating flights to and from
          other airports

   Hubbard squash
          [Hub.bard squash] n [prob. fr. the name Hubbard] (1868):
          any of various often large variably green winter squashes--called
          also Hubbard

   hubble-bubble
          [hub.ble-bub.ble] n [redupl. of bubble] (1634) 1: water pipe
          2 2: a flurry of sound or activity: commotion

   hubbub
          [hub.bub] n [perh. of Ir origin; akin to ScGael ub ub, interj.
          of contempt] (1555) 1: noise, uproar 2: confusion, turmoil

   hubby
          [hub.by] n, pl hubbies [by alter.] (1688): husband

   hubcap
          [hub.cap] n (1903): a removable usu. metal cap over the end
          of an axle; esp: one used on the wheel of a motor vehicle

   hubris
          [hu.bris] n [Gk hybris] (1884): exaggerated pride or
          self-confidence -- hu.bris.tic adj

   huck
          [huck] n (1851): huckaback

   huckaback
          [huck.a.back] n [origin unknown] (1690): an absorbent durable
          fabric of cotton, linen, or both used chiefly for towels

   huckleberry
          [huck.le.ber.ry] n [perh. alter. of hurtleberry (huckleberry)]
          (1670) 1: any of a genus (Gaylussacia) of American shrubs
          of the heath family; also: the edible dark blue to black
          usu. acid berry (esp. of G. baccata) with 10 nutlets
          2: blueberry

   [1]huckster
          [huck.ster] n [ME hukster, fr. MD hokester, fr. hoeken to
          peddle] (13c) 1: hawker, peddler 2: one who produces
          promotional material for commercial clients esp. for
          radio or television -- huck.ster.ism n [2]huckster vb
          huck.stered ; huck.ster.ing vi (1592): haggle ~ vt 1:
          to deal in or bargain over 2: to promote by showmanship

   HUD
          [HUD] abbreviation Department of Housing and Urban Development

   [1]huddle
          [hud.dle] vb hud.dled ; hud.dling [prob. fr. or akin to ME
          hoderen to huddle] vt (1579) 1 Brit: to arrange carelessly
          or hurriedly 2 a: to crowd together b: to draw (oneself)
          together: crouch 3: to wrap closely in (as clothes) ~
          vi 1 a: to gather in a close-packed group b: to curl
          up: crouch 2 a: to hold a consultation b: to gather in
          a huddle in football -- hud.dler n [2]huddle n (1586)
          1: a close-packed group: bunch <~s of children> <a ~
          of cottages> 2 a: meeting, conference <secret ~s were
          held by five leading Republicans --Newsweek> b: a brief
          gathering of football players away from the line of scrimmage
          to receive instructions (as from the quarterback) for
          the next down

   Hudibrastic
          [Hu.di.bras.tic] adj [irreg. fr. Hudibras, satirical poem
          by Samuel Butler d. 1680] (1712) 1: written in humorous
          octosyllabic couplets 2: mock-heroic -- Hudibrastic n

   hue
          [hue] n [ME hewe, fr. OE hiw; akin to ON hy plant down, Goth
          hiwi form] (bef. 12c) 1: complexion, aspect <political
          parties of every ~ --Louis Wasserman> 2 a: color b: gradation
          of color c: the attribute of colors that permits them
          to be classed as red, yellow, green, blue, or an intermediate
          between any contiguous pair of these colors--compare
          brightness 2, lightness 2, saturation 4

   hue and cry
          [hue and cry] n [hue (outcry)] (15c) 1 a: a loud outcry formerly
          used in the pursuit of one who is suspected of a crime
          b: the pursuit of a suspect or a written proclamation
          for the capture of a suspect 2: a clamor of alarm or
          protest 3: hubbub

   hued
          [hued] adj (bef. 12c): colored--usu. used in combination
          <green-hued>

   [1]huff
          [huff] vb [imit.] vi (1583) 1: to emit puffs (as of breath
          or steam) 2 a: to make empty threats: bluster b: to react
          or behave indignantly <~ed off in anger> ~ vt 1: to puff
          up: inflate 2 archaic: to treat with contempt: bully
          3: to make angry 4: to utter with indignation or scorn
          [2]huff n (1599): a usu. peevish and transitory spell
          of anger or resentment <quit in a ~> syn see offense

   huffish
          [huff.ish] adj (ca. 1755): arrogant, sulky

   huffy
          [huffy] adj huff.i.er ; -est (1677) 1: haughty, arrogant
          2 a: roused to indignation: irritated b: easily offended:
          touchy -- huff.i.ly adv -- huff.i.ness n

   hug
          [hug] vt hugged ; hug.ging [perh. of Scand origin; akin to
          ON hugga to soothe] (1567) 1: to press tightly esp. in
          the arms 2 a: congratulate b: to hold fast: cherish <hugged
          his miseries like a sulky child --John Buchan> 3: to
          stay close to <the road ~s the river> -- hug n -- hug.ga.ble
          adj

   huge
          [huge] adj hug.er ; hug.est [ME, fr. OF ahuge] (12c): very
          large or extensive: as a: of great size or area b: great
          in scale or degree <a ~ deficit> c: great in scope or
          character <a man of ~ talent> syn see enormous -- huge.ly
          adv -- huge.ness n

   hugeous
          [huge.ous] adj (1519): huge -- huge.ous.ly adv

   [1]hugger-mugger
          [hug.ger-mug.ger] n [origin unknown] (1529) 1: secrecy 2:
          confusion, muddle [2]hugger-mugger adj (1692) 1: secret
          2: of a confused or disorderly nature: jumbled -- hugger-mugger
          adv

   hug-me-tight
          [hug-me-tight] n (1860): a woman's short usu. knitted sleeveless
          close-fitting jacket

   Huguenot
          [Hu.gue.not] n [MF, alter. of MF dial. eyguenot, adherent
          of a Swiss political movement, fr. G dial. Eidgnosse
          confederate] (1565): a member of the French Reformed
          communion esp. of the 16th and 17th centuries -- Hu.gue.not.ic
          adj -- Hu.gue.not.ism n

   huh
          [huh] interj [imit. of a grunt] (1608)--used to express surprise,
          disbelief, or confusion, or as an inquiry inviting affirmative
          reply

   Huichol
          [Hui.chol] n, pl Huichol or Hui.cho.les [MexSp] (1900) 1:
          a member of an American Indian people of the mountains
          between Zacatecas and Nayarit, Mexico 2: the Uto-Aztecan
          language of the Huichol people -- Huichol adj

   huisache
          [hui.sa.che] n [MexSp, fr. Nah uatl huixachi, fr. huitzli
          thorn + ixachi a great amount, many] (1838): a widely
          cultivated thorny shrubby acacia (Acacia farnesiana)
          of the southern U.S. and tropical America

   hula
          [hu.la] also hu.la-hu.la n [Hawaiian] (1825): a sinuous Polynesian
          dance characterized by rhythmic movement of the hips and mimetic
          gestures with the hands and often accompanied by chants and
          rhythmic drumming

   hula hoop
          [hula hoop] n (1958): a plastic hoop that is twirled around
          the body

   [1]hulk
          [hulk] n [ME hulke, fr. OE hulc, prob. fr. ML holcas, fr.
          Gk holkas, fr. helkein to pull--more at sulcus] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a heavy clumsy ship b (1): the body of an old
          ship unfit for service (2): a ship used as a prison--usu.
          used in pl. <every prisoner sent to the ~s --Kenneth
          Roberts> c: an abandoned wreck or shell (as of a building
          or automobile) 2: one that is bulky or unwieldy <a big
          ~ of a man> [2]hulk vi (ca. 1825) 1 dial Eng: to move
          ponderously 2: to appear impressively large or massive:
          loom

   hulking
          [hulk.ing] adj (1698): ponderous, massive

   [1]hull
          [hull] n [ME, fr. OE hulu; akin to OHG hala hull, OE helan
          to conceal--more at hell] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the outer covering
          of a fruit or seed b: the persistent calyx or involucre
          that subtends some fruits 2 a: the frame or body of a
          ship or boat exclusive of masts, yards, sails, and rigging
          b: the main body of a usu. large or heavy craft or vehicle
          (as an airship or tank) 3: covering, casing -- hull-less
          adj [2]hull vt (14c): to remove the hulls of: shuck --
          hull.er n

   hullabaloo
          [hul.la.ba.loo] n, pl -loos [perh. fr. hallo + Sc balloo,
          interj. used to hush children] (1762): din; also: uproar

   hull down
          [hull down] adv or adj (1775) of a ship: at such a distance
          that only the superstructure is visible

   hulled corn
          [hulled corn] n (1788): whole grain corn from which the hulls
          have been removed by soaking or boiling in lye water

   hullo
          [hul.lo] chiefly Brit var of hello

   [1]hum
          [hum] vb hummed ; hum.ming [ME hummen; akin to MHG hummen
          to hum, MD hommel bumblebee] vi (14c) 1 a: to utter a
          sound like that of the speech sound /m/ prolonged b:
          to make the natural noise of an insect in motion or a
          similar sound: drone c: to give forth a low continuous
          blend of sound 2 a: to be busily active <the museum hummed
          with visitors> b: to run smoothly <the business started
          to ~> ~ vt 1: to sing with the lips closed and without
          articulation 2: to affect or express by humming <hummed
          his displeasure> -- hum n -- hum.ma.ble adj [2]hum chiefly
          Brit var of hem

   [1]human
          [hu.man] adj [ME humain, fr. MF, fr. L humanus; akin to L
          homo human being--more at homage] (14c) 1: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of humans 2: consisting of humans
          3 a: having human form or attributes b: susceptible to
          or representative of the sympathies and frailties of
          human nature <such an inconsistency is very ~ --P. E.
          More> -- hu.man.ness n [2]human n (ca. 1533): a bipedal
          primate mammal (Homo sapiens): man; broadly: any living
          or extinct member of the family (Hominidae) to which
          the primate belongs -- hu.man.like adj

   human being
          [human being] n (1800): human

   humane
          [hu.mane] adj [ME humain] (ca. 1500) 1: marked by compassion,
          sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals 2: characterized
          by or tending to broad humanistic culture: humanistic
          <~ studies> -- hu.mane.ly adv -- hu.mane.ness n

   human ecology
          [human ecology] n (1907) 1: a branch of sociology dealing
          esp. with the spatial and temporal interrelationships
          between humans and their economic, social, and political
          organization 2: the ecology of human communities and
          populations esp. as concerned with preservation of environmental
          quality (as of air or water) through proper application
          of conservation and civil engineering practices

   human engineering
          [human engineering] n (1920) 1: management of humans and
          their affairs esp. in industry 2: ergonomics

   human immunodeficiency virus
          [human immunodeficiency virus] n (1986): hiv

   humanism
          [hu.man.ism] n (1832) 1 a: devotion to the humanities: literary
          culture b: the revival of classical letters, individualistic
          and critical spirit, and emphasis on secular concerns
          characteristic of the Renaissance 2: humanitarianism
          3: a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human
          interests or values; esp: a philosophy that usu. rejects
          supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity
          and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason
          -- hu.man.ist n or adj -- hu.man.is.tic adj -- hu.man.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   humanitarian
          [hu.man.i.tar.i.an] n (1844): a person promoting human welfare
          and social reform: philanthropist -- humanitarian adj
          -- hu.man.i.tar.i.an.ism n

   humanity
          [hu.man.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the quality or state of
          being humane 2 a: the quality or state of being human
          b pl: human attributes or qualities <his work has the
          ripeness of the 18th century, and its rough humanities
          --Pamela H. Johnson> 3 pl: the branches of learning (as
          philosophy or languages) that investigate human constructs
          and concerns as opposed to natural processes (as in physics
          or chemistry) 4: mankind 1

   humanize
          [hu.man.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1603) 1 a: to represent
          as human: attribute human qualities to b: to adapt to
          human nature or use 2: to make humane -- hu.man.iza.tion
          n -- hu.man.iz.er n

   humankind
          [hu.man.kind] n sing but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1645):
          the human race

   humanly
          [hu.man.ly] adv (15c) 1 a: with regard to human needs and
          emotions <provide ~ for those who are not needed in the
          economy --E. F. Bacon> b: with regard to or in keeping
          with human proneness to error or weakness <~ inaccurate>
          2 a: from a human viewpoint <~ speaking, the process
          works ... like this --Elizabeth Janeway> b: within the
          range of human capacity <did everything ~ possible> c:
          by humans <~ made>

   human nature
          [human nature] n (1668): the nature of humans; esp: the fundamental
          dispositions and traits of humans

   humanoid
          [hu.man.oid] adj (1918): having human form or characteristics
          <~ dentition> <~ robots> -- humanoid n

   human relations
          [human relations] n pl but usu sing in constr (1946) 1: a
          study of human problems arising from organizational and
          interpersonal relations (as in industry) 2: a course,
          study, or program designed to develop better interpersonal
          and intergroup adjustments

   human resources
          [human resources] n pl (1975): personnel 1a, 2 <director
          of human resources>

   human rights
          [human rights] n pl (1791): rights (as freedom from unlawful
          imprisonment, torture, and execution) regarded as belonging
          fundamentally to all persons

   humanum est errare
          [hu.ma.num est er.ra.re] [L] foreign term : to err is human

   humate
          [hu.mate] n (1844): a salt or ester of a humic acid

   Humber
          [Humber] abbreviation Humberside

   [1]humble
          [hum.ble] adj hum.bler ; hum.blest [ME, fr. OF, fr. L humilis
          low, humble, fr. humus earth; akin to Gk chthon earth,
          chamai on the ground] (13c) 1: not proud or haughty:
          not arrogant or assertive 2: reflecting, expressing,
          or offered in a spirit of deference or submission <a
          ~ apology> 3 a: ranking low in a hierarchy or scale:
          insignificant, unpretentious b: not costly or luxurious
          <a ~ contraption> -- hum.ble.ness n -- hum.bly adv [2]humble
          vt hum.bled ; hum.bling (14c) 1: to make humble in spirit
          or manner 2: to destroy the power, independence, or prestige
          of -- hum.bler n -- hum.bling.ly adv

   humble-bee
          [hum.ble-bee] n [ME humbylbee, fr. humbyl- (akin to MD hommel
          bumblebee) + bee--more at hum] (15c): bumblebee

   humble pie
          [humble pie] n (1830): a figurative serving of humiliation
          usu. in the form of a forced submission, apology, or
          retraction--often used in the phrase eat humble pie

   [1]humbug
          [hum.bug] n [origin unknown] (1751) 1 a: something designed
          to deceive and mislead b: a willfully false, deceptive,
          or insincere person 2: an attitude or spirit of pretense
          and deception 3: nonsense, drivel 4 Brit: a hard usu.
          mint-flavored candy syn see imposture -- hum.bug.gery
          n [2]humbug vb hum.bugged ; hum.bug.ging vt (1751): deceive,
          hoax ~ vi: to engage in a hoax or deception

   humdinger
          [hum.ding.er] n [prob. alter. of hummer] (ca. 1904): a striking
          or extraordinary person or thing

   humdrum
          [hum.drum] adj [redupl. of hum] (1553): monotonous, dull
          -- humdrum n

   humectant
          [hu.mec.tant] n [L humectant-, humectans, prp. of humectare
          to moisten, fr. humectus moist, fr. humere to be moist--more
          at humor] (ca. 1857): a substance that promotes retention
          of moisture -- humectant adj

   humeral
          [hu.mer.al] adj (1615) 1: of, relating to, or situated in
          the region of the humerus or shoulder 2: of, relating
          to, or being a body part analogous to the humerus or
          shoulder -- humeral n

   humeral veil
          [humeral veil] n (1853): an oblong vestment worn around the
          shoulders and over the hands by a priest holding a sacred
          vessel

   humerus
          [hu.mer.us] n, pl hu.meri [ME, fr. L humerus, umerus upper
          arm, shoulder; akin to Goth ams shoulder, Gk omos] (15c):
          the long bone of the upper arm or forelimb extending
          from the shoulder to the elbow

   humic
          [hu.mic] adj (1844): of, relating to, or derived at least
          in part from humus

   humic acid
          [humic acid] n (1844): any of various organic acids obtained
          from humus

   humid
          [hu.mid] adj [F or L; F humide, fr. L humidus, fr. humere]
          (15c): containing or characterized by perceptible moisture
          esp. to the point of being oppressive syn see wet --
          hu.mid.ly adv

   humidifier
          [hu.mid.i.fi.er] n (1884): a device for supplying or maintaining
          humidity

   humidify
          [hu.mid.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1885): to make humid --
          hu.mid.i.fi.ca.tion n

   humidistat
          [hu.mid.i.stat] n (ca. 1904): an instrument for regulating
          or maintaining the degree of humidity

   humidity
          [hu.mid.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c): a moderate degree of wetness
          esp. of the atmosphere--compare relative humidity

   humidor
          [hu.mi.dor] n [humid + -or (as in cuspidor)] (1903): a case
          or enclosure (as for storing cigars) in which the air
          is kept properly humidified

   humification
          [hu.mi.fi.ca.tion] n (1897): formation of or conversion into
          humus

   humified
          [hu.mi.fied] adj (1906): converted into humus

   humiliate
          [hu.mil.i.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL humiliatus, pp. of
          humiliare, fr. L humilis low--more at humble] (ca. 1534):
          to reduce to a lower position in one's own eyes or others'
          eyes: mortify -- hu.mil.i.a.tion n

   humiliating
          [hu.mil.i.at.ing] adj (1757): extremely destructive to one's
          self-respect or dignity: humbling -- hu.mil.i.at.ing.ly
          adv

   humility
          [hu.mil.i.ty] n (14c): the quality or state of being humble

   hummer
          [hum.mer] n (1605) 1: one that hums 2: hummingbird 3: humdinger
          4: fastball

   hummingbird
          [hum.ming.bird] n (1637): any of a family (Trochilidae) of
          tiny brightly colored nonpasserine New World birds related
          to the swifts and like them having narrow wings with
          long primaries, a slender bill, and a very extensile
          tongue

   hummock
          [hum.mock] n [alter. of [2]hammock] (1555) 1: a rounded knoll
          or hillock 2: a ridge of ice 3: [2]hammock 2 -- hummock
          vb -- hum.mocky adj

   hummus
          [hum.mus] n [Ar hummus chickpeas] (1950): a paste of pureed
          chickpeas usu. mixed with sesame oil or sesame paste
          and eaten as a dip or sandwich spread

   humongous
          [hu.mon.gous] also hu.mun.gous adj [perh. alter. of huge
          + monstrous] (ca. 1967): extremely large: huge

   [1]humor
          [hu.mor] n [ME humour, fr. MF humeur, fr. ML & L; ML humor,
          fr. L humor, umor moisture; akin to ON vokr damp, L humere
          to be moist, and perh. to Gk hygros wet] (14c) 1 a: a
          normal functioning bodily semifluid or fluid (as the
          blood or lymph) b: a secretion (as a hormone) that is
          an excitant of activity 2 a in medieval physiology: a
          fluid or juice of an animal or plant; specif: one of
          the four fluids entering into the constitution of the
          body and determining by their relative proportions a
          person's health and temperament b: characteristic or
          habitual disposition or bent: temperament <of cheerful
          ~> c: an often temporary state of mind imposed esp. by
          circumstances <was in no ~ to listen> d: a sudden, unpredictable,
          or unreasoning inclination: whim <the uncertain ~s of
          nature> 3 a: that quality which appeals to a sense of
          the ludicrous or absurdly incongruous b: the mental faculty
          of discovering, expressing, or appreciating the ludicrous
          or absurdly incongruous c: something that is or is designed
          to be comical or amusing syn see wit -- out of humor
          : out of sorts [2]humor vt hu.mored ; hu.mor.ing (1588)
          1: to soothe or content by indulgence 2: to adapt oneself
          to syn see indulge

   humoral
          [hu.mor.al] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, proceeding from,
          or involving a bodily humor (as a hormone) 2: relating
          to or being the part of immunity or the immune response
          that involves antibodies secreted by B cells and circulating
          in bodily fluids

   humoresque
          [hu.mor.esque] n [G Humoreske, fr. Humor, fr. ML] (1889):
          a typically whimsical or fanciful musical composition

   humorist
          [hu.mor.ist] n (1589) 1 archaic: a person subject to whims
          2: a person specializing in or noted for humor

   humoristic
          [hu.mor.is.tic] adj (1818): humorous

   humorless
          [hu.mor.less] adj (ca. 1847) 1: lacking a sense of humor
          2: lacking humorous characteristics -- hu.mor.less.ly
          adv -- hu.mor.less.ness n

   humorous
          [hu.mor.ous] adj (15c) 1 obs: humid 2 a: full of or characterized
          by humor: jocular b: indicating or expressive of a sense
          of humor syn see witty -- hu.mor.ous.ly adv -- hu.mor.ous.ness
          n

   humour
          [hu.mour] chiefly Brit var of humor

   [1]hump
          [hump] n [akin to MLG hump bump] (1709) 1: a rounded protuberance:
          as a: humpback 1 b: a fleshy protuberance on the back of an animal
          (as a camel, bison, or whale) c (1): mound, hummock (2): mountain,
          range <the Himalayan ~> 2 Brit: a fit of depression or sulking
          3: a difficult, trying, or critical phase or obstacle--often used
          in the phrase over the hump -- humped adj [2]hump vt (1835)
          1: to copulate with--often considered vulgar 2: to exert (oneself)
          vigorously 3: to make humpbacked: hunch 4 chiefly Brit: to put
          or carry on the back: lug; also: transport ~ vi 1: to exert
          oneself: hustle 2: to move swiftly: race

   humpback
          [hump.back] n (1697) 1: a humped or crooked back; also: kyphosis
          2: hunchback 1 3: humpback whale 4: pink salmon

   humpbacked
          [hump.backed] adj (1681) 1: having a humped back 2: convexly
          curved <a ~ bridge>

   humpback whale
          [humpback whale] n (1725): a large baleen whale (Megaptera
          novaeangliae) that is black above and white below and
          has very long flippers, and fleshy tubercles along the
          snout

   [1]humph
          [humph] vi (1814): to utter a humph ~ vt: to utter (as a
          remark) in a tone suggestive of a humph [2]humph interj
          [imit. of a grunt] (1815)--used to express doubt or contempt

   humpty-dumpty
          [hump.ty-dump.ty] n, pl -dumpties often cap H&D [Humpty-Dumpty,
          egg-shaped nursery-rhyme character who fell from a wall
          and broke into bits] (1883): something that once broken
          is impossible or almost impossible to put back together

   humpy
          [humpy] adj hump.i.er ; -est (1708) 1: full of humps 2: covered
          with humps

   humus
          [hu.mus] n [NL, fr. L, earth--more at humble] (1796): a brown
          or black complex variable material resulting from partial
          decomposition of plant or animal matter and forming the
          organic portion of soil

   Hun
          [Hun] n [ME, fr. OE Hunas, pl., fr. LL Hunni, pl.] (bef.
          12c) 1: a member of a nomadic central Asian people gaining
          control of a large part of central and eastern Europe
          under Attila about a.d. 450 2 a often not cap: a person
          who is wantonly destructive: vandal b: german; esp: a
          German soldier--usu. used disparagingly

   Hunan
          [Hu.nan] or Hu.na.nese adj [Hunan, China] (1970): of, relating
          to, or being a hot and spicy style of Chinese cooking

   [1]hunch
          [hunch] vb [origin unknown] vt (1581) 1: jostle, shove 2:
          to thrust or bend over into a humped or crooked position
          ~ vi 1: to thrust oneself forward 2 a: to assume a bent
          or crooked posture b: to draw oneself into a ball: curl
          up c: huddle, squat [2]hunch n (1630) 1: an act or instance
          of hunching: push 2 a: a thick piece: lump b: hump 3:
          a strong intuitive feeling concerning esp. a future event
          or result

   hunchback
          [hunch.back] n (1712) 1: a person with a humpback 2: humpback
          1 -- hunch.backed adj

   hundred
          [hun.dred] n, pl hundreds or hundred [ME, fr. OE, fr. hund
          hundred + -red (akin to Goth rathjo account, number);
          akin to L centum hundred, Gk hekaton, OE tien ten--more
          at ten, reason] (bef. 12c) 1: ten times ten 2 hundreds
          pl a: the numbers 100 to 999 b: a great number <~s of
          times> 3: a 100-dollar bill 4: a subdivision of some
          English and American counties -- hundred adj -- hun.dred.fold
          adj or adv -- hun.dredth adj or n

   hundred-percenter
          [hun.dred-per.cent.er] n [hundred-percent (American)] (1921):
          a thoroughgoing nationalist -- hun.dred-per.cent.ism
          n

   hundreds place
          [hundreds place] n (1937): the place three to the left of
          the decimal point in a number expressed in the Arabic
          system of notation

   hundredweight
          [hun.dred.weight] n, pl hundredweight or hundredweights (1577)
          1: a unit of weight equal to 100 pounds--called also
          short hundredweight 2 Brit: a unit of weight equal to
          112 pounds--called also long hundredweight

   [1]hung
          [hung] past and past part of hang [2]hung adj (1848): unable
          to reach a decision or verdict <a ~ jury>; also, Brit:
          not having a political party with an overall majority
          <a ~ parliament>

   Hung
          [Hung] abbreviation Hungarian, Hungary

   Hungarian
          [Hun.gar.i.an] n (1553) 1 a: a native or inhabitant of Hungary:
          magyar b: a person of Hungarian descent 2: the Finno-Ugric
          language of the Hungarians -- Hungarian adj

   [1]hunger
          [hun.ger] n [ME, fr. OE hungor; akin to OHG hungar hunger,
          Lith kanka torture] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a craving or urgent
          need for food or a specific nutrient b: an uneasy sensation
          occasioned by the lack of food c: a weakened condition
          brought about by prolonged lack of food 2: a strong desire:
          craving -- from hunger : very bad or inept <the jokes
          were from hunger --Mordecai Richler> [2]hunger vb hun.gered
          ; hun.ger.ing vi (bef. 12c) 1: to feel or suffer hunger
          2: to have an eager desire ~ vt: to make hungry syn see
          long

   hunger strike
          [hunger strike] n (1889): refusal (as by a prisoner) to eat
          enough to sustain life -- hunger striker n

   hungover
          [hung.over] adj (1941): suffering from a hangover

   hungry
          [hun.gry] adj hun.gri.er ; -est [ME, fr. OE hungrig; akin
          to OE hungor] (bef. 12c) 1 a: feeling hunger b: characterized
          by or characteristic of hunger or appetite 2 a: eager,
          avid <~ for affection> b: strongly motivated (as by ambition)
          <a ~ young athlete> 3: not rich or fertile: barren --
          hun.gri.ly adv -- hun.gri.ness n

   hung up
          [hung up] adj (1948) 1: delayed or detained for a time 2:
          anxiously nervous 3: being much involved with: as a:
          being infatuated b: enthusiastic c: preoccupied

   hunk
          [hunk] n [Flem hunke] (ca. 1813) 1: a large lump, piece,
          or portion <a ~ of bread> 2: an attractive well-built
          man

   hunker
          [hun.ker] vi hun.kered ; hun.ker.ing [perh. of Scand origin;
          akin to ON huka to squat; akin to MLG hoken to squat,
          peddle--more at hawker] (1720) 1: crouch, squat--usu.
          used with down 2: to settle in or dig in for a sustained
          period--used with down <~ down for a good long wait --New
          Yorker>

   hunkers
          [hun.kers] n pl (1756): haunches

   hunks
          [hunks] n pl but sing in constr [origin unknown] (1602):
          a surly ill-natured person; esp: miser

   hunky
          [hunky] adj hunk.i.er ; -est (1911): muscular and usu. attractive
          <~ men> Hun.ky also Hun.kie n, pl Hunkies [alter. of
          Hungarian] (ca. 1896): a person of central or east European
          birth or descent--usu. used disparagingly

   hunky-dory
          [hun.ky-do.ry] adj [obs. E dial. hunk (home base) + -dory
          (origin unknown)] (1866): quite satisfactory: fine

   Hunnish
          [Hun.nish] adj (1820): relating to or resembling the Huns

   [1]hunt
          [hunt] vb [ME, fr. OE huntian; akin to OE hentan to seize]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to pursue for food or in sport <~
          buffalo> b: to manage in the search for game <~s a pack
          of dogs> 2 a: to pursue with intent to capture <~ed the
          escaped prisoner> b: to search out: seek 3: to drive
          or chase esp. by harrying <members of the colonial council
          ... were ~ed from their homes --J. T. Adams> 4: to traverse
          in search of prey <~s the woods> ~ vi 1: to take part
          in a hunt 2: to attempt to find something 3: to oscillate
          alternately to each side (as of a neutral point) or to
          run alternately faster and slower--used esp. of a device
          or machine [2]hunt n (14c) 1: the act, the practice,
          or an instance of hunting 2: a group of mounted hunters
          and their hunting dogs

   hunt-and-peck
          [hunt-and-peck] n (1939): a method of typing in which one
          looks at the keyboard and types using usu. the forefingers

   hunter
          [hunt.er] n (13c) 1 a: a person who hunts game b: a dog used
          or trained for hunting c: a horse used or adapted for
          use in hunting with hounds; esp: a fast strong horse
          trained for cross-country work and jumping 2: one that
          searches for something 3: a pocket watch with a hinged
          protective cover

   hunter-gatherer
          [hunt.er-gath.er.er] n (1977): a member of a culture in which
          food is obtained by hunting, fishing, and foraging rather
          than by agriculture or animal husbandry

   hunter green
          [hunter green] n (ca. 1930): a dark yellowish green

   hunting
          [hunt.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: the act of one that hunts; specif:
          the pursuit of game 2: the process of hunting 3 a: a
          periodic variation in speed of a synchronous electrical
          machine b: a self-induced and undesirable oscillation
          of a variable above and below the desired value in an
          automatic control system c: a continuous attempt by an
          automatically controlled system to find a desired equilibrium
          condition

   hunting horn
          [hunting horn] n (1694): a signal horn used in the chase;
          specif: a coiled circular horn with a flared bell and
          a cup-shaped mouthpiece

   Huntington's chorea
          [Hun.ting.ton's chorea] n [George Huntington d. 1916 Am.
          physician] (1889): hereditary chorea usu. developing
          in adult life and progressing to dementia--called also
          Huntington's disease

   huntress
          [hunt.ress] n (14c): a woman who hunts game; also: a female
          animal that hunts prey

   huntsman
          [hunts.man] n (1567) 1: hunter 1a 2: a person who manages
          a hunt and looks after the hounds

   hup
          [hup] interj [prob. alter. of [1]hep] (1951)--used to mark
          a marching cadence

   hurdies
          [hur.dies] n pl [origin unknown] (14c) dial Brit: rump

   [1]hurdle
          [hur.dle] n [ME hurdel, fr. OE hyrdel; akin to OHG hurt hurdle,
          L cratis wickerwork, hurdle] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a portable
          panel usu. of wattled withes and stakes used esp. for
          enclosing land or livestock b: a frame or sled formerly
          used in England for dragging traitors to execution 2
          a: an artificial barrier over which racers must leap
          b pl: any of various track events in which a series of
          hurdles must be surmounted 3: barrier, obstacle [2]hurdle
          vt hur.dled ; hur.dling (1896) 1: to leap over esp. while
          running (as in a sporting competition) 2: overcome, surmount
          -- hur.dler n

   hurdy-gurdy
          [hur.dy-gur.dy] n, pl  -gurdies [prob. imit.] (1749) 1: a
          stringed instrument in which sound is produced by the
          friction of a rosined wheel turned by a crank against
          the strings and the pitches are varied by keys 2: any
          of various mechanical musical instruments (as the barrel
          organ)

   hurl
          [hurl] vb hurled ; hurl.ing [ME] vi (13c) 1: rush, hurtle
          2: pitch 5a, b ~ vt 1: to send or thrust with great vigor
          <the forces that were to be ~ed against the Turks --N.
          T. Gilroy> 2: to throw down with violence 3 a: to throw
          forcefully: fling <~ed the manuscript into the fire>
          <~ed myself over the fence> b: pitch 2a 4: to utter with
          vehemence <~ed insults at the police> syn see throw --
          hurl n -- hurl.er n

   hurling
          [hurl.ing] n (ca. 1600): an Irish game resembling field hockey
          played between two teams of 15 players each

   hurly
          [hur.ly] n [prob. short for hurly-burly] (1594): uproar,
          tumult

   hurly-burly
          [hur.ly-bur.ly] n [prob. alter. & redupl. of hurling, gerund
          of hurl] (1539): uproar, tumult -- hurly-burly adj

   Huron
          [Hu.ron] n, pl Hurons or Huron [F, lit., boor] (1658): a
          member of a confederacy of American Indian peoples formerly
          occupying the country between Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario

   [1]hurrah
          [hur.rah] n (1686) 1 a: excitement, fanfare b: cheer 7 2:
          fuss [2]hur.rah also hur.ray interj [perh. fr. G hurra]
          (1716)--used to express joy, approbation, or encouragement

   Hurrian
          [Hur.ri.an] n (1911) 1: a member of an ancient non-Semitic
          people of northern Mesopotamia, Syria, and eastern Asia
          Minor about 1500 b.c. 2: the language of the Hurrian
          people

   [1]hurricane
          [hur.ri.cane] n [Sp huracan, fr. Taino hurakan] (1555) 1:
          a tropical cyclone with winds of 74 miles (118 kilometers)
          per hour or greater that occurs esp. in the western Atlantic,
          that is usu. accompanied by rain, thunder, and lightning,
          and that sometimes moves into temperate latitudes 2:
          something resembling a hurricane esp. in its turmoil
          [2]hurricane adj (1894): having or being a glass chimney
          providing protection from wind <a ~ lamp>

   hurried
          [hur.ried] adj (1667) 1: going or working at speed 2: done
          in a hurry: hasty -- hur.ried.ly adv -- hur.ried.ness
          n

   [1]hurry
          [hur.ry] vb hur.ried ; hur.ry.ing [perh. fr. ME horyen] vt
          (1592) 1 a: to carry or cause to go with haste <~ them
          to the hospital> b: to impel to rash or precipitate action
          2 a: to impel to greater speed: prod <used spurs to ~
          the horse> b: expedite c: to perform with undue haste
          <~ a minuet> ~ vi: to move or act with haste <please
          ~ up> -- hur.ri.er n [2]hurry n (1600) 1: disturbed or
          disorderly activity: commotion 2 a: agitated and often
          bustling or disorderly haste b: a state of eagerness
          or urgency: rush syn see haste -- in a hurry : without
          delay: as rapidly as possible <the police got there in
          a hurry>

   hurry-scurry
          [hur.ry-scur.ry] or hur.ry-skur.ry n [redupl. of [2]hurry]
          (1754): a confused rush: turmoil -- hurry-scurry adj
          or adv

   hurry-up
          [hur.ry-up] adj (1902): speeded up: completed in a hurry
          <a ~ dinner>

   [1]hurt
          [hurt] vb hurt ; hurt.ing [ME, prob. fr. OF hurter to collide
          with, prob. of Gmc origin; akin to ON hrutr male sheep]
          vt (13c) 1 a: to inflict with physical pain: wound b:
          to do substantial or material harm to: damage <the dry
          summer has ~ the land> 2 a: to cause emotional pain or
          anguish to: offend b: to be detrimental to: hamper <charges
          of graft ~ my chances of being elected> ~ vi 1 a: to
          suffer pain or grief b: to be in need--usu. used with
          for <~ing for money> 2: to cause damage or distress <hit
          where it ~s> syn see injure -- hurt adj -- hurt.er n
          [2]hurt n (13c) 1: a cause of injury or damage: blow
          2 a: a bodily injury or wound b: mental distress or anguish:
          suffering 3: wrong, harm

   hurtful
          [hurt.ful] adj (1526): causing injury, detriment, or suffering:
          damaging -- hurt.ful.ly adv -- hurt.ful.ness n

   hurtle
          [hur.tle] vb hur.tled ; hur.tling [ME hurtlen to collide,
          freq. of hurten to cause to strike, hurt] vi (14c): to
          move rapidly or forcefully ~ vt: hurl, fling -- hurtle
          n

   hurtless
          [hurt.less] adj (1549): causing no pain or injury: harmless

   [1]husband
          [hus.band] n [ME husbonde, fr. OE husbonda master of a house,
          fr. ON husbondi, fr. hus house + bondi householder; akin
          to ON bua to inhabit; akin to OE buan to dwell--more
          at bower] (13c) 1: a male partner in a marriage 2 Brit:
          manager, steward 3: a frugal manager -- hus.band.ly adj
          [2]husband vt (15c) 1 a: to manage prudently and economically
          b: to use sparingly: conserve 2 archaic: to find a husband
          for: mate -- hus.band.er n

   husbandman
          [hus.band.man] n (14c) 1: one that plows and cultivates land:
          farmer 2: a specialist in a branch of farm husbandry

   husbandry
          [hus.band.ry] n (14c) 1 archaic: the care of a household
          2: the control or judicious use of resources: conservation
          3 a: the cultivation or production of plants and animals:
          agriculture b: the scientific control and management
          of a branch of farming and esp. of domestic animals

   [1]hush
          [hush] vb [back-formation fr. husht (hushed), fr. ME hussht,
          fr. huissht, interj. used to enjoin silence] vt (1546)
          1: calm, quiet <~ed the children as they entered the
          library> 2: to put at rest: mollify 3: to keep from public
          knowledge: suppress <~ the story up> ~ vi: to become
          quiet [2]hush adj (1602) 1 archaic: silent, still 2:
          intended to prevent the dissemination of certain information
          <~ money> [3]hush n (1689): a silence or calm esp. following
          noise: quiet

   hush-hush
          [hush-hush] adj (1916): secret, confidential

   hush puppy
          [hush puppy] n [fr. its occasional use as food for dogs]
          (ca. 1918) chiefly Southern & southern Midland: cornmeal
          dough shaped into small balls and fried in deep fat--usu.
          used in pl.

   [1]husk
          [husk] n [ME] (14c) 1 a: a usu. dry or membranous outer covering
          (as a pod or hull or one composed of bracts) of various
          seeds and fruits; also: one of the constituent parts
          b: a carob pod 2 a: an outer layer: shell b: an emptied
          shell: remnant c: a supporting framework [2]husk vt (1562):
          to strip the husk from -- husk.er n

   husking
          [husk.ing] n (1692): cornhusking--called also husking bee

   husk-tomato
          [husk-tomato] n (1895): ground-cherry

   [1]husky
          [husky] adj husk.i.er ; -est (1552): resembling, containing,
          or full of husks [2]hus.ky adj hus.ki.er ; -est [prob.
          fr. husk (huskiness), fr. obs. husk (to have a dry cough)]
          (ca. 1722): hoarse with or as if with emotion -- hus.ki.ly
          adv -- hus.ki.ness n [3]hus.ky n, pl huskies [shortening
          of Huskemaw, Uskemaw Eskimo, fr. Cree ashkimew; akin
          to Montagnais (Algonquian language of eastern Canada)
          aiachkime8 Micmac, Eskimo--more at eskimo] (1852) 1:
          a heavy-coated working dog of the New World arctic region
          2: siberian husky [4]hus.ky n, pl huskies (1864): one
          that is husky [5]hus.ky adj hus.ki.er ; -est [prob. fr.
          [1]husk] (1869) 1: burly, robust 2: large

   hussar
          [hus.sar] n [Hung huszar hussar, (obs.) highway robber, fr.
          Serbo-Croatian husar pirate, fr. ML cursarius--more at
          corsair] (1532): a member of any of various European
          units orig. modeled on the Hungarian light cavalry of
          the 15th century

   Hussite
          [Huss.ite] n [NL Hussita, fr. John Huss] (1532): a member
          of the Bohemian religious and nationalist movement originating
          with John Huss -- Hussite adj -- Huss.it.ism n

   hussy
          [hus.sy] n, pl hussies [alter. of ME huswif housewife, fr.
          hus house + wif wife, woman] (1505) 1: a lewd or brazen
          woman 2: a saucy or mischievous girl

   hustings
          [hus.tings] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME, fr. OE husting,
          fr. ON husthing, fr. hus house + thing assembly] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a local court formerly held in various English
          municipalities and still held infrequently in London
          b: a local court in some cities in Virginia 2 a: a raised
          platform used until 1872 for the nomination of candidates
          for the British Parliament and for election speeches
          b: an election platform: stump c: the proceedings or
          locale of an election campaign

   hustle
          [hus.tle] vb hus.tled ; hus.tling [D husselen to shake, fr.
          MD hutselen, freq. of hutsen] vt (1751) 1 a: jostle,
          shove b: to convey forcibly or hurriedly c: to urge forward
          precipitately 2 a: to obtain by energetic activity <~
          up new customers> b: to sell something to or obtain something
          from by energetic and esp. underhanded activity <~ing
          the suckers> c: to sell or promote energetically and
          aggressively <~ing a new product> d: to lure less skillful
          players into competing against oneself at (a gambling
          game) <~ pool> ~ vi 1: shove, press 2: hasten, hurry
          3 a: to make strenuous efforts to obtain esp. money or
          business b: to obtain money by fraud or deception c:
          to engage in prostitution 4: to play a game or sport
          in an alert aggressive manner -- hustle n -- hus.tler
          n

   [1]hut
          [hut] n [MF hutte, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG hutta hut;
          prob. akin to OE hyd skin, hide] (1658) 1: an often small
          and temporary dwelling of simple construction: shack
          2: a simple shelter from the elements -- hut vb [2]hut
          interj [prob. alter. of [1]hep] (1948)--used to mark
          a marching cadence

   hutch
          [hutch] n [ME huche, fr. OF] (13c) 1 a: a chest or compartment
          for storage b: a cupboard usu. surmounted by open shelves
          2: a pen or coop for an animal 3: shack, shanty

   hutment
          [hut.ment] n (1889) 1: a collection of huts: encampment 2:
          hut

   Hutterite
          [Hut.ter.ite] n [Jakob Hutter d. 1536 Moravian Anabaptist]
          (1910): a member of a Mennonite sect of northwestern
          U.S. and Canada living communally and holding property
          in common -- Hut.te.ri.an adj

   Hutu
          [Hu.tu] n, pl Hutu or Hutus (1952): a member of a Bantu-speaking
          people of Rwanda and Burundi

   hutzpah
          [hutz.pah] or hutz.pa var of chutzpah

   huzzah
          [huz.zah] or huz.za n [origin unknown] (1573): an expression
          or shout of acclaim--often used interjectionally to express
          joy or approbation

   hv...
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   hv
          [hv] abbreviation have  HV abbreviation high velocity, high
          voltage

   HVAC
          [HVAC] abbreviation heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning

   hvy
          [hvy] abbreviation heavy

   hw...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   hw
          [hw] abbreviation how  HW abbreviation high water, highway,
          hot water

   HWM
          [HWM] abbreviation high-water mark

   hwy
          [hwy] abbreviation highway

   hy...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   hyacinth
          [hy.a.cinth] n [L hyacinthus, a precious stone, a flowering
          plant, fr. Gk hyakinthos] (1553) 1 a: a precious stone
          of the ancients sometimes held to be the sapphire b:
          a gem zircon or essonite 2 a: a plant of the ancients
          held to be a lily, iris, larkspur, or gladiolus b: a
          bulbous herb (Hyacinthus orientalis) of the lily family
          that is native to the Mediterranean region but is widely
          grown for its dense spikes of fragrant flowers--compare
          grape hyacinth, water hyacinth 3: a light violet to moderate
          purple -- hy.a.cin.thine adj

   Hyacinthus
          [Hy.a.cin.thus] n [L, fr. Gk Hyakinthos]: a youth loved and
          accidentally killed by Apollo who memorializes him with
          a hyacinth growing from the youth's blood

   Hyades
          [Hy.a.des] n pl [L, fr. Gk] (14c): a V-shaped cluster of
          stars in the head of the constellation Taurus held by
          the ancients to indicate rainy weather when they rise
          with the sun

   hyaena
          [hy.ae.na] var of hyena

   hyal-
          [hyal-] or hyalo- comb form [LL, glass, fr. Gk, fr. hyalos]:
          glass: glassy: hyaline <hyaluronic acid>

   [1]hyaline
          [hy.a.line] adj [LL hyalinus, fr. Gk hyalinos, fr. hyalos]
          (ca. 1661): transparent or nearly so and usu. homogeneous
          [2]hy.a.line n (1667) 1: something (as the clear atmosphere)
          that is transparent 2 or hy.a.lin : any of several translucent
          nitrogenous substances related to chitin, found esp.
          around cells, and readily stained by eosin

   hyaline cartilage
          [hyaline cartilage] n (1855): translucent bluish white cartilage
          with the cells embedded in an apparently homogeneous
          matrix present in joints and respiratory passages and
          forming most of the fetal skeleton

   hyalite
          [hy.a.lite] n [G Hyalit, fr. Gk hyalos] (1794): a colorless
          opal that is clear as glass or sometimes translucent
          or whitish

   hyaloid
          [hy.a.loid] adj [Gk hyaloeides, fr. hyalos] (1835): glassy,
          transparent

   hyaloplasm
          [hy.a.lo.plasm] n [prob. fr. G Hyaloplasma, fr. hyal- + -plasma
          -plasm] (1886): cytosol

   hyaluronic acid
          [hy.al.uron.ic acid] n [ISV] (1934): a viscous mucopolysaccharide
          acid that occurs esp. in the vitreous humor, the umbilical
          cord, and synovial fluid and as a cementing substance
          in the subcutaneous tissue

   hyaluronidase
          [hy.al.uron.i.dase] n [ISV, fr. hyaluronic (acid) + -idase
          (as in glucosidase)] (1940): a mucolytic enzyme that
          facilitates the spread of fluids through tissues by lowering
          the viscosity of hyaluronic acid

   hybrid
          [hy.brid] n [L hybrida] (1601) 1: an offspring of two animals
          or plants of different races, breeds, varieties, species,
          or genera 2: a person whose background is a blend of
          two diverse cultures or traditions 3 a: something heterogeneous
          in origin or composition: composite <artificial ~s of
          DNA and RNA> <a ~ of medieval and Renaissance styles>
          b: something (as a power plant, vehicle, or electronic
          circuit) that has two different types of components performing
          essentially the same function -- hybrid adj -- hy.brid.ism
          n -- hy.brid.i.ty n

   hybrid computer
          [hybrid computer] n (1968): a computer system consisting
          of a combination of analog and digital computer systems

   hybridize
          [hy.brid.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1845): to cause to produce
          hybrids: interbreed ~ vi: to produce hybrids -- hy.brid.iza.tion
          n -- hy.brid.iz.er n

   hybridoma
          [hy.brid.oma] n (1978): a hybrid cell produced by the fusion
          of an antibody-producing lymphocyte with a tumor cell
          and used to culture continuously a specific monoclonal
          antibody

   hybrid tea rose
          [hybrid tea rose] n (1926): any of numerous moderately hardy
          cultivated hybrid bush roses grown esp. for their strongly
          recurrent bloom of large usu. scentless flowers--called
          also hybrid tea

   hybrid vigor
          [hybrid vigor] n (1918): heterosis

   hybris
          [hy.bris] var of hubris

   hyd
          [hyd] abbreviation hydraulics, hydrostatics

   hydathode
          [hy.da.thode] n [ISV, fr. Gk hydat-, hydor water + hodos
          road] (1895): a specialized pore on the leaves of higher
          plants that functions in the exudation of water

   hydatid
          [hy.da.tid] n [Gk hydatid-, hydatis watery cyst, fr. hydat-,
          hydor] (1683): the larval cyst of a tapeworm (genus Echinococcus)
          occurring as a fluid-filled sac containing daughter cysts
          in which scolices develop

   hydr-
          [hydr-] or hydro- comb form [ME ydr-, ydro-, fr. OF, fr.
          L hydr-, hydro-, fr. Gk, fr. hydor--more at water] 1
          a: water <hydrous> <hydroelectric> b: liquid <hydrokinetic>
          2: hydrogen: containing or combined with hydrogen <hydrocarbon>
          <hydroxyl> 3: hydroid <hydromedusa>

   Hydra
          [Hy.dra] n [ME Ydra, fr. L Hydra, fr. Gk] 1: a many-headed
          serpent or monster in Greek mythology that was slain
          by Hercules and each head of which when cut off was replaced
          by two others 2 not cap: a multifarious evil not to be
          overcome by a single effort 3 [L (gen. Hydrae), fr. Gk]:
          a southern constellation of great length that lies south
          of Cancer, Sextans, Corvus, and Virgo and is represented
          on old maps by a serpent 4 not cap [NL, fr. L, Hydra]:
          any of numerous small tubular freshwater hydrozoan polyps
          (Hydra and related genera) having at one end a mouth
          surrounded by tentacles

   hydra-headed
          [hy.dra-head.ed] adj (1599): having many centers or branches
          <a ~ organization>

   hydralazine
          [hy.dral.azine] n [hydr- + phthalic (acid) + azine] (1952):
          a vasodilator used in the treatment of hypertension

   hydrangea
          [hy.dran.gea] n [NL, fr. hydr- + Gk angeion vessel--more
          at angi-] (ca. 1753): any of a genus (Hydrangea) of shrubs
          and one woody vine of the saxifrage family with opposite
          leaves and showy clusters of usu. sterile white or tinted
          flowers

   hydrant
          [hy.drant] n (1806) 1: a discharge pipe with a valve and
          spout at which water may be drawn from a water main (as
          for fighting fires)--called also fireplug 2: faucet

   hydranth
          [hy.dranth] n [ISV hydr- + Gk anthos flower--more at anthology]
          (1874): one of the nutritive zooids of a hydroid colony

   hydrase
          [hy.drase] n (1943): an enzyme that promotes the addition
          or removal of wa ter to or from its substrate

   [1]hydrate
          [hy.drate] n (1802): a compound formed by the union of water
          with some other substance [2]hydrate vb hy.drat.ed ;
          hy.drat.ing vt (1850): to cause to take up or combine
          with water or the elements of water ~ vi: to become a
          hydrate -- hy.dra.tion n -- hy.dra.tor n

   hydraulic
          [hy.drau.lic] adj [L hydraulicus, fr. Gk hydraulikos, fr.
          hydraulis hydraulic organ, fr. hydr- + aulos reed instrument--more
          at alveolus] (1661) 1: operated, moved, or effected by means
          of water 2 a: of or relating to hydraulics <~ engineer>
          b: of or relating to water or other liquid in motion <~ erosion>
          3: operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted
          when a quantity of liquid (as water or oil) is forced through
          a comparatively small orifice or through a tube <~ brakes>
          4: hardening or setting under water <~ cement> -- hy.drau.li.cal.ly
          adv

   hydraulics
          [hy.drau.lics] n pl but sing in constr (1671): a branch of
          science that deals with practical applications (as the
          transmission of energy or the effects of flow) of liquid
          (as water) in motion

   hydrazide
          [hy.dra.zide] n (1888): any of a class of compounds resulting
          from the replacement of hydrogen by an acid group in
          hydrazine or in one of its derivatives

   hydrazine
          [hy.dra.zine] n [ISV] (1887): a colorless fuming corrosive
          strongly reducing liquid base used esp. in fuels for
          rocket and jet engines; also: an organic base derived
          from this compound

   hydrazoic acid
          [hy.dra.zo.ic acid] n [hydr- + azo- + [1]-ic] (1894): a colorless
          volatile poisonous explosive liquid that has a foul odor
          and yields explosive salts of heavy metals

   -hydric
          [-hydric] adj suffix: containing acid hydrogen <monohydric>

   hydric
          [hy.dric] adj (1926): characterized by, relating to, or requiring
          an abundance of moisture <a ~ habitat> <a ~ plant>--compare
          mesic, xeric

   hydride
          [hy.dride] n (1869): a compound of hydrogen with a more
          electropositive element or group

   hydriodic acid
          [hy.dri.od.ic acid] n [ISV] (1819): an aqueous solution of
          hydrogen iodide HI that is a strong acid resembling hydrochloric
          acid chemically and that is also a strong reducing agent

   [1]hydro
          [hy.dro] n, pl hydros [short for hydropathic establishment]
          (1882) Brit: an establishment offering hydropathic treatment
          (as for weight loss): health spa [2]hydro n, often attrib
          [short for hydropower] (1916): hydroelectric power

   hydrobiology
          [hy.dro.bi.ol.o.gy] n (1926): the biology of bodies or units
          of water; esp: limnology -- hy.dro.bi.o.log.i.cal adj
          -- hy.dro.bi.ol.o.gist n

   hydrobromic acid
          [hy.dro.bro.mic acid] n [ISV] (1836): an aqueous solution
          of hydrogen bromide HBr that is a strong acid resembling
          hydrochloric acid chemically, that is a weak reducing
          agent, and that is used esp. for making bromides

   hydrocarbon
          [hy.dro.car.bon] n (1826): an organic compound (as acetylene
          or butane) containing only carbon and hydrogen and often
          occurring in petroleum, natural gas, coal, and bitumens

   hydrocele
          [hy.dro.cele] n [L, fr. Gk hydrokele, fr. hydr- + kele tumor--more
          at -cele] (1597): an accumulation of serous fluid in a sacculated
          cavity (as the scrotum)

   hydrocephalic
          [hy.dro.ce.phal.ic] adj (1815): relating to, characterized
          by, or affected with hydrocephalus -- hydrocephalic n

   hydrocephalus
          [hy.dro.ceph.a.lus] also hy.dro.ceph.a.ly n [NL hydrocephalus,
          fr. LL, hydrocephalic, adj., fr. Gk hydrokephalos, fr.
          hydr- + kephale head--more at cephalic] (1670): an abnormal
          increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid within
          the cranial cavity that is accompanied by expansion of
          the cerebral ventricles, enlargement of the skull and
          esp. the forehead, and atrophy of the brain

   hydrochloric acid
          [hy.dro.chlo.ric acid] n [ISV] (ca. 1828): an aqueous solution
          of hydrogen chloride HCl that is a strong corrosive irritating
          acid, is normally present in dilute form in gastric juice,
          and is widely used in industry and in the laboratory

   hydrochloride
          [hy.dro.chlo.ride] n (1826): a chemical complex composed
          of an organic base (as an alkaloid) in association with
          hydrogen chloride

   hydrochlorothiazide
          [hy.dro.chlo.ro.thi.a.zide] n [hydr- + chlor- + thiazine
          + -ide] (1958): a diuretic and antihypertensive drug

   hydrocolloid
          [hy.dro.col.loid] n (1916): a substance that yields a gel
          with water -- hy.dro.col.loi.dal adj

   hydrocortisone
          [hy.dro.cor.ti.sone] n (1951): a glucocorticoid of the adrenal
          cortex that is a derivative of cortisone and is used
          in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis--called also
          cortisol

   hydrocracking
          [hy.dro.crack.ing] n (1940): the cracking of hydrocarbons
          in the presence of hydrogen -- hy.dro.crack vt -- hy.dro.crack.er
          n

   hydrocyanic acid
          [hy.dro.cy.an.ic acid] n [ISV] (1819): an aqueous solution
          of hydrogen cyanide HCN that is a poisonous weak acid
          and is used chiefly in fumigating and in organic synthesis

   hydrodynamic
          [hy.dro.dy.nam.ic] also hy.dro.dy.nam.i.cal adj [NL hydrodynamicus,
          fr. hydr- + dynamicus dynamic] (ca. 1828): of, relating to,
          or involving principles of hydrodynamics -- hy.dro.dy.nam.i.cal.ly
          adv

   hydrodynamics
          [hy.dro.dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1779): a branch
          of physics that deals with the motion of fluids and the
          forces acting on solid bodies immersed in fluids and
          in motion relative to them--compare hydrostatics --
          hy.dro.dy.nam.i.cist n

   hydroelectric
          [hy.dro.elec.tric] adj [ISV] (1884): of or relating to production
          of electricity by waterpower <constructed a ~ power plant
          at the dam site> -- hy.dro.elec.tri.cal.ly adv --
          hy.dro.elec.tric.i.ty n

   hydrofluoric acid
          [hy.dro.flu.or.ic acid] n [ISV] (ca. 1872): an aqueous solution
          of hydrogen fluoride HF that is a weak poisonous acid,
          that resembles hydrochloric acid chemically but attacks
          silica and silicates, and that is used esp. in finishing
          and etching glass

   hydrofoil
          [hy.dro.foil] n (1919) 1: a body similar to an airfoil but
          designed for action in or on water 2: a motorboat that
          has metal plates or fins attached by struts fore and
          aft for lifting the hull clear of the water as speed
          is attained

   hydrogen
          [hy.dro.gen] n [F hydrogene, fr. hydr- + -gene -gen; fr.
          the fact that water is generated by its combustion] (1791):
          a nonmetallic element that is the simplest and lightest
          of the elements, is normally a colorless odorless highly
          flammable diatomic gas, and is used esp. in synthesis--compare
          deuterium, tritium -- hy.drog.e.nous adj

   hydrogenase
          [hy.drog.e.nase] n (1900): an enzyme of various microorganisms
          that promotes the formation and utilization of gaseous
          hydrogen

   hydrogenate
          [hy.dro.ge.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1809): to combine
          or treat with or expose to hydrogen; esp: to add hydrogen
          to the molecule of (an unsaturated organic compound)
          -- hy.dro.ge.na.tion n

   hydrogen bomb
          [hydrogen bomb] n (1947): a bomb whose violent explosive
          power is due to the sudden release of atomic energy resulting
          from the fusion of light nuclei (as of hydrogen atoms)
          at very high temperature and pressure to form helium
          nuclei

   hydrogen bond
          [hydrogen bond] n (1923): an electrostatic attraction between
          a hydrogen atom in one polar molecule (as of water) and
          a small electronegative atom (as of oxygen, nitrogen,
          or fluorine) in usu. another molecule of the same or
          a different polar substance -- hydrogen bonding n

   hydrogen bromide
          [hydrogen bromide] n (1885): a colorless irritating gas HBr
          that fumes in moist air and yields hydrobromic acid when
          dissolved in water

   hydrogen chloride
          [hydrogen chloride] n (1869): a colorless pungent poisonous
          gas HCl that fumes in moist air and yields hydrochloric
          acid when dissolved in water

   hydrogen cyanide
          [hydrogen cyanide] n (1882) 1: a poisonous usu. gaseous compound
          HCN that has the odor of bitter almonds 2: hydrocyanic
          acid

   hydrogen fluoride
          [hydrogen fluoride] n (1885): a colorless corrosive fuming
          usu. gaseous compound HF that yields hydrofluoric acid
          when dissolved in water

   hydrogen iodide
          [hydrogen iodide] n (1885): an acrid colorless gas HI that
          fumes in moist air and yields hydriodic acid when dissolved
          in water

   hydrogen ion
          [hydrogen ion] n (1896) 1: the cation of acids consisting
          of a hydrogen atom whose electron has been transferred
          to the anion of the acid 2: hydronium

   hydrogen peroxide
          [hydrogen peroxide] n (1872): an unstable compound used esp.
          as an oxidizing and bleaching agent, an antiseptic, and
          a propellant

   hydrogen sulfide
          [hydrogen sulfide] n (1873): a flammable poisonous gas that
          has an odor suggestive of rotten eggs and is found esp.
          in many mineral waters and in putrefying matter

   hydrographic
          [hy.dro.graph.ic] adj [F hydrographique, fr. MF, fr. hydr-
          + -graphique -graphic] (1665) 1: of or relating to the
          characteristic features (as flow or depth) of bodies
          of water 2: relating to the charting of bodies of water
          -- hy.drog.ra.pher n -- hy.drog.ra.phy n

   [1]hydroid
          [hy.droid] adj [ultim. fr. NL Hydra] (ca. 1864): of or relating
          to a hydrozoan; esp: resembling a typical hydra [2]hydroid
          n (1865): hydrozoan; esp: a hydrozoan polyp as distinguished
          from a medusa

   hydrokinetic
          [hy.dro.ki.net.ic] adj (1876): of or relating to the motions
          of fluids or the forces which produce or affect such
          motions--compare hydrostatic

   hydrolase
          [hy.dro.lase] n [ISV, fr. NL hydrolysis + ISV -ase] (1910):
          a hydrolytic enzyme

   hydrologic cycle
          [hydrologic cycle] n (1936): the sequence of conditions through
          which water passes from vapor in the atmosphere through
          precipitation upon land or water surfaces and ultimately
          back into the atmosphere as a result of evaporation and
          transpiration--called also hydrological cycle

   hydrology
          [hy.drol.o.gy] n [NL hydrologia, fr. L hydr- + -logia -logy]
          (1762): a science dealing with the properties, distribution,
          and circulation of water on and below the earth's surface
          and in the atmosphere -- hy.dro.log.ic or hy.dro.log.i.cal
          adj -- hy.dro.log.i.cal.ly adv -- hy.drol.o.gist n

   hydrolysate
          [hy.dro.ly.sate] also hy.dro.ly.zate n (1915): a product
          of hydrolysis

   hydrolysis
          [hy.dro.ly.sis] n [NL] (1880): a chemical process of decomposition
          involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen
          cation and the hydroxide anion of water -- hy.dro.lyt.ic adj
          -- hy.dro.lyt.i.cal.ly adv

   hydrolyze
          [hy.dro.lyze] vb -lyzed ; -lyz.ing [ISV, fr. NL hydrolysis]
          vt (1880): to subject to hydrolysis ~ vi: to undergo
          hydrolysis -- hy.dro.lyz.able adj

   hydromagnetic
          [hy.dro.mag.net.ic] adj (1943): magnetohydrodynamic

   hydromancy
          [hy.dro.man.cy] n [ME ydromancie, fr. MF, fr. L hydromantia,
          fr. hydr- + -mantia -mancy] (14c): divination by the
          appearance or motion of liquids (as water)

   hydromechanical
          [hy.dro.me.chan.i.cal] adj (1825): relating to a branch of
          mechanics that deals with the equilibrium and motion
          of fluids and of solid bodies immersed in them
          -- hy.dro.me.chan.ics n pl but sing in constr

   hydromedusa
          [hy.dro.me.du.sa] n, pl -sae [NL] (ca. 1889): a medusa (as
          of the orders Anthomedusae and Leptomedusae) produced
          as a bud from a hydroid

   hydrometallurgy
          [hy.dro.met.al.lur.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1859): the treatment
          of ores by wet processes (as leaching) -- hy.dro.met.al.lur.gi.cal
          adj -- hy.dro.met.al.lur.gist n

   hydrometeor
          [hy.dro.me.te.or] n [ISV] (1857): a product (as fog, rain,
          or hail) formed by the condensation of atmospheric water
          vapor

   hydrometeorology
          [hy.dro.me.te.o.rol.o.gy] n (ca. 1859): a branch of meteorology
          that deals with water in the atmosphere esp. as precipitation
          -- hy.dro.me.te.o.ro.log.i.cal adj -- hy.dro.me.te.o.rol.o.gist
          n

   hydrometer
          [hy.drom.e.ter] n (1675): an instrument for determining the
          specific gravity of a liquid (as battery acid or an alcohol
          solution) and hence its strength -- hy.dro.met.ric adj

   hydromorphic
          [hy.dro.mor.phic] adj (1938) of a soil: developed in the
          presence of an excess of moisture which tends to suppress
          aerobic factors in soil-building

   hydronic
          [hy.dron.ic] adj [hydr- + -onic (as in electronic)] (1946):
          of, relating to, or being a system of heating or cooling
          that involves transfer of heat by a circulating fluid
          (as water or vapor) in a closed system of pipes -- hy.dron.i.cal.ly
          adv

   hydronium
          [hy.dro.ni.um] n [ISV hydr- + -onium] (1908): a hydrated
          hydrogen ion

   hydropathy
          [hy.drop.a.thy] n [ISV] (1843): the empirical use of water
          in the treatment of disease--compare hydrotherapy --
          hy.dro.path.ic adj

   hydroperoxide
          [hy.dro.per.ox.ide] n (1937): a compound containing a chemical
          group consisting of two oxygen atoms and one hydrogen
          atom

   hydrophane
          [hy.dro.phane] n (1784): a semitranslucent opal that becomes
          translucent or transparent on immersion in water

   hydrophilic
          [hy.dro.phil.ic] adj [NL hydrophilus, fr. Gk hydr- + -philos
          -philous] (1916): of, relating to, or having a strong
          affinity for water <~ proteins> <~ fibers> -- hy.dro.phi.lic.i.ty
          n

   hydrophobia
          [hy.dro.pho.bia] n [LL, fr. Gk, fr. hydr- + -phobia -phobia]
          (1547) 1: rabies 2: a morbid dread of water

   hydrophobic
          [hy.dro.pho.bic] adj (1807) 1: of, relating to, or suffering
          from hydrophobia 2: lacking affinity for water --
          hy.dro.pho.bic.i.ty n

   hydrophone
          [hy.dro.phone] n (1860): an instrument for listening to sound
          transmitted through water

   hydrophyte
          [hy.dro.phyte] n [ISV] (1832) 1: a perennial vascular aquatic
          plant having its overwintering buds under water 2: a
          plant growing in water or in soil too waterlogged for
          most plants to survive -- hy.dro.phyt.ic adj

   [1]hydroplane
          [hy.dro.plane] n (1904) 1: a powerboat designed for racing
          that skims the surface of the water 2: seaplane [2]hydroplane
          vi (1962): to skim on water; esp, of a vehicle: to skid
          on a wet surface (as pavement) because a film of water
          on the surface causes the tires to lose contact with
          it

   hydroponics
          [hy.dro.pon.ics] n pl but sing in constr [hydr- + -ponics
          (as in geoponics)] (1937): the growing of plants in nutrient
          solutions with or without an inert medium to provide
          mechanical support -- hy.dro.pon.ic adj -- hy.dro.pon.i.cal.ly
          adv

   hydropower
          [hy.dro.pow.er] n (1933): hydroelectric power

   hydroquinone
          [hy.dro.qui.none] n [ISV] (ca. 1872): a white crystalline
          strongly reducing phenol used esp. as a photographic
          developer and as an antioxidant and stabilizer

   hydrosere
          [hy.dro.sere] n (1920): an ecological sere originating in
          an aquatic habitat

   hydrosol
          [hy.dro.sol] n [hydr- + -sol (fr. solution)] (1864): a sol
          in which the liquid is water -- hy.dro.sol.ic adj

   hydrospace
          [hy.dro.space] n (1963): the regions beneath the surface
          of the ocean

   hydrosphere
          [hy.dro.sphere] n [ISV] (1887): the aqueous vapor of the
          atmosphere; broadly: the aqueous envelope of the earth
          including bodies of water and aqueous vapor in the atmosphere
          -- hy.dro.spher.ic adj

   hydrostatic
          [hy.dro.stat.ic] adj [prob. fr. NL hydrostaticus, fr. hydr-
          + staticus static] (1666): of or relating to fluids at
          rest or to the pressures they exert or transmit--compare
          hydrokinetic -- hy.dro.stat.i.cal.ly adv

   hydrostatics
          [hy.dro.stat.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1660): a branch
          of physics that deals with the characteristics of fluids
          at rest and esp. with the pressure in a fluid or exerted
          by a fluid on an immersed body--compare hydrodynamics

   hydrotherapy
          [hy.dro.ther.a.py] n [ISV] (1876): the scientific use of
          water in the treatment of disease--compare hydropathy

   hydrothermal
          [hy.dro.ther.mal] adj [ISV] (1849): of or relating to hot
          water--used esp. of the formation of minerals by hot
          solutions rising from a cooling magma -- hy.dro.ther.mal.ly
          adv

   hydrothorax
          [hy.dro.tho.rax] n [NL] (1793): an excess of serous fluid
          in the pleural cavity; esp: an effusion resulting from
          failing circulation (as in heart disease or from lung
          infection)

   hydrotropism
          [hy.drot.ro.pism] n [ISV] (ca. 1882): a tropism (as in plant
          roots) in which water or water vapor is the orienting
          factor -- hy.dro.tro.pic adj

   hydrous
          [hy.drous] adj (1826): containing water usu. in chemical
          association (as in hydrates)

   hydroxide
          [hy.drox.ide] n [ISV] (1851) 1: the univalent anion consisting
          of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen--called also
          hydroxide ion 2: an ionic compound of hydroxide with
          an element or group

   hydroxy
          [hy.droxy] adj [ISV, fr. hydroxyl] (1812): being or containing
          hydroxyl; esp: containing hydroxyl esp. in place of hydrogen--usu.
          used in combination <hydroxyacetic acid>

   hydroxyapatite
          [hy.droxy.ap.a.tite] or hy.drox.yl.ap.a.tite n (1912): a
          complex phosphate of calcium that occurs as a mineral
          and is the chief structural element of vertebrate bone

   hydroxybutyric acid
          [hy.droxy.bu.tyr.ic acid] n (1879): a hydroxy derivative
          of butyric acid that is excreted in increased quantities
          in the urine in diabetes

   hydroxyl
          [hy.drox.yl] n [hydr- + ox- + -yl] (1869) 1: the chemical
          group or ion that consists of one atom of hydrogen and
          one of oxygen and is neutral or positively charged 2:
          hydroxide 1 -- hy.drox.yl.ic adj

   hydroxylamine
          [hy.drox.yl.amine] n [ISV] (1869): a colorless odorless nitrogenous
          base that resembles ammonia in its reactions but is less basic and
          that is used esp. as a reducing agent

   hydroxylase
          [hy.drox.y.lase] n (1953): any of a group of enzymes that
          catalyze oxidation reactions in which one of the two
          atoms of molecular oxygen is incorporated into the substrate
          and the other is used to oxidize NADH or NADPH

   hydroxylate
          [hy.drox.yl.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1909): to introduce
          hydroxyl into -- hy.drox.yl.ation n

   hydroxyproline
          [hy.droxy.pro.line] n (1905): an amino acid that occurs naturally
          as a constituent of collagen

   hydroxytryptamine
          [hy.droxy.tryp.ta.mine] n (1949): serotonin

   hydroxyurea
          [hy.droxy.urea] n (1949): a compound used to treat some forms
          of leukemia

   hydroxyzine
          [hy.droxy.zine] n [hydroxy- + piperazine] (1956): a compound
          used as an antihistaminic and tranquilizer

   hydrozoan
          [hy.dro.zo.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk hydr- + zoion animal--more
          at zo-] (1877): any of a class (Hydrozoa) of coelenterates
          that includes simple and compound polyps and jellyfishes
          having no stomodeum or gastric tentacles -- hydrozoan
          adj

   hyena
          [hy.e.na] n, pl hyenas also hyena [ME hyene, fr. L hyaena,
          fr. Gk hyaina, fr. hys hog--more at sow] (14c): any of
          several large strong nocturnal carnivorous Old World
          mammals (family Hyaenidae) that usu. feed as scavengers
          -- hy.e.nic adj

   Hygeia
          [Hy.ge.ia] n [L, fr. Gk Hygieia]: the goddess of health in
          Greek mythology

   hygiene
          [hy.giene] n [F hygiene & NL hygieina, fr. Gk, neut. pl.
          of hygieinos healthful, fr. hygies healthy; akin to Skt
          su well and to L vivus living--more at quick] (1671)
          1: a science of the establishment and maintenance of
          health 2: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness)
          conducive to health -- hy.gien.ic adj -- hy.gien.i.cal.ly
          adv -- hy.gien.ist n

   hygienics
          [hy.gien.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1855): hygiene 1

   hygr-
          [hygr-] also hygro- comb form [Gk, fr. hygros wet--more at
          humor]: humidity: moisture <hygrophyte>

   hygrograph
          [hy.gro.graph] n [ISV] (ca. 1864): an instrument for recording
          automatically variations in atmospheric humidity

   hygrometer
          [hy.grom.e.ter] n [prob. fr. F hygrometre, fr. hygr- + -metre
          -meter] (1670): any of several instruments for measuring
          the humidity of the atmosphere -- hy.gro.met.ric adj

   hygrophilous
          [hy.groph.i.lous] adj (1863): living or growing in moist
          places

   hygrophyte
          [hy.gro.phyte] n [ISV] (1903): hydrophyte -- hy.gro.phyt.ic
          adj

   hygroscopic
          [hy.gro.scop.ic] adj [hygroscope, an instrument showing changes
          in humidity + [1]-ic; fr. the use of such materials in
          the hygroscope] (1790) 1: readily taking up and retaining
          moisture 2: taken up and retained under some conditions
          of humidity and temperature <~ water in clay> --
          hy.gro.scop.ic.i.ty n

   hying
          [hying] pres part of hie

   Hyksos
          [Hyk.sos] adj [Gk Hyksos, dynasty ruling Egypt, perh. fr.
          Egypt hq' ruler + h'sht foreign land] (1602): of or relating
          to a Semite dynasty that ruled Egypt from about the 18th
          to the 16th century b.c.

   hyla
          [hy.la] n [NL, fr. L Hylas, a companion of Hercules] (1842):
          any of a genus (Hyla) of tree frogs

   hylozoism
          [hy.lo.zo.ism] n [Gk hyle matter, lit., wood + zoos alive,
          living; akin to Gk zoe life--more at quick] (1678): a
          doctrine held esp. by early Greek philosophers that all
          matter has life -- hy.lo.zo.ist n -- hy.lo.zo.is.tic
          adj

   hymen
          [hy.men] n [LL, fr. Gk hymen membrane] (1615): a fold of
          mucous membrane partly closing the orifice of the vagina
          -- hy.men.al adj Hymen n [L, fr. Gk Hymen]: the Greek
          god of marriage

   [1]hymeneal
          [hy.me.ne.al] adj [L hymenaeus wedding song, wedding, fr.
          Gk hymenaios, fr. Hymen] (1602): nuptial -- hy.me.ne.al.ly
          adv [2]hymeneal n (1655) 1 pl, archaic: nuptials 2 archaic:
          a wedding hymn

   hymenium
          [hy.me.ni.um] n, pl -nia or -niums [NL, fr. Gk hymen] (1830):
          a spore-bearing layer in fungi consisting of a group
          of asci or basidia often interspersed with sterile structures

   hymenopteran
          [hy.me.nop.ter.an] n [NL Hymenoptera, fr. Gk, neut. pl. of
          hymenopteros membrane-winged, fr. hymen + pteron wing--more
          at feather] (ca. 1842): any of an order (Hymenoptera)
          of highly specialized insects with complete metamorphosis
          that include the bees, wasps, ants, ichneumon flies,
          sawflies, gall wasps, and related forms, often associate
          in large colonies with complex social organization, and
          have usu. four membranous wings and the abdomen generally
          borne on a slender pedicel -- hymenopteran adj -- hy.me.nop.ter.ous
          adj

   hymenopteron
          [hy.me.nop.ter.on] n, pl -tera also -terons [NL, fr. Gk,
          neut. of hymenopteros] (1877): hymenopteran

   [1]hymn
          [hymn] n [ME ymne, fr. OE ymen, fr. L hymnus song of praise,
          fr. Gk hymnos] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a song of praise to God
          b: a metrical composition adapted for singing in a religious
          service 2: a song of praise or joy 3: something resembling
          a hymn: paean [2]hymn vb hymned ; hymn.ing vt (1667):
          to praise or worship in or as if in hymns ~ vi: to sing
          a hymn

   hymnal
          [hym.nal] n [ME hymnale, fr. ML, fr. L hymnus] (15c): a collection
          of church hymns

   hymnary
          [hym.na.ry] n, pl -ries (1888): hymnal

   hymnbook
          [hymn.book] n (bef. 12c): hymnal

   hymnody
          [hym.no.dy] n [LL hymnodia, fr. Gk hymnoidia, fr. hymnos
          + aeidein to sing--more at ode] (1711) 1: hymn singing
          2: hymn writing 3: the hymns of a time, place, or church

   hymnology
          [hym.nol.o.gy] n [Gk hymnologia singing of hymns, fr. hymnos
          + -logia -logy] (ca. 1638) 1: hymnody 2: the study of
          hymns

   hyoid
          [hy.oid] adj [NL hyoides hyoid bone] (1842): of or relating
          to the hyoid bone

   hyoid bone
          [hyoid bone] n [NL hyoides, fr. Gk hyoeides shaped like the
          letter upsilon, being the hyoid bone, fr. y, hy upsilon]
          (ca. 1811): a bone or complex of bones situated at the
          base of the tongue and supporting the tongue and its
          muscles

   hyoscine
          [hy.o.scine] n [ISV hyoscyamine + -ine] (1872): scopolamine;
          esp: the levorotatory form of scopolamine

   hyoscyamine
          [hy.o.scy.a.mine] n [G Hyoscyamin, fr. NL Hyoscyamus, genus
          of herbs, fr. L, henbane, fr. Gk hyoskyamos, lit., swine's
          bean, fr. hyos (gen. of hys swine) + kyamos bean--more
          at sow] (1858): a poisonous crystalline alkaloid of which
          atropine is a racemic mixture; esp: its levorotatory
          form found esp. in the plants belladonna and henbane
          and used similarly to atropine

   hyp
          [hyp] abbreviation hypothesis, hypothetical

   hyp-
          [hyp-] --see hypo-

   hypabyssal
          [hyp.abys.sal] adj [ISV] (1895): of or relating to a fine-grained
          igneous rock usu. formed at a moderate distance below
          the surface -- hyp.abys.sal.ly adv

   hypaethral
          [hy.pae.thral] adj [L hypaethrus exposed to the open air,
          fr. Gk hypaithros, fr. hypo- + aither ether, air--more
          at ether] (1794) 1: having a roofless central space <~
          temple> 2: open to the sky

   hypallage
          [hy.pal.la.ge] n [L, fr. Gk hypallage, lit., interchange,
          fr. hypallassein to interchange, fr. hypo- + allassein
          to change, fr. allos other--more at else] (1586): an
          interchange of two elements in a phrase or sentence from
          a more logical to a less logical relationship (as in
          "a mind is a terrible thing to waste" for "to waste a
          mind is a terrible thing")

   hypanthium
          [hy.pan.thi.um] n, pl -thia [NL, fr. hypo- + anth- + -ium]
          (ca. 1855): an enlargement of the floral receptacle bearing
          on its rim the stamens, petals, and sepals and often
          enlarging and surrounding the fruits (as in the rose
          hip)

   [1]hype
          [hype] n [by shortening & alter.] (1924) 1 slang: a narcotics
          addict 2 slang: hypodermic [2]hype vt hyped ; hyping
          (1938) 1: stimulate, enliven--usu. used with up 2: increase
          -- hyped-up adj [3]hype vt hyped ; hyp.ing [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1931) 1: put on, deceive 2: to promote or publicize
          extravagantly [4]hype n (1955) 1: deception, put-on 2:
          publicity; esp: promotional publicity of an extravagant
          or contrived kind

   hyper
          [hy.per] adj [short for hyperactive] (1971) 1: high-strung,
          excitable; also: highly excited 2: extremely active

   hyper-
          [hyper-] prefix [ME iper-, fr. L hyper-, fr. Gk, fr. hyper--more
          at over] 1: above: beyond: super- <hypermarket> 2 a:
          excessively <hypersensitive> b: excessive <hyperemia>
          3: that is or exists in a space of more than three dimensions
          <hyperspace>hy.per.acu.ity hy.per.acute hy.per.aes.thet.ic
          hy.per.ag.gres.sive hy.per.alert hy.per.arid hy.per.arous.al
          hy.per.aware hy.per.aware.ness hy.per.ca.tab.o.lism
          hy.per.cau.tious hy.per.charged hy.per.civ.i.lized
          hy.per.co.ag.u.la.bil.i.ty hy.per.co.ag.u.la.ble
          hy.per.com.pet.i.tive hy.per.con.cen.tra.tion hy.per.con.scious
          hy.per.con.scious.ness hy.per.de.vel.op.ment hy.per.ef.fi.cient
          hy.per.emo.tion.al hy.per.emo.tion.al.i.ty hy.per.en.dem.ic
          hy.per.en.er.get.ic hy.per.ex.cit.abil.i.ty hy.per.ex.cit.able
          hy.per.ex.cit.ed hy.per.ex.cite.ment hy.per.ex.cre.tion
          hy.per.fas.tid.i.ous hy.per.func.tion hy.per.func.tion.al
          hy.per.func.tion.ing hy.per.im.mune hy.per.im.mu.ni.za.tion
          hy.per.im.mu.nize hy.per.in.flat.ed hy.per.in.ner.va.tion
          hy.per.in.tel.lec.tu.al hy.per.in.tel.li.gent hy.per.in.tense
          hy.per.in.vo.lu.tion hy.per.ma.nia hy.per.man.ic hy.per.mas.cu.line
          hy.per.met.a.bol.ic hy.per.me.tab.o.lism hy.per.mo.bil.i.ty
          hy.per.mod.ern hy.per.mod.ern.ist hy.per.mu.ta.bil.i.ty
          hy.per.mu.ta.ble hy.per.na.tion.al.is.tic hy.per.phys.i.cal
          hy.per.pig.men.ta.tion hy.per.pig.ment.ed hy.per.pro.duc.er
          hy.per.pro.duc.tion hy.per.pure hy.per.ra.tio.nal
          hy.per.ra.tio.nal.i.ty hy.per.re.ac.tive hy.per.re.ac.tiv.i.ty
          hy.per.re.ac.tor hy.per.re.spon.sive hy.per.ro.man.tic
          hy.per.sa.line hy.per.sa.lin.i.ty hy.per.sal.i.va.tion
          hy.per.se.cre.tion hy.per.sen.si.ti.za.tion hy.per.sen.si.tize
          hy.per.som.no.lence hy.per.stat.ic hy.per.stim.u.late
          hy.per.stim.u.la.tion hy.per.sus.cep.ti.bil.i.ty
          hy.per.sus.cep.ti.ble hy.per.tense hy.per.typ.i.cal
          hy.per.vig.i.lance hy.per.vig.i.lant hy.per.vir.u.lent
          hy.per.vis.cos.i.ty

   hyperacidity
          [hy.per.acid.i.ty] n (ca. 1890): the condition of containing
          more than the normal amount of acid -- hy.per.ac.id adj

   hyperactive
          [hy.per.ac.tive] adj (1867): affected with or exhibiting
          hyperactivity; broadly: more active than is usual or
          desirable -- hyperactive n

   hyperactivity
          [hy.per.ac.tiv.i.ty] n (1888): the state or condition of
          being excessively or pathologically active; esp: attention
          deficit disorder

   hyperaesthesia
          [hy.per.aes.the.sia] var of hyperesthesia

   hyperalimentation
          [hy.per.al.i.men.ta.tion] n (1967): the administration of
          nutrients by intravenous feeding esp. to patients who
          cannot ingest food through the alimentary tract

   hyperbaric
          [hy.per.bar.ic] adj [hyper- + bar- + [1]-ic] (1962): of,
          relating to, or utilizing greater than normal pressure
          (as of oxygen) <~ chamber> <~ medicine> -- hy.per.bar.i.cal.ly
          adv

   hyperbola
          [hy.per.bo.la] n, pl -las or -lae [NL, fr. Gk hyperbole]
          (1668): a plane curve generated by a point so moving
          that the difference of the distances from two fixed points
          is a constant: a curve formed by the intersection of
          a double right circular cone with a plane that cuts both
          halves of the cone

   hyperbole
          [hy.per.bo.le] n [L, fr. Gk hyperbole excess, hyperbole,
          hyperbola, fr. hyperballein to exceed, fr. hyper- + ballein
          to throw--more at devil] (15c): extravagant exaggeration
          (as "mile-high ice-cream cones") -- hy.per.bo.list n

   [1]hyperbolic
          [hy.per.bol.ic] also hy.per.bol.i.cal adj (15c): of, relating
          to, or marked by hyperbole -- hy.per.bol.i.cal.ly adv
          [2]hyperbolic adj (1646) 1: of, relating to, or being
          analogous to a hyperbola 2: of, relating to, or being
          a space in which more than one line parallel to a given
          line passes through a point <~ geometry>

   hyperbolic function
          [hyperbolic function] n (ca. 1890): any of a set of six functions
          analogous to the trigonometric functions but related
          to the hyperbola in a way similar to that in which the
          trigonometric functions are related to a circle

   hyperbolic paraboloid
          [hyperbolic paraboloid] n (1842): a saddle-shaped quadric
          surface whose sections by planes parallel to one coordinate
          plane are hyperbolas while those sections by planes parallel
          to the other two are parabolas if proper orientation
          of the coordinate axes is assumed

   hyperbolize
          [hy.per.bo.lize] vb -lized ; -liz.ing vi (1599): to indulge
          in hyperbole ~ vt: to exaggerate to a hyperbolic degree

   hyperboloid
          [hy.per.bo.loid] n (1743): a quadric surface whose sections
          by planes parallel to one coordinate plane are ellipses
          while those sections by planes parallel to the other
          two are hyperbolas if proper orientation of the axes
          is assumed -- hy.per.bo.loi.dal adj

   [1]hyperborean
          [hy.per.bo.re.an] n [L Hyperborei (pl.), fr. Gk Hyperboreoi,
          fr. hyper- + Boreas] (15c) 1 often cap: a member of a
          people held by the ancient Greeks to live beyond the
          north wind in a region of perpetual sunshine 2: an inhabitant
          of a cool northern climate [2]hyperborean adj (1591)
          1: of or relating to an extreme northern region: frozen
          2: of or relating to any of the arctic peoples

   hypercalcemia
          [hy.per.cal.ce.mia] n [NL] (1925): an excess of calcium in
          the blood -- hy.per.cal.ce.mic adj

   hypercapnia
          [hy.per.cap.nia] n [NL, fr. hyper- + Gk kapnos smoke; prob.
          akin to Lith Kvapas breath] (1908): the presence of excessive
          amounts of carbon dioxide in the blood -- hy.per.cap.nic
          adj

   hypercatalexis
          [hy.per.cat.a.lex.is] n, pl -lex.es [NL] (ca. 1890): the
          occurrence of an additional syllable after the final
          complete foot or dipody in a line of verse -- hy.per.cat.a.lec.tic
          adj

   hypercharge
          [hy.per.charge] n [short for hyperonic charge, fr. hyperon]
          (1956): a quantum characteristic of a group of subatomic
          particles governed by the strong force that is related
          to strangeness and is represented by a number equal to
          twice the average value of the electric charge of the
          group

   hypercholesterolemia
          [hy.per.cho.les.ter.ol.emia] n [NL] (ca. 1894): the presence
          of excess cholesterol in the blood -- hy.per.cho.les.ter.ol.emic
          adj

   hypercomplex
          [hy.per.com.plex] adj (ca. 1889): of, relating to, or being
          the most general form of number that extends the complex
          number to an expression of the same type (as a quaternion)
          involving a finite number of units or components in which
          addition is by components and multiplication does not
          have all of the properties of real or complex numbers

   hypercorrect
          [hy.per.cor.rect] adj (1922): of, relating to, or characterized
          by the production of a nonstandard linguistic form or
          construction on the basis of a false analogy (as "badly"
          in "my eyes have gone badly" and "widely" in "open widely")
          -- hy.per.cor.rec.tion n -- hy.per.cor.rect.ly adv --
          hy.per.cor.rect.ness n

   hypercritic
          [hy.per.crit.ic] n [NL hypercriticus, fr. hyper- + L criticus
          critic] (1633): a carping or unduly censorious critic
          -- hy.per.crit.i.cism n

   hypercritical
          [hy.per.crit.i.cal] adj (1605): meticulously or excessively
          critical syn see critical -- hy.per.crit.i.cal.ly adv

   hypercube
          [hy.per.cube] n (1909) 1: a geometric figure (as a tesseract)
          in Euclidean space of n dimensions that is analogous
          to a cube in three dimensions 2: a computer architecture
          in which each processor is connected to n others based
          on analogy to a hypercube of n dimensions

   hyperemia
          [hy.per.emia] n [NL] (ca. 1839): excess of blood in a body
          part: congestion -- hy.per.emic adj

   hyperesthesia
          [hy.per.es.the.sia] n [NL, fr. hyper- + -esthesia (as in
          anesthesia)] (ca. 1852): unusual or pathological sensitivity
          of the skin or of a particular sense -- hy.per.es.thet.ic
          adj

   hypereutectic
          [hy.per.eu.tec.tic] adj (1902): hypereutectoid

   hypereutectoid
          [hy.per.eu.tec.toid] adj (1908): containing the minor component
          in excess of that contained in the eutectoid

   hyperextend
          [hy.per.ex.tend] vt (1883): to extend so that the angle between
          bones of a joint is greater than normal <a ~ed elbow>
          -- hy.per.ex.ten.sion n

   hyperfine
          [hy.per.fine] adj (1926): being or relating to a fine-structure
          multiplet occurring in an atomic spectrum that is due
          to interaction between electrons and nuclear spin

   hyperfocal distance
          [hy.per.fo.cal distance] n [ISV] (1905): the nearest distance
          upon which a photographic lens may be focused to produce
          satisfactory definition at infinity

   hypergamy
          [hy.per.ga.my] n, pl -mies (1883): marriage into an equal
          or higher caste or social group

   hypergeometric distribution
          [hy.per.geo.met.ric distribution] n (1950): a probability
          function f(x) that gives the probability of obtaining
          exactly x elements of one kind and n - x elements of
          another if n elements are chosen at random without replacement
          from a finite population containing N elements of which
          M are of the first kind and N - M are of the second kind
          and that is equal to the number of combinations of M
          things taken x at a time multipled by the number of combinations
          of N - M things taken n - x at a time and divided by
          the number of combinations of N things taken n at a time

   hyperglycemia
          [hy.per.gly.ce.mia] n [NL] (1894): excess of sugar in the
          blood -- hy.per.gly.ce.mic adj

   hypergolic
          [hy.per.gol.ic] adj [G Hypergol a hypergolic fuel, prob.
          fr. hyper- + erg- + -ol (hydrocarbon)] (1947) 1: igniting
          upon contact of components without external aid (as a
          spark) 2: of, relating to, or using hypergolic fuel --
          hy.per.gol.i.cal.ly adv

   hyperhidrosis
          [hy.per.hi.dro.sis] n [NL hidrosis perspiration, fr. Gk hidrosis,
          fr. hidroun to sweat, fr. hidros sweat--more at sweat]
          (ca. 1860): generalized or local excessive sweating

   hyperinflation
          [hy.per.in.fla.tion] n (1930): inflation growing at a very
          high rate in a very short time; also: a period of hyperinflation
          -- hy.per.in.fla.tion.ary adj

   hyperinsulinism
          [hy.per.in.su.lin.ism] n [ISV] (1924): the presence of excess
          insulin in the body resulting in hypoglycemia

   Hyperion
          [Hy.pe.ri.on] n [L, fr. Gk Hyperion]: a Titan and the father
          of Aurora, Selene, and Helios

   hyperirritability
          [hy.per.ir.ri.ta.bil.i.ty] n (1913): abnormally great or
          uninhibited response to stimuli -- hy.per.ir.ri.ta.ble
          adj

   hyperkeratosis
          [hy.per.ker.a.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL] (1841): hypertrophy
          of the corneous layer of the skin -- hy.per.ker.a.tot.ic
          adj

   hyperkinesia
          [hy.per.ki.ne.sia] n [NL, fr. hyperkinesis] (ca. 1848):
          hyperkinesis

   hyperkinesis
          [hy.per.ki.ne.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1855) 1: abnormally increased
          and sometimes uncontrollable activity or muscular movements
          2: a condition esp. of childhood characterized by hyperactivity

   hyperkinetic
          [hy.per.ki.net.ic] adj (1888): of, relating to, or affected
          with hyperkinesis or hyperactivity <the ~ child>; also:
          characterized by fast-paced or frenetic activity

   hyperlipemia
          [hy.per.li.pe.mia] n [NL] (ca. 1894): the presence of excess
          fat or lipids in the blood -- hy.per.li.pe.mic adj

   hyperlipidemia
          [hy.per.lip.id.emia] n [NL] (1961): hyperlipemia

   hypermarket
          [hy.per.mar.ket] n (1970): a very large store that carries
          products found in a supermarket as well as merchandise
          commonly found in department stores

   hypermeter
          [hy.per.me.ter] n [LL hypermetrus hypercatalectic, fr. Gk
          hypermetros beyond measure, beyond the meter, fr. hyper-
          + metron measure, meter] (ca. 1656) 1: a verse marked
          by hypercatalexis 2: a period comprising more than two
          or three cola -- hy.per.met.ric or hy.per.met.ri.cal
          adj

   hypermetropia
          [hy.per.me.tro.pia] n [NL, fr. Gk hypermetros + NL -opia]
          (1868): hyperopia -- hy.per.me.tro.pic adj

   hypermnesia
          [hy.perm.ne.sia] n [NL, fr. hyper- + -mnesia (as in amnesia)]
          (1882): abnormally vivid or complete memory or recall
          of the past -- hy.perm.ne.sic adj

   hyperon
          [hy.per.on] n [prob. fr. hyper- + [2]-on] (1953): a fundamental
          particle of the baryon group that is greater in mass
          than a proton or neutron

   hyperopia
          [hy.per.opia] n [NL] (1884): a condition in which visual
          images come to a focus behind the retina of the eye and
          vision is better for distant than for near objects--called
          also farsightedness -- hy.per.opic adj

   hyperostosis
          [hy.per.os.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL] (ca. 1836): excessive
          growth or thickening of bone tissue -- hy.per.os.tot.ic
          adj

   hyperparasite
          [hy.per.par.a.site] n (ca. 1889): a parasite that is parasitic
          upon another parasite -- hy.per.par.a.sit.ic adj --
          hy.per.par.a.sit.ism n

   hyperparathyroidism
          [hy.per.para.thy.roid.ism] n (1917): the presence of excess
          parathyroid hormone in the body resulting in disturbance
          of calcium metabolism with increase in serum calcium
          and decrease in inorganic phosphorus, loss of calcium
          from bone, and renal damage with frequent kidney-stone
          formation

   hyperphagia
          [hy.per.pha.gia] n [NL] (1941): abnormally increased appetite
          for consumption of food frequently associated with injury
          to the hypothalamus -- hy.per.phag.ic adj

   hyperpituitarism
          [hy.per.pi.tu.ita.rism] n [ISV] (1909): excessive production
          of growth hormones by the pituitary gland -- hy.per.pi.tu.itary
          adj

   hyperplane
          [hy.per.plane] n (1903): a figure in hyperspace corresponding
          to a plane in ordinary space

   hyperplasia
          [hy.per.pla.sia] n [NL] (1861): an abnormal or unusual increase
          in the elements composing a part (as cells composing
          a tissue) -- hy.per.plas.tic adj

   hyperploid
          [hy.per.ploid] adj [ISV] (1930): having a chromosome number
          slightly greater than an exact multiple of the monoploid
          number -- hyperploid n -- hy.per.ploi.dy n

   hyperpnea
          [hy.per.pnea] n [NL] (ca. 1860): abnormally rapid or deep
          breathing -- hy.per.pne.ic adj

   hyperpolarize
          [hy.per.po.lar.ize] vt (1950): to produce an increase in
          potential difference across (a biological membrane) <a
          hyperpolarized nerve cell> ~ vi: to undergo or produce
          an increase in potential difference across something
          -- hy.per.po.lar.iza.tion n

   hyperpyrexia
          [hy.per.py.rex.ia] n [NL] (1875): exceptionally high fever
          (as in a particular disease)

   hyperrealism
          [hy.per.re.al.ism] n (1937): realism in painting characterized
          by depiction of real life in an unusual or striking manner--compare
          photo-realism -- hy.per.re.al.ist adj -- hy.per.re.al.is.tic adj

   hypersensitive
          [hy.per.sen.si.tive] adj (1871) 1: excessively or abnormally
          sensitive 2: abnormally susceptible physiologically to
          a specific ag ent (as a drug or antigen) -- hy.per.sen.si.tive.ness
          n -- hy.per.sen.si.tiv.i.ty n

   hypersexual
          [hy.per.sex.u.al] adj (1942): exhibiting unusual or excessive
          concern with or indulgence in sexual activity --
          hy.per.sex.u.al.i.ty n

   hypersonic
          [hy.per.son.ic] adj [ISV] (1946) 1: of or relating to speed
          five or more times that of sound in air--compare sonic
          2: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents
          that move at hypersonic speed <~ wind tunnel> --
          hy.per.son.i.cal.ly adv

   hyperspace
          [hy.per.space] n (1867) 1: space of more than three dimensions
          2: a fictional space held to support extraordinary events
          (as travel faster than the speed of light)

   hypersthene
          [hy.per.sthene] n [F hypersthene, fr. Gk hyper- + sthenos
          strength] (ca. 1808): an orthorhombic grayish or greenish
          black or dark brown pyroxene -- hy.per.sthe.nic adj

   hypersurface
          [hy.per.sur.face] n (ca. 1909): a figure that is the analogue
          in hyperspace of a surface in three-dimensional space

   hypertension
          [hy.per.ten.sion] n [ISV] (1893): abnormally high blood pressure
          and esp. arterial blood pressure; also: the systemic
          condition accompanying high blood pressure -- hy.per.ten.sive
          adj or n

   hypertext
          [hy.per.text] n (1986): a database format in which information
          related to that on a display can be accessed directly
          from the display

   hyperthermia
          [hy.per.ther.mia] n [NL, fr. hyper- + therm- + -ia] (1887):
          exceptionally high fever esp. when induced artificially
          for therapeutic purposes -- hy.per.ther.mic adj

   hyperthyroid
          [hy.per.thy.roid] adj [back-formation fr. hyperthyroidism]
          (1916): of, relating to, or affected with hyperthyroidism

   hyperthyroidism
          [hy.per.thy.roid.ism] n [ISV] (ca. 1900): excessive functional
          activity of the thyroid gland; also: the resulting condition
          marked esp. by increased metabolic rate, enlargement
          of the thyroid gland, rapid heart rate, and high blood
          pressure

   hypertonia
          [hy.per.to.nia] n (ca. 1842): hypertonicity

   hypertonic
          [hy.per.ton.ic] adj [ISV] (1855) 1: exhibiting excessive
          tone or tension <a ~ baby> <a ~ bladder> 2: having a
          higher osmotic pressure than a surrounding medium or
          a fluid under comparison

   hypertonicity
          [hy.per.to.nic.i.ty] n (1886): the quality or state of being
          hypertonic

   [1]hypertrophy
          [hy.per.tro.phy] n, pl -phies [prob. fr. NL hypertrophia,
          fr. hyper- + -trophia -trophy] (1834) 1: excessive development
          of an organ or part; specif: increase in bulk (as by
          thickening of muscle fibers) without multiplication of
          parts 2: exaggerated growth or complexity -- hy.per.tro.phic
          adj [2]hypertrophy vi -phied ; -phy.ing (1883): to undergo
          hypertrophy

   hyperurbanism
          [hy.per.ur.ban.ism] n (1925): use of hypercorrect forms in
          language; also: such a form

   hyperuricemia
          [hy.per.uri.ce.mia] n [NL] (ca. 1894): excess uric acid in
          the blood

   hypervelocity
          [hy.per.ve.loc.i.ty] n (1949): a high or relatively high
          velocity; esp: one greater than 10,000 feet (3048 meters)
          per second

   hyperventilate
          [hy.per.ven.ti.late] vi (1931): to breathe rapidly and deeply:
          undergo hyperventilation

   hyperventilation
          [hy.per.ven.ti.la.tion] n (1928): excessive rate and depth
          of respiration leading to abnormal loss of carbon dioxide
          from the blood

   hypervitaminosis
          [hy.per.vi.ta.min.osis] n, pl -oses [NL] (1928): an abnormal
          state resulting from excessive intake of one or more
          vitamins

   hypha
          [hy.pha] n, pl hy.phae [NL, fr. Gk hyphe web; akin to Gk
          hyphos web--more at weave] (1866): one of the threads
          that make up the mycelium of a fungus, increase by apical
          growth, and are coenocytic or transversely septate --
          hy.phal adj

   [1]hyphen
          [hy.phen] n [LL & Gk; LL, fr. Gk, fr. hyph' hen under one,
          fr. hypo under + hen, neut. of heis one--more at up,
          same] (ca. 1620): a punctuation mark - used esp. to divide
          or to compound words, word elements, or numbers -- hy.phen.less
          adj [2]hyphen vt (1814): hyphenate

   [1]hyphenate
          [hy.phen.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1889): to connect
          (as two words) or divide (as a word at the end of a line
          of print) with a hyphen -- hy.phen.ation n [2]hyphenate
          n [fr. the hyphens in the titles of such people,
          as producer-director] (1974): a person who performs more than one
          function (as on a filmmaking project)

   hyphenated
          [hyphenated] adj [fr. the use of hyphenated words (as
          German-American) to designate foreign-born citizens of the U.S.]
          (ca. 1893): of, relating to, or being an individual or unit
          of mixed or diverse background or composition <~ Americans>

   hypn-
          [hypn-] or hypno- comb form [F, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr. hypnos--more
          at somnolent] 1: sleep <hypnopompic> 2: hypnotism <hypnotherapy>

   hypnagogic
          [hyp.na.go.gic] also hyp.no.go.gic adj [F hypnagogique, fr.
          Gk hypn- + -agogos leading, inducing, fr. agein to lead--more
          at agent] (1886): of, relating to, or associated with
          the drowsiness preceding sleep

   hypnoid
          [hyp.noid] or hyp.noi.dal adj (1898): of or relating to sleep
          or hypnosis

   hypnopompic
          [hyp.no.pom.pic] adj [hypn- + Gk pompe act of sending--more
          at pomp] (ca. 1901): associated with the semiconsciousness
          preceding waking <~ illusions>

   Hypnos
          [Hyp.nos] n [Gk]: the Greek god of sleep

   hypnosis
          [hyp.no.sis] n, pl -no.ses [NL] (1876) 1: a state that resembles
          sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are
          readily accepted by the subject 2: any of various conditions
          that resemble sleep 3: hypnotism 1

   hypnotherapy
          [hyp.no.ther.a.py] n (1897) 1: the treatment of disease by
          hypnotism 2: psychotherapy that facilitates suggestion,
          reeducation, or analysis by means of hypnosis -- hyp.no.ther.a.pist
          n

   [1]hypnotic
          [hyp.not.ic] adj [F or LL; F hypnotique, fr. LL hypnoticus,
          fr. Gk hypnotikos, fr. hypnoun to put to sleep, fr. hypnos]
          (1625) 1: tending to produce sleep: soporific 2 a: of
          or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism b: readily holding
          the attention <a ~ personality> <a simple ~ beat> --
          hyp.not.i.cal.ly adv [2]hypnotic n (1681) 1: a sleep-inducing
          agent: soporific 2: one that is or can be hypnotized

   hypnotism
          [hyp.no.tism] n (1842) 1: the study or act of inducing
          hypnosis--compare mesmerism 2: hypnosis 1 -- hyp.no.tist n

   hypnotize
          [hyp.no.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1843) 1: to induce hypnosis
          in 2: to dazzle or overcome by or as if by suggestion
          <a voice that ~s its hearers> <drivers hypnotized by
          speed> -- hyp.no.tiz.abil.i.ty n -- hyp.no.tiz.able adj

   [1]hypo
          [hy.po] n, pl hypos (1711): hypochondria [2]hypo n, pl hypos
          [short for hyposulfite thiosulfate] (1855): sodium thiosulfate
          [3]hypo n, pl hypos (1925) 1: hypodermic syringe 2: hypodermic
          injection 3: stimulus [4]hypo vt (1942): stimulate <do
          everything possible to ~ the economy --Clem Morgello>

   hypo-
          [hypo-] or hyp- prefix [ME ypo-, fr. OF, fr. LL hypo-, hyp-,
          fr. Gk, fr. hypo--more at up] 1: under: beneath: down
          <hypoblast> <hypodermic> 2: less than normal or normally
          <hypesthesia> <hypotension> 3: in a lower state of oxidation:
          in a low and usu. the lowest position in a series of
          compounds <hypochlorous acid> <hypoxanthine>

   hypoallergenic
          [hy.po.al.ler.gen.ic] adj (1940): having little likelihood
          of causing an allergic response <~ cosmetics> <~ foods>

   hypoblast
          [hy.po.blast] n (1875): the endoderm of an embryo

   hypocalcemia
          [hy.po.cal.ce.mia] n [NL] (1925): a deficiency of calcium
          in the blood -- hy.po.cal.ce.mic adj

   hypocaust
          [hy.po.caust] n [L hypocaustum, fr. Gk hypokauston, fr. hypokaiein
          to light a fire under, fr. hypo- + kaiein to burn] (1678):
          an ancient Roman central heating system with underground furnace
          and tile flues to distribute the heat

   hypocenter
          [hy.po.cen.ter] n (1905) 1: the focus of an earthquake--compare
          epicenter 1 2: the point on the earth's surface directly
          below the center of a nuclear bomb explosion -- hy.po.cen.tral
          adj

   hypochlorite
          [hy.po.chlo.rite] n (ca. 1849): a salt or ester of hypochlorous
          acid

   hypochlorous acid
          [hy.po.chlo.rous acid] n [ISV] (1841): an unstable strongly
          oxidizing but weak acid HClO obtained in solution along
          with hydrochloric acid by reaction of chlorine with water
          and used esp. in the form of salts as an oxidizing agent,
          bleaching agent, disinfectant, and chlorinating agent

   hypochondria
          [hy.po.chon.dria] n [NL, fr. LL, pl., upper abdomen (formerly
          regarded as the seat of hypochondria), fr. Gk, lit.,
          the parts under the cartilage (of the breastbone), fr.
          hypo- + chondros cartilage] (1668): extreme depression
          of mind or spirits often centered on imaginary physical
          ailments; specif: hypochondriasis

   [1]hypochondriac
          [hy.po.chon.dri.ac] adj [F hypochondriaque, fr. Gk hypochondriakos,
          fr. hypochondria] (1599) 1: hypochondriacal 2: of, relating to,
          or being the two regions of the abdomen lying on either side of the
          epigastric region and above the lumbar regions [2]hypochondriac
          n (1639): one affected by hypochondria

   hypochondriacal
          [hy.po.chon.dri.a.cal] adj (1621): affected or produced by
          hypochondria -- hy.po.chon.dri.a.cal.ly adv

   hypochondriasis
          [hy.po.chon.dri.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL] (1766): morbid concern
          about one's health esp. when accompanied by delusions
          of physical disease

   hypochromic anemia
          [hy.po.chro.mic anemia] n (1934): an anemia marked by deficient
          hemoglobin and usu. microcytic red blood cells

   hypocorism
          [hy.po.co.rism] n [LL hypocorisma, fr. Gk hypokorisma, fr.
          hypokorizesthai to call by pet names, fr. hypo- + korizesthai
          to caress, fr. koros boy, kore girl] (1850) 1: a pet
          name 2: the use of pet names -- hy.po.co.ris.tic
          or hy.po.co.ris.ti.cal adj -- hy.po.co.ris.ti.cal.ly adv

   hypocotyl
          [hy.po.cot.yl] n [ISV hypo- + cotyledon] (1880): the part
          of the axis of a plant embryo or seedling below the cotyledon--see
          plumule illustration

   hypocrisy
          [hy.poc.ri.sy] n, pl -sies [ME ypocrisie, fr. OF, fr. LL
          hypocrisis, fr. Gk hypokrisis act of playing a part on
          the stage, hypocrisy, fr. hypokrinesthai to answer, act
          on the stage, fr. hypo- + krinein to decide--more at
          certain] (13c) 1: a feigning to be what one is not or
          to believe what one does not; esp: the false assumption
          of an appearance of virtue or religion 2: an act or instance
          of hypocrisy

   hypocrite
          [hyp.o.crite] n [ME ypocrite, fr. OF, fr. LL hypocrita, fr.
          Gk hypokrites actor, hypocrite, fr. hypokrinesthai] (13c):
          a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or
          religion -- hypocrite adj

   hypocritical
          [hyp.o.crit.i.cal] adj (1561): characterized by hypocrisy;
          also: being a hypocrite -- hyp.o.crit.i.cal.ly adv

   hypocycloid
          [hy.po.cy.cloid] n (1843): a curve traced by a point on the
          circumference of a circle rolling internally on the circumference
          of a fixed circle

   hypodermal
          [hy.po.der.mal] adj (1854) 1: of or relating to a hypodermis
          2: lying beneath an outer skin or epidermis

   [1]hypodermic
          [hy.po.der.mic] adj [ISV] (1863) 1: adapted for use in or
          administered by injection beneath the skin 2: of or relating
          to the parts beneath the skin 3: resembling a hypodermic
          injection in effect: stimulating -- hy.po.der.mi.cal.ly
          adv [2]hypodermic n (ca. 1889) 1: hypodermic injection
          2: hypodermic syringe

   hypodermic injection
          [hypodermic injection] n (1868): an injection made into the
          subcutaneous tissues

   hypodermic needle
          [hypodermic needle] n (ca. 1909) 1: needle 1c(1) 2: a hypodermic
          syringe complete with needle

   hypodermic syringe
          [hypodermic syringe] n (1893): a small syringe used with
          a hollow needle for injection of material into or beneath
          the skin

   hypodermis
          [hy.po.der.mis] n [NL] (ca. 1866) 1: the tissue immediately
          beneath the epidermis of a plant esp. when modified to
          serve as a supporting and protecting layer 2: the cellular
          layer that underlies and secretes the chitinous cuticle
          (as of an arthropod) 3: superficial fascia

   hypodiploid
          [hy.po.dip.loid] adj (1962): having slightly fewer than the
          diploid number of chromosomes -- hy.po.dip.loi.dy n

   hypoeutectoid
          [hy.po.eu.tec.toid] adj (1911): containing less of the minor
          component than is contained in the eutectoid

   hypogastric
          [hy.po.gas.tric] adj [F hypogastrique, fr. hypogastre hypogastric
          region, fr. Gk hypogastrion, fr. hypo- + gastr-, gaster
          belly--more at gastric] (1656): of or relating to the
          lower median region of the abdomen

   hypogeal
          [hy.po.ge.al] or hy.po.ge.an or hy.po.ge.ous adj [LL hypogeus
          subterranean, fr. Gk hypogaios, fr. hypo- + gaia earth]
          (1686) 1: growing or living below the surface of the
          ground 2 of a cotyledon: remaining below the ground while
          the epicotyl elongates

   hypogene
          [hy.po.gene] adj [hypo- + Gk -genes born, produced--more
          at -gen] (1831): formed, crystallized, or lying at depths
          below the earth's surface: plutonic--used of various
          rocks

   hypogeum
          [hy.po.ge.um] n, pl -gea [L, fr. Gk hypogaion, fr. neut.
          of hypogaios] (1706): the subterranean part of an ancient
          building; also: an ancient underground burial chamber

   hypoglossal
          [hy.po.glos.sal] adj (1831): of or relating to the hypoglossal
          nerves

   hypoglossal nerve
          [hypoglossal nerve] n (1848): either of the 12th and final
          pair of cranial nerves which are motor nerves arising
          from the medulla oblongata and supplying muscles of the
          tongue in higher vertebrates--called also hypoglossal

   hypoglycemia
          [hy.po.gly.ce.mia] n [NL] (ca. 1894): abnormal decrease of
          sugar in the blood -- hy.po.gly.ce.mic adj or n

   hypogynous
          [hy.pog.y.nous] adj (1821) 1 of a floral organ: inserted
          upon the receptacle or axis below the gynoecium and free
          from it 2: having hypogynous floral organs -- hy.pog.y.ny
          n

   hypokalemia
          [hy.po.ka.le.mia] n [NL, fr. hypo- + kalium potassium (fr.
          kali alkali, fr. Ar qily saltwort) + -emia] (1949): a
          deficiency of potassium in the blood -- hy.po.ka.le.mic
          adj

   hypolimnion
          [hy.po.lim.ni.on] n, pl -nia [NL, fr. hypo- + Gk limnion,
          dim. of limne lake--more at limnetic] (1928): the part
          of a lake below the thermocline made up of water that
          is stagnant and of essentially uniform temperature except
          during the period of overturn

   hypomagnesemia
          [hy.po.mag.ne.se.mia] n [NL, fr. hypo- + magnesium + -emia]
          (1933): deficiency of magnesium in the blood esp. of
          cattle

   hypomania
          [hy.po.ma.nia] n [NL] (1882): a mild mania esp. when part
          of a manic-depressive cycle -- hy.po.man.ic adj

   hypomorph
          [hy.po.morph] n (1926): a mutant gene having a similar but
          weaker effect than the corresponding wild-type gene --
          hy.po.mor.phic adj

   hypoparathyroidism
          [hy.po.para.thy.roid.ism] n (1910): deficiency of parathyroid
          hormone in the body; also: the resultant abnormal state
          marked by low serum calcium and a tendency to chronic
          tetany

   hypopharynx
          [hy.po.phar.ynx] n [NL] (1826) 1: an appendage or thickened
          fold on the floor of the mouth of many insects that resembles
          a tongue 2: the laryngeal part of the pharynx extending
          from the hyoid bone to the lower margin of the cricoid
          cartilage

   hypophyseal
          [hy.po.phy.se.al] also hy.po.phy.si.al adj [irreg. fr. NL
          hypophysis] (1882): of or relating to the hypophysis

   hypophysectomize
          [hy.poph.y.sec.to.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1910): to remove
          the pituitary gland from

   hypophysectomy
          [hy.poph.y.sec.to.my] n, pl -mies (1909): surgical removal
          of the pituitary gland

   hypophysis
          [hy.poph.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL, fr. Gk, attachment underneath,
          fr. hypophyein to grow beneath, fr. hypo- + phyein to
          grow, produce--more at be] (1825): pituitary gland

   hypopituitarism
          [hy.po.pi.tu.ita.rism] n [ISV] (1909): deficient production
          of growth hormones by the pituitary gland -- hy.po.pi.tu.itary
          adj

   hypoplasia
          [hy.po.pla.sia] n [NL] (1889): a condition of arrested development
          in which an organ or part remains below the normal size
          or in an immature state -- hy.po.plas.tic adj

   hypoploid
          [hy.po.ploid] adj (1930): having a chromosome number slightly
          less than an exact multiple of the monoploid number --
          hypoploid n

   hyposensitization
          [hy.po.sen.si.ti.za.tion] n (1922): the state or process
          of being reduced in sensitivity esp. to an allergen:
          desensitization -- hy.po.sen.si.tize vt

   hypospadias
          [hy.po.spa.di.as] n [NL, fr. Gk, man with hypospadias, fr.
          hypo- + -spadias, fr. -spad-, -spas something torn, fr.
          span to tear, pluck off] (ca. 1855): an abnormality of
          the penis in which the urethra opens on the undersurface

   hypostasis
          [hy.pos.ta.sis] n, pl -ta.ses [LL, substance, sediment, fr.
          Gk, support, foundation, substance, sediment, fr. hyphistasthai
          to stand under, support, fr. hypo- + histasthai to be
          standing--more at stand] (1590) 1 a: something that settles
          at the bottom of a fluid b: the settling of blood in
          the dependent parts of an organ or body 2: person 3 3
          a: the substance or essential nature of an individual
          b: something that is hypostatized 4 [NL, fr. LL]: failure
          of a gene to produce its usual effect when coupled with
          another gene that is epistatic toward it -- hy.po.stat.ic
          adj -- hy.po.stat.i.cal.ly adv

   hypostatize
          [hy.pos.ta.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing [Gk hypostatos substantially
          existing, fr. hyphistasthai] (1829): to attribute real identity
          to (a concept) -- hy.pos.ta.ti.za.tion n

   hypostome
          [hy.po.stome] n [ISV hypo- + -stome (fr. Gk stoma mouth)--more
          at stomach] (ca. 1862): any of several structures associated
          with the mouth: as a: the manubrium of a hydrozoan b:
          a rodlike organ that arises at the base of the beak in
          various mites and ticks

   hypostyle
          [hy.po.style] adj [Gk hypostylos, fr. hypo- + stylos pillar--more
          at steer] (1831): having the roof resting on rows of
          columns -- hypostyle n

   hypotactic
          [hy.po.tac.tic] adj [Gk hypotaktikos, fr. hypotassein] (1896):
          of or relating to hypotaxis

   hypotaxis
          [hy.po.tax.is] n [NL, fr. Gk, subjection, fr. hypotassein
          to arrange under, fr. hypo- + tassein to arrange] (1883):
          syntactic subordination (as by a conjunction)

   hypotension
          [hy.po.ten.sion] n [ISV] (1893): abnormally low blood pressure

   [1]hypotensive
          [hy.po.ten.sive] adj (1904) 1: characterized by or due to
          hypotension 2: causing low blood pressure or a lowering
          of blood pressure <~ drugs> [2]hypotensive n (1941):
          a person with hypotension

   hypotenuse
          [hy.pot.e.nuse] also hy.poth.e.nuse n [L hypotenusa, fr.
          Gk hypoteinousa, fr. fem. of hypoteinon, prp. of hypoteinein
          to subtend, fr. hypo- + teinein to stretch--more at thin]
          (1594) 1: the side of a right-angled triangle that is
          opposite the right angle 2: the length of a hyspotenuse

   hypothalamic
          [hy.po.tha.lam.ic] adj (1899): of or relating to the hypothalamus

   hypothalamus
          [hy.po.thal.a.mus] n [NL] (1896): a basal part of the diencephalon
          that lies beneath the thalamus on each side, forms the floor of the
          third ventricle, and includes vital autonomic regulatory centers

   [1]hypothecate
          [hy.poth.e.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ML hypothecare to
          pledge, fr. LL hypotheca pledge, fr. Gk hypotheke, fr.
          hypotithenai to put under, deposit as a pledge] (1681):
          to pledge as security without delivery of title or possession
          -- hy.poth.e.ca.tion n -- hy.poth.e.ca.tor n [2]hy.poth.e.cate
          vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [Gk hypotheke suggestion, fr. hypotithenai]
          (1906): hypothesize

   hypothermal
          [hy.po.ther.mal] adj (1944): of or relating to a hydrothermal
          metalliferous ore vein deposited at high temperature

   hypothermia
          [hy.po.ther.mia] n [NL] (ca. 1886): subnormal temperature
          of the body -- hy.po.ther.mic adj

   hypothesis
          [hy.poth.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [Gk, fr. hypotithenai to put
          under, suppose, fr. hypo- + tithenai to put--more at
          do] (ca. 1656) 1 a: an assumption or concession made
          for the sake of argument b: an interpretation of a practical
          situation or condition taken as the ground for action
          2: a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and
          test its logical or empirical consequences 3: the antecedent
          clause of a conditional statement syn hypothesis, theory,
          law mean a formula derived by inference from scientific
          data that explains a principle operating in nature. hypothesis
          implies insufficient evidence to provide more than a
          tentative explanation <a hypothesis explaining the extinction
          of the dinosaurs>. theory implies a greater range of
          evidence and greater likelihood of truth <the theory
          of evolution>. law implies a statement of order and relation
          in nature that has been found to be invariable under
          the same conditions <the law of gravitation>.

   hypothesize
          [hy.poth.e.size] vb -sized ; -siz.ing vi (1738): to make
          a hypothesis ~ vt: to adopt as a hypothesis

   hypothetical
          [hy.po.thet.i.cal] adj (1588): being or involving a hypothesis:
          conjectural <~ arguments> <a ~ situation> -- hy.po.thet.i.cal.ly
          adv

   hypothetico-deductive
          [hy.po.thet.i.co-de.duc.tive] adj (1912): relating to, being,
          or making use of the method of proposing hypotheses and
          testing their acceptability or falsity by determining
          whether their logical consequences are consistent with
          observed data

   hypothyroid
          [hy.po.thy.roid] adj (1909): of, relating to, or affected
          with hypothyroidism

   hypothyroidism
          [hy.po.thy.roid.ism] n [ISV] (1905): deficient activity of
          the thyroid gland; also: a resultant bodily condition
          characterized by lowered metabolic rate and general loss
          of vigor

   hypotonia
          [hy.po.to.nia] n [NL] (ca. 1886): the state of having hypotonic
          muscle tone

   hypotonic
          [hy.po.ton.ic] adj [ISV] (1895) 1: having deficient tone
          or tension <~ children> 2: having a lower osmotic pressure
          than a surrounding medium or a fluid under comparison
          <~ organisms> -- hy.po.to.nic.i.ty n

   hypoxanthine
          [hy.po.xan.thine] n [ISV] (ca. 1857): a purine base found
          in plant and animal tissues that yields xanthine on oxidation

   hypoxemia
          [hyp.ox.emia] n [NL] (ca. 1886): deficient oxygenation of
          the blood -- hyp.ox.emic adj

   hypoxia
          [hyp.ox.ia] n [NL] (1941): a deficiency of oxygen reaching
          the tissues of the body -- hyp.ox.ic adj

   hypsometer
          [hyp.som.e.ter] n [ISV, fr. Gk hypsos height (akin to OE
          up up) + ISV -meter--more at up] (1927): any of various
          instruments for determining the height of trees by triangulation

   hypsometric
          [hyp.so.met.ric] adj [Gk hypsos] (1845): of, relating to,
          or indicating elevation (as on a map) <~ curve>

   hyrax
          [hy.rax] n, pl hy.rax.es also hy.ra.ces [Gk hyrak-, hyrax
          shrew] (1832): any of a family (Procaviidae) of small
          ungulate mammals of Africa and the Middle East characterized
          by thickset body with short legs and ears and rudimentary
          tail, feet with soft pads and broad nails, and teeth
          of which the molars resemble those of the rhinoceros
          and the incisors those of rodents--called also coney,
          dassie

   hyson
          [hy.son] n [Chin (Guangdong) heicheun, lit., bright spring]
          (1740): a Chinese green tea made from thinly rolled and
          twisted leaves

   hyssop
          [hys.sop] n [ME ysop, fr. OE ysope, fr. L hyssopus, fr. Gk
          hyssopos, of Sem origin; akin to Heb ezobh hyssop] (bef.
          12c) 1: a plant used in purificatory sprinkling rites
          by the ancient Hebrews 2: a European mint (Hyssopus officinalis)
          that has highly aromatic and pungent leaves and is sometimes
          used as a potherb

   hyster-
          [hyster-] or hystero- comb form [F or L; F hyster-, fr. L
          hyster-, fr. Gk, fr. hystera]: womb <hysterectomy>

   hysterectomy
          [hys.ter.ec.to.my] n, pl -mies (ca. 1886): surgical removal
          of the uterus -- hys.ter.ec.to.mized adj

   hysteresis
          [hys.ter.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [NL, fr. Gk hysteresis shortcoming,
          fr. hysterein to be late, fall short, fr. hysteros later--more
          at out] (1881): a retardation of an effect when the forces
          acting upon a body are changed (as if from viscosity
          or internal friction); esp: a lagging in the values of
          resulting magnetization in a magnetic material (as iron)
          due to a changing magnetizing force -- hys.ter.et.ic
          adj

   hysteria
          [hys.te.ria] n [NL, fr. E hysteric, adj., fr. L hystericus,
          fr. Gk hysterikos, fr. hystera womb; fr. the Greek notion
          that hysteria was peculiar to women and caused by disturbances
          of the uterus] (1801) 1: a psychoneurosis marked by emotional
          excitability and disturbances of the psychic, sensory,
          vasomotor, and visceral functions 2: behavior exhibiting
          overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess
          <political ~> -- hys.ter.ic n -- hys.ter.i.cal also hysteric
          adj -- hys.ter.i.cal.ly adv

   hysterics
          [hys.ter.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1721): a fit
          of uncontrollable laughter or crying

   hysteroid
          [hys.ter.oid] adj (ca. 1855): resembling or tending toward
          hysteria

   hysteron proteron
          [hys.ter.on prot.er.on] n [LL, fr. Gk, lit., (the) later
          earlier, (the) latter first] (1565): a figure of speech
          consisting of the reversal of a natural or rational order
          (as in "then came the thunder and the lightning")

   hysterotomy
          [hys.ter.ot.o.my] n, pl -mies [NL hysterotomia, fr. hyster-
          + -tomia -tomy] (1801): surgical incision of the uterus;
          esp: cesarean section

   hz...
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   Hz
          [Hz] abbreviation hertz

   i...
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   i
          [i] n, pl i's or is often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 9th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic i 2: one in Roman numerals 3: a graphic
          device for reproducing the letter i 4: one designated
          i esp. as the 9th in order or class 5: something shaped
          like the letter I 6: a unit vector parallel to the x-axis
          7 [abbr. for incomplete] a: a grade rating a student's
          work as incomplete b: one graded or rated with an I 8:
          i formation [1]I pron [ME, fr. OE ic; akin to OHG ih
          I, L ego, Gk ego] (bef. 12c): the one who is speaking
          or writing <~ feel fine>--compare me, mine, my, we usage
          see me [2]I n, pl I's or Is (1539): someone aware of
          possessing a personal individuality: self

   i
          [i] abbreviation industrial, initial, intelligence, intensity,
          intransitive, island, isle  I abbreviation electric current,
          Indian, interstate, iodine, Israeli

   -i-
          [-i-] [ME, fr. OF, fr. L, thematic vowel of most nouns and
          adjectives in combination]--used as a connective vowel
          to join word elements esp. of Latin origin <matrilineal>
          <raticide>

   I/O
          [I/O] abbreviation input/output

   I band
          [I band] n (1948): an isotropic band of a striated muscle
          fiber

   I beam
          [I beam] n (ca. 1889): an iron or steel beam that is I-shaped
          in cross section

   I formation
          [I formation] n (1951): an offensive football formation in
          which the running backs line up in a line directly behind
          the quarterback--compare t formation

   ia...
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   [1]-ia
          [-ia] n suffix [NL, fr. L & Gk, suffix forming feminine nouns]
          1: pathological condition <hysteria> 2: genus of plants
          or animals <Fuchsia> 3: territory: world: society <suburbia>
          [2]-ia n pl suffix [NL, fr. L (neut. pl. of -ius, adj.
          ending) & Gk, neut. pl. of -ios, adj. ending] 1: higher
          taxon (as class or order) consisting of (such plants
          or animals) <Sauria> 2: things derived from or relating
          to (something specified) <militaria> [3]-ia pl of -ium

   Ia
          [Ia] or IA abbreviation Iowa

   IAA
          [IAA] abbreviation indoleacetic acid

   IAAF
          [IAAF] abbreviation International Amateur Athletic Federation

   IABA
          [IABA] abbreviation International Amateur Boxing Association

   IAEA
          [IAEA] abbreviation International Atomic Energy Agency

   Iago
          [Ia.go] n: the villain of Shakespeare's tragedy Othello

   -ial
          [-ial] adj suffix [ME, fr. MF, fr. L -ialis, fr. -i- + -alis
          -al]: [1]-al <manorial>

   IALC
          [IALC] abbreviation instrument approach and landing chart

   IAM
          [IAM] abbreviation International Association of Machinists
          and Aerospace Workers

   iamb
          [iamb] or iam.bus n, pl iambs or iam.bus.es [L iambus, fr.
          Gk iambos] (1586): a metrical foot consisting of one
          short syllable followed by one long syllable or of one
          unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable
          (as in above) -- iam.bic adj or n

   -ian
          [-ian] --see -an

   -iana
          [-iana] --see -ana

   IAP
          [IAP] abbreviation international airport

   IAS
          [IAS] abbreviation indicated airspeed

   -iasis
          [-iasis] n suffix, pl -iases [NL, fr. L, fr. Gk, suffix of
          action, fr. denominative verbs in -ian, -iazein]: disease
          having characteristics of or produced by (something specified)
          <onchocerciasis> <ancylostomiasis>

   IATA
          [IATA] abbreviation International Air Transport Association

   -iatric
          [-iatric] also -iatrical adj comb form [NL -iatria]: of or
          relating to (such) medical treatment or healing <pediatric>

   -iatrics
          [-iatrics] n pl comb form but sing or pl in constr: medical
          treatment <pediatrics>

   iatrogenic
          [iat.ro.gen.ic] adj [Gk iatros physician + E -genic] (1924):
          induced inadvertently by a physician or surgeon or by
          medical treatment or diagnostic procedures <an ~ rash>
          -- iat.ro.gen.i.cal.ly adv

   -iatry
          [-iatry] n comb form [F -iatrie, fr. NL -iatria, fr. Gk iatreia
          art of healing, fr. iatros healer, fr. iasthai to heal]:
          medical treatment: healing <podiatry>

   IAU
          [IAU] abbreviation International Association of Universities,
          International Astronomical Union

   ib...
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   ib
          [ib] or ibid abbreviation ibidem  IB abbreviation in bond,
          incendiary bomb

   [1]Iberian
          [Ibe.ri.an] n [Iberia, ancient region of the Caucasus] (1601):
          a member of one or more peoples anciently inhabiting
          the Caucasus in Asia between the Black and Caspian seas
          -- Iberian adj [2]Iberian n [Iberia, peninsula in Europe]
          (1611) 1 a: a member of one or more peoples anciently
          inhabiting parts of the peninsula comprising Spain and
          Portugal b: a native or inhabitant of Spain or Portugal
          or the Basque region 2: one or more of the languages
          of the ancient Iberians -- Iberian adj

   ibex
          [ibex] n, pl ibex or ibex.es [L] (1607): any of several wild
          goats (genus Capra, esp. C. ibex) living chiefly in high
          mountain areas of the Old World and having large recurved
          horns transversely ridged in front

   ibidem
          [ibi.dem] adv [L] (ca. 1771): in the same place

   -ibility
          [-ibility] --see -ability

   ibis
          [ibis] n, pl ibis or ibis.es [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr. Egypt
          hb] (14c): any of various wading birds (family Threskiornithidae)
          related to the herons but distinguished by a long slender
          downwardly curved bill

   Ibizan hound
          [Ibi.zan hound] n [Ibiza Island] (1960): any of a breed of
          slender agile medium-sized hunting dogs developed in
          the Balearic Islands with a short and smooth or a wirehaired
          coat

   -ible
          [-ible] --see -able

   Ibo
          [Ibo] n, pl Ibo or Ibos (1732) 1: a member of a people of
          the area around the lower Niger in Africa 2: the language
          of the Ibo people

   IBRD
          [IBRD] abbreviation International Bank for Reconstruction
          and Development

   Ibsenism
          [Ib.sen.ism] n (1890) 1: dramatic invention or construction
          characteristic of Ibsen 2: championship of Ibsen's plays
          and ideas -- Ib.sen.ite n or adj

   ibuprofen
          [ibu.pro.fen] n [is- + butyl + propionic acid + -fen (alter.
          of phenyl)] (1969): a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
          drug used to relieve pain and fever

   ic...
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   [1]-ic
          [-ic] adj suffix [ME, fr. OF & L; OF -ique, fr. L -icus--more
          at -y] 1: having the character or form of: being <panoramic>:
          consisting of <runic> 2 a: of or relating to <aldermanic>
          b: related to, derived from, or containing <alcoholic>
          3: in the manner of: like that of: characteristic of
          <Byronic> 4: associated or dealing with <Vedic>: utilizing
          <electronic> 5: characterized by: exhibiting <nostalgic>:
          affected with <allergic> 6: caused by <amoebic> 7: tending
          to produce <analgesic> 8: having a valence relatively
          higher than in compounds or ions named with an adjective
          ending in -ous <ferric iron> [2]-ic n suffix: one having
          the character or nature of: one belonging to or associated
          with: one exhibiting or affected by: one that produces

   [1]IC
          [IC] n (1947): immediate constituent [2]IC n (1966): integrated
          circuit

   ICA
          [ICA] abbreviation International Cooperative Alliance

   -ical
          [-ical] adj suffix [ME, fr. LL -icalis (as in clericalis
          clerical, radicalis radical)]: -ic <symmetrical>
          <geological>--sometimes differing from -ic in that adjectives
          formed with -ical have a wider or more transferred semantic range
          than corresponding adjectives in -ic

   ICAO
          [ICAO] abbreviation International Civil Aviation Organization

   Icarus
          [Ic.a.rus] n [L, fr. Gk Ikaros]: the son of Daedalus who
          to escape imprisonment flies by means of artificial wings
          but falls into the sea and drowns when the wax of his
          wings melts as he flies too near the sun

   ICBM
          [ICBM] n, pl ICBM's or ICBMs (1955): an intercontinental
          ballistic missile

   ICC
          [ICC] abbreviation International Chamber of Commerce, Interstate
          Commerce Commission

   [1]ice
          [ice] n, often attrib [ME is, fr. OE is; akin to OHG is ice,
          Av isu- icy] (bef. 12c) 1 a: frozen water b: a sheet
          or stretch of ice 2: a substance resembling ice; esp:
          the solid state of a substance usu. found as a gas or
          liquid <ammonia ~ in the rings of Saturn> 3: a state
          of coldness (as from formality or reserve) 4 a: a frozen
          dessert containing a flavoring (as fruit juice); esp:
          one containing no milk or cream b Brit: a serving of
          ice cream 5 slang: diamonds; broadly: jewelry 6: an undercover
          premium paid to a theater employee for choice theater
          tickets -- ice.less adj -- on ice 1: with every likelihood
          of being won or accomplished 2: in reserve or safekeeping
          [2]ice vb iced ; ic.ing vt (15c) 1 a: to coat with or
          convert into ice b: to chill with ice c: to supply with
          ice 2: to cover with or as if with icing 3: to put on
          ice 4: secure 1b <made two free throws ... to ~ the win
          --Jack McCallum> 5: to shoot (an ice hockey puck) the
          length of the rink and beyond the opponents' goal line
          6 slang: kill 1a ~ vi 1: to become ice-cold 2 a: to become
          covered with ice--often used with up or over b: to have
          ice form inside <the carburetor iced up>

   Ice
          [Ice] abbreviation Iceland  ICE abbreviation internal combustion
          engine, International Cultural Exchange

   ice age
          [ice age] n (1873) 1: a time of widespread glaciation 2 cap
          I&A: the Pleistocene glacial epoch

   ice ax
          [ice ax] n (1820): a combination pick and adze with a spiked
          handle that is used in mountain climbing

   ice bag
          [ice bag] n (1883): a waterproof bag to hold ice for local
          application of cold to the body

   iceberg
          [ice.berg] n [prob. part trans. of Dan or Norw isberg, fr.
          is ice + berg mountain] (1820) 1: a large floating mass
          of ice detached from a glacier 2: an emotionally cold
          person 3: iceberg lettuce

   iceberg lettuce
          [iceberg lettuce] n (1893): any of various crisp light green
          lettuces that when mature have the leaves arranged in
          a compact head

   iceblink
          [ice.blink] n (1817): a glare in the sky over an ice field

   iceboat
          [ice.boat] n (ca. 1819): a skeleton boat or frame on runners
          propelled on ice usu. by sails

   iceboating
          [ice.boat.ing] n (1885): the sport of sailing in iceboats
          -- ice.boat.er n

   icebound
          [ice.bound] adj (1641): surrounded, obstructed, or covered
          by ice

   icebox
          [ice.box] n (1846): refrigerator

   icebreaker
          [ice.break.er] n (1875) 1: a ship equipped to make and maintain
          a channel through ice 2: something that breaks the ice
          on a project or occasion; esp: mixer 1c

   ice cap
          [ice cap] n (ca. 1860) 1: an ice bag shaped to the head 2:
          a cover of perennial ice and snow; specif: a glacier
          forming on an extensive area of relatively level land
          and flowing outward from its center

   ice-cold
          [ice-cold] adj (bef. 12c): extremely cold

   ice cream
          [ice cream] n (1744): a sweet flavored frozen food containing
          cream or butterfat and usu. eggs

   ice-cream
          [ice-cream] adj (1890): of a color similar to that of vanilla
          ice cream

   ice-cream chair
          [ice-cream chair] n [fr. its use in ice cream parlors] (1949):
          a small armless chair with a circular seat for use at
          a table (as at a cafe)

   ice-cream cone
          [ice-cream cone] n (1909): a thin crisp edible cone for holding
          ice cream; also: one filled with ice cream

   ice dancing
          [ice dancing] n (1925): a sport in which ice-skating pairs
          perform to music routines similar to ballroom dances

   icefall
          [ice.fall] n (1817) 1: a frozen waterfall 2: the mass of
          usu. jagged blocks into which a glacier may break when
          it moves down a steep declivity

   ice field
          [ice field] n (1694) 1: an extensive sheet of sea ice 2:
          ice cap 2

   ice floe
          [ice floe] n (1819): a usu. large flat free mass of floating
          sea ice

   ice fog
          [ice fog] n (1856): a fog composed of ice particles

   ice hockey
          [ice hockey] n (1883): a game played on an ice rink by two
          teams of six players on skates whose object is to drive
          a puck into the opponents' goal with a hockey stick

   icehouse
          [ice.house] n (1687): a building in which ice is made or
          stored

   Icel
          [Icel] abbreviation Icelandic

   [1]Icelandic
          [Ice.lan.dic] adj (1674): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Iceland, the Icelanders, or Icelandic [2]Icelandic
          n (ca. 1824): the North Germanic language of Iceland

   Iceland moss
          [Ice.land moss] n (1805): a lichen (Cetraria islandica) of
          mountainous and arctic regions sometimes used in medicine
          or as food

   Iceland poppy
          [Iceland poppy] n (1884): a poppy (Papaver nudicaule) of
          holarctic regions often cultivated for its usu. single
          showy flowers

   Iceland spar
          [Iceland spar] n (1771): a doubly refracting transparent
          calcite

   iceman
          [ice.man] n (1851) 1: a man skilled in traveling on ice 2:
          one who sells or delivers ice

   ice milk
          [ice milk] n (1947): a sweetened frozen food made of skim
          milk

   Iceni
          [Ice.ni] n pl [L] (ca. 1891): an ancient British people that
          under their queen Boudicca revolted against the Romans
          in a.d. 60 -- Ice.ni.an or Ice.nic adj

   ice-out
          [ice-out] n (1951): the disappearance of ice from the surface
          of a body of water (as a lake) as a result of thawing

   ice pack
          [ice pack] n (1853): an expanse of pack ice

   ice pick
          [ice pick] n (ca. 1877): a hand tool ending in a spike for
          chipping ice

   ice plant
          [ice plant] n (1753): an Old World annual herb (Mesembryanthemum
          crystallinum) of the carpetweed family that has fleshy
          foliage covered with glistening papillate dots or vesicles
          and is widely naturalized in warm regions; broadly: fig
          marigold

   ice point
          [ice point] n (1903): the freezing point of water of 0 degrees
          Celsius or 273.15 Kelvin at standard atmospheric pressure

   ice sheet
          [ice sheet] n (1873): ice cap 2

   ice show
          [ice show] n (1948): an entertainment consisting of various
          exhibitions by ice-skaters usu. with musical accompaniment

   ice-skate
          [ice-skate] vi (ca. 1948): to skate on ice -- ice-skat.er
          n

   ice skate
          [ice skate] n (1897): a shoe with a metal runner attached
          for ice-skating

   ice storm
          [ice storm] n (1876): a storm in which falling rain freezes
          on contact

   ice water
          [ice water] n (1722): chilled or iced water esp. served as
          a beverage

   ICF
          [ICF] abbreviation intermediate care facility

   ICFTU
          [ICFTU] abbreviation International Confederation of Free
          Trade Unions

   ich dien
          [ich dien] [G] foreign term : I serve--motto of the Prince
          of Wales

   ichneumon
          [ich.neu.mon] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk ichneumon, lit., tracker,
          fr. ichneuein to track, fr. ichnos footprint] (15c) 1:
          a mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) of Africa, southern
          Europe, and southwestern Asia 2: ichneumon fly

   ichneumon fly
          [ichneumon fly] n (1713): any of a large superfamily
          (Ichneumonoidea) of hymenopterous insects whose larvae are usu.
          internal parasites of other insect larvae and esp. of caterpillars

   ichor
          [ichor] n [Gk ichor] (15c) 1: a thin watery or blood-tinged
          discharge 2: an ethereal fluid taking the place of blood
          in the veins of the ancient Greek gods -- ichor.ous adj

   ichthy-
          [ichthy-] or ichthyo- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. ichthys;
          akin to Arm jukn fish, Lith zuvis]: fish <ichthyology>

   ichthyofauna
          [ich.thyo.fau.na] n [NL] (1883): the fish life of a region
          -- ich.thyo.fau.nal adj

   ichthyology
          [ich.thy.ol.o.gy] n (1646): a branch of zoology that deals
          with fishes -- ich.thy.o.log.i.cal adj -- ich.thy.o.log.i.cal.ly
          adv -- ich.thy.ol.o.gist n

   ichthyophagous
          [ich.thy.oph.a.gous] adj [Gk ichthyophagos, fr. ichthy- +
          -phagos -phagous] (ca. 1828): eating or subsisting on
          fish

   ichthyosaur
          [ich.thyo.saur] n [ultim. fr. Gk. ichthy- + sauros lizard]
          (1830): any of an order (Ichthyosauria) of extinct marine
          reptiles of the Mesozoic specialized for aquatic life
          by a streamlined body with a long snout, limbs reduced
          to small fins for steering, and a large lunate caudal
          fin -- ich.thyo.sau.ri.an adj or n

   -ician
          [-ician] n suffix [ME, fr. OF -icien, fr. L -ica (as in rhetorica
          rhetoric) + OF -ien -ian]: specialist: practitioner <beautician>

   icicle
          [ici.cle] n [ME isikel, fr. is ice + ikel icicle, fr. OE
          gicel; akin to OHG ihilla icicle, MIr aig ice] (14c)
          1: a pendent mass of ice formed by the freezing of dripping
          water 2: an emotionally cold person 3: a long narrow
          strip (as of foil) used to decorate a Christmas tree

   [1]icing
          [ic.ing] n (1769) 1: a sweet flavored usu. creamy mixture
          used to coat baked goods (as cupcakes)--called also frosting
          2: something that adds to the interest, value, or appeal
          of an item or event--often used in the phrase icing on
          the cake [2]icing n (1948): an act by an ice-hockey player
          of shooting a puck from within the defensive zone or
          defensive half of the rink beyond the opponents' goal
          line but not into the goal

   ici on parle francais
          [ici on parle fran.cais] [F] foreign term : French is spoken
          here

   ICJ
          [ICJ] abbreviation International Court of Justice

   icker
          [ick.er] n [(assumed) ME (Sc dial.), fr. OE ear, eher--more
          at ear] (1513) Scot: a head of grain

   icky
          [icky] adj ick.i.er ; -est [perh. baby talk alter. of sticky]
          (1929): offensive to the senses or sensibilities: distasteful
          <put off by her ~ triteness --Renata Adler> -- ick.i.ness
          n

   icon
          [icon] n [L, fr. Gk eikon, fr. eikenai to resemble] (1572)
          1: a usu. pictorial representation: image 2: a conventional
          religious image typically painted on a small wooden panel
          and used in the devotions of Eastern Christians 3: an
          object of uncritical devotion: idol 4: emblem, symbol
          <the house became an ~ of 1860's residential architecture
          --Paul Goldberger> 5 a: a sign (as a word or graphic
          symbol) whose form suggests its meaning b: a graphic
          symbol on a computer display screen that suggests the
          purpose of an available function -- icon.ic adj -- icon.i.cal.ly
          adv

   icon-
          [icon-] or icono- comb form [Gk eikon-, eikono-, fr. eikon-,
          eikon]: image <iconolatry>

   iconicity
          [ico.nic.i.ty] n (1946): correspondence between form and
          meaning <the ~ of the Roman numeral III>

   iconoclasm
          [icon.o.clasm] n (1797): the doctrine, practice, or attitude
          of an iconoclast

   iconoclast
          [icon.o.clast] n [ML iconoclastes, fr. MGk eikonoklastes,
          lit., image destroyer, fr. Gk eikono- + klan to break--more
          at clast] (1641) 1: one who destroys religious images
          or opposes their veneration 2: one who attacks settled
          beliefs or institutions -- icon.o.clas.tic adj --
          icon.o.clas.ti.cal.ly adv

   iconographer
          [ico.nog.ra.pher] n (1888) 1: a maker of figures or drawings
          esp. of a conventional type 2: a student of iconography

   iconographic
          [icon.o.graph.ic] or icon.o.graph.i.cal adj (ca. 1855) 1:
          of or relating to iconography 2: representing something
          by pictures or diagrams -- icon.o.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   iconography
          [ico.nog.ra.phy] n, pl -phies [ML iconographia, fr.
          Gk eikonographia sketch, description, fr. eikonographein
          to describe, fr. eikon- + graphein to write--more at carve] (1678)
          1: pictorial material relating to or illustrating a subject 2: the
          traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with
          a subject and esp. a religious or legendary subject 3: the imagery
          or symbolism of a work of art, an artist, or a body of art
          4: iconology

   iconolatry
          [ico.nol.a.try] n (1624): the worship of images or icons

   iconology
          [ico.nol.o.gy] n [F iconologie, fr. icono- icon- + -logie
          -logy] (ca. 1736): the study of icons or artistic symbolism
          -- icon.o.log.i.cal adj

   iconoscope
          [icon.o.scope] n [fr. Iconoscope, a trademark] (1932): a
          camera tube containing an electron gun and a photoemissive
          mosaic screen of which each cell produces a charge proportional
          to the varying light intensity of the image focused on
          the screen

   iconostasis
          [ico.nos.ta.sis] n, pl -ta.ses [modif. of MGk eikonostasion,
          fr. LGk, shrine, fr. Gk eikono- + -stasion (fr. histanai
          to stand)--more at stand] (1833): a screen or partition
          with doors and tiers of icons that separates the bema
          from the nave in Eastern churches

   icosahedral
          [ico.sa.he.dral] adj (ca. 1828): of or having the form of
          an icosahedron

   icosahedron
          [ico.sa.he.dron] n, pl -drons or -dra [Gk eikosaedron, fr.
          eikosi twenty + -edron -hedron--more at vigesimal] (1570):
          a polyhedron having 20 faces

   ICRC
          [ICRC] abbreviation International Committee of the Red Cross

   -ics
          [-ics] n pl suffix but sing or pl in constr [[1]-ic + [2]-s;
          trans. of Gk -ika, fr. neut. pl. of -ikos -ic] 1: study:
          knowledge: skill: practice <linguistics> <electronics>
          2: characteristic actions or activities <acrobatics>
          3: characteristic qualities, operations, or phenomena
          <mechanics>

   icteric
          [ic.ter.ic] adj (ca. 1600): of, relating to, or affected
          with jaundice

   icterus
          [ic.ter.us] n [NL, fr. Gk ikteros] (ca. 1706): jaundice

   ictus
          [ic.tus] n [L, lit., blow, fr. icere to strike] (1752): the
          recurring stress or beat in a rhythmic or metrical series
          of sounds

   ICU
          [ICU] abbreviation intensive care unit

   icy
          [icy] adj ic.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 a: covered with, abounding
          in, or consisting of ice b: intensely cold 2: characterized
          by coldness: frigid <an ~ stare>; also: steely <~ nerves>
          -- ic.i.ly adv -- ic.i.ness n

   id...
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   [1]-id
          [-id] n suffix [in sense 1, fr. L -ides, masc. patronymic
          suffix, fr. Gk -ides; in sense 2, fr. It -ide, fr. L
          -id-, -is, fem. patronymic suffix, fr. Gk] 1: one belonging
          to a (specified) dynastic line <Abbasid> 2: meteor associated
          with or radiating from a (specified) constellation or
          comet <Perseid> [2]-id n suffix [prob. fr. L -id-, -is,
          fem. patronymic suffix, fr. Gk]: body: particle <chromatid>

   id
          [id] abbreviation idem  ID abbreviation Idaho, identification,
          independent distributor, industrial design, inner diameter,
          inside dimensions, intelligence department, internal
          diameter

   id
          [id] n [NL, fr. L, it] (1924): the one of the three divisions
          of the psyche in psychoanalytic theory that is completely
          unconscious and is the source of psychic energy derived
          from instinctual needs and drives--compare ego, superego

   IDA
          [IDA] abbreviation International Development Association

   -idae
          [-idae] n pl suffix [NL, fr. L, fr. Gk -idai, pl. of -ides]:
          members of the family of--in names of zoological families
          <Felidae>

   Idaho
          [Ida.ho] n, pl Idahos or Idahoes (1934): an elongated baking
          potato grown esp. in the state of Idaho

   ID card
          [ID card] n (ca. 1945): a card bearing identifying data (as
          age or organizational membership) about the individual
          whose name appears thereon--called also identification
          card, identity card

   -ide
          [-ide] also -id n suffix [G & F; G -id, fr. F -ide (as in
          oxide)] 1: binary chemical compound--added to the contracted
          name of the nonmetallic or more electronegative element
          <hydrogen sulfide> or group <cyanide> 2: chemical compound
          derived from or related to another (usu. specified) compound
          <anhydride> <glucoside>

   idea
          [idea] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr. idein to see--more at wit]
          (14c) 1 a: a transcendent entity that is a real pattern
          of which existing things are imperfect representations
          b: a standard of perfection: ideal c: a plan for action:
          design 2 archaic: a visible representation of a conception:
          a replica of a pattern 3 a obs: an image recalled by
          memory b: an indefinite or unformed conception c: an
          entity (as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually
          or potentially present to consciousness 4: a formulated
          thought or opinion 5: whatever is known or supposed about
          something <a child's ~ of time> 6: the central meaning
          or chief end of a particular action or situation 7 Christian
          Science: an image in Mind -- idea.less adj syn idea,
          concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean
          what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something
          comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan). idea
          may apply to a mental image or formulation of something
          seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or
          to something assumed or vaguely sensed <innovative ideas>
          <my idea of paradise>. concept may apply to the idea
          formed by consideration of instances of a species or
          genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought
          to be <a society with no concept of private property>.
          conception is often interchangeable with concept; it
          may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather
          than the result <our changing conception of what constitutes
          art>. thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting,
          reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining <commit
          your thoughts to paper>. notion suggests an idea not
          much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest
          the capricious or accidental <you have the oddest notions>.
          impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately
          from some stimulation of the senses <the first impression
          is of soaring height>.

   [1]ideal
          [ide.al] adj [ME ydeall, fr. LL idealis, fr. L idea] (15c)
          1: existing as an archetypal idea 2 a: existing as a
          mental image or in fancy or imagination only; broadly:
          lacking practicality b: relating to or constituting mental
          images, ideas, or conceptions 3 a: of, relating to, or
          embodying an ideal b: conforming exactly to an ideal,
          law, or standard: perfect <an ~ gas>--compare real 2b(3)
          4: of or relating to philosophical idealism [2]ideal
          n (15c) 1: a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence
          2: one regarded as exemplifying an ideal and often taken
          as a model for imitation 3: an ultimate object or aim
          of endeavor: goal 4: a subset of a mathematical ring
          that is closed under addition and subtraction and contains
          the products of any given element of the subset with
          each element of the ring syn see model -- ide.al.less
          adj

   idealise
          [ide.al.ise] Brit var of idealize

   idealism
          [ide.al.ism] n (1796) 1 a (1): a theory that ultimate reality
          lies in a realm transcending phenomena (2): a theory
          that the essential nature of reality lies in consciousness
          or reason b (1): a theory that only the perceptible is
          real (2): a theory that only mental states or entities
          are knowable 2 a: the practice of forming ideals or living
          under their influence b: something that is idealized
          3: literary or artistic theory or practice that affirms
          the preeminent value of imagination as compared with
          faithful copying of nature--compare realism

   [1]idealist
          [ide.al.ist] n (1701) 1 a: an adherent of a philosophical
          theory of idealism b: an artist or author who advocates
          or practices idealism in art or writing 2: one guided
          by ideals; esp: one that places ideals before practical
          considerations [2]idealist adj (1875): idealistic

   idealistic
          [ide.al.is.tic] adj (1829): of or relating to idealists or
          idealism -- ide.al.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   ideality
          [ide.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1817) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being ideal b: existence only in idea 2: something
          imaginary or idealized

   idealize
          [ide.al.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1786) 1: to form ideals
          2: to work idealistically ~ vt 1 a: to give an ideal
          form or value to b: to attribute ideal characteristics
          to 2: to treat idealistically -- ide.al.i.za.tion n --
          ide.al.iz.er n

   ideally
          [ide.al.ly] adv (1598) 1: in idea or imagination: mentally
          2: in relation to an exemplar 3 a: conformably to or
          in respect to an ideal: perfectly b: for best results
          <~, the counselor should vary his techniques for each
          applicant --T. M. Martinez> c: in accordance with an
          ideal or typical standard: classically

   ideal point
          [ideal point] n (1879): a point added to the plane or to
          space to eliminate special cases; specif: the point at
          infinity added in projective geometry as the assumed
          intersection of two parallel lines

   ideate
          [ide.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vt (1610): to form an idea
          or conception of ~ vi: to form an idea

   ideation
          [ide.a.tion] n (1818): the forming of ideas (as of things
          not present to the senses)

   ideational
          [ide.a.tion.al] adj (1853): of, relating to, or produced
          by ideation; broadly: of or relating to ideas -- ide.a.tion.al.ly
          adv

   idee fixe
          [idee fixe] n, pl idees fixes [F, lit., fixed idea] (1836):
          an idea that dominates one's mind esp. for a prolonged
          period: obsession

   idees recues
          [idees re.cues] [F] foreign term : received ideas: conventional
          opinions

   idem
          [idem] pron [ME, fr. L, same--more at identity] (14c): something
          previously mentioned: same

   idempotent
          [idem.po.tent] adj [L idem same + potent-, potens having
          power--more at potent] (1870): relating to or being a
          mathematical quantity which when applied to itself under
          a given binary operation (as multiplication) equals itself;
          also: relating to or being an operation under which a
          mathematical quantity is idempotent -- idempotent n

   identic
          [iden.tic] adj (1649): identical: as a: constituting a diplomatic
          action or expression in which two or more governments
          follow precisely the same course or employ an identical
          form b: constituting an action or expression in which
          a government follows precisely the same course or employs
          identical forms with reference to two or more other governments

   identical
          [iden.ti.cal] adj [prob. fr. ML identicus, fr. LL identitas]
          (1599) 1: being the same: selfsame <the ~ place we stopped
          before> 2: having such close resemblance as to be essentially
          the same <~ hats>--often used with to or with 3 a: having
          the same cause or origin <~ infections> b: monozygotic
          syn see same -- iden.ti.cal.ly adv -- iden.ti.cal.ness
          n

   identification
          [iden.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (1644) 1 a: an act of identifying:
          the state of being identified b: evidence of identity
          2 a: psychological orientation of the self in regard
          to something (as a person or group) with a resulting
          feeling of close emotional association b: a largely unconscious
          process whereby an individual models thoughts, feelings,
          and actions after those attributed to an object that
          has been incorporated as a mental image

   identification card
          [identification card] n (1908): id card

   identifier
          [iden.ti.fi.er] n (1889): one that identifies

   identify
          [iden.ti.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (1644) 1 a: to cause to
          be or become identical b: to conceive as united (as in
          spirit, outlook, or principle) <groups that are identified
          with conservation> 2 a: to establish the identity of
          b: to determine the taxonomic position of (a biological
          specimen) ~ vi 1: to be or become the same 2: to practice
          psychological identification <~ with the hero of a novel>
          -- iden.ti.fi.able adj -- iden.ti.fi.ably adv

   identity
          [iden.ti.ty] n, pl -ties [MF identite, fr. LL identitat-,
          identitas, prob. fr. L identidem repeatedly, contr. of
          idem et idem, lit., same and same] (1570) 1 a: sameness
          of essential or generic character in different instances
          b: sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality
          of a thing: oneness 2 a: the distinguishing character
          or personality of an individual: individuality b: the
          relation established by psychological identification
          3: the condition of being the same with something described
          or asserted <establish the ~ of stolen goods> 4: an equation
          that is satisfied for all values of the symbols 5: identity
          element

   identity card
          [identity card] n (1900): id card

   identity crisis
          [identity crisis] n (1954) 1: personal psychosocial conflict
          esp. in adolescence that involves confusion about one's
          social role and often a sense of loss of continuity to
          one's personality 2: a state of confusion in an institution
          or organization regarding its nature or direction

   identity element
          [identity element] n (1902): an element (as 0 in the set
          of all integers under addition or 1 in the set of positive
          integers under multiplication) that leaves any element
          of the set to which it belongs unchanged when combined
          with it by a specified operation

   identity matrix
          [identity matrix] n (ca. 1929): a square matrix that has
          numeral 1's along the principal diagonal and 0's elsewhere

   ideo-
          [ideo-] comb form [F ideo-, fr. Gk idea]: idea <ideogram>

   ideogram
          [ideo.gram] n (ca. 1840) 1: a picture or symbol used in a
          system of writing to represent a thing or an idea but
          not a particular word or phrase for it; esp: one that
          represents not the object pictured but some thing or
          idea that the object pictured is supposed to suggest
          2: logogram -- ideo.gram.ic or ideo.gram.mic adj --
          ideo.gram.mat.ic adj

   ideograph
          [ideo.graph] n (1835): ideogram -- ideo.graph.ic adj --
          ideo.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   ideography
          [ide.og.ra.phy] n (1836) 1: the use of ideograms
          2: the representation of ideas by graphic symbols

   ideological
          [ideo.log.i.cal] also ideo.log.ic adj (1797) 1: relating
          to or concerned with ideas 2: of, relating to, or based
          on ideology -- ideo.log.i.cal.ly adv

   ideologize
          [ide.ol.o.gize] vt -gized ; -giz.ing (1860): to give an ideological
          character or interpretation to; esp: to change or interpret
          in relation to a sociopolitical ideology often seen as biased
          or limited

   ideologue
          [ideo.logue] also idea.logue n [F ideologue, back-formation
          fr. ideologie] (1815) 1: an impractical idealist: theorist
          2: an often blindly partisan advocate or adherent of
          a particular ideology

   ideology
          [ide.ol.o.gy] also ide.al.o.gy n, pl -gies [F ideologie,
          fr. ideo- ideo- + -logie -logy] (1813) 1: visionary theorizing
          2 a: a systematic body of concepts esp. about human life
          or culture b: a manner or the content of thinking characteristic
          of an individual, group, or culture c: the integrated
          assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical
          program -- ide.ol.o.gist n

   ideomotor
          [ideo.mo.tor] adj [ISV] (1867): not reflex but motivated
          by an idea <~ muscular activity>

   ides
          [ides] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME, fr. MF, fr. L idus]
          (14c): the 15th day of March, May, July, or October or
          the 13th day of any other month in the ancient Roman
          calendar; broadly: this day and the seven days preceding
          it

   id est
          [id est] [L] foreign term : that is

   -idin
          [-idin] or -idine n suffix [ISV -ide + -in, -ine]: chemical
          compound related in origin or structure to another compound
          <toluidine> <guanidine>

   idio-
          [idio-] comb form [Gk, fr. idios--more at idiot]: one's own:
          personal: separate: distinct <idioblast>

   idioblast
          [id.i.o.blast] n [ISV] (1822): a plant cell (as a sclereid)
          that differs markedly from neighboring cells -- id.io.blas.tic
          adj

   idiocy
          [id.i.o.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1529) 1: extreme mental retardation
          commonly due to incomplete or abnormal development of
          the brain 2: something notably stupid or foolish

   idiographic
          [id.i.o.graph.ic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1890): relating to or dealing
          with something concrete, individual, or unique

   idiolect
          [id.i.o.lect] n [idio- + -lect (as in dialect)] (1948): the
          language or speech pattern of one individual at a particular
          period of life -- id.io.lec.tal adj

   idiom
          [id.i.om] n [MF & LL; MF idiome, fr. LL idioma individual
          peculiarity of language, fr. Gk idiomat-, idioma, fr.
          idiousthai to appropriate, fr. idios] (1588) 1 a: the
          language peculiar to a people or to a district, community,
          or class: dialect b: the syntactical, grammatical, or
          structural form peculiar to a language 2: an expression
          in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself
          either grammatically (as no, it wasn't me) or in having
          a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings
          of its elements (as Monday week for "the Monday a week
          after next Monday") 3: a style or form of artistic expression
          that is characteristic of an individual, a period or
          movement, or a medium or instrument <the modern jazz
          ~>; broadly: manner, style <a new culinary ~>

   idiomatic
          [id.i.o.mat.ic] adj (1712) 1: of, relating to, or conforming
          to idiom 2: peculiar to a particular group, individual,
          or style -- id.i.o.mat.i.cal.ly adv -- id.i.o.mat.ic.ness
          n

   idiomorphic
          [id.i.o.mor.phic] adj [Gk idiomorphos, fr. idio- + -morphos
          -morphous] (1887): having the proper form or shape--used
          of minerals whose crystalline growth has not been interfered
          with

   idiopathic
          [id.i.o.path.ic] adj (1669) 1: arising spontaneously or from
          an obscure or unknown cause: primary 2: peculiar to the
          individual -- id.i.o.path.i.cal.ly adv

   idiosyncrasy
          [id.i.o.syn.cra.sy] n, pl -sies [Gk idiosynkrasia, fr. idio-
          + synkerannynai to blend, fr. syn- + kerannynai to mingle,
          mix--more at crater] (1604) 1 a: a peculiarity of constitution
          or temperament: an individualizing characteristic or
          quality b: individual hypersensitiveness (as to a drug
          or food) 2: characteristic peculiarity (as of temperament);
          broadly: eccentricity -- id.i.o.syn.crat.ic adj --
          id.i.o.syn.crat.i.cal.ly adv

   idiot
          [id.i.ot] n [ME, fr. L idiota ignorant person, fr. Gk idiotes
          one in a private station, layman, ignorant person, fr.
          idios one's own, private; akin to L suus one's own--more
          at suicide] (14c) 1: a person affected with idiocy; esp:
          a feebleminded person having a mental age not exceeding
          three years and requiring complete custodial care 2:
          a foolish or stupid person -- idiot adj

   idiot box
          [idiot box] n (ca. 1955): television

   idiotic
          [id.i.ot.ic] also id.i.ot.i.cal adj (1713) 1: characterized
          by idiocy 2: showing complete lack of thought or common
          sense: foolish -- id.i.ot.i.cal.ly adv

   [1]idiotism
          [id.i.o.tism] n [MF idiotisme, fr. L idiotismus common speech,
          fr. Gk idiotismos, fr. idiotes] (1588) 1 obs: idiom 1
          2: idiom 2 [2]id.i.ot.ism n [idiot + -ism] (ca. 1611)
          archai c: idiocy 2

   idiot light
          [idiot light] n (1966): a colored light on an instrument
          panel (as of an automobile) designed to give a warning
          (as of low oil pressure)

   idiot savant
          [idiot sa.vant] n, pl idiots savants or idiot savants [F,
          lit., learned idiot] (1927) 1: a mentally defective person
          who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some
          limited field 2: a person who is highly knowledgeable
          about one subject but knows little about anything else

   -idium
          [-idium] n suffix, pl -idiums or -idia [NL, fr. Gk -idion,
          dim. suffix]: small one <antheridium>

   [1]idle
          [idle] adj idler ; idlest [ME idel, fr. OE idel; akin to
          OHG ital worthless] (bef. 12c) 1: lacking worth or basis:
          vain <~ chatter> <~ pleasure> 2: not occupied or employed:
          as a: having no employment: inactive <~ workers> b: not
          turned to normal or appropriate use <~ funds> <~ farmland>
          c: not scheduled to compete <the team will be ~ tomorrow>
          3 a: shiftless, lazy b: having no evident lawful means
          of support syn see vain, inactive -- idle.ness n -- idly
          adv [2]idle vb idled ; idling vi (1592) 1 a: to spend
          time in idleness b: to move idly 2: to run at low power
          and often disconnected usu. so that power is not used
          for useful work <the engine is idling> ~ vt 1: to pass
          in idleness 2: to make idle <workers idled by a strike>
          3: to cause to idle -- idler n

   idler pulley
          [idler pulley] n (ca. 1890): a guide or tightening pulley
          for a belt or chain

   idler wheel
          [idler wheel] n (1805) 1: a wheel, gear, or roller used to
          transfer motion or to guide or support something 2: idler
          pulley

   idlesse
          [idlesse] n [ME, fr. idle + -esse (as in richesse wealth)--more
          at riches] (15c): the quality or state of being idle:
          idleness

   idocrase
          [ido.crase] n [F, fr. Gk eidos form + krasis mixture, fr.
          kerannynai to mix--more at crater] (1804): a mineral
          that is a complex silicate of calcium, magnesium, iron,
          and aluminum

   idol
          [idol] [ME, fr. OF idole, fr. LL idolum, fr. Gk eidolon image,
          idol; akin to Gk eidos form--more at idyll] (13c) 1:
          a representation or symbol of an object of worship; broadly:
          a false god 2 a: a likeness of something b obs: pretender,
          impostor 3: a form or appearance visible but without
          substance <an enchanted phantom, a lifeless ~ --P. B.
          Shelley> 4: an object of extreme devotion <a movie ~>;
          also: ideal 2 5: a false conception: fallacy

   idolater
          [idol.a.ter] or idol.a.tor n [ME idolatrer, fr. MF idolatre,
          fr. LL idololatres, fr. Gk eidololatres, fr. eidolon
          + -latres -later] (14c) 1: a worshiper of idols 2: a
          person that admires intensely and often blindly one that
          is not usu. a subject of worship

   idolatrous
          [idol.a.trous] adj (1543) 1: of or relating to idolatry 2:
          having the character of idolatry <the religion of ~ nationalism
          --Aldous Huxley> 3: given to idolatry -- idol.a.trous.ly
          adv -- idol.a.trous.ness n

   idolatry
          [idol.a.try] n, pl -tries (13c) 1: the worship of a physical
          object as a god 2: immoderate attachment or devotion
          to something

   idolize
          [idol.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1598): to worship as a
          god; broadly: to love or admire to excess <the common
          people whom he so idolized --Times Lit. Supp.> ~ vi:
          to practice idolatry -- idol.i.za.tion n -- idol.iz.er
          n

   IDP
          [IDP] abbreviation international driving permit

   idyll
          [idyll] also idyl n [L idyllium, fr. Gk eidyllion, fr. dim.
          of eidos form; akin to Gk idein to see--more at wit]
          (1586) 1 a: a simple descriptive work in poetry or prose
          that deals with rustic life or pastoral scenes or suggests
          a mood of peace and contentment b: a narrative poem (as
          Tennyson's Idylls of the King) treating an epic, romantic,
          or tragic theme 2 a: a lighthearted carefree episode
          that is a fit subject for an idyll b: a romantic interlude

   idyllic
          [idyl.lic] adj (1856) 1: of, relating to, or being an idyll
          2: pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity -- idyl.li.cal.ly
          adv

   ie...
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   -ie
          [-ie] also -y n suffix [ME] 1: little one: dear little one
          <birdie> <sonny> 2: one belonging to: one having to do
          with <townie>: one who is <preemie> 3: one of (such)
          a kind or quality <cutie> <toughie>

   ie
          [i.e.] [L id est] abbreviation that is IE abbreviation industrial
          engineer

   IEEE
          [IEEE] abbreviation The Institute of Electrical and Electronics
          Engineers

   -ier
          [-ier] --see -er

   if...
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   [1]if
          [if] conj [ME, fr. OE gif; akin to OHG ibu if] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: in the event that b: allowing that c: on the assumption
          that d: on condition that 2: whether <asked ~ the mail
          had come> <I doubt ~ I'll pass the course> 3--used as
          a function word to introduce an exclamation expressing
          a wish <~ it would only rain> 4: even though <an interesting
          ~ untenable argument> -- if anything : on the contrary
          even: perhaps even <if anything, you ought to apologize>
          [2]if n (1513) 1: condition, stipulation <the question
          ... depends on too many ~s to allow an answer --Encounter>
          2: supposition

   IF
          [IF] abbreviation intermediate frequency

   IFC
          [IFC] abbreviation International Finance Corporation

   -iferous
          [-iferous] adj comb form [ME, fr. L -ifer, fr. -i- + -fer
          -ferous]: -ferous

   iff
          [iff] conj [alter. of [1]if] (1955): if and only if <two
          figures are congruent ~ one can be placed over the other
          so that they coincide>

   IFF
          [IFF] abbreviation identification, friend or foe

   iffy
          [if.fy] adj [[1]if] (1937): abounding in contingencies or
          unknown qualities or conditions: uncertain <an ~ proposition>
          -- if.fi.ness n

   -ification
          [-ification] n suffix [ME -ificacioun, fr. MF & L; MF -ification,
          fr. L -ification-, -ificatio, fr. -i- + -ficatio -fication]:
          -fication <desertification>

   IFO
          [IFO] abbreviation identified flying object

   -iform
          [-iform] adj comb form [MF & L; MF -iforme, fr. L -iformis,
          fr. -i- + -formis -form]: -form <patelliform>

   IFR
          [IFR] abbreviation instrument flight rules

   -ify
          [-ify] vb suffix [ME -ifien, fr. OF -ifier, fr. L -ificare,
          fr. -i- + -ficare -fy]: -fy

   ig...
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   Ig
          [Ig] abbreviation immunoglobulin  IG abbreviation inspector
          general

   IGY
          [IGY] abbreviation International Geophysical Year

   IgA
          [IgA] n [immunoglobulin] (1969): a class of immunoglobulins
          found in external bodily secretions (as saliva, tears,
          and sweat)

   Igbo
          [Ig.bo] var of ibo

   IgE
          [IgE] n (1969): a class of immunoglobulins that function
          esp. in allergic reactions

   IgG
          [IgG] n (1969): a class of immunoglobulins that includes
          the most common antibodies circulating in the blood

   igloo
          [ig.loo] n, pl igloos [Inuit iglu house] (1856) 1: an Eskimo
          house usu. made of sod, wood, or stone when permanent
          or of blocks of snow or ice in the shape of a dome when
          built for temporary purposes 2: a building or structure
          shaped like a dome

   IgM
          [IgM] n (1969): a class of immunoglobulins that includes
          antibodies that appear early in the immune response

   igneous
          [ig.ne.ous] adj [L igneus, fr. ignis fire; akin to Skt agni
          fire] (1664) 1: of, relating to, or resembling fire:
          fiery 2 a: relating to, resulting from, or suggestive
          of the intrusion or extrusion of magma or volcanic activity
          b: formed by solidification of magma <~ rock>

   ignescent
          [ig.nes.cent] adj [L ignescent-, ignescens, prp. of ignescere
          to catch fire, fr. ignis] (ca. 1828): volatile

   ignimbrite
          [ig.nim.brite] n [G Ignimbrit, fr. L ignis + imbr- (fr. imber
          rain) + G -it [1]-ite--more at imbricate] (1932): a hard
          rock formed by solidification of chiefly fine deposits
          of volcanic ash

   ignis fatuus
          [ig.nis fat.u.us] n, pl ig.nes fat.ui [ML, lit., foolish
          fire] (ca. 1563) 1: a light that sometimes appears in
          the night over marshy ground and is often attributable
          to the combustion of gas from decomposed organic matter
          2: a deceptive goal or hope

   ignite
          [ig.nite] vb ig.nit.ed ; ig.nit.ing [L ignitus, pp. of ignire
          to ignite, fr. ignis] vt (1666) 1: to subject to fire
          or intense heat; esp: to render luminous by heat 2 a:
          to set afire; also: kindle b: to cause (a fuel) to burn
          3: to heat up: excite <oppression that ignited the hatred
          of the people> ~ vi 1: to catch fire 2: to begin to glow
          -- ig.nit.abil.i.ty n -- ig.nit.able also ig.nit.ible
          adj -- ig.nit.er also ig.ni.tor n

   ignition
          [ig.ni.tion] n (1612) 1: the act or action of igniting: as
          a: the starting of a fire b: the heating of a plasma
          to a temperature high enough to sustain nuclear fusion
          2: the process or means (as an electric spark) of igniting
          a fuel mixture

   ignitron
          [ig.ni.tron] n [L ignis fire + E -tron] (1933):
          a mercury-containing rectifier tube in which the arc is struck
          again at the beginning of each cycle by a special electrode
          separately energized by an auxiliary circuit

   ignoble
          [ig.no.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L ignobilis, fr. in- + OL
          gnobilis noble] (15c) 1: of low birth or common origin:
          plebeian 2: characterized by baseness, lowness, or meanness
          syn see mean -- ig.no.bil.i.ty n -- ig.no.ble.ness n
          -- ig.no.bly adv

   ignominious
          [ig.no.min.i.ous] adj (15c) 1: marked with or characterized
          by disgrace or shame: dishonorable 2: deserving of shame
          or infamy: despicable 3: humiliating, degrading <suffered
          an ~ defeat> -- ig.no.min.i.ous.ly adv -- ig.no.min.i.ous.ness
          n

   ignominy
          [ig.no.mi.ny] n, pl -nies [MF or L; MF ignominie, fr. L ignominia,
          fr. ig- (as in ignorare to be ignorant of, ignore) + nomin-, nomen
          name, repute--more at name] (1540) 1: deep personal humiliation and
          disgrace 2: disgraceful or dishonorable conduct, quality, or action
          syn see disgrace

   ignoramus
          [ig.no.ra.mus] n, pl -mus.es also -mi [Ignoramus, ignorant
          lawyer in Ignoramus (1615), play by George Ruggle, fr.
          L, lit., we are ignorant of] (ca. 1616): an utterly ignorant
          person: dunce

   ignorance
          [ig.no.rance] n (13c): the state or fact of being ignorant

   ignorant
          [ig.no.rant] adj (14c) 1 a: destitute of knowledge or education
          <an ~ society>; also: lacking knowledge or comprehension
          of the thing specified <parents ~ of modern mathematics>
          b: resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence
          <~ errors> 2: unaware, uninformed -- ig.no.rant.ly adv
          -- ig.no.rant.ness n syn ignorant, illiterate, unlettered,
          untutored, unlearned mean not having knowledge. ignorant
          may imply a general condition or it may apply to lack
          of knowledge or awareness of a particular thing <an ignorant
          fool> <ignorant of nuclear physics>. illiterate applies
          to either an absolute or a relative inability to read
          and write <much of the population is still illiterate>.
          unlettered implies ignorance of the knowledge gained
          by reading <an allusion meaningless to the unlettered>.
          untutored may imply lack of schooling in the arts and
          ways of civilization <strange monuments built by an untutored
          people>. unlearned suggests ignorance of advanced subjects
          <poetry not for academics but for the unlearned masses>.

   ignorantia juris neminem excusat
          [ig.no.ran.tia ju.ris ne.mi.nem ex.cu.sat] [L] foreign term
          : ignorance of the law excuses no one

   ignoratio elenchi
          [ig.no.ra.tio elen.chi] n [L, lit., ignorance of proof] (1588):
          a fallacy in logic of supposing a point proved or disproved
          by an argument proving or disproving something not at
          issue

   ignore
          [ig.nore] vt ig.nored ; ig.nor.ing [obs. ignore to be ignorant
          of, fr. F ignorer, fr. L ignorare, fr. ignarus ignorant,
          unknown, fr. in- + gnoscere, noscere to know--more at
          know] (1801) 1: to refuse to take notice of 2: to reject
          (a bill of indictment) as ungrounded syn see neglect
          -- ig.nor.able adj -- ig.nor.er n

   ignotum per ignotius
          [ig.no.tum per ig.no.ti.us] [L] foreign term : (explaining)
          the unknown by means of the more unknown

   Igorot
          [Igo.rot] n, pl Igorot or Igorots (1821) 1: a member of any
          of several related peoples of northwestern Luzon, Philippines
          2: any of the Austronesian languages of the Igorot

   Igraine
          [Igraine] n: the wife of Uther and mother of King Arthur

   iguana
          [igua.na] n [Sp, fr. Arawak & Carib iwana] (1555): any of
          various large herbivorous typically dark-colored tropical
          American lizards (family Iguanidae) that have a serrated
          dorsal crest and are important as human food in their
          native habitat; broadly: any of various large lizards

   iguanodon
          [iguan.odon] n [NL Iguanodont-, Iguanodon, fr. Sp iguana
          + Gk odon tooth, fr. odont-, odous--more at tooth] (1830):
          any of a genus (Iguanodon) of very large herbivorous
          dinosaurs of the early Cretaceous

   ih...
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   ihp
          [ihp] abbreviation indicated horsepower

   IHS
          [IHS] [LL, part transliteration of Gk abbreviation for Iesous
          Jesus]--used as a Christian symbol and monogram for Jesus

   ii...
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   IIE
          [IIE] abbreviation Institute of Industrial Engineers

   ik...
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   ikat
          [ikat] n [Malay, tying] (1927): a fabric in which the yarns
          have been tie-dyed before weaving

   ikebana
          [ike.ba.na] n [Jp, fr. ikeru to keep alive, arrange + hana
          flower] (1901): the Japanese art of flower arranging
          that emphasizes form and balance

   ikon
          [ikon] var of icon

   il...
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   il-
          [il-] --see in-

   IL
          [IL] abbreviation Illinois

   IL-2
          [IL-2] abbreviation interleukin-2

   ILA
          [ILA] abbreviation International Longshoremen's Association

   ilang-ilang
          [ilang-ilang] var of ylang-ylang

   [1]-ile
          [-ile] adj suffix [ME, fr. MF, fr. L -ilis]: tending to or
          capable of <contractile> [2]-ile n suffix [-ile (as in
          quartile, n.)]: segment of a (specified) size in a frequency
          distribution <decile>

   ileitis
          [il.e.i.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1855): inflammation of the ileum

   ileum
          [il.e.um] n, pl il.ea [NL, alter. of L ilia, pl., groin,
          viscera] (1682): the last division of the small intestine
          extending between the jejunum and large intestine --
          il.e.al adj

   ileus
          [il.e.us] n [L, fr. Gk eileos, fr. eilyein to roll--more
          at voluble] (1693): mechanical or functional obstruction
          of the bowel

   ilex
          [ilex] n [ME, fr. L] (14c) 1: holm oak 2: holly 1

   il faut cultiver notre jardin
          [il faut cul.ti.ver no.tre jar.din] [F] foreign term : we
          must cultivate our garden: we must tend to our own affairs

   ILGWU
          [ILGWU] abbreviation International Ladies' Garment Workers'
          Union

   iliac
          [il.i.ac] also il.i.al adj [LL iliacus, fr. L ilium] (1541):
          of, relating to, or located near the ilium

   Iliad
          [Il.i.ad] n [Iliad, ancient Greek epic poem attributed to
          Homer, fr. L Iliad-, Ilias, fr. Gk, fr. Ilion Troy] (1603)
          1 a: a series of miseries or disastrous events b: a series
          of exploits regarded as suitable for an epic 2: a long
          narrative; esp: an epic in the Homeric tradition -- Il.i.ad.ic
          adj

   ilium
          [il.i.um] n, pl il.ia [NL, alter. of L ilia] (1706): the
          dorsal, upper, and largest one of the three bones composing
          either lateral half of the pelvis

   [1]ilk
          [ilk] pron [ME, fr. OE ilca, fr. a prehistoric compound whose
          constituents are akin respectively to Goth is he (akin
          to L is he, that) and OE gelic like--more at iterate,
          like] (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: same--used with that esp.
          in the names of landed families [2]ilk n (1790): sort,
          kind <the rejection of these books or others of like
          ~ --Kathleen Molz> [3]ilk pron [ME, adj. & pron., fr.
          OE ylc, aelc--more at each] (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot:
          each

   ilka
          [il.ka] adj [ME, fr. ilk + a (indef. art.)] (13c) chiefly
          Scot: each, every

   [1]ill
          [ill] adj worse ; worst [ME, fr. ON illr] (12c) 1 a chiefly
          Scot: immoral, vicious b: resulting from, accompanied
          by, or indicative of an evil or malevolent intention
          <~ deeds> c: attributing evil or an objectionable quality
          <held an ~ opinion of his neighbors> 2 a: causing suffering
          or distress <~ weather> b comparative also ill.er (1):
          not normal or sound <~ health> (2): not in good health;
          also: nauseated 3 a: not suited to circumstances or not
          to one's advantage: unlucky <an ~ omen> b: involving
          difficulty: hard <an ~ man to please> 4 a: not meeting
          an accepted standard <~ manners> b archaic: notably unskillful
          or inefficient 5: unfriendly, hostile <~ feeling> [2]ill
          adv worse ; worst (13c) 1 a: with displeasure or hostility
          b: in a harsh manner c: so as to reflect unfavorably
          <spoke ~ of the neighbors> 2: in a reprehensible manner
          3: hardly, scarcely <can ~ afford such extravagances>
          4 a: in an unfortunate manner: badly, unluckily <~ fares
          the land ... where wealth accumulates, and men decay
          --Oliver Goldsmith> b: in a faulty, inefficient, insufficient,
          or unpleasant manner--often used in combination <the
          methods used may be ill-adapted to the aims in view --R.
          M. Hutchins> [3]ill n (13c) 1: the reverse of good: evil
          2 a: misfortune, distress b (1): ailment, sickness (2):
          something that disturbs or afflicts: trouble <economic
          and social ~s> 3: something that reflects unfavorably
          <spoke no ~ of him>

   ill
          [ill] abbreviation illustrated, illustration, illustrator
          Ill abbreviation Illinois

   ill-advised
          [ill-ad.vised] adj (ca. 1592): resulting from or showing
          lack of wise and sufficient counsel or deliberation <an
          ~ decision> -- ill-ad.vis.ed.ly adv

   ill at ease
          [ill at ease] adj (14c): not feeling easy: uncomfortable

   illation
          [il.la.tion] n [LL illation-, illatio, fr. L, action of bringing
          in, fr. inferre (pp. illatus) to bring in, fr. in- +
          ferre to carry--more at tolerate, bear] (1533) 1: the
          action of inferring: inference 2: a conclusion inferred

   [1]illative
          [il.la.tive] n (1591) 1: a word (as therefore) or phrase
          (as as a consequence) introducing an inference 2: illation
          2 [2]illative adj (1611): inferential -- il.la.tive.ly
          adv

   illaudable
          [il.laud.able] adj [L illaudabilis, fr. in- + laudabilis
          laudable] (1589): deserving no praise -- il.laud.ably
          adv

   ill-being
          [ill-be.ing] n (1840): a condition of being deficient in
          health, happiness, or prosperity

   ill-boding
          [ill-bod.ing] adj (1591): boding evil: inauspicious

   ill-bred
          [ill-bred] adj (1604): badly brought up or showing bad upbringing:
          impolite

   [1]illegal
          [il.le.gal] adj [MF or ML; MF illegal, fr. ML illegalis,
          fr. L in- + legalis legal] (1538): not according to or
          authorized by law: unlawful, illicit; also: not sanctioned
          by official rules (as of a game) -- il.le.gal.i.ty n
          -- il.le.gal.ly adv [2]illegal n (1939): an illegal immigrant

   illegalize
          [il.le.gal.ize] vt (ca. 1818): to make or declare illegal
          -- il.le.gal.i.za.tion n

   illegible
          [il.leg.i.ble] adj (1640): not legible: undecipherable <~
          writing> -- il.leg.i.bil.i.ty n -- il.leg.i.bly adv

   illegitimacy
          [il.le.git.i.ma.cy] n (1680) 1: the quality or state of being
          illegitimate 2: bastardy 2

   illegitimate
          [il.le.git.i.mate] adj (1536) 1: not recognized as lawful
          offspring; specif: born of parents not married to each
          other 2: not rightly deduced or inferred: illogical 3:
          departing from the regular: erratic 4 a: not sanctioned
          by law: illegal b: not authorized by good usage c of
          a taxon: published but not in accordance with the rules
          of the relevant international code -- il.le.git.i.mate.ly
          adv

   ill-fated
          [ill-fat.ed] adj (1710) 1: having or destined to a hapless
          fate: unfortunate <an ~ expedition> 2: that causes or
          marks the beginning of misfortune

   ill-favored
          [ill-fa.vored] adj (ca. 1530) 1: unattractive in physical
          appearance; esp: having an ugly face 2: offensive, objectionable

   ill-gotten
          [ill-got.ten] adj (1552): acquired by illicit or improper
          means <~ gains>

   ill-humored
          [ill-hu.mored] adj (1687): surly, irritable -- ill-hu.mored.ly
          adv

   illiberal
          [il.lib.er.al] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L illiberalis ignoble,
          stingy, fr. L in- + liberalis liberal] (1535): not liberal:
          as a archaic (1): lacking a liberal education (2): lacking
          culture and refinement b: not requiring the background
          of a liberal arts education <~ occupations> c archaic:
          not generous: stingy d: not broad-minded: bigoted e:
          opposed to liberalism -- il.lib.er.al.i.ty n -- il.lib.er.al.ly
          adv -- il.lib.er.al.ness n

   illiberalism
          [il.lib.er.al.ism] n (1839): opposition to or lack of liberalism

   illicit
          [il.lic.it] adj [L illicitus, fr. in- + licitus lawful--more
          at licit] (1506): not permitted: unlawful -- il.lic.it.ly
          adv

   illimitable
          [il.lim.it.able] adj (1596): incapable of being limited or
          bounded: measureless <the ~ reaches of space and time>
          -- il.lim.it.abil.i.ty n -- il.lim.it.able.ness n --
          il.lim.it.ably adv

   Illinois
          [Il.li.nois] n, pl Illinois [F, of Algonquian origin] (170
          3) 1 pl: a confederacy of American Indian peoples of
          Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin 2: a member of any of the
          Illinois peoples

   illiquid
          [il.liq.uid] adj (1913) 1: not being cash or readily convertible
          into cash <~ holdings> 2: deficient in liquid assets
          <an ~ bank> -- il.li.quid.i.ty n

   illite
          [il.lite] n [Illinois, state of U.S. + [1]-ite] (1937): any
          of a group of clay minerals having essentially the crystal
          structure of muscovite -- il.lit.ic adj

   illiteracy
          [il.lit.er.a.cy] n, pl -cies (1660) 1: the quality or state
          of being illiterate; esp: inability to read or write
          2: a mistake or crudity (as in speaking) typical of one
          who is illiterate

   illiterate
          [il.lit.er.ate] adj [ME, fr. L illiteratus, fr. in- + litteratus
          literate] (15c) 1: having little or no education; esp:
          unable to read or write 2 a: showing or marked by a lack
          of familiarity with language and literature b: violating
          approved patterns of speaking or writing 3: showing or
          marked by a lack of acquaintance with the fundamentals
          of a particular field of knowledge syn see ignorant --
          illiterate n -- il.lit.er.ate.ly adv -- il.lit.er.ate.ness
          n

   ill-mannered
          [ill-man.nered] adj (15c): having bad manners: rude

   ill-natured
          [ill-na.tured] adj (1605) 1: malevolent, spiteful 2: having
          a bad disposition: cross, surly -- ill-na.tured.ly adv

   illness
          [ill.ness] n (ca. 1500) 1 obs a: wickedness b: unpleasantness
          2 a: an unhealthy condition of body or mind b: sickness
          2

   illocutionary
          [il.lo.cu.tion.ary] adj [[2]in- + locution] (1955): relating
          to or being the communicative effect (as commanding or
          requesting) of an utterance <"There's a snake under you"
          may have the ~ force of a warning>

   illogic
          [il.log.ic] n [back-formation fr. illogical] (1856): the
          quality or state of being illogical: illogicality

   illogical
          [il.log.i.cal] adj (1588) 1: not observing the principles
          of logic 2: devoid of logic: senseless -- il.log.i.cal.i.ty
          n -- il.log.i.cal.ly adv -- il.log.i.cal.ness n

   ill-sorted
          [ill-sort.ed] adj (1691) 1: not well matched <he and his
          wife were an ~ pair --Lord Byron> 2 Scot: much displeased

   ill-starred
          [ill-starred] adj (1604): ill-fated, unlucky <an ~ venture>

   ill-tempered
          [ill-tem.pered] adj (1601): ill-natured, quarrelsome --
          ill-tem.pered.ly adv

   ill-treat
          [ill-treat] vt (1689): to treat cruelly or improperly: maltreat
          -- ill-treat.ment n

   illume
          [il.lume] vt il.lumed ; il.lum.ing (1602): illuminate

   illuminance
          [il.lu.mi.nance] n (ca. 1938): illumination 2

   illuminant
          [il.lu.mi.nant] n (1644): an illuminating device or substance

   [1]illuminate
          [il.lu.mi.nate] adj (15c) 1 archaic: brightened with light
          2 archaic: intellectually or spiritually enlightened
          [2]il.lu.mi.nate vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [ME, fr. L illuminatus,
          pp. of illuminare, fr. in- + luminare to light up, fr.
          lumin-, lumen light--more at luminary] (15c) 1 a: to
          enlighten spiritually or intellectually b (1): to supply
          or brighten with light (2): to make luminous or shining
          c archaic: to set alight d: to subject to radiation 2:
          to make clear: elucidate 3: to make illustrious or resplendent
          4: to decorate (as a manuscript) with gold or silver
          or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or
          miniature pictures -- il.lu.mi.nat.ing.ly adv -- il.lu.mi.na.tor
          n [3]il.lu.mi.nate n (1600) archaic: one having or claiming
          unusual enlightenment

   illuminati
          [il.lu.mi.na.ti] n pl [It & NL; It, fr. NL, fr. L, pl. of
          illuminatus] (1599) 1 cap: any of various groups claiming
          special religious enlightenment 2: persons who are or
          who claim to be unusually enlightened

   illumination
          [il.lu.mi.na.tion] n (14c) 1: the action of illuminating
          or state of being illuminated: as a: spiritual or intellectual
          enlightenment b (1): a lighting up (2): decorative lighting
          or lighting effects c: decoration by the art of illuminating
          2: the luminous flux per unit area on an intercepting
          surface at any given point 3: one of the decorative features
          used in the art of illuminating or in decorative lighting

   illuminative
          [il.lu.mi.na.tive] adj (1644): of, relating to, or producing
          illumination: illuminating

   illumine
          [il.lu.mine] vt -mined ; -min.ing (14c): illuminate
          -- il.lu.min.able adj

   illuminism
          [il.lu.mi.nism] n (1798) 1: belief in or claim to a personal
          enlightenment not accessible to mankind in general 2
          cap: beliefs or claims viewed as forming doctrine or
          principles of Illuminati -- il.lu.mi.nist n

   ill-usage
          [ill-us.age] n (1593): harsh, unkind, or abusive treatment

   ill-use
          [ill-use] vt (1841): to use badly: maltreat, abuse

   illusion
          [il.lu.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL illusion-, illusio, fr.
          L, action of mocking, fr. illudere to mock at, fr. in-
          + ludere to play, mock--more at ludicrous] (14c) 1 a
          obs: the action of deceiving b (1): the state or fact
          of being intellectually deceived or misled: misapprehension
          (2): an instance of such deception 2 a (1): a misleading
          image presented to the vision (2): something that deceives
          or misleads intellectually b (1): perception of something
          objectively existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation
          of its actual nature (2): hallucination 1 (3): a pattern
          capable of reversible perspective 3: a fine plain transparent
          bobbinet or tulle usu. made of silk and used for veils,
          trimmings, and dresses -- il.lu.sion.al adj

   illusionary
          [il.lu.sion.ary] adj (1886): illusory

   illusionism
          [il.lu.sion.ism] n (1911): the use of artistic techniques
          (as perspective or shading) to create the illusion of
          reality esp. in a work of art

   illusionist
          [il.lu.sion.ist] n (1850): one who produces illusory effects:
          as a: one (as an artist) whose work is marked by illusionism
          b: a sleight-of-hand performer or a magician -- il.lu.sion.is.tic
          adj -- il.lu.sion.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   illusive
          [il.lu.sive] adj (1606): illusory -- il.lu.sive.ly adv --
          il.lu.sive.ness n

   illusory
          [il.lu.so.ry] adj (ca. 1631): based on or producing illusion:
          deceptive <~ hopes> syn see apparent -- il.lu.so.ri.ly
          adv -- il.lu.so.ri.ness n

   illust
          [illust] or illus abbreviation illustrated, illustration

   illustrate
          [il.lus.trate] vb -trat.ed ; -trat.ing [L illustratus, pp.
          of illustrare, fr. in- + lustrare to purify, make bright--more
          at luster] vt (1526) 1 obs a: enlighten b: to light up
          2 a archaic: to make illustrious b obs (1): to make bright
          (2): adorn 3 a: to make clear: clarify b: to make clear
          by giving or by serving as an example or instance c:
          to provide with visual features intended to explain or
          decorate <~ a book> 4: to show clearly: demonstrate ~
          vi: to give an example or instance -- il.lus.tra.tor
          n

   illustration
          [il.lus.tra.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the action of illustrating:
          the condition of being illustrated b archaic: the action
          of making illustrious or honored or distinguished 2:
          something that serves to illustrate: as a: an example
          or instance that helps make something clear b: a picture
          or diagram that helps make something clear or attractive
          syn see instance -- il.lus.tra.tion.al adj

   illustrative
          [il.lus.tra.tive] adj (1643): serving, tending, or designed
          to illustrate <~ examples> -- il.lus.tra.tive.ly adv

   illustrious
          [il.lus.tri.ous] adj [L illustris, prob. fr. illustrare]
          (1588) 1: notably or brilliantly outstanding because
          of dignity or achievements or actions: eminent 2 archaic
          a: shining brightly with light b: clearly evident syn
          see famous -- il.lus.tri.ous.ly adv -- il.lus.tri.ous.ness
          n

   illuvial
          [il.lu.vi.al] adj (1924): of, relating to, or marked by illuviation
          or illuviated materials or areas

   illuviation
          [il.lu.vi.a.tion] n [[2]in- + -luviation (as in eluviation)]
          (1928): accumulation of dissolved or suspended soil materials
          in one area or horizon as a result of eluviation from
          another -- il.lu.vi.at.ed adj

   ill will
          [ill will] n (14c): unfriendly feeling syn see malice

   ill-wisher
          [ill-wish.er] n (1607): one that wishes ill to another

   illy
          [il.ly] adv (15c): not wisely or well: badly, ill <his ~
          concealed pride --Della Lutes>

   Illyrian
          [Il.lyr.i.an] n (1584) 1: a native or inhabitant or ancient
          Illyria 2: the poorly attested Indo-European languages
          of the Illyrians -- Illyrian adj

   ilmenite
          [il.men.ite] n [G Ilmenit, fr. Ilmen range, Ural Mts., Russia]
          (ca. 1827): a usu. massive iron-black mineral composed
          of iron, titanium, and oxygen that is a titanium ore

   ILO
          [ILO] abbreviation International Labor Organization

   Ilocano
          [Ilo.ca.no] or Ilo.ka.no n, pl Ilocano or Ilocanos or Ilokano
          or Ilokanos (1898) 1: a member of a major people of northern
          Luzon in the Philippines 2: the Austronesian language
          of the Ilocano people

   ILS
          [ILS] abbreviation instrument landing system

   ils ne passeront pas
          [ils ne pas.se.ront pas] [F] foreign term : they shall not
          get past

   im...
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   im-
          [im-] --see in-

   IM
          [IM] abbreviation individual medley, intramural

   [1]image
          [im.age] n [ME, fr. OF, short for imagene, fr. L imagin-,
          imago; perh. akin to L imitari to imitate] (13c) 1: a
          reproduction or imitation of the form of a person or
          thing; esp: an imitation in solid form: statue 2 a: the
          optical counterpart of an object produced by an optical
          device (as a lens or mirror) or an electronic device
          b: a likeness of an object produced on a photographic
          material 3 a: exact likeness: semblance <God created
          man in his own ~ --Gen 1:27 (RSV)> b: a person strikingly
          like another person <she is the ~ of her mother> 4 a:
          a tangible or visible representation: incarnation <the
          ~ of filial devotion> b archaic: an illusory form: apparition
          5 a (1): a mental picture of something not actually present:
          impression (2): a mental conception held in common by
          members of a group and symbolic of a basic attitude and
          orientation <a disorderly courtroom can seriously tarnish
          a community's ~ of justice --Herbert Brownell> b: idea,
          concept 6: a vivid or graphic representation or description
          7: figure of speech 8: a popular conception (as of a
          person, institution, or nation) projected esp. through
          the mass media <promoting a corporate ~ of brotherly
          love and concern --R. C. Buck> 9: a set of values given
          by a mathematical function (as a homomorphism) that corresponds
          to a particular subset of the domain [2]image vt im.aged
          ; im.ag.ing (14c) 1: to call up a mental picture of:
          imagine 2: to describe or portray in language esp. in
          a vivid manner 3 a: to create a representation of; also:
          to form an image of b: to represent symbolically 4 a:
          reflect, mirror b: to make appear: project -- im.ag.er
          n

   image orthicon
          [image orthicon] n (1945): a highly sensitive television
          image tube

   imagery
          [im.ag.ery] n, pl -er.ies (14c) 1 a: the product of image
          makers: images; also: the art of making images b: pictures
          produced by an imaging system 2: figurative language
          3: mental images; esp: the products of imagination

   image tube
          [image tube] n (1936): an electron tube in which incident
          electromagnetic radiation (as light or infrared) produces
          a visible image on its fluorescent screen duplicating
          the original pattern of radiation--called also image
          converter

   imaginable
          [imag.in.able] adj (14c): capable of being imagined: conceivable
          -- imag.in.able.ness n -- imag.in.ably adv

   [1]imaginal
          [imag.i.nal] adj [imagine + [1]-al] (1647): of or relating
          to imagination, images, or imagery [2]ima.gi.nal adj
          [NL imagin-, imago] (1877): of or relating to the insect
          imago

   imaginary
          [imag.i.nary] adj (14c) 1 a: existing only in imagination:
          lacking factual reality b: formed or characterized imaginatively
          or arbitrarily <his canvases, chiefly ~, somber landscapes
          --Current Biog.> 2: containing or relating to the imaginary
          unit <~ roots> -- imag.i.nari.ly adv -- imag.i.nari.ness
          n syn imaginary, fanciful, visionary, fantastic, chimerical,
          quixotic mean unreal or unbelievable. imaginary applies
          to something which is fictitious and purely the product
          of one's imagination <an imaginary desert isle>. fanciful
          suggests the free play of the imagination <a teller of
          fanciful stories>. visionary stresses impracticality
          or incapability of realization <visionary schemes>. fantastic
          implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief <a
          fantastic world inhabited by monsters>. chimerical combines
          the implication of visionary and fantastic <chimerical
          dreams of future progress>. quixotic implies a devotion
          to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary
          prudence and common sense <a quixotic crusade>.

   imaginary number
          [imaginary number] n (ca. 1911): a complex number (as 2 +
          3i) in which the coefficient of the imaginary unit is
          not zero--called also imaginary--compare pure imaginary

   imaginary part
          [imaginary part] n (ca. 1929): the part of a complex number
          (as 3i in 2 + 3i) that has the imaginary unit as a factor

   imaginary unit
          [imaginary unit] n (ca. 1911): the positive square root of
          -1 denoted by i or the positive square root of -1

   imagination
          [imag.i.na.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L imagination-, imaginatio,
          fr. imaginari] (14c) 1: the act or power of forming a
          mental image of something not present to the senses or
          never before wholly perceived in reality 2 a: creative
          ability b: ability to confront and deal with a problem:
          resourcefulness c: the thinking or active mind: interest
          <stories that fired the ~> 3 a: a creation of the mind;
          esp: an idealized or poetic creation b: fanciful or empty
          assumption

   imaginative
          [imag.i.na.tive] adj (14c) 1 a: of, relating to, or characterized
          by imagination b: devoid of truth: false 2: given to
          imagining: having a lively imagination 3: of or relating
          to images; esp: showing a command of imagery -- imag.i.na.tive.ly
          adv -- imag.i.na.tive.ness n

   imagine
          [imag.ine] vb imag.ined ; imag.in.ing [ME, fr. MF imaginer,
          fr. L imaginari, fr. imagin-, imago image] vt (14c) 1:
          to form a mental image of (something not present) 2 archaic:
          plan, scheme 3: suppose, guess <I ~ it will rain> 4:
          to form a notion of without sufficient basis: fancy <~s
          himself to be a charming conversationalist> ~ vi 1: to
          use the imagination 2: believe 3 syn see think

   imaging
          [im.ag.ing] n (1967): the action or process of producing
          an image esp. by means other than visible light <acoustic
          ~>--compare magnetic resonance imaging

   imagism
          [im.ag.ism] n, often cap (1912): a 20th century movement
          in poetry advocating free verse and the expression of
          ideas and emotions through clear precise images -- im.ag.ist
          n or adj, often cap -- im.ag.is.tic adj -- im.ag.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   imago
          [ima.go] n, pl imagoes or ima.gi.nes [NL, fr. L, image] (ca.
          1797) 1: an insect in its final, adult, sexually mature,
          and typically winged state 2: an idealized mental image
          of another person or the self

   imam
          [imam] n, often cap [Ar imam] (1613) 1: the prayer leader
          of a mosque 2: a Muslim leader of the line of Ali held
          by Shiites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible
          successors of Muhammad 3: any of various rulers that
          claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and
          temporal leadership over a Muslim region

   imamate
          [imam.ate] n, often cap (ca. 1741) 1: the office of an imam
          2: the region or country ruled over by an imam

   imaret
          [ima.ret] n [Turk] (1613): an inn or hospice in Turkey

   Imari
          [Ima.ri] n [Imari, Japan] (1875): a multicolored Japanese
          porcelain usu. characterized by elaborate floral designs
          -- Imari adj

   imbalance
          [im.bal.ance] n (ca. 1890): lack of balance: the state of
          being out of equilibrium or out of proportion <a vitamin
          ~> <racial ~ in schools> -- im.bal.anced adj

   imbecile
          [im.be.cile] n [F imbecile, n., fr. adj., weak, weak-minded,
          fr. L imbecillus] (1802) 1: a mentally deficient person;
          esp: a feebleminded person having a mental age of three
          to seven years and requiring supervision in the performance
          of routine daily tasks of self-care 2: fool, idiot --
          imbecile or im.be.cil.ic adj

   imbecility
          [im.be.cil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1533) 1: the quality or state
          of being imbecile or an imbecile 2 a: utter foolishness;
          also: futility b: something that is foolish or nonsensical

   imbed
          [im.bed] var of embed

   imbibe
          [im.bibe] vb im.bibed ; im.bib.ing [in sense 1, fr. ME enbiben,
          fr. MF embiber, fr. L imbibere to drink in, conceive,
          fr. in- + bibere to drink; in other senses, fr. L imbibere--more
          at potable] vt (14c) 1 archaic: soak, steep 2 a: to receive
          into the mind and retain <~ moral principles> b: to assimilate
          or take into solution 3 a: drink b: to take in or up
          <a sponge ~s moisture> ~ vi 1: drink 2 2 a: to take in
          liquid b: to absorb or assimilate moisture, gas, light,
          or heat -- im.bib.er n

   imbibition
          [im.bi.bi.tion] n (15c): the act or action of imbibing; esp:
          the taking up of fluid by a colloidal system resulting
          in swelling -- im.bi.bi.tion.al adj

   imbitter
          [im.bit.ter] var of embitter

   imbosom
          [im.bo.som] var of embosom

   [1]imbricate
          [im.bri.cate] adj [LL imbricatus, pp. of imbricare to cover
          with pantiles, fr. L imbric-, imbrex pantile, fr. imbr-,
          imber rain; akin to Gk ombros rain] (ca. 1610): lying
          lapped over each other in regular order <~ scales> [2]im.bri.cate
          vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (1784): overlap; esp: to overlap
          like roof tiles

   imbrication
          [im.bri.ca.tion] n (1713) 1: an overlapping of edges (as
          of tiles or scales) 2: a decoration or pattern showing
          imbrication

   imbroglio
          [im.bro.glio] n, pl -glios [It, fr. imbrogliare to entangle,
          fr. MF embrouiller--more at embroil] (1750) 1: a confused
          mass 2 a: an intricate or complicated situation (as in
          a drama or novel) b: an acutely painful or embarrassing
          misunderstanding c: a violently confused or bitterly
          complicated altercation: embroilment

   imbrown
          [im.brown] var of embrown

   imbrue
          [im.brue] vt im.brued ; im.bru.ing [ME enbrewen, prob. fr.
          MF abrevrer, embevrer to soak, drench, ultim. fr. L bibere
          to drink--more at potable] (15c): stain

   imbrute
          [im.brute] vb im.brut.ed ; im.brut.ing vi (1634): to sink
          to the level of a brute ~ vt: to degrade to the level
          of a brute

   imbue
          [im.bue] vt im.bued ; im.bu.ing [L imbuere] (1555) 1: to
          permeate or influence as if by dyeing <the spirit that
          ~s the new constitution> 2: to tinge or dye deeply syn
          see infuse

   IMCO
          [IMCO] abbreviation Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative
          Organization

   IMF
          [IMF] abbreviation International Monetary Fund

   imidazole
          [im.id.az.ole] n [ISV] (1892): a white crystalline heterocyclic
          base that is an antimetabolite related to histidine;
          broadly: any of various derivatives of this

   imide
          [im.ide] n [ISV, alter. of amide] (1857): a compound containing
          the NH group that is derived from ammonia by replacement
          of two hydrogen atoms by a metal or an equivalent of
          acid groups--compare amide -- im.id.ic adj

   imido
          [im.i.do] adj (1881): relating to or containing the NH group
          or its substituted form NR united to one or two acid
          groups

   imine
          [im.ine] n [ISV, alter. of amine] (1883): a compound containing
          the NH group or its substituted form NR that is derived
          from ammonia by replacement of two hydrogen atoms by
          a hydrocarbon group or other nonacid organic group

   imino
          [im.i.no] adj (1903): relating to or containing the NH group
          or its substituted form NR united to a group other than
          an acid group

   imipramine
          [imip.ra.mine] n [imide + propyl + amine] (1958): a tricyclic
          antidepressant drug

   imit
          [imit] abbreviation imitative

   imitable
          [im.i.ta.ble] adj (1550): capable or worthy of being imitated
          or copied

   imitate
          [im.i.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L imitatus, pp. of imitari--more
          at image] (1534) 1: to follow as a pattern, model, or example
          2: to be or appear like: resemble 3: to produce a copy of:
          reproduce 4: mimic, counterfeit <can ~ his father's booming voice>
          syn see copy -- im.i.ta.tor n

   [1]imitation
          [im.i.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of imitating
          2: something produced as a copy: counterfeit 3: a literary
          work designed to reproduce the style of another author
          4: the repetition by one voice of a melody, phrase, or
          motive stated earlier in the composition by a different
          voice 5: the quality of an object in possessing some
          of the nature or attributes of a transcendent idea 6:
          the assumption of behavior observed in other individuals
          [2]imitation adj (1840): resembling something else that
          is usu. genuine and of better quality: not real <~ leather>

   imitative
          [im.i.ta.tive] adj (1584) 1 a: marked by imitation <acting
          is an ~ art> b: reproducing or representing a natural
          sound: onomatopoeic <"hiss" is an ~ word> c: exhibiting
          mimicry 2: inclined to imitate 3: imitating something
          superior: counterfeit -- im.i.ta.tive.ly adv -- im.i.ta.tive.ness
          n

   immaculacy
          [im.mac.u.la.cy] n (1799): the quality or state of being
          immaculate

   immaculate
          [im.mac.u.late] adj [ME immaculat, fr. L immaculatus, fr.
          in- + maculatus stained--more at maculate] (15c) 1: having
          no stain or blemish: pure 2: containing no flaw or error
          3 a: spotlessly clean b: having no colored spots or marks
          <petals ~> -- im.mac.u.late.ly adv

   Immaculate Conception
          [Immaculate Conception] n (1687) 1: the conception of the
          Virgin Mary in which as decreed in Roman Catholic dogma
          her soul was preserved free from original sin by divine
          grace 2: December 8 observed as a Roman Catholic feast
          in commemoration of the Immaculate Conception

   immane
          [im.mane] adj [L immanis, fr. in- + manus good--more at mature]
          (1602) archaic: huge; also: monstrous in character

   immanence
          [im.ma.nence] n (1816): the quality or state of being immanent:
          inherence

   immanency
          [im.ma.nen.cy] n (1659): immanence

   immanent
          [im.ma.nent] adj [LL immanent-, immanens, prp. of immanere
          to remain in place, fr. L in- + manere to remain--more
          at mansion] (1535): remaining or operating within a domain
          of reality or realm of discourse: inherent; specif: having
          existence or effect only within the mind or consciousness--compare
          transcendent -- im.ma.nent.ly adv

   immanentism
          [im.ma.nent.ism] n (1907): any of several theories according
          to which God or an abstract mind or spirit pervades the
          world -- im.ma.nent.ist n or adj -- im.ma.nent.is.tic
          adj

   Immanuel
          [Im.man.u.el] n [ME Emanuel, fr. LL Emmanuel, fr. Gk Emmanouel,
          fr. Heb 'immanu'el, lit., with us is God] (15c): messiah
          1

   immaterial
          [im.ma.te.ri.al] adj [ME immateriel, fr. MF, fr. LL immaterialis,
          fr. L in- + LL materialis material] (14c) 1: not consisting
          of matter: incorporeal 2: of no substantial consequence:
          unimportant

   immaterialism
          [im.ma.te.ri.al.ism] n (1713): a philosophical theory that
          material things have no reality except as mental perceptions
          -- im.ma.te.ri.al.ist n

   immateriality
          [im.ma.te.ri.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1570) 1: the quality or
          state of being immaterial 2: something immaterial

   immaterialize
          [im.ma.te.ri.al.ize] vt (1661): to make immaterial or incorporeal

   immature
          [im.ma.ture] adj [L immaturus, fr. in- + maturus mature]
          (1548) 1 archaic: premature 2 a: lacking complete growth,
          differentiation, or development <a thin ~ soil> b: having
          the potential capacity to attain a definitive form or
          state: crude, unfinished <a vigorous but ~ school of
          art> c: exhibiting less than an expected degree of maturity
          <emotionally ~ adults> -- immature n -- im.ma.ture.ly
          adv -- im.ma.tu.ri.ty n

   immeasurable
          [im.mea.sur.able] adj (14c): incapable of being measured;
          broadly: indefinitely extensive -- im.mea.sur.able.ness
          n -- im.mea.sur.ably adv

   immed
          [immed] abbreviation immediate, immediately

   immediacy
          [im.me.di.a.cy] n, pl -cies (1605) 1: the quality or state
          of being immediate 2: something that is immediate--usu.
          used in pl.

   immediate
          [im.me.di.ate] adj [ME, fr. LL immediatus, fr. L in- + LL
          mediatus intermediate--more at mediate] (15c) 1 a: acting
          or being without the intervention of another object,
          cause, or agency: direct <the ~ cause of death> b: present
          to the mind independently of other states or factors
          <~ awareness> c: involving or derived from a single premise
          <an ~ inference> 2: being next in line or relation <the
          ~ family> 3 a: existing without intervening space or
          substance <brought into ~ contact> b: being near at hand
          <the ~ neighborhood> 4 a: occurring, acting, or accomplished
          without loss or interval of time: instant <an ~ need>
          b (1): near to or related to the present <the ~ past>
          (2): of or relating to the here and now: current <too
          busy with ~ concerns to worry about the future> 5: directly
          touching or concerning a person or thing <the child's
          ~ world is the classroom>

   immediate constituent
          [immediate constituent] n (1933): any of the meaningful
          constituents directly forming a larger linguistic construction (as
          a phrase or sentence)

   [1]immediately
          [im.me.di.ate.ly] adv (15c) 1: in direct connection or relation:
          directly <the parties ~ involved in the case> <the house
          ~ beyond this one> 2: without interval of time: straightway
          [2]immediately conj (1839) chiefly Brit: as soon as

   immediateness
          [im.me.di.ate.ness] n (1633): immediacy 1

   immedicable
          [im.med.i.ca.ble] adj [L immedicabilis, fr. in- + medicabilis
          medicable] (1533): incurable <wounds ~ --John Milton>
          -- im.med.i.ca.bly adv

   Immelmann
          [Im.mel.mann] n [Max Immelmann] (1917): a maneuver in which
          an airplane reverses direction by executing half of a
          loop upwards followed by half of a roll--called also
          Immelmann turn

   immemorial
          [im.me.mo.ri.al] adj [prob. fr. F immemorial, fr. MF, fr.
          ML immemorialis lacking memory, fr. L in- + memorialis
          memorial] (1602): extending or existing since beyond
          the reach of memory, record, or tradition <existing from
          time ~> -- im.me.mo.ri.al.ly adv

   immense
          [im.mense] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L immensus immeasurable,
          fr. in- + mensus, pp. of metiri to measure--more at measure]
          (15c) 1: marked by greatness esp. in size or degree;
          esp: transcending ordinary means of measurement <the
          ~ and boundless universe> 2: supremely good: excellent
          syn see enormous -- im.mense.ly adv -- im.mense.ness
          n

   immensity
          [im.men.si.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: the quality or state
          of being immense 2: something immense

   immensurable
          [im.men.su.ra.ble] adj [ME, fr. LL immensurabilis, fr. L
          in- + LL mensurabilis measurable--more at mensurable]
          (15c): immeasurable

   immerge
          [im.merge] vi im.merged ; im.merg.ing [L immergere] (1706):
          to plunge into or immerse oneself in something

   immerse
          [im.merse] vt im.mersed ; im.mers.ing [ME, fr. L immersus,
          pp. of immergere, fr. in- + mergere to merge] (15c) 1:
          to plunge into something that surrounds or covers; esp:
          to plunge or dip into a fluid 2: engross, absorb <completely
          immersed in his work> 3: to baptize by immersion

   immersible
          [im.mers.ible] adj (ca. 1846): capable of being totally submerged
          in water without damage to the heating element <an ~
          electric frying pan>

   immersion
          [im.mer.sion] n (15c): an act of immersing: a state of being
          immersed; specif: baptism by complete submersion of the
          person in water

   immersion heater
          [immersion heater] n (1914): a usu. electric unit that heats
          the liquid in which it is immersed

   immesh
          [im.mesh] var of enmesh

   immethodical
          [im.me.thod.i.cal] adj (1605): not methodical --
          im.me.thod.i.cal.ly adv

   immigrant
          [im.mi.grant] n (1789): one that immigrates: as a: a person
          who comes to a country to take up permanent residence
          b: a plant or animal that becomes established in an area
          where it was previously unknown -- immigrant adj

   immigrate
          [im.mi.grate] vb -grat.ed ; -grat.ing [L immigratus, pp.
          of immigrare to remove, go in, fr. in- + migrare to migrate]
          vi (ca. 1623): to enter and usu. become established;
          esp: to come into a country of which one is not a native
          for permanent residence ~ vt: to bring in or send as
          immigrants -- im.mi.gra.tion n -- im.mi.gra.tion.al adj

   imminence
          [im.mi.nence] n (1606) 1: something imminent; esp: impending
          evil or danger 2: the quality or state of being imminent

   imminency
          [im.mi.nen.cy] n (1665): imminence 2

   imminent
          [im.mi.nent] adj [L imminent-, imminens, prp. of imminere
          to project, threaten, fr. in- + -minere (akin to L mont-,
          mons mountain)--more at mount] (1528): ready to take
          place; esp: hanging threateningly over one's head <was
          in ~ danger of being run over> -- im.mi.nent.ly adv

   immingle
          [im.min.gle] vb (1606): blend, intermingle

   immiscible
          [im.mis.ci.ble] adj (1671): incapable of mixing or attaining
          homogeneity -- im.mis.ci.bil.i.ty n

   immitigable
          [im.mit.i.ga.ble] adj [LL immitigabilis, fr. L in- + mitigare
          to mitigate] (1576): not capable of being mitigated --
          im.mit.i.ga.bly adv

   immittance
          [im.mit.tance] n [impedance + admittance] (ca. 1948): electrical
          admittance or impedance

   immix
          [im.mix] vt [back-formation fr. immixed mixed in, fr. ME
          immixte, fr. L immixtus, pp. of immiscere, fr. in- +
          miscere to mix--more at mix] (15c): to mix intimately:
          commingle -- im.mix.ture n

   immobile
          [im.mo.bile] adj [ME in-mobill, fr. L immobilis, fr. in-
          + mobilis mobile] (14c) 1: incapable of being moved:
          fixed 2: not moving: motionless <keep the patient ~>
          -- im.mo.bil.i.ty n

   immobilism
          [im.mo.bi.lism] n (1949): a policy of extreme conservatism
          and opposition to change

   immobilize
          [im.mo.bi.lize] vt (1871): to make immobile: as a: to prevent
          freedom of movement or effective use of <the planes were
          immobilized by bad weather> b: to reduce or eliminate
          motion of (the body or a part) by mechanical means or
          by strict bed rest c: to withhold (money or capital)
          from circulation -- im.mo.bi.li.za.tion n -- im.mo.bi.liz.er
          n

   immoderacy
          [im.mod.er.a.cy] n (1682): lack of moderation

   immoderate
          [im.mod.er.ate] adj [ME immoderat, fr. L immoderatus, fr.
          in- + moderatus, pp. of moderare to moderate] (14c):
          exceeding just, usual, or suitable bounds <~ pride> <an
          ~ appetite> syn see excessive -- im.mod.er.ate.ly adv
          -- im.mod.er.ate.ness n -- im.mod.er.a.tion n

   immodest
          [im.mod.est] adj [L immodestus, fr. in- + modestus modest]
          (ca. 1570): not modest; specif: not conforming to the
          sexual mores of a particular time or place -- im.mod.est.ly
          adv -- im.mod.es.ty n

   immolate
          [im.mo.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L immolatus, pp. of immolare,
          fr. in- + mola spelt grits; fr. the custom of sprinkling
          victims with sacrificial meal; akin to L molere to grind--more
          at meal] (1548) 1: to offer in sacrifice; esp: to kill
          as a sacrificial victim 2: to kill or destroy often by
          fire -- im.mo.la.tor n

   immolation
          [im.mo.la.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of immolating: the state
          of being immolated 2: something that is immolated

   immoral
          [im.mor.al] adj (1660): not moral; broadly: conflicting with
          generally or traditionally held moral principles -- im.mor.al.ly
          adv

   immoralist
          [im.mor.al.ist] n (1697): an advocate of immorality --
          im.mor.al.ism n

   immorality
          [im.mo.ral.i.ty] n (ca. 1566) 1: the quality or state of
          being immoral; esp: unchastity 2: an immoral act or practice

   [1]immortal
          [im.mor.tal] adj [ME, fr. L immortalis, fr. in- + mortalis
          mortal] (14c) 1: exempt from death <the ~ gods> 2: exempt
          from oblivion: imperishable <~ fame> 3: connected with
          or relating to immortality -- im.mor.tal.ly adv [2]immortal
          n (1684) 1 a: one exempt from death b pl, often cap:
          the gods of the Greek and Roman pantheon 2 a: a person
          whose fame is lasting b cap: any of the 40 members of
          the Academie Francaise

   immortalise
          [im.mor.tal.ise] Brit var of immortalize

   immortality
          [im.mor.tal.i.ty] n (14c): the quality or state of being
          immortal: a: unending existence b: lasting fame

   immortalize
          [im.mor.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1566): to make immortal
          -- im.mor.tal.i.za.tion n -- im.mor.tal.iz.er n

   immortelle
          [im.mor.telle] n [F, fr. fem. of immortel immortal, fr. L
          immortalis] (1832): everlasting 3

   immotile
          [im.mo.tile] adj (1872): lacking motility

   [1]immovable
          [im.mov.able] adj (14c) 1: incapable of being moved; broadly:
          not moving or not intended to be moved 2 a: steadfast,
          unyielding b: not capable of being moved emotionally
          -- im.mov.abil.i.ty n -- im.mov.able.ness n -- im.mov.ably
          adv [2]immovable n (1588) 1: one that cannot be moved
          2 pl: real property as opposed to movable property

   immun
          [immun] abbreviation immunity, immunization

   immune
          [im.mune] adj [ME, fr. L immunis, fr. in- + munia services,
          obligations; akin to L munus service--more at mean] (15c)
          1 a: free, exempt <~ from further taxation> b: marked
          by protection <some criminal leaders are ~ from arrest>
          2: not susceptible or responsive <~ to all pleas>; esp:
          having a high degree of resistance to a disease <~ to
          diphtheria> 3 a: having or producing antibodies or lymphocytes
          capable of reacting with a specific antigen <an ~ serum>
          b: produced by, involved in, or concerned with immunity
          or an immune response <~ agglutinins> <~ globulins> --
          immune n

   immune response
          [immune response] n (1953): a bodily response to an antigen
          that occurs when lymphocytes identify the antigenic molecule
          as foreign and induce the formation of antibodies and
          lymphocytes capable of reacting with it and rendering
          it harmless--called also immune reaction

   immune system
          [immune system] n (ca. 1919): the bodily system that protects
          the body from foreign substances, cells, and tissues
          by producing the immune response and that includes esp.
          the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, special deposits of
          lymphoid tissue (as in the gastrointestinal tract and
          bone marrow), lymphocytes including the B cells and T
          cells, and antibodies

   immunity
          [im.mu.ni.ty] n, pl -ties (14c): the quality or state of
          being immune; esp: a condition of being able to resist
          a particular disease esp. through preventing development
          of a pathogenic microorganism or by counteracting the
          effects of its products

   immunize
          [im.mu.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1892): to make immune
          -- im.mu.ni.za.tion n

   immuno-
          [immuno-] comb form [ISV, fr. immune] 1: physiological immunity
          <immunology> 2: immunologic <immunochemistry>: immunologically
          <immunocompetent>: immunology and <immunogenetics>

   immunoassay
          [im.mu.no.as.say] n (1959): the identification of a substance
          (as a protein) based on its capacity to act as an antigen
          -- im.mu.no.as.say.able adj

   immunoblot
          [im.mu.no.blot] n (1982): a blot in which a radioactively
          labeled antibody is used as the molecular probe --
          im.mu.no.blot.ting n

   immunochemistry
          [im.mu.no.chem.is.try] n [ISV] (1907): a branch of chemistry
          that deals with the chemical aspects of immunology --
          im.mu.no.chem.i.cal adj -- im.mu.no.chem.i.cal.ly adv
          -- im.mu.no.chem.ist n

   immunocompetence
          [im.mu.no.com.pe.tence] n (1967): the capacity for a normal
          immune response -- im.mu.no.com.pe.tent adj

   immunocompromised
          [im.mu.no.com.pro.mised] adj (1979): having the immune system
          impaired or weakened (as by drugs or illness) <~ patients>

   immunocytochemistry
          [im.mu.no.cy.to.chem.is.try] n (1960): the application of
          biochemistry to cellular immunology -- im.mu.no.cy.to.chem.i.cal
          adj -- im.mu.no.cy.to.chem.i.cal.ly adv

   immunodeficiency
          [im.mu.no.de.fi.cien.cy] n (1969): inability to produce a
          normal complement of antibodies or immunologically sensitized
          T cells esp. in response to specific antigens --
          im.mu.no.de.fi.cient adj

   immunodiagnosis
          [im.mu.no.di.ag.no.sis] n (1972): diagnosis (as of cancer)
          by immunological methods -- im.mu.no.di.ag.nos.tic adj

   immunodiffusion
          [im.mu.no.dif.fu.sion] n (1959): any of several techniques
          for obtaining a precipitate between an antibody and its
          specific antigen by suspending one in a gel and letting
          the other migrate through it from a well or by letting
          both antibody and antigen migrate through the gel from
          separate wells to form an area of precipitation

   immunoelectrophoresis
          [im.mu.no.elec.tro.pho.re.sis] n, pl -re.ses (1958):
          electrophoretic separation of proteins followed by
          identification by the formation of precipitates through
          specific immunologic reactions --
          im.mu.no.elec.tro.pho.ret.ic adj --
          im.mu.no.elec.tro.pho.ret.i.cal.ly adv

   immunofluorescence
          [im.mu.no.flu.o.res.cence] n (1960): the labeling of antibodies
          or antigens with fluorescent dyes esp. for the purpose
          of demonstrating the presence of a particular antigen
          or antibody in a tissue preparation or smear --
          im.mu.no.flu.o.res.cent adj

   immunogen
          [im.mu.no.gen] n [fr. Immunogen, a trademark] (1959): an
          antigen that produces an immune response

   immunogenetics
          [im.mu.no.ge.net.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1936): a branch
          of immunology concerned with the interrelations of heredity,
          disease, and the immune system and its components (as
          antibodies) -- im.mu.no.ge.net.ic adj -- im.mu.no.ge.net.i.cal.ly
          adv -- im.mu.no.ge.net.i.cist n

   immunogenic
          [im.mu.no.gen.ic] adj (ca. 1923): relating to or producing
          an immune response <~ substances> -- im.mu.no.gen.e.sis
          n -- im.mu.no.ge.nic.i.ty n

   immunoglobulin
          [im.mu.no.glob.u.lin] n (1953): antibody

   immunohematology
          [im.mu.no.he.ma.tol.o.gy] n (1950): a branch of immunology
          that deals with the immunologic properties of blood --
          im.mu.no.he.ma.to.log.ic or im.mu.no.he.ma.to.log.i.cal
          adj -- im.mu.no.he.ma.tol.o.gist n

   immunohistochemical
          [im.mu.no.his.to.chem.i.cal] adj (1960): of or relating to
          the application of histochemical and immunologic methods
          to chemical analysis of living cells and tissues --
          im.mu.no.his.to.chem.is.try n

   immunol
          [immunol] abbreviation immunology

   immunology
          [im.mu.nol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1910): a science that deals with
          the immune system and the cell-mediated and humoral aspects
          of immunity and immune responses -- im.mu.no.log.ic or
          im.mu.no.log.i.cal adj -- im.mu.no.log.i.cal.ly adv --
          im.mu.nol.o.gist n

   immunomodulator
          [im.mu.no.mod.u.la.tor] n (1977): a substance that affects
          the functioning of the immune system -- im.mu.no.mod.u.la.to.ry
          adj

   immunopathology
          [im.mu.no.pa.thol.o.gy] n (1959): a branch of medicine that
          deals with immune responses associated with disease --
          im.mu.no.path.o.log.ic or im.mu.no.path.o.log.i.cal adj
          -- im.mu.no.pa.thol.o.gist n

   immunoprecipitation
          [im.mu.no.pre.cip.i.ta.tion] n (1966): precipitation of a
          complex of an antibody and its specific antigen --
          im.mu.no.pre.cip.i.tate n -- im.mu.no.pre.cip.i.tate vt

   immunoreactive
          [im.mu.no.re.ac.tive] adj (1966): reacting to particular
          antigens or haptens <~ lymphocytes> -- im.mu.no.re.ac.tiv.i.ty
          n

   immunoregulatory
          [im.mu.no.reg.u.la.to.ry] adj (1971): of or relating to the
          regulation of the immune system <~ T cells> --
          im.mu.no.reg.u.la.tion n

   immunosorbent
          [im.mu.no.sor.bent] adj (1966): relating to or using a substrate
          consisting of a specific antibody or antigen chemically
          combined with an insoluble substance (as cellulose) to
          selectively remove the corresponding specific antigen
          or antibody from solution -- immunosorbent n

   immunosuppression
          [im.mu.no.sup.pres.sion] n (1963): suppression (as by drugs)
          of natural immune responses -- im.mu.no.sup.press vt
          -- im.mu.no.sup.pres.sant n or adj -- im.mu.no.sup.pres.sive
          adj

   immunotherapy
          [im.mu.no.ther.a.py] n [ISV] (ca. 1911): treatment of or
          prophylaxis against disease by attempting to produce
          active or passive immunity -- im.mu.no.ther.a.peu.tic
          adj

   immure
          [im.mure] vt im.mured ; im.mur.ing [ML immurare, fr. L in-
          + murus wall--more at munition] (1583) 1 a: to enclose
          within or as if within walls b: imprison 2: to build
          into a wall; esp: to entomb in a wall -- im.mure.ment
          n

   immutable
          [im.mu.ta.ble] adj [ME, fr. L immutabilis, fr. in- + mutabilis
          mutable] (15c): not capable of or susceptible to change
          -- im.mu.ta.bil.i.ty n -- im.mu.ta.ble.ness n -- im.mu.ta.bly
          adv

   imp
          [imp] abbreviation imperative, imperfect, imperial, import,
          imported  IMP abbreviation international match point

   [1]imp
          [imp] n [ME impe, fr. OE impa, fr. impian to imp] (bef. 12c)
          1 obs: shoot, bud; also: graft 2 a: a small demon: fiend
          b: a mischievous child: urchin [2]imp vt [ME, fr. OE
          impian to graft, fr. (assumed) VL imputare, fr. LL impotus
          grafted shoot, fr. Gk emphytos implanted, fr. emphyein
          to implant, fr. em- [2]en- + phyein to bring forth--more
          at be] (15c) 1: to graft or repair (a wing, tail, or
          feather) with a feather to improve a falcon's flying
          capacity 2: to equip with wings

   [1]impact
          [im.pact] vb [L impactus, pp. of impingere to push against--more
          at impinge] vt (1601) 1 a: to fix firmly by or as if
          by packing or wedging b: to press together 2 a: to have
          an impact on: impinge on b: to strike forcefully; also:
          to cause to strike forcefully ~ vi 1: to have an impact
          2: to impinge or make contact esp. forcefully -- im.pac.tive
          adj -- im.pac.tor also im.pact.er n [2]im.pact n (1781)
          1 a: an impinging or striking esp. of one body against
          another b: a forceful contact, collision, or onset; also:
          the impetus communicated in or as if in a collision 2:
          the force of impression of one thing on another: a significant
          or major effect <the ~ of science on our society> <an
          environmental ~ study>

   impact crater
          [impact crater] n (1895): crater 1b

   impacted
          [im.pact.ed] adj (ca. 1616) 1 a: packed or wedged in b: deeply
          entrenched: not easily changed or removed 2 of a tooth:
          wedged between the jawbone and another tooth 3: of, relating
          to, or being an area (as a school district) providing
          tax-supported services to a population having a large
          proportion of federal employees and esp. those living
          or working on tax-exempt federal property <aid to education
          in ~ areas>

   impaction
          [im.pac.tion] n (1739): the act of becoming or the state
          of being impacted; esp: lodgment of something (as feces)
          in a body passage or cavity

   impact printer
          [impact printer] n (1968): a printing device in which a printing
          element directly strikes a surface (as in a typewriter)

   impaint
          [im.paint] vt (1596) obs: paint, depict

   impair
          [im.pair] vt [ME empeiren, fr. MF empeirer, fr. (assumed)
          VL impejorare, fr. L in- + LL pejorare to make worse--more
          at pejorative] (14c): to damage or make worse by or as
          if by diminishing in some material respect <his health
          was ~ed by overwork> <the strike seriously ~ed community
          services> syn see injure -- im.pair.er n -- im.pair.ment
          n

   impaired
          [im.paired] adj (1605): being in a less than perfect or whole
          condition: as a: handicapped or functionally defective--often
          used in combination <hearing-impaired> b chiefly Canad:
          drunk <driving while ~>

   impala
          [im.pa.la] n, pl impalas or impala [Zulu] (1875): a large
          brownish African antelope (Aepyceros melampus) that in
          the male has slender lyrate horns

   impale
          [im.pale] vt im.paled ; im.pal.ing [MF & ML; MF empaler,
          fr. ML impalare, fr. L in- + palus stake--more at pole]
          (1605) 1: to join (coats of arms) on a heraldic shield
          divided vertically by a pale 2 a: to pierce with or as
          if with something pointed; esp: to torture or kill by
          fixing on a sharp stake b: to fix in an inescapable or
          helpless position -- im.pale.ment n -- im.pal.er n

   impalpable
          [im.pal.pa.ble] adj (1509) 1 a: incapable of being felt by
          touch: intangible <the ~ aura of power that emanated
          from him --Osbert Sitwell> b: so finely divided that
          no grains or grit can be felt <rock worn to an ~ powder>
          2: not readily discerned by the mind -- im.pal.pa.bil.i.ty
          n -- im.pal.pa.bly adv

   impanel
          [im.pan.el] vt (15c): to enroll in or on a panel <~ a jury>

   imparadise
          [im.par.a.dise] vt -dised ; -dis.ing (1592): enrapture

   imparity
          [im.par.i.ty] n, pl -ties [LL imparitas, fr. L impar unequal,
          fr. in- + par equal] (1563): inequality, disparity

   impart
          [im.part] vt [MF & L; MF impartir, fr. L impartire, fr. in-
          + partire to divide, part] (15c) 1: to give, convey,
          or grant from or as if from a store <her experience ~ed
          authority to her words> <the flavor ~ed by herbs> 2:
          to communicate the knowledge of: disclose <~ed my scheme
          to no one> -- im.par.ta.tion n -- im.part.ment n

   impartial
          [im.par.tial] adj (1587): not partial or biased: treating
          or affecting all equally syn see fair -- im.par.tial.i.ty
          n -- im.par.tial.ly adv

   impartible
          [im.par.ti.ble] adj [LL impartibilis, fr. L in- + LL partibilis
          divisible, fr. L partire] (14c): not partible: not subject
          to partition -- im.par.ti.bly adv

   impassable
          [im.pass.able] adj (1568): incapable of being passed, traveled,
          crossed, or surmounted -- im.pass.abil.i.ty n -- im.pass.able.ness
          n -- im.pass.ably adv

   impasse
          [im.passe] n [F, fr. in- + passer to pass] (1851) 1 a: a
          predicament affording no obvious escape b: deadlock 2:
          an impassable road or way: cul-de-sac

   impassible
          [im.pas.si.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr. LL impassibilis,
          fr. L in- + LL passibilis passible] (14c) 1 a: incapable
          of suffering or of experiencing pain b: inaccessible
          to injury 2: incapable of feeling: impassive -- im.pas.si.bil.i.ty
          n -- im.pas.si.bly adv

   impassion
          [im.pas.sion] vt im.pas.sioned ; im.pas.sion.ing [prob. fr.
          It impassionare, fr. in- (fr. L) + passione passion,
          fr. LL passion-, passio] (1591): to arouse the feelings
          or passions of

   impassioned
          [impassioned] adj (1603): filled with passion or zeal: showing
          great warmth or intensity of feeling syn impassioned,
          passionate, ardent, fervent, fervid, perfervid mean showing
          intense feeling. impassioned implies warmth and intensity
          without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression
          <an impassioned plea for justice>. passionate implies
          great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion
          of emotion <a passionate denunciation>. ardent implies
          an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm <an
          ardent supporter of human rights>. fervent stresses sincerity
          and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal <fervent good
          wishes>. fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and
          often feverishly expressed emotion <fervid love letters>.
          perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought
          feelings <perfervid expressions of patriotism>.

   impassive
          [im.pas.sive] adj (1605) 1 a archaic: unsusceptible to pain
          b: unsusceptible to physical feeling: insensible c: unsusceptible
          to or destitute of emotion: apathetic 2: giving no sign
          of feeling or emotion: expressionless -- im.pas.sive.ly
          adv -- im.pas.sive.ness n -- im.pas.siv.i.ty n syn impassive,
          stoic, phlegmatic, apathetic, stolid mean unresponsive
          to something that might normally excite interest or emotion.
          impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of
          emotion in action or facial expression <met the news
          with an impassive look>. stoic implies an apparent indifference
          to pleasure or esp. to pain often as a matter of principle
          or self-discipline <was resolutely stoic even in adversity>.
          phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard
          to arouse <a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears>. apathetic
          may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness
          <charitable appeals met an apathetic response>. stolid
          implies an habitual absence of interest, responsiveness,
          or curiosity <stolid workers wedded to routine>.

   impaste
          [im.paste] vt [It impastare, fr. in- (fr. L) + pasta paste,
          fr. LL] (1576) obs: to make into a paste or crust

   impasto
          [im.pas.to] n, pl -tos [It, fr. impastare] (1784) 1: the
          thick application of a pigment to a canvas or panel in
          painting; also: the body of pigment so applied 2: raised
          decoration on ceramic ware usu. of slip or enamel --
          im.pas.toed adj

   impatience
          [im.pa.tience] n (13c): the quality or state of being impatient

   impatiens
          [im.pa.tiens] n [NL, fr. L, impatient] (1885): any of a widely
          distributed genus (Impatiens, family Balsaminaceae) of
          annual herbs with irregular spurred or saccate flowers
          and dehiscent capsules--compare touch-me-not

   impatient
          [im.pa.tient] adj [ME impacient, fr. MF, fr. L impatient-,
          impatiens, fr. in- + patient-, patiens patient] (14c)
          1 a: not patient: restless or short of temper esp. under
          irritation, delay, or opposition b: intolerant <~ of
          delay> 2: prompted or marked by impatience <an ~ reply>
          3: eagerly desirous: anxious <~ to get home> -- im.pa.tient.ly
          adv

   impawn
          [im.pawn] vt (1596) archaic: to put in pawn: pledge

   [1]impeach
          [im.peach] vt [ME empechen, fr. MF empeechier to hinder,
          fr. LL impedicare to fetter, fr. L in- + pedica fetter,
          fr. ped-, pes foot--more at foot] (14c) 1 a: to bring
          an accusation against b: to charge with a crime or misdemeanor;
          specif: to charge (a public official) before a competent
          tribunal with misconduct in office 2: to cast doubt on;
          esp: to challenge the credibility or validity of <~ the
          testimony of a witness> 3: to remove from office esp.
          for misconduct -- im.peach.able adj -- im.peach.ment
          n [2]impeach n (1590) obs: charge, impeachment

   impearl
          [im.pearl] vt [prob. fr. MF emperler, fr. en- + perle pearl]
          (15c): to form into pearls; also: to form of or adorn
          with pearls

   impeccable
          [im.pec.ca.ble] adj [L impeccabilis, fr. in- + peccare to
          sin] (1531) 1: not capable of sinning or liable to sin
          2: free from fault or blame: flawless <spoke ~ French>
          -- im.pec.ca.bil.i.ty n -- im.pec.ca.bly adv

   impecunious
          [im.pe.cu.nious] adj [[1]in- + obs. E pecunious rich, fr.
          ME, fr. L pecuniosus, fr. pecunia money--more at fee]
          (1596): having very little or no money usu. habitually:
          penniless -- im.pe.cu.ni.os.i.ty n -- im.pe.cu.nious.ly
          adv -- im.pe.cu.nious.ness n

   impedance
          [im.ped.ance] n (1886): something that impedes: hindrance:
          as a: the apparent opposition in an electrical circuit
          to the flow of an alternating current that is analogous
          to the actual electrical resistance to a direct current
          and that is the ratio of effective electromotive force
          to the effective current b: the ratio of the pressure
          to the volume displacement at a given surface
          in a sound-transmitting medium

   impede
          [im.pede] vt im.ped.ed ; im.ped.ing [L impedire, fr. in-
          + ped-, pes foot--more at foot] (1605): to interfere
          with or slow the progress of syn see hinder -- im.ped.er
          n

   impediment
          [im.ped.i.ment] n (14c) 1: something that impedes; esp: an
          organic obstruction to speech 2: a bar or hindrance (as
          lack of sufficient age) to a lawful marriage

   impedimenta
          [im.ped.i.men.ta] n pl [L, pl. of impedimentum impediment,
          fr. impedire] (1600) 1: appurtenances, equipment 2: things
          that impede

   impel
          [im.pel] vt im.pelled ; im.pel.ling [L impellere, fr. in-
          + pellere to drive--more at felt] (15c) 1: to urge or
          drive forward or on by or as if by the exertion of strong
          moral pressure: force 2: to impart motion to: propel
          syn see move

   impeller
          [im.pel.ler] also im.pel.lor n (1685) 1: one that impels
          2: rotor; also: a blade of a rotor

   impend
          [im.pend] vi [L impendere, fr. in- + pendere to hang--more
          at pendant] (1599) 1 a: to hover threateningly: menace
          b: to be about to occur 2 archaic: to hang suspended

   impendent
          [im.pen.dent] adj (1590): being near at hand: approaching

   impenetrability
          [im.pen.e.tra.bil.i.ty] n (1665) 1: the inability of two
          portions of matter to occupy the same space at the same
          time 2: the quality or state of being impenetrable

   impenetrable
          [im.pen.e.tra.ble] adj [ME impenetrabel, fr. MF impenetrable,
          fr. L impenetrabilis, fr. in- + penetrabilis penetrable]
          (15c) 1 a: incapable of being penetrated or pierced b:
          inaccessible to knowledge, reason, or sympathy: impervious
          2: incapable of being comprehended: inscrutable -- im.pen.e.tra.bly
          adv

   impenitence
          [im.pen.i.tence] n (1624) archaic: the quality or state of
          being impenitent

   impenitent
          [im.pen.i.tent] adj [ME, fr. LL impaenitent-, impaenitens,
          fr. L in- + paenitent-, paenitens penitent] (15c): not
          penitent -- im.pen.i.tent.ly adv

   [1]imperative
          [im.per.a.tive] adj [ME imperatyf, fr. LL imperativus, fr.
          L imperatus, pp. of imperare to command--more at emperor]
          (15c) 1 a: of, relating to, or constituting the grammatical
          mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior
          of another b: expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation
          c: having power to restrain, control, and direct 2: not
          to be avoided or evaded: necessary <an ~ duty> syn see
          masterful -- im.per.a.tive.ly adv -- im.per.a.tive.ness
          n [2]imperative n (1530) 1: the imperative mood or a
          verb form or verbal phrase expressing it 2: something
          that is imperative: as a: command, order b: rule, guide
          c: an obligatory act or duty d: an imperative judgment
          or proposition

   imperator
          [im.pe.ra.tor] n [L--more at emperor] (ca. 1580): a commander
          in chief or emperor of the ancient Romans -- im.per.a.to.ri.al
          adj

   imperceivable
          [im.per.ceiv.able] adj (ca. 1617) archaic: imperceptible

   imperceptible
          [im.per.cep.ti.ble] adj [MF, fr. ML imperceptibilis, fr.
          L in- + LL perceptibilis perceptible] (15c): not perceptible
          by a sense or by the mind: extremely slight, gradual,
          or subtle -- im.per.cep.ti.bly adv

   imperceptive
          [im.per.cep.tive] adj (1661): not perceptive --
          im.per.cep.tive.ness n

   impercipience
          [im.per.cip.i.ence] n (1891): the quality or state of being
          imperceptive -- im.per.cip.i.ent adj

   imperf
          [imperf] abbreviation imperfect, imperforate

   [1]imperfect
          [im.per.fect] adj [alter. of ME imperfit, fr. MF imparfait,
          fr. L imperfectus, fr. in- + perfectus perfect] (1570)
          1: not perfect: as a: defective b of a flower: having
          stamens or pistils but not both c: lacking or not involving
          sexual reproduction <the ~ stage of a fungus> 2: of,
          relating to, or constituting a verb tense used to designate
          a continuing state or an incomplete action esp. in the
          past 3: not enforceable at law -- im.per.fect.ly adv
          -- im.per.fect.ness n [2]imperfect n (1871): an imperfect
          tense; also: the verb form expressing it

   imperfect fungus
          [imperfect fungus] n (ca. 1895): any of various fungi (order
          Fungi Imperfecti syn. Deuteromycetes) of which only the
          conidial stage is known

   imperfection
          [im.per.fec.tion] n (14c): the quality or state of being
          imperfect; also: fault, blemish

   imperfective
          [im.per.fec.tive] adj (1887) of a verb form or aspect: expressing
          action as incomplete or without reference to completion
          or as reiterated--compare perfective -- imperfective
          n

   imperforate
          [im.per.fo.rate] adj (1673) 1: having no opening or aperture;
          specif: lacking the usual or normal opening 2 of a stamp
          or a sheet of stamps: lacking perforations or roulettes

   [1]imperial
          [im.pe.ri.al] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL imperialis, fr. L imperium
          command, empire] (14c) 1 a: of, relating to, befitting,
          or suggestive of an empire or an emperor b (1): of or
          relating to the United Kingdom as distinguished from
          the constituent parts (2): of or relating to the Commonwealth
          and British Empire 2 a: sovereign b: regal, imperious
          3: of superior or unusual size or excellence 4: belonging
          to the official British series of weights and measures
          -- im.pe.ri.al.ly adv [2]imperial n (ca. 1524) 1 cap:
          an adherent or soldier of the Holy Roman emperor 2: emperor
          3 [F imperiale; fr. the beard worn by Napoleon III]:
          a pointed beard growing below the lower lip 4: something
          of unusual size or excellence

   imperialism
          [im.pe.ri.al.ism] n (1851) 1: imperial government, authority,
          or system 2: the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending
          the power and dominion of a nation esp. by direct territorial
          acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the
          political or economic life of other areas; broadly: the
          extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence
          <union ~> -- im.pe.ri.al.ist n or adj -- im.pe.ri.al.is.tic
          adj -- im.pe.ri.al.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   imperial moth
          [imperial moth] n (ca. 1904): a large American saturniid
          moth (Eacles imperialis) marked with yellow and lilac
          or purplish brown

   imperil
          [im.per.il] vt -iled or -illed ; -il.ing or -il.ling (15c):
          to bring into peril: endanger -- im.per.il.ment n

   imperious
          [im.pe.ri.ous] adj [L imperiosus, fr. imperium] (1540) 1:
          befitting or characteristic of one of eminent rank or
          attainments: commanding, dominant <an ~ manner> b: marked
          by arrogant assurance: domineering 2: intensely compelling:
          urgent <the ~ problems of the new age --J. F. Kennedy>
          syn see masterful -- im.pe.ri.ous.ly adv -- im.pe.ri.ous.ness
          n

   imperishable
          [im.per.ish.able] adj (1648) 1: not perishable or subject
          to decay 2: enduring or occurring forever <~ fame> --
          im.per.ish.abil.i.ty n -- imperishable n -- im.per.ish.able.ness
          n -- im.per.ish.ably adv

   imperium
          [im.pe.ri.um] n [L--more at empire] (1651) 1 a: supreme power
          or absolute dominion: control b: empire 2: the right
          to command or to employ the force of the state: sovereignty

   impermanence
          [im.per.ma.nence] n (1796): the quality or state of being
          impermanent

   impermanency
          [im.per.ma.nen.cy] n (1648): impermanence

   impermanent
          [im.per.ma.nent] adj (1653): not permanent: transient --
          im.per.ma.nent.ly adv

   impermeable
          [im.per.me.able] adj [LL impermeabilis, fr. L in- + LL permeabilis
          permeable] (1697): not permitting passage (as of a fluid) through
          its substance; broadly: impervious -- im.per.me.abil.i.ty n

   impermissible
          [im.per.mis.si.ble] adj (1858): not permissible --
          im.per.mis.si.bil.i.ty n -- im.per.mis.si.bly adv

   impersonal
          [im.per.son.al] adj [ME, fr. LL impersonalis, fr. L in- +
          LL personalis personal] (15c) 1 a: denoting the verbal
          action of an unspecified agent and hence used with no
          expressed subject (as methinks) or with a merely formal
          subject (as rained in it rained) b of a pronoun: indefinite
          2 a: having no personal reference or connection <~ criticism>
          b: not engaging the human personality or emotions <the
          machine as compared with the hand tool is an ~ agency
          --John Dewey> c: not existing as a person: not having
          human qualities or characteristics -- im.per.son.al.i.ty
          n -- im.per.son.al.ly adv

   impersonalize
          [im.per.son.al.ize] vt (ca. 1899): to make impersonal --
          im.per.son.al.i.za.tion n

   impersonate
          [im.per.son.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1715): to assume or
          act the character of: personate -- im.per.son.a.tion
          n -- im.per.son.a.tor n

   impertinence
          [im.per.ti.nence] n (1603) 1: the quality or state of being
          impertinent: as a: irrelevance, inappropriateness b:
          incivility, insolence 2: an instance of impertinence

   impertinency
          [im.per.ti.nen.cy] n, pl -cies (1589): impertinence

   impertinent
          [im.per.ti.nent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL impertinent-, impertinens,
          fr. L in- + pertinent-, pertinens, prp. of pertinere to pertain]
          (14c) 1: not pertinent: irrelevant 2 a: not restrained within due
          or proper bounds esp. of propriety or good taste <~ curiosity>
          b: given to or characterized by insolent rudeness <an ~ answer>
          -- im.per.ti.nent.ly adv syn impertinent, officious, meddlesome,
          intrusive, obtrusive mean given to thrusting oneself into the
          affairs of others. impertinent implies exceeding the bounds
          of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice
          <resented their impertinent interference>. officious implies the
          offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying
          <officious friends made the job harder>. meddlesome stresses
          an annoying and usu. prying interference in others' affairs
          <a meddlesome landlord>. intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise
          objectionable thrusting into others' affairs <tried to be helpful
          without being intrusive>. obtrusive stresses improper or offensive
          conspicuousness of interfering actions <expressed an obtrusive
          concern for his safety>.

   imperturbable
          [im.per.turb.able] adj [ME, fr. LL imperturbabilis, fr. L
          in- + perturbare to perturb] (15c): marked by extreme
          calm, impassivity, and steadiness: serene syn see cool
          -- im.per.turb.abil.i.ty n -- im.per.turb.ably adv

   impervious
          [im.per.vi.ous] adj [L impervius, fr. in- + pervius pervious]
          (1650) 1 a: not allowing entrance or passage: impenetrable
          <a coat ~ to rain> b: not capable of being damaged or
          harmed <a carpet ~ to rough treatment> 2: not capable
          of being affected or disturbed <~ to criticism> -- im.per.vi.ous.ly
          adv -- im.per.vi.ous.ness n

   impetiginous
          [im.pe.tig.i.nous] adj (1620): of, relating to, or resembling
          impetigo <~ lesions>

   impetigo
          [im.pe.ti.go] n [L, fr. impetere to attack--more at impetus]
          (14c): an acute contagious staphylococcal or streptococcal
          skin disease characterized by vesicles, pustules, and
          yellowish crusts

   impetrate
          [im.pe.trate] vt -trat.ed ; -trat.ing [L impetratus, pp.
          of impetrare, fr. in- + patrare to accomplish--more at
          perpetrate] (ca. 1534) 1: to obtain by request or entreaty
          2: to ask for: entreat -- im.pe.tra.tion n

   impetuosity
          [im.pet.u.os.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: the quality or state
          of being impetuous 2: an impetuous action or impulse

   impetuous
          [im.pet.u.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF impetueux, fr. LL impetuosus,
          fr. L impetus] (14c) 1: marked by impulsive vehemence
          or passion <an ~ temperament> 2: marked by force and
          violence of movement or action <an ~ wind> syn see precipitate
          -- im.pet.u.ous.ly adv -- im.pet.u.ous.ness n

   impetus
          [im.pe.tus] n [L, assault, impetus, fr. impetere to attack,
          fr. in- + petere to go to, seek--more at feather] (1641)
          1 a (1): a driving force: impulse (2): incentive, stimulus
          b: stimulation or encouragement resulting in increased
          activity 2: the property possessed by a moving body in
          virtue of its mass and its motion--used of bodies moving
          suddenly or violently to indicate the origin and intensity
          of the motion

   impiety
          [im.pi.e.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the quality or state of
          being impious: irreverence 2: an impious act

   impinge
          [im.pinge] vi im.pinged ; im.ping.ing [L impingere, fr. in-
          + pangere to fasten, drive in--more at pact] (1605) 1:
          to strike or dash esp. with a sharp collision <I heard
          the rain ~ upon the earth --James Joyce> 2: to have an
          effect: make an impression <waiting for the germ of a
          new idea to ~ upon my mind --Phyllis Bentley> 3: encroach,
          infringe <~ on other people's rights> -- im.pinge.ment
          n

   impious
          [im.pi.ous] adj [L impius, fr. in- + pius pious] (1542):
          not pious: lacking in reverence or proper respect (as
          for God or one's parents): irreverent -- im.pi.ous.ly
          adv

   impish
          [imp.ish] adj (1652): of, relating to, or befitting an imp;
          esp: mischievous -- imp.ish.ly adv -- imp.ish.ness n

   implacable
          [im.pla.ca.ble] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L implacabilis, fr.
          in- + placabilis placable] (15c): not placable: not capable
          of being appeased, significantly changed, or mitigated
          <an ~ enemy> -- im.pla.ca.bil.i.ty n -- im.pla.ca.bly
          adv

   [1]implant
          [im.plant] vt (15c) 1 a: to fix or set securely or deeply
          <a ruby ~ed in the idol's forehead> b: to set permanently
          in the consciousness or habit patterns: inculcate 2:
          to insert in a living site (as for growth, slow release,
          or formation of an organic union) <subcutaneously ~ed
          hormone pellets> -- im.plant.able adj -- im.plant.er
          n syn implant, inculcate, instill, inseminate, infix
          mean to introduce into the mind. implant implies teaching
          that makes for permanence of what is taught <implanted
          a love of reading in her students>. inculcate implies
          persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind
          <tried to inculcate in him high moral standards>. instill
          stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over
          a long period of time <instill traditional values in
          your children>. inseminate applies to a sowing of ideas
          in many minds so that they spread through a class or
          nation <inseminated an unquestioning faith in technology>.
          infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought
          <infixed a chronic cynicism>. [2]im.plant n (1890): something
          (as a graft or pellet) implanted in tissue

   implantation
          [im.plan.ta.tion] n (1578) 1 a: the act or process of implanting
          something b: the state resulting from being implanted
          2 in placental mammals: the process of attachment of
          the embryo to the maternal uterine wall

   implausible
          [im.plau.si.ble] adj (ca. 1677): not plausible: provoking
          disbelief -- im.plau.si.bil.i.ty n -- im.plau.si.bly
          adv

   implead
          [im.plead] vt [ME empleden, fr. MF emplaider, fr. OF emplaidier,
          fr. en- + plaidier to plead] (14c): to sue or prosecute
          at law

   [1]implement
          [im.ple.ment] n [ME, fr. LL implementum action of filling
          up, fr. L implere to fill up, fr. in- + plere to fill--more
          at full] (15c) 1: an article serving to equip <the ~s
          of religious worship> 2: a device used in the performance
          of a task 3: one that serves as an instrument or tool
          <the partnership agreement does not seem to be a very
          potent ~ --H. B. Hoffman> syn implement, tool, instrument,
          appliance, utensil mean a relatively simple device for
          performing work. implement may apply to anything necessary
          to perform a task <crude stone implements> <farm implements>.
          tool suggests an implement adapted to facilitate a definite
          kind or stage of work and suggests the need of skill
          more strongly than implement <a carpenter's tools>. instrument
          suggests a device capable of delicate or precise work
          <the dentist's instruments>. appliance refers to a tool
          or instrument utilizing a power source and suggests portability
          or temporary attachment <household appliances>. utensil
          applies to a device used in domestic work or some routine
          unskilled activity <kitchen utensils>. [2]im.ple.ment
          vt (1806) 1: carry out, accomplish; esp: to give practical
          effect to and ensure of actual fulfillment by concrete
          measures 2: to provide instruments or means of expression
          for -- im.ple.men.ta.tion n -- im.ple.men.ter or im.ple.men.tor
          n

   implicate
          [im.pli.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ME, to convey by implication,
          fr. ML implicatus, pp. of implicare, fr. L, to entwine,
          involve--more at employ] (15c) 1: to involve as a consequence,
          corollary, or natural inference: imply 2 archaic: to fold or twist
          together: entwine 3 a: to bring into intimate or incriminating
          connection b: to involve in the nature or operation of something

   implication
          [im.pli.ca.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act of implicating: the
          state of being implicated b: close connection; esp: an
          incriminating involvement 2 a: the act of implying: the
          state of being implied b (1): a logical relation between
          two propositions that fails to hold only if the first
          is true and the second is false (2): a logical relationship
          between two propositions in which if the first is true
          the second is true (3): a statement exhibiting a relation
          of implication 3: something implied: as a: suggestion
          b: a possible significance <the book has political ~s>
          -- im.pli.ca.tive adj -- im.pli.ca.tive.ly adv --
          im.pli.ca.tive.ness n

   implicit
          [im.plic.it] adj [L implicitus, pp. of implicare] (1599)
          1 a: capable of being understood from something else
          though unexpressed: implied <an ~ assumption> b: involved
          in the nature or essence of something though not revealed,
          expressed, or developed: potential <a sculptor may see
          different figures ~ in a block of stone --John Dewey>
          c of a mathematical function: defined by an expression
          in which the dependent variable and the one or more independent
          variables are not separated on opposite sides of an
          equation--compare explicit 4
          2: being without doubt or reserve: unquestioning --
          im.plic.it.ly adv -- im.plic.it.ness n

   implicit differentiation
          [implicit differentiation] n (ca. 1889): the process of finding
          the derivative of a dependent variable in an implicit
          function by differentiating each term separately, by
          expressing the derivative of the dependent variable as
          a symbol, and by solving the resulting expression for
          the symbol

   implode
          [im.plode] vb im.plod.ed ; im.plod.ing [[2]in- + -plode (as
          in explode)] vi (1881) 1 a: to burst inward <a blow causing
          a vacuum tube to ~> b: to undergo violent compression
          <massive stars which ~> 2: to collapse inward as if from
          external pressure; also: to become greatly reduced as
          if from collapsing ~ vt: to cause to implode

   implore
          [im.plore] vt im.plored ; im.plor.ing [MF or L; MF implorer,
          fr. L implorare, fr. in- + plorare to cry out] (ca. 1540)
          1: to call upon in supplication: beseech 2: to call or
          pray for earnestly: entreat syn see beg -- im.plor.ing.ly
          adv

   implosion
          [im.plo.sion] n [[2]in- + -plosion (as in explosion)] (1877)
          1: the inrush of air in forming a suction stop 2: the
          action of imploding 3: the act or action of bringing
          to or as if to a center; also: integration <this ~ of
          cultures makes realistic for the first time the age-old
          vision of a world culture --Kenneth Keniston> -- im.plo.sive
          adj or n

   imply
          [im.ply] vt im.plied ; im.ply.ing [ME emplien, fr. MF emplier,
          fr. L implicare] (14c) 1 obs: enfold, entwine 2: to involve
          or indicate by inference, association, or necessary consequence
          rather than by direct statement <rights ~ obligations>
          3: to contain potentially 4: to express indirectly <his
          silence implied consent> syn see suggest usage see infer

   impolite
          [im.po.lite] adj [L impolitus, fr. in- + politus polite]
          (1739): not polite: rude -- im.po.lite.ly adv -- im.po.lite.ness
          n

   impolitic
          [im.pol.i.tic] adj (ca. 1600): not politic: rash -- im.po.lit.i.cal
          adj -- im.po.lit.i.cal.ly adv -- im.pol.i.tic.ly adv

   imponderable
          [im.pon.der.a.ble] adj [ML imponderabilis, fr. L in- + LL
          ponderabilis ponderable] (1794): not ponderable: incapable
          of being weighed or evaluated with exactness --
          im.pon.der.a.bil.i.ty n -- imponderable n -- im.pon.der.a.bly adv

   impone
          [im.pone] vt im.poned ; im.pon.ing [L imponere to put upon,
          fr. in- + ponere to put--more at position] (ca. 1623)
          obs: wager, bet

   [1]import
          [im.port] vb [ME, fr. L importare to bring into, fr. in-
          + portare to carry--more at fare] vt (15c) 1 a: to bear
          or convey as meaning or portent: signify b archaic: express,
          state c: imply 2: to bring from a foreign or external
          source; esp: to bring (as merchandise) into a place or
          country from another country 3 archaic: to be of importance
          to: concern ~ vi: to be of consequence: matter -- im.port.able
          adj -- im.port.er n [2]im.port n (ca. 1568) 1: importance;
          esp: relative importance <it is hard to determine the
          ~ of this decision> 2: purport, signification 3: something
          that is imported 4: importation

   importance
          [im.por.tance] n (1508) 1 a: the quality or state of being
          important: consequence b: an important aspect or bearing:
          significance 2 obs: import, meaning 3 obs: importunity
          4 obs: a weighty matter syn importance, consequence,
          moment, weight, significance mean a quality or aspect
          having great worth or significance. importance implies
          a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of
          something or someone <a region with no cities of importance>.
          consequence generally implies importance because of probable
          or possible effects <the style you choose is of little
          consequence>. moment implies conspicuous or self-evident
          consequence <a decision of great moment>. weight implies
          a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something
          <the argument carried no weight with the judge>. significance
          implies a quality or character that should mark a thing
          as important but that is not self-evident and may or
          may not be recognized <the treaty's significance>.

   importancy
          [im.por.tan.cy] n (1540) archaic: importance

   important
          [im.por.tant] adj [ME importante, fr. ML important-, importans,
          prp. of importare to signify, fr. L, to bring into] (15c)
          1: marked by or indicative of significant worth or consequence:
          valuable in content or relationship 2 obs: importunate,
          urgent 3: giving evidence of a feeling of self-importance
          usage see importantly

   importantly
          [im.por.tant.ly] adv (1647) 1: in an important way <contributed
          ~ to the language of the field --Ernst Mayr> <cleared
          his throat ~ and waited --E. K. Gann> <the real story
          is ~ different --Alexander Woollcott> 2: it is important
          that <more ~ he stands a chance of having his publication
          barred --H. L. Mencken> usage A number of commentators
          have objected to importantly as a sentence modifier (sense
          2) and have recommended important instead. Actually both
          the adverb and the adjective are in reputable standard
          use in this function. Important is always used with more
          or most <had bronze weapons and composite bows; more
          important, they utilized the horse and war chariot --Harry
          A. Gailey, Jr.> <second and most important, the book
          contains no important woman character --F. Scott Fitzgerald>.
          Importantly is somewhat more flexible in not requiring
          more or most <sticks and, just as importantly, unsticks
          easily --Phoebe Hawkins> <importantly, the leaven in
          the mixture is quality --George O'Brien>.

   importation
          [im.por.ta.tion] n (1601) 1: the act or practice of importing
          2: something imported

   imported cabbageworm
          [imported cabbageworm] n (1892): a small cosmopolitan white
          butterfly (Pieris rapae) or its larva which is a pest
          of cruciferous plants and esp. cabbage

   imported fire ant
          [imported fire ant] n (ca. 1949): either of two mound-building
          So. American fire ants (Solenopsis richteri and S. invicta)
          introduced into the southeastern U.S. that are agricultural
          pests and can produce stings requiring medical attention

   importunate
          [im.por.tu.nate] adj (1529) 1: troublesomely urgent: overly
          persistent in request or demand 2: troublesome -- im.por.tu.nate.ly
          adv -- im.por.tu.nate.ness n

   [1]importune
          [im.por.tune] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF importun, fr. L importunus,
          fr. in- + -portunus (as in opportunus fit)--more at opportune]
          (15c): importunate -- im.por.tune.ly adv [2]importune
          vb -tuned ; -tun.ing vt (1530) 1 a: to press or urge
          with troublesome persistence b archaic: to request or
          beg for urgently 2: annoy, trouble ~ vi: to beg, urge,
          or solicit persistently or troublesomely syn see beg
          -- im.por.tun.er n

   importunity
          [im.por.tu.ni.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: the quality or state
          of being importunate 2: an importunate request or demand

   impose
          [im.pose] vb im.posed ; im.pos.ing [MF imposer, fr. L imponere,
          lit., to put upon (perf. indic. imposui), fr. in- + ponere
          to put--more at position] vt (1581) 1 a: to establish
          or apply by authority <~ a tax> <~ new restrictions>
          <~ penalties> b: to establish or bring about as if by
          force <those limits imposed by our own inadequacies --C.
          H. Plimpton> 2 a: place, set b: to arrange (as pages)
          in the proper order for printing 3: pass off <~ fake
          antiques on the public> 4: to force into the company
          or on the attention of another <~ oneself on others>
          ~ vi: to take unwarranted advantage of something <imposed
          on his good nature> -- im.pos.er n

   imposing
          [im.pos.ing] adj (1786): impressive in size, bearing, dignity,
          or grandeur syn see grand -- im.pos.ing.ly adv

   imposition
          [im.po.si.tion] n (14c) 1: something imposed: as a: levy,
          tax b: an excessive or uncalled-for requirement or burden
          2: the act of imposing 3: deception 4: the order of arrangement
          of imposed pages

   impossibility
          [im.pos.si.bil.i.ty] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being
          impossible 2: something impossible

   impossible
          [im.pos.si.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L impossibilis,
          fr. in- + possibilis possible] (14c) 1 a: incapable of
          being or of occurring b: felt to be incapable of being
          done, attained, or fulfilled: insuperably difficult 2
          a: extremely undesirable: unacceptable b: extremely awkward
          or difficult to deal with -- im.pos.si.ble.ness n

   impossibly
          [im.pos.si.bly] adv (ca. 1580) 1: not possibly 2: to an improbable
          degree: unbelievably <an ~ green lawn>

   [1]impost
          [im.post] n [MF, fr. ML impositum, fr. L, neut. of impositus,
          pp. of imponere] (1568): something imposed or levied:
          tax [2]impost n [F imposte, ultim. fr. L impositus] (1664):
          a block, capital, or molding from which an arch springs--see
          arch illustration

   impostor
          [im.pos.tor] or im.pos.ter n [LL impostor, fr. L imponere]
          (1624): one that assumes false identity or title for
          the purpose of deception

   impostume
          [im.pos.tume] or im.pos.thume n [ME emposteme, ultim. fr.
          Gk apostema, fr. aphistanai to remove, fr. apo- + histanai
          to cause to stand--more at stand] (14c) archaic: abscess

   imposture
          [im.pos.ture] n [LL impostura, fr. L impositus, impostus,
          pp. of imponere] (1537) 1: the act or practice of deceiving
          by means of an assumed character or name 2: an instance
          of imposture syn imposture, fraud, sham, fake, humbug,
          counterfeit mean a thing made to seem other than it is.
          imposture applies to any situation in which a spurious
          object or performance is passed off as genuine <their
          claim of environmental concern is an imposture>. fraud
          usu. implies a deliberate perversion of the truth <the
          diary was exposed as a fraud>. sham applies to fraudulent
          imitation of a real thing or action <condemned the election
          as a sham>. fake implies an imitation of or substitution
          for the genuine but does not necessarily imply dishonesty
          <these jewels are fakes; the real ones are in the vault>.
          humbug suggests elaborate pretense usu. so flagrant as
          to be transparent <creating publicity by foisting humbugs
          on a gullible public>. counterfeit applies esp. to the
          close imitation of something valuable <20-dollar bills
          that were counterfeits>.

   impotence
          [im.po.tence] n (15c): the quality or state of being impotent

   impotency
          [im.po.ten.cy] n (15c): impotence

   impotent
          [im.po.tent] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L impotent-, impotens,
          fr. in- + potent-, potens potent] (14c) 1 a: not potent:
          lacking in power, strength, or vigor: helpless b: unable
          to copulate; broadly: sterile--usu. used of males 2 obs:
          incapable of self-restraint: ungovernable -- impotent
          n -- im.po.tent.ly adv

   impound
          [im.pound] vt (15c) 1 a: to shut up in or as if in a pound:
          confine b: to seize and hold in the custody of the law
          c: to take possession of <she was dismissed and her manuscript
          ~ed --Jonathan Weiner> 2: to collect and confine (water)
          in or as if in a reservoir

   impoundment
          [im.pound.ment] n (ca. 1665) 1: the act of impounding: the
          state of being impounded 2: a body of water formed by
          impounding

   impoverish
          [im.pov.er.ish] vt [ME enpoverisen, fr. MF empovriss-, stem
          of empovrir, fr. en- + povre poor--more at poor] (15c)
          1: to make poor 2: to deprive of strength, richness,
          or fertility by depleting or draining of something essential
          syn see deplete -- im.pov.er.ish.er n -- im.pov.er.ish.ment
          n

   impoverished
          [impoverished] adj (1950) of a fauna or flora: represented
          by few species or individuals

   impracticable
          [im.prac.ti.ca.ble] adj (1653) 1: impassable <an ~ road>
          2: not practicable: incapable of being performed or accomplished
          by the means employed or at command -- im.prac.ti.ca.bil.i.ty
          n -- im.prac.ti.ca.bly adv

   impractical
          [im.prac.ti.cal] adj (1865): not practical: as a: not wise
          to put into or keep in practice or effect b: incapable
          of dealing sensibly or prudently with practical matters
          c: impracticable d: idealistic -- im.prac.ti.cal.i.ty
          n -- im.prac.ti.cal.ly adv

   imprecate
          [im.pre.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L imprecatus, pp. of
          imprecari, fr. in- + precari to pray--more at pray] vt
          (1613): to invoke evil on: curse ~ vi: to utter curses

   imprecation
          [im.pre.ca.tion] n (15c) 1: curse 2: the act of imprecating
          -- im.pre.ca.to.ry adj

   imprecise
          [im.pre.cise] adj (1805): not precise: inexact, vague --
          im.pre.cise.ly adv -- im.pre.cise.ness n -- im.pre.ci.sion
          n

   impregnable
          [im.preg.na.ble] adj [ME imprenable, fr. MF, fr. in- + prenable
          vulnerable to capture, fr. prendre to take--more at prize]
          (15c) 1: incapable of being taken by assault: unconquerable
          2: unassailable; also: impenetrable -- im.preg.na.bil.i.ty
          n -- im.preg.na.ble.ness n -- im.preg.na.bly adv

   impregnant
          [im.preg.nant] n (1926): a substance used for impregnating
          another substance

   [1]impregnate
          [im.preg.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [LL impraegnatus, pp.
          of impraegnare, fr. L in- + praegnas pregnant] (1605)
          1 a: to cause to be filled, imbued, permeated, or saturated
          b: to permeate thoroughly 2: to make pregnant: fertilize
          syn see soak -- im.preg.na.tion n -- im.preg.na.tor n
          [2]im.preg.nate adj (1646): being filled or saturated

   impresa
          [im.pre.sa] n [It, lit., undertaking] (1588): a device with
          a motto used in the 16th and 17th centuries; broadly:
          emblem

   impresario
          [im.pre.sa.rio] n, pl -ri.os [It, fr. impresa undertaking,
          fr. imprendere to undertake, fr. (assumed) VL imprehendere--more
          at emprise] (1746) 1: the promoter, manager, or conductor
          of an opera or concert company 2: a person who puts on
          or sponsors an entertainment (as a television show or
          sports event) 3: manager, director

   [1]impress
          [im.press] vb [ME, fr. L impressus, pp. of imprimere, fr.
          in- + premere to press--more at press] vt (14c) 1 a:
          to apply with pressure so as to imprint b: to produce
          (as a mark) by pressure c: to mark by or as if by pressure
          or stamping 2 a: to produce a vivid impression of b:
          to affect esp. forcibly or deeply: influence 3: transfer,
          transmit ~ vi: to produce an impression syn see affect
          -- im.press.ibil.i.ty n -- im.press.ible adj [2]im.press
          n (1590) 1: a characteristic or distinctive mark: stamp
          <the ~ of a fresh and vital intelligence is stamped ...
          in his work --Lytton Strachey> 2: impression, effect
          <have an ~ on history> 3: the act of impressing 4 a:
          a mark made by pressure: imprint b: an image of something
          formed by or as if by pressure; esp: seal c: a product
          of pressure or influence [3]im.press vt [[2]in- + [3]press]
          (1596) 1: to levy or take by force for public service;
          esp: to force into naval service 2 a: to procure or enlist
          by forcible persuasion b: force <~ed him into a white
          coat for the Christmas festivities --Nancy Hale> [4]im.press
          n (1602): impressment

   impression
          [im.pres.sion] n (14c) 1 a: a characteristic, trait, or feature
          resulting from some influence <the ~ on behavior produced
          by the social milieu> b: an effect of alteration or improvement
          <the settlement left little ~ on the wilderness> c: a
          telling image impressed on the senses or the mind 2:
          the effect produced by impressing: as a: a stamp, form,
          or figure resulting from physical contact b: an imprint
          of the teeth and adjacent portions of the jaw for use
          in dentistry c: an esp. marked and often favorable influence
          or effect on feeling, sense, or mind 3: the act of impressing:
          as a: an affecting by stamping or pressing b: a communicating
          of a mold, trait, or character by an external force or
          influence 4 a: the amount of pressure with which an inked
          printing surface deposits its ink on the paper b: one
          instance of the meeting of a printing surface and the
          material being printed; also: a single print or copy
          so made c: all the copies (as of a book) printed in one
          continuous operation from a single makeready 5: an often
          indistinct or imprecise notion or remembrance 6 a: the
          first coat of color in painting b: a coat of paint for
          ornament or preservation 7: an imitation or representation
          of salient features in an artistic or theatrical medium;
          esp: an imitation in caricature of a noted personality
          as a form of theatrical entertainment syn see idea

   impressionable
          [im.pres.sion.able] adj (1836): capable of being easily impressed
          -- im.pres.sion.abil.i.ty n

   impressionism
          [im.pres.sion.ism] n (1882) 1 often cap: a theory or practice
          in painting esp. among French painters of about 1870
          of depicting the natural appearances of objects by means
          of dabs or strokes of primary unmixed colors in order
          to simulate actual reflected light 2 a: the depiction
          (as in literature) of scene, emotion, or character by
          details intended to achieve a vividness or effectiveness
          more by evoking subjective and sensory impressions than
          by recreating an objective reality b: a style of musical
          composition designed to create subtle moods and impressions

   impressionist
          [im.pres.sion.ist] n (1876) 1 often cap: one (as a painter)
          who practices or adheres to the theories of impressionism
          2: an entertainer who does impressions

   impressionistic
          [im.pres.sion.is.tic] adj (1886) 1 or im.pres.sion.ist often
          cap: of, relating to, or constituting impressionism 2:
          based on or involving impression as distinct from expertise
          or fact <intuitions and ~ anecdotal accounts --Sidney
          Hook> -- im.pres.sion.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   impressive
          [im.pres.sive] adj (1598): making or tending to make a marked
          impression: having the power to excite attention, awe,
          or admiration syn see moving -- im.pres.sive.ly adv --
          im.pres.sive.ness n

   impressment
          [im.press.ment] n (1787): the act of seizing for public use
          or of impressing into public service

   impressure
          [im.pres.sure] n (1600) archaic: a mark made by pressure:
          impression

   imprest
          [im.prest] n [obs. imprest to lend, prob. fr. It imprestare]
          (1568): a loan or advance of money

   imprimatur
          [im.pri.ma.tur] n [NL, let it be printed, fr. imprimere to
          print, fr. L, to imprint, impress--more at impress] (1640)
          1 a: a license to print or publish esp. by Roman Catholic
          episcopal authority b: approval of a publication under
          circumstances of official censorship 2 a: sanction, approval
          b: imprint c: a mark of approval or distinction

   imprimis
          [im.pri.mis] adv [ME imprimis, fr. L in primis among the
          first (things)] (15c): in the first place--used to introduce
          a list of items or considerations

   [1]imprint
          [im.print] vt (14c) 1: to mark by or as if by pressure: impress
          2 a: to fix indelibly or permanently (as on the memory)
          b: to subject to or induce by imprinting <an ~ed preference>
          ~ vi: to undergo imprinting -- im.print.er n [2]im.print
          n [ME enpreent, fr. MF empreinte, fr. fem. of empreint,
          pp. of empreindre to imprint, fr. L imprimere] (15c):
          something imprinted or printed: as a: a mark or depression
          made by pressure <the fossil ~ of a dinosaur's foot>
          b: an identifying name (as of a publisher) placed conspicuously
          on a product; also: the name under which a publisher
          issues books c: an indelible distinguishing effect or
          influence

   imprinting
          [im.print.ing] n (1937): a rapid learning process that takes
          place early in the life of a social animal (as a greylag
          goose) and establishes a behavior pattern (as recognition
          of and attraction to its own kind or a substitute)

   imprison
          [im.pris.on] vt [ME, fr. OF emprisoner, fr. en- + prison
          prison] (14c): to put in or as if in prison: confine
          -- im.pris.on.ment n

   improbable
          [im.prob.a.ble] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L improbabilis, fr.
          in- + probabilis probable] (1598): unlikely to be true
          or to occur; also: unlikely but real or true -- im.prob.a.bil.i.ty
          n -- im.prob.a.bly adv

   [1]impromptu
          [im.promp.tu] n [F, fr. impromptu extemporaneously, fr. L
          in promptu in readiness] (1683) 1: something that is
          impromptu 2: a musical composition suggesting improvisation
          [2]impromptu adj (1764) 1: made, done, or formed on or
          as if on the spur of the moment: improvised 2: composed
          or uttered without previous preparation: extemporaneous
          -- impromptu adv

   improper
          [im.prop.er] adj [ME, fr. MF impropre, fr. L improprius,
          fr. in- + proprius proper] (15c): not proper: as a: not
          in accord with fact, truth, or right procedure: incorrect
          <~ inference> b: not regularly or normally formed or
          not properly so called c: not suited to the circumstances,
          design, or end <~ medicine> d: not in accord with propriety,
          modesty, good manners, or good taste syn see indecorous
          -- im.prop.er.ly adv -- im.prop.er.ness n

   improper fraction
          [improper fraction] n (1542): a fraction whose numerator
          is equal to, larger than, or of equal or higher degree
          than the denominator

   improper integral
          [improper integral] n (ca. 1942): a definite integral whose
          region of integration is unbounded or includes a point
          at which the integrand is undefined or tends to infinity

   impropriety
          [im.pro.pri.e.ty] n, pl -ties [F or LL; F impropriete, fr.
          LL improprietat-, improprietas, fr. L improprius] (1607)
          1: an improper or indecorous act or remark; esp: an unacceptable
          use of a word or of language 2: the quality or state
          of being improper

   improve
          [im.prove] vb im.proved ; im.prov.ing [AF emprouer to invest
          profitably, fr. OF en- + prou advantage, fr. LL prode--more
          at proud] vt (ca. 1529) 1 archaic: employ, use 2 a: to
          enhance in value or quality: make better b: to increase
          the value of (land or property) by making it more useful
          for humans (as by cultivation or the erection of buildings)
          c: to grade and drain (a road) and apply surfacing material
          other than pavement 3: to use to good purpose ~ vi 1:
          to advance or make progress in what is desirable 2: to
          make useful additions or amendments -- im.prov.abil.i.ty
          n -- im.prov.able adj -- im.prov.er n syn improve, better,
          help, ameliorate mean to make more acceptable or to bring
          nearer a standard. improve and better are general and
          interchangeable and apply to what can be made better
          whether it is good or bad <measures to further improve
          the quality of medical care> <immigrants hoping to better
          their lot>. help implies a bettering that still leaves
          room for improvement <a coat of paint would help that
          house>. ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable
          conditions that are hard to endure <tried to ameliorate
          the lives of people in the tenements>.

   improvement
          [im.prove.ment] n (ca. 1550) 1: the act or process of improving
          2 a: the state of being improved; esp: enhanced value
          or excellence b: an instance of such improvement: something
          that enhances value or excellence

   improvidence
          [im.prov.i.dence] n (15c): the quality or state of being
          improvident

   improvident
          [im.prov.i.dent] adj [LL improvident-, improvidens, fr. L
          in- + provident-, providens provident] (1624): not provident:
          not foreseeing and providing for the future -- im.prov.i.dent.ly
          adv

   improvisation
          [im.pro.vi.sa.tion] n (1786) 1: the act or art of improvising
          2: something (as a musical or dramatic composition) improvised
          -- im.pro.vi.sa.tion.al adj -- im.pro.vi.sa.tion.al.ly
          adv

   improvisator
          [im.prov.i.sa.tor] n (1795): one that improvises --
          im.prov.i.sa.to.ri.al adj -- im.pro.vi.sa.to.ry adj

   improvisatore
          [im.pro.vi.sa.to.re] n, pl -to.ri or -tores [It improvvisatore,
          fr. improvvisare] (1765): one that improvises (as verse)
          usu. extemporaneously

   improvise
          [im.pro.vise] vb -vised ; -vis.ing [F improviser, fr. It
          improvvisare, fr. improvviso sudden, fr. L improvisus,
          lit., unforeseen, fr. in- + provisus, pp. of providere
          to see ahead--more at provide] vt (1826) 1: to compose,
          recite, play, or sing extemporaneously 2: to make, invent,
          or arrange offhand 3: to fabricate out of what is conveniently
          on hand ~ vi: to improvise something -- im.pro.vis.er
          or im.pro.vi.sor n

   imprudence
          [im.pru.dence] n (15c) 1: the quality or state of being imprudent
          2: an imprudent act

   imprudent
          [im.pru.dent] adj [ME, fr. L imprudent-, imprudens, fr. in-
          + prudent-, prudens prudent] (14c): not prudent: lacking
          discretion -- im.pru.dent.ly adv

   impudence
          [im.pu.dence] n (14c): the quality or state of being impudent

   impudent
          [im.pu.dent] adj [ME, fr. L impudent-, impudens, fr. in-
          + pudent-, pudens, prp. of pudere to feel shame] (14c)
          1 obs: lacking modesty 2: marked by contemptuous or cocky
          boldness or disregard of others: insolent -- im.pu.dent.ly
          adv

   impudicity
          [im.pu.dic.i.ty] n [MF impudicite, fr. L impudicus immodest,
          fr. in- + pudicus modest, fr. pudere] (1528): lack of
          modesty: shamelessness

   impugn
          [im.pugn] vt [ME, to assail, fr. MF impugner, fr. L inpugnare,
          fr. in- + pugnare to fight--more at pungent] (14c) 1:
          to assail by words or arguments: oppose or attack as
          false or lacking integrity 2 obs a: assail b: resist
          -- im.pugn.able adj -- im.pugn.er n

   impuissance
          [im.puis.sance] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. in- + puissance puissance,
          power] (15c): weakness, powerlessness

   impuissant
          [im.puis.sant] adj [F] (1629): weak, powerless

   [1]impulse
          [im.pulse] vt im.pulsed ; im.puls.ing (1611): to give an
          impulse to [2]im.pulse n [L impulsus, fr. impellere to
          impel] (1647) 1 a: inspiration, motivation b: a force
          so communicated as to produce motion suddenly c: incentive
          2 a: the act of driving onward with sudden force: impulsion
          b: motion produced by such an impulsion: impetus c: a
          wave of excitation transmitted through tissues and esp.
          nerve fibers and muscles that results in physiological
          activity or inhibition 3 a: a sudden spontaneous inclination
          or incitement to some usu. unpremeditated action b: a
          propensity or natural tendency usu. other than rational
          4 a: the product of the average value of a force and
          the time during which it acts: the change in momentum
          produced by the force b: pulse 4a syn see motive

   impulsion
          [im.pul.sion] n (15c) 1 a: the act of impelling: the state
          of being impelled b: an impelling force c: an onward
          tendency derived from an impulsion 2: impulse 3a 3: compulsion
          2

   impulsive
          [im.pul.sive] adj (15c) 1: having the power of or actually
          driving or impelling 2: actuated by or prone to act on
          impulse 3: acting momentarily syn see spontaneous --
          im.pul.sive.ly adv -- im.pul.sive.ness n -- im.pul.siv.i.ty
          n

   impunity
          [im.pu.ni.ty] n [MF or L; MF impunite, fr. L impunitat-,
          impunitas, fr. impune without punishment, fr. in- + poena
          punishment--more at pain] (1532): exemption or freedom
          from punishment, harm, or loss

   impure
          [im.pure] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L impurus, fr. in-
          + purus pure] (15c): not pure: as a: lewd, unchaste b:
          containing something unclean: foul <~ water> c: ritually
          unclean d: mixed or impregnated with an extraneous and
          usu. unwanted substance <an ~ chemical> -- im.pure.ly
          adv -- im.pure.ness n

   impurity
          [im.pu.ri.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: something that is impure
          or makes something else impure 2: the quality or state
          of being impure

   imputation
          [im.pu.ta.tion] n (1581) 1: the act of imputing: as a: attribution,
          ascription b: accusation c: insinuation 2: something imputed
          -- im.pu.ta.tive adj -- im.pu.ta.tive.ly adv

   impute
          [im.pute] vt im.put.ed ; im.put.ing [ME inputen, fr. L imputare,
          fr. in- + putare to consider] (14c) 1: to lay the responsibility
          or blame for often falsely or unjustly 2: to credit to
          a person or a cause: attribute <our vices as well as
          our virtues have been imputed to bodily derangement --B.
          N. Cardozo> syn see ascribe -- im.put.abil.i.ty n --
          im.put.able adj

   in...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]-in
          [-in] n suffix [F -ine, fr. L -ina, fem. of -inus of or belonging
          to--more at -en] 1 a: neutral chemical compound <insulin>
          b: enzyme <pancreatin> c: antibiotic <penicillin> 2:
          [2]-ine 1a, b <epinephrin> 3: pharmaceutical product
          <niacin> [2]-in comb form [sit-in]: organized public
          protest by means of or in favor of: demonstration <teach-in>
          <love-in>

   in
          [in] abbreviation inch, inlet  In abbreviation indium  IN
          abbreviation Indiana

   [1]in-
          [in-] or il- or im- or ir- prefix [ME, fr. MF, fr. L; akin
          to OE un-]: not: non-, un---usu. il- before l <illogical>,
          im- before b, m, or p <imbalance> <immoral> <impractical>,
          ir- before r <irreducible>, and in- before other sounds
          <inconclusive> [2]in- or il- or im- or ir- prefix [ME,
          fr. MF, fr. L, fr. in in, into] 1: in: within: into:
          toward: on--usu. il- before l <illuviation>, im- before
          b, m, or p <immingle>, ir- before r <irradiance>, and
          in- before other sounds <infiltrate> 2: [1]en- <imbrute>
          <imperil> <inspirit>

   [1]in
          [in] prep [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG in in, L in, Gk en] (bef.
          12c) 1 a--used as a function word to indicate inclusion,
          location, or position within limits <~ the lake> <wounded
          ~ the leg> <~ the summer> b: into 1 <went ~ the house>
          2--used as a function word to indicate means, medium,
          or instrumentality <written ~ pencil> <bound ~ leather>
          3 a--used as a function word to indicate limitation,
          qualification, or circumstance <alike ~ some respects>
          <left ~ a hurry> b: into 2a <broke ~ pieces> 4--used
          as a function word to indicate purpose <said ~ reply>
          5--used as a function word to indicate the larger member
          of a ratio <one ~ six is eligible> [2]in adv (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): to or toward the inside esp. of a house or other
          building <come ~> (2): to or toward some destination
          or particular place <flew ~ on the first plane> (3):
          at close quarters: near <play close ~> b: so as to incorporate
          <mix ~ the flour>--often used in combination <built-in
          bookcases> c: to or at an appropriate place <fit a piece
          ~> 2 a: within a particular place; esp: within the customary
          place of residence or business <the doctor is ~> b: in
          the position of participant, insider, or officeholder--often
          used with on <~ on the joke> c (1): on good terms (2):
          in a specified relation <~ bad with the boss> (3): in
          a position of assured or definitive success d: in vogue
          or season e of an oil well: in production f: in one's
          presence, possession, or control <after the crops are
          ~> g: from a condition of indistinguishability to one
          of clarity <fade ~> -- in for : certain to experience
          <in for a rude awakening> [3]in adj (1599) 1 a: that
          is located inside or within <the ~ part> b: that is in
          position, operation, or power <the ~ party> c: inside
          2 2: that is directed or bound inward: incoming <the
          ~ train> 3 a: extremely fashionable <the ~ thing to do>
          b: keenly aware of and responsive to what is new and
          smart <the ~ crowd> [4]in n (1764) 1: one who is in office
          or power or on the inside <a matter of ~s versus outs>
          2: influence, pull <enjoyed some sort of ~ with the commandant
          --Henriette Roosenburg>

   inability
          [in.abil.i.ty] n [ME inabilite, fr. MF inhabilite, fr. in-
          + habilite ability] (15c): lack of sufficient power,
          resources, or capacity <his ~ to do math>

   in absentia
          [in ab.sen.tia] adv [L] (1886): in absence <gave him the
          award in absentia>

   inaccessible
          [in.ac.ces.si.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr.
          LL inaccessibilis, fr. L in- + LL accessibilis accessible] (15c):
          not accessible -- in.ac.ces.si.bil.i.ty n -- in.ac.ces.si.bly adv

   inaccuracy
          [in.ac.cu.ra.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1755) 1: the quality or
          state of being inaccurate 2: mistake, error

   inaccurate
          [in.ac.cu.rate] adj (1738): not accurate: faulty --
          in.ac.cu.rate.ly adv

   inaction
          [in.ac.tion] n (1707): lack of action or activity: idleness

   inactivate
          [in.ac.ti.vate] vt (1906): to make inactive -- in.ac.ti.va.tion
          n

   inactive
          [in.ac.tive] adj (1664): not active: as a (1): sedentary
          (2): indolent, sluggish b (1): being out of use (2):
          relating to or being members of the armed forces who
          are not performing or available for military duties (3)
          of a disease: quiescent c (1): chemically inert (2):
          optically neutral in polarized light d: biologically
          inert esp. because of the loss of some quality (as infectivity
          or antigenicity) -- in.ac.tive.ly adv -- in.ac.tiv.i.ty
          n syn inactive, idle, inert, passive, supine mean not
          engaged in work or activity. inactive applies to anyone
          or anything not in action or in operation or at work
          <on inactive status as an astronaut> <inactive accounts>.
          idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied
          or to their powers or their implements <workers were
          idle in the fields>. inert as applied to things implies
          powerlessness to move or to affect other thi ngs; as
          applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual
          indisposition to activity <inert ingredients in drugs>
          <an inert citizenry>. passive implies immobility or lack
          of normally expected response to an external force or
          influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness
          or self-control <passive resistance>. supine applies
          only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence
          <a supine willingness to play the fool>.

   inadequacy
          [in.ad.e.qua.cy] n, pl -cies (1787) 1: the quality or state
          of being inadequate 2: insufficiency, deficiency

   inadequate
          [in.ad.e.quate] adj (1671): not adequate: insufficient; also:
          not capable -- in.ad.e.quate.ly adv -- in.ad.e.quate.ness
          n

   inadmissible
          [in.ad.mis.si.ble] adj (1776): not admissible --
          in.ad.mis.si.bil.i.ty n -- in.ad.mis.si.bly adv

   inadvertence
          [in.ad.ver.tence] n [ME, fr. ML inadvertentia, fr. L in-
          + advertent-, advertens, prp. of advertere to advert]
          (15c) 1: the fact or action of being inadvertent 2: a
          result of inattention: oversight

   inadvertency
          [in.ad.ver.ten.cy] n, pl -cies (1592): inadvertence

   inadvertent
          [in.ad.ver.tent] adj [back-formation fr. inadvertence] (1653)
          1: not focusing the mind on a matter: inattentive 2:
          unintentional -- in.ad.ver.tent.ly adv

   inadvisable
          [in.ad.vis.able] adj (1870): not advisable -- in.ad.vis.abil.i.ty
          n

   -inae
          [-inae] n pl suffix [NL -inae, fr. L, fem. pl. of -inus]:
          members of the subfamily of--in all names of zoological
          subfamilies in recent classifications <Felinae>

   in aeternum
          [in ae.ter.num] [L] foreign term : forever

   inalienable
          [in.alien.able] adj [prob. fr. F inalienable, fr. in- + alienable
          alienable] (ca. 1645): incapable of being alienated,
          surrendered, or transferred <~ rights> -- in.alien.abil.i.ty
          n -- in.alien.ably adv

   inalterable
          [in.al.ter.able] adj (1541): not alterable: unalterable --
          in.al.ter.abil.i.ty n -- in.al.ter.able.ness n -- in.al.ter.ably
          adv

   inamorata
          [in.amo.ra.ta] n [It innamorata, fr. fem. of innamorato,
          pp. of innamorare to inspire with love, fr. in- (fr.
          L) + amore love, fr. L amor--more at amorous] (1651):
          a woman with whom one is in love or has intimate relations

   in-and-in
          [in-and-in] adv or adj (1765): in repeated generations of
          the same or closely related stock <families ... of one
          blood through mating or marrying ~ --F. H. Giddings>
          <~ breeding>

   [1]inane
          [inane] adj inan.er ; -est [L inanis] (1662) 1: empty,
          insubstantial 2: lacking significance, meaning, or point: silly syn
          see insipid -- inane.ly adv -- inane.ness n [2]inane n (1677): void
          or empty space <a voyage into the limitless ~ --V. G. Childe>

   inanimate
          [in.an.i.mate] adj [ME, fr. LL inanimatus, fr. L in- + animatus,
          pp. of animare to animate] (15c) 1: not animate: a: not
          endowed with life or spirit b: lacking consciousness
          or power of motion 2: not animated or lively: dull --
          in.an.i.mate.ly adv -- in.an.i.mate.ness n

   inanition
          [in.a.ni.tion] n (14c): the quality or state of being empty:
          a: the loss of vitality that results from lack of food
          and water b: the absence or loss of social, moral, or
          intellectual vitality or vigor

   inanity
          [inan.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1603) 1: the quality or state of
          being inane: as a: lack of substance: emptiness b: vapid,
          pointless, or fatuous character: shallowness 2: something
          that is inane

   inapparent
          [in.ap.par.ent] adj (1626): not apparent -- in.ap.par.ent.ly
          adv

   inappeasable
          [in.ap.peas.able] adj (1803): unappeasable

   inappetence
          [in.ap.pe.tence] n (ca. 1691): loss or lack of appetite

   inapplicable
          [in.ap.pli.ca.ble] adj (1656): not applicable: irrelevant
          -- in.ap.pli.ca.bil.i.ty n -- in.ap.pli.ca.bly adv

   inapposite
          [in.ap.po.site] adj (1661): not apposite -- in.ap.po.site.ly
          adv -- in.ap.po.site.ness n

   inappreciable
          [in.ap.pre.cia.ble] adj [prob. fr. F inappreciable, fr. MF
          inappreciable, fr. in- + appreciable] (1802): too small
          to be perceived -- in.ap.pre.cia.bly adv

   inappreciative
          [in.ap.pre.cia.tive] adj (1869): not appreciative --
          in.ap.pre.cia.tive.ly adv -- in.ap.pre.cia.tive.ness n

   inapproachable
          [in.ap.proach.able] adj (ca. 1828): not approachable: inaccessible

   inappropriate
          [in.ap.pro.pri.ate] adj (1804): not appropriate: unsuitable
          -- in.ap.pro.pri.ate.ly adv -- in.ap.pro.pri.ate.ness
          n

   inapt
          [in.apt] adj (ca. 1670): not apt: a: not suitable b: inept
          -- in.apt.ly adv -- in.apt.ness n

   inaptitude
          [in.ap.ti.tude] n (1620): lack of aptitude

   inarguable
          [in.ar.gu.able] adj (ca. 1875): not arguable -- in.ar.gu.ably
          adv

   inarticulacy
          [in.ar.tic.u.la.cy] n (1921): the quality or state of being
          inarticulate

   [1]inarticulate
          [in.ar.tic.u.late] adj [LL inarticulatus, fr. L in- + articulatus,
          pp. of articulare to utter distinctly--more at articulate] (1603)
          1 a of a sound: uttered or formed without the definite
          articulations of intelligible speech b (1): incapable of speech
          esp. under stress of emotion: mute (2): incapable of being
          expressed by speech <~ fear> (3): not voiced or expressed: unspoken
          <society functions on many ~ premises> 2: incapable of giving
          coherent, clear, or effective expression to one's ideas or feelings
          3 [NL inarticulatus, fr. L in- + NL articulatus articulate]:
          relating to, characteristic of, or being an inarticulate or its
          shell -- in.ar.tic.u.late.ly adv -- in.ar.tic.u.late.ness
          n [2]inarticulate n (1952): any of a class (Inarticulata)
          of brachiopods lacking a hinge connecting the two shell valves

   inartistic
          [in.ar.tis.tic] adj (1859) 1: not conforming to the principles
          of art 2: not appreciative of art -- in.ar.tis.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   inasmuch as
          [in.as.much as] conj (14c) 1: in the degree that: insofar
          as 2: in view of the fact that: since

   inattention
          [in.at.ten.tion] n (ca. 1670): failure to pay attention

   inattentive
          [in.at.ten.tive] adj (1692): not attentive -- in.at.ten.tive.ly
          adv -- in.at.ten.tive.ness n

   inaudible
          [in.au.di.ble] adj [LL inaudibilis, fr. L in- + LL audibilis
          audible] (1601): not audible -- in.au.di.bil.i.ty n --
          in.au.di.bly adv

   [1]inaugural
          [in.au.gu.ral] adj (1689) 1: of or relating to an inauguration
          2: marking a beginning: first in a projected series [2]inaugural
          n (1832) 1: an inaugural address 2: inauguration

   inaugurate
          [in.au.gu.rate] vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L inauguratus, pp.
          of inaugurare, lit., to practice augury, fr. in- + augurare
          to augur; fr. the rites connected with augury] (1606)
          1: to induct into an office with suitable ceremonies
          2 a: to dedicate ceremoniously: observe formally the
          beginning of b: to bring about the beginning of syn see
          begin -- in.au.gu.ra.tor n

   inauguration
          [in.au.gu.ra.tion] n (1569): an act of inaugurating; esp:
          a ceremonial induction into office

   Inauguration Day
          [Inauguration Day] n (1829): January 20 following a presidential
          election on which the president of the U.S. is inaugurated

   inauspicious
          [in.aus.pi.cious] adj (1592): not auspicious -- in.aus.pi.cious.ly
          adv -- in.aus.pi.cious.ness n

   inauthentic
          [in.au.then.tic] adj (1860): not authentic -- in.au.then.tic.i.ty
          n

   in between
          [in between] adv or prep (1892): between

   in-between
          [in-be.tween] adj or n (1815): intermediate

   [1]inboard
          [in.board] adv (1830) 1: inside the line of a ship's bulwarks
          or hull 2: toward the center line of a vehicle or craft
          (as a ship or aircraft) [2]inboard adj (1847) 1: located
          inboard <an ~ engine> <an ~ spoiler> 2 of a boat: having
          an inboard engine [3]inboard n (1950): a boat with an
          inboard motor

   inborn
          [in.born] adj (1513) 1: present from or as if from birth
          2: hereditary, inherited syn see innate

   inbound
          [in.bound] adj (1894): inward bound

   inbounds
          [in.bounds] adj (1968): involving putting a basketball in
          play by passing it onto the court from out of bounds

   inbounds line
          [inbounds line] n (ca. 1961): either of two broken lines
          running the length of a football field at right angles
          to the yard lines

   inbreathe
          [in.breathe] vt (14c): to breathe (something) in: inhale

   inbred
          [in.bred] adj (ca. 1592) 1: rooted and ingrained in one's
          nature as deeply as if implanted by heredity <an ~ love
          of freedom> 2 [fr. pp. of inbreed]: subjected to or produced
          by inbreeding syn see innate -- in.bred n

   inbreed
          [in.breed] vb -bred ; -breed.ing vt (1599): to subject to
          inbreeding ~ vi: to engage in inbreeding

   inbreeding
          [in.breed.ing] n (ca. 1842) 1: the interbreeding of closely
          related individuals esp. to preserve and fix desirable
          characters of and to eliminate unfavorable characters
          from a stock 2: confinement to a narrow range or a local
          or limited field of choice

   inbuilt
          [in.built] adj (1923) chiefly Brit: built-in

   inc
          [inc] abbreviation incomplete, incorporated, increase

   Inca
          [In.ca] n [Sp, fr. Quechua inka ruler of the Inca empire]
          (1594) 1 a: a member of the Quechuan peoples of Peru
          maintaining an empire until the Spanish conquest b: a
          king or noble of the Inca empire 2: a member of any people
          under Inca influence -- In.ca.ic adj -- In.can adj

   incalculable
          [in.cal.cu.la.ble] adj (1795): not capable of being calculated:
          as a: very great b: not predictable: uncertain --
          in.cal.cu.la.bil.i.ty n -- in.cal.cu.la.bly adv

   incalescence
          [in.ca.les.cence] n [L incalescere to become warm, fr. in-
          + calescere to become warm, incho. of calere to be warm--more
          at lee] (1646): a growing warm or ardent -- in.ca.les.cent
          adj

   in camera
          [in camera] adv [NL, lit., in a chamber] (1882): in private:
          secretly

   incandesce
          [in.can.desce] vi -desced ; -desc.ing [L incandescere] (1874):
          to be or become incandescent

   incandescence
          [in.can.des.cence] n (1656): the quality or state of being
          incandescent; esp: emission by a hot body of radiation
          that makes it visible

   incandescent
          [in.can.des.cent] adj [prob. fr. F, fr. L incandescent-,
          incandescens, prp. of incandescere to become hot, fr.
          in- + candescere to become hot, fr. candere to glow--more
          at candid] (1794) 1 a: white, glowing, or luminous with
          intense heat b: strikingly bright, radiant, or clear
          c: marked by brilliance esp. of expression <~ wit> d:
          characterized by glowing zeal: ardent <~ affection> 2
          a: of, relating to, or being light produced by incandescence
          b: producing light by incandescence -- in.can.des.cent.ly
          adv

   incandescent lamp
          [incandescent lamp] n (1881): an electric lamp in which a
          filament gives off light when heated to incandescence
          by an electric current--called also incandescent, incandescent
          bulb, incandescent lightbulb, lightbulb

   incant
          [in.cant] vi [L incantare] (1945): recite, utter

   incantation
          [in.can.ta.tion] n [ME incantacioun, fr. MF incantation,
          fr. LL incantation-, incantatio, fr. L incantare to enchant--more
          at enchant] (14c): a use of spells or verbal charms spoken
          or sung as a part of a ritual of magic; also: a written
          or recited formula of words designed to produce a particular
          effect -- in.can.ta.tion.al adj -- in.can.ta.to.ry adj

   incapable
          [in.ca.pa.ble] adj [MF, fr. in- + capable capable] (1594)
          1: lacking capacity, ability, or qualification for the
          purpose or end in view: as a archaic: not able to take
          in, hold, or keep b archaic: not receptive c: not being
          in a state or of a kind to admit: insusceptible d: not
          able or fit for the doing or performance: incompetent
          2: lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason
          of mental incompetence): disqualified -- in.ca.pa.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.ca.pa.ble.ness n -- in.ca.pa.bly adv

   incapacitate
          [in.ca.pac.i.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing (1657) 1: to make
          legally incapable or ineligible 2: to deprive of capacity
          or natural power: disable -- in.ca.pac.i.ta.tion n

   incapacity
          [in.ca.pac.i.ty] n, pl -ties [F incapacite, fr. MF, fr. in-
          + capacite capacity] (1611): the quality or state of
          being incapable; esp: lack of physical or intellectual
          power or of natural or legal qualifications

   incarcerate
          [in.car.cer.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L incarceratus, pp.
          of incarcerare, fr. in- + carcer prison] (1560) 1: to
          put in prison 2: to subject to confinement -- in.car.cer.a.tion
          n

   incardination
          [in.car.di.na.tion] n [LL incardination-, incardinatio, fr.
          incardinare to ordain as chief priest, fr. L in- [2]in-
          + LL cardinalis principal--more at cardinal] (1897):
          the formal acceptance by a diocese of a clergyman from
          another diocese

   [1]incarnadine
          [in.car.na.dine] adj [MF incarnadin, fr. OIt incarnadino,
          fr. incarnato flesh-colored, fr. LL incarnatus] (1591)
          1: having the pinkish color of flesh 2: red; esp: bloodred
          [2]incarnadine vt -dined ; -din.ing (1605): to make incarnadine:
          redden

   [1]incarnate
          [in.car.nate] adj [ME incarnat, fr. LL incarnatus, pp. of
          incarnare to incarnate, fr. L in- + carn-, caro flesh--more
          at carnal] (14c) 1 a: invested with bodily and esp. human
          nature and form b: made manifest or comprehensible: embodied
          <a fiend ~> 2: incarnadine <~ clover> [2]in.car.nate
          vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1533): to make incarnate: as a:
          to give bodily form and substance to b (1): to give a
          concrete or actual form to: actualize (2): to constitute
          an embodiment or type of <no one culture ~s every important
          human value --Denis Goulet>

   incarnation
          [in.car.na.tion] n (14c) 1 a (1): the embodiment of a deity
          or spirit in some earthly form (2) cap: the union of
          divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ b: a concrete
          or actual form of a quality or concept; esp: a person
          showing a trait or typical character to a marked degree
          <she is the ~ of goodness> 2: the act of incarnating:
          the state of being incarnate 3: a particular physical
          form or state: version <in another ~ he might be a first
          vice-president --Walter Teller> <TV and movie ~s of the
          story>

   in case
          [in case] conj (14c) 1: if <in case we are surprised, keep
          by me --Washington Irving> 2: as a precaution against
          the event that <carries a gun in case he is attacked>

   incase
          [in.case] var of encase

   incaution
          [in.cau.tion] n (ca. 1720): lack of caution: heedlessness

   incautious
          [in.cau.tious] adj (ca. 1703): lacking in caution: careless
          -- in.cau.tious.ly adv -- in.cau.tious.ness n

   incendiarism
          [in.cen.di.a.rism] n (ca. 1710): incendiary action or behavior

   [1]incendiary
          [in.cen.di.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [ME, fr. L incendiarius, fr.
          incendium conflagration, fr. incendere] (15c) 1 a: a
          person who deliberately sets fire to a building or other
          property b: an incendiary agent (as a bomb) 2: a person
          who excites factions, quarrels, or sedition: agitator
          [2]incendiary adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          a deliberate burning of property 2: tending to excite
          or inflame: inflammatory <~ speeches> 3 a: igniting combustible
          materials spontaneously b: of, relating to, or being
          a weapon (as a bomb) designed to start fires

   [1]incense
          [in.cense] n [ME encens, fr. OF, fr. LL incensum, fr. L,
          neut. of incensus, pp. of incendere to set on fire, fr.
          in- + -cendere to burn; akin to L candere to glow--more
          at candid] (13c) 1: material used to produce a fragrant
          odor when burned 2: the perfume exhaled from some spices
          and gums when burned; broadly: a pleasing scent 3: pleasing
          attention: flattery [2]incense vt in.censed ; in.cens.ing
          (13c) 1: to apply or offer incense to 2: to perfume with
          incense [3]in.cense vt in.censed ; in.cens.ing [ME encensen,
          fr. MF incenser, fr. L incensus] (15c) 1 archaic: to
          cause (a passion or emotion) to become aroused 2: to
          arouse the extreme anger or indignation of

   incenter
          [in.cen.ter] n [inscribe + [1]center] (ca. 1890): the single
          point in which the three bisectors of the interior angles
          of a triangle intersect and which is the center of the
          inscribed circle

   incentive
          [in.cen.tive] n [ME, fr. LL incentivum, fr. neut. of incentivus
          stimulating, fr. L, setting the tune, fr. incentus, pp.
          of incinere to set the tune, fr. in- + canere to sing--more
          at chant] (15c): something that incites or has a tendency
          to incite to determination or action syn see motive --
          incentive adj

   inception
          [in.cep.tion] n [ME incepcion, fr. L inception-, inceptio,
          fr. incipere to begin, fr. in- + capere to take] (15c):
          an act, process, or instance of beginning: commencement
          syn see origin

   [1]inceptive
          [in.cep.tive] n (1612): an inchoative verb [2]inceptive adj
          (1656) 1: inchoative 2 2: of or relating to a beginning
          -- in.cep.tive.ly adv

   incertitude
          [in.cer.ti.tude] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL incertitudo, fr. L
          in- + LL certitudo certitude] (15c): uncertainty: a:
          absence of assurance or confidence: doubt b: the quality
          or state of being unstable or insecure

   incessancy
          [in.ces.san.cy] n (1615): the quality or state of being incessant

   incessant
          [in.ces.sant] adj [ME incessaunt, fr. LL incessant-, incessans,
          fr. L in- + cessant-, cessans, prp. of cessare to delay--more
          at cease] (15c): continuing or following without interruption:
          unceasing syn see continual -- in.ces.sant.ly adv

   incest
          [in.cest] n [ME, fr. L incestus sexual impurity, fr. incestus
          impure, fr. in- + castus pure--more at caste] (13c):
          sexual intercourse between persons so closely related
          that they are forbidden by law to marry; also: the statutory
          crime of such a relationship

   incestuous
          [in.ces.tu.ous] adj (1532) 1: constituting or involving incest
          2: guilty of incest -- in.ces.tu.ous.ly adv -- in.ces.tu.ous.ness
          n

   [1]inch
          [inch] n [ME, fr. OE ynce, fr. L uncia--more at ounce] (bef.
          12c) 1: a unit of length equal to 1/36 yard 2: a small
          amount, distance, or degree <is like cutting a dog's
          tail off by ~es --Milton Friedman> 3 pl: stature, height
          4 a: a fall (as of rain or snow) sufficient to cover
          a surface or to fill a gauge to the depth of one inch
          b: a degree of atmospheric or other pressure sufficient
          to balance the weight of a column of liquid (as mercury)
          one inch high in a barometer or manometer -- every inch
          : to the utmost degree <looks every inch a winner> --
          within an inch of : almost to the point of [2]inch vi
          (1599): to move by small degrees: progress slowly <the
          long line of people ~ing up the stairs> ~ vt: to cause
          to move slowly <sooner or later they begin ~ing prices
          back up --Forbes> [3]inch n [ME (Sc dial.), fr. ScGael
          innis] (15c) chiefly Scot: island

   inched
          [inched] adj (1605): measuring a specified number of inches

   -incher
          [-inch.er] n comb form: one that has a dimension of a specified
          number of inches <a four-incher>

   inchmeal
          [inch.meal] adv [[1]inch + -meal (as in piecemeal)] (1530):
          little by little, gradually

   inchoate
          [in.cho.ate] adj [L inchoatus, pp. of inchoare to start work
          on, perh. fr. in- + cohum part of a yoke to which the
          beam of a plow is fitted] (1534): being only partly in
          existence or operation; esp: imperfectly formed or formulated:
          formless <misty, ~ suspicions that all is not well with
          the nation --J. M. Perry> -- in.cho.ate.ly adv -- in.cho.ate.ness
          n

   inchoative
          [in.cho.a.tive] adj (ca. 1631) 1: initial, formative <the
          ~ stages> 2: denoting the beginning of an action, state,
          or occurrence--used of verbs -- inchoative n -- in.cho.a.tive.ly
          adv

   inchworm
          [inch.worm] n (ca. 1861): looper 1

   incidence
          [in.ci.dence] n (1626) 1 a: angle of incidence b: the arrival
          of something (as a projectile or a ray of light) at a
          surface 2 a: an act or the fact or manner of falling
          upon or affecting: occurrence b: rate of occurrence or
          influence <a high ~ of crime>

   [1]incident
          [in.ci.dent] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML incident-, incidens, fr.
          L, prp. of incidere to fall into, fr. in- + cadere to
          fall--more at chance] (15c) 1: something dependent on
          or subordinate to something else of greater or principal
          importance 2 a: an occurrence of an action or situation
          that is a separate unit of experience: happening b: an
          accompanying minor occurrence or condition: concomitant
          3: an action likely to lead to grave consequences esp.
          in diplomatic matters <a serious border ~> syn see occurrence
          [2]incident adj (15c) 1: occurring or likely to occur
          esp. as a minor consequence or accompaniment <the confusion
          ~ to moving day> 2: dependent on or relating to another
          thing in law 3: falling or striking on something <~ light
          rays>

   [1]incidental
          [in.ci.den.tal] adj (1616) 1: being likely to ensue as a
          chance or minor consequence <social obligations ~ to
          the job> 2: occurring merely by chance or without intention
          or calculation [2]incidental n (1707) 1 pl: minor items
          (as of expense) that are not particularized 2: something
          that is incidental

   incidentally
          [in.ci.den.tal.ly] adv (1665) 1: in an incidental manner:
          not intentionally <the arrant nonsense of some of his
          statements is ~ hilarious --John Lahr> 2: by way of interjection
          or digression: by the way <fortunate in having a good
          teacher ... --still living, ~ --John Fischer>

   incidental music
          [incidental music] n (1864): descriptive music played during
          a play to project a mood or to accompany stage action

   incinerate
          [in.cin.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML incineratus, pp.
          of incinerare, fr. L in- + ciner-, cinis ashes; akin
          to Gk konis dust, ashes] (1555): to cause to burn to
          ashes -- in.cin.er.a.tion n

   incinerator
          [in.cin.er.a.tor] n (1883): one that incinerates; esp: a
          furnace or a container for incinerating waste materials

   incipience
          [in.cip.i.ence] n (ca. 1864): incipiency

   incipiency
          [in.cip.i.en.cy] n (1817): the state or fact of being incipient:
          beginning

   incipient
          [in.cip.i.ent] adj [L incipient-, incipiens, prp. of incipere
          to begin--more at inception] (1669): beginning to come
          into being or to become apparent <an ~ solar system>
          <evidence of ~ racial tension> -- in.cip.i.ent.ly adv

   incipit
          [in.ci.pit] n [L, it begins, fr. incipere] (1897): the first
          part: beginning; specif: the opening words of a text
          of a medieval manuscript or early printed book

   incisal
          [in.ci.sal] adj (1903): relating to, involving, or being
          the cutting edge or surface of a tooth (as an incisor)

   incise
          [in.cise] vt in.cised ; in.cis.ing [MF or L; MF inciser,
          fr. L incisus, pp. of incidere, fr. in- + caedere to
          cut] (1567) 1: to cut into 2 a: to carve figures, letters,
          or devices into: engrave b: to carve (as an inscription)
          into a surface

   incised
          [incised] adj (15c) 1: cut in: engraved; esp: decorated with
          incised figures 2: having a margin that is deeply and
          sharply notched <an ~ leaf>

   incision
          [in.ci.sion] n (14c) 1 a: cut, gash; specif: a wound made
          esp. in surgery by incising the body b: a marginal notch
          (as in a leaf) 2: an act of incising something 3: the
          quality or state of being incisive

   incisive
          [in.ci.sive] adj (ca. 1850): impressively direct and decisive
          (as in manner or presentation) -- in.ci.sive.ly adv --
          in.ci.sive.ness n

   incisor
          [in.ci.sor] n (1666): a front tooth typically adapted for
          cutting; esp: one of the cutting teeth in mammals located
          between the canines when canines are present--see tooth
          illustration

   incitation
          [in.ci.ta.tion] n (15c) 1: an act of inciting: stimulation
          2: something that incites to action: incentive

   incite
          [in.cite] vt in.cit.ed ; in.cit.ing [MF inciter, fr. L incitare,
          fr. in- + citare to put in motion--more at cite] (15c):
          to move to action: stir up: spur on: urge on -- in.cit.ant
          n -- in.cite.ment n -- in.cit.er n syn incite, instigate,
          abet, foment mean to spur to action. incite stresses
          a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply
          initiating <inciting a riot>. instigate definitely implies
          responsibility for initiating another's action and often
          connotes underhandedness or evil intention <instigated
          a conspiracy>. abet implies both assisting and encouraging
          <aiding and abetting the enemy>. foment implies persistence
          in goading <fomenting rebellion>.

   incivility
          [in.ci.vil.i.ty] n [MF incivilite, fr. LL incivilitat-,
          incivilitas, fr. incivilis, fr. L in- + civilis civil] (1584)
          1: the quality or state of being uncivil 2: a rude or discourteous
          act

   incl
          [incl] abbreviation include, included, including, inclusive

   inclemency
          [in.clem.en.cy] n (1559): the quality or state of being inclement

   inclement
          [in.clem.ent] adj [L inclement-, inclemens, fr. in- + clement-,
          clemens clement] (1621): lacking mildness: as a archaic:
          severe in temper or action: unmerciful b: physically
          severe: stormy <~ weather> -- in.clem.ent.ly adv

   inclinable
          [in.clin.able] adj (15c): having a tendency or inclination;
          also: disposed to favor or think well of

   inclination
          [in.cli.na.tion] n (14c) 1 a obs: natural disposition: character
          b: a particular disposition of mind or character: propensity;
          esp: liking <had little ~ for housekeeping> 2: an act
          or the action of bending or inclining: as a: bow, nod
          b: a tilting of something 3 a: a deviation from the true
          vertical or horizontal: slant; also: the degree of such
          deviation b: an inclined surface: slope c (1): the angle
          determined by two lines or planes (2): the angle made
          by a line with the x-axis measured counterclockwise from
          the positive direction of that axis 4: a tendency to
          a particular aspect, state, character, or action <the
          clutch has an ~ to slip> -- in.cli.na.tion.al adj

   [1]incline
          [in.cline] vb in.clined ; in.clin.ing [ME, fr. MF incliner,
          fr. L inclinare, fr. in- + clinare to lean--more at lean]
          vi (14c) 1: to bend the head or body forward: bow 2:
          to lean, tend, or become drawn toward an opinion or course
          of conduct 3: to deviate from a line, direction, or course;
          specif: to deviate from the vertical or horizontal ~
          vt 1: to cause to stoop or bow: bend 2: to have influence
          on: persuade <his love of books inclined him toward a
          literary career> 3: to give a bend or slant to -- in.clin.er
          n syn incline, bias, dispose, predispose mean to influence
          one to have or take an attitude toward something. incline
          implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions
          or conclusions <I incline to agree>. bias suggests a
          settled and predictable leaning in one direction and
          connotes unfair prejudice <the experience biased him
          against foreigners>. dispose suggests an affecting of
          one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something
          <her nature disposes her to trust others>. predispose
          implies the operation of a disposing influence well in
          advance of the opportunity to manifest itself <does fictional
          violence predispose them to accept real violence?>. [2]in.cline
          n (1846): an inclined plane: grade, slope

   inclined
          [in.clined] adj (14c) 1: having inclination, disposition,
          or tendency 2 a: having a leaning or slope b: making
          an angle with a line or plane

   inclined plane
          [inclined plane] n (1710): a plane surface that makes an
          oblique angle with the plane of the horizon

   inclining
          [in.clin.ing] n (14c) 1: inclination 2 archaic: party, following

   inclinometer
          [in.cli.nom.e.ter] n (1852): an instrument for indicating
          the inclination to the horizontal of an axis (as of an
          airplane)

   inclip
          [in.clip] vt (1608) archaic: clasp, enclose

   inclose, inclosure
          [inclose, inclosure] var of enclose, enclosure

   include
          [in.clude] vt in.clud.ed ; in.clud.ing [ME, fr. L includere,
          fr. in- + claudere to close--more at close] (15c) 1:
          to shut up: enclose 2: to take in or comprise as a part
          of a whole 3: to contain between or within <two sides
          and the included angle> -- in.clud.able or in.clud.ible
          adj syn include, comprehend, embrace, involve mean to
          contain within as part of the whole. include suggests
          the containment of something as a constituent, component,
          or subordinate part of a larger whole <the price of dinner
          includes dessert>. comprehend implies that something
          comes within the scope of a statement or definition <his
          system comprehends all history>. embrace implies a gathering
          of separate items within a whole <her faith embraces
          both Christian and non-Christian beliefs>. involve suggests
          inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether
          by being its natural or inevitable consequence <the new
          job involves a lot of detail>.

   inclusion
          [in.clu.sion] n [L inclusion-, inclusio, fr. includere] (1600)
          1: the act of including: the state of being included
          2: something that is included: as a: a gaseous, liquid,
          or solid foreign body enclosed in a mass (as of a mineral)
          b: a passive usu. temporary product of cell activity
          (as a starch grain) within the cytoplasm or nucleus 3:
          a relation between two classes that exists when all members
          of the first are also members of the second--compare
          membership 3

   inclusion body
          [inclusion body] n (ca. 1919): an inclusion, abnormal structure,
          or foreign cell within a cell; specif: an intracellular
          body that is characteristic of some virus diseases and
          that is the site of virus multiplication

   inclusive
          [in.clu.sive] adj (15c) 1: comprehending stated limits or
          extremes <from Monday to Friday ~> 2 a: broad in orientation
          or scope b: covering or intended to cover all items,
          costs, or services -- in.clu.sive.ly adv -- in.clu.sive.ness
          n

   inclusive disjunction
          [inclusive disjunction] n (1942): a complex sentence in logic
          that is true when either or both of its constituent propositions
          are true

   inclusive of
          [inclusive of] prep (1709): including or taking into account
          <the cost of building inclusive of materials>

   incoercible
          [in.co.erc.ible] adj (1710): incapable of being controlled,
          checked, or confined

   incog
          [incog] abbreviation incognito

   incogitant
          [in.cog.i.tant] adj [L incogitant-, incogitans, fr. in- +
          cogitant-, cogitans, prp. of cogitare to cogitate] (1628):
          thoughtless, inconsiderate

   incognita
          [in.cog.ni.ta] adv or adj [It, fem. of incognito] (1668):
          incognito--used only of a woman -- incognita n

   [1]incognito
          [in.cog.ni.to] n, pl -tos (1638) 1: one appearing or living
          incognito 2: the state or assumed identity of one living
          or traveling incognito or incognita [2]incognito adv
          or adj [It, fr. L incognitus unknown, fr. in- + cognitus,
          pp. of cognoscere to know--more at cognition] (1649):
          with one's identity concealed

   incognizant
          [in.cog.ni.zant] adj (1837): lacking awareness or consciousness
          -- in.cog.ni.zance n

   incoherence
          [in.co.her.ence] n (1611) 1: the quality or state of being
          incoherent 2: something that is incoherent

   incoherent
          [in.co.her.ent] adj (1626) 1: lacking coherence: as a: lacking
          cohesion: loose b: lacking orderly continuity, arrangement,
          or relevance: inconsistent 2: lacking clarity or intelligibility:
          incomprehensible -- in.co.her.ent.ly adv

   incombustible
          [in.com.bus.ti.ble] adj [ME, prob. fr. MF, fr. in- + combustible
          combustible] (15c): not combustible: incapable of being
          burned -- in.com.bus.ti.bil.i.ty n -- incombustible n

   income
          [in.come] n (14c) 1: a coming in: entrance, influx <fluctuations
          in the nutrient ~ of a body of water> 2: a gain or recurrent
          benefit usu. measured in money that derives from capital
          or labor; also: the amount of such gain received in a
          period of time <has an ~ of $20,000 a year>

   income account
          [income account] n (1869): a financial statement of a business
          showing the details of revenues, costs, expenses, losses,
          and profits for a given period--called also income statement

   income bond
          [income bond] n (ca. 1864): a bond that pays interest at
          a rate based on the issuer's earnings

   income tax
          [income tax] n (1799): a tax on the net income of an individual
          or a business

   [1]incoming
          [in.com.ing] n (14c) 1: the act of coming in: arrival 2:
          income--usu. used in pl. [2]incoming adj (1753) 1: coming
          in: arriving <an ~ ship> <~ mail> 2: taking a new place
          or position esp. as part of a succession <the ~ president>
          3: just starting or beginning <the ~ year>

   incommensurable
          [in.com.men.su.ra.ble] adj (1570): not commensurable; broadly:
          lacking a basis of comparison in respect to a quality
          normally subject to comparison -- in.com.men.su.ra.bil.i.ty
          n -- incommensurable n -- in.com.men.su.ra.bly adv

   incommensurate
          [in.com.men.su.rate] adj (1650): not commensurate: as a:
          incommensurable b: inadequate c: disproportionate

   incommode
          [in.com.mode] vt -mod.ed ; -mod.ing [MF incommoder, fr. L
          incommodare, fr. incommodus inconvenient, fr. in- + commodus
          convenient--more at commode] (1598): to give inconvenience
          or distress to: disturb

   incommodious
          [in.com.mo.di.ous] adj (1551): not commodious: inconvenient
          -- in.com.mo.di.ous.ly adv -- in.com.mo.di.ous.ness n

   incommodity
          [in.com.mod.i.ty] n (15c): a source of inconvenience: disadvantage

   incommunicable
          [in.com.mu.ni.ca.ble] adj [MF or LL; MF, fr. LL incommunicabilis,
          fr. L in- + LL communicabilis communicable] (1568): not
          communicable: as a: incapable of being communicated or
          imparted b: uncommunicative -- in.com.mu.ni.ca.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.com.mu.ni.ca.bly adv

   incommunicado
          [in.com.mu.ni.ca.do] adv or adj [Sp incomunicado, fr. pp.
          of incomunicar to deprive of communication, fr. in- (fr.
          L) + comunicar to communicate, fr. L communicare] (1844):
          without means of communication; also: in solitary confinement

   incommunicative
          [in.com.mu.ni.ca.tive] adj (1670): uncommunicative

   incommutable
          [in.com.mut.able] adj [ME, fr. L incommutabilis, fr. in-
          + commutabilis commutable] (15c): not commutable: as
          a: not interchangeable b: unchangeable -- in.com.mut.ably
          adv

   incomparable
          [in.com.pa.ra.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L incomparabilis,
          fr. in- + comparabilis comparable] (15c) 1: eminent beyond
          comparison: matchless 2: not suitable for comparison
          -- in.com.pa.ra.bil.i.ty n -- in.com.pa.ra.bly adv

   incompatibility
          [in.com.pat.i.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1611) 1 a: the quality
          or state of being incompatible b: lack of interfertility
          between two plants 2 pl: mutually antagonistic things
          or qualities

   incompatible
          [in.com.pat.i.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF, fr. ML incompatibilis,
          fr. L in- + ML compatibilis compatible] (15c) 1: incapable of being
          held by one person at one time--used of offices that make
          conflicting demands on the holder 2: not compatible:
          as a: incapable of association or harmonious coexistence <~ colors>
          b: unsuitable for use together because of undesirable chemical
          or physiological effects <~ drugs> c: not both true
          <~ propositions> d: incapable of blending into a stable homogeneous
          mixture -- incompatible n -- in.com.pat.i.bly adv

   incompetence
          [in.com.pe.tence] n (1663): the state or fact of being incompetent

   incompetency
          [in.com.pe.ten.cy] n (1611): incompetence

   incompetent
          [in.com.pe.tent] adj [MF incompetent, fr. in- + competent
          competent] (1597) 1: not legally qualified 2: inadequate
          to or unsuitable for a particular purpose 3 a: lacking
          the qualities needed for effective action b: unable to
          function properly <~ heart valves> -- incompetent n --
          in.com.pe.tent.ly adv

   incomplete
          [in.com.plete] adj [ME incompleet, fr. LL incompletus, fr.
          L in- + completus complete] (14c) 1: not complete: unfinished:
          as a: lacking a part; esp: lacking one or more sets of
          floral organs b of insect metamorphosis: characterized
          by the absence of a pupal stage between the immature
          stages and the adult of an insect in which the young
          usu. resemble the adult--compare complete 5 2 of a football
          pass: not legally caught -- in.com.plete.ly adv --
          in.com.plete.ness n

   incompliant
          [in.com.pli.ant] adj (1647): not compliant or pliable

   incomprehensible
          [in.com.pre.hen.si.ble] adj [ME, fr. L incomprehensibilis,
          fr. in- + comprehensibilis comprehensible] (14c) 1 archaic:
          having or subject to no limits 2: impossible to comprehend:
          unintelligible -- in.com.pre.hen.si.bil.i.ty n --
          in.com.pre.hen.si.ble.ness n -- in.com.pre.hen.si.bly adv

   incomprehension
          [in.com.pre.hen.sion] n (1605): lack of comprehension or
          understanding

   incompressible
          [in.com.press.ible] adj (ca. 1736): incapable of or resistant
          to compression

   incomputable
          [in.com.put.able] adj (1606): not computable: very great
          -- in.com.put.ably adv

   inconceivable
          [in.con.ceiv.able] adj (ca. 1631): not conceivable: as a:
          impossible to comprehend b: unbelievable -- in.con.ceiv.abil.i.ty
          n -- in.con.ceiv.able.ness n -- in.con.ceiv.ably adv

   inconcinnity
          [in.con.cin.ni.ty] n [L inconcinnitas, fr. in- + concinnitas
          concinnity] (ca. 1616): lack of suitability or congruity:
          inelegance

   inconclusive
          [in.con.clu.sive] adj (1707): leading to no conclusion or
          definite result -- in.con.clu.sive.ly adv -- in.con.clu.sive.ness
          n

   incondite
          [in.con.dite] adj [L inconditus, fr. in- + conditus, pp.
          of condere to put together, fr. com- + -dere to put--more
          at do] (1539): badly put together: crude

   inconformity
          [in.con.for.mi.ty] n (1594): nonconformity

   incongruence
          [in.con.gru.ence] n (1610): incongruity

   incongruent
          [in.con.gru.ent] adj [ME, fr. L incongruent-, incongruens,
          fr. in- + congruent-, congruens congruent] (15c): not
          congruent <~ triangles> -- in.con.gru.ent.ly adv

   incongruity
          [in.con.gru.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1532) 1: the quality or
          state of being incongruous 2: something that is incongruous

   incongruous
          [in.con.gru.ous] adj [LL incongruus, fr. L in- + congruus
          congruous] (1611): lacking congruity: as a: not harmonious:
          incompatible <~ colors> b: not conforming: disagreeing
          <conduct ~ with principle> c: inconsistent within itself
          <an ~ story> d: lacking propriety: unsuitable <~ manners>
          -- in.con.gru.ous.ly adv -- in.con.gru.ous.ness n

   inconscient
          [in.con.scient] adj [prob. fr. F, fr. in- + conscient mindful,
          fr. L conscient-, consciens, prp. of conscire to be conscious--more
          at conscience] (1885): unconscious, mindless

   inconsecutive
          [in.con.sec.u.tive] adj (1831): not consecutive

   inconsequence
          [in.con.se.quence] n (1588): the quality or state of being
          inconsequent

   inconsequent
          [in.con.se.quent] adj [LL inconsequent-, inconsequens, fr.
          L in- + consequent-, consequens consequent] (1579) 1
          a: lacking reasonable sequence: illogical b: inconsecutive
          2: inconsequential 2 3: irrelevant -- in.con.se.quent.ly
          adv

   inconsequential
          [in.con.se.quen.tial] adj (1621) 1 a: illogical b: irrelevant
          2: of no significance: unimportant -- in.con.se.quen.ti.al.i.ty
          n -- in.con.se.quen.tial.ly adv

   inconsiderable
          [in.con.sid.er.able] adj [F, fr. in- + considerable considerable,
          fr. ML considerabilis] (1637): not considerable: trivial
          -- in.con.sid.er.able.ness n -- in.con.sid.er.ably adv

   inconsiderate
          [in.con.sid.er.ate] adj [ME inconsyderatt, fr. L inconsideratus,
          fr. in- + consideratus considerate] (15c) 1 a: heedless,
          thoughtless b: careless of the rights or feelings of
          others 2: not adequately considered: ill-advised --
          in.con.sid.er.ate.ly adv -- in.con.sid.er.ate.ness n --
          in.con.sid.er.ation n

   inconsistence
          [in.con.sis.tence] n (1643): inconsistency

   inconsistency
          [in.con.sis.ten.cy] n (1647) 1: an instance of being inconsistent
          2: the quality or state of being inconsistent

   inconsistent
          [in.con.sis.tent] adj (1646): lacking consistency: as a:
          not compatible with another fact or claim <~ statements>
          b: containing incompatible elements <an ~ argument> c:
          incoherent or illogical in thought or actions: changeable
          d: not satisfiable by the same set of values for the
          unknowns <~ equations> <~ inequalities> -- in.con.sis.tent.ly
          adv

   inconsolable
          [in.con.sol.able] adj [L inconsolabilis, fr. in- + consolabilis
          consolable] (1596): incapable of being consoled: disconsolate
          -- in.con.sol.able.ness n -- in.con.sol.ably adv

   inconsonance
          [in.con.so.nance] n (ca. 1811): lack of consonance or harmony:
          disagreement

   inconsonant
          [in.con.so.nant] adj (1658): not consonant: discordant

   inconspicuous
          [in.con.spic.u.ous] adj [L inconspicuus, fr. in- + conspicuus
          conspicuous] (1648): not readily noticeable -- in.con.spic.u.ous.ly
          adv -- in.con.spic.u.ous.ness n

   inconstancy
          [in.con.stan.cy] n (1526): the quality or state of being
          inconstant

   inconstant
          [in.con.stant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L inconstant-, inconstans,
          fr. in- + constant-, constans constant] (15c): likely
          to change frequently without apparent or cogent reason
          -- in.con.stant.ly adv syn inconstant, fickle, capricious,
          mercurial, unstable mean lacking firmness or steadiness
          (as in purpose or devotion). inconstant implies an incapacity
          for steadiness and an inherent tendency to change <an
          inconstant friend>. fickle suggests unreliability because
          of perverse changeability and incapacity for steadfastness
          <performers discover how fickle fans can be>. capricious
          suggests motivation by sudden whim or fancy and stresses
          unpredictability <an utterly capricious critic>. mercurial
          implies a rapid changeability in mood <made anxious by
          her boss's mercurial temperament>. unstable implies an
          incapacity for remaining in a fixed position or steady
          course and applies esp. to a lack of emotional balance
          <too unstable to hold a job>.

   inconsumable
          [in.con.sum.able] adj (1646): not capable of being consumed
          -- in.con.sum.ably adv

   incontestable
          [in.con.test.able] adj [F, fr. in- + contestable, fr. contester
          to contest] (1673): not contestable: indisputable --
          in.con.test.abil.i.ty n -- in.con.test.ably adv

   incontinence
          [in.con.ti.nence] n (14c): the quality or state of being
          incontinent: as a: failure to restrain sexual appetite:
          unchastity b: inability of the body to control the evacuative
          functions

   incontinency
          [in.con.ti.nen.cy] n (15c): incontinence

   [1]incontinent
          [in.con.ti.nent] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L incontinent-,
          incontinens, fr. in- + continent-, continens continent]
          (14c): not continent: as a (1): lacking self-restraint
          (2): not being under control b: unable to retain a bodily
          discharge (as urine) voluntarily [2]incontinent adv [ME,
          fr. MF, fr. LL in continenti] (15c): [1]incontinently

   [1]incontinently
          [in.con.ti.nent.ly] adv (15c): without delay: immediately
          [2]incontinently adv (ca. 1552): in an incontinent or
          unrestrained manner: as a: without moral restraint: lewdly
          b: without due or reasonable consideration

   incontrollable
          [in.con.trol.la.ble] adj (1599): uncontrollable

   incontrovertible
          [in.con.tro.vert.ible] adj (1646): not open to question:
          indisputable <~ evidence> -- in.con.tro.vert.ibly adv

   [1]inconvenience
          [in.con.ve.nience] n [ME, harm, damage, fr. LL inconvenientia,
          fr. L inconvenient-, inconveniens] (1547) 1: something
          that is inconvenient 2: the quality or state of being
          inconvenient [2]inconvenience vt -nienced ; -nienc.ing
          (ca. 1656): to subject to inconvenience: put to trouble

   inconveniency
          [in.con.ve.nien.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1552): inconvenience

   inconvenient
          [in.con.ve.nient] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L inconvenient-,
          inconveniens, fr. in- + convenient-, conveniens convenient] (1651):
          not convenient esp. in giving trouble or annoyance: inopportune
          -- in.con.ve.nient.ly adv

   inconvertible
          [in.con.vert.ible] adj [prob. fr. LL inconvertibilis, fr.
          L in- + convertibilis convertible] (1646): not convertible:
          as a of paper money: not exchangeable for coin b of a
          currency: not exchangeable for a foreign currency --
          in.con.vert.ibil.i.ty n -- in.con.vert.ibly adv

   inconvincible
          [in.con.vinc.ible] adj (1674): incapable of being convinced

   incoordination
          [in.co.or.di.na.tion] n (1876): lack of coordination esp.
          of muscular movements resulting from loss of voluntary
          control

   [1]incorporate
          [in.cor.po.rate] vb -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [ME, fr. LL incorporatus,
          pp. of incorporare, fr. L in- + corpor-, corpus body--more
          at midriff] vt (14c) 1 a: to unite or work into something
          already existent so as to form an indistinguishable whole
          b: to blend or combine thoroughly 2 a: to form into a
          legal corporation b: to admit to membership in a corporate
          body 3: to give material form to: embody ~ vi 1: to unite
          in or as one body 2: to form or become a corporation
          -- in.cor.po.ra.ble adj -- in.cor.po.ra.tion n -- in.cor.po.ra.tive
          adj -- in.cor.po.ra.tor n [2]in.cor.po.rate adj (14c): incorporated

   incorporated
          [in.cor.po.rat.ed] adj (1599) 1: united in one body 2: formed
          into a legal corporation

   incorporeal
          [in.cor.po.re.al] adj [ME incorporealle, fr. L incorporeus,
          fr. in- + corporeus corporeal] (15c) 1: not corporeal:
          having no material body or form 2: of, relating to, or
          constituting a right that is based on property (as bonds
          or patents) which has no intrinsic value -- in.cor.po.re.al.ly
          adv

   incorporeity
          [in.cor.po.re.ity] n (1601): the quality or state of being
          incorporeal: immateriality

   incorrect
          [in.cor.rect] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L incorrectus,
          fr. in- + correctus correct] (15c) 1 obs: not corrected
          or chastened 2 a: inaccurate, faulty b: not true: wrong
          3: unbecoming, improper -- in.cor.rect.ly adv -- in.cor.rect.ness
          n

   incorrigible
          [in.cor.ri.gi.ble] adj [ME, fr. LL incorrigibilis, fr. L
          in- + corrigere to correct--more at correct] (14c): incapable
          of being corrected or amended: as a (1): not reformable:
          depraved (2): delinquent b: not manageable: unruly c:
          unalterable, inveterate -- in.cor.ri.gi.bil.i.ty n --
          incorrigible n -- in.cor.ri.gi.ble.ness n -- in.cor.ri.gi.bly
          adv

   incorrupt
          [in.cor.rupt] also in.cor.rupt.ed adj [ME, fr. L incorruptus,
          fr. in- + corruptus corrupt] (14c): free from corruption:
          as a obs: not affected with decay b: not defiled or depraved:
          upright c: free from error -- in.cor.rupt.ly adv
          -- in.cor.rupt.ness n

   incorruptible
          [in.cor.rupt.ible] adj (14c): incapable of corruption: as
          a: not subject to decay or dissolution b: incapable of
          being bribed or morally corrupted -- in.cor.rupt.ibil.i.ty
          n -- incorruptible n -- in.cor.rupt.ibly adv

   incorruption
          [in.cor.rup.tion] n (14c) archaic: the quality or state of
          being free from physical decay

   incr
          [incr] abbreviation increase, increased

   [1]increase
          [in.crease] vb in.creased ; in.creas.ing [ME encresen, fr.
          MF encreistre, fr. L increscere, fr. in- + crescere to
          grow--more at crescent] vi (14c) 1: to become progressively
          greater (as in size, amount, number, or intensity) 2:
          to multiply by the production of young ~ vt 1: to make
          greater: augment 2 obs: enrich -- in.creas.able adj --
          in.creas.er n syn increase, enlarge, augment, multiply
          mean to make or become greater. increase used intransitively
          implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity
          <his waistline increased with age>; used transitively
          it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition
          <increased her landholdings>. enlarge implies expansion
          or extension that makes greater in size or capacity <enlarged
          the kitchen>. augment implies addition to what is already
          well grown or well developed <the inheritance augmented
          his fortune>. multiply implies increase in number by
          natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process
          <with each attempt the problems multiplied>. [2]in.crease
          n (14c) 1: the act or process of increasing: as a: addition
          or enlargement in size, extent, or quantity b obs: propagation
          2: something that is added to an original stock or amount
          by augmentation or growth (as offspring, produce, profit)

   increasingly
          [in.creas.ing.ly] adv (14c): to an increasing degree

   increate
          [in.cre.ate] adj [ME increat, fr. LL increatus, fr. L in-
          + creatus, pp. of creare to create] (15c): uncreated

   incredible
          [in.cred.i.ble] adj [ME, fr. L incredibilis, fr. in- + credibilis
          credible] (15c): too extraordinary and improbable to
          be believed; also: hard to believe -- in.cred.i.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.cred.i.ble.ness n

   incredibly
          [in.cred.i.bly] adv (ca. 1500) 1: in an incredible manner
          2: extremely <~ difficult>

   incredulity
          [in.cre.du.li.ty] n (15c): the quality or state of being
          incredulous: disbelief

   incredulous
          [in.cred.u.lous] adj [L incredulus, fr. in- + credulus credulous]
          (1579) 1: unwilling to admit or accept what is offered
          as true: not credulous: skeptical 2: incredible 3: expressing
          incredulity -- in.cred.u.lous.ly adv usage Sense 2 has
          been revived in this century after a couple of centuries
          of disuse. Although it is a sense with good literary
          precedent--among others Shakespeare used it--many people
          think it is a result of confusion with incredible, which
          is still the usual word in this sense.

   increment
          [in.cre.ment] n [ME, fr. L incrementum, fr. increscere to
          increase] (15c) 1: the action or process of increasing
          esp. in quantity or value: enlargement 2 a: something
          gained or added b: one of a series of regular consecutive
          additions c: a minute increase in quantity 3: the amount
          or degree by which something changes; esp: the amount
          of positive or negative change in the value of one or
          more of a set of variables -- in.cre.men.tal adj
          -- in.cre.men.tal.ly adv

   incrementalism
          [in.cre.men.tal.ism] n (1966): a policy or advocacy of a
          policy of political or social change by degrees: gradualism
          -- in.cre.men.tal.ist n

   incremental repetition
          [incremental repetition] n (1918): repetition in each stanza
          (as of a ballad) of part of the preceding stanza usu.
          with a slight change in wording for dramatic effect

   increscent
          [in.cres.cent] adj [L increscent-, increscens, prp. of increscere]
          (ca. 1658): becoming gradually greater: waxing <the ~ moon>

   incriminate
          [in.crim.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [LL incriminatus,
          pp. of incriminare, fr. L in- + crimin-, crimen crime]
          (ca. 1736): to charge with or show evidence or proof
          of involvement in a crime or fault -- in.crim.i.na.tion
          n -- in.crim.i.na.to.ry adj

   incrust
          [incrust] var of encrust

   incrustation
          [in.crus.ta.tion] n [L incrustation-, incrustatio, fr. incrustare
          to encrust] (1644) 1 a: a crust or hard coating b: a
          growth or accumulation (as of habits, opinions, or customs)
          resembling a crust 2: the act of encrusting: the state
          of being encrusted 3 a: overlay a b: inlay

   incubate
          [in.cu.bate] vb -bat.ed ; -bat.ing [L incubatus, pp. of incubare,
          fr. in- + cubare to lie] vt (ca. 1721) 1: to sit on (eggs)
          so as to hatch by the warmth of the body; also: to maintain
          (as an embryo or a chemically active system) under conditions
          favorable for hatching, development, or reaction 2: to
          cause (as an idea) to develop ~ vi 1: to sit on eggs
          2: to undergo incubation -- in.cu.ba.tive adj -- in.cu.ba.to.ry
          adj

   incubation
          [in.cu.ba.tion] n (1646) 1: the act or process of incubating
          2: incubation period

   incubation period
          [incubation period] n (1879): the period between the infection
          of an individual by a pathogen and the manifestation
          of the disease it causes

   incubator
          [in.cu.ba.tor] n (1857): one that incubates: as a: an apparatus
          by which eggs are hatched artificially b: an apparatus
          with a chamber used to provide controlled environmental
          conditions esp. for the cultivation of microorganisms
          or the care and protection of premature or sick babies

   incubus
          [in.cu.bus] n, pl -bi also -bus.es [ME, fr. LL, fr. L incubare]
          (13c) 1: an evil spirit that lies on persons in their
          sleep; esp: one that has sexual intercourse with women
          while they are sleeping--compare succubus 2: nightmare
          2 3: one that oppresses or burdens like a nightmare

   inculcate
          [in.cul.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L inculcatus, pp. of
          inculcare, lit., to tread on, fr. in- + calcare to trample,
          fr. calc-, calx heel] (1550): to teach and impress by
          frequent repetitions or admonitions syn see implant --
          in.cul.ca.tion n -- in.cul.ca.tor n

   inculpable
          [in.cul.pa.ble] adj (15c): free from guilt: blameless

   inculpate
          [in.cul.pate] vt -pat.ed ; -pat.ing [LL inculpatus, fr. L
          in- + culpatus, pp. of culpare to blame, fr. culpa guilt]
          (1799): incriminate -- in.cul.pa.tion n -- in.cul.pa.to.ry
          adj

   incult
          [in.cult] adj [L incultus, fr. in- + cultus, pp. of colere
          to cultivate--more at wheel] (1599): coarse, uncultured

   incumbency
          [in.cum.ben.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1608) 1: something that
          is incumbent: duty 2: the quality or state of being incumbent
          3: the sphere of action or period of office of an incumbent

   [1]incumbent
          [in.cum.bent] n [ME, fr. L incumbent-, incumbens, prp. of
          incumbere to lie down on, fr. in- + -cumbere to lie down;
          akin to cubare to lie] (15c) 1: the holder of an office
          or ecclesiastical benefice 2: occupant [2]incumbent adj
          (1567) 1: imposed as a duty: obligatory 2: having the
          status of an incumbent; esp: occupying a specified office
          3: lying or resting on something else 4: bent over so
          as to rest on or touch an underlying surface

   incumber
          [incumber] var of encumber

   incunable
          [in.cu.na.ble] n [F, fr. NL incunabulum] (1886): incunabulum

   incunabulum
          [in.cu.nab.u.lum] n, pl -la [NL, fr. L incunabula, pl., bands
          holding the baby in a cradle, fr. in- + cunae cradle]
          (ca. 1859) 1: a book printed before 1501 2: a work of
          art or of industry of an early period

   incur
          [in.cur] vt in.curred ; in.cur.ring [ME incurren, fr. L incurrere,
          lit., to run into, fr. in- + currere to run--more at car] (15c):
          to become liable or subject to: bring down upon oneself
          <~ expenses>

   incurable
          [in.cur.able] adj [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr. LL incurabilis,
          fr. L in- + curabilis curable] (14c): not curable <an
          ~ disease>; broadly: not likely to be changed or corrected
          <~ optimism> -- incurable n -- in.cur.ably adv

   incurious
          [in.cu.ri.ous] adj [L incuriosus, fr. in- + curiosus curious]
          (ca. 1618): lacking a normal or usual curiosity: uninterested
          <a blank ~ stare> syn see indifferent -- in.cu.ri.os.i.ty
          n -- in.cu.ri.ous.ly adv -- in.cu.ri.ous.ness n

   incurrence
          [in.cur.rence] n (ca. 1656): the act or process of incurring

   incurrent
          [in.cur.rent] adj [L incurrent-, incurrens, prp. of incurrere]
          (ca. 1856): giving passage to a current that flows inward

   incursion
          [in.cur.sion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L incursion-, incursio,
          fr. incurrere] (15c) 1: a hostile entrance into a territory:
          raid 2: an entering in or into (as an activity or undertaking)
          <his only ~ into the arts>

   incurvate
          [in.cur.vate] vt -vat.ed ; -vat.ing (1578): to cause to curve
          inward: bend -- in.cur.vate adj -- in.cur.va.tion n --
          in.cur.va.ture n

   incurve
          [in.curve] vt [L incurvare, fr. in- + curvare to curve, fr.
          curvus curved--more at curve] (1610): to bend so as to
          curve inward

   incus
          [in.cus] n, pl in.cu.des [NL, fr. L, anvil, fr. incudere]
          (1669): the middle bone of a chain of three small bones
          in the ear of a mammal--called also anvil--see ear illustration

   incuse
          [in.cuse] adj [L incusus, pp. of incudere to stamp, strike,
          fr. in- + cudere to beat--more at hew] (1818): formed
          by stamping or punching in--used chiefly of old coins
          or features of their design

   ind-
          [ind-] or indo- comb form [ISV, fr. L indicum--more at indigo]
          1: indigo <indoxyl> 2: resembling indigo (as in color)
          <indophenol>

   ind
          [ind] abbreviation independent, index, industrial, industry
          Ind abbreviation Indian, Indiana IND abbreviation investigational
          new drug

   Ind
          [Ind] n (13c) 1 archaic: India 2 obs: Indies

   indaba
          [in.da.ba] n [Zulu indaba affair] (1827) chiefly SoAfr: conference,
          parley

   indagate
          [in.da.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L indagatus, pp. of indagare,
          fr. indago ring of hunters encircling game, act of searching,
          fr. OL indu in + L agere to drive--more at end-, agent]
          (ca. 1623): to search into: investigate -- in.da.ga.tion
          n -- in.da.ga.tor n

   IndE
          [IndE] abbreviation industrial engineer

   indebted
          [in.debt.ed] adj [ME indetted, fr. OF endete, pp. of endeter
          to involve in debt, fr. en- + dete debt] (13c) 1: owing
          gratitude or recognition to another: beholden 2: owing
          money

   indebtedness
          [in.debt.ed.ness] n (1647) 1: the condition of being indebted
          2: something (as an amount of money) that is owed

   indecency
          [in.de.cen.cy] n (1589) 1: the quality or state of being
          indecent 2: something (as a word or action) that is indecent

   indecent
          [in.de.cent] adj [MF or L; MF indecent, fr. L indecent-,
          indecens, fr. in- + decent-, decens decent] (ca. 1587):
          not decent; esp: grossly unseemly or offensive to manners
          or morals -- in.de.cent.ly adv

   indecent assault
          [indecent assault] n (1861): an immoral act or series of
          acts exclusive of rape committed against another person
          without consent

   indecent exposure
          [indecent exposure] n (1851): intentional exposure of part
          of one's body (as the genitals) in a place where such
          exposure is likely to be an offense against the generally
          accepted standards of decency

   indecipherable
          [in.de.ci.pher.able] adj (1802): incapable of being deciphered

   indecision
          [in.de.ci.sion] n [F indecision, fr. indecis undecided, fr.
          LL indecisus, fr. L in- + decisus, pp. of decidere to
          decide] (ca. 1763): a wavering between two or more possible
          courses of action: irresolution

   indecisive
          [in.de.ci.sive] adj (1726) 1: not decisive: inconclusive
          2: marked by or prone to indecision: irresolute 3: not
          clearly marked out: indefinite -- in.de.ci.sive.ly adv
          -- in.de.ci.sive.ness n

   indeclinable
          [in.de.clin.able] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL indeclinabilis,
          fr. L in- + LL declinabilis capable of being inflected,
          fr. L declinare to inflect--more at decline] (14c): having
          no grammatical inflections

   indecomposable
          [in.de.com.pos.able] adj (1807): not capable of being separated
          into component parts or elements

   indecorous
          [in.de.co.rous] adj [L indecorus, fr. in- + decorus decorous]
          (1682): not decorous: conflicting with accepted standards
          of good conduct or good taste -- in.de.co.rous.ly adv
          -- in.de.co.rous.ness n syn indecorous, improper, unseemly,
          unbecoming, indelicate mean not conforming to what is
          accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste. indecorous
          suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners
          <indecorous behavior>. improper applies to a broader
          range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior
          but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed
          method <improper use of campaign contributions>. unseemly
          adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation
          or an offensiveness to good taste <remarried with unseemly
          haste>. unbecoming suggests behavior or language that
          does not suit one's character or status <conduct unbecoming
          to an officer>. indelicate implies a lack of modesty
          or of tact or of refined perception of feeling <indelicate
          expressions for bodily functions>.

   indecorum
          [in.de.co.rum] n [L, neut. of indecorus] (1575) 1: something
          that is indecorous 2: lack of decorum: impropriety

   indeed
          [in.deed] adv (14c) 1: without any question: truly,
          undeniably--often used interjectionally to express irony
          or disbelief or surprise 2: in reality 3: all things considered:
          as a matter of fact

   indef
          [indef] abbreviation indefinite

   indefatigable
          [in.de.fat.i.ga.ble] ad j [MF, fr. L indefatigabilis, fr.
          in- + defatigare to fatigue, fr. de- + fatigare to fatigue]
          (1611): incapable of being fatigued: untiring --
          in.de.fa.ti.ga.bil.i.ty n -- in.de.fat.i.ga.ble.ness n
          -- in.de.fat.i.ga.bly adv

   indefeasible
          [in.de.fea.si.ble] adj (1548): not capable of being annulled
          or voided or undone <an ~ right> -- in.de.fea.si.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.de.fea.si.bly adv

   indefectible
          [in.de.fec.ti.ble] adj (1659) 1: not subject to failure or
          decay: lasting 2: free of faults: flawless -- in.de.fec.ti.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.de.fec.ti.bly adv

   indefensible
          [in.de.fen.si.ble] adj (1529) 1 a: incapable of being maintained
          as right or valid: untenable b: incapable of being justified
          or excused: inexcusable 2: incapable of being protected
          against physical attack -- in.de.fen.si.bil.i.ty n --
          in.de.fen.si.bly adv

   indefinable
          [in.de.fin.able] adj (1810): incapable of being precisely
          described or analyzed -- in.de.fin.abil.i.ty n -- indefinable
          n -- in.de.fin.able.ness n -- in.de.fin.ably adv

   indefinite
          [in.def.i.nite] adj [L indefinitus, fr. in- + definitus definite]
          (1530): not definite: as a: typically designating an
          unidentified, generic, or unfamiliar person or thing
          <the ~ articles a and an> <~ pronouns> b: not precise:
          vague c: having no exact limits d of floral organs: numerous
          and difficult to ascertain in number -- indefinite n
          -- in.def.i.nite.ly adv -- in.def.i.nite.ness n

   indefinite integral
          [indefinite integral] n (ca. 1877): any function whose derivative
          is a given function

   indehiscent
          [in.de.his.cent] adj (1832): remaining closed at maturity
          <~ fruits> -- in.de.his.cence n

   indelible
          [in.del.i.ble] adj [ME indelyble, fr. ML indelibilis, alter.
          of L indelebilis, fr. in- + delere to delete] (15c) 1
          a: that cannot be removed, washed away, or erased b:
          making marks that cannot easily be removed <an ~ pencil>
          2 a: lasting <~ memories> b: unforgettable, memorable
          <an ~ performance> -- in.del.i.bil.i.ty n -- in.del.i.bly
          adv

   indelicacy
          [in.del.i.ca.cy] n (1712) 1: the quality or state of being
          indelicate 2: something that is indelicate

   indelicate
          [in.del.i.cate] adj (1742): not delicate: a (1): lacking
          in or offending against propriety: improper (2): verging
          on the indecent: coarse b: marked by a lack of feeling
          for the sensibilities of others: tactless syn see indecorous
          -- in.del.i.cate.ly adv -- in.del.i.cate.ness n

   indemnification
          [in.dem.ni.fi.ca.tion] n (1732) 1 a: the action of indemnifying
          b: the condition of being indemnified 2: indemnity 2b

   indemnify
          [in.dem.ni.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [L indemnis unharmed, fr.
          in- + damnum damage] (ca. 1611) 1: to secure against
          hurt, loss, or damage 2: to make compensation to for
          incurred hurt, loss, or damage syn see pay -- in.dem.ni.fi.er
          n

   indemnity
          [in.dem.ni.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1 a: security against hurt,
          loss, or damage b: exemption from incurred penalties
          or liabilities 2 a: indemnification 1 b: something that
          indemnifies

   indemonstrable
          [in.de.mon.stra.ble] adj (1570): incapable of being demonstrated:
          not subject to proof -- in.de.mon.stra.bly adv

   [1]indent
          [in.dent] vb [ME, fr. MF endenter, fr. OF, fr. en- + dent
          tooth, fr. L dent-, dens--more at tooth] vt (14c) 1 a:
          to divide (a document) so as to produce sections with
          irregular edges that can be matched for authentication
          b: to draw up (as a deed) in two or more exactly corresponding
          copies 2: to notch the edge of: make jagged 3: indenture
          4: to set (as a line of a paragraph) in from the margin
          5 chiefly Brit: to order by an indent ~ vi 1 obs: to
          make a formal or express agreement 2: to form an indentation
          3 chiefly Brit: to make out an indent for something --
          in.dent.er n -- indent on 1 chiefly Brit: to make a requisition
          on 2 chiefly Brit: to draw on [2]in.dent n (15c) 1 a:
          indenture 1 b: a certificate issued by the U.S. at the
          close of the American Revolution for the principal or
          interest on the public debt 2 chiefly Brit a: an official
          requisition b: a purchase order for goods esp. when sent
          from a foreign country 3: indention [3]in.dent vt [ME
          endenten, fr. en- + denten to dent] (15c) 1: to force
          inward so as to form a depression 2: to form a dent in
          -- in.dent.er n [4]in.dent n (1596): indentation

   indentation
          [in.den.ta.tion] n (ca. 1728) 1 a: an angular cut in an edge:
          notch b: a recess in a surface 2: the action of indenting:
          the condition of being indented 3: dent 4: indention
          2b

   indention
          [in.den.tion] n (1763) 1 archaic: indentation 1 2 a: the
          action of indenting: the condition of being indented
          b: the blank space produced by indenting

   [1]indenture
          [in.den.ture] n [ME endenture, fr. MF, fr. endenter] (14c)
          1 a (1): a document or a section of a document that is
          indented (2): a formal or official document usu. executed
          in two or more copies (3): a contract binding one person
          to work for another for a given period of time--usu.
          used in pl. b: a formal certificate (as an inventory
          or voucher) prepared for purposes of control c: a document
          stating the terms under which a security (as a bond)
          is issued 2: indentation 1 3 [[3]indent]: dent [2]indenture
          vt in.den.tured ; in.den.tur.ing (1676): to bind (as
          an apprentice) by or as if by indentures

   indentured servant
          [indentured servant] n (1723): a person who signs and is
          bound by indentures to work for another for a specified
          time esp. in return for payment of travel expenses and
          maintenance

   independence
          [in.de.pen.dence] n (1640) 1: the quality or state of being
          independent 2 archaic: competence 1

   Independence Day
          [Independence Day] n (1791): a civil holiday for the celebration
          of the anniversary of the beginnings of national independence;
          specif: July 4 observed as a legal holiday in the U.S.
          in commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of
          Independence in 1776

   independency
          [in.de.pen.den.cy] n (ca. 1611) 1: independence 1 2 cap:
          the Independent polity or movement 3: an independent
          political unit

   [1]independent
          [in.de.pen.dent] adj (1611) 1: not dependent: as a (1): not
          subject to control by others: self-governing (2): not
          affiliated with a larger controlling unit b (1): not
          requiring or relying on something else: not contingent
          <an ~ conclusion> (2): not looking to others for one's
          opinions or for guidance in conduct (3): not bound by
          or committed to a political party c (1): not requiring
          or relying on others (as for care or livelihood) <~ of
          her parents> (2): being enough to free one from the necessity
          of working for a living <a man of ~ means> d: showing
          a desire for freedom <an ~ manner> e (1): not determined
          by or capable of being deduced or derived from or expressed
          in terms of members (as axioms or equations) of the set
          under consideration; esp: having linear independence
          <an ~ set of vectors> (2): having the property that the
          joint probability (as of events or samples) or the joint
          probability density function (as of random variables)
          equals the product of the probabilities or probability
          density functions of separate occurrence 2 cap: of or
          relating to the Independents 3 a: main 5 <an ~ clause>
          b: neither deducible from nor incompatible with another
          statement <~ postulates> syn see free -- in.de.pen.dent.ly
          adv [2]independent n (1644) 1 cap: a sectarian of an
          English religious movement for congregational autonomy
          originating in the late 16th century, giving rise to
          Congregationalists, Baptists, and Friends, and forming
          one of the major political groupings of the period of
          Cromwell 2: one that is independent; esp, often cap:
          one that is not bound by or definitively committed to
          a political party

   independent assortment
          [independent assortment] n (ca. 1948): formation of random
          combinations of chromosomes in meiosis and of genes on
          different pairs of homologous chromosomes by the passage
          according to the laws of probability of one of each diploid
          pair of homologous chromosomes into each gamete independently
          of each other pair

   independent variable
          [independent variable] n (1852): a mathematical variable
          whose value is specified first and determines the value
          of one or more other values in an expression or function

   in-depth
          [in-depth] adj (1965): comprehensive, thorough <an ~ study>

   indescribable
          [in.de.scrib.able] adj (1794) 1: that cannot be described
          <an ~ sensation> 2: surpassing description <~ joy> --
          in.de.scrib.able.ness n -- in.de.scrib.ably adv

   indestructible
          [in.de.struc.ti.ble] adj [prob. fr. LL indestructibilis,
          fr. L in- + destructus, pp. of destruere to tear down--more
          at destroy] (1667): incapable of being destroyed, ruined,
          or rendered ineffective -- in.de.struc.ti.bil.i.ty n
          -- in.de.struc.ti.ble.ness n -- in.de.struc.ti.bly adv

   indeterminable
          [in.de.ter.min.able] adj (15c) 1: incapable of being definitely
          decided or settled 2: incapable of being definitely fixed
          or ascertained -- in.de.ter.min.ably adv

   indeterminacy
          [in.de.ter.mi.na.cy] n (1649): the quality or state of being
          indeterminate

   indeterminacy principle
          [indeterminacy principle] n (ca. 1928): uncertainty principle

   indeterminate
          [in.de.ter.mi.nate] adj [ME indeterminat, fr. LL indeterminatus,
          fr. L in- + determinatus, pp. of determinare to determine]
          (14c) 1 a: not definitely or precisely determined or
          fixed: vague b: not known in advance c: not leading to
          a definite end or result 2: having an infinite number
          of solutions <a system of ~ equations> 3: being one of
          the seven undefined mathematical expressions that include
          zero divided by zero, infinity divided by infinity, infinity
          multiplied by zero, one to the exponent infinity, zero
          to the exponent zero, infinity to the exponent zero,
          and infinity minus infinity 4: characterized by sequential
          flowering from the lateral or basal buds to the central
          or uppermost buds; also: characterized by growth in which
          the main stem continues to elongate indefinitely without
          being limited by a terminal inflorescence--compare determinate
          4 -- in.de.ter.mi.nate.ly adv -- in.de.ter.mi.nate.ness
          n -- in.de.ter.mi.na.tion n

   indeterminism
          [in.de.ter.min.ism] n (1874) 1 a: a theory that the will
          is free and that deliberate choice and actions are not
          determined by or predictable from antecedent causes b:
          a theory that holds that not every event has a cause
          2: the quality or state of being indeterminate; esp:
          unpredictability -- in.de.ter.min.ist n -- in.de.ter.min.is.tic
          adj

   [1]index
          [in.dex] n, pl in.dex.es or in.di.ces [L indic-, index, fr.
          indicare to indicate] (1571) 1 a: a device (as the pointer
          on a scale or the gnomon of a sundial) that serves to
          indicate a value or quantity b: something (as a physical
          feature or a mode of expression) that leads one to a
          particular fact or conclusion: indication 2: a list (as
          of bibliographical information or citations to a body
          of literature) arranged usu. in alphabetical order of
          some specified datum (as author, subject, or keyword):
          as a: a list of items (as topics or names) treated in
          a printed work that gives for each item the page number
          where it may be found b: thumb index c: a bibliographical
          analysis of groups of publications that is usu. published
          periodically 3: a list of restricted or prohibited material;
          specif, cap: a list of books the reading of which is
          prohibited or restricted for Roman Catholics by the church
          authorities 4 pl usu indices: a number or symbol or expression
          (as an exponent) associated with another to indicate
          a mathematical operation to be performed or to indicate
          use or position in an arrangement 5: a character representing
          a fist with an extended index finger used to direct attention
          to a note or paragraph--called also fist 6 a: a number
          (as a ratio) derived from a series of observations and
          used as an indicator or measure; specif: index number
          b: the ratio of one dimension of a thing (as an anatomical
          structure) to another dimension [2]index vt (1720) 1
          a: to provide with an index b: to list in an index <all
          persons and places mentioned are carefully ~ed> 2: to
          serve as an index of 3: to regulate (as wages, prices,
          or interest rates) by indexation ~ vi: to index something
          -- in.dex.er n

   indexation
          [in.dex.ation] n (1960): a system of economic control in
          which certain variables (as wages and interest) are tied
          to a cost-of-living index so that both rise or fall at
          the same rate and the detrimental effect of inflation
          is theoretically eliminated

   index finger
          [index finger] n (1849): forefinger

   index fossil
          [index fossil] n (1900): a fossil usu. with a narrow time
          range and wide spatial distribution that is used in the
          identification of related geologic formations

   [1]indexical
          [in.dex.i.cal] adj (ca. 1828) 1: of or relating to an index
          2 a: varying in reference with the individual speaker
          <the ~ words I, here, now> b: associated with or identifying
          an individual speaker <~ features of speech> [2]indexical
          n (1971): an indexical word, sign, or feature

   indexing
          [indexing] n (1957): indexation

   index number
          [index number] n (ca. 1896): a number used to indicate change
          in magnitude (as of cost or price) as compared with the
          magnitude at some specified time usu. taken as 100

   index of refraction
          [index of refraction] (1829): the ratio of the speed of radiation
          (as light) in one medium (as a vacuum) to that in another
          medium

   indi-
          [indi-] --see ind-

   India
          [In.dia] (ca. 1952)--a communications code word for the letter
          i

   india ink
          [india ink] n, often cap 1st I (1665) 1: a solid black pigment
          (as specially prepared lampblack) used in drawing and
          lettering 2: a fluid ink consisting usu. of a fine suspension
          of india ink in a liquid

   Indiaman
          [In.dia.man] n (1709): a merchant ship formerly used in trade
          with India; esp: a large sailing ship used in this trade

   Indian
          [In.di.an] n (14c) 1 a: a native or inhabitant of India or
          of the East Indies b: a person of Indian descent 2 a
          [fr. the belief held by Columbus that the lands he discovered
          were part of Asia]: american indian b: one of the native
          languages of American Indians -- Indian adj -- In.di.an.ness
          n

   Indian agent
          [Indian agent] n (1807): an official representative of the
          U.S. federal government to American Indian tribes esp.
          on reservations

   Indian club
          [Indian club] n (1857): a usu. wooden club shaped like a
          large bottle or tenpin that is swung for gymnastic exercise

   Indian corn
          [Indian corn] n (1617) 1: a tall widely cultivated American
          cereal grass (Zea mays) bearing seeds on elongated ears
          2: the ears of Indian corn; also: its edible seeds

   Indian elephant
          [Indian elephant] n (1607): elephant 1b

   Indian file
          [Indian file] n (1758): single file

   Indian giver
          [Indian giver] n (ca. 1848): a person who gives something
          to another and then takes it back or expects an equivalent
          in return -- Indian giving n

   Indian hemp
          [Indian hemp] n (1619) 1: an American dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum)
          with milky juice, tough fibrous bark, and an emetic and cathartic
          root 2: hemp 1

   Indianism
          [In.di.an.ism] n (1651) 1: the qualities or culture distinctive
          of American Indians 2: policy designed to further the
          interests or culture of American Indians -- In.di.an.ist
          adj or n

   Indianize
          [In.di.an.ize] vt -ized ; -izing (1702) 1: to cause to acquire
          or conform to the characteristics, culture, or usage
          of American Indians or of India 2: to bring (as a region)
          under the cultural or political influence or control
          of India -- In.di.an.i.za.tion n

   Indian licorice
          [Indian licorice] n (ca. 1890): rosary pea 1

   Indian meal
          [Indian meal] n (1609): cornmeal

   Indian paintbrush
          [Indian paintbrush] n (ca. 1892) 1: any of a genus (Castilleja)
          of herbaceous plants of the snapdragon family that have
          brightly colored bracts--called also painted cup 2: orange
          hawkweed

   Indian pipe
          [Indian pipe] n (ca. 1818): a waxy white saprophytic herb
          (Monotropa uniflora of the family Monotropaceae, the
          Indian-pipe family) of Asia and No. America having leaves
          reduced to scales

   Indian pudding
          [Indian pudding] n (1722): a baked pudding made chiefly of
          cornmeal, milk, and molasses

   Indian red
          [Indian red] n (ca. 1753) 1: any of various usu. dark red
          pigments consisting chiefly of iron oxide 2: a strong
          or moderate reddish brown

   Indian sign
          [Indian sign] n (1910): hex, spell

   Indian summer
          [Indian summer] n (1778) 1: a period of warm or mild weather
          in late autumn or early winter 2: a happy or flourishing
          period occurring toward the end of something <life in
          the Indian summer of Czarist Russia --John Davenport>

   Indian tobacco
          [Indian tobacco] n (ca. 1618) 1: an American wild lobelia
          (Lobelia inflata) with small blue or white flowers 2:
          a wild tobacco (Nicotiana bigelovii) found in dry valleys
          from southern California to southern Oregon

   Indian-wrestle
          [In.di.an-wres.tle] vi [back-formation fr. Indian wrestling]
          (1938): to engage in Indian wrestling

   Indian wrestling
          [Indian wrestling] n (1913) 1: wrestling in which two people
          lie side by side on their backs in reversed position
          locking their near arms and raising and locking the corresponding
          legs and attempt to force each other's leg down and turn
          the other wrestler facedown 2: wrestling in which two
          people stand face to face gripping usu. their right hands
          and setting the outsides of the corresponding feet together
          and attempt to force each other off balance 3: arm wrestling

   India paper
          [India paper] n (1768) 1: a thin absorbent paper used esp.
          for proving inked intaglio surfaces (as steel engravings)
          2: a thin tough opaque printing paper

   india rubber
          [india rubber] n, often cap I (1790): [1]rubber 2a

   indic
          [indic] abbreviation indicative

   Indic
          [In.dic] adj (1877) 1: of or relating to the subcontinent
          of India: indian 2: of, relating to, or constituting
          the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages
          -- Indic n

   indican
          [in.di.can] n [L indicum indigo--more at indigo] (1859) 1:
          an indigo-forming substance found as a salt in urine
          and other animal fluids; also: its potassium salt 2:
          a glucoside occurring esp. in the indigo plant and being
          a source of natural indigo

   indicant
          [in.di.cant] n (1623): something that serves to indicate

   indicate
          [in.di.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L indicatus, pp. of indicare,
          fr. in- + dicare to proclaim, dedicate--more at diction]
          (ca. 1609) 1 a: to point out or point to b: to be a sign,
          symptom, or index of <the high fever ~s a serious condition>
          c: to demonstrate or suggest the necessity or advisability
          of <indicated the need for a new school> 2: to state
          or express briefly <indicated a desire to cooperate>

   indication
          [in.di.ca.tion] n (15c) 1 a: something that serves to indicate
          b: something that is indicated as advisable or necessary
          2: the action of indicating -- in.di.ca.tion.al adj

   [1]indicative
          [in.dic.a.tive] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          a verb form or set of verb forms that represents the
          denoted act or state as an objective fact <the ~ mood>
          2: serving to indicate <actions ~ of fear> -- in.dic.a.tive.ly
          adv [2]indicative n (1530) 1: the indicative mood of
          a language 2: a form in the indicative mood

   indicator
          [in.di.ca.tor] n (1666) 1: one that indicates: as a: an index
          hand (as on a dial): pointer b (1): gauge 2b, dial 4a
          (2): an instrument for automatically making a diagram
          that indicates the pressure in and volume of the working
          fluid of an engine throughout the cycle 2 a: a substance
          (as litmus) used to show visually (as by change of color)
          the condition of a solution with respect to the presence
          of a particular material (as a free acid or alkali) b:
          tracer 4b 3: an organism or ecological community so strictly
          associated with particular environmental conditions that
          its presence is indicative of the existence of these
          conditions 4: any of a group of statistical values (as
          level of employment) that taken together give an indication
          of the health of the economy -- in.dic.a.to.ry adj

   indices
          [indices] pl of index

   indicia
          [in.di.cia] n pl [L, pl. of indicium sign, fr. indicare]
          (ca. 1626) 1: distinctive marks: indications 2: postal
          markings often imprinted on mail or on labels to be affixed
          to mail

   indict
          [in.dict] vt [alter. of earlier indite, fr. ME inditen, fr.
          AF enditer, fr. OF, to write down--more at indite] (ca.
          1626) 1: to charge with a fault or offense: criticize,
          accuse 2: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment
          of a jury (as a grand jury) in due form of law -- in.dict.er
          or in.dict.or n

   indictable
          [in.dict.able] adj (ca. 1706) 1: subject to being indicted:
          liable to indictment 2: making one liable to indictment
          <an ~ offense>

   indiction
          [in.dic.tion] n [ME indiccioun, fr. LL indiction-, indictio,
          fr. L, proclamation, fr. indicere to proclaim, fr. in-
          + dicere to say--more at diction] (14c): a 15-year cycle
          used as a chronological unit in several ancient and medieval
          systems

   indictment
          [in.dict.ment] n (14c) 1 a: the action or the legal process
          of indicting b: the state of being indicted 2: a formal
          written statement framed by a prosecuting authority and
          found by a jury (as a grand jury) charging a person with
          an offense 3: an expression of strong disapproval <an
          ~ of contemporary morality>

   indie
          [in.die] n [by shortening & alter. fr. independent] (1928):
          something (as an unaffiliated record or motion-picture
          production company) independent -- indie adj

   indifference
          [in.dif.fer.ence] n (15c) 1: the quality, state, or fact
          of being indifferent 2 a archaic: lack of difference
          or distinction between two or more things b: absence
          of compulsion to or toward one thing or another

   indifferency
          [in.dif.fer.en.cy] n (15c) archaic: indifference

   indifferent
          [in.dif.fer.ent] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, regarded as neither
          good nor bad, fr. L indifferent-, indifferens, fr. in-
          + different-, differens, prp. of differre to be different--more
          at differ] (14c) 1: marked by impartiality: unbiased
          2 a: that does not matter one way or the other b: of
          no importance or value one way or the other 3 a: marked
          by no special liking for or dislike of something <~ about
          which task he was given> b: marked by a lack of interest,
          enthusiasm, or concern for something: apathetic <~ to
          suffering and poverty> 4: being neither excessive nor
          inadequate: moderate <hills of ~ size> 5 a: being neither
          good nor bad: mediocre <does ~ work> b: being neither
          right nor wrong 6: characterized by lack of active quality:
          neutral 7 a: not differentiated b: capable of development
          in more than one direction; esp: not yet embryologically
          determined -- in.dif.fer.ent.ly adv syn indifferent,
          unconcerned, incurious, aloof, detached, disinterested
          mean not showing or feeling interest. indifferent implies
          neutrality of attitude from lack of inclination, preference,
          or prejudice <indifferent to the dictates of fashion>.
          unconcerned suggests a lack of sensitivity or regard
          for others' needs or troubles <unconcerned about the
          homeless>. incurious implies an inability to take a normal
          interest due to dullness of mind or to self-centeredness
          <incurious about the world>. aloof suggests a cool reserve
          arising from a sense of superiority or disdain for inferiors
          or from shyness <aloof from his coworkers>. detached
          implies an objective attitude achieved through absence
          of prejudice or selfishness <observed family gatherings
          with detached amusement>. disinterested implies a circumstantial
          freedom from concern for personal or esp. financial advantage
          that enables one to judge or advise without bias <judged
          by a panel of disinterested observers>.

   indifferentism
          [in.dif.fer.ent.ism] n (1827): indifference; specif: belief
          that all religions are equally valid -- in.dif.fer.ent.ist
          n

   indigence
          [in.di.gence] n (14c): a level of poverty in which real hardship
          and deprivation are suffered and comforts of life are
          wholly lacking syn see poverty

   indigene
          [in.di.gene] also in.di.gen n [L indigena] (1598): native

   indigenize
          [in.dig.e.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1951): to cause to
          have indigenous characteristics -- in.dig.e.ni.za.tion
          n

   indigenous
          [in.dig.e.nous] adj [LL indigenus, fr. L indigena, n., native,
          fr. OL indu, endo in, within + L gignere to beget--more
          at end-, kin] (1646) 1: having originated in and being
          produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in
          a particular region or environment 2: innate, inborn
          syn see native -- in.dig.e.nous.ly adv -- in.dig.e.nous.ness
          n

   indigent
          [in.di.gent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L indigent-, indigens,
          prp. of indigere to need, fr. OL indu + L egere to need;
          perh. akin to OHG ekrodi thin] (15c) 1: suffering from
          indigence: impoverished 2 a archaic: deficient b archaic:
          totally lacking in something specified -- indigent n

   indigested
          [in.di.gest.ed] adj (1587): not carefully thought out or
          arranged: formless

   indigestible
          [in.di.gest.ible] adj [ME, fr. LL indigestibilis, fr. L in-
          + LL digestibilis digestible] (15c): not digestible:
          not easily digested -- in.di.gest.ibil.i.ty n -- indigestible
          n

   indigestion
          [in.di.ges.tion] n (14c) 1: inability to digest or difficulty
          in digesting something 2: a case or attack of indigestion

   indign
          [in.dign] adj [ME indigne, fr. MF, fr. L indignus] (14c)
          1 archaic: unworthy, undeserving 2 obs: unbecoming, disgraceful

   indignant
          [in.dig.nant] adj [L indignant-, indignans, prp. of indignari
          to be indignant, fr. indignus unworthy, fr. in- + dignus
          worthy--more at decent] (1590): filled with or marked
          by indignation <became ~ at the accusation> -- in.dig.nant.ly
          adv

   indignation
          [in.dig.na.tion] n (14c): anger aroused by something unjust,
          unworthy, or mean syn see anger

   indignity
          [in.dig.ni.ty] n, pl -ties [L indignitat-, indignitas, fr.
          indignus] (1584) 1 a: an act that offends against a person's
          dignity or self-respect: insult b: humiliating treatment
          2 obs: lack or loss of dignity or honor

   indigo
          [in.di.go] n, pl -gos or -goes [It dial., fr. L indicum,
          fr. Gk indikon, fr. neut. of indikos Indic, fr. Indos
          India] (1555) 1 a: a blue vat dye obtained from plants
          (as indigo plants) b: the principal coloring matter of
          natural indigo usu. synthesized as a blue powder with
          a coppery luster 2: indigo plant 3: a deep reddish blue

   indigo bunting
          [indigo bunting] n (1783): a common small American finch
          (Passerina cyanea) of which the male is largely indigo-blue
          in spring and summer

   indigo plant
          [indigo plant] n (1757): a plant that yields indigo; esp:
          any of a genus (Indigofera) of leguminous herbs

   indigo snake
          [indigo snake] n (ca. 1885): a large blue-black or brownish
          colubrid snake (Drymarchon corais) of the southeastern
          U.S. and Texas to Argentina--called also gopher snake

   indigotin
          [in.di.go.tin] n [F indigotine, irreg. fr. indigo indigo]
          (1838): indigo 1b

   indirect
          [in.di.rect] adj [ME, fr. ML indirectus, fr. L in- + directus
          direct--more at dress] (14c): not direct: as a (1): deviating
          from a direct line or course: roundabout (2): not going
          straight to the point <an ~ accusation> (3): being or
          involving proof of a proposition or theorem by demonstration
          that its negation leads to an absurdity or contradiction
          b: not straightforward and open: deceitful c: not directly
          aimed at or achieved <~ consequences> d: stating what
          a real or supposed original speaker said with changes
          in wording that conform the statement grammatically to
          the sentence in which it is included <~ discourse> <an
          ~ question> e: not effected by the action of the people
          or the electorate <~ government representation> -- in.di.rect.ly
          adv -- in.di.rect.ness n

   indirect cost
          [indirect cost] n (ca. 1909): a cost that is not identifiable
          with a specific product, function, or activity

   indirect evidence
          [indirect evidence] n (1824): evidence that establishes immediately
          collateral facts from which the main fact may be inferred:
          circumstantial evidence

   indirection
          [in.di.rec.tion] n (1590) 1 a: indirect action or procedure
          b: lack of direction: aimlessness 2 a: lack of straightforwardness
          and openness: deceitfulness b: something (as an act or statement)
          marked by lack of straightforwardness <hated diplomatic ~s --Rev.
          of Reviews>

   indirect lighting
          [indirect lighting] n (1922): lighting in which the light
          emitted by a source is diffusely reflected (as by the
          ceiling)

   indirect object
          [indirect object] n (1879): a grammatical object representing
          the secondary goal of the action of its verb (as her
          in "I gave her the book")

   indiscernible
          [in.dis.cern.ible] adj (1635): incapable of being discerned:
          not recognizable as distinct

   indisciplinable
          [in.dis.ci.plin.able] adj (1600): not subject to or capable
          of being disciplined

   indiscipline
          [in.dis.ci.pline] n (1783): lack of discipline -- in.dis.ci.plined
          adj

   indiscoverable
          [in.dis.cov.er.able] adj (1640): not discoverable

   indiscreet
          [in.dis.creet] adj [ME indiscrete, fr. MF & LL; MF indiscret,
          fr. LL indiscretus, fr. L, indistinguishable, fr. in-
          + discretus, pp. of discernere to separate--more at discern]
          (15c): not discreet: imprudent -- in.dis.creet.ly adv
          -- in.dis.creet.ness n

   indiscretion
          [in.dis.cre.tion] n (14c) 1: lack of discretion: imprudence
          <dietary ~> 2 a: something (as an act or remark) marked
          by lack of discretion b: an act at variance with the
          accepted morality of a society <resigned because of financial
          ~s>

   indiscriminate
          [in.dis.crim.i.nate] adj (ca. 1598) 1 a: not marked by careful
          distinction: deficient in discrimination and discernment
          <~ reading habits> <~ mass destruction> b: haphazard,
          random <~ application of a law> 2 a: promiscuous, unrestrained
          <~ sexual behavior> b: heterogeneous, motley <an ~ collection>
          -- in.dis.crim.i.nate.ly adv -- in.dis.crim.i.nate.ness
          n

   indiscriminating
          [in.dis.crim.i.nat.ing] adj (ca. 1767): not discriminating
          -- in.dis.crim.i.nat.ing.ly adv

   indiscrimination
          [in.dis.crim.i.na.tion] n (1649): lack of discrimination

   indispensable
          [in.dis.pens.able] adj (1653) 1: not subject to being set
          aside or neglected <an ~ obligation> 2: absolutely necessary:
          essential <an ~ member of the staff> -- in.dis.pens.abil.i.ty
          n -- indispensable n -- in.dis.pens.able.ness n -- in.dis.pens.ably
          adv

   indispose
          [in.dis.pose] vt -posed ; -pos.ing [prob. back-formation
          fr. indisposed] (1657) 1 a: to make unfit: disqualify
          b: to make averse: disincline 2 archaic: to cause to
          be in poor physical health

   indisposed
          [in.dis.posed] adj (15c) 1: slightly ill 2: averse

   indisposition
          [in.dis.po.si.tion] n (15c): the condition of being indisposed:
          a: disinclination b: a usu. slight illness

   indisputable
          [in.dis.put.able] adj [LL indisputabilis, fr. L in- + disputabilis
          disputable] (1551): not disputable: unquestionable <~ proof>
          -- in.dis.put.able.ness n -- in.dis.put.ably adv

   indissociable
          [in.dis.so.cia.ble] adj (1855): not dissociated: inseparable
          -- in.dis.so.cia.bly adv

   indissoluble
          [in.dis.sol.u.ble] adj (1542): not dissoluble; esp: incapable
          of being annulled, undone, or broken: permanent <an ~
          contract> -- in.dis.sol.u.bil.i.ty n -- in.dis.sol.u.ble.ness
          n -- in.dis.sol.u.bly adv

   indistinct
          [in.dis.tinct] adj [L indistinctus, fr. in- + distinctus
          distinct] (1526): not distinct: as a: not sharply outlined
          or separable: blurred <~ figures in the fog> b: faint,
          dim <an ~ light in the distance> c: not clearly recognizable
          or understandable: uncertain -- in.dis.tinct.ly adv --
          in.dis.tinct.ness n

   indistinctive
          [in.dis.tinc.tive] adj (1846): lacking distinctive qualities

   indistinguishable
          [in.dis.tin.guish.able] adj (1606): not distinguishable:
          as a: indeterminate in shape or structure b: not clearly
          recognizable or understandable c: lacking identifying
          or individualizing qualities -- in.dis.tin.guish.abil.i.ty
          n -- in.dis.tin.guish.able.ness n -- in.dis.tin.guish.ably
          adv

   indite
          [in.dite] vt in.dit.ed ; in.dit.ing [ME enditen, fr. OF enditer
          to write down, proclaim, fr. (assumed) VL indictare to
          proclaim, freq. of L indicere to proclaim, fr. in- +
          dicere to say--more at diction] (14c) 1 a: make up, compose
          <~ a poem> b: to give literary or formal expression to
          c: to put down in writing <~ a message> 2 obs: dictate
          -- in.dit.er n

   indium
          [in.di.um] n [ISV ind- + NL -ium] (1864): a malleable fusible
          silvery metallic element that is chiefly trivalent, occurs
          esp. in sphalerite ores, and is used as a plating for
          bearings, in alloys having a low melting point, and in
          the making of transistors

   indium antimonide
          [indium antimonide] n (1957): a synthetic compound InSb of
          indium and antimony that is a semiconducting and photosensitive
          material and is used esp. in infrared photodetectors

   indiv
          [indiv] abbreviation individual

   [1]individual
          [in.di.vid.u.al] adj [ML individualis, fr. L individuus
          indivisible, fr. in- + dividuus divided, fr. dividere to divide]
          (15c) 1 obs: inseparable 2 a: of, relating to, or distinctively
          associated with an individual <an ~ effort> b: being an individual
          or existing as an indivisible whole c: intended for one person <an
          ~ serving> 3: existing as a distinct entity: separate 4: having
          marked individuality <an ~ style> syn see special, characteristic
          -- in.di.vid.u.al.ly adv [2]individual n (1605) 1 a: a particular
          being or thing as distinguished from a class, species,
          or collection: as (1): a single human being as contrasted with
          a social group or institution <a teacher who works with ~s> (2):
          a single organism as distinguished from a group b: a particular
          person <are you the ~ I spoke with on the telephone?>
          2: an indivisible entity 3: the reference of a name or variable
          of the lowest logical type in a calculus

   individualise
          [in.di.vid.u.al.ise] Brit var of individualize

   individualism
          [in.di.vid.u.al.ism] n (1827) 1 a (1): a doctrine that the
          interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically
          paramount; also: conduct guided by such a doctrine (2):
          the conception that all values, rights, and duties originate
          in individuals b: a theory maintaining the political
          and economic independence of the individual and stressing
          individual initiative, action, and interests; also: conduct
          or practice guided by such a theory 2 a: individuality
          b: an individual peculiarity: idiosyncrasy

   individualist
          [in.di.vid.u.al.ist] n (1840) 1: one that pursues a markedly
          independent course in thought or action 2: one that advocates
          or practices individualism -- individualist or
          in.di.vid.u.al.is.tic adj -- in.di.vid.u.al.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   individuality
          [in.di.vid.u.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1614) 1 a: total character
          peculiar to and distinguishing an individual from others
          b: personality 2 archaic: the quality or state of being
          indivisible 3: separate or distinct existence 4: individual,
          person

   individualize
          [in.di.vid.u.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1637) 1: to make
          individual in character 2: to treat or notice individually:
          particularize 3: to adapt to the needs or special circumstances
          of an individual <~ teaching according to student ability>
          -- in.di.vid.u.al.i.za.tion n

   individual medley
          [individual medley] n (ca. 1949): a swimming race in which
          each contestant swims each part of the course with a
          different stroke

   individual retirement account
          [individual retirement account] n (1974): ira

   individuate
          [in.di.vid.u.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1614) 1: to give
          individuality to 2: to form into a distinct entity

   individuation
          [in.di.vid.u.a.tion] n (1628) 1: the act or process
          of individuating: as a (1): the development of the individual from
          the universal (2): the determination of the individual in the
          general b: the process by which individuals in society become
          differentiated from one another c: regional differentiation along
          a primary embryonic axis 2: the state of being individuated;
          specif: individuality

   indivisible
          [in.di.vis.i.ble] adj [ME, fr. LL indivisibilis, fr. L in-
          + LL divisibilis divisible] (14c): not divisible --
          in.di.vis.i.bil.i.ty n -- indivisible n -- in.di.vis.i.bly adv

   indn
          [indn] abbreviation indication

   indo-
          [indo-] --see ind- Indo- comb form [Gk, fr. Indos India]
          1: India or the East Indies <Indo-Pakistani> 2: Indo-European
          <Indo-Hittite>

   Indo-Aryan
          [In.do-Ar.y.an] n (1881) 1: a member of one of the peoples
          of the Indian subcontinent speaking an Indo-European
          language 2: one of the early Indo-European invaders of
          southern Asia 3: a branch of the Indo-European language
          family that includes Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, and other
          languages spoken primarily in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh,
          and Sri Lanka -- Indo-Aryan adj

   Indo-Chinese
          [In.do-Chi.nese] n (ca. 1934) 1: a native or inhabitant of
          Indochina 2: sino-tibetan -- Indo-Chinese adj

   indocile
          [in.doc.ile] adj [MF, fr. L indocilis, fr. in- + docilis
          docile] (1603): unwilling or indisposed to be taught
          or disciplined: intractable -- in.do.cil.i.ty n

   indoctrinate
          [in.doc.tri.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [prob. fr. ME endoctrinen,
          fr. MF endoctriner, fr. OF, fr. en- + doctrine doctrine] (1626)
          1: to instruct esp. in fundamentals or rudiments: teach 2: to imbue
          with a usu. partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view,
          or principle -- in.doc.tri.na.tion n -- in.doc.tri.na.tor n

   [1]Indo-European
          [In.do-Eu.ro.pe.an] adj (1814): of, relating to, or constituting
          the Indo-European languages [2]Indo-European n (1864)
          1: indo-european languages 2 a: an unrecorded prehistoric
          language from which the Indo-European languages are descended
          b: a member of the people speaking this language

   Indo-Europeanist
          [In.do-Eu.ro.pe.an.ist] n (1926): a specialist in Indo-European
          linguistics

   Indo-European languages
          [Indo-European languages] n pl (1864): a family of languages
          comprising those spoken in most of Europe and in the
          parts of the world colonized by Europeans since 1500
          and also in Persia, the subcontinent of India, and some
          other parts of Asia

   Indo-Germanic
          [In.do-Ger.man.ic] adj (1835): indo-european -- Indo-Germanic
          n

   Indo-Hittite
          [In.do-Hit.tite] n (1930) 1: a hypothetical parent language
          of Indo-European and Anatolian 2: a language family including
          Indo-European and Anatolian -- Indo-Hittite adj

   Indo-Iranian
          [In.do-Ira.ni.an] adj (1876): of, relating to, or constituting
          a subfamily of the Indo-European languages that consists
          of the Indo-Aryan and the Iranian branches -- Indo-Iranian
          n

   indole
          [in.dole] n [ISV ind- + -ole] (1869): a crystalline compound
          that is a decomposition product of proteins containing
          tryptophan, that can be made synthetically, and that
          is used in perfumes; also: a derivative of indole

   indoleacetic acid
          [in.dole.ace.tic acid] n (1937): a crystalline plant hormone
          that is a naturally occurring auxin promoting growth
          and rooting of plants--called also heteroauxin

   indolebutyric acid
          [in.dole.bu.tyr.ic acid] n (1936): a crystalline acid similar
          to indoleacetic acid in its effects on plants

   indolence
          [in.do.lence] n (1710): inclination to laziness: sloth

   indolent
          [in.do.lent] adj [LL indolent-, indolens insensitive to pain,
          fr. L in- + dolent-, dolens, prp. of dolere to feel pain]
          (1663) 1 a: causing little or no pain b: slow to develop
          or heal 2 a: averse to activity, effort, or movement:
          habitually lazy b: conducing to or encouraging laziness
          <~ heat> c: exhibiting indolence <an ~ sigh> syn see
          lazy -- in.do.lent.ly adv

   Indology
          [In.dol.o.gy] n (1888): the study of India and its people
          -- In.dol.o.gist n

   indomethacin
          [in.do.meth.a.cin] n [indole + meth- + acetic acid + [1]-in]
          (1963): a nonsteroidal drug with anti-inflammatory, analgesic,
          and antipyretic properties used esp. in treating arthritis

   indomitable
          [in.dom.i.ta.ble] adj [LL indomitabilis, fr. L in- + domitare
          to tame--more at daunt] (1830): incapable of being subdued:
          unconquerable <~ courage> -- in.dom.i.ta.bil.i.ty n --
          in.dom.i.ta.ble.ness n -- in.dom.i.ta.bly adv

   Indon
          [Indon] abbreviation Indonesia, Indonesian

   Indonesian
          [In.do.ne.sian] n (1850) 1: a native or inhabitant of the
          Malay Archipelago 2 a: a native or inhabitant of the
          Republic of Indonesia b: the language based on Malay
          that is the national language of the Republic of Indonesia
          -- Indonesian adj

   indoor
          [in.door] adj (1711) 1: of or relating to the interior of
          a building 2: living, located, or carried on within a
          building <an ~ sport>

   indoors
          [in.doors] adv (1832): in or into a building

   indophenol
          [in.do.phe.nol] n [ISV] (ca. 1881): any of various blue or
          green dyes

   indorse, indorsement
          [in.dorse, in.dorse.ment] var of endorse, endorsement

   indoxyl
          [in.dox.yl] n [ISV ind- + hydroxyl] (ca. 1886): a crystalline
          compound found in plants and animals or synthesized as
          a step in indigo manufacture

   indraft
          [in.draft] n (1594) 1: an inward flow or current (as of air
          or water) 2: a drawing or pulling in

   indrawn
          [in.drawn] adj (1751) 1: aloof, reserved 2: drawn in

   indri
          [in.dri] n, pl indris [F, fr. Malagasy indry look]] (1839):
          a large black-and-white Madagascan lemur (Indri indri)
          that is about two feet long with a rudimentary tail

   in dubio
          [in du.bio] [L] foreign term : in doubt: undetermined

   indubitable
          [in.du.bi.ta.ble] adj [ME indubitabyll, fr. L indubitabilis,
          fr. in- + dubitabilis dubitable] (15c): too evident to
          be doubted: unquestionable -- in.du.bi.ta.bil.i.ty n
          -- in.du.bi.ta.ble.ness n -- in.du.bi.ta.bly adv

   induce
          [in.duce] vt in.duced ; in.duc.ing [ME, fr. L inducere, fr.
          in- + ducere to lead--more at tow] (14c) 1 a: to move
          by persuasion or influence b: to call forth or bring
          about by influence or stimulation 2 a: effect, cause
          b: to cause the formation of c: to produce (as an electric
          current) by induction 3: to determine by induction; specif:
          to infer from particulars

   inducement
          [in.duce.ment] n (1594) 1: a motive or consideration that
          leads one to action or to additional or more effective
          actions 2: the act or process of inducing 3: matter presented
          by way of introduction or background to explain the principal
          allegations of a legal cause, plea, or defense syn see
          motive

   inducer
          [in.duc.er] n (1554): one that induces; esp: a substance
          that is capable of activating a structural gene by combining
          with and inactivating a genetic repressor

   inducible
          [in.duc.ible] adj (ca. 1677): capable of being induced; esp:
          formed by a cell in response to the presence of its substrate
          <~ enzymes>--compare constitutive -- in.duc.ibil.i.ty
          n

   induct
          [in.duct] vt [ME, fr. ML inductus, pp. of inducere, fr. L]
          (14c) 1: to put in formal possession (as of a benefice
          or office): install <was ~ed as president of the college>
          2 a: to admit as a member <~ed into a scholastic society>
          b: introduce, initiate c: to enroll for military training
          or service (as under a selective service act) 3: lead,
          conduct

   inductance
          [in.duc.tance] n (1886) 1 a: a property of an electric circuit
          by which an electromotive force is induced in it by a
          variation of current either in the circuit itself or
          in a neighboring circuit b: the measure of this property
          that is equal to the ratio of the induced electromotive
          force to the rate of change of the inducing current 2:
          a circuit or a device possessing inductance

   inductee
          [in.duct.ee] n (1940): one who is inducted

   induction
          [in.duc.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act or process of inducting
          (as into office) b: an initial experience: initiation
          c: the formality by which a civilian is inducted into
          military service 2 a (1): inference of a generalized
          conclusion from particular instances--compare deduction
          2a (2): a conclusion arrived at by induction b: mathematical
          demonstration of the validity of a law concerning all
          the positive integers by proving that it holds for the
          integer 1 and that if it holds for all the integers preceding
          a given integer it must hold for the next following integer
          3: a preface, prologue, or introductory scene esp. of
          an early English play 4 a: the act of bringing forward
          or adducing (as facts or particulars) b: the act of causing
          or bringing on or about c: the process by which an electrical
          conductor becomes electrified when near a charged body,
          by which a magnetizable body becomes magnetized when
          in a magnetic field or in the magnetic flux set up by
          a magnetomotive force, or by which an electromotive force
          is produced in a circuit by varying the magnetic field
          linked with the circuit d: the inspiration of the fuel-air
          charge from the carburetor into the combustion chamber
          of an internal-combustion engine e: the sum of the processes
          by which the fate of embryonic cells is determined and
          morphogenetic differentiation brought about

   induction coil
          [induction coil] n (1837): an apparatus for obtaining intermittent
          high voltage consisting of a primary coil through which the direct
          current flows, an interrupter, and a secondary coil of a larger
          number of turns in which the high voltage is induced

   induction heating
          [induction heating] n (1919): heating of material by means
          of an electric current that is caused to flow through
          the material or its container by electromagnetic induction

   induction motor
          [induction motor] n (1897): an alternating-current motor
          in which torque is produced by the reaction between a
          varying magnetic field generated in the stator and the
          current induced in the coils of the rotor

   inductive
          [in.duc.tive] adj (15c) 1: leading on: inducing 2: of, relating
          to, or employing mathematical or logical induction <~
          reasoning> 3: of or relating to inductance or electrical
          induction 4: introductory 5: involving the action of
          an embryological inductor: tending to produce induction
          -- in.duc.tive.ly adv

   inductor
          [in.duc.tor] n (1652) 1: one that inducts 2 a: a part of
          an electrical apparatus that acts upon another or is
          itself acted upon by induction b: reactor 2 3: organizer
          2

   indue
          [in.due] var of endue

   indulge
          [in.dulge] vb in.dulged ; in.dulg.ing [L indulgere to be
          complaisant] vt (ca. 1623) 1 a: to give free rein to
          b: to take unrestrained pleasure in: gratify 2 a: to
          yield to the desire of: humor b: to treat with excessive
          leniency, generosity, or consideration ~ vi: to indulge
          oneself -- in.dulg.er n syn indulge, pamper, humor, spoil,
          baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's
          desires and feelings. indulge implies excessive compliance
          and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires
          <indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse>.
          pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for
          luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect
          <pampered by the amenities of modern living>. humor stresses
          a yielding to a person's moods or whims <humored him
          by letting him tell the story>. spoil stresses the injurious
          effects on character by indulging or pampering <foolish
          parents spoil their children>. baby suggests excessive
          care, attention, or solicitude <babying students by grading
          too easily>. mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree
          of care and attention to another's health or welfare
          <refused to mollycoddle her malingering son>.

   indulgence
          [in.dul.gence] n (14c) 1: remission of part or all of the
          temporal and esp. purgatorial punishment that according
          to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment
          has been remitted and whose guilt has been pardoned (as
          through the sacrament of reconciliation) 2: the act of
          indulging: the state of being indulgent 3 a: an indulgent
          act b: an extension of time for payment or performance
          granted as a favor 4 a: the act of indulging in something;
          esp: self-indulgence b: something indulged in <walk off
          gastronomic ~s --Barbara L. Michaels>

   indulgent
          [in.dul.gent] adj [L indulgent-, indulgens, prp. of indulgere]
          (1509): indulging or characterized by indulgence; esp:
          lenient -- in.dul.gent.ly adv

   indult
          [in.dult] n [ME (Sc), fr. ML indultum, fr. LL, grant, fr.
          L, neut. of indultus, pp. of indulgere] (15c): a special
          often temporary dispensation granted in the Roman Catholic
          Church

   [1]indurate
          [in.du.rate] adj (14c): physically or morally hardened
          [2]in.du.rate vb -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L induratus, pp. of indurare,
          fr. in- + durare to harden, fr. durus hard--more at during]
          vt (1538) 1: to make unfeeling, stubborn, or obdurate 2: to make
          hardy: inure 3: to make hard <great heat ~s clay> 4: to establish
          firmly: confirm ~ vi 1: to grow hard: harden 2: to become
          established

   indurated
          [in.du.rat.ed] adj (1604): having become firm or hard esp.
          by increase of fibrous elements <~ tissue>

   induration
          [in.du.ra.tion] n (14c): the process of or condition produced
          by growing hard; specif: sclerosis esp. when associated
          with inflammation -- in.du.ra.tive adj

   indus
          [indus] abbreviation industrial, industry

   indusium
          [in.du.si.um] n, pl -sia [NL, fr. L, tunic] (1807): an investing
          outgrowth or membrane: as a: an outgrowth of a fern frond
          that invests the sori b: the annulus of a fungus esp.
          when large and full

   [1]industrial
          [in.dus.tri.al] adj (15c) 1: of or relating to industry 2:
          derived from human industry <~ wealth> 3: engaged in
          industry <the ~ classes> 4: used in or developed for
          use in industry <~ diamonds>; also: heavy-duty <an ~
          zipper> 5: characterized by highly developed industries
          <an ~ nation> -- in.dus.tri.al.ly adv [2]industrial n
          (1865) 1 a: one that is employed in industry b: a company
          engaged in industrial production or service 2: a stock
          or bond issued by an industrial corporation or enterprise

   industrial action
          [industrial action] n (ca. 1931) Brit: job action

   industrial archaeology
          [industrial archaeology] n (1951): the study of the buildings,
          machinery, and equipment of the industrial revolution
          -- industrial archaeologist n

   industrial arts
          [industrial arts] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1925): a subject
          taught in elementary and secondary schools that aims
          at developing manual skill and familiarity with tools
          and machines

   industrial engineering
          [industrial engineering] n (ca. 1924): engineering that deals
          with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated
          systems (as of people, materials, and energy) in industry
          -- industrial engineer n

   industrialise
          [in.dus.tri.al.ise] Brit var of industrialize

   industrialism
          [in.dus.tri.al.ism] n (1831): social organization in which
          industries and esp. large-scale industries are dominant

   industrialist
          [in.dus.tri.al.ist] n (1864): one owning or engaged in the
          management of an industry: manufacturer

   industrialize
          [in.dus.tri.al.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1882): to make
          industrial <~ an agricultural region> ~ vi: to become
          industrial -- in.dus.tri.al.i.za.tion n

   industrial melanism
          [industrial melanism] n (1943): genetically determined melanism
          as a population phenomenon esp. in moths in which the
          proportion of dark individuals tends to increase due
          to differential predation esp. by birds which more easily
          find and eat lighter-colored individuals in habitats
          darkened by industrial pollution

   industrial psychology
          [industrial psychology] n (1917): the application of the
          findings and methods of experimental, clinical, and social
          psychology to industrial concerns -- industrial psychologist
          n

   industrial relations
          [industrial relations] n pl (1904): the dealings or relationships
          of a usu. large business or industrial enterprise with
          its own workers, with labor in general, with governmental
          agencies, or with the public

   industrial revolution
          [industrial revolution] n (1848): a rapid major change in
          an economy (as in England in the late 18th century) marked
          by the general introduction of power-driven machinery
          or by an important change in the prevailing types and
          methods of use of such machines

   industrial school
          [industrial school] n (1853): a school specializing in the
          teaching of industrial arts; specif: one for juvenile
          delinquents

   industrial sociology
          [industrial sociology] n (1948): sociological analysis directed
          at institutions and social relationships within and largely
          controlled or affected by industry

   industrial-strength
          [in.dus.tri.al-strength] adj (1976): of industrial quality;
          also: marked by more than usual power or durability <~
          boots> <an ~ voice>

   industrial union
          [industrial union] n (1902): a labor union open to workers
          in an industry irrespective of their occupation or craft--compare
          craft union

   industrious
          [in.dus.tri.ous] adj (15c) 1 obs: skillful, ingenious 2:
          persistently active: zealous 3: constantly, regularly,
          or habitually occupied: diligent syn see busy -- in.dus.tri.ous.ly
          adv -- in.dus.tri.ous.ness n

   industry
          [in.dus.try] n, pl -tries [ME industrie skill, employment
          involving skill, fr. MF, fr. L industria diligence, fr.
          industrius diligent, fr. OL indostruus, perh. fr. indu
          in + -struus (akin to L struere to build)--more at end-,
          strew] (15c) 1: diligence in an employment or pursuit;
          esp: steady or habitual effort 2 a: systematic labor
          esp. for some useful purpose or the creation of something
          of value b: a department or branch of a craft, art, business,
          or manufacture; esp: one that employs a large personnel
          and capital esp. in manufacturing c: a distinct group
          of productive or profit-making enterprises <the banking
          ~> d: manufacturing activity as a whole <the nation's
          ~> 3: work devoted to the study of a particular subject
          or author <the Shakespeare ~> syn see business

   indwell
          [in.dwell] vi (14c): to exist as an inner activating spirit,
          force, or principle ~ vt: to exist within as an activating
          spirit, force, or principle -- in.dwell.er n

   indwelling
          [in.dwell.ing] adj (1646) 1: being an inner activating or
          guiding force 2: left within a bodily organ or passage
          esp. to promote drainage--used of an implanted tube (as
          a catheter)

   [1]-ine
          [-ine] adj suffix 1: of or relating to <estuarine> 2: made
          of: like <opaline> [2]-ine n suffix [ME -ine, -in, fr.
          MF & L; MF -ine, fr. L -ina, fr. fem. of -inus, adj.
          suffix] 1: chemical substance: as a: halogen element
          <chlorine> b: basic or base-containing carbon compound
          that contains nitrogen <quinine> <cystine> c: mixture
          of compounds (as of hydrocarbons) <gasoline> d: hydride
          <arsine> 2: -in 1a 3: commercial product or material
          <glassine>

   inebriant
          [in.ebri.ant] n (1819): intoxicant

   [1]inebriate
          [in.ebri.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L inebriatus, pp. of inebriare,
          fr. in- + ebriare to intoxicate, fr. ebrius drunk] (15c)
          1: to exhilarate or stupefy as if by liquor 2: to make drunk:
          intoxicate -- in.ebri.a.tion n [2]in.ebri.ate adj (15c) 1: affected
          by alcohol: drunk 2: addicted to excessive drinking [3]in.ebri.ate
          n (ca. 1796): one who is drunk; esp: drunkard

   inebriated
          [in.ebri.at.ed] adj (1609): exhilarated or confused by or
          as if by alcohol: intoxicated

   inebriety
          [in.ebri.ety] n [prob. blend of inebriation and ebriety
          drunkenness] (1801): the state of being inebriated: drunkenness

   inedible
          [in.ed.i.ble] adj (ca. 1834): not fit to be eaten

   ineducable
          [in.ed.u.ca.ble] adj (1884): incapable of being educated
          -- in.ed.u.ca.bil.i.ty n

   ineffable
          [in.ef.fa.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L ineffabilis, fr. in-
          + effabilis capable of being expressed, fr. effari to
          speak out, fr. ex- + fari to speak--more at ban] (14c)
          1 a: incapable of being expressed in words: indescribable
          <~ joy> b: unspeakable <~ disgust> 2: not to be uttered:
          taboo <the ~ name of Jehovah> -- in.ef.fa.bil.i.ty n
          -- in.ef.fa.ble.ness n -- in.ef.fa.bly adv

   ineffaceable
          [in.ef.face.able] adj [prob. fr. F ineffacable, fr. MF, fr.
          in- + effacable effaceable] (1804): not effaceable: ineradicable
          -- in.ef.face.abil.i.ty n -- in.ef.face.ably adv

   ineffective
          [in.ef.fec.tive] adj (1649) 1: not producing an intended
          effect: ineffectual <~ lighting> 2: not capable of performing
          efficiently or as expected: incapable <an ~ executive>
          -- in.ef.fec.tive.ly adv -- in.ef.fec.tive.ness n

   ineffectual
          [in.ef.fec.tu.al] adj (15c) 1: not producing the proper or
          intended effect: futile 2: ineffective 2 -- in.ef.fec.tu.al.i.ty
          n -- in.ef.fec.tu.al.ly adv -- in.ef.fec.tu.al.ness n

   inefficacious
          [in.ef.fi.ca.cious] adj (1658): lacking the power to produce
          a desired effect: ineffective -- in.ef.fi.ca.cious.ly
          adv -- in.ef.fi.ca.cious.ness n

   inefficacy
          [in.ef.fi.ca.cy] n [LL inefficacia, fr. L inefficac-, inefficax
          inefficacious, fr. in- + efficac-, efficax efficacious]
          (ca. 1615): lack of power to produce a desired effect

   inefficiency
          [in.ef.fi.cien.cy] n, pl -cies (1749) 1: the quality or state
          of being inefficient 2: something that is inefficient

   inefficient
          [in.ef.fi.cient] adj (1750): not efficient: as a: not producing
          the effect intended or desired b: wasteful of time or
          energy <~ operating procedures> c: incapable, incompetent
          <an ~ worker> -- inefficient n -- in.ef.fi.cient.ly adv

   inegalitarian
          [in.e.gal.i.tar.i.an] adj (1940): marked by disparity in
          social and economic standing

   inelastic
          [in.elas.tic] adj (1748): not elastic: as a: slow to react
          or respond to changing conditions b: inflexible, unyielding
          -- in.elas.tic.i.ty n

   inelastic collision
          [inelastic collision] n (1937): a collision in which part
          of the kinetic energy of the colliding particles changes
          into another form of energy (as radiation)

   inelastic scattering
          [inelastic scattering] n (1938): a scattering of particles
          as the result of inelastic collision in which the total
          kinetic energy of the colliding particles changes

   inelegance
          [in.el.e.gance] n (1726): lack of elegance

   inelegant
          [in.el.e.gant] adj [MF, fr. L inelegant-, inelegans, fr.
          in- + elegant-, elegans elegant] (ca. 1570): lacking
          in refinement, grace, or good taste -- in.el.e.gant.ly
          adv

   ineligible
          [in.el.i.gi.ble] adj [F ineligible, fr. in- + eligible eligible]
          (1770): not eligible: as a: not qualified for an office
          or position b: not permitted under football rules to
          catch a forward pass -- in.el.i.gi.bil.i.ty n -- ineligible
          n

   ineloquent
          [in.el.o.quent] adj (ca. 1530): not eloquent -- in.el.o.quent.ly
          adv

   ineluctable
          [in.eluc.ta.ble] adj [L ineluctabilis, fr. in- + eluctari
          to struggle clear of, fr. ex- + luctari to struggle,
          wrestle; akin to L luxus dislocated--more at lock] (ca.
          1623): not to be avoided, changed, or resisted: inevitable
          -- in.eluc.ta.bil.i.ty n -- in.eluc.ta.bly adv

   ineludible
          [in.elud.ible] adj (1662): inescapable

   inenarrable
          [in.enar.ra.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L inenarrabilis, fr.
          in- + enarrare to explain in detail, fr. e- + narrare
          to narrate] (15c): incapable of being narrated: indescribable

   inept
          [in.ept] adj [MF inepte, fr. L ineptus, fr. in- + aptus apt]
          (1542) 1: lacking in fitness or aptitude: unfit 2: lacking
          sense or reason: foolish 3: not suitable to the time,
          place, or occasion: inappropriate often to an absurd
          degree 4: generally incompetent: bungling syn see awkward
          -- in.ept.ly adv -- in.ept.ness n

   ineptitude
          [in.ep.ti.tude] n [L ineptitudo, fr. ineptus] (1615): the
          quality or state of being inept; esp: incompetence

   inequality
          [in.equal.i.ty] n [ME inequalite, fr. MF inequalite, fr.
          L inaequalitat-, inaequalitas, fr. inaequalis unequal,
          fr. in- + aequalis equal] (15c) 1: the quality of being
          unequal or uneven: as a: lack of evenness b: social disparity
          c: disparity of distribution or opportunity d: the condition
          of being variable: changeableness 2: an instance of being
          unequal 3: a formal statement of inequality between two
          quantities usu. separated by a sign of inequality (as
          one expressing is less than, is greater than, or is not
          equal to)

   inequitable
          [in.eq.ui.ta.ble] adj (1667): not equitable: unfair --
          in.eq.ui.ta.bly adv

   inequity
          [in.eq.ui.ty] n (1556) 1: injustice, unfairness 2: an instance
          of injustice or unfairness

   inequivalve
          [in.equi.valve] also in.equi.valved adj (1776): having the
          valves unequal in size and form--used of a bivalve mollusk
          or shell

   ineradicable
          [in.erad.i.ca.ble] adj (1818): incapable of being eradicated
          -- in.erad.i.ca.bil.i.ty n -- in.erad.i.ca.bly adv

   inerrancy
          [in.er.ran.cy] n (ca. 1834): exemption from error: infallibility
          <the question of biblical ~>

   inerrant
          [in.er.rant] adj [L inerrant-, inerrans, fr. in- + errant-,
          errans, prp. of errare to err] (1837): free from error

   inert
          [in.ert] adj [L inert-, iners unskilled, idle, fr. in- +
          art-, ars skill--more at arm] (1647) 1: lacking the power
          to move 2: very slow to move or act: sluggish 3: deficient
          in active properties; esp: lacking a usual or anticipated
          chemical or biological action syn see inactive -- inert
          n -- in.ert.ly adv -- in.ert.ness n

   inert gas
          [inert gas] n (1898): noble gas

   inertia
          [in.er.tia] n [NL, fr. L, lack of skill, fr. inert-, iners]
          (1713) 1 a: a property of matter by which it remains
          at rest or in uniform motion in the same straight line
          unless acted upon by some external force b: an analogous
          property of other physical quantities (as electricity)
          2: indisposition to motion, exertion, or change: inertness
          -- in.er.tial adj -- in.er.tial.ly adv

   inertial guidance
          [inertial guidance] n (ca. 1948): guidance (as of an aircraft
          or spacecraft) by means of self-contained automatically
          controlling devices that respond to inertial forces--called
          also inertial navigation

   inescapable
          [in.es.cap.able] adj (1792): incapable of being avoided,
          ignored, or denied: inevitable -- in.es.cap.ably adv

   inessential
          [in.es.sen.tial] adj (1677) 1: having no essence 2: not essential:
          unessential -- inessential n

   inestimable
          [in.es.ti.ma.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L inaestimabilis,
          fr. in- + aestimabilis estimable] (14c) 1: incapable
          of being estimated or computed <storms c aused ~ damage>
          2: too valuable or excellent to be measured or appreciated
          <has performed an ~ service for his country> -- in.es.ti.ma.bly
          adv

   inevitable
          [in.ev.i.ta.ble] adj [ME, fr. L inevitabilis, fr. in- + evitabilis
          evitable] (14c): incapable of being avoided or evaded
          -- in.ev.i.ta.bil.i.ty n -- in.ev.i.ta.ble.ness n

   inevitably
          [in.ev.i.ta.bly] adv (15c) 1: in an inevitable way 2: as
          is to be expected <~, it rained>

   inexact
          [in.ex.act] adj [F, fr. in- + exact exact] (ca. 1828) 1:
          not precisely correct or true: inaccurate <an ~ translation>
          2: not rigorous and careful <an ~ thinker> -- in.ex.act.ly
          adv -- in.ex.act.ness n

   inexactitude
          [in.ex.ac.ti.tude] n [F, fr. inexact] (1782) 1: lack of exactitude
          or precision 2: an instance of inexactness

   in excelsis
          [in ex.cel.sis] adv [LL, on high] (1602): in the highest
          degree

   inexcusable
          [in.ex.cus.able] adj [ME, fr. L inexcusabilis, fr. in- +
          excusabilis excusable] (15c): being without excuse or
          justification -- in.ex.cus.able.ness n -- in.ex.cus.ably
          adv

   inexhaustible
          [in.ex.haust.ible] adj (1601): not exhaustible: as a: incapable
          of being used up <~ riches> b: incapable of being wearied
          or worn out <an ~ hiker> -- in.ex.haust.ibil.i.ty n --
          in.ex.haust.ible.ness n -- in.ex.haust.ibly adv

   inexistence
          [in.ex.is.tence] n (ca. 1623): absence of existence: nonexistence

   inexistent
          [in.ex.is.tent] adj [LL inexsistent-, inexsistens, fr. L
          in- + exsistent-, exsistens, prp. of exsistere to exist]
          (1646): not having existence: nonexistent

   inexorable
          [in.ex.o.ra.ble] adj [L inexorabilis, fr. in- + exorabilis
          pliant, fr. exorare to prevail upon, fr. ex- + orare
          to speak--more at oration] (1553): not to be persuaded
          or moved by entreaty: relentless -- in.ex.o.ra.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.ex.o.ra.ble.ness n -- in.ex.o.ra.bly adv

   inexpedience
          [in.ex.pe.di.ence] n (1608): inexpediency

   inexpediency
          [in.ex.pe.di.en.cy] n (1641): the quality or fact of being
          inexpedient

   inexpedient
          [in.ex.pe.di.ent] adj (1608): not expedient: inadvisable
          -- in.ex.pe.di.ent.ly adv

   inexpensive
          [in.ex.pen.sive] adj (ca. 1846): reasonable in price: cheap
          -- in.ex.pen.sive.ly adv -- in.ex.pen.sive.ness n

   inexperience
          [in.ex.pe.ri.ence] n [MF, fr. LL inexperientia, fr. L in-
          + experientia experience] (1598) 1: lack of practical
          experience 2: lack of knowledge of the ways of the world
          -- in.ex.pe.ri.enced adj

   inexpert
          [in.ex.pert] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L inexpertus, fr. in- +
          expertus expert] (15c): not expert: unskilled -- in.ex.pert
          n -- in.ex.pert.ly adv -- in.ex.pert.ness n

   inexpiable
          [in.ex.pi.a.ble] adj [ME inexpyable, fr. L inexpiabilis,
          fr. in- + expiare to expiate] (15c) 1: not capable of
          being atoned for 2 obs: implacable, unappeasable -- in.ex.pi.a.bly
          adv

   inexplainable
          [in.ex.plain.able] adj (ca. 1923): inexplicable

   inexplicable
          [in.ex.pli.ca.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L inexplicabilis,
          fr. in- + explicabilis explicable] (15c): incapable of
          being explained, interpreted, or accounted for --
          in.ex.pli.ca.bil.i.ty n -- in.ex.pli.ca.ble.ness n --
          in.ex.pli.ca.bly adv

   inexplicit
          [in.ex.plic.it] adj (ca. 1812): not explicit

   inexpressible
          [in.ex.press.ible] adj (1625): not capable of being expressed:
          indescribable -- in.ex.press.ibil.i.ty n -- in.ex.press.ible.ness
          n -- in.ex.press.ibly adv

   inexpressive
          [in.ex.pres.sive] adj (1652) 1 archaic: inexpressible 2:
          lacking expression or meaning <an ~ face> -- in.ex.pres.sive.ly
          adv -- in.ex.pres.sive.ness n

   inexpugnable
          [in.ex.pug.na.ble] adj [ME in-expungnabull, fr. MF, fr. L
          inexpugnabilis, fr. in- + expugnare to take by storm,
          fr. ex- + pugnare to fight--more at pungent] (15c) 1:
          incapable of being subdued or overthrown: impregnable
          <an ~ position> 2: stable, fixed <~ hatred> --
          in.ex.pug.na.ble.ness n -- in.ex.pug.na.bly adv

   inexpungible
          [in.ex.pung.ible] adj [in- + expunge] (1888): incapable of
          being obliterated

   in extenso
          [in ex.ten.so] adv [ML] (1826): at full length <the passage
          was quoted in extenso>

   inextinguishable
          [in.ex.tin.guish.able] adj (15c): not extinguishable: unquenchable
          <an ~ flame> <an ~ longing> -- in.ex.tin.guish.ably adv

   in extremis
          [in ex.tre.mis] adv [L] (ca. 1530): in extreme circumstances;
          esp: at the point of death

   inextricable
          [in.ex.tri.ca.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L inextricabilis,
          fr. in- + extricabilis extricable] (15c) 1: forming a maze
          or tangle from which it is impossible to get free 2 a: incapable
          of being disentangled or untied <an ~ knot> b: not capable of being
          solved -- in.ex.tri.ca.bil.i.ty n -- in.ex.tri.ca.bly adv

   inf
          [inf] abbreviation infantry, infinitive  INF abbreviation
          intermediate range nuclear forces

   infallible
          [in.fal.li.ble] adj [ME, fr. ML infallibilis, fr. L in- +
          LL fallibilis fallible] (15c) 1: incapable of error:
          unerring <an ~ memory> 2: not liable to mislead, deceive,
          or disappoint: certain <an ~ remedy> 3: incapable of
          error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals
          -- in.fal.li.bil.i.ty n -- in.fal.li.bly adv

   infalling
          [in.fall.ing] adj (1964): moving under the influence of gravity
          toward a celestial object (as a black hole) -- in.fall
          n

   infamous
          [in.fa.mous] adj [ME, fr. L infamis, fr. in- + fama fame]
          (14c) 1: having a reputation of the worst kind 2: causing
          or bringing infamy: disgraceful 3: convicted of an offense
          bringing infamy -- in.fa.mous.ly adv

   infamy
          [in.fa.my] n, pl -mies (15c) 1: evil reputation brought about
          by something grossly criminal, shocking, or brutal 2
          a: an extreme and publicly known criminal or evil act
          b: the state of being infamous syn see disgrace

   infancy
          [in.fan.cy] n, pl -cies (14c) 1: early childhood 2: a beginning
          or early period of existence 3: the legal status of an
          infant

   [1]infant
          [in.fant] n [ME enfaunt, fr. MF enfant, fr. L infant-, infans,
          fr. infant-, infans, adj., incapable of speech, young,
          fr. in- + fant-, fans, prp. of fari to speak--more at
          ban] (14c) 1: a child in the first period of life 2:
          a person who is not of full age: minor [2]infant adj
          (ca. 1586) 1: intended for young children 2: being in
          an early stage of development 3: of, relating to, or
          being in infancy

   infanta
          [in.fan.ta] n [Sp & Pg, fem. of infante] (1593): a daughter
          of a Spanish or Portuguese monarch

   infante
          [in.fan.te] n [Sp & Pg, lit., infant, fr. L infant-, infans]
          (1555): a younger son of a Spanish or Portuguese monarch

   infanticide
          [in.fan.ti.cide] n [LL infanticidium, fr. L infant-, infans
          + -i- + -cidium -cide] (ca. 1656) 1: the killing of an
          infant 2 [LL infanticida, fr. L infant-, infans + -i-
          + -cida -cide]: one who kills an infant -- in.fan.ti.ci.dal
          adj

   infantile
          [in.fan.tile] adj (1696) 1: of or relating to infants or
          infancy 2: suitable to or characteristic of an infant;
          esp: very immature -- in.fan.til.i.ty n

   infantile paralysis
          [infantile paralysis] n (1843): poliomyelitis

   infantilism
          [in.fan.til.ism] n (1895) 1: retention of childish physical,
          mental, or emotional qualities in adult life; esp: failure
          to attain sexual maturity 2: an act or expression that
          indicates lack of maturity

   infantilize
          [in.fan.til.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1943) 1: to make or
          keep infantile 2: to treat as if infantile -- in.fan.til.i.za.tion
          n

   infantine
          [in.fan.tine] adj (1603): infantile, childish

   infantry
          [in.fan.try] n, pl -tries [MF & OIt; MF infanterie, fr. OIt
          infanteria, fr. infante boy, foot soldier, fr. L infant-,
          infans] (1579) 1 a: soldiers trained, armed, and equipped
          to fight on foot b: a branch of an army composed of these
          soldiers 2: an infantry regiment or division

   infantryman
          [in.fan.try.man] n (1883): an infantry soldier

   infant school
          [infant school] n (1824) Brit: a school for children aged
          five to seven or eight

   infarct
          [in.farct] n [L infarctus, pp. of infarcire to stuff, fr.
          in- + farcire to stuff] (1873): an area of necrosis in
          a tissue or organ resulting from obstruction of the local
          circulation by a thrombus or embolus -- in.farct.ed adj
          -- in.farc.tion n

   infare
          [in.fare] n [ME, entrance, fr. OE infaer, fr. in + faer way,
          fr. faran to go--more at fare] (1595) chiefly dial: a
          reception for a newly married couple

   [1]infatuate
          [in.fat.u.ate] adj (15c): being in an infatuated state or
          condition [2]in.fat.u.ate vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L infatuatus,
          pp. of infatuare, fr. in- + fatuus fatuous] (1533) 1:
          to cause to be foolish: deprive of sound judgment 2:
          to inspire with a foolish or extravagant love or admiration
          -- in.fat.u.a.tion n

   infauna
          [in.fau.na] n [NL, fr. [2]in- + fauna] (1914): benthic fauna
          living in the substrate and esp. in a soft sea bottom--compare
          epifauna -- in.fau.nal adj

   infeasible
          [in.fea.si.ble] adj (1533): not feasible: impracticable --
          in.fea.si.bil.i.ty n

   infect
          [in.fect] vt [ME, fr. L infectus, pp. of inficere, fr. in-
          + facere to make, do--more at do] (14c) 1: to contaminate
          with a disease-producing substance or agent (as bacteria)
          2 a: to communicate a pathogen or a disease to b of a
          pathogenic organism: to invade (an individual or organ)
          usu. by penetration c of a computer virus: to become
          transmitted and copied to (as a computer) 3 a: contaminate,
          corrupt <the inflated writing that ~s such stories> b:
          to work upon or seize upon so as to induce sympathy,
          belief, or support <trying to ~ their salespeople with
          their enthusiasm> -- in.fec.tor n

   infection
          [in.fec.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or result of affecting injuriously
          2: an infective agent or material contaminated with an infective
          agent 3 a: the state produced by the establishment of an infective
          agent in or on a suitable host b: a disease resulting from
          infection 4: an act or process of infecting; also: the
          establishment of a pathogen in its host after invasion 5: the
          communication of emotions or qualities through example or contact

   infectious
          [in.fec.tious] adj (1542) 1 a: capable of causing infection
          b: communicable by infection--compare contagious 2: that
          corrupts or contaminates 3: spreading or capable of spreading
          rapidly to others <their enthusiasm was ~> <an ~ grin>
          -- in.fec.tious.ly adv -- in.fec.tious.ness n

   infectious hepatitis
          [infectious hepatitis] n (ca. 1941): hepatitis a

   infectious mononucleosis
          [infectious mononucleosis] n (1920): an acute infectious
          disease associated with Epstein-Barr virus and characterized
          by fever, swelling of lymph nodes, and lymphocytosis

   infective
          [in.fec.tive] adj (14c) 1: producing or capable of producing
          infection 2: affecting others: infectious -- in.fec.tiv.i.ty
          n

   infelicitous
          [in.fe.lic.i.tous] adj (1835): not appropriate in application
          or expression -- in.fe.lic.i.tous.ly adv

   infelicity
          [in.fe.lic.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME infelicite unhappiness,
          fr. L infelicitas, fr. infelic-, infelix unhappy, fr.
          in- + felic-, felix fruitful--more at feminine] (1617)
          1: the quality or state of being infelicitous 2: something
          that is infelicitous

   infer
          [in.fer] vb in.ferred ; in.fer.ring [MF or L; MF inferer,
          fr. L inferre, lit., to carry or bring into, fr. in-
          + ferre to carry--more at bear] vt (1528) 1: to derive
          as a conclusion from facts or premises <we see smoke
          and ~ fire --L. A. White>--compare imply 2: guess, surmise
          <your letter ... allows me to ~ that you are as well
          as ever --O. W. Holmes d.1935> 3 a: to involve as a normal
          outcome of thought b: to point out: indicate <this doth
          ~ the zeal I had to see him --Shak.> 4: suggest, hint
          <another survey ... ~s that two-thirds of all present
          computer installations are not paying for themselves
          --H. R. Chellman> ~ vi: to draw inferences <men ... have
          observed, inferred, and reasoned ... to all kinds of
          results --John Dewey> -- in.fer.able also in.fer.ri.ble
          adj -- in.fer.rer n syn infer, deduce, conclude, judge,
          gather mean to arrive at a mental conclusion. infer implies
          arriving at a conclusion by reasoning from evidence;
          if the evidence is slight, the term comes close to surmise
          <from that remark, I inferred that they knew each other>.
          deduce often adds to infer the special implication of
          drawing a particular inference from a generalization
          <denied we could deduce anything important from human
          mortality>. conclude implies arriving at a logically
          necessary inference at the end of a chain of reasoning
          <concluded that only the accused could be the murderer>.
          judge stresses critical examination of the evidence on
          which a conclusion is based <judge people by their actions>.
          gather suggests a direct or intuitive forming of a conclusion
          from hints or implications <gathered their desire to
          be alone without any hints>. usage Sir Thomas More is
          the first writer known to have used both infer and imply
          in their approved senses (1528). He is also the first
          to have used infer in a sense close in meaning to imply
          (1533). Both of these uses of infer coexisted without
          comment until some time around the end of World War I.
          Since then, senses 3 and 4 of infer have been frequently
          condemned as an undesirable blurring of a useful distinction.
          The actual blurring has been done by the commentators.
          Sense 3, descended from More's use of 1533, does not
          occur with a personal subject. When objections arose,
          they were to a use with a personal subject (now sense
          4). Since dictionaries did not recognize this use specifically,
          the objectors assumed that sense 3 was the one they found
          illogical, even though it had been in respectable use
          for four centuries. The actual usage condemned was a
          spoken one never used in logical discourse. At present
          sense 4 is found in print chiefly in letters to the editor
          and other informal prose, not in serious intellectual
          writing. The controversy over sense 4 has apparently
          reduced the frequency of use of sense 3.

   inference
          [in.fer.ence] n (1594) 1: the act or process of inferring:
          as a: the act of passing from one proposition, statement,
          or judgment considered as true to another whose truth
          is believed to follow from that of the former b: the
          act of passing from statistical sample data to generalizations
          (as of the value of population parameters) usu. with
          calculated degrees of certainty 2: something that is
          inferred; esp: a proposition arrived at by inference
          3: the premises and conclusion of a process of inferring

   inferential
          [in.fer.en.tial] adj [ML inferentia, fr. L inferent-, inferens,
          prp. of inferre] (1657) 1: relating to, involving, or
          resembling inference 2: deduced or deducible by inference

   inferentially
          [in.fer.en.tial.ly] adv (1691): by way of inference: through
          inference

   inferior
          [in.fe.ri.or] adj [ME, fr. L, compar. of inferus lower--more
          at under] (15c) 1: situated lower down: lower 2 a: of
          low or lower degree or rank b: of poor quality: mediocre
          3: of little or less importance, value, or merit <always
          felt ~ to his older brother> 4 a: situated below another
          and esp. another similar superior part of an upright
          body b: situated in a relatively low posterior or ventral
          position in a quadrupedal body c (1): situated below
          another plant part or organ (2): abaxial 5: relating
          to or being a subscript -- inferior n -- in.fe.ri.or.i.ty
          n -- in.fe.ri.or.ly adv

   inferior conjunction
          [inferior conjunction] n (1833): a conjunction in which an
          orbiting celestial body is aligned between its primary
          and an observer

   inferiority complex
          [inferiority complex] n (1922) 1: an acute sense of personal
          inferiority often resulting either in timidity or through
          overcompensation in exaggerated aggressiveness 2: a collective
          sense of cultural, regional, or national inferiority

   inferior planet
          [inferior planet] n (1658): either of the planets Mercury
          and Venus whose orbits lie within that of the earth

   infernal
          [in.fer.nal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL infernalis, fr. infernus
          hell, fr. L, lower, fr. inferus] (14c) 1: of or relating
          to a nether world of the dead 2 a: of or relating to
          hell b: hellish, diabolical 3: damnable <an ~ nuisance>
          -- in.fer.nal.ly adv

   infernal machine
          [infernal machine] n (1810): a machine or apparatus maliciously
          designed to explode and destroy life or property; esp:
          a concealed or disguised bomb

   inferno
          [in.fer.no] n, pl -nos [It, hell, fr. LL infernus] (1834):
          a place or a state that resembles or suggests hell <the
          ~ of war>; also: intense heat <the roaring ~ of the blast
          furnace>

   infertile
          [in.fer.tile] adj [MF, fr. LL infertilis, fr. L in- + fertilis
          fertile] (1597): not fertile or productive <~ eggs> <~
          fields> -- in.fer.til.i.ty n

   infest
          [in.fest] vt [F infester, fr. L infestare, fr. infestus hostile]
          (1602) 1: to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome
          manner <a slum ~ed with crime> <shark-infested waters>
          2: to live in or on as a parasite -- in.fes.tant n --
          in.fes.ta.tion n -- in.fest.er n

   infidel
          [in.fi.del] n [ME infidele, fr. MF, fr. LL infidelis unbelieving,
          fr. L, unfaithful, fr. in- + fidelis faithful--more at
          fidelity] (15c) 1: one who is not a Christian or who
          opposes Christianity 2 a: an unbeliever with respect
          to a particular religion b: one who acknowledges no religious
          belief 3: a disbeliever in something specified or understood
          -- infidel adj

   infidelity
          [in.fi.del.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: lack of belief in a
          religion 2 a: unfaithfulness to a moral obligation: disloyalty
          b: marital unfaithfulness or an instance of it

   infield
          [in.field] n (1606) 1: a field near a farmhouse 2 a: the
          area of a baseball field enclosed by the three bases
          and home plate b: the defensive positions comprising
          first base, second base, shortstop, and third base; also:
          the players who play these positions 3: the area enclosed
          by a racetrack or running track

   infielder
          [in.field.er] n (1867): a baseball player who plays in the
          infield

   infield hit
          [infield hit] n (1912): a base hit on a ball that does not
          leave the infield

   infield out
          [infield out] n (1926): a ground ball on which the batter
          is put out by an infielder

   infighting
          [in.fight.ing] n (1816) 1: fighting or boxing at close quarters
          2: rough-and-tumble fighting 3: prolonged and often bitter
          dissension or rivalry among members of a group or organization
          <bureaucratic ~> -- in.fight vi -- in.fight.er n

   infiltrate
          [in.fil.trate] vb -trat.ed ; -trat.ing vt (1758) 1: to cause
          (as a liquid) to permeate something by penetrating its
          pores or interstices 2: to pass into or through (a substance)
          by filtering or permeating 3: to pass (troops) singly
          or in small groups through gaps in the enemy line 4:
          to enter or become established in gradually or unobtrusively
          usu. for subversive purposes <the intelligence staff
          had been infiltrated by spies> ~ vi: to enter, permeate,
          or pass through a substance or area by filtering or by
          insinuating gradually -- infiltrate n -- in.fil.tra.tion
          n -- in.fil.tra.tive adj -- in.fil.tra.tor n

   [1]infinite
          [in.fi.nite] adj [ME infinit, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L infinitus,
          fr. in- + finitus finite] (14c) 1: extending indefinitely:
          endless <~ space> 2: immeasurably or inconceivably great
          or extensive: inexhaustible <~ patience> 3: subject to
          no limitation or external determination 4 a: extending
          beyond, lying beyond, or being greater than any preassigned
          finite value however large <~ number of positive numbers>
          b: extending to infinity <~ plane surface> c: characterized
          by an infinite number of elements or terms <an ~ set>
          <an ~ series> -- in.fi.nite.ly adv -- in.fi.nite.ness
          n [2]infinite n (1535): something that is infinite (as
          in extent, duration, or number)

   [1]infinitesimal
          [in.fin.i.tes.i.mal] n [NL infinitesimus infinite in rank,
          fr. L infinitus] (1706): an infinitesimal quantity or
          variable [2]infinitesimal adj (1710) 1: taking on values
          arbitrarily close to but greater than zero 2: immeasurably
          or incalculably small -- in.fin.i.tes.i.mal.ly adv

   infinitesimal calculus
          [infinitesimal calculus] n (1801): calculus 1b

   infinitival
          [in.fin.i.ti.val] adj (1869): relating to the infinitive

   [1]infinitive
          [in.fin.i.tive] adj [ME infinityf, fr. LL infinitivus, fr.
          L infinitus] (15c): formed with the infinitive -- in.fin.i.tive.ly
          adv [2]infinitive n (1530): a verb form normally identical
          in English with the first person singular that performs some
          functions of a noun and at the same time displays some
          characteristics of a verb and that is used with to (as in "I asked
          him to go") except with auxiliary and various other verbs (as
          in "no one saw him leave")

   infinitude
          [in.fin.i.tude] n (1641) 1: the quality or state of being
          infinite: infiniteness 2: something that is infinite
          esp. in extent 3: an infinite number or quantity

   infinity
          [in.fin.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a: the quality of being
          infinite b: unlimited extent of time, space, or quantity:
          boundlessness 2: an indefinitely great number or amount
          <an ~ of stars> 3 a: the limit of the value of a function
          or variable when it tends to become numerically larger
          than any preassigned finite number b: a part of a geometric
          magnitude that lies beyond any part whose distance from
          a given reference position is finite <do parallel lines
          ever meet if they extend to ~> c: a transfinite number
          (as aleph-null) 4: a distance so great that the rays
          of light from a point source at that distance may be
          regarded as parallel

   infirm
          [in.firm] adj [ME, fr. L infirmus, fr. in- + firmus firm]
          (14c) 1: of poor or deteriorated vitality; esp: feeble
          from age 2: weak of mind, will, or character: irresolute,
          vacillating 3: not solid or stable: insecure syn see
          weak -- in.firm.ly adv

   infirmary
          [in.fir.ma.ry] n, pl -ries (15c): a place where the infirm
          or sick are lodged for care and treatment

   infirmity
          [in.fir.mi.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being infirm b: the condition of being feeble: frailty
          2: disease, malady 3: a personal failing: foible <one
          of the besetting infirmities of living creatures is egotism
          --A. J. Toynbee>

   [1]infix
          [in.fix] vt [L infixus, pp. of infigere, fr. in- + figere
          to fasten--more at fix] (1502) 1: to fasten or fix by
          piercing or thrusting in 2: to impress firmly in the
          consciousness or disposition 3: to insert (as a sound
          or letter) as an infix syn see implant -- in.fix.ation
          n [2]in.fix n (1881): a derivational or inflectional
          affix appearing in the body of a word (as Sanskrit -n-
          in vindami "I know" as contrasted with vid "to know")
          [3]in.fix adj (1971): characterized by placement of a
          binary operator between the operands <a + b is expressed
          in ~ notation>--compare postfix, prefix

   infl
          [infl] abbreviation influenced

   in flagrante delicto
          [in fla.gran.te de.lic.to] adv (1772): flagrante delicto

   inflame
          [in.flame] vb in.flamed ; in.flam.ing [ME enflamen, fr. MF
          enflamer, fr. L inflammare, fr. in- + flamma flame] vt
          (14c) 1 a: to excite to excessive or uncontrollable action
          or feeling b: to make more heated or violent: intensify
          <insults served only to ~ the feud> 2: to set on fire:
          kindle 3: to cause to redden or grow hot from anger or
          excitement 4: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)
          ~ vi 1: to burst into flame 2: to become excited or angered
          3: to become affected with inflammation -- in.flam.er
          n

   inflammable
          [in.flam.ma.ble] adj [F, fr. ML inflammabilis, fr. L inflammare]
          (1605) 1: flammable 2: easily inflamed, excited, or angered:
          irascible -- in.flam.ma.bil.i.ty n -- inflammable n --
          in.flam.ma.ble.ness n -- in.flam.ma.bly adv

   inflammation
          [in.flam.ma.tion] n (15c) 1: a local response to cellular
          injury that is marked by capillary dilatation, leukocytic
          infiltration, redness, heat, and pain and that serves
          as a mechanism initiating the elimination of noxious
          agents and of damaged tissue 2: the act of inflaming:
          the state of being inflamed

   inflammatory
          [in.flam.ma.to.ry] adj (ca. 1711) 1: tending to excite anger,
          disorder, or tumult: seditious 2: tending to inflame
          or excite the senses 3: accompanied by or tending to
          cause inflammation -- in.flam.ma.to.ri.ly adv

   inflatable
          [in.flat.able] adj (1878): capable of being inflated <an
          ~ boat> -- inflatable n

   inflate
          [in.flate] vb in.flat.ed ; in.flat.ing [ME, fr. L inflatus,
          pp. of inflare, fr. in- + flare to blow--more at blow]
          vt (15c) 1: to swell or distend with air or gas 2: to
          puff up: elate 3: to expand or increase abnormally or
          imprudently ~ vi: to become inflated syn see expand --
          in.fla.tor or in.flat.er n

   inflated
          [inflated] adj (1652) 1: elaborated or heightened by artificial
          or empty means <an ~ style of writing> 2: distended with
          air or gas 3: expanded to an abnormal or unjustifiable
          volume or level <~ prices> 4: being hollow and enlarged
          or distended

   inflation
          [in.fla.tion] n (14c) 1: an act of inflating: a state of
          being inflated: as a: distension b: empty pretentiousness:
          pomposity 2: an increase in the volume of money and credit
          relative to available goods and services resulting in
          a continuing rise in the general price level

   inflationary
          [in.fla.tion.ary] adj (1920): of, characterized by, or productive
          of inflation

   inflationary spiral
          [inflationary spiral] n (1931): a continuous rise in prices
          that is sustained by the tendency of wage increases and
          cost increases to react on each other

   inflationism
          [in.fla.tion.ism] n (1919): the policy of economic inflation
          -- in.fla.tion.ist n or adj

   inflect
          [in.flect] vb [ME, fr. L inflectere, fr. in- + flectere to
          bend] vt (15c) 1: to turn from a direct line or course:
          curve 2: to vary (a word) by inflection: decline, conjugate
          3: to change or vary the pitch of (as the voice) ~ vi:
          to become modified by inflection -- in.flect.able adj
          -- in.flec.tive adj

   inflection
          [in.flec.tion] n (1531) 1: the act or result of curving or
          bending: bend 2: change in pitch or loudness of the voice
          3 a: the change of form that words undergo to mark such
          distinctions as those of case, gender, number, tense,
          person, mood, or voice b: a form, suffix, or element
          involved in such variation c: accidence 4 a: change in
          curvature of an arc or curve from concave to convex or
          conversely b: inflection point

   inflectional
          [in.flec.tion.al] adj (1832): of, relating to, or characterized
          by inflection <an ~ suffix> -- in.flec.tion.al.ly adv

   inflection point
          [inflection point] n (ca. 1721): a point on a curve that
          separates an arc concave upward from one concave downward
          and vice versa

   inflexed
          [in.flexed] adj [L inflexus, pp. of inflectere] (1661): bent
          or turned abruptly inward or downward or toward the axis
          <~ petals>

   inflexible
          [in.flex.i.ble] adj [ME, fr. L inflexibilis, fr. in- + flexibilis
          flexible] (14c) 1: rigidly firm in will or purpose: unyielding
          2: not readily bent: lacking or deficient in suppleness
          3: incapable of change: unalterable -- in.flex.i.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.flex.i.ble.ness n -- in.flex.i.bly adv syn inflexible,
          obdurate, adamant mean unwilling to alter a predetermined
          course or purpose. inflexible implies rigid adherence
          or even slavish conformity to principle <inflexible in
          their demands>. obdurate stresses hardness of heart and
          insensitivity to appeals for mercy or the influence of
          divine grace <obdurate in his refusal to grant clemency>.
          adamant implies utter immovability in the face of all
          temptation or entreaty <adamant that the work should
          continue>. syn see in addition stiff

   inflexion
          [in.flex.ion] chiefly Brit var of inflection

   inflict
          [in.flict] vt [L inflictus, pp. of infligere, fr. in- + fligere
          to strike--more at profligate] (1566) 1: afflict 2 a:
          to give by or as if by striking <~ pain> <~ heavy losses>
          b: to cause (something unpleasant) to be endured <~ my
          annual message upon the church --Mark Twain> -- in.flict.er
          or in.flic.tor n -- in.flic.tive adj

   infliction
          [in.flic.tion] n (1534) 1: the act of inflicting 2: something
          (as punishment or suffering) that is inflicted

   in-flight
          [in-flight] adj (1944): made, carried out, or provided for
          use or enjoyment while in flight <~ movies>

   inflorescence
          [in.flo.res.cence] n [NL inflorescentia, fr. LL inflorescent-,
          inflorescens, prp. of inflorescere to begin to bloom,
          fr. L in- + florescere to begin to bloom--more at florescence]
          (1760) 1 a (1): the mode of development and arrangement
          of flowers on an axis (2): a floral axis with its appendages;
          also: a flower cluster b: a cluster of reproductive organs
          on a moss usu. subtended by a bract 2: the budding and
          unfolding of blossoms: flowering

   inflow
          [in.flow] n (1839): a flowing in <the ~ of air> <an ~ of
          funds>

   [1]influence
          [in.flu.ence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML influentia, fr. L influent-,
          influens, prp. of influere to flow in, fr. in- + fluere
          to flow--more at fluid] (14c) 1 a: an ethereal fluid
          held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions
          of humans b: an emanation of occult power held to derive
          from stars 2: an emanation of spiritual or moral force
          3 a: the act or power of producing an effect without
          apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command
          b: corrupt interference with authority for personal gain
          4: the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect
          or intangible ways: sway 5: one that exerts influence
          -- under the influence : affected by alcohol: drunk <was
          arrested for driving under the influence> syn influence,
          authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted
          over the minds or behavior of others. influence may apply
          to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously
          <used her influence to get the bill passed>. authority
          implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or
          of compelling acceptance and belief <his opinions lacked
          authority>. prestige implies the ascendancy given by
          conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority
          <the prestige of the newspaper>. weight implies measurable
          or decisive influence in determining acts or choices
          <their wishes obviously carried much weight>. credit
          suggests influence that arises from the confidence of
          others <his credit with the press>. [2]influence vt -enced
          ; -enc.ing (1658) 1: to affect or alter by indirect or
          intangible means: sway 2: to have an effect on the condition
          or development of: modify syn see affect -- in.flu.ence.able
          adj

   [1]influent
          [in.flu.ent] adj (15c): flowing in [2]influent n (1859) 1:
          something that flows in: as a: a tributary stream b:
          fluid input into a reservoir or process 2: a factor (as
          a particular animal) modifying the balance and stability
          of an ecological community

   [1]influential
          [in.flu.en.tial] adj (1570): exerting or possessing influence
          -- in.flu.en.tial.ly adv [2]influential n (1831): one
          who has great influence

   influenza
          [in.flu.en.za] n [It, lit., influence, fr. ML influentia;
          fr. the belief that epidemics were due to the influence
          of the stars] (1743) 1: an acute highly contagious virus
          disease caused by various strains of a myxovirus (family
          Orthomyxoviridae) and characterized by sudden onset,
          fever, prostration, severe aches and pains, and progressive
          inflammation of the respiratory mucous membrane; broadly:
          a human respiratory infection of undetermined cause 2:
          any of numerous febrile usu. virus diseases of domestic
          animals marked by respiratory symptoms, inflammation
          of mucous membranes, and often systemic involvement --
          in.flu.en.zal adj

   influx
          [in.flux] n [ML influxus, fr. L influere] (1626): a coming
          in <an ~ of tourists>

   info
          [in.fo] n (1913): information

   infold
          [in.fold] vt (15c): enfold, envelop ~ vi: to fold inward
          or toward one another

   infomercial
          [in.fo.mer.cial] n [information + [2]commercial] (1981):
          a television program that is an extended advertisement
          often including a discussion or demonstration

   inform
          [in.form] vb [ME, fr. MF enformer, fr. L informare, fr. in-
          + forma form] vt (14c) 1 obs: to give material form to
          2 a: to give character or essence to <the principles
          which ~ modern teaching> b: to be the characteristic
          quality of: animate <the compassion that ~s her work>
          3 obs: guide, direct 4 obs: to make known 5: to communicate
          knowledge to <~ a prisoner of his rights> ~ vi 1: to
          impart information or knowledge 2: to give information
          (as of another's wrongdoing) to an authority syn inform,
          acquaint, apprise, notify mean to make one aware of something.
          inform implies the imparting of knowledge esp. of facts
          or occurrences <informed us of the crisis>. acquaint
          lays stress on introducing to or familiarizing with <acquaint
          yourself with the keyboard>. apprise implies communicating
          something of special interest or importance <keep us
          apprised of the situation>. notify implies sending notice
          of something requiring attention or demanding action
          <notified the witness when to appear>.

   informal
          [in.for.mal] adj (1585) 1: marked by the absence of formality
          or ceremony <an ~ meeting> <an ~ group> 2: characteristic
          of or appropriate to ordinary, casual, or familiar use
          <~ English> <~ clothes> -- in.for.mal.i.ty n -- in.for.mal.ly
          adv

   informant
          [in.for.mant] n (1693): a person who gives information: as
          a: informer b: one who supplies cultural or linguistic
          data in response to interrogation by an investigator

   in forma pauperis
          [in for.ma pau.pe.ris] adj or adv [L, in the form of a pauper]
          (1592): as a poor person

   informatics
          [in.for.mat.ics] n pl but sing in constr [ISV information
          + -ics] (ca. 1967) chiefly Brit: information science

   information
          [in.for.ma.tion] n (14c) 1: the communication or reception
          of knowledge or intelligence 2 a (1): knowledge obtained
          from investigation, study, or instruction (2): intelligence,
          news (3): facts, data b: the attribute inherent in and
          communicated by one of two or more alternative sequences
          or arrangements of something (as nucleotides in DNA or
          binary digits in a computer program) that produce specific
          effects c (1): a signal or character (as in a communication
          system or computer) representing data (2): something
          (as a message, experimental data, or a picture) which
          justifies change in a construct (as a plan or theory)
          that represents physical or mental experience or another
          construct d: a quantitative measure of the content of
          information; specif: a numerical quantity that measures
          the uncertainty in the outcome of an experiment to be
          performed 3: the act of informing against a person 4:
          a formal accusation of a crime made by a prosecuting
          officer as distinguished from an indictment presented
          by a grand jury -- in.for.ma.tion.al adj -- in.for.ma.tion.al.ly
          adv

   information retrieval
          [information retrieval] n (1950): the techniques of storing
          and recovering and often disseminating recorded data
          esp. through the use of a computerized system

   information science
          [information science] n (1960): the collection, classification,
          storage, retrieval, and dissemination of recorded knowledge
          treated both as a pure and as an applied science

   information theory
          [information theory] n (1950): a theory that deals statistically
          with information, with the measurement of its content
          in terms of its distinguishing essential characteristics
          or by the number of alternatives from which it makes
          a choice possible, and with the efficiency of processes
          of communication between humans and machines

   informative
          [in.for.ma.tive] adj (1655): imparting knowledge: instructive
          -- in.for.ma.tive.ly adv -- in.for.ma.tive.ness n

   informatory
          [in.for.ma.to.ry] adj (ca. 1879): conveying information --
          in.for.ma.to.ri.ly adv

   informed
          [in.formed] adj (15c) 1 a: having information <~ sources>
          <~ observers> b: based on possession of information <an
          ~ opinion> 2: educated, knowledgeable <what the ~ person
          should know> -- in.formed.ly adv

   informed consent
          [informed consent] n (ca. 1967): consent to surgery by a
          patient or to participation in a medical experiment by
          a subject after achieving an understanding of what is
          involved

   informer
          [in.form.er] n (14c) 1: one that imparts knowledge or news
          2: one that informs against another; specif: one who
          makes a practice esp. for a financial reward of informing
          against others for violations of penal laws

   infotainment
          [in.fo.tain.ment] n [information + entertainment] (1982):
          a television program that presents information (as news)
          in a manner intended to be entertaining

   infra
          [in.fra] adv [L] (ca. 1740): later in this writing: below
          <for additional examples see ~>

   infra-
          [infra-] prefix [L infra--more at under] 1: below <infrahuman>
          <infrasonic> 2: within <infraspecific> 3: below in a
          scale or series <infrared>

   infraction
          [in.frac.tion] n [ME, fr. ML infraction-, infractio, fr.
          L, subduing, fr. infringere to break--more at infringe]
          (15c): the act of infringing: violation -- in.fract vt

   infra dig
          [in.fra dig] adj [short for L infra dignitatem] (1824): being
          beneath one's dignity: undignified <while his work ...
          was financially profitable, it was just a bit infra dig
          --John McCarten>

   infrahuman
          [in.fra.hu.man] adj (1847): less or lower than human <~ primates>
          -- infrahuman n

   infrangible
          [in.fran.gi.ble] adj [MF, fr. LL infrangibilis, fr. L in-
          + frangere to break--more at break] (1597) 1: not capable
          of being broken or separated into parts 2: not to be
          infringed or violated -- in.fran.gi.bil.i.ty n -- in.fran.gi.bly
          adv

   infrared
          [in.fra.red] adj (1881) 1: situated outside the visible spectrum
          at its red end--used of radiation having a wavelength
          between about 700 nanometers and 1 millimeter 2: relating
          to, producing, or employing infrared radiation <~ therapy>
          3: sensitive to infrared radiation <~ photographic film>
          -- infrared n

   infrasonic
          [in.fra.son.ic] adj (1927) 1: having or relating to a frequency
          below the audibility range of the human ear 2: utilizing
          or produced by infrasonic waves or vibrations

   infraspecific
          [in.fra.spe.cif.ic] adj (1939): included within a species
          <~ variability>

   infrastructure
          [in.fra.struc.ture] n (1927) 1: the underlying foundation
          or basic framework (as of a system or organization) 2:
          the permanent installations required for military purposes
          3: the system of public works of a country, state, or
          region; also: the resources (as personnel, buildings,
          or equipment) required for an activity

   infrequence
          [in.fre.quence] n (1644): infrequency

   infrequency
          [in.fre.quen.cy] n (1677): rarity of occurrence

   infrequent
          [in.fre.quent] adj [L infrequent-, infrequens, fr. in- +
          frequent-, frequens frequent] (1531) 1: seldom happening
          or occurring: rare 2: placed or occurring at wide intervals
          in space or time <a slope scattered with ~ pines> <~
          visits> -- in.fre.quent.ly adv syn infrequent, uncommon,
          scarce, rare, sporadic mean not common or abundant. infrequent
          implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time
          <infrequent family visits>. uncommon suggests a frequency
          below normal expectation <smallpox is now uncommon in
          many countries>. scarce implies falling short of a standard
          or required abundance <jobs were scarce during the Depression>.
          rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often
          implies consequent high value <rare first editions>.
          sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or
          isolated outbursts <sporadic cases of influenza>.

   infringe
          [in.fringe] vb in.fringed ; in.fring.ing [ML infringere,
          fr. L, to break, crush, fr. in- + frangere to break--more
          at break] vt (1533) 1: to encroach upon in a way that
          violates law or the rights of another <~ a patent> 2
          obs: defeat, frustrate ~ vi: encroach--used with on or
          upon <~ on our rights> syn see trespass -- in.fring.er
          n

   infringement
          [in.fringe.ment] n (1628) 1: the act of infringing: violation
          2: an encroachment or trespass on a right or privilege

   infundibular
          [in.fun.dib.u.lar] adj (1795) 1: infundibuliform 2: of, relating
          to, or having an infundibulum

   infundibuliform
          [in.fun.dib.u.li.form] adj [NL infundibulum + E -iform] (1752):
          having the form of a funnel or cone

   infundibulum
          [in.fun.dib.u.lum] n, pl -la [NL, fr. L, funnel--more at
          funnel] (1543): any of various funnel-shaped organs or
          parts: as a: the hollow conical process of gray matter
          by which the pituitary gland is continuous with the brain
          b: the calyx of a kidney c: the abdominal opening of
          a fallopian tube

   [1]infuriate
          [in.fu.ri.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML infuriatus, pp. of
          infuriare, fr. L in- + furia fury] (1667): to make furious
          -- in.fu.ri.at.ing.ly adv -- in.fu.ri.a.tion n [2]in.fu.ri.ate
          adj (1667): furiously angry

   infuse
          [in.fuse] vt in.fused ; in.fus.ing [ME, t o pour in, fr.
          MF & L; MF infuser, fr. L infusus, pp. of infundere to
          pour in, fr. in- + fundere to pour--more at found] (1526)
          1 a: to cause to be permeated with something (as a principle
          or quality) that alters usu. for the better <~ the team
          with confidence> b: introduce, insinuate <a new spirit
          was infused into American art --Amer. Guide Series: N.Y.>
          2: inspire, animate <the sense of purpose that infuses
          scientific research> 3: to steep in liquid (as water)
          without boiling so as to extract the soluble constituents
          or principles -- in.fus.er n syn infuse, suffuse, imbue,
          ingrain, inoculate, leaven mean to introduce one thing
          into another so as to affect it throughout. infuse implies
          a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance
          <new members infused enthusiasm into the club>. suffuse
          implies a spreading through of something that gives an
          unusual color or quality <a room suffused with light>.
          imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills
          and permeates the whole being <imbue students with intellectual
          curiosity>. ingrain, used only in the passive or past
          participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality
          or trait <clung to ingrained habits>. inoculate implies
          an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often
          suggests surreptitiousness or subtlety <an electorate
          inoculated with dangerous ideas>. leaven implies introducing
          something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters
          the total quality <a serious play leavened with comic
          moments>.

   infusible
          [in.fus.ible] adj (1555): incapable of being fused: very
          difficult to fuse -- in.fus.ibil.i.ty n -- in.fus.ible.ness
          n

   infusion
          [in.fu.sion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of infusing 2:
          a product obtained by infusing 3: the continuous slow
          introduction of a solution esp. into a vein

   infusorial earth
          [in.fu.so.ri.al earth] n (1882): kieselguhr

   infusorian
          [in.fu.so.ri.an] n [ultim. fr. L infusus] (1859): any of
          a heterogeneous group of minute organisms found esp.
          in decomposing infusions of organic matter; esp: a ciliated
          protozoan -- infusorian adj

   in futuro
          [in fu.tu.ro] [L] foreign term : in the future

   [1]-ing
          [-ing] n suffix [ME, fr. OE -ung, -ing, suffix forming nouns
          from verbs; akin to OHG -ung, suffix forming nouns from
          verbs] 1: action or process <running> <sleeping>: instance
          of an action or process <a meeting> 2 a: product or result
          of an action or process <an engraving>--often in pl.
          <earnings> b: something used in an action or process
          <a bed covering> <the lining of a coat> 3: action or
          process connected with (a specified thing) <boating>
          4: something connected with, consisting of, or used in
          making (a specified thing) <scaffolding> <shirting> 5:
          something related to (a specified concept) <offing> [2]-ing
          n suffix [ME, fr. OE -ing, -ung; akin to OHG -ing one
          of a (specified) kind]: one of a (specified) kind <sweeting>
          [3]-ing vb suffix or adj suffix [ME, prob. fr. [1]-ing]--used
          to form the present participle <sailing> and sometimes
          to form an adjective resembling a present participle
          but not derived from a verb <swashbuckling> usage Though
          the pronunciation of -ing with the consonant /n/, misleadingly
          referred to as "dropping the g," is often deprecated,
          this pronunciation is frequently heard. It is not known
          for certain why the Middle English present participle
          ending -ende was replaced by -ing. Analogy with the earlier
          noun suffix -ing prob. had something to do with it. In
          early Modern English, present participles were regularly
          formed with -ing. Evidence also shows that some speakers
          used /in/ and by the 18th century this pronunciation
          became widespread. Though teachers (with some success)
          campaigned against it, /in/ remained a feature of the
          speech of many of the best speakers in Britain and the
          U.S. well into this century. It has by now lost its respectability,
          at least when attention is drawn to it, but throughout the U.S.
          it persists largely unnoticed and in some dialects it predominates
          over /ing/.

   ingather
          [in.gath.er] vt (1557): to gather in ~ vi: assemble
          -- in.gath.er.ing n

   ingenious
          [in.ge.nious] adj [ME ingenyous, fr. MF ingenieux, fr. L
          ingeniosus, fr. ingenium natural capacity--more at engine]
          (15c) 1 obs: showing or calling for intelligence, aptitude,
          or discernment 2: marked by especial aptitude at discovering,
          inventing, or contriving 3: marked by originality, resourcefulness,
          and cleverness in conception or execution <an ~ contraption> syn
          see clever -- in.ge.nious.ly adv -- in.ge.nious.ness n

   ingenue
          [in.ge.nue] n [F ingenue, fem. of ingenu ingenuous, fr. L
          ingenuus] (1848) 1: a naive girl or young woman 2: the
          stage role of an ingenue; also: an actress playing such
          a role

   ingenuity
          [in.ge.nu.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1592) 1 obs: candor, ingenuousness
          2 a: skill or cleverness in devising or combining: inventiveness
          b: cleverness or aptness of design or contrivance 3: an ingenious
          device or contrivance

   [1]ingenuous
          [in.gen.u.ous] adj [by alter.] (1588) obs: ingenious [2]ingenuous
          adj [L ingenuus native, free born, fr. in- + gignere
          to beget--more at kin] (1588) 1 obs: noble, honorable
          2 a: showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness
          b: lacking craft or subtlety syn see natural -- in.gen.u.ous.ly
          adv -- in.gen.u.ous.ness n

   ingest
          [in.gest] vt [L ingestus, pp. of ingerere to carry in, fr.
          in- + gerere to bear] (1620): to take in for or as if
          for digestion -- in.gest.ible adj -- in.ges.tion n --
          in.ges.tive adj

   ingesta
          [in.ges.ta] n pl [NL, fr. L, neut. pl. of ingestus] (1727):
          material taken into the body by way of the digestive
          tract

   ingle
          [in.gle] n [ScGael aingeal] (1508) 1: a fire in a fireplace
          2: fireplace 3: corner, angle

   inglenook
          [in.gle.nook] n (1772): a nook by a large open fireplace;
          also: a bench or settle occupying this nook

   inglorious
          [in.glo.ri.ous] adj [L inglorius, fr. in- + gloria glory]
          (1573) 1: shameful, ignominious 2: not glorious: lacking
          fame or honor -- in.glo.ri.ous.ly adv -- in.glo.ri.ous.ness
          n

   ingot
          [in.got] n [ME, perh. modif. of MF lingot ingot of metal,
          incorrectly divided as l'ingot, as if fr. le the, fr.
          L ille that] (14c) 1: a mold in which metal is cast 2:
          a mass of metal cast into a convenient shape for storage
          or transportation to be later processed

   ingot iron
          [ingot iron] n (1877): iron containing only small proportions
          of impurities (as less than 0.05 percent carbon)

   [1]ingrain
          [in.grain] vt (ca. 1641): to work indelibly into the natural
          texture or mental or moral constitution syn see infuse
          [2]in.grain adj (1766) 1 a: made of fiber that is dyed
          before being spun into yarn b: made of yarn that is dyed
          before being woven or knitted 2: thoroughly worked in:
          innate [3]in.grain n (ca. 1890): innate quality or character

   ingrained
          [in.grained] adj (1599) 1: worked into the grain or fiber
          2: forming a part of the essence or inmost being: deep-seated
          <~ prejudice> -- in.grained.ly adv

   ingrate
          [in.grate] n [L ingratus ungrateful, fr. in- + gratus
          grateful--more at grace] (1622): an ungrateful person

   ingratiate
          [in.gra.ti.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [[2]in- + L gratia grace]
          (1622): to gain favor or favorable acceptance for by
          deliberate effort--usu. used with with <~ themselves
          with the community leaders --William Attwood> -- in.gra.ti.a.tion
          n -- in.gra.tia.to.ry adj

   ingratiating
          [ingratiating] adj (1655) 1: capable of winning favor: pleasing
          <an ~ smile> 2: intended or adopted in order to gain
          favor: flattering -- in.gra.ti.at.ing.ly adv

   ingratitude
          [in.grat.i.tude] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML ingratitudo, fr. L
          in- + LL gratitudo gratitude] (14c): forgetfulness of
          or poor return for kindness received: ungratefulness

   ingredient
          [in.gre.di.ent] n [ME, fr. L ingredient-, ingrediens, prp.
          of ingredi to go into, fr. in- + gradi to go--more at
          grade] (15c): something that enters into a compound or
          is a component part of any combination or mixture: constituent
          syn see element -- ingredient adj

   ingress
          [in.gress] n [ME, fr. L ingressus, fr. ingredi] (15c) 1:
          the act of entering: entrance 2: the power or liberty
          of entrance or access -- in.gres.sion n

   ingressive
          [in.gres.sive] adj (1649) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          ingress; esp: produced by ingress of air into the vocal
          tract <~ sounds> 2: inchoative 2 -- ingressive n
          -- in.gres.sive.ness n

   in-group
          [in-group] n (1907) 1: a group with which one feels a sense
          of solidarity or community of interests--compare out-group
          2: clique

   ingrowing
          [in.grow.ing] adj (1869): growing or tending inward

   ingrown
          [in.grown] adj (1670) 1: grown in; specif: having the free
          tip or edge embedded in the flesh <an ~ toenail> 2: having
          the direction of growth or activity or interest inward
          rather than outward: withdrawn -- in.grown.ness n

   ingrowth
          [in.growth] n (1870) 1: a growing inward (as to fill a void)
          2: something that grows in or into a space

   inguinal
          [in.gui.nal] adj [ME inguynale, fr. L inguinalis, fr. inguin-,
          inguen groin--more at aden-] (15c): of, relating to,
          or situated in the region of the groin or in either of
          the lowest lateral regions of the abdomen <~ hernia>

   ingurgitate
          [in.gur.gi.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L ingurgitatus, pp.
          of ingurgitare, fr. in- + gurgit-, gurges whirlpool--more
          at voracious] (ca. 1570): to swallow greedily or in large
          quantities: guzzle -- in.gur.gi.ta.tion n

   INH
          [INH] [iso-nicotinic acid hydrazide] abbreviation isoniazid

   inhabit
          [in.hab.it] vb [ME enhabiten, fr. MF & L; MF enhabiter, fr.
          L inhabitare, fr. in- + habitare to dwell, freq. of habere
          to have--more at give] vt (14c) 1: to occupy as a place
          of settled residence or habitat: live in <~ a small house>
          2: to be present in or occupy in any manner or form <the
          human beings who ~ this tale --Al Newman> ~ vi, archaic:
          to have residence in a place: dwell -- in.hab.it.able
          adj -- in.hab.it.er n

   inhabitancy
          [in.hab.i.tan.cy] n (1681): inhabitation

   inhabitant
          [in.hab.i.tant] n (15c): one that occupies a particular place
          regularly, routinely, or for a period of time <~s of
          large cities> <the tapeworm is an ~ of the intestine>

   inhabitation
          [in.hab.i.ta.tion] n (15c): the act of inhabiting: the state
          of being inhabited

   inhabited
          [inhabited] adj (15c): having inhabitants

   inhalant
          [in.hal.ant] n (ca. 1834): something (as an allergen or medication)
          that is inhaled -- inhalant adj

   inhalation
          [in.ha.la.tion] n (ca. 1623) 1: the act or an instance of
          inhaling 2: material (as medication) to be taken in by
          inhaling -- in.ha.la.tion.al adj

   inhalator
          [in.ha.la.tor] n (1925): a device providing a mixture of
          oxygen and carbon dioxide for breathing that is used
          esp. in conjunction with artificial respiration

   inhale
          [in.hale] vb in.haled ; in.hal.ing [in- + exhale] vt (1725)
          1: to draw in by breathing 2: to take in eagerly or greedily
          <inhaled about four meals at once --Ring Lardner> ~ vi:
          to breathe in -- in.hale n

   inhaler
          [in.hal.er] n (1778) 1: a device by means of which medicinal
          material is inhaled 2: one that inhales

   inharmonic
          [in.har.mon.ic] adj (ca. 1828): not harmonic

   inharmonious
          [in.har.mo.ni.ous] adj (1711) 1: not harmonious: discordant
          2: not fitting or congenial: conflicting -- in.har.mo.ni.ous.ly
          adv -- in.har.mo.ni.ous.ness n

   inharmony
          [in.har.mo.ny] n (1799): discord

   inhere
          [in.here] vi in.hered ; in.her.ing [L inhaerere, fr. in-
          + haerere to adhere] (15c): to be inherent

   inherence
          [in.her.ence] n (1577): the quality, state, or fact of inhering

   inherent
          [in.her.ent] adj [L inhaerent-, inhaerens, prp. of inhaerere]
          (1581): involved in the constitution or essential character
          of something: belonging by nature or habit: intrinsic
          -- in.her.ent.ly adv

   inherit
          [in.her.it] vb [ME enheriten to make one an heir, inherit,
          fr. MF enheriter to make one an heir, fr. LL inhereditare,
          fr. L in- + hereditas inheritance--more at heredity]
          vt (14c) 1: to come into possession of or receive esp.
          as a right or divine portion <and every one who has left
          houses or brothers or sisters ... for my name's sake,
          will receive a hundredfold, and ~ eternal life --Mt 19:29
          (RSV)> 2 a: to receive from an ancestor as a right or
          title descendible by law at the ancestor's death b: to
          receive as a devise or legacy 3: to receive from ancestors
          by genetic transmission <~ a strong constitution> 4:
          to have in turn or receive as if from an ancestor <~ed
          the problem from his predecessor> ~ vi: to take or hold
          a possession or rights by inheritance -- in.her.i.tor
          n -- in.her.i.tress or in.her.i.trix n

   inheritable
          [in.her.it.able] adj (15c) 1: capable of being inherited:
          transmissible 2: capable of taking by inheritance --
          in.her.it.abil.i.ty n -- in.her.it.able.ness n

   inheritance
          [in.her.i.tance] n (14c) 1 a: the act of inheriting property
          b: the reception of genetic qualities by transmission
          from parent to offspring c: the acquisition of a possession,
          condition, or trait from past generations 2: something
          that is or may be inherited 3 a: tradition b: a valuable
          possession that is a common heritage from nature 4 obs:
          possession

   inheritance tax
          [inheritance tax] n (1841) 1: an excise in the form of a
          percentage of the value of the property received that
          is levied on the privilege of an heir to inherit property
          2: death tax; esp: estate tax

   inhibin
          [in.hib.in] n [L inhibere to inhibit + E [1]-in] (1932):
          a human hormone that is secreted by Sertoli cells in
          the male and granulosa cells in the female and that inhibits
          the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone

   inhibit
          [in.hib.it] vb [ME, fr. L inhibitus, pp. of inhibere, fr.
          in- [2]in- + habere to have--more at habit] vt (15c)
          1: to prohibit from doing something 2 a: to hold in check:
          restrain b: to discourage from free or spontaneous activity
          esp. through the operation of inner psychological impediments
          or of social controls ~ vi: to cause inhibition syn see
          forbid -- in.hib.i.tive adj -- in.hib.i.to.ry adj

   inhibition
          [in.hi.bi.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act of inhibiting: the state
          of being inhibited b: something that forbids, debars,
          or restricts 2: an inner impediment to free activity,
          expression, or functioning: as a: a psychic activity
          imposing restraint upon another activity b: a restraining
          of the function of a bodily organ or an agent (as an
          enzyme)

   inhibitor
          [in.hib.i.tor] n (ca. 1611): one that inhibits; esp: an agent
          that slows or interferes with a chemical action

   in hoc signo vinces
          [in hoc sig.no vin.ces] [L] foreign term : by this sign (the
          Cross) you will conquer

   inholding
          [in.hold.ing] n (1947): privately owned land inside the boundary
          of a national park

   inhomogeneity
          [in.ho.mo.ge.ne.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1899) 1: the condition
          of not being homogeneous 2: a part that is not homogeneous
          with the larger uniform mass in which it occurs; esp:
          a localized collection of matter in the universe
          -- in.ho.mo.ge.neous adj

   inhospitable
          [in.hos.pi.ta.ble] adj (ca. 1570) 1: not showing hospitality:
          not friendly or receptive 2: providing no shelter or
          sustenance -- in.hos.pi.ta.ble.ness n -- in.hos.pi.ta.bly
          adv

   inhospitality
          [in.hos.pi.tal.i.ty] n (ca. 1576): the quality or state of
          being inhospitable

   in-house
          [in-house] adj (ca. 1956): existing, originating, or carried
          on within a group or organization or its facilities:
          not outside <an ~ publication> <a company's ~ staff>
          -- in-house adv

   inhuman
          [in.hu.man] adj [ME inhumayne, fr. MF & L; MF inhumain, fr.
          L inhumanus, fr. in- + humanus human] (15c) 1 a: lacking
          pity, kindness, or mercy: savage <an ~ tyrant> b: cold,
          impersonal <his usual quiet, almost ~ courtesy --F. Tennyson
          Jesse> c: not worthy of or conforming to the needs of
          human beings <~ living conditions> 2: of or suggesting
          a nonhuman class of beings -- in.hu.man.ly adv -- in.hu.man.ness
          n

   inhumane
          [in.hu.mane] adj [MF inhumain & L inhumanus] (1599): not
          humane: inhuman 1 -- in.hu.mane.ly adv

   inhumanity
          [in.hu.man.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being cruel or barbarous b: a cruel or barbarous act
          2: absence of warmth or geniality: impersonality

   inhume
          [in.hume] vt in.humed ; in.hum.ing [prob. fr. F inhumer,
          fr. ML inhumare, fr. L in- + humus earth--more at humble]
          (1604): bury, inter -- in.hu.ma.tion n

   inimical
          [in.im.i.cal] adj [LL inimicalis, fr. L inimicus enemy--more
          at enemy] (1573) 1: being adverse often by reason of
          hostility or malevolence 2 a: having the disposition
          of an enemy: hostile b: reflecting or indicating hostility:
          unfriendly -- in.im.i.cal.ly adv

   inimitable
          [in.im.i.ta.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L inimitabilis,
          fr. in- + imitabilis imitable] (15c): not capable of
          being imitated: matchless -- in.im.i.ta.ble.ness n --
          in.im.i.ta.bly adv

   inion
          [in.i.on] n [NL, fr. Gk, back of the head, dim. of in-, is
          sinew, tendon] (ca. 1811): the external occipital protuberance
          of the skull

   iniquitous
          [in.iq.ui.tous] adj (1726): characterized by iniquity syn
          see vicious -- in.iq.ui.tous.ly adv -- in.iq.ui.tous.ness
          n

   iniquity
          [in.iq.ui.ty] n, pl -ties [ME iniquite, fr. MF iniquite,
          fr. L iniquitat-, iniquitas, fr. iniquus uneven, fr.
          in- + aequus equal] (14c) 1: gross injustice: wickedness
          2: a wicked act or thing: sin

   [1]initial
          [ini.tial] adj [MF & L; MF, fr. L initialis, fr. initium
          beginning, fr. inire to go into, fr. in- + ire to go--more
          at issue] (1526) 1: of or relating to the beginning:
          incipient 2: placed at the beginning: first -- ini.tial.ly
          adv -- ini.tial.ness n [2]initial n (1627) 1 a: the first
          letter of a name b pl: the first letter of each word
          in a full name <found that their ~s were identical> 2:
          a large letter beginning a text or a division or paragraph
          3: anlage, precursor; specif: a meristematic cell [3]initial
          vt ini.tialed or ini.tialled ; ini.tial.ing or ini.tial.ling
          (ca. 1864) 1: to affix an initial to 2: to authenticate
          or give preliminary approval to by affixing the initials
          of an authorizing representative

   initialism
          [ini.tial.ism] n (1899): an acronym formed from initial letters

   initialize
          [ini.tial.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1957): to set (as a computer
          program counter) to a starting position, value, or configuration
          -- ini.tial.i.za.tion n

   initial rhyme
          [initial rhyme] n (1838): alliteration

   initial side
          [initial side] n (1957): a stationary straight line that
          contains a point about which another straight line is
          rotated to form an angle--compare terminal side

   [1]initiate
          [ini.ti.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL initiatus, pp. of initiare,
          fr. L, to induct, fr. initium] (ca. 1573) 1: to cause
          or facilitate the beginning of: set going <~ a program
          of reform> <enzymes that ~ fermentation> 2: to induct
          into membership by or as if by special rites 3: to instruct
          in the rudiments or principles of something: introduce
          syn see begin -- ini.ti.a.tor n [2]ini.tiate adj (1605)
          1 obs: relating to an initiate 2 a: initiated or properly
          admitted (as to membership or an office) b: instructed
          in some secret knowledge [3]ini.tiate n (1811) 1: a person
          who is undergoing or has undergone an initiation 2: a
          person who is instructed or adept in some special field

   initiation
          [ini.ti.a.tion] n (1583) 1 a: the act or an instance of initiating
          b: the process of being initiated c: the rites, ceremonies,
          ordeals, or instructions with which one is made a member of a sect
          or society or is invested with a particular function or status
          2: the condition of being initiated into some experience or sphere
          of activity: knowledgeableness

   [1]initiative
          [ini.tia.tive] adj (1795): of or relating to initiation:
          introductory, preliminary [2]initiative n (1793) 1: an
          introductory step <took the ~ in attempting to settle
          the issue> 2: energy or aptitude displayed in initiation
          of action: enterprise <showed great ~> 3 a: the right
          to initiate legislative action b: a procedure enabling
          a specified number of voters by petition to propose a
          law and secure its submission to the electorate or to
          the legislature for approval--compare referendum 1 --
          on one's own initiative : at one's own discretion: independently
          of outside influence or control

   initiatory
          [ini.tia.to.ry] adj (ca. 1615) 1: constituting a beginning
          2: tending or serving to initiate

   inject
          [in.ject] vt [L injectus, pp. of inicere, fr. in- + jacere
          to throw--more at jet] (1601) 1 a: to introduce into
          something forcefully <~ fuel into an engine> b: to force
          a fluid into (as for medical purposes) 2: to introduce
          as an element or factor in or into some situation or
          subject <condemning any attempt to ~ religious bigotry
          into the campaign --Current Biog.> -- in.ject.able adj
          or n -- in.jec.tor n

   injectant
          [in.jec.tant] n (1950): a substance that is injected into
          something

   injection
          [in.jec.tion] n (15c) 1 a: an act or instance of injecting
          b: the placing of an artificial satellite or a spacecraft
          into an orbit or on a trajectory; also: the time or place
          at which injection occurs 2: something (as a medication)
          that is injected 3: a mathematical function that is a
          one-to-one mapping--compare bijection, surjection

   injection molding
          [injection molding] n (1932): a method of forming articles
          (as of plastic) by heating the molding material until
          it can flow and injecting it into a mold -- injection-molded
          adj

   injective
          [in.jec.tive] adj (1952): being a one-to-one mathematical
          function

   in-joke
          [in-joke] n (1964): a joke for or about a select group of
          people

   injudicious
          [in.ju.di.cious] adj (1649): not judicious: indiscreet, unwise
          -- in.ju.di.cious.ly adv -- in.ju.di.cious.ness n

   injunction
          [in.junc.tion] n [ME injunccion, fr. MF & LL; MF injonction,
          fr. LL injunction-, injunctio, fr. L injungere to enjoin--more
          at enjoin] (15c) 1: the act or an instance of enjoining:
          order, admonition 2: a writ granted by a court of equity
          whereby one is required to do or to refrain from doing
          a specified act -- in.junc.tive adj

   injure
          [in.jure] vt in.jured ; in.jur.ing [ME enjuren, fr. MF enjurier,
          fr. LL injuriare, fr. L injuria injury] (15c) 1 a: to
          do an injustice to: wrong b: to harm, impair, or tarnish
          the standing of c: to give pain to <~ a person's pride>
          2 a: to inflict bodily hurt on b: to impair the soundness
          of c: to inflict material damage or loss on -- in.jur.er
          n syn injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to
          affect injuriously. injure implies the inflicting of
          anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health,
          or success <badly injured in an accident>. harm often
          stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss <careful
          not to harm the animals>. hurt implies inflicting a wound
          to the body or to the feelings <hurt by their callous
          remarks>. damage suggests injury that lowers value or
          impairs usefulness <a table damaged in shipping>. impair
          suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration
          or diminution <years of smoking had impaired his health>.
          mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a
          surface) or causes disfigurement <the text is marred
          by many typos>.

   injurious
          [in.ju.ri.ous] adj (15c) 1: inflicting or tending to inflict
          injury: detrimental <~ to health> 2: abusive, defamatory
          <speak not ~ words --George Washington> -- in.ju.ri.ous.ly
          adv -- in.ju.ri.ous.ness n

   injury
          [in.ju.ry] n, pl -ries [ME injurie, fr. L injuria, fr. injurus
          injurious, fr. in- + jur-, jus right--more at just] (14c)
          1 a: an act that damages or hurts: wrong b: violation
          of another's rights for which the law allows an action
          to recover damages 2: hurt, damage, or loss sustained
          syn see injustice

   injustice
          [in.jus.tice] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L injustitia, fr. injustus
          unjust, fr. in- + justus just] (14c) 1: absence of justice:
          violation of right or of the rights of another: unfairness
          2: an unjust act: wrong syn injustice, injury, wrong,
          grievance mean an act that inflicts undeserved hurt.
          injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness
          to another or violation of his rights <the injustices
          suffered by the lower classes>. injury applies in law
          specif. to an injustice for which one may sue to recover
          compensation <libel constitutes a legal injury>. wrong
          applies also in law to any act punishable according to
          the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any
          flagrant injustice <determined to right society's wrongs>.
          grievance applies to any circumstance or condition that
          constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just
          ground for complaint <investigating employee grievances>.

   [1]ink
          [ink] n, often attrib [ME enke, fr. OF, fr. LL encaustum,
          fr. neut. of L encaustus burned in, fr. Gk enkaustos,
          verbal of enkaiein to burn in--more at encaustic] (13c)
          1: a colored usu. liquid material for writing and printing
          2: the black protective secretion of a cephalopod 3 slang:
          publicity 2d -- ink.i.ness n -- inky adj [2]ink vt (1562)
          1: to put ink on <~ a pen>; also: to draw or write on
          in ink 2 a: sign 2a <~ed a new contract> b: sign 4

   inkberry
          [ink.ber.ry] n [fr. the use of the berries for making ink]
          (1765) 1 a: a holly (Ilex glabra) of eastern No. America
          with evergreen oblong leathery leaves and small usu.
          black berries b: pokeweed 2: the fruit of an inkberry

   inkblot test
          [ink.blot test] n (1928): any of several psychological tests
          (as a Rorschach test) based on the interpretation of
          irregular figures (as blots of ink)

   [1]inkhorn
          [ink.horn] n (14c): a small portable bottle (as of horn)
          for holding ink [2]inkhorn adj (1543): ostentatiously
          learned: pedantic <~ terms>

   in-kind
          [in-kind] adj (1973): consisting of something (as goods or
          commodities) other than money <in-kind relief for the
          poor>

   ink-jet
          [ink-jet] adj (1976): of, relating to, or being a dot matrix
          printer in which electrically charged droplets of ink
          are projected onto the paper

   inkle
          [in.kle] n [origin unknown] (1541): a colored linen tape
          or braid woven on a very narrow loom and used for trimming;
          also: the thread used

   inkling
          [in.kling] n [ME yngkiling whisper, mention, prob. fr. inclen
          to hint at; akin to OE inca suspicion] (1513) 1: a slight
          indication or suggestion: hint, clue <there was no path--no
          ~ even of a track --New Yorker> 2: a slight knowledge
          or vague notion <had not the faintest ~ of what it was
          all about --H. W. Carter>

   inkstand
          [ink.stand] n (1773): inkwell; also: a stand with fittings
          for holding ink and pens

   inkstone
          [ink.stone] n (ca. 1889): a stone used in Chinese art and
          calligraphy on which dry ink and water are mixed

   inkwell
          [ink.well] n (ca. 1875): a container (as in a desk) for ink

   inky cap
          [inky cap] n (1923): a mushroom (genus Coprinus, esp. C.
          atramentarius) whose pileus deliquesces into an inky
          fluid after the spores have matured--called also ink
          cap

   inlaid
          [in.laid] adj (1598) 1 a: set into a surface in a decorative
          design <tables with ~ marble> b: decorated with a design
          or material set into a surface <a table with an ~ top>
          2 of linoleum: having a design that goes all the way
          through to the backing

   [1]inland
          [in.land] adj (1546) 1 chiefly Brit: not foreign: domestic
          2: of or relating to the interior of a country [2]inland
          n (1573): the interior part of a country [3]inland adv
          (1600): into or toward the interior

   inlander
          [in.land.er] n (1610): one who lives inland

   in-law
          [in-law] n [mother-in-law, etc.] (1894): a relative by marriage

   [1]inlay
          [in.lay] vt in.laid ; in.lay.ing (1596) 1 a: to set into
          a surface or ground material b: to adorn with insertions
          c: to insert (as a color plate) into a mat or other reinforcement
          2: to rub, beat, or fuse (as wire) into an incision in
          metal, wood, or stone -- in.lay.er n [2]in.lay n (1667)
          1: inlaid work or a decorative inlaid pattern 2: a tooth
          filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into
          place

   inlet
          [in.let] n [fr. its letting water in] (ca. 1576) 1 a: a bay
          or recess in the shore of a sea, lake, or river; also:
          creek b: a narrow water passage between peninsulas or
          through a barrier island leading to a bay or lagoon 2:
          a way of entering; esp: an opening for intake <a fuel
          ~>

   inlier
          [in.li.er] n [[3]in + outlier] (ca. 1859) 1: a mass of rock
          whose outcrop is surrounded by rock of younger age 2:
          a distinct area or formation completely surrounded by
          another; also: enclave

   in limine
          [in li.mi.ne] [L] foreign term : on the threshold: at the
          beginning

   in-line
          [in-line] adj or adv (1929): having the parts or units arranged
          in a straight line; also: being so arranged

   in-line engine
          [in-line engine] n (1929): an internal-combustion engine
          in which the cylinders are arranged in one or more straight
          lines

   [1]in loco parentis
          [in lo.co pa.ren.tis] adv [L] (1828): in the place of a parent
          [2]in loco parentis n (1968): regulation or supervision
          by an administrative body (as at a university) acting
          in loco parentis

   inly
          [in.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: inwardly 2: in a manner suggesting
          great depth of knowledge or understanding: thoroughly

   inmate
          [in.mate] n (1589): any of a group occupying a single place
          of residence; esp: a person confined (as in a prison
          or hospital)

   in medias res
          [in me.di.as res] adv [L, lit., into the midst of things]
          (1786): in or into the middle of a narrative or plot

   in memoriam
          [in me.mo.ri.am] prep [L] (1850): in memory of--used esp.
          in epitaphs

   in-migrant
          [in-mi.grant] n (1942): one that in-migrates

   in-migrate
          [in-mi.grate] vi (1942): to move into or come to live in
          a region or community esp. as part of a large-scale and
          continuing movement of population--compare out-migrate
          -- in-mi.gra.tion n

   inmost
          [in.most] adj [ME, fr. OE innemest, superl. of inne, adv.,
          in, within, fr. in, adv.] (bef. 12c): deepest within:
          farthest from the outside

   [1]inn
          [inn] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to ON inni dwelling, inn, OE in,
          adv.] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an establishment for the lodging
          and entertaining of travelers b: tavern 2: a residence
          formerly provided for British students in London and
          esp. for students of law [2]inn vi (14c): to put up at
          an inn

   innards
          [in.nards] n pl [alter. of inwards] (ca. 1825) 1: the internal
          organs of a human being or animal; esp: viscera 2: the
          internal parts esp. of a structure or mechanism

   innate
          [in.nate] adj [ME innat, fr. L innatus, pp. of innasci to
          be born in, fr. in- + nasci to be born--more at nation]
          (15c) 1: existing in, belonging to, or determined by
          factors present in an individual from birth: native,
          inborn <~ behavior> 2: belonging to the essential nature
          of something: inherent 3: originating in or derived from
          the mind or the constitution of the intellect rather
          than from experience -- in.nate.ly adv -- in.nate.ness
          n syn innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary
          mean not acquired after birth. innate applies to qualities
          or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential
          nature <an innate sense of fair play>. inborn suggests
          a quality or tendency either actually present at birth
          or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so <her inborn
          love of nature>. inbred suggests something either acquired
          from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained
          as to seem acquired in that way <inbred political loyalties>.
          congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before
          or at birth, the former applying to things acquired during
          fetal development and the latter applying to things transmitted
          from one's ancestors <a congenital heart condition> <eye
          color is hereditary>.

   inner
          [in.ner] adj [ME, fr. OE innera, compar. of inne within]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: situated farther in <the ~ bark> b: being
          near a center esp. of influence <the ~ circles of political
          power> 2: of or relating to the mind or spirit <the ~
          life> -- inner n -- in.ner.ly adv

   inner city
          [inner city] n (1961): the usu. older, poorer, and more densely
          populated central section of a city -- inner-city adj

   inner-directed
          [in.ner-di.rect.ed] adj (1950): directed in thought and action
          by one's own scale of values as opposed to external norms

   inner ear
          [inner ear] n (ca. 1923): the essential organ of hearing
          and equilibrium that is located in the temporal bone,
          is innervated by the auditory nerve, and includes the
          vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea

   inner light
          [inner light] n, often cap I&L (1856): a divine presence
          held (as in Quaker doctrine) to enlighten and guide the
          soul

   [1]innermost
          [in.ner.most] adj (14c): farthest inward: inmost [2]innermost
          n (14c): the inmost part

   inner planet
          [inner planet] n (1951): any of the planets Mercury, Venus,
          Earth, and Mars whose orbits are within the asteroid
          belt

   inner product
          [inner product] n (ca. 1911): scalar product

   innersole
          [in.ner.sole] n (ca. 1892): insole

   inner space
          [inner space] n (1958) 1: space at or near the earth's surface
          and esp. under the sea 2: one's inner self

   innerspring
          [in.ner.spring] adj (1928): having coil springs inside a
          padded casing <~ mattress>

   inner tube
          [inner tube] n (1895): an airtight rubber tube inside a pneumatic
          tire to hold air under pressure

   innervate
          [in.ner.vate] vt -vat.ed ; -vat.ing (1870): to supply with
          nerves -- in.ner.va.tion n

   Innigkeit
          [In.nig.keit] [G] foreign term : poignant intimacy of feeling--used
          esp. of music

   inning
          [in.ning] n [[2]in + [1]-ing] (1735) 1 a pl but sing or pl
          in constr: a division of a cricket match b: a division
          of a baseball game consisting of a turn at bat for each
          team; also: a baseball team's turn at bat ending with
          the third out c: a player's turn (as in horseshoes, pool,
          or croquet) 2: a chance or opportunity for action or
          accomplishment--usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in
          constr. <that momentous ~s which was to project him into
          world politics --Times Lit. Supp.>

   innkeeper
          [inn.keep.er] n (15c) 1: a proprietor of an inn 2: hotelman

   innocence
          [in.no.cence] n (14c) 1 a: freedom from guilt or sin through
          being unacquainted with evil: blamelessness b: chastity
          c: freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or
          offense d (1): freedom from guile or cunning: simplicity
          (2): lack of worldly experience or sophistication e:
          lack of knowledge: ignorance <written in entire ~ of
          the Italian language --E. R. Bentley> 2: one that is
          innocent 3: bluet

   innocency
          [in.no.cen.cy] n, pl -cies (14c): innocence; also: an innocent
          action or quality

   innocent
          [in.no.cent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L innocent-, innocens,
          fr. in- + nocent-, nocens wicked, fr. prp. of nocere
          to harm--more at noxious] (14c) 1 a: free from guilt
          or sin esp. through lack of knowledge of evil: blameless
          <an ~ child> b: harmless in effect or intention <searching
          for a hidden motive in even the most ~ conversation --Leonard
          Wibberley>; also: candid <gave me an ~ gaze> c: free
          from legal guilt or fault; also: lawful <a wholly ~ transaction>
          2 a: lacking or reflecting a lack of sophistication,
          guile, or self-consciousness: artless, ingenuous b: ignorant
          <almost entirely ~ of Latin --C. L. Wrenn>; also: unaware
          <perfectly ~ of the confusion he had created --B. R.
          Haydon> 3: lacking or deprived of something <her face
          ~ of cosmetics --Marcia Davenport> -- innocent n -- in.no.cent.ly
          adv

   innocuous
          [in.noc.u.ous] adj [L innocuus, fr. in- + nocere] (1598)
          1: producing no injury: harmless 2: not likely to give
          offense or to arouse strong feelings or hostility: inoffensive,
          insipid -- in.noc.u.ous.ly adv -- in.noc.u.ous.ness n

   innominate
          [in.nom.i.nate] adj [LL innominatus, fr. L in- + nominatus,
          pp. of nominare to nominate] (1638): having no name:
          unnamed; also: anonymous

   innominate artery
          [innominate artery] n (1870): brachiocephalic artery

   innominate bone
          [innominate bone] n (1866): the large flaring bone that constitutes
          a lateral half of the pelvis in mammals and is composed of the
          ilium, ischium, and pubis which are fused into one bone in the
          adult

   innominate vein
          [innominate vein] n (1876): brachiocephalic vein

   innovate
          [in.no.vate] vb -vat.ed ; -vat.ing [L innovatus, pp. of innovare,
          fr. in- + novus new--more at new] vt (1548) 1: to introduce
          as or as if new 2 archaic: to effect a change in <the
          dictates of my father were ... not to be altered, innovated,
          or even discussed --Sir Walter Scott> ~ vi: to make changes:
          do something in a new way -- in.no.va.tor n -- in.no.va.to.ry
          adj

   innovation
          [in.no.va.tion] n (15c) 1: the introduction of something
          new 2: a new idea, method, or device: novelty -- in.no.va.tion.al
          adj

   innovative
          [in.no.va.tive] adj (1608): characterized by, tending to,
          or introducing innovations -- in.no.va.tive.ly adv --
          in.no.va.tive.ness n

   Inns of Court
          [Inns of Court] (15c) 1: the four sets of buildings in London
          belonging to four societies of students and practitioners
          of the law 2: the four societies that alone admit to
          practice at the English bar

   innuendo
          [in.nu.en.do] n, pl -dos or -does [L, by hinting, fr. innuere
          to hint, fr. in- + nuere to nod--more at numen] (1678)
          1 a: an oblique allusion: hint, insinuation; esp: a veiled
          or equivocal reflection on character or reputation b:
          the use of such allusions <resorting to ~> 2: a parenthetical
          explanation introduced into the text of a legal document

   Innuit
          [In.nu.it] var of inuit

   innumerable
          [in.nu.mer.a.ble] adj [ME, fr. L innumerabilis, fr. in- +
          numerabilis numerable] (14c): too many to be numbered:
          countless; also: very many -- in.nu.mer.a.bly adv

   innumerate
          [in.nu.mer.ate] adj (1959): marked by an ignorance of mathematics
          and the scientific approach -- in.nu.mer.a.cy n -- innumerate
          n

   innumerous
          [in.nu.mer.ous] adj [L innumerus, fr. in- + numerus number]
          (1531): innumerable

   inobservance
          [in.ob.ser.vance] n [F & L; F, fr. L inobservantia, fr. in-
          + observantia observance] (1611) 1: lack of attention:
          heedlessness 2: failure to fulfill: nonobservance --
          in.ob.ser.vant adj

   inoculant
          [in.oc.u.lant] n (1898): inoculum

   inoculate
          [in.oc.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [ME, to insert a bud
          in a plant, fr. L inoculatus, pp. of inoculare, fr. in-
          + oculus eye, bud--more at eye] (1721) 1 a: to introduce
          a microorganism into <~ mice with anthrax> <beans inoculated
          with nitrogen-fixing bacteria> b: to introduce (as a
          microorganism) into a suitable situation for growth c:
          to introduce immunologically active material (as an antibody
          or antigen) into esp. in order to treat or prevent a
          disease <~ children against diphtheria> 2: to introduce
          something into the mind of 3: to protect as if by inoculation
          syn see infuse -- in.oc.u.la.tive adj -- in.oc.u.la.tor
          n

   inoculation
          [in.oc.u.la.tion] n (1714) 1: the act or process or an instance
          of inoculating; esp: the introduction of a pathogen or
          antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production
          of antibodies 2: inoculum

   inoculum
          [in.oc.u.lum] n, pl -la [NL, fr. L inoculare] (1902): material
          used for inoculation

   inoffensive
          [in.of.fen.sive] adj (1646) 1: causing no harm or injury
          2 a: giving no provocation: peaceable b: not objectionable
          to the senses -- in.of.fen.sive.ly adv -- in.of.fen.sive.ness
          n

   in omnia paratus
          [in om.nia pa.ra.tus] [L] foreign term : ready for all things

   inoperable
          [in.op.er.a.ble] adj [prob. fr. F inoperable] (1886) 1: not
          treatable or remediable by surgery <~ cancer> 2: inoperative

   inoperative
          [in.op.er.a.tive] adj (ca. 1631): not operative: as a: not
          functioning <an ~ clock> b: having no effect or force
          <an ~ law> -- in.op.er.a.tive.ness n

   inoperculate
          [in.oper.cu.late] adj (ca. 1836): having no operculum --
          inoperculate n

   inopportune
          [in.op.por.tune] adj [L inopportunus, fr. in- + opportunus
          opportune] (ca. 1507): inconvenient, unseasonable --
          in.op.por.tune.ly adv -- in.op.por.tune.ness n

   in order that
          [in order that] conj (1711): that 2a(1)

   inordinate
          [in.or.di.nate] adj [ME inordinat, fr. L inordinatus, fr.
          in- + ordinatus, pp. of ordinare to arrange--more at
          ordain] (14c) 1 archaic: disorderly, unregulated 2: exceeding
          reasonable limits: immoderate syn see excessive -- in.or.di.nate.ly
          adv -- in.or.di.nate.ness n

   inorg
          [inorg] abbreviation inorganic

   inorganic
          [in.or.gan.ic] adj (1794) 1 a (1): being or composed of matter
          other than plant or animal: mineral (2): forming or belonging
          to the inanimate world b: of, relating to, or dealt with
          by a branch of chemistry concerned with substances not
          usu. classed as organic 2: not arising from natural growth:
          artificial; also: lacking structure, character, or vitality
          <dull ~ things, without individuality or prestige --John
          Buchan> -- in.or.gan.i.cal.ly adv

   inosculate
          [in.os.cu.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [[2]in- + osculate]
          (1671): join, unite -- in.os.cu.la.tion n

   inositol
          [ino.si.tol] n [ISV, fr. inosite i nositol, fr. Gk in-, is
          sinew + ISV [2]-ose + [1]-ite] (1891): any of several
          crystalline stereoisomeric cyclic alcohols; esp: myoinositol

   inotropic
          [ino.tro.pic] adj [ISV ino- (fr. Gk in-, is sinew) + -tropic]
          (1903): relating to or influencing the force of muscular
          contractions

   INP
          [INP] abbreviation International News Photo

   in partibus infidelium
          [in par.ti.bus in.fi.de.li.um] [L] foreign term : in the
          regions of the infidels--used of a titular bishop having
          no diocesan jurisdiction, usu. in non-Christian countries

   inpatient
          [in.pa.tient] n (1760): a hospital patient who receives lodging
          and food as well as treatment--compare outpatient

   in personam
          [in per.so.nam] adv or adj [LL, against a person] (ca. 1860):
          against a person for the purpose of imposing a liability
          or obligation--used esp. of legal actions, judgments,
          or jurisdiction--compare in rem

   in petto
          [in pet.to] adv or adj [It, lit., in the breast] (ca. 1674)
          1: in private: secretly 2: in miniature

   inpouring
          [in.pour.ing] n (1721): inrush

   in praesenti
          [in prae.sen.ti] [L] foreign term : at the present time

   in-print
          [in-print] adj (1950): being in print

   in-process
          [in-pro.cess] adj (1925): of, relating to, or being goods
          in manufacture as distinguished from raw materials or
          from finished products

   in propria persona
          [in pro.pria per.so.na] adv [ML] (1654): in one's own person
          or character: personally; esp: without the assistance
          of an attorney

   [1]input
          [in.put] n (1753) 1: something that is put in: as a: an amount
          put in <increased ~ of fertilizer increases crop yield>
          b: power or energy put into a machine or system for storage,
          conversion in kind, or conversion of characteristics
          usu. with the intent of sizable recovery in the form
          of output c: a component of production (as land, labor,
          or raw materials) d: information fed into a data processing
          system or computer e: advice, opinion, comment 2: the
          means by which or the point at which an input (as of
          energy, material, or data) is made 3: the act or process
          of putting in [2]input vt in.put.ted or input ; in.put.ting
          (1946): to enter (as data) into a computer or data processing
          system

   inq
          [inq] abbreviation inquire

   inquest
          [in.quest] n [ME, fr. OF enqueste, fr. (assumed) VL inquaesta,
          fem. of inquaestus, pp. of inquaerere to inquire] (13c)
          1 a: a judicial or official inquiry or examination esp.
          before a jury <a coroner's ~> b: a body of people (as
          a jury) assembled to hold such an inquiry c: the finding
          of the jury upon such inquiry or the document recording
          it 2: inquiry, investigation

   inquietude
          [in.qui.etude] n [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr. LL inquietudo,
          fr. L inquietus disturbed, fr. in- + quietus quiet] (15c):
          disturbed state: disquietude

   inquiline
          [in.qui.line] n [L inquilinus tenant, lodger, fr. in- + colere
          to cultivate, dwell--more at wheel] (1879): an animal
          that lives habitually in the nest or abode of some other
          species

   inquire
          [in.quire] vb in.quired ; in.quir.ing [ME enquiren, fr. OF
          enquerre, fr. (assumed) VL inquaerere, alter. of L inquirere,
          fr. in- + quaerere to seek] vt (13c) 1: to ask about
          <some kindred spirit shall ~ thy fate --Thomas Gray>
          2: to search into: investigate ~ vi 1: to put a question:
          seek for information by questioning <inquired about the
          horses> 2: to make investigation or inquiry--often used
          with into syn see ask -- in.quir.er n -- in.quir.ing.ly
          adv -- inquire after : to ask about the health of

   inquiry
          [in.qui.ry] n, pl -ries (15c) 1: examination into facts or
          principles: research 2: a request for information 3:
          a systematic investigation often of a matter of public
          interest

   inquisition
          [in.qui.si.tion] n [ME inquisicioun, fr. MF inquisition,
          fr. L inquisition-, inquisitio, fr. inquirere] (14c)
          1: the act of inquiring: examination 2: a judicial or
          official inquiry or examination usu. before a jury; also:
          the finding of the jury 3 a cap: a former Roman Catholic
          tribunal for the discovery and punishment of heresy b:
          an investigation conducted with little regard for individual
          rights c: a severe questioning -- in.qui.si.tion.al adj

   inquisitive
          [in.quis.i.tive] adj (14c) 1: given to examination or investigation
          2: inclined to ask questions; esp: inordinately or improperly
          curious about the affairs of others syn see curious
          -- in.quis.i.tive.ly adv -- in.quis.i.tive.ness n

   inquisitor
          [in.quis.i.tor] n (1504): one who inquires or makes inquisition;
          esp: one who is unduly harsh, severe, or hostile in making
          an inquiry -- in.quis.i.to.ri.al adj -- in.quis.i.to.ri.al.ly
          adv

   in re
          [in re] prep [L] (1877): in the matter of: concerning, re--often
          used in the title or name of a law case

   in rem
          [in rem] adv or adj [LL] (ca. 1860): against a thing (as
          a right, status, or property)--used esp. of legal actions,
          judgments, or jurisdiction--compare in personam

   in-residence
          [in-residence] adj (1845): being officially associated with
          an organization in a specified capacity--usu. used in
          combination <writer-in-residence at the university>

   INRI
          [INRI] [L Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum] abbreviation Jesus
          of Nazareth, King of the Jews

   inro
          [in.ro] n, pl inro [Jp inro] (1617): a small compartmented
          and usu. ornamented container hung from an obi to hold
          small objects (as medicines and perfumes)

   inroad
          [in.road] n (1548) 1: a sudden hostile incursion: raid 2:
          an advance or penetration often at the expense of someone
          or something--usu. used in pl.

   inrush
          [in.rush] n (1817): a crowding or flooding in

   ins
          [ins] abbreviation inches, insurance INS abbreviation Immigration
          and Naturalization Service, inertial navigation system

   in saecula saeculorum
          [in sae.cu.la sae.cu.lo.rum] [L] foreign term : for ages
          of ages: forever and ever

   insalubrious
          [in.sa.lu.bri.ous] adj [L insalubris, fr. in- + salubris
          healthful--more at safe] (1615): not conducive to health:
          unwholesome <an ~ climate> -- in.sa.lu.bri.ty n

   ins and outs
          [ins and outs] n pl (ca. 1670) 1: characteristic peculiarities
          or technicalities 2: ramifications

   insane
          [in.sane] adj [L insanus, fr. in- + sanus sane] (ca. 1550)
          1: mentally disordered: exhibiting insanity 2: used by,
          typical of, or intended for insane persons <an ~ asylum>
          3: absurd <an ~ scheme for making money> -- in.sane.ly
          adv -- in.sane.ness n

   insanitary
          [in.san.i.tary] adj (1874): unclean enough to endanger health:
          contaminated -- in.san.i.ta.tion n

   insanity
          [in.san.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1590) 1 a: a deranged state of
          the mind usu. occurring as a specific disorder (as schizophrenia)
          and usu. excluding such states as mental retardation,
          psychoneurosis, and various character disorders b: a
          mental disorder 2: such unsoundness of mind or lack of
          understanding as prevents one from having the mental
          capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship,
          status, or transaction or as removes one from criminal
          or civil responsibility 3 a: extreme folly or unreasonableness
          b: something utterly foolish or unreasonable

   insatiable
          [in.sa.tia.ble] adj [ME insaciable, fr. MF, fr. L insatiabilis,
          fr. in- + satiare to satisfy--more at satiate] (15c):
          incapable of being satisfied: quenchless <had an ~ desire
          for wealth> -- in.sa.tia.bil.i.ty n -- in.sa.tia.ble.ness
          n -- in.sa.tia.bly adv

   insatiate
          [in.sa.tiate] adj (15c): insatiable -- in.sa.tiate.ly adv
          -- in.sa.tiate.ness n

   inscribe
          [in.scribe] vt [ME, fr. L inscribere, fr. in- + scribere
          to write--more at scribe] (15c) 1 a: to write, engrave,
          or print as a lasting record b: to enter on a list: enroll
          2 a: to write, engrave, or print characters upon b: to
          autograph or address (a book) as a gift 3: to dedicate
          to someone 4: to draw within a figure so as to touch
          in as many places as possible <a regular polygon inscribed
          in a circle> 5 Brit: to register the name of the holder
          of (a security) -- in.scrib.er n

   inscription
          [in.scrip.tion] n [ME inscripcioun, fr. L inscription-, inscriptio,
          fr. inscribere] (14c) 1 a: something that is inscribed; also:
          superscription b: epigraph 2 c: the wording on a coin, medal, seal,
          or currency note 2: the dedication of a book or work of art
          3 a: the act of inscribing b: the entering of a name
          on or as if on a list: enrollment 4 Brit a: the act of inscribing
          securities b pl: inscribed securities -- in.scrip.tion.al adj

   inscriptive
          [in.scrip.tive] adj (1740): relating to or constituting an
          inscription -- in.scrip.tive.ly adv

   inscroll
          [in.scroll] vt (1596) archaic: to write on a scroll: record

   inscrutable
          [in.scru.ta.ble] adj [ME, fr. LL inscrutabilis, fr. L in-
          + scrutari to search--more at scrutiny] (15c): not readily
          investigated, interpreted, or understood: mysterious
          -- in.scru.ta.bil.i.ty n -- in.scru.ta.ble.ness n --
          in.scru.ta.bly adv

   insculp
          [in.sculp] vt [ME, fr. L insculpere, fr. in- + scalpere to
          scratch, carve--more at shelf] (15c) archaic: engrave,
          sculpture

   inseam
          [in.seam] n (1886): the seam on the inside of the leg of
          a pair of pants; also: the length of this seam

   insect
          [in.sect] n [L insectum, fr. neut. of insectus, pp. of insecare
          to cut into, fr. in- + secare to cut--more at saw] (1601)
          1 a: any of numerous small invertebrate animals (as spiders
          or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented
          b: any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (as bugs or
          bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only
          three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of
          wings 2: a trivial or contemptible person -- insect adj

   insectary
          [in.sec.ta.ry] n, pl -ries (1888): a place for the keeping
          or rearing of living insects

   insecticidal
          [in.sec.ti.cid.al] adj (1857) 1: destroying or controlling
          insects 2: of or relating to an insecticide -- in.sec.ti.cid.al.ly
          adv

   insecticide
          [in.sec.ti.cide] n [ISV] (1865): an agent that destroys insects

   insectile
          [in.sec.tile] adj (ca. 1626): being or suggestive of an insect

   insectivore
          [in.sec.ti.vore] n [NL Insectivora, fr. L insectum + -vorus
          -vorous] (1840) 1: any of an order (Insectivora) of mammals
          comprising forms (as moles, shrews, and hedgehogs) that
          are mostly small, insectivorous, and nocturnal 2: an
          insectivorous plant or animal

   insectivorous
          [in.sec.tiv.o.rous] adj (1661): depending on insects as food

   insecure
          [in.se.cure] adj [ML insecurus, fr. L in- + securus secure]
          (1649) 1: not confident or sure: uncertain <feeling somewhat
          ~ of his reception> 2: not adequately guarded or sustained:
          unsafe <an ~ investment> 3: not firmly fastened or fixed:
          shaky <the hinge is loose and ~> 4 a: not highly stable
          or well-adjusted <an ~ marriage> b: deficient in assurance:
          beset by fear and anxiety <always felt ~ in a group of
          strangers> -- in.se.cure.ly adv -- in.se.cure.ness n
          -- in.se.cu.ri.ty n

   inselberg
          [in.sel.berg] n, pl -bergs also -ber.ge [G, fr. Insel island
          + Berg mountain] (1913): an isolated mountain

   inseminate
          [in.sem.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L inseminatus, pp.
          of inseminare, fr. in- + semin-, semen seed--more at
          semen] (ca. 1623) 1: sow 2: to introduce semen into the
          genital tract of (a female) syn see implant -- in.sem.i.na.tion
          n

   inseminator
          [in.sem.i.na.tor] n (1944): one that inseminates cattle
          artificially

   insensate
          [in.sen.sate] adj [LL insensatus, fr. L in- + LL sensatus
          having sense, fr. L sensus sense] (15c) 1: lacking sense
          or understanding; also: foolish 2: lacking animate awareness
          or sensation 3: lacking humane feeling: brutal -- in.sen.sate.ly
          adv

   insensible
          [in.sen.si.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L insensibilis,
          fr. in- + sensibilis sensible] (14c) 1: imperceptible
          <dampened by an ~ dew>; broadly: slight, gradual <~ motion>
          2: incapable or bereft of feeling or sensation: as a:
          not endowed with life or spirit: insentient <~ earth>
          b: unconscious <knocked ~ by a sudden blow> c: lacking
          sensory perception or ability to react <~ to pain> 3
          a: lacking emotional response: apathetic, indifferent
          <~ to fear> b: unaware <~ of their danger> 4 archaic:
          stupid, senseless 5: not intelligible: meaningless 6:
          lacking delicacy or refinement -- in.sen.si.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.sen.si.ble.ness n -- in.sen.si.bly adv

   insensitive
          [in.sen.si.tive] adj (1834) 1 a: not responsive or susceptible
          <~ to the demands of the public> b: lacking feeling or
          tact <so ~ as to laugh at someone in pain> 2: not physically
          or chemically sensitive -- in.sen.si.tive.ly adv --
          in.sen.si.tive.ness n -- in.sen.si.tiv.i.ty n

   insentient
          [in.sen.tient] adj (1764): lacking perception, consciousness,
          or animation -- in.sen.tience n

   inseparable
          [in.sep.a.ra.ble] adj [ME, fr. L inseparabilis, fr. in- +
          separabilis separable] (14c): incapable of being separated
          or disjoined -- in.sep.a.ra.bil.i.ty n -- inseparable
          n -- in.sep.a.ra.ble.ness n -- in.sep.a.ra.bly adv

   [1]insert
          [in.sert] vb [L insertus, pp. of inserere, fr. in- + serere
          to join--more at series] vt (1529) 1: to put or thrust
          in <~ the key in the lock> <~ a spacecraft into orbit>
          2: to put or introduce into the body of something: interpolate
          <~ a change in a manuscript> 3: to set in and make fast;
          esp: to insert by sewing between two cut edges 4: to
          place into action (as in a game) <~ a new pitcher> ~
          vi, of a muscle: to be in attachment to the part to be
          moved syn see introduce -- in.sert.er n [2]in.sert n
          (ca. 1889): something that is inserted or is for insertion;
          esp: written or printed material inserted (as between
          the leaves of a book)

   insertion
          [in.ser.tion] n (1539) 1: something that is inserted: as
          a: the part of a muscle that inserts b: the mode or place
          of attachment of an organ or part c: embroidery or needlework
          inserted as ornament between two pieces of fabric d:
          a section of genetic material that is inserted into an
          existing gene sequence 2 a: the act or process of inserting
          b: the mutational process producing a genetic insertion
          -- in.ser.tion.al adj

   in-service
          [in-ser.vice] adj (1928) 1: going on or continuing while
          one is fully employed <~ teacher education workshops>
          2: of, relating to, or being one that is fully employed
          <~ police officers>

   [1]inset
          [in.set] n (1559) 1 a: a place where something flows in:
          channel b: a setting or flowing in 2: something that
          is inset: as a: a small graphic representation (as a
          map or picture) set within a larger one b: a piece of
          cloth set into a garment (as for decoration) c: a part
          or section of a utensil that fits into an outer part
          [2]in.set vt inset or in.set.ted ; in.set.ting (1658)
          1: set in; esp: to insert within something else in such
          a way as to be visible 2: to provide with an inset

   inshallah
          [in.shal.lah] [Ar] foreign term : if Allah wills: God willing

   [1]inshore
          [in.shore] adj (1701) 1: situated, living, or carried on
          near shore 2: moving toward shore <an ~ current> [2]inshore
          adv (1748): to or toward shore <boats driven ~ by the
          storm>

   [1]inside
          [in.side] n (14c) 1 a: an interior or internal part or place:
          the part within b: inward nature, thoughts, or feeling
          c: viscera, entrails--usu. used in pl. 2: an inner side
          or surface 3 a: a position of power, trust, or familiarity
          <only someone on the ~ could have told> b: confidential
          information <has the ~ on what happened at the convention>
          4: the area nearest a specified or implied point of reference:
          as a: the side of home plate nearest the batter b: the
          middle portion of a playing area c: the area near or
          underneath the basket in basketball [2]inside adv (15c)
          1: on the inner side 2: in or into the interior 3: to
          or on the inside 4: in prison [3]inside adj (1611) 1:
          of, relating to, or being on or near the inside <an ~
          pitch> 2 a: relating or known to a select group <~ information>
          b: behind-the-scenes [4]inside prep (1791) 1 a: in or
          into or as if in or into the interior of b: on the inner
          side of 2: within <~ an hour>

   inside address
          [inside address] n (ca. 1941): address 5c

   inside of
          [inside of] prep (1839): inside

   inside out
          [inside out] adv (ca. 1600) 1: in such a manner that the
          inner surface becomes the outer <turned the shirt inside
          out> 2: to a thorough degree <knows the subject inside
          out> 3: in or into a state of disarray often involving
          drastic reorganization <turned the business inside out>

   insider
          [in.sid.er] n (1848): a person recognized or accepted as
          a member of a group, category, or organization: as a:
          a person who is in a position of power or has access
          to confidential information b: one (as an officer or
          director) who is in a position to have special knowledge
          of the affairs of or to influence the decisions of a
          company

   insider trading
          [insider trading] n (1966): the illegal use of insider information
          for profit in financial trading

   inside track
          [inside track] n (1857): an advantageous competitive position
          <the owner's son has the inside track for the job>

   insidious
          [in.sid.i.ous] adj [L insidiosus, fr. insidiae ambush, fr.
          insidere to sit in, sit on, fr. in- + sedere to sit--more
          at sit] (1545) 1 a: awaiting a chance to entrap: treacherous
          b: harmful but enticing: seductive <~ drugs> 2 a: having
          a gradual and cumulative effect: subtle <the ~ pressures
          of modern life> b of a disease: developing so gradually
          as to be well established before becoming apparent --
          in.sid.i.ous.ly adv -- in.sid.i.ous.ness n

   insight
          [in.sight] n (13c) 1: the power or act of seeing into a situation:
          penetration 2: the act or result of apprehending the inner nature
          of things or of seeing intuitively syn see discernment

   insightful
          [in.sight.ful] adj (1907): exhibiting or characterized by
          insight -- in.sight.ful.ly adv

   insignia
          [in.sig.nia] or in.sig.ne n, pl -nia or -ni.as [L insignia,
          pl. of insigne mark, badge, fr. neut. of insignis marked,
          distinguished, fr. in- + signum mark--more at sign] (1648)
          1: a badge of authority or honor 2: a distinguishing
          mark or sign

   insignificance
          [in.sig.nif.i.cance] n (1699): the quality or state of being
          insignificant

   insignificancy
          [in.sig.nif.i.can.cy] n, pl -cies (1651) 1: insignificance
          2: an insignificant thing or person

   insignificant
          [in.sig.nif.i.cant] adj (1651): not significant: as a: lacking
          meaning or import: inconsequential b: not worth considering:
          unimportant c: lacking weight, position, or influence:
          contemptible d: small in size, quantity, or number --
          in.sig.nif.i.cant.ly adv

   insincere
          [in.sin.cere] adj [L insincerus, fr. in- + sincerus sincere]
          (1634): not sincere: hypocritical -- in.sin.cere.ly adv
          -- in.sin.cer.i.ty n

   insinuate
          [in.sin.u.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L insinuatus, pp. of
          insinuare, fr. in- + sinuare to bend, curve, fr. sinus
          curve] vt (1529) 1 a: to introduce (as an idea) gradually
          or in a subtle, indirect, or covert way <~ doubts into
          a trusting mind> b: to impart or communicate with artful
          or oblique reference 2: to introduce (as oneself) by
          stealthy, smooth, or artful means ~ vi 1 archaic: to
          enter gently, slowly, or imperceptibly: creep 2 archaic:
          to ingratiate oneself syn see introduce, suggest -- in.sin.u.a.tive
          adj -- in.sin.u.a.tor n

   insinuating
          [insinuating] adj (1591) 1: winning favor and confidence
          by imperceptible degrees: ingratiating 2: tending gradually
          to cause doubt, distrust, or change of outlook often
          in a slyly subtle manner <~ remarks> -- in.sin.u.at.ing.ly
          adv

   insinuation
          [in.sin.u.a.tion] n (1526) 1: the act or process of insinuating
          2: something that is insinuated; esp: a sly, subtle,
          and usu. derogatory utterance

   insipid
          [in.sip.id] adj [F & LL; F insipide, fr. LL insipidus, fr.
          L in- + sapidus savory, fr. sapere to taste--more at
          sage] (1609) 1: lacking taste or savor: tasteless 2:
          lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate, or challenge:
          dull, flat -- in.si.pid.i.ty n -- in.sip.id.ly adv syn
          insipid, vapid, flat, jejune, banal, inane mean devoid
          of qualities that make for spirit and character. insipid
          implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please
          or interest <an insipid romance with platitudes on every
          page>. vapid suggests a lack of liveliness, force, or
          spirit <an exciting story given a vapid treatment>. flat
          applies to things that have lost their sparkle or zest
          <although well-regarded in its day, the novel now seems
          flat>. jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying
          substance <a jejune and gassy speech>. banal stresses
          the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy
          <a banal tale of unrequited love>. inane implies a lack
          of any significant or convincing quality <an inane interpretation
          of the play>.

   insist
          [in.sist] vb [MF or L; MF insister, fr. L insistere to stand
          upon, persist, fr. in- + sistere to take a stand; akin
          to L stare to stand--more at stand] vi (1586) 1: to be
          emphatic, firm, or resolute about something intended,
          demanded, or required <they ~ on going> 2 archaic: persist
          ~ vt: to maintain in a persistent or positive manner
          <~ed that the story was true>

   insistence
          [in.sis.tence] n (15c) 1: the act or an instance of insisting
          2: the quality or state of being insistent: urgency

   insistency
          [in.sis.ten.cy] n, pl -cies (1859): insistence

   insistent
          [in.sis.tent] adj [L insistent-, insistens, prp. of insistere]
          (1868) 1: disposed to insist: persistent 2: compelling
          attention <the ~ pounding of the waves> -- in.sis.tent.ly
          adv

   in situ
          [in si.tu] adv or adj [L, in position] (1740): in the natural
          or original position or place

   insobriety
          [in.so.bri.ety] n (ca. 1611): lack of sobriety or moderation;
          esp: intemperance in drinking

   insociable
          [in.so.cia.ble] adj [L insociabilis, fr. in- + sociabilis
          sociable] (1588): not sociable -- in.so.cia.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.so.cia.bly adv

   insofar
          [in.so.far] adv (1596): to such extent or degree

   insofar as
          [insofar as] conj (15c): to the extent or degree that

   insol
          [insol] abbreviation insoluble

   insolation
          [in.so.la.tion] n [F or L; F, fr. L insolation-, insolatio,
          fr. insolare to expose to the sun, fr. in- + sol sun--more
          at solar] (1617) 1: exposure to the sun's rays 2: sunstroke
          3 a: solar radiation that has been received b: the rate
          of delivery of direct solar radiation per unit of horizontal
          surface; broadly: that relating to total solar radiation

   insole
          [in.sole] n (ca. 1861) 1: an inside sole of a shoe 2: a loose
          thin strip placed inside a shoe for warmth or comfort

   insolence
          [in.so.lence] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being insolent
          2: an instance of insolent conduct or treatment

   insolent
          [in.so.lent] adj [ME, fr. L insolent-, insolens unaccustomed,
          overbearing, fr. in- + solens, prp. of solere to be accustomed;
          perh. akin to L sodalis comrade--more at sib] (14c) 1:
          insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct: overbearing
          2: exhibiting boldness or effrontery: impudent syn see
          proud -- insolent n -- in.so.lent.ly adv

   insolubilize
          [in.sol.u.bi.lize] vt (1897): to make insoluble --
          in.sol.u.bi.li.za.tion n

   insoluble
          [in.sol.u.ble] adj [ME insolible, fr. L insolubilis, fr.
          in- + solvere to free, dissolve--more at solve] (14c):
          not soluble: as a archaic: indissoluble b: having or
          admitting of no solution or explanation c: incapable
          of being dissolved in a liquid; also: soluble only with
          difficulty or to a slight degree -- in.sol.u.bil.i.ty
          n -- insoluble n -- in.sol.u.ble.ness n -- in.sol.u.bly
          adv

   insolvable
          [in.solv.able] adj (1693): admitting no solution <an apparently
          ~ problem> -- in.solv.ably adv

   insolvent
          [in.sol.vent] adj (1591) 1 a (1): unable to pay debts as
          they fall due in the usual course of business (2): having
          liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of
          assets held b: insufficient to pay all debts <an ~ estate>
          c: not up to a normal standard or complement: impoverished
          2: relating to or for the relief of insolvents -- in.sol.ven.cy
          n -- insolvent n

   insomnia
          [in.som.nia] n [L, fr. insomnis sleepless, fr. in- + somnus
          sleep--more at somnolent] (ca. 1623): prolonged and usu.
          abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep -- in.som.ni.ac
          adj or n

   insomuch as
          [in.so.much as] conj (14c): inasmuch as

   insomuch that
          [insomuch that] conj (14c): so 1

   insouciance
          [in.sou.ci.ance] n [F, fr. in- + soucier to trouble, disturb,
          fr. L sollicitare--more at solicit] (1799): lighthearted
          unconcern: nonchalance -- in.sou.ci.ant adj -- in.sou.ci.ant.ly
          adv

   insoul
          [in.soul] var of ensoul

   insp
          [insp] abbreviation inspector

   inspan
          [in.span] vb [Afrik, fr. D inspannen] (ca. 1827) chiefly
          SoAfr: yoke, harness

   inspect
          [in.spect] vb [L inspectus, pp. of inspicere, fr. in- + specere
          to look--more at spy] vt (ca. 1623) 1: to view closely
          in critical appraisal: look over 2: to examine officially
          <~s the barracks every Friday> ~ vi: to make an inspection
          syn see scrutinize -- in.spec.tive adj

   inspection
          [in.spec.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act of inspecting b: recognition
          of a familiar pattern leading to immediate solution of
          a mathematical problem <solve an equation by ~> 2: a
          checking or testing of an individual against established
          standards

   inspection arms
          [inspection arms] n [fr. the command inspection arms]] (ca.
          1884): a position in the manual of arms in which the
          rifle is held at port arms with the chamber open for
          inspection; also: a command to assume this position

   inspector
          [in.spec.tor] n (1602) 1: a person employed to inspect something
          2 a: a police officer who is in charge of usu. several
          precincts and ranks below a superintendent or deputy
          superintendent b: a person appointed to oversee a polling
          place -- in.spec.tor.ship n

   inspectorate
          [in.spec.tor.ate] n (1762) 1: the office, position, work,
          or district of an inspector 2: a body of inspectors

   inspector general
          [inspector general] n (1702): a person who heads an inspectorate
          or a system of inspection (as of an army)

   insphere
          [in.sphere] var of ensphere

   inspiration
          [in.spi.ra.tion] n (14c) 1 a: a divine influence or action
          on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive
          and communicate sacred revelation b: the action or power
          of moving the intellect or emotions c: the act of influencing
          or suggesting opinions 2: the act of drawing in; specif:
          the drawing of air into the lungs 3 a: the quality or
          state of being inspired b: something that is inspired
          <a scheme that was pure ~> 4: an inspiring agent or influence
          -- in.spi.ra.tion.al adj -- in.spi.ra.tion.al.ly adv

   inspirator
          [in.spi.ra.tor] n (1624): one that inspires <teachers who
          are ~s of the young>

   inspiratory
          [in.spi.ra.to.ry] adj (1773): of, relating to, used for,
          or associated with inspiration

   inspire
          [in.spire] vb in.spired ; in.spir.ing [ME, fr. MF & L; MF
          inspirer, fr. L inspirare, fr. in- + spirare to breathe]
          vt (14c) 1 a: to influence, move, or guide by divine
          or supernatural inspiration b: to exert an animating,
          enlivening, or exalting influence on <was particularly
          inspired by the Romanticists> c: to spur on: impel, motivate
          <threats don't necessarily ~ people to work> d: affect
          <seeing the old room again inspired him with nostalgia>
          2 a archaic: to breathe or blow into or upon b archaic:
          to infuse (as life) by breathing 3 a: to communicate
          to an agent supernaturally b: to draw forth or bring
          out <thoughts inspired by a visit to the cathedral> 4:
          inhale 1 5 a: bring about, occasion <the book was inspired
          by his travels in the Far East> b: incite 6: to spread
          (rumor) by indirect means or through the agency of another
          ~ vi: inhale -- in.spir.er n

   inspired
          [inspired] adj (15c): outstanding or brilliant in a way or
          to a degree suggestive of divine inspiration <gave an
          ~ performance>

   inspiring
          [inspiring] adj (1717): having an animating or exalting effect

   inspirit
          [in.spir.it] vt (15c): to fill with spirit syn see encourage
          -- in.spir.it.ing.ly adv

   inspissate
          [in.spis.sate] vt -sat.ed ; -sat.ing [LL inspissatus, pp.
          of inspissare, fr. L in- + spissus slow, dense; akin
          to Gk spidnos compact, Lith spisti to form a swarm] (1626):
          to make thick or thicker -- in.spis.sa.tion n -- in.spis.sa.tor
          n

   inspissated
          [in.spis.sat.ed] adj (1603): thickened in consistency; broadly:
          made or having become thick, heavy, or intense

   inst
          [inst] abbreviation instant, institute, institution, institutional

   instability
          [in.sta.bil.i.ty] n (15c): the quality or state of being
          unstable; esp: lack of emotional or mental stability

   instable
          [in.sta.ble] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L instabilis, fr. in-
          + stabilis stable] (15c): unstable

   install
          [in.stall] also in.stal vt in.stalled ; in.stall.ing [ME,
          fr. MF installer, fr. ML installare, fr. L in- + ML stallum
          stall, fr. OHG stal] (15c) 1 a: to place in an office
          or dignity by seating in a stall or official seat b:
          to induct into an office, rank, or order <~ed the new
          president> 2: to establish in an indicated place, condition,
          or status <~ing herself in front of the fireplace> 3:
          to set up for use or service <had an exhaust fan ~ed
          in the kitchen> -- in.stall.er n

   installation
          [in.stal.la.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of installing: the state
          of being installed 2: something that is installed for
          use 3: a military camp, fort, or base

   [1]installment
          [in.stall.ment] also in.stal.ment n (1589): installation
          1 [2]installment also instalment n [alter. of earlier
          estallment payment by installment, deriv. of OF estaler
          to place, fix, fr. estal place, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OHG stal place, stall] (1776) 1: one of the parts into
          which a debt is divided when payment is made at intervals
          2 a: one of several parts (as of a publication) presented
          at intervals b: one part of a serial story -- installment
          adj

   installment plan
          [installment plan] n (1876): a system of paying for goods
          by installments

   [1]instance
          [in.stance] n (14c) 1 a archaic: urgent or earnest solicitation
          b: instigation, request <am writing to you at the ~ of
          my client> c obs: an impelling cause or motive 2 a archaic:
          exception b: an individual illustrative of a category
          or brought forward in support or disproof of a generalization
          c obs: token, sign 3: the institution and prosecution
          of a lawsuit: suit 4: a step, stage, or situation viewed
          as part of a process or series of events <prefers, in
          this ~, to remain anonymous --Times Lit. Supp.> -- for
          in.stance : as an instance or example <older people like
          my grandmother, for instance> syn instance, case, illustration,
          example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits
          distinguishing characteristics in its category. instance
          applies to any individual person, act, or thing that
          may be offered to illustrate or explain <an instance
          of history repeating itself>. case is used to direct
          attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation
          that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with <a case
          of mistaken identity>. illustration applies to an instance
          offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general
          statement <a telling illustration of Murphy's Law>. example
          applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative
          instance or case <a typical example of bureaucratic waste>.
          sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a
          larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities
          <show us a sample of your work>. specimen applies to
          any example or sample whether representative or merely
          existent and available <one of the finest specimens of
          the jeweler's art>. [2]instance vt in.stanced ; in.stanc.ing
          (1601) 1: to illustrate or demonstrate by an instance
          2: to mention as a case or example: cite

   instancy
          [in.stan.cy] n, pl -cies (1515) 1: urgency, insistence 2:
          nearness of approach: imminence 3: immediacy of occurrence
          or action: instantaneousness

   [1]instant
          [in.stant] n [ME, fr. ML instant-, instans, fr. instant-,
          instans, adj., instant, fr. L] (14c) 1: an infinitesimal
          space of time; esp: a point in time separating two states
          <at the ~ of death> 2: the present or current month [2]instant
          adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L instant-, instans, fr.
          prp. of instare to stand upon, urge, fr. in- + stare
          to stand--more at stand] (15c) 1: importunate, urgent
          2 a: present, current <previous felonies not related
          to the ~ crime> b: of or occurring in the present month
          3: immediate, direct <the play was an ~ success> 4 a
          (1): premixed or precooked for easy final preparation
          <~ pudding> (2): appearing in or as if in ready-to-use
          form <~ culture> b: immediately soluble in water <~ coffee>
          5: produced or occurring with or as if with extreme rapidity
          and ease -- in.stant.ness n

   instantaneous
          [in.stan.ta.neous] adj [ML instantaneus, fr. instant-, instans,
          n.] (1651) 1: done, occurring, or acting without any
          perceptible duration of time <death was ~> 2: done without
          any delay being purposely introduced <took ~ action to
          correct the abuse> 3: occurring or present at a particular
          instant <~ velocity> -- in.stan.ta.ne.ity n -- in.stan.ta.neous.ly
          adv -- in.stan.ta.neous.ness n

   instanter
          [in.stan.ter] adv [ML, fr. instant-, instans] (1688): at
          once

   instantiate
          [in.stan.ti.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1949): to represent
          (an abstraction) by a concrete instance <heroes ~ ideals
          --W. J. Bennett> -- in.stan.ti.a.tion n

   [1]instantly
          [in.stant.ly] adv (15c) 1: with importunity: urgently 2:
          without the least delay: immediately [2]instantly conj
          (1793): as soon as <he ran across the grass ~ he perceived
          his mother --W. M. Thackeray>

   instant replay
          [instant replay] n (1966): a videotape recording of an action
          (as a play in football) that can be played back (as in
          slow motion) immediately after the action has been completed;
          also: the playing of such a recording

   instar
          [in.star] n [NL, fr. L, equivalent] (1895): a stage in the
          life of an arthropod (as an insect) between two successive
          molts; also: an individual in a specified instar

   instate
          [in.state] vt (1603) 1 obs a: invest, endow b: bestow, confer
          2: to set or establish in a rank or office: install

   in statu quo
          [in sta.tu quo] adv [NL, lit., in the state in which] (1602):
          in the former or same state

   in statu quo ante bellum
          [in sta.tu quo an.te bel.lum] [L] foreign term : in the same
          state as before the war

   instauration
          [in.stau.ra.tion] n [L instauration-, instauratio, fr. instaurare
          to renew, restore--more at store] (ca. 1603) 1: restoration
          after decay, lapse, or dilapidation 2: an act of instituting
          or establishing something

   instead
          [in.stead] adv (1667) 1: as a substitute or equivalent <was
          going to write but called ~> 2: as an alternative to
          something expressed or implied: rather <longed ~ for
          a quiet country life>

   instead of
          [in.stead of] prep [ME in sted of] (13c): in place of: as
          a substitute for or alternative to

   instep
          [in.step] n (15c) 1: the arched middle portion of the human
          foot in front of the ankle joint; esp: its upper surface
          2: the part of a shoe or stocking that fits over the
          instep

   instigate
          [in.sti.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L instigatus, pp. of
          instigare--more at stick] (1542): to goad or urge forward:
          provoke syn see incite -- in.sti.ga.tion n -- in.sti.ga.tive
          adj -- in.sti.ga.tor n

   instill
          [in.still] also in.stil vt in.stilled ; in.still.ing [ME,
          fr. MF & L; MF instiller, fr. L instillare, fr. in- +
          stillare to drip, fr. stilla drop] (15c) 1: to cause
          to enter drop by drop <~ medication into the infected
          eye> 2: to impart gradually <~ing a love of learning
          in children> syn see implant -- in.stil.la.tion n --
          in.still.er n -- in.still.ment n

   [1]instinct
          [in.stinct] n [ME, fr. L instinctus impulse, fr. instinguere
          to incite; akin to L instigare to instigate] (15c) 1:
          a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity
          <had an ~ for the right word> 2 a: a largely inheritable
          and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex
          and specific response to environmental stimuli without
          involving reason b: behavior that is mediated by reactions
          below the conscious level -- in.stinc.tu.al adj --
          in.stinc.tu.al.ly adv [2]in.stinct adj (1667) 1 obs: impelled
          by an inner or animating or exciting agency 2: profoundly imbued:
          infused <my mood, ~ with romance --S. J. Perelman>

   instinctive
          [in.stinc.tive] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or being instinct
          2: prompted by natural instinct or propensity: arising
          spontaneously <an ~ fear of innovation --V. L. Parrington>
          syn see spontaneous -- in.stinc.tive.ly adv

   [1]institute
          [in.sti.tute] vt -tut.ed ; -tut.ing [ME, fr. L institutus,
          pp. of instituere, fr. in- + statuere to set up--more
          at statute] (14c) 1: to establish in a position or office
          2 a: to originate and get established: organize <instituted
          reading clinics> b: to set going: inaugurate <instituting
          an investigation of the charges> -- in.sti.tut.er or
          in.sti.tu.tor n [2]institute n (1546): something that
          is instituted: as a (1): an elementary principle recognized
          as authoritative (2) pl: a collection of such principles
          and precepts; esp: a legal compendium b: an organization
          for the promotion of a cause: association <a research
          ~> <an ~ for the blind> c: an educational institution
          and esp. one devoted to technical fields d: a usu. brief
          intensive course of instruction on selected topics relating
          to a particular field <an urban studies ~>

   institution
          [in.sti.tu.tion] n (14c) 1: an act of instituting: establishment
          2 a: a significant practice, relationship, or organization
          in a society or culture <the ~ of marriage>; also: something
          or someone firmly associated with a place or thing <she
          has become an ~ in the theater> b: an established organization
          or corporation (as a college or university) esp. of a
          public character; also: asylum 4 -- in.sti.tu.tion.al
          adj -- in.sti.tu.tion.al.ly adv

   institutionalise
          [in.sti.tu.tion.al.ise] Brit var of institutionalize

   institutionalism
          [in.sti.tu.tion.al.ism] n (1862) 1: emphasis on organization
          (as in religion) at the expense of other factors 2: public
          institutional care of handicapped, delinquent, or dependent
          persons 3: an economic school of thought that emphasizes
          the role of social institutions in influencing economic
          behavior -- in.sti.tu.tion.al.ist n

   institutionalize
          [in.sti.tu.tion.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1865) 1: to make
          into an institution: give character of an institution
          to <institutionalized housing>; esp: to incorporate into
          a structured and often highly formalized system <institutionalized
          values> 2: to put in the care of an institution <~ alcoholics>
          -- in.sti.tu.tion.al.i.za.tion n

   in-store
          [in-store] adj (1961): relating to or being an operation
          or activity located or taking place inside a store <~
          consumer survey>

   instr
          [instr] abbreviation instructor, instrument, instrumental

   instruct
          [in.struct] vt [ME, fr. L instructus, pp. of instruere, fr.
          in- + struere to build--more at structure] (15c) 1: to
          give knowledge to: teach, train 2: to provide with authoritative
          information or advice <the judge ~ed the jury> 3: to
          give an order or command to: direct syn see teach, command

   instruction
          [in.struc.tion] n (15c) 1 a: precept <prevailing cultural
          ~s> b: a direction calling for compliance: order--usu.
          used in pl. <had ~s not to admit strangers> c pl: an
          outline or manual of technical procedure: directions
          d: a code that tells a computer to perform a particular
          operation 2: the action, practice, or profession of teaching
          -- in.struc.tion.al adj

   instructive
          [in.struc.tive] adj (1611): carrying a lesson: enlightening
          -- in.struc.tive.ly adv -- in.struc.tive.ness n

   instructor
          [in.struc.tor] n (15c): one that instructs: teacher; esp:
          a college teacher below professorial rank -- in.struc.tor.ship
          n

   instructress
          [in.struc.tress] n (1630): a woman who is an instructor

   [1]instrument
          [in.stru.ment] n [ME, fr. L instrumentum, fr. instruere to
          arrange, instruct] (14c) 1: a device used to produce
          music 2 a: a means whereby something is achieved, performed,
          or furthered b: one used by another as a means or aid:
          dupe, tool 3: implement; esp: one designed for precision
          work 4: a formal legal document (as a deed, bond, or
          agreement) 5 a: a measuring device for determining the
          present value of a quantity under observation b: an electrical
          or mechanical device used in navigating an airplane;
          esp: such a device used as the sole means of navigating
          syn see implement [2]in.stru.ment vt (1752) 1: to address
          a legal instrument to 2: to score for musical performance:
          orchestrate 3: to equip with instruments esp. for measuring
          and recording data <an instrumented spacecraft>

   instrumental
          [in.stru.men.tal] adj (14c) 1 a: serving as a means, agent,
          or tool <was ~ in organizing the strike> b: of, relating
          to, or done with an instrument or tool 2: relating to,
          composed for, or performed on a musical instrument 3:
          of, relating to, or being a grammatical case or form
          expressing means or agency 4: of or relating to instrumentalism
          5: operant 3 <~ learning> <~ conditioning> -- instrumental
          n -- in.stru.men.tal.ly adv

   instrumentalism
          [in.stru.men.tal.ism] n (1909): a doctrine that ideas are
          instruments of action and that their usefulness determines
          their truth

   instrumentalist
          [in.stru.men.tal.ist] n (1823) 1: a player on a musical instrument
          2: an exponent of instrumentalism -- instrumentalist adj

   instrumentality
          [in.stru.men.tal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1651) 1: the quality
          or state of being instrumental 2: means, agency

   instrumentation
          [in.stru.men.ta.tion] n (1845) 1: the arrangement or composition
          of music for instruments esp. for a band or orchestra
          2: the use or application of instruments (as for observation,
          measurement, or control) 3: instruments for a particular
          purpose; also: a selection or arrangement of instruments

   instrument flying
          [instrument flying] n (1928): navigation of an airplane by
          instruments only

   instrument landing
          [instrument landing] n (1938): a landing made with limited
          visibility by means of instruments and by ground radio
          direction

   instrument panel
          [instrument panel] n (1922): a panel on which instruments
          are mounted; esp: dashboard 2

   insubordinate
          [in.sub.or.di.nate] adj (ca. 1828): disobedient to authority
          -- insubordinate n -- in.sub.or.di.nate.ly adv --
          in.sub.or.di.na.tion n

   insubstantial
          [in.sub.stan.tial] adj [prob. fr. F insubstantiel, fr. LL
          insubstantialis, fr. L in- + LL substantialis substantial]
          (1607): not substantial: as a: lacking substance or material
          nature b: lacking firmness or solidity: flimsy --
          in.sub.stan.ti.al.i.ty n

   insufferable
          [in.suf.fer.able] adj (15c): not to be endured: intolerable
          <an ~ bore> -- in.suf.fer.able.ness n -- in.suf.fer.ably
          adv

   insufficiency
          [in.suf.fi.cien.cy] n, pl -cies (1526) 1: the quality or
          state of being insufficient: as a: lack of mental or
          moral fitness: incompetence <the ~ of this person for
          public office> b: lack of adequate supply <~ of provisions>
          c: lack of physical power or capacity; specif: inability
          of an organ or body part to function normally 2: something
          that is insufficient or falls short of expectations

   insufficient
          [in.suf.fi.cient] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL insufficient-,
          insufficiens, fr. L in- + sufficient-, sufficiens sufficient]
          (14c): not sufficient: inadequate; esp: lacking adequate
          power, capacity, or competence -- in.suf.fi.cient.ly
          adv

   insufflation
          [in.suf.fla.tion] n [ME insufflacion, fr. MF insufflation,
          fr. LL insufflation-, insufflatio, fr. insufflare to
          blow upon, fr. L in- + sufflare to inflate, fr. sub-
          + flare to blow--more at blow] (15c): an act or the action
          of blowing on, into, or in: as a: a Christian ceremonial
          rite of exorcism performed by breathing on a person b:
          the act of blowing something (as a gas, powder, or vapor)
          into a body cavity -- in.suf.flate vt -- in.suf.fla.tor
          n

   insulant
          [in.su.lant] n (ca. 1929) chiefly Brit: insulation 2

   insular
          [in.su.lar] adj [LL insularis, fr. L insula island] (1611)
          1 a: of, relating to, or constituting an island b: dwelling
          or situated on an island <~ residents> 2: characteristic
          of an isolated people; esp: being, having, or reflecting
          a narrow provincial viewpoint 3: of or relating to an
          island of cells or tissue -- in.su.lar.ism n -- in.su.lar.i.ty
          n -- in.su.lar.ly adv

   insulate
          [in.su.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L insula] (ca. 1741):
          to place in a detached situation: isolate; esp: to separate
          from conducting bodies by means of nonconductors so as
          to prevent transfer of electricity, heat, or sound

   insulation
          [in.su.la.tion] n (1798) 1 a: the action of insulating b:
          the state of being insulated 2: material used in insulating

   insulator
          [in.su.la.tor] n (1801): one that insulates: as a: a material
          that is a poor conductor (as of electricity or heat)--compare
          semiconductor b: a device made of an electrical insulating
          material and used for separating or supporting conductors

   insulin
          [in.su.lin] n [NL insula islet (of Langerhans), fr. L, island]
          (1914): a protein pancreatic hormone secreted by the
          islets of Langerhans that is essential esp. for the metabolism
          of carbohydrates and is used in the treatment and control
          of diabetes mellitus

   insulin shock
          [insulin shock] n (1925): hypoglycemia associated with the
          presence of excessive insulin in the system and characterized
          by progressive development of coma

   [1]insult
          [in.sult] vb [MF or L; MF insulter, fr. L insultare, lit.,
          to spring upon, fr. in- + saltare to leap--more at saltation]
          vi (1540) archaic: to behave with pride or arrogance:
          vaunt ~ vt: to treat with insolence, indignity, or contempt:
          affront; also: to affect offensively or damagingly <doggerel
          that ~s the reader's intelligence> syn see offend --
          in.sult.er n -- in.sult.ing.ly adv [2]in.sult n (1671)
          1: a gross indignity 2: injury to the body or one of
          its parts; also: something that causes or has a potential
          for causing such insult <pollution and other environmental
          ~s>

   insuperable
          [in.su.per.a.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L insuperabilis,
          fr. in- + superare to surmount, fr. super over--more
          at over] (14c): incapable of being surmounted, overcome,
          passed over, or solved <~ difficulties> -- in.su.per.a.bly
          adv

   insupportable
          [in.sup.port.able] adj [MF or LL; MF, fr. LL insupportabilis,
          fr. L in- + supportare to support] (ca. 1530): not supportable:
          a: more than can be endured <~ pain> b: impossible to
          justify <~ charges> -- in.sup.port.ably adv

   insuppressible
          [in.sup.press.ible] adj (1610): irrepressible

   insur
          [insur] abbreviation insurance

   insurable
          [in.sur.able] adj (1810): that may be insured -- in.sur.abil.i.ty
          n

   [1]insurance
          [in.sur.ance] n (1651) 1 a: the business of insuring persons
          or property b: coverage by contract whereby one party
          undertakes to indemnify or guarantee another against
          loss by a specified contingency or peril c: the sum for
          which something is insured 2: a means of guaranteeing
          protection or safety <the contract is your ~ against
          price changes> [2]insurance adj (1954): being a score
          that adds to a team's lead and makes it impossible for
          the opposing team to tie the game with its next score
          <~ run>

   insure
          [in.sure] vb in.sured ; in.sur.ing [ME, to assure, prob.
          alter. of assuren] vt (1635) 1: to provide or obtain
          insurance on or for 2: to make certain esp. by taking
          necessary measures and precautions ~ vi: to contract
          to give or take insurance syn see ensure

   insured
          [insured] n (1681): a person whose life or property is insured

   insurer
          [in.sur.er] n (1654): one that insures; specif: an insurance
          underwriter

   insurgence
          [in.sur.gence] n (1847): an act or the action of being insurgent:
          insurrection

   insurgency
          [in.sur.gen.cy] n, pl -cies (1803) 1: the quality or state
          of being insurgent; specif: a condition of revolt against
          a government that is less than an organized revolution
          and that is not recognized as belligerency 2: insurgence

   [1]insurgent
          [in.sur.gent] n [L insurgent-, insurgens, prp. of insurgere
          to rise up, fr. in- + surgere to rise--more at surge]
          (1765) 1: a person who revolts against civil authority
          or an established government; esp: a rebel not recognized
          as a belligerent 2: one who acts contrary to the policies
          and decisions of one's own political party [2]insurgent
          adj (1814): rising in opposition to civil authority or
          established leadership: rebellious -- in.sur.gent.ly
          adv

   insurmountable
          [in.sur.mount.able] adj (1690): incapable of being surmounted:
          insuperable <~ problems> -- in.sur.mount.ably adv

   insurrection
          [in.sur.rec.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL insurrection-, insurrectio,
          fr. insurgere] (15c): an act or instance of revolting against civil
          authority or an established government syn see rebellion
          -- in.sur.rec.tion.al adj -- in.sur.rec.tion.ary adj
          or n -- in.sur.rec.tion.ist n

   insusceptible
          [in.sus.cep.ti.ble] adj (1603): not susceptible <~ to flattery>
          -- in.sus.cep.ti.bil.i.ty n -- in.sus.cep.ti.bly adv

   int
          [int] abbreviation intelligence, intercept, interest, interim,
          interior, interjection, interleaved, intermediate, internal,
          international, interpreter, intersection, interval, interview,
          intransitive

   intact
          [in.tact] adj [ME intacte, fr. L intactus, fr. in- + tactus,
          pp. of tangere to touch--more at tangent] (15c) 1: untouched
          esp. by anything that harms or diminishes: entire, uninjured
          2 of a living body or its parts: having no relevant component
          removed or destroyed: a: physically virginal b: not castrated
          syn see perfect -- in.tact.ness n

   intaglio
          [in.ta.glio] n, pl -glios [It, fr. intagliare to engrave,
          cut, fr. ML intaliare, fr. L in- + LL taliare to cut--more
          at tailor] (1644) 1 a: an engraving or incised figure
          in stone or other hard material depressed below the surface
          so that an impression from the design yields an image
          in relief b: the art or process of executing intaglios
          c: printing (as in die stamping and gravure) done from
          a plate in which the image is sunk below the surface
          2: something (as a gem) carved in intaglio

   intake
          [in.take] n (15c) 1: an opening through which fluid enters
          an enclosure 2 a: a taking in b (1): the amount taken
          in (2): something (as energy) taken in: input

   [1]intangible
          [in.tan.gi.ble] adj [F or ML; F, fr. ML intangibilis, fr.
          L in- + LL tangibilis tangible] (1640): not tangible:
          impalpable -- in.tan.gi.bil.i.ty n -- in.tan.gi.ble.ness
          n -- in.tan.gi.bly adv [2]intangible n (1914): something
          intangible; specif: an asset (as goodwill) that is not
          corporeal

   intarsia
          [in.tar.sia] n [G, modif. of It intarsio] (1867) 1: a mosaic
          usu. of wood fitted into a support; also: the art or
          process of making such a mosaic 2: a colored design knitted
          on both sides of a fabric (as in a sweater)

   integer
          [in.te.ger] n [L, adj., whole, entire--more at entire] (1571)
          1: any of the natural numbers, the negatives of these
          numbers, or zero 2: a complete entity

   integer vitae scelerisque purus
          [in.te.ger vi.tae sce.le.ris.que pu.rus] [L] foreign term
          : upright of life and free from wickedness

   integrable
          [in.te.gra.ble] adj (ca. 1741): capable of being integrated
          <~ functions> -- in.te.gra.bil.i.ty n

   [1]integral
          [in.te.gral] adj (1551) 1 a: essential to completeness: constituent
          <an ~ part of the curriculum> b (1): being, containing, or relating
          to one or more mathematical integers (2): relating to or concerned
          with mathematical integrals or integration c: formed as a unit with
          another part <a seat with ~ headrest> 2: composed of integral parts
          3: lacking nothing essential: entire -- in.te.gral.i.ty
          n -- in.te.gral.ly adv [2]integral n (ca. 1741): the result
          of a mathematical integration--compare definite integral,
          indefinite integral

   integral calculus
          [integral calculus] n (ca. 1741): a branch of mathematics
          concerned with the theory and applications (as in the
          determination of lengths, areas, and volumes and in the
          solution of differential equations) of integrals and
          integration

   integral domain
          [integral domain] n (1937): a mathematical ring in which
          multiplication is commutative, which has a multiplicative
          identity element, and which contains no pair of nonzero
          elements whose product is zero <the integers under the
          operations of addition and multiplication form an integral
          domain>

   integrand
          [in.te.grand] n [L integrandus, gerundive of integrare] (1897):
          a mathematical expression to be integrated

   integrate
          [in.te.grate] vb -grat.ed ; -grat.ing [L integratus, pp.
          of integrare, fr. integr-, integer] vt (1638) 1: to form,
          coordinate, or blend into a functioning or unified whole:
          unite 2: to find the integral of (as a function or equation)
          3 a: to unite with something else b: to incorporate into
          a larger unit 4 a: to end the segregation of and bring
          into equal membership in society or an organization b:
          desegregate <~ school districts> ~ vi: to become integrated

   integrated
          [integrated] adj (1922) 1: marked by the unified control
          of all aspects of industrial production from raw materials
          through distribution of finished products <~ companies>
          <~ production> 2: characterized by integration and esp.
          racial integration <an ~ society> <~ schools>

   integrated circuit
          [integrated circuit] n (1962): a tiny complex of electronic
          components and their connections that is produced in
          or on a small slice of material (as silicon) -- integrated
          circuitry n

   integration
          [in.te.gra.tion] n (1620) 1: the act or process or an instance
          of integrating: as a: incorporation as equals into society
          or an organization of individuals of different groups
          (as races) b: coordination of mental processes into a
          normal effective personality or with the individual's
          environment 2 a: the operation of finding a function
          whose differential is known b: the operation of solving
          a differential equation

   integrationist
          [in.te.gra.tion.ist] n (1951): a person who believes in,
          advocates, or practices social integration -- integrationist
          adj

   integrative
          [in.te.gra.tive] adj (1862): serving to integrate or favoring
          integration: directed toward integration

   integrator
          [in.te.gra.tor] n (1876): one that integrates; esp: a device
          or computer unit that totalizes variable quantities in
          a manner comparable to mathematical integration

   integrity
          [in.teg.ri.ty] n [ME integrite, fr. MF & L; MF integrite,
          fr. L integritat-, integritas, fr. integr-, integer entire]
          (14c) 1: firm adherence to a code of esp. moral or artistic
          values: incorruptibility 2: an unimpaired condition:
          soundness 3: the quality or state of being complete or
          undivided: completeness syn see honesty

   integument
          [in.teg.u.ment] n [L integumentum, fr. integere to cover,
          fr. in- + tegere to cover--more at thatch] (ca. 1611):
          something that covers or encloses; esp: an enveloping
          layer (as a skin, membrane, or husk) of an organism or
          one of its parts -- in.teg.u.men.ta.ry adj

   intel
          [intel] abbreviation intelligence

   intellect
          [in.tel.lect] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L intellectus,
          fr. intellegere to understand--more at intelligent] (14c)
          1 a: the power of knowing as distinguished from the power
          to feel and to will: the capacity for knowledge b: the
          capacity for rational or intelligent thought esp. when
          highly developed 2: a person with great intellectual
          powers

   intellection
          [in.tel.lec.tion] n (1579) 1: an act of the intellect: thought
          2: exercise of the intellect: reasoning

   intellective
          [in.tel.lec.tive] adj (15c): having, relating to, or belonging
          to the intellect: rational -- in.tel.lec.tive.ly adv

   [1]intellectual
          [in.tel.lec.tu.al] adj (14c) 1 a: of or relating to the intellect
          or its use b: developed or chiefly guided by the intellect
          rather than by emotion or experience: rational c: requiring
          use of the intellect 2 a: given to study, reflection,
          and speculation b: engaged in activity requiring the
          creative use of the intellect -- in.tel.lec.tu.al.i.ty
          n -- in.tel.lec.tu.al.ly adv -- in.tel.lec.tu.al.ness
          n [2]intellectual n (1615) 1 pl, archaic: intellectual
          powers 2: an intellectual person

   intellectualism
          [in.tel.lec.tu.al.ism] n (1838): devotion to the exercise
          of intellect or to intellectual pursuits -- in.tel.lec.tu.al.ist
          n or adj -- in.tel.lec.tu.al.is.tic adj

   intellectualize
          [in.tel.lec.tu.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1819): to
          give rational form or content to -- in.tel.lec.tu.al.i.za.tion
          n -- in.tel.lec.tu.al.iz.er n

   intelligence
          [in.tel.li.gence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L intelligentia, fr.
          intelligent-, intelligens intelligent] (14c) 1 a (1):
          the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new
          or trying situations: reason; also: the skilled use of
          reason (2): the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate
          one's environment or to think abstractly as measured
          by objective criteria (as tests) b Christian Science:
          the basic eternal quality of divine Mind c: mental acuteness:
          shrewdness 2 a: an intelligent entity; esp: angel b:
          intelligent minds or mind <cosmic ~> 3: the act of understanding:
          comprehension 4 a: information, news b: information concerning
          an enemy or possible enemy or an area; also: an agency
          engaged in obtaining such information 5: the ability
          to perform computer functions

   intelligence quotient
          [intelligence quotient] n (1916): a number used to express
          the apparent relative intelligence of a person that is
          the ratio multiplied by 100 of the mental age as reported
          on a standardized test to the chronological age

   intelligencer
          [in.tel.li.genc.er] n (1581) 1: a secret agent: spy 2: a
          bringer of news: reporter

   intelligence test
          [intelligence test] n (1914): a test designed to determine
          the relative mental capacity of a person

   intelligent
          [in.tel.li.gent] adj [L intelligent-, intelligens, prp. of
          intelligere, intellegere to understand, fr. inter- +
          legere to gather, select--more at legend] (1509) 1 a:
          having or indicating a high or satisfactory degree of
          intelligence and mental capacity b: revealing or reflecting
          good judgment or sound thought: skillful 2 a: possessing
          intelligence b: guided or directed by intellect: rational
          3 a: guided or controlled by a computer; esp: using a
          built-in microprocessor for automatic operation, for
          processing of data, or for achieving greater versatility--compare
          dumb 7 b: able to produce printed material from digital
          signals <an ~ copier> -- in.tel.li.gen.tial adj --
          in.tel.li.gent.ly adv syn intelligent, clever, alert, quick-witted
          mean mentally keen or quick. intelligent stresses success in coping
          with new situations and solving problems <an intelligent person
          could assemble it fast>. clever implies native ability or aptness
          and sometimes suggests a lack of more substantial qualities <clever
          with words>. alert stresses quickness in perceiving and
          understanding <alert to new technology>. quick-witted implies
          promptness in finding answers in debate or in devising expedients
          in moments of danger or challenge <no match for his quick-witted
          opponent>.

   intelligentsia
          [in.tel.li.gent.sia] n [Russ intelligentsiya, fr. L intelligentia
          intelligence] (1907): intellectuals who form an artistic,
          social, or political vanguard or elite

   intelligible
          [in.tel.li.gi.ble] adj [ME, fr. L intelligibilis, fr. intelligere]
          (14c) 1: apprehensible by the intellect only 2: capable of being
          understood or comprehended -- in.tel.li.gi.bil.i.ty n
          -- in.tel.li.gi.ble.ness n -- in.tel.li.gi.bly adv

   intemperance
          [in.tem.per.ance] n (15c): lack of moderation; esp: habitual
          or excessive drinking of intoxicants

   intemperate
          [in.tem.per.ate] adj [ME intemperat, fr. L intemperatus,
          fr. in- + temperatus, pp. of temperare to temper] (14c):
          not temperate <~ criticism>; esp: given to excessive
          use of intoxicating liquors -- in.tem.per.ate.ly adv
          -- in.tem.per.ate.ness n

   intend
          [in.tend] vb [ME entenden, intenden, fr. MF entendre to purpose,
          fr. L intendere to stretch out, direct, aim at, fr. in-
          + tendere to stretch--more at thin] vt (14c) 1: to direct
          the mind on 2 archaic: to proceed on (a course) 3 a:
          signify, mean b: to refer to 4 a: to have in mind as
          a purpose or goal: plan b: to design for a specified
          use or future ~ vi, archaic: set out, start -- in.tend.er
          n

   intendance
          [in.ten.dance] n (1739) 1: management, superintendence 2:
          an administrative department

   intendant
          [in.ten.dant] n [F, fr. MF, fr. L intendent-, intendens,
          prp. of intendere to intend, attend] (1652): an administrative
          official (as a governor) esp. under the French, Spanish,
          or Portuguese monarchies

   [1]intended
          [intended] adj (15c) 1: expected to be such in the future
          <an ~ career> <his ~ bride> 2: intentional -- in.tend.ed.ly
          adv [2]intended n (1767) : the person to whom another
          is engaged

   intending
          [intending] adj (1788): prospective, aspiring <an ~ teacher>

   intendment
          [in.tend.ment] n (14c): the true meaning or intention esp.
          of a law

   intenerate
          [in.ten.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [[2]in- + L tener soft,
          tender--more at tender] (1595): to make tender: soften
          -- in.ten.er.a.tion n

   intense
          [in.tense] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L intensus, fr. pp. of intendere
          to stretch out] (15c) 1 a: existing in an extreme degree
          <the excitement was ~> <~ pain> b: having or showing
          a characteristic in extreme degree <~ colors> 2: marked
          by or expressive of great zeal, energy, determination,
          or concentration <~ effort> 3 a: exhibiting strong feeling
          or earnestness of purpose <an ~ student> b: deeply felt
          -- in.tense.ly adv -- in.tense.ness n

   intensifier
          [in.ten.si.fi.er] n (1835): one that intensifies; esp: intensive

   intensify
          [in.ten.si.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (1817) 1: to make intense
          or more intensive: strengthen 2 a: to increase the density
          and contrast of (a photographic image) by chemical treatment
          b: to make more acute: sharpen ~ vi: to become intense
          or more intensive: grow stronger or more acute --
          in.ten.si.fi.ca.tion n

   intension
          [in.ten.sion] n (1604) 1: intensity 2: connotation 3
          -- in.ten.sion.al adj -- in.ten.sion.al.i.ty n -- in.ten.sion.al.ly
          adv

   intensity
          [in.ten.si.ty] n, pl -ties (1665) 1: the quality or state
          of being intense; esp: extreme degree of strength, force,
          energy, or feeling 2: the magnitude of a quantity (as
          force or energy) per unit (as of area, charge, mass,
          or time) 3: saturation 4a

   [1]intensive
          [in.ten.sive] adj (15c): of, relating to, or marked by intensity
          or intensification: as a: highly concentrated <~ study>
          b: tending to strengthen or increase; esp: tending to
          give force or emphasis <~ adverb> c: constituting or
          relating to a method designed to increase productivity
          by the expenditure of more capital and labor rather than
          by increase in scope <~ farming> -- in.ten.sive.ly adv
          -- in.ten.sive.ness n [2]intensive n (1813): an intensive
          linguistic element

   intensive care
          [intensive care] n (1963): special medical equipment and
          services for taking care of seriously ill patients <heart
          patients in intensive care> <an intensive care unit>

   [1]intent
          [in.tent] n [ME entent, fr. OF, fr. LL intentus, fr. L, act
          of stretching out, fr. intendere] (13c) 1 a: the act
          or fact of intending: purpose; esp: the design or purpose
          to commit a wrongful or criminal act <admitted wounding
          him with ~> b: the state of mind with which an act is
          done: volition 2: a usu. clearly formulated or planned
          intention: aim 3 a: meaning, significance b: connotation
          3 syn see intention [2]intent adj [L intentus, fr. pp.
          of intendere] (14c) 1: directed with strained or eager
          attention: concentrated 2: having the mind, attention,
          or will concentrated on something or some end or purpose
          <~ on their work> -- in.tent.ly adv -- in.tent.ness n

   intention
          [in.ten.tion] n (14c) 1: a determination to act in a certain
          way: resolve 2: import, significance 3 a: what one intends
          to do or bring about b: the object for which a prayer,
          mass, or pious act is offered 4: a process or manner
          of healing of incised wounds 5: concept; esp: a concept
          considered as the product of attention directed to an
          object of knowledge 6 pl: purpose with respect to marriage
          syn intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object,
          objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or
          attain. intention implies little more than what one has
          in mind to do or bring about <announced his intention
          to marry>. intent suggests clearer formulation or greater
          deliberateness <the clear intent of the statute>. purpose
          suggests a more settled determination <being successful
          was her purpose in life>. design implies a more carefully
          calculated plan <the order of events came by accident,
          not design>. aim adds to these implications of effort
          directed toward attaining or accomplishing <her aim was
          to raise film to an art form>. end stresses the intended
          effect of action often in distinction or contrast to
          the action or means as such <willing to use any means
          to achieve his end>. object may equal end but more often
          applies to a more individually determined wish or need
          <his constant object was the achievement of pleasure>.
          objective implies something tangible and immediately
          attainable <their objective is to seize the oil fields>.
          goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort
          and hardship <worked years to reach her goals>.

   intentional
          [in.ten.tion.al] adj (ca. 1727) 1: done by intention or design:
          intended <~ damage> 2 a: of or relating to epistemological
          intention b: having external reference syn see voluntary
          -- in.ten.tion.al.i.ty n -- in.ten.tion.al.ly adv

   inter-
          [inter-] prefix [ME inter-, enter-, fr. MF & L; MF inter-,
          entre-, fr. L inter-, fr. inter; akin to OHG untar among,
          Gk enteron intestine, OE in in] 1: between: among: in
          the midst <intercrop> <interpenetrate> <interstellar>
          2: reciprocal <interrelation>: reciprocally <intermarry>
          3: located between <interface> 4: carried on between
          <international> 5: occurring between <interborough>:
          intervening <interglacial> 6: shared by, involving, or
          derived from two or more <interfaith> 7: between the
          limits of: within <intertropical> 8: existing between
          <intercommunal> <intercompany>in.ter-Af.ri.can in.ter.agen.cy
          in.ter.al.le.lic in.ter-Amer.i.can in.ter.an.i.ma.tion
          in.ter.an.nu.al in.ter.as.so.ci.a.tion in.ter.atom.ic
          in.ter.avail.abil.i.ty in.ter.bank in.ter.ba.sin in.ter.bed
          in.ter.be.hav.ior in.ter.be.hav.ior.al in.ter.bor.ough
          in.ter.branch in.ter.cal.i.bra.tion in.ter.cam.pus in.ter.caste
          in.ter.cell in.ter.cel.lu.lar in.ter.chain in.ter.chan.nel
          in.ter.chro.mo.som.al in.ter.church in.ter.city in.ter.clan
          in.ter.class in.ter.club in.ter.clus.ter in.ter.coast.al
          in.ter.co.lo.nial in.ter.com.mu.nal in.ter.com.mu.ni.ty
          in.ter.com.pa.ny in.ter.com.pare in.ter.com.par.i.son
          in.ter.com.pre.hen.si.bil.i.ty in.ter.cor.po.rate
          in.ter.cor.re.late in.ter.cor.re.la.tion in.ter.cor.ti.cal
          in.ter.coun.try in.ter.coun.ty in.ter.cou.ple in.ter.cra.ter
          in.ter.crys.tal.line in.ter.cul.tur.al in.ter.cul.tur.al.ly
          in.ter.cul.ture in.ter.deal.er in.ter.de.nom.i.na.tion.al
          in.ter.de.part.men.tal in.ter.de.part.men.tal.ly in.ter.de.pend
          in.ter.de.pen.dence in.ter.de.pen.den.cy in.ter.de.pen.dent
          in.ter.de.pen.dent.ly in.ter.di.a.lec.tal in.ter.dis.trict
          in.ter.di.vi.sion.al in.ter.do.min.ion in.ter.elec.trode
          in.ter.elec.tron in.ter.elec.tron.ic in.ter.ep.i.dem.ic
          in.ter.eth.nic in.ter.fac.ul.ty in.ter.fa.mil.ial in.ter.fam.i.ly
          in.ter.fi.ber in.ter.firm in.ter.flow in.ter.flu.vi.al in.ter.fold
          in.ter.fra.ter.ni.ty in.ter.gang in.ter.gen.er.a.tion
          in.ter.gen.er.a.tion.al in.ter.ge.ner.ic in.ter.graft
          in.ter.gran.u.lar in.ter.group in.ter.hemi.spher.ic
          in.ter.in.di.vid.u.al in.ter.in.dus.try in.ter.in.flu.ence
          in.ter.in.sti.tu.tion.al in.ter.in.volve in.ter.ion.ic
          in.ter.is.land in.ter.ju.ris.dic.tion.al in.ter.la.cus.trine
          in.ter.lam.i.nar in.ter.lay in.ter.lay.er in.ter.lend
          in.ter.li.brary in.ter.lin.er in.ter.lob.u.lar in.ter.lo.cal
          in.ter.male in.ter.mar.gin.al in.ter.mem.brane in.ter.men.stru.al
          in.ter.min.is.te.ri.al in.ter.mi.tot.ic in.ter.mo.lec.u.lar
          in.ter.mo.lec.u.lar.ly in.ter.moun.tain in.ter.nu.cle.ar
          in.ter.nu.cle.on in.ter.nu.cle.on.ic in.ter.nu.cle.o.tide
          in.ter.ob.serv.er in.ter.ocean in.ter.oce.an.ic in.ter.of.fice
          in.ter.op.er.a.tive in.ter.or.bit.al in.ter.or.gan
          in.ter.or.ga.ni.za.tion.al in.ter.pan.dem.ic in.ter.par.ish
          in.ter.pa.ro.chi.al in.ter.par.ox.ys.mal in.ter.par.ti.cle
          in.ter.par.ty in.ter.per.cep.tu.al in.ter.per.me.ate
          in.ter.pha.lan.ge.al in.ter.plan.e.tary in.ter.plu.vi.al
          in.ter.point in.ter.pop.u.la.tion in.ter.pop.u.la.tion.al
          in.ter.pro.fes.sion.al in.ter.pro.vin.cial in.ter.psy.chic
          in.ter.re.gion.al in.ter.re.li.gious in.ter.re.nal in.ter.row
          in.ter.school in.ter.sec.tion.al in.ter.seg.ment in.ter.seg.men.tal
          in.ter.sen.so.ry in.ter.so.ci.etal in.ter.so.ci.ety in.ter.stage
          in.ter.sta.tion in.ter.stim.u.la.tion in.ter.stim.u.lus
          in.ter.strain in.ter.strand in.ter.strat.i.fi.ca.tion
          in.ter.strat.i.fy in.ter.sub.sti.tut.abil.i.ty
          in.ter.sub.sti.tut.able in.ter.sys.tem in.ter.term
          in.ter.ter.mi.nal in.ter.ter.ri.to.ri.al in.ter.trans.lat.able
          in.ter.tri.al in.ter.trib.al in.ter.troop in.ter.union in.ter.unit
          in.ter.uni.ver.si.ty in.ter.ur.ban in.ter.val.ley
          in.ter.ven.tric.u.lar in.ter.ver.te.bral in.ter.vil.lage
          in.ter.vis.i.bil.i.ty in.ter.vis.i.ble in.ter.vis.i.ta.tion
          in.ter.war in.ter.work in.ter.work.ing in.ter.zon.al in.ter.zone

   inter
          [in.ter] vt in.terred ; in.ter.ring [ME enteren, fr. MF enterrer,
          fr. (assumed) VL interrare, fr. in- + L terra earth--more
          at terrace] (14c): to deposit (a dead body) in the earth
          or in a tomb

   interabang
          [in.ter.a.bang] var of interrobang

   interact
          [in.ter.act] vi (1839): to act upon one another

   interactant
          [in.ter.ac.tant] n (1949): one that interacts

   interaction
          [in.ter.ac.tion] n (1832): mutual or reciprocal action or
          influence -- in.ter.ac.tion.al adj

   interactive
          [in.ter.ac.tive] adj (1832) 1: mutually or reciprocally active
          2: of, relating to, or being a two-way electronic communication
          system (as a telephone, cable television, or a computer)
          that involves a user's orders (as for information or
          merchandise) or responses (as to a poll) -- in.ter.ac.tive.ly
          adv

   inter alia
          [in.ter alia] adv [L] (1665): among other things

   inter alios
          [in.ter ali.os] adv [L] (ca. 1670): among other persons

   interallied
          [in.ter.al.lied] adj (1917): relating to, composed of, or
          involving allies

   interbreed
          [in.ter.breed] vb -bred ; -breed.ing vi (1859): to breed
          together: as a: crossbreed b: to breed within a closed
          population ~ vt: to cause to breed together

   intercalary
          [in.ter.ca.la.ry] adj [L intercalarius, fr. intercalare]
          (1614) 1 a: inserted in a calendar <an ~ day> b of a
          year: containing an intercalary period (as a day or month)
          2: inserted between other things or parts: interpolated

   intercalate
          [in.ter.ca.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L intercalatus, pp.
          of intercalare, fr. inter- + calare to proclaim, call--more
          at low] (1603) 1: to insert (as a day) in a calendar
          2: to insert between or among existing elements or layers
          syn see introduce -- in.ter.ca.la.tion n

   intercede
          [in.ter.cede] vi -ced.ed ; -ced.ing [L intercedere, fr. inter-
          + cedere to go] (1597): to intervene between parties
          with a view to reconciling differences: mediate syn see
          interpose -- in.ter.ced.er n

   intercensal
          [in.ter.cen.sal] adj (1887): occurring between censuses <~
          estimates> <~ period>

   [1]intercept
          [in.ter.cept] vt [ME, fr. L interceptus, pp. of intercipere,
          fr. inter- + capere to take, seize--more at heave] (15c)
          1 obs: prevent, hinder 2 a: to stop, seize, or interrupt
          in progress or course or before arrival b: to receive
          (a communication or signal directed elsewhere) usu. secretly
          3 obs: to interrupt communication or connection with
          4: to include (part of a curve, surface, or solid) between
          two points, curves, or surfaces <the part of a circumference
          ~ed between two radii> 5 a: to gain possession of (an
          opponent's pass) b: to intercept a pass thrown by (an
          opponent) [2]in.ter.cept n (1821) 1: the distance from
          the origin to a point where a graph crosses a coordinate
          axis 2: interception; esp: the interception of a missile
          by an interceptor or of a target by a missile 3: a message,
          code, or signal that is intercepted (as by monitoring
          radio communications)

   interception
          [in.ter.cep.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the action of intercepting
          b: the state of being intercepted 2: something that is
          intercepted; esp: an intercepted forward pass

   interceptor
          [in.ter.cep.tor] also in.ter.cept.er n (1598): one that intercepts;
          specif: a light high-speed fast-climbing fighter plane or missile
          designed for defense against raiding bombers or missiles

   intercession
          [in.ter.ces.sion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L intercession-,
          intercessio, fr. intercedere] (15c) 1: the act of interceding
          2: prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another
          -- in.ter.ces.sion.al adj -- in.ter.ces.sor n -- in.ter.ces.so.ry
          adj

   [1]interchange
          [in.ter.change] vb [ME entrechaungen, fr. MF entrechangier,
          fr. OF, fr. entre- inter- + changier to change] vt (14c)
          1: to put each of (two things) in the place of the other
          2: exchange ~ vi: to change places mutually -- in.ter.chang.er
          n [2]in.ter.change n (15c) 1: the act, process, or an
          instance of interchanging: exchange 2: a junction of
          two or more highways by a system of separate levels that
          permit traffic to pass from one to another without the
          crossing of traffic streams

   interchangeable
          [in.ter.change.able] adj (14c): capable of being interchanged;
          esp: permitting mutual substitution <~ parts> --
          in.ter.change.abil.i.ty n -- in.ter.change.able.ness n
          -- in.ter.change.ably adv

   intercollegiate
          [in.ter.col.le.giate] adj (ca. 1874): existing, carried on,
          or participating in activities between colleges <~ athletics>

   intercolumniation
          [in.ter.co.lum.ni.a.tion] n [L intercolumnium space between
          two columns, fr. inter- + columna column] (1624) 1: the
          clear space between the columns of a series 2: the system
          of spacing of the columns of a colonnade

   intercom
          [in.ter.com] n [short for intercommunication system] (1940):
          a two-way communication system with a microphone and
          loudspeaker at each station for localized use

   intercommunicate
          [in.ter.com.mu.ni.cate] vi (1586) 1: to exchange communication
          with one another 2: to afford passage from one to another
          -- in.ter.com.mu.ni.ca.tion n

   intercommunication system
          [intercommunication system] n (1911): intercom

   intercommunion
          [in.ter.com.mu.nion] n (1921): interdenominational participation
          in communion

   interconnect
          [in.ter.con.nect] vt (1865): to connect with one another
          ~ vi: to be or become mutually connected -- in.ter.con.nec.tion
          n

   interconnected
          [interconnected] adj (1865) 1: mutually joined or related
          <~ highways> <~ political issues> 2: having internal
          connections between the parts or elements --
          in.ter.con.nec.ted.ness n

   intercontinental
          [in.ter.con.ti.nen.tal] adj (ca. 1855) 1: extending among
          continents or carried on between continents 2: capable
          of traveling between continents <~ ballistic missile>

   interconversion
          [in.ter.con.ver.sion] n (1865): mutual conversion <~ of chemical
          compounds> -- in.ter.con.vert vt -- in.ter.con.vert.ibil.i.ty
          n -- in.ter.con.vert.ible adj

   intercooler
          [in.ter.cool.er] n (1899): a device for cooling a fluid (as
          air) between successive heat-generating processes

   intercostal
          [in.ter.cos.tal] adj [NL intercostalis, fr. L inter- + costa
          rib--more at coast] (1597): situated or extending between
          the ribs <~ spaces> <~ muscles> -- intercostal n

   intercourse
          [in.ter.course] n [ME intercurse, prob. fr. MF entrecours,
          fr. ML intercursus, fr. L, act of running between, fr.
          intercurrere to run between, fr. inter- + currere to
          run--more at car] (15c) 1: connection or dealings between
          persons or groups 2: exchange esp. of thoughts or feelings:
          communion 3: physical sexual contact between individuals
          that involves the genitalia of at least one person <heterosexual
          ~> <anal ~> <oral ~>; esp: sexual intercourse 1

   intercrop
          [in.ter.crop] vt (1898): to grow a crop in between (another)
          ~ vi: to grow two or more crops simultaneously (as in
          alternate rows) on the same plot -- in.ter.crop n

   [1]intercross
          [in.ter.cross] vb (1711): cross [2]in.ter.cross n (1859):
          an instance or a product of crossbreeding

   intercurrent
          [in.ter.cur.rent] adj [L intercurrent-, intercurrens, prp.
          of intercurrere] (1611): occurring during and modifying
          the course of another disease <an ~ infection>

   intercut
          [in.ter.cut] vt (1938) 1: to insert (a contrasting camera
          shot) into a take by cutting 2: to insert a contrasting
          camera shot into (a take) by cutting ~ vi: to alternate
          contrasting camera shots by cutting

   interdental
          [in.ter.den.tal] adj (ca. 1874) 1: situated or intended for
          use between the teeth 2: formed with the tip of the tongue
          between the upper and lower front teeth -- in.ter.den.tal.ly
          adv

   [1]interdict
          [in.ter.dict] n [ME, alter. of entredit, fr. OF, fr. L interdictum
          prohibition, fr. neut. of interdictus, pp. of interdicere
          to interpose, forbid, fr. inter- + dicere to say--more at diction]
          (15c) 1: a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical censure withdrawing most
          sacraments and Christian burial from a person or district
          2: a prohibitory decree: prohibition [2]in.ter.dict vt (15c)
          1: to lay under or prohibit by an interdict 2: to forbid in a usu.
          formal or authoritative manner 3: to destroy, damage, or cut off
          (as an enemy line of supply) by firepower to stop or hamper
          an enemy syn see forbid -- in.ter.dic.tion n -- in.ter.dic.tive adj
          -- in.ter.dic.tor n -- in.ter.dic.to.ry adj

   interdiffusion
          [in.ter.dif.fu.sion] n (ca. 1872): the process of diffusing
          and mixing freely so as to approach a homogeneous mixture
          -- in.ter.dif.fuse vi

   interdigitate
          [in.ter.dig.i.tate] vi -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [inter- + L digitus
          finger--more at toe] (ca. 1849): to become interlocked
          like the fingers of folded hands -- in.ter.dig.i.ta.tion
          n

   interdisciplinary
          [in.ter.dis.ci.plin.ary] adj (1926): involving two or more
          academic, scientific, or artistic disciplines

   [1]interest
          [in.ter.est] n [ME, prob. alter. of earlier interesse, fr.
          AF & ML; AF, fr. ML, fr. L, to be between, make a difference,
          concern, fr. inter- + esse to be--more at is] (15c) 1
          a (1): right, title, or legal share in something (2):
          participation in advantage and responsibility b: business,
          company 2 a: a charge for borrowed money generally a
          percentage of the amount borrowed b: an excess above
          what is due or expected <returned the insults with ~>
          3: advantage, benefit; also: self-interest 4: special
          interest 5 a: a feeling that accompanies or causes special
          attention to an object or class of objects: concern b:
          something that arouses such attention c: a quality in
          a thing arousing interest [2]interest vt (1608) 1: to
          induce or persuade to participate or engage 2: to engage
          the attention or arouse the interest of

   interested
          [in.ter.est.ed] adj (1602) 1: having the attention engaged
          <~ listeners> 2: being affected or involved <~ parties>
          -- in.ter.est.ed.ly adv

   interest group
          [interest group] n (1908): a group of persons having a common
          identifying interest that often provides a basis for
          action

   interesting
          [in.ter.est.ing] adj (1768): holding the attention: arousing
          interest -- in.ter.est.ing.ness n

   interestingly
          [in.ter.est.ing.ly] adv (1811) 1: in an interesting manner
          2: as a matter of interest

   [1]interface
          [in.ter.face] n (1882) 1: a surface forming a common boundary
          of two bodies, spaces, or phases <an oil-water ~> 2 a:
          the place at which independent and often unrelated systems
          meet and act on or communicate with each other <the man-machine
          ~> b: the means by which interaction or communication
          is achieved at an interface -- in.ter.fa.cial adj [2]interface
          vt (1962) 1: to connect by means of an interface <~ a
          machine with a computer> 2: to serve as an interface
          for ~ vi 1: to become interfaced 2: to interact or coordinate
          harmoniously

   interfacing
          [in.ter.fac.ing] n (1942): fabric sewn between the facing
          and the outside of a garment (as in a collar or cuff)
          for stiffening and shape retention

   interfaith
          [in.ter.faith] adj (1932): involving persons of different
          religious faiths

   interfere
          [in.ter.fere] vi -fered ; -fer.ing [ME enterferen, fr. MF
          (s')entreferir to strike one another, fr. OF, fr. entre-
          inter- + ferir to strike, fr. L ferire--more at bore]
          (15c) 1: to interpose in a way that hinders or impedes:
          come into collision or be in opposition 2: to strike
          one foot against the opposite foot or ankle in walking
          or running--used esp. of horses 3: to enter into or take
          a part in the concerns of others 4: to act reciprocally
          so as to augment, diminish, or otherwise affect one another--used
          of waves syn see interpose -- in.ter.fer.er n

   interference
          [in.ter.fer.ence] n (1783) 1 a: the act or process of interfering
          b: something that interferes: obstruction 2: the mutual
          effect on meeting of two wave trains (as of light or
          sound) that constitutes alternating areas of increased
          and decreased amplitude (as light and dark lines or louder
          and softer sound) 3 a: the legal blocking of an opponent
          in football to make way for the ballcarrier b: the illegal
          hindering of an opponent in sports 4: partial or complete
          inhibition or sometimes facilitation of other genetic
          crossovers in the vicinity of a chromosomal locus where
          a preceding crossover has occurred 5 a: confusion of
          a received radio signal due to the presence of noise
          (as atmospherics) or signals from two or more transmitters
          on a single frequency b: something that produces such
          confusion 6: the disturbing effect of new learning on
          the performance of previously learned behavior with which
          it is inconsistent -- in.ter.fer.en.tial adj

   interferogram
          [in.ter.fer.o.gram] n (1921): a photographic record made
          by an apparatus for recording optical interference phenomena

   interferometer
          [in.ter.fer.om.e.ter] n [ISV] (1897): an instrumen t that
          utilizes the interference of waves (as of light) for
          precise determinations (as of distance or wavelength)
          -- in.ter.fer.o.met.ric adj -- in.ter.fer.o.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv -- in.ter.fer.om.e.try n

   interferon
          [in.ter.fer.on] n [interfere + [2]-on] (1957): any of a group
          of heat-stable soluble basic antiviral glycoproteins
          of low molecular weight that are produced usu. by cells
          exposed to the action of a virus, sometimes to the action
          of another intracellular parasite (as a bacterium), or
          experimentally to the action of some chemicals

   interfertile
          [in.ter.fer.tile] adj (1899): capable of interbreeding --
          in.ter.fer.til.i.ty n

   interfile
          [in.ter.file] vt (1950): to arrange in or add to a file:
          file

   interfluve
          [in.ter.fluve] n [inter- + L fluvius river--more at fluvial]
          (1895): the area between adjacent streams flowing in
          the same direction

   interfuse
          [in.ter.fuse] vb [L interfusus, pp. of interfundere to pour
          between, fr. inter- + fundere to pour--more at found]
          vt (1593) 1: to combine by fusing: blend 2: to add as
          if by fusing: infuse ~ vi: blend, fuse -- in.ter.fu.sion
          n

   intergalactic
          [in.ter.ga.lac.tic] adj (1928) 1: situated in or relating
          to the spaces between galaxies 2: of, relating to, or
          occurring in outer space <~ battles>

   interglacial
          [in.ter.gla.cial] n (1867): a warm period between glacial
          epochs -- interglacial adj

   intergovernmental
          [in.ter.gov.ern.men.tal] adj (1927): existing or occurring
          between two or more governments or levels of government

   intergradation
          [in.ter.gra.da.tion] n (1874): the condition of an individual
          or population that intergrades -- in.ter.gra.da.tion.al
          adj

   [1]intergrade
          [in.ter.grade] vi (1874): to merge gradually one with another
          through a continuous series of intermediate forms [2]in.ter.grade
          n (1888): an intermediate form

   intergrowth
          [in.ter.growth] n (1844): a growing between or together;
          also: the product of such growth

   [1]interim
          [in.ter.im] n [L, adv., meanwhile, fr. inter between--more
          at inter-] (ca. 1580): an intervening time: interval
          [2]interim adj (1604): done, made, appointed, or occurring
          for an interim

   [1]interior
          [in.te.ri.or] adj [MF & L; MF, fr. L, compar. of (assumed)
          OL interus inward, on the inside; akin to L inter] (15c)
          1: lying, occurring, or functioning within the limiting
          boundaries: inner <an ~ point of a triangle> 2: belonging
          to mental or spiritual life <a simple ~ piety> 3: belonging
          to the inner constitution or concealed nature of something
          <~ meaning of a poem> 4: lying away or remote from the
          border or shore -- in.te.ri.or.ly adv [2]interior n (1596)
          1: the inner or spiritual nature: character 2: the interior
          part (as of a country or island) 3: the internal or inner
          part of a thing: inside 4: the internal affairs of a
          state or nation 5: a representation (as in a play or
          movie) of the interior of a building

   interior angle
          [interior angle] n (1756) 1: the inner of the two angles
          formed where two sides of a polygon come together 2:
          any of the four angles formed in the area between a pair
          of parallel lines when a third line cuts them

   interior decoration
          [interior decoration] n (1807): interior design

   interior decorator
          [interior decorator] n (1867): interior designer, decorator

   interior design
          [interior design] n (1927): the art or practice of planning
          and supervising the design and execution of architectural
          interiors and their furnishings

   interior designer
          [interior designer] n (1938): one who specializes in interior
          design

   interiorise
          [in.te.ri.or.ise] Brit var of interiorize

   interiority
          [in.te.ri.or.i.ty] n (1701): interior quality or character;
          also: inner life or substance <characters that lack ~>

   interiorize
          [in.te.ri.or.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1906): to make interior;
          esp: to make a part of one's own inner being or mental
          structure -- in.te.ri.or.i.za.tion n

   interior monologue
          [interior monologue] n (1922): a usu. extended representation
          in monologue of a fictional character's thought and feeling

   interj
          [interj] abbreviation interjection

   interject
          [in.ter.ject] vt [L interjectus, pp. of intericere, fr. inter-
          + jacere to throw--more at jet] (1588): to throw in between
          or among other things: interpolate <~ a remark> syn see
          introduce -- in.ter.jec.tor n -- in.ter.jec.to.ry adj

   interjection
          [in.ter.jec.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act of uttering exclamations:
          ejaculation b: the act of putting in between: interposition
          2: an ejaculatory utterance usu. lacking grammatical
          connection: as a: a word or phrase used in exclamation
          (as Heavens] Dear me]) b: a cry or inarticulate utterance
          (as Alas] ouch] phooey] ugh]) expressing an emotion 3:
          something that is interjected or that interrupts

   interjectional
          [in.ter.jec.tion.al] adj (1761) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          an interjection: ejaculatory 2: thrown in between other words:
          parenthetical -- in.ter.jec.tion.al.ly adv

   interlace
          [in.ter.lace] vb [ME entrelacen, fr. MF entrelacer, fr. OF
          entrelacier, fr. entre- inter- + lacier to lace] vt (14c)
          1: to unite by or as if by lacing together: interweave
          2: to vary by alternation or intermixture: intersperse
          <narrative interlaced with anecdotes> ~ vi: to cross
          one another as if woven together: intertwine -- in.ter.lace.ment
          n

   interlard
          [in.ter.lard] vt [MF entrelarder, fr. OF, fr. entre inter-
          + larder to lard, fr. lard, n.] (ca. 1587): to vary by
          intermixture: intersperse, interlace

   interleave
          [in.ter.leave] vt -leaved ; -leav.ing (1668): to arrange
          in or as if in alternate layers

   interleukin
          [in.ter.leu.kin] n [inter- + leuk- + [1]-in] (1979): any
          of several compounds of low molecular weight that are
          produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and monocytes and
          that function esp. in regulation of the immune system
          and esp. cell-mediated immunity

   interleukin-1
          [in.ter.leu.kin-1] n (1979): an interleukin produced esp.
          by monocytes and macrophages that regulates immune responses
          by activating lymphocytes and mediates other biological
          processes (as the onset of fever) usu. associated with
          infection and inflammation

   interleukin-2
          [in.ter.leu.kin-2] n (1979): an interleukin produced by
          antigen-stimulated helper T cells in the presence of
          interleukin-1 that induces proliferation of immune cells
          (as T cells and B cells) and is used experimentally
          esp. in treating certain cancers

   [1]interline
          [in.ter.line] vt [ME enterlinen, fr. ML interlineare, fr.
          L inter- + linea line] (15c): to insert between lines
          already written or printed -- in.ter.lin.e.a.tion n [2]interline
          vt [ME, fr. inter- + linen to line] (15c): to provide
          (a garment) with an interlining [3]interline adj (1897):
          relating to, involving, or carried by two or more transportation
          lines

   [1]interlinear
          [in.ter.lin.ear] adj [ME interliniare, fr. ML interlinearis,
          fr. L inter- + linea line] (15c) 1: inserted between
          lines already written or printed 2: written or printed
          in different languages or texts in alternate lines --
          in.ter.lin.ear.ly adv [2]interlinear n (1850): a book
          having interlinear matter; esp: a book in a foreign language
          with interlinear translation

   interlining
          [in.ter.lin.ing] n (1881): a lining (as of a coat) sewn between
          the ordinary lining and the outside fabric

   interlink
          [in.ter.link] vt (1587): to link together -- in.ter.link
          n

   [1]interlock
          [in.ter.lock] vi (1632): to become locked together
          or interconnected ~ vt 1: to lock together: unite 2: to connect
          so that the motion or operation of any part is constrained
          by another [2]in.ter.lock n (1874) 1: the quality, state, sense,
          or an instance of being interlocked 2: an arrangement in which the
          operation of one part or mechanism automatically brings about
          or prevents the operation of another <a safety ~>
          3 a: a stretchable fabric made on a circular knitting machine and
          consisting of two ribbed fabrics joined by interlocking
          b: a garment made of interlock

   interlocutor
          [in.ter.loc.u.tor] n [L interloqui to speak between, issue
          an interlocutory decree, fr. inter- + loqui to speak]
          (1514) 1: one who takes part in dialogue or conversation
          2: a man in the middle of the line in a minstrel show
          who questions the end men and acts as leader

   interlocutory
          [in.ter.loc.u.to.ry] adj (15c): pronounced during the progress
          of a legal action and having only provisional force <~
          decree>

   interlope
          [in.ter.lope] vi -loped ; -lop.ing [prob. back-formation
          fr. interloper, fr. inter- + -loper (akin to MD lopen
          to run, OE hleapan to leap)--more at leap] (1615) 1:
          to encroach on the rights (as in trade) of others 2:
          intrude, interfere

   interloper
          [in.ter.lop.er] n (ca. 1590): one that interlopes: as a:
          an illegal or unlicensed trader b: one that intrudes
          in a place or sphere of activity

   interlude
          [in.ter.lude] n [ME enterlude, fr. ML interludium, fr. L
          inter- + ludus play--more at ludicrous] (14c) 1: a usu.
          short simple play or dramatic entertainment 2: an intervening
          or interruptive period, space, or event: interval 3:
          a musical composition inserted between the parts of a
          longer composition, a drama, or a religious service

   interlunar
          [in.ter.lu.nar] also in.ter.lu.na.ry adj [prob. fr. MF
          interlunaire, fr. L interlunium interlunar period, fr. inter-
          + luna moon--more at lunar] (1598): relating to the interval
          between old and new moon when the moon is invisible

   intermarriage
          [in.ter.mar.riage] n (1579) 1: endogamy 2: marriage between
          members of different groups

   intermarry
          [in.ter.mar.ry] vi (1574) 1 a: to marry each other b: to
          marry within a group 2: to become connected by intermarriage

   intermeddle
          [in.ter.med.dle] vi [ME entermedlen, fr. MF entremedler,
          fr. OF, fr. entre- inter- + medler to mix--more at meddle]
          (15c): to meddle impertinently and officiously and usu.
          so as to interfere -- in.ter.med.dler n

   intermediacy
          [in.ter.me.di.a.cy] n (1713) 1: the act or action of intermediating
          2: the quality or state of being intermediate

   [1]intermediary
          [in.ter.me.di.ary] adj (1788) 1: intermediate 2: acting as
          a mediator <an ~ agent> <an ~ particle> [2]intermediary
          n, pl -ar.ies (1791) 1 a: mediator, go-between b: medium,
          means 2: an intermediate form, product, or stage

   [1]intermediate
          [in.ter.me.di.ate] adj [ML intermediatus, fr. L intermedius,
          fr. inter- + medius mid, middle--more at mid] (15c) 1:
          being or occurring at the middle place, stage, or degree
          or between extremes 2: of or relating to an intermediate
          school <an ~ curriculum> -- in.ter.me.di.ate.ly adv --
          in.ter.me.di.ate.ness n [2]intermediate n (1650) 1: one
          that is intermediate 2: mediator, go-between 3 a: a chemical
          compound synthesized from simpler compounds and usu.
          intended to be used in later syntheses of more complex
          products b: a usu. short-lived chemical species formed
          in a reaction as an intermediate step between the starting
          material and the final product 4: an automobile larger
          than a compact but smaller than a full-sized automobile
          [3]in.ter.me.di.ate vi [ML intermediatus, pp. of intermediare,
          fr. L inter- + LL mediare to mediate] (1610) 1: intervene,
          interpose 2: to act as an intermediate

   intermediate host
          [intermediate host] n (1878) 1: a host which is normally
          used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle and
          in which it may multiply asexually but not sexually--compare
          definitive host 2 a: reservoir 3 b: vector

   intermediate school
          [intermediate school] n (1842) 1: junior high school 2: a
          school usu. comprising grades 4 to 6

   intermediate vector boson
          [intermediate vector boson] n (1968): any of three particles
          that mediate the weak force--called also intermediate
          boson--compare w particle, z particle

   intermediation
          [in.ter.me.di.a.tion] n (1602): the act of coming between:
          intervention, mediation

   intermedin
          [in.ter.me.din] n (1932): melanocyte-stimulating hormone

   interment
          [in.ter.ment] n (14c): the act or ceremony of interring

   intermesh
          [in.ter.mesh] vi (ca. 1903): interlock ~ vt: to mesh together:
          interlock

   intermetallic
          [in.ter.me.tal.lic] adj (1900): composed of two or more metals
          or of a metal and a nonmetal; esp: being an alloy having
          a characteristic crystal structure and usu. a definite
          composition <~ compound> -- intermetallic n

   intermezzo
          [in.ter.mez.zo] n, pl -zi or -zos [It, ultim. fr. L intermedius
          intermediate] (1771) 1: a short light entr'acte 2 a:
          a movement coming between the major sections of an extended
          musical work (as an opera) b: a short independent instrumental
          composition 3: a usu. brief interlude or diversion

   interminable
          [in.ter.mi.na.ble] adj [ME, fr. LL interminabilis, fr. L
          in- + terminare to terminate] (15c): having or seeming
          to have no end; esp: wearisomely protracted <an ~ sermon>
          -- in.ter.mi.na.ble.ness n -- in.ter.mi.na.bly adv

   intermingle
          [in.ter.min.gle] vb (15c): intermix

   intermission
          [in.ter.mis.sion] n [ME intermyssyown, fr. L intermission-,
          intermissio, fr. intermittere] (15c) 1: the act of intermitting:
          the state of being intermitted 2: an interval between
          the parts of an entertainment (as the acts of a play)
          -- in.ter.mis.sion.less adj

   intermit
          [in.ter.mit] vb -mit.ted ; -mit.ting [L intermittere, fr.
          inter- + mittere to send] vt (ca. 1542): to cause to
          cease for a time or at intervals: discontinue ~ vi: to
          be intermittent -- in.ter.mit.ter n

   intermittence
          [in.ter.mit.tence] n (1796): the quality or state of being
          intermittent

   intermittency
          [in.ter.mit.ten.cy] n (1662): intermittence

   intermittent
          [in.ter.mit.tent] adj [L intermittent-, intermittens, prp.
          of intermittere] (1601): coming and going at intervals:
          not continuous <~ rain>; also: occasional <~ trips abroad>
          -- in.ter.mit.tent.ly adv

   intermix
          [in.ter.mix] vb [back-formation fr. obs. intermixt intermingled,
          fr. L intermixtus, pp. of intermiscere to intermix, fr.
          inter- + miscere to mix--more at mix] vt (1542): to mix
          together ~ vi: to become mixed together -- in.ter.mix.ture
          n

   intermodal
          [in.ter.mod.al] adj (1963) 1: being or involving transportation
          by more than one form of carrier during a single journey
          2: used for intermodal transport

   intermodulation
          [in.ter.mod.u.la.tion] n [ISV] (1931): the production in
          an electrical device of currents having frequencies equal
          to the sums and differences of frequencies supplied to
          the device or of their harmonics

   intermontane
          [in.ter.mon.tane] or in.ter.mont adj [L mont-, mons mount]
          (1807): situated between mountains <an ~ basin>

   [1]intern
          [in.tern] or in.terne adj [MF interne, fr. L internus] (ca.
          1500) archaic: internal [2]in.tern vt (1866): to confine
          or impound esp. during a war <~ enemy aliens> -- in.tern.ee
          n -- in.tern.ment n [3]in.tern also in.terne n [F interne,
          fr. interne, adj.] (ca. 1879): an advanced student or
          graduate usu. in a professional field (as medicine or
          teaching) gaining supervised practical experience (as
          in a hospital or classroom) -- in.tern.ship n [4]in.tern
          vi (ca. 1928): to act as an intern

   internal
          [in.ter.nal] adj [ME internalle, fr. L internus; akin to
          L inter between] (15c) 1: existing or situated within
          the limits or surface of something: as a (1): situated
          near the inside of the body (2): situated on the side
          toward the median plane of the body b: of, relating to,
          or occurring within the confines of an organized structure
          (as a club, company, or state) <~ affairs> 2: relating
          or belonging to or existing within the mind 3: intrinsic,
          inherent <~ evidence of forgery in a document> 4: present
          or arising within an organism or one of its parts <~
          stimulus> 5: applied or intended for application through
          the stomach by being swallowed <an ~ remedy> -- in.ter.nal.i.ty
          n -- in.ter.nal.ly adv

   internal combustion engine
          [internal combustion engine] n (1884): a heat engine in which
          the combustion that generates the heat takes place inside
          the engine proper instead of in a furnace

   internalise
          [in.ter.nal.ise] Brit var of internalize

   internalize
          [in.ter.nal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1884): to give a subjective
          character to; specif: to incorporate (as values or patterns
          of culture) within the self as conscious or subconscious
          guiding principles through learning or socialization
          -- in.ter.nal.i.za.tion n

   internal medicine
          [internal medicine] n (ca. 1904): a branch of medicine that
          deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases not
          requiring surgery

   internal respiration
          [internal respiration] n (ca. 1890): an exchange of gases
          between the cells of the body and the blood by way of
          the fluid bathing the cells--compare external respiration

   internal rhyme
          [internal rhyme] n (1903): rhyme between a word within a
          line and another either at the end of the same line or
          within another line

   internal secretion
          [internal secretion] n (1895): hormone

   [1]international
          [in.ter.na.tion.al] adj (1780) 1: of, relating to, or affecting
          two or more nations <~ trade> 2: of, relating to, or
          constituting a group or association having members in
          two or more nations <~ movement> 3: active, known, or
          reaching beyond national boundaries <an ~ reputation>
          -- in.ter.na.tion.al.i.ty n -- in.ter.na.tion.al.ly adv
          [2]international n (1870): one that is international;
          esp: an organization of international scope

   international date line
          [international date line] n (ca. 1909): an arbitrary line
          approximately along the 180th meridian designated as
          the place where each calendar day begins

   internationalise
          [in.ter.na.tion.al.ise] Brit var of internationalize

   internationalism
          [in.ter.na.tion.al.ism] n (1851) 1: international character,
          principles, interests, or outlook 2 a: a policy of cooperation
          among nations b: an attitude or belief favoring such
          a policy -- in.ter.na.tion.al.ist n or adj

   internationalize
          [in.ter.na.tion.al.ize] vt (ca. 1864): to make international;
          also: to place under international control <a proposal
          to ~ the city> -- in.ter.na.tion.al.i.za.tion n

   international law
          [international law] n (ca. 1828): a body of rules that control
          or affect the rights of nations in their relations with
          each other

   International Phonetic Alphabet
          [International Phonetic Alphabet] n (1898): ipa

   international pitch
          [international pitch] n (1904): a tuning standard of 440
          vibrations per second for A above middle C

   international relations
          [international relations] n pl but sing in constr (1951):
          a branch of political science concerned with relations
          between nations and primarily with foreign policies

   International Scientific Vocabulary
          [International Scientific Vocabulary] n (ca. 1959): a part
          of the vocabulary of the sciences and other specialized
          studies that consists of words or other linguistic forms
          current in two or more languages and differing from New
          Latin in being adapted to the structure of the individual
          languages in which they appear

   International Style
          [International Style] n (1932) 1: a style in European art
          of the 14th and early 15th centuries marked by sinuous
          line, rich color, and decorative surface detail 2: a
          style in architecture developed in the 1920s that uses
          modern materials (as steel, glass, and reinforced concrete),
          expresses structure directly, and eliminates nonstructural
          ornament

   International System of Units
          [International System of Units] n (1961): a system of units
          based on the metric system and developed and refined
          by international convention esp. for scientific work

   international unit
          [international unit] n (1922): a quantity of a biologic (as
          a vitamin) that produces a particular biological effect
          agreed upon as an international standard

   internecine
          [in.ter.ne.cine] adj [L internecinus, fr. internecare to
          destroy, kill, fr. inter- + necare to kill, fr. nec-,
          nex violent death--more at noxious] (1663) 1: marked
          by slaughter: deadly; esp: mutually destructive 2: of,
          relating to, or involving conflict within a group <bitter
          ~ feuds>

   interneuron
          [in.ter.neu.ron] n (1939): an internuncial neuron --
          in.ter.neu.ro.nal adj

   internist
          [in.ter.nist] n (1904): a specialist in internal medicine

   internode
          [in.ter.node] n [L internodium, fr. inter- + nodus knot]
          (1667): an interval or part between two nodes (as of
          a stem) -- in.ter.nod.al adj

   inter nos
          [in.ter nos] [L] foreign term : between ourselves

   internuncial
          [in.ter.nun.ci.al] adj (1845) 1: of or relating to an internuncio
          2: serving to link sensory and motor neurons

   internuncio
          [in.ter.nun.cio] n [It internunzio, fr. L internuntius,
          internuncius, fr. inter- + nuntius, nuncius messenger] (1641)
          1: a messenger between two parties: go-between 2: a papal legate
          of lower rank than a nuncio

   interoceptive
          [in.ter.o.cep.tive] adj [interior + -o- + -ceptive (as in
          receptive)] (ca. 1921): of, relating to, or being stimuli
          arising within the body and esp. in the viscera

   interoceptor
          [in.ter.o.cep.tor] n (1906): a sensory receptor excited by
          interoceptive stimuli

   interoperability
          [in.ter.op.er.a.bil.i.ty] n (1977): ability of a system (as
          a weapons system) to use the parts or equipment of another
          system -- in.ter.op.er.a.ble adj

   interpellate
          [in.ter.pel.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L interpellatus,
          pp. of interpellare to interrupt, fr. inter- + -pellare
          (fr. pellere to drive)--more at felt] (1874): to question
          (as a foreign minister) formally concerning an official
          action or policy or personal conduct -- in.ter.pel.la.tion
          n -- in.ter.pel.la.tor n

   interpenetrate
          [in.ter.pen.e.trate] vi (ca. 1810): to penetrate mutually
          ~ vt: to penetrate between, within, or throughout: permeate
          -- in.ter.pen.e.tra.tion n

   interpersonal
          [in.ter.per.son.al] adj (1842): being, relating to, or involving
          relations between persons -- in.ter.per.son.al.ly adv

   interphase
          [in.ter.phase] n (1913): the interval between the end of
          one mitotic or meiotic division and the beginning of
          another

   interplant
          [in.ter.plant] vt (1911): to plant a crop between (plants
          of another kind); also: to set out young trees among
          (existing growth)

   interplay
          [in.ter.play] n (1862): interaction <the ~ of opposing forces>
          -- in.ter.play vi

   interplead
          [in.ter.plead] vi [AF enterpleder, fr. enter- inter- + pleder
          to plead, fr. OF plaidier--more at plead] (1567): to
          go to trial with each other in order to determine a right
          on which the action of a third party depends

   [1]interpleader
          [in.ter.plead.er] n [AF enterpleder, fr. enterpleder, v.]
          (1567): a proceeding to enable a person to compel parties
          making the same claim against him to litigate the matter
          between themselves [2]interpleader n (ca. 1846): one
          that interpleads

   Interpol
          [Interpol] abbreviation International Criminal Police Organization

   interpolate
          [in.ter.po.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L interpolatus, pp.
          of interpolare to refurbish, alter, interpolate, fr.
          inter- + -polare (fr. polire to polish)] vt (1612) 1
          a: to alter or corrupt (as a text) by inserting new or
          foreign matter b: to insert (words) into a text or into
          a conversation 2: to insert between other things or parts:
          intercalate 3: to estimate values of (a function) between
          two known values ~ vi: to make insertions (as of estimated
          values) syn see introduce -- in.ter.po.la.tion n --
          in.ter.po.la.tive adj -- in.ter.po.la.tor n

   interpose
          [in.ter.pose] vb -posed ; -pos.ing [MF interposer, fr. L
          interponere (perf. indic. interposui), fr. inter- + ponere
          to put--more at position] vt (1582) 1 a: to place in
          an intervening position b: to put (oneself) between:
          intrude 2: to put forth by way of interference or intervention
          3: to introduce or throw in between the parts of a conversation
          or argument ~ vi 1: to be or come between 2: to step
          in between parties at variance: intervene 3: interrupt
          -- in.ter.pos.er n syn interpose, interfere, intervene,
          mediate, intercede mean to come or go between. interpose
          often implies no more than this <interposed herself between
          him and the door>. interfere implies hindering <noise
          interfered with my concentration>. intervene may imply
          an occurring in space or time between two things or a
          stepping in to stop a conflict <quarreled until the manager
          intervened>. mediate implies intervening between hostile
          factions <mediated between the parties>. intercede implies
          acting in behalf of an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness
          <interceded on our behalf>. syn see in addition introduce

   interposition
          [in.ter.po.si.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act of interposing b:
          the action of a state whereby its sovereignty is placed
          between its citizens and the federal government 2: something
          interposed

   interpret
          [in.ter.pret] vb [ME, fr. MF & L; MF interpreter, fr.
          L interpretari, fr. interpret-, interpres agent, negotiator,
          interpreter] vt (14c) 1: to explain or tell the meaning of: present
          in understandable terms 2: to conceive in the light of individual
          belief, judgment, or circumstance: construe 3: to represent
          by means of art: bring to realization by performance or direction
          <~s a role> ~ vi: to act as an interpreter between speakers
          of different languages syn see explain -- in.ter.pret.abil.i.ty
          n -- in.ter.pret.able adj

   interpretation
          [in.ter.pre.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or the result of
          interpreting: explanation 2: a particular adaptation
          or version of a work, method, or style 3: a teaching
          technique that combines factual with stimulating explanatory
          information <natural history ~ program> -- in.ter.pre.ta.tion.al
          adj -- in.ter.pre.ta.tive adj -- in.ter.pre.ta.tive.ly
          adv -- in.ter.pre.tive adj -- in.ter.pre.tive.ly adv

   interpreter
          [in.ter.pret.er] n (14c) 1: one that interprets: as a: one
          who translates orally for parties conversing in different
          languages b: one who explains or expounds 2 a: a machine
          that prints on punched cards the symbols recorded in
          them by perforations b: a computer program that translates
          an instruction into machine language and executes it
          before going to the next instruction

   interproximal
          [in.ter.prox.i.mal] adj (1897): situated or used in the areas
          between adjoining teeth <~ space>

   interpupillary
          [in.ter.pu.pil.lary] adj (ca. 1904): extending between the
          pupils of the eyes; also: extending between the centers
          of a pair of spectacle lenses <~ distance>

   interracial
          [in.ter.ra.cial] adj (1888): of, involving, or designed for
          members of different races -- in.ter.ra.cial.ly adv

   interred
          [interred] past and past part of inter

   interregnum
          [in.ter.reg.num] n, pl -nums or -na [L, fr. inter- + regnum
          reign--more at reign] (1590) 1: the time during which
          a throne is vacant between two successive reigns or regimes
          2: a period during which the normal functions of government
          or control are suspended 3: a lapse or pause in a continuous
          series

   interrelate
          [in.ter.re.late] vt (1888): to bring into mutual relation
          ~ vi: to have mutual relationship -- in.ter.re.la.tion
          n -- in.ter.re.la.tion.ship n

   interrelated
          [in.ter.re.lat.ed] adj (1827): having a mutual or reciprocal
          relation -- in.ter.re.lat.ed.ly adv -- in.ter.re.lat.ed.ness
          n

   interring
          [interring] pres part of inter

   interrobang
          [in.ter.ro.bang] n [interrogation (point) + bang (printers'
          slang for exclamation point)] (1967): a punctuation mark
          having the form of a question mark superimposed over
          an exclamation point designed for use esp. at the end
          of an exclamatory rhetorical question

   interrog
          [interrog] abbreviation interrogative

   interrogate
          [in.ter.ro.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L interrogatus, pp.
          of interrogare, fr. inter- + rogare to ask--more at right]
          (15c) 1: to question formally and systematically 2: to
          give or send out a signal to (as a transponder or computer)
          for triggering an appropriate response syn see ask --
          in.ter.ro.ga.tee n -- in.ter.ro.ga.tion n -- in.ter.ro.ga.tion.al
          adj

   interrogation point
          [interrogation point] n (ca. 1864): question mark

   [1]interrogative
          [in.ter.rog.a.tive] adj (15c) 1 a: used in a question b:
          having the form or force of a question 2: inquisitive,
          questioning -- in.ter.rog.a.tive.ly adv [2]interrogative
          n (1522) 1: a word (as who, what, which) or a particle
          (as Latin -ne) used in asking questions 2: question 1a

   interrogator
          [in.ter.ro.ga.tor] n (1751) 1: one that interrogates 2: a
          radio transmitter and receiver for sending out a signal
          that triggers a transponder and for receiving and displaying
          the reply

   [1]interrogatory
          [in.ter.rog.a.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1533): a formal question
          or inquiry; esp: a written question required to be answered
          under direction of a court [2]interrogatory adj (1576):
          interrogative

   interrogee
          [in.ter.ro.gee] n (1919): one who is interrogated

   [1]interrupt
          [in.ter.rupt] vb [ME, fr. L interruptus, pp. of interrumpere,
          fr. inter- + rumpere to break--more at reave] vt (15c)
          1: to stop or hinder by breaking in 2: to break the uniformity
          or continuity of ~ vi: to break in upon an action; esp:
          to break in with questions or remarks while another is
          speaking -- in.ter.rupt.ible adj -- in.ter.rup.tion n
          -- in.ter.rup.tive adv [2]in.ter.rupt n (1957): a feature
          of a computer that permits the execution of a program
          to be interrupted in order to perform a special set of
          operations; also: the interruption itself

   interrupter
          [in.ter.rupt.er] also in.ter.rup.tor n (ca. 1512): one that
          interrupts; esp: a device for interrupting an electric
          current usu. automatically

   interscholastic
          [in.ter.scho.las.tic] adj (1879): existing or carried on
          between schools <~ athletics>

   inter se
          [in.ter se] adv or adj [L] (1845): among or between themselves

   intersect
          [in.ter.sect] vb [L intersectus, pp. of intersecare, fr.
          inter- + secare to cut--more at saw] vt (1615): to pierce
          or divide by passing through or across: cross ~ vi 1:
          to meet and cross at a point 2: to share a common area:
          overlap

   intersection
          [in.ter.sec.tion] n (1559) 1: the act or process of intersecting
          2: a place or area where two or more things (as streets)
          intersect 3 a: the set of elements common to two or more
          sets; esp: the set of points common to two geometric
          configurations b: the operation of finding the intersection
          of two or more sets

   interservice
          [in.ter.ser.vice] adj (1946): existing between or relating
          to two or more of the armed services <~ rivalry>

   intersession
          [in.ter.ses.sion] n (1932): a period between two academic
          sessions or terms sometimes utilized for brief concentrated
          courses

   intersex
          [in.ter.sex] n [ISV] (1910): an intersexual individual

   intersexual
          [in.ter.sex.u.al] adj [ISV] (ca. 1866) 1: existing between
          sexes <~ hostility> 2: intermediate in sexual characters
          between a typical male and a typical female -- in.ter.sex.u.al.i.ty
          n -- in.ter.sex.u.al.ly adv

   [1]interspace
          [in.ter.space] n (15c): an intervening space: interval
          [2]in.ter.space vt (1685): to occupy or fill the space between

   interspecific
          [in.ter.spe.cif.ic] also in.ter.spe.cies adj (1889): existing,
          occurring, or arising between species <~ hybrid>

   intersperse
          [in.ter.sperse] vt -spersed ; -spers.ing [L interspersus
          interspersed, fr. inter- + sparsus, pp. of spargere to
          scatter--more at spark] (1566) 1: to place something
          at intervals in or among 2: to insert at intervals among
          other things <interspersing drawings throughout the text>
          -- in.ter.sper.sion n

   interstadial
          [in.ter.sta.di.al] n [ISV inter- + NL stadium stage, phase,
          fr. L--more at stadium] (1914): a subdivision within
          a glacial stage marking a temporary retreat of the ice

   [1]interstate
          [in.ter.state] adj (1844): of, connecting, or existing between
          two or more states esp. of the U.S. <~ commerce> [2]in.ter.state
          n (1968): any of a system of expressways connecting most
          major U.S. cities--called also interstate highway

   interstellar
          [in.ter.stel.lar] adj (1626): located, taking place, or traveling
          among the stars esp. of the Milky Way galaxy

   intersterile
          [in.ter.ster.ile] adj (1916): incapable of producing offspring
          by interbreeding -- in.ter.ste.ril.i.ty n

   interstice
          [in.ter.stice] n, pl -stic.es [ME, fr. L interstitium, fr.
          inter- + -stit-, -stes standing (as in superstes standing
          over)--more at superstition] (15c) 1 a: a space that
          intervenes between things; esp: one between closely spaced
          things b: a gap or break in something generally continuous
          <the ~s of society> <passages of genuine literary merit
          in the ~s of the ludicrous ... plots --Joyce Carol Oates>
          2: a short space of time between events

   interstitial
          [in.ter.sti.tial] adj (1646) 1: relating to or situated in
          the interstices 2 a: situated within but not restricted
          to or characteristic of a particular organ or tissue--used
          esp. of fibrous tissue b: affecting the interstitial
          tissues of an organ or part 3: being or relating to a
          crystalline compound in which usu. small atoms or ions
          of a nonmetal occupy holes between the larger metal atoms
          or ions in the crystal lattice -- in.ter.sti.tial.ly
          adv

   intersubjective
          [in.ter.sub.jec.tive] adj (1899) 1: involving or occurring
          between separate conscious minds <~ communication> 2:
          accessible to or capable of being established for two
          or more subjects: objective -- in.ter.sub.jec.tive.ly
          adv -- in.ter.sub.jec.tiv.i.ty n

   intertestamental
          [in.ter.tes.ta.men.tal] adj (1929): of, relating to, or forming
          the period of two centuries between the composition of
          the last book of the Old Testament and the first book
          of the New Testament

   intertidal
          [in.ter.tid.al] adj (1883): of, relating to, or being the
          part of the littoral zone above low-tide mark -- in.ter.tid.al.ly
          adv

   intertie
          [in.ter.tie] n (1951): an interconnection permitting passage
          of current between two or more electric utility systems

   intertill
          [in.ter.till] vt (1912): to cultivate between the rows of
          (a crop) -- in.ter.till.age n

   intertropical
          [in.ter.trop.i.cal] adj (1794) 1: situated between or within
          the tropics 2: relating to regions within the tropics:
          tropical

   intertwine
          [in.ter.twine] vt (1641): to unite by twining one with another
          ~ vi: to twine about one another; also: to become mutually
          involved -- in.ter.twine.ment n

   intertwist
          [in.ter.twist] vb (ca. 1659): intertwine -- in.ter.twist
          n

   interval
          [in.ter.val] n [ME intervalle, fr. MF, fr. L intervallum
          space between ramparts, interval, fr. inter- + vallum
          rampart--more at wall] (14c) 1 a: a space of time between
          events or states b Brit: intermission 2 a: a space between
          objects, units, points, or states b: difference in pitch
          between tones 3: a set of real numbers between two numbers
          either including or excluding one or both of them 4:
          one of a series of fast-paced runs interspersed with
          jogging for training (as of a runner) -- in.ter.val.lic
          adj

   intervale
          [in.ter.vale] n [obs. intervale interval] (1647) chiefly
          NewEng: bottomland

   intervalometer
          [in.ter.val.om.e.ter] n (1933): a device that operates a
          control (as for a camera shutter) at regular intervals

   intervene
          [in.ter.vene] vi -vened ; -ven.ing [L intervenire to come
          between, fr. inter- + venire to come--more at come] (1587)
          1: to occur, fall, or come between points of time or
          events 2: to enter or appear as an irrelevant or extraneous
          feature or circumstance 3: to come in or between by way
          of hindrance or modification <~ to stop a fight> 4: to
          occur or lie between two things 5 a: to become a third
          party to a legal proceeding begun by others for the protection
          of an alleged interest b: to interfere usu. by force
          or threat of force in another nation's internal affairs
          esp. to compel or prevent an action or to maintain or
          alter a condition syn see interpose -- in.ter.ven.tion
          n

   intervenor
          [in.ter.ve.nor] or in.ter.ven.er n (1621): one who intervenes;
          esp: one who intervenes as a third party in a legal proceeding

   interventionism
          [in.ter.ven.tion.ism] n (1923): the theory or practice of
          intervening; specif: governmental interference in economic
          affairs at home or in political affairs of another country
          -- in.ter.ven.tion.ist n or adj

   intervertebral disk
          [in.ter.ver.te.bral disk] n (ca. 1860): any of the tough
          elastic disks that are interposed between the centra
          of adjoining vertebrae and that consist of an outer fibrous
          ring enclosing an inner pulpy nucleus

   interview
          [in.ter.view] n [MF entrevue, fr. (s')entrevoir to see one
          another, meet, fr. entre- inter- + voir to see--more
          at view] (1514) 1: a formal consultation usu. to evaluate
          qualifications (as of a prospective student or employee)
          2 a: a meeting at which information is obtained (as by
          a reporter, television commentator, or pollster) from
          a person b: a report or reproduction of information so
          obtained 3: interviewee -- interview vb -- in.ter.view.er
          n

   interviewee
          [in.ter.view.ee] n (1884): one who is interviewed

   inter vivos
          [in.ter vi.vos] adv or adj [LL] (1837): between living persons
          <transaction inter vivos>; esp: from one living person
          to another <inter vivos gifts> <property transferred
          inter vivos>

   intervocalic
          [in.ter.vo.cal.ic] adj (1887): immediately preceded and immediately
          followed by a vowel -- in.ter.vo.cal.i.cal.ly adv

   interweave
          [in.ter.weave] vb -wove also -weaved ; -wo.ven also -weaved
          ; -weav.ing vt (1598) 1: to weave together 2: to mix
          or blend together <interweaving his own insights ...
          with letters and memoirs --Phoebe Adams> ~ vi: intertwine,
          intermingle -- in.ter.weave n -- in.ter.wo.ven adj

   intestacy
          [in.tes.ta.cy] n (1767): the quality or state of being or
          dying intestate

   [1]intestate
          [in.tes.tate] adj [ME, fr. L intestatus, fr. in- + testatus
          testate] (14c) 1: having made no valid will <died ~>
          2: not disposed of by will <an ~ estate> [2]intestate
          n (1658): one who dies intestate

   intestinal
          [in.tes.ti.nal] adj (15c) 1: affecting or occurring in the
          intestine; also: living in the intestine 2: of, relating
          to, or being the intestine -- in.tes.ti.nal.ly adv

   intestinal fortitude
          [intestinal fortitude] n [euphemism for guts] (ca. 1937):
          courage, stamina

   [1]intestine
          [in.tes.tine] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF intestin, fr. L intestinus,
          fr. intus within--more at ent-] (15c): internal; specif:
          of or relating to the internal affairs of a state or country
          <~ war> [2]intestine n [ME, fr. MF intestin, fr. L intestinum, fr.
          neut. of intestinus] (15c): the tubular part of the alimentary
          canal that extends from the stomach to the anus

   inti
          [in.ti] n [Quechua, sun] (1985): the basic monetary unit
          of Peru from 1985 to 1990

   intima
          [in.ti.ma] n, pl -mae or -mas [NL, fr. L, fem. of intimus]
          (1873): the innermost coat of an organ (as a blood vessel)
          consisting usu. of an endothelial layer backed by connective
          tissue and elastic tissue -- in.ti.mal adj

   intimacy
          [in.ti.ma.cy] n, pl -cies (1641) 1: the state of being intimate:
          familiarity 2: something of a personal or private nature

   [1]intimate
          [in.ti.mate] vt -mat.ed ; -mat.ing [LL intimatus, pp. of
          intimare to put in, announce, fr. L intimus innermost,
          superl. of (assumed) OL interus inward--more at interior]
          (1522) 1: to make known esp. publicly or formally: announce
          2: to communicate delicately and indirectly: hint syn
          see suggest -- in.ti.mat.er n -- in.ti.ma.tion n [2]in.ti.mate
          adj [alter. of obs. intime, fr. L intimus] (1632) 1 a:
          intrinsic, essential b: belonging to or characterizing
          one's deepest nature 2: marked by very close association,
          contact, or familiarity <~ knowledge of the law> 3 a:
          marked by a warm friendship developing through long association
          b: suggesting informal warmth or privacy <~ clubs> 4:
          of a very personal or private nature -- in.ti.mate.ly
          adv -- in.ti.mate.ness n [3]in.ti.mate n (1659): an intimate
          friend or confidant

   intimidate
          [in.tim.i.date] vt -dat.ed ; -dat.ing [ML intimidatus, pp.
          of intimidare, fr. L in- + timidus timid] (1646): to
          make timid or fearful: frighten; esp: to compel or deter
          by or as if by threats -- in.tim.i.dat.ing.ly adv --
          in.tim.i.da.tion n -- in.tim.i.da.tor n syn intimidate,
          cow, bulldoze, bully, browbeat mean to frighten into
          submission. intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense
          of inferiority into another <intimidated by so many other
          bright freshmen>. cow implies reduction to a state where
          the spirit is broken or all courage is lost <not at all
          cowed by the odds against making it in show business>.
          bulldoze  implies an intimidating or an overcoming of
          resistance usu. by urgings, demands, or threats <bulldozed
          the city council into approving the plan>. bully implies
          intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive
          behavior <bullied into giving up their lunch money>.
          browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful,
          contemptuous, or insolent treatment <browbeat the witness
          into a contradiction>.

   intimidatory
          [in.tim.i.da.to.ry] adj (ca. 1846): tending to intimidate

   intinction
          [in.tinc.tion] n [LL intinction-, intinctio baptism, fr.
          L intingere to dip in, fr. in- + tingere to dip, moisten--more
          at tinge] (1872): the administration of the sacrament
          of Communion by dipping the bread in the wine and giving
          both together to the communicant

   intine
          [in.tine] n [prob. fr. G, fr. L intus within + NL in- fibrous
          tissue, fr. Gk in-, is tendon] (1835): the inner mostly
          cellulose wall of a spore (as a pollen grain)

   intitule
          [in.tit.ule] vt -uled ; -ul.ing [MF intituler, fr. LL intitulare,
          fr. L in- + titulus title] (15c) Brit: to furnish (as
          a legislative act) with a title or designation

   intl
          [intl] or intnl abbreviation international

   into
          [in.to] prep [ME, fr. OE into, fr. [2]in + to to] (bef. 12c)
          1--used as a function word to indicate entry, introduction,
          insertion, superposition, or inclusion <came ~ the house>
          <enter ~ an alliance> 2 a: to the state, condition, or
          form of <got ~ trouble> b: to the occupation, action,
          or possession of <go ~ farming> c: involved with or interested
          in <~ hard drugs> <~ Latin epigrammatists> 3--used as
          a function word to indicate a period of time or an extent
          of space part of which is passed or occupied <far ~ the
          night> 4: in the direction of <looking ~ the sun> 5:
          to a position of contact with: against <ran ~ a wall>
          6--used as a function word to indicate the dividend in
          division <dividing 3 ~ 6 gives 2>

   intolerable
          [in.tol.er.a.ble] adj [ME, fr. L intolerabilis, fr. in- +
          tolerabilis tolerable] (15c) 1: not tolerable: unbearable
          <~ pain> 2: excessive -- in.tol.er.a.bil.i.ty n --
          in.tol.er.a.ble.ness n -- in.tol.er.a.bly adv

   intolerance
          [in.tol.er.ance] n (1765): the quality or state of being
          intolerant; esp: exceptional sensitivity (as to a drug)

   intolerant
          [in.tol.er.ant] adj (ca. 1735) 1: unable or unwilling to
          endure <a plant ~ of direct sunlight> <~ of criticism>
          2 a: unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression esp.
          in religious matters b: unwilling to grant or share social,
          political, or professional rights: bigoted -- in.tol.er.ant.ly
          adv -- in.tol.er.ant.ness n

   intonate
          [in.to.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1795): intone, utter

   intonation
          [in.to.na.tion] n (1620) 1: the act of intoning and esp.
          of chanting 2: something that is intoned; specif: the
          opening tones of a Gregorian chant 3: the ability to
          play or sing notes in tune 4: manner of utterance; specif:
          the rise and fall in pitch of the voice in speech --
          in.to.na.tion.al adj

   intone
          [in.tone] vb in.toned ; in.ton.ing [ME entonen, fr. MF entoner,
          fr. ML intonare, fr. L in- + tonus tone] vt (15c): to
          utter in musical or prolonged tones: recite in singing
          tones or in a monotone ~ vi: to utter something in singing
          tones or in monotone -- in.ton.er n

   in toto
          [in to.to] adv [L, on the whole] (1796): totally, entirely

   intoxicant
          [in.tox.i.cant] n (1863): something that intoxicates; esp:
          an alcoholic drink -- intoxicant adj

   [1]intoxicate
          [in.tox.i.cate] adj (15c) archaic: intoxicated [2]in.tox.i.cate
          vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ME, fr. ML intoxicatus, pp. of
          intoxicare, fr. L in- + toxicum poison--more at toxic]
          (15c) 1: poison 2 a: to excite or stupefy by alcohol
          or a drug esp. to the point where physical and mental
          control is markedly diminished b: to excite or elate
          to the point of enthusiasm or frenzy

   intoxicated
          [in.tox.i.cat.ed] adj (1576): affected by or as if by alcohol:
          drunk -- in.tox.i.cat.ed.ly adv

   intoxication
          [in.tox.i.ca.tion] n (15c) 1: an abnormal state that is essentially
          a poisoning <intestinal ~> 2 a: the condition of being drunk:
          inebriation b: a strong excitement or elation

   intra-
          [in.tra-] prefix [LL, fr. L intra, fr. (assumed) OL interus,
          adj., inward--more at interior] 1 a: within <intragalactic>
          b: during <intraday> c: between layers of <intradermal>
          2: intro- <an intramuscular injection>

   intra-arterial
          [in.tra-ar.te.ri.al] adj (1897): situated or occurring within,
          administered into, or involving entry by way of an artery
          -- in.tra-ar.te.ri.al.ly adv

   intra-articular
          [in.tra-ar.tic.u.lar] adj (ca. 1888): situated within, occurring
          within, or administered by entry into a joint

   intracardiac
          [in.tra.car.di.ac] also in.tra.car.di.al adj (1876): situated
          or occurring within or introduced or involving entry
          into the heart <~ surgery> <an ~ catheter> -- in.tra.car.di.al.ly
          adv

   intracellular
          [in.tra.cel.lu.lar] adj (1876): existing, occurring, or functioning
          within a cell <~ parasites> -- in.tra.cel.lu.lar.ly adv

   intracerebral
          [in.tra.ce.re.bral] adj (1881): situated in, introduced into,
          or made into the cerebrum <~ injections> <~ bleeding>
          -- in.tra.ce.re.bral.ly adv

   intracompany
          [in.tra.com.pa.ny] adj (1926): occurring within or taking
          place between branches or employees of a company <~ income>

   intracranial
          [in.tra.cra.ni.al] adj (ca. 1849): existing or occurring
          within the cranium; also: affecting or involving intracranial
          structures -- in.tra.cra.ni.al.ly adv

   intractable
          [in.trac.ta.ble] adj [L intractabilis, fr. in- + tractabilis
          tractable] (1531) 1: not easily governed, managed, or
          directed: obstinate 2: not easily manipulated or wrought
          <~ metal> 3: not easily relieved or cured <~ pain> syn
          see unruly -- in.trac.ta.bil.i.ty n -- in.trac.ta.bly
          adv

   intracutaneous
          [in.tra.cu.ta.ne.ous] adj (1885): intradermal --
          in.tra.cu.ta.ne.ous.ly adv

   intraday
          [in.tra.day] adj (1950): occurring in the course of a single
          day <the market showed wide ~ fluctuations>

   intradermal
          [in.tra.der.mal] adj (ca. 1900): situated, occurring, or
          done within or between the layers of the skin; also:
          administered by entering the skin <~ injections> --
          in.tra.der.mal.ly adv

   intradermal test
          [intradermal test] n (1916): a test for immunity
          or hypersensitivity made by injecting a minute amount of diluted
          antigen into the skin

   intrados
          [in.tra.dos] n, pl -dos or -dos.es [F, fr. L intra within
          + F dos back--more at dossier] (1772): the interior curve
          of an arch--see arch illustration

   intragalactic
          [in.tra.ga.lac.tic] adj (1964): situated or occurring within
          the confines of a single galaxy

   intragenic
          [in.tra.gen.ic] adj (1937): being or occurring within a gene
          <~ recombination> <~ mutation>

   intramolecular
          [in.tra.mo.lec.u.lar] adj [ISV] (1884): existing or acting
          within the molecule; also: formed by reaction between
          different parts of the same molecule -- in.tra.mo.lec.u.lar.ly
          adv

   intramural
          [in.tra.mu.ral] adj (1846) 1 a: being or occurring within
          the limits usu. of a community, organization, or institution
          b: competed only within the student body <~ sports> 2:
          situated or occurring within the substance of the walls
          of an organ -- in.tra.mu.ral.ly adv

   intra muros
          [in.tra mu.ros] [L] foreign term : within the walls

   intramuscular
          [in.tra.mus.cu.lar] adj [ISV] (1874): situated in, occurring
          in, or administered by entering a muscle -- in.tra.mus.cu.lar.ly
          adv

   intranasal
          [in.tra.na.sal] adj (1886): lying within or administered
          by way of the nasal structures -- in.tra.na.sal.ly adv

   intrans
          [intrans] abbreviation intransitive

   in trans
          [in trans] [L in transitu] abbreviation in transit

   intransigeance
          [in.tran.si.geance] n [F] (1899): intransigence -- in.tran.si.geant
          adj or n -- in.tran.si.geant.ly adv

   intransigence
          [in.tran.si.gence] n (1882): the quality or state of being
          intransigent

   intransigent
          [in.tran.si.gent] adj [Sp intransigente, fr. in- + transigente,
          prp. of transigir to compromise, fr. L transigere to
          come to an agreement--more at transact] (ca. 1879) 1
          a: refusing to compromise or to abandon an extreme position
          or attitude: uncompromising b: irreconcilable 2: characteristic
          of an intransigent person -- intransigent n -- in.tran.si.gent.ly
          adv

   intransitive
          [in.tran.si.tive] adj [LL intransitivus, fr. L in- + LL transitivus
          transitive] (1612): not transitive; esp: characterized by not
          having or containing a direct object <an ~ verb>
          -- in.tran.si.tive.ly adv -- in.tran.si.tive.ness n --
          in.tran.si.tiv.i.ty n

   intraocular
          [in.tra.oc.u.lar] adj [ISV] (1826): implanted in, occurring
          in, or administered by entering the eyeball -- in.tra.oc.u.lar.ly
          adv

   intraperitoneal
          [in.tra.per.i.to.ne.al] adj (ca. 1836): existing within or
          administered by entering the peritoneum -- in.tra.per.i.to.ne.al.ly
          adv

   intrapersonal
          [in.tra.per.son.al] adj (1909): occurring within the individual
          mind or self <~ concerns of the aged>

   intraplate
          [in.tra.plate] adj (1973): relating to or occurring within
          the interior of a tectonic plate <an ~ earthquake>

   intrapopulation
          [in.tra.pop.u.la.tion] adj (1959): occurring within or taking
          place between members of a population

   intrapreneur
          [in.tra.pre.neur] n [intra- + entrepreneur] (1982): a corporate
          executive who develops new enterprises within the corporation
          -- in.tra.pre.neur.ial adj

   intrapsychic
          [in.tra.psy.chic] adj (1917): being or occurring within the
          psyche, mind, or personality -- in.tra.psy.chi.cal.ly
          adv

   intraspecies
          [in.tra.spe.cies] adj (1927): intraspecific

   intraspecific
          [in.tra.spe.cif.ic] adj (1919): occurring within a species
          or involving members of one species

   intrastate
          [in.tra.state] adj (1903): existing or occurring within a
          state

   intrathecal
          [in.tra.the.cal] adj (1887): introduced into or occurring
          in the space under the arachnoid membrane of the brain
          or spinal cord -- in.tra.the.cal.ly adv

   intrathoracic
          [in.tra.tho.rac.ic] adj [ISV] (1862): situated or occurring
          within the thorax <~ pressure> -- in.tra.tho.rac.i.cal.ly
          adv

   intrauterine
          [in.tra.uter.ine] adj [ISV] (ca. 1836): situated, used, or
          occurring within the uterus; also: involving the part
          of development that takes place in the uterus

   intrauterine device
          [intrauterine device] n (1964): a device inserted and left
          in the uterus to prevent effective conception--called
          also intrauterine contraceptive device, IUD

   intravascular
          [in.tra.vas.cu.lar] adj (1876): situated in, occurring in,
          or administered by entry into a blood vessel <~ thrombosis>
          <an ~ injection> -- in.tra.vas.cu.lar.ly adv

   intravenous
          [in.tra.ve.nous] adj [ISV] (ca. 1849): situated, performed,
          or occurring within or entering by way of a vein; also:
          used in intravenous procedures -- in.tra.ve.nous.ly adv

   intraventricular
          [in.tra.ven.tric.u.lar] adj (1882): situated within, occurring
          within, or administered into a ventricle --
          in.tra.ven.tric.u.lar.ly adv

   intravital
          [in.tra.vi.tal] adj [ISV] (ca. 1890) 1: performed upon or
          found in a living subject 2: having or utilizing the
          property of staining cells without killing them--compare
          supravital -- in.tra.vi.tal.ly adv

   intravitam
          [in.tra.vi.tam] adj [NL intra vitam during life] (1881):
          intravital

   intrazonal
          [in.tra.zon.al] adj (1927): of, relating to, or being a soil
          or a major soil group marked by relatively well-developed
          characteristics that are determined primarily by essentially
          local factors (as the parent material) rather than climate
          and vegetation--compare azonal, zonal

   intreat
          [intreat] archaic var of entreat

   intrench
          [intrench] var of entrench

   intrepid
          [in.trep.id] adj [L intrepidus, fr. in- + trepidus alarmed--more
          at trepidation] (1697): characterized by resolute fearlessness,
          fortitude, and endurance -- in.tre.pid.i.ty n -- in.trep.id.ly
          adv -- in.trep.id.ness n

   intricacy
          [in.tri.ca.cy] n, pl -cies (1602) 1: the quality or state
          of being intricate 2: something intricate <the intricacies
          of a plot>

   intricate
          [in.tri.cate] adj [ME, fr. L intricatus, pp. of intricare
          to entangle, fr. in- + tricae trifles, complications]
          (15c) 1: having many complexly interrelating parts or
          elements: complicated 2: difficult to resolve or analyze
          syn see complex -- in.tri.cate.ly adv -- in.tri.cate.ness
          n

   intrigant
          [in.tri.gant] or in.tri.guant n [F intrigant, fr. It intrigante,
          prp. of intrigare] (1781): one that intrigues

   [1]intrigue
          [in.trigue] vb in.trigued ; in.trigu.ing [F intriguer, fr.
          It intrigare, fr. L intricare] vt (1612) 1: cheat, trick
          2: to accomplish by intrigue <intrigued myself into the
          club> 3 obs: entangle 4: to arouse the interest, desire,
          or curiosity of <intrigued by the tale> ~ vi: to carry
          on an intrigue; esp: plot, scheme -- in.trigu.er n [2]in.trigue
          n (1647) 1 a: a secret scheme: machination b: the practice
          of engaging in intrigues 2: a clandestine love affair
          syn see plot

   intriguing
          [in.trigu.ing] adj (1909): engaging the interest to a marked
          degree: fascinating -- in.trigu.ing.ly adv

   intrinsic
          [in.trin.sic] adj [MF intrinseque internal, fr. LL intrinsecus,
          fr. L, adv., inwardly; akin to L intra within--more at
          intra-] (1642) 1 a: belonging to the essential nature
          or constitution of a thing <the ~ worth of a gem> <the
          ~ brightness of a star> b: being or relating to a semiconductor
          in which the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic
          of the material itself instead of the content of any
          impurities it contains 2 a: originating or due to causes
          within a body, organ, or part <an ~ metabolic disease>
          b: originating and included wholly within an organ or
          part <~ muscles>--compare extrinsic 1b -- in.trin.si.cal.ly
          adv

   intrinsical
          [in.trin.si.cal] adj (ca. 1548) archaic: intrinsic

   intrinsic factor
          [intrinsic factor] n (1930): a substance produced by normal
          gastrointestinal mucosa that facilitates absorption of
          vitamin B12

   intro
          [in.tro] n, pl intros (ca. 1899): introduction

   intro-
          [intro-] prefix [ME, fr. MF, fr. L, fr. intro inside, to
          the inside, fr. (assumed) OL interus, adj., inward] 1:
          in: into <introjection> 2: inward: within <introvert>--compare
          extro-

   introd
          [introd] abbreviation introduction

   introduce
          [in.tro.duce] vt -duced ; -duc.ing [ME, fr. L introducere,
          fr. intro- + ducere to lead--more at tow] (15c) 1: to
          lead or bring in esp. for the first time 2 a: to bring
          into play b: to bring into practice or use: institute
          3: to lead to or make known by a formal act, announcement,
          or recommendation: as a: to cause to be acquainted b:
          to present formally at court or into society c: to present
          or announce formally or officially or by an official
          reading d: to make preliminary explanatory or laudatory
          remarks about e: to bring (as an actor or singer) before
          the public for the first time 4: place, insert 5: to
          bring to a knowledge of something -- in.tro.duc.er n
          syn introduce, insert, insinuate, interpolate, intercalate,
          interpose, interject mean to put between or among others.
          introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a
          thing or person into a group or body already in existence
          <introduced a new topic into the conversation>. insert
          implies putting into a fixed or open space between or
          among <inserted a clause in the contract>. insinuate
          implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure <insinuated
          himself into the group>. interpolate applies to the inserting
          of something extraneous or spurious <interpolated her
          own comments into the report>. intercalate suggests an
          intrusive inserting of something in an existing series
          or sequence <new chapters intercalated with the old>.
          interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause
          of delay <interpose barriers to communication>. interject
          implies an abrupt or forced introduction <interjected
          a question>.

   introduction
          [in.tro.duc.tion] n [ME introduccioun act of introducing,
          fr. MF introduction, fr. L introduction-, introductio,
          fr. introducere] (14c) 1: something that introduces:
          as a (1): a part of a book or treatise preliminary to
          the main portion (2): a preliminary treatise or course
          of study b: a short introductory musical passage 2: the
          act or process of introducing: the state of being introduced
          3: a putting in: insertion 4: something introduced; specif:
          a new or exotic plant or animal

   introductory
          [in.tro.duc.to.ry] adj (1605): of, relating to, or being
          a first step that sets something going or in proper perspective
          <an ~ course in calculus> -- in.tro.duc.to.ri.ly adv

   introgression
          [in.tro.gres.sion] n [intro- + -gression (as in regression)]
          (1938): the entry or introduction of a gene from one
          gene complex into another -- in.tro.gres.sant adj or
          n -- in.tro.gres.sive adj

   introit
          [in.troit] n [ME, fr. MF introite, fr. ML introitus, fr.
          L, entrance, fr. introire to go in, fr. intro- + ire
          to go--more at issue] (15c) 1 often cap: the first part
          of the traditional proper of the Mass consisting of an
          antiphon, verse from a psalm, and the Gloria Patri 2:
          a piece of music sung or played at the beginning of a
          worship service

   introject
          [in.tro.ject] vt [back-formation fr. introjection, fr. ISV
          intro- + projection] (1925): to incorporate (attitudes
          or ideas) into one's personality unconsciously -- in.tro.jec.tion
          n

   intromission
          [in.tro.mis.sion] n [F, fr. MF, fr. ML intromission-, intromissio,
          fr. L intromittere] (1601): the act or process of intromitting;
          esp: the insertion or period of insertion of the penis in the
          vagina in copulation

   intromit
          [in.tro.mit] vt -mit.ted ; -mit.ting [L intromittere, fr.
          intro- + mittere to send] (ca. 1588): to send or put
          in: insert -- in.tro.mit.tent adj -- in.tro.mit.ter n

   intron
          [in.tron] n [intervening sequence + [2]-on] (1978):
          a polynucleotide sequence in a nucleic acid that does not code
          information for protein synthesis and is removed before translation
          of messenger RNA--compare exon

   introrse
          [in.trorse] adj [L introrsus, adv., inward, fr. intro- +
          versus toward, fr. pp. of vertere to turn--more at worth]
          (1842): facing inward or toward the axis of growth <an
          ~ anther>

   introspection
          [in.tro.spec.tion] n [L introspectus, pp. of introspicere
          to look inside, fr. intro- + specere to look--more at
          spy] (ca. 1677): a reflective looking inward: an examination
          of one's own thoughts and feelings -- in.tro.spect vb
          -- in.tro.spec.tion.al adj -- in.tro.spec.tive adj --
          in.tro.spec.tive.ly adv -- in.tro.spec.tive.ness n

   introspectionism
          [in.tro.spec.tion.ism] n (1922): a doctrine that psychology
          must be based essentially on data derived from
          introspection--compare behaviorism -- in.tro.spec.tion.ist
          or in.tro.spec.tion.is.tic adj -- introspectionist n

   introversion
          [in.tro.ver.sion] n [intro- + -version (as in diversion)]
          (1654) 1: the act of introverting: the state of being
          introverted 2: the state or tendency toward being wholly
          or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's
          own mental life -- in.tro.ver.sive adj -- in.tro.ver.sive.ly
          adv

   [1]introvert
          [in.tro.vert] vt [intro- + -vert (as in divert)] (1669):
          to turn inward or in upon itself: as a: to concentrate
          or direct upon oneself b: to produce psychological introversion
          in [2]introvert n (1883) 1: something (as the retractile
          proboscis of some worms) that is or can be drawn in esp.
          by invagination 2: one whose personality is characterized
          by introversion; broadly: a reserved or shy person

   intrude
          [in.trude] vb in.trud.ed ; in.trud.ing [ME, fr. L intrudere
          to thrust in, fr. in- + trudere to thrust--more at threat]
          vi (15c) 1: to thrust oneself in without invitation,
          permission, or welcome 2: to enter as a geological intrusion
          ~ vt 1: to thrust or force in or upon someone or something
          esp. without permission, welcome, or fitness 2: to cause
          to enter as if by force -- in.trud.er n

   intrusion
          [in.tru.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML intrusion-, intrusio,
          fr. L intrudere] (15c) 1: the act of intruding or the
          state of being intruded; esp: the act of wrongfully entering
          upon, seizing, or taking possession of the property of
          another 2: the forcible entry of molten rock or magma
          into or between other rock formations; also: the intruded
          magma

   intrusive
          [in.tru.sive] adj (15c) 1 a: characterized by intrusion b:
          intruding where one is not welcome or invited 2 a: projecting
          inward <an ~ arm of the sea> b (1) of a rock: having
          been forced while in a plastic state into cavities or
          between layers (2): plutonic 3: having nothing that corresponds
          to a sound or letter in orthography or etymon <~ /t/
          in /mints/ for mince> syn see impertinent -- intrusive
          n -- in.tru.sive.ly adv -- in.tru.sive.ness n

   intrust
          [intrust] var of entrust

   intubation
          [in.tu.ba.tion] n (1887): the introduction of a tube into
          a hollow organ (as the trachea) -- in.tu.bate vt

   intuit
          [in.tu.it] vt (1855): to apprehend by intuition -- in.tu.it.able
          adj

   intuition
          [in.tu.i.tion] n [ME intuycyon, fr. LL intuition-, intuitio
          act of contemplating, fr. L intueri to look at, contemplate,
          fr. in- + tueri to look at] (15c) 1: quick and ready
          insight 2 a: immediate apprehension or cognition b: knowledge
          or conviction gained by intuition c: the power or faculty
          of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without
          evident rational thought and inference -- in.tu.i.tion.al
          adj

   intuitionism
          [in.tu.i.tion.ism] n (1847) 1 a: a doctrine that objects
          of perception are intuitively known to be real b: a doctrine
          that there are basic truths intuitively known 2: a doctrine
          that right or wrong or fundamental principles about what
          is right and wrong can be intuited 3: a philosophical
          thesis that human beings have a direct intuitive understanding
          of mathematics and that rejects the principle that every
          mathematical statement must be true or false -- in.tu.i.tion.ist
          adj or n

   intuitive
          [in.tu.i.tive] adj (1621) 1 a: known or perceived by intuition:
          directly apprehended <had an ~ awareness of his sister's
          feelings> b: knowable by intuition 2: knowing or perceiving
          by intuition 3: possessing or given to intuition or insight
          <an ~ mind> -- in.tu.i.tive.ly adv -- in.tu.i.tive.ness
          n

   intumescence
          [in.tu.mes.cence] n [F, fr. L intumescere to swell up, fr.
          in- + tumescere to swell--more at tumescence] (ca. 1656):
          a swollen or enlarged part of a plant or animal; also:
          the process of swelling up or enlarging

   intumescent
          [in.tu.mes.cent] adj (1953) of paint: swelling and charring
          when exposed to flame

   intussuscept
          [in.tus.sus.cept] vb [back-formation fr. intussusception]
          vt (1802): to take in by or cause to undergo intussusception;
          esp: invaginate ~ vi: to undergo intussusception

   intussusception
          [in.tus.sus.cep.tion] n [L intus within + susception-, susceptio
          action of undertaking, fr. suscipere to take up--more
          at susceptible] (1707): a drawing in of something from
          without: as a: invagination; esp: the slipping of a length
          of intestine into an adjacent portion usu. producing
          obstruction b: the assimilation of new material and its
          dispersal among preexistent matter -- in.tus.sus.cep.tive
          adj

   Inuit
          [In.u.it] n [Inuit inuit, pl. of inuk person] (1765) 1 pl
          Inuit or Inuits a (1): the Eskimo people of No. America
          and Greenland (2): the Eskimo people of Canada b: a member
          of such people 2 a: eskimo 2 b: the group of Eskimo dialects
          spoken from northwestern Canada to Greenland

   Inuktitut
          [Inuk.ti.tut] n (1974): the group of Eskimo dialects spoken
          by the Inuit of central and eastern arctic Canada

   inulin
          [in.u.lin] n [prob. fr. G Inulin, fr. L inula elecampane]
          (1813): a tasteless white polysaccharide found esp. dissolved
          in the sap of the roots and rhizomes of composite plants

   inunction
          [in.unc.tion] n [ME, fr. L inunction-, inunctio, fr. inunguere
          to anoint--more at anoint] (15c): an act of applying
          oil or ointment: anointing

   inundate
          [in.un.date] vt -dat.ed ; -dat.ing [L inundatus, pp. of inundare,
          fr. in- + unda wave--more at water] (1590) 1: to cover
          with a flood: overflow 2: overwhelm -- in.un.da.tion
          n -- in.un.da.tor n -- in.un.da.to.ry adj

   Inupiat
          [Inu.pi.at] also Inu.pi.aq n [Inupiat inyupiaq, pl. inyupiat,
          lit., real person] (1967) 1 pl Inupiat or Inupiats also
          Inupiaq or Inupiaqs : a member of the Eskimo people of
          northern Alaska 2: the language of the Inupiat people

   inure
          [in.ure] vb in.ured ; in.ur.ing [ME enuren, fr. en- + ure,
          n., use, custom, fr. MF uevre work, practice, fr. L opera
          work--more at opera] vt (15c): to accustom to accept
          something undesirable ~ vi: to become of advantage --
          in.ure.ment n

   inurn
          [in.urn] vt (1602) 1: entomb 2: to place (as cremated remains)
          in an urn

   in usum Delphini
          [in usum Del.phi.ni] [L] foreign term : for the use of the
          Dauphin: expurgated

   in utero
          [in utero] adv or adj [L] (1713): in the uterus: before birth
          <a disease acquired in utero> <an in utero diagnosis>

   inutile
          [in.utile] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L inutilis, fr. in- + utilis
          useful--more at utility] (15c): useless, unusable --
          in.util.i.ty n

   in utrumque paratus
          [in utrum.que pa.ra.tus] [L] foreign term : prepared for
          either (event)

   inv
          [inv] abbreviation inventor, invoice

   in vacuo
          [in vac.uo] adv [NL] (1660): in a vacuum

   invade
          [in.vade] vt in.vad.ed ; in.vad.ing [ME, fr. L invadere,
          fr. in- + vadere to go--more at wade] (15c) 1: to enter
          for conquest or plunder 2: to encroach upon: infringe
          3 a: to spread over or into as if invading: permeate
          <doubts ~ his mind> b: to affect injuriously and progressively
          <gangrene ~s healthy tissue> syn see trespass -- in.vad.er
          n

   invaginate
          [in.vag.i.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [ML invaginatus, pp.
          of invaginare, fr. L in- + vagina sheath] vt (ca. 1656)
          1: enclose, sheathe 2: to fold in so that an outer becomes
          an inner surface ~ vi: to undergo invagination

   invagination
          [in.vag.i.na.tion] n (ca. 1658) 1: an act or process
          of invaginating; esp: the formation of a gastrula by an infolding
          of part of the wall of the blastula 2: an invaginated part

   [1]invalid
          [in.val.id] adj [L invalidus weak, fr. in- + validus strong--more
          at valid] (1542): not valid: a: being without foundation
          or force in fact, truth, or law b: logically inconsequent
          -- in.val.id.ly adv [2]in.va.lid adj [L & F; F invalide,
          fr. L invalidus] (1642) 1: suffering from disease or
          disability: sickly 2: of, relating to, or suited to one
          that is sick [3]invalid n (1709): one that is sickly
          or disabled [4]in.va.lid vt (1787) 1: to remove from
          active duty by reason of sickness or disability 2: to
          make sickly or disabled

   invalidate
          [in.val.i.date] vt (1649): to make invalid; esp: to weaken
          or destroy the cogency of syn see nullify -- in.val.i.da.tion
          n -- in.val.i.da.tor n

   invalidism
          [in.va.lid.ism] n (1794): a chronic condition of being an
          invalid

   invalidity
          [in.val.id.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1550) 1: lack of validity
          or cogency 2: incapacitating bodily disability; also:
          invalidism

   invaluable
          [in.valu.able] adj [[1]in- + value, v. + -able] (1576): valuable
          beyond estimation: priceless -- in.valu.able.ness n --
          in.valu.ably adv

   invar
          [in.var] n, often cap [fr. Invar, a trademark] (1902): an
          iron-nickel alloy that expands little on heating

   invariable
          [in.vari.able] adj (15c): not changing or capable of change:
          constant -- in.vari.abil.i.ty n -- invariable n -- in.vari.ably
          adv

   invariance
          [in.vari.ance] n (1878): the quality or state of being invariant

   invariant
          [in.vari.ant] adj (1874): constant, unchanging; specif: unchanged
          by specified mathematical or physical operations or transformations
          <~ factor> -- invariant n

   invasion
          [in.va.sion] n [ME invasioune, fr. MF invasion, fr. LL invasion-,
          invasio, fr. L invadere to invade] (15c) 1: an act of
          invading; esp: incursion of an army for conquest or plunder
          2: the incoming or spread of something usu. hurtful

   invasive
          [in.va.sive] adj (1598) 1: of, relating to, or characterized
          by military aggression 2: tending to spread; esp: tending
          to invade healthy tissue <~ cancer cells> 3: tending
          to infringe 4: involving entry into the living body (as
          by incision or by insertion of an instrument) <~ diagnostic
          techniques> -- in.va.sive.ness n

   [1]invective
          [in.vec.tive] adj [ME invectif, fr. MF, fr. L invectivus,
          fr. invectus, pp. of invehere] (15c): of, relating to,
          or characterized by insult or abuse -- in.vec.tive.ly
          adv -- in.vec.tive.ness n [2]invective n (1523) 1: an
          abusive expression or speech 2: insulting or abusive
          language: vituperation syn see abuse

   inveigh
          [in.veigh] vi [L invehi to attack, inveigh, pass. of invehere
          to carry in, fr. in- + vehere to carry--more at way]
          (1529): to protest or complain bitterly or vehemently:
          rail -- in.veigh.er n

   inveigle
          [in.vei.gle] vt in.vei.gled ; in.vei.gling [modif. of MF
          aveugler to blind, hoodwink, fr. OF avogler, fr. avogle
          blind, fr. ML ab oculis, lit., lacking eyes] (1539) 1:
          to win over by wiles: entice 2: to acquire by ingenuity
          or flattery syn see lure -- in.vei.gle.ment n -- in.vei.gler
          n

   invenit
          [in.ve.nit] [L] foreign term : he or she devised it

   invent
          [in.vent] vt [ME, fr. L inventus, pp. of invenire to come
          upon, find, fr. in- + venire to come--more at come] (15c)
          1 archaic: find, discover 2: to devise by thinking: fabricate
          3: to produce (as something useful) for the first time
          through the use of the imagination or of ingenious thinking
          and experiment -- in.ven.tor n -- in.ven.tress n

   invention
          [in.ven.tion] n (14c) 1: discovery, finding 2: productive
          imagination: inventiveness 3 a: something invented: as
          (1): a product of the imagination; esp: a false conception
          (2): a device, contrivance, or process originated after
          study and experiment b: a short keyboard composition
          featuring two or three part counterpoint 4: the act or
          process of inventing

   inventive
          [in.ven.tive] adj (15c) 1: adept or prolific at producing
          inventions: creative 2: characterized by invention --
          in.ven.tive.ly adv -- in.ven.tive.ness n

   [1]inventory
          [in.ven.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1523) 1 a: an itemized list of
          current assets: as (1): a catalog of the property of
          an individual or estate (2): a list of goods on hand
          b: a survey of natural resources c: a list of traits,
          preferences, attitudes, interests, or abilities used
          to evaluate personal characteristics or skills 2: the
          quantity of goods or materials on hand: stock 3: the
          act or process of taking an inventory -- in.ven.to.ri.al
          adj -- in.ven.to.ri.al.ly adv [2]inventory vt -ried ;
          -ry.ing (1602): to make an inventory of: catalog

   inverness
          [in.ver.ness] n [Inverness, Scotland] (1863): a loose belted
          coat having a cape with a close-fitting round collar

   [1]inverse
          [in.verse] adj [L inversus, fr. pp. of invertere] (15c) 1:
          opposite in order, nature, or effect 2: being an inverse
          function <~ sine> [2]inverse n (ca. 1681) 1: something
          of a contrary nature or quality: opposite, reverse 2:
          a proposition or theorem formed by contradicting both
          the subject and predicate or both the hypothesis and
          conclusion of a given proposition or theorem <the ~ of
          "if A then B" is "if not-A then not-B">--compare contrapositive
          3 a: inverse function; also: an operation (as subtraction)
          that undoes the effect of another operation b: a set
          element that is related to another element in such a
          way that the result of applying a given binary operation
          to them is an identity element of the set

   inverse function
          [inverse function] n (1816): a function that is derived from
          a given function by interchanging the two variables--compare
          logarithmic function

   inversely
          [in.verse.ly] adv (1660) 1: in an inverse order or manner
          2: in the manner of inverse variation <varies ~>

   inversely proportional
          [inversely proportional] adj (ca. 1890): related by inverse
          variation--compare directly proportional

   inverse square law
          [inverse square law] n (1921): a statement in physics: a
          given physical quantity (as illumination) varies with
          the distance from the source inversely as the square
          of the distance

   inverse variation
          [inverse variation] n (1936) 1: mathematical relationship
          between two variables which can be expressed by an equation
          in which the product of two variables is equal to a constant
          2: an equation or function expressing inverse variation--compare
          direct variation

   inversion
          [in.ver.sion] n (1586) 1: a reversal of position, order,
          form, or relationship: as a (1): a change in normal word
          order; esp: the placement of a verb before its subject
          (2): the process or result of changing or reversing the
          relative positions of the notes of a musical interval,
          chord, or phrase b: the condition of being turned inward
          or inside out c: a breaking off of a chromosome section
          and its subsequent reattachment in inverted position;
          also: a chromosomal section that has undergone this process
          2: the act or process of inverting 3 a: a change in the
          order of the terms of a mathematical proportion effected
          by inverting each ratio b: the operation of forming the
          inverse of a magnitude, a function, an operation, or
          an element 4 a: the conversion of dextrorotatory sucrose
          into a levorotatory mixture of glucose and fructose b:
          a change from one stereochemical figuration at a chiral
          center in a usu. organic molecule to the opposite configuration
          that is brought about by a reaction in which a substitution
          of one group is made for a different group 5: homosexuality
          6: an increase of temperature with height through a layer
          of air

   inversive
          [in.ver.sive] adj (1875): marked by inversion

   [1]invert
          [in.vert] vt [L invertere, fr. in- + vertere to turn--more
          at worth] (1533) 1 a: to reverse in position, order,
          or relationship b: to subject to inversion 2 a: to turn
          inside out or upside down b: to turn inward 3: to find
          the mathematical reciprocal of <to divide using fractions,
          ~ the divisor and multiply> syn see reverse [2]in.vert
          n (1838): one characterized by inversion; esp: homosexual

   invertase
          [in.ver.tase] n [ISV] (1887): an enzyme that catalyzes the
          hydrolysis of sucrose

   invertebrate
          [in.ver.te.brate] adj [NL invertebratus, fr. L in- + NL vertebratus
          vertebrate] (1838) 1: lacking a spinal column; also: of or relating
          to invertebrate animals 2: lacking in strength or vitality: weak
          -- invertebrate n

   inverted comma
          [inverted comma] n (1789) chiefly Brit: quotation mark

   inverter
          [in.vert.er] n (1611) 1: one that inverts 2: a device for
          converting direct current into alternating current

   invertible
          [in.vert.ible] adj (1881): capable of being inverted or subjected
          to inversion <an ~ matrix>

   invert sugar
          [invert sugar] n (1880): a mixture of dextrose and levulose
          found in fruits or produced artificially by the inversion
          of sucrose

   [1]invest
          [in.vest] vt [L investire to clothe, surround, fr. in- +
          vestis garment--more at wear] (ca. 1534) 1 [ML investire,
          fr. L, to clothe] a: to array in the symbols of office
          or honor b: to furnish with power or authority c: to
          grant someone control or authority over: vest 2: to cover
          completely: envelop 3: clothe, adorn 4 [MF investir,
          fr. OIt investire, fr. L, to surround]: to surround with
          troops or ships so as to prevent escape or entry 5: to
          endow with a quality: infuse [2]invest vb [It investire
          to clothe, invest money, fr. L, to clothe] vt (1613)
          1: to commit (money) in order to earn a financial return
          2: to make use of for future benefits or advantages ~
          vi: to make an investment -- in.vest.able adj -- in.ves.tor
          n

   investigate
          [in.ves.ti.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L investigatus, pp.
          of investigare to track, investigate, fr. in- + vestigium
          footprint, track] vt (ca. 1510): to observe or study
          by close examination and systematic inquiry ~ vi: to
          make a systematic examination; esp: to conduct an official
          inquiry -- in.ves.ti.ga.tion n -- in.ves.ti.ga.tion.al
          adj -- in.ves.ti.ga.tive adj -- in.ves.ti.ga.tor n --
          in.ves.ti.ga.to.ry adj

   investiture
          [in.ves.ti.ture] n [ME, fr. ML investitura, fr. investitus,
          pp. of investire] (14c) 1: the act of establishing in
          office or ratifying 2: something that covers or adorns

   [1]investment
          [in.vest.ment] n [[1]invest] (1597) 1 a archaic: vestment
          b: an outer layer: envelope 2: investiture 1 3: blockade,
          siege [2]investment n [[2]invest] (1615): the outlay
          of money usu. for income or profit: capital outlay; also:
          the sum invested or the property purchased

   investment company
          [investment company] n (ca. 1917): a company whose primary
          business is holding securities of other companies purely
          for investment purposes--compare holding company

   inveteracy
          [in.vet.er.a.cy] n [inveterate + -cy] (ca. 1719): the quality
          or state of being obstinate or persistent: tenacity

   inveterate
          [in.vet.er.ate] adj [ME, fr. L inveteratus, fr. pp. of inveterare
          to age (v.t.), fr. in- + veter-, vetus old--more at wether]
          (14c) 1: firmly established by long persistence <the
          ~ tendency to overlook the obvious> 2: confirmed in a
          habit: habitual <an ~ liar> -- in.vet.er.ate.ly adv syn
          inveterate, confirmed, chronic mean firmly established.
          inveterate applies to a habit, attitude or feeling of
          such long existence as to be practically ineradicable
          or unalterable <an inveterate smoker>. confirmed implies
          a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist
          change or reform <a confirmed bachelor>. chronic suggests
          something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and
          troublesome <a chronic complainer>.

   inviable
          [in.vi.a.ble] adj [ISV] (1918): incapable of surviving esp.
          because of a deleterious genetic constitution -- in.vi.a.bil.i.ty
          n

   invidious
          [in.vid.i.ous] adj [L invidiosus envious, invidious, fr.
          invidia envy--more at envy] (1606) 1: tending to cause
          discontent, animosity, or envy <the ~ task of arbitration>
          2: envious 3 a: of an unpleasant or objectionable nature:
          obnoxious <~ remarks> b: of a kind to cause harm or resentment
          <an ~ comparison> syn see repugnant -- in.vid.i.ous.ly
          adv -- in.vid.i.ous.ness n

   invigilate
          [in.vig.i.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L invigilatus, pp.
          of invigilare to stay awake, be watchful, fr. in- + vigilare
          to stay awake--more at vigilant] vi (1553): to keep watch;
          esp, Brit: to supervise students at an examination ~
          vt: supervise, monitor -- in.vig.i.la.tion n -- in.vig.i.la.tor
          n

   invigorate
          [in.vig.o.rate] vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [prob. fr. in- + vigor]
          (1646): to give life and energy to: animate; also: stimulate
          1 -- in.vig.o.rat.ing.ly adv -- in.vig.o.ra.tion n --
          in.vig.o.ra.tor n

   invincible
          [in.vin.ci.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL invincibilis, fr.
          L in- + vincere to conquer--more at victor] (15c): incapable
          of being conquered, overcome, or subdued -- in.vin.ci.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.vin.ci.ble.ness n -- in.vin.ci.bly adv

   in vino veritas
          [in vi.no ve.ri.tas] [L] foreign term : there is truth in
          wine

   inviolable
          [in.vi.o.la.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L inviolabilis,
          fr. in- + violare to violate] (15c) 1: secure from violation
          or profanation 2: secure from assault or trespass: unassailable
          -- in.vi.o.la.bil.i.ty n -- in.vi.o.la.ble.ness n --
          in.vi.o.la.bly adv

   inviolacy
          [in.vi.o.la.cy] n (ca. 1846): the quality or state of being
          inviolate

   inviolate
          [in.vi.o.late] adj (15c): not violated or profaned; esp:
          pure -- in.vi.o.late.ly adv -- in.vi.o.late.ness n

   inviscid
          [in.vis.cid] adj (ca. 1889) 1: having zero viscosity 2: of
          or relating to an inviscid fluid <~ flow>

   invisible
          [in.vis.i.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L invisibilis, fr. in-
          + visibilis visible] (14c) 1 a: incapable by nature of
          being seen b: inaccessible to view: hidden 2: imperceptible,
          inconspicuous 3 a: not appearing in published financial
          statements b: not reflected i n statistics -- in.vis.i.bil.i.ty
          n -- invisible n -- in.vis.i.ble.ness n -- in.vis.i.bly
          adv

   invita Minerva
          [in.vi.ta Mi.ner.va] [L] foreign term : Minerva being unwilling:
          without natural talent or inspiration

   invitation
          [in.vi.ta.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act of inviting b: an often
          formal request to be present or participate 2: incentive,
          inducement

   invitational
          [in.vi.ta.tion.al] adj (1922) 1: prepared or entered in response
          to a request <an ~ article> 2: limited to invited participants
          <an ~ tournament> -- invitational n

   [1]invitatory
          [in.vi.ta.to.ry] adj (14c): containing an invitation [2]invitatory
          n, pl -ries (14c): an invitatory psalm or antiphon

   [1]invite
          [in.vite] vt in.vit.ed ; in.vit.ing [MF or L; MF inviter,
          fr. L invitare] (1533) 1 a: to offer an incentive or
          inducement to: entice b: to increase the likelihood of
          2 a: to request the presence or participation of b: to
          request formally c: to urge politely: welcome -- in.vit.er
          n [2]in.vite n (1659): invitation 1

   invitee
          [in.vi.tee] n (1803): an invited person

   inviting
          [inviting] adj (1604): attractive, tempting -- in.vit.ing.ly
          adv

   in vitro
          [in vi.tro] adv or adj [NL, lit., in glass] (ca. 1894): outside
          the living body and in an artificial environment

   in vivo
          [in vi.vo] adv or adj [NL, lit., in the living] (1901): in
          the living body of a plant or animal

   invocate
          [in.vo.cate] vt (1526) archaic: invoke

   invocation
          [in.vo.ca.tion] n [ME invocacioun, fr. MF invocation, fr.
          L invocation-, invocatio, fr. invocare] (14c) 1 a: the
          act or process of petitioning for help or support; specif,
          often cap: a prayer of entreaty (as at the beginning
          of a service of worship) b: a calling upon for authority
          or justification 2: a formula for conjuring: incantation
          3: an act of legal or moral implementation: enforcement
          -- in.vo.ca.tion.al adj -- in.voc.a.to.ry adj

   [1]invoice
          [in.voice] n [modif. of MF envois, pl. of envoi message--more
          at envoi] (1560) 1: an itemized list of goods shipped
          usu. specifying the price and the terms of sale: bill
          2: a consignment of merchandise [2]invoice vt in.voiced
          ; in.voic.ing (1698): to send an invoice for or to

   invoke
          [in.voke] vt in.voked ; in.vok.ing [ME, fr. MF invoquer,
          fr. L invocare, fr. in- + vocare to call, fr. voc-, vox
          voice--more at voice] (15c) 1 a: to petition for help
          or support b: to appeal to or cite as authority 2: to
          call forth by incantation: conjure 3: to make an earnest
          request for: solicit 4: to put into effect or operation:
          implement 5: bring about, cause -- in.vok.er n

   involucre
          [in.vo.lu.cre] n [F, fr. NL involucrum] (1794): one or more
          whorls of bracts situated below and close to a flower,
          flower cluster, or fruit -- in.vo.lu.cral adj -- in.vo.lu.crate
          adj

   involucrum
          [in.vo.lu.crum] n, pl -cra [NL, sheath, involucre, fr. L,
          wrapper, fr. involvere to wrap] (ca. 1677): a surrounding
          envelope or sheath

   involuntary
          [in.vol.un.tary] adj [ME involuntari, fr. LL involuntarius,
          fr. L in- + voluntarius voluntary] (15c) 1: done contrary
          to or without choice 2: compulsory 3: not subject to
          control of the will: reflex -- in.vol.un.tari.ly adv
          -- in.vol.un.tari.ness n

   involuntary manslaughter
          [involuntary manslaughter] n (ca. 1879): manslaughter resulting
          from the failure to perform a legal duty expressly required
          to safeguard human life, from the commission of an unlawful
          act not constituting a felony, or from the commission
          of a lawful act in a negligent or improper manner

   involuntary muscle
          [involuntary muscle] n (1840): muscle governing reflex functions
          and not under direct voluntary control; esp: smooth muscle

   [1]involute
          [in.vo.lute] adj [L involutus concealed, fr. pp. of involvere]
          (1661) 1 a: curled spirally b (1): curled or curved inward
          (2): having the edges rolled over the upper surface toward
          the midrib <an ~ leaf> c: having the form of an involute
          <a gear with ~ teeth> 2: involved, intricate [2]involute
          n (ca. 1796): a curve traced by a point on a thread kept
          taut as it is unwound from another curve <~ of a circle>
          [3]in.vo.lute vi -lut.ed ; -lut.ing (1816) 1: to become
          involute 2 a: to return to a former condition b: to become
          cleared up: disappear

   involution
          [in.vo.lu.tion] n [L involution-, involutio, fr. involvere]
          (ca. 1611) 1 a (1): the act or an instance of enfolding
          or entangling: involvement (2): an involved grammatical
          construction usu. characterized by the insertion of clauses
          between the subject and predicate b: complexity, intricacy
          2: exponentiation 3 a: an inward curvature or penetration
          b: the formation of a gastrula by ingrowth of cells formed
          at the dorsal lip 4: a shrinking or return to a former
          size 5: the regressive alterations of a body or its parts
          characteristic of the aging process; specif: decline
          marked by a decrease of bodily vigor and in women by
          menopause -- in.vo.lu.tion.al adj

   involve
          [in.volve] vt in.volved ; in.volv.ing [ME, to roll up, wrap,
          fr. L involvere, fr. in- + volvere to roll--more at voluble]
          (14c) 1 archaic: to enfold or envelop so as to encumber
          2 a: to engage as a participant <workers involved in
          building a house> b: to oblige to take part <right of
          Congress to ~ the nation in war> c: to occupy (as oneself)
          absorbingly; esp: to commit (as oneself) emotionally
          <was involved with a married man> 3: to surround as if
          with a wrapping: envelop 4 a archaic: to wind, coil,
          or wreathe about b: to relate closely: connect 5 a: to
          have within or as part of itself: include b: to require
          as a necessary accompaniment: entail c: to have an effect
          on syn see include -- in.volve.ment n -- in.volv.er n

   involved
          [in.volved] adj (15c) 1: involute, twisted 2 a: marked by
          extreme and often needless or excessive complexity b:
          difficult to deal with because of complexity or disorder
          3: being affected or implicated syn see complex -- in.volv.ed.ly
          adv

   invulnerable
          [in.vul.ner.a.ble] adj [L invulnerabilis, fr. in- + vulnerare
          to wound--more at vulnerable] (1595) 1: incapable of
          being wounded, injured, or harmed 2: immune to or proof
          against attack: impregnable -- in.vul.ner.a.bil.i.ty
          n -- in.vul.ner.a.ble.ness n -- in.vul.ner.a.bly adv

   [1]inward
          [in.ward] adj [ME, fr. OE inweard (akin to OHG inwert), fr.
          in + -weard ward] (bef. 12c) 1: situated on the inside:
          inner 2 a: of or relating to the mind or spirit <~ peace>
          b: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life: introspective
          3: marked by close acquaintance: familiar 4: directed
          toward the interior [2]inward or in.wards adv (bef. 12c)
          1: toward the inside, center, or interior 2: toward the
          inner being [3]inward n (bef. 12c) 1: something that
          is inward 2 in.wards pl: innards

   Inward Light
          [Inward Light] n (1706): inner light

   inwardly
          [in.ward.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: in the innermost being: mentally,
          spiritually 2 a: beneath the surface: internally <bled
          ~> b: to oneself: privately <cursed ~>

   inwardness
          [in.ward.ness] n (14c) 1: internal quality or substance 2:
          close acquaintance: familiarity 3: fundamental nature:
          essence 4: absorption in one's own mental or spiritual
          life

   inweave
          [in.weave] vt -wove also -weaved ; -wo.ven also -weaved ;
          -weav.ing (15c): interweave, interlace

   in-wrought
          [in-wrought] adj (1637) 1: having decoration worked in: ornamented;
          esp: decorated with embroidery 2: worked in esp. as decoration

   in-your-face
          [in-your-face] adj (1982): characterized by or being bold
          and often arrogant aggressiveness <~ basketball>

   io...
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   Io
          [Io] n [L, fr. Gk Io]: a maiden loved by Zeus and changed
          by him into a heifer so that she might escape the jealous
          rage of Hera

   IOC
          [IOC] abbreviation International Olympic Committee

   iod-
          [iod-] or iodo- comb form [F iode]: iodine <iodize> <iodoform>

   iodate
          [io.date] n [F, fr. iode] (1826): a salt of iodic acid

   iodic acid
          [iod.ic acid] n [F iodique, fr. iode] (1826): a crystalline
          oxidizing solid formed by oxidation of iodine

   iodide
          [io.dide] n [ISV] (1822): a salt of hydriodic acid; also:
          the univalent anion of such a salt

   iodinate
          [io.din.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1908): to treat or cause
          to combine with iodine or a compound of iodine -- io.din.ation
          n

   iodine
          [io.dine] n, often attrib [F iode, fr. Gk ioeides violet
          colored, fr. ion violet] (1814) 1: a nonmetallic halogen
          element obtained usu. as heavy shining blackish gray
          crystals and used esp. in medicine, photography, and
          analysis 2: a tincture of iodine used esp. as a topical
          antiseptic

   iodise
          [io.dise] Brit var of iodize

   iodize
          [io.dize] vt io.dized ; io.diz.ing (1841): to treat with
          iodine or an iodide <iodized salt>

   iodoform
          [io.do.form] n [ISV iod- + -form (as in chloroform)] (1838):
          a yellow crystalline volatile compound with a penetrating
          persistent odor that is used as an antiseptic dressing

   iodophor
          [io.do.phor] n [iod- + Gk -phoros carrier--more at -phore]
          (1952): a complex of iodine and a surface-active agent
          that releases iodine gradually and serves as a disinfectant

   iodopsin
          [io.dop.sin] n [iod- (fr. Gk ioeides violet colored) + Gk
          opsis sight, vision + E -in--more at optic] (1938): a
          photosensitive violet pigment in the retinal cones that
          is similar to rhodopsin but more labile, is formed from
          vitamin A, and is important in daylight vision

   IOM
          [IOM] abbreviation Isle of Man

   io moth
          [io moth] n [L Io] (1870): a chiefly No. American saturniid
          moth (Automeris io) having a large circular eyelike spot
          on the upper surface of each hind wing and a larva with
          stinging spines

   Ion
          [Ion] abbreviation Ionic

   -ion
          [-ion] n suffix [ME -ioun, -ion, fr. OF -ion, fr. L -ion-,
          -io] 1 a: act or process <validation> b: result of an
          act or process <regulation> 2: state or condition <hydration>

   ion
          [ion] n [Gk, neut. of ion, prp. of ienai to go--more at issue]
          (ca. 1834) 1: an atom or group of atoms that carries
          a positive or negative electric charge as a result of
          having lost or gained one or more electrons 2: a charged
          subatomic particle (as a free electron)

   ion engine
          [ion engine] n (1958): a reaction engine deriving thrust
          from the ejection of a stream of ionized particles

   ion exchange
          [ion exchange] n (1923): a reversible interchange of one
          kind of ion present on an insoluble solid with another
          of like charge present in a solution surrounding the
          solid with the reaction being used esp. for softening
          or demineralizing water, the purification of chemicals,
          or the separation of substances -- ion exchanger n

   ion exchange resin
          [ion exchange resin] n (1943): an insoluble material of high
          molecular weight that contains groups which can be exchanged
          with ions in a solution with which it is in contact

   Ionian
          [Io.ni.an] n [Ionia, Asia Minor] (1550) 1: a member of any
          of the Greek peoples who settled on the islands of the
          Aegean Sea and the western shore of Asia Minor toward
          the end of the second millennium b.c. 2: a native or
          inhabitant of Ionia -- Ionian adj

   ionic
          [ion.ic] adj [ISV] (1890) 1: of, relating to, existing as,
          or characterized by ions <~ gases> <the ~ charge> 2:
          based on or functioning by means of ions <~ conduction>
          <an ~ lattice> -- ion.ic.i.ty n [1]Ion.ic adj [L & MF;
          MF ionique, fr. L ionicus, fr. Gk ionikos, fr. Ionia
          Ionia] (1585) 1: of or relating to the ancient Greek
          architectural order distinguished esp. by fluted columns
          on bases and scroll volutes in its capitals--see order
          illustration 2: of or relating to Ionia or the Ionians
          [2]Ionic n (1668): a dialect of ancient Greek spoken
          esp. in Ionia and the Cyclades

   ionic bond
          [ionic bond] n (1939): a chemical bond formed between oppositely
          charged species because of their mutual electrostatic
          attraction

   ionise
          [ion.ise] Brit var of ionize

   ionium
          [io.ni.um] n [ion; fr. its ionizing action] (1907): a natural
          radioactive isotope of thorium having a mass number of
          230

   ionization chamber
          [ionization chamber] n (1904): a partially evacuated tube
          provided with electrodes so that its conductivity due
          to the ionization of the residual gas reveals the presence
          of ionizing radiation

   ionize
          [ion.ize] vb ion.ized ; ion.iz.ing [ISV] vt (1898): to convert
          wholly or partly into ions ~ vi: to become ionized --
          ion.iz.able adj -- ion.i.za.tion n -- ion.iz.er n

   ionophore
          [ion.o.phore] n (ca. 1955): a compound that facilitates
          transmission of an ion (as of calcium) across a lipid barrier (as
          in a cell membrane) by combining with the ion or by increasing the
          permeability of the barrier to it

   ionosphere
          [ion.o.sphere] n (1926): the part of the earth's atmosphere
          in which ionization of atmospheric gases affects the
          propagation of radio waves, which extends from about
          30 miles (50 kilometers) to the exosphere, which is divided
          into regions of one or more layers whose altitudes and
          degrees of ionization vary with time of day, season,
          and solar cycle, and which is contiguous with the upper
          portion of the mesosphere and the thermosphere; also:
          a comparable region of charged particles surrounding
          another celestial body (as Venus) -- ion.o.spher.ic adj
          -- ion.o.spher.i.cal.ly adv

   iontophoresis
          [ion.to.pho.re.sis] n, pl -re.ses [NL, fr. ionto- ion (fr.
          Gk iont-, ion, prp. of ienai) + -phoresis] (1909): the
          introduction of an ionized substance (as a drug) through
          intact skin by the application of a direct electric current
          -- ion.to.pho.ret.ic adj -- ion.to.pho.ret.i.cal.ly adv

   IOOF
          [IOOF] abbreviation Independent Order of Odd Fellows

   IORM
          [IORM] abbreviation Improved Order of Red Men

   iota
          [io.ta] n [L, fr. Gk iota, of Sem origin; akin to Heb yodh
          yod] (1607) 1: the 9th letter of the Greek alphabet 2:
          an infinitesimal amount: jot

   IOU
          [IOU] n [fr. the pronunciation of I owe you] (1795) 1: a
          paper that has on it the letters IOU, a stated sum, and
          a signature and that is given as an acknowledgment of
          debt 2: debt, obligation

   -ious
          [-ious] adj suffix [ME, partly fr. OF -ious, -ieux, fr. L
          -iosus, fr. -i-, penultimate vowel of some noun stems
          + -osus -ous; partly fr. L -ius, adj. suffix]: -ous <edacious>

   IOW
          [IOW] abbreviation Isle of Wight

   ip...
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   IP
          [IP] abbreviation initial point, innings pitched, intermediate
          pressure

   IPA
          [IPA] abbreviation individual practice association

   IPA
          [IPA] n [International Phonetic Alphabet] (1933): an alphabet
          designed to represent each human speech sound with a
          unique symbol

   ipecac
          [ip.e.cac] or ipe.ca.cu.a.nha n [Pg ipecacuanha, fr. Tupi
          ipekaaguene] (1682) 1: the dried rhizome and roots of
          either of two tropical American plants (Cephaelis acuminata
          and C. ipecacuanha) of the madder family used esp. as
          a source of emetine; also: either of these plants 2:
          an emetic and expectorant drug that contains emetine
          and is prepared from ipecac esp. as a syrup for use in
          treating accidental poisoning

   Iphigenia
          [Iph.i.ge.nia] n [L, fr. Gk Iphigeneia]: a daughter of Agamemnon
          nearly sacrificed by him to Artemis but saved by her
          and made a priestess

   ipm
          [ipm] abbreviation inches per minute

   iproniazid
          [ipro.ni.a.zid] n [blend of isoniazid and propyl] (1952):
          a derivative of isoniazid that is used as a monoamine
          oxidase inhibitor and was formerly used in treating tuberculosis

   ips
          [ips] abbreviation inches per second

   ipse dixit
          [ip.se dix.it] n [L, he himself said it] (15c): an assertion
          made but not proved: dictum

   ipsilateral
          [ip.si.lat.er.al] adj [ISV, fr. L ipse self, himself + later-,
          latus side] (1907): situated or appearing on or affecting
          the same side of the body -- ip.si.lat.er.al.ly adv

   ipsissima verba
          [ip.sis.si.ma ver.ba] n pl [NL, lit., the selfsame words]
          (1807): the exact language used by someone quoted

   ipsissima verba
          [ip.sis.si.ma ver.ba] [L] foreign term : the very words

   ipso facto
          [ip.so fac.to] adv [NL, lit., by the fact itself] (1548):
          by that very fact or act: as an inevitable result

   IPTS
          [IPTS] abbreviation International Practical Temperature Scale

   iq...
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   iq
          [iq] [L idem quod] abbreviation the same as

   IQ
          [IQ] n (1920): intelligence quotient

   ir...
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   ir-
          [ir-] --see in-

   Ir
          [Ir] abbreviation iridium, Irish  IR abbreviation information
          retrieval, infrared, inland revenue, intelligence ratio,
          internal revenue

   IRA
          [IRA] abbreviation Irish Republican Army

   IRA
          [IRA] n, pl IRAs [individual retirement account] (1974):
          a savings account in which a person may deposit up to
          a stipulated amount each year with the deposits deductible
          from taxable income and both deposits and interest taxable
          after the person's retirement

   ira furor brevis est
          [ira fu.ror bre.vis est] [L] foreign term : anger is a brief
          madness

   Iranian
          [Ira.ni.an] n (1789) 1: a native or inhabitant of Iran 2:
          a branch of the Indo-European family of languages that
          includes Persian -- Iranian adj

   irascible
          [iras.ci.ble] adj [MF, fr. LL irascibilis, fr. L irasci to
          become angry, be angry, fr. ira] (ca. 1530): marked by
          hot temper and easily provoked anger -- iras.ci.bil.i.ty
          n -- iras.ci.ble.ness n -- iras.ci.bly adv

   irate
          [irate] adj (1838) 1: roused to ire <an ~ taxpayer> 2: arising
          from anger <~ words> -- irate.ly adv -- irate.ness n

   IRBM
          [IRBM] abbreviation intermediate range ballistic missile

   ire
          [ire] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L ira; perh. akin to Gk oistros
          gadfly, frenzy] (14c): intense and usu. openly displayed
          anger syn see anger -- ire vt -- ire.ful adj

   Ire
          [Ire] abbreviation Ireland

   irenic
          [ire.nic] adj [Gk eirenikos, fr. eirene peace] (ca. 1864):
          favoring, conducive to, or operating toward peace, moderation,
          or conciliation -- ire.ni.cal.ly adv

   irid
          [irid] abbreviation iridescent

   irid-
          [irid-] or iridocomb form 1 [L irid-, iris]: rainbow <iridescent>
          2 [NL irid-, iris]: iris of the eye <iridology>

   iridescence
          [ir.i.des.cence] n (1804) 1: a lustrous rainbowlike play
          of color caused by differential refraction of light waves
          (as from an oil slick, soap bubble, or fish scales) that
          tends to change as the angle of view changes 2: a lustrous
          or attractive quality or effect <the agglomeration of
          power which ... gives them a certain ~ of glamor and
          superiority --Margaret Landon>

   iridescent
          [ir.i.des.cent] adj (1791): having or exhibiting iridescence
          -- ir.i.des.cent.ly adv

   iridic
          [irid.ic] adj (ca. 1890): of or relating to the iris of the
          eye

   iridium
          [irid.i.um] n [NL, fr. L irid-, iris; fr. the colors produced
          by its dissolving in hydrochloric acid] (1804): a silver-white
          hard brittle very heavy metallic element

   iridology
          [ir.i.dol.o.gy] n, pl -gies (ca. 1923): the study of the
          iris of the eye for indications of bodily health and
          disease -- ir.i.dol.o.gist n

   iridosmine
          [ir.id.os.mine] n [G, fr. NL iridium + osmium] (1827): a
          mineral that is a native iridium osmium alloy usu. containing
          some rhodium and platinum

   [1]iris
          [iris] n, pl iris.es or iri.des [ME, fr. L irid-, iris rainbow,
          iris plant, fr. Gk, rainbow, iris plant, iris of the
          eye--more at wire] (15c) 1: rainbow 2 [NL irid-, iris,
          fr. Gk] a: the opaque contractile diaphragm perforated
          by the pupil and forming the colored portion of the eye--see
          eye illustration b: iris diaphragm; also: a similar device
          with a circular opening that can be varied in size 3
          or pl iris [NL Irid-, Iris, genus name, fr. L]: any of
          a large genus (Iris of the family Iridaceae, the iris
          family) of perennial herbaceous plants with linear usu.
          basal leaves and large showy flowers [2]iris vt (1816):
          to make iridescent Iris n [L, fr. Gk]: the Greek goddess
          of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods

   iris diaphragm
          [iris diaphragm] n (1867): an adjustable diaphragm of thin
          opaque plates that can be turned by a ring so as to change
          the diameter of a central opening usu. to regulate the
          aperture of a lens

   Irish
          [Irish] n [ME, fr. (assumed) OE Irisc, fr. Iras Irishmen,
          of Celt origin; akin to OIr Eriu Ireland] (13c) 1 pl
          in constr: natives or inhabitants of Ireland or their
          descendants esp. when of Celtic speech or culture 2 a:
          the Celtic language of Ireland esp. as used since the
          later medieval period b: English spoken by the Irish
          3: irish whiskey -- Irish adj

   Irish bull
          [Irish bull] n (1802): an incongruous statement (as "it was
          hereditary in his family to have no children")

   Irish coffee
          [Irish coffee] n (1950): hot sugared coffee and Irish whiskey
          topped with whipped cream

   Irish confetti
          [Irish confetti] n (1922): a rock or brick used as a missile

   Irish Gaelic
          [Irish Gaelic] n (1891): irish 2a

   Irishism
          [Irish.ism] n (1734) 1: a word, phrase, or expression
          characteristic of the Irish 2: irish bull

   Irish ly
          [Irish .ly] adv (1571): in a manner characteristic of the
          Irish

   Irish mail
          [Irish mail] n (1908): a 3- or 4-wheeled toy vehicle activated
          by a hand lever

   Irishman
          [Irish.man] n (13c) 1: a native or inhabitant of Ireland
          2: one that is of Irish descent

   Irish moss
          [Irish moss] n (1845) 1: the dried and bleached plants of
          a red alga (esp. Chondrus crispus) used as an agent for
          thickening or emulsifying or as a demulcent 2: a red
          alga that is a source of Irish moss--called also carrageen

   Irishness
          [Irish.ness] n (1804): the fact or quality of being Irish

   Irish potato
          [Irish potato] n (1664): potato 2b

   Irishry
          [Irish.ry] n, pl -ries (14c) 1: irish 1 2 a: Irish quality
          or character b: an Irish peculiarity or trait

   Irish setter
          [Irish setter] n (1866): any of a breed of bird dogs generally
          comparable to English setters but with a mahogany-red
          coat

   Irish stew
          [Irish stew] n (1814): a stew having as its principal ingredients
          meat (as lamb), potatoes, and onions in a thick gravy

   Irish terrier
          [Irish terrier] n (1857): any of a breed of active medium-sized
          terriers developed in Ireland and characterized by a
          dense close usu. reddish wiry coat

   Irish water spaniel
          [Irish water spaniel] n (1885): any of a breed of large retrievers
          characterized by a topknot, a heavy curly coat which is dark liver
          in color, and a short-haired tail

   Irish whiskey
          [Irish whiskey] n (1798): whiskey made in Ireland chiefly
          of barley

   Irish wolfhound
          [Irish wolfhound] n (1880): any of a breed of very tall heavily
          built hounds having a rough wiry coat

   Irishwoman
          [Irish.wom.an] n (15c): a woman born in Ireland or of Irish
          descent

   iritis
          [iri.tis] n [NL, irreg. fr. iris] (1818): inflammation of
          the iris of the eye

   [1]irk
          [irk] vt [ME] (15c): to make weary, irritated, or bored syn
          see annoy [2]irk n (ca. 1570) 1: the fact of being annoying
          2: a source of annoyance

   irksome
          [irk.some] adj (15c): tending to irk: tedious <an ~ task>
          -- irk.some.ly adv -- irk.some.ness n

   iroko
          [iro.ko] n [Yoruba iroko] (1890): a large tropical western
          African tree (Chlorophora excelsa) of the mulberry family
          having strong streaky insect-resistant wood which is
          often used as a teak substitute; also: this wood

   [1]iron
          [iron] n [ME, fr. OE isern, iren; akin to OHG isarn iron]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a heavy malleable ductile magnetic silver-white
          metallic element that readily rusts in moist air, occurs
          native in meteorites and combined in most igneous rocks,
          is the most used of metals, and is vital to biological
          processes 2: something made of iron: as a pl: shackles
          for the hands or legs b: a heated metal implement used
          for branding or cauterizing c: a household device usu.
          with a flat metal base that is heated to smooth, finish,
          or press (as cloth) d: stirrup--usu. used in pl. e: any
          of a series of numbered golf clubs having relatively
          thin metal heads--compare wood 3: great strength, hardness,
          or determination -- iron in the fire 1: a matter requiring
          close attention 2: a prospective course of action [2]iron
          adj (bef. 12c) 1: of, relating to, or made of iron 2:
          resembling iron 3 a: strong and healthy: robust b: inflexible,
          unrelenting <~ determination> c: holding or binding fast
          <an ~ grip> -- iron.ness n [3]iron vt (15c) 1: to furnish
          or cover with iron 2: to shackle with irons 3 a: to smooth
          with or as if with a heated iron <~ a shirt> b: to remove
          (as wrinkles) by ironing ~ vi: to smooth or press cloth
          or clothing with a heated iron

   Iron Age
          [Iron Age] n (1879): the period of human culture characterized
          by the smelting of iron and its use in industry beginning
          somewhat before 1000 b.c. in western Asia and Egypt

   ironbark
          [iron.bark] n (1799): any of several Australian eucalypti
          having hard gray bark and heavy hard durable wood used
          esp. in heavy construction; also: this wood

   ironbound
          [iron.bound] adj (14c): bound with or as if with iron: as
          a: harsh, rugged <~ coast> b: stern, rigorous <~ traditions>

   [1]ironclad
          [iron.clad] adj (ca. 1847) 1: sheathed in iron armor--used
          esp. of naval vessels 2: so firm or secure as to be unbreakable:
          as a: binding <an ~ oath> b: having no obvious weakness
          <an ~ case against the defendant> [2]iron.clad n (1862):
          an armored naval vessel esp. of the mid to late nineteenth
          century

   iron curtain
          [iron curtain] n (1819) 1: an impenetrable barrier <the iron
          curtain between the ego and the unconscious --C. J. Rolo>
          2: a political, military, and ideological barrier that
          cuts off and isolates an area; specif, often cap: one
          isolating an area under Soviet control

   ironer
          [iron.er] n (1773): one that irons; specif: mangle

   ironfisted
          [iron.fisted] adj (1599) 1: stingy, miserly 2: being both
          harsh and ruthless <~ methods>

   iron gray
          [iron gray] n (bef. 12c): a slightly greenish dark gray

   iron hand
          [iron hand] n (1703): stern or rigorous control <ruled with
          an iron hand> -- iron.hand.ed adj

   ironhearted
          [iron.heart.ed] adj (1600): cruel, hard-hearted

   iron horse
          [iron horse] n (1840): locomotive 1; esp: a steam locomotive

   ironic
          [iron.ic] or iron.i.cal adj (1576) 1: relating to, containing,
          or constituting irony 2: given to irony syn see sarcastic
          -- iron.i.cal.ness n

   ironically
          [iron.i.cal.ly] adv (1576) 1: in an ironic manner 2: it is
          ironic, curious, or surprising

   ironing
          [iron.ing] n (ca. 1710) 1: the action or process of smoothing
          or pressing with or as if with a heated iron 2: clothes
          ironed or to be ironed

   ironing board
          [ironing board] n (1843): a flat padded cloth-covered surface
          on which clothes are ironed

   ironist
          [iro.nist] n (1727): one who uses irony esp. in the development
          of a literary work or theme

   ironize
          [iro.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vt (1602): to make ironic
          in appearance or effect ~ vi: to use irony: speak or
          behave ironically

   iron lung
          [iron lung] n (1932): a device for artificial respiration
          in which rhythmic alternations in the air pressure in
          a chamber surrounding a patient's chest force air into
          and out of the lungs

   iron maiden
          [iron maiden] n (ca. 1895): a supposed medieval torture device
          consisting of a hollow iron statue or coffin in the shape
          of a woman that is lined with spikes which impale the
          enclosed victim

   iron man
          [iron man] n (1914): a man of unusual physical endurance

   ironmaster
          [iron.mas.ter] n (1674): a manufacturer of iron

   ironmonger
          [iron.mon.ger] n (14c) Brit: a dealer in iron and hardware

   ironmongery
          [iron.mon.gery] n (1711): something made of metal; esp, Brit:
          hardware 1

   iron out
          [iron out] vt (1870) 1: to make smooth or flat by or as if
          by pressing 2: to resolve or work out a solution to <ironed
          out their differences>

   iron oxide
          [iron oxide] n (1885): any of several oxides of iron: as
          a: ferric oxide b: ferrous oxide

   iron pyrites
          [iron pyrites] n (ca. 1817): pyrite--called also iron pyrite

   iron ration
          [iron ration] n (1876): an emergency ration

   ironside
          [iron.side] n (13c): a man of great strength or bravery

   ironstone
          [iron.stone] n (1522) 1: a hard sedimentary rock rich in
          iron; esp: a siderite in a coal region 2: ironstone china

   ironstone china
          [ironstone china] n (1825): a hard heavy durable white pottery
          developed in England early in the 19th century

   iron sulfide
          [iron sulfide] n (1885): any of several sulfides of iron

   ironware
          [iron.ware] n (15c): articles made of iron

   ironweed
          [iron.weed] n (1819): any of several mostly weedy American
          composite plants (genus Vernonia) usu. having alternate
          leaves and perfect red, purple, or white tubular flowers
          in terminal cymose heads

   ironwood
          [iron.wood] n (1657) 1: any of numerous trees and shrubs
          (as a hornbeam or hop hornbeam) with exceptionally tough
          or hard wood 2: the wood of an ironwood

   ironwork
          [iron.work] n (15c) 1: work in iron; also: something made
          of iron 2 pl but sing or pl in constr: a mill or building
          where iron or steel is smelted or heavy iron or steel
          products are made -- iron.work.er n

   irony
          [iro.ny] n, pl -nies [L ironia, fr. Gk eironia, fr. eiron
          dissembler] (1502) 1: a pretense of ignorance and of
          willingness to learn from another assumed in order to
          make the other's false conceptions conspicuous by adroit
          questioning--called also Socratic irony 2 a: the use
          of words to express something other than and esp. the
          opposite of the literal meaning b: a usu. humorous or
          sardonic literary style or form characterized by irony
          c: an ironic expression or utterance 3 a (1): incongruity
          between the actual result of a sequence of events and
          the normal or expected result (2): an event or result
          marked by such incongruity b: incongruity between a situation
          developed in a drama and the accompanying words or actions
          that is understood by the audience but not by the characters
          in the play--called also dramatic irony, tragic irony
          syn see wit

   Iroquoian
          [Ir.o.quoi.an] n (1697) 1: a member of any of the peoples
          constituting the Iroquois 2: an American Indian language
          family of eastern No. America including Cayuga, Cherokee,
          Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca, and Tuscarora -- Iroquoian
          adj

   Iroquois
          [Ir.o.quois] n, pl Iroquois [F, prob. of Algonquian origin]
          (1666) 1 pl: an American Indian confederacy orig. of
          New York consisting of the Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga,
          and Seneca and later including the Tuscarora 2: a member
          of any of the Iroquois peoples

   irradiance
          [ir.ra.di.ance] n (1667) 1: radiance 1 2: the density of
          radiation incident on a given surface usu. expressed
          in watts per square centimeter or square meter

   irradiate
          [ir.ra.di.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L irradiatus, pp. of
          irradiare, fr. in- + radius ray] vt (1603) 1 a: to cast
          rays of light upon: illuminate b: to enlighten intellectually
          or spiritually c: to affect or treat by radiant energy
          (as heat); specif: to treat by exposure to radiation
          2: to emit like rays of light: radiate <irradiating strength
          and comfort> ~ vi, archaic: to emit rays: shine -- ir.ra.di.a.tive
          adj -- ir.ra.di.a.tor n

   irradiation
          [ir.ra.di.a.tion] n (1901) 1: exposure to radiation (as X
          rays or alpha particles) 2: application of radiation
          (as X rays or ultraviolet light) esp. for therapeutic
          purposes

   irradicable
          [ir.rad.i.ca.ble] adj [ML irradicabilis, fr. L in- + radic-,
          radix root--more at root] (1728): impossible to eradicate:
          deep-rooted -- ir.rad.i.ca.bly adv

   [1]irrational
          [ir.ra.tio.nal] adj [ME, fr. L irrationalis, fr. in- + rationalis
          rational] (14c): not rational: as a (1): not endowed
          with reason or understanding (2): lacking usual or normal
          mental clarity or coherence b: not governed by or according
          to reason <~ fears> c Greek & Latin prosody (1) of a
          syllable: having a quantity other than that required
          by the meter (2) of a foot: containing such a syllable
          d (1): being an irrational number <an ~ root of an equation>
          (2): having a numerical value that is an irrational number
          <a length that is ~> -- ir.ra.tio.nal.i.ty n -- ir.ra.tio.nal.ly
          adv [2]irrational n (1646) 1: an irrational being 2:
          irrational number

   irrationalism
          [ir.ra.tio.nal.ism] n (1811) 1: a system emphasizing intuition,
          instinct, feeling, or faith rather than reason or holding
          that the universe is governed by irrational forces 2:
          the quality or state of being irrational -- ir.ra.tio.nal.ist
          n or adj -- ir.ra.tio.nal.is.tic adj

   irrational number
          [irrational number] n (1551): a number that can be expressed
          as an infinite decimal with no set of consecutive digits
          repeating itself indefinitely and that cannot be expressed
          as the quotient of two integers

   irreal
          [ir.re.al] adj (1944): not real

   irreality
          [ir.re.al.i.ty] n (1803): unreality

   irreclaimable
          [ir.re.claim.able] adj (1662): incapable of being reclaimed
          -- ir.re.claim.ably adv

   [1]irreconcilable
          [ir.rec.on.cil.able] adj (1599): impossible to reconcile
          -- ir.rec.on.cil.abil.i.ty n -- ir.rec.on.cil.able.ness
          n -- ir.rec.on.cil.ably adv [2]irreconcilable n (1748):
          one that is irreconcilable; esp: a member of a group
          (as a political party) opposing compromise or collaboration

   irrecoverable
          [ir.re.cov.er.able] adj (15c): not capable of being recovered
          or rectified: irreparable -- ir.re.cov.er.able.ness n
          -- ir.re.cov.er.ably adv

   irrecusable
          [ir.re.cu.sa.ble] adj [LL irrecusabilis, fr. L in- + recusare
          to reject, refuse--more at recusant] (1776): not subject
          to exception or rejection -- ir.re.cu.sa.bly adv

   irred
          [irred] abbreviation irredeemable

   irredeemable
          [ir.re.deem.able] adj (1609) 1: not redeemable: as a: not
          terminable by payment of the principal <~ bond> b: inconvertible
          a 2: being beyond remedy: hopeless <~ mistakes> -- ir.re.deem.ably
          adv

   irredenta
          [ir.re.den.ta] n [It Italia irredenta, lit., unredeemed Italy,
          Italian-speaking territory not incorporated in Italy]
          (1914): a territory historically or ethnically related
          to one political unit but under the political control
          of another

   irredentism
          [ir.re.den.tism] n (1883): a political principle or policy
          directed toward the incorporation of irredentas within
          the boundaries of their historically or ethnically related
          political unit -- ir.re.den.tist n or adj

   irreducible
          [ir.re.duc.ible] adj (1633): impossible to transform into
          or restore to a desired or simpler condition <an ~ matrix>;
          specif: incapable of being factored into polynomials
          of lower degree with coefficients in some given field
          (as the rational numbers) or integral domain (as the
          integers) <an ~ equation> -- ir.re.duc.ibil.i.ty n --
          ir.re.duc.ibly adv

   irreflexive
          [ir.re.flex.ive] adj (ca. 1890): being a relation for which
          the reflexive property does not hold for any element
          of a given set

   irreformable
          [ir.re.form.able] adj (1609) 1: incapable of being reformed:
          incorrigible 2: not subject to revision or alteration
          <~ dogma> -- ir.re.form.abil.i.ty n

   irrefragable
          [ir.re.fra.ga.ble] adj [LL irrefragabilis, fr. L in- + refragari
          to oppose, fr. re- + -fragari (as in suffragari to vote
          for); akin to L suffragium suffrage] (1533) 1: impossible
          to refute <~ arguments> 2: impossible to break or alter
          <~ rules> -- ir.re.fra.ga.bil.i.ty n -- ir.ref.ra.ga.bly
          adv

   irrefutable
          [ir.re.fut.able] adj [LL irrefutabilis, fr. L in- + refutare
          to refute] (1620): impossible to refute: incontrovertible
          <~ proof> -- ir.re.fut.abil.i.ty n -- ir.re.fut.ably
          adv

   irreg
          [irreg] abbreviation irregular

   irregardless
          [ir.re.gard.less] adv [prob. blend of irrespective and regardless]
          (ca. 1912) nonstand: regardless usage Irregardless originated
          in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly
          widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage
          commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark
          about it is that "there is no such word." There is such a word,
          however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can
          be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not
          risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general
          acceptance. Use regardless instead.

   [1]irregular
          [ir.reg.u.lar] adj [ME irreguler, fr. MF, fr. LL irregularis
          not in accordance with rule, fr. L in- + regularis regular]
          (14c) 1 a: not being or acting in accord with laws, rules,
          or established custom <~ conduct> b: not conforming to
          the usual pattern of inflection <~ verbs>; specif: strong
          16 c: not following a usual or prescribed procedure;
          esp, Brit: celebrated without either proclamation of
          the banns or publication of intention to marry <~ marriage>
          2: not belonging to or a part of a regular organized
          group; specif: not belonging to a regular army but raised
          for a special purpose <~ troops> 3 a: lacking perfect
          symmetry or evenness <an ~ coastline> b: zygomorphic
          <~ flowers> 4: lacking continuity or regularity esp.
          of occurrence or activity <~ employment> -- ir.reg.u.lar.ly
          adv syn irregular, anomalous, unnatural mean not conforming
          to rule, law, or custom. irregular implies not conforming
          to a law or regulation imposed for the sake of uniformity
          in method, practice, or conduct <concerned about his
          irregular behavior>. anomalous implies not conforming
          to what might be expected because of the class or type
          to which it belongs or the laws that govern its existence
          <her drive made her an anomalous figure in a sleepy organization>.
          unnatural suggests what is contrary to nature or to principles
          or standards felt to be essential to the well-being of civilized
          society <prisoners treated with unnatural cruelty>. [2]irregular
          n (15c): one that is irregular: as a: a soldier who is not a member
          of a regular military force b pl: merchandise that has minor
          defects or that falls next below the manufacturer's standard for
          firsts

   irregularity
          [ir.reg.u.lar.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME irregularite, fr. MF
          irregularite, fr. ML irregularitat-, irregularitas, fr.
          LL irregularis] (14c) 1: something that is irregular
          (as improper or dishonest conduct) <alleged irregularities
          in the city government> 2: the quality or state of being
          irregular 3: constipation

   irrelative
          [ir.rel.a.tive] adj (1640): not relative: a: not related
          b: irrelevant -- ir.rel.a.tive.ly adv

   irrelevance
          [ir.rel.e.vance] n (1847) 1: the quality or state of being
          irrelevant 2: something irrelevant

   irrelevancy
          [ir.rel.e.van.cy] n, pl -cies (1592): irrelevance

   irrelevant
          [ir.rel.e.vant] adj (1786): not relevant: inapplicable <that
          statement is ~ to your argument> -- ir.rel.e.vant.ly
          adv

   irreligion
          [ir.re.li.gion] n [MF or LL; MF, fr. LL irreligion-, irreligio,
          fr. L in- + religion-, religio religion] (1598): the
          quality or state of being irreligious -- ir.re.li.gion.ist
          n

   irreligious
          [ir.re.li.gious] adj (15c) 1: neglectful of religion: lacking
          religious emotions, doctrines, or practices <so ~ that
          they exploit popular religion for professional purposes
          --G. B. Shaw> 2: indicating lack of religion -- ir.re.li.gious.ly
          adv

   irremeable
          [ir.re.me.able] adj [L irremeabilis, fr. in- + remeare to
          go back, fr. re- + meare to go--more at permeate] (1569):
          offering no possibility of return

   irremediable
          [ir.re.me.di.a.ble] adj [ME, fr. L irremediabilis, fr. in-
          + remediabilis remediable] (15c): not remediable; specif:
          incurable -- ir.re.me.di.a.ble.ness n -- ir.re.me.di.a.bly
          adv

   irremovable
          [ir.re.mov.able] adj (1598): not removable -- ir.re.mov.abil.i.ty
          n -- ir.re.mov.ably adv

   irreparable
          [ir.rep.a.ra.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L irreparabilis, fr.
          in- + reparabilis reparable] (15c): not reparable: irremediable
          <~ damage> -- ir.rep.a.ra.ble.ness n -- ir.rep.a.ra.bly adv

   irrepealable
          [ir.re.peal.able] adj (1633): not repealable --
          ir.re.peal.abil.i.ty n

   irreplaceable
          [ir.re.place.able] adj (1807): not replaceable --
          ir.re.place.abil.i.ty n -- ir.re.place.able.ness n --
          ir.re.place.ably adv

   irrepressible
          [ir.re.press.ible] adj (1811): impossible to repress, restrain,
          or control <~ curiosity> -- ir.re.press.ibil.i.ty n --
          ir.re.press.ibly adv

   irreproachable
          [ir.re.proach.able] adj (1634): not reproachable: blameless,
          impeccable <~ conduct> -- ir.re.proach.abil.i.ty n --
          ir.re.proach.able.ness n -- ir.re.proach.ably adv

   irreproducible
          [ir.re.pro.duc.ible] adj (1868): not reproducible --
          ir.re.pro.duc.ibil.i.ty n

   irresistible
          [ir.re.sist.ible] adj (1597): impossible to resist <an ~
          attraction> -- ir.re.sist.ibil.i.ty n -- ir.re.sist.ible.ness
          n -- ir.re.sist.ibly adv

   irresoluble
          [ir.re.sol.u.ble] adj [L irresolubilis, fr. in- + resolvere
          to resolve] (1666) 1 archaic: indissoluble 2: having
          or admitting of no solution or explanation

   irresolute
          [ir.res.o.lute] adj (1579): uncertain how to act or proceed:
          vacillating -- ir.res.o.lute.ly adv -- ir.res.o.lute.ness
          n -- ir.res.o.lu.tion n

   irresolvable
          [ir.re.solv.able] adj (1660): incapable of being resolved;
          also: not analyzable

   irrespective of
          [ir.re.spec.tive of] prep (1839): regardless of <free public
          schools open to all irrespective of race, color, or creed
          --J. B. Conant>

   [1]irresponsible
          [ir.re.spon.si.ble] adj (1648): not responsible: as a: not
          answerable to higher authority <an ~ dictatorship> b:
          said or done with no sense of responsibility <~ accusations>
          c: lacking a sense of responsibility d: unable esp. mentally
          or financially to bear responsibility -- ir.re.spon.si.bil.i.ty
          n -- ir.re.spon.si.ble.ness n -- ir.re.spon.si.bly adv
          [2]irresponsible n (1894): one that is irresponsible

   irresponsive
          [ir.re.spon.sive] adj (ca. 1846): not responsive; esp: not
          able, ready, or inclined to respond -- ir.re.spon.sive.ness
          n

   irretrievable
          [ir.re.triev.able] adj (1702): not retrievable: impossible
          to regain or recover -- ir.re.triev.abil.i.ty n -- ir.re.triev.ably
          adv

   irreverence
          [ir.rev.er.ence] n (14c) 1: lack of reverence 2: an irreverent
          act or utterance

   irreverent
          [ir.rev.er.ent] adj [ME, fr. L irreverent-, irreverens, fr.
          in- + reverent-, reverens reverent] (15c): lacking proper
          respect or seriousness; also: satiric -- ir.rev.er.ent.ly
          adv

   irreversible
          [ir.re.vers.ible] adj (1630): not reversible --
          ir.re.vers.ibil.i.ty n -- ir.re.vers.ibly adv

   irrevocable
          [ir.rev.o.ca.ble] adj [ME, fr. L irrevocabilis, fr. in- +
          revocabilis revocable] (14c): not possible to revoke:
          unalterable <an ~ decision> -- ir.rev.o.ca.bil.i.ty n
          -- ir.rev.o.ca.ble.ness n -- ir.rev.o.ca.bly adv

   irridenta
          [ir.ri.den.ta] var of irredenta

   irrigate
          [ir.ri.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L irrigatus, pp. of irrigare,
          fr. in- + rigare to water; perh. akin to OHG regan rain--more
          at rain] vt (1615) 1: wet, moisten: as a: to supply (as
          land) with water by artificial means b: to flush (a body
          part) with a stream of liquid (as in removing a foreign
          body or medicating) 2: to refresh as if by watering ~
          vi: to practice irrigation -- ir.ri.ga.tion n -- ir.ri.ga.tor
          n

   irritability
          [ir.ri.ta.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1755) 1: the property of
          protoplasm and of living organisms that permits them
          to react to stimuli 2: the quality or state of being
          irritable: as a: quick excitability to annoyance, impatience,
          or anger: petulance b: abnormal or excessive excitability
          of an organ or part of the body

   irritable
          [ir.ri.ta.ble] adj (1662): capable of being irritated: as
          a: easily exasperated or excited b: responsive to stimuli
          -- ir.ri.ta.ble.ness n -- ir.ri.ta.bly adv

   [1]irritant
          [ir.ri.tant] adj (1636): causing irritation; specif: tending
          to produce physical irritation [2]irritant n (1802):
          something that irritates or excites

   irritate
          [ir.ri.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L irritatus, pp. of irritare]
          vt (1598) 1: to provoke impatience, anger, or displeasure
          in: annoy 2: to induce irritability in or of ~ vi: to
          cause or induce displeasure or irritation -- ir.ri.tat.ing.ly
          adv syn irritate, exasperate, nettle, provoke, rile,
          peeve mean to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance.
          irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings
          that may range from mere impatience to rage <constant
          nagging that irritated me greatly>. exasperate suggests
          galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience
          <his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions>.
          nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging
          <your pompous attitude nettled several people>. provoke
          implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite
          to action <remarks made solely to provoke her>. rile
          implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation <the
          new work schedules riled the employees>. peeve suggests
          arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation
          <a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie>.

   irritated
          [irritated] adj (1595): subjected to irritation; esp: roughened,
          reddened, or inflamed by an irritant <~ eyes>

   irritation
          [ir.ri.ta.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act of irritating b: something
          that irritates c: the state of being irritated 2: a condition
          of irritability, soreness, roughness, or inflammation
          of a bodily part

   irritative
          [ir.ri.ta.tive] adj (1644) 1: serving to excite: irritating
          2: accompanied with or produced by irritation <~ coughing>

   irrotational
          [ir.ro.ta.tion.al] adj (1875) 1: not rotating or involving
          rotation <an ~ electric field> 2: free of vortices <~
          flow>

   irrupt
          [ir.rupt] vi [L irruptus, pp. of irrumpere, fr. in- + rumpere
          to break--more at reave] (1886) 1: to rush in forcibly
          or violently 2 of a natural population: to undergo a
          sudden upsurge in numbers esp. when natural ecological
          balances and checks are disturbed 3: erupt 1c <the crowd
          ~ed in a fervor of patriotism --Time> -- ir.rup.tion
          n

   irruptive
          [ir.rup.tive] adj (1593): irrupting or tending to irrupt
          -- ir.rup.tive.ly adv

   IRS
          [IRS] abbreviation Internal Revenue Service

   is...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   is
          [is] [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG ist is (fr. sin to be), L est
          (fr. esse to be), Gk esti (fr. einai to be)] pres 3d
          sing of be, dial pres 1st & 2d sing of be, substand pres
          pl of be

   is
          [is] abbreviation island, isle

   is-
          [is-] or iso- comb form [LL, fr. Gk, fr. isos equal] 1: equal:
          homogeneous: uniform <isentropic> 2: isomeric <isocyanate>
          3: for or from different individuals of the same species
          <isoagglutinin>

   Isa
          [Isa] or Is abbreviation Isaiah

   Isaac
          [Isaac] n [LL, fr. Heb Yishaq]: the son of Abraham and father
          of Jacob according to the account in Genesis

   Isaiah
          [Isa.iah] n [Heb Yesha'ayahu] 1: a major Hebrew prophet in
          Judah about 740 to 701 b.c. 2: a prophetic book of canonical
          Jewish and Christian Scripture

   Isaias
          [Isa.ias] n [LL, fr. Gk Esaias, fr. Heb Yesha'ayahu]: isaiah

   isallobar
          [is.al.lo.bar] n [ISV is- + all- + -bar (as in isobar)] (1909):
          an imaginary line or a line on a chart connecting the
          places of equal change of atmospheric pressure within
          a specified time -- is.al.lo.bar.ic adj

   ISBN
          [ISBN] abbreviation International Standard Book Number

   ISC
          [ISC] abbreviation interstate commerce

   ischaemia
          [is.chae.mia] chiefly Brit var of ischemia

   ischemia
          [is.che.mia] n [NL ischaemia, fr. ischaemus styptic, fr.
          Gk ischaimos, fr. ischein to restrain (akin to Gk echein
          to hold) + haima blood--more at scheme] (ca. 1860): localized
          tissue anemia due to obstruction of the inflow of arterial
          blood -- is.che.mic adj

   ischium
          [is.chi.um] n, pl is.chia [L, hip joint, fr. Gk ischion]
          (1646): the dorsal and posterior of the three principal
          bones composing either half of the pelvis -- is.chi.al
          adj

   -ise
          [-ise] vb suffix chiefly Brit: -ize

   isentropic
          [is.en.tro.pic] adj (1873): of or relating to equal or constant
          entropy; esp: taking place without change of entropy
          -- is.en.tro.pi.cal.ly adv

   Iseult
          [Iseult] n [OF Isolt, Iseut]: isolde

   -ish
          [-ish] adj suffix [ME, fr. OE -isc; akin to OHG -isc, -ish,
          Gk -iskos, dim. suffix] 1: of, relating to, or being--chiefly
          in adjectives indicating nationality or ethnic group
          <Finnish> 2 a: characteristic of <boyish> <Pollyannaish>
          b: inclined or liable to <bookish> <qualmish> 3 a: having
          a touch or trace of <purplish>: somewhat <darkish> b:
          having the approximate age of <fortyish>

   Ishmael
          [Ish.ma.el] n [Heb Yishma'el] 1: the outcast son of Abraham
          and Hagar according to the account in Genesis 2: a social
          outcast

   Ishmaelite
          [Ish.ma.el.ite] n (14c) 1: a descendant of Ishmael 2: ishmael
          2 -- Ish.ma.el.it.ish adj -- Ish.ma.el.it.ism n

   isinglass
          [isin.glass] n [prob. by folk etymology fr. obs. D huizenblas,
          fr. MD huusblase, fr. huus sturgeon + blase bladder]
          (1545) 1: a semitransparent whitish very pure gelatin
          prepared from the air bladders of fishes (as sturgeons)
          and used esp. as a clarifying agent and in jellies and
          glue 2: mica

   Isis
          [Isis] n [L Isid-, Isis, fr. Gk, fr. Egypt 'st]: an Egyptian
          nature goddess and wife and sister of Osiris

   isl
          [isl] abbreviation island

   Islam
          [Is.lam] n [Ar islam submission (to the will of God)] (1817)
          1: the religious faith of Muslims including belief in
          Allah as the sole deity and in Muhammad as his prophet
          2 a: the civilization erected upon Islamic faith b: the
          group of modern nations in which Islam is the dominant
          religion -- Is.lam.ic adj -- Is.lam.ics n pl but sing
          or pl in constr

   Islamic calendar
          [Islamic calendar] n (1974): a lunar calendar reckoned from
          the Hegira in a.d. 622 and organized in cycles of 30
          years

   Islamic era
          [Islamic era] n (1975): the era used in Muslim countries
          for numbering Islamic calendar years since the Hegira

   Islamism
          [Is.lam.ism] n (1747): the faith, doctrine, or cause of Islam
          -- Is.lam.ist n

   Islamize
          [Is.lam.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1846): to make Islamic;
          esp: to convert to Islam -- Is.lam.i.za.tion n

   [1]island
          [is.land] n [alter. (influenced by OF isle) of earlier iland,
          fr. ME, fr. OE igland (akin to ON eyland), fr. ig island
          (akin to OE ea river, L aqua water) + land land] (bef.
          12c) 1: a tract of land surrounded by water and smaller
          than a continent 2: something resembling an island esp.
          in its isolated or surrounded position: as a: a usu.
          raised area within a thoroughfare, parking lot, or driveway
          used esp. to separate or direct traffic b: a superstructure
          on the deck of a ship (as an aircraft carrier) c: a kitchen
          counter that is approachable from all sides 3: an isolated
          group or area; esp: an isolated ethnological group [2]island
          vt (1661) 1 a: to make into or as if into an island b:
          to dot with or as if with islands 2: isolate

   islander
          [is.land.er] n (ca. 1550): a native or inhabitant of an island

   island-hop
          [is.land-hop] vi (1944): to travel from island to island
          in a chain

   island universe
          [island universe] n (1867): a galaxy other than the Milky
          Way

   [1]isle
          [isle] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L insula] (13c): island; esp: islet
          [2]isle vt isled ; isl.ing (ca. 1576) 1: to make an isle
          of 2: to place on or as if on an isle

   islet
          [is.let] n (1538): a little island

   islet of Langerhans
          [islet of Lang.er.hans] [Paul Langerhans d. 1888 Ger. physician]
          (1896): any of the groups of small slightly granular
          endocrine cells that form anastomosing trabeculae among
          the tubules and alveoli of the pancreas and secrete insulin
          and glucagon--called also islet

   -ism
          [-ism] n suffix [ME -isme, fr. MF & L; MF, partly fr. L -isma
          (fr. Gk) & partly fr. L -ismus, fr. Gk -ismos; Gk -isma
          & -ismos, fr. verbs in -izein -ize] 1 a: act: practice:
          process <criticism> <plagiarism> b: manner of action
          or behavior characteristic of a (specified) person or
          thing <animalism> c: prejudice or discrimination on the
          basis of a (specified) attribute <racism> <sexism> 2
          a: state: condition: property <barbarianism> b: abnormal
          state or condition resulting from excess of a (specified)
          thing <alcoholism> or marked by resemblance to (such)
          a person or thing <mongolism> 3 a: doctrine: theory:
          cult <Buddhism> b: adherence to a system or a class of
          principles <stoicism> 4: characteristic or peculiar feature
          or trait <colloquialism>

   ism
          [ism] n [-ism] (1680): a distinctive doctrine, cause, or
          theory

   isn't
          [isn't] (1710): is not

   iso-
          [iso-] --see is-

   ISO
          [ISO] abbreviation International Organization for Standardization

   isoagglutinin
          [iso.ag.glu.ti.nin] n (ca. 1903): an agglutinin from one
          individual that is specific for a cell type (as of red
          blood cells) possessed by some individuals of the same
          species

   isoalloxazine
          [iso.al.lox.a.zine] n [is- + allantoic + oxalic + azine]
          (1936): a yellow solid that is the precursor of various
          flavins (as riboflavin)

   isoantibody
          [iso.an.ti.body] n (1919): alloantibody

   isoantigen
          [iso.an.ti.gen] n [ISV] (1936): alloantigen -- iso.an.ti.gen.ic
          adj

   isobar
          [iso.bar] n [ISV is- + -bar (fr. Gk baros weight); akin to
          Gk barys heavy--more at grieve] (ca. 1864) 1: an imaginary
          line or a line on a map or chart connecting or marking
          places on the surface of the earth where the height of
          the barometer reduced to sea level is the same either
          at a given time or for a certain period 2: one of two
          or more atoms or elements having the same atomic weights
          or mass numbers but different atomic numbers

   isobaric
          [iso.bar.ic] adj [ISV] (1878) 1: of or relating to an isobar
          2: characterized by constant or equal pressure <an ~
          process>

   isobutane
          [iso.bu.tane] n [ISV] (1876): a gaseous branched-chain hydrocarbon
          isomeric with normal butane that is used esp. as a fuel

   isobutylene
          [iso.bu.tyl.ene] n [ISV] (1872): a gaseous butylene used
          esp. in making butyl rubber and gasoline components

   isocaloric
          [iso.ca.lo.ric] adj (1922): having similar caloric values
          <~ diets>

   isocarboxazid
          [iso.car.box.az.id] n [is- + carb- + ox- + hydrazide] (1959):
          an antidepressant drug

   isochromosome
          [iso.chro.mo.some] n (1939): a chromosome produced by transverse
          splitting of the centromere so that both arms are derived
          from the dyad on one side of the centromere of the parental
          chromosome and each arm has identical genes arranged
          in the same order counting away from the centromere

   isochron
          [iso.chron] or iso.chrone n [ISV is- + -chron (fr. Gk chronos
          time)] (1881): an imaginary line or a line on a chart
          connecting points at which an event occurs simultaneously
          or which represents the same time or time difference

   isochronal
          [iso.chro.nal] adj [Gk isochronos, fr. is- + chronos time]
          (1680): uniform in time: having equal duration: recurring
          at regular intervals -- iso.chro.nal.ly adv -- iso.chro.nism
          n

   isochronous
          [iso.chro.nous] adj [Gk isochronos] (1706): isochronal --
          iso.chro.nous.ly adv

   isocitric acid
          [iso.cit.ric acid] n (1869): a crystalline isomer of citric
          acid that occurs esp. as an intermediate stage in the
          Krebs cycle

   isocyanate
          [iso.cy.a.nate] n [ISV] (1872): an ester of isomeric cyanic
          acid used esp. in plastics and adhesives

   isocyclic
          [iso.cy.clic] adj [ISV] (1900): having or being a ring composed
          of atoms of only one element; esp: carbocyclic

   isodiametric
          [iso.di.a.met.ric] adj [ISV] (ca. 1879): having equal diameters

   isodose
          [iso.dose] adj [ISV] (1922): of or relating to points or
          zones in a medium that receive equal doses of radiation

   isoelectric
          [iso.elec.tric] adj [ISV] (1877) 1: having or representing
          zero difference of electric potential 2: being the pH
          at which the electrolyte will not migrate in an electrical
          field <the ~ point of a protein>

   isoelectric focusing
          [isoelectric focusing] n (1971): an electrophoretic technique
          for separating proteins by causing them to migrate under
          the influence of an electric field through a medium (as
          a gel) having a pH gradient to locations with pH values
          corresponding to their isoelectric points

   isoelectronic
          [iso.elec.tron.ic] adj [ISV] (1926): having the same number
          of electrons or valence electrons -- iso.elec.tron.i.cal.ly
          adv

   isoenzyme
          [iso.en.zyme] n (1960): any of two or more chemically distinct
          but functionally similar enzymes -- iso.en.zy.mat.ic
          adj -- iso.en.zy.mic adj

   isogamete
          [iso.ga.mete] n [ISV] (1891): a gamete indistinguishable
          in form or size or behavior from another gamete with
          which it can unite to form a zygote -- iso.ga.met.ic
          adj

   isogamous
          [isog.a.mous] adj [prob. fr. (assumed) NL isogamus, fr. is-
          + -gamus -gamous] (1887): having or involving isogametes--compare
          heterogamous -- isog.a.my n

   isogeneic
          [iso.ge.ne.ic] adj [alter. of isogenic] (1963): syngeneic
          <an ~ graft>

   isogenic
          [iso.gen.ic] adj [is- + gene + [1]-ic] (ca. 1931): characterized
          by essentially identical genes <identical twins are ~>

   isogloss
          [iso.gloss] n [ISV is- + Gk glossa language--more at gloss]
          (1925) 1: a boundary line between places or regions that
          differ in a particular linguistic feature 2: a line on
          a map representing an isogloss -- iso.gloss.al adj --
          iso.gloss.ic adj

   isogonic
          [iso.gon.ic] adj [isogony, fr. is- + -gony] (1924): exhibiting
          equivalent relative growth of parts such that size relations
          remain constant -- isog.o.ny n

   isogonic line
          [isogonic line] n (ca. 1859): an imaginary line or a line
          on a map joining points on the earth's surface at which
          the magnetic declination is the same--called also isogonal

   isograft
          [iso.graft] n (1958): a homograft between genetically identical
          or nearly identical individuals -- isograft vt

   isogram
          [iso.gram] n (1889): isoline

   isohyet
          [iso.hy.et] n [ISV is- + Gk hyetos rain, fr. hyein to rain;
          prob. akin to Toch B swese rain] (1899): a line on a
          map or chart connecting areas of equal rainfall -- iso.hy.et.al
          adj

   isolable
          [iso.la.ble] also iso.lat.able adj (ca. 1855): capable of
          being isolated

   [1]isolate
          [iso.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [back-formation fr. isolated
          set apart, fr. F isole, fr. It isolato, fr. isola island,
          fr. L insula] (1807) 1: to set apart from others; also:
          quarantine 2: to select from among others; esp: to separate
          from another substance so as to obtain pure or in a free
          state 3: insulate -- iso.la.tor n [2]iso.late adj (1819):
          being alone: solitary, isolated [3]iso.late n (1890)
          1: a product of isolating: an individual, population,
          or kind obtained by or resulting from selection or separation
          2: an individual socially withdrawn or removed from society

   isolated
          [isolated] adj (1763) 1: occurring alone or once: unique
          2: sporadic

   isolation
          [iso.la.tion] n (1833): the action of isolating: the condition
          of being isolated syn see solitude

   isolationism
          [iso.la.tion.ism] n (1922): a policy of national isolation
          by abstention from alliances and other international
          political and economic relations -- iso.la.tion.ist n
          or adj

   Isolde
          [Isol.de] n [G, fr. OF Isolt, Iseut] 1: an Irish princess
          married to King Mark of Cornwall and loved by Tristram
          2: the daughter of the King of Brittany and wife of Tristram

   isoleucine
          [iso.leu.cine] n [ISV] (1903): a crystalline essential amino
          acid isomeric with leucine

   isoline
          [iso.line] n (1944): a line on a map or chart along which
          there is a constant value (as of temperature or rainfall)

   isoln
          [isoln] abbreviation isolation

   isomer
          [iso.mer] n [ISV, back-formation fr. isomeric] (1866) 1:
          one of two or more compounds, radicals, or ions that
          contain the same number of atoms of the same elements
          but differ in structural arrangement and properties 2:
          a nuclide isomeric with one or more others

   isomerase
          [isom.er.ase] n (1927): an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion
          of its substrate to an isomeric form

   isomeric
          [iso.mer.ic] adj [G isomerisch, fr. Gk isomeres equally divided,
          fr. is- + meros part--more at merit] (1838): of, relating
          to, or exhibiting isomerism

   isomerism
          [isom.er.ism] n (1839) 1: the relationship of two or more
          chemical species that are isomers 2: the relation of
          two or more nuclides with the same mass numbers and atomic
          numbers but different energy states and rates of radioactive
          decay

   isomerize
          [isom.er.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1891): to become changed
          into an isomeric form ~ vt: to cause to isomerize --
          isom.er.i.za.tion n

   isometric
          [iso.met.ric] adj (ca. 1855) 1: of, relating to, or characterized
          by equality of measure; esp: relating to or being
          a crystallographic system characterized by three equal axes
          at right angles 2: of, relating to, involving, or being muscular
          contraction (as in isometrics) against resistance, without
          significant shortening of muscle fibers, and with marked increase
          in muscle tone--compare isotonic -- iso.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   isometric line
          [isometric line] n (ca. 1911) 1: a line representing changes
          of pressure or temperature under conditions of constant
          volume 2: a line (as a contour line) drawn on a map and
          indicating a true constant value throughout its extent

   isometrics
          [iso.met.rics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1962): exercise
          or a system of exercises in which opposing muscles are
          so contracted that there is little shortening but great
          increase in tone of muscle fibers involved

   isometry
          [isom.e.try] n, pl -tries (1941): a mapping of a metric space
          onto another or onto itself so that the distance between
          any two points in the original space is the same as the
          distance between their images in the second space <rotation
          and translation are isometries of the plane>

   isomorphic
          [iso.mor.phic] adj (1862) 1 a: being of identical or similar
          form, shape, or structure <~ crystals> b: having sporophytic
          and gametophytic generations alike in size and shape
          2: related by an isomorphism <~ mathematical rings> --
          iso.mor.phi.cal.ly adv

   isomorphism
          [iso.mor.phism] n [ISV] (ca. 1828) 1: the quality or state
          of being isomorphic: as a: similarity in organisms of
          different ancestry resulting from convergence b: similarity
          of crystalline form between chemical compounds 2: a one-to-one
          correspondence between two mathematical sets; esp: a
          homomorphism that is one-to-one--compare endomorphism

   isomorphous
          [iso.mor.phous] adj (ca. 1828): isomorphic 1a -- iso.morph
          n

   isoniazid
          [iso.ni.a.zid] n [is- + nicotinic acid + hydrazide] (1952):
          a crystalline compound used in treating tuberculosis

   isooctane
          [iso.oc.tane] n [ISV] (1909): an octane of branched-chain
          structure or a mixture of such octanes; esp: a flammable
          liquid octane used in determining the octane number of
          fuels

   isopach
          [iso.pach] n [is- + -pach (fr. Gk pachys thick)--more at
          pachyderm] (ca. 1918): an isoline that connects points
          of equal thickness of a geological stratum formation
          or group of formations

   isophote
          [iso.phote] n [ISV is- + -phote (fr. Gk phot-, phos light)--more
          at fancy] (ca. 1909): a curve on a chart joining points
          of equal light intensity from a given source -- iso.phot.al
          adj

   isopiestic
          [iso.pi.es.tic] adj [is- + Gk piestos, verbal of piezein
          to press--more at piezo-] (1873): of, relating to, or
          marked by equal pressure

   isopleth
          [iso.pleth] n [ISV is- + Gk plethos quantity; akin to Gk
          plethein to be full--more at full] (1908) 1: an isoline
          on a graph showing the occurrence or frequency of a phenomenon
          as a function of two variables 2: a line on a map connecting
          points at which a given variable has a specified constant
          value -- iso.pleth.ic adj

   isopod
          [iso.pod] n [ultim. fr. Gk is- + pod-, pous foot--more at
          foot] (ca. 1835): any of a large order (Isopoda) of small
          sessile-eyed crustaceans with the body composed of seven
          free thoracic segments each bearing a pair of similar
          legs -- isopod adj

   isoprenaline
          [iso.pren.a.line] n [prob. fr. isopropyl + adrenaline] (1951):
          isoproterenol

   isoprene
          [iso.prene] n [prob. fr. is- + propyl + -ene] (1860): a flammable
          liquid unsaturated hydrocarbon used esp. in synthetic
          rubber

   isoprenoid
          [iso.pren.oid] adj (1940): relating to, containing, or being
          a branched-chain grouping characteristic of isoprene

   isopropyl
          [iso.pro.pyl] n, often attrib [ISV] (1866): the alkyl radical
          isomeric with normal propyl--often used in combination

   isopropyl alcohol
          [isopropyl alcohol] n (1872): a volatile flammable alcohol
          used esp. as a solvent and rubbing alcohol

   isoproterenol
          [iso.pro.ter.e.nol] n [isopropyl + arterenol norepinephrine,
          fr. Arterenol, a trademark] (1957): a drug used in the
          treatment of asthma

   isopycnic
          [iso.pyc.nic] adj [is- + Gk pyknos dense] (ca. 1890) 1: of,
          relating to, or marked by equal or constant density 2:
          being or produced by a technique (as centrifugation)
          in which the components of a mixture are separated on
          the basis of differences in density

   isosceles
          [isos.ce.les] adj [LL isosceles having two equal sides, fr.
          Gk isoskeles, fr. is- + skelos leg; perh. akin to OE
          sceol wry] (1551) 1 of a triangle: having two equal sides--see
          triangle illustration 2 of a trapezoid: having the two
          nonparallel sides equal

   isosmotic
          [is.os.mot.ic] adj [ISV] (1895): of, relating to, or exhibiting
          equal osmotic pressure <~ solutions> -- is.os.mot.i.cal.ly
          adv

   isospin
          [iso.spin] n (1961): a quantum characteristic of a group
          of closely related subatomic particles (as a proton and
          a neutron) handled mathematically like ordinary spin
          with the possible orientations in a hypothetical space
          specifying the number of particles of differing electric
          charge comprising the group--called also isotopic spin

   isostasy
          [isos.ta.sy] n [ISV is- + Gk -stasia condition of standing,
          fr. histanai to cause to stand--more at stand] (1889)
          1: general equilibrium in the earth's crust maintained
          by a yielding flow of rock material beneath the surface
          under gravitative stress 2: the quality or state of being
          subjected to equal pressure from every side -- iso.stat.ic
          adj -- iso.stat.i.cal.ly adv

   isotach
          [iso.tach] n [ISV is- + -tach (fr. Gk tachys quick)] (1947):
          a line on a map or chart connecting points of equal wind
          speed

   isotactic
          [iso.tac.tic] adj (1955): having or relating to a stereochemical
          regularity of structure in the repeating units of
          a polymer--compare atactic

   isotherm
          [iso.therm] n [F isotherme, adj.] (1859) 1: a line on a map
          or chart of the earth's surface connecting points having
          the same temperature at a given time or the same mean
          temperature for a given period 2: a line on a chart representing
          changes of volume or pressure under conditions of constant
          temperature

   isothermal
          [iso.ther.mal] adj [F isotherme, fr. is- + -therme (fr. Gk
          thermos hot)--more at therm] (1826) 1: of, relating to,
          or marked by equality of temperature 2: of, relating
          to, or marked by changes of volume or pressure under
          conditions of constant temperature -- iso.ther.mal.ly
          adv

   isotonic
          [iso.ton.ic] adj [ISV] (1891) 1: of, relating to, or being
          muscular contraction in the absence of significant resistance,
          with marked shortening of muscle fibers, and without
          great increase in muscle tone--compare isometric 2: isosmotic--used
          of solutions -- iso.ton.i.cal.ly adv -- iso.to.nic.i.ty n

   isotope
          [iso.tope] n [is- + Gk topos place] (1913) 1: any of two
          or more species of atoms of a chemical element with the
          same atomic number and nearly identical chemical behavior
          but with differing atomic mass or mass number and different
          physical properties 2: nuclide -- iso.to.pic adj --
          iso.to.pi.cal.ly adv

   isotopic spin
          [isotopic spin] n (1937): isospin

   isotropic
          [iso.tro.pic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1860): exhibiting properties
          (as velocity of light transmission) with the same values
          when measured along axes in all directions <an ~ crystal>
          -- isot.ro.py n

   isozyme
          [iso.zyme] n (1959): isoenzyme -- iso.zy.mic adj

   Isr
          [Isr] abbreviation Israel, Israeli

   Israel
          [Is.ra.el] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL, fr. Gk Israel, fr. Heb
          Yisra'el] 1: jacob 2 2: the Jewish people 3: a people
          chosen by God -- Israel adj

   [1]Israeli
          [Is.rae.li] adj [NHeb yisre'eli, fr. Heb, Israelite, n. &
          adj., fr. Yisra'el] (1948): of or relating to the people
          or the republic of Israel [2]Israeli n, pl Israelis also
          Israeli (1948): a native or inhabitant of the republic
          of Israel

   [1]Israelite
          [Is.ra.el.ite] n [ME, fr. LL Israelita, fr. Gk Israelites,
          fr. Israel] (14c): a descendant of the Hebrew patriarch
          Jacob; specif: a native or inhabitant of the ancient
          northern kingdom of Israel [2]Israelite adj (1851): of
          or relating to Israel or to the Israelites

   Issachar
          [Is.sa.char] n [LL, fr. Gk, fr. Heb Yissakhar]: a son of
          Jacob and the traditional eponymous ancestor of one of
          the tribes of Israel

   issei
          [is.sei] n, pl issei often cap [Jp, lit., first generation]
          (1937): a Japanese immigrant esp. to the U.S.

   ISSN
          [ISSN] abbreviation International Standard Serial Number

   issuable
          [is.su.able] adj (ca. 1570) 1: open to contest, debate, or
          litigation 2: authorized for issue <bonds ~ under the
          merger terms> 3: possible as a result or consequence
          -- is.su.ably adv

   issuance
          [is.su.ance] n (1863): issue 2, 9a

   issuant
          [is.su.ant] adj (1610) 1 of a heraldic animal: rising with
          only the upper part visible 2 archaic: coming forth:
          emerging

   [1]issue
          [is.sue] n [ME, exit, proceeds, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. issir
          to come out, go out, fr. L exire to go out, fr. ex- +
          ire to go; akin to Goth iddja he went, Gk ienai to go,
          Skt eti he goes] (14c) 1 pl: proceeds from a source of
          revenue (as an estate) 2: the action of going, coming,
          or flowing out: egress, emergence 3: a means or place
          of going out: exit, outlet 4: offspring, progeny <died
          without ~> 5 a: a final outcome that usu. constitutes
          a solution (as of a problem) or resolution (as of a difficulty)
          b obs: a final conclusion or decision about something
          arrived at after consideration c archaic: termination,
          end <hope that his enterprise would have a prosperous
          ~ --T. B. Macaulay> 6 a: a matter that is in dispute
          between two or more parties b: the point at which an
          unsettled matter is ready for a decision <brought the
          matter to an ~> 7: a discharge (as of blood) from the
          body 8 a: something coming forth from a specified source
          <~s of a disordered imagination> b obs: deed 9 a: the
          act of publishing or officially giving out or making
          available <the next ~ of commemorative stamps> <~ of
          supplies by the quartermaster> b: the thing or the whole
          quantity of things given out at one time <read the latest
          ~> -- is.sue.less adj -- at issue 1: in a state of controversy:
          in disagreement 2 also in issue : under discussion or
          in dispute [2]issue vb is.sued ; is.su.ing vi (14c) 1
          a: to go, come, or flow out b: to come forth: emerge
          c: to come to an issue of law or fact in pleading 2:
          accrue <profits issuing from the sale of the stock> 3:
          to descend from a specified parent or ancestor 4: to
          be a consequence or final outcome: emanate, result 5:
          to appear or become available through being officially
          put forth or distributed 6: eventuate, terminate ~ vt
          1: to cause to come forth: discharge, emit 2 a: to put
          forth or distribute usu. officially <government issued
          a new airmail stamp> <~ orders> b: to send out for sale
          or circulation: publish c Brit: provide 2b, supply syn
          see spring -- is.su.er n

   [1]-ist
          [-ist] n suffix [ME -iste, fr. OF & L; OF -iste, fr. L -ista,
          -istes, fr. Gk -istes, fr. verbs in -izein -ize] 1 a:
          one that performs a (specified) action <cyclist>: one
          that makes or produces a (specified) thing <novelist>
          b: one that plays a (specified) musical instrument <harpist>
          c: one that operates a (specified) mechanical instrument
          or contrivance <automobilist> 2: one that specializes
          in a (specified) art or science or skill <geologist>
          <ventriloquist> 3: one that adheres to or advocates a
          (specified) doctrine or system or code of behavior <socialist>
          <royalist> <hedonist> or that of a (specified) individual
          <Calvinist> <Darwinist> [2]-ist adj suffix: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of <elitist>

   isth
          [isth] abbreviation isthmus

   [1]isthmian
          [isth.mi.an] n (1601) 1: a native or inhabitant of an isthmus
          2 cap: a native or inhabitant of the Isthmus of Panama
          [2]isthmian adj (1603): of, relating to, or situated
          in or near an isthmus: as a often cap: of or relating
          to the Isthmus of Corinth in Greece or the games held
          there in ancient times b often cap: of or relating to
          the Isthmus of Panama connecting the No. American and
          So. American continents

   isthmic
          [isth.mic] adj (1585): of or relating to an anatomical isthmus

   isthmus
          [isth.mus] n [L, fr. Gk isthmos] (1555) 1: a narrow strip
          of land connecting two larger land areas 2: a narrow
          anatomical part or passage connecting two larger structures
          or cavities

   istle
          [is.tle] n [AmerSp ixtle, fr. Nahuatl ichtli] (1883): a strong
          fiber (as for cordage or basketwork) from various tropical
          American plants (as of the genus Agave)

   ISV
          [ISV] abbreviation International Scientific Vocabulary

   it...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]it
          [it] pron [ME, fr. OE hit--more at he] (bef. 12c) 1: that
          one--used as subject or direct object or indirect object
          of a verb or object of a preposition usu. in reference
          to a lifeless thing <took a quick look at the house and
          noticed ~ was very old>, a plant <there is a rosebush
          near the fence and ~ is now blooming>, a person or animal
          whose sex is unknown or disregarded <don't know who ~
          is>, a group of individuals or things, or an abstract
          entity <beauty is everywhere and ~ is a source of joy>--compare
          he, its, she, they 2--used as subject of an impersonal
          verb that expresses a condition or action without reference
          to an agent <~ is raining> 3 a--used as anticipatory
          subject or object of a verb <~ is necessary to repeat
          the whole thing>--often used to shift emphasis to a part
          of a statement other than the subject <~ was in this
          city that the treaty was signed> b--used with many verbs
          as a direct object with little or no meaning <footed
          ~ back to camp> 4--used to refer to an explicit or implicit
          state of affairs or circumstances <how is ~ going> 5:
          a crucial or climactic point <this is ~> [2]it n (1842):
          the player in a game who performs the principal action
          of the game (as trying to find others in hide-and-seek)

   It
          [It] abbreviation Italian, Italy

   itaconic acid
          [it.a.con.ic acid] n [ISV, anagram of aconitic acid, fr.
          aconite] (ca. 1872): a crystalline dicarboxylic acid
          obtained usu. by fermentation of sugars with molds (genus
          Aspergillus) and used as a monomer for polymers and polyesters

   ital
          [ital] abbreviation italic, italicized  Ital abbreviation
          Italian

   [1]Italian
          [Ital.ian] n (14c) 1 a: a native or inhabitant of Italy b:
          a person of Italian descent 2: the Romance language of
          the Italians [2]Italian adj (15c): of, relating to, or
          characteristic of Italy, the Italians, or Italian

   italianate
          [ital.ian.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing often cap (1553): italianize
          Ital.ian.ate adj (1572): Italian in quality or characteristics

   Italian dressing
          [Italian dressing] n (ca. 1902): a salad dressing flavored
          esp. with garlic and oregano

   Italian greyhound
          [Italian greyhound] n (1743): any of a breed of toy dogs
          resembling the standard greyhound in miniature

   italianise
          [ital.ian.ise] often cap Brit var of italianize

   Italianism
          [Ital.ian.ism] n (1594) 1 a: a quality characteristic of
          Italy or the Italian people b: a characteristic feature
          of Italian occurring in another language 2 a: specialized
          interest in or emulation of Italian qualities or achievements
          b: promotion or love of Italian policies or ideals

   italianize
          [ital.ian.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing often cap vi (ca. 1611):
          to act Italian; specif: to follow the style or technique
          of recognized Italian painters ~ vt: to make Italian
          (as in appearance or behavior) -- Ital.ian.i.za.tion
          n

   Italian sandwich
          [Italian sandwich] n (ca. 1953): submarine 2

   Italian sonnet
          [Italian sonnet] n (1879): a sonnet consisting of an octave
          rhyming abba abba and a sestet rhyming in any of various
          patterns (as cde cde or cdc dcd)--called also Petrarchan
          sonnet

   [1]italic
          [ital.ic] adj (1612) 1 a: of or relating to a type style
          with characters that slant upward to the right (as in
          "these words are italic")--compare roman b: of or relating
          to a style of slanted cursive handwriting developed in
          the 15th and 16th centuries 2 cap: of or relating to
          ancient Italy, its peoples, or their Indo-European languages
          [2]italic n (1676) 1: an italic character or type 2 cap:
          a branch of the Indo-European language family that includes
          Latin, Oscan, and Umbrian

   italicise
          [ital.i.cise] Brit var of italicize

   italicize
          [ital.i.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing (1795) 1: to print in
          italics or underscore with a single line 2: emphasize
          <the microphone ~s every curdled top note --P. G. Davis>
          -- ital.i.ci.za.tion n

   Italo-
          [Ita.lo-] comb form 1: Italian <Italophile> 2: Italian and
          <Italo-Austrian>

   Italophile
          [Ita.lo.phile] adj (ca. 1902): friendly to or favoring what
          is Italian -- Italophile n

   [1]itch
          [itch] vb [ME icchen, fr. OE giccan; akin to OHG jucchen
          to itch] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to have an itch <her arm
          ~ed> b: to produce an itchy sensation <long underwear
          that ~es> 2: to have a restless desire or hankering for
          something <were ~ing to go outside> ~ vt 1: to cause
          to itch 2: vex, irritate [2]itch n (bef. 12c) 1 a: an
          uneasy irritating sensation in the upper surface of the
          skin usu. held to result from mild stimulation of pain
          receptors b: a skin disorder accompanied by such a sensation;
          esp: a contagious eruption caused by a mite (Sarcoptes
          scabiei) that burrows in the skin and causes intense
          itching 2 a: a restless usu. constant often compulsive
          desire <an ~ to travel> b: lust, prurience -- itch.i.ness
          n -- itchy adj

   it'd
          [it'd] (1859): it had: it would

   [1]-ite
          [-ite] n suffix [ME, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L -ita, -ites, fr.
          Gk -ites] 1 a: native: resident <Brooklynite> b: descendant
          <Ephraimite> c: adherent: follower <Jacobite> <Puseyite>
          2 a (1): product <metabolite> (2): commercially manufactured
          product <ebonite> b: -itol <mannite> 3 [NL -ites, fr.
          L]: fossil <ammonite> 4: mineral <erythrite>: rock <anorthosite>
          5 [F, fr. L -ita, -ites]: segment or constituent part
          of a body or of a bodily part <somite> <dendrite> [2]-ite
          n suffix [F, alter. of -ate -ate, fr. NL -atum]: salt
          or ester of an acid with a name ending in -ous <nitrite>

   [1]item
          [item] adv [ME, fr. L, fr. ita thus] (14c): and in addition:
          also--used to introduce each article in a list or enumeration
          [2]item n (1571) 1 obs: warning, hint 2: a distinct part
          in an enumeration, account, or series: article 3: an
          object of attention, concern, or interest 4: a separate
          piece of news or information 5: a couple in a romantic
          or sexual relationship syn item, detail, particular mean
          one of the distinct parts of a whole. item applies to
          each thing specified separately in a list or in a group
          of things that might be listed or enumerated <every item
          on the list>. detail applies to one of the small component
          parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting,
          narration, or process <leave the details to others>.
          particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and esp.
          the concreteness of a detail or item <a description that
          included few particulars>. [3]item vt (1601) 1 archaic:
          compute, reckon 2 archaic: to set down the particular
          details of

   itemise
          [item.ise] Brit var of itemize

   itemization
          [item.i.za.tion] n (1894): the act of itemizing; also: an
          itemized list

   itemize
          [item.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1857): to set down in detail
          or by particulars: list <itemized all expenses>

   iterance
          [it.er.ance] n (1604): repetition

   iterant
          [it.er.ant] adj (1626): marked by repetition, reiteration,
          or recurrence <~ echoes>

   iterate
          [it.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L iteratus, pp. of iterare,
          fr. iterum again; akin to L is he, that, ita thus, Skt
          itara the other, iti thus] (1533): to say or do again
          or again and again: reiterate

   iteration
          [it.er.a.tion] n (15c) 1: the action or a process of iterating
          or repeating: as a: a procedure in which repetition of
          a sequence of operations yields results successively
          closer to a desired result b: the repetition of a sequence
          of computer instructions a specified number of times
          or until a condition is met--compare recursion 2: one
          execution of a sequence of operations or instructions
          in an iteration

   iterative
          [it.er.a.tive] adj (15c): involving repetition: as a: expressing
          repetition of a verbal action b: relating to or being
          iteration of an operation or procedure -- it.er.a.tive.ly
          adv

   ithyphallic
          [ithy.phal.lic] adj [LL ithyphallicus, fr. Gk ithyphallikos,
          fr. ithyphallos erect phallus, fr. ithys straight + phallos
          phallus] (1795) 1: of or relating to the phallus carried
          in procession in ancient festivals of Bacchus 2 a: having
          an erect penis--usu. used of figures in an art representation
          b: obscene, lewd

   itinerancy
          [itin.er.an.cy] n (1789) 1: a system (as in the Methodist
          Church) of rotating ministers who itinerate 2 a: the
          act of itinerating b: the state of being itinerant

   itinerant
          [itin.er.ant] adj [LL itinerant-, itinerans, prp. of itinerari
          to journey, fr. L itiner-, iter journey, way; akin to
          Hitt itar way, L ire to go--more at issue] (ca. 1576):
          traveling from place to place; esp: covering a circuit
          <~ preacher> -- itinerant n -- itin.er.ant.ly adv

   itinerary
          [itin.er.ary] n, pl -ar.ies (15c) 1: the route of a journey
          or tour or the proposed outline of one 2: a travel diary
          3: a traveler's guidebook -- itinerary adj

   itinerate
          [itin.er.ate] vi -at.ed ; -at.ing (1775): to travel a preaching
          or judicial circuit -- itin.er.a.tion n

   -itious
          [-itious] adj suffix [L -icius, -itius]: of, relating to,
          or having the characteristics of <excrementitious>

   -itis
          [-itis] n suffix, pl -itises also -itides or -ites [NL, fr.
          L & Gk; L, fr. Gk, fr. fem. of -ites -ite] 1: disease
          or inflammation <bronchitis> 2 pl usu -itises: condition
          likened to a disease--chiefly in nonce formations <televisionitis>

   it'll
          [it'll] (1824): it will: it shall

   ITO
          [ITO] abbreviation International Trade Organization

   -itol
          [-itol] n suffix [ISV [1]-ite + [1]-ol]: polyhydroxy alcohol
          usu. related to a sugar <mannitol>

   its
          [its] adj (1598): of or relating to it or itself esp. as
          possessor, agent, or object of an action <going to ~
          kennel> <a child proud of ~ first drawings> <~ final
          enactment into law>

   it's
          [it's] (ca. 1555): it is: it has

   itself
          [it.self] pron (bef. 12c) 1: that identical one--compare
          it 1--used reflexively <watched the cat giving ~ a bath>,
          for emphasis <the letter ~ was missing>, or in absolute
          constructions <~ a splendid specimen of classic art,
          it has been exhibited throughout the world> 2: its normal,
          healthy, or sane condition -- in itself : in its own
          nature: intrinsically <was not in itself bad>

   itty-bitty
          [it.ty-bit.ty] or it.sy-bit.sy adj [prob. fr. baby talk for
          little bit] (1938): extremely small: tiny

   ITU
          [ITU] abbreviation International Telecommunication Union,
          International Typographical Union

   ITV
          [ITV] abbreviation instructional television

   -ity
          [-ity] n suffix, pl -ities [ME -ite, fr. OF or L; OF -ite,
          fr. L -itat-, -itas, fr. -i- (stem vowel of adjs.) +
          -tat-, -tas -ity; akin to Gk -tet-, -tes -ity]: quality:
          state: degree <alkalinity> <theatricality>

   iu...
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   IU
          [IU] abbreviation international unit

   IUD
          [IUD] n (1965): intrauterine device

   -ium
          [-ium] n suffix 1a: a chemical element <sodium> b: cation
          <tetrazolium> 2 pl -iums or -ia : small one: mass--esp.
          in botanical terms <pollinium>

   iv...
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   IV
          [IV] n, pl IVs [intravenous] (ca. 1955): an apparatus used
          to administer an intravenous injection or feeding; also:
          such an injection or feeding

   IV
          [IV] abbreviation intravenous, intravenously

   -ive
          [-ive] adj suffix [ME -if, -ive, fr. MF & L; MF -if, fr.
          L -ivus]: that performs or tends toward an (indicated)
          action <amusive>

   ivermectin
          [iver.mec.tin] n [perh. fr. di- + NL avermitilis (specific
          epithet of Streptomyces avermitilis, bacterium from which
          it is derived) + E -ect- (of unknown origin) + [1]-in]
          (1981): a drug mixture of two structurally similar semisynthetic
          lactones that is used in veterinary medicine as an anthelmintic,
          acaricide, and insecticide and in human medicine to treat
          onchocerciasis

   IVF
          [IVF] abbreviation in vitro fertilization

   ivied
          [ivied] adj (ca. 1771) 1: overgrown with ivy 2: academic

   ivory
          [ivo.ry] n, pl -ries [ME ivorie, fr. OF ivoire, fr. L eboreus
          of ivory, fr. ebor-, ebur ivory, fr. Egypt 'b, 'bw elephant,
          ivory] (13c) 1 a: the hard creamy-white modified dentine
          that composes the tusks of a tusked mammal (as an elephant,
          walrus, or narwhal) b: a tusk that yields ivory 2: a
          variable color averaging a pale yellow 3 slang: tooth
          4: something (as a piano key) made of ivory or of a similar
          substance -- ivory adj

   ivorybill
          [ivo.ry.bill] n (1787): ivory-billed woodpecker

   ivory-billed woodpecker
          [ivo.ry-billed woodpecker] n (1811): a very large black-and-white
          woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) of the southeastern
          U.S. and Cuba that has a showy red crest in the male
          and is presumed extinct in the U.S.

   ivory black
          [ivory black] n (1634): a fine black pigment made by calcining
          ivory

   ivory nut
          [ivory nut] n (ca. 1847): the nutlike seed of a So. American
          palm (Phytelephas macrocarpa) containing a very hard
          endosperm used for carving and turning--compare vegetable
          ivory

   ivory tower
          [ivory tower] n [trans. of F tour d'ivoire] (1911) 1: an
          impractical often escapist attitude marked by aloof lack
          of concern with or interest in practical matters or urgent
          problems 2: a secluded place that affords the means of
          treating practical issues with an impractical often escapist
          attitude; esp: a place of learning -- ivory-tower adj
          -- ivo.ry-tow.er.ish adj

   ivory-towered
          [ivo.ry-tow.ered] adj (1937): divorced from reality and practical
          matters <an ~ recluse>

   [1]ivy
          [ivy] n, pl ivies [ME, fr. OE ifig; akin to OHG ebah ivy]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a widely cultivated ornamental climbing
          or prostrate or sometimes shrubby chiefly Eurasian vine
          (Hedera helix) of the ginseng family with evergreen leaves,
          small yellowish flowers, and black berries 2: poison
          ivy 3 often cap: an Ivy League college [2]ivy adj [fr.
          the prevalence of ivy-covered buildings on the campuses
          of older U.S. colleges] (1933) 1: academic 2: ivy league

   Ivy League
          [Ivy League] adj (1939) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a group of long-established eastern U.S. colleges
          widely regarded as high in scholastic and social prestige
          2: of, relating to, or characteristic of the students
          of Ivy League colleges

   Ivy Leaguer
          [Ivy Leaguer] n (1943): a student at or a graduate of an
          Ivy League college

   iw...
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   IW
          [IW] abbreviation inside width, isotopic weight

   iwis
          [iwis] adv [ME, fr. OE gewis certain; akin to OHG giwisso
          certainly, OE witan to know--more at wit] (12c) archaic:
          surely

   IWW
          [IWW] abbreviation Industrial Workers of the World

   ix...
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   Ixion
          [Ix.i.on] n [L, fr. Gk Ixion]: a Thessalian king bound by
          Zeus to a burning wheel in Tartarus for attempting to
          seduce Hera

   ixodid
          [ix.o.did] adj [ultim. fr. Gk ixodes sticky, fr. ixos birdlime]
          (ca. 1909): of, relating to, or being a typical tick
          (family Ixodidae) -- ixodid n

   iy...
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   Iyar
          [Iyar] n [Heb Iyyar] (1737): the 8th month of the civil year
          or the 2d month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish
          calendar

   iz...
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   -ization
          [-i.za.tion] n suffix: action, process, or result of making
          <socialization>

   -ize
          [-ize] vb suffix [ME -isen, fr. OF -iser, fr. LL -izare,
          fr. Gk -izein] 1 a (1): cause to be or conform to or
          resemble <systemize> <Americanize>: cause to be formed
          into <unionize> (2): subject to a (specified) action
          <plagiarize> (3): impregnate or treat or combine with
          <aluminize> b: treat like <idolize> c: treat according
          to the method of <bowdlerize> 2 a: become: become like
          <crystallize> b: be productive in or of <hypothesize>:
          engage in a (specified) activity <philosophize> c: adopt
          or spread the manner of activity or the teaching of <Platonize>
          usage The suffix -ize has been productive in English
          since the time of Thomas Nashe (1567-1601), who claimed
          credit for introducing it into English to remedy the
          surplus of monosyllabic words. Almost any noun or adjective
          can be made into a verb by adding -ize <hospitalize>
          <familiarize>; many technical terms are coined this way
          <oxidize> as well as verbs of ethnic derivation <Americanize>
          and verbs derived from proper names <bowdlerize> <mesmerize>.
          Nashe noted in 1591 that his coinages in -ize were being
          complained about, and to this day new words in -ize <finalize>
          <prioritize> are sure to draw critical fire.

   izzard
          [iz.zard] n [alter. of earlier ezod, ezed, prob. fr. MF et
          zede and Z] (ca. 1726) chiefly dial: the letter z

   j...
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   j
          [j] abbreviation jack, journal, judge, justice  J abbreviation
          joule, jump shot

   j
          [j] n, pl j's or js often cap, often attrib (15c) 1 a: the
          10th letter of the English alphabet b: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic j 2 a: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter j b: a unit vector parallel to the y-axis
          3: one designated j esp. as the 10th in order or class
          4: something shaped like the letter J

   J/psi particle
          [J/psi particle] n (1977): an unstable neutral fundamental
          particle of the meson group that has a mass about 6000
          times the mass of an electron--called also J particle,
          psi particle

   j'accuse
          [j'ac.cuse] [F] foreign term : I accuse: bitter denunciation

   j'adoube
          [j'adoube] [F] foreign term : I adjust--used in chess when
          touching a piece without intending to move it

   J-bar lift
          [J-bar lift] n (1954): a ski lift having a series of J-shaped
          bars each of which pulls one skier

   j'y suis, j'y reste
          [j'y suis, j'y reste] [F] foreign term : here I am, here
          I remain

   ja...
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   JA
          [JA] abbreviation joint account, judge advocate

   [1]jab
          [jab] vb jabbed ; jab.bing [alter. of job to strike] vt (1827)
          1 a: to pierce with or as if with a sharp object: stab
          b: to poke quickly or abruptly: thrust 2: to strike with
          a short straight blow ~ vi 1: to make quick or abrupt
          thrusts with a sharp object 2: to strike a person with
          a short straight blow [2]jab n (1872): an act of jabbing;
          esp: a short straight boxing punch delivered with the
          leading hand

   [1]jabber
          [jab.ber] vb jab.bered ; jab.ber.ing [ME jaberen, of imit.
          origin] vi (15c): to talk rapidly, indistinctly, or unintelligibly
          ~ vt: to speak rapidly or indistinctly -- jab.ber.er n [2]jabber
          n (1727): gibberish, chatter

   jabberwocky
          [jab.ber.wocky] n [Jabberwocky, nonsense poem by Lewis Carroll]
          (1908): meaningless speech or writing

   jabiru
          [jab.i.ru] n [Pg, fr. Tupi & Guarani jabiru] (1774): any
          of several large tropical storks

   jaborandi
          [jab.o.ran.di] n [Pg, fr. Tupi yaborandi] (ca. 1875): the
          dried leaves of two So. American shrubs (Pilocarpus jaborandi
          and P. microphyllus) of the rue family that are a source
          of pilocarpine

   jabot
          [ja.bot] n [F] (1823) 1: a fall of lace or cloth attached
          to the front of a neckband and worn esp. by men in the
          18th century 2: a pleated frill of cloth or lace attached
          down the center front of a woman's blouse or dress

   jaboticaba
          [ja.bo.ti.ca.ba] n [Pg, fr. Tupi] (1824): a Brazilian tree
          (Myrciaria cauliflora) of the myrtle family cultivated
          in warm regions for its edible usu. purplish fruit

   jacal
          [ja.cal] n, pl ja.ca.les also ja.cals [MexSp, fr. Nahuatl
          xahcalli] (1838): a hut in Mexico and southwestern U.S.
          with a thatched roof and walls made of upright poles
          or sticks covered and chinked with mud or clay

   jacamar
          [jac.a.mar] n [F, fr. Tupi jacama-ciri] (1825): any of a
          family (Galbulidae) of usu. iridescent green or bronze
          insectivorous birds of Central and So. American tropical
          forests

   jacana
          [ja.ca.na] n [Pg jacana, fr. Tupi & Guarani] (ca. 1753):
          any of a family (Jacanidae) of long-legged and long-toed
          tropical wading birds that frequent coastal freshwater
          marshes and ponds

   jacaranda
          [jac.a.ran.da] n [NL, fr. Pg jacaranda a tree of this genus,
          fr. Tupi] (ca. 1753): any of a genus (Jacaranda) of pinnate-leaved
          tropical American trees of the trumpet-creeper family with showy
          usu. blue flowers in panicles

   jacinth
          [ja.cinth] n [ME iacinct, fr. OF jacinthe, fr. L hyacinthus,
          a flowering plant, a gem] (13c) 1: hyacinth 2: a gem
          more nearly orange in color than a hyacinth

   [1]jack
          [jack] n [ME Jacke, familiar term of address to a social
          inferior, nickname for Johan John] (1548) 1 a: man--usu.
          used as an intensive in such phrases as every man jack
          b often cap: sailor c (1): servant, laborer (2): lumberjack
          2: any of various usu. mechanical devices: as a: a device
          for turning a spit b: a usu. portable mechanism or device
          for exerting pressure or lifting a heavy body a short
          distance 3: something that supports or holds in position:
          as a: an iron bar at a topgallant masthead to support
          a royal mast and spread the royal shrouds b: a wooden
          brace fastened behind a scenic unit in a stage set to
          prop it up 4 a: any of several fishes; esp: any of various
          carangids b: a male donkey c: jackrabbit d: any of several
          birds (as a jackdaw) 5 a: a small white target ball in
          lawn bowling b: a small national flag flown by a ship
          c (1) pl but sing in constr: a game played with a set
          of small objects that are tossed, caught, and moved in
          various figures (2): a small 6-pointed metal object used
          in the game of jacks 6 a: a playing card carrying the
          figure of a soldier or servant and ranking usu. below
          the queen b: jackpot 1a(2) 7 slang: money 8: a female
          fitting in an electric circuit used with a plug to make
          a connection with another circuit 9 a: applejack b: brandy
          10: jackknife 2 11: monterey jack [2]jack vi (ca. 1841):
          to hunt or fish at night with a jacklight ~ vt 1: to
          hunt or fish for at night with a jacklight 2 a: to move
          or lift by or as if by a jack b: to raise the level of--usu.
          used with up <~ up the price> c: to take to task -- jack.er
          n

   jackal
          [jack.al] n [Turk cakal, fr. Per shagal, of Indo-Aryan origin;
          akin to Skt srgala jackal] (1603) 1: any of several small
          omnivorous canids (as Canis aureus) of Africa and Asia
          having large ears, long legs, and bushy tails 2 a: a
          person who performs routine or menial tasks for another
          b: a person who serves or collaborates with another esp.
          in the commission of base acts

   Jack-a-Lent
          [Jack-a-Lent] n [[1]jack + a (of) + Lent] (1598) 1: a small
          stuffed puppet set up to be pelted for fun in Lent 2:
          a simple or insignificant person

   jackanapes
          [jack.a.napes] n [ME Jack Napis, nickname for William de
          la Pole d. 1450 duke of Suffolk] (1526) 1: monkey, ape
          2 a: an impudent or conceited fellow b: a saucy or mischievous
          child

   jackass
          [jack.ass] n (1727) 1: donkey; esp: a male donkey 2: a stupid
          person: fool

   jackassery
          [jack.ass.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1833): foolish action or behavior

   jack bean
          [jack bean] n (1885): a bushy annual tropical American legume
          (genus Canavalia); esp: a plant (C. ensiformis) grown
          esp. for forage

   jackboot
          [jack.boot] n (1686) 1: a heavy military boot made of glossy
          black leather extending above the knee and worn esp.
          during the 17th and 18th centuries 2: the spirit or policy
          of militarism or totalitarianism 3: a laceless military
          boot reaching to the calf

   jackbooted
          [jack.boot.ed] adj (1846) 1: wearing jackboots 2: ruthlessly
          and violently oppressive <~ force>

   jack cheese
          [jack cheese] n, often cap J [alter. of David Jacks, 19th
          cent. California landowner] (1912): monterey jack

   jack crevalle
          [jack crevalle] n (1948): a carangid fish (Caranx hippos)
          that is an important food fish along the west coast of
          Florida

   jackdaw
          [jack.daw] n (1543) 1: a common black and gray bird (Corvus
          monedula) of Eurasia and northern Africa that is related
          to but smaller than the common crow 2: grackle 1

   [1]jacket
          [jack.et] n [ME jaket, fr. MF jaquet, dim. of jaque short
          jacket, fr. jacque peasant, fr. the name Jacques James]
          (15c) 1 a: a garment for the upper body usu. having a
          front opening, collar, lapels, sleeves, and pockets b:
          something worn or fastened around the body but not for
          use as clothing 2 a (1): the natural covering of an animal
          (2): the fur or wool of a mammal b: the skin of a potato
          3: an outer covering or casing: as a (1): a thermally
          nonconducting cover (2): a covering that encloses an
          intermediate space through which a temperature-controlling
          fluid circulates (3): a tough cold-worked metal casing
          that forms the outer shell of a built-up bullet b (1):
          a wrapper or open envelope for a document (2): an envelope
          for enclosing registered mail during delivery from one
          post office to another c (1): a detachable protective
          cover for a book (2): a paper or paperboard envelope
          for a phonograph record -- jack.et.less adj [2]jacket
          vt (1856): to put a jacket on: enclose in or with a jacket

   Jack Frost
          [Jack Frost] n (1826): frost or frosty weather personified

   jackfruit
          [jack.fruit] n [Pg jaca jackfruit, fr. Malayalam cakka] (1830):
          a large tropical Asian tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
          related to the breadfruit that yields a fine-grained
          yellow wood and immense fruits which contain an edible
          pulp and nutritious seeds; also: its fruit

   jackhammer
          [jack.ham.mer] n (1916) 1: a pneumatically operated percussive
          rock-drilling tool usu. held in the hands 2: a device
          in which a tool (as a chisel for breaking up pavements)
          is driven percussively by compressed air -- jackhammer
          vb

   jack-in-the-box
          [jack-in-the-box] n, pl jack-in-the-box.es or jacks-in-the-box
          (1702): a toy consisting of a small box out of which
          a figure (as of a clown's head) springs when the lid
          is raised

   jack-in-the-pulpit
          [jack-in-the-pul.pit] n, pl jack-in-the-pulpits or
          jacks-in-the-pulpit (1837): an American spring-flowering woodland
          herb (Arisaema triphyllum syn. A. atrorubens) of the arum family
          having an upright club-shaped spadix arched over by a green and
          purple spathe

   [1]jackknife
          [jack.knife] n (1711) 1: a large strong pocketknife 2: a
          dive executed headfirst in which the diver bends from
          the waist and touches the ankles while holding the knees
          unbent and then straightens out [2]jackknife vt (1806)
          1: to cut with a jackknife 2: to cause to double up like
          a jackknife ~ vi 1: to double up like a jackknife 2:
          to turn and form an angle of 90 degrees or less with
          each other--used esp. of a tractor-trailer combination

   jackleg
          [jack.leg] adj [[1]jack + -leg (as in blackleg)] (1850) 1
          a: lacking skill or training: amateur <a ~ carpenter>
          b: characterized by unscrupulousness, dishonesty, or
          lack of professional standards <a ~ lawyer> 2: designed
          as a temporary expedient: makeshift -- jackleg n

   jacklight
          [jack.light] n (ca. 1841): a light used esp. in hunting or
          fishing at night

   jack mackerel
          [jack mackerel] n (1882): a California carangid food fish
          (Trachurus symmetricus) that is iridescent green or bluish
          above and silvery below

   jack-of-all-trades
          [jack-of-all-trades] n, pl jacks-of-all-trades (1618): a
          person who can do passable work at various tasks: a handy
          versatile person

   jack off
          [jack off] vb [prob. alter. of jerk off] (1959): masturbate--usu.
          considered vulgar

   jack-o'-lantern
          [jack-o'-lan.tern] n (1750) 1: ignis fatuus 2: a lantern
          made of a pumpkin cut to look like a human face 3: a
          large orangish gill fungus (Omphalotus olearius syn.
          Clitocybe illudens) that is poisonous and luminescent

   jack pine
          [jack pine] n (1883): a slender pine (Pinus banksiana) of
          northern No. America that has two stout needles in each
          fascicle and wood used esp. for pulpwood

   jack plane
          [jack plane] n (1835): a medium-sized general-purpose plane
          used in carpentry and joinery

   jackpot
          [jack.pot] n (1881) 1 a (1): a hand or game of draw poker
          in which a pair of jacks or better is required to open
          (2): a large pot (as in poker) formed by the accumulation
          of stakes from previous play b (1): a combination on
          a slot machine that wins a top prize or all the coins
          available for paying out (2): the sum so won c: a large
          fund of money or other reward formed by the accumulation
          of unwon prizes 2: an impressive often unexpected success
          or reward 3 chiefly West: a tight spot: jam

   jackrabbit
          [jack.rab.bit] n [[1]jack (jackass) + rabbit; fr. its long
          ears] (1863): any of several large hares (genus Lepus)
          of western No. America having very long ears and long
          hind legs

   Jack Russell terrier
          [Jack Russell terrier] n [Jack (John) Russell d. 1883 Eng.
          clergyman & dog breeder] (1961): any of a breed of small
          terriers having a usu. white coat with brown, black,
          or tricolor markings--called also Jack Russell

   jack salmon
          [jack salmon] n (1871) 1: walleye 3 2: grilse

   jackscrew
          [jack.screw] n (1769): screw jack

   jacksmelt
          [jack.smelt] n (1949): a large silversides (Atherinopsis
          californiensis) of the Pacific coast of No. America that
          is the chief commercial smelt of the California markets

   Jackson Day
          [Jack.son Day] n [Andrew Jackson; fr. his defense of New
          Orleans] (1885): January 8 celebrated as a legal holiday
          in Louisiana to commemorate the successful defense of
          New Orleans in 1815

   jack stand
          [jack stand] n (1968): a stand whose height may be adjusted
          and fixed by a pin and which is used to support an automobile
          that has been raised by a jack

   jackstay
          [jack.stay] n (ca. 1840) 1: an iron rod, wooden bar, or wire
          rope along a yard of a ship to which the sails are fastened
          2: a support of wood, iron, or rope running up a mast
          on which the parrel of a yard travels

   jackstraw
          [jack.straw] n (1801) 1 pl but sing in constr: a game in
          which a set of straws or thin strips is let fall in a
          heap with each player in turn trying to remove one at
          a time without disturbing the rest 2: one of the pieces
          used in the game jackstraws

   jack-tar
          [jack-tar] n, often cap (1781): sailor

   jack-up
          [jack-up] n (1965): a drilling rig used in offshore drilling
          whose drilling platform is a barge from which legs are
          lowered to the bottom when over the drill site and which
          is raised above the water and supported on the legs to
          conduct drilling operations

   Jacob
          [Ja.cob] n [LL, fr. Gk Iacob, fr. Heb Ya'aqobh] 1: a son
          of Isaac and Rebekah, the twin brother of Esau, and heir
          of God's promise of blessing to Abraham 2: the ancient
          Hebrew nation

   Jacobean
          [Jac.o.be.an] adj [NL Jacobaeus, fr. Jacobus James] (1844):
          of, relating to, or characteristic of James I of England
          or his age -- Jacobean n

   jacobean lily
          [jacobean lily] n, often cap J [LL Jacobus (St. James)] (ca.
          1774): a Mexican bulbous herb (Sprekelia formosissima)
          of the amaryllis family cultivated for its bright red
          solitary flower

   Jacobian
          [Ja.co.bi.an] n [K. G. J. Jacobi d. 1851 Ger. mathematician]
          (1881): a determinant defined for a finite number of
          functions of the same number of variables in which each
          row consists of the first partial derivatives of the
          same function with respect to each of the variables

   Jacobin
          [Jac.o.bin] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML Jacobinus, fr. LL Jacobus
          (St. James); fr. the location of the first Dominican
          convent in the street of St. James, Paris] (14c) 1: dominican
          2 [F, fr. Jacobin Dominican; fr. the group's founding
          in the Dominican convent in Paris]: a member of an extremist
          or radical political group; esp: a member of such a group
          advocating egalitarian democracy and engaging in terrorist
          activities during the French Revolution of 1789 -- Jac.o.bin.ic
          or Jac.o.bin.i.cal adj -- Jac.o.bin.ism n

   [1]Jacobite
          [Jac.o.bite] n [ME, fr. ML Jacobita, fr. Jacobus Baradaeus
          (Jacob Baradai) d. 578 Syrian monk] (15c): a member of
          any of various Monophysite Eastern churches; esp: a member
          of the Monophysite Syrian church [2]Jacobite n [Jacobus
          (James II)] (1689): a partisan of James II of England
          or of the Stuarts after the revolution of 1688 -- Jac.o.bit.i.cal
          adj -- Jac.o.bit.ism n

   Jacob's ladder
          [Ja.cob's ladder] n [fr. the ladder seen in a dream by Jacob
          in Gen 28:12] (1733) 1: any of a genus (Polemonium) of
          herbs of the phlox family that have pinnate leaves, an
          herbaceous calyx, a bell-shaped corolla with stamens
          with their filaments bent downward, and a several-seeded
          capsule; esp: a perennial (P. caeruleum) of European
          origin with bright blue or occas. white flowers 2: a
          marine ladder of rope or chain with wooden or iron rungs

   Jacobson's organ
          [Ja.cob.son's organ] n [Ludvig L. Jacobson d. 1843 Dan. anatomist]
          (1885): either of a pair of small pits that are situated one
          on either side of the nasal septum (as in higher vertebrates)
          or in the buccal cavity and that are rudimentary in humans but
          developed in reptiles, amphibians, and some mammals
          as chemoreceptors

   Jacobus
          [Ja.co.bus] n [Jacobus (James I), during whose reign unites
          were coined] (1612): unite

   jaconet
          [jac.o.net] n [modif. of Urdu jagannathi] (1769): a lightweight
          cotton cloth used for clothing and bandages

   jacquard
          [jac.quard] n, often cap, often attrib [Joseph Jacquard]
          (1841) 1 a: the control mechanism of a Jacquard loom
          b: jacquard loom 2: a fabric of intricate variegated
          weave or pattern

   Jacquard loom
          [Jacquard loom] n (1851): a loom designed to weave fabrics
          of intricate design whose control mechanism makes use
          of cards with holes punched in them

   jacquerie
          [jac.que.rie] n, often cap [MF, fr. the French peasant revolt
          in 1358, fr. jacque peasant--more at jacket] (1523):
          a peasants' revolt

   jacta alea est
          [jac.ta alea est] [L] foreign term : the die is cast

   jactitation
          [jac.ti.ta.tion] n [LL jactitation-, jactitatio, fr. jactitare,
          freq. of L jactare to throw--more at jet] (1665): a tossing
          to and fro or jerking and twitching of the body

   Jacuzzi
          [Ja.cuz.zi] trademark--used for a whirlpool bath and a recreational
          bathing tub or pool

   [1]jade
          [jade] n [ME] (14c) 1: a broken-down, vicious, or worthless
          horse 2 a: a disreputable woman b: a flirtatious girl
          [2]jade vb jad.ed ; jad.ing vt (1598) 1 a: to wear out
          by overwork or abuse b: to tire or dull through repetition
          or excess 2 obs: to make ridiculous ~ vi: to become weary
          or dulled syn see tire [3]jade n [F, fr. obs. Sp (piedra
          de la) ijada, lit., loin stone, ultim. fr. L ilia, pl.,
          flanks; fr. the belief that jade cures renal colic] (1657)
          1: either of two tough compact typically green gemstones
          that take a high polish: a: jadeite b: nephrite 2: a
          sculpture or artifact of jade 3: jade green

   jaded
          [jaded] adj (1600) 1: fatigued by overwork: exhausted 2:
          dulled by experience or by surfeit -- jad.ed.ly adv --
          jad.ed.ness n

   jade green
          [jade green] n (1892): a light bluish green

   jadeite
          [jade.ite] n [F] (1865): a monoclinic mineral that is a silicate
          of sodium and aluminum and is a jade -- ja.dit.ic adj

   jade plant
          [jade plant] n (1944): any of several succulent plants (genus
          Crassula) of the orpine family cultivated as foliage
          plants

   jaeger
          [jae.ger] n [G Jager] (1809) 1 a: hunter, huntsman b: one
          attending a person of rank or wealth and wearing hunter's
          costume 2: any of several large dark-colored birds (genus
          Stercorarius of the family Stercorariidae) of northern
          seas that are strong fliers and that tend to harass weaker
          birds until they drop or disgorge their prey

   JAG
          [JAG] abbreviation judge advocate general

   [1]jag
          [jag] vb jagged ; jag.ging [ME jaggen] vt (15c) 1 chiefly
          dial: prick, stab 2: to cut indentations into; also:
          to form teeth on (a saw) by cutting indentations ~ vi
          1: prick, thrust 2: to move in jerks -- jag.ger n [2]jag
          n (1578): a sharp projecting part: barb [3]jag n [origin
          unknown] (1597) 1: a small load 2 a: a state or feeling
          of exhilaration or intoxication usu. induced by liquor
          b: spree <a crying ~>

   jagged
          [jag.ged] adj (1577) 1: having a sharply uneven edge or surface
          2: having a harsh, rough, or irregular quality -- jag.ged.ly
          adv -- jag.ged.ness n

   jaggery
          [jag.gery] n [Pg jagara, prob. fr. Malayalam chakkara sugar]
          (1598): an unrefined brown sugar made from palm sap

   jaggy
          [jag.gy] adj (1717): jagged, notched

   jaguar
          [jag.uar] n [Sp yaguar & Pg jaguar, fr. Guarani yaguara &
          Tupi jaguara] (1604): a large cat (Panthera onca syn.
          Felis onca) chiefly of Central and So. America that is
          larger and stockier than the leopard and is brownish
          yellow or buff with black spots

   jaguarundi
          [jag.ua.run.di] also jag.ua.ron.di n [AmerSp, fr. Guarani
          yaguarundi] (ca. 1885): a slender long-tailed short-legged
          black, gray, or reddish wildcat (Felis yagouaroundi)
          chiefly of Central and So. America

   Jah
          [Jah] n [Heb Yah] (1975): the Supreme Being of Rastafarianism

   Jahveh
          [Jah.veh] var of yahweh

   jai alai
          [jai alai] n [Sp, fr. Basque, fr. jai festival + alai merry]
          (1903): a court game somewhat like handball played usu.
          by two or four players with a ball and a long curved
          wicker basket strapped to the wrist

   [1]jail
          [jail] n [ME jaiole, fr. OF, fr. LL caveola, dim. of L cavea
          cage--more at cage] (13c) 1: a place of confinement for
          persons held in lawful custody; specif: such a place
          under the jurisdiction of a local government (as a county)
          for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those
          convicted of minor crimes--compare prison 2: confinement
          in a jail [2]jail vt (1604): to confine in or as if in
          a jail

   jailbait
          [jail.bait] n (1930): a girl under the age of consent with
          whom sexual intercourse is unlawful and constitutes statutory
          rape

   jailbird
          [jail.bird] n (1603): a person confined in jail; specif:
          an habitual criminal

   jailbreak
          [jail.break] n (1910): a forcible escape from jail

   jailer
          [jail.er] or jail.or n (13c) 1: a keeper of a jail 2: one
          that restricts another's liberty as if by imprisonment

   jailhouse
          [jail.house] n (1812): jail 1

   jailhouse lawyer
          [jailhouse lawyer] n (1969): a prison inmate self-taught
          in the law who tries to gain release through legal maneuvers
          or who advises fellow inmates on their legal problems

   Jain
          [Jain] or Jai.na n [Hindi Jain, fr. Skt Jaina] (1805): an
          adherent of Jainism

   Jainism
          [Jain.ism] n (1858): a religion of India originating in the
          6th century b.c. and teaching liberation of the soul
          by right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct

   jake
          [jake] adj [origin unknown] (1914) slang: all right, fine

   jake leg
          [jake leg] n [jake grain alcohol flavored with an alcoholic
          extract of ginger] (1932): a paralysis caused by drinking
          improperly distilled or contaminated liquor

   jakes
          [jakes] n pl but sing or pl in constr [perh. fr. F Jacques
          James] (1538): privy 1

   jalap
          [jal.ap] n [F & Sp; F jalap, fr. Sp jalapa, fr. Jalapa, Mexico]
          (1644) 1 a: the dried tuberous root of a Mexican plant
          (Ipomoea purga syn. Exogonium purga) of the morning-glory
          family; also: a powdered purgative drug prepared from
          it that contains resinous glycosides b: the root or derived
          drug of plants related to the one supplying jalap 2:
          a plant yielding jalap

   jalapeno
          [ja.la.pe.no] n, pl -nos [MexSp, fr. jalapeno, adj., of Jalapa]
          (1939): a small plump dark green Mexican hot pepper--called
          also jalapeno pepper

   jalopy
          [ja.lopy] n, pl ja.lop.ies [origin unknown] (1928): a dilapidated
          old vehicle (as an automobile)

   jalousie
          [jal.ou.sie] n [F, lit., jealousy, fr. OF jelous jealous]
          (1766) 1: a blind with adjustable horizontal slats for
          admitting light and air while excluding direct sun and
          rain 2: a window made of adjustable glass louvers that
          control ventilation

   Jam
          [Jam] abbreviation Jamaica

   [1]jam
          [jam] vb jammed ; jam.ming [origin unknown] vi (1706) 1 a:
          to become blocked or wedged b: to become unworkable through
          the jamming of a movable part 2: to force one's way into
          a restricted space 3: to take part in a jam session ~
          vt 1 a: to press into a close or tight position <~ his
          hat on> b (1): to cause to become wedged so as to be
          unworkable <~ the typewriter keys> (2): to make unworkable
          by jamming c: to block passage of: obstruct d: to fill
          often to excess: pack <the crowd jammed the theater>
          2: to push forcibly; esp: to apply (brakes) suddenly
          and forcibly--used with on 3: crush, bruise 4 a: to make
          unintelligible by sending out interfering signals or
          messages b: to make (as a radar apparatus) ineffective
          by jamming signals or by causing reflection of radar
          waves 5: to pitch inside to (a batter) -- jam.mer n [2]jam
          n (1805) 1 a: an act or instance of jamming b: a crowded
          mass that impedes or blocks <a traffic ~> 2 a: the quality
          or state of being jammed b: the pressure or congestion
          of a crowd: crush 3: a difficult state of affairs: fix
          <got into a ~> 4: jam session 5: dunk shot [3]jam n [prob.
          fr. [1]jam] (ca. 1736): a food made by boiling fruit
          and sugar to a thick consistency -- jam.my adj

   Jamaica rum
          [Jamaica rum] n (ca. 1900): a heavy-bodied rum made by slow
          fermentation and marked by a pungent bouquet

   jamb
          [jamb] n [ME jambe, fr. MF, lit., leg, fr. LL gamba--more
          at gambit] (14c) 1: an upright piece or surface forming
          the side of an opening (as for a door, window, or fireplace)
          2: a projecting columnar part or mass

   jambalaya
          [jam.ba.laya] n [LaF, fr. Prov jambalaia] (1872) 1: rice
          cooked usu. with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp, or oysters
          and seasoned with herbs 2: a mixture of diverse elements
          <curious ~s of competing elements --Neil Hickey>

   jambeau
          [jam.beau] n, pl jam.beaux [ME, fr. (assumed) AF, fr. MF
          jambe] (14c): a piece of medieval armor for the leg below
          the knee--see armor illustration

   jamboree
          [jam.bo.ree] n [origin unknown] (1864) 1: a noisy or unrestrained
          carouse 2 a: a large festive gathering b: a national
          or international camping assembly of Boy Scouts 3: a
          long mixed program of entertainment

   James
          [James] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL Jacomus, alter. of
          LL Jacobus, Jacob Jacob] 1: an apostle, son of Zebedee,
          and brother of the apostle John according to the Gospel
          accounts 2: an apostle and son of Alphaeus according
          to the Gospel accounts--called also James the Less 3:
          a brother of Jesus traditionally held to be the author
          of the New Testament Epistle of James 4: a moral lecture
          addressed to early Christians and included as a book
          in the New Testament

   jammies
          [jam.mies] n pl [by shortening & alter.] (1973): pajamas
          2

   jam-pack
          [jam-pack] vt (1924): to pack tightly or to excess

   Jams
          [Jams] trademark--used for knee-length loose-fitting swim
          trunks

   jam session
          [jam session] n [[2]jam] (1933): an often impromptu performance
          by a group esp. of jazz musicians that is characterized
          by improvisation

   Jamshid
          [Jam.shid] or Jam.shyd n [Per Jamshid]: an early legendary
          king of Persia who reigned for 700 years

   jam-up
          [jam-up] n (1941): jam 1

   Jan
          [Jan] abbreviation January

   Jane Doe
          [Jane Doe] n (1936): a female party to legal proceedings
          whose true name is unknown

   Janeite
          [Jane.ite] n (1896): an enthusiastic admirer of Jane Austen's
          writings

   [1]jangle
          [jan.gle] vb jan.gled ; jan.gling [ME, fr. MF jangler, of
          Gmc origin; akin to MD jangelen to grumble] vi (14c)
          1: to talk idly 2: to quarrel verbally 3: to make a harsh
          or discordant often ringing sound <keys jangling in my
          pocket> ~ vt 1: to utter or sound in a discordant, babbling,
          or chattering way 2 a: to cause to sound harshly or inharmoniously
          b: to excite to tense irritation <jangled nerves> -- jan.gler
          n [2]jangle n (14c) 1: idle talk 2: noisy quarreling
          3: a discordant often ringing sound: discord

   jangly
          [jan.gly] adj (1892): marked by jangling: having a jangling
          quality <~ earrings> <~ guitar music>

   janissary
          [jan.is.sary] or jan.i.zary n, pl -sar.ies or -zar.ies [It
          gianizzero, fr. Turk yeniceri, fr. yeni new + ceri soldier]
          (1529) 1 often cap: a soldier of an elite corps of Turkish
          troops organized in the 14th century and abolished in
          1826 2: a member of a group of loyal or subservient troops,
          officials, or supporters

   janitor
          [jan.i.tor] n [L, fr. janus arch, gate] (1629) 1: doorkeeper
          2: one who keeps the premises of a building (as an apartment
          or office) clean, tends the heating system, and makes
          minor repairs -- jan.i.to.ri.al adj

   Jansenism
          [Jan.sen.ism] n [F jansenisme, fr. Cornelis Jansen] (ca.
          1656) 1: a system of doctrine based on moral determinism,
          defended by various reformist factions among 17th and
          18th century western European Roman Catholic clergy,
          religious, and scholars, and condemned as heretical by
          papal authority 2: a puritanical attitude (as toward
          sex) -- Jan.sen.ist n -- Jan.sen.is.tic adj

   January
          [Jan.u.ary] n, pl -ar.ies or -ar.ys [ME Januarie, fr. L Januarius,
          1st month of the ancient Roman year, fr. Janus] (14c): the 1st
          month of the Gregorian calendar

   januis clausis
          [ja.nu.is clau.sis] [L] foreign term : behind closed doors

   Janus
          [Ja.nus] n [L]: a Roman god that is identified with doors,
          gates, and all beginnings and that is represented artistically
          with two opposite faces

   Janus-faced
          [Janus-faced] adj (1682): having two contrasting aspects;
          esp: duplicitous, two-faced

   Janus green
          [Janus green] n [prob. fr. Janus, a trademark] (1898): a
          basic azine dye used esp. as a biological stain (as for
          mitochondria)

   Jap
          [Jap] n or adj (1886): japanese--usu. used disparagingly
          JAP n (ca. 1973): jewish american princess--usu. used
          disparagingly

   [1]japan
          [ja.pan] adj (1673): of, relating to, or originating in Japan:
          of a kind or style characteristic of Japanese workmanship
          [2]japan n (1688) 1 a: any of several varnishes yielding
          a hard brilliant finish b: a hard dark coating containing
          asphalt and a drier that is used esp. on metal and fixed
          by heating--called also japan black 2: work (as lacquer
          ware) finished and decorated in the Japanese manner [3]japan
          vt ja.panned ; ja.pan.ning (1688) 1: to cover with or
          as if with a coat of japan 2: to give a high gloss to
          -- ja.pan.ner n

   Japanese
          [Jap.a.nese] n, pl Japanese (1604) 1 a: a native or inhabitant
          of Japan b: a person of Japanese descent 2: the language
          of the Japanese -- Japanese adj

   Japanese andromeda
          [Japanese an.drom.e.da] n [NL Andromeda, genus of plants,
          fr. L Andromeda, Ethiopian princess, fr. Gk Andromede]
          (1948): a shrubby evergreen Asian heath (Pieris japonica)
          with glossy leaves and drooping clusters of usu. whitish
          flowers

   Japanese beetle
          [Japanese beetle] n (1900): a small metallic green and brown
          scarab beetle (Popillia japonica) that has been introduced
          into America from Japan and as a grub feeds on the roots
          of grasses and decaying vegetation and as an adult eats
          foliage and fruits

   Japanese cedar
          [Japanese cedar] n (ca. 1880): a large evergreen tree (Cryptomeria
          japonica) grown esp. in China and Japan for its valuable soft wood

   Japanese iris
          [Japanese iris] n (1883): any of various beardless garden
          irises (esp. Iris kaempferi) with very large showy flowers

   Japanese lacquer
          [Japanese lacquer] n (1876): lacquer 1b

   Japanese maple
          [Japanese maple] n (1898): a maple (Acer palmatum) of Japan,
          China, and Korea with purple flowers and usu. deeply
          parted leaves that is widely cultivated as a shrub or
          small tree

   Japanese millet
          [Japanese millet] n (1900): a coarse annual grass (Echinochloa
          frumentacea) cultivated esp. in Asia for its edible seeds

   Japanese plum
          [Japanese plum] n (1893): a tree (Prunus salicina) native
          to China and cultivated in Japan that bears Japanese
          plums; also: the large usu. yellow to light red fruit
          of a Japanese plum

   Japanese quail
          [Japanese quail] n (1963): a quail (Coturnix japonica syn.
          C. coturnix japonica) from China and Japan that is often
          used in laboratory research

   Japanese quince
          [Japanese quince] n (1900): a hardy Chinese ornamental shrub
          (Chaenomeles speciosa syn. C. lagenaria) of the rose
          family with scarlet, pink, or white flowers

   Japanese spurge
          [Japanese spurge] n (1924): a low Japanese herb or subshrub
          (Pachysandra terminalis) of the box family often used
          as a ground cover

   Japanize
          [Jap.a.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1890) 1: to make Japanese
          2: to bring (as an area or industry) under the influence
          of Japan -- Jap.a.ni.za.tion n

   Japan wax
          [Japan wax] n (1859): a yellowish fat obtained from the berries
          of several sumacs (as Rhus verniciflua and R. succedanea)
          and used chiefly in polishes

   [1]jape
          [jape] vb japed ; jap.ing [ME] vi (14c): to say or do something
          jokingly or mockingly ~ vt: to make mocking fun of --
          jap.er n -- jap.ery n [2]jape n (14c): something designed
          to arouse amusement or laughter: as a: an amusing literary
          or dramatic production b: gibe

   Japheth
          [Ja.pheth] n [L Japheth or Gk Iapheth, fr. Heb Yepheth]:
          a son of Noah held to be the progenitor of the Medes
          and Greeks

   japonaiserie
          [ja.po.nais.e.rie] n, often cap [F, fr. japonais Japanese]
          (1896): a style in art reflecting Japanese qualities
          or motifs; also: an object or decoration in this style

   japonica
          [ja.pon.i.ca] n [NL, fr. fem. of Japonicus Japanese, fr.
          Japonia Japan] (1819): japanese quince

   [1]jar
          [jar] vb jarred ; jar.ring [prob. of imit. origin] vi (1526)
          1 a: to make a harsh or discordant sound b: to have a
          harshly disagreeable or disconcerting effect c: to be
          out of harmony; specif: bicker 2: to undergo severe vibration
          ~ vt: to cause to jar: as a: to affect disagreeably:
          unsettle b: to make unstable: shake -- jar.ring.ly adv
          [2]jar n (1537) 1 a: a state or manifestation of discord
          or conflict b: a harsh grating sound 2 a: a sudden or
          unexpected shake b: an unsettling shock c: an unpleasant
          break or conflict in rhythm, flow, or transition [3]jar
          n [MF jarre, fr. OProv jarra, fr. Ar jarrah earthen water
          vessel] (1592) 1: a widemouthed container made typically
          of earthenware or glass 2: as much as a jar will hold
          -- jar.ful n [4]jar n [alter. of earlier char turn, fr.
          ME--more at chare] (1674) archaic: the position of being
          ajar--usu. used in the phrase on the jar

   jardiniere
          [jar.di.niere] n [F jardiniere, lit., female gardener] (1841)
          1 a: an ornamental stand for plants or flowers b: a large
          usu. ceramic flowerpot holder 2: a garnish for meat consisting
          of several cooked vegetables cut into pieces

   [1]jargon
          [jar.gon] n [ME, fr. MF] (14c) 1 a: confused unintelligible
          language b: a strange, outlandish, or barbarous language
          or dialect c: a hybrid language or dialect simplified
          in vocabulary and grammar and used for communication
          between peoples of different speech 2: the technical
          terminology or characteristic idiom of a special activity
          or group 3: obscure and often pretentious language marked
          by circumlocutions and long words -- jar.gon.ish adj
          -- jar.gon.is.tic adj [2]jargon vi (14c) 1: twitter,
          warble 2: jargonize

   jargonize
          [jar.gon.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1803): to speak or write
          jargon ~ vt 1: to express in jargon 2: to make into jargon

   jargoon
          [jar.goon] or jar.gon n [F jargon--more at zircon] (1769):
          a colorless, pale yellow, or smoky zircon

   jarhead
          [jar.head] n (ca. 1960) slang: marine 2

   jarl
          [jarl] n [ON--more at earl] (1820): a Scandinavian noble
          ranking immediately below the king

   jarrah
          [jar.rah] n [Nyungar (Australian aboriginal language of southwest
          Western Australia) jarily] (ca. 1866): a eucalyptus (Eucalyptus
          marginata) of western Australia with rough bark and alternate
          leaves; also: its wood

   Jas
          [Jas] abbreviation James

   jasmine
          [jas.mine] n [F jasmin, fr. Ar yasamin, fr. Per] (1562) 1
          a: any of numerous often climbing shrubs (genus Jasminum)
          of the olive family that usu. have extremely fragrant
          flowers; esp: a tall-climbing semievergreen Asian shrub
          (J. officinale) with fragrant white flowers from which
          oil is extracted for use in perfumes b: any of numerous
          plants having sweet-scented flowers; esp: yellow jessamine
          2: a light yellow

   Jason
          [Ja.son] n [L Iason, fr. Gk Iason]: a legendary Greek hero
          distinguished for his successful quest of the Golden
          Fleece

   jasper
          [jas.per] n [ME jaspre, fr. MF, fr. L jaspis, fr. Gk iaspis,
          of Sem origin; akin to Heb yashepheh jasper] (14c) 1:
          an opaque cryptocrystalline quartz of any of several
          colors; esp: green chalcedony 2: colored stoneware with
          raised white decoration 3: a blackish green -- jas.pery
          adj

   jasperware
          [jas.per.ware] n (1863): jasper 2

   jassid
          [jas.sid] n [ultim. fr. Gk Iasos, town in Asia Minor] (1892):
          any of numerous small leafhoppers that include many economically
          significant pests of cultivated plants; broadly: leafhopper

   Jat
          [Jat] n [Hindi Jat] (1622): a member of an Indo-Aryan people
          of the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh

   jaunce
          [jaunce] vi [origin unknown] (1593) archaic: prance

   jaundice
          [jaun.dice] n [ME jaundis, fr. MF jaunisse, fr. jaune yellow,
          fr. L galbinus greenish yellow] (14c) 1: yellowish pigmentation
          of the skin, tissues, and body fluids caused by the deposition
          of bile pigments 2: a disease or abnormal condition characterized
          by jaundice 3: a state or attitude characterized by satiety,
          distaste, or hostility

   jaundiced
          [jaun.diced] adj (1640) 1: affected with or as if with jaundice
          2: exhibiting or influenced by envy, distaste, or hostility
          <a ~ eye>

   [1]jaunt
          [jaunt] vi [origin unknown] (1575) 1 archaic: to trudge about
          2: to make a usu. short journey for pleasure [2]jaunt
          n (1801) 1 archaic: a tiring trip 2: an excursion undertaken
          esp. for pleasure

   jaunting car
          [jaunting car] n (1801): a light 2-wheeled open horse-drawn
          vehicle used esp. in Ireland with lengthwise seats placed
          face-to-face or back to back

   jaunty
          [jaun.ty] adj jaun.ti.er ; -est [modif. of F gentil] (1662)
          1 archaic a: genteel b: stylish 2: sprightly in manner
          or appearance: lively -- jaun.ti.ly adv -- jaun.ti.ness
          n

   Jav
          [Jav] abbreviation Javanese

   java
          [ja.va] n, often cap [Java, island of Indonesia] (1850):
          coffee

   Java man
          [Ja.va man] n (1911): a Pleistocene hominid known from fragmentary
          skeletons found in Trinil and Djetis, Java and now classified with
          the pithecanthropines

   Javanese
          [Ja.va.nese] n, pl Javanese [Java + -nese (as in Japanese)]
          (1704) 1: a member of an Indonesian people inhabiting
          the island of Java 2: an Austronesian language of the
          Javanese people -- Javanese adj

   javelin
          [jav.e.lin] n [ME chafeveleyn, fr. MF javeline, alter. of
          javelot, of Celt origin; akin to OIr gabul forked stick]
          (15c) 1: a light spear thrown as a weapon of war or in
          hunting 2: a slender usu. metal shaft at least 260 centimeters
          long that is thrown for distance in a field event

   javelina
          [ja.ve.li.na] n [AmerSp jabalina, fr. Sp, fem. of jabali
          wild boar, fr. Ar jabaliy] (1822): peccary

   Javelle water
          [Ja.velle water] n [Javel, former village in France] (1890):
          an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite used as a
          disinfectant or a bleaching agent

   [1]jaw
          [jaw] n [ME] (14c) 1 a: either of two complex cartilaginous
          or bony structures in most vertebrates that border the
          mouth, support the soft parts enclosing it, usu. bear
          teeth on their oral margin, and are an upper that is
          more or less firmly fused with the skull and a lower
          that is hinged, movable, and articulated with the temporal
          bone of either side b: the parts constituting the walls
          of the mouth and serving to open and close it--usu. used
          in pl. c: any of various organs of invertebrates that
          perform the function of the vertebrate jaws 2: something
          resembling the jaw of an animal: as a: one of the sides
          of a narrow pass or channel b: either of two or more
          opposable parts that open and close for holding or crushing
          something between them 3 a: a space lying between or
          as if between open jaws <escaped from out of the ~s of
          the whale> b: a position or situation in which one is
          threatened <rode into the ~s of danger> 4: a friendly
          chat [2]jaw vi (1748): to talk esp. abusively, indignantly,
          or long-windedly ~ vt: to talk to in a scolding or boring
          manner

   jawbone
          [jaw.bone] n (15c): jaw 1a; esp: mandible

   jawboning
          [jaw.bon.ing] n (1969): the use of public appeals (as by
          a president) to influence the actions esp. of business
          and labor leaders; broadly: the use of spoken persuasion
          -- jaw.bone vt

   jawbreaker
          [jaw.break.er] n (1839) 1: a word difficult to pronounce
          2: a round hard candy

   jawed
          [jawed] adj (ca. 1529): having jaws <~ fishes>--usu. used
          in combination <square-jawed> <a 3-jawed chuck>

   jawless fish
          [jaw.less fish] n (ca. 1941): any of the taxonomic group
          (Agnatha) of primitive vertebrates without jaws including
          cyclostomes and extinct related forms--compare bony fish,
          cartilaginous fish

   jawline
          [jaw.line] n (1924): the outline of the lower jaw

   [1]jay
          [jay] n [ME, fr. MF jai, fr. LL gaius] (14c) 1 a: a predominantly
          fawn-colored Old World bird (Garrulus glandarius) of
          the crow family with a black-and-white crest and wings
          marked with black, white, and blue b: any of various
          usu. crested and largely blue chiefly New World birds
          that are related to the common Old World jay and have
          roving habits and harsh voices 2 a: an impertinent chatterer
          b: dandy 1 c: greenhorn 3: a moderate blue [2]jay n (ca.
          1889) 1: the letter j 2: joint 4

   jaybird
          [jay.bird] n (1661): [1]jay 1, 2

   Jaycee
          [Jay.cee] n [fr. the initials of Junior Citizens, former
          name of the organization] (1938): a member of a major
          national and international civic organization

   jaygee
          [jay.gee] n [junior grade] (1943): lieutenant junior grade

   jayhawker
          [jay.hawk.er] n (1858) 1 a often cap: a member of a band
          of antislavery guerrillas in Kansas and Missouri before
          and during the Civil War b: bandit 2 cap: a native or
          resident of Kansas--used as a nickname

   jayvee
          [jay.vee] n [junior varsity] (1937) 1: junior varsity 2:
          a member of a junior varsity team

   jaywalk
          [jay.walk] vi (1919): to cross a street carelessly or in
          an illegal manner so as to be endangered by traffic --
          jay.walk.er n

   [1]jazz
          [jazz] n, often attrib [origin unknown] (1913) 1 a: American
          music developed esp. from ragtime and blues and characterized
          by propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble
          playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often
          deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre b: popular
          dance music influenced by jazz and played in a loud rhythmic
          manner 2: empty talk: humbug <spouted all the scientific
          ~ --Pete Martin> 3: similar but unspecified things: stuff
          <that wind, and the waves, and all that ~ --John Updike>
          -- jazz.like adj [2]jazz vt (1917) 1 a: enliven--usu.
          used with up b: accelerate 2: to play in the manner of
          jazz ~ vi 1: to go here and there: gad 2: to dance to
          or play jazz

   jazzman
          [jazz.man] n (1926): a jazz musician

   jazz-rock
          [jazz-rock] n (1968): a blend of jazz and rock music

   jazzy
          [jazzy] adj jazz.i.er ; -est (1919) 1: having the characteristics
          of jazz 2: marked by unrestraint, animation, or flashiness
          -- jazz.i.ly adv -- jazz.i.ness n

   jb...
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   JBS
          [JBS] abbreviation John Birch Society

   jc...
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   JC
          [JC] abbreviation junior college

   JCAHO
          [JCAHO] abbreviation Joint Commission on Accreditation of
          Healthcare Organizations

   JCB
          [JCB] [NL juris canonici baccalaureus] abbreviation bachelor
          of canon law

   JCD
          [JCD] [NL juris canonici doctor] abbreviation doctor of canon
          law

   JCL
          [JCL] [NL juris canonici licentiatus] abbreviation licentiate
          in canon law

   JCS
          [JCS] abbreviation joint chiefs of staff

   jct
          [jct] abbreviation junction

   jd...
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   JD
          [JD] [NL juris doctor] abbreviation doctor of jurisprudence,
          doctor of law; [NL jurum doctor] doctor of laws; justice
          department, juvenile delinquent

   je...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   jealous
          [jeal.ous] adj [ME jelous, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL zelosus,
          fr. LL zelus zeal--more at zeal] (13c) 1 a: intolerant
          of rivalry or unfaithfulness b: disposed to suspect rivalry
          or unfaithfulness 2: hostile toward a rival or one believed
          to enjoy an advantage 3: vigilant in guarding a possession
          <new colonies were ~ of their new independence --Scott
          Buchanan> -- jeal.ous.ly adv -- jeal.ous.ness n

   jealousy
          [jeal.ou.sy] n, pl -sies (13c) 1: a jealous disposition,
          attitude, or feeling 2: zealous vigilance

   jean
          [jean] n [short for jean fustian, fr. ME Gene Genoa, Italy
          + fustian] (1577) 1: a durable twilled cotton cloth used
          esp. for sportswear and work clothes 2: pants that are
          usu. close-fitting and made esp. of jean or denim--usu.
          used in pl.

   [1]jeep
          [jeep] n [prob. fr. g. p. (abbr. of general purpose)] (1940):
          a small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80-inch wheelbase,
          1/4-ton capacity, and four-wheel drive used by the U.S.
          army in World War II; also: a similar but larger and
          more powerful U.S. army vehicle [2]jeep vi (1942): to
          travel by jeep Jeep trademark--used for a civilian automotive
          vehicle

   jeepers
          [jee.pers] also jee.pers cree.pers interj [jeepers, euphemism
          for Jesus; jeepers creepers, euphemism for Jesus Christ]
          (1927)--used as a mild oath

   jeepney
          [jeep.ney] n [jeep + jitney] (ca. 1949): a Philippine jitney
          bus converted from a jeep

   [1]jeer
          [jeer] vb [origin unknown] vi (1561): to speak or cry out
          with derision or mockery ~ vt: to deride with jeers:
          taunt syn see scoff -- jeer.er n -- jeer.ing.ly adv [2]jeer
          n (1625): a jeering remark or sound: taunt

   jeez
          [jeez] interj [euphemism for Jesus] (1923)--used as a mild
          oath or introductory expletive (as to express surprise)

   jefe
          [je.fe] n [Sp, fr. F chef, fr. MF chief--more at chief] (1903):
          chief, leader

   Jefferson Davis's Birthday
          [Jef.fer.son Da.vis's Birthday] n (1929): the first Monday
          in June observed as a legal holiday in many Southern
          states

   Jefferson Day
          [Jef.fer.son Day] n (1936): April 13 observed as a holiday
          in Alabama in commemoration of Thomas Jefferson's birthday

   Jeffrey pine
          [Jef.frey pine] n [John Jeffrey d. 1854 Scot. botanical explorer]
          (1858): a pine (Pinus jeffreyi) of the western U.S. having
          long needles in groups of three

   jehad
          [je.had] var of jihad

   Jehoshaphat
          [Je.hosh.a.phat] n [Heb Yehoshaphath]: a king of Judah who
          brought Judah into an alliance with the northern kingdom
          of Israel in the 9th century b.c.

   Jehovah
          [Je.ho.vah] n [NL, reading (as Yehowah) of Heb yhwh Yahweh
          with the vowel points of 'adhonay my lord] (1530): god
          1

   Jehovah's Witness
          [Jehovah's Witness] n (1932): a member of a group that witness
          by distributing literature and by personal evangelism
          to beliefs in the theocratic rule of God, the sinfulness
          of organized religions and governments, and an imminent
          millennium

   jehu
          [je.hu] n [Heb Yehu] 1 cap: a king of Israel in the 9th century
          b.c. who according to the account in II Kings had Jezebel
          killed in accordance with Elijah's prophecy 2: a driver
          of a coach or cab

   jejunal
          [je.ju.nal] adj (ca. 1887): of or relating to the jejunum

   jejune
          [je.june] adj [L jejunus empty of food, hungry, meager] (1646)
          1: lacking nutritive value <~ diets> 2: devoid of significance
          or interest: dull <~ lectures> 3: juvenile, puerile <~
          reflections on life and art> syn see insipid -- je.june.ly
          adv -- je.june.ness n

   jejunum
          [je.ju.num] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. neut. of L jejunus] (14c):
          the section of the small intestine that comprises the
          first two fifths beyond the duodenum and that is larger,
          thicker-walled, and more vascular and has more circular
          folds than the ileum

   Jekyll and Hyde
          [Je.kyll and Hyde] n [Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, representing
          the two-sided personality of the protagonist in The Strange
          Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) by R. L. Stevenson]
          (ca. 1922): one having a two-sided personality one side
          of which is good and the other evil

   jell
          [jell] vb [back-formation fr. jelly] vi (1869) 1: to come
          to the consistency of jelly: congeal, set 2: to take
          shape and achieve distinctness: become cohesive ~ vt:
          to cause to jell

   jellied gasoline
          [jellied gasoline] n (1944): napalm

   Jell-O
          [Jell-O] trademark--used for a gelatin dessert usu. with
          the flavor and color of fruit

   [1]jelly
          [jel.ly] n, pl jellies [ME gelly, fr. MF gelee, fr. fem.
          of gele, pp. of geler to freeze, congeal, fr. L gelare--more
          at cold] (14c) 1: a soft somewhat elastic food product
          made usu. with gelatin or pectin; esp: a fruit product
          made by boiling sugar and the juice of fruit 2: a substance
          resembling jelly in consistency 3: a state of fear or
          irresolution 4: a shapeless structureless mass: pulp
          -- jel.ly.like adj [2]jelly vb jel.lied ; jel.ly.ing
          vi (1590) 1: jell 2: to make jelly ~ vt: to bring to
          the consistency of jelly

   jelly bean
          [jelly bean] n (1905): a sugar-glazed bean-shaped candy

   jellyfish
          [jel.ly.fish] n (1841) 1 a: a free-swimming marine coelenterate
          that is the sexually reproducing form of a hydrozoan
          or scyphozoan and has a nearly transparent saucer-shaped
          body and extensile marginal tentacles studded with stinging
          cells b: siphonophore c: ctenophore 2: a person lacking
          backbone or firmness

   jelly roll
          [jelly roll] n (1895): a thin sheet of sponge cake spread
          with jelly and rolled up

   jelutong
          [jel.u.tong] n [Malay jelutong] (ca. 1836) 1: any of several
          trees (genus Dyera) of the dogbane family 2: the resinous
          rubbery latex of a jelutong (esp. Dyera costulata) used
          esp. as a chicle substitute

   je maintiendrai
          [je main.tien.drai] [F] foreign term : I will maintain--motto
          of the Netherlands

   jemmy
          [jem.my] n, pl jemmies [fr. the name Jemmy] (ca. 1811) Brit:
          jimmy

   je ne sais quoi
          [je ne sais quoi] n [F, lit., I know not what] (ca. 1656):
          something that cannot be adequately described or expressed

   jennet
          [jen.net] n [ME genett, fr. MF genet, fr. Catal, Zenete (member
          of a Berber people), horse] (15c) 1: a small Spanish
          horse 2 a: a female donkey b: hinny

   jenny
          [jen.ny] n, pl jennies [fr. the name Jenny] (1600) 1 a: a
          female bird <~ wren> b: a female donkey 2: spinning jenny

   jeon
          [je.on] n, pl jeon [Korean chon] (ca. 1969): the chon of
          South Korea

   jeopard
          [jeop.ard] vt [ME, back-formation fr. jeopardie] (14c): jeopardize

   jeopardise
          [jeop.ar.dise] Brit var of jeopardize

   jeopardize
          [jeop.ar.dize] vt -dized ; -diz.ing (1646): to expose to
          danger or risk: imperil

   jeopardy
          [jeop.ar.dy] n [ME jeopardie, fr. AF juparti, fr. OF jeu
          parti alternative, lit., divided game] (14c) 1: exposure
          to or imminence of death, loss, or injury: danger 2:
          the danger that an accused person is subjected to when
          on trial for a criminal offense

   jequirity bean
          [je.quir.i.ty bean] n [F jekwirity] (ca. 1889) 1: the poisonous
          scarlet and black seed of the rosary pea often used for
          beads 2: rosary pea 1

   Jer
          [Jer] abbreviation Jeremiah, Jeremias

   jerboa
          [jer.boa] n [NL, fr. Ar yarbu'] (1662): any of several social
          nocturnal Old World jumping rodents (family Dipodidae)
          with long hind legs and long tail

   jeremiad
          [jer.e.mi.ad] n [F jeremiade, fr. Jeremie Jeremiah, fr. LL
          Jeremias] (1780): a prolonged lamentation or complaint;
          also: a cautionary or angry harangue

   Jeremiah
          [Jer.e.mi.ah] n [LL Jeremias, fr. Gk Hieremias, fr. Heb Yirmeyah]
          1: a major Hebrew prophet of the 6th and 7th centuries
          b.c. 2: one who is pessimistic about the present and
          foresees a calamitous future 3: a prophetic book of canonical
          Jewish and Christian Scripture

   Jeremias
          [Jer.e.mi.as] n [LL]: jeremiah

   [1]jerk
          [jerk] n [prob. alter. of yerk] (1575) 1: a single quick
          motion of short duration 2 a: jolting, bouncing, or thrusting
          motions b: a tendency to produce spasmodic motions 3
          a: an involuntary spasmodic muscular movement due to
          reflex action b pl: involuntary twitchings due to nervous
          excitement 4: an annoyingly stupid or foolish person
          5: the pushing of a weight from shoulder height to a
          position overhead in weight lifting [2]jerk vt (1589)
          1: to give a quick suddenly arrested push, pull, or twist
          to 2: to propel or move with or as if with a quick suddenly
          arrested motion 3: to mix and serve (as sodas) behind
          a soda fountain ~ vi 1: to make a sudden spasmodic motion
          2: to move in short abrupt motions or with frequent jolts
          -- jerk.er n [3]jerk vt [back-formation fr. [1]jerky]
          (1707): to preserve (meat) in long sun-dried slices

   jerk around
          [jerk around] vt (1941): to treat badly esp. by being underhanded
          or inconsistent

   jerkin
          [jer.kin] n [origin unknown] (1519): a close-fitting hip-length
          usu. sleeveless jacket

   jerk off
          [jerk off] vb (ca. 1904): masturbate--usu. considered vulgar

   jerkwater
          [jerk.wa.ter] adj [fr. jerkwater rural train] (1897) 1: remote
          and unimportant <~ towns> 2: trivial

   [1]jerky
          [jer.ky] n [Sp charqui, fr. Quechua ch'arki] (1850): jerked
          meat [2]jerky adj jerk.i.er ; -est (1858) 1 a: moving
          along with or marked by fits and starts b: characterized
          by abrupt transitions 2: inane, foolish -- jerk.i.ly
          adv -- jerk.i.ness n

   jeroboam
          [jer.o.bo.am] n [Jeroboam I d. ab 912 b.c. king of the northern
          kingdom of Israel] (1816): an oversize wine bottle holding
          about three liters

   jerrican
          [jer.ri.can] or jerry can n [Jerry + can; fr. its German
          design] (1943): a narrow flat-sided liquid container
          holding five gallons (about 19 liters)

   Jerry
          [Jer.ry] n, pl Jerries [by shortening & alter.] (1898) chiefly
          Brit: german

   jerry-build
          [jer.ry-build] vt -built ; -build.ing [back-formation fr.
          jerry-built] (1885): to build cheaply and flimsily --
          jer.ry-build.er n

   jerry-built
          [jer.ry-built] adj [origin unknown] (1869) 1: built cheaply
          and unsubstantially 2: carelessly or hastily put together

   jersey
          [jer.sey] n, pl jerseys [Jersey, one of the Channel Islands]
          (1587) 1: a plain weft-knitted fabric made of wool, cotton,
          nylon, rayon, or silk and used esp. for clothing 2: any
          of various close-fitting usu. circular-knitted garments
          esp. for the upper body 3 often cap: any of a breed of
          small short-horned predominantly yellowish brown or fawn
          dairy cattle noted for their rich milk

   Jersey pine
          [Jersey pine] n (1743): virginia pine

   Jerusalem artichoke
          [Je.ru.sa.lem artichoke] n [Jerusalem by folk etymology fr.
          It girasole girasole] (1641): a perennial American sunflower
          (Helianthus tuberosus) widely cultivated for its tubers
          that are used as a vegetable and as a livestock feed

   Jerusalem cherry
          [Jerusalem cherry] n [Jerusalem, Palestine] (1788): either
          of two plants (Solanum pseudocapsicum and S. capsicastrum)
          of the nightshade family cultivated as ornamental houseplants
          for their orange to red berries

   Jerusalem cricket
          [Jerusalem cricket] n (1947): a large-headed burrowing nocturnal
          orthopteran insect (Stenopelmatus fuscus) of the southwestern
          U.S.

   Jerusalem thorn
          [Jerusalem thorn] n (1866): a tropical American leguminous
          spiny shrub or shrubby tree (Parkinsonia aculeata) with
          pinnate leaves and showy racemose yellow flowers that
          is widely cultivated

   jess
          [jess] n [ME ges, fr. MF gies, fr. pl. of jet throw, fr.
          jeter to throw--more at jet] (14c): a short strap secured
          on the leg of a hawk and usu. provided with a ring for
          attaching a leash -- jessed adj

   jessamine
          [jes.sa.mine] var of jasmine

   Jesse
          [Jes.se] n [Heb Yishay]: the father of David, king of Israel,
          according to the account in I Samuel

   jest
          [jest] n [ME geste idle tale, story in verse, fr. OF, fr.
          L gesta deeds, fr. neut. pl. of gestus, pp. of gerere
          to bear, wage] (ca. 1548) 1: an utterance (as a jeer
          or quip) intended to be taken as mockery or humor 2 a:
          prank b: a ludicrous circumstance or incident 3 a: a
          frivolous mood or manner <spoken in ~> b: gaiety and
          merriment 4: laughingstock syn see fun -- jest vb

   jester
          [jest.er] n (14c) 1: fool 2a 2: one given to jests

   Jesuit
          [Je.su.it] n [NL Jesuita, fr. LL Jesus] (1559) 1: a member
          of the Roman Catholic Society of Jesus founded by St.
          Ignatius Loyola in 1534 and devoted to missionary and
          educational work 2: one given to intrigue or equivocation
          -- je.su.it.ic or je.su.it.i.cal adj, often cap --
          je.su.it.i.cal.ly adv, often cap -- je.su.it.ism or je.su.it.ry
          n, often cap

   Jesus
          [Je.sus] n [LL, fr. Gk Iesous, fr. Heb Yeshua'] 1: the Jewish
          religious teacher whose life, death, and resurrection
          as reported by the Evangelists are the basis of the Christian
          message of salvation--called also Jesus Christ 2 Christian
          Science: the highest human corporeal concept of the divine
          idea rebuking and destroying error and bringing to light
          man's immortality

   [1]jet
          [jet] n [ME, fr. MF jaiet, fr. L gagates, fr. Gk gagates,
          fr. Gagas, town and river in Asia Minor] (14c) 1: a compact
          velvet-black coal that takes a good polish and is often
          used for jewelry 2: an intense black [2]jet adj (1716):
          of the color jet [3]jet vb jet.ted ; jet.ting [F jeter,
          lit., to throw, fr. MF, fr. L jactare to throw, freq.
          of jacere to throw; akin to Gk hienai to send] vi (1692):
          to spout forth: gush ~ vt: to emit in a stream: spout
          [4]jet n (ca. 1696) 1 a (1): a usu. forceful stream of
          fluid (as water or gas) discharged from a narrow opening
          or a nozzle (2): a narrow stream of material (as plasma)
          emanating or appearing to emanate from a celestial object
          (as a radio galaxy) b: a nozzle for a jet of fluid 2:
          something issuing as if in a jet <talk poured from her
          in a brilliant ~ --Time> 3 a: jet engine b: an airplane
          powered by one or more jet engines 4: a long narrow current
          of high-speed winds (as a jet stream) -- jet.like adj
          [5]jet vi jet.ted ; jet.ting (1949) 1: to travel by jet
          airplane 2: to move or progress by or as if by jet propulsion

   jetbead
          [jet.bead] n (ca. 1930): a shrub (Rhodotypos scandens) that
          has black shining fruit and is used as an ornamental

   jet-black
          [jet-black] adj (15c): black as jet

   jete
          [je.te] n [F, fr. pp. of jeter] (1830): a springing jump
          in ballet made from one foot to the other in any direction

   jet engine
          [jet engine] n (1943): an engine that produces motion as
          a result of the rearward discharge of a jet of fluid;
          specif: an airplane engine that uses atmospheric oxygen
          to burn fuel and produces a rearward discharge of heated
          air and exhaust gases--see airplane illustration

   jet lag
          [jet lag] n (1969): a condition that is characterized by
          various psychological and physiological effects (as fatigue
          and irritability), occurs following long flight through
          several time zones, and prob. results from disruption
          of circadian rhythms in the human body -- jet-lagged
          adj

   jetliner
          [jet.lin.er] n (1949): a jet-propelled airliner

   jetport
          [jet.port] n (1961): an airport designed to handle jet airplanes

   jet-propelled
          [jet-pro.pelled] adj (1877) 1: moving by jet propulsion 2:
          suggestive of the speed and force of a jet airplane

   jet propulsion
          [jet propulsion] n (1867): propulsion of a body produced
          by the forwardly directed forces of the reaction resulting
          from the rearward discharge of a jet of fluid; esp: propulsion
          of an airplane by jet engines

   jetsam
          [jet.sam] n [alter. of jettison] (1570) 1: the part of a
          ship, its equipment, or its cargo that is cast overboard
          to lighten the load in time of distress and that sinks
          or is washed ashore 2: flotsam 2

   jet set
          [jet set] n (1951): an international social group of wealthy
          individuals who frequent fashionable resorts -- jet-set.ter
          n -- jet-set.ting adj

   jet stream
          [jet stream] n (1947): a long narrow meandering current of
          high-speed winds near the tropopause blowing from a generally
          westerly direction and often exceeding a speed of 250
          miles (402 kilometers) per hour

   [1]jettison
          [jet.ti.son] n [ME jetteson, fr. AF getteson, fr. OF getaison
          action of throwing, fr. L jactation-, jactatio, fr. jactare--more
          at jet] (15c): a voluntary sacrifice of cargo to lighten
          a ship's load in time of distress [2]jettison vt (1848)
          1: to make jettison of 2: to get rid of as superfluous
          or encumbering: discard 3: to drop from an airplane or
          spacecraft in flight -- jet.ti.son.able adj

   [1]jetty
          [jet.ty] n, pl jetties [ME jette, fr. MF jetee, fr. fem.
          of jete, pp. of jeter to throw--more at jet] (15c) 1
          a: a structure extended into a sea, lake, or river to
          influence the current or tide or to protect a harbor
          b: a protecting frame of a pier 2: a landing wharf [2]jetty
          vi jet.tied ; jet.ty.ing (1598): project, jut [3]jetty
          adj (1586): black as jet

   jeu de mots
          [jeu de mots] [F] foreign term : play on words: pun

   jeu d'esprit
          [jeu d'es.prit] n, pl jeux d'esprit [F, lit., play of the
          mind] (1712): a witty comment or composition

   jeunesse doree
          [jeu.nesse do.ree] n [F, gilded youth] (1836): young people
          of wealth and fashion

   Jew
          [Jew] n [ME, fr. OF gyu, fr. L Judaeus, fr. Gk Ioudaios,
          fr. Heb Yehudhi, fr. Yehudhah Judah, Jewish kingdom]
          (13c) 1 a: a member of the tribe of Judah b: israelite
          2: a member of a nation existing in Palestine from the
          6th century b.c. to the 1st century a.d. 3: a person
          belonging to a continuation through descent or conversion
          of the ancient Jewish people 4: one whose religion is
          Judaism

   [1]jewel
          [jew.el] n, often attrib [ME juel, fr. OF, prob. dim. of
          jeu game, play, fr. L jocus game, joke--more at joke]
          (13c) 1: an ornament of precious metal often set with
          stones or decorated with enamel and worn as an accessory
          of dress 2: one that is highly esteemed 3: a precious
          stone: gem 4: a bearing for a pivot (as in a watch or
          compass) made of crystal, precious stone, or glass --
          jew.el.like adj [2]jewel vt -eled or -elled ; -el.ing
          or -el.ling (1601) 1: to adorn or equip with jewels 2:
          to give beauty to as if with jewels: embellish

   jewel box
          [jewel box] n (1831) 1: a small box or case designed to hold
          jewelry 2: something small and exquisite

   jeweler
          [jew.el.er] or jew.el.ler n (14c) 1: one who makes or repairs
          jewelry 2: one who deals in jewelry, precious stones,
          watches, and usu. silverware and china

   jewellery
          [jew.el.lery] chiefly Brit var of jewelry

   jewelry
          [jew.el.ry] n (14c): jewels; esp: objects of precious metal
          often set with gems and worn for personal adornment

   jewelweed
          [jew.el.weed] n (1818): touch-me-not

   Jewess
          [Jew.ess] n (14c): a Jewish girl or woman--sometimes taken
          to be offensive

   jewfish
          [jew.fish] n (1679): any of various large groupers (esp.
          Epinephelus itajara) that are usu. dusky green, brown,
          or blackish, thickheaded, and rough-scaled

   Jewish
          [Jew.ish] adj (ca. 1546): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the Jews; also: being a Jew -- Jew.ish.ly adv -- Jew.ish.ness
          n

   Jewish American Princess
          [Jewish American Princess] n (1979): a stereotypical well-to-do
          or spoiled American Jewish girl or woman--called also
          Jewish Princess--often used disparagingly

   Jewish calendar
          [Jewish calendar] n (ca. 1888): a calendar in use among Jewish
          peoples that is reckoned from the year 3761 b.c. and
          dates in its present form from about a.d. 360

   Jewry
          [Jew.ry] n (14c) 1 pl Jewries : a community of Jews 2: the
          Jewish people

   Jew's harp
          [Jew's harp] or Jews' harp n (1595): a small lyre-shaped
          instrument that when held between the lips gives tones
          from a metal tongue struck by the finger

   Jezebel
          [Jez.e.bel] n [Heb Izebhel] 1: the Phoenician wife of Ahab
          who according to the account in I and II Kings pressed
          the cult of Baal on the Israelite kingdom but was finally
          killed in accordance with Elijah's prophecy 2 often not
          cap: an impudent, shameless, or morally unrestrained
          woman

   jg...
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   jg
          [jg] abbreviation junior grade

   jh...
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   JHVH
          [JHVH] var of yhwh

   ji...
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   jiao
          [jiao] n [Chin (Beijing) jiao] (1949): a monetary unit of
          the People's Republic of China equal to 1/10 yuan

   [1]jib
          [jib] n [origin unknown] (1661): a triangular sail set on
          a stay extending usu. from the head of the foremast to
          the bowsprit or the jibboom; also: the small triangular
          headsail on a sloop--see sail illustration [2]jib n [prob.
          by shortening & alter. fr. gibbet] (1764) 1: the projecting
          arm of a crane 2: a derrick boom [3]jib vi jibbed ; jib.bing
          [prob. fr. jib to shift from one side of a ship to the
          other, perh. fr. [1]jib] (1811): to refuse to proceed
          further: balk -- jib.ber n

   jibboom
          [jib.boom] n [[1]jib + boom] (1748): a spar that forms an
          extension of the bowsprit

   [1]jibe
          [jibe] var of gibe [2]jibe vb jibed ; jib.ing [perh. modif.
          of D gijben] vi (1693) 1: to shift suddenly and forcibly
          from one side to the other--used of a fore-and-aft sail
          2: to change a vessel's course when sailing with the
          wind so that as the stern passes through the eye of the
          wind the boom swings to the opposite side ~ vt: to cause
          to jibe [3]jibe vi jibed ; jib.ing [origin unknown] (1813):
          to be in accord: agree

   jicama
          [ji.ca.ma] n [MexSp jicama, fr. Nahuatl xicamatl] (ca. 1909):
          an edible starchy tuberous root of a leguminous tropical
          American vine (Pachyrhizus erosus)

   Jicarilla
          [Ji.ca.ri.lla] n, pl Jicarilla or Jicarillas [AmerSp apaches
          de la xicarilla, lit., gourd-cup Apaches, fr. Cerro de
          la Xicarilla, lit., gourd-cup peak, unidentified mountain
          in Jicarilla territory] (1856) 1: a member of an Apache
          people orig. of southeastern Colorado, northern New Mexico,
          and adjacent areas and now living chiefly in northern
          New Mexico 2: the language of the Jicarilla people

   jiff
          [jiff] n (1797): jiffy

   jiffy
          [jif.fy] n, pl jiffies [origin unknown] (1785): moment, instant
          <ready in a ~>

   [1]jig
          [jig] n [perh. fr. MF giguer to frolic, fr. gigue fiddle,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG giga fiddle; akin to ON geiga
          to turn aside] (ca. 1560) 1 a: any of several lively
          springy dances in triple rhythm b: music to which a jig
          may be danced 2: trick, game--used chiefly in the phrase
          the jig is up 3 a: any of several fishing devices that
          are jerked up and down or drawn through the water b:
          a device used to maintain mechanically the correct positional
          relationship between a piece of work and the tool or
          between parts of work during assembly c: a device in
          which crushed ore is concentrated or coal is cleaned
          by agitating in water -- in jig time : in a short time:
          quickly [2]jig vb jigged ; jig.ging vi (1604) 1 a: to
          move with rapid jerky motions b: to dance a jig 2: to
          fish with a jig ~ vt 1: to dance in the rapid lively
          manner of a jig 2 a: to give a rapid jerky motion to
          b: to separate (a mineral or ore from waste) with a jig
          3: to catch (a fish) with a jig 4: to machine by means
          of a jig-controlled tool operation [3]jig n [short for
          jigaboo black person] (1927): black 4--usu. taken to
          be offensive

   [1]jigger
          [jig.ger] n (1675) 1: one that jigs or operates a jig 2:
          any of several sails 3: jig 3a 4 a (1): a mechanical
          device usu. with a jerky reciprocating motion (2): a
          mold or a machine incorporating a revolving mold on which
          ceramic items (as plates) are formed b: gadget, doodad
          5: a measure used in mixing drinks that usu. holds 1
          to 2 ounces (30 to 60 milliliters) [2]jigger n [perh.
          fr. Wolof jiga insect] (1781): chigger [3]jigger vb [freq.
          of [2]jig] vi (1867): to jerk up and down ~ vt: to alter
          or rearrange esp. by manipulating <~ an election district>

   jiggery-pokery
          [jig.gery-pok.ery] n [prob. alter. of Sc joukery-pawkery,
          fr. jouk to dodge, cheat + pawk trick, wile] (ca. 1892):
          underhanded manipulation or dealings: trickery

   jiggle
          [jig.gle] vb jig.gled ; jig.gling [freq. of [2]jig] vt (1836):
          to cause to move with quick little jerks or oscillating
          motions ~ vi: to move from or as if from being jiggled
          -- jiggle n -- jig.gly adj

   [1]jigsaw
          [jig.saw] n (1873) 1: a machine saw with a narrow vertically
          reciprocating blade for cutting curved and irregular
          lines or ornamental patterns in openwork 2: scroll saw
          1 3: jigsaw puzzle [2]jigsaw vt (1873) 1: to cut or form
          by or as if by a jigsaw 2: to arrange or place in an
          intricate or interlocking way [3]jigsaw adj (1884): suggesting
          a jigsaw puzzle or its separate pieces

   jigsaw puzzle
          [jigsaw puzzle] n (1919): a puzzle consisting of small irregularly
          cut pieces that are to be fitted together to form a picture; also:
          something suggesting a jigsaw puzzle

   jihad
          [ji.had] n [Ar jihad] (1869) 1: a holy war waged on behalf
          of Islam as a religious duty 2: a crusade for a principle
          or belief

   jillion
          [jil.lion] n [j + -illion (as in million)] (ca. 1942): an
          indeterminately large number -- jillion adj

   [1]jilt
          [jilt] vt (1673): to drop (a lover) capriciously or unfeelingly
          -- jilt.er n [2]jilt n [alter. of jillet flirtatious
          girl] (ca. 1674): one who jilts a lover

   jim crow
          [jim crow] n, often cap J&C [Jim Crow, stereotype black man
          in a 19th cent. song-and-dance act] (1838) 1: black 4--usu.
          taken to be offensive 2: ethnic discrimination esp. against
          blacks by legal enforcement or traditional sanctions
          -- jim crow adj, often cap J&C -- jim crow.ism n, often
          cap J&C

   jim-dandy
          [jim-dan.dy] n [fr. the name Jim] (1887): something excellent
          of its kind

   jimjams
          [jim.jams] n pl [perh. alter. of delirium tremens] (1852):
          jitters

   jimmies
          [jim.mies] n pl [origin unknown] (ca. 1947): tiny rod-shaped
          bits of usu. chocolate-flavored candy often sprinkled
          on ice cream

   [1]jimmy
          [jim.my] n, pl jimmies [fr. the name Jimmy] (1848): a short
          crowbar [2]jimmy vt jim.mied ; jim.my.ing (1893): to
          force open with or as if with a jimmy <the burglar jimmied
          a window>

   jimsonweed
          [jim.son.weed] n, often cap [Jamestown, Va.] (1832): a poisonous
          tall coarse annual weed (Datura stramonium) of the nightshade
          family with rank-smelling foliage and large white or
          violet trumpet-shaped flowers succeeded by globose prickly
          fruits

   [1]jingle
          [jin.gle] vb jin.gled ; jin.gling [ME ginglen, of imit. origin]
          vi (14c) 1: to make a light clinking or tinkling sound
          2: to rhyme or sound in a catchy repetitious manner ~
          vt: to cause to jingle -- jin.gler n [2]jingle n (1599)
          1 a: a light clinking or tinkling sound b: a catchy repetition
          of sounds in a poem 2 a: something that jingles b: a
          short verse or song marked by catchy repetition -- jin.gly
          adj

   [1]jingo
          [jin.go] interj [prob. euphemism for Jesus] (1694)--used
          as a mild oath usu. in the phrase by jingo [2]jingo n,
          pl jingoes [fr. the fact that the phrase by jingo appeared
          in the refrain of a chauvinistic song] (1878): one characterized
          by jingoism -- jin.go.ish adj

   jingoism
          [jin.go.ism] n (1878): extreme chauvinism or nationalism
          marked esp. by a belligerent foreign policy -- jin.go.ist
          n or adj -- jin.go.is.tic adj -- jin.go.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]jink
          [jink] vi [origin unknown] (1785): to move quickly or unexpectedly
          with sudden turns and shifts (as in dodging) [2]jink n (1786)
          1: a quick evasive turn: slip 2 pl: pranks, frolics; esp: high
          jinks

   jinni
          [jin.ni] or jinn n, pl jinn or jinns [Ar jinniy demon] (1684)
          1: one of a class of spirits that according to Muslim
          demonology inhabit the earth, assume various forms, and
          exercise supernatural power 2: genie 2

   jinricksha
          [jin.rick.sha] or jin.rik.i.sha n [Jp] (1874): ricksha

   [1]jinx
          [jinx] n [perh. alter. of jynx wryneck; fr. the use of wrynecks
          in witchcraft] (1911): one that brings bad luck; also:
          the state or spell of bad luck brought on by a jinx [2]jinx
          vt (1917): to foredoom to failure or misfortune: bring
          bad luck to

   jipijapa
          [ji.pi.ja.pa] n [Sp, fr. Jipijapa, Ecuador] (1858) 1: a Central
          and So. American plant (Carludovica palmata of the family
          Cyclanthaceae) resembling a palm 2: panama

   JIT
          [JIT] abbreviation job instruction training, just in time

   jitney
          [jit.ney] n, pl jitneys [origin unknown] (1903) 1 slang:
          nickel 2a(1) 2 [fr. the original 5 cent fare]: bus 1a;
          esp: a small bus that carries passengers over a regular
          route on a flexible schedule

   [1]jitter
          [jit.ter] n [origin unknown] (1929) 1 pl: a sense of panic
          or extreme nervousness <had a bad case of the ~s before
          his performance> 2: the state of mind or the movement
          of one that jitters 3: irregular random movement (as
          of a pointer or an image on a television screen); also:
          vibratory motion [2]jitter vi (1931) 1: to be nervous
          or act in a nervous way 2: to make continuous fast repetitive
          movements

   [1]jitterbug
          [jit.ter.bug] n (1938) 1: a jazz variation of the two-step
          in which couples swing, balance, and twirl in standardized
          patterns and often with vigorous acrobatics 2: one who
          dances the jitterbug [2]jitterbug vi (1939) 1: to dance
          the jitterbug 2: to move around or back and forth with
          quick often jerky movements esp. to confuse or disconcert
          an opponent in sports

   jittery
          [jit.tery] adj (1931) 1: suffering from the jitters 2: marked
          by jittering movements -- jit.ter.i.ness n

   jiujitsu, jiujutsu
          [jiu.jit.su, jiu.jut.su] var of jujitsu

   [1]jive
          [jive] n [origin unknown] (1928) 1: swing music or the dancing
          performed to it 2 a: glib, deceptive, or foolish talk
          b: the jargon of hipsters c: a special jargon of difficult
          or slang terms -- jivey adj [2]jive vb jived ; jiv.ing
          vt (1928) 1: tease 3, cajole 2: swing 5 ~ vi 1: kid 2:
          to dance to or play jive [3]jive adj (1953) slang: phony

   jn...
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   Jn
          [Jn] or Jno abbreviation John

   JND
          [JND] abbreviation just noticeable difference

   jnr
          [jnr] Brit abbreviation junior

   jo...
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   jo
          [jo] n, pl joes [alter. of joy] (ca. 1529) chiefly Scot:
          sweetheart, dear

   Jo
          [Jo] abbreviation Joel

   Joannes est nomen eius
          [Jo.an.nes est no.men eius] [L] foreign term : John is his
          name--motto of Puerto Rico

   [1]job
          [job] n [perh. fr. obs. E job lump] (ca. 1627) 1 a: a piece
          of work; esp: a small miscellaneous piece of work undertaken
          on order at a stated rate b: the object or material on
          which work is being done c: something produced by or
          as if by work <do a better ~ next time> d: an example
          of a usu. specified type: item <this ~ is round-necked
          and sleeveless --Lois Long> 2 a: something done for private
          advantage <suspected the whole incident was a put-up
          ~> b: a criminal enterprise; specif: robbery c: a damaging
          or destructive bit of work <did a ~ on him> 3 a (1):
          something that has to be done: task (2): an undertaking
          requiring unusual exertion <it was a real ~ to talk over
          that noise> b: a specific duty, role, or function c:
          a regular remunerative position d chiefly Brit: state
          of affairs--used with bad or good <it was a good ~ you
          didn't hit the old man --E. L. Thomas> syn see task --
          on the job : at work [2]job vb jobbed ; job.bing vi (1694)
          1: to do odd or occasional pieces of work for hire 2:
          to carry on public business for private gain 3: to carry
          on the business of a middleman or wholesaler ~ vt 1:
          to buy and sell (as stock) for profit: speculate 2: to
          hire or let by the job or for a period of service 3:
          to get, deal with, or effect by jobbery 4: to do or cause
          to be done by separate portions or lots: subcontract
          5: to penalize or deprive unfairly [3]job adj (1710)
          1 Brit: that is for hire for a given service or period
          2: used in, engaged in, or done as job work <a ~ shop>
          3: of or relating to a job or to employment <a guarantee
          of ~ security> Job n [L, fr. Gk Iob, fr. Heb Iyyobh]
          1: the hero of the book of Job who endures afflictions
          with fortitude and faith 2: a narrative and poetic book
          of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture

   job action
          [job action] n (ca. 1968): a temporary action (as a slowdown)
          by workers as a protest and means of forcing compliance
          with demands

   jobber
          [job.ber] n (1670): one that jobs: as a (1): wholesaler;
          specif: a wholesaler who operates on a small scale or
          who sells only to retailers and institutions (2): stockjobber
          a b: a person who works by the job

   jobbery
          [job.bery] n (1832): the act or practice of jobbing; esp:
          corruption in public office

   jobholder
          [job.hold.er] n (1904): a person having a regular job

   job-hopping
          [job-hop.ping] n (ca. 1952): the practice of moving from
          job to job -- job-hop.per n

   jobless
          [job.less] adj (1919) 1: having no job 2: of or relating
          to those having no job -- job.less.ness n

   job lot
          [job lot] n (1851) 1: a miscellaneous collection of goods
          for sale as a lot usu. to a retailer 2: a miscellaneous
          and usu. inferior collection or group

   Job's comforter
          [Job's comforter] n [fr. the tone of the speeches made to
          Job by his friends] (1738): a person who discourages
          or depresses while seemingly giving comfort and consolation

   Job's tears
          [Job's tears] n pl (1597) 1: hard pearly white seeds often
          used as beads 2 sing in constr: an Asian grass (Coix
          lacryma-jobi) whose seeds are Job's tears

   Jocasta
          [Jo.cas.ta] n [L, fr. Gk Iokaste]: a queen of Thebes who
          marries Oedipus not knowing that he is her son

   [1]jock
          [jock] n (1826) 1: jockey 2: disc jockey [2]jock n [jockstrap]
          (1922) 1: athletic supporter 2: athlete; esp: a college
          athlete

   [1]jockey
          [jock.ey] n, pl jockeys [Jockey, Sc nickname for John] (1670)
          1: a person who rides or drives a horse esp. as a professional
          in a race 2: a person who operates or works with a specified
          vehicle, device, or object: operator <an accountant,
          a pencil ~ -- with almost no association with the out-of-doors
          --James Selder> [2]jockey vb jock.eyed ; jock.ey.ing
          vt (1708) 1: to deal shrewdly or fraudulently with 2
          a: to ride or drive (a horse) as a jockey b: drive, operate
          3 a: to maneuver or manipulate by adroit or devious means
          <was ~ed out of the job> b: to change the position of
          by a series of movements <~ a truck into position> ~
          vi 1: to act as a jockey 2: to maneuver for advantage--often
          used in the phrase jockey for position

   jockey club
          [jockey club] n (1775): an association for the promotion
          and regulation of horse racing

   jock itch
          [jock itch] n [[2]jock] (1950): ringworm of the crotch: tinea
          cruris

   jockstrap
          [jock.strap] n [E slang jock penis + E strap] (1886): athletic
          supporter

   jocose
          [jo.cose] adj [L jocosus, fr. jocus joke] (1673) 1: given
          to joking: merry 2: characterized by joking: humorous
          syn see witty -- jo.cose.ly adv -- jo.cose.ness n --
          jo.cos.i.ty n

   jocular
          [joc.u.lar] adj [L jocularis, fr. joculus, dim. of jocus]
          (1626) 1: given to jesting: habitually jolly or jocund
          2: characterized by jesting: playful syn see witty --
          joc.u.lar.i.ty n -- joc.u.lar.ly adv

   jocund
          [jo.cund] adj [ME, fr. LL jocundus, alter. of L jucundus,
          fr. juvare to help] (14c): marked by or suggestive of
          high spirits and lively mirthfulness <a poet could not
          but be gay, in such a ~ company --William Wordsworth>
          syn see merry -- jo.cun.di.ty n -- jo.cund.ly adv

   jodhpur
          [jodh.pur] n [Jodhpur, India] (1899) 1 pl: riding breeches
          cut full through the hips and close-fitting from knee
          to ankle 2: an ankle-high boot fastened with a strap
          that is buckled at the side--called also jodhpur boot

   joe
          [joe] n, often cap [fr. Joe, nickname for Joseph] (1846):
          fellow, guy <an average ~>

   Joel
          [Jo.el] n [L, fr. Gk Ioel, fr. Heb Yo'el] 1: the traditionally
          assumed author of the book of Joel 2: a narrative and
          apocalyptic book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture

   joe-pye weed
          [joe-pye weed] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1818): any of several
          tall American perennial composite herbs (esp. Eupatorium
          maculatum and E. purpureum) with whorled leaves and corymbose
          heads of typically purple tubular flowers

   joey
          [jo.ey] n [origin unknown] (1839) Austral: a baby animal;
          esp: a baby kangaroo

   [1]jog
          [jog] vb jogged ; jog.ging [prob. alter. of shog] vt (1548)
          1: to give a slight shake or push to: nudge 2: to rouse
          to alertness <jogged his memory> 3: to cause (as a horse)
          to go at a jog 4: to align the edges of (piled sheets
          of paper) by hitting or shaking against a flat surface
          ~ vi 1: to move up and down or about with a short heavy
          motion <his ... holster jogging against his hip --Thomas
          Williams> 2 a: to run or ride at a slow trot b: to go
          at a slow, leisurely, or monotonous pace: trudge [2]jog
          n (1635) 1: a slight shake: push 2 a: a movement, pace,
          or instance of jogging (as for exercise) b: a horse's
          slow measured trot [3]jog n [prob. alter. of [2]jag]
          (1715) 1 a: a projecting or retreating part (as of a
          line or surface) b: the space in the angle of a jog 2:
          a brief abrupt change in direction [4]jog vi jogged ;
          jog.ging (1953): to make a jog <the road ~s to the right>

   jogger
          [jog.ger] n (ca. 1700) 1: one that jogs 2: a device for jogging
          piled sheets of paper

   [1]joggle
          [jog.gle] vb jog.gled ; jog.gling [freq. of [1]jog] vt (1513):
          to shake slightly ~ vi: to move shakily or jerkily --
          jog.gler n [2]joggle n (ca. 1727): [2]jog 2a [3]joggle
          n [dim. of [3]jog] (1793) 1: a notch or tooth in a joining
          surface (as of a piece of building material) to prevent
          slipping 2: a dowel for joining two adjacent blocks of
          masonry [4]joggle vt jog.gled ; jog.gling (1820): to
          join by means of a joggle so as to prevent sliding apart

   jog trot
          [jog trot] n (1796) 1: [2]jog 2b 2: a routine habit or course
          of action

   Johannine
          [Jo.han.nine] adj [LL Johannes John] (1861): of, relating
          to, or characteristic of the apostle John or the New
          Testament books ascribed to him

   Johannisberg Riesling
          [Jo.han.nis.berg Riesling] n [Johannisberg, village in Germany]
          (1976): a Reisling produced in the U.S. (as in California)

   john
          [john] n [fr. the name John] (1856) 1: toilet 2: a prostitute's
          client John n [LL Johannes, fr. Gk Ioannes, fr. Heb Yohanan]
          1: a Jewish prophet who according to Gospel accounts
          foretold Jesus's messianic ministry and baptized him--called
          also John the Baptist 2: an apostle who according to
          various Christian traditions wrote the fourth Gospel,
          the three Johannine Epistles, and the Book of Revelation
          3: the fourth Gospel in the New Testament--see bible
          table 4: any of three short didactic letters addressed
          to early Christians and included in the New Testament

   John Barleycorn
          [John Barleycorn] n (ca. 1620): alcoholic liquor personified

   johnboat
          [john.boat] n [fr. the name John] (1905): a narrow flat-bottomed
          square-ended boat usu. propelled by a pole or paddle
          and used on inland waterways

   John Bull
          [John Bull] n [John Bull, character typifying the English
          nation in The History of John Bull (1712) by John Arbuthnot]
          (1778) 1: the English nation personified: the English
          people 2: a typical Englishman -- John Bull.ish adj --
          John Bull.ish.ness n -- John Bull.ism n

   John Doe
          [John Doe] n (1768) 1: a party to legal proceedings whose
          true name is unknown 2: an average man

   John Dory
          [John Do.ry] n, pl John Dories [earlier dory, fr. ME dorre,
          fr. MF doree, lit., gilded one] (1754): a common yellow
          to olive food fish (Zeus faber) of Europe and Africa
          with an oval compressed body, long dorsal spines, and
          a dark spot on each side; also: a closely related and
          possibly identical fish (Z. capensis) widely distributed
          in southern seas

   Johne's disease
          [Joh.ne's disease] n [Heinrich A. Johne d. 1910 Ger.
          bacteriologist] (1907): a chronic often fatal contagious enteritis
          of ruminants and esp. of cattle that is caused by a bacterium
          (Mycobacterium paratuberculosis) and is characterized by persistent
          diarrhea and gradual emaciation

   John Hancock
          [John Han.cock] n [John Hancock; fr. the prominence of his
          signature on the Declaration of Independence] (1903):
          an autograph signature

   John Henry
          [John Hen.ry] n [fr. the name John Henry, fr. confusion with
          John Hancock] (1914): an autograph signature

   John Mark
          [John Mark] n: mark 1a

   johnny
          [john.ny] n, pl johnnies [fr. the name Johnny] (1673) 1 often
          cap: fellow, guy 2: a short-sleeved collarless gown that
          is open in the back and is worn by persons (as hospital
          patients) undergoing medical examination or treatment

   johnnycake
          [john.ny.cake] n [prob. fr. the name Johnny] (1739): a bread
          made with cornmeal

   Johnny-come-lately
          [John.ny-come-late.ly] n, pl Johnny-come-latelies or
          Johnnies-come-lately (1839) 1: a late or recent arrival: newcomer
          2: upstart <established families tend to hold themselves above the
          Johnny-come-latelies --William Zeckendorf d.1976>

   Johnny-jump-up
          [John.ny-jump-up] n (1842) 1: a common and long-cultivated
          European viola (Viola tricolor) which has short-spurred
          flowers usu. blue or purple mixed with white and yellow
          and from which most of the garden pansies are derived;
          broadly: any of various small-flowered cultivated pansies
          2: any of various American violets

   Johnny-on-the-spot
          [John.ny-on-the-spot] n (1896): a person who is on hand and
          ready to perform a service or respond to an emergency

   Johnny Reb
          [Johnny Reb] n [fr. the name Johnny + reb rebel] (1865):
          a Confederate soldier

   Johnsonese
          [John.son.ese] n [Samuel Johnson] (1843): a literary style
          characterized by balanced phraseology and Latinate diction

   johnsongrass
          [john.son.grass] n, often cap [William Johnston d. 1859 Am.
          agriculturist] (1884): a tall perennial sorghum (Sorghum
          halepense) orig. of the Mediterranean region that is
          widely used for forage in warm areas and often becomes
          naturalized

   joie de vivre
          [joie de vi.vre] n [F, lit., joy of living] (1889): keen
          or buoyant enjoyment of life

   [1]join
          [join] vb [ME, fr. OF joindre, fr. L jungere--more at yoke]
          vt (13c) 1 a: to put or bring together so as to form
          a unit <~ two blocks of wood with glue> b: to connect
          (as points) by a line c: adjoin 2: to put or bring into
          close association or relationship <~ed in marriage> 3:
          to engage in (battle) 4 a: to come into the company of
          <~ed us for lunch> b: to associate oneself with <~ed
          the church> ~ vi 1 a: to come together so as to be connected
          <nouns ~ to form compounds> b: adjoin <the two estates
          ~> 2: to come into close association or relationship:
          as a: to form an alliance b: to become a member of a
          group c: to take part in a collective activity <~ in
          singing> -- join.able adj syn join, combine, unite, connect,
          link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together
          into some manner of union. join implies a bringing into
          contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness <joined
          forces in an effort to win>. combine implies some merging
          or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each
          unit <combined jazz and rock to create a new music>.
          unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity
          <the colonies united to form a republic>. connect suggests
          a loose or external attachment with little or no loss
          of identity <a mutual defense treaty connected the two
          nations>. link may imply strong connection or inseparability
          of elements still retaining identity <a name forever
          linked with liberty>. associate stresses the mere fact
          of frequent occurrence or existence together in space
          or in logical relation <opera is popularly associated
          with high society>. relate suggests the existence of
          a real or presumed logical connection <related what he
          observed to what he already knew>. [2]join n (1825) 1:
          joint 2: union 2d

   joinder
          [join.der] n [F joindre to join, fr. OF] (1601) 1: conjunction
          1 2 a (1): a joining of parties as plaintiffs or defendants
          in a suit (2): a joining of causes of action or defense
          b: acceptance of an issue tendered

   joiner
          [join.er] n (14c): one that joins: as a: a person whose occupation
          is to construct articles by joining pieces of wood b: a gregarious
          or civic-minded person who joins many organizations

   joinery
          [join.ery] n (1678) 1: the art or trade of a joiner 2: work
          done by a joiner

   joining
          [join.ing] n (14c) 1: the act or an instance of joining one
          thing to another: juncture 2 a: the place or manner of
          being joined together b: something that joins two things
          together

   [1]joint
          [joint] n [ME jointe, fr. OF, fr. joindre] (13c) 1 a (1):
          the point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton
          with the parts that surround and support it (2): node
          5b b: a part or space included between two articulations,
          knots, or nodes c: a large piece of meat for roasting
          2 a: a place where two things or parts are joined b:
          a space between the adjacent surfaces of two bodies joined
          and held together (as by cement or mortar) c: a fracture
          or crack in rock not accompanied by dislocation d: the
          flexing part of a cover along either backbone edge of
          a book e: the junction of two or more members of a framed
          structure f: a union formed by two abutting rails in
          a track including the elements (as bars and bolts) necessary
          to hold the abutting rails together g: an area at which
          two ends, surfaces, or edges are attached 3 a: a shabby
          or disreputable place of entertainment b: place, establishment
          c slang: prison 2 4: a marijuana cigarette -- joint.ed
          adj -- joint.ed.ly adv -- joint.ed.ness n -- out of joint
          1 a of a bone: having the head slipped from its socket
          b: at variance 2 a: disordered 2a b: being out of humor:
          dissatisfied [2]joint adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. pp. of joindre,
          fr. OF] (14c) 1: united, combined <the ~ influences of
          culture and climate> 2: common to two or more: as a (1):
          involving the united activity of two or more <a ~ effort>
          (2): constituting an activity, operation, or organization
          in which elements of more than one armed service participate
          <~ maneuvers> (3): constituting an action or expression
          of two or more governments <~ peace talks> b: shared
          by or affecting two or more <a ~ fine> 3: united, joined,
          or sharing with another (as in a right or status) <~
          heirs> 4: being a function of or involving two or more
          variables and esp. random variables -- joint.ly adv [3]joint
          vb [[1]joint] vt (1530) 1: to separate the joints of
          (as meat) 2 a: to unite by a joint: fit together b: to
          provide with a joint: articulate c: to prepare (as a
          board) for joining by planing the edge ~ vi 1: to fit
          as if by joints <the stones ~ neatly> 2: to form joints
          as a stage in growth--used esp. of small grains

   Joint Chiefs of Staff
          [Joint Chiefs of Staff] (1946): a military advisory group
          composed of the chiefs of staff of the army and air force,
          the chief of naval operations, and sometimes the commandant
          of the marine corps

   jointer
          [joint.er] n (1678): one that joints; esp: any of various
          tools used in making joints

   joint grass
          [joint grass] n (1835): a coarse creeping grass (Paspalum
          distichum) with jointed stems that is used for fodder
          and for erosion control

   joint resolution
          [joint resolution] n (1838): a resolution passed by both
          houses of a legislative body that has the force of law
          when signed by or passed over the veto of the executive

   jointress
          [join.tress] n (1602): a woman having a legal jointure

   joint-stock company
          [joint-stock company] n (1776): a company or association
          consisting of individuals organized to conduct a business
          for gain and having a joint stock of capital represented
          by shares owned individually by the members and transferable
          without the consent of the group

   jointure
          [join.ture] n (14c) 1 a: an act of joining: the state of
          being joined b: joint 2 a: an estate settled on a wife
          to be taken by her in lieu of dower b: a settlement on
          the wife of a freehold estate for her lifetime

   jointworm
          [joint.worm] n (1851): the larva of any of several small
          chalcid wasps (genus Harmolita) that attacks the stems
          of grain and causes swellings like galls at or just above
          the first joint

   joist
          [joist] n [ME joiste, fr. MF giste, fr. (assumed) VL jacitum,
          fr. L jacere to lie--more at adjacent] (15c): any of
          the small timbers or metal beams ranged parallel from
          wall to wall in a structure to support a floor or ceiling

   jojoba
          [jo.jo.ba] n [MexSp] (1923): a shrub or small tree (Simmondsia
          chinensis syn. S. californica) of the box family of southwestern
          No. America with edible seeds that yield a valuable liquid
          wax

   [1]joke
          [joke] n [L jocus; perh. akin to OHG gehan to say, Skt yacati
          he asks] (1670) 1 a: something said or done to provoke
          laughter; esp: a brief oral narrative with a climactic
          humorous twist b (1): the humorous or ridiculous element
          in something (2): an instance of jesting: kidding <can't
          take a ~> c: practical joke d: laughingstock 2: something
          not to be taken seriously: a trifling matter <consider
          his skiing a ~ --Harold Callender>--often used in negative
          construction <it is no ~ to be lost in the desert> [2]joke
          vb joked ; jok.ing vi (1670): to make jokes: jest ~ vt:
          to make the object of a joke: kid -- jok.ing.ly adv

   joker
          [jok.er] n (1729) 1 a: a person given to joking: wag b: fellow,
          guy; esp: an insignificant, obnoxious, or incompetent
          person <a shame to let a ~ like this win --Harold Robbins>
          2: a playing card added to a pack as a wild card or as
          the highest-ranking card 3 a (1): an ambiguous or apparently
          immaterial clause inserted in a legislative bill to make
          it inoperative or uncertain in some respect (2): an unsuspected,
          misleading, or misunderstood clause, phrase, or word
          in a document that nullifies or greatly alters it b:
          something (as an expedient or stratagem) held in reserve
          to gain an end or escape from a predicament c: an unsuspected
          or not readily apparent fact, factor, or condition that
          thwarts or nullifies a seeming advantage

   jokey
          [jok.ey] also joky adj jok.i.er ; -est (ca. 1825) 1: given
          to joking 2: humorous, comical 3: amusingly ridiculous:
          laughable -- jok.i.ly adv -- jok.i.ness n

   jolie laide
          [jo.lie laide] [F] foreign term : good-looking ugly woman:
          woman who is attractive though not conventionally pretty

   jollification
          [jol.li.fi.ca.tion] n (1809): festivity, merrymaking

   jollity
          [jol.li.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the quality or state of
          being jolly: merriment 2 Brit: a festive gathering

   [1]jolly
          [jol.ly] adj jol.li.er ; -est [ME joli, fr. OF] (14c) 1 a
          (1): full of high spirits: joyous (2): given to conviviality:
          jovial b: expressing, suggesting, or inspiring gaiety:
          cheerful 2: extremely pleasant or agreeable: splendid
          syn see merry [2]jolly adv (1549): very <would ... do
          as they were ~ well told --John Stockbridge> [3]jolly
          vb jol.lied ; jol.ly.ing vi (1610): to engage in good-natured
          banter ~ vt: to put or try to put in good humor esp.
          to gain an end [4]jolly n, pl jollies (1905) 1 chiefly
          Brit: a good time: jollification 2 pl: kicks <get their
          jollies by reenacting famous murders --H. F. Waters>

   jolly boat
          [jol.ly boat] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1741): a ship's boat
          of medium size used for general-purpose work

   Jolly Roger
          [Jol.ly Rog.er] n [prob. fr. [1]jolly + the name Roger] (ca.
          1785): a black flag with a white skull and crossbones
          formerly used by pirates as their ensign

   [1]jolt
          [jolt] vb [prob. blend of obs. joll to strike and jot to
          bump] vt (1596) 1: to cause to move with a sudden jerky
          motion 2: to give a knock or blow to; specif: to jar
          with a quick or hard blow 3 a: to disturb the composure
          of <crudely ~ed out of that mood --Virginia Woolf> b:
          to interfere with roughly, abruptly, and disconcertingly
          <determination to pursue his own course was ~ed badly
          --F. L. Paxson> ~ vi: to move with a sudden jerky motion
          -- jolt.er n [2]jolt n (1599) 1: an abrupt sharp jerky
          blow or movement 2 a (1): a sudden feeling of shock,
          surprise, or disappointment (2): an event or development
          causing such a feeling <the defeat was quite a ~> b:
          a serious check or reverse <a severe financial ~> 3:
          a small potent or bracing portion <a ~ of horseradish>
          -- jolty adj

   jolt-wagon
          [jolt-wag.on] n (1886) Midland: a farm wagon

   Jon
          [Jon] abbreviation Jonah, Jonas

   Jonah
          [Jo.nah] n [Heb Yonah] 1: an Israelite prophet who according
          to the account in the book of Johah resisted a divine
          call to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh, was
          swallowed and vomited by a great fish, and eventually
          carried out his mission 2: a narrative book of canonical
          Jewish and Christian Scripture 3: one believed to bring
          bad luck

   Jonas
          [Jo.nas] n [LL, fr. Heb Yonah]: jonah

   Jonathan
          [Jon.a.than] n [Heb Yonathan] 1: a son of Saul and friend
          of David according to the account in I Samuel 2: american;
          esp: a New Englander 3: any of a variety of red-skinned
          apple

   jongleur
          [jon.gleur] n [F, fr. OF jogleour--more at juggler] (1779):
          an itinerant medieval entertainer proficient in juggling,
          acrobatics, musi c, and recitation

   jonquil
          [jon.quil] n [F jonquille, fr. Sp junquillo, dim. of junco
          reed, fr. L juncus] (1629): a Mediterranean perennial
          bulbous herb (Narcissus jonquilla) of the amaryllis family
          with long linear leaves that is widely cultivated for
          its yellow or white fragrant short-tubed clustered flowers--compare
          daffodil

   Jordan almond
          [Jor.dan almond] n [ME jardin almande, fr. MF jardin garden
          + ME almande almond] (1615): a large Spanish almond esp.
          when salted or coated with sugar of various colors

   Jordan curve
          [Jor.dan curve] n [Camille Jordan d. 1922 Fr. mathematician]
          (1900): simple closed curve

   Jordan curve theorem
          [Jordan curve theorem] n (1947): a fundamental theorem of
          topology: every simple closed curve divides the plane
          into two regions for which it is the common boundary

   jorum
          [jo.rum] n [perh. fr. Joram in the Bible who "brought with
          him vessels of silver" (2 Sam 8:10--AV)] (1730): a large
          drinking vessel or its contents

   joseph
          [jo.seph] n [L, fr. Gk Ioseph, fr. Heb Yoseph] 1 cap a: a
          son of Jacob who according to the account in Genesis
          rose to high political office in Egypt after being sold
          into slavery by his brothers b: the husband of Mary the
          mother of Jesus according to the Gospel accounts 2: a
          long cloak worn esp. by women in the 18th century

   Josephite
          [Jo.seph.ite] n (1890): a member of St. Joseph's Society
          of the Sacred Heart founded in 1871 in Baltimore, Md.
          and devoted to missionary work among black Americans

   Joseph of Arimathea
          [Joseph of Ar.i.ma.thea] : a rich councillor of the Sanhedrin
          who according to the Gospel accounts placed the body
          of Jesus in his own tomb and according to medieval legend
          took the Holy Grail to England

   Josephson junction
          [Jo.seph.son junction] n [Brian D. Josephson] (1965): an
          electronic fast-switching device that consists of two
          layers of superconducting metal separated by a thin layer
          of insulator through which low current flows but increased
          current causes the insulator to block the flow

   [1]josh
          [josh] vb [origin unknown] vt (1852): to tease good-naturedly:
          kid ~ vi: to engage in banter: joke -- josh.er n [2]josh
          n (1878): a good-humored joke: jest

   Josh
          [Josh] abbreviation Joshua

   Joshua
          [Josh.ua] n [Heb Yehoshua'] 1: the divinely commissioned
          successor of Moses and military leader of the Israelites
          during the conquest of Canaan according to the account
          in the book of Joshua 2: a mainly narrative book of canonical
          Jewish and Christian Scripture

   Joshua tree
          [Joshua tree] n (1884): a tall branched arborescent yucca
          (Yucca brevifolia) of the southwestern U.S. that has
          clustered greenish white flowers

   joss
          [joss] n [Chin Pidgin E, fr. Pg deus god, fr. L--more at
          deity] (1711): a Chinese idol or cult image

   joss house
          [joss house] n (1771): a Chinese temple or shrine

   joss stick
          [joss stick] n (1845): a slender stick of incense burned
          in front of a joss

   [1]jostle
          [jos.tle] vb jos.tled ; jos.tling [alter. of justle, freq.
          of [1]joust] vi (1546) 1 a: to come in contact or into
          collision b: to make one's way by pushing and shoving
          c: to exist in close proximity 2: to vie in gaining an
          objective: contend ~ vt 1 a: to come in contact or into
          collision with b: to force by pushing: elbow c: to stir
          up: agitate d: to exist in close proximity with 2: to
          vie with in attaining an objective [2]jostle n (1611)
          1: a jostling encounter or experience 2: the state of
          being crowded or jostled together

   Josue
          [Jos.ue] n [LL, fr. Heb Yehoshua']: joshua

   [1]jot
          [jot] n [L iota, jota iota] (1500): the least bit: iota [2]jot
          vt jot.ted ; jot.ting (1721): to write briefly or hurriedly:
          set down in the form of a note <~ this down>

   jotting
          [jotting] n (1814): a brief note: memorandum

   Jotun
          [Jo.tun] also Jo.tunn n [ON jotunn]: a member of a race of
          giants in Norse mythology

   Jotunheim
          [Jo.tun.heim] also Jo.tunn.heim n [ON Jotunheimar]: the home
          of the Jotuns in Norse mythology

   joual
          [jou.al] n [CanF, rendering of a nonstandard pron. of F cheval
          horse] (1962): spoken Canadian French; esp: the local
          forms of the spoken French of Quebec that differ the
          most from prescribed forms

   joule
          [joule] n [James P. Joule] (1882): a unit of work or energy
          equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting
          through a distance of one meter

   [1]jounce
          [jounce] vb jounced ; jounc.ing [ME] vi (15c): to move in
          an up-and-down manner: bounce ~ vt: to cause to jounce
          [2]jounce n (ca. 1787): jolt

   jouncy
          [jouncy] adj jounc.i.er ; -est (1943): marked by a jouncing
          motion or effect

   jour
          [jour] abbreviation journal, journeyman

   journal
          [jour.nal] n [ME, service book containing the day hours,
          fr. MF, fr. journal, adj., daily, fr. L diurnalis, fr.
          diurnus of the day, fr. dies day--more at deity] (15c)
          1 a: a record of current transactions; esp: a book of
          original entry in double-entry bookkeeping b: an account
          of day-to-day events c: a record of experiences, ideas,
          or reflections kept regularly for private use d: a record
          of transactions kept by a deliberative or legislative
          body e: log 3, 4 2 a: a daily newspaper b: a periodical
          dealing esp. with matters of current interest 3: the
          part of a rotating shaft, axle, roll, or spindle that
          turns in a bearing

   journal box
          [journal box] n (ca. 1859): a metal housing to support and
          protect a journal bearing

   journalese
          [jour.nal.ese] n (1882): a style of writing held
          to be characteristic of newspapers

   journal intime
          [jour.nal in.time] [F] foreign term : intimate journal: private
          diary

   journalism
          [jour.nal.ism] n (1833) 1 a: the collection and editing of
          news for presentation through the media b: the public
          press c: an academic study concerned with the collection
          and editing of news or the management of a news medium
          2 a: writing designed for publication in a newspaper
          or magazine b: writing characterized by a direct presentation
          of facts or description of events without an attempt
          at interpretation c: writing designed to appeal to current
          popular taste or public interest

   journalist
          [jour.nal.ist] n (1693) 1 a: a person engaged in journalism;
          esp: a writer or editor for a news medium b: a writer
          who aims at a mass audience 2: a person who keeps a journal

   journalistic
          [jour.nal.is.tic] adj (1829): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of journalism or journalists -- jour.nal.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   journalize
          [jour.nal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1766): to record in
          a journal ~ vi 1: to keep a journal in accounting 2:
          to keep a personal journal -- jour.nal.iz.er n

   [1]journey
          [jour.ney] n, pl journeys [ME, fr. OF journee day's journey,
          fr. jour day, fr. LL diurnum, fr. L, neut. of diurnus]
          (13c) 1: travel or passage from one place to another:
          trip 2 chiefly dial: a day's travel 3: something suggesting
          travel or passage from one place to another <the ~ from
          youth to maturity> <a ~ through time> [2]journey vb jour.neyed
          ; jour.ney.ing vi (14c): to go on a journey: travel ~
          vt: to travel over or through -- jour.ney.er n

   journeyman
          [jour.ney.man] n [ME, fr. journey journey, a day's labor
          + man] (15c) 1: a worker who has learned a trade and
          works for another person usu. by the day 2: an experienced
          reliable worker or performer esp. as distinguished from
          one who is brilliant or colorful <a good ~ trumpeter
          --New Yorker> <a ~ outfielder>

   journeywork
          [jour.ney.work] n (1601) 1: work done by a journeyman 2:
          hackwork

   [1]joust
          [joust] vi [ME, fr. MF juster to unite, joust, fr. (assumed)
          VL juxtare, fr. L juxta near; akin to L jungere to join--more
          at yoke] (14c) 1 a: to fight on horseback as a knight
          or man-at-arms b: to engage in combat with lances on
          horseback 2: to engage in personal combat or competition
          -- joust.er n [2]joust n (14c) 1 a: a combat on horseback
          between two knights with lances esp. as part of a tournament
          b pl: tournament 2: a personal combat or competition:
          struggle

   Jove
          [Jove] n [L Jov-, Juppiter]: jupiter--often used interjectionally
          to express surprise or agreement esp. in the phrase by
          Jove

   jovial
          [jo.vial] adj (1592) 1 cap: of or relating to Jove 2: markedly
          good-humored esp. as evidenced by jollity and conviviality
          syn see merry -- jo.vi.al.i.ty n -- jo.vial.ly adv

   Jovian
          [Jo.vi.an] adj (1530): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the god or planet Jupiter

   jow
          [jow] n [ME jollen to knock] (1515) chiefly Scot: stroke,
          toll

   jowar
          [jo.war] n [Hindi joar, juwar, fr. Skt yavakara barley-shaped,
          fr. yava barley + karoti he makes] (1800): durra

   [1]jowl
          [jowl] n [alter. of ME choll] (15c): a cut of fish consisting
          of the head and usu. adjacent parts [2]jowl n [alter.
          of ME cholle, prob. fr. OE ceole throat--more at glutton]
          (1591): usu. slack flesh (as a dewlap, wattle, or the
          pendulous part of a double chin) associated with the
          cheeks, lower jaw, or throat [3]jowl n [alter. of ME
          chavel, fr. OE ceafl; akin to MHG kivel jaw, Av zafar-
          mouth] (1598) 1 a: jaw; esp: mandible b: one of the lateral
          halves of the mandible 2 a: cheek 1 b: the cheek meat
          of a hog <a dinner of boiled ~s>

   jowly
          [jowly] adj jowl.i.er ; -est (ca. 1873): having marked jowls:
          having full or saggy flesh about the lower cheeks and
          jaw area <elderly man with a disillusioned ~ face --John
          Dos Passos>

   [1]joy
          [joy] n [ME, fr. OF joie, fr. L gaudia, pl. of gaudium, fr.
          gaudere to rejoice; prob. akin to Gk gethein to rejoice]
          (13c) 1 a: the emotion evoked by well-being, success,
          or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what
          one desires: delight b: the expression or exhibition
          of such emotion: gaiety 2: a state of happiness or felicity:
          bliss 3: a source or cause of delight -- joy.less adj
          -- joy.less.ly adv -- joy.less.ness n [2]joy vi (14c):
          to experience great pleasure or delight: rejoice ~ vt
          1 archaic: gladden 2 archaic: enjoy

   joyance
          [joy.ance] n (ca. 1586) archaic: delight, enjoyment

   joyful
          [joy.ful] adj (13c): experiencing, causing, or showing joy:
          happy -- joy.ful.ly adv -- joy.ful.ness n

   joyous
          [joy.ous] adj (14c): joyful -- joy.ous.ly adv -- joy.ous.ness
          n

   joypop
          [joy.pop] vi (1953): to use habit-forming drugs occasionally
          or irregularly without becoming addicted -- joy.pop.per
          n

   joyride
          [joy.ride] n (1909) 1: a ride taken for pleasure (as in a
          car or aircraft); esp: an automobile ride marked by reckless
          driving (as in a stolen car) 2: conduct or action resembling
          a joyride esp. in disregard of cost or consequences --
          joyride vi -- joy.rid.er n -- joy.rid.ing n

   joystick
          [joy.stick] n [perh. fr. E slang joystick penis] (1910) 1:
          a lever in an airplane that operates the elevators by
          a fore-and-aft motion and the ailerons by a side-to-side
          motion 2: a control for any of various devices (as a
          computer display) that resembles an airplane's joystick
          esp. in being capable of motion in two or more directions

   jp...
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   JP
          [JP] abbreviation jet propulsion, justice of the peace

   Jpn
          [Jpn] abbreviation Japan, Japanese

   jr...
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   Jr
          [Jr] abbreviation junior

   js...
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   JSD
          [JSD] [NL juris scientiae doctor] abbreviation doctor of
          science of law

   jt...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   jt
          [jt] or jnt abbreviation joint

   ju...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   juba
          [ju.ba] n [origin unknown] (1834): a dance of Southern plantation
          blacks accompanied by complexly rhythmic hand clapping
          and slapping of the knees and thighs

   Jubal
          [Ju.bal] n [Heb Yubhal]: a descendant of Cain who according
          to the account in Genesis is the father of those who
          play the harp and organ

   jubilance
          [ju.bi.lance] n (1864): jubilation 1

   jubilant
          [ju.bi.lant] adj (1667): exultant -- ju.bi.lant.ly adv

   jubilarian
          [ju.bi.lar.i.an] n (1782): one celebrating a jubilee

   jubilate
          [ju.bi.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L jubilatus, pp. of jubilare;
          akin to MHG ju (exclamation of joy), Gk iyge shout] (ca.
          1641): rejoice Ju.bi.la.te n [L, 2d pers. pl. imper.
          of jubilare] (1549) 1 a: the 100th Psalm in the Authorized
          Version b not cap: a joyous song or outburst 2: the third
          Sunday after Easter

   jubilation
          [ju.bi.la.tion] n (14c) 1: an act of rejoicing: the state
          of being jubilant 2: an expression of great joy

   [1]jubilee
          [ju.bi.lee] n [ME, fr. MF & LL; MF jubile, fr. LL jubilaeus,
          modif. of LGk iobelaios, fr. Heb yobhel ram's horn, jubilee]
          (14c) 1 often cap: a year of emancipation and restoration
          provided by ancient Hebrew law to be kept every 50 years
          by the emancipation of Hebrew slaves, restoration of
          alienated lands to their former owners, and omission
          of all cultivation of the land 2 a: a special anniversary;
          esp: a 50th anniversary b: a celebration of such an anniversary
          3 a: a period of time proclaimed by the Roman Catholic
          pope ordinarily every 25 years as a time of special solemnity
          b: a special plenary indulgence granted during a year
          of jubilee to Roman Catholics who perform certain specified
          works of repentance and piety 4 a: jubilation b: a season
          of celebration 5: an Afro-American religious song usu.
          referring to a time of future happiness [2]jubilee adj,
          often cap (1951): flambe  <cherries ~>

   Jud
          [Jud] abbreviation Judith

   Judah
          [Ju.dah] n [Heb Yehudhah]: a son of Jacob and the traditional
          eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel

   Judaic
          [Ju.da.ic] also Ju.da.ical adj [ME Judeical, fr. L judaicus,
          fr. Gk ioudaikos, fr. Ioudaios Jew--more at jew] (15c):
          of, relating to, or characteristic of Jews or Judaism

   Judaica
          [Ju.da.ica] n pl [L, neut. pl. of Judaicus] (1923): literary
          or historical materials relating to Jews or Judaism

   Judaism
          [Ju.da.ism] n (14c) 1: a religion developed among the ancient
          Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent
          God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the
          Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance
          with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions 2: conformity
          to Jewish rites, ceremonies, and practices 3: the cultural,
          social, and religious beliefs and practices of the Jews
          4: the whole body of Jews: the Jewish people

   Judaist
          [Ju.da.ist] n (ca. 1846): one that believes in or practices
          Judaism -- Ju.da.is.tic adj

   Judaize
          [Ju.da.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1582): to adopt the customs,
          beliefs, or character of a Jew ~ vt: to make Jewish --
          Ju.da.i.za.tion n -- Ju.da.iz.er n

   Judas
          [Ju.das] n [LL, fr. Gk Ioudas, fr. Heb Yehudhah] 1 a: the
          apostle who in the Gospel accounts betrayed Jesus b:
          a son of James and one of the twelve apostles 2: traitor;
          esp: one who betrays under the guise of friendship 3
          not cap: peephole--called also judas hole, judas window

   Judas Iscariot
          [Judas Is.car.i.ot] n [LL Judas Iscariotes, fr. Gk Ioudas
          Iskariotes]: judas 1a

   Judas tree
          [Judas tree] n [fr. the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged
          himself from a tree of this kind] (1668): any of a genus
          (Cercis) of leguminous trees and shrubs (as a redbud)
          often cultivated for their showy flowers; esp: a Eurasian
          tree (C. siliquastrum) with purplish rosy flowers

   [1]judder
          [jud.der] vi [prob. alter. of shudder] (1931) chiefly Brit:
          to vibrate with intensity <the engine stalled and kept
          ~ing --Roy Spicer> [2]judder n (1935) chiefly Brit: the
          action or sound of juddering

   Jude
          [Jude] n [LL Judas] 1: the author of the New Testament Epistle
          of Jude 2: a short hortatory epistle addressed to early
          Christians and included as a book in the New Testament

   Judeo-Christian
          [Ju.deo-Chris.tian] adj [L Judaeus Jew--more at jew] (1899):
          having historical roots in both Judaism and Christianity

   Judeo-Spanish
          [Ju.deo-Span.ish] n (1851): the Romance language of Sephardic
          Jews esp. in the Balkans and Asia Minor

   Judg
          [Judg] abbreviation Judges

   [1]judge
          [judge] vb judged ; judg.ing [ME juggen, fr. OF jugier, fr.
          L judicare, fr. judic-, judex judge, fr. jus right, law
          + dicere to decide, say--more at just, diction] vt (13c)
          1: to form an opinion about through careful weighing
          of evidence and testing of premises 2: to sit in judgment
          on: try 3: to determine or pronounce after inquiry and
          deliberation 4: govern, rule--used of a Hebrew tribal
          leader 5: to form an estimate or evaluation of; esp:
          to form a negative opinion about <shouldn't ~ him because
          of his accent> 6: to hold as an opinion: guess, think
          <I ~ she knew what she was doing> ~ vi 1: to form an
          opinion 2: to decide as a judge syn see infer -- judg.er
          n [2]judge n [ME juge, fr. MF, fr. L judex] (14c): one
          who judges: as a: a public official authorized to decide
          questions brought before a court b often cap: a tribal
          hero exercising leadership among the Hebrews after the
          death of Joshua c: one appointed to decide in a contest
          or competition: umpire d: one who gives an authoritative
          opinion e: critic -- judge.ship n

   judge advocate
          [judge advocate] n (1748) 1: an officer assigned to the judge
          advocate general's corps or department 2: a staff officer
          serving as legal adviser to a military commander

   judge advocate general
          [judge advocate general] n (1862): the senior legal officer
          and chief legal adviser in the army, air force, or navy

   Judges
          [Judg.es] n: a narrative and historical book of Jewish and
          Christian Scripture

   judgmatic
          [judg.mat.ic] or judg.mat.i.cal adj [prob. irreg. fr. judgment]
          (1826): judicious -- judg.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   judgment
          [judg.ment] or judge.ment n (13c) 1 a: a formal utterance
          of an authoritative opinion b: an opinion so pronounced
          2 a: a formal decision given by a court b (1): an obligation
          (as a debt) created by the decree of a court (2): a certificate
          evidencing such a decree 3 a cap: the final judging of
          mankind by God b: a divine sentence or decision; specif:
          a calamity held to be sent by God 4 a: the process of
          forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing
          b: an opinion or estimate so formed 5 a: the capacity
          for judging: discernment b: the exercise of this capacity
          6: a proposition stating something believed or asserted
          syn see sense

   judgmental
          [judg.men.tal] adj (1909) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          judgment 2: characterized by a tendency to judge harshly
          -- judg.men.tal.ly

   judgment day
          [judgment day] n (1591) 1 cap J&D: the day of God's judgment
          of mankind at the end of the world according to various
          theologies 2: a day of final judgment

   judicatory
          [ju.di.ca.to.ry] n, pl -ries (ca. 1575) 1: judiciary 1a 2:
          judicature 2

   judicature
          [ju.di.ca.ture] n [MF, fr. ML judicatura, fr. L judicatus,
          pp. of judicare] (ca. 1530) 1: the action of judging:
          the administration of justice 2: a court of justice 3:
          judiciary 1

   judicial
          [ju.di.cial] adj [ME, fr. L judicialis, fr. judicium judgment,
          fr. judex] (14c) 1 a: of or relating to a judgment, the
          function of judging, the administration of justice, or
          the judiciary <~ processes> b: belonging to the branch
          of government that is charged with trying all cases that
          involve the government and with the administration of
          justice within its jurisdiction--compare executive, legislative
          2: ordered or enforced by a court <~ decisions> 3: of,
          characterized by, or expressing judgment: critical 1b
          4: arising from a judgment of God 5: belonging or appropriate
          to a judge or the judiciary -- ju.di.cial.ly adv

   judicial review
          [judicial review] n (ca. 1924) 1: review 5 2: a constitutional
          doctrine that gives to a court system the power to annul
          legislative or executive acts which the judges declare
          to be unconstitutional

   judiciary
          [ju.di.cia.ry] n [judiciary, adj., fr. L judiciarius judicial,
          fr. judicium] (1787) 1 a: a system of courts of law b:
          the judges of these courts 2: a branch of government
          in which judicial power is vested -- judiciary adj

   judicious
          [ju.di.cious] adj (1598): having, exercising, or characterized
          by sound judgment: discreet syn see wise -- ju.di.cious.ly
          adv -- ju.di.cious.ness n

   Judith
          [Ju.dith] n [LL, fr. Gk Ioudith, fr. Heb Yehudhith] 1: the
          Jewish heroine who saves the city of Bethulia in the
          book of Judith 2: a book of Scripture included in the
          Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament and in the
          Protestant Apocrypha

   judo
          [ju.do] n [Jp judo, fr. ju weakness, gentleness + do art]
          (1889): a sport developed from jujitsu that emphasizes
          the use of quick movement and leverage to throw an opponent
          -- judo.ist n

   [1]jug
          [jug] n [perh. fr. Jug, nickname for Joan] (1538) 1 a chiefly
          Brit: a small pitcher b (1): a large deep usu. earthenware
          or glass container with a narrow mouth and a handle (2):
          the contents of such a container: jugful 2: jail, prison
          [2]jug vt jugged ; jug.ging (1747) 1: to stew (as a hare)
          in an earthenware vessel 2: jail, imprison

   jugate
          [ju.gate] adj [NL jugum yoke] (ca. 1887) 1: having parts
          arranged in pairs: paired 2: having a jugum

   jug band
          [jug band] n (ca. 1933): a band that uses primitive or improvised
          instruments (as jugs, washboards, and kazoos) to play
          blues, jazz, and folk music

   jugful
          [jug.ful] n (1831) 1: as much as a jug will hold 2: a great
          deal--used in the phrase not by a jugful

   juggernaut
          [jug.ger.naut] n [Hindi Jagannath, lit., lord of the world,
          title of Vishnu] (1841) 1 chiefly Brit: a large heavy
          truck 2: a massive inexorable force, campaign, movement,
          or object that crushes whatever is in its path <an advertising
          ~> <a political ~>

   [1]juggle
          [jug.gle] vb jug.gled ; jug.gling [ME jogelen, fr. MF jogler
          to joke, fr. L joculari, fr. joculus, dim. of jocus joke]
          vi (15c) 1: to perform the tricks of a juggler 2: to
          engage in manipulation esp. in order to achieve a desired
          end ~ vt 1 a: to practice deceit or trickery on: beguile
          b: to manipulate or rearrange esp. in order to achieve
          a desired end <~ an account to hide a loss> 2 a: to toss
          in the manner of a juggler b: to hold or balance precariously
          3: to handle or deal with usu. several things (as obligations)
          at one time so as to satisfy often competing requirements
          <~ the responsibilities of family life and full-time
          job --Jane S. Gould> [2]juggle n (1664): an act or instance
          of juggling: a: a trick of magic b: a show of manual
          dexterity c: an act of manipulation esp. to achieve a
          desired end

   juggler
          [jug.gler] n [ME jogelour, fr. OE geogelere jester, fr. OF
          jogleour, fr. L joculator, fr. joculari] (14c) 1 a: one
          who performs tricks or acts of magic or deftness b: one
          skilled in keeping several objects in motion in the air
          at the same time by alternately tossing and catching
          them 2: one who manipulates esp. in order to achieve
          a desired end

   jugglery
          [jug.glery] n (14c) 1: the art or practice of a juggler 2:
          manipulation or trickery esp. to achieve a desired end

   [1]jugular
          [jug.u.lar] adj [LL jugularis, fr. L jugulum collarbone,
          throat, fr. jugum yoke] (1597) 1: of or relating to the
          throat or neck 2: of or relating to the jugular vein
          [2]jugular n (1615) 1: jugular vein 2: the most vital
          or vulnerable part of something <showed an instinct for
          the ~ in competition>

   jugular vein
          [jugular vein] n (1597): any of several veins of each side
          of the neck that return blood from the head

   jugum
          [ju.gum] n, pl ju.ga or jugums [NL, fr. L, yoke--more at
          yoke] (1893): the most posterior and basal region of
          an insect's wing modified in some lepidopterans into
          a lobe that couples the fore and hind wings during flight

   jug wine
          [jug wine] n (1972): table wine sold in large bottles

   [1]juice
          [juice] n [ME jus, fr. OF, broth, juice, fr. L; akin to ON
          ostr cheese, Gk zyme leaven, Skt yusa broth] (14c) 1:
          the extractable fluid contents of cells or tissues 2
          a pl: the natural fluids of an animal body b: the liquid
          or moisture contained in something 3 a: the inherent
          quality of a thing: essence b: strength, vigor, vitality
          4: a medium (as electricity or gasoline) that supplies
          power 5 slang: liquor 6 slang: exorbitant interest exacted
          of a borrower under the threat of violence 7 slang: influence,
          clout 8: a motivating, inspiring, or enabling force or
          factor <creative ~s> -- juice.less adj [2]juice vt juiced
          ; juic.ing (1603) 1: to add juice to 2: to extract the
          juice of

   juiced
          [juiced] adj (1592) 1: containing juice--usu. used in combination
          <precious-juiced flowers --Shak.> 2 slang: drunk 1a

   juicehead
          [juice.head] n (1955) slang: alcoholic

   juicer
          [juic.er] n (1938) 1: an appliance for extracting juice from
          fruit or vegetables 2 slang: a heavy or habitual drinker

   juice up
          [juice up] vt (1955): to give life, energy, or spirit to

   juicy
          [juicy] adj juic.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: having much juice:
          succulent 2: rewarding or profitable esp. financially:
          fat <~ contract> <a ~ dramatic role> 3 a: rich in interest:
          colorful <~ details> b: sensational, racy <a ~ scandal>
          c: full of vitality: lusty -- juic.i.ly adv -- juic.i.ness
          n

   jujitsu
          [ju.jit.su] or ju.jut.su n [Jp jujutsu, fr. ju weakness,
          gentleness + jutsu art, skill] (1875): an art of weaponless
          fighting employing holds, throws, and paralyzing blows
          to subdue or disable an opponent

   juju
          [ju.ju] n [of W. African origin; akin to Hausa juju fetish]
          (1894) 1: a fetish, charm, or amulet of West African
          peoples 2: the magic attributed to or associated with
          jujus

   jujube
          [ju.jube] n [ME, fr. ML jujuba, alter. of L zizyphum, fr.
          Gk zizyphon] (14c) 1 a: an edible drupaceous fruit of
          any of several trees (genus Ziziphus) of the buckthorn
          family; esp: one of an Asian tree (Z. jujuba) b: a tree
          producing this fruit 2: a fruit-flavored gumdrop or lozenge

   juke
          [juke] vb juked ; juk.ing [prob. alter. of E dial. jouk to
          cheat, deceive] vt (1967): to fake out of position (as
          in football) ~ vi: to juke someone

   jukebox
          [juke.box] n [juke brothel, akin to Gullah juke disorderly,
          of W. African origin; akin to Bambara dzugu wicked] (1939):
          a coin-operated phonograph or compact-disc player that
          automatically plays recordings selected from its list

   juke joint
          [juke joint] n (1937): a small inexpensive establishment
          for eating, drinking, or dancing to the music of a jukebox

   Jul
          [Jul] abbreviation July

   julep
          [ju.lep] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. Ar julab, fr. Per gulab, fr.
          gul rose + ab water] (14c) 1: a drink consisting of sweet
          syrup, flavoring, and water 2: a drink consisting of
          a liquor (as bourbon or brandy) and sugar poured over
          crushed ice and garnished with mint

   Julian calendar
          [Ju.lian calendar] n [L julianus, fr. Gaius Julius Caesar]
          (ca. 1771): a calendar introduced in Rome in 46 b.c.
          establishing the 12-month year of 365 days with each
          fourth year having 366 days and the months each having
          31 or 30 days except for February which has 28 or in
          leap years 29 days--compare gregorian calendar

   [1]julienne
          [ju.li.enne] n [F, short for potage a la julienne, prob.
          fr. Julienne woman's name] (1841) 1: a consomme containing
          julienned vegetables 2 a: food (as meat or vegetables)
          that has been julienned b: a preparation or garnish of
          julienned food <a ~ of leeks> -- julienne adj [2]julienne
          vt -enned ; -en.ning (ca. 1930): to slice into thin strips
          the size of matchsticks <wash and ~ the carrots>

   Juliet
          [Ju.liet] n: the heroine of Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and
          Juliet who dies for love of Romeo

   Juliett
          [Ju.li.ett] [prob. irreg. fr. Juliet] (1952)--a communications
          code word for the letter j

   July
          [Ju.ly] n [ME Julie, fr. OE Julius, fr. L, fr. Gaius Julius
          Caesar] (13c): the 7th month of the Gregorian calendar

   Jumada
          [Ju.ma.da] n [Ar Jumada] (1771): either of two months of
          the Islamic year: a: the 5th month b: the 6th month

   [1]jumble
          [jum.ble] vb jum.bled ; jum.bling [perh. imit.] vi (ca. 1529):
          to move in a confused or disordered manner ~ vt: to mix
          into a confused or disordered mass--often used with up
          [2]jumble n (1661) 1 a: a mass of things mingled together
          without order or plan: hodgepodge b: a state of confusion
          2 Brit: articles for a rummage sale [3]jumble n [origin
          unknown] (1615): a small thin usu. ring-shaped sugared
          cookie or cake

   jumble sale
          [jumble sale] n (1898) Brit: rummage sale

   jumbo
          [jum.bo] n, pl jumbos [Jumbo, a huge elephant exhibited by
          P. T. Barnum] (1883): a very large specimen of its kind
          -- jumbo adj

   [1]jump
          [jump] vb [prob. akin to LG gumpen to jump] vi (1530) 1 a:
          to spring into the air: leap; esp: to spring free from
          the ground or other base by the muscular action of feet
          and legs b: to move suddenly or involuntarily: start
          c: to move over a position occupied by an opponent's
          piece in a board game often thereby capturing the piece
          d: to undergo a vertical or lateral displacement owing
          to improper alignment of the film on a projector mechanism
          e: to start out or forward: begin--usu. used with off
          <~ off to a big lead> f: to move energetically: hustle
          g: to go from one sequence of instructions in a computer
          program to another <~ to a subroutine> 2: coincide, agree
          3 a: to move haphazardly or irregularly: shift abruptly
          <~ed from job to job> b: to change or abandon employment
          esp. in violation of contract c: to rise suddenly in
          rank or status d: to undergo a sudden sharp change in
          value <prices ~ed> e: to make a jump in bridge f: to
          make a hurried judgment <~ to conclusions> g: to show
          eagerness <~ed at the chance> h: to enter eagerly <~
          on the bandwagon> 4: to make a sudden physical or verbal
          attack <~ed on him for his criticism> 5: to bustle with
          activity <the bar was ~ing with young people> ~ vt 1
          a: to leap over <~ a hurdle> b: to move over (a piece)
          in a board game c: to act, move, or begin before (as
          a signal) <~ the green light> d: to leap aboard <~ a
          freight> 2 obs: risk, hazard 3 a: to escape from: avoid
          b: to leave hastily or in violation of contract <~ town
          without paying their bills --Hamilton Basso> c: to depart
          from (a normal course) <~ the track> 4 a: to make a sudden
          physical or verbal attack on b: to occupy illegally <~
          a mining claim> 5 a (1): to cause to leap (2): to cause
          (game) to break cover: start, flush b: to elevate in
          rank or status c: to raise (a bridge partner's bid) by
          more than one rank d: to increase suddenly and sharply
          -- jump bail : to abscond after being released from prison
          on bail -- jump ship 1: to leave the company of a ship
          without authority 2: to desert a cause or party esp.
          abruptly: defect -- jump the gun 1: to start in a race
          before the starting signal 2: to act, move, or begin
          something before the proper time -- jump the queue Brit:
          to advance directly to or as if to the head of a line
          [2]jump adv (1539) obs: exactly, pat [3]jump n (ca. 1552)
          1 a (1): an act of jumping: leap (2): any of several
          sports competitions featuring a leap, spring, or bound
          (3): a space cleared or covered by a leap (4): an obstacle
          to be jumped over or from b: a sudden involuntary movement:
          start c: a move made in a board game by jumping d: a
          transfer from one sequence of instructions in a computer
          program to a different sequence <conditional ~> 2 obs:
          venture 3 a (1): a sharp sudden increase (2): a bid in
          bridge of more tricks than are necessary to overcall
          the preceding bid--compare shift b: an abrupt change
          or transition c (1): a quick short journey (2): one in
          a series of moves from one place to another 4: an advantage
          at the start <desirous of getting the ~ on the competition
          --Elmer Davis>

   jump ball
          [jump ball] n (1924): a method of putting a basketball into
          play by tossing it into the air between two opponents
          who jump up and attempt to tap the ball to a teammate

   jump boot
          [jump boot] n (1942): a boot worn esp. by paratroopers

   jump cut
          [jump cut] n (1948): a sudden often jarring cut from one
          shot or scene to another without intervening devices
          (as fade-outs or dissolves); broadly: an abrupt transition
          (as in a narrative) -- jump-cut vb

   [1]jumper
          [jump.er] n (1611) 1: a person who jumps 2 a: any of various
          devices operating with a jumping motion b: any of several
          sleds c: a short wire used to close a break or cut out
          part of a circuit 3: any of several jumping animals;
          esp: a saddle horse trained to jump obstacles 4: jump
          shot [2]jum.per n [prob. fr. E dial. jump jumper] (1853)
          1: a loose blouse or jacket worn by workmen 2: a sleeveless
          one-piece dress worn usu. with a blouse 3: a child's
          coverall--usu. used in pl. 4 chiefly Brit: sweater 2

   jumper cables
          [jumper cables] n pl (ca. 1926): a pair of heavy-duty electrical
          cables with alligator clamps used to make a connection
          for jump-starting a vehicle

   jump hook
          [jump hook] n (1982): a hook shot in which the player jumps
          before releasing the ball

   jumping bean
          [jumping bean] n (ca. 1889): a seed of any of several Mexican
          shrubs (genera Sebastiania and Sapium) of the spurge
          family that tumbles about because of the movements of
          the larva of a small moth (Carpocapsa saltitans) inside
          it

   jumping jack
          [jumping jack] n (1883) 1: a toy figure of a man jointed
          and made to jump or dance by means of strings or a sliding
          stick 2: a conditioning exercise performed from a standing
          position by jumping to a position with legs spread and
          hands touching overhead and then to the original position--called
          also side-straddle hop

   jumping mouse
          [jumping mouse] n (1826): any of several small hibernating
          No. American rodents (family Zapodidae) with long hind
          legs and tail and no cheek pouches

   jumping-off place
          [jumping-off place] n (1826) 1: a remote or isolated place
          2: a place or point from which an enterprise, investigation,
          or discussion is launched--called also jumping-off point

   jumping plant louse
          [jumping plant louse] n (ca. 1901): any of numerous plant
          lice (family Psyllidae) with the femurs thickened and
          adapted for leaping

   jumping spider
          [jumping spider] n (1813): any of a family (Salticidae) of
          small spiders that stalk and leap upon their prey

   jump jet
          [jump jet] n (1964): a military jet aircraft with vertical
          takeoff and landing capability

   jump-off
          [jump-off] n (1917) 1: the start of a race or an attack 2:
          a jumping competition to break a tie at the end of regular
          competition (as in a horse show)

   jump pass
          [jump pass] n (ca. 1948): a pass made by a player (as in
          football or basketball) while jumping

   jump rope
          [jump rope] n (1834): a rope used for exercises and children's
          games that involve jumping over the usu. twirling rope
          each time it reaches its lowest point; also: a game played
          with a jump rope

   jump seat
          [jump seat] n (ca. 1864) 1: a movable carriage seat 2: a
          folding seat between the front and rear seats of a passenger
          automobile

   jump shot
          [jump shot] n (1948): a shot in basketball made by jumping
          into the air and releasing the ball with one or both
          hands at the peak of the jump

   jump-start
          [jump-start] vt (1973) 1: to start (an engine or vehicle)
          by temporary connection to an external power source (as
          another vehicle's battery) 2 a: to get off to a speedy
          start <advertising can ~ a political campaign> b: to
          impart fresh or renewed energy to: energize <a plan to
          ~ the stagnant economy> -- jump start n

   jumpsuit
          [jump.suit] n (1944) 1: a coverall worn by parachutists for
          jumping 2: a one-piece garment consisting of a blouse
          or shirt with attached trousers or shorts

   jumpy
          [jumpy] adj jump.i.er ; -est (1869) 1: characterized by jumps
          or sudden variations 2: nervous, jittery -- jump.i.ness
          n

   jun
          [jun] n, pl jun [Korean chon] (1966): the chon of North Korea

   jun
          [jun] abbreviation junior  Jun abbreviation June

   junc
          [junc] abbreviation junction

   junco
          [jun.co] n, pl juncos or juncoes [NL, fr. Sp, reed--more
          at jonquil] (1887): any of a genus (Junco) of small widely
          distributed American finches usu. having a pink bill,
          ashy gray head and back, and conspicuous white lateral
          tail feathers

   junction
          [junc.tion] n [L junction-, junctio, fr. jungere to join--more
          at yoke] (1711) 1: an act of joining: the state of being
          joined 2 a: a place or point of meeting b: an intersection
          of roads esp. where one terminates c: a point (as in
          a thermocouple) at which dissimilar metals make contact
          d: an interface in a semiconductor device between regions
          with different electrical characteristics 3: something
          that joins -- junc.tion.al adj

   junctural
          [junc.tur.al] adj (1942): of or relating to phonetic juncture

   juncture
          [junc.ture] n (14c) 1 a: joint, connection b: the manner
          of transition or mode of relationship between two consecutive
          sounds in speech 2: an instance of joining: union, junction
          3: a point of time; esp: one made critical by a concurrence
          of circumstances syn juncture, exigency, emergency, contingency,
          pinch, straits, crisis mean a critical or crucial time
          or state of affairs. juncture stresses the significant
          concurrence or convergence of events <an important juncture
          in our country's history>. exigency stresses the pressure
          of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special
          situation <provide for exigencies>. emergency applies
          to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action
          to avoid disaster <the presence of mind needed to deal
          with emergencies>. contingency implies an emergency or
          exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of
          occurrence <contingency plans>. pinch implies urgency
          or pressure for action to a less intense degree than
          exigency or emergency <come through in a pinch>. straits
          applies to a troublesome situation from which escape
          is extremely difficult <in dire straits>. crisis applies
          to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference
          <a crisis of confidence>.

   June
          [June] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF Juin, fr. L Junius] (14c): the
          6th month of the Gregorian calendar

   Juneberry
          [June.ber.ry] n (ca. 1810): serviceberry

   june bug
          [june bug] n, often cap J (1829): any of numerous rather
          large leaf-eating scarab beetles (subfamily Melolonthinae)
          that fly chiefly in late spring and have larvae that
          are white grubs which live in soil and feed chiefly on
          the roots of grasses and other plants--called also june
          beetle

   Jungian
          [Jung.ian] adj (ca. 1930): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of C. G. Jung or his psychological doctrines -- Jungian
          n

   jungle
          [jun.gle] n, often attrib [Hindi jangal forest, fr. Skt jangala
          desert region] (1776) 1 a: an impenetrable thicket or
          tangled mass of tropical vegetation b: a tract overgrown
          with thickets or masses of vegetation 2: a hobo camp
          3 a (1): a confused or disordered mass of objects: jumble
          (2): something that baffles or frustrates by its tangled
          or complex character: maze <the ~ of housing laws --Bernard
          Taper> b: a place of ruthless struggle for survival <the
          city is a ~ where no one is safe after dark --Stuart
          Chase> -- jun.gle.like adj -- jun.gly adj

   jungled
          [jun.gled] adj (1842): abounding in jungle <a ~ island>

   jungle fowl
          [jungle fowl] n (ca. 1825): any of several Asian wild birds
          (genus Gallus) related to the pheasants; esp: a bird
          (G. gallus) of southeastern Asia from which domestic
          fowls have prob. descended

   jungle gym
          [jungle gym] n [fr. Junglegym, a trademark] (1923): a structure
          of vertical and horizontal bars for use by children at
          play

   [1]junior
          [ju.nior] adj [L, compar. of juvenis young--more at young]
          (13c) 1 a: less advanced in age: younger--used chiefly
          to distinguish a son with the same given name as his
          father b (1): youthful (2): designed for young people
          and esp. adolescents c: of more recent date and therefore
          inferior or subordinate <a ~ lien> 2 a: lower in standing
          or rank <~ partners> b: duplicating or suggesting on
          a smaller scale something typically large or powerful
          <a ~ gale> 3: of or relating to juniors or the class
          of juniors at an educational institution <the ~ prom>
          [2]junior n [L, n. & adj.] (1526) 1 a (1): a person who
          is younger than another <a man six years my ~> (2): a
          male child: son (3): a young person b: a clothing size
          for women and girls with slight figures 2 a: a person
          holding a lower position in a hierarchy of ranks b: a
          student in the next-to-the-last year before graduating
          from an educational institution 3 cap: a member of a
          program of the Girl Scouts for girls in the third through
          sixth grades in school

   juniorate
          [ju.nior.ate] n (1845) 1: a course of high school or college
          study for candidates for the priesthood, brotherhood,
          or sisterhood; specif: one preparatory to the course
          in philosophy 2: a seminary for juniorate training

   junior college
          [junior college] n (1899): an educational institution that
          offers two years of studies corresponding to those in
          the first two years of a four-year college and that often
          offers technical, vocational, and liberal studies to
          the adults of a community

   junior high school
          [junior high school] n (1909): a school usu. including grades
          7 to 9--called also junior high

   Junior Leaguer
          [Junior Leaguer] n (1938): a member of a league of young
          women organized for volunteer service to civic and social
          organizations

   junior miss
          [junior miss] n (1927) 1: an adolescent girl 2: junior 1b

   junior varsity
          [junior varsity] n (1949): a team composed of members lacking
          the experience or qualification required for the varsity

   juniper
          [ju.ni.per] n [ME junipere, fr. L juniperus] (14c) 1: any
          of numerous shrubs or trees (genus Juniperus) of the
          cypress family with leaves resembling needles or scales
          and female cones usu. resembling berries 2: any of several
          coniferous trees resembling true junipers

   juniper oil
          [juniper oil] n (ca. 1889): an acrid essential oil obtained
          from the fruit of a common juniper (Juniperus communis)
          and used esp. in gin and liqueurs

   juniper tar
          [juniper tar] n (ca. 1930): a tarry liquid used locally in
          treating skin diseases and obtained by distillation from
          the wood of a Eurasian juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus)--called
          also cade oil, juniper tar oil

   [1]junk
          [junk] n [ME jonke] (14c) 1: pieces of old cable or cordage
          used esp. to make gaskets, mats, swabs, or oakum 2 a
          (1): old iron, glass, paper, or other waste that may
          be used again in some form (2): secondhand, worn, or
          discarded articles (3): clutter 1b b: something of poor
          quality: trash c: something of little meaning, worth,
          or significance 3 slang: narcotics; esp: heroin 4: junk
          bond 5: baseball pitches other than fastballs (as curveballs
          or change-ups) -- junky adj [2]junk vt (1916): to get
          rid of as worthless: scrap syn see discard [3]junk n
          [Pg junco, fr. Jav jon] (1613): any of various ships
          of Chinese waters with bluff lines, a high poop and overhanging
          stem, little or no keel, high pole masts, and a deep
          rudder

   junk art
          [junk art] n (1962): three-dimensional art made from discarded
          material (as metal, mortar, glass, or wood) -- junk artist
          n

   junk bond
          [junk bond] n (1976): a high-risk bond that offers a high
          yield and is often issued to finance a takeover of a
          company

   junker
          [junk.er] n [[1]junk + [2]-er] (1944): something (as an automobile)
          of such age and condition as to be ready for scrapping Jun.ker
          n [G, fr. OHG juncherro, lit., young lord] (1554): a member of the
          Prussian landed aristocracy -- Jun.ker.dom n -- Jun.ker.ism n

   [1]junket
          [jun.ket] n [ME ioncate, ultim. fr. (assumed) VL juncata,
          fr. L juncus rush] (15c) 1: a dessert of sweetened flavored
          milk set with rennet 2 a: a festive social affair b:
          trip, journey; esp: a trip made by an official at public
          expense [2]junket vi (1555) 1: feast, banquet 2: to go
          on a junket -- jun.ke.teer or jun.ket.er n

   junk food
          [junk food] n (1971) 1: food that is high in calories but
          low in nutritional content 2: something that is appealing
          or enjoyable but of little or no real value <the ultimate
          in junk food for young minds --Cleveland Amory>

   junkie
          [junk.ie] also junky n, pl junk.ies (1923) 1 slang a: a narcotics
          peddler or addict b: a person who derives inordinate
          pleasure from or who is dependent on something <sugar
          ~> <television news ~> 2: a junk dealer

   junk mail
          [junk mail] n (1954): third-class mail (as advertising circulars)
          that is often addressed to "occupant" or "resident"

   junk sculpture
          [junk sculpture] n (1965): junk art

   junkyard
          [junk.yard] n (1880): a yard used to store sometimes resalable
          junk

   Juno
          [Ju.no] n: the wife of Jupiter, queen of heaven, and goddess
          of light, birth, women, and marriage--compare hera

   Junoesque
          [Ju.no.esque] adj (1888): marked by stately beauty

   junta
          [jun.ta] n [Sp, fr. fem. of junto joined, fr. L junctus,
          pp. of jungere to join--more at yoke] (1622) 1: a council
          or committee for political or governmental purposes;
          esp: a group of persons controlling a government esp.
          after a revolutionary seizure of power 2: junto

   junto
          [jun.to] n, pl juntos [prob. alter. of junta] (1623): a group
          of persons joined for a common purpose

   Jupiter
          [Ju.pi.ter] n [L] 1: the chief Roman god, husband of Juno,
          and god of light, of the sky and weather, and of the
          state and its welfare and its laws--compare zeus 2: the
          largest of the planets and fifth in order from the sun

   jural
          [ju.ral] adj [L jur-, jus law] (1635) 1: of or relating to
          law 2: of or relating to rights or obligations -- ju.ral.ly
          adv

   Jurassic
          [Ju.ras.sic] adj [F jurassique, fr. Jura mountain range]
          (1831): of, relating to, or being the period of the Mesozoic
          era between the Triassic and the Cretaceous or the corresponding
          system of rocks marked by the presence of dinosaurs and
          the first appearance of birds--see geologic time table
          -- Jurassic n

   jurat
          [ju.rat] n [short for L juratum (est) it has been sworn,
          3d sing. perf. pass. of jurare to swear--more at jury]
          (1796): a certificate added to an affidavit stating when,
          before whom, and where it was made

   jurel
          [ju.rel] n [Sp] (1772): any of several food fishes (family
          Carangidae) of warm seas

   juridical
          [ju.rid.i.cal] also ju.rid.ic adj [L juridicus, fr. jur-,
          jus + dicere to say--more at diction] (1502) 1: of or
          relating to the administration of justice or the office
          of a judge 2: of or relating to law or jurisprudence:
          legal -- ju.rid.i.cal.ly adv

   jurisconsult
          [ju.ris.con.sult] n [L jurisconsultus, fr. juris (gen. of
          jus) + consultus, pp. of consulere to consult] (1605):
          jurist; esp: one learned in international and public
          law

   jurisdiction
          [ju.ris.dic.tion] n [ME jurisdiccioun, fr. MF & L; MF juridiction,
          fr. L jurisdiction-, jurisdictio, fr. juris + diction-, dictio act
          of saying--more at diction] (14c) 1: the power, right, or authority
          to interpret and apply the law 2 a: the authority of a sovereign
          power to govern or legislate b: the power or right to exercise
          authority: control 3: the limits or territory within which
          authority may be exercised syn see power -- ju.ris.dic.tion.al adj
          -- ju.ris.dic.tion.al.ly adv

   Juris Doctor
          [Ju.ris Doctor] n [L, doctor of law] (1969): a degree equivalent
          to bachelor of laws

   jurisprudence
          [ju.ris.pru.dence] n (ca. 1656) 1 a: a system or body of
          law b: the course of court decisions 2: the science or
          philosophy of law 3: a department of law <medical ~>
          -- ju.ris.pru.den.tial adj -- ju.ris.pru.den.tial.ly
          adv

   jurisprudent
          [ju.ris.pru.dent] n [LL jurisprudent-, jurisprudens, fr.
          L juris + prudent-, prudens skilled, prudent] (1628):
          jurist

   jurist
          [ju.rist] n [MF juriste, fr. ML jurista, fr. L jur-, jus]
          (15c): one having a thorough knowledge of law; esp: judge

   juristic
          [ju.ris.tic] adj (1831) 1: of or relating to a jurist or
          jurisprudence 2: of, relating to, or recognized in law
          -- ju.ris.ti.cal.ly adv

   juror
          [ju.ror] n (14c) 1 a: a member of a jury b: a person summoned
          to serve on a jury 2: a person who takes an oath (as
          of allegiance)

   [1]jury
          [ju.ry] n, pl juries [ME jure, fr. AF juree, fr. OF jurer
          to swear, fr. L jurare, fr. jur-, jus] (15c) 1: a body
          of persons sworn to give a verdict on some matter submitted
          to them; esp: a body of persons legally selected and
          sworn to inquire into any matter of fact and to give
          their verdict according to the evidence 2: a committee
          for judging and awarding prizes at a contest or exhibition
          3: one (as the public or test results) that will decide--used
          esp. in the phrase the jury is still out [2]jury adj
          [origin unknown] (1616): improvised for temporary use
          esp. in an emergency: makeshift <a ~ mast> <a ~ rig>
          [3]jury vt jur.ied ; jury.ing (1947): to select material
          as appropriate for exhibition in (as an art show)--used
          chiefly as a participle <a juried show>

   jury-rig
          [ju.ry-rig] vt [[2]jury] (1788): to erect, construct, or
          arrange in a makeshift fashion

   jus divinum
          [jus di.vi.num] [L] foreign term : divine law

   jus gentium
          [jus gen.ti.um] n [L, law of nations] (1548): international
          law

   jus sanguinis
          [jus san.gui.nis] n [L, right of blood] (1902): a rule that
          a child's citizenship is determined by its parents' citizenship

   jussive
          [jus.sive] n [L jussus, pp. of jubere to order; akin to Gk
          hysmine battle] (1846): a word, form, case, or mood expressing
          command -- jussive adj

   jus soli
          [jus so.li] n [L, right of the soil] (1902): a rule that
          the citizenship of a child is determined by the place
          of its birth

   [1]just
          [just] var of joust [2]just adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF juste,
          fr. L justus, fr. jus right, law; akin to Skt yos welfare]
          (14c) 1 a: having a basis in or conforming to fact or
          reason: reasonable <a ~ but not a generous decision>
          b archaic: faithful to an original c: conforming to a
          standard of correctness: proper <~ proportions> 2 a (1):
          acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright
          or good: righteous <a ~ war> (2): being what is merited:
          deserved <a ~ punishment> b: legally correct: lawful
          <~ title to an estate> syn see fair, upright -- just.ly
          adv -- just.ness n [3]just adv (15c) 1 a: exactly, precisely
          <~ right> b: very recently <the bell ~ rang> 2 a: by
          a very small margin: barely <~ too late> b: immediately,
          directly <~ west of here> 3 a: only, simply <~ last year>
          <~ be yourself> b: quite, very <~ wonderful> 4: perhaps,
          possibly <it ~ might work> -- just about : almost <the
          work is just about done>

   just-folks
          [just-folks] adj (1952): marked by the absence of formality
          or sophistication: unpretentious <her ~ manner>

   justice
          [jus.tice] n [ME, fr. OE & OF; OE justice, fr. OF justice,
          fr. L justitia, fr. justus] (12c) 1 a: the maintenance
          or administration of what is just esp. by the impartial
          adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of
          merited rewards or punishments b: judge c: the administration
          of law; esp: the establishment or determination of rights
          according to the rules of law or equity 2 a: the quality
          of being just, impartial, or fair b (1): the principle
          or ideal of just dealing or right action (2): conformity
          to this principle or ideal: righteousness c: the quality
          of conforming to law 3: conformity to truth, fact, or
          reason: correctness

   justice of the peace
          [justice of the peace] (15c): a local magistrate empowered
          chiefly to administer summary justice in minor cases,
          to commit for trial, and to administer oaths and perform
          marriages

   justiciable
          [jus.ti.cia.ble] adj (15c) 1: liable to trial in a court
          of justice <a ~ offense> 2: capable of being decided
          by legal principles or by a court of justice -- jus.ti.cia.bil.i.ty
          n

   justiciar
          [jus.ti.ci.ar] n [ME, fr. ML justitiarius, fr. L justitia]
          (ca. 1580): the chief political and judicial officer
          of the Norman and later kings of England until the 13th
          century

   justifiable
          [jus.ti.fi.able] adj (1561): capable of being justified:
          excusable <~ family pride --Current Biog.> -- jus.ti.fi.abil.i.ty
          n -- jus.ti.fi.ably adv

   justification
          [jus.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (14c) 1: the act, process, or state
          of being justified by God 2 a: the act or an instance
          of justifying: vindication b: something that justifies
          3: the process or result of justifying lines of text

   justificative
          [jus.ti.fi.ca.tive] adj (1611): justificatory

   justificatory
          [jus.ti.fi.ca.to.ry] adj (1579): tending or serving to justify:
          vindicatory

   justify
          [jus.ti.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME justifien, fr. MF or LL;
          MF justifier, fr. LL justificare, fr. L justus] vt (14c)
          1 a: to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable
          b (1): to show to have had a sufficient legal reason
          (2): to qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath
          to the ownership of sufficient property 2 a archaic:
          to administer justice to b archaic: absolve c: to judge,
          regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation
          3 a: to space (as lines of text) so that the lines come
          out even at the margin b: to make even by justifying
          <justified margins> ~ vi 1 a: to show a sufficient lawful
          reason for an act done b: to qualify as bail or surety
          2: to justify lines of text syn see maintain -- jus.ti.fi.er
          n

   just-in-time
          [just-in-time] n, often attrib (1981): a manufacturing strategy
          wherein parts are produced or delivered only as needed

   justitia omnibus
          [jus.ti.tia om.ni.bus] [L] foreign term : justice for all--motto
          of the District of Columbia

   [1]jut
          [jut] vb jut.ted ; jut.ting [perh. short for [2]jutty] vi
          (ca. 1573): to extend out, up, or forward: project <mountains
          jutting into the sky> <a jutting jaw> ~ vt: to cause
          to project [2]jut n (1786): something that juts: projection

   jute
          [jute] n [Bengali jhuto] (1746): the glossy fiber of either
          of two East Indian plants (Corchorus olitorius and C.
          capsularis) of the linden family used chiefly for sacking,
          burlap, and twine; also: a plant producing jute Jute
          n [ME, fr. ML Jutae Jutes, of Gmc origin; akin to OE
          Eotenas Jutes] (14c): a member of a Germanic people invading
          England from the Continent and settling in Kent in the
          5th century -- Jut.ish adj

   [1]jutty
          [jut.ty] n, pl jutties [ME] (15c) 1 archaic: jetty 2: a projecting
          part of a building [2]jutty vt jut.tied ; jut.ty.ing (1599) obs:
          to project beyond

   juv
          [juv] abbreviation juvenile

   juvenescence
          [ju.ve.nes.cence] n (1800): the state of being youthful or
          of growing young -- ju.ve.nes.cent adj

   [1]juvenile
          [ju.ve.nile] adj [F or L; F juvenile, fr. L juvenilis, fr.
          juvenis young person--more at young] (1625) 1 a: physiologically
          immature or undeveloped: young b: derived from sources
          within the earth and coming to the surface for the first
          time--used esp. of water and gas 2: of, relating to,
          characteristic of, or suitable for children or young
          people <~ books> 3: reflecting psychological or intellectual
          immaturity: childish [2]juvenile n (1733) 1 a: a young
          person: youth b: a book for children or young people
          2: a young individual resembling an adult of its kind
          except in size and reproductive activity: as a: a fledged
          bird not yet in adult plumage b: a 2-year-old racehorse
          3: an actor or actress who plays youthful parts

   juvenile court
          [juvenile court] n (1899): a court that has special jurisdiction
          over delinquent and dependent children usu. up to the
          age of 18

   juvenile delinquency
          [juvenile delinquency] n (1816) 1: conduct by a juvenile
          characterized by antisocial behavior that is beyond parental
          control and therefore subject to legal action 2: a violation
          of the law committed by a juvenile and not punishable
          by death or life imprisonment -- juvenile delinquent
          n

   juvenile hormone
          [juvenile hormone] n (1940): an insect hormone that is secreted
          by the corpora allata, inhibits maturation to the imago,
          and plays a role in reproduction

   juvenile officer
          [juvenile officer] n (1954): a police officer charged with
          the detection, prosecution, and care of juvenile delinquents

   juvenilia
          [ju.ve.nil.ia] n pl [L, neut. pl. of juvenilis] (1622) 1:
          compositions produced in the artist's or author's youth
          2: artistic or literary compositions suited to or designed
          for the young

   juvenility
          [ju.ve.nil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1623) 1: the quality or
          state of being juvenile: youthfulness 2 a: immaturity
          of thought or conduct b: an instance of being juvenile

   juxtapose
          [jux.ta.pose] vt -posed ; -pos.ing [prob. back-formation
          fr. juxtaposition] (1851): to place side by side <~ unexpected
          combinations of colors, shapes and ideas --J. F. T. Bugental>

   juxtaposed
          [juxtaposed] adj (1855): placed side by side: being
          in juxtaposition syn see adjacent

   juxtaposition
          [jux.ta.po.si.tion] n [L juxta near + E position--more at
          joust] (1654): the act or an instance of placing two
          or more things side by side; also: the state of being
          so placed -- jux.ta.po.si.tion.al adj

   jv...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   JV
          [JV] abbreviation junior varsity

   k...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   k
          [k] abbreviation karat, kindergarten, king, kitchen, knit,
          knot, koruna, kosher--often enclosed in a circle; kyat
          K [NL kalium] abbreviation potassium; Kelvin, kilometer

   k
          [k] n, pl k's or ks often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 11th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic k 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter k 3: one designated k esp. as the 11th in
          order or class 4: something shaped like the letter K
          5: a unit vector parallel to the z-axis 6 [kilo-]: thousand
          <a salary of $24K> 7 [kilo-]: a unit of computer storage
          capacity equal to 1024 bytes <a computer memory of 64K>
          8 cap: strikeout

   K-band
          [K-band] n (ca. 1948): a segment of the radio spectrum that
          lies between 10.9 GHz and 36.0 GHz and spans the upper
          superhigh-frequency and lower extremely-high-frequency
          bands and that is used esp. for police radars, satellite
          communication, and astronomical observation

   K-meson
          [K-me.son] n (1951): kaon

   K of C
          [K of C] abbreviation Knights of Columbus

   K ration
          [K ration] n [A. B. Keys b1904 Am. physiologist] (ca. 1940):
          a lightweight packaged ration of emergency foods developed
          for the U.S. armed forces in World War II

   ka...
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   ka
          [ka] [G Kathode] abbreviation cathode

   Kaaba
          [Kaa.ba] n [Ar ka'bah, lit., cubic building] (1734): a small
          stone building in the court of the Great Mosque at Mecca
          that contains a sacred black stone and is the goal of
          Islamic pilgrimage and the point toward which Muslims
          turn in praying

   kabala
          [ka.ba.la] or kab.ba.la or kab.ba.lah var of cabala

   kabob
          [ka.bob] n [Per, Hindi, Ar & Turk; Per & Hindi kabab, fr.
          Ar, fr. Turk kebap] (1673): cubes of meat (as lamb or
          beef) marinated and cooked with vegetables (as onions,
          tomatoes, and green peppers) usu. on a skewer

   Kabuki
          [Ka.bu.ki] n [Jp] (1899): traditional Japanese popular drama
          with singing and dancing performed in a highly stylized
          manner

   Kabyle
          [Ka.byle] n [Ar qaba'il, pl. of qabilah tribe] (1738) 1:
          a member of a Berber people living in the mountainous
          coastal area east of Algiers 2: the Berber language of
          the Kabyles

   kachina
          [ka.chi.na] n [Hopi qacina] (1888) 1: one of the deified
          ancestral spirits believed among the Hopi and other Pueblo
          Indians to visit the pueblos at intervals 2: one of the
          elaborately masked kachina impersonators that dance at
          agricultural ceremonies 3: a doll representing a kachina

   kaddish
          [kad.dish] n, often cap [Aram qaddish holy] (1613): a Jewish
          prayer recited in the daily ritual of the synagogue and
          by mourners at public services after the death of a close
          relative

   kaffeeklatsch
          [kaf.fee.klatsch] n, often cap [G, fr. Kaffee coffee + Klatsch
          gossip] (1888): an informal social gathering for coffee
          and conversation

   Kaffir
          [Kaf.fir] or Kaf.ir n [Ar kafir infidel] (1778) 1 archaic:
          a member of a group of southern African Bantu-speaking
          peoples 2 often not cap, chiefly SoAfr: a black African--usu.
          used disparagingly

   kaffiyeh
          [kaf.fi.yeh] n [Ar kufiyah, kaffiyah, fr. al-Kufah Al Kufa,
          town in Iraq] (ca. 1817): an Arab headdress consisting
          of a square of cloth folded to form a triangle and held
          on by a cord

   kafir
          [kaf.ir] n (ca. 1785): a grain sorghum (Sorghum caffrorum)
          with stout short-jointed somewhat juicy stalks and erect
          heads Kaf.ir n [Ar kafir] (1759): a member of a group
          of peoples of the Hindu Kush in northeastern Afghanistan

   Kafiri
          [Kaf.iri] n (1901): the group of languages spoken by the
          Kafirs that constitutes a distinct branch of Indo-Iranian--see
          indo-european languages table

   Kafkaesque
          [Kaf.ka.esque] adj (1946): of, relating to, or suggestive
          of Franz Kafka or his writings; esp: having a nightmarishly
          complex, bizarre, or illogical quality <~ bureaucratic
          delays>

   kaftan
          [kaf.tan] var of caftan

   kahuna
          [ka.hu.na] n [Hawaiian] (1886): a Hawaiian witch doctor

   kainite
          [kai.nite] also kai.nit n [G Kainit, fr. Gk kainos new--more
          at recent] (1868): a natural salt consisting of a hydrous
          sulfate and chloride of magnesium and potassium that
          is used as a fertilizer and as a source of potassium
          and magnesium compounds

   kaiser
          [kai.ser] n [ME, fr. ON keisari; akin to OHG keisur emperor;
          both fr. a prehistoric Gmc word borrowed fr. L Caesar,
          cognomen of the Emperor Augustus] (13c): emperor; esp:
          the ruler of Germany from 1871 to 1918 -- kai.ser.dom
          n -- kai.ser.ism n

   kaiserin
          [kai.se.rin] n [G, fem. of Kaiser] (ca. 1888): the wife of
          a kaiser

   kaiser roll
          [kaiser roll] n (ca. 1898): a crusty roll often used for
          sandwiches

   kaka
          [ka.ka] n [Maori] (ca. 1774): an olive brown New Zealand
          parrot (Nestor meridionalis) with gray and red markings

   kakapo
          [ka.ka.po] n, pl -pos [Maori] (1843): a large chiefly nocturnal
          burrowing New Zealand parrot (Strigops habroptilus) that
          has green and brown barred plumage and well-developed
          wings with little power of flight

   kakemono
          [ka.ke.mo.no] n, pl -nos [Jp] (1890): a vertical Japanese
          ornamental pictorial or calligraphic scroll

   kakiemon
          [ka.ki.e.mon] n, often cap [Sakaida Kakiemon fl 1650 Japanese
          potter] (1890): a Japanese porcelain decorated with enamel

   kala-azar
          [ka.la-azar] n [Hindi kala-azar black disease, fr. Hindi
          kala black + Per azar disease] (1882): a severe infectious
          disease chiefly of tropical areas that is marked by fever,
          progressive anemia, leukopenia, and enlargement of the
          spleen and liver and caused by a flagellate (Leishmania
          donovani) transmitted by the bite of sand flies

   kalanchoe
          [ka.lan.choe] n [NL] (1830): any of a genus (Kalanchoe) of
          chiefly African tropical succulent herbs or shrubs of
          the orpine family often cultivated as ornamentals--compare
          bryophyllum

   kale
          [kale] n [Sc, fr. ME (northern) cal, fr. OE cal--more at
          cole] (14c) 1 a: cole b: a hardy cabbage (Brassica oleracea
          acephala) with curled often finely incised leaves that
          do not form a dense head 2 slang: money

   kaleidoscope
          [ka.lei.do.scope] n [Gk kalos beautiful + eidos form + E
          -scope--more at idyll] (1817) 1: an instrument containing
          loose bits of colored material (as glass or plastic)
          between two flat plates and two plane mirrors so placed
          that changes of position of the bits of material are
          reflected in an endless variety of patterns 2: something
          resembling a kaleidoscope: as a: a variegated changing
          pattern or scene <the lake a ~ of changing colors --Robert
          Gibbings> b: a succession of changing phases or actions
          <a ... ~ of shifting values, information, fashions --Frank
          McLaughlin> -- ka.lei.do.scop.ic adj -- ka.lei.do.scop.i.cal.ly
          adv

   kalends
          [ka.lends] var of calends

   kallidin
          [kal.li.din] n [G, fr. Kallikrein + Peptid peptide + -in]
          (1950): either of two vasodilator kinins formed from
          blood plasma globulin by the action of kallikrein: a:
          bradykinin b: one with a terminal lysine amino-acid residue
          added to bradykinin

   kallikrein
          [kal.li.kre.in] n [G, fr. Gk kallikreas sweetbread, pancreas,
          fr. kalli- beautiful (fr. kallos beauty) + kreas flesh--more
          at raw] (1930): a hypotensive protease that liberates
          kinins from blood plasma proteins and is used therapeutically
          for vasodilation

   Kalmuck
          [Kal.muck] or Kal.muk or Kal.myk n [Russ kalmyk, fr. Volga
          Tatar kalmik] (1613) 1: a member of a Buddhist Mongol
          people orig. of Dzungaria living mainly northwest of
          the Caspian Sea in Russia 2: the Mongolian language of
          the Kalmucks

   Kama
          [Ka.ma] n [Skt Kama, fr. kama love]: the Hindu god of love

   kamaaina
          [ka.ma.ai.na] n [Hawaiian kama'aina, fr. kama child + 'aina
          land] (1903): one who has lived in Hawaii for a long
          time

   kame
          [kame] n [Sc, kame, comb, fr. ME (northern) camb comb, fr.
          OE] (1795): a short ridge, hill, or mound of stratified
          drift deposited by glacial meltwater

   Kamehameha Day
          [Ka.me.ha.me.ha Day] n (1925): June 11 observed as a holiday
          in Hawaii in commemoration of the birthday of Kamehameha
          I

   [1]kamikaze
          [ka.mi.ka.ze] n [Jp, lit., divine wind] (1945) 1: a member
          of a Japanese air attack corps in World War II assigned
          to make a suicidal crash on a target (as a ship) 2: an
          airplane containing explosives to be flown in a suicide
          crash on a target [2]kamikaze adj (1945) 1: of, relating
          to, being, or resembling a kamikaze 2: having or showing
          reckless disregard for safety or personal welfare

   kampong
          [kam.pong] n [Malay] (1844): a hamlet or village
          in a Malay-speaking country

   Kan
          [Kan] or Kans abbreviation Kansas

   kana
          [ka.na] n, pl kana often attrib [Jp] (1727): a Japanese system
          of syllabic writing having characters that can be used
          exclusively for writing foreign words or in combination
          with kanji (as for indicating pronunciations or grammatical
          inflections); also: a single character belonging to the
          kana system--compare hiragana, katakana

   Kanak
          [Ka.nak] n [F canaque, prob. fr. E Kanaka South Sea islander,
          fr. Hawaiian, person] (1910): a native Melanesian inhabitant
          of New Caledonia

   kanamycin
          [kana.my.cin] n [NL kanamyceticus, specific epithet of Streptomyces
          kanamyceticus] (1957): a broad-spectrum antibiotic from a Japanese
          soil streptomyces (Streptomyces kanamyceticus)

   Kanarese
          [Kan.a.rese] n, pl Kanarese [Kanara, India] (1847) 1: kannada
          2: a member of a Kannada-speaking people of Karnataka,
          southern India

   kanban
          [kan.ban] n, often attrib [Jp, sign, placard; fr. the cards
          used on assembly lines to signal that parts are needed]
          (1982): just-in-time

   kangaroo
          [kan.ga.roo] n, pl -roos [Guugu Yimidhirr (Australian aboriginal
          language of northern Queensland) gangurru] (1770): any
          of various herbivorous leaping marsupial mammals (family
          Macropodidae) of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent
          islands with a small head, large ears, long powerful
          hind legs, a long thick tail used as a support and in
          balancing, and rather small forelegs not used in progression

   kangaroo court
          [kangaroo court] n (1853) 1: a mock court in which the principles
          of law and justice are disregarded or perverted 2: a
          court characterized by irresponsible, unauthorized, or
          irregular status or procedures 3: judgment or punishment
          given outside of legal procedure

   kangaroo rat
          [kangaroo rat] n (1867): any of a genus (Dipodomys) of pouched
          nocturnal burrowing rodents of arid parts of the western
          U.S. and Mexico

   kanji
          [kan.ji] n, pl kanji often attrib [Jp] (1920): a Japanese
          system of writing that utilizes characters borrowed or
          adapted from Chinese writing; also: a single character
          belonging to the kanji system--compare kana

   Kannada
          [Kan.na.da] n [Kannada kannada] (1856): the major Dravidian
          language of Karnataka, southern India

   kantele
          [kan.te.le] n [Finn] (ca. 1903): a traditional Finnish zither
          orig. having five strings but now having as many as thirty

   kaolin
          [ka.o.lin] n [F kaolin, fr. Gaoling hill in China] (ca. 1741):
          a fine usu. white clay that is used in ceramics and refractories,
          as a filler or extender, and in medicine esp. as an adsorbent
          in the treatment of diarrhea

   kaolinite
          [ka.o.lin.ite] n (1867): a mineral consisting of a hydrous
          silicate of aluminum that constitutes the principal mineral
          in kaolin -- ka.o.lin.it.ic adj

   kaon
          [ka.on] n [ISV ka kay (fr. K-meson, its earlier name) + [2]-on]
          (1958): an unstable meson that occurs in both charged
          and neutral forms and is about 970 times more massive
          than an electron

   kapellmeister
          [ka.pell.mei.ster] n, often cap [G, fr. Kapelle choir + Meister
          master] (1838): the director of a choir or orchestra

   kaph
          [kaph] n [Heb, lit., palm of the hand] (ca. 1823): the 11th
          letter of the Hebrew alphabet

   kapok
          [ka.pok] n [Malay] (ca. 1750): a mass of silky fibers that
          clothe the seeds of the ceiba tree and are used esp.
          as a filling for mattresses, life preservers, and sleeping
          bags and as insulation

   Kaposi's sarcoma
          [Ka.po.si's sarcoma] n [Moritz Kaposi d. 1902 Hung. dermatologist]
          (1916): a neoplastic disease associated esp. with AIDS, affecting
          esp. the skin and mucous membranes, and characterized usu. by the
          formation of pink to reddish-brown or bluish plaques, macules,
          papules, or nodules

   kappa
          [kap.pa] n [ME, fr. Gk, of Sem origin; akin to Heb kaph]
          (15c): the 10th letter of the Greek alphabet

   kaput
          [ka.put] also ka.putt adj [G kaputt, fr. F capot not having
          made a trick at piquet] (1895) 1: utterly finished, defeated,
          or destroyed 2: unable to function: useless <my battery
          went ~ --Henry James Jr.> 3: hopelessly outmoded

   karabiner
          [kar.a.bi.ner] var of carabiner

   Karaism
          [Kara.ism] n [LHeb qeraim Karaites, fr. Heb qara to read]
          (ca. 1883): a Jewish doctrine originating in Baghdad
          in the 8th century that rejects rabbinism and talmudism
          and bases its tenets on Scripture alone -- Kara.ite n

   karakul
          [kar.a.kul] n [Karakul, village in Uzbekistan] (1853) 1 often
          cap: any of a breed of hardy fat-tailed sheep from Uzbekistan
          with a narrow body and coarse wiry fur 2: the tightly
          curled glossy coat of the newborn lamb of a karakul valued
          as fur

   karaoke
          [kar.a.o.ke] n [Jp, fr. kara empty + oke, short for okesutora
          orchestra] (1982): a device that plays instrumental accompaniments
          for a selection of songs to which the user sings along and that
          records the user's singing with the music

   karat
          [kar.at] n [ME, prob. fr. MF carat, fr. ML carratus unit
          of weight for precious stones--more at carat] (15c):
          a unit of fineness for gold equal to 1/24 part of pure
          gold in an alloy

   karate
          [ka.ra.te] n [Jp, fr. kara empty + te hand] (1955): an Oriental
          art of self-defense in which an attacker is disabled
          by crippling kicks and punches -- ka.ra.te.ist n

   karaya gum
          [ka.ra.ya gum] n [Hindi karayal resin] (1916): any of several
          vegetable gums similar to tragacanth and often used as
          substitutes for it that are obtained from tropical Asian
          trees (genera Sterculia of the family Sterculiaceae and
          Cochlospermum of the family Bixaceae); esp: one derived
          from an Indian tree (S. urens)

   Karelian
          [Ka.re.lian] n (1855) 1: a native or inhabitant of Karelia
          2: the Finno-Ugric language of the Karelians -- Karelian
          adj

   Karen
          [Ka.ren] n, pl Karen or Karens (1833) 1: a member of a group
          of peoples of eastern and southern Myanmar 2 a: a group
          of languages spoken by the Karen peoples b: a language
          of this group

   karma
          [kar.ma] n [Skt karma fate, work] (1827) 1 often cap: the
          force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism
          and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its
          ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's
          next existence 2: vibration 4 -- kar.mic adj

   karoo
          [ka.roo] or kar.roo n, pl karoos or karroos [Afrik karo]
          (1789): a dry tableland of southern Africa

   kaross
          [ka.ross] n [Afrik karos] (1785): a simple garment or rug
          of skins used esp. by native tribesmen of southern Africa

   karst
          [karst] n [G] (1902): an irregular limestone region with
          sinks, underground streams, and caverns -- karst.ic adj

   kart
          [kart] n [prob. fr. GoKart, a trademark] (1959): a miniature
          motorcar used esp. in racing -- kart.ing n

   kary-
          [kary-] or karyo- also cary- or caryo- comb form [NL, fr.
          Gk karyon nut--more at careen] 1: nucleus of a cell <karyokinesis>
          2: nut: kernel <caryopsis>

   karyogamy
          [kar.y.og.a.my] n, pl -mies (1891): the fusion of cell nuclei
          (as in fertilization)

   karyokinesis
          [kar.yo.ki.ne.sis] n [NL] (1882) 1: the nuclear phenomena
          characteristic of mitosis 2: the whole process of mitosis
          -- kar.yo.ki.net.ic adj

   karyology
          [kar.y.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1895) 1: the minute cytological
          characteristics of the cell nucleus esp. with regard
          to the chromosomes 2: a branch of cytology concerned
          with the karyology of cell nuclei -- kar.y.o.log.i.cal
          also kar.y.o.log.ic adj

   karyolymph
          [kar.yo.lymph] n [ISV] (1899): nuclear sap

   karyosome
          [kar.yo.some] n [ISV] (1889): a mass of chromatin in a cell
          nucleus that resembles a nucleolus

   [1]karyotype
          [kar.yo.type] n [ISV] (1929): the chromosomal characteristics
          of a cell; also: the chromosomes themselves or a representation
          of them -- kar.yo.typ.ic adj -- kar.yo.typ.i.cal.ly adv
          [2]karyotype vt: to determine the karyotype of

   Kasbah
          [Kas.bah] var of casbah

   kasha
          [ka.sha] n [Russ] (1808) 1: a porridge made usu. from buckwheat
          groats 2: kasha grain before cooking

   Kashan
          [Ka.shan] n [Kashan, Iran] (1920): an Oriental rug with floral
          motifs in soft colors

   Kashmir
          [Kash.mir] var of cashmere

   Kashmiri
          [Kash.miri] n, pl Kashmiris or Kashmiri (1880) 1: an Indo-Aryan
          language spoken in Kashmir 2: a native or inhabitant
          of Kashmir

   kashruth
          [kash.ruth] or kash.rut n [Heb kashruth, lit., fitness] (1907)
          1: the Jewish dietary laws 2: the state of being kosher

   Kashubian
          [Ka.shu.bi.an] n [Kashube a member of a Slavic people] (1919):
          a Slavic language spoken in the vicinity of Gdansk

   kat
          [kat] var of khat

   kata
          [ka.ta] n, pl kata or katas [Jp, lit., model, pattern] (1945):
          a set combination of positions and movements (as in karate)
          performed as an exercise

   katabatic
          [kat.a.bat.ic] adj [Gk katabatos descending, verbal of katabainein
          to go down, fr. katacata- + bainein to go--more at come] (1918):
          relating to or being a wind produced by the flow of cold dense air
          down a slope (as of a mountain or glacier) in an area subject
          to radiational cooling

   katakana
          [ka.ta.ka.na] n [Jp, fr. kata part + kana kana] (1727): the
          form of Japanese syllabic writing used esp. for scientific
          terms, official documents, and words adopted from other
          languages--compare hiragana

   katchina
          [ka.tchi.na] or ka.tci.na var of kachina

   Katharevusa
          [Ka.tha.re.vu.sa] n [NGk kathareuousa, fr. Gk, fem. of kathareuon,
          prp. of kathareuein to be pure, fr. katharos pure] (1936): modern
          Greek conforming to classic Greek usage

   katharsis
          [ka.thar.sis] var of catharsis

   katydid
          [ka.ty.did] n [imit.] (1784): any of several large green
          American long-horned grasshoppers usu. having stridulating
          organs on the forewings of the males that produce a loud
          shrill sound

   katzenjammer
          [kat.zen.jam.mer] n [G, fr. Katze cat + Jammer distress]
          (1849) 1: hangover 2: distress 2 3: a discordant clamor

   kauri
          [kau.ri] n [Maori kawri] (1823) 1: any of various trees (genus
          Agathis) of the araucaria family; esp: a tall timber
          tree (A. australis) of New Zealand having fine white
          straight-grained wood 2: a light-colored to brown resin
          from the kauri tree found as a fossil in the ground or
          collected from living trees and used esp. in varnishes
          and linoleum--called also kauri gum, kauri resin

   kava
          [ka.va] n [Tongan & Marquesan, lit., bitter] (1810) 1: an
          Australasian shrubby pepper (Piper methysticum) from
          whose crushed root an intoxicating beverage is made 2:
          the beverage made from kava

   kay
          [kay] n (14c): the letter k Kay n: a boastful overbearing
          knight of the Round Table who is foster brother and seneschal
          of King Arthur

   kayak
          [kay.ak] n [Inuit qayaq] (1757) 1: an Eskimo canoe made of
          a frame covered with skins except for a small opening
          in the center and propelled by a double-bladed paddle
          2: a portable boat styled like an Eskimo kayak -- kay.ak.er
          n -- kay.ak.ing n

   [1]kayo
          [kayo] n [pronunciation of KO, abbr.] (1920): knockout [2]kayo
          vt kay.oed ; kayo.ing (1923): knock out

   Kazak
          [Ka.zak] n [Kazak (Kazakh), town in Azerbaijan] (1900): an
          Oriental rug in bold colors with geometric designs or
          stylized plant and animal forms

   Kazakh
          [Ka.zakh] n [Russ kazakh, fr. Kazakh kazak] (1832) 1: a member
          of a Turkic people of Kazakhstan and other countries
          of central Asia 2: the language of the Kazakhs

   kazoo
          [ka.zoo] n, pl kazoos [imit.] (1884): an instrument that
          imparts a buzzing quality to the human voice and that
          usu. consists of a small metal or plastic tube with a
          side hole covered by a thin membrane

   kb...
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   kb
          [kb] abbreviation kilobar, kilobase  KB abbreviation kilobyte

   kbar
          [kbar] abbreviation kilobar

   kc...
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   kc
          [kc] abbreviation kilocycle  KC abbreviation Kansas City,
          King's Counsel, Knights of Columbus

   kc/s
          [kc/s] abbreviation kilocycles per second

   kcal
          [kcal] abbreviation kilocalorie, kilogram calorie

   KCB
          [KCB] abbreviation knight commander of the Order of the Bath

   kd...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   KD
          [KD] abbreviation kiln-dried, knockdown, knocked down

   ke...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   kea
          [kea] n [Maori] (1862): a large mostly dull green New Zealand
          parrot (Nestor notabilis) that is normally insectivorous
          but sometimes destroys sheep by slashing the back to
          feed on the kidney fat

   kebab
          [ke.bab] or ke.bob var of kabob

   kebbuck
          [keb.buck] or keb.bock n [ME (Sc dial.) cabok, fr. ScGael
          ceapag] (15c) dial Brit: a whole wheel or ball of cheese

   [1]kedge
          [kedge] vt kedged ; kedg.ing [ME caggen] (1627): to move
          (a ship) by means of a line attached to a kedge dropped
          at the distance and in the direction desired [2]kedge
          n (ca. 1769): a small anchor used esp. in kedging

   kedgeree
          [ked.ge.ree] n [Hindi khicari, fr. Skt khicca] (1662) 1:
          an Indian dish of seasoned rice, beans, lentils, and
          sometimes smoked fish 2: cooked or smoked fish, rice,
          hard-boiled eggs, and seasoning heated in cream

   [1]keek
          [keek] vi [ME kiken] (14c) chiefly Scot: peep, look [2]keek
          n (1721) chiefly Scot: peep, look

   [1]keel
          [keel] vb [ME kelen, fr. OE celan, fr. col cool] (bef. 12c)
          chiefly dial: cool [2]keel n [ME kele, fr. MD kiel; akin
          to OE ceol ship] (14c): a flat-bottomed barge used esp.
          on the Tyne to carry coal [3]keel n [ME kele, fr. ON
          kjolr; akin to OE ceole throat, beak of a ship--more
          at glutton] (14c) 1 a: the chief structural member of
          a boat or ship that extends longitudinally along the
          center of its bottom and that often projects from the
          bottom; also: this projection b: ship 2: a projection
          suggesting a keel; esp: carina -- keeled adj -- keel.less
          adj [4]keel vi (1832) 1: to fall in or as if in a faint--usu.
          used with over 2: to heel or lean precariously [5]keel
          n [ME (Sc dial.) keyle] (15c) chiefly dial: red ocher

   keelboat
          [keel.boat] n (1695): a shallow covered keeled riverboat
          that is usu. rowed, poled, or towed and that is used
          for freight

   keelhaul
          [keel.haul] vt [D kielhalen, fr. kiel keel + halen to haul]
          (1666) 1: to haul under the keel of a ship as punishment
          or torture 2: to rebuke severely

   keelson
          [keel.son] n [ME kelswayn, prob. of Scand origin; akin to
          Sw kolsvin keelson] (1598): a longitudinal structure
          running above and fastened to the keel of a ship in order
          to stiffen and strengthen its framework

   [1]keen
          [keen] adj [ME kene brave, sharp, fr. OE cene brave; akin
          to OHG kuoni brave] (13c) 1 a: having a fine edge or
          point: sharp <a ~ sword> b: affecting one as if by cutting
          <~ sarcasm> c: pungent to the sense <a ~ scent> 2 a (1):
          showing a quick and ardent responsiveness: enthusiastic
          <a ~ swimmer> (2): eager <was ~ to begin> b of emotion
          or feeling: intense <the ~ delight in the chase --F.
          W. Maitland> 3 a: intellectually alert: having or characteristic
          of a quick penetrating mind <a ~ student> <a ~ awareness
          of the problem>; also: shrewdly astute <~ bargainers>
          b: sharply contested <~ debate> c: extremely sensitive
          in perception <~ eyes> 4: wonderful, excellent syn see
          sharp, eager -- keen.ly adv -- keen.ness n [2]keen n
          (1830): a lamentation for the dead uttered in a loud
          wailing voice or sometimes in a wordless cry [3]keen
          vb [Ir caoinim I lament] vi (1845) 1 a: to lament with
          a keen b: to make a sound suggestive of a keen 2: to
          lament, mourn, or complain loudly ~ vt: to utter by keening
          -- keen.er n

   [1]keep
          [keep] vb kept ; keep.ing [ME kepen, fr. OE cepan; perh.
          akin to OHG chapfen to look] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to take
          notice of by appropriate conduct: fulfill: as a: to be
          faithful to <~ a promise> b: to act fittingly in relation
          to <~ the Sabbath> c: to conform to in habits or conduct
          <~ late hours> d: to stay in accord with (a beat) <~
          time> 2: preserve, maintain: as a: to watch over and
          defend <~ us from harm> b (1): to take care of: tend
          <~ a garden> (2): support (3): to maintain in a good,
          fitting, or orderly condition--usu. used with up c: to
          continue to maintain <~ watch> d (1): to cause to remain
          in a given place, situation, or condition <~ him waiting>
          (2): to preserve (food) in an unspoiled condition e:
          to have or maintain in one's service or at one's disposal
          <~ a mistress>--often used with on <kept the cook on>;
          also: to lodge or feed for pay <~ boarders> f (1): to
          maintain a record in <~ a diary> (2): to enter in a book
          <~ records> g: to have customarily in stock for sale
          3 a: to restrain from departure or removal: detain <~
          children in after school> b: hold back, restrain <~ them
          from going> <kept him back with difficulty> c: save,
          reserve <~ some for later> <kept some out for a friend>
          d: to refrain from revealing <~ a secret> 4 a: to retain
          in one's possession or power <kept the money we found>
          b: to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing <kept
          the news back> c: to have in control <~ your temper>
          5: to confine oneself to <~ my room> 6 a: to stay or
          continue in <~ the path> <~ your seat> b: to stay or
          remain on or in usu. against opposition: hold <kept her
          ground> 7: conduct, manage <~ a tearoom> ~ vi 1 chiefly
          Brit: live, lodge 2 a: to maintain a course, direction,
          or progress <~ to the right> b: to continue usu. without
          interruption <~ talking> <~ quiet> <~ on smiling> c:
          to persist in a practice <kept bothering them> <kept
          on smoking in spite of warnings> 3: stay, remain <~ out
          of the way> <~ off the grass>: as a: to stay even--usu.
          used with up <~ up with the Joneses> b: to remain in
          good condition <meat : watch -- keep at : to persist
          in doing or concerning oneself with -- keep company :
          to go together as frequent companions or in courtship
          -- keep house : to manage a household -- keep one's distance
          or keep at a distance : to stay aloof: maintain a reserved
          attitude -- keep one's eyes open or keep one's eyes peeled
          : to be on the alert: be watchful -- keep one's hand
          in : to keep in practice -- keep pace : to stay even;
          also: keep up -- keep step : to keep in step -- keep
          to 1 a: to stay in b: to limit oneself to 2: to abide
          by -- keep to oneself 1: to keep secret <kept the facts
          to myself> 2: to remain solitary or apart from other
          people syn keep, observe, celebrate, commemorate mean
          to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed. keep stresses
          the idea of not neglecting or violating <kept the Sabbath
          by refraining from work>. observe suggests marking the
          occasion by ceremonious performance <not all holidays
          are observed nationally>. celebrate suggests acknowledging
          an occasion by festivity <traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving
          with a huge dinner>. commemorate suggests that an occasion
          is marked by observances that remind one of the origin
          and significance of the day <commemorate Memorial Day
          with the laying of wreaths>. syn keep, retain, detain,
          withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or
          under one's control. keep may suggest a holding securely
          in one's possession, custody, or control <keep this while
          I'm gone>. retain implies continued keeping, esp. against
          threatened seizure or forced loss <managed to retain
          their dignity even in poverty>. detain suggests a delay
          in letting go <detained them for questioning>. withhold
          implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go
          <withheld information from the authorities>. reserve
          suggests a keeping in store for future use <reserve some
          of your energy for the last mile>. [2]keep n (1579) 1
          a archaic: custody, charge b: maintenance 2: one that
          keeps or protects: as a: fortress, castle; specif: the
          strongest and securest part of a medieval castle b: one
          whose job is to keep or tend c: prison, jail 3: the means
          or provisions by which one is kept <earned his ~> 4:
          keeper 4 -- for keeps 1 a: with the provision that one
          keep what one has won <played marbles for keeps> b: with
          deadly seriousness 2: for an indefinitely long time:
          permanently 3: with the result of ending the matter

   keep back
          [keep back] vi (1837): to refrain from approaching or advancing
          near something <police asked the spectators to keep back>

   keep down
          [keep down] vt (1581) 1: to keep in control <keep expenses
          down> 2: to prevent from growing, advancing, or succeeding

   keeper
          [keep.er] n (14c) 1: one that keeps: as a: protector b: gamekeeper
          c: warden d: custodian e chiefly Brit: curator 2: any of various
          devices for keeping something in position 3 a: one fit or suitable
          for keeping; esp: a fish large enough to be legally caught and kept
          b: a domestic animal considered with respect to how easy
          it is to care for <an easy ~> 4: an offensive football play
          in which the quarterback runs with the ball

   keeping
          [keep.ing] n (14c) 1: the act of one that keeps: as a: custody,
          maintenance b: observance c: a reserving or preserving
          for future use 2 a: the means by which something is kept:
          support, provision b: the state of being kept or the
          condition in which something is kept <the house is in
          good ~> 3: conformity <in ~ with good taste> <out of
          ~ with the decor>

   keepsake
          [keep.sake] n [[1]keep + -sake (as in namesake)] (1790):
          something kept or given to be kept as a memento

   keep up
          [keep up] vt (15c): to persist or persevere in <kept up the
          good work>; also: maintain, sustain <keep standards up>
          ~ vi 1: to keep adequately informed or up-to-date <keep
          up on international affairs> 2: to continue without interruption
          <rain kept up all night> 3: to maintain contact or relations
          with <keep up with old friends>

   keeshond
          [kees.hond] n, pl kees.hon.den [D, prob. fr. Kees, nickname
          for Cornelis Cornelius + hond dog, fr. MD; akin to OE
          hund hound] (1926): any of a Dutch breed of compact medium-sized
          dogs that have a dense heavy grayish coat and a foxy
          head

   kef
          [kef] n [Ar kayf pleasure] (1808) 1: a state of dreamy tranquillity
          2: a smoking material (as marijuana) that produces kef

   keffiyeh
          [kef.fi.yeh] var of kaffiyeh

   kefir
          [ke.fir] n [Russ] (1884): a beverage of fermented cow's milk

   keg
          [keg] n [ME kag, of Scand origin; akin to ON kaggi keg] (ca.
          1632) 1: a small cask or barrel having a capacity of
          30 gallons (136.4 liters) or less 2: the contents of
          a keg

   kegler
          [keg.ler] n [G, fr. kegeln to bowl, fr. Kegel bowling pin,
          fr. OHG kegil stake, peg] (1932): [1]bowler

   kegling
          [keg.ling] n (1938): bowling

   keister
          [keis.ter] or kees.ter n [E slang keister satchel] (1931)
          slang: buttocks

   kelim
          [ke.lim] var of kilim

   kelly green
          [kel.ly green] n, often cap K [fr. the common Irish name
          Kelly; fr. the association of Ireland with the color
          green] (ca. 1935): a strong yellowish green

   keloid
          [ke.loid] n [F keloide, fr. Gk chele claw] (1854): a thick
          scar resulting from excessive growth of fibrous tissue
          -- keloid adj -- ke.loi.dal adj

   kelp
          [kelp] n [ME culp] (14c) 1 a: any of various large brown
          seaweeds (order Laminariales) b: a mass of large seaweeds
          2: the ashes of seaweed used esp. as a source of iodine

   kelp bass
          [kelp bass] n (ca. 1936): a mottled sea bass (Paralabrax
          clathratus) that occurs along the Pacific coast of the
          U.S. and is an important sport fish

   [1]kelpie
          [kel.pie] n [perh. fr. ScGael cailpeach, colpach heifer,
          colt] (1747): a water sprite of Scottish folklore that
          delights in or brings about the drowning of wayfarers
          [2]kelpie n [Kelpie, name of a dog of this breed] (1903):
          any of a breed of energetic working dogs developed in
          Australia from British sheepdogs

   Kelt
          [Kelt] , Kelt.ic var of celt, celtic

   kelvin
          [kel.vin] n (1968): the base unit of temperature in the
          International System of Units that is equal to 1/273.16 of the
          Kelvin scale temperature of the triple point of water Kelvin adj
          [William Thomson, Lord Kelvin] (1908): relating to, conforming to,
          or having a thermometric scale on which the unit of measurement
          equals the Celsius degree and according to which absolute zero
          is 0 K, the equivalent of -273.15 degrees C

   kemp
          [kemp] n [ME kempe coarse hair, prob. of Scand origin; akin
          to ON kampr mustache; akin to OE cenep mustache] (1641):
          a coarse fiber esp. of wool that is usu. short, wavy,
          and white, has little affinity for dye, and is used in
          mixed wools

   Kemp's ridley
          [Kemp's ridley] n [Richard M. Kemp fl 1873 Am. amateur naturalist]
          (1979): ridley a

   kempt
          [kempt] adj [back-formation fr. unkempt] (1929): neatly kept:
          trim

   [1]ken
          [ken] vb kenned ; ken.ning [ME kennen, fr. OE cennan to make
          known & ON kenna to perceive; both akin to OE can know--more
          at can] vt (13c) 1 archaic: see 2 chiefly dial: recognize
          3 chiefly Scot: know ~ vi, chiefly Scot: know [2]ken
          n (1590) 1 a: the range of vision b: sight, view <'tis
          double death to drown in ~ of shore --Shak.> 2: the range
          of perception, understanding, or knowledge <abstract
          words that are beyond the ~ of young children --Lois
          M. Rettie>

   kenaf
          [ke.naf] n [Per] (1891): an African hibiscus (Hibiscus cannabinus)
          widely cultivated for its fiber; also: the fiber used esp. for
          cordage

   Kendal green
          [Ken.dal green] n [Kendal, England] (1514): a green woolen
          cloth resembling homespun or tweed

   kendo
          [ken.do] n [Jp kendo, fr. ken sword + do art] (1921): a Japanese
          sport of fencing with bamboo swords

   [1]kennel
          [ken.nel] n [ME kenel, ultim. fr. (assumed) VL canile, fr.
          L canis dog--more at hound] (14c) 1 a: a shelter for
          a dog or cat b: an establishment for the breeding or
          boarding of dogs or cats 2: a pack of dogs [2]kennel
          vb -neled or -nelled ; -nel.ing or -nel.ling vi (1552):
          to take shelter in or as if in a kennel ~ vt: to put
          or keep in or as if in a kennel [3]kennel n [alter. of
          cannel gutter] (15c): a gutter in a street

   [1]kenning
          [ken.ning] n [ME, sight, view, fr. gerund of kennen] (1786)
          chiefly Scot: a perceptible but small amount [2]kenning
          n [ON, fr. kenna] (1883): a metaphorical compound word
          or phrase (as swan-road for ocean) used esp. in Old English
          and Old Norse poetry

   keno
          [ke.no] n [F quine, set of five winning numbers in a lottery
          + E -o (as in lotto)] (1814): a game resembling bingo

   kenspeckle
          [ken.speck.le] adj [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Norw kjennspak
          quick to recognize] (1616) chiefly Scot: conspicuous

   kentledge
          [kent.ledge] n [origin unknown] (1607): pig iron or scrap
          metal used as ballast

   Kentucky bluegrass
          [Ken.tucky bluegrass] n [Kentucky, state of U.S.] (1849):
          a valuable Old World pasture and meadow grass (Poa pratensis)
          naturalized in America--called also bluegrass

   Kentucky coffee tree
          [Kentucky coffee tree] n (1785): a tall No. American leguminous
          tree (Gymnocladus dioica) with bipinnate leaves and large
          woody brown pods whose seeds have been used as a substitute
          for coffee

   Kentucky rifle
          [Kentucky rifle] n (1832): a muzzle-loading long-barreled
          flintlock rifle developed in the 18th century in Pennsylvania
          and used extensively on the American frontier

   Keogh plan
          [Ke.ogh plan] n [Eugene James Keogh d. 1989 Am. politician]
          (1974): an individual retirement account for the self-employed

   kepi
          [ke.pi] n [F kepi, fr. G dial. (Switzerland) kappi cap] (1861):
          a military cap with a round flat top sloping toward the
          front and a visor

   kept
          [kept] past and past part of keep

   Ker
          [Ker] abbreviation Kerry

   kerat-
          [kerat-] or kerato- comb form [ISV, fr. Gk kerato-, keras
          horn--more at horn]: cornea <keratitis>

   keratin
          [ker.a.tin] n [ISV] (ca. 1849): any of various sulfur-containing
          fibrous proteins that form the chemical basis of horny
          epidermal tissues (as hair and nails) -- ke.ra.ti.nous
          adj

   keratinization
          [ke.ra.ti.ni.za.tion] n (ca. 1887): conversion into keratin
          or keratinous tissue -- ke.ra.ti.nize vb

   keratinophilic
          [ke.ra.ti.no.phil.ic] adj (1946): exhibiting affinity for
          keratin (as in hair, skin, feathers, or horns)--used
          chiefly of fungi capable of growing on such materials

   keratitis
          [ker.a.ti.tis] n, pl -tit.i.des [NL] (1858): inflammation
          of the cornea of the eye

   keratoconjunctivitis
          [ker.a.to.con.junc.ti.vi.tis] n [NL] (1887): combined inflammation
          of the cornea and conjunctiva

   keratoplasty
          [ker.a.to.plas.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1857): plastic surgery
          on the cornea; esp: corneal grafting

   keratosis
          [ker.a.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL] (1885): an area of skin
          marked by overgrowth of horny tissue -- ker.a.tot.ic
          adj

   kerb
          [kerb] n (1805) Brit: curb 5

   kerchief
          [ker.chief] n, pl kerchiefs also ker.chieves [ME courchef,
          fr. OF cuevrechief, fr. covrir to cover + chief head--more
          at chief] (13c) 1: a square of cloth used as a head covering
          or worn as a scarf around the neck 2: handkerchief 1
          -- ker.chiefed adj

   kerf
          [kerf] n [ME, action of cutting, fr. OE cyrf; akin to OE
          ceorfan to carve--more at carve] (1523) 1: a slit or
          notch made by a saw or cutting torch 2: the width of
          cut made by a saw or cutting torch

   kerfuffle
          [ker.fuf.fle] n [alter. of carfuffle, fr. Sc car- (prob.
          fr. ScGael cearr wrong, awkward) + fuffle to become disheveled]
          (1946) chiefly Brit: disturbance, fuss

   Kerman
          [Ker.man] var of kirman

   kermes
          [ker.mes] n [F kermes, fr. Ar qirmiz] (1603): the dried bodies
          of the females of various scale insects (genus Kermes)
          that are found on a Mediterranean oak (Quercus coccifera)
          and constitute a red dyestuff; also: the dye

   kermis
          [ker.mis] or ker.mess or ker.messe n [D kermis, fr. MD kercmisse,
          fr. kerc, kerke church + misse mass, church festival]
          (1577) 1: an outdoor festival of the Low Countries 2:
          a fair held usu. for charitable purposes

   [1]kern
          [kern] or kerne n [ME kerne, fr. MIr cethern band of soldiers]
          (15c) 1: a light-armed foot soldier of medieval Ireland
          or Scotland 2: yokel [2]kern n [F carne corner, fr. F
          dial., fr. L cardin-, cardo hinge] (1683): a part of
          a typeset letter that projects beyond its side bearings

   kernel
          [ker.nel] n [ME, fr. OE cyrnel, dim. of corn] (bef. 12c)
          1 chiefly dial: a fruit seed 2: the inner softer part
          of a seed, fruit stone, or nut 3: a whole seed of a cereal
          <a ~ of corn> 4: a central or essential part: germ <like
          many stereotypes ... this one too contains some ~s of
          truth --S. M. Lyman> 5: a subset of the elements of one
          set (as a group) that a function (as a homomorphism)
          maps onto an identity element of another set

   kernite
          [kern.ite] n [Kern Co., Calif.] (1927): a mineral that consists
          of a hydrous borate of sodium and is an important source
          of borax

   kerogen
          [ker.o.gen] n [Gk keros wax + E -gen--more at cerumen] (1906):
          bituminous material occurring in shale and yielding oil
          when heated

   kerosene
          [ker.o.sene] or ker.o.sine n [Gk keros + E -ene (as in camphene)]
          (1854): a flammable hydrocarbon oil usu. obtained by
          distillation of petroleum and used for a fuel and as
          a solvent and thinner

   kerria
          [ker.ria] n [NL, fr. William Kerr d. 1814 Eng. gardener]
          (1823): a shrub (Kerria japonica) of the rose family
          that is native to China and Japan and has solitary yellow
          and often double flowers

   kerry
          [ker.ry] n, pl kerries often cap [County Kerry, Ireland]
          (1829): any of an Irish breed of small hardy black dairy
          cattle

   Kerry blue terrier
          [Kerry blue terrier] n (1922): any of an Irish breed
          of medium-sized terriers with a long squarish head, deep chest, and
          silky bluish coat

   kersey
          [ker.sey] n, pl kerseys [ME, fr. Kersey, England] (14c) 1
          a: a coarse ribbed woolen cloth for hose and work clothes
          b: a heavy wool or wool and cotton fabric used esp. for
          uniforms and coats 2: a garment of kersey

   kerseymere
          [ker.sey.mere] n [alter. of cassimere] (1798): a fine woolen
          fabric with a close nap made in fancy twill weaves

   kerygma
          [ke.ryg.ma] n [Gk kerygma, fr. keryssein to proclaim, fr.
          keryx herald--more at caduceus] (1889): the apostolic
          proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ -- ker.yg.mat.ic
          adj

   kestrel
          [kes.trel] n [ME castrel, fr. MF crecerelle, fr. crecelle
          rattle; fr. its cry] (15c): any of various small chiefly
          Old World falcons (genus Falco) that usu. hover in the
          air while searching for prey: as a: a common Eurasian
          falcon (F. tinnunculus) b: an American falcon (F. sparverius)
          having a reddish brown back and tail and bluish gray
          wings

   ket-
          [ket-] or keto- comb form [ISV]: ketone <ketosis>

   ketch
          [ketch] n [alter. of catch, fr. ME cache] (ca. 1649):
          a fore-and-aft rigged vessel similar to a yawl but with a larger
          mizzen and with the mizzenmast stepped farther forward

   ketchup
          [ketch.up] n [Malay kechap fish sauce] (ca. 1690): a seasoned
          pureed condiment usu. made from tomatoes

   ketene
          [ke.tene] n [ISV] (1907): a colorless poisonous gas of penetrating
          odor used esp. as an acetylating agent; also: any of various
          derivatives of this compound

   keto
          [ke.to] adj [ket-] (1891): of or relating to a ketone; also:
          containing a ketone group

   ketogenesis
          [ke.to.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1915): the production of ketone
          bodies (as in diabetes) -- ke.to.gen.ic adj

   ketoglutaric acid
          [ke.to.glu.tar.ic acid] n (1908): either of two crystalline
          keto derivatives of glutaric acid; esp: the alpha keto
          isomer formed in various metabolic processes (as the
          Krebs cycle)

   ketone
          [ke.tone] n [G Keton, alter. of Aceton acetone] (1851): an
          organic compound (as acetone) with a carbonyl group attached
          to two carbon atoms -- ke.ton.ic adj

   ketone body
          [ketone body] n (1915): any of the three compounds acetoacetic
          acid, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid which are
          normal intermediates in lipid metabolism and accumulate
          in the blood and urine in abnormal amounts in conditions
          of impaired metabolism (as diabetes mellitus)

   ketose
          [ke.tose] n [ISV] (1902): a sugar (as fructose) containing
          one ketone group per molecule

   ketosis
          [ke.to.sis] n [NL] (1917): an abnormal increase of ketone
          bodies in the body -- ke.tot.ic adj

   ketosteroid
          [ke.to.ste.roid] n [ISV] (1939): a steroid (as cortisone
          or estrone) containing a ketone group

   kettle
          [ket.tle] n [ME ketel, fr. ON ketill (akin to OE cietel kettle),
          both fr. a prehistoric Gmc word borrowed fr. L catillus,
          dim. of catinus bowl] (13c) 1: a metallic vessel usu.
          used for boiling liquids; esp: teakettle 2: kettledrum
          3 a: pothole 1b b: a steep-sided hollow without surface
          drainage esp. in a deposit of glacial drift

   kettledrum
          [ket.tle.drum] n (1602): a percussion instrument that consists
          of a hollow brass, copper, or fiberglass hemisphere with
          a calfskin or plastic head whose tension can be changed
          to vary the pitch

   kettle of fish
          [kettle of fish] (1742) 1: a bad state of affairs: mess 2:
          something to be considered or reckoned with: matter <books
          and discs ... were two very different kettles of fish
          --Roland Gelatt>

   keV
          [keV] abbreviation kilo-electron volt

   Kewpie
          [Kew.pie] trademark--used for a small chubby doll with a
          topknot of hair

   [1]key
          [key] n [ME, fr. OE caeg; akin to OFris kei key] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a usu. metal instrument by which the bolt of a lock
          is turned b: any of various devices having the form or
          function of such a key 2 a: a means of gaining or preventing
          entrance, possession, or control b: an instrumental or
          deciding factor 3 a: something that gives an explanation
          or identification or provides a solution <the ~ to a
          riddle> b: a list of words or phrases giving an explanation
          of symbols or abbreviations c: an aid to interpretation
          or identification: clue d: an arrangement of the salient
          characters of a group of plants or animals or of taxa
          designed to facilitate identification e: a map legend
          4 a (1): cotter pin (2): cotter b: a keystone in an arch
          c: a small piece of wood or metal used as a wedge or
          for preventing motion between parts 5 a: one of the levers
          of a keyboard musical instrument that actuates the mechanism
          and produces the tones b: a lever that controls a vent
          in the side of a woodwind instrument or a valve in a
          brass instrument c: a part to be depressed by a finger
          that serves as one unit of a keyboard 6: samara 7: a
          system of tones and harmonies generated from a hierarchical
          scale of seven tones based on a tonic <the ~ of G major>
          8 a: characteristic style or tone b: the tone or pitch
          of a voice c: the predominant tone of a photograph with
          respect to its lightness or darkness 9: a decoration
          or charm resembling a key 10: a small switch for opening
          or closing an electric circuit <a telegraph ~> 11: the
          set of instructions governing the encipherment and decipherment
          of messages 12: a free-throw area in basketball -- keyed
          adj -- key.less adj [2]key vt (14c) 1: to lock with or
          as if with a key: fasten: as a: to secure (as a pulley
          on a shaft) by a key b: to finish off (an arch) by inserting
          a keystone 2: to regulate the musical pitch of 3: to
          bring into harmony or conformity: make appropriate: attune
          <remarks ~ed to a situation> 4: to identify (a biological
          specimen) by a key 5: to provide with identifying or
          explanatory cross-references <instructions ~ed to accompanying
          drawings --John Gartner> 6: to make nervous, tense, or
          excited--usu. used with up <was ~ed up over her impending
          operation> 7: keyboard--often used with in ~ vi 1: to
          use a key 2: to observe the position or movement of an
          opposing player in football in order to anticipate the
          play--usu. used with on 3: keyboard [3]key adj (1913):
          important, fundamental <~ issues> [4]key n [Sp cayo,
          fr. Taino] (1697): a low island or reef; specif: any
          of the coral islets off the southern coast of Florida
          [5]key n [by shortening & alter. fr. kilo] (1968) slang:
          a kilogram esp. of marijuana or heroin

   [1]keyboard
          [key.board] n (1819) 1: a bank of keys on a musical instrument
          (as a piano) that usu. consists of seven white and five
          raised black keys to the octave 2: an assemblage of systematically
          arranged keys by which a machine or device is operated 3: a board
          on which keys for locks are hung [2]keyboard vt (1961): to capture
          or set (as data or text) by means of a keyboard ~ vi: to operate
          a machine (as for typesetting) by means of a keyboard
          -- key.board.er n

   keyboardist
          [key.board.ist] n (1973): a person who plays a keyboard musical
          instrument

   keybutton
          [key.but.ton] n (ca. 1920): key 5c

   key club
          [key club] n [fr. the key to the premises provided to each
          member] (1962): an informal private club serving liquor
          and providing entertainment

   key deer
          [key deer] n, often cap K (1950): a very small rare white-tailed
          deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) native to the Florida
          Keys

   key grip
          [key grip] n (1979): the technician in charge of moving and
          setting up camera tracks and scenery in a motion-picture
          or television production

   [1]keyhole
          [key.hole] n (ca. 1592) 1: a hole for receiving a key 2:
          key 12 [2]keyhole adj (1937) 1: revealingly intimate
          <a ~ report> 2: intent on revealing intimate details
          <~ columnists>

   keyhole saw
          [keyhole saw] n (1777): a narrow pointed fine-toothed handsaw
          used for cutting curves of short radius

   key light
          [key light] n (ca. 1937): the main light illuminating
          a photographic subject

   key lime
          [key lime] n, often cap K (1929): a lime grown esp. in the
          Florida Keys and adjacent areas

   key lime pie
          [key lime pie] n, often cap K (1954): a usu. meringue-topped
          lime-custard pie traditionally made from key limes

   Keynesianism
          [Keynes.ian.ism] n (1946): the economic theories and programs
          ascribed to John M. Keynes and his followers; specif:
          the advocacy of monetary and fiscal programs by government
          to increase employment and spending -- Keynes.ian n or
          adj

   [1]keynote
          [key.note] n (1776) 1: the first and harmonically fundamental
          tone of a scale 2: the fundamental or central fact, idea,
          or mood <sadness is the ~ of this little collection --Books
          Abroad> [2]keynote vt (1914) 1: to set the keynote of
          2: to deliver the keynote address at -- key.not.er n

   keynote address
          [keynote address] n (ca. 1908): an address designed to present
          the issues of primary interest to an assembly (as a political
          convention) and often to arouse unity and enthusiasm--called
          also keynote speech

   keynote speaker
          [keynote speaker] n (1950): one who delivers a keynote address

   keypad
          [key.pad] n (1975): a small often handheld keyboard

   [1]keypunch
          [key.punch] n (1918): a machine with a keyboard used to cut
          holes or notches in punched cards [2]keypunch vt (1959):
          to enter (data) on punched cards with a keypunch -- key.punch.er
          n

   key signature
          [key signature] n (1875): the sharps or flats placed after
          a clef in music to indicate the key

   keystone
          [key.stone] n (ca. 1637) 1: the wedge-shaped piece at the
          crown of an arch that locks the other pieces in place--see
          arch illustration 2: something on which associated things
          depend for support <determination, a ~ of the puritan
          ethic --L. S. Lewis>

   [1]keystroke
          [key.stroke] n (ca. 1910): the act or an instance of depressing
          a key on a keyboard [2]keystroke vt (1966): keyboard

   keyway
          [key.way] n (ca. 1864) 1: a groove or channel for a key 2:
          the aperture for the key in a lock having a flat metal
          key

   key word
          [key word] n (1859): a word that is a key: as a: a word
          exemplifying the meaning or value of a letter or symbol b usu
          key.word : a significant word from a title or document used
          as an index to content

   kg...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   kg
          [kg] abbreviation keg, kilogram, king  kG abbreviation kilogauss
          KG abbreviation knight of the Order of the Garter

   KGB
          [KGB] [Russ Komitet gosudarstvennoi bezopasnosti] abbreviation
          (Soviet) State Security Committee

   kgps
          [kgps] abbreviation kilograms per second

   kh...
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   khaddar
          [khad.dar] or kha.di n [Hindi khadar, khadi] (ca. 1885):
          homespun cotton cloth of India

   khaki
          [kha.ki] n [Hindi khaki dust-colored, fr. khak dust, fr.
          Per] (1857) 1: a light yellowish brown 2 a: a khaki-colored
          cloth made usu. of cotton or wool and used esp. for military
          uniforms b: a garment of this cloth; esp: a military
          uniform--usu. used in pl. -- khaki adj

   Khalkha
          [Khal.kha] n (1873) 1: a member of a Mongol people of Outer
          Mongolia 2: the language of the Khalkha people used as
          the official language of the Mongolian People's Republic

   khamsin
          [kham.sin] n [Ar rih al-khamsin the wind of the fifty (days
          between Easter and Pentecost)] (1685): a hot southerly
          Egyptian wind

   [1]khan
          [khan] n [ME caan, fr. MF, of Turkic origin; akin to Turk
          han prince] (15c) 1: a medieval sovereign of China and
          ruler over the Turkish, Tatar, and Mongol tribes 2: a
          local chieftain or man of rank in some countries of central
          Asia [2]khan n [Ar khan] (1614): a caravansary or rest
          house in some Asian countries

   khanate
          [khan.ate] n (1799): the state or jurisdiction of a khan

   khapra beetle
          [khap.ra beetle] n [Hindi khapra, lit., destroyer] (1928):
          a dermestid beetle (Trogoderma granarium) that is native
          to the Indian subcontinent and is now a serious pest
          of stored grain in most parts of the world

   khat
          [khat] n [Ar qat] (1858): a shrub (Catha edulis) cultivated
          in the Middle East and Africa for its leaves and buds
          that are the source of an habituating stimulant when
          chewed or used as a tea

   khedive
          [khe.dive] n [F khedive, fr. Turk hidiv] (1867): a ruler
          of Egypt from 1867 to 1914 governing as a viceroy of
          the sultan of Turkey -- khe.div.ial or khe.div.al adj

   Khmer
          [Khmer] n, pl Khmer or Khmers (1876) 1: a member of an aboriginal
          people of Cambodia 2: the Mon-Khmer language of the Khmer
          people that is the official language of Cambodia -- Khmer
          adj

   Khoikhoi
          [Khoi.khoi] n, pl Khoikhoi (1791): hottentot

   Khoisan
          [Khoi.san] n [Khoikhoi + San] (1930) 1: a group of African
          peoples speaking Khoisan languages 2: a family of African
          languages comprising principally Hottentot and the Bushman
          languages

   khoum
          [khoum] n [modif. of Ar khums, lit., one fifth] (1973): a
          monetary unit of Mauritania equal to 1/5 ouguiya

   Khowar
          [Kho.war] n (1882): an Indo-Aryan language of northwest Pakistan

   kHz
          [kHz] abbreviation kilohertz

   ki...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   KIA
          [KIA] abbreviation killed in action

   kiang
          [ki.ang] n [Tibetan rkyan] (1869): an Asian wild ass (Equus
          hemionus kiang syn. E. kiang) usu. with reddish back
          and sides and white underparts, muzzle, and legs

   kiaugh
          [kiaugh] n [origin unknown] (1786) Scot: trouble, anxiety

   kibbe
          [kib.be] or kib.beh or kib.bi n [Ar kubbah] (1937): a Near
          Eastern dish of ground lamb and bulgur that may be eaten
          cooked or raw

   [1]kibble
          [kib.ble] vt kib.bled ; kib.bling [origin unknown] (ca. 1790):
          to grind coarsely <kibbled dog biscuit> <kibbled grain>
          [2]kibble n (1942): coarsely ground meal or grain (as
          for animal feed)

   kibbutz
          [kib.butz] n, pl kib.but.zim [NHeb qibbus] (1944): a communal
          farm or settlement in Israel

   kibbutznik
          [kib.butz.nik] n [Yiddish kibutsnik, fr. kibuts kibbutz (fr.
          NHeb qibbus) + -nik, agent suffix] (1947): a member of
          a kibbutz

   kibe
          [kibe] n [ME] (14c): an ulcerated chilblain esp. on the heel

   kibitz
          [ki.bitz] also kib.bitz vb [Yiddish kibetsn] vi (1927): to
          act as a kibitzer ~ vt: to observe as a kibitzer; esp:
          to be a kibitzer at <~ a card game>

   kibitzer
          [ki.bitz.er] also kib.bitz.er n (1925): one who looks on
          and often offers unwanted advice or comment esp. at a
          card game; broadly: one who offers opinions

   kibosh
          [ki.bosh] n [origin unknown] (1836): something that serves
          as a check or stop <put the ~ on that> -- kibosh vt

   [1]kick
          [kick] vb [ME kiken] vi (14c) 1 a: to strike out with the
          foot or feet b: to make a kick in football 2 a: to show
          opposition: resist, rebel b: to protest strenuously or
          urgently: express grave discontent; broadly: complain
          3: to function with vitality and energy <alive and ~ing>
          4 of a firearm: to recoil when fired 5: to go from one
          place to another as circumstance or whim dictates 6:
          to run at a faster speed during the last part of a race
          ~ vt 1 a: to strike, thrust, or hit with the foot b:
          to strike suddenly and forcefully as if with the foot
          c: to remove from a position or status <~ed him off the
          team> 2: to score by kicking a ball 3: to heap reproaches
          upon (oneself) <~ed themselves for not going> 4: to free
          oneself of (as a drug habit) -- kick.able adj -- kick
          ass : to kick butt--often considered vulgar -- kick butt
          : to use forceful or coercive measures in order to achieve
          a purpose; also: to succeed or win overwhelmingly --
          kick over the traces : to cast off restraint, authority,
          or control -- kick the bucket : die -- kick up one's
          heels 1: to show sudden delight 2: to have a lively time
          -- kick upstairs : to promote to a higher but less desirable
          position [2]kick n (1530) 1 a: a blow or sudden forceful
          thrust with the foot; specif: a sudden propelling of
          a ball with the foot b: the power to kick c: a rhythmic
          motion of the legs used in swimming d: a burst of speed
          in racing 2: a sudden forceful jolt or thrust suggesting
          a kick; esp: the recoil of a gun 3: pocket, wallet 4
          a: a feeling or expression of opposition or objection
          <a ~ against the administration> b: the grounds for objection
          5 a: an effect suggestive of a kick <chili with a ~>
          b: a stimulating or pleasurable effect or experience
          c: pursuit of an absorbing or obsessive new interest
          <went on a mystery-reading ~ --Time> 6: a sudden and
          striking surprise, revelation, or turn of events

   kick around
          [kick around] vi (1839) 1: to wander or pass time aimlessly
          2: to lie about mostly unnoticed or forgotten ~ vt 1:
          to treat in an inconsiderate or high-handed fashion 2:
          to consider, examine, or discuss from various angles

   kickback
          [kick.back] n (1920) 1: a sharp violent reaction 2: a return
          of a part of a sum received often because of confidential
          agreement or coercion <every city contract had been let
          with a ten percent ~ to city officials --D. K. Shipler>

   kickboard
          [kick.board] n (1949): a buoyant rectangular board held by
          a swimmer while developing kicking techniques

   kicker
          [kick.er] n (ca. 1580) 1: one that kicks or kicks something
          2: kick 6

   kick in
          [kick in] vt (1908): contribute ~ vi 1 slang: die 2: to make
          a contribution

   kick off
          [kick off] vi (1857) 1: to start or resume play in football
          by a placekick 2: to begin proceedings 3 slang: die ~
          vt: to mark the beginning of

   kickoff
          [kick.off] n (1857) 1: a kick that puts the ball into play
          in a football or soccer game 2: commencement 1 <the campaign
          ~>

   kick out
          [kick out] vt (1697): to dismiss or eject forcefully or summarily

   kick over
          [kick over] vi (1951): to begin to fire--used of an internal
          combustion engine ~ vt: turn over 1b

   kick pleat
          [kick pleat] n (1926): a short inverted pleat (as at the
          bottom of a skirt) used to give breadth

   kickshaw
          [kick.shaw] n [by folk etymology fr. F quelque chose something]
          (1597) 1: a fancy dish: delicacy 2: trinket, gewgaw

   kickstand
          [kick.stand] n [fr. its being put in position by a kick]
          (1947): a swiveling metal bar or rod for holding up a
          2-wheeled vehicle (as a bicycle) when not in use

   kick turn
          [kick turn] n (1910): a standing half turn in skiing made
          by swinging one ski high with a jerk and planting it
          in the desired direction and then lifting the other ski
          into a parallel position

   kickup
          [kick.up] n (ca. 1793): a noisy quarrel: row

   kick up
          [kick up] vt (1756) 1: to stir up: provoke <kick up a fuss>
          2: to cause to rise upward <clouds of dust kicked up
          by passing cars> ~ vi: to give evidence of disorder

   kicky
          [kicky] adj (1966): providing a kick or thrill: exciting;
          also: excitingly fashionable

   [1]kid
          [kid] n [ME kide, of Scand origin; akin to ON kith kid] (13c)
          1 a: a young goat b: a young individual of various animals
          related to the goat 2 a: the flesh, fur, or skin of a
          kid b: something made of kid 3: a young person; esp:
          child--often used as a generalized reference to one esp.
          younger or less experienced <the ~ on the pro golf tour>
          <poor ~> -- kid.dish adj [2]kid vi kid.ded ; kid.ding
          (15c): to bring forth young--used of a goat or an antelope
          [3]kid vb kid.ded ; kid.ding [prob. fr. [1]kid] vt (1902)
          1: to deceive as a joke <it's the truth; I wouldn't ~
          you> 2: to make fun of ~ vi: to engage in good-humored
          fooling or horseplay--often used with around -- kid.der
          n -- kid.ding.ly adv

   Kidderminster
          [Kid.der.min.ster] n [Kidderminster, England] (1836): an
          ingrain carpet--called also Kidderminster carpet

   kiddie
          [kid.die] or kid.dy n, pl kiddies often attrib [[1]kid] (1889):
          a small child

   kiddush
          [kid.dush] n [LHeb qiddush sanctification] (1753): a ceremonial
          blessing pronounced over wine or bread in a Jewish home
          or synagogue on a holy day (as the Sabbath)

   kid glove
          [kid glove] n (1832): a dress glove made of kid leather --
          kid-gloved adj -- with kid gloves : with special consideration

   kid-glove
          [kid-glove] adj (1888): marked by extreme care or deference
          <~ treatment>

   kid leather
          [kid leather] n (1687) 1: a soft pliable leather made from
          kidskin 2: a glove leather made from lambskin or goatskin

   kidnap
          [kid.nap] vt -napped or -naped ; -nap.ping or -nap.ing [prob.
          back-formation fr. kidnapper, fr. kid + obs. napper thief]
          (1682): to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful
          force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom --
          kid.nap.pee or kid.nap.ee n -- kid.nap.per or kid.nap.er
          n

   kidney
          [kid.ney] n, pl kidneys [ME] (14c) 1 a: one of a pair of
          vertebrate organs situated in the body cavity near the
          spinal column that excrete waste products of metabolism,
          in humans are bean-shaped organs about 4 1/2 inches (11
          1/2 centimeters) long lying behind the peritoneum in
          a mass of fatty tissue, and consist chiefly of nephrons
          by which urine is secreted, collected, and discharged
          into a main cavity whence it is conveyed by the ureter
          to the bladder b: any of various excretory organs of
          invertebrate animals 2: the kidney of an animal eaten
          as food 3: sort or kind esp. with regard to temperament
          <a nice helpful guy, of a different ~ entirely from the
          ubiquitous Secret Police --Paula Lecler>

   kidney bean
          [kidney bean] n (1548) 1: an edible and nutritious seed of
          any cultivated bean of the common species (Phaseolus
          vulgaris); esp: a large dark red bean seed 2: a plant
          bearing kidney beans

   kidney stone
          [kidney stone] n (1946): a calculus in the kidney

   kidskin
          [kid.skin] n (14c): the skin of a young or sometimes a mature
          goat; also: kid leather

   kid stuff
          [kid stuff] n (1929) 1: something befitting or appropriate
          only to children 2: something extremely simple or easy

   kielbasa
          [kiel.ba.sa] n, pl -basas also -ba.sy [Pol kielbasa] (ca.
          1939): a smoked sausage of Polish origin

   kieselguhr
          [kie.sel.guhr] n [G Kieselgur] (1875): loose or porous diatomite

   kieserite
          [kie.ser.ite] n [G Kieserit, fr. Dietrich Kieser d. 1862
          Ger. physician] (1862): a mineral that is a white hydrous
          magnesium sulfate

   kif
          [kif] var of kef

   kike
          [kike] n [origin unknown] (1904): jew--usu. taken to be offensive

   Kikuyu
          [Ki.ku.yu] n, pl Kikuyu or Kikuyus (1894) 1: a member of
          a Bantu-speaking people of Kenya 2: the Bantu language
          of the Kikuyu people

   Kild
          [Kild] abbreviation Kildare

   kilderkin
          [kil.der.kin] n [ME, fr. MD kindekijn, fr. ML quintale quintal]
          (14c) 1: an English unit of capacity equal to 1/2 barrel
          2: cask

   kilim
          [ki.lim] n [Turk, fr. Pers kilim] (1881): a pileless handwoven
          reversible rug or covering made in Turkey, Kurdistan,
          the Caucasus, Iran, and western Turkestan

   Kilk
          [Kilk] abbreviation Kilkenny

   [1]kill
          [kill] vb [ME, perh. fr. (assumed) OE cyllan; akin to OE
          cwellan to kill--more at quell] vt (14c) 1 a: to deprive
          of life b (1): to slaughter (as a hog) for food (2):
          to convert a food animal into (a kind of meat) by slaughtering
          2 a: to put an end to <~ competition> b: defeat, veto
          <~ed the amendment> c: to mark for omission; also: delete
          3 a: to destroy the vital or essential quality of <~ed
          the pain with drugs> b: to cause to stop <~ the motor>
          c: to check the flow of current through 4: to make a
          markedly favorable impression on <she ~ed the audience>
          5: to get through uneventfully <~ time>; also: to get
          through (the time of a penalty) without being scored
          on <~ a penalty> 6 a: to cause extreme pain to b: to
          tire almost to the point of collapse 7: to hit (a shot)
          so hard in various games that a return is impossible
          8: to consume (as a drink) totally ~ vi 1: to deprive
          one of life 2: to make a markedly favorable impression
          <was dressed to ~> syn kill, slay, murder, assassinate,
          dispatch, execute mean to deprive of life. kill merely
          states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner
          <killed in an accident> <frost killed the plants>. slay
          is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and
          violence but not necessarily motive <slew thousands of
          the Philistines>. murder specif. implies stealth and
          motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility
          <convicted of murdering a rival>. assassinate applies
          to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political
          motives <terrorists assassinated the Senator>. dispatch
          stresses quickness and directness in putting to death
          <dispatched the sentry with one bullet>. execute stresses
          putting to death as a legal penalty <executed by lethal
          gas>. [2]kill n (1814) 1: an act or instance of killing
          2: something killed: as a (1): an animal shot in a hunt
          (2): animals killed in a hunt, season, or particular
          period of time b: an enemy unit (as an airplane or ship)
          destroyed by military action c: a return shot in any
          of various games (as badminton, handball, or table tennis)
          that is too hard for an opponent to handle [3]kill n,
          often cap [D kil] (1669): channel, creek--used chiefly
          in place names in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York

   killdeer
          [kill.deer] n, pl killdeers or killdeer [imit.] (1731): an
          American plover (Charadrius vociferus) characterized
          by two black breast bands and a plaintive penetrating
          cry

   [1]killer
          [kill.er] n (15c) 1: one that kills 2: killer whale 3 a:
          one that has a forceful, violent, or striking impact
          b: one that is extremely difficult to deal with [2]killer
          adj (1951) 1: strikingly impressive or effective <a ~
          smile> <a ~ resume> 2: extremely difficult to deal with
          <a ~ fastball>; also: causing death or devastation <a
          ~ tornado>

   killer bee
          [killer bee] n (1976): africanized bee

   killer cell
          [killer cell] n (1972): a T cell that functions in cell-mediated
          immunity by destroying a cell (as a tumor cell) having
          a specific antigenic molecule on its surface--called
          also killer T cell

   killer instinct
          [killer instinct] n (1931): an aggressive tenacious urge
          for domination in a struggle to attain a set goal

   killer whale
          [killer whale] n (1884): a small gregarious whale (Orcinus
          orca) that is black with a white ventral side and white
          oval-shaped patches behind the eyes and attains a length
          of 20 to 30 feet (6.1 to 9.1 meters)--called also orca

   killifish
          [kil.li.fish] n [killie killifish (perh. fr. [3]kill) + fish]
          (1836) 1: any of a family (Cyprinodontidae) of numerous
          small oviparous fishes much used as bait and in mosquito
          control 2: any of a family (Poeciliidae) of live-bearers

   [1]killing
          [kill.ing] n (15c) 1: the act of one that kills 2: kill 2a
          3: a sudden notable gain or profit [2]killing adj (15c)
          1: that kills or relates to killing 2: highly amusing
          3: extremely difficult to deal with <the suspense is
          ~>; also: calling for great strength, stamina, or endurance
          <a ~ schedule> -- kill.ing.ly adv

   killjoy
          [kill.joy] n (1776): one who spoils the pleasure of others

   kill off
          [kill off] vt (1607): to destroy in large numbers or totally

   kiln
          [kiln] n [ME kilne, fr. OE cyln, fr. L culina kitchen, fr.
          coquere to cook--more at cook] (bef. 12c): an oven, furnace,
          or heated enclosure used for processing a substance by
          burning, firing, or drying -- kiln vt

   kilo
          [ki.lo] n, pl kilos (1870): kilogram Kilo (1952)--a communications
          code word for the letter k

   kilo-
          [kilo-] comb form [F, modif. of Gk chilioi]: thousand <kiloton>

   kilobar
          [ki.lo.bar] n [ISV] (1926): a unit of pressure equal to 1000
          bars

   kilobase
          [ki.lo.base] n (1975): a unit of measure of the length of
          a nucleic-acid chain that equals one thousand base pairs

   kilobit
          [ki.lo.bit] n [ISV] (1961) 1: 1000 bits 2: 1024 bits

   kilobyte
          [ki.lo.byte] n [fr. the fact that 1024 is the power of 2
          closest to 1000] (1970): 1024 bytes

   kilocalorie
          [ki.lo.cal.o.rie] n [ISV] (1894): calorie 1b

   kilocycle
          [kilo.cy.cle] n [ISV] (1921): 1000 cycles; esp: kilohertz

   kilogauss
          [ki.lo.gauss] n [ISV] (1895): 1000 gauss

   kilogram
          [ki.lo.gram] n [F kilogramme, fr. kilo- + gramme gram] (1797)
          1: the base unit of mass in the International System
          of Units that is equal to the mass of a prototype agreed
          upon by international convention and that is nearly equal
          to the mass of 1000 cubic centimeters of water at the
          temperature of its maximum density 2: a unit of force
          equal to the weight of a kilogram mass under a gravitational
          attraction equal to that of the earth

   kilogram-meter
          [kilogram-meter] n (1886): the meter-kilogram-second gravitational
          unit of work and energy equal to the work done by a kilogram force
          acting through a distance of one meter in the direction of the
          force: about 7.235 foot-pounds

   kilohertz
          [ki.lo.hertz]  n [ISV] (1929): 1000 hertz

   kilojoule
          [ki.lo.joule] n [ISV] (ca. 1889): 1000 joules

   kiloliter
          [kilo.li.ter] n [F kilolitre, fr. kilo- + litre liter] (1810):
          a metric unit of capacity equal to 1000 liters

   kilometer
          [ki.lo.me.ter] n [F kilometre, fr. kilo- + metre meter] (1810):
          a metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters usage In
          No. American speech kilometer is most often pronounced
          with primary stress on the second syllable. This pronunciation
          is also heard frequently in British speech. Those who
          object to second syllable stress say that the first syllable
          should be stressed in accord with the stress patterns
          of centimeter, millimeter, etc. However, the pronunciation
          of kilometer does not parallel that of other metric compounds.
          From 1828 to 1841 Noah Webster indicated only second
          syllable stress, and his successor added a first syllable
          stress variant in the first Merriam-Webster dictionary
          of 1847. Thus, both pronunciations are venerable. Most
          scientists use second syllable stress, although first
          syllable stress seems to occur with a higher rate of
          frequency among scientists than among nonscientists.

   kiloparsec
          [ki.lo.par.sec] n (1922): 1000 parsecs

   kilopascal
          [ki.lo.pas.cal] n (1978): 1000 pascals

   kilorad
          [ki.lo.rad] n [ISV] (1965): 1000 rads

   kiloton
          [ki.lo.ton] n (1950) 1: 1000 tons 2: an explosive force equivalent
          to that of 1000 tons of TNT

   kilovolt
          [ki.lo.volt] n [ISV] (ca. 1898): a unit of potential difference
          equal to 1000 volts

   kilowatt
          [kilo.watt] n [ISV] (1884): 1000 watts

   kilowatt-hour
          [kilowatt-hour] n (1892): a unit of work or energy equal
          to that expended by one kilowatt in one hour or to 3.6
          million joules

   [1]kilt
          [kilt] vb [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON kjalta lap, fold
          of a gathered skirt] vt (14c) 1 chiefly dial: to tuck
          up (as a skirt) 2: to equip with a kilt ~ vi: to move
          nimbly [2]kilt n (ca. 1730) 1: a knee-length pleated
          skirt usu. of tartan worn by men in Scotland and by Scottish
          regiments in the British armies 2: a garment that resembles
          a Scottish kilt

   kilter
          [kil.ter] n [origin unknown] (1628): proper or usual state
          or condition: order <out of ~>

   kiltie
          [kilt.ie] n (1842) 1 or kilty : one who wears a kilt 2: a
          shoe with a long slashed tongue that folds over the instep;
          also: such a tongue

   kimberlite
          [kim.ber.lite] n [Kimberley, So. Africa + [1]-ite] (1887):
          an agglomerate biotite-peridotite that occurs in pipes
          esp. in southern Africa and that often contains diamonds

   Kimbundu
          [Kim.bun.du] n (ca. 1895): a Bantu language of northern Angola

   kimchi
          [kim.chi] also kim.chee n [Korean kimch'i] (1898): a vegetable
          pickle seasoned with garlic, red pepper, and ginger that
          is the national dish of Korea

   kimono
          [ki.mo.no] n, pl -nos [Jp, clothes, fr. ki wearing + mono
          thing] (1886) 1: a long robe with wide sleeves traditionally
          worn with a broad sash as an outer garment by the Japanese
          2: a loose dressing gown or jacket -- ki.mo.noed adj

   [1]kin
          [kin] n [ME, fr. OE cynn; akin to OHG chunni race, L genus
          birth, race, kind, Gk genos, L gignere to beget, Gk gignesthai
          to be born] (bef. 12c) 1: a group of persons of common
          ancestry: clan 2 a: one's relatives: kindred b: kinsman
          <he wasn't any ~ to you --Jean Stafford> 3 archaic: kinship
          [2]kin adj (1597): kindred, related

   -kin
          [-kin] also -kins n suffix [ME, fr. MD -kin; akin to OHG
          -chin, dim. suffix]: little <catkin> <babykins>

   kina
          [ki.na] n [New Guinea Pidgin, lit., a kind of shell] (1975):
          the basic monetary unit of Papua New Guinea

   kinase
          [ki.nase] n [ISV, fr. kinetic] (1947): an enzyme that catalyzes
          the transfer of phosphate groups from a high-energy
          phosphate-containing molecule (as ATP) to a substrate

   [1]kind
          [kind] n [ME kinde, fr. OE cynd; akin to OE cynn kin] (bef.
          12c) 1 a archaic: nature b archaic: family, lineage 2
          archaic: manner 3: fundamental nature or quality: essence
          4 a: a group united by common traits or interests: category
          b: a specific or recognized variety <what ~ of car do
          you drive> c: a doubtful or barely admissible member
          of a category <a ~ of gray> 5 a: goods or commodities
          as distinguished from money <payment in ~> b: the equivalent
          of what has been offered or received syn see type --
          all kinds of 1: many <likes all kinds of sports> 2: plenty
          of <has all kinds of time> [2]kind adj (14c) 1 chiefly
          dial: affectionate, loving 2 a: of a sympathetic or helpful
          nature b: of a forbearing nature: gentle c: arising from
          or characterized by sympathy or forbearance <a ~ act>
          3: of a kind to give pleasure or relief

   kindergarten
          [kin.der.gar.ten] n [G, fr. Kinder children + Garten garden]
          (1852): a school or class for children usu. from four
          to six years old

   kindergartner
          [kin.der.gart.ner] also kin.der.gar.ten.er n (1889) 1: a
          teacher at a kindergarten 2: a child attending or of
          an age to attend kindergarten

   Kinder, Kirche, Kuche
          [Kin.der, Kir.che, Kuche] [G] foreign term : children, church,
          kitchen

   kindhearted
          [kind.heart.ed] adj (1535): marked by a sympathetic nature
          -- kind.heart.ed.ly adv -- kind.heart.ed.ness n

   [1]kindle
          [kin.dle] vb kin.dled ; kin.dling [ME, prob. modif. of ON
          kynda; akin to OHG cuntesal fire] vt (13c) 1: to start
          (a fire) burning: light 2 a: to stir up: arouse <~ interest>
          b: to bring into being: start 3: to cause to glow: illuminate
          ~ vi 1: to catch fire 2 a: to flare up b: to become animated
          3: to become illuminated -- kin.dler n [2]kindle vb kin.dled
          ; kin.dling [ME, fr. kindle young animal, prob. fr. kinde,
          n., kind] vt (13c): bear--used esp. of a rabbit ~ vi:
          to bring forth young--used esp. of a rabbit

   kindless
          [kind.less] adj (13c) 1 obs: inhuman 2: disagreeable, uncongenial
          -- kind.less.ly adv

   kindliness
          [kind.li.ness] n (15c) 1: the quality or state of being kindly
          2: a kindly deed

   kindling
          [kin.dling] n (1513): easily combustible material for starting
          a fire

   [1]kindly
          [kind.ly] adj kind.li.er ; -est [ME, fr. OE cyndelic, fr.
          cynd] (bef. 12c) 1 a obs: natural b archaic: lawful 2:
          of an agreeable or beneficial nature: pleasant <~ climate>
          3: of a sympathetic or generous nature [2]kindly adv
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: in the normal way: naturally <old wounds
          which had healed ~ --Amer. Mercury> b: readily <did not
          take ~ to suggestions> 2 a: in a kind manner: sympathetically
          b: as a gesture of goodwill <would take it ~ if you would
          put in a good word> c: in a gracious manner: courteously
          <they ~ invited us along> d: as a matter of courtesy:
          please <would you ~ order me a cab> 3 chiefly Southern:
          somewhat, kind of <it's ~ embarrassing --Walter Davis>

   kindness
          [kind.ness] n (13c) 1: a kind deed: favor 2 a: the quality
          or state of being kind b archaic: affection

   kind of
          [kind of] adv (1775) 1: to a moderate degree: somewhat <it's
          kind of late to begin> 2: in a way that approximates:
          more or less <kind of sneaked up on us>

   [1]kindred
          [kin.dred] n [ME, fr. kin + OE raeden condition, fr. raedan
          to advise, read] (12c) 1 a: a group of related individuals
          b: one's relatives 2: family relationship: kinship [2]kindred
          adj (14c) 1: of a similar nature or character: like 2:
          of the same ancestry

   kine
          [kine] archaic pl of cow

   kinema
          [kin.e.ma] Brit var of cinema

   kinematics
          [ki.ne.mat.ics] n pl but sing in constr [F cinematique, fr.
          Gk kinemat-, kinema motion, fr. kinein to move] (1840):
          a branch of dynamics that deals with aspects of motion
          apart from considerations of mass and force -- ki.ne.mat.ic
          or ki.ne.mat.i.cal adj -- ki.ne.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   [1]kinescope
          [ki.ne.scope] n [fr. Kinescope, a trademark] (1930) 1: picture
          tube 2: a motion picture made from an image on a picture
          tube [2]kinescope vt -scoped ; -scop.ing (1949): to make
          a kinescope of

   kinesics
          [ki.ne.sics] n pl but sing in constr [Gk kinesis motion +
          E -ics] (1952): a systematic study of the relationship
          between nonlinguistic body motions (as blushes, shrugs,
          or eye movement) and communication

   kinesiology
          [ki.ne.si.ol.o.gy] n [Gk kinesis] (1894): the study of the
          principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human
          movement

   kinesis
          [ki.ne.sis] n, pl ki.ne.ses [NL, fr. Gk kinesis] (1905):
          a movement that lacks directional orientation and depends
          upon the intensity of stimulation

   -kinesis
          [-kinesis] n comb form, pl -kineses [NL, fr. Gk kinesis,
          fr. kinein to move; akin to L ciere to move] 1: division
          <karyokinesis> 2: production of motion <telekinesis>

   kinesthesia
          [kin.es.the.sia] or kin.es.the.sis n, pl -the.sias or -the.ses
          [NL, fr. Gk kinein + aisthesis perception--more at anesthesia]
          (1880): a sense mediated by end organs located in muscles,
          tendons, and joints and stimulated by bodily movements
          and tensions; also: sensory experience derived from this
          sense -- kin.es.thet.ic adj -- kin.es.thet.i.cal.ly adv

   kinet-
          [kinet-] or kineto- comb form [Gk kinetos moving]: movement:
          motion <kinetosome>

   kinetic
          [ki.net.ic] adj [Gk kinetikos, fr. kinetos, fr. kinein] (1864)
          1: of or relating to the motion of material bodies and
          the forces and energy associated therewith 2 a: active,
          lively b: dynamic, energizing 3: of or relating to kinetic
          art -- ki.net.i.cal.ly adv

   kinetic art
          [kinetic art] n (1961): art (as sculpture or assemblage)
          having mechanical parts which can be set in motion --
          kinetic artist n

   kinetic energy
          [kinetic energy] n (1870): energy associated with motion

   kineticist
          [ki.net.i.cist] n (1960) 1: a specialist in kinetics 2: a
          person who works in kinetic art: kinetic artist

   kinetics
          [ki.net.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1859) 1 a:
          a branch of science that deals with the effects of forces
          upon the motions of material bodies or with changes in
          a physical or chemical system b: the rate of change in
          such a system 2: the mechanism by which a physical or
          chemical change is effected

   kinetic theory
          [kinetic theory] n (1864): either of two theories in physics
          based on the fact that the minute particles of a substance
          are in vigorous motion: a: a theory that the particles
          of a gas move in straight lines with high average velocity,
          continually encounter one another and thus change their
          individual velocities and directions, and cause pressure
          by their impact against the walls of a container--called
          also kinetic theory of gases b: a theory that the temperature
          of a substance increases with an increase in either the
          average kinetic energy of the particles or the average
          potential energy of separation (as in fusion) of the
          particles or in both when heat is added--called also
          kinetic theory of heat

   kinetin
          [ki.ne.tin] n (1955): a cytokinin that increases mitosis
          and callus formation

   kinetochore
          [ki.net.o.chore] n [kinet- + Gk choros place] (1934): centromere

   kinetoplast
          [ki.net.o.plast] n [ISV] (1925): an extranuclear cell organelle
          within a mitochondrion esp. of trypanosomes that contains
          DNA

   kinetoscope
          [ki.net.o.scope] n [fr. Kinetoscope, a trademark] (1894):
          a device for viewing through a magnifying lens a sequence
          of pictures on an endless band of film moved continuously
          over a light source and a rapidly rotating shutter that
          creates an illusion of motion

   kinetosome
          [ki.net.o.some] n (1912): basal body

   kinfolk
          [kin.folk] or kinfolks n pl (1873): relatives

   king
          [king] n [ME, fr. OE cyning; akin to OHG kuning king, OE
          cynn kin] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a male monarch of a major territorial
          unit; esp: one whose position is hereditary and who rules
          for life b: a paramount chief 2 cap: god, christ 3: one
          that holds a preeminent position; esp: a chief among
          competitors 4: the principal piece of each color in chess
          having the power to move ordinarily one square in any
          direction and to capture opposing pieces but being obliged
          never to enter or remain in check 5: a playing card marked
          with a stylized figure of a king 6: a checker that has
          been crowned

   kingbird
          [king.bird] n (1778): any of various American tyrant flycatchers
          (genus Tyrannus)

   kingbolt
          [king.bolt] n (1825): a vertical bolt by which the forward
          axle and wheels of a vehicle or the trucks of a railroad
          car are connected with the other parts

   King Charles spaniel
          [King Charles spaniel] n [Charles II of England] (1833):
          an English toy spaniel having a black and tan coat

   king cobra
          [king cobra] n (1894): a large cobra (Ophiophagus hannah
          syn. Naja hannah) of southeastern Asia and the Philippines
          that may attain a length of 18 feet (5.5 meters)

   king crab
          [king crab] n (1698) 1: horseshoe crab 2: any of several
          very large crabs; esp: one (Paralithoides camtschaticus)
          of the No. Pacific caught commercially for food

   kingcraft
          [king.craft] n (1643): the art of governing as a king

   kingcup
          [king.cup] n (1538): any of several plants of the buttercup
          family; esp: marsh marigold

   kingdom
          [king.dom] n (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: kingship 2: a politically
          organized community or major territorial unit having
          a monarchical form of government headed by a king or
          queen 3 often cap a: the eternal kingship of God b: the
          realm in which God's will is fulfilled 4 a: a realm or
          region in which something is dominant b: an area or sphere
          in which one holds a preeminent position 5 a: one of
          the three primary divisions into which natural objects
          are commonly classified--compare animal kingdom, mineral
          kingdom, plant kingdom b: a major category (as Plantae
          or Protista) in biological taxonomy that ranks above
          the phylum and is the highest and most encompassing group

   kingdom come
          [kingdom come] n [fr. the phrase "Thy kingdom come" (Mt 6:10)]
          (1785): the next world: heaven

   kingfish
          [king.fish] n (1750) 1: any of several marine croakers (family
          Sciaenidae) a: any of three fishes (Menticirrhus americanus,
          M. littoralis, and M. saxatilis) of shallow coastal waters
          of the Atlantic Ocean b: a small silvery food and sport
          fish (Genyonemus lineatus) of inshore waters esp. of
          California--called also white croaker 2: king mackerel
          3: an undisputed master in an area or group

   kingfisher
          [king.fish.er] n (15c): any of numerous nonpasserine birds
          (family Alcedinidae) that are usu. crested and bright-colored
          with a short tail and a long stout sharp bill

   King James Version
          [King James Version] n [James I of England] (ca. 1889): authorized
          version

   kinglet
          [king.let] n (1603) 1: a weak or petty king 2: any of several
          small birds (genus Regulus) that are related to the gnatcatchers

   kingly
          [king.ly] adj king.li.er ; -est (14c) 1: having royal rank
          2: of, relating to, or befitting a king 3: monarchical
          -- king.li.ness n -- kingly adv

   king mackerel
          [king mackerel] n (ca. 1930): a mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)
          that is noted esp. as a fighting sport fish

   kingmaker
          [king.mak.er] n (1599): one having great influence over the
          choice of candidates for political office

   king of arms
          [king of arms] (15c): an officer of arms of the highest rank

   king penguin
          [king penguin] n (1885): a large penguin (Aptenodytes patagonica)
          chiefly of subantarctic regions

   kingpin
          [king.pin] n (1801) 1: any of several bowling pins: as a:
          headpin b: the pin that stands in the middle of a triangular
          arrangement of bowling pins 2: the chief person in a
          group or undertaking 3 a: kingbolt b: a pin connecting
          the two parts of a knuckle joint (as in an automobile
          steering linkage)

   king post
          [king post] n (1776): a vertical member connecting the apex
          of a triangular truss (as of a roof) with the base

   Kings
          [Kings] n pl but sing in constr 1: either of two narrative
          and historical books of canonical Jewish and Christian
          Scripture 2: any of four narrative and historical books
          in the former Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament

   king salmon
          [king salmon] n (1881): chinook salmon

   King's Bench
          [King's Bench] n (14c): a division in the English superior
          courts system that hears civil and criminal cases

   King's Counsel
          [King's Counsel] n (1689): a barrister selected to serve
          as counsel to the British crown

   King's English
          [King's English] n (1553): standard, pure, or correct English
          speech or usage

   king's evil
          [king's evil] n, often cap K&E [fr. the former belief that
          it could be healed by a king's touch] (14c): scrofula

   kingship
          [king.ship] n (14c) 1: the position, office, or dignity of
          a king 2: the personality of a king 3: government by
          a king

   kingside
          [king.side] n (1941): the side of a chessboard containing
          the file on which the king sits at the beginning of the
          game

   king-size
          [king-size] or king-sized adj (1942) 1: longer than the regular
          or standard size <a ~ cigarette> 2: unusually large 3
          a: having dimensions of approximately 76 inches by 80
          inches (about 1.9 by 2.0 meters)--used of a bed--compare
          full-size, queen-size, twin-size b: of a size that fits
          a king-size bed <~ sheets>

   king snake
          [king snake] n (1709): any of numerous brightly marked colubrid
          snakes (genus Lampropeltis) chiefly of No. and Central
          America

   king's ransom
          [king's ransom] n (ca. 1590): a very large sum

   kingwood
          [king.wood] n (ca. 1851): the wood of any of several tropical
          American leguminous trees (esp. genus Dalbergia); esp:
          the wood of a Brazilian tree (D. cearensis) used esp.
          for furniture

   kinin
          [ki.nin] n [Gk kinein to move, stimulate + E [1]-in--more
          at -kinesis] (1954) 1: any of various polypeptide hormones
          that are formed locally in the tissues and cause dilation
          of blood vessels and contraction of smooth muscle 2:
          cytokinin

   [1]kink
          [kink] n [D; akin to MLG kinke kink] (1678) 1: a short tight
          twist or curl caused by a doubling or winding of something
          upon itself 2 a: a mental or physical peculiarity: eccentricity,
          quirk b: whim 3: a clever unusual way of doing something
          4: a cramp in some part of the body 5: an imperfection
          likely to cause difficulties in the operation of something
          [2]kink vi (1697): to form a kink ~ vt: to make a kink
          in

   kinkajou
          [kin.ka.jou] n [F, alter. of quincajou wolverine, of Algonquian
          origin; akin to Ojibwa kwinkwa'ake wolverine] (1796):
          a nocturnal arboreal omnivorous mammal (Potos flavus)
          found from Mexico to So. America that is related to the
          raccoon and has a long prehensile tail, large eyes, and
          yellowish brown fur

   kinky
          [kinky] adj kink.i.er ; -est (1844) 1: closely twisted or
          curled 2: relating to, having, or appealing to unconventional
          tastes esp. in sex; also: sexually deviant 3: outlandish,
          far-out -- kink.i.ly adv -- kink.i.ness n

   kinnikinnick
          [kin.ni.kin.nick] n [of Algonquian origin; akin to Massachuset
          kinukkinuk mixture] (1799): a mixture of dried leaves
          and bark and sometimes tobacco smoked by the Indians
          and pioneers esp. in the Ohio valley; also: a plant (as
          a sumac or dogwood) used in it

   -kins
          [-kins] --see -kin

   kinsfolk
          [kins.folk] n pl (15c): relatives

   kinship
          [kin.ship] n (1833): the quality or state of being kin:
          relationship

   kinsman
          [kins.man] n (12c): relative; specif: a male relative

   kinswoman
          [kins.wom.an] n (14c): a female relative

   kiosk
          [ki.osk] n [Turk kosk, fr. Per kushk portico] (1625) 1: an
          open summerhouse or pavilion 2: a small structure with
          one or more open sides that is used to vend merchandise
          (as newspapers) or services (as film developing)

   Kiowa
          [Ki.o.wa] n, pl Kiowa or Kiowas (1808) 1: a member of an
          American Indian people of what are now Colorado, Kansas,
          New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas 2: the language of the
          Kiowa people

   [1]kip
          [kip] n [obs. D; akin to MLG kip bundle of hides] (ca. 1525):
          a bundle of undressed hides of young or small animals;
          also: one of the hides [2]kip n [perh. fr. Dan kippe
          cheap tavern] (1879) 1: bed <ready for the ~ after this
          screwball day --K. M. Dodson> 2 chiefly Brit: sleep,
          nap <roused the ... family from their ~ --Sylvia Margolis>
          [3]kip vi kipped ; kip.ping (ca. 1889) Brit: sleep--sometimes
          used with down <~ down on a spare bed --Alice Glenday>
          [4]kip n [kilo- + pound] (1914): a unit of weight equal
          to 1000 pounds (4448 newtons) used to express deadweight
          load [5]kip n, pl kip or kips [Lao ki:p, lit., ingot]
          (1955): the basic monetary unit of Laos

   [1]kipper
          [kip.per] n [ME kypre, fr. OE cypera; akin to OE coper copper]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a male salmon or sea trout during or after
          the spawning season 2: a kippered herring or salmon [2]kipper
          vt kip.pered ; kip.per.ing (1773): to cure (split dressed
          fish) by salting and smoking -- kip.per.er n

   Kirghiz
          [Kir.ghiz] n, pl Kirghiz or Kir.ghiz.es [Kirghiz kirgiz]
          (1600) 1: a member of a Turkic people of Kyrgyzstan and
          adjacent areas of central Asia 2: the language of the
          Kirghiz

   kirk
          [kirk] n [ME (northern dial.), fr. ON kirkja, fr. OE cirice--more
          at church] (12c) 1 chiefly Scot: church 2 cap: the national
          church of Scotland as distinguished from the Church of
          England or the Episcopal Church in Scotland

   Kirlian photography
          [Kir.li.an photography] n [Semyon D. & Valentina K. Kirlian
          fl1939 Soviet inventors] (1972): a process in which an
          image is obtained by application of a high-frequency
          electric field to an object so that it radiates a characteristic
          pattern of luminescence that is recorded on photographic
          film -- Kirlian photograph n

   Kirman
          [Kir.man] n [Kirman, province in Iran] (1876): a Persian
          carpet or rug characterized by elaborate fluid designs
          and soft colors

   kirmess
          [kir.mess] var of kermis

   kirsch
          [kirsch] n [G, short for Kirschwasser, fr. Kirsche cherry
          + Wasser water] (1869): a dry colorless brandy distilled
          from the fermented juice of the black morello cherry

   Kirtland's warbler
          [Kirt.land's warbler] n [Jared P. Kirtland d. 1877 Am. naturalist]
          (1858): a rare warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) of northeastern No.
          America that breeds in Michigan and winters in the Bahamas

   kirtle
          [kir.tle] n [ME kirtel, fr. OE cyrtel, fr. (assumed) OE curt
          short, fr. L curtus shortened--more at shear] (bef. 12c)
          1: a tunic or coat worn by men esp. in the Middle Ages
          2: a long gown or dress worn by women

   kishke
          [kish.ke] also kish.ka n [Yiddish kishke gut, sausage, of
          Slavic origin; akin to Pol kiszka gut, sausage] (ca.
          1936): beef or fowl casing stuffed (as with meat, flour,
          and spices) and cooked

   Kislev
          [Kis.lev] n [Heb Kislew] (14c): the 3d month of the civil
          year or the 9th month of the ecclesiastical year in the
          Jewish calendar

   kismet
          [kis.met] n, often cap [Turk, fr. Ar qismah portion, lot]
          (1834): fate 1, 2a

   [1]kiss
          [kiss] vb [ME, fr. OE cyssan; akin to OHG kussen to kiss]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1: to touch with the lips esp. as a mark
          of affection or greeting 2: to touch gently or lightly
          <wind gently ~ing the trees> ~ vi 1: to salute or caress
          one another with the lips 2: to come in gentle contact
          -- kiss.able adj -- kiss ass : to act obsequiously esp.
          to gain favor--usu. considered vulgar -- kiss good-bye
          1: leave 2: to resign oneself to the loss of [2]kiss
          n (bef. 12c) 1: a caress with the lips 2: a gentle touch
          or contact 3 a: a small drop cookie made of meringue
          b: a bite-size piece of candy often wrapped in paper
          or foil 4: an expression of affection <sent him ~es in
          her letter>

   kiss-and-tell
          [kiss-and-tell] adj (1949): telling details of private matters
          <kiss-and-tell autobiographies>

   kisser
          [kiss.er] n (1537) 1: one that kisses 2 slang a: mouth b:
          face

   kissing bug
          [kissing bug] n (1899): conenose

   kissing cousin
          [kissing cousin] n (1941) 1: a person and esp. a relative
          whom one knows well enough to kiss more or less formally
          upon meeting 2: one that is closely related in kind to
          something else

   kissing disease
          [kissing disease] n [fr. the belief that it is frequently
          transmitted by kissing] (1962): infectious mononucleosis

   kiss of death
          [kiss of death] [fr. the kiss with which Judas betrayed Jesus
          (Mk 14:44-46)] (1943): something (as an act or association)
          ultimately causing ruin

   kiss off
          [kiss off] vt (ca. 1935): to dismiss lightly <kisses the
          other performers off as mere amateurs> -- kiss-off n

   kiss of life
          [kiss of life] (1961) chiefly Brit: artificial respiration
          by the mouth-to-mouth method

   kiss of peace
          [kiss of peace] (ca. 1898): a ceremonial kiss, embrace, or
          handclasp used in Christian liturgies and esp. the Eucharist
          as a sign of fraternal unity

   kist
          [kist] n [ME kiste, fr. ON kista, ultim. fr. L cista--more
          at chest] (14c) chiefly Scot & SoAfr: chest 1b

   [1]kit
          [kit] n [ME] (14c) 1 dial Brit: a wooden tub 2 a (1): a collection
          of articles usu. for personal use <a travel ~> (2): a set of tools
          or implements <a carpenter's ~> (3): a set of parts to be assembled
          or worked up <model-airplane ~> (4): a packaged collection
          of related material <convention ~> (5) chiefly Brit: gear <run over
          to my billet and get some overnight ~ --Lionel Shapiro>
          b: a container for any of such sets or collections 3: a group
          of persons or things--usu. used in the phrase the whole kit and
          caboodle [2]kit vt kit.ted ; kit.ting (1919) chiefly Brit: equip,
          outfit--often used with up or out [3]kit n [origin unknown] (1519):
          a small narrow violin [4]kit n (1562) 1: kitten 2: a young
          or undersized fur-bearing animal; also: its pelt

   kit
          [kit] abbreviation kitchen

   kit bag
          [kit bag] n [[1]kit] (1893) 1: knapsack 2: a suitcase usu.
          with sides that fasten at the top or open to the full
          width of the bag

   kitchen
          [kitch.en] n [ME kichene, fr. OE cycene, fr. LL coquina,
          fr. L coquere to cook--more at cook] (bef. 12c) 1: a
          place (as a room) with cooking facilities 2: the personnel
          that prepares, cooks, and serves food 3: cuisine

   kitchen cabinet
          [kitchen cabinet] n (1832) 1: an informal group of advisers
          to one in a position of power (as the head of a government)
          2: a cupboard with drawers and shelves for use in a kitchen

   kitchenette
          [kitch.en.ette] n (1903): a small kitchen or an alcove containing
          cooking facilities

   kitchen garden
          [kitchen garden] n (1580): a garden in which plants (as vegetables
          or herbs) for use in the kitchen are cultivated

   kitchen midden
          [kitchen midden] n (1863): a refuse heap; specif: a mound
          marking the site of a primitive human habitation

   kitchen police
          [kitchen police] n (ca. 1917) 1: kp 2: the work of KPs

   kitchen-sink
          [kitch.en-sink] adj (1941) 1 chiefly Brit: portraying or
          emphasizing the squalid aspects of modern life <the ~
          realism of contemporary British drama --Current Biog.>
          2: being or made up of a hodgepodge of disparate elements
          or ingredients

   kitchenware
          [kitch.en.ware] n (1722): utensils and appliances for use
          in a kitchen

   [1]kite
          [kite] n [ME, fr. OE cyta; akin to MHG kuze owl] (bef. 12c)
          1: any of various usu. small hawks (family Accipitridae)
          with long narrow wings and often a notched or forked
          tail 2: a person who preys on others 3: a light frame
          covered usu. with paper or cloth, often provided with
          a balancing tail, and designed to be flown in the air
          at the end of a long string 4: a check drawn against
          uncollected funds in a bank account or fraudulently raised
          before cashing 5: a light sail used in a light breeze
          usu. in addition to the regular working sails; esp: spinnaker
          -- kite.like adj [2]kite vb kit.ed ; kit.ing vt (1839)
          1: to use (a bad check) to get credit or money 2: to
          cause to soar <kited the prices they charged wealthy
          clients> ~ vi 1 a: to go in a rapid, carefree, or flighty
          manner b: to rise rapidly: soar <the prices of necessities
          continue to ~> 2: to get money or credit by a kite

   kit fox
          [kit fox] n [[4]kit] (1805) 1 a: swift fox b: a fox (Vulpes
          macrotis) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico with exceptionally
          large ears and a black tip on the tail 2: the fur or
          pelt of a kit fox

   kith
          [kith] n [ME, fr. OE cythth; akin to cuth known--more at
          uncouth] (bef. 12c): familiar friends, neighbors, or
          relatives <~ and kin>

   kithara
          [kith.a.ra] n [ME cithara, fr. L, fr. Gk kithara] (14c):
          an ancient Greek stringed instrument similar to but larger
          than the lyre and having a box-shaped resonator

   kithe
          [kithe] vb kithed ; kith.ing [ME, fr. OE cythan, fr. cuth]
          vt (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: to make known ~ vi, chiefly
          Scot: to become known

   kitsch
          [kitsch] n [G, kitsch, trash] (1925): something that appeals
          to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality
          -- kitsch adj -- kitschy adj

   [1]kitten
          [kit.ten] n [ME kitoun, fr. (assumed) ONF caton, dim. of
          cat, fr. LL cattus] (14c): a young cat; also: an immature
          individual of various other small mammals [2]kitten vi
          kit.tened ; kit.ten.ing (15c): to give birth to kittens

   kittenish
          [kit.ten.ish] adj (1754): resembling a kitten; esp: coyly
          playful -- kit.ten.ish.ly adv -- kit.ten.ish.ness n

   kittiwake
          [kit.ti.wake] n [imit.] (1661): either of two cliff-nesting
          gulls (Rissa tridactyla and R. brevirostris) that winter
          on the open ocean

   [1]kittle
          [kit.tle] vt kit.tled ; kit.tling [ME (northern dial.) kytyllen]
          (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly Scot: tickle 2 chiefly Scot: perplex
          [2]kittle adj (1568) chiefly Scot: ticklish 2, touchy

   [1]kitty
          [kit.ty] n, pl kitties (1719): cat 1a; esp: kitten [2]kitty
          n, pl kitties [[1]kit] (ca. 1887) 1: a fund in a poker
          game made up of contributions from each pot 2: a sum
          of money or collection of goods often made up of small
          contributions: pool

   kitty-corner
          [kit.ty-cor.ner] or kit.ty-cor.nered var of catercorner

   kiva
          [ki.va] n [Hopi kiva] (1871): a Pueblo Indian ceremonial
          structure that is usu. round and partly underground

   Kiwanian
          [Ki.wa.ni.an] n [Kiwanis (Club)] (1921): a member of a major
          national and international service club

   kiwi
          [ki.wi] n [Maori] (1835) 1: any of a small genus (Apteryx)
          of flightless New Zealand birds with rudimentary wings,
          stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike plumage
          2 cap: a native or resident of New Zealand--used as a
          nickname 3: kiwifruit

   kiwifruit
          [ki.wi.fruit] n (1966): the fruit of a Chinese gooseberry

   kj...
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   kJ
          [kJ] abbreviation kilojoule

   KJV
          [KJV] abbreviation King James Version

   kk...
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   KKK
          [KKK] abbreviation Ku Klux Klan

   kl...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   kl
          [kl] abbreviation kiloliter

   Klamath weed
          [Klam.ath weed] n [Klamath (River)] (1922): a European
          yellow-flowered perennial Saint-John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum)
          that is naturalized in No. America esp. in rangelands

   Klan
          [Klan] n [(Ku Klux) Klan] (1867): an organization of Ku Kluxers;
          also: a subordinate unit of such an organization -- Klan.ism
          n -- Klans.man n

   klatch
          [klatch] or klatsch n [G Klatsch gossip] (1941): a gathering
          characterized usu. by informal conversation

   klavern
          [klav.ern] n, often cap [blend of Klan and cavern] (ca. 1924):
          a local unit of the Klan

   Klaxon
          [Klax.on] trademark--used for an electrically operated horn
          or warning signal

   klebsiella
          [kleb.si.el.la] n [NL, fr. Edwin Klebs d. 1913 Ger. pathologist]
          (1928): any of a genus (Klebsiella) of nonmotile gram-negative
          frequently encapsulated bacterial rods

   Kleenex
          [Klee.nex] trademark--used for a cleansing tissue

   Klein bottle
          [Klein bottle] n [Felix Klein d. 1925 Ger. mathematician]
          (1941): a one-sided surface that is formed by passing
          the narrow end of a tapered tube through the side of
          the tube and flaring this end out to join the other end

   klepht
          [klepht] n, often cap [NGk klephtes, lit., robber, fr. Gk
          kleptes, fr. kleptein] (1820): a Greek belonging to any
          of several independent guerrilla communities formed after
          the Turkish conquest of Greece -- kleph.tic adj, often
          cap

   klepto-
          [klepto-] comb form [Gk, fr. kleptein to steal; akin to Goth
          hlifan to steal, L clepere]: stealing: theft <kleptomania>

   kleptomania
          [klep.to.ma.nia] n [NL] (1830): a persistent neurotic impulse
          to steal esp. without economic motive

   kleptomaniac
          [klep.to.ma.ni.ac] n (1861): a person evidencing kleptomania

   klezmer
          [klez.mer] n, pl klez.mo.rim [Yiddish, fr. Heb keley zemer
          musical instruments] (1949) 1: a Jewish instrumentalist
          esp. of traditional eastern European music 2: the music
          played by klezmorim

   klieg light
          [klieg light] or kleig light n [John H. Kliegl d. 1959 &
          Anton T. Kliegl d. 1927 German-born Am. lighting experts]
          (1919): a carbon arc lamp used esp. in making motion
          pictures

   Klinefelter's syndrome
          [Kline.fel.ter's syndrome] n [Harry F. Klinefelter b1912
          Am. physician] (1950): an abnormal condition in a male
          characterized by usu. two X and one Y chromosomes, infertility,
          and smallness of the testicles

   klister
          [klis.ter] n [Norw, lit., paste, fr. MLG klister] (1936):
          a soft wax used on skis

   kloof
          [kloof] n [Afrik] (1731) SoAfr: a deep glen: ravine

   kludge
          [kludge] or kluge n [origin unknown] (1962): a system and
          esp. a computer system made up of poorly matched components

   klutz
          [klutz] n [Yiddish klots, lit., wooden beam, fr. MHG kloz
          lumpy mass--more at clout] (1960): a clumsy person --
          klutz.i.ness n -- klutzy adj

   klystron
          [kly.stron] n [fr. Klystron, a trademark] (1939): an electron
          tube in which bunching of electrons is produced by electric
          fields and which is used for the generation and amplification
          of ultrahigh-frequency current

   km...
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   km
          [km] abbreviation kilometer

   kmh
          [kmh] or kmph abbreviation kilometers per hour

   kmps
          [kmps] abbreviation kilometers per second

   kn...
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   kn
          [kn] abbreviation knot

   knack
          [knack] n [ME knak] (14c) 1 a: a clever trick or stratagem
          b: a clever way of doing something 2: a special ready
          capacity that is hard to analyze or teach 3 archaic:
          an ingenious device; broadly: toy, knickknack syn see
          gift

   knacker
          [knack.er] n [prob. fr. E dial., saddlemaker] (1812) 1 Brit:
          a buyer of worn-out domestic animals or their carcasses
          for use esp. as animal food or fertilizer 2 Brit: a buyer
          of old structures for their constituent materials

   knackered
          [knack.ered] adj [E slang knacker to kill, tire, perh. fr.
          knacker, n.] (1886) Brit: tired, exhausted

   knackwurst
          [knack.wurst] var of knockwurst

   [1]knap
          [knap] n [ME, fr. OE cnaep; akin to OE cnotta knot] (bef.
          12c) 1 chiefly dial: a crest of a hill: summit 2 chiefly
          dial: a small hill [2]knap vt knapped ; knap.ping [ME
          knappen, of imit. origin] (15c) 1 dial Brit: [2]rap 1
          2: to break with a quick blow; esp: to shape (as flints)
          by breaking off pieces 3 dial Brit: snap, crop 4 dial
          Brit: chatter -- knap.per n

   knapsack
          [knap.sack] n [LG knappsack or D knapzak, fr. LG & D knappen
          to make a snapping noise, eat + LG sack or D zak sack]
          (1603): a bag (as of canvas or nylon) strapped on the
          back and used for carrying supplies or personal belongings
          -- knap.sacked adj

   knapweed
          [knap.weed] n [ME knopwed, fr. knop knop + wed weed] (15c):
          any of various weedy centaureas; esp: a widely naturalized
          European perennial (Centaurea nigra) with tough wiry
          stems and knobby heads of purple flowers

   knave
          [knave] n [ME, fr. OE cnafa; akin to OHG knabo boy] (bef.
          12c) 1 archaic a: a boy servant b: a male servant c:
          a man of humble birth or position 2: a tricky deceitful
          fellow 3: jack 6a

   knavery
          [knav.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1528) 1 a: rascality b: a roguish
          or mischievous act 2 obs: roguish mischief

   knavish
          [knav.ish] adj (14c): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a knave; esp: dishonest -- knav.ish.ly adv

   knead
          [knead] vt [ME kneden, fr. OE cnedan; akin to OHG knetan
          to knead] (bef. 12c) 1 a: to work and press into a mass
          with or as if with the hands <~ing dough> b: to manipulate
          or massage with a kneading motion <~ed sore neck muscles>
          2: to form or shape by or as if by kneading -- knead.able
          adj -- knead.er n

   [1]knee
          [knee] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE cneow; akin to OHG kneo
          knee, L genu, Gk gony] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a joint in the
          middle part of the human leg that is the articulation
          between the femur, tibia, and patella; also: the part
          of the leg that includes this joint b (1): the joint
          in the hind leg of a four-footed vertebrate that corresponds
          to the human knee (2): the carpal joint of the foreleg
          of a four-footed vertebrate c: the tarsal joint of a
          bird d: the joint between the femur and tibia of an insect
          2: something resembling the human knee: as a: a piece
          of timber naturally or artificially bent for use in supporting
          structures coming together at an angle (as the deck beams
          of a ship) b: a rounded or conical process rising from
          the roots of various swamp-growing trees <cypress ~>
          3: the part of a garment covering the knee 4: a blow
          with the bent knee -- kneed adj -- to one's knees : into
          a state of submission or defeat [2]knee vt kneed ; knee.ing
          (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: to bend the knee to 2: to strike
          with the knee

   knee breeches
          [knee breeches] n pl (1833): breech 1a

   kneecap
          [knee.cap] n (1869): patella

   kneecapping
          [knee.cap.ping] n (1974): the terroristic act or practice
          of maiming a person's knees (as by gunshot) -- kneecap
          vt

   knee-deep
          [knee-deep] adj (15c) 1 a: sunk to the knees <~ in mud> b:
          deeply engaged or occupied <~ in work> 2: knee-high

   knee-high
          [knee-high] adj (1743): rising or reaching upward to the
          knees <~ stockings> -- knee-high n

   kneehole
          [knee.hole] n (1893): an open space (as under a desk) for
          the knees

   knee jerk
          [knee jerk] n (1876): an involuntary forward kick produced
          by a light blow on the tendon below the patella

   knee-jerk
          [knee-jerk] adj (1951): readily predictable: automatic <~
          reactions>; also: reacting in a readily predictable way
          <~ liberals>

   kneel
          [kneel] vi knelt or kneeled ; kneel.ing [ME knelen, fr. OE
          cneowlian; akin to OE cneow knee] (bef. 12c): to bend
          the knee: fall or rest on the knees

   kneeler
          [kneel.er] n (14c) 1: one that kneels 2: something (as a
          cushion or board) to kneel on

   kneepan
          [knee.pan] n (15c): patella

   knee-slapper
          [knee-slap.per] n (1966): an extremely funny joke, line,
          or story

   kneesock
          [knee.sock] n (1964): a knee-high sock

   [1]knell
          [knell] vb [ME, fr. OE cnyllan; akin to MHG erknellen to
          toll] vt (bef. 12c): to summon or announce by or as if
          by a knell ~ vi 1: to ring esp. for a death, funeral,
          or disaster: toll 2: to sound in an ominous manner or
          with an ominous effect [2]knell n (bef. 12c) 1: a stroke
          or sound of a bell esp. when rung slowly (as for a death,
          funeral, or disaster) 2: an indication of the end or
          the failure of something <sounded the death ~ for our
          hopes>

   knew
          [knew] past of know

   knickerbocker
          [knick.er.bock.er] n [Diedrich Knickerbocker, fictitious
          author of History of New York (1809) by Washington Irving]
          (1848) 1 cap: a descendant of the early Dutch settlers
          of New York; broadly: a native or resident of the city
          or state of New York--used as a nickname 2 pl: knickers

   knickers
          [knick.ers] n pl [short for knickerbockers] (1881) 1: loose-fitting
          short pants gathered at the knee 2 chiefly Brit: underpants

   knickknack
          [knick.knack] n [redupl. of knack] (1682): a small trivial
          article usu. intended for ornament

   [1]knife
          [knife] n, pl knives often attrib [ME knif, fr. OE cnif,
          perh. fr. ON knifr; akin to MLG knif knife] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade
          fastened to a handle b: a weapon resembling a knife 2:
          a sharp cutting blade or tool in a machine 3: surgery
          4--usu. used in the phrase under the knife -- knife.like
          adj [2]knife vb knifed ; knif.ing vt (1865) 1: to use
          a knife on; specif: to stab, slash, or wound with a knife
          2: to cut, mark, or spread with a knife 3: to try to
          defeat by underhanded means 4: to move like a knife in
          <birds knifing the autumn sky> ~ vi: to cut a way with
          or as if with a knife blade <the cruiser knifed through
          the heavy seas>

   knife-edge
          [knife-edge] n (1818) 1: a sharp wedge of steel or other
          hard material used as a fulcrum for a lever beam in a
          precision instrument 2: a sharp narrow knifelike edge

   knifepoint
          [knife.point] n (ca. 1911): the point of a knife -- at knifepoint
          : under a threat of being knifed

   [1]knight
          [knight] n [ME, fr. OE cniht man-at-arms, boy, servant; akin
          to OHG kneht youth, military follower] (bef. 12c) 1 a
          (1): a mounted man-at-arms serving a feudal superior;
          esp: a man ceremonially inducted into special military
          rank usu. after completing service as page and squire
          (2): a man honored by a sovereign for merit and in Great
          Britain ranking below a baronet (3): a person of antiquity
          equal to a knight in rank b: a man devoted to the service
          of a lady as her attendant or champion c: a member of
          an order or society 2: either of two pieces of the same
          color in a set of chessmen having the power to make an
          L-shaped move of two squares in one row and one square
          in a perpendicular row over squares that may be occupied
          [2]knight vt (13c): to make a knight of

   knight-errant
          [knight-er.rant] n, pl knights-errant (14c): a knight traveling
          in search of adventures in which to exhibit military
          skill, prowess, and ge nerosity

   knight-errantry
          [knight-er.rant.ry] n, pl knight-errantries (1654) 1: the
          practice or actions of a knight-errant 2: quixotic conduct

   knighthood
          [knight.hood] n (13c) 1: the rank, dignity, or profession
          of a knight 2: the qualities befitting a knight: chivalry
          3: knights as a class or body

   knightly
          [knight.ly] adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a knight 2: made up of knights -- knight.li.ness n
          -- knightly adv

   Knight of Columbus
          [Knight of Co.lum.bus] n, pl Knights of Columbus [Christopher
          Columbus] (1882): a member of a benevolent and fraternal
          society of Roman Catholic men

   Knight of Pythias
          [Knight of Pyth.i.as] n, pl Knights of Pythias (1869): a
          member of a secret benevolent and fraternal order

   Knight of the Maccabees
          [Knight of the Mac.ca.bees] n, pl Knights of the Maccabees
          (1922): a member of a secret benevolent society

   Knight Templar
          [Knight Templar] n, pl Knights Templars or Knights Templar
          (1610) 1: templar 1 2: a member of an order of Freemasonry
          conferring three orders in the York rite

   knish
          [knish] n [Yiddish, fr. Pol knysz] (1916): a small round
          or square of dough stuffed with a filling (as potato)
          and baked or fried

   [1]knit
          [knit] vb knit or knit.ted ; knit.ting [ME knitten, fr. OE
          cnyttan; akin to OE cnotta knot] vt (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly
          dial: to tie together 2 a: to link firmly or closely
          <knitted my hands> b: to cause to grow together <time
          and rest will ~ a fractured bone> c: to contract into
          wrinkles <knitted her brow> 3: to form by interlacing
          yarn or thread in a series of connected loops with needles
          ~ vi 1: to make knitted fabrics or objects 2 a: to become
          compact b: to grow together c: to become drawn together
          -- knit.ter n [2]knit n (1596): knit stitch; also: a
          knit fabric

   knit stitch
          [knit stitch] n (ca. 1885): a basic knitting stitch usu.
          made with the yarn at the back of the work by inserting
          the right needle into the front part of a loop on the
          left needle from the left side, catching the yarn with
          the point of the right needle, and bringing it through
          the first loop to form a new loop--compare purl stitch

   knitting
          [knit.ting] n (15c) 1: the action or method of one that knits
          2: work done or being done by one that knits

   knitwear
          [knit.wear] n (1926): knitted clothing

   knob
          [knob] n [ME knobbe; akin to MLG knubbe knob] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a rounded protuberance: lump b: a small rounded
          ornament or handle 2: a rounded usu. isolated hill or
          mountain -- knobbed adj -- knob.by adj

   knobbly
          [knob.bly] adj (1859): having very small knobs <a ~ mattress>

   knobkerrie
          [knob.ker.rie] n [Afrik knopkierie, fr. knop knob + kierie
          club] (1844): a short wooden club with a knob at one
          end used as a missile or in close attack esp. by Zulus
          of southern Africa

   [1]knock
          [knock] vb [ME knoken, fr. OE cnocian; akin to MHG knochen
          to press] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to strike something with a
          sharp blow 2: to collide with something 3 a: bustle <heard
          them ~ing around in the kitchen> b: wander <~ed about
          Europe all summer> 4 a: to make a pounding noise b: to
          have engine knock 5: to find fault ~ vt 1 a (1): to strike
          sharply (2): to drive, force, or make by or as if by
          so striking b: to set forcibly in motion with a blow
          2: to cause to collide 3: to find fault with <always
          ~ing those in authority> -- knock cold : knock out 2a(1)
          -- knock dead : to move strongly esp. to admiration or
          applause <a comedian who really knocks them dead> --
          knock for a loop 1 a: overcome <knocked my opponent for
          a loop> b: demolish <knocked our idea for a loop> 2:
          dumbfound, amaze <the news knocked them for a loop> --
          knock one's socks off : to overwhelm or amaze one <a
          performance that will knock your socks off> -- knock
          together : to make or assemble esp. hurriedly or in a
          makeshift way <knocked together my own bookcase> [2]knock
          n (14c) 1 a: a sharp blow: rap, hit <a loud ~ on the
          door> b (1): a severe misfortune or hardship (2): setback,
          reversal 2 a: a pounding noise b: a sharp repetitive
          metallic noise caused by abnormal ignition in an automobile
          engine 3: a harsh and often petty criticism <likes praise
          but can't stand the ~s>

   knockabout
          [knock.about] adj (1880) 1: suitable for rough use <~ clothing>
          2 a: being noisy and rough: boisterous <~ games> b: characterized
          by boisterous antics and often extravagant burlesque
          <~ comedy> 3 of a sailing vessel: having a simplified
          rig marked by absence of bowsprit and topmast <a ~ sloop>
          -- knockabout n

   knock back
          [knock back] vt (ca. 1931): drink, swallow; specif: to toss
          down (an alcoholic beverage)

   knock down
          [knock down] vt (15c) 1: to strike to the ground with or
          as if with a sharp blow: fell 2: to dispose of (an item)
          to a bidder at an auction sale 3: to take apart: disassemble
          4: to receive as income or salary: earn <positions where
          they were able to knock down good money --Infantry Jour.>
          5: reduce

   [1]knockdown
          [knock.down] adj (1690) 1: having such force as to strike
          down or overwhelm <a bewildering assortment of ~ arguments
          --J. W. Krutch> 2: that can easily be assembled or disassembled
          <a ~ table> 3 chiefly Brit: extremely low: reduced <~
          prices> [2]knockdown n (1809) 1: the action of knocking
          down 2: something (as a blow) that strikes down or overwhelms
          3: something (as a piece of furniture) that can be easily
          assembled or disassembled

   knock-down-drag-out
          [knock-down-drag-out] or knock-down-and-drag-out adj (1834):
          marked by extreme violence or bitterness and by the showing
          of no mercy <~ political debates> -- knock-down-drag-out
          n

   knocker
          [knock.er] n (14c) 1: one that knocks: as a: a metal ring,
          bar, or hammer hinged to a door for use in knocking b:
          a persistently pessimistic critic 2: breast--usu. used
          in pl.--often considered vulgar

   knock-knee
          [knock-knee] n (1879): a condition in which the legs curve
          inward at the knees -- knock-kneed adj

   knockoff
          [knock.off] n (1966): a copy that sells for less than the
          original; broadly: a copy or imitation of someone or
          something popular

   knock off
          [knock off] vi (1649): to stop doing something ~ vt 1: to
          do hurriedly or routinely <knocked off one painting after
          another> 2: discontinue, stop <knocked off work at five>
          3: deduct <knocked off a little to make the price more
          attractive> 4 a: kill <knocked off two men ... on mercenary
          grounds --Lewis Baker> b: overcome, defeat <knocked off
          each center of rebellion> 5: rob <knocked off a couple
          of banks> 6: to make a knockoff of: copy, imitate <knocks
          off popular dress designs>

   knockout
          [knock.out] n (1887) 1 a: the act of knocking out: the condition
          of being knocked out b (1): the termination of a boxing
          match when one boxer has been knocked down and is unable
          to rise and resume boxing within a specified time (2):
          technical knockout c: a blow that knocks out an opponent
          2: something sensationally striking, appealing, or attractive
          -- knockout adj

   knock out
          [knock out] vt (1856) 1: to produce roughly or hastily 2
          a (1): to defeat (a boxing opponent) by a knockout (2):
          to make unconscious <the drug knocked him out> b: to
          make inoperative or useless <electricity was knocked
          out by the storm> c: to get rid of: eliminate <knocked
          out illegal gambling> 3: to tire out: exhaust <knocked
          themselves out with work> 4: to cause (an opposing pitcher)
          to be removed from a baseball game by a batting rally

   knockout drops
          [knockout drops] n pl (1895): drops of a solution of a drug
          (as chloral hydrate) put into a drink to produce unconsciousness
          or stupefaction

   knock over
          [knock over] vt (ca. 1814) 1 a (1): to strike to the ground:
          fell (2): overwhelm <was knocked over by the news> b:
          eliminate <knocked over every difficulty> 2 a: steal;
          esp: hijack <knocks over a truckload of merchandise --J.
          B. Martin> b: rob <knocking over a bank>

   knock up
          [knock up] vt (1663) 1 Brit: rouse, summon 2: to make
          pregnant--sometimes considered vulgar

   knockwurst
          [knock.wurst] n [G Knackwurst, fr. knacken to crackle (of
          imit. origin) + Wurst wurst] (ca. 1929): a short thick
          heavily seasoned sausage

   [1]knoll
          [knoll] n [ME knol, fr. OE cnoll; akin to ON knollr mountaintop]
          (bef. 12c): a small round hill: mound [2]knoll vb [ME,
          prob. alter. of knellen to knell] (15c) archaic: knell

   knop
          [knop] n [ME, fr. OE -cnoppa knob] (bef. 12c): a usu. ornamental
          knob -- knopped adj

   [1]knot
          [knot] n [ME, fr. OE cnotta; akin to OHG knoto knot] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: an interlacement of the parts of one or more
          flexible bodies forming a lump or knob b: the lump or
          knob so formed c: a tight constriction or the sense of
          constriction <my stomach was all in ~s> 2: something
          hard to solve: problem <a matter full of legal ~s> 3:
          a bond of union; esp: the marriage bond 4 a: a protuberant
          lump or swelling in tissue <a ~ in a gland> b: the base
          of a woody branch enclosed in the stem from which it
          arises; also: its section in lumber 5: a cluster of persons
          or things: group 6: an ornamental bow of ribbon: cockade
          7 a: a division of the log's line serving to measure
          a ship's speed b (1): one nautical mile per hour (2):
          one nautical mile--not used technically [2]knot vb knot.ted
          ; knot.ting vt (1547) 1: to tie in or with a knot: form
          knots in 2: to unite closely or intricately: entangle
          3: tie 4b <knotted the score> ~ vi: to form knots --
          knot.ter n [3]knot n, pl knots or knot [ME knott] (15c):
          either of two sandpipers (Calidris canutus and C. tenuirostris)
          that breed in the Arctic and winter in temperate or warm
          parts of the New and Old World

   knot garden
          [knot garden] n (1519): an elaborately designed garden esp.
          of flowers or herbs

   knotgrass
          [knot.grass] n (1538) 1: a cosmopolitan weed (Polygonum aviculare)
          of the buckwheat family with jointed stems, prominent sheathing
          stipules, and minute flowers; broadly: any of several congeneric
          plants 2: any of several grasses with markedly jointed stems; esp:
          joint grass

   knothole
          [knot.hole] n (1726): a hole in a board or tree trunk where
          a knot or branch has come out

   knotted
          [knot.ted] adj (12c) 1: tied in or with a knot 2: full of
          knots: gnarled 3: knotty 4: ornamented with knots or
          knobs

   knotty
          [knot.ty] adj knot.ti.er ; -est (13c): marked by or full
          of knots; esp: so full of difficulties and complications
          as to be likely to defy solution <a ~ problem> syn see
          complex -- knot.ti.ness n

   knotty pine
          [knotty pine] n (ca. 1898): pine wood that has a decorative
          distribution of knots and is used esp. for interior finish

   knotweed
          [knot.weed] n (1884): any of several herbs (genus Polygonum)
          of the buckwheat family with leaves and bracts jointed
          and having a very short petiole; broadly: polygonum

   knout
          [knout] n [Russ knut, of Scand origin; akin to ON knutr knot;
          akin to OE cnotta] (1716): a whip used for flogging --
          knout vt

   [1]know
          [know] vb knew ; known ; know.ing [ME, fr. OE cnawan; akin
          to OHG bichnaan to recognize, L gnoscere, noscere to
          come to know, Gk gignoskein] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): to
          perceive directly: have direct cognition of (2): to have
          understanding of <importance of ~ing oneself> (3): to
          recognize the nature of: discern b (1): to recognize
          as being the same as something previously known (2):
          to be acquainted or familiar with (3): to have experience
          of 2 a: to be aware of the truth or factuality of: be
          convinced or certain of b: to have a practical understanding
          of <~s how to write> 3 archaic: to have sexual intercourse
          with ~ vi 1: to have knowledge 2: to be or become
          cognizant--sometimes used interjectionally with you esp.
          as a filler in informal speech -- know.able adj -- know.er
          n -- know from : to have knowledge of <didn't know from sibling
          rivalry --Penny Marshall> [2]know n (1592): knowledge -- in the
          know : in possession of exclusive knowledge or information;
          broadly: well-informed

   know-all
          [know-all] n (ca. 1864) chiefly Brit: know-it-all

   know-how
          [know-how] n (1838): knowledge of how to do something smoothly
          and efficiently: expertise

   [1]knowing
          [know.ing] n (14c): acquaintance, cognizance [2]knowing adj
          (14c) 1: having or reflecting knowledge, information,
          or intelligence 2: shrewdly and keenly alert: astute
          3: cognitive 4: deliberate <~ interference in the affairs
          of another> -- know.ing.ly adv -- know.ing.ness n

   know-it-all
          [know-it-all] n (1895): one who claims to know everything;
          also: one who disdains advice -- know-it-all adj

   knowledge
          [knowl.edge] n [ME knowlege, fr. knowlechen to acknowledge,
          irreg. fr. knowen] (14c) 1 obs: cognizance 2 a (1): the
          fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity
          gained through experience or association (2): acquaintance
          with or understanding of a science, art, or technique
          b (1): the fact or condition of being aware of something
          (2): the range of one's information or understanding
          <answered to the best of my ~> c: the circumstance or
          condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning:
          cognition d: the fact or condition of having information
          or of being learned <a man of unusual ~> 3 archaic: sexual
          intercourse 4 a: the sum of what is known: the body of
          truth, information, and principles acquired by mankind
          b archaic: a branch of learning syn knowledge, learning,
          erudition, scholarship mean what is or can be known by
          an individual or by mankind. knowledge applies to facts
          or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation,
          or experience <rich in the knowledge of human nature>.
          learning applies to knowledge acquired esp. through formal,
          often advanced, schooling <a book that demonstrates vast
          learning>. erudition strongly implies the acquiring of
          profound, recondite, or bookish learning <an erudition
          unusual even in a scholar>. scholarship implies the possession
          of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in
          a specialized field of study or investigation <a work
          of first-rate literary scholarship>.

   knowledgeable
          [knowl.edge.able] adj (1829): having or exhibiting knowledge
          or intelligence: keen -- knowl.edge.abil.i.ty n --
          knowl.edge.able.ness n -- knowl.edge.ably adv

   knowledge engineering
          [knowledge engineering] n (1980): a branch of artificial
          intelligence that emphasizes the development and use
          of expert systems -- knowledge engineer n

   known
          [known] adj (13c): familiar: generally recognized <a ~ authority
          on art>

   know-nothing
          [know-noth.ing] n (1827) 1 a: ignoramus b: agnostic 2 cap
          K&N: a member of a 19th century secret American political
          organization hostile to the political influence of recent
          immigrants and Roman Catholics

   know-nothingism
          [know-noth.ing.ism] n (1854) 1 cap K&N: the principles and
          policies of the Know-Nothings 2: the condition of knowing
          nothing or desiring to know nothing or the conviction
          that nothing can be known with certainty esp. in religion
          or morality 3 often cap K&N: a mid-twentieth century
          political attitude characterized by anti-intellectualism,
          exaggerated patriotism, and fear of foreign subversive
          influences

   knubby
          [knub.by] var of nubby

   [1]knuckle
          [knuck.le] n [ME knokel; akin to MHG knochel knuckle] (14c)
          1 a: the rounded prominence formed by the ends of the
          two adjacent bones at a joint--used esp. of those at
          the joints of the fingers b: the joint of a knuckle 2:
          a cut of meat consisting of the tarsal or carpal joint
          with the adjoining flesh 3: something resembling a knuckle:
          as a (1): one of the joining parts of a hinge through
          which a pin or rivet passes (2): knuckle joint b: the
          meeting of two surfaces at a sharp angle (as in a roof)
          c: a pivotal point 4 pl: a set of metal finger rings
          or guards attached to a transverse piece and worn over
          the front of the doubled fist for use as a weapon--called
          also brass knuckles -- knuck.led adj [2]knuckle vb knuck.led
          ; knuck.ling vi (1740): to place the knuckles on the
          ground in shooting a marble ~ vt: to press or rub with
          the knuckles

   knuckleball
          [knuck.le.ball] n (1910): a baseball pitch in which the ball
          is gripped with the knuckles or the tips of the fingers
          pressed against the top and thrown with little speed
          or spin -- knuck.le.ball.er n

   knucklebone
          [knuck.le.bone] n (1577) 1: a bone (as a metatarsus or metacarpus
          of a sheep) used in games and formerly in divination
          2 pl but sing in constr: a game played with knucklebones
          or jacks

   knuckle down
          [knuckle down] vi (ca. 1864): to apply oneself earnestly

   knuckle-duster
          [knuck.le-dust.er] n (1858): knuckle 4

   knucklehead
          [knuck.le.head] n (1942): dumbbell 2 -- knuck.le.head.ed
          adj

   knuckle joint
          [knuckle joint] n (ca. 1864): a hinge joint in which a projection
          with an eye on one piece enters a jaw between two corresponding
          projections with eyes on another piece and is retained
          by a pin or rivet

   knuckler
          [knuck.ler] n (1928): knuckleball

   knuckle under
          [knuckle under] vi (1869): give in, submit

   knur
          [knur] n [ME knorre; akin to MHG knorre burl] (14c): a hard
          excrescence (as on a tree trunk): gnarl

   knurl
          [knurl] n [prob. blend of knur and gnarl] (1608) 1: a small
          protuberance, excrescence, or knob 2: one of a series
          of small ridges or beads on a metal surface to aid in
          gripping -- knurled adj -- knurly adj

   ko...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]KO
          [KO] n [knock out] (1922): knockout [2]KO vt KO'd ; KO'.ing
          (1926): to knock out (as in boxing)

   koa
          [koa] n [Hawaiian] (1850) 1: a Hawaiian timber tree (Acacia
          koa) with crescent-shaped leaves and white flowers borne
          in small round heads 2: the fine-grained red wood of
          the koa used esp. for furniture

   koala
          [ko.ala] n [Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of the
          Port Jackson area) gulawang] (1803): an Australian arboreal
          marsupial (Phascolarctos cinereus) that has a broad head,
          large hairy ears, dense gray fur, and sharp claws and
          feeds on eucalyptus leaves--called also koala bear

   koan
          [ko.an] n [Jp koan, fr. ko public + an proposition] (1945):
          a paradox to be meditated upon that is used to train
          Zen Buddhist monks to abandon ultimate dependence on
          reason and to force them into gaining sudden intuitive
          enlightenment

   kobo
          [ko.bo] n, pl kobo [alter. of [1]copper] (1972): a monetary
          unit of Nigeria equal to 1/100 naira

   kobold
          [ko.bold] n [G--more at cobalt] (1830) 1: a gnome that in
          German folklore inhabits underground places 2: an often
          mischievous domestic spirit of German folklore

   Kodiak bear
          [Ko.di.ak bear] n [Kodiak Island, Alaska] (1899): a large
          brown bear of the southern coast of Alaska and adjacent
          islands

   kohl
          [kohl] n [Ar kuhl] (1799): a preparation used esp. in Arabia
          and Egypt to darken the edges of the eyelids

   kohlrabi
          [kohl.ra.bi] n, pl -bies [G, fr. It cavolo rapa, fr. cavolo
          cabbage + rapa turnip] (1807): any of a race of cabbages
          (Brassica oleracea gongylodes) having a greatly enlarged,
          fleshy, turnip-shaped edible stem

   koi
          [koi] n, pl koi [Jp] (1727): a carp (Cyprinus carpio) bred
          esp. in Japan for large size and a variety of colors
          and often stocked in ornamental ponds

   koine
          [koi.ne] n [Gk koine, fr. fem. of koinos common] (1909) 1
          cap: the Greek language commonly spoken and written in
          eastern Mediterranean countries in the Hellenistic and
          Roman periods 2: a dialect or language of a region that
          has become the common or standard language of a larger
          area

   kokanee
          [ko.kan.ee] n [perh. fr. Shuswap (Salishan language of British
          Columbia) keknaexw] (1875): a small landlocked sockeye
          salmon--called also kokanee salmon

   kok-saghyz
          [kok-sa.ghyz] or kok-sa.gyz n [Russ kok-sagyz] (1932): a
          perennial Asian dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) cultivated
          for its fleshy roots that have a high rubber content

   kola
          [ko.la] var of cola

   kola nut
          [ko.la nut] n [kola, perh. modif. of Malinke kolo kola nut]
          (1868): the bitter caffeine-containing chestnut-sized
          seed of a kola tree used esp. as a masticatory and in
          beverages

   kola tree
          [kola tree] n (1937): an African tree (genus Cola, esp. C.
          nitida and C. acuminata of the family Sterculiaceae)
          cultivated in various tropical areas for its kola nuts

   kolinsky
          [ko.lin.sky] n, pl -skies [origin unknown] (1851) 1: any
          of several Asian minks (esp. Mustela siberica) 2: the
          fur or pelt of a kolinsky

   kolkhoz
          [kol.khoz] n, pl kol.kho.zy or kol.khoz.es [Russ, fr. kollektivnoe
          khozyaistvo collective farm] (1921): a collective farm of the
          U.S.S.R.

   kolkhoznik
          [kol.khoz.nik] n, pl -ni.ki or -niks [Russ, fr. kolkhoz +
          -nik, agent suffix] (1944): a member of a kolkhoz

   Kol Nidre
          [Kol Ni.dre] n [Aram kol nidhre all the vows; fr. the opening
          phrase of the prayer] (1881): a formula for the annulment
          of private vows chanted in the synagogue on the eve of
          Yom Kippur

   kolo
          [ko.lo] n, pl kolos [Serbo-Croatian, lit., circle, wheel;
          akin to Gk kyklos circle--more at wheel] (1910): a central
          European folk dance in which dancers form a circle and
          progress slowly to right or left while one or more dancers
          perform elaborate steps in the center

   komatik
          [ko.mat.ik] n [Inuit qamutik] (ca. 1824): an Eskimo sledge
          with wooden runners and crossbars lashed with rawhide

   Komodo dragon
          [Ko.mo.do dragon] n [Komodo Island, Indonesia] (1927): an
          Indonesian monitor lizard (Varanus komodoensis) that
          is the largest of all known lizards and may attain a
          length of 10 feet (3 meters)

   komondor
          [ko.mon.dor] n, pl -dors or -dor.ok [Hung] (1931): any of
          a breed of large powerful shaggy-coated white dogs of
          Hungarian origin that are used to guard sheep

   Komsomol
          [Kom.so.mol] n [Russ, fr. Kommunisticheskii Soyuz Molodezhi
          Communist Union of Youth] (1925): a Russian Communist
          youth organization

   Kongo
          [Kon.go] n, pl Kongo or Kongos (ca. 1902) 1: a member of
          a Bantu people of the lower Congo river 2: the Bantu
          language of the Kongo people

   Konkani
          [Kon.ka.ni] n [Marathi Konkani] (1873): an Indo-Aryan language
          of the west coast of India

   koodoo
          [koo.doo] var of kudu

   kook
          [kook] n [by shortening & alter. fr. cuckoo] (1960): one
          whose ideas or actions are eccentric, fantastic, or insane:
          screwball

   kookaburra
          [kook.a.bur.ra] n [Wiradhuri (Australian aboriginal language
          of central New South Wales) gugubarra] (1834): a brownish
          kingfisher (Dacelo novaeguineae syn. D. gigas) of Australia
          that is about the size of a crow and has a call resembling
          loud laughter--called also laughing jackass

   kooky
          [kooky] also kook.ie adj kook.i.er ; -est (1959): having
          the characteristics of a kook: crazy, offbeat -- kook.i.ness
          n

   kopeck
          [ko.peck] or ko.pek n [Russ kopeika] (1698): a monetary unit
          of Russia equal to 1/100 ruble

   koph
          [koph] var of qoph

   kopje
          [kop.je] or kop.pie n [Afrik koppie] (1848): a small hill
          esp. on the African veld

   kor
          [kor] var of cor

   Kor
          [Kor] abbreviation Korea, Korean

   Koran
          [Ko.ran] n [Ar qur'an] (ca. 1615): the book composed of sacred
          writings accepted by Muslims as revelations made to Muhammad
          by Allah through the angel Gabriel -- Ko.ran.ic adj

   Korat
          [Ko.rat] n [Korat province, Thailand] (1967): any of a breed
          of shorthaired domestic cats originating in Thailand
          and having a heart-shaped face, a silver-blue coat, and
          green eyes

   kore
          [ko.re] n, pl ko.rai [Gk kore girl; akin to Gk koros boy--more
          at crescent] (1920): an ancient Greek statue of a clothed
          young woman standing with feet together

   Korean
          [Ko.re.an] n (1600) 1: a native or inhabitant of Korea 2:
          the language of the Korean people -- Korean adj

   koruna
          [ko.ru.na] n, pl ko.ru.ny or korunas or ko.run [Czech, lit.,
          crown, fr. L corona--more at crown] (1930): the basic
          monetary unit of the Czech Republic and Slovakia

   [1]kosher
          [ko.sher] adj [Yiddish, fr. Heb kasher fit, proper] (1851)
          1 a: sanctioned by Jewish law; esp: ritually fit for
          use <~ meat> b: selling or serving food ritually fit
          according to Jewish law <a ~ restaurant> 2: being proper,
          acceptable, or satisfactory <found things going on that
          were not ~ --Homer Bigart> [2]kosher vt ko.shered ; ko.sher.ing
          (1871): to make kosher [3]kosher n (1886): the observance
          of kosher practices--used in the phrase keep kosher

   koto
          [ko.to] n [Jp] (1795): a long Japanese zither having 13 silk
          strings

   koumiss
          [kou.miss] n [Russ kumys, of Turkic origin; akin to Turk
          kimiz koumiss] (1598): a beverage of fermented mare's
          milk made orig. by the nomadic peoples of central Asia

   kouprey
          [kou.prey] n [Khmer ko:prey] (1940): a short-haired ox (Bos
          sauveli) of forests of Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam
          having a large dewlap

   kouros
          [kou.ros] n, pl kou.roi [Gk kouros, koros boy--more at crescent]
          (1920): an ancient Greek statue of a nude male youth
          standing with the left leg forward and arms at the sides

   [1]kowtow
          [kow.tow] n [Chin (Beijing) koutou, fr. kou to knock + tou
          head] (1804): an act of kowtowing [2]kowtow vi (1826)
          1: to show obsequious deference: fawn 2: to kneel and
          touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage,
          worship, or deep respect

   kp...
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   KP
          [KP] n [kitchen police] (1918) 1: an enlisted man detailed
          to assist the cooks in a military mess 2: the work of
          KPs

   kPa
          [kPa] abbreviation kilopascal

   kpc
          [kpc] abbreviation kiloparsec

   kph
          [kph] abbreviation kilometers per hour

   kr...
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   Kr
          [Kr] abbreviation krypton

   [1]kraal
          [kraal] n [Afrik, fr. Pg curral pen for cattle, enclosure,
          fr. (assumed) VL currale enclosure for vehicles--more
          at corral] (1731) 1 a: a village of southern African
          natives b: the native village community 2: an enclosure
          for animals esp. in southern Africa [2]kraal vt (1827):
          to pen in a kraal

   kraft
          [kraft] n, often attrib [G, lit., strength, fr. OHG--more
          at craft] (1906): a strong paper or paperboard made from
          wood pulp produced from wood chips boiled in an alkaline
          solution containing sodium sulfate

   krait
          [krait] n [Hindi karait] (1874): any of a genus (Bungarus)
          of brightly banded extremely venomous nocturnal elapid
          snakes of Pakistan, India, southeastern Asia, and adjacent
          islands

   kraken
          [kra.ken] n [Norw dial.] (1755): a fabulous Scandinavian
          sea monster

   krater
          [kra.ter] n [Gk krater--more at crater] (ca. 1736): a jar
          or vase of classical antiquity having a large round body
          and a wide mouth and used for mixing wine and water

   kraut
          [kraut] n [G, cabbage, fr. OHG krut] (1855) 1: sauerkraut
          2 often cap: german--usu. used disparagingly

   Krebs cycle
          [Krebs cycle] n [H. A. Krebs] (1941): a sequence of reactions
          in the living organism in which oxidation of acetic acid
          or acetyl equivalent provides energy for storage in phosphate
          bonds (as in ATP)--called also citric acid cycle, tricarboxylic
          acid cycle

   kremlin
          [krem.lin] n [obs. G Kremelien the citadel of Moscow, ultim.
          fr. ORuss kremli] (1662) 1: the citadel of a Russian
          city 2 cap [the Kremlin, citadel of Moscow and seat of
          government of Russia and formerly of the U.S.S.R.]: the
          Russian government

   kremlinology
          [krem.lin.ol.o.gy] n, often cap (1958): the study of the
          policies and practices of the Soviet government --
          krem.lin.ol.o.gist n, often cap

   kreplach
          [krep.lach] n [Yiddish kreplekh, pl. of krepl filled dumpling]
          (ca. 1892): square or triangular dumplings filled with
          ground meat or cheese, boiled or fried, and usu. served
          in soup

   kreuzer
          [kreu.zer] n [G, fr. Kreuz cross; fr. its markings] (1547):
          a small coin formerly used in Austria and Germany

   krill
          [krill] n [Norw kril fry of fish] (1907): planktonic crustaceans
          and larvae (order Euphausiacea) that constitute the principal
          food of baleen whales

   krimmer
          [krim.mer] n [G, fr. Krim Crimea] (1834): a gray fur made
          from the pelts of young lambs of the Crimean Peninsula
          region

   Krio
          [Krio] n [Krio, speaker of Krio, Krio language, perh. fr.
          Yoruba Kiriyo Christian, ultim. fr. Pg crioulo Creole]
          (1955): an English-based creole spoken in Sierra Leone

   kris
          [kris] n [Malay keris] (ca. 1580): a Malay or Indonesian
          dagger with a ridged serpentine blade

   Krishna
          [Krish.na] n [Skt Krsna] (1864): a deity or deified hero
          of later Hinduism worshiped as an incarnation of Vishnu

   Krishnaism
          [Krish.na.ism] n (1885): a widespread form of Hindu religion
          characterized by the worship of Krishna

   Kriss Kringle
          [Kriss Krin.gle] n [modif. of G Christkindl Christ child,
          Christmas gift, dim. of Christkind Christ child] (1830):
          santa claus

   [1]krona
          [kro.na] n, pl kro.nor [Sw, lit., crown] (1875): the basic
          monetary unit of Sweden [2]kro.na n, pl kro.nur [Icel
          krona, lit., crown] (1886): the basic monetary unit of
          Iceland

   [1]krone
          [kro.ne] n, pl kro.ner [Dan, lit., crown] (1885): the basic
          monetary unit of Denmark and Norway [2]kro.ne n, pl kro.nen
          [G, lit., crown] (1895) 1: the basic monetary unit of
          Austria from 1892 to 1925 2: a coin representing one
          krone

   Kronecker delta
          [Kro.neck.er delta] n [Leopold Kronecker d. 1891 Ger.
          mathematician] (1926): a function of two variables that is 1 when
          the variables have the same value and is 0 when they have different
          values

   Krugerrand
          [Kru.ger.rand] n [S.J.P. Kruger + rand] (1967): a one-ounce
          gold coin of the Republic of So. Africa

   krummholz
          [krumm.holz] n, pl krummholz [G, fr. krumm crooked + Holz
          wood] (1903): stunted forest characteristic of timberline

   krummhorn
          [krumm.horn] also krum.horn n [G Krummhorn, fr. krumm curved
          + Horn horn] (ca. 1696): a Renaissance double-reed woodwind
          instrument consisting of a curved boxwood tube and having
          a pierced cap covering the reed

   krypton
          [kryp.ton] n [Gk, neut. of kryptos hidden--more at crypt]
          (1898): a colorless relatively inert gaseous element
          found in air at about one part per million and used esp.
          in electric lamps

   ks...
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   KS
          [KS] abbreviation Kansas, Kaposi's sarcoma

   Kshatriya
          [Ksha.tri.ya] n [Skt ksatriya, fr. ksatra dominion--more
          at check] (1794): a Hindu of an upper caste traditionally
          assigned to governing and military occupations

   kt...
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   kt
          [kt] abbreviation karat, knight, knot  KT abbreviation kiloton

   ktema es aei
          [kte.ma es aei] [Gk] foreign term : a possession for ever--applied
          to a work of art or literature of enduring significance

   ku...
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   Kuchean
          [Ku.che.an] n [Kuche, Kucha, Sinkiang, China] (ca. 1934):
          tocharian b

   kuchen
          [ku.chen] n, pl kuchen [G, cake, fr. OHG kuocho--more at
          cake] (1854): any of various coffee cakes made from sweet
          yeast dough

   kudo
          [ku.do] n, pl kudos [back-formation fr. kudos (taken as a
          pl.)] (1926) 1: award, honor <a score of honorary degrees
          and ... other ~s --Time> 2: compliment, praise <to all
          three should go some kind of special ~ for refusing to
          succumb --Al Hine> usage Some commentators hold that
          since kudos is a singular word it cannot be used as a
          plural and that the word kudo is impossible. But kudo
          does exist; it is simply one of the most recent words
          created by back-formation from another word misunderstood
          as a plural. Kudos was introduced into English in the
          19th century; it was used in contexts where a reader
          unfamiliar with Greek could not be sure whether it was
          singular or plural. By the 1920s it began to appear as
          a plural, and about 25 years later kudo began to appear.
          It may have begun as a misunderstanding, but then so
          did cherry and pea.

   kudos
          [ku.dos] n [Gk kydos] (1831) 1: fame and renown resulting
          from an act or achievement: prestige 2: praise given
          for achievement

   kudu
          [ku.du] n, pl kudu or kudus [Afrik koedoe] (1777): a large
          grayish brown African antelope (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
          with large annulated spirally twisted horns; also: a
          related antelope (T. imberbis)

   kudzu
          [kud.zu] n [Jp kuzu] (1876): an Asian leguminous vine (Pueraria
          lobata syn. P. thunbergiana) that is used for forage
          and erosion control and that is often a serious weed
          in the southeastern U.S.

   kugel
          [ku.gel] n [Yiddish kugl, fr. MHG kugel ball--more at cudgel]
          (1846): a baked pudding (as of potatoes or noodles) usu.
          served as a side dish

   Ku Kluxer
          [Ku Klux.er] n (1880): a member of the Ku Klux Klan -- Ku
          Klux.ism n

   Ku Klux Klan
          [Ku Klux Klan] n (1867) 1: a post-Civil War secret society
          advocating white supremacy 2: a 20th century secret fraternal
          group held to confine its membership to American-born
          white Christians

   kulak
          [ku.lak] n [Russ, lit., fist] (1877) 1: a prosperous or wealthy
          peasant farmer in 19th century Russia 2: a farmer characterized
          by Communists as having excessive wealth

   kultur
          [kul.tur] n, often cap [G, fr. L cultura culture] (1914)
          1: culture 5 2: culture emphasizing practical efficiency
          and individual subordination to the state 3: German culture
          held to be superior esp. by militant Nazi and Hohenzollern
          expansionists

   Kulturkampf
          [Kul.tur.kampf] n [G, fr. Kultur + Kampf conflict] (1879):
          conflict between civil government and religious authorities
          esp. over control of education and church appointments

   kumiss
          [ku.miss] var of koumiss

   kummel
          [kum.mel] n [G, lit., caraway seed, fr. OHG kumin cumin]
          (1864): a colorless liqueur flavored principally with
          caraway seeds

   kumquat
          [kum.quat] n [Chin (Guangdong) gam-gwat, fr. gam gold + gwat
          citrus fruit] (1699): any of several small yellow to
          orange citrus fruits with sweet spongy rind and somewhat
          acid pulp that are used chiefly for preserves; also:
          a tree or shrub (genus Fortunella) of the rue family
          that bears kumquats

   kundalini
          [kun.da.li.ni] n, often cap [Skt kundalini, fr. fem. of kundalin
          circular, coiled, fr. kundala ring] (1905): the yogic
          life force that is held to lie coiled at the base of
          the spine until it is aroused and sent to the head to
          trigger enlightenment

   Kung
          [Kung] n, pl Kung (1926) 1: a member of a people of southern
          Africa--usu. preceded in writing by ] 2: the Khoisan
          language of the ]Kung people--usu. preceded in writing
          by ]

   kung fu
          [kung fu] n [Chin (Beijing) gongfu skill, art] (1966): any
          of various Chinese arts of self-defense like karate

   kunzite
          [kunz.ite] n [G. F. Kunz d. 1932 Am. gem expert] (1903):
          a spodumene that occurs in pinkish lilac crystals and
          is used as a gem

   Kurd
          [Kurd] n (1595): a member of a pastoral and agricultural
          people who inhabit a plateau region in adjoining parts
          of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
          -- Kurd.ish adj

   Kurdish
          [Kurdish] n (1813): the Iranian language of the Kurds

   Kurdistan
          [Kur.di.stan] n [Kurdistan, Asia] (1904): an Oriental rug
          woven by the Kurds and noted for fine colors

   kurgan
          [kur.gan] n [Russ, of Turkic origin; akin to Turk kurgan
          fortress, castle] (1889): a burial mound of eastern Europe
          or Siberia

   kurrajong
          [kur.ra.jong] n [Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of
          the Port Jackson area) garajung] (1823): any of several
          Australian trees or shrubs (family Sterculiaceae) having
          strong bast fiber used by Australian aborigines; esp:
          a widely planted shelter and forage tree (Brachychiton
          populneum)

   kurtosis
          [kur.to.sis] n [Gk kyrtosis convexity, fr. kyrtos convex--more
          at curve] (1905): the peakedness or flatness of the graph
          of a frequency distribution esp. with respect to the
          concentration of values near the mean as compared with
          the normal distribution

   kuru
          [ku.ru] n [Fore (language of eastern highland Papua New Guinea)]
          (1957): a rare progressive fatal encephalopathy that
          is caused by a slow virus, resembles Creutzfeldt-Jakob
          disease, and occurs among tribesmen in eastern New Guinea

   kurus
          [ku.rus] n, pl kurus [Turk kurus] (1882): a monetary unit
          of Turkey equal to 1/100 lira

   Kutenai
          [Ku.te.nai] n, pl Kutenai or Kutenais (1801) 1: a member
          of an American Indian people of the Rocky Mountains in
          both the U.S. and Canada 2: the language of the Kutenai
          people

   kv...
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   kV
          [kV] abbreviation kilovolt

   kvass
          [kvass] n [Russ kvas] (ca. 1553): a slightly alcoholic beverage
          of eastern Europe made from fermented mixed cereals and
          often flavored

   [1]kvetch
          [kvetch] vi [Yiddish kvetshn, lit., to squeeze, pinch, fr.
          MHG quetschen] (ca. 1952): to complain habitually: gripe
          [2]kvetch n (1964) 1: an habitual complainer 2: complaint
          1 -- kvetchy adj

   kw...
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   kW
          [kW] abbreviation kilowatt

   Kwa
          [Kwa] n (1857): a branch of the Niger-Congo language family
          that is spoken along the African coast and its hinterland
          from the Ivory Coast to southwestern Nigeria

   kwacha
          [kwa.cha] n, pl kwacha [Bemba or Chichewa (Bantu language
          of Malawi), lit., it dawns] (1966): the basic monetary
          unit of Malawi and Zambia

   Kwakiutl
          [Kwa.ki.utl] n, pl Kwakiutl (1848) 1: a member of an American
          Indian people of the Canadian Pacific coast 2: the language
          of the Kwakiutl people

   kwanza
          [kwan.za] n, pl kwanzas or kwanza [Kwanza (Cuanza), river
          in Angola] (1978): the basic monetary unit of Angola
          Kwan.za or Kwan.zaa n [Swahili kwanza first] (1972):
          an African-American festival held in late December

   kwashiorkor
          [kwash.i.or.kor] n [Ga (Kwa language of coastal Ghana) kwashioko
          influence a child is said to be under when a second child
          comes] (1935): severe malnutrition in infants and children
          that is caused by a diet high in carbohydrate and low
          in protein

   kWh
          [kWh] abbreviation kilowatt-hour

   KWIC
          [KWIC] n [keyword in context] (1959): a computer-generated
          index alphabetized on a keyword that appears within a
          brief context

   ky...
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   Ky
          [Ky] or KY abbreviation Kentucky

   kyack
          [ky.ack] n [origin unknown] (1901): a packsack to be swung
          on either side of a packsaddle

   kyanite
          [ky.a.nite] n [G Zyanit, fr. Gk kyanos dark blue enamel,
          lapis lazuli] (1794): an aluminum silicate that occurs
          usu. in blue thin-bladed triclinic crystals and crystalline
          aggregates and is sometimes used as a gemstone

   kyat
          [kyat] n [Burmese cyat] (1952): the basic monetary unit of
          Myanmar

   kybosh
          [ky.bosh] chiefly Brit var of kibosh

   kymogram
          [ky.mo.gram] n [ISV] (1923): a record made by a kymograph

   kymograph
          [ky.mo.graph] n [Gk kyma wave + ISV -graph--more at cyme]
          (1872): a device which graphically records motion or
          pressure (as of blood) -- ky.mo.graph.ic adj -- ky.mog.ra.phy
          n

   Kymric
          [Kym.ric] var of cymric

   kyphosis
          [ky.pho.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk kyphosis, fr. kyphos humpbacked]
          (1847): abnormal backward curvature of the spine -- ky.phot.ic
          adj

   kyrie
          [ky.rie] n, often cap [ME, fr. ML, fr. LL kyrie eleison,
          transliteration of Gk kyrie eleeson Lord, have mercy]
          (14c): a short liturgical prayer that begins with or
          consists of the words "Lord, have mercy"

   kyrie eleison
          [ky.rie elei.son] n, often cap K&E (13c): kyrie

   kyte
          [kyte] n [prob. fr. LG kut bowel] (ca. 1540) chiefly Scot:
          belly 1, 2

   kythe
          [kythe] var of kithe

   l...
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   l
          [l] abbreviation lady, lake, lambert, land, large, late,
          left, [L libra] pound; line, liquid, lira, lire, liter,
          little, low  L abbreviation Lagrangian, Latin, long

   l
          [l] n, pl l's or ls often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 12th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic l 2: fifty in Roman numerals 3: a graphic
          device for reproducing the letter l 4: one designated
          l esp. as the 12th in order or class 5: something shaped
          like the letter L; specif: [2]ell 1 6: [2]el

   l-
          [l-] prefix [ISV, fr. lev-] 1: levorotatory <l-tartaric acid>
          2: having a similar configuration at a selected carbon
          atom to the configuration of levorotatory glyceraldehyde--usu.
          printed as a small capital <l-fructose>

   L-asparaginase
          [L-as.par.a.gi.nase] n (1962): an enzyme that breaks down
          the physiologically commoner form of asparagine, is obtained
          esp. from bacteria, and is used esp. to treat leukemia

   L-dopa
          [L-do.pa] n (1939): the levorotatory form of dopa that is
          obtained esp. from broad beans or prepared synthetically,
          stimulates the production of dopamine in the brain, and
          is used in treating Parkinson's disease

   l'etat, c'est moi
          [l'etat, c'est moi] [F] foreign term : the state, it is I

   l'etoile du nord
          [l'etoile du nord] [F] foreign term : the star of the north--motto
          of Minnesota

   L-form
          [L-form] n [Lister Institute, London, where it was first
          isolated] (1948): a variant bacterium formed esp. under
          stressful conditions and usu. lacking a cell wall

   l'union fait la force
          [l'union fait la force] [F] foreign term : union makes
          strength--motto of Belgium

   la...
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   [1]la
          [la] interj [ME (northern dial.), fr. OE la] (bef. 12c) chiefly
          dial--used for emphasis or expressing surprise [2]la
          n [ME, fr. ML, fr. the syllable sung to this note in
          a medieval hymn to St. John the Baptist] (14c): the 6th
          tone of the diatonic scale in solmization

   La
          [La] abbreviation lanthanum, Louisiana  LA abbreviation law
          agent, legislative assistant, Los Angeles, Louisiana

   laager
          [laa.ger] n [obs. Afrik lager (now laer), fr. G Lager, fr.
          OHG legar couch--more at lair] (1850) 1 SoAfr: camp;
          esp: an encampment protected by a circle of wagons or
          armored vehicles 2: a defensive position, policy, or
          attitude -- laager vi

   laari
          [laa.ri] n, pl laari [prob. fr. Divehi (Indo-Aryan language
          of the Maldive Islands), fr. Pers lari piece of silver
          wire used as currency] (1983)--see rufiyaa at money table

   Lab
          [Lab] abbreviation Labrador

   lab
          [lab] n (ca. 1895): laboratory Lab n (1957): labrador retriever

   labanotation
          [la.ba.no.ta.tion] n [Rudolf Laban d. 1958 Hung. dance theorist
          + E notation] (1952): a method of recording bodily movement
          (as in dance) on a staff by means of symbols (as of direction)
          that can be aligned with musical accompaniment

   labarum
          [lab.a.rum] n [LL] (1606): an imperial standard of the later
          Roman emperors resembling the vexillum; esp: the standard
          bearing the Chi-Rho adopted by Constantine after his
          conversion to Christianity

   labdanum
          [lab.da.num] n [ML lapdanum] (14c): a soft dark fragrant
          bitter oleoresin derived from various rockroses (genus
          Cistus) and used in making perfumes

   [1]label
          [la.bel] n [ME, fr. MF] (14c) 1 archaic: band, fillet; specif:
          one attached to a document to hold an appended seal 2:
          a heraldic charge that consists of a narrow horizontal
          band with usu. three pendants 3 a: a slip (as of paper
          or cloth) inscribed and affixed to something for identification
          or description b: written or printed matter accompanying
          an article to furnish identification or other information
          c: a descriptive or identifying word or phrase: as (1):
          epithet (2): a word or phrase used with a dictionary
          definition to provide additional information d: a usu.
          radioactive isotope used in labeling 4: an adhesive stamp
          (as for postage or revenue) 5 a (1): a brand of commercial
          recordings issued under a usu. trademarked name (2):
          a recording so issued (3): a company issuing such recordings
          b: the brand name of a retail store selling clothing,
          a clothing manufacturer, or a fashion designer [2]label
          vt la.beled or la.belled ; la.bel.ing or la.bel.ling
          (1601) 1 a: to affix a label to b: to describe or designate
          with or as if with a label 2 a: to distinguish (an element
          or atom) by using an isotope distinctive in some manner
          (as in mass or radioactivity) b: to distinguish (as a
          compound or cell) by introducing a traceable constituent
          (as a dye or labeled atom) -- la.bel.able adj -- la.bel.er
          n

   la belle dame sans merci
          [la belle dame sans mer.ci] [F] foreign term : the beautiful
          lady without mercy

   labellum
          [la.bel.lum] n, pl la.bel.la [NL, fr. L, dim. of labrum lip--more
          at lip] (1830) 1: the median and usu. most morphologically
          distinct member of the corolla of an orchid 2: a terminal
          part of the labium or labrum of various insects

   labia
          [labia] pl of labium

   [1]labial
          [la.bi.al] adj [ML labialis, fr. L labium lip] (1594) 1:
          uttered with the participation of one or both lips <~
          sounds> 2: of, relating to, or situated near the lips
          or labia -- la.bi.al.ly adv [2]labial n (1668): a labial
          consonant

   labialize
          [la.bi.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1867): to make labial:
          round 1b(2) -- la.bi.al.i.za.tion n

   labia majora
          [la.bia ma.jo.ra] n pl [NL, lit., larger lips] (1838): the
          outer fatty folds of the vulva bounding the vestibule

   labia minora
          [labia mi.no.ra] n pl [NL, lit., smaller lips] (1838): the
          inner highly vascular largely connective-tissue folds
          of the vulva bounding the vestibule

   [1]labiate
          [la.bi.ate] adj [NL labiatus, fr. L labium] (1706) 1: having
          the limb of a tubular corolla or calyx divided into two
          unequal parts projecting one over the other like lips
          <mints and the snapdragon are ~> 2: of or relating to
          the mint family [2]labiate n (1845): a plant of the mint
          family

   labile
          [la.bile] adj [F, fr. MF, prone to err, fr. LL labilis, fr.
          L labi to slip--more at sleep] (1603) 1: readily or continually
          undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change or
          breakdown: unstable <a ~ mineral> 2: readily open to
          change -- la.bil.i.ty n

   labio-
          [labio-] comb form [L labium]: labial and <labiodental>

   labiodental
          [la.bio.den.tal] adj (1669): uttered with the participation
          of the lip and teeth <~ sounds> -- labiodental n

   labiovelar
          [la.bio.ve.lar] adj [ISV] (1894): both labial and velar <the
          ~ sound /w/> -- labiovelar n

   labium
          [la.bi.um] n, pl la.bia [NL, fr. L, lip--more at lip] (1634)
          1: any of the folds at the margin of the vulva--compare
          labia majora, labia minora 2: the lower lip of a labiate
          corolla 3 a: a lower mouthpart of an insect that is formed
          by the second pair of maxillae united in the middle line
          b: a liplike part of various invertebrates

   [1]labor
          [la.bor] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L labor; perh. akin to L labare
          to totter, labi to slip--more at sleep] (14c) 1 a: expenditure
          of physical or mental effort esp. when difficult or compulsory
          b (1): human activity that provides the goods or services
          in an economy (2): the services performed by workers
          for wages as distinguished from those rendered by entrepreneurs
          for profits c: the physical activities involved in giving
          birth; also: the period of such labor 2: an act or process
          requiring labor: task 3: a product of labor 4 a: an economic
          group comprising those who do manual labor or work for
          wages b (1): workers employed in an establishment (2):
          workers available for employment c: the organizations
          or officials representing groups of workers 5 usu Labour:
          the Labour party of the United Kingdom or of another
          nation of the Commonwealth syn see work [2]labor vb la.bored
          ; la.bor.ing vi (14c) 1: to exert one's powers of body
          or mind esp. with painful or strenuous effort: work 2:
          to move with great effort <the truck ~ed up the hill>
          3: to be in the labor of giving birth 4: to suffer from
          some disadvantage or distress <~ under a delusion> 5
          of a ship: to pitch or roll heavily ~ vt 1 archaic a:
          to spend labor on or produce by labor b: to strive to
          effect or achieve 2: to treat or work out in often laborious
          detail <~ the obvious> 3: distress, burden 4: to cause
          to labor [3]labor adj (1640) 1: of or relating to labor
          2 cap: of, relating to, or constituting a political party
          held to represent the interests of workers or made up
          largely of organized labor groups

   laborare est orare
          [la.bo.ra.re est ora.re] [L] foreign term : to work is to
          pray

   laboratory
          [lab.o.ra.to.ry] n, pl -ries often attrib [ML laboratorium,
          fr. L laborare to labor, fr. labor] (1605) 1 a: a place
          equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing
          and analysis; broadly: a place providing opportunity
          for experimentation, observation, or practice in a field
          of study b: a place like a laboratory for testing, experimentation,
          or practice <the ~ of the mind> 2: an academic period set aside for
          laboratory work

   labor camp
          [labor camp] n (1900) 1: a penal colony where forced labor
          is performed 2: a camp for migratory laborers

   Labor Day
          [Labor Day] n (1886): a day set aside for special recognition
          of working people: as a: the first Monday in September
          observed in the U.S. and Canada as a legal holiday b:
          May 1 in many countries

   labored
          [la.bored] adj (1608): produced or performed with labor <~
          breathing>; also: lacking ease of expression <a ~ speech>

   laborer
          [la.bor.er] n (14c): one that labors; specif: a person who
          does unskilled physical work for wages

   labor force
          [labor force] n (1911): work force

   labor-intensive
          [la.bor-in.ten.sive] adj (1953): having high labor costs
          per unit of output; esp: requiring greater expenditure
          on labor than in capital

   laborious
          [la.bo.ri.ous] adj (14c) 1: devoted to labor: industrious
          2: involving or characterized by hard or toilsome effort:
          labored -- la.bo.ri.ous.ly adv -- la.bo.ri.ous.ness n

   laborite
          [la.bor.ite] n (1889) 1: a member of a group favoring the
          interests of labor 2 cap a: a member of a political party
          devoted chiefly to the interests of labor b usu La.bour.ite
          : a member of the British Labour party

   labor omnia vincit
          [la.bor om.nia vin.cit] [L] foreign term : labor conquers
          all things--motto of Oklahoma

   laborsaving
          [la.bor.sav.ing] adj (ca. 1779): adapted to replace or decrease
          human and esp. manual labor

   labor union
          [labor union] n (1866): an organization of workers formed
          for the purpose of advancing its members' interests in
          respect to wages, benefits, and working conditions

   labour
          [la.bour] chiefly Brit var of labor

   labradorite
          [lab.ra.dor.ite] n [Labrador Peninsula, Canada] (1814): a
          triclinic feldspar showing a play of several colors

   Labrador retriever
          [Lab.ra.dor retriever] n [Labrador, Newfoundland] (1910):
          any of a breed of compact, strongly built retrievers
          largely developed in England from stock originating in
          Newfoundland and having a short dense black, yellow,
          or chocolate coat--called also Lab, Labrador

   Labrador tea
          [Labrador tea] n (1767): a low-growing ericaceous evergreen
          shrub (Ledum groenlandicum) chiefly of northern No. America
          with white or creamy bell-shaped flowers and leaves sometimes
          used in making tea; also: a related Rocky Mountain shrub
          (L. glandulosum)

   labret
          [la.bret] n [L labrum] (1857): an ornament worn in a perforation
          of the lip

   labrum
          [la.brum] n [NL, fr. L, lip, edge--more at lip] (1826): an
          upper or anterior mouthpart of an arthropod consisting
          of a single median piece in front of or above the mandibles

   laburnum
          [la.bur.num] n [NL, fr. L] (1567): any of a small genus (Laburnum
          and esp. L. anagyroides) of poisonous leguminous shrubs
          and trees of Eurasia with pendulous racemes of bright
          yellow flowers

   labyrinth
          [lab.y.rinth] n [ME laborintus, fr. L labyrinthus, fr. Gk
          labyrinthos] (14c) 1 a: a place constructed of or full
          of intricate passageways and blind alleys b: a maze (as
          in a garden) formed by paths separated by high hedges
          2: something extremely complex or tortuous in structure,
          arrangement, or character: intricacy, perplexity <a ~
          of swamps and channels> <guided them through the ~s of
          city life --Paul Blanshard> 3: a tortuous anatomical
          structure; esp: the internal ear or its bony or membranous
          part

   labyrinthian
          [lab.y.rin.thi.an] adj (1588): labyrinthine

   labyrinthine
          [lab.y.rin.thine] adj (1632) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          a labyrinth: intricate, involved 2: of, relating to,
          affecting, or originating in the internal ear <~ lesions>

   labyrinthodont
          [lab.y.rin.tho.dont] n [NL Labyrinthodontia, fr. Gk labyrinthos
          + odont-, odous tooth--more at tooth] (ca. 1852): any
          of a superorder (Labyrinthodontia) of extinct amphibians
          of the Late Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic typically having
          bodies resembling salamanders or crocodiles and considered
          to be the earliest tetrapod vertebrates -- labyrinthodont
          adj

   lac
          [lac] n [Per lak & Hindi lakh, fr. Skt laksa] (1598): a resinous
          substance secreted by a scale insect (Laccifer lacca)
          and used chiefly in the form of shellac

   laccolith
          [lac.co.lith] n [Gk lakkos pond, reservoir + E -lith--more
          at lake] (1879): a mass of igneous rock that is intruded
          between sedimentary beds and produces a domical bulging
          of the overlying strata -- lac.co.lith.ic adj

   [1]lace
          [lace] vb laced ; lac.ing [ME, fr. OF lacier, fr. L laqueare
          to ensnare, fr. laqueus] vt (13c) 1: to draw together
          the edges of by or as if by a lace passed through eyelets
          2: to draw or pass (as a lace) through something (as
          eyelets) 3: to confine or compress by tightening laces
          of a garment 4 a: to adorn with or as if with lace b:
          to mark with streaks of color 5: beat, lash 6 a: to add
          a dash of liquor to b: to add to something to impart
          pungency, savor, or zest <a sauce laced with garlic>
          <conversation laced with sarcasm> c: to adulterate with
          a substance <laced a guard's coffee with a sedative>
          ~ vi: to admit of being tied or fastened with a lace
          -- lac.er n [2]lace n [ME, fr. MF laz, fr. L laqueus
          snare] (14c) 1: a cord or string used for drawing together
          two edges (as of a garment or a shoe) 2: an ornamental
          braid for trimming coats or uniforms 3: an openwork usu.
          figured fabric made of thread or yarn and used for trimmings,
          household coverings, and entire garments -- laced adj
          -- lace.less adj -- lace.like adj

   lace-curtain
          [lace-curtain] adj (1934): copying middle-class attributes:
          aspiring to middle-class standing

   [1]lacerate
          [lac.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME, fr. L laceratus, pp.
          of lacerare to tear; akin to Gk lakis tear] (15c) 1:
          to tear or rend roughly 2: to cause sharp mental or emotional
          pain to: distress -- lac.er.a.tive adj [2]lac.er.ate
          or lac.er.at.ed adj (1542) 1 a: torn jaggedly: mangled
          b: extremely harrowed or distracted 2: having the edges
          deeply and irregularly cut <a ~ petal>

   laceration
          [lac.er.a.tion] n (1597) 1: the act of lacerating 2: a torn
          and ragged wound

   lacewing
          [lace.wing] n (1854): any of various neuropterous insects
          (as genera Chrysopa and Hemerobius) having delicate lacelike
          wing venation, usu. long antennae, and often brilliant
          eyes--called also lacewing fly

   lacework
          [lace.work] n (1849): objects or patterns consisting of or
          resembling lace

   lacey
          [lac.ey] var of lacy

   laches
          [la.ches] n, pl laches [ME lachesse, fr. MF laschesse, fr.
          OF lasche lax, ultim. fr. L laxare to loosen--more at
          lease] (14c): negligence in the observance of duty or
          opportunity; specif: undue delay in asserting a legal
          right or privilege

   lachrymal
          [lach.ry.mal] or lac.ri.mal adj [MF or ML; MF lacrymal, fr.
          ML lacrimalis, fr. L lacrima tear, fr. OL dacrima, prob.
          fr. Gk dakry--more at tear] (15c) 1 usu lacrimal: of,
          relating to, or being glands that produce tears 2: of,
          relating to, or marked by tears

   lachrymose
          [lach.ry.mose] adj [L lacrimosus, fr. lacrima] (ca. 1727)
          1: given to tears or weeping: tearful 2: tending to cause
          tears: mournful -- lach.ry.mose.ly adv -- lach.ry.mos.i.ty
          n

   lacing
          [lac.ing] n (14c) 1: the action of one that laces 2: something
          that laces: lace 3: a contrasting marginal band of color
          (as on a feather) 4 a: a dash of liquor in a food or
          beverage b: a trace or sprinkling that adds spice or
          flavor 5: a decisive defeat

   laciniate
          [la.cin.i.ate] adj [L lacinia flap; akin to L lacerare] (ca.
          1760): bordered with a fringe; esp: cut into deep irregular
          usu. pointed lobes <~ petals> -- la.cin.i.a.tion n

   [1]lack
          [lack] vi (13c) 1: to be deficient or missing <time is ~ing
          for a full explanation> 2: to be short or have need of
          something <he will not ~ for advisers> ~ vt: to stand
          in need of: suffer from the absence or deficiency of
          <~ the necessities of life> [2]lack n [ME lak; akin to
          MD lak lack, ON lakr defective] (14c) 1: the fact or
          state of being wanting or deficient 2: something that
          is lacking or is needed

   lackadaisical
          [lack.a.dai.si.cal] adj [irreg. fr. lackaday + -ical] (1768):
          lacking life, spirit, or zest: languid -- lack.a.dai.si.cal.ly
          adv

   lackaday
          [lack.a.day] interj [by alter. & shortening fr. alack the
          day] (1695) archaic--used to express regret or deprecation

   [1]lackey
          [lack.ey] n, pl lackeys [MF laquais] (1523) 1 a: footman
          2, servant b: someone who does menial tasks or runs errands
          for another 2: a servile follower: toady [2]lackey vb
          lack.eyed ; lack.ey.ing vi (1568) obs: to act as a lackey:
          toady ~ vt: to wait upon or serve obsequiously

   lackluster
          [lack.lus.ter] adj (1600): lacking in sheen, brilliance,
          or vitality: dull, mediocre -- lackluster n

   laconic
          [la.con.ic] adj [L laconicus Spartan, fr. Gk lakonikos; fr.
          the Spartan reputation for terseness of speech] (1589):
          using or involving the use of a minimum of words: concise
          to the point of seeming rude or mysterious syn see concise
          -- la.con.i.cal.ly adv

   laconism
          [lac.o.nism] n (1570) 1: brevity or terseness of expression
          or style 2: a laconic expression

   [1]lacquer
          [lac.quer] n [Pg lacre sealing wax, fr. laca lac, fr. Ar
          lakk, fr. Per lak--more at lac] (1592) 1 a: a spirit
          varnish (as shellac) b: any of various durable natural
          varnishes; esp: a varnish obtained from an Asian sumac
          (Rhus verniciflua)--called also Japanese lacquer 2: any
          of various clear or colored synthetic organic coatings
          that typically dry to form a film by evaporation of the
          solvent; esp: a solution of a cellulose derivative (as
          nitrocellulose) [2]lacquer vt lac.quered ; lac.quer.ing
          (1688) 1: to coat with or as if with lacquer 2: to give
          a smooth finish or appearance to: make glossy -- lac.quer.er
          n

   lacquerware
          [lac.quer.ware] n (1697): a decorative article usu. made
          of wood and coated with lacquer; also: such articles
          or ware collectively

   lacquerwork
          [lac.quer.work] n (ca. 1901): lacquerware

   lacrimae rerum
          [la.cri.mae re.rum] [L] foreign term : tears for things:
          pity for misfortune; also: tears in things: tragedy of
          life

   lacrimation
          [lac.ri.ma.tion] n (1572): the secretion of tears esp. when
          abnormal or excessive

   lacrimator
          [lac.ri.ma.tor] or lach.ry.ma.tor n [L lacrimare to weep,
          fr. lacrima tear--more at lachrymal] (1918): a tear-producing
          substance (as tear gas)

   lacrosse
          [la.crosse] n [CanF la crosse, lit., the crosier] (1718):
          a goal game in which players use a long-handled stick
          that has a triangular head with a mesh pouch for catching,
          carrying, and throwing the ball

   lact-
          [lact-] or lacti- or lacto- comb form [F & L; F, fr. L, fr.
          lact-, lac--more at galaxy] 1: milk <lactoglobulin> 2
          a: lactic acid <lactate> b: lactose <lactase>

   lactalbumin
          [lact.al.bu.min] n [ISV] (ca. 1857): an albumin that is obtained
          from whey and is similar to serum albumin

   lactase
          [lac.tase] n [ISV] (1891): an enzyme that hydrolyzes
          beta-galactosides (as lactose) and occurs esp. in the intestines
          of young mammals and in yeasts

   [1]lactate
          [lac.tate] n (ca. 1794): a salt or ester of lactic acid [2]lactate
          vi lac.tat.ed ; lac.tat.ing [L lactatus, pp. of lactare, fr. lact-,
          lac] (ca. 1889): to secrete milk -- lac.ta.tion n -- lac.ta.tion.al
          adj

   [1]lacteal
          [lac.te.al] adj [L lacteus of milk, fr. lact-, lac] (ca.
          1658) 1: relating to, consisting of, producing, or resembling
          milk 2 a: conveying or containing a milky fluid b: of
          or relating to the lacteals [2]lacteal n (1680): any
          of the lymphatic vessels arising from the villi of the
          small intestine and conveying chyle to the thoracic duct

   lactic
          [lac.tic] adj (1790) 1 a: of or relating to milk b: obtained
          from sour milk or whey 2: involving the production of
          lactic acid

   lactic acid
          [lactic acid] n (1790): a hygroscopic organic acid present
          normally in tissue, produced in carbohydrate matter usu.
          by bacterial fermentation, and used esp. in food and
          medicine and in industry

   lactiferous
          [lac.tif.er.ous] adj [F or LL; F lactifere, fr. LL lactifer,
          fr. L lact-, lac + -fer] (ca. 1674) 1: yielding a milky
          juice <~ plants> 2: secreting or conveying milk

   lactobacillus
          [lac.to.ba.cil.lus] n [NL] (1924): any of a genus (Lactobacillus)
          of lactic-acid-forming bacteria

   lactogenic
          [lac.to.gen.ic] adj (1933): inducing lactation <~ hormones>

   lactoglobulin
          [lac.to.glob.u.lin] n (1885): a crystalline protein fraction
          that is obtained from the whey of milk

   lactone
          [lac.tone] n [ISV] (1880): any of various cyclic esters formed
          from hydroxy acids -- lac.ton.ic adj

   lactose
          [lac.tose] n [ISV] (1858): a disaccharide sugar that is present
          in milk and yields glucose and galactose upon hydrolysis
          and yields esp. lactic acid upon fermentation

   lacuna
          [la.cu.na] n, pl la.cu.nae or la.cu.nas [L, pool, pit, gap--more
          at lagoon] (1652) 1: a blank space or a missing part:
          gap 2: a small cavity, pit, or discontinuity in an anatomical
          structure -- la.cu.nar also la.cu.nate adj

   lacustrine
          [la.cus.trine] adj [F or It lacustre, fr. L lacus lake] (1830):
          of, relating to, formed in, living in, or growing in
          lakes <~ deposits> <~ faunas>

   lacy
          [lacy] adj lac.i.er ; -est (1804): resembling or consisting
          of lace

   lad
          [lad] n [ME ladde] (14c) 1: a male person of any age between
          early boyhood and maturity: boy, youth 2: fellow, chap

   ladanum
          [lad.a.num] var of labdanum

   ladder
          [lad.der] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE hlaeder; akin to OHG
          leitara ladder, OE hlinian to lean--more at lean] (bef.
          12c) 1: a structure for climbing up or down that consists
          essentially of two long sidepieces joined at intervals
          by crosspieces on which one may step 2: something that
          resembles or suggests a ladder in form or use; esp: run
          11a 3: a series of usu. ascending steps or stages: scale
          <climbing up the corporate ~> -- lad.der.like adj

   ladder-back
          [lad.der-back] adj (1908) of furniture: having a back consisting
          of two upright posts connected by horizontal slats

   ladder truck
          [ladder truck] n (1889): hook and ladder truck

   laddie
          [lad.die] n (1546): a young lad

   lade
          [lade] vb lad.ed ; laded or lad.en ; lad.ing [ME, fr. OE
          hladan; akin to OHG hladan to load, OCS klasti to place]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to put a load or burden on or in:
          load b: to put or place as a load esp. for shipment:
          ship c: to load heavily or oppressively 2: dip, ladle
          ~ vi 1: to take on cargo: load 2: to take up or convey
          a liquid by dipping

   [1]laden
          [lad.en] vt lad.ened ; lad.en.ing (1514): lade [2]laden adj
          (bef. 12c): carrying a load or burden

   la-di-da
          [la-di-da] also la-de-da adj [perh. alter. of lardy-dardy
          foppish] (1895): affectedly refined in manners or tastes:
          pretentious, elegant

   ladies
          [la.dies] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1918) chiefly Brit:
          ladies' room

   ladies' man
          [ladies' man] also lady's man n (1784): a man who shows a
          marked fondness for the company of women or is esp. attentive
          to women

   ladies' room
          [ladies' room] n (1870): a room equipped with lavatories
          and toilets for the use of women

   ladies' tresses
          [ladies' tresses] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1548): any
          of a widely distributed genus (Spiranthes) of terrestrial
          orchids with slender often twisted spikes of white irregular
          flowers

   Ladin
          [La.din] n [Rhaeto-Romance, fr. L Latinum Latin] (1877) 1
          a: a Rhaeto-Romance dialect of Alto Adige in northern
          Italy b: the Rhaeto-Romance dialects of the Engadine
          Valley in Switzerland 2: one speaking Ladin as a mother
          tongue

   lading
          [lad.ing] n (1500) 1 a: loading 1 b: an act of bailing, dipping,
          or ladling 2: cargo, freight

   ladino
          [la.di.no] n, pl -nos [Sp, lit., Latin, fr. L latinus] (1877)
          1 often cap [AmerSp]: a westernized Spanish-speaking
          Latin American; esp: mestizo 2 cap [Judeo-Spanish, fr
          OSp]: judeo-spanish

   ladino clover
          [la.di.no clover] n [perh. irreg. fr. Lodi, Italy + It -ino,
          adj. suffix] (1924): a large nutritious rapidly growing
          clover that is a variety of white clover and is widely
          planted esp. for forage--called also ladino

   [1]ladle
          [la.dle] n [ME ladel, fr. OE hlaedel, fr. hladan] (bef. 12c)
          1: a deep-bowled long-handled spoon used esp. for dipping
          up and conveying liquids 2: something resembling a ladle
          in form or function [2]ladle vt la.dled ; la.dling (1525):
          to take up and convey in or as if in a ladle

   la dolce vita
          [la dol.ce vi.ta] var of dolce vita

   lady
          [la.dy] n, pl ladies often attrib [ME, fr. OE hlaefdige,
          fr. hlaf bread + -dige (akin to daege kneader of bread)--more
          at loaf, dairy] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a woman having proprietary
          rights or authority esp. as a feudal superior b: a woman
          receiving the homage or devotion of a knight or lover
          2 cap: virgin mary--usu. used with Our 3 a: a woman of
          superior social position b: a woman of refinement and
          gentle manners c: woman, female--often used in a courteous
          reference <show the ~ to a seat> or usu. in the pl. in
          address <ladies and gentlemen> 4 a: wife b: girlfriend,
          mistress 5 a: any of various titled women in Great Britain--used
          as the customary title of (1) a marchioness, countess,
          viscountess, or baroness or (2) the wife of a knight,
          baronet, member of the peerage, or one having the courtesy
          title of lord and used as a courtesy title for the daughter
          of a duke, marquess, or earl b: a female member of an
          order of knighthood--compare dame

   ladybug
          [la.dy.bug] n [Our Lady, the Virgin Mary] (1699): any of
          numerous small nearly hemispherical often brightly colored
          beetles (family Coccinellidae) of temperate and tropical
          regions that usu. feed both as larvae and adults on other
          insects--called also lady beetle, ladybird, ladybird
          beetle

   lady chapel
          [lady chapel] n, often cap L&C (15c): a chapel dedicated
          to the Virgin Mary

   Lady Day
          [Lady Day] n (13c): annunciation 1

   ladyfinger
          [la.dy.fin.ger] n (1820): a small finger-shaped sponge cake

   ladyfish
          [la.dy.fish] n (1712) 1: bonefish 1 2: a large silvery food
          and sport fish (Elops saurus) that resembles a herring
          but is related to the tarpon

   lady-in-waiting
          [la.dy-in-wait.ing] n, pl ladies-in-waiting (1862): a lady
          of a queen's or a princess's household appointed to wait
          on her

   lady-killer
          [la.dy-kill.er] n (ca. 1810): a man who is extremely attractive
          to women

   ladykin
          [la.dy.kin] n (1853): a little lady

   ladylike
          [la.dy.like] adj (1586) 1: becoming or suitable to a lady
          2: resembling a lady in appearance or manners: well-bred
          3 a: feeling or showing too much concern about elegance
          or propriety <~ embarrassment at not being the wife of
          a real doctor --Lewis Vogler> b: lacking in strength,
          force, or virility

   ladylove
          [la.dy.love] n (1733): sweetheart, mistress

   lady of the house
          [lady of the house] (1816): the chief female in a household

   Lady of the Lake
          [Lady of the Lake] (15c): vivian

   ladyship
          [la.dy.ship] n (13c): the condition of being a lady: rank
          of lady--used as a title for a woman having the rank
          of lady <her Ladyship is not at home> <if your Ladyship
          please>

   lady's slipper
          [lady's slipper] n (1597): any of several No. American
          temperate-zone orchids (as of the genus Cypripedium) having flowers
          whose shape suggests a slipper--called also lady slipper

   lady's-smock
          [la.dy's-smock] n (1588): cuckooflower 1

   lady's thumb
          [lady's thumb] n (1837): a widely distributed weedy annual
          herb (Polygonum persicaria) that has large lanceolate
          leaves often with a blackish blotch suggesting a thumbprint

   Laertes
          [La.er.tes] n [L, fr. Gk Laertes] 1: the father of Odysseus
          in Greek mythology 2: the son of Polonius and brother
          of Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet

   Laetare Sunday
          [Lae.ta.re Sunday] n [L laetare, sing. imper. of laetari
          to rejoice] (ca. 1870): the fourth Sunday in Lent

   laetrile
          [la.e.trile] n, often cap [laevorotary (levorotary) + nitrile]
          (1953): a drug derived esp. from apricot pits that contains
          amygdalin and has been used in the treatment of cancer
          although of unproved effectiveness

   [1]lag
          [lag] n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Norw dial. lagga
          to go slowly] (1514) 1: one that lags or is last 2 a:
          the act or the condition of lagging b: comparative slowness
          or retardation c (1): an amount of lagging or the time
          during which lagging continues (2): a space of time esp.
          between related events or phenomena: interval 3: the
          action of lagging for opening shot (as in marbles or
          billiards) [2]lag vb lagged ; lag.ging vi (1530) 1 a:
          to stay or fall behind: linger, loiter b: to move, function,
          or develop with comparative slowness c: to become retarded
          in attaining maximum value 2: to slacken or weaken gradually:
          flag 3: to toss or roll a marble toward a line or a cue
          ball toward the head cushion to determine order of play
          ~ vt 1: to lag behind <current that ~s the voltage> 2:
          to pitch or shoot (as a coin or marble) at a mark syn
          see delay -- lag.ger n [3]lag adj (1552): last, hindmost
          [4]lag n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON logg rim
          of a barrel] (1672) 1: a barrel stave 2: a stave, slat,
          or strip (as of wood or asbestos) forming part of a covering
          for a cylindrical object [5]lag vt lagged ; lag.ging
          (1870): to cover or provide with lags [6]lag vt lagged
          ; lag.ging [origin unknown] (ca. 1812) 1 slang chiefly
          Brit: to transport or jail for crime 2 slang chiefly
          Brit: arrest [7]lag n (ca. 1812) 1 slang chiefly Brit
          a: a person transported for crime b: convict c: an ex-convict
          2 slang chiefly Brit: a jail sentence: stretch

   lagan
          [lag.an] also lag.end n [MF lagan or ML laganum debris washed
          up from the sea] (1641): goods thrown into the sea with
          a buoy attached so that they may be found again

   Lag b'Omer
          [Lag b'Omer] n [Heb, 33d in Omer] (ca. 1904): a Jewish holiday
          falling on the 33d day of the Omer and commemorating
          the heroism of Bar Kokhba and Akiba ben Joseph

   lager
          [la.ger] n [G Lagerbier beer made for storage, fr. Lager
          storehouse + Bier beer] (ca. 1853): a light beer brewed
          by slow fermentation and matured under refrigeration

   [1]laggard
          [lag.gard] adj (1702): lagging or tending to lag: dilatory
          -- lag.gard.ly adv or adj -- lag.gard.ness n [2]laggard
          n (1808): one that lags or lingers

   lagging
          [lag.ging] n (1794): a lag or material used for making lags:
          as a: material for thermal insulation esp. around a cylindrical
          object b: planking used esp. for preventing cave-ins
          in earthwork or for supporting an arch during construction

   lagniappe
          [la.gniappe] n [AmerF, fr. AmerSp la napa the lagniappe]
          (1849): a small gift given a customer by a merchant at
          the time of a purchase; broadly: something given or obtained
          gratuitously or by way of good measure

   lagomorph
          [lago.morph] n [ultim. fr. Gk lagos hare + morphe form] (1882):
          any of an order (Lagomorpha) of gnawing herbivorous mammals
          having two pairs of incisors in the upper jaw one behind
          the other and comprising the rabbits, hares, and pikas

   lagoon
          [la.goon] n [F & It; F lagune, fr. It laguna, fr. L lacuna
          pit, pool, fr. lacus lake] (1673) 1: a shallow sound,
          channel, or pond near or communicating with a larger
          body of water 2: a shallow artificial pool or pond (as
          for the processing of sewage or storage of a liquid)
          -- la.goon.al adj

   Lagrangian
          [La.grang.ian] n [Joseph-Louis Lagrange] (1938): a function
          that describes the state of a dynamic system in terms
          of position coordinates and their time derivatives and
          that is equal to the difference between the potential
          energy and kinetic energy--compare hamiltonian

   lahar
          [la.har] n [Jav] (1929): a mudflow composed of volcanic debris
          and water

   lah-de-dah, lah-dee-dah, lah-di-dah
          [lah-de-dah, lah-dee-dah, lah-di-dah] var of la-di-da

   Lahnda
          [Lahn.da] n (1901): an Indo-Aryan language of eastern Pakistan

   laical
          [la.ical] or la.ic adj [LL laicus, fr. LGk laikos, fr. Gk,
          of the people, fr. laos people] (ca. 1587): of or relating
          to the laity: secular -- laic n -- la.ical.ly adv

   laicism
          [la.i.cism] n (ca. 1909): a political system characterized
          by the exclusion of ecclesiastical control and influence

   laicize
          [la.i.cize] vt la.i.cized ; la.i.ciz.ing (1870) 1: to reduce
          to lay status 2: to put under the direction of or open
          to the laity -- la.i.ci.za.tion n

   laid
          [laid] past and past part of lay

   laid-back
          [laid-back] adj (1969): having a relaxed style or character
          <~ music> -- laid-back.ness n

   laid paper
          [laid paper] n (1839): paper watermarked with fine lines
          running across the grain--compare wove paper

   laigh
          [laigh] Scot var of low

   lain
          [lain] past part of lie

   [1]lair
          [lair] n [ME, fr. OE leger; akin to OHG legar bed, OE licgan
          to lie--more at lie] (bef. 12c) 1 dial Brit: a resting
          or sleeping place: bed 2 a: the resting or living place
          of a wild animal: den b: a refuge or place for hiding
          [2]lair vb [Sc lair mire] vt (ca. 1560) chiefly Scot:
          to cause to sink in mire ~ vi, chiefly Scot: wallow

   laird
          [laird] n [ME (northern dial.) lord, lard lord] (14c) chiefly
          Scot: a landed proprietor -- laird.ly adj

   laisser-faire
          [lais.ser-faire] chiefly Brit var of laissez-faire

   laisser-passer
          [lais.ser-pas.ser] chiefly Brit var of laissez-passer

   laissez-aller
          [lais.sez-al.ler] or lais.ser-al.ler [F] foreign term : letting
          go: lack of restraint

   laissez-faire
          [lais.sez-faire] n [F laissez faire, imper. of laisser faire
          to let (people) do (as they choose)] (1825) 1: a doctrine
          opposing governmental interference in economic affairs
          beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance of peace
          and property rights 2: a philosophy or practice characterized
          by a usu. deliberate abstention from direction or interference
          esp. with individual freedom of choice and action --
          laissez-faire adj

   laissez-passer
          [lais.sez-pas.ser] n [F, fr. laissez passer let (someone)
          pass] (1914): permit, pass

   laitance
          [lai.tance] n [F, fr. lait milk, fr. L lact-, lac--more at
          galaxy] (ca. 1902): an accumulation of fine particles
          on the surface of fresh concrete due to an upward movement
          of water (as when excessive mixing water is used)

   laity
          [la.ity] n [[5]lay] (15c) 1: the people of a religious faith
          as distinguished from its clergy 2: the mass of the people
          as distinguished from those of a particular profession
          or those specially skilled

   Laius
          [La.ius] n [L, fr. Gk Laios]: a king of Thebes slain by his
          son Oedipus in fulfillment of an oracle

   [1]lake
          [lake] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF lac lake, fr. L lacus;
          akin to OE lagu sea, Gk lakkos pond] (12c): a considerable
          inland body of standing water; also: a pool of other
          liquid (as lava, oil, or pitch) -- lake.like adj [2]lake
          n [F laque lac, fr. OProv laca, fr. Ar lakk--more at
          lacquer] (1598) 1 a: a purplish red pigment prepared
          from lac or cochineal b: any of numerous usu. bright
          translucent organic pigments composed essentially of
          a soluble dye absorbed on or combined with an inorganic
          carrier 2: carmine 2 -- laky adj [3]lake vb laked ; lak.ing
          vt (1903): to cause (blood) to undergo a physiological
          change in which the hemoglobin becomes dissolved in the
          plasma ~ vi, of blood: to undergo the process by which
          hemoglobin becomes dissolved in the plasma

   lake dwelling
          [lake dwelling] n (1863): a dwelling built on piles in a
          lake; specif: one built in prehistoric times -- lake
          dweller n

   lakefront
          [lake.front] n (1880): an area fronting on a lake

   lake herring
          [lake herring] n (1842): a cisco (Coregonus artedii) found
          from Lake Memphremagog to Lake Superior and northward
          and important as a commercial food fish

   Lakeland terrier
          [Lake.land terrier] n [Lakeland, England] (1928): any of
          an English breed of rather small harsh-coated terriers

   laker
          [lak.er] n (1823): one associated with a lake; esp: a fish
          living in or taken from a lake

   lakeshore
          [lake.shore] n (1798): the shore of a lake; also: lakefront

   lakeside
          [lake.side] n (1560): lakefront

   lake trout
          [lake trout] n (1668): any of various trout and salmon found
          in lakes; esp: mackinaw trout

   lakh
          [lakh] n [Hindi lakh] (1599) 1: one hundred thousand <50
          ~s of rupees> 2: a great number -- lakh adj

   Lakota
          [La.ko.ta] n, pl Lakota also Lakotas (1927) 1: a member of
          a western division of the Dakota peoples 2: a dialect
          of Dakota

   -lalia
          [-lalia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk lalia chatter, fr. lalein
          to chat]: speech disorder (of a specified type) <echolalia>

   lallan
          [lal.lan] or lal.land Scot var of lowland

   Lallans
          [Lal.lans] n (1785): Scots as spoken and written in the lowlands
          of Scotland

   Lally
          [Lal.ly] trademark--used for a concrete-filled cylindrical
          steel structural column

   lallygag
          [lal.ly.gag] var of lollygag

   lam
          [lam] abbreviation laminated  Lam abbreviation Lamentations

   [1]lam
          [lam] vb lammed ; lam.ming [of Scand origin; akin to ON lemja
          to thrash; akin to OE lama lame] vt (1595): to beat soundly:
          thrash ~ vi 1: strike, thrash 2: to flee hastily: scram
          [2]lam n (1897): sudden or hurried flight esp. from the
          law <on the ~>

   lama
          [la.ma] n [Tibetan blama] (1654): a Lamaist monk

   Lamaism
          [La.ma.ism] n (1817): the Mahayana Buddhism of Tibet and
          Mongolia marked by tantric and shamanistic ritual and
          a dominant monastic hierarchy headed by the Dalai Lama
          -- La.ma.ist n or adj -- La.ma.is.tic adj

   Lamarckism
          [La.marck.ism] n [J.-B. de Monet de Lamarck] (1884): a theory
          of organic evolution asserting that environmental changes
          cause structural changes in animals and plants that are
          transmitted to offspring -- La.marck.ian adj

   lamasery
          [la.ma.sery] n, pl -ser.ies [F lamaserie, fr. lama + Per
          sarai palace] (1849): a monastery of lamas

   Lamaze
          [La.maze] adj [Fernand Lamaze d. 1957 Fr. obstetrician] (1965):
          relating to or being a method of childbirth that involves
          psychological and physical preparation by the mother
          in order to suppress pain and facilitate delivery without
          drugs

   [1]lamb
          [lamb] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG lamb lamb] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: a young sheep; esp: one that is less than one year
          old or without permanent teeth b: the young of various
          animals (as the smaller antelopes) other than sheep 2
          a: a gentle or weak person b: dear, pet c: a person easily
          cheated or deceived esp. in trading securities 3 a: the
          flesh of a lamb used as food b: lambskin -- lamb.like
          adj -- lamby adj [2]lamb vi (1611): to bring forth a
          lamb ~ vt 1: to bring forth (a lamb) 2: to tend (ewes)
          at lambing time -- lamb.er n

   lambaste
          [lam.baste] or lam.bast vt [prob. fr. [1]lam + baste] (1637)
          1: to assault violently: beat, whip 2: to attack verbally:
          censure

   lambda
          [lamb.da] n [ME, fr. Gk, of Sem origin; akin to Heb lamedh
          lamed] (15c) 1: the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet
          2: an uncharged unstable elementary particle that has
          a mass 2183 times that of an electron and that decays
          typically into a nucleon and a pion

   lambency
          [lam.ben.cy] n, pl -cies (1817): the quality, state, or an
          instance of being lambent

   lambent
          [lam.bent] adj [L lambent-, lambens, prp. of lambere to lick--more
          at lap] (1647) 1: playing lightly on or over a surface: flickering
          2: softly bright or radiant 3: marked by lightness or brilliance
          esp. of expression -- lam.bent.ly adv

   lambert
          [lam.bert] n [Johann H. Lambert d. 1777 Ger. physicist &
          philosopher] (1915): the centimeter-gram-second unit
          of brightness equal to the brightness of a perfectly
          diffusing surface that radiates or reflects one lumen
          per square centimeter

   lambkill
          [lamb.kill] n (1790): sheep laurel

   lambrequin
          [lam.bre.quin] n [F] (ca. 1725) 1: a scarf used to cover
          a knight's helmet 2: a short decorative drapery for a
          shelf edge or for the top of a window casing: valance

   Lambrusco
          [Lam.brus.co] n [It, fr. L labruscum fruit of the wild grape
          Vitis labrusca] (1943): a fruity and fizzy red Italian
          table wine

   lamb's ears
          [lamb's ears] n pl but usu sing in constr (1930): a widely
          cultivated perennial herb (Stachys byzantina syn. S.
          olympica) of the mint family that occurs in southwestern
          Asia and has leaves covered with densely matted hairs

   lambskin
          [lamb.skin] n (14c): a lamb's skin or a small fine-grade
          sheepskin or the leather made from either; specif: such
          a skin dressed with the wool on and used esp. for winter
          clothing

   lamb's lettuce
          [lamb's lettuce] n (1597): corn salad

   lamb's-quarter
          [lamb's-quar.ter] n (1773) 1: a goosefoot (Chenopodium album)
          having glaucous foliage that is sometimes used as greens--usu.
          used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr. 2: any of several
          oraches--usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.

   [1]lame
          [lame] adj lam.er ; lam.est [ME, fr. OE lama; akin to OHG
          lam lame, Lith limti to break down] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having
          a body part and esp. a limb so disabled as to impair
          freedom of movement b: marked by stiffness and soreness
          <a ~ shoulder> 2: lacking needful or desirable substance:
          weak, ineffectual <a ~ excuse> 3 slang: not being in
          the know: square -- lame.ly adv -- lame.ness n [2]lame
          vt lamed ; lam.ing (14c) 1: to make lame: cripple 2:
          to make weak or ineffective: disable [3]lame n (1959)
          slang: a person who is not in the know: square [4]lame
          n [MF, fr. L lamina] (1586) 1: a thin plate esp. of metal:
          lamina 2 pl: small overlapping steel plates joined to
          slide on one another (as in medieval armor) la.me n [F]
          (1922): a brocaded clothing fabric made from any of various
          fibers combined with tinsel filling threads

   lamebrain
          [lame.brain] n (1944): a dull-witted person: dolt -- lamebrain
          or lame.brained adj

   lamed
          [la.med] n [Heb lamedh, lit., ox goad] (1665): the 12th letter
          of the Hebrew alphabet

   lame duck
          [lame duck] n (1761) 1: one that is weak or that falls behind
          in ability or achievement; esp, chiefly Brit: an ailing
          company 2: an elected official or group continuing to
          hold political office during the period between the election
          and the inauguration of a successor 3: one whose position
          or term of office will soon end -- lame-duck adj

   lamell-
          [lamell-] or lamelli- comb form [NL, fr. lamella]: lamella
          <lamelliform>

   lamella
          [la.mel.la] n, pl la.mel.lae also lamellas [NL, fr. L, dim.
          of lamina thin plate] (1678): a thin flat scale, membrane,
          or layer: as a: one of the thin plates composing the
          gills of a bivalve mollusk b: a gill of a mushroom

   lamellar
          [la.mel.lar] adj (1794) 1: composed of or arranged in lamellae
          2: lamelliform

   lamellate
          [la.mel.late] adj (1826) 1: composed of or furnished with
          lamellae 2: lamelliform -- la.mel.late.ly adv

   lamellibranch
          [la.mel.li.branch] n, pl -branchs [NL Lamellibranchia, fr.
          lamell- + L branchia gill] (1855): any of a class (Lamellibranchia)
          of bivalve mollusks (as clams, oysters, and mussels) that have the
          body bilaterally symmetrical, compressed, and enclosed within the
          mantle and that build up a shell whose right and left parts are
          connected by a hinge over the animal's back -- lamellibranch adj

   lamellicorn
          [la.mel.li.corn] adj [ultim. fr. NL lamella + L cornu horn--more
          at horn] (ca. 1842): of, relating to, or belonging to
          a superfamily (Scarabaeoidea syn. Lamellicornia) of beetles
          (as a scarab or stag beetle) characterized by 5-jointed
          tarsi and club-tipped antennae often angled like an elbow
          -- lamellicorn n

   lamelliform
          [la.mel.li.form] adj (1819): having the form of a thin plate

   [1]lament
          [la.ment] vb [ME lementen, fr. MF & L; MF lamenter, fr. L
          lamentari, fr. lamentum, n., lament] vi (15c): to mourn
          aloud: wail ~ vt 1: to express sorrow, mourning, or regret
          for often demonstratively: mourn 2: to regret strongly
          syn see deplore [2]lament n (1591) 1: a crying out in
          grief: wailing 2: dirge, elegy 3: complaint

   lamentable
          [la.men.ta.ble] adj (15c) 1: that is to be regretted or lamented:
          deplorable 2: expressing grief: mournful -- la.men.ta.ble.ness
          n -- la.men.ta.bly adv

   lamentation
          [lam.en.ta.tion] n (14c): an act or instance of lamenting

   Lamentations
          [Lam.en.ta.tions] n pl but sing in constr: a poetic book
          on the fall of Jerusalem in canonical Jewish and Christian
          Scripture

   lamented
          [la.ment.ed] adj (1611): mourned for -- la.ment.ed.ly adv

   lamia
          [la.mia] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk, devouring monster; akin to
          Gk lamyros gluttonous] (14c): a female demon: vampire

   lamin-
          [lamin-] comb form: lamina <laminar>

   lamina
          [lam.i.na] n, pl -nae or -nas [L] (ca. 1656) 1: a thin plate
          or scale: layer 2: the expanded part of a foliage leaf
          3: one of the narrow thin parallel plates of soft vascular
          sensitive tissue that cover the flesh within the wall
          of a hoof

   laminal
          [lam.i.nal] adj (1825) 1: laminar 2: produced with the blade
          of the tongue (as /sh/, /zh/, /ch/, /j/, or /y/)--compare
          apical

   lamina propria
          [lamina pro.pria] n, pl laminae pro.pri.ae [NL, lit., proper
          lamina] (1937): a highly vascular layer of connective
          tissue under the basement membrane lining a layer of
          epithelium

   laminar
          [lam.i.nar] adj (1811): arranged in, consisting of, or resembling
          laminae

   laminar flow
          [laminar flow] n (1935): streamline flow in a fluid near
          a solid boundary--compare turbulent flow

   laminaria
          [lam.i.nar.ia] n [NL, fr. L lamina] (1848): any of a genus
          (Laminaria) of large chiefly perennial kelps with an
          unbranched cylindrical or flattened stipe and a smooth
          or convoluted blade; broadly: any of various related
          kelps (order Laminariales) -- lam.i.nar.i.an adj or n

   laminarin
          [lam.i.nar.in] n [ISV laminar- (fr. NL Laminaria) + [1]-in]
          (ca. 1931): a polysaccharide that is found in various
          brown algae and yields only glucose on hydrolysis

   [1]laminate
          [lam.i.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing vt (1665) 1: to roll or
          compress into a thin plate 2: to separate into laminae
          3 a: to make (as a windshield) by uniting superposed
          layers of one or more materials b: to unite (layers of
          material) by an adhesive or other means ~ vi: to divide
          into laminae -- lam.i.na.tor n [2]lam.i.nate adj (1668)
          1: consisting of laminae 2: bearing or covered with laminae
          [3]lam.i.nate n (1939): a product made by laminating

   laminated
          [lam.i.nat.ed] adj (1665) 1: laminate 1 2 a: composed of
          layers of firmly united material b: made by bonding or
          impregnating superposed layers (as of paper, wood, or
          fabric) with resin and compressing under heat

   lamination
          [lam.i.na.tion] n (ca. 1676) 1: the process of laminating
          2: the state of being laminated 3: a laminated structure
          4: lamina

   laminitis
          [lam.i.ni.tis] n [NL] (1843): inflammation of the laminae
          esp. in the hoof of a horse--called also founder

   Lammas
          [Lam.mas] n [ME Lammasse, fr. OE hlafmaesse, fr. hlaf loaf,
          bread + maesse mass; fr. the fact that formerly loaves
          from the first ripe grain were consecrated on this day]
          (bef. 12c) 1: August 1 orig. celebrated in England as
          a harvest festival--called also Lammas Day 2: the time
          of the year around Lammas Day

   Lammastide
          [Lam.mas.tide] n (14c): lammas 2

   lammergeier
          [lam.mer.gei.er] or lam.mer.gey.er n [G Lammergeier, fr.
          Lammer lambs + Geier vulture] (1817): a large Old World
          vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) that occurs in mountain regions
          and in flight resembles a huge falcon

   lamp
          [lamp] n [ME, fr. OF lampe, fr. L lampas, fr. Gk, fr. lampein
          to shine; akin to Hitt lap- to burn] (13c) 1 a: any of
          various devices for producing light or sometimes heat:
          as (1): a vessel with a wick for burning an inflammable
          liquid (as oil) to produce light (2): a glass bulb or
          tube that emits light produced by electricity (as an
          incandescent lamp or fluorescent lamp) b: a decorative
          appliance housing a lamp that is usu. covered by a shade
          2: a celestial body 3: a source of intellectual or spiritual
          illumination 4: eye 1a--usu. used in pl.

   lampblack
          [lamp.black] n (1598): a finely powdered black soot deposited
          in incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials and
          used chiefly as a pigment (as in paints, enamels, and
          printing inks)

   lampbrush chromosome
          [lamp.brush chromosome] n (1911): a greatly enlarged diplotene
          chromosome that has apparently filamentous granular loops
          extending from the chromomeres and is characteristic
          of some animal oocytes

   lamplight
          [lamp.light] n (14c): the light of a lamp

   lamplighter
          [lamp.light.er] n (1750): one that lights a lamp

   [1]lampoon
          [lam.poon] n [F lampon] (1645): satire 1; specif: a harsh
          satire usu. directed against an individual [2]lampoon
          vt (ca. 1657): to make the subject of a lampoon: ridicule
          -- lam.poon.er n -- lam.poon.ery n

   lamppost
          [lamp.post] n (1790): a post supporting a usu. outdoor lamp
          or lantern

   lamprey
          [lam.prey] n, pl lampreys [ME, fr. OF lampreie, fr. ML lampreda]
          (14c): any of a family (Petromyzontidae) of eel-shaped
          freshwater or anadromous jawless fishes that include
          those cyclostomes having well-developed eyes and a large
          disk-shaped suctorial mouth armed with horny teeth--called
          also lamprey eel

   lampshell
          [lamp.shell] n [fr. the resemblance of the shell and its
          protruding peduncle to an ancient oil lamp with the wick
          protruding] (1854): brachiopod

   lamster
          [lam.ster] also lam.is.ter n [[2]lam + -ster] (1904): a fugitive
          esp. from the law

   LAN
          [LAN] n (1982): local area network

   lanai
          [la.nai] n [Hawaiian lanai] (1823): porch, veranda

   Lancashire
          [Lan.ca.shire] n [Lancashire, England] (1896): a moist crumbly
          white English cheese that is used esp. in cooking

   Lancastrian
          [Lan.cas.tri.an] adj [John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster] (1612):
          of or relating to the English royal house that ruled
          from 1399 to 1461

   [1]lance
          [lance] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L lancea] (14c) 1: a steel-tipped
          spear carried by mounted knights or light cavalry 2:
          any of various sharp objects suggestive of a lance: as
          a: lancet b: a spear used for killing whales or fish
          3: lancer 1b [2]lance vb lanced ; lanc.ing [ME launcen,
          fr. MF lancer, fr. LL lanceare, fr. L lancea] vt (14c)
          1 a: to pierce with or as if with a lance b: to open
          with or as if with a lancet <~ a boil> 2: to throw forward:
          hurl ~ vi: to move forward quickly

   lance corporal
          [lance corporal] n [lance (as in obs. lancepesade lance corporal,
          fr. MF lancepessade)] (1786): an enlisted man in the
          marine corps ranking above a private first class and
          below a corporal

   lancelet
          [lance.let] n (ca. 1836): any of a subphylum (Cephalochordata)
          of small translucent marine primitive chordate animals
          that are fishlike in appearance and usu. live partially
          buried on the ocean floor--called also amphioxus

   Lancelot
          [Lan.ce.lot] n: a knight of the Round Table and lover of
          Queen Guinevere

   lanceolate
          [lan.ce.o.late] adj [LL lanceolatus, fr. L lanceola, dim.
          of lancea] (ca. 1760): shaped like a lance head; specif:
          tapering to a point at the apex and sometimes at the
          base <~ leaves> <~ prisms>--see leaf illustration

   lancer
          [lanc.er] n (1590) 1 a: one who carries a lance b: a member
          of a military unit formerly composed of light cavalry
          armed with lances 2 pl but sing in constr a: a set of
          five quadrilles each in a different meter b: the music
          for such dances

   lancet
          [lan.cet] n (15c) 1: a sharp-pointed and commonly 2-edged
          surgical instrument used to make small incisions 2 a:
          lancet window b: lancet arch

   lancet arch
          [lancet arch] n (ca. 1823): an acutely pointed arch--see
          arch illustration

   lanceted
          [lan.cet.ed] adj (1855): having a lancet arch or lancet windows

   lancet window
          [lancet window] n (1781): a high narrow window with an acutely
          pointed head and without tracery

   lancewood
          [lance.wood] n (1697): a tough elastic wood used esp. for
          shafts, fishing rods, and bows; also: a tree (esp. Oxandra
          lanceolata) yielding this wood

   lancinating
          [lan.ci.nat.ing] adj [lancinate to pierce, fr. L lancinatus,
          pp. of lancinare; akin to L lacerare to rend--more at
          lacerate] (1762): characterized by piercing or stabbing
          sensations <~ pain>

   Lancs
          [Lancs] abbreviation Lancashire

   [1]land
          [land] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG lant land,
          MIr lann] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the solid part of the surface
          of the earth; also: a corresponding part of a celestial
          body (as the moon) b: ground or soil of a specified situation,
          nature, or quality <dry ~> c: the surface of the earth
          and all its natural resources 2: a portion of the earth's
          solid surface distinguishable by boundaries or ownership
          <bought ~ in the country>: as a: country <campaigned
          across the ~> b: a rural area characterized by farming
          or ranching; also: farming or ranching as a way of life
          <wanted to move back to the ~> 3: realm, domain <in the
          ~ of dreams>--sometimes used in combination <televisionland>
          4: the people of a country <the ~ rose in rebellion>
          5: an area of a partly machined surface that is left
          without machining -- land.less adj -- land.less.ness
          n [2]land vt (13c) 1: to set or put on shore from a ship:
          disembark 2 a: to set down after conveying b: to cause
          to reach or come to rest in a particular place <never
          ~ed a punch> c: to bring to a specified condition <his
          carelessness ~ed him in trouble> d: to bring (as an airplane)
          to a landing 3 a: to catch and bring in (as a fish) b:
          gain, secure <~ a job> ~ vi 1 a: to go ashore from a
          ship: disembark b of a ship or boat: to touch at a place
          on shore 2 a: to come to the end of a course or to a
          stage in a journey: arrive <took the wrong subway and
          ~ed on the other side of town> b: to come to be in a
          condition or situation <~ed in jail> c: to strike or
          meet a surface (as after a fall) <~ed on my head> d:
          to alight on a surface

   landau
          [lan.dau] n [Landau, Bavaria, Germany] (1743): a four-wheel
          carriage with a top divided into two sections that can
          be let down, thrown back, or removed and with a raised
          seat outside for the driver

   landaulet
          [lan.dau.let] n (1794): a small landau

   land bank
          [land bank] n (1696): a bank that provides financing for
          land development and for farm mortgages

   landed
          [land.ed] adj (15c) 1: having an estate in land <~ proprietors>
          2: consisting in or derived from land or real estate
          <~ wealth>

   lander
          [land.er] n (1859): one that lands; esp: a space vehicle
          that is designed to land on a celestial body (as the
          moon or a planet)

   landfall
          [land.fall] n (1627) 1: a sighting or making of land after
          a voyage or flight 2: the land first sighted on a voyage
          or flight

   landfill
          [land.fill] n (1942) 1: a system of trash and garbage disposal
          in which the waste is buried between layers of earth
          to build up low-lying land--called also sanitary landfill
          2: an area built up by landfill

   landform
          [land.form] n (1893): a natural feature of a land surface

   landgrab
          [land.grab] n (1860): a usu. swift acquisition of land often
          by fraud or force -- land-grab.ber n

   land grant
          [land grant] n (1862): a grant of land made by the government
          esp. for roads, railroads, or agricultural colleges

   landholder
          [land.hold.er] n (15c): a holder or owner of land

   landholding
          [land.hold.ing] n (ca. 1890) 1: the state or fact of holding
          or owning land 2: property in land -- landholding adj

   landing
          [land.ing] n (15c) 1: an act or process of one that lands;
          esp: a going or bringing to a surface (as land or shore)
          after a voyage or flight 2: a place for discharging and
          taking on passengers and cargo 3: a level part of a staircase
          (as at the end of a flight of stairs)

   landing craft
          [landing craft] n (1940): any of numerous naval craft designed
          for conveying troops and equipment from a transport to
          a beach in an amphibious assault

   landing field
          [landing field] n (ca. 1920): a field where aircraft may
          land and take off

   landing gear
          [landing gear] n (1911): the part that supports the weight
          of an airplane or spacecraft when in contact with the
          land or water

   landing strip
          [landing strip] n (1930): airstrip

   landlady
          [land.la.dy] n (ca. 1536): a woman who is a landlord

   landline
          [land.line] n (1865): a line of communication (as by telephone
          cable) on land

   landlocked
          [land.locked] adj (1622) 1: enclosed or nearly enclosed by
          land <a ~ country> 2: confined to fresh water by some
          barrier <~ salmon>

   landlord
          [land.lord] n (bef. 12c) 1: the owner of property (as land,
          houses, or apartments) that is leased or rented to another
          2: the master of an inn or lodging house: innkeeper

   landlordism
          [land.lord.ism] n (1844): an economic system or practice
          by which ownership of land is vested in one who leases
          it to cultivators

   landlubber
          [land.lub.ber] n (ca. 1700): landsman 2 <clumsy ~s learning
          to sail> -- land.lub.ber.li.ness n -- land.lub.ber.ly
          adj -- land.lub.bing adj

   landmark
          [land.mark] n (bef. 12c) 1: an object (as a stone or tree)
          that marks the boundary of land 2 a: a conspicuous object
          on land that marks a locality b: an anatomical structure
          used as a point of orientation in locating other structures
          3: an event or development that marks a turning point
          or a stage 4: a structure (as a building) of unusual
          historical and usu. aesthetic interest; esp: one that
          is officially designated and set aside for preservation

   landmass
          [land.mass] n (1856): a large area of land <continental ~es>

   land mine
          [land mine] n (1890) 1: a mine placed on or just below the
          surface of the ground and designed to be exploded by
          the weight of vehicles or troops passing over it 2: booby
          trap 1

   land office
          [land office] n (1681): a government office in which entries
          upon and sales of public land are registered

   land-office business
          [land-office business] n (1839): extensive and rapid business
          <money changers ... did a land-office business on payday
          --F. J. Haskin>

   landowner
          [land.own.er] n (ca. 1733): an owner of land -- land.own.er.ship
          n -- land.own.ing adj or n

   land-poor
          [land-poor] adj (1873): owning so much unprofitable or encumbered
          land as to lack funds to develop the land or pay the
          charges due on it

   Landrace
          [Land.ra.ce] n [Dan, fr. land + race] (1935): a swine of
          any of several breeds locally developed in northern Europe

   land reform
          [land reform] n (1846): measures designed to effect a more
          equitable distribution of agricultural land esp. by governmental
          action; also: the resulting redistribution

   [1]landscape
          [land.scape] n, often attrib [D landschap, fr. land + -schap
          -ship] (1598) 1 a: a picture representing a view of natural
          inland scenery b: the art of depicting such scenery 2
          a: the landforms of a region in the aggregate b: a portion
          of territory that can be viewed at one time from one
          place c: a particular area of activity: scene <political
          ~> 3 obs: vista, prospect [2]landscape vb land.scaped
          ; land.scap.ing vt (1914): to modify or ornament (a natural
          landscape) by altering the plant cover ~ vi: to engage
          in landscape gardening -- land.scap.er n

   landscape architect
          [landscape architect] n (1863): one who develops land for
          human use and enjoyment through effective placement of
          structures, vehicular and pedestrian ways, and plantings
          -- landscape architecture n

   landscape gardener
          [landscape gardener] n (ca. 1763): one who is engaged in
          the development and decorative planting of gardens and
          grounds -- landscape gardening n

   landscapist
          [land.scap.ist] n (1843): a painter of landscapes

   [1]landslide
          [land.slide] n (1838) 1: the usu. rapid downward movement
          of a mass of rock, earth, or artificial fill on a slope;
          also: the mass that moves down 2 a: a great majority
          of votes for one side b: an overwhelming victory [2]landslide
          vi -slid ; -slid.ing (1926) 1: to produce a landslide
          2: to win an election by a heavy majority

   landslip
          [land.slip] n (1679): landslide 1

   Landsmal
          [Lands.mal] or Lands.maal n [Norw, fr. land country + mal
          speech] (1886): nynorsk

   landsman
          [lands.man] n (1598) 1: a fellow countryman 2: one who lives
          on the land; esp: one who knows little or nothing of
          the sea or seamanship

   landward
          [land.ward] adv or adj (15c): to or toward the land

   land yacht
          [land yacht] n (1928): a 3-wheel wind-driven recreation vehicle
          consisting usu. of a bare-frame structure and a single
          sail and used esp. on areas of firmly packed sand

   [1]lane
          [lane] n [ME, fr. OE lanu; akin to MD lane lane] (bef. 12c)
          1: a narrow passageway between fences or hedges 2: a
          relatively narrow way or track: as a: an ocean route
          used by or prescribed for ships b: a strip of roadway
          for a single line of vehicles c: air lane d: any of several
          parallel courses on a track or swimming pool in which
          a competitor must stay during a race e: an unmarked lengthwise
          division of a playing area which defines the playing
          zone of a particular player f: a narrow hardwood surface
          having pins at one end and a shallow channel along each
          side that is used in bowling g: free throw lane [2]lane
          Scot var of lone

   laneway
          [lane.way] n (1882) Brit: lane

   lang
          [lang] abbreviation language

   langbeinite
          [lang.bein.ite] n [G Langbeinit, fr. A. Langbein, 19th cent.
          Ger. chemist] (ca. 1897): a mineral that is a double
          sulfate of potassium and magnesium used in the fertilizer
          industry

   langlauf
          [lang.lauf] n [G, fr. lang long + Lauf race] (1927): cross-country
          running or racing on skis -- lang.lauf.er n

   langley
          [lang.ley] n, pl langleys [Samuel P. Langley] (1947): a unit
          of solar radiation equivalent to one gram calorie per
          square centimeter of irradiated surface

   Langobard
          [Lan.go.bard] n [L Langobardus] (1788): lombard 1a
          -- Lan.go.bar.dic adj

   langouste
          [lan.gouste] n [F, grasshopper, lobster, fr. OF languste,
          fr. OProv langosta, fr. (assumed) VL lacusta, alter.
          of L locusta] (1832): spiny lobster

   langoustine
          [lan.gous.tine] also lan.gos.ti.no n, pl -tines also -ti.nos
          [langoustine, fr. F, dim. of langouste; langostino, fr.
          Sp, dim. of langosta spiny lobster, locust, fr. (assumed)
          VL lacusta] (1915): any of several small lobsters (genera
          Nephropsis and Metanephrops of the family Nephropidae)
          widely used for food

   [1]lang syne
          [lang syne] adv [ME (Sc), fr. lang long + syne since] (15c)
          chiefly Scot: at a distant time in the past [2]lang syne
          n (1694) chiefly Scot: times past <should auld acquaintance
          be forgot, and days o' auld lang syne --Robert Burns>

   language
          [lan.guage] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. langue tongue, language, fr.
          L lingua--more at tongue] (14c) 1 a: the words, their
          pronunciation, and the methods of combining them used
          and understood by a community b (1): audible, articulate,
          meaningful sound as produced by the action of the vocal
          organs (2): a systematic means of communicating ideas
          or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds,
          gestures, or marks having understood meanings (3): the
          suggestion by objects, actions, or conditions of associated
          ideas or feelings <~ in their very gesture --Shak.> (4):
          the means by which animals communicate (5): a formal
          system of signs and symbols (as FORTRAN or a calculus
          in logic) including rules for the formation and transformation
          of admissible expressions (6): machine language 1 2 a:
          form or manner of verbal expression; specif: style b:
          the vocabulary and phraseology belonging to an art or
          a department of knowledge c: profanity 3: the study of
          language esp. as a school subject

   language arts
          [language arts] n pl (1948): the subjects (as reading, spelling,
          literature, and composition) that aim at developing the
          student's comprehension and capacity for use of written
          and oral language

   langue
          [langue] n [F, lit., language] (1924): language viewed abstractly
          as a system of forms and conventions used for communication
          in a community; also: competence 3--compare parole

   langue d'oc
          [langue d'oc] n [F, fr. OF, lit., language of oc; fr. the
          Provencal use of the word oc for "yes"] (1703): provencal
          2

   langue d'oil
          [langue d'oil] n [F, fr. OF, lit., language of oil; fr. the
          French use of the word oil for "yes"] (1703): french
          1

   languet
          [lan.guet] n [ME, fr. MF languete, dim. of langue] (15c):
          something resembling the tongue in form or function

   languid
          [lan.guid] adj [MF languide, fr. L languidus, fr. languere
          to languish--more at slack] (1597) 1: drooping or flagging
          from or as if from exhaustion: weak 2: sluggish in character
          or disposition: listless 3: lacking force or quickness
          of movement: slow -- lan.guid.ly adv -- lan.guid.ness
          n

   languish
          [lan.guish] vi [ME, fr. MF languiss-, stem of languir, fr.
          (assumed) VL languire, fr. L languere] (14c) 1 a: to
          be or become feeble, weak, or enervated b: to be or live
          in a state of depression or decreasing vitality 2 a:
          to become dispirited: pine <~ing in prison> b: to suffer
          neglect <the bill ~ed in the Senate for eight months>
          3: to assume an expression of grief or emotion appealing
          for sympathy -- lan.guish.er n -- lan.guish.ing.ly adv
          -- lan.guish.ment n

   languor
          [lan.guor] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L, fr. languere] (14c) 1: weakness
          or weariness of body or mind 2: listless indolence or
          inertia syn see lethargy

   languorous
          [lan.guor.ous] adj (15c) 1: producing or tending to produce
          languor <a ~ climate> 2: full of or characterized by
          languor -- lan.guor.ous.ly adv

   langur
          [lan.gur] n [Hindi lagur] (1825): any of several slender
          long-tailed Asian monkeys (subfamily Colobinae)

   lank
          [lank] adj [ME, fr. OE hlanc; akin to OHG hlanca loin] (bef.
          12c) 1: not well filled out: slender, thin <~ cattle>
          2: insufficient in quantity, degree, or extent <~ grass>
          3: hanging straight and limp without spring or curl <~
          hair> syn see lean -- lank.ly adv -- lank.ness n

   lanky
          [lanky] adj lank.i.er ; -est (1818): ungracefully tall and
          thin syn see lean -- lank.i.ly adv -- lank.i.ness n

   lanner
          [lan.ner] n [ME laner, fr. MF lanier] (14c): a falcon (Falco
          biarmicus) of southern Europe, southwestern Asia, and
          Africa; specif: a female lanner

   lanneret
          [lan.ner.et] n (15c): a male lanner

   lanolin
          [lan.o.lin] n [L lana wool + ISV [3]-ol + [1]-in] (1885):
          wool grease esp. when refined for use in ointments and
          cosmetics

   lantana
          [lan.ta.na] n [NL, fr. It dial., viburnum] (1791): any of
          a genus (Lantana) of tropical shrubs of the vervain family
          with showy heads of small bright flowers

   lantern
          [lan.tern] n, often attrib [ME lanterne, fr. OF, fr. L lanterna,
          fr. Gk lampter, fr. lampein to shine--more at lamp] (13c)
          1: a usu. portable protective case for a light with transparent
          openings--compare chinese lantern 2 a obs: lighthouse
          b: the chamber in a lighthouse containing the light c:
          a structure with glazed or open sides above an opening
          in a roof for light or ventilation d: a small tower or
          cupola or one stage of a cupola 3: projector 2b

   lantern fish
          [lantern fish] n (ca. 1753): any of a family (Myctophidae)
          of small deep-sea bony fishes that have a large mouth,
          large eyes, and usu. numerous photophores

   lantern fly
          [lantern fly] n (ca. 1753): any of several large brightly
          marked homopterous insects (family Fulgoridae) having
          the front of the head prolonged into a hollow structure

   lantern jaw
          [lantern jaw] n (1711): an undershot jaw -- lan.tern-jawed
          adj

   lantern pinion
          [lantern pinion] n (ca. 1859): a gear pinion having cylindrical
          bars instead of teeth

   lanthanide
          [lan.tha.nide] n [ISV] (1926): any in a series of elements
          of increasing atomic numbers beginning with lanthanum
          (57) or cerium (58) and ending with lutetium (71)

   lanthanum
          [lan.tha.num] n [NL, fr. Gk lanthanein to escape notice--more
          at latent] (1841): a white soft malleable metallic element
          that occurs in rare-earth minerals

   lanthorn
          [lant.horn] n (1587) chiefly Brit: lantern

   lanuginous
          [la.nu.gi.nous] adj [L lanuginosus, fr. lanugin-, lanugo]
          (1575): covered with down or fine soft hair: downy

   lanugo
          [la.nu.go] n [L, down, fr. lana wool--more at wool] (15c):
          a dense cottony or downy growth; specif: the soft woolly
          hair that covers the fetus of some mammals

   lanyard
          [lan.yard] n [ME lanyer thong, strap, fr. MF laniere] (1626)
          1: a piece of rope or line for fastening something in
          a ship; esp: one of the pieces passing through deadeyes
          to extend shrouds or stays 2 a: a cord or strap to hold
          something (as a knife or a whistle) and usu. worn around
          the neck b: a cord worn as a symbol of a military citation
          3: a strong line used to activate a system (as in firing
          a cannon or sounding a whistle)

   Lao
          [Lao] n, pl Lao or Laos (1808) 1: a member of a Buddhist
          people living in Laos and adjacent parts of northeastern
          Thailand 2: the Thai language of the Lao people -- Lao
          adj

   Laocoon
          [La.oc.o.on] n [L, fr. Gk Laokoon]: a Trojan priest killed
          with his sons by two sea serpents after warning the Trojans
          against the wooden horse

   Laodicean
          [La.od.i.ce.an] adj [fr. the reproach to the church of the
          Laodiceans in Rev 3:15-16] (1633): lukewarm or indifferent
          in religion or politics -- Laodicean n

   Laotian
          [Lao.tian] n [prob. fr. F laotien, adj. & n., fr. Lao] (1847):
          lao -- Laotian adj

   [1]lap
          [lap] n [ME lappe, fr. OE laeppa; akin to OHG lappa flap]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a loose overlapping or hanging panel
          or flap esp. of a garment b archaic: the skirt of a coat
          or dress 2 a: the clothing that lies on the knees, thighs,
          and lower part of the trunk when one sits b: the front
          part of the lower trunk and thighs of a seated person
          3: responsible custody: control <going to drop the whole
          thing in your ~ --Hamilton Basso> -- lap.ful n -- the
          lap of luxury : an environment of great ease, comfort,
          and wealth <was reared in the lap of luxury> [2]lap vb
          lapped ; lap.ping vt (14c) 1 a: to fold over or around
          something: wind b: to envelop entirely: swathe 2: to
          fold over esp. into layers 3: to hold protectively in
          or as if in the lap: cuddle 4 a: to place over and cover
          a part of: overlap <~ shingles on a roof> b: to join
          (as two boards) by a lap joint 5 a: to dress, smooth,
          or polish (as a metal surface) to a high degree of refinement
          or accuracy b: to shape or fit by working two surfaces
          together with or without abrasives until a very close
          fit is produced 6 a: to overtake and thereby lead or
          increase the lead over (another contestant) by a full
          circuit of a racecourse b: to complete the circuit of
          (a racecourse) ~ vi 1: fold, wind 2 a: to project beyond
          or spread over something b: to lie partly over or alongside
          of something or of one another: overlap 3: to traverse
          a course -- lap.per n [3]lap n (1800) 1 a: the amount
          by which one object overlaps or projects beyond another
          b: the part of an object that overlaps another 2: a smoothing
          and polishing tool usu. consisting of a piece of wood,
          leather, felt, or soft metal in a special shape used
          with or without an embedded abrasive 3: a doubling or
          layering of a flexible substance (as fibers or paper)
          4 a: the act or an instance of traversing a course (as
          a racing track or swimming pool); also: the distance
          covered b: one segment of a larger unit (as a journey)
          c: one complete turn (as of a rope around a drum) [4]lap
          vb lapped ; lap.ping [ME, fr. OE lapian; akin to OHG
          laffan to lick, L lambere, Gk laphyssein to devour] vi
          (bef. 12c) 1: to take in food or drink with the tongue
          2 a: to make a gentle intermittent splashing sound b:
          to move in little waves: wash ~ vt 1 a: to take in (food
          or drink) with the tongue b: to take in or absorb eagerly
          or quickly--used with up <the crowd lapped up every word
          he said> 2: to flow or splash against in little waves
          -- lap.per n [5]lap n (14c) 1 a: an act or instance of
          lapping b: the amount that can be carried to the mouth
          by one lick or scoop of the tongue 2: a thin or weak
          beverage or food 3: a gentle splashing sound

   laparo-
          [laparo-] comb form [Gk lapara flank, fr. laparos slack]:
          abdominal wall <laparotomy>

   laparoscope
          [lap.a.ro.scope] n [ISV] (ca. 1923): a fiberoptic instrument
          inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall and
          used to examine visually the interior of the peritoneal
          cavity

   laparoscopy
          [lap.a.ros.co.py] n, pl -pies (1916) 1: visual examination
          of the abdomen by means of a laparoscope 2: an operation
          involving laparoscopy; esp: one for sterilization of
          the female or for removal of ova that involves use of
          a laparoscope to guide surgical procedures within the
          abdomen -- lap.a.ro.scop.ic adj -- lap.a.ros.co.pist
          n

   laparotomy
          [lap.a.rot.o.my] n, pl -mies (1878): surgical section of
          the abdominal wall

   lap belt
          [lap belt] n (1952): a seat belt that fastens across the
          lap

   lapboard
          [lap.board] n (1804): a board used on the lap as a table
          or desk

   lapdog
          [lap.dog] n (1645) 1: a small dog that may be held in the
          lap 2: a servile dependent or follower

   lapel
          [la.pel] n [dim. of [1]lap] (1789): the part of a garment
          that is turned back; specif: the fold of the front of
          a coat that is usu. a continuation of the collar -- la.pelled
          or la.peled adj

   lapidarian
          [lap.i.dar.i.an] adj (1683): lapidary 1

   [1]lapidary
          [lap.i.dary] n, pl -dar.ies (14c) 1: a cutter, polisher,
          or engraver of precious stones usu. other than diamonds
          2: the art of cutting gems [2]lapidary adj [L lapidarius
          of stone, fr. lapid-, lapis stone] (1724) 1: having the
          elegance and precision associated with inscriptions on
          monumental stone <the ~ phrasing ... and subtle condensations
          of emotions ... reward attentive reading --G. A. Cardwell>
          2 a: sculptured in or engraved on stone b: of or relating
          to precious stones or the art of cutting them

   lapillus
          [la.pil.lus] n, pl -li [L, dim. of lapis] (1747): a small
          stony or glassy fragment of lava ejected in a volcanic
          eruption

   lapin
          [lap.in] n [F] (1905) 1: rabbit; specif: a castrated male
          rabbit 2: rabbit fur usu. sheared and dyed

   lapis lazuli
          [la.pis la.zu.li] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. L lapis + ML lazuli,
          gen. of lazulum lapis lazuli, fr. Ar lazaward--more at
          azure] (15c): a semiprecious stone that is usu. rich
          azure blue and is essentially a complex silicate often
          with spangles of iron pyrites--called also lapis

   lap joint
          [lap joint] n (1823): a joint made by overlapping two ends
          or edges and fastening them together -- lap-joint.ed
          adj

   Laplace transform
          [La.place transform] [Pierre Simon, Marquis de Laplace] (1942):
          a transformation of a function f(x) into the function
          g(t) that is found by multiplying f(x) by the transcendental
          number e raised to the exponent -xt and integrating this
          product with respect to x from 0 to positive infinity
          and that is useful esp. in reducing the solution of an
          ordinary linear differential equation with constant coefficients
          to the solution of a polynomial equation

   Lapp
          [Lapp] n [Sw] (1859) 1: a member of a people of northern
          Scandinavia, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of northern
          Russia who are traditionally fishermen, nomadic herders
          of caribou, and hunters of sea mammals 2: any or all
          of the closely related Finno-Ugric languages of the Lapps
          -- Lapp.ish adj or n

   lappet
          [lap.pet] n (1573) 1: a fold or flap on a garment or headdress
          2: a flat overlapping or hanging piece

   lap robe
          [lap robe] n (ca. 1866): a covering (as a blanket) for the
          legs, lap, and feet esp. of a passenger in a car or carriage

   Lapsang souchong
          [Lap.sang souchong] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1878): a souchong
          tea having a pronounced smoky flavor and aroma

   [1]lapse
          [lapse] n [L lapsus, fr. labi to slip--more at sleep] (1526)
          1 a: a slight error typically due to forgetfulness or
          inattention <a ~ in table manners> b: a temporary deviation
          or fall esp. from a higher to a lower state <a ~ from
          grace> 2: a becoming less: decline 3 a (1): the termination
          of a right or privilege through neglect to exercise it
          within some limit of time (2): termination of coverage
          for nonpayment of premiums b: interruption, discontinuance
          <returned to college after a ~ of several years> 4: an
          abandonment of religious faith: apostasy 5: a passage
          of time; also: interval syn see error [2]lapse vb lapsed
          ; laps.ing vi (1611) 1 a: to fall from an attained and
          usu. high level (as of morals or manners) to one much
          lower; also: to depart from an accepted pattern or standard
          b: to sink or slip gradually: subside <lapsed into unconsciousness>
          2: to go out of existence: cease <after a few polite exchanges, the
          conversation lapsed> 3: to pass from one proprietor to another
          or from an original owner by omission or negligence <allowed the
          insurance policy to ~> 4 a: to glide along: pass <time ~s> ~ vt:
          to let slip: forfeit <all of those who have lapsed their membership
          --AAUP Bull.> -- laps.er n

   lapsed
          [lapsed] adj (1638) of a person: having given up or allowed
          the lapse of a former position, relationship, or commitment
          <a ~ Catholic>

   lapse rate
          [lapse rate] n (1918): the adiabatic rate of decrease of
          atmospheric temperature with increasing altitude

   lapstrake
          [lap.strake] adj (1771): clinker-built

   lapsus calami
          [lap.sus ca.la.mi] [L] foreign term : slip of the pen

   lapsus linguae
          [lap.sus lin.guae] [L] foreign term : slip of the tongue

   laptop
          [lap.top] adj (1984): of a size and design that makes operation
          and use on one's lap convenient <a ~ personal computer>--compare
          desktop -- laptop n

   Laputan
          [La.pu.tan] n: an inhabitant of a flying island in Swift's
          Gulliver's Travels characterized by a neglect of useful
          occupations and a devotion to visionary projects -- Laputan
          adj

   lapwing
          [lap.wing] n [ME, by folk etymology fr. OE hleapewince; akin
          to OE hleapan to leap and to OE wincian to wink] (14c):
          a crested Old World plover (Vanellus vanellus) noted
          for its slow irregular flapping flight and shrill wailing
          cry; also: any of several related plovers

   Lar
          [Lar] n, pl Lar.es [L--more at larva]: a tutelary god or
          spirit associated with Vesta and the Penates as a guardian
          of the household by the ancient Romans

   larboard
          [lar.board] n [ME ladeborde] (14c): [5]port -- larboard adj

   larcener
          [lar.ce.ner] n (ca. 1635): larcenist

   larcenist
          [lar.ce.nist] n (1803): a person who commits larceny

   larcenous
          [lar.ce.nous] adj (1742) 1: having the character of or constituting
          larceny 2: committing larceny -- lar.ce.nous.ly adv

   larceny
          [lar.ce.ny] n, pl -nies [ME, fr. MF larcin theft, fr. L latrocinium
          robbery, fr. latron-, latro mercenary soldier, prob. fr. (assumed)
          Gk latron, fr. Gk latron pay] (15c): the unlawful taking
          of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner
          of it permanently

   larch
          [larch] n [prob. fr. G Larche, fr. MHG lerche, fr. L laric-,
          larix] (1548): any of a genus (Larix) of trees of the
          pine family with short fascicled deciduous leaves; also:
          the wood of a larch

   [1]lard
          [lard] vt (14c) 1 a: to dress (meat) for cooking by inserting
          or covering with something (as strips of fat) b: to cover
          or soil with grease 2: to decorate or intersperse with
          something <the book is ~ed with anecdotes> 3 obs: to
          make rich with or as if with fat [2]lard n [ME, fr. MF,
          fr. L lardum, laridum; perh. akin to Gk larinos fat]
          (14c): a soft white solid or semisolid fat obtained by
          rendering fatty tissue of the hog -- lardy adj

   larder
          [lar.der] n [ME, fr. MF lardier, fr. lard] (14c) 1: a place
          where food is stored: pantry 2: a supply of food

   lardoon
          [lar.doon] or lar.don n [ME, fr. MF lardon piece of fat pork,
          fr. lard] (14c): a strip (as of salt pork) with which
          meat is larded

   la reine le veut
          [la reine le veut] [F] foreign term : the queen wills it

   lares and penates
          [lares and penates] n pl (1775) 1: household gods 2: personal
          or household effects

   [1]large
          [large] adj larg.er ; larg.est [ME, fr. OF, fr. L largus]
          (12c) 1 obs: lavish 2 obs a: ample, abundant b: extensive,
          broad 3: having more than usual power, capacity, or scope:
          comprehensive <take the ~ view> <will take a larger role
          in the negotiations> 4 a: exceeding most other things
          of like kind esp. in quantity or size: big b: dealing
          in great numbers or quantities <a ~ and highly profitable
          business> 5 obs a of language or expression: coarse,
          vulgar b: lax in conduct: loose 6 of a wind: favorable
          7: extravagant, boastful <~ talk> -- large.ness n --
          larg.ish adj [2]large adv (14c) 1 obs: in abundance:
          amply, liberally 2: with the wind abaft the beam [3]large
          n (14c) obs: liberality, generosity -- at large 1 a:
          free of restraint or confinement <the escaped prisoner
          is still at large> b: without a specific subject or assignment
          <critic at large> 2: at length 3: in a general way 4:
          as a whole <society at large> 5: as the political representative
          of or to a whole area rather than of one of its subdivisions--used
          in combination with a preceding noun <a congressman-at-large>
          -- in the large : on a large scale: in general

   large calorie
          [large calorie] n (ca. 1909): calorie 1b

   largehearted
          [large.heart.ed] adj (1645): having a generous disposition:
          sympathetic -- large.heart.ed.ness n

   large intestine
          [large intestine] n (1823): the more terminal division of
          the vertebrate intestine that is wider and shorter than
          the small intestine, typically divided into cecum, colon,
          and rectum, and concerned esp. with the resorption of
          water and the formation of feces

   largely
          [large.ly] adv (13c): in a large manner; esp: to a large
          extent: mostly, primarily

   large-minded
          [large-mind.ed] adj (1725): generous or comprehensive in
          outlook, range, or capacity -- large-mind.ed.ly adv --
          large-mind.ed.ness n

   largemouth bass
          [large.mouth bass] n (1941): a large black bass (Micropterus
          salmoides) that is blackish green above and lighter below
          and has the maxillary bones of the upper jaw extending
          behind the eyes--called also largemouth, largemouth black
          bass

   large-print
          [large-print] adj (1968): being set in a large size of type
          (as 14 point or larger) esp. for use by the partially
          sighted <~ books>

   larger-than-life
          [larger-than-life] adj (1950): of the sort legends are made
          of <~ heroes>

   large-scale integration
          [large-scale integration] n (1966): the process of placing
          a large number of circuits on a small chip

   largesse
          [lar.gesse] or lar.gess n [ME largesse, fr. OF, fr. large]
          (13c) 1: liberal giving (as of money) to or as if to
          an inferior; also: something so given 2: generosity

   [1]larghetto
          [lar.ghet.to] n, pl -tos (ca. 1724): a movement played larghetto
          [2]larghetto adv or adj [It, somewhat slow, fr. largo]
          (ca. 1801): slower than andante but not so slow as largo--used
          as a direction in music

   [1]largo
          [lar.go] adv or adj [It, slow, broad, fr. L largus abundant]
          (1683): at a very slow tempo--used as a direction in
          music [2]largo n, pl largos (ca. 1724): a largo movement

   lariat
          [lar.i.at] n [AmerSp la reata the lasso, fr. Sp la the (fem.
          of el, fr. L ille that) + AmerSp reata lasso, fr. Sp
          reatar to tie again, fr. re- + atar to tie, fr. L aptare
          to fit--more at adapt] (1832): a long light rope (as
          of hemp or leather) used with a running noose to catch
          livestock or with or without the noose to tether grazing
          animals: lasso

   [1]lark
          [lark] n [ME laveroc, laverke, fr. OE lawerce; akin to OHG
          lerihha lark] (bef. 12c): any of a family (Alaudidae)
          of chiefly Old World songbirds that are usu. brownish
          in color; esp: skylark--compare meadowlark [2]lark n
          [[3]lark] (ca. 1811): something done solely for fun or
          adventure <ran for office on a ~> [3]lark vi [prob. alter.
          of lake to frolic] (1813): to engage in harmless fun
          or mischief--often used with about -- lark.er n

   larkspur
          [lark.spur ] n (1578) 1: delphinium 2: any of the delphiniums
          that are annuals, have the upper two petals of the corolla
          united and the bottom two missing, are now often placed
          in a separate genus (Consolida), and include several
          widely cultivated forms

   larky
          [larky] adj lark.i.er ; -est (1841) 1: given to or ready
          for larking: sportive 2: resulting from a lark -- lark.i.ness
          n

   larrigan
          [lar.ri.gan] n [origin unknown] (1886): an oil-tanned moccasin
          with a leg often reaching the knee

   larrikin
          [lar.ri.kin] n [origin unknown] (1868) chiefly Austral: hoodlum,
          rowdy -- larrikin adj

   [1]larrup
          [lar.rup] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1820) dial: [5]blow [2]larrup
          vt (ca. 1823) 1 dial: to flog soundly: whip 2 dial: to
          defeat decisively: trounce ~ vi, dial: to move indolently
          or clumsily

   larum
          [la.rum] n [short for alarum] (15c) archaic: alarm

   larva
          [lar.va] n, pl lar.vae also larvas [NL, fr. L, specter, mask;
          akin to L lar Lar] (1768) 1: the immature, wingless,
          and often wormlike feeding form that hatches from the
          egg of many insects, alters chiefly in size while passing
          through several molts, and is finally transformed into
          a pupa or chrysalis from which the adult emerges 2: the
          early form of an animal (as a frog or sea urchin) that
          at birth or hatching is fundamentally unlike its parent
          and must metamorphose before assuming the adult characters
          -- lar.val adj

   larvicide
          [lar.vi.cide] n (ca. 1888): an agent for killing larval pests
          -- lar.vi.cid.al adj

   laryng-
          [laryng-] or laryngo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. laryng-,
          larynx]: larynx <laryngitis>

   [1]laryngeal
          [la.ryn.geal] adj (1795) 1: of, relating to, or used on the
          larynx 2: produced by or with constriction of the larynx
          <~ articulation of sounds> [2]laryngeal n (ca. 1902)
          1: an anatomical part (as a nerve or artery) that supplies
          or is associated with the larynx 2 a: a laryngeal sound
          b: any of a set of several conjectured phonemes reconstructed
          for Proto-Indo-European chiefly on indirect evidence

   laryngectomee
          [lar.yn.gec.to.mee] n (1956): a person who has undergone
          laryngectomy

   laryngectomy
          [lar.yn.gec.to.my] n, pl -mies (ca. 1888): surgical removal
          of all or part of the larynx -- lar.yn.gec.to.mized adj

   laryngitis
          [lar.yn.gi.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1834): inflammation of the larynx
          -- lar.yn.git.ic adj

   laryngology
          [lar.yn.gol.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1842): a branch of medicine
          dealing with diseases of the larynx and nasopharynx

   laryngoscope
          [la.ryn.go.scope] n [ISV] (1860): an instrument for examining
          the interior of the larynx -- lar.yn.gos.co.py n

   larynx
          [lar.ynx] n, pl la.ryn.ges or lar.ynx.es [NL laryng-, larynx,
          fr. Gk] (1578): the modified upper part of the trachea
          of air-breathing vertebrates that in humans, most other
          mammals, and a few lower forms contains the vocal cords

   lasagna
          [la.sa.gna] n [It lasagna, fr. (assumed) VL lasania cooking
          pot, its contents, fr. L lasanum chamber pot, fr. Gk
          lasanon] (1846) 1 also la.sa.gne : pasta in the form
          of broad often ruffled ribbons 2: a baked dish consisting
          chiefly of layers of boiled lasagna, cheese, and a seasoned
          sauce of tomatoes and usu. meat

   lascar
          [las.car] n [Hindi lashkar army] (1615): an Indian sailor,
          army servant, or artilleryman

   lasciate ogni speranza, voi ch'entrate
          [la.scia.te ogni spe.ran.za, voi ch'en.tra.te] [It] foreign
          term : abandon all hope, ye who enter

   lascivious
          [las.civ.i.ous] adj [LL lasciviosus, fr. L lascivia wantonness,
          fr. lascivus wanton--more at lust] (15c): lewd, lustful
          -- las.civ.i.ous.ly adv -- las.civ.i.ous.ness n

   lase
          [lase] vi lased ; las.ing [back-formation fr. laser] (1962):
          to emit coherent light

   laser
          [la.ser] n, often attrib [light amplification by stimulated
          emission of radiation] (1960): a device that utilizes
          the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between
          energy levels for generating coherent electromagnetic
          radiation usu. in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared
          regions of the spectrum

   laser disc
          [laser disc] n (1980): optical disk; esp: one on which programs
          are recorded for playback on a television set

   laser printer
          [laser printer] n (1979): a high-resolution printer for computer
          output that xerographically prints an image formed by
          a laser

   [1]lash
          [lash] vb [ME] vi (14c) 1: to move violently or suddenly:
          dash 2: to thrash or beat violently <rain ~ed at the
          windowpanes> 3: to make a verbal attack or retort--usu.
          used with out ~ vt 1 a: to whip or fling about violently
          <the big cat ~ed its tail about threateningly> b: to
          strike or beat with or as if with a whip <waves ~ed the
          shore> 2 a: to assail with stinging words b: drive, whip
          <~ed them into a fury with his fiery speech> -- lash.er
          n [2]lash n (14c) 1 a (1): a stroke with or as if with
          a whip (2): the flexible part of a whip; also: whip b:
          punishment by whipping 2: a beating, whipping, or driving
          force 3: a stinging rebuke 4: eyelash 5: the clearance
          or play between adjacent movable mechanical parts [3]lash
          vt [ME lasschyn to lace, fr. MF lacier--more at lace]
          (1624): to bind with or as if with a line -- lash.er
          n

   lashing
          [lash.ing] n (1669): something used for binding, wrapping,
          or fastening

   lashings
          [lash.ings] also lash.ins n pl [fr. gerund of [1]lash] (1829)
          chiefly Brit: a great plenty: abundance <piles of bread
          and butter and ~ of tea --Molly Weir>

   lash-up
          [lash-up] n [[3]lash] (1898) 1: something hastily put together
          or improvised 2: outfit 3

   lass
          [lass] n [ME las] (14c) 1: a young woman: girl 2: sweetheart

   Lassa fever
          [Las.sa fever] n [Lassa, village in Nigeria] (1970): a virus
          disease esp. of Africa that is characterized by a high
          fever, headaches, mouth ulcers, muscle aches, small hemorrhages
          under the skin, heart and kidney failure, and a high
          mortality rate

   lassie
          [lass.ie] n (1725): lass 1

   lassitude
          [las.si.tude] n [MF, fr. L lassitudo, fr. lassus weary; prob.
          akin to OE laet late--more at late] (15c) 1: a condition
          of weariness or debility: fatigue 2: a condition of listlessness:
          languor syn see lethargy

   [1]lasso
          [las.so] vt (1807): to capture with or as if with a lasso:
          rope -- las.so.er n [2]lasso n, pl lassos or lassoes
          [Sp lazo, fr. L laqueus snare] (1808): a rope or long
          thong of leather with a noose used esp. for catching
          horses and cattle: lariat

   [1]last
          [last] vb [ME, fr. OE laestan to last, follow; akin to OE
          last footprint] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to continue in time
          2 a: to remain fresh or unimpaired: endure b: to manage
          to continue (as in a course of action) c: to continue
          to live ~ vt 1: to continue in existence or action as
          long as or longer than--often used with out <couldn't
          ~ out the training program> 2: to be enough for the needs
          of <the supplies will ~ them a week> syn see continue
          -- last.er n [2]last n [ME, fr. OE laeste, fr. last footprint;
          akin to OHG leist shoemaker's last, L lira furrow--more
          at learn] (bef. 12c): a form (as of metal or plastic)
          which is shaped like the human foot and over which a
          shoe is shaped or repaired [3]last vt (ca. 1859): to
          shape with a last -- last.er n [4]last adv [ME, fr. OE
          latost, superl. of laet late] (bef. 12c) 1: after all
          others: at the end <came ~ and left first> 2: most lately
          <saw him ~ in Rome> 3: in conclusion <~, let's consider
          the social aspect> [5]last adj (13c) 1 a: following all
          the rest <he was the ~ one out> b: being the only remaining
          <our ~ dollar> 2 a: belonging to the final stage (as
          of life) <his ~ hours on earth> b: administered to the
          seriously sick or dying <the ~ rites of the church> 3
          a: next before the present: most recent <~ week> <his
          ~ book was a failure> b: most up-to-date: latest <it's
          the ~ thing in fashion> 4 a: lowest in rank or standing;
          also: worst b: farthest from a specified quality, attitude,
          or likelihood <would be the ~ person to fall for flattery>
          5 a: conclusive <there is no ~ answer to the problem>
          b: highest in degree: supreme, ultimate c: distinct,
          separate--used as an intensive <ate every ~ piece of
          food> -- last.ly adv syn last, final, terminal, eventual,
          ultimate mean following all others (as in time, order,
          or importance). last applies to something that comes
          at the end of a series but does not always imply that
          the series is completed or stopped <last page of a book>
          <last news we had of him>. final applies to that which
          definitely closes a series, process, or progress <final
          day of school>. terminal may indicate a limit of extension,
          growth, or development <terminal phase of a disease>.
          eventual applies to something that is bound to follow
          sooner or later as the final effect of causes already
          operating <eventual defeat of the enemy>. ultimate implies
          the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which
          further progress or change is impossible <the ultimate
          collapse of the system>. [6]last n (13c): something that
          is last -- at last or at long last : at the end of a
          period of time: finally <at last you've come home>

   last-ditch
          [last-ditch] adj (1937) 1: fought or conducted from the last
          ditch: waged with desperation or unyielding defiance
          <~ resistance> 2: made as a final effort esp. to avert
          disaster <a ~ attempt to raise the money>

   last ditch
          [last ditch] n (ca. 1715): a place of final defense or resort

   last-gasp
          [last-gasp] adj (1921): done or coming at the very end --
          last gasp n

   last hurrah
          [last hurrah] n [fr. The Last Hurrah (1956) by Edwin O'Connor
          d. 1968 Am. novelist] (1966): a final often valedictory
          effort, production, or appearance <his unsuccessful Senate
          run was his last hurrah --R. W. Daly>

   last-in first-out
          [last-in first-out] adj (1940): of, relating to, or being
          a method of inventory accounting that values stock on
          hand according to costs at the time of acquisition and
          not according to the cost of replacement

   [1]lasting
          [last.ing] adj (12c): existing or continuing a long while:
          enduring -- last.ing.ly adv -- last.ing.ness n syn lasting,
          permanent, durable, stable mean enduring for so long
          as to seem fixed or established. lasting implies a capacity
          to continue indefinitely <a book that left a lasting
          impression on me>. permanent adds usu. the implication
          of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely
          <permanent living arrangements>. durable implies power
          to resist destructive agencies <durable fabrics>. stable
          implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned
          or displaced <a stable government>. [2]lasting n (15c)
          1 archaic: long life 2: a sturdy cotton or worsted cloth
          used esp. in shoes and luggage

   Last Judgment
          [Last Judgment] n (14c): the judgment of mankind before God
          at the end of the world

   last minute
          [last minute] n (1920): the moment just before some climactic,
          decisive, or disastrous event

   last name
          [last name] n (1897): surname 2

   last rites
          [last rites] n (1922): extreme unction

   last straw
          [last straw] n [fr. the fable of the last straw that broke
          the camel's back when added to its burden] (1848): the
          last of a series (as of events or indignities) that brings
          one beyond the point of endurance

   Last Supper
          [Last Supper] n (14c): the supper eaten by Jesus and his
          disciples on the night of his betrayal

   Last Things
          [Last Things] n pl [trans. of ML Novissima] (1522): events
          (as the resurrection and divine judgment of all humankind)
          marking the end of the world: eschatological happenings

   last word
          [last word] n (1563) 1: the final remark in a verbal exchange
          2 a: the power of final decision b: a definitive statement
          or treatment <this study will surely be the last word
          on the subject for many years> 3: the most advanced,
          up-to-date, or fashionable exemplar of its kind <the
          last word in sports cars>

   lat
          [lat] n [Latvian lats, fr. Latvija Latvia] (1923)--see money
          table

   lat
          [lat] abbreviation latitude  Lat abbreviation Latin, Latvia
          LAT abbreviation local apparent time

   latakia
          [lat.a.kia] n [Latakia, seaport in Syria] (1833): a highly
          aromatic Turkish smoking tobacco

   [1]latch
          [latch] vi [ME lachen, fr. OE laeccan; perh. akin to Gk lambanein
          to take, seize] (13c) 1: to lay hold with or as if with
          the hands or arms--used with on or onto 2: to associate
          oneself intimately and often artfully--used with on or
          onto <~ed onto a rich widow> [2]latch n (13c): any of
          various devices in which mating mechanical parts engage
          to fasten but usu. not to lock something: a: a fastener
          (as for a door) consisting essentially of a pivoted bar
          that falls into a notch b: a fastener (as for a door)
          in which a spring slides a bolt into a hole; also: night
          latch [3]latch vt (15c): to make fast with or as if with
          a latch

   latchet
          [latch.et] n [ME lachet, fr. MF, shoestring, fr. laz snare,
          fr. L laqueus] (15c): a narrow leather strap, thong,
          or lace that fastens a shoe or sandal on the foot

   latchkey
          [latch.key] n (1825): a key to an outside and esp. a front
          door

   latchkey child
          [latchkey child] n (1944): a young child of working parents
          who must spend part of the day unsupervised (as at home)--called
          also latchkey kid

   latchstring
          [latch.string] n (1791): a string on a latch that may be
          left hanging outside the door to permit the raising of
          the latch from the outside or drawn inside to prevent
          intrusion

   [1]late
          [late] adj lat.er ; lat.est [ME, late, slow, fr. OE laet;
          akin to OHG laz slow, OE laetan to let] (bef. 12c) 1
          a (1): coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper
          time <a ~ spring> (2): of, relating to, or imposed because
          of tardiness b: of or relating to an advanced stage in
          point of time or development <the ~ Middle Ages>; esp:
          far advanced toward the close of the day or night <~
          hours> 2 a: living comparatively recently--used of persons
          <the ~ John Doe> and often with reference to a specific
          relationship or status <his ~ wife> b: being something
          or holding some position or relationship recently but
          not now <the ~ belligerents> c: made, appearing, or happening
          just previous to the present time esp. as the most recent
          of a succession <our ~ quarrel> syn see dead -- late.ness
          n [2]late adv lat.er ; lat.est (bef. 12c) 1 a: after
          the usual or proper time <got to work ~> b: at or to
          an advanced point of time 2: not long ago: recently <a
          man ~ of Chicago> -- of late : in the period shortly
          or immediately preceding: recently <has been sick of
          late>

   late blight
          [late blight] n (1900): a disease of solanaceous plants (as
          the potato and tomato) that is caused by a fungus (Phytophthora
          infestans) and is characterized by decay of stems, leaves,
          and in the potato also of tubers

   latecomer
          [late.com.er] n (1892): one that arrives late; also: a recent
          arrival

   lated
          [lat.ed] adj (ca. 1592): belated

   [1]lateen
          [la.teen] adj [F (voile) latine, lit., Latin (Mediterranean)
          sail] (ca. 1741): being or relating to a rig used esp.
          on the north coast of Africa and characterized by a triangular
          sail extended by a long spar slung to a low mast [2]lateen
          n (ca. 1775) 1 also la.teen.er : a lateen-rigged ship
          2: a lateen sail

   Late Greek
          [Late Greek] n (ca. 1889): the Greek language as used in
          the 3d to 6th centuries

   Late Hebrew
          [Late Hebrew] n (1951): the Hebrew language used by writers
          from about the 2d century b.c. to the early Middle Ages

   Late Latin
          [Late Latin] n (1888): the Latin language used by writers
          in the 3d to 6th centuries

   lately
          [late.ly] adv (15c): of late: recently <has been friendlier
          ~>

   laten
          [lat.en] vb lat.ened ; lat.en.ing vi (1880): to grow late
          ~ vt: to cause to grow late

   latency
          [la.ten.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1638) 1: the quality or state
          of being latent: dormancy 2: something latent 3: a stage
          of personality development that extends from about the
          age of five to the beginning of puberty and during which
          sexual urges often appear to lie dormant 4: latent period
          2

   latency period
          [latency period] n (1910) 1: latency 3 2: latent period

   La Tene
          [La Tene] adj [La Tene, shallows of the Lake of Neuchatel,
          Switzerland] (1901): of or relating to the later period
          of the Iron Age in Europe assumed to date from 500 b.c.
          to a.d. 1

   latensification
          [la.ten.si.fi.ca.tion] n [blend of [1]latent and intensification]
          (1940): intensification of a latent photographic image
          by chemical treatment or exposure to light of low intensity

   [1]latent
          [la.tent] adj [ME, fr. L latent-, latens, fr. prp. of latere
          to lie hidden; akin to Gk lanthanein to escape notice]
          (15c): present and capable of becoming though not now
          visible, obvious, or active <a ~ infection> -- la.tent.ly
          adv syn latent, dormant, quiescent, potential mean not
          now showing signs of activity or existence. latent applies
          to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but
          may emerge and develop <a latent desire for success>.
          dormant suggests the inactivity of something (as a feeling
          or power) as though sleeping <their passion had lain
          dormant>. quiescent suggests a usu. temporary cessation
          of activity <the disease was quiescent>. potential applies
          to what does not yet have existence or effect but is
          likely soon to have <a potential disaster>. [2]latent
          n (1923): a fingerprint (as at the scene of a crime)
          that is scarcely visible but can be developed for study

   latent heat
          [latent heat] n (ca. 1757): heat given off or absorbed in
          a process (as fusion or vaporization) other than a change
          of temperature

   latent period
          [latent period] n (1837) 1: the incubation period of a disease
          2: the interval between stimulation and response

   latent root
          [latent root] n (1883): an eigenvalue of a matrix

   -later
          [-later] n comb form [ME -latrer, fr. MF -latre, fr. LL -latres,
          fr. Gk -latres; akin to Gk latron pay]: worshiper <bibliolater>

   later
          [lat.er] adv (13c): at some time subsequent to a given time:
          subsequently, afterward <four months ~> <they ~ regretted
          their decision>--often used with on <experience that
          will be useful ~ on>

   laterad
          [lat.er.ad] adv [L later-, latus] (1814): toward the side

   [1]lateral
          [lat.er.al] adj [ME laterale, fr. L lateralis, fr. later-,
          latus side] (15c) 1: of or relating to the side 2: situated
          on, directed toward, or coming from the side 3: extending
          from side to side <~ axis of an airplane> 4: produced
          with passage of breath around the side of a constriction
          formed with the tongue </l/ is ~> -- lat.er.al.ly adv
          [2]lateral n (1851) 1: a branch from the main part (as
          in an irrigation or electrical system) 2: a pass in football
          thrown parallel to the line of scrimmage or in a direction
          away from the opponent's goal 3: a lateral speech sound
          [3]lateral vi (1944): to throw a lateral

   lateral bud
          [lateral bud] n (ca. 1892): a bud that develops in the axil
          between a petiole and a stem

   lateralization
          [lat.er.al.i.za.tion] n (ca. 1899): localization of function
          or activity (as of verbal processes in the brain) on
          one side of the body in preference to the other -- lat.er.al.ize
          vt

   lateral line
          [lateral line] n (1870): a canal along the side of a fish
          containing pores that open into tubes supplied with sense
          organs sensitive to low vibrations; also: one of these
          tubes or sense organs

   laterite
          [lat.er.ite] n [L later brick] (1807): a residual product
          of rock decay that is red in color and has a high content
          in the oxides of iron and hydroxide of aluminum -- lat.er.it.ic
          adj

   laterization
          [lat.er.i.za.tion] n (ca. 1882): the process of conversion
          of rock to laterite

   [1]latest
          [lat.est] adj (1588) 1 archaic: last 2: most recent <the
          ~ news> <the ~ style> [2]latest n (1884) 1: the latest
          acceptable time--usu. used in the phrase at the latest
          2: something that is the most recent or currently fashionable
          <the ~ in diving techniques>

   latewood
          [late.wood] n (ca. 1933): summerwood

   latex
          [la.tex] n, pl la.ti.ces or la.tex.es [NL latic-, latex,
          fr. L, fluid] (1835) 1: a milky usu. white fluid that
          is produced by cells of various seed plants (as of the
          milkweed, spurge, and poppy families) and is the source
          of rubber, gutta-percha, chicle, and balata 2: a water
          emulsion of a synthetic rubber or plastic obtained by
          polymerization and used esp. in coatings (as paint) and
          adhesives

   lath
          [lath] n, pl laths or lath [ME, fr. (assumed) OE laethth-;
          akin to OHG latta lath, W llath yard] (13c) 1: a thin
          narrow strip of wood nailed to rafters, joists, or studding
          as a groundwork for slates, tiles, or plaster 2: a building
          material in sheets used as a base for plaster 3: a quantity
          of laths -- lath vt

   [1]lathe
          [lathe] n [prob. fr. ME lath supporting stand] (ca. 1611):
          a machine in which work is rotated about a horizontal
          axis and shaped by a fixed tool [2]lathe vt lathed ;
          lath.ing (ca. 1903): to cut or shape with a lathe

   [1]lather
          [lath.er] n [(assumed) ME, fr. OE leathor; akin to L lavere
          to wash--more at lye] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a foam or froth
          formed when a detergent (as soap) is agitated in water
          b: foam or froth from profuse sweating (as on a horse)
          2: an agitated or overwrought state: dither -- lath.ery
          adj [2]lather vb lath.ered ; lath.er.ing vt (bef. 12c)
          1: to spread lather over 2: to beat severely: flog ~
          vi: to form a lather or a froth like lather -- lath.er.er
          n

   lathyrism
          [lath.y.rism] n [NL Lathyrus, fr. Gk lathyros, a type of
          pea] (ca. 1888): a diseased condi tion of humans, domestic
          animals, and esp. horses that results from poisoning
          by a substance found in some legumes (genus Lathyrus
          and esp. L. sativus) and is characterized esp. by spastic
          paralysis of the hind or lower limbs

   lathyritic
          [lath.y.rit.ic] adj (1960): of, relating to, affected with,
          or characteristic of lathyrism <~ rats> <~ cartilage>

   latices
          [latices] pl of latex

   laticifer
          [la.tic.i.fer] n [ISV latici- (fr. NL latic-, latex) + -fer]
          (ca. 1928): a plant cell or vessel that contains latex

   latifundio
          [la.ti.fun.dio] n, pl -di.os [Sp, fr. L latifundium] (ca.
          1902): a latifundium in Spain or Latin America

   latifundium
          [lat.i.fun.di.um] n, pl -dia [L, fr. latus wide + fundus
          piece of landed property, foundation, bottom--more at
          bottom] (1630): a great landed estate with primitive
          agriculture and labor often in a state of partial servitude

   latigo
          [lat.i.go] n, pl -gos also -goes [Sp latigo] (1873) chiefly
          West: a long strap on a saddletree of a western saddle
          to adjust the cinch

   [1]Latin
          [Lat.in] adj [ME, fr. OE, fr. L Latinus, fr. Latium, ancient
          country of Italy] (bef. 12c) 1 a: of, relating to, or
          composed in Latin b: romance 2: of or relating to Latium
          or the Latins 3: of or relating to the part of the Catholic
          Church that until recently used a Latin rite and forms
          the patriarchate of the pope 4: of or relating to the
          peoples or countries using Romance languages; specif:
          of or relating to the peoples or countries of Latin America
          [2]Latin n (bef. 12c) 1: the Italic language of ancient
          Latium and of Rome and until modern times the dominant
          language of school, church, and state in western Europe
          2: a member of the people of ancient Latium 3: a Catholic
          of the Latin rite 4: a member of one of the Latin peoples;
          specif: a native or inhabitant of Latin America 5: latin
          alphabet

   Latin alphabet
          [Latin alphabet] n (1823): an alphabet that was used for
          writing Latin and that has been modified for writing
          many modern languages

   Latin Americanist
          [Latin Americanist] n (1972): a specialist in Latin American
          civilization

   Latinate
          [Lat.in.ate] adj (1904): of, relating to, resembling, or
          derived from Latin

   Latin cross
          [Latin cross] n (1797): a figure of a cross having a long
          upright shaft and a shorter crossbar traversing it above
          the middle

   Latinism
          [Lat.in.ism] n (ca. 1570) 1: a characteristic feature of
          Latin occurring in another language 2: Latin quality
          or character

   Latinist
          [Lat.in.ist] n (15c): a specialist in the Latin language
          or Roman culture

   latinity
          [la.tin.i.ty] n, often cap (1619) 1: a manner of speaking
          or writing Latin 2: latinism 2

   latinize
          [lat.in.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing often cap vt (1589) 1 a obs:
          to translate into Latin b: to give a Latin form to c:
          to introduce Latinisms into d: romanize 2 2: to make
          Latin or Italian in doctrine, ideas, or traits; specif:
          to cause to resemble the Roman Catholic Church ~ vi 1:
          to use Latinisms 2: to exhibit the influence of the Romans
          or of the Roman Catholic Church -- lat.in.i.za.tion n

   Latino
          [La.ti.no] n, pl -nos [AmerSp, prob. short for latinoamericano
          Latin American] (1946) 1: a native or inhabitant of Latin
          America 2: a person of Latin-American origin living in
          the U.S. -- Latino adj

   Latin square
          [Latin square] n (1890): a square array which contains n
          different elements with each element occurring n times
          but with no element occurring twice in the same column
          or row and which is used esp. in the statistical design
          of experiments (as in agriculture)

   latish
          [lat.ish] adj (1611): somewhat late

   latitude
          [lat.i.tude] n [ME, fr. L latitudin-, latitudo, fr. latus
          wide; akin to OCS postilati to spread] (14c) 1 archaic:
          extent or distance from side to side: width 2: angular
          distance from some specified circle or plane of reference:
          as a: angular distance north or south from the earth's
          equator measured through 90 degrees b: angular distance
          of a celestial body from the ecliptic c: a region or
          locality as marked by its latitude 3 a archaic: scope,
          range b: the range of exposures within which a film or
          plate will produce a negative or positive of satisfactory
          quality 4: freedom of action or choice -- lat.i.tu.di.nal
          adj -- lat.i.tu.di.nal.ly adv

   latitudinarian
          [lat.i.tu.di.nar.i.an] n (1662): a person who is broad and
          liberal in standards of religious belief and conduct
          -- latitudinarian adj -- lat.i.tu.di.nar.i.an.ism n

   latke
          [lat.ke] n [Yiddish, fr. Ukrainian oladka] (1927): potato
          pancake

   latosol
          [lat.o.sol] n [irreg. fr. L later brick + E -sol (as in podsol,
          var. of podzol)] (1949): a leached red and yellow tropical
          soil -- lat.o.sol.ic adj

   latrine
          [la.trine] n [F, fr. L latrina, contr. of lavatrina, fr.
          lavare to wash--more at lye] (1642) 1: a receptacle (as
          a pit in the earth) for use as a toilet 2: toilet

   -latry
          [-latry] n comb form [ME -latrie, fr. OF, fr. LL -latria,
          fr. Gk, fr. latreia; akin to Gk latron pay]: worship
          <heliolatry>

   latten
          [lat.ten] n [ME laton, fr. MF] (14c): a yellow alloy identical
          to or resembling brass typically hammered into thin sheets
          and formerly much used for church utensils

   latter
          [lat.ter] adj [ME, fr. OE laetra, compar. of laet late] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: belonging to a subsequent time or period: more
          recent <the ~ stages of growth> b: of or relating to
          the end <in their ~ days> c: recent, present <affected
          by ~ calamities> 2: of, relating to, or being the second
          of two groups or things or the last of several groups
          or things referred to <of ham and beef the ~ meat is
          cheaper today> <of ham and beef the ~ is cheaper today>

   latter-day
          [lat.ter-day] adj (1850) 1: of present or recent times <~
          prophets> 2: of a later or subsequent time

   Latter-day Saint
          [Latter-day Saint] n, often cap D (1834): a member of any
          of several religious bodies tracing their origin to Joseph
          Smith in 1830 and accepting the Book of Mormon as divine
          revelation: mormon

   latterly
          [lat.ter.ly] adv (1734) 1: later 2: of late: recently

   lattice
          [lat.tice] n [ME latis, fr. MF lattis] (14c) 1 a: a framework
          or structure of crossed wood or metal strips b: a window,
          door, or gate having a lattice c: a network or design
          resembling a lattice 2: a regular geometrical arrangement
          of points or objects over an area or in space; specif:
          the arrangement of atoms in a crystal 3: a mathematical
          set that has some elements ordered and that is such that
          for any two elements there exists a greatest element
          in the subset of all elements less than or equal to both
          and a least element in the subset of all elements greater
          than or equal to both -- lattice vt -- lat.ticed adj

   lattice girder
          [lattice girder] n (1852): a girder with top and bottom flanges
          connected by a latticework web

   latticework
          [lat.tice.work] n (15c): a lattice or work made of lattices

   latus rectum
          [la.tus rec.tum] n [NL, lit., straight side] (1702): a chord
          of a conic section (as an ellipse) that passes through
          a focus and is parallel to the directrix

   Latvian
          [Lat.vi.an] n (1924) 1: the Baltic language of the Latvian
          people 2: a native or inhabitant of Latvia -- Latvian
          adj

   lauan
          [lau.an] n [Tag lawaan] (1894): any of various Philippine
          timbers (as of the genera Shorea and Parashorea) that
          are light yellow to reddish brown or brown and include
          some which enter commerce as Philippine mahogany

   [1]laud
          [laud] n [ME laudes (pl.), fr. ML, fr. L, pl. of laud-, laus
          praise] (14c) 1 pl but sing or pl in constr, often cap:
          an office of solemn praise to God forming with matins
          the first of the canonical hours 2: praise, acclaim [2]laud
          vt [L laudare, fr. laud-, laus] (14c): praise, extol

   laudable
          [laud.able] adj (15c): worthy of praise: commendable
          -- laud.able.ness n -- laud.ably adv

   laudanum
          [lau.da.num] n [NL] (ca. 1603) 1: any of various formerly
          used preparations of opium 2: a tincture of opium

   laudation
          [lau.da.tion] n (15c): the act of praising: eulogy

   laudative
          [lau.da.tive] adj (15c): laudatory

   laudator temporis acti
          [lau.da.tor tem.po.ris ac.ti] [L] foreign term : one who
          praises past times

   laudatory
          [lau.da.to.ry] adj (1555): of, relating to, or expressing
          praise

   [1]laugh
          [laugh] vb [ME, fr. OE hliehhan; akin to OHG lachen to laugh]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to show mirth, joy, or scorn with
          a smile and chuckle or explosive sound b: to find amusement
          or pleasure in something <~ed at his own clumsiness>
          c: to become amused or derisive <a very skeptical public
          ~ed at our early efforts --Graenum Berger> 2 a: to produce
          the sound or appearance of laughter <a ~ing brook> b:
          to be of a kind that inspires joy ~ vt 1: to influence
          or move by laughter <~ed the bad singer off the stage>
          2: to utter with a laugh -- laugh.ing.ly adv [2]laugh
          n (1690) 1: the act of laughing 2 a: a cause for derision
          or merriment: joke b: an expression of scorn or mockery:
          jeer 3 pl: diversion, sport <play baseball just for ~s>

   laughable
          [laugh.able] adj (1596): of a kind to provoke laughter or
          sometimes derision: amusingly ridiculous -- laugh.able.ness
          n -- laugh.ably adv syn laughable, ludicrous, ridiculous,
          comic, comical mean provoking laughter or mirth. laughable
          applies to anything occasioning laughter intentionally
          or unintentionally <laughable attempts at waterskiing>.
          ludicrous suggests absurdity or preposterousness that
          excites both laughter and scorn or sometimes pity <a
          spy thriller with a ludicrous plot>. ridiculous suggests
          extreme absurdity, foolishness, or contemptibility <a
          ridiculous portrayal of wartime combat>. comic applies
          esp. to that which arouses thoughtful amusement <a comic
          character>. comical applies to that which arouses unrestrained
          spontaneous hilarity <you looked comical>.

   laugher
          [laugh.er] n (15c) 1: one that laughs 2: something (as a
          game) that is easily won or handled

   laughing gas
          [laughing gas] n (ca. 1842): nitrous oxide

   laughing gull
          [laughing gull] n (1789): an American gull (Larus atricilla)
          having a black head in breeding plumage and black wing
          tips blending into the gray upper side of the wings

   laughing jackass
          [laughing jackass] n (1798): kookaburra

   laughing matter
          [laughing matter] n (ca. 1583): something not to be taken
          seriously--usu. used in the phrase no laughing matter

   laughingstock
          [laugh.ing.stock] n (1533): an object of ridicule

   laugh off
          [laugh off] vt (1715): to minimize by treating as amusingly
          or absurdly trivial

   laughter
          [laugh.ter] n [ME, fr. OE hleahtor; akin to OE hliehhan]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a sound of or as if of laughing 2 archaic:
          a cause of merriment

   laugh track
          [laugh track] n (1962): laughter to accompany dialogue or
          action (as of a television program)

   launce
          [launce] n [prob. fr. [1]lance] (1623): sand lance

   [1]launch
          [launch] vb [ME, fr. ONF lancher, fr. LL lanceare to wield
          a lance--more at lance] vt (14c) 1 a: to throw forward:
          hurl b: to release, catapult, or send off (a self-propelled
          object) <~ a rocket> 2 a: to set (a boat or ship) afloat
          b: to give (a person) a start <~ed in a new career> c
          (1): to originate or set in motion: initiate, introduce
          (2): to get off to a good start ~ vi 1 a: to spring forward:
          take off b: to throw oneself energetically: plunge 2
          a archaic: to slide down the ways b: to make a start
          [2]launch n (1749): an act or instance of launching [3]launch
          n [Sp or Pg; Sp lancha, fr. Pg] (1697) 1: a large boat
          that operates from a ship 2: a small motorboat that is
          open or that has the forepart of the hull covered

   launcher
          [launch.er] n (1911): one that launches: as a: a device for
          firing grenades b: a device for launching a missile c:
          launch vehicle

   launching pad
          [launching pad] n (1951) 1: launchpad 2: springboard 2

   launchpad
          [launch.pad] n (1958): a nonflammable platform from which
          a rocket, launch vehicle, or guided missile can be launched

   launch vehicle
          [launch vehicle] n (ca. 1960): a rocket used to launch a
          satellite or spacecraft

   launch window
          [launch window] n (1962): window 8

   [1]launder
          [laun.der] vb laun.dered ; laun.der.ing [ME launder, n.]
          vt (1664) 1: to wash (as clothes) in water 2: to make
          ready for use by washing and ironing <a freshly ~ed shirt>
          3: to transfer (as illegally obtained money or investments)
          through an outside party to conceal the true source ~
          vi: to wash or wash and iron clothing or household linens
          -- laun.der.er n [2]launder n [ME, launderer, fr. MF
          lavandier, fr. ML lavandarius, fr. L lavandus, gerundive
          of lavare to wash--more at lye] (1667): trough; esp:
          a box conduit conveying particulate material suspended
          in water in ore dressing

   launderette
          [laun.der.ette] also laun.drette n [fr. Launderette, a service
          mark] (ca. 1948): a self-service laundry

   laundress
          [laun.dress] n (1550): a woman who is a laundry worker

   Laundromat
          [Laun.dro.mat] service mark--used for a self-service laundry

   laundry
          [laun.dry] n, pl laundries (14c) 1 a: a room for doing the
          family wash b: a commercial laundering establishment
          2: clothes or linens that have been or are to be laundered

   laundry list
          [laundry list] n (1958): a usu. long list of items <the laundry
          list of new consumer-protection bills --N. C. Miller>

   laundryman
          [laun.dry.man] n (1708): a man who is a laundry worker

   Launfal
          [Laun.fal] n: a knight of the Round Table in late Arthurian
          legend

   laura
          [lau.ra] n [LGk, fr. Gk, lane] (ca. 1752): a monastery of
          an Eastern church

   [1]laureate
          [lau.re.ate] n [ME, crowned with laurel as a distinction,
          fr. L laureatus, fr. laurea laurel wreath, fr. fem. of
          laureus of laurel, fr. laurus] (ca. 1529): the recipient
          of honor or recognition for achievement in an art or
          science; specif: poet laureate -- laureate adj -- lau.re.ate.ship
          n [2]lau.re.ate vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1610) 1: to
          crown with or as if with a laurel wreath for excellence
          or achievement 2: to appoint to the office of poet laureate
          -- lau.re.ation n

   [1]laurel
          [lau.rel] n [ME lorel, fr. OF lorier, fr. lor laurel, fr.
          L laurus] (14c) 1: any of a genus (Laurus of the family
          Lauraceae, the laurel family) of evergreen trees that
          have alternate entire leaves, small tetramerous flowers
          surrounded by bracts, and fruits that are ovoid berries;
          specif: a tree (L. nobilis) of southern Europe with foliage
          used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in the Pythian
          games 2: a tree or shrub that resembles the true laurel;
          esp: mountain laurel 3: a crown of laurel: honor--usu.
          used in pl. [2]laurel vt -reled or -relled ; -rel.ing
          or -rel.ling (1631): to deck or crown with laurel

   lauric acid
          [lau.ric acid] n [ISV, fr. L laurus] (1873): a crystalline
          fatty acid found esp. in coconut oil and used in making
          soaps, esters, and lauryl alcohol

   lauryl alcohol
          [lau.ryl alcohol] n (1922): an alcohol containing a linear
          chain of 12 carbon atoms; also: a liquid mixture of this
          and other alcohols used esp. in making detergents

   laus Deo
          [laus Deo] [L] foreign term : praise (be) to God

   lav
          [lav] abbreviation lavatory

   lava
          [la.va] n [It, ultim. fr. L labes fall; akin to L labi to
          slide--more at sleep] (1759): molten rock that issues
          from a volcano or from a fissure in the earth's surface;
          also: such rock that has cooled and hardened -- la.va.like
          adj

   lavabo
          [la.va.bo] n, pl -bos [L, I shall wash, fr. lavare] (ca.
          1858) 1 often cap: a ceremony at Mass in which the celebrant
          washes his hands after offering the oblations and says
          Psalm 25:6-12 (DV) 2 a: a washbasin and a tank with a
          spigot that are fastened to a wall b: this combination
          used as a planter

   lavage
          [la.vage] n [F, fr. MF, fr. laver to wash, fr. L lavare]
          (ca. 1895): washing; esp: the therapeutic washing out
          of an organ

   lavalava
          [la.va.la.va] n [Samoan, clothing] (ca. 1891): a rectangular
          cloth of cotton print worn like a kilt or skirt in Polynesia
          and esp. in Samoa

   lavaliere
          [la.va.liere] or la.val.liere n [F lavalliere necktie with
          a large knot] (1906): a pendant on a fine chain that
          is worn as a necklace

   lavalier microphone
          [la.va.lier microphone] or lavaliere microphone n (ca. 1962):
          a small microphone hung around the neck of the user

   lavation
          [la.va.tion] n [L lavation-, lavatio, fr. lavare] (15c):
          the act or an instance of washing or cleansing

   lavatory
          [lav.a.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ME lavatorie, fr. ML lavatorium,
          fr. L lavare to wash--more at lye] (14c) 1: a vessel
          (as a basin) for washing; esp: a fixed bowl or basin
          with running water and drainpipe for washing 2: a room
          with conveniences for washing and usu. with one or more
          toilets 3: toilet 3b -- lavatory adj

   [1]lave
          [lave] n [ME (northern dial.), fr. OE laf; akin to OE belifan
          to remain--more at leave] (bef. 12c) chiefly dial: something
          that is left: residue [2]lave vb laved ; lav.ing [ME,
          fr. OE lafian, fr. L lavare] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: wash,
          bathe b: to flow along or against 2: pour ~ vi, archaic:
          to wash oneself: bathe

   [1]lavender
          [lav.en.der] n [ME lavendre, fr. AF, fr. ML lavandula] (13c)
          1 a: a Mediterranean mint (Lavandula angustifolia syn.
          L. officinalis) widely cultivated for its narrow aromatic
          leaves and spikes of lilac-purple flowers which are dried
          and used in sachets b: any of several plants congeneric
          with true lavender and used similarly but often considered
          inferior 2: a pale purple [2]lavender vt lav.en.dered
          ; lav.en.der.ing (1820): to sprinkle or perfume with
          lavender

   [1]laver
          [la.ver] n [ME lavour, fr. MF lavoir, fr. ML lavatorium]
          (1535): a large basin used for ceremonial ablutions in
          the ancient Jewish Tabernacle and Temple worship [2]la.ver
          n [NL, fr. L, a water plant] (1611): any of several common
          red algae (genus Porphyra) with fronds used for stewing
          or pickling

   Lavinia
          [La.vin.ia] n [L]: a daughter of King Latinus in Virgil's
          Aeneid who is betrothed to Turnus but marries Aeneas

   [1]lavish
          [lav.ish] adj [ME lavas abundance, fr. MF lavasse downpour
          of rain, fr. laver to wash--more at lavage] (15c) 1:
          expending or bestowing profusely: prodigal 2 a: expended
          or produced in abundance b: marked by profusion or excess
          syn see profuse -- lav.ish.ly adv -- lav.ish.ness n [2]lavish
          vt (1542): to expend or bestow with profusion: squander

   lavrock
          [lav.rock] or la.ver.ock n [ME laverok, fr. OE lawerce] (14c)
          chiefly Scot: lark

   [1]law
          [law] n [ME, fr. OE lagu, of Scand origin; akin to ON log
          law; akin to OE licgan to lie--more at lie] (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): a binding custom or practice of a community:
          a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized
          as binding or enforced by a controlling authority (2):
          the whole body of such customs, practices, or rules (3):
          common law b (1): the control brought about by the existence
          or enforcement of such law (2): the action of laws considered
          as a means of redressing wrongs; also: litigation (3):
          the agency of or an agent of established law c: a rule
          or order that it is advisable or obligatory to observe
          d: something compatible with or enforceable by established
          law e: control, authority 2 a often cap: the revelation
          of the will of God set forth in the Old Testament b cap:
          the first part of the Jewish scriptures: pentateuch,
          torah 3: a rule of construction or procedure <the ~s
          of poetry> 4: the whole body of laws relating to one
          subject 5 a: the legal profession b: law as a department
          of knowledge: jurisprudence c: legal knowledge 6 a: a
          statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so
          far as is known is invariable under the given conditions
          b: a general relation proved or assumed to hold between
          mathematical or logical expressions -- at law : under
          or within the provisions of the law <enforceable at law>
          syn law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance,
          canon mean a principle governing action or procedure.
          law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the
          obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to
          that authority <obey the law>. rule applies to more restricted
          or specific situations <the rules of the game>. regulation
          implies prescription by authority in order to control
          an organization or system <regulations affecting nuclear
          power plants>. precept commonly suggests something advisory
          and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching
          <the precepts of effective writing>. statute implies
          a law enacted by a legislative body <a statute requiring
          the use of seat belts>. ordinance applies to an order
          governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced
          by a limited authority such as a municipality <a city
          ordinance>. canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle
          or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as
          a valid guide <the canons of good taste>.  syn see in
          addition hypothesis [2]law vi (ca. 1550): litigate ~
          vt, chiefly dial: to sue or prosecute at law

   law-abiding
          [law-abid.ing] adj (1834): abiding by or obedient to the
          law -- law-abid.ing.ness n

   lawbreaker
          [law.break.er] n (15c): one who violates the law -- law.break.ing
          adj or n

   lawful
          [law.ful] adj (14c) 1 a: being in harmony with the law <a
          ~ judgment> b: constituted, authorized, or established
          by law: rightful <~ institutions> 2: law-abiding <~ citizens>
          -- law.ful.ly adv -- law.ful.ness n syn lawful, legal,
          legitimate, licit mean being in accordance with law.
          lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (as
          natural, divine, common, or canon) <the lawful sovereign>.
          legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity
          with the law, esp. as it is written or administered by
          the courts <legal residents of the state>. legitimate
          may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended
          use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom,
          or accepted standards <a perfectly legitimate question
          about finances>. licit applies to a strict conformity
          to the provisions of the law and applies esp. to what
          is regulated by law <the licit use of the drug by hospitals>.

   lawgiver
          [law.giv.er] n (14c) 1: one who gives a code of laws to a
          people 2: legislator

   lawless
          [law.less] adj (12c) 1: not regulated by or based on law
          2 a: not restrained or controlled by law: unruly b: illegal
          -- law.less.ly adv -- law.less.ness n

   lawmaker
          [law.mak.er] n (14c): one that makes laws: legislator --
          law.mak.ing n

   lawman
          [law.man] n (1944): a law-enforcement officer (as a sheriff
          or marshal)

   law merchant
          [law merchant] n, pl laws merchant (15c): the legal rules
          formerly applied to cases arising in commercial transactions

   [1]lawn
          [lawn] n [ME launde, fr. MF lande heath, of Celt origin;
          akin to MIr lann land--more at land] (14c) 1 archaic:
          an open space between woods: glade 2: ground (as around
          a house or in a garden or park) that is covered with
          grass and is kept mowed 3: a relatively even layer of
          bacteria covering the surface of a culture medium --
          lawn or lawny adj [2]lawn n [ME, fr. Laon, France] (15c):
          a fine sheer linen or cotton fabric of plain weave that
          is thinner than cambric -- lawny adj

   lawn bowling
          [lawn bowling] n (ca. 1929): a bowling game played on a green
          with wooden balls which are rolled at a jack

   lawn mower
          [lawn mower] n (1869): a machine for cutting grass on lawns

   lawn tennis
          [lawn tennis] n (1874): tennis 2

   law of averages
          [law of averages] (ca. 1929): the commonsense observation
          that probability influences everyday life so that over
          the long term the possible outcomes of a repeated event
          occur with specific frequencies

   law of definite proportions
          [law of definite proportions] (ca. 1909): a statement in
          chemistry: every definite compound always contains the
          same elements in the same proportions by weight

   law of dominance
          [law of dominance] (1942): mendel's law 3

   law of independent assortment
          [law of independent assortment] (1943): mendel's law 2

   law of large numbers
          [law of large numbers] (1911): a theorem in mathematical
          statistics: the probability that the absolute value of
          the difference between the mean of a population sample
          and the mean of the population from which it is drawn
          is greater than an arbitrarily small amount approaches
          zero as the size of the sample approaches infinity

   Law of Moses
          [Law of Moses] (14c): pentateuch, torah

   law of nations
          [law of nations] (ca. 1548): international law

   law of parsimony
          [law of parsimony] (1837): occam's razor

   law of segregation
          [law of segregation] (ca. 1909): mendel's law 1

   law of war
          [law of war] (1947): the code that governs or one of the
          rules that govern the rights and duties of belligerents
          in international war

   lawrencium
          [law.ren.ci.um] n [NL, fr. Ernest O. Lawrence] (1961): a
          short-lived radioactive element that is produced artificially
          from californium

   lawsuit
          [law.suit] n (1624): a suit in law: a case before a court

   lawyer
          [law.yer] n (14c): one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits
          for clients or to advise as to legal rights and obligations
          in other matters -- law.yer.like adj -- law.yer.ly adj

   lawyering
          [law.yer.ing] n (1676): the profession or work of a lawyer

   lax
          [lax] adj [ME, fr. L laxus loose--more at slack] (14c) 1
          a of the bowels: loose, open b: having loose bowels 2:
          deficient in firmness: not stringent <~ control> <a ~
          foreman> 3 a: not tense, firm, or rigid: slack <a ~ rope>
          b: having an open or loose texture c: having the constituents
          spread apart <a ~ flower cluster> 4: articulated with
          the muscles involved in a relatively relaxed state syn
          see negligent -- lax.a.tion n -- lax.ly adv -- lax.ness
          n

   [1]laxative
          [lax.a.tive] adj [ME laxatif, fr. ML laxativus, fr. L laxatus,
          pp. of laxare to loosen, fr. laxus] (14c): having a tendency
          to loosen or relax; specif: relieving constipation [2]laxative
          n (14c): a usu. mild laxative drug

   laxity
          [lax.ity] n (1528): the quality or state of being lax

   [1]lay
          [lay] vb laid ; lay.ing [ME leyen, fr. OE lecgan; akin to
          OE licgan to lie--more at lie] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to beat
          or strike down with force 2 a: to put or set down b:
          to place for rest or sleep; esp: bury 3: to bring forth
          and deposit (an egg) 4: calm, allay <~ the dust> 5: bet,
          wager 6: to press down giving a smooth and even surface
          7 a: to dispose or spread over or on a surface <~ track>
          <~ plaster> b: to set in order or position <~ a table
          for dinner> <~ brick> c: to put (strands) in place and
          twist to form a rope, hawser, or cable; also: to make
          by so doing <~ up rope> 8 a: to impose as a duty, burden,
          or punishment <~ a tax> b: to put as a burden of reproach
          <laid the blame on her> c: to advance as an accusation:
          impute <the disaster was laid to faulty inspection> 9:
          to place (something immaterial) on something <~ stress
          on grammar> 10: prepare, contrive <a well-laid plan>
          11 a: to bring against or into contact with something:
          apply <laid the watch to his ear> b: to prepare or position
          for action or operation <~ a fire in the fireplace>;
          also: to adjust (a gun) to the proper direction and elevation
          12: to bring to a specified condition <~ waste the land>
          13 a: assert, allege <~ claim to an estate> b: to submit
          for examination and judgment <laid her case before the
          commission> 14: to copulate with--sometimes considered
          vulgar ~ vi 1: to produce and deposit eggs 2 nonstand:
          [1]lie 3: wager, bet 4 dial: plan, prepare 5 a: to apply
          oneself vigorously <laid to his oars> b: to proceed to
          a specified place or position on a ship <~ aloft> --
          lay on the table 1: to remove (a parliamentary motion)
          from consideration indefinitely 2 Brit: to put (as legislation)
          on the agenda usage lay has been used intransitively
          in the sense of "lie" since the 14th century. The practice
          was unremarked until around 1770; attempts to correct
          it have been a fixture of schoolbooks ever since. Generations
          of teachers and critics have succeeded in taming most
          literary and learned writing, but intransitive lay persists
          in familiar speech and is a bit more common in general
          prose than one might suspect. Much of the problem lies
          in the confusing similarity of the principal parts of
          the two words. Another influence may be a folk belief
          that lie is for people and lay is for things. Some commentators
          are ready to abandon the distinction, suggesting that
          lay is on the rise socially. But if it does rise to respectability,
          it is sure to do so slowly: many people have invested effort
          in learning to keep lie and lay distinct. Remember that even though
          many people do use lay for lie, others will judge you unfavorably
          if you do. [2]lay n (1590) 1: covert, lair 2: something (as
          a layer) that lies or is laid 3 a: line of action: plan b: line
          of work: occupation 4 a: terms of sale or employment: price
          b: share of profit (as on a whaling voyage) paid in lieu of wages
          5 a: the amount of advance of any point in a rope strand for one
          turn b: the nature of a fiber rope as determined by the amount
          of twist, the angle of the strands, and the angle of the threads
          in the strands 6: the way in which a thing lies or is laid
          in relation to something else <the ~ of the land> 7: the state
          of one that lays eggs <hens coming into ~> 8 a: a partner in sexual
          intercourse--usu. considered vulgar b: sexual intercourse--usu.
          considered vulgar [3]lay past of lie [4]lay n [ME, fr. OF lai]
          (13c) 1: a simple narrative poem: ballad 2: melody, song [5]lay adj
          [ME, fr. MF lai, fr. LL laicus, fr. Gk laikos of the people, fr.
          laos people] (15c) 1: of or relating to the laity: not
          ecclesiastical 2: of or relating to members of a religious house
          occupied with domestic or manual work <a ~ brother> 3: not
          of a particular profession <the ~ public>; also: lacking extensive
          knowledge of a particular subject

   layabout
          [lay.about] n (1932): a lazy shiftless person: idler

   layaway
          [lay.away] n (1944): a purchasing agreement by which a retailer
          agrees to hold merchandise secured by a deposit until
          the price is paid in full by the customer

   lay away
          [lay away] vt (ca. 1928): to put aside for future use or
          delivery

   lay-by
          [lay-by] n (1939) 1 Brit: turnout 4b 2: the final operation
          (as a last cultivating) in the growing of a field crop

   lay by
          [lay by] vt (15c) 1: to lay aside: discard 2: to store for
          future use: save 3: to cultivate (as corn) for the last
          time

   lay day
          [lay day] n (1845) 1: one of the days allowed by the charter
          for loading or unloading a vessel 2: a day of delay in
          port

   lay down
          [lay down] vt (13c) 1: to give up: surrender <lay down your
          arms> 2 a: establish, prescribe <lay down a scale for
          a map> b: to assert or command dogmatically <lay down
          the law> 3: store, preserve 4 a: to direct toward a target
          <lay down a barrage> b: to hit along the ground <laid
          down a sacrifice bunt> ~ vi, nonstand: to lie down

   [1]layer
          [lay.er] n (13c) 1: one that lays (as a worker who lays brick
          or a hen that lays eggs) 2 a: one thickness, course,
          or fold laid or lying over or under another b: stratum
          c: horizon 2 3 a: a branch or shoot of a plant that roots
          while still attached to the parent plant b: a plant developed
          by layering -- lay.ered adj [2]layer vt (1832) 1: to
          propagate (a plant) by means of layers 2 a: to place
          as a layer b: to place a layer on top of c: to form or
          arrange in layers ~ vi 1 a: to separate into layers b:
          to form out of superimposed layers 2 of a plant: to form
          roots where a stem comes in contact with the ground

   layerage
          [lay.er.age] n (1902): the practice, art, or process of rooting
          plants by layering

   layette
          [lay.ette] n [F, fr. MF, dim. of laye box, fr. MD lade; akin
          to OE hladan to load--more at lade] (1839): a complete
          outfit of clothing and equipment for a newborn infant

   lay figure
          [lay figure] n [obs. E layman lay figure, fr. D leeman] (1795)
          1: a jointed model of the human body used by artists
          to show the disposition of drapery 2: a person likened
          to a dummy or puppet

   lay in
          [lay in] vt (1579): lay by, save

   laying on of hands
          [laying on of hands] (15c): the act of laying hands on a
          person's head to confer a spiritual blessing (as in Christian
          ordination, confirmation, or faith healing)

   layman
          [lay.man] n (15c) 1: a person who is not a member of the
          clergy 2: a person who does not belong to a particular
          profession or who is not expert in some field

   layoff
          [lay.off] n (1889) 1: a period of inactivity or idleness
          2: the act of laying off an employee or a work force;
          also: shutdown

   lay off
          [lay off] vt (1748) 1: to mark or measure off 2: to cease
          to employ (a worker) often temporarily 3 of a bookie:
          to place all or part of (an accepted bet) with another
          bookie to reduce the risk 4 a: to leave undisturbed b:
          avoid, quit ~ vi 1: to stop doing or taking something
          2: to leave one alone <wish you'd just lay off>

   lay on
          [lay on] vt (1600) 1 a: to apply by or as if by spreading
          on a surface <laying it on thick> b: provide, arrange
          <food laid on in abundance> c: hand out <laid on awards>
          2 chiefly Brit: hire ~ vi: attack, beat

   lay out
          [lay out] vt (15c) 1: display, exhibit 2: spend 3 a: to prepare
          (a corpse) for viewing b: to knock flat or unconscious
          4: to plan in detail <lay out a campaign> 5: arrange,
          design 6: to mark (work) for drilling, machining, or
          filing

   layout
          [lay.out] n (1852) 1: the plan or design or arrangement of
          something that is laid out: as a: dummy 5b b: final arrangement
          of matter to be reproduced esp. by printing 2: the act
          or process of planning or laying out in detail 3 a: something
          that is laid out <a model train ~> b: land or structures
          or rooms used for a particular purpose <a cattle-ranching
          ~>; also: place c: a set or outfit esp. of tools

   layover
          [lay.over] n (1873): stopover

   lay over
          [lay over] vt (1862): postpone ~ vi: to make a stopover

   laypeople
          [lay.peo.ple] n pl (15c): laypersons

   layperson
          [lay.per.son] n (1972): a member of the laity

   lay reader
          [lay reader] n (1751): an Anglican or Roman Catholic layman
          authorized to conduct parts of the church services not
          requiring a clergyman

   lay to
          [lay to] vi (1798): lie to ~ vt: to bring (a ship) into the
          wind and hold stationary

   layup
          [lay.up] n (1925) 1: the action of laying up or the condition
          of being laid up 2: a shot in basketball made from near
          the basket usu. by playing the ball off the backboard

   lay up
          [lay up] vt (14c) 1: to store up: lay by 2: to disable or
          confine with illness or injury 3: to take out of active
          service

   laywoman
          [lay.wom.an] n (1529): a woman who is a member of the laity

   lazar
          [la.zar] n [ME, fr. ML lazarus, fr. LL Lazarus] (14c): a
          person afflicted with a repulsive disease; specif: leper

   lazaretto
          [laz.a.ret.to] or laz.a.ret also laz.a.rette n, pl -rettos
          or -rets also -rettes [It lazzaretto, alter. of Nazaretto,
          quarantine station in Venice, fr. Santa Maria di Nazareth,
          church on the island where it was located] (1549) 1 usu
          lazaretto: an institution (as a hospital) for those with
          contagious diseases 2: a building or a ship used for
          detention in quarantine 3 usu lazaret: a space in a ship
          between decks used as a storeroom

   Lazarist
          [La.za.rist] n [College of St. Lazare, Paris, former home
          of the congregation] (1747): vincentian

   Lazarus
          [Laz.a.rus] n [LL, fr. Gk Lazaros, fr. Heb El'azar] 1: a
          brother of Mary and Martha raised by Jesus from the dead
          according to the account in John 11 2: the diseased beggar
          in the parable of the rich man and the beggar found in
          Luke 16

   laze
          [laze] vb lazed ; laz.ing [back-formation fr. lazy] vi (ca.
          1592): to act or lie lazily: idle ~ vt: to pass (time)
          in idleness or relaxation -- laze n

   lazulite
          [la.zu.lite] n [G Lazulith, fr. ML lazulum lapis lazuli]
          (1807): an often crystalline azure-blue mineral that
          is a hydrous phosphate of aluminum, iron, and magnesium

   [1]lazy
          [la.zy] adj la.zi.er ; -est [perh. fr. MLG lasich feeble;
          akin to MHG erleswen to become weak] (1549) 1 a: disinclined
          to activity or exertion: not energetic or vigorous b:
          encouraging inactivity or indolence <a ~ summer day>
          2: moving slowly: sluggish 3: droopy, lax <a rabbit with
          ~ ears> 4: placed on its side <~ E livestock brand> 5:
          not rigorous or strict <~ scholarship> -- la.zi.ly adv
          -- la.zi.ness n -- la.zy.ish adj syn lazy, indolent,
          slothful mean not easily aroused to activity. lazy suggests
          a disinclination to work or to take trouble <convenience
          foods for lazy cooks>. indolent suggests a love of ease
          and a settled dislike of movement or activity <the heat
          made us all indolent>. slothful implies a temperamental
          inability to act promptly or speedily when action or
          speed is called for <fired for being slothful about filling
          orders>. [2]lazy vi la.zied ; la.zy.ing (1612): to move
          or lie lazily: laze

   lazybones
          [la.zy.bones] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1592): a lazy
          person

   lazy eye
          [lazy eye] n (1939): amblyopia; also: an eye affected with
          amblyopia

   lazy Susan
          [lazy Su.san] n (1917): a revolving tray used for serving
          food, condiments, or relishes

   lazy tongs
          [lazy tongs] n pl (1836): a series of jointed and pivoted
          bars capable of great extension used to pick up or handle
          something at a distance

   lb...
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   lb
          [lb] [L libra] abbreviation pound  LB abbreviation Labrador

   LBO
          [LBO] abbreviation leveraged buyout

   lc...
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   lc
          [lc] abbreviation lowercase  LC abbreviation landing craft,
          left center, letter of credit, Library of Congress

   LCD
          [LCD] n [liquid crystal display] (1973): a constantly operating
          display (as of the time in a digital watch) that consists
          of segments of a liquid crystal whose reflectivity varies
          according to the voltage applied to them

   LCD
          [LCD] abbreviation least common denominator, lowest common
          denominator

   LCDR
          [LCDR] abbreviation lieutenant commander

   LCL
          [LCL] abbreviation less-than-carload lot

   LCM
          [LCM] abbreviation least common multiple, lowest common multiple,
          [NL legis comparativae magister] master of comparative
          law

   LCpl
          [LCpl] abbreviation lance corporal

   LCS
          [LCS] abbreviation League Championship Series

   LCT
          [LCT] abbreviation local civil time

   ld...
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   ld
          [ld] abbreviation load, lord  LD abbreviation learning disabled,
          learning disability; lethal dose--often used with a numerical
          subscript to indicate the percent of a test group of
          organisms the dose is expected to kill <LD{sub 50}>;
          line of departure

   LD50
          [LD50] n [lethal dose] (1942): the amount of a toxic agent
          (as a poison, virus, or radiation) that is sufficient
          to kill 50% of a population of animals usu. within a
          certain time

   LDC
          [LDC] abbreviation less developed country

   ldg
          [ldg] abbreviation landing, loading

   LDH
          [LDH] abbreviation lactate dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase

   LDL
          [LDL] n [low-density lipoprotein] (1976): a cholesterol-rich
          protein-poor lipoprotein of blood plasma correlated with
          increased risk of atherosclerosis--compare hdl

   ldr
          [ldr] abbreviation leader

   LDS
          [LDS] abbreviation Latter-day Saints

   le...
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   LE
          [LE] abbreviation leading edge

   lea
          [lea] abbreviation leather

   lea
          [lea] or ley n [ME leye, fr. OE leah; akin to OHG loh thicket,
          L lucus grove, lux light--more at light] (bef. 12c) 1:
          grassland, pasture 2 usu ley: arable land used temporarily
          for hay or grazing

   [1]leach
          [leach] var of leech [2]leach vb [leach vessel through which
          water is passed to extract lye] vt (1796) 1: to dissolve
          out by the action of a percolating liquid <~ out alkali
          from ashes> 2: to subject to the action of percolating
          liquid (as water) in order to separate the soluble components
          3 a: to remove (nutritive or harmful elements) from soil
          by percolation b: to draw out or remove as if by percolation
          <all meaning has been ~ed from my life> ~ vi: to pass
          out or through by percolation -- leach.abil.i.ty n --
          leach.able adj -- leach.er n

   leachate
          [leach.ate] n (1934): a solution or product obtained by leaching

   [1]lead
          [lead] vb led ; lead.ing [ME leden, fr. OE laedan; akin to
          OHG leiten to lead, OE lithan to go] vt (bef. 12c) 1
          a: to guide on a way esp. by going in advance b: to direct
          on a course or in a direction c: to serve as a channel
          for <a pipe ~s water to the house> 2: to go through:
          live <~ a quiet life> 3 a (1): to direct the operations,
          activity, or performance of <~ an orchestra> (2): to
          have charge of <~ a campaign> (3): to suggest to (a witness)
          the answer desired by asking leading questions b (1):
          to go at the head of <~ a parade> (2): to be first in
          or among <~ the league> (3): to have a margin over <led
          his opponent> 4: to bring to some conclusion or condition
          <led to believe otherwise> 5: to begin play with <~ trumps>
          6 a: to aim in front of (a moving object) <~ a duck>
          b: to pass a ball or puck just in front of (a moving
          teammate) ~ vi 1 a: to guide someone or something along
          a way b: to lie, run, or open in a specified place or
          direction <path ~s uphill> c: to guide a dance partner
          through the steps of a dance 2 a: to be first b (1):
          begin, open (2): to play the first card of a trick, round,
          or game 3: to tend toward or have a result <study ~ing
          to a degree> 4: to direct the first of a series of blows
          at an opponent in boxing syn see guide -- lead one down
          the garden path also lead one up the garden path : hoodwink,
          deceive [2]lead n (15c) 1 a (1): leadership (2): example,
          precedent b (1): position at the front: vanguard (2):
          initiative (3): the act or privilege of leading in cards;
          also: the card or suit led c: a margin or measure of
          advantage or superiority or position in advance 2: one
          that leads: as a: lode 1 b: a channel of water esp. through
          a field of ice c: indication, clue d: a principal role
          in a dramatic production; also: one who plays such a
          role e: leash 1 f (1): an introductory section of a news
          story (2): a news story of chief importance 3: an insulated
          electrical conductor connected to an electrical device
          4: the course of a rope from end to end 5: the amount
          of axial advance of a point accompanying a complete turn
          of a thread (as of a screw or worm) 6: a position taken
          by a base runner off a base toward the next 7: the first
          punch of a series or an exchange of punches in boxing
          -- lead.less adj [3]lead adj (1828): acting or serving
          as a lead or leader <a ~ article> [4]lead n, often attrib
          [ME leed, fr. OE lead; akin to MHG lot lead] (bef. 12c)
          1: a heavy soft malleable ductile plastic but inelastic
          bluish white metallic element found mostly in combination
          and used esp. in pipes, cable sheaths, batteries, solder,
          and shields against radioactivity 2 a: a plummet for
          sounding at sea b pl, Brit: a usu. flat lead roof c pl:
          lead framing for panes in windows d: a thin strip of
          metal used to separate lines of type in printing 3 a:
          a thin stick of marking substance in or for a pencil
          b: white lead 4: bullets, projectiles 5: tetraethyl lead
          -- lead.less adj [5]lead vt (14c) 1: to cover, line,
          or weight with lead 2: to fix (window glass) in position
          with leads 3: to put space between the lines of (typeset
          matter) 4: to treat or mix with lead or a lead compound
          <~ed gasoline>

   lead acetate
          [lead acetate] n (1885): an acetate of lead; esp: a poisonous
          soluble salt

   lead arsenate
          [lead arsenate] n (ca. 1903): an arsenate of lead: as a:
          an acid salt used esp. as an insecticide b: a neutral
          salt used esp. as an insecticide

   lead azide
          [lead azide] n (1918): a crystalline explosive compound used
          as a detonating agent

   lead carbonate
          [lead carbonate] n (1873): a carbonate of lead; esp: a poisonous
          basic salt used esp. as a white pigment

   lead chromate
          [lead chromate] n (ca. 1885): a chromate of lead; esp: chrome
          yellow

   lead dioxide
          [lead dioxide] n (1885): a poisonous compound used esp. as
          an oxidizing agent and as an electrode in batteries

   leaden
          [lead.en] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: made of lead b: of the color
          of lead: dull gray 2 a: oppressively heavy b: sluggish
          c: lacking spirit or animation -- lead.en.ly adv -- lead.en.ness
          n

   leader
          [lead.er] n (14c) 1: something that leads: as a: a primary
          or terminal shoot of a plant b: tendon, sinew c pl: dots
          or hyphens (as in an index) used to lead the eye horizontally:
          ellipsis 2 d chiefly Brit: a newspaper editorial e (1):
          something for guiding fish into a trap (2): a short length
          of material for attaching the end of a fishing line to
          a lure or hook f: loss leader g: something that ranks
          first h: a blank section at the beginning or end of a
          reel of film or recorded tape 2: a person who leads:
          as a: guide, conductor b (1): a person who directs a
          military force or unit (2): a person who has commanding
          authority or influence c (1): the principal officer of
          a British political party (2): a party member chosen
          to manage party activities in a legislative body (3):
          such a party member presiding over the whole legislative
          body when the party constitutes a majority d (1): conductor
          c (2): a first or principal performer of a group 3: a
          horse placed in advance of the other horses of a team
          -- lead.er.less adj

   leader of the opposition
          [leader of the opposition] (1771): the principal member of
          the opposition party in a British legislative body who
          is given the status of a salaried government official
          and an important role in organizing the business of the
          house

   leadership
          [lead.er.ship] n (1821) 1: the office or position of a leader
          2: capacity to lead 3: the act or an instance of leading
          4: leaders

   lead glass
          [lead glass] n (1856): glass containing a high proportion
          of lead oxide and having extraordinary clarity and brilliance

   lead-in
          [lead-in] n (1913): something that leads into something else
          <a ~ to the commercial> -- lead-in adj

   leading
          [lead.ing] adj (1597) 1: coming or ranking first: foremost
          2: exercising leadership 3: providing direction or guidance
          <a ~ question> 4: given most prominent display <the ~
          story>

   leading edge
          [leading edge] n (1877) 1: the foremost edge of an airfoil
          2: the forward part of something that moves or seems
          to move

   leading lady
          [leading lady] n (1874): an actress who plays the leading
          female role (as in a play or movie)

   leading man
          [leading man] n (1827): an actor who plays the leading male
          role (as in a play or movie)

   leading tone
          [leading tone] n (ca. 1889): the seventh tone of a diatonic
          scale--called also leading note

   lead line
          [lead line] n (15c): sounding line

   leadman
          [lead.man] n (1939): a worker in charge of other workers

   lead monoxide
          [lead monoxide] n (ca. 1909): a yellow to brownish red poisonous
          compound PbO used in rubber manufacture and glassmaking

   leadoff
          [lead.off] n (ca. 1886) 1: a beginning or leading action
          2: one that leads off -- leadoff adj

   lead off
          [lead off] vt (1817) 1: to make a start on: open 2: to bat
          first for a baseball team in (an inning) ~ vi: begin;
          also: to come on or perform first

   lead on
          [lead on] vt (1598): to entice or induce to proceed in a
          course esp. when unwise or mistaken

   lead oxide
          [lead oxide] n (ca. 1926): any of several oxides of lead;
          esp: lead monoxide

   lead pencil
          [lead pencil] n (1688): a pencil using graphite as the marking
          material

   lead-pipe
          [lead-pipe] adj (1898): certain, guaranteed <a ~ cinch>

   leadplant
          [lead.plant] n (ca. 1833): a leguminous shrub (Amorpha canescens)
          of the western U.S. that has hoary pinnate leaves and
          bears dull-colored racemose flowers

   lead poisoning
          [lead poisoning] n (ca. 1842): chronic intoxication that
          is produced by the absorption of lead into the system
          and is characterized by severe colicky pains, a dark
          line along the gums, and local muscular paralysis

   leadscrew
          [lead.screw] n (ca. 1889): a threaded rod on which a mechanism
          travels and can be positioned precisely

   leadsman
          [leads.man] n (1857): a man who uses a sounding lead to determine
          depth of water

   lead sulfide
          [lead sulfide] n (ca. 1898): an insoluble black compound
          PbS that occurs naturally as galena and is used in photoconductive
          cells

   lead time
          [lead time] n (1944): the time between the beginning of a
          process or project and the appearance of its results

   lead-up
          [lead-up] n (1942): something that leads up to or prepares
          the way for something else

   lead up
          [lead up] vi (1861) 1: to prepare the way 2: to make a gradual
          or indirect approach to a topic

   leadwork
          [lead.work] n (1641): articles made of or work done in lead

   leady
          [leady] adj lead.i.er ; -est (14c): containing or resembling
          lead

   [1]leaf
          [leaf] n, pl leaves also leafs often attrib [ME leef, fr.
          OE leaf; akin to OHG loub leaf] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a
          lateral outgrowth from a plant stem that is typically
          a flattened expanded variably shaped greenish organ,
          constitutes a unit of the foliage, and functions primarily
          in food manufacture by photosynthesis (2): a modified
          leaf primarily engaged in functions other than food manufacture
          b (1): foliage <trees in full ~> (2): the leaves of a
          plant as an article of commerce 2: something suggestive
          of a leaf: as a: a part of a book or folded sheet containing
          a page on each side b (1): a part (as of window shutters,
          folding doors, or gates) that slides or is hinged (2):
          the movable parts of a table top c (1): a thin sheet
          or plate of any substance: lamina (2): metal (as gold
          or silver) in sheets usu. thinner than foil (3): one
          of the plates of a leaf spring -- leaf.less adj -- leaf.like
          adj [2]leaf vi (1611) 1: to shoot out or produce leaves
          2: to turn over pages <~ through a book> ~ vt: to turn
          over the pages of

   leafage
          [leaf.age] n (1599) 1: foliage 2 2: the representation of
          leafage (as in architecture)

   leaf bud
          [leaf bud] n (1664): a bud that develops into a leafy shoot
          and does not produce flowers

   leaf butterfly
          [leaf butterfly] n (1882): any of a genus (Kallima) of nymphalid
          butterflies of southern Asia and the East Indies that
          mimic leaves

   leaf curl
          [leaf curl] n (1899): a plant disease caused by a fungus
          (genus Taphrina) or virus and characterized by curling
          of leaves; esp: peach leaf curl

   leafed
          [leafed] adj (1552): leaved

   leaf fat
          [leaf fat] n (ca. 1725): the fat that lines the abdominal
          cavity and encloses the kidneys; esp: that of a hog used
          in the manufacture of lard

   leafhopper
          [leaf.hop.per] n (1852): any of a family (Cicadellidae) of
          small leaping homopterous insects that suck the juices
          of plants

   leaf lard
          [leaf lard] n (ca. 1847): high-quality lard made from leaf
          fat

   [1]leaflet
          [leaf.let] n (1787) 1 a: one of the divisions of a compound
          leaf b: a small or young foliage leaf 2: a leaflike organ
          or part 3: a usu. folded printed sheet intended for free
          distribution [2]leaflet vb -let.ed or -let.ted ; -let.ing
          or -let.ting vi (1962): to hand out leaflets ~ vt: to
          hand out leaflets to -- leaf.le.teer n

   leaf miner
          [leaf miner] n (1830): any of various small insects (as moths
          or dipteran flies) that in the larval stages burrow in
          and eat the parenchyma of leaves

   leaf mold
          [leaf mold] n (1845) 1: a compost or layer composed chiefly
          of decayed vegetable matter 2: a mold or mildew that
          affects foliage

   leaf roll
          [leaf roll] n (1916): a virus disease of the potato that
          is transmitted by aphids and is characterized by an upward
          rolling of the leaf margins, smaller tubers, and netlike
          necrotic areas in the phloem

   leaf roller
          [leaf roller] n (1830): any of various lepidopterans whose
          larvae make a nest by rolling up plant leaves

   leaf rust
          [leaf rust] n (1865): a rust disease of plants and esp. of
          wheat that affects primarily the leaves

   leaf scar
          [leaf scar] n (1835): the mark left on a stem after a leaf
          falls

   leaf scorch
          [leaf scorch] n (ca. 1909): any of various plant diseases
          characterized by a burned or scorched appearance of the
          foliage

   leaf spot
          [leaf spot] n (ca. 1895): any of various plant diseases
          characterized by discolored often circular spots on the leaves

   leaf spring
          [leaf spring] n (ca. 1893): a spring made of superposed strips
          or leaves

   leafstalk
          [leaf.stalk] n (ca. 1776): petiole

   leaf trace
          [leaf trace] n [[3]trace] (1875): a trace associated with
          a leaf

   leafy
          [leafy] adj leaf.i.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: furnished with or
          abounding in leaves <~ woodlands> b: having broad-bladed
          leaves <mosses, grasses, and ~ plants> c: consisting
          chiefly of leaves <~ vegetables> 2: resembling a leaf;
          specif: laminate

   leafy liverwort
          [leafy liverwort] n (1922): any of an order (Jungermanniales)
          of usu. epiphytic liverworts with a leafy gametophyte
          that has one ventral and two dorsal rows of leaves on
          the stem

   leafy spurge
          [leafy spurge] n (ca. 1889): a tall perennial European herb
          (Euphorbia esula) that is naturalized in the northern
          U.S. and Canada

   [1]league
          [league] n [ME leuge, lege, fr. LL leuga] (14c) 1: any of
          various units of distance from about 2.4 to 4.6 statute
          miles (3.9 to 7.4 kilometers) 2: a square league [2]league
          n [ME (Sc) ligg, fr. MF ligue, fr. OIt liga, fr. ligare
          to bind, fr. L--more at ligature] (15c) 1 a: an association
          of nations or other political entities for a common purpose
          b (1): an association of persons or groups united by
          common interests or goals (2): a group of sports teams
          that regularly play one another c: an informal alliance
          2: class, category [3]league vb leagued ; leagu.ing vt
          (1604): to unite in a league ~ vi: to form a league

   [1]leaguer
          [lea.guer] n [D leger; akin to OHG legar bed--more at lair]
          (1577) 1: a military camp 2: siege [2]leaguer vt (ca.
          1720) archaic: besiege, beleaguer [3]leagu.er n [[2]league]
          (1591): a member of a league

   [1]leak
          [leak] vb [ME leken, fr. ON leka; akin to OE leccan to moisten,
          MIr legaid it melts] vi (14c) 1 a: to enter or escape
          through an opening usu. by a fault or mistake <fumes
          ~ in> b: to let a substance or light in or out through
          an opening 2 a: to become known despite efforts at concealment
          b: to be the source of an information leak ~ vt 1: to
          permit to enter or escape through or as if through a
          leak 2: to give out (information) surreptitiously <~ed
          the story to the press> -- leak.er n [2]leak n (15c)
          1 a: a crack or hole that usu. by mistake admits or lets
          escape b: something that permits the admission or escape
          of something else usu. with prejudicial effect 2: the
          act, process, or an instance of leaking 3: an act of
          urinating--used esp. in the phrase take a leak--sometimes
          considered vulgar -- leak.proof adj

   leakage
          [leak.age] n (15c) 1 a: the act or process or an instance
          of leaking b: loss of electricity esp. due to faulty
          insulation 2: something or the amount that leaks

   leaky
          [leaky] adj leak.i.er ; -est (15c): permitting fluid to leak
          in or out -- leak.i.ly adv -- leak.i.ness n

   leal
          [leal] adj [ME leel, fr. MF leial, leel--more at loyal] (14c)
          chiefly Scot: loyal, true -- leal.ly adv

   [1]lean
          [lean] vb leaned ; lean.ing [ME lenen, fr. OE hleonian; akin
          to OHG hlinen to lean, Gk klinein, L clinare] vi (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to incline, deviate, or bend from a vertical
          position b: to cast one's weight to one side for support
          2: to rely for support or inspiration 3: to incline in
          opinion, taste, or desire ~ vt: to cause to lean: incline
          -- lean on : to apply pressure to [2]lean n (1776): the
          act or an instance of leaning: inclination [3]lean adj
          [ME lene, fr. OE hlaene] (bef. 12c) 1 a: lacking or deficient
          in flesh b: containing little or no fat 2: lacking richness,
          sufficiency, or productiveness 3: deficient in an essential
          or important quality or ingredient: as a of ore: containing
          little valuable mineral b: low in combustible component--used
          esp. of fuel mixtures 4: characterized by economy (as
          of style, expression, or operation) -- lean.ly adv --
          lean.ness n syn lean, spare, lank, lanky, gaunt, rawboned,
          scrawny, skinny mean thin because of an absence of excess
          flesh. lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours
          <a lean racehorse>. spare suggests leanness from abstemious
          living or constant exercise <the gymnast's spare figure>.
          lank implies tallness as well as leanness <the lank legs
          of the heron>. lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness
          as well as thinness <a lanky youth, all arms and legs>.
          gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork
          or suffering <a prisoner's gaunt face>. rawboned suggests
          a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment
          <a rawboned farmer>. scrawny and skinny imply an extreme
          leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality
          <a scrawny chicken> <skinny street urchins>. [4]lean
          vt (bef. 12c): to make lean [5]lean n (15c): the part
          of meat that consists principally of lean muscle

   Leander
          [Le.an.der] n [L, fr. Gk Leandros]: a youth in Greek mythology
          who swims the Hellespont nightly to visit Hero and who
          ultimately drowns in one of the crossings

   leaning
          [lean.ing] n (15c): a definite but not decisive attraction
          or tendency--often used in pl. syn leaning, propensity,
          proclivity, penchant mean a strong instinct or liking
          for something. leaning suggests a liking or attraction
          not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable <a
          student with artistic leanings>. propensity implies a
          deeply ingrained and usu. irresistible inclination <a
          propensity to offer advice>. proclivity suggests a strong
          natural proneness usu. to something objectionable or
          evil <a proclivity for violence>. penchant implies a
          strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible
          attraction in the object <a penchant for taking risks>.

   leant
          [leant] chiefly Brit past of lean

   [1]lean-to
          [lean-to] n, pl lean-tos (15c) 1: a wing or extension of
          a building having a lean-to roof 2: a rough shed or shelter
          with a lean-to roof [2]lean-to adj (1649): having only
          one slope or pitch <~ roof>--see roof illustration

   [1]leap
          [leap] vb leaped or leapt ; leap.ing [ME lepen, fr. OE hleapan;
          akin to OHG hlouffan to run] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to spring
          free from or as if from the ground: jump <~ over a fence>
          <a fish ~s out of the water> 2 a: to pass abruptly from
          one state or topic to another b: to act precipitately
          <~ed at the chance> ~ vt: to pass over by leaping --
          leap.er n [2]leap n (bef. 12c) 1 a: an act of leaping:
          spring, bound b (1): a place leaped over or from (2):
          the distance covered by a leap 2 a: a sudden passage
          or transition <a great ~ forward> b: a choice made in
          an area of ultimate concern <a ~ of faith> -- by leaps
          and bounds : with extraordinary rapidity

   [1]leapfrog
          [leap.frog] n (1599): a game in which one player bends down
          and is vaulted over by another player [2]leapfrog vb
          leap.frogged ; leap.frog.ging vi (1872): to leap or progress
          in or as if in leapfrog ~ vt 1: to go ahead of (each
          other) in turn; specif: to advance (two military units)
          by keeping one unit in action while moving the other
          unit past it to a position farther in front 2: to evade
          by or as if by a bypass

   leap second
          [leap second] n (1971): an intercalary second added to Coordinated
          Universal Time to compensate for the slowing of the earth's
          rotation and keep Coordinated Universal Time in synchrony with
          solar time

   leap year
          [leap year] n (14c) 1: a year in the Gregorian calendar containing
          366 days with February 29 as the extra day 2: an intercalary year
          in any calendar

   Lear
          [Lear] n: a legendary king of Britain and hero of Shakespeare's
          tragedy King Lear

   learn
          [learn] vb learned ; learn.ing [ME lernen, fr. OE leornian;
          akin to OHG lernen to learn, OE last footprint, L lira
          furrow, track] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): to gain knowledge
          or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction,
          or experience <~ a trade> (2): memorize <~ the lines
          of a play> b: to come to be able <~ to dance> c: to come
          to realize <~ed that honesty paid> 2 a nonstand: teach
          b obs: to inform of something 3: to come to know: hear
          <we just ~ed that he was ill> ~ vi: to acquire knowledge
          or skill or a behavioral tendency syn see discover --
          learn.able adj -- learn.er n usage Learn in the sense
          of "teach" dates from the 13th century and was standard
          until at least the early 19th <made them drunk with true
          Hollands--and then learned them the art of making bargains
          --Washington Irving>. But by Mark Twain's time it was
          receding to a speech form associated chiefly with the
          less educated <never done nothing for three months but
          set in his back yard and learn that frog to jump --Mark
          Twain>. The present-day status of learn has not risen.
          This use persists in speech, but in writing it appears
          mainly in the representation of such speech or its deliberate
          imitation for effect.

   learned
          [learned] adj (14c) 1: characterized by or associated with
          learning: erudite 2: acquired by learning <~ behavior>
          -- learn.ed.ly adv -- learn.ed.ness n

   learning
          [learn.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: the act or experience of one
          that learns 2: knowledge or skill acquired by instruction
          or study 3: modification of a behavioral tendency by
          experience (as exposure to conditioning) syn see knowledge

   learning curve
          [learning curve] n (1922): a curve plotting performance against
          practice; esp: one graphing decline in unit costs with
          cumulative output

   learning disabled
          [learning disabled] adj (1973): having difficulty in learning
          a basic scholastic skill because of a disorder (as dyslexia
          or attention deficit disorder) that interferes with the
          learning process -- learning disability n

   learnt
          [learnt] chiefly Brit past and past part of learn

   leary
          [leary] var of leery

   [1]lease
          [lease] n [ME les, fr. AF, fr. lesser] (14c) 1: a contract
          by which one conveys real estate, equipment, or facilities
          for a specified term and for a specified rent; also:
          the act of such conveyance or the term for which it is
          made 2: a piece of land or property that is leased 3:
          a continuance or opportunity for continuance <a new ~
          on life> [2]lease vt leased ; leas.ing [AF lesser, fr.
          OF laissier to let go, fr. L laxare to loosen, fr. laxus
          slack--more at slack] (ca. 1570) 1: to grant by lease
          2: to hold under a lease syn see hire -- leas.able adj

   leaseback
          [lease.back] n (1947): the sale of property with the understanding
          that the seller can lease it from the new owner

   leasehold
          [lease.hold] n (1720) 1: a tenure by lease 2: property held
          by lease -- lease.hold.er n

   leash
          [leash] n [ME lees, leshe, fr. MF laisse, fr. OF laissier]
          (14c) 1 a: a line for leading or restraining an animal
          b: something that restrains 2 a: a set of three animals
          (as greyhounds, foxes, bucks, or hares) b: a set of three
          -- leash vt

   leash law
          [leash law] n (1966): an ordinance requiring dogs to be restrained
          when not confined to their owner's property

   leasing
          [leas.ing] n [ME lesing, fr. OE leasung, fr. leasian to lie,
          fr. leas false] (bef. 12c) archaic: the act of lying;
          also: lie, falsehood

   [1]least
          [least] adj, superlative of [1]little [ME leest, fr. OE laest,
          superl. of laessa less] (bef. 12c) 1: lowest in importance
          or position 2 a: smallest in size or degree b: being
          a member of a kind distinguished by diminutive size <~
          bittern> c: smallest possible: slightest [2]least n (12c):
          one that is least -- at least 1: at the minimum 2: in
          any case [3]least adv, superlative of [2]little (13c):
          in the smallest or lowest degree -- least of all : especially
          not <no one, least of all the children, paid attention>

   least common denominator
          [least common denominator] n (1875): the least common multiple
          of two or more denominators

   least common multiple
          [least common multiple] n (1823) 1: the smallest common multiple
          of two or more numbers 2: the common multiple of lowest
          degree of two or more polynomials

   least squares
          [least squares] n pl (1825): a method of fitting a curve
          to a set of points representing statistical data in such
          a way that the sum of the squares of the distances of
          the points from the curve is a minimum

   leastways
          [least.ways] adv (14c) dial: at least

   leastwise
          [least.wise] adv (15c): at least

   [1]leather
          [leath.er] n [ME lether, fr. OE lether-; akin to OHG leder
          leather, OIr lethar] (13c) 1: animal skin dressed for
          use 2: the flap of the ear of a dog--see dog illustration
          3: something wholly or partly made of leather -- leather
          adj -- leath.er.like adj [2]leather vt leath.ered ; leath.er.ing
          (13c) 1: to cover with leather 2: to beat with a strap:
          thrash

   leatherback
          [leath.er.back] n (ca. 1855): the largest existing sea turtle
          (Dermochelys coriacea) distinguished by its flexible
          carapace composed of a mosaic of small bones embedded
          in a thick leathery skin

   leatherette
          [leath.er.ette] n, often attrib [fr. Leatherette, a trademark]
          (ca. 1879): simulated leather

   leatherleaf
          [leath.er.leaf] n (ca. 1818): a north temperate ericaceous
          bog shrub (Chamaedaphne calyculata) with evergreen coriaceous
          leaves and small white cylindrical flowers

   leathern
          [leath.ern] adj (bef. 12c): made of, consisting of, or resembling
          leather

   leatherneck
          [leath.er.neck] n [fr. the leather collar formerly part of
          the uniform] (ca. 1914): a member of the U.S. Marine
          Corps

   leatherwood
          [leath.er.wood] n (1743) 1: a small tree (Dirca palustris)
          of the mezereon family with pliant stems and yellow flowers
          2: a small tree (Cyrilla racemiflora) of the southeastern
          U.S. related to the titi

   leathery
          [leath.ery] adj (ca. 1552): resembling leather in appearance
          or consistency

   [1]leave
          [leave] vb left ; leav.ing [ME leven, fr. OE laefan; akin
          to OHG verleiben to leave, OE belifan to be left over,
          and perh. to Lith lipti to adhere, Gk lipos grease, fat]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): bequeath, devise <left a fortune
          to his son> (2): to have remaining after one's death
          <~s a widow and two children> b: to cause to remain as
          a trace or aftereffect <oil ~s a stain> <the wound left
          an ugly scar> 2 a: to cause or allow to be or remain
          in a specified condition <~ the door open> <his manner
          left me cold> b: to fail to include or take along <left
          the notes at home> <the movie ~s a lot out> c: to have
          as a remainder <4 from 7 ~s 3> d: to permit to be or
          remain subject to another's action or control <just ~
          everything to me> e: let f: to cause or allow to be or
          remain available <~ room for expansion> <wanted to ~
          himself an out> 3 a: to go away from: depart <~ the room>
          b: desert, abandon <left his wife> c: to terminate association
          with: withdraw from <left school before graduation> 4:
          to put, deposit, or deliver before or in the process
          of departing <someone left a package for you> ~ vi: set
          out, depart -- leav.er n -- leave alone : to refrain
          from bothering or using usage Leave (sense 2e) with the
          infinitive but without to <leave it be> is a mostly spoken
          idiom used in writing esp. for humorous effect. It is
          not often criticized in British English, but American
          commentators, adhering to an opinion first expressed
          in 1881, still dislike it. [2]leave n [ME leve, fr. OE
          leaf; akin to MHG loube permission, OE alyfan to allow--more
          at believe] (bef. 12c) 1 a: permission to do something
          b: authorized esp. extended absence from duty or employment
          2: an act of leaving: departure [3]leave vi leaved ;
          leav.ing [ME leven, fr. leef leaf] (14c): leaf

   leaved
          [leaved] adj (13c): having leaves--usu. used in combination
          <palmate-leaved> <a four-leaved clover>

   [1]leaven
          [leav.en] n [ME levain, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL levamen,
          fr. L levare to raise--more at lever] (14c) 1 a: a substance
          (as yeast) used to produce fermentation in dough or a
          liquid; esp: sourdough b: a material (as baking powder)
          used to produce a gas that lightens dough or batter 2:
          something that modifies or lightens [2]leaven vt leav.ened
          ; leav.en.ing (15c) 1: to raise (as bread) with a leaven
          2: to mingle or permeate with some modifying, alleviating,
          or vivifying element syn see infuse

   leavening
          [leavening] n (ca. 1626): a leavening agent: leaven

   leave of absence
          [leave of absence] (1771) 1: permission to be absent from
          duty or employment 2: leave 1b

   leave off
          [leave off] vb (14c): stop, cease

   leaves
          [leaves] pl of leaf

   leave-taking
          [leave-tak.ing] n (14c): departure, farewell

   leavings
          [leav.ings] n pl (14c): remnants, residue

   Leb
          [Leb] abbreviation Lebanese, Lebanon

   lebensraum
          [le.bens.raum] n, often cap [G, fr. Leben living, life +
          Raum space] (1905) 1: territory believed esp. by Nazis
          to be necessary for national existence or economic self-sufficiency
          2: space required for life, growth, or activity

   Lebenswelt
          [Le.bens.welt] [G] foreign term : life world: world of lived
          experience

   [1]lech
          [lech] n (ca. 1830) 1: letch, lust 2: lecher [2]lech vi (1911):
          lust

   lecher
          [lech.er] n [ME lechour, fr. OF lecheor, fr. lechier to lick,
          live in debauchery, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG leckon
          to lick--more at lick] (13c): a man who engages in lechery

   lecherous
          [lech.er.ous] adj (14c): given to or suggestive of lechery
          -- lech.er.ous.ly adv -- lech.er.ous.ness n

   lechery
          [lech.ery] n (13c): inordinate indulgence in sexual activity:
          lasciviousness

   lechwe
          [le.chwe] n, pl lechwe or lechwes [prob. fr. Sesotho lets'a]
          (1857): an antelope (Kobus leche) that inhabits wetlands
          of southern Africa; also: a related antelope (K. megaceros)
          of the Nile Valley in Sudan and Ethiopia

   lecithin
          [lec.i.thin] n [ISV, fr. Gk lekithos yolk of an egg] (1861):
          any of several waxy hygroscopic phospholipids that are
          widely distributed in animals and plants, form colloidal
          solutions in water, and have emulsifying, wetting, and
          antioxidant properties; also: a mixture of or substance
          rich in lecithins

   lecithinase
          [lec.i.thin.ase] n (1910): phospholipase

   lect
          [lect] abbreviation lecture, lecturer

   lectern
          [lec.tern] n [ME lettorne, fr. MF letrun, fr. ML lectorinum,
          fr. L lector reader, fr. legere to read--more at legend]
          (14c): a stand used to support a book in a convenient
          position for a standing reader; esp: one from which scripture
          lessons are read in a church service

   lection
          [lec.tion] n [LL lection-, lectio, fr. L, act of reading--more
          at lesson] (1608) 1: a liturgical lesson for a particular
          day 2 [NL lection-, lectio, fr. L]: a variant reading
          of a text

   lectionary
          [lec.tion.ary] n, pl -ar.ies (1780): a book or list of lections
          for the church year

   lector
          [lec.tor] n [ME, fr. LL, reader of the lessons in a church
          service, fr. L, reader, fr. legere] (14c): one who assists
          at a worship service chiefly by reading a lesson

   lectotype
          [lec.to.type] n [Gk lektos chosen (fr. legein to gather,
          choose) + E type--more at legend] (ca. 1905): a specimen
          chosen as the type of a species or subspecies if the
          author of the name fails to designate a type

   [1]lecture
          [lec.ture] n [ME, act of reading, fr. LL lectura, fr. L lectus,
          pp. of legere] (15c) 1: a discourse given before an audience
          or class esp. for instruction 2: a formal reproof --
          lec.ture.ship n [2]lecture vb lec.tured ; lec.tur.ing
          vi (ca. 1590): to deliver a lecture or a course of lectures
          ~ vt 1: to deliver a lecture to 2: to reprove formally
          -- lec.tur.er n

   le cur a ses raisons que la raison ne connait point
          [le cur a ses rai.sons que la rai.son ne con.nait point]
          [F] foreign term : the heart has its reasons that reason
          knows nothing of

   led
          [led] past and past part of lead LED n [light-emitting diode]
          (1968): a semiconductor diode that emits light when a
          voltage is applied to it and that is used in an electronic
          display (as for a digital watch)

   Leda
          [Le.da] n [L, fr. Gk Leda]: the mother of Clytemnestra and
          Castor by her husband Tyndareus and of Helen and Pollux
          by Zeus who comes to her in the form of a swan

   lederhosen
          [le.der.ho.sen] n pl [G, fr. MHG lederhose, fr. leder leather
          + hose trousers] (1936): leather shorts often with suspenders
          worn esp. in Bavaria

   ledge
          [ledge] n [ME legge bar of a gate] (1535) 1: a raised or
          projecting edge or molding intended to protect or check
          <a window ~> 2: an underwater ridge or reef esp. near
          the shore 3 a: a narrow flat surface or shelf; esp: one
          that projects from a wall of rock b: rock that is solid
          or continuous enough to form ledges: bedrock <the field
          was full of ~> 4: lode, vein -- ledgy adj

   ledger
          [led.ger] n [ME legger, prob. fr. leyen, leggen to lay] (1588)
          1: a book containing accounts to which debits and credits
          are posted from books of original entry 2: a horizontal
          timber secured to the uprights of scaffolding to support
          the putlog

   ledger line
          [ledger line] n (1700): a short line added above or below
          a musical staff to extend its range

   [1]lee
          [lee] n [ME, fr. OE hleo; perh. akin to OHG lao lukewarm,
          L calere to be warm] (bef. 12c) 1: protecting shelter
          2: the side (as of a ship) that is sheltered from the
          wind [2]lee adj (15c) 1: of or relating to the side sheltered
          from the wind--compare weather 2: facing in the direction
          of motion of an overriding glacier--used esp. of a hillside

   leeboard
          [lee.board] n (1691): either of the wood or metal planes
          attached outside the hull of a sailboat to prevent leeway

   [1]leech
          [leech] n [ME leche, fr. OE laece; akin to OHG lahhi physician]
          (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: physician, surgeon 2 [fr. its former
          use by physicians for bleeding patients]: any of numerous
          carnivorous or bloodsucking usu. freshwater annelid worms
          (class Hirudinea) that have typically a flattened lanceolate
          segmented body with a sucker at each end 3: a hanger-on
          who seeks advantage or gain syn see parasite -- leech.like
          adj [2]leech vt (1828) 1: to bleed by the use of leeches
          2: to drain the substance of: exhaust ~ vi: to attach
          oneself to a person as a leech [3]leech n [ME leche,
          fr. MLG lik boltrope--more at ligature] (15c) 1: either
          vertical edge of a square sail 2: the after edge of a
          fore-and-aft sail

   leek
          [leek] n [ME, fr. OE leac; akin to OHG louh leek] (bef. 12c):
          a biennial garden herb (Allium ampeloprasum porrum) of
          the lily family grown for its mildly pungent succulent
          linear leaves and esp. for its thick cylindrical stalk

   [1]leer
          [leer] vi [prob. fr. obs. leer cheek] (1530): to cast a sidelong
          glance; esp: to give a leer -- leer.ing.ly adv [2]leer
          n (1598): a lascivious, knowing, or wanton look

   leery
          [leery] adj (1718): suspicious, wary--often used with of

   lees
          [lees] n pl [ME lie, fr. MF, fr. ML lia] (14c): the sediment
          of a liquor (as wine) during fermentation and aging:
          dregs

   Lee's Birthday
          [Lee's Birthday] n [Robert E. Lee] (1910): January 19 or
          the third Monday in January observed as a legal holiday
          in many southern states

   lee shore
          [lee shore] n (ca. 1580): a shore lying off a ship's leeward
          side and constituting a severe danger in storm

   [1]leeward
          [lee.ward] n (1549): the lee side [2]leeward adj (1666):
          being in or facing the direction toward which the wind
          is blowing; also: being the side opposite the windward

   leeway
          [lee.way] n (1669) 1 a: off-course lateral movement of a
          ship when under way b: the angle between the heading
          and the track of an airplane 2: an allowable margin of
          freedom or variation: tolerance

   [1]left
          [left] adj [ME, fr. OE, weak; akin to MLG lucht left; fr.
          the left hand's being the weaker in most individuals]
          (13c) 1 a: of, relating to, situated on, or being the
          side of the body in which the heart is mostly located
          b: located nearer to the left hand than to the right
          c (1): located on the left of an observer facing in the
          same direction as the object specified <stage ~> (2):
          located on the left when facing downstream <the ~ bank
          of a river> 2 often cap: of, adhering to, or constituted
          by the left esp. in politics -- left adv [2]left n (13c)
          1 a: the left hand b: the location or direction of the
          left side c: the part on the left side 2 a: left field
          b: a blow struck with the left fist 3 often cap a: the
          part of a legislative chamber located to the left of
          the presiding officer b: the members of a continental
          European legislative body occupying the left as a result
          of holding more radical political views than other members
          4 cap a: those professing views usu. characterized by
          desire to reform or overthrow the established order esp.
          in politics and usu. advocating change in the name of
          the greater freedom or well-being of the common man b:
          a radical as distinguished from a conservative position
          [3]left past and past part of leave

   left-bank
          [left-bank] adj, often cap L&B (1929): of, relating to, situated
          in, or characteristic of the bohemian district of Paris
          on the left bank of the Seine River

   left field
          [left field] n (1857) 1: the position of the player defending
          left field 2: the part of the baseball outfield to the
          left looking out from the plate 3: a state or position
          far from the mainstream (as of prevailing opinion) <they
          were really out in left field with that idea>: a source
          of the unexpected or illogical <that question came out
          of left field> -- left fielder n

   left-hand
          [left-hand] adj (1598) 1: situated on the left 2: left-handed

   left-handed
          [left-hand.ed] adj (14c) 1: using the left hand habitually
          or more easily than the right; also: swinging from left
          to right <a ~ batter> 2: relating to, designed for, or
          done with the left hand 3: morganatic 4 a: clumsy, awkward
          b: insincere, backhanded, dubious <a ~ compliment> 5
          a: having a direction contrary to that of the hands of
          a watch viewed from in front: counterclockwise b: having
          a spiral structure or form that ascends or advances to
          the left <a ~ rope> -- left-handed adv -- left-hand.ed.ly
          adv -- left-hand.ed.ness n

   left-hander
          [left-hand.er] n (1881): a left-handed person

   leftish
          [left.ish] adj (1934): showing leftist tendencies

   leftism
          [left.ism] n (1920) 1: the principles and views of the Left;
          also: the movement embodying these principles 2: advocacy
          of or adherence to the doctrines of the Left -- left.ist
          n or adj

   [1]leftover
          [left.over] n (1891) 1: something that remains unused or
          unconsumed; esp: leftover food served at a later meal--usu.
          used in pl. 2: an anachronistic survival: vestige [2]left.over
          adj (1897): not consumed or used <~ food> <~ space>

   left shoulder arms
          [left shoulder arms] n [fr. the command left shoulder arms]]
          (ca. 1918): a position in the manual of arms in which
          the butt of the rifle is held in the left hand with the
          barrel resting on the left shoulder; also: a command
          to assume this position

   leftward
          [left.ward] adj or adv (15c): being toward or on the left

   left wing
          [left wing] n (1884) 1: the leftist division of a group (as
          a political party) 2: left 4a -- left-wing adj -- left-wing.er
          n

   lefty
          [lefty] n, pl left.ies (1886) 1: left-hander 2: an advocate
          of leftism -- lefty adj

   [1]leg
          [leg] n [ME, fr. ON leggr] (14c) 1: a limb of an animal used
          esp. for supporting the body and for walking: as a (1):
          one of the paired vertebrate limbs that in bipeds extend
          from the top of the thigh to the foot (2): the part of
          such a limb between the knee and foot b: the back half
          of a hindquarter of a meat animal c: one of the rather
          generalized segmental appendages of an arthropod used
          in walking and crawling 2 a: a pole or bar serving as
          a support or prop <the ~s of a tripod> b: a branch of
          a forked or jointed object <the ~s of a compass> 3 a:
          the part of an article of clothing that covers the leg
          b: the part of the upper (as of a boot) that extends
          above the ankle 4: obeisance, bow--used chiefly in the
          phrase to make a leg 5: a side of a right triangle that
          is not the hypotenuse; also: a side of an isosceles triangle
          that is not the base 6 a: the course and distance sailed
          by a boat on a single tack b: a portion of a trip: stage
          c: one section of a relay race d: one of several events
          or games necessary to be won to decide a competition
          <won the first two ~s of horse racing's Triple Crown>
          7: a branch or part of an object or system -- leg.less
          adj -- a leg to stand on : support; esp: a basis for
          one's position in a controversy -- on one's last legs
          : at or near the end of one's resources: on the verge
          of failure, exhaustion, or ruin [2]leg vi legged ; leg.ging
          (1601): to use the legs in walking; esp: run

   leg
          [leg] abbreviation legal, legato, legislative, legislature

   legacy
          [leg.a.cy] n, pl -cies [ME legacie office of a legate, bequest,
          fr. MF or ML; MF, office of a legate, fr. ML legatia,
          fr. L legatus] (15c) 1: a gift by will esp. of money
          or other personal property: bequest 2: something transmitted
          by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from
          the past <the ~ of the ancient philosophers>

   [1]legal
          [le.gal] adj [MF, fr. L legalis, fr. leg-, lex law] (ca.
          1500) 1: of or relating to law 2 a: deriving authority
          from or founded on law: de jure b: having a formal status
          derived from law often without a basis in actual fact:
          titular <a corporation is a ~ but not a real person>
          c: established by law; esp: statutory 3: conforming to
          or permitted by law or established rules 4: recognized
          or made effective by a court of law as distinguished
          from a court of equity 5: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of the profession of law or of one
          of its members 6: created by the constructions of the
          law <a ~ fiction> syn see lawful -- le.gal.ly adv [2]legal
          n (1526): one that conforms to rules or the law

   legal age
          [legal age] n (ca. 1904): the age at which a person enters
          into full adult legal rights and responsibilities (as
          of making contracts or wills)

   legal aid
          [legal aid] n (1890): aid provided by an organization established
          esp. to serve the legal needs of the poor

   legal eagle
          [legal eagle] n (1942): lawyer

   legalese
          [le.gal.ese] n (1914): the specialized language of the legal
          profession <replaced ~ with plain talk --Steve Weinberg>

   legal holiday
          [legal holiday] n (1867): a holiday established by legal
          authority and marked by restrictions on work and transaction
          of official business

   legalise
          [le.gal.ise] Brit var of legalize

   legalism
          [le.gal.ism] n (1838) 1: strict, literal, or excessive conformity
          to the law or to a religious or moral code <the institutionalized
          ~ that restricts free choice> 2: a legal term or rule

   legalist
          [le.gal.ist] n (1646) 1: an advocate or adherent of moral
          legalism 2: one that views things from a legal standpoint;
          esp: one that places primary emphasis on legal principles
          or on the formal structure of governmental institutions
          -- le.gal.is.tic adj -- le.gal.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   legality
          [le.gal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: attachment to or observance
          of law 2: the quality or state of being legal: lawfulness
          3 pl: obligations imposed by law

   legalize
          [le.gal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1716): to make legal;
          esp: to give legal validity or sanction to -- le.gal.i.za.tion
          n -- le.gal.iz.er n

   legal pad
          [legal pad] n (1967): a writing tablet of ruled yellow paper
          that is usu. 8.5 by 14 inches (22 by 36 centimeters)

   legal reserve
          [legal reserve] n (ca. 1902): the minimum amount of bank
          deposits or life insurance company assets required by
          law to be kept as reserves

   legal tender
          [legal tender] n (1739): money that is legally valid for
          the payment of debts and that must be accepted for that
          purpose when offered

   [1]legate
          [leg.ate] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF legat, fr. L legatus deputy,
          emissary, fr. pp. of legare to depute, send as emissary,
          bequeath, fr. leg-, lex] (12c): a usu. official emissary
          -- leg.ate.ship n [2]le.gate vt le.gat.ed ; le.gat.ing
          [legatus, pp. of legare to bequeath] (15c): bequeath
          1 -- le.ga.tor n

   legatee
          [leg.a.tee] n (ca. 1688): one to whom a legacy is bequeathed
          or a devise is given

   legatine
          [leg.a.tine] adj (1611): of, headed by, or enacted under
          the authority of a legate

   legation
          [le.ga.tion] n (14c) 1: the sending forth of a legate 2:
          a body of deputies sent on a mission; specif: a diplomatic
          mission in a foreign country headed by a minister 3:
          the official residence and office of a diplomatic minister
          in a foreign country

   [1]legato
          [le.ga.to] adv or adj [It, lit., tied] (ca. 1811): in a manner
          that is smooth and connected (as between su ccessive
          tones)--used esp. as a direction in music [2]legato n
          (1885): a smooth and connected manner of performance
          (as of music); also: a passage of music so performed

   legend
          [leg.end] n [ME legende, fr. MF & ML; MF legende, fr. ML
          legenda, fr. L, fem. of legendus, gerundive of legere
          to gather, select, read; akin to Gk legein to gather,
          say, logos speech, word, reason] (14c) 1 a: a story coming
          down from the past; esp: one popularly regarded as historical
          although not verifiable b: a body of such stories <a
          place in the ~ of the frontier> c: a popular myth of
          recent origin d: a person or thing that inspires legends
          e: the subject of a legend <its violence was ~ even in
          its own time --William Broyles Jr.> 2 a: an inscription
          or title on an object (as a coin) b: caption 2b c: an
          explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart

   legendary
          [leg.end.ary] adj (ca. 1587) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of legend or a legend 2: well-known, famous syn see fictitious
          -- leg.en.dari.ly adv

   legendry
          [leg.end.ry] n (1849): a body of legends

   leger
          [leg.er] var of ledger

   legerdemain
          [leg.er.de.main] n [ME, fr. MF leger de main light of hand]
          (15c) 1: sleight of hand 2: a display of skill or adroitness

   legerity
          [le.ger.i.ty] n [MF legerete, fr. OF, lightness, fr. leger
          light, fr. (assumed) VL leviarius, fr. L levis--more
          at light] (1561): alert facile quickness of mind or body

   leger line
          [leger line] n (ca. 1775): ledger line

   leges
          [leges] pl of lex

   legged
          [leg.ged] adj (15c): having a leg or legs esp. of a specified
          kind or number--often used in combination <a four-legged
          animal>

   legging
          [leg.ging] or leg.gin n (1751): a covering (as of leather
          or cloth) for the leg--usu. used in pl.; also: tights

   leggy
          [leg.gy] adj leg.gi.er ; -est (1787) 1: having disproportionately
          long legs 2: having long and attractive legs 3: spindly--used
          of a plant -- leg.gi.ness n

   leghold trap
          [leg.hold trap] n (1973): a jawed usu. steel trap that is
          used to hold a wild mammal and operates by springing
          closed and clamping onto the leg of the animal that steps
          on it

   leghorn
          [leg.horn] n [Leghorn, Italy] (1740) 1 a: a fine plaited
          straw made from an Italian wheat b: a hat of this straw
          2: any of a Mediterranean breed of small hardy fowls
          noted for their large production of white eggs

   legible
          [leg.i.ble] adj [ME, fr. LL legibilis, fr. L legere to read]
          (14c) 1: capable of being read or deciphered: plain 2:
          capable of being discovered or understood -- leg.i.bil.i.ty
          n -- leg.i.bly adv

   [1]legion
          [le.gion] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L legion-, legio, fr. legere
          to gather--more at legend] (13c) 1: the principal unit
          of the Roman army comprising 3000 to 6000 foot soldiers
          with cavalry 2: a large military force; esp: army 1a
          3: a very large number: multitude 4: a national association
          of ex-servicemen [2]legion adj (1678): many, numerous
          <the problems are ~>

   [1]legionary
          [le.gion.ary] adj [L legionarius, fr. legion-, legio] (15c):
          of, relating to, or constituting a legion [2]legionary
          n, pl -ar.ies (1598): legionnaire

   legionnaire
          [le.gion.naire] n [F legionnaire, fr. L legionarius] (1818):
          a member of a legion

   Legionnaires' disease
          [Legionnaires' disease] also Legionnaire's disease n [fr.
          its first recognized occurrence at an American Legion
          convention in 1976] (1976): a lobar pneumonia caused
          by a bacterium (Legionella pneumophila)

   Legion of Honor
          [Legion of Honor] (1827): a French order conferred as a reward
          for civil or military merit

   Legion of Merit
          [Legion of Merit] (1943): a U.S. military decoration awarded
          for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance
          of outstanding services

   legis
          [legis] abbreviation legislation, legislative, legislature

   legislate
          [leg.is.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [back-formation fr. legislator]
          vi (1805): to perform the function of legislation; specif: to make
          or enact laws ~ vt: to cause, create, provide, or bring about
          by or as if by legislation

   legislation
          [leg.is.la.tion] n (ca. 1655) 1: the action of legislating;
          specif: the exercise of the power and function of making
          rules (as laws) that have the force of authority by virtue
          of their promulgation by an official organ of a state
          or other organization 2: the enactments of a legislator
          or a legislative body 3: a matter of business for or
          under consideration by a legislative body

   [1]legislative
          [leg.is.la.tive] adj (ca. 1641) 1 a: having the power or
          performing the function of legislating b: belonging to
          the branch of government that is charged with such powers
          as making laws, levying and collecting taxes, and making
          financial appropriations--compare executive, judicial
          2 a: of or relating to a legislature <~ committees> b:
          composed of members of a legislature <~ caucus> c: created
          by a legislature esp. as distinguished from an executive
          or judicial body d: designed to assist a legislature
          or its members <a ~ research agency> 3: of, concerned
          with, or created by legislation -- leg.is.la.tive.ly
          adv [2]legislative n (1642): the body or department exercising
          the power and function of legislating: legislature

   legislative assembly
          [legislative assembly] n, often cap L&A (1836) 1: a bicameral
          legislature (as in an American state) 2: the lower house
          of a bicameral legislature 3: a unicameral legislature;
          esp: one in a Canadian province

   legislative council
          [legislative council] n, often cap L&C (1787) 1: a permanent
          committee chosen from both houses that meets between
          sessions of a state legislature to study state problems
          and plan a legislative program 2: a unicameral legislature
          (as in a British colony) 3: the upper house of a British
          bicameral legislature

   legislator
          [leg.is.la.tor] n [L legis lator, lit., proposer of a law,
          fr. legis (gen. of lex law) + lator proposer, fr. ferre
          (pp. latus) to carry, propose--more at tolerate, bear]
          (1603): one that makes laws esp. for a political unit;
          esp: a member of a legislative body -- leg.is.la.to.ri.al
          adj -- leg.is.la.tor.ship n

   legislature
          [leg.is.la.ture] n (ca. 1676): a body of persons having the
          power to legislate; specif: an organized body having
          the authority to make laws for a political unit

   legist
          [le.gist] n [ME, fr. MF legiste, fr. ML legista, fr. L leg-,
          lex] (15c): a specialist in law; esp: one learned in
          Roman or civil law

   legit
          [le.git] adj (1908) slang: legitimate

   legitimacy
          [le.git.i.ma.cy] n (1691): the quality or state of being
          legitimate

   [1]legitimate
          [le.git.i.mate] adj [ME legitimat, fr. ML legitimatus, pp.
          of legitimare to legitimate, fr. L legitimus legitimate,
          fr. leg-, lex law] (15c) 1 a: lawfully begotten; specif:
          born in wedlock b: having full filial rights and obligations
          by birth <a ~ child> 2: being exactly as purposed: neither
          spurious nor false <~ grievance> <a ~ practitioner> 3
          a: accordant with law or with established legal forms
          and requirements <a ~ government> b: ruling by or based
          on the strict principle of hereditary right <a ~ king>
          4: conforming to recognized principles or accepted rules
          and standards <~ advertising expenditure> <~ inference>
          5: relating to plays acted by professional actors but
          not including revues, burlesque, or some forms of musical
          comedy <the ~ theater> syn see lawful -- le.git.i.mate.ly
          adv [2]le.git.i.mate vt -mat.ed ; -mat.ing (1531): to
          make legitimate: a (1): to give legal status or authorization
          to (2): to show or affirm to be justified b: to put (a
          bastard) in the state of a legitimate child before the
          law by legal means -- le.git.i.ma.tion n -- le.git.i.mat.or
          n

   legitimatize
          [le.git.i.ma.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1791): legitimate

   legitimise
          [le.git.i.mise] Brit var of legitimize

   legitimism
          [le.git.i.mism] n, often cap (1877): adherence to the principles
          of political legitimacy or to a person claiming legitimacy
          -- le.git.i.mist n, often cap -- legitimist adj

   legitimize
          [le.git.i.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1848): legitimate --
          le.git.i.mi.za.tion n -- le.git.i.miz.er n

   legman
          [leg.man] n (1923) 1: a reporter assigned usu. to gather
          information 2: an assistant who performs various subordinate
          tasks (as gathering information or running errands)

   leg-of-mutton
          [leg-of-mut.ton] or leg-o'-mut.ton adj (1840): having the
          approximately triangular shape or outline of a leg of
          mutton <~ sleeve> <~ sail>

   leg out
          [leg out] vt (1965): to make (as a base hit) by fast running

   leg-pull
          [leg-pull] n [fr. the phrase to pull one's leg] (1915): a
          humorous deception or hoax

   legroom
          [leg.room] n (1926): space in which to extend the legs while
          seated

   legume
          [le.gume] n [F legume, fr. L legumin-, legumen leguminous
          plant, fr. legere to gather--more at legend] (1676) 1
          a: the fruit or seed of leguminous plants (as peas or
          beans) used for food b: a vegetable used for food 2:
          any of a large family (Leguminosae syn. Fabaceae) of
          dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees having fruits
          that are legumes (sense 3) or loments, bearing nodules
          on the roots that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and
          including important food and forage plants (as peas,
          beans, or clovers) 3: a dry dehiscent one-celled fruit
          developed from a simple superior ovary and usu. dehiscing
          into two valves with the seeds attached to the ventral
          suture: pod

   leguminous
          [le.gu.mi.nous] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or consisting
          of plants that are legumes 2: resembling a legume

   leg up
          [leg up] n (1837) 1: a helping hand: boost 2: head start

   leg warmer
          [leg warmer] n (1974): a usu. knitted covering for the leg

   legwork
          [leg.work] n (1891): active physical work (as in gathering
          information) that forms the basis of more creative or
          mentally exacting work (as writing a book)

   lehua
          [le.hua] n [Hawaiian] (1888): a common very showy chiefly
          Polynesian tree (Metrosideros collinus) of the myrtle
          family having bright red flowers and a hard wood; also:
          its flower

   [1]lei
          [lei] n [Hawaiian] (1843): a wreath or necklace usu. of flowers
          or leaves [2]lei pl of leu

   Leicester
          [Leices.ter] n [Leicester, county in England] (1798) 1: an
          individual of either of two English breeds of white-faced
          long-wool sheep raised esp. for mutton 2: a hard usu.
          orange-colored cheese similar to cheddar

   Leics
          [Leics] abbreviation Leicestershire

   leishmania
          [leish.man.ia] n [NL, fr. Sir W. B. Leishman d. 1926 Brit.
          medical officer] (1914): any of a genus (Leishmania)
          of flagellate protozoans that are parasitic in the tissues
          of vertebrates; broadly: an organism resembling the leishmanias
          that is included in the family (Trypanosomatidae) to
          which they belong -- leish.man.ial adj

   leishmaniasis
          [leish.man.i.a.sis] n [NL] (1912): infection with or disease
          caused by leishmanias

   leister
          [leis.ter] n [of Scand origin; akin to ON ljostr leister]
          (ca. 1534): a spear armed with three or more barbed prongs
          for catching fish

   leisure
          [lei.sure] n [ME leiser, fr. MF leisir, fr. leisir to be
          permitted, fr. L licere] (14c) 1: freedom provided by
          the cessation of activities; esp: time free from work
          or duties 2: ease, leisureliness -- leisure adj -- at
          leisure or at one's leisure : in one's leisure time:
          at one's convenience <read the book at her leisure>

   leisured
          [lei.sured] adj (1631): having leisure: leisurely

   [1]leisurely
          [lei.sure.ly] adv (15c): without haste: deliberately [2]leisurely
          adj (1604): characterized by leisure: unhurried -- lei.sure.li.ness
          n

   leisure suit
          [leisure suit] n (1975): a suit consisting of a shirt jacket
          and matching trousers for informal wear

   Leit
          [Leit] abbreviation Leitrim

   leitmotiv
          [leit.mo.tiv] or leit.mo.tif n [G Leitmotiv, fr. leiten to
          lead + Motiv motive] (ca. 1876) 1: an associated melodic
          phrase or figure that accompanies the reappearance of
          an idea, person, or situation esp. in a Wagnerian music
          drama 2: a dominant recurring theme

   [1]lek
          [lek] n [Sw, short for lekstalle mating ground, fr. lek mating,
          sport + stalle place] (1871): an assembly area where
          animals (as the prairie chicken) carry on display and
          courtship behavior [2]lek n, pl leks or le.ke also lek
          or le.ku [Alb] (1927): the basic monetary unit of Albania

   lekvar
          [lek.var] n [Hung lekvar jam] (ca. 1958): a prune butter
          used as a pastry filling

   LEM
          [LEM] abbreviation lunar excursion module

   leman
          [le.man] n [ME lefman, leman, fr. lef lief] (13c) archaic:
          sweetheart, lover; esp: mistress

   [1]lemma
          [lem.ma] n, pl lemmas or lem.ma.ta [L, fr. Gk lemma thing
          taken, assumption, fr. lambanein to take--more at latch]
          (1570) 1: an auxiliary proposition used in the demonstration
          of another proposition 2: the argument or theme of a
          composition prefixed as a title or introduction; also:
          the heading or theme of a comment or note on a text 3:
          a glossed word or phrase [2]lemma n [Gk, husk, fr. lepein
          to peel--more at leper] (1906): the lower of the two
          bracts enclosing the flower in the spikelet of grasses

   lemming
          [lem.ming] n [Norw] (1713): any of various small short-tailed
          furry-footed rodents (as genera Lemmus and Dicrostonyx)
          of circumpolar distribution that are notable for the
          recurrent mass migrations of a European form (L. lemmus)
          which often continue into the sea where vast numbers
          are drowned -- lem.ming.like adj

   lemniscate
          [lem.nis.cate] n [NL lemniscata, fr. fem. of L lemniscatus
          with hanging ribbons, fr. lemniscus] (ca. 1781): a figure-eight
          shaped curve whose equation in polar coordinates is the
          square of the radius vector r equated to a constant that
          is squared and then multiplied by the cosine of twice
          the angle

   lemniscus
          [lem.nis.cus] n, pl -nis.ci [NL, fr. L, ribbon, fr. Gk lemniskos]
          (ca. 1905): a band of fibers and esp. nerve fibers --
          lem.nis.cal adj

   [1]lemon
          [lem.on] n [ME lymon, fr. MF limon, fr. ML limon-, limo,
          fr. Ar laymun] (15c) 1 a: an acid fruit that is botanically
          a many-seeded pale yellow oblong berry and is produced
          by a small thorny tree (Citrus limon) b: a tree that
          bears lemons 2: one (as an automobile) that is unsatisfactory
          or defective -- lem.ony adj [2]lemon adj (1598) 1: of
          the color lemon yellow 2 a: containing lemon b: having
          the flavor or scent of lemon

   lemonade
          [lem.on.ade] n (1604): a beverage of sweetened lemon juice
          mixed with water

   lemon balm
          [lemon balm] n (ca. 1888): a bushy perennial Old World mint
          (Melissa officinalis) often cultivated for its fragrant
          lemon-flavored leaves

   lemongrass
          [lem.on.grass] n (1801): a grass (Cymbopogon citratus) of
          robust habit that grows in tropical regions, is used
          as an herb, and is the source of an essential oil with
          an odor of lemon or verbena

   lemon law
          [lemon law] n (1982): a law offering car buyers relief (as
          by repair, replacement, or refund) for defects detected
          during a specified period after purchase

   lemon shark
          [lemon shark] n (1942): a medium-sized requiem shark (Negaprion
          brevirostris) of the warm Atlantic that is yellowish
          brown to gray above with yellow or greenish sides

   lemon sole
          [lemon sole] n (1876): any of several flatfishes and esp.
          flounders: as a: a bottom-dwelling flounder (Microstomus
          kitt) of the northeastern Atlantic that is an important
          food fish b: winter flounder

   lemon yellow
          [lemon yellow] n (1807): a brilliant greenish yellow color

   lempira
          [lem.pi.ra] n [AmerSp, fr. Lempira, 16th cent. Indian chief]
          (ca. 1934): the basic monetary unit of Honduras

   lemur
          [le.mur] n [NL, fr. L lemures, pl., ghosts] (1795): any of
          various arboreal chiefly nocturnal mammals that were
          formerly widespread but are now largely confined to Madagascar,
          are related to the monkeys but are usu. regarded as constituting
          a distinct superfamily (Lemuroidea), and usu. have a
          muzzle like a fox, large eyes, very soft woolly fur,
          and a long furry tail

   lemures
          [le.mu.res] n pl [L] (1555): spirits of the unburied dead
          exorcised from homes in early Roman religious rites

   lend
          [lend] vb lent ; lend.ing [ME lenen, lenden, fr. OE laenan,
          fr. laen loan--more at loan] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to give
          for temporary use on condition that the same or its equivalent
          be returned b: to let out (money) for temporary use on
          condition of repayment with interest 2 a: to give the
          assistance or support of: afford, furnish <a dispassionate
          and scholarly manner which ~s great force to his criticisms
          --Times Lit. Supp.> b: to adapt or apply (oneself) readily:
          accommodate <a topic that ~s itself admirably to class
          discussion> ~ vi: to make a loan usage see loan -- lend.able
          adj -- lend.er n

   lending library
          [lending library] n (1708): a library from which materials
          are lent; esp: rental library

   lend-lease
          [lend-lease] n [U.S. Lend-Lease Act (1941)] (1941): the transfer
          of goods and services to an ally to aid in a common cause
          with payment made by a return of the original items or
          their use in the cause or by a similar transfer of other
          goods and services -- lend-lease vt

   length
          [length] n, pl lengths [ME lengthe, fr. OE lengthu, fr. lang
          long] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the longer or longest dimension
          of an object b: a measured distance or dimension <10
          feet in ~> c: the quality or state of being long 2 a:
          duration or extent in time b: relative duration or stress
          of a sound 3 a: distance or extent in space b: the length
          of something taken as a unit of measure <his horse led
          by a ~> 4: the degree to which something (as a course
          of action or a line of thought) is carried--often used
          in pl. <went to great ~s to learn the truth> 5 a: a long
          expanse or stretch b: a piece constituting or usable
          as part of a whole or of a connected series: section
          <a ~ of pipe> 6: a vertical dimension of an article of
          clothing -- at length 1: fully, comprehensively 2: at
          last: finally

   lengthen
          [length.en] vb length.ened ; length.en.ing vt (14c): to make
          longer ~ vi: to grow longer syn see extend -- length.en.er
          n

   lengthways
          [length.ways] adv (1599): lengthwise

   lengthwise
          [length.wise] adv (ca. 1580): in the direction of the length:
          longitudinally -- lengthwise adj

   lengthy
          [lengthy] adj length.i.er ; -est (1689) 1: protracted excessively:
          overlong 2: extended, long -- length.i.ly adv -- length.i.ness n

   lenience
          [le.nience] n (1796): leniency

   leniency
          [le.nien.cy] n, pl -cies (1780) 1: the quality or state of
          being lenient 2: a lenient disposition or practice syn
          see mercy

   lenient
          [le.nient] adj [L lenient-, leniens, prp. of lenire to soften,
          soothe, fr. lenis soft, mild; prob. akin to Lith lenas
          tranquil--more at let] (1652) 1: exerting a soothing
          or easing influence: relieving pain or stress 2: of mild
          and tolerant disposition; esp: indulgent -- le.nient.ly
          adv

   Leni-Lenape
          [Leni-Len.a.pe] or Len.ni-Len.a.pe n [Delaware (Unami dialects)
          leni-lenape] (ca. 1782): delaware 1

   Leninism
          [Le.nin.ism] n (1918): the political, economic, and social
          principles and policies advocated by Lenin; esp: the
          theory and practice of communism developed by or associated
          with Lenin -- Le.nin.ist n or adj -- Le.nin.ite n or
          adj

   lenis
          [le.nis] adj [NL, fr. L, mild, smooth] (ca. 1897): produced
          with an articulation that is lax in relation to another
          speech sound </t/ in gutter is ~, /t/ in toe is fortis>

   lenition
          [len.i.tion] n [L lenire] (1912): the change from fortis
          to lenis articulation

   lenitive
          [len.i.tive] adj [ME lenitif, fr. MF, fr. ML lenitivus, fr.
          L lenitus, pp. of lenire] (15c): alleviating pain or
          harshness: soothing -- lenitive n -- len.i.tive.ly adv

   lenity
          [len.i.ty] n (1548): the quality or state of being lenient:
          clemency

   leno
          [le.no] n [perh. fr. F linon linen fabric, lawn, fr. MF lin
          flax, linen, fr. L linum flax] (1821) 1: an open weave
          in which pairs of warp yarns cross one another and thereby
          lock the filling yarn in position 2: a fabric made with
          a leno weave

   [1]lens
          [lens] also lense n [NL lent-, lens, fr. L, lentil; fr. its
          shape] (1693) 1 a: a piece of transparent material (as
          glass) that has two opposite regular surfaces either
          both curved or one curved and the other plane and that
          is used either singly or combined in an optical instrument
          for forming an image by focusing rays of light b: a combination
          of two or more simple lenses c: a piece of glass or plastic
          used (as in safety goggles or sunglasses) to protect
          the eye 2: a device for directing or focusing radiation
          other than light (as sound waves, radio microwaves, or
          electrons) 3: something shaped like a double-convex optical
          lens <~ of sandstone> 4: a highly transparent biconvex
          lens-shaped or nearly spherical body in the eye that
          focuses light rays (as upon the retina)--see eye illustration
          5: something that facilitates and influences perception,
          comprehension, or evaluation <the author's own ~ seems
          blurred by bias --Seymour Topping> -- lensed adj -- lens.less
          adj [2]lens vt (1942): to make a motion picture of: film

   lensman
          [lens.man] n (1938): photographer

   Lent
          [Lent] n [ME lente springtime, Lent, fr. OE lencten; akin
          to OHG lenzin spring] (13c): the 40 weekdays from Ash
          Wednesday to Easter observed by the Roman Catholic, Eastern,
          and some Protestant churches as a period of penitence
          and fasting

   lentamente
          [len.ta.men.te] adv or adj [It, fr. lento slow] (1724): lento

   lentando
          [len.tan.do] adv or adj [It] (ca. 1847): becoming slower--used
          as a direction in music

   Lenten
          [Lent.en] adj (bef. 12c): of, relating to, or suitable for
          Lent; esp: meager <~ fare>

   lentic
          [len.tic] adj [L lentus sluggish] (ca. 1938): of, relating
          to, or living in still waters (as lakes, ponds, or swamps)--compare
          lotic

   lenticel
          [len.ti.cel] n [NL lenticella, dim. of L lent-, lens lentil]
          (ca. 1864): a loose aggregation of cells which penetrates
          the surface (as of a stem) of a woody plant and through
          which gases are exchanged between the atmosphere and
          the underlying tissues

   lenticular
          [len.tic.u.lar] adj [ME, fr. L lenticularis lentil-shaped,
          fr. lenticula lentil] (15c) 1: having the shape of a
          double-convex lens 2: of or relating to a lens 3: provided
          with or utilizing lenticules <a ~ screen>

   lenticule
          [len.ti.cule] n [L lenticula] (1942) 1: any of the minute
          lenses on the base side of a film used in stereoscopic
          or color photography 2: any of the tiny corrugations
          or grooves molded or embossed into the surface of a projection
          screen

   lentil
          [len.til] n [ME, fr. OF lentille, fr. L lenticula, dim. of
          lent-, lens] (13c) 1: a widely cultivated Eurasian annual
          leguminous plant (Lens culinaris) with flattened edible
          seeds and leafy stalks used as fodder 2: the seed of
          the lentil

   lentissimo
          [len.tis.si.mo] adv or adj [It, superl. of lento] (ca. 1903):
          at a very slow tempo--used as a direction in music

   lentivirus
          [len.ti.vi.rus] n [NL, fr. L lentus slow + NL virus] (1982):
          any of a group of retroviruses that cause slowly progressive
          often fatal animal diseases

   lento
          [len.to] adv or adj [It, fr. lento, adj., slow, fr. L lentus
          pliant, sluggish, slow--more at lithe] (ca. 1724): at
          a slow tempo--used esp. as a direction in music

   Leo
          [Leo] n [L (gen. Leonis), lit., lion--more at lion] 1: a
          northern constellation east of Cancer 2 a: the 5th sign
          of the zodiac in astrology b: one born under this sign
          -- Le.o.nine adj

   leone
          [le.one] n, pl leones or leone [Sierra Leone] (1964): the
          basic monetary unit of Sierra Leone

   Leonid
          [Le.o.nid] n, pl Leonids or Le.on.i.des [L Leon-, Leo; fr.
          their appearing to radiate from a point in Leo] (1876):
          any of the meteors in a meteor shower occurring every
          year about November 14

   leonine
          [le.o.nine] adj [ME, fr. L leoninus, fr. leon-, leo] (14c):
          of, relating to, suggestive of, or resembling a lion

   leopard
          [leop.ard] n [ME, fr. OF leupart, fr. LL leopardus, fr. Gk
          leopardos, fr. leon lion + pardos leopard] (13c) 1: a
          large strong cat (Panthera pardus) of southern Asia and
          Africa that is adept at climbing and is usu. tawny or
          buff with black spots arranged in rosettes--called also
          panther 2: a heraldic representation of a lion passant
          guardant -- leop.ard.ess n

   leopard frog
          [leopard frog] n (1839): a common No. American frog (Rana
          pipiens) that is bright green or brown with large black
          white-margined blotches on the back; also: a similar
          frog (R. sphenocephala) of the southeastern U.S.

   leopard seal
          [leopard seal] n (1893): a spotted slate gray seal (Hydrurga
          leptonyx) of the southern Atlantic to the southern Pacific
          that often feeds on other seals

   leotard
          [le.o.tard] n [Jules Leotard, d. 1870 Fr. aerial gymnast]
          (1886): a close-fitting one-piece garment worn esp. by
          dancers, acrobats, and aerialists; also: tights--often
          used in pl. -- le.o.tard.ed adj

   LEP
          [LEP] abbreviation limited English proficiency, limited English
          proficient

   Lepcha
          [Lep.cha] n, pl Lepcha or Lepchas (1819) 1: a member of a
          people of Sikkim, India 2: the Tibeto-Burman language
          of the Lepcha people

   leper
          [lep.er] n [ME, fr. lepre leprosy, fr. MF, fr. LL lepra,
          fr. Gk, fr. lepein to peel; perh. akin to Lith lopas
          piece, scrap] (14c) 1: a person affected with leprosy
          2: a person shunned for moral or social reasons

   lepid-
          [lepid-] or lepido- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. lepid-, lepis
          scale, fr. lepein]: flake: scale <Lepidoptera>

   lepidolite
          [le.pid.o.lite] n [G Lepidolith, fr. lepid- + -lith] (ca.
          1796): a variable mineral that consists of a mica containing
          lithium and is used esp. in glazes and enamels

   lepidoptera
          [lep.i.dop.tera] n pl (ca. 1773): insects that are lepidopterans

   lepidopteran
          [lep.i.dop.ter.an] n [NL Lepidoptera, fr. lepid- + Gk pteron
          wing--more at feather] (ca. 1901): any of a large order
          (Lepidoptera) of insects comprising the butterflies,
          moths, and skippers that as adults have four broad or
          lanceolate wings usu. covered with minute overlapping
          and often brightly colored scales and that as larvae
          are caterpillars -- lepidopteran adj -- lep.i.dop.ter.ous
          adj

   lepidopterist
          [lep.i.dop.ter.ist] n (1826): a specialist in lepidopterology

   lepidopterology
          [lep.i.dop.ter.ol.o.gy] n (1898): a branch of entomology
          concerned with lepidopterans -- lep.i.dop.ter.o.log.i.cal
          adj -- lep.i.dop.ter.ol.o.gist n

   lepidote
          [lep.i.dote] n [Gk lepidotos scaly, fr. lepid-, lepis] (ca.
          1836): a rhododendron covered with scurf or scurfy scales

   leprechaun
          [lep.re.chaun] n [Ir leipreachan] (1604): a mischievous elf
          of Irish folklore usu. believed to reveal the hiding
          place of treasure if caught -- lep.re.chaun.ish adj

   lepromatous
          [le.pro.ma.tous] adj [NL lepromat-, leproma leprous lesion,
          fr. LL lepra] (1898): characterized by, exhibiting, or
          being leprosy with infective superficial granulomatous
          nodules

   leprosarium
          [lep.ro.sar.i.um] n, pl -i.ums or -ia [ML, fr. LL leprosus]
          (ca. 1846): a hospital for leprosy patients

   leprosy
          [lep.ro.sy] n [ME lepruse, fr. leprous] (15c) 1: a chronic
          disease caused by a bacillus (Mycobacterium leprae) and
          characterized by the formation of nodules or of macules
          that enlarge and spread accompanied by loss of sensation
          with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production
          of deformities and mutilations 2: a morally or spiritually
          harmful influence -- lep.rot.ic adj

   leprous
          [lep.rous] adj [ME, fr. LL leprosus leprous, fr. lepra
          leprosy--more at leper] (13c) 1 a: infected with leprosy b: of,
          relating to, or resembling leprosy or a leper 2: scaly, scurfy
          -- lep.rous.ly adv

   -lepsy
          [-lepsy] n comb form [MF -lepsie, fr. LL -lepsia, fr. Gk
          -lepsia, fr. lepsis, fr. lambanein to take, seize--more
          at latch]: taking: seizure <narcolepsy>

   leptocephalus
          [lep.to.ceph.a.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. Gk leptos + kephale
          head--more at cephalic] (1769): a long thin small-headed
          transparent pelagic first larva of various eels

   [1]lepton
          [lep.ton] n, pl lep.ta [NGk, fr. Gk, a small coin, fr. neut.
          of leptos peeled, slender, small, fr. lepein to peel--more
          at leper] (ca. 1741): a monetary unit of Greece equal
          to 1/100 drachma [2]lep.ton n [Gk leptos + E [2]-on]
          (ca. 1929): any of a family of particles (as electrons,
          muons, and neutrinos) that have spin quantum number 1/2
          and that experience no strong forces -- lep.ton.ic adj

   leptosome
          [lep.to.some] adj [G Leptosom, fr. Gk leptos + soma body]
          (1931): ectomorphic -- leptosome n

   leptospire
          [lep.to.spire] n [NL Leptospira, fr. Gk leptos + L spira
          coil--more at spire] (1952): any of a genus (Leptospira)
          of slender aerobic spirochetes that are free-living or
          parasitic in mammals -- lep.to.spir.al adj

   leptospirosis
          [lep.to.spi.ro.sis] n, pl -ro.ses [NL] (ca. 1926): any of
          several diseases of humans and domestic animals that
          are caused by infection with leptospires

   leptotene
          [lep.to.tene] n [ISV] (1912): a stage of meiotic prophase
          immediately preceding synapsis in which the chromosomes
          appear as fine discrete threads -- leptotene adj

   le roi est mort, vive le roi
          [le roi est mort, vive le roi] [F] foreign term : the king
          is dead, long live the king

   le roi le veut
          [le roi le veut] [F] foreign term : the king wills it

   le roi s'avisera
          [le roi s'avi.se.ra] [F] foreign term : the king will consider

   [1]lesbian
          [les.bi.an] adj, often cap (1591) 1: of or relating to Lesbos
          2 [fr. the reputed homosexual band associated with Sappho
          of Lesbos]: of or relating to homosexuality between females
          [2]lesbian n, often cap (ca. 1890): a female homosexual

   lesbianism
          [les.bi.an.ism] n (1870): female homosexuality

   lese-majeste
          [lese-ma.jes.te] or lese maj.es.ty n [MF lese majeste, fr.
          L laesa majestas, lit., injured majesty] (1536) 1 a:
          a crime (as treason) committed against a sovereign power
          b: an offense violating the dignity of a ruler as the
          representative of a sovereign power 2: a detraction from
          or affront to dignity or importance

   lesion
          [le.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L laesion-, laesio, fr. laedere
          to injure] (15c) 1: injury, harm 2: an abnormal change
          in structure of an organ or part due to injury or disease;
          esp: one that is circumscribed and well defined -- le.sioned
          adj

   lespedeza
          [les.pe.de.za] n [NL, irreg. fr. V. M. de Zespedes fl1785
          Span. governor of East Florida] (1891): any of a genus
          (Lespedeza) of herbaceous or shrubby leguminous plants
          including some widely used for forage, soil improvement,
          and esp. hay

   -less
          [-less] adj suffix [ME -les, -lesse, fr. OE -leas, fr. leas
          devoid, false; akin to OHG los loose, OE losian to get
          lost--more at lose] 1: destitute of: not having <witless>
          <childless> 2: unable to be acted on or to act (in a
          specified way) <dauntless> <fadeless>

   [1]less
          [less] adj, comparative of [1]little [ME, partly fr. OE laes,
          adv. & n.; partly fr. laessa, adj.; akin to OFris les
          less] (bef. 12c) 1: constituting a more limited number
          <~ than three> 2: of lower rank, degree, or importance
          <no ~ a person than the president himself> 3 a: of reduced
          size, extent, or degree b: more limited in quantity <in
          ~ time> usage The traditional view is that less applies
          to matters of degree, value, or amount and modifies collective
          nouns, mass nouns, or nouns denoting an abstract whole
          while fewer applies to matters of number and modifies
          plural nouns. Less has been used to modify plural nouns
          since the days of King Alfred and the usage, though roundly
          decried, appears to be increasing. Less is more likely
          than fewer to modify plural nouns when distances, sums
          of money, and a few fixed phrases are involved <less
          than 100 miles> <an investment of less than $2000> <in
          25 words or less> and as likely as fewer to modify periods
          of time <in less (or fewer) than four hours>. [2]less
          adv, comparative of [2]little (bef. 12c): to a lesser
          extent or degree -- less and less : to a progressively
          smaller size or extent -- less than : by no means: not
          at all <less than honest in his replies> [3]less n, pl
          less (bef. 12c) 1: a smaller portion or quantity 2: something
          of less importance [4]less prep (15c): diminished by:
          minus

   lessee
          [les.see] n [ME, fr. AF, fr. lesse, pp. of lesser to lease--more
          at lease] (15c): one that holds real or personal property
          under a lease

   lessen
          [less.en] vb less.ened ; less.en.ing vi (13c): to shrink
          in size, number, or degree: decrease ~ vt 1: to reduce
          in size, extent, or degree 2 a archaic: to represent
          as of little value b: to lower in status or dignity:
          degrade syn see decrease

   [1]lesser
          [less.er] adj, comparative of [1]little (13c): of less size,
          quality, degree, or significance: of lower status [2]lesser
          adv (1539): less <lesser-known>

   lesser celandine
          [lesser celandine] n (ca. 1890): a yellow-flowered Eurasian
          perennial herb (Ranunculus ficaria) of the buttercup
          family naturalized in No. America

   lesser cornstalk borer
          [lesser cornstalk borer] n (ca. 1925): a pyralid moth (Elasmopalpus
          lignosellus) having slender greenish larvae that burrow in the
          stalk esp. of Indian corn near ground level

   lesser peach tree borer
          [lesser peach tree borer] n (ca. 1924): a moth (Synanthedon
          pictipes family Aegeriidae) whose larva is a borer in
          the forks and crotches of stone-fruit trees and esp.
          the peach

   lesser yellowlegs
          [lesser yellowlegs] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1903):
          a common American marsh and shore bird (Tringa flavipes)
          that closely resembles the greater yellowlegs in color
          and markings but is smaller with a shorter more slender
          bill

   [1]lesson
          [les.son] n [ME, fr. OF lecon, fr. LL lection-, lectio, fr.
          L, act of reading, fr. legere to read--more at legend]
          (13c) 1: a passage from sacred writings read in a service
          of worship 2 a: a piece of instruction b: a reading or
          exercise to be studied by a pupil c: a division of a
          course of instruction 3 a: something learned by study
          or experience <his years of travel had taught him valuable
          ~s> b: an instructive example <the ~s of history> c:
          reprimand [2]lesson vt les.soned ; les.son.ing (1555)
          1: to give a lesson to: instruct 2: lecture, rebuke

   lessor
          [les.sor] n [ME lessour, fr. AF, fr. lesser to lease] (14c):
          one that conveys property by lease

   lest
          [lest] conj [ME les the, leste, fr. OE thy laes the, fr.
          thy (instrumental of thaet that) + laes + the, relative
          particle] (bef. 12c): for fear that--used after an expression
          denoting fear or apprehension <worried ~ she should be
          late> <hesitant to speak out ~ he be fired>

   le style, c'est l'homme
          [le style, c'est l'homme] [F] foreign term : the style is
          the man

   -let
          [-let] n suffix [ME, fr. MF -elet, fr. -el, dim. suffix (fr.
          L -ellus) + -et] 1: small one <booklet> 2: article worn
          on <wristlet>

   [1]let
          [let] vt let.ted ; letted or let ; let.ting [ME letten, fr.
          OE lettan to delay, hinder; akin to OHG lezzen to delay,
          hurt, OE laet late] (bef. 12c) archaic: hinder, prevent
          [2]let n (12c) 1: something that impedes: obstruction
          2: a shot or point in racket games that does not count
          and must be replayed [3]let vb let ; let.ting [ME leten,
          fr. OE laetan; akin to OHG lazzan to permit, and perh.
          to Lith lenas tranquil] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to cause to:
          make <~ me know> 2 a: to offer or grant for rent or lease
          <~ rooms> b: to assign esp. after bids <~ a contract>
          3 a: to give opportunity to or fail to prevent <live
          and ~ live> <a break in the clouds ~ us see the summit>
          <~ the opportunity slip> b--used in the imperative to
          introduce a request or proposal <~ us pray> c--used as
          an auxiliary to express a warning <~ him try> 4: to free
          from or as if from confinement <~ out a scream> <~ blood>
          5: to permit to enter, pass, or leave <~ them through>
          <~ them off with a warning> 6: to make an adjustment
          to <~ out the waist> ~ vi 1: to become rented or leased
          2: to become awarded to a contractor syn see hire --
          let alone : to leave undisturbed; also: to leave to oneself
          -- let fly : to hurl an object -- let go : to dismiss
          from employment <the firm let him go at the end of the
          month> -- let it all hang out : to reveal one's true
          feelings: act without dissimulation -- let one have it
          : to subject to vigorous assault -- let rip 1: to utter
          or release without restraint <let 'er rip> 2: to do or
          utter something without restraint <let rip at the press>
          -- let the cat out of the bag : to give away a secret

   let alone
          [let alone] conj (1812): to say nothing of: not to mention--used
          to add an example of narrower range by way of contrast
          esp. in negative contexts <believed that he would never
          walk again let alone play golf --Sports Illus.> <great
          to read but bloody to speak, let alone sing --Robertson
          Davies>

   letch
          [letch] n [back-formation fr. letcher, alter. of lecher]
          (ca. 1796): craving; specif: sexual desire

   letdown
          [let.down] n (1768) 1 a: discouragement, disappointment b:
          a slackening of effort: relaxation 2: the descent of
          an aircraft or spacecraft to the point at which a landing
          approach is begun

   let down
          [let down] vt (12c) 1: to allow to descend gradually 2 a:
          to fail to support <felt her parents had let her down>
          b: to fall short of the expectations of <the plot lets
          you down at the end>

   [1]lethal
          [le.thal] adj [L letalis, lethalis, fr. letum death] (1604)
          1 a: of, relating to, or causing death <death by ~ injection>
          b: capable of causing death <~ chemicals> 2: gravely
          damaging or destructive: devastating <a ~ attack on his
          reputation> syn see deadly -- le.thal.i.ty n -- le.thal.ly
          adv [2]lethal n (1917) 1: an abnormality of genetic origin
          causing the death of the organism possessing it 2: lethal
          gene

   lethal gene
          [lethal gene] n (1939): a gene that in some (as homozygous)
          conditions may prevent development or cause the death
          of an organism or its germ cells--called also lethal
          factor, lethal mutant, lethal mutation

   lethargic
          [le.thar.gic] adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or characterized
          by lethargy: sluggish 2: indifferent, apathetic --
          le.thar.gi.cal.ly adv

   lethargy
          [leth.ar.gy] n [ME litargie, fr. ML litargia, fr. LL lethargia,
          fr. Gk lethargia, fr. lethargos forgetful, lethargic,
          irreg. fr. lethe] (14c) 1: abnormal drowsiness 2: the
          quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent
          syn lethargy, languor, lassitude, stupor, torpor mean
          physical or mental inertness. lethargy implies such drowsiness
          or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury,
          or drugs <months of lethargy followed my accident>. languor
          suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or
          illness or love <languor induced by a tropical vacation>.
          lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting
          from fatigue or poor health <a depression marked by lassitude>.
          stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by
          shock, narcotics, or intoxicants <lapsed into an alcoholic
          stupor>. torpor implies a state of suspended animation
          as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme
          sluggishness <a once alert mind now in a torpor>.

   lethe
          [le.the] n [L, fr. Gk Lethe, fr. lethe forgetfulness; akin
          to Gk lanthanein to escape notice, lanthanesthai to forget--more
          at latent] 1 cap: a river in Hades whose waters cause
          drinkers to forget their past 2: oblivion, forgetfulness
          -- le.the.an adj, often cap

   let on
          [let on] vi (1725) 1: to make acknowledgment: admit <knows
          more than he lets on> 2: to reveal a secret <nobody let
          on about the surprise party> 3: pretend <let on to being
          a stranger>

   let out
          [let out] vi (1888): to conclude a session or performance
          <school let out in June>

   let's
          [let's] (1573): let us

   Lett
          [Lett] n [G Lette, ultim. fr. Latvian latvis] (1589): latvian
          2

   [1]letter
          [let.ter] n [ME, fr. OF lettre, fr. L littera letter of the
          alphabet, litterae, pl., epistle, literature] (13c) 1:
          a symbol usu. written or printed representing a speech
          sound and constituting a unit of an alphabet 2 a: a direct
          or personal written or printed message addressed to a
          person or organization b: a written communication containing
          a grant--usu. used in pl. 3 pl but sing or pl in constr
          a: literature, belles lettres b: learning 4: the strict
          or outward sense or significance <the ~ of the law> 5
          a: a single piece of type b: a style of type 6: the initial
          of a school awarded to a student for achievement usu.
          in athletics [2]letter vt (1668) 1: to set down in letters:
          print 2: to mark with letters ~ vi: to win an athletic
          letter -- let.ter.er n [3]let.ter n (1552): one that
          rents or leases

   letterboxed
          [let.ter.boxed] adj [perh. fr. the resemblance of the picture
          on the TV screen or the bands above and below the picture
          to slots in a mailbox] (1989) of a video recording: formatted
          so as to display the full rectangular frame of a wide-screen
          motion picture -- let.ter.box.ing n

   letter carrier
          [letter carrier] n (ca. 1552): a person who delivers mail

   lettered
          [let.tered] adj (14c) 1 a: learned, educated b: of, relating
          to, or characterized by learning: cultured 2: inscribed
          with or as if with letters

   letterform
          [let.ter.form] n (1908): the shape of a letter of an alphabet
          esp. from the standpoint of design or development

   letterhead
          [let.ter.head] n (ca. 1887) 1: a sheet of stationery printed
          or engraved usu. with the name and address of an organization
          2: the heading at the top of a let terhead

   lettering
          [let.ter.ing] n (1811): letters used in an inscription

   letterman
          [let.ter.man] n (1926): an athlete who has earned a letter
          in a school sport

   letter missive
          [letter missive] n, pl letters missive [ME, fr. MF lettre
          missive letter intended to be sent] (15c): a letter from
          a superior authority conveying a command, recommendation,
          permission, or invitation

   letter of credence
          [letter of credence] (14c): a formal document attesting to
          the power of a diplomatic agent to act for the issuing
          government--called also letters of credence

   letter of credit
          [letter of credit] (1645) 1: a letter addressed by a banker
          to a correspondent certifying that a person named therein
          is entitled to draw on the writer's credit up to a certain
          sum 2: a letter addressed by a banker to a person to
          whom credit is given authorizing drafts on the issuing
          bank or on a bank in the person's country up to a certain
          sum and guaranteeing to accept the drafts if duly made

   letter of intent
          [letter of intent] (ca. 1942): a written statement of the
          intention to enter into a formal agreement

   letter-perfect
          [let.ter-per.fect] adj (1845): correct to the smallest detail;
          esp: verbatim

   letterpress
          [let.ter.press] n (ca. 1765) 1: the process of printing from
          an inked raised surface esp. when the paper is impressed
          directly upon the surface 2 chiefly Brit: text (as of
          a book) distinct from pictorial illustrations

   letters close
          [letters close] n pl (1903): letters issued by a government
          or sovereign to a private person in a private matter

   letter sheet
          [letter sheet] n (1851): a sheet of stationery that can be
          folded and sealed with the message inside to form its
          own envelope

   letters of administration
          [letters of administration] (15c): a letter evidencing the
          right of an administrator to administer the goods or
          estate of a deceased person

   letters of marque
          [letters of marque] (15c): written authority granted to a
          private person by a government to seize the subjects
          of a foreign state or their goods; specif: a license
          granted to a private person to fit out an armed ship
          to plunder the enemy

   letterspacing
          [let.ter.spac.ing] n (1917): insertion of space between the
          letters of a word

   letters patent
          [letters patent] n pl (14c): a writing (as from a sovereign)
          that confers on a designated person a grant in a form
          open for public inspection

   [1]Lettish
          [Lett.ish] adj (1831): of or relating to the Latvians or
          their language [2]Lettish n (1841): latvian 1

   lettre de cachet
          [let.tre de ca.chet] n, pl lettres de cachet [F, lit., letter
          with a seal] (1718): a letter bearing an official seal
          and usu. authorizing imprisonment without trial of a
          named person

   lettuce
          [let.tuce] n [ME letuse, fr. MF laitues, pl. of laitue, fr.
          L lactuca, fr. lact-, lac milk; fr. its milky juice--more
          at galaxy] (14c): any of a genus (Lactuca) of composite
          plants; esp: a common garden vegetable (L. sativa) whose
          succulent leaves are used esp. in salads

   letup
          [let.up] n (1837): a lessening of effort or intensity

   let up
          [let up] vi (1787) 1 a: to diminish or slow down: slacken
          b: cease, stop 2: to become less severe--used with on

   leu
          [leu] n, pl lei [Rom, lit., lion, fr. L leo--more at lion]
          (1879): the basic monetary unit of Romania

   leuc-
          [leuc-] or leuco- chiefly Brit var of leuk-

   leucine
          [leu.cine] n [F, fr. leuc- leuk-] (1826): a white crystalline
          essential amino acid obtained by the hydrolysis of most
          dietary proteins

   leucite
          [leu.cite] n [G Leuzit, fr. leuz- leuk-] (1799): a white
          or gray mineral consisting of a silicate of potassium
          and aluminum and occurring in igneous rocks -- leu.cit.ic
          adj

   leucocidin
          [leu.co.ci.din] n [ISV leuc- + -cide + [1]-in] (1894): a
          bacterial substance that destroys white blood cells

   leucoplast
          [leu.co.plast] n [ISV] (1886): a colorless plastid esp. in
          the cytoplasm of interior plant tissues that is potentially
          capable of developing into a chloroplast

   leuk-
          [leuk-] or leuko- comb form [NL leuc-, leuco-, fr. Gk leuk-,
          leuko-, fr. leukos--more at light] 1: white: colorless:
          weakly colored <leukocyte> <leukorrhea> 2: leukocyte
          <leukemia> 3: white matter of the brain <leukotomy>

   leukaemia
          [leu.kae.mia] chiefly Brit var of leukemia

   leukaemogenesis
          [leu.kae.mo.gen.e.sis] chiefly Brit var of leukemogenesis

   leukemia
          [leu.ke.mia] n [NL] (ca. 1855): an acute or chronic disease
          in humans and other warm-blooded animals characterized
          by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood
          cells in the tissues and often in the blood -- leu.ke.mic
          adj or n

   leukemogenesis
          [leu.ke.mo.gen.e.sis] n (1942): induction or production of
          leukemia -- leu.ke.mo.gen.ic adj

   leukemoid
          [leu.ke.moid] adj (1926): resembling leukemia but not involving
          the same changes in the blood-forming organs

   leukocyte
          [leu.ko.cyte] n [ISV] (1870): white blood cell -- leu.ko.cyt.ic
          adj

   leukocytosis
          [leu.ko.cy.to.sis] n [NL] (1866): an increase in the number
          of white blood cells in the circulating blood

   leukodystrophy
          [leu.ko.dys.tro.phy] n, pl -phies (1962): any of several
          genetically determined diseases characterized by degeneration
          of the white matter of the brain

   leukopenia
          [leu.ko.pe.nia] n [NL] (1898): a condition in which the number
          of white blood cells circulating in the blood is abnormally
          low -- leu.ko.pe.nic adj

   leukoplakia
          [leu.ko.pla.kia] n [NL, fr. leuk- + Gk plak-, plax flat
          surface--more at fluke] (ca. 1888): an abnormal condition in which
          thickened white patches of epithelium occur on the mucous membranes
          (as of the mouth or vulva); also: a lesion or lesioned area
          of leukoplakia -- leu.ko.pla.kic adj

   leukopoiesis
          [leu.ko.poi.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1913): the formation of white
          blood cells -- leu.ko.poi.et.ic adj

   leukorrhea
          [leu.kor.rhea] n [NL] (ca. 1797): a whitish viscid discharge
          from the vagina resulting from inflammation or congestion
          of the mucous membrane -- leu.kor.rhe.al adj

   leukosis
          [leu.ko.sis] n, pl -ko.ses [NL] (1922): leukemia; esp: any
          of various leukemic diseases of poultry

   leukotomy
          [leu.kot.o.my] n, pl -mies (1937): lobotomy

   leukotriene
          [leu.ko.tri.ene] n (1980): any of a group of eicosanoids
          that participate in allergic responses

   lev
          [lev] n, pl le.va [Bulg, lit., lion] (ca. 1900): the basic
          monetary unt of Bulgaria

   lev-
          [lev-] or levo- comb form [F levo-, fr. L laevus left; akin
          to Gk laios left] 1: levorotatory <levulose> 2: to the
          left <levorotatory>

   Lev
          [Lev] or Levit abbreviation Leviticus

   Levalloisian
          [Le.val.loi.si.an] adj [Levallois-Perret, suburb of Paris,
          France] (1932): of or relating to a Middle Paleolithic
          culture characterized by a technique of manufacturing
          tools by striking flakes from a flint nodule

   levant
          [le.vant] vi [perh. fr. Sp levantar to break camp, ultim.
          fr. L levare] (1797) chiefly Brit: to run away from a
          debt

   levanter
          [le.vant.er] n (1668) 1 cap: a native or inhabitant of the
          Levant 2: a strong easterly Mediterranean wind

   Levant storax
          [Le.vant storax] n (1937): storax 1a

   levator
          [le.va.tor] n, pl lev.a.to.res or le.va.tors [NL, fr. L levare
          to raise--more at lever] (1615): a muscle that serves
          to raise a body part--compare depressor

   [1]levee
          [le.vee] n [F lever, fr. MF, act of arising, fr. (se) lever
          to rise] (1672) 1: a reception held by a person of distinction
          on rising from bed 2: an afternoon assembly at which
          the British sovereign or his or her representative receives
          only men 3: a reception usu. in honor of a particular
          person [2]lev.ee n [F levee, fr. OF, act of raising,
          fr. lever to raise--more at lever] (ca. 1720) 1 a: an
          embankment for preventing flooding b: a river landing
          place: pier 2: a continuous dike or ridge (as of earth)
          for confining the irrigation areas of land to be flooded
          [3]lev.ee vt lev.eed ; lev.ee.ing (1832): to provide
          with a levee

   [1]level
          [lev.el] n [ME, plumb line, fr. MF livel, fr. (assumed) VL
          libellum, alter. of L libella, fr. dim. of libra weight,
          balance] (14c) 1: a device for establishing a horizontal
          line or plane by means of a bubble in a liquid that shows
          adjustment to the horizontal by movement to the center
          of a slightly bowed glass tube 2: a measurement of the
          difference of altitude of two points by means of a level
          3: horizontal condition; esp: equilibrium of a fluid
          marked by a horizontal surface of even altitude <water
          seeks its own ~> 4 a: an approximately horizontal line
          or surface taken as an index of altitude b: a practically
          horizontal surface or area (as of land) 5: a position
          in a scale or rank <funded at the national ~> 6 a: a
          line or surface that cuts perpendicularly all plumb lines
          that it meets and hence would everywhere coincide with
          a surface of still water b: the plane of the horizon
          or a line in it 7: a horizontal passage in a mine intended
          for regular working and transportation 8: a concentration
          of a constituent esp. of a body fluid (as blood) 9: the
          magnitude of a quantity considered in relation to an
          arbitrary reference value; broadly: magnitude, intensity
          <a high ~ of hostility> -- on the level : bona fide,
          honest [2]level vb -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling
          vt (15c) 1: to make (a line or surface) horizontal: make
          flat or level <~ a field> <~ off a house lot> 2 a: to
          bring to a horizontal aiming position b: aim, direct
          <~ed a charge of fraud> 3: to bring to a common level
          or plane: equalize <love ~s all ranks --W. S. Gilbert>
          4 a: to lay level with or as if with the ground: raze
          b: to knock down <~ed him with one punch> 5: to make
          (as color) even or uniform 6: to find the heights of
          different points in (a piece of land) esp. with a surveyor's
          level ~ vi 1: to attain or come to a level <the plane
          ~ed off at 10,000 feet> 2: to aim a gun or other weapon
          horizontally 3: to bring persons or things to a level
          4: to deal frankly and openly [3]level adj (15c) 1 a:
          having no part higher than another: conforming to the
          curvature of the liquid parts of the earth's surface
          b: parallel with the plane of the horizon: horizontal
          2 a: even or unvarying in height b: equal in advantage,
          progression, or standing c: proceeding monotonously or
          uneventfully d (1): steady, unwavering <gave him a ~
          look> (2): calm, unexcited <spoke in ~ tones> 3: reasonable,
          balanced <arrive at a justly proportional and ~ judgment
          on this affair --Sir Winston Churchill> 4: distributed
          evenly <~ stress> 5: being a surface perpendicular to
          all lines of force in a field of force: equipotential
          6: suited to a particular rank or plane of ability or
          achievement <top-level thinking> 7: of or relating to
          the spreading out of a cost or charge in even payments
          over a period of time -- lev.el.ly adv -- lev.el.ness
          n -- level best : very best syn level, flat, plane, even,
          smooth mean having a surface without bends, curves, or
          irregularities. level applies to a horizontal surface
          that lies on a line parallel with the horizon <the vast
          prairies are nearly level>. flat applies to a surface
          devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions
          <the work surface must be flat>. plane applies to any
          real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line
          between any two points on it lies wholly within that
          surface <the plane sides of a crystal>. even applies
          to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a
          line that is observably straight <trim the hedge so it
          is even>. smooth applies esp. to a polished surface free
          of irregularities <a smooth skating rink>.

   level crossing
          [level crossing] n (ca. 1841) Brit: grade crossing

   leveler
          [lev.el.er] or lev.el.ler n (1598) 1: one that levels 2 a
          cap: one of a group of radicals arising during the English
          Civil War and advocating equality before the law and
          religious toleration b: one favoring the removal of political,
          social, or economic inequalities c: something that tends
          to reduce or eliminate differences among individuals

   levelheaded
          [lev.el.head.ed] adj (1879): having sound judgment: sensible
          -- lev.el.head.ed.ness n

   leveling rod
          [leveling rod] n (ca. 1889): a graduated rod used in measuring
          the vertical distance between a point on the ground and
          the line of sight of a surveyor's level

   level off
          [level off] vi (1919): to approach or reach a steady rate,
          volume, or amount: stabilize <expect prices to level
          off>

   level of significance
          [level of significance] (1925): the probability of rejecting
          the null hypothesis in a statistical test when it is
          true--called also significance level

   [1]lever
          [le.ver] n [ME, fr. MF levier, fr. lever to raise, fr. L
          levare, fr. levis light in weight--more at light] (14c)
          1 a: a bar used for prying or dislodging something b:
          an inducing or compelling force: tool <use food as a
          political ~ --Time> 2 a: a rigid piece that transmits
          and modifies force or motion when forces are applied
          at two points and it turns about a third; specif: a rigid
          bar used to exert a pressure or sustain a weight at one
          point of its length by the application of a force at
          a second and turning at a third on a fulcrum b: a projecting
          piece by which a mechanism is operated or adjusted [2]lever
          vt le.vered ; le.ver.ing (1876) 1: to pry, raise, or
          move with or as if with a lever 2: to operate (a device)
          in the manner of a lever

   [1]leverage
          [le.ver.age] n (1830) 1: the action of a lever or the mechanical
          advantage gained by it 2: power, effectiveness <trying
          to gain more political ~> 3: the use of credit to enhance
          one's speculative capacity [2]leverage vt -aged ; -ag.ing
          (1937): to provide (as a corporation) or supplement (as
          money) with leverage; also: to enhance as if by supplying
          with financial leverage

   leveraged
          [lev.er.aged] adj (1953) 1: having a high proportion of debt
          relative to equity 2 of the purchase of a company: made
          with borrowed money that is secured by the assets of
          the company bought <a ~ buyout>

   leveret
          [lev.er.et] n [ME, fr. (assumed) MF levret, fr. MF levre
          hare, fr. L lepor-, lepus] (15c): a hare in its first
          year

   Levi
          [Le.vi] n [LL, from Heb Lewi]: a son of Jacob and the traditional
          eponymous ancestor of the priestly tribe of Levi

   leviable
          [levi.able] adj (15c): capable of being levied or levied
          upon

   leviathan
          [le.vi.a.than] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Heb liwyathan] 1 a often
          cap: a sea monster defeated by Yahweh in various scriptural
          accounts b: a large sea animal 2 cap: the political state;
          esp: a totalitarian state having a vast bureaucracy 3:
          something large or formidable -- leviathan adj

   levier
          [levi.er] n (15c): one that levies

   levigate
          [lev.i.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L levigatus, pp. of levigare
          to make smooth, fr. levis smooth (akin to Gk leios smooth
          and perh. to L linere to smear) + -igare (akin to agere
          to drive)--more at lime, agent] (1612) 1: polish, smooth
          2 a: to grind to a fine smooth powder while in moist
          condition b: to separate (fine powder) from coarser material
          by suspending in a liquid -- lev.i.ga.tion n

   levin
          [lev.in] n [ME levene] (13c) archaic: lightning

   levirate
          [le.vi.rate] n [L levir husband's brother; akin to OE tacor
          husband's brother, Gk daer] (1725): the sometimes compulsory
          marriage of a widow to a brother of her deceased husband
          -- le.vi.rat.ic adj

   Levi's
          [Le.vi's] trademark--used esp. for blue denim jeans

   levitate
          [lev.i.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [levity] vi (1673): to
          rise or float in the air esp. in seeming defiance of
          gravitation ~ vt: to cause to levitate

   levitation
          [lev.i.ta.tion] n (1668): the act or process of levitating;
          esp: the rising or lifting of a person or thing by means
          held to be supernatural -- lev.i.ta.tion.al adj

   Levite
          [Le.vite] n (14c): a member of the priestly Hebrew tribe
          of Levi; specif: a Levite of non-Aaronic descent assigned
          to lesser ceremonial offices under the Levitical priests
          of the family of Aaron

   Levitical
          [Le.vit.i.cal] adj [LL Leviticus] (1535): of or relating
          to the Levites or to Leviticus

   Leviticus
          [Le.vit.i.cus] n [LL, lit., of the Levites]: the third book
          of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture consisting
          mainly of priestly legislation

   levity
          [lev.i.ty] n [L levitat-, levitas, fr. levis light in weight--more
          at light] (1564) 1: excessive or unseemly frivolity 2: lack
          of steadiness: changeableness

   levo
          [le.vo] adj (1938): levorotatory

   levo-
          [levo-] --see lev-

   levodopa
          [levo.do.pa] n (1969): l-dopa

   levorotatory
          [le.vo.ro.ta.to.ry] or le.vo.ro.ta.ry adj (1873): turning
          toward the left or counterclockwise; esp: rotating the
          plane of polarization of light to the left--compare dextrorotatory

   levulose
          [lev.u.lose] n [ISV, irreg. fr. lev- + [2]-ose] (1871): fructose
          2

   [1]levy
          [levy] n, pl lev.ies [ME, fr. OF levee, act of raising--more
          at levee] (13c) 1 a: the imposition or collection of
          an assessment b: an amount levied 2 a: the enlistment
          or conscription of men for military service b: troops
          raised by levy [2]levy vb lev.ied ; levy.ing vt (14c)
          1 a: to impose or collect by legal authority <~ a tax>
          b: to require by authority 2: to enlist or conscript
          for military service 3: to carry on (war): wage ~ vi:
          to seize property

   lewd
          [lewd] adj [ME lewed vulgar, fr. OE laewede laical, ignorant]
          (14c) 1 obs: evil, wicked 2 a: sexually unchaste or licentious
          b: obscene, vulgar -- lewd.ly adv -- lewd.ness n

   lewis
          [lew.is] n [prob. fr. the name Lewis] (1743): an iron dovetailed
          tenon that is made in sections, can be fitted into a
          dovetail mortise, and is used in hoisting large stones

   Lewis acid
          [Lew.is acid] n [Gilbert N. Lewis d. 1946 Am. chemist] (1944):
          a substance that is capable of accepting an unshared
          pair of electrons from a base to form a covalent bond

   lewisite
          [lew.is.ite] n [Winford L. Lewis d. 1943 Am. chemist] (1919):
          a colorless or brown vesicant liquid developed as a poison
          gas for war use

   lex
          [lex] n, pl le.ges [L leg-, lex] (ca. 1775): law

   lexeme
          [lex.eme] n [Gk lexis word, speech + E -eme] (1940): a meaningful
          linguistic unit that is an item in the vocabulary of
          a language -- lex.em.ic adj

   lexical
          [lex.i.cal] adj (1836) 1: of or relating to words or the
          vocabulary of a language as distinguished from its grammar
          and construction 2: of or relating to a lexicon or to
          lexicography -- lex.i.cal.i.ty n -- lex.i.cal.ly adv

   lexicalisation
          [lex.i.cal.i.sa.tion] Brit var of lexicalization

   lexicalization
          [lex.i.cal.i.za.tion] n (1949) 1: the realization of a meaning
          in a single word or morpheme rather than in a grammatical
          construction 2: the treatment of a formerly freely composed,
          grammatically regular, and semantically transparent phrase
          or inflected form as a formally or semantically idiomatic
          expression -- lex.i.cal.ize vt

   lexical meaning
          [lexical meaning] n (1933): the meaning of the base (as the
          word play) in a paradigm (as plays, played, playing)--compare
          grammatical meaning

   lexicographer
          [lex.i.cog.ra.pher] n [LGk lexikographos, fr. lexikon + Gk
          -graphos writer, fr. graphein to write] (1658): an author
          or editor of a dictionary

   lexicography
          [lex.i.cog.ra.phy] n (1680) 1: the editing or making of a
          dictionary 2: the principles and practices of dictionary
          making -- lex.i.co.graph.i.cal or lex.i.co.graph.ic adj
          -- lex.i.co.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   lexicology
          [lex.i.col.o.gy] n [F lexicologie, fr. lexico- (fr. LGk lexiko-,
          fr. lexikon) + -logie -logy] (ca. 1828): a branch of
          linguistics concerned with the signification and application
          of words -- lex.i.col.o.gist n

   lexicon
          [lex.i.con] n, pl lex.i.ca or lexicons [LGk lexikon, fr.
          neut. of lexikos of words, fr. Gk lexis word, speech,
          fr. legein to say--more at legend] (1603) 1: a book containing
          an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language
          and their definitions: dictionary 2 a: the vocabulary
          of a language, an individual speaker or group of speakers,
          or a subject b: the total stock of morphemes in a language
          3: repertoire, inventory

   lexis
          [lex.is] n, pl lex.es [Gk, speech, word] (1960): lexicon
          2a

   ley
          [ley] var of lea

   Leyden jar
          [Ley.den jar] n [Leiden, Leyden, Netherlands] (1825): an
          electrical capacitor consisting of a glass jar coated
          inside and outside with metal foil and having the inner
          coating connected to a conducting rod passed through
          the insulating stopper

   lf...
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   lf
          [lf] abbreviation lightface  LF abbreviation ledger folio,
          low frequency

   lg...
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   lg
          [lg] abbreviation large, long

   lh...
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   LH
          [LH] abbreviation left hand, lower half, luteinizing hormone

   Lhasa apso
          [Lha.sa ap.so] n, pl Lhasa apsos often cap A [Lhasa, Tibet
          + Tibetan apso] (1935): any of a Tibetan breed of small
          dogs that have a dense coat of long hard straight hair,
          a heavy fall over the eyes, heavy whiskers and beard,
          and a well-feathered tail curled over the back--called
          also Lhasa

   LHD
          [LHD] [NL litterarum humaniorum doctor] abbreviation doctor
          of humane letters, doctor of humanities

   li...
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   li
          [li] abbreviation link  Li abbreviation lithium  LI abbreviation
          Long Island

   liability
          [li.a.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1809) 1 a: the quality or
          state of being liable b: probability 2: something for
          which one is liable; esp: pecuniary obligation: debt--usu.
          used in pl. 3: one that acts as a disadvantage: drawback

   liable
          [li.a.ble] adj [ME lyable, fr. (assumed) AF, fr. OF lier
          to bind, fr. L ligare--more at ligature] (15c) 1 a: obligated
          according to law or equity: responsible b: subject to
          appropriation or attachment 2 a: being in a position
          to incur--used with to <~ to a fine> b: exposed or subject
          to some usu. adverse contingency or action <watch out
          or you're ~ to fall> syn liable, open, exposed, subject,
          prone, susceptible, sensitive mean being by nature or
          through circumstances likely to experience something
          adverse. liable implies a possibility or probability
          of incurring something because of position, nature, or
          particular situation <liable to get lost>. open stresses
          a lack of barriers preventing incurrence <a claim open
          to question>. exposed suggests lack of protection or
          powers of resistance against something actually present
          or threatening <exposed to infection>. subject implies
          an openness for any reason to something that must be
          suffered or undergone <all reports are subject to review>.
          prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur
          something <prone to procrastination>. susceptible implies
          conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution
          that make incurrence probable <very susceptible to flattery>.
          sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced
          by forces or stimuli <unduly sensitive to criticism>.
          usage Both liable and apt when followed by an infinitive
          are used nearly interchangeably with likely. Although
          conflicting advice has been given over the years, most
          current commentators accept apt when so used. They generally
          recommend limiting liable to situations having an undesirable
          outcome, and our evidence shows that in edited writing
          it is more often so used than not. syn see in addition
          responsible

   liaise
          [li.aise] vi li.aised ; li.ais.ing [back-formation fr. liaison]
          (1928) chiefly Brit 1: to establish liaison 2: to act
          as a liaison officer

   liaison
          [li.ai.son] n [F, fr. MF, fr. lier, fr. OF] (1759) 1: a binding
          or thickening agent used in cooking 2 a: a close bond
          or connection: interrelationship b: an illicit sexual
          relationship: affair 3a 3 a: communication for establishing
          and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation
          (as between parts of an armed force) b: one that establishes
          and maintains liaison 4: the pronunciation of an otherwise
          absent consonant sound at the end of the first of two
          consecutive words the second of which begins with a vowel
          sound and follows without pause

   liana
          [li.a.na] also li.ane n [F liane] (1796): any of various
          usu. woody vines esp. of tropical rain forests that root
          in the ground

   liar
          [li.ar] n [ME, fr. OE leogere, fr. leogan to lie--more at
          lie] (bef. 12c): one that tells lies

   Lias
          [Li.as] adj [Lias, division of the European Jurassic, fr.
          F, fr. E, a limestone rock] (1813) chiefly Brit: liassic

   Liassic
          [Li.as.sic] adj [modif. of F liasique, fr. Lias] (1833):
          of, relating to, or being a subdivision of the European
          Jurassic

   lib
          [lib] abbreviation liberal, librarian, library

   lib
          [lib] n (1970): liberation 2

   libation
          [li.ba.tion] n [L libation-, libatio, fr. libare to pour
          as an offering; akin to Gk leibein to pour] (14c) 1 a:
          an act of pouring a liquid as a sacrifice (as to a deity)
          b: a liquid (as wine) used in a libation 2 a: an act
          or instance of drinking often ceremoniously b: beverage;
          esp: a drink containing alcohol -- li.ba.tion.ary adj

   libber
          [lib.ber] n [lib] (1971): a person who supports a liberation
          movement esp. for women--often used disparagingly

   libeccio
          [li.bec.cio] or li.bec.chio n [It libeccio] (1667): a southwest
          wind in Italy

   [1]libel
          [li.bel] n [ME, written declaration, fr. MF, fr. L libellus,
          dim. of liber book] (14c) 1 a: a written statement in
          which a plaintiff in certain courts sets forth the cause
          of action or the relief sought b archaic: a handbill
          esp. attacking or defaming someone 2 a: a written or
          oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys
          an unjustly unfavorable impression b (1): a statement
          or representation published without just cause and tending
          to expose another to public contempt (2): defamation
          of a person by written or representational means (3):
          the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious,
          or obscene writings or pictures (4): the act, tort, or
          crime of publishing such a libel [2]libel vb -beled or
          -belled ; -bel.ing or -bel.ling vi (1570): to make libelous
          statements ~ vt: to make or publish a libel against --
          li.bel.er n -- li.bel.ist n

   libelant
          [li.bel.ant] or li.bel.lant n (1726): one that institutes
          a suit by a libel

   libelee
          [li.bel.ee] or li.bel.lee n (ca. 1856): one against whom
          a libel has been filed in a court

   libelous
          [li.bel.ous] or li.bel.lous adj (1619): constituting or including
          a libel: defamatory <a ~ statement>

   Libera
          [Li.be.ra] n [L, lit., deliver, imper. of liberare to liberate;
          fr. the first word of the responsory] (ca. 1903): a Roman
          Catholic funeral responsory

   [1]liberal
          [lib.er.al] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L liberalis suitable for
          a freeman, generous, fr. liber free; perh. akin to OE
          leodan to grow, Gk eleutheros free] (14c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or based on the liberal arts <~ education> b archaic:
          of or befitting a man of free birth 2 a: marked by generosity:
          openhanded <a ~ giver> b: given or provided in a generous
          and openhanded way <a ~ meal> c: ample, full 3 obs: lacking
          moral restraint: licentious 4: not literal or strict:
          loose <a ~ translation> 5: broad-minded; esp: not bound
          by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
          6 a: of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism
          b cap: of or constituting a political party advocating
          or associated with the principles of political liberalism;
          esp: of or constituting a political party in the United
          Kingdom associated with ideals of individual esp. economic
          freedom, greater individual participation in government,
          and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms
          designed to secure these objectives -- lib.er.al.ly adv
          -- lib.er.al.ness n syn liberal, generous, bountiful,
          munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly.
          liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness
          in the thing or amount given <a teacher liberal with
          her praise>. generous stresses warmhearted readiness
          to give more than size or importance of the gift <a generous
          offer of help>. bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting
          giving or providing <children spoiled by bountiful presents>.
          munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to
          lords or princes <a munificent foundation grant>. [2]liberal
          n (1820): a person who is liberal: as a: one who is open-minded
          or not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional,
          or established forms or ways b cap: a member or supporter
          of a liberal political party c: an advocate or adherent
          of liberalism esp. in individual rights

   liberal arts
          [liberal arts] n pl (14c) 1: the medieval studies comprising
          the trivium and quadrivium 2: the studies (as language,
          philosophy, history, literature, abstract science) in
          a college or university intended to provide chiefly general
          knowledge and to develop the general intellectual capacities
          (as reason and judgment) as opposed to professional or
          vocational skills

   liberalise
          [lib.er.al.ise] Brit var of liberalize

   liberalism
          [lib.er.al.ism] n (1819) 1: the quality or state of being
          liberal 2 a often cap: a movement in modern Protestantism
          emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and
          ethical content of Christianity b: a theory in economics
          emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usu.
          based on free competition, the self-regulating market,
          and the gold standard c: a political philosophy based
          on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the
          human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing
          for the protection of political and civil liberties d
          cap: the principles and policies of a Liberal party --
          lib.er.al.ist n or adj -- lib.er.al.is.tic adj

   liberality
          [lib.er.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c): the quality or state
          of being liberal; also: an instance of this

   liberalize
          [lib.er.al.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1774): to make liberal
          or more liberal ~ vi: to become liberal or more liberal
          -- lib.er.al.iza.tion n -- lib.er.al.iz.er n

   liberate
          [lib.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L liberatus, pp. of liberare,
          fr. liber] (ca. 1623) 1: to set at liberty: free; specif:
          to free (as a country) from domination by a foreign power
          2: to free from combination <~ the gas by adding acid>
          3: to take or take over illegally or unjustly <material
          liberated from a nearby construction site --Thorne Dreyer>
          syn see free -- lib.er.a.tor n

   liberated
          [liberated] adj (1946): freed from or opposed to traditional
          social and sexual attitudes or roles <a ~ woman> <a ~
          marriage>

   liberation
          [lib.er.a.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of liberating: the state
          of being liberated 2: a movement seeking equal rights
          and status for a group <women's ~> -- lib.er.a.tion.ist
          n

   liberation theology
          [liberation theology] n (1972): a religious movement esp.
          among Roman Catholic clergy in Latin America that combines
          political philosophy usu. of a Marxist orientation with
          a theology of salvation as liberation from injustice
          -- liberation theologian n

   libertarian
          [lib.er.tar.i.an] n (1789) 1: an advocate of the doctrine
          of free will 2 a: a person who upholds the principles
          of absolute and unrestricted liberty esp. of thought
          and action b cap: a member of a political party advocating
          libertarian principles -- libertarian adj -- lib.er.tar.i.an.ism
          n

   libertinage
          [lib.er.tin.age] n (1611): libertinism

   libertine
          [lib.er.tine] n [ME libertyn freedman, fr. L libertinus,
          fr. libertinus, adj., of a freedman, fr. libertus freedman,
          fr. liber] (1577) 1: a freethinker esp. in religious
          matters--usu. used disparagingly 2: a person who is unrestrained
          by convention or morality; specif: one leading a dissolute
          life -- libertine adj

   libertinism
          [lib.er.tin.ism] n (1611): the quality or state of being
          libertine: the behavior of a libertine

   liberty
          [lib.er.ty] n, pl -ties [ME, fr. MF liberte, fr. L libertat-,
          libertas, fr. liber free--more at liberal] (14c) 1: the
          quality or state of being free: a: the power to do as
          one pleases b: freedom from physical restraint c: freedom
          from arbitrary or despotic control d: the positive enjoyment
          of various social, political, or economic rights and
          privileges e: the power of choice 2 a: a right or immunity
          enjoyed by prescription or by grant: privilege b: permission
          esp. to go freely within specified limits 3: an action
          going beyond normal limits: as a: a breach of etiquette
          or propriety: familiarity b: risk, chance <took foolish
          liberties with his health> c: a violation of rules or
          a deviation from standard practice d: a distortion of
          fact 4: a short authorized absence from naval duty usu.
          for less than 48 hours syn see freedom -- at liberty
          1: free 2: at leisure: unoccupied

   liberty cap
          [liberty cap] n (1803): a close-fitting conical cap used
          as a symbol of liberty by the French revolutionists and
          in the U.S. before 1800

   liberty pole
          [liberty pole] n (1770): a tall flagstaff surmounted by a
          liberty cap or the flag of a republic and set up as a
          symbol of liberty

   libidinal
          [li.bid.i.nal] adj (1922): of or relating to the libido --
          li.bid.i.nal.ly adv

   libidinous
          [li.bid.i.nous] adj [ME, fr. MF libidineus, fr. L libidinosus,
          fr. libidin-, libido] (15c) 1: having or marked by lustful
          desires: lascivious 2: libidinal -- li.bid.i.nous.ly
          adv -- li.bid.i.nous.ness n

   libido
          [li.bi.do] n, pl -dos [NL libidin-, libido, fr. L, desire,
          lust, fr. libere to please--more at love] (1909) 1: emotional
          or psychic energy that in psychoanalytic theory is derived
          from primitive biological urges and that is usu. goal-directed
          2: sexual drive

   libra
          [li.bra] n [ME, fr. L (gen. Librae), lit., scales, pound]
          1 cap a: a southern zodiacal constellation between Virgo
          and Scorpio represented by a pair of scales b (1): the
          7th sign of the zodiac in astrology (2): one born under
          the sign of Libra 2 a pl li.brae [L]: an ancient Roman
          unit of weight equal to 327.45 grams b [Sp & Pg, fr.
          L]: any of various Spanish, Portuguese, Colombian, or
          Venezuelan units of weight

   Libran
          [Li.bran] n (1911): libra 1b(2)

   librarian
          [li.brar.i.an] n (1703): a specialist in the care or management
          of a library -- li.brar.i.an.ship n

   library
          [li.brary] n, pl -brar.ies [ME, fr. ML librarium, fr. L,
          neut. of librarius of books, fr. libr-, liber inner bark,
          rind, book] (14c) 1 a: a place in which literary, musical,
          artistic, or reference materials (as books, manuscripts,
          recordings, or films) are kept for use but not for sale
          b: a collection of such materials 2 a: a collection resembling
          or suggesting a library <a ~ of computer programs> <wine
          ~> b: morgue 2 3 a: a series of related books issued
          by a publisher b: a collection of publications on the
          same subject 4: a collection of sequences of DNA and
          esp. recombinant DNA that are maintained in a suitable
          cellular environment and that represent the genetic material
          of a particular organism or tissue

   library paste
          [library paste] n (1953): a thick white adhesive made from
          starch

   library science
          [library science] n (ca. 1904): the study or the principles
          and practices of library care and administration

   libration
          [li.bra.tion] n [L libration-, libratio, fr. librare to balance,
          fr. libra scales] (1669): an oscillation in the apparent
          aspect of a secondary body (as a planet or a satellite)
          as seen from the primary object around which it revolves
          -- li.bra.tion.al adj -- li.bra.to.ry adj

   libration point
          [libration point] n (1962): any of five positions in the
          plane of a celestial system consisting of one massive
          body orbiting another at which the gravitational influences
          of the two bodies are approximately equal

   librettist
          [li.bret.tist] n (1862): the writer of a libretto

   libretto
          [li.bret.to] n, pl -tos or -ti [It, dim. of libro book, fr.
          L libr-, liber] (1742) 1: the text of a work (as an opera)
          for the musical theater 2: the book containing a libretto

   libriform
          [li.bri.form] adj [L libr-, liber + ISV -iform] (1877): resembling
          phloem fibers

   Librium
          [Lib.ri.um] trademark--used for a preparation of chlordiazepoxide

   Libyan
          [Lib.y.an] n (15c) 1: a native or inhabitant of Libya 2:
          a language of ancient No. Africa probably ancestral to
          Berber dialects -- Libyan adj

   lic
          [lic] abbreviation license

   lice
          [lice] pl of louse

   [1]license
          [li.cense] or li.cence n [ME, fr. MF licence, fr. L licentia,
          fr. licent-, licens, prp. of licere to be permitted]
          (14c) 1 a: permission to act b: freedom of action 2 a:
          a permission granted by competent authority to engage
          in a business or occupation or in an activity otherwise
          unlawful b: a document, plate, or tag evidencing a license
          granted 3 a: freedom that allows or is used with irresponsibility
          b: disregard for standards of personal conduct: licentiousness
          4: deviation from fact, form, or rule by an artist or
          writer for the sake of the effect gained syn see freedom
          [2]license also licence vt li.censed ; li.cens.ing (15c)
          1 a: to issue a license to b: to permit or authorize
          esp. by formal license 2: to give permission or consent
          to -- li.cens.able adj -- li.cens.er or li.cen.sor n

   licensed practical nurse
          [licensed practical nurse] n (1951): a person who has undergone
          training and obtained a license (as from a state) conferring
          authorization to provide routine care for the sick

   licensee
          [li.cens.ee] n (ca. 1864): one that is licensed

   license plate
          [license plate] n (1926): a plate or tag (as of metal) attesting
          that a license has been secured and usu. bearing a registration
          number

   licensure
          [li.cen.sure] n (ca. 1846): the granting of licenses esp.
          to practice a profession; also: the state of being licensed

   licente
          [licente] pl of sente

   licentiate
          [li.cen.ti.ate] n [ML licentiatus, fr. pp. of licentiare
          to allow, fr. L licentia] (1555) 1: one who has a license
          granted esp. by a university to practice a profession
          2: an academic degree ranking below that of doctor given
          by some European universities

   licentious
          [li.cen.tious] adj [L licentiosus, fr. licentia] (1535) 1:
          lacking legal or moral restraints; esp: disregarding
          sexual restraints 2: marked by disregard for strict rules
          of correctness -- li.cen.tious.ly adv -- li.cen.tious.ness
          n

   lichee
          [li.chee] var of litchi

   lichen
          [li.chen] n [L, fr. Gk leichen, lichen, fr. leichein to lick]
          (ca. 1657) 1: any of several skin diseases characterized
          by a papular eruption 2: any of numerous complex thallophytic
          plants made up of an alga and a fungus growing in symbiotic
          association on a solid surface (as a rock) -- li.chened
          adj -- li.chen.ous adj

   lichenology
          [li.chen.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1855): the study of lichens --
          li.chen.o.log.i.cal adj -- li.chen.ol.o.gist n

   lich-gate
          [lich-gate] var of lych-gate

   licht
          [licht] Scot var of light

   licit
          [lic.it] adj [ME, fr. MF licite, fr. L licitus, fr. pp. of
          licere to be permitted--more at license] (15c): conforming
          to the requirements of the law: not forbidden by law:
          permissible syn see lawful -- lic.it.ly adv

   [1]lick
          [lick] vb [ME, fr. OE liccian; akin to OHG leckon to lick,
          L lingere, Gk leichein] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): to draw
          the tongue over <~ a stamp> (2): to flicker over like
          a tongue b: to take into the mouth with the tongue: lap
          2 a: to strike repeatedly: thrash b: to get the better
          of: overcome, defeat <has ~ed every problem> ~ vi 1:
          to lap with or as if with the tongue 2: to dart like
          a tongue <flames ~ing out of windows> -- lick into shape
          : to put into proper form or condition -- lick one's
          wounds : to recover from defeat or disappointment [2]lick
          n (1603) 1 a: an act or instance of licking b: a small
          amount: bit <couldn't swim a ~> c: a hasty careless effort
          2 a: a sharp hit: blow b: a directed effort: crack--usu.
          used in pl.--usu. used in the phrase get in one's licks
          3 a: a natural salt deposit (as a salt spring) that animals
          lick b: a block of often medicated saline preparation
          given to livestock to lick 4: a musical figure; specif:
          an interpolated and usu. improvised figure or flourish
          5: a critical thrust: dig, barb -- lick and a promise
          : a perfunctory performance of a task

   lickerish
          [lick.er.ish] adj [alter. of lickerous, fr. ME likerous,
          fr. (assumed) ONF, fr. ONF leckeur lecher] (14c) 1: greedy,
          desirous 2 obs: tempting to the appetite 3: lecherous
          -- lick.er.ish.ly adv -- lick.er.ish.ness n

   lickety-split
          [lick.e.ty-split] adv [prob. irreg. fr. [1]lick + split]
          (ca. 1859): at great speed

   licking
          [lick.ing] n (1756) 1: a sound thrashing: drubbing 2: defeat

   lickspittle
          [lick.spit.tle] n (1825): a fawning subordinate: toady

   licorice
          [lic.o.rice] n [ME licorice, fr. OF, fr. LL liquiritia, alter.
          of L glycyrrhiza, fr. Gk glykyrrhiza, fr. glykys sweet
          + rhiza root--more at dulcet, root] (13c) 1 a: the dried
          root of a European leguminous plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
          with pinnate leaves and spikes of blue flowers; also:
          an extract of this used esp. in medicine, liquors, and
          confectionery b: a candy flavored with licorice 2: a
          plant yielding licorice

   lictor
          [lic.tor] n [ME littour, fr. L lictor] (14c): an ancient
          Roman officer who bore the fasces as the insignia of
          his office and whose duties included accompanying the
          chief magistrates in public appearances

   [1]lid
          [lid] n [ME, fr. OE hlid; akin to OHG hlit cover, and prob.
          to OE hlinian to lean--more at lean] (bef. 12c) 1: a
          movable cover for the opening of a hollow container (as
          a vessel or box) 2: eyelid 3: the operculum in mosses
          4 slang: hat 5: something that confines, limits, or suppresses:
          check, restraint 6: an ounce of marijuana [2]lid vt lid.ded
          ; lid.ding (13c): to cover or supply with a lid

   lidar
          [li.dar] n [light + radar] (1963): a device that is similar
          in operation to radar but emits pulsed laser light instead
          of microwaves

   lidded
          [lidded] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having or covered with a lid <a
          ~ tureen> 2: having lids esp. of a specified kind--usu.
          used in combination <heavy-lidded eyes>

   lidless
          [lid.less] adj (14c) 1: having no lid 2 archaic: watchful

   lido
          [li.do] n, pl lidos [Lido, Italy] (1860): a fashionable beach
          resort

   lidocaine
          [li.do.caine] n [acetanilid + -o- + -caine] (ca. 1949): a
          crystalline compound that is used in the form of its
          hydrochloride as a local anesthetic and as an antiarrhythmic
          agent

   [1]lie
          [lie] vi lay ; lain ; ly.ing [ME, fr. OE licgan; akin to
          OHG ligen to lie, L lectus bed, Gk lechos] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to be or to stay at rest in a horizontal position:
          be prostrate: rest, recline <~ motionless> <~ asleep>
          b: to assume a horizontal position--often used with down
          c archaic: to reside temporarily: stay for the night:
          lodge d: to have sexual intercourse--used with with e:
          to remain inactive (as in concealment) <~ in wait> 2:
          to be in a helpless or defenseless state <the town lay
          at the mercy of the invaders> 3 of an inanimate thing:
          to be or remain in a flat or horizontal position upon
          a broad support <books lying on the table> 4: to have
          direction: extend <the route lay to the west> 5 a: to
          occupy a certain relative place or position <hills ~
          behind us> b: to have a place in relation to something
          else <the real reason ~s deeper> c: to have an effect
          through mere presence, weight, or relative position <remorse
          lay heavily on him> d: to be sustainable or admissible
          6: to remain at anchor or becalmed 7 a: to have place:
          exist <the choice lay between fighting or surrendering>
          b: consist, belong <the success of the book ~s in its
          direct style> <responsibility lay with the adults> 8:
          remain; esp: to remain unused, unsought, or uncared for
          usage see lay -- li.er n -- lie low 1: to lie prostrate,
          defeated, or disgraced 2: to stay in hiding: strive to
          avoid notice 3: to bide one's time: remain secretly ready
          for action [2]lie n (1697) 1 chiefly Brit: lay 6 2: the
          position or situation in which something lies <a golf
          ball in a difficult ~> 3: the haunt of an animal (as
          a fish): covert 4 Brit: an act or instance of lying or
          resting [3]lie vb lied ; ly.ing [ME, fr. OE leogan; akin
          to OHG liogan to lie, OCS lugati] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to
          make an untrue statement with intent to deceive 2: to
          create a false or misleading impression ~ vt: to bring
          about by telling lies <lied his way out of trouble> syn
          lie, prevaricate, equivocate, palter, fib mean to tell
          an untruth. lie is the blunt term, imputing dishonesty
          <lied about where he had been>. prevaricate softens the
          bluntness of lie by implying quibbling or confusing the
          issue <during the hearings the witness did his best to
          prevaricate>. equivocate implies using words having more
          than one sense so as to seem to say one thing but intend
          another <equivocated endlessly in an attempt to mislead
          her inquisitors>. palter implies making unreliable statements
          of fact or intention or insincere promises <a swindler
          paltering with his investors>. fib applies to a telling
          of a trivial untruth <fibbed about the price of the new
          suit>. [4]lie n [ME lige, lie, fr. OE lyge; akin to OHG
          lugi, OE leogan to lie] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an assertion
          of something known or believed by the speaker to be untrue
          with intent to deceive b: an untrue or inaccurate statement
          that may or may not be believed true by the speaker 2:
          something that misleads or deceives 3: a charge of lying

   liebfraumilch
          [lieb.frau.milch] n [G, alter. of Liebfrauenmilch, fr.
          Liebfrauenstift, religious foundation in Worms, Germany + Milch
          milk] (1833): a fruity white Rhine wine

   lie by
          [lie by] vi (1613): to remain inactive: rest

   lied
          [lied] n, pl lie.der [G, song, fr. OHG liod] (1852): a German
          art song esp. of the 19th century

   Liederkranz
          [Lie.der.kranz] [G] foreign term : wreath of songs: German
          singing society

   Liederkranz
          [Lie.der.kranz] trademark--used for a pungent surface-ripened
          cheese

   lie detector
          [lie detector] n (1909): an instrument for detecting physiological
          evidence of the tension that accompanies lying

   lie down
          [lie down] vi (1888) 1: to submit meekly or abjectly to defeat,
          disappointment, or insult <won't take that criticism
          lying down> 2: to fail to perform or to neglect one's
          part deliberately <lying down on the job>

   [1]lief
          [lief] adj [ME lief, lef, fr. OE leof; akin to OE lufu love]
          (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: dear, beloved 2 archaic: willing,
          glad [2]lief adv (13c): soon, gladly <I'd as ~ go as
          not>

   [1]liege
          [liege] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL laeticus, fr. laetus serf,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OFris let serf] (14c) 1 a: having
          the right to feudal allegiance or service <his ~ lord>
          b: obligated to render feudal allegiance and service
          2: faithful, loyal [2]liege n (14c) 1 a: a vassal bound
          to feudal service and allegiance b: a loyal subject 2:
          a feudal superior to whom allegiance and service are
          due

   liege man
          [liege man] n (14c) 1: vassal 2: a devoted follower

   lie-in
          [lie-in] n (1963): an act of lying down (as in a public place)
          in organized protest or as a means of forcing compliance
          with demands

   lien
          [lien] n [MF, tie, band, fr. L ligamen, fr. ligare to bind--more
          at ligature] (1531) 1: a charge upon real or personal
          property for the satisfaction of some debt or duty ordinarily
          arising by operation of law 2: the security interest
          created by a mortgage

   lie off
          [lie off] vi (1573) 1: to hold back in the early part of
          a race 2: to keep a little away from the shore or another
          ship 3: to cease work for a time

   lie over
          [lie over] vi (ca. 1847): to await disposal or attention
          at a later time

   lierne
          [li.erne] n [F, fr. MF, prob. fr. lier to bind, fr. L ligare]
          (1842): a rib in Gothic vaulting that passes from one
          intersection of the principal ribs to another

   lie to
          [lie to] vi (1711) of a ship: to stay stationary with head
          to windward

   lieu
          [lieu] n [ME liue, fr. OF lieu, fr. L locus--more at stall]
          (14c) archaic: place, stead -- in lieu : instead -- in
          lieu of : in the place of: instead of

   lie up
          [lie up] vi (1699) 1: to go into or remain in a dock 2: to
          stay in bed or at rest

   lieut
          [lieut] abbreviation lieutenant

   lieutenancy
          [lieu.ten.an.cy] n (15c): the office, rank, or commission
          of a lieutenant

   lieutenant
          [lieu.ten.ant] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. lieu + tenant holding,
          fr. tenir to hold, fr. L tenere--more at thin] (14c)
          1 a: an official empowered to act for a higher official
          b: an aide or representative of another in the performance
          of duty: assistant 2 a (1): first lieutenant (2): second
          lieutenant b: a commissioned officer in the navy or coast
          guard ranking above a lieutenant junior grade and below
          a lieutenant commander c: a fire or police department
          officer ranking below a captain

   lieutenant colonel
          [lieutenant colonel] n (1598): a commissioned officer in
          the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a
          major and below a colonel

   lieutenant commander
          [lieutenant commander] n (1839): a commissioned officer in
          the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant and
          below a commander

   lieutenant general
          [lieutenant general] n (1589): a commissioned officer in
          the army, air force, or marine corps who ranks above
          a major general and whose insignia is three stars

   lieutenant governor
          [lieutenant governor] n (1595): a deputy or subordinate governor:
          as a: an elected official serving as deputy to the governor
          of an American state b: the formal head of the government
          of a Canadian province appointed by the federal government
          as the representative of the crown -- lieutenant governorship
          n

   lieutenant junior grade
          [lieutenant junior grade] n, pl lieutenants junior grade
          (ca. 1909): a commissioned officer in the navy or coast
          guard ranking above an ensign and below a lieutenant

   [1]life
          [life] n, pl lives [ME lif, fr. OE lif; akin to OE libban
          to live--more at live] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the quality that
          distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead
          body b: a principle or force that is considered to underlie
          the distinctive quality of animate beings--compare vitalism
          1 c: an organismic state characterized by capacity for
          metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
          2 a: the sequence of physical and mental experiences
          that make up the existence of an individual b: one or
          more aspects of the process of living <sex ~ of the frog>
          3: biography 1 4: spiritual existence transcending physical
          death 5 a: the period from birth to death b: a specific
          phase of earthly existence <adult ~> c: the period from
          an event until death <a judge appointed for ~> d: a sentence
          of imprisonment for the remainder of a convict's life
          6: a way or manner of living 7: livelihood 8: a vital
          or living being; specif: person <many lives were lost
          in the disaster> 9: an animating and shaping force or
          principle 10: spirit, animation <there was no ~ in her
          dancing> 11: the form or pattern of something existing
          in reality <painted from ~> 12: the period of duration,
          usefulness, or popularity of something <the expected
          ~ of flashlight batteries> 13: the period of existence
          (as of a subatomic particle)--compare half-life 14: a
          property (as resilience or elasticity) of an inanimate
          substance or object resembling the animate quality of
          a living being 15: living beings (as of a particular
          kind or environment) <forest ~> 16 a: human activities
          b: animate activity and movement <stirrings of ~> c:
          the activities of a given sphere, area, or time <the
          political ~ of the country> 17: one providing interest
          and vigor <~ of the party> 18: an opportunity for continued
          viability <gave the patient a new ~> 19 cap, Christian
          Science: god 1b 20: something resembling animate life
          <a grant saved the project's ~> [2]life adj (13c) 1:
          of or relating to animate being 2: lifelong <a ~ member>
          3: using a living model <a ~ class> 4: of, relating to,
          or provided by life insurance <a ~ policy>

   life-and-death
          [life-and-death] also life-or-death adj (1822): involving
          or culminating in life or death: vitally important as
          if involving life or death

   life belt
          [life belt] n (ca. 1858) 1 chiefly Brit: a life preserver
          in the form of a buoyant belt 2: safety belt

   lifeblood
          [life.blood] n (1579) 1: blood regarded as the seat of vitality
          2: a vital or life-giving force <freedom of inquiry is
          the ~ of a university>

   lifeboat
          [life.boat] n (1801): a sturdy buoyant boat (as one carried
          by a ship) for use in an emergency and esp. in saving
          lives at sea

   life buoy
          [life buoy] n (1801): a ring-shaped life preserver

   life-care
          [life-care] adj (1980): of, relating to, or being a residential
          complex for elderly people that provides an apartment,
          personal and social services, and health care for life

   life cycle
          [life cycle] n (1873) 1: the series of stages in form and
          functional activity through which an organism passes
          between successive recurrences of a specified primary
          stage 2: life history 2 3: a series of stages through
          which something (as an individual, culture, or manufactured
          product) passes during its lifetime

   life expectancy
          [life expectancy] n (1935): the average life span of an individual

   life force
          [life force] n (1896): elan vital

   life-form
          [life-form] n (1899): the body form that characterizes a
          kind of organism (as a species) at maturity; also: a
          kind of organism

   lifeful
          [life.ful] adj (13c) archaic: full of or giving vitality

   life-giving
          [life-giv.ing] adj (1596): giving or having power to give
          life and spirit: invigorating

   lifeguard
          [life.guard] n (1896): a usu. expert swimmer employed (as
          at a beach or a pool) to safeguard other swimmers --
          lifeguard vi

   life history
          [life history] n (1870) 1: the history of an individual or
          thing 2: a history of the changes through which an organism
          passes in its development from the primary stage to its
          natural death

   life insurance
          [life insurance] n (1809): insurance providing for payment
          of a stipulated sum to a designated beneficiary upon
          death of the insured

   life jacket
          [life jacket] n (1883): a life preserver in the form of a
          buoyant vest

   lifeless
          [life.less] adj (bef. 12c): having no life: a: dead b: inanimate
          c: lacking qualities expressive of life and vigor: insipid
          d: destitute of living beings -- life.less.ly adv --
          life.less.ness n

   lifelike
          [life.like] adj (14c): accurately representing or imitating
          real life <a ~ portrait> -- life.like.ness n

   lifeline
          [life.line] n (1700) 1: a line (as a rope) used for saving
          or preserving life: as a: a line along the outer edge
          of the deck of a boat or ship b: a line used to keep
          contact with a person (as a diver or astronaut) in a
          dangerous or potentially dangerous situation 2: something
          regarded as indispensable for the maintaining or protection
          of life

   life list
          [life list] n (1960): a record kept of all birds sighted
          and identified by a birder

   lifelong
          [life.long] adj (1855) 1: lasting or continuing through life
          2: long-standing

   lifemanship
          [life.man.ship] n (1949): the skill or practice of achieving
          superiority or an appearance of superiority over others
          (as in conversation) by perplexing and demoralizing them

   life net
          [life net] n (ca. 1904): a strong net or sheet (as of canvas)
          used (as by firefighters) to catch a person jumping from
          a burning building

   life of Riley
          [life of Ri.ley] also life of Reil.ly [fr. the name Riley
          or Reilly] (1923): a carefree comfortable way of living

   life peer
          [life peer] n (1869): a British peer whose title is not hereditary
          -- life peerage n

   life preserver
          [life preserver] n (1804) 1: a device (as a life jacket or
          life buoy) designed to save a person from drowning by
          providing buoyancy in water 2 chiefly Brit: blackjack
          3

   lifer
          [lif.er] n (1827) 1: a person sentenced to imprisonment for
          life 2: a person who makes a career of one of the armed
          forces 3: a person who has made a lifelong commitment
          (as to a way of life)

   life raft
          [life raft] n (1819): a raft usu. made of wood or an inflatable
          material and designed for use by people forced into the
          water

   life ring
          [life ring] n (ca. 1909): life buoy

   lifesaver
          [life.sav.er] n (1887) 1: one trained to save lives of drowning
          persons 2: one that is at once timely and effective in
          time of distress or need

   [1]lifesaving
          [life.sav.ing] adj (1858): designed for or used in saving
          lives <~ drugs> [2]lifesaving n (1919): the skill or
          practice of saving or protecting the lives esp. of drowning
          persons

   life science
          [life science] n (1941): a branch of science (as biology,
          medicine, anthropology, or sociology) that deals with
          living organisms and life processes--usu. used in pl.
          -- life scientist n

   life-size
          [life-size] or life-sized adj (1841): of natural size: of
          the size of the original <a ~ statue>

   life span
          [life span] n (1918) 1: the duration of existence of an individual
          2: the average length of life of a kind of organism
          or of a material object esp. in a particular environment or under
          specified circumstances

   lifestyle
          [life.style] n (1939): the typical way of life of an individual,
          group, or culture

   life support
          [life support] n (1975): medical life-support equipment <the
          patient was placed on ~>

   life-support
          [life-support] adj (1965): providing support necessary to
          sustain life; esp: of or relating to a system providing
          such support <~ equipment>

   life-support system
          [life-support system] n (1959): an artificial or natural
          system that provides all or some of the items (as oxygen,
          food, water, control of temperature and pressure, disposition
          of carbon dioxide and body wastes) necessary for maintaining
          life or health

   life table
          [life table] n (ca. 1859): mortality table

   [1]lifetime
          [life.time] n (13c) 1 a: the duration of the existence of
          a living being or a thing (as a star or a subatomic particle)
          b: life 12 2: an amount accumulated or experienced in
          a lifetime <a ~ of regrets> [2]lifetime adj (1904) 1:
          lifelong 2: measured or achieved over the span of a career
          <a baseball player's ~ batting average>

   life vest
          [life vest] n (1939): life jacket

   lifeway
          [life.way] n (1948): life 6

   lifework
          [life.work] n (1871): the entire or principal work of one's
          lifetime; also: a work extending over a lifetime

   life zone
          [life zone] n (1901): a region characterized by specific
          plants and animals

   LIFO
          [LIFO] abbreviation last in, first out

   [1]lift
          [lift] n [ME, fr. OE lyft] (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: heavens,
          sky [2]lift vb [ME, fr. ON lypta; akin to OE lyft air--more
          at loft] vt (14c) 1 a: to raise from a lower to a higher
          position: elevate b: to raise in rank or condition c:
          to raise in rate or amount 2: to put an end to (a blockade
          or siege) by withdrawing or causing the withdrawal of
          investing forces 3: revoke, rescind <~ an embargo> 4
          a: steal <had her purse ~ed> b: plagiarize c: to take
          out of normal setting <~ a word out of context> 5: to
          take up (as a root crop or transplants) from the ground
          6: to pay off (an obligation) <~ a mortgage> 7: to move
          from one place to another (as by aircraft): transport
          8: to take up (a fingerprint) from a surface ~ vi 1 a:
          ascend, rise <the rocket ~ed off> b: to appear elevated
          (as above surrounding objects) 2 of inclement weather:
          to dissipate and clear -- lift.able adj -- lift.er n
          syn lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean
          to move from a lower to a higher place or position. lift
          usu. implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of
          weight <lift the chair while I vacuum>. raise carries
          a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical
          or to a high position <scouts raising a flagpole>. rear
          may add an element of suddenness to raise <suddenly reared
          itself up on its hind legs>. elevate may replace lift
          or raise esp. when exalting or enhancing is implied <elevated
          the taste of the public>. hoist implies lifting something
          heavy esp. by mechanical means <hoisted the cargo on
          board>. heave implies lifting and throwing with great
          effort or strain <heaved the heavy crate inside>. boost
          suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push <boosted
          his brother over the fence>. [3]lift n (14c) 1: the amount
          that may be lifted at one time: load 2 a: the action
          or an instance of lifting b: the action or an instance
          of rising c: elevated carriage (as of a body part) d:
          the lifting up (as of a dancer) usu. by a partner 3:
          a device (as a handle or latch) for lifting 4: an act
          of stealing: theft 5 a: assistance, help b: a ride esp.
          along one's way 6: a layer in the heel of a shoe 7: a
          rise or advance in position or condition 8: a slight
          rise or elevation 9: the distance or extent to which
          something rises 10: an apparatus or machine used for
          hoisting: as a: a set of pumps used in a mine b chiefly
          Brit: elevator 1b c: an apparatus for raising an automobile
          (as for repair) d: ski lift 11 a: an elevating influence
          b: an elevation of the spirit 12 a: the component of
          the total aerodynamic force acting on an airplane or
          airfoil that is perpendicular to the relative wind and
          that for an airplane constitutes the upward force that
          opposes the pull of gravity b: an updraft that can be
          used to increase altitude (as of a sailplane) 13: an
          organized movement of people, equipment, or supplies
          by some form of transportation; esp: airlift

   liftgate
          [lift.gate] n (1953): a rear panel (as on a station wagon)
          that opens upward

   liftman
          [lift.man] n (1883) Brit: an elevator operator

   liftoff
          [lift.off] n (ca. 1956): a vertical takeoff by an aircraft
          or a rocket vehicle or missile

   lift truck
          [lift truck] n (1926): a small truck for lifting and transporting
          loads

   ligament
          [lig.a.ment] n [ME, fr. ML & L; ML ligamentum, fr. L, band,
          tie, fr. ligare] (14c) 1: a tough band of tissue connecting
          the articular extremities of bones or supporting an organ
          in place 2: a connecting or unifying bond <the law of
          nations, the great ~ of mankind --Edmund Burke> -- lig.a.men.tous
          adj

   ligand
          [li.gand] n [L ligandus, gerundive of ligare] (1949): a group,
          ion, or molecule coordinated to a central atom or molecule
          in a complex

   ligase
          [li.gase] n [ISV lig- (fr. L ligare) + -ase] (1961): synthetase

   ligate
          [li.gate] vt li.gat.ed ; li.gat.ing [L ligatus] (1599): to
          tie with a ligature

   ligation
          [li.ga.tion] n (1597) 1: an act of ligating 2: something
          that binds: ligature

   ligature
          [lig.a.ture] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL ligatura, fr. L ligatus,
          pp. of ligare to bind, tie; akin to MLG lik band, boltrope,
          Alb lidh I tie] (14c) 1 a: something that is used to
          bind; specif: a filament (as a thread) used in surgery
          b: something that unites or connects: bond 2: the action
          of binding or tying 3: a compound note in mensural notation
          indicating a group of musical notes to be sung to one
          syllable 4: a printed or written character consisting
          of two or more letters or characters joined together

   [1]light
          [light] n [ME, fr. OE leoht; akin to OHG lioht light, L luc-,
          lux light, lucere to shine, Gk leukos white] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: something that makes vision possible b: the sensation
          aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors c: an
          electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range including
          infrared, visible, ultraviolet, and X rays and traveling
          in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,281 miles (300,000
          kilometers) per second; specif: the part of this range
          that is visible to the human eye 2 a: daylight b: dawn
          3: a source of light: as a: a celestial body b: candle
          c: an electric light 4 archaic: sight 4a 5 a: spiritual
          illumination b: inner light c: enlightenment d: truth
          6 a: public knowledge <facts brought to ~> b: a particular
          aspect or appearance presented to view <saw the matter
          in a different ~> 7: a particular illumination 8: something
          that enlightens or informs <shed some ~ on the problem>
          9: a medium (as a window) through which light is admitted
          10 pl: a set of principles, standards, or opinions <worship
          according to one's ~s --Adrienne Koch> 11: a noteworthy
          person in a particular place or field 12: a particular
          expression of the eye 13 a: lighthouse, beacon b: traffic
          light 14: the representation of light in art 15: a flame
          for lighting something -- in the light of 1: from the
          point of view of 2 or in light of : in view of [2]light
          adj (bef. 12c) 1: having light: bright <a ~ airy room>
          2 a: not dark, intense, or swarthy in color or coloring:
          pale b of colors: medium in saturation and high in lightness
          <~ blue> 3 of coffee: served with extra milk or cream
          [3]light vb lit or light.ed ; light.ing vi (bef. 12c)
          1: to become light: brighten--usu. used with up <her
          face lit up> 2: to take fire 3: to ignite something (as
          a cigarette)--often used with up ~ vt 1: to set fire
          to 2 a: to conduct with a light: guide b: illuminate
          <rockets ~ up the sky> c: animate, brighten <a smile
          lit up her face> [4]light adj [ME, fr. OE leoht; akin
          to OHG lihti light, L levis, Gk elachys small] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: having little weight: not heavy b: designed
          to carry a comparatively small load <a ~ truck> c: having
          relatively little weight in proportion to bulk <aluminum
          is a ~ metal> d: containing less than the legal, standard,
          or usual weight <a ~ coin> 2 a: of little importance:
          trivial b: not abundant <~ rain> <a ~ lunch> 3 a: easily
          disturbed <a ~ sleeper> b: exerting a minimum of force
          or pressure: gentle <a ~ touch> c: resulting from a very
          slight pressure: faint <~ print> 4 a: easily endurable
          <a ~ illness> b: requiring little effort <~ work> 5:
          capable of moving swiftly or nimbly <~ on his feet> 6
          a: frivolous 1a <~ conduct> b: lacking in stability:
          changeable <~ opinions> c: sexually promiscuous 7: free
          from care: cheerful 8: less powerful but usu. more mobile
          than usual for its kind <~ cavalry> 9 a: made with a
          lower calorie content or with less of some ingredient
          (as salt, fat, or alcohol) than usual <~ beer> <~ salad
          dressing> b: having a relatively mild flavor 10 a: easily
          digested <a ~ soup> b: well leavened <a ~ crust> 11:
          coarse and sandy or easily pulverized <~ soil> 12: dizzy,
          giddy <felt ~ in the head> 13: intended chiefly to entertain
          <~ verse> <~ comedy> 14 a: carrying little or no cargo
          <the ship returned ~> b: producing goods for direct consumption
          by the consumer <~ industry> 15: not bearing a stress
          or accent <a ~ syllable> 16: having a clear soft quality
          <a ~ voice> 17: being in debt to the pot in a poker game
          <three chips ~> 18: short 5d <~ on experience> syn see
          easy -- light.ish adj [5]light adv (bef. 12c) 1: lightly
          2: with little baggage <travel ~> [6]light vi lit or
          light.ed ; light.ing [ME, fr. OE lihtan; akin to OE leoht
          light in weight] (bef. 12c) 1: dismount 2: settle, alight
          <a bird lit on the lawn> 3: to fall unexpectedly--usu.
          used with on or upon 4: to arrive by chance: happen--usu.
          used with on or upon <lit upon a solution> -- light into
          : to attack forcefully <I lit into that food until I'd
          finished off the heel of the loaf --Helen Eustis>

   light adaptation
          [light adaptation] n (1900): the process including contraction
          of the pupil and decrease in visual purple by which the
          eye adapts to conditions of increased illumination

   light-adapted
          [light-adapt.ed] adj (1900): adjusted for vision in bright
          light: having undergone light adaptation

   light air
          [light air] n (ca. 1881): wind having a speed of 1 to 3 miles
          (1.6 to 4.8 kilometers) per hour--see beaufort scale
          table

   light bread
          [light bread] n [[2]light] (1821) chiefly Southern & Midland:
          bread in loaves made from white flour leavened with yeast

   light breeze
          [light breeze] n (ca. 1881): wind having a speed of 4 to
          7 miles (6.4 to 11 kilometers) per hour--see beaufort
          scale table

   lightbulb
          [light.bulb] n (1884): incandescent lamp

   light chain
          [light chain] n (1964): either of the two smaller of the
          four polypeptide chains comprising antibodies--compare
          heavy chain

   light curve
          [light curve] n (1890): a graph showing the variation in
          brightness of a celestial object (as a variable star)
          over a period of time

   light-emitting diode
          [light-emitting diode] n (1970): led

   [1]lighten
          [light.en] vb light.ened ; light.en.ing [ME lightenen, fr.
          light] vt (14c) 1: to make light or clear: illuminate
          2 archaic: enlighten 3: to make (as a color) lighter
          ~ vi 1 a archaic: to shine brightly b: to grow lighter:
          brighten 2: to give out flashes of lightning -- light.en.er
          n [2]lighten vb light.ened ; light.en.ing vt (14c) 1
          a: to relieve of a burden in whole or in part <the news
          ~ed his mind> b: to reduce in weight or quantity: lessen
          <~ her duties> c: to make less wearisome: alleviate <~
          our sorrow> 2: cheer, gladden ~ vi 1: to become lighter
          or less burdensome 2: to become more cheerful syn see
          relieve -- light.en.er n

   lighten up
          [lighten up] vi (ca. 1968): to take things less seriously

   [1]lighter
          [ligh.ter] n [ME, fr. (assumed) MD lichter, fr. MD lichten
          to unload; akin to OE leoht light in weight] (14c): a
          large usu. flat-bottomed barge used esp. in unloading
          or loading ships [2]lighter vt (1840): to convey by a
          lighter [3]light.er n (1553) 1: one that lights or sets
          a fire 2: a device for lighting a fire; esp: a mechanical
          or electrical device used for lighting cigarettes, cigars,
          or pipes

   lighterage
          [ligh.ter.age] n (15c) 1: the loading, unloading, or transportation
          of goods by means of a lighter 2: a price paid for lightering

   lighter-than-air
          [lighter-than-air] adj (1903): of less weight than the air
          displaced

   lightface
          [light.face] n (ca. 1871): a typeface having comparatively
          light thin lines; also: printing in lightface -- light.faced
          adj

   lightfast
          [light.fast] adj (1950): resistant to light and esp. to sunlight;
          esp: colorfast to light -- light.fast.ness n

   light-fingered
          [light-fin.gered] adj (1547) 1: showing adroitness in stealing
          or a tendency to steal esp. by picking pockets or shoplifting
          2: having a light and dexterous touch: nimble --
          light-fin.gered.ness n

   light-footed
          [light-foot.ed] also light-foot adj (15c) 1: having a light
          and springy step 2: moving gracefully and nimbly

   light guide
          [light guide] n (1951): an optical fiber used esp. for
          telecommunication

   light-handed
          [light-hand.ed] adj (15c): having a light or delicate touch:
          facile -- light-hand.ed.ness n

   light-headed
          [light-head.ed] adj (1537) 1: mentally disoriented: dizzy
          2: lacking in maturity or seriousness: frivolous --
          light-head.ed.ly adv -- light-head.ed.ness n

   lighthearted
          [light.heart.ed] adj (15c) 1: free from care, anxiety, or
          seriousness: gay 2: cheerfully optimistic and hopeful:
          easygoing -- light.heart.ed.ly adv -- light.heart.ed.ness
          n

   light heavyweight
          [light heavyweight] n (1903): a boxer in a weight division
          having a maximum limit of 175 pounds for professionals
          and 178 pounds for amateurs--compare heavyweight, middleweight

   lighthouse
          [light.house] n (1622) 1: a structure (as a tower) with a
          powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent
          signal to navigators 2: beacon 3

   light housekeeping
          [light housekeeping] n (1904) 1: domestic work restricted
          to the less laborious duties 2: housekeeping in quarters
          with limited facilities for cooking

   lighting
          [light.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: illumination b: ignition 2:
          an artificial supply of light or the apparatus providing
          it

   lightless
          [light.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1: receiving no light: dark 2:
          giving no light

   lightly
          [light.ly] adv (bef. 12c): in a light manner: as a: with
          little weight or force: gently b: with indifference or
          carelessness: unconcernedly <the problem should not be
          passed over ~ --Shelly Halpern> c: with little difficulty:
          easily d: gaily, cheerfully e: in an agile manner: nimbly,
          swiftly f: in a small degree or amount <~ salted food>

   light meter
          [light meter] n (1921): a small and often portable device
          for measuring illumination; esp: exposure meter

   light-minded
          [light-mind.ed] adj (1611): lacking in seriousness: frivolous
          -- light-mind.ed.ly adv -- light-mind.ed.ness n

   [1]lightness
          [light.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1: the quality or state of being
          illuminated: illumination 2: the attribute of object
          colors by which the object appears to reflect or transmit
          more or less of the incident light--compare brightness
          2, hue 2c, saturation 4 [2]lightness n (12c) 1: the quality
          or state of being light esp. in weight 2: lack of seriousness
          and stability of character often accompanied by casual
          heedlessness 3 a: the quality or state of being nimble
          b: an ease and gaiety of style or manner 4: a lack of
          weightiness or force: delicacy

   [1]lightning
          [light.ning] n [ME, fr. gerund of lightenen to lighten] (13c)
          1: the flashing of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric
          electricity; also: the discharge itself 2: a sudden stroke
          of fortune [2]lightning adj (1640): having or moving
          with or as if with the speed and suddenness of lightning
          <a ~ assault> [3]lightning vi light.ninged ; lightning
          (1903): to discharge a flash of lightning

   lightning arrester
          [lightning arrester] n (1860): a device for protecting an
          electrical apparatus from damage by lightning

   lightning bug
          [lightning bug] n (1778): firefly

   lightning rod
          [lightning rod] n (1789) 1: a grounded metallic rod set up
          on a structure (as a building) to protect it from lightning
          2: one that serves to divert attack from another or as
          a frequent target of criticism

   light-o'-love
          [light-o'-love] also light-of-love n, pl light-o'-loves also
          lights-of-love (1589) 1: prostitute 2: lover, paramour

   light opera
          [light opera] n (1882): operetta

   light out
          [light out] vi [[6]light] (1866) 1: to leave in a hurry <lit
          out for home at once> 2: set off

   light pen
          [light pen] n (1958): a pen-shaped device for direct interaction
          with a computer through a cathode-ray tube display

   light pipe
          [light pipe] n (1950): an optical fiber or a solid transparent
          plastic rod for transmitting light lengthwise

   lightplane
          [light.plane] n (1923): a small and comparatively lightweight
          airplane; esp: a privately owned passenger airplane

   light pollution
          [light pollution] n (1971): artificial skylight (as from
          city lights) that interferes with astronomical observations

   lightproof
          [light.proof] adj (1923): impenetrable by light

   light quantum
          [light quantum] n (1925): photon; esp: one of luminous radiation

   light-rail
          [light-rail] n, often attrib (1975): a means of urban railway
          transportation using trolley cars

   light reaction
          [light reaction] n (ca. 1929): the phase of photosynthesis
          that requires the presence of light and that involves
          photophosphorylation

   lights
          [lights] n pl [ME lightes, fr. light light in weight] (12c):
          the lungs esp. of a slaughtered animal

   lightship
          [light.ship] n (1837): a ship equipped with a brilliant light
          and moored at a place dangerous to navigation

   light show
          [light show] n (1966): a kaleidoscopic display of colored
          lights, slides, and film loops

   [1]lightsome
          [light.some] adj (14c) 1: free from care: lighthearted 2:
          airy, nimble -- light.some.ly adv -- light.some.ness
          n [2]lightsome adj (15c) 1: well lighted: bright 2: giving
          light

   lights-out
          [lights-out] n (1868) 1: a command or signal for putting
          out lights 2: a prescribed bedtime for persons living
          under discipline

   light table
          [light table] n (ca. 1948): a device that projects even light
          through a flat translucent surface over which films or
          tracings may be spread out and viewed

   lighttight
          [light.tight] adj (1884): lightproof

   light trap
          [light trap] n (1906) 1: a device that allows movement of
          a sliding part or passage of a person (as into a darkroom)
          but excludes light 2: a device for collecting or destroying
          insects that consists of a bright light in association
          with a trapping or killing medium

   light water
          [light water] n (1933): water 1a--compare heavy water

   [1]lightweight
          [light.weight] n (1773) 1: one of less than average weight;
          specif: a boxer in a weight division having a maximum
          limit of 135 pounds for professionals and 132 pounds
          for amateurs 2: one of little consequence or ability
          <shows up its author as a ~ --C. J. Rolo> [2]lightweight
          adj (1809) 1: lacking in earnestness, ability, or profundity:
          inconsequential 2: having less than average weight 3:
          of, relating to, or characteristic of a lightweight <the
          ~ championship>

   lightwood
          [light.wood] n (1685) chiefly Southern: wood used for kindling;
          esp: coniferous wood abounding in pitch

   light-year
          [light-year] n (1888) 1: a unit of length in astronomy equal
          to the distance that light travels in one year in a vacuum
          or about 5.88 trillion miles (9.46 trillion kilometers)
          2: an extremely large measure of comparison (as of distance,
          time, or quality) <seems like light-years ago> <has light-years
          more talent> <two minutes and yet ~s away from the crowded
          village --Suzanne Patterson>

   lign-
          [lign-] or ligni- or ligno- comb form [L lign-, ligni-, fr.
          lignum]: wood <lignin> <lignocellulose>

   ligneous
          [lig.ne.ous] adj [L ligneus, fr. lignum wood, prob. fr. legere
          to gather--more at legend] (1626): of or resembling wood

   lignify
          [lig.ni.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [F lignifier, fr. L lignum]
          vt (ca. 1828): to convert into wood or woody tissue ~
          vi: to become wood or woody -- lig.ni.fi.ca.tion n

   lignin
          [lig.nin] n (1822): an amorphous polymer related to cellulose
          that provides rigidity and together with cellulose forms
          the woody cell walls of plants and the cementing material
          between them

   lignite
          [lig.nite] n [F, fr. L lignum] (ca. 1808): a usu. brownish
          black coal intermediate between peat and bituminous coal;
          esp: one in which the texture of the original wood is
          distinct--called also brown coal -- lig.nit.ic adj

   lignocellulose
          [lig.no.cel.lu.lose] n [ISV] (1900): any of several closely
          related substances constituting the essential part of
          woody cell walls of plants and consisting of cellulose
          intimately associated with lignin -- lig.no.cel.lu.los.ic
          adj

   lignosulfonate
          [lig.no.sul.fo.nate] n (1908): any of various compounds produced
          from the spent sulfite liquor in the pulping of softwood
          in papermaking and used esp. for binders and dispersing
          agents

   lignum vitae
          [lig.num vi.tae] n, pl lignum vitaes [NL, lit., wood of life]
          (1594) 1: the very hard heavy wood of any of several
          tropical American guaiacums 2: a tree yielding lignum
          vitae

   ligula
          [lig.u.la] n, pl -lae also -las [NL] (ca. 1760) 1: ligule
          2: the distal lobed part of the labium of an insect

   ligulate
          [lig.u.late] adj (1760) 1: furnished with ligules, ligulae,
          or ligulate corollas 2 [L ligula]: shaped like a strap
          <~ corolla of a ray flower>

   ligule
          [lig.ule] n [NL ligula, fr. L, small tongue, strap, fr. lingere
          to lick--more at lick] (ca. 1847): a scalelike projection
          esp. on a plant: as a: a thin appendage of a foliage
          leaf and esp. of the sheath of a blade of grass b: a
          ligulate corolla of a ray floret in a composite head

   ligure
          [lig.ure] n [ME lygire, fr. LL ligurius, fr. Gk ligyrion]
          (13c): a traditional precious stone that is prob. the
          jacinth

   likable
          [lik.able] or like.able adj (1730): having qualities that
          bring about a favorable regard: pleasant, agreeable --
          lik.abil.i.ty n -- lik.able.ness n

   [1]like
          [like] vb liked ; lik.ing [ME, fr. OE lician; akin to OE
          gelic alike] vt (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly dial: to be suitable
          or agreeable to <I like onions but they don't ~ me> 2
          a: to feel attraction toward or take pleasure in: enjoy
          <~s baseball> b: to feel toward: regard <how would you
          ~ a change> 3: to wish to have: want <would ~ a drink>
          4: to do well in <this plant ~s dry soil> <my car does
          not ~ cold weather> ~ vi 1 dial: approve 2: to feel inclined:
          choose, prefer <leave any time you ~> [2]like n (1851)
          1: liking, preference 2: something that one likes [3]like
          adj [ME, alter. of ilich, fr. OE gelic like, alike, fr.
          ge-, associative prefix + lic body; akin to OHG gilih
          like, alike, Lith lygus like--more at co-] (13c) 1 a:
          the same or nearly the same (as in appearance, character,
          or quantity) <suits of ~ design>--formerly used with
          as, unto, of <it behoved him to be made ~ unto his brethren
          --Heb 2:17(AV)> b chiefly Brit: closely resembling the
          subject or original <the portrait is very ~> 2: likely
          <the importance of statistics as the one discipline ~
          to give accuracy of mind --H. J. Laski> [4]like prep
          (13c) 1 a: having the characteristics of: similar to
          <his house is ~ a barn> <it's ~ when we were kids> b:
          typical of <was ~ him to do that> c: comparable to: approximating
          <costs something ~ fifty cents> 2: in the manner of:
          similarly to <acts ~ a fool> 3: as though there would
          be <looks ~ rain> 4: such as <a subject ~ physics> 5--used
          to form intensive or ironic phrases <fought ~ hell> <~
          fun he did> <laughed ~ anything> [5]like n (13c) 1 a:
          one that is similar: counterpart, equal <have ... never
          seen the ~ before --Sir Winston Churchill> b: kind 4a
          <put him and his ~ to some job --J. R. R. Tolkien>--used
          with the and often followed by of and a substantive,
          or with a preceding possessive 2: one of many that are
          similar to each other--used chiefly in proverbial expressions
          <~ breeds like> -- and the like : et cetera -- the likes
          of 1: such people as: such things as <reads the likes
          of Austen and Browning> 2: such a one as and perhaps
          others similar to--often used with a singular object
          and usu. with disparaging overtones <have no use for
          the likes of you> [6]like adv (14c) 1 archaic: equally
          2: likely, probably <you'll try it, some day, ~ enough
          --Mark Twain> 3 a: to some extent: rather, altogether
          <saunter over nonchalantly ~ --Walter Karig> b--used
          interjectionally in informal speech often to emphasize
          a word or phrase (as in "He was, like, gorgeous") or
          for an apologetic, vague, or unassertive effect (as in
          "I need to, like, borrow some money") 4: nearly: approximately
          <the actual interest is more ~ 18 percent>--used interjectionally
          in informal speech with expressions of measurement <it
          was, ~, five feet long> <goes there every day, ~> --
          as like as not or like as not : probably [7]like conj
          (14c) 1 a: as if <middle-aged men who looked ~ they might
          be out for their one night of the year --Norman Mailer>
          b--used in intensive phrases <drove ~ mad> <hurts ~ crazy>
          2: in the same way that: as <they raven down scenery
          ~ children do sweetmeats --John Keats> 3 a: in the way
          or manner that <the violin sounds ~ an old masterpiece
          should> <did it ~ you told me> b--used interjectionally
          in informal speech often with the verb be to introduce
          a quotation, paraphrase, or thought expressed by or imputed
          to the subject of the verb, or with it's to report a
          generally held opinion <so I'm ~, "Give me a break">
          <it's ~, "Who cares what he thinks?"> 4: such as <a bag
          ~ a doctor carries> <when your car has trouble -- ~ when
          it won't start>--used interjectionally in informal speech
          <often stays up late, until ~ three in the morning> usage
          Like has been used as a conjunction since the 14th century.
          In the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries it was used in
          serious literature, but not often; in the 17th and 18th
          centuries it grew more frequent but less literary. It
          became markedly more frequent in literary use again in
          the 19th century. By mid-century it was coming under
          critical fire, but not from grammarians, oddly enough,
          who were wrangling over whether it could be called a
          preposition or not. There is no doubt that, after 600
          years of use, conjunctive like is firmly established.
          It has been used by many prestigious literary figures
          of the past, though perhaps not in their most elevated
          works; in modern use it may be found in literature, journalism,
          and scholarly writing. While the present objection to
          it is perhaps more heated than rational, someone writing
          in a formal prose style may well prefer to use as, as
          if, such as, or an entirely different construction instead.
          [8]like or liked verbal auxiliary (15c) chiefly dial:
          came near: was near <so loud I ~ to fell out of bed --Helen
          Eustis>

   -like
          [-like] adj comb form: resembling or characteristic of <bell-like>
          <ladylike>

   likelihood
          [like.li.hood] n (14c): probability <a strong ~ that he is
          correct --T. D. Anderson>

   [1]likely
          [like.ly] adj like.li.er ; -est [ME, fr. ON glikligr, fr.
          glikr like; akin to OE gelic] (14c) 1: having a high
          probability of occurring or being true: very probable
          <rain is ~ today> 2: apparently qualified: suitable <a
          ~ place> 3: reliable, credible <a ~ enough story> 4:
          promising <a ~ candidate> 5: attractive <a ~ child> [2]likely
          adv (14c): in all probability: probably <those who seek
          power will most ~ wind up exercising it --Halton Arp>

   like-minded
          [like-mind.ed] adj (1526): having a like disposition or purpose:
          of the same mind or habit of thought -- like-mind.ed.ly
          adv -- like-mind.ed.ness n

   liken
          [lik.en] vt lik.ened ; lik.en.ing (14c): compare

   likeness
          [like.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1: copy, portrait 2: appearance,
          semblance 3: the quality or state of being like: resemblance
          syn likeness, similarity, resemblance, similitude, analogy
          mean agreement or correspondence in details. likeness
          implies a closer correspondence than similarity which
          often implies that things are merely somewhat alike <a
          remarkable likeness to his late father> <some similarity
          between the two cases>. resemblance implies similarity
          chiefly in appearance or external qualities <statements
          that bear little resemblance to the truth>. similitude
          applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions
          <two schools of social thought showing points of similitude>.
          analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations
          rather than in appearance or qualities <pointed out analogies
          to past wars>.

   likewise
          [like.wise] adv (15c) 1: in like manner: similarly <go and
          do ~> 2: in addition 3: similarly so with me <answered
          "~" to "Pleased to meet you">

   liking
          [lik.ing] n (14c): favorable regard: fondness, taste <had
          a greater ~ for law --E. M. Coulter> <took a ~ to the
          newcomer>

   likuta
          [li.ku.ta] n, pl ma.ku.ta [of Bantu origin] (1967): a monetary
          unit of Zaire equal to 1/100 zaire

   lilac
          [li.lac] n [obs. F (now lilas), fr. Ar lilak, fr. Per nilak
          bluish, fr. nil blue, fr. Skt nila dark blue] (1625)
          1 a: a European shrub (Syringa vulgaris) of the olive
          family that is often an escape in No. America and has
          cordate ovate leaves and large panicles of fragrant pink-purple
          or white flowers b: a tree or shrub congeneric with the
          lilac 2: a variable color averaging a moderate purple

   lilangeni
          [lil.an.ge.ni] n, pl em.a.lan.ge.ni [Swazi] (ca. 1976): the
          basic monetary unit of Swaziland

   lilied
          [lil.ied] adj (1614) 1 archaic: resembling a lily in fairness
          2: full of or covered with lilies

   Lilith
          [Lil.ith] n [LHeb lilith, fr. Heb, a female demon] 1: a female
          figure who in rabbinic legend is Adam's first wife, is
          supplanted by Eve, and becomes an evil spirit 2: a famous
          witch in medieval demonology

   Lilliput
          [Lil.li.put] n: an island in Swift's Gulliver's Travels where
          the inhabitants are six inches tall

   lilliputian
          [lil.li.pu.tian] adj, often cap (1726) 1: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of the Lilliputians or the island of
          Lilliput 2 a: small, miniature b: petty Lilliputian n
          1: an inhabitant of Lilliput 2 often not cap: one resembling
          a Lilliputian; esp: an undersized individual

   [1]lilt
          [lilt] n (ca. 1680) 1: a spirited and usu. cheerful song
          or tune 2: a rhythmical swing, flow, or cadence 3: a
          springy buoyant movement [2]lilt vb [ME lulten to sound
          an alarm] vt (1722): to sing or play in a lively cheerful
          manner ~ vi 1: to sing or speak rhythmically and with
          fluctuating pitch 2: to move in a lively springy manner

   lilting
          [lilt.ing] adj (1800) 1: characterized by a rhythmical swing
          or cadence <a ~ stride> 2: cheerful, buoyant <a ~ comedy>
          -- lilt.ing.ly adv -- lilt.ing.ness n

   [1]lily
          [lily] n, pl lil.ies [ME lilie, fr. OE, fr. L lilium] (bef.
          12c) 1: any of a genus (Lilium of the family Liliaceae,
          the lily family) of erect perennial leafy-stemmed bulbous
          herbs that are native to the northern hemisphere and
          are widely cultivated for their showy flowers; broadly:
          any of various plants of the lily family or of the related
          amaryllis or iris families 2: any of various plants with
          showy flowers: as a: a scarlet anemone (Anemone coronaria)
          of the Mediterranean region b: water lily c: calla lily
          3: fleur-de-lis 2 [2]lily adj (ca. 1553): resembling
          a lily in fairness, purity, or fragility <my lady's ~
          hand --John Keats>

   lily-livered
          [lily-liv.ered] adj (1605): lacking courage: cowardly

   lily of the valley
          [lily of the valley] (1563): a low perennial herb (Convallaria
          majalis) of the lily family that has usu. two large oblong
          lanceolate leaves and a raceme of fragrant nodding bell-shaped
          white flowers

   lily pad
          [lily pad] n (1814): a floating leaf of a water lily

   [1]lily-white
          [lily-white] adj (14c) 1: white as a lily 2: characterized
          by or favoring the exclusion of blacks esp. from politics
          3: irreproachable, pure [2]lily-white n (ca. 1903): a
          member of a lily-white political organization

   Lim
          [Lim] abbreviation Limerick

   Lima
          [Li.ma] (ca. 1952)--a communications code word for the letter
          l

   lima bean
          [li.ma bean] n [Lima, Peru] (1756) 1 a: a bushy or tall-growing
          tropical American bean (Phaseolus limensis) that is widely
          cultivated for its flat edible usu. pale green or whitish
          seeds b: sieva bean 2: the seed of a lima bean

   limacon
          [li.ma.con] n [F, lit., snail, fr. OF, dim. of limaz slug,
          snail, fr. L limax; akin to Russ slimak snail and prob.
          to OE lim birdlime--more at lime] (1874): a curve that
          is the locus of a variable point on a line as the line
          revolves about a fixed point of intersection with a circle
          while the variable point is always a fixed distance along
          the line from its second and variable point of intersection
          with the circle

   [1]limb
          [limb] n [ME lim, fr. OE; akin to ON limr limb and perh.
          to OE lith limb] (bef. 12c) 1 a: one of the projecting
          paired appendages (as wings) of an animal body used esp.
          for movement and grasping but sometimes modified into
          sensory or sexual organs b: a leg or arm of a human being
          2: a large primary branch of a tree 3: an active member
          or agent 4: extension, branch 5: a mischievous child
          -- limb.less adj -- limby adj -- out on a limb : in an
          exposed or dangerous position with little chance of retreat
          [2]limb vt (1674) 1: dismember 2: to cut off the limbs
          of (a felled tree) [3]limb n [L limbus border] (ca. 1677)
          1: the outer edge of the apparent disk of a celestial
          body 2: the expanded portion of an organ or structure;
          esp: the spreading upper portion of a gamopetalous corolla
          as distinguished from the lower tubular portion

   limba
          [lim.ba] n [origin unknown] (1943) 1: a tall whitish-trunked
          West African tree (Terminalia superba) with straight-grained
          wood 2: the wood of a limba

   limbeck
          [lim.beck] n [ME lembike, fr. ML alembicum] (14c): alembic

   limbed
          [limbed] adj (14c): having limbs esp. of a specified kind
          or number--usu. used in combination <strong-limbed>

   [1]limber
          [lim.ber] n [ME lymour] (15c): a two-wheeled vehicle to which
          a gun or caisson may be attached [2]limber adj [origin
          unknown] (1565) 1: capable of being shaped: flexible
          2: having a supple and resilient quality (as of mind
          or body): agile, nimble -- lim.ber.ly adv -- lim.ber.ness
          n [3]limber vb lim.bered ; lim.ber.ing vt (1748): to
          cause to become limber <~ up his fingers> ~ vi: to become
          limber <~ up by running>

   limbic
          [lim.bic] adj [NL limbicus of a border or margin, fr. L limbus]
          (1882): of, relating to, or being the limbic system of
          the brain

   limbic system
          [limbic system] n (1952): a group of subcortical structures
          (as the hypothalamus, the hippocampus, and the amygdala)
          of the brain that are concerned esp. with emotion and
          motivation

   [1]limbo
          [lim.bo] n, pl limbos [ME, fr. ML, abl. of limbus limbo,
          fr. L, border] (14c) 1 often cap: an abode of souls that
          are according to Roman Catholic theology barred from
          heaven because of not having received Christian baptism
          2 a: a place or state of restraint or confinement b:
          a place or state of neglect or oblivion <proposals kept
          in ~> c: an intermediate or transitional place or state
          d: a state of uncertainty [2]limbo n, pl limbos [E of
          Trinidad & Barbados; akin to Jamaican E limba to bend,
          fr. E [3]limber] (ca. 1950): a West Indian acrobatic
          dance orig. for men that involves bending over backwards
          and passing under a horizontal pole lowered slightly
          for each successive pass

   Limburger
          [Lim.burg.er] n [Flem, one from Limburg, fr. Limburg, Belgium]
          (1817): a pungent semisoft surface-ripened cheese

   limbus
          [lim.bus] n [L, border] (1877): the marginal region of the
          cornea of the eye by which it is continuous with the
          sclera

   [1]lime
          [lime] n [ME, fr. OE lim; akin to OHG lim birdlime, L limus
          mud, slime, and perh. to L linere to smear] (bef. 12c)
          1: birdlime 2 a: a caustic highly infusible solid that
          consists of calcium oxide often together with magnesium
          oxide, that is obtained by calcining forms of calcium
          carbonate (as shells or limestone), and that is used
          in building (as in mortar and plaster) and in agriculture--called
          also quicklime b: a dry white powder consisting essentially
          of calcium hydroxide that is made by treating quicklime
          with water c: calcium <carbonate of ~> [2]lime vt limed
          ; lim.ing (13c) 1: to smear with a sticky substance (as
          birdlime) 2: to entangle with or as if with birdlime
          3: to treat or cover with lime <~ the lawn in the spring>
          [3]lime adj (15c): of, relating to, or containing lime
          or limestone [4]lime n [alter. of ME lind, fr. OE; akin
          to OHG linta linden] (1625): linden 1a [5]lime n [F,
          fr. Sp lima, fr. Ar lima, lim] (1638) 1: the small globose
          yellowish green fruit of a lime with an acid juicy pulp
          used as a flavoring agent and as a source of vitamin
          C 2: a spiny tropical citrus tree (Citrus aurantifolia)
          with elliptical oblong narrowly winged leaves

   limeade
          [lime.ade] n (1892): a beverage of sweetened lime juice mixed
          with plain or carbonated water

   lime glass
          [lime glass] n (ca. 1909): glass containing a substantial
          proportion of lime

   lime-juicer
          [lime-juic.er] n [fr. the use of lime juice on British ships
          as a beverage to prevent scurvy] (1859) 1 slang: englishman
          2 slang a: a British ship b: a British sailor

   limekiln
          [lime.kiln] n (13c): a kiln or furnace for reducing limestone
          or shells to lime by burning

   [1]limelight
          [lime.light] n (1826) 1 a: a stage lighting instrument producing
          illumination by means of an oxyhydrogen flame directed
          on a cylinder of lime and usu. equipped with a lens to
          concentrate the light in a beam b: the white light produced
          by such an instrument c Brit: spotlight 2: the center
          of public attention [2]limelight vt (1909): to center
          attention on: spotlight

   limen
          [li.men] n [L limin-, limen transverse beam in a door frame,
          threshold; prob. akin to L limus transverse] (1895):
          threshold 3a

   limerick
          [lim.er.ick] n [Limerick, Ireland] (1896): a light or humorous
          verse form of 5 chiefly anapestic verses of which lines
          1, 2, and 5 are of 3 feet and lines 3 and 4 are of 2
          feet with a rhyme scheme of aabba

   limestone
          [lime.stone] n (14c): a rock that is formed chiefly by accumulation
          of organic remains (as shells or coral), consists mainly of calcium
          carbonate, is extensively used in building, and yields lime when
          burned

   lime-twig
          [lime-twig] n (15c) 1: a twig covered with birdlime to catch
          birds 2: snare

   limewater
          [lime.wa.ter] n (ca. 1500): an alkaline water solution of
          calcium hydroxide used as an antacid

   [1]limey
          [lim.ey] n, pl limeys often cap [lime-juicer + [4]-y] (1918)
          1 slang: a British sailor 2 slang: englishman [2]limey
          var of limy

   liminal
          [lim.i.nal] adj [L limin-, limen threshold] (1884) 1: of
          or relating to a sensory threshold 2: barely perceptible

   [1]limit
          [lim.it] n [ME, fr. MF limite, fr. L limit-, limes boundary]
          (14c) 1 a: something that bounds, restrains, or confines
          b: the utmost extent 2 a: a geographical or political
          boundary b pl: the place enclosed within a boundary:
          bounds 3: limitation 4: a determining feature or differentia
          in logic 5: a prescribed maximum or minimum amount, quantity,
          or number: as a: the maximum quantity of game or fish
          that may be taken legally in a specified period b: a
          maximum established for a gambling bet, raise, or payoff
          6 a: a number whose numerical difference from a mathematical
          function is arbitrarily small for all values of the independent
          variables that are sufficiently close to but not equal
          to given prescribed numbers or that are sufficiently
          large positively or negatively b: a number that for an
          infinite sequence of numbers is such that ultimately
          each of the remaining terms of the sequence differs from
          this number by less than any given positive amount 7:
          something that is exasperating or intolerable -- lim.it.less
          adj -- lim.it.less.ly adv -- lim.it.less.ness n [2]limit
          vt (14c) 1: to assign certain limits to: prescribe <reserved
          the right to ~ use of the land> 2 a: to restrict the
          bounds or limits of <the specialist can no longer ~ himself
          to his specialty> b: to curtail or reduce in quantity
          or extent <we must ~ the power of aggressors> -- lim.it.able
          adj -- lim.it.er n syn limit, restrict, circumscribe,
          confine mean to set bounds for. limit implies setting
          a point or line (as in time, space, speed, or degree)
          beyond which something cannot or is not permitted to
          go <visits are limited to 30 minutes>. restrict suggests
          a narrowing or tightening or restraining within or as
          if within an encircling boundary <laws intended to restrict
          the freedom of the press>. circumscribe stresses a restriction
          on all sides and by clearly defined boundaries <the work
          of the investigating committee was carefully circumscribed>.
          confine suggests severe restraint and a resulting cramping,
          fettering, or hampering <our freedom of choice was confined
          by finances>.

   limitary
          [lim.i.tary] adj (1620) 1 archaic: subject to limits 2 a
          archaic: of or relating to a boundary b: limiting, enclosing

   limitation
          [lim.i.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of limiting
          2: the quality or state of being limited 3: something
          that limits: restraint 4: a certain period limited by
          statute after which actions, suits, or prosecutions cannot
          be brought in the courts -- lim.i.ta.tion.al adj

   limitative
          [lim.i.ta.tive] adj (1530): limiting, restrictive

   limited
          [lim.it.ed] adj (1610) 1 a: confined within limits: restricted
          <~ success> b of a train: offering faster service esp.
          by making a limited number of stops 2: characterized
          by enforceable limitations prescribed (as by a constitution)
          upon the scope or exercise of powers <a ~ monarchy> 3:
          lacking breadth and originality <a bit ~; a bit thick
          in the head --Virginia Woolf> -- lim.it.ed.ly adv --
          lim.it.ed.ness n

   limited-access
          [limited-access] adj (1944) of a road: having access restricted
          to a relatively small number of points

   limited edition
          [limited edition] n (1903): an issue of something collectible
          (as books, prints, or medals) that is advertised to be
          limited to a relatively small number of copies

   limited liability
          [limited liability] n (1855): liability (as of a stockholder
          or shipowner) limited by statute or treaty

   limited partner
          [limited partner] n (1907): a partner in a venture who has
          no management authority and whose liability is restricted
          to the amount of his investment--compare general partner
          -- limited partnership n

   limited war
          [limited war] n (1939): a war whose objective is less than
          the total defeat of the enemy

   limiting
          [lim.it.ing] adj (1849) 1 a: functioning as a limit: restrictive
          <~ value> b: being an environmental factor (as a nutrient)
          that limits the population size of an organism 2: serving
          to specify the application of the modified noun <this
          in "this book" is a ~ word> -- lim.it.ing.ly adv

   limit point
          [limit point] n (1905): a point that is related to a set
          of points in such a way that every neighborhood of the
          point no matter how small contains another point belonging
          to the set--called also point of accumulation

   limitrophe
          [lim.i.trophe] adj [F, fr. LL limitrophus bordering upon,
          lit., providing subsistence for frontier troops, irreg.
          fr. L limit-, limes boundary + Gk trophos feeder, fr.
          trephein to nourish] (1763): situated on a border or
          frontier: adjacent

   limmer
          [lim.mer] n [ME (Sc)] (15c) 1 chiefly Scot: scoundrel 2 chiefly
          Scot: prostitute

   limn
          [limn] vt limned ; limn.ing [ME luminen, limnen to illuminate
          (a manuscript), fr. MF enluminer, fr. L illuminare to
          illuminate] (1592) 1: to draw or paint on a surface 2:
          to outline in clear sharp detail: delineate 3: describe
          -- limn.er n

   limnetic
          [lim.net.ic] adj [ISV, fr. Gk limne pool, marshy lake; perh.
          akin to L limus mud--more at lime] (1899): of, relating
          to, or inhabiting the open water of a body of fresh water
          <~ environment>

   limnology
          [lim.nol.o.gy] n [Gk limne + ISV -logy] (ca. 1888): the scientific
          study of bodies of fresh water (as lakes) -- lim.no.log.i.cal also
          lim.no.log.ic adj -- lim.nol.o.gist n

   limo
          [limo] n, pl lim.os (1968): limousine

   Limoges
          [Li.moges] n [Limoges, France] (1844): enamelware or porcelain
          made at Limoges

   limonene
          [lim.o.nene] n [ISV, fr. F limon lemon, fr. MF] (1845): a
          widely distributed terpene hydrocarbon that occurs in
          essential oils (as of oranges or lemons) and has a lemon
          odor

   limonite
          [li.mo.nite] n [G Limonit, fr. Gk leimon wet meadow; akin
          to Gk limne pool] (1823): a native hydrous ferric oxide
          of variable composition that is a major ore of iron --
          li.mo.nit.ic adj

   Limousin
          [Lim.ou.sin] n [Limousin, France] (1920): any of a French
          breed of medium-sized yellow-red cattle bred esp. for
          meat

   limousine
          [lim.ou.sine] n [F, lit., cloak, fr. Limousin, France] (1902)
          1: a large luxurious often chauffeur-driven sedan that
          sometimes has a glass partition separating the driver's
          seat from the passenger compartment 2: a large vehicle
          for transporting passengers to and from an airport

   limousine liberal
          [limousine liberal] n (1969): a wealthy political liberal

   [1]limp
          [limp] vi [prob. fr. ME lympen to fall short; akin to OE
          limpan to happen, lemphealt lame] (ca. 1570) 1 a: to
          walk lamely; esp: to walk favoring one leg b: to go unsteadily:
          falter 2: to proceed slowly or with difficulty <the ship
          ~ed back to port> -- limp.er n [2]limp n (1818): a limping
          movement or gait [3]limp adj [akin to [1]limp] (ca. 1706)
          1 a: lacking firm texture, substance, or structure <~
          curtains> <her hair hung ~ about her shoulders> b: not
          stiff or rigid <a book in a ~ binding> 2 a: weary, exhausted
          <~ with fatigue> b: lacking in strength, vigor, or firmness:
          spiritless -- limp.ly adv -- limp.ness n

   limpa
          [lim.pa] n [Sw] (1948): rye bread made with molasses or brown
          sugar

   limpet
          [lim.pet] n [ME lempet, fr. OE lempedu, fr. ML lampreda lamprey]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a marine gastropod mollusk (esp. families
          Acmaeidae and Patellidae) that has a low conical shell
          broadly open beneath, browses over rocks or timbers in
          the littoral area, and clings very tightly when disturbed
          2: one that clings tenaciously to someone or something
          3: an explosive device designed to cling magnetically
          to a metallic surface (as the hull of a ship)

   limpid
          [lim.pid] adj [F or L; F limpide, fr. L limpidus, perh. fr.
          lympha water--more at lymph] (1613) 1 a: marked by transparency:
          pellucid <~ streams> b: clear and simple in style <~
          prose> 2: absolutely serene and untroubled syn see clear
          -- lim.pid.i.ty n -- lim.pid.ly adv -- lim.pid.ness n

   limpkin
          [limp.kin] n [perh. fr. [1]limp] (1871): a large brown wading
          bird (Aramus guarauna) of southern Georgia, Florida,
          and Central and So. America that resembles a bittern
          but has a longer slightly curved bill, longer neck and
          legs, and white stripes on head and neck

   limp-wristed
          [limp-wrist.ed] adj (ca. 1960) 1: effeminate 2: weak

   limulus
          [lim.u.lus] n, pl -li [NL, genus name, fr. L limus oblique,
          transverse--more at limen] (1837): horseshoe crab

   limy
          [limy] adj lim.i.er ; -est (ca. 1552) 1: smeared with or
          consisting of lime: viscous 2: containing lime or limestone
          3: resembling or having the qualities of lime

   lin
          [lin] abbreviation lineal, linear

   linac
          [lin.ac] n (1950): linear accelerator

   linage
          [lin.age] n (1884): the number of lines of printed or written
          matter

   linalool
          [lin.al.o.ol] n [ISV, fr. MexSp linaloe, tree yielding perfume,
          fr. ML lignum aloes, lit., wood of the aloe] (1891):
          a fragrant liquid alcohol that occurs both free and in
          the form of esters in many essential oils and is used
          in perfumes, soaps, and flavoring materials

   linchpin
          [linch.pin] n [ME lynspin, fr. lyns linchpin (fr. OE lynis)
          + pin; akin to MHG luns linchpin] (13c) 1: a locking
          pin inserted crosswise (as through the end of an axle
          or shaft) 2: one that serves to hold together the elements
          of a complex <the ~ in the defense's case>

   Lincoln
          [Lin.coln] n [Lincolnshire, England] (1837): any of an English
          breed of long-wooled mutton-type sheep

   Lincolniana
          [Lin.coln.i.a.na] n pl (1921): materials relating to Abraham
          Lincoln

   Lincoln's Birthday
          [Lincoln's Birthday] n (1898) 1: February 12 observed as
          a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. 2: the first
          Monday in February observed as a legal holiday by some
          states of the U.S.

   lincomycin
          [lin.co.my.cin] n [NL lincolnensis (specific epithet
          of Streptomyces lincolnensis) + E -mycin] (1963): an antibiotic
          obtained from an actinomycete (Streptomyces lincolnensis) and
          effective esp. against gram-positive bacteria

   Lincs
          [Lincs] abbreviation Lincolnshire

   lindane
          [lin.dane] n [T. van der Linden, 20th cent. Du. chemist]
          (ca. 1949): an insecticide that consists chiefly of the
          gamma isomer of BHC and is biodegraded very slowly

   linden
          [lin.den] n [ME, made of linden wood, fr. OE, fr. lind linden
          tree; prob. akin to OE lithe gentle--more at lithe] (1577)
          1: any of a genus (Tilia of the family Tiliaceae, the
          linden family) of trees of temperate regions that are
          planted as shade trees and are distinguished by having
          cordate leaves and a winglike bract attached to the peduncle
          of the flower and fruit: as a: a European tree (T. europaea)
          much used for ornamental planting b: a tall forest tree
          (T. americana) chiefly of the central and eastern U.S.--called
          also basswood, whitewood 2: the light fine-grained white
          wood of a linden; esp: basswood 2

   lindy
          [lin.dy] n [prob. fr. Lindy, nickname of Charles A. Lindbergh]
          (1931): a jitterbug dance originating in Harlem and later
          developing many local variants

   [1]line
          [line] n, often attrib [ME; partly fr. OF ligne, fr. L linea,
          fr. fem. of lineus made of flax, fr. linum flax; partly
          fr. OE line; akin to OE lin flax--more at linen] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: thread, string, cord, rope: as (1): a comparatively
          strong slender cord (2): clothesline (3): a rope used
          on shipboard b (1): a device for catching fish consisting
          of a cord with hooks and other fishing gear (2): scope
          for activity: rope c: a length of material used in measuring
          and leveling d: piping for conveying a fluid (as steam)
          e (1): a wire or pair of wires connecting one telegraph
          or telephone station with another or a whole system of
          such wires; also: any circuit in an electronic communication
          system (2): a telephone connection <tried to get a ~>;
          also: an individual telephone extension <a call on ~
          2> (3): the principal circuits of an electric power system
          2 a (1): a horizontal row of written or printed characters;
          also: a blank row in lieu of such characters (2): a unit
          in the rhythmic structure of verse formed by the grouping
          of a number of the smallest units of the rhythm (as metrical
          feet) (3): an often numbered section of a computer program
          containing a single command or a small number of commands
          b: a short letter: note c pl: a certificate of marriage
          d: the words making up a part in a drama--usu. used in
          pl. e: any of the successive horizontal rows of picture
          elements on the screen of a cathode-ray tube (as a television
          screen) 3 a: something (as a ridge or seam) that is distinct,
          elongated, and narrow b: a narrow crease (as on the face):
          wrinkle c: the course or direction of something in motion:
          route d (1): a state of agreement or conformity: accordance
          (2): a state of order, control, or obedience <you're
          getting out of ~> e: a boundary of an area <the state
          ~> f: the track and roadbed of a railway g: an amount
          of cocaine that is arranged in a line to be inhaled through
          the nose 4 a: a course of conduct, action, or thought
          b: a field of activity or interest c: a glib often persuasive
          way of talking 5 a: limit, restraint b archaic: position
          in life: lot 6 a (1): family, lineage (2): a strain produced
          and maintained esp. by selective breeding or biological
          culture (3): a chronological series b: dispositions made
          to cover extended military positions and presenting a
          front to the enemy--usu. used in pl. c: a military formation
          in which the different elements are abreast of each other
          d: naval ships arranged in a regular order e (1 also
          lin.ey adj -- between the lines 1: by implication: in
          an indirect way 2: by way of inference -- down the line
          : all the way: fully -- in line for : due or in a position
          to receive -- on line : in or into operation -- on the
          line 1: in complete commitment and at great risk <puts
          his future on the line by backing that policy> 2: on
          the border between two categories 3: immediately <paid
          cash on the line> [2]line vb lined ; lin.ing vt (1530)
          1: to mark or cover with a line or lines <lined paper>
          2: to depict with lines: draw 3: to place or form a line
          along <pedestrians ~ the walks> 4: to form into a line
          or lines: align <~ up troops> 5: to hit (as a baseball)
          hard and in a usu. straight line ~ vi 1: to hit a line
          drive in baseball 2: to come into the correct relative
          position: align [3]line vt lined ; lin.ing [ME, fr. line
          flax, fr. OE lin] (14c) 1: to cover the inner surface
          of <~ a cloak with silk> 2: to put something in the inside
          of: fill 3: to serve as the lining of <tapestries lined
          the walls> 4 obs: fortify -- line one's pockets : to
          take money freely and esp. dishonestly

   [1]lineage
          [lin.e.age] n (14c) 1 a: descent in a line from a common
          progenitor b: derivation 2: a group of individuals tracing
          descent from a common ancestor; esp: such a group of
          persons whose common ancestor is regarded as its founder
          [2]line.age var of linage

   lineal
          [lin.e.al] adj (14c) 1: linear 2: composed of or arranged
          in lines 3 a: consisting of or being in a direct male
          or female line of ancestry--compare collateral 2 b: relating
          to or derived from ancestors: hereditary c: descended
          in a direct line 4 a: belonging to one lineage <~ relatives>
          b: of, relating to, or dealing with a lineage -- lin.e.al.i.ty
          n -- lin.e.al.ly adv

   lineament
          [lin.e.a.ment] n [ME, fr. L lineamentum, fr. lineare to draw
          a line, fr. linea] (15c) 1 a: an outline, feature, or
          contour of a body or figure and esp. of a face--usu.
          used in pl. b: a linear topographic feature (as of the
          earth or a planet) that reveals a characteristic (as
          a fault or the subsurface structure) 2: a distinguishing
          or characteristic feature--usu. used in pl. -- lin.e.a.men.tal
          adj

   linear
          [lin.e.ar] adj (ca. 1656) 1 a (1): of, relating to, resembling,
          or having a graph that is a line and esp. a straight
          line: straight (2): involving a single dimension b (1):
          of the first degree with respect to one or more variables
          (2): of, relating to, based on, or being linear equations,
          linear differential equations, linear functions, linear
          transformations, or linear algebra c (1): characterized
          by an emphasis on line <~ art> (2): composed of simply
          drawn lines with little attempt at pictorial representation
          <~ script> d: consisting of a straight chain of atoms
          2: elongated with nearly parallel sides <~ leaf>--see
          leaf illustration 3: having or being a response or output
          that is directly proportional to the input 4: of, relating
          to, or based or depending on sequential development <~
          thinking> <a ~ narrative> -- lin.e.ar.i.ty n -- lin.e.ar.ly
          adv

   Linear A
          [Linear A] n (1948): a linear form of writing used in Crete
          from the 18th to the 15th centuries b.c.

   linear accelerator
          [linear accelerator] n (1945): a device in which charged
          particles are accelerated in a straight line by successive
          impulses from a series of electric fields

   linear algebra
          [linear algebra] n (ca. 1884): a branch of mathematics that
          is concerned with mathematical structures closed under
          the operations of addition and scalar multiplication
          and that includes the theory of systems of linear equations,
          matrices, determinants, vector spaces, and linear transformations

   Linear B
          [Linear B] n (1950): a linear form of writing employing syllabic
          characters and used at Knossos on Crete and on the Greek
          mainland from the 15th to the 12th centuries b.c. for
          documents in the Mycenaean language

   linear combination
          [linear combination] n (1960): a mathematical entity (as
          4x + 5y + 6z) which is composed of sums and differences
          of elements (as variables, matrices, or functions) esp.
          when the coefficients are not all zero

   linear dependence
          [linear dependence] n (1955): the property of one set (as
          of matrices or vectors) of having at least one linear
          combination of its elements equal to zero when the coefficients
          are taken from another given set and at least one of
          its coefficients is not equal to zero -- linearly dependent
          adj

   linear equation
          [linear equation] n (1816): an equation of the first degree
          in any number of variables

   linear function
          [linear function] n (ca. 1889) 1: a mathematical function
          in which the variables appear only in the first degree,
          are multiplied by constants, and are combined only by
          addition and subtraction 2: linear transformation

   linear independence
          [linear independence] n (1967): the property of a set (as
          of matrices or vectors) of having no linear combination
          of all its elements equal to zero when coefficients are
          taken from a given set unless the coefficient of each
          element is zero -- linearly independent adj

   linearise
          [lin.e.ar.ise] Brit var of linearize

   linearize
          [lin.e.ar.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1895): to give a linear
          form to; also: to project in linear form -- lin.e.ar.i.za.tion
          n

   linear measure
          [linear measure] n (ca. 1890) 1: a measure of length 2: a
          system of measures of length

   linear motor
          [linear motor] n (1957): a motor that produces thrust in
          a straight line by direct induction rather than with
          the use of gears--called also linear induction motor

   linear perspective
          [linear perspective] n (ca. 1656): perspective 1a

   linear programming
          [linear programming] n (1949): a mathematical method of solving
          practical problems (as the allocation of resources) by
          means of linear functions where the variables involved
          are subject to constraints

   linear space
          [linear space] n (ca. 1889): vector space

   linear transformation
          [linear transformation] n (ca. 1889) 1: a transformation
          in which the new variables are linear functions of the
          old variables 2: a function that maps the vectors of
          one vector space onto the vectors of the same or another
          vector space with the same field of scalars in such a
          way that the image of the sum of two vectors equals the
          sum of their images and the image of the product of a
          scalar and a vector equals the product of the scalar
          and the image of the vector

   lineation
          [lin.e.a.tion] n [ME lineacion outline, fr. L lineation-,
          lineatio, fr. lineare to mark with lines, fr. linea]
          (14c) 1 a: the action of marking with lines: delineation
          b: outline 2: an arrangement of lines

   linebacker
          [line.back.er] n (1949): a defensive football player who
          lines up immediately behind the line of scrimmage to
          make tackles on running plays through the line or defend
          against short passes

   linebacking
          [line.back.ing] n (1953): the action or art of playing linebacker

   linebreeding
          [line.breed.ing] n (ca. 1879): the interbreeding of individuals
          within a particular line of descent usu. to perpetuate
          desirable characters -- line.bred adj

   linecaster
          [line.cast.er] n (1964): a machine that casts metal type
          in lines -- line.cast.ing n

   linecut
          [line.cut] n (ca. 1909): a photoengraving of a line drawing

   line drawing
          [line drawing] n (1891): a drawing made in solid lines

   line drive
          [line drive] n (1912): a batted baseball hit in a nearly
          straight line usu. not far above the ground

   line engraving
          [line engraving] n (1802): an engraving cut by hand directly
          in the plate

   line graph
          [line graph] n (ca. 1924): a graph in which points representing
          values of a variable for suitable values of an independent
          variable are connected by a broken line

   line-haul
          [line-haul] n (ca. 1923): the transporting of items or persons
          between terminals

   line item
          [line item] n (1962): an appropriation that is itemized on
          a separate line in a budget -- line-item adj

   line judge
          [line judge] n (1970): a football linesman whose duties include
          keeping track of the official time for the game

   lineman
          [line.man] n (1876) 1: one who sets up or repairs electric
          wire communication or power lines--called also linesman
          2: a player in the forward line of a team; specif: a
          football player in the line

   [1]linen
          [lin.en] adj [ME, fr. OE linen, fr. lin flax, fr. L linum
          flax; akin to Gk linon flax, thread] (bef. 12c) 1: made
          of flax 2: made of or resembling linen [2]linen n (14c)
          1 a: cloth made of flax and noted for its strength, coolness,
          and luster b: thread or yarn spun from flax 2: clothing
          or household articles made of linen cloth or similar
          fabric 3: paper made from linen fibers or with a linen
          finish

   line of credit
          [line of credit] (1917): the maximum credit allowed a buyer
          or borrower

   line of duty
          [line of duty] (ca. 1918): all that is authorized, required,
          or normally associated with some field of responsibility

   line officer
          [line officer] n (1850): a commissioned officer assigned
          to the line of the army or navy--compare staff officer

   line of force
          [line of force] (1873): a line in a field of force (as a
          magnetic or electric field) whose tangent at any point
          gives the direction of the field at that point

   line of scrimmage
          [line of scrimmage] (ca. 1909): an imaginary line in football
          that is parallel to the goal lines and tangent to the
          nose of the ball laid on the ground and that marks the
          position of the ball at the start of each down

   line of sight
          [line of sight] (1559) 1: a line from an observer's eye to
          a distant point 2: the straight path between a radio
          or television transmitting antenna and receiving antenna
          when unobstructed by the horizon

   line out
          [line out] vt (1618) 1: to indicate with or as if with lines:
          outline <line out a route> 2: to arrange in an extended
          line 3: belt <line out a song> ~ vi 1: to move rapidly
          <lined out for home> 2: to make an out by hitting a baseball
          in a line drive that is caught

   line printer
          [line printer] n (1955): a high-speed printing device (as
          for a computer) that prints each line as a unit rather
          than character by character

   [1]liner
          [lin.er] n (15c) 1: one that makes, draws, or uses lines
          2 a: a ship belonging to a regular line b: an airplane
          belonging to an airline 3: line drive 4: something with
          which lines are made [2]liner n (1611) 1: one that lines
          or is used to line or back something 2: jacket 3c(2)
          -- lin.er.less adj

   linerboard
          [li.ner.board] n (1948): a thin paperboard used for the flat
          facings of corrugated containerboard

   liner notes
          [liner notes] n pl (1955): comments or explanatory notes
          about a recording printed on the jacket or an insert

   line score
          [line score] n (1946): a score of a baseball game giving
          the runs, hits, and errors made by each team--compare
          box score

   linesman
          [lines.man] n (1883) 1: lineman 1 2: an official who assists
          a referee in various games (as football or hockey) esp.
          in determining if a ball, puck, or player is out-of-bounds
          or offside

   line squall
          [line squall] n (1887): a squall or thunderstorm occurring
          along a cold front

   line storm
          [line storm] n (1850): an equinoctial storm

   lineup
          [line.up] n (1889) 1 a: a list of players taking part in
          a game (as of baseball) b: the players on such a list
          2 a: an alignment (as in entertainment or politics) of
          persons or things having a common purpose, distinction,
          or bond <the show's star-studded ~> b: line 11 c: a television
          programming schedule 3: a line of persons arranged esp.
          for inspection or for identification by police

   line up
          [line up] vi (1864) 1: to assume an orderly linear arrangement
          <line up for inspection> 2: to align oneself <he lined
          up with the liberals against the bill> ~ vt 1: to put
          into alignment 2: to arrange for <line up support for
          a candidate>

   [1]-ling
          [-ling] n suffix [ME, fr. OE; akin to OE -ing] 1: one connected
          with or having the quality of <hireling> 2: young, small,
          or inferior one <duckling> [2]-ling or -lings adv suffix
          [ME -ling (fr. OE), -linges (fr. -ling + -es -s); akin
          to OHG -lingun -ling, OE lang long]: in (such) a direction
          or manner <sideling> <flatling>

   [1]ling
          [ling] n [ME; akin to D leng ling, OE lang long] (13c) 1:
          any of various fishes (as a hake or burbot) of the cod
          family 2: lingcod [2]ling n [ME, fr. ON lyng] (13c):
          a heath plant; esp: a common Old World heather (Calluna
          vulgaris)

   ling
          [ling] abbreviation linguistics

   Lingala
          [Lin.ga.la] n (1922): a Bantu language widely used in trade
          and public affairs in the Congo River area

   lingam
          [lin.gam] or lin.ga n [Skt linga (nom. lingam), lit.,
          characteristic] (1719): a stylized phallic symbol of the masculine
          cosmic principle and of the Hindu god Siva--compare yoni

   Lingayat
          [Lin.ga.yat] n [Kannada lingayata] (1901): a member of a
          Saiva sect of southern India marked by wearing of the
          lingam and characterized by denial of caste distinctions

   lingcod
          [ling.cod] n (1940): a large greenish-fleshed fish (Ophiodon
          elongatus) of the Pacific coast of No. America that is
          an important food and sport fish and belongs to the same
          family as the greenlings

   linger
          [lin.ger] vb lin.gered ; lin.ger.ing [ME (northern dial.)
          lengeren to dwell, freq. of lengen to prolong, fr. OE
          lengan; akin to OE lang long] vi (14c) 1: to be slow
          in parting or in quitting something: tarry 2 a: to remain
          alive although gradually dying b: to remain existent
          although often waning in strength, importance, or influence
          <~ing doubts> 3: to be slow to act: procrastinate 4:
          to move slowly: saunter ~ vt 1 obs: delay 2: to pass
          (as a period of time) slowly -- lin.ger.er n -- lin.ger.ing.ly
          adv

   lingerie
          [lin.ge.rie] n [F, fr. MF, fr. linge linen, fr. L lineus
          made of linen--more at line] (1835) 1 archaic: linen
          articles or garments 2: women's intimate apparel -- lingerie
          adj

   lingo
          [lin.go] n, pl lingoes [prob. fr. Lingua Franca, language,
          tongue, fr. Prov, fr. L lingua--more at tongue] (1660):
          strange or incomprehensible language or speech: as a:
          a foreign language b: the special vocabulary of a particular
          field of interest c: language characteristic of an individual

   lingonberry
          [ling.on.ber.ry] n [Sw lingon mountain cranberry; akin to
          ON lyng ling] (1920): the fruit of the mountain cranberry;
          also: mountain cranberry

   lingua
          [lin.gua] n, pl lin.guae [L--more at tongue] (ca. 1826):
          a tongue or an organ resembling a tongue

   lingua franca
          [lin.gua fran.ca] n, pl lingua francas or lin.guae fran.cae
          [It, lit., Frankish language] (1619) 1 often cap: a common
          language consisting of Italian mixed with French, Spanish,
          Greek, and Arabic that was formerly spoken in Mediterranean
          ports 2: any of various languages used as common or commercial
          tongues among peoples of diverse speech 3: something
          resembling a common language

   lingual
          [lin.gual] adj [L lingua] (1650) 1 a: of, relating to, or
          resembling the tongue b: lying near or next to the tongue;
          esp: relating to or being the surface of tooth next to
          the tongue c: produced by the tongue 2: linguistic --
          lin.gual.ly adv

   linguine
          [lin.gui.ne] or lin.gui.ni n [It, pl. of linguina, dim. of
          lingua tongue, fr. L] (ca. 1948): narrow flat pasta

   linguist
          [lin.guist] n [L lingua language, tongue] (1591) 1: a person
          accomplished in languages; esp: one who speaks several
          languages 2: a person who specializes in linguistics

   linguistic
          [lin.guis.tic] also lin.guis.ti.cal adj (1846): of or relating
          to language or linguistics -- lin.guis.ti.cal.ly adv

   linguistic atlas
          [linguistic atlas] n (1923): a publication containing a set
          of maps on which speech variations are recorded--called
          also dialect atlas

   linguistic form
          [linguistic form] n (1921): a meaningful unit of speech (as
          a morpheme, word, or sentence)--called also speech form

   linguistic geography
          [linguistic geography] n (1926): local or regional variations
          of a language or dialect studied as a field of knowledge--called
          also dialect geography -- linguistic geographer n

   linguistician
          [lin.guis.ti.cian] n (1895): linguist 2

   linguistics
          [lin.guis.tics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1847): the study
          of human speech including the units, nature, structure,
          and modification of language

   liniment
          [lin.i.ment] n [ME, fr. LL linimentum, fr. L linere to smear--more
          at lime] (15c): a liquid or semiliquid preparation that is applied
          to the skin as an anodyne or a counterirritant

   lining
          [lin.ing] n (14c) 1: material that lines or that is used
          to line esp. the inner surface of something (as a garment)
          2: the act or process of providing something with a lining

   [1]link
          [link] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON hlekkr chain; akin
          to OE hlanc lank] (15c) 1: a connecting structure: as
          a (1): a single ring or division of a chain (2): one
          of the standardized divisions of a surveyor's chain that
          is 7.92 inches (20.1 centimeters) long and serves as
          a measure of length b: cuff link c: bond 3c d: an intermediate
          rod or piece for transmitting force or motion; esp: a
          short connecting rod with a hole or pin at each end e:
          the fusible member of an electrical fuse 2: something
          analogous to a link of chain: as a: a segment of sausage
          in a chain b: a connecting element or factor <found a
          ~ between smoking and cancer> c: a unit in a communication
          system d: an identifier attached to an element (as an
          index term) in a system in order to indicate or permit
          connection with other similarly identified elements [2]link
          vt (15c): to couple or connect by or as if by a link
          ~ vi: to become connected by or as if by a link syn see
          join -- link.er n [3]link n [perh. modif. of ML linchinus
          candle, alter. of L lychnus, fr. Gk lychnos; akin to
          Gk leukos white--more at light] (1526): a torch formerly
          used to light a person's way through the streets [4]link
          vi [origin unknown] (1715) Scot: to skip smartly along

   linkage
          [link.age] n (1874) 1: the manner or style of being united:
          as a: the manner in which atoms or radicals are linked
          in a molecule b: bond 3c 2: the quality or state of being
          linked; esp: the relationship between genes on the same
          chromosome that causes them to be inherited together--compare
          mendel's law 2 3: a system of links; esp: a system of
          links or bars which are jointed together and more or
          less constrained by having a link or links fixed and
          by means of which straight or nearly straight lines or
          other point paths may be traced 4: link 2b

   linkage group
          [linkage group] n (1921): a set of linked genes at different
          loci on the same chromosome

   linkboy
          [link.boy] n (1660): an attendant formerly employed to bear
          a light for a person on the streets at night

   linked
          [linked] adj (15c) 1: marked by linkage and esp. genetic
          linkage <~ genes> 2: having or provided with links <a
          ~ list>

   linking verb
          [linking verb] n (1923): a word or expression (as a form
          of be, become, feel, or seem) that links a subject with
          its predicate

   linkman
          [link.man] n (1716) 1: linkboy 2 Brit: a broadcasting moderator
          or anchorman

   links
          [links] n pl [ME, fr. OE hlincas, pl. of hlinc ridge; akin
          to OE hlanc lank] (15c) 1 Scot: sand hills esp. along
          the seashore 2: golf course

   linksman
          [links.man] n (1937): one who plays golf

   linkup
          [link.up] n (1945) 1: establishment of contact: meeting <the
          ~ of two spacecraft> 2 a: something that serves as a
          linking device or factor b: a functional whole resulting
          from the linking up of separate elements <an instructional
          TV ~>

   linn
          [linn] n [ScGael linne pool] (1513) 1 chiefly Scot: waterfall
          2 chiefly Scot: precipice

   Linnaean
          [Lin.nae.an] or Lin.ne.an adj [Carolus Linnaeus] (1753):
          of, relating to, or following the systematic methods
          of the Swedish botanist Linnaeus who established the
          system of binomial nomenclature

   linnet
          [lin.net] n [MF linette, fr. lin flax, fr. L linum; fr. its
          feeding on flax seeds] (ca. 1530): a common small brownish
          Old World finch (Acanthis cannabina) of which the male
          has red on the breast and crown during breeding season

   lino
          [li.no] n, pl linos (1907) chiefly Brit: linoleum

   linocut
          [li.no.cut] n (1907): a print made from a design cut into
          a mounted piece of linoleum

   linoleate
          [li.no.le.ate] n (ca. 1865): a salt or ester of linoleic
          acid

   linoleic acid
          [lin.o.le.ic acid] n [Gk linon flax + ISV oleic (acid)] (1857):
          a liquid unsaturated fatty acid found esp. in semidrying
          oils (as peanut oil) and essential for the nutrition
          of some animals

   linolenic acid
          [lin.o.le.nic acid] n [ISV, irreg. fr. linoleic] (1887):
          a liquid unsaturated fatty acid found esp. in drying
          oils (as linseed oil) and essential for the nutrition
          of some animals

   linoleum
          [li.no.leum] n, often attrib [L linum flax + oleum oil--more
          at oil] (1878) 1: a floor covering made by laying on
          a burlap or canvas backing a mixture of solidified linseed
          oil with gums, cork dust or wood flour or both, and usu.
          pigments 2: a material similar to linoleum

   Linotype
          [Li.no.type] trademark--used for a keyboard-operated typesetting
          machine that uses circulating matrices and produces each
          line of type in the form of a solid metal slug

   linsang
          [lin.sang] n [Jav lingsang] (1821): either of two nocturnal
          chiefly forest-dwelling Asian mammals (Prionodon pardicolor
          and P. linsang) that resemble and are related to the
          mongooses, civets, and genets; also: a related mammal
          (Poiana richardsoni) of Africa

   linseed
          [lin.seed] n [ME, fr. OE linsaed, fr. lin flax + saed seed--more
          at linen] (bef. 12c): flaxseed

   linseed oil
          [linseed oil] n (15c): a yellowish drying oil obtained from
          flaxseed and used esp. in paint, varnish, printing ink,
          and linoleum

   linsey-woolsey
          [lin.sey-wool.sey] n [ME lynsy wolsye] (15c): a coarse sturdy
          fabric of wool and linen or cotton

   linstock
          [lin.stock] n [D lontstok, fr. lont match + stok stick] (1575):
          a staff having a pointed foot (as for sticking into the
          ground) and a forked tip and formerly used to hold a
          lighted match for firing cannon

   lint
          [lint] n [ME] (14c) 1 a: a soft fleecy material made from
          linen usu. by scraping b: fuzz consisting esp. of fine
          ravelings and short fibers of yarn and fabric 2: a fibrous
          coat of thick convoluted hairs borne by cotton seeds
          that yields the cotton staple -- linty adj

   lintel
          [lin.tel] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL limitaris threshold, fr.
          L, constituting a boundary, fr. limit-, limes boundary]
          (14c): a horizontal architectural member spanning and
          usu. carrying the load above an opening

   linter
          [lint.er] n (ca. 1889) 1: a machine for removing linters
          2 pl: the fuzz of short fibers that adheres to cottonseed
          after ginning

   lintwhite
          [lint.white] n [alter. of ME lynkwhyt, by folk etymology
          fr. OE linetwige] (1513): linnet

   lion
          [li.on] n, pl lions [ME, fr. OF, fr. L leon-, leo, fr. Gk
          leon] (12c) 1 a or pl lion : a large heavily-built social
          cat (Panthera leo syn. Leo leo) of open or rocky areas
          chiefly of sub-Saharan Africa though once widely distributed
          throughout Africa and southern Asia that has a tawny
          body with a tufted tail and a shaggy blackish or dark
          brown mane in the male b: any of several large wildcats;
          esp: cougar c cap: leo 2 a: a person felt to resemble
          a lion (as in courage or ferocity) b: a person of outstanding
          interest or importance 3 cap [Lions (club)]: a member
          of a major national and international service club --
          li.on.like adj

   lioness
          [li.on.ess] n (14c): a female lion

   lionfish
          [li.on.fish] n (ca. 1907): any of several scorpion fishes
          (genus Pterois) of the Indian Ocean and the tropical
          Pacific that are brilliantly striped and barred with
          elongated fins and venomous dorsal spines

   lionhearted
          [li.on.heart.ed] adj (1708): courageous, brave

   lionise
          [li.on.ise] Brit var of lionize

   lionize
          [li.on.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1809) 1: to treat as an object
          of great interest or importance 2 Brit: to show the sights
          of a place to -- li.on.i.za.tion n -- li.on.iz.er n

   lion's share
          [lion's share] n (1790): the largest portion <received the
          lion's share of the research money>

   lip-
          [lip-] or lipo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. lipos--more at
          leave]: fat: fatty tissue: fatty <lipoid> <lipoprotein>

   [1]lip
          [lip] n [ME, fr. OE lippa; akin to OHG leffur lip and prob.
          to L labium, labrum lip] (bef. 12c) 1: either of two
          fleshy folds that surround the mouth in humans and many
          other vertebrates and are the organs of human speech;
          also: the red or pinkish margin of the human lip 2 slang:
          back talk 3 a: a fleshy edge or margin (as of a wound)
          b: labium c: labellum 1 d: a limb of a labiate corolla
          4 a: the edge of a hollow vessel or cavity b: a projecting
          edge: as (1): the beveled upper edge of the mouth of
          an organ flue pipe (2): the sharp cutting edge on the
          end of a tool (as an auger) (3): a short spout (as on
          a pitcher) 5: embouchure -- lip.less adj -- lip.like
          adj [2]lip adj (1558) 1: insincere <~ praise> 2: produced
          with the participation of the lips: labial <~ consonants>
          [3]lip vt lipped ; lip.ping (1604) 1: to touch with the
          lips; esp: kiss 2: utter 3: to lap against: lick 4: to
          hit (a putt) so that the ball hits the edge of the cup
          but fails to drop in

   lipase
          [li.pase] n [ISV] (1897): an enzyme that hydrolyzes glycerides

   lipid
          [lip.id] also lip.ide n [ISV] (1912): any of various substances
          that are soluble in nonpolar organic solvents (as chloroform
          and ether), that with proteins and carbohydrates constitute
          the principal structural components of living cells,
          and that include fats, waxes, phosphatides, cerebrosides,
          and related and derived compounds -- li.pid.ic adj

   Lipizzan
          [Lip.iz.zan] or Lip.iz.zan.er also Lip.pi.zan or Lip.pi.zan.er
          n [G Lipizzaner, Lippizaner, fr. Lipizza, Lippiza, former
          site of the Austrian Imperial Stud near Trieste, Italy]
          (1928): any of a breed of spirited horses developed from
          Spanish, Italian, Danish, and Arab stock that are usu.
          born with a dark coat that lightens to white with age

   lipogenesis
          [li.po.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1882): the formation of fatty acids
          from acetyl coenzyme A in the living body

   lipoic acid
          [li.po.ic acid] n [lip-, lipo-] (ca. 1951): any of several
          microbial growth factors; esp: a crystalline compound
          that is essential for the oxidation of alpha-keto acids
          (as pyruvic acid) in metabolism

   [1]lipoid
          [li.poid] or li.poi.dal adj [ISV] (1876): resembling fat
          [2]lipoid n [ISV] (1906): lipid

   lipolysis
          [li.pol.y.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1903): the hydrolysis of fat --
          li.po.lyt.ic adj

   lipoma
          [li.po.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (1830): a tumor of fatty
          tissue -- li.po.ma.tous adj

   lipophilic
          [li.po.phil.ic] adj (1939): having an affinity for lipids
          (as fats) <a ~ metabolite>

   lipopolysaccharide
          [li.po.poly.sac.cha.ride] n (1950): a large molecule consisting
          of lipids and sugars joined by chemical bonds

   lipoprotein
          [li.po.pro.tein] n (1909): a conjugated protein that is a
          complex of protein and lipid

   liposome
          [li.po.some] n (1968): a vesicle composed of one or more
          concentric phospholipid bilayers and used medically esp.
          to deliver a drug into the body -- li.po.so.mal adj

   liposuction
          [li.po.suc.tion] n (1986): surgical removal of local fat
          deposits (as in the thighs) esp. for cosmetic purposes

   lipotropic
          [li.po.tro.pic] adj [ISV] (1935): promoting the physiological
          utilization of fat <~ dietary factors>

   lipotropin
          [li.po.tro.pin] n (1964): either of two protein hormones
          of the pituitary gland that function in the mobilization
          of fat reserves

   lipped
          [lipped] adj (14c): having a lip or lips esp. of a specified
          kind or number--often used in combination <tight-lipped>

   lippen
          [lip.pen] vb [ME lipnien] vi (12c) chiefly Scot: trust, rely
          ~ vt, chiefly Scot: entrust

   Lippes loop
          [Lippes loop] n [Jack Lippes b1924 Am. physician] (1964):
          an S-shaped plastic intrauterine device

   lipping
          [lip.ping] n (1894) 1: outgrowth of bone in liplike form
          at a joint margin 2: a piece of wood set in an archer's
          bow where a flaw has been cut out 3: embouchure 1

   lippy
          [lip.py] adj lip.pi.er ; -est (ca. 1875): given to back talk

   lip-read
          [lip-read] vb -read ; -read.ing vt (1892): to understand
          by lipreading ~ vi: to use lipreading -- lip-read.er
          n

   lipreading
          [lipreading] n (1874): the interpreting of speech by watching
          the speaker's lip and facial movements without hearing
          the voice

   lip service
          [lip service] n (1644): an avowal of advocacy, adherence,
          or allegiance expressed in words but not backed by deeds--usu.
          used with pay

   lipstick
          [lip.stick] n (1880): a waxy solid usu. colored cosmetic
          in stick form for the lips; also: a stick of such cosmetic
          with its case -- lip.sticked adj

   lip-synch
          [lip-synch] or lip-sync vt (ca. 1961): to pretend to sing
          or say in synchronization with recorded sound ~ vi: to
          lip-synch something -- lip sync n

   liq
          [liq] abbreviation liquid, liquor

   liquate
          [li.quate] vt li.quat.ed ; li.quat.ing [L liquatus, pp. of
          liquare to make liquid; akin to L liquere] (ca. 1859):
          to cause (a more fusible substance) to separate out of
          a combination or mixture by the application of heat <~
          metallic lead from its ore> -- li.qua.tion n

   liquefaction
          [liq.ue.fac.tion] n [ME, fr. LL liquefaction-, liquefactio,
          fr. L liquefacere, fr. liquere to be fluid + facere to
          make--more at do] (15c) 1: the process of making or becoming
          liquid 2: the state of being liquid

   liquefied petroleum gas
          [liquefied petroleum gas] n (1925): a compressed gas that
          consists of flammable hydrocarbons (as propane and butane)
          and is used esp. as fuel or as raw material for chemical
          synthesis

   liquefy
          [liq.ue.fy] also liq.ui.fy vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME liquefien,
          fr. MF liquefier, fr. L liquefacere] vt (15c): to reduce
          to a liquid state ~ vi: to become liquid -- liq.ue.fi.er
          n

   liquescent
          [li.ques.cent] adj [L liquescent-, liquescens, prp. of liquescere
          to become fluid, incho. of liquere] (ca. 1727): being
          or tending to become liquid: melting

   liqueur
          [li.queur] n [F, fr. OF licour liquid--more at liquor] (1729):
          a usu. sweetened alcoholic liquor (as brandy) flavored
          with fruit, spices, nuts, herbs, or seeds

   [1]liquid
          [liq.uid] adj [ME, fr. MF liquide, fr. L liquidus, fr. liquere
          to be fluid; akin to L lixa water, lye, and perh. to
          OIr fliuch damp] (14c) 1: flowing freely like water 2:
          having the properties of a liquid: being neither solid
          nor gaseous 3 a: shining and clear <large ~ eyes> b:
          being musical and free of harshness in sound c: smooth
          and unconstrained in movement d: articulated without
          friction and capable of being prolonged like a vowel
          <a ~ consonant> 4: consisting of or capable of ready
          conversion into cash <~ assets> -- li.quid.i.ty n --
          liq.uid.ly adv -- liq.uid.ness n [2]liquid n (1530) 1:
          a liquid consonant 2: a fluid (as water) that has no
          independent shape but has a definite volume and does
          not expand indefinitely and that is only slightly compressible

   liquidambar
          [liq.uid.am.bar] n [NL, fr. L liquidus + ML ambar, ambra
          amber] (ca. 1577) 1: any of a genus (Liquidambar) of
          trees of the witch-hazel family with monoecious flowers
          and a globose fruit of many woody carpels 2: storax 1b

   liquidate
          [liq.ui.date] vb -dat.ed ; -dat.ing [LL liquidatus, pp. of
          liquidare to melt, fr. L liquidus] vt (ca. 1575) 1 a
          (1): to determine by agreement or by litigation the precise
          amount of (indebtedness, damages, or accounts) (2): to
          determine the liabilities and apportion assets toward
          discharging the indebtedness of b: to settle (a debt)
          by payment or other settlement 2 archaic: to make clear
          3: to do away with 4: to convert (assets) into cash ~
          vi 1: to liquidate debts, damages, or accounts 2: to
          determine liabilities and apportion assets toward discharging
          indebtedness -- liq.ui.da.tion n

   liquidator
          [liq.ui.da.tor] n (ca. 1828): one that liquidates; esp: an
          individual appointed by law to liquidate assets

   liquid crystal
          [liquid crystal] n (1891): an organic liquid whose physical
          properties resemble those of a crystal in the formation
          of loosely ordered molecular arrays similar to a regular
          crystalline lattice and the anisotropic refraction of
          light

   liquid crystal display
          [liquid crystal display] n (1968): lcd

   liquidize
          [liq.uid.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1837): to cause to be liquid

   liquid measure
          [liquid measure] n (ca. 1855): a unit or series of units
          for measuring liquid capacity

   [1]liquor
          [li.quor] n [ME licour, fr. OF, fr. L liquor, fr. liquere]
          (13c): a liquid substance: as a: a usu. distilled rather
          than fermented alcoholic beverage b: a watery solution
          of a drug c: bath 2b(1) [2]liquor vb li.quored ; li.quor.ing
          vt (1502) 1: to dress (as leather) with oil or grease
          2: to make drunk with alcoholic liquor--usu. used with
          up ~ vi: to drink alcoholic liquor esp. to excess--usu.
          used with up

   liquorice
          [li.quo.rice] chiefly Brit var of licorice

   [1]lira
          [li.ra] n, pl li.re also liras [It, fr. L libra, a unit of
          weight] (1617): the basic monetary unit of Italy [2]lira
          n, pl liras [Turk, fr. It] (1871): the basic monetary
          unit of Turkey [3]lira n, pl li.roth or li.rot [NHeb,
          fr. It] (ca. 1946): the former Israeli pound [4]lira
          n, pl li.ri [Maltese, fr. It] (ca. 1985): the basic monetary
          unit of Malta

   liripipe
          [lir.i.pipe] n [ML liripipium] (1614): a pendent part of
          a tippet; also: tippet, scarf

   lisente
          [lisente] pl of sente

   lisle
          [lisle] n, often attrib [Lisle Lille, France] (1851): a smooth
          tightly twisted thread usu. made of long-staple cotton

   [1]lisp
          [lisp] vb [ME, fr. OE -wlyspian; akin to OHG lispen to lisp]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to pronounce the sibilants /s/ and /z/
          imperfectly 2: to speak falteringly, childishly, or with
          a lisp ~ vt: to utter falteringly or with a lisp -- lisp.er
          n [2]lisp n (ca. 1625) 1: a speech defect or affectation
          characterized by lisping 2: a sound resembling a lisp
          LISP n [list processing] (1959): a computer programming
          language that is designed for easy manipulation of data
          strings and is used extensively for work in artificial
          intelligence

   lissome
          [lis.some] also lis.som adj [alter. of lithesome] (ca. 1800)
          1 a: easily flexed b: lithe 2 2: nimble -- lis.some.ly
          adv -- lis.some.ness n

   [1]list
          [list] vb [ME lysten, fr. OE lystan; akin to OE lust desire,
          lust] vt (bef. 12c) archaic: please, suit ~ vi, archaic:
          wish, choose [2]list n [ME, prob. fr. lysten] (13c) archaic:
          inclination, craving [3]list vb [ME, fr. OE hlystan,
          fr. hlyst hearing; akin to OE hlysnan to listen] vi (bef.
          12c) archaic: listen ~ vt, archaic: to listen to: hear
          [4]list n [ME, fr. OE liste; akin to OHG lista edge,
          Alb leth] (bef. 12c) 1: a band or strip of material:
          as a: listel b: selvage c: a narrow strip of wood cut
          from the edge of a board 2 pl but sing or pl in constr
          a: an arena for combat (as jousting) b: a field of competition
          or controversy 3 obs: limit, boundary 4: stripe [5]list
          vt (1635) 1: to cut away a narrow strip from the edge
          of 2: to prepare or plant (land) in ridges and furrows
          with a lister [6]list n [F liste, fr. It lista, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG lista edge] (1602) 1 a: a simple
          series of words or numerals (as the names of persons
          or objects) <a guest ~> b: an official roster: roll 2:
          catalog, checklist 3: the total number to be considered
          or included <a situation that heads their ~ of troubles>
          [7]list vt (1614) 1 a: to make a list of: enumerate b:
          to include on a list: register 2: to place (oneself)
          in a specified category <~s himself as a political liberal>
          3 archaic: recruit ~ vi 1 archaic: enlist 2: to become
          entered in a catalog with a selling price <a car that
          ~s for $12,000> -- list.ee n [8]list vb [origin unknown]
          vi (1626): to tilt to one side; esp, of a boat or ship:
          to tilt to one side in a state of equilibrium (as from
          an unbalanced load)--compare heel ~ vt: to cause to list
          [9]list n (1633): a deviation from the vertical: tilt;
          also: the extent of such a deviation

   listel
          [lis.tel] n [F, fr. It listello, dim. of lista fillet, roster]
          (1598): a narrow band in architecture: fillet

   [1]listen
          [lis.ten] vb lis.tened ; lis.ten.ing [ME listnen, fr. OE
          hlysnan; akin to Skt srosati he hears, OE hlud loud]
          vt (bef. 12c) archaic: to give ear to: hear ~ vi 1: to
          pay attention to sound <~ to music> 2: to hear something
          with thoughtful attention: give consideration <~ to a
          plea> 3: to be alert to catch an expected sound <~ for
          his step> -- lis.ten.er n [2]listen n (1788): an act
          of listening

   listenable
          [lis.ten.able] adj (1942): agreeable to listen to

   listenership
          [lis.ten.er.ship] n (1943): the audience for a radio program
          or recording; also: the number or kind of that audience

   listen in
          [listen in] vi (1905) 1: to tune in to or monitor a broadcast
          2: to listen to a conversation without participating
          in it; esp: eavesdrop -- lis.ten.er-in n

   listening post
          [listening post] n (1942): a center for monitoring electronic
          communications (as of an enemy)

   [1]lister
          [list.er] n (1682): one that lists or catalogs [2]lister
          n [[5]list] (1887): a double-moldboard plow often equipped
          with a subsoiling attachment and used mainly where rainfall
          is limited

   listeriosis
          [lis.te.ri.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [NL, fr. Listeria, fr. Joseph
          Lister] (1941): a serious commonly fatal encephalitic
          disease of a great variety of wild and domestic mammals
          and birds and occas. humans that is caused by a bacterium
          (Listeria monocytogenes)

   listing
          [list.ing] n (1659) 1: an act or instance of making or including
          in a list 2: something that is listed

   listless
          [list.less] adj [ME listles, fr. [2]list] (15c): characterized
          by lack of interest, energy, or spirit: languid <a ~
          melancholy attitude> -- list.less.ly adv -- list.less.ness
          n

   list price
          [list price] n (1871): the basic price of an item as published
          in a catalog, price list, or advertisement before any
          discounts are taken

   lit
          [lit] abbreviation liter, literal, literally, literary, literature

   [1]lit
          [lit] past and past part of light [2]lit n [by shortening]
          (1850): literature [3]lit adj [pp. of [3]light] (1904):
          affected by alcohol: drunk

   litany
          [lit.a.ny] n, pl -nies [ME letanie, fr. OF & LL; OF, fr.
          LL litania, fr. LGk litaneia, fr. Gk, entreaty, fr. litanos
          suppliant] (13c) 1: a prayer consisting of a series of
          invocations and supplications by the leader with alternate
          responses by the congregation 2 a: a resonant or repetitive
          chant <a ~ of cheering phrases --Herman Wouk> b: a usu.
          lengthy recitation or enumeration <a familiar ~ of complaints>

   litchi
          [li.tchi] n [Chin (Beijing) lizhi] (1588) 1: the oval fruit
          of a tree (Litchi chinensis) of the soapberry family
          having a hard scaly reddish outer covering and sweet
          whitish edible flesh that surrounds a single large seed--called
          also litchi nut 2: a tree bearing litchis

   lit crit
          [lit crit] n (1963): literary criticism

   -lite
          [-lite] n comb form [F, alter. of -lithe, fr. Gk lithos stone]:
          mineral <rhodolite>: rock <aerolite>: fossil <stromatolite>

   lite
          [lite] var of [4]light 9a

   liter
          [li.ter] n [F litre, fr. ML litra, a measure, fr. Gk, a weight]
          (1797): a metric unit of capacity equal to one cubic
          decimeter

   literacy
          [lit.er.a.cy] n (1883): the quality or state of being literate

   [1]literal
          [lit.er.al] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML litteralis, fr. L, of
          a letter, fr. littera letter] (14c) 1 a: according with
          the letter of the scriptures b: adhering to fact or to
          the ordinary construction or primary meaning of a term
          or expression: actual <liberty in the ~ sense is impossible
          --B. N. Cardozo> c: free from exaggeration or embellishment
          <the ~ truth> d: characterized by a concern mainly with
          facts <a very ~ man> 2: of, relating to, or expressed
          in letters 3: reproduced word for word: exact, verbatim
          <a ~ translation> -- lit.er.al.i.ty n -- lit.er.al.ness
          n [2]literal n (1622): a small error usu. of a single
          letter (as in writing)

   literalism
          [lit.er.al.ism] n (1644) 1: adherence to the explicit substance
          of an idea or expression <biblical ~> 2: fidelity to
          observable fact: realism -- lit.er.al.ist n -- lit.er.al.is.tic
          adj

   literalize
          [lit.er.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1826): to make literal
          -- lit.er.al.i.za.tion n

   literally
          [lit.er.al.ly] adv (1533) 1: in a literal sense or manner:
          actually <took the remark ~> <was ~ insane> 2: in effect:
          virtually <will ~ turn the world upside down to combat
          cruelty or injustice --Norman Cousins> usage Since some
          people take sense 2 to be the opposite of sense 1, it
          has been frequently criticized as a misuse. Instead,
          the use is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis,
          but it often appears in contexts where no additional
          emphasis is necessary.

   literary
          [lit.er.ary] adj (1749) 1 a: of, relating to, or having the
          characteristics of humane learning or literature b: bookish
          2 c: of or relating to books 2 a: well-read b: of or
          relating to authors or scholars or to their professions
          -- lit.er.ar.i.ly adv -- lit.er.ar.i.ness n

   literary executor
          [literary executor] n (1868): a person entrusted with the
          management of the papers and unpublished works of a deceased
          author

   [1]literate
          [lit.er.ate] adj [ME literat, fr. L litteratus marked with
          letters, literate, fr. litterae letters, literature,
          fr. pl. of littera] (15c) 1 a: educated, cultured b:
          able to read and write 2 a: versed in literature or creative
          writing: literary b: lucid, polished <a ~ essay> c: having
          knowledge or competence <computer-literate> <politically
          ~> -- lit.er.ate.ly adv -- lit.er.ate.ness n [2]literate
          n (ca. 1550) 1: an educated person 2: a person who can
          read and write

   literati
          [li.te.ra.ti] n pl [obs. It litterati, fr. L, pl. of litteratus]
          (1621) 1: the educated class; also: intelligentsia 2:
          persons interested in literature or the arts

   literatim
          [lit.er.a.tim] adv or adj [ML, fr. L littera] (1643): letter
          for letter <printed ~ from the manuscript --I. A. Gordon>

   literation
          [lit.er.a.tion] n [L littera + E -ation] (ca. 1889): the
          representation of sound or words by letters

   literator
          [lit.er.a.tor] n (1791): litterateur

   literature
          [lit.er.a.ture] n [ME, fr. L litteratura writing, grammar,
          learning, fr. litteratus] (14c) 1 archaic: literary culture
          2: the production of literary work esp. as an occupation
          3 a (1): writings in prose or verse; esp: writings having
          excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas
          of permanent or universal interest (2): an example of
          such writings <what came out, though rarely ~, was always
          a roaring good story --People> b: the body of written
          works produced in a particular language, country, or
          age c: the body of writings on a particular subject <scientific
          ~> d: printed matter (as leaflets or circulars) <campaign
          ~> 4: the aggregate of a usu. specified type of musical
          compositions <Brahms piano ~>

   literatus
          [lit.er.a.tus] n [NL, back-formation fr. E literati (taken
          as L)] (1704): a member of the literati

   lith
          [lith] abbreviation lithographic, lithography

   lith-
          [lith-] or litho- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. lithos]: stone
          <lithology>

   -lith
          [-lith] n comb form [NL -lithus & F -lithe, fr. Gk lithos]
          1: structure or implement of stone <megalith> <eolith>
          2: calculus <urolith> 3: -lite <laccolith>

   litharge
          [li.tharge] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L lithargyrus, fr. Gk lithargyros,
          fr. lithos + argyros silver--more at argent] (14c): a
          fused lead monoxide; broadly: lead monoxide

   lithe
          [lithe] adj [ME, fr. OE lithe gentle; akin to OHG lindi gentle,
          L lentus slow] (14c) 1: easily bent or flexed <~ steel>
          <a ~ vine> 2: characterized by easy flexibility and grace
          <a ~ dancer> <treading with a ~ silent step>; also: athletically
          slim <the most ~ and graspable of waists --R. P. Warren>
          -- lithe.ly adv -- lithe.ness n

   lithesome
          [lithe.some] adj (ca. 1774): lissome

   lithiasis
          [li.thi.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL, fr. Gk, fr. lithos] (ca.
          1657): the formation of stony concretions in the body
          (as in the gallbladder)

   lithic
          [lith.ic] adj [Gk lithikos, fr. lithos] (1797) 1: stony 1
          2: of, relating to, or being a stone tool

   -lithic
          [-lithic] adj comb form [lithic]: relating to or characteristic
          of a (specified) stage in humankind's use of stone as
          a cultural tool <Neolithic>

   lithify
          [lith.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (1877): to change to stone:
          petrify; esp: to convert (unconsolidated sediment) into
          solid rock ~ vi: to become changed into stone -- lith.i.fi.ca.tion
          n

   lithium
          [lith.i.um] n [NL, fr. lithia oxide of lithium, fr. Gk lithos]
          (1818) 1: a soft silver-white element of the alkali metal
          group that is the lightest metal known and that is used
          in chemical synthesis and storage batteries 2: a salt
          of lithium (as lithium carbonate) used in psychiatric
          medicine

   lithium carbonate
          [lithium carbonate] n (1873): a crystalline salt used in
          the glass and ceramic industries and in medicine in the
          treatment of manic-depressive psychosis

   lithium fluoride
          [lithium fluoride] n (1944): a crystalline salt used esp.
          in making prisms and ceramics and as a flux

   lithium niobate
          [lithium ni.o.bate] n [niobium + [1]-ate] (1966): a crystalline
          material whose physical properties change in response
          to pressure or the presence of an electric field and
          which is used in fiber optics and as a synthetic gemstone

   litho
          [litho] n, pl lith.os (ca. 1889) 1: lithograph 2: lithography
          1

   [1]lithograph
          [lith.o.graph] vt (1825): to produce, copy, or portray by
          lithography -- li.tho.gra.pher n [2]lithograph n (1828):
          a print made by lithography -- lith.o.graph.ic adj --
          lith.o.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   lithography
          [li.thog.ra.phy] n [G Lithographie, fr. lith- + -graphie
          -graphy] (1813) 1: the process of printing from a plane
          surface (as a smooth stone or metal plate) on which the
          image to be printed is ink-receptive and the blank area
          ink-repellent 2: the process of producing patterns on
          semiconductor crystals for use as integrated circuits

   lithology
          [li.thol.o.gy] n, pl -gies (1716) 1: the study of rocks 2:
          the character of a rock formation; also: a rock formation
          having a particular set of characteristics -- lith.o.log.ic
          or lith.o.log.i.cal adj -- lith.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   lithophane
          [lith.o.phane] n [prob. fr. G Lithophan, fr. Gk lithos +
          G diaphan diaphanous] (ca. 1889): porcelain impressed
          with figures that are made distinct by transmitted light;
          also: an object of this material

   lithophyte
          [lith.o.phyte] n [F, fr. lith- + -phyte] (1774): a plant
          that grows on rock

   lithopone
          [lith.o.pone] n [ISV lith- + Gk ponos work] (ca. 1884): a
          white pigment consisting essentially of zinc sulfide
          and barium sulfate

   lithosol
          [lith.o.sol] n [lith- + L solum soil] (ca. 1938): any of
          a group of shallow azonal soils consisting of imperfectly
          weathered rock fragments

   lithosphere
          [lith.o.sphere] n [ISV] (1887): the solid part of a celestial
          body (as the earth); specif: the outer part of the solid
          earth composed of rock essentially like that exposed
          at the surface and usu. considered to be about 50 miles
          (80 kilometers) in thickness -- lith.o.spher.ic adj

   lithotomy
          [li.thot.o.my] n, pl -mies [LL lithotomia, fr. Gk, fr. lithotomein
          to perform a lithotomy, fr. lith- + temnein to cut--more at tome]
          (1721): surgical incision of the urinary bladder for removal
          of a stone

   lithotripsy
          [lith.o.trip.sy] n, pl -sies [lith- + Gk tripsis a rubbing,
          fr. tribein to rub--more at throw] (1834): the breaking
          of a stone (as by shock waves or crushing with a surgical
          instrument) in the urinary system into pieces small enough
          to be voided or washed out

   lithotripter
          [lith.o.trip.ter] also lith.o.trip.tor n [alter. of lithontriptor,
          fr. lithontriptic breaking up bladder stones, modif.
          of Gk (pharmaka ton) lithon thryptika (drugs) capable
          of pulverizing stones] (1825): a device for performing lithotripsy;
          esp: a noninvasive device that pulverizes stones by focusing shock
          waves on a patient immersed in a water bath

   Lithuanian
          [Lith.u.a.nian] n (1607) 1: a native or inhabitant of Lithuania
          2: the Baltic language of the Lithuanian people -- Lithuanian
          adj

   litigant
          [lit.i.gant] n (1659): one engaged in a lawsuit -- litigant
          adj

   litigate
          [lit.i.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L litigatus, pp. of litigare,
          fr. lit-, lis lawsuit + agere to drive--more at agent]
          vi (1615): to carry on a legal contest by judicial process
          ~ vt 1 archaic: dispute 2: to contest in law -- lit.i.ga.ble
          adj -- lit.i.ga.tion n -- lit.i.ga.tor n

   litigious
          [li.ti.gious] adj [ME, fr. MF litigieux, fr. L litigiosus,
          fr. litigium dispute, fr. litigare] (14c) 1 a: disputatious,
          contentious b: prone to engage in lawsuits 2: subject
          to litigation 3: of, relating to, or marked by litigation
          -- li.ti.gious.ly adv -- li.ti.gious.ness n

   litmus
          [lit.mus] n [ME litmose, of Scand origin; akin to ON litmosi
          herbs used in dyeing, fr. litr color (akin to OE wlite
          brightness) + mosi moss; akin to OE mos moss] (14c) 1:
          a coloring matter from lichens that turns red in acid
          solutions and blue in alkaline solutions and is used
          as an acid-base indicator 2: the critical factor in a
          litmus test; also: litmus test

   litmus paper
          [litmus paper] n (1803): unsized paper colored with litmus
          and used as an indicator

   litmus test
          [litmus test] n (1952): a test in which a single factor (as
          an attitude, event, or fact) is decisive

   litotes
          [li.to.tes] n, pl litotes [Gk litotes, fr. litos simple,
          perh. fr. lit-, lis linen cloth] (1589): understatement
          in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative
          of the contrary (as in "not a bad singer" or "not unhappy")

   litre
          [li.tre] var of liter

   Litt B
          [Litt B] or Lit B [ML litterarum baccalaureus] abbreviation
          bachelor of letters, bachelor of literature

   Litt D
          [Litt D] or Lit D [ML litterarum doctor] abbreviation doctor
          of letters, doctor of literature

   litten
          [lit.ten] adj [alter. of lit, pp. of light] (ca. 1849) archaic:
          being lighted

   [1]litter
          [lit.ter] n [ME, fr. MF litiere, fr. lit bed, fr. L lectus--more
          at lie] (14c) 1 a: a covered and curtained couch provided
          with shafts and used for carrying a single passenger
          b: a device (as a stretcher) for carrying a sick or injured
          person 2 a (1): material used as bedding for animals
          (2): material used to absorb the urine and feces of animals
          b: the uppermost slightly decayed layer of organic matter
          on the forest floor 3: the offspring at one birth of
          a multiparous animal 4 a: trash, wastepaper, or garbage
          lying scattered about <trying to clean up the roadside
          ~> b: an untidy accumulation of objects <a shabby writing-desk
          covered with a ~ of yellowish dusty documents --Joseph
          Conrad> -- lit.tery adj [2]litter vt (14c) 1: bed 1a
          2: to give birth to a litter of (young) 3 a: to strew
          with scattered articles b: to scatter about in disorder
          c: to lie about in disorder <their upside-down hats ~ed
          the top of the bar --Michael Chabon> d: to mark with
          objects scattered at random <a book ~ed with misprints>
          ~ vi 1: to give birth to a litter 2: to strew litter

   litterae humaniores
          [lit.te.rae hu.ma.ni.o.res] n pl [ML, lit., more humane letters]
          (1747): humanities

   littera scripta manet
          [lit.tera scrip.ta ma.net] [L] foreign term : the written
          letter abides

   litterateur
          [lit.ter.a.teur] n [F litterateur, fr. L litterator critic,
          fr. litterae letters, literature] (1806): a literary
          person; esp: a professional writer

   litterbag
          [lit.ter.bag] n (1955): a bag used (as in an automobile)
          for temporary refuse disposal

   litterbug
          [lit.ter.bug] n (1947): one who litters a public area

   litterer
          [lit.ter.er] n (1928): litterbug

   littermate
          [lit.ter.mate] n (1921): one of the offspring in a litter
          in relation to the others

   [1]little
          [lit.tle] adj lit.tler or less or less.er ; lit.tlest or
          least [ME littel, fr. OE lytel; akin to OHG luzzil little]
          (bef. 12c) 1: not big: as a: small in size or extent:
          tiny <has ~ feet> b: young <was too ~ to remember> c
          of a plant or animal: small in comparison with related
          forms--used in vernacular names d: small in number e:
          small in condition, distinction, or scope <big business
          trampling on the ~ fellow> f: narrow, mean <the pettiness
          of ~ minds> g: pleasingly small <a cute ~ thing> h--used
          as an intensive <why, you ~ devil]> 2: not much: as a:
          existing only in a small amount or to a slight degree
          <has ~ money> b: short in duration: brief c: existing
          to an appreciable though not extensive degree or amount--used
          with a <had a ~ money in the bank> 3: small in importance
          or interest: trivial syn see small -- lit.tle.ness n
          [2]little adv less ; least (bef. 12c) 1 a: in only a
          small quantity or degree: slightly <facts that were ~
          known at the time> b: not at all <cared ~ for their neighbors>
          2: rarely, infrequently [3]little n (bef. 12c) 1: a small
          amount, quantity, or degree; also: practically nothing
          <~ has changed> 2 a: a short time b: a short distance
          -- a little : somewhat, rather <found the play a little
          dull> -- in little : on a small scale; esp: in miniature

   Little Bear
          [Little Bear] n: ursa minor

   little bitty
          [little bitty] adj (1905): small, tiny

   little bluestem
          [little bluestem] n (ca. 1898): a forage grass (Schizachyrium
          scoparium syn. Andropogon scoparius) of eastern and central
          No. America

   little brown bat
          [little brown bat] n (1842): a small widely distributed
          insectivorous No. American bat (Myotis lucifugus) with brown fur

   little by little
          [little by little] adv (15c): by small degrees or amounts:
          gradually

   Little Dipper
          [Little Dipper] n: the seven principal stars in Ursa Minor

   little finger
          [little finger] n (bef. 12c): the fourth and smallest finger
          of the hand counting the forefinger as the first

   little guy
          [little guy] n (1863): little man

   Little Hours
          [Little Hours] n pl (ca. 1872): the offices of prime, terce,
          sext, and none forming part of the canonical hours

   little leaf
          [little leaf] n (1916): a plant disorder characterized by
          small and often chlorotic and distorted foliage: as a:
          a zinc-deficiency disease of deciduous woody plants (as
          grape, peach, and pecan) b: a destructive disease of
          unknown cause that affects southern pines and esp. the
          shortleaf pine--called also little-leaf disease

   Little League
          [Little League] n (1952): a commercially sponsored baseball
          league for boys and girls from 8 to 12 years old -- Little
          Leaguer n

   little magazine
          [little magazine] n (1900): a literary usu. noncommercial
          magazine that features works esp. of writers who are
          not well-known

   little man
          [little man] n (1933): the ordinary individual

   littleneck
          [lit.tle.neck] n [Littleneck Bay, Long Island, N.Y.] (1883):
          a young quahog suitable to be eaten raw--called also
          littleneck clam

   Little Office
          [Little Office] n (ca. 1872): an office in honor of the Virgin
          Mary like but s horter than the Divine Office

   little people
          [little people] n pl (ca. 1731) 1: tiny imaginary beings
          (as fairies, elves, and leprechauns) of folklore 2: children
          3: midgets 4: common people

   little slam
          [little slam] n (ca. 1897): the winning of all tricks except
          one in bridge

   little theater
          [little theater] n (1812): a small theater for low-cost dramatic
          productions designed for a relatively limited audience

   little toe
          [little toe] n (bef. 12c): the outermost and smallest digit
          of the foot

   little woman
          [little woman] n (1795): wife

   [1]littoral
          [lit.to.ral] adj [L litoralis, fr. litor-, litus seashore]
          (ca. 1656): of, relating to, or situated or growing on
          or near a shore esp. of the sea [2]littoral n (1828):
          a coastal region; esp: the shore zone between high and
          low watermarks

   lit up
          [lit up] adj (ca. 1914): drunk 1a

   liturgical
          [li.tur.gi.cal] adj (1641) 1: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of liturgy 2: using or favoring the
          use of liturgy <~ churches> -- li.tur.gi.cal.ly adv

   liturgics
          [li.tur.gics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1855): the
          practice or study of formal public worship

   liturgiologist
          [li.tur.gi.ol.o.gist] n (1866): liturgist 2

   liturgiology
          [li.tur.gi.ol.o.gy] n (1863): liturgics

   liturgist
          [lit.ur.gist] n (1649) 1: one who adheres to, compiles, or
          leads a liturgy 2: a specialist in liturgics

   liturgy
          [lit.ur.gy] n, pl -gies [LL liturgia, fr. Gk leitourgia public
          service, fr. Gk (Attic) leiton public building (fr. Gk
          laos -- Attic leos -- people) + -ourgia -urgy] (1560)
          1 often cap: a eucharistic rite 2: a rite or body of
          rites prescribed for public worship 3: a customary repertoire
          of ideas, phrases, or observances

   livability
          [liv.abil.i.ty] also live.abil.i.ty n (1914) 1: survival
          expectancy: viability--used esp. of poultry and livestock
          2: suitability for human living

   livable
          [liv.able] also live.able adj (1814) 1: suitable for living
          in or with 2: endurable -- liv.able.ness n

   [1]live
          [live] vb lived ; liv.ing [ME, fr. OE libban; akin to OHG
          leben to live] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to be alive: have the
          life of an animal or plant 2: to continue alive 3: to
          maintain oneself: subsist 4: to occupy a home: dwell
          <living in a shabby room> <they had always lived in the
          country> 5: to attain eternal life <though he die, yet
          shall he ~ --Jn 11:25 (RSV)> 6: to conduct or pass one's
          life <lived only for his work> 7: to remain in human
          memory or record <the past ~s in us all --W. R. Inge>
          8: to have a life rich in experience 9: cohabit ~ vt
          1: to pass through or spend the duration of <lived their
          lives alone> 2: act out, practice--often used with out
          <to ~ out their fantasies> 3: to exhibit vigor, gusto,
          or enthusiasm in <lived life to the fullest> -- live
          it up : to live with gusto and usu. fast and loose <lived
          it up with wine and song --Newsweek> -- live up to :
          to act or be in accordance with <had no intention of
          living up to his promise> [2]live adj [short for alive]
          (1542) 1: having life: living 2: exerting force or containing
          energy: as a: afire, glowing <~ coals> b: connected to
          electric power c: charged with explosives and containing
          shot or a bullet <~ ammunition>; also: armed but not
          exploded <a ~ bomb> d: imparting or driven by power <a
          ~ axle> e: being in operation <a ~ microphone> 3: abounding
          with life: vivid 4: being in a pure native state 5: of
          bright vivid color 6: of continuing or current interest
          <~ issues> 7 a: not yet printed from or plated <~ type>
          b: not yet typeset <~ copy> 8 a: of or involving a presentation
          (as a play or concert) in which both the performers and
          an audience are physically present <a ~ record album>
          <a nightclub with ~ entertainment> b: broadcast directly
          at the time of production <a ~ radio program> 9: being
          in play <a ~ ball> [3]live adv (1946): at the actual
          time of occurrence: during, from, or at a live production
          <the programming originated ~ from New York City --Current
          Biog.>

   live-bearer
          [live-bear.er] n (1934): a fish that brings forth living
          young rather than eggs; esp: any of a family (Poeciliidae)
          of numerous small surface-feeding fishes

   live-box
          [live-box] n (1862): a box or pen suspended in water to keep
          aquatic animals alive

   -lived
          [-lived] adj comb form [ME, fr. lif life]: having a life
          of a specified kind or length <long-lived>

   lived-in
          [lived-in] adj (1873): of or suggesting long-term human habitation
          or use: comfortable

   live down
          [live down] vt (1842): to live so as to wipe out the memory
          or effects of <made a mistake and couldn't live it down>

   live-forever
          [live-for.ev.er] n (1597): sedum

   live-in
          [live-in] adj (1953) 1: living in one's place of employment
          <a ~ maid> 2: involving or involved with cohabitation
          <a ~ relationship> <a ~ partner> -- live-in n

   live in
          [live in] vi (1890): to live in one's place of employment:
          live in another's home

   livelihood
          [live.li.hood] n [alter. of ME livelode course of life, fr.
          OE liflad, fr. lif + lad course--more at lode] (15c)
          1: means of support or subsistence 2 obs: the quality
          or state of being lively

   live load
          [live load] n (1866): the load to which a structure is subjected
          in addition to its own weight

   livelong
          [live.long] adj [ME lef long, fr. lef dear + long--more at
          lief] (15c): whole, entire <the ~ day>

   lively
          [live.ly] adj live.li.er ; -est [ME, fr. OE liflic, fr. lif
          life] (bef. 12c) 1 obs: living 2: briskly alert and energetic:
          vigorous, animated <a ~ discussion> <~ children racing
          for home> 3: active, intense <takes a ~ interest in politics>
          4: brilliant, fresh <a ~ wit> 5: imparting spirit or
          vivacity: stimulating <many a peer of England brews livelier
          liquor than the Muse --A. E. Housman> 6: quick to rebound:
          resilient 7: responding readily to the helm <a ~ boat>
          8: full of life, movement, or incident <~ streets at
          carnival time> -- live.li.ly adv -- live.li.ness n --
          lively adv syn lively, animated, vivacious, sprightly,
          gay mean keenly alive and spirited. lively suggests briskness,
          alertness, or energy <a lively debate on the issues>.
          animated applies to what is spirited and active <an animated
          discussion of current events>. vivacious suggests an
          activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring
          <a vivacious party host>. sprightly suggests lightness
          and spirited vigor of manner or wit <a tuneful, sprightly
          musical>. gay stresses complete freedom from care and
          overflowing spirits <the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s>.

   liven
          [liv.en] vb liv.ened ; liv.en.ing vt (1884): enliven--often
          used with up <he ... ~ed up the editorial page --Current
          Biog.> ~ vi: to become lively

   live oak
          [live oak] n (1610): any of several American evergreen oaks:
          as a: a medium-sized oak (Quercus virginiana) of southeastern
          No. America often cultivated as a shelter and shade tree
          and noted for its extremely hard tough durable wood b:
          any of several oaks of the western U.S. with evergreen
          foliage and hard durable wood

   [1]liver
          [liv.er] n [ME, fr. OE lifer; akin to OHG lebra liver] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a large very vascular glandular organ of vertebrates
          that secretes bile and causes important changes in many
          of the substances contained in the blood (as by converting
          sugars into glycogen which it stores up until required
          and by forming urea) b: any of various large compound
          glands associated with the digestive tract of invertebrate
          animals and prob. concerned with the secretion of digestive
          enzymes 2 archaic: a determinant of the quality or temper
          of a man 3: the liver of an animal (as a calf or chicken)
          eaten as food 4: a grayish reddish brown--called also
          liver brown, liver maroon [2]liv.er n (14c) 1: one that
          lives esp. in a specified way <a fast ~> 2: resident

   -livered
          [-livered] adj comb form: expressing vigor or courage considered
          suggestive of one with (such) a liver <chicken-livered>
          <lily-livered>

   liver fluke
          [liver fluke] n (ca. 1798): any of various trematode worms
          (as Fasciola hepatica) that invade the mammalian liver

   liveried
          [liv.er.ied] adj (1634): wearing a livery <a ~ chauffeur>

   liverish
          [liv.er.ish] adj (1740) 1: resembling liver esp. in color
          2 a: suffering from liver disorder: bilious b: peevish,
          irascible -- liv.er.ish.ness n

   liver sausage
          [liver sausage] n (1855): a sausage containing cooked ground
          liver and pork trimmings--called also liver pudding

   liver spots
          [liver spots] n pl (ca. 1859): spots of dark pigmentation
          on the skin (as from exposure to sun) occurring esp.
          among older people

   liverwort
          [liv.er.wort] n (bef. 12c) 1: any of a class (Hepaticae)
          of bryophytic plants characterized by a thalloid gametophyte
          or sometimes an upright leafy gametophyte that resembles
          a moss 2: hepatica

   liverwurst
          [liv.er.wurst] n [part trans. of G Leberwurst, fr. Leber
          liver + Wurst sausage] (1869): liver sausage

   [1]livery
          [liv.ery] n, pl -er.ies [ME, fr. MF livree, lit., delivery,
          fr. livrer to deliver, fr. L liberare to free--more at
          liberate] (14c) 1 archaic: the apportioning of provisions
          esp. to servants: allowance 2 a: the distinctive clothing
          or badge formerly worn by the retainers of a person of
          rank b: a servant's uniform c: distinctive dress: garb
          d chiefly Brit: an identifying design (as on a vehicle)
          that designates ownership 3 archaic a: one's retainers
          or retinue b: the members of a British livery company
          4: the act of delivering legal possession of property
          5 a: the feeding, stabling, and care of horses for pay
          b: livery stable c: a concern offering vehicles (as boats)
          for rent [2]livery adj (1778) 1: resembling liver 2:
          suggesting liver disorder

   livery company
          [livery company] n (1766): any of various London craft or
          trade associations that are descended from medieval guilds

   liveryman
          [liv.ery.man] n (1682) 1: a freeman of the City of London
          entitled to wear the livery of the company to which he
          belongs 2 archaic: a liveried retainer 3: the keeper
          of a vehicle-rental service

   livery stable
          [livery stable] n (1705): a stable where horses and vehicles
          are kept for hire and where stabling is provided--called
          also livery barn

   lives
          [lives] pl of life

   live steam
          [live steam] n (ca. 1875): steam direct from a boiler and
          under full pressure

   livestock
          [live.stock] n (1742): animals kept or raised for use or
          pleasure; esp: farm animals kept for use and profit

   live trap
          [live trap] n (ca. 1875): a trap for catching an animal alive
          and uninjured

   livetrap
          [live.trap] vt (1944): to capture (an animal) in a live trap

   live wire
          [live wire] n (1903): an alert, active, or aggressive person

   livid
          [liv.id] adj [F livide, fr. L lividus, fr. livere to be blue;
          akin to W lliw color and prob. to Russ sliva plum] (1622)
          1: discolored by bruising: black-and-blue <the ~ traces
          of the sharp scourges --Abraham Cowley> 2: ashen, pallid
          <this cross, thy ~ face, thy pierced hands and feet --Walt
          Whitman> 3: reddish <a fan of gladiolas blushed ~ under
          the electric letters --Truman Capote> 4: very angry:
          enraged <was ~ at his son's disobedience> -- li.vid.i.ty
          n -- liv.id.ness n

   [1]living
          [liv.ing] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: having life b: active, functioning
          <~ languages> 2 a: exhibiting the life or motion of nature:
          natural <the wilderness is a ~ museum ... of natural
          history --NEA Jour.> b: [2]live 2a 3 a: full of life
          or vigor b: true to life: vivid <televised in ~ color>
          c: suited for living <the ~ area> 4: involving living
          persons 5: very--used as an intensive <scared the ~ daylights
          out of me> -- liv.ing.ness n [2]living n (14c) 1: the
          condition of being alive 2 a: means of subsistence: livelihood
          <earning a ~> b archaic: estate, property c Brit: benefice
          1 3: conduct or manner of life <the collegiate way of
          ~ --J. B. Conant>

   living death
          [living death] n (1671): life emptied of joys and satisfactions

   living fossil
          [living fossil] n (1922): an organism (as a horseshoe crab
          or a ginkgo tree) that has remained essentially unchanged
          from earlier geologic times and whose close relatives
          are usu. extinct

   livingly
          [liv.ing.ly] adv (15c): in a vital manner: realistically

   living room
          [living room] n (1857) 1: a room in a residence used for
          the common social activities of the occupants 2: lebensraum--called
          also living space

   living standard
          [living standard] n (1944): standard of living

   living unit
          [living unit] n (ca. 1937): an apartment or house for use
          by one family

   living wage
          [living wage] n (1888) 1: a subsistence wage 2: a wage sufficient
          to provide the necessities and comforts essential to
          an acceptable standard of living

   living will
          [living will] n (1972): a document in which the signer requests
          to be allowed to die rather than be kept alive by artificial
          means if disabled beyond a reasonable expectation of
          recovery

   livre
          [liv.re] n [F, fr. L libra, a unit of weight] (1553) 1: an
          old French monetary unit equal to 20 sols 2: a coin representing
          one livre 3: the pound of Lebanon

   lixiviate
          [lix.iv.i.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L lixivium lye, fr. lixivius
          made of lye, fr. lixa lye--more at liquid] (1758): to
          extract a soluble constituent from (a solid mixture)
          by washing or percolation -- lix.iv.i.a.tion n

   lizard
          [liz.ard] n [ME liserd, fr. MF laisarde, fr. L lacerta] (14c)
          1: any of a suborder (Lacertilia) of reptiles distinguished
          from the snakes by a fused inseparable lower jaw, a single
          temporal opening, two pairs of well differentiated functional
          limbs which may be lacking in burrowing forms, external
          ears, and eyes with movable lids; broadly: any relatively
          long-bodied reptile (as a crocodile or dinosaur) with
          legs and tapering tail 2: leather made from lizard skin

   lizard's tail
          [lizard's tail] n (ca. 1753): a perennial herb (Saururus
          cernuus of the family Saururaceae) of No. American wetlands
          having spikes of tiny white flowers

   lk...
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   Lk
          [Lk] abbreviation Luke

   ll...
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   ll
          [ll] abbreviation lines  LL abbreviation lending library,
          limited liability, lower left

   llama
          [lla.ma] n [Sp, fr. Quechua] (1600): any of a genus (Lama)
          of wild or domesticated So. American ruminants related
          to the camels but smaller and without a hump; esp: the
          domesticated guanaco used esp. in the Andes as a pack
          animal and a source of wool

   llano
          [lla.no] n, pl llanos [Sp, plain, fr. L planum--more at plain]
          (1604): an open grassy plain in Spanish America or the
          southwestern U.S.

   LLB
          [LLB] [NL legum baccalaureus] abbreviation bachelor of laws

   LLD
          [LLD] [NL legum doctor] abbreviation doctor of laws

   LLM
          [LLM] [NL legum magister] abbreviation master of laws

   lm...
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   lm
          [lm] abbreviation lumen  LM abbreviation Legion of Merit,
          long meter, lunar module

   LMG
          [LMG] abbreviation light machine gun

   LMT
          [LMT] abbreviation local mean time

   ln...
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   ln
          [ln] abbreviation lane, natural logarithm

   lndg
          [lndg] abbreviation landing

   LNG
          [LNG] abbreviation liquefied natural gas

   lo...
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   lo
          [lo] interj [ME, fr. OE la] (bef. 12c)--used to call attention
          or to express wonder or surprise <~ these many years>

   LOA
          [LOA] abbreviation length overall

   loach
          [loach] n [ME loche, fr. MF] (14c): any of a family (Cobitidae)
          of small Old World freshwater fishes related to the carps

   [1]load
          [load] n [ME lod, fr. OE lad support, carrying--more at lode]
          (12c) 1 a: the quantity that can be carried at one time
          by a specified means; esp: a measured quantity of a commodity
          fixed for each type of carrier--often used in combination
          <a boatload of tourists> b: whatever is put on a person
          or pack animal to be carried: pack c: whatever is put
          in a ship or vehicle or airplane for conveyance: cargo;
          esp: a quantity of material assembled or packed as a
          shipping unit 2 a: a mass or weight supported by something
          <branches bent low by their ~ of fruit> b: the forces
          to which a structure is subjected due to superposed weight
          or to wind pressure on the vertical surfaces; broadly:
          the forces to which a given object is subjected 3 a:
          something that weighs down the mind or spirits <took
          a ~ off her mind> b: a burdensome or laborious responsibility
          <always carried his share of the ~> 4 slang: an intoxicating
          amount of liquor drunk 5: a large quantity: lot--usu.
          used in pl. 6 a: a charge for a firearm b: the quantity
          of material loaded into a device at one time 7: external
          resistance overcome by a machine or prime mover 8 a:
          power output (as of a power plant) or power consumption
          (as by a device) b: a device to which power is delivered
          9 a (1): the amount of work that a person carries or
          is expected to carry (2): the amount of authorized work
          to be performed by a machine, a group, a department,
          or a factory b: the demand on the operating resources
          of a system (as a telephone exchange or a refrigerating
          apparatus) 10 slang: eyeful--used in the phrase get a
          load of 11: an amount added (as to the price of a security
          or the net premium in insurance) to represent selling
          expense and profit to the distributor 12: the decrease
          in capacity for survival of the average individual in
          a population due to the presence of deleterious genes
          in the gene pool <the mutational ~ is the genetic ~ caused
          by mutation> [2]load vt (15c) 1 a: to put a load in or
          on <~ a truck> b: to place in or on a means of conveyance
          <~ freight> 2 a: to encumber or oppress with something
          heavy, laborious, or disheartening: burden <a company
          ~ed down with debts> b: to place as a burden or obligation
          <~ more work on him> 3 a: to increase the weight of by
          adding something heavy b: to add a conditioning substance
          (as a mineral salt) to for body c: to weight or shape
          (dice) to fall unfairly d: to pack with one-sided or
          prejudicial influences: bias e: to charge with multiple
          meanings (as emotional associations or hidden implications)
          f: to weight (as a test) with factors influencing validity
          or outcome 4 a: to supply in abundance or excess: heap,
          pack b: to put runners on (first, second, and third bases)
          in baseball 5 a: to put a load or charge in (a device
          or piece of equipment) <~ a gun> b: to place or insert
          esp. as a load in a device or piece of equipment <~ film
          in a camera> <~ a program into a computer> 6: to alter
          (as an alcoholic drink) by adding an adulterant or drug
          7 a: to add a load to (an insurance premium) b: to add
          a sum to after profits and expenses are accounted for
          <~ed prices> ~ vi 1: to receive a load 2: to put a load
          on or in a carrier, device, or container; esp: to insert
          the charge or cartridge in the chamber of a firearm 3:
          to go or go in as a load <sightseers ~ing onto a bus>
          -- load.er n

   loaded
          [load.ed] adj (1886) 1 slang: high 12b 2: having a large
          amount of money

   load factor
          [load factor] n (1943): the percentage of available seats
          paid for and occupied in an aircraft

   loading
          [load.ing] n (15c) 1: a cargo, weight, or stress placed on
          something 2: load 11 3: material used to load something:
          filler

   load line
          [load line] n (ca. 1859): the line on a ship indicating the
          depth to which it sinks in the water when properly loaded--see
          plimsoll mark illustration

   loadmaster
          [load.mas.ter] n (1961): a crew member of a transport aircraft
          who is in charge of the cargo

   loadstar
          [load.star] var of lodestar

   loadstone
          [load.stone] var of lodestone

   [1]loaf
          [loaf] n, pl loaves [ME lof, fr. OE hlaf; akin to OHG hleib
          loaf] (bef. 12c) 1: a shaped or molded mass of bread
          2: a shaped or molded often symmetrical mass of food
          3 slang Brit: head, mind [2]loaf vi [prob. back-formation
          fr. loafer] (1835): to spend time in idleness

   loafer
          [loaf.er] n [perh. short for landloafer, fr. G Landlaufer
          tramp, fr. Land + Laufer runner] (1830): one that loafs:
          idler Loafer trademark--used for a low step-in shoe

   loam
          [loam] n [ME lom, fr. OE lam clay, mud; akin to OE lim lime]
          (12c) 1 a: a mixture (as for plastering) composed chiefly
          of moistened clay b: a coarse molding sand used in founding
          2: soil; specif: a soil consisting of a friable mixture
          of varying proportions of clay, silt, and sand -- loamy
          adj

   [1]loan
          [loan] n [ME lon, fr. ON lan; akin to OE laen loan, leon
          to lend, L linquere to leave, Gk leipein] (12c) 1 a:
          money lent at interest b: something lent usu. for the
          borrower's temporary use 2 a: the grant of temporary
          use b: the temporary duty of a person transferred to
          another job for a limited time 3: loanword [2]loan vt
          (13c): lend -- loan.able adj usage The verb loan is one
          of the words English settlers brought to America and
          continued to use after it had died out in Britain. Its
          use was soon noticed by British visitors and somewhat
          later by the New England literati, who considered it
          a bit provincial. It was flatly declared wrong in 1870
          by a popular commentator, who based his objection on
          etymology. A later scholar showed that the commentator
          was ignorant of Old English and thus unsound in his objection,
          but by then it was too late, as the condemnation had
          been picked up by many other commentators. Although a
          surprising number of critics still voice objections,
          loan is entirely standard as a verb. You should note
          that it is used only literally; lend is the verb used
          for figurative expressions, such as "lending a hand"
          or "lending enchantment."

   lo and behold
          [lo and behold] interj (1808)--used to express wonder or
          surprise

   loaner
          [loan.er] n (1926): one (as a car or a watch) that is lent
          esp. as a replacement for something being repaired

   loaning
          [loan.ing] n [ME loning, fr. lone, alter. of lane] (14c)
          1 dial Brit: lane 2 dial Brit: a milking yard

   loan shark
          [loan shark] n (1905): one who lends money to individuals
          at exorbitant rates of interest

   loan-sharking
          [loan-shark.ing] n (1914): the practice of lending money
          at exorbitant rates of interest

   loan translation
          [loan translation] n (ca. 1933): a compound, derivative,
          or phrase that is introduced into a language through
          translation of the constituents of a term in another
          language (as superman from German Ubermensch)

   loanword
          [loan.word] n (1874): a word taken from another language
          and at least partly naturalized

   loath
          [loath] also loathe adj [ME loth loathsome, fr. OE lath;
          akin to OHG leid loathsome, OIr lius loathing] (12c):
          unwilling to do something contrary to one's ways of thinking:
          reluctant syn see disinclined -- loath.ness n

   loathe
          [loathe] vt loathed ; loath.ing [ME lothen, fr. OE lathian
          to dislike, be hateful, fr. lath] (12c): to dislike greatly
          and often with disgust or intolerance: detest syn see
          hate -- loath.er n

   loathing
          [loathing] n (14c): extreme disgust: detestation

   [1]loathly
          [loath.ly] adj (bef. 12c): loathsome, repulsive [2]loath.ly
          adv (15c): not willingly: reluctantly

   loathsome
          [loath.some] adj [ME lothsum, fr. loth evil, fr. OE lath,
          fr. lath, adj.] (14c): giving rise to loathing: disgusting
          -- loath.some.ly adv -- loath.some.ness n

   lob-
          [lob-] or lobo- comb form [lobe]: lobe <lobar> <lobotomy>

   [1]lob
          [lob] n [prob. of LG origin; akin to LG lubbe coarse person]
          (1508) dial Brit: a dull heavy person: lout [2]lob vb
          lobbed ; lob.bing [lob a loosely hanging object] vt (1599)
          1: to let hang heavily: droop 2: to throw, hit, or propel
          easily or in a high arc ~ vi 1 a: to move slowly and
          heavily b: to move in an arc 2: to hit a tennis ball
          easily in a high arc [3]lob n (1851): a soft high-arching
          shot, throw, or kick

   lobar
          [lo.bar] adj (ca. 1856): of or relating to a lobe

   lobate
          [lo.bate] also lo.bat.ed adj [NL lobatus, fr. LL lobus] (ca.
          1760) 1: lobed 2: resembling a lobe -- lo.ba.tion n

   [1]lobby
          [lob.by] n, pl lobbies [ML lobium gallery, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG louba porch] (1593) 1: a corridor or hall
          connected with a larger room or series of rooms and used
          as a passageway or waiting room: as a: an anteroom of
          a legislative chamber; esp: one of two anterooms of a
          British parliamentary chamber to which members go to
          vote during a division b: a large hall serving as a foyer
          (as of a hotel or theater) 2: a group of persons engaged
          in lobbying esp. as representatives of a particular interest
          group [2]lobby vb lob.bied ; lob.by.ing vi (1837): to
          conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials
          and esp. members of a legislative body on legislation
          ~ vt 1: to promote (as a project) or secure the passage
          of (as legislation) by influencing public officials 2:
          to attempt to influence or sway (as a public official)
          toward a desired action -- lob.by.er n -- lob.by.ism
          n -- lob.by.ist n

   lobbygow
          [lob.by.gow] n [origin unknown] (1906): an errand boy

   lobe
          [lobe] n [MF, fr. LL lobus, fr. Gk lobos] (1541): a curved
          or rounded projection or division; specif: a usu. somewhat
          rounded projection or division of a bodily organ or part

   lobectomy
          [lo.bec.to.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (ca. 1911): surgical removal
          of a lobe of an organ (as a lung) or gland (as the thyroid)

   lobed
          [lobed] adj (1787): having lobes <palmately ~ leaves>

   lobe-fin
          [lobe-fin] n (1941): crossopterygian -- lobe-finned adj

   lobelia
          [lo.be.lia] n [NL, fr. Matthias de Lobel d. 1616 Flem. botanist]
          (1739) 1: any of a genus (Lobelia of the family Lobeliaceae,
          the lobelia family) of widely cultivated plants having
          terminal clusters of showy lipped flowers 2: the leaves
          and tops of Indian tobacco

   lobeline
          [lo.be.line] n [NL Lobelia + E [2]-ine] (1852): a crystalline
          alkaloid that is obtained from Indian tobacco and is
          used chiefly as a respiratory stimulant and as a smoking
          deterrent

   loblolly
          [lob.lol.ly] n, pl -lies [prob. fr. E dial. lob to boil +
          obs. E dial. lolly broth] (1597) 1 dial a: a thick gruel
          b: mire, mudhole 2 dial: lout 3: loblolly pine

   loblolly pine
          [loblolly pine] n (1760): a pine (Pinus taeda) of the southeastern
          U.S. with flaky bark, long needles in groups of three, and cones
          having spine-tipped scales; also: its coarse-grained wood

   lobo
          [lo.bo] n, pl lobos [Sp, wolf, fr. L lupus--more at wolf]
          (1839): gray wolf

   lobotomise
          [lo.bot.o.mise] Brit var of lobotomize

   lobotomize
          [lo.bot.o.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1943) 1: to perform
          a lobotomy on 2: to deprive of sensitivity, intelligence,
          or vitality <fear of prosecution was causing the press
          to ~ itself --Tony Eprile>

   lobotomy
          [lo.bot.o.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (1936): surgical severance
          of nerve fibers connecting the frontal lobes to the thalamus
          for the relief of some mental disorders

   lobscouse
          [lob.scouse] n [origin unknown] (1706): a sailor's dish of
          stewed or baked meat with vegetables and hardtack

   lobster
          [lob.ster] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE loppestre, fr. loppe
          spider] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a family (Nephropidae and
          esp. Homarus americanus) of large edible marine decapod
          crustaceans that have stalked eyes, a pair of large claws,
          and a long abdomen and that include species from coasts
          on both sides of the No. Atlantic and from the Cape of
          Good Hope 2: spiny lobster -- lob.ster.like adj

   lobstering
          [lob.ster.ing] n (1881): the activity or business of catching
          lobsters

   lobsterman
          [lob.ster.man] n (1881): one whose business is lobstering

   lobster pot
          [lobster pot] n (1764): an oblong case with slat sides and
          a funnel-shaped net used to trap lobsters--called also
          lobster trap

   lobster shift
          [lobster shift] n (ca. 1933): a work shift (as on a newspaper)
          that covers the late evening and early morning hours--called
          also lobster trick

   lobster thermidor
          [lobster ther.mi.dor] n [thermidor, fr. F, fr. Thermidor,
          drama (1891) by Victorien Sardou] (1930): cooked lobster
          meat in a rich wine sauce stuffed into a lobster shell
          and browned

   lobular
          [lob.u.lar] adj (1826): of, relating to, affecting, or resembling
          a lobule

   lobulated
          [lob.u.lat.ed] also lob.u.late adj (1783): made up of or
          having lobules <the pancreas is a ~ organ> -- lob.u.la.tion
          n

   lobule
          [lob.ule] n (1682): a small lobe; also: a subdivision of
          a lobe

   [1]local
          [lo.cal] adj [ME localle, fr. MF local, fr. LL localis, fr.
          L locus place--more at stall] (15c) 1: characterized
          by or relating to position in space: having a definite
          spatial form or location 2 a: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a particular place: not general or widespread b: of,
          relating to, or applicable to part of a whole 3 a: primarily
          serving the needs of a particular limited district b
          of a public conveyance: making all the stops on a route
          4: involving or affecting only a restricted part of the
          organism: topical 5: of or relating to telephone communication
          within a specified area [2]local n (ca. 1824): a local
          person or thing: as a: a local public conveyance (as
          a train or an elevator) b: a local or particular branch,
          lodge, or chapter of an organization (as a labor union)
          c Brit: a nearby or neighborhood pub

   local area network
          [local area network] n (1981): a network of personal computers
          in a small area (as an office) that are linked by cable,
          can communicate directly with other devices in the network,
          and can share resources

   local color
          [local color] n (1884): the presentation of the features
          and peculiarities of a particular locality and its inhabitants
          in writing

   locale
          [lo.cale] n [modif. of F local, fr. local, adj.] (1772) 1:
          a place or locality esp. when viewed in relation to a
          particular event or characteristic 2: site, scene <the
          ~ of a story>

   local government
          [local government] n (1844): the government of a specific
          local area constituting a subdivision of a major political
          unit (as a nation or state); also: the body of persons
          constituting such a government

   localise
          [lo.cal.ise] Brit var of localize

   localism
          [lo.cal.ism] n (1823) 1 a: a local idiom b: a local peculiarity
          of speaking or acting 2: affection or partiality for
          a particular place: sectionalism

   localite
          [lo.cal.ite] n (1951): a native or resident of the locality
          under consideration: local

   locality
          [lo.cal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1628) 1: the fact or condition
          of having a location in space or time 2: a particular
          place, situation, or location

   localize
          [lo.cal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1792) 1: to make local:
          orient locally 2: to assign to or keep within a definite
          locality ~ vi: to accumulate in or be restricted to a
          specific or limited area <an infection that ~s in the
          ear> -- lo.cal.iz.abil.i.ty n -- lo.cal.iz.able adj --
          lo.cal.i.za.tion n

   locally
          [lo.cal.ly] adv (15c) 1: with respect to a particular place
          or situation 2: nearby 3: in the region of origin

   local option
          [local option] n (1878): the power granted by a legislature
          to a political subdivision to determine by popular vote
          the local applicability of a law on a controversial issue
          (as the sale of liquor)

   local time
          [local time] n (1833): time based on the meridian through
          a particular place as contrasted with that of a time
          zone

   locate
          [lo.cate] vb lo.cat.ed ; lo.cat.ing [L locatus, pp. of locare
          to place, fr. locus] vi (1652): to establish oneself
          or one's business: settle ~ vt 1: to determine or indicate
          the place, site, or limits of 2: to set or establish
          in a particular spot: station 3: to seek out and determine
          the location of 4: to find or fix the place of esp. in
          a sequence: classify -- lo.cat.able adj

   location
          [lo.ca.tion] n (1597) 1 a: a position or site occupied or
          available for occupancy or marked by some distinguishing
          feature: situation b (1): a tract of land designated
          for a purpose (2) Austral: farm, station c: a place outside
          a motion-picture studio where a picture or part of it
          is filmed--usu. used in the phrase on location 2: the
          act or process of locating -- lo.ca.tion.al adj -- lo.ca.tion.al.ly
          adv

   [1]locative
          [loc.a.tive] n [L locus + E -ative (as in vocative)] (1804):
          the locative case; also: a word in that case [2]locative
          adj (1841): of or being a grammatical case that denotes
          place or the place where or wherein

   locator
          [lo.ca.tor] also lo.cat.er n (1784): one that locates something
          (as a mining claim or the course of a road)

   loc cit
          [loc cit] [L loco citato] abbreviation in the place cited

   loch
          [loch] n [ME (Sc) louch, fr. ScGael loch; akin to L lacus
          lake--more at lake] (14c) 1 Scot: lake 2 Scot: a bay
          or arm of the sea esp. when nearly landlocked

   lochan
          [loch.an] n [ScGael, dim. of loch] (1670) Scot: a small lake

   loci
          [loci] pl of locus

   [1]lock
          [lock] n [ME lok, fr. OE locc; akin to OHG loc lock, Gk lygos
          withe, L luxus dislocated] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a tuft, tress,
          or ringlet of hair b pl: the hair of the head 2: a cohering
          bunch (as of wool, cotton, or flax): tuft [2]lock n [ME
          lok, fr. OE loc; akin to OHG loh enclosure and perh.
          to OE locc lock of hair] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a fastening
          (as for a door) operated by a key or a combination b:
          the mechanism for exploding the charge or cartridge of
          a firearm 2 a: an enclosure (as in a canal) with gates
          at each end used in raising or lowering boats as they
          pass from level to level b: air lock 3 a: a locking or
          fastening together b: an intricate mass of objects impeding
          each other (as in a traffic jam) c: a hold in wrestling
          secured on one part of the body; broadly: a controlling
          hold <his paper ... had a ~ on a large part of the state
          --John Corry> 4: one that is assured of success or favorable
          outcome [3]lock vt (14c) 1 a: to fasten the lock of b:
          to make fast with or as if with a lock <~ up the house>
          2 a: to fasten in or out or to make secure or inaccessible
          by or as if by means of locks <~ed himself away from
          the curious world> <~ed her husband out> b: to fix in
          a particular situation or method of operation <a team
          firmly ~ed in last place> 3 a: to make fast, motionless,
          or inflexible esp. by the interlacing or interlocking
          of parts <~ wheels> <~ a knee> b: to hold in a close
          embrace c: to grapple in combat; also: to bind closely
          <administration and students were ~ed in conflict> 4:
          to invest (capital) without assurance of easy convertibility
          into money 5: to move or permit to pass (as a ship) by
          raising or lowering in a lock ~ vi 1 a: to become locked
          b: to be capable of being locked 2: interlace, interlock
          3: to go or pass by means of a lock (as in a canal) --
          lock.able adj -- lock horns : to come into conflict --
          lock on also lock onto : to sight and follow (a target)
          automatically using a sensor (as radar)

   lockbox
          [lock.box] n (1872): a box (as a post-office box, strongbox,
          or safe-deposit box) that locks

   lockdown
          [lock.down] n (1977): the confinement of prisoners to their
          cells for all or most of the day as a temporary security
          measure

   locked-in
          [locked-in] adj (1952) 1: not subject to adjustment: fixed
          <~ interest rates> 2: unable or unwilling to shift invested
          funds because of the tax effect of realizing capital
          gains

   locker
          [lock.er] n (14c) 1 a: a drawer, cupboard, or compartment
          that may be closed with a lock; esp: one for individual
          storage use b: a chest or compartment on shipboard for
          compact stowage of articles c: a refrigerated compartment
          or room for the storage of fresh or frozen foods <a meat
          ~> 2: one that locks

   locker-room
          [lock.er-room] adj (1946): of, relating to, or suitable for
          use in a locker room; esp: of an earthy or sexual nature
          <~ talk>

   locker room
          [locker room] n (ca. 1896): a room for changing clothes and
          for storing clothing and equipment in lockers; esp: one
          for use by sports players

   locket
          [lock.et] n [MF loquet latch, fr. MD loke; akin to OE loc]
          (1679): a small case usu. of precious metal that has
          space for a memento and that is worn typically suspended
          from a chain or necklace

   lockjaw
          [lock.jaw] n (1803): an early symptom of tetanus characterized
          by spasm of the jaw muscles and inability to open the
          jaws; also: tetanus

   lockkeeper
          [lock.keep.er] n (1794): a person in charge of a lock (as
          on a canal)

   locknut
          [lock.nut] n (ca. 1864) 1: a nut screwed down hard on another
          to prevent it from slacking back 2: a nut so constructed
          that it locks itself when screwed tight against another
          part

   lockout
          [lock.out] n (1854): the withholding of employment by an
          employer and the whole or partial closing of his business
          establishment in order to gain concessions from or resist
          demands of employees

   lock out
          [lock out] vt (1868): to subject (a body of employees) to
          a lockout

   lockram
          [lock.ram] n [ME lokerham, fr. Locronan, town in Brittany]
          (14c): a coarse plain-woven linen formerly used in England

   locksmith
          [lock.smith] n (13c): a person who makes or repairs locks

   locksmithing
          [lock.smith.ing] n (ca. 1909): the work or business of a
          locksmith

   lockstep
          [lock.step] n (ca. 1802) 1: a mode of marching in step by
          a body of men going one after another as closely as possible
          2: a standard method or procedure that is mindlessly
          adhered to or that minimizes individuality -- lockstep
          adj -- in lockstep : in perfect or rigid often mindless
          conformity or unison <politicians marching in lockstep
          with the party line>

   lockstitch
          [lock.stitch] n (ca. 1859): a sewing machine stitch formed
          by the looping together of two threads one on each side
          of the material being sewn -- lockstitch vb

   lock, stock, and barrel
          [lock, stock, and barrel] adv [fr. the principal parts of
          a flintlock] (1842): wholly, completely <the only thing
          which had not been sold lock, stock, and barrel with
          the ... house was this piano --Marcia Davenport>

   lockup
          [lock.up] n (1839) 1: jail; esp: a local jail where persons
          are detained prior to court hearing 2: an act of locking:
          the state of being locked

   [1]loco
          [lo.co] adv or adj [It dial., there, fr. L in loco in the
          place] (ca. 1801): in the register as written--used as
          a direction in music [2]loco n, pl locos or locoes [MexSp,
          fr. Sp, crazy] (1844) 1: locoweed 2: locoism [3]loco
          vt (1884) 1: to poison with locoweed 2: to make frenzied
          or crazy [4]loco adj [Sp] (1887) slang: mentally disordered:
          crazy, frenzied

   Locofoco
          [Lo.co.fo.co] n, pl -focos [locofoco, a kind of friction
          match, prob. fr. [1]locomotive + It fuoco, foco fire,
          fr. L focus hearth] (1835) 1: a member of a radical group
          of New York Democrats organized in 1835 in opposition
          to the regular party organization 2: democrat 2

   locoism
          [lo.co.ism] n (1900): a disease of horses, cattle, and sheep
          caused by chronic poisoning with locoweeds

   locomote
          [lo.co.mote] vi -mot.ed ; -mot.ing [back-formation fr. locomotion]
          (1834): to move about

   locomotion
          [lo.co.mo.tion] n [L locus + E motion] (1646) 1: an act or
          the power of moving from place to place 2: travel <interest
          in free ~ and choice of occupation --Zechariah Chafee
          Jr.>

   [1]locomotive
          [lo.co.mo.tive] adj (1612) 1: locomotory 2: of or relating
          to travel 3: of, relating to, or being a machine that
          moves about by operation of its own mechanism [2]locomotive
          n (1829) 1: a self-propelled vehicle that runs on rails
          and is used for moving railroad cars 2: a school or college
          cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive
          increase in speed

   locomotor
          [lo.co.mo.tor] adj (1870) 1: of, relating to, or functioning
          in locomotion 2: affecting or involving the locomotor
          organs

   locomotor ataxia
          [locomotor ataxia] n (1878): tabes dorsalis

   locomotory
          [lo.co.mo.to.ry] adj (ca. 1836) 1: locomotor <~ appendages>
          2: capable of moving independently from place to place
          <~ animals>

   locoweed
          [lo.co.weed] n (1879): any of several leguminous plants (genera
          Astragalus and Oxytropis) of western No. America that
          cause locoism in livestock

   locular
          [loc.u.lar] adj (1784): having or composed of loculi--often
          used in combination <unilocular>

   locule
          [loc.ule] n [F, fr. L loculus] (ca. 1888): loculus; esp:
          any of the cells of a compound ovary of a plant -- loc.uled
          adj

   loculicidal
          [loc.u.li.ci.dal] adj [NL loculus + L -cidere to cut, fr.
          caedere] (ca. 1819): dehiscing longitudinally so as to
          bisect each loculus <~ fruit>

   loculus
          [loc.u.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. L, dim. of locus] (1858):
          a small chamber or cavity esp. in a plant or animal body

   locum
          [lo.cum] n (1901) chiefly Brit: locum tenens

   locum tenens
          [locum te.nens] n, pl locum te.nen.tes [ML, lit., (one) holding
          a place] (1641): one filling an office for a time or
          temporarily taking the place of another--used esp. of
          a doctor or clergyman

   locus
          [lo.cus] n, pl lo.ci [L--more at stall] (1715) 1 a: the place
          where something is situated or occurs: site, location
          <was the culture of medicine in the beginning dispersed
          from a single focus or did it arise in several loci?
          --S. C. Harvey> b: a center of activity, attention, or
          concentration <in democracy the ~ of power is in the
          people --H. G. Rickover> 2: the set of all points whose
          location is determined by stated conditions 3: the position
          in a chromosome of a particular gene or allele

   locus classicus
          [locus clas.si.cus] n, pl loci clas.si.ci [NL] (1853) 1:
          a passage that has become a standard for the elucidation
          of a word or subject 2: a classic case or example

   locus coeruleus
          [locus coe.ru.le.us] also locus ce.ru.le.us n [NL, lit.,
          dark blue place] (ca. 1889): a blue area of the brain
          stem with many norepinephrine-containing neurons

   locus in quo
          [lo.cus in quo] [L] foreign term : place in which

   locust
          [lo.cust] n [ME, fr. L locusta] (14c) 1: short-horned grasshopper;
          esp: a migratory grasshopper often traveling in vast swarms and
          stripping the areas passed of all vegetation 2: cicada 3 a: any
          of various leguminous trees: as (1): carob 1 (2): black locust (3):
          honey locust b: the wood of a locust tree

   locust bean
          [locust bean] n (1847): carob

   locution
          [lo.cu.tion] n [ME locucioun, fr. L locution-, locutio, fr.
          loqui to speak] (15c) 1: a particular form of expression
          or a peculiarity of phrasing; esp: a word or expression
          characteristic of a region, group, or cultural level
          2: style of discourse: phraseology

   lode
          [lode] n [ME, fr. OE lad course, support; akin to OE lithan
          to go--more at lead] (bef. 12c) 1 dial Eng: waterway
          2: an ore deposit 3: something that resembles a lode:
          an abundant store

   loden
          [lo.den] n [G, fr. OHG lodo coarse cloth; akin to OE lotha
          mantle] (1911) 1: a thick woolen cloth used for outer
          clothing 2: a variable color averaging a dull grayish
          green

   lodestar
          [lode.star] n [ME lode sterre, fr. lode course, fr. OE lad]
          (14c) 1 archaic: a star that leads or guides; esp: north
          star 2: one that serves as an inspiration, model, or
          guide

   lodestone
          [lode.stone] n [obs. lode course, fr. ME] (ca. 1515) 1: magnetite
          possessing polarity 2: something that strongly attracts

   [1]lodge
          [lodge] vb lodged ; lodg.ing vt (13c) 1 a (1): to provide
          temporary quarters for (2): to rent lodgings to b: to
          establish or settle in a place 2: to serve as a receptacle
          for: contain 3: to beat (as a crop) flat to the ground
          4: to bring to an intended or a fixed position (as by
          throwing or thrusting) 5: to deposit for safeguard or
          preservation 6: to place or vest esp. in a source, means,
          or agent 7: to lay (as a complaint) before a proper authority:
          file ~ vi 1 a: to occupy a place temporarily: sleep b
          (1): to have a residence: dwell (2): to be a lodger 2:
          to come to a rest 3: to fall or lie down--used esp. of
          hay or grain crops [2]lodge n [ME loge, fr. OF, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG louba porch] (13c) 1 chiefly dial:
          a rude shelter or abode 2 a: a house set apart for residence
          in a particular season (as the hunting season) b: a resort
          hotel: inn 3 a: a house on an estate orig. for the use
          of a gamekeeper, caretaker, or porter b: a shelter for
          an employee (as a gatekeeper) 4: a den or lair esp. of
          gregarious animals 5 a: the meeting place of a branch
          of an organization and esp. a fraternal organization
          b: the body of members of such a branch 6 a: wigwam b:
          a family of No. American Indians

   lodgepole pine
          [lodge.pole pine] n (1859): either of two pines of western
          No. America with needles in pairs and short ovoid usu.
          asymmetric cones: a: a scrubby chiefly coastal pine (Pinus
          contorta) with thick deeply furrowed bark and hard strong
          coarse-grained medium-light wood b: a tall straight pine
          (P. contorta var. latifolia syn. P. murrayana) with thin
          and little furrowed bark and soft weak fine-grained lightweight
          wood

   lodger
          [lodg.er] n (1596): roomer

   lodging
          [lodging] n (14c) 1 a: a place to live: dwelling b: lodgment
          3b 2 a (1): sleeping accommodations <found ~ in the barn>
          (2): a temporary place to stay <a ~ for the night> b:
          a room in the house of another used as a residence--usu.
          used in pl. 3: the act of lodging

   lodging house
          [lodging house] n (1766): rooming house

   lodgment
          [lodg.ment] or lodge.ment n (1598) 1 a: a lodging place:
          shelter b: accommodations, lodgings <found ~ in the city>
          2 a: the act, fact, or manner of lodging <a hut for temporary
          ~ of cattlemen> b: a placing, depositing, or coming to
          rest 3 a: an accumulation or collection deposited in
          a place or remaining at rest b: a place of rest or deposit

   lodicule
          [lod.i.cule] n [L lodicula, dim. of lodic-, lodix cover]
          (1864): one of usu. two delicate membranous hyaline scales
          at the base of the ovary of a grass that by their swelling
          assist in anthesis

   loess
          [loess] n [G Loss] (1833): an unstratified usu. buff to yellowish
          brown loamy deposit found in No. America, Europe, and
          Asia and believed to be chiefly deposited by the wind
          -- loess.ial adj

   [1]loft
          [loft] n [ME, fr. OE, air, sky, fr. ON lopt; akin to OHG
          luft air] (13c) 1: an upper room or floor: attic 2 a:
          a gallery in a church or hall b: one of the upper floors
          of a warehouse or business building esp. when not partitioned
          <living in a converted ~> c: hayloft 3 a: the backward
          slant of the face of a golf-club head b: the act of lofting
          4: the thickness of a fabric or insulating material (as
          goose down) -- loft.like adj [2]loft vt (1518) 1: to
          place, house, or store in a loft 2: to propel through
          the air or into space <~ed a long hit to center> <instruments
          ~ed by a powerful rocket> 3: to lay out a full-sized
          working drawing of the lines and contours of (as a ship's
          hull) ~ vi 1: to propel a ball high into the air 2: to
          rise high

   lofty
          [lofty] adj loft.i.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: elevated in character
          and spirit: noble b: elevated in status: superior 2:
          having a haughty overbearing manner: supercilious 3 a:
          rising to a great height: impressively high <~ mountains>
          b: remote, esoteric syn see high -- loft.i.ly adv --
          loft.i.ness n

   log
          [log] abbreviation logic

   -log
          [-log] --see -logue

   log-
          [log-] or logo- comb form [Gk, fr. logos--more at legend]:
          word: thought: speech: discourse <logogram> <logorrhea>

   [1]log
          [log] n, often attrib [ME logge, prob. of Scand origin; akin
          to ON lag fallen tree; akin to OE licgan to lie--more
          at lie] (14c) 1: a usu. bulky piece or length of unshaped
          timber; esp: a length of a tree trunk ready for sawing
          and over six feet (1.8 meters) long 2: an apparatus for
          measuring the rate of a ship's motion through the water
          that consists of a block fastened to a line and run out
          from a reel 3 a: the record of the rate of a ship's speed
          or of her daily progress; also: the full nautical record
          of a ship's voyage b: the full record of a flight by
          an aircraft 4: a record of performance, events, or day-to-day
          activities <a computer ~> [2]log vb logged ; log.ging
          vt (1699) 1 a: to cut (trees) for lumber b: to clear
          (land) of trees in lumbering--often used with off 2:
          to make a note or record of: enter details of or about
          in a log 3 a: to move (an indicated distance) or attain
          (an indicated speed) as noted in a log b (1): to sail
          a ship or fly an airplane for (an indicated distance
          or period of time) (2): to have (an indicated record)
          to one's credit: achieve ~ vi: [3]lumber 1 [3]log n,
          often attrib [by shortening] (1631): logarithm

   loganberry
          [lo.gan.ber.ry] n [James H. Logan d. 1928 Am. lawyer + E
          berry] (1893): a red-fruited upright-growing dewberry
          regarded as a variety (Rubus ursinus loganobaccus) of
          a western dewberry or as a hybrid of a western dewberry
          and a red raspberry; also: its berry

   logaoedic
          [log.a.oe.dic] adj [LL logaoedicus, fr. LGk logaoidikos,
          fr. Gk log- + aeidein to sing; fr. the resemblance of
          such rhythm to prose--more at ode] (1844): marked by
          the mixture of several meters; specif: having a rhythm
          that uses both dactyls and trochees or anapests and iambs
          -- logaoedic n

   logarithm
          [log.a.rithm] n [NL logarithmus, fr. log- + Gk arithmos
          number--more at arithmetic] (ca. 1616): the exponent that indicates
          the power to which a number is raised to produce a given number
          <the ~ of 100 to the base 10 is 2> -- log.a.rith.mic adj
          -- log.a.rith.mi.cal.ly adv

   logarithmic function
          [logarithmic function] n (1927): a function that is the inverse
          of an exponential function so that the independent variable
          appears in a logarithm

   logbook
          [log.book] n (ca. 1679): log 3, 4

   loge
          [loge] n [F, fr. OF, a shelter--more at lodge] (1749) 1 a:
          a small compartment: booth b: a box in a theater 2 a:
          a small partitioned area b: a separate forward section
          of a theater mezzanine or balcony

   logged
          [logged] adj (ca. 1820) 1: heavy, sluggish 2: sodden esp.
          with water

   logger
          [log.ger] n (1732): one engaged in logging

   loggerhead
          [log.ger.head] n [prob. fr. E dial. logger block of wood
          + E head] (1588) 1 chiefly dial a: blockhead b: head;
          esp: a disproportionately large head 2 a: a very large
          carnivorous sea turtle (Caretta caretta) of subtropical
          and temperate waters b: alligator snapper 3: an iron
          tool consisting of a long handle terminating in a ball
          or bulb that is heated and used to melt tar or to heat
          liquids -- at loggerheads : in or into a state of quarrelsome
          disagreement

   loggets
          [log.gets] or log.gats n pl but sing or pl in constr [prob.
          fr. [1]log + -et] (1581): a game formerly played in England
          in which participants throw pieces of wood at a stake

   loggia
          [log.gia] n, pl loggias also log.gie [It, fr. OF loge lodge]
          (1742): a roofed open gallery esp. at an upper story
          overlooking an open court

   logic
          [log.ic] n [ME logik, fr. MF logique, fr. L logica, fr. Gk
          logike, fr. fem. of logikos of reason, fr. logos reason--more
          at legend] (12c) 1 a (1): a science that deals with the
          principles and criteria of validity of inference and
          demonstration: the science of the formal principles of
          reasoning (2): a branch or variety of logic <modal ~>
          <Boolean ~> (3): a branch of semiotic; esp: syntactics
          (4): the formal principles of a branch of knowledge b
          (1): a particular mode of reasoning viewed as valid or
          faulty (2): relevance, propriety c: interrelation or
          sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or
          predictable d: the arrangement of circuit elements (as
          in a computer) needed for computation; also: the circuits
          themselves 2: something that forces a decision apart
          from or in opposition to reason <the ~ of war> -- lo.gi.cian
          n

   logical
          [log.i.cal] adj (15c) 1 a (1): of, relating to, involving,
          or being in accordance with logic (2): skilled in logic
          b: formally true or valid: analytic, deductive 2: capable
          of reasoning or of using reason in an orderly cogent
          fashion <a ~ thinker> -- log.i.cal.i.ty n -- log.i.cal.ly
          adv -- log.i.cal.ness n

   logical positivism
          [logical positivism] n (1931): a 20th century philosophical
          movement that holds characteristically that all meaningful
          statements are either analytic or conclusively verifiable
          or at least confirmable by observation and experiment
          and that metaphysical theories are therefore strictly
          meaningless--called also logical empiricism -- logical
          positivist n

   log in
          [log in] vi (1962): log on -- log-in n

   logion
          [lo.gi.on] n, pl lo.gia or logions [Gk, dim. of logos] (1875):
          saying; esp: a saying attributed to Jesus

   [1]logistic
          [lo.gis.tic] or lo.gis.ti.cal adj (1628) 1 a: of or relating
          to symbolic logic b: of or relating to the philosophical
          attempt to reduce mathematics to logic 2: of or relating
          to logistics 3 logistic: of, represented by, or relating
          to a logistic curve <a ~ process> -- lo.gis.ti.cal.ly
          adv [2]logistic n (1905): symbolic logic

   logistic curve
          [logistic curve] n (ca. 1903): an S-shaped curve that represents
          an exponential function and is used in mathematical models
          of growth processes

   logistician
          [lo.gis.ti.cian] n (1932): a specialist in logistics

   logistics
          [lo.gis.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [F logistique
          art of calculating, logistics, fr. Gk logistike art of
          calculating, fr. fem. of logistikos of calculation, fr.
          logizein to calculate, fr. logos reason] (ca. 1861) 1:
          the aspect of military science dealing with the procurement,
          maintenance, and transportation of military materiel,
          facilities, and personnel 2: the handling of the details
          of an operation

   logjam
          [log.jam] n (1885) 1: a jumble of logs jammed together in
          a watercourse 2 a: deadlock, impasse <trying to break
          the ~ in negotiations> b: blockage

   lognormal
          [log.nor.mal] adj (1945): relating to or being a normal
          distribution that is the distribution of the logarithm of a random
          variable; also: relating to or being such a random variable
          -- log.nor.mal.i.ty n -- log.nor.mal.ly adv

   logo
          [logo] n, pl log.os (1937) 1: logotype 2: an identifying
          statement: motto Lo.go n [modif. of Gk logos word] (1972):
          a computer programming language that employs simple English
          commands and is used esp. for introducing school children
          to computers

   logo-
          [logo-] --see log-

   logogram
          [logo.gram] n (1840): a letter, symbol, or sign used to represent
          an entire word -- logo.gram.mat.ic adj

   logograph
          [logo.graph] n (ca. 1888): logogram

   logographic
          [logo.graph.ic] adj (1801): of, relating to, or marked by
          the use of logographs: consisting of logographs --
          logo.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   logogriph
          [logo.griph] n [log- + Gk griphos reed basket, riddle--more
          at crib] (ca. 1598): a word puzzle (as an anagram)

   logomachy
          [lo.gom.a.chy] n, pl -chies [Gk logomachia, fr. log- + machesthai
          to fight] (1569) 1: a dispute over or about words 2:
          a controversy marked by verbiage

   log on
          [log on] vi (1977): to establish communication and initiate
          interaction with a time-shared computer or network--often
          used with to -- log-on n

   logorrhea
          [log.or.rhea] n [NL] (ca. 1892): excessive and often incoherent
          talkativeness or wordiness -- log.or.rhe.ic adj

   Logos
          [Lo.gos] n, pl Lo.goi [Gk, speech, word, reason--more at
          legend] (1587) 1: the divine wisdom manifest in the creation,
          government, and redemption of the world and often identified
          with the second person of the Trinity 2: reason that
          in ancient Greek philosophy is the controlling principle
          in the universe

   logotype
          [logo.type] n (ca. 1816) 1: a single piece of type or a single
          plate faced with a term (as the name of a newspaper or
          a trademark) 2: an identifying symbol (as for advertising)

   logroll
          [log.roll] vb [back-formation fr. logrolling] vi (1835):
          to take part in logrolling ~ vt: to promote passage of
          by logrolling -- log.roll.er n

   logrolling
          [log.roll.ing] n (1812) 1 [fr. a former American custom of
          neighbors assisting one another in rolling logs into
          a pile for burning]: the exchanging of assistance or
          favors; specif: the trading of votes by legislators to
          secure favorable action on projects of interest to each
          one 2: the rolling of logs in water by treading; also:
          a sport in which contestants treading logs try to dislodge
          one another

   -logue
          [-logue] or -log n comb form [ME -logue, fr. OF, fr. L -logus,
          fr. Gk -logos, fr. legein to speak--more at legend] 1:
          discourse: talk <duologue> 2: student: specialist <sinologue>

   logwood
          [log.wood] n (1581) 1 a: a Mexican and West Indian leguminous
          tree (Haematoxylon campechianum) b: the very hard brown
          or brownish red heartwood of logwood 2: a dye extracted
          from the heartwood of logwood--compare hematoxylin

   -logy
          [-logy] n comb form [ME -logie, fr. OF, fr. L -logia, fr.
          Gk, fr. logos word] 1: oral or written expression <phraseology>
          2: doctrine: theory: science <ethnology>

   logy
          [lo.gy] also log.gy adj lo.gi.er ; -est [perh. fr. D log
          heavy; akin to MLG luggich lazy] (1847): marked by sluggishness
          and lack of vitality: groggy

   Lohengrin
          [Lo.hen.grin] n [G]: a son of Parsifal and knight of the
          Holy Grail in Germanic legend

   loin
          [loin] n [ME loyne, fr. MF loigne, fr. (assumed) VL lumbea,
          fr. L lumbus; akin to OE lendenu loins, OCS ledvije]
          (14c) 1 a: the part of a human being or quadruped on
          each side of the spinal column between the hipbone and
          the false ribs b: a cut of meat comprising this part
          of one or both sides of a carcass with the adjoining
          half of the vertebrae included but without the flank
          2 pl a: the upper and lower abdominal regions and the
          region about the hips b (1): the pubic region (2): the
          generative organs

   loincloth
          [loin.cloth] n (1859): a cloth worn about the loins often
          as the sole article of clothing in warm climates

   loiter
          [loi.ter] vi [ME] (14c) 1: to delay an activity with aimless
          idle stops and pauses: dawdle 2 a: to remain in an area
          for no obvious reason: hang around b: to lag behind syn
          see delay -- loiter n -- loi.ter.er n

   Loki
          [Lo.ki] n [ON]: a Norse god who contrives evil and mischief
          for his fellow gods

   Lolita
          [Lo.li.ta] n [fr. Lolita, character in the novel Lolita (1955)
          by Vladimir Nabokov] (1959): a precociously seductive
          girl

   [1]loll
          [loll] vb [ME] vi (14c) 1: to hang loosely or laxly: droop
          2: to act or move in a lax, lazy, or indolent manner:
          lounge ~ vt: to let droop or dangle -- loll.er n [2]loll
          n (1709) archaic: the act of lolling: a relaxed posture

   Lollard
          [Lol.lard] n [ME, fr. MD lollaert, fr. lollen to mutter]
          (14c): one of the followers of Wycliffe who traveled
          in the 14th and 15th centuries as lay preachers throughout
          England and Scotland -- Lol.lard.ism n -- Lol.lardy n

   lollipop
          [lol.li.pop] or lol.ly.pop n [perh. fr. E dial. lolly tongue
          + [2]pop] (1784) 1: a lump of hard candy on the end of
          a stick 2 Brit: a round stop sign on a pole used to stop
          traffic (as at a school crossing)

   lollop
          [lol.lop] vi [[1]loll + -op (as in gallop)] (1745) 1 dial
          Eng: loll 2: to proceed with a bounding or bobbing motion

   lolly
          [lol.ly] n, pl lollies [short for lollipop] (1854) 1 Brit:
          a piece of candy; esp: hard candy 2 Brit: money

   lollygag
          [lol.ly.gag] vi -gagged ; -gag.ging [origin unknown] (1868):
          fool around 1: dawdle

   Lombard
          [Lom.bard] n [ME Lumbarde, fr. MF lombard, fr. OIt lombardo,
          fr. L Langobardus] (14c) 1 a: a member of a Germanic
          people that invaded Italy in a.d. 568, settled in the
          Po valley, and established a kingdom b: a native or inhabitant
          of Lombardy 2 [fr. the prominence of Lombards as moneylenders]:
          banker, moneylender -- Lom.bar.di.an adj -- Lom.bar.dic
          adj

   Lombardy poplar
          [Lom.bar.dy poplar] n [Lombardy, Italy] (1766): a poplar
          of a staminate variety (Populus nigra italica) of a European
          poplar having a columnar shape and strongly ascending
          branches

   lo mein
          [lo mein] n [Chin (Guangdong) lou-mihn stirred noodles] (1970):
          a Chinese dish consisting of sliced vegetables, soft
          noodles, and usu. meat or shrimp in bite-size pieces
          stir-fried in a seasoned sauce

   loment
          [lo.ment] n [NL lomentum, fr. L, wash made fr. bean meal,
          fr. lavere to wash--more at lye] (ca. 1830): a dry indehiscent
          one-celled fruit that is produced from a single superior
          ovary and breaks transversely into numerous segments
          at maturity

   Lond
          [Lond] abbreviation London, Londonderry

   London broil
          [Lon.don broil] n [London, England] (1946): a boneless cut
          of beef (as from the shoulder or flank) usu. served sliced
          diagonally across the grain

   lone
          [lone] adj [ME, short for alone] (14c) 1 a: having no company:
          solitary b: preferring solitude 2: only, sole 3: situated
          by itself: isolated syn see alone -- lone.ness n

   loneliness
          [lone.li.ness] n (ca. 1586): the quality or state of being
          lonely

   lonely
          [lone.ly] adj lone.li.er ; -est (1607) 1 a: being without
          company: lone b: cut off from others: solitary 2: not
          frequented by human beings: desolate 3: sad from being
          alone: lonesome 4: producing a feeling of bleakness or
          desolation syn see alone -- lone.li.ly adv

   lonely hearts
          [lonely hearts] adj (1931): of or relating to lonely persons
          who are seeking companions or spouses

   loner
          [lon.er] n (1947): one that avoids others; esp: individualist

   lone ranger
          [lone ranger] n, often cap L&R [Lone Ranger, hero of an Am.
          radio and television western] (1969): one who acts alone
          and without consultation or the approval of others; broadly:
          loner

   [1]lonesome
          [lone.some] adj (1647) 1 a: sad or dejected as a result of
          lack of companionship or separation from others <don't
          be ~ while we are gone> b: causing a feeling of loneliness
          <the empty house seemed so ~> 2 a: remote, unfrequented
          <look down, look down that ~ road --Gene Austin> b: lone
          syn see alone -- lone.some.ly adv -- lone.some.ness n
          [2]lonesome n (1899): self <sat all by his ~>

   lone wolf
          [lone wolf] n (1909): a person who prefers to work, act,
          or live alone

   [1]long
          [long] adj lon.ger ; lon.gest [ME long, lang, fr. OE; akin
          to OHG lang long, L longus] (bef. 12c) 1 a: extending
          for a considerable distance b: having greater length
          than usual c: having greater height than usual: tall
          d: having a greater length than breadth: elongated e:
          having a greater length than desirable or necessary f:
          full-length <~ pants> 2 a: having a specified length
          <six feet ~> b: forming the chief linear dimension <the
          ~ side of the room> 3 a: extending over a considerable
          time <a ~ friendship> b: having a specified duration
          <two hours ~> c: prolonged beyond the usual time <a ~
          look> 4 a: containing many items in a series <a ~ list>
          b: having a specified number of units <300 pages ~> c:
          consisting of a greater number or amount than usual:
          large 5 a of a speech sound: having a relatively long
          duration b: being the member of a pair of similarly spelled
          vowel or vowel-co ntaining sounds that is descended from
          a vowel long in duration <~ a in fate> <~ i in sign>
          c of a syllable in prosody (1): of relatively extended
          duration (2): bearing a stress or accent 6: having the
          capacity to reach, extend, or travel a considerable distance
          <a ~ left jab> <tried to hit the ~ ball> 7: larger or
          longer than the standard <a ~ count by the referee> 8
          a: extending far into the future <the thoughts of youth
          are ~, ~ thoughts --H. W. Longfellow> b: extending beyond
          what is known <a ~ guess> c: payable after a considerable
          period <a ~ note> 9: possessing a high degree or a great
          deal of something specified: strong <~ on common sense>
          10 a: of an unusual degree of difference between the
          amounts wagered on each side <~ odds> b: of or relating
          to the larger amount wagered <take the ~ end of the bet>
          11: subject to great odds 12: owning or accumulating
          securities or goods esp. in anticipation of an advance
          in prices <they are now ~ on wheat> <take a ~ position
          in steel> -- long.ness n -- before long : in a short
          time: soon -- long in the tooth : past one's best days:
          old -- not long for : having little time left to do or
          enjoy something [2]long adv (bef. 12c) 1: for or during
          a long time <~ a popular hangout> 2: at or to a long
          distance: far <long-traveled> 3: for the duration of
          a specified period 4: at a point of time far before or
          after a specified moment or event <was excited ~ before
          the big day> 5: after or beyond a specified or implied
          time <didn't stay ~er than midnight> <said it was no
          ~er possible> 6: for a considerable distance <faded back
          and threw the ball ~> 7: in or into a long position (as
          on a market) -- so long : good-bye [3]long n (bef. 12c)
          1: a long period of time 2: a long syllable 3: one taking
          a long position esp. in a security or commodity market
          4 a pl: long trousers b: a size in clothing for tall
          men -- the long and short or the long and the short :
          gist [4]long vi longed ; long.ing [ME, fr. OE langian;
          akin to OHG langen to long, OE lang long] (bef. 12c):
          to feel a strong desire or craving esp. for something
          not likely to be attained <they ~ for peace but are driven
          to war> -- long.er n syn long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger,
          thirst mean to have a strong desire for something. long
          implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a
          striving to attain <longed for some rest>. yearn suggests
          an eager, restless, or painful longing <yearned for a
          stage career>. hanker suggests the uneasy promptings
          of unsatisfied appetite or desire <always hankering for
          money>. pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing
          for what is impossible <pined for a lost love>. hunger
          and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or
          a compelling need <hungered for a business of his own>
          <thirsted for absolute power>. [5]long vi [ME, fr. along
          (on) because (of)] (13c) archaic: to be suitable or fitting

   long
          [long] abbreviation longitude  Long abbreviation Longford

   long ago
          [long ago] n (1851): the distant past

   long-ago
          [long-ago] adj (ca. 1834): of or relating to the past <~
          leaders>

   longan
          [lon.gan] n [Chin (Beijing) longyan, lit., dragon's eye]
          (1732) 1: a pulpy fruit related to the litchi and produced
          by an Indian evergreen tree (Euphoria longana) 2: a tree
          that bears the longan

   longanimity
          [lon.ga.nim.i.ty] n [ME longanymyte, fr. LL longanimitat-,
          longanimitas, fr. longanimis patient, fr. L longus long
          + animus soul--more at animate] (15c): a disposition
          to bear injuries patiently: forbearance

   longboat
          [long.boat] n (15c): a large oared boat usu. carried by a
          merchant sailing ship

   long bone
          [long bone] n (ca. 1860): any of the elongated bones supporting
          a vertebrate limb and consisting of an essentially cylindrical
          shaft that contains marrow and ends in enlarged heads
          for articulation with other bones

   longbow
          [long.bow] n (14c): a hand-drawn wooden bow held vertically
          and used esp. by medieval English archers

   longbowman
          [long.bow.man] n (1925): an archer who uses a longbow

   longcase clock
          [long.case clock] n (1892): grandfather clock

   long-chain
          [long-chain] adj (1930): having a relatively long chain of
          atoms and esp. carbon atoms in the molecule <~ hydrocarbons>

   long-day
          [long-day] adj (1920): responding to or relating to a long
          photoperiod--used esp. of a plant--compare day-neutral,
          short-day

   long distance
          [long distance] n (1904) 1: communication by long-distance
          telephone 2: a telephone operator or exchange that gives
          long-distance connections

   [1]long-distance
          [long-distance] adj (1884) 1: of or relating to telephone
          communication with a distant point 2 a: situated a long
          distance away b: going or covering a long distance <~
          roads> <a ~ runner> c: conducted or effective over long
          distance <a ~ courtship> <~ listening devices> [2]long-distance
          adv (ca. 1961) 1: by long-distance telephone 2: over
          or from a long distance

   long division
          [long division] n (1827): arithmetical division in which
          the several steps involved in the division are indicated
          in detail

   long-drawn-out
          [long-drawn-out] or long-drawn adj (1646): extended to a
          great length

   longeron
          [lon.ge.ron] n [F] (1912): a fore-and-aft framing member
          of an airplane fuselage

   longevity
          [lon.gev.i.ty] n [LL longaevitas, fr. L longaevus long-lived,
          fr. longus long + aevum age--more at aye] (1615) 1 a:
          a long duration of individual life b: length of life
          <a study of ~> 2: long continuance: permanence, durability

   longevous
          [lon.ge.vous] adj (1680): long-lived

   long face
          [long face] n (1786): a facial expression of sadness or melancholy

   long green
          [long green] n (ca. 1891) slang: money

   longhair
          [long.hair] n (1920) 1: an impractical intellectual 2: a
          person of artistic gifts or interests; esp: a lover of
          classical music 3: a person with long hair; esp: hippie
          4: a domestic cat having long outer fur -- long.haired
          or longhair adj

   longhand
          [long.hand] n (1666): handwriting: a: characters or words
          written out fully by hand b: cursive writing

   long haul
          [long haul] n (1936) 1: a long distance 2: a considerable
          period of time; esp: long run -- long-haul adj

   longhead
          [long.head] n (1650): a dolichocephalic person

   longheaded
          [long.head.ed] adj (ca. 1700) 1: having unusual foresight
          2: dolichocephalic -- long.head.ed.ness n

   longhorn
          [long.horn] n (1834) 1 a: any of the long-horned cattle of
          Spanish derivation formerly common in southwestern U.S.
          b: texas longhorn 2 2: a firm-textured usu. mild cheese
          (as cheddar or Colby)

   long-horned beetle
          [long-horned beetle] n (1840): any of a family (Cerambycidae
          syn. Longicornia) of beetles usu. distinguished by their
          very long antennae--called also longhorn beetle

   long-horned grasshopper
          [long-horned grasshopper] n (1893): any of various grasshoppers
          (family Tettigoniidae) distinguished by their very long
          antennae

   long horse
          [long horse] n (ca. 1934): vaulting horse

   longhouse
          [long.house] n (1643): a long communal dwelling of some No.
          American Indians (as the Iroquois)

   long hundredweight
          [long hundredweight] n (ca. 1934) Brit: hundredweight 2

   longicorn
          [lon.gi.corn] adj [ultim. fr. L longus long + cornu horn--more
          at horn] (ca. 1848) 1: of, relating to, or being long-horned
          beetles 2: having long antennae -- longicorn n

   longing
          [long.ing] n (bef. 12c): a strong desire esp. for something
          unattainable: craving -- long.ing.ly adv

   longish
          [long.ish] adj (1611): somewhat long: moderately long

   longitude
          [lon.gi.tude] n [ME, fr. L longitudin-, longitudo, fr. longus]
          (14c) 1 a: angular distance measured on a great circle
          of reference from the intersection of the adopted zero
          meridian with this reference circle to the similar intersection
          of the meridian passing through the object b: the arc
          or portion of the earth's equator intersected between
          the meridian of a given place and the prime meridian
          and expressed either in degrees or in time 2 archaic:
          long duration

   longitudinal
          [lon.gi.tu.di.nal] adj (15c) 1: placed or running lengthwise
          2: of or relating to length or the lengthwise dimension
          3: involving the repeated observation or examination
          of a set of subjects over time with respect to one or
          more study variables -- lon.gi.tu.di.nal.ly adv

   longitudinal wave
          [longitudinal wave] n (ca. 1931): a wave (as a sound wave)
          in which the particles of the medium vibrate in the direction
          of the line of advance of the wave

   long johns
          [long johns] n pl (1943): long underwear

   long jump
          [long jump] n (1882): a track-and-field event in which a
          jump for distance is made usu. from a running start --
          long jumper n

   longleaf pine
          [long.leaf pine] n (1796): a tall pine (Pinus palustris)
          of the southeastern U.S. with long needles in bundles
          of three and long cones that is a major timber tree;
          also: its tough coarse-grained reddish orange wood

   long-leaved pine
          [long-leaved pine] n (1765): longleaf pine

   longline
          [long.line] n (1876): a heavy fishing line that may be several
          miles long and that has baited hooks in series

   long-liner
          [long-lin.er] n (1909): one that fishes with a longline;
          also: a fishing vessel used in long-lining

   long-lining
          [long-lin.ing] n (1877): fishing with a longline

   long-lived
          [long-lived] adj (14c) 1: having a long life: characterized
          by long life <a ~ family> 2: lasting a long time: enduring

   long meter
          [long meter] n (1718): a quatrain in iambic tetrameter in
          which the second and fourth lines and often the first
          and third lines rhyme--called also long measure

   Longobard
          [Lon.go.bard] n, pl Longobards also Lon.go.bar.di [ME Longobardes,
          pl., fr. L Langobardi, Longobardi] (14c): lombard 1a
          -- Lon.go.bar.dic adj

   long play
          [long play] n (1952): a long-playing record

   long-playing
          [long-play.ing] adj (1929): designed to be played at 33 1/3
          revolutions per minute--used of a microgroove record

   long-range
          [long-range] adj (1854) 1: relating to or fit for long distances
          <~ rockets> 2: involving or taking into account a long
          period of time <~ planning>

   long run
          [long run] n (1627): a relatively long period of time--usu.
          used in the phrase in the long run -- long-run adj

   longshoreman
          [long.shore.man] n [longshore, short for alongshore] (1811):
          a person who loads and unloads ships at a seaport

   longshoring
          [long.shor.ing] n (1926): the act or occupation of working
          as a longshoreman

   long shot
          [long shot] n (1867) 1: a venture involving great risk but
          promising a great reward if successful; also: a venture
          unlikely to succeed 2: an entry (as in a horse race)
          given little chance of winning 3: a bet in which the
          chances of winning are slight but the possible winnings
          great -- by a long shot : by a great deal

   longsighted
          [long.sight.ed] adj (ca. 1790): farsighted -- long.sight.ed.ness
          n

   long since
          [long since] adv (14c) 1: long ago <promises long since forgotten>
          2: for a long time <has long since been a devoted friend>

   longsome
          [long.some] adj (bef. 12c): tediously long -- long.some.ly
          adv -- long.some.ness n

   longspur
          [long.spur] n (1831): any of several long-clawed finches
          (esp. genus Calcarius) of the arctic regions and the
          Great Plains of No. America

   long-standing
          [long-stand.ing] adj (1814): of long duration

   long-suffering
          [long-suf.fer.ing] n (1526): long and patient endurance of
          offense -- long-suffering adj -- long-suf.fer.ing.ly
          adv

   long suit
          [long suit] n (ca. 1876) 1: a holding of more than the average
          number of cards in a suit 2: the activity or quality
          in which one excels

   long-term
          [long-term] adj (1904) 1: occurring over or involving a relatively
          long period of time 2 a: of, relating to, or constituting
          a financial operation or obligation based on a considerable term
          and esp. one of more than 10 years <~ bonds> b: generated by assets
          held for longer than six months <a ~ capital gain>

   longtime
          [long.time] adj (1584): having been so for a long time:
          long-standing <a ~ friend> <a ~ friendship>

   Long Tom
          [Long Tom] n [fr. the name Tom] (1832) 1: a large land gun
          having a long range 2: a trough for washing gold-bearing
          earth

   long ton
          [long ton] n (1829)a unit equal to 20 long hundredweight
          or 2240 pounds used chiefly in England

   longueur
          [lon.gueur] n, pl longueurs [F, lit., length] (1791): a dull
          and tedious passage or section (as of a book)

   long view
          [long view] n (1912): an approach to a problem or situation
          that emphasizes long-range factors

   long-winded
          [long-wind.ed] adj (1589) 1: tediously long in speaking or
          writing 2: not easily subject to loss of breath -- long-wind.ed.ly
          adv -- long-wind.ed.ness n

   [1]loo
          [loo] n [short for obs. E lanterloo, fr. F lanturelu twaddle]
          (1675) 1: an old card game in which the winner of each
          trick or a majority of tricks takes a portion of the
          pool while losing players are obligated to contribute
          to the next pool 2: money staked at loo [2]loo vt (1680):
          to obligate to contribute to a new pool at loo for failing
          to win a trick [3]loo n [origin unknown] (1940) chiefly
          Brit: toilet 3

   looby
          [loo.by] n, pl loobies [ME loby] (14c): an awkward clumsy
          fellow: lubber

   loofah
          [loo.fah] n [NL luffa, fr. Ar luf] (1887) 1: any of a genus
          (Luffa) of Old World tropical plants of the gourd family
          with large fruits; also: its fruit 2: a sponge consisting
          of the fibrous skeleton of the fruit of a loofah (esp.
          Luffa aegyptiaca)

   [1]look
          [look] vb [ME, fr. OE locian; akin to OS locon to look] vt
          (bef. 12c) 1: to make sure or take care (that something
          is done) 2: to ascertain by the use of one's eyes 3 a:
          to exercise the power of vision upon: examine b archaic:
          to search for 4 a: expect, anticipate <we ~ to have a
          good year> b: to have in mind as an end <~ing to win
          back some lost profits> 5 archaic: to bring into a place
          or condition by the exercise of the power of vision 6:
          to express by the eyes or facial expression 7: to have
          an appearance that befits or accords with ~ vi 1 a: to
          exercise the power of vision: see b: to direct one's
          attention <~ upon the future with hope> c: to direct
          the eyes 2: to have the appearance or likelihood of being:
          seem <it ~s unlikely> <~s to be hard work> 3: to have
          a specified outlook <the house ~ed east> 4: to gaze in
          wonder or surprise: stare 5: to show a tendency <the
          evidence ~s to acquittal> syn see expect -- look after
          : to take care of -- look at : consider 1 <looking at
          the possibility of relocating> -- look down one's nose
          : to view something with arrogance, disdain, or disapproval
          -- look for : to await with hope or anticipation -- look
          forward : to anticipate with pleasure or satisfaction
          <looking forward to your visit> -- look into : explore
          1a -- look the other way : to direct one's attention
          away from something unpleasant or troublesome -- look
          to 1: to direct one's attention to <looking to the future>
          2: to rely upon <looks to reading for relaxation> [2]look
          n (13c) 1 a: the act of looking b: glance 2 a: the expression
          of the countenance b: physical appearance; esp: attractive
          physical appearance--usu. used in pl. c: a combination
          of design features giving a unified appearance <a new
          ~ in women's fashions> 3: the state or form in which
          something appears

   look-alike
          [look-alike] n (1947): one that looks like another: double
          -- look-alike adj

   lookdown
          [look.down] n (ca. 1882): a silvery carangid fish (Selene
          vomer) chiefly of the Atlantic having a laterally compressed
          deep body and steeply sloping facial profile

   look down
          [look down] vi (14c) 1: to be in a position that affords
          a downward view 2: to regard with contempt: despise--used
          with on or upon

   looker
          [look.er] n (14c) 1: one that looks 2 a: one having an appearance
          of a specified kind b: one that has an attractive appearance:
          beauty

   looker-on
          [look.er-on] n, pl lookers-on (1539): onlooker

   look-in
          [look-in] n (1870) 1: a chance of success 2: a quick pass
          in football to a receiver running diagonally toward the
          center of the field

   looking glass
          [looking glass] n (1562): mirror

   lookout
          [look.out] n (1699) 1: one engaged in keeping watch: watchman
          2: an elevated place or structure affording a wide view
          for observation 3: a careful looking or watching <on
          the ~> 4: view, outlook 5: a matter of care or concern

   look out
          [look out] vi (1602): to take care or concern oneself--used
          with for <looking out for number one>

   look over
          [look over] vt (14c): to inspect or examine esp. in a cursory
          way

   look-see
          [look-see] n (1883): a general survey: evaluation, inspection

   lookup
          [look.up] n (1936): the process or an instance of looking
          something up; esp: the process of matching by computer
          the words of a text with material stored in memory

   look up
          [look up] vi (14c) 1: to cheer up <look up--things are not
          all bad> 2: to improve in prospects or conditions <business
          is looking up> ~ vt 1: to search for in or as if in a
          reference work <look up a phone number> 2: to seek out
          esp. for a brief visit

   [1]loom
          [loom] n [ME lome tool, loom, fr. OE geloma tool; akin to
          MD allame tool] (15c): a frame or machine for interlacing
          at right angles two or more sets of threads or yarns
          to form a cloth [2]loom vi [origin unknown] (ca. 1541)
          1: to come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct
          form often as a result of atmospheric conditions 2 a:
          to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form
          <deficits ~ed large> b: to take shape as an impending
          occurrence [3]loom n (1836): the indistinct and exaggerated
          appearance of something seen on the horizon or through
          fog or darkness; also: a looming shadow or reflection

   [1]loon
          [loon] n [ME loun] (15c) 1: lout, idler 2 chiefly Scot: boy
          3 a: a crazy person b: simpleton [2]loon n [of Scand
          origin; akin to ON lomr loon] (1634): any of several
          large birds (genus Gavia) of Holarctic regions that feed
          on fish by diving and have their legs placed far back
          under the body for optimal locomotion underwater

   loony
          [loo.ny] also loo.ney adj loo.ni.er ; -est [by shortening
          & alter. fr. lunatic] (1872): crazy, foolish -- loo.ni.ness
          n -- loony n

   loony bin
          [loony bin] n (1919): an insane asylum: madhouse

   [1]loop
          [loop] n [ME loupe; perh. akin to MD lupen to watch, peer]
          (14c) archaic: loophole 1a [2]loop n [ME loupe, of unknown
          origin] (14c) 1 a: a curving or doubling of a line so
          as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself
          through which another line can be passed or into which
          a hook may be hooked b: such a fold of cord or ribbon
          serving as an ornament 2 a: something shaped like a loop
          b: a circular airplane maneuver executed in the vertical
          plane 3: a ring or curved piece used to form a fastening,
          handle, or catch 4: a closed electric circuit 5: a piece
          of film or magnetic tape whose ends are spliced together
          so as to project or play back the same material continuously
          6: a series of instructions (as for a computer) that
          is repeated until a terminating condition is reached
          7: a sports league 8: a select well-informed inner circle
          that is influential in decision making <out of the policy
          ~> -- for a loop : into a state of amazement, confusion,
          or distress [3]loop vi (1832) 1: to make or form a loop
          2: to execute a loop in an airplane 3: to move in loops
          or in an arc ~ vt 1 a: to make a loop in, on, or about
          b: to fasten with a loop 2: to join (two courses of loops)
          in knitting 3: to connect (electric conductors) so as
          to complete a loop 4: to cause to move in an arc

   looped
          [looped] adj (1513) 1: having, formed in, or characterized
          by loops <~ fabrics> 2: drunk 1a

   looper
          [loop.er] n (1731) 1: any of the usu. rather small hairless
          caterpillars that are mostly larvae of moths (families
          Geometridae and Noctuidae) and move with a looping movement
          in which the anterior legs and the posterior prolegs
          are alternately made fast and released--called also inchworm
          2: one that loops

   [1]loophole
          [loop.hole] n [[1]loop] (1591) 1 a: a small opening through
          which small arms may be fired b: a similar opening to
          admit light and air or to permit observation 2: a means
          of escape; esp: an ambiguity or omission in the text
          through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation
          may be evaded [2]loophole vt (1664): to make loopholes
          in

   loop of Henle
          [loop of Hen.le] [F. G. J. Henle d. 1885 Ger. pathologist]
          (1890): a U-shaped part of the nephron of birds and mammals
          that lies between and is continuous with the proximal
          and distal convoluted tubules and that functions in water
          resorption

   loopy
          [loopy] adj loop.i.er ; -est (1856) 1: having or characterized
          by loops 2: crazy, bizarre

   [1]loose
          [loose] adj loos.er ; loos.est [ME lous, fr. ON lauss; akin
          to OHG los loose--more at -less] (13c) 1 a: not rigidly
          fastened or securely attached b (1): having worked partly
          free from attachments <a ~ tooth> (2): having relative
          freedom of movement c: produced freely and accompanied
          by raising of mucus <a ~ cough> d: not tight-fitting
          2 a: free from a state of confinement, restraint, or
          obligation <a lion ~ in the streets> <spend ~ funds wisely>
          b: not brought together in a bundle, container, or binding
          c archaic: disconnected, detached 3: not dense, close,
          or compact in structure or arrangement 4 a: lacking in
          restraint or power of restraint <a ~ tongue> <~ bowels>
          b: lacking moral restraint: unchaste 5 a: not tightly
          drawn or stretched: slack b: being flexible or relaxed
          <stay ~> 6 a: lacking in precision, exactness, or care
          <~ brushwork> <~ usage> b: permitting freedom of interpretation
          7: not in the possession of either of two competing teams
          <a ~ ball> <a ~ puck> -- loose.ly adv -- loose.ness n
          [2]loose vb loosed ; loos.ing vt (13c) 1 a: to let loose:
          release b: to free from restraint 2: to make loose: untie
          <~ a knot> 3: to cast loose: detach 4: to let fly: discharge
          5: to make less rigid, tight, or strict: relax ~ vi:
          to let fly a missile (as an arrow): fire [3]loose adv
          (15c): in a loose manner: loosely

   loose box
          [loose box] n (1849) Brit: box stall

   loose cannon
          [loose cannon] n (1981): a dangerously uncontrollable person
          or thing

   loose end
          [loose end] n (1546) 1: something left hanging loose 2: a
          fragment of unfinished business--usu. used in pl.

   loose-jointed
          [loose-joint.ed] adj (1859) 1: having joints apparently not
          closely articulated 2: characterized by unusually free
          movements -- loose-joint.ed.ness n

   loose-leaf
          [loose-leaf] adj (1902) 1: having leaves secured in book
          form in a cover whose backbone may be opened for adding,
          arranging, or removing leaves <~ notebook> 2: of, relating
          to, or used with a loose-leaf binding <~ paper>

   loosen
          [loos.en] vb loos.ened ; loos.en.ing vt (14c) 1: to release
          from restraint 2: to make looser 3: to relieve (the bowels)
          of constipation 4: to cause or permit to become less
          strict--often used with up ~ vi: to become loose or looser

   loosen up
          [loosen up] vi (1938): to become less tense: relax

   loose sentence
          [loose sentence] n (ca. 1890): a sentence in which the principal
          clause comes first and subordinate modifiers or trailing
          elements follow

   loose smut
          [loose smut] n (1890): a smut disease of grains in which
          the entire head is transformed into a dusty mass of spores

   loosestrife
          [loose.strife] n [intended as trans. of Gk lysimacheios loosestrife
          (as if fr. lysis act of loosing + machesthai to fight)--more
          at lysis] (1548) 1: any of a genus (Lysimachia) of plants of the
          primrose family with leafy stems and usu. yellow or white flowers
          2: any of a genus (Lythrum, family Lythraceae, the loosestrife
          family) of herbs having entire leaves and including some with showy
          spikes of purple flowers; esp: purple loosestrife

   loosey-goosey
          [loos.ey-goos.ey] adj (1964): notably loose or relaxed: not
          tense

   [1]loot
          [loot] n [Hindi lut; akin to Skt luntati he plunders] (ca.
          1788) 1: goods usu. of considerable value taken in war:
          spoils 2: something held to resemble goods of value seized
          in war: as a: something appropriated illegally often
          by force or violence b: illicit gains by public officials
          c: money 3: the action of looting syn see spoil [2]loot
          vt (1845) 1 a: to plunder or sack in war b: to rob esp.
          on a large scale and usu. by violence or corruption 2:
          to seize and carry away by force esp. in war ~ vi: to
          engage in robbing or plundering esp. in war -- loot.er
          n

   [1]lop
          [lop] n [ME loppe] (14c): material cut away from a tree;
          esp: parts discarded in lumbering [2]lop vt lopped ;
          lop.ping (1519) 1 a (1): to cut off branches or twigs
          from (2): to sever from a woody plant b (1) archaic:
          to cut off the head or limbs of (2): to cut from a person
          2 a: to remove superfluous parts from b: to eliminate
          as unnecessary or undesirable--usu. used with off --
          lop.per n [3]lop vi lopped ; lop.ping [perh. imit.] (1578):
          to hang downward: droop

   [1]lope
          [lope] n [ME loup, lope leap, fr. ON hlaup; akin to OE hleapan
          to leap--more at leap] (1809) 1: an easy natural gait
          of a horse resembling a canter 2: an easy usu. bounding
          gait capable of being sustained for a long time [2]lope
          vi loped ; lop.ing (ca. 1825): to move or ride at a lope
          -- lop.er n

   lop-eared
          [lop-eared] adj (1687): having ears that droop

   lophophore
          [loph.o.phore] n [Gk lophos crest + E -phore] (1850): a circular
          or horseshoe-shaped organ about the mouth esp. of a brachiopod
          or bryozoan that bears tentacles and functions esp. in
          food-getting

   lopsided
          [lop.sid.ed] adj (1711) 1: leaning to one side 2: lacking
          in balance, symmetry, or proportion: disproportionately
          heavy on one side <a ~ vote of 99-1> -- lop.sid.ed.ly
          adv -- lop.sid.ed.ness n

   loq
          [loq] [L loquitur] abbreviation he speaks, she speaks

   loquacious
          [lo.qua.cious] adj [L loquac-, loquax, fr. loqui to speak]
          (1667) 1: given to fluent or excessive talk: garrulous
          2: full of excessive talk: wordy syn see talkative --
          lo.qua.cious.ly adv -- lo.qua.cious.ness n

   loquacity
          [lo.quac.i.ty] n (13c): the quality or state of being very
          talkative

   loquat
          [lo.quat] n [Chin (Guangdong) lauh-gwat] (1820): an Asian
          evergreen tree (Eriobotrya japonica) of the rose family
          often cultivated for its fruit; also: its small yellow
          edible fruit used esp. for preserves

   loran
          [lo.ran] n [long-range navigation] (1932): a system of long-range
          navigation in which pulsed signals sent out by two pairs
          of radio stations are used to determine the geographical
          position of a ship or an airplane

   [1]lord
          [lord] n [ME loverd, lord, fr. OE hlaford, fr. hlaf loaf
          + weard keeper--more at loaf, ward] (bef. 12c) 1: one
          having power and authority over others: a: a ruler by
          hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience
          are due b: one of whom a fee or estate is held in feudal
          tenure c: an owner of land or other real property d obs:
          the male head of a household e: husband f: one that has
          achieved mastery or that exercises leadership or great
          power in some area <a drug ~> 2 cap a: god 1 b: jesus
          3: a man of rank or high position: as a: a feudal tenant
          whose right or title comes directly from the king b:
          a British nobleman: as (1): baron 2a (2): an hereditary
          peer of the rank of marquess, earl, or viscount (3):
          the son of a duke or a marquess or the eldest son of
          an earl (4): a bishop of the Church of England c pl,
          cap: house of lords 4--used as a British title: as a--used
          as part of an official title <Lord Advocate> b--used
          informally in place of the full title for a marquess,
          earl, or viscount c--used for a baron d--used by courtesy
          before the name and surname of a younger son of a duke
          or a marquess 5: a person chosen to preside over a festival
          [2]lord vi (14c): to act like a lord; esp: to put on
          airs--usu. used with it <~s it over his friends>

   lord chancellor
          [lord chancellor] n, pl lords chancellor (15c): a British
          officer of state who presides over the House of Lords
          in both its legislative and judicial capacities, serves
          as the head of the British judiciary, and is usu. a leading
          member of the cabinet

   lording
          [lord.ing] n (13c) 1 archaic: lord 2 obs: lordling

   lordling
          [lord.ling] n (13c): a little or insignificant lord

   lordly
          [lord.ly] adj lord.li.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or having the characteristics of a lord: dignified
          b: grand, noble 2: exhibiting such pride and assurance
          as could only be felt as appropriate to one of the highest
          birth or rank syn see proud -- lord.li.ness n -- lordly
          adv

   lord of misrule
          [lord of misrule] (15c): a master of Christmas revels in
          England esp. in the 15th and 16th centuries

   lordosis
          [lor.do.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk lordosis, fr. lordos curving forward;
          akin to OE belyrtan to deceive] (1704) 1: abnormal curvature
          of the spine forward 2: a mating posture of some sexually
          receptive female mammals (as rats) in which the head
          and rump are raised and the back is arched downward --
          lor.dot.ic adj

   Lord Protector of the Commonwealth
          [Lord Protector of the Commonwealth] (ca. 1653): protector
          2b

   Lord's day
          [Lord's day] n, often cap D (12c): sunday

   lordship
          [lord.ship] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the rank or dignity of a lord--used
          as a title b: the authority or power of a lord: dominion
          2: the territory under the jurisdiction of a lord: seigniory

   Lord's Prayer
          [Lord's Prayer] n (ca. 1549): the prayer with variant versions
          in Matthew and Luke that according to the Lucan account
          Christ taught his disciples

   Lord's Supper
          [Lord's Supper] n (14c): communion 2a

   Lord's table
          [Lord's table] n, often cap T (1535): altar 2

   Lordy
          [Lordy] interj [[1]lord (God) + [4]-y] (1853)--used to express
          surprise or strength of feeling

   [1]lore
          [lore] n [ME, fr. OE lar; akin to OHG lera doctrine, OE leornian
          to learn] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: something that is taught:
          lesson 2: something that is learned: a: knowledge gained
          through study or experience b: traditional knowledge
          or belief 3: a particular body of knowledge or tradition
          [2]lore n [NL lorum, fr. L, thong, rein; akin to Gk eulera
          reins] (1828): the space between the eye and bill in
          a bird or the corresponding region in a reptile or fish
          -- lo.re.al adj

   Lorelei
          [Lo.re.lei] n [G]: a siren of Germanic legend whose singing
          lures Rhine River boatmen to destruction on a reef

   lorgnette
          [lor.gnette] n [F, fr. lorgner to take a sidelong look at,
          fr. MF, fr. lorgne squinting] (1803): a pair of eyeglasses
          or opera glasses with a handle

   lorgnon
          [lor.gnon] n [F, fr. lorgner] (1846): lorgnette

   lorica
          [lo.ri.ca] n, pl -cae [L] (ca. 1706) 1: a Roman cuirass of
          leather or metal 2 [NL, fr. L]: a hard protective case
          or shell (as of a rotifer)

   lorikeet
          [lor.i.keet] n [lory + -keet (as in parakeet)] (1770): any
          of numerous small arboreal chiefly Australasian parrots
          (family Loriidae) that usu. have long slender tongue
          papillae which form an organ resembling a brush

   loris
          [lo.ris] n [F, prob. fr. obs. D loeris simpleton] (1774):
          any of several nocturnal slow-moving tailless arboreal
          primates (family Lorisidae): as a: a slim-bodied primate
          (Loris tardigradus) of southern India and Sri Lanka b:
          either of two larger related primates (Nycticebus pygmaeus
          or N. coucang) of southeastern Asia that are heavier
          limbed and slower moving

   lorn
          [lorn] adj [ME, fr. loren, pp. of lesen to lose, fr.
          OE leosan--more at lose] (14c): desolate, forsaken -- lorn.ness n

   Lorraine cross
          [Lor.raine cross] n (1898): cross of lorraine

   lorry
          [lor.ry] n, pl lorries [origin unknown] (1908) chiefly Brit:
          motortruck

   lory
          [lo.ry] n, pl lories [D, fr. Malay nuri, luri] (1682): any
          of numerous parrots (family Loriidae) of Australia, New
          Guinea, and adjacent islands related to the lorikeets
          and usu. having the tongue papillose at the tip and the
          mandibles less toothed than in other parrots

   LOS
          [LOS] abbreviation line of scrimmage, line of sight

   lose
          [lose] vb lost ; los.ing [ME, fr. OE losian to perish, lose,
          fr. los destruction; akin to OE leosan to lose; akin
          to ON losa to loosen, L luere to atone for, Gk lyein
          to loosen, dissolve, destroy] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to bring
          to destruction--used chiefly in passive construction
          <the ship was lost on the reef> b: damn <if he shall
          gain the whole world and ~ his own soul --Mt 16:26 (AV)>
          2: to miss from one's possession or from a customary
          or supposed place 3: to suffer deprivation of: part with
          esp. in an unforeseen or accidental manner 4 a: to suffer
          loss through the death or removal of or final separation
          from (a person) b: to fail to keep control of or allegiance
          of <~ votes> <lost his temper> 5 a: to fail to use: let
          slip by: waste <~ the tide> b (1): to fail to win, gain,
          or obtain <~ a prize> <~ a contest> (2): to undergo defeat
          in <lost every battle> c: to fail to catch with the senses
          or the mind <lost part of what she said> 6: to cause
          the loss of <one careless statement lost him the election>
          7: to fail to keep, sustain, or maintain <lost my balance>
          8 a: to cause to miss one's way or bearings <lost himself
          in the maze of streets> b: to make (oneself) withdrawn
          from immediate reality <lost herself in daydreaming>
          9 a: to wander or go astray from <lost his way> b: to
          draw away from: outstrip <lost his pursuers> 10: to fail
          to keep in sight or in mind 11: to free oneself from:
          get rid of <dieting to ~ some weight> ~ vi 1: to undergo
          deprivation of something of value 2: to undergo defeat
          <~ with good grace> 3 of a timepiece: to run slow --
          los.able adj -- los.able.ness n -- lose ground : to suffer
          loss or disadvantage: fail to advance or improve -- lose
          one's heart : to fall in love

   losel
          [lo.sel] n [ME, fr. losen (pp. of lesen to lose), alter.
          of loren--more at lorn] (14c): a worthless person

   lose out
          [lose out] vi (ca. 1858): to fail to win in competition:
          fail to receive an expected reward or gain

   loser
          [los.er] n (1548) 1: one that loses esp. consistently 2:
          one who is incompetent or unable to succeed; also: something
          doomed to fail or disappoint

   loss
          [loss] n [ME los, prob. back-formation fr. lost, pp. of losen
          to lose] (13c) 1: destruction, ruin 2 a: the act of losing
          possession b: the harm or privation resulting from loss
          or separation c: an instance of losing 3: a person or
          thing or an amount that is lost: as a pl: killed, wounded,
          or captured soldiers b: the power diminution of a circuit
          or circuit element corresponding to conversion of electrical
          energy into heat by resistance 4 a: failure to gain,
          win, obtain, or utilize b: an amount by which the cost
          of an article or service exceeds the selling price 5:
          decrease in amount, magnitude, or degree 6: the amount
          of an insured's financial detriment by death or damage
          that the insurer becomes liable for -- at a loss : uncertain,
          puzzled -- for a loss : into a state of distress

   loss leader
          [loss leader] n (1917): something (as merchandise) sold at
          a loss in order to draw customers -- loss-leader adj

   loss ratio
          [loss ratio] n (1926): the ratio between insurance losses
          incurred and premiums earned during a given period

   lossy
          [lossy] adj (1946): causing attenuation or dissipation of
          electrical energy <a ~ transmission line> <a ~ dielectric>

   lost
          [lost] adj [pp. of lose] (15c) 1: not made use of, won, or
          claimed 2 a: no longer possessed b: no longer known 3:
          ruined or destroyed physically or morally: desperate
          4 a: taken away or beyond reach or attainment: denied
          <regions ~ to the faith> b: insensible, hardened <~ to
          shame> 5 a: unable to find the way b: no longer visible
          c: lacking assurance or self-confidence: helpless 6:
          rapt, absorbed <~ in reverie> 7: not appreciated or understood:
          wasted <their jokes were ~ on me> -- lost.ness n

   lost wax
          [lost wax] n (1909): a process used in metal casting that
          consists of making a wax model, coating it with a refractory
          to form a mold, heating until the wax melts and runs
          out of the mold, and then pouring metal into the vacant
          mold

   [1]lot
          [lot] n [ME, fr. OE hlot; akin to OHG hloz] (bef. 12c) 1:
          an object used as a counter in determining a question
          by chance 2 a: the use of lots as a means of deciding
          something b: the resulting choice 3 a: something that
          comes to one upon whom a lot has fallen: share b: one's
          way of life or worldly fate: fortune 4 a: a portion of
          land b: a measured parcel of land having fixed boundaries
          and designated on a plot or survey c: a motion-picture
          studio and its adjoining property 5 a: a number of units
          of an article, a single article, or a parcel of articles
          offered as one item (as in an auction sale) b: all the
          members of a present group, kind, or quantity--used with
          the 6 a: a number of associated persons: set b: kind,
          sort 7: a considerable quantity or extent <a ~ of money>
          <~s of friends> syn see fate -- a lot 1: to a considerable
          degree or extent <this is a lot nicer> 2: often, frequently
          <runs a lot every day> 3: lots [2]lot vt lot.ted ; lot.ting
          (15c) 1: allot, apportion 2: to form or divide into lots
          Lot n [Heb Lot]: a nephew of Abraham who according to
          the account in Genesis escaped from the doomed city of
          Sodom with his wife who turned into a pillar of salt
          when she looked back

   lota
          [lo.ta] also lo.tah n [Hindi lota] (1809): a small usu. spherical
          water vessel of brass or copper used in India

   loth
          [loth] var of loath

   Loth
          [Loth] abbreviation Lothian

   lothario
          [lo.thar.io] n, pl -i.os often cap [Lothario, seducer in
          the play The Fair Penitent (1703) by Nicholas Rowe] (1756):
          a man whose chief interest is seducing women

   loti
          [lo.ti] n, pl ma.lo.ti [Sesotho] (1980): the basic monetary
          unit of Lesotho

   lotic
          [lo.tic] adj [L lotus, pp. of lavere] (1916): of, relating
          to, or living in actively moving water <a ~ habitat>--compare
          lentic

   lotion
          [lo.tion] n [ME loscion, fr. L lotion-, lotio act of washing,
          fr. lavere to wash--more at lye] (14c): a liquid preparation
          for cosmetic or external medicinal use

   lots
          [lots] adv [pl. of [1]lot] (1891): much <feeling ~ better>

   lotte
          [lotte] n [F, fr. MF] (1977): monkfish

   lottery
          [lot.tery] n, pl -ter.ies often attrib [MF loterie, fr. MD,
          fr. lot lot; akin to OE hlot lot] (1567) 1 a: a drawing
          of lots in which prizes are distributed to the winners
          among persons buying a chance b: a drawing of lots used
          to decide something 2: an event or affair whose outcome
          is or seems to be determined by chance

   lotto
          [lot.to] n [It, lottery, lotto, fr. F lot lot, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE hlot lot] (1778): a game of chance resembling
          bingo

   lotus
          [lo.tus] n [L & Gk; L lotus, fr. Gk lotos] (ca. 1541) 1 also
          lo.tos : a fruit eaten by the lotus-eaters and considered
          to cause indolence and dreamy contentment; also: a tree
          (as Zizyphus lotus of the buckthorn family) reputed to
          bear this fruit 2: any of various water lilies including
          several represented in ancient Egyptian and Hindu art
          and religious symbolism 3 [NL, fr. L] a: any of a genus
          (Lotus) of widely distributed upright leguminous herbs
          or subshrubs b: sweet clover

   lotus-eater
          [lo.tus-eat.er] n (1832) 1: any of a people in Homer's Odyssey
          subsisting on the lotus and living in the dreamy indolence
          it induces 2: an indolent person

   lotusland
          [lo.tus.land] n [fr. the Homeric land of lotus-eaters] (1842)
          1: a place inducing contentment esp. through offering
          an idyllic living situation 2: a state or an ideal marked
          by contentment often achieved through self-indulgence

   lotus position
          [lotus position] n [fr. the supposed resemblance of the position
          to a lotus blossom] (1953): a cross-legged sitting position
          used in yoga in which the right foot is on the left thigh
          and the left foot is on the right thigh

   Lou
          [Lou] abbreviation Louth

   louche
          [louche] adj [F, lit., cross-eyed, squint-eyed, fr. L luscus
          blind in one eye] (1819): not reputable or decent

   loud
          [loud] adj [ME, fr. OE hlud; akin to OHG hlut loud, L inclutus
          famous, Gk klytos, Skt srnoti he hears] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: marked by intensity or volume of sound b: producing
          a loud sound 2: clamorous, noisy 3: obtrusive or offensive
          in appearance or smell: obnoxious -- loud adv -- loud.ly
          adv syn loud, stentorian, earsplitting, raucous, strident
          mean marked by intensity or volume of sound. loud applies
          to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence
          or obtrusiveness <loud shouts of protest>. stentorian
          implies great power and range <an actor with a stentorian
          voice>. earsplitting implies loudness that is physically
          discomforting <the earsplitting sound of a siren>. raucous
          implies a loud harsh grating tone, esp. of voice, and
          may suggest rowdiness <the raucous shouts of drunken
          revelers>. strident implies a rasping discordant but
          insistent quality, esp. of voice <the strident voices
          of hecklers>.

   louden
          [loud.en] vb loud.ened ; loud.en.ing vi (ca. 1848): to become
          loud ~ vt: to make loud

   loud-hailer
          [loud-hail.er] n (1941) chiefly Brit: bullhorn

   loudmouth
          [loud.mouth] n (1914): a loudmouthed person

   loudmouthed
          [loud.mouthed] adj (1628): given to loud offensive talk

   loudness
          [loud.ness] n (bef. 12c): the attribute of a sound that determines
          the magnitude of the auditory sensation produced and that primarily
          depends on the amplitude of the sound wave involved

   loudspeaker
          [loud.speak.er] n (1920): a device that changes electrical
          signals into sounds loud enough to be heard at a distance

   Lou Gehrig's disease
          [Lou Geh.rig's disease] n [Lou Gehrig d. 1941 Am. baseball
          player who suffered from the disease] (1958): amyotrophic
          lateral sclerosis

   lough
          [lough] n [ME, of Celt origin; akin to OIr loch lake; akin
          to L lacus lake--more at lake] (14c) 1 chiefly Irish:
          lake 2 chiefly Irish: a bay or inlet of the sea

   louis d'or
          [lou.is d'or] n, pl louis d'or [F, fr. Louis XIII of France
          + d'or of gold] (1665) 1: a French gold coin first struck
          in 1640 and issued up to the Revolution 2: the French
          20-franc gold piece issued after the Revolution

   Lou is Quatorze
          [Lou .is Qua.torze] adj [F, Louis XIV] (1848): of, relating
          to, or characteristic of the architecture or furniture
          of the reign of Louis XIV of France

   Louis Quinze
          [Louis Quinze] adj [F, Louis XV] (1855): of, relating to,
          or characteristic of the architecture or furniture of
          the reign of Louis XV of France

   Louis Seize
          [Louis Seize] adj [F, Louis XVI] (1882): of, relating to,
          or characteristic of the architecture or furniture of
          the reign of Louis XVI of France

   Louis Treize
          [Louis Treize] adj [F, Louis XIII] (1883): of, relating to,
          or characteristic of the architecture or furniture of
          the reign of Louis XIII of France

   [1]lounge
          [lounge] vb lounged ; loung.ing [origin unknown] vi (1508):
          to act or move idly or lazily: loaf ~ vt: to pass (time)
          idly [2]lounge n (1775) 1: a place for lounging: as a:
          a room in a private home or public building for leisure
          occupations: living room; also: lobby b: a room in a
          usu. public building or vehicle often combining lounging,
          smoking, and toilet facilities 2: a long couch

   lounge car
          [lounge car] n (1947): club car

   lounge lizard
          [lounge lizard] n (1918) 1: ladies' man 2: fop 3: a social
          parasite

   lounger
          [loung.er] n (1508) 1: one that lounges; esp: idler 2: an
          article of clothing or furniture designed for comfort
          and leisure use

   lounge suit
          [lounge suit] n (1901) chiefly Brit: business suit

   loungewear
          [lounge.wear] n (ca. 1957): informal clothing usu. designed
          to be worn at home

   loup
          [loup] vb [ME, fr. ON hlaupa; akin to OE hleapan to leap--more
          at leap] (14c) chiefly Scot: leap -- loup n

   loupe
          [loupe] n [F] (ca. 1775): a small magnifier used esp. by
          jewelers and watchmakers

   loup-garou
          [loup-ga.rou] n, pl loups-garous [MF, fr. OF leu garoul,
          fr. leu (fr. L lupus) wolf + garoul werewolf, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG werwolf werewolf] (ca. 1580): werewolf

   lour
          [lour] , loury var of lower, lowery

   [1]louse
          [louse] n [ME lous, fr. OE lus; akin to OHG lus louse, W
          llau lice] (bef. 12c) 1 pl lice a: any of various small
          wingless usu. flattened insects (orders Anoplura and
          Mallophaga) parasitic on warm-blooded animals b: a small
          usu. sluggish arthropod that lives on other animals or
          on plants and sucks their blood or juices--usu. used
          in combination <plant ~> c: any of several small arthropods
          that are not parasitic--usu. used in combination <book
          ~> <wood ~> 2 pl lous.es : a contemptible person: heel
          [2]louse vt loused ; lous.ing (14c): to pick lice from:
          delouse

   louse up
          [louse up] vt (1934): foul up, snarl ~ vi: to make a mess

   lousewort
          [louse.wort] n (1597): any of a genus (Pedicularis) of herbs
          of the snapdragon family typically having pinnatifid
          leaves and bilabiate flowers in terminal spikes

   lousy
          [lousy] adj lous.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: infested with lice
          2 a: totally repulsive: contemptible b: miserably poor
          or inferior <got ~ grades> <felt ~ after dinner> c: amply
          supplied: replete <~ with money> 3 of silk: fuzzy and
          specked because of splitting of the fiber -- lous.i.ly
          adv -- lous.i.ness n

   [1]lout
          [lout] vi [ME, fr. OE lutan; akin to ON luta to bow down]
          (bef. 12c) 1: to bow in respect 2: submit, yield [2]lout
          n [perh. fr. ON lutr bent down, fr. luta] (1542): an
          awkward brutish person [3]lout vt (ca. 1530): to treat
          as a lout: scorn

   loutish
          [lout.ish] adj (1542): resembling or befitting a lout syn
          see boorish -- lout.ish.ly adv -- lout.ish.ness n

   louver
          [lou.ver] or lou.vre n [ME lover, fr. MF lovier] (14c) 1:
          a roof lantern or turret often with slatted apertures
          for escape of smoke or admission of light in a medieval
          building 2 a: an opening provided with one or more slanted
          fixed or movable fins to allow flow of air but to exclude
          rain or sun or to provide privacy b: a finned or vaned
          device for controlling a flow of air or the radiation
          of light c: a fin or shutter of a louver -- lou.vered
          also lou.vred adj

   lovable
          [lov.able] also love.able adj (14c): having qualities that
          attract affection -- lov.abil.i.ty n -- lov.able.ness
          n -- lov.ably adv

   lovage
          [lov.age] n [ME lovache, fr. AF, fr. LL levisticum, alter.
          of L ligusticum, fr. neut. of ligusticus Ligurian, fr.
          Ligur-, Ligus, n., Ligurian] (14c): any of several aromatic
          perennial herbs of the carrot family; esp: a European
          herb (Levisticum officinale) sometimes cultivated as
          a domestic remedy, flavoring agent, or potherb

   lovastatin
          [lov.a.stat.in] n [lov- (perh. fr. mevinolin, an earlier
          name) + connective -a- + -stat + [1]-in] (1987): a drug
          used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood

   lovat
          [lov.at] n [prob. fr. T. A. Fraser, Lord Lovat d. 1875 Scot.
          nobleman who popularized muted tweeds] (1907): a predominantly
          dusty color mixture (as of green) in fabrics

   [1]love
          [love] n [ME, fr. OE lufu; akin to OHG luba love, OE leof
          dear, L lubere, libere to please] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1):
          strong affection for another arising out of kinship or
          personal ties <maternal ~ for a child> (2): attraction
          based on sexual desire: affection and tenderness felt
          by lovers (3): affection based on admiration, benevolence,
          or common interests <~ for his old schoolmates> b: an
          assurance of love <give her my ~> 2: warm attachment,
          enthusiasm, or devotion <~ of the sea> 3 a: the object
          of attachment, devotion, or admiration <baseball was
          his first ~> b (1): a beloved person: darling--often
          used as a term of endearment (2) Brit--used as an informal
          term of address 4 a: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern
          for the good of another: as (1): the fatherly concern
          of God for humankind (2): brotherly concern for others
          b: a person's adoration of God 5: a god or personification
          of love 6: an amorous episode: love affair 7: the sexual
          embrace: copulation 8: a score of zero (as in tennis)
          9 cap, Christian Science: god -- at love : holding one's
          opponent scoreless in tennis -- in love : inspired by
          affection [2]love vb loved ; lov.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1:
          to hold dear: cherish 2 a: to feel a lover's passion,
          devotion, or tenderness for b (1): caress (2): to fondle
          amorously (3): to copulate with 3: to like or desire
          actively: take pleasure in <loved to play the violin>
          4: to thrive in <the rose ~s sunlight> ~ vi: to feel
          affection or experience desire

   love affair
          [love affair] n (1591) 1: a romantic attachment or episode
          between lovers 2: a lively enthusiasm <America's love
          affair with baseball>

   love apple
          [love apple] n [prob. trans. of F pomme d'amour] (1578):
          tomato

   love beads
          [love beads] n pl (1968): beads worn as a symbol of love
          and peace

   lovebird
          [love.bird] n (1595): any of various small usu. gray or green
          parrots (esp. genus Agapornis of Africa) that show great
          affection for their mates

   lovebug
          [love.bug] n [fr. the fact that it is usu. seen copulating]
          (ca. 1966): a small black fly (Plecia nearctica) with
          a red thorax that swarms along highways in the Gulf states
          of the U.S.

   love child
          [love child] n (1805): an illegitimate child

   love feast
          [love feast] n (1580) 1: a meal eaten in common by a Christian
          congregation in token of brotherly love 2: a gathering
          held to promote reconciliation and good feeling or show
          someone affectionate honor

   love grass
          [love grass] n (1702): any of a genus (Eragrostis) of grasses
          that resemble the bluegrasses but have flattened spikelets
          and deciduous lemmas

   love handles
          [love handles] n pl (1975): fatty bulges along the sides
          at the waist

   love-in
          [love-in] n (1967): a gathering of people esp. for the expression
          of their mutual love

   love-in-a-mist
          [love-in-a-mist] n (ca. 1760): a European and African annual
          herb (Nigella damascena) of the buttercup family having
          whitish flowers enveloped in numerous finely dissected
          bracts

   love knot
          [love knot] n (14c): a stylized knot sometimes used as an
          emblem of love

   loveless
          [love.less] adj (14c) 1: having no love 2: not loved
          -- love.less.ly adv -- love.less.ness n

   lovelock
          [love.lock] n (1592): a long lock of hair variously worn
          (as over the front of the shoulder) esp. by men in the
          17th and 18th centuries

   lovelorn
          [love.lorn] adj (1634): bereft of love or of a lover
          -- love.lorn.ness n

   [1]lovely
          [love.ly] adj love.li.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 obs: lovable
          2: delightful for beauty, harmony, or grace: attractive
          3: grand, swell 4: eliciting love by moral or ideal worth
          syn see beautiful -- love.li.ly adv -- love.li.ness n
          -- lovely adv [2]lovely n, pl lovelies (1652) 1: a beautiful
          woman 2: a lovely object

   lovemaking
          [love.mak.ing] n (15c) 1: courtship 2: sexual activity; esp:
          copulation

   lover
          [lov.er] n (13c) 1 a: a person in love; esp: a man in love
          with a woman b pl: two persons in love with each other
          2: an affectionate or benevolent friend 3: devotee 4
          a: paramour b: a person with whom one has sexual relations

   loverly
          [lov.er.ly] adj (1875): resembling or befitting a lover

   love seat
          [love seat] n (1904): a double chair, sofa, or settee for
          two persons

   lovesick
          [love.sick] adj (15c) 1: languishing with love: yearning
          2: expressing a lover's longing -- love.sick.ness n

   lovesome
          [love.some] adj (bef. 12c) 1: winsome, lovely 2: affectionate,
          amorous

   lovey-dovey
          [lovey-dovey] adj (1886): expressing much love or sentimentality;
          also: mushy -- lovey-dovey.ness n

   loving
          [lov.ing] adj (bef. 12c) 1: affectionate 2: painstaking --
          lov.ing.ly adv -- lov.ing.ness n

   loving cup
          [loving cup] n [fr. its former use in ceremonial drinking]
          (1812) 1: a large ornamental drinking vessel with two
          or more handles 2: a loving cup given as a token or trophy

   loving-kindness
          [lov.ing-kind.ness] n (1535): tender and benevolent affection

   [1]low
          [low] vi [ME loowen, fr. OE hlowan; akin to OHG hluoen to
          moo, L calare to call, summon, Gk kalein] (bef. 12c):
          moo [2]low n (1549): the deep sustained sound characteristic
          esp. of a cow [3]low adj low.er ; low.est [ME lah, low,
          fr. ON lagr; akin to MHG laege low, flat; prob. akin
          to OE licgan to lie] (12c) 1 a: having a small upward
          extension or elevation <a ~ wall> b: situated or passing
          little above a reference line, point, or plane <~ bridges>
          c (1): having a low-cut neckline (2): not extending as
          high as the ankle <~ oxfords> 2 a: situated or passing
          below the normal level, surface, or base of measurement,
          or the mean elevation <~ ground> b: marking a nadir or
          bottom <the ~ point of his career> 3: dead--used as a
          predicate adjective 4 a: not loud: soft b: flat 8a c:
          characterized by being toward the bottom of the range
          of pitch attainable (as by an instrument) 5 a: being
          near the equator <~ northern latitudes> b: being near
          the horizon 6: socially or economically humble in character
          or status <~ birth> 7 a: lacking strength, health, or
          vitality: weak, prostrate <very ~ with pneumonia> b:
          lacking spirit or vivacity: depressed <a ~ frame of mind>
          8 a: of lesser degree, size, or amount than average or
          ordinary <~ energy> b (1): small in number or amount
          (2): substandard, inadequate <a ~ level of employment>
          <a ~ income group> (3): cheap <~ prices> (4): short,
          depleted <oil is in ~ supply> c: of lesser position,
          rank, or order 9: falling short of some standard: as
          a: lacking dignity or elevation <a ~ style of writing>
          b: morally reprehensible: base <a ~ trick> c: coarse,
          vulgar <~ language> 10 a: not advanced in complexity,
          development, or elaboration <~ organisms> b often cap:
          low church 11: unfavorable, disparaging <had a ~ opinion
          of him> 12: designed for slow and usu. the slowest speed
          <~ gear> 13: articulated with a wide opening between
          the relatively flat tongue and the palate: open 14: intended
          to attract little attention <kept a ~ profile> syn see
          base -- low adv -- low.ness n [4]low n (12c) 1: something
          that is low: as a: depth b: a region of low barometric
          pressure 2: the transmission gear of an automotive vehicle
          giving the lowest ratio of driveshaft to crankshaft speed
          [5]low or lowe n [ME, fr. ON logi, log; akin to OE leoht
          light--more at light] (13c) chiefly Scot: flame, blaze
          [6]low or lowe vb lowed ; low.ing (14c) Scot: flame,
          blaze

   lowball
          [low.ball] vt (ca. 1961): to give (a customer) a deceptively
          low price or cost estimate -- lowball n

   low beam
          [low beam] n (ca. 1952): the short-range focus of a vehicle
          headlight

   low blood pressure
          [low blood pressure] n (1924): hypotension

   low blow
          [low blow] n (1952): an unprincipled attack <gossip column
          that landed one low blow after another --James Fallows>

   lowborn
          [low.born] adj (13c): born in a low condition or rank

   lowboy
          [low.boy] n (ca. 1891): a chest or side table about three
          feet (one meter) high with drawers and usu. with cabriole
          legs

   lowbred
          [low.bred] adj (1757): rude, vulgar

   lowbrow
          [low.brow] n (1906): a person with little taste or intellectual
          interest -- lowbrow adj

   Low Church
          [Low Church] adj (1710): tending esp. in Anglican worship
          to minimize emphasis on the priesthood, sacraments, and
          ceremonial in worship and often to emphasize evangelical
          principles

   Low Churchman
          [Low Churchman] n (1702): a person holding or advocating
          Low Church views

   low comedy
          [low comedy] n (1608): comedy employing burlesque, horseplay,
          or the representation of low life--compare high comedy

   low country
          [low country] n, often cap L&C (15c): a low-lying country
          or region; esp: the part of a southern state extending
          from the seacoast inland to the fall line -- low-country
          adj, often cap L&C

   low-density lipoprotein
          [low-density lipoprotein] n (1951): ldl

   low-down
          [low-down] adj (1850) 1: contemptible, base 2: deeply emotional
          <~ blues>

   lowdown
          [low.down] n (1915): the inside facts: dope

   low earth orbit
          [low earth orbit] n (1963): a usu. circular orbit from about
          90 to 600 miles (144 to 960 kilometers) above the earth

   low-end
          [low-end] adj (1926): of, relating to, or being the lowest
          priced merchandise in a manufacturer's line

   [1]lower
          [low.er] vi [ME louren; akin to MHG luren to lie in wait]
          (13c) 1: to look sullen: frown 2: to be or become dark,
          gloomy, and threatening [2]lower n (14c): frown [3]low.er
          adj [[3]low] (13c) 1: relatively low in position, rank,
          or order 2: southern <~ New York State> 3: less advanced
          in the scale of evolutionary development 4 a: situated
          or held to be situated beneath the earth's surface b
          cap: being an earlier epoch or series of the period or
          series named <Lower Cretaceous> 5: constituting the popular
          and often the larger and more representative branch of
          a bicameral legislative body <~ house> [4]low.er vi (1606):
          to move down: drop; also: diminish ~ vt 1 a: to let descend:
          let down b: to depress as to direction <~ your aim> c:
          to reduce the height of 2 a: to reduce in value, number,
          or amount b (1): to bring down in quality or character:
          degrade (2): abase, humble c: to reduce the objective
          of

   [1]lowercase
          [low.er.case] adj [fr. the compositor's practice of keeping
          such types in the lower of a pair of type cases] (1683)
          of a letter: having as its typical form a f g or b n
          i rather than A F G or B N I -- lowercase n [2]lowercase
          vt -cased ; -cas.ing (1908): to print or set in lowercase
          letters

   lower-class
          [low.er-class] adj (1892) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the lower class 2: being an inferior or low-ranking
          specimen of its kind

   lower class
          [lower class] n (1772): a social class occupying a position
          below the middle class and having the lowest status in
          a society

   lower criticism
          [lower criticism] n (ca. 1889): criticism concerned with
          the recovery of original texts esp. of Scripture through
          collation of extant manuscripts--compare higher criticism

   lower fungus
          [lower fungus] n (1900): a fungus with hyphae absent or rudimentary
          and nonseptate

   lowering
          [low.er.ing] adj (15c): dark and threatening: gloomy

   lowermost
          [low.er.most] adj (1547): lowest

   lowery
          [low.ery] adj (15c): gloomy, lowering

   lowest common denominator
          [lowest common denominator] n (1924) 1: least common denominator
          2: something of small intellectual content designed to
          appeal to a lowbrow audience; also: such an audience

   lowest common multiple
          [lowest common multiple] n (ca. 1924): least common multiple

   lowest terms
          [lowest terms] n pl (1806): the form of a fraction in which
          the numerator and denominator have no factor in common
          except 1 <reduce a fraction to lowest terms>

   low frequency
          [low frequency] n (ca. 1868): a radio frequency between medium
          frequency and very low frequency

   Low German
          [Low German] n (1838) 1: the German dialects of northern
          Germany esp. as used since the end of the medieval period:
          plattdeutsch 2: the West Germanic languages other than
          High German

   low-grade
          [low-grade] adj (1878) 1: of inferior grade or quality 2:
          being near that extreme of a specified range which is
          lowest, least intense, or least competent <a ~ fever>
          <a ~ infection>

   low-key
          [low-key] also low-keyed adj (1907) 1: having or producing
          dark tones only with little contrast 2: of low intensity:
          restrained

   [1]lowland
          [low.land] n (15c): low or level country [2]lowland adj (1508)
          1 cap: of or relating to the Lowlands of Scotland 2:
          of or relating to a lowland

   lowlander
          [low.land.er] n (1692) 1 cap: an inhabitant of the Lowlands
          of Scotland 2: a native or inhabitant of a lowland region

   Low Latin
          [Low Latin] n (1872): postclassical Latin in its later stages

   low-level
          [low-lev.el] adj (1881) 1: occurring, done, or placed at
          a low level 2: being of low importance or rank

   lowlife
          [low.life] n, pl low.lifes also low.lives (1911) 1: a person
          of low social status 2: a person of low moral character
          -- low-life adj

   lowlight
          [low.light] n (1941): a particularly bad or unpleasant event,
          detail, or part

   lowlihead
          [low.li.head] n [ME lowliheed, fr. lowly + -hed -hood; akin
          to ME -hod -hood] (15c) archaic: lowly state

   [1]lowly
          [low.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a humble or meek manner 2: in a
          low position, manner, or degree 3: not loudly [2]lowly
          adj low.li.er ; -est (14c) 1: humble in manner or spirit:
          free from self-assertive pride 2: not lofty or sublime:
          prosaic 3: ranking low in some hierarchy 4: of or relating
          to a low social or economic rank 5: low in the scale
          of biological or cultural evolution -- low.li.ness n

   low-lying
          [low-ly.ing] adj (1856) 1: rising relatively little above
          the base of measurement <~ hills> 2: lying below the
          normal level, surface, or the base of measurement or
          mean elevation <~ clouds>

   low mass
          [low mass] n, often cap L&M (1568): a mass that is recited
          without singing by the celebrant, without a deacon, subdeacon,
          or choir assisting the celebrant, and without the use
          of incense

   low-minded
          [low-mind.ed] adj (ca. 1746): inclined to low or unworthy
          things -- low-mind.ed.ly adv -- low-mind.ed.ness n

   lown
          [lown] adj [ME (Sc) lowne] (15c) dial: calm, quiet

   low-pressure
          [low-pres.sure] adj (1827) 1: having, exerting, or operating
          under a relatively small pressure 2: easygoing

   low relief
          [low relief] n (1711): bas-relief

   low-rent
          [low-rent] adj (1957): low in character, cost, or prestige
          <~ thugs> <a ~ movie> <a ~ literary form>

   low-rise
          [low-rise] adj (1957) 1: having few stories and not equipped
          with elevators <a ~ classroom building> 2: of, relating
          to, or characterized by low-rise buildings <a ~ housing
          development>

   low-slung
          [low-slung] adj (1943): relatively low to the ground or floor
          <a ~ convertible> <a ~ modern building> <a ~ sofa>

   low-spirited
          [low-spir.it.ed] adj (1693): dejected, depressed --
          low-spir.it.ed.ly adv -- low-spir.it.ed.ness n

   Low Sunday
          [Low Sunday] n (15c): the Sunday following Easter

   low-tech
          [low-tech] adj (1981): technologically simple or unsophisticated
          <~ industries>

   low tide
          [low tide] n (1843): the farthest ebb of the tide

   low water
          [low water] n (15c): a low stage of the water in a river
          or lake; also: low tide

   [1]lox
          [lox] n [liquid oxygen] (1923): liquid oxygen [2]lox n, pl
          lox or lox.es [Yiddish laks, fr. MHG lahs salmon, fr.
          OHG; akin to OE leax salmon] (1941): smoked salmon

   loxodrome
          [lox.o.drome] n [back-formation fr. loxodromic of a rhumb
          line, fr. F loxodromique, fr. Gk loxos oblique + dromos
          course--more at dromedary] (1880): rhumb line

   loyal
          [loy.al] adj [MF, fr. OF leial, leel, fr. L legalis legal]
          (1531) 1: unswerving in allegiance: as a: faithful in
          allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government b:
          faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due
          c: faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or
          product 2: showing loyalty 3 obs: lawful, legitimate
          syn see faithful -- loy.al.ly adv

   loyalist
          [loy.al.ist] n (1647): one who is or remains loyal esp. to
          a political cause, party, government, or sovereign

   loyalty
          [loy.al.ty] n, pl -ties [ME loyaltee, fr. MF loialte, fr.
          OF leialte, fr. leial] (15c): the quality or state or
          an instance of being loyal syn see fidelity

   lozenge
          [loz.enge] n [ME losenge, fr. MF losange] (14c) 1: a figure
          with four equal sides and two acute and two obtuse angles:
          diamond 2: something shaped like a lozenge 3: a small
          often medicated candy

   lp...
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   LP
          [LP] abbreviation low pressure

   LP
          [LP] n [long-playing] (1948): a microgroove phonograph record
          designed to be played at 33 1/3 revolutions per minute

   LPG
          [LPG] abbreviation liquefied petroleum gas

   LPGA
          [LPGA] abbreviation Ladies Professional Golf Association

   LPN
          [LPN] n (1948): licensed practical nurse

   lr...
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   Lr
          [Lr] abbreviation lawrencium  LR abbreviation living room,
          log run, lower right

   LRT
          [LRT] abbreviation light-rail transit

   LRV
          [LRV] abbreviation light-rail vehicle

   ls...
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   LS
          [LS] abbreviation left side, letter signed, library science,
          [L locus sigilli] place of the seal; long shot

   LSAT
          [LSAT] abbreviation Law School Admission Test

   LSD
          [LSD] n [lysergic acid diethylamide] (1950): an organic compound
          that induces psychotic symptoms similar to those of
          schizophrenia--called also lysergic acid diethylamide

   LSI
          [LSI] abbreviation large-scale integrated circuit, large-scale
          integration

   LSM
          [LSM] abbreviation letter-sorting machine

   LSS
          [LSS] abbreviation lifesaving service, lifesaving station,
          life-support system

   LST
          [LST] abbreviation landing ship, tank; local sidereal time

   lt...
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   lt
          [lt] abbreviation light Lt abbreviation lieutenant LT abbreviation
          long ton, low-tension

   LTC
          [LTC] abbreviation lieutenant colonel, long term care

   Lt Col
          [Lt Col] abbreviation lieutenant colonel

   Lt Comdr
          [Lt Comdr] abbreviation lieutenant commander

   ltd
          [ltd] abbreviation limited

   LTG
          [LTG] or Lt Gen abbreviation lieutenant general

   lt gov
          [lt gov] abbreviation lieutenant governor

   LTh
          [LTh] abbreviation licentiate in theology

   LTJG
          [LTJG] abbreviation lieutenant, junior grade

   LTL
          [LTL] abbreviation less than truckload

   ltr
          [ltr] abbreviation letter, lighter

   LTS
          [LTS] abbreviation launch telemetry station, launch tracking
          system

   lu...
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   Lu
          [Lu] abbreviation lutetium

   luau
          [lu.au] n [Hawaiian lu'au] (1853): an Hawaiian feast

   lub
          [lub] abbreviation lubricant, lubricating

   Lubavitcher
          [Lu.ba.vitch.er] n [Yiddish lyubavitsher, fr. Lyubavitsh,
          town in Belarus] (1954): a member of a Hasidic sect founded
          by Schneour Zalman of Lyady in the late 18th century
          -- Lubavitcher adj

   lubber
          [lub.ber] n [ME lobre, lobur] (14c) 1: a big clumsy fellow
          2: a clumsy seaman -- lub.ber.li.ness n -- lub.ber.ly
          adj or adv

   lubber line
          [lubber line] n (1889): a fixed line on the compass of a
          ship or airplane that is aligned with the longitudinal
          axis of the vehicle

   lubber's hole
          [lubber's hole] n (ca. 1784): a hole in a square-rigger's
          top near the mast through which one may go farther aloft
          without going over the rim by the futtock shrouds

   lube
          [lube] n [short for lubricating oil] (1926) 1: lubricant
          2: an application of a lubricant: lubrication

   lubric
          [lu.bric] adj [MF lubrique, fr. ML lubricus] (15c) archaic:
          lubricious -- lu.bri.cal adj

   lubricant
          [lu.bri.cant] n (ca. 1928) 1: a substance (as grease) capable
          of reducing friction, heat, and wear when introduced
          as a film between solid surfaces 2: something that lessens
          or prevents friction or difficulty -- lubricant adj

   lubricate
          [lu.bri.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L lubricatus, pp. of
          lubricare, fr. lubricus slippery--more at sleeve] vt
          (ca. 1623) 1: to make smooth or slippery 2: to apply
          a lubricant to ~ vi: to act as a lubricant -- lu.bri.ca.tion
          n -- lu.bri.ca.tive adj -- lu.bri.ca.tor n

   lubricious
          [lu.bri.cious] or lu.bri.cous adj [ML lubricus, fr. L, slippery,
          easily led astray] (1535) 1: marked by wantonness: lecherous;
          also: salacious 2 [L lubricus]: having a smooth or slippery
          quality <a ~ skin> -- lu.bri.cious.ly adv

   lubricity
          [lu.bric.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c): the property or state of
          being lubricious; also: the capacity for reducing friction

   Lucan
          [Lu.can] adj [LL lucanus, fr. Lucas Luke, fr. Gk Loukas]
          (1890): of or relating to Luke or the Gospel ascribed
          to him

   lucarne
          [lu.carne] n [F] (ca. 1825): dormer

   Lucayo
          [Lu.ca.yo] also Lu.ca.yan n (1929): a member of an Arawakan
          people of the Bahamas

   lucency
          [lu.cen.cy] n (1656): the quality or state of being lucent

   lucent
          [lu.cent] adj [ME, fr. L lucent-, lucens, prp. of lucere
          to shine--more at light] (15c) 1: glowing with light:
          luminous 2: marked by clarity or translucence: clear
          -- lu.cent.ly adv

   lucern
          [lu.cern] n [prob. modif. of G luchsern of a lynx, fr. Luchs
          lynx] (ca. 1533) obs: lynx

   lucerne
          [lu.cerne] also lu.cern n [F luzerne, fr. Prov luserno] (1626)
          chiefly Brit: alfalfa

   lucid
          [lu.cid] adj [L lucidus, fr. lucere] (1591) 1 a: suffused
          with light: luminous b: translucent 2: having full use
          of one's faculties: sane 3: clear to the understanding:
          intelligible syn see clear -- lu.cid.ly adv -- lu.cid.ness
          n

   lucidity
          [lu.cid.i.ty] n (1851) 1: clearness of thought or style 2:
          a presumed capacity to perceive the truth directly and
          instantaneously: clairvoyance

   Lucifer
          [Lu.ci.fer] n [ME, the morning star, a fallen rebel archangel,
          the Devil, fr. OE, fr. L, the morning star, fr. lucifer
          light-bearing, fr. luc-, lux light + -fer -ferous--more
          at light] (bef. 12c) 1--used as a name of the devil 2:
          the planet Venus when appearing as the morning star 3
          not cap: a friction match having as active substances
          antimony sulfide and potassium chlorate -- Lu.ci.fe.ri.an
          adj

   luciferase
          [lu.cif.er.ase] n [ISV, fr. luciferin] (1888): an enzyme
          that catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin

   luciferin
          [lu.cif.er.in] n [ISV, fr. L lucifer light-bearing] (1888):
          any of various organic substances in luminescent organisms
          (as fireflies) that upon oxidation produce a virtually
          heatless light

   luciferous
          [lu.cif.er.ous] adj [L lucifer] (1648): bringing light or
          insight: illuminating

   Lucina
          [Lu.ci.na] n [L, Roman goddess of childbirth] (1658) archaic:
          midwife

   Lucite
          [Lu.cite] trademark--used for an acrylic resin or plastic
          consisting essentially of polymerized methyl methacrylate

   [1]luck
          [luck] n [ME lucke, fr. MD luc; akin to MHG gelucke luck]
          (15c) 1 a: a force that brings good fortune or adversity
          b: the events or circumstances that operate for or against
          an individual 2: favoring chance; also: success -- luck.less
          adj [2]luck vi (ca. 1584) 1: to prosper or succeed esp.
          through chance or good fortune--usu. used with out 2:
          to come upon something desirable by chance--usu. used
          with out, on, onto, or into

   luckily
          [luck.i.ly] adv (1530) 1: in a lucky manner 2: fortunately
          2 <~, we were on time> usage see hopefully

   lucky
          [lucky] adj luck.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: having good luck 2:
          happening by chance: fortuitous 3: producing or resulting
          in good by chance: favorable 4: seeming to bring good
          luck <a ~ rabbit's foot> -- luck.i.ness n syn lucky,
          fortunate, happy, providential mean meeting with unforeseen
          success. lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing
          about a favorable result <won because of a lucky bounce>.
          fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts
          <fortunate in my investments>. happy combines the implications
          of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed <a
          series of happy accidents>. providential more definitely
          implies the help or intervention of a higher power <a
          providential change in the weather>.

   lucky dip
          [lucky dip] n (1925) Brit: grab bag

   lucrative
          [lu.cra.tive] adj [ME lucratif, fr. MF, fr. L lucrativus,
          fr. lucratus, pp. of lucrari to gain, fr. lucrum] (15c):
          producing wealth: profitable -- lu.cra.tive.ly adv --
          lu.cra.tive.ness n

   lucre
          [lu.cre] n [ME, fr. L lucrum; prob. akin to OE lean reward,
          OHG lon, Gk apolauein to enjoy] (14c): monetary gain:
          profit; also: money

   lucubration
          [lu.cu.bra.tion] n [L lucubration-, lucubratio study by night,
          work produced at night, fr. lucubrare to work by lamplight;
          akin to L luc-, lux] (1595): laborious or intensive study;
          also: the product of such study--usu. used in pl.

   luculent
          [lu.cu.lent] adj [L luculentus, fr. luc-, lux light] (ca.
          1548): clear in thought or expression: lucid -- lu.cu.lent.ly
          adv

   Lucullan
          [Lu.cul.lan] also Lu.cul.li.an adj [L lucullanus of Licinius
          Lucullus; fr. his reputation for luxurious banquets]
          (1861): lavish, luxurious <a ~ feast>

   Luddite
          [Ludd.ite] n [perh. fr. Ned Ludd, 18th cent. Leicestershire
          workman who destroyed machinery] (1811): one of a group
          of early 19th century English workmen destroying laborsaving
          machinery as a protest; broadly: one who is opposed to
          esp. technological change -- Luddite adj

   ludic
          [lu.dic] adj [F ludique, fr. L ludus] (1940): of, relating
          to, or characterized by play: playful <~ behavior> <a
          ~ novel>

   ludicrous
          [lu.di.crous] adj [L ludicrus, fr. ludus play, sport; perh.
          akin to Gk loidoros abusive] (1782) 1: amusing or laughable
          through obvious absurdity, incongruity, exaggeration,
          or eccentricity 2: meriting derisive laughter or scorn
          as absurdly inept, false, or foolish syn see laughable
          -- lu.di.crous.ly adv -- lu.di.crous.ness n

   lues
          [lu.es] n, pl lues [NL, fr. L, plague; akin to Gk lyein to
          loosen, destroy--more at lose] (1634): syphilis -- lu.et.ic
          adj

   [1]luff
          [luff] n [ME, weather side of a ship, luff, fr. MF lof weather
          side of ship] (14c) 1: the act of sailing a ship nearer
          the wind 2: the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail [2]luff
          vi (14c): to turn the head of a ship toward the wind

   luffa
          [luf.fa] var of loofah

   luftmensch
          [luft.mensch] n, pl luft.mensch.en [Yiddish luftmentsh, fr.
          luft air + mentsh human being] (1907): an impractical
          contemplative person having no definite business or income

   [1]lug
          [lug] vb lugged ; lug.ging [ME luggen to pull by the hair
          or ear, drag, prob. of Scand origin; akin to Norw lugga
          to pull by the hair] vt (14c) 1: drag, pull 2: to carry
          laboriously 3: to introduce in a forced manner <~s my
          name into the argument> ~ vi 1: to pull with effort:
          tug 2: to move heavily or by jerks <the car ~s on hills>
          3 of a racehorse: to swerve from the course toward or
          away from the inside rail [2]lug n (1616) 1 archaic a:
          an act of lugging b: something that is lugged c: a shipping
          container for produce 2: lugsail 3 pl: superior airs
          or affectations <put on ~s> 4 slang: an exaction of money--used
          in the phrase put the lug on [3]lug n [ME (Sc) lugge,
          perh. fr. ME luggen] (15c) 1: something (as a handle)
          that projects like an ear: as a: a leather loop on a
          harness saddle through which the shaft passes b: a metal
          fitting to which electrical wires are soldered or connected
          2 chiefly Brit: ear 3: a ridge (as on the bottom of a
          shoe) to increase traction 4: a nut used to secure a
          wheel on an automotive vehicle--called also lug nut 5:
          blockhead, lout

   Luganda
          [Lu.gan.da] n (1889): the Bantu language of the Ganda people

   luge
          [luge] n [F] (1905): a small sled that is ridden in a supine
          position and used esp. in competition; also: the competition
          itself -- luge vi -- lug.er n

   luggage
          [lug.gage] n (1596): something that is lugged; esp: suitcases
          for a traveler's belongings: baggage

   lugger
          [lug.ger] n [lugsail] (1757): a small fishing or coasting
          boat that carries one or more lugsails

   lugsail
          [lug.sail] n [perh. fr. [3]lug] (1677): a 4-sided sail bent
          to an obliquely hanging yard that is hoisted and lowered
          with the sail

   lugubrious
          [lu.gu.bri.ous] adj [L lugubris, fr. lugere to mourn; akin
          to Gk lygros mournful] (1601) 1: mournful; esp: exaggeratedly
          or affectedly mournful <dark, dramatic and ~ brooding
          --V. S. Pritchett> 2: dismal <a ~ landscape> -- lu.gu.bri.ous.ly
          adv -- lu.gu.bri.ous.ness n

   lugworm
          [lug.worm] n [origin unknown] (1802): any of a genus (Arenicola)
          of marine polychaete worms that have a row of tufted
          gills along each side of the back and are used for bait

   Lukan
          [Luk.an] var of lucan

   Luke
          [Luke] n [L Lucas, fr. Gk Loukas] 1: a Gentile physician
          and companion of the apostle Paul traditionally identified
          as the author of the third Gospel in the New Testament
          and of the book of Acts 2: the third Gospel in the New
          Testament

   lukewarm
          [luke.warm] adj [ME, fr. luke lukewarm + warm; prob. akin
          to OHG lao lukewarm--more at lee] (14c) 1: moderately
          warm: tepid 2: lacking conviction: halfhearted -- luke.warm.ly
          adv -- luke.warm.ness n

   [1]lull
          [lull] vt [ME; prob. of imit. origin] (14c) 1: to cause to
          sleep or rest: soothe 2: to cause to relax vigilance
          [2]lull n (1719) 1 archaic: something that lulls; esp:
          lullaby 2: a temporary pause or decline in activity <the
          early morning ~ in urban noise>: as a: a temporary calm
          before or during a storm b: a temporary drop in business
          activity

   [1]lullaby
          [lul.la.by] n, pl -bies [obs. E lulla, interj. used to lull
          a child (fr. ME) + bye, interj. used to lull a child,
          fr. ME by] (1588): a soothing refrain; specif: a song
          to quiet children or lull them to sleep [2]lullaby vt
          -bied ; -by.ing (1592): to quiet with or as if with a
          lullaby

   lulu
          [lu.lu] n [prob. fr. Lulu, nickname fr. Louise] (1886) slang:
          one that is remarkable or wonderful

   lum
          [lum] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1628) chiefly Scot: chimney

   lumbago
          [lum.ba.go] n [L, fr. lumbus] (ca. 1693): usu. painful muscular
          rheumatism involving the lumbar region

   lumbar
          [lum.bar] adj [NL lumbaris, fr. L lumbus loin--more at loin]
          (ca. 1656): of, relating to, or constituting the loins
          or the vertebrae between the thoracic vertebrae and sacrum
          <~ region>

   [1]lumber
          [lum.ber] vi lum.bered ; lum.ber.ing [ME lomeren] (14c) 1:
          to move ponderously 2: rumble [2]lumber n [perh. fr.
          Lombard; fr. the use of pawnshops as storehouses of disused
          property] (1552) 1: surplus or disused articles (as furniture)
          that are stored away 2 a: timber or logs esp. when dressed
          for use b: any of various structural materials prepared
          in a form similar to lumber -- lumber adj [3]lumber vb
          lum.bered ; lum.ber.ing vt (1642) 1: to clutter with
          or as if with lumber: encumber 2: to heap together in
          disorder 3: to log and saw the timber of ~ vi 1: to cut
          logs for lumber 2: to saw logs into lumber for the market
          -- lum.ber.er n

   lumberjack
          [lum.ber.jack] n (1831): logger

   lumberman
          [lum.ber.man] n (ca. 1817): a person who is engaged in or
          oversees the business of cutting, processing, and marketing
          lumber

   lumber room
          [lumber room] n (1741): storeroom 1

   lumberyard
          [lum.ber.yard] n (1786): a yard where a stock of lumber is
          kept for sale

   lumbosacral
          [lum.bo.sa.cral] adj (1840): relating to the lumbar and sacral
          regions or parts

   lumen
          [lu.men] n, pl lumens also lu.mi.na [NL lumin-, lumen, fr.
          L, light, air shaft, opening] (1873) 1: the cavity of
          a tubular organ <the ~ of a blood vessel> 2: the bore
          of a tube (as of a hollow needle or catheter) 3: a unit
          of luminous flux equal to the light emitted in a unit
          solid angle by a uniform point source of one candle intensity
          -- lu.mi.nal also lu.men.al adj

   lumin-
          [lumin-] or lumini- comb form [ME lumin-, fr. L lumin-, lumen]:
          light <luminiferous>

   luminaire
          [lu.mi.naire] n [F, lamp, lighting] (1921): a complete lighting
          unit

   luminance
          [lu.mi.nance] n (1880) 1: the quality or state of being luminous
          2: the luminous intensity of a surface in a given direction
          per unit of projected area

   luminaria
          [lu.mi.nar.ia] n, pl -nar.i.as [Sp, decorative light, fr.
          LL] (1949): a traditional Mexican Christmas lantern orig.
          consisting of a candle set in sand inside a paper bag

   luminary
          [lu.mi.nary] n, pl -nar.ies [ME luminarye, fr. MF & LL; MF
          luminaire lamp, fr. LL luminaria, pl. of luminare lamp,
          heavenly body, fr. L, window, fr. lumin-, lumen light;
          akin to L lucere to shine--more at light] (15c) 1: a
          person of prominence or brilliant achievement 2: a body
          that gives light; esp: one of the celestial bodies --
          luminary adj

   luminesce
          [lu.mi.nesce] vi -nesced ; -nesc.ing [back-formation fr.
          luminescent] (1896): to exhibit luminescence

   luminescence
          [lu.mi.nes.cence] n (1889): the low-temperature emission
          of light (as by a chemical or physiological process);
          also: light produced by luminescence -- lu.mi.nes.cent
          adj

   luminiferous
          [lu.mi.nif.er.ous] adj (1801): transmitting, producing, or
          yielding light

   luminism
          [lu.mi.nism] n, often cap (ca. 1974): a theory or practice
          of realist landscape and seascape painting developed
          in the U.S. in the mid 19th century and concerned with
          the study and depiction of effects of light and atmosphere
          -- lu.mi.nist n, often cap

   luminosity
          [lu.mi.nos.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1634) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being luminous b: something luminous 2 a: the relative
          quantity of light b: relative brightness of something
          3: the relative quantity of radiation emitted by a celestial
          source (as a star)

   luminous
          [lu.mi.nous] adj [ME, fr. L luminosus, fr. lumin-, lumen]
          (15c) 1 a: emitting or reflecting usu. steady, suffused,
          or glowing light b: of or relating to light or to luminous
          flux 2: bathed in or exposed to steady light <~ with
          sunlight> 3: clear, enlightening syn see bright -- lu.mi.nous.ly
          adv -- lu.mi.nous.ness n

   luminous energy
          [luminous energy] n (ca. 1931): energy transferred in the
          form of visible radiation

   luminous flux
          [luminous flux] n (1925): radiant flux in the visible-wavelength
          range usu. expressed in lumens instead of watts

   luminous paint
          [luminous paint] n (ca. 1889): a paint containing a phosphor
          (as zinc sulfide activated with copper) and so able to
          glow in the dark

   lummox
          [lum.mox] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1825): a clumsy person

   [1]lump
          [lump] n [ME] (14c) 1: a piece or mass of indefinite size
          and shape 2 a: aggregate, totality <taken in the ~> b:
          majority 3: protuberance; esp: an abnormal swelling 4:
          a person who is heavy and awkward; also: one who is stupid
          or dull 5 pl a: beatings, bruises <had taken a lot of
          ~s growing up in the city> b: defeat, loss <can cheerfully
          take his ~s on losers, because the payout is big on the
          winners --Martin Mayer> -- lump in one's throat : a constriction
          of the throat caused by emotion [2]lump vt (1624) 1:
          to group indiscriminately 2: to make into lumps; also:
          to make lumps on or in 3: to move noisily and clumsily
          ~ vi 1: to become formed into lumps 2: to move oneself
          noisily and clumsily [3]lump adj (ca. 1700): not divided
          into parts: entire <~ sum> [4]lump vt [origin unknown]
          (1791): to put up with <like it or ~ it

   lumpectomy
          [lump.ec.to.my] n, pl -mies (1972): excision of a breast
          tumor with a limited amount of associated tissue

   [1]lumpen
          [lum.pen] adj [G Lumpenproletariat degraded section of the
          proletariat, fr. Lump contemptible person (fr. Lumpen
          rags) + Proletariat] (1936): of or relating to dispossessed
          and uprooted individuals cut off from the economic and
          social class with which they might normally be identified
          <~ proletariat> <~ intellectuals> [2]lumpen n, pl lumpen
          also lumpens (1941): a member of the crude and uneducated
          lowest class of society

   lumper
          [lump.er] n (ca. 1785) 1: a laborer employed to handle freight
          or cargo 2: one who classifies organisms into large often
          variable taxonomic groups based on major characters--compare
          splitter

   lumpfish
          [lump.fish] n [obs. E lump lumpfish (prob. fr. D lomp blenny,
          loach) + E fish] (ca. 1620): a northern Atlantic usu.
          greenish fish (Cyclopterus lumpus of the family Cyclopteridae)
          having rows of nodules on the body and eggs used as a
          caviar

   lumpish
          [lump.ish] adj (1528) 1: dull, sluggish 2 obs: low in spirits
          3: heavy, awkward 4: lumpy 1a 5: tediously slow or dull:
          boring; also: lumpy 3 -- lump.ish.ly adv -- lump.ish.ness
          n

   lumpy
          [lumpy] adj lump.i.er ; -est (1707) 1 a: filled or covered
          with lumps b: characterized by choppy waves 2: having
          a heavy clumsy appearance 3: uneven and often crude in
          style -- lump.i.ly adv -- lump.i.ness n

   lumpy jaw
          [lumpy jaw] n (1890): actinomycosis; esp: actinomycosis of
          the head in cattle

   lunacy
          [lu.na.cy] n, pl -cies [lunatic] (1541) 1: any of various
          forms of insanity: as a: intermittent insanity once believed
          to be related to phases of the moon b: insanity amounting
          to lack of capacity or of responsibility in the eyes
          of the law 2: wild foolishness: extravagant folly 3:
          a foolish act

   luna moth
          [lu.na moth] n [NL luna (specific epithet of Actias luna),
          fr. L, moon] (1869): a large mostly pale green American
          saturniid moth (Actias luna) with long tails on the hind
          wings

   lunar
          [lu.nar] adj [ME, fr. L lunaris, fr. luna moon; akin to L
          lucere to shine--more at light] (15c) 1: crescent, lunate
          2 a: of or relating to the moon b: designed for use on
          the moon <~ vehicles> 3: measured by the moon's revolution
          <~ month>

   lunar caustic
          [lunar caustic] n [obs. luna silver, fr. ML, fr. L, moon]
          (1771): silver nitrate esp. when fused and molded into
          sticks for use as a caustic

   lunar eclipse
          [lunar eclipse] n (ca. 1737): an eclipse in which the moon
          near the full phase passes partially or wholly through
          the umbra of the earth's shadow--see eclipse illustration

   lunar module
          [lunar module] n (1967): a space vehicle module designed
          to carry astronauts from the command module to the surface
          of the moon and back--called also lunar excursion module--abbr.
          LEM

   lunate
          [lu.nate] adj [L lunatus, pp. of lunare to bend in a crescent,
          fr. luna] (ca. 1777): shaped like a crescent

   lunatic
          [lu.na.tic] adj [ME lunatik, fr. OF or LL; OF lunatique,
          fr. LL lunaticus, fr. L luna; fr. the belief that lunacy
          fluctuated with the phases of the moon] (14c) 1 a: affected
          with lunacy: insane b: designed for the care of insane
          persons <~ asylum> 2: wildly foolish -- lunatic n

   lunatic fringe
          [lunatic fringe] n (1913): the members of a usu. political
          or social movement espousing extreme, eccentric, or fanatical
          views

   lunation
          [lu.na.tion] n [ME lunacioun, fr. ML lunation-, lunatio,
          fr. L luna] (14c): the period of time averaging 29 days,
          12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.8 seconds elapsing between
          two successive new moons

   [1]lunch
          [lunch] n [prob. short for luncheon] (1812) 1: a usu. light
          meal; esp: one taken in the middle of the day 2: the
          food prepared for a lunch -- out to lunch slang: out
          of touch with reality [2]lunch vi (1823): to eat lunch
          ~ vt: to treat to lunch -- lunch.er n

   lunch counter
          [lunch counter] n (1869) 1: a long counter at which lunches
          are sold 2: luncheonette

   luncheon
          [lun.cheon] n [perh. alter. of nuncheon light snack] (ca.
          1652): lunch; esp: a formal usu. midday meal as part
          of a meeting or for entertaining a guest

   luncheonette
          [lun.cheon.ette] n (1924): a small restaurant serving light
          lunches

   lunchroom
          [lunch.room] n (1830) 1: luncheonette 2: a room (as in a
          school) where lunches supplied on the premises or brought
          from home may be eaten

   lunchtime
          [lunch.time] n (1859): the time at which lunch is usu. eaten:
          noon

   lune
          [lune] n [L luna moon--more at lunar] (ca. 1704): the part
          of a plane surface bounded by two intersecting arcs or
          of a spherical surface bounded by two great circles

   lunes
          [lunes] n pl [F, pl. of lune crazy whim, fr. MF, moon, crazy
          whim, fr. L luna] (1602): fits of lunacy

   lunette
          [lu.nette] n [F, fr. OF lunete small object shaped like the
          moon, fr. lune moon] (ca. 1673) 1: something that has
          the shape of a crescent or half-moon: as a: an opening
          in a vault esp. for a window b: the surface at the upper
          part of a wall that is partly surrounded by a vault which
          the wall intersects and that is often filled by windows
          or by mural painting c: a low crescentic mound (as of
          sand) formed by the wind 2: the figure or shape of a
          crescent moon

   lung
          [lung] n [ME lunge, fr. OE lungen; akin to OHG lungun lung,
          lihti light in weight--more at light] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          one of the usu. paired compound saccular thoracic organs
          that constitute the basic respiratory organ of air-breathing
          vertebrates b: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates
          2 a: a device enabling individuals abandoning a submarine
          to rise to the surface b: a mechanical device for regularly
          introducing fresh air into and withdrawing stale air
          from the lung: respirator -- lung.ful n

   [1]lunge
          [lunge] n [modif. of F allonge extension, reach, fr. OF alonge,
          fr. alongier to lengthen, fr. (assumed) VL allongare,
          fr. L ad- ad- + LL longare, fr. L longus long] (1748)
          1: a quick thrust or jab (as of a sword) usu. made by
          leaning or striding forward 2: a sudden forward rush
          or reach <made a ~ to catch the ball> [2]lunge vb lunged
          ; lung.ing vi (1821): to make a lunge: move with or as
          if with a lunge ~ vt: to thrust or propel (as a blow)
          in a lunge

   lunged
          [lunged] adj (1693) 1: having lungs: pulmonate 2: having
          a lung or lungs of a specified kind or number--used in
          combination <one-lunged>

   [1]lunger
          [lung.er] n (1842): one that lunges [2]lung.er n (1893):
          a person suffering from a chronic disease of the lungs;
          esp: one who is tubercular

   lungfish
          [lung.fish] n (1883): any of a subclass (Dipneusti) of bony
          fishes that breathe by a modified swim bladder as well
          as gills

   lungworm
          [lung.worm] n (1882): any of various nematodes that infest
          the lungs and air passages of mammals

   lungwort
          [lung.wort] n (bef. 12c): any of several plants (as a mullein)
          formerly used in the treatment of respiratory disorders;
          esp: a European herb (Pulmonaria officinalis) of the
          borage family with hispid leaves and usu. bluish flowers

   lunisolar
          [lu.ni.so.lar] adj [L luna moon + E -i- + solar] (1691):
          relating or attributed to the moon and the sun

   lunker
          [lun.ker] n [origin unknown] (1912): something large of its
          kind--used esp. of a game fish

   lunkhead
          [lunk.head] n [prob. alter. of lump + head] (1852): a stupid
          person: dolt -- lunk.head.ed adj

   lunule
          [lu.nule] n [NL lunula, fr. L, crescent-shaped ornament,
          fr. dim. of luna moon] (1828): a crescent-shaped body
          part or marking (as the whitish mark at the base of a
          fingernail)

   luny
          [lu.ny] var of loony

   lupanar
          [lu.pa.nar] n [L, fr. lupa prostitute, lit., she-wolf, fem.
          of lupus] (1864): brothel

   Lupercalia
          [Lu.per.ca.lia] n [L, pl., fr. Lupercus, god of flocks] (1600):
          an ancient Roman festival celebrated February 15 to ensure
          fertility for the people, fields, and flocks -- Lu.per.ca.lian
          adj

   [1]lupine
          [lu.pine] also lu.pin n [ME, fr. L lupinus, lupinum, fr.
          lupinus, adj.] (14c): any of a genus (Lupinus) of leguminous
          herbs including some poisonous forms and others cultivated
          for their long showy racemes of usu. blue, purple, white,
          or yellow flowers or for green manure, fodder, or their
          edible seeds; also: an edible lupine seed [2]lu.pine
          adj [L lupinus, fr. lupus wolf--more at wolf] (1660):
          wolfish

   lupus
          [lu.pus] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. L, wolf] (14c): any of several
          diseases characterized by skin lesions; esp: systemic
          lupus erythematosus

   lupus erythematosus
          [lupus er.y.the.ma.to.sus] n [NL, lit., erythematous lupus]
          (1860): a disorder characterized by skin inflammation;
          esp: systemic lupus erythematosus

   [1]lurch
          [lurch] vb [ME lorchen, prob. alter. of lurken to lurk] vi
          (15c) dial chiefly Eng: to loiter about a place furtively:
          prowl ~ vt 1 obs: steal 2 archaic: cheat [2]lurch n [MF
          lourche, adj., defeated by a lurch, deceived] (1598):
          a decisive defeat in which an opponent wins a game by
          more than double the defeated player's score esp. in
          cribbage -- in the lurch : in a vulnerable and unsupported
          position [3]lurch vt (ca. 1651) 1 archaic: to leave in
          the lurch 2: to defeat by a lurch (as in cribbage) [4]lurch
          n [origin unknown] (1819) 1: a sudden roll of a ship
          to one side 2: a jerking or swaying movement; also: stagger
          3 [5]lurch vi (ca. 1828): to roll or tip abruptly: pitch;
          also: stagger

   lurcher
          [lurch.er] n [[1]lurch] (1528) 1 archaic: a petty thief:
          pilferer 2 Brit: a crossbred dog; esp: one that resembles
          a greyhound 3 archaic: one who lurks; also: spy

   lurdane
          [lur.dane] n [ME lurdan, fr. MF lourdin dullard, fr. lourd
          dull, stupid, fr. L luridus lurid] (14c) archaic: a lazy
          stupid person -- lurdane adj

   [1]lure
          [lure] n [ME, fr. MF loire, of Gmc origin; akin to MHG luoder
          bait; perh. akin to OE lathian to invite, OHG ladon]
          (14c) 1: an object usu. of leather or feathers attached
          to a long cord and used by a falconer to recall or exercise
          a hawk 2 a: an inducement to pleasure or gain: enticement
          b: appeal, attraction 3: a decoy for attracting animals
          to capture: as a: artificial bait used for catching fish
          b: an often luminous structure on the head of pediculate
          fishes that is used to attract prey [2]lure vt lured
          ; lur.ing (14c) 1: to recall or exercise (a hawk) by
          means of a lure 2: to draw with a hint of pleasure or
          gain: attract actively and strongly syn lure, entice,
          inveigle, decoy, tempt, seduce mean to lead astray from
          one's true course. lure implies a drawing into danger,
          evil, or difficulty through attracting and deceiving
          <lured naive investors with get-rich-quick schemes>.
          entice suggests drawing by artful or adroit means <advertising
          designed to entice new customers>. inveigle implies enticing
          by cajoling or flattering <fund-raisers inveigling wealthy
          alumni>. decoy implies a luring into entrapment by artifice
          <attempting to decoy the enemy into an ambush>. tempt
          implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that
          it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment
          <tempted by the offer of money>. seduce implies a leading
          astray by persuasion or false promises <seduced by assurances
          of assistance>.

   Lurex
          [Lur.ex] trademark--used for metallic yarn or thread

   lurid
          [lu.rid] adj [L luridus pale yellow, sallow] (ca. 1656) 1
          a: wan and ghastly pale in appearance b: of any of several
          light or medium grayish colors ranging in hue from yellow
          to orange 2: shining with the red glow of fire seen through
          smoke or cloud 3 a: causing horror or revulsion: gruesome
          b: melodramatic, sensational; also: shocking <paperbacks
          in the usual ~ covers --T. R. Fyvel> syn see ghastly
          -- lu.rid.ly adv -- lu.rid.ness n

   lurk
          [lurk] vi [ME; akin to MHG luren to lie in wait--more at
          lower] (14c) 1 a: to lie in wait in a place of concealment
          esp. for an evil purpose b: to move furtively or inconspicuously
          c: to persist in staying 2 a: to be concealed but capable
          of being discovered; specif: to constitute a latent threat
          b: to lie hidden -- lurk.er n syn lurk, skulk, slink,
          sneak mean to behave so as to escape attention. lurk
          implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and
          often suggests an evil intent <suspicious men lurking
          in alleyways>. skulk suggests more strongly cowardice
          or fear or sinister intent <something skulking in the
          shadows>. slink implies moving stealthily often merely
          to escape attention <slunk around the corner>. sneak
          may add an implication of entering or leaving a place
          or evading a difficulty by furtive, indirect, or underhanded
          methods <sneaked out early>.

   luscious
          [lus.cious] adj [ME lucius, perh. alter. of licius, short
          for delicious] (15c) 1 a: having a delicious taste or
          smell: sweet b archaic: excessively sweet: cloying 2:
          sexually attractive: seductive, sexy 3 a: richly luxurious
          or appealing to the senses b: excessively ornate -- lus.cious.ly
          adv -- lus.cious.ness n

   [1]lush
          [lush] adj [ME lusch soft, tender] (1610) 1 a: growing vigorously
          esp. with luxuriant foliage <~ grass> b: lavishly productive:
          as (1): fertile (2): thriving (3): characterized by abundance:
          plentiful (4): prosperous, profitable 2 a: savory, delicious
          b: appealing to the senses <the ~ sounds of the orchestra>
          c: opulent, sumptuous syn see profuse -- lush.ly adv
          -- lush.ness n [2]lush n [origin unknown] (ca. 1790)
          1 slang: intoxicating liquor: drink 2: an habitual heavy
          drinker: drunkard [3]lush vb (ca. 1811) slang: drink

   Luso-
          [Lu.so-] comb form [Pg, fr. lusitano Portuguese, fr. L Lusitanus
          of Lusitania (ancient region corresponding approximately
          to modern Portugal)]: Portuguese and <Luso-Brazilian>

   [1]lust
          [lust] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG lust pleasure and perh.
          to L lascivus wanton] (bef. 12c) 1 obs a: pleasure, delight
          b: personal inclination: wish 2: usu. intense or unbridled
          sexual desire: lasciviousness 3 a: an intense longing:
          craving b: enthusiasm, eagerness [2]lust vi (12c): to
          have an intense desire or need: crave; specif: to have
          a sexual urge

   [1]luster
          [lus.ter] or lus.tre n [ME lustre, fr. L lustrum] (14c):
          a period of five years: lustrum 2 [2]luster or lustre
          n [MF lustre, fr. OIt lustro, fr. lustrare to brighten,
          fr. L, to purify ceremonially, fr. lustrum] (ca. 1522)
          1: a glow of reflected light: sheen; specif: the appearance
          of the surface of a mineral dependent upon its reflecting
          qualities 2 a: a glow of light from within: luminosity
          b: an inner beauty: radiance 3: a superficial attractiveness
          or appearance of excellence 4 a: a glass pendant used
          esp. to ornament a candlestick or chandelier b: a decorative
          object (as a chandelier) hung with glass pendants 5 chiefly
          Brit: a fabric with cotton warp and a filling of wool,
          mohair, or alpaca 6: lusterware -- lus.ter.less adj [3]luster
          or lustre vb lus.tered or lus.tred ; lus.ter.ing or lus.tring
          vi (1582): to have luster: gleam ~ vt 1: to give luster
          or distinction to 2: to coat or treat with a substance
          that imparts luster

   lusterware
          [lus.ter.ware] n (1825): pottery with an iridescent metallic
          sheen in the glaze

   lustful
          [lust.ful] adj (14c): excited by lust: lecherous -- lust.ful.ly
          adv -- lust.ful.ness n

   lustihood
          [lust.i.hood] n (1599) 1: vigor of body or spirit: robustness
          2: sexual inclination or capacity

   lustral
          [lus.tral] adj [L lustralis, fr. lustrum] (1533): purificatory

   lustrate
          [lus.trate] vt lus.trat.ed ; lus.trat.ing [L lustratus, pp.
          of lustrare] (1653): to purify ceremonially -- lus.tra.tion
          n

   [1]lustring
          [lus.tring] n [modif. of It lustrino] (1697) archaic: lutestring
          [2]lus.tring n [lustring, gerund of [3]luster] (ca. 1889):
          a finishing process (as calendering) for giving a gloss
          to yarns and cloth

   lustrous
          [lus.trous] adj (1601) 1: reflecting light evenly and efficiently
          without glitter or sparkle <a ~ satin> <the ~ glow of
          an opal> 2: radiant in character or reputation: illustrious
          syn see bright -- lus.trous.ly adv -- lus.trous.ness
          n

   lustrum
          [lus.trum] n, pl lustrums or lus.tra [L] (1590) 1: a period
          of five years 2 a: a purification of the whole Roman
          people made in ancient times after the census every five
          years b: the Roman census

   lusty
          [lusty] adj lust.i.er ; -est (13c) 1 archaic: merry, joyous
          2: lustful <~ passion> 3 a: full of strength and vitality:
          healthy, vigorous <a young, ~, growing country --Helen
          Harris> b: hearty, robust <a ~ beef stew> c: enthusiastic,
          rousing <a ~ rendition of the song> syn see vigorous
          -- lust.i.ly adv -- lust.i.ness n

   lusus naturae
          [lu.sus na.tu.rae] [L] foreign term : freak of nature

   lute-
          [lute-] or luteo- comb form [NL (corpus) luteum]: corpus
          luteum <luteal>

   [1]lute
          [lute] n [ME, fr. MF lut, fr. OProv laut, fr. Ar al-'ud,
          lit., the wood] (13c): a stringed instrument having a
          large pear-shaped body, a vaulted back, a fretted fingerboard,
          and a head with tuning pegs which is often angled backward
          from the neck [2]lute vt lut.ed ; lut.ing [ME, fr. L
          lutare, fr. lutum mud--more at pollute] (14c): to seal
          or cover (as a joint or surface) with lute [3]lute n
          (15c): a substance (as cement or clay) for packing a
          joint or coating a porous surface to make it impervious
          to gas or liquid

   luteal
          [lu.te.al] adj (1920): of, relating to, characterized by,
          or involving the corpus luteum <the ~ phase of the menstrual
          cycle>

   lutefisk
          [lute.fisk] n [Norw, fr. lute to wash in lye solution + fisk
          fish] (1924): dried codfish that has been soaked in a
          water and lye solution before cooking

   lutein
          [lu.tein] n (1869): an orange xanthophyll occurring in plants,
          animal fat, egg yolk, and the corpus luteum

   luteinization
          [lu.tein.i.za.tion] n (1929): the process of forming corpora
          lutea -- lu.tein.ize vb

   luteinizing hormone
          [luteinizing hormone] n (1931): a hormone from the anterior
          lobe of the pituitary gland that in the female stimulates
          esp. the development of corpora lutea and in the male
          the development of interstitial tissue in the testis

   luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone
          [luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone] n (1970): a hormone
          secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulates the pituitary
          gland to release gonadotropins (as luteinizing hormone
          and follicle-stimulating hormone)--called also luteinizing
          hormone-releasing factor

   lutenist
          [lu.te.nist] or lu.ta.nist n [ML lutanista, fr. lutana lute,
          prob. fr. MF lut lute] (1600): a lute player

   luteotropic
          [lu.teo.tro.pic] or lu.teo.tro.phic adj (1941): acting on
          the corpora lutea

   luteotropic hormone
          [luteotropic hormone] or luteotrophic hormone n (1949): prolactin

   luteotropin
          [lu.teo.tro.pin] or lu.teo.tro.phin n (1941): prolactin

   luteous
          [lu.te.ous] adj [L luteus yellow, fr. lutum, a plant (Reseda
          luteola) used for dyeing yellow] (1657): yellow tinged
          with green or brown

   lutestring
          [lute.string] n [by folk etymology fr. It lustrino glossy
          fabric, fr. lustro luster] (1661): a plain glossy silk
          formerly much used for women's dresses and ribbons

   lutetium
          [lu.te.tium] also lu.te.cium n [NL, fr. L Lutetia, ancient
          name of Paris] (1907): a metallic element of the rare-earth
          group

   Luth
          [Luth] abbreviation Lutheran

   [1]Lutheran
          [Lu.ther.an] n (1521): a member of a Lutheran church [2]Lutheran
          adj (1530) 1: of or relating to religious doctrines (as
          justification by faith alone) developed by Martin Luther
          or his followers 2: of or relating to the Protestant
          churches adhering to Lutheran doctrines, liturgy, and
          polity -- Lu.ther.an.ism n

   luthier
          [lu.thi.er] n [F, fr. luth lute (fr. MF lut)] (1879): one
          who makes stringed musical instruments (as violins or
          guitars)

   lutz
          [lutz] n [prob. irreg. fr. Gustave Lussi b1898 Swiss figure
          skater] (1938): a figure-skating jump from the outer
          edge of one skate with a full turn in the air and a return
          to the outer edge of the other skate

   Luwian
          [Lu.wi.an] n [Luwi, an ancient people of the southern coast
          of Asia Minor] (1924): an Anatolian language of the Indo-European
          language family -- Luwian adj

   lux
          [lux] n, pl lux or lux.es [L, light--more at light] (1889):
          a unit of illumination equal to the direct illumination
          on a surface that is everywhere one meter from a uniform
          point source of one candle intensity or equal to one
          lumen per square meter

   luxation
          [lux.a.tion] n [LL luxation-, luxatio, fr. L luxare to dislocate,
          fr. luxus dislocated--more at lock] (1552): dislocation
          of an anatomical part (as a bone at a joint or the lens
          of the eye)

   luxe
          [luxe] n [F, fr. L luxus--more at luxury] (1558): luxury
          -- luxe adj

   luxuriance
          [lux.u.ri.ance] n (ca. 1746): the quality or state of being
          luxuriant

   luxuriant
          [lux.u.ri.ant] adj (ca. 1540) 1 a: yielding abundantly: fertile,
          fruitful b: characterized by abundant growth: lush 2:
          abundantly and often extravagantly rich and varied: prolific
          3: characterized by luxury: luxurious syn see profuse
          -- lux.u.ri.ant.ly adv

   luxuriate
          [lux.u.ri.ate] vi -at.ed ; -at.ing [L luxuriatus, pp. of
          luxuriare, fr. luxuria] (1621) 1 a: to grow profusely:
          thrive b: to develop extensively 2: to indulge oneself
          luxuriously: revel

   luxurious
          [lux.u.ri.ous] adj (14c) 1: lecherous 2: marked by or given
          to self-indulgence <~ tastes> <~ feeling> 3: of, relating
          to, or marked by luxury <~ accommodations> 4: of the
          finest and richest kind <~ cashmeres> <a ~ chocolate
          sauce> syn see sensuous -- lux.u.ri.ous.ly adv -- lux.u.ri.ous.ness
          n

   luxury
          [lux.u.ry] n, pl -ries [ME luxurie, fr. MF, fr. L luxuria
          rankness, luxury, excess; akin to L luxus luxury, excess]
          (14c) 1 archaic: lechery, lust 2: a condition of abundance
          or great ease and comfort: sumptuous environment <lived
          in ~> 3 a: something adding to pleasure or comfort but
          not absolutely necessary b: an indulgence in something
          that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease <had the
          ~ of rejecting a handful of job offers ... before accepting
          a choice assignment --Terri Minsky> -- luxury adj

   lv...
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   lv
          [lv] abbreviation leave

   LVT
          [LVT] abbreviation landing vehicle, tracked

   lw...
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   LW
          [LW] abbreviation low water

   lwei
          [lwei] n, pl lwei also lweis [prob. fr. Lwei (Lue), name
          of several rivers in Angola] (ca. 1979): a monetary unit
          of Angola equal to 1/100 kwanza

   LWM
          [LWM] abbreviation low-water mark

   LWV
          [LWV] abbreviation League of Women Voters

   lx...
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   lx
          [lx] abbreviation lux

   ly...
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   [1]-ly
          [-ly] adj suffix [ME, fr. OE -lic, -lic; akin to OHG -lih,
          -lic, OE lic body--more at like] 1: like in appearance,
          manner, or nature: having the characteristics of <queenly>
          <fatherly> 2: characterized by regular recurrence in
          (specified) units of time: every <hourly> [2]-ly adv
          suffix [ME, fr. OE -lice, -lice, fr. -lic, adj. suffix]
          1 a: in a (specified) manner <slowly> b: at a (specified)
          time interval <annually> 2: from a (specified) point
          of view <eschatologically> 3: with respect to <partly>
          4: to a (specified) degree <relatively> 5: in a (specified)
          place in a series <secondly>

   ly-
          [ly-] or lyocomb form [ISV, fr. Gk lyein to loosen, dissolve--more
          at lose] 1: degrading: reduction <lyase> 2: dispersed state:
          dispersion <lyophilic>

   lyam-hound
          [ly.am-hound] or lyme-hound n [obs. lyam leash] (1527) archaic:
          bloodhound

   lyart
          [ly.art] adj [ME, fr. MF liart] (14c) chiefly Scot: streaked
          with gray: gray

   lyase
          [ly.ase] n (1965): an enzyme (as a decarboxylase) that forms
          double bonds by removing groups from a substrate other
          than by hydrolysis or that adds groups to double bonds

   lycanthropy
          [ly.can.thro.py] n [NL lycanthropia, fr. Gk lykanthropia,
          fr. lykanthropos werewolf, fr. lykos wolf + anthropos
          human being--more at wolf] (1594) 1: a delusion that
          one has become a wolf 2: the assumption of the form and
          characteristics of a wolf held to be possible by witchcraft
          or magic

   lycee
          [ly.cee] n [F, fr. MF, lyceum, fr. L Lyceum] (1865): a French
          public secondary school that prepares students for the
          university

   lyceum
          [ly.ce.um] n [L Lyceum, gymnasium near Athens where Aristotle
          taught, fr. Gk Lykeion, fr. neut. of lykeios, epithet
          of Apollo] (1786) 1: a hall for public lectures or discussions
          2: an association providing public lectures, concerts,
          and entertainments 3: lycee

   lychee
          [ly.chee] var of litchi

   lych-gate
          [lych-gate] n [ME lycheyate, fr. lich body, corpse (fr. OE
          lic) + gate, yate gate] (15c): a roofed gate in a churchyard
          under which a bier rests during the initial part of the
          burial service

   lychnis
          [lych.nis] n [NL, fr. L, a red flower, fr. Gk; akin to Gk
          lychnos lamp, L lux light--more at light] (1601): any
          of a genus (Lychnis) of herbs of the pink family with
          terminal cymes of showy mostly red or white flowers having
          5 or rarely 4 styles

   Lycian
          [Ly.cian] n (1598) 1: a native or inhabitant of Lycia 2:
          an Anatolian language of the Indo-European language family
          -- Lycian adj

   lycopene
          [ly.co.pene] n [ISV lycop- (fr. NL Lycopersicon, genus of
          herbs) + -ene] (ca. 1929): a carotenoid pigment that
          is the red coloring matter of the tomato

   lycopod
          [ly.co.pod] n [NL Lycopodium] (1861): lycopodium 1; broadly:
          club moss

   lycopodium
          [ly.co.po.di.um] n [NL, fr. Gk lykos wolf + podion, dim.
          of pod-, pous foot--more at foot] (ca. 1706) 1: any of
          a large genus (Lycopodium) of erect or creeping club
          mosses with reduced or scalelike evergreen leaves 2:
          a fine yellowish flammable powder composed of lycopodium
          spores and used esp. in pharmacy

   Lycra
          [Ly.cra] trademark--used for a spandex synthetic fiber

   lyddite
          [lydd.ite] n [Lydd, England] (1888): a high explosive composed
          chiefly of picric acid

   Lydian
          [Lyd.i.an] n (15c) 1: a native or inhabitant of Lydia 2:
          an Anatolian language of the Indo-European language family
          -- Lydian adj

   lye
          [lye] n [ME, fr. OE leag; akin to OHG louga lye, L lavare,
          lavere to wash, Gk louein] (bef. 12c) 1: a strong alkaline
          liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood
          ashes and used esp. in making soap and washing; broadly:
          a strong alkaline solution (as of sodium hydroxide or
          potassium hydroxide) 2: a solid caustic (as sodium hydroxide)

   lygus bug
          [ly.gus bug] n [NL Lygus] (1940): any of various small sucking
          bugs (genus Lygus) including some pests of cultivated
          plants

   [1]lying
          [ly.ing] pres part of lie [2]lying adj [ME leghynge, prp.
          of lien to lie] (14c): marked by or containing falsehoods:
          false <a ~ account of the accident>

   lying-in
          [ly.ing-in] n, pl lyings-in or lying-ins (15c): the state
          attending and consequent to childbirth: confinement

   Lyme disease
          [Lyme disease] n [Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first reported]
          (1980): an acute inflammatory disease that is caused
          by a spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) transmitted by
          ticks (genus Ixodes and esp. I. dammini), that is often
          characterized initially by a spreading red annular skin
          lesion at the site of the infection, fever, and chills,
          and that may result in joint pain, arthritis, and cardiac
          and neurological disorders

   lymph-
          [lymph-] or lympho- comb form [NL lympha]: lymph: lymphatic
          tissue <lymphogranuloma>

   lymph
          [lymph] n [L lympha, water goddess, water, perh. modif. of
          Gk nymphe nymph--more at nuptial] (ca. 1673) 1 archaic:
          the sap of plants 2 [NL lympha, fr. L, water]: a pale
          coagulable fluid that bathes the tissues, passes into
          lymphatic channels and ducts, is discharged into the
          blood by way of the thoracic duct, and consists of a
          liquid portion resembling blood plasma and containing
          white blood cells but normally no red blood cells

   lymphadenitis
          [lymph.ad.e.ni.tis] n [NL, fr. lymphaden lymph gland, fr.
          lymph- + Gk aden gland--more at aden-] (1860): inflammation
          of lymph nodes

   lymphadenopathy
          [lymph.ade.nop.a.thy] n, pl -thies (1920): abnormal enlargement
          of the lymph nodes

   lymphangiography
          [lymph.an.gi.og.ra.phy] n (ca. 1941): X-ray depiction of
          lymph vessels and nodes after use of a radiopaque material--called
          also lymphography -- lymph.an.gio.gram n -- lymph.an.gio.graph.ic
          adj

   [1]lymphatic
          [lym.phat.ic] adj (1649) 1 a: of, relating to, or produced
          by lymph, lymphoid tissue, or lymphocytes b: conveying
          lymph 2: lacking physical or mental energy: sluggish
          -- lym.phat.i.cal.ly adv [2]lymphatic n (1667): a vessel
          that contains or conveys lymph--called also lymph vessel

   lymph gland
          [lymph gland] n (ca. 1858): lymph node

   lymph node
          [lymph node] n (1892): any of the rounded masses of lymphoid
          tissue that are surrounded by a capsule of connective
          tissue, are distributed along the lymphatic vessels,
          and contain numerous lymphocytes which filter the flow
          of lymph

   lymphoblast
          [lym.pho.blast] n [ISV] (ca. 1909): a lymphocyte that has
          enlarged following stimulation by an antigen, has the
          capacity to recognize the stimulating antigen, and is
          undergoing proliferation and differentiation either to
          an effector state in which it functions to eliminate
          the antigen or to a memory state in which it functions
          to recognize the future reappearance of the antigen --
          lym.pho.blas.tic adj

   lymphocyte
          [lym.pho.cyte] n [ISV] (1890): any of the colorless weakly
          motile cells originating from stem cells and differentiating
          in lymphoid tissue (as of the thymus or bone marrow)
          that are the typical cellular elements of lymph, include
          the cellular mediators of immunity, and constitute 20
          to 30 percent of the leukocytes of normal human blood--compare
          b cell, t cell -- lym.pho.cyt.ic adj

   lymphocytic choriomeningitis
          [lymphocytic cho.rio.men.in.gi.tis] n [NL choriomeningitis
          cerebral meningitis, fr. chorio- of a membrane resembling
          the chorion] (1934): an acute virus disease that is characterized
          by fever, nausea and vomiting, headache, stiff neck,
          and slow pulse, is marked by the presence of numerous
          lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid, and is transmitted
          esp. by rodents and bloodsucking insects

   lymphocytosis
          [lym.pho.cy.to.sis] n [NL, fr. ISV lymphocyte] (1896): an
          increase in the number of lymphocytes in the blood usu.
          associated with chronic infections or inflammations

   lymphogranuloma
          [lym.pho.gran.u.lo.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (1924):
          lymphogranuloma venereum

   lymphogranuloma inguinale
          [lymphogranuloma in.gui.na.le] n [NL, inguinal lymphogranuloma]
          (1932): lymphogranuloma venereum

   lymphogranulomatosis
          [lym.pho.gran.u.lo.ma.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL lymphogranulomat-,
          lymphogranuloma + -osis] (1911): the development of benign
          or malignant nodular swellings of lymph nodes in various parts
          of the body; also: a condition characterized by these

   lymphogranuloma venereum
          [lymphogranuloma ve.ne.re.um] n [NL, venereal lymphogranuloma]
          (1938): a contagious venereal disease caused by various
          strains of a chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) and marked
          by swelling and ulceration of lymphatic tissue in the
          iliac and inguinal regions

   lymphography
          [lym.phog.ra.phy] n (ca. 1935): lymphangiography -- lym.pho.gram
          n -- lym.pho.graph.ic adj

   lymphoid
          [lym.phoid] adj (1867) 1: of, relating to, or being tissue
          (as of the lymph nodes or thymus) containing lymphocytes
          2: of, relating to, or resembling lymph

   lymphokine
          [lym.pho.kine] n [lymph- + -kine, fr. Gk kinein to move about--more
          at -kinesis] (1969): any of various substances (as interleukin-2)
          of low molecular weight that are not immunoglobulins, are secreted
          by T cells in response to stimulation by antigens, and have a role
          (as the activation of macrophages or the enhancement or inhibition
          of antibody production) in cell-mediated immunity

   lymphoma
          [lym.pho.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (1873): a tumor of
          lymphoid tissue -- lym.pho.ma.tous adj

   lymphomatosis
          [lym.pho.ma.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL lymphomat-, lymphoma
          + -osis] (ca. 1900): the presence of multiple lymphomas
          in the body

   lymphosarcoma
          [lym.pho.sar.co.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (1874): a malignant
          lymphoma that tends to metastasize freely esp. along
          the regional lymphatic drainage

   lynch
          [lynch] vt [lynch law] (1836): to put to death (as by hanging)
          by mob action without legal sanction -- lynch.er n

   lynch law
          [lynch law] n [William Lynch d. 1820 Am. vigilante] (1811):
          the punishment of presumed crimes or offenses usu. by
          death without due process of law

   lynchpin
          [lynch.pin] var of linchpin

   lynx
          [lynx] n, pl lynx or lynx.es [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk; akin to
          OE lox lynx and prob. to Gk leukos white--more at light]
          (14c): any of several wildcats (genus Lynx) with relatively
          long legs, a short stubby tail, mottled coat, and often
          tufted ears: as a: a lynx (L. lynx) of northern Europe
          and Asia b: bobcat c: a No. American lynx (L. canadensis)
          distinguished from the bobcat by its larger size, longer
          tufted ears, and wholly black tail tip--called also Canadian
          lynx

   lynx-eyed
          [lynx-eyed] adj (1597): sharp-sighted

   lyo-
          [lyo-] --see ly-

   lyonnaise
          [ly.on.naise] adj [F (a la) lyonnaise in the manner of Lyons,
          France] (1846): prepared with onions <~ potatoes>

   Lyonnesse
          [Ly.on.nesse] n: a country that according to Arthurian legend
          was contiguous to Cornwall before sinking beneath the
          sea

   lyophile
          [lyo.phile] adj [ISV] (1934) 1: of or relating to freeze-drying
          2 or lyo.philed : obtained by freeze-drying

   lyophilic
          [lyo.phil.ic] adj (1911): marked by strong affinity between
          a dispersed phase and the liquid in which it is dispersed
          <a ~ colloid>

   lyophilise
          [ly.oph.i.lise] Brit var of lyophilize

   lyophilize
          [ly.oph.i.lize] vt -lized ; -liz.ing (1938): freeze-dry --
          ly.oph.i.li.za.tion n -- ly.oph.i.liz.er n

   lyophobic
          [lyo.pho.bic] adj (1911): marked by lack of strong affinity
          between a dispersed phase and the liquid in which it
          is dispersed <a ~ colloid>

   Lyra
          [Ly.ra] n [L (gen. Lyrae), lit., lyre]: a northern constellation
          representing the lyre of Orpheus or Mercury and containing
          Vega

   lyrate
          [ly.rate] adj (ca. 1760): having or suggesting the shape
          of a lyre <the ~ horns of the impala>

   lyre
          [lyre] n [ME lire, fr. OF, fr. L lyra, fr. Gk] (13c) 1: a
          stringed instrument of the harp class used by the ancient
          Greeks esp. to accompany song and recitation 2 cap: lyra

   lyrebird
          [lyre.bird] n (1834): either of two Australian passerine
          birds (genus Menura) distinguished in the male by very
          long tail feathers displayed in the shape of a lyre during
          courtship

   [1]lyric
          [lyr.ic] n (1581) 1: a lyric composition; specif: a lyric
          poem 2: the words of a song--often used in pl. [2]lyric
          adj [MF or L; MF lyrique, fr. L lyricus, fr. Gk lyrikos,
          fr. lyra] (1589) 1 a: suitable for singing to the lyre
          or for being set to music and sung b: of, relating to,
          or being drama set to music; esp: operatic <~ stage>
          2 a: expressing direct usu. intense personal emotion
          esp. in a manner suggestive of song <~ poetry> b: exuberant,
          rhapsodic 3 of an opera singer: having a light voice
          and a melodic style--compare dramatic

   lyrical
          [lyr.i.cal] adj (1581): lyric -- lyr.i.cal.ly adv -- lyr.i.cal.ness
          n

   lyricism
          [lyr.i.cism] n (1760) 1: the quality or state of being lyric:
          songfulness 2 a: an intense personal quality expressive
          of feeling or emotion in an art (as poetry or music)
          b: exuberance <the sort of author who inspires ~ or invective,
          not judicious interpretation --Time>

   lyricist
          [lyr.i.cist] n (1881): a writer of lyrics

   lyrism
          [lyr.ism] n (1859): lyricism

   lyrist
          [lyr.ist] n (ca. 1656) 1: a player on the lyre 2: lyricist

   lys-
          [lys-] or lysi- or lyso- comb form [NL, fr. Gk lys-, lysi-
          loosening, fr. lysis]: lysis <lysin>

   lysate
          [ly.sate] n (1922): a product of lysis

   -lyse
          [-lyse] chiefly Brit var of -lyze

   lyse
          [lyse] vb lysed ; lys.ing [back-formation fr. NL lysis] vt
          (1924): to cause to undergo lysis ~ vi: to undergo lysis

   Lysenkoism
          [Ly.sen.ko.ism] n [Trofim Lysenko] (1948): a biological doctrine
          asserting the fundamental influence of somatic and environmental
          factors on heredity in contradiction of orthodox genetics

   lysergic acid
          [ly.ser.gic acid] n [lys- + ergot] (1934): a crystalline
          acid from ergotic alkaloids; also: lsd

   lysergic acid diethylamide
          [lysergic acid di.eth.yl.am.ide] n (1944): lsd

   lysimeter
          [ly.sim.e.ter] n (1879): a device for measuring the percolation
          of water through soils and for determining the soluble
          constituents removed in the drainage -- ly.si.met.ric
          adj

   lysin
          [ly.sin] n (1900): a substance (as an antibody) capable of
          causing lysis

   lysine
          [ly.sine] n (1892): a crystalline essential amino acid obtained
          from the hydrolysis of various proteins

   lysis
          [ly.sis] n, pl ly.ses [NL, fr. Gk, act of loosening, dissolution,
          remission of fever, fr. lyein to loosen--more at lose]
          (1543) 1: the gradual decline of a disease process (as
          fever) 2: a process of disintegration or dissolution
          (as of cells)

   -lysis
          [-lysis] n comb form, pl -lyses [NL, fr. L & Gk; L, loosening,
          fr. Gk, fr. lysis] 1: decomposition <electrolysis> 2:
          disintegration: breaking down <autolysis>

   lysogen
          [ly.so.gen] n (ca. 1934): a lysogenic bacterium or bacterial
          strain

   lysogenic
          [ly.so.gen.ic] adj [fr. the capacity of the prophage to lyse
          other bacteria] (1899) 1: harboring a prophage as hereditary
          material <~ bacteria> 2: temperate 3 <~ viruses>
          -- ly.so.ge.nic.i.ty n

   lysogenise
          [ly.sog.e.nise] Brit var of lysogenize

   lysogenize
          [ly.sog.e.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1953): to render lysogenic
          -- ly.sog.e.ni.za.tion n

   lysogeny
          [ly.sog.e.ny] n (1956): the state of being lysogenic

   lysolecithin
          [ly.so.lec.i.thin] n (1923): a hydrolytic substance formed
          by the enzymatic hydrolysis (as by some snake venoms)
          of a lecithin

   lysosome
          [ly.so.some] n [ISV lys- + [3]-some] (1955): a saclike cellular
          organelle that contains various hydrolytic enzymes--see
          cell illustration -- ly.so.som.al adj

   lysozyme
          [ly.so.zyme] n (1922): a basic bacteriolytic protein that
          hydrolyzes peptidoglycan and is present in egg white
          and in human tears and saliva

   -lyte
          [-lyte] n comb form [Gk lytos that may be untied, soluble,
          fr. lyein]: substance capable of undergoing (such) decomposition
          <electrolyte>

   -lytic
          [-lytic] adj suffix [Gk lytikos]: of, relating to, or effecting
          (such) decomposition <hydrolytic>

   lytic
          [lyt.ic] adj [Gk lytikos able to loose, fr. lyein] (1889):
          of or relating to lysis or a lysin; also: productive
          of or effecting lysis (as of cells) -- ly.ti.cal.ly adv

   -lyze
          [-lyze] vb comb form -lyzed ; -lyzing [ISV, prob. irreg.
          fr. NL -lysis]: produce or undergo lytic disintegration
          or dissolution <electrolyze>

   m...
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   M
          [M] abbreviation Mach, March, May, medium, mega-, million,
          monsieur

   m
          [m] n, pl m's or ms often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 13th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic m 2: one thousand in Roman numerals 3:
          a graphic device for reproducing the letter m 4: one
          designated m esp. as the 13th in order or class 5: something
          shaped like the letter M 6 a: em 2 b: pica 2

   m-
          [m-] abbreviation meta-

   M16
          [M16] n [model 16] (1968): a .223 caliber (5.56 mm.) gas-operated
          magazine-fed rifle for semiautomatic or automatic operation
          used by U.S. troops since the mid 1960s--called also
          M16 rifle

   M1 rifle
          [M1 rifle] n (1938): a .30 caliber gas-operated clip-fed
          semiautomatic rifle used by U.S. troops in World War
          II
   M-day
          [M-day] n [mobilization day] (1924): a day on which a military
          mobilization is to begin

   M phase
          [M phase] n [mitosis] (1945): the period in the cell cycle
          during which cell division takes place--compare g1phase,
          g2phase, s phase

   ma...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ma
          [ma] n [short for mama] (1829): mother

   M&A
          [M&A] abbreviation mergers and acquisitions

   mA
          [mA] abbreviation milliampere MA [ML magister artium] abbreviation
          master of arts; Massachusetts, mental age, Middle Ages

   MAA
          [MAA] abbreviation master of applied arts

   ma'am
          [ma'am] n (1668): madam

   ma-and-pa
          [ma-and-pa] adj (1965): mom-and-pop

   Mab
          [Mab] n: a queen of fairies in English literature

   mabe pearl
          [mabe pearl] n [origin unknown] (1952): a cultured pearl
          essentially hemispherical in form--called also mabe

   Mac
          [Mac] abbreviation Machabees  Mac or Macc abbreviation Maccabees
          MAC abbreviation military airlift command

   mac
          [mac] n (1901) Brit: mackintosh Mac n [Mac-, Mc-, patronymic
          prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames] (ca. 1937): fellow--used
          informally to address a man whose name is not known

   macabre
          [ma.ca.bre] adj [F, fr. (danse) macabre dance of death, fr.
          MF (danse de) Macabre] (1889) 1: having death as a subject:
          comprising or including a personalized representation
          of death 2: dwelling on the gruesome 3: tending to produce
          horror in a beholder syn see ghastly

   macadam
          [mac.ad.am] n [John L. McAdam d. 1836 Brit. engineer] (1824):
          macadamized roadway or pavement esp. with a bituminous
          binder

   macadamia nut
          [mac.a.da.mia nut] n [NL Macadamia, fr. John Macadam d. 1865
          Australian chemist] (1929): a hard-shelled nut somewhat
          resembling a filbert and produced by an Australian evergreen
          tree (Macadamia integrifolia) of the protea family that
          is cultivated extensively in Hawaii--called also macadamia

   macadamize
          [mac.ad.am.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1826): to construct or
          finish (a road) by compacting into a solid mass a layer
          of small broken stone on a convex well-drained roadbed
          and using a binder (as cement or asphalt) for the mass

   macaque
          [ma.caque] n [F, fr. Pg macaco] (1757): any of a genus (Macaca)
          of chiefly Asian monkeys typically having a sturdy build
          and including some short-tailed or tailless forms; esp:
          rhesus monkey

   macaroni
          [mac.a.ro.ni] n [It maccheroni, pl. of maccherone, fr. It
          dial. maccarone dumpling, macaroni] (1599) 1: pasta made
          from semolina and shaped in the form of slender tubes
          2 pl macaronis or macaronies a: a member of a class of
          traveled young Englishmen of the late 18th and early
          19th centuries who affected foreign ways b: an affected
          young man: fop

   macaronic
          [mac.a.ron.ic] adj [NL macaronicus, fr. It dial. maccarone
          macaroni] (1638) 1: characterized by a mixture of vernacular
          words with Latin words or with non-Latin words having
          Latin endings 2: characterized by a mixture of two languages
          -- macaronic n

   macaroon
          [mac.a.roon] n [F macaron, fr. It dial. maccarone] (ca. 1611):
          a small cookie composed chiefly of egg whites, sugar,
          and ground almonds or coconut

   macaw
          [ma.caw] n [Pg macau] (1668): any of numerous parrots (esp.
          genus Ara) of South and Central America including some
          of the largest and showiest of parrots

   Macbeth
          [Mac.beth] n: a Scottish general who is the protagonist of
          Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth

   Maccabees
          [Mac.ca.bees] n pl [Gk Makkabaioi, fr. pl. of Makkabaios,
          surname of Judas Maccabaeus 2d cent. b.c. Je wish patriot]
          (1702) 1: a priestly family leading a Jewish revolt begun
          in 168 b.c. against Hellenism and Syrian rule and reigning
          over Palestine from 142 b.c. to 63 b.c. 2 sing in constr:
          either of two narrative and historical books included
          in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament and
          in the Protestant Apocrypha -- Mac.ca.be.an adj

   [1]mace
          [mace] n [ME, fr. MF macis, fr. L macir, an East Indian spice,
          fr. Gk makir] (13c): an aromatic spice consisting of
          the dried external fibrous covering of a nutmeg [2]mace
          n [ME, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL mattia; akin to L mateola
          mallet] (14c) 1 a: a heavy often spiked staff or club
          used esp. in the Middle Ages for breaking armor b: a
          club used as a weapon 2 a: an ornamental staff borne
          as a symbol of authority before a public official or
          a legislative body b: one who carries a mace [3]mace
          vt maced ; mac.ing (1968): to attack with the liquid
          Mace Mace trademark--used for a temporarily disabling
          liquid usu. used as a spray

   macedoine
          [ma.ce.doine] n [F, fr. Macedoine Macedonia; perh. fr. the
          mixture of ethnic groups in Macedonia] (1820) 1: a confused
          mixture: medley 2: a mixture of fruits or vegetables
          served as a salad or cocktail or in a jellied dessert
          or used in a sauce or as a garnish

   Macedonian
          [Mac.e.do.nian] n (1582) 1: a native or inhabitant of Macedonia
          2: the Slavic language of modern Macedonia 3: the language
          of ancient Macedonia of uncertain affinity but generally
          assumed to be Indo-European

   macerate
          [mac.er.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L maceratus, pp. of macerare
          to soften, steep] vt (1547) 1: to cause to waste away
          by or as if by excessive fasting 2: to cause to become
          soft or separated into constituent elements by or as
          if by steeping in fluid; broadly: steep, soak ~ vi: to
          soften and wear away esp. as a result of being wetted
          or steeped -- mac.er.a.tion n -- mac.er.a.tor n

   mach
          [mach] abbreviation machine, machining, machinist

   Mach
          [Mach] n [Mach number] (1946): a usu. high speed expressed
          by a Mach number <an airplane flying at ~ 2>

   Machabees
          [Mach.a.bees] n pl but sing in constr [ME, fr. LL Machabaei,
          modif. of Gk Makkabaioi] (14c): maccabees

   mache
          [mache] n [F, perh. alter. of F dial. pomache, fr. (assumed)
          VL pomasca, fr. L pomum fruit] (1961): corn salad

   machete
          [ma.chete] n [Sp] (1598): a large heavy knife used for cutting
          sugarcane and underbrush and as a weapon

   Machiavellian
          [Ma.chi.a.vel.lian] adj [Niccolo Machiavelli] (1579) 1: of
          or relating to Machiavelli or Machiavellianism 2: suggesting
          the principles of conduct laid down by Machiavelli; specif:
          marked by cunning, duplicity, or bad faith -- Machiavellian
          n

   Machiavellianism
          [Ma.chi.a.vel.lian.ism] n (1626): the political theory of
          Machiavelli; esp: the view that politics is amoral and
          that any means however unscrupulous can justifiably be
          used in achieving political power

   machicolation
          [ma.chic.o.la.tion] n [ML machicolare to furnish with
          machicolations, fr. MF machicoller, fr. machicoleis machicolation,
          fr. macher to crush + col neck, fr. L collum--more at collar]
          (1788) 1 a: an opening between the corbels of a projecting parapet
          or in the floor of a gallery or roof of a portal for discharging
          missiles upon assailants below--see battlement illustration
          b: a gallery or parapet containing such openings 2: construction
          imitating medieval machicolation -- ma.chic.o.lat.ed adj

   machinate
          [mach.i.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L machinatus, pp. of
          machinari, fr. machina machine, contrivance] vi (1600):
          to plan or plot esp. to do harm ~ vt: to scheme or contrive
          to bring about: plot -- mach.i.na.tor n

   machination
          [mach.i.na.tion] n (15c) 1: an act of machinating 2: a scheming
          or crafty action or artful design intended to accomplish
          some usu. evil end <backstage ~s and power plays that
          have dominated the film industry --Peter Bogdanovich>
          syn see plot

   [1]machine
          [ma.chine] n, often attrib [MF, fr. L machina, fr. Gk mechane
          (Dor dial. machana), fr. mechos means, expedient--more
          at may] (ca. 1545) 1 a archaic: a constructed thing whether
          material or immaterial b: conveyance, vehicle; esp: automobile
          c archaic: a military engine d: any of various apparatuses
          formerly used to produce stage effects e (1): an assemblage
          of parts that transmit forces, motion, and energy one
          to another in a predetermined manner (2): an instrument
          (as a lever) designed to transmit or modify the application
          of power, force, or motion f: a mechanically, electrically,
          or electronically operated device for performing a task
          <a calculating ~> <a card-sorting ~> g: a coin-operated
          device <a cigarette ~> h: machinery--used with the or
          in pl. 2 a: a living organism or one of its functional
          systems b: a person or organization that resembles a
          machine (as in being methodical, tireless, or unemotional)
          c (1): a combination of persons acting together for a
          common end along with the agencies they use (2): a highly
          organized political group under the leadership of a boss
          or small clique 3: a literary device or contrivance introduced
          for dramatic effect [2]machine vt ma.chined ; ma.chin.ing
          (ca. 1864): to process by or as if by machine; esp: to
          reduce or finish by or as if by turning, shaping, planing,
          or milling by machine-operated tools -- ma.chin.abil.i.ty
          also ma.chine.abil.i.ty n -- ma.chin.able also ma.chine.able
          adj

   machine-gun
          [ma.chine-gun] adj (1906): characterized by rapidity and
          sharpness: rapid-fire <a comic's ~ delivery>

   machine gun
          [machine gun] n (1870): a gun for sustained rapid fire that
          uses bullets; broadly: an automatic weapon -- machine-gun
          vb -- machine gun.ner n

   machine language
          [machine language] n (1949) 1: the set of symbolic instruction
          codes usu. in binary form that is used to represent operations
          and data in a machine (as a computer) 2: assembly language

   machinelike
          [ma.chine.like] adj (ca. 1712): resembling a machine esp.
          in regularity of action or stereotyped uniformity of
          product

   machine pistol
          [machine pistol] n (1940): a usu. small submachine gun

   machine-readable
          [machine-readable] adj (1961): directly usable by a computer
          <~ text>

   machinery
          [ma.chin.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1687) 1 a: machines in general
          or as a functioning unit b: the working parts of a machine
          2: the means or system by which something is kept in
          action or a desired result is obtained <the ~ of government>
          <genetic ~ of cells>

   machine shop
          [machine shop] n (1827): a workshop in which work is machined
          to size and assembled

   machine tool
          [machine tool] n (1861): a machine designed for shaping solid
          work

   machinist
          [ma.chin.ist] n (ca. 1706) 1 a: a worker who fabricates,
          assembles, or repairs machinery b: a craftsman skilled
          in the use of machine tools c: one who operates a machine
          2 archaic: a person in charge of the mechanical aspects
          of a theatrical production 3: a warrant officer who supervises
          machinery and engine operation

   machismo
          [ma.chis.mo] n [Sp, fr. macho] (1948) 1: a strong sense of
          masculine pride: an exaggerated masculinity 2: an exaggerated
          or exhilarating sense of power or strength

   Mach number
          [Mach number] n [Ernst Mach d. 1916 Austrian physicist] (1937):
          a number representing the ratio of the speed of a body
          (as an aircraft) to the speed of sound in a surrounding
          medium (as air)

   [1]macho
          [ma.cho] adj [Sp, lit., male, fr. L masculus--more at masculine]
          (1928): characterized by machismo: aggressively virile
          [2]macho n, pl machos (1951) 1: one who exhibits machismo
          2: machismo

   mack
          [mack] var of mac

   mackerel
          [mack.er.el] n, pl mackerel or mackerels [ME makerel, fr.
          MF] (14c) 1: a scombroid bony fish (Scomber scombrus)
          of the No. Atlantic that is green above with dark blue
          bars and silvery below and is one of the most important
          food fishes 2: any of a family (Scombridae) of fishes
          including the common mackerel; esp: a comparatively small
          member of this group as distinguished from a bonito or
          tuna

   mackerel shark
          [mackerel shark] n (1819): any of a family (Lamnidae) of
          large pelagic sharks including the great white shark
          and mako sharks; esp: porbeagle

   mackerel sky
          [mackerel sky] n (1669): a sky covered with rows of altocumulus
          or cirrocumulus clouds resembling the patterns on a mackerel's
          back

   mackinaw
          [mack.i.naw] n [Mackinaw (Mackinac), trading post at site
          of Mackinaw City, Michigan] (1836) 1: a heavy woolen
          blanket formerly distributed by the U.S. government to
          the Indians 2 a: a heavy cloth of wool or wool and other
          fibers often with a plaid design and usu. heavily napped
          and felted b: a short coat of mackinaw or similar heavy
          fabric

   Mackinaw trout
          [Mackinaw trout] n (1840): a large dark No. American char
          (Salvelinus namaycush) that is an important commercial
          food fish in northern lakes

   mackintosh
          [mack.in.tosh] also mac.in.tosh n [Charles Macintosh d. 1843
          Scot. chemist & inventor] (1836) 1 chiefly Brit: raincoat
          2: a lightweight waterproof fabric orig. of rubberized
          cotton

   Maclaurin's series
          [Mac.lau.rin's series] n [Colin Maclaurin d. 1746 Scot.
          mathematician] (ca. 1909): a Taylor's series that gives the
          expansion of the function f(x) in the neighborhood of zero subject
          to the constraints holding for a Taylor's series and that consists
          of a first term equal to f(0) with the (n + 1)st term consisting
          of the derivative of nth order of the function evaluated at zero
          multiplied by x raised to the exponent n and divided by n!--called
          also Maclaurin series

   macle
          [ma.cle] n [F, wide-meshed net, lozenge voided, macle, fr.
          OF, mesh, lozenge voided, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          masca mesh--more at mesh] (1801) 1: a twin crystal 2:
          a flat often triangular diamond that is usu. a twin crystal
          -- ma.cled adj

   macon
          [ma.con] n, often cap [F macon, fr. Macon, France] (1863):
          a dry red or white wine produced in the area around Macon,
          France

   MacPherson strut
          [Mac.Pher.son strut] n [Earle S. MacPherson d. 1960 Am. engineer]
          (1975): a component of an automobile suspension consisting
          of a shock absorber mounted within a coil spring

   macr-
          [macr-] or macro- comb form [F & L, fr. Gk makr-, makro-
          long, fr. makros--more at meager] 1: long <macrobiotic>
          2: large <macromolecule>

   macrame
          [mac.ra.me] n [F or It; F macrame, fr. It macrame, fr. Turk
          makrama napkin, towel, fr. Ar miqramah coverlet] (1869):
          a coarse lace or fringe made by knotting threads or cords
          in a geometrical pattern; also: the art of tying knots
          in patterns

   [1]macro
          [mac.ro] adj [macr-] (1923) 1: being large, thick, or exceptionally
          prominent 2 a: of, involving, or intended for use with relatively
          large quantities or on a large scale b: of or relating
          to macroeconomics 3: gross 1c [2]macro n, pl macros [short for
          macroinstruction] (1959): a single computer instruction that stands
          for a sequence of operations

   macroaggregate
          [mac.ro.ag.gre.gate] n (1926): a relatively large particle
          (as of soil or a protein) -- mac.ro.ag.gre.gat.ed adj

   macrobiotic
          [mac.ro.bi.ot.ic] adj (1965): of, relating to, or being an
          extremely restricted diet (as one containing chiefly
          whole grains) that is held by its advocates to promote
          health and well-being although it may actually be deficient
          in essential nutrients (as fats)

   macrocosm
          [mac.ro.cosm] n [F macrocosme, fr. ML macrocosmos, fr. L
          macr- + Gk kosmos order, universe] (1600) 1: the great
          world: universe 2: a complex that is a large-scale reproduction
          of one of its constituents -- mac.ro.cos.mic adj
          -- mac.ro.cos.mi.cal.ly adv

   macrocyclic
          [mac.ro.cy.clic] adj (1936): containing or being a chemical
          ring that consists usu. of 15 or more atoms

   macrocyte
          [mac.ro.cyte] n [ISV] (ca. 1889): an exceptionally large
          red blood cell occurring chiefly in anemias -- mac.ro.cyt.ic
          adj

   macrocytosis
          [mac.ro.cy.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL] (ca. 1893): the occurrence
          of macrocytes in the blood

   macroeconomics
          [mac.ro.eco.nom.ics] n pl but usu sing in constr (1948):
          a study of economics in terms of whole systems esp. with
          reference to general levels of output and income and
          to the interrelations among sectors of the economy--compare
          microeconomics -- mac.ro.eco.nom.ic adj

   macroevolution
          [mac.ro.evo.lu.tion] n (1939): evolution that results in
          relatively large and complex changes (as in species formation)
          -- mac.ro.evo.lu.tion.ary adj

   macrofossil
          [mac.ro.fos.sil] n (1937): a fossil large enough to be observed
          by direct inspection

   macrogamete
          [mac.ro.ga.mete] n [ISV] (1899): the larger and usu. female
          gamete of a heterogamous organism

   macroglobulin
          [mac.ro.glob.u.lin] n [ISV] (1952): a highly polymerized
          globulin (as IgM) of high molecular weight

   macroglobulinemia
          [mac.ro.glob.u.li.ne.mia] n [NL] (1949): a disorder characterized
          by increased blood serum viscosity and the presence of
          macroglobulins in the serum -- mac.ro.glob.u.li.ne.mic
          adj

   macroinstruction
          [mac.ro.in.struc.tion] n (1959): macro

   macro lens
          [macro lens] n [macr-, fr. the fact that the focal length
          is greater than normal] (1961): a camera lens designed
          to focus at very short distances with up to life-size
          magnification of the image

   macrolepidoptera
          [mac.ro.lep.i.dop.tera] n pl [NL] (1882): lepidoptera (as
          butterflies, skippers, saturniids, noctuids, and geometrids)
          that include most of the large forms and none of the
          minute ones

   macromere
          [mac.ro.mere] n (1877): a large blastomere--see blastula
          illustration

   macromolecule
          [mac.ro.mol.e.cule] n [ISV] (ca. 1929): a very large molecule
          (as of a protein or rubber) -- mac.ro.mo.lec.u.lar adj

   macron
          [ma.cron] n [Gk makron, neut. of makros long] (1851): a mark
          in the form of a short horizontal bar placed over a vowel
          to indicate that the vowel is long or placed over a syllable
          or used alone to indicate a stressed or long syllable
          in a metrical foot

   macronucleus
          [mac.ro.nu.cle.us] n [NL] (1892): a relatively large densely
          staining nucleus of most ciliate protozoans that is derived
          from micronuclei and controls various nonreproductive
          functions -- mac.ro.nu.cle.ar adj

   macronutrient
          [mac.ro.nu.tri.ent] n (1942): a chemical element (as nitrogen,
          phosphorus, or potassium) of which relatively large quantities
          are essential to the growth and health of a plant

   macrophage
          [mac.ro.phage] n [ISV] (1890): a phagocytic tissue cell of
          the reticuloendothelial system that may be fixed or freely
          motile, is derived from a monocyte, and functions in
          the protection of the body against infection and noxious
          substances--called also histiocyte -- mac.ro.phag.ic
          adj

   macrophotography
          [mac.ro.pho.tog.ra.phy] n (1889): the making of photographs
          in which the object is either unmagnified or slightly
          magnified up to a limit often of about 10 diameters --
          mac.ro.pho.to.graph n

   macrophyte
          [mac.ro.phyte] n (ca. 1909): a member of the macroscopic
          plant life esp. of a body of water -- mac.ro.phyt.ic
          adj

   macropterous
          [mac.rop.ter.ous] adj [Gk makropteros, fr. makr- + pteron
          wing--more at feather] (ca. 1836): having long or large
          wings

   macroscale
          [mac.ro.scale] n (1931): a large often macroscopic scale

   macroscopic
          [mac.ro.scop.ic] adj [ISV macr- + -scopic (as in microscopic)]
          (1872) 1: large enough to be observed by the naked eye
          2: considered in terms of large units or elements --
          mac.ro.scop.i.cal.ly adv

   macrostructure
          [mac.ro.struc.ture] n (ca. 1899): the structure (as of metal,
          a body part, or the soil) revealed by visual examination
          with little or no magnification -- mac.ro.struc.tur.al
          adj

   macula
          [mac.u.la] n, pl -lae also -las [ME, fr. L] (14c) 1: spot,
          blotch; esp: macule 2: an anatomical structure (as the
          macula lutea) having the form of a spot differentiated
          from surrounding tissues -- mac.u.lar adj

   macula lutea
          [macula lu.tea] n, pl maculae lu.te.ae [NL, lit., yellow
          spot] (1848): a small yellowish area lying slightly lateral
          to the center of the retina that constitutes the region
          of maximum visual acuity--called also yellow spot

   maculate
          [mac.u.late] or mac.u.lat.ed adj [L maculatus, pp. of maculare
          to stain, fr. macula] (15c) 1: marked with spots: blotched
          2: impure, besmirched

   maculation
          [mac.u.la.tion] n (15c) 1 archaic: the state of being spotted
          2 a: a blemish in the form of a discrete spot <acne scars
          and ~s> b: the arrangement of spots and markings on an
          animal or plant

   macule
          [mac.ule] n [F, fr. L macula] (1863): a patch of skin that
          is altered in color but usu. not elevated and that is
          a characteristic feature of various diseases (as smallpox)

   macumba
          [ma.cum.ba] n [BrazPg] (1939): a polytheistic religion of
          African origin involving syncretistic elements and practiced
          mainly by Brazilian blacks in urban areas

   [1]mad
          [mad] adj mad.der ; mad.dest [ME medd, madd, fr. OE gemaed,
          pp. of (assumed) gemaedan to madden, fr. gemad silly,
          mad; akin to OHG gimeit foolish, crazy] (bef. 12c) 1:
          disordered in mind: insane 2 a: completely unrestrained
          by reason and judgment <driven ~ by the pain> b: incapable
          of being explained or accounted for <a ~ decision> 3:
          carried away by intense anger: furious <~ at myself>
          <~ about the delay> 4: carried away by enthusiasm or
          desire <~ about horses> <~ for the boy next door> 5:
          affected with rabies: rabid 6: marked by wild gaiety
          and merriment: hilarious 7: intensely excited: frantic
          <~ with jealousy> 8: marked by intense and often chaotic
          activity: wild <a ~ scramble> -- mad.dish adj [2]mad
          vb mad.ded ; mad.ding (14c): madden [3]mad n (1834) 1:
          a fit or mood of bad temper 2: anger, fury

   MAD
          [MAD] abbreviation mutual assured destruction

   Madagascar periwinkle
          [Mad.a.gas.car periwinkle] n [Madagascar, Africa] (1821):
          [1]periwinkle 1b

   madam
          [mad.am] n, pl madams [ME, fr. MF ma dame, lit., my lady]
          (14c) 1 pl mes.dames : lady--used without a name as a
          form of respectful or polite address to a woman 2: mistress
          1--used as a title formerly with the given name but now
          with the surname or esp. with a designation of rank or
          office <Madam Chairman> <Madam President> 3: the female
          head of a house of prostitution 4: the female head of
          a household: wife

   madame
          [ma.dame] n [F, fr. OF ma dame] (1674) 1 pl mes.dames --used
          as a title equivalent to Mrs. for a married woman not
          of English-speaking nationality 2 pl madames : madam
          3

   mad-brained
          [mad-brained] adj (1562): rash, hotheaded

   madcap
          [mad.cap] adj (1588): marked by capriciousness, recklessness,
          or foolishness -- madcap n

   madden
          [mad.den] vb mad.dened ; mad.den.ing vi (1735): to become
          or act as if mad ~ vt 1: to drive mad: craze 2: to make
          intensely angry: enrage

   maddening
          [maddening] adj (1822) 1: tending to craze 2 a: tending to
          infuriate b: tending to vex: irritating -- mad.den.ing.ly
          adv

   madder
          [mad.der] n [ME, fr. OE maedere; akin to OHG matara madder]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a Eurasian herb (Rubia tinctorum of the
          family Rubiaceae, the madder family) with whorled leaves
          and small yellowish panicled flowers succeeded by berries;
          broadly: any of several related herbs (genus Rubia) 2
          a: the root of the Eurasian madder used formerly in dyeing;
          also: an alizarin dye prepared from it b: a moderate
          to strong red

   madding
          [mad.ding] adj (1579): acting in a frenzied manner <the ~
          crowd>

   made
          [made] adj [ME, fr. pp. of maken to make] (14c) 1 a: fictitious,
          invented <a ~ excuse> b: artificially produced c: put
          together of various ingredients <a ~ dish> 2: assured
          of success <a ~ man>--usu. used in the phrase have it
          made

   Madeira
          [Ma.dei.ra] n [Pg, fr. Madeira Islands] (1596): an amber-colored
          fortified wine from Madeira; also: a similar wine made
          elsewhere

   madeleine
          [mad.e.leine] n [F, perh. fr. Madeleine Paumier, 19th cent.
          Fr. pastry cook] (1845) 1: a small rich shell-shaped
          cake 2: one that evokes a memory

   mademoiselle
          [ma.de.moi.selle] n, pl ma.de.moi.selles or mes.de.moi.selles
          [ME madamoiselle, fr. MF, fr. OF ma damoisele, lit.,
          my (young) lady] (15c) 1: an unmarried French girl or
          woman--used as a title equivalent to Miss for an unmarried
          woman not of English-speaking nationality 2: a French
          governess 3: silver perch a

   made-to-order
          [made-to-order] adj (ca. 1908) 1: produced to supply a special
          or an individual demand: custom-made 2: ideally suited
          (as to a particular purpose) <a ground ball ~ for a double
          play>

   made-up
          [made-up] adj (1607) 1: fancifully conceived or falsely devised
          2: fully manufactured 3: marked by the use of makeup

   madhouse
          [mad.house] n (1687) 1: a place where insane persons are
          detained and treated 2: a place of uproar or confusion

   Madison Avenue
          [Mad.i.son Avenue] n [Madison Avenue, New York City, former
          center of the American advertising business] (1952):
          the American advertising industry

   madly
          [mad.ly] adv (13c) 1: in a mad manner 2: to an extreme or
          excessive degree <~ in love>

   madman
          [mad.man] n (14c): a man who is or acts as if insane

   mad money
          [mad money] n (1922): money that a woman carries to pay her
          fare home in case a date ends in a quarrel; also: money
          set aside for an emergency or personal use

   madness
          [mad.ness] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being mad:
          as a: rage b: insanity c: extreme folly d: ecstasy, enthusiasm
          2: any of several ailments of animals marked by frenzied
          behavior; specif: rabies

   Madonna
          [Ma.don.na] n [It, fr. OIt ma donna, lit., my lady] (1584)
          1 archaic: lady--used as a form of respectful address
          2 obs: an Italian lady 3 a: virgin mary b: an artistic
          depiction (as a painting or statue) of the Virgin Mary

   Madonna lily
          [Madonna lily] n (1877): a widely cultivated lily (Lilium
          candidum) with bell-shaped to broad funnel-shaped white
          flowers

   madras
          [ma.dras] n [Madras, India] (ca. 1830) 1: a large silk or
          cotton kerchief usu. of bright colors that is often worn
          as a turban 2 a: a fine plain-woven shirting and dress
          fabric usu. of cotton with varied designs (as plaid)
          in bright colors or in white b: a light open usu. cotton
          fabric with a heavy design used for curtains

   madrepore
          [mad.re.pore] n [F madrepore, fr. It madrepora, fr. madre
          mother (fr. L mater) + poro pore (fr. L porus)--more
          at mother] (1751): any of various stony reef-building
          corals (order Madreporaria) of tropical seas that assume
          a variety of branching, encrusting, or massive forms
          -- mad.re.po.ri.an adj or n -- mad.re.por.ic adj

   madreporite
          [mad.re.por.ite] n [ISV madrepore + [1]-ite (segment); fr.
          the resemblances of the perforations to those of a madrepore]
          (1877): a perforated or porous body that is situated
          at the distal end of the stone canal in echinoderms

   madrigal
          [mad.ri.gal] n [It madrigale, prob. fr. ML matricale, fr.
          neut. of (assumed) matricalis simple, fr. LL, of the
          womb, fr. L matric-, matrix womb, fr. mater mother] (1588)
          1: a medieval short lyrical poem in a strict poetic form
          2 a: a complex polyphonic unaccompanied vocal piece on
          a secular text developed esp. in the 16th and 17th centuries
          b: part-song; esp: glee -- mad.ri.gal.ian adj -- mad.ri.gal.ist
          n

   madrilene
          [ma.dri.lene] n [F (consomme) madrilene, lit., Madrid consomme]
          (1907): a consomme flavored with tomato

   madrona
          [ma.dro.na] or ma.dro.ne or ma.dro.no n [Sp madrono] (1841):
          any of several evergreen trees (genus Arbutus) of the
          heath family; esp: one (A. menziesii) of the Pacific
          coast of No. America with smooth bark, thick shining
          leaves, and edible red berries

   maduro
          [ma.du.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp, fr. maduro ripe, fr. L maturus--more
          at mature] (1850): a dark-colored relatively strong cigar

   madwoman
          [mad.wom.an] n (15c): a woman who is or acts as if insane

   madwort
          [mad.wort] n (1597) 1: alyssum 1 2: a low hairy annual herb
          (Asperugo procumbens) of the borage family with blue
          flowers and a root used as a substitute for madder

   MAE
          [MAE] or MA Ed abbreviation master of arts in education

   Maecenas
          [Mae.ce.nas] n [L, fr. Gaius Maecenas d. 8 b.c. Roman statesman
          & patron of literature] (1542): a generous patron esp.
          of literature or art

   maelstrom
          [mael.strom] n [obs. D (now maalstroom), fr. malen to grind
          + strom stream] (1682) 1: a powerful often violent whirlpool
          sucking in objects within a given radius 2: something
          resembling a maelstrom in turbulence

   maenad
          [mae.nad] n [L maenad-, maenas, fr. Gk mainad-, mainas, fr.
          mainesthai to be mad; akin to Gk menos spirit--more at
          mind] (1579) 1: a woman participant in orgiastic Dionysian
          rites: bacchante 2: an unnaturally excited or distraught
          woman -- mae.nad.ic adj

   maestoso
          [mae.sto.so] adj or adv [It, fr. L majestosus, fr. majestas
          majesty] (ca. 1724): majestic and stately--used as a
          direction in music

   maestro
          [mae.stro] n, pl maestros or mae.stri [It, lit., master,
          fr. L magister--more at master] (1724): a master usu.
          in an art; esp: an eminent composer, conductor, or teacher
          of music

   Mae West
          [Mae West] n [Mae West d. 1980 Am. actress noted for her
          full figure] (1940): an inflatable life jacket in the
          form of a collar extending down the chest that was worn
          by fliers in World War II

   maffick
          [maf.fick] vi [back-formation fr. Mafeking Night, English
          celebration of the lifting of the siege of Mafeking,
          So. Africa, May 17, 1900] (1900): to celebrate with boisterous
          rejoicing and hilarious behavior

   Mafia
          [Ma.fia] n [Mafia, Maffia, a Sicilian secret criminal society,
          fr. It dial. (Sicily)] (1875) 1 a: a secret criminal
          society of Sicily or Italy b: a similarly conceived criminal
          organization in the U.S.; also: a similar organization
          elsewhere <the Japanese ~> c: a criminal organization
          associated with a particular traffic <the cocaine ~>
          2 often not cap: a group of people likened to the Mafia;
          esp: a group of people of similar interests or backgrounds
          prominent in a particular field or enterprise: clique

   mafic
          [maf.ic] adj [NL magnesium + L ferrum iron + E -ic] (1912):
          of, relating to, or being a group of usu. dark-colored
          minerals rich in magnesium and iron

   mafioso
          [ma.fi.o.so] n, pl -si [It, fr. Mafia] (1875): a member of
          the Mafia or a mafia

   ma foi
          [ma foi] [F] foreign term : my faith!: indeed

   mag
          [mag] n (1796): magazine

   mag
          [mag] abbreviation magnesium, magnetism, magneto, magnitude

   magazine
          [mag.a.zine] n [MF, fr. OProv, fr. Ar makhazin, pl. of makhzan
          storehouse] (1583) 1: a place where goods or supplies
          are stored: warehouse 2: a room in which powder and other
          explosives are kept in a fort or a ship 3: the contents
          of a magazine: as a: an accumulation of munitions of
          war b: a stock of provisions or goods 4 a: a periodical
          containing miscellaneous pieces (as articles, stories,
          poems) often illustrated b: a similar section of a newspaper
          usu. appearing on Sunday c: a radio or television program
          presenting usu. several short segments on a variety of
          topics 5: a supply chamber: as a: a holder in or on a
          gun for cartridges to be fed into the gun chamber b:
          a lightproof chamber for films or plates on a camera
          or for film on a motion-picture projector

   magazinist
          [mag.a.zin.ist] n (1821): a person who writes for or edits
          a magazine

   magdalen
          [mag.da.len] or mag.da.lene n, often cap [Mary Magdalen or
          Magdalene woman healed by Jesus of evil spirits (Lk 8:2),
          considered identical with a reformed prostitute (Lk 7:36-50)]
          (1697) 1: a reformed prostitute 2: a house of refuge
          or reformatory for prostitutes

   Magdalenian
          [Mag.da.le.ni.an] adj [F magdalenien, fr. La Madeleine, rock
          shelter in southwest France] (1885): of or relating to
          an Upper Paleolithic culture characterized by flint,
          bone, and ivory implements, carving, and paintings

   mage
          [mage] n [ME, fr. L magus] (14c): magus

   Magellanic Cloud
          [Mag.el.lan.ic Cloud] n [Ferdinand Magellan] (ca. 1686):
          either of the two small galaxies that appear as conspicuous
          patches of light near the south celestial pole and are
          companions to the Milky Way galaxy

   Magen David
          [Ma.gen Da.vid] n [Heb maghen Dawidh, lit., shield of David]
          (ca. 1904): a hexagram used as a symbol of Judaism

   magenta
          [ma.gen.ta] n [Magenta, Italy] (1860) 1: fuchsin 2: a deep
          purplish red

   maggot
          [mag.got] n [ME mathek, magotte, of Scand origin; akin to
          ON mathkr maggot; akin to OE matha maggot] (14c) 1: a
          soft-bodied legless grub that is the larva of a dipterous
          insect (as the housefly) 2: a fantastic or eccentric
          idea: whim -- mag.goty adj

   magi
          [magi] pl of magus

   [1]Magian
          [Ma.gi.an] n (1578): magus [2]Ma.gi.an adj (1716): of or
          relating to the Magi -- Ma.gi.an.ism n

   [1]magic
          [mag.ic] n [ME magique, fr. MF, fr. L magice, fr. Gk magike,
          fem. of magikos Magian, magical, fr. magos magus, sorcerer,
          of Iranian origin; akin to OPer magus sorcerer] (14c)
          1 a: the use of means (as charms or spells) believed
          to have supernatural power over natural forces b: magic
          rites or incantations 2 a: an extraordinary power or
          influence seemingly from a supernatural source b: something
          that seems to cast a spell: enchantment 3: the art of
          producing illusions by sleight of hand [2]magic adj (14c)
          1: of or relating to magic 2 a: having seemingly supernatural
          qualities or powers b: giving a feeling of enchantment
          -- mag.i.cal adj -- mag.i.cal.ly adv [3]magic vt mag.icked
          ; mag.ick.ing (1906): to produce, remove, or influence
          by magic

   magic bullet
          [magic bullet] n (1940): a substance or therapy capable of
          destroying pathogenic agents (as bacteria or cancer cells)
          without deleterious side effects

   magician
          [ma.gi.cian] n (14c) 1: one skilled in magic; esp: sorcerer
          2: one who performs tricks of illusion and sleight of
          hand

   magic lantern
          [magic lantern] n (1696): an early form of optical projector
          of still pictures using a transparent slide

   Magic Marker
          [Magic Marker] trademark--used for a felt-tipped pen

   magic realism
          [magic realism] n (1954): painting in a meticulously realistic
          style of imaginary or fantastic scenes or images -- magic
          realist n

   magic square
          [magic square] n (ca. 1704): a square containing a number
          of integers arranged so that the sum of the numbers is
          the same in each row, column, and main diagonal and often
          in some or all of the other diagonals

   Maginot Line
          [Ma.gi.not Line] n [Andre Maginot d. 1932 Fr. minister of
          war] (1936): a line of defensive fortifications built
          before World War II to protect the eastern border of
          France but easily outflanked by German invaders

   magisterial
          [mag.is.te.ri.al] adj [LL magisterialis of authority, fr.
          magisterium office of a master, fr. magister] (1632)
          1 a (1): of, relating to, or having the characteristics
          of a master or teacher: authoritative (2): marked by
          an overbearingly dignified or assured manner or aspect
          b: of, relating to, or required for a master's degree
          2: of or relating to a magistrate or a magistrate's office
          or duties syn see dictatorial -- mag.is.te.ri.al.ly adv

   magisterium
          [mag.is.te.ri.um] n [L] (1866): teaching authority esp. of
          the Roman Catholic Church

   magistracy
          [mag.is.tra.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1585) 1: the state of being
          a magistrate 2: the office, power, or dignity of a magistrate
          3: a body of magistrates 4: the district under a magistrate

   magistral
          [ma.gis.tral] adj [LL magistralis, fr. L magistr-, magister]
          (1605): magisterial 1a -- ma.gis.tral.ly adv

   magistrate
          [mag.is.trate] n [ME magestrat, fr. L magistratus magistracy,
          magistrate, fr. magistr-, magister master, political
          superior--more at master] (14c): an official entrusted
          with administration of the laws: as a: a principal official
          exercising governmental powers over a major political
          unit (as a nation) b: a local official exercising administrative
          and often judicial functions c: a local judiciary official
          having limited original jurisdiction esp. in criminal
          cases -- mag.is.trat.i.cal adj -- mag.is.trat.i.cal.ly
          adv

   magistrate's court
          [magistrate's court] n (1867) 1: police court 2: a court
          that has minor civil and criminal jurisdiction

   magistrature
          [mag.is.tra.ture] n (1672): magistracy

   magma
          [mag.ma] n [ME, fr. L magmat-, magma, fr. Gk, thick unguent,
          fr. massein to knead--more at mingle] (15c) 1 archaic:
          dregs, sediment 2: a thin pasty suspension (as of a precipitate
          in water) 3: molten rock material within the earth from
          which igneous rock results by cooling -- mag.mat.ic adj

   Magna Carta
          [Mag.na Car.ta] or Mag.na Char.ta n [ME, fr. ML, lit., great
          charter] (15c) 1: a charter of liberties to which the
          English barons forced King John to give his assent in
          June 1215 at Runnymede 2: a document constituting a fundamental
          guarantee of rights and privileges

   magna cum laude
          [mag.na cum lau.de] adv or adj [L] (1900): with great distinction
          <graduated magna cum laude>--compare cum laude, summa
          cum laude

   magna est veritas et praevalebit
          [mag.na est ve.ri.tas et prae.va.le.bit] [L] foreign term
          : truth is mighty and will prevail

   magnanimity
          [mag.na.nim.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the quality of being
          magnanimous: loftiness of spirit enabling one to bear
          trouble calmly, to disdain meanness and pettiness, and
          to display a noble generosity 2: a magnanimous act

   magnanimous
          [mag.nan.i.mous] adj [L magnanimus, fr. magnus great + animus
          spirit--more at much, animate] (1584) 1: showing or suggesting
          a lofty and courageous spirit <the irreproachable lives
          and ~ sufferings of their followers --Joseph Addison>
          2: showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity
          of mind <too sincere for dissimulation, too ~ for resentment
          --Ellen Glasgow> -- mag.nan.i.mous.ly adv -- mag.nan.i.mous.ness
          n

   magnate
          [mag.nate] n [ME magnates, pl., fr. LL, fr. L magnus] (15c):
          a person of rank, power, influence, or distinction often
          in a specified area

   magnesia
          [mag.ne.sia] n [NL, fr. magnes carneus, a white earth, lit.,
          flesh magnet] (1755): magnesium oxide--compare milk of
          magnesia -- mag.ne.sian adj

   magnesite
          [mag.ne.site] n (1815): native magnesium carbonate used esp.
          in making refractories and magnesium oxide

   magnesium
          [mag.ne.sium] n [NL, fr. magnesia] (1812): a silver-white
          light malleable ductile metallic element that occurs
          abundantly in nature and is used in metallurgical and
          chemical processes, in photography, signaling, and pyrotechnics
          because of the intense white light it produces on burning,
          and in construction esp. in the form of light alloys

   magnesium carbonate
          [magnesium carbonate] n (1903): a carbonate of magnesium;
          esp: a white crystalline salt that occurs naturally as
          dolomite and magnesite

   magnesium chloride
          [magnesium chloride] n (ca. 1910): a bitter deliquescent
          salt used esp. as a source of magnesium metal

   magnesium hydroxide
          [magnesium hydroxide] n (ca. 1909): a slightly alkaline crystalline
          compound used esp. as a laxative and gastric antacid

   magnesium oxide
          [magnesium oxide] n (ca. 1909): a white highly infusible
          compound used esp. in refractories, cements, insulation,
          and fertilizers, in rubber manufacture, and in medicine
          as an antacid and mild laxative

   magnesium sulfate
          [magnesium sulfate] n (ca. 1890): a sulfate of magnesium:
          as a: a white salt used in medicine and in industry b:
          epsom salts

   magnet-
          [magnet-] or magneto- comb form [L magnet-, magnes] 1: magnetic
          force <magnetometer> 2: magnetism: magnetic <magnetoelectric>
          <magneton> 3: magnetoelectric <magnetoresistance> 4:
          magnetosphere <magnetopause>

   magnet
          [mag.net] n [ME magnete, fr. MF, fr. L magnet-, magnes, fr.
          Gk magnes (lithos), lit., stone of Magnesia, ancient
          city in Asia Minor] (15c) 1 a: lodestone b: a body having
          the property of attracting iron and producing a magnetic
          field external to itself; specif: a mass of iron, steel,
          or alloy that has this property artificially imparted
          2: something that attracts <a box-office ~>

   [1]magnetic
          [mag.net.ic] adj (1611) 1: possessing an extraordinary power
          or ability to attract <a ~ personality> 2 a: of or relating
          to a magnet or to magnetism b: of, relating to, or characterized
          by the earth's magnetism c: magnetized or capable of
          being magnetized d: actuated by magnetic attraction --
          mag.net.i.cal.ly adv [2]magnetic n (1654): a magnetic
          substance

   magnetic bubble
          [magnetic bubble] n (1969): a tiny movable magnetized cylindrical
          volume in a thin amorphous or crystalline magnetic material
          that along with other like volumes can be used to represent
          a bit of information (as in a computer)

   magnetic disk
          [magnetic disk] n (ca. 1960): disk 4c

   magnetic equator
          [magnetic equator] n (1832): an imaginary line roughly parallel
          to the geographical equator and passing through those
          points where a magnetic needle has no dip

   magnetic field
          [magnetic field] n (1845): the portion of space near a magnetic
          body or a current-carrying body in which the magnetic
          forces due to the body or current can be detected

   magnetic flux
          [magnetic flux] n (1896): lines of force used to represent
          magnetic induction

   magnetic mirror
          [magnetic mirror] n (1952): a magnetic field that confines
          a plasma by reflecting ions of the plasma back toward
          the main plasma concentration

   magnetic moment
          [magnetic moment] n (1865): a vector quantity that is a measure
          of the torque exerted on a magnetic system (as a bar
          magnet or dipole) when placed in a magnetic field and
          that for a magnet is the product of the distance between
          its poles and the strength of either pole

   magnetic north
          [magnetic north] n (1812): the northerly direction in the
          earth's magnetic field indicated by the north-seeking
          pole of a compass needle

   magnetic pole
          [magnetic pole] n (1701) 1: either of two small regions which
          are located respectively in the polar areas of the northern
          and southern hemispheres and toward which a compass needle
          points from any direction throughout adjacent regions;
          also: either of two comparable regions on a celestial
          body 2: either of the poles of a magnet

   magnetic quantum number
          [magnetic quantum number] n (1923): an integer that expresses
          the component of the quantized angular momentum of an
          electron, atom, or molecule in the direction of an externally
          applied magnetic field

   magnetic recording
          [magnetic recording] n (1945): the process of recording sound,
          data (as for a computer), or a television program by
          producing varying local magnetization of a moving tape
          or disc -- magnetic recorder n

   magnetic resonance
          [magnetic resonance] n (1903): the response of electrons,
          atoms, molecules, or nuclei to various discrete radiation
          frequencies as a result of space quantization in a magnetic
          field

   magnetic resonance imaging
          [magnetic resonance imaging] n (1984): a noninvasive diagnostic
          technique that produces computerized images of internal
          body tissues and is based on nuclear magnetic resonance
          of atoms within the body induced by the application of
          radio waves--abbr. MRI

   magnetic storm
          [magnetic storm] n (1860): a marked temporary disturbance
          of the earth's magnetic field held to be related to sunspots

   magnetic tape
          [magnetic tape] n (1937): a thin ribbon (as of plastic) coated
          with a magnetic material on which information (as sound
          or television images) may be stored

   magnetise
          [mag.ne.tise] Brit var of magnetize

   magnetism
          [mag.ne.tism] n (1616) 1 a: a class of physical phenomena
          that include the attraction for iron observed in lodestone
          and a magnet, are inseparably associated with moving
          electricity, are exhibited by both magnets and electric
          currents, and are characterized by fields of force b:
          a science that deals with magnetic phenomena 2: an ability
          to attract or charm

   magnetite
          [mag.ne.tite] n (1851): a black isometric mineral of the
          spinel group that is an oxide of iron and an important
          iron ore

   magnetization
          [mag.ne.ti.za.tion] n (1801): an instance of magnetizing
          or the state of being magnetized; also: the degree to
          which a body is magnetized

   magnetize
          [mag.ne.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1801) 1: to induce magnetic
          properties in 2: to attract like a magnet: charm -- mag.ne.tiz.able
          adj -- mag.ne.tiz.er n

   magneto
          [mag.ne.to] n, pl -tos (1882): a magnetoelectric machine;
          esp: an alternator with permanent magnets used to generate
          current for the ignition in an internal-combustion engine

   magnetoelectric
          [mag.ne.to.elec.tric] adj (1831): relating to or characterized
          by electromotive forces developed by magnetic means

   magnetofluiddynamics
          [mag.ne.to.flu.id.dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr
          (1962): the study of magnetohydrodynamic phenomena

   magnetograph
          [mag.ne.to.graph] n (1847): an automatic instrument for recording
          measurements of a magnetic field (as of the earth or
          the sun)

   magnetohydrodynamic
          [mag.ne.to.hy.dro.dy.nam.ic] adj (1943): of, relating to,
          or being phenomena arising from the motion of electrically
          conducting fluids (as plasmas) in the presence of electric
          and magnetic fields -- mag.ne.to.hy.dro.dy.nam.ics n
          pl but sing or pl in constr

   magnetometer
          [mag.ne.tom.e.ter] n (1827): an instrument used to detect
          the presence of a metallic object or to measure the intensity
          of a magnetic field -- mag.ne.to.met.ric adj -- mag.ne.tom.e.try
          n

   magnetomotive force
          [mag.ne.to.mo.tive force] n (1883): a force that is the cause
          of a flux of magnetic induction

   magneton
          [mag.ne.ton] n [ISV magnet- + [2]-on] (1911): a unit of the
          quantized magnetic moment of a particle (as an atom)

   magneto-optic
          [mag.ne.to-op.tic] also mag.ne.to-op.ti.cal adj (1848): of
          or relating to the influence of a magnetic field upon
          light -- mag.ne.to-op.tics n pl but sing or pl in constr

   magnetopause
          [mag.ne.to.pause] n (1962): the outer boundary of a magnetosphere

   magnetoresistance
          [mag.ne.to.re.sis.tance] n (1927): a change in electrical
          resistance due to the presence of a magnetic field

   magnetosphere
          [mag.ne.to.sphere] n (1959): a region of space surrounding
          a celestial object (as the earth or a star) that is dominated
          by the object's magnetic field so that charged particles
          are trapped in it -- mag.ne.to.spher.ic adj

   magnetostatic
          [mag.ne.to.stat.ic] adj (1893): of, relating to, or being
          a stationary magnetic field

   magnetostriction
          [mag.ne.to.stric.tion] n [ISV magnet- + -striction (as in
          constriction)] (1896): the change in the dimensions of
          a ferromagnetic body caused by a change in its state
          of magnetization -- mag.ne.to.stric.tive adj --
          mag.ne.to.stric.tive.ly adv

   magnetron
          [mag.ne.tron] n [blend of magnet and -tron] (1924): a diode
          vacuum tube in which the flow of electrons is controlled
          by an externally applied magnetic field to generate power
          at microwave frequencies

   magnet school
          [magnet school] n (1968): a school with superior facilities
          and staff and specialized curricula designed to attract
          pupils from all segments of the community

   magnific
          [mag.nif.ic] adj [MF magnifique, fr. L magnificus] (15c)
          1: magnificent 2 2: imposing in size or dignity 3 a:
          sublime, exalted b: characterized by grandiloquence:
          pompous <commenced the conversation in the most ~ style
          --S. T. Coleridge> -- mag.nif.i.cal adj -- mag.nif.i.cal.ly
          adv

   magnificat
          [mag.nif.i.cat] n [ME, fr. L, magnifies, fr. magnificare
          to magnify; fr. the first word of the canticle] (13c)
          1 cap a: the canticle of the Virgin Mary in Luke 1:46-55
          b: a musical setting for the Magnificat 2: an utterance
          of praise

   magnification
          [mag.ni.fi.ca.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of magnifying 2 a:
          the state of being magnified b: the apparent enlargement
          of an object by an optical instrument--called also power

   magnificence
          [mag.nif.i.cence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L magnificentia, fr.
          magnificus noble in character, magnificent, fr. magnus
          great--more at much] (14c) 1: the quality or state of
          being magnificent 2: splendor of surroundings

   magnificent
          [mag.nif.i.cent] adj (15c) 1: great in deed or exalted in
          place--used only of former famous rulers <Lorenzo the
          Magnificent> 2: marked by stately grandeur and lavishness
          <a ~ way of life> 3: sumptuous in structure and adornment
          <a ~ cathedral>; broadly: strikingly beautiful or impressive
          <a ~ physique> 4: impressive to the mind or spirit: sublime
          <~ prose> 5: exceptionally fine <a ~ day> syn see grand
          -- mag.nif.i.cent.ly adv

   magnifico
          [mag.nif.i.co] n, pl -coes or -cos [It, fr. magnifico, adj.,
          magnificent, fr. L magnificus] (1573) 1: a nobleman of
          Venice 2: a person of high position

   magnifier
          [mag.ni.fi.er] n (1550): one that magnifies; esp: a lens
          or combination of lenses that makes something appear
          larger

   magnify
          [mag.ni.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME magnifien, fr. MF magnifier,
          fr. L magnificare, fr. magnificus] vt (14c) 1 a: extol,
          laud b: to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect
          2 a: to increase in significance: intensify b: exaggerate
          3: to enlarge in fact or in appearance ~ vi: to have
          the power of causing objects to appear larger than they
          are

   magniloquence
          [mag.nil.o.quence] n [L magniloquentia, fr. magniloquus
          magniloquent, fr. magnus + loqui to speak] (ca. 1623): the quality
          or state of being magniloquent

   magniloquent
          [mag.nil.o.quent] adj [back-formation fr. magniloquence]
          (ca. 1656): speaking in or characterized by a high-flown
          often bombastic style or manner -- mag.nil.o.quent.ly
          adv

   magni nominis umbra
          [mag.ni no.mi.nis um.bra] [L] foreign term : the shadow of
          a great name

   magnitude
          [mag.ni.tude] n [ME, fr. L magnitudo, fr. magnus] (15c) 1
          a: great size or extent b (1): spatial quality: size
          (2): quantity, number 2: the importance, quality, or
          caliber of something 3: a number representing the intrinsic
          or apparent brightness of a celestial body on a logarithmic
          scale in which an increase of one unit corresponds to
          a reduction in the brightness of light by a factor of
          2.512 4: a numerical quantitative measure expressed usu.
          as a multiple of a standard unit

   magnolia
          [mag.no.lia] n [NL, fr. Pierre Magnol d. 1715 Fr. botanist]
          (1748): any of a genus (Magnolia of the family Magnoliaceae,
          the magnolia family) of American and Asian shrubs and
          trees with entire evergreen or deciduous leaves and usu.
          showy white, yellow, rose, or purple flowers usu. appearing
          in early spring

   magnum
          [mag.num] n [L, neut. of magnus great] (1788): a large wine
          bottle holding about 1.5 liters

   magnum opus
          [mag.num opus] n [L] (1791): a great work; esp: the greatest
          achievement of an artist or writer

   [1]magpie
          [mag.pie] n [Mag (nickname for Margaret) + [1]pie] (1598)
          1: any of various birds (esp. Pica pica) related to the
          jays but having a long graduated tail and black-and-white
          or brightly colored plumage 2: a person who chatters
          noisily 3: one who collects indiscriminately [2]magpie
          adj (1808) 1: collected indiscriminately: miscellaneous
          <~ compilations of unrelated tidbits --Helen R. Cross>
          2: given to indiscriminate collecting: acquisitive <what
          possible ~ instinct had impelled me to retain them --S.
          J. Perelman>

   mag tape
          [mag tape] n (1966): magnetic tape

   maguey
          [ma.guey] n [Sp, fr. Taino] (1589) 1: any of various fleshy-leaved
          agaves (as the century plant) 2: any of several hard fibers derived
          from magueys; esp: cantala

   magus
          [ma.gus] n, pl ma.gi [L, fr. Gk magos--more at magic] (1621)
          1 a: a member of a hereditary priestly class among the
          ancient Medes and Persians b often cap: one of the traditionally
          three wise men from the East paying homage to the infant
          Jesus 2: magician, sorcerer

   Magyar
          [Mag.yar] n [Hung] (1797) 1: a member of the dominant people
          of Hungary 2: hungarian 2 -- Magyar adj

   mahalo
          [ma.ha.lo] [Hawaiian] foreign term : thank you

   maharaja
          [ma.ha.ra.ja] or ma.ha.ra.jah n [Skt maharaja, fr. mahat
          great + rajan raja; akin to L rex king--more at much,
          royal] (1698): a Hindu prince ranking above a raja

   maharani
          [ma.ha.ra.ni] or ma.ha.ra.nee n [Hindi maharani, fr. maha
          great (fr. Skt mahat) + rani rani] (ca. 1855) 1: the
          wife of a maharaja 2: a Hindu princess ranking above
          a rani

   maharishi
          [ma.ha.ri.shi] n [Skt maharsi, fr. mahat + rsi sage and poet]
          (1785): a Hindu teacher of mystical knowledge

   mahatma
          [ma.hat.ma] n [Skt mahatman, fr. mahatman great-souled, fr.
          mahat + atman soul--more at atman] (1923) 1: a person
          to be revered for high-mindedness, wisdom, and selflessness
          2: a person of great prestige in a field of endeavor

   Mahayana
          [Ma.ha.ya.na] n [Skt mahayana, lit., great vehicle] (1855):
          a liberal and theistic branch of Buddhism comprising
          sects chiefly in China and Japan, recognizing a large
          body of scripture in addition to the Pali canon, and
          teaching social concern and universal salvation--compare
          theravada -- Ma.ha.ya.nist n or adj -- Ma.ha.ya.nis.tic
          adj

   Mahdi
          [Mah.di] n [Ar mahdiy, lit., one rightly guided] (1800) 1:
          the expected messiah of Muslim tradition 2: a Muslim
          leader who assumes a messianic role -- Mah.dism n --
          Mah.dist n

   Mahican
          [Ma.hi.can] n, pl Mahican or Mahicans [Mahican] (ca. 1614)
          1: a member of an American Indian people of the upper
          Hudson River valley 2: the extinct Algonquian language
          of the Mahican people

   mahimahi
          [ma.hi.ma.hi] n [Hawaiian, Tahitian, & Marquesan] (1943):
          the flesh of a dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus) used for
          food; also: the fish

   mah-jongg
          [mah-jongg] or mah.jong n [fr. Mah-Jongg, a trademark] (1920):
          a game of Chinese origin usu. played by four persons
          with 144 tiles that are drawn and discarded until one
          player secures a winning hand

   mahlstick
          [mahl.stick] var of maulstick

   mahoe
          [ma.hoe] n [F maho, fr. Taino] (1666): either of two tropical
          hibiscus trees (Hibiscus elatus and H. tiliaceus)

   mahogany
          [ma.hog.a.ny] n, pl -nies [origin unknown] (ca. 1660) 1:
          the wood of any of various chiefly tropical trees (family
          Meliaceae, the mahogany family): a (1): the durable yellowish
          brown to reddish brown usu. moderately hard and heavy
          wood of a West Indian tree (Swietenia mahagoni) that
          is widely used for cabinetwork and fine finish work (2):
          a wood similar to mahogany from a congeneric tree (esp.
          S. macrophylla) b (1): the rather hard heavy usu. odorless
          wood of any of several African trees (genus Khaya) (2):
          the rather lightweight cedar-scented wood of any of several
          African trees (genus Entandrophragma) that varies in
          color from pinkish to deep reddish brown 2: any of various
          woods resembling or substituted for mahogany obtained
          from trees of the mahogany family 3: a tree that yields
          mahogany 4: a moderate reddish brown

   mahonia
          [ma.ho.nia] n [NL, fr. Bernard McMahon d. 1816 Am. botanist]
          (1829): any of a genus (Mahonia) of American and Asian
          shrubs (as the Oregon grape) of the barberry family

   mahout
          [ma.hout] n [Hindi mahawat, mahaut] (1662): a keeper and
          driver of an elephant

   Mahratta
          [Mah.rat.ta] var of maratha

   maid
          [maid] n [ME maide, short for maiden] (13c) 1: an unmarried
          girl or woman esp. when young: virgin 2 a: maidservant
          b: a woman or girl employed to do domestic work

   [1]maiden
          [maid.en] n [ME, fr. OE maegden, maeden, dim. of maegeth;
          akin to OHG magad maiden, OIr mug serf] (bef. 12c) 1:
          an unmarried girl or woman: maid 2: a former Scottish
          beheading device resembling the guillotine 3: a horse
          that has never won a race [2]maiden adj (14c) 1 a (1):
          not married <~ aunt> (2): virgin b of a female animal
          (1): never yet mated (2): never having borne young 2:
          of, relating to, or befitting a maiden 3: first, earliest
          <~ voyage> <~ flight of a spacecraft>

   maidenhair fern
          [maid.en.hair fern] n (1833): any of a genus (Adiantum) of
          ferns with delicate palmately branched fronds--called
          also maidenhair

   maidenhair tree
          [maidenhair tree] n (1773): ginkgo

   maidenhead
          [maid.en.head] n [ME maidenhed, fr. maiden + -hed -hood;
          akin to ME -hod -hood] (13c) 1: the quality or state
          of being a maiden: virginity 2: hymen

   maidenhood
          [maid.en.hood] n (bef. 12c): the quality, state, or time
          of being a maiden

   maidenliness
          [maid.en.li.ness] n (1555): conduct or traits befitting a
          maiden

   maidenly
          [maid.en.ly] adj (15c): of, resembling, or suitable to a
          maiden

   maiden name
          [maiden name] n (1689): the surname of a woman before she
          marries

   maidhood
          [maid.hood] n (bef. 12c): maidenhood

   maid-in-waiting
          [maid-in-wait.ing] n, pl maids-in-wait.ing (1953): a young
          woman of a queen's or princess's household appointed
          to attend her

   Maid Marian
          [Maid Mar.i.an] n: a companion of Robin Hood in some forms
          of his legend

   maid of honor
          [maid of honor] (ca. 1586) 1: an unmarried lady usu. of noble
          birth whose duty it is to attend a queen or a princess
          2: a bride's principal unmarried wedding attendant

   maidservant
          [maid.ser.vant] n (14c): a female servant

   maieutic
          [ma.ieu.tic] adj [Gk maieutikos of midwifery] (1655): relating
          to or resembling the Socratic method of eliciting new
          ideas from another

   [1]mail
          [mail] n [ME male, maille, fr. OE mal agreement, pay, fr.
          ON mal speech, agreement; akin to OE mael speech] (bef.
          12c) chiefly Scot: payment, rent [2]mail n, often attrib
          [ME male, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG malaha bag]
          (13c) 1 chiefly Scot: bag, wallet 2 a: something sent
          or carried in the postal system b: a conveyance that
          transports mail c: messages sent electronically to an
          individual (as through a computer system) 3: a nation's
          postal system--often used in pl. [3]mail vt (1827): to
          send by mail: post -- mail.abil.i.ty n -- mail.able adj
          [4]mail n [ME maille, fr. MF, fr. L macula spot, mesh]
          (14c) 1: armor made of metal links or sometimes plates
          2: a hard enclosing covering of an animal (as a tortoise)
          -- mailed adj

   mailbag
          [mail.bag] n (1812) 1: a letter carrier's shoulder bag 2:
          a pouch used in the shipment of mail

   mailbox
          [mail.box] n (1872) 1: a public box for deposit of outgoing
          mail 2: a box at or near a dwelling for the occupant's
          mail 3: a computer file in which electronic mail is collected

   mail carrier
          [mail carrier] n (1790): letter carrier

   mail drop
          [mail drop] n (1945) 1: an address used in transmitting secret
          communications 2: a receptacle or a slot for deposit
          of mail

   maile
          [mai.le] n [Hawaiian] (1903): a Pacific island vine (Alyxia
          olivaeformis) of the dogbane family with fragrant leaves
          and bark that are used for decoration and in Hawaii for
          leis

   mailed fist
          [mailed fist] n (1897): a threat of armed or overbearing
          force

   mailer
          [mail.er] n (1884) 1: one that mails 2: a container for mailing
          something 3: something (as an advertisement) sent by
          mail

   Mailgram
          [Mail.gram] trademark--used for a message sent by wire to
          a post office that delivers it to the addressee

   mailing
          [mail.ing] n (1946): the mail dispatched at one time by a
          sender

   maillot
          [mail.lot] n [F] (1888) 1: tights for dancers or gymnasts
          2: jersey 2 3: a woman's one-piece bathing suit

   mailman
          [mail.man] n (1881): a man who delivers mail--called also
          postman

   mail order
          [mail order] n (1867): an order for goods that is received
          and filled by mail -- mail-or.der adj

   [1]maim
          [maim] vt [ME maynhen, maymen, fr. OF maynier--more at mayhem]
          (14c) 1: to commit the felony of mayhem upon 2: to mutilate,
          disfigure, or wound seriously -- maim.er n syn maim,
          cripple, mutilate, batter, mangle mean to injure so severely
          as to cause lasting damage. maim implies the loss or
          injury of a bodily member through violence <maimed by
          a shark>. cripple implies the loss or serious impairment
          of an arm or leg <crippled for life in an accident>.
          mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential
          part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness,
          beauty, or function <a tree mutilated by inept pruning>.
          batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply,
          deform, or mutilate <an old ship battered by fierce storms>.
          mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep
          extensive wounds <a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel>.
          [2]maim n (14c) 1 obs: serious physical injury; esp:
          loss of a member of the body 2 obs: a serious loss

   [1]main
          [main] n [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. OE maegen; akin to OHG
          magan strength, OE magan to be able; in other senses,
          fr. [2]main or by shortening--more at may] (bef. 12c)
          1: physical strength: force--used in the phrase with
          might and main 2 a: mainland b: high sea 3: the chief
          part: essential point <they are in the ~ well-trained>
          4: a pipe, duct, or circuit which carries the combined
          flow of tributary branches of a utility system 5 a: mainmast
          b: mainsail [2]main adj [ME, fr. OE maegen-, fr. maegen
          strength] (15c) 1: chief, principal <the ~ idea> 2: fully
          exerted: sheer <~ force> <by ~ strength> 3 obs: of or
          relating to a broad expanse (as of sea) 4: connected
          with or located near the mainmast or mainsail 5: expressing
          the chief predication in a complex sentence <the ~ clause>

   main chance
          [main chance] n (1584): the best chance for personal or financial
          gain <kept an eye on the main chance>

   Maine coon
          [Maine coon] n (1935): any of a breed of large long-haired
          domestic cats that have a very full tapered tail--called
          also coon cat, Maine cat

   mainframe
          [main.frame] n (ca. 1964): a computer with its cabinet and
          internal circuits; also: a large fast computer that can
          handle multiple tasks concurrently

   mainland
          [main.land] n (14c): a continent or the main part of a continent
          as distinguished from an offshore island or sometimes
          from a cape or peninsula -- main.land.er n

   main line
          [main line] n (1841) 1: a principal highway or railroad line
          2 slang: a principal vein of the circulatory system

   [1]mainline
          [main.line] vt (1938) slang: to take by or as if by injecting
          into a principal vein ~ vi, slang: to mainline a narcotic
          drug [2]mainline adj (1941): being part of an established
          group; also: being in the mainstream

   mainly
          [main.ly] adv (13c) 1 obs: in a forceful manner 2: for the
          most part: chiefly

   main man
          [main man] n (1967) 1: best male friend 2: a man whose character
          or work is most admired 3: the most reliable or effective
          performer

   mainmast
          [main.mast] n (15c): a sailing ship's principal mast usu.
          second from the bow

   mains
          [mains] adj (ca. 1927) Brit: of or relating to utility distribution
          mains <~ voltage> <~ water>

   mainsail
          [main.sail] n (15c): the principal sail on the mainmast--see
          sail illustration

   main sequence
          [main sequence] n (1925): the group of stars that on a graph
          of spectrum versus luminosity forms a band comprising
          90% of stellar types and that includes stars believed
          to be representative of the stages a normal star passes
          through for the majority of its lifetime

   mainsheet
          [main.sheet] n (15c): a rope by which the mainsail is trimmed
          and secured

   mainspring
          [main.spring] n (1591) 1: the chief spring in a mechanism
          esp. of a watch or clock 2: the chief or most powerful
          motive, agent, or cause

   main squeeze
          [main squeeze] n (ca. 1968) slang: one's principal romantic
          partner

   mainstay
          [main.stay] n (15c) 1: a ship's stay extending from the maintop
          forward usu. to the foot of the foremast 2: a chief support

   main stem
          [main stem] n (1832): a main trunk or channel: as a: the
          main course of a river or stream b: the main street of
          a city or town

   [1]mainstream
          [main.stream] n (1831): a prevailing current or direction
          of activity or influence -- mainstream adj [2]main.stream
          vt (1974): to place (as a handicapped child) in regular
          school classes

   Main Street
          [Main Street] n (ca. 1743) 1: the principal street of a small
          town 2 a: the sections of a country centering about its
          small towns b: a place or environment characterized by
          materialistic self-complacent provincialism c: middle
          america 3 -- Main Street.er n

   maintain
          [main.tain] vt [ME mainteinen, fr. OF maintenir, fr. ML manutenere,
          fr. L manu tenere to hold in the hand] (14c) 1: to keep
          in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity):
          preserve from failure or decline <~ machinery> 2: to sustain
          against opposition or danger: uphold and defend <~ a position>
          3: to continue or persevere in: carry on, keep up <couldn't ~ his
          composure> 4 a: to support or provide for <has a family
          to ~> b: sustain <enough food to ~ life> 5: to affirm
          in or as if in argument: assert <~ed that the earth is flat>
          -- main.tain.abil.i.ty n -- main.tain.able adj -- main.tain.er
          n syn maintain, assert, defend, vindicate, justify mean to uphold
          as true, right, just, or reasonable. maintain stresses firmness
          of conviction <steadfastly maintained his innocence>. assert
          suggests determination to make others accept one's claim <asserted
          her rights>. defend implies maintaining in the face of attack
          or criticism <defended his voting record>. vindicate implies
          successfully defending <his success vindicated our faith in him>.
          justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal
          to a standard or to precedent <the action was used to justify
          military intervention>.

   maintenance
          [main.te.nance] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. maintenir] (14c)
          1: the act of maintaining: the state of being maintained:
          support 2: something that maintains 3: the upkeep of
          property or equipment 4: an officious or unlawful intermeddling
          in a legal suit by assisting either party with means
          to carry it on

   maintop
          [main.top] n (15c): a platform about the head of the mainmast
          of a square-rigged ship

   main-topmast
          [main-top.mast] n (15c): a mast next above the mainmast

   main yard
          [main yard] n (15c): the yard of a mainsail

   mair
          [mair] chiefly Scot var of more

   maison de sante
          [mai.son de san.te] [F] foreign term : private hospital:
          asylum

   maisonette
          [mai.son.ette] n [F maisonnette, fr. OF, dim. of maison house,
          fr. L mansion-, mansio dwelling place--more at mansion]
          (1793) 1: a small house 2: an apartment often on two
          floors

   maitre d'
          [mai.tre d'] n, pl maitre d's (1950): maitre d'hotel

   maitre d'hotel
          [mai.tre d'ho.tel] n, pl maitres d'hotel [F, lit., master
          of house] (1538) 1 a: majordomo b: headwaiter 2: a sauce
          of butter, parsley, salt, pepper, and lemon juice--called
          also maitre d'hotel butter

   maize
          [maize] n [Sp maiz, fr. Taino mahiz] (1555): indian corn

   Maj
          [Maj] abbreviation major

   majestic
          [ma.jes.tic] adj (1601): having or exhibiting majesty: stately
          syn see grand -- ma.jes.ti.cal.ly adv

   majesty
          [maj.es.ty] n, pl -ties [ME maieste, fr. MF majeste, fr.
          L majestat-, majestas; akin to L major greater] (14c)
          1: sovereign power, authority, or dignity 2--used in
          addressing or referring to reigning sovereigns and their
          consorts <Your Majesty> <Her Majesty's Government> 3
          a: royal bearing or aspect: grandeur b: greatness or
          splendor of quality or character

   Maj Gen
          [Maj Gen] abbreviation major general

   majolica
          [ma.jol.i.ca] also ma.iol.i.ca n [It maiolica, fr. OIt Maiolica,
          Maiorica Majorca] (1555) 1: earthenware covered with
          an opaque tin glaze and decorated on the glaze before
          firing; esp: an Italian ware of this kind 2: a 19th century
          earthenware modeled in naturalistic shapes and glazed
          in lively colors

   [1]major
          [ma.jor] adj [ME maiour, fr. L major, compar. of magnus great,
          large--more at much] (15c) 1: greater in dignity, rank,
          importance, or interest <one of the ~ poets> 2: greater
          in number, quantity, or extent <the ~ part of his work>
          3: having attained majority 4: notable or conspicuous
          in effect or scope: considerable <a ~ improvement> 5:
          involving grave risk: serious <a ~ illness> 6: of or
          relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field
          of specialization 7 a: having half steps between the
          third and fourth and the seventh and eighth degrees <~
          scale> b: based on a major scale <~ key> c: equivalent
          to the distance between the keynote and another tone
          (except the fourth and fifth) of a major scale <~ third>
          d: having a major third above the root <~ triad> [2]major
          n (1616) 1: a person who has attained majority 2 a: one
          that is superior in rank, importance, size, or performance
          <economic power of the oil ~s> b: a major musical interval,
          scale, key, or mode 3: a commissioned officer in the
          army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a captain
          and below a lieutenant colonel 4 a: an academic subject
          chosen as a field of specialization b: a student specializing
          in such a field <a history ~> 5 pl: major league baseball--used
          with the [3]major vi (1913): to pursue an academic major

   major axis
          [major axis] n (1854): the axis passing through the foci
          of an ellipse

   majordomo
          [ma.jor.do.mo] n, pl -mos [Sp mayordomo or obs. It maiordomo,
          fr. ML major domus, lit., chief of the house] (1589)
          1: a head steward of a large household (as a palace)
          2: butler, steward 3: a person who speaks, makes arrangements,
          or takes charge for another

   majorette
          [ma.jor.ette] n (1940): drum majorette 2

   major general
          [major general] n [F major general, fr. major, n. + general,
          adj., general] (1642): a commissioned officer in the
          army, air force, or marine corps who ranks above a brigadier
          general and whose insignia is two stars

   major histocompatibility complex
          [major histocompatibility complex] n (1975): a group of genes
          in mammals that function esp. in determining the histocompatibility
          antigens found on cell surfaces

   majoritarian
          [ma.jor.i.tar.i.an] n (1942): a person who believes in or
          advocates majoritarianism -- majoritarian adj

   majoritarianism
          [ma.jor.i.tar.i.an.ism] n (1942): the philosophy or practice
          according to which decisions of an organized group should
          be made by a numerical majority of its members

   majority
          [ma.jor.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1552) 1 obs: the quality or state
          of being greater 2 a: the age at which full civil rights
          are accorded b: the status of one who has attained this
          age 3 a: a number greater than half of a total b: the
          excess of a majority over the remainder of the total:
          margin c: the preponderant quantity or share 4: the group
          or political party whose votes preponderate 5: the military
          office, rank, or commission of a major -- majority adj

   majority leader
          [majority leader] n (1952): a leader of the majority party
          in a legislative body (as the U.S. Senate)

   majority rule
          [majority rule] n (1893): a political principle providing
          that a majority usu. constituted by fifty percent plus
          one of an organized group will have the power to make
          decisions binding upon the whole

   major league
          [major league] n (1906) 1: a league of highest classification
          in U.S. professional baseball; broadly: a league of major
          importance in any of various sports 2: big time 2 --
          major-league adj

   majorly
          [ma.jor.ly] adv (1956): in a major way a: primarily 1 <was
          ~ a poet> b: extremely 1 <was ~ annoyed>

   major-medical
          [major-medical] adj (ca. 1955): of, relating to, or being
          a form of insurance designed to pay all or part of the
          medical bills of major illnesses usu. after deduction
          of a fixed initial sum

   major order
          [major order] n (ca. 1741): one of the Roman Catholic or
          Eastern clerical orders that are sacramentally conferred
          and have a sacred character that implies major religious
          obligations (as clerical celibacy)--usu. used in pl.--compare
          minor order

   major party
          [major party] n (1950): a political party having electoral
          strength sufficient to permit it to win control of a
          government usu. with comparative regularity and when
          defeated to constitute the principal opposition to the
          party in power

   major penalty
          [major penalty] n (ca. 1936): a 5-minute suspension of a
          player in ice hockey or lacrosse

   major premise
          [major premise] n (1860): the premise of a syllogism containing
          the major term

   major seminary
          [major seminary] n (1945): a Roman Catholic seminary giving
          usu. the entire six years of senior college and theological
          training required for major orders

   major suit
          [major suit] n (1916): either of the suits hearts or spades
          having superior scoring value in bridge

   major term
          [major term] n (1847): the term of a syllogism constituting
          the predicate of the conclusion

   majuscule
          [ma.jus.cule] n [F, fr. L majusculus rather large, dim. of
          major] (ca. 1825): a large letter (as a capital) -- ma.jus.cu.lar
          adj -- majuscule adj

   makable
          [mak.able] or make.able adj (15c): capable of being made

   makar
          [mak.ar] n [ME maker] (14c) chiefly Scot: poet

   [1]make
          [make] vb made ; mak.ing [ME, fr. OE macian; akin to OHG
          mahhon to prepare, make, Gk magenai to be kneaded, OCS
          mazati to anoint, smear] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a obs: behave,
          act b: to seem to begin (an action) <made to go> 2 a:
          to cause to happen to or be experienced by someone <made
          trouble for us> b: to cause to exist, occur, or appear:
          create <~ a disturbance> c: to favor the growth or occurrence
          of <haste ~s waste> d: to fit, intend, or destine by
          or as if by creating <was made to be an actor> 3 a: to
          bring into being by forming, shaping, or altering material:
          fashion <~ a dress> b: compose, write <~ verses> c: to
          lay out and construct <~ a road> 4: to frame or formulate
          in the mind <~ plans> 5: to put together from components:
          constitute <houses made of stone> 6 a: to compute or
          estimate to be b: to form and hold in the mind <~ no
          doubt of it> 7 a: to assemble and set alight the materials
          for (a fire) b: to set in order <~ beds> c: prepare,
          fix <~ dinner> d: to shuffle (a deck of cards) in preparation
          for dealing 8: to prepare (hay) by cutting, drying, and
          storing 9 a: to cause to be or become <made them happy>
          b: appoint <made him bishop> 10 a: enact, establish <~
          laws> b: to execute in an appropriate manner <~ a will>
          c: set, name <~ a price> 11 a chiefly dial: shut <the
          doors are made against you --Shak.> b: to cause (an electric
          circuit) to be completed 12 a: to conclude as to the
          nature or meaning of something <what do you ~ of this
          development?> b: to regard as being <not the fool some
          ~ him> 13 a: to carry out (an action indicated or implied
          by the object) <~ war> <~ a speech> b: to perform with
          a bodily movement <~ a sweeping gesture> c: to achieve
          by traversing <~ a detour> <making the rounds> 14 a:
          to produce as a result of action, effort, or behavior
          with respect to something <~ a mess of the job> <tried
          to ~ a thorough job of it> b archaic: to turn into another
          language by translation 15: to cause to act in a certain
          way: compel <~ her give it back> 16: to cause or assure
          the success or prosperity of <can either ~ you or break
          you> 17 a: to amount to in significance <~s a great difference>
          b: to form the essential being of <clothes ~ the m :
          to distort one's features: grimace -- make a mountain
          out of a molehill : to treat a trifling matter as of
          great importance -- make away with 1: to carry off: steal
          2: kill -- make believe : pretend, feign -- make bold
          : venture, dare -- make book : to accept bets at calculated
          odds on all the entrants in a race or contest -- make
          common cause : to unite to achieve a shared goal -- make
          do : to get along or manage with the means at hand --
          make ends meet : to make one's means adequate to one's
          needs -- make eyes : ogle -- make fun of : to make an
          object of amusement or laughter: ridicule, mock -- make
          good 1: to make valid or complete: as a: to make up for
          (a deficiency) b: indemnify <make good the loss> c: to
          carry out successfully <made good his promise> <made
          good their escape> d: prove <made good a charge> 2: to
          prove to be capable; also: succeed -- make hay : to make
          use of offered opportunity esp. in gaining an early advantage
          -- make head 1: to make progress esp. against resistance
          2: to rise in armed revolt -- make it 1: to be successful
          <trying to make it in the big time as a fashion photographer
          --Joe Kane> <the creme brulee didn't quite make it> 2:
          to have sexual intercourse -- make light of : to treat
          as of little account -- make love 1: woo, court 2 a:
          neck, pet b: to engage in sexual intercourse -- make
          much of 1: to treat as of importance 2: to treat with
          obvious affection or special consideration -- make no
          bones : to be straightforward, unhesitating, or sure
          <makes no bones about the seriousness of the matter>
          -- make one's mark : to achieve success or fame -- make
          public : disclose -- make sail 1: to raise or spread
          sail 2: to set out on a voyage -- make shift : to manage
          with difficulty -- make sport of : ridicule, mock --
          make the grade : to measure up to some standard: be successful
          -- make the most of : to show or use to the best advantage
          -- make the scene : to be present at or participate in
          a usu. specified activity or event -- make time 1: to
          travel fast 2: to gain time 3: to make progress toward
          winning favor <trying to make time with the waitress>
          -- make tracks 1: to proceed at a walk or run 2: to go
          in a hurry: run away, flee -- make use of : to put to
          use: employ -- make water 1 of a boat: leak 2: urinate
          -- make waves : to create a stir or disturbance -- make
          way 1: to give room for passing, entering, or occupying
          2: to make progress -- make with slang: produce, perform--usu.
          used with the [2]make n (14c) 1 a: the manner or style
          in which a thing is constructed b: brand 4a 2: the physical,
          mental, or moral constitution of a person <men of his
          ~ are rare> 3 a: the action of producing or manufacturing
          b: the actual yield or amount produced over a specified
          period: output 4: the act of shuffling cards; also: turn
          to shuffle -- on the make 1: in the process of forming,
          growing, or improving 2: in quest of a higher social
          or financial status 3: in search of sexual adventure

   makebate
          [make.bate] n [[1]make + obs. bate strife] (1529) archaic:
          one that excites contention and quarrels

   [1]make-believe
          [make-be.lieve] also make-be.lief n (1811): a pretending
          to believe [2]make-believe adj (1824): imaginary, pretended

   make-do
          [make-do] adj (1923): makeshift -- make-do n

   makefast
          [make.fast] n (1898): something (as a post or buoy) to which
          a boat can be fastened

   make off
          [make off] vi (1709): to leave in haste -- make off with
          : to take away; esp: grab, steal

   make-or-break
          [make-or-break] adj (1919): allowing no middle ground between
          success and failure

   make out
          [make out] vt (15c) 1: to complete (as a printed form) by
          supplying required information <make out a check> 2:
          to find or grasp the meaning of <tried to make out what
          had really happened> 3: to form an opinion or idea about:
          conclude <how do you make that out> 4 a: to represent
          as being <made them out to be losers> b: to pretend to
          be true <made out that he had never heard of me> 5: to
          represent or delineate in detail 6: to see and identify
          with difficulty or effort: discern <make out a ship through
          the fog> ~ vi 1: get along, fare <how are you making
          out with the new job> 2 a: to engage in sexual intercourse
          b: neck 1

   make over
          [make over] vt (1546) 1: to transfer the title of (property)
          2: remake, remodel <made the whole house over>

   makeover
          [make.over] n (1927): an act or instance of making over;
          esp: a changing of a person's appearance (as by the use
          of cosmetics or a different hairdo)

   maker
          [mak.er] n (14c): one that makes: as a cap: god 1 b archaic:
          poet c: a person who borrows money on a promissory note
          d: manufacturer

   makeready
          [make.ready] n, pl -readies (1887): final preparation (as
          of a form on a printing press) for running

   makeshift
          [make.shift] n (ca. 1812): a usu. crude and temporary expedient:
          substitute syn see resource -- makeshift adj

   makeup
          [make.up] n (1821) 1 a: the way in which the parts or ingredients
          of something are put together: composition b: physical,
          mental, and moral constitution 2 a: the operation of
          making up esp. pages for printing b: design or layout
          of printed matter 3 a (1): cosmetics used to color and
          beautify the face (2): a cosmetic applied to other parts
          of the body b: materials (as wigs and cosmetics) used
          in making up or in special costuming (as for a play)
          4: replacement; specif: material added (as in a manufacturing
          process) to replace material that has been used up <~
          water> 5: a special examination in which a student may
          make up for absence or previous failure

   make up
          [make up] vt (14c) 1 a: to form by fitting together or assembling
          <make up a train of cars> b: to arrange typeset matter
          in (as pages) for printing 2 a: to combine to produce
          (a sum or whole) b: constitute, compose <10 chapters
          make up this volume> 3: to make good (a deficiency) 4:
          settle, decide <made up my mind to depart> 5: to wrap
          or fasten up <make the books up into a parcel> 6 a: to
          prepare in physical appearance for a role b: to apply
          cosmetics to 7 a: invent, improvise <make up a story>
          b: to set in order <rooms are made up daily> ~ vi 1:
          to become reconciled <quarreled but later made up> 2
          a: to act ingratiatingly and flatteringly <made up to
          his aunt for a new bicycle> b: to make advances: court
          3: compensate <make up for lost time> 4 a: to put on
          costumes or makeup (as for a play) b: to apply cosmetics

   makeweight
          [make.weight] n (1695) 1 a: something thrown into a scale
          to bring the weight to a desired value b: something of
          little independent value thrown in to fill a gap 2: counterweight,
          counterpoise

   make-work
          [make-work] n (1923): work assigned or done chiefly to keep
          one busy

   makimono
          [ma.ki.mo.no] n, pl -nos [Jp, scroll, fr. maki roll + mono
          thing] (1882): a horizontal Japanese ornamental pictorial
          or calligraphic scroll

   making
          [mak.ing] n [ME, fr. OE macung, fr. macian to make] (12c)
          1: the act or process of forming, causing, doing, or
          coming into being <spots problems in the ~> 2: a process
          or means of advancement or success 3: something made;
          esp: a quantity produced at one time: batch 4 a:
          potentiality--often used in pl. <had the ~s of a great artist>
          b pl: the material from which something is to be made; esp: paper
          and tobacco for rolling cigarettes by hand

   mako shark
          [ma.ko shark] n [Maori mako mako shark] (1926): either of
          two mackerel sharks (Isurus paucus and I. oxyrinchus)
          that are notable sport fish and are considered dangerous
          to humans--called also mako--see shark illustration

   makuta
          [makuta] pl of likuta

   mal-
          [mal-] comb form [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. mal bad (fr. L
          malus) & mal badly, fr. L male, fr. malus] 1 a: bad <malpractice>
          b: badly <malodorous> 2 a: abnormal <malformation> b:
          abnormally <malformed> 3 a: inadequate <maladjustment>
          b: inadequately <malnourished>

   Mal
          [Mal] abbreviation Malachi

   malabsorption
          [mal.ab.sorp.tion] n (ca. 1929): faulty absorption esp. of
          nutrient materials from the alimentary canal

   malacca
          [ma.lac.ca] adj [Malacca, Malaya] (1844): made or comprised
          of the cane of an Asian rattan palm (Calamus rotang)
          <an umbrella with a ~ handle> -- malacca n

   Malachi
          [Mal.a.chi] n [Heb Mal'akhi] 1--used as the conventional
          name for the unidentified 5th century b.c. writer of
          the book of Malachi 2: a prophetic book of canonical
          Jewish and Christian Scripture

   Malachias
          [Mal.a.chi.as] n [LL, fr. Gk, fr. Heb Mal'akhi]: malachi

   malachite
          [mal.a.chite] n [alter. of ME melochites, fr. L molochites,
          fr. Gk molochites, fr. moloche, malache mallow] (1656):
          a mineral that is a green basic carbonate of copper used
          as an ore and for making ornamental objects

   malacology
          [mal.a.col.o.gy] n [F malacologie, contr. of malacozoologie,
          fr. NL Malacozoa, zoological group including soft-bodied
          animals (fr. Gk malakos soft + NL -zoa) + F -logie -logy]
          (1836): a branch of zoology dealing with mollusks --
          mal.a.co.log.i.cal adj -- mal.a.col.o.gist n

   malacostracan
          [mal.a.cos.tra.can] n [ultim. fr. Gk malakostrakos soft-shelled,
          fr. malakos soft + ostrakon shell--more at mollify, oyster]
          (1835): any of a large subclass (Malacostraca) of crustaceans
          having a thorax consisting of eight segments usu. covered
          by a carapace and including the decapods and isopods
          -- malacostracan adj

   maladaptation
          [mal.ad.ap.ta.tion] n (1877): poor or inadequate adaptation

   maladapted
          [mal.adapt.ed] adj (1943): unsuited or poorly suited (as
          to a particular use, purpose, or situation)

   maladaptive
          [mal.adap.tive] adj (1931) 1: marked by poor or inadequate
          adaptation 2: not conducive to adaptation

   malade imaginaire
          [ma.lade ima.gi.naire] [F] foreign term : imaginary invalid:
          hypochondriac

   maladjusted
          [mal.ad.just.ed] adj (1886): poorly or inadequately adjusted;
          specif: lacking harmony with one's environment from failure
          to adjust one's desires to the conditions of one's life

   maladjustive
          [mal.ad.jus.tive] adj (1928): not conducive to adjustment

   maladjustment
          [mal.ad.just.ment] n (1833): poor, faulty, or inadequate
          adjustment

   maladministration
          [mal.ad.min.is.tra.tion] n (1644): administration that is
          corrupt or incompetent (as that of a public office) or
          incorrect (as that of a drug) -- mal.ad.min.is.ter vt

   maladroit
          [mal.adroit] adj [F, fr. MF, fr. mal- + adroit] (1685): lacking
          adroitness: inept syn see awkward -- mal.adroit.ly adv
          -- mal.adroit.ness n

   malady
          [mal.a.dy] n, pl -dies [ME maladie, fr. OF, fr. malade sick,
          fr. L male habitus in bad condition] (13c) 1: a disease
          or disorder of the animal body 2: an unwholesome or disordered
          condition

   mala fide
          [ma.la fi.de] adv or adj [LL] (1561): with or in bad faith

   Malaga
          [Ma.la.ga] n (1608): a sweet brown fortified wine from Malaga,
          Spain; also: a similar wine made elsewhere

   Malagasy
          [Mal.a.gasy] n, pl Malagasy also Mal.a.gas.ies (1839) 1:
          a member of a people of Indonesian and African origin
          who inhabit Madagascar 2: the Austronesian language of
          the Malagasy people -- Malagasy adj

   malaguena
          [ma.la.gue.na] n [Sp malaguena, fr. fem. of malagueno of
          Malaga, fr. Malaga] (ca. 1883) 1: a folk tune native
          to Malaga that is similar to a fandango 2: a Spanish
          dance for couples that is similar to a fandango

   malaise
          [mal.aise] n [F malaise, fr. OF, fr. mal- + aise comfort--more
          at ease] (ca. 1768) 1: an indefinite feeling of debility
          or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying
          the onset of an illness 2: a vague sense of mental or
          moral ill-being <a ~ of cynicism and despair --Malcolm
          Boyd>

   malamute
          [mal.a.mute] n [Malemute, an Alaskan Eskimo people] (1898):
          a sled dog of northern No. America; esp: alaskan malamute

   malapert
          [mal.a.pert] adj [ME, fr. MF, unskillful, fr. mal- + apert
          skillful, lit., open--more at pert] (14c): impudently
          bold: saucy -- mal.a.pert.ly adv -- mal.a.pert.ness n

   malapportioned
          [mal.ap.por.tioned] adj (1965): characterized by an inequitable
          or unsuitable apportioning of representatives to a legislative
          body -- mal.ap.por.tion.ment n

   [1]malaprop
          [mal.a.prop] n [Mrs. Malaprop] (1823): an example of malapropism
          <was famed for ~s: he always said "polo bears" and "Remember
          Pearl Island" and "neon stockings" --Time> [2]malaprop
          or mal.a.prop.ian adj (1840): using or marked by the
          use of malapropisms

   malapropism
          [mal.a.prop.ism] n [Mrs. Malaprop, character noted for her
          misuse of words in R. B. Sheridan's comedy The Rivals
          (1775)] (1849) 1: the usu. unintentionally humorous misuse
          or distortion of a word or phrase; esp: the use of a
          word sounding somewhat like the one intended but ludicrously
          wrong in the context 2: malaprop -- mal.a.prop.ist n

   malapropos
          [mal.ap.ro.pos] adv [F mal a propos] (1668): in an inappropriate
          or inopportune way -- malapropos adj

   [1]malar
          [ma.lar] adj [NL malaris, fr. L mala jawbone, cheek] (1782):
          of or relating to the cheek or the side of the head [2]malar
          n (ca. 1828): zygomatic bone--called also malar bone

   malaria
          [ma.lar.ia] n [It, fr. mala aria bad air] (1740) 1 archaic:
          air infected with a noxious substance capable of causing
          disease; esp: miasma 2 a: a human disease that is caused
          by sporozoan parasites (genus Plasmodium) in the red
          blood cells, is transmitted by the bite of anopheline
          mosquitoes, and is characterized by periodic attacks
          of chills and fever b: any of various diseases of birds
          and mammals caused by blood protozoans -- ma.lar.i.al
          adj -- ma.lar.i.ous adj

   malariology
          [ma.lar.i.ol.o.gy] n (ca. 1923): the scientific study of
          malaria -- ma.lar.i.ol.o.gist n

   malarkey
          [ma.lar.key] also ma.lar.ky n [origin unknown] (1929): insincere
          or foolish talk: bunkum

   malate
          [ma.late] n (1794): a salt or ester of malic acid

   malathion
          [mal.a.thi.on] n [fr. Malathion, a trademark] (1953): an
          insecticide with a lower mammalian toxicity than parathion

   Malay
          [Ma.lay] n [obs. D Malayo (now Maleier), fr. Malay Melayu]
          (1598) 1: a member of a people of the Malay Peninsula,
          eastern Sumatra, parts of Borneo, and some adjacent islands
          2: the Austronesian language of the Malays -- Malay adj
          -- Ma.lay.an n or adj

   Malayalam
          [Mal.a.ya.lam] n (1837): the Dravidian language of Kerala,
          southwest India, closely related to Tamil

   [1]malcontent
          [mal.con.tent] n (1581): a discontented person: a: one who
          bears a grudge from a sense of grievance or thwarted
          ambition b: one who is in active opposition to an established
          order or government: rebel [2]malcontent adj [MF, fr.
          OF, fr. mal- + content content] (1586): dissatisfied
          with the existing state of affairs: discontented

   malcontented
          [mal.con.tent.ed] adj (1586): malcontent -- mal.con.tent.ed.ly
          adv -- mal.con.tent.ed.ness n

   mal de mer
          [mal de mer] n [F] (1778): seasickness

   maldistribution
          [mal.dis.tri.bu.tion] n (1895): bad or faulty distribution:
          undesirable inequality or unevenness of placement or
          apportionment (as of population, resources, or wealth)
          over an area or among members of a group

   [1]male
          [male] n [ME, fr. MF masle, male, adj. & n., fr. L masculus--more
          at masculine] (14c) 1 a: a male person: a man or a boy
          b: an individual that produces small usu. motile gametes
          (as spermatozoa or spermatozoids) which fertilize the
          eggs of a female 2: a staminate plant [2]male adj (14c)
          1 a (1): of, relating to, or being the sex that produces
          gametes which fertilize the eggs of a female (2): staminate;
          esp: having only staminate flowers and not producing
          fruit or seeds <a ~ holly> b (1): of, relating to, or
          characteristic of the male sex <a deep ~ voice> (2):
          made up of usu. adult male individuals <a ~ choir> 2:
          masculine 3a 3: designed for fitting into a corresponding
          female part <~ hose coupling> -- male.ness n

   male alto
          [male alto] n (ca. 1879): countertenor

   maleate
          [ma.le.ate] n (1853): a salt or ester of maleic acid

   [1]maledict
          [mal.e.dict] adj [LL maledictus] (ca. 1550) archaic: accursed
          [2]maledict vt (1623): curse, execrate

   malediction
          [mal.e.dic.tion] n [ME malediccioun, fr. LL malediction-,
          maledictio, fr. maledicere to curse, fr. L, to speak
          evil of, fr. male badly + dicere to speak, say--more
          at mal-, diction] (14c): curse, execration -- mal.e.dic.to.ry
          adj

   malefaction
          [mal.e.fac.tion] n (15c): an evil deed: crime

   malefactor
          [mal.e.fac.tor] n [ME malefactour, fr. L malefactor, fr.
          malefacere to do evil, fr. male + facere to do--more
          at do] (15c) 1: one who commits an offense against the
          law; esp: felon 2: one who does ill toward another

   male fern
          [male fern] n (1562): a fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) producing
          an oleoresin used in expelling tapeworms

   malefic
          [ma.lef.ic] adj [L maleficus wicked, mischievous, fr. male
          + -ficus -fic] (1652) 1: having malignant influence:
          baleful 2: malicious

   maleficence
          [ma.lef.i.cence] n [It maleficenza, fr. L maleficentia, fr.
          maleficus] (1598) 1 a: the act of committing harm or
          evil b: a harmful or evil act 2: the quality or state
          of being maleficent

   maleficent
          [ma.lef.i.cent] adj [back-formation fr. maleficence] (1678):
          working or productive of harm or evil: baleful

   maleic acid
          [ma.le.ic acid] n [F acide maleique, alter. of acide malique
          malic acid; fr. its formation by dehydration of malic
          acid] (1857): a crystalline dicarboxylic acid that is
          isomeric with fumaric acid and is used esp. in organic
          synthesis

   maleic anhydride
          [maleic anhydride] n (1857): a caustic crystalline cyclic
          anhydride used esp. in making resins

   maleic hydrazide
          [maleic hydrazide] n (1949): a crystalline cyclic hydrazide
          used to retard plant growth

   malemute
          [mal.e.mute] var of malamute

   male-sterile
          [male-ster.ile] adj (1921): having male gametes lacking or
          nonfunctional

   malevolence
          [ma.lev.o.lence] n (15c) 1: the quality or state of being
          malevolent 2: malevolent behavior syn see malice

   malevolent
          [ma.lev.o.lent] adj [L malevolent-, malevolens, fr. male
          badly + volent-, volens, prp. of velle to wish--more
          at mal-, will] (1509) 1: having, showing, or arising
          from intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred
          2: productive of harm or evil -- ma.lev.o.lent.ly adv

   malfeasance
          [mal.fea.sance] n [mal- + obs. feasance doing, execution]
          (1696): wrongdoing or misconduct esp. by a public official

   malformation
          [mal.for.ma.tion] n (1800): irregular, anomalous, abnormal,
          or faulty formation or structure

   malformed
          [mal.formed] adj (1817): characterized by malformation: badly
          or imperfectly formed: misshapen

   malfunction
          [mal.func.tion] vi (1928): to function imperfectly or badly:
          fail to operate normally -- malfunction n

   malgre
          [mal.gre] prep [F, fr. OF maugre--more at maugre] (1608):
          despite

   malic
          [ma.lic] adj (ca. 1909): involved in and esp. catalyzing
          a reaction in which malic acid participates <~ dehydrogenase>

   malic acid
          [malic acid] n [F acide malique, ultim. fr. L malum apple,
          fr. Gk melon, malon] (1797): a crystalline dicarboxylic
          acid occurring in two optically isomeric forms; esp:
          the levorotatory isomer that is found in various fruits
          (as apples) and is formed as an intermediate in the Krebs
          cycle

   malice
          [mal.ice] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L malitia, fr. malus bad] (14c)
          1: desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another
          2: intent to commit an unlawful act or cause harm without
          legal justification or excuse syn malice, malevolence,
          ill will, spite, malignity, spleen, grudge mean the desire
          to see another experience pain, injury, or distress.
          malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire
          to see another suffer <felt no malice toward their former
          enemies>. malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred
          that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct <a
          look of dark malevolence>. ill will implies a feeling
          of antipathy of limited duration <ill will provoked by
          a careless remark>. spite implies petty feelings of envy
          and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments
          <petty insults inspired by spite>. malignity implies
          deep passion and relentlessness <a life consumed by motiveless
          malignity>. spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent
          spite or persistent malice <venting his spleen against
          politicians>. grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment
          or ill will that seeks satisfaction <never one to harbor
          a grudge>.

   malicious
          [ma.li.cious] adj (13c): given to, marked by, or arising
          from malice -- ma.li.cious.ly adv -- ma.li.cious.ness
          n

   malicious mischief
          [malicious mischief] n (1769): willful, wanton, or reckless
          damage to or destruction of another's property

   [1]malign
          [ma.lign] adj [ME maligne, fr. MF, fr. L malignus, fr. male
          badly + gignere to beget--more at mal-, kin] (14c) 1
          a: evil in nature, influence, or effect: injurious b:
          malignant, virulent 2: having or showing intense often
          vicious ill will: malevolent syn see sinister -- ma.lign.ly
          adv [2]malign vt [ME, fr. MF maligner to act maliciously,
          fr. LL malignari, fr. L malignus] (15c): to utter injuriously
          misleading or false reports about: speak evil of syn
          malign, traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame,
          slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests
          specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not
          always imply deliberate lying <the most maligned monarch
          in British history>. traduce stresses the resulting ignominy
          and distress to the victim <so traduced the governor
          that he was driven from office>. asperse implies continued
          attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated
          detraction <both candidates aspersed the other's motives>.
          vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by
          open and direct abuse <no criminal was more vilified
          in the press>. calumniate imputes malice to the speaker
          and falsity to the assertions <falsely calumniated as
          a traitor>. defame stresses the actual loss of or injury
          to one's good name <sued them for defaming her reputation>.
          slander stresses the suffering of the victim <town gossips
          slandered their good name>.

   malignance
          [ma.lig.nance] n (ca. 1604): malignancy

   malignancy
          [ma.lig.nan.cy] n, pl -cies (1601) 1: the quality or state
          of being malignant 2 a: exhibition (as by a tumor) of
          malignant qualities: virulence b: a malignant tumor

   malignant
          [ma.lig.nant] adj [LL malignant-, malignans, prp. of malignari]
          (ca. 1545) 1 a obs: malcontent, disaffected b: evil in
          nature, influence, or effect: injurious c: passionately
          and relentlessly malevolent: aggressively malicious 2:
          tending to produce death or deterioration <~ malaria>;
          esp: tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate
          fatally <~ tumor> -- ma.lig.nant.ly adv

   malignity
          [ma.lig.ni.ty] n (14c) 1: malignancy, malevolence 2: an instance
          of malignant or malicious behavior or nature syn see
          malice

   malihini
          [ma.li.hi.ni] n [Hawaiian] (1914): a newcomer or stranger
          among the people of Hawaii

   malines
          [ma.lines] n, pl ma.lines [F, fr. Malines (Mechelen), Belgium]
          (1833) 1: mechlin 2 also ma.line : a fine stiff net with
          a hexagonal mesh that is usu. made of silk or rayon and
          that is often used for veils

   malinger
          [ma.lin.ger] vi ma.lin.gered ; ma.lin.ger.ing [F malingre
          sickly] (1820): to pretend incapacity (as illness) so
          as to avoid duty or work -- ma.lin.ger.er n

   Malinke
          [Ma.lin.ke] n, pl Malinke or Malinkes (1883) 1: a member
          of a people of Mandingo affiliation widespread in the
          western part of Africa 2: the language of the Malinke
          people

   Malinois
          [Ma.li.nois] n [F, one from Malines, fr. Malines (Mechelen),
          Belgium] (1929): belgian malinois

   malis avibus
          [ma.lis avi.bus] [L] foreign term : under evil auspices

   malison
          [mal.i.son] n [ME, fr. OF maleicon, fr. LL malediction-,
          maledictio] (13c): curse, malediction

   malkin
          [mal.kin] n [ME malkyn servant woman, fr. Malkyn, dim. of
          the name Maud] (1586) 1 dial chiefly Brit: an untidy
          woman: slattern 2 dial chiefly Brit a: cat b: hare

   [1]mall
          [mall] var of maul [2]mall n [short for obs. pall-mall mallet
          used in pall-mall] (1644) 1: an alley used for pall-mall
          2 [The Mall, promenade in London, orig. a pall-mall alley]
          a: a usu. public area often set with shade trees and
          designed as a promenade or as a pedestrian walk b: a
          usu. paved or grassy strip between two roadways 3 a:
          an urban shopping area featuring a variety of shops surrounding
          a usu. open-air concourse reserved for pedestrian traffic
          b: a usu. large suburban building or group of buildings
          containing various shops with associated passageways

   mallard
          [mal.lard] n, pl mallard or mallards [ME, fr. MF mallart]
          (14c): a common and widely distributed wild duck (Anas
          platyrhynchos) of the northern hemisphere the males of
          which have a green head and white-ringed neck and which
          is the source of the domestic ducks

   malleable
          [mal.lea.ble] adj [ME malliable, fr. MF or ML; MF malleable,
          fr. ML malleabilis, fr. malleare to hammer, fr. L malleus
          hammer--more at maul] (14c) 1: capable of being extended
          or shaped by beating with a hammer or by the pressure
          of rollers 2 a: capable of being altered or controlled
          by outside forces or influences b: having a capacity
          for adaptive change syn see plastic -- mal.lea.bil.i.ty
          n

   mallee
          [mal.lee] n [Wuywurung (Australian aboriginal language of
          the Melbourne area, Victoria) mali] (1845) 1: any of
          various low-growing shrubby Australian eucalypts (as
          Eucalyptus dumosa and E. oleosa) 2: a dense thicket or
          growth of mallees; also: land covered by such growth

   mallet
          [mal.let] n [ME maillet, fr. MF, fr. OF, dim. of mail maul--more
          at maul] (15c): a hammer with a typically barrel-shaped
          head: as a: a tool with a large head for driving another
          tool or for striking a surface without marring it b:
          a long-handled wooden implement used for striking a ball
          (as in polo or croquet) c: a light hammer with a small
          rounded or spherical usu. padded head used in playing
          certain musical instruments (as a vibraphone)

   malleus
          [mal.le.us] n, pl mal.lei [NL, fr. L, hammer] (1669): the
          outermost of a chain of three small bones of the mammalian
          middle ear--see ear illustration

   mallow
          [mal.low] n [ME malwe, fr. OE mealwe, fr. L malva] (bef.
          12c): any of a genus (Malva of the family Malvaceae,
          the mallow family) of herbs with palmately lobed or dissected
          leaves, usu. showy flowers, and a disk-shaped fruit

   malmsey
          [malm.sey] n, often cap [ME malmesey, fr. ML Malmasia Monemvasia,
          village in Greece where a sweet wine was produced] (15c):
          the sweetest variety of Madeira wine

   malnourished
          [mal.nour.ished] adj (1927): undernourished

   malnutrition
          [mal.nu.tri.tion] n (1862): faulty or inadequate nutrition

   malocclusion
          [mal.oc.clu.sion] n (1888): improper occlusion; esp: abnormality
          in the coming together of teeth

   malodor
          [mal.odor] n (1825): an offensive odor

   malodorous
          [mal.odor.ous] adj (1850) 1: having a bad odor 2: highly
          improper <~ practices and chicanery in high financial
          places --New Republic> -- mal.odor.ous.ly adv -- mal.odor.ous.ness
          n syn malodorous, stinking, fetid, noisome, putrid, rank, fusty,
          musty mean bad-smelling. malodorous may range from the unpleasant
          to the strongly offensive <malodorous fertilizers>. stinking and
          fetid suggest the foul or disgusting <prisoners were held
          in stinking cells> <the fetid odor of skunk cabbage>. noisome adds
          a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive
          <a stagnant, noisome sewer>. putrid implies particularly the
          sickening odor of decaying organic matter <the putrid smell
          of rotting fish>. rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell <rank
          cigar smoke>. fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and
          sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty
          stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age <a fusty attic>
          <the musty odor of a damp cellar>.

   malolactic
          [ma.lo.lac.tic] adj [malic + -o- + lactic] (1965): relating
          to or involved in the bacterial conversion of malic acid
          to lactic acid in wine <~ fermentation>

   maloti
          [maloti] pl of loti

   Malpighian corpuscle
          [Mal.pi.ghi.an corpuscle] n [Marcello Malpighi] (1848): the
          part of a nephron that consists of a glomerulus and Bowman's
          capsule--called also Malpighian body

   Malpighian layer
          [Malpighian layer] n (1878): the deeper part of the epidermis
          consisting of cells whose protoplasm has not yet changed
          into horny material

   Malpighian tubule
          [Malpighian tubule] n (1877): any of a group of long blind
          vessels opening into the posterior part of the alimentary
          canal in most insects and some other arthropods and functioning
          primarily as excretory organs--called also Malpighian
          tube

   malposition
          [mal.po.si.tion] n (ca. 1839): wrong or faulty position

   malpractice
          [mal.prac.tice] n (1671) 1: a dereliction from professional
          duty or a failure to exercise an accepted degree of professional
          skill or learning by one (as a physician) rendering professional
          services which results in injury, loss, or damage 2:
          an injurious, negligent, or improper practice: malfeasance

   malpractitioner
          [mal.prac.ti.tio.ner] n (1800): one who engages in or commits
          malpractice

   MALS
          [MALS] abbreviation master of arts in liberal studies, master
          of arts in library science

   [1]malt
          [malt] n [ME, fr. OE mealt; akin to OHG malz malt, OE meltan
          to melt] (bef. 12c) 1: grain (as barley) softened by
          steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used esp.
          in brewing and distilling 2: malt liquor 3: malted milk
          -- malty adj [2]malt vt (15c) 1: to convert into malt
          2: to make or treat with malt or malt extract ~ vi 1:
          to become malt 2: to make grain into malt

   maltase
          [malt.ase] n (1890): an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis
          of maltose to glucose

   malted milk
          [malted milk] n (1887) 1: a soluble powder prepared from
          dried milk and malted cereals 2: a beverage made by dissolving
          malted milk in milk and usu. adding ice cream and flavoring--called
          also malted

   Maltese
          [Mal.tese] n, pl Maltese (1615) 1: a native or inhabitant
          of Malta 2: the Semitic language of the Maltese people
          3: any of a breed of toy dogs with a long silky white
          coat, a black nose, and very dark eyes -- Maltese adj

   Maltese cross
          [Maltese cross] n (1877) 1 a: a cross formee b: a cross that
          resembles the cross formee but has the outer face of
          each arm indented in a V--see cross illustration 2: a
          Eurasian perennial (Lychnis chalcedonica) having scarlet
          or rarely white flowers in dense terminal heads

   Malthusian
          [Mal.thu.sian] adj [Thomas R. Malthus] (1821): of or relating
          to Malthus or to his theory that population tends to
          increase at a faster rate than its means of subsistence
          and that unless it is checked by moral restraint or disaster
          (as disease, famine, or war) widespread poverty and degradation
          inevitably result -- Malthusian n -- Mal.thu.sian.ism
          n

   malt liquor
          [malt liquor] n (1693): a fermented liquor (as beer) made
          with malt

   maltose
          [malt.ose] n [F, fr. E [1]malt] (1862): a crystalline
          dextrorotatory fermentable sugar formed esp. from starch by amylase

   maltreat
          [mal.treat] vt [part. trans. of F maltraiter, fr. MF, fr.
          mal- + traiter to treat, fr. OF traitier--more at treat]
          (1708): to treat cruelly or roughly: abuse -- mal.treat.er
          n -- mal.treat.ment n

   maltster
          [malt.ster] n (14c): a maker of malt

   malt sugar
          [malt sugar] n (1862): maltose

   malt whiskey
          [malt whiskey] n (ca. 1839): scotch 3

   malversation
          [mal.ver.sa.tion] n [MF, fr. malverser to be corrupt, fr.
          mal + verser to turn, handle, fr. L versare, freq. of
          vertere to turn--more at worth] (1549) 1: misbehavior
          and esp. corruption in an office, trust, or commission
          2: corrupt administration

   mal vu
          [mal vu] [F] foreign term : badly regarded: disapproved of

   mama
          [ma.ma] or mam.ma n [baby talk] (1579) 1: mother 2 slang:
          wife, woman

   mama's boy
          [mama's boy] n (1850): a usu. polite or timid boy or man
          who is extremely or excessively close to and solicitous
          of his mother

   mamba
          [mam.ba] n [Zulu imamba] (1862): any of several chiefly arboreal
          venomous green or black elapid snakes (genus Dendroaspis
          syn. Dendraspis) of sub-Saharan Africa

   mambo
          [mam.bo] n, pl mambos [AmerSp] (1948): a ballroom dance of
          Cuban origin that resembles the rumba and the cha-cha;
          also: the music for this dance -- mambo vi

   mamey
          [ma.mey] n [Sp, fr. Taino] (1604): a tropical American tree
          (Mammea americana of the family Guttiferae) having an
          ovoid fruit with thick russet leathery rind and yellow
          or reddish juicy sweet flesh; also: the fruit

   Mamluk
          [Mam.luk] or Mam.e.luke n [Ar mamluk, lit., slave] (ca. 1506)
          1: a member of a politically powerful Egyptian military
          class occupying the sultanate from 1250 to 1517 2 often
          not cap: a white or east Asian slave in Muslim countries

   mamma
          [mam.ma] n, pl mam.mae [L, mother, breast, of baby-talk origin]
          (ca. 1693): a mammary gland and its accessory parts

   mammal
          [mam.mal] n [NL Mammalia, fr. LL, neut. pl. of mammalis of
          the breast, fr. L mamma breast] (1826): any of a class
          (Mammalia) of warm-blooded higher vertebrates (as placentals,
          marsupials, or monotremes) that nourish their young with
          milk secreted by mammary glands, have the skin usu. more
          or less covered with hair, and include humans -- mam.ma.li.an
          adj or n

   mammalogy
          [mam.mal.o.gy] n [ISV, blend of mammal and -logy] (1835):
          a branch of zoology dealing with mammals -- mam.mal.o.gist
          n

   mammary
          [mam.ma.ry] adj (1682): of, relating to, lying near, or affecting
          the mammae

   mammary gland
          [mammary gland] n (1831): any of the large compound modified
          sebaceous glands that in female mammals are modified
          to secrete milk, are situated ventrally in pairs, and
          usu. terminate in a nipple

   mammer
          [mam.mer] vi [ME mameren to stammer, of imit. origin] (ca.
          1555) obs: waver, hesitate

   mammillary
          [mam.mil.la.ry] adj [L mammilla breast, nipple, dim. of mamma]
          (1669) 1: of, relating to, or resembling the breasts
          2: studded with breast-shaped protuberances

   mammillated
          [mam.mil.lat.ed] adj [LL mammillatus, fr. L mammilla] (1741)
          1: having nipples or small protuberances 2: having the
          form of a bluntly rounded protuberance

   [1]mammock
          [mam.mock] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1529) chiefly dial: a
          broken piece: scrap [2]mammock vt (1607) chiefly dial:
          to tear into fragments: mangle

   mammogram
          [mam.mo.gram] n [L mamma + E -o- + -gram] (1937): a photograph
          of the breasts made by X rays

   mammography
          [mam.mog.ra.phy] n (1937): X-ray examination of the breasts
          (as for early detection of cancer) -- mam.mo.graph.ic
          adj

   mammon
          [mam.mon] n, often cap [LL mammona, fr. Gk mamona, fr. Aram
          mamona riches] (15c): material wealth or possessions
          esp. as having a debasing influence <you cannot serve
          God and ~ --Mt 6:24 (RSV)> -- mam.mon.ism n

   mammonist
          [mam.mon.ist] n (1550) archaic: one devoted to the ideal
          or pursuit of wealth

   [1]mammoth
          [mam.moth] n [Russ mamont, mamot] (1706) 1: any of a genus
          (Mammuthus) of extinct Pleistocene elephants distinguished
          from recent elephants by highly ridged molars, usu. large
          size, very long tusks that curve upward, and well-developed
          body hair 2: something immense of its kind: giant <a
          company that is a ~ of the industry> [2]mammoth adj (1802):
          of very great size syn see enormous

   mammy
          [mam.my] n, pl mammies [alter. of mamma] (1523) 1: mama 2:
          a black woman serving as a nurse to white children esp.
          formerly in the southern U.S.

   man
          [man] abbreviation manual  Man abbreviation Manitoba

   [1]man
          [man] n, pl men [ME, fr. OE man, mon human being, male human;
          akin to OHG man human being, Skt manu] (bef. 12c) 1 a
          (1): an individual human; esp: an adult male human (2):
          a man belonging to a particular category (as by birth,
          residence, membership, or occupation)--usu. used in combination
          <councilman> (3): husband (4): lover b: the human race:
          mankind c: a bipedal primate mammal (Homo sapiens) that
          is anatomically related to the great apes but distinguished
          esp. by notable development of the brain with a resultant
          capacity for articulate speech and abstract reasoning,
          is usu. considered to form a variable number of freely
          interbreeding races, and is the sole representative of
          a natural family (Hominidae); broadly: any living or
          extinct member of this family d (1): one possessing in
          high degree the qualities considered distinctive of manhood
          (2) obs: the quality or state of being manly: manliness
          e: fellow, chap f--used interjectionally to express intensity
          of feeling <~, what a game> 2 a: individual, person <a
          ~ could get killed there> b: the individual who can fulfill
          or who has been chosen to fulfill one's requirements
          <she's your ~> 3 a: a feudal tenant: vassal b: an adult
          male servant c pl: the working force as distinguished
          from the employer and usu. the management 4 a: one of
          the distinctive objects moved by each player in various
          board games b: one of the players on a team 5: an alumnus
          of or student at a college or university <a Bowdoin ~>
          6 Christian Science: the compound idea of infinite Spirit:
          the spiritual image and likeness of God: the full representation
          of Mind 7 often cap: police <when I heard the siren,
          I knew it was the Man --Amer. Speech> 8 often cap: the
          white establishment: white society <surprise that any
          black ... should take on so about The Man --Peter Goldman>
          9: one extremely fond of or devoted to something specified
          <strictly a vanilla ice cream ~> -- man.less adj -- man.like
          adj -- as one man : with the agreement and consent of
          all: unanimously -- one's own man : free from interference
          or control: independent -- to a man : without exception
          [2]man vt manned ; man.ning (12c) 1 a: to supply with
          people (as for service) <~ a fleet> b: to station members
          of a ship's crew at <~ the capstan> c: to serve in the
          force or complement of <we'll ~ the concession stand
          while you sell tickets> 2: to accustom (as a hawk) to
          humans and the human environment 3: to furnish with strength
          or powers of resistance: brace

   mana
          [ma.na] n [of Polynesian origin; akin to Hawaiian & Maori
          mana mana] (ca. 1843) 1: the power of the elemental forces
          of nature embodied in an object or person 2: moral authority:
          prestige

   man-about-town
          [man-about-town] n, pl men-about-town (1734): a worldly and
          socially active man

   [1]manacle
          [man.a.cle] n [ME manicle, fr. MF, fr. L manicula, dim. of
          manus hand--more at manual] (14c) 1: a shackle for the
          hand or wrist: handcuff--usu. used in pl. 2: something
          used as a restraint [2]manacle vt man.a.cled ; man.a.cling
          (14c) 1: to confine (the hands) with manacles 2: to make
          fast or secure: bind; broadly: to restrain from movement,
          progress, or action syn see hamper

   [1]manage
          [man.age] vb man.aged ; man.ag.ing [It maneggiare, fr. mano
          hand, fr. L manus] vt (1561) 1: to handle or direct with
          a degree of skill: as a: to make and keep compliant <can't
          ~ her child> b: to treat with care: husband <managed
          his resources carefully> c: to exercise executive, administrative,
          and supervisory direction of <~ a business> <~ a bond issue>
          <~ a baseball team> 2: to work upon or try to alter for a purpose
          <~ the press> <~ stress> 3: to succeed in accomplishing: contrive
          <managed to escape from prison> 4: to direct the professional
          career of <an agency that ~s entertainers> ~ vi 1 a: to direct
          or carry on business or affairs; also: to direct a baseball team
          b: to admit of being carried on 2: to achieve one's purpose syn see
          conduct [2]manage n [It maneggio management, training of a horse,
          fr. maneggiare] (ca. 1587) 1 a archaic: the action and paces
          of a trained riding horse b: the schooling or handling of a horse
          c: a riding school 2 obs: management

   manageable
          [man.age.able] adj (1598): capable of being managed
          -- man.age.abil.i.ty n -- man.age.able.ness n -- man.age.ably adv

   management
          [man.age.ment] n (1598) 1: the act or art of managing: the
          conducting or supervising of something (as a business)
          2: judicious use of means to accomplish an end 3: the
          collective body of those who manage or direct an enterprise
          -- man.age.men.tal adj

   manager
          [man.ag.er] n (1588): one that manages: as a: a person who
          conducts business or household affairs b: a person whose
          work or profession is management c (1): a person who
          directs a team or athlete (2): a student who in scholastic
          or collegiate sports supervises equipment and records
          under the direction of a coach -- man.a.ge.ri.al adj
          -- man.a.ge.ri.al.ly adv -- man.ag.er.ship n

   manageress
          [man.ag.er.ess] n (1797): a woman who is a manager

   managing editor
          [managing editor] n (1865): an editor in executive and supervisory
          charge of all editorial activities of a publication (as
          a newspaper)

   [1]manana
          [ma.na.na] n [Sp, lit., tomorrow, fr. (assumed) VL maneana,
          fr. fem. of maneanus early, fr. L mane early in the morning]
          (1845): an indefinite time in the future [2]manana adv
          (1879): at an indefinite time in the future

   man ape
          [man ape] n (ca. 1864) 1: great ape 2: any of various fossil
          primates intermediate in characters between recent humans
          and the great apes

   Manasseh
          [Ma.nas.seh] n [Heb Menashsheh] 1: a son of Joseph and the
          traditional eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of
          Israel 2: a king of Judah reigning in the 7th century
          b.c. and noted for his attempt to establish polytheism

   man-at-arms
          [man-at-arms] n, pl men-at-arms (1581): soldier; esp: a heavily
          armed and usu. mounted soldier

   manatee
          [man.a.tee] n [Sp manati] (1555): any of a genus (Trichechus)
          of chiefly tropical aquatic herbivorous mammals that
          differ from the related dugong esp. in having the tail
          rounded

   Manchester terrier
          [Man.ches.ter terrier] n [Manchester, England] (1891): any
          of a breed of small short-haired black-and-tan terriers
          developed in England

   man-child
          [man-child] n, pl men-chil.dren (14c): a male child: son

   manchineel
          [man.chi.neel] n [F mancenille, fr. Sp manzanilla, fr. dim.
          of manzana apple] (1630): a poisonous tropical American
          tree (Hippomane mancinella) of the spurge family having
          a blistering milky juice and apple-shaped fruit

   Manchu
          [Man.chu] n, pl Manchu or Manchus (1697) 1: a member of an
          indigenous people of Manchuria who conquered China and
          established a dynasty there in 1644 2: the Tungusic language
          of the Manchu people -- Manchu adj

   manciple
          [man.ci.ple] n [ME, fr. ML mancipium office of steward, fr.
          L, act of purchase, fr. mancip-, manceps purchaser--more
          at emancipate] (13c): a steward or purveyor esp. for
          a college or monastery

   -mancy
          [-mancy] n comb form [ME -mancie, fr. OF, fr. L -mantia,
          fr. Gk -manteia, fr. manteia, fr. mantis diviner, prophet--more
          at mantis]: divination <oneiromancy>

   Mandaean
          [Man.dae.an] n [Mandaean mandayya having knowledge] (1875)
          1: a member of a Gnostic sect of the lower Tigris and
          Euphrates regions 2: a form of Aramaic found in documents
          written by Mandaeans -- Mandaean adj

   mandala
          [man.da.la] n [Skt mandala circle] (1859) 1: a Hindu or Buddhist
          graphic symbol of the universe; specif: a circle enclosing
          a square with a deity on each side 2: a graphic and often
          symbolic pattern usu. in the form of a circle divided
          into four separate sections or bearing a multiple projection
          of an image -- man.dal.ic adj

   mandamus
          [man.da.mus] n [L, we enjoin, fr. mandare] (1535): a writ
          issued by a superior court commanding the performance
          of a specified official act or duty

   Mandan
          [Man.dan] n, pl Mandan or Mandans (1805) 1: a member of an
          American Indian people of the Missouri River Valley in
          No. Dakota 2: the Siouan language of the Mandans

   [1]mandarin
          [man.da.rin] n [Pg mandarim, fr. Malay menteri, fr. Skt mantrin
          counselor, fr. mantra counsel--more at mantra] (1589)
          1 a: a public official in the Chinese Empire of any of
          nine superior grades b (1): a pedantic official (2):
          bureaucrat c: a person of position and influence often
          in intellectual or literary circles; esp: an elder and
          often traditionalist or reactionary member of such a
          circle 2 cap a: a form of spoken Chinese used by the
          court and the official classes of the Empire b: the group
          of closely related Chinese dialects that are spoken in
          about four fifths of the country and have a standard
          variety centering about Beijing 3 [F mandarine, fr. Sp
          mandarina, prob. fr. mandarin mandarin, fr. Pg mandarim;
          prob. fr. the color of a mandarin's robes] a: a small
          spiny orange tree (Citrus reticulata) of southeastern
          Asia with yellow to reddish orange loose-rinded fruits;
          also: a derivative of this tree developed in cultivation
          by artificial selection or hybridization b: the fruit
          of a mandarin -- man.da.rin.ic adj -- man.da.rin.ism
          n [2]mandarin adj (1604) 1: of, relating to, or typical
          of a mandarin <~ graces> 2: marked by polished ornate
          complexity of language <~ prose>

   mandarinate
          [man.da.rin.ate] n [prob. fr. F mandarinat, fr. mandarin
          mandarin, fr. Pg mandarim] (ca. 1741) 1: the office or
          status of a mandarin 2: a body of mandarins 3: rule by
          mandarins

   mandarin collar
          [mandarin collar] n (1947): a narrow stand-up collar usu.
          open in front

   mandarin orange
          [mandarin orange] n (1771): mandarin 3

   mandatary
          [man.da.tary] n, pl -tar.ies (15c): mandatory

   [1]mandate
          [man.date] n [MF & L; MF mandat, fr. L mandatum, fr. neut.
          of mandatus, pp. of mandare to entrust, enjoin, prob.
          irreg. fr. manus hand + -dere to put--more at manual,
          do] (1501) 1: an authoritative command; esp: a formal
          order from a superior court or official to an inferior
          one 2: an authorization to act given to a representative
          <accepted the ~ of the people> 3 a: an order or commission
          granted by the League of Nations to a member nation for
          the establishment of a responsible government over a
          former German colony or other conquered territory b:
          a mandated territory [2]mandate vt man.dat.ed ; man.dat.ing
          (1919) 1: to administer or assign (as a territory) under
          a mandate 2: to make mandatory: order; also: direct,
          require

   mandator
          [man.da.tor] n (1681): one that gives a mandate

   [1]mandatory
          [man.da.to.ry] adj (1576) 1: containing or constituting a
          command: obligatory <~ retirement age> 2: of, by, relating
          to, or holding a League of Nations mandate -- man.da.tor.i.ly
          adv [2]mandatory n, pl -ries (1661): one given a mandate;
          esp: a nation holding a mandate from the League of Nations

   man-day
          [man-day] n (1925): a unit of one day's work by one person

   Mande
          [Man.de] n (1883) 1: mandingo 2: a branch of the Niger-Congo
          language family spoken primarily in Sierra Leone, Liberia,
          Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Burkina Faso

   mandible
          [man.di.ble] n [MF, fr. LL mandibula, fr. L mandere to chew;
          prob. akin to Gk masasthai to chew] (15c) 1 a: jaw 1a;
          esp: a lower jaw consisting of a single bone or of completely
          fused bones b: the lower jaw with its investing soft
          parts c: either the upper or lower segment of the bill
          of a bird 2: any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving
          to hold or bite food materials; esp: either member of
          the anterior pair of mouth appendages of an arthropod
          often forming strong biting jaws -- man.dib.u.lar adj
          -- man.dib.u.late adj

   Mandingo
          [Man.din.go] n, pl Mandingo or Mandingoes or Mandingos (1623)
          1: a member of a people of western Africa centering in
          the area of the upper Niger valley 2: the language of
          the Mandingo people

   Mandinka
          [Man.din.ka] n, pl Mandinka or Mandinkas (1939): malinke

   mandioca
          [man.di.o.ca] var of manioc

   mandola
          [man.do.la] n [It, fr. F mandore, modif. of LL pandura 3-stringed
          lute--more at bandore] (1758): a 16th and 17th century
          lute that is the ancestor of the smaller mandolin

   mandolin
          [man.do.lin] also man.do.line n [It mandolino, dim. of mandola]
          (1707) 1: a musical instrument of the lute family that
          has a usu. pear-shaped body and fretted neck and four
          to six pairs of strings 2 usu mandoline [F, fr. It mandolino
          mandolin]: a kitchen utensil with a blade for slicing
          and shredding -- man.do.lin.ist n

   mandragora
          [man.drag.o.ra] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. L mandragoras, fr. Gk]
          (bef. 12c): mandrake 1

   mandrake
          [man.drake] n [ME, prob. alter. of mandragora] (14c) 1 a:
          a Mediterranean herb (Mandragora officinarum) of the
          nightshade family with ovate leaves, yellowish or purple
          flowers, and a large forked root traditionally credited
          with human attributes b: the root of a mandrake formerly
          used esp. to promote conception, as a cathartic, or as
          a narcotic and soporific 2: mayapple

   mandrel
          [man.drel] also man.dril n [prob. modif. of F mandrin] (1665)
          1 a: a usu. tapered or cylindrical axle, spindle, or
          arbor inserted into a hole in a piece of work to support
          it during machining b: a metal bar that serves as a core
          around which material (as metal) may be cast, molded,
          forged, bent, or otherwise shaped 2: the shaft and bearings
          on which a tool (as a circular saw) is mounted

   mandrill
          [man.drill] n [prob. fr. [1]man + [3]drill] (1744): a large
          baboon (Papio sphinx syn. Mandrillus sphinx) of central
          Africa west of the Congo River with the male having a
          bright red and blue muzzle

   mane
          [mane] n [ME, fr. OE manu; akin to OHG mana mane, L monile
          necklace] (bef. 12c) 1: long and heavy hair growing about
          the neck and head of some mammals (as a horse or lion)
          2: long heavy hair on a person's head -- maned adj

   man-eater
          [man-eat.er] n (1600): one that has or is thought to have
          an appetite for human flesh: as a: cannibal b: mackerel
          shark; esp: great white shark--called also man-eater
          shark, man-eating shark c: a large feline (as a lion
          or tiger) that has acquired the habit of feeding on human
          flesh -- man-eat.ing adj

   maned wolf
          [maned wolf] n (1903): a yellowish red wild canid (Chrysocyon
          brachyurus) inhabiting So. American grasslands and having
          black coloration on the nape and lower legs

   manege
          [ma.nege] n [F manege, fr. It maneggio training of a horse--more
          at manage] (1644) 1: a school for teaching horsemanship
          and for training horses 2: the art of horsemanship or
          of training horses 3: the movements or paces of a trained
          horse

   manes
          [ma.nes] n pl [L] 1 often cap: the deified spirits of the
          ancient Roman dead honored with graveside sacrifices
          2: the venerated or appeased spirit of a dead person

   [1]maneuver
          [ma.neu.ver] n [F manoeuvre, fr. OF maneuvre work done by
          hand, fr. ML manuopera, fr. L manu operare to work by
          hand] (1758) 1 a: a military or naval movement b: an
          armed forces training exercise; esp: an extended and
          large-scale training exercise involving military and
          naval units separately or in combination--often used
          in pl. 2: a procedure or method of working usu. involving
          expert physical movement 3 a: evasive movement or shift
          of tactics b: an intended and controlled variation from
          a straight and level flight path in the operation of
          an airplane 4 a: an action taken to gain a tactical end
          b: an adroit and clever management of affairs often using
          trickery and deception syn see trick [2]maneuver vb ma.neu.vered
          ; ma.neu.ver.ing vi (1777) 1 a: to perform a movement
          in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage
          b: to make a series of changes in direction and position
          for a specific purpose 2: to use stratagems: scheme ~
          vt 1: to cause to execute tactical movements 2: to manage
          into or out of a position or condition: manipulate 3
          a: to guide with adroitness and design b: to bring about
          or secure as a result of skillful management --
          ma.neu.ver.abil.i.ty n -- ma.neu.ver.able adj -- ma.neu.ver.er n

   man-for-man
          [man-for-man] adj (ca. 1949): man-to-man 2

   man Friday
          [man Friday] n [Friday, servant in Robinson Crusoe (1719),
          novel by Daniel Defoe] (1887): an efficient and devoted
          aide or employee: a right-hand man

   manful
          [man.ful] adj (14c): having or showing courage and resolution
          -- man.ful.ly adv -- man.ful.ness n

   mangabey
          [man.ga.bey] n, pl -beys [F, fr. Mangabey, region of Madagascar]
          (1774): any of a genus (Cercocebus) of slender long-tailed
          African monkeys

   mangan-
          [mangan-] comb form [G Mangan, fr. F manganese]: manganese
          <manganate>

   manganate
          [man.ga.nate] n (1839) 1: a salt containing the doubly charged
          anion consisting of a manganese atom and four oxygen
          atoms 2: manganite

   manganese
          [man.ga.nese] n [F manganese, fr. It manganese manganese
          dioxide] (1783): a grayish white usu. hard and brittle
          metallic element that resembles iron but is not magnetic
          -- man.ga.ne.sian adj

   manganese dioxide
          [manganese dioxide] n (1882): a dark insoluble compound used
          esp. as an oxidizing agent, as a depolarizer of dry cells,
          and in making glass and ceramics

   manganic
          [man.gan.ic] adj (ca. 1828): of, relating to, or derived
          from manganese; esp: containing this element with a valence
          of three or six

   manganite
          [man.ga.nite] n (1827) 1: an ore of manganese MnO(OH) that
          is a hydroxide of manganese usu. in brilliant gray crystals
          2: any of various unstable salts made by reaction of
          manganese dioxide with a base

   manganous
          [man.ga.nous] adj (1842): of, relating to, or derived from
          manganese; esp: containing this element with a valence
          of two

   mange
          [mange] n [alter. of ME manjewe, fr. MF mangene itching,
          fr. mangier to eat] (1540): any of various persistent
          contagious skin diseases marked esp. by eczematous inflammation
          and loss of hair, affecting domestic animals or sometimes
          humans, and caused by a minute parasitic mite--compare
          sarcoptic mange

   mangel
          [man.gel] n [short for mangel-wurzel] (1877): a large coarse
          yellow to reddish orange beet extensively grown as food
          for cattle

   mangel-wurzel
          [man.gel-wur.zel] n [G, alter. of Mangoldwurzel, fr. Mangold
          beet + Wurzel root] (1767): mangel

   manger
          [man.ger] n [ME mangeour, manger, fr. MF maingeure, fr. mangier
          to eat, fr. L manducare to chew, devour, fr. manducus
          glutton, fr. mandere to chew--more at mandible] (14c):
          a trough or open box in a stable designed to hold feed
          or fodder for livestock

   [1]mangle
          [man.gle] vt man.gled ; man.gling [ME, fr. AF mangler] (15c)
          1: to injure with deep disfiguring wounds by cutting,
          tearing, or crushing <people ... mangled by sharks --V.
          G. Heiser> 2: to spoil, injure, or make incoherent esp.
          through ineptitude <a story mangled beyond recognition>
          syn see maim -- man.gler n [2]mangle n [D mangel, fr.
          G, fr. MHG, dim. of mange mangonel, mangle, fr. L manganum]
          (1774): a machine for ironing laundry by passing it between
          heated rollers [3]mangle vt man.gled ; man.gling (1775):
          to press or smooth (as damp linen) with a mangle -- man.gler
          n

   mango
          [man.go] n, pl mangoes also mangos [Pg manga, prob. fr. Malayalam
          manna] (1582) 1: a tropical fruit commonly with a firm
          yellowish red skin, hard central stone, and juicy aromatic
          pulp; also: an evergreen tree (Mangifera indica) of the
          cashew family that bears mangoes 2: sweet pepper

   mangonel
          [man.go.nel] n [ME, fr. OF, prob. fr. ML manganellus, dim.
          of LL manganum philter, mangonel, fr. Gk manganon] (13c):
          a military engine formerly used to throw missiles

   mangosteen
          [man.go.steen] n [modif. of Malay manggisutan] (1598): a
          dark reddish brown fruit of southeastern Asia with a
          thick rind and juicy flesh having a flavor suggestive
          of both peach and pineapple; also: a tree (Garcinia mangostana)
          of the Saint-John's-wort family that bears mangosteens

   mangrove
          [man.grove] n [prob. fr. Pg mangue mangrove (fr. Sp mangle,
          prob. fr. Taino) + E grove] (1613) 1: any of a genus
          (Rhizophora, esp. R. mangle of the family Rhizophoraceae)
          of tropical maritime trees or shrubs that send out many
          prop roots and form dense masses important in coastal
          land building 2: any of numerous trees (as of the genera
          Avicennia of the vervain family or Sonneratia of the
          family Sonneratiaceae) with growth habits like those
          of the true mangroves

   mangy
          [mangy] adj mang.i.er ; -est (1540) 1: affected with or resulting
          from mange 2: having many worn or bare spots: seedy,
          shabby -- man.gi.ness n

   manhandle
          [man.han.dle] vt (ca. 1865) 1: to handle roughly 2: to move
          or manage by human force <manhandled the posts into place>

   manhattan
          [man.hat.tan] n, often cap [Manhattan, borough of New York
          City] (1890): a cocktail consisting of vermouth, whiskey,
          and sometimes a dash of bitters

   manhole
          [man.hole] n (1793): a hole through which one may go esp.
          to gain access to an underground or enclosed structure

   manhood
          [man.hood] n (13c) 1: the condition of being a human being
          2: qualities associated with men 3: the condition of
          being an adult male as distinguished from a child or
          female 4: adult males: men

   man-hour
          [man-hour] n (1912): a unit of one hour's work by one person
          that is used esp. as a basis for cost accounting and
          wages

   manhunt
          [man.hunt] n (1846): an organized and usu. intensive hunt
          for a person and esp. for one charged with a crime

   mania
          [ma.nia] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr. mainesthai to be mad;
          akin to Gk menos spirit--more at mind] (14c) 1: excitement
          manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization
          of behavior, and elevation of mood; specif: the manic
          phase of manic-depressive psychosis 2: excessive or unreasonable
          enthusiasm <a ~ for saving things>; also: the object
          of such enthusiasm

   maniac
          [ma.ni.ac] n [LL maniacus maniacal, fr. Gk maniakos, fr.
          mania] (ca. 1763) 1: madman, lunatic 2: a person characterized
          by an inordinate or ungovernable enthusiasm for something

   maniacal
          [ma.ni.a.cal] also ma.ni.ac adj (1604) 1: affected with or
          suggestive of madness 2: characterized by ungovernable
          excitement or frenzy: frantic -- ma.ni.a.cal.ly adv

   manic
          [man.ic] adj (1902): affected with, relating to, or resembling
          mania -- manic n -- man.i.cal.ly adv

   manic-depressive
          [man.ic-de.pres.sive] adj (1902): characterized either by
          mania or by psychotic depression or by alternating mania
          and depression -- manic-depressive n

   Manichaean
          [Man.i.chae.an] or Man.i.che.an or Man.i.chee n [LL manichaeus,
          fr. LGk manichaios, fr. Manichaios Manes d. ab 276 a.d.
          Pers. founder of the sect] (1556) 1: a believer in a
          syncretistic religious dualism originating in Persia
          in the 3d century a.d. and teaching the release of the
          spirit from matter through asceticism 2: a believer in
          religious or philosophical dualism -- Manichaean adj
          -- Man.i.chae.an.ism n -- Man.i.chae.ism n

   manicotti
          [man.i.cot.ti] n, pl manicotti [It, pl. of manicotto muff,
          fr. manica sleeve, fr. L, fr. manus hand] (1948): tubular
          pasta shells that may be stuffed with ricotta or a meat
          mixture; also: a dish of stuffed manicotti usu. with
          tomato sauce

   [1]manicure
          [man.i.cure] n [F, fr. L manus hand + F -icure (as in pedicure
          pedicure)--more at manual] (1880) 1: manicurist 2: a
          treatment for the care of the hands and fingernails [2]manicure
          vt -cured ; -cur.ing (ca. 1890) 1: to do manicure work
          on; esp: to trim and polish the fingernails of 2 a: to
          trim closely and evenly <manicured lawns> b: groom 2
          <manicured flower beds>

   manicurist
          [man.i.cur.ist] n (1889): a person who gives manicures

   [1]manifest
          [man.i.fest] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF manifeste, fr. L manifestus
          caught in the act, flagrant, obvious, perh. fr. manus
          + -festus (akin to L infestus hostile)] (14c) 1: readily
          perceived by the senses and esp. by the sight 2: easily
          understood or recognized by the mind: obvious syn see
          evident -- man.i.fest.ly adv [2]manifest vt (14c): to
          make evident or certain by showing or displaying syn
          see show -- man.i.fest.er n [3]manifest n (1561) 1: manifestation,
          indication 2: manifesto 3: a list of passengers or an invoice
          of cargo for a vehicle (as a ship or plane)

   manifestant
          [man.i.fes.tant] n (1880): one who makes or participates
          in a manifestation

   manifestation
          [man.i.fes.ta.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act, process, or an
          instance of manifesting b: something that manifests or
          is manifest c: one of the forms in which an individual
          is manifested d: an occult phenomenon; specif: materialization
          2: a public demonstration of power and purpose

   manifest destiny
          [manifest destiny] n, often cap M&D (1845): a future event
          accepted as inevitable <in the mid-19th century expansion
          to the Pacific was regarded as the Manifest Destiny of
          the United States>; broadly: an ostensibly benevolent
          or necessary policy of imperialistic expansion

   [1]manifesto
          [man.i.fes.to] n, pl -tos or -toes [It, denunciation, manifest,
          fr. manifestare to manifest, fr. L, fr. manifestus] (1647):
          a written statement declaring publically the intentions,
          motives, or views of its issuer [2]manifesto vi (1748):
          to issue a manifesto

   [1]manifold
          [man.i.fold] adj [ME, fr. OE manigfeald, fr. manig many +
          -feald -fold] (bef. 12c) 1 a: marked by diversity or
          variety b: many 2: comprehending or uniting various features:
          multifarious 3: rightfully so-called for many reasons
          <a ~ liar> 4: consisting of or operating many of one
          kind combined <a ~ bellpull> -- man.i.fold.ly adv --
          man.i.fold.ness n [2]manifold adv (bef. 12c): many times:
          a great deal <will increase your blessings ~> [3]manifold
          vt (bef. 12c) 1: to make manifold: multiply 2: to make
          several or many copies of ~ vi: to make several or many
          copies [4]manifold n (1855): something that is manifold:
          as a: a whole that unites or consists of many diverse
          elements <the ~ of aspirations, passions, frustrations
          --Harry Slochower> b: a pipe fitting with several lateral
          outlets for connecting one pipe with others; also: a
          fitting on an internal-combustion engine that directs
          a fuel and air mixture to or receives the exhaust gases
          from several cylinders c: set 21 d: a topological space
          in which every point has a neighborhood that is homeomorphic
          to the interior of a sphere in Euclidean space of the
          same number of dimensions

   manikin
          [man.i.kin] or man.ni.kin n [D mannekijn little man, fr.
          MD, dim. of man; akin to OE man] (ca. 1536) 1: mannequin
          2: a little man: dwarf, pygmy

   manila
          [ma.nila] also ma.nil.la adj (1834) 1 cap: made from Manila
          hemp 2: made of manila paper -- manila n

   Manila hemp
          [Manila hemp] n [Manila, Philippine Islands] (ca. 1847):
          abaca

   manila paper
          [manila paper] n, often cap M (1873): a strong and durable
          paper of a brownish or buff color and smooth finish made
          orig. from Manila hemp

   manille
          [ma.nille] n [modif. of Sp malilla] (1674): the second highest
          trump in various card games (as ombre)

   man in the street
          [man in the street] (1831): an average or ordinary person

   manioc
          [man.i.oc] n [F manioc & Sp & Pg mandioca, fr. Tupi manioca]
          (1568): cassava

   maniple
          [man.i.ple] n [ME, fr. ML manipulus, fr. L, handful, fr.
          manus hand + -pulus (perh. akin to L plere to fill);
          fr. its having been orig. held in the hand--more at manual,
          full] (15c) 1: a long narrow strip of silk worn at mass
          over the left arm by clerics of or above the order of
          subdeacon 2 [L manipulus, fr. manipulus handful]: a subdivision
          of the Roman legion consisting of either 120 or 60 men

   manipulable
          [ma.nip.u.la.ble] adj (1881): capable of being manipulated
          -- ma.nip.u.la.bil.i.ty n

   manipular
          [ma.nip.u.lar] adj (1623) 1: of or relating to the ancient
          Roman maniple 2: of, relating to, or performed by manipulation:
          manipulative

   manipulate
          [ma.nip.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [back-formation fr.
          manipulation, fr. F, fr. manipuler to handle an apparatus
          in chemistry, ultim. fr. L manipulus] (1831) 1: to treat
          or operate with the hands or by mechanical means esp.
          in a skillful manner 2 a: to manage or utilize skillfully
          b: to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious
          means esp. to one's own advantage 3: to change by artful
          or unfair means so as to serve one's purpose: doctor
          -- ma.nip.u.lat.able adj -- ma.nip.u.la.tion n -- ma.nip.u.la.tive
          adj -- ma.nip.u.la.tive.ly adv -- ma.nip.u.la.tive.ness
          n -- ma.nip.u.la.tor n -- ma.nip.u.la.to.ry adj

   manitou
          [man.i.tou] or man.i.tu also man.i.to n [Ojibwa manito] (1671):
          a supernatural force that according to an Algonquian
          conception pervades the natural world

   man jack
          [man jack] n (1840): individual man <every man jack>

   mankind
          [man.kind] n sing but sing or pl in constr (13c) 1: the human
          race: the totality of human beings 2: men esp. as distinguished
          from women

   [1]manly
          [man.ly] adv (bef. 12c): in a manly manner [2]manly adj man.li.er
          ; -est (13c) 1: having qualities generally associated
          with a man: strong, virile 2: appropriate in character
          to a man <~ sports> -- man.li.ness n

   man-made
          [man-made] adj (ca. 1718): manufactured, created, or constructed
          by human beings; specif: synthetic <~ fibers>

   manna
          [man.na] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr. Heb man] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: food miraculously supplied to the Israelites
          in their journey through the wilderness b: divinely supplied
          spiritual nourishment c: a usu. sudden and unexpected
          source of gratification, pleasure, or gain 2 a: the sweetish
          dried exudate of a European ash (esp. Fraxinus ornus)
          that contains mannitol and has been used as a laxative
          and demulcent b: a similar product excreted by a scale
          insect (Trabutina mannipara) feeding on the tamarisk

   manna grass
          [manna grass] n (1597): any of a genus (Glyceria) of chiefly
          No. American perennial grasses of wetland or aquatic
          habitats

   mannan
          [man.nan] n [ISV mannose + [3]-an] (1895): any of several
          polysaccharides that are polymers of mannose and occur
          esp. in plant cell walls

   manned
          [manned] adj (1617): carrying or performed by a human being
          <~ space-flight>

   mannequin
          [man.ne.quin] n [F, fr. D mannekijn little man--more at manikin]
          (1730) 1: an artist's, tailor's, or dressmaker's lay
          figure; also: a form representing the human figure used
          esp. for displaying clothes 2: one employed to model
          clothing

   manner
          [man.ner] n [ME manere, fr. OF maniere way of acting, fr.
          (assumed) VL manuaria, fr. L, fem. of manuarius of the
          hand, fr. manus hand--more at manual] (12c) 1 a: kind,
          sort <what ~ of man is he> b: kinds, sorts <all ~ of
          problems> 2 a (1): a characteristic or customary mode
          of acting: custom (2): a mode of procedure or way of
          acting: fashion (3): method of artistic execution or
          mode of presentation: style b pl: social conduct or rules
          of conduct as shown in the prevalent customs <Victorian
          ~s> c: characteristic or distinctive bearing, air, or
          deportment <his poised gracious ~> d pl (1): habitual
          conduct or deportment: behavior <mind your ~s> (2): good
          manners e: a distinguished or stylish air syn see bearing,
          method -- man.ner.less adj

   mannered
          [man.nered] adj (14c) 1: having manners of a specified kind
          <well-mannered> 2 a: having or displaying a particular
          manner b: having an artificial or stilted character <passages
          ... so ~ as to be unintelligible --R. G. G. Price>

   mannerism
          [man.ner.ism] n (1803) 1 a: exaggerated or affected adherence
          to a particular style or manner: artificiality, preciosity
          <refined almost to the point of ~ --Winthrop Sargeant>
          b often cap: an art style in late 16th century Europe
          characterized by spatial incongruity and excessive elongation
          of the human figures 2: a characteristic and often unconscious
          mode or peculiarity of action, bearing, or treatment
          syn see pose -- man.ner.ist n -- man.ner.is.tic adj

   mannerly
          [man.ner.ly] adj (ca. 1529): showing good manners --
          man.ner.li.ness n -- mannerly adv

   mannish
          [man.nish] adj (14c) 1: resembling or suggesting a man rather
          than a woman 2: generally associated with or characteristic
          of a man rather than a woman <her ~ clothes> -- man.nish.ly
          adv -- man.nish.ness n

   mannite
          [man.nite] n [F, fr. manna, fr. LL] (1830): mannitol

   mannitol
          [man.ni.tol] n [ISV] (1879): a slightly sweet crystalline
          alcohol found in many plants and used esp. as a diuretic
          and in testing kidney function

   mannose
          [man.nose] n [ISV mannite + [2]-ose] (1888): an aldose whose
          dextrorotatory enantiomorph occurs esp. as a structural
          unit of mannans from which it can be recovered by hydrolysis

   mano
          [ma.no] n, pl manos [Sp, lit. , hand, fr. L manus--more at
          manual] (ca. 1892): a stone used as the upper millstone
          for grinding foods (as Indian corn) by hand in a metate

   mano a mano
          [ma.no a ma.no] [Sp] foreign term : hand to hand: in direct
          competition or confrontation

   manoeuvre
          [ma.noeu.vre] chiefly Brit var of maneuver

   man of God
          [man of God] (1748): clergyman

   man of letters
          [man of letters] (1645) 1: scholar 2: author

   man of straw
          [man of straw] (1624): straw man

   man of the house
          [man of the house] (ca. 1904): the chief male in a household

   man of the world
          [man of the world] (15c): a practical or worldly-wise man
          of wide experience

   man-of-war
          [man-of-war] n, pl men-of-war (15c): a combatant warship
          of a recognized navy

   manometer
          [ma.nom.e.ter] n [F manometre, fr. Gk manos sparse, loose,
          rare (akin to Arm manr small) + F -metre] (ca. 1730)
          1: an instrument (as a pressure gauge) for measuring
          the pressure of gases and vapors 2: sphygmomanometer
          -- man.o.met.ric adj -- man.o.met.ri.cal.ly adv -- ma.nom.e.try
          n

   man on horseback
          [man on horseback] (1860) 1: a usu. military figure whose
          ambitions and popularity mark him as a potential dictator
          2: dictator

   manor
          [man.or] n [ME maner, fr. OF manoir, fr. manoir to sojourn,
          dwell, fr. L manere--more at mansion] (14c) 1 a: the
          house or hall of an estate: mansion b: a landed estate
          2 a: a unit of English rural territorial organization;
          esp: such a unit in the Middle Ages consisting of an
          estate under a lord enjoying a variety of rights over
          land and tenants including the right to hold court b:
          a tract of land in No. America occupied by tenants who
          pay a fixed rent in money or kind to the proprietor --
          ma.no.ri.al adj -- ma.no.ri.al.ism n

   manor house
          [manor house] n (1575): the house of the lord of a manor

   man-o'-war bird
          [man-o'-war bird] n (1707): frigate bird

   manpack
          [man.pack] adj (1965): designed to be carried by one person

   man power
          [man power] n (1862) 1: power available from or supplied
          by the physical effort of human beings 2 usu man.pow.er
          : the total supply of persons available and fitted for
          service

   manque
          [man.que] adj [F, fr. pp. of manquer to lack, fail, fr. It
          mancare, fr. manco lacking, left-handed, fr. L, having
          a crippled hand, prob. fr. manus] (1778): short of or
          frustrated in the fulfillment of one's aspirations or
          talents--used postpositively <a poet ~>

   manrope
          [man.rope] n (1769): a side rope (as to a ship's gangway
          or ladder) used as a handrail

   mansard
          [man.sard] n [F mansarde, fr. Francois Mansart d. 1666 Fr.
          architect] (ca. 1734): a roof having two slopes on all
          sides with the lower slope steeper than the upper one--see
          roof illustration -- man.sard.ed adj

   manse
          [manse] n [ME manss, fr. ML mansa, mansus, mansum, fr. L
          mansus lodging, fr. manere] (15c) 1 archaic: the dwelling
          of a householder 2: the residence of a clergyman; esp:
          the house of a Presbyterian clergyman 3: a large imposing
          residence

   manservant
          [man.ser.vant] n, pl men.ser.vants (14c): a male servant

   -manship
          [-manship] n suffix [-man + -ship (as in horsemanship)] 1:
          art or practice of a competitive nature <brinkmanship>
          2: skilled engagement in a competitive activity <grantsmanship>

   mansion
          [man.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L mansion-, mansio, fr. manere
          to remain, dwell; akin to Gk menein to remain] (14c)
          1 a obs: the act of remaining or dwelling: stay b archaic:
          dwelling, abode 2 a (1): the house of the lord of a manor
          (2): a large imposing residence b: a separate apartment
          or lodging in a large structure 3 a: house 3b b: one
          of the 28 parts into which the moon's monthly course
          through the heavens is divided

   man-size
          [man-size] or man-sized adj (1913) 1: suitable for or requiring
          a man <a ~ job> 2: larger than others of its kind <constructed
          a ~ model>

   manslaughter
          [man.slaugh.ter] n (15c): the unlawful killing of a human
          being without express or implied malice

   manslayer
          [man.slay.er] n (14c): one who commits homicide

   man's man
          [man's man] n (1897): a man noted or admired for traditionally
          masculine interests and activities

   man spricht Deutsch
          [man spricht Deutsch] [G] foreign term : German spoken

   mansuetude
          [man.sue.tude] n [ME, fr. L mansuetudo, fr. mansuescere to
          tame, fr. manus hand + suescere to accustom; akin to
          Gk ethos custom--more at manual, sib] (14c): the quality
          or state of being gentle: meekness, tameness

   manta
          [man.ta] n [Sp, alter. of manto cloak, fr. LL mantus, prob.
          back-formation fr. L mantellum mantle] (1697) 1: a square
          piece of cloth or blanket used in southwestern U.S. and
          Latin America usu. as a cloak or shawl 2 [AmerSp, fr.
          Sp; fr. its shape]: devilfish 1

   man-tailored
          [man-tai.lored] adj (1922): made with the severe simplicity
          associated with men's coats and suits

   manta ray
          [manta ray] n (1936): devilfish 1

   manteau
          [man.teau] n [F, fr. OF mantel] (1671): a loose cloak, coat,
          or robe

   mantel
          [man.tel] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, mantle] (15c) 1 a: a beam,
          stone, or arch serving as a lintel to support the masonry
          above a fireplace b: the finish around a fireplace 2:
          a shelf above a fireplace

   mantelet
          [man.tel.et] n [ME, fr. MF mantlet, dim. of mantel] (14c)
          1: a very short cape or cloak 2 or mant.let : a movable
          shelter formerly used by besiegers as a protection when
          attacking

   mantelpiece
          [man.tel.piece] n (1686) 1: a mantel with its side elements
          2: mantel 2

   mantelshelf
          [man.tel.shelf] n (ca. 1828): mantel 2

   mantic
          [man.tic] adj [Gk mantikos, fr. mantis] (1850): of or relating
          to the faculty of divination: prophetic

   manticore
          [man.ti.core] n [ME, fr. L mantichora, fr. Gk mantichoras]
          (14c): a legendary animal with the head of a man, the
          body of a lion, and the tail of a dragon or scorpion

   mantid
          [man.tid] n [NL Mantidae, group name, fr. Mantis, genus name]
          (1895): mantis

   mantilla
          [man.til.la] n [Sp, dim. of manta] (1717) 1: a light scarf
          worn over the head and shoulders esp. by Spanish and
          Latin-American women 2: a short light cape or cloak

   mantis
          [man.tis] n, pl man.tis.es or man.tes [NL, fr. Gk, lit.,
          diviner, prophet; akin to Gk mainesthai to be mad--more
          at mania] (1658): any of an order or suborder (Mantodea
          and esp. family Mantidae) of large usu. green insects
          that feed on other insects and clasp their prey in forelimbs
          held up as if in prayer

   mantissa
          [man.tis.sa] n [L mantisa, mantissa makeweight, fr. Etruscan]
          (ca. 1847): the part of a logarithm to the right of the
          decimal point

   [1]mantle
          [man.tle] n [ME mantel, fr. OF, fr. L mantellum] (13c) 1
          a: a loose sleeveless garment worn over other clothes:
          cloak b: a mantle regarded as a symbol of preeminence
          or authority <invested his people with the ~ of universal
          champions of justice --Denis Goulet> 2 a: something that
          covers, enfolds, or envelops b (1): a fold or lobe or
          pair of lobes of the body wall of a mollusk or brachiopod
          that in shell-bearing forms lines the shell and bears
          shell-secreting glands--see clam illustration (2): the
          soft external body wall that lines the test or shell
          of a tunicate or barnacle c: the outer wall and casing
          of a blast furnace above the hearth; broadly: an insulated
          support or casing in which something is heated 3: the
          back, scapulars, and wings of a bird 4: a lacy hood or
          sheath of some refractory material that gives light by
          incandescence when placed over a flame 5 a: regolith
          b: the part of the interior of a terrestrial planet and
          esp. the earth that lies beneath the lithosphere and
          above the central core 6: mantel [2]mantle vb man.tled
          ; man.tling vt (13c): to cover with or as if with a mantle:
          cloak <the encroaching jungle growth that mantled the
          building --Sanka Knox> ~ vi 1: to become covered with
          a coating 2: to spread over a surface 3: blush <her rich
          face mantling with emotion --Benjamin Disraeli>

   man-to-man
          [man-to-man] adj (1902) 1: characterized by frankness and
          honesty <a ~ talk> 2: of, relating to, or being a system
          of defense (as in football or basketball) in which each
          defensive player guards a specified opponent

   Mantoux test
          [Man.toux test] n [Charles Mantoux d. 1947 Fr. physician]
          (ca. 1923): an intracutaneous test for hypersensitivity
          to tuberculin that indicates past or present infection
          with tubercle bacilli

   mantra
          [man.tra] n [Skt, sacred counsel, formula, fr. manyate he
          thinks; akin to L mens mind--more at mind] (1808): a
          mystical formula of invocation or incantation (as in
          Hinduism); also: watchword 2 -- man.tric adj

   mantrap
          [man.trap] n (1788): a trap for catching humans: snare

   mantua
          [man.tua] n [modif. of F manteau mantle] (1678): a usu.
          loose-fitting gown worn esp. in the 17th and 18th centuries

   Manu
          [Manu] n [Skt]: the progenitor of the human race and giver
          of the religious laws of Manu according to Hindu mythology

   [1]manual
          [man.u.al] adj [ME manuel, fr. MF, fr. L manualis, fr. manus
          hand; akin to OE mund hand and perh. to Gk mare hand]
          (15c) 1 a: of, relating to, or involving the hands <~
          dexterity> b: worked or done by hand and not by machine
          <a ~ transmission> <~ computation> <~ indexing> 2: requiring
          or using physical skill and energy <~ labor> <~ workers>
          -- man.u.al.ly adv [2]manual n (15c) 1: a book that is
          conveniently handled; esp: handbook 2: the prescribed
          movements in the handling of a weapon or other military
          item during a drill or ceremony <the ~ of arms> 3 a:
          a keyboard for the hands; specif: one of the several
          keyboards of an organ or harpsichord that controls a
          separate division of the instrument b: a device or apparatus
          intended for manual operation

   manual alphabet
          [manual alphabet] n (ca. 1864): an alphabet esp. for the
          deaf in which the letters are represented by finger positions

   manual training
          [manual training] n (1880): a course of training to develop
          skill in using the hands and to teach practical arts
          (as woodworking and metalworking)

   manubrium
          [ma.nu.bri.um] n, pl -bria also -bri.ums [NL, fr. L, handle,
          fr. manus] (ca. 1848): an anatomical process or part
          shaped like a handle: as a: the cephalic segment of the
          sternum of humans and many other mammals b: the process
          that bears the mouth of a hydrozoan: hypostome

   manuf
          [manuf] abbreviation manufacture, manufacturing

   manufactory
          [man.u.fac.to.ry] n (1647): factory 2a

   [1]manufacture
          [man.u.fac.ture] n [MF, fr. ML manufactura, fr. L manu factus,
          lit., made by hand] (1567) 1: something made from raw
          materials by hand or by machinery 2 a: the process of
          making wares by hand or by machinery esp. when carried
          on systematically with division of labor b: a productive
          industry using mechanical power and machinery 3: the
          act or process of producing something [2]manufacture
          vb -tured ; -tur.ing vt (1683) 1: to make into a product
          suitable for use 2 a: to make from raw materials by hand
          or by machinery b: to produce according to an organized
          plan and with division of labor 3: invent, fabricate
          4: to produce as if by manufacturing: create <writers
          who ~ stories for television> ~ vi: to engage in manufacture
          -- manufacturing n

   manufacturer
          [man.u.fac.tur.er] n (1719): one that manufactures; esp:
          an employer of workers in manufacturing

   manumission
          [man.u.mis.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L manumission-, manumissio,
          fr. manumittere] (15c): the act or process of manumitting;
          esp: formal emancipation from slavery

   manumit
          [man.u.mit] vt -mit.ted ; -mit.ting [ME manumitten, fr. MF
          manumitter, fr. L manumittere, fr. manus hand + mittere
          to let go, send] (15c): to release from slavery syn see
          free

   [1]manure
          [ma.nure] vt ma.nured ; ma.nur.ing [ME manouren, fr. MF manouvrer,
          lit., to do work by hand, fr. L manu operare] (15c) 1 obs:
          cultivate 2: to enrich (land) by the application of manure
          -- ma.nur.er n [2]manure n (1549): material that fertilizes land;
          esp: refuse of stables and barnyards consisting of livestock
          excreta with or without litter -- ma.nu.ri.al adj

   manus
          [ma.nus] n, pl ma.nus [NL, fr. L, hand] (1826): the distal
          segment of the vertebrate forelimb from carpus to terminus

   [1]manuscript
          [man.u.script] adj [L manu scriptus] (1597): written by hand
          or typed <~ letters> [2]manuscript n (1600) 1: a written
          or typewritten composition or document as distinguished
          from a printed copy; also: a document submitted for publication
          2: writing as opposed to print

   [1]Manx
          [Manx] adj [alter. of Maniske, fr. (assumed) ON manskr, fr.
          Mana Isle of Man] (1630): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the Isle of Man, its people, or the Manx language
          [2]Manx n (1672) 1: the Celtic language of the Manx people
          almost completely displaced by English 2 pl in constr:
          the people of the Isle of Man 3: manx cat

   Manx cat
          [Manx cat] n (1859): any of a breed of shorthaired tailless
          domestic cats

   [1]many
          [many] adj more ; most [ME, fr. OE manig; akin to OHG manag
          many, OCS munogu much] (bef. 12c) 1: consisting of or
          amounting to a large but indefinite number <worked for
          ~ years> 2: being one of a large but indefinite number
          <~ a man> <~ another student> -- as many : the same in
          number <saw three plays in as many days> [2]many pron,
          pl in constr (bef. 12c): a large number of persons or
          things <~ are called> [3]many n, pl in constr (12c) 1:
          a large but indefinite number <a good ~ of them> 2: the
          great majority of people <the ~>

   man-year
          [man-year] n (1916): a unit of the work done by one person
          in a year composed of a standard number of working days

   manyfold
          [many.fold] adv (14c): by many times <aid to research has
          increased ~>

   many-sided
          [many-sid.ed] adj (1570) 1: having many sides or aspects
          2: having many interests or aptitudes -- many-sid.ed.ness
          n

   many-valued
          [many-val.ued] adj (1934) 1: possessing more than the customary
          two truth-values of truth and falsehood 2: multiple-valued

   Manzanilla
          [Man.za.nil.la] n [Sp, dim. of manzana apple] (1843): a pale
          very dry Spanish sherry

   manzanita
          [man.za.ni.ta] n [AmerSp, dim. of Sp manzana apple] (1846):
          any of various western No. American evergreen shrubs
          (genus Arctostaphylos) of the heath family with alternate
          leaves

   MAO
          [MAO] abbreviation monoamine oxidase

   Maoism
          [Mao.ism] n (1950): the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism
          developed in China chiefly by Mao Tse-tung -- Mao.ist
          n or adj

   Maori
          [Mao.ri] n, pl Maori or Maoris (1843) 1: a member of a Polynesian
          people native to New Zealand 2: the Austronesian language
          of the Maori

   mao-tai
          [mao-tai] n [Maotai, town in China] (1943): a strong Chinese
          liquor made from sorghum

   MAP
          [MAP] abbreviation modified American plan

   [1]map
          [map] n [ML mappa, fr. L, napkin, towel] (1527)
          1 a: a representation usu. on a flat surface of the whole or a part
          of an area b: a representation of the celestial sphere or a part
          of it 2: something that represents with a clarity suggestive
          of a map 3: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome--called also
          genetic map 4: function 5a -- map.like adj -- on the map
          : in a position of prominence or fame <had put the fledgling
          university on the map --Lon Tinkle> [2]map vb mapped ; map.ping
          vt (1586) 1 a: to make a map of <~ the surface of the moon>
          b: to delineate as if on a map <sorrow was mapped on her face>
          c: to make a survey of for or as if for the purpose of making a map
          d: to assign (as a set or element) in a mathematical correspondence
          <~ a set onto itself> <~ picture elements to video memory>
          2: to plan in detail--often used with out <~ out a program>
          3: to locate (a gene) on a chromosome ~ vi, of a gene:
          to be located <a repressor ~s near the corresponding structural
          gene> -- map.pa.ble adj -- map.per n

   maple
          [ma.ple] n [ME, fr. OE mapul-; akin to ON mopurr maple] (14c):
          any of a genus (Acer of the family Aceraceae, the maple
          family) of chiefly deciduous trees or shrubs with opposite
          leaves and a fruit of two united samaras; also: the hard
          light-colored close-grained wood of a maple used esp.
          for flooring and furniture

   maple sugar
          [maple sugar] n (1720): sugar made by boiling maple syrup

   maple syrup
          [maple syrup] n (1849): syrup made by concentrating the sap
          of maple trees and esp. the sugar maple

   mapmaker
          [map.mak.er] n (1775): cartographer -- map.mak.ing n

   mapping
          [map.ping] n (ca. 1775) 1: the act or process of making a
          map 2: function 5a <a one-to-one continuous ~>

   maquette
          [ma.quette] n [F, fr. It macchietta sketch, dim. of macchia,
          ultim. fr. L macula spot] (1903): a usu. small preliminary
          model (as of a sculpture or a building)

   maquillage
          [ma.quil.lage] n [F] (1892): makeup 3

   maquis
          [ma.quis] n, pl ma.quis [F, fr. It macchie, pl. of macchia
          thicket, sketch, spot] (1858) 1: thick scrubby underbrush
          of Mediterranean shores and esp. of the island of Corsica;
          also: an area of such underbrush 2 often cap a: a guerrilla
          fighter in the French underground during World War II
          b: a band of maquis

   [1]mar
          [mar] vt marred ; mar.ring [ME marren, fr. OE mierran to
          obstruct, waste; akin to OHG merren to obstruct] (bef.
          12c) 1: to detract from the perfection or wholeness of:
          spoil 2 archaic a: to inflict serious bodily harm on
          b: destroy syn see injure [2]mar n (1551): something
          that mars: blemish

   mar
          [mar] abbreviation maritime  Mar abbreviation March

   marabou
          [mar.a.bou] also mar.a.bout n [F marabout, lit., marabout]
          (1823) 1 a: a soft feathery fluffy material prepared
          from turkey feathers or the coverts of marabous and used
          esp. for trimming women's hats or clothes b marabou:
          a large dark gray African stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus)
          that has a distensible pouch of pink skin at the front
          of the neck and feeds esp. on carrion--called also marabou
          stork 2 a: a thrown silk usu. dyed in the gum b: a fabric
          made of this silk

   marabout
          [mar.a.bout] n, often cap [F, fr. Pg marabuto, fr. Ar murabit]
          (1621): a dervish in Muslim Africa believed to have supernatural
          power

   maraca
          [ma.ra.ca] n [Pg maraca, fr. Tupi] (1824): a rattle usu.
          made from a gourd that is used as a percussion instrument

   maraging steel
          [mar.ag.ing steel] n [martensite + aging] (1962): a strong
          tough low-carbon martensitic steel which contains up
          to 25 percent nickel and in which hardening precipitates
          are formed by aging

   maraschino
          [mar.a.schi.no] n, pl -nos often cap [It, fr. marasca bitter
          wild cherry, alter. of amarasca, fr. amaro bitter--more
          at amaretto] (ca. 1793) 1: a sweet liqueur distilled
          from the fermented juice of a bitter wild cherry 2: a
          usu. large cherry preserved in true or imitation maraschino

   marasmus
          [ma.ras.mus] n [LL, fr. Gk marasmos, fr. marainein to waste
          away] (1656): a condition of chronic undernourishment
          occurring esp. in children and usu. caused by a diet
          deficient in calories and proteins -- ma.ras.mic adj

   Maratha
          [Ma.ra.tha] n [Marathi Maratha & Hindi Marhatta, fr. Skt
          Maharastra Maharashtra] (1748): a member of a people
          of the south central part of the subcontinent of India

   Marathi
          [Ma.ra.thi] n [Marathi marathi] (1698): the chief Indo-Aryan
          language of the state of Maharashtra in India

   marathon
          [mar.a.thon] n, often attrib [Marathon, Greece, site of a
          victory of Greeks over Persians in 490 b.c., the news
          of which was carried to Athens by a long-distance runner]
          (1896) 1: a long-distance race: a: a footrace run on
          an open course usu. of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers)
          b: a race other than a footrace marked esp. by great
          length 2 a: an endurance contest <a dance ~> b: something
          (as an event, activity, or session) characterized by
          great length or concentrated effort

   marathoner
          [mar.a.thon.er] n (1923): one (as a runner) who takes part
          in a marathon -- mar.a.thon.ing n

   maraud
          [ma.raud] vb [F marauder] vi (1711): to roam about and raid
          in search of plunder ~ vt: raid, pillage -- ma.raud.er
          n

   [1]marble
          [mar.ble] n [ME, fr. OF marbre, fr. L marmor, fr. Gk marmaros]
          (12c) 1 a: limestone that is more or less crystallized
          by metamorphism, that ranges from granular to compact
          in texture, that is capable of taking a high polish,
          and that is used esp. in architecture and sculpture b:
          something (as a piece of sculpture) composed of or made
          from marble c: something suggesting marble (as in hardness,
          coldness, or smoothness) <a heart of ~> 2 a: a little
          ball made of a hard substance (as glass) and used in
          various games b pl but sing in constr: any of several
          games played with these little balls 3: marbling 4 pl:
          elements o f common sense; esp: sanity <persons who are
          born without all their ~s --Arthur Miller> -- marble
          adj [2]marble vt mar.bled ; mar.bling (1683): to give
          a veined or mottled appearance to <~ the edges of a book>

   marble cake
          [marble cake] n (1871): a cake made with light and dark batter
          so as to have a mottled appearance

   marbled
          [mar.bled] adj (1599) 1 [[1]marble] a: made of or covered
          with marble or marbling b: marked by an extensive use
          of marble as an architectural or decorative feature <ancient
          ~ cities> 2 [[2]marble]: marked by an intermixture of
          fat and lean <a well-marbled cut of beef>

   marbleise
          [mar.ble.ise] Brit var of marbleize

   marbleize
          [mar.ble.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1859): marble

   marbling
          [marbling] n (ca. 1752) 1: the action or process of making
          like marble esp. in coloration 2: coloration or markings
          resembling or suggestive of marble 3: an intermixture
          of fat and lean esp. in a cut of meat when evenly distributed

   marbly
          [mar.bly] adj (15c): resembling or suggestive of marble

   MARC
          [MARC] abbreviation machine readable cataloging

   marc
          [marc] n [F, fr. MF, fr. marchier to trample, march] (1601)
          1: the residue remaining after a fruit has been pressed;
          broadly: the organic residue from an extraction process
          <the protein-rich cottonseed ~> 2: brandy made from the
          residue of wine grapes after pressing

   marcasite
          [mar.ca.site] n [ME marchasite, fr. ML marcasita] (15c) 1
          a: crystallized iron pyrites b: a mineral of the same
          composition and appearance as iron pyrites but of different
          crystalline organization and lower specific gravity 2:
          a piece of marcasite used in jewelry

   marcato
          [mar.ca.to] adv or adj [It, pp. of marcare to mark, accent,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG marcon to mark] (ca. 1840):
          with strong accentuation--used as a direction in music

   [1]marcel
          [mar.cel] n [Marcel Grateau d. 1936 Fr. hairdresser] (1895):
          a deep soft wave made in the hair by the use of a heated
          curling iron [2]marcel vb mar.celled ; mar.cel.ling vt
          (1906): to make a marcel in ~ vi: to make a marcel

   [1]march
          [march] n [ME marche, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          marha boundary--more at mark] (14c): a border region:
          frontier; esp: a district orig. set up to defend a boundary--usu.
          used in pl. <the Welsh ~es> [2]march vi (14c): to have
          common borders or frontiers <a region that ~es with Canada
          in the north and the Pacific in the west> [3]march vb
          [ME, fr. MF marchier to trample, march, fr. OF, to trample,
          prob. of Gmc origin; akin to OHG marcon to mark] vi (15c)
          1: to move along steadily usu. with a rhythmic stride
          and in step with others 2 a: to move in a direct purposeful
          manner: proceed b: to make steady progress: advance <time
          ~es on> 3: to stand in orderly array suggestive of marching
          <pine trees ~ing up the mountainside> ~ vt 1: to cause
          to march <~ed the children off to bed> 2: to cover by
          marching: traverse <~ed 10 miles> [4]march n (ca. 1572)
          1: a musical composition that is usu. in duple or quadruple
          time with a strongly accentuated beat and that is designed
          or suitable to accompany marching 2 a (1): the action
          of marching (2): the distance covered within a specific
          period of time by marching (3): a regular measured stride
          or rhythmic step used in marching b: forward movement:
          progress <the ~ of a movie toward the climax> 3: an organized
          procession of demonstrators who are supporting or protesting
          something -- march.like adj -- on the march : moving
          steadily: advancing March n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L martius,
          fr. martius of Mars, fr. Mart-, Mars] (13c): the 3d month
          of the Gregorian calendar

   marchen
          [mar.chen] n, pl marchen [G] (1871): tale; esp: folktale

   [1]marcher
          [march.er] n (14c): one who inhabits a border region [2]marcher
          n (1589): one that marches; esp: one that marches for
          a specific cause <a peace ~>

   marchesa
          [mar.che.sa] n, pl -se [It, fem. of marchese] (1797): an
          Italian woman holding the rank of a marchese: marchioness

   marchese
          [mar.che.se] n, pl -si [It, fr. ML marcensis, fr. marca border
          region, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG marha] (1517): an
          Italian nobleman next in rank above a count: marquis

   marching orders
          [marching orders] n pl (1780): authoritative orders or instructions
          esp. to set out on or as if on a march

   marchioness
          [mar.chio.ness] n [ML marchionissa, fr. marchion-, marchio
          marquess, fr. marca] (ca. 1599) 1: the wife or widow
          of a marquess 2: a woman who holds the rank of marquess
          in her own right

   marchpane
          [march.pane] n [MF marcepain, fr. It marzapane] (ca. 1556):
          marzipan

   march-past
          [march-past] n (ca. 1876): a filing by: procession

   Marcionism
          [Mar.cion.ism] n [Marcion 2d cent. a.d. Christian Gnostic]
          (1882): the doctrinal system of a sect of the 2d and
          3d centuries a.d. accepting some parts of the New Testament
          but denying Christ's corporality and humanity and condemning
          the Creator God of the Old Testament -- Mar.cion.ite
          n

   Marconi
          [Mar.co.ni] adj [prob. fr. the resemblance of the complex
          arrangement of stays and struts to that used to support
          the antennae used in wireless telegraphy, invented by
          Guglielmo Marconi] (1912): of, having, or being a Bermuda
          rig

   Mardi Gras
          [Mar.di Gras] n [F, lit., fat Tuesday] (1699) 1 a: Shrove
          Tuesday often observed (as in New Orleans) with parades
          and festivities b: a carnival period climaxing on Shrove
          Tuesday 2: a festive occasion resembling a pre-Lenten
          Mardi Gras

   [1]mare
          [mare] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG mara incubus, Serbo-Croatian
          mora nightmare] (bef. 12c) obs: an evil preternatural
          being causing nightmares [2]mare n [ME, fr. OE mere;
          akin to OHG merha mare, OE mearh horse, W march] (bef.
          12c): a female horse or other equine animal esp. when
          fully mature or of breeding age [3]ma.re n, pl ma.ria
          also ma.res [NL, fr. L, sea--more at marine] (1860):
          any of several mostly flat dark areas of considerable
          extent on the surface of the moon or Mars

   mare clausum
          [ma.re clau.sum] n [NL, lit., closed sea] (1652): a navigable
          body of water (as a sea) that is under the jurisdiction
          of one nation and is closed to other nations

   Marek's disease
          [Mar.ek's disease] n [Jozsef Marek d. 1952 Hung. veterinarian]
          (1947): a highly contagious viral disease of poultry
          that is characterized esp. by proliferation of lymphoid
          cells and is caused by a herpesvirus

   mare liberum
          [ma.re li.be.rum] n [NL, lit., free sea] (1652) 1: a navigable
          body of water (as a sea) that is open to all nations
          2: freedom of the seas

   marengo
          [ma.ren.go] adj, often cap [F, fr. Marengo, village in northwest
          Italy] (ca. 1924): of, consisting of, or served with
          a sauce of mushrooms, tomatoes, olives, oil, and wine
          <veal ~>

   mare nostrum
          [ma.re no.strum] n [NL, lit., our sea] (1941): a navigable
          body of water (as a sea) that belongs to a single nation
          or is mutually shared by two or more nations

   mare's nest
          [mare's nest] n, pl mare's nests or mares' nests (1576) 1:
          a false discovery, illusion, or deliberate hoax 2: a
          place, condition, or situation of great disorder or confusion
          <a mare's nest of spurious ambiguities to bewilder the
          simpleminded --J. H. Sledd>

   mare's tail
          [mare's tail] n, pl mare's tails or mares' tails (ca. 1762)
          1 a: a common aquatic plant (Hippuris vulgaris of the
          family Hippuridaceae) with elongated shoots having dense
          whorls of narrow finely tapered leaves b: horseweed 1
          2: a cirrus cloud that has a long slender flowing appearance

   Marfan's syndrome
          [Mar.fan's syndrome] n [Antonin Bernard Jean Marfan d. 1942
          Fr. pediatrician] (ca. 1923): a hereditary disorder of
          connective tissue that is characterized by abnormal elongation
          of the bones and often by ocular and circulatory defects--called
          also Marfan syndrome

   margarine
          [mar.ga.rine] n [F, ultim. fr. Gk margaron pearl, prob.
          back-formation fr. margarites] (1873): a food product made usu.
          from vegetable oils churned with ripened skim milk to a smooth
          emulsion and used like butter

   margarita
          [mar.ga.ri.ta] n [fr. the Sp feminine name Margarita] (1963):
          a cocktail consisting of tequila, lime or lemon juice,
          and an orange-flavored liqueur

   margarite
          [mar.ga.rite] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L margarita, fr. Gk margarites]
          (13c) archaic: pearl

   margay
          [mar.gay] n [F, fr. Tupi maracaja] (1781): a small American
          spotted cat (Felis wiedii) resembling the ocelot and
          ranging from southernmost Texas to Argentina

   [1]marge
          [marge] n [MF, fr. L margo] (1551) archaic: margin [2]marge
          n (1922) Brit: margarine

   margent
          [mar.gent] n (15c) archaic: margin

   [1]margin
          [mar.gin] n [ME, fr. L margin-, margo border--more at mark]
          (14c) 1: the part of a page or sheet outside the main
          body of printed or written matter 2: the outside limit
          and adjoining surface of something: edge <at the ~ of
          the woods> <continental ~> 3 a: a spare amount or measure
          or degree allowed or given for contingencies or special
          situations <left no ~ for error> b (1): a bare minimum
          below which or an extreme limit beyond which something
          becomes impossible or is no longer desirable <on the
          ~ of good taste> (2): the limit below which economic
          activity cannot be continued under normal conditions
          4 a: the difference which exists between net sales and
          the cost of merchandise sold and from which expenses
          are usu. met or profit derived b: the excess market value
          of collateral over the face of a loan c (1): cash or
          collateral that is deposited by a client with a commodity
          or securities broker to protect the broker from loss
          on a contract (2): the client's equity in securities
          bought with the aid of credit obtained specif. (as from
          a broker) for that purpose d: a range about a specified
          figure within which a purchase is to be made 5: measure
          or degree of difference <the bill passed by a one-vote
          ~> -- mar.gined adj [2]margin vt (1715) 1 a: to provide
          with an edging or border b: to form a margin to: border
          2 a: to add margin to <~ up an account> b (1): to use
          as margin <~ bonds to buy stock> (2): to provide margin
          for <~ a transaction> c: to buy (securities) on margin

   marginal
          [mar.gin.al] adj [ML marginalis, fr. L margin-, margo] (1573)
          1: written or printed in the margin of a page or sheet
          <~ notes> 2 a: of, relating to, or situated at a margin
          or border b: not of central importance <regards violence
          as a ~ rather than a central problem> c (1): occupying
          the borderland of a relatively stable territorial or
          cultural area <~ tribes> (2): characterized by the incorporation
          of habits and values from two divergent cultures and
          by incomplete assimilation in either <the ~ cultural
          habits of new immigrant groups> (3): excluded from or
          existing outside the mainstream of society, a group,
          or a school of thought <~ voters> 3: located at the fringe
          of consciousness <~ sensations> 4 a: close to the lower
          limit of qualification, acceptability, or function: barely
          exceeding the minimum requirements <a semiliterate person
          of ~ ability> b (1): having a character or capacity fitted
          to yield a supply of goods which when marketed at existing
          price levels will barely cover the cost of production
          <~ land> (2): of, relating to, or derived from goods
          produced and marketed with such result <~ profits> 5:
          relating to or being a function of a random variable
          that is obtained from a function of several random variables
          by integrating or summing over all possible values of
          the other variables <a ~ probability function> -- mar.gin.al.i.ty
          n -- mar.gin.al.ly adv

   marginalia
          [mar.gi.na.lia] n pl [NL, fr. ML, neut. pl. of marginalis]
          (1832) 1: marginal notes (as in a book) 2: nonessential
          items <the meat and ~ of American politics --Saturday
          Rev.>

   marginalize
          [mar.gin.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1970): to relegate to
          a marginal position within a society or group --
          mar.gin.al.i.za.tion n

   marginal utility
          [marginal utility] n (1890): the amount of additional utility
          provided by an additional unit of an economic good or
          service

   marginate
          [mar.gin.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1623) 1: margin 1, 2a
          2: marginalize -- mar.gin.ation n

   marginated
          [mar.gin.at.ed] adj (ca. 1727): having a distinct margin

   margravate
          [mar.gra.vate] or mar.gra.vi.ate n (1802): the territory
          of a margrave

   margrave
          [mar.grave] n [D markgraaf, fr. MD marcgrave; akin to OHG
          marha boundary and to OHG gravo count--more at mark]
          (1551) 1: the military governor esp. of a German border
          province 2: a member of the German nobility corresponding
          in rank to a British marquess -- mar.gra.vi.al adj

   margravine
          [mar.gra.vine] n (1692): the wife of a margrave

   marguerite
          [mar.gue.rite] n [F, fr. MF margarite pearl, daisy--more
          at margarite] (ca. 1866) 1: daisy 1b 2: any of various
          single-flowered chrysanthemums; esp: a chrysanthemum
          (Chrysanthemum frutescens) of the Canary Islands

   maria
          [maria] pl of mare

   mariachi
          [ma.ri.a.chi] n [MexSp, perh. modif. of F mariage marriage]
          (1927) 1: a Mexican street band; also: a musician belonging
          to such a band 2: the music performed by a mariachi

   mariage de convenance
          [ma.riage de con.ve.nance] [F] foreign term : marriage of
          convenience

   Marian
          [Mar.i.an] adj (1608) 1: of or relating to Mary Tudor or
          her reign 2: of or relating to the Virgin Mary

   Marianist
          [Mar.i.an.ist] n (ca. 1899): a member of the Roman Catholic
          Society of Mary of Paris founded by William Joseph Chaminade
          in France in 1817 and devoted esp. to education

   Maria Theresa dollar
          [Ma.ria The.re.sa dollar] n (ca. 1883): a 1780 silver trade
          coin used in the Middle East

   mari complaisant
          [ma.ri com.plai.sant] [F] foreign term : complaisant husband:
          cuckold who accepts his wife's infidelity

   mariculture
          [mari.cul.ture] n [L mare sea + E -culture (as in agriculture)]
          (ca. 1909): the cultivation of marine organisms in their
          natural environment -- mari.cul.tur.ist n

   marigold
          [mari.gold] n [ME, fr. Mary, mother of Jesus + ME gold] (14c)
          1: pot marigold 2: any of a genus (Tagetes) of composite
          herbs with showy yellow, orange, or maroon flower heads

   marijuana
          [mar.i.jua.na] also mar.i.hua.na n [MexSp mariguana, marihuana]
          (1894) 1: hemp 1a, c 2: the dried leaves and flowering
          tops of the pistillate hemp plant that yield THC and
          are smoked in cigarettes for their intoxicating effect--compare
          bhang, cannabis, hashish

   marimba
          [ma.rim.ba] n [of Bantu origin; akin to Kimbundu marimba
          xylophone] (1704): a xylophone of southern Africa and
          Central America with resonators beneath each bar; also:
          a modern form of this instrument -- ma.rim.bist n

   marina
          [ma.ri.na] n [It & Sp, seashore, fr. fem. of marino, adj.,
          marine, fr. L marinus] (1924): a dock or basin providing
          secure moorings for pleasure boats and often offering
          supply, repair, and other facilities

   [1]marinade
          [mar.i.nade] n [F, fr. mariner to pickle, marinate, prob.
          fr. It marinare] (1725): a savory usu. acidic sauce in
          which meat, fish, or a vegetable is soaked to enrich
          its flavor or to tenderize it [2]marinade vt -nad.ed
          ; -nad.ing (1727): marinate

   marinara
          [mar.i.na.ra] adj [It (alla) marinara, lit., in sailor style]
          (ca. 1948): made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices
          <~ sauce>; also: served with marinara sauce <spaghetti
          ~>

   marinate
          [mar.i.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [prob. fr. It marinato,
          pp. of marinare to marinate, fr. marino] vt (ca. 1645):
          to steep (meat, fish, or vegetables) in a marinade ~
          vi: to become marinated -- mar.i.na.tion n

   [1]marine
          [ma.rine] adj [ME, fr. L marinus, fr. mare sea; akin to OE
          mere sea, pool, OHG meri sea, OCS morje] (15c) 1 a: of
          or relating to the sea <~ life> b: of or relating to
          the navigation of the sea: nautical <a ~ chart> c: of
          or relating to the commerce of the sea: maritime <~ law>
          d: depicting the sea, seashore, or ships <a ~ painter>
          2: of or relating to marines <~ barracks> [2]marine n
          (1669) 1 a: the mercantile and naval shipping of a country
          b: seagoing ships esp. in relation to nationality or
          class 2: one of a class of soldiers serving on shipboard
          or in close association with a naval force; specif: a
          member of the U.S. Marine Corps 3: an executive department
          (as in France) having charge of naval affairs 4: a marine
          picture: seascape

   marine architect
          [marine architect] n (1949): naval architect -- marine architecture
          n

   mariner
          [mar.i.ner] n [ME, fr. AF marinier, fr. ML marinarius, fr.
          marinus] (14c): a person who navigates or assists in
          navigating a ship: seaman, sailor

   mariner's compass
          [mariner's compass] n (1627): a compass used in navigation
          that consists of parallel magnetic needles or bundles
          of needles permanently attached to a card marked to indicate
          direction and degrees of a circle

   Mariolatry
          [Mar.i.ol.a.try] n (1612): excessive veneration of the Virgin
          Mary -- Mar.i.ol.a.ter n

   Mariology
          [Mar.i.ol.o.gy] n (1857): study or doctrine relating to the
          Virgin Mary -- Mar.i.o.log.i.cal adj

   marionette
          [mar.i.o.nette] n [F marionnette, fr. MF maryonete, fr. Marion,
          dim. of Marie Mary] (ca. 1620): a small-scale usu. wooden
          figure (as of a person) with jointed limbs that is moved
          from above by manipulation of the attached strings or
          wires

   mariposa lily
          [mar.i.po.sa lily] n [prob. fr. AmerSp mariposa, fr. Sp,
          butterfly] (1882): any of a genus (Calochortus) of western
          No. American plants of the lily family with showy flowers
          having three petals and three sepals--called also mariposa
          tulip--compare sego lily

   marish
          [mar.ish] n (15c) archaic: marsh

   Marist
          [Mar.ist] n [F mariste, fr. Marie Mary] (ca. 1872): a member
          of the Roman Catholic Society of Mary founded by Jean
          Claude Colin in France in 1816 and devoted to education

   marital
          [mar.i.tal] adj [L maritalis, fr. maritus married] (1603)
          1: of or relating to marriage or the married state <~
          vows> 2: of or relating to a husband and his role in
          marriage -- mar.i.tal.ly adv

   maritime
          [mar.i.time] adj [L maritimus, fr. mare] (1550) 1: of, relating
          to, or bordering on the sea <a ~ province> 2: of or relating
          to navigation or commerce on the sea 3: having the characteristics
          of a mariner

   marjoram
          [mar.jo.ram] n [alter. of ME mageram, majorane, fr. MF majorane,
          fr. ML majorana] (ca. 1550): any of various usu. fragrant
          and aromatic Old World mints (genus Origanum) often used
          in cookery

   [1]mark
          [mark] n [ME, fr. OE mearc boundary, march, sign; akin to
          OHG marha boundary, L margo] (bef. 12c) 1: a boundary
          land 2 a (1): a conspicuous object serving as a guide
          for travelers (2): something (as a line, notch, or fixed
          object) designed to record position b: one of the bits
          of leather or colored bunting placed on a sounding line
          at intervals c: target d: the starting line or position
          in a track event e (1): goal, object (2): an object of
          attack, ridicule, or abuse; specif: a victim or prospective
          victim of a swindle (3): the point under discussion (4):
          condition of being correct or accurate <her observations
          are on the ~> f: a standard of performance, quality,
          or condition: norm <not feeling up to the ~ lately> 3
          a (1): sign, indication <gave her the necklace as a ~
          of his esteem> (2): an impression (as a scratch, scar,
          or stain) made on something (3): a distinguishing trait
          or quality: characteristic <the ~s of an educated person>
          b: a symbol used for identification or indication of
          ownership c: a cross made in place of a signature d (1):
          trademark (2) cap--used with a numeral to designate a
          particular model of a weapon or machine <Mark II> e:
          a written or printed symbol (as a comma or colon) f:
          postmark g: a symbol used to represent a teacher's estimate
          of a student's work or conduct; esp: grade h: a figure
          registering a point or level reached or achieved <the
          halfway ~ in the first period of play>; esp: record 4
          a: attention, notice <nothing worthy of ~> b: importance,
          distinction <stands out as a person of ~> c: a lasting
          or strong impression <worked at several jobs but didn't
          make much of a ~> d: an assessment of merits: rating
          <got high ~s for honesty> syn see sign [2]mark vb [ME,
          fr. OE mearcian; akin to OHG marcon to mark, determine
          the boundaries of, OE mearc boundary] vt (bef. 12c) 1
          a (1): to fix or trace out the bounds or limits of (2):
          to plot the course of: chart b: to set apart by or as
          if by a line or boundary--usu. used with off 2 a (1):
          to designate as if by a mark <~ed for greatness> (2):
          to make or leave a mark on (3): to furnish with natural
          marks <wings ~ed with white> (4): to label so as to indicate
          price or quality (5): to make notations in or on b (1):
          to make note of in writing: jot <~ing the date in his
          journal> (2): to indicate by a mark or symbol <~ an accent>
          (3): register, record (4): to determine the value of
          by means of marks or symbols: grade <~ term papers> c
          (1): characterize, distinguish <the flamboyance that
          ~s her stage appearance> (2): signalize <this year ~s
          our 50th anniversary> 3: to take notice of: observe <~
          my words> 4: to pick up (one's golf ball) from a putting
          green and substitute a marker ~ vi: to take careful notice
          -- mark time 1: to keep the time of a marching step by
          moving the feet alternately without advancing 2: to maintain
          a static state of readiness <the House was marking time
          while the Senate talked --F. L. Paxson> [3]mark n [ME,
          fr. OE marc, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON mork mark;
          akin to OE mearc sign] (bef. 12c) 1: any of various old
          European units of weight used esp. for gold and silver;
          esp: a unit equal to about 8 ounces (248 grams) 2: a
          unit of value: a: an old English unit equal to 13s 4d
          b: any one of various old Scandinavian or German units
          of value; specif: a unit and corresponding silver coin
          of the 16th century worth 1/2 taler c (1): deutsche mark
          (2): the basic monetary unit of East Germany replaced
          in 1990 by the West German deutsche mark d: markka Mark
          n [L Marcus] 1 a: an early Jewish Christian traditionally
          identified as the writer of the Gospel of Mark--called
          also John Mark b: the second Gospel in the New Testament
          2: a king of Cornwall, uncle of Tristram, and husband
          of Isolde

   markdown
          [mark.down] n (1880) 1: a lowering of price 2: the amount
          by which an original selling price is reduced

   mark down
          [mark down] vt (1859): to put a lower price on

   marked
          [marked] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having an identifying mark <a
          ~ card> 2: having a distinctive or emphasized character:
          noticeable <has a ~ drawl> 3 a: enjoying fame or notoriety
          b: being an object of attack, suspicion, or vengeance
          <a ~ man> 4: overtly signaled by a linguistic feature
          <with most English nouns the plural is the ~ number>
          -- mark.ed.ly adv -- mark.ed.ness n

   marker
          [mark.er] n (15c) 1: one that marks 2: something used for
          marking 3: score 7; specif: run 4: promissory note, iou
          5: genetic marker

   [1]market
          [mar.ket] n, often attrib [ME, fr. ONF, fr. L mercatus trade,
          marketplace, fr. mercari to trade, fr. merc-, merx merchandise]
          (12c) 1 a (1): a meeting together of people for the purpose
          of trade by private purchase and sale and usu. not by
          auction (2): the people assembled at such a meeting b
          (1): a public place where a market is held; esp: a place
          where provisions are sold at wholesale <a farmers' ~>
          (2): a retail establishment usu. of a specified kind
          <a fish ~> 2 archaic: the act or an instance of buying
          and selling 3: the rate or price offered for a commodity
          or security 4 a (1): a geographical area of demand for
          commodities or services <the foreign ~ for consulting
          firms> (2): a specified category of potential buyers
          <the youth ~> b: the course of commercial activity by
          which the exchange of commodities is effected: extent
          of demand <the ~ is dull> c (1): an opportunity for selling
          <a good ~ for used cars> (2): the available supply of
          or potential demand for specified goods or services <the
          labor ~> d: the area of economic activity in which buyers
          and sellers come together and the forces of supply and
          demand affect prices <producing goods for ~ rather than
          for consumption> -- in the market : in the position of
          being a potential buyer <in the market for a house> --
          on the market : available for purchase; also: up for
          sale <put their house on the market> [2]market vi (1635):
          to deal in a market ~ vt 1: to expose for sale in a market
          2: sell

   marketable
          [mar.ket.able] adj (1600) 1 a: fit to be offered for sale
          in a market <food that is not ~> b: wanted by purchasers
          or employers: salable <~ securities> <~ skills> 2: of
          or relating to buying or selling -- mar.ket.abil.i.ty
          n

   market basket
          [market basket] n (1943): a variety of consumer goods and
          services used to calculate a consumer price index

   marketeer
          [mar.ke.teer] n (1832): a specialist in promoting or selling
          a product or service

   marketer
          [mar.ket.er] n (1787): one that deals in a market; specif:
          one that promotes or sells a product or service

   market garden
          [market garden] n (1811) Brit: truck farm -- market gardener
          n, Brit -- market gardening n, Brit

   marketing
          [mar.ket.ing] n (1561) 1 a: the act or process of selling
          or purchasing in a market b: the process or technique
          of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or
          service 2: an aggregate of functions involved in moving
          goods from producer to consumer

   marketing research
          [marketing research] n (ca. 1937): research into the means
          of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or
          service

   market order
          [market order] n (ca. 1920): an order to buy or sell securities
          or commodities immediately at the best price obtainable
          in the market

   marketplace
          [mar.ket.place] n (14c) 1 a: an open square or place in a
          town where markets or public sales are held b: market
          <the ~ is the interpreter of supply and demand> 2: the
          world of trade or economic activity: the everyday world
          <a conviction that religion belongs in the ~ --Current
          Biog.> 3: a sphere in which intangible values compete
          for acceptance <the ~ of ideas>

   market price
          [market price] n (15c): a price actually given in current
          market dealings

   market research
          [market research] n (1926): research into the size, location,
          and makeup of a product market -- market researcher n

   market share
          [market share] n (1970): the percentage of the market for
          a product or service that a company supplies

   marking
          [mark.ing] n (14c) 1: the act, process, or an instance of
          making or giving a mark 2 a: a mark made b: arrangement,
          pattern, or disposition of marks

   markka
          [mark.ka] n, pl mark.kaa also mark.kas [Finn, fr. Sw mark,
          a unit of value; akin to ON mork mark] (ca. 1896): the
          basic monetary unit of Finland

   Markov chain
          [Markov chain] n [A. A. Markov d. 1922 Russ. mathematician]
          (1942): a usu. discrete stochastic process (as a random
          walk) in which the probabilities of occurrence of various
          future states depend only on the present state of the
          system or on the immediately preceding state and not
          on the path by which the present state was achieved--called
          also Markoff chain

   Markovian
          [Mar.kov.ian] or Mar.kov also Mar.koff adj (1950): of, relating
          to, or resembling a Markov process or Markov chain esp.
          by having probabilities defined in terms of transition
          from the possible existing states to other states

   Markov process
          [Markov process] n (1939): a stochastic process (as Brownian
          motion) that resembles a Markov chain except that the
          states are continuous; also: markov chain--called also
          Markoff process

   marksman
          [marks.man] n (1660): a person skilled in shooting at a mark
          or target -- marks.man.ship n

   markswoman
          [marks.wom.an] n (1802): a woman skilled in shooting at a
          mark or target

   markup
          [mark.up] n (1916) 1: an amount added to the cost price to
          determine the selling price; broadly: profit 2: a U.S.
          Congressional committee session at which a bill is put
          into final form before it is reported out

   mark up
          [mark up] vt (1869): to put a markup on

   marl
          [marl] n [ME, fr. MF marle, fr. ML margila, dim. of L marga
          marl, fr. Gaulish] (14c): a loose or crumbling earthy
          deposit (as of sand, silt, or clay) that contains a substantial
          amount of calcium carbonate and is used esp. as a fertilizer
          for soils deficient in lime -- marly adj

   marlin
          [mar.lin] n [short for marlinspike; fr. the appearance of
          its beak] (1917): any of several large marine billfishes
          (genera Makaira and Tetrapturus) that are notable sport
          fishes

   marline
          [mar.line] also mar.lin n [ME merlyn, prob. fr. MLG marlinc,
          merlinc, fr. meren to tie, moor] (15c): a small usu.
          tarred line of two strands twisted loosely left-handed
          that is used esp. for seizing and as a covering for wire
          rope

   marlinespike
          [mar.line.spike] also mar.lin.spike n (1626): a tool (as
          of wood or iron) that tapers to a point and is used to
          separate strands of rope or wire (as in splicing)

   marlstone
          [marl.stone] n (ca. 1839): a rock that consists of a mixture
          of clay materials and calcium carbonate and often contains
          kerogen

   marmalade
          [mar.ma.lade] n [Pg marmelada quince conserve, fr. marmelo
          quince, fr. L melimelum, a sweet apple, fr. Gk melimelon,
          fr. meli honey + melon apple--more at mellifluous] (1524):
          a clear sweetened jelly in which pieces of fruit and
          fruit rind are suspended

   marmoreal
          [mar.mo.re.al] also mar.mo.re.an adj [L marmoreus, fr. marmor
          marble] (1656): of, relating to, or suggestive of marble
          or a marble statue esp. in coldness or aloofness -- mar.mo.re.al.ly
          adv

   marmoset
          [mar.mo.set] n [ME marmusette kind of monkey, fr. MF marmoset
          grotesque figure, fr. marmouser to mumble, of imit. origin]
          (1679): any of numerous small soft-furred So. and Central
          American monkeys (family Callithricidae) with claws instead
          of nails on all the digits except the great toe

   marmot
          [mar.mot] n [F marmotte] (1607): any of a genus (Marmota)
          of stout-bodied short-legged chiefly herbivorous burrowing
          rodents with coarse fur, a short bushy tail, and very
          small ears--compare woodchuck

   marocain
          [mar.o.cain] n [F (crepe) marocain, lit., Moroccan crepe]
          (1922): a ribbed crepe fabric used in women's clothing

   Maronite
          [Mar.o.nite] n [ML maronita, fr. Maron-, Maro 5th cent. a.d.
          Syrian monk] (ca. 1511): a member of a Uniate church
          chiefly in Lebanon having a Syriac liturgy and married
          clergy

   [1]maroon
          [ma.roon] n [F maron, marron, modif. of AmerSp cimarron,
          fr. cimarron wild, savage] (1666) 1 cap: a fugitive black
          slave of the West Indies and Guiana in the 17th and 18th
          centuries; also: a descendant of such a slave 2: a person
          who is marooned [2]maroon vt (ca. 1709) 1: to put ashore
          on a desolate island or coast and leave to one's fate
          2: to place or leave in isolation or without hope of
          ready escape [3]maroon n [F marron Spanish chestnut]
          (1791): a dark red

   marplot
          [mar.plot] n (1764): one who frustrates or ruins a plan or
          undertaking by meddling

   [1]marque
          [marque] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OProv marca, fr. marcar to mark,
          seize as pledge, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG marcon to
          mark] (15c) 1 obs: reprisal, retaliation 2: letters of
          marque [2]marque n [F, mark, brand, fr. MF, fr. marquer
          to mark, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG marcon to mark] (1906):
          a brand or make of a product (as a sports car)

   marquee
          [mar.quee] n [modif. of F marquise, lit., marchioness] (1690)
          1 chiefly Brit: a large tent set up for an outdoor party,
          reception, or exhibition 2: a permanent canopy often
          of metal and glass projecting over an entrance (as of
          a hotel or theater) 3: box office 2 <~ value>

   Marquesan
          [Mar.que.san] n (1799) 1: a native or inhabitant of the Marquesas
          Islands 2: the Austronesian language of the Marquesans
          -- Marquesan adj

   marquess
          [mar.quess] or mar.quis n, pl mar.quess.es or mar.quis.es
          or mar.quis [ME marquis, markis, fr. MF marquis, alter.
          of marchis, fr. marche march] (14c) 1: a nobleman of
          hereditary rank in Europe and Japan 2: a member of the
          British peerage ranking below a duke and above an earl
          -- mar.quess.ate or mar.quis.ate n

   marquetry
          [mar.que.try] also mar.que.terie n [MF marqueterie, fr. marqueter
          to checker, inlay, fr. marque mark] (1563): decorative
          work in which elaborate patterns are formed by the insertion
          of pieces of material (as wood, shell, or ivory) into
          a wood veneer that is then applied to a surface (as of
          a piece of furniture)

   marquise
          [mar.quise] n, pl mar.quises [F, fem. of marquis] (1783)
          1: marquee 2: marchioness 3: a gem or a ring setting
          or bezel usu. elliptical in shape but with pointed ends

   marquisette
          [mar.qui.sette] n [marquise + -ette] (1908): a sheer meshed
          fabric used for clothing, curtains, and mosquito nets

   marram grass
          [mar.ram grass] n [of Scand origin; akin to ON maralmr, a
          beach grass] (1834): any of several beach grasses (genus
          Ammophila and esp. A. arenaria)

   Marrano
          [Mar.ra.no] n, pl -nos [Sp, lit., pig] (1583): a Christianized
          Jew of medieval Spain

   marriage
          [mar.riage] n [ME mariage, fr. OF, fr. marier to marry] (14c)
          1 a: the state of being married b: the mutual relation
          of husband and wife: wedlock c: the institution whereby
          men and women are joined in a special kind of social
          and legal dependence for the purpose of founding and
          maintaining a family 2: an act of marrying or the rite
          by which the married status is effected; esp: the wedding
          ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities 3:
          an intimate or close union <the ~ of painting and poetry
          --J. T. Shawcross> -- mar.riage.abil.i.ty n -- mar.riage.able
          adj

   marriage of convenience
          [marriage of convenience] (1711): a marriage contracted for
          social, political, or economic advantage rather than
          for mutual affection; broadly: a union or cooperation
          formed solely for pragmatic reasons

   [1]married
          [mar.ried] adj (14c) 1 a: being in the state of matrimony:
          wedded b: of or relating to marriage: connubial 2: united,
          joined [2]married n, pl marrieds or married (1890): a
          married person <young ~s are paid undue ... attention
          --Paul Goodman>

   marron
          [mar.ron] n [F] (1594) 1: a large Mediterranean chestnut
          (Castanea sativa) or its sweet edible nut--called also
          Spanish chestnut 2 mar.rons pl: chestnuts preserved in
          vanilla-flavored syrup

   marrons glaces
          [mar.rons gla.ces] n pl [F, lit., glazed marrons] (1871):
          marron 2

   [1]marrow
          [mar.row] n [ME marowe, fr. OE mearg; akin to OHG marag marrow,
          Skt majjan] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a soft highly vascular modified
          connective tissue that occupies the cavities and cancellous
          part of most bones--compare red marrow b: the substance
          of the spinal cord 2 a: the choicest of food b: the seat
          of animal vigor c: the inmost, best, or essential part:
          core <personal liberty is the ~ of the American tradition
          --Clinton Rossiter> 3 chiefly Brit: vegetable marrow
          -- mar.rowy adj [2]marrow n [ME marwe, marrow] (1516)
          chiefly Scot: one of a pair

   marrowbone
          [mar.row.bone] n (14c) 1: a bone (as a shinbone) rich in
          marrow 2 pl: knees

   marrowfat
          [mar.row.fat] n (1733): any of several wrinkled-seeded garden
          peas

   [1]marry
          [mar.ry] vb mar.ried ; mar.ry.ing [ME marien, fr. OF marier,
          fr. L maritare, fr. maritus married] vt (14c) 1 a: to
          join as husband and wife according to law or custom b:
          to give in marriage <married his daughter to his partner's
          son> c: to take as spouse: wed <married the girl next
          door> d: to perform the ceremony of marriage for <a priest
          will ~ them> e: to obtain by marriage <~ wealth> 2: to
          unite in close and usu. permanent relation ~ vi 1: to
          take a spouse: wed 2: combine, unite <seafood marries
          with other flavors> -- marry into : to become a member
          of by marriage <married into a prominent family> [2]marry
          interj [ME marie, fr. Marie, the Virgin Mary] (14c) archaic--used
          for emphasis and esp. to express amused or surprised
          agreement

   Mars
          [Mars] n [L Mart-, Mars] 1: the Roman god of war--compare
          ares 2: the planet fourth in order from the sun and conspicuous
          for its red color

   marsala
          [mar.sa.la] n, often cap [Marsala, town in Sicily] (1806):
          a fortified Sicilian wine that varies from dry to sweet

   marse
          [marse] n [by shortening & alter.] (1869) Southern: master

   Marseilles
          [Mar.seilles] n [Marseilles, France] (1762): a firm cotton
          fabric that is similar to pique

   marsh
          [marsh] n, often attrib [ME mersh, fr. OE merisc, mersc;
          akin to MD mersch marsh, OE mere sea, pool--more at marine]
          (bef. 12c): a tract of soft wet land usu. characterized
          by monocotyledons (as grasses or cattails)

   [1]marshal
          [mar.shal] also mar.shall n [ME, fr. OF mareschal, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG marahscalc marshal, fr. marah horse
          + scalc servant] (13c) 1 a: a high official in the household
          of a medieval king, prince, or noble orig. having charge
          of the cavalry but later usu. in command of the military
          forces b: a person who arranges and directs the ceremonial
          aspects of a gathering 2 a: field marshal b: a general
          officer of the highest military rank 3 a: an officer
          having charge of prisoners b (1): a ministerial officer
          appointed for a judicial district (as of the U.S.) to
          execute the process of the courts and perform various
          duties similar to those of a sheriff (2): a city law
          officer entrusted with particular duties c: the administrative
          head of a city police department or fire department --
          mar.shal.cy n -- mar.shal.ship n [2]marshal also marshall
          vb -shaled or -shalled ; -shal.ing or -shal.ling vt (15c)
          1: to place in proper rank or position <~ing the troops>
          2: to bring together and order in an appropriate or effective
          way <~ arguments> 3: to lead ceremoniously or solicitously:
          usher <~ing her little group of children down the street>
          ~ vi: to take form or order <ideas ~ing neatly> syn see
          order

   marshal of the Royal Air Force
          [marshal of the Royal Air Force] (1947): the highest ranking
          officer in the British air force

   marsh elder
          [marsh elder] n (ca. 1775): any of a genus (Iva) of coarse
          shrubby composite plants of moist areas in eastern and
          central No. America

   marsh gas
          [marsh gas] n (1848): methane

   marsh hawk
          [marsh hawk] n (1772): northern harrier

   marsh hen
          [marsh hen] n (1709) 1: any of various American rails 2:
          bittern

   marshland
          [marsh.land] n (12c): a marshy tract or area: marsh

   marshmallow
          [marsh.mal.low] n (bef. 12c) 1: a pink-flowered European
          perennial herb (Althaea officinalis) of the mallow family
          that is naturalized in the eastern U.S. and has a mucilaginous
          root sometimes used in confectionery and in medicine
          2: a confection made from the root of the marshmallow
          or from corn syrup, sugar, albumen, and gelatin beaten
          to a light spongy consistency; also: a piece of partially
          dried marshmallow <a bag of ~s> -- marsh.mal.lowy adj

   marsh marigold
          [marsh marigold] n (1578): a swamp herb (Caltha palustris)
          of the buttercup family that occurs in Europe and No.
          America and has bright yellow flowers--called also cowslip,
          kingcup

   marshy
          [marshy] adj marsh.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: resembling or constituting
          a marsh <~ ground> 2: relating to or occurring in marshes
          <~ vegetation> -- marsh.i.ness n

   [1]marsupial
          [mar.su.pi.al] adj (1819) 1: of, relating to, or being a
          marsupial 2: of, relating to, or forming a marsupium
          [2]marsupial n [NL Marsupialia, fr. marsupium] (ca. 1835):
          any of an order (Marsupialia) of mammals comprising kangaroos,
          wombats, bandicoots, opossums, and related animals that
          do not develop a true placenta and that usu. have a pouch
          on the abdomen of the female which covers the teats and
          serves to carry the young

   marsupium
          [mar.su.pi.um] n, pl -pia [NL, fr. L, purse, pouch, fr. Gk
          marsypion] (1698) 1: an abdominal pouch that is formed
          of a fold of the skin and encloses the mammary glands
          of most marsupials 2: any of several structures in various
          invertebrates (as a bryozoan or mollusk) for enclosing
          or carrying eggs or young

   [1]mart
          [mart] n [ME, fr. MD marct, mart, prob. fr. ONF market] (15c)
          1 archaic: a coming together of people to buy and sell:
          [5]fair 1 2 obs: the activity of buying and selling;
          also: bargain 3: market [2]mart vt (1589): to deal in:
          sell

   martello tower
          [mar.tel.lo tower] n, often cap M [Cape Mortella, Corsica]
          (1803): a circular masonry fort or blockhouse

   marten
          [mar.ten] n, pl marten or martens [ME martryn, fr. MF martrine
          marten fur, fr. OF, fr. martre marten, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE mearth marten] (13c) 1: any of several semiarboreal
          slender-bodied carnivorous mammals (genus Martes) chiefly
          of the northern hemisphere that are larger than the related
          weasels 2: the fur or pelt of a marten

   martensite
          [mar.tens.ite] n [Adolf Martens d. 1914 Ger. metallurgist]
          (1898): the hard constituent that is the chief component
          of quenched steel -- mar.tens.it.ic adj -- mar.tens.it.i.cal.ly
          adv

   Martha
          [Mar.tha] n [LL, fr. Gk]: a sister of Lazarus and Mary and
          friend of Jesus

   martial
          [mar.tial] adj [ME, fr. L martialis of Mars, fr. Mart-, Mars]
          (14c) 1: of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior
          2: relating to an army or to military life 3: experienced
          in or inclined to war: warlike -- mar.tial.ly adv

   martial art
          [martial art] n (1933): any of several arts of combat and
          self-defense (as karate and judo) that are widely practiced
          as sport -- martial artist n

   martial law
          [martial law] n (1568) 1: the law applied in occupied territory
          by the military authority of the occupying power 2: the
          law administered by military forces that is invoked by
          a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement
          agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety

   martian
          [mar.tian] adj, often cap (1880): of or relating to the planet
          Mars or its hypothetical inhabitants -- martian n, often
          cap

   martin
          [mar.tin] n [prob. fr. St. Martin] (1589) 1: a small Eurasian
          swallow (Delichon urbica) with a forked tail, bluish
          black head and back, and white rump and underparts 2:
          any of various swallows and flycatchers other than the
          martin

   martinet
          [mar.ti.net] n [Jean Martinet, 17th cent. Fr. army officer]
          (1779) 1: a strict disciplinarian 2: a person who stresses
          a rigid adherence to the details of forms and methods

   martingale
          [mar.tin.gale] n [MF] (1589) 1: a device for steadying a
          horse's head or checking its upward movement that typically
          consists of a strap fastened to the girth, passing between
          the forelegs, and bifurcating to end in two rings through
          which the reins pass 2 a: a lower stay of rope or chain
          for the jibboom used to sustain the strain of the forestays
          and fastened to or rove through the dolphin striker b:
          dolphin striker 3: any of several systems of betting
          in which a player increases the stake usu. by doubling
          each time a bet is lost

   martini
          [mar.ti.ni] n [prob. alter. of Martinez (cocktail), fr. the
          name Martinez] (1894): a cocktail made of gin and dry
          vermouth; also: vodka martini

   Martin Luther King Day
          [Mar.tin Lu.ther King Day] n (1977): the third Monday in
          January observed as a legal holiday in some states of
          the U.S.

   Martinmas
          [Mar.tin.mas] n [ME martinmasse, fr. St. Martin + ME masse
          mass] (14c): November 11 celebrated as the feast of Saint
          Martin

   martlet
          [mart.let] n [alter. of martinet, fr. MF, prob. fr. St. Martin]
          (1538): martin 1

   [1]martyr
          [mar.tyr] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL, fr. Gk martyr-, martys,
          lit., witness] (bef. 12c) 1: a person who voluntarily
          suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing
          to renounce a religion 2: a person who sacrifices something
          of great value and esp. life itself for the sake of principle
          3: victim; esp: a great or constant sufferer <a ~ to
          asthma all his life --A. J. Cronin> -- mar.tyr.i.za.tion
          n -- mar.tyr.ize vt [2]martyr vt (bef. 12c) 1: to put
          to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or profession
          2: to inflict agonizing pain on: torture

   martyrdom
          [mar.tyr.dom] n (bef. 12c) 1: the suffering of death on account
          of adherence to a cause and esp. to one's religious faith
          2: affliction, torture

   martyrologist
          [mar.tyr.ol.o.gist] n (1676): a writer of or a specialist
          in martyrology

   martyrology
          [mar.tyr.ol.o.gy] n (1599) 1: a catalog of Roman Catholic
          martyrs and saints arranged by the dates of their feasts
          2: ecclesiastical history treating the lives and sufferings
          of martyrs

   martyry
          [mar.tyry] n, pl -tyr.ies [LL martyrium, fr. LGk martyrion,
          fr. Gk martyr-, martys] (ca. 1722): a shrine erected
          in honor of a martyr

   MARV
          [MARV] abbreviation maneuverable reentry vehicle

   [1]marvel
          [mar.vel] n [ME mervel, fr. OF merveille, fr. LL mirabilia
          marvels, fr. L, neut. pl. of mirabilis wonderful, fr.
          mirari to wonder] (14c) 1: something that causes wonder
          or astonishment 2: intense surprise or interest: astonishment
          [2]marvel vb mar.veled or mar.velled ; mar.vel.ing or
          mar.vel.ling vi (14c): to become filled with surprise,
          wonder, or amazed curiosity <~ed at the magician's skill>
          ~ vt: to feel astonishment or perplexity at or about
          <~ed that they had escaped>

   marvelous
          [mar.vel.ous] or mar.vel.lous adj (14c) 1: causing wonder:
          astonishing 2: miraculous, supernatural <Gothic tales
          of the ~ and the bizarre> 3: of the highest kind or quality:
          notably superior <has a ~ way with children> -- mar.vel.ous.ly
          adv -- mar.vel.ous.ness n

   Marxian
          [Marx.ian] adj (1887): of, developed by, or influenced by
          the doctrines of Marx <~ socialism>

   Marxism
          [Marx.ism] n (1897): the political, economic, and social
          principles and policies advocated by Marx; esp: a theory
          and practice of socialism including the labor theory
          of value, dialectical materialism, the class struggle,
          and dictatorship of the proletariat until the establishment
          of a classless society -- Marx.ist n or adj

   Marxism-Leninism
          [Marx.ism-Le.nin.ism] n (1932): a theory and practice of
          communism developed by Lenin from doctrines of Marx --
          Marx.ist-Len.in.ist n or adj

   Mary
          [Mary] n [LL Maria, fr. Gk Mariam, Maria, fr. Heb Miryam
          Miriam] 1: the mother of Jesus 2: a sister of Lazarus
          and Martha and a friend of Jesus

   Mary Jane
          [Mary Jane] n [by folk etymology (influenced by Sp Juana
          Jane)] (1928) slang: marijuana

   Maryknoller
          [Mary.knoll.er] n (1943): a member of the Catholic Foreign
          Mission Society of America founded by T. F. Price and
          J. A. Walsh at Maryknoll, N.Y. in 1911

   Mary Magdalene
          [Mary Mag.da.lene] n [LL Magdalene, fr. Gk Magdalene]: a
          woman who was healed of evil spirits by Jesus and who
          saw the risen Christ near his sepulchre

   marzipan
          [mar.zi.pan] n [G, fr. It marzapane] (1542): a confection
          of crushed almonds or almond paste, sugar, and egg whites
          that is often shaped into various forms

   Masai
          [Ma.sai] n, pl Masai or Masais (1857) 1: a member of a pastoral
          and hunting people of Kenya and Tanzania 2: the Nilotic
          language of the Masai people

   masc
          [masc] abbreviation masculine

   mascara
          [mas.cara] n [prob. fr. It maschera mask] (1886): a cosmetic
          esp. for coloring the eyelashes

   mascarpone
          [mas.car.po.ne] n [It, fr. It dial. (Lombardy) mascarpon,
          aug. of mascarpa cream cheese] (1932): an Italian cream
          cheese

   mascon
          [mas.con] n [[2]mass + concentration] (1968): any of the
          high-density regions below the surface of lunar maria
          that are held to perturb the motion of spacecraft in
          lunar orbit

   mascot
          [mas.cot] n [F mascotte, fr. Prov mascoto, fr. masco witch,
          fr. ML masca] (1881): a person, animal, or object adopted
          by a group as a symbolic figure esp. to bring them good
          luck <the team had a mountain lion as their ~>

   [1]masculine
          [mas.cu.line] adj [ME masculin, fr. MF, fr. L masculinus,
          fr. masculus, n., male, dim. of mas male] (14c) 1 a:
          male b: having qualities appropriate to or usu. associated
          with a man 2: of, relating to, or constituting the gender
          that ordinarily includes most words or grammatical forms
          referring to males 3 a: having or occurring in a stressed
          final syllable <~ rhyme> b: having the final chord occurring
          on a strong beat <~ cadence> 4: of or forming the formal,
          active, or generative principle of the cosmos -- mas.cu.line.ly
          adv -- mas.cu.lin.i.ty n [2]masculine n (14c) 1: the
          masculine gender 2: a noun, pronoun, adjective, or inflectional
          form or class of the masculine gender 3: a male person

   masculinise
          [mas.cu.lin.ise] Brit var of masculinize

   masculinize
          [mas.cu.lin.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1912): to give a chiefly
          masculine character to; esp: to cause (a female) to take
          on male characteristics -- mas.cu.lin.i.za.tion n

   maser
          [ma.ser] n [microwave amplification by stimulated emission
          of radiation] (1955): a device or object that emits coherent
          microwave radiation produced by the natural oscillations
          of atoms or molecules between energy levels

   MASH
          [MASH] abbreviation mobile army surgical hospital

   [1]mash
          [mash] vt (13c) 1 a: to reduce to a soft pulpy state by beating
          or pressure b: crush, smash <~ a finger> 2: to subject
          (as crushed malt) to the action of water with heating
          and stirring in preparing wort [2]mash n [ME mash-, fr.
          OE max-; akin to MHG meisch mash] (1577) 1: a mixture
          of ground feeds for livestock 2: crushed malt or grain
          meal steeped and stirred in hot water to ferment (as
          for the production of beer or whiskey) 3: a soft pulpy
          mass 4 Brit: mashed potatoes [3]mash vt [origin unknown]
          (1879): to flirt with or seek the affection of [4]mash
          n (1880): crush 4

   [1]masher
          [mash.er] n (ca. 1500): one that mashes <a potato ~> [2]masher
          n (1875): a man who makes passes at women

   [1]mask
          [mask] n [MF masque, fr. OIt maschera] (1534) 1 a (1): a
          cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise
          (2): a person wearing a mask: masker b (1): a figure
          of a head worn on the stage in antiquity to identify
          the character and project the voice (2): a grotesque
          false face worn at carnivals or in rituals c: an often
          grotesque carved head or face used as an ornament (as
          on a keystone) d: a sculptured face or a copy of a face
          made by means of a mold 2 a: something that serves to
          conceal or disguise: pretense, cloak <aware of the ~s,
          facades and defenses people erect to protect themselves
          --Kenneth Keniston> b: something that conceals from view
          c: a translucent or opaque screen to cover part of the
          sensitive surface in taking or printing a photograph
          d: a pattern of opaque material used to shield selected
          areas of a surface (as of a semiconductor) in deposition
          or etching (as in producing an integrated circuit) 3
          a: a protective covering for the face b: gas mask c:
          a device covering the mouth and nose to facilitate inhalation
          d: a comparable device to prevent exhalation of infective
          material e: a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the
          face that produces a tightening effect as it dries 4
          a: the head or face of an animal (as a fox or dog) b:
          an area (as the one around the eyes) of an animal's face
          that is distinguished by usu. darker coloring [2]mask
          vi (ca. 1562) 1: to take part in a masquerade 2 a: to
          assume a mask b: to disguise one's true character or
          intentions ~ vt 1: to provide or conceal with a mask:
          as a: to conceal from view <~ a gun battery> b: to make
          indistinct or imperceptible <~s undesirable flavors>
          c: to cover up <~ed his real purpose> 2: to cover for
          protection 3: to modify the size or shape of (as a photograph)
          by means of an opaque border syn see disguise -- mask.like
          adj

   masked
          [masked] adj (1585) 1: marked by the use of masks <a ~ ball>
          2: failing to present or produce the usual symptoms:
          latent <~ infection> <a ~ virus>

   masker
          [mask.er] n (ca. 1548): a person who wears a mask; esp: a
          participant in a masquerade

   masking tape
          [mask.ing tape] n (1936): a tape with adhesive on one side
          that has a variety of uses (as to cover a surface when
          painting an adjacent surface)

   masochism
          [mas.och.ism] n [ISV, fr. Leopold von Sacher-Masoch d. 1895
          Ger. novelist] (ca. 1893) 1: a sexual perversion characterized
          by pleasure in being subjected to pain or humiliation
          esp. by a love object--compare sadism 2: pleasure in
          being abused or dominated: a taste for suffering -- mas.och.ist
          n -- mas.och.is.tic adj -- mas.och.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   mason
          [ma.son] n [ME, fr. OF macon, of Gmc origin; akin to OE macian
          to make] (13c) 1: a skilled worker who builds by laying
          units of substantial material (as stone or brick) 2 cap:
          freemason

   Masonic
          [Ma.son.ic] adj (1797): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Freemasons or Freemasonry

   Masonite
          [Ma.son.ite] trademark--used for fiberboard made from
          steam-exploded wood fiber

   mason jar
          [ma.son jar] n, often cap M [John L. Mason, 19th cent. Am.
          inventor] (1888): a widemouthed jar used esp. for home
          canning

   masonry
          [ma.son.ry] n, pl -ries (13c) 1 a: something constructed
          of materials used by masons b: the art, trade, or occupation
          of a mason c: work done by a mason 2 cap: freemasonry

   mason wasp
          [mason wasp] n (1792): any of various solitary wasps that
          construct nests of hardened mud

   Masora
          [Ma.so.ra] or Ma.so.rah n [NHeb mesorah, fr. LHeb masoreth
          tradition, fr. Heb, bond] (1613): a body of notes on
          the textual traditions of the Hebrew Old Testament compiled
          by scribes during the 1st millennium of the Christian
          era

   Masorete
          [Mas.o.rete] or Mas.so.rete n [MF massoreth, fr. LHeb masoreth]
          (1587): one of the scribes who compiled the Masora --
          Mas.o.ret.ic adj

   masque
          [masque] also mask n [MF masque--more at mask] (1514) 1:
          masquerade 2: a short allegorical dramatic entertainment
          of the 16th and 17th centuries performed by masked actors

   masquer
          [masqu.er] var of masker

   [1]masquerade
          [mas.quer.ade] n [MF, fr. OIt dial. mascarada, fr. OIt maschera
          mask] (1587) 1 a: a social gathering of persons wearing
          masks and often fantastic costumes b: a costume for wear
          at such a gathering 2: an action or appearance that is
          mere disguise or outward show [2]masquerade vi -ad.ed
          ; -ad.ing (1692) 1 a: to disguise oneself; also: to go
          about disguised b: to take part in a masquerade 2: to
          assume the appearance of something one is not -- mas.quer.ad.er
          n

   Mass
          [Mass] abbreviation Massachusetts

   [1]mass
          [mass] n [ME, fr. OE maesse, modif. of (assumed) VL messa,
          lit., dismissal at the end of a religious service, fr.
          LL missa, fr. L, fem. of missus, pp. of mittere to send]
          (bef. 12c) 1 cap: the liturgy of the Eucharist esp. in
          accordance with the traditional Latin rite 2 often cap:
          a celebration of the Eucharist <Sunday ~es held at three
          different hours> 3: a musical setting for the ordinary
          of the Mass [2]mass n [ME masse, fr. MF, fr. L massa,
          fr. Gk maza; akin to Gk massein to knead--more at mingle]
          (15c) 1 a: a quantity or aggregate of matter usu. of
          considerable size b (1): expanse, bulk (2): massive quality
          or effect <impressed me with such ~ and such vividness
          --F. M. Ford> (3): the principal part or main body <the
          great ~ of the continent is buried under an ice cap --Walter
          Sullivan> (4): aggregate, whole <men in the ~> c: the
          property of a body that is a measure of its inertia and
          that is commonly taken as a measure of the amount of
          material it contains and causes it to have weight in
          a gravitational field 2: a large quantity, amount, or
          number <a great ~ of material> 3 a: a large body of persons
          in a compact group: a body of persons regarded as an
          aggregate b: the great body of the people as contrasted
          with the elite--often used in pl. <the underprivileged
          and disadvantaged ~es --C. A. Buss> syn see bulk [3]mass
          vt (14c): to form or collect into a mass ~ vi: to assemble
          in a mass <three thousand students had ~ed in the plaza
          --A. E. Neville> [4]mass adj (1733) 1 a: of or relating
          to the mass of the people <~ market> <~ education>; also:
          being one of or at one with the mass: average, commonplace
          <~ man> b: participated in by or affecting a large number
          of individuals <~ destruction> <~ demonstrations> c:
          having a large-scale character: wholesale <~ production>
          2: viewed as a whole: total <the ~ effect of a design>

   massa
          [mas.sa] n [by alter.] (1774) Southern: master

   Massachuset
          [Mas.sa.chu.set] or Mas.sa.chu.sett n, pl Massachusets or
          Massachuset or Masachusetts or Massachusett [Massachuset,
          a locality, lit., at the big hill] (1616) 1: a member
          of an American Indian people of Massachusetts 2: the
          extinct Algonquian language of the Massachuset people

   [1]massacre
          [mas.sa.cre] n [MF] (ca. 1578) 1: the act or an instance
          of killing a number of usu. helpless or unresisting human
          beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty 2:
          a cruel or wanton murder 3: a wholesale slaughter of
          animals 4: an act of complete destruction <the author's
          ~ of traditional federalist presuppositions --R. G. McCloskey>
          [2]massacre vt mas.sa.cred ; mas.sa.cring (1581) 1: to
          kill by massacre: slaughter 2: mangle 2 <words were misspelled
          and syntax massacred --Bice Clemow> -- mas.sa.crer n

   [1]massage
          [mas.sage] n [F, fr. masser to massage, fr. Ar massa to stroke]
          (ca. 1860): manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, kneading,
          or tapping) with the hand or an instrument for therapeutic
          purposes [2]massage vt mas.saged ; mas.sag.ing (1887)
          1: to subject to massage 2 a: to treat flatteringly:
          blandish b: manipulate 3, doctor 2b <researchers massaged
          the data to support their thesis> -- mas.sag.er n

   massage parlor
          [massage parlor] n (1913): an establishment that provides
          massage treatments; also: one offering sexual services
          in addition to or in lieu of massage

   massasauga
          [mas.sa.sau.ga] n [Missisauga River, Ontario, Canada] (1835):
          a small No. American rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)

   mass card
          [mass card] n (1948): a card notifying the recipient (as
          a bereaved family) that a mass is to be offered for the
          repose of the soul of a specified deceased person

   mass defect
          [mass defect] n (ca. 1923): the difference between the mass
          of an isotope and its mass number

   mass driver
          [mass driver] n (1977): a large electromagnetic catapult
          designed to hurl material (as from an asteroid) into
          space

   masse
          [mas.se] n [F, fr. pp. of masser to make a masse shot, fr.
          masse sledgehammer, fr. MF mace mace] (1873): a shot
          in billiards or pool made by hitting the cue ball vertically
          or nearly vertically on the side to drive it around one
          ball in order to strike another

   masseter
          [mas.se.ter] n [NL, fr. Gk maseter, fr. masasthai to chew--more
          at mandible] (1666): a large muscle that raises the lower
          jaw and assists in mastication -- mas.se.ter.ic adj

   masseur
          [mas.seur] n [F, fr. masser] (1876): a man who practices
          massage

   masseuse
          [mas.seuse] n [F, fem. of masseur] (1876): a woman who practices
          massage

   massif
          [mas.sif] n [F, fr. massif, adj., fr. MF] (1885) 1: a principal
          mountain mass 2: a block of the earth's crust bounded
          by faults or flexures and displaced as a unit without
          internal change

   massive
          [mas.sive] adj [ME massiffe, fr. MF massif, fr. masse mass]
          (15c) 1: forming or consisting of a large mass: a: bulky
          b: weighty, heavy <~ walls> <a ~ volume> c: impressively
          large or ponderous d: having no regular form but not
          necessarily lacking crystalline structure <~ sandstone>
          2 a: large, solid, or heavy in structure <~ jaw> b: large
          in scope or degree <the feeling of frustration, of being
          ineffectual, is ~ --David Halberstam> c (1): large in
          comparison to what is typical <~ dose of penicillin>
          (2): being extensive and severe <~ hemorrhage> <~ collapse
          of a lung> (3): imposing in excellence or grandeur: monumental
          <~ simplicity> 3: having mass <a ~ boson> -- mas.sive.ly
          adv -- mas.sive.ness n

   massless
          [mass.less] adj (1879): having no mass <a ~ particle>

   mass-market
          [mass-mar.ket] adj (1952): sold through such retail outlets
          as supermarkets and drugstores as well as through bookstores
          <a ~ paperback>; also: of, relating to, or publishing
          mass-market materials

   mass medium
          [mass medium] n, pl mass media (1923): a medium of communication
          (as newspapers, radio, or television) that is designed
          to reach the mass of the people--usu. used in pl.

   mass noun
          [mass noun] n (1933): a noun (as sand or water) that
          characteristically denotes in many languages a homogeneous
          substance or a concept without subdivisions and that in English
          is preceded in indefinite singular constructions by some rather
          than a or an--compare count noun

   mass number
          [mass number] n (1923): an integer that approximates the
          mass of an isotope and designates the number of nucleons
          in the nucleus

   mass-produce
          [mass-pro.duce] vt [back-formation fr. mass production] (1923):
          to produce in quantity usu. by machinery -- mass production
          n

   mass spectrograph
          [mass spectrograph] n (1920): an instrument used to separate
          and often to determine the masses of isotopes

   mass spectrometry
          [mass spectrometry] n (1943): an instrumental method for
          identifying the chemical constitution of a substance
          by means of the separation of gaseous ions according
          to their differing mass and charge--called also mass
          spectroscopy -- mass spectrometric adj -- mass spectrometer
          n

   mass spectrum
          [mass spectrum] n (1920): the spectrum of a stream of gaseous
          ions separated according to their mass and charge

   massy
          [massy] adj (14c): massive

   [1]mast
          [mast] n [ME, fr. OE maest; akin to OHG mast mast, L malus]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a long pole or spar rising from the keel
          or deck of a ship and supporting the yards, booms, and
          rigging 2: a slender vertical or nearly vertical structure
          (as an upright post in various cranes) 3: a disciplinary
          proceeding at which the commanding officer of a naval
          unit hears and disposes of cases against enlisted men--called
          also captain's mast -- mast.ed adj -- before the mast
          1: forward of the foremast 2: as a common sailor [2]mast
          vt (1627): to furnish with a mast [3]mast n [ME, fr.
          OE maest; akin to OHG mast food, mast, and prob. to OE
          mete food--more at meat] (bef. 12c): nuts (as acorns)
          accumulated on the forest floor and often serving as
          food for animals (as hogs)

   mastaba
          [mas.ta.ba] n [Ar mastabah stone bench] (1882): an Egyptian
          tomb of the time of the Memphite dynasties that is oblong
          in shape with sloping sides and a flat roof

   mast cell
          [mast cell] n [part trans. of G Mastzelle, fr. Mast food,
          mast (fr. OHG) + Zelle cell] (ca. 1890): a large cell
          that occurs esp. in connective tissue and has basophilic
          granules containi ng substances (as histamine and heparin)
          which mediate allergic reactions

   mastectomy
          [mas.tec.to.my] n, pl -mies [Gk mastos breast + E -ectomy]
          (ca. 1923): excision of the breast

   [1]master
          [mas.ter] n [ME, fr. OE magister & OF maistre, both fr. L
          magister; akin to L magnus large--more at much] (bef.
          12c) 1 a (1): a male teacher (2): a person holding an
          academic degree higher than a bachelor's but lower than
          a doctor's b often cap: a revered religious leader c:
          a worker or artisan qualified to teach apprentices d
          (1): an artist, performer, or player of consummate skill
          (2): a great figure of the past (as in science or art)
          whose work serves as a model or ideal 2 a: one having
          authority over another: ruler, governor b: one that conquers
          or masters: victor, superior <in this young, obscure
          challenger the champion found his ~> c: a person licensed
          to command a merchant ship d (1): one having control
          (2): an owner esp. of a slave or animal e: the employer
          esp. of a servant f (1) dial: husband (2): the male head
          of a household 3 a (1) archaic: mr. (2): a youth or boy
          too young to be called mister--used as a title b: the
          eldest son of a Scottish viscount or baron 4 a: a presiding
          officer in an institution or society (as a college) b:
          any of several officers of court appointed to assist
          (as by hearing and reporting) a judge 5 a: a master mechanism
          or device b: an original from which copies can be made;
          esp: a master phonograph record or magnetic tape -- mas.ter.ship
          n [2]master adj (12c): being or relating to a master:
          as a: having chief authority: dominant b: skilled, proficient
          <a prosperous ~ builder --Current Biog.> c: principal,
          predominant d: superlative--often used in combination
          <a master-liar> e: being a device or mechanism that controls
          the operation of another mechanism or that establishes
          a standard (as a dimension or weight) f: being or relating
          to a master from which duplicates are made [3]master
          vt mas.tered ; mas.ter.ing (13c) 1: to become master
          of: overcome 2 a: to become skilled or proficient in
          the use of <~ a foreign language> b: to gain a thorough
          understanding of <had ~ed every aspect of publishing
          --Current Biog.> 3: to produce a master phonograph record
          or magnetic tape of (as a musical rendition)

   master-at-arms
          [master-at-arms] n, pl masters-at-arms (1748): a petty officer
          charged with maintaining discipline aboard ship

   master bedroom
          [master bedroom] n (1925): a large or principal bedroom

   master chief petty officer
          [master chief petty officer] n (1958): an enlisted man in
          the navy or coast guard ranking above a senior chief
          petty officer

   master chief petty officer of the coast guard
          [master chief petty officer of the coast guard] (1966): the
          ranking petty officer in the coast guard serving as adviser
          to the commandant

   master chief petty officer of the navy
          [master chief petty officer of the navy] (1966): the ranking
          petty officer in the navy serving as adviser to the chief
          of naval operations

   master class
          [master class] n (1952): a seminar for advanced music students
          conducted by a master musician

   masterful
          [mas.ter.ful] adj (15c) 1 a: inclined and usu. competent
          to play the master b: suggestive of a domineering nature
          2: having or reflecting the power and skill of a master
          -- mas.ter.ful.ly adv -- mas.ter.ful.ness n syn masterful,
          domineering, imperious, peremptory, imperative mean tending
          to impose one's will on others. masterful implies a strong
          personality and ability to act authoritatively <her masterful
          personality soon dominated the movement>. domineering
          suggests an overbearing or arbitrary manner and an obstinate
          determination to enforce one's will <children controlled
          by domineering parents>. imperious implies a commanding
          nature or manner and often suggests arrogant assurance
          <an imperious executive used to getting his own way>.
          peremptory implies an abrupt dictatorial manner coupled
          with an unwillingness to brook disobedience or dissent
          <given a peremptory dismissal>. imperative implies peremptoriness
          arising more from the urgency of the situation than from
          an inherent will to dominate <an imperative appeal for
          assistance>. usage Some commentators insist that use
          of masterful should be limited to sense 1 in order to
          preserve a distinction between it and masterly. The distinction
          is a modern one, excogitated by a 20th century pundit
          in disregard of the history of the word. Both words developed
          in a parallel manner but the earlier sense of masterly,
          equivalent to masterful 1, dropped out of use. Since
          masterly had but one sense, the pundit opined that it
          would be tidy if masterful were likewise limited to one
          sense and he forthwith condemned use of masterful 2 as
          an error. Sense 2 of masterful, which is slightly older
          than the sense of masterly intended to replace it, has
          continued in reputable use all along; it cannot rationally
          be called an error.

   master gunnery sergeant
          [master gunnery sergeant] n (1958): a noncommissioned officer
          in the marine corps ranking above a master sergeant

   master key
          [master key] n (1576): a key designed to open several different
          locks

   masterly
          [mas.ter.ly] adj (15c): suitable to or resembling that of
          a master; esp: indicating thorough knowledge or superior
          skill and power <a ~ performance> usage see masterful
          -- mas.ter.li.ness n -- masterly adv

   [1]mastermind
          [mas.ter.mind] n (1720): a person who supplies the directing
          or creative intelligence for a project [2]mastermind
          vt (1940): to be the mastermind of

   master of arts
          [master of arts] often cap M&A (15c) 1: the recipient of
          a master's degree that usu. signifies that the recipient
          has passed an integrated course of study in one or more
          of the humanities and sometimes has completed a thesis
          involving research or a creative project and that typically
          requires two years of work beyond a bachelor's degree
          2: the degree making one a master of arts--abbr. M.A.,
          A.M.

   master of ceremonies
          [master of ceremonies] (1662) 1: a person who determines
          the forms to be observed on a public occasion 2: a person
          who acts as host at a formal event 3: a person who acts
          as host for a program of entertainment (as on television)

   master of science
          [master of science] often cap M&S (ca. 1905) 1: the recipient
          of a master's degree that usu. signifies that the recipient
          has passed an integrated course of study in one or more
          of the sciences and sometimes has completed a thesis
          involving research and that typically requires two years
          of work beyond a bachelor's degree 2: the degree making
          one a master of science--abbr. M.S., M.Sc.

   masterpiece
          [mas.ter.piece] n (1605) 1: a work done with extraordinary
          skill; esp: a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement
          2: a piece of work presented to a medieval guild as evidence
          of qualification for the rank of master

   master plan
          [master plan] n (ca. 1930): a plan giving overall guidance

   master race
          [master race] n (1937): a people held to be racially preeminent
          and hence fitted to rule or enslave other peoples

   master's
          [master's] n (1939): a master's degree

   master sergeant
          [master sergeant] n (ca. 1934): a noncommissioned officer
          ranking in the army above a sergeant first class and
          below a staff sergeant major, in the air force above
          a technical sergeant and below a senior master sergeant,
          and in the marine corps above a gunnery sergeant and
          below a master gunnery sergeant

   mastersinger
          [mas.ter.sing.er] n (1810): meistersinger

   masterstroke
          [mas.ter.stroke] n (1679): a masterly performance or move

   masterwork
          [mas.ter.work] n (1617): masterpiece

   mastery
          [mas.tery] n [ME maistrie, fr. OF, fr. maistre master] (13c)
          1 a: the authority of a master: dominion b: the upper
          hand in a contest or competition: superiority, ascendancy
          2 a: possession or display of great skill or technique
          b: skill or knowledge that makes one master of a subject:
          command

   masthead
          [mast.head] n (1748) 1: the top of a mast 2 a: the printed
          matter in a newspaper or periodical that gives the title
          and pertinent details of ownership, advertising rates,
          and subscription rates b: the name of a publication (as
          a newspaper) displayed on the top of the first page

   mastic
          [mas.tic] n [ME mastik, fr. L mastiche, fr. Gk mastiche,
          prob. back-formation fr. mastichan] (14c) 1: an aromatic
          resinous exudate from mastic trees used chiefly in varnishes
          2: any of various pasty materials used as protective
          coatings or cements

   masticate
          [mas.ti.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [LL masticatus, pp. of
          masticare, fr. Gk mastichan to gnash the teeth; akin
          to Gk masasthai to chew--more at mandible] vt (1649)
          1: to grind or crush (food) with or as if with the teeth
          in preparation for swallowing: chew 2: to soften or reduce
          to pulp by crushing or kneading ~ vi: chew -- mas.ti.ca.tion
          n -- mas.ti.ca.tor n

   [1]masticatory
          [mas.ti.ca.to.ry] adj (1694) 1: used for or adapted to chewing
          <~ limbs of an arthropod> 2: of, relating to, or involving
          the organs of mastication <~ paralysis> [2]masticatory
          n, pl -ries (ca. 1611): a substance chewed to increase
          saliva

   mastic tree
          [mastic tree] n (15c): a small southern European evergreen
          tree (Pistacia lentiscus) of the cashew family that yields
          mastic

   mastiff
          [mas.tiff] n [ME mastif, modif. of MF mastin, fr. (assumed)
          VL mansuetinus, fr. L mansuetus tame--more at mansuetude]
          (14c): any of a breed of very large massive powerful
          smooth-coated dogs that are apricot, fawn, or brindle
          and are often used as guard dogs

   mastigophoran
          [mas.ti.goph.o.ran] n [ultim. fr Gk mastig-, mastix whip
          + pherein to carry--more at bear] (ca. 1911): any of
          a subphylum (Mastigophora) of protozoans comprising forms
          with flagella and including many often treated as algae
          -- mastigophoran adj

   mastitis
          [mas.ti.tis] n, pl -tit.i.des [NL, fr. Gk mastos breast]
          (ca. 1842): inflammation of the breast or udder usu.
          caused by infection -- mas.tit.ic adj

   mastodon
          [mas.to.don] n [NL mastodont-, mastodon, fr. Gk mastos +
          odont-, odon, odous tooth--more at tooth] (1813) 1: any
          of numerous extinct mammals (genus Mastodon syn. Mammut)
          that differ from the related mammoths and existing elephants
          chiefly in the form of the molar teeth 2: one that is
          unusually large -- mas.to.don.ic adj -- mas.to.dont adj
          or n

   [1]mastoid
          [mas.toid] adj [NL mastoides resembling a nipple, mastoid,
          fr. Gk mastoeides, fr. mastos breast] (1732) 1: being
          the process of the temporal bone behind the ear; also:
          being any of several bony elements that occupy a similar
          position in the skull of lower vertebrates 2: of, relating
          to, or occurring in the region of the mastoid process
          [2]mastoid n (1842): a mastoid bone or process

   mastoid cell
          [mastoid cell] n (1800): one of the small cavities in the
          mastoid process that develop after birth and are filled
          with air

   mastoidectomy
          [mas.toid.ec.to.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (1898): surgical removal
          of part of the mastoid process of the temporal bone

   mastoiditis
          [mas.toid.itis] n [NL] (ca. 1890): inflammation of the mastoid
          and esp. of the mastoid cells

   masturbate
          [mas.tur.bate] vb -bat.ed ; -bat.ing [L masturbatus, pp.
          of masturbari] vt (1857): to practice masturbation on
          ~ vi: to practice masturbation -- mas.tur.ba.tor n

   masturbation
          [mas.tur.ba.tion] n (1766): erotic stimulation esp. of one's
          own genital organs commonly resulting in orgasm and achieved
          by manual or other bodily contact exclusive of sexual
          intercourse, by instrumental manipulation, occas. by
          sexual fantasies, or by various combinations of these
          agencies

   masturbatory
          [mas.tur.ba.to.ry] adj (1864) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          masturbation <~ fantasies> 2: excessively self-absorbed
          or self-indulgent <write tedious, ~ books ... about themselves
          for people to read ... with envy --D. R. Katz>

   MAT
          [MAT] abbreviation master of arts in teaching, Miller analogy
          test

   [1]mat
          [mat] n [ME, fr. OE meatte, fr. LL matta, of Sem origin;
          akin to Heb mittah bed] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a piece of
          coarse, woven, plaited, or felted fabric used esp. as
          a floor covering or a support (2): a piece of material
          placed at a door for wiping soiled shoe soles b: a decorative
          piece of material used under a small item (as a dish)
          esp. for support or protection c: a large thick pad or
          cushion used as a surface for wrestling, tumbling, and
          gymnastics 2: something made up of densely tangled or
          adhering strands esp. of organic matter <algal ~> <a
          ~ of unkempt hair> 3: a large slab usu. of reinforced
          concrete used as the supporting base of a building [2]mat
          vb mat.ted ; mat.ting vt (1549) 1: to provide with a
          mat or matting 2 a: to form into a tangled mass b: to
          pack down so as to form a dense mass ~ vi: to become
          matted [3]mat vt mat.ted ; mat.ting (1602) 1: to make
          (as a metal, glass, or color) matte 2: to provide (a
          picture) with a mat [4]mat var of [2]matte [5]mat n [F
          mat dull color, unpolished surface, fr. mat, adj.--more
          at matte] (1845): a border going around a picture between
          picture and frame or serving as the frame [6]mat n (1904):
          matrix 2a

   matador
          [mat.a.dor] n [Sp, fr. matar to kill] (1681): a bullfighter
          who has the principal role and who kills the bull in
          a bullfight

   [1]match
          [match] n [ME macche, fr. OE gemaecca mate, equal; akin to
          OE macian to make--more at make] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a person
          or thing equal or similar to another b: one able to cope
          with another c: an exact counterpart 2: a pair suitably
          associated <carpet and curtains are a ~> 3 a: a contest
          between two or more parties <a golf ~> <a soccer ~> <a
          shouting ~> b: a contest (as in tennis or volleyball)
          completed when one player or side wins a specified number
          of sets or games 4 a: a marriage union b: a prospective
          partner in marriage [2]match vt (14c) 1 a: to encounter
          successfully as an antagonist b (1): to set in competition
          or opposition (2): to provide with a worthy competitor
          c: to set in comparison 2: to join or give in marriage
          3 a (1): to put in a set possessing equal or harmonizing
          attributes (2): to cause to correspond: suit b (1): to
          be the counterpart of; also: to compare favorably with
          (2): to harmonize with c: to provide with a counterpart
          d: to provide funds complementary to 4: to fit together
          or make suitable for fitting together 5 a: to flip or
          toss (coins) and compare exposed faces b: to toss coins
          with ~ vi: to be a counterpart -- match.able adj -- match.er
          n [3]match n [ME macche, fr. MF meiche] (1549) 1: a chemically
          prepared wick or cord formerly used in firing firearms
          or powder 2: a short slender piece of flammable material
          (as wood) tipped with a combustible mixture that bursts
          into flame when slightly heated through friction (as
          by being scratched against a rough surface)

   matchboard
          [match.board] n (ca. 1858): a board with a groove cut along
          one edge and a tongue along the other so as to fit snugly
          with the edges of similarly cut boards

   matchbook
          [match.book] n (1944): a small folder containing rows of
          paper matches

   matchbox
          [match.box] n (1786): a box for matches

   matchless
          [match.less] adj (ca. 1530): having no equal: peerless --
          match.less.ly adv

   matchlock
          [match.lock] n (1637) 1: a slow-burning match lowered over
          a hole in the breech of a musket to ignite the charge
          2: a musket equipped with a matchlock

   matchmaker
          [match.mak.er] n (ca. 1639): one that arranges a match; esp:
          one who tries to bring two unmarried individuals together
          in an attempt to promote a marriage -- match.mak.ing
          n

   match play
          [match play] n (1893): golf competition in which the winner
          is the person or team winning the greater number of holes--compare
          stroke play

   match point
          [match point] n (1921): a situation (as in tennis) in which
          one player or side will win the match by winning the
          next point; also: the point itself

   matchstick
          [match.stick] n (1791) 1: a slender piece esp. of wood from
          which a match is made 2: something resembling a matchstick
          esp. in slenderness

   matchup
          [match.up] n (1964): [1]match

   matchwood
          [match.wood] n (1838): small pieces of wood: splinters

   [1]mate
          [mate] vt mat.ed ; mat.ing [ME, fr. MF mater, fr. OF mat,
          n., checkmate, fr. Ar mat (in shah mat)] (14c): checkmate
          2 [2]mate n (14c): checkmate 1 [3]mate n [ME, prob. fr.
          MLG mat; akin to OE gemetta guest at one's table, mete
          food--more at meat] (14c) 1 a (1): associate, companion
          (2) chiefly Brit: an assistant to a more skilled worker:
          helper (3) chiefly Brit: friend, buddy--often used as
          a familiar form of address b archaic: match, peer 2:
          a deck officer on a merchant ship ranking below the captain
          3: one of a pair: as a: either member of a couple and
          esp. a married couple b: either member of a breeding
          pair of animals c: either of two matched objects [4]mate
          vb mat.ed ; mat.ing vt (1509) 1 archaic: equal, match
          2: to join or fit together: couple 3 a: to join together
          as mates b: to provide a mate for ~ vi 1: to become mated
          <gears that ~ well> 2: copulate [5]ma.te n [F & AmerSp;
          F mate, fr. AmerSp mate mate, vessel for drinking it,
          fr. Quechua mati vessel] (1758) 1: a tealike beverage
          drunk esp. in So. America 2: a So. American shrub or
          tree (Ilex paraguariensis) of the holly family whose
          leaves and shoots are used in making mate; also: these
          leaves and shoots

   matelot
          [mate.lot] n [F, fr. MF, fr. MD mattenoot, lit., bedmate]
          (1911) Brit: sailor

   matelote
          [ma.te.lote] n [F, lit., sailor's wife, fr. matelot] (ca.
          1736): a stew made usu. of fish in a seasoned wine sauce

   mater
          [ma.ter] n [L--more at mother] (ca. 1859) chiefly Brit: mother

   materfamilias
          [ma.ter.fa.mil.i.as] n [L, fr. mater + familias, archaic
          gen. of familia household--more at family] (1756): a
          woman who is head of a household

   [1]material
          [ma.te.ri.al] adj [ME materiel, fr. MF & LL; MF, fr. LL materialis,
          fr. L materia matter--more at matter] (14c) 1 a (1): relating to,
          derived from, or consisting of matter; esp: physical <the ~ world>
          (2): bodily <~ needs> b (1): of or relating to matter rather than
          form <~ cause> (2): of or relating to the subject matter
          of reasoning; esp: empirical <~ knowledge> 2: having real
          importance or great consequences <facts ~ to the investigation>
          3 a: being of a physical or worldly nature b: relating
          to or concerned with physical rather than spiritual or intellectual
          things <~ progress> -- ma.te.ri.al.ly adv -- ma.te.ri.al.ness n syn
          material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean
          of or belonging to actuality. material implies formation out
          of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may
          connote the mundane, crass, or grasping <material values>. physical
          applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may
          contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary <the physical
          benefits of exercise>. corporeal implies having the tangible
          qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force
          <artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings>. phenomenal
          applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather
          than by intuition or rational deduction <scientists concerned with
          the phenomenal world>. sensible stresses the capability of readily
          or forcibly impressing the senses <the earth's rotation is not
          sensible to us>. objective may stress material or independent
          existence apart from a subject perceiving it <no objective evidence
          of damage>. syn see in addition relevant [2]material n (1556)
          1 a (1): the elements, constituents, or substances of which
          something is composed or can be made (2): matter that has qualities
          which give it individuality and by which it may be categorized
          <sticky ~> <explosive ~s> b (1): something (as data) that may
          be worked into a more finished form <~ for a biography> (2):
          something used for or made the object of study <~ for the next
          semester> (3): a performer's repertoire <a comedian's ~> c: matter
          3b d: cloth e: a person potentially suited to some pursuit <varsity
          ~> <leadership ~> 2 a: apparatus necessary for doing or making
          something <writing ~s> b: materiel

   materialise
          [ma.te.ri.al.ise] Brit var of materialize

   materialism
          [ma.te.ri.al.ism] n (1748) 1 a: a theory that physical matter
          is the only or fundamental reality and that all being
          and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations
          or results of matter b: a doctrine that the only or the
          highest values or objectives lie in material well-being
          and in the furtherance of material progress c: a doctrine
          that economic or social change is materially caused--compare
          historical materialism 2: a preoccupation with or stress
          upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things
          -- ma.te.ri.al.ist n or adj -- ma.te.ri.al.is.tic adj
          -- ma.te.ri.al.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   materiality
          [ma.te.ri.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1570) 1: the quality or state
          of being material 2: something that is material

   materialization
          [ma.te.ri.al.i.za.tion] n (1843) 1: the action of materializing
          or becoming materialized 2: something that has been materialized;
          esp: apparition

   materialize
          [ma.te.ri.al.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1710) 1 a: to make
          material: objectify b: to cause to appear in bodily form
          <~ the spirits of the dead> 2: to cause to be materialistic
          ~ vi 1: to assume bodily form 2 a: to appear esp. suddenly
          b: to come into existence -- ma.te.ri.al.iz.er n

   materials science
          [materials science] n (1961): the scientific study of the
          properties and applications of materials of construction
          or manufacture (as ceramics, metals, polymers, and composites)
          -- materials scientist n

   materia medica
          [ma.te.ria med.i.ca] n [NL, lit., medical matter] (1699)
          1: substances used in the composition of medical remedies:
          drugs, medicine 2 a: a branch of medical science that
          deals with the sources, nature, properties, and preparation
          of drugs b: a treatise on materia medica

   materiel
          [ma.te.ri.el] n [F materiel, fr. materiel, adj.] (1814):
          equipment, apparatus, and supplies used by an organization
          or institution

   maternal
          [ma.ter.nal] adj [ME, fr. MF maternel, fr. L maternus, fr.
          mater mother--more at mother] (15c) 1: of, relating to,
          belonging to, or characteristic of a mother: motherly
          2 a: related through a mother <his ~ aunt> b: inherited
          or derived from the female parent <~ genes> -- ma.ter.nal.ly
          adv

   [1]maternity
          [ma.ter.ni.ty] n, pl -ties (1611) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being a mother: motherhood b: the qualities of a mother:
          motherliness 2: a hospital facility designed for the
          care of women before and during childbirth and for the
          care of newborn babies [2]maternity adj (1893) 1: designed
          for wear during pregnancy <a ~ dress> 2: effective for
          the period close to and including childbirth <~ leave>

   matey
          [mat.ey] adj (1915) chiefly Brit: companionable -- mat.ey.ness
          n, chiefly Brit

   math
          [math] abbreviation mathematical, mathematician

   math
          [math] n (ca. 1878): mathematics

   mathematical
          [math.e.mat.i.cal] also math.e.mat.ic adj [ME mathematicalle,
          fr. L mathematicus, fr. Gk mathematikos, fr. mathemat-,
          mathema learning, mathematics, fr. manthanein to learn;
          prob. akin to Goth mundon to pay attention] (15c) 1:
          of, relating to, or according with mathematics 2 a: rigorously
          exact: precise b: certain 3: possible but highly improbable
          <only a ~ chance> -- math.e.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   mathematical expectation
          [mathematical expectation] n (1838): expected value

   mathematical induction
          [mathematical induction] n (1838): induction 2b

   mathematical logic
          [mathematical logic] n (1858): symbolic logic

   mathematician
          [math.e.ma.ti.cian] n (15c): a specialist or expert in mathematics

   mathematics
          [math.e.mat.ics] n pl but usu sing in constr (1581) 1: the
          science of numbers and their operations, interrelations,
          combinations, generalizations, and abstractions and of
          space configurations and their structure, measurement,
          transformations, and generalizations 2: a branch of,
          operation in, or use of mathematics <the ~ of physical
          chemistry>

   mathematization
          [math.e.ma.ti.za.tion] n (1928): reduction to mathematical
          form -- math.e.ma.tize vb

   maths
          [maths] n pl (1911) chiefly Brit: mathematics

   matin
          [mat.in] adj [ME, fr. OF] (14c): of or relating to matins
          or to early morning

   matinal
          [mat.in.al] adj (1803) 1: of or relating to matins 2: early

   matinee
          [mat.i.nee] n [F matinee, lit., morning, fr. OF, fr. matin
          morning, fr. L matutinum, fr. neut. of matutinus of the
          morning, fr. Matuta, goddess of morning; akin to L maturus
          ripe--more at mature] (1858): a musical or dramatic performance
          or social or public event held in the daytime and esp.
          the afternoon

   matinee idol
          [matinee idol] n (1902): a handsome male performer

   matins
          [mat.ins] n pl but sing or pl in constr, often cap [ME matines,
          fr. OF, fr. LL matutinae, fr. L, fem. pl. of matutinus]
          (14c) 1: the night office forming with lauds the first
          of the canonical hours 2: morning prayer

   matr-
          [matr-] or matri- or matro- comb form [L matr-, matri-, fr.
          matr-, mater]: mother <matriarch> <matronymic>

   matriarch
          [ma.tri.arch] n (1606): a female who rules or dominates a
          family, group, or state; specif: a mother who is head
          and ruler of her family and descendants -- ma.tri.ar.chal
          adj

   matriarchate
          [ma.tri.ar.chate] n (1885): matriarchy 1

   matriarchy
          [ma.tri.ar.chy] n, pl -chies (1885) 1: a family, group, or
          state governed by a matriarch 2: a system of social organization
          in which descent and inheritance are traced through the
          female line

   matric
          [matric] abbreviation matriculated, matriculation

   matricide
          [ma.tri.cide] n (1594) 1 [L matricidium, fr. matr- + -cidium
          -cide]: murder of a mother by her son or daughter 2 [L
          matricida, fr. matr- + -cida -cide]: one that murders
          his or her mother -- ma.tri.cid.al adj

   matriculate
          [ma.tric.u.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [ML matriculatus,
          pp. of matriculare, fr. LL matricula public roll, dim.
          of matric-, matrix list, fr. L, breeding female] vt (1577):
          to enroll as a member of a body and esp. of a college
          or university ~ vi: to become matriculated -- ma.tric.u.lant
          n -- ma.tric.u.la.tion n

   matrilineal
          [ma.tri.lin.eal] adj (1904): relating to, based on, or tracing
          descent through the maternal line <~ society> -- ma.tri.lin.eal.ly
          adv

   matrimonial
          [mat.ri.mo.nial] adj (15c): of or relating to marriage, the
          married state, or married persons -- mat.ri.mo.nial.ly
          adv

   matrimony
          [mat.ri.mo.ny] n [ME, fr. MF matremoine, fr. L matrimonium,
          fr. matr-, mater mother, matron--more at mother] (14c):
          the union of man and woman as husband and wife: marriage

   matrimony vine
          [matrimony vine] n (ca. 1818): a shrub or vine (genus Lycium)
          of the nightshade family with often showy flowers and
          usu. red berries

   matrix
          [ma.trix] n, pl ma.tri.ces or ma.trix.es [L, female animal
          used for breeding, parent plant, fr. matr-, mater] (1555)
          1: something within or from which something else originates,
          develops, or takes form 2 a: a mold from which a relief
          surface (as a piece of type) is made b: die 3a(1) c:
          an engraved or inscribed die or stamp d: an electroformed
          impression of a phonograph record used for mass-producing
          duplicates of the original 3 a: the natural material
          (as soil or rock) in which something (as a fossil or
          crystal) is embedded b: material in which something is
          enclosed or embedded (as for protection or study) 4 a:
          the intercellular substance in which tissue cells (as
          of connective tissue) are embedded b: the thickened epithelium
          at the base of a fingernail or toenail from which new
          nail substance develops 5 a: a rectangular array of mathematical
          elements (as the coefficients of simultaneous linear
          equations) that can be combined to form sums and products
          with similar arrays having an appropriate number of rows
          and columns b: something resembling a mathematical matrix
          esp. in rectangular arrangement of elements into rows
          and columns c: an array of circuit elements (as diodes
          and transistors) for performing a specific function 6:
          a main clause that contains a subordinate clause

   matron
          [ma.tron] n [ME matrone, fr. MF, fr. L matrona, fr. matr-,
          mater] (14c) 1 a: a married woman usu. marked by dignified
          maturity or social distinction b: a woman who supervises
          women or children (as in a school or police station)
          c: the chief officer in a women's organization 2: a female
          animal kept for breeding

   matronly
          [ma.tron.ly] adj (1656): having the character of or suitable
          to a matron

   matron of honor
          [matron of honor] (1903): a bride's principal married wedding
          attendant

   matronymic
          [mat.ro.nym.ic] n [matr- + -onymic (as in patronymic)] (1794):
          a name derived from that of the mother or a maternal
          ancestor

   Matt
          [Matt] abbreviation Matthew

   [1]matte
          [matte] or matt var of [3]mat [2]matte also matt adj [F mat,
          fr. OF, faded, defeated] (ca. 1648): lacking or deprived
          of luster or gloss: as a: having a usu. smooth even surface
          free from shine or highlights <~ metals> <a ~ finish>
          b: having a rough or granular surface [3]matte n [F,
          fr. MF, crude metal, curdled milk, fr. fem. of mat thick,
          dull, matte] (1839) 1: a crude mixture of sulfides formed
          in smelting sulfide ores of metals (as copper, lead,
          or nickel) 2: a motion-picture effect in which part of
          a scene is blocked out and later replaced by footage
          containing other material (as a background painting)

   [1]matter
          [mat.ter] n [ME matere, fr. OF, fr. L materia matter, physical
          substance, fr. mater] (13c) 1 a: a subject under consideration
          b: a subject of disagreement or litigation c pl: the
          events or circumstances of a particular situation d:
          the subject or substance of a discourse or writing e:
          something of an indicated kind or having to do with an
          indicated field or situation <this is a serious ~> <as
          a ~ of policy> <~s of faith> f: something to be proved
          in law g obs: sensible or serious material as distinguished
          from nonsense or drollery h (1) obs: reason, cause (2):
          a source esp. of feeling or emotion i: problem, difficulty
          2 a: the substance of which a physical object is composed
          b: material substance that occupies space, has mass,
          and is composed predominantly of atoms consisting of
          protons, neutrons, and electrons, that constitutes the
          observable universe, and that is interconvertible with
          energy c: a material substance of a particular kind or
          for a particular purpose <vegetable ~> d (1): material
          (as feces or urine) discharged from the living body (2):
          material discharged by suppuration: pus 3 a: the indeterminate
          subject of reality; esp: the element in the universe
          that undergoes formation and alteration b: the formless
          substratum of all things which exists only potentially
          and upon which form acts to produce realities 4: a more
          or less definite amount or quantity <cooks in a ~ of
          minutes> 5: something written or printed 6: mail 7 Christian
          Science: the illusion that the objects perceived by the
          physical senses have the reality of substance -- for
          that matter : so far as that is concerned -- no matter
          : without regard to: irrespective of <points in the same
          direction no matter how it is tilted> -- the matter :
          wrong <nothing's the matter with me> [2]matter vi (1530)
          1: to form or discharge pus: suppurate <~ing wound> 2:
          to be of importance: signify

   matter of course
          [matter of course] (1739): something that is to be expected
          as a natural or logical consequence

   matter-of-fact
          [mat.ter-of-fact] adj (1712): adhering to the unembellished
          facts; also: being plain, straightforward, or unemotional
          -- mat.ter-of-fact.ly adv -- mat.ter-of-fact.ness n

   mattery
          [mat.tery] adj (14c): producing or containing pus or material
          resembling pus <eyes all ~>

   Matthean
          [Mat.the.an] or Mat.thae.an adj [LL Matthaeus] (1897): of,
          relating to, or characteristic of the evangelist Matthew
          or the gospel ascribed to him

   Matthew
          [Mat.thew] n [F Mathieu, fr. LL Matthaeus, fr. Gk Matthaios,
          fr. Heb Mattithyah] 1: an apostle traditionally identified
          as the author of the first Gospel in the New Testament
          2: the first Gospel in the New Testament

   [1]matting
          [mat.ting] n (ca. 1847) 1: material for mats 2: mats [2]matting
          n [fr. gerund of [4]mat] (1854): a dull lusterless surface
          (as on gilding, metalwork, or satin)

   mattins
          [mat.tins] often cap chiefly Brit var of matins

   mattock
          [mat.tock] n [ME mattok, fr. OE mattuc] (bef. 12c): a digging
          and grubbing tool with features of an adze and an ax
          or pick

   mattress
          [mat.tress] n [ME materas, fr. OF, fr. Ar matrah place where
          something is thrown] (14c) 1 a: a fabric case filled
          with resilient material (as cotton, hair, feathers, foam
          rubber, or an arrangement of coiled springs) used either
          alone as a bed or on a bedstead b: an inflatable airtight
          sack for use as a mattress 2: a device (as of interwoven
          brush and poles) used to protect a shoreline, bank, or
          streambed from erosion

   maturate
          [mat.u.rate] vb -rat.ed ; -rat.ing (1622): mature

   maturation
          [mat.u.ra.tion] n (1541) 1 a: the process of becoming mature
          b: the emergence of personal and behavioral characteristics
          through growth processes c: the final stages of differentiation
          of cells, tissues, or organs 2 a: the entire process
          by which diploid gonocytes are transformed into haploid
          gametes that includes both meiosis and physiological
          and structural changes b: spermiogenesis -- mat.u.ra.tion.al
          adj

   [1]mature
          [ma.ture] adj ma.tur.er ; -est [ME, fr. L maturus ripe; akin
          to L mane in the morning, manus good] (15c) 1: based
          on slow careful consideration <a ~ judgment> 2 a (1):
          having completed natural growth and development: ripe
          (2): having undergone maturation b: having attained a
          final or desired state <~ wine> c: having achieved a
          low but stable growth rate <paper is a ~ industry> 3
          a: of or relating to a condition of full development
          b: characteristic of or suitable to a mature individual
          <~ outlook> 4: due for payment <a ~ loan> 5: belonging
          to the middle portion of a cycle of erosion -- ma.ture.ly
          adv [2]mature vb ma.tured ; ma.tur.ing vt (15c): to bring
          to maturity or completion ~ vi 1: to become fully developed
          or ripe 2: to become due

   maturity
          [ma.tu.ri.ty] n (15c) 1: the quality or state of being mature;
          esp: full development 2: termination of the period that
          an obligation has to run

   matutinal
          [ma.tu.ti.nal] adj [LL matutinalis, fr. L matutinus--more
          at matinee] (ca. 1656): of, relating to, or occurring
          in the morning: early -- ma.tu.ti.nal.ly adv

   MATV
          [MATV] abbreviation master antenna television

   matzo
          [mat.zo] or mat.zoh n, pl mat.zoth or mat.zos or mat.zohs
          [Yiddish matse, fr. Heb massah] (ca. 1846) 1: unleavened
          bread eaten esp. at the Passover 2: a wafer of matzo

   matzo ball
          [matzo ball] n (1952): a small ball-shaped dumpling made
          from matzo meal

   maudlin
          [maud.lin] adj [alter. of Mary Magdalene; fr. her depiction
          as a weeping penitent] (1509) 1: drunk enough to be emotionally
          silly 2: weakly and effusively sentimental

   maugre
          [mau.gre] prep [ME, fr. MF maugre, fr. maugre displeasure,
          fr. mau, mal evil + gre pleasure] (13c) archaic: in spite
          of

   [1]maul
          [maul] n [ME malle mace, maul, fr. OF mail, fr. L malleus;
          akin to OCS mlatu hammer, L molere to grind--more at
          meal] (13c): a heavy often wooden-headed hammer used
          esp. for driving wedges; also: a tool like a sledgehammer
          with one wedge-shaped end that is used to split wood
          [2]maul vt (13c) 1: beat, bruise 2: mangle 1 3: to handle
          roughly -- maul.er n

   maulstick
          [maul.stick] n [part trans. of D maalstok, fr. obs. D malen
          to paint + D stok stick, stock] (ca. 1658): a stick used
          by painters as a rest for the hand while working

   mau-mau
          [mau-mau] vb mau-maued ; mau-mau.ing often cap both Ms [Mau
          Mau, anti-white secret society in colonial Kenya] vt
          (1970): to intimidate (as an official) by hostile confrontation
          or threats ~ vi: to engage in mau-mauing someone

   maun
          [maun] verbal auxiliary [ME man, fr. ON, pres. of munu shall,
          will; akin to OE gemynd mind--more at mind] (13c) chiefly
          Scot: must

   maunder
          [maun.der] vi maun.dered ; maun.der.ing [prob. imit.] (1621)
          1 dial Brit: grumble 2: to wander slowly and idly 3:
          to speak indistinctly or disconnectedly -- maun.der.er
          n

   Maundy Thursday
          [Maun.dy Thursday] n [ME maunde ceremony of washing the feet
          of the poor on Maundy Thursday, fr. OF mande, fr. L mandatum
          command; fr. Jesus' words in John 13:34--more at mandate]
          (15c): the Thursday before Easter observed in commemoration
          of the institution of the Eucharist

   mausoleum
          [mau.so.le.um] n, pl -leums or -lea [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk mausoleion,
          fr. Mausolos Mausolus d. ab 353 b.c., ruler of Caria] (15c)
          1: a large tomb; esp: a usu. stone building with places for
          entombment of the dead above ground 2: a large gloomy building
          or room

   mauvaise honte
          [mau.vaise honte] [F] foreign term : bad shame: bashfulness

   mauvais quart d'heure
          [mau.vais quart d'heure] [F] foreign term : bad quarter hour:
          an uncomfortable though brief experience

   mauve
          [mauve] n [F, mallow, fr. L malva] (1859) 1 a: a moderate
          purple, violet, or lilac color b: a strong purple 2:
          a dyestuff that produces a mauve color -- mauve adj

   maven
          [ma.ven] or ma.vin n [Yiddish meyvn, fr. LHeb mebhin] (ca.
          1952): one who is experienced or knowledgeable: expert;
          also: freak 4d

   [1]maverick
          [mav.er.ick] n [perh. fr. Samuel A. Maverick d. 1870 Am.
          pioneer who did not brand his calves] (1867) 1: an unbranded
          range animal; esp: a motherless calf 2: an independent
          individual who does not go along with a group or party
          [2]maverick adj (1886): characteristic of, suggestive
          of, or inclined to be a maverick

   mavis
          [ma.vis] n [ME, fr. MF mauvis] (14c): song thrush

   mavourneen
          [ma.vour.neen] n [Ir mo mhuirnin] (1800) Irish: my darling

   maw
          [maw] n [ME, fr. OE maga; akin to OHG mago stomach, Lith
          makas purse] (bef. 12c) 1: the receptacle into which
          food is taken by swallowing: a: stomach b: crop 2 a:
          the throat, gullet, or jaws esp. of a voracious animal
          b: something suggestive of a gaping maw

   mawkish
          [mawk.ish] adj [ME mawke maggot, fr. ON mathkr--more at maggot]
          (ca. 1697) 1: having an insipid often unpleasant taste
          2: sickly or puerilely sentimental -- mawk.ish.ly adv
          -- mawk.ish.ness n

   max
          [max] abbreviation maximum

   max
          [max] n (1968): maximum 1, 2 -- to the max : to the greatest
          extent possible

   maxi
          [maxi] n, pl max.is [maxi-] (1967): a long skirt, dress,
          or coat

   maxi-
          [maxi-] comb form [maximum] 1: extra long <maxiskirt> 2:
          extra large <maxi-problems>

   maxilla
          [max.il.la] n, pl max.il.lae or maxillas [L, dim. of mala
          jaw] (1676) 1 a: jaw 1a b (1): an upper jaw esp. of humans
          and other mammals in which the bony elements are closely
          fused (2): either of the two bones that lie with one
          on each side of the upper jaw lateral to the premaxilla
          and that in higher vertebrates bear most of the teeth
          2: one of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior
          to the mandibles in insects, myriapods, crustaceans,
          and closely related arthropods -- max.il.lary adj or
          n

   maxilliped
          [max.il.li.ped] n [ISV maxilli- (fr. L maxilla) + -ped] (1846):
          any of the crustacean appendages that comprise the first
          pair or first three pairs situated next behind the maxillae

   maxillofacial
          [max.il.lo.fa.cial] adj (ca. 1923): of, relating to, or treating
          the maxilla and the face <~ surgeons>

   maxim
          [max.im] n [ME maxime, fr. MF, fr. ML maxima, fr. L, fem.
          of maximus, superl. of magnus large--more at much] (1567)
          1: a general truth, fundamental principle, or rule of
          conduct 2: a saying of proverbial nature

   maximal
          [max.i.mal] adj (1882) 1: being an upper limit: highest 2:
          most comprehensive: complete -- max.i.mal.ly adv

   maximalist
          [max.i.mal.ist] n (1907): one who advocates immediate and
          direct action to secure the whole of a program or set
          of goals

   maximin
          [maxi.min] n [maximum + minimum] (1951): the maximum of a
          set of minima; esp: the largest of a set of minimum possible
          gains each of which occurs in the least advantageous
          outcome of a strategy followed by a participant in a
          situation governed by the theory of games--compare minimax

   maximise
          [max.i.mise] Brit var of maximize

   maximize
          [max.i.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1802) 1: to increase to
          a maximum 2: to make the most of 3: to find a maximum
          value of -- max.i.mi.za.tion n -- max.i.miz.er n

   maximum
          [max.i.mum] n, pl max.i.ma or maximums [L, neut. of maximus]
          (1740) 1 a: the greatest quantity or value attainable
          or attained b: the period of highest, greatest, or utmost
          development 2: an upper limit allowed (as by a legal
          authority) or allowable (as by the circumstances of a
          particular case) 3: the largest of a set of numbers;
          specif: the largest value assumed by a real-valued continuous
          function defined on a closed interval -- maximum adj

   maximum likelihood
          [maximum likelihood] n (1959): a statistical method for estimating
          population parameters (as the mean and variance) from sample data
          that selects as estimates those parameter values maximizing the
          probability of obtaining the observed data

   maxixe
          [ma.xixe] n, pl ma.xi.xes [BrazPg] (1914): a ballroom dance
          of Brazilian origin that resembles the two-step

   maxwell
          [max.well] n [James Clerk Maxwell] (1900): the
          centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic unit of magnetic flux equal
          to the flux per square centimeter of normal cross section
          in a region where the magnetic induction is one gauss: 1E-8 weber

   [1]may
          [may] verbal auxiliary, past might pres sing & pl may [ME
          (1st & 3d sing. pres. indic.), fr. OE maeg; akin to OHG
          mag (1st & 3d sing. pres. indic.) have power, am able
          (infin. magan), and perh. to Gk mechos means, expedient]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: have the ability to b: have permission
          to <you ~ go now>: be free to <a rug on which children
          ~ sprawl --C. E. Silberman>--used nearly interchangeably
          with can c--used to indicate possibility or probability
          <you ~ be right> <things you ~ need>--sometimes used
          interchangeably with can <one of those slipups that ~
          happen from time to time --Jessica Mitford> <copula ~
          optionally be deleted --J. D. McCawley>--sometimes used
          where might would be expected <you ~ think from a little
          distance that the country was solid woods --Robert Frost>
          2--used in auxiliary function to express a wish or desire
          esp. in prayer, imprecation, or benediction <long ~ he
          reign> 3--used in auxiliary function expressing purpose
          or expectation <I laugh that I ~ not weep> or contingency
          <she'll do her duty come what ~> or concession <he ~
          be slow but he is thorough> or choice <the angler ~ catch
          them with a dip net, or he ~ cast a large, bare treble
          hook --Nelson Bryant> 4: shall, must--used in law where
          t he sense, purpose, or policy requires this interpretation
          usage see can [2]may n [ME, fr. OE maeg kinsman, kinswoman,
          maiden] (bef. 12c) archaic: maiden May n [ME, fr. OF
          & L; OF mai, fr. L Maius, fr. Maia, Roman goddess] (12c)
          1: the 5th month of the Gregorian calendar 2 often not
          cap: the early vigorous blooming part of human life:
          prime 3: the festivities of May Day 4 not cap a: green
          or flowering branches used for May Day decorations b:
          a plant that yields may: as (1): hawthorn (2): a spring-flowering
          spirea

   maya
          [ma.ya] n [Skt maya] (1788): the sense-world of manifold
          phenomena held in Vedanta to conceal the unity of absolute
          being; broadly: illusion Ma.ya n, pl Maya or Mayas [Sp]
          (1825) 1 a: a Mayan language of the ancient Maya peoples
          recorded in inscriptions b: yucatec; esp: the older form
          of that language known from documents of the Spanish
          period 2: a member of a group of Indian peoples chiefly
          of Yucatan, Belize, and Guatemala whose languages are
          Mayan

   Mayan
          [Ma.yan] n (1900) 1: a member of the peoples speaking Mayan
          languages 2: an extensive language family of Central
          America and Mexico -- Mayan adj

   Mayanist
          [Mayanist] n (1950): a specialist in Mayan culture and history

   mayapple
          [may.ap.ple] n [May] (ca. 1733): a No. American herb (Podophyllum
          peltatum) of the barberry family with a poisonous rootstock,
          one or two large-lobed peltate leaves, and a single large
          white flower followed by a yellow egg-shaped edible fruit;
          also: its fruit

   [1]maybe
          [may.be] adv (15c): perhaps [2]maybe n (ca. 1586): uncertainty

   May Day
          [May Day] n (13c): May 1 celebrated as a springtime festival
          and in some countries as Labor Day

   Mayday
          [May.day] [F m'aider help me] (1927)--an international
          radio-telephone signal word used as a distress call

   mayest
          [may.est] or mayst archaic pres 2d sing of may

   mayflower
          [may.flow.er] n (1594): any of various spring-blooming plants;
          esp: arbutus 2

   mayfly
          [may.fly] n (ca. 1653): any of an order (Ephemeroptera) of
          insects with an aquatic nymph and a short-lived fragile
          adult having membranous wings and two or three long caudal
          styles--called also ephemerid

   mayhap
          [may.hap] adv [fr. the phrase may hap] (ca. 1531): perhaps

   mayhem
          [may.hem] n [ME mayme, fr. AF mahaim, fr. OF, loss of a limb,
          fr. maynier to maim, prob. of Gmc origin; akin to MHG
          meiden gelding, ON meitha to injure] (15c) 1 a: willful
          and permanent deprivation of a bodily member resulting
          in the impairment of a person's fighting ability b: willful
          and permanent crippling, mutilation, or disfigurement
          of any part of the body 2: needless or willful damage
          or violence

   maying
          [may.ing] n, often cap (14c): the celebrating of May Day

   mayn't
          [mayn't] (ca. 1631): may not

   mayo
          [mayo] n (ca. 1960): mayonnaise

   mayonnaise
          [may.on.naise] n [F] (1841): a dressing made of egg yolks,
          vegetable oils, and vinegar or lemon juice

   mayor
          [may.or] n [ME maire, fr. OF, fr. L major greater--more at
          major] (14c): an official elected or appointed to act
          as chief executive or nominal head of a city, town, or
          borough -- may.or.al adj

   mayoralty
          [may.or.al.ty] n [ME mairaltee, fr. MF mairalte, fr. OF,
          fr. maire] (14c): the office or term of office of a mayor

   mayoress
          [may.or.ess] n (15c) chiefly Brit 1: the wife or official
          hostess of a mayor 2: a woman holding the office of mayor

   maypole
          [may.pole] n, often cap (1554): a tall flower-wreathed pole
          forming a center for May Day sports and dances

   maypop
          [may.pop] n [alter. of maracock, perh. fr. Virginia Algonquian]
          (1851): a climbing perennial passionflower (Passiflora
          incarnata) of the southern U.S. with a large ovoid yellow
          edible but insipid berry; also: its fruit

   Maytime
          [May.time] n (14c): the month of May

   mazard
          [maz.ard] n [obs. E mazard mazer, alter. of E mazer] (1602)
          chiefly dial: head, face

   [1]maze
          [maze] vt mazed ; maz.ing [ME] (13c) 1 chiefly dial: stupefy,
          daze 2: bewilder, perplex [2]maze n (14c) 1 a: a confusing
          intricate network of passages b: something intricately
          or confusingly elaborate or complicated <a ~ of regulations>
          2 chiefly dial: a state of bewilderment -- maze.like
          adj

   mazer
          [ma.zer] n [ME, fr. MF mazere, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          masar gnarled excrescence on a tree] (14c): a large drinking
          bowl orig. of a hard wood

   mazurka
          [ma.zur.ka] also ma.zour.ka n [Russ, fr. Pol mazurek, fr.
          Mazury Masuria, region of NE Poland] (1818) 1: a Polish
          folk dance in moderate triple measure 2: music for the
          mazurka or in its rhythm usu. in moderate 3/4 or 3/8
          time

   mazy
          [mazy] adj (1579): resembling a maze

   [1]mazzard
          [maz.zard] n [origin unknown] (1578): sweet cherry; esp:
          wild or seedling sweet cherry used as a rootstock for
          grafting [2]mazzard var of mazard

   mb...
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   mb
          [mb] abbreviation millibar  MB abbreviation bachelor of medicine,
          Manitoba, megabyte, municipal borough

   MBA
          [MBA] abbreviation master of business administration

   mbd
          [mbd] abbreviation million barrels per day  MBD abbreviation
          minimal brain dysfunction

   MBE
          [MBE] abbreviation member of the Order of the British Empire

   mbira
          [mbi.ra] n [Shona] (ca. 1911): an African musical instrument
          that consists of a wooden or gourd resonator and a varying
          number of tuned metal or wooden strips that vibrate when
          plucked

   MBO
          [MBO] abbreviation management by objective

   MBS
          [MBS] abbreviation Mutual Broadcasting System

   mc...
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   mc
          [mc] abbreviation megacycle, millicurie  MC abbreviation
          member of Congress

   MC
          [MC] n (1790): master of ceremonies

   MCAT
          [MCAT] abbreviation Medical College Admission Test

   MCC
          [MCC] abbreviation mission control center

   McCarthyism
          [Mc.Car.thy.ism] n [Joseph R. McCarthy] (1950): a mid-20th
          century political attitude characterized chiefly by opposition
          to elements held to be subversive and by the use of tactics
          involving personal attacks on individuals by means of
          widely publicized indiscriminate allegations esp. on
          the basis of unsubstantiated charges -- Mc.Car.thy.ite
          n or adj

   McCoy
          [Mc.Coy] n [alter. of Mackay (in the phrase the real Mackay),
          of unknown origin] (1922): something that is neither
          imitation nor substitute--often used in the phrase the
          real McCoy

   mcf
          [mcf] abbreviation thousand cubic feet

   mcg
          [mcg] abbreviation microgram

   McIntosh
          [Mc.In.tosh] n [John McIntosh fl1796 Canad. settler] (1878):
          a juicy bright red eating apple with a thin skin, white
          flesh, and aromatic slightly tart flavor

   MCL
          [MCL] abbreviation Marine Corps League, master of civil law,
          master of comparative law

   MCP
          [MCP] abbreviation male chauvinist pig

   MCPO
          [MCPO] abbreviation master chief petty officer

   md...
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   Md
          [Md] abbreviation Maryland, mendelevium  MD [NL medicinae
          doctor] abbreviation doctor of medicine; [It mano destra]
          right hand; Maryland, medical department, months after
          date, muscular dystrophy

   MDC
          [MDC] abbreviation more developed country

   MDiv
          [MDiv] abbreviation master of divinity

   mdnt
          [mdnt] abbreviation midnight

   mdse
          [mdse] abbreviation merchandise

   MDT
          [MDT] abbreviation mountain daylight time

   me...
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   me
          [me] pron, objective case of i [ME, fr. OE me; akin to OHG
          mih me, L me, Gk me, Skt ma] usage Me is used in many
          constructions where strict grammarians prescribe I. This
          usage is not so much ungrammatical as indicative of the
          shrinking range of the nominative form: me began to replace
          I sometime around the 16th century largely because of
          the pressure of word order. I is now chiefly used as
          the subject of an immediately following verb. Me occurs
          in every other position: absolutely <who, me?>, emphatically
          <me too>, and after prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs,
          including be <come with me> <you're as big as me> <it's
          me>. Almost all usage books recognize the legitimacy
          of me in these positions, esp. in speech; some recommend
          I in formal and esp. written contexts after be and after
          as and than when the first term of the comparison is
          the subject of a verb.

   Me
          [Me] abbreviation Maine, methyl  ME abbreviation Maine, managing
          editor, mechanical engineer, medical examiner

   Mea
          [Mea] abbreviation Meath

   mea culpa
          [mea cul.pa] n [L, through my fault] (1602): a formal
          acknowledgment of personal fault or error

   [1]mead
          [mead] n [ME mede, fr. OE medu; akin to OHG metu mead, Gk
          methy wine] (bef. 12c): a fermented beverage made of
          water and honey, malt, and yeast [2]mead n [ME mede,
          fr. OE maed] (bef. 12c) archaic: meadow

   meadow
          [mead.ow] n, often attrib [ME medwe, fr. OE maedwe, oblique
          case form of maed; akin to OE mawan to mow--more at mow]
          (bef. 12c): land in or predominantly in grass; esp: a
          tract of moist low-lying usu. level grassland -- mead.owy
          adj

   meadow beauty
          [meadow beauty] n (1840): any of a genus (Rhexia of the family
          Melastomaceae, the meadow-beauty family) of low perennial
          American herbs with showy solitary or cymose flowers

   meadow fescue
          [meadow fescue] n (1794): a tall vigorous perennial European
          fescue grass (Festuca pratensis) with broad flat leaves
          widely cultivated for permanent pasture and hay

   meadow grass
          [meadow grass] n (13c): any of various grasses (as of the
          genus Poa) that thrive in the presence of abundant moisture;
          esp: kentucky bluegrass

   meadowland
          [mead.ow.land] n (1530): land that is or is used for meadow

   meadowlark
          [mead.ow.lark] n (1611): any of several American songbirds
          (genus Sturnella) that are streaked brown above and in
          northernmost forms have a yellow breast marked with a
          black crescent

   meadow mouse
          [meadow mouse] n (1801): any of various voles (esp. genus
          Microtus) that frequent open fields--called also meadow
          vole

   meadow mushroom
          [meadow mushroom] n (1884): a common edible brown-spored
          agaric (Agaricus campestris) that occurs in moist open
          organically rich soil and is often cultivated

   meadow nematode
          [meadow nematode] n (1946): any of numerous plant-parasitic
          nematode worms (esp. genus Pratylenchus) that destructively
          invade the roots of plants

   meadow rue
          [meadow rue] n (1668): any of a genus (Thalictrum) of widely
          distributed plants of the buttercup family with decompound
          or compound leaves

   meadow saffron
          [meadow saffron] n (1578): autumn crocus

   meadow spittlebug
          [meadow spittlebug] n (1942): a No. American spittlebug (Philaenus
          spumarius) that does severe damage esp. to grasses

   meadowsweet
          [mead.ow.sweet] n (1530) 1: spirea 1; esp: a No. American
          native or naturalized spirea (as Spiraea alba and S.
          latifolia) 2: any of a genus (Filipendula) of herbs closely
          related to the spireas

   meager
          [mea.ger] or mea.gre adj [ME megre, fr. MF maigre, fr. L
          macr-, macer lean; akin to OE maeger lean, Gk makros
          long] (14c) 1: having little flesh: thin 2 a: lacking
          desirable qualities (as richness or strength) <leading
          a ~ life> b: deficient in quality or quantity <a ~ diet>
          -- mea.ger.ly adv -- mea.ger.ness n syn meager, scanty,
          scant, skimpy, spare, sparse mean falling short of what
          is normal, necessary, or desirable. meager implies the
          absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary
          to a thing's richness, substance, or potency <a meager
          portion of meat>. scanty stresses insufficiency in amount,
          quantity, or extent <supplies too scanty to last the
          winter>. scant suggests a falling short of what is desired
          or desirable rather than of what is essential <in January
          the daylight hours are scant>. skimpy usu. suggests niggardliness
          or penury as the cause of the deficiency <tacky housing
          developments on skimpy lots>. spare may suggest a slight
          falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity
          <a spare, concise style of writing>. sparse implies a
          thin scattering of units <a sparse population>.

   [1]meal
          [meal] n [ME meel appointed time, meal, fr. OE mael; akin
          to OHG mal time, L metiri to measure--more at measure]
          (bef. 12c) 1: an act or the time of eating a portion
          of food to satisfy appetite 2: the portion of food eaten
          at a meal [2]meal n [ME mele, fr. OE melu; akin to OHG
          melo meal, L molere to grind, Gk myle mill] (bef. 12c)
          1: the usu. coarsely ground and unbolted seeds of a cereal
          grass or pulse; esp: cornmeal 2: a product resembling
          seed meal esp. in particle size or texture

   -meal
          [-meal] adv comb form [ME -mele, fr. OE -maelum, fr. maelum,
          dat. pl. of mael]: by a (specified) portion or measure
          at a time <piecemeal>

   mealie
          [mea.lie] n [Afrik mielie] (1855) SoAfr: indian corn; also:
          an ear of Indian corn

   meals-on-wheels
          [meals-on-wheels] n pl but sing in constr (1961): a service
          that delivers daily hot meals to the homes of elderly
          or disabled people

   meal ticket
          [meal ticket] n (ca. 1899): one that serves as the ultimate
          source of one's income <an advanced degree was his meal
          ticket>

   mealtime
          [meal.time] n (12c): the usual time for serving a meal

   mealworm
          [meal.worm] n (1658): the larva of various beetles (genus
          Tenebrio) that infests and pollutes grain products but
          is often raised as food for insectivorous animals, for
          laboratory use, or as fishing bait

   mealy
          [mealy] adj meal.i.er ; -est (1533) 1: soft, dry, and friable
          2: containing meal: farinaceous 3 a: covered with meal
          or with fine granules b: flecked with another color c:
          spotty, uneven d: pallid, blanched <a ~ complexion> 4:
          mealymouthed

   mealybug
          [mealy.bug] n (1824): any of a family (Pseudococcidae) of
          scale insects that have a white powdery covering and
          are destructive pests esp. of fruit trees

   mealymouthed
          [mealy.mouthed] adj (ca. 1572): not plain and straightforward:
          devious <a ~ politician>

   [1]mean
          [mean] vb meant ; mean.ing [ME menen, fr. OE maenan; akin
          to OHG meinen to have in mind, OCS meniti to mention]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to have in the mind as a purpose:
          intend <she ~s to win>--sometimes used interjectionally
          with I, chiefly in informal speech for emphasis <he throws,
          I ~, hard> or to introduce a phrase restating the point
          of a preceding phrase <we try to answer what we can,
          but I ~ we're not God --Bobbie Ann Mason> b: to design
          for or destine to a specified purpose or future <I was
          meant to teach> 2: to serve or intend to convey, show,
          or indicate: signify <a red sky ~s rain> 3: to have importance
          to the degree of <health ~s everything> 4: to direct
          to a particular individual ~ vi: to have an intended
          purpose <he ~s well> -- mean.er n -- mean business :
          to be in earnest [2]mean adj [ME mene, fr. imene common,
          shared, fr. OE gemaene; akin to OHG gimeini common, L
          communis common, munus service, gift, Skt mayate he exchanges]
          (14c) 1: lacking distinction or eminence: humble 2: lacking
          in mental discrimination: dull 3 a: of poor shabby inferior
          quality or status <~ city streets> b: worthy of little
          regard: contemptible--often used in negative constructions
          as a term of praise <no ~ feat> 4: lacking dignity or
          honor: base 5 a: penurious, stingy b: characterized by
          petty selfishness or malice c: causing trouble or bother:
          vexatious d: excellent, effective <plays a ~ trumpet>
          <a lean, ~ athlete> 6: ashamed 1b -- mean.ness n syn
          mean, ignoble, abject, sordid mean being below the normal
          standards of human decency and dignity. mean suggests
          having such repellent characteristics as small-mindedness,
          ill temper, or cupidity <mean and petty satire>. ignoble
          suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality
          of mind or spirit <an ignoble scramble after material
          possessions>. abject may imply degradation, debasement,
          or servility <abject poverty>. sordid is stronger than
          all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation
          and abjectness <a sordid story of murder and revenge>.
          [3]mean adj [ME mene, fr. MF meien, fr. L medianus--more
          at median] (14c) 1: occupying a middle position: intermediate
          in space, order, time, kind, or degree 2: occupying a
          position about midway between extremes; esp: being the
          mean of a set of values: average <the ~ temperature>
          3: serving as a means: intermediary syn see average [4]mean
          n (14c) 1 a (1): something intervening or intermediate
          (2): a middle point between extremes b: a value that
          lies within a range of values and is computed according
          to a prescribed law: as (1): arithmetic mean (2): expected
          value c: either of the middle two terms of a proportion
          2 pl but sing or pl in constr: something useful or helpful
          to a desired end 3 pl: resources available for disposal;
          esp: material resources affording a secure life -- by
          all means : most assuredly: certainly -- by means of
          : through the use of -- by no means : in no way: not
          at all

   [1]meander
          [me.an.der] n [L maeander, fr. Gk maiandros, fr. Maiandros
          (now Menderes), river in Asia Minor] (1576) 1: a winding
          path or course; esp: labyrinth 2: a turn or winding of
          a stream -- me.an.drous adj [2]meander vi -dered ; -der.ing
          (ca. 1612) 1: to follow a winding or intricate course
          2: to wander aimlessly or casually without urgent destination:
          ramble syn see wander

   mean deviation
          [mean deviation] n (1858): the mean of the absolute values
          of the numerical differences between the numbers of a
          set (as statistical data) and their mean or median

   mean distance
          [mean distance] n (ca. 1889): the arithmetical mean of the
          maximum and minimum distances of an orbiting celestial
          object from its primary

   mean free path
          [mean free path] n (1879): the average distance traversed
          between collisions by particles (as molecules of a gas
          or free electrons in metal) in a system of agitated particles

   meanie
          [mean.ie] also meany n, pl meanies (1910): a mean or spiteful
          person

   meaning
          [mean.ing] n (14c) 1 a: the thing one intends to convey esp.
          by language: purport b: the thing that is conveyed esp.
          by language: import 2: something meant or intended: aim
          <a mischievous ~ was apparent> 3: significant quality;
          esp: implication of a hidden or special significance
          <a glance full of ~> 4 a: the logical connotation of
          a word or phrase b: the logical denotation or extension
          of a word or phrase -- meaning adj -- mean.ing.ly adv

   meaningful
          [mean.ing.ful] adj (1852) 1 a: having a meaning or purpose
          b: full of meaning: significant <a ~ life> 2: having
          an assigned function in a language system <~ propositions>
          -- mean.ing.ful.ly adv -- mean.ing.ful.ness n

   meaningless
          [mean.ing.less] adj (1797) 1: having no meaning; esp: lacking
          any significance 2: having no assigned function in a
          language system -- mean.ing.less.ly adv -- mean.ing.less.ness
          n

   [1]meanly
          [mean.ly] adv (14c) obs: fairly well: moderately [2]meanly
          adv (15c): in a mean manner: as a: in a lowly manner:
          humbly b: in an inferior manner: badly c: in a base or
          ungenerous manner

   mean proportional
          [mean proportional] n (1571): geometric mean; esp: the square
          root (as x) of the product of two numbers (as a and b)
          when expressed as the means of a proportion (as a/x equals
          x/b)

   mean solar day
          [mean solar day] n (1816): the interval between successive
          transits of a given meridian by the mean sun

   mean-spirited
          [mean-spir.it.ed] adj (1694): exhibiting or characterized
          by meanness of spirit -- mean-spir.it.ed.ness n

   mean square
          [mean square] n (1845): the mean of the squares of a set
          of values

   mean square deviation
          [mean square deviation] n (1948) 1: variance 5 2: standard
          deviation

   means test
          [means test] n (1930): an examination into the financial
          state of a person to determine his eligibility for public
          assistance -- means-test.ed adj

   mean sun
          [mean sun] n (ca. 1890): a fictitious sun used for timekeeping
          that moves uniformly along the celestial equator and
          maintains a constant rate of apparent motion equal to
          the average rate of apparent motion of the real sun

   [1]meantime
          [mean.time] n (14c): the intervening time [2]meantime adv
          (1588): meanwhile

   mean time
          [mean time] n (ca. 1864): time that is based on the motion
          of the mean sun--called also mean solar time

   mean value theorem
          [mean value theorem] n (1902) 1: a theorem in differential
          calculus: if a function of one variable is continuous
          on a closed interval and differentiable on the interval
          minus its endpoints there is at least one point where
          the derivative of the function is equal to the slope
          of the line joining the endpoints of the curve representing
          the function on the interval 2: a theorem in integral
          calculus: if a function of one variable is continuous
          on a closed interval and differentiable on the interval
          minus its endpoints, there is at least one point in the
          interval where the product of the value of the function
          and the length of the interval is equal to the integral
          of the function over the interval

   [1]meanwhile
          [mean.while] n (14c): meantime [2]meanwhile adv (14c) 1:
          during the intervening time 2: at the same time

   meas
          [meas] abbreviation measure

   measle
          [mea.sle] n [sing. of measles] (1863): a cysticercus tapeworm
          larva; specif: one found in the muscles of a domesticated
          mammal

   measles
          [mea.sles] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME meseles, pl.
          of mesel measles, spot characteristic of measles; akin
          to MD masel spot characteristic of measles] (14c) 1 a:
          an acute contagious viral disease marked by an eruption
          of distinct red circular spots b: any of various eruptive
          diseases (as German measles) 2 [ME mesel infested with
          tapeworms, lit., leprous, fr. OF, fr. ML misellus leper,
          fr. L, wretch, fr. misellus, dim. of miser miserable]:
          infestation with or disease caused by larval tapeworms
          in the muscles and tissues

   measly
          [mea.sly] adj mea.sli.er ; -est (1687) 1: infected with measles
          2 a: containing larval tapeworms b: infested with trichinae
          3: contemptibly small

   [1]measure
          [mea.sure] n [ME mesure, fr. OF, fr. L mensura, fr. mensus,
          pp. of metiri to measure; akin to OE maeth measure, Gk
          metron] (13c) 1 a (1): an adequate or due portion (2):
          a moderate degree; also: moderation, temperance (3):
          a fixed or suitable limit: bounds <rich beyond ~> b:
          the dimensions, capacity, or amount of something ascertained
          by measuring c: an estimate of what is to be expected
          (as of a person or situation) d (1): a measured quantity
          (2): amount, degree 2 a: an instrument or utensil for
          measuring b (1): a standard or unit of measurement--see
          weight table (2): a system of standard units of measure
          <metric ~> 3: the act or process of measuring 4 a (1):
          melody, tune (2): dance; esp: a slow and stately dance
          b: rhythmic structure or movement: cadence: as (1): poetic
          rhythm measured by temporal quantity or accent; specif:
          meter (2): musical time c (1): a grouping of a specified
          number of musical beats located between two consecutive
          v ertical lines on a staff (2): a metrical unit: foot
          5: an exact divisor of a number 6: a basis or standard
          of comparison <wealth is not a ~ of happiness> 7: a step
          planned or taken as a means to an end; specif: a proposed
          legislative act -- for good measure : in addition to
          the minimum required: as an extra [2]measure vb mea.sured
          ; mea.sur.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to choose or control with
          cautious restraint: regulate <~ his acts> b: to regulate
          by a standard: govern 2: to allot or apportion in measured
          amounts <~ out 3 cups> 3: to lay off by making measurements
          4: to ascertain the measurements of 5: to estimate or
          appraise by a criterion <~s his skill against his rival>
          6 archaic: to travel over: traverse 7: to serve as a
          means of measuring <a thermometer ~s temperature> ~ vi
          1: to take or make a measurement 2: to have a specified
          measurement -- mea.sur.abil.i.ty n -- mea.sur.able adj
          -- mea.sur.ably adv -- mea.sur.er n

   measured
          [mea.sured] adj (14c) 1: marked by due proportion 2 a: marked
          by rhythm: regularly recurrent <a ~ gait> b: metrical
          3: deliberate, calculated <a ~ response> -- mea.sured.ly
          adv

   measureless
          [mea.sure.less] adj (14c) 1: having no observable limit:
          immeasurable <the ~ universe> 2: very great <had ~ energy>

   measurement
          [mea.sure.ment] n (1751) 1: the act or process of measuring
          2: a figure, extent, or amount obtained by measuring:
          dimension 3: measure 2b

   measurement ton
          [measurement ton] n (ca. 1934): ton 1c

   measure up
          [measure up] vi (1910) 1: to have necessary or fitting
          qualifications--often used with to
          2: to be the equal (as in ability)--used with to

   measuring worm
          [measuring worm] n (1843): looper 1

   meat
          [meat] n [ME mete, fr. OE; akin to OHG maz food] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: food; esp: solid food as distinguished from drink
          b: the edible part of something as distinguished from
          its covering (as a husk or shell) 2: animal tissue considered
          esp. as food: a: flesh 2b b: flesh 1a; specif: flesh
          of domesticated animals 3 archaic: [1]meal 1; esp: dinner
          4 a: the core of something: heart b: pith 2b <a novel
          with ~> 5: favorite pursuit or interest -- meat.ed adj
          -- meat.less adj

   meat and potatoes
          [meat and potatoes] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1951):
          the most interesting or fundamental part: meat 4

   meat-and-potatoes
          [meat-and-potatoes] adj (1949) 1: of fundamental importance:
          basic; also: concerned with or emphasizing the basic
          aspects of something 2: practical; also: everyday 3:
          providing or preferring simple food (as meat and potatoes)

   meat-ax
          [meat-ax] n (1834) 1: cleaver 1 2: an extreme or heavy-handed
          method of cutting or altering something

   meatball
          [meat.ball] n (ca. 1838): a small ball of chopped or ground
          meat often mixed with bread crumbs and spices

   meathead
          [meat.head] n (1945): a stupid or bungling person

   meat loaf
          [meat loaf] n (1899): a dish of ground meat seasoned and
          baked in the form of a loaf

   meat market
          [meat market] n (1896): a depersonalizing environment in
          which people are treated as sexual or economic resources

   meatpacking
          [meat.pack.ing] n (1873): the wholesale meat industry

   meatus
          [me.a.tus] n, pl me.a.tus.es or me.a.tus [LL, fr. L, going,
          passage, fr. meatus, pp. of meare to go--more at permeate]
          (1665): a natural body passage

   meaty
          [meaty] adj meat.i.er ; -est (ca. 1787) 1 a: full of meat
          b: having the character of meat 2: rich esp. in matter
          for thought: substantial <actors looking for ~ roles>
          -- meat.i.ness n

   mecamylamine
          [mec.a.myl.amine] n [fr. Mecamylamine, a trademark] (1955):
          a drug that in the hydrochloride is used orally as a
          ganglionic blocking agent to effect a rapid lowering
          of severely elevated blood pressure

   mecca
          [mec.ca] n, often cap [Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a destination
          of pilgrims in the Islamic world] (1850): a center of
          activity sought as a goal by people sharing a common
          interest

   mech
          [mech] abbreviation mechanical, mechanics

   mechan-
          [mechan-] or mechano- comb form [Gk, fr. mechane machine--more
          at machine]: mechanical <mechanoreceptor>

   [1]mechanic
          [me.chan.ic] adj [ME, prob. fr. MF mechanique, adj. & n.,
          fr. L mechanicus, fr. Gk mechanikos, fr. mechane] (14c)
          1: of or relating to manual work or skill 2: mechanical
          3a [2]mechanic n (1562) 1: a manual worker: artisan 2:
          machinist; esp: one who repairs machines

   [1]mechanical
          [me.chan.i.cal] adj (15c) 1 a (1): of or relating to machinery
          or tools <~ applications of science> <a ~ genius> <~
          aptitude> (2): produced or operated by a machine or tool
          <~ power> <a ~ refrigerator> <a ~ saw> b: of or relating
          to manual operations 2: of or relating to artisans or
          machinists <the ~ trades> 3 a: done as if by machine:
          seemingly uninfluenced by the mind or emotions: automatic
          <her singing was cold and ~> b: of or relating to technicalities
          or petty matters 4 a: relating to, governed by, or in
          accordance with the principles of mechanics <~ work>
          <~ energy> b: relating to the quantitative relations
          of force and matter <~ pressure of wind on a tower> 5:
          caused by, resulting from, or relating to a process that
          involves a purely physical as opposed to a chemical change
          <~ erosion of rock> syn see spontaneous -- me.chan.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]mechanical n (1590) 1 obs: mechanic 1 2: a piece
          of finished copy consisting typically of type proofs
          and artwork positioned and mounted for photomechanical
          reproduction

   mechanical advantage
          [mechanical advantage] n (1894): the advantage gained by
          the use of a mechanism in transmitting force; specif:
          the ratio of the force that performs the useful work
          of a machine to the force that is applied to the machine

   mechanical drawing
          [mechanical drawing] n (ca. 1890) 1: drawing done with the
          aid of instruments 2: a drawing made with instruments

   mechanical engineering
          [mechanical engineering] n (ca. 1890): a branch of engineering
          concerned primarily with the industrial application of
          mechanics and with the production of tools, machinery,
          and their products

   mechanician
          [mech.a.ni.cian] n (1570): mechanic, machinist

   mechanics
          [me.chan.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1648) 1: a branch
          of physical science that deals with energy and forces
          and their effect on bodies 2: the practical application
          of mechanics to the design, construction, or operation
          of machines or tools 3: mechanical or functional details
          or procedure

   mechanism
          [mech.a.nism] n (1662) 1 a: a piece of machinery b: a process
          or technique for achieving a result 2: mechanical operation
          or action: working 2 3: a doctrine that holds natural
          processes (as of life) to be mechanically determined
          and capable of complete explanation by the laws of physics
          and chemistry 4: the fundamental physical or chemical
          processes involved in or responsible for an action, reaction,
          or other natural phenomenon (as organic evolution)

   mechanist
          [mech.a.nist] n (1606) 1 archaic: mechanic 2: an adherent
          of the doctrine of mechanism

   mechanistic
          [mech.a.nis.tic] adj (1884) 1: mechanically determined <~
          universe> 2: of or relating to a mechanism or the doctrine
          of mechanism 3: mechanical -- mech.a.nis.ti.cal.ly adv

   mechanize
          [mech.a.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1678) 1: to make mechanical;
          esp: to make automatic or routine 2 a: to equip with
          machinery esp. to replace human or animal labor b: to
          equip with armed and armored motor vehicles c: to provide
          with mechanical power 3: to produce by or as if by machine
          -- mech.a.niz.able adj -- mech.a.ni.za.tion n -- mech.a.niz.er
          n

   mechanochemistry
          [mech.a.no.chem.is.try] n (1928): chemistry that deals with
          the conversion of chemical energy into mechanical work
          (as in the contraction of a muscle) -- mech.a.no.chem.i.cal
          adj

   mechanoreceptor
          [mech.a.no.re.cep.tor] n (1927): a neural end organ (as a
          tactile receptor) that responds to a mechanical stimulus
          (as a change in pressure) -- mech.a.no.re.cep.tion n
          -- mech.a.no.re.cep.tive adj

   Mechlin
          [Mech.lin] n [Mechlin, Belgium] (1699): a delicate bobbin
          lace used for dresses and millinery

   meclizine
          [mec.li.zine] n [methyl + chlor- + -izine (alter. of azine)]
          (1954): a drug used usu. in the form of its hydrochloride
          to treat nausea and vertigo

   meconium
          [me.co.ni.um] n [L, lit., poppy juice, fr. Gk mekonion, fr.
          mekon poppy; akin to OHG mago poppy] (1706): a dark greenish
          mass that accumulates in the bowel during fetal life
          and is discharged shortly after birth

   med
          [med] adj (1891): medical <~ school>

   med
          [med] abbreviation medicine, medieval, medium  Med abbreviation
          Mediterranean  MEd abbreviation master of education

   medaka
          [me.da.ka] n [Jp] (1933): a small Japanese freshwater fish
          (Oryzias latipes) usu. silvery brown in the wild but
          from pale yellow to deep red in aquarium strains

   medal
          [med.al] n [MF medaille, fr. OIt medaglia coin worth half
          a denarius, medal, fr. (assumed) VL medalis half, alter.
          of LL medialis middle, fr. L medius--more at mid] (ca.
          1578) 1: a small usu. metal object bearing a religious
          emblem or picture 2: a piece of metal often resembling
          a coin and having a stamped design that is issued to
          commemorate a person or event or awarded for excellence
          or achievement

   Medal for Merit
          [Medal for Merit] (1942): a U.S. decoration awarded to civilians
          for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance
          of outstanding services

   medalist
          [med.al.ist] or med.al.list n (ca. 1757) 1: a designer, engraver,
          or maker of medals 2: a recipient of a medal as an award

   medallic
          [me.dal.lic] adj (1702): of, relating to, or shown on a medal

   medallion
          [me.dal.lion] n [F medaillon, fr. It medaglione, aug. of
          medaglia] (1658) 1: a large medal 2: something resembling
          a large medal; esp: a tablet or panel in a wall or window
          bearing a figure in relief, a portrait, or an ornament
          3 also me.dail.lon : a small round or oval serving (as
          of meat)

   Medal of Freedom
          [Medal of Freedom] (1945): a U.S. decoration awarded to civilians
          for meritorious achievement in any of various fields

   Medal of Honor
          [Medal of Honor] (1898): a U.S. military decoration awarded
          in the name of the Congress for conspicuous intrepidity
          at the risk of life in action with an enemy

   medal play
          [medal play] n (1899): stroke play

   meddle
          [med.dle] vi med.dled ; med.dling [ME medlen, fr. MF mesler,
          medler, fr. (assumed) VL misculare, fr. L miscere to
          mix--more at mix] (14c): to interest oneself in what
          is not one's concern: interfere without right or propriety
          -- med.dler n

   meddlesome
          [med.dle.some] adj (1615): given to meddling syn see impertinent
          -- med.dle.some.ness n

   Mede
          [Mede] n [ME, fr. L Medus, fr. Gk Medos] (14c): a native
          or inhabitant of ancient Media in Persia

   Medea
          [Me.dea] n [L, fr. Gk Medeia]: an enchantress noted in Greek
          mythology for helping Jason gain the Golden Fleece and
          for repeatedly resorting to murder to gain her ends

   meden agan
          [me.den agan] [Gk] foreign term : nothing in excess

   medevac
          [med.e.vac] n [medical evacuation] (1966) 1: emergency evacuation
          of the sick or wounded (as from a combat area) 2: a helicopter
          used for medevac

   medfly
          [med.fly] n, often cap (1935): mediterranean fruit fly

   [1]media
          [me.dia] n, pl me.di.ae (1841) 1 [LL, fr. L, fem. of medius;
          fr. the voiced stops' being regarded as intermediate
          between the tenues and the aspirates]: a voiced stop
          2 [NL, fr. L]: the middle coat of the wall of a blood
          or lymph vessel consisting chiefly of circular muscle
          fibers [2]media n, pl me.di.as often attrib [pl. of medium]
          (1923) 1: a medium of cultivation, conveyance, or expression;
          esp: medium 2b 2 a sing or pl in constr: mass media b
          pl: members of the mass media usage The singular media
          and its plural medias seem to have originated in the
          field of advertising over 50 years ago; they are apparently
          still so used without stigma in that specialized field.
          In most other applications media is used as a plural
          of medium. The great popularity of the word in references
          to the agencies of mass communication is leading to the
          formation of a mass noun, construed as a singular <there's
          no basis for it. You know, the news media gets on to
          something --Edwin Meese 3d> <the media is less interested
          in the party's policies --James Lewis, Guardian Weekly>.
          This use is not as well established as the mass-noun
          use of data and is likely to incur criticism esp. in
          writing.

   mediad
          [me.di.ad] adv (1878): toward the median line or plane of
          a body or part

   media event
          [media event] n (1972): a publicity event staged for coverage
          by the news media

   mediagenic
          [me.dia.gen.ic] adj (1971): attractive or well-suited to
          the communications media

   medial
          [me.di.al] adj [LL medialis, fr. L medius] (1570) 1: mean,
          average 2 a: being or occurring in the middle b: extending
          toward the middle 3: situated between the extremes of
          initial and final in a word or morpheme -- medial n --
          me.di.al.ly adv

   [1]median
          [me.di.an] n (15c) 1: a medial part (as a vein or nerve)
          2 a: a value in an ordered set of values below and above
          which there is an equal number of values or which is
          the arithmetic mean of the two middle values if there
          is no one middle number b: a vertical line that divides
          the histogram of a frequency distribution into two parts
          of equal area c: a value of a random variable for which
          all greater values make the distribution function greater
          than one half and all lesser values make it less than
          one half 3 a: a line from a vertex of a triangle to the
          midpoint of the opposite side b: a line joining the midpoints
          of the nonparallel sides of a trapezoid 4: median strip
          syn see average [2]median adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L medianus,
          fr. medius middle--more at mid] (1645) 1: being in the
          middle or in an intermediate position: medial 2: lying
          in the plane dividing a bilateral animal into right and
          left halves 3: relating to or constituting a statistical
          median 4: produced without occlusion along the lengthwise
          middle line of the tongue -- me.di.an.ly adv

   median strip
          [median strip] n (1948): a paved or planted strip dividing
          a highway into lanes according to direction of travel

   mediant
          [me.di.ant] n [It mediante, fr. LL mediant-, medians, prp.
          of mediare to be in the middle] (ca. 1741): the third
          tone of a diatonic scale

   mediastinum
          [me.di.as.ti.num] n, pl -na [NL, fr. ML, neut. of mediastinus
          medial, fr. L medius] (1541): the space in the chest
          between the pleural sacs of the lungs that contains all
          the viscera of the chest except the lungs and pleurae;
          also: this space with its contents -- me.di.as.ti.nal
          adj

   [1]mediate
          [me.di.ate] adj [ME, fr. LL mediatus intermediate, fr. pp.
          of mediare] (15c) 1: occupying a middle position 2 a:
          acting through an intervening agency b: exhibiting indirect
          causation, connection, or relation -- me.di.a.cy n --
          me.di.ate.ly adv [2]me.di.ate vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML
          mediatus, pp. of mediare, fr. LL, to be in the middle,
          fr. L medius middle] vt (1568) 1 a: to effect by action
          as an intermediary b: to bring accord out of by action
          as an intermediary 2 a: to act as intermediary agent
          in bringing, effecting, or communicating: convey b: to
          transmit as intermediate mechanism or agency ~ vi 1:
          to interpose between parties in order to reconcile them
          2: to reconcile differences syn see interpose -- me.di.a.tive
          adj -- me.di.a.to.ry adj

   mediation
          [me.di.a.tion] n (14c): the act or process of mediating;
          esp: intervention between conflicting parties to promote
          reconciliation, settlement, or compromise -- me.di.a.tion.al
          adj

   mediator
          [me.di.a.tor] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. mediare] (14c) 1: one that
          mediates; esp: one that mediates between parties at variance
          2: a mediating agent in a physical, chemical, or biological
          process

   mediatrix
          [me.di.a.trix] n [ME, fr. LL, fem. of mediator] (15c): a
          woman who is a mediator

   [1]medic
          [med.ic] n [ME medike, fr. L medica, fr. Gk medike, fr. fem.
          of medikos of Media, fr. Media Media] (15c): any of a
          genus (Medicago) of leguminous herbs (as alfalfa) [2]medic
          n [L medicus] (1659): one engaged in medical work or
          study; esp: corpsman

   medicable
          [med.i.ca.ble] adj (ca. 1616): curable, remediable

   medicaid
          [med.ic.aid] n, often cap [medical aid] (1966): a program
          of medical aid designed for those unable to afford regular
          medical service and financed by the state and federal
          governments

   medical
          [med.i.cal] adj [F or LL; F medical, fr. LL medicalis, fr.
          L medicus physician, fr. mederi to remedy, heal; akin
          to Av vi-mad- healer, Gk medesthai to be mindful of--more
          at mete] (1646) 1: of, relating to, or concerned with
          physicians or the practice of medicine 2: requiring or
          devoted to medical treatment -- med.i.cal.ly adv

   medical examiner
          [medical examiner] n (1877): a public officer who conducts
          autopsies of bodies to find the cause of death

   medicament
          [me.di.ca.ment] n [MF, fr. L medicamentum, fr. medicare]
          (1541): a substance used in therapy -- me.di.ca.men.tous
          adj

   medicare
          [medi.care] n, often cap [blend of medical and care] (1955):
          a government program of medical care esp. for the aged

   medicate
          [med.i.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L medicatus, pp. of medicare
          to heal, fr. medicus] (ca. 1623) 1: to treat medicinally
          2: to impregnate with a medicinal substance <medicated
          soap>

   medication
          [med.i.ca.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of medicating
          2: a medicinal substance: medicament

   medicinable
          [me.dic.i.na.ble] adj (14c): medicinal

   medicinal
          [me.dic.i.nal] adj (14c) 1: tending or used to cure disease
          or relieve pain 2: salutary -- medicinal n -- me.dic.i.nal.ly
          adv

   medicinal leech
          [medicinal leech] n (ca. 1890): a large European freshwater
          leech (Hirudo medicinalis) formerly used by physicians
          for bleeding patients

   medicine
          [med.i.cine] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L medicina, fr. fem. of medicinus
          of a physician, fr. medicus] (13c) 1 a: a substance or
          preparation used in treating disease b: something that
          affects well-being 2 a: the science and art dealing with
          the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation,
          or cure of disease b: the branch of medicine concerned
          with the nonsurgical treatment of disease 3: a substance
          (as a drug or potion) used to treat something other than
          disease 4: an object held in traditional American Indian
          belief to give control over natural or magical forces;
          also: magical power or a magical rite -- medicine vt

   medicine ball
          [medicine ball] n (1895): a heavy stuffed leather-covered
          ball used for conditioning exercises

   medicine dropper
          [medicine dropper] n (1898): dropper 2

   medicine man
          [medicine man] n (1801): a priestly healer or sorcerer esp.
          among the American Indians: shaman

   medicine show
          [medicine show] n (ca. 1906): a traveling show using entertainers
          to attract a crowd among which remedies or nostrums are
          sold

   medico
          [med.i.co] n, pl -cos [It medico or Sp medico, both fr. L
          medicus] (1689): a medical practitioner: physician; also:
          a medical student

   medicolegal
          [med.i.co.le.gal] adj [NL medicolegalis, fr. L medicus medical
          + -o- + legalis legal] (1835): of or relating to both
          medicine and law

   [1]medieval
          [me.di.e.val] or me.di.ae.val adj [NL medium aevum Middle
          Ages] (1827) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic of
          the Middle Ages 2: extremely outmoded or antiquated --
          me.di.e.val.ly adv [2]medieval or mediaeval n (1856):
          a person of the Middle Ages

   medievalism
          [me.di.e.val.ism] n (1853) 1: medieval quality, character,
          or state 2: devotion to the institutions, arts, and practices
          of the Middle Ages

   medievalist
          [me.di.e.val.ist] n (ca. 1859) 1: a specialist in medieval
          history and culture 2: a connoisseur or devotee of medieval
          arts and culture

   Medieval Latin
          [Medieval Latin] n (ca. 1889): the Latin used esp. for liturgical
          and literary purposes from the 7th to the 15th centuries
          inclusive

   medina
          [me.di.na] n [Ar madina city] (1906): the non-European part
          of a northern African city

   mediocre
          [me.di.o.cre] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L mediocris, fr. medius
          middle + OL ocris stony mountain; akin to L acer sharp--more
          at edge] (ca. 1586): of moderate or low quality, value,
          ability, or performance: ordinary, so-so

   mediocrity
          [me.di.oc.ri.ty] n, pl -ties (1531) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being mediocre b: moderate ability or value 2: a mediocre
          person

   medio tutissimus ibis
          [me.dio tu.tis.si.mus ibis] [L] foreign term : you will go
          most safely by the middle course

   meditate
          [med.i.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.i ng [L meditatus, pp. of
          meditari, freq. of mederi to remedy--more at medical]
          vi (1560): to engage in contemplation or reflection ~
          vt 1: to focus one's thoughts on: reflect on or ponder
          over 2: to plan or project in the mind: intend, purpose
          syn see ponder -- med.i.ta.tor n

   meditation
          [med.i.ta.tion] n (13c) 1: a discourse intended to express
          its author's reflections or to guide others in contemplation
          2: the act or process of meditating

   meditative
          [med.i.ta.tive] adj (ca. 1656) 1: disposed or given to meditation
          2: marked by or conducive to meditation -- med.i.ta.tive.ly
          adv -- med.i.ta.tive.ness n

   Mediterranean
          [Med.i.ter.ra.nean] adj (15c) 1 a: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of the Mediterranean Sea b: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of the peoples, lands, or cultures bordering the
          Mediterranean Sea 2 not cap [L mediterraneus, fr. medius middle
          + terra land--more at terrace]: enclosed or nearly enclosed with
          land 3: of or relating to a group or physical type of the Caucasian
          race characterized by medium or short stature, slender build,
          dolichocephaly, and dark complexion

   Mediterranean flour moth
          [Mediterranean flour moth] n (1895): a small largely gray
          and black nearly cosmopolitan pyralid moth (Anagasta
          kuehniella) whose larva destroys processed grain products

   Mediterranean fruit fly
          [Mediterranean fruit fly] n (1907): a small widely distributed
          dipteran fly (Ceratitis capitata) with black-and-white
          markings whose larva lives and feeds in ripening fruit

   [1]medium
          [me.di.um] n, pl mediums or me.dia [L, fr. neuter of medius
          middle--more at mid] (1593) 1 a: something in a middle
          position b: a middle condition or degree: mean 2: a means
          of effecting or conveying something: as a (1): a substance
          regarded as the means of transmission of a force or effect
          (2): a surrounding or enveloping substance (3): the tenuous
          material (as gas and dust) in space that exists outside
          large agglomerations of matter (as stars) <interstellar
          ~> b pl usu media (1): a channel or system of communication,
          information, or entertainment--compare mass medium (2):
          a publication or broadcast that carries advertising (3):
          a mode of artistic expression or communication (4): something
          (as a magnetic disk) on which information may be stored
          c: go-between, intermediary d pl mediums: an individual
          held to be a channel of communication between the earthly
          world and a world of spirits e: material or technical
          means of artistic expression 3 a: a condition or environment
          in which something may function or flourish b pl media
          (1): a nutrient system for the artificial cultivation
          of cells or organisms and esp. bacteria (2): a fluid
          or solid in which organic structures are placed (as for
          preservation or mounting) c: a liquid with which pigment
          is mixed by a painter usage see media [2]medium adj (1711):
          intermediate in quantity, quality, position, size, or
          degree

   medium frequency
          [medium frequency] n (1920): a radio frequency between high
          frequency and low frequency

   mediumistic
          [me.di.um.is.tic] adj (1868): of, relating to, or having
          the qualities of a spiritualistic medium

   medium of exchange
          [medium of exchange] (1714): something commonly accepted
          in exchange for goods and services and recognized as
          representing a standard of value

   mediumship
          [me.di.um.ship] n (1868): the capacity, function, or profession
          of a spiritualistic medium

   medlar
          [med.lar] n [ME medeler, fr. MF medlier, fr. medle medlar
          fruit, fr. L mespilum, fr. Gk mespilon] (14c): a small
          Eurasian tree (Mespilus germanica) of the rose family
          whose fruit resembles a crab apple and is used in preserves;
          also: its fruit

   [1]medley
          [med.ley] n, pl medleys [ME medle, fr. MF medlee, fr. fem.
          of medle, pp. of medler to mix--more at meddle] (14c)
          1 archaic: melee 2: a diverse assortment or mixture;
          esp: hodgepodge 3: a musical composition made up of a
          series of songs or short musical pieces [2]medley adj
          (14c): mixed, motley

   medley relay
          [medley relay] n (1949): a relay race in swimming in which
          each member of a team uses a different stroke

   medulla
          [me.dul.la] n, pl -las or -lae [ME, fr. L] (15c) 1 pl medullae
          a: marrow 1 b: medulla oblongata 2 a: the inner or deep
          part of an animal or plant structure <the adrenal ~>
          b: myelin sheath

   medulla oblongata
          [medulla ob.lon.ga.ta] n, pl medulla oblongatas or medullae
          ob.lon.ga.tae [NL, lit., oblong medulla] (1676): the
          part of the vertebrate brain that is continuous posteriorly
          with the spinal cord and that contains the centers controlling
          involuntary vital functions--see brain illustration

   medullary
          [med.ul.lary] adj (1620) 1: of or relating to the pith of
          a plant 2: of or relating to a medulla and esp. the medulla
          oblongata

   medullary ray
          [medullary ray] n (1830) 1: a primary tissue composed of
          radiating bands of parenchyma cells extending between
          the vascular bundles of herbaceous dicotyledonous stems
          and connecting the pith with the cortex 2: vascular ray

   medullary sheath
          [medullary sheath] n (ca. 1846): myelin sheath

   medullated
          [med.ul.lat.ed] adj (1867) 1: myelinated 2: having a medulla--used
          of fibers other than nerve fibers

   medulloblastoma
          [me.dul.lo.blas.to.ma] n, pl -to.mas also -to.ma.ta [NL,
          fr. medulla + -o- + blast- + -oma] (1925): a malignant
          tumor of the central nervous system arising in the cerebellum
          esp. in children

   medusa
          [me.du.sa] n 1 cap [L, fr. Gk Medousa]: a mortal Gorgon who
          is slain when decapitated by Perseus 2 pl me.du.sae [NL,
          fr. L]: jellyfish 1a -- me.du.san adj or n -- me.du.soid
          adj or n

   meed
          [meed] n [ME, fr. OE med; akin to OHG miata reward, Gk misthos]
          (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: an earned reward or wage 2: a fitting
          return or recompense

   meek
          [meek] adj [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON mjukr gentle;
          akin to W mwyth soft] (13c) 1: enduring injury with patience
          and without resentment: mild 2: deficient in spirit and
          courage: submissive 3: not violent or strong: moderate
          -- meek.ly adv -- meek.ness n

   meerkat
          [meer.kat] n [Afrik, fr. D, a kind of monkey, fr. MD meercatte
          monkey, fr. meer sea + catte cat] (1801): any of several
          African mongooses; esp: a burrowing highly social mammal
          (Suricata suricatta) of southern Africa that is chiefly
          grayish with inconspicuous black markings

   meerschaum
          [meer.schaum] n [G, fr. Meer sea + Schaum foam] (1784) 1:
          a fine light white clayey mineral that is a hydrous magnesium
          silicate found chiefly in Asia Minor and is used esp.
          for tobacco pipes 2: a tobacco pipe of meerschaum

   [1]meet
          [meet] vb met ; meet.ing [ME meten, fr. OE metan; akin to
          OE gemot assembly--more at moot] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to
          come into the presence of: find b: to come together with
          esp. at a particular time or place <I'll ~ you at the
          station> c: to come into contact or conjunction with:
          join d: to appear to the perception of 2: to encounter
          as antagonist or foe: oppose 3: to enter into conference,
          argument, or personal dealings with 4: to conform to
          esp. with exactitude and precision <a concept to ~ all
          requirements> 5: to pay fully: settle 6: to cope with
          <was able to ~ every social situation> 7: to provide
          for <enough money to ~ our needs> 8: to become acquainted
          with 9: encounter, experience 10: to receive or greet
          in an official capacity ~ vi 1 a: to come face-to-face
          b: to come together for a common purpose: assemble c:
          to come together as contestants, opponents, or enemies
          2: to form a junction or confluence <the lines ~ in a
          point> 3: to occur together -- meet.er n -- meet halfway
          : to compromise with -- meet with : to be subjected to:
          encounter <the proposal met with opposition> [2]meet
          n (ca. 1834) 1: the act of assembling for a hunt or for
          competitive sports 2: a competition in which individuals
          (as athletes) match skills [3]meet adj [ME mete, fr.
          OE gemaete; akin to OE metan to mete] (14c): precisely
          adapted to a particular situation, need, or circumstance:
          very proper syn see fit -- meet.ly adv

   meeting
          [meet.ing] n (14c) 1: an act or process of coming together:
          as a: an assembly for a common purpose (as worship) b:
          a session of horse or dog racing 2: a permanent organizational
          unit of the Society of Friends 3: intersection, junction

   meetinghouse
          [meet.ing.house] n (1632): a building used for public assembly
          and esp. for Protestant worship

   meeting of minds
          [meeting of minds] (1939): agreement, concord

   mefenamic acid
          [mef.e.nam.ic acid] n [dimethyl- + fen- (by shortening &
          alter. fr. phenyl) + aminobenzoic acid] (ca. 1964): a
          drug used as an anti-inflammatory

   meg
          [meg] abbreviation megohm

   mega-
          [mega-] or meg- comb form [Gk, fr. megas large--more at much]
          1 a: great: large <megaspore> b: greatly surpassing others
          of its kind <megahit> 2: million: multiplied by one million
          <megohm> <megacycle>

   megabar
          [mega.bar] n [ISV] (1903): a unit of pressure equal to one
          million bars

   megabit
          [mega.bit] n (1956): one million bits

   megabuck
          [mega.buck] n (1946): one million dollars; also: an indeterminately
          large sum of money--usu. used in pl.

   megabyte
          [mega.byte] n [fr. the fact that 1,048,576 is the power of
          2 closest to one million] (1970): a unit of computer
          information storage capacity equal to 1,048,576 bytes

   megacity
          [mega.city] n (1968): megalopolis 1

   megacorporation
          [mega.cor.po.ra.tion] n (1973): a huge and powerful corporation

   megacycle
          [mega.cy.cle] n (1926): one million cycles; esp: megahertz

   megadeal
          [mega.deal] n (1981): a business deal involving a lot of
          money

   megadeath
          [mega.death] n (1953): one million deaths--usu. used as a
          unit in reference to nuclear warfare

   megadose
          [mega.dose] n (1973): a large dose (as of a vitamin)

   megafauna
          [mega.fau.na] n (1935): fauna consisting of individuals large
          enough to be visible to the naked eye -- mega.fau.nal
          adj

   megagamete
          [mega.ga.mete] n (1891): macrogamete

   megagametophyte
          [mega.ga.me.to.phyte] n (1933): the female gametophyte produced
          by a megaspore

   megahertz
          [mega.hertz] n [ISV] (1941): a unit of frequency equal to
          one million hertz--abbr. MHz

   megahit
          [mega.hit] n (1982): something (as a motion picture) that
          is extremely successful

   megakaryocyte
          [mega.kar.yo.cyte] n (1890): a large cell that has a lobulated
          nucleus, is found esp. in the bone marrow, and is the
          source of blood platelets -- mega.kar.yo.cyt.ic adj

   megal-
          [megal-] or megalocomb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. megal-, megas--more
          at much]: large: of giant size <megalopolis>: grandiose
          <megalomania>

   megalith
          [mega.lith] n (1853): a very large usu. rough stone used
          in prehistoric cultures as a monument or building block
          -- mega.lith.ic adj

   megaloblast
          [meg.a.lo.blast] n (1899): a large erythroblast that appears
          in the blood esp. in pernicious anemia -- meg.a.lo.blas.tic
          adj

   megalomania
          [meg.a.lo.ma.nia] n [NL] (ca. 1890) 1: a mania for great
          or grandiose performance 2: a delusional mental disorder
          that is marked by infantile feelings of personal omnipotence
          and grandeur -- meg.a.lo.ma.ni.ac adj or n -- meg.a.lo.ma.ni.a.cal
          also meg.a.lo.man.ic adj -- meg.a.lo.ma.ni.a.cal.ly adv

   megalopolis
          [meg.a.lop.o.lis] n (ca. 1828) 1: a very large city 2: a
          thickly populated region centering in a metropolis or
          embracing several metropolises -- meg.a.lo.pol.i.tan
          n or adj

   -megaly
          [-megaly] n comb form [NL -megalia, fr. Gk megal-, megas]:
          abnormal enlargement <hepatomegaly>

   megaparsec
          [mega.par.sec] n [ISV] (1933): a unit of measure for distances
          in intergalactic space equal to one million parsecs

   [1]megaphone
          [mega.phone] n (1878): a cone-shaped device used to intensify
          or direct the voice -- mega.phon.ic adj [2]megaphone
          vt (1901): to transmit or address through or as if through
          a megaphone ~ vi: to speak through or as if through a
          megaphone

   megaproject
          [mega.proj.ect] n (1982): a major project or undertaking
          (as in business or construction)

   Megarian
          [Me.gar.i.an] adj (1603): of or relating to a Socratic school
          of philosophy founded by Euclid of Megara and noted for
          its subtle attention to logic -- Megarian n

   Megaric
          [Me.gar.ic] adj (1656): megarian -- Megaric n

   megascopic
          [mega.scop.ic] adj [mega- + -scopic (as in microscopic)]
          (1879) 1: macroscopic 1 <~ features of leaves> 2: based
          on or relating to observations made with the unaided
          eye -- mega.scop.i.cal.ly adv

   megasporangium
          [mega.spo.ran.gi.um] n [NL] (1886): a sporangium that develops
          only megaspores

   megaspore
          [mega.spore] n [ISV] (1858): a spore in heterosporous plants
          that gives rise to female gametophytes and is generally
          larger than a microspore -- mega.spor.ic adj

   megasporogenesis
          [mega.spo.ro.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1928): the formation
          and maturation of a megaspore

   megasporophyll
          [mega.spo.ro.phyll] n (ca. 1899): a sporophyll that develops
          only megasporangia

   megastar
          [mega.star] n (1975): superstar

   megaton
          [mega.ton] n (1952): an explosive force equivalent to that
          of one million tons of TNT

   megatonnage
          [mega.ton.nage] n (1955): the destructive capability expressed
          in megatons esp. of a collection of nuclear weapons

   megavitamin
          [mega.vi.ta.min] adj (1970): relating to or consisting of
          very large doses of vitamins <~ therapy>

   megavitamins
          [mega.vi.ta.mins] n pl (1974): a large quantity of vitamins

   megawatt
          [mega.watt] n [ISV] (ca. 1900): one million watts

   megillah
          [me.gil.lah] n [Yiddish megile, fr. Heb megillah scroll,
          volume (used esp. of the Book of Esther, read aloud at
          the Purim celebration)] (ca. 1952) slang: a long involved
          story or account <the whole ~>

   megilp
          [me.gilp] n [origin unknown] (1768): a gelatinous preparation
          commonly of linseed oil and mastic varnish that is used
          by artists as a vehicle for oil colors

   MEGO
          [MEGO] abbreviation my eyes glaze over

   megohm
          [meg.ohm] n [ISV] (ca. 1868): one million ohms

   megrim
          [me.grim] n [ME migreime, fr. MF migraine--more at migraine]
          (14c) 1 a: migraine b: vertigo, dizziness 2 a: fancy,
          whim b pl: low spirits

   Meiji
          [Mei.ji] n [Jp, lit., enlightened rule] (1873): the period
          of the reign (1868-1912) of Emperor Mutsuhito of Japan

   meikle
          [mei.kle] var of mickle

   meiny
          [mei.ny] n, pl meinies [ME meynie--more at menial] (13c)
          1 archaic: retinue, company 2 chiefly Scot: multitude

   meiosis
          [mei.o.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk meiosis diminution, fr. meioun
          to diminish, fr. meion less; akin to Skt miyate he diminishes]
          (1550) 1: the presentation of a thing with underemphasis
          esp. in order to achieve a greater effect: understatement
          2: the cellular process that results in the number of
          chromosomes in gamete-producing cells being reduced to
          one half and that involves a reduction division in which
          one of each pair of homologous chromosomes passes to
          each daughter cell and a mitotic division--compare mitosis
          -- mei.ot.ic adj -- mei.ot.i.cal.ly adv

   Meissen
          [Meis.sen] n [Meissen, Saxony, Germany] (1863): a ceramic
          ware made at Meissen near Dresden; esp: a European porcelain
          developed under the patronage of the king of Saxony about
          1715 and used for both ornamental and table wares--called
          also Meissen china, Meissen ware

   Meistersinger
          [Mei.ster.sing.er] n, pl Meistersinger or Meistersingers
          [G, fr. MHG, fr. meister master + singer singer] (1845):
          a member of any of various German guilds formed chiefly
          in the 15th and 16th centuries by workingmen and craftsmen
          for the cultivation of poetry and music

   me judice
          [me ju.di.ce] [L] foreign term : I being judge: in my judgment

   MEK
          [MEK] abbreviation methyl ethyl ketone

   melamine
          [mel.a.mine] n [G Melamin] (ca. 1835) 1: a white crystalline
          organic base with a high melting point that is used esp.
          in melamine resins 2: a melamine resin or a plastic made
          from such a resin

   melamine resin
          [melamine resin] n (1939): a thermosetting resin made from
          melamine and an aldehyde and used esp. in molded or laminated
          products, adhesives, and coatings

   melan-
          [melan-] or melano- comb form [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL, fr. Gk,
          fr. melan-, melas; perh. akin to Lith melynas blue, Skt
          malina dirty] 1: black: dark <melanic> <melanin> 2: melanin
          <melanophore>

   melancholia
          [mel.an.cho.lia] n [NL, fr. LL, melancholy] (ca. 1693): a
          mental condition characterized by extreme depression,
          bodily complaints, and often hallucinations and delusions;
          esp: a manic-depressive psychosis -- mel.an.cho.li.ac
          n

   melancholic
          [mel.an.chol.ic] adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or subject
          to melancholy: depressed 2: of or relating to melancholia
          3: tending to depress the spirits: saddening -- melancholic
          n

   [1]melancholy
          [mel.an.choly] n, pl -chol.ies [ME malencolie, fr. MF melancolie,
          fr. LL melancholia, fr. Gk, fr. melan- + chole bile--more
          at gall] (14c) 1 a: an abnormal state attributed to an
          excess of black bile and characterized by irascibility
          or depression b: black bile c: melancholia 2 a: depression
          of spirits: dejection b: a pensive mood [2]melancholy
          adj (14c) 1 a: suggestive or expressive of melancholy
          <sang in a ~ voice> b: causing or tending to cause sadness
          or depression of mind or spirit: dismal <a ~ thought>
          2 a: depressed in spirits: dejected, sad b: pensive

   Melanesian
          [Mel.a.ne.sian] n (1849) 1: a language group consisting of
          the Austronesian languages of Melanesia 2: a member of
          the dominant native group of Melanesia -- Melanesian
          adj

   melange
          [me.lange] n [F, fr. MF, fr. mesler, meler to mix--more at
          meddle] (1653): a mixture often of incongruous elements

   [1]melanic
          [me.lan.ic] adj (1826) 1: melanotic 2: affected with
          or characterized by melanism [2]melanic n (1952): a melanic
          individual

   melanin
          [mel.a.nin] n (1843): a dark brown or black animal or plant
          pigment

   melanism
          [mel.a.nism] n (1843) 1: an increased amount of black or
          nearly black pigmentation (as of skin, feathers, or hair)
          of an individual or kind of organism 2: intense human
          pigmentation of the skin, eyes, and hair -- mel.a.nis.tic
          adj

   melanite
          [mel.a.nite] n [G Melanit, fr. melan-] (ca. 1807): a black
          andradite garnet -- mel.a.nit.ic adj

   melanize
          [mel.a.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1885) 1: to convert into
          or infiltrate with melanin 2: to make dark or black --
          mel.a.ni.za.tion n

   melanoblast
          [me.la.no.blast] n [ISV] (1901): a cell that is a precursor
          of a melanocyte or melanophore

   melanocyte
          [me.la.no.cyte] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): an epidermal cell that
          produces melanin

   melanocyte-stimulating hormone
          [melanocyte-stimulating hormone] n (1953): either of two
          vertebrate hormones of the pituitary gland esp. of reptiles
          and amphibians that darken the skin by stimulating melanin
          dispersion in pigment-containing cells--called also
          melanophore-stimulating hormone

   melanogenesis
          [me.la.no.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1928): the formation of
          melanin

   melanoma
          [mel.a.no.ma] n, pl -mas also -ma.ta [NL] (1830): a usu.
          malignant tumor containing dark pigment

   melanophore
          [me.la.no.phore] n (1903): a melanin-containing cell esp.
          of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles

   melanosome
          [me.la.no.some] n (1940): a melanin-producing granule in
          a melanocyte

   melanotic
          [mel.a.not.ic] adj (1829): having or characterized by black
          pigmentation

   melatonin
          [mel.a.to.nin] n [Gk melas black + -tonin (as in serotonin)]
          (1958): a vertebrate hormone of the pineal gland that
          produces lightening of the skin by causing concentration
          of melanin in pigment-containing cells

   melba toast
          [mel.ba toast] n [Nellie Melba] (1925): very thin crisp toast

   Melchite
          [Mel.chite] or Mel.kite n [ML Melchita, fr. MGk Melchites,
          lit., royalist, fr. Syriac malka king] (1619) 1: an Eastern
          Christian chiefly of Syria and Egypt adhering to Chalcedonian
          orthodoxy in preference to Monophysitism 2: a member
          of a Uniate body derived from the Melchites

   [1]Melchizedek
          [Mel.chiz.e.dek] n [Gk Melchisedek, fr. Heb Malkisedheq]:
          a priest-king of Jerusalem who prepared a ritual meal
          for Abraham and received tithes from him [2]Melchizedek
          adj (1842): of or relating to the higher order of the
          Mormon priesthood

   [1]meld
          [meld] vb [G melden to announce, fr. OHG meldon; akin to
          OE meldian to announce, Lith malda prayer] vt (1897):
          to declare or announce (a card or combination of cards)
          for a score in a card game esp. by placing face up on
          the table ~ vi: to declare a card or combination of cards
          as a meld [2]meld n (1897): a card or combination of
          cards that is or can be melded in a card game [3]meld
          vb [blend of melt and weld] (1936): merge, blend [4]meld
          n (1954): blend, mixture

   melee
          [me.lee] n [F melee, fr. OF meslee, fr. mesler to mix--more
          at meddle] (ca. 1648): a confused struggle; esp: a hand-to-hand
          fight among several people

   melic
          [mel.ic] adj [L melicus, fr. Gk melikos, fr. melos song--more
          at melody] (1699): of or relating to song: lyric; esp:
          of or relating to Greek lyric poetry of the 7th and 6th
          centuries b.c.

   melilot
          [mel.i.lot] n [ME mellilot, fr. OF melilot, fr. L melilotos,
          fr. Gk melilotos, fr. meli honey + lotos clover, lotus--more
          at mellifluous] (14c): sweet clover; esp: a yellow-flowered
          sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis)

   meliorate
          [me.lio.rate] vb -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [LL melioratus, pp. of
          meliorare, fr. L melior better; akin to L multus much,
          Gk mala very] (1542): ameliorate -- me.lio.ra.tion n
          -- me.lio.ra.tive adj -- me.lio.ra.tor n

   meliorism
          [me.lio.rism] n (1877): the belief that the world tends to
          become better and that humans can aid its betterment
          -- me.lio.rist adj or n -- me.lio.ris.tic adj

   melisma
          [me.lis.ma] n, pl -ma.ta [NL, fr. Gk, song, melody, fr. melizein
          to sing, fr. melos song] (ca. 1880) 1: a group of notes
          or tones sung on one syllable in plainsong 2: melodic
          embellishment or ornamentation 3: cadenza -- mel.is.mat.ic
          adj

   mell
          [mell] vb [ME, fr. MF mesler] (14c): mix

   mellifluent
          [mel.lif.lu.ent] adj [LL mellifluent-, mellifluens, fr. L
          mell-, mel + fluent-, fluens, prp. of fluere] (1601):
          mellifluous -- mel.lif.lu.ent.ly adv

   mellifluous
          [mel.lif.lu.ous] adj [ME mellyfluous, fr. LL mellifluus,
          fr. L mell-, mel honey + fluere to flow; akin to Goth
          milith honey, Gk melit-, meli] (15c) 1: having a smooth
          rich flow <a ~ voice> 2: filled with something (as honey)
          that sweetens -- mel.lif.lu.ous.ly adv -- mel.lif.lu.ous.ness
          n

   mellophone
          [mel.lo.phone] n [[1]mellow + -phone] (1926): a valved brass
          instrument similar in form and range to the French horn

   mellotron
          [mel.lo.tron] n [fr. Mellotron, a trademark] (1967): an electronic
          keyboard instrument programmed to produce the tape-recorded sounds
          usu. of orchestral instruments

   [1]mellow
          [mel.low] adj [ME melowe] (15c) 1 a of a fruit: tender and
          sweet because of ripeness b of a wine: well aged and
          pleasingly mild 2 a: made gentle by age or experience
          b: rich and full but free from garishness or stridency
          c: warmed and relaxed by or as if by liquor d: pleasant,
          agreeable e: laid-back 3 of soil: having a soft and loamy
          consistency -- mel.low.ly adv -- mel.low.ness n [2]mellow
          vt (1572): to make mellow ~ vi: to become mellow

   melodeon
          [me.lo.de.on] n [G Melodion, fr. Melodie melody, fr. OF]
          (1847): a small reed organ in which a suction bellows
          draws air inward through the reeds

   melodic
          [me.lod.ic] adj (1823): of or relating to melody: melodious
          -- me.lod.i.cal.ly adv

   melodious
          [me.lo.di.ous] adj (14c) 1: having a pleasing melody 2: of,
          relating to, or producing melody -- me.lo.di.ous.ly adv
          -- me.lo.di.ous.ness n

   melodist
          [mel.o.dist] n (1789) 1: singer 2: a composer of melodies

   melodize
          [mel.o.dize] vb -dized ; -diz.ing vi (1662): to compose a
          melody ~ vt: to make melodious: set to melody -- mel.o.diz.er
          n

   melodrama
          [melo.dra.ma] n [modif. of F melodrame, fr. Gk melos song
          + F drame drama, fr. LL drama] (1809) 1 a: a work (as
          a movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality
          and by the predominance of plot and physical action over
          characterization b: the genre of dramatic literature
          constituted by such works 2: something resembling a melodrama
          or having a melodramatic quality -- melo.dra.ma.tist
          n

   melodramatic
          [melo.dra.mat.ic] adj (1816) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of melodrama 2: appealing to the emotions: sensational syn see
          dramatic -- melo.dra.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   melodramatics
          [melo.dra.mat.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1915):
          melodramatic conduct or writing

   melodramatise
          [melo.dra.ma.tise] Brit var of melodramatize

   melodramatize
          [melo.dra.ma.tize] vt (1820) 1: to make melodramatic <~ a
          situation> 2: to make a melodrama of (as a novel) --
          melo.dra.ma.ti.za.tion n

   melody
          [mel.o.dy] n, pl -dies [ME melodie, fr. OF, fr. LL melodia,
          fr. Gk meloidia chanting, music, fr. melos limb, musical
          phrase, song (prob. akin to Bret mell joint) + aeidein
          to sing--more at ode] (13c) 1: a sweet or agreeable succession
          or arrangement of sounds: tunefulness 2: a rhythmic succession
          of single tones organized as an aesthetic whole

   melon
          [mel.on] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL melon-, melo,
          short for L melopepon-, melopepo, fr. Gk melopepon, fr.
          melon apple + pepon, an edible gourd--more at pumpkin]
          (14c) 1: any of various gourds (as a muskmelon or watermelon)
          usu. eaten raw as fruits 2: something rounded like a
          melon: as a: the rounded organ in the front of the head
          of some cetaceans b pl, slang: large breasts 3 a: a surplus
          of profits available for distribution to stockholders
          b: a financial windfall

   melphalan
          [mel.pha.lan] n [prob. fr. methanol + phenylalanine] (ca.
          1964): an antineoplastic drug

   Melpomene
          [Mel.pom.e.ne] n [L, fr. Gk Melpomene]: the Greek Muse of
          tragedy

   [1]melt
          [melt] vb [ME, fr. OE meltan; akin to ON melta to digest,
          Gk meldein to melt] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to become altered
          from a solid to a liquid state usu. by heat 2 a: dissolve,
          disintegrate <the sugar ~ed in the coffee> b: to disappear
          as if by dissolving <her anger ~ed at his kind words>
          3 obs: to become subdued or crushed (as by sorrow) 4:
          to become mild, tender, or gentle 5: to lose outline
          or distinctness: blend ~ vt 1: to reduce from a solid
          to a liquid state usu. by heat 2: to cause to disappear
          or disperse 3: to make tender or gentle: soften -- melt.abil.i.ty
          n -- melt.able adj -- melt.er n [2]melt n (1854) 1 a:
          material in the molten state b: the mass melted at a
          single operation or the quantity melted during a specified
          period 2 a: the action or process of melting or the period
          during which it occurs <the spring ~> b: the condition
          of being melted 3: a sandwich with melted cheese <a tuna
          ~> [3]melt n [ME milte, fr. OE; akin to OHG miltzi spleen]
          (bef. 12c): spleen; esp: spleen of slaughtered animals
          for use as feed or food

   meltdown
          [melt.down] n (1963) 1: the accidental melting of the core
          of a nuclear reactor 2: a rapid or disastrous decline
          or collapse

   melting
          [melt.ing] adj (1565): tender, delicate <a love song's ~
          lyric> -- melt.ing.ly adv

   melting point
          [melting point] n (1823): the temperature at which a solid
          melts

   melting pot
          [melting pot] n (1912) 1 a: a place where racial amalgamation
          and social and cultural assimilation are going on <long
          cherished the myth of the public school as the melting
          pot --M. R. Berube> b: the population of such a place
          2: a process of blending that often results in invigoration
          or novelty

   melton
          [mel.ton] n [Melton Mowbray, town in England] (1823): a heavy
          smooth woolen fabric with short nap

   meltwater
          [melt.wa.ter] n (1923): water derived from the melting of
          ice and snow

   mem
          [mem] abbreviation member, memoir, memorial

   mem
          [mem] n [Heb mem, lit., water] (ca. 1823): the 13th letter
          of the Hebrew alphabet

   member
          [mem.ber] n, often attrib [ME membre, fr. OF, fr. L membrum;
          akin to Goth mimz flesh, Gk meros thigh] (14c) 1: a body
          part or organ: as a: limb b: penis c: a unit of structure
          in a plant body 2: one of the individuals composing a
          group 3: a person baptized or enrolled in a church 4:
          a constituent part of a whole: as a: a syntactic or rhythmic
          unit of a sentence: clause b: one of the propositions
          of a syllogism c: one of the elements of a set or class
          d: either of the equated elements in a mathematical equation
          syn see part

   membered
          [mem.bered] adj (14c): made up of or divided into members

   membership
          [mem.ber.ship] n (1647) 1: the state or status of being a
          member 2: the body of members <an organization with a
          large ~> 3: the relation between an element of a set
          or class and the set or class--compare inclusion 3

   membrane
          [mem.brane] n [ME, fr. L membrana skin, parchment, fr. membrum]
          (15c) 1: a thin soft pliable sheet or layer esp. of animal
          or plant origin 2: a piece of parchment forming part
          of a roll -- mem.braned adj

   membranous
          [mem.bra.nous] adj (1597) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          membrane 2: thin, pliable, and often somewhat transparent
          <~ leaves> 3: characterized or accompanied by the formation
          of a usu. abnormal membrane or membranous layer <~ croup>
          -- mem.bra.nous.ly adv

   membranous labyrinth
          [membranous labyrinth] n (1840): the sensory structures of
          the inner ear

   memento
          [me.men.to] n, pl -tos or -toes [ME, fr. L, remember, imper.
          of meminisse to remember; akin to L ment-, mens mind--more
          at mind] (1580): something that serves to warn or remind;
          also: souvenir

   memento mori
          [me.men.to mo.ri] n, pl memento mori [L, remember that you
          must die] (1596): a reminder of mortality; esp: death's-head

   Memnon
          [Mem.non] n [Gk Memnon]: an Ethiopian king slain by Achilles
          at a late stage of the Trojan War

   memo
          [memo] n, pl mem.os (1889): memorandum

   memoir
          [mem.oir] n [MF memoire, fr. memoire memory, fr. L memoria]
          (1567) 1: an official note or report: memorandum 2 a:
          a narrative composed from personal experience b:
          autobiography--usu. used in pl. c: biography 3 a: an account
          of something noteworthy: report b pl: the record of the proceedings
          of a learned society -- mem.oir.ist n

   memorabilia
          [mem.o.ra.bil.ia] n pl [L, fr. neut. pl. of memorabilis]
          (ca. 1807): things that are remarkable and worthy of
          remembrance; also: things that stir recollection: mementos

   memorability
          [mem.o.ra.bil.i.ty] n (ca. 1661): the quality or state of
          being easy to remember or worth remembering

   memorable
          [mem.o.ra.ble] adj [ME, fr. L memorabilis, fr. memorare to
          remind, mention, fr. memor mindful] (15c): worth remembering:
          notable -- mem.o.ra.ble.ness n -- mem.o.ra.bly adv

   memorandum
          [mem.o.ran.dum] n, pl -dums or -da [ME, to be remembered,
          fr. L, neut. of memorandus, gerundive of memorare] (ca.
          1543) 1: an informal record; also: a written reminder
          2: an informal written note of a transaction or proposed
          instrument 3 a: an informal diplomatic communication
          b: a usu. brief communication written for interoffice
          circulation c: a communication that contains directive,
          advisory, or informative matter usage Although some commentators
          warn against the use of memoranda as a singular and condemn
          the plural memorandas, our evidence indicates that these
          forms are rarely encountered in print. We have a little
          evidence of the confusion of forms, including use of
          memorandum as a plural, in speech (as at congressional
          hearings). As plurals memoranda and memorandums are about
          equally frequent.

   [1]memorial
          [me.mo.ri.al] adj [ME, fr. L memorialis, fr. memoria memory]
          (14c) 1: serving to preserve remembrance: commemorative
          2: of or relating to memory -- me.mo.ri.al.ly adv [2]memorial
          n (14c) 1: something that keeps remembrance alive: as
          a: monument b: something (as a speech or ceremony) that
          commemorates c: keepsake, memento 2 a: record, memoir
          <language and literature ... the ~s of another age --J.
          H. Fisher> b: memorandum, note; specif: a legal abstract
          c: a statement of facts addressed to a government and
          often accompanied by a petition or remonstrance

   Memorial Day
          [Memorial Day] n (1869) 1: May 30 formerly observed as a
          legal holiday in most states of the U.S. in remembrance
          of war dead 2: the last Monday in May observed as a legal
          holiday in most states of the U.S. 3: confederate memorial
          day

   memorialise
          [me.mo.ri.al.ise] Brit var of memorialize

   memorialist
          [me.mo.ri.al.ist] n (1706) 1: a person who writes or signs
          a memorial 2: a person who writes a memoir

   memorialize
          [me.mo.ri.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1798) 1: to address
          or petition by a memorial 2: commemorate

   memorial park
          [memorial park] n (ca. 1928): cemetery

   memorise
          [mem.o.rise] Brit var of memorize

   memoriter
          [me.mo.ri.ter] adj [L, adv., by memory, fr. memor] (ca. 1812):
          marked by emphasis on memorization

   memorize
          [mem.o.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing (1838): to commit to memory:
          learn by heart -- mem.o.riz.able adj -- mem.o.ri.za.tion
          n -- mem.o.riz.er n

   memory
          [mem.o.ry] n, pl -ries [ME memorie, fr. MF memoire, fr. L
          memoria, fr. memor mindful; akin to OE gemimor well-known,
          Gk mermera care, Skt smarati he remembers] (14c) 1 a:
          the power or process of reproducing or recalling what
          has been learned and retained esp. through associative
          mechanisms b: the store of things learned and retained
          from an organism's activity or experience as evidenced
          by modification of structure or behavior or by recall
          and recognition 2 a: commemorative remembrance <erected
          a statue in ~ of the hero> b: the fact or condition of
          being remembered <days of recent ~> 3 a: a particular
          act of recall or recollection b: an image or impression
          of one that is remembered <fond memories of her youth>
          c: the time within which past events can be or are remembered
          <within the ~ of living men> 4 a: a device or a component
          of a device in which information esp. for a computer
          can be inserted and stored and from which it may be extracted
          when wanted b: capacity for storing information <four
          megabytes of ~> 5: a capacity for showing effects as
          the result of past treatment or for returning to a former
          condition--used esp. of a material (as metal or plastic)
          syn memory, remembrance, recollection, reminiscence mean
          the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing
          remembered. memory applies both to the power of remembering
          and to what is remembered <gifted with a remarkable memory>
          <that incident was now just a distant memory>. remembrance
          applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being
          remembered <any remembrance of his deceased wife was
          painful>. recollection adds an implication of consciously
          bringing back to mind often with some effort <after a
          moment's recollection he produced the name>. reminiscence
          suggests the recalling of usu. pleasant incidents, experiences,
          or feelings from a remote past <recorded my grandmother's
          reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood>.

   memory lane
          [memory lane] n (1954): an imaginary path through the nostalgically
          remembered past--usu. used in such phrases as a walk down memory
          lane

   memory trace
          [memory trace] n (1923): engram

   memsahib
          [mem.sa.hib] n [Hindi, fr. E ma'am + Hindi sahib sahib] (1857):
          a white foreign woman of high social status living in
          India; esp: the wife of a British official

   men
          [men] pl of man

   men-
          [men-] or meno- comb form [NL, fr. Gk men month--more at
          moon]: menstruation <menorrhagia>

   [1]menace
          [men.ace] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L minacia, fr. minac-, minax
          threatening, fr. minari to threaten--more at mount] (14c)
          1: a show of intention to inflict harm: threat 2 a: one
          that represents a threat: danger b: a person who causes
          annoyance [2]menace vb men.aced ; men.ac.ing vt (14c)
          1: to make a show of intention to harm 2: to represent
          or pose a threat to: endanger ~ vi: to act in a threatening
          manner -- men.ac.ing.ly adv

   menad
          [me.nad] var of maenad

   menadione
          [men.a.di.one] n [methyl + napthalene + di- + ketone] (1941):
          a yellow crystalline compound with the biological activity
          of natural vitamin K

   menage
          [me.nage] n [F, fr. OF mesnage dwelling, fr. (assumed) VL
          mansionaticum, fr. L mansion-, mansio mansion] (1698):
          a domestic establishment: household; also: housekeeping

   menage a trois
          [me.nage a trois] n [F, lit., household for three] (1891):
          an arrangement in which three persons (as a married pair
          and the lover of one of the pair) share sexual relations
          esp. while living together

   menagerie
          [me.nag.er.ie] n [F menagerie, fr. MF, management of a household
          or farm, fr. menage] (1676) 1 a: a place where animals
          are kept and trained esp. for exhibition b: a collection
          of wild or foreign animals kept esp. for exhibition 2:
          a varied mixture <a wonderful ~ of royal hangers-on --V.
          S. Pritchett>

   menarche
          [men.ar.che] n [NL, fr. men- + Gk arche beginning] (1900):
          the beginning of the menstrual function; esp: the first
          menstrual period of an individual -- men.ar.che.al adj

   [1]mend
          [mend] vb [ME, short for amenden--more at amend] vt (13c)
          1: to free from faults or defects: as a: to improve in
          manners or morals: reform b: to set right: correct c:
          to put into good shape or working order again: patch
          up: repair d: to improve or strengthen (as a relationship)
          by negotiation or conciliation--used chiefly in the phrase
          mend fences <spends the weekend ~ing political fences
          --E. O. Hauser> e: to restore to health: cure 2: to make
          amends or atonement for <least said, soonest ~ed> ~ vi
          1: to improve morally: reform 2: to become corrected
          or improved 3: to improve in health; also: heal -- mend.able
          adj -- mend.er n syn mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean
          to put into good order something that has been injured,
          damaged, or defective. mend implies making whole or sound
          something broken, torn, or injured <mended the torn dress>.
          repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage
          or dilapidation <repaired the back steps>. patch implies
          an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new
          material <patch worn jeans>. rebuild suggests making
          like new without completely replacing <a rebuilt automobile
          engine>. [2]mend n (14c) 1: an act of mending: repair
          2: a mended place -- on the mend : getting better: improving

   mendacious
          [men.da.cious] adj [L mendac-, mendax--more at amend] (1616):
          given to or characterized by deception or falsehood or
          divergence from absolute truth <~ tales of his adventures>
          syn see dishonest -- men.da.cious.ly adv -- men.da.cious.ness
          n

   mendacity
          [men.dac.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1646) 1: the quality or state
          of being mendacious 2: lie

   Mende
          [Men.de] n, pl mende or mendes (1732) 1: a Mande language
          of southern Sierra Leone and eastern Liberia 2: a member
          of a people speaking Mende

   mendelevium
          [men.de.le.vi.um] n [NL, fr. Dmitry Mendeleyev] (1955): a
          radioactive element that is artificially produced

   Mendelian
          [Men.de.lian] adj (1901): of, relating to, or according with
          Mendel's laws or Mendelism -- Mendelian n

   Mendelian factor
          [Mendelian factor] n (1927): gene

   Mendelian inheritance
          [Mendelian inheritance] n (ca. 1923): particulate inheritance

   Mendelism
          [Men.del.ism] n (1903): the principles or the operations
          of Mendel's laws; also: particulate inheritance -- Men.del.ist
          adj or n

   Mendel's law
          [Men.del's law] n [Gregor Mendel] (1903) 1: a principle in
          genetics: hereditary units occur in pairs that separate
          during gamete formation so that every gamete receives
          but one member of a pair--called also law of segregation
          2: a principle in genetics limited and modified by the
          subsequent discovery of the phenomenon of linkage: the
          different pairs of hereditary units are distributed to
          the gametes independently of each other, the gametes
          combine at random, and the various combinations of hereditary
          pairs occur in the zygotes according to the laws of chance--called
          also law of independent assortment 3: a principle in genetics
          proved subsequently to be subject to many limitations: because one
          of each pair of hereditary units dominates the other in expression,
          characters are inherited alternatively on an all-or-nothing
          basis--called also law of dominance

   mendicancy
          [men.di.can.cy] n (1790) 1: the condition of being a beggar
          2: the practice of begging

   mendicant
          [men.di.cant] n [ME, fr. L mendicant-, mendicans, prp. of
          mendicare to beg, fr. mendicus beggar--more at amend]
          (14c) 1: beggar 1 2 often cap: a member of a religious
          order (as the Franciscans) combining monastic life and
          outside religious activity and orig. owning neither personal
          nor community property: friar -- mendicant adj

   mendicity
          [men.dic.i.ty] n [ME mendicite, fr. MF mendicite, fr.
          L mendicitat-, mendicitas, fr. mendicus] (15c): mendicancy

   Menelaus
          [Men.e.la.us] n [L, fr. Gk Menelaos]: a king of Sparta, brother
          of Agamemnon, and husband of the abducted Helen of Troy

   menfolk
          [men.folk] or men.folks n pl (1802) 1: men in general 2:
          the men of a family or community

   MEng
          [MEng] abbreviation master of English

   menhaden
          [men.ha.den] n, pl -den also -dens [of Algonquian origin;
          akin to Narraganset munnawhatteaug menhaden] (1792):
          a marine fish (Brevoortia tyrannus) of the herring family
          abundant along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. where it
          is used for bait or converted into oil and fertilizer;
          also: any of several congeneric fishes

   menhir
          [men.hir] n [F, fr. Bret, fr. men stone + hir long] (1840):
          a single upright rude monolith usu. of prehistoric origin

   [1]menial
          [me.nial] n (14c): a person doing menial work; specif: a
          domestic servant or retainer [2]menial adj [ME meynial,
          fr. meynie household, retinue, fr. OF mesnie, fr. (assumed)
          VL mansionata, fr. L mansion-, mansio dwelling--more
          at mansion] (15c) 1: of or relating to servants: lowly
          2 a: appropriate to a servant: humble, servile <answered
          in ~ tones> b: lacking interest or dignity <a ~ task>
          -- me.nial.ly adv

   Meniere's disease
          [Me.niere's disease] n [Prosper Meniere d. 1862 Fr. physician]
          (1876): a disorder of the membranous labyrinth of the
          inner ear that is marked by recurrent attacks of dizziness,
          tinnitus, and deafness--called also Meniere's syndrome

   mening-
          [mening-] or meningo- also meningi- comb form [NL, fr. mening-,
          meninx] 1: meninges <meningococcus> <meningitis> 2: meninges
          and <meningoencephalitis>

   meningeal
          [men.in.ge.al] adj (1829): of, relating to, or affecting
          the meninges

   meninges
          [meninges] pl of meninx

   meningioma
          [me.nin.gi.o.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (1922): a slow-growing
          encapsulated tumor arising from the meninges and often
          causing damage by pressing upon the brain and adjacent
          parts

   meningitis
          [men.in.gi.tis] n, pl -git.i.des [NL] (1828) 1: inflammation
          of the meninges and esp. of the pia mater and the arachnoid
          2: a usu. bacterial disease in which inflammation of
          the meninges occurs -- men.in.git.ic adj

   meningococcus
          [me.nin.go.coc.cus] n, pl -coc.ci [NL] (ca. 1893): the bacterium
          (Neisseria meningitidis) that causes cerebrospinal meningitis
          -- me.nin.go.coc.cal also me.nin.go.coc.cic adj

   meningoencephalitis
          [me.nin.go.en.ceph.a.li.tis] n, pl -lit.i.des [NL] (ca. 1860):
          inflammation of the brain and meninges --
          me.nin.go.en.ceph.a.lit.ic adj

   meninx
          [me.ninx] n, pl me.nin.ges [NL, fr. Gk mening-, meninx membrane]
          (1543): any of the three membranes that envelop the brain
          and spinal cord

   meniscus
          [me.nis.cus] n, pl me.nis.ci also me.nis.cus.es [NL, fr.
          Gk meniskos, fr. dim. of mene moon, crescent--more at
          moon] (1693) 1: a concavo-convex lens 2: a crescent or
          crescent-shaped body 3: the curved upper surface of a
          column of liquid 4: a fibrous cartilage within a joint
          esp. of the knee

   Mennonite
          [Men.no.nite] n [G Mennonit, fr. Menno Simons] (1565): a
          member of any of various Protestant groups derived from
          the Anabaptist movement in Holland and characterized
          by congregational autonomy and rejection of military
          service

   meno-
          [meno-] --see men-

   meno mosso
          [me.no mos.so] adv [It] (ca. 1854): less rapid--used as a
          direction in music

   menopause
          [men.o.pause] n [F menopause, fr. meno- men- + pause stop,
          pause] (1872): the period of natural cessation of menstruation
          occurring usu. between the ages of 45 and 50 -- men.o.paus.al
          adj

   menorah
          [me.no.rah] n [Heb menorah candlestick] (1888): a candelabrum
          with seven or nine candles that is used in Jewish worship

   menorrhagia
          [men.or.rha.gia] n [NL] (ca. 1784): abnormally profuse menstrual
          flow

   mensal
          [men.sal] adj [ME, fr. LL mensalis, fr. L mensa table] (15c):
          of, relating to, or done at the table

   mensch
          [mensch] n [Yiddish mentsh human being, fr. MHG mensch, fr.
          OHG mennisco; akin to OE man human being, man] (1953):
          a person of integrity and honor

   [1]mense
          [mense] n [ME menske honor, fr. ON mennska humanity; akin
          to OE man] (ca. 1500) chiefly Scot: propriety -- mense.ful
          adj -- mense.less adj [2]mense vt mensed ; mens.ing (1540)
          chiefly Scot: to do honor to: grace

   menses
          [men.ses] n pl but sing or pl in constr [L, lit., months,
          pl. of mensis month--more at moon] (1597): the menstrual
          flow

   Menshevik
          [Men.she.vik] n, pl Mensheviks or Men.she.vi.ki [Russ men'shevik,
          fr. men'she less; fr. their forming the minority group
          of the party] (1907): a member of a wing of the Russian
          Social Democratic party before and during the Russian
          Revolution believing in the gradual achievement of socialism
          by parliamentary methods in opposition to the Bolsheviks
          -- Men.she.vism n -- Men.she.vist n or adj

   mens rea
          [mens rea] n [NL, lit., guilty mind] (1861): criminal intent

   men's room
          [men's room] n (1929): a room equipped with one or more sinks,
          toilets, and usu. urinals for the use of men and boys

   mens sana in corpore sano
          [mens sa.na in cor.po.re sa.no] [L] foreign term : a sound
          mind in a sound body

   menstrual
          [men.stru.al] adj (14c): of or relating to menstruation

   menstruate
          [men.stru.ate] vi -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL menstruatus, pp. of
          menstruari, fr. L menstrua menses, fr. neut. pl. of menstruus
          monthly, fr. mensis] (1800): to undergo menstruation

   menstruation
          [men.stru.a.tion] n (ca. 1784): a discharging of blood, secretions,
          and tissue debris from the uterus that recurs in nonpregnant
          breeding-age primate females at approximately monthly intervals and
          that is considered to represent a readjustment of the uterus to the
          nonpregnant state following proliferative changes accompanying the
          preceding ovulation; also: period 6c

   menstruum
          [men.stru.um] n, pl -stru.ums or -strua [ML, lit., menses,
          alter. of L menstrua] (1612): a substance that dissolves
          a solid or holds it in suspension: solvent

   mensurable
          [men.su.ra.ble] adj [LL mensurabilis, fr. mensurare to measure,
          fr. L mensura measure--more at measure] (1604) 1: capable
          of being measured: measurable 2: mensural 1 -- men.sur.abil.i.ty
          n

   mensural
          [men.su.ral] adj [LL mensuralis measurable, fr. L mensura]
          (1609) 1: of, relating to, or being polyphonic music
          originating in the 13th century with each note having
          a definite and exact time value 2: of or relating to
          measure

   mensuration
          [men.su.ra.tion] n (1571) 1: the act of measuring: measurement
          2: geometry applied to the computation of lengths, areas,
          or volumes from given dimensions or angles

   menswear
          [mens.wear] n (1908): clothing for men

   -ment
          [-ment] n suffix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L -mentum; akin to L -men,
          suffix denoting concrete result, Gk -mat-, -ma] 1 a:
          concrete result, object, or agent of a (specified) action
          <embankment> <entanglement> b: concrete means or instrument
          of a (specified) action <entertainment> 2 a: action:
          process <encirclement> <development> b: place of a (specified)
          action <encampment> 3: state or condition resulting from
          (a specified action) <involvement>

   [1]mental
          [men.tal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL mentalis, fr. L ment-,
          mens mind--more at mind] (15c) 1 a: of or relating to
          the mind; specif: of or relating to the total emotional
          and intellectual response of an individual to external
          reality <~ health> b: of or relating to intellectual
          as contrasted with emotional activity c: of, relating
          to, or being intellectual as contrasted with overt physical
          activity d: occurring or experienced in the mind: inner
          <~ anguish> e: relating to the mind, its activity, or
          its products as an object of study: ideological f: relating
          to spirit or idea as opposed to matter 2 a (1): of, relating
          to, or affected by a psychiatric disorder <a ~ patient>
          <~ illness> (2): mentally disordered: mad, crazy b: intended
          for the care or treatment of persons affected by psychiatric
          disorders <~ hospitals> 3: of or relating to telepathic
          or mind-reading powers -- men.tal.ly adv [2]mental adj
          [L mentum chin--more at mouth] (ca. 1727): of or relating
          to the chin: genial

   mental age
          [mental age] n (1912): a measure used in psychological testing
          that expresses an individual's mental attainment in terms
          of the number of years it takes an average child to reach
          the same level

   mental deficiency
          [mental deficiency] n (1856): mental retardation

   mentalist
          [men.tal.ist] n (1930): mind reader

   mentalistic
          [men.tal.is.tic] adj (1882) 1: of or relating to any school
          of psychology or psychiatry that in contrast to behaviorism
          values subjective data (as those gained by introspection)
          in the study and explanation of behavior 2: of or relating
          to mental phenomena -- men.tal.ism n

   mentality
          [men.tal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1691) 1: mental power or capacity:
          intelligence 2: mode or way of thought: outlook

   mental retardation
          [mental retardation] n (1914): subaverage intellectual ability
          that is equivalent to or less than an IQ of 70, is present
          from birth or infancy, and is manifested esp. by abnormal
          development, by learning difficulties, and by problems
          in social adjustment

   mentation
          [men.ta.tion] n [L ment-, mens + E -ation] (1850): mental
          activity

   menthol
          [men.thol] n [G, ultim. fr. L mentha mint] (1876): a crystalline
          alcohol that occurs esp. in mint oils and has the odor
          and cooling properties of peppermint

   mentholated
          [men.tho.lat.ed] adj (1922): containing or impregnated with
          menthol <a ~ salve>

   [1]mention
          [men.tion] n [ME mencioun, fr. MF mention, fr. L mention-,
          mentio; akin to L meminisse to remember, ment-, mens
          mind] (14c) 1: the act or an instance of citing or calling
          attention to someone or something esp. in a casual or
          incidental manner 2: formal citation for outstanding
          achievement [2]mention vt men.tioned ; men.tion.ing (1530):
          to make mention of: refer to; also: to cite for outstanding
          achievement -- men.tion.able adj -- men.tion.er n --
          not to mention : to say nothing of

   [1]mentor
          [men.tor] n [L, fr. Gk Mentor] 1 cap: a friend of Odysseus
          entrusted with the education of Odysseus' son Telemachus
          2 a: a trusted counselor or guide b: tutor, coach --
          men.tor.ship n [2]mentor vt (1983): to serve as a mentor
          for

   mentum
          [men.tum] n, pl men.ta [L, chin--more at mouth] (1826): a
          median plate of the labium of an insect

   menu
          [menu] n, pl menus [F, fr. menu small, detailed, fr. OF--more
          at minuet] (1837) 1 a: a list of the dishes that may
          be ordered (as in a restaurant) or that are to be served
          (as at a banquet) b (1): a comparable list or assortment
          of offerings <a ~ of television programs> (2): a list
          shown on the display of a computer from which a user
          can select the operation the computer is to perform 2:
          the dishes available for or served at a meal; also: the
          meal itself

   menu-driven
          [menu-driv.en] adj (1977): relating to or being a computer
          program in which options are offered to the user via
          menus

   meow
          [me.ow] n [imit.] (1600) 1: the cry of a cat 2: a spiteful
          or malicious remark -- meow vi

   MEP
          [MEP] abbreviation member of the European Parliament

   meperidine
          [me.per.i.dine] n [methyl + piperidine] (1947): a synthetic
          narcotic drug used in the form of its hydrochloride as
          an analgesic, sedative, and antispasmodic

   Mephistopheles
          [Meph.is.toph.e.les] n [G]: a chief devil in the Faust legend
          -- Me.phis.to.phe.lian or Me.phis.to.phe.lean adj

   mephitic
          [me.phit.ic] adj (ca. 1623): of, relating to, or resembling
          mephitis: foul-smelling

   mephitis
          [me.phi.tis] n [L] (ca. 1706): a noxious, pestilential, or
          foul exhalation from the earth; also: stench

   meprobamate
          [mep.ro.bam.ate] n [methyl + propyl + dicarbamate] (1955):
          a bitter carbamate used as a tranquilizer

   mer
          [mer] abbreviation meridian

   -mer
          [-mer] n comb form [ISV, fr. Gk meros part--more at merit]:
          member of a (specified) class <monomer>

   merbromin
          [mer.bro.min] n [mercuric + brom- + fluorescein] (1945):
          a green crystalline mercurial compound used as a topical
          antiseptic and germicide in the form of its red solution

   Mercalli scale
          [Mer.cal.li scale] n [Giuseppe Mercalli d. 1914 Ital. priest
          and geologist] (1921): a scale of earthquake intensity
          ranging from I for an earthquake detected only by seismographs
          to XII for one causing total destruction of all buildings

   mercantile
          [mer.can.tile] adj [F, fr. It, fr. mercante merchant, fr.
          L mercant-, mercans, fr. prp. of mercari to trade--more
          at market] (1642) 1: of or relating to merchants or trading
          2: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of
          mercantilism <~ system>

   mercantilism
          [mer.can.til.ism] n (1873) 1: the theory or practice of mercantile
          pursuits: commercialism 2: an economic system developing during the
          decay of feudalism to unify and increase the power and esp. the
          monetary wealth of a nation by a strict governmental regulation
          of the entire national economy usu. through policies designed
          to secure an accumulation of bullion, a favorable balance of trade,
          the development of agriculture and manufactures, and the
          establishment of foreign trading monopolies -- mer.can.til.ist
          n or adj -- mer.can.til.is.tic adj

   mercaptan
          [mer.cap.tan] n [G, fr. Dan, fr. ML mercurium captans, lit.,
          seizing mercury] (1835): any of various compounds that
          contain a thiol functional group: thiol 1

   mercaptopurine
          [mer.cap.to.pu.rine] n [mercaptan + -o- + purine] (ca. 1952):
          an antimetabolite that interferes esp. with the metabolism
          of purine bases and the biosynthesis of nucleic acids
          and that is sometimes useful in the treatment of acute
          leukemia

   Mercator
          [Mer.ca.tor] adj (ca. 1876): of, relating to, or drawn on
          the Mercator projection

   Mercator projection
          [Mercator projection] n [Gerardus Mercator] (ca. 1881): a
          conformal map projection in the usual case of which the
          meridians are drawn parallel to each other and the parallels
          of latitude are straight lines whose distance from each
          other increases with their distance from the equator

   [1]mercenary
          [mer.ce.nary] n, pl -nar.ies [ME, fr. L mercenarius, irreg.
          fr. merced-, merces wages--more at mercy] (14c): one
          that serves merely for wages; esp: a soldier hired into
          foreign service [2]mercenary adj (1532) 1: serving merely
          for pay or sordid advantage: venal; also: greedy 2: hired
          for service in the army of a foreign country -- mer.ce.nar.i.ly
          adv -- mer.ce.nar.i.ness n

   mercer
          [mer.cer] n [ME, fr. OF mercier merchant, fr. mers merchandise,
          fr. L merc-, merx] (13c) Brit: a dealer in usu. expensive
          fabrics

   mercerise
          [mer.cer.ise] Brit var of mercerize

   mercerize
          [mer.cer.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing [John Mercer d. 1866 Eng.
          calico printer] (1859): to give (as cotton yarn) luster,
          strength, and receptiveness to dyes by treatment under
          tension with caustic soda -- mer.cer.i.za.tion n

   mercery
          [mer.cery] n, pl -cer.ies (14c) Brit: a mercer's wares, shop,
          or occupation

   [1]merchandise
          [mer.chan.dise] n [ME marchaundise, fr. OF marcheandise,
          fr. marcheant] (13c) 1 archaic: the occupation of a merchant:
          trade 2: the commodities or goods that are bought and
          sold in business: wares [2]mer.chan.dise also mer.chan.dize
          vb -dised also -dized ; -dis.ing also diz.ing vi (14c)
          archaic: to carry on commerce: trade ~ vt 1: to buy and
          sell in business 2: to promote for or as if for sale
          <~ a movie star> -- mer.chan.dis.er n

   merchandising
          [mer.chan.dis.ing] also mer.chan.diz.ing n (1932): sales
          promotion as a comprehensive function including market
          research, development of new products, coordination of
          manufacture and marketing, and effective advertising
          and selling

   [1]merchant
          [mer.chant] n [ME marchant, fr. OF marcheant, fr. (assumed)
          VL mercatant-, mercatans, fr. prp. of mercatare to trade,
          freq. of L mercari--more at market] (13c) 1: a buyer
          and seller of commodities for profit: trader 2: the operator
          of a retail business: storekeeper 3: one that is noted
          for a particular quality or activity: specialist <a speed
          ~ on the base paths> -- merchant adj [2]merchant vi (14c)
          archaic: to deal or trade as a merchant ~ vt: to deal
          or trade in

   merchantable
          [mer.chant.able] adj (15c): of commercially acceptable quality:
          salable -- mer.chant.abil.i.ty n

   merchant bank
          [merchant bank] n (1930) chiefly Brit: a bank that specializes
          in bankers' acceptances and in underwriting or syndicating
          equity or bond issues -- merchant banker n -- merchant
          banking n

   merchantman
          [mer.chant.man] n (15c) 1 archaic: merchant 2: a ship used
          in commerce

   merchant marine
          [merchant marine] n (1855) 1: the privately or publicly owned
          commercial ships of a nation 2: the personnel of a merchant
          marine

   merchant ship
          [merchant ship] n (15c): merchantman 2

   Mercian
          [Mer.cian] n (1513) 1: a native or inhabitant of Mercia 2:
          the Old English dialect of Mercia -- Mercian adj

   merciful
          [mer.ci.ful] adj (14c): full of mercy: compassionate; also:
          providing relief -- mer.ci.ful.ness n

   mercifully
          [mer.ci.ful.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a merciful manner 2: fortunately
          2 <~ we didn't have to attend the meeting>

   merciless
          [mer.ci.less] adj (14c): having or showing no mercy: pitiless
          -- mer.ci.less.ly adv -- mer.ci.less.ness n

   mercurate
          [mer.cu.rate] vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing (1923): to combine or
          treat with mercury or a mercury salt -- mer.cu.ra.tion
          n

   [1]mercurial
          [mer.cu.ri.al] adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or born under
          the planet Mercury 2: having qualities of eloquence,
          ingenuity, or thievishness attributed to the god Mercury
          or to the influence of the planet Mercury 3: characterized
          by rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood 4:
          of, relating to, containing, or caused by mercury syn
          see inconstant -- mer.cu.ri.al.ly adv -- mer.cu.ri.al.ness
          n [2]mercurial n (1676): a pharmaceutical or chemical
          containing mercury

   mercuric
          [mer.cu.ric] adj (ca. 1828): of, relating to, or containing
          mercury; esp: containing mercury with a valence of two

   mercuric chloride
          [mercuric chloride] n (1874): a heavy crystalline poisonous
          compound used as a disinfectant and fungicide and in
          photography

   Mercurochrome
          [Mer.cu.ro.chrome] trademark--used for merbromin

   mercurous
          [mer.cu.rous] adj (ca. 1865): of, relating to, or containing
          mercury; esp: containing mercury with a valence of one

   mercurous chloride
          [mercurous chloride] n (ca. 1885): calomel

   mercury
          [mer.cu.ry] n, pl -ries [L Mercurius, Roman god and the planet]
          1 a cap: a Roman god of commerce, eloquence, travel,
          cunning, and theft who serves as messenger to the other
          gods--compare hermes b often cap, archaic: a bearer of
          messages or news or a conductor of travelers 2 [ME mercurie,
          fr. ML mercurius, fr. L, the god] a: a heavy silver-white
          poisonous metallic element that is liquid at ordinary
          temperatures and is used esp. in scientific instruments--called
          also quicksilver b: the mercury in a thermometer or barometer
          3 cap: the planet nearest the sun

   mercury chloride
          [mercury chloride] n (ca. 1885): a chloride of mercury: as
          a: calomel b: mercuric chloride

   mercury-vapor lamp
          [mercury-vapor lamp] n (1904): an electric lamp in which
          the discharge takes place through mercury vapor--called
          a lso mercury lamp

   mercy
          [mer.cy] n, pl mercies [ME, fr. OF merci, fr. ML merced-,
          merces, fr. L, price paid, wages, fr. merc-, merx merchandise]
          (13c) 1 a: compassion or forbearance shown esp. to an
          offender or to one subject to one's power; also: lenient
          or compassionate treatment <begged for ~> b: imprisonment
          rather than death imposed as penalty for first-degree
          murder 2 a: a blessing that is an act of divine favor
          or compassion b: a fortunate circumstance <it was a ~
          they found her before she froze> 3: compassionate treatment
          of those in distress <works of ~ among the poor> -- mercy
          adj -- at the mercy of : wholly in the power of: with
          no way to protect oneself against syn mercy, charity,
          clemency, grace, leniency mean a disposition to show
          kindness or compassion. mercy implies compassion that
          forbears punishing even when justice demands it <threw
          himself on the mercy of the court>. charity stresses
          benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding
          and tolerance of others <show a little charity for the
          less fortunate>. clemency implies a mild or merciful
          disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing
          <the judge refused to show clemency>. grace implies a
          benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or
          make concessions <by the grace of God>. leniency implies
          lack of severity in punishing <criticized the courts
          for excessive leniency>.

   mercy killing
          [mercy killing] n (1935): euthanasia

   merde
          [merde] n [F, fr. OF, fr. L merda; perh. akin to Lith smirdeti
          to stink] (1920): [2]crap 1a, 2--sometimes considered
          vulgar

   -mere
          [-mere] n comb form [F -mere, fr. Gk meros part--more at
          merit]: part: segment <metamere>

   [1]mere
          [mere] n [ME, fr. OE--more at marine] (bef. 12c) chiefly
          Brit: an expanse of standing water: lake, pool [2]mere
          n [ME, fr. OE maere; akin to ON landamaeri borderland]
          (bef. 12c): boundary; also: landmark [3]mere adj, superlative
          mer.est [ME, fr. L merus; akin to OE amerian to purify
          and perh. to Gk marmairein to sparkle--more at morn]
          (1536) 1: having no admixture: pure 2 obs: being nothing
          less than: absolute 3: being nothing more than <a ~ mortal>
          -- mere.ly adv

   merengue
          [me.ren.gue] n [AmerSp merengue & Haitian Creole meringue]
          (1936): a ballroom dance of Haitian and Dominican origin
          in which one foot is dragged on every step; also: the
          music for a merengue

   meretricious
          [mer.e.tri.cious] adj [L meretricius, fr. meretric-, meretrix
          prostitute, fr. merere to earn--more at merit] (ca. 1626)
          1: of or relating to a prostitute: having the nature
          of prostitution <~ relationship> 2 a: tawdrily and falsely
          attractive <the paradise they found was a piece of ~
          trash --Carolyn See> b: superficially significant: pretentious
          <scholarly names to provide fig-leaves of respectability
          for ~ but stylish books --Times Lit. Supp.> syn see gaudy
          -- mer.e.tri.cious.ly adv -- mer.e.tri.cious.ness n

   merganser
          [mer.gan.ser] n [NL, fr. L mergus, a waterfowl (fr. mergere)
          + anser goose--more at goose] (1752): any of various
          fish-eating diving ducks (esp. genus Mergus) with a slender
          bill hooked at the end and serrated along the margins
          and usu. a crested head

   merge
          [merge] vb merged ; merg.ing [L mergere; akin to Skt majjati
          he dives] vt (1636) 1 archaic: to plunge or engulf in
          something: immerse 2: to cause to combine, unite, or
          coalesce 3: to blend gradually by stages that blur distinctions
          ~ vi 1: to become combined into one 2: to blend or come
          together without abrupt change <merging traffic> syn
          see mix -- mer.gence n

   merger
          [merg.er] n [merge + -er (as in waiver)] (1728) 1 law: the
          absorption of an estate, a contract, or an interest in
          another, of a minor offense in a greater, or of an obligation
          into a judgment 2 a: the act or process of merging b:
          absorption by a corporation of one or more others; also:
          any of various methods of combining two or more organizations
          (as business concerns)

   meridian
          [me.rid.i.an] n [ME, fr. MF meridien, fr. meridien of noon,
          fr. L meridianus, fr. meridies noon, south, irreg. fr.
          medius mid + dies day--more at mid, deity] (14c) 1 archaic:
          the hour of noon: midday 2: a great circle of the celestial
          sphere passing through its poles and the zenith of a
          given place 3: a high point 4 a (1): a great circle on
          the surface of the earth passing through the poles (2):
          the half of such a circle included between the poles
          b: a representation of such a circle or half circle numbered
          for longitude on a map or globe--see longitude illustration
          -- meridian adj

   [1]meridional
          [me.rid.i.o.nal] adj [ME, fr. MF meridionel, fr. LL meridionalis,
          fr. L meridies] (14c) 1: of, relating to, or situated
          in the south: southern 2: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of people living in the south esp. of France 3: of, relating
          to, or situated on or along a meridian -- me.rid.i.o.nal.ly
          adv [2]meridional n (1591): a native or inhabitant of
          southern Europe and esp. southern France

   meringue
          [me.ringue] n [F] (1706) 1: a dessert topping baked from
          a mixture of stiffly beaten egg whites and sugar 2: a
          shell made of meringue and filled with fruit or ice cream

   merino
          [me.ri.no] n, pl -nos [Sp] (1810) 1: any of a breed of fine-wooled
          white sheep originating in Spain and producing a heavy fleece
          of exceptional quality 2: a soft wool or wool and cotton clothing
          fabric resembling cashmere 3: a fine wool and cotton yarn used for
          hosiery and knitwear -- merino adj

   -merism
          [-merism] n comb form [ISV, fr. Gk meros part--more at merit]:
          possession of (such) an arrangement of or relation among
          constituent chemical units <tautomerism>

   meristem
          [mer.i.stem] n [Gk meristos divided (fr. merizein to divide,
          fr. meros) + E -em (as in system)] (1874): a formative
          plant tissue usu. made up of small cells capable of dividing
          indefinitely and giving rise to similar cells or to cells
          that differentiate to produce the definitive tissues
          and organs -- mer.i.ste.mat.ic adj -- mer.i.ste.mat.i.cal.ly
          adv

   meristic
          [me.ris.tic] adj [Gk meristos] (1894) 1: segmental 2: involving
          modification in number or in geometrical relation of
          body parts <~ variation in flower petals> -- me.ris.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]merit
          [mer.it] n [ME, fr. MF merite, fr. L meritum, fr. neut. of
          meritus, pp. of merere to deserve, earn; akin to Gk meiresthai
          to receive as one's portion, meros part] (14c) 1 a obs:
          reward or punishment due b: the qualities or actions
          that constitute the basis of one's deserts c: a praiseworthy
          quality: virtue d: character or conduct deserving reward,
          honor, or esteem; also: achievement 2: spiritual credit
          held to be earned by performance of righteous acts and
          to ensure future benefits 3 a pl: the intrinsic nature
          of a legal case apart from considerations of circumstance,
          jurisdiction, or procedure b: individual significance
          or justification [2]merit vt (1526): to be worthy of
          or entitled or liable to: earn ~ vi 1 obs: to be entitled
          to reward or honor 2: deserve

   meritocracy
          [mer.i.toc.ra.cy] n, pl -cies [[1]merit + -o- + -cracy] (1958)
          1: a system in which the talented are chosen and moved
          ahead on the basis of their achievement 2: leadership
          selected on the basis of intellectual criteria -- mer.it.o.crat.ic
          adj

   meritocrat
          [mer.it.o.crat] n (1960) chiefly Brit: a person who advances
          through a meritocratic system

   meritorious
          [mer.i.to.ri.ous] adj (15c): deserving of honor or esteem
          -- mer.i.to.ri.ous.ly adv -- mer.i.to.ri.ous.ness n

   merit system
          [merit system] n (1879): a system by which appointments and
          promotions in the civil service are based on competence
          rather than political favoritism

   [1]merle
          [merle] also merl n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L merulus; akin to OE
          osle blackbird, OHG amsla] (15c): blackbird 1a [2]merle
          n [origin unknown] (1905): a bluish or reddish gray mixed
          with splotches of black that is the color of the coats
          of some dogs

   merlin
          [mer.lin] n [ME merlioun, fr. AF merilun, fr. OF esmerillon,
          aug. of esmeril, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG smiril merlin]
          (14c): a small compact Holarctic falcon (Falco columbarius)
          which has a broad dark terminal band on the tail and
          of which the upperparts are slate blue in males and dark
          brown in females--compare pigeon hawk 1 Mer.lin n [ML
          Merlinus, fr. MW Myrddin]: a prophet and magician in
          Arthurian legend

   merlon
          [mer.lon] n [F, fr. It merlone, aug. of merlo battlement,
          fr. ML merulus, fr. L, merle] (ca. 1704): any of the
          solid intervals between crenellations of a battlement--see
          battlement illustration

   merlot
          [mer.lot] n, often cap [F] (ca. 1941): a dry red wine made
          from a widely grown grape orig. used in the Bordeaux
          region of France for blending

   mermaid
          [mer.maid] n [ME mermayde, fr. mere sea (fr. OE) + mayde
          maid--more at marine] (14c): a fabled marine creature
          with the head and upper body of a woman and the tail
          of a fish

   merman
          [mer.man] n (1601): a fabled marine creature with the head
          and upper body of a man and the tail of a fish

   mero-
          [mero-] comb form [ISV, fr. Gk, fr. meros part--more at merit]:
          part: partial <meroblastic>

   meroblastic
          [mer.o.blas.tic] adj [ISV] (1870): characterized by incomplete
          cleavage as a result of the presence of a mass of yolk
          material--compare holoblastic -- mer.o.blas.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   merocrine
          [mer.o.crine] adj [ISV, fr mero- + Gk krinein to separate--more
          at certain] (ca. 1905): producing a secretion that is
          discharged without major damage to the secretory cells;
          also: produced by a merocrine gland

   meromorphic
          [mer.o.mor.phic] adj (ca. 1890): relating to or being a function
          of a complex variable that is analytic everywhere in
          a region except for singularities at each of which infinity
          is the limit and each of which is contained in a neighborhood
          where the function is analytic except for the singular
          point itself

   meromyosin
          [mer.o.my.o.sin] n (1952): either of two structural subunits
          of myosin that are obtained esp. by tryptic digestion

   -merous
          [-merous] adj comb form [NL -merus, fr. Gk -meres, fr. meros--more
          at merit]: having (such or so many) parts <dimerous>

   Merovingian
          [Mer.o.vin.gian] adj [F merovingien, fr. ML Merovingi Merovingians,
          fr. Merovaeus Merowig d. 458 Frankish founder of the dynasty] (ca.
          1694): of or relating to the first Frankish dynasty reigning from
          about a.d. 500 to 751 -- Merovingian n

   merozoite
          [mer.o.zo.ite] n [ISV, fr. mero- + zo- + -ite] (1900): a
          sporozoan trophozoite produced by schizogony that is
          capable of initiating a new sexual or asexual cycle of
          development

   merriment
          [mer.ri.ment] n (1576) 1: lighthearted gaiety or fun-making:
          hilarity 2: a lively celebration or party: festivity

   merry
          [mer.ry] adj mer.ri.er ; -est [ME mery, fr. OE myrge, merge;
          akin to OHG murg short--more at brief] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic:
          giving pleasure: delightful 2: full of gaiety or high
          spirits: mirthful 3: marked by festivity or gaiety 4:
          quick, brisk <a ~ pace> -- mer.ri.ly adv -- mer.ri.ness
          n syn merry, blithe, jocund, jovial, jolly mean showing
          high spirits or lightheartedness. merry suggests cheerful,
          joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity
          <a merry group of revelers>. blithe suggests carefree,
          innocent, or even heedless gaiety <arrived late in his
          usual blithe way>. jocund stresses elation and exhilaration
          of spirits <singing, dancing, and jocund feasting>. jovial
          suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship
          <dinner put them in a jovial mood>. jolly suggests high
          spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting
          <our jolly host enlivened the party>.

   merry-andrew
          [mer.ry-an.drew] n, often cap M&A [merry + Andrew, proper
          name] (1673): a person who clowns publicly

   merry-go-round
          [mer.ry-go-round] n (1729) 1: an amusement park ride with
          seats often in the form of animals (as horses) revolving
          about a fixed center 2: a cycle of activity that is complex,
          fast-paced, or difficult to break out of <the corporate
          ~>

   merrymaker
          [mer.ry.mak.er] n (1827): reveler

   merrymaking
          [mer.ry.mak.ing] n (1714) 1: gay or festive activity: conviviality
          2: a convivial occasion: festivity

   merrythought
          [mer.ry.thought] n (1607) chiefly Brit: wishbone

   merry widow
          [merry widow] n, often cap M&W [The Merry Widow, operetta
          (1905) by Franz Lehar] (1964): a strapless corset or
          bustier usu. having garters attached

   Mersey
          [Mersey] abbreviation Merseyside

   Merthiolate
          [Mer.thi.o.late] trademark--used for thimerosal

   mes-
          [mes-] or meso- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. mesos--more at
          mid] 1: mid: in the middle <mesocarp> 2: intermediate
          (as in size or type) <mesomorph> <meson>

   mesa
          [me.sa] n [Sp, lit., table, fr. L mensa] (1759): an isolated
          relatively flat-topped natural elevation usu. more extensive
          than a butte and less extensive than a plateau; also:
          a broad terrace with an abrupt slope on one side: bench

   mesalliance
          [mes.al.liance] n, pl mesalliances [F, fr. mes- mis- + alliance]
          (1782): a marriage with a person of inferior social position

   mesarch
          [mes.arch] adj (1891): having metaxylem developed both internal
          and external to the protoxylem

   mescal
          [mes.cal] n [AmerSp mezcal, mescal, fr. Nahuatl mexcalli
          mescal liquor] (1702) 1: a small cactus (Lophophora williamsii)
          with rounded stems covered with jointed tubercles that
          are used as a stimulant and antispasmodic esp. among
          the Mexican Indians 2 a: a usu. colorless Mexican liquor
          distilled esp. from the central leaves of maguey plants
          b: a plant from which mescal is produced; esp: maguey

   mescal button
          [mescal button] n (1888): one of the dried discoid tops of
          the mescal

   Mescalero
          [Mes.ca.le.ro] n, pl Mescalero or Mescaleros [AmerSp, fr.
          mezcal, mescal maguey, mescal liquor] (1844): a member
          of an Apache people of Texas and New Mexico

   mescaline
          [mes.ca.line] n (1896): a hallucinatory crystalline alkaloid
          that is the chief active principle in mescal buttons

   mesdames
          [mesdames] pl of madam, or of madame, or of mrs.

   mesdemoiselles
          [mesdemoiselles] pl of mademoiselle

   meseems
          [me.seems] vb impersonal, past me.seemed (15c) archaic: it
          seems to me

   mesembryanthemum
          [me.sem.bry.an.the.mum] n [NL, irreg. fr. Gk mesembria midday
          (fr. mes- + hemera day) + anthemon flower, fr. anthos--more
          at anthology] (1753): any of a genus (Mesembryanthemum)
          of chiefly southern African fleshy-leaved herbs or subshrubs
          of the carpetweed family

   mesencephalon
          [mes.en.ceph.a.lon] n [NL] (1846): midbrain -- mes.en.ce.phal.ic
          adj

   mesenchymal
          [mes.en.chy.mal] adj [ISV] (1886): of, resembling, or being
          mesenchyme

   mesenchyme
          [mes.en.chyme] n [G Mesenchym, fr. mes- + NL -enchyma] (1888):
          loosely organized undifferentiated mostly mesodermal
          cells that give rise to such structures as connective
          tissues, blood, lymphatics, bone, and cartilage

   mesenteron
          [mes.en.ter.on] n, pl -tera [NL] (1877): the part of the
          alimentary canal that is developed from the archenteron
          and is lined with hypoblast

   mesentery
          [mes.en.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME mesenterie, fr. MF & ML;
          MF mesentere, fr. ML mesenterion, fr. Gk, fr. mes- +
          enteron intestine--more at inter-] (15c) 1 a: one or
          more vertebrate membranes that consist of a double fold
          of the peritoneum and invest the intestines and their
          appendages and connect them with the dorsal wall of the
          abdominal cavity b: a fold of membrane comparable to
          a mesentery and supporting a viscus (as the heart) that
          is not a part of the digestive tract 2: a support or
          partition in an invertebrate like the vertebrate mesentery
          -- mes.en.ter.ic adj

   [1]mesh
          [mesh] n [ME, prob. fr. MD maesche; akin to OHG masca mesh,
          Lith mazgos knot] (14c) 1: one of the openings between
          the threads or cords of a net; also: one of the similar
          spaces in a network--often used to designate screen size
          as the number of openings per linear inch 2 a: the fabric
          of a net b: a woven, knit, or knotted material of open
          texture with evenly spaced holes c: an arrangement of
          interlocking metal links used esp. for jewelry 3 a: an
          interlocking or intertwining arrangement or construction:
          network b: web, snare--usu. used in pl. 4: working contact
          (as of the teeth of gears) <in ~> -- meshed adj [2]mesh
          vt (ca. 1547) 1 a: to catch in the openings of a net
          b: enmesh, entangle 2: to cause to resemble network 3
          a: to cause (as gears) to engage b: to coordinate closely:
          interlock ~ vi 1: to become entangled in or as if in
          meshes 2: to be in or come into mesh--used esp. of gears
          3: to fit or work together properly: coordinate

   meshuga
          [me.shuga] or me.shug.ge also me.shug.ah or me.shug.gah adj
          [Yiddish meshuge, fr. Heb meshugga'] (1892): crazy, foolish

   meshuggener
          [me.shug.gen.er] n [Yiddish meshugener, fr. meshuge] (1900):
          a foolish or crazy person

   meshwork
          [mesh.work] n (1830): network <a vascular ~>

   mesial
          [me.si.al] adj (1803) 1: middle, median 2: of, relating to,
          or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the tooth
          in front of it or that is closest to the middle of the
          front of the jaw--compare distal 2 -- me.si.al.ly adv

   [1]mesic
          [me.sic] adj [mes- + -ic] (1926): characterized by, relating
          to, or requiring a moderate amount of moisture <a ~ habitat>
          <a ~ plant>--compare hydric, xeric [2]mesic adj [meson
          + -ic] (1939): of or relating to a meson

   mesmeric
          [mes.mer.ic] adj (1829) 1: of, relating to, or induced by
          mesmerism 2: fascinating, irresistible -- mes.mer.i.cal.ly
          adv

   mesmerise
          [mes.mer.ise] Brit var of mesmerize

   mesmerism
          [mes.mer.ism] n [F. A. Mesmer] (1784) 1: hypnotic induction
          held to involve animal magnetism; broadly: hypnotism
          2: hypnotic appeal -- mes.mer.ist n

   mesmerize
          [mes.mer.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1829) 1: to subject to
          mesmerism; also: hypnotize 2: spellbind, fascinate --
          mes.mer.iz.er n

   mesne
          [mesne] adj [AF, alter. of MF meien--more at mean] (1548):
          intermediate, intervening--used in law

   mesne lord
          [mesne lord] n (1614): a feudal lord who holds land as tenant
          of a superior (as a king) but who is lord to his own
          tenant

   meso-
          [meso-] --see mes-

   mesocarp
          [me.so.carp] n (1849): the middle layer of a pericarp--see
          endocarp illustration

   mesocyclone
          [me.so.cy.clone] n (1975): a rapidly rotating air mass within
          a thunderstorm that often gives rise to a tornado

   mesoderm
          [me.so.derm] n [ISV] (1873): the middle of the three primary
          germ layers of an embryo that is the source of many bodily
          tissues and structures (as bone, muscle, connective tissue,
          and dermis); broadly: tissue derived from this germ layer
          -- me.so.der.mal adj

   mesoglea
          [me.so.glea] or me.so.gloea n [NL, fr. mes- + LGk gloia,
          glia glue--more at clay] (1886): a gelatinous substance
          between the endoderm and ectoderm of sponges or coelenterates

   Mesolithic
          [Me.so.lith.ic] adj [ISV] (1866): of, relating to, or being
          a transitional period of the Stone Age between the Paleolithic
          and the Neolithic

   mesomere
          [me.so.mere] n (ca. 1900): a blastomere of medium size; also:
          an intermediate part of the mesoderm

   mesomorph
          [me.so.morph] n [mesoderm + -morph] (1940): a mesomorphic
          body or person

   mesomorphic
          [me.so.mor.phic] adj [mesoderm + -morphic; fr. the predominance
          in such types of structures developed from the mesoderm]
          (1940) 1: of or relating to the component in W. H. Sheldon's
          classification of body types that measures esp. the degree
          of muscularity and bone development 2: having a husky
          muscular body build -- me.so.mor.phy n

   meson
          [me.son] n [ISV mes- + [2]-on] (1939): any of a group of
          fundamental particles (as the pion and kaon) made up
          of a quark and an antiquark that are subject to the strong
          force and have zero or an integer number of quantum units
          of spin -- me.son.ic adj

   mesonephros
          [me.so.neph.ros] n, pl -neph.roi [NL, fr. mes- + Gk nephros
          kidney--more at nephritis] (1887): either member of the
          second and midmost of the three paired vertebrate renal
          organs that functions in adult fishes and amphibians
          but functions only in the embryo of reptiles, birds,
          and mammals in which it is replaced by a metanephros
          in the adult--compare metanephros, pronephros -- me.so.neph.ric
          adj

   mesopause
          [me.so.pause] n [mesosphere + pause] (1950): the upper boundary
          of the mesosphere where the temperature of the atmosphere
          reaches its lowest point

   mesopelagic
          [me.so.pe.lag.ic] adj (1947) : of or relating to oceanic
          depths from about 600 feet to 3000 feet (200 to 1000
          meters)

   mesophyll
          [me.so.phyll] n [NL mesophyllum, fr. mes- + Gk phyllon leaf--more
          at blade] (1839): the parenchyma between the epidermal
          layers of a foliage leaf -- me.so.phyl.lic or me.so.phyl.lous
          adj

   mesophyte
          [me.so.phyte] n [ISV] (1899): a plant that grows under medium
          conditions of moisture -- me.so.phyt.ic adj

   mesoscale
          [me.so.scale] adj (1956): of intermediate size; esp: of or
          relating to a meteorological phenomenon approximately
          10 to 1000 kilometers in horizontal extent <~ cloud pattern>

   mesosome
          [me.so.some] n (1960): an organelle of bacteria that appears
          as an invagination of the plasma membrane and functions
          either in DNA replication and cell division or excretion
          of exoenzymes

   mesosphere
          [me.so.sphere] n (1950): the part of the earth's atmosphere
          between the stratosphere and the thermosphere in which
          temperature decreases with altitude to the atmosphere's
          absolute minimum of about -112 degrees F (-80 degrees
          C) -- me.so.spher.ic adj

   mesothelioma
          [me.so.the.li.o.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (ca. 1899):
          a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (as that lining
          the peritoneum or pleura)

   mesothelium
          [me.so.the.li.um] n, pl -lia [NL, fr. mes- + epithelium]
          (1886): epithelium derived from mesoderm that lines the
          body cavity of a vertebrate embryo and gives rise to
          epithelia (as of the peritoneum, pericardium, and pleurae),
          striated muscle, heart muscle, and several minor structures
          -- me.so.the.li.al adj

   mesothoracic
          [me.so.tho.rac.ic] adj (1839): of or relating to the mesothorax

   mesothorax
          [me.so.tho.rax] n [NL] (ca. 1826): the middle of the three
          segments of the thorax of an insect--see insect illustration

   mesotrophic
          [me.so.tro.phic] adj (1940) of a body of water: having a
          moderate amount of dissolved nutrients--compare eutrophic,
          oligotrophic

   Mesozoic
          [Me.so.zo.ic] adj (1840): of, relating to, or being an era
          of geological history comprising the interval between
          the Permian and the Tertiary or the corresponding system
          of rocks that was marked by the presence of dinosaurs,
          marine and flying reptiles, ammonites, ferns, and gymnosperms
          and the appearance of angiosperms, mammals, and birds
          -- Mesozoic n

   mesquite
          [mes.quite] n [AmerSp, fr. Nahuatl mizquitl] (1759): any
          of several spiny leguminous trees or shrubs (genus Prosopis
          and esp. P. glandulosa) chiefly of the southwestern U.S.
          that often form extensive thickets and have sweet pods
          eaten by livestock; also: the wood of the mesquite used
          esp. in grilling food

   [1]mess
          [mess] n [ME mes, fr. MF, fr. LL missus course at a meal,
          fr. missus, pp. of mittere to put, fr. L, to send--more
          at smite] (14c) 1: a quantity of food: a archaic: food
          set on a table at one time b: a prepared dish of soft
          food; also: a mixture of ingredients cooked or eaten
          together c: enough food of a specified kind for a dish
          or a meal <picked a ~ of peas for dinner> 2 a: a group
          of persons who regularly take their meals together; also:
          a meal so taken b: a place where meals are regularly
          served to a group: mess hall 3 a: a disordered, untidy,
          offensive, or unpleasant state or condition <your room
          is in a ~> b: one that is disordered, untidy, offensive,
          or unpleasant usu. because of blundering, laxity, or
          misconduct <[the movie] is a ~, as sloppy in concept
          as it is in execution --Judith Crist> <made a ~ of his
          life> [2]mess vt (14c) 1: to provide with meals at a
          mess 2 a: to make dirty or untidy: disarrange <warned
          not to ~ up your room> b: to mix up: bungle <really ~ed
          up my life> 3: to interfere with <magnetic storms that
          ~ up communications --Time> 4: to rough up: manhandle
          <~ him up good so he won't double-cross us again> ~ vi
          1: to take meals with a mess 2: to make a mess 3 a: putter,
          trifle <small boys and girls who like to ~ around with
          paints> b: to handle or play with something esp. carelessly
          <don't ~ with my camera>--often used with around c: to
          take an active interest in something or someone <~ing
          around with new video techniques>; also: interfere, meddle
          <~ing in other people's affairs> <you'd better not ~
          with me> 4: to become confused or make an error--usu.
          used with up <got another chance and didn't want to ~
          up again>

   [1]message
          [mes.sage] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. ML missaticum, fr. L missus,
          pp. of mittere] (14c) 1: a communication in writing,
          in speech, or by signals 2: a messenger's errand or function
          3: an underlying theme or idea [2]message vb mes.saged
          ; mes.sag.ing vt (1583) 1: to send as a message or by
          messenger 2: to send a message to ~ vi: to communicate
          by message

   messaline
          [mes.sa.line] n [F] (ca. 1890): a soft lightweight silk dress
          fabric with a satin weave

   messan
          [mes.san] n [ScGael measan] (15c) chiefly Scot: lapdog 1

   mess around
          [mess around] vi (ca. 1932) 1: to waste time: dawdle, idle
          2 a: associate <don't mess around with admirals much
          --K. M. Dodson> b: flirt, philander <caught him messing
          around with my wife>

   messeigneurs
          [messeigneurs] pl of monseigneur

   messenger
          [mes.sen.ger] n [ME messangere, fr. OF messagier, fr. message]
          (14c) 1: one who bears a message or does an errand: as
          a archaic: forerunner, herald b: a dispatch bearer in
          government or military service c: an employee who carries
          messages 2: a light line used in hauling a heavier line
          (as between ships) 3: a substance (as a hormone) that
          mediates a biological effect 4: messenger rna

   messenger RNA
          [messenger RNA] n (1961): an RNA produced by transcription
          that carries the code for a particular protein from the
          nuclear DNA to a ribosome in the cytoplasm and acts as
          a template for the formation of that protein--compare
          transfer rna

   mess hall
          [mess hall] n (1862): a hall or building (as on an army post)
          in which mess is served

   messiah
          [mes.si.ah] n [Heb mashiah & Aram meshiha, lit., anointed]
          1 cap a: the expected king and deliverer of the Jews
          b: jesus 1 2: a professed or accepted leader of some
          hope or cause -- mes.si.ah.ship n

   messianic
          [mes.si.an.ic] adj [prob. fr. F messianique, fr. messianisme]
          (ca. 1834) 1: of or relating to a messiah 2: marked by
          idealism and an aggressive crusading spirit <a ~ sense
          of historic mission --Edmond Taylor>

   messianism
          [mes.si.a.nism] n [F messianisme, fr. messie messiah + -anisme
          (as in christianisme Christianity)] (1876) 1: belief
          in a messiah as the savior of mankind 2: religious devotion
          to an ideal or cause

   Messias
          [Mes.si.as] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr. Aram meshiha]: messiah
          1

   messieurs
          [messieurs] pl of monsieur

   mess jacket
          [mess jacket] n (1891): a fitted waist-length man's jacket
          worn esp. as part of a dress uniform

   mess kit
          [mess kit] n (ca. 1877): a compact kit of nested cooking
          and eating utensils for use by soldiers and campers

   messmate
          [mess.mate] n (1746): a person with whom one regularly takes
          mess (as on a ship)

   mess over
          [mess over] vt (1965) slang: to treat harshly or unfairly:
          abuse

   Messrs
          [Messrs.] pl of mr. <~ Jones, Brown, and Robinson>

   messuage
          [mes.suage] n [ME, fr. AF, prob. alter. of OF mesnage--more
          at menage] (14c): premise 3b

   messy
          [messy] adj mess.i.er ; -est (1843) 1: marked by confusion,
          disorder, or dirt: untidy <a ~ room> 2: lacking neatness
          or precision: careless, slovenly <~ thinking> 3: extremely
          unpleasant or trying <~ lawsuits> -- mess.i.ly adv --
          mess.i.ness n

   mestiza
          [mes.ti.za] n [Sp, fem. of mestizo] (ca. 1582): a woman who
          is a mestizo

   mestizo
          [mes.ti.zo] n, pl -zos [Sp, fr. mestizo, adj., mixed, fr.
          LL mixticius, fr. L mixtus, pp. of miscere to mix--more
          at mix] (1582): a person of mixed blood; specif: a person
          of mixed European and American Indian ancestry

   mestranol
          [mes.tra.nol] n [meth- + estrogen + pregnane + [1]-ol] (1962):
          a synthetic estrogen used in oral contraceptives

   met
          [met] abbreviation meteorological, meteorology, metropolitan

   met
          [met] past and past part of meet

   meta-
          [meta-] or met- prefix [NL & ML, fr. L or Gk; L, fr. Gk,
          among, with, after, fr. meta among, with, after; akin
          to OE mid, mith with, OHG mit] 1 a: occurring later than
          or in succession to: after <metestrus> b: situated behind
          or beyond <metencephalon> <metacarpus> c: later or more
          highly organized or specialized form of <metaxylem> 2:
          change: transformation 3 [metaphysics]: more comprehensive:
          transcending <metapsychology>--used with the name of
          a discipline to designate a new but related discipline
          designed to deal critically with the original one <metamathematics>
          4 a: involving substitution at or characterized by two positions
          in the benzene ring that are separated by one carbon atom
          <meta-xylene> b: derived from by loss of water <metaphosphoric
          acid>

   metabolic
          [met.a.bol.ic] adj (1845): of, relating to, or based on metabolism
          -- met.a.bol.i.cal.ly adv

   metabolism
          [me.tab.o.lism] n [ISV, fr. Gk metabole change, fr. metaballein
          to change, fr. meta- + ballein to throw--more at devil]
          (1872) 1 a: the sum of the processes in the buildup and
          destruction of protoplasm; specif: the chemical changes
          in living cells by which energy is provided for vital
          processes and activities and new material is assimilated
          b: the sum of the processes by which a particular substance
          is handled in the living body c: the sum of the metabolic
          activities taking place in a particular environment <the
          ~ of a lake> 2: metamorphosis 2--usu. used in combination
          <holometabolism>

   metabolite
          [me.tab.o.lite] n (1884) 1: a product of metabolism 2: a
          substance essential to the metabolism of a particular
          organism or to a particular metabolic process

   metabolize
          [me.tab.o.lize] vb -lized ; -liz.ing vt (1887): to subject
          to metabolism ~ vi: to perform metabolism -- me.tab.o.liz.able
          adj

   [1]metacarpal
          [meta.car.pal] adj (1739): of, relating to, or being the
          metacarpus or a metacarpal [2]metacarpal n (1854): a
          bone of the part of the hand or forefoot between the
          carpus and the phalanges that typically contains five
          more or less elongated bones when all the digits are
          present

   metacarpus
          [meta.car.pus] n [NL] (1676): the part of the hand or forefoot
          that contains the metacarpals

   metacenter
          [meta.cen.ter] n [F metacentre, fr. meta- meta- + centre
          center] (1794): the point of intersection of the vertical
          through the center of buoyancy of a floating body with
          the vertical through the new center of buoyancy when
          the body is displaced

   metacentric
          [meta.cen.tric] adj (1798) 1: of or relating to a metacenter
          2: having the centromere medially situated so that the
          two chromosomal arms are of roughly equal length -- metacentric
          n

   metacercaria
          [meta.cer.car.ia] n [NL] (1928): a tailless encysted late
          larva of a digenetic trematode that is usu. the form
          which is infective for the definitive host -- meta.cer.car.i.al
          adj

   metachromatic
          [meta.chro.mat.ic] adj (1876) 1: staining or characterized
          by staining in a different color or shade from what is
          typical <~ granules in a bacterium> 2: having the capacity
          to stain different elements of a cell or tissue in different
          colors or shades <~ stains>

   metaethics
          [meta.eth.ics] n pl but usu sing in constr (1949): the study
          of the meanings of ethical terms, the nature of ethical
          judgments, and the types of ethical arguments -- meta.eth.i.cal
          adj

   metafiction
          [meta.fic.tion] n (1978): fiction which refers to or takes
          as its subject fictional writing and its conventions
          -- meta.fic.tion.al adj -- meta.fic.tion.ist n

   metagalaxy
          [meta.gal.axy] n [ISV] (1930): the entire system of galaxies:
          universe -- meta.ga.lac.tic adj

   metagenesis
          [meta.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1864): alternation of generations
          in animals; esp: regular alteration of a sexual and an
          asexual generation -- meta.ge.net.ic adj

   metal
          [metal] or metall abbreviation metallurgical, metallurgy

   [1]metal
          [met.al] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF, fr. L metallum mine,
          metal, fr. Gk metallon] (14c) 1: any of various opaque,
          fusible, ductile, and typically lustrous substances that
          are good conductors of electricity and heat, form cations
          by loss of electrons, and yield basic oxides and hydroxides;
          esp: one that is a chemical element as distinguished
          from an alloy 2 a: mettle 1a b: the material or substance
          out of which a person or thing is made 3: glass in its
          molten state 4 a: printing type metal b: matter set in
          metal type 5: road metal 6: heavy metal [2]metal vt -aled
          or -alled ; -al.ing or -al.ling (1610): to cover or furnish
          with metal

   metalanguage
          [meta.lan.guage] n (1936): a language used to talk about
          language

   metalinguistic
          [meta.lin.guis.tic] adj (1944): of or relating to a metalanguage
          or to metalinguistics

   metalinguistics
          [meta.lin.guis.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1949): a branch
          of linguistics that deals with the relation between language
          and other cultural factors in a society

   metall-
          [metall-] or metallo- comb form [NL, fr. L metallum]: metal
          <metallophone>

   [1]metallic
          [me.tal.lic] adj (15c) 1 a: of, relating to, or being a metal
          b: made of or containing a metal c: having properties
          of a metal 2: yielding metal 3: resembling metal: as
          a: having iridescent and reflective properties <~ blond
          hair> b: having an acrid quality like that of metal <the
          tea has a ~ taste> 4 a: having a harsh resonance: grating
          <a ~ voice> b: having an impersonal or mechanical quality
          <a ~ smile> -- me.tal.li.cal.ly adv [2]metallic n (1952):
          a fiber or yarn made of or coated with metal; also: a
          fabric made with this

   metalliferous
          [met.al.lif.er.ous] adj [L metallifer, fr. metallum + -fer
          -ferous] (ca. 1656): yielding or containing metal

   metallize
          [met.al.lize] also met.al.ize vt met.al.lized also met.al.ized
          ; met.al.liz.ing also met.al.iz.ing (1594): to coat,
          treat, or combine with a metal -- met.al.li.za.tion n

   metallography
          [met.al.log.ra.phy] n [ISV] (ca. 1864): a study of the structure
          of metals esp. with the microscope -- met.al.log.ra.pher
          n -- me.tal.lo.graph.ic adj -- me.tal.lo.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]metalloid
          [met.al.loid] n (1832) 1: a nonmetal that can combine with
          a metal to form an alloy 2: an element intermediate in
          properties between the typical metals and nonmetals [2]metalloid
          also met.al.loi.dal adj (ca. 1850) 1: resembling a metal
          2: of, relating to, or being a metalloid

   metallophone
          [me.tal.lo.phone] n (ca. 1883): a percussion musical instrument
          consisting of a series of metal bars of varying pitch
          struck with hammers

   metallurgy
          [met.al.lur.gy] n [NL metallurgia, fr. metall- + -urgia -urgy]
          (ca. 1704): the science and technology of metals
          -- met.al.lur.gi.cal adj -- met.al.lur.gi.cal.ly adv
          -- met.al.lur.gist n

   metalmark
          [met.al.mark] n (ca. 1909): any of a family (Riodinidae)
          of small or medium-sized usu. brightly colored chiefly
          tropical butterflies that often have metallic coloration
          on the wings

   metalsmith
          [met.al.smith] n (14c): a person skilled in metalworking

   metalware
          [met.al.ware] n (1896): ware made of metal; esp: metal utensils
          for household use

   metalwork
          [met.al.work] n (ca. 1850): the product of metalworking;
          esp: a metal object of artistic merit -- met.al.work.er
          n

   metalworking
          [met.al.work.ing] n (1882): the act or process of shaping
          things out of metal

   metamathematics
          [meta.math.e.mat.ics] n pl but usu sing in constr (ca. 1890):
          a field of study concerned with the formal structure
          and properties (as the consistency and completeness of
          axioms) of mathematical systems -- meta.math.e.mat.i.cal
          adj

   metamere
          [meta.mere] n [ISV] (1877): any of a linear series of primitively
          similar segments into which the body of a higher invertebrate
          or vertebrate is divisible -- meta.mer.ic adj -- meta.mer.i.cal.ly
          adv

   metamerism
          [me.tam.er.ism] n (1877): the condition of having or the
          stage of evolutionary development characterized by a
          body made up of metameres

   metamorphic
          [meta.mor.phic] adj (1816) 1: of or relating to metamorphosis
          2 of a rock: of, relating to, or produced by metamorphism
          -- meta.mor.phi.cal.ly adv

   metamorphism
          [meta.mor.phism] n (1845): a change in the constitution of
          rock; specif: a pronounced change effected by pressure,
          heat, and water that results in a more compact and more
          highly crystalline condition

   metamorphose
          [meta.mor.phose] vb -phosed ; -phos.ing [prob. fr.
          MF metamorphoser, fr. metamorphose metamorphosis, fr.
          L metamorphosis] vt (1576) 1 a: to change into a different physical
          form esp. by supernatural means b: to change strikingly the
          appearance or character of: transform <you are so metamorphosed
          I can hardly think you my master --Shak.> 2: to cause (rock)
          to undergo metamorphism ~ vi 1: to undergo metamorphosis
          2: to become transformed syn see transform

   metamorphosis
          [meta.mor.pho.sis] n, pl -pho.ses [L, fr. Gk metamorphosis,
          fr. metamorphoun to transform, fr. meta- + morphe form]
          (1533) 1 a: change of physical form, structure, or substance
          esp. by supernatural means b: a striking alteration in
          appearance, character, or circumstances 2: a marked and
          more or less abrupt developmental change in the form
          or structure of an animal (as a butterfly or a frog)
          occurring subsequent to birth or hatching

   metanalysis
          [met.anal.y.sis] n (1914): a reanalysis of the division between
          sounds or words resulting in different constituents (as
          in the development of an apron from a napron)

   metanephros
          [meta.neph.ros] n, pl -roi [NL, fr. meta- + Gk nephros kidney--more
          at nephritis] (1884): either member of the final and most caudal
          pair of the three successive pairs of vertebrate renal organs that
          functions as a permanent adult kidney in reptiles, birds, and
          mammals but is not present at all in lower forms--compare
          mesonephros, pronephros -- meta.neph.ric adj

   metaph
          [metaph] abbreviation metaphysics

   metaphase
          [meta.phase] n [ISV] (1887): the stage of mitosis and meiosis
          in which the chromosomes become arranged in the equatorial
          plane of the spindle

   metaphase plate
          [metaphase plate] n (1939): a section in the equatorial plane
          of the metaphase spindle having the chromosomes oriented
          upon it

   metaphor
          [met.a.phor] n [MF or L; MF metaphore, fr. L metaphora, fr.
          Gk, fr. metapherein to transfer, fr. meta- + pherein
          to bear--more at bear] (1533) 1: a figure of speech in
          which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of
          object or idea is used in place of another to suggest
          a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in
          money); broadly: figurative language--compare simile
          2: an object, activity, or idea treated as a metaphor:
          symbol 2 -- met.a.phor.ic or met.a.phor.i.cal adj --
          met.a.phor.i.cal.ly adv

   metaphosphate
          [meta.phos.phate] n [ISV] (1833): a salt or ester
          of a metaphosphoric acid

   metaphosphoric acid
          [meta.phos.pho.ric acid] n (1833): a glassy solid acid formed
          by heating orthophosphoric acid

   metaphrase
          [meta.phrase] n (1640): a literal translation

   metaphysic
          [meta.phys.ic] n [ME metaphesyk, fr. ML metaphysica] (14c)
          1 a: metaphysics b: a particular system of metaphysics
          2: the system of principles underlying a particular study
          or subject: philosophy 3b -- metaphysic adj

   metaphysical
          [meta.phys.i.cal] adj (15c) 1: of or relating to metaphysics
          2 a: of or relating to the transcendent or to a reality
          beyond what is perceptible to the senses b: supernatural
          3: highly abstract or abstruse; also: theoretical 4 often
          cap: of or relating to poetry esp. of the early 17th
          century that is highly intellectual and philosophical
          and marked by unconventional imagery -- meta.phys.i.cal.ly
          adv Metaphysical n (1898): a metaphysical poet of the
          17th century

   metaphysician
          [meta.phy.si.cian] n (15c): a student of or specialist in
          metaphysics

   metaphysics
          [meta.phys.ics] n pl but sing in constr [ML Metaphysica,
          title of Aristotle's treatise on the subject, fr. Gk
          (ta) meta (ta) physika, lit., the (works) after the physical
          (works); fr. its position in his coll ected works] (1569)
          1 a (1): a division of philosophy that is concerned with
          the fundamental nature of reality and being and that
          includes ontology, cosmology, and often epistemology
          (2): ontology 2 b: abstract philosophical studies: a
          study of what is outside objective experience 2: metaphysic
          2

   metaplasia
          [meta.pla.sia] n [NL] (1890) 1: transformation of one tissue
          into another 2: abnormal replacement of cells of one
          type by cells of another -- meta.plas.tic adj

   metapsychology
          [meta.psy.chol.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1909): speculative psychology
          concerned with postulating the structure (as the ego
          and id) and processes (as cathexis) of the mind which
          usu. cannot be demonstrated objectively -- meta.psy.cho.log.i.cal
          adj

   metasequoia
          [meta.se.quoia] n [NL] (1948): any of a genus (Metasequoia)
          of fossil and living deciduous coniferous trees of the
          bald cypress family that have leaves, buds, and branches
          arranged oppositely and flat leaves resembling needles

   metasomatism
          [meta.so.ma.tism] n (1886): metamorphism that involves changes
          in the chemical composition as well as in the texture
          of rock -- meta.so.mat.ic adj

   metastable
          [meta.sta.ble] adj [ISV] (1897): having or characterized
          by only a slight margin of stability <a ~ compound> --
          meta.sta.bil.i.ty n -- meta.sta.bly adv

   metastasis
          [me.tas.ta.sis] n, pl -ta.ses [NL, fr. LL, transition, fr.
          Gk, fr. methistanai to change, fr. meta- + histanai to
          set--more at stand] (1663): change of position, state,
          or form: as a: transfer of a disease-producing agency
          from the site of disease to another part of the body
          b: a secondary metastatic growth of a malignant tumor
          -- met.a.stat.ic adj -- met.a.stat.i.cal.ly adv

   metastasize
          [me.tas.ta.size] vi -sized ; -siz.ing (1907): to spread by
          or as if by metastasis

   [1]metatarsal
          [meta.tar.sal] adj (1739): of, relating to, or being the
          part of the human foot or of the hind foot in quadrupeds
          between the tarsus and the phalanges [2]metatarsal n
          (1854): a metatarsal bone

   metatarsus
          [meta.tar.sus] n [NL] (1676): the metatarsal part of a human
          foot or of a hind foot in quadrupeds

   metate
          [me.ta.te] n [Sp, fr. Nahuatl metatl] (1834): a stone with
          a concave upper surface used as the lower millstone for
          grinding grains and esp. maize

   metathesis
          [me.tath.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [LL, fr. Gk, fr. metatithenai
          to transpose, fr. meta- + tithenai to place--more at
          do] (1577): a change of place or condition: as a: transposition
          of two phonemes in a word b: a chemical reaction in which
          different kinds of molecules exchange parts to form other
          kinds of molecules -- met.a.thet.i.cal or met.a.thet.ic
          adj -- met.a.thet.i.cal.ly adv

   metathoracic
          [meta.tho.rac.ic] adj (ca. 1839): of, relating to, or situated
          in or on the metathorax <~ legs>

   metathorax
          [meta.tho.rax] n [NL] (1816): the posterior segment of the
          thorax of an insect--see insect illustration

   metaxylem
          [meta.xy.lem] n (1902): the part of the primary xylem that
          differentiates after the protoxylem and that is distinguished
          typically by broader tracheids and vessels with pitted
          or reticulate walls

   metazoal
          [meta.zo.al] adj [NL Metazoa] (1928): of or relating to the
          metazoans

   metazoan
          [meta.zo.an] n [NL Metazoa, fr. meta- + -zoa] (1884): any
          of a group (Metazoa) that comprises all animals having
          the body composed of cells differentiated into tissues
          and organs and usu. a digestive cavity lined with specialized
          cells -- metazoan adj

   [1]mete
          [mete] vt met.ed ; met.ing [ME, fr. OE metan; akin to OHG
          mezzan to measure, L modus measure, Gk medesthai to be
          mindful of] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: measure 2: to give
          out by measure: dole--usu. used with out <~ out punishment>
          [2]mete n [ME, fr. AF, fr. L meta] (15c): boundary <~s
          and bounds>

   metempsychosis
          [me.tem.psy.cho.sis] n [LL, fr. Gk metempsychosis, fr.
          metempsychousthai to undergo metempsychosis, fr. meta- + empsychos
          animate, fr. en- + psyche soul--more at psych-] (1591): the passing
          of the soul at death into another body either human or animal

   metencephalon
          [met.en.ceph.a.lon] n [NL] (ca. 1871): the anterior segment
          of the developing vertebrate hindbrain or the corresponding
          part of the adult brain composed of the cerebellum and
          pons -- met.en.ce.phal.ic adj

   meteor
          [me.te.or] n [ME, fr. MF meteore, fr. ML meteorum, fr. Gk
          meteoron, fr. neut. of meteoros high in air, fr. meta-
          + -eoros, fr. aeirein to lift] (15c) 1: an atmospheric
          phenomenon (as lightning or a snowfall) 2 a: any of the
          small particles of matter in the solar system that are
          directly observable only by their incandescence from
          frictional heating on entry into the atmosphere b: the
          streak of light produced by the passage of a meteor

   meteoric
          [me.te.or.ic] adj (1789) 1: of, relating to, or derived from
          the earth's atmosphere <~ water> 2 a: of or relating
          to a meteor b: resembling a meteor in speed or in sudden
          and temporary brilliance <a ~ rise to fame> -- me.te.or.i.cal.ly
          adv

   meteorite
          [me.te.or.ite] n (1824): a meteor that reaches the surface
          of the earth without being completely vaporized -- me.te.or.it.ic
          also me.te.or.it.i.cal adj

   meteoritics
          [me.te.or.it.ics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1930): a science
          that deals with meteors -- me.te.or.it.i.cist n

   meteoroid
          [me.te.or.oid] n (1865) 1: a meteor particle itself without
          relation to the phenomena it produces when entering the
          earth's atmosphere 2: a meteor in orbit around the sun
          -- me.te.or.oi.dal adj

   meteorology
          [me.te.o.rol.o.gy] n [F or Gk; F meteorologie, fr. MF, fr.
          Gk meteorologia, fr. meteoron + -logia -logy] (1620)
          1: a science that deals with the atmosphere and its phenomena
          and esp. with weather and weather forecasting 2: the
          atmospheric phenomena and weather of a region -- me.te.o.ro.log.ic
          or me.te.o.ro.log.i.cal adj -- me.te.o.ro.log.i.cal.ly adv
          -- me.te.o.rol.o.gist n

   [1]meter
          [me.ter] n [ME, fr. OE & MF; OE meter, fr. L metrum, fr.
          Gk metron measure, meter; MF metre, fr. OF, fr. L metrum--more
          at measure] (bef. 12c) 1 a: systematically arranged and
          measured rhythm in verse: (1): rhythm that continuously
          repeats a single basic pattern <iambic ~> (2): rhythm
          characterized by regular recurrence of a systematic arrangement
          of basic patterns in larger figures <ballad ~> b: a measure
          or unit of metrical verse--usu. used in combination
          <pentameter>--compare
          foot 4 c: a fixed metrical pattern: verse form 2: the
          basic recurrent rhythmical pattern of note values, accents,
          and beats per measure in music [2]met.er n [ME, fr. meten
          to mete] (14c): one that measures; esp: an official measurer
          of commodities [3]me.ter n [F metre, fr. Gk metron measure]
          (1797): the base unit of length in the International
          System of Units that is equal to the distance traveled
          by light in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 second or to about
          39.37 inches [4]me.ter n [-meter] (1815) 1: an instrument
          for measuring and sometimes recording the time or amount
          of something <a parking ~> <a gas ~> 2: postage meter;
          also: a postal marking printed by a postage meter [5]me.ter
          vt (1884) 1: to measure by means of a meter 2: to supply
          in a measured or regulated amount 3: to print postal
          indicia on by means of a postage meter

   -meter
          [-meter] n comb form [F -metre, fr. Gk metron measure]: instrument
          or means for measuring <barometer>

   meter-kilogram-second
          [meter-kilogram-second] adj (ca. 1940): of, relating to,
          or being a system of units using the meter, kilogram,
          and second as its base units--abbr. mks

   meter maid
          [meter maid] n (1957): a woman assigned by a police or traffic
          department to write tickets for parking violations

   meterstick
          [me.ter.stick] n (1931): a measuring stick one meter long
          that is marked off in centimeters and usu. millimeters

   metestrus
          [met.es.trus] n [NL] (1900): the period of regression that
          follows estrus

   meth-
          [meth-] or methocomb form [ISV, fr. methyl]: methyl <methacrylic>

   methacrylate
          [meth.ac.ry.late] n [ISV] (1865) 1: a salt or ester of methacrylic
          acid 2: an acrylic resin or plastic made from a derivative
          of methacrylic acid

   methacrylic acid
          [meth.acryl.ic acid] n [ISV] (1865): an acid used esp. in
          making acrylic resins or plastics

   methadone
          [meth.a.done] also meth.a.don n [methyl + amino + diphenyl
          + -one] (1947): a synthetic addictive narcotic drug used
          esp. in the form of its hydrochloride for the relief
          of pain and as a substitute narcotic in the treatment
          of heroin addiction

   methamphetamine
          [meth.am.phet.amine] n (1949): an amine used medically in
          the form of its crystalline hydrochloride esp. in the
          treatment of obesity and often used illicitly as a
          stimulant--called also methedrine

   methanation
          [metha.na.tion] n (1926): the production of methane esp.
          from carbon monoxide and hydrogen

   methane
          [meth.ane] n [ISV] (ca. 1868): a colorless odorless flammable
          gaseous hydrocarbon that is a product of decomposition
          of organic matter and of the carbonization of coal, is
          used as a fuel and as a starting material in chemical
          synthesis, and is the simplest of the alkanes

   methanol
          [meth.a.nol] n [ISV] (1894): a light volatile flammable poisonous
          liquid alcohol used esp. as a solvent, antifreeze, or
          denaturant for ethyl alcohol and in the synthesis of
          other chemicals

   methaqualone
          [meth.aqua.lone] n [meth- + -a- (of unknown origin) + quinoline
          + azole + -one] (1961): a sedative and hypnotic nonbarbiturate
          drug that is habit-forming--compare quaalude

   methedrine
          [meth.e.drine] n [fr. Methedrine, a trademark] (1939):
          methamphetamine

   metheglin
          [me.theg.lin] n [W meddyglyn] (1533): [1]mead

   methemoglobin
          [met.he.mo.glo.bin] n [ISV] (1870): a soluble brown crystalline
          basic blood pigment that differs from hemoglobin in containing
          ferric iron and in being unable to combine reversibly
          with molecular oxygen

   methemoglobinemia
          [met.he.mo.glo.bi.ne.mia] n [NL] (1888): the presence of
          methemoglobin in the blood

   methenamine
          [me.the.na.mine] n [methene (methylene) + amine] (1926):
          hexamethylenetetramine esp. when used as a urinary antiseptic

   methicillin
          [meth.i.cil.lin] n [meth- + penicillin] (1961): a semisynthetic
          penicillin that is esp. effective against penicillinase-producing
          staphylococci

   methinks
          [me.thinks] vb impersonal, past me.thought [ME me thinketh,
          fr. OE me thincth, fr. me (dat. of ic I) + thincth seems,
          fr. thyncan to seem--more at i, think] (bef. 12c) archaic:
          it seems to me

   methionine
          [me.thi.o.nine] n [ISV, fr. methyl + thion- + [2]-ine] (1928):
          a crystalline sulfur-containing essential amino acid

   method
          [meth.od] n [MF or L; MF methode, fr. L methodus, fr. Gk
          methodos, fr. meta- + hodos way] (1541) 1: a procedure
          or process for attaining an object: as a (1): a systematic
          procedure, technique, or mode of inquiry employed by
          or proper to a particular discipline or art (2): a systematic
          plan followed in presenting material for instruction
          b (1): a way, technique, or process of or for doing something
          (2): a body of skills or techniques 2: a discipline that
          deals with the principles and techniques of scientific
          inquiry 3 a: orderly arrangement, development, or classification:
          plan b: the habitual practice of orderliness and regularity
          4 cap: a dramatic technique by which an actor seeks to
          gain complete identification with the inner personality
          of the character being portrayed syn method, mode, manner,
          way, fashion, system mean the means taken or procedure
          followed in achieving an end. method implies an orderly
          logical effective arrangement usu. in steps <effective
          teaching methods>. mode implies an order or course followed
          by custom, tradition, or personal preference <the preferred
          mode of transportation>. manner is close to mode but
          may imply a procedure or method that is individual or
          distinctive <an odd manner of conducting>. way is very
          general and may be used for any of the preceding words
          <has her own way of doing things>. fashion may suggest
          a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something <rushing
          about in his typical fashion>. system suggests a fully
          developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing
          the idea of rational orderliness <a filing system>.

   methodical
          [me.thod.i.cal] also me.thod.ic adj (1570) 1: arranged,
          characterized by, or performed with method or order <a ~ treatment
          of the subject> 2: habitually proceeding according to method:
          systematic <~ in his daily routine> -- me.thod.i.cal.ly adv
          -- me.thod.i.cal.ness n

   methodise
          [meth.od.ise] Brit var of methodize

   methodism
          [meth.od.ism] n (1739) 1 cap a: the doctrines and practice
          of Methodists b: the Methodist churches 2: methodical
          procedure

   methodist
          [meth.od.ist] n (1593) 1: a person devoted to or laying great
          stress on method 2 cap: a member of one of the denominations
          deriving from the Wesleyan revival in the Church of England,
          having Arminian doctrine and in the U.S. modified episcopal
          polity, and stressing personal and social morality --
          methodist adj, often cap -- meth.od.is.tic adj

   methodize
          [meth.od.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1589): to reduce to method:
          systematize syn see order

   method of fluxions
          [method of fluxions] (ca. 1719): differential calculus

   methodological
          [meth.od.o.log.i.cal] adj (1849): of or relating to method
          or methodology -- meth.od.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   methodologist
          [meth.od.ol.o.gist] n (1865): a student of methodology

   methodology
          [meth.od.ol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [NL methodologia, fr. L methodus
          + -logia -logy] (1800) 1: a body of methods, rules, and
          postulates employed by a discipline: a particular procedure
          or set of procedures 2: the analysis of the principles
          or procedures of inquiry in a particular field

   methotrexate
          [meth.o.trex.ate] n [meth- + -trexate, of unknown origin]
          (1955): a toxic anticancer drug that is an analogue of
          folic acid and an antimetabolite

   methoxychlor
          [me.thoxy.chlor] n [meth- + oxy- + chlor-] (1947): a chlorinated
          hydrocarbon insecticide

   methoxyflurane
          [me.thoxy.flu.rane] n [meth- + oxy- + fluor- + ethane] (1962):
          a potent nonexplosive inhalational general anesthetic
          administered as a vapor

   Methuselah
          [Me.thu.se.lah] n [Heb Methuselah] 1: an ancestor of Noah
          held to have lived 969 years 2: an oversize wine bottle
          holding about 6 liters

   methyl
          [meth.yl] n [ISV, back-formation fr. methylene] (ca. 1844):
          an alkyl group derived from methane by removal of one
          hydrogen atom -- me.thyl.ic adj

   methyl acetate
          [methyl acetate] n (1885): a flammable fragrant liquid used
          as a solvent and paint remover and in organic synthesis

   methyl alcohol
          [methyl alcohol] n (ca. 1847): methanol

   methylamine
          [me.thyl.amine] n [ISV] (ca. 1850): a flammable explosive
          gas with a strong ammoniacal odor used esp. in organic
          synthesis (as of dyes and insecticides)

   methylase
          [meth.yl.ase] n (ca. 1952): an enzyme that catalyzes methylation
          (as of RNA or DNA)

   methylate
          [meth.yl.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1861): to introduce the
          methyl group into -- meth.yl.a.tion n -- meth.yl.a.tor
          n

   methyl bromide
          [methyl bromide] n (ca. 1897): a poisonous gaseous compound
          used chiefly as a fumigant against rodents, worms, and
          insects

   methylcellulose
          [meth.yl.cel.lu.lose] n (1921): any of various gummy products
          of cellulose methylation that swell in water and are
          used esp. as emulsifiers, adhesives, thickeners, and
          bulk laxatives

   methylcholanthrene
          [meth.yl.cho.lan.threne] n [methyl + cholic acid + anthracene]
          (1937): a potent carcinogenic hydrocarbon

   methyldopa
          [meth.yl.do.pa] n (1954): a drug used to lower blood pressure

   methylene
          [meth.y.lene] n [F methylene, fr. Gk methy wine + hyle wood--more
          at mead] (1835): a bivalent hydrocarbon group derived
          from methane by removal of two hydrogen atoms

   methylene blue
          [methylene blue] n (ca. 1890): a basic thiazine dye used
          esp. as a biological stain, an antidote in cyanide poisoning,
          and an oxidation-reduction indicator

   methylene chloride
          [methylene chloride] n (1880): a nonflammable liquid used
          esp. as a solvent, paint remover, and aerosol propellant

   methyl ethyl ketone
          [methyl ethyl ketone] n (1876): a flammable liquid compound
          similar to acetone and used chiefly as a solvent--abbr.
          MEK

   methyl isocyanate
          [methyl isocyanate] n (ca. 1894): an extremely toxic chemical
          used esp. in the manufacture of pesticides--abbr. MIC

   methylmercury
          [meth.yl.mer.cury] n (1919): any of various toxic compounds
          of mercury having a methyl group joined to the mercury
          atom that often occur as pollutants which accumulate
          in living organisms (as fish) esp. in higher levels of
          a food chain

   methyl methacrylate
          [methyl methacrylate] n (1933): a volatile flammable liquid
          that polymerizes readily and is used esp. as a monomer
          for resins

   methylnaphthalene
          [meth.yl.naph.tha.lene] n (ca. 1885): either of two isomeric
          hydrocarbons; esp: an oily liquid used in determining
          cetane numbers

   methyl orange
          [methyl orange] n (1881): an alkaline dye used as a chemical
          indicator that in dilute solution is yellow when neutral
          and pink when acid

   methyl parathion
          [methyl parathion] n (1957): a potent synthetic organophosphate
          insecticide that is more toxic than parathion

   methylphenidate
          [meth.yl.phe.ni.date] n [methyl + phenyl + piperidine + acetate]
          (1958): a mild stimulant of the central nervous system
          used in the form of its hydrochloride to treat narcolepsy
          and hyperkinetic behavior disorders in children

   methylprednisolone
          [meth.yl.pred.nis.o.lone] n (1957): a glucocorticoid that
          is a derivative of prednisolone and is used as an anti-inflammatory
          agent; also: any of several of its salts (as an acetate) used
          similarly

   methylxanthine
          [meth.yl.xan.thine] n (1949): a methylated xanthine derivative
          (as caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline)

   methysergide
          [meth.y.ser.gide] n [methyl + lysergic acid + amide] (1962):
          a serotonin antagonist used in the form of its maleate
          esp. in the treatment and prevention of migraine headaches

   metical
          [met.i.cal] n, pl met.i.cais also meticals [Pg, fr. Ar mithqal]
          (1981)--see money table

   meticulous
          [me.tic.u.lous] adj [L meticulosus fearful, irreg. fr. metus
          fear] (1827): marked by extreme or excessive care in
          the consideration or treatment of details syn see careful
          -- me.tic.u.los.i.ty n -- me.tic.u.lous.ly adv --
          me.tic.u.lous.ness n

   metier
          [me.tier] n [F, fr. (assumed) VL misterium, alter. of L ministerium
          work, ministry] (1792) 1: vocation, trade 2: an area of activity
          in which one excels: forte syn see work

   metis
          [me.tis] n, pl me.tis [F, fr. LL mixticius mixed--more at
          mestizo] (1816): one of mixed blood; esp, often cap:
          the offspring of an American Indian and a person of European
          ancestry

   METO
          [METO] abbreviation Middle East Treaty Organization

   metonym
          [met.o.nym] n [back-formation fr. metonymy] (1862): a word
          used in metonymy

   metonymy
          [me.ton.y.my] n, pl -mies [L metonymia, fr. Gk metonymia,
          fr. meta- + -onymon -onym] (1547): a figure of speech
          consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that
          of another of which it is an attribute or with which
          it is associated (as "crown" in "lands belonging to the
          crown") -- met.o.nym.ic or met.o.nym.i.cal adj

   me-too
          [me-too] adj (1926) 1: marked by similarity to or by adoption
          of successful or persuasive policies or practices used
          or promoted by someone else 2: similar or identical to
          an established product (as a drug) with no significant
          advantage over it -- me-too.er n -- me-too.ism n

   metope
          [met.o.pe] n [Gk metope, fr. meta- + ope opening; akin to
          Gk ops eye, face--more at eye] (1563): the space between
          two triglyphs of a Doric frieze often adorned with carved
          work

   metopon
          [met.o.pon] n [meth- + hydro- + morphine + -one] (1941):
          a narcotic drug that is derived from morphine and is
          used in the form of the hydrochloride to relieve pain

   metre
          [me.tre] chiefly Brit var of meter

   -metric
          [-metric] or -metrical adj comb form 1: of, employing, or
          obtained by (such) a meter <galvanometric> 2: of or relating
          to (such) an art, process, or science of measuring <geometrical>

   [1]metric
          [met.ric] n [Gk metrike, fr. fem. of metrikos in meter, by
          measure, fr. metron measure--more at measure] (1760)
          1 pl: a part of prosody that deals with metrical structure
          2: a standard of measurement <no ~ exists that can be
          applied directly to happiness --Scientific Monthly> 3:
          a mathematical function that associates with each pair
          of elements of a set a real nonnegative number with the
          general properties of distance such that the number is
          zero only if the two elements are identical, the number
          is the same regardless of the order in which the two
          elements are taken, and the number associated with one
          pair of elements plus that associated with one member
          of the pair and a third element is equal to or greater
          than the number associated with the other member of the
          pair and the third element [2]metric adj [F metrique,
          fr. metre meter] (1864): of, relating to, or using the
          metric system <a ~ study> -- met.ri.cal.ly adv

   metrical
          [met.ri.cal] or met.ric adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or
          composed in meter 2: of or relating to measurement --
          met.ri.cal.ly adv

   metrication
          [met.ri.ca.tion] n (1965): the act or process of metricizing;
          specif: conversion of an existent system of units into
          the metric system

   metricize
          [met.ri.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing (1873): to change into
          or express in the metric system

   metric space
          [metric space] n (1927): a mathematical set for which a metric
          is defined for any pair of elements

   metric system
          [metric system] n (1864): a decimal system of weights and
          measures based on the meter and on the kilogram

   metric ton
          [metric ton] n (ca. 1890): a unit of mass and weight equal
          to 1,000,000 grams

   metrist
          [me.trist] n (1535) 1: a maker of verses 2: one skillful
          in handling meter 3: a student of meter or metrics

   [1]metro
          [met.ro] n, pl metros [F metro, short for (chemin de fer)
          metropolitain metropolitan railroad] (1904): subway b
          [2]met.ro adj (1953): metropolitan 2

   metrology
          [me.trol.o.gy] n [F metrologie, fr. Gk metrologia theory
          of ratios, fr. metron measure--more at measure] (1816)
          1: the science of weights and measures or of measurement
          2: a system of weights and measures -- met.ro.log.i.cal
          adj -- me.trol.o.gist n

   metronidazole
          [met.ro.ni.da.zole] n [methyl + -tron- (prob. alter. of nitro-)
          + imide + azole] (1962): a drug used esp. in treating
          vaginal trichomoniasis

   metronome
          [met.ro.nome] n [Gk metron + -nomos controlling, fr. nomos
          law--more at nimble] (1816): an instrument designed to
          mark exact time by a regularly repeated tick

   metronomic
          [met.ro.nom.ic] also met.ro.nom.i.cal adj (1866): mechanically
          regular (as in action or tempo) -- met.ro.nom.i.cal.ly
          adv

   metropolis
          [me.trop.o.lis] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk metropolis, fr. metr-,
          meter mother + polis city--more at mother, police] (14c)
          1: the chief or capital city of a country, state, or
          region 2: the city or state of origin of a colony (as
          of ancient Greece) 3 a: a city regarded as a center of
          a specified activity <a great business ~> b: a large
          important city <the world's great ~es --P. E. James>

   [1]metropolitan
          [met.ro.pol.i.tan] n (14c) 1: the primate of an ecclesiastical
          province 2: one who lives in a metropolis or displays
          metropolitan manners or customs [2]metropolitan adj [ME,
          fr. LL metropolitanus of the see of a metropolitan, fr.
          metropolita, n., metropolitan, fr. LGk metropolites,
          fr. metropolis see of a metropolitan, fr. Gk, capital]
          (15c) 1: of or constituting a metropolitan or his see
          2: of, relating to, or characteristic of a metropolis
          and sometimes including its suburbs 3: of, relating to,
          or constituting a mother country as distinguished from
          a colony

   metrorrhagia
          [me.tror.rha.gia] n [NL, fr. metro- womb (fr. Gk metra, fr.
          metr-, meter mother) + -rrhagia--more at mother] (1879):
          profuse uterine bleeding esp. between menstrual periods

   -metry
          [-metry] n comb form [ME -metrie, fr. MF, fr. L -metria,
          fr. Gk, fr. metrein to measure, fr. metron--more at measure]:
          art, process, or science of measuring <chronometry> <photometry>

   metteur en scene
          [met.teur en scene] [F] foreign term : one who puts on the
          stage: director of a play or film

   mettle
          [met.tle] n [alter. of metal] (1581) 1 a: vigor and strength
          of spirit or temperament <suspected to have more tongue
          in his head than ~ in his bosom --Sir Walter Scott> b:
          staying quality: stamina <trucks had proved their ~ in
          army transport --Pioneer & Pacemaker> 2: quality of temperament
          or disposition <gentlemen of brave ~ --Shak.> syn see
          courage -- met.tled adj -- on one's mettle : aroused
          to do one's best

   mettlesome
          [met.tle.some] adj (1662): full of mettle: spirited

   meum et tuum
          [me.um et tu.um] [L] foreign term : mine and thine: distinction
          of private property

   meuniere
          [meu.niere] adj [F (a la) meuniere, lit., in the manner of
          a miller's wife] (1903): rolled lightly in flour and
          sauteed in butter <sole ~>

   Meursault
          [Meur.sault] n [F, fr. Meursault, commune in France] (1833):
          a dry white burgundy wine

   MeV
          [MeV] abbreviation million electron volts

   [1]mew
          [mew] n [ME, fr. OE maew; akin to ON mar gull] (bef. 12c):
          gull; esp: the common European gull (Larus canus) [2]mew
          vb [ME mewen, of imit. origin] vi (14c): to utter a mew
          or similar sound <gulls ~ed over the bay> ~ vt: to utter
          by mewing: meow [3]mew n (1596): meow [4]mew n [ME mewe,
          fr. MF mue, fr. muer to molt, fr. L mutare to change--more
          at mutable] (14c) 1: an enclosure for trained hawks--usu.
          used in pl. 2: a place for hiding or retirement 3 pl
          but sing or pl in constr, chiefly Brit a (1): stables
          usu. with living quarters built around a court (2): living
          quarters adapted from such stables b: back street: alley
          [5]mew vt (15c): to shut up: confine--often used with
          up

   mewl
          [mewl] vi [imit.] (1600): to cry weakly: whimper

   Mex
          [Mex] abbreviation Mexican, Mexico

   Mexican
          [Mex.i.can] n (1604) 1 a: a native or inhabitant of Mexico
          b: a person of Mexican descent c Southwest: a person
          of mixed Spanish and Indian descent 2: nahuatl -- Mexican
          adj

   Mexican bean beetle
          [Mexican bean beetle] n (1921): a spotted ladybug (Epilachna
          varivestis) that feeds on the leaves of beans

   Mexican jumping bean
          [Mexican jumping bean] n (ca. 1929): jumping bean

   Mexican Spanish
          [Mexican Spanish] n (1945): the Spanish used in Mexico

   Mexican standoff
          [Mexican standoff] n (1891): a situation in which no one
          emerges a clear winner; also: deadlock

   meze
          [me.ze] n, pl mezes also meze [NGk & Turk; NGk mezes, fr.
          Turk meze, perh. fr. Ar dial. mazza, mazza] (1926): an
          appetizer in Greek or Middle Eastern cuisine often served
          with an aperitif

   mezereon
          [me.ze.re.on] n [ME mizerion, fr. ML mezereon, fr. Ar mazariyun,
          fr. Per] (15c): a small European shrub (Daphne mezereum
          of the family Thymelaeaceae, the mezereon family) with
          fragrant lilac purple flowers and poisonous emetic leaves,
          fruit, and bark

   mezuzah
          [me.zu.zah] or me.zu.za n, pl -zahs or -zas or -zot [Heb
          mezuzah doorpost] (1650): a small parchment scroll inscribed
          with Deut 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 and the name Shaddai and
          placed in a case fixed to the doorpost by some Jewish
          families as a sign and reminder of their faith

   mezzanine
          [mez.za.nine] n [F, fr. It mezzanino, fr. mezzano middle,
          fr. L medianus middle, median] (1711) 1: a low-ceilinged
          story between two main stories of a building; esp: an
          intermediate story that projects in the form of a balcony
          2 a: the lowest balcony in a theater b: the first few
          rows of such a balcony

   mezza voce
          [mez.za vo.ce] adv or adj [It, half voice] (1775): with medium
          or half volume--used as a direction in music

   mezzo
          [mez.zo] n, pl mezzos [It, lit., middle, moderate, half,
          fr. L medius--more at mid] (1832): mezzo-soprano

   mezzo forte
          [mez.zo for.te] adj or adv [It] (1811): moderately loud--used
          as a direction in music

   mezzo piano
          [mez.zo pia.no] adj or adv [It] (1811): moderately soft--used
          as a direction in music

   mezzo-relievo
          [mez.zo-re.lie.vo] or mez.zo-ri.lie.vo n, pl -vos [It mezzorilievo,
          fr. mezzo + rilievo relief] (1598): sculptural relief intermediate
          between bas-relief and high relief

   mezzo-soprano
          [mez.zo-so.pra.no] n [It mezzosoprano, fr. mezzo + soprano
          soprano] (ca. 1753) 1: a woman's voice with a range between
          that of the soprano and contralto 2: a singer having
          a mezzo-soprano voice

   mezzotint
          [mez.zo.tint] n [modif. of It mezzatinta, fr. mezza (fem.
          of mezzo) + tinta tint] (1738) 1: a manner of engraving
          on copper or steel by scraping or burnishing a roughened
          surface to produce light and shade 2: an engraving produced
          by mezzotint

   mf...
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   mf
          [mf] abbreviation mezzo forte  mF abbreviation millifarad
          MF abbreviation medium frequency, microfiche

   MFA
          [MFA] abbreviation master of fine arts

   mfd
          [mfd] abbreviation manufactured

   mfg
          [mfg] abbreviation manufacturing

   MFH
          [MFH] abbreviation master of foxhounds

   MFN
          [MFN] abbreviation most favored nation

   mfr
          [mfr] abbreviation manufacture, manufacturer

   mg...
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   mg
          [mg] abbreviation milligram  Mg abbreviation magnesium  MG
          abbreviation machine gun, major general, military government

   mgal
          [mgal] abbreviation milligal

   MGB
          [MGB] [Russ Ministerstvo gosudarstvennoi bezopasnosti] abbreviation
          Ministry of State Security

   mgd
          [mgd] abbreviation million gallons per day

   mgr
          [mgr] abbreviation manager, monseigneur, monsignor

   mgt
          [mgt] or mgmt abbreviation management

   MGy Sgt
          [MGy Sgt] abbreviation master gunnery sergeant

   mh...
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   MH
          [MH] abbreviation medal of honor, mental health, mobile home

   MHA
          [MHA] abbreviation master of hospital administration

   MHC
          [MHC] abbreviation major histocompatibility complex

   MHD
          [MHD] abbreviation magnetohydrodynamic, magnetohydrodynamics

   mhg
          [mhg] abbreviation mahogany

   mho
          [mho] n, pl mhos [backward spelling of ohm] (1883): a unit
          of conductance equal to the reciprocal of the ohm: siemens

   MHW
          [MHW] abbreviation mean high water

   MHz
          [MHz] abbreviation megahertz

   mi...
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   mi
          [mi] n [ML, fr. the syllable sung to this note in a medieval
          hymn to St. John the Baptist] (15c): the 3d tone of the
          diatonic scale in solmization

   mi
          [mi] abbreviation mile, mileage, mill  MI abbreviation Michigan,
          military intelligence

   MIA
          [MIA] n [missing in action] (1944): a member of the armed
          forces whose whereabouts following a combat mission are
          unknown and whose death cannot be established beyond
          reasonable doubt

   Miami
          [Mi.ami] n, pl Mi.ami or Mi.am.is (1722): a member of an
          American Indian people orig. of Wisconsin and Indiana

   miaow
          [mi.aow] var of meow

   miasma
          [mi.as.ma] n, pl -mas also -ma.ta [NL, fr. Gk, defilement,
          fr. miainein to pollute] (1665) 1: a vaporous exhalation
          formerly believed to cause disease; also: a heavy vaporous
          emanation or atmosphere <a ~ of tobacco smoke> 2: an
          influence or atmosphere that tends to deplete or corrupt
          <freed from the ~ of poverty --Sir Arthur Bryant>; also:
          an atmosphere that obscures: fog <retreated into an asexual
          mental ~ --Times Lit. Supp.> -- mi.as.mal adj -- mi.as.mat.ic
          adj -- mi.as.mic adj -- mi.as.mi.cal.ly adv

   Mic
          [Mic] abbreviation Micah  MIC abbreviation methyl isocyanate

   mica
          [mi.ca] n [NL, fr. L, grain, crumb; perh. akin to Gk mikros
          small] (1777): any of various colored or transparent
          mineral silicates crystallizing in monoclinic forms that
          readily separate into very thin leaves -- mi.ca.ceous
          adj

   Micah
          [Mi.cah] n [Heb Mikhah, short for Mikhayah] 1: a Hebrew prophet
          of the 8th century b.c. 2: a prophetic book of canonical
          Jewish and Christian Scripture

   Micawber
          [Mi.caw.ber] n [Wilkins Micawber, character in the novel
          David Copperfield (1849-50) by Charles Dickens] (1852):
          one who is poor but lives in optimistic expectation of
          better fortune -- Mi.caw.ber.ish adj

   mice
          [mice] pl of mouse

   micelle
          [mi.celle] n [NL micella, fr. L mica] (1881): a unit of structure
          built up from polymeric molecules or ions: as a: an ordered
          region in a fiber (as of cellulose or rayon) b: a molecular
          aggregate that constitutes a colloidal particle -- mi.cel.lar
          adj

   Mich
          [Mich] abbreviation Michigan

   Michael
          [Mi.chael] n [Heb Mikha'el]: one of the four archangels named
          in Hebrew tradition

   Michaelis constant
          [Mi.chae.lis constant] n [Leonor Michaelis d. 1949 Am. biochemist]
          (1949): a constant that is a measure of the kinetics of an enzyme
          reaction and that is equivalent to the concentration of substrate
          at which the reaction takes place at one half its maximum rate

   Michaelmas
          [Mich.ael.mas] n [ME mychelmesse, fr. OE Michaeles maesse
          Michael's mass] (bef. 12c): September 29 celebrated as
          the feast of St. Michael the Archangel

   Michaelmas daisy
          [Michaelmas daisy] n (1785): a wild aster; esp: one blooming
          about Michaelmas

   Micheas
          [Mi.che.as] n [LL Michaeas, fr. Gk Michaias, fr. Heb Mikhayah]:
          micah

   mick
          [mick] n, often cap [Mick, nickname for Michael, common Irish
          given name] (1856): irishman--often taken to be offensive

   Mickey Finn
          [Mick.ey Finn] n [prob. fr. the name Mickey Finn] (1928):
          a drink of liquor doctored with a purgative or a drug

   Mickey Mouse
          [Mickey Mouse] adj [Mickey Mouse, cartoon character created
          by Walt Disney] (1936) 1 often not cap: being or performing
          insipid or corny popular music 2: lacking importance:
          insignificant <Mickey Mouse courses, where you don't
          work too hard --Willie Cager> 3: annoyingly petty <Mickey
          Mouse regulations>

   mickle
          [mick.le] adj [ME mikel, fr. OE micel--more at much] (bef.
          12c) chiefly Scot: great, much -- mickle adv, chiefly
          Scot

   Micmac
          [Mic.mac] n, pl Micmac or Micmacs [Micmac mikemaw] (1830)
          1: a member of an American Indian people of eastern Canada
          2: the Algonquian language of the Micmac people

   micr-
          [micr-] or micro- comb form [ME micro-, fr. L, fr. Gk mikr-,
          mikro-, fr. mikros, smikros small, short; perh. akin
          to OE smealic careful, exquisite] 1 a: small: minute
          <microcapsule> b: used for or involving minute quantities
          or variations <microbarograph> 2: one millionth part
          of a (specified) unit <microgram> 3 a: using microscopy
          <microdissection>: used in microscopy b: revealed by
          or having the structure discernible only by microscopic
          examination <microorganism> 4: abnormally small <microcyte>
          5: of or relating to a small area <microclimate> 6: employed
          in or connected with microphotographing or microfilming
          <microcopy>

   MICR
          [MICR] abbreviation magnetic ink character recognition

   [1]micro
          [mi.cro] adj [micr-] (1923) 1: very small; esp: microscopic
          2: involving minute quantities or variations [2]micro
          n, pl micros (1971) 1: microcomputer 2: microprocessor

   microampere
          [mi.cro.am.pere] n (ca. 1890): a unit of current equal to
          one millionth of an ampere

   microanalysis
          [mi.cro.anal.y.sis] n (1856): chemical analysis on a small
          or minute scale that usu. requires special, very sensitive,
          or small-scale apparatus -- mi.cro.an.a.lyst n --
          mi.cro.an.a.lyt.i.cal also mi.cro.an.a.lyt.ic adj

   microanatomy
          [mi.cro.anat.o.my] n (ca. 1899): histology -- mi.cro.an.a.tom.i.cal
          adj

   microbalance
          [mi.cro.bal.ance] n (1903): a balance designed to measure
          very small weights

   microbarograph
          [mi.cro.baro.graph] n [ISV] (1904): a barograph for recording
          small and rapid changes

   microbe
          [mi.crobe] n [ISV micr- + Gk bios life--more at quick] (1881):
          microorganism, germ -- mi.cro.bi.al also mi.cro.bic adj

   microbeam
          [mi.cro.beam] n (1950): a beam of radiation of small cross
          section <a focused laser ~> <a ~ of electrons>

   microbiology
          [mi.cro.bi.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1888): a branch of biology dealing
          esp. with microscopic forms of life -- mi.cro.bi.o.log.i.cal
          also mi.cro.bi.o.log.ic adj -- mi.cro.bi.o.log.i.cal.ly
          adv -- mi.cro.bi.ol.o.gist n

   microbrewery
          [mi.cro.brew.ery] n (1984): a small brewery with usu. only
          local distribution -- mi.cro.brew.er n -- mi.cro.brew.ing
          n

   microburst
          [mi.cro.burst] n (1982): a violent short-lived localized
          downdraft that creates extreme wind shears at low altitudes
          and is usu. associated with thunderstorms

   microbus
          [mi.cro.bus] n (1945): a station wagon shaped like a bus

   microcalorimeter
          [mi.cro.cal.o.rim.e.ter] n (1911): an instrument for measuring
          very small quantities of heat -- mi.cro.ca.lo.ri.met.ric
          adj -- mi.cro.cal.o.rim.e.try n

   microcapsule
          [mi.cro.cap.sule] n (1961): a tiny capsule containing material
          (as an adhesive or a medicine) that is released when
          the capsule is broken, melted, or dissolved

   microcassette
          [mi.cro.cas.sette] n (1979): a small cassette of magnetic
          tape that is used esp. for dictation

   [1]microcephalic
          [mi.cro.ce.phal.ic] adj (ca. 1856): having a small head;
          specif: having an abnormally small head [2]microcephalic
          n (ca. 1873): one that is microcephalic

   microcephaly
          [mi.cro.ceph.a.ly] n [NL microcephalia, fr. microcephalus
          microcephalic, fr. micr- + Gk kephale head--more at cephalic]
          (1863): a condition of abnormal smallness of the head
          usu. associated with mental defects

   microchip
          [mi.cro.chip] n (1969): integrated circuit

   microcircuit
          [mi.cro.cir.cuit] n (1959): a compact electronic circuit:
          integrated circuit -- mi.cro.cir.cuit.ry n

   microcirculation
          [mi.cro.cir.cu.la.tion] n (1959): blood circulation in the
          microvascular system; also: the microvascular system
          itself -- mi.cro.cir.cu.la.to.ry adj

   microclimate
          [mi.cro.cli.mate] n [ISV] (1925): the essentially uniform
          local climate of a usu. small site or habitat -- mi.cro.cli.mat.ic
          adj

   microcline
          [mi.cro.cline] n [G Mikroklin, fr. mikr- micr- + Gk klinein
          to lean--more at lean] (1849): a triclinic mineral of
          the feldspar group that is like orthoclase in composition

   micrococcus
          [mi.cro.coc.cus] n, pl -coc.ci [NL] (1870): a small spherical
          bacterium; esp: any of a genus (Micrococcus) of gram-positive
          chiefly harmless bacteria that typically occur in irregular
          clusters -- mi.cro.coc.cal adj

   microcode
          [mi.cro.code] n (ca. 1962): the microinstructions esp. of
          a microprocessor

   microcomputer
          [mi.cro.com.put.er] n (1971) 1: a very small computer that
          uses a microprocessor to handle information 2: microprocessor

   microcopy
          [mi.cro.copy] n [ISV] (1935): a photographic copy in which
          graphic matter is reduced in size (as on microfilm)

   microcosm
          [mi.cro.cosm] n [ME, fr. ML microcosmus, modif. of Gk mikros
          kosmos] (15c) 1: a little world; esp: the human race
          or human nature seen as an epitome of the world or the
          universe 2: a community or other unity that is an epitome
          of a larger unity -- mi.cro.cos.mic adj -- mi.cro.cos.mi.cal.ly
          adv -- in microcosm : in a greatly diminished size, form,
          or scale

   microcosmic salt
          [microcosmic salt] n (1783): a white crystalline salt used
          as a flux in testing for metallic oxides and salts

   microcosmos
          [mi.cro.cos.mos] n [ME mycrocossmos, fr. ML microcosmus]
          (13c) 1: microcosm 2: the microscopic or submicroscopic
          world

   microcrystal
          [mi.cro.crys.tal] n (1886): a crystal visible only under
          the microscope -- mi.cro.crys.tal.line adj --
          mi.cro.crys.tal.lin.i.ty n

   microculture
          [mi.cro.cul.ture] n (1892) 1: a microscopic culture of cells
          or organisms 2: the culture of a small group of human
          beings with limited perspective -- mi.cro.cul.tur.al
          adj

   microcurie
          [mi.cro.cu.rie] n (1911): a unit of quantity or of radioactivity
          equal to one millionth of a curie

   microcyte
          [mi.cro.cyte] n [ISV] (1876): a small red blood cell present
          esp. in some anemias -- mi.cro.cyt.ic adj

   microdensitometer
          [mi.cro.den.si.tom.e.ter] n (1935): a densitometer for measuring
          the densities of very small areas of a photographic film
          or plate (as for detecting invisible spectrographic lines)
          -- mi.cro.den.si.to.met.ric adj -- mi.cro.den.si.tom.e.try
          n

   microdissection
          [mi.cro.dis.sec.tion] n (1915): dissection under the microscope;
          specif: dissection of cells and tissues by means of fine
          needles that are precisely manipulated by levers

   microdot
          [mi.cro.dot] n (1946): a photographic reproduction of printed
          matter reduced to the size of a dot for ease or security
          of transmittal

   microearthquake
          [mi.cro.earth.quake] n (1965): an earthquake of low intensity

   microeconomics
          [mi.cro.eco.nom.ics] n pl but usu sing in constr (1947):
          a study of economics in terms of individual areas of
          activity (as a firm, household, or prices)--compare macroeconomics
          -- mi.cro.eco.nom.ic adj

   microelectrode
          [mi.cro.elec.trode] n (1917): a minute electrode; esp: one
          that is inserted in a living biological cell or tissue
          in studying its electrical characteristics

   microelectronics
          [mi.cro.elec.tron.ics] n pl (1958) 1 sing in constr: a branch
          of electronics that deals with the miniaturization of
          electronic circuits and components 2: devices, equipment,
          or circuits produced using the methods of microelectronics
          -- mi.cro.elec.tron.ic adj -- mi.cro.elec.tron.i.cal.ly
          adv

   microelectrophoresis
          [mi.cro.elec.tro.pho.re.sis] n [NL] (1936): electrophoresis
          in which the movement of single particles is observed
          in a microscope; also: electrophoresis in which micromethods
          are used -- mi.cro.elec.tro.pho.ret.ic adj --
          mi.cro.elec.tro.pho.ret.i.cal.ly adv

   microelement
          [mi.cro.el.e.ment] n (1936): trace element

   microencapsulate
          [mi.cro.en.cap.su.late] vt (1963): to enclose in a microcapsule
          <microencapsulated aspirin> -- mi.cro.en.cap.su.la.tion
          n

   microenvironment
          [mi.cro.en.vi.ron.ment] n (1938): a small or relatively small
          usu. distinctly specialized and effectively isolated
          habitat (as a forest canopy) or environment (as of a
          nerve cell) -- mi.cro.en.vi.ron.men.tal adj

   microevolution
          [mi.cro.evo.lu.tion] n (1940): comparatively minor evolutionary
          change involving the accumulation of variations in populations
          usu. below the species level -- mi.cro.evo.lu.tion.ary
          adj

   microfarad
          [mi.cro.far.ad] n (1873): a unit of capacitance equal to
          one millionth of a farad

   microfauna
          [mi.cro.fau.na] n [NL] (1902) 1: minute animals; esp: those
          invisible to the naked eye <the soil ~> 2: a small or
          strictly localized fauna (as of a microenvironment) --
          mi.cro.fau.nal adj

   microfibril
          [mi.cro.fi.bril] n (1938): a fine fibril; esp: one of the
          submicroscopic elongated bundles of cellulose of a plant
          cell wall -- mi.cro.fi.bril.lar adj

   microfiche
          [mi.cro.fiche] n, pl -fiche or -fiches [F, fr. micr- micr-
          + fiche fiche] (1950): a sheet of microfilm containing
          rows of microimages of pages of printed matter

   microfilament
          [mi.cro.fil.a.ment] n (1963): any of the minute actin-containing
          protein filaments of eukaryotic cytoplasm that function
          in maintaining structure and in intracellular movement

   microfilaria
          [mi.cro.fi.lar.ia] n [NL] (1878): a minute larval filaria
          -- mi.cro.fi.lar.i.al adj

   [1]microfilm
          [mi.cro.film] n [ISV] (1927): a film bearing a photographic
          record on a reduced scale of printed or other graphic
          matter [2]microfilm vt (1937): to reproduce on microfilm
          ~ vi: to make microfilms -- mi.cro.film.able adj -- mi.cro.film.er
          n

   microflora
          [mi.cro.flo.ra] n [NL] (1904) 1: minute plants; esp: those
          invisible to the naked eye 2: a small or strictly localized
          flora (as of a microenvironment) -- mi.cro.flo.ral adj

   microform
          [mi.cro.form] n (1958) 1: a process for reproducing printed
          matter in a much reduced size <documents in ~> 2 a: matter
          reproduced by microform b: microcopy

   microfossil
          [mi.cro.fos.sil] n (1924): a fossil that can be studied only
          microscopically and that may be either a fragment of
          a larger organism or an entire minute organism

   microfungus
          [mi.cro.fun.gus] n [NL] (1874): a fungus (as a mold) with
          a microscopic fruiting body

   microgamete
          [mi.cro.ga.mete] n [ISV] (ca. 1891): the smaller and usu.
          male gamete of a heterogamous organism

   microgametocyte
          [mi.cro.ga.me.to.cyte] n [ISV] (1902): a gametocyte producing
          microgametes

   microgram
          [mi.cro.gram] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): one millionth of a gram--see
          metric system table

   micrograph
          [mi.cro.graph] n [ISV] (1904): a graphic reproduction of
          the image of an object formed by a microscope -- micrograph
          vt

   micrographics
          [mi.cro.graph.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1969): the industry
          concerned with the manufacture and sale of graphic material
          in microform; also: the production of such material --
          mi.cro.graph.ic adj -- mi.cro.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   microgravity
          [mi.cro.grav.i.ty] n (1974): a condition in space in which
          only minuscule forces are experienced: virtual absence
          of gravity; broadly: a condition of weightlessness

   microgroove
          [mi.cro.groove] n (1948): a narrow continuous V-shaped spiral
          track that has closely spaced turns and that is used
          on long-playing records

   microhabitat
          [mi.cro.hab.i.tat] n (1933): the microenvironment in which
          an organism lives <decaying wood creates a ~ for insects>

   microimage
          [mi.cro.im.age] n (1950): an image (as on a microfilm) that
          is greatly reduced in size

   microinch
          [mi.cro.inch] n (1941): one millionth of an inch

   microinjection
          [mi.cro.in.jec.tion] n (1921): injection under the microscope;
          specif: injection into tissues by means of a fine mechanically
          controlled capillary tube -- mi.cro.in.ject vt

   microinstruction
          [mi.cro.in.struc.tion] n (1959): a computer instruction that
          activates the circuits necessary to perform a single
          machine operation usu. as part of the execution of a
          machine-language instruction

   microlepidoptera
          [mi.cro.lep.i.dop.tera] n pl [NL] (1852): lepidopterous insects
          (as tortricids) that belong to families of minute or
          medium-sized moths -- mi.cro.lep.i.dop.ter.ous adj

   microliter
          [mi.cro.li.ter] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): a unit of capacity equal
          to one millionth of a liter--see metric system table

   microlith
          [mi.cro.lith] n [ISV] (1908): a tiny blade tool esp. of the
          Mesolithic usu. in a geometric shape (as that of a triangle)
          and often set in a bone or wooden haft -- mi.cro.lith.ic
          adj

   micromanage
          [mi.cro.man.age] vt (1979): to manage with great or excessive
          control or attention to details -- mi.cro.man.age.ment
          n -- mi.cro.man.ag.er n

   micromanipulation
          [mi.cro.ma.nip.u.la.tion] n (1921): the technique or practice
          of microdissection and microinjection

   micromanipulator
          [mi.cro.ma.nip.u.la.tor] n (1921): an instrument for
          micromanipulation

   micromere
          [mi.cro.mere] n [ISV] (1877): a small blastomere--see blastula
          illustration

   micrometeorite
          [mi.cro.me.te.or.ite] n (1949) 1: a meteorite so small that
          it can pass through the earth's atmosphere without becoming
          intensely heated 2: a very small particle in interplanetary
          space -- mi.cro.me.te.or.it.ic adj

   micrometeoroid
          [mi.cro.me.te.or.oid] n (1954): micrometeorite 2

   micrometeorology
          [mi.cro.me.te.o.rol.o.gy] n (1930): meteorology that deals
          with small-scale weather systems ranging up to several
          kilometers in diameter and confined to the lower troposphere
          -- mi.cro.me.te.o.ro.log.i.cal adj -- mi.cro.me.te.o.rol.o.gist
          n

   [1]micrometer
          [mi.crom.e.ter] n [F micrometre, fr. micr- + -metre -meter]
          (1670) 1: an instrument used with a telescope or microscope
          for measuring minute distances 2: a caliper for making
          precise measurements that has a spindle moved by a finely
          threaded screw [2]mi.cro.me.ter n [ISV micr- + [3]meter]
          (1880): a unit of length equal to one millionth of a
          meter--called also micron--see metric system table

   micromethod
          [mi.cro.meth.od] n (1919): a method (as of microanalysis)
          that requires only very small quantities of material
          or that involves the use of the microscope

   micromini
          [mi.cro.mini] n (1966): a very short miniskirt

   microminiature
          [mi.cro.min.i.a.ture] adj (1958) 1: microminiaturized 2:
          suitable for use with microminiaturized parts

   microminiaturization
          [mi.cro.min.i.a.tur.i.za.tion] n (1955): the process of producing
          microminiaturized things

   microminiaturized
          [mi.cro.min.i.a.tur.ized] adj (1959): reduced to or produced
          in a very small size and esp. in a size smaller than
          one considered miniature

   micromole
          [mi.cro.mole] n [ISV] (1936): one millionth of a mole --
          mi.cro.mo.lar adj

   micromorphology
          [mi.cro.mor.phol.o.gy] n (1945): microstructure --
          mi.cro.mor.pho.log.i.cal adj

   micron
          [mi.cron] n [NL, fr. Gk mikron, neut. of mikros small--more
          at micr-] (1885): [2]micrometer

   Micronesian
          [Mi.cro.ne.sian] n (1847) 1: a native or inhabitant of Micronesia
          2: a group of Austronesian languages spoken in the Micronesian
          islands -- Micronesian adj

   micronize
          [mi.cron.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing [micron] (1940): to pulverize
          esp. into particles a few micrometers in diameter

   micronucleus
          [mi.cro.nu.cle.us] n [NL] (1892): a minute nucleus; specif:
          one that is primarily concerned with reproductive and
          genetic functions in most ciliated protozoans

   micronutrient
          [mi.cro.nu.tri.ent] n (1939) 1: trace element 2: an organic
          compound (as a vitamin) essential in minute amounts to
          the growth and health of an animal

   microorganism
          [mi.cro.or.gan.ism] n [ISV] (1880): an organism of microscopic
          or ultramicroscopic size

   micropaleontology
          [mi.cro.pa.le.on.tol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1883): the study of microscopic
          fossils -- mi.cro.pa.le.on.to.log.i.cal also
          mi.cro.pa.le.on.to.log.ic adj -- mi.cro.pa.le.on.tol.o.gist n

   microparticle
          [mi.cro.par.ti.cle] n (1929): a very small particle; esp:
          one that is microscopic in size

   microphage
          [mi.cro.phage] n [ISV] (1890): a small phagocyte

   microphone
          [mi.cro.phone] n [ISV] (1878): an instrument whereby sound
          waves are caused to generate or modulate an electric
          current usu. for the purpose of transmitting or recording
          sound (as speech or music) -- mi.cro.phon.ic adj

   microphonics
          [mi.cro.phon.ics] n pl (1929): noises in a loudspeaker caused
          by mechanical shock or vibration of the electronic components

   microphotograph
          [mi.cro.pho.to.graph] n [ISV] (1858) 1: a small photograph
          that is normally magnified for viewing: microcopy 2:
          photomicrograph -- microphotograph vt -- mi.cro.pho.tog.ra.pher
          n -- mi.cro.pho.to.graph.ic adj -- mi.cro.pho.tog.ra.phy
          n

   microphotometer
          [mi.cro.pho.tom.e.ter] n [ISV] (1899): an instrument for
          measuring the amount of light transmitted or reflected
          by small areas or for measuring the relative densities
          of spectral lines on a photographic film or plate --
          mi.cro.pho.to.met.ric adj -- mi.cro.pho.to.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv -- mi.cro.pho.tom.e.try n

   microphyll
          [mi.cro.phyll] n [ISV] (1935) 1: a small leaf 2: a leaf (as
          of a club moss) with single unbranched veins and no demonstrable
          gap around the leaf trace -- mi.cro.phyl.lous adj

   microphysics
          [mi.cro.phys.ics] n (1885): the physics of molecules, atoms,
          and elementary particles -- mi.cro.phys.i.cal adj --
          mi.cro.phys.i.cal.ly adv

   micropipette
          [mi.cro.pi.pette] or mi.cro.pi.pet n (1918) 1: a pipette
          for the measurement of minute volumes 2: a small and
          extremely fine-pointed pipette used in making microinjections

   microplankton
          [mi.cro.plank.ton] n [ISV] (1903): microscopic plankton

   micropore
          [mi.cro.pore] n [ISV] (1884): a very fine pore --
          mi.cro.po.ros.i.ty n -- mi.cro.po.rous adj

   microprism
          [mi.cro.prism] n (1966): a usu. circular area on the focusing
          screen of a camera that is made up of tiny prisms and
          that causes the image in the viewfinder to blur if the
          subject is not in focus

   microprobe
          [mi.cro.probe] n (1944): a device for microanalysis that
          operates by exciting radiation in a minute area of material
          so that the composition may be determined from the emission
          spectrum

   microprocessor
          [mi.cro.pro.ces.sor] n (1970): a computer processor contained
          on an integrated-circuit chip; also: such a processor
          with memory and associated circuits

   microprogram
          [mi.cro.pro.gram] n (1953): a routine composed of microinstructions
          used in microprogramming

   microprogramming
          [mi.cro.pro.gram.ming] n (1953): the use of routines stored
          in memory rather than specialized circuits to control
          a device (as a computer)

   microprojector
          [mi.cro.pro.jec.tor] n (1927): a projector utilizing a compound
          microscope for projecting on a screen a greatly enlarged
          image of a microscopic object -- mi.cro.pro.jec.tion
          n

   micropublishing
          [mi.cro.pub.lish.ing] n (1966): publishing in microform --
          mi.cro.pub.lish.er n

   micropulsation
          [mi.cro.pul.sa.tion] n (1949): a pulsation having a short
          period <a ~ of the earth's magnetic field with a period
          in the range from a fraction of a second to several hundred
          seconds>

   micropuncture
          [mi.cro.punc.ture] n (1948): an extremely small puncture
          (as of a nephron); also: an act of making a micropuncture

   micropyle
          [mi.cro.pyle] n [F, fr. micr- + Gk pyle gate] (1821) 1: a
          minute opening in the integument of an ovule of a seed
          plant 2: a differentiated area of surface in an egg through
          which a sperm enters -- mi.cro.py.lar adj

   microquake
          [mi.cro.quake] n (1967): microearthquake

   microradiography
          [mi.cro.ra.di.og.ra.phy] n (1913): radiography in which an
          X-ray photograph is prepared showing minute internal
          structure -- mi.cro.ra.dio.graph n -- mi.cro.ra.dio.graph.ic
          adj

   microreader
          [mi.cro.read.er] n (1949): an apparatus that gives an enlarged
          image of a microphotograph esp. for reading

   microreproduction
          [mi.cro.re.pro.duc.tion] n (1938): the reproduction of written
          or printed matter in microform; also: an item so reproduced

   microscale
          [mi.cro.scale] n (1931): a very small scale

   microscope
          [mi.cro.scope] n [NL microscopium, fr. micr- + -scopium -scope]
          (1654) 1: an optical instrument consisting of a lens
          or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of
          minute objects; esp: compound microscope 2: an instrument
          using radiations other than light or using vibrations
          for making enlarged images of minute objects <acoustic
          ~>

   microscopic
          [mi.cro.scop.ic] or mi.cro.scop.i.cal adj (1732) 1: resembling
          a microscope esp. in perception 2 a: invisible or indistinguishable
          without the use of a microscope b: very small or fine or precise
          3: of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy
          -- mi.cro.scop.i.cal.ly adv

   microscopy
          [mi.cros.co.py] n (ca. 1665): the use of or investigation
          with the microscope -- mi.cros.co.pist n

   microsecond
          [mi.cro.sec.ond] n [ISV] (1906): one millionth of a second

   microseism
          [mi.cro.seism] n [ISV micr- + Gk seismos earthquake--more
          at seismic] (1887): a feeble rhythmically and persistently
          recurring earth tremor -- mi.cro.seis.mic adj --
          mi.cro.seis.mic.i.ty n

   microsome
          [mi.cro.some] n [G Mikrosom, fr. mikr- micr- + -som -some]
          (1885) 1: any of various minute cellular structures (as
          a ribosome) 2: a particle in a particulate fraction that
          is obtained by heavy centrifugation of broken cells and
          consists of various amounts of ribosomes, fragmented
          endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondrial cristae -- mi.cro.som.al
          adj

   microspectrophotometer
          [mi.cro.spec.tro.pho.tom.e.ter] n (1949): a spectrophotometer
          adapted to the examination of light transmitted by a
          very small specimen (as a single organic cell) --
          mi.cro.spec.tro.pho.to.met.ric adj --
          mi.cro.spec.tro.pho.tom.e.try n

   microsphere
          [mi.cro.sphere] n (1894): a minute sphere -- mi.cro.spher.i.cal
          adj

   microsporangium
          [mi.cro.spo.ran.gi.um] n [NL] (1881): a sporangium that develops
          only microspores -- mi.cro.spo.ran.gi.ate adj

   microspore
          [mi.cro.spore] n [ISV] (1858): any of the spores in heterosporous
          plants that give rise to male gametophytes and are generally
          smaller than the megaspore -- mi.cro.spo.rous adj

   microsporocyte
          [mi.cro.spo.ro.cyte] n (1940): a microspore mother cell

   microsporogenesis
          [mi.cro.spo.ro.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1921): the formation and
          maturation of microspores

   microsporophyll
          [mi.cro.spo.ro.phyll] n (ca. 1890): a sporophyll that develops
          only microsporangia

   microstate
          [mi.cro.state] n (1962): a nation that is extremely small
          in area and population

   microstructure
          [mi.cro.struc.ture] n [ISV] (1885): the microscopic structure
          of a material (as a mineral or a biological cell) --
          mi.cro.struc.tur.al adj

   microsurgery
          [mi.cro.sur.gery] n (1926): minute dissection or manipulation
          (as by a micromanipulator or laser beam) of living structures
          or tissue -- mi.cro.sur.gi.cal adj

   microswitch
          [mi.cro.switch] n (1940): a very small switch that is sensitive
          to minute motions and is used esp. in automatic devices

   microtechnique
          [mi.cro.tech.nique] also mi.cro.tech.nic n [ISV] (1892):
          any of various methods of handling and preparing material
          for microscopic observation and study

   microtome
          [mi.cro.tome] n [ISV] (1856): an instrument for cutting sections
          (as of organic tissues) for microscopic examination

   microtone
          [mi.cro.tone] n (1920): a musical interval smaller than a
          halftone -- mi.cro.ton.al adj -- mi.cro.to.nal.i.ty n
          -- mi.cro.ton.al.ly adv

   microtubule
          [mi.cro.tu.bule] n (1961): any of the minute tubules in eukaryotic
          cytoplasm that are composed of the protein tubulin and form
          an important component of the cytoskeleton, mitotic spindle, cilia,
          and flagella -- mi.cro.tu.bu.lar adj

   microvascular
          [mi.cro.vas.cu.lar] adj (1959): of, relating to, or constituting
          the part of the circulatory system made up of minute
          vessels (as venules or capillaries) that average less
          than 0.3 millimeters in diameter -- mi.cro.vas.cu.la.ture
          n

   microvillus
          [mi.cro.vil.lus] n [NL] (1953): a microscopic projection
          of a tissue, cell, or cell organelle; esp: any of the
          fingerlike outward projections of some cell surfaces
          -- mi.cro.vil.lar adj -- mi.cro.vil.lous adj

   microvolt
          [mi.cro.volt] n (1868): one millionth of a volt

   microwatt
          [mi.cro.watt] n (ca. 1909): one millionth of a watt

   [1]microwave
          [mi.cro.wave] n, often attrib (1931) 1: a comparatively short
          electromagnetic wave; esp: one between ab out 1 millimeter
          and 1 meter in wavelength 2: microwave oven [2]microwave
          vt (1973): to cook or heat in a microwave oven -- mi.cro.wav.able
          or mi.cro.wave.able adj

   microwave oven
          [microwave oven] n (1963): an oven in which food is cooked
          by the heat produced by the absorption of microwave energy
          by water molecules in the food

   microworld
          [mi.cro.world] n (1955): a small universe; specif: the natural
          universe observed at the microscopic or submicroscopic
          level

   micturate
          [mic.tu.rate] vi -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L micturire to desire
          to urinate, fr. meiere to urinate; akin to OE migan to
          urinate, Gk omeichein] (1842): urinate -- mic.tu.ri.tion
          n

   mid
          [mid] abbreviation middle

   [1]mid
          [mid] adj [ME, fr. OE midde; akin to OHG mitti middle, L
          medius, Gk mesos] (bef. 12c) 1: being the part in the
          middle or midst <in ~ ocean>--often used in combination
          <mid-August> 2: occupying a middle position <the ~ finger>
          3 of a vowel: articulated with the arch of the tongue
          midway between its highest and its lowest elevation --
          mid adv [2]mid prep (1808): amid

   midair
          [mid.air] n (1667): a point or region in the air not immediately
          adjacent to the ground <planes collided in ~>

   Midas
          [Mi.das] n [L, fr. Gk]: a legendary Phrygian king who is
          given the power of turning everything he touches to gold

   Midas touch
          [Midas touch] n (1883): an uncanny ability for making money
          in every venture

   midbrain
          [mid.brain] n (1875): the middle of the three primary divisions
          of the developing vertebrate brain or the corresponding
          part of the adult brain--called also mesencephalon--see
          brain illustration

   midcourse
          [mid.course] adj (ca. 1956): being or occurring in the middle
          part of a course (as of a spacecraft) <a ~ correction>

   midday
          [mid.day] n, often attrib (bef. 12c): the middle of the day

   midden
          [mid.den] n [ME midding, of Scand origin; akin to ON myki
          dung & ON dyngja manure pile--more at dung] (14c) 1:
          dunghill 2 a: a refuse heap; esp: kitchen midden b: a
          small pile (as of seeds, bones, or leaves) gathered by
          a rodent (as a pack rat)

   [1]middle
          [mid.dle] adj [ME middel, fr. OE; akin to OE midde] (bef.
          12c) 1: equally distant from the extremes: medial, central
          <the ~ house in the row> 2: being at neither extreme:
          intermediate 3 cap a: constituting a division intermediate
          between those prior and later or upper and lower <Middle
          Paleozoic> b: constituting a period of a language or
          literature intermediate between one called Old and one
          called New or Modern <Middle Dutch> 4 of a verb form
          or voice: typically asserting that a person or thing
          both performs and is affected by the action represented
          [2]middle n (bef. 12c) 1: a middle part, point, or position
          2: the central portion of the human body: waist 3: the
          position of being among or in the midst of something
          4: something intermediate between extremes: mean 5: the
          center of an offensive or defensive formation; esp: the
          area between the second baseman and the shortstop

   middle age
          [middle age] n (14c): the period of life from about 40 to
          about 60 -- mid.dle-aged adj -- mid.dle-ag.er n

   Middle Ages
          [Middle Ages] n pl (1616): the period of European history
          from about a.d. 500 to about 1500

   Middle America
          [Middle America] n (1898) 1: the region of the western hemisphere
          including Mexico, Central America, often the West Indies,
          and sometimes Colombia and Venezuela 2: the midwestern
          section of the U.S. 3: the middle-class segment of the
          U.S. population; esp: the traditional or conservative
          element of the middle class -- middle-American adj --
          Middle American n

   middlebrow
          [mid.dle.brow] n (1925): a person who is moderately but not
          highly cultivated -- middlebrow adj

   middle C
          [middle C] n (1840): the note designated by the first ledger
          line below the treble staff and the first above the bass
          staff

   middle class
          [middle class] n (1766): a class occupying a position between
          the upper class and the lower class; esp: a fluid heterogeneous
          socioeconomic grouping composed principally of business
          and professional people, bureaucrats, and some farmers
          and skilled workers sharing common social characteristics
          and values

   middle-class
          [mid.dle-class] adj (1836): of or relating to the middle
          class; esp: characterized by a high material standard
          of living, sexual morality, and respect for property
          -- mid.dle-class.ness n

   middle distance
          [middle distance] n (1813) 1: a part of a pictorial representation
          or scene between the foreground and the background 2: any footrace
          distance usu. from 800 to 1500 meters or from 880 yards to one mile

   Middle Dutch
          [Middle Dutch] n (ca. 1959): the Dutch language in use from
          about 1100 to about 1500

   middle ear
          [middle ear] n (1852): a small membrane-lined cavity that
          is separated from the outer ear by the eardrum and that
          transmits sound waves from the eardrum to the partition
          between the middle and inner ears through a chain of
          tiny bones

   Middle English
          [Middle English] n (1830): the English in use from the 12th
          to 15th centuries

   middle finger
          [middle finger] n (bef. 12c): the midmost of the five digits
          of the hand

   Middle French
          [Middle French] n (1889): the French in use from the 14th
          to 16th centuries

   middle game
          [middle game] n (1894): the middle phase of a board game;
          specif: the part of a chess game after the pieces have
          been developed when players attempt to gain and exploit
          positional and material superiority--compare endgame,
          opening

   Middle Greek
          [Middle Greek] n (1889): the Greek language used in the 7th
          to 15th centuries

   middle ground
          [middle ground] n (1801) 1: a standpoint midway between extremes
          2: middle distance 1

   Middle High German
          [Middle High German] n (1889): the High German in use from
          about 1100 to 1500

   Middle Irish
          [Middle Irish] n (1952): the Irish in use between the 10th
          and 13th centuries

   middle lamella
          [middle lamella] n (ca. 1886): a layer of pectinaceous
          intercellular material lying between the walls of adjacent plant
          cells--see cell illustration

   Middle Low German
          [Middle Low German] n (ca. 1889): the Low German in use from
          about 1100 to 1500

   middleman
          [mid.dle.man] n (1795): an intermediary or agent between
          two parties; esp: a dealer or agent intermediate between
          the producer of goods and the retailer or consumer

   middle management
          [middle management] n (ca. 1948): management personnel intermediate
          between operational supervisors and policy-making administrators
          -- middle manager n

   middle name
          [middle name] n (1835): a name between one's first name and
          surname

   middle-of-the-road
          [middle-of-the-road] adj (1894): standing for or following
          a course of action midway between extremes; esp: being
          neither liberal nor conservative in politics --
          mid.dle-of-the-road.er n -- mid.dle-of-the-road.ism n

   middle of the road
          [middle of the road] (1918): a course of action or a standpoint
          midway between extremes

   Middle Persian
          [Middle Persian] n (1930): any of the varieties of Persian
          in use from about 200 b.c. to about a.d. 1000

   middler
          [mid.dler] n (1882): one belonging to an intermediate group,
          division, or class: as a: a student in the second-year
          class of a three-year program (as at a seminary or law
          school) b: a student in the second- or third-year class
          in some private secondary schools having a four-year
          course c: a student in a division in some private schools
          that corresponds approximately to junior high school

   middle school
          [middle school] n (1945): a school usu. including grades
          5 to 8 or 6 to 8 -- middle school.er n

   Middle Scots
          [Middle Scots] n (ca. 1903): the Scots language in use between
          the latter half of the 15th and the early decades of
          the 17th centuries

   middle term
          [middle term] n (1685): the term of a syllogism that occurs
          in both premises

   middleweight
          [mid.dle.weight] n (1889): one of average weight; specif:
          a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of
          160 pounds for professionals and 165 pounds for amateurs--compare
          light heavyweight, welterweight

   Middle Welsh
          [Middle Welsh] n (ca. 1922): the Welsh in use from about
          1150 to 1500

   [1]middling
          [mid.dling] n (1543) 1: any of various commodities of intermediate
          size, quality, or position 2 pl but sing or pl in constr:
          a granular product of grain milling; esp: a wheat milling
          by-product used in animal feeds [2]middling adj (1550)
          1: of middle, medium, or moderate size, degree, or quality
          2: mediocre, second-rate -- middling adv -- mid.dling.ly adv

   middorsal
          [mid.dor.sal] adj (1879): of, relating to, or situated in
          the middle part or median line of the back

   Middx
          [Middx] abbreviation Middlesex

   middy
          [mid.dy] n, pl middies [by shortening & alter.] (1818) 1:
          midshipman 2: a loosely fitting blouse with a sailor
          collar worn by women and children

   midfield
          [mid.field] n (15c) 1: the middle portion of a field; esp:
          the portion of a playing field (as in football) that
          is midway between goals 2: the players on a team (as
          in lacrosse or soccer) that normally play in the midfield

   midfielder
          [mid.field.er] n (1938): a member of a midfield

   Midgard
          [Mid.gard] n [ON mithgarthr]: the abode of human beings in
          Norse mythology

   midge
          [midge] n [ME migge, fr. OE mycg; akin to OHG mucka midge,
          Gk myia fly, L musca] (bef. 12c): a tiny dipteran fly
          (as a chironomid)

   midget
          [midg.et] n, often attrib [midge] (1865) 1: a very small
          person; specif: a person of unusually small size who
          is physically well-proportioned 2: something (as an animal)
          much smaller than usual 3: a front-engine, single-seat,
          open-wheel racing car smaller and of less engine displacement
          than standard cars of the type

   Mid Glam
          [Mid Glam] abbreviation Mid Glamorgan

   midgut
          [mid.gut] n (1875): the middle part of an alimentary canal

   midi
          [midi] n [[1]mid + -i (as in mini)] (1967): a dress, skirt,
          or coat that usu. extends to the mid-calf

   Midianite
          [Mid.i.an.ite] n [Midian, son of Abraham] (1560): a member
          of an ancient northern Arabian people

   midland
          [mid.land] n (1555) 1: the interior or central region of
          a country 2 cap a: the dialect of English spoken in the
          midland counties of England b: the dialect of English
          spoken in an area of the east central U.S. often divided
          into north Midland extending westward from an area including
          southern New Jersey; northern Delaware and Maryland;
          central and southern Pennsylvania; and central Ohio,
          Indiana, and Illinois and south Midland extending westward
          and southwestward from an area including the Appalachian
          regions of Virginia, No. Carolina, So. Carolina, and
          Georgia; Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia; and southern
          Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois -- midland adj, often cap
          -- Mid.land.er n

   midlatitudes
          [mid.lat.i.tudes] n pl (1925): latitudes of the temperate
          zones or from about 30 to 60 degrees north or south of
          the equator -- mid.lat.i.tude adj

   midlife
          [mid.life] n (1898): middle age

   midlife crisis
          [midlife crisis] n (1965): a period of emotional turmoil
          in middle age characterized esp. by a strong desire for
          change

   midline
          [mid.line] n (ca. 1859): a median line; esp: the median line
          or median plane of the body or some part of the body

   midmost
          [mid.most] adj (bef. 12c) 1: being in or near the exact middle
          2: most intimate: innermost -- midmost adv or n

   midn
          [midn] abbreviation midshipman

   midnight
          [mid.night] n (bef. 12c) 1: the middle of the night; specif:
          12 o'clock at night 2: deep or extended darkness or gloom
          -- midnight adj -- mid.night.ly adv or adj

   midnight blue
          [midnight blue] n (1916): a deep blackish blue

   midnight sun
          [midnight sun] n (1857): the sun above the horizon at midnight
          in the arctic or antarctic summer

   midpoint
          [mid.point] n (14c): a point at or near the center or middle

   midrash
          [mid.rash] n, pl mid.rash.im [Heb midhrash exposition, explanation]
          (1613) 1: a haggadic or halakic exposition of the underlying
          significance of a Bible text 2: a collection of midrashim 3 cap:
          the midrashic literature written during the first Christian
          millennium -- mid.rash.ic adj, often cap

   midrib
          [mid.rib] n (1794): the central vein of a leaf

   midriff
          [mid.riff] n [ME midrif, fr. OE midhrif, fr. midde mid +
          hrif belly; akin to OHG href body, and prob. to L corpus
          body] (bef. 12c) 1: diaphragm 1 2: the mid-region of
          the human torso 3 a: a section of a woman's garment that
          covers the midriff b: a woman's garment that exposes
          the midriff

   mid-rise
          [mid-rise] adj (1967): being approximately 5 to 10 stories
          high <~ condominiums>

   midsagittal
          [mid.sag.it.tal] adj (1947): median and sagittal

   midsection
          [mid.sec.tion] n (1936): a section midway between the extremes;
          esp: midriff 2

   midshipman
          [mid.ship.man] n (1685): a person in training for a naval
          commission; esp: a student in a naval academy

   midships
          [mid.ships] adv (ca. 1828): amidships

   midsize
          [mid.size] also mid.sized adj (1970): of intermediate size
          <~ car>

   midsole
          [mid.sole] n (1926): a layer (as of leather or rubber) between
          the insole and the outsole of a shoe

   midst
          [midst] n [ME middest, alter. of middes, short for amiddes
          amid] (15c) 1: the interior or central part or point:
          middle <in the ~ of the forest> 2: a position of proximity
          to the members of a group <a traitor in our ~> 3: the
          condition of being surrounded or beset <in the ~ of his
          troubles> 4: a period of time about the middle of a continuing
          act or condition <in the ~ of a meal> -- midst prep

   midstream
          [mid.stream] n (1669) 1: the middle of a stream 2: an intermediate
          stage in an act or process <the tone changes in ~>

   midsummer
          [mid.sum.mer] n (bef. 12c) 1: the middle of summer 2: the
          summer solstice -- midsummer adj

   Midsummer Day
          [Midsummer Day] n (bef. 12c): June 24 celebrated as the feast
          of the nativity of John the Baptist

   midterm
          [mid.term] n (1906) 1 a: the middle of an academic term b:
          an examination at midterm 2: the approximate middle of
          a term of office

   midtown
          [mid.town] n (1926): a central section of a city; esp: one
          situated between sections conventionally called downtown
          and uptown -- midtown adj

   [1]midway
          [mid.way] adv (13c): in the middle of the way or distance:
          halfway [2]mid.way n [Midway (Plaisance), Chicago, site
          of the amusement section of the Columbian Exposition
          1893] (1893): an avenue at a fair, carnival, or amusement
          park for concessions and amusements

   midweek
          [mid.week] n (1707): the middle of the week -- midweek adj
          or adv -- mid.week.ly adj or adv

   [1]midwife
          [mid.wife] n [ME midwif, fr. mid with (fr. OE) + wif woman]
          (14c) 1: a person who assists women in childbirth 2:
          one that helps to produce or bring forth something [2]midwife
          vt mid.wifed or mid.wived ; mid.wif.ing or mid.wiv.ing
          (1638): to assist in producing, bringing forth, or bringing
          about

   midwifery
          [mid.wife.ry] n (15c) 1: the art or act of assisting at childbirth;
          also: obstetrics 2: the art, act, or process of producing, bringing
          forth, or bringing about

   midwinter
          [mid.win.ter] n (bef. 12c) 1: the winter solstice 2: the
          middle of winter -- midwinter adj

   midyear
          [mid.year] n (1896) 1 a: an examination at the middle of
          an academic year b pl: the set of examinations at the
          middle of an academic year; also: the period of such
          examinations 2 a: the middle or middle portion of a calendar
          year b: the middle of an academic year -- midyear adj

   mien
          [mien] n [by shortening & alter. fr. [1]demean] (1513) 1:
          air or bearing esp. as expressive of attitude or personality:
          demeanor <of aristocratic ~> 2: appearance, aspect <the
          inherent dangers of government encroachment ... presented
          such a distasteful ~ --H. W. Baldwin> syn see bearing

   [1]miff
          [miff] n [origin unknown] (1623) 1: a fit of ill humor 2:
          a trivial quarrel [2]miff vt (1811): to put into an ill
          humor: offend

   [1]might
          [might] [ME, fr. OE meahte, mihte; akin to OHG mahta, mohta
          could] past of may (bef. 12c)--used in auxiliary function
          to express permission, liberty, probability, possibility
          in the past <the president ~ do nothing without the board's
          consent> or a present condition contrary to fact <if
          you were older you ~ understand> or less probability
          or possibility than may <~ get there before it rains>
          or as a polite alternative to may <~ I ask who is calling>
          or to ought or should <you ~ at least apologize> [2]might
          n [ME, fr. OE miht; akin to OHG maht might, magan to
          be able--more at may] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the power, authority,
          or resources wielded (as by an individual or group) <the
          ~ of the armed forces> b (1): bodily strength (2): the
          power, energy, or intensity of which one is capable <striving
          with ~ and main> 2 dial: a great deal syn see power

   mightily
          [might.i.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: in a mighty manner: vigorously
          <applauded ~> 2: very much <depressed me ~>

   mightiness
          [might.i.ness] n (14c): the quality or state of being mighty

   mightn't
          [mightn't] (1889): might not

   [1]mighty
          [mighty] adj might.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: possessing might:
          powerful 2: accomplished or characterized by might <a
          ~ thrust> 3: great or imposing in size or extent: extraordinary
          [2]mighty adv (14c): extremely, very <a ~ handy gadget>
          usage The use of mighty as an intensive usu. conveys
          a folksy down-home feeling <plain and simple fare ...
          but mighty filling and mighty satisfying --Asheville
          (N.C.) Citizen-Times>. It is used esp. to create a chatty
          style <turnip greens, corn bread and biscuits. That sounds
          mighty good to me --Julia Child> or to stress a rural
          atmosphere <a man must be mighty serious about his squirrel
          hunting --Stuart Williams, Field & Stream>. In a more
          formal context, mighty is used to create additional emphasis
          by drawing attention to itself <the chairman made sure
          that there were mighty few of them --Mollie Panter-Downes>.

   mignon
          [mi.gnon] n (ca. 1919): filet mignon

   mignonette
          [mi.gnon.ette] n [F mignonnette, fr. obs. F, fem. of mignonnet
          dainty, fr. MF, fr. mignon darling] (1798): any of a
          genus (Reseda of the family Resedaceae, the mignonette
          family) of herbs; esp: a garden annual (R. odorata) bearing
          racemes of fragrant whitish flowers

   migraine
          [mi.graine] n [F, modif. of LL hemicrania pain in one side
          of the head, fr. Gk hemikrania, fr. hemi- hemi- + kranion
          cranium] (15c) 1: a condition marked by recurrent severe
          headache often with nausea and vomiting 2: an episode
          or attack of migraine -- mi.grain.ous adj

   migrant
          [mi.grant] n [L migrant-, migrans, prp. of migrare] (1760):
          one that migrates: as a: a person who moves regularly
          in order to find work esp. in harvesting crops b: an
          animal that shifts from one habitat to another -- migrant
          adj

   migrate
          [mi.grate] vi mi.grat.ed ; mi.grat.ing [L migratus, pp. of
          migrare; perh. akin to Gk ameibein to change] (1697)
          1: to move from one country, place, or locality to another
          2: to pass usu. periodically from one region or climate
          to another for feeding or breeding 3: to change position
          in an organism or substance <filarial worms ~ within
          the human body> -- mi.gra.tion n -- mi.gra.tion.al adj
          -- mi.gra.tor n

   migratory
          [mi.gra.to.ry] adj (1753) 1: of, relating to, or characterized
          by migration 2: wandering, roving

   mihrab
          [mih.rab] n [Ar mihrab] (1816): a niche or chamber in a mosque
          indicating the direction of Mecca

   mikado
          [mi.ka.do] n, pl -dos [Jp] (1727): an emperor of Japan

   [1]mike
          [mike] n [by shortening & alter.] (1924): microphone [2]mike
          vt miked ; mik.ing (1939): to supply with a microphone
          Mike (1942)--a communications code word for the letter
          m

   mil
          [mil] abbreviation military, million

   [1]mil
          [mil] n [L mille thousand] (1721) 1: thousand <found a salinity
          of 38.4 per ~> 2: a monetary unit formerly used in Cyprus
          equal to 1/1000 pound 3: a unit of length equal to 1/1000
          inch used esp. in measuring thickness (as of plastic
          films) 4: a unit of angular measurement equal to 1/6400
          of 360 degrees and used esp. in artillery [2]mil n, pl
          mil [short for million] (ca. 1955) slang: a million dollars

   milady
          [mi.la.dy] n [F, fr. E my lady] (1839) 1: an Englishwoman
          of noble or gentle birth 2: a woman of fashion

   milch
          [milch] adj [ME milche, fr. OE -milce; akin to OE melcan
          to milk--more at emulsion] (14c): milk

   milchig
          [mil.chig] adj [Yiddish milkhik, fr. milkh milk, fr. MHG,
          fr. OHG miluh--more at milk] (ca. 1928): made of or derived
          from milk or dair y products--compare fleishig, pareve

   mild
          [mild] adj [ME, fr. OE milde; akin to Gk malthakos soft,
          L mollis--more at melt] (bef. 12c) 1: gentle in nature
          or behavior <has a ~ disposition> 2 a (1): moderate in
          action or effect <a ~ cigar> (2): not sharp or bitter
          <~ cheese> <~ ale> b: not being or involving what is
          extreme <an analysis under ~ conditions> <a ~ slope>
          3: not severe: temperate <a ~ climate> <~ symptoms of
          disease> -- mild.ly adv -- mild.ness n

   [1]mildew
          [mil.dew] n [ME, fr. OE meledeaw honeydew; akin to OHG militou
          honeydew] (14c) 1 a: a superficial usu. whitish growth
          produced esp. on organic matter or living plants by fungi
          (as of the families Erysiphaceae and Peronosporaceae)
          b: a fungus producing mildew 2: a discoloration caused
          by fungi -- mil.dewy adj [2]mildew vt (ca. 1552): to
          affect with or as if with mildew ~ vi: to become affected
          with mildew

   mild steel
          [mild steel] n (1868): a low-carbon structural steel that
          is easily worked

   mile
          [mile] n [ME, fr. OE mil, fr. L milia miles, fr. milia passuum,
          lit., thousands of paces, fr. milia, pl. of mille thousand]
          (bef. 12c) 1: any of various units of distance: as a:
          a unit equal to 5280 feet b: nautical mile 2: a race
          of a mile 3: a relatively great distance or interval--used
          chiefly adverbially in pl. <was ~s too small>

   mileage
          [mile.age] n (1754) 1: an allowance for traveling expenses
          at a certain rate per mile 2: aggregate length or distance
          in miles: as a: the total miles traveled esp. in a given
          period of time b: the amount of service that something
          will yield esp. as expressed in terms of miles of travel
          c: the average number of miles a car will travel on a
          gallon of gasoline that is used as a measure of fuel
          economy <gets good ~> 3 a: usefulness <got a lot of ~
          left in her> b: benefit derived from something <got good
          political ~ from the debates>

   milepost
          [mile.post] n (1768) 1: a post indicating the distance in
          miles from or to a given point; also: a post placed a
          mile from a similar post 2: milestone 2

   miler
          [mil.er] n (1889) 1: one that competes in mile races--often
          qualified in combination <a quarter-miler> 2: one that
          is a specified number of miles in length--used in combination
          <a 15-miler>

   miles gloriosus
          [mi.les glo.ri.o.sus] n, pl mi.li.tes glo.ri.o.si [L] (1917):
          a boastful soldier; esp: a stock character of this type
          in comedy

   milestone
          [mile.stone] n (ca. 1746) 1: a stone serving as a milepost
          2: a significant point in development

   milfoil
          [mil.foil] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L millefolium, fr. mille +
          folium leaf--more at blade] (13c) 1: yarrow 2: water
          milfoil

   miliaria
          [mil.i.ar.ia] n [NL, fr. L, fem. of miliarius] (1807): an
          inflammatory disorder of the skin characterized by redness,
          eruption, burning or itching, and the release of sweat
          in abnormal ways (as by the eruption of vesicles) due
          to blockage of the ducts of the sweat glands; esp: prickly
          heat -- mil.i.ar.i.al adj

   miliary
          [mil.i.ary] adj [L miliarius of millet, fr. milium millet--more
          at millet] (1685): having or made up of many small projections
          or lesions <~ tubercles>

   milieu
          [mi.lieu] n, pl milieus or mi.lieux [F, fr. OF, midst, fr.
          mi middle (fr. L medius) + lieu place, fr. L locus--more
          at mid, stall] (1854): the physical or social setting
          in which something occurs or develops: environment syn
          see background

   militance
          [mil.i.tance] n (ca. 1947): militancy

   militancy
          [mil.i.tan.cy] n (1648): the quality or state of being militant

   militant
          [mil.i.tant] adj (15c) 1: engaged in warfare or combat: fighting
          2: aggressively active (as in a cause): combative <~
          conservationists> <a ~ attitude> syn see aggressive --
          militant n -- mil.i.tant.ly adv -- mil.i.tant.ness n

   militaria
          [mil.i.tar.ia] n pl (1964): military objects (as firearms
          and uniforms) of historical value or interest

   militarily
          [mil.i.tari.ly] adv (1660) 1: in a military manner 2: from
          a military standpoint

   militarise
          [mil.i.ta.rise] Brit var of militarize

   militarism
          [mil.i.ta.rism] n (1864) 1 a: predominance of the military
          class or its ideals b: exaltation of military virtues
          and ideals 2: a policy of aggressive military preparedness
          -- mil.i.ta.rist n or adj -- mil.i.ta.ris.tic adj --
          mil.i.ta.ris.ti.cal.ly adv

   militarize
          [mil.i.ta.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing (1880) 1: to equip with
          military forces and defenses 2: to give a military character
          to 3: to adapt for military use -- mil.i.ta.ri.za.tion
          n

   [1]military
          [mil.i.tary] adj [ME, fr. MF militaire, fr. L militaris,
          fr. milit-, miles soldier] (15c) 1 a: of or relating
          to soldiers, arms, or war b: of or relating to armed
          forces; esp: of or relating to ground or sometimes ground
          and air forces as opposed to naval forces 2 a: performed
          or made by armed forces b: supported by armed force 3:
          of or relating to the army [2]military n, pl military
          also mil.i.tar.ies (1736) 1: military persons; esp: army
          officers 2: armed forces

   military-industrial complex
          [military-industrial complex] n (1961): an informal alliance
          of the military and related government departments with
          defense industries that is held to influence government
          policy

   military police
          [military police] n (1827): a branch of an army that exercises
          guard and police functions

   military press
          [military press] n (1939): [1]press 9

   military science
          [military science] n (ca. 1830): the principles of military
          conflict

   military time
          [military time] n (1955): time measured in hours numbered
          to twenty-four (as 0100 or 2300) from one midnight to
          the next

   militate
          [mil.i.tate] vi -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L militatus, pp. of militare
          to engage in warfare, fr. milit-, miles] (1642): to have
          weight or effect <his boyish appearance militated against
          his getting an early promotion> usage see mitigate

   militia
          [mi.li.tia] n [L, military service, fr. milit-, miles] (ca.
          1660) 1 a: a part of the organized armed forces of a
          country liable to call only in emergency b: a body of
          citizens organized for military service 2: the whole
          body of able-bodied male citizens declared by law as
          being subject to call to military service

   militiaman
          [mi.li.tia.man] n (1780): a member of a militia

   milium
          [mil.i.um] n, pl mil.ia [NL, fr. L, millet--more at millet]
          (1856): a small whitish lump in the skin due to retention
          of keratin in an oil gland duct--called also whitehead

   [1]milk
          [milk] n [ME, fr. OE meolc, milc; akin to OHG miluh milk,
          OE melcan to milk--more at emulsion] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          a fluid secreted by the mammary glands of females for
          the nourishment of their young; esp: cow's milk used
          as a food by humans b: lactation <cows in ~> 2: a liquid
          resembling milk in appearance: as a: the latex of a plant
          b: the juice of a coconut c: the contents of an unripe
          kernel of grain [2]milk vt (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): to draw
          milk from the breasts or udder of (2) obs: suckle 2 b:
          to draw (milk) from the breast or udder c: suckle 1--used
          of lower mammals 2: to draw something from as if by milking:
          as a: to induce (a snake) to eject venom b: to draw or
          coerce profit or advantage from illicitly or to an extreme
          degree: exploit ~ vi: to draw or yield milk [3]milk adj
          (14c): giving milk; specif: bred or suitable primarily
          for milk production <~ cows>

   milk-and-water
          [milk-and-water] adj (1783): weak, insipid

   milk chocolate
          [milk chocolate] n (1904): chocolate made with milk solids

   milker
          [milk.er] n (15c) 1: one that milks an animal 2: one that
          yields milk

   milk fever
          [milk fever] n (1758) 1: a febrile disorder following parturition
          2: a disease of fresh cows, sheep, or goats that is caused
          by excessive drain on the body mineral reserves during
          the establishment of the milk flow

   milkfish
          [milk.fish] n (ca. 1890): a large fork-tailed silvery herbivorous
          food fish (Chanos chanos) of warm parts of the Pacific
          and Indian oceans that is the sole living representative
          of its family (Chanidae)

   milk glass
          [milk glass] n (1874): an opaque and typically milky white
          glass used esp. for novelty and ornamental objects

   milk house
          [milk house] n (1589): a building for the cooling, handling,
          or bottling of milk

   milk leg
          [milk leg] n (ca. 1860): a painful swelling of the leg caused
          by inflammation and clotting in the veins and affecting
          some postpartum women

   milk-livered
          [milk-liv.ered] adj (1605) archaic: cowardly, timorous

   milkmaid
          [milk.maid] n (1552): dairymaid

   milkman
          [milk.man] n (1589): one who sells or delivers milk and milk
          products

   milk of magnesia
          [milk of magnesia] (1880): a milky white suspension of magnesium
          hydroxide in water used as an antacid and laxative

   milk punch
          [milk punch] n (1704): a mixed drink of alcoholic liquor,
          milk, and sugar

   milk run
          [milk run] n [fr. the resemblance in regularity and uneventfulness
          to the morning delivery of milk] (1925): a short, routine,
          or uneventful flight

   milk shake
          [milk shake] n (1889): a thoroughly shaken or blended drink
          made of milk, a flavoring syrup, and often ice cream

   milk sickness
          [milk sickness] n (1823) 1: an acute disease characterized
          by weakness, vomiting, and constipation and caused by
          eating dairy products or meat from cattle poisoned by
          various plants 2: tremble 2

   milk snake
          [milk snake] n (1800): a common harmless grayish or tan American
          colubrid snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) having an arrow-shaped
          occipital marking and brown blotches on the body bordered
          with black or rings usu. of black, red, and yellow; broadly:
          king snake

   milksop
          [milk.sop] n [ME, lit., bread soaked in milk] (14c): an unmanly
          man: mollycoddle

   milk sugar
          [milk sugar] n (1846): lactose

   milk tooth
          [milk tooth] n (ca. 1752): a deciduous tooth of a young mammal;
          esp: one of the human dentition including four incisors,
          two canines, and four molars in each jaw

   milk vein
          [milk vein] n (1844): a large subcutaneous vein that extends
          along the lower side of the abdomen of a cow and returns
          blood from the udder--see cow illustration

   milk vetch
          [milk vetch] n [fr. the popular belief that it increases
          the milk yield of goats] (1597): any of a genus (Astragalus)
          of leguminous herbs; esp: an Old World perennial (A.
          glycyphyllos) that has sulfur yellow flowers in dense
          spikes

   milkweed
          [milk.weed] n (ca. 1598): any of various plants that secrete
          latex; esp: any of a genus (Asclepias of the family Asclepiadaceae,
          the milkweed family) of erect chiefly perennial herbs with milky
          juice and umbellate flowers

   milkweed bug
          [milkweed bug] n (1905): a large black red-marked bug (Oncopeltus
          fasciatus) cultured as a research organism

   milkweed butterfly
          [milkweed butterfly] n (1880): any of a family (Danaidae)
          or nymphalid subfamily (Danaine) of large butterflies
          feeding on plants of the milkweed family as larvae; esp:
          monarch butterfly

   milkwort
          [milk.wort] n (1578): any of a genus (Polygala of the family
          Polygalaceae, the milkwort family) of plants typically
          having showy flowers with three sometimes crested petals
          united below into a tube and an irregular calyx with
          two petaloid sepals

   milky
          [milky] adj milk.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: resembling milk in
          color or consistency 2: mild, timorous 3 a: consisting
          of, containing, or abounding in milk b: yielding milk;
          specif: having the characteristics of a good milk producer
          -- milk.i.ness n

   milky disease
          [milky disease] n (ca. 1940): a destructive bacterial disease
          of scarab beetle grubs and esp. Japanese beetle larvae

   Milky Way
          [Milky Way] n 1: a broad luminous irregular band of light
          that stretches completely around the celestial sphere
          and is caused by the light of myriads of faint stars
          2: milky way galaxy

   Milky Way galaxy
          [Milky Way galaxy] n: the galaxy of which the sun and the
          solar system are a part and which contains the myriads
          of stars that comprise the Milky Way

   [1]mill
          [mill] n [ME mille, fr. OE mylen, fr. LL molina, molinum,
          fr. fem. and neut. of molinus of a mill, of a millstone,
          fr. L mola mill, millstone; akin to L molere to grind--more
          at meal] (bef. 12c) 1: a building provided with machinery
          for grinding grain into flour 2 a: a machine or apparatus
          (as a quern) for grinding grain b: a machine for crushing
          or comminuting 3: a machine that manufactures by the
          continuous repetition of some simple action 4: a building
          or collection of buildings with machinery for manufacturing
          5 a: a machine formerly used for stamping coins b: a
          machine for expelling juice from vegetable tissues by
          pressure or grinding 6: milling machine, milling cutter
          7 a: a slow, laborious, or mechanical process or routine
          b: one that produces or processes people or things mechanically
          or in large numbers <a diploma ~> <a rumor ~> 8: a difficult
          and often educational experience--used in the phrase
          through the mill 9 slang: the engine of an automobile
          or boat [2]mill vt (1552) 1: to subject to an operation
          or process in a mill: as a: to grind into flour, meal,
          or powder b: to shape or dress by means of a rotary cutter
          c: to mix and condition (as rubber) by passing between
          rotating rolls 2: to give a raised rim or a ridged or
          corrugated edge to (a coin) 3: to cut grooves in the
          metal surface of (as a knob) ~ vi 1: to hit out with
          the fists 2: to move in a circle or in an eddying mass;
          also: wander 3: to undergo milling [3]mill n [L mille
          thousand] (1786): a money of account equal to 1/10 cent
          [4]mill var of [2]mil

   millage
          [mill.age] n (1891): a rate (as of taxation) expressed in
          mills per dollar

   milldam
          [mill.dam] n (12c): a dam to make a millpond; also: millpond

   mille
          [mille] n [L] (1894): thousand

   mille-feuille
          [mille-feuille] n [F, fr. mille feuilles a thousand leaves]
          (1895): a dish composed of puff pastry layered with a
          filling (as salmon or cream)

   millefiori
          [mil.le.fi.o.ri] n [It, fr. mille fiori a thousand flowers]
          (1849): ornamental glass produced by cutting cross sections
          of fused bundles of glass rods of various colors and
          sizes

   millefleur
          [mille.fleur] or mille.fleurs adj [F mille-fleurs, fr. mille
          fleurs a thousand flowers] (1908): having an allover
          pattern of small flowers and plants <~ tapestry>

   [1]millenarian
          [mil.le.nar.i.an] adj (1631) 1 a: of or relating to belief
          in a millennium b: apocalyptic 2 2: of or relating to
          1000 years [2]millenarian n (ca. 1674): one that believes
          in a millennium

   millenarianism
          [mil.le.nar.i.an.ism] n (ca. 1847) 1: belief in the millennium
          of Christian prophecy 2: belief in a coming ideal society
          and esp. one created by revolutionary action

   [1]millenary
          [mil.le.na.ry] n, pl -ries [LL millenarium, fr. neut. of
          millenarius of a thousand, fr. L milleni one thousand
          each, fr. mille] (1550) 1 a: a group of 1000 units or
          things b: 1000 years: millennium 2: millenarian [2]millenary
          adj [L millenarius] (ca. 1641) 1: relating to or consisting
          of 1000 2: suggesting a millennium

   millennial
          [mil.len.ni.al] adj (1664): of or relating to a millennium

   millennialism
          [mil.len.ni.al.ism] n (1906): millenarianism

   millennialist
          [mil.len.ni.al.ist] n (ca. 1841): millenarian

   millennium
          [mil.len.ni.um] n, pl -nia or -niums [NL, fr. L mille thousand
          + NL -ennium (as in biennium)] (ca. 1638) 1 a: the thousand
          years mentioned in Revelation 20 during which holiness
          is to prevail and Christ is to reign on earth b: a period
          of great happiness or human perfection 2 a: a period
          of 1000 years b: a 1000th anniversary or its celebration

   miller
          [mill.er] n (14c) 1: one that operates a mill; specif: one
          that grinds grain into flour 2: any of various moths
          having powdery wings 3 a: milling machine b: a tool for
          use in a milling machine

   millerite
          [mil.ler.ite] n [G Millerit, fr. William H. Miller d. 1880
          Eng. mineralogist] (1854): sulfide of nickel NiS usu.
          occurring as a mineral in capillary yellow crystals

   miller's-thumb
          [mill.er's-thumb] n (15c): any of several small freshwater
          spiny-finned sculpins (genus Cottus) of Europe and No.
          America

   millesimal
          [mil.les.i.mal] n [L millesimus, adj., thousandth, fr. mille]
          (1719): the quotient of a unit divided by 1000: one of
          1000 equal parts -- millesimal adj -- mil.les.i.mal.ly
          adv

   millet
          [mil.let] n [ME milet, fr. MF, dim. of mil, fr. L milium;
          akin to Gk meline millet] (15c) 1: any of various small-seeded
          annual cereal and forage grasses: a: a grass (Panicum
          miliaceum) cultivated for its grain which is used for
          food b: any of several grasses related to common millet
          2: the seed of a millet

   milli-
          [milli-] comb form [F, fr. L milli- thousand, fr. mille]:
          thousandth <milliampere>

   milliampere
          [mil.li.am.pere] n [ISV] (1885): one thousandth of an ampere

   milliard
          [mil.liard] n [F, fr. MF miliart, fr. mili- (fr. milion million)]
          (1793) Brit: a thousand millions

   milliary
          [mil.li.ary] adj [L milliarius, miliarius consisting of a
          thousand, one mile long, fr. mille thousand, mile] (1644):
          marking the distance of a Roman mile

   millibar
          [mil.li.bar] n [ISV] (1910): a unit of atmospheric pressure
          equal to 1/1000 bar or 1000 dynes per square centimeter

   millicurie
          [mil.li.cu.rie] n [ISV] (1910): one thousandth of a curie

   millidegree
          [mil.li.de.gree] n (1942): one thousandth of a degree

   millieme
          [mil.lieme] n, pl milliemes [F millieme thousandth, fr. MF,
          fr. mille thousand, fr. L] (1902): a unit of value of
          Egypt and Sudan equal to 1/1000 pound

   milligal
          [mil.li.gal] n [ISV] (1914): a unit of acceleration equivalent
          to 1/1000 gal

   milligram
          [mil.li.gram] n [F milligramme, fr. milli- + gramme gram]
          (ca. 1810): a metric unit of mass and weight equal to
          1/1000 gram

   millihenry
          [mil.li.hen.ry] n [ISV] (1897): one thousandth of a henry

   millilambert
          [mil.li.lam.bert] n (1916): one thousandth of a lambert

   milliliter
          [mil.li.li.ter] n [F millilitre, fr. milli- + litre liter]
          (ca. 1810): a metric unit of capacity equal to 1/1000
          liter

   millime
          [mil.lime] n [modif. of Ar mallim, fr. F millieme] (ca. 1919):
          a monetary unit of Tunisia equal to 1/1000 dinar

   millimeter
          [mil.li.me.ter] n [F millimetre, fr. milli- + metre meter]
          (1807): a metric unit of length equal to 1/1000 meter

   millimicron
          [mil.li.mi.cron] n [ISV] (1904): nanometer

   millimole
          [mil.li.mole] n [ISV milli- + [5]mole] (ca. 1904): one thousandth
          of a mole (as of a substance) -- mil.li.mo.lar adj

   milliner
          [mil.li.ner] n [irreg. fr. Milan, Italy; fr. the importation
          of women's finery from Italy in the 16th century] (1530):
          a person who designs, makes, trims, or sells women's
          hats

   millinery
          [mil.li.nery] n (ca. 1688) 1: women's apparel for the head
          2: the business or work of a milliner

   milling
          [mill.ing] n (1817): a corrugated edge on a coin

   milling cutter
          [milling cutter] n (1884): a rotary tool-steel cutter used
          in a milling machine for shaping and dressing metal surfaces

   milling machine
          [milling machine] n (1876): a machine tool on which work
          usu. of metal secured to a carriage is shaped by rotating
          milling cutters

   million
          [mil.lion] n, pl millions or million [ME milioun, fr. MF
          milion, fr. OIt milione, aug. of mille thousand, fr.
          L] (14c) 1: a thousand thousands 2: a very large number
          <~s of cars on the road> 3: the mass of common people
          <someone who writes for the ~s --Bergen Evans> -- million
          adj -- mil.lion.fold adv or adj -- mil.lionth adj or
          n

   millionaire
          [mil.lion.aire] n [F millionnaire, fr. million, fr. MF milion]
          (1826): a person whose wealth is estimated at a million
          or more (as of dollars or pounds)

   millionairess
          [mil.lion.air.ess] n (1881) 1: a woman who is a millionaire
          2: the wife of a millionaire

   milliosmol
          [mil.li.os.mol] n (1939): one thousandth of an osmol

   millipede
          [mil.li.pede] n [L millepeda, a small crawling animal, fr.
          mille thousand + ped-, pes foot--more at foot] (1601):
          any of a class (Diplopoda) of myriapod arthropods having
          usu. a cylindrical segmented body covered with hard integument,
          two pairs of legs on most apparent segments, and unlike
          centipedes no poison fangs

   milliradian
          [mil.li.ra.di.an] n [ISV] (1954): one thousandth of a radian

   millirem
          [mil.li.rem] n (1947): one thousandth of a rem

   milliroentgen
          [mil.li.roent.gen] n [ISV] (194 7): one thousandth of a roentgen

   millisecond
          [mil.li.sec.ond] n [ISV] (1909): one thousandth of a second

   millivolt
          [mil.li.volt] n [ISV] (1861): one thousandth of a volt

   milliwatt
          [mil.li.watt] n [ISV] (ca. 1914): one thousandth of a watt

   millpond
          [mill.pond] n (14c): a pond created by damming a stream to
          produce a head of water for operating a mill

   millrace
          [mill.race] n (15c): a canal in which water flows to and
          from a mill wheel; also: the current that drives the
          wheel

   millstone
          [mill.stone] n (bef. 12c) 1: either of two circular stones
          used for grinding (as grain) 2 a: something that grinds
          or crushes b: a heavy burden

   millstream
          [mill.stream] n (bef. 12c) 1: a stream whose flow is utilized
          to run a mill 2: millrace

   mill wheel
          [mill wheel] n (bef. 12c): a waterwheel that drives a mill

   millwork
          [mill.work] n (1899): woodwork (as doors, sashes, or trim)
          manufactured at a mill

   millwright
          [mill.wright] n (14c) 1: one whose occupation is planning
          and building mills or setting up their machinery 2: one
          who maintains and cares for mechanical equipment (as
          of a mill or factory)

   milo
          [mi.lo] n, pl milos [perh. fr. Sesotho maili] (1882): a small
          usu. early and drought-resistant grain sorghum with compact
          bearded heads of large yellow or whitish seeds

   milord
          [mi.lord] n [F, fr. E my lord] (1596): an Englishman of noble
          or gentle birth

   milpa
          [mil.pa] n [MexSp, fr. Nahuatl milpan] (1844) 1 a: a small
          field in Mexico or Central America that is cleared from
          the forest, cropped for a few seasons, and abandoned
          for a fresh clearing b: a maize field in Mexico or Central
          America 2: the maize plant

   Milquetoast
          [Milque.toast] n [Caspar Milquetoast, comic strip character
          created by H. T. Webster d. 1952 Am. cartoonist] (1935):
          a timid, meek, or unassertive person

   milreis
          [mil.reis] n, pl mil.reis [Pg milreis] (1589) 1: a Portuguese
          unit of value equal before 1911 to 1000 reis 2: the basic
          monetary unit of Brazil until 1942 3: a coin representing
          one milreis

   milt
          [milt] n [prob. fr. MD milte milt of fish, spleen; akin to
          OE milte spleen--more at melt] (15c): the sperm-containing
          fluid of a male fish

   mim
          [mim] adj [imit. of the act of pursing the lips] (1641) dial:
          affectedly shy or modest

   [1]mime
          [mime] n [L mimus, fr. Gk mimos] (1603) 1: an ancient dramatic
          entertainment representing scenes from life usu. in a
          ridiculous manner 2 a: an actor in a mime b: one that
          practices mime 3: mimic 2 4: pantomime 3a,b [2]mime vb
          mimed ; mim.ing vi (1616): to act a part with mimic gesture
          and action usu. without words ~ vt 1: mimic 2: to act
          out in the manner of a mime -- mim.er n

   mimeograph
          [mim.eo.graph] n [fr. Mimeograph, a trademark] (1889): a
          duplicator for making many copies that utilizes a stencil
          through which ink is pressed -- mimeograph vt

   mimesis
          [mi.me.sis] n [LL, fr. Gk mimesis, fr. mimeisthai] (1550):
          imitation, mimicry

   mimetic
          [mi.met.ic] adj [LL mimeticus, fr. Gk mimetikos, fr. mimeisthai
          to imitate, fr. mimos mime] (1637) 1: imitative 2: relating
          to, characterized by, or exhibiting mimicry <~ coloring
          of a butterfly> -- mi.met.i.cal.ly adv

   [1]mimic
          [mim.ic] n (1590) 1: mime 2 2: one that mimics [2]mimic adj
          [L mimicus, fr. Gk mimikos, fr. mimos mime] (1598) 1
          a: imitative b: imitation, mock <a ~ battle> 2: of or
          relating to mime or mimicry [3]mimic vt mim.icked ; mim.ick.ing
          (1687) 1: to imitate closely: ape 2: to ridicule by imitation
          3: simulate 4: to resemble by biological mimicry syn
          see copy

   mimicry
          [mim.ic.ry] n, pl -ries (1687) 1 a: an instance of mimicking
          b: the action, practice, or art of mimicking 2: a superficial
          resemblance of one organism to another or to natural
          objects among which it lives that secures it a selective
          advantage (as protection from predation)

   mimosa
          [mi.mo.sa] n [NL, fr. L mimus mime] (1751) 1: any of a genus
          (Mimosa) of leguminous trees, shrubs, and herbs of tropical
          and warm regions with usu. bipinnate often prickly leaves
          and globular heads of small white or pink flowers 2:
          silk tree 3: a mixed drink consisting of champagne and
          orange juice

   min
          [min] abbreviation minim, minimum, mining, minister, minor,
          minute

   mina
          [mi.na] n [L, fr. Gk mna, of Sem origin; akin to Heb maneh
          mina] (ca. 1580): an ancient unit of weight and value
          equal to 1/60 talent

   minable
          [min.able] or mine.able adj (ca. 1570): capable of being
          mined

   minaret
          [min.a.ret] n [F, fr. Turk minare, fr. Ar manarah lighthouse]
          (1682): a tall slender tower of a mosque having one or
          more balconies from which the summons to prayer is cried
          by the muezzin

   minatory
          [mi.na.to.ry] adj [LL minatorius, fr. L minari to threaten--more
          at mount] (1532): having a menacing quality: threatening

   minaudiere
          [min.au.diere] n [F, fem. of minaudier affected, coquettish,
          fr. minauder to mince] (1940): a small decorative case
          for carrying small articles (as cosmetics or jewelry)

   [1]mince
          [mince] vb minced ; minc.ing [ME, fr. MF mincer, fr. (assumed)
          VL minutiare, fr. L minutia smallness--more at minutia]
          vt (14c) 1 a: to cut or chop into very small pieces b:
          to subdivide minutely; esp: to damage by cutting up 2:
          to utter or pronounce with affectation 3 a archaic: minimize
          b: to restrain (words) within the bounds of decorum ~
          vi: to walk with short steps in a prim affected manner
          -- minc.er n [2]mince n (ca. 1850) 1: small chopped bits
          (as of food); specif: mincemeat 2 Brit: hamburger 1a

   mincemeat
          [mince.meat] n (1663) 1: minced meat 2: a finely chopped
          mixture (as of raisins, apples, and spices) sometimes
          with meat that is often used as pie filling 3: a state
          of destruction or annihilation--used in the phrase make
          mincemeat of

   mincing
          [minc.ing] adj (1530): affectedly dainty or delicate -- minc.ing.ly
          adv

   [1]mind
          [mind] n [ME, fr. OE gemynd; akin to OHG gimunt memory, L
          ment-, mens mind, monere to remind, warn, Gk menos spirit,
          mnasthai, mimneskesthai to remember] (bef. 12c) 1: recollection,
          memory <keep that in ~> <time out of ~> 2 a: the element
          or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives,
          thinks, wills, and esp. reasons b: the conscious mental
          events and capabilities in an organism c: the organized
          conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity of
          an organism 3: intention, desire <I changed my ~> 4:
          the normal or healthy condition of the mental faculties
          5: opinion, view 6: disposition, mood 7 a: a person or
          group embodying mental qualities <the public ~> b: intellectual
          ability 8 cap, Christian Science: god 1b 9: a conscious
          substratum or factor in the universe [2]mind vt (14c)
          1 chiefly dial: remind 2 chiefly dial: remember 3: to
          attend to closely 4 a (1): to become aware of: notice
          (2): to regard with attention: consider important--often
          used in the imperative with following you for emphasis
          <I'm not against inspiration, ~ you; I simply refuse
          to sit and stare at a blank page waiting for it --Dennis
          Whitcomb> b chiefly dial: intend, purpose 5 a: to give
          heed to attentively in order to obey b: to follow the
          orders or instructions of 6 a: to be concerned about
          b: dislike <I don't ~ going> 7 a: to be careful: see
          <~ you finish it> b: to be cautious about <~ the broken
          rung> 8: to give protective care to: tend ~ vi 1: to
          be attentive or wary 2: to become concerned: care 3:
          to pay obedient heed or attention -- mind.er n

   mind-bending
          [mind-bend.ing] adj (1965): mind-blowing

   mind-blowing
          [mind-blow.ing] adj (1967) 1: psychedelic 1a 2: mind-boggling
          -- mind.blow.er n

   mind-boggling
          [mind-bog.gling] adj (1964): mentally or emotionally exciting
          or overwhelming -- mind-bog.gling.ly adv

   minded
          [mind.ed] adj (15c) 1: inclined, disposed 2: having a mind
          esp. of a specified kind or concerned with a specified
          thing--usu. used in combination <narrow-minded> <health-minded>
          -- mind.ed.ness n

   mind-expanding
          [mind-ex.pand.ing] adj (1963): psychedelic 1a

   mindful
          [mind.ful] adj (14c) 1: bearing in mind: aware 2: inclined
          to be aware -- mind.ful.ly adv -- mind.ful.ness n

   mindless
          [mind.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: marked by a lack of mind
          or consciousness <a ~ sleep> b (1): marked by or displaying
          no use of the powers of the intellect <~ violence> (2):
          requiring little attention or thought; esp: not intellectually
          challenging or stimulating <~ work> <a ~ movie> 2: not
          mindful: heedless <~ of the consequences> -- mind.less.ly
          adv -- mind.less.ness n

   mind reader
          [mind reader] n (1887): one that professes or is held to
          be able to perceive another's thought without normal
          means of communication -- mind reading n

   mind-set
          [mind-set] n (1926) 1: a mental attitude or inclination 2:
          a fixed state of mind

   mind's eye
          [mind's eye] n (15c): the mental faculty of conceiving imaginary
          or recollected scenes; also: the mental picture so conceived
          <in the mind's eye one sees dinosaurs, mammoths, and
          sabertoothed tigers --F. P. Brooks Jr.>

   [1]mine
          [mine] adj [ME min, fr. OE min--more at my] (bef. 12c): my--used
          before a word beginning with a vowel or h <this treasure
          in ~ arms --Shak.> or sometimes as a modifier of a preceding
          noun--archaic except in an elevated style [2]mine pron,
          sing or pl in constr (bef. 12c): that which belongs to
          me--used without a following noun as a pronoun equivalent
          in meaning to the adjective my [3]mine n [ME, fr. MF,
          fr. (assumed) VL mina, prob. of Celt origin; akin to
          W mwyn ore] (14c) 1 a: a pit or excavation in the earth
          from which mineral substances are taken b: an ore deposit
          2: a subterranean passage under an enemy position 3:
          an encased explosive designed to destroy enemy personnel,
          vehicles, or ships 4: a rich source of supply [4]mine
          vb mined ; min.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to dig under to gain
          access or cause the collapse of (an enemy position) b:
          undermine 2 a: to get (as ore) from the earth b: to extract
          from a source <information mined from the files> 3: to
          burrow beneath the surface of <larva that ~s leaves>
          4: to place military mines in, on, or under <~ a harbor>
          5 a: to dig into for ore or metal b: to process for obtaining
          a natural constituent <~ the air for nitrogen> c: to
          seek valuable material in ~ vi: to dig a mine -- min.er
          n

   minefield
          [mine.field] n (1886) 1: an area (as of water or land) set
          with mines 2: something resembling a minefield esp. in
          having many dangers or requiring extreme caution

   minelayer
          [mine.lay.er] n (1909): a naval vessel for laying underwater
          mines

   [1]mineral
          [min.er.al] n [ME, fr. ML minerale, fr. neut. of mineralis]
          (15c) 1: ore 2: an inorganic substance (as in the ash
          of calcined tissue) 3 obs: mine 4: something neither
          animal nor vegetable 5 a: a solid homogeneous crystalline
          chemical element or compound that results from the inorganic
          processes of nature; broadly: any of various naturally
          occurring homogeneous substances (as stone, coal, salt,
          sulfur, sand, petroleum, water, or natural gas) obtained
          usu. from the ground b: a synthetic substance having
          the chemical composition and crystalline form and properties
          of a naturally occurring mineral 6 pl, Brit: mineral
          water [2]mineral adj [ME, fr. ML mineralis, fr. minera
          mine, ore, fr. OF miniere, fr. mine] (15c) 1: of or relating
          to minerals; also: inorganic 2: impregnated with mineral
          substances

   mineralise
          [min.er.al.ise] Brit var of mineralize

   mineralize
          [min.er.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1655) 1: to transform
          (a metal) into an ore 2 a: to impregnate or supply with
          minerals or an inorganic compound b: to convert into
          mineral or inorganic form 3: petrify -- min.er.al.iz.able
          adj -- min.er.al.i.za.tion n -- min.er.al.iz.er n

   mineral kingdom
          [mineral kingdom] n (ca. 1691): a basic group of natural
          objects that includes inorganic objects--compare animal
          kingdom, plant kingdom

   mineralocorticoid
          [min.er.al.o.cor.ti.coid] n (1946): a corticosteroid (as
          aldosterone) that affects chiefly the electrolyte and
          fluid balance in the body--compare glucocorticoid

   mineralogy
          [min.er.al.o.gy] n [prob. fr. (assumed) NL mineralogia, irreg.
          fr. ML minerale + L -logia -logy] (1690) 1: a science
          dealing with minerals, their crystallography, properties,
          classification, and the ways of distinguishing them 2:
          the minerological characteristics of an area, a rock,
          or a rock formation -- min.er.al.og.i.cal also min.er.al.og.ic
          adj -- min.er.al.og.i.cal.ly adv -- min.er.al.o.gist
          n

   mineral oil
          [mineral oil] n (1805): an oil of mineral origin; esp: a
          refined petroleum oil used esp. as a laxative

   mineral spirits
          [mineral spirits] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1927): a
          petroleum distillate that is used esp. as a paint or
          varnish thinner

   mineral water
          [mineral water] n (1562): water naturally or artificially
          infused with mineral salts or gases (as carbon dioxide)

   mineral wax
          [mineral wax] n (ca. 1864): a wax of mineral origin; esp:
          ozokerite

   mineral wool
          [mineral wool] n (ca. 1881): any of various lightweight vitreous
          fibrous materials used esp. in heat and sound insulation

   Minerva
          [Mi.ner.va] n [L]: the Roman goddess of wisdom--compare athena

   minestrone
          [min.e.stro.ne] n [It, aug. of minestra, fr. minestrare to
          serve, dish up, fr. L ministrare, fr. minister servant--more
          at minister] (1891): a rich thick vegetable soup usu.
          with dried beans and pasta (as macaroni or vermicelli)

   minesweeper
          [mine.sweep.er] n (1905): a warship designed for removing
          or neutralizing mines by dragging -- mine.sweep.ing n

   Ming
          [Ming] n [Chin (Beijing) ming luminous] (1795): a Chinese
          dynasty dated 1368-1644 and marked by restoration of
          earlier traditions and in the arts by perfection of established
          techniques

   mingle
          [min.gle] vb min.gled ; min.gling [ME menglen, freq. of mengen
          to mix, fr. OE mengan; akin to MHG mengen to mix, Gk
          massein to knead] vt (15c) 1: to bring or mix together
          or with something else usu. without fundamental loss
          of identity: intermix 2 archaic: to prepare by mixing:
          concoct ~ vi 1: to become mingled 2 a: to come into contact:
          associate b: to move about (as in a group) <mingled with
          the guests> syn see mix

   ming tree
          [ming tree] n [perh. fr. Ming] (1948): a dwarfed evergreen
          conifer grown as bonsai; also: an artificial plant resembling
          this

   mingy
          [min.gy] adj min.gi.er ; -est [perh. blend of [1]mean and
          stingy] (1912): mean, stingy

   [1]mini
          [mini] adj [mini-] (1954) 1: small in relation to others
          of the same kind 2: of short length or duration: brief
          [2]mini n, pl min.is (1961): something small of its kind:
          as a: minicar b: miniskirt c: minicomputer

   mini-
          [mini-] comb form [miniature]: smaller or briefer than usual,
          normal, or standard <minicourse> <minibus>

   [1]miniature
          [min.i.a.ture] n [It miniatura art of illuminating a manuscript,
          fr. ML, fr. L miniatus, pp. of miniare to color with
          minium, fr. minium red lead] (ca. 1586) 1 a: a copy on
          a much reduced scale b: something small of its kind 2:
          a painting in an illuminated book or manuscript 3: the
          art of painting miniatures 4: a very small portrait or
          other painting (as on ivory or metal) -- min.i.a.tur.ist
          n -- min.i.a.tur.is.tic adj -- in miniature : in a greatly
          diminished size, form, or scale [2]miniature adj (1714):
          being or represented on a small scale syn see small

   miniature golf
          [miniature golf] n (1915): a novelty golf game played with
          a putter on a miniature course usu. having tunnels, bridges,
          sharp corners, and obstacles

   miniature pinscher
          [miniature pin.scher] n (1929): any of a breed of toy dogs
          that suggest a small Doberman pinscher and are 10 to
          12 1/2 inches (25 to 32 centimeters) in height at the
          withers

   miniature schnauzer
          [miniature schnauzer] n (ca. 1929): any of a breed of schnauzers
          that are 12 to 14 inches (30 to 36 centimeters) in height
          at the withers and are classified as terriers

   miniaturize
          [min.i.a.tur.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1946): to design or
          construct in small size -- min.i.a.tur.i.za.tion n

   minibike
          [mini.bike] n (1962): a small one-passenger motorcycle with
          a low frame and raised handlebars -- mini.bik.er n

   minibus
          [mini.bus] n (1958): a small bus or van

   Minicam
          [Mini.cam] trademark--used for a portable television camera

   minicamp
          [mini.camp] n (1979): a special abbreviated training camp
          for football players held esp. in the spring or early
          summer

   minicar
          [mini.car] n (1949): a very small automobile; esp: subcompact

   minicomputer
          [mini.com.put.er] n (1968): a small computer that is intermediate
          between a microcomputer and a mainframe in size, speed,
          and capacity, that can support time-sharing, and that
          is often dedicated to a single application

   minicourse
          [mini.course] n (1970): a brief course of study usu. lasting
          less than a semester

   minie ball
          [min.ie ball] n [Claude Etienne Minie d. 1879 Fr. army officer]
          (1859): a rifle bullet with a conical head used in muzzle-loading
          firearms

   minify
          [min.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [L minus less + E -ify] (1676):
          lessen

   minikin
          [min.i.kin] n [obs. D minneken darling, ultim. fr. MD minne
          love, beloved; akin to OE gemynd mind, memory--more at
          mind] (1761) archaic: a small or dainty creature -- minikin
          adj

   minilab
          [mini.lab] n (1982): a retail outlet offering rapid on-site
          film development and printing

   minim
          [min.im] n [L minimus least] (15c) 1: half note 2: something
          very minute 3: either of two units of liquid capacity
          equal to 1/60 fluidram: a: a U.S. unit equivalent to
          0.003760 cubic inch b: a British imperial unit equivalent
          to 0.003612 cubic inch -- minim adj

   minimal
          [min.i.mal] adj (1666) 1: relating to or being a minimum:
          as a: the least possible <a victory won with ~ loss of
          life> b: barely adequate <a ~ standard of living> c:
          very small or slight <a ~ interest in art> 2 often cap:
          of, relating to, or being minimal art or minimalism --
          min.i.mal.ly adv

   minimal art
          [minimal art] n (1965): abstract art consisting primarily
          of simple geometric forms executed in an impersonal style

   minimal brain dysfunction
          [minimal brain dysfunction] n (1972): attention deficit disorder

   minimalism
          [min.i.mal.ism] n (1969) 1: minimal art 2: a style or technique
          (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized
          by extreme spareness and simplicity

   [1]minimalist
          [min.i.mal.ist] n (1907) 1: one who favors restricting the
          functions and powers of a political organization or the
          achievement of a set of goals to a minimum 2 a: a minimal
          artist b: an adherent of minimalism [2]minimalist adj
          (1967): of, relating to, or done in the style of minimalism

   minimal pair
          [minimal pair] n (1942): two linguistic units that differ
          in a single distinctive feature or constituent (as voice
          in the initial consonants of bat and pat)

   minimax
          [mini.max] n [minimum + maximum] (1918): the minimum of a
          set of maxima; esp: the smallest of a set of maximum
          possible losses each of which occurs in the most unfavorable
          outcome of a strategy followed by a participant in a
          situation governed by the theory of games--compare maximin

   minimill
          [mini.mill] n (1969): a relatively small-scale steel mill
          that uses scrap metal as starting material

   minimise
          [min.i.mise] Brit var of minimize

   minimize
          [min.i.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1802) 1: to reduce or
          keep to a minimum 2: to underestimate intentionally:
          play down: soft-pedal <minimizing losses in our own forces
          while maximizing those of the enemy> -- min.i.mi.za.tion
          n -- min.i.miz.er n

   minimum
          [min.i.mum] n, pl -i.ma or -i.mums [L, neut. of minimus smallest;
          akin to L minor smaller--more at minor] (1674) 1: the
          least quantity assignable, admissible, or possible 2:
          the least of a set of numbers; specif: the smal lest
          value assumed by a continuous function defined on a closed
          interval 3 a: the lowest degree or amount of variation
          (as of temperature) reached or recorded b: the lowest
          speed allowed on a highway -- minimum adj

   minimum wage
          [minimum wage] n (1860) 1: living wage 2: the lowest wage
          paid or permitted to be paid; specif: a wage fixed by
          legal authority or by contract as the least that may
          be paid either to employed persons generally or to a
          particular category of employed persons

   mining
          [min.ing] n (1523): the process or business of working mines

   minion
          [min.ion] n [MF mignon darling] (1501) 1: a servile dependent,
          follower, or underling 2: one highly favored: idol 3:
          a subordinate or petty official

   minipark
          [mini.park] n (1967): a small city park

   minischool
          [mini.school] n (1968): an experimental school offering specialized
          or individual instruction to its students

   miniscule
          [min.is.cule] var of minuscule

   miniseries
          [mini.se.ries] n (1973): a television production of a story
          presented in sequential episodes

   miniskirt
          [mini.skirt] n (1965): a woman's short skirt with the hemline
          several inches above the knee -- mini.skirt.ed adj

   ministate
          [mini.state] n (1966): a small independent nation

   [1]minister
          [min.is.ter] n [ME ministre, fr. OF, fr. L minister servant;
          akin to L minor smaller] (14c) 1: agent 2 a: one officiating
          or assisting the officiant in church worship b: a clergyman
          esp. of a Protestant communion 3 a: the superior of one
          of several religious orders--called also minister-general
          b: the assistant to the rector or the bursar of a Jesuit
          house 4: a high officer of state entrusted with the management
          of a division of governmental activities 5 a: a diplomatic
          representative (as an ambassador) accredited to the court
          or seat of government of a foreign state b: a diplomatic
          representative ranking below an ambassador [2]minister
          vi -tered ; -ter.ing (14c) 1: to perform the functions
          of a minister of religion 2: to give aid or service <~
          to the sick>

   ministerial
          [min.is.te.ri.al] adj (1561) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a minister or the ministry 2 a: being or having the
          characteristics of an act or duty prescribed by law as part of the
          duties of an administrative office b: relating to or being an act
          done after ascertaining the existence of a specified state of facts
          in obedience to a legal order without exercise of personal judgment
          or discretion 3: acting or active as an agent: instrumental
          -- min.is.te.ri.al.ly adv

   minister plenipotentiary
          [minister plenipotentiary] n, pl ministers plenipotentiary
          (1796): a diplomatic agent ranking below an ambassador
          but possessing full power and authority

   minister resident
          [minister resident] n, pl ministers resident (1848): a diplomatic
          agent resident at a foreign court or seat of government
          and ranking below a minister plenipotentiary

   [1]ministrant
          [min.is.trant] adj (1667) archaic: performing service in
          attendance on someone [2]ministrant n (1818): one that
          ministers

   ministration
          [min.is.tra.tion] n (14c): the act or process of ministering

   ministry
          [min.is.try] n, pl -tries (14c) 1: ministration 2: the office,
          duties, or functions of a minister 3: the body of ministers
          of religion: clergy 4: agency 2, instrumentality 5: the
          period of service or office of a minister or ministry
          6 often cap a: the body of ministers governing a nation
          or state from which a smaller cabinet is sometimes selected
          b: the group of ministers constituting a cabinet 7 a:
          a government department presided over by a minister b:
          the building in which the business of a ministry is transacted

   minivan
          [mini.van] n (1960): a small van

   miniver
          [min.i.ver] n [ME meniver, fr. MF menu vair small vair] (13c):
          a white fur worn orig. by medieval nobles and used chiefly
          for robes of state

   mink
          [mink] n, pl mink or minks [ME] (15c) 1: soft fur or pelt
          of the mink varying in color from white to dark brown
          2: either of two slender-bodied semiaquatic carnivorous
          mammals (Mustela vison of No. America and M. lutreola
          of Eurasia) that resemble the related weasels and have
          partially webbed feet, a rather short bushy tail, and
          a soft thick coat

   minke whale
          [min.ke whale] n [part trans. of Norw minkehval, fr. minke-
          (perh. fr. Meincke, a crewman of Svend Foyn d. 1894 Norw.
          whaler) + hval whale] (1939): a small grayish baleen
          whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) with a whitish underside--called
          also minke

   Minn
          [Minn] abbreviation Minnesota

   minnesinger
          [min.ne.sing.er] n [G, fr. MHG, fr. minne love + singer singer]
          (1825): any of a class of German poets and musicians
          of the 12th to the 14th centuries

   Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
          [Min.ne.so.ta Multiphasic Personality Inventory] n [University
          of Minnesota] (1943): a test of personal and social adjustment
          based on a complex scaling of the answers to an elaborate
          true or false test

   minnow
          [min.now] n, pl minnows also minnow [ME menawe; akin to OE
          myne minnow, OHG munewa, a kind of fish] (15c) 1 a: a
          small cyprinid, killifish, or topminnow b: any of various
          small fish that are less than a designated size and are
          not game fish 2: a live or artificial minnow used as
          bait

   [1]Minoan
          [Mi.no.an] adj [L minous of Minos, fr. Gk minoios, fr. Minos
          Minos] (1894): of or relating to a Bronze Age culture
          of Crete (3000 b.c.-1100 b.c.) [2]Minoan n (1902): a
          native or inhabitant of ancient Crete

   [1]minor
          [mi.nor] adj [L, smaller, inferior; akin to OHG minniro smaller,
          L minuere to lessen] (1526) 1: inferior in importance,
          size, or degree: comparatively unimportant 2: not having
          reached majority 3 a: having half steps between the second
          and third, the fifth and sixth, and sometimes the seventh
          and eighth degrees <~ scale> b: based on a minor scale
          <~ key> c: less by a semitone than the corresponding
          major interval <~ third> d: having a minor third above
          the root <~ triad> 4: not serious or involving risk to
          life <~ illness> 5: of or relating to an academic subject
          requiring fewer courses than a major [2]minor n (1612)
          1: a person who has not attained majority 2: a minor
          musical interval, scale, key, or mode 3 a: a minor academic
          subject b: a student taking a specified minor 4: a determinant
          or matrix obtained from a given determinant or matrix
          by eliminating the row and column in which a given element
          lies 5 pl: minor league baseball--used with the [3]minor
          vi (1926): to take courses in a minor subject

   minor axis
          [minor axis] n (1862): the chord of an ellipse passing through
          the center and perpendicular to the major axis

   minor element
          [minor element] n (ca. 1945): trace element

   Minorite
          [Mi.nor.ite] n [fr. Friar Minor Franciscan] (ca. 1587): franciscan

   minority
          [mi.nor.i.ty] n, pl -ties often attrib (1547) 1 a: the period
          before attainment of majority b: the state of being a
          legal minor 2: the smaller in number of two groups constituting
          a whole; specif: a group having less than the number
          of votes necessary for control 3 a: a part of a population
          differing from others in some characteristics and often
          subjected to differential treatment b: a member of a
          minority group <an effort to hire more minorities>

   minority leader
          [minority leader] n (1949): the leader of the minority party
          in a legislative body

   minor league
          [minor league] n (1889): a league of professional clubs in
          a sport other than the recognized major leagues

   minor order
          [minor order] n (1844): one of the Roman Catholic or Eastern
          clerical orders that are lower in rank and less sacred
          in character than major orders--usu. used in pl.

   minor party
          [minor party] n (1949): a political party whose electoral
          strength is so small as to prevent its gaining control
          of a government except in rare and exceptional circumstances

   minor penalty
          [minor penalty] n (1936): a two-minute suspension of a player
          in ice hockey with no substitute allowed

   minor planet
          [minor planet] n (1861): asteroid

   minor premise
          [minor premise] n (ca. 1741): the premise of a syllogism
          that contains the minor term

   minor seminary
          [minor seminary] n (ca. 1948): a Roman Catholic seminary
          giving all or part of high school and junior college
          training with emphasis on preparing candidates for a
          major seminary

   minor suit
          [minor suit] n (1916): either of the suits diamonds or clubs
          having inferior scoring value in bridge

   minor term
          [minor term] n (1843): the term of a syllogism that forms
          the subject of the conclusion

   Minos
          [Mi.nos] n [L, fr. Gk Minos]: a son of Zeus and Europa and
          king of Crete who for his just rule is made supreme judge
          in the underworld after his death

   Minotaur
          [Mi.no.taur] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L Minotaurus, fr. Gk Minotauros,
          fr. Minos + tauros bull]: a monster shaped half like
          a man and half like a bull, confined in the labyrinth
          built by Daedalus for Minos, and given a periodic tribute
          of youths and maidens as food until slain by Theseus

   minoxidil
          [mi.nox.i.dil] n [perh. fr. amino + oxi- (alter. of oxy-)
          + piperidine + -yl] (1972): a peripheral vasodilator
          used orally to treat hypertension and topically in a
          propylene glycol solution to promote hair regrowth in
          some forms of baldness

   minster
          [min.ster] n [ME, monastery, church attached to a monastery,
          fr. OE mynster, fr. LL monasterium monastery] (bef. 12c):
          a large or important church often having cathedral status

   minstrel
          [min.strel] n [ME menestrel, fr. MF, official, servant, minstrel,
          fr. LL ministerialis imperial household officer, fr.
          L ministerium service, fr. minister servant--more at
          minister] (14c) 1: one of a class of medieval musical
          entertainers; esp: a singer of verses to the accompaniment
          of a harp 2 a: musician b: poet 3 a: any of a troupe
          of performers typically giving a program of black American
          melodies, jokes, and impersonations and usu. wearing
          blackface b: a performance by a troupe of minstrels

   minstrelsy
          [min.strel.sy] n [ME minstralcie, fr. MF menestralsie, fr.
          menestrel] (14c) 1: the singing and playing of a minstrel
          2: a body of minstrels 3: a group of songs or verse

   [1]mint
          [mint] n [ME minte, fr. OE, fr. L mentha, menta; akin to
          Gk minthe mint] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a family (Labiatae,
          the mint family) of aromatic plants with a square stem
          and a 4-lobed ovary which produces four one-seeded nutlets
          in fruit; esp: any of a genus (Mentha) of mints that
          have white, purple, or pink verticillate flowers with
          a nearly regular corolla and four equal stamens and that
          include some used in flavoring and cookery 2: a confection
          flavored with mint -- minty adj [2]mint n [ME mynt coin,
          money, fr. OE mynet, fr. L moneta mint, coin, fr. Moneta,
          epithet of Juno; fr. the fact that the Romans coined
          money in the temple of Juno Moneta] (15c) 1: a place
          where coins, medals, or tokens are made 2: a place where
          something is manufactured 3: a vast sum or amount [3]mint
          vt (1546) 1: to make (as coins) out of metal: coin 2:
          create, produce -- mint.er n [4]mint adj (1902): unmarred
          as if fresh from a mint <in ~ condition>

   mintage
          [mint.age] n (ca. 1570) 1: the action or process of minting
          coins 2: an impression placed upon a coin 3: coins produced
          by minting or in a single period of minting

   mint julep
          [mint julep] n (1809): julep 2

   minuend
          [min.u.end] n [L minuendum, neut. of minuendus, gerundive
          of minuere to lessen--more at minor] (1706): a number
          from which the subtrahend is to be subtracted

   minuet
          [min.u.et] n [F menuet, fr. obs. F, tiny, fr. OF, fr. menu
          small, fr. L minutus] (1673) 1: a slow graceful dance
          in 3/4 time characterized by forward balancing, bowing,
          and toe pointing 2: music for or in the rhythm of a minuet

   [1]minus
          [mi.nus] prep [ME, fr. L minus, adv., less, fr. neut. of
          minor smaller--more at minor] (15c) 1: diminished by:
          less <seven ~ four is three> 2: deprived of: without
          <~ his hat> [2]minus n (1654) 1: a negative quantity
          2: deficiency, defect [3]minus adj (1800) 1: algebraically
          negative <a ~ quantity> 2: having negative qualities
          3: relating to or being a particular one of the two mating
          types that are required for successful fertilization
          in sexual reproduction in some lower plants (as a fungus)
          4: falling low in a specified range <B ~>

   [1]minuscule
          [mi.nus.cule] n [F, fr. L minusculus rather small, dim. of
          minor smaller] (1705) 1 a: one of several ancient and
          medieval writing styles developed from cursive and having
          simplified and small forms b: a letter in this style
          2: a lowercase letter [2]minuscule adj (ca. 1741) 1:
          written in or in the size or style of minuscules 2: very
          small

   minus sign
          [minus sign] n (1668): a sign used in mathematics to indicate
          subtraction or a negative quantity

   [1]minute
          [min.ute] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL minuta, fr. L minutus small,
          fr. pp. of minuere to lessen--more at minor] (14c) 1:
          a 60th part of an hour of time or of a degree: 60 seconds
          2: the distance one can traverse in a minute 3: a short
          space of time: moment 4 a: a brief note (as of summary
          or recommendation) b: memorandum, draft c pl: the official
          record of the proceedings of a meeting [2]minute vt min.ut.ed
          ; min.ut.ing (ca. 1648): to make notes or a brief summary
          of [3]mi.nute adj mi.nut.er ; -est [L minutus] (ca. 1626)
          1: very small: infinitesimal 2: of small importance:
          trifling 3: marked by close attention to details syn
          see small, circumstantial -- mi.nute.ness n

   minute hand
          [minute hand] n (1726): the long hand that marks the minutes
          on the face of a watch or clock

   [1]minutely
          [mi.nute.ly] adv (1599) 1: into very small pieces 2: in a
          minute manner or degree [2]min.ute.ly adj (1605) archaic:
          minute by minute

   minuteman
          [min.ute.man] n (1774): a member of a group of armed men
          pledged to take the field at a minute's notice during
          and immediately before the American Revolution

   minute steak
          [min.ute steak] n (1921): a small thin steak that can be
          quickly cooked

   minutia
          [mi.nu.tia] n, pl -ti.ae [L minutiae trifles, details, fr.
          pl. of minutia smallness, fr. minutus] (1751): a minute
          or minor detail--usu. used in pl.

   minx
          [minx] n [origin unknown] (1592) 1: a pert girl 2 obs: a
          wanton woman

   minyan
          [min.yan] n, pl -ya.nim or -yans [Heb minyan, lit., number,
          count] (1753): the quorum of 10 adult Jews required for
          communal worship

   MIO
          [MIO] abbreviation minimum identifiable odor

   Miocene
          [Mio.cene] adj [mio- (fr. Gk meion less) + -cene--more at
          meiosis] (1831): of, relating to, or being an epoch of
          the Tertiary between the Pliocene and the Oligocene or
          the corresponding system of rocks--see geologic time
          table -- Miocene n

   miosis
          [mi.o.sis] n, pl mi.o.ses [NL, fr. Gk myein to be closed
          (of the eyes) + NL -osis] (1819): excessive smallness
          or contraction of the pupil of the eye

   [1]miotic
          [mi.ot.ic] n (1864): an agent that causes miosis [2]miotic
          adj (1864): relating to or characterized by miosis

   MIPS
          [MIPS] or mips abbreviation million instructions per second

   miquelet
          [mi.que.let] n [Sp miquelete] (1827): a Spanish or French
          irregular soldier during the Peninsular War

   mir
          [mir] n [Russ] (1877): a village community in czarist Russia
          in which land was owned jointly but cultivated by individual
          families

   mirabile dictu
          [mi.ra.bi.le dic.tu] [L] (1831): wonderful to relate

   mirabile visu
          [mi.ra.bi.le vi.su] [L] foreign term : wonderful to behold

   mirabilia
          [mi.ra.bi.lia] [L] foreign term : wonders: miracles

   miracidium
          [mi.ra.cid.i.um] n, pl -cid.ia [NL, fr. Gk meirak-, meirax
          youth, stripling + NL -idium] (1898): the free-swimming
          ciliated first larva of a digenetic trematode that seeks
          out and penetrates a suitable snail intermediate host
          in which it develops into a sporocyst -- mi.ra.cid.i.al
          adj

   miracle
          [mir.a.cle] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL miraculum, fr. L, a wonder,
          marvel, fr. mirari to wonder at] (12c) 1: an extraordinary
          event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs
          2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing,
          or accomplishment 3 Christian Science: a divinely natural
          phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of
          spiritual law

   miracle drug
          [miracle drug] n (1950): a drug usu. newly discovered that
          elicits a dramatic response in a patient's condition--called
          also wonder drug

   miracle fruit
          [miracle fruit] n (1964): a tropical African shrub (Synsepalum
          dulcificum) of the sapodilla family whose fruit contains
          a glycoprotein that when applied to the tongue causes
          sour substances to taste sweet; also: its fruit

   miracle play
          [miracle play] n (ca. 1852) 1: a medieval drama based on
          episodes from the life of a saint or martyr 2: mystery
          play

   miraculous
          [mi.rac.u.lous] adj [ME, fr. MF miraculeux, fr. ML miraculosus,
          fr. L miraculum] (15c) 1: of the nature of a miracle:
          supernatural <a ~ event> 2: suggesting a miracle: marvelous
          <gave proof of a ~ memory --Time> 3: working or able
          to work miracles <~ power> -- mi.rac.u.lous.ly adv --
          mi.rac.u.lous.ness n

   mirador
          [mir.a.dor] n [Sp, fr. Catal, fr. mirar to look at, fr. L
          mirari] (1797): a turret, window, or balcony designed
          to command an extensive outlook

   mirage
          [mi.rage] n [F, fr. mirer to look at, fr. L mirari] (1837)
          1: an optical effect that is sometimes seen at sea, in
          the desert, or over a hot pavement, that may have the
          appearance of a pool of water or a mirror in which distant
          objects are seen inverted, and that is caused by the
          bending or reflection of rays of light by a layer of
          heated air of varying density 2: something illusory and
          unattainable like a mirage

   Miranda
          [Mi.ran.da] adj [fr. Miranda v. Arizona, the U.S. Supreme
          Court ruling establishing such rights] (1972): of, relating
          to, or being the legal rights of an arrested person to
          have an attorney and to remain silent so as to avoid
          self-incrimination <~ warnings>

   [1]mire
          [mire] n [ME, fr. ON myrr; akin to OE mos marsh--more at
          moss] (14c) 1: wet spongy earth (as of a bog or marsh)
          2: heavy often deep mud or slush 3: a troublesome or
          intractable situation <found themselves in a ~ of debt>
          -- miry adj [2]mire vb mired ; mir.ing vt (15c) 1 a:
          to cause to stick fast in or as if in mire b: to hamper
          or hold back as if by mire: entangle 2: to cover or soil
          with mire ~ vi: to stick or sink in mire

   mirex
          [mi.rex] n [origin unknown] (1962): an organochlorine insecticide
          used esp. against ants

   mirk, mirky
          [mirk, mirky] var of murk, murky

   mirliton
          [mir.li.ton] n [F] (ca. 1909): chayote

   [1]mirror
          [mir.ror] n [ME mirour, fr. OF, fr. mirer to look at, fr.
          L mirari to wonder at] (13c) 1: a polished or smooth
          surface (as of glass) that forms images by reflection
          2 a: something that gives a true representation b: an
          exemplary model -- mir.rored adj -- mir.ror.like adj
          [2]mirror vt (1593): to reflect in or as if in a mirror

   mirror image
          [mirror image] n (1885): something that has its parts reversely
          arranged in comparison with another similar thing or
          that is reversed with reference to an intervening axis
          or plane

   mirth
          [mirth] n [ME, fr. OE myrgth, fr. myrge merry--more at merry]
          (bef. 12c): gladness or gaiety as shown by or accompanied
          with laughter -- mirth.ful adj -- mirth.ful.ly adv --
          mirth.ful.ness n -- mirth.less adj -- mirth.less.ly adv

   [1]MIRV
          [MIRV] n [multiple independently targeted reentry vehicle]
          (1967): a missile with two or more warheads designed
          to strike separate enemy targets; also: any of the warheads
          of such a missile [2]MIRV vb MIRVed ; MIRV.ing vt (1969):
          to equip with MIRV warheads ~ vi: to arm one's forces
          with MIRVs

   mis-
          [mis-] prefix [partly fr. ME, fr. OE; partly fr. ME mes-,
          mis-, fr. OF mes-, of Gmc origin; akin to OE mis-; akin
          to OE missan to miss] 1 a: badly: wrongly <misjudge>
          b: unfavorably <misesteem> c: in a suspicious manner
          <misdoubt> 2: bad: wrong <misdeed> 3: opposite or lack
          of <mistrust> 4: not <misknow>mis.act mis.ad.dress mis.ad.just
          mis.ad.min.is.tra.tion mis.ad.vise mis.aim mis.align
          mis.align.ment mis.al.lo.cate mis.al.lo.ca.tion mis.anal.y.sis
          mis.ap.pli.ca.tion mis.ap.ply mis.ap.prais.al mis.ar.tic.u.late
          mis.as.sem.ble mis.as.sump.tion mis.at.trib.ute mis.at.tri.bu.tion
          mis.bal.ance mis.be.have mis.be.hav.er mis.be.hav.ior mis.bound
          mis.but.ton mis.cal.cu.late mis.cal.cu.la.tion mis.cap.tion
          mis.cat.a.log mis.chan.nel mis.char.ac.ter.i.za.tion
          mis.char.ac.ter.ize mis.charge mis.choice mis.ci.ta.tion
          mis.clas.si.fi.ca.tion mis.clas.si.fy mis.code mis.com.pre.hen.sion
          mis.com.pu.ta.tion mis.com.pute mis.con.ceive mis.con.ceiv.er
          mis.con.cep.tion mis.con.nect mis.con.nec.tion mis.con.struc.tion
          mis.con.strue mis.copy mis.cor.re.la.tion mis.cre.ate
          mis.cre.a.tion mis.cut mis.date mis.deem mis.de.fine mis.de.scribe
          mis.de.scrip.tion mis.de.vel.op mis.di.ag.nose mis.di.ag.no.sis
          mis.dial mis.dis.tri.bu.tion mis.di.vi.sion mis.draw mis.ed.u.cate
          mis.ed.u.ca.tion mis.em.pha.sis mis.em.pha.size mis.em.ploy
          mis.em.ploy.ment mis.es.ti.mate mis.es.ti.ma.tion mis.eval.u.ate
          mis.eval.u.a.tion mis.field mis.file mis.fo.cus mis.func.tion
          mis.gauge mis.gov.ern mis.gov.ern.ment mis.grade
          mis.iden.ti.fi.ca.tion mis.iden.ti.fy mis.in.form
          mis.in.for.ma.tion mis.kick mis.la.bel mis.learn mis.lo.cate
          mis.lo.ca.tion mis.man.age mis.man.age.ment mis.mark mis.mar.riage
          mis.match mis.mate mis.or.der mis.ori.ent mis.ori.en.ta.tion
          mis.pack.age mis.per.ceive mis.per.cep.tion mis.plan mis.po.si.tion
          mis.print mis.pro.gram mis.quo.ta.tion mis.quote
          mis.rec.ol.lec.tion mis.re.cord mis.ref.er.ence mis.reg.is.ter
          mis.reg.is.tra.tion mis.re.late mis.re.mem.ber mis.ren.der
          mis.re.port mis.route mis.set mis.shape mis.shap.en mis.shap.en.ly
          mis.sort mis.strike mis.throw mis.time mis.ti.tle mis.train
          mis.tran.scribe mis.tran.scrip.tion mis.trans.late
          mis.trans.la.tion mis.truth mis.tune mis.type mis.uti.li.za.tion
          mis.vo.cal.i.za.tion mis.write

   misadventure
          [mis.ad.ven.ture] n  [ME mesaventure, fr. OF, fr. mesavenir
          to chance badly, fr. mes- mis- + avenir to chance, happen,
          fr. L advenire--more at adventure] (14c): misfortune,
          mishap

   misalliance
          [mis.al.li.ance] n [modif. of F mesalliance] (1738) 1: an
          improper alliance 2 a: mesalliance b: a marriage between
          persons unsuited to each other

   misanthrope
          [mis.an.thrope] n [Gk misanthropos hating mankind, fr. misein
          to hate + anthropos human being] (1683): a person who
          hates or distrusts mankind

   misanthropic
          [mis.an.throp.ic] adj (1762) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a misanthrope 2: marked by a hatred or contempt for mankind syn
          see cynical -- mis.an.throp.i.cal.ly adv

   misanthropy
          [mis.an.thro.py] n (ca. 1656): a hatred or distrust of mankind

   misapprehend
          [mis.ap.pre.hend] vt (ca. 1629): to apprehend wrongly:
          misunderstand -- mis.ap.pre.hen.sion n

   misappropriate
          [mis.ap.pro.pri.ate] vt (1857): to appropriate wrongly (as
          by theft or embezzlement) -- mis.ap.pro.pri.a.tion n

   misbecome
          [mis.be.come] vt -came ; -come ; -com.ing (1530):
          to be inappropriate or unbecoming to

   misbegotten
          [mis.be.got.ten] adj (1554) 1: unlawfully conceived: illegitimate
          <a ~ child> 2 a: having a disreputable or improper origin:
          ill-conceived <antiquated and ~ tax laws --R. M. Blough>
          b: contemptible, deformed <a ~ scoundrel>

   misbelief
          [mis.be.lief] n (13c): erroneous or false belief

   misbelieve
          [mis.be.lieve] vi (14c) obs: to hold a false or unorthodox
          belief

   misbeliever
          [mis.be.liev.er] n (15c): heretic, infidel

   misbrand
          [mis.brand] vt (ca. 1930): to brand falsely or in a misleading
          way; specif: to label in violation of statutory requirements

   misc
          [misc] abbreviation miscellaneous

   miscall
          [mis.call] vt (14c): to call by a wrong name: misname

   miscarriage
          [mis.car.riage] n (ca. 1652) 1: corrupt or incompetent management;
          esp: a failure in the administration of justice 2: spontaneous
          expulsion of a human fetus before it is viable and esp. between the
          12th and 28th weeks of gestation

   miscarry
          [mis.car.ry] vi (14c) 1 obs: to come to harm 2: to suffer
          miscarriage of a fetus 3: to fail to achieve the intended
          purpose: go wrong or amiss <the plan miscarried>

   miscast
          [mis.cast] vt -cast ; -cast.ing (1925): to cast in an unsuitable
          role <life had ~ her in the role of wife and mother --Edna
          Ferber>

   miscegenation
          [mis.ce.ge.na.tion] n [irreg. fr. L miscere to mix + genus
          race--more at mix, kin] (1864): a mixture of races; esp:
          marriage or cohabitation between a white person and a
          member of another race -- mis.ce.ge.na.tion.al adj

   miscellanea
          [mis.cel.la.nea] n pl [L, fr. neut. pl. of miscellaneus]
          (1571): a collection of miscellaneous objects or writings

   miscellaneous
          [mis.cel.la.neous] adj [L miscellaneus, fr. miscellus mixed]
          (1637) 1: consisting of diverse things or members: heterogeneous
          2 a: having various traits b: dealing with or interested
          in diverse subjects <as a writer I was too ~ --George
          Santayana> -- mis.cel.la.neous.ly adv -- mis.cel.la.neous.ness
          n

   miscellanist
          [mis.cel.la.nist] n (1810): a writer of miscellanies

   miscellany
          [mis.cel.la.ny] n, pl -nies [prob. modif. of F miscellanees,
          pl., fr. L miscellanea] (1615) 1 a pl: separate writings
          collected in one volume b: a collection of writings on
          various subjects 2: a mixture of various things

   mischance
          [mis.chance] n [ME mischaunce, fr. OF meschance, fr. mes-
          mis- + chance chance] (14c) 1: bad luck 2: a piece of
          bad luck: mishap syn see misfortune

   mischief
          [mis.chief] n [ME meschief, fr. OF, calamity, fr. mes- +
          chief head, end--more at chief] (14c) 1: a specific injury
          or damage attributed to a particular agent 2: a cause
          or source of harm, evil, or irritation; esp: a person
          who causes mischief 3 a: action that annoys or irritates
          b: the quality or state of being mischievous: mischievousness
          <had ~ in his eyes>

   mischievous
          [mis.chie.vous] adj (14c) 1: harmful, injurious <~ gossip>
          2 a: able or tending to cause annoyance, trouble, or
          minor injury b: irresponsibly playful <~ behavior> --
          mis.chie.vous.ly adv -- mis.chie.vous.ness n

   misch metal
          [misch metal] n [G Mischmetall, fr. mischen to mix + Metall
          metal] (1916): a complex alloy of rare earth metals used
          esp. in tracer bullets and as a flint in lighters

   miscible
          [mis.ci.ble] adj [ML miscibilis, fr. L miscere to mix--more
          at mix] (1570): capable of being mixed; specif: capable
          of mixing in any ratio without separation of two phases
          <~ liquids> -- mis.ci.bil.i.ty n

   miscommunication
          [mis.com.mu.ni.ca.tion] n (1964): failure to communicate
          clearly

   misconduct
          [mis.con.duct] n (1710) 1: mismanagement esp. of governmental
          or military responsibilities 2: intentional wrongdoing;
          specif: deliberate violation of a law or standard esp.
          by a government official: malfeasance 3 a: improper behavior
          b: adultery -- mis.con.duct vt

   miscount
          [mis.count] vb [ME misconten, fr. MF mesconter, fr. mes-
          + conter to count] vi (14c): to make a wrong count ~
          vt: to count wrongly: miscalculate -- miscount n

   [1]miscreant
          [mis.cre.ant] adj [ME miscreaunt, fr. MF mescreant, prp.
          of mescroire to disbelieve, fr. mes- + croire to believe,
          fr. L credere--more at creed] (14c) 1: unbelieving, heretical
          2: depraved, villainous [2]miscreant n (14c) 1: infidel,
          heretic 2: one who behaves criminally or viciously

   [1]miscue
          [mis.cue] n (1873) 1: a faulty stroke in billiards in which
          the cue slips 2: mistake, slip [2]miscue vi (1894): to
          make a miscue

   misdeal
          [mis.deal] vb -dealt ; -deal.ing vi (1850): to deal cards
          incorrectly ~ vt: to deal incorrectly -- misdeal n

   misdeed
          [mis.deed] n (bef. 12c): a wrong deed: offense

   misdemeanant
          [mis.de.mean.ant] n (1819): a person convicted of a misdemeanor

   misdemeanor
          [mis.de.mean.or] n (15c) 1: a crime less serious than a felony
          2: misdeed

   misdirect
          [mis.di.rect] vt (1603) 1: to give a wrong direction to 2:
          to direct wrongly <~ed their energies>

   misdirection
          [mis.di.rec.tion] n (1768) 1 a: the act or an instance of
          misdirecting b: the state of being misdirected 2: a wrong
          direction

   misdo
          [mis.do] vb -did ; -done ; -do.ing ; -does vi (bef. 12c)
          obs: to act wrongly: transgress the laws of God <the
          erring soul not wilfully ~ing --John Milton> ~ vt: to
          do (something) incorrectly or poorly -- mis.do.er n

   misdoing
          [misdoing] n (15c): the act or an instance of misbehaving:
          misconduct

   misdoubt
          [mis.doubt] vt (ca. 1540) 1: doubt 2: suspect, fear -- misdoubt
          n

   mise-en-scene
          [mise-en-scene] n, pl mise-en-scenes [F mise en scene] (1833)
          1 a: the arrangement of actors and scenery on a stage
          for a theatrical production b: stage setting 2 a: the
          physical setting of an action: context b: environment,
          milieu syn see background

   miser
          [mi.ser] n [L miser miserable] (ca. 1560): a mean grasping
          person; esp: one who is extremely stingy with money

   miserable
          [mis.er.a.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L miserabilis wretched,
          pitiable, fr. miserari to pity, fr. miser] (15c) 1: being
          in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness (as from
          want or shame) <~ refugees> 2 a: wretchedly inadequate
          or meager <a ~ hovel> b: causing extreme discomfort or
          unhappiness <a ~ situation> 3: being likely to discredit
          or shame <his ~ neglect of his wife> <it was ~ of you
          to make fun of him> -- miserable n -- mis.er.a.ble.ness
          n -- mis.er.a.bly adv

   miserere
          [mi.se.re.re] n [ME, fr. L, be merciful, fr. misereri to
          be merciful, fr. miser wretched; fr. the first word of
          the Psalm] (13c) 1 cap: the 50th Psalm in the Vulgate
          2: misericord 3: a vocal complaint or lament

   misericord
          [mi.ser.i.cord] also mi.ser.i.corde n [ML misericordia seat
          in church, fr. L, mercy, fr. misericord-, misericors
          merciful, fr. misereri + cord-, cor heart--more at heart]
          (ca. 1515): a small projection on the bottom of a hinged
          church seat that gives support to a standing worshiper
          when the seat is turned up

   miserly
          [mi.ser.ly] adj (1593): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a miser; esp: marked by grasping meanness and penuriousness
          syn see stingy -- mi.ser.li.ness n

   misery
          [mis.ery] n, pl -er.ies (14c) 1: a state of suffering and
          want that is the result of poverty or affliction 2: a
          circumstance, thing, or place that causes suffering or
          discomfort 3: a state of great unhappiness and emotional
          distress syn see distress

   misesteem
          [mis.es.teem] vt (1611): to esteem wrongly; esp: to hold
          in too little regard

   misfeasance
          [mis.fea.sance] n [MF mesfaisance, fr. mesfaire to do wrong,
          fr. mes- mis- + faire to make, do, fr. L facere--more
          at do] (1596): trespass; specif: the performance of a
          lawful action in an illegal or improper manner -- mis.fea.sor
          n

   [1]misfire
          [mis.fire] vi (1752) 1: to have the explosive or propulsive
          charge fail to ignite at the proper time <the engine
          misfired> 2: to fail to fire <the gun misfired> 3: to
          miss an intended effect or objective [2]mis.fire n (1839)
          1: a failure (as of a cartridge or firearm) to fire 2:
          something that misfires

   misfit
          [mis.fit] n (ca. 1823) 1: something that fits badly 2: one
          who is poorly adapted to a situation or environment <social
          ~s>

   misfortune
          [mis.for.tune] n (15c) 1 a: an event or conjunction of events
          that causes an unfortunate or distressing result: bad
          luck <by ~ he fell into bad company> <had the ~ to break
          his leg> b: an unhappy situation <always ready to help
          people in ~> 2: a distressing or unfortunate incident
          or event <~s never come singly> syn misfortune, mischance,
          adversity, mishap mean adverse fortune or an instance
          of this. misfortune may apply to either the incident
          or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy
          change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress
          <never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune>. mischance
          applies esp. to a situation involving no more than slight
          inconvenience or minor annoyance <took the wrong road
          by mischance>. adversity applies to a state of grave
          or persistent misfortune <had never experienced great
          adversity>. mishap applies to an often trivial instance
          of bad luck <the usual mishaps of a family vacation>.

   misgive
          [mis.give] vb -gave ; -giv.en ; -giv.ing vt (1513): to suggest
          doubt or fear to ~ vi: to be fearful or apprehensive

   misgiving
          [mis.giv.ing] n (1601): a feeling of doubt or suspicion esp.
          concerning a future event

   misguidance
          [mis.guid.ance] n (1640): misdirection

   misguide
          [mis.guide] vt (14c): to lead astray: misdirect <prejudice
          ~s our minds> -- mis.guid.er n

   misguided
          [mis.guid.ed] adj (1659): led or prompted by wrong or inappropriate
          motives or ideals <well-meaning but ~ do-gooders> -- mis.guid.ed.ly
          adv -- mis.guid.ed.ness n

   mishandle
          [mis.han.dle] vt (1530) 1: to treat roughly: maltreat 2:
          to deal with or manage wrongly or ignorantly

   mishanter
          [mi.shan.ter] n [ME misaunter, alter. of mesaventure] (1742)
          chiefly Scot: misadventure

   mishap
          [mis.hap] n (14c) 1: an unfortunate accident 2: bad luck:
          misfortune syn see misfortune

   mishear
          [mis.hear] vb -heard ; -hear.ing vt (bef. 12c): to hear wrongly
          ~ vi: to misunderstand what is heard

   mishit
          [mis.hit] vt -hit ; -hit.ting (1904): to hit in a faulty
          manner -- mis.hit n

   mishmash
          [mish.mash] n [ME & Yiddish; ME mysse masche, perh. redupl.
          of mash mash; Yiddish mish-mash, perh. redupl. of mishn
          to mix] (15c): hodgepodge, jumble

   Mishnah
          [Mish.nah] or Mish.na n [Heb mishnah instruction, oral law]
          (1610): the collection of mostly halakic Jewish traditions
          compiled about a.d. 200 and made the basic part of the
          Talmud -- Mish.na.ic adj

   misimpression
          [mis.im.pres.sion] n (1670): a mistaken impression

   misinterpret
          [mis.in.ter.pret] vt (1547) 1: to explain wrongly 2: to understand
          wrongly -- mis.in.ter.pre.ta.tion n

   misjoinder
          [mis.join.der] n (ca. 1847): an improper union of parties
          or of causes of action in a single legal proceeding

   misjudge
          [mis.judge] vi (15c): to be mistaken in judgment ~ vt 1:
          to estimate wrongly 2: to have an unjust opinion of --
          mis.judg.ment n

   Miskito
          [Mi.ski.to] n, pl Miskito or Miskitos (1789) 1: a member
          of an American Indian people of the Atlantic coast of
          Nicaragua and Honduras 2: the language of the Miskito
          people

   misknow
          [mis.know] vt -knew ; -known ; -know.ing (1535): misunderstand
          -- mis.knowl.edge n

   mislay
          [mis.lay] vt -laid ; -lay.ing (1614): to put in an unremembered
          place: lose

   mislead
          [mis.lead] vb -led ; -lead.ing vt (bef. 12c): to lead in
          a wrong direction or into a mistaken action or belief
          often by deliberate deceit ~ vi: to lead astray syn see
          deceive -- mis.lead.er n -- mis.lead.ing.ly adv

   misleared
          [mis.leared] adj [[1]mis- + lear to learn] (1560) chiefly
          Scot: unmannerly, ill-bred

   mislike
          [mis.like] vt (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: displease 2: dislike
          -- mislike n

   misname
          [mis.name] vt (1537): to name incorrectly: miscall

   misnomer
          [mis.no.mer] n [ME misnoumer, fr. MF mesnommer to misname,
          fr. mes- mis- + nommer to name, fr. L nominare--more
          at nominate] (15c) 1: the misnaming of a person in a
          legal instrument 2 a: a use of a wrong name b: a wrong
          name or designation -- mis.no.mered adj

   miso
          [mi.so] n [Jp] (1727): a high-protein food paste consisting
          chiefly of soybeans, salt, and usu. fermented grain (as
          barley or rice) and ranging in taste from very salty
          to very sweet

   misogamy
          [mi.sog.a.my] n [Gk misein to hate + E -gamy] (ca. 1656):
          a hatred of marriage -- mi.sog.a.mist n

   misogyny
          [mi.sog.y.ny] n [Gk misogynia, fr. misein to hate + gyne
          woman--more at queen] (ca. 1656): a hatred of women --
          miso.gy.nic adj -- mi.sog.y.nist n or adj -- mi.sog.y.nis.tic
          adj

   misology
          [mi.sol.o.gy] n [Gk misologia, fr. misein + -logia -logy]
          (1833): a hatred of argument, reasoning, or enlightenment

   misoneism
          [miso.ne.ism] n [It misoneismo, fr. Gk misein + neos new
          + It -ismo -ism--more at new] (1886): a hatred, fear,
          or intolerance of innovation or change

   misplace
          [mis.place] vt (1594) 1 a: to put in a wrong or inappropriate
          place <~ a comma> b: mislay <misplaced the keys> 2: to
          set on a wrong object or eventuality <his trust had been
          misplaced> -- mis.place.ment n

   misplay
          [mis.play] n (1867): a wrong or unskillful play: error --
          mis.play vt

   [1]misprision
          [mis.pri.sion] n [ME, fr. MF mesprison error, wrongdoing,
          fr. OF, fr. mesprendre to make a mistake, fr. mes- mis-
          + prendre to take, fr. L prehendere to seize--more at
          get] (15c) 1 a: neglect or wrong performance of official
          duty b: concealment of treason or felony by one who is
          not a participant in the treason or felony c: seditious
          conduct against the government or the courts 2: misunderstanding,
          misinterpretation [2]misprision n [misprize] (1586):
          contempt, scorn

   misprize
          [mis.prize] vt [MF mesprisier, fr. mes- mis- + prisier to
          appraise--more at prize] (14c) 1: to hold in contempt:
          despise 2: undervalue

   mispronounce
          [mis.pro.nounce] vt (1593): to pronounce incorrectly or in
          a way regarded as incorrect

   mispronunciation
          [mis.pro.nun.ci.a.tion] n (1530): the act or an instance
          of mispronouncing

   misread
          [mis.read] vt -read ; -read.ing (1809) 1: to read incorrectly
          2: to misinterpret in or as if in reading <totally ~
          the lesson of history --Christopher Hollis>

   misreckon
          [mis.reck.on] vb (ca. 1525): miscount, miscalculate

   misrepresent
          [mis.rep.re.sent] vt (1647) 1: to give a false or misleading
          representation of usu. with an intent to deceive or be
          unfair <~ed the facts> 2: to serve badly or improperly
          as a representative of -- mis.rep.re.sen.ta.tion n --
          mis.rep.re.sen.ta.tive adj

   [1]misrule
          [mis.rule] vt (14c): to rule incompetently: misgovern [2]misrule
          n (14c) 1: the action of misruling: the condition of
          being misruled 2: disorder, anarchy

   Miss
          [Miss] abbreviation Mississippi

   [1]miss
          [miss] vb [ME, fr. OE missan; akin to OHG missan to miss]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1: to fail to hit, reach, or contact 2:
          to discover or feel the absence of 3: to fail to obtain
          4: escape, avoid <just ~ed hitting the other car> 5:
          to leave out: omit 6: to fail to comprehend, sense, or
          experience <~ed the point of the speech> 7: to fail to
          perform or attend <had to ~ school for a week> ~ vi 1
          archaic: to fail to get, reach, or do something 2: to
          fail to hit something 3 a: to be unsuccessful b: misfire
          <the engine ~ed> -- miss.able adj -- miss a beat : to
          deviate from regular smooth performance <the company
          changed ownership without missing a beat> -- miss out
          on : to lose a good opportunity for <missed out on a
          better job> -- miss the boat : to fail to take advantage
          of an opportunity [2]miss n (12c) 1 chiefly dial: disadvantage
          or regret resulting from loss <we know the ~ of you,
          and even hunger ... to see you --Samuel Richardson> 2
          a: a failure to hit b: a failure to attain a desired
          result 3: misfire [3]miss n [short for mistress] (ca.
          1667) 1 cap a--used as a title prefixed to the name of
          an unmarried woman or girl b--used before the name of
          a place or of a line of activity or before some epithet
          to form a title for a usu. young unmarried female who
          is representative of the thing indicated <Miss America>
          2: young lady--used without a name as a conventional
          term of address to a young woman 3: a young unmarried
          woman or girl

   missa cantata
          [mis.sa can.ta.ta] n [NL, sung mass] (ca. 1903): high mass

   missal
          [mis.sal] n [ME messel, fr. MF & ML; MF, fr. ML missale,
          fr. neut. of missalis of the mass, fr. LL missa mass--more
          at mass] (14c): a book containing all that is said or
          sung at mass during the entire year

   missend
          [mis.send] vt -sent ; -send.ing (15c): to send incorrectly
          <missent mail>

   missense
          [mis.sense] n [[1]mis- + -sense (as in nonsense)] (1961):
          genetic mutation involving alteration of one or more
          codons so that different amino acids are determined--compare
          antisense, nonsense

   [1]missile
          [mis.sile] adj [L missilis, fr. mittere to throw, send] (1611)
          1: capable of being thrown or projected to strike a distant
          object 2: adapted for throwing or hurling missiles [2]missile
          n (ca. 1656): an object (as a weapon) thrown or projected
          usu. so as to strike something at a distance <stones,
          artillery shells, bullets, and rockets are ~s>: as a:
          guided missile b: ballistic missile

   missileer
          [mis.sil.eer] n (1958): missileman

   missileman
          [mis.sile.man] n (1951): one engaged in designing, building,
          or operating guided missiles

   missilery
          [mis.sile.ry] n (1880): missiles; esp: guided missiles

   missing
          [miss.ing] adj (ca. 1530): absent; also: lost <~ in action>

   missing link
          [missing link] n (1851) 1: an absent member needed to complete
          a series or resolve a problem 2: a hypothetical intermediate
          form between humans and their presumed simian progenitors

   missiol ogy
          [mis.si.ol .o.gy] n [mission + -logy] (1924): the study of
          the church's mission esp. with respect to missionary
          activity

   [1]mission
          [mis.sion] n [NL, ML, & L; NL mission-, missio religious
          mission, fr. ML, task assigned, fr. L, act of sending,
          fr. mittere to send] (1606) 1 obs: the act or an instance
          of sending 2 a: a ministry commissioned by a religious
          organization to propagate its faith or carry on humanitarian
          work b: assignment to or work in a field of missionary
          enterprise c (1): a mission establishment (2): a local
          church or parish dependent on a larger religious organization
          for direction or financial support d pl: organized missionary
          work e: a course of sermons and services given to convert
          the unchurched or quicken Christian faith 3: a body of
          persons sent to perform a service or carry on an activity:
          as a: a group sent to a foreign country to conduct diplomatic
          or political negotiations b: a permanent embassy or legation
          c: a team of specialists or cultural leaders sent to
          a foreign country 4 a: a specific task with which a person
          or a group is charged b (1): a definite military, naval,
          or aerospace task <a bombing ~> <a space ~> (2): a flight
          operation of an aircraft or spacecraft in the performance
          of a mission <a ~ to Mars> 5: calling, vocation [2]mission
          vt mis.sioned ; mis.sion.ing (1692) 1: to send on or
          entrust with a mission 2: to carry on a religious mission
          among or in [3]mission adj (1904) 1: of or relating to
          a style used in the early Spanish missions of the southwestern
          U.S. <~ architecture> 2: of, relating to, of having the
          characteristics of a style of plain heavy usu. oak furniture
          originating in the U.S. in the early part of the 20th
          century

   [1]missionary
          [mis.sion.ary] adj (1644) 1: relating to, engaged in, or
          devoted to missions 2: characteristic of a missionary
          [2]missionary n, pl -ar.ies (ca. 1656): a person undertaking
          a mission and esp. a religious mission

   missionary position
          [missionary position] n [perh. fr. the notion that missionaries
          insisted that this coital position is the only acceptable
          one] (1948): a coital position in which the female lies
          on her back with the male on top and with his face opposite
          hers

   missioner
          [mis.sion.er] n (1654): missionary

   missionize
          [mis.sion.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1826): to carry on
          missionary work ~ vt: to do missionary work among --
          mis.sion.i.za.tion n -- mis.sion.iz.er n

   Mississippian
          [Mis.sis.sip.pi.an] adj [Mississippi River] (1835) 1: of
          or relating to Mississippi, its people, or the Mississippi
          River 2: of, relating to, or being the period of the
          Paleozoic era in No. America following the Devonian and
          preceding the Pennsylvanian or the corresponding system
          of rocks--see geologic time table -- Mississippian n

   missive
          [mis.sive] n [MF lettre missive, lit., letter intended to
          be sent] (1501): a written communication: letter

   missout
          [miss.out] n (1945): a throw of dice that loses the main
          bet

   miss out
          [miss out] vt (1870) Brit: to leave out: omit

   misspeak
          [mis.speak] vb -spoke ; -spo.ken ; -speak.ing vt (14c) 1:
          to speak (as a word) incorrectly 2: to express (oneself)
          imperfectly or incorrectly <claims now that he misspoke
          himself> ~ vi: to speak incorrectly: misspeak oneself

   misspell
          [mis.spell] vt (1655): to spell incorrectly

   misspelling
          [mis.spell.ing] n (ca. 1696): an incorrect spelling

   misspend
          [mis.spend] vt -spent ; -spend.ing (14c): to spend wrongly:
          squander <a misspent life>

   misstate
          [mis.state] vt (1650): to state incorrectly: give a false
          account of -- mis.state.ment n

   misstep
          [mis.step] n (ca. 1800) 1: a mistake in judgment or action:
          blunder 2: a wrong step

   missus
          [mis.sus] or mis.sis n [alter. of mistress] (1790) 1 dial:
          mistress 1a 2: wife <men spend money on themselves, but
          argue over every dime the ~ wants --W. A. Lydgate>

   missy
          [missy] n (1676): a young girl: miss

   [1]mist
          [mist] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to MD mist mist, Gk omichle] (bef.
          12c) 1: water in the form of particles floating or falling
          in the atmosphere at or near the surface of the earth
          and approaching the form of rain 2: something that obscures
          understanding <~s of antiquity> 3: a film before the
          eyes 4 a: a cloud of small particles or objects suggestive
          of a mist b: a suspension of a finely divided liquid
          in a gas c: a fine spray 5: a drink of liquor served
          over cracked ice [2]mist vi (bef. 12c) 1: to be or become
          misty 2: to become moist or blurred ~ vt: to cover or
          spray with or convert to mist

   mistakable
          [mis.tak.able] adj (1646): capable of being misunderstood
          or mistaken

   [1]mistake
          [mis.take] vb mis.took ; mis.tak.en ; mis.tak.ing [ME, fr.
          ON mistaka to take by mistake, fr. mis- + taka to take--more
          at take] vt (14c) 1: to blunder in the choice of <mistook
          her way in the dark> 2 a: to misunderstand the meaning
          or intention of: misinterpret <don't ~ me, I mean exactly
          what I said> b: to make a wrong judgment of the character
          or ability of 3: to identify wrongly: confuse with another
          <I mistook him for his brother> ~ vi: to be wrong <you
          mistook when you thought I laughed at you --Thomas Hardy>
          -- mis.tak.en.ly adv -- mis.tak.er n [2]mistake n (1638)
          1: a misunderstanding of the meaning or implication of
          something 2: a wrong action or statement proceeding from
          faulty judgment, inadequate knowledge, or inattention
          syn see error

   [1]mister
          [mis.ter] n [alter. of [1]master] (1551) 1 cap: mr.--used
          sometimes in writing instead of Mr. 2: sir--used without
          a name as a generalized term of direct address of a man
          who is a stranger <hey, ~, do you want to buy a paper>
          3: a man not entitled to a title of rank or an honorific
          or professional title <though he was only a ~, he was
          a greater scholar in his field than any PhD> 4: husband
          [2]mist.er n [[2]mist + [2]-er] (1973): a device for
          spraying a mist

   misthink
          [mis.think] vb -thought ; -think.ing vi (ca. 1530) archaic:
          to think mistakenly or unfavorably ~ vt, archaic: to
          think badly or unfavorably of

   mistletoe
          [mis.tle.toe] n [ME mistilto, fr. OE misteltan, fr. mistel
          mistletoe + tan twig; akin to OHG & OS mistil mistletoe
          and to OHG zein twig] (bef. 12c): a European semiparasitic
          green shrub (Viscum album of the family Loranthaceae,
          the mistletoe family) with thick leaves, small yellowish
          flowers, and waxy-white glutinous berries; broadly: any
          of various plants of the mistletoe family (as of an American
          genus Phoradendron) resembling the true mistletoe

   mistral
          [mis.tral] n [F, fr. Prov, fr. mistral masterful, fr. LL
          magistralis of a teacher--more at magistral] (1604):
          a strong cold dry northerly wind of southern France

   mistreat
          [mis.treat] vt [ME mistreten, prob. fr. MF mestraitier, fr.
          OF, fr. mes- mis- + traitier to treat--more at treat]
          (15c): to treat badly: abuse -- mis.treat.ment n

   mistress
          [mis.tress] n [ME maistresse, fr. MF, fr. OF, fem. of maistre
          master--more at master] (15c) 1: a woman who has power,
          authority, or ownership: as a: the female head of a household
          b: a woman who employs or supervises servants c: a woman
          who is in charge of a school or other establishment d:
          a woman of the Scottish nobility having a status comparable
          to that of a master 2 a chiefly Brit: a female teacher
          or tutor b: a woman who has achieved mastery in some
          field 3: something personified as female that rules,
          directs, or dominates <when Rome was ~ of the world>
          4 a: a woman other than his wife with whom a married
          man has a continuing sexual relationship b archaic: sweetheart
          5 a--used archaically as a title prefixed to the name
          of a married or unmarried woman b chiefly Southern &
          Midland: mrs. 1a

   mistress of ceremonies
          [mistress of ceremonies] (1952): a woman who presides at
          a public ceremony or who acts as hostess of a stage,
          radio, or television show

   mistrial
          [mis.tri.al] n (1628): a trial that has no legal effect by
          reason of some error or serious prejudicial misconduct
          in the proceedings

   [1]mistrust
          [mis.trust] n (14c): a lack of confidence: distrust syn see
          uncertainty -- mis.trust.ful adj -- mis.trust.ful.ly
          adv -- mis.trust.ful.ness n [2]mistrust vt (14c) 1: to
          have no trust or confidence in: suspect <~ed his neighbors>
          2: to doubt the truth, validity, or effectiveness of
          <~ed his own judgment> 3: surmise <your mind ~ed there
          was something wrong --Robert Frost> ~ vi: to be suspicious

   misty
          [misty] adj mist.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 a: obscured by
          mist b: consisting of or marked by mist 2 a: indistinct
          <a ~ recollection of the event> b: vague, confused <avoided
          the large, vague, ~ issues --Reuben Abel> 3: tearful
          -- mist.i.ly adv -- mist.i.ness n

   misty-eyed
          [misty-eyed] adj (1928) 1: having tearful eyes 2: dreamy,
          sentimental <~ recollections>

   misunderstand
          [mis.un.der.stand] vt -stood ; -stand.ing (13c) 1: to fail
          to understand 2: to interpret incorrectly

   misunderstanding
          [mis.un.der.stand.ing] n (15c) 1: a failure to understand:
          misinterpretation 2: quarrel, disagreement

   misusage
          [mis.us.age] n [MF mesusage, fr. mes- mis- + usage usage]
          (1532) 1: bad treatment: abuse 2: wrong or improper use
          (as of words)

   [1]misuse
          [mis.use] vt [ME, partly fr. mis- + usen to use; partly fr.
          MF mesuser to abuse, fr. OF, fr. mes- + user to use]
          (14c) 1: to use incorrectly: misapply <misused his talents>
          2: abuse, mistreat <misused his servants> -- mis.us.er
          n [2]mis.use n (14c): incorrect or improper use: misapplication

   [1]mite
          [mite] n [ME, fr. OE mite; akin to MD mite mite, small copper
          coin and perh. to OHG meizan to cut] (bef. 12c): any
          of numerous small acarid arachnids that often infest
          animals, plants, and stored foods and include important
          disease vectors [2]mite n [ME, fr. MF or MD; MF, small
          Flemish copper coin, fr. MD] (14c) 1: a small coin or
          sum of money 2 a: a very little: bit b: a very small
          object or creature -- a mite : somewhat, rather <could
          be that I am a mite prejudiced --John Fischer>

   [1]miter
          [mi.ter] or mi.tre n [ME mitre, fr. MF, fr. L mitra headband,
          turban, fr. Gk] (14c) 1: a liturgical headdress worn
          by bishops and abbots 2 a: a surface forming the beveled
          end or edge of a piece where a joint is made by cutting
          two pieces at an angle and fitting them together b: miter
          joint [2]miter or mitre vt mi.tered or mi.tred ; mi.ter.ing
          or mi.tring (14c) 1: to confer a miter on 2 a: to match
          or fit together in a miter joint b: to bevel the ends
          of for making a miter joint -- mi.ter.er n

   miter box
          [miter box] n (1678): a device for guiding a handsaw at the
          proper angle in making a miter joint in wood

   miter joint
          [miter joint] n (1688): a joint made by fastening together
          usu. perpendicularly parts with the ends cut at an angle

   miter square
          [miter square] n (1678): a bevel with an immovable arm at
          an angle of 45 degrees for striking marking lines; also:
          a square with an arm adjustable to any angle

   Mithraic
          [Mith.ra.ic] adj [LGk mithraikos of Mithras, ancient Persian
          god of light, fr. Gk Mithras, fr. OPer Mithra] (1678):
          of or relating to an oriental mystery cult for men flourishing
          in the late Roman empire -- Mith.ra.ism n -- Mith.ra.ist
          n or adj

   mithridate
          [mith.ri.date] n [ML mithridatum, fr. LL mithridatium, fr.
          L, dogtooth violet (used as an antidote), fr. Gk mithridation,
          fr. Mithridates Mithridates VI] (1528): an antidote against
          poison; esp: an electuary held to be effective against
          poison

   miticide
          [mi.ti.cide] n [mite] (ca. 1946): an agent used to kill mites
          -- mi.ti.cid.al adj

   mitigate
          [mit.i.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [ME, fr. L mitigatus,
          pp. of mitigare to soften, fr. mitis soft + -igare (akin
          to L agere to drive); akin to OIr moith soft--more at
          agent] (15c) 1: to cause to become less harsh or hostile:
          mollify <aggressiveness may be mitigated or ... channeled
          --Ashley Montagu> 2 a: to make less severe or painful:
          alleviate b: extenuate syn see relieve -- mit.i.ga.tion
          n -- mit.i.ga.tive adj -- mit.i.ga.tor n -- mit.i.ga.to.ry
          adj usage Mitigate is sometimes used as an intransitive
          (followed by against) where militate might be expected.
          Even though Faulkner used it <some intangible and invisible
          social force that mitigates against him --William Faulkner>
          and one critic thinks it should be called an American
          idiom, it is usu. considered a mistake.

   mitochondrion
          [mi.to.chon.dri.on] n, pl -dria [NL, fr. Gk mitos thread
          + chondrion, dim. of chondros grain] (1901): any of various
          round or long cellular organelles of most eukaryotes
          that are found outside the nucleus, produce energy for
          the cell through cellular respiration, and are rich in
          fats, proteins, and enzymes--see cell illustration --
          mi.to.chon.dri.al adj

   mitogen
          [mi.to.gen] n [mitosis + -gen] (ca. 1951): a substance that
          induces mitosis -- mi.to.gen.ic adj -- mi.to.ge.nic.i.ty
          n

   mitomycin
          [mi.to.my.cin] n [ISV mito- (prob. fr. NL mitosis) + -mycin]
          (1956): a complex of antibiotic substances which is produced
          by a Japanese streptomyces (Streptomyces caespitosus)
          and one form of which acts directly on DNA and shows
          promise as an anticancer agent

   mitosis
          [mi.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL, fr. Gk mitos thread] (1887)
          1: a process that takes place in the nucleus of a dividing
          cell, involves typically a series of steps consisting
          of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, and
          results in the formation of two new nuclei each having
          the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleus--compare
          meiosis 2: cell division in which mitosis occurs -- mi.tot.ic
          adj -- mi.tot.i.cal.ly adv

   mitral
          [mi.tral] adj (1610) 1: resembling a miter 2: of, relating
          to, being, or adjoining a mitral valve or orifice

   mitral valve
          [mitral valve] n (1705): bicuspid valve

   mitrewort
          [mi.tre.wort] also mi.ter.wort n (ca. 1818): any of a genus
          (Mitella) of rhizomatous perennial herbs of the saxifrage
          family that bear a capsule resembling a bishop's miter

   mitt
          [mitt] n [short for mitten] (1765) 1 a: a woman's glove that
          leaves the fingers uncovered b: mitten 1 c: a baseball
          catcher's or first baseman's glove made in the style
          of a mitten 2 slang: hand

   mitten
          [mit.ten] n [ME mitain, fr. MF mitaine, fr. OF, fr. mite
          mitten] (14c) 1: a covering for the hand and wrist having
          a separate section for the thumb only 2: mitt 1a

   mittimus
          [mit.ti.mus] n [L, we send, fr. mittere to send] (ca. 1591):
          a warrant of commitment to prison

   mitzvah
          [mitz.vah] n, pl mitz.voth or mitz.vahs [Heb miswah] (1650)
          1: a commandment of the Jewish law 2: a meritorious or
          charitable act

   [1]mix
          [mix] vb [ME, back-formation fr. mixte mixed, fr. MF, fr.
          L mixtus, pp. of miscere to mix; akin to Gk mignynai
          to mix] vt (15c) 1 a (1): to combine or blend into one
          mass (2): to combine with another b: to bring into close
          association <~ business with pleasure> 2 a: to form by
          mixing components <~ a drink at the bar> b: to produce
          (a sound recording) by electronically combining or adjusting
          sounds from more than one source 3: confuse--often used
          with up <~es things up in his eagerness to speak out
          --Irving Howe> ~ vi 1 a: to become mixed b: to be capable
          of mixing 2: to enter into relations: associate 3: crossbreed
          4: to become involved: participate <decided not to ~
          in politics> -- mix.able adj -- mix it up : to engage
          in a fight, contest, or dispute syn mix, mingle, commingle,
          blend, merge, coalesce, amalgamate, fuse mean to combine
          into a more or less uniform whole. mix may or may not
          imply loss of each element's identity <mix the salad
          greens> <mix a drink>. mingle usu. suggests that the
          elements are still somewhat distinguishable or separately
          active <fear mingled with anticipation in my mind>. commingle
          implies a closer or more thorough mingling <a sense of
          duty commingled with a fierce pride drove her>. blend
          implies that the elements as such disappear in the resulting
          mixture <blended several teas to create a balanced flavor>.
          merge suggests a combining in which one or more elements
          are lost in the whole <in his mind reality and fantasy
          merged>. coalesce implies an affinity in the merging
          elements and usu. a resulting organic unity <telling
          details that coalesce into a striking portrait>. amalgamate
          implies the forming of a close union without complete
          loss of individual identities <refugees who were readily
          amalgamated into the community>. fuse stresses oneness
          and indissolubility of the resulting product <a building
          in which modernism and classicism are fused>. [2]mix
          n (ca. 1586) 1: an act or process of mixing 2: a product
          of mixing: as a: a commercially prepared mixture of food
          ingredients <a cake ~> b: a combination of different
          kinds <the right ~ of jobs, people and amenities --London
          Times> 3: mixer 2b

   mixed
          [mixed] adj [ME mixte] (15c) 1: combining characteristics
          of more than one kind; specif: combining features of
          two or more systems of government <a ~ constitution>
          2: made up of or involving individuals or items of more
          than one kind: as a: made up of or involving persons
          differing in race, national origin, religion, or class
          b: made up of or involving individuals of both sexes
          <~ company> <a ~ school> 3: including or accompanied
          by inconsistent, incompatible, or contrary elements <~
          emotions> <received ~ reviews> <a ~ blessing> 4: deriving
          from two or more races or breeds <a stallion of ~ blood>

   mixed alphabet
          [mixed alphabet] n (1931): an alphabet (as in a cryptographic
          system) that has been rearranged or disordered systematically
          or randomly

   mixed bag
          [mixed bag] n (1926): a miscellaneous collection: assortment

   mixed bud
          [mixed bud] n (1900): a bud that produces a branch and leaves
          as well as flowers

   mixed drink
          [mixed drink] n (1943): an alcoholic beverage prepared from
          two or more ingredients

   mixed farming
          [mixed farming] n (1872): the growing of food or cash crops,
          feed crops, and livestock on the same farm

   mixed grill
          [mixed grill] n (1913): meats (as lamb chop, kidney, and
          bacon) and vegetables broiled together and served on
          one plate

   mixed marriage
          [mixed marriage] n (1829): a marriage between persons of
          different races or religions

   mixed-media
          [mixed-media] adj (1962): multimedia

   mixed metaphor
          [mixed metaphor] n (1800): a figure of speech combining
          inconsistent or incongruous metaphors

   mixed nerve
          [mixed nerve] n (1878): a nerve containing both sensory and
          motor fibers

   mixed number
          [mixed number] n (1542): a number (as 5 2/3) composed of
          an integer and a fraction

   mixed-up
          [mixed-up] adj (1862): marked by bewilderment, perplexity,
          or disorder: confused

   mixer
          [mix.er] n (ca. 1611) 1: one that mixes: as a (1): one whose
          work is mixing the ingredients of a product (2): one
          who balances and controls the dialogue, music, and sound
          effects to be recorded for or with a motion picture or
          television b: a container, device, or machine for mixing
          c: a game, stunt, or dance used at a get-together to
          give members of the group an opportunity to meet one
          another in a friendly and informal atmosphere 2: one
          that mixes with others: as a: a person considered in
          regard to casual sociability <was shy and a poor ~> b:
          a nonalcoholic beverage (as ginger ale) used in a mixed
          drink

   mixology
          [mix.ol.o.gy] n (1948): the art or skill of preparing mixed
          drinks -- mix.ol.o.gist n

   mixt
          [mixt] abbreviation mixture

   Mixtec
          [Mix.tec] n, pl Mixtec or Mixtecs [AmerSp mixteco] (1850)
          1: the language of the Mixtec people 2: a member of an
          American Indian people of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico

   mixture
          [mix.ture] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF misture, fr. L mixtura,
          fr. mixtus] (15c) 1 a: the act, the process, or an instance
          of mixing b (1): the state of being mixed (2): the relative
          proportions of constituents; esp: the proportion of fuel
          to air produced in a carburetor 2: a product of mixing:
          combination: as a: a portion of matter consisting of
          two or more components in varying proportions that retain
          their own properties b: a fabric woven of variously colored
          threads c: a combination of several different kinds

   mix-up
          [mix-up] n (1841) 1: a state or instance of confusion 2:
          mixture 3: conflict, fight

   [1]mizzen
          [miz.zen] also miz.en n [ME meson, fr. MF misaine foremast
          sail, prob. ultim. fr. L medianus of the middle--more
          at median] (15c) 1: a fore-and-aft sail set on the mizzenmast
          2: mizzenmast [2]mizzen also mizen adj (15c): of or relating
          to the mizzenmast

   mizzenmast
          [miz.zen.mast] n (15c): the mast aft or next aft of the mainmast
          in a ship

   [1]mizzle
          [miz.zle] vi miz.zled ; miz.zling [ME misellen; akin to Flem
          mizzelen to drizzle, MD mist fog, mist] (15c): to rain
          in very fine drops: drizzle -- mizzle n -- miz.zly adj
          [2]mizzle vi miz.zled ; miz.zling [origin unknown] (1781)
          chiefly Brit: to depart suddenly

   mk...
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   mk
          [mk] abbreviation mark, markka  Mk abbreviation Mark

   mks
          [mks] abbreviation meter-kilogram-second

   mkt
          [mkt] abbreviation market

   mktg
          [mktg] abbreviation marketing

   ml...
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   ml
          [ml] abbreviation milliliter  mL abbreviation millilambert

   MLA
          [MLA] abbreviation Member of the Legislative Assembly

   MLD
          [MLD] abbreviation median lethal dose, minimum lethal dose

   MLF
          [MLF] abbreviation multilateral force

   Mlle
          [Mlle] [F] abbreviation mademoiselle

   Mlles
          [Mlles] [F] abbreviation mesdemoiselles

   MLS
          [MLS] abbreviation master of library science

   MLW
          [MLW] abbreviation mean low water

   mm...
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   mm
          [mm] abbreviation millimeter  MM [F] abbreviation messieurs;
          mutatis mutandis

   Mme
          [Mme] [F] abbreviation madame

   Mmes
          [Mmes] [F] abbreviation mesdames

   mmf
          [mmf] abbreviation magnetomotive force

   MMPI
          [MMPI] abbreviation Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

   mn...
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   Mn
          [Mn] abbreviation manganese  MN abbreviation magnetic north,
          Minnesota

   MNC
          [MNC] abbreviation multinational company, multinational corporation

   [1]mnemonic
          [mne.mon.ic] adj [Gk mnemonikos, fr. mnemon mindful, fr.
          mimneskesthai to remember--more at mind] (1753) 1: assisting
          or intended to assist memory; also: of or relating to
          mnemonics 2: of or relating to memory -- mne.mon.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]mnemonic n (1858): a mnemonic device or code

   mnemonics
          [mne.mon.ics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1721): a technique
          of improving the memory

   Mnemosyne
          [Mne.mos.y.ne] n [L, fr. Gk Mnemosyne]: the Greek goddess
          of memory and mother of the Muses by Zeus

   mo...
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   -mo
          [-mo] n suffix [duodecimo]--after numerals or their names
          to indicate the number of leaves made by folding a sheet
          of paper <sixteenmo> <16mo>

   mo
          [mo] abbreviation month  Mo abbreviation Missouri, molybdenum,
          Monday  MO abbreviation mail order, medical officer,
          Missouri, modus operandi, money order

   moa
          [moa] n [Maori] (1842): any of various usu. very large extinct
          flightless birds of New Zealand of a ratite family (Dinornithidae)
          including one (Dinornis giganteus) about 12 feet (3.7 meters)
          in height

   Moabite
          [Mo.ab.ite] n [ME, fr. LL Moabita, Moabites, fr. Gk Moabites,
          fr. Moab Moab, ancient kingdom in Syria] (14c): a member
          of an ancient Semitic people related to the Hebrews --
          Moabite or Mo.ab.it.ish adj

   [1]moan
          [moan] n [ME mone, fr. (assumed) OE man] (13c) 1: lamentation,
          complaint 2: a low prolonged sound of pain or of grief
          [2]moan vt (14c) 1: to bewail audibly: lament 2: to utter
          with moans ~ vi 1: lament, complain 2 a: to make a moan:
          groan b: to emit a sound resembling a moan <the wind
          ~ed in the trees> -- moan.er n

   moat
          [moat] n [ME mote, prob. fr. MF motte hill, mound] (14c)
          1: a deep and wide trench around the rampart of a fortified
          place (as a castle) that is usu. filled with water 2:
          a channel resembling a moat (as about a seamount or for
          confinement of animals in a zoo) -- moat.ed adj -- moat.like
          adj

   [1]mob
          [mob] n [L mobile vulgus vacillating crowd] (1688) 1: a large
          or disorderly crowd; esp: one bent on riotous or destructive
          action 2: the lower classes of a community: masses, rabble
          3 chiefly Austral: a flock, drove, or herd of animals
          4: a criminal set: gang; esp, often cap: mafia 1 5 chiefly
          Brit: a group of people: crowd syn see crowd -- mob.bish
          adj [2]mob vt mobbed ; mob.bing (1709) 1: to crowd about
          and attack or annoy <mobbed by autograph hunters> <a
          crow mobbed by songbirds> 2: to crowd into or around
          <customers ~ the stores on sale days>

   mobcap
          [mob.cap] n [mob woman's cap + cap] (1795): a woman's fancy
          indoor cap made with a high full crown and often tied
          under the chin

   mobe pearl
          [mo.be pearl] n, often cap M [origin unknown] (1955): mabe

   -mobile
          [-mobile] comb form [automobile] 1: motorized vehicle <snowmobile>
          2: automotive vehicle bringing services to the public <bloodmobile>
          <bookmobile>

   [1]mobile
          [mo.bile] adj [ME mobyll, fr. MF mobile, fr. L mobilis, fr.
          movere to move] (15c) 1: capable of moving or being moved:
          movable <a ~ missile launcher> 2 a: changeable in appearance,
          mood, or purpose <~ face> b: adaptable, versatile 3:
          migratory 4 a: characterized by the mixing of social
          groups b: having the opportunity for or undergoing a
          shift in status within the hierarchical social levels
          of a society <socially ~ workers> 5: marked by the use
          of vehicles for transportation <~ warfare> 6: of or relating
          to a mobile -- mo.bil.i.ty n [2]mo.bile n (1936): a construction
          or sculpture frequently of wire and sheet metal shapes
          with parts that can be set in motion by air currents;
          also: a similar structure (as of paper or plastic) suspended
          so that it moves in a current of air

   mobile home
          [mobile home] n (1949): a dwelling structure built on a steel
          chassis and fitted with wheels that is intended to be
          hauled to a usu. permanent site--compare motor home

   mobilise
          [mo.bi.lise] chiefly Brit var of mobilize

   mobilization
          [mo.bi.li.za.tion] n (1799) 1: the act of mobilizing 2: the
          state of being mobilized

   mobilize
          [mo.bi.lize] vb -lized ; -liz.ing vt (1838) 1 a: to put into
          movement or circulation <~ financial assets> b: to release
          (something stored in the organism) for bodily use 2 a:
          to assemble and make ready for war duty b: to marshal
          (as resources) for action <~ support for a proposal>
          ~ vi: to undergo mobilization

   Mobius strip
          [Mo.bi.us strip] n [August F. Mobius d. 1868 Ger. mathematician]
          (1904): a one-sided surface that is constructed from
          a rectangle by holding one end fixed, rotating the opposite
          end through 180 degrees, and joining it to the first
          end

   mobled
          [mo.bled] adj [pp. of moble to muffle, prob. freq. of mob
          to muffle, of unknown origin] (1603): being wrapped or
          muffled in or as if in a hood

   mobocracy
          [mob.oc.ra.cy] n (1754) 1: rule by the mob 2: the mob as
          a ruling class -- mob.o.crat n -- mob.o.crat.ic adj

   mobster
          [mob.ster] n (1917): a member of a criminal gang

   moc
          [moc] n (1948): moccasin 1

   moccasin
          [moc.ca.sin] n [Virginia Algonquian mockasin] (ca. 1612)
          1 a: a soft leather heelless shoe or boot with the sole
          brought up the sides of the foot and over the toes where
          it is joined with a puckered seam to a U-shaped piece
          lying on top of the foot b: a regular shoe having a seam
          on the forepart of the vamp imitating the seam of a moccasin
          2 a: water moccasin b: a snake (as of the genus Natrix)
          resembling a water moccasin

   moccasin flower
          [moccasin flower] n (1680): any of several lady's slippers
          (genus Cypripedium); esp: a once common woodland orchid
          (C. acaule) of eastern No. America with pink or white
          moccasin-shaped flowers

   mocha
          [mo.cha] n [Mocha, Arabia] (1773) 1 a (1): a superior Arabian
          coffee consisting of small green or yellowish beans (2):
          a coffee of superior quality b: a flavoring made of a
          strong coffee infusion or of a mixture of cocoa or chocolate
          with coffee 2: a pliable suede-finished glove leather
          from African sheepskins 3: a dark chocolate-brown color

   [1]mock
          [mock] vb [ME, fr. MF mocquer] vt (15c) 1: to treat with
          contempt or ridicule: deride 2: to disappoint the hopes
          of 3: defy, challenge 4 a: to imitate (as a mannerism)
          closely: mimic b: to mimic in sport or derision ~ vi:
          jeer, scoff syn see ridicule, copy -- mock.er n -- mock.ing.ly
          adv [2]mock n (15c) 1: an act of ridicule or derision:
          jeer 2: one that is an object of derision or scorn 3:
          mockery 4 a: an act of imitation b: something made as
          an imitation [3]mock adj (1548): of, relating to, or
          having the character of an imitation: simulated, feigned
          <the ~ solemnity of the parody> [4]mock adv (ca. 1619):
          in an insincere or counterfeit manner--usu. used in combination
          <mock-serious>

   mockery
          [mock.ery] n, pl -er.ies (15c) 1: insulting or contemptuous
          action or speech: derision 2: a subject of laughter,
          derision, or sport 3 a: a counterfeit appearance: imitation
          b: an insincere, contemptible, or impertinent imitation
          <makes a ~ of justice> 4: something ridiculously or impudently
          unsuitable

   [1]mock-heroic
          [mock-he.ro.ic] adj (ca. 1712): ridiculing or burlesquing
          heroic style, character, or action <a ~ poem> -- mock-he.ro.ical.ly
          adv [2]mock-heroic n (1728): a mock-heroic composition--called also
          mock-epic

   mockingbird
          [mock.ing.bird] n (1676): a common grayish bird (Mimus polyglottos)
          esp. of the southern U.S. that is remarkable for its exact
          imitations of the notes of other birds

   mock orange
          [mock orange] n (1731) 1: any of a genus (Philadelphus) of
          ornamental shrubs of the saxifrage family of which several
          are widely grown for their showy white flowers--called
          also philadelphus, syringa 2: any of several usu. shrubby
          plants considered to resemble the orange

   mock turtle soup
          [mock turtle soup] n (1783): a soup made of meat (as calf's
          head or veal), wine, and spices in imitation of green
          turtle soup

   mock-up
          [mock-up] n (1920): a full-sized structural model built accurately
          to scale chiefly for study, testing, or display

   [1]mod
          [mod] n [prob. fr. [2]mod] (1960): one who wears mod clothes
          [2]mod adj [short for modern] (1964) 1: of, relating
          to, or being the characteristic style of 1960s British
          youth culture 2: hip, trendy

   mod
          [mod] abbreviation moderate, modern, modification, modified,
          modulo, modulus

   modacrylic fiber
          [mod.acryl.ic fiber] n [modified acrylic] (1960): any of
          various synthetic textile fibers that are long-chain
          polymers composed of 35 to 85 percent by weight of acrylonitrile
          units

   modal
          [mod.al] adj [ML modalis, fr. L modus] (1569) 1: of or relating
          to modality in logic 2: containing provisions as to the
          mode of procedure or the manner of taking effect--used
          of a contract or legacy 3: of or relating to a musical
          mode 4: of or relating to structure as opposed to substance
          5: of, relating to, or constituting a grammatical form
          or category characteristically indicating predication
          of an action or state in some manner other than as a
          simple fact 6: of or relating to a statistical mode --
          mod.al.ly adv

   modal auxiliary
          [modal auxiliary] n (ca. 1904): an auxiliary verb (as can,
          must, might, may) that is characteristically used with
          a verb of predication and expresses a modal modification
          and that in English differs formally from other verbs
          in lacking -s and -ing forms

   modality
          [mo.dal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1617) 1 a: the quality or
          state of being modal b: a modal quality or attribute:
          form 2: the classification of logical propositions according
          to their asserting or denying the possibility, impossibility,
          contingency, or necessity of their content 3: one of
          the main avenues of sensation (as vision) 4: a usu. physical
          therapeutic agency

   mod con
          [mod con] n [fr. mod. con., abbr. for modern convenience]
          (1934) chiefly Brit: a modern convenience--usu. used
          in pl.

   [1]mode
          [mode] n [ME moede, fr. L modus measure, manner, musical
          mode--more at mete] (14c) 1 a: an arrangement of the
          eight diatonic notes or tones of an octave according
          to one of several fixed schemes of their intervals b:
          a rhythmical scheme (as in 13th and 14th century music)
          2: [2]mood 2 3 [LL modus, fr. L] a: [2]mood 1 b: the
          modal form of the assertion or denial of a logical proposition
          4 a: a particular form or variety of something b: a form
          or manner of expression: style 5: a possible, customary,
          or preferred way of doing something <explained in the
          usual solemn ~> 6 a: a manifestation, form, or arrangement
          of being; specif: a particular form or manifestation
          of an underlying substance b: a particular functioning
          arrangement or condition: status <a spacecraft in reentry
          ~> <a computer operating in parallel ~> 7 a: the most
          frequent value of a set of data b: a value of a random
          variable for which a function of probabilities defined
          on it achieves a relative maximum 8: any of various stationary
          vibration patterns of which an elastic body or oscillatory
          system is capable <the vibration ~ of an airplane propeller
          blade> <the vibrational ~s of a molecule> syn see method
          [2]mode n [F, fr. L modus] (ca. 1645): a prevailing fashion
          or style (as of dress or behavior) syn see fashion

   [1]model
          [mod.el] n [MF modelle, fr. OIt modello, fr. (assumed) VL
          modellus, fr. L modulus small measure, fr. modus] (1575)
          1 obs: a set of plans for a building 2 dial Brit: copy,
          image 3: structural design <a home on the ~ of an old
          farmhouse> 4: a usu. miniature representation of something;
          also: a pattern of something to be made 5: an example
          for imitation or emulation 6: a person or thing that
          serves as a pattern for an artist; esp: one who poses
          for an artist 7: archetype 8: an organism whose appearance
          a mimic imitates 9: one who is employed to display clothes
          or other merchandise: mannequin 10 a: a type or design
          of clothing b: a type or design of product (as a car)
          11: a description or analogy used to help visualize something
          (as an atom) that cannot be directly observed 12: a system
          of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical
          description of an entity or state of affairs 13: version
          syn model, example, pattern, exemplar, ideal mean someone
          or something set before one for guidance or imitation.
          model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy
          of imitation <a decor that is a model of good taste>.
          example applies to a person to be imitated or in some
          contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded
          as a warning <children tend to follow the example of
          their parents>. pattern suggests a clear and detailed
          archetype or prototype <American industry set a pattern
          for others to follow>. exemplar suggests either a faultless
          example to be emulated or a perfect typification <cited
          Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage>. ideal implies
          the best possible exemplification either in reality or
          in conception <never found a job that matched his ideal>.
          [2]model vb mod.eled or mod.elled ; mod.el.ing or mod.el.ling
          vt (1625) 1: to plan or form after a pattern: shape 2
          archaic: to make into an organization (as an army, government,
          or parish) 3 a: to shape or fashion in a plastic material
          b: to produce a representation or simulation of <using
          a computer to ~ a problem> 4: to construct or fashion
          in imitation of a particular model <~ed its constitution
          on that of the U.S.> 5: to display by wearing, using,
          or posing with <~ed gowns> ~ vi 1: to design or imitate
          forms: make a pattern <enjoys ~ing in clay> 2: to work
          or act as a fashion model -- mod.el.er n [3]model adj
          (1844) 1: serving as or capable of serving as a pattern
          <a ~ student> 2: being a usu. miniature representation
          of something <a ~ airplane>

   modem
          [mo.dem] n [modulator + demodulator] (ca. 1952): a device
          that converts signals produced by one type of device
          (as a computer) to a form compatible with another (as
          a telephone)

   [1]moderate
          [mod.er.ate] adj [ME, fr. L moderatus, fr. pp. of moderare
          to moderate; akin to L modus measure] (15c) 1 a: avoiding
          extremes of behavior or expression: observing reasonable
          limits <a ~ drinker> b: calm, temperate 2 a: tending
          toward the mean or average amount or dimension b: having
          average or less than average quality: mediocre 3: professing
          or characterized by political or social beliefs that
          are not extreme 4: limited in scope or effect 5: not
          expensive: reasonable or low in price 6 of a color: of
          medium lightness and medium chroma -- mod.er.ate.ly adv
          -- mod.er.ate.ness n [2]mod.er.ate vb -at.ed ; -at.ing
          vt (15c) 1: to lessen the intensity or extremeness of
          <the sun moderated the chill> 2: to preside over or act
          as chairman of ~ vi 1: to act as a moderator 2: to become
          less violent, severe, or intense -- mod.er.a.tion n [3]mod.er.ate
          n (1794): one who holds moderate views or who belongs
          to a group favoring a moderate course or program

   moderate breeze
          [moderate breeze] n (ca. 1881): wind having a speed of 13
          to 18 miles (21 to 29 kilometers) per hour--see beaufort
          scale table

   moderate gale
          [moderate gale] n (1704): wind having a speed of 32 to 38
          miles (51 to 61 kilometers) per hour--see beaufort scale
          table

   moderato
          [mo.der.a.to] adv or adj [It, fr. L moderatus] (ca. 1724):
          moderate--used as a direction in music to indicate tempo

   moderator
          [mod.er.a.tor] n (ca. 1560) 1: one who arbitrates: mediator
          2: one who presides over an assembly, meeting, or discussion:
          as a: the presiding officer of a Presbyterian governing
          body b: the nonpartisan presiding officer of a town meeting
          c: the chairman of a discussion group 3: a substance
          (as graphite) used for slowing down neutrons in a nuclear
          reactor -- mod.er.a.tor.ship n

   [1]modern
          [mod.ern] adj [LL modernus, fr. L modo just now, fr. modus
          measure--more at mete] (1585) 1 a: of, relating to, or
          characteristic of the present or the immediate past:
          contemporary b: of, relating to, or characteristic of
          a period extending from a relevant remote past to the
          present time 2: involving recent techniques, methods,
          or ideas: up-to-date 3 cap: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of the present or most recent period
          of development of a language 4: of or relating to modernism:
          modernist -- mo.der.ni.ty n -- mod.ern.ly adv -- mod.ern.ness
          n [2]modern n (1585) 1 a: a person of modern times or
          views b: an adherent of modernism: modernist 2: a style
          of printing type distinguished by regularity of shape,
          precise curves, straight hairline serifs, and heavy downstrokes

   moderne
          [mo.derne] n, often cap [F, modern] (1955): art deco

   Modern Hebrew
          [Modern Hebrew] n (1949): new hebrew

   modernisation, modernise
          [mod.ern.i.sa.tion, mod.ern.ise] Brit var of modernization,
          modernize

   modernism
          [mod.ern.ism] n (1737) 1: a practice, usage, or expression
          peculiar to modern times 2 often cap: a tendency in theology
          to accommodate traditional religious teaching to contemporary
          thought and esp. to devalue supernatural elements 3:
          modern artistic or literary philosophy and practice;
          esp: a self-conscious break with the past and a search
          for new forms of expression -- mod.ern.ist n or adj --
          mod.ern.is.tic adj

   modernization
          [mod.ern.i.za.tion] n (1770) 1: the act of modernizing: the
          state of being modernized 2: something modernized: a
          modernized version

   modernize
          [mod.ern.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1748): to make modern
          (as in taste, style, or usage) ~ vi: to adopt modern
          ways -- mod.ern.iz.er n

   modern pentathlon
          [modern pentathlon] n (ca. 1912): a composite contest in
          which all contestants compete in a 300-meter freestyle
          swim, a 4000-meter cross-country run, a 5000-meter 30-jump
          equestrian steeplechase, epee fencing, and target shooting
          at 25 meters

   modest
          [mod.est] adj [L modestus moderate; akin to L modus measure]
          (1565) 1 a: placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities
          or worth b: neither bold nor self-assertive: tending
          toward diffidence 2: arising from or characteristic of
          a modest nature 3: observing the proprieties of dress
          and behavior: decent 4 a: limited in size, amount, or
          scope b: unpretentious <a ~ cottage> syn see shy, chaste
          -- mod.est.ly adv

   modesty
          [mod.es.ty] n (1531) 1: freedom from conceit or vanity 2:
          propriety in dress, speech, or conduct

   modicum
          [mo.di.cum] n [ME, fr. L, neut. of modicus moderate, fr.
          modus measure] (15c): a small portion: a limited quantity

   modif
          [modif] abbreviation modification

   modification
          [mod.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1603) 1: the limiting of a statement:
          qualification 2: [1]mode 6a 3 a: the making of a limited
          change in something; also: the result of such a change
          b: a change in an organism caused by environmental factors
          4: a limitation or qualification of the meaning of a
          word by another word, by an affix, or by internal change

   modifier
          [mod.i.fi.er] n (1583) 1: one that modifies 2: a word or
          phrase that makes specific the meaning of another word
          or phrase 3: a gene that modifies the effect of another

   modify
          [mod.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME modifien, fr. MF modifier,
          fr. L modificare to measure, moderate, fr. modus] vt
          (14c) 1: to make less extreme: moderate 2 a: to limit
          or restrict the meaning of esp. in a grammatical construction
          b: to change (a vowel) by umlaut 3 a: to make minor changes
          in b: to make basic or fundamental changes in often to
          give a new orientation to or to serve a new end <the
          wing of a bird is an arm modified for flying> ~ vi: to
          undergo change syn see change -- mod.i.fi.abil.i.ty n
          -- mod.i.fi.able adj

   modillion
          [mo.dil.lion] n [It modiglione] (1563): an ornamental block
          or bracket under the corona of the cornice (as in the
          Corinthian order)

   modish
          [mod.ish] adj (1660): fashionable, stylish <a ~ hat> <a ~
          writer> -- mod.ish.ly adv -- mod.ish.ness n

   modiste
          [mo.diste] n [F, fr. mode style, mode] (ca. 1840): one who
          makes and sells fashionable dresses and hats for women

   Modred
          [Mo.dred] n: a knight of the Round Table and nephew of King
          Arthur

   modulability
          [mod.u.la.bil.i.ty] n (1928): the capability of being modulated

   modular
          [mod.u.lar] adj (1798) 1: of, relating to, or based on a
          module or a modulus 2: constructed with standardized
          units or dimensions for flexibility and variety in use
          -- mod.u.lar.i.ty n -- mod.u.lar.ly adv

   modular arithmetic
          [modular arithmetic] n (1959): arithmetic that deals with
          whole numbers where the numbers are replaced by their
          remainders after division by a fixed number <in a modular
          arithmetic with modulus 5, 3 multiplied by 4 is 2>

   modularized
          [mod.u.lar.ized] adj (1959) 1: containing or consisting of
          modules 2: produced in the form of modules

   modulate
          [mod.u.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L modulatus, pp. of modulari
          to play, sing, fr. modulus small measure, rhythm, dim.
          of modus measure--more at mete] vt (1615) 1: to tune
          to a key or pitch 2: to adjust to or keep in proper measure
          or proportion: temper 3: to vary the amplitude, frequency,
          or phase of (a carrier wave or a light wave) for the
          transmission of intelligence (as by radio); also: to
          vary the velocity of electrons in an electron beam ~
          vi 1: to play or sing with modulation 2: to pass from
          one musical key into another by means of intermediary
          chords or notes that have some relation to both keys
          3: to pass gradually from one state to another -- mod.u.la.tor
          n -- mod.u.la.to.ry adj

   modulation
          [mod.u.la.tion] n (1531) 1: a regulating according to measure
          or proportion: tempering 2: an inflection of the tone
          or pitch of the voice; specif: the use of stress or pitch
          to convey meaning 3: a change from one musical key to
          another by modulating 4: the process of modulating a
          carrier or signal (as in radio); also: the result of
          this process

   module
          [mod.ule] n [L modulus] (ca. 1628) 1: a standard or unit
          of measurement 2: the size of some one part taken as
          a unit of measure by which the proportions of an architectural
          composition are regulated 3 a: any in a series of standardized
          units for use together: as (1): a unit of furniture or
          architecture (2): an educational unit which covers a
          single subject or topic b: a usu. packaged functional
          assembly of electronic components for use with other
          such assemblies 4: an independently-operable unit that
          is a part of the total structure of a space vehicle 5
          a: a subset of an additive group that is also a group
          under addition b: a mathematical set that is a commutative
          group under addition and that is closed under multiplication
          which is distributive from the left or right or both
          by elements of a ring and for which a(bx) equals (ab)x
          or (xb)a equals x(ba) or both where a and b are elements
          of the ring and x belongs to the set

   modulo
          [mod.u.lo] prep [NL, abl. of modulus] (1897): with respect
          to a modulus of <19 and 54 are congruent ~ 7>

   modulus
          [mod.u.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. L, small measure] (1753) 1
          a: the factor by which a logarithm of a number to one
          base is multiplied to obtain the logarithm of the number
          to a new base b: absolute value 2 c (1): the number (as
          a positive integer) or other mathematical entity (as
          a polynomial) in a congruence that divides the difference
          of the two congruent members without leaving a remainder--compare
          residue b (2): the number of different numbers used in
          a system of modular arithmetic 2: a constant or coefficient
          that expresses usu. numerically the degree to which a
          body or substance possesses a particular property (as
          elasticity)

   modus operandi
          [mo.dus ope.ran.di] n, pl mo.di operandi [NL] (1654): a method
          of procedure

   modus vivendi
          [mo.dus vi.ven.di] n, pl mo.di vivendi [NL, manner of living]
          (ca. 1879) 1: a feasible arrangement or practical compromise;
          esp: one that bypasses difficulties 2: a manner of living:
          a way of life

   Mogen David
          [Mogen David] var of magen david

   moggy
          [mog.gy] also mog.gie n, pl mog.gies [prob. fr. Moggy, fr.
          Mog, nickname fr. the name Margaret] (ca. 1911) Brit:
          cat

   [1]mogul
          [mo.gul] n [Per Mughul, fr. Mongolian mongol Mongol] (1588)
          1 or mo.ghul cap: an Indian Muslim of or descended from
          one of several conquering groups of Mongol, Turkish,
          and Persian origin; esp: great mogul 2: a great personage:
          magnate -- mogul adj, often cap [2]mo.gul n [G dial.;
          akin to G dial. (Viennese) mugl small hill] (1959): a
          bump in a ski run

   mohair
          [mo.hair] n [modif. of obs. It mocaiarro, fr. Ar mukhayyar,
          lit., choice] (1619): a fabric or yarn made wholly or
          in part of the long silky hair of the Angora goat; also:
          this hair

   Mohammedan
          [Mo.ham.med.an] var of muhammadan

   Mohawk
          [Mo.hawk] n, pl Mohawk or Mohawks [of Algonquian origin;
          akin to Narraganset or Massachuset Mohowawog Mohawk,
          lit., cannibal] (1634) 1: a member of an American Indian
          people of the Mohawk River valley, New York 2: the Iroquoian
          language of the Mohawk people 3: a hairstyle with a narrow
          center strip of upright hair and the sides shaved

   Mohegan
          [Mo.he.gan] or Mo.hi.can n, pl Mohegan or Mohegans or Mohican
          or Mohicans (1660): a member of an American Indian people
          of southeastern Connecticut

   Mohican
          [Mo.hi.can] var of mahican

   Moho
          [Mo.ho] n [short for Mohorovicic discontinuity, fr. Andrija
          Mohorovicic d. 1936 Yugoslavian geologist] (1952): the
          boundary layer between the earth's crust and mantle whose
          depth varies from about 3 miles (5 kilometers) beneath
          the ocean floor to about 25 miles (40 kilometers) beneath
          the continents

   Mohock
          [Mo.hock] n [alter. of Mohawk] (ca. 1712): one of a gang
          of aristocratic ruffians who assaulted and otherwise
          maltreated people in London streets in the early 18th
          century -- Mo.hock.ism n

   Mohorovicic discontinuity
          [Mo.ho.ro.vi.cic discontinuity] n (1936): moho

   Mohs' scale
          [Mohs' scale] n [Friedrich Mohs d. 1839 Ger. mineralogist]
          (1879): a scale of hardness for minerals that ranges
          from a value of 1 for talc to 10 for diamond

   mohur
          [mo.hur] n [Hindi muhr gold coin, seal, fr. Per, fr. MPer;
          akin to Skt mudra seal] (1690): a former gold coin of
          India and Persia equal to 15 rupees

   moiety
          [moi.e.ty] n, pl -ties [ME moite, fr. MF moite, fr. LL medietat-,
          medietas, fr. L medius middle--more at mid] (15c) 1 a:
          one of two equal parts: half b: one of two approximately
          equal parts 2: one of the portions into which something
          is divided: component, part 3: one of two basic complementary
          tribal subdivisions

   [1]moil
          [moil] vb [ME moillen, fr. MF moillier, fr. (assumed) VL
          molliare, fr. L mollis soft--more at mollify] vt (15c)
          chiefly dial: to make wet or dirty ~ vi 1: to work hard:
          drudge 2: to be in continuous agitation: churn, swirl
          -- moil.er n [2]moil n (1612) 1: hard work: drudgery
          2: confusion, turmoil

   moiling
          [moil.ing] adj (1603) 1 a: requiring hard work b: industrious
          <~ workers> 2: violently agitated: turbulent -- moil.ing.ly
          adv

   Moirai
          [Moi.rai] n pl [Gk, fr. pl. of moira lot, fate; akin to Gk
          meros part--more at merit]: fate 4

   moire
          [moire] n [F, fr. E mohair] (1660) archaic: a watered mohair
          moi.re n [F moire, fr. moire like moire, fr. moire] (1818)
          1 a: an irregular wavy finish on a fabric b: a ripple
          pattern on a stamp 2: a fabric having a wavy watered
          appearance 3: an independent usu. shimmering pattern
          seen when two geometrically regular patterns (as two
          sets of parallel lines or two halftone screens) are superimposed
          esp. at an acute angle -- moire or moire adj

   moist
          [moist] adj [ME moiste, fr. MF, perh. fr. (assumed) VL muscidus,
          alter. of L mucidus slimy, fr. mucus nasal mucus] (14c)
          1: slightly or moderately wet: damp 2: tearful 3: characterized
          by high humidity syn see wet -- moist.ly adv -- moist.ness
          n

   moisten
          [moist.en] vb moist.ened ; moist.en.ing vt (1580): to make
          moist ~ vi: to become moist -- moist.en.er n

   moisture
          [mois.ture] n [ME, modif. of MF moistour, fr. moiste] (14c):
          liquid diffused or condensed in relatively small quantity

   moisturise
          [mois.tur.ise] Brit var of moisturize

   moisturize
          [mois.tur.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1945): to add moisture
          to <~ the air> -- mois.tur.iz.er n

   mojo
          [mo.jo] n, pl mojoes or mojos [prob. of African origin; akin
          to Fulani moco'o medicine man] (1926): a magic spell,
          hex, or charm; broadly: magical power

   moke
          [moke] n [origin unknown] (1848) 1 slang Brit: donkey 2 slang
          Austral: [1]nag

   mol
          [mol] abbreviation mole, molecular, molecule  MOL abbreviation
          manned orbiting laboratory

   molal
          [mol.al] adj [[5]mole] (1905): of, relating to, or containing
          a mole of solute per 1000 grams of solvent -- mo.lal.i.ty
          n

   [1]molar
          [mo.lar] n [ME molares, pl., fr. L molaris, fr. molaris of
          a mill, fr. mola millstone--more at mill] (14c): a tooth
          with a rounded or flattened surface adapted for grinding;
          specif: one of the cheek teeth in mammals behind the
          incisors and canines--see tooth illustration [2]molar
          adj (1626) 1: pulverizing by friction: grinding 2: of,
          relating to, or located near the molar teeth [3]molar
          adj [[5]mole] (1902) 1: of or relating to a mole of a
          substance <the ~ volume of a gas> 2: containing one mole
          of solute in one liter of solution -- mo.lar.i.ty n

   molasses
          [mo.las.ses] n [modif. of Pg melaco, fr. LL mellaceum grape
          juice, fr. L mell-, mel honey--more at mellifluous] (1582)
          1: the thick dark to light brown syrup that is separated
          from raw sugar in sugar manufacture 2: a syrup made from
          boiling down sweet vegetable or fruit juice <citrus ~>

   [1]mold
          [mold] n [ME, fr. OE molde; akin to OHG molta soil, L molere
          to grind--more at meal] (bef. 12c) 1: crumbling soft
          friable earth suited to plant growth: soil; esp: soil
          rich in humus--compare leaf mold 2 dial Brit a: the surface
          of the earth: ground b: the earth of the burying ground
          3 archaic: earth that is the substance of the human body
          <be merciful great Duke to men of ~ --Shak.> [2]mold
          n [ME, modif. of OF modle, fr. L modulus, dim. of modus
          measure--more at mete] (13c) 1: distinctive nature or
          character: type 2: the frame on or around which an object
          is constructed 3 a: a cavity in which a substance is
          shaped: as (1): a matrix for casting metal (2): a form
          in which food is given a decorative shape b: a molded
          object 4: molding 5 a obs: an example to be followed
          b: prototype c: a fixed pattern: design [3]mold vt (14c)
          1 archaic: to knead (dough) into a desired consistency
          or shape 2: to give shape to <the wind ~s the waves>
          3: to form in a mold <~ candles> 4: to determine or influence
          the quality or nature of <~ public opinion> 5: to fit
          the contours of 6: to ornament with molding or carving
          <~ed picture frames> -- mold.able adj -- mold.er n [4]mold
          n [ME mowlde, perh. alter. of mowle, fr. moulen to grow
          moldy, of Scand origin; akin to ON mygla to grow moldy]
          (14c) 1: a superficial often woolly growth produced esp.
          on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms
          2: a fungus (as of the order Mucorales) that produces
          mold [5]mold vi (1530): to become moldy

   moldboard
          [mold.board] n (1508) 1: a curved iron plate attached above
          a plowshare to lift and turn the soil 2: the flat or
          curved blade (as of a bulldozer) that pushes material
          to one side as the machine advances

   molder
          [mold.er] vi mold.ered ; mold.er.ing [freq. of [5]mold] (1531):
          to crumble into particles: disintegrate, decay

   molding
          [mold.ing] n (14c) 1 a: the art or occupation of a molder
          b: an object produced by molding 2 a: a decorative recessed
          or relieved surface b: a decorative plane or curved strip
          used for ornamentation or finishing

   moldy
          [moldy] adj mold.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: of, resembling, or
          covered with a mold-producing fungus 2 a: being old and
          moldering: crumbling b: antiquated, fusty <~ tradition>
          -- mold.i.ness n

   [1]mole
          [mole] n [ME, fr. OE mal; akin to OHG meil spot] (14c): a
          pigmented spot, mark, or small permanent protuberance
          on the human body; esp: nevus [2]mole n [ME; akin to
          MLG mol] (14c) 1: any of numerous burrowing insectivores
          (esp. family Talpidae) with tiny eyes, concealed ears,
          and soft fur 2: one who works in the dark 3: a machine
          for tunneling 4: a spy (as a double agent) who establishes
          a cover long before beginning espionage [3]mole n [ME,
          fr. L mola mole, lit., mill, millstone--more at mill]
          (15c): an abnormal mass in the uterus esp. when containing
          fetal tissues [4]mole n [MF, fr. OIt molo, fr. LGk molos,
          fr. L moles, lit., mass, exertion; akin to Gk molos exertion]
          (ca. 1548) 1: a massive work formed of masonry and large
          stones or earth laid in the sea as a pier or breakwater
          2: the harbor formed by a mole [5]mole also mol n [G
          Mol, short for Molekulargewicht molecular weight, fr.
          molekular molecular + Gewicht weight] (1902): the base
          unit of amount of pure substance in the International
          System of Units that contains the same number of elementary
          entities as there are atoms in exactly 12 grams of the
          isotope carbon 12 [6]mo.le n [MexSp, fr. Nahuatl molli
          sauce] (1927): a spicy sauce made with chilies and usu.
          chocolate and served with meat

   molecular
          [mo.lec.u.lar] adj (1823) 1: of, relating to, or produced
          by molecules <~ oxygen> 2: of or relating to simple or
          elementary organization -- mo.lec.u.lar.ly adv

   molecular biology
          [molecular biology] n (1938): a branch of biology dealing
          with the ultimate physicochemical organization of living
          matter and esp. with the molecular basis of inheritance
          and protein synthesis -- molecular biologist n

   molecular formula
          [molecular formula] n (ca. 1903): a chemical formula that
          is based on both analysis and molecular weight and gives
          the total number of atoms of each element in a molecule--compare
          structural formula

   molecular mass
          [molecular mass] n (1970): the mass of a molecule that is
          equal to the sum of the masses of all the atoms contained
          in the molecule

   molecular orbital
          [molecular orbital] n (1932): a solution of the Schrodinger
          equation that describes the probable location of an electron
          relative to the nuclei in a molecule and so indicates
          the nature of any bond in which the electron is involved

   molecular sieve
          [molecular sieve] n (1926): a crystalline substance (as a
          zeolite) characterized by uniformly sized pores of molecular
          dimension that can adsorb small molecules and is used
          esp. in separations

   molecular weight
          [molecular weight] n (1880): the average mass of a molecule
          of a compound compared to 1/12 the mass of carbon 12
          and calculated as the sum of the atomic weights of the
          constituent atoms

   molecule
          [mol.e.cule] n [F molecule, fr. NL molecula, dim. of L moles
          mass] (1794) 1: the smallest particle of a substance
          that retains all the properties of the substance and
          is composed of one or more atoms 2: a tiny bit: particle

   molehill
          [mole.hill] n (15c): a little mound or ridge of earth pushed
          up by a mole

   mole ruit sua
          [mo.le ru.it sua] [L] foreign term : it collapses from its
          own bigness

   moleskin
          [mole.skin] n (1668) 1: the skin of the mole used as fur
          2 a: a heavy durable cotton fabric with a short thick
          velvety nap on one side b: a garment made of moleskin--usu.
          used in pl.

   molest
          [mo.lest] vt [ME, fr. MF molester, fr. L molestare, fr. molestus
          burdensome, annoying; akin to L moles mass] (14c) 1:
          to annoy, disturb, or persecute esp. with hostile intent
          or injurious effect 2: to make annoying sexual advances
          to; esp: to force physical and usu. sexual contact on
          -- mo.les.ta.tion n -- mo.lest.er n

   moline
          [mo.line] adj [(assumed) AF moline, fr. OF molin mill, fr.
          LL molinum--more at mill] (1562) of a heraldic cross:
          having the end of each arm forked and recurved--see cross
          illustration

   moll
          [moll] n [prob. fr. Moll, nickname for Mary] (1604) 1: prostitute
          2 a: doll 2 b: a gangster's girlfriend

   mollify
          [mol.li.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME mollifien, fr. MF mollifier,
          fr. LL mollificare, fr. L mollis soft; akin to Gk amaldynein
          to soften, Skt mrdu soft, and prob. to Gk malakos soft,
          amblys dull, OE meltan to melt] vt (15c) 1: to soothe
          in temper or disposition: appease <mollified the staff
          with a raise> 2: to reduce the rigidity of: soften 3:
          to reduce in intensity: assuage, temper ~ vi, archaic:
          soften, relent syn see pacify -- mol.li.fi.ca.tion n

   molluscicide
          [mol.lus.ci.cide] n [NL Mollusca + E -i- + -cide] (ca. 1947):
          an agent for destroying mollusks (as snails) -- mol.lus.ci.cid.al
          adj

   mollusk
          [mol.lusk] or mol.lusc n [F mollusque, fr. NL Mollusca, fr.
          L, neut. pl. of molluscus thin-shelled (of a nut), fr.
          mollis] (1783): any of a large phylum (Mollusca) of invertebrate
          animals (as snails, clams, or squids) with a soft unsegmented
          body usu. enclosed in a calcareous shell; broadly: shellfish
          -- mol.lus.can also mol.lus.kan adj

   molly
          [mol.ly] also mol.lie n, pl mollies [by shortening fr. NL
          Mollienisia, former genus name, fr. Comte Francois N.
          Mollien d. 1850 Fr. statesman] (ca. 1933): any of several
          brightly colored live-bearers (genus Poecilia of the
          family Poeciliidae) highly valued as aquarium fishes

   [1]mollycoddle
          [mol.ly.cod.dle] n [Molly, nickname for Mary] (1833): a pampered
          or effeminate man or boy [2]mollycoddle vt -cod.dled
          ; -cod.dling (1864): to surround with an excessive or
          absurd degree of indulgence and attention syn see indulge
          -- mol.ly.cod.dler n

   Moloch
          [Mo.loch] n [LL, fr. Gk, fr. Heb Molekh]: a Semitic god to
          whom children were sacrificed

   Molotov cocktail
          [Mo.lo.tov cocktail] n [Vyacheslav M. Molotov] (1939): a
          crude bomb made of a bottle filled with a flammable liquid
          (as gasoline) and usu. fitted with a wick (as a saturated
          rag) that is ignited just before the bottle is hurled

   [1]molt
          [molt] vb [alter. of ME mouten, fr. OE -mutian to change,
          fr. L mutare--more at mutable] vi (1591): to shed hair,
          feathers, shell, horns, or an outer layer periodically
          ~ vt: to cast off (an outer covering) periodically; specif:
          to throw off (the old cuticle)--used of arthropods --
          molt.er n [2]molt n (1815): the act or process of molting;
          specif: ecdysis

   molten
          [mol.ten] adj [ME, fr. pp. of melten to melt] (14c) 1 obs:
          made by melting and casting 2: fused or liquefied by
          heat: melted <~ lava> 3: having warmth or brilliance:
          glowing <the ~ sunlight of warm skies --T. B. Costain>

   molto
          [mol.to] adv [It, fr. L multum, fr. neut. of multus much]
          (ca. 1801): much, very--used in music directions <~ vivace>

   mol wt
          [mol wt] abbreviation molecular weight

   moly
          [mo.ly] n [L, fr. Gk moly]: a mythical herb with a black
          root, white blossoms, and magical powers

   molybdate
          [mo.lyb.date] n (1794): a salt containing an anion made up
          of molydenum and oxygen atoms

   molybdenite
          [mo.lyb.de.nite] n [NL molybdena] (1796): a blue usu. foliated
          mineral consisting of molybdenum disulfide that is a
          source of molybdenum

   molybdenum
          [mo.lyb.de.num] n [NL, fr. molybdena, a lead ore, molybdenite,
          molybdenum, fr. L molybdaena galena, fr. Gk molybdaina,
          fr. molybdos lead] (1816): a metallic element that resembles
          chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used esp.
          in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace
          element in plant and animal metabolism

   molybdenum disulfide
          [molybdenum disulfide] n (ca. 1931): a compound used esp.
          as a lubricant in grease

   MOM
          [MOM] abbreviation middle of month

   mom
          [mom] n [short for momma] (ca. 1894): mother

   mom-and-pop
          [mom-and-pop] adj (1951): being a small owner-operated business

   mome
          [mome] n [origin unknown] (1553) archaic: blockhead, fool

   moment
          [mo.ment] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L momentum movement, particle
          sufficient to turn the scales, moment, fr. movere to
          move] (14c) 1 a: a minute portion or point of time: instant
          b: a comparatively brief period of time 2 a: present
          time <at the ~ she is working on a novel> b: a time of
          excellence or conspicuousness <he has his ~s> 3: importance
          in influence or effect <a matter of great ~> 4 obs: a
          cause or motive of action 5: a stage in historical or
          logical development 6 a: tendency or measure of tendency
          to produce motion esp. about a point or axis b: the product
          of quantity (as a force) and the distance to a particular
          axis or point 7 a: the mean of the nth powers of the
          deviations of the observed values in a set of statistical
          data from a fixed value b: the expected value of a power
          of the deviation of a random variable from a fixed value
          syn see importance

   momentarily
          [mo.men.tar.i.ly] adv (ca. 1666) 1: for a moment 2 archaic:
          instantly 3: at any moment: in a moment

   momentary
          [mo.men.tary] adj (15c) 1 a: continuing only a moment: fleeting
          b: having a very brief life 2: operative or recurring
          at every moment syn see transient -- mo.men. tar.i.ness
          n

   momently
          [mo.ment.ly] adv (1676) 1: from moment to moment 2: at any
          moment 3: for a moment

   momento
          [mo.men.to] var of memento

   moment of inertia
          [moment of inertia] (1830): a measure of the resistance of
          a body to angular acceleration about a given axis that
          is equal to the sum of the products of each element of
          mass in the body and the square of the element's distance
          from the axis

   moment of truth
          [moment of truth] (1932) 1: the final sword thrust in a bullfight
          2: a moment of crisis on whose outcome much or everything
          depends

   momentous
          [mo.men.tous] adj (1652): important, consequential --
          mo.men.tous.ly adv -- mo.men.tous.ness n

   momentum
          [mo.men.tum] n, pl mo.men.ta or momentums [NL, fr. L, movement]
          (1610) 1: a property of a moving body that the body has
          by virtue of its mass and motion and that is equal to
          the product of the body's mass and velocity; broadly:
          a property of a moving body that determines the length
          of time required to bring it to rest when under the action
          of a constant force or moment 2: strength or force gained
          by motion or through the development of events: impetus
          <the campaign gained ~>

   momma
          [mom.ma] var of mama

   mommy
          [mom.my] n, pl mom.mies [alter. of mammy] (1899): mother

   mommy track
          [mommy track] n (1989): a career path that allows a mother
          flexible or reduced work hours but tends to slow or block
          advancement

   Momus
          [Mo.mus] n [L, fr. Gk Momos]: the Greek god of censure and
          mockery

   mon-
          [mon-] or mono- comb form [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L, fr.
          Gk, fr. monos alone, single--more at monk] 1: one: single:
          alone <monoplane> <monodrama> 2 a: containing one (usu.
          specified) atom, radical, or group <monohydroxy> b: monomolecular
          <monolayer>

   mon
          [mon] abbreviation monastery, monetary  Mon abbreviation
          Monaghan, Monday

   mon
          [mon] dial chiefly Brit var of man Mon n, pl Mon or Mons
          (1798) 1: a member of the dominant native people of Pegu
          division, Myanmar (Burma) 2: the Mon-Khmer language of
          the Mon people

   monachal
          [mon.a.chal] adj [MF or LL; MF, fr. LL monachalis, fr. monachus
          monk--more at monk] (1587): monastic -- mon.a.chism n

   monad
          [mo.nad] n [LL monad-, monas, fr. Gk, fr. monos] (1615) 1
          a: unit, one b: atom 1 c: an elementary individual substance
          which reflects the order of the world and from which
          material properties are derived 2: a flagellated protozoan
          (as of the genus Monas) -- mo.nad.ic adj -- mo.nad.ism
          n

   monadelphous
          [mon.adel.phous] adj (1806) of stamens: united by the filaments
          into one group usu. forming a tube around the gynoecium

   monadnock
          [mo.nad.nock] n [Mt. Monadnock, N.H.] (1893): inselberg

   monandry
          [mon.an.dry] n, pl -dries [mon- + -andry (as in polyandry)]
          (1855): a marriage form or custom in which a woman has
          only one husband at a time

   monarch
          [mon.arch] n [LL monarcha, fr. Gk monarchos, fr. mon- + -archos
          -arch] (15c) 1: a person who reigns over a kingdom or
          empire: as a: a sovereign ruler b: a constitutional king
          or queen 2: one that holds preeminent position or power
          3: monarch butterfly -- mo.nar.chal or mo.nar.chi.al
          adj

   monarch butterfly
          [monarch butterfly] n (1890): a large migratory American
          butterfly (Danaus plexippus) that has orange-brown wings
          with black veins and borders and a larva that feeds on
          milkweed

   Monarchian
          [Mo.nar.chi.an] n (1765): an adherent of one of two
          anti-Trinitarian groups of the 2d and 3d centuries a.d. teaching
          that God is one person as well as one being -- Mo.nar.chi.an.ism n

   monarchical
          [mo.nar.chi.cal] also mo.nar.chic adj (1576): of, relating
          to, suggestive of, or characteristic of a monarch or
          monarchy -- mo.nar.chi.cal.ly adv

   monarchism
          [mon.ar.chism] n (1838): monarchical government or principles
          -- mon.ar.chist n or adj

   monarchy
          [mon.ar.chy] n, pl -chies (14c) 1: undivided rule or absolute
          sovereignty by a single person 2: a nation or state having
          a monarchical government 3: a government having an hereditary
          chief of state with life tenure and powers varying from
          nominal to absolute

   monarda
          [mo.nar.da] n [NL, fr. Nicolas Monardes d. 1588 Span. botanist]
          (1712): any of a genus (Monarda) of coarse No. American
          mints with a tubular many-nerved calyx and whorls of
          showy flowers

   monastery
          [mon.as.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME monasterie, fr. LL monasterium,
          fr. LGk monasterion, fr. Gk, hermit's cell, fr. monazein
          to live alone, fr. monos single--more at monk] (15c):
          a house for persons under religious vows; esp: an establishment
          for monks

   monastic
          [mo.nas.tic] adj (ca. 1563) 1: of or relating to monasteries
          or to monks or nuns 2: resembling (as in seclusion or
          ascetic simplicity) life in a monastery -- monastic n
          -- mo.nas.ti.cal.ly adv -- mo.nas.ti.cism n

   monatomic
          [mon.atom.ic] adj (1848): consisting of one atom; esp: having
          but one atom in the molecule

   monaural
          [mon.au.ral] adj (1931): monophonic 2 -- mon.au.ral.ly adv

   monazite
          [mon.a.zite] n [G Monazit, fr. Gk monazein] (1836): a mineral
          that is a yellow, red, or brown phosphate of cerium and
          other rare earth elements and thorium and is found often
          in sand and gravel deposits

   Monday
          [Mon.day] n [ME, fr. OE monandaeg; akin to OHG manatag Monday;
          akin to OE mona moon and to OE daeg day] (bef. 12c):
          the second day of the week -- Mon.days adv

   Monday-morning quarterback
          [Monday-morning quarterback] n [fr. a fan's usu. critical
          rehashing of the weekend football game strategy] (1941):
          one who second-guesses -- Monday-morning quarterbacking
          n

   monde
          [monde] [F] foreign term : world: fashionable world: society

   monecious
          [mon.e.cious] var of monoecious

   monestrous
          [mon.es.trous] adj (1900): experiencing estrus once each
          year or breeding season

   monetarism
          [mon.e.tar.ism] n (1969): a theory in economics that stable
          economic growth can be assured only by control of the
          rate of increase of the money supply to match the capacity
          for growth of real productivity -- mon.e.tar.ist n or
          adj

   monetary
          [mon.e.tary] adj [LL monetarius of a mint, of money, fr.
          L moneta] (ca. 1812): of or relating to money or to the
          mechanisms by which it is supplied to and circulates
          in the economy -- mon.e.tar.i.ly adv

   monetary aggregate
          [monetary aggregate] n (1979): one of the formal categories
          of money (as cash and demand deposits or bank credits)
          in a national economy that is used as a measure in predictions
          of economic growth

   monetary unit
          [monetary unit] n (ca. 1864): the standard unit of value
          of a currency

   monetize
          [mon.e.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing [L moneta] (ca. 1879) 1:
          to coin into money; also: to establish as legal tender
          2: to purchase (public or private debt) and thereby free
          for other uses moneys that would have been devoted to
          debt service -- mon.e.ti.za.tion n

   [1]money
          [mon.ey] n, pl moneys or mon.ies often attrib [ME moneye,
          fr. MF moneie, fr. L moneta mint, money--more at mint]
          (14c) 1: something generally accepted as a medium of
          exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment:
          as a: officially coined or stamped metal currency b:
          money of account c: paper money 2 a: wealth reckoned
          in terms of money b: an amount of money c pl: sums of
          money: funds 3: a form or denomination of coin or paper
          money 4 a: the first, second, and third place winners
          (as in a horse or dog race)--usu. used in the phrases
          in the money or out of the money b: prize money <his
          horse took third ~> 5 a: persons or interests possessing
          or controlling great wealth b: a position of wealth <born
          into ~> -- for one's money : according to one's preference
          or opinion -- on the money : exactly right or accurate
          <her intuition was right on the money> [2]money adj (1935):
          involving or reliable in a crucial situation <a ~ player>
          <a ~ pitch>

   money-back
          [mon.ey-back] adj (1922): providing that the consumer is
          entitled to a refund if the purchased product is unsatisfactory
          <a ~ guarantee>

   moneybags
          [mon.ey.bags] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1596) 1: wealth
          2: a wealthy person

   money changer
          [money changer] n (15c) 1: one whose business is the exchanging
          of kinds or denominations of currency 2: a device for
          holding and dispensing sorted change

   moneyed
          [mon.eyed] also mon.ied adj (15c) 1: having money: wealthy
          2: consisting in or derived from money

   moneyer
          [mon.ey.er] n [ME, fr. OF monier, fr. LL monetarius master
          of a mint, coiner, fr. monetarius of a mint--more at
          monetary] (15c): an authorized coiner of money: minter

   money-grubber
          [mon.ey-grub.ber] n (1840): a person bent on accumulating
          money -- mon.ey.grub.bing adj or n

   moneylender
          [mon.ey.lend.er] n (ca. 1780): one whose business is lending
          money; specif: pawnbroker

   moneymaker
          [mon.ey.mak.er] n (1834) 1: one that accumulates wealth 2:
          one (as a plan or product) that produces profit -- mon.ey.mak.ing
          adj or n

   moneyman
          [mon.ey.man] n (ca. 1585): financier

   money market
          [money market] n (1950): the trade in short-term negotiable
          instruments (as certificates of deposit or U.S. Treasury
          securities)

   money of account
          [money of account] (1691): a denominator of value or basis
          of exchange which is used in keeping accounts and for
          which there may or may not be an equivalent coin or denomination
          of paper money

   money order
          [money order] n (1802): an order issued by a post office,
          bank, or telegraph office for payment of a specified
          sum of money usu. at any branch of the organization

   money-spinner
          [mon.ey-spin.ner] n (1859) chiefly Brit: moneymaker --
          mon.ey-spin.ning adj or n, chiefly Brit

   moneywort
          [mon.ey.wort] n (1578): a trailing perennial herb (Lysimachia
          nummularia) of the primrose family with rounded opposite
          leaves and solitary yellow flowers in their axils

   [1]monger
          [mon.ger] n [ME mongere, fr. OE mangere, fr. L mangon-, mango,
          of Gk origin; akin to Gk manganon charm, philter] (bef.
          12c) 1: broker, dealer--usu. used in combination <alemonger>
          2: a person who attempts to stir up or spread something
          that is usu. petty or discreditable--usu. used in combination
          <warmonger> [2]monger vt mon.gered ; mon.ger.ing (ca.
          1864): to deal in: peddle

   mongo
          [mon.go] n, pl mongo [Mongolian mongo] (1935): a monetary
          unit of Mongolia equal to 1/100 tugrik

   Mongol
          [Mon.gol] n [Mongolian mongol] (1698) 1: a member of any
          of a group of traditionally pastoral peoples of Mongolia
          2: mongolian 1 3: a person of Mongoloid racial stock
          4 often not cap: one affected with Down's syndrome --
          Mongol adj

   [1]Mongolian
          [Mon.go.lian] adj (1706) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          Mongolia, the Mongolian People's Republic, the Mongols,
          or Mongolian 2: mongoloid 2 [2]Mongolian n (1846) 1 a:
          the language of the Mongol people b: a family of Altaic
          languages that includes the languages of the Mongols
          and the Kalmucks 2 a: mongol 1 b: a person of Mongoloid
          racial stock c: a native or inhabitant of Mongolia

   Mongolian gerbil
          [Mongolian gerbil] n (1948): a gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)
          of Mongolia and northern China that has an external resemblance
          to a rat, has a high capacity for temperature regulation,
          and is used as an experimental laboratory animal

   Mongolic
          [Mon.gol.ic] adj (1834): mongoloid 1

   mongolism
          [mon.gol.ism] n (1900): down's syndrome

   Mongoloid
          [Mon.gol.oid] adj (1868) 1: of, constituting, or characteristic
          of a major racial stock native to Asia as classified
          according to physical features (as the presence of an
          epicanthic fold) that includes peoples of northern and
          eastern Asia, Malaysians, Eskimos, and often American
          Indians 2 often not cap: of, relating to, or affected
          with Down's syndrome -- Mongoloid n

   mongoose
          [mon.goose] n, pl mon.goos.es also mon.geese [Hindi & Marathi
          magus, fr. Prakrit mamgusa] (1698): any of the viverrid
          mammals that comprise two subfamilies (Herpestinae and
          Galidiinae) often grouped in a separate family (Herpestidae),
          that include agile ferret-sized mammals sometimes with
          bands or stripes, and that feed on small animals and
          fruits

   mongrel
          [mon.grel] n [ME, prob. fr. mong mixture, short for ymong,
          fr. OE gemong crowd--more at among] (15c) 1: an individual
          resulting from the interbreeding of diverse breeds or
          strains; esp: one of unknown ancestry 2: a cross between
          types of persons or things -- mongrel adj -- mon.grel.i.za.tion
          n -- mon.grel.ize vt

   monies
          [monies] pl of money

   moniker
          [mon.i.ker] also mon.ick.er n [prob. fr. Shelta (language
          of Irish itinerants) munnik, modif. of Ir ainm] (1851):
          name, nickname

   moniliasis
          [mo.ni.li.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL, fr. Monilia, genus of
          fungi, fr. L monile necklace] (1920): candidiasis

   moniliform
          [mo.nil.i.form] adj [L monile necklace--more at mane] (ca.
          1803): jointed or constricted at regular intervals so
          as to resemble a string of beads <a ~ root> <~ insect
          antennae>

   monish
          [mon.ish] vt [ME monesen, alter. of monesten, fr. OF monester,
          fr. (assumed) VL monestare, fr. L monere to warn] (14c):
          warn

   monism
          [mo.nism] n [G Monismus, fr. mon- + -ismus -ism] (1862) 1
          a: a view that there is only one kind of ultimate substance
          b: the view that reality is one unitary organic whole
          with no independent parts 2: monogenesis 3: a viewpoint
          or theory that reduces all phenomena to one principle
          -- mo.nist n -- mo.nis.tic adj

   monition
          [mo.ni.tion] n [ME monicioun, fr. MF monition, fr. L monition-,
          monitio, fr. monere] (14c) 1: warning, caution 2: an
          intimation of danger

   [1]monitor
          [mon.i.tor] n [L, one that warns, overseer, fr. monere to
          warn--more at mind] (1546) 1 a: a student appointed to
          assist a teacher b: one that warns or instructs c: one
          that monitors or is used in monitoring: as (1): a cathode-ray
          tube used for display (as of television pictures or computer
          information) (2): a device for observing a biological
          condition or function <a heart ~> 2: any of various large
          tropical Old World lizards (genus Varanus of the family
          Varanidae) closely related to the iguanas 3 [Monitor,
          first ship of the type] a: a heavily armored warship
          formerly used in coastal operations having a very low
          freeboard and one or more revolving gun turrets b: a
          small modern warship with shallow draft for coastal bombardment
          4: a raised central portion of a roof having low windows
          or louvers for providing light and air -- mon.i.to.ri.al
          adj -- mon.i.tor.ship n [2]monitor vt mon.i.tored ; mon.i.tor.ing
          (1924): to watch, keep track of, or check usu. for a
          special purpose

   [1]monitory
          [mon.i.to.ry] adj [ME, fr. L monitorius, fr. monere] (15c):
          giving admonition: warning [2]monitory n, pl -ries (15c):
          a letter containing an admonition or warning

   [1]monk
          [monk] n [ME, fr. OE munuc, fr. LL monachus, fr. LGk monachos,
          fr. Gk, adj., single, fr. monos single, alone] (bef.
          12c): a man who is a member of a religious order and
          lives in a monastery; also: friar [2]monk n (1843): monkey

   monkery
          [monk.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1536) 1: monastic life or practice:
          monasticism 2: a monastic house: monastery

   [1]monkey
          [mon.key] n, pl monkeys [prob. of LG origin; akin to Moneke,
          name of an ape, prob. of Romance origin; akin to OSp
          mona monkey] (ca. 1530) 1: a nonhuman primate mammal
          with the exception usu. of the lemurs and tarsiers; esp:
          any of the smaller longer-tailed primates as contrasted
          with the apes 2 a: a person resembling a monkey b: a
          ludicrous figure: dupe 3: any of various machines, implements,
          or vessels; esp: the falling weight of a pile driver
          4: a desperate desire for or addiction to drugs--often
          used in the phrase monkey on one's back; broadly: a persistent
          or annoying encumbrance or problem [2]monkey vb mon.keyed
          ; mon.key.ing vt (1859): mimic, mock ~ vi 1: to act in
          a grotesque or mischievous manner 2 a: fool, trifle--often
          used with around b: tamper--usu. used with with

   monkey bars
          [monkey bars] n pl (1955): a three-dimensional framework
          of horizontal and vertical bars from which children can
          hang and swing

   monkey business
          [monkey business] n (1883): shenanigan 2

   monkey jacket
          [monkey jacket] n (1830): mess jacket

   monkeypod
          [mon.key.pod] n (1888) 1: an ornamental tropical leguminous
          tree (Samanea saman syn. Pithecolobium saman) that has
          bipinnate leaves, globose clusters of flowers with crimson
          stamens, sweet-pulp pods eaten by cattle, and wood used
          in carving--called also rain tree 2: the wood of a monkeypod

   monkey puzzle
          [monkey puzzle] n (1866): a tall araucaria (Araucaria araucana)
          that is native to Chile and western Argentina but widely
          grown elsewhere--called also monkey puzzle tree

   monkeyshine
          [mon.key.shine] n (ca. 1832): prank--usu. used in pl.

   monkey wrench
          [monkey wrench] n (ca. 1858) 1: a wrench with one fixed and
          one adjustable jaw at right angles to a straight handle
          2: something that disrupts <threw a monkey wrench into
          the peace negotiations>

   monkfish
          [monk.fish] n (1666): either of two goosefishes (Lophius
          americanus of America and L. piscatorius of Europe) used
          for food

   Mon-Khmer
          [Mon-Khmer] n (1887): a language family containing Mon, Khmer,
          and a number of other languages of southeast Asia

   monkhood
          [monk.hood] n (bef. 12c) 1: the character, condition, or
          profession of a monk: monasticism 2: monks as a class

   monkish
          [monk.ish] adj (1546) 1: of, relating to, or resembling a
          monk; also: resembling that of a monk 2: inclined to
          disciplinary self-denial

   monk's cloth
          [monk's cloth] n (ca. 1847): a coarse heavy fabric in basket
          weave made orig. of worsted and used for monk's habits
          but now chiefly of cotton or linen and used for draperies

   monk seal
          [monk seal] n (1841): any of a genus (Monachus) of hair seals
          of Hawaii, the Mediterranean Sea, and formerly the Caribbean
          Sea

   monkshood
          [monks.hood] n (1578): any of a genus (Aconitum) of usu.
          bluish flowered poisonous herbs of the buttercup family;
          esp: a poisonous Eurasian herb (A. napellus) often cultivated
          for its showy terminal racemes of white or purplish
          flowers--compare wolfsbane

   mono-
          [mono-] --see mon-

   [1]mono
          [mono] n, pl mon.os [[2]mono] (1959): monophonic reproduction
          [2]mono adj (1961): monophonic 2 [3]mono n (1962): infectious
          mononucleosis

   monoacid
          [mono.ac.id] n (1863): an acid having only one acid hydrogen
          atom

   monoacidic
          [mono.acid.ic] adj (ca. 1929): able to react with one molecule
          of a monobasic acid to form a salt or ester--used esp.
          of bases

   monoamine
          [mono.amine] n [ISV] (1951): an amine that has one organic
          substituent attached to the nitrogen atom; esp: one (as
          serotonin) that is functionally important in neural transmission

   monoamine oxidase
          [monoamine oxidase] n (1951): an enzyme that deaminates monoamines
          oxidatively and that functions in the nervous system by breaking
          down monoamine neurotransmitters oxidatively

   monoaminergic
          [mono.am.in.er.gic] adj (1966): liberating or involving monoamines
          (as serotonin or norepinephrine) in neural transmission <~ neurons>
          <~ mechanisms>

   monobasic
          [mono.ba.sic] adj [ISV] (1842) of an acid: having only one
          replaceable hydrogen atom

   monocarboxylic
          [mono.car.box.yl.ic] adj (ca. 1909): containing one carboxyl
          group <acetic acid is a ~ acid>

   monocarpic
          [mono.car.pic] adj [prob. fr. (assumed) NL monocarpicus,
          fr. NL mon- + -carpicus -carpic] (1849): bearing fruit
          but once and then dying

   monochasium
          [mono.cha.si.um] n, pl -sia [NL, fr. mon- + -chasium (as
          in dichasium)] (ca. 1890): a cymose inflorescence that
          produces only one main axis -- mono.cha.sial adj

   monochord
          [mono.chord] n [ME monocorde, fr. MF, fr. ML monochordum,
          fr. Gk monochordon, fr. mon- + chorde string--more at
          yarn] (15c): an instrument of ancient origin for meas
          uring and demonstrating the mathematical relations of
          musical tones and that consists of a single string stretched
          over a sound box and a movable bridge set on a graduated
          scale

   monochromat
          [mono.chro.mat] n [mon- + Gk chromat-, chroma] (1902): a
          completely color-blind individual

   monochromatic
          [mono.chro.mat.ic] adj [L monochromatos, fr. Gk monochromatos,
          fr. mon- + chromat-, chroma color] (1822) 1 a: having
          or consisting of one color or hue b: monochrome 2 2:
          consisting of radiation of a single wavelength or of
          a very small range of wavelengths 3: of, relating to,
          or exhibiting monochromatism -- mono.chro.mat.i.cal.ly
          adv -- mono.chro.ma.tic.i.ty n

   monochromatism
          [mono.chro.ma.tism] n (ca. 1930): complete color blindness
          in which all colors appear as shades of gray

   monochromator
          [mono.chro.ma.tor] n [monochromatic + illuminator] (1909):
          a device for isolating a narrow portion of a spectrum

   [1]monochrome
          [mono.chrome] n [ML monochroma, fr. L, fem. of monochromos
          of one color, fr. Gk monochromos, fr. mon- + -chromos
          -chrome] (1662): a painting, drawing, or photograph in
          a single hue -- mono.chro.mic adj -- mono.chrom.ist n
          [2]monochrome adj (1849) 1: of, relating to, or made
          with a single color or hue 2: involving or producing
          visual images in a single color or in varying tones of
          a single color (as gray) <~ film> <~ television monitor>

   monocle
          [mon.o.cle] n [F, fr. LL monoculus having one eye, fr. L
          mon- + oculus eye--more at eye] (ca. 1858): an eyeglass
          for one eye -- mon.o.cled adj

   monocline
          [mono.cline] n (1879): an oblique geologic fold

   monoclinic
          [mono.clin.ic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1864): having one oblique
          intersection of the crystallographic axes

   monoclinic system
          [monoclinic system] n (1869): a crystal system characterized
          by three unequal axes with one oblique intersection

   monoclonal
          [mono.clo.nal] adj (1914): produced by, being, or composed
          of cells derived from a single cell <~ antibodies> <a
          ~ tumor> -- monoclonal n

   monocoque
          [mono.coque] n [F, fr. mon- + coque shell, prob. fr. L coccum
          kermes--more at cocoon] (1913) 1: a type of construction
          (as of a fuselage) in which the outer skin carries all
          or a major part of the stresses 2: a type of vehicle
          construction (as of an automobile) in which the body
          is integral with the chassis

   monocot
          [mono.cot] n (1890): monocotyledon

   monocotyledon
          [mono.cot.y.le.don] n [ultim. fr. NL mon- + cotyledon cotyledon]
          (ca. 1727): any of a class or subclass (Liliopsida or
          Monocotyledoneae) of chiefly herbaceous seedplants having
          an embryo with a single cotyledon, usu. parallel-veined
          leaves, and floral organs arranged in cycles of three--compare
          dicotyledon -- mono.cot.y.le.don.ous adj

   monocracy
          [mo.noc.ra.cy] n (1651): government by a single person --
          mono.crat n -- mono.crat.ic adj

   monocrystal
          [mono.crys.tal] n (1926): a single crystal -- monocrystal
          adj -- mono.crys.tal.line adj

   [1]monocular
          [mon.oc.u.lar] adj [LL monoculus having one eye] (1640) 1:
          of, involving, or affecting a single eye 2: suitable
          for use with only one eye -- mon.oc.u.lar.ly adv [2]monocular
          n (1936): a monocular device

   monoculture
          [mono.cul.ture] n (1915) 1: the cultivation or growth of
          a single crop or organism esp. on agricultural or forest
          land 2: a crop or a population of a single kind of organism
          grown on land in monoculture -- mono.cul.tur.al adj

   monocyclic
          [mono.cy.clic] adj [ISV] (1910): containing one ring in the
          molecular structure

   monocyte
          [mono.cyte] n [ISV] (ca. 1913): a large white blood cell
          with finely granulated chromatin dispersed throughout
          the nucleus that is formed in the bone marrow, enters
          the blood, and migrates into the connective tissue where
          it differentiates into a macrophage -- mono.cyt.ic adj

   monodisperse
          [mono.dis.perse] adj [mon- + disperse, adj., fr. disperse,
          v.] (1925): characterized by particles of uniform size
          in a dispersed phase

   monodist
          [mon.o.dist] n (1751): a writer, singer, or composer of monody

   monodrama
          [mono.dra.ma] n (1793): a drama acted or designed to be acted
          by a single person -- mono.dra.mat.ic adj

   monody
          [mon.o.dy] n, pl -dies [ML monodia, fr. Gk monoidia, fr.
          monoidos singing alone, fr. mon- + aeidein to sing--more
          at ode] (ca. 1623) 1: an ode sung by one voice (as in
          a Greek tragedy) 2: an elegy or dirge performed by one
          person 3 a: a monophonic vocal piece b: the monophonic
          style of 17th century opera -- mo.nod.ic or mo.nod.i.cal
          adj -- mo.nod.i.cal.ly adv

   monoecious
          [mon.oe.cious] adj [ultim. fr. Gk mon- + oikos house--more
          at vicinity] (1753) 1: having pistillate and staminate
          flowers on the same plant 2: having male and female sex
          organs in the same individual: hermaphroditic

   monoecism
          [mon.oe.cism] n (1875): the condition of being monoecious

   monoester
          [mono.es.ter] n (1927): an ester (as of a dibasic acid) that
          contains only one ester group

   monofilament
          [mono.fil.a.ment] n (1940): a single untwisted synthetic
          filament (as of nylon)

   monogamist
          [mo.nog.a.mist] n (1651): one who practices or upholds monogamy

   monogamy
          [mo.nog.a.my] n [F monogamie, fr. LL monogamia, fr. Gk, fr.
          monogamos monogamous, fr. mon- + gamos marriage, fr.
          gamein to marry] (1612) 1 archaic: the practice of marrying
          only once during a lifetime 2: the state or custom of
          being married to one person at a time 3: the condition
          or practice of having a single mate during a period of
          time <~ is common among birds> -- mo.nog.a.mous also
          mono.gam.ic adj -- mo.nog.a.mous.ly adv

   monogastric
          [mono.gas.tric] adj (1814): having a stomach with only a
          single compartment <swine, chicks, and human beings are
          ~>

   monogenean
          [mono.ge.ne.an] n [NL Monogenea, group name] (1899): a monogenetic
          trematode -- monogenean adj

   monogenesis
          [mono.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1859): origin of diverse individuals
          or kinds (as of language) by descent from a single ancestral
          individual or kind

   monogenetic
          [mono.ge.net.ic] adj (1873) 1: relating to or involving monogenesis
          2: of, relating to, or being any of a subclass (Monogenea)
          of trematode worms that ordinarily live as ectoparasites
          on a single host (as a fish or amphibian) throughout their entire
          life cycle

   monogenic
          [mono.gen.ic] adj [ISV] (1939): of, relating to, or controlled
          by a single gene and esp. by either of an allelic pair
          -- mono.gen.i.cal.ly adv

   monogerm
          [mono.germ] adj [mon- + germinate] (1950): producing or being
          a fruit that gives rise to a single plant <a ~ sugar
          beet>

   monoglot
          [mono.glot] adj [mono- + -glot (as in polyglot)] (1830):
          monolingual -- monoglot n

   monoglyceride
          [mono.glyc.er.ide] n (1860): any of various esters of glycerol
          in which only one of the three hydroxyl groups is esterified
          and which are often used as emulsifiers

   [1]monogram
          [mono.gram] n [LL monogramma, fr. Gk mon- + gramma letter--more
          at gram] (ca. 1696): a sign of identity usu. formed of
          the combined initials of a name -- mono.gram.mat.ic adj
          [2]monogram vt -grammed ; -gram.ming (1868): to mark
          with a monogram -- mono.gram.mer n

   [1]monograph
          [mono.graph] n (1821): a learned treatise on a small area
          of learning; also: a written account of a single thing
          -- mono.graph.ic adj [2]monograph vt (1876): to write
          a monograph on

   monogynous
          [mo.nog.y.nous] adj (ca. 1890): of, relating to, or living
          in monogyny

   monogyny
          [mo.nog.y.ny] n [ISV] (1876): the state or custom of having
          only one wife at a time

   monohull
          [mono.hull] n (1967): a vessel (as a sailboat) with a single
          hull--compare multihull

   monohybrid
          [mono.hy.brid] n (1903): an individual or strain heterozygous
          for one specified gene -- monohybrid adj

   monohydric
          [mono.hy.dric] adj (1880): monohydroxy

   monohydroxy
          [mono.hy.droxy] adj [ISV monohydroxy-, fr. mon- + hydroxy-]
          (ca. 1934): containing one hydroxyl group in the molecule

   monolayer
          [mono.lay.er] n (1926): a single continuous layer or film
          that is one cell or molecule in thickness

   monolingual
          [mono.lin.gual] adj (1926): knowing or using only one language
          -- monolingual n

   monolith
          [mono.lith] n [F monolithe, fr. monolithe consisting of a
          single stone, fr. L monolithus, fr. Gk monolithos, fr.
          mon- + lithos stone] (1848) 1: a single great stone often
          in the form of an obelisk or column 2: a massive structure
          3: an organized whole that acts as a single unified powerful
          or influential force

   monolithic
          [mono.lith.ic] adj (1825) 1 a: of, relating to, or resembling
          a monolith: huge, massive b (1): formed from a single
          crystal <a ~ silicon chip> (2): produced in or on a monolithic
          chip <a ~ circuit> 2 a: cast as a single piece <a ~ concrete
          wall> b: formed or composed of material without joints
          or seams <a ~ floor covering> <a ~ furnace lining> c:
          consisting of or constituting a single unit 3 a: constituting
          a massive undifferentiated and often rigid whole <a ~
          society> b: exhibiting or characterized by often rigidly
          fixed uniformity <~ party unity> -- mono.lith.i.cal.ly
          adv

   monologue
          [mono.logue] also mono.log n [MF monologue, fr. mon- + -logue]
          (1549) 1 a: soliloquy 2 b: a dramatic sketch performed
          by one actor c: the routine of a stand-up comic 2: a
          literary composition written in the form of a soliloquy
          3: a long speech monopolizing conversation -- mono.logu.ist
          or mo.no.lo.gist n

   monomania
          [mono.ma.nia] n [NL] (1823) 1: mental illness esp. when limited
          in expression to one idea or area of thought 2: excessive
          concentration on a single object or idea -- mono.ma.ni.ac
          n or adj -- mono.ma.ni.a.cal adj -- mono.ma.ni.a.cal.ly
          adv

   monomer
          [mono.mer] n [ISV] (1914): a chemical compound that can undergo
          polymerization -- mo.no.mer.ic adj

   monometallic
          [mono.me.tal.lic] adj (1877) 1: of or relating to monometallism
          2: consisting of or employing one metal

   monometallism
          [mono.met.al.lism] n [ISV mon- + -metallism (as in bimetallism)]
          (1879): the adoption of one metal only in a currency
          -- mono.met.al.list n

   monometer
          [mo.nom.e.ter] n [LL, fr. Gk monometros, fr. mon- + metron
          measure--more at measure] (ca. 1846): a line of verse
          consisting of a single metrical foot or dipody

   monomial
          [mo.no.mi.al] n [blend of mon- and -nomial (as in binomial)]
          (ca. 1706) 1: a mathematical expression consisting of
          a single term 2: a taxonomic name consisting of a single
          word or term -- monomial adj

   monomolecular
          [mono.mo.lec.u.lar] adj (1917): being only one molecule thick
          <a ~ film> -- mono.mo.lec.u.lar.ly adv

   monomorphemic
          [mono.mor.phe.mic] adj (1936): consisting of only one morpheme
          <the word talk is ~ but talked is not>

   monomorphic
          [mono.mor.phic] adj (ca. 1879): having but a single form,
          structural pattern, or genotype <a ~ species of insect>
          -- mono.mor.phism n

   mononuclear
          [mono.nu.cle.ar] adj [ISV] (1886): having only one nucleus
          <a ~ cell> -- mononuclear n

   mononucleated
          [mono.nu.cle.at.ed] also mono.nu.cle.ate adj (1890): mononuclear

   mononucleosis
          [mono.nu.cle.o.sis] n [NL, fr. ISV mononuclear + NL -osis]
          (1920): an abnormal increase of mononuclear white blood
          cells in the blood; specif: infectious mononucleosis

   mononucleotide
          [mono.nu.cle.o.tide] n (1908): a nucleotide that is derived
          from one molecule each of a nitrogenous base, a sugar,
          and a phosphoric acid

   monophagous
          [mo.noph.a.gous] adj (ca. 1868): feeding on or utilizing
          a single kind of food; esp: feeding on a single kind
          of plant or animal -- mo.noph.a.gy n

   monophonic
          [mono.pho.nic] adj (ca. 1864) 1: having a single unaccompanied
          melodic line 2: of or relating to sound transmission,
          recording, or reproduction involving a single transmission
          path -- mono.pho.ni.cal.ly adv

   monophony
          [mo.noph.o.ny] n (ca. 1890): monophonic music

   monophthong
          [mon.oph.thong] n [LGk monophthongos single vowel, fr. Gk
          mon- + phthongos sound] (1616): a vowel sound that throughout
          its duration has a single constant articulatory position
          -- mon.oph.thon.gal adj

   monophyletic
          [mono.phy.let.ic] adj [ISV] (1874): of or relating to a single
          stock; specif: developed from a single common ancestral
          form -- mono.phy.ly n

   Monophysite
          [Mo.noph.y.site] n [ML Monophysita, fr. MGk Monophysites,
          fr. Gk mon- + physis nature--more at physics] (1698):
          one holding the doctrine that Christ's nature remains
          altogether divine and not human even though he has taken
          on an earthly and human body with its cycle of birth,
          life, and death -- Monophysite or Mo.noph.y.sit.ic adj
          -- Mo.noph.y.sit.ism n

   monoplane
          [mono.plane] n (1907): an airplane with only one main supporting
          surface

   [1]monoploid
          [mono.ploid] adj (1928) 1: haploid 2: having or being the
          basic haploid number of chromosomes in a polyploid series
          of organisms [2]monoploid n [ISV] (1944): a monoploid
          individual or organism

   monopodial
          [mono.po.di.al] adj [NL monopodium main axis, fr. mon- +
          -podium] (1876): having or involving the formation of
          offshoots from a main axis -- mono.po.di.al.ly adv

   monopole
          [mono.pole] n (1937) 1: a single positive or negative electrical
          charge; also: a hypothetical north or south magnetic
          pole existing alone 2: a radio antenna consisting of
          a single often straight element

   monopolise
          [mo.nop.o.lise] Brit var of monopolize

   monopolist
          [mo.nop.o.list] n (1601): one who monopolizes -- mo.nop.o.lis.tic
          adj -- mo.nop.o.lis.ti.cal.ly adv

   monopolize
          [mo.nop.o.lize] vt -lized ; -liz.ing (1611): to get a monopoly
          of: assume complete possession or control of <~ a conversation>
          -- mo.nop.o.li.za.tion n -- mo.nop.o.liz.er n

   monopoly
          [mo.nop.o.ly] n, pl -lies [L monopolium, fr. Gk monopolion,
          fr. mon- + polein to sell] (1534) 1: exclusive ownership
          through legal privilege, command of supply, or concerted
          action 2: exclusive possession or control 3: a commodity
          controlled by one party 4: one that has a monopoly

   monopropellant
          [mono.pro.pel.lant] n (ca. 1945): a rocket propellant containing
          both the fuel and the oxidizer in a single substance

   monopsony
          [mo.nop.so.ny] n, pl -nies [mon- + -opsony (as in oligopsony)]
          (1933): an oligopsony limited to one buyer -- mo.nop.so.nis.tic
          adj

   monorail
          [mono.rail] n (1897): a single rail serving as a track for
          a wheeled vehicle; also: a vehicle traveling on such
          a track

   monorchid
          [mon.or.chid] n [irreg. fr. Gk monorchis, fr. mon- + orchis
          testicle--more at orchis] (1874): an individual who has
          only one testis or only one descended into the scrotum
          -- monorchid adj -- mon.or.chi.dism n

   monorhyme
          [mono.rhyme] n (1731): a strophe or poem in which all the
          lines have the same end rhyme -- mono.rhymed adj

   monosaccharide
          [mono.sac.cha.ride] n [ISV] (1896): a sugar not decomposable
          to simpler sugars by hydrolysis

   monosodium glutamate
          [mono.so.di.um glu.ta.mate] n (1929): a crystalline salt
          used to enhance the flavor of food--abbr. MSG

   monosome
          [mono.some] n (ca. 1909) 1: a chromosome lacking a synaptic
          mate; esp: an unpaired X chromosome 2: a single ribosome

   monosomic
          [mono.so.mic] adj (1926): having one less than the diploid
          number of chromosomes -- monosomic n -- mono.so.my n

   monospecific
          [mono.spe.cif.ic] adj (1947): specific for a single antigen
          or receptor site on an antigen -- mono.spec.i.fic.i.ty
          n

   monostele
          [mono.stele] n (ca. 1900): protostele -- mono.ste.lic adj
          -- mono.ste.ly n

   monosyllabic
          [mono.syl.lab.ic] adj [prob. fr. F monosyllabique, fr. monosyllabe]
          (1768) 1: consisting of one syllable or of monosyllables 2: using
          or speaking only monosyllables 3: conspicuously brief in answering
          or commenting: terse -- mono.syl.lab.i.cal.ly adv --
          mono.syl.la.bic.i.ty n

   monosyllable
          [mono.syl.la.ble] n [modif. of MF or LL; MF monosyllabe,
          fr. LL monosyllabon, fr. Gk, fr. neut. of monosyllabos
          having one syllable, fr. mon- + syllabe syllable] (1533):
          a word of one syllable

   monosynaptic
          [mono.syn.ap.tic] adj (1942): having or involving a single
          neural synapse -- mono.syn.ap.ti.cal.ly adv

   monoterpene
          [mono.ter.pene] n (ca. 1959): any of a class of terpenes
          containing two isoprene units per molecule; also: a derivative
          of a monoterpene

   monotheism
          [mono.the.ism] n (1660): the doctrine or belief that there
          is but one God -- mono.the.ist n -- mono.the.is.tic also
          mono.the.is.ti.cal adj -- mono.the.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   [1]monotone
          [mono.tone] n [Gk monotonos monotonous] (1644) 1: a succession
          of syllables, words, or sentences in one unvaried key
          or pitch 2: a single unvaried musical tone 3: a tedious
          sameness or reiteration 4: a person unable to produce
          or to distinguish between musical intervals [2]monotone
          adj (1769) 1: monotonic 2 2: having a uniform color

   monotonic
          [mono.ton.ic] adj (1797) 1: characterized by the use of or
          uttered in a monotone 2: having the property either of
          never increasing or of never decreasing as the values
          of the independent variable or the subscripts of the
          terms increase <~ functions> <a ~ sequence> -- mono.ton.i.cal.ly
          adv -- mono.to.nic.i.ty n

   monotonous
          [mo.not.o.nous] adj [Gk monotonos, fr. mon- + tonos tone]
          (1778) 1: uttered or sounded in one unvarying tone: marked
          by a sameness of pitch and intensity 2: tediously uniform
          or unvarying -- mo.not.o.nous.ly adv -- mo.not.o.nous.ness
          n

   monotony
          [mo.not.o.ny] n (1706) 1: tedious sameness 2: sameness of
          tone or sound

   monotreme
          [mono.treme] n [NL Monotremata, fr. Gk mon- + tremat-, trema
          hole--more at trematode] (1835): any of an order (Monotremata)
          of egg-laying mammals comprising the platypuses and echidnas

   monotype
          [mono.type] n (1882): an impression on paper of a design
          painted usu. with the finger or a brush on a surface
          (as glass) Monotype trademark--used for a keyboard typesetting
          machine that casts and sets type in separate characters

   monotypic
          [mono.typ.ic] adj [mon- + type + -ic] (ca. 1859): including
          a single representative--used esp. of a genus with only
          one species

   monounsaturated
          [mono.un.sat.u.rat.ed] adj (ca. 1939): containing one double
          or triple bond per molecule--used esp. of an oil or fatty
          acid--compare polyunsaturated -- mono.un.sat.u.rate n

   monovalent
          [mono.va.lent] adj [ISV] (1869) 1: having a valence of one
          2: containing antibodies specific for or antigens of
          a single strain of a microorganism <a ~ vaccine>

   monovular
          [mon.ovu.lar] adj (1929): monozygotic

   monoxide
          [mon.ox.ide] n [ISV] (1869): an oxide containing one atom
          of oxygen in a molecule

   monozygotic
          [mono.zy.got.ic] adj (1916): derived from a single egg <~
          twins>

   Monroe Doctrine
          [Mon.roe Doctrine] n [James Monroe] (1853): a statement of
          U.S. foreign policy expressing opposition to extension
          of European control or influence in the western hemisphere

   monseigneur
          [mon.sei.gneur] n, pl mes.sei.gneurs [F, lit., my lord] (1602):
          a French dignitary (as a prince or prelate)--used as
          a title preceding a title of office or rank

   monsieur
          [mon.sieur] n, pl mes.sieurs [MF, lit., my lord] (1512):
          a Frenchman of high rank or station--used as a title
          equivalent to Mister and prefixed to the name of a Frenchman

   monsignor
          [mon.si.gnor] n, pl monsignors or mon.si.gno.ri [It monsignore,
          fr. F monseigneur] (1641): a Roman Catholic prelate having
          a dignity or titular distinction (as of domestic prelate
          or protonotary apostolic) usu. conferred by the pope--used
          as a title prefixed to the surname or to the given name
          and surname -- mon.si.gno.ri.al adj

   monsoon
          [mon.soon] n [obs. D monssoen, fr. Pg moncao, fr. Ar mawsim
          time, season] (1584) 1: a periodic wind esp. in the Indian
          Ocean and southern Asia 2: the season of the southwest
          monsoon in India and adjacent areas that is characterized
          by very heavy rainfall 3: rainfall that is associated
          with the monsoon -- mon.soon.al adj

   mons pubis
          [mons pu.bis] n, pl mon.tes pubis [NL, pubic eminence] (ca.
          1903): a rounded eminence of fatty tissue upon the pubic
          symphysis esp. of the human female

   [1]monster
          [mon.ster] n [ME monstre, fr. MF, fr. L monstrum omen, monster,
          fr. monere to warn--more at mind] (14c) 1 a: an animal
          or plant of abnormal form or structure b: one who deviates
          from normal or acceptable behavior or character 2: a
          threatening force 3 a: an animal of strange or terrifying
          shape b: one unusually large for its kind 4: something
          monstrous; esp: a person of unnatural or extreme ugliness,
          deformity, wickedness, or cruelty 5: one that is highly
          successful [2]monster adj (1837): enormous or impressive
          in size, extent, or numbers

   monstrance
          [mon.strance] n [ME monstrans, fr. MF monstrance, fr. ML
          monstrantia, fr. L monstrant-, monstrans, prp. of monstrare
          to show, fr. monstrum] (15c): a vessel in which the consecrated
          Host is exposed for the adoration of the faithful

   monstrosity
          [mon.stros.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1 a: a malformation of
          a plant or animal b: something deviating from the normal:
          freak 2: the quality or state of being monstrous 3 a:
          an object of great and often frightening size, force,
          or complexity b: an excessively bad or shocking example

   monstrous
          [mon.strous] adj (15c) 1 obs: strange, unnatural 2: having
          extraordinary often overwhelming size: gigantic 3 a:
          having the qualities or appearance of a monster b obs:
          teeming with monsters 4 a: extraordinarily ugly or vicious:
          horrible b: shockingly wrong or ridiculous 5: deviating
          greatly from the natural form or character: abnormal
          6: very great--used as an intensive -- mon.strous.ly
          adv -- mon.strous.ness n syn monstrous, prodigious, tremendous,
          stupendous mean extremely impressive. monstrous implies
          a departure from the normal (as in size, form, or character)
          and often carries suggestions of deformity, ugliness,
          or fabulousness <the monstrous waste of the project>.
          prodigious suggests a marvelousness exceeding belief,
          usu. in something felt as going far beyond a previous
          maximum (as of goodness, greatness, intensity, or size)
          <made a prodigious effort and rolled the stone aside>.
          tremendous may imply a power to terrify or inspire awe
          <the tremendous roar of the cataract>. stupendous implies
          a power to stun or astound, usu. because of size, numbers,
          complexity, or greatness beyond description <a stupendous
          volcanic eruption>.

   mons veneris
          [mons ve.ne.ris] n, pl mon.tes veneris [NL, lit., eminence
          of Venus or of venery] (1621): the mons pubis of the
          human female

   Mont
          [Mont] abbreviation Montana

   montadale
          [mon.ta.dale] n [Montana state + dale] (1949): any of an
          American breed of white-faced hornless sheep noted for
          heavy fleece and good meat conformation

   [1]montage
          [mon.tage] n [F, fr. monter to mount] (1929) 1: the production
          of a rapid succession of images in a motion picture to
          illustrate an association of ideas 2 a: a literary, musical,
          or artistic composite of juxtaposed more or less heterogeneous
          elements b: a composite picture made by combining several
          separate pictures 3: a heterogeneous mixture: jumble
          <a ~ of emotions> [2]montage vt mon.taged ; mon.tag.ing
          (1944): to combine into or depict in a montage

   montagnard
          [mon.ta.gnard] n, often cap [F, mountaineer, fr. montagne
          mountain, fr. OF montaigne] (1842): a member of any of
          various peoples inhabiting the highlands of central and
          southern Vietnam -- montagnard adj, often cap

   Montague
          [Mon.ta.gue] n: the family of Romeo in Shakespeare's Romeo
          and Juliet

   montane
          [mon.tane] adj [L montanus of a mountain--more at mountain]
          (1863) 1: of, relating to, growing in, or being the biogeographic
          zone of relatively moist cool upland slopes below timberline
          dominated by large coniferous trees 2: of, relating to,
          or made up of montane plants or animals

   montani semper liberi
          [mon.ta.ni sem.per li.be.ri] [L] foreign term : mountaineers
          are always free--motto of West Virginia

   Montanist
          [Mon.ta.nist] n [Montanus, 2d cent. a.d. Phrygian schismatic]
          (1577): an adherent of a Christian sect arising in the
          late second century and stressing apocalyptic expectations,
          the continuing prophetic gifts of the Spirit, and strict
          ascetic discipline -- Mon.ta.nism n

   montan wax
          [mon.tan wax] n [L montanus of a mountain] (1908): a hard
          brittle mineral wax obtained usu. from lignites by extraction
          and used esp. in polishes, carbon paper, and insulating
          compositions

   monte
          [mon.te] n [Sp, bank, mountain, heap, fr. It, fr. L mont-,
          mons mountain] (1824) 1: a card game in which players
          select any two of four cards turned face up in a layout
          and bet that one of them will be matched before the other
          as cards are dealt one at a time from the pack--called
          also monte bank 2: three-card monte

   Monte Carlo
          [Mon.te Car.lo] adj [Monte Carlo, Monaco, famous for its
          gambling casino] (1949): of, relating to, or involving
          the use of random sampling techniques and often the use
          of computer simulation to obtain approximate solutions
          to mathematical or physical problems esp. in terms of
          a range of values each of which has a calculated probability
          of being the solution <Monte Carlo calculations>

   monteith
          [mon.teith] n [Monteith, 17th cent. Scot. eccentric who wore
          a cloak with a scalloped hem] (1683): a large silver
          punch bowl with scalloped rim

   Monterey cypress
          [Mon.te.rey cypress] n [Monterey, California] (1873): a California
          cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) that is endemic to the Monterey and
          Carmel seacoast and is often planted for ornament or in a windbreak

   Monterey Jack
          [Monterey Jack] n (ca. 1947): a semisoft whole-milk cheese
          with high moisture content

   Monterey pine
          [Monterey pine] n (1834): a pine (Pinus radiata) native to
          coastal California that is widely grown esp. in the southern
          hemisphere for its wood

   montero
          [mon.te.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp, hunter, fr. monte mountain] (1622):
          a round hunter's cap with ear flaps

   Montezuma's revenge
          [Mon.te.zu.ma's revenge] n [Montezuma II] (1962): diarrhea
          contracted in Mexico esp. by tourists

   month
          [month] n, pl months [ME, fr. OE monath; akin to OHG manod
          month, OE mona moon] (bef. 12c) 1: a measure of time
          corresponding nearly to the period of the moon's revolution
          and amounting to approximately 4 weeks or 30 days or
          1/12 of a year 2 pl: an indefinite usu. extended period
          of time <he has been gone for ~s> 3: one ninth of the
          typical duration of human pregnancy <she was in her eighth
          ~>

   monthlong
          [month.long] adj (1843): lasting a month

   [1]monthly
          [month.ly] adv (ca. 1534): once a month: by the month [2]monthly
          adj (1572) 1 a: of or relating to a month b: payable
          or reckoned by the month 2: lasting a month 3: occurring
          or appearing every month [3]monthly n, pl monthlies (1833)
          1: a monthly periodical 2 pl: a menstrual period

   Monthly Meeting
          [Monthly Meeting] n (ca. 1772): a district unit of an organization
          of Friends

   month's mind
          [month's mind] n (15c): a Roman Catholic requiem mass held
          a month after a person's death

   Montmorency
          [Mont.mo.ren.cy] n [F, fr. Montmorency, France] (1924): a
          cherry that is grown commercially for its bright red
          sour fruit; also: the fruit

   montmorillonite
          [mont.mo.ril.lon.ite] n [F, fr. Montmorillon, commune in
          western France] (1854): a soft clayey mineral that is
          a hydrous aluminum silicate with considerable capacity
          for exchanging part of the aluminum for magnesium and
          bases -- mont.mo.ril.lon.it.ic adj

   Montrachet
          [Mon.tra.chet] n [F, fr. Montrachet, vineyard in Burgundy,
          France] (1833): a dry white burgundy wine

   monument
          [mon.u.ment] n [ME, fr. L monumentum, lit., memorial, fr.
          monere to remind--more at mind] (13c) 1 obs: a burial
          vault: sepulchre 2: a written legal document or record:
          treatise 3 a (1): a lasting evidence, reminder, or example
          of someone or something notable or great (2): a distinguished
          person b: a memorial stone or a building erected in remembrance
          of a person or event 4 archaic: an identifying mark:
          evidence; also: portent, sign 5 obs: a carved statue:
          effigy 6: a boundary or position marker (as a stone)
          7: national monument 8: a written tribute

   monumental
          [mon.u.men.tal] adj (1604) 1: of or relating to a monument
          2: serving as or resembling a monument: massive; also:
          highly significant: outstanding 3: very great -- mon.u.men.tal.i.ty
          n -- mon.u.men.tal.ly adv

   monumentalize
          [mon.u.men.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1857): to record
          or memorialize lastingly by a monument

   monumentum aere perennius
          [mo.nu.men.tum ae.re per.en.ni.us] [L] foreign term : a monument
          more lasting than bronze--used of an immortal work of
          art or literature

   monuron
          [mon.u.ron] n [mon- + urea + [1]-on] (ca. 1957): a persistent
          herbicide used esp. to control broad-leaved weeds

   monzonite
          [mon.zo.nite] n [F, fr. Mt. Monzoni, Italy] (1895): a granular
          igneous rock composed of plagioclase and orthoclase in
          about equal quantities together with augite and a little
          biotite

   moo
          [moo] vi [imit.] (1549): to make the throat noise of a cow
          -- moo n

   mooch
          [mooch] vb [prob. fr. F dial. muchier to hide, lurk] vi (1851)
          1: to wander aimlessly: amble; also: sneak 2: sponge,
          cadge ~ vt 1: to take surreptitiously: steal 2: beg,
          cadge -- mooch.er n

   [1]mood
          [mood] n [ME, fr. OE mod; akin to OHG muot mood] (bef. 12c)
          1: a conscious state of mind or predominant emotion:
          feeling; also: the expression of mood esp. in art or
          literature 2 archaic: a fit of anger: rage 3 a: a prevailing
          attitude: disposition b: a receptive state of mind predisposing
          to action c: a distinctive atmosphere or context: aura
          [2]mood n [alter. of [1]mode] (1569) 1: the form of a
          syllogism as determined by the quantity and quality of
          its constituent propositions 2: distinction of form or
          a particular set of inflectional forms of a verb to express
          whether the action or state it denotes is conceived as
          fact or in some other manner (as command, possibility,
          or wish) 3: mode 1b

   moody
          [moody] adj mood.i.er ; -est (1593) 1: subject to depression:
          gloomy 2: subject to moods: temperamental 3: expressive
          of a mood -- mood.i.ly adv -- mood.i.ness n

   moola
          [moo.la] or moo.lah n [origin unknown] (1939) slang: money

   [1]moon
          [moon] n [ME mone, fr. OE mona; akin to OHG mano moon, L
          mensis month, Gk men month, mene moon] (bef. 12c) 1 a
          often cap: the earth's natural satellite that shines
          by the sun's reflected light, revolves about the earth
          from west to east in about 29 1/2 days with reference
          to the sun or about 27 1/3 days with reference to the
          stars, and has a diameter of 2160 miles (3475 kilometers),
          a mean distance from the earth of about 238,900 miles
          (384,400 kilometers), and a mass about one eightieth
          that of the earth--usu. used with the b: one complete
          moon cycle consisting of four phases c: satellite 2;
          specif: a natural satellite of a planet 2: an indefinite
          usu. extended period of time <a labor of many ~s> 3:
          moonlight 4: something that resembles a moon: as a: a
          highly translucent spot on old porcelain b: lunule c
          slang: naked buttocks 5: something impossible or inaccessible
          <reach for the ~> -- moon.like adj -- over the moon :
          very pleased: in high spirits [2]moon vt (1836) 1: to
          spend in idle reverie: dream--used with away 2 slang:
          to expose one's naked buttocks to ~ vi: to spend time
          in idle reverie: behave abstractedly

   moonbeam
          [moon.beam] n (1590): a ray of light from the moon

   moon blindness
          [moon blindness] n (ca. 1720): a recurrent inflammation of
          the eye of the horse

   mooncalf
          [moon.calf] n (1614): a foolish or absentminded person: simpleton

   moondust
          [moon.dust] n (ca. 1959): fine dry particles of the moon's
          soil

   mooneye
          [moon.eye] n (1842): any of a genus (Hiodon) of silvery No.
          American freshwater fishes that resemble shad

   moon-eyed
          [moon-eyed] adj (1699): having the eyes wide open

   moonfaced
          [moon.faced] adj (1855): having a round face

   moonfish
          [moon.fish] n, pl moonfish or moon.fish.es (1646): any of
          various compressed often short deep-bodied silvery or
          yellowish marine fishes: as a: opah b: platy

   moonflower
          [moon.flow.er] n (ca. 1909): a tropical American morning
          glory (Calonyction aculeatum syn. Ipomoea alba) with
          fragrant flowers; also: any of several related plants

   Moonie
          [Moon.ie] n [Sun Myung Moon b1920 Korean evangelist] (1974):
          a member of the Unification Church founded by Sun Myung
          Moon

   moonish
          [moon.ish] adj (15c): influenced by the moon; also: capricious
          -- moon.ish.ly adv

   moonless
          [moon.less] adj (1508): lacking the light of the moon

   moonlet
          [moon.let] n (1832): a small natural or artificial satellite

   [1]moonlight
          [moon.light] n (14c): the light of the moon [2]moonlight
          vi moon.light.ed ; moon.light.ing [back-formation fr.
          moonlighter] (1957): to hold a second job in addition
          to a regular one -- moon.light.er n

   moonlit
          [moon.lit] adj (ca. 1827): lighted by the moon

   moonquake
          [moon.quake] n (1946): a seismic event on the moon

   moonrise
          [moon.rise] n (1728) 1: the rising of the moon above the
          horizon 2: the time of the moon's rising

   moonscape
          [moon.scape] n (1916): the surface of the moon as seen or
          as depicted; also: a landscape resembling this surface

   moonseed
          [moon.seed] n (1739): a twining plant (Menispermum canadense
          of the family Menispermaceae, the moonseed family) of
          eastern No. America that has crescent-shaped seeds and
          black fruits

   moonset
          [moon.set] n (1845) 1: the descent of the moon below the
          horizon 2: the time of the moon's setting

   moon shell
          [moon shell] n (1936): any of a cosmopolitan family (Naticidae)
          of carnivorous marine snails having smooth globose shells

   moonshine
          [moon.shine] n (15c) 1: moonlight 2: empty talk: nonsense
          3: intoxicating liquor; esp: illegally distilled corn
          whiskey

   moonshiner
          [moon.shin.er] n (1860): a maker or seller of illicit whiskey

   moon shot
          [moon shot] n (1958): a spacecraft mission to the moon

   moonstone
          [moon.stone] n (1632): a transparent or translucent feldspar
          of pearly or opaline luster used as a gem

   moonstruck
          [moon.struck] adj (1674): affected by or as if by the moon:
          as a: mentally unbalanced b: romantically sentimental
          c: lost in fantasy or reverie

   moonward
          [moon.ward] adv (1855): toward the moon

   moony
          [moony] adj (ca. 1586) 1: of or relating to the moon 2 a:
          crescent-shaped b: resembling the full moon: round 3:
          moonlit 4: dreamy, moonstruck

   [1]moor
          [moor] n [ME mor, fr. OE mor; akin to OHG muor moor] (bef.
          12c) 1 chiefly Brit: an expanse of open rolling infertile
          land 2: a boggy area; esp: one that is peaty and dominated
          by grasses and sedges [2]moor vb [ME moren; akin to MD
          meren, maren to tie, moor] vt (15c): to make fast with
          or as if with cables, lines, or anchors ~ vi 1: to secure
          a boat by mooring: anchor 2: to be made fast Moor n [ME
          More, fr. MF, fr. L Maurus inhabitant of Mauretania]
          (14c) 1: one of the Arab and Berber conquerors of Spain
          2: berber -- Moor.ish adj

   moorage
          [moor.age] n (1648) 1: an act of mooring 2: a place to moor

   moorhen
          [moor.hen] n (14c): the common gallinule (Gallinula chloropus)
          of the New World, Eurasia, and Africa

   mooring
          [moor.ing] n (15c) 1: an act of making fast a boat or aircraft
          with lines or anchors 2 a: a place where or an object
          to which something (as a craft) can be moored b: a device
          (as a line or chain) by which an object is secured in
          place 3: an established practice or stabilizing influence:
          anchorage 2--usu. used in pl.

   moorland
          [moor.land] n (bef. 12c): land consisting of moors: a stretch
          of moor

   moose
          [moose] n, pl moose [of Algonquian origin; akin to Massachuset
          moos moose] (1603) 1: a ruminant mammal (Alces alces)
          with humped shoulders, long legs, and broadly palmated
          antlers that is the largest existing member of the deer
          family and inhabits forested areas of Canada, the northern
          U.S., Europe, and Asia 2 cap [Loyal Order of Moose]:
          a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order

   [1]moot
          [moot] n [ME, fr. OE mot, gemot; akin to MHG muoze meeting]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a deliberative assembly primarily for the
          administration of justice; esp: one held by the freemen
          of an Anglo-Saxon community 2 obs: argument, discussion
          [2]moot vt (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: to discuss from a legal
          standpoint: argue 2 a: to bring up for discussion: broach
          b: debate [3]moot adj (ca. 1587) 1 a: open to question:
          debatable b: subjected to discussion: disputed 2: deprived
          of practical significance: made abstract or purely academic

   moot court
          [moot court] n (1788): a mock court in which law students
          argue hypothetical cases for practice

   [1]mop
          [mop] n [ME mappe] (15c) 1: an implement made of absorbent
          material fastened to a handle and used esp. for cleaning
          floors 2: something that resembles a mop; esp: a thick
          mass of hair [2]mop vb mopped ; mop.ping vt (1709): to
          use a mop on: as a: to clean or clear away by mopping
          <~ the floors>--often used with up <~ up the spillage>
          b: to wipe as if with a mop <mopped his brow with a handkerchief>
          ~ vi: to clean a surface (as a floor) with a mop -- mop.per
          n

   mopboard
          [mop.board] n (1853): baseboard

   [1]mope
          [mope] vi moped ; mop.ing [prob. fr. obs. mop, mope fool]
          (1568) 1 archaic: to act in a dazed or stupid manner
          2: to give oneself up to brooding: become listless or
          dejected 3: to move slowly or aimlessly: dawdle -- mop.er
          n -- mop.ey adj [2]mope n (1693) 1: one that mopes 2
          pl: blues 1

   moped
          [mo.ped] n [Sw, fr. motor motor + pedal pedal] (1955): a
          lightweight low-powered motorbike that can be pedaled

   moppet
          [mop.pet] n [obs. E mop fool, child] (1601) 1 archaic: baby,
          darling 2: child

   mop up
          [mop up] vt (ca. 1811) 1 Brit: to consume eagerly 2: to gather
          as if by absorbing: garner <mopped up all the awards>
          3: to overcome decisively: trounce 4: to clear (an area)
          of remaining pockets of resistance in the wake of a military
          offensive ~ vi: to c omplete a project or transaction

   mop-up
          [mop-up] n (1900): a concluding action

   moquette
          [mo.quette] n [F] (1762): a carpet or upholstery fabric having
          a velvety pile

   mor
          [mor] n [Dan, lit., humus] (1931): forest humus that forms
          a layer of largely organic matter abruptly distinct from
          the mineral soil beneath

   mor
          [mor] abbreviation morocco  MOR abbreviation middle of the
          road

   mora
          [mo.ra] n, pl mo.rae or mo.ras [L, delay; akin to OIr maraid
          it lasts] (1832): the minimal unit of measure in quantitative
          verse equivalent to the time of an average short syllable

   moraine
          [mo.raine] n [F, fr. F dial. (Savoy) morena] (1789):
          an accumulation of earth and stones carried and finally deposited
          by a glacier -- mo.rain.al adj -- mo.rain.ic adj

   [1]moral
          [mor.al] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L moralis, fr. mor-, mos custom]
          (14c) 1 a: of or relating to principles of right and
          wrong in behavior: ethical <~ judgments> b: expressing
          or teaching a conception of right behavior <a ~ poem>
          c: conforming to a standard of right behavior d: sanctioned
          by or operative on one's conscience or ethical judgment
          <a ~ obligation> e: capable of right and wrong action
          <a ~ agent> 2: probable though not proved: virtual <a
          ~ certainty> 3: having the effects of such on the mind,
          confidence, or will <a ~ victory> <~ support> -- mor.al.ly
          adv syn moral, ethical, virtuous, righteous, noble mean
          conforming to a standard of what is right and good. moral
          implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or
          accepted notions of right and wrong <the basic moral
          values of a community>. ethical may suggest the involvement
          of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness,
          or equity <committed to the highest ethical principles>.
          virtuous implies the possession or manifestation of moral
          excellence in character <not a religious person, but
          virtuous nevertheless>. righteous stresses guiltlessness
          or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious
          <wished to be righteous before God and the world>. noble
          implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty,
          mean, or dubious in conduct and character <had the noblest
          of reasons for seeking office>. [2]mor.al n (15c) 1 a:
          the moral significance or practical lesson (as of a story)
          b: a passage pointing out usu. in conclusion the lesson
          to be drawn from a story 2 pl a: moral practices or teachings:
          modes of conduct b: ethics 3: morale

   morale
          [mo.rale] n [in sense 1, fr. F, fr. fem. of moral, adj.;
          in other senses, modif. of F moral morale, fr. moral,
          adj.] (1752) 1: moral principles, teachings, or conduct
          2 a: the mental and emotional condition (as of enthusiasm,
          confidence, or loyalty) of an individual or group with
          regard to the function or tasks at hand b: a sense of
          common purpose with respect to a group: esprit de corps
          3: the level of individual psychological well-being based
          on such factors as a sense of purpose and confidence
          in the future

   moral hazard
          [moral hazard] n (ca. 1917): the possibility of loss to an
          insurance company arising from the character or circumstances
          of the insured

   moralise
          [mor.al.ise] Brit var of moralize

   moralism
          [mor.al.ism] n (1828) 1 a: the habit or practice of moralizing
          b: a conventional moral attitude or saying 2: an often
          exaggerated emphasis on morality (as in politics)

   moralist
          [mor.al.ist] n (1621) 1: one who leads a moral life 2: a
          philosopher or writer concerned with moral principles
          and problems 3: one concerned with regulating the morals
          of others

   moralistic
          [mor.al.is.tic] adj (1865) 1: characterized by or expressive
          of a concern with morality 2: characterized by or expressive
          of a narrow and conventional moral attitude -- mor.al.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   morality
          [mo.ral.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a: a moral discourse, statement,
          or lesson b: a literary or other imaginative work teaching a moral
          lesson 2 a: a doctrine or system of moral conduct b pl: particular
          moral principles or rules of conduct 3: conformity to ideals
          of right human conduct 4: moral conduct: virtue

   morality play
          [morality play] n (1929) 1: an allegorical play popular esp.
          in the 15th and 16th centuries in which the characters
          personify abstract qualities or concepts (as virtues,
          vices, or death) 2: something which involves a direct
          conflict between right and wrong or good and evil and
          from which a moral lesson may be drawn

   moralize
          [mor.al.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (15c) 1: to explain or
          interpret morally 2 a: to give a moral quality or direction
          to b: to improve the morals of ~ vi: to make moral reflections
          -- mor.al.i.za.tion n -- mor.al.iz.er n

   moral philosophy
          [moral philosophy] n (1606): ethics; also: the study of human
          conduct and values

   morass
          [mo.rass] n [D moeras, modif. of OF maresc, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE mersc marsh--more at marsh] (1655) 1: marsh,
          swamp 2: something that traps, confuses, or impedes <a
          ~ of troubles> -- mo.rassy adj

   moratorium
          [mor.a.to.ri.um] n, pl -riums or -ria [NL, fr. LL, neut.
          of moratorius dilatory, fr. L morari to delay, fr. mora
          delay] (1875) 1 a: a legally authorized period of delay
          in the performance of a legal obligation or the payment
          of a debt b: a waiting period set by an authority 2:
          a suspension of activity

   Moravian
          [Mo.ra.vi.an] n (1555) 1 a: a native or inhabitant of Moravia
          b: the group of Czech dialects spoken in Moravia 2: a
          member of a Protestant denomination arising from a 15th
          century religious reform movement in Bohemia and Moravia
          -- Moravian adj

   moray eel
          [mo.ray eel] n [Pg moreia, fr. L muraena, fr. Gk myraina]
          (1926): any of numerous often brightly colored eels (family
          Muraenidae) that have sharp teeth capable of inflicting
          a severe bite, that occur in warm seas, and that include
          a chiefly Mediterranean eel (Muraena helena) sometimes
          used for food--called also moray

   morbid
          [mor.bid] adj [L morbidus diseased, fr. morbus disease] (1656)
          1 a: of, relating to, or characteristic of disease <~
          anatomy> b: affected with or induced by disease <a ~
          condition> c: productive of disease <~ substances> 2:
          abnormally susceptible to or characterized by gloomy
          or unwholesome feelings 3: grisly, gruesome <~ details>
          <~ curiosity> -- mor.bid.ly adv -- mor.bid.ness n

   morbidity
          [mor.bid.i.ty] n (ca. 1721) 1: the quality or state of being
          morbid 2: the relative incidence of disease

   morceau
          [mor.ceau] n, pl mor.ceaux [F, fr. OF morsel morsel] (1751):
          a short literary or musical piece

   mordancy
          [mor.dan.cy] n (ca. 1656) 1: a biting and caustic quality
          of style: incisiveness 2: a sharply critical or bitter
          quality of thought or feeling: harshness

   [1]mordant
          [mor.dant] adj [ME, fr. MF, prp. of mordre to bite, fr. L
          mordere; perh. akin to Skt mrdnati he presses, rubs]
          (15c) 1: biting and caustic in thought, manner, or style:
          incisive <a ~ wit> 2: acting as a mordant 3: burning,
          pungent syn see caustic -- mor.dant.ly adv [2]mordant
          n (1791) 1: a chemical that fixes a dye in or on a substance
          by combining with the dye to form an insoluble compound
          2: a corroding substance used in etching [3]mordant vt
          (1836): to treat with a mordant

   Mordecai
          [Mor.de.cai] n [Heb Mordekhai]: a relative of Esther who
          gives advice on saving the Jews from the destruction
          planned by Haman

   mordent
          [mor.dent] n [It mordente, fr. L mordent-, mordens, prp.
          of mordere] (1806): a musical ornament made by a quick
          alternation of a principal tone with the tone immediately
          below it

   [1]more
          [more] adj [ME, fr. OE mara; akin to OE ma, adv., more, OHG
          mer, OIr mo more] (bef. 12c) 1: greater <something ~
          than she expected> 2: additional, further <~ guests arrived>
          [2]more adv (bef. 12c) 1 a: in addition <a couple of
          times ~> b: moreover 2: to a greater or higher degree--often
          used with an adjective or adverb to form the comparative
          <~ evenly matched> [3]more n (bef. 12c) 1: a greater
          quantity, number, or amount <liked the idea better the
          ~ I thought about it> 2: something additional: an additional
          amount 3 obs: persons of higher rank [4]more pron, sing
          or pl in constr (13c): additional persons or things or
          a greater amount <~ were found as the search continued>
          <~ was spilled>

   more and more
          [more and more] adv (13c): to a progressively increasing
          extent

   moreen
          [mo.reen] n [prob. irreg. fr. moire] (ca. 1691): a strong
          fabric of wool, wool and cotton, or cotton with a plain
          glossy or moire finish

   morel
          [mo.rel] n [F morille, prob. fr. (assumed) VL mauricula,
          fr. maurus brown, fr. L Maurus inhabitant of Mauretania]
          (1672): any of several edible fungi (genus Morchella,
          esp. M. esculenta) having a cap with a highly pitted
          surface

   morello
          [mo.rel.lo] n, pl -los [prob. modif. of Flem amarelle, marelle,
          fr. ML amarellum, a sour cherry, fr. L amarus bitter,
          sour] (1598): a cultivated sour cherry (as the Montmorency)
          having a dark-colored skin and juice

   more or less
          [more or less] adv (13c) 1: to a varying or undetermined
          extent or degree: somewhat <they were more or less willing
          to help> 2: with small variations: approximately <contains
          16 acres more or less>

   moreover
          [more.over] adv (14c): in addition to what has been said:
          besides

   mores
          [mo.res] n pl [L, pl. of mor-, mos custom] (ca. 1899) 1:
          the fixed morally binding customs of a particular group
          2: moral attitudes 3: habits, manners

   [1]moresque
          [mo.resque] adj, often cap [F, fr. Sp morisco, fr. moro Moor,
          fr. L Maurus] (ca. 1611): having the characteristics
          of Moorish art or architecture [2]moresque n, often cap
          (ca. 1752): an ornament or decorative motif in Moorish
          style

   more suo
          [mo.re suo] [L] foreign term : in his (or her) own manner

   morgan
          [mor.gan] n [Thomas Hunt Morgan] (1919) 1: a unit of inferred
          distance between genes on a chromosome that is used in
          constructing genetic maps and is equal to the distance
          for which the frequency of crossing over between specific
          pairs of genes is 100 percent 2: centimorgan Mor.gan
          n [Justin Morgan d. 1798 Am. teacher] (1841): any of
          an American breed of light strong horses originated in
          Vermont from the progeny of one prepotent stallion of
          uncertain ancestry

   morganatic
          [mor.ga.nat.ic] adj [NL matrimonium ad morganaticam, lit.,
          marriage with morning gift] (ca. 1741): of, relating
          to, or being a marriage between a member of a royal or
          noble family and a person of inferior rank in which the
          rank of the inferior partner remains unchanged and the
          children of the marriage do not succeed to the titles,
          fiefs, or entailed property of the parent of higher rank
          -- mor.ga.nat.i.cal.ly adv

   morganite
          [mor.gan.ite] n [J. P. Morgan d. 1913] (1911): a rose-colored
          gem variety of beryl

   Morgan le Fay
          [Morgan le Fay] n [OF Morgain la fee Morgan the fairy]: a
          sorceress and sister of King Arthur

   morgen
          [mor.gen] n, pl morgen [D, lit., morning] (1626): a Dutch
          and southern African unit of land area equal to 2.116
          acres (0.856 hectare)

   morgue
          [morgue] n [F] (1821) 1: a place where the bodies of persons
          found dead are kept until identified and claimed by relatives
          or are released for burial 2: a collection of reference
          works and files of reference material in a newspaper
          or news periodical office

   moribund
          [mor.i.bund] adj [L moribundus, fr. mori to die--more at
          murder] (ca. 1721) 1: being in the state of dying: approaching
          death 2: being in a state of inactivity or obsolescence
          -- mor.i.bun.di.ty n

   [1]morion
          [mo.ri.on] n [MF] (1563): a high-crested helmet with no visor
          [2]morion n [modif. of L mormorion] (1748): a nearly
          black variety of smoky quartz

   Morisco
          [Mo.ris.co] n, pl -cos or -coes [Sp, fr. morisco, adj., fr.
          moro Moor] (1629): moor; esp: a Spanish Moor -- Morisco
          adj

   morituri te salutamus
          [mo.ri.tu.ri te sa.lu.ta.mus] or morituri te sa.lu.tant [L]
          foreign term : we (or those) who are about to die salute
          thee

   Mormon
          [Mor.mon] n 1: the ancient redactor and compiler of the Book
          of Mormon presented as divine revelation by Joseph Smith
          2: latter-day saint; esp: a member of the Church of Jesus
          Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Mor.mon.ism n

   Mormon cricket
          [Mormon cricket] n (1896): a large dark wingless katydid
          (Anabrus simplex) that resembles a cricket and is found
          in the arid parts of the western U.S. where it is occas.
          an abundant pest of crops

   morn
          [morn] n [ME, fr. OE morgen; akin to OHG morgan morning and
          perh. to Gk marmairein to sparkle] (bef. 12c) 1: dawn
          2: morning

   Mornay sauce
          [Mor.nay sauce] n [Philippe de Mornay] (ca. 1924):
          a cheese-flavored cream sauce

   morning
          [morn.ing] n [ME, fr. morn + -ing (as in evening)] (13c)
          1 a: dawn b: the time from sunrise to noon c: the time
          from midnight to noon 2: a period of first development:
          beginning

   morning-after pill
          [morn.ing-after pill] n [fr. its being taken after rather
          than before intercourse] (1966): an oral drug that interferes
          with pregnancy by blocking implantation of a fertilized
          egg in the human uterus

   morning glory
          [morning glory] n (1814): any of various usu. twining plants
          (genus Ipomoea of the family Convolvulaceae, the morning-glory
          family) with showy trumpet-shaped flowers; broadly: a
          plant of the morning-glory family including herbs, shrubs,
          or trees with alternate leaves and regular pentamerous
          flowers

   morning line
          [morning line] n (ca. 1935): a bookmaker's list of entries
          for a race meet and the probable odds on each that is
          printed or posted before the betting begins

   Morning Prayer
          [Morning Prayer] n (1552): a service of liturgical prayer
          used for regular morning worship in churches of the Anglican
          communion

   mornings
          [morn.ings] adv (1652): in the morning repeatedly: on any
          morning

   morning sickness
          [morning sickness] n (1879): nausea and vomiting that occur
          on rising in the morning esp. during the earlier months
          of pregnancy

   morning star
          [morning star] n (1535): a bright planet (as Venus) seen
          in the eastern sky before or at sunrise

   Moro
          [Mo.ro] n, pl Moros [Sp, lit., Moor, fr. L Maurus] (1886)
          1: a member of any of several Muslim peoples of the southern
          Philippines 2: any of the Austronesian languages of the
          Moro peoples

   morocco
          [mo.roc.co] n [Morocco, Africa] (1634): a fine leather from
          goatskin tanned with sumac

   moron
          [mo.ron] n [irreg. fr. Gk moros foolish, stupid] (1910) 1:
          a mentally retarded person who has a potential mental
          age of between 8 and 12 years and is capable of doing
          routine work under supervision 2: a very stupid person
          -- mo.ron.ic adj -- mo.ron.i.cal.ly adv -- mo.ron.ism
          n -- mo.ron.i.ty n

   morose
          [mo.rose] adj [L morosus, lit., capricious, fr. mor-, mos
          will] (1565) 1: having a sullen and gloomy disposition
          2: marked by or expressive of gloom syn see sullen --
          mo.rose.ly adv -- mo.rose.ness n -- mo.ros.i.ty n

   morph-
          [morph-] or morpho- comb form [G, fr. Gk, fr. morphe] 1:
          form <morphogenesis> 2: morpheme <morphophonemics>

   -morph
          [-morph] n comb form [ISV, fr. -morphous]: one having (such)
          a form <isomorph>

   morph
          [morph] n [back-formation fr. morpheme] (1947) 1 a: allomorph
          b: a distinctive collocation of phones (as a portmanteau
          form) that serves as the realization of more than one
          morpheme in a context (as the French du for the sequence
          of de and le) 2 a: a local population of a species that
          consists of interbreeding organisms and is distinguishable
          from other populations by morphology or behavior though
          capable of interbreeding with them b: a phenotypic variant
          of a species

   morph
          [morph] abbreviation morphology

   morphactin
          [mor.phac.tin] n [prob. fr. morph- + active + [1]-in] (1966):
          any of several synthetic fluorine-containing compounds
          that tend to produce morphological changes and suppress
          growth in plants

   morphallaxis
          [mor.phal.lax.is] n, pl -lax.es [NL, fr. morph- + Gk allaxis
          exchange, fr. allassein to change, exchange, fr. allos
          other--more at else] (1901): regeneration of a part or
          organism from a fragment by reorganization without cell
          proliferation

   morpheme
          [mor.pheme] n [F morpheme, fr. Gk morphe form] (1926): a
          distinctive collocation of phonemes (as the free form
          pin or the bound form -s of pins) that contains no smaller
          meaningful parts -- mor.phe.mic adj -- mor.phe.mi.cal.ly
          adv

   morphemics
          [mor.phe.mics] n pl but sing in constr (1947) 1: a branch
          of linguistic analysis that consists of the study of
          morphemes 2: the structure of a language in terms of
          morphemes

   Morpheus
          [Mor.pheus] n [L, fr. Gk]: the Greek god of dreams

   morphia
          [mor.phia] n [NL, fr. Morpheus] (1818): morphine

   -morphic
          [-morphic] adj comb form [prob. fr. F -morphique, fr. Gk
          morphe]: having (such) a form <endomorphic>

   morphine
          [mor.phine] n [F, fr. Morpheus] (1828): a bitter crystalline
          addictive narcotic base that is the principal alkaloid
          of opium and is used in the form of a soluble salt (as
          a hydrochloride or a sulfate) as an analgesic and sedative

   morphinism
          [mor.phin.ism] n (1882): a disordered condition of health
          produced by habitual use of morphine

   -morphism
          [-morphism] n comb form [LL -morphus -morphous, fr. Gk -morphos]:
          quality or state of having (such) a form <heteromorphism>

   morpho
          [mor.pho] n, pl morphos [NL, fr. Gk Morpho, epithet of Aphrodite]
          (1853): any of a genus (Morpho of the family Morphoidae)
          of large showy tropical American butterflies that typically
          have a brilliant blue metallic luster on the upper surface
          of the wings

   morphogen
          [mor.pho.gen] n (1950): a diffusible chemical substance that
          exerts control over morphogenesis esp. by forming a gradient
          in concentration

   morphogenesis
          [mor.pho.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1890): the formation and
          differentiation of tissues and organs--compare organogenesis

   morphogenetic
          [mor.pho.ge.net.ic] adj (1884): relating to or concerned
          with the development of normal organic form <~ movements
          of early embryonic cells> -- mor.pho.ge.net.i.cal.ly
          adv

   morphogenic
          [mor.pho.gen.ic] adj (ca. 1890): morphogenetic

   morphology
          [mor.phol.o.gy] n [G Morphologie, fr. morph- + -logie -logy]
          (1830) 1 a: a branch of biology that deals with the form
          and structure of animals and plants b: the form and structure
          of an organism or any of its parts 2 a: a study and description
          of word formation (as inflection, derivation, and compounding)
          in language b: the system of word-forming elements and
          processes in a language 3 a: a study of structure or
          form b: structure, form 4: the external structure of
          rocks in relation to the development of erosional forms
          or topographic features -- mor.pho.log.i.cal also mor.pho.log.ic
          adj -- mor.pho.log.i.cal.ly adv -- mor.phol.o.gist n

   morphometry
          [mor.phom.e.try] n (ca. 1856): measurement of external form
          -- mor.pho.met.ric adj -- mor.pho.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   morphophonemics
          [mor.pho.pho.ne.mics] n pl but sing in constr (1939) 1: a
          study of the phonemic differences between allomorphs
          of the same morpheme 2: the distribution of allomorphs
          in one morpheme 3: the structure of a language in terms
          of morphophonemics

   -morphous
          [-morphous] adj comb form [Gk -morphos, fr. morphe]: having
          (such) a form <isomorphous>

   -morphy
          [-morphy] n comb form [ISV, fr. -morphous]: quality or state
          of having (such) a form <endomorphy>

   morris
          [mor.ris] n [ME moreys daunce, fr. moreys Moorish (fr. More
          Moor) + daunce dance] (1512): a vigorous English dance
          traditionally performed by men wearing costumes and bells

   morris chair
          [morris chair] n [William Morris] (1900): an easy chair with
          adjustable back and removable cushions

   morrow
          [mor.row] n [ME morn, morwen morn] (13c) 1 archaic: morning
          2: the next day 3: the time immediately after a specified
          event

   Morse code
          [Morse code] n [Samuel F. B. Morse] (1867): either of two
          codes consisting of variously spaced dots and dashes
          or long and short sounds used for transmitting messages
          by audible or visual signals

   [1]morsel
          [mor.sel] n [ME, fr. OF, dim. of mors bite, fr. L morsus,
          fr. mordere to bite--more at mordant] (14c) 1: a small
          piece of food: bite 2: a small quantity: fragment 3 a:
          a tasty dish b: something delectable and pleasing 4:
          a negligible person [2]morsel vt -seled or -selled ;
          -sel.ing or -sel.ling (1598): to divide into or distribute
          in small pieces

   [1]mort
          [mort] n [prob. alter. of ME mot horn note, fr. MF, word,
          horn note--more at mot] (ca. 1500) 1: a note sounded
          on a hunting horn when a deer is killed 2: killing 1
          [2]mort n [perh. back-formation fr. [1]mortal] (1694):
          a great quantity or number

   mortadella
          [mor.ta.del.la] n [It, fr. L murtatum sausage seasoned with
          myrtle berries, fr. murtus myrtle] (1613): a large smoked
          sausage made of beef, pork, and pork fat and seasoned
          with pepper and garlic

   [1]mortal
          [mor.tal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L mortalis, fr. mort-, mors
          death--more at murder] (14c) 1: caus ing or having caused
          death: fatal <a ~ injury> 2 a: subject to death <~ man>
          b: possible, conceivable <have done every ~ thing> c:
          deadly 3 <waited three ~ hours> 3: marked by unrelenting
          hostility: implacable <a ~ enemy> 4: marked by great
          intensity or severity: extreme <~ fear> <a ~ shame> 5:
          human <~ limitations> 6: of, relating to, or connected
          with death <~ agony> syn see deadly [2]mortal adv (15c)
          chiefly dial: mortally [3]mortal n (1567): a human being

   mortality
          [mor.tal.i.ty] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being mortal
          2: the death of large numbers (as of people or animals)
          3 archaic: death 4: the human race 5 a: the number of
          deaths in a given time or place b: the proportion of
          deaths to population c: the number lost or the rate of
          loss or failure

   mortality table
          [mortality table] n (1880): an actuarial table based on mortality
          statistics over a number of years

   mortally
          [mor.tal.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a deadly or fatal manner: to
          death <~ wounded> 2: to an extreme degree: intensely
          <~ afraid>

   mortal mind
          [mortal mind] n (1875) Christian Science: a belief that life,
          substance, and intelligence are in and of matter: illusion

   mortal sin
          [mortal sin] n (15c): a sin (as murder) that is deliberately
          committed and is of such serious consequence according
          to Thomist theology that it deprives the soul of sanctifying
          grace--compare venial sin

   [1]mortar
          [mor.tar] n [ME morter, fr. OE mortere & MF mortier, fr.
          L mortarium] (bef. 12c) 1: a strong vessel in which material
          is pounded or rubbed with a pestle 2 [MF mortier] a:
          a muzzle-loading cannon having a tube short in relation
          to its caliber that is used to throw projectiles with
          low muzzle velocities at high angles b: any of several
          similar firing devices [2]mortar n [ME morter, fr. OF
          mortier, fr. L mortarium] (14c): a plastic building material
          (as a mixture of cement, lime, or gypsum plaster with
          sand and water) that hardens and is used in masonry or
          plastering -- mor.tar.less adj [3]mortar vt (14c): to
          plaster or make fast with mortar

   mortarboard
          [mor.tar.board] n (1854) 1 a: hawk 2 b: a board or platform
          about three feet (one meter) square for holding mortar
          2: an academic cap consisting of a closely fitting headpiece
          with a broad flat projecting square top

   [1]mortgage
          [mort.gage] n [ME morgage, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. mort dead
          (fr. L mortuus) + gage gage--more at murder] (15c) 1:
          a conveyance of or lien against property that is defeated
          upon payment or performance according to stipulated terms
          2 a: the instrument evidencing the mortgage b: the state
          of the property so mortgaged c: the interest of the mortgagee
          in such property [2]mortgage vt mort.gaged ; mort.gag.ing
          (15c) 1: to grant or convey by a mortgage 2: to subject
          to a claim or obligation: pledge

   mortgagee
          [mort.gag.ee] n (1584): a person to whom property is mortgaged

   mortgagor
          [mort.gag.or] also mort.gag.er n (1584): a person who mortgages
          property

   mortician
          [mor.ti.cian] n [L mort-, mors death] (1895): undertaker
          2

   mortification
          [mor.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (14c) 1: the subjection and denial
          of bodily passions and appetites by abstinence or self-inflicted
          pain or discomfort 2: necrosis, gangrene 3 a: a sense
          of humiliation and shame caused by something that wounds
          one's pride or self-respect b: the cause of such humiliation
          or shame

   mortify
          [mor.ti.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME mortifien, fr. MF mortifier,
          fr. LL mortificare, fr. L mort-, mors] vt (14c) 1 obs:
          to destroy the strength, vitality, or functioning of
          2: to subdue or deaden (as the body or bodily appetites)
          esp. by abstinence or self-inflicted pain or discomfort
          3: to subject to severe and vexing embarrassment: shame
          ~ vi 1: to practice mortification 2: to become necrotic
          or gangrenous

   [1]mortise
          [mor.tise] also mor.tice n [ME mortays, fr. MF mortaise]
          (15c): a hole, groove, or slot into or through which
          some other part of an arrangement of parts fits or passes;
          esp: a cavity cut into a piece of material (as timber)
          to receive a tenon--see dovetail illustration [2]mortise
          also mortice vt mor.tised also mor.ticed ; mor.tis.ing
          also mor.tic.ing (15c) 1: to join or fasten securely;
          specif: to join or fasten by a tenon and mortise 2: to
          cut or make a mortise in

   mortmain
          [mort.main] n [ME morte-mayne, fr. MF mortemain, fr. OF,
          fr. morte (fem. of mort dead) + main hand, fr. L manus--more
          at manual] (15c) 1 a: an inalienable possession of lands
          or buildings by an ecclesiastical or other corporation
          b: the condition of property or other gifts left to a
          corporation in perpetuity esp. for religious, charitable,
          or public purposes 2: the influence of the past regarded
          as controlling the present

   [1]mortuary
          [mor.tu.ary] adj [L mortuarius of the dead, fr. mortuus dead]
          (1514) 1: of or relating to the burial of the dead 2:
          of, relating to, or characteristic of death [2]mortuary
          n, pl -ar.ies (1865): a place in which dead bodies are
          kept until burial; esp: funeral home

   morula
          [mor.u.la] n, pl -lae [NL, fr. L morum mulberry, fr. Gk moron]
          (1874): a globular solid mass of blastomeres formed by
          cleavage of a zygote that typically precedes the blastula
          -- mor.u.lar adj -- mor.u.la.tion n

   mos
          [mos] abbreviation months MOS abbreviation metal-oxide
          semiconductor, military occupational specialty

   [1]mosaic
          [mo.sa.ic] n [ME musycke, fr. MF mosaique, fr. OIt mosaico,
          fr. ML musaicum, alter. of LL musivum, fr. L museum,
          musaeum] (15c) 1: a surface decoration made by inlaying
          small pieces of variously colored material to form pictures
          or patterns; also: the process of making it 2: a picture
          or design made in mosaic 3: something resembling a mosaic
          <a ~ of visions and daydreams and memories --Lawrence
          Shainberg> 4: an organism or one of its parts composed
          of cells of more than one genotype: chimera 3 5: a virus
          disease of plants characterized by diffuse light and
          dark green or yellow and green mottling of the foliage
          6: a composite map made of photographs taken by an aircraft
          or spacecraft 7: the part of a television camera tube
          consisting of many minute photoelectric particles that
          convert light to an electric charge -- mo.sa.ic.like
          adj [2]mosaic adj (1585) 1: of, relating to, produced
          by, or resembling a mosaic 2: exhibiting mosaicism 3:
          determinate 5 -- mo.sa.i.cal.ly adv [3]mosaic vt -icked
          ; -ick.ing (1839) 1: to decorate with mosaics 2: to form
          into a mosaic Mo.sa.ic adj [NL Mosaicus, fr. Moses Moses]
          (1662): of or relating to Moses or the institutions or
          writings attributed to him

   mosaicism
          [mo.sa.i.cism] n (1926): the condition of possessing cells
          of two or more different genetic constitutions

   mosaicist
          [mo.sa.i.cist] n (1847) 1 a: a designer of mosaics b: a worker
          who makes mosaics 2: a dealer in mosaics

   mosasaur
          [mo.sa.saur] n [NL Mosasaurus, fr. L Mosa the river Meuse
          + Gk sauros lizard] (1841): any of a family (Mosasauridae)
          of very large extinct marine fish-eating lizards of the
          Upper Cretaceous with limbs modified into paddles that
          are related to the recent monitor lizards

   Moselle
          [Mo.selle] n [G Moselwein, fr. Mosel Moselle, river in Germany
          + G Wein wine] (1687): a white wine from the Moselle
          valley

   Moses
          [Mo.ses] n [L, fr. Gk Moses, fr. Heb Mosheh]: a Hebrew prophet
          who led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery and at
          Mt. Sinai delivered to them the Law establishing God's
          covenant with them

   mosey
          [mo.sey] vi mo.seyed ; mo.sey.ing [origin unknown] (1829)
          1: to hurry away 2: to move in a leisurely or aimless
          manner: saunter <~ed around the general store, testing
          the cheese straight off the round --Eric Sevareid>

   MOSFET
          [MOSFET] abbreviation metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect
          transistor

   moshav
          [mo.shav] n, pl mo.sha.vim [NHeb moshabh, fr. Heb, dwelling]
          (1931): a cooperative settlement of small individual
          farms in Israel--compare kibbutz

   Moslem
          [Mos.lem] var of muslim

   Mosotho
          [Mo.so.tho] n, pl Ba.so.tho (1952): a member of the Basotho
          people

   mosque
          [mosque] n [MF mosquee, fr. OIt moschea, fr. OSp mezquita,
          fr. Ar masjid temple, fr. sajada to prostrate oneself,
          worship] (1711): a building used for public worship by
          Muslims

   mosquito
          [mos.qui.to] n, pl -toes also -tos [Sp, dim. of mosca fly,
          fr. L musca--more at midge] (ca. 1583): any of a family
          (Culicidae) of dipteran flies with females that have
          a set of slender organs in the proboscis adapted to puncture
          the skin of animals and to suck their blood and that
          are in some cases vectors of serious diseases -- mos.qui.to.ey
          adj

   mosquito fish
          [mosquito fish] n (1928): either of two No. American live-bearers
          (Gambusia affinis and Heterandria formosa of the family
          Poeciliidae) used esp. to exterminate mosquito larvae

   mosquito hawk
          [mosquito hawk] n (1737): dragonfly

   mosquito net
          [mosquito net] n (1745): a net or screen for keeping out
          mosquitoes

   [1]moss
          [moss] n [ME, fr. OE mos; akin to OHG mos moss, L muscus]
          (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly Scot: bog, swamp; esp: a peat bog
          2 a: any of a class (Musci) of bryophytic plants having
          a small leafy often tufted stem bearing sex organs at
          its tip; also: a clump or sward of these plants b: any
          of various plants resembling moss in appearance or habit
          of growth 3: a mossy covering -- moss.like adj [2]moss
          vt (15c): to cover or overgrow with moss

   moss agate
          [moss agate] n (1798): an agate mineral containing brown,
          black, or green mosslike or dendritic markings

   moss animal
          [moss animal] n (1881): bryozoan

   mossback
          [moss.back] n (1872) 1: a large sluggish fish (as a largemouth
          bass) 2: an extremely old-fashioned or reactionary person:
          fogy -- moss.backed adj

   moss green
          [moss green] n (1884): a variable color averaging a moderate
          yellow-green

   moss-grown
          [moss-grown] adj (14c) 1: overgrown with moss 2: antiquated

   moss pink
          [moss pink] n (ca. 1856): a low-growing perennial phlox (Phlox
          subulata) widely cultivated for its abundant usu. pink
          or white flowers

   moss rose
          [moss rose] n (1776): an old-fashioned garden rose (Rosa
          centifolia mucosa) that has a glandular mossy calyx and
          flower stalk

   moss-trooper
          [moss-troop.er] n (1645) 1: one of a class of 17th century
          raiders in the marshy border country between England
          and Scotland 2: pirate -- moss-troop.ing adj

   mossy
          [mossy] adj moss.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: resembling moss 2:
          covered with moss or something like moss 3: antiquated
          <the ~ precepts of the ... prescriptive grammarians --Thomas
          Pyles>

   mossy zinc
          [mossy zinc] n (1910): a granulated form of zinc made by
          pouring melted zinc into water

   -most
          [-most] adj suffix [ME, alter. of -mest (as in formest foremost)]:
          most <innermost>: most toward <headmost>

   [1]most
          [most] adj [ME, fr. OE maest; akin to OHG meist most, OE
          mara more--more at more] (bef. 12c) 1: greatest in quantity,
          extent, or degree <the ~ ability> 2: the majority of
          <~ people> [2]most adv (bef. 12c) 1: to the greatest
          or highest degree--often used with an adjective or adverb
          to form the superlative <the ~ challenging job he ever
          had> 2: to a very great degree <was ~ persuasive> [3]most
          n (12c): the greatest amount <it's the ~ I can do> --
          at most or at the most : as an extreme limit <took him
          an hour at most> [4]most pron, sing or pl in constr (13c):
          the greatest number or part <~ become discouraged and
          quit> [5]most adv [by shortening] (ca. 1584): almost
          <we'll be crossing the river ~ any time now --Hamilton
          Basso> usage Although considered by some to be unacceptable
          in all cases, most is often used to mean "almost" in
          both spoken and, to a lesser extent, written English
          to modify the adjectives all, every, and any; the pronouns
          all, everyone, everything, everybody, anyone, anything,
          and anybody; and the adverbs everywhere, anywhere, and
          always. Other uses of this sense of most are dialectal.

   mostly
          [most.ly] adv (1594): for the greatest part: mainly

   Most Reverend
          [Most Reverend] (15c)--used as a title for an archbishop
          or a Roman Catholic bishop

   mot
          [mot] n, pl mots [F, word, saying, fr. LL muttum grunt--more
          at motto] (1631): a pithy or witty saying

   [1]mote
          [mote] verbal auxiliary [ME, fr. OE motan to be allowed to--more
          at must] (bef. 12c) archaic: may, might [2]mote n [ME
          mot, fr. OE; akin to MD & Fris mot sand] (bef. 12c):
          a small particle: speck

   motel
          [mo.tel] n [blend of motor and hotel] (1925): an establishment
          which provides lodging and parking and in which the rooms
          are usu. accessible from an outdoor parking area

   motet
          [mo.tet] n [ME, fr. MF, dim. of mot] (14c): a polyphonic
          choral composition on a sacred text usu. without instrumental
          accompaniment

   moth
          [moth] n, pl moths [ME mothe, fr. OE moththe; akin to MHG
          motte moth] (bef. 12c) 1: clothes moth 2: any of various
          usu. nocturnal lepidopteran insects with antennae that
          are often feathery, with a stouter body, duller coloring,
          and proportionately smaller wings than the butterflies,
          and with larvae that are plant-eating caterpillars --
          moth.like adj -- mothy adj

   [1]mothball
          [moth.ball] n (1906) 1: a ball made formerly of camphor but
          now often of naphthalene and used to keep moths from
          clothing 2 pl: a condition of protective storage <put
          the ships in ~s after the war>; also: a state of having
          been rejected for further use or dismissed from further
          consideration <put that idea in ~s> [2]mothball vt (1943)
          1: to deactivate (as a ship) and prevent deterioration
          chiefly by dehumidification 2: to withdraw from use or
          service and keep in reserve

   moth bean
          [moth bean] n [prob. by folk etymology fr. Marathi math moth
          bean] (1884): a bean (Phaseolus aconitifolius) that is
          cultivated esp. in India for its cylindrical pods and
          small yellowish brown seeds

   moth-eaten
          [moth-eat.en] adj (14c) 1: eaten into by moth larvae <~ clothes>
          2 a: dilapidated b: antiquated, outmoded

   [1]mother
          [moth.er] n [ME moder, fr. OE modor; akin to OHG muoter mother,
          L mater, Gk meter, Skt matr] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a female
          parent b (1): a woman in authority; specif: the superior
          of a religious community of women (2): an old or elderly
          woman 2: source, origin <necessity is the ~ of invention>
          3: maternal tenderness or affection 4 [short for motherfucker]:
          one that is particularly impressive or contemptible--sometimes
          considered vulgar -- moth.er.hood n -- moth.er.less adj
          -- moth.er.less.ness n [2]mother adj (13c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or being a mother b: bearing the relation of a mother
          2: derived from or as if from one's mother 3: acting
          as or providing parental stock--used without reference
          to sex [3]mother vt moth.ered ; moth.er.ing (1548) 1
          a: to give birth to b: to give rise to: produce 2: to
          care for or protect like a mother [4]mother n [archaic
          mother dregs, lees; akin to MD moeder dregs] (ca. 1828):
          mother of vinegar

   motherboard
          [moth.er.board] n (1972): the main circuit board esp. of
          a microcomputer

   Mother Carey's chicken
          [Mother Car.ey's chicken] n [origin unknown] (1767): storm
          petrel

   mother cell
          [mother cell] n (1845): a cell that gives rise to other cells
          usu. of a different sort

   mother country
          [mother country] n (1587) 1: the country from which the people
          of a colony or former colony derive their origin 2: the
          country of one's parents or ancestors; also: fatherland
          3: a country that is the origin of something

   motherfucker
          [moth.er.fuck.er] n (1959): one that is formidable, contemptible,
          or offensive--usu. considered obscene--usu. used as a
          generalized term of abuse -- moth.er.fuck.ing adj

   Mother Goose
          [Mother Goose] n: the legendary author of a collection of
          nursery rhymes first published in London about 1760

   mother hen
          [mother hen] n (1954): a person who assumes an overly protective
          maternal attitude

   motherhouse
          [moth.er.house] n (1661) 1: the convent in which the superior
          of a religious community resides 2: the original convent
          of a religious community

   Mother Hubbard
          [Mother Hub.bard] n [prob. fr. Mother Hubbard, character
          in a nursery rhyme] (1884): a loose usu. shapeless dress

   mother-in-law
          [moth.er-in-law] n, pl moth.ers-in-law (14c) 1: the mother
          of one's spouse 2 archaic: stepmother

   motherland
          [moth.er.land] n (1711) 1: a country regarded as a place
          of origin (as of an idea or a movement) 2: mother country
          2

   mother lode
          [mother lode] n (1874) 1: the principal vein or lode of a
          region 2: a principal source or supply

   motherly
          [moth.er.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a mother <~ advice> 2: resembling a mother: maternal
          -- moth.er.li.ness n

   mother-naked
          [moth.er-na.ked] adj (14c): stark naked

   Mother Nature
          [Mother Nature] n (1601): nature personified as a woman considered
          as the source and guiding force of creation

   mother-of-pearl
          [moth.er-of-pearl] n (ca. 1510): the hard pearly iridescent
          substance forming the inner layer of a mollusk shell

   mother of vinegar
          [mother of vinegar] (1601): a slimy membrane composed of
          yeast and bacterial cells that develops on the surface
          of alcoholic liquids undergoing acetous fermentation
          and is added to wine or cider to produce vinegar--called
          also mother

   Mother's Day
          [Mother's Day] n (1908): the 2d Sunday in May appointed for
          the honoring of mothers

   mother tongue
          [mother tongue] n (14c) 1: one's native language 2: a language
          from which another language derives

   mother wit
          [mother wit] n (15c): natural wit or intelligence

   [1]mothproof
          [moth.proof] adj (1893): impervious to penetration by moths
          <~ wool> [2]mothproof vt (1925): to make mothproof --
          moth.proof.er n

   motif
          [mo.tif] n [F, motive, motif, fr. MF--more at motive] (1848)
          1: a usu. recurring salient thematic element (as in the
          arts); esp: a dominant idea or central theme 2: a single
          or repeated design or color -- mo.tif.ic adj

   [1]motile
          [mo.tile] adj [L motus, pp. of movere] (ca. 1859): exhibiting
          or capable of movement -- mo.til.i.ty n [2]motile n (1886):
          a person whose prevailing mental imagery takes the form
          of inner feelings of action

   [1]motion
          [mo.tion] n [ME mocioun, fr. MF motion, fr. L motion-, motio
          movement, fr. movere to move] (14c) 1 a: an act, process,
          or instance of changing place: movement b: an active
          or functioning state or condition <set the divorce proceedings
          in ~> 2: an impulse or inclination of the mind or will
          3 a: a proposal for action; esp: a formal proposal made
          in a deliberative assembly b: an application made to
          a court or judge to obtain an order, ruling, or direction
          4 obs a: a puppet show b: puppet 5: mechanism 6 a: an
          act or instance of moving the body or its parts: gesture
          b pl: activities, movements 7: melodic change of pitch
          -- mo.tion.al adj -- mo.tion.less adj -- mo.tion.less.ly
          adv -- mo.tion.less.ness n -- in motion of an offensive
          football player: running parallel to the line of scrimmage
          before the snap [2]motion vb mo.tioned ; mo.tion.ing
          vi (1747): to signal by a movement or gesture <the pitcher
          ~ed to the catcher> ~ vt: to direct by a motion <~ed
          me to the seat>

   motion picture
          [motion picture] n (1896) 1: a series of pictures projected
          on a screen in rapid succession with objects shown in
          successive positions slightly changed so as to produce
          the optical effect of a continuous picture in which the
          objects move 2: a representation (as of a story) by means
          of motion pictures: movie

   motion sickness
          [motion sickness] n (1942): sickness induced by motion (as
          in travel by air, car, or ship) and characterized by
          nausea

   motivate
          [mo.ti.vate] vt -vat.ed ; -vat.ing (1885): to provide with
          a motive: impel <questions that excite and ~ youth> --
          mo.ti.va.tive adj -- mo.ti.va.tor n

   motivation
          [mo.ti.va.tion] n (1873) 1 a: the act or process of motivating
          b: the condition of being motivated 2: a motivating force,
          stimulus, or influence: incentive, drive -- mo.ti.va.tion.al
          adj -- mo.ti.va.tion.al.ly adv

   [1]motive
          [mo.tive] n [ME, fr. MF motif, fr. motif, adj., moving, fr.
          ML motivus, fr. L motus, pp. of movere to move] (15c)
          1: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person
          to act 2: a recurrent phrase or figure that is developed
          through the course of a musical composition 3: motif
          -- mo.tive.less adj -- mo.tive.less.ly adv -- mo.ti.vic
          adj syn motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur,
          goad mean a stimulus to action. motive implies an emotion
          or desire operating on the will and causing it to act
          <a motive for the crime>. impulse suggests a driving
          power arising from personal temperament or constitution
          <buying on impulse>. incentive applies to an external
          influence (as an expected reward) inciting to action
          <a bonus was offered as an incentive>. inducement suggests
          a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements
          of another <offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe>.
          spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties
          or increases energy or ardor <fear was a spur to action>.
          goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's
          will or desire <thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency>.
          [2]mo.tive adj [MF or ML; MF motif, fr. ML motivus] (1502)
          1: moving or tending to move to action 2: of or relating
          to motion or the causing of motion <~ energy> [3]mo.tive
          vt mo.tived ; mo.tiv.ing (ca. 1650): motivate

   motive power
          [motive power] n (1889) 1: an agency (as water or steam)
          used to impart motion esp. to machinery 2: something
          (as a locomotive or a motor) that provides motive power
          to a system

   motivity
          [mo.tiv.i.ty] n (ca. 1687): the power of moving or producing
          motion

   mot juste
          [mot juste] n, pl mots justes [F] (1912): the exactly right
          word or phrasing

   [1]motley
          [mot.ley] adj [ME, perh. fr. mot mote, speck] (14c) 1: variegated
          in color <a ~ coat> 2: composed of diverse often incongruous
          elements <a ~ crowd> [2]motley n [ME, prob. fr. [1]motley]
          (14c) 1: a woolen fabric of mixed colors made in England
          between the 14th and 17th centuries 2: a garment made
          of motley; esp: the characteristic dress of the professional
          fool 3: jester, fool 4: a mixture esp. of incongruous
          elements

   motmot
          [mot.mot] n [NL momot, motmot] (1837): any of a family (Momotidae)
          of long-tailed mostly green nonpasserine birds of Central and So.
          American tropical forests

   motocross
          [mo.to.cross] n [F, fr. moto motorcycle (short for motocyclette)
          + cross-country, fr. E] (1951): a closed-course motorcycle
          race over natural or simulated rough terrain (as with
          steep inclines, hairpin turns, and mud); also: the sport
          of engaging in motocross races

   motoneuron
          [mo.to.neu.ron] n [motor + neuron] (1908): a neuron that
          passes from the central nervous system or a ganglion
          toward a muscle and conducts an impulse that causes
          movement--called also motor neuron -- mo.to.neu.ro.nal adj

   [1]motor
          [mo.tor] n [L, fr. movere to move] (1586) 1: one that imparts
          motion; specif: prime mover 2: any of various power units
          that develop energy or impart motion: as a: a small compact
          engine b: internal-combustion engine; esp: a gasoline
          engine c: a rotating machine that transforms electrical
          energy into mechanical energy 3: motor vehicle; esp:
          automobile -- mo.tor.dom n -- mo.tor.less adj [2]motor
          adj (1840) 1 a: causing or imparting motion b: of, relating
          to, or being a motoneuron or a nerve containing motoneurons
          <~ fiber> c: of, relating to, concerned with, or involving
          muscular movement <~ areas of the brain> 2 a: equipped
          with or driven by a motor b: of, relating to, or involving
          an automobile c: designed for motor vehicles or motorists
          [3]motor vi (1896) 1: to travel by automobile: drive
          2: to move or proceed at a vigorous steady pace <~ed
          down the field for a touchdown> ~ vt: to transport by
          automobile

   motorbike
          [mo.tor.bike] n (1903): a small usu. lightweight motorcycle
          -- motorbike vi

   motorboat
          [mo.tor.boat] n (1902): a boat propelled usu. by
          an internal-combustion engine -- mo.tor.boat.er n --
          mo.tor.boat.ing n

   motor bus
          [motor bus] n (1901): bus 1a--called also motor coach

   motorcade
          [mo.tor.cade] n (1913): a procession of motor vehicles --
          motorcade vi

   motorcar
          [mo.tor.car] n (ca. 1890) 1: automobile 2 usu motor car :
          a railroad car containing motors for propulsion

   motor court
          [motor court] n (1936): motel

   motorcycle
          [mo.tor.cy.cle] n [motor bicycle] (1896): a 2-wheeled automotive
          vehicle having one or two saddles -- motorcycle vi --
          mo.tor.cy.clist n

   motor home
          [motor home] n (1965): a large motor vehicle equipped as
          living quarters--compare mobile home

   motoric
          [mo.tor.ic] adj (1930): motor 1c -- mo.tor.i.cal.ly adv

   motor inn
          [motor inn] n (1951): motel; esp: a large multistory motel--called
          also motor hotel

   motorise
          [mo.tor.ise] Brit var of motorize

   motorist
          [mo.tor.ist] n (1896): a person who travels by automobile

   motorize
          [mo.tor.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1913) 1: to equip with
          a motor 2: to equip with automobiles -- mo.tor.i.za.tion
          n

   motor lodge
          [motor lodge] n (1949): motel

   motorman
          [mo.tor.man] n (1890): an operator of a motor-driven vehicle
          (as a streetcar or subway train)

   motormouth
          [mo.tor.mouth] n (1971): a person who talks excessively

   motor pool
          [motor pool] n (1942): a group of motor vehicles centrally
          controlled (as by a governmental agency) and dispatched
          for use as needed

   motor sailer
          [motor sailer] n (1923): a motorboat with sailing equipment

   motor scooter
          [motor scooter] n (1919): a low 2- or 3-wheeled automotive
          vehicle resembling a child's scooter and having a seat
          so that the rider does not straddle the engine

   motor ship
          [motor ship] n (1915): a seagoing ship propelled by an
          internal-combustion engine

   motor torpedo boat
          [motor torpedo boat] n (1940): pt boat

   motortruck
          [mo.tor.truck] n (1930): an automotive truck used esp. for
          transporting freight

   motor unit
          [motor unit] n (1925): a motoneuron together with the muscle
          fibers on which it acts

   motor vehicle
          [motor vehicle] n (1890): an automotive vehicle not operated
          on rails; esp: one with rubber tires for use on highways

   motorway
          [mo.tor.way] n (1903) chiefly Brit: superhighway

   motte
          [motte] n [ME mote, fr. OF mote, motte] (13c): mound, hill;
          esp: a hill serving as a site for a Norman castle in
          Britain

   motte and bailey
          [motte and bailey] n (1900): a medieval Norman castle consisting
          of two connecting ditched stockaded mounds with the higher
          mound surmounted by the keep and the lower one containing
          barracks and other buildings

   [1]mottle
          [mot.tle] n [prob. back-formation fr. motley] (1676) 1: a
          colored spot 2 a: a surface having colored spots or blotches
          b: the arrangement of such spots or blotches on a surface
          3: mosaic 5 -- mot.tled adj [2]mottle vt mot.tled ; mot.tling
          (1676): to mark with spots or blotches of different color
          or shades of color as if stained -- mot.tler n

   mottled enamel
          [mottled enamel] n (1928): spotted tooth enamel caused by
          drinking water containing excessive fluorides during
          the time the teeth are calcifying

   motto
          [mot.to] n, pl mottoes also mottos [It, fr. LL muttum grunt,
          fr. L muttire to mutter] (1588) 1: a sentence, phrase,
          or word inscribed on something as appropriate to or indicative
          of its character or use 2: a short expression of a guiding
          principle

   moue
          [moue] n [F, fr. MF--more at mow] (1850): a little grimace:
          pout

   mouflon
          [mou.flon] also mouf.flon n [F mouflon, fr. It dial. muvrone,
          fr. LL mufron-, mufro] (1774): either of two wild sheep
          (Ovis orientalis and O. musimon) of the mountains of
          Sardinia, Corsica and western Asia that have large curling
          horns in the males and are sometimes included in a single
          species

   moujik
          [mou.jik] var of muzhik

   moulage
          [mou.lage] n [F, molding, fr. MF, fr. mouler to mold, fr.
          OF modle mold--more at mold] (1902) 1: an impression
          or cast made for use esp. as evidence in a criminal investigation
          2: the taking of an impression for use as evidence in
          a criminal investigation

   mould
          [mould] var of mold

   moulding
          [mould.ing] var of molding

   moult
          [moult] var of molt

   [1]mound
          [mound] vt [origin unknown] (1515) 1 archaic: to enclose
          or fortify with a fence or a ridge of earth 2: to form
          into a mound [2]mound n, often attrib [origin unknown]
          (1551) 1 archaic: hedge, fence 2 a (1): an artificial
          bank or hill of earth or stones; esp: one constructed
          over a burial or ceremonial site (2): the slightly elevated
          ground on which a baseball pitcher stands b: a rounded
          hill or natural formation 3 a: heap, pile <~s of work>
          b: a small rounded mass <a ~ of mashed potatoes>

   Mound Builder
          [Mound Builder] n (1838): a member of a prehistoric American
          Indian people whose extensive earthworks are found from
          the Great Lakes down the Mississippi valley to the Gulf
          of Mexico

   [1]mount
          [mount] n [ME, fr. OE munt & OF mont, both fr. L mont-, mons;
          akin to W mynydd mountain, L minari to project, threaten]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a high hill: mountain--used esp. before
          an identifying name <Mount Everest> 2 archaic: a protective
          earthwork 3: mound 2a(1) [2]mount vb [ME, fr. MF monter,
          fr. (assumed) VL montare, fr. L mont-, mons] vi (14c)
          1: rise, ascend 2: to increase in amount or extent <expenses
          began to ~> 3: to get up on something above the level
          of the ground; esp: to seat oneself (as on a horse) for
          riding ~ vt 1 a: to go up: climb b (1): to seat or place
          oneself on (2): cover 6a 2 a: to lift up: raise b (1):
          to put or have (as artillery) in position (2): to have
          as equipment c (1): to organize and equip (an attacking
          force) <~ an army> (2): to launch and carry out (as an
          assault or a campaign) 3: to set on something that elevates
          4 a: to cause to get on a means of conveyance b: to furnish
          with animals for riding 5: to post or set up for defense
          or observation <~ed some guards> 6 a: to attach to a
          support b: to arrange or assemble for use or display
          7 a: to prepare (as a specimen) for examination or display
          b: to prepare and supply with the materials necessary
          for performance or execution: produce <~ an opera> --
          mount.able adj -- mount.er n [3]mount n (15c) 1: an act
          or instance of mounting; specif: an opportunity to ride
          a horse in a race 2: frame, support: as a: the material
          (as cardboard) on which a picture is mounted b: a jewelry
          setting c (1): an undercarriage or part on which a device
          (as a motor or an artillery piece) rests in service (2):
          an attachment for an accessory d: a hinge, card, or acetate
          envelope for mounting a stamp e: a glass slide with its
          accessories on which objects are placed for examination
          with a microscope 3: a means of conveyance; esp: saddle
          horse

   mountain
          [moun.tain] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF montaigne, fr. (assumed)
          VL montanea, fr. fem. of montaneus of a mountain, alter.
          of L montanus, fr. mont-, mons] (13c) 1 a: a landmass
          that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and
          is higher than a hill b: an elongated ridge 2 a: a great
          mass b: a vast number or quantity <had ~s of work to
          do>

   mountain ash
          [mountain ash] n (1597): any of various trees or shrubs (genus
          Sorbus) of the rose family with pinnate leaves and red
          or orange-red fruits

   mountain bluebird
          [mountain bluebird] n (1860): a bluebird (Sialia currucoides)
          of western No. America having a blue-breasted rather
          than red-breasted male

   mountain cranberry
          [mountain cranberry] n (1848): a low evergreen shrub (Vaccinium
          vitis-idaea minus) of north temperate uplands with red
          edible berries--called also lingonberry

   mountain dew
          [mountain dew] n (1878): moonshine 3

   mountaineer
          [moun.tain.eer] n (1610) 1: a native or inhabitant of a mountainous
          region 2: a person who climbs mountains for sport

   mountaineering
          [moun.tain.eer.ing] n (1803): the sport or technique of scaling
          mountains

   mountain goat
          [mountain goat] n (1833): a ruminant mammal (Oreamnos americanus)
          of mountainous northwestern No. America that has a thick
          white coat and slightly curved horns and resembles a
          goat

   mountain gorilla
          [mountain gorilla] n (1939): a gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei)
          inhabiting the Virunga mountain range

   mountain laurel
          [mountain laurel] n (1759): a No. American evergreen shrub
          or small tree (Kalmia latifolia) of the heath family
          with glossy leaves and umbels of rose-colored or white
          flowers

   mountain lion
          [mountain lion] n (1859): cougar

   mountain mahogany
          [mountain mahogany] n (1810): any of a genus (Cercocarpus)
          of western No. American evergreen shrubs or small trees
          of the rose family

   mountain man
          [mountain man] n (1847): an American frontiersman (as a trapper)
          at home in the wilderness

   mountainous
          [moun.tain.ous] adj (14c) 1: containing many mountains 2:
          resembling a mountain: huge -- moun.tain.ous.ly adv --
          moun.tain.ous.ness n

   mountain sheep
          [mountain sheep] n (1802): any of various wild sheep (as
          bighorn, argali, or Dall sheep) inhabiting high mountains

   mountain sickness
          [mountain sickness] n (1848): altitude sickness experienced
          esp. above 10,000 feet (3000 meters) and caused by insufficient
          oxygen in the air

   mountainside
          [moun.tain.side] n (14c): the side of a mountain

   mountain time
          [mountain time] n, often cap M (1883): the time of the 7th
          time zone west of Greenwich that includes the Rocky mountain
          states of the U.S.--see time zone illustration

   mountaintop
          [moun.tain.top] n (1593): the summit of a mountain

   mountainy
          [moun.tainy] adj (1613) 1: mountainous 2: of, relating to,
          or living in mountains

   [1]mountebank
          [moun.te.bank] n [It montimbanco, fr. montare to mount
          (fr.--assumed--VL)
          + in in, on (fr. L) + banco, banca bench--more at bank]
          (1577) 1: a person who sells quack medicines from a platform
          2: a boastful unscrupulous pretender: charlatan -- moun.te.bank.ery
          n [2]mountebank vt (1607) obs: to beguile or transform by trickery
          <I'll ~ their loves --Shak.> ~ vi: to play the mountebank

   Mountie
          [Mount.ie] n [mounted policeman] (1914): a member of the
          Royal Canadian Mounted Police

   mounting
          [mount.ing] n (1563): [3]mount 2

   mourn
          [mourn] vb [ME, fr. OE murnan; akin to OHG mornen to mourn,
          Gk mermera care--more at memory] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to
          feel or express grief or sorrow 2: to show the customary
          signs of grief for a death; esp: to wear mourning 3:
          to murmur mournfully--used esp. of doves ~ vt 1: to feel
          or express grief or sorrow for 2: to utter mournfully
          -- mourn.er n -- mourn.ing.ly adv

   mournful
          [mourn.ful] adj (15c) 1: expressing sorrow: sorrowful 2:
          full of sorrow: sad 3: causing sorrow or melancholy:
          gloomy -- mourn.ful.ly adv -- mourn.ful.ness n

   mourning
          [mourn.ing] n (13c) 1: the act of sorrowing 2 a: an outward
          sign (as black clothes or an armband) of grief for a
          person's death b: a period of time during which signs
          of grief are shown

   mourning cloak
          [mourning cloak] n (1898): a blackish brown nymphalid butterfly
          (Nymphalis antiopa) with a broad yellow border on the
          wings found in temperate parts of Europe, Asia, and No.
          America

   mourning dove
          [mourning dove] n (1833): a wild American dove (Zenaida macroura)
          with a pointed tail and a plaintive coo

   [1]mouse
          [mouse] n, pl mice [ME, fr. OE mus; akin to OHG mus mouse,
          L mus, Gk mys mouse, muscle] (bef. 12c) 1: any of numerous
          small rodents (as of the genus Mus) with pointed snout,
          rather small ears, elongated body, and slender tail 2:
          a timid person 3: a dark-colored swelling caused by a
          blow; specif: black eye 4: a small mobile manual device
          that controls movement of the cursor on a computer display
          [2]mouse vb moused ; mous.ing vi (13c) 1: to hunt for
          mice 2: to search or move stealthily or slowly ~ vt 1
          obs a: bite, gnaw b: to toy with roughly 2: to search
          for carefully--usu. used with out

   mouse-ear
          [mouse-ear] n (13c) 1: a Eurasian hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella)
          that has soft hairy leaves and has been introduced into
          No. America 2: any of several plants other than mouse-ear
          that have soft hairy leaves

   mouse-ear chickweed
          [mouse-ear chickweed] n (1731): any of several hairy chickweeds
          (genus Cerastium and esp. C. vulgatum)

   mouser
          [mous.er] n (15c): a catcher of mice and rats; esp: a cat
          proficient at mousing

   [1]mousetrap
          [mouse.trap] n (15c) 1: a trap for mice 2: a stratagem that
          lures one to defeat or destruction 3: trap 2b [2]mousetrap
          vt (ca. 1864): to snare in or as if in a mousetrap

   Mousquetaire
          [Mous.que.taire] n [F--more at musketeer] (1705): a French
          musketeer; esp: one of the royal musketeers of the 17th
          and 18th centuries conspicuous for their daring and their
          dandified dress

   moussaka
          [mous.sa.ka] n [NGk mousakas, fr. Turk musakka] (1931): a
          Middle Eastern dish of ground meat (as lamb or beef)
          and sliced eggplant often topped with a seasoned sauce

   [1]mousse
          [mousse] n [F, lit., froth, moss, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OHG mos moss--more at moss] (1892) 1: a light spongy
          food usu. containing cream or gelatin 2: a molded chilled
          dessert made with sweetened and flavored whipped cream
          or egg whites and gelatin <chocolate ~> 3: a foamy preparation
          used in styling hair [2]mousse vt moussed ; mouss.ing
          (1984): to style (hair) with mousse

   mousseline
          [mous.se.line] n [F, lit., muslin--more at muslin] (1696)
          1: a fine sheer fabric (as of rayon) that resembles muslin
          2 a: a sauce (as hollandaise) to which whipped cream
          or beaten egg whites have been added b: mousse 1 <salmon
          ~>

   mousseline de soie
          [mousseline de soie] n, pl mousselines de soie [F, lit.,
          silk muslin] (1850): a silk muslin having a crisp finish

   moustache
          [mous.tache] var of mustache

   moustachio
          [mous.ta.chio] var of mustachio

   Mousterian
          [Mous.te.ri.an] adj [F mousterien, fr. Le Moustier, cave
          in Dordogne, France] (1890): of or relating to a Middle
          Paleolithic culture that is characterized by well-made
          flake tools often considered the work of Neanderthal
          man

   mousy
          [mousy] or mous.ey adj mous.i.er ; -est (1853): of, relating
          to, or resembling a mouse: as a: quiet, stealthy b: timid,
          retiring c: grayish brown -- mous.i.ly adv -- mous.i.ness
          n

   [1]mouth
          [mouth] n, pl mouths often attrib [ME, fr. OE muth; akin
          to OHG mund mouth and perh. to L mentum chin] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: the natural opening through which food passes into
          the body of an animal and which in vertebrates is typically
          bounded externally by the lips and internally by the
          pharynx and encloses the tongue, gums, and teeth b: grimace
          <made a ~> c: an individual requiring food <had too many
          ~s to feed> 2 a: voice, speech <finally gave ~ to her
          feelings> b: mouthpiece 3a c (1): a tendency to excessive
          talk (2): saucy or disrespectful language: impudence
          3: something that resembles a mouth esp. in affording
          entrance or exit: as a: the place where a stream enters
          a larger body of water b: the surface opening of an underground
          cavity c: the opening of a container d: an opening in
          the side of an organ flue pipe -- mouth.like adj -- down
          in the mouth : dejected, sulky [2]mouth vt (14c) 1 a:
          speak, pronounce b: to utter bombastically: declaim c:
          to repeat without comprehension or sincerity <always
          ~ing platitudes> d: to form soundlessly with the lips
          <the librarian ~ed the word "quiet"> e: to utter indistinctly:
          mumble <~ed his words> 2: to take into the mouth; esp:
          eat ~ vi 1 a: to talk pompously: rant--often used with
          off b: to talk insolently or impudently--usu. used with
          off 2: to move the mouth esp. so as to make faces --
          mouth.er n

   mouthbreeder
          [mouth.breed.er] n (1927): any of several fishes that carry
          their eggs and young in the mouth; esp: a No. African
          cichlid fish (Haplochromis multicolor) often kept in
          aquariums

   mouthed
          [mouthed] adj (14c): having a mouth esp. of a specified kind--often
          used in combination <a soft-mouthed fish>

   mouthful
          [mouth.ful] n (15c) 1 a: as much as a mouth will hold b:
          the quantity usu. taken into the mouth at one time 2:
          a small quantity 3 a: a very long word or phrase b: a
          comment or a statement rich in meaning or substance

   mouth hook
          [mouth hook] n (1937): one of a pair of hooked larval mouthparts
          of some dipteran flies that function as jaws

   mouth organ
          [mouth organ] n (1866): harmonica 2

   mouthpart
          [mouth.part] n (1799): a structure or appendage near the
          mouth (as of an insect) esp. when adapted for use in
          gathering or eating food

   mouthpiece
          [mouth.piece] n (1683) 1: something placed at or forming
          a mouth 2: a part (as of an instrument) that goes in
          the mouth or to which the mouth is applied 3 a: one that
          expresses or interprets another's views: spokesman b
          slang: a criminal lawyer

   mouth-to-mouth
          [mouth-to-mouth] adj (1941): of, relating to, or being a
          method of artificial respiration in which the rescuer's
          mouth is placed tightly over the victim's mouth in order
          to force air into the victim's lungs by blowing forcefully
          enough every few seconds to inflate them

   mouthwash
          [mouth.wash] n (1840): a usu. antiseptic liquid preparation
          for cleaning the mouth and teeth or freshening the breath

   mouthwatering
          [mouth.wa.ter.ing] adj (1900): arousing the appetite: tantalizingly
          delicious or appealing <a ~ aroma> -- mouth.wa.ter.ing.ly adv

   mouthy
          [mouthy] adj mouth.i.er ; -est (1589) 1: excessively talkative:
          garrulous 2: marked by bombast or back talk

   mouton
          [mou.ton] n [F, sheep, sheepskin, fr. MF, ram--more at mutton]
          (1944): processed sheepskin that has been sheared and
          dyed to resemble beaver or seal

   [1]movable
          [mov.able] or move.able adj (14c) 1: capable of being moved
          2: changing date from year to year <~ holidays> -- mov.abil.i.ty
          n -- mov.able.ness n -- mov.ably adv [2]movable or moveable
          n (15c): something (as an article of furniture) that
          can be removed or displaced

   [1]move
          [move] vb moved ; mov.ing [ME, fr. MF movoir, fr. L movere;
          prob. akin to Skt mivati he moves, pushes] vi (13c) 1
          a (1): to go or pass to another place or in a certain
          direction with a continuous motion <moved into the shade>
          (2): to proceed toward a certain state or condition <moving
          up the executive ladder> <moved into second place in
          the tournament> (3): to become transferred during play
          <checkers ~ along diagonally adjacent squares> (4): to
          keep pace <moving with the times> b: to start away from
          some point or place: depart c: to change one's residence
          or location 2: to carry on one's life or activities in
          a specified environment <~s in the best circles> 3: to
          change position or posture: stir <told him to be quiet
          and not to ~> 4: to take action: act 5 a: to begin operating
          or functioning or working in a usual way b: to show marked
          activity <after a brief lull things really began to ~>
          c: to move a piece (as in chess or checkers) during one's
          turn 6: to make a formal request, application, or appeal
          7: to change hands by being sold or rented <goods that
          were moving slowly> 8 of the bowels: evacuate ~ vt 1
          a (1): to change the place or position of (2): to dislodge
          or displace from a fixed position: budge b: to transfer
          (as a piece in chess) from one position to another 2
          a (1): to cause to go or pass from one place to another
          with a continuous motion <moved the flag slowly up and
          down> (2): to cause to advance b: to cause to operate
          or function: actuate <this button ~s the whole machine>
          c: to put into activity or rouse up from inactivity 3:
          to cause to change position or posture 4: to prompt or
          rouse to the doing of something: persuade <the report
          moved the faculty to take action> 5 a: to stir the emotions,
          feelings, or passions of <was deeply moved by such kindness>
          b: to affect in such a way as to lead to an indicated
          show of emotion <the story moved her to tears> 6 a obs:
          beg b: to make a formal application to 7: to propose
          formally in a deliberative assembly <moved adjournment>
          8: to cause (the bowels) to void 9: to cause to change
          hands through sale or rent syn move, actuate, drive,
          impel mean to set or keep in motion. move is very general
          and implies no more than the fact of changing position
          <moved the furniture>. actuate stresses transmission
          of power so as to work or set in motion <turbines actuated
          by waterpower>. drive implies imp [2]move n (1656) 1
          a: the act of moving a piece (as in chess) b: the turn
          of a player to move 2 a: a step taken so as to gain an
          objective: maneuver <a ~ to end the dispute> b: the action
          of moving from a motionless position c: a change of residence
          or location d: an agile or deceptive action esp. in sports
          -- on the move 1: in a state of moving about from place
          to place <a salesman is constantly on the move> 2: in
          a state of moving ahead or making progress <said that
          civilization is always on the move>

   move in
          [move in] vi (1898): to occupy a dwelling or place of work
          -- move in on : to make advances or aggressive movements
          toward

   moveless
          [move.less] adj (1578): being without movement: fixed, immobile
          -- move.less.ly adv -- move.less.ness n

   movement
          [move.ment] n (14c) 1 a (1): the act or process of moving;
          esp: change of place or position or posture (2): a particular
          instance or manner of moving b (1): a tactical or strategic
          shifting of a military unit: maneuver (2): the advance
          of a military unit c: action, activity--usu. used in
          pl. 2 a: tendency, trend <detected a ~ toward fairer
          pricing> b: a series of organized activities working
          toward an objective; also: an organized effort to promote
          or attain an end <the civil rights ~> 3: the moving parts
          of a mechanism that transmit a definite motion 4 a: motion
          7 b: the rhythmic character or quality of a musical composition
          c: a distinct structural unit or division having its
          own key, rhythmic structure, and themes and forming part
          of an extended musical composition d: particular rhythmic
          flow of language: cadence 5 a: the quality (as in a painting
          or sculpture) of representing or suggesting motion b:
          the vibrant quality in literature that comes from elements
          that constantly hold a reader's interest (as a quickly
          moving action-filled plot) 6 a: an act of voiding the
          bowels b: matter expelled from the bowels at one passage

   mover
          [mov.er] n (14c): one that moves or sets something in motion;
          esp: one whose business or occupation is the moving of
          household goods from one residence to another

   mover and shaker
          [mover and shaker] n, pl movers and shakers (1951): a person
          who is active or influential in some field of endeavor

   movie
          [mov.ie] n [moving picture] (1912) 1: motion picture 2 pl:
          a showing of a motion picture 3 pl: the motion-picture
          medium or industry

   moviedom
          [mov.ie.dom] n (1916): filmdom

   moviegoer
          [mov.ie.go.er] n (1923): filmgoer -- mov.ie.going n

   moviemaker
          [mov.ie.mak.er] n (1915): one who makes movies -- mov.ie.mak.ing
          n

   moving
          [mov.ing] adj (14c) 1 a: marked by or capable of movement
          b: of or relating to a change of residence <~ expenses>
          c: used for transferring furnishings from one residence
          to another <a ~ van> d: involving a motor vehicle that
          is in motion <a ~ violation> 2 a: producing or transferring
          motion or action b: stirring deeply in a way that evokes
          a strong emotional response <a ~ story of a faithful
          dog> -- mov.ing.ly adv syn moving, impressive, poignant,
          affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to
          produce deep emotion. moving may apply to any strong
          emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening,
          or calling forth pity or sympathy <a moving appeal for
          contributions>. impressive implies compelling attention,
          admiration, wonder, or conviction <an impressive list
          of achievements>. poignant applies to what keenly or
          sharply affects one's sensitivities <a poignant documentary
          on the homeless>. affecting is close to moving but most
          often suggests pathos <an affecting deathbed reunion>.
          touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion <the
          touching innocence in a child's eyes>. pathetic implies
          moving to pity or sometimes contempt <pathetic attempts
          to justify misconduct>.

   moving picture
          [moving picture] n (1896): motion picture

   Moviola
          [Mov.i.ola] trademark--used for a device for editing motion-picture
          film and synchronizing the sound

   [1]mow
          [mow] n [ME, heap, stack, fr. OE muga; akin to ON mugi heap]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a piled-up stack (as of hay or fodder);
          also: a pile of hay or grain in a barn 2: the part of
          a barn where hay or straw is stored [2]mow vb mowed ;
          mowed or mown ; mow.ing [ME, fr. OE mawan; akin to OHG
          maen to mow, L metere to reap, mow, Gk aman] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to cut down with a scythe or sickle or machine
          b: to cut the standing herbage (as grass) of 2 a (1):
          to kill or destroy in great numbers or mercilessly <machine
          guns ~ed down the enemy> (2): to cause to fall: knock
          down b: to overcome swiftly and decisively: rout <~ed
          down the opposing team> ~ vi: to cut down standing herbage
          (as grass) -- mow.er n [3]mow n [ME mowe, fr. MF moue,
          of Gmc origin; akin to MD mouwe protruding lip] (14c):
          grimace [4]mow vi (15c): to make grimaces

   moxie
          [mox.ie] n [fr. Moxie, a trademark for a soft drink] (1930)
          1: energy, pep 2: courage, determination 3: know-how,
          expertise

   moyen-age
          [moyen-age] adj [F moyen age Middle Ages] (1849): of or relating
          to medieval times

   mozzarella
          [moz.za.rel.la] n [It, dim. of mozza, a kind of cheese, fr.
          mozzare to cut off, fr. mozzo cut off, docked, fr. (assumed)
          VL mutius, alter. of L mutilus] (1911): a moist white
          unsalted unripened cheese of mild flavor and a smooth
          rubbery texture

   mozzetta
          [moz.zet.ta] n [It, prob. fr. mozzo cut off] (1774): a short
          cape with a small ornamental hood worn over the rochet
          by Roman Catholic prelates

   mp...
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   MP
          [MP] abbreviation melting point, member of parliament, metropolitan
          police, milepost, military police, military policeman

   MPX
          [MPX] abbreviation multiplex

   MPA
          [MPA] abbreviation master of public administration

   MPAA
          [MPAA] abbreviation Motion Picture Association of America

   mpg
          [mpg] abbreviation miles per gallon

   mph
          [mph] abbreviation miles per hour  MPH abbreviation master
          of public health

   MPhil
          [MPhil] abbreviation master of philosophy

   MPM
          [MPM] abbreviation meters per minute

   MPS
          [MPS] abbreviation meters per second

   MPV
          [MPV] abbreviation multi-purpose vehicle

   mr...
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   Mr
          [Mr.] n, pl Messrs. [Mr. fr. ME, abbr. of maister master;
          Messrs. abbr. of Messieurs, fr. F, pl. of Monsieur] (15c)
          1--used as a conventional title of courtesy except when
          usage requires the substitution of a title of rank or
          an honorific or professional title before a man's surname
          <spoke to Mr. Doe> 2--used in direct address as a conventional
          title of respect before a man's title of office <may
          I ask one more question, Mr. President> 3--used before
          the name of a place (as a country or city) or of a profession
          or activity (as a sport) or before some epithet (as clever)
          to form a title applied to a male viewed or recognized
          as representative of the thing indicated <Mr. Baseball>

   mR
          [mR] abbreviation milliroentgen  MR abbreviation map reference,
          mentally retarded

   Mr Charlie
          [Mr. Charlie] n [Charlie, fr. Charles, proper name] (ca.
          1941): a white man: white people--usu. used disparagingly

   MRE
          [MRE] abbreviation meals ready to eat

   MRI
          [MRI] abbreviation magnetic resonance imaging

   mridanga
          [mri.dan.ga] or mri.dan.gam n [Skt mrdanga] (1921): a drum
          of India that is shaped like an elongated barrel and
          has tuned heads of different diameters

   mRNA
          [mRNA] abbreviation messenger RNA

   Mrs
          [Mrs.] n, pl Mes.dames [Mrs. abbr. of mistress; Mesdames
          fr. F, pl. of Madame] (1615) 1 a--used as a conventional
          title of courtesy except when usage requires the substitution
          of a title of rank or an honorific or professional title
          before a married woman's surname <spoke to Mrs. Doe>
          b--used before the name of a place (as a country or city)
          or of a profession or activity (as a sport) or before
          some epithet (as clever) to form a title applied to a
          married woman viewed or recognized as representative
          of the thing indicated <Mrs. Golf> 2: wife <took the
          Mrs. to dinner>

   Mrs Grundy
          [Mrs. Grun.dy] n [fr. a character alluded to in Thomas Morton's
          Speed the Plough (1798)] (1813): one marked by prudish
          conventionality in personal conduct

   ms...
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   Ms
          [Ms.] n, pl Mss. or Mses. [prob. blend of Miss and Mrs.]
          (1949)--used instead of Miss or Mrs. (as when the marital
          status of a woman is unknown or irrelevant) <Ms. Mary
          Smith>

   ms
          [ms] abbreviation millisecond  MS [It mano sinistra] abbreviation
          left hand; manuscript, master of science, military science,
          Mississippi, motor ship, multiple sclerosis

   MSc
          [MSc] abbreviation master of science

   msec
          [msec] abbreviation millisecond

   msg
          [msg] abbreviation message  MSG abbreviation master sergeant,
          monosodium glutamate

   msgr
          [msgr] abbreviation monseigneur, monsignor

   MSgt
          [MSgt] abbreviation master sergeant

   MSH
          [MSH] abbreviation melanocyte-stimulating hormone

   MSL
          [MSL] abbreviation mean sea level

   MSN
          [MSN] abbreviation master of science in nursing

   MSS
          [MSS] abbreviation manuscripts

   MST
          [MST] abbreviation mountain standard time

   MSW
          [MSW] abbreviation master of social welfare, master of social
          work

   mt...
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   mt
          [mt] abbreviation mount, mountain  Mt abbreviation Matthew
          MT abbreviation machine translation, metric ton, Montana,
          mountain time

   mtg
          [mtg] abbreviation meeting, mortgage

   mtge
          [mtge] abbreviation mortgage

   mth
          [mth] abbreviation month

   mtn
          [mtn] abbreviation mountain

   MTO
          [MTO] abbreviation Mediterranean theater of operations

   mu...
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   mu
          [mu] n [Gk my] (1823): the 12th letter of the Greek alphabet

   muc-
          [muc-] or muci- or muco- comb form [L muc-, fr. mucus] 1:
          mucus <mucoprotein> 2: mucous and <mucocutaneous>

   [1]much
          [much] adj more ; most [ME muche large, much, fr. michel,
          muchel, fr. OE micel, mycel; akin to OHG mihhil great,
          large, L magnus, Gk megas, Skt mahat] (13c) 1: great
          in quantity, amount, extent, or degree <there is ~ truth
          in what you say> <taken too ~ time> 2 obs: many in number
          3: more than is expected or acceptable: more than enough
          <eighty bedrooms, a bit ~ for a family of seven --Peter
          Dragadze> -- too much 1: wonderful, exciting 2: terrible,
          awful [2]much adv more ; most (13c) 1 a (1): to a great
          degree or extent: considerably <~ happier> (2): very
          b (1): frequently, often (2): by or for a long time <didn't
          get to work ~ before noon> c: by far <was ~ the brightest
          student> 2: nearly, approximately <looks ~ the way his
          father did> -- as much : the same in quantity [3]much
          n (13c) 1: a great quantity, amount, extent, or degree
          <gave away ~> 2: something considerable or impressive
          <was not ~ to look at>

   muchacho
          [mu.cha.cho] n, pl -chos [Sp, prob. fr. mocho cropped, shorn]
          (1591) 1 chiefly Southwest: a male servant 2 chiefly
          Southwest: a young man

   much as
          [much as] conj (ca. 1699): however much: even though

   much less
          [much less] conj (1710): to say nothing of--used esp. in
          negative contexts to add to one item another denoting
          something less likely <can hardly grow, much less ripen,
          till the stock is in the earth --Jonathan Swift> <he
          is never going to get out of the eighth grade, much less
          ever make it to college --Thomas Meehan>

   muchness
          [much.ness] n (14c): the quality or state of being great:
          greatness -- much of a muchness : very much the same

   mucilage
          [mu.ci.lage] n [ME muscilage, fr. LL mucilago mucus, musty
          juice, fr. L mucus] (15c) 1: a gelatinous substance of
          various plants (as legumes or seaweeds) that contains
          protein and polysaccharides and is similar to plant gums
          2: an aqueous usu. viscid solution (as of a gum) used
          esp. as an adhesive

   mucilaginous
          [mu.ci.lag.i.nous] adj [ME muscilaginous, fr. LL mucilaginosus,
          fr. mucilagin-, mucilago] (15c) 1: sticky, viscid 2:
          of, relating to, full of, or secreting mucilage --
          mu.ci.lag.i.nous.ly adv

   mucin
          [mu.cin] n [ISV muc-] (1846): any of various mucoproteins
          that occur esp. in secretions of mucous membranes --
          mu.cin.ous adj

   [1]muck
          [muck] n [ME muk, perh. fr. OE -moc; akin to ON myki dung]
          (13c) 1: soft moist farmyard manure 2: slimy dirt or
          filth 3: defamatory remarks or writings 4 a (1): dark
          highly organic soil (2): mire, mud b: something resembling
          muck: gunk 5: material removed in the process of excavating
          or mining -- mucky adj [2]muck vt (14c) 1 a: to clean
          up; esp: to clear of manure or filth--usu. used with
          out b: to clear of muck 2: to dress (as soil) with muck
          3: to dirty with or as if with muck: soil ~ vi 1: to
          move or load muck (as in a mine) 2: to engage in aimless
          activity--usu. used with about or around -- muck.er n

   muck-a-muck
          [muck-a-muck] or muck.ety-muck n (1912): high-muck-a-muck

   muckluck
          [muck.luck] var of mukluk

   muckrake
          [muck.rake] vi [obs. muckrake, n., rake for dung] (1910):
          to search out and publicly expose real or apparent misconduct
          of a prominent individual or business -- muck.rak.er
          n

   muck up
          [muck up] vt (1896): to make a mess of: bungle, spoil

   mucocutaneous
          [mu.co.cu.ta.ne.ous] adj (1898): made up of or involving
          both typical skin and mucous membrane

   [1]mucoid
          [mu.coid] adj [ISV muc-] (1849): resembling mucus [2]mucoid
          n [ISV] (1900): mucoprotein

   mucolytic
          [mu.co.lyt.ic] adj (ca. 1923): hydrolyzing mucopolysaccharides:
          tending to break down or lower the viscosity of mucin-containing
          body secretions or components <~ enzymes>

   mucopeptide
          [mu.co.pep.tide] n (1959): peptidoglycan

   mucopolysaccharide
          [mu.co.poly.sac.cha.ride] n [ISV] (1938): glycosaminoglycan

   mucoprotein
          [mu.co.pro.tein] n (1925): any of various complex conjugated
          proteins (as mucins) that contain polysaccharides and
          occur in body fluids and tissues

   mucosa
          [mu.co.sa] n, pl -sae or -sas [NL, fr. L, fem. of mucosus
          mucous] (1880): mucous membrane -- mu.co.sal adj

   mucous
          [mu.cous] adj [L mucosus, fr. mucus] (1646) 1: of, relating
          to, or resembling mucus 2: secreting or containing mucus
          3: covered with or as if with mucus: slimy

   mucous membrane
          [mucous membrane] n (1812): a membrane rich in mucous glands;
          specif: one that lines body passages and cavities which
          communicate directly or indirectly with the exterior

   mucro
          [mu.cro] n, pl mu.cro.nes [NL mucron-, mucro, fr. L, point,
          edge] (1646): an abrupt sharp terminal point or tip or
          process (as of a leaf) -- mu.cro.nate adj

   mucus
          [mu.cus] n [L, nasal mucus; akin to Gk myxa mucus] (1661):
          a viscid slippery secretion that is usu. rich in mucins
          and is produced by mucous membranes which it moistens
          and protects

   [1]mud
          [mud] n [ME mudde, prob. fr. MLG] (14c) 1: a slimy sticky
          mixture of solid material with a liquid and esp. water;
          esp: soft wet earth 2: abusive and malicious remarks
          or charges <political campaigners slinging ~ at each
          other> 3: anathema 1b--usu. used in the phrase one's
          name is mud [2]mud vt mud.ded ; mud.ding (1593) 1: to
          make muddy or turbid 2: to treat or plaster with mud

   mud dauber
          [mud dauber] n (1856): any of various wasps (esp. family
          Sphecidae) that construct mud cells in which the female
          places an egg with spiders or insects paralyzed by a
          sting to serve as food for the larva

   [1]muddle
          [mud.dle] vb mud.dled ; mud.dling [prob. fr. obs. D moddelen,
          fr. MD, fr. modde mud; akin to MLG mudde] vt (1676) 1:
          to make turbid or muddy 2: to befog or stupefy esp. with
          liquor 3: to mix confusedly 4: to make a mess of: bungle
          ~ vi: to think or act in a confused aimless way -- mud.dler
          n [2]muddle n (ca. 1818) 1: a state of esp. mental confusion
          2: a confused mess -- mud.dly adj

   muddleheaded
          [mud.dle.head.ed] adj (1759) 1: mentally confused 2: inept,
          bungling -- mud.dle.head.ed.ly adv -- mud.dle.head.ed.ness
          n

   muddle through
          [muddle through] vi (ca. 1864): to achieve a degree of success
          without much planning or effort

   [1]muddy
          [mud.dy] adj mud.di.er ; -est (15c) 1: morally impure: base
          2 a: full of or covered with mud b: characteristic or
          suggestive of mud <a ~ flavor> <~ colors> c: turbid with
          sediment 3 a: lacking in clarity or brightness: cloudy,
          dull <a ~ recording> <eyes ~ with sleep> b: obscure in
          meaning: muddled, confused <~ thinking> <a ~ style> --
          mud.di.ly adv -- mud.di.ness n [2]muddy vt mud.died ;
          mud.dy.ing (1601) 1: to soil or stain with or as if with
          mud 2: to make turbid 3: to make cloudy or dull 4: confuse

   Mudejar
          [Mu.de.jar] n, pl -ja.res [Sp mudejar, fr. Ar mudajjan, lit.,
          allowed to remain] (1893): a Muslim living under a Christian
          king esp. during the 8th to 11th centuries -- Mudejar
          adj

   mudflat
          [mud.flat] n (1813): a level tract lying at little depth
          below the surface of water or alternately covered and
          left bare by the tide

   mudflow
          [mud.flow] n (ca. 1900): a moving mass of soil made fluid
          by rain or melting snow

   mudguard
          [mud.guard] n (1886) 1 a: fender d b: splash guard 2: a strip
          of material applied to a shoe upper just above the sole
          for protection against dampness or as an ornament

   mud puppy
          [mud puppy] n (1882): a large American salamander (Necturus
          maculosus) that has external gills and is gray to rusty
          brown usu. with bluish black spots

   mudra
          [mu.dra] n [Skt mudra] (1811): one of the symbolic hand gestures
          used in religious ceremonies and dances of India

   mudroom
          [mud.room] n (ca. 1950): a room in a house designed esp.
          for the shedding of dirty or wet footwear and clothing
          and located typically off the kitchen or in the basement

   mudsill
          [mud.sill] n (1685) 1: a supporting sill (as of a building
          or bridge) resting directly on a base and esp. the earth
          2: a person of the lowest social level

   mudskipper
          [mud.skip.per] n (1860): any of several Asian and Polynesian
          gobies (genera Periophthalmus and Boleophthalmus) that
          are able to skip about actively over wet mud and sand

   mudslinger
          [mud.sling.er] n (ca. 1890): one that uses offensive epithets
          and invective esp. against a political opponent -- mud.sling.ing
          n

   mudstone
          [mud.stone] n (ca. 1736): an indurated shale produced by
          the consolidation of mud

   mud turtle
          [mud turtle] n (1785): any of a genus (Kinosternon)
          of bottom-dwelling freshwater turtles with two transverse hinges
          on the plastron

   Muenster
          [Muen.ster] n [Munster, Munster, France] (1902): a semisoft
          cheese that may be bland or sharp in flavor

   muesli
          [mues.li] n [G dial. (Swiss) Musli, dim. of G Mus soft food,
          mush, fr. OHG muos; akin to OE mos food and prob. to
          OE mete food--more at meat] (1939): a breakfast cereal
          of Swiss origin consisting of rolled oats, nuts, and
          fruit

   muezzin
          [mu.ez.zin] n [Ar mu'adhdhin] (1585): a Muslim crier who
          calls the hour of daily prayers

   [1]muff
          [muff] n [D mof, fr. MF moufle mitten, fr. ML muffula] (1599)
          1: a warm tubular covering for the hands 2: a cluster
          of feathers on the side of the face of some domestic
          fowls [2]muff vb [prob. fr. [1]muff] vt (1827) 1: to
          handle awkwardly: bungle 2: to fail to hold (a ball)
          when attempting a catch ~ vi 1: to act or do something
          stupidly or clumsily 2: to muff a ball--compare fumble
          [3]muff n (1871) 1: a bungling performance 2: a failure
          to hold a ball in attempting a catch

   muffin
          [muf.fin] n [prob. fr. LG muffen, pl. of muffe cake] (1703):
          a quick bread made of batter containing egg and baked
          in a muffin pan

   muffle
          [muf.fle] vt muf.fled ; muf.fling [ME muflen] (15c) 1: to
          wrap up so as to conceal or protect: envelop 2 obs: blindfold
          3 a: to wrap or pad with something to dull the sound
          <~ the oarlocks> b: to deaden the sound of 4: keep down,
          suppress

   muffler
          [muf.fler] n (ca. 1536) 1 a: a scarf worn around the neck
          b: something that hides or disguises 2: a device to deaden
          noise; esp: one forming part of the exhaust system of
          an automotive vehicle -- muf.flered adj

   [1]mufti
          [muf.ti] n [Ar mufti] (1586): a professional jurist who interprets
          Muslim law [2]muf.ti n [prob. fr. [1]mufti] (1816): ordinary dress
          as distinguished from that denoting an occupation or station
          <a priest in ~>; esp: civilian clothes when worn by a person in the
          armed forces

   [1]mug
          [mug] n [origin unknown] (1664) 1: a cylindrical drinking
          cup 2 a: the face or mouth of a person b: grimace c:
          mug shot 3 a chiefly Brit (1): fool, blockhead (2): a
          person easily deceived b: punk, thug -- mug.ful n [2]mug
          vb mugged ; mug.ging vi (1855): to pose or make faces
          esp. to attract attention or for a camera ~ vt: photograph
          [3]mug vt mugged ; mug.ging [prob. fr. earlier mug to
          strike in the face, perh. fr. [1]mug] (ca. 1864): to
          assault usu. with intent to rob -- mug.gee n

   [1]mugger
          [mug.ger] n [Hindi magar, fr. Skt makara water monster] (1844):
          a common usu. harmless freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus
          palustris) of southeastern Asia [2]mugger n [[3]mug]
          (1863): one who attacks with intent to rob [3]mugger
          n [[2]mug] (1892): one that grimaces esp. before an audience

   muggy
          [mug.gy] adj mug.gi.er ; -est [E dial. mug drizzle] (1746):
          being warm, damp, and close -- mug.gi.ness n

   Mughal
          [Mu.ghal] var of mogul

   mugho pine
          [mu.gho pine] n [prob. fr. F mugho mugho pine, fr. It mugo]
          (ca. 1756): a shrubby spreading pine (Pinus mugo mughus)
          widely cultivated as an ornamental--called also mugo
          pine

   mug's game
          [mug's game] n (1910): a profitless or futile activity

   mug shot
          [mug shot] n (1950): a photograph of usu. a person's head
          and esp. face; specif: a police photograph of a suspect's
          face or profile

   mug up
          [mug up] vi (ca. 1860) Brit: to study intensively (as for
          an examination) ~ vt: to work up by study

   mugwump
          [mug.wump] n [obs. slang mugwump kingpin, fr. Massachuset
          mugquomp, muggumquomp war leader] (1884) 1: a bolter
          from the Republican party in 1884 2: an independent in
          politics

   Muhammadan
          [Mu.ham.mad.an] adj (1681): of or relating to Muhammad or
          Islam -- Muhammadan n -- Mu.ham.mad.an.ism n

   Muhammadan calendar
          [Muhammadan calendar] n (ca. 1889): islamic calendar

   Muhammadan era
          [Muhammadan era] n (ca. 1889): islamic era

   Muharram
          [Mu.har.ram] n [Ar Muharram] (ca. 1615) 1: the 1st month
          of the Islamic year 2: a Muslim festival held during
          Muharram

   mujahideen
          [mu.ja.hid.een] or mu.ja.hed.in also mu.ja.hed.een n pl [Ar
          mujahidin, pl. of mujahid, lit., person who wages jihad]
          (1922): Islamic guerrilla fighters esp. in the Middle
          East

   mujik
          [mu.jik] var of muzhik

   mukluk
          [muk.luk] n [Yupik maklak bearded seal] (1868) 1: a sealskin
          or reindeer-skin boot worn by Eskimos 2: a boot often
          of duck with a soft leather sole and worn over several
          pairs of socks

   muktuk
          [muk.tuk] n [Inuit maktak] (1835): whale skin used for food

   mulatto
          [mu.lat.to] n, pl -toes or -tos [Sp mulato, fr. mulo mule,
          fr. L mulus] (1593) 1: the first-generation offspring
          of a black person and a white person 2: a person of mixed
          white and black ancestry

   mulberry
          [mul.ber.ry] n [ME murberie, mulberie, fr. MF moure mulberry
          (fr. L morum, fr. Gk moron) + ME berie berry] (14c) 1:
          any of a genus (Morus of the family Moraceae, the mulberry
          family) of trees with an edible usu. purple multiple
          fruit that is an aggregate of juicy one-seeded drupes;
          also: the fruit 2: a dark purple or purplish black

   mulch
          [mulch] n [perh. irreg. fr. E dial. melch soft, mild] (1657):
          a protective covering (as of sawdust, compost, or paper)
          spread or left on the ground to reduce evaporation, maintain
          even soil temperature, prevent erosion, control weeds,
          enrich the soil, or keep fruit (as strawberries) clean
          -- mulch vt

   [1]mulct
          [mulct] n [L multa, mulcta] (1598): fine, penalty [2]mulct
          vt (1611) 1: to punish by a fine 2 a: to defraud esp.
          of money: swindle b: to obtain by fraud, duress, or theft

   [1]mule
          [mule] n [ME, fr. OF mul, fr. L mulus] (13c) 1 a: a hybrid
          between a horse and a donkey; esp: the offspring of a
          male donkey and a mare b: a self-sterile plant whether
          hybrid or not c: a usu. sterile hybrid 2: a very stubborn
          person 3: a machine for simultaneously drawing and twisting
          fiber into yarn or thread and winding it into cops 4
          slang: a person who smuggles or delivers illicit drugs
          [2]mule n [MF, a kind of slipper, fr. L mulleus shoe
          worn by magistrates] (1562): a shoe or slipper without
          quarter or heel strap--compare scuff

   mule deer
          [mule deer] n (1805): a long-eared deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
          of western No. America that is larger and more heavily
          built than the common whitetail

   mule skinner
          [mule skinner] n (1870): muleteer

   muleta
          [mu.le.ta] n [Sp, crutch, muleta, dim. of mula she-mule,
          fr. L, fem. of mulus mule] (1838): a small cloth attached
          to a short tapered stick and used by a matador in place
          of the large cape during the final stage of a bullfight

   muleteer
          [mu.le.teer] n [F muletier, fr. mulet, fr. OF, dim. of mul
          mule] (1538): one who drives mules

   muley
          [mu.ley] adj [of Celtic origin; akin to Ir & ScGael maol
          bald, hornless, W moel] (1840): polled, hornless; esp:
          naturally hornless

   muliebrity
          [mu.li.eb.ri.ty] n [LL muliebritat-, muliebritas, fr. L muliebris
          of a woman, fr. mulier woman] (1592): femininity

   mulish
          [mul.ish] adj [[1]mule] (1751): unreasonably and inflexibly
          obstinate syn see obstinate -- mul.ish.ly adv -- mul.ish.ness
          n

   [1]mull
          [mull] vb [ME, fr. mul, mol dust, prob. fr. MD; akin to OE
          melu meal--more at meal] vt (15c) 1: to grind or mix
          thoroughly: pulverize 2: to consider at length: ponder--often
          used with over ~ vi: meditate, ponder [2]mull vt [origin
          unknown] (1618): to heat, sweeten, and flavor (as wine
          or cider) with spices [3]mull n [by shortening & alter.
          fr. mulmul muslin, fr. Hindi malmal] (1798): a soft fine
          sheer fabric of cotton, silk, or rayon [4]mull n [G,
          fr. Dan muld, fr. ON mold dust, soil; akin to OHG molta
          dust, soil--more at mold] (1928) 1: friable forest humus
          that forms a layer of mixed organic matter and mineral
          soil and merges gradually into the mineral soil beneath
          2: a finely powdered solid esp. in a suspension

   mullah
          [mul.lah] n [Turk molla & Per & Hindi mulla, fr. Ar mawla]
          (1613): an educated Muslim trained in traditional religious
          law and doctrine and usu. holding an official post --
          mul.lah.ism n

   mullein
          [mul.lein] also mul.len n [ME moleyne, fr. AF moleine] (14c):
          any of a genus (Verbascum) of usu. woolly-leaved Eurasian
          herbs of the snapdragon family including some that are
          naturalized in No. America

   mullein pink
          [mullein pink] n (ca. 1850): an Old World herb (Lychnis coronaria)
          of the pink family cultivated chiefly for its woolly herbage and
          crimson flowers

   muller
          [mull.er] n [alter. of ME molour, prob. fr. mullen to grind]
          (1612): a stone or piece of wood, metal, or glass used
          as a pestle for pounding or grinding

   Mullerian
          [Mul.le.ri.an] adj [Fritz Muller d. 1897 Ger. zoologist]
          (1899): of, relating to, or being mimicry that exists
          between two or more inedible or dangerous species (as
          of butterflies) and that is considered in evolutionary
          theory to be a mechanism reducing loss to predation by
          simplification of the recognition process

   mullet
          [mul.let] n, pl mullet or mullets [ME molet, fr. MF mulet,
          fr. L mullus red mullet, fr. Gk myllos] (14c): any of
          a family (Mugilidae) of valuable chiefly marine food
          fishes with an elongate rather stout body

   mulligan
          [mul.li.gan] n [prob. fr. the name Mulligan] (ca. 1949):
          a free shot sometimes given a golfer in informal play
          when the previous shot was poorly played

   mulligan stew
          [mulligan stew] n [prob. fr. the name Mulligan] (1904): a
          stew made from whatever ingredients are available

   mulligatawny
          [mul.li.ga.taw.ny] n [Tamil milakutanni, fr. milaku pepper
          + tanni water] (1784): a rich soup usu. of chicken stock
          seasoned with curry

   mullion
          [mul.lion] n [prob. alter. of monial mullion] (1567): a slender
          vertical member that forms a division between units of
          a window, door, or screen or is used decoratively --
          mullion vt

   mullite
          [mull.ite] n [Mull, island of the Inner Hebrides] (1924):
          a mineral that is an orthorhombic silicate of aluminum
          which is resistant to corrosion and heat and is used
          as a refractory

   multi-
          [multi-] comb form [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L, fr. multus
          much, many--more at meliorate] 1 a: many: multiple: much
          <multivalent> b: more than two <multilateral> c: more
          than one <multiparous> 2: many times over
          <multimillionaire>mul.ti.age
          mul.ti.agen.cy mul.ti.armed mul.ti.at.om mul.ti.au.thor
          mul.ti.ax.i.al mul.ti.band mul.ti.bank mul.ti.bar.rel
          mul.ti.bar.reled mul.ti.bil.lion mul.ti.bil.lion.aire
          mul.ti.blad.ed mul.ti.branched mul.ti.build.ing mul.ti.cam.pus
          mul.ti.car mul.ti.car.bon mul.ti.caus.al mul.ti.cell
          mul.ti.celled mul.ti.cel.lu.lar mul.ti.cel.lu.lar.i.ty
          mul.ti.cen.ter mul.ti.chain mul.ti.cham.bered mul.ti.chan.nel
          mul.ti.char.ac.ter mul.ti.city mul.ti.cli.ent mul.ti.coat.ed
          mul.ti.col.or mul.ti.col.ored mul.ti.col.umn mul.ti.com.po.nent
          mul.ti.con.duc.tor mul.ti.copy mul.ti.coun.ty mul.ti.course
          mul.ti.cu.rie mul.ti.cur.ren.cy mul.ti.di.a.lec.tal
          mul.ti.di.men.sion.al
          mul.ti.di.men.sion.al.i.ty mul.ti.di.rec.tion.al
          mul.ti.dis.ci.plin.ary
          mul.ti.dis.ci.pline mul.ti.di.vi.sion.al mul.ti.do.main
          mul.ti.drug mul.ti.elec.trode mul.ti.el.e.ment mul.ti.em.ploy.er
          mul.ti.en.gine mul.ti.eth.nic mul.ti.fac.et.ed mul.ti.fam.i.ly
          mul.ti.fil.a.ment mul.ti.flash mul.ti.fo.cal mul.ti.fre.quen.cy
          mul.ti.func.tion mul.ti.func.tion.al mul.ti.gen.er.a.tion.al
          mul.ti.gen.ic mul.ti.grade mul.ti.grain mul.ti.grid mul.ti.group
          mul.ti.hand.i.capped mul.ti.head.ed mul.ti.hos.pi.tal
          mul.ti.hued mul.ti-in.dus.try mul.ti-in.sti.tu.tion.al
          mul.ti.lane mul.ti.lev.el mul.ti.lev.eled mul.ti.line
          mul.ti.lobed mul.ti.manned mul.ti.mega.ton mul.ti.mega.watt
          mul.ti.mem.ber mul.ti.me.tal.lic mul.ti.mil.len.ni.al
          mul.ti.mil.lion mul.ti.mil.lion.aire mul.ti.mode
          mul.ti.mo.lec.u.lar mul.ti.na.tion mul.ti.nu.cle.ar
          mul.ti.nu.cle.ate mul.ti.nu.cle.at.ed mul.ti.or.gas.mic mul.ti.page
          mul.ti.paned mul.ti.pa.ram.e.ter mul.ti.part mul.ti.par.ti.cle
          mul.ti.par.ty mul.ti.path mul.ti.phase mul.ti.phasic mul.ti.pho.ton
          mul.ti.pic.ture mul.ti.piece mul.ti.pi.on mul.ti.pis.ton
          mul.ti.plant mul.ti.play.er mul.ti.pole mul.ti.pow.er
          mul.ti.prob.lem mul.ti.prod.uct mul.ti.pur.pose mul.ti.range
          mul.ti.re.gion.al mul.ti.re.li.gious mul.ti.room mul.ti.screen
          mul.ti.ser.vice mul.ti.sid.ed mul.ti.site mul.ti.size
          mul.ti.skilled mul.ti.source mul.ti.spe.cies mul.ti.speed
          mul.ti.sport mul.ti.stemmed mul.ti.step mul.ti.sto.ried
          mul.ti.sto.ry mul.ti.strand.ed mul.ti.syl.lab.ic mul.ti.sys.tem
          mul.ti.tal.ent.ed mul.ti.ter.mi.nal mul.ti.tiered mul.ti.ton
          mul.ti.tone mul.ti.tow.ered mul.ti.track mul.ti.tril.lion
          mul.ti.union mul.ti.unit mul.ti.use mul.ti.vi.ta.min mul.ti.vol.ume
          mul.ti.wall mul.ti.war.head mul.ti.wave.length mul.ti.year

   multicultural
          [mul.ti.cul.tur.al] adj (1941): of, relating to, reflecting,
          or adapted to diverse cultures <a ~ society> <~ education>
          <a ~ menu> -- mul.ti.cul.tur.al.ism n

   multienzyme
          [mul.ti.en.zyme] adj (1961): composed of or involving two
          or more enzymes that function in a biosynthetic pathway
          <~ complex>

   multifactorial
          [mul.ti.fac.to.ri.al] adj (1920) 1: having characters or
          a mode of inheritance dependent on a number of genes
          at different loci 2 or mul.ti.fac.tor : having, involving,
          or produced by a variety of elements or causes --
          mul.ti.fac.to.ri.al.ly adv

   multifarious
          [mul.ti.far.i.ous] adj [ML multifarius, fr. L multifariam
          in many places] (1593): having or occurring in great
          variety: diverse -- mul.ti.far.i.ous.ness n

   multiflora rose
          [mul.ti.flo.ra rose] n [NL multiflora, specific epithet,
          lit., having many flowers] (1829): a vigorous thorny
          rose (Rosa multiflora) with clusters of small flowers

   multifold
          [mul.ti.fold] adj (1806): many, numerous

   multiform
          [mul.ti.form] adj [F multiforme, fr. L multiformis, fr. multi-
          + -formis -form] (1603): having many forms or appearances
          -- mul.ti.for.mi.ty n

   multigerm
          [mul.ti.germ] adj [prob. fr. multi- + germinate] (1950):
          producing or being a fruit cluster capable of giving
          rise to several plants <a ~ variety of sugar beet>

   multihull
          [mul.ti.hull] n (1960): a vessel (as a catamaran or trimaran)
          with multiple side-by-side hulls--compare monohull

   multilateral
          [mul.ti.lat.er.al] adj (1696) 1: having many sides 2: involving
          or participated in by more than two nations or parties
          <~ agreements> -- mul.ti.lat.er.al.ism n -- mul.ti.lat.er.al.ist
          n -- mul.ti.lat.er.al.ly adv

   multilayered
          [mul.ti.lay.ered] or mul.ti.lay.er adj (1923): having or
          involving several distinct layers, strata, or levels

   multilingual
          [mul.ti.lin.gual] adj (1838) 1: of, containing, or expressed
          in several languages <a ~ sign> <~ dictionaries> 2: using
          or able to use several languages <~ translators>
          -- mul.ti.lin.gual.ism n -- mul.ti.lin.gual.ly adv

   multimedia
          [mul.ti.me.dia] adj (1962): using, involving, or encompassing
          several media <a ~ approach to learning> -- multimedia
          n

   multimodal
          [mul.ti.mod.al] adj (1902): having or involving several modes,
          modalities, or maxima <~ distributions> <~ responses>

   multinational
          [mul.ti.na.tion.al] adj (1926) 1: of or relating to more
          than two nationalities <a ~ society> 2 a: of, relating
          to, or involving more than two nations <a ~ alliance>
          b: having divisions in more than two countries <a ~ corporation>
          -- multinational n

   multinomial
          [mul.ti.no.mi.al] n [multi- + -nomial (as in binomial)] (1674):
          a mathematical expression that consists of the sum of
          several terms: polynomial -- multinomial adj

   multiparous
          [mul.tip.a.rous] adj [NL multiparus, fr. multi- + L -parus
          -parous] (1646) 1: producing many or more than one at
          a birth 2: having experienced one or more previous parturitions

   multipartite
          [mul.ti.par.tite] adj [L multipartitus, fr. multi- + partitus,
          pp. of partire to divide, fr. part-, pars part] (ca.
          1721) 1: divided into several or many parts 2: having
          numerous members or signatories <a ~ treaty>

   [1]multiple
          [mul.ti.ple] adj [F, fr. L multiplex, fr. multi- + -plex
          -fold--more at -fold] (1647) 1: consisting of, including,
          or involving more than one <~ births> 2: many, manifold
          <~ achievements> 3: shared by many <~ ownership> 4: having
          numerous aspects or functions: various 5: being a group
          of terminals which make a circuit available at a number
          of points 6: formed by coalescence of the ripening ovaries
          of several flowers <a ~ fruit> [2]multiple n (1685) 1
          a: the product of a quantity by an integer <35 is a ~
          of 7> b: something in units of more than one or two 2:
          parallel 4b 3 chiefly Brit: chain store

   multiple allele
          [multiple allele] n (1938): an allele of a genetic locus
          having more than two allelic forms within a population

   multiple-choice
          [multiple-choice] adj (1926) 1: having several answers from
          which one is to be chosen <a ~ question> 2: composed
          of multiple-choice questions <a ~ test>

   multiple factor
          [multiple factor] n (1915): one of a group of nonallelic
          genes that according to the multiple-factor hypothesis
          control various quantitative hereditary characters

   multiple myeloma
          [multiple myeloma] n (1897): a disease of bone marrow that
          is characterized by the presence of numerous myelomas
          in various bones of the body

   multiple personality
          [multiple personality] n (1901): an hysterical neurosis in
          which the personality becomes dissociated into two or
          more distinct but complex and socially and behaviorally
          integrated parts each of which becomes dominant and controls
          behavior from time to time to the exclusion of the others--compare
          schizophrenia, split personality

   multiple regression
          [multiple regression] n (1924): regression in which one variable
          is estimated by the use of more than one other variable

   multiple sclerosis
          [multiple sclerosis] n (1885): a demyelinating disease marked
          by patches of hardened tissue in the brain or the spinal
          cord and associated esp. with partial or complete paralysis
          and jerking muscle tremor

   multiple star
          [multiple star] n (1850): several stars in close proximity
          that appear to form a single system

   multiple store
          [multiple store] n (1929) chiefly Brit: chain store

   multiplet
          [mul.ti.plet] n (1922) 1: a spectrum line having several
          components 2: a group of elementary particles that are
          different in charge but similar in other properties (as
          mass)

   multiple-valued
          [multiple-valued] adj (1882): having at least one and sometimes
          more of the values of the range associated with each
          value of the domain <a ~ function>--compare single-valued

   [1]multiplex
          [mul.ti.plex] adj [L] (1557) 1: many, multiple 2: being or
          relating to a system of transmitting several messages
          or signals simultaneously on the same circuit or channel
          [2]multiplex vt (1907): to send (messages or signals)
          by a multiplex system ~ vi: to multiplex messages or
          signals -- mul.ti.plex.er also mul.ti.plex.or n [3]multiplex
          n (1985): a complex that houses several movie theaters

   multiplicand
          [mul.ti.pli.cand] n [L multiplicandus, gerundive of multiplicare]
          (1594): the number that is to be multiplied by another

   multiplication
          [mul.ti.pli.ca.tion] n [ME multiplicacioun, fr. MF multiplication,
          fr. L multiplication-, multiplicatio, fr. multiplicare to multiply]
          (14c) 1: the act or process of multiplying: the state of being
          multiplied 2 a: a mathematical operation that at its simplest
          is an abbreviated process of adding an integer to itself
          a specified number of times and that is extended to other numbers
          in accordance with laws that are valid for integers b: any
          of various mathematical operations that are analogous in some way
          to multiplication of the real numbers but are defined for other
          or larger sets of elements (as complex numbers, vectors, matrices,
          or functions)

   multiplication sign
          [multiplication sign] n (1907): a symbol used to indicate
          multiplication: a: times sign b: dot 2b

   multiplicative
          [mul.ti.pli.ca.tive] adj (1653) 1: tending or having the
          power to multiply 2: of, relating to, or associated with
          a mathematical operation of multiplication <the ~ property
          of 0 requires that a times 0 equals 0 and 0 times a
          equals 0> -- mul.ti.pli.ca.tive.ly adv

   multiplicative identity
          [multiplicative identity] n (1958): an identity element (as
          1 in the group of rational numbers without 0) that in
          a given mathematical system leaves unchanged any element
          by which it is multiplied

   multiplicative inverse
          [multiplicative inverse] n (1958): an element of a mathematical
          set that when multiplied by a given element yields the
          identity element--called also reciprocal

   multiplicity
          [mul.ti.plic.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME, fr. MF multiplicite,
          fr. LL multiplicitat-, multiplicitas, fr. L multiplic-,
          multiplex] (15c) 1 a: the quality or state of being multiple
          or various b: the number of components in a system (as
          a multiplet or a group of energy levels) 2: a great number
          3: the number of times a root of an equation or zero
          of a function occurs when there is more than one root
          or zero

   multiplier
          [mul.ti.pli.er] n (15c): one that multiplies: as a: a number
          by which another number is multiplied b: an instrument
          or device for multiplying or intensifying some effect
          c: a machine, mechanism, or circuit that multiplies figures

   multi-ply
          [mul.ti-ply] adj (1926): composed of several plies

   [1]multiply
          [mul.ti.ply] vb -plied ; -ply.ing [ME multiplien, fr. OF
          multiplier, fr. L multiplicare, fr. multiplic-, multiplex
          multiple] vt (13c) 1: to increase in number esp. greatly
          or in multiples: augment 2 a: to find the product of
          by multiplication <~ 7 and 8> b: to use as a multiplicand
          in multiplication with another number <~ 7 by 8> ~ vi
          1 a: to become greater in number: spread b: breed, propagate
          2: to perform multiplication syn see increase [2]mul.ti.ply
          adv (1881): in a multiple manner: in several ways <~
          handicapped children>

   multipolar
          [mul.ti.po.lar] adj [ISV] (1859) 1: having several poles
          <a ~ generator> <~ mitoses> 2: having several dendrites
          <~ nerve cells> 3: characterized by more than two centers
          of power or interest <a ~ world> -- mul.ti.po.lar.i.ty
          n

   multipotential
          [mul.ti.po.ten.tial] adj (1913): having the potential of
          becoming any of several mature cell types <~ stem cell>

   multiprocessing
          [mul.ti.pro.cess.ing] n (1961): the processing of several
          computer programs at the same time esp. by a computer
          system with two or more processors sharing a single memory
          -- mul.ti.pro.ces.sor n

   multiprogramming
          [mul.ti.pro.gram.ming] n (1959): the technique of utilizing
          several interleaved programs concurrently in a single
          computer system

   multipronged
          [mul.ti.pronged] adj (1957) 1: having several prongs <~ fishing
          spears> 2: having several distinct aspects or elements
          <a ~ attack on the problem>

   multiracial
          [mul.ti.ra.cial] adj (1923): composed of, involving,
          or representing various races -- mul.ti.ra.cial.ism n

   multisense
          [mul.ti.sense] adj (1957): having several meanings <~ words>

   multisensory
          [mul.ti.sen.so.ry] adj (1949): relating to or involving several
          physiological senses <~ teaching methods> <~ experience>

   multispectral
          [mul.ti.spec.tral] adj (1965): of or relating to two or more
          ranges of frequencies or wavelengths in the electromagnetic
          spectrum

   multistage
          [mul.ti.stage] adj (1904) 1: having successive operating
          stages; esp: having propulsion units that operate in
          turn <~ rockets> 2: conducted by or occurring in stages
          <a ~ investigation>

   multistate
          [mul.ti.state] adj (1944) 1: having divisions in several
          states <~ enterprises> 2: of, relating to, or involving
          several states <a ~ attack on environmental pollution>

   multitasking
          [mul.ti.task.ing] n, often attrib (1966): the concurrent
          performance of several jobs by a computer

   multitude
          [mul.ti.tude] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L multitudin-,
          multitudo, fr. multus much--more at meliorate] (14c)
          1: the state of being many 2: a great number: host 3:
          a great number of people 4: populace, public

   multitudinous
          [mul.ti.tu.di.nous] adj (1604) 1: including a multitude of
          individuals: populous <the ~ city> 2: existing in a great
          multitude <~ opportunities> 3: existing in or consisting
          of innumerable elements or aspects <~ applause> --
          mul.ti.tu.di.nous.ly adv -- mul.ti.tu.di.nous.ness n

   multiuser
          [mul.ti.us.er] adj (1964): able to be used by more than one
          person simultaneously

   multivalence
          [mul.tiv.a.lence] n (ca. 1881): the quality or state of having
          many values, meanings, or appeals

   multivalent
          [mul.ti.va.lent] adj [ISV] (1874) 1: polyvalent 2: represented
          more than twice in the somatic chromosome number <~ chromosomes>
          3: having many values, meanings, or appeals -- multivalent
          n

   multivariable
          [mul.ti.var.i.able] adj (1963): multivariate

   multivariate
          [mul.ti.var.i.ate] adj [multi- + variable + [3]-ate] (1951):
          having or involving a number of independent mathematical
          or statistical variables <~ calculus> <~ data analysis>

   multiversity
          [mul.ti.ver.si.ty] n, pl -ties [multi- + -versity (as in
          university)] (1963): a very large university with many
          component schools, colleges, or divisions and widely
          diverse functions

   multivoltine
          [mul.ti.vol.tine] adj [multi- + -voltine having a given number
          of broods (fr. F, fr. It volta time, turn)--more at volt]
          (1874): having several broods in a season <~ insects>

   multum in parvo
          [mul.tum in par.vo] [L] foreign term : much in little

   multure
          [mul.ture] n [ME multyr, fr. MF molture, lit., grinding,
          fr. (assumed) VL molitura, fr. L molitus, pp. of molere
          to grind--more at meal] (14c) chiefly Scot: a fee for
          grinding grain at a mill

   [1]mum
          [mum] adj [prob. imit. of a sound made with closed lips]
          (14c): silent <keep ~> [2]mum vi mummed ; mum.ming [ME
          mommen, fr. MF momer to go masked] (1530) 1: to perform
          in a pantomime 2: to go about merrymaking in disguise
          during festivals [3]mum n [G Mumme] (1640): a strong
          ale or beer [4]mum chiefly Brit var of mom [5]mum n (1917):
          chrysanthemum

   mumble
          [mum.ble] vb mum.bled ; mum.bling [ME momelen, of imit. origin]
          vi (14c): to utter words in a low confused indistinct
          manner: mutter ~ vt 1: to utter with a low inarticulate
          voice 2: to chew or bite with or as if with toothless
          gums -- mumble n -- mum.bler n -- mum.bly adj

   mumblety-peg
          [mum.ble.ty-peg] also mum.ble-the-peg or mumble peg n [fr.
          the phrase mumble the peg; fr. the loser's orig. having
          to pull out with his teeth a peg driven into the ground]
          (1627): a game in which the players try to flip a knife
          from various positions so that the blade will stick into
          the ground

   mumbo jumbo
          [mum.bo jum.bo] n [Mumbo Jumbo, a masked figure among Mandingo
          peoples of western Africa] (1738) 1: an object of superstitious
          homage and fear 2 a: a complicated often ritualistic
          observance with elaborate trappings b: complicated activity
          usu. intended to obscure and confuse 3: unnecessarily
          involved and incomprehensible language: gibberish

   mummer
          [mum.mer] n [MF momeur, fr. momer to go masked] (1502) 1:
          a performer in a pantomime; broadly: actor 2: one who
          goes merrymaking in disguise during festivals

   mummery
          [mum.mery] n, pl -mer.ies (ca. 1530) 1: a performance by
          mummers 2: a ridiculous, hypocritical, or pretentious
          ceremony or performance

   mummichog
          [mum.mi.chog] n [Narraganset moamitteaug] (1787): a common
          American killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus of the family
          Cyprinodontidae)

   mummify
          [mum.mi.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (1628) 1: to embalm and
          dry as or as if a mummy 2 a: to make into or like a mummy
          b: to cause to dry up and shrivel ~ vi: to dry up and
          shrivel like a mummy -- mum.mi.fi.ca.tion n

   [1]mummy
          [mum.my] n, pl mummies [ME mummie powdered parts of a mummified
          body used as a drug, fr. MF momie, fr. ML mumia mummy,
          powdered mummy, fr. Ar mumiyah bitumen, mummy, fr. Per
          mum wax] (1615) 1 a: a body embalmed or treated for burial
          with preservatives in the manner of the ancient Egyptians
          b: a body unusually well preserved 2: one resembling
          a mummy [2]mummy chiefly Brit var of mommy

   mumps
          [mumps] n pl but sing or pl in constr [fr. pl. of obs. mump
          grimace] (1598): an acute contagious virus disease marked
          by fever and by swelling esp. of the parotid gland

   mun
          [mun] or munic abbreviation municipal

   munch
          [munch] vb [ME monchen, prob. of imit. origin] vt (14c):
          to eat with a chewing action <many a mouthful is ~ed
          in private --Washington Irving>; also: to snack on <drank
          coffee and ~ed homemade cookies --Lady Bird Johnson>
          ~ vi: to eat or chew something; also: snack--usu. used
          with on -- munch.er n

   Munchausen syndrome
          [Mun.chau.sen syndrome] n [Baron K. F. H. von Munchausen
          d. 1797 Ger. soldier and proverbial teller of exaggerated
          tales] (1951): a condition characterized by the feigning
          of the symptoms of a disease or injury in order to undergo
          diagnostic tests, hospitalization, or medical or surgical
          treatment--called also Munchausen's syndrome

   munchies
          [munch.ies] n pl (ca. 1971) 1: hunger pangs 2: light snack
          foods

   munchkin
          [munch.kin] n [the Munchkins, diminutive creatures in The
          Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) by L. Frank Baum] (1972):
          a person who is notably small and often endearing

   Munda
          [Mun.da] n (1901): a branch of the Austroasiatic language
          family spoken by tribal peoples of central and eastern
          India

   mundane
          [mun.dane] adj [ME mondeyne, fr. MF mondain, fr. LL mundanus,
          fr. L mundus world] (15c) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the world 2: characterized by the practical, transitory,
          and ordinary: commonplace <the ~ concerns of day-to-day
          life> syn see earthly -- mun.dane.ly adv -- mun.dane.ness
          n -- mun.dan.i.ty n

   mundungus
          [mun.dun.gus] n [modif. of Sp mondongo tripe] (1641) archaic:
          foul-smelling tobacco

   mung bean
          [mung bean] n [Hindi mug, fr. Skt mudga] (1910): an erect
          bushy annual bean (Phaseolus aureus) that is widely cultivated
          in warm regions for its edible usu. green or yellow seeds,
          for forage, and as the chief source of bean sprouts;
          also: the seed of the mung bean

   mungo
          [mun.go] n, pl mungos [origin unknown] (1857): reclaimed
          wool of poor quality and very short staple

   muni
          [mu.ni] n (1973): municipal

   [1]municipal
          [mu.nic.i.pal] adj [L municipalis of a municipality, fr.
          municip-, municeps inhabitant of a municipality, fr.
          munus duty, service + capere to take--more at mean, heave]
          (ca. 1540) 1: of or relating to the internal affairs
          of a major political unit (as a nation) 2 a: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a municipality b: having local
          self-government 3: restricted to one locality [2]municipal
          n (1925): a security issued by a state or local government
          or by an authority set up by such a government--usu.
          used in pl.

   municipal court
          [municipal court] n (1828) 1: a court that sits in some cities
          and larger towns and that usu. has civil and criminal
          jurisdiction over cases arising within the municipality
          2: police court

   municipality
          [mu.nic.i.pal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1790) 1: a primarily urban
          political unit having corporate status and usu. powers
          of self-government 2: the governing body of a municipality

   municipalize
          [mu.nic.i.pal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1880): to bring under
          municipal ownership or supervision -- mu.nic.i.pal.i.za.tion
          n

   municipally
          [mu.nic.i.pal.ly] adv (ca. 1842): by or in terms of a municipality

   munificent
          [mu.nif.i.cent] adj [back-formation fr. munificence, fr.
          L munificentia, fr. munificus generous, fr. munus service,
          gift--more at mean] (1583) 1: very liberal in giving
          or bestowing: lavish 2: characterized by great liberality
          or generosity syn see liberal -- mu.nif.i.cence n --
          mu.nif.i.cent.ly adv

   muniment
          [mu.ni.ment] n [ME, fr. AF, fr. MF, defense, fr. L munimentum,
          fr. munire to fortify] (15c) 1: the evidence (as documents)
          that enables one to defend the title to an estate or
          a claim to rights and privileges--usu. used in pl. 2
          archaic: a means of defense

   munition
          [mu.ni.tion] n [MF, fr. L munition-, munitio, fr. munire
          to fortify, fr. moenia walls; akin to L murus wall and
          perh. to Skt minoti he builds, fastens] (1508) 1 archaic:
          rampart, defense 2: armament, ammunition -- munition
          vt

   Munster
          [Mun.ster] var of muenster

   muntin
          [mun.tin] n [alter. of montant vertical dividing bar, fr.
          F, fr. prp. of monter to rise--more at mount] (1774):
          a strip separating panes of glass in a sash

   muntjac
          [munt.jac] n [Sundanese (Austronesian language of western
          Java) munychuk] (ca. 1798): any of a genus (Muntiacus)
          of small deer of southeastern Asia and the East Indies--called
          also barking deer

   muon
          [mu.on] n [contr. of earlier mu-meson, fr. mu] (1952): an
          unstable lepton that is common in the cosmic radiation
          near the earth's surface, has a mass about 207 times
          the mass of the electron, and exists in negative and
          positive forms -- mu.on.ic adj

   muonium
          [mu.on.ium] n [NL] (1957): a short-lived quasi-atom consisting
          of an electron and a positive muon

   [1]mural
          [mu.ral] adj [L muralis, fr. murus wall--more at munition]
          (1586) 1: of, relating to, or resembling a wall 2: applied
          to and made integral with a wall or ceiling surface [2]mural
          n (1916): a mural work of art (as a painting) -- mu.ral.ist
          n

   muramic acid
          [mu.ram.ic acid] n [L murus wall + E + glucosamine + [1]-ic]
          (1957): an amino sugar that is a lactic acid derivative
          of glucosamine and is found esp. in bacterial cell walls
          and in blue-green algae

   [1]murder
          [mur.der] n [partly fr. ME murther, fr. OE morthor; partly
          fr. ME murdre, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OE morthor;
          akin to OHG mord murder, L mort-, mors death, mori to
          die, mortuus dead, Gk brotos mortal] (bef. 12c) 1: the
          crime of unlawfully killing a person esp. with malice
          aforethought 2 a: something very difficult or dangerous
          <the traffic was ~> b: something outrageous or blameworthy
          <getting away with ~> [2]murder vb mur.dered ; mur.der.ing
          vt (13c) 1: to kill (a human being) unlawfully and with
          premeditated malice 2: to slaughter wantonly: slay 3
          a: to put an end to b: tease, torment c: mutilate, mangle
          <~s French> d: to defeat badly ~ vi: to commit murder
          syn see kill

   murderee
          [mur.der.ee] n (1920): an actual or potential victim of a
          murder

   murderer
          [mur.der.er] n (14c): one who murders; esp: one who commits
          the crime of murder

   murderess
          [mur.der.ess] n (14c): a woman who murders

   murderous
          [mur.der.ous] adj (1535) 1 a: having the purpose or capability
          of murder b: characterized by or causing murder or bloodshed
          2: having the ability or power to overwhelm: devastating
          <~ heat> -- mur.der.ous.ly adv -- mur.der.ous.ness n

   murein
          [mu.rein] n [muramic acid + -ein, alter. of [2]-ine] (1964):
          peptidoglycan

   murex
          [mu.rex] n, pl mu.ri.ces or mu.rex.es [NL, fr. L, mollusk
          yielding a purple dye; akin to Gk myak-, myax mussel]
          (1589): any of a genus (Murex) of marine gastropod mollusks
          having a rough and often spinose shell, abounding in
          tropical seas, and yielding a purple dye

   muriate
          [mu.ri.ate] n [F, back-formation fr. (acide) muriatique muriatic
          acid] (1790): chloride

   muriatic acid
          [mu.ri.at.ic acid] n [F muriatique, fr. L muriaticus pickled
          in brine, fr. muria brine] (1790): hydrochloric acid

   murid
          [mu.rid] adj [ultim. fr. L mur-, mus mouse--more at mouse]
          (ca. 1909): of or relating to a family (Muridae) comprising
          the typical mice and rats -- murid n

   murine
          [mu.rine] adj [ultim. fr. L mur-, mus] (1607): of or relating
          to a murid genus (Mus) or its subfamily (Murinae) which
          includes the common household rats and mice; also: of,
          relating to, or involving these rodents and esp. the
          house mouse -- murine n

   murine typhus
          [murine typhus] n (1933): a mild febrile disease that is
          marked by headache and rash, is caused by a rickettsia
          (Rickettsia mooseri), is widespread in nature in rodents,
          and is transmitted to humans by a flea

   murk
          [murk] n [ME mirke, fr. OE mirce; akin to ON myrkr darkness]
          (bef. 12c): gloom, darkness; also: fog -- murk adj, archaic

   murky
          [murky] adj murk.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: characterized by a
          heavy dimness or obscurity caused by or like that caused
          by overhanging fog or smoke 2: characterized by thickness
          and heaviness of air: foggy, misty 3: darkly vague or
          obscure <~ official rhetoric> -- murk.i.ly adv -- murk.i.ness
          n

   [1]murmur
          [mur.mur] n [ME murmure, fr. MF, fr. L murmur murmur, roar,
          of imit. origin] (14c) 1: a half-suppressed or muttered
          complaint: grumbling 2 a: a low indistinct but often
          continuous sound b: a soft or gentle utterance 3: an
          atypical sound of the heart indicating a functional or
          structural abnormality [2]murmur vi (14c) 1: to make
          a murmur <the breeze ~ed in the pines> 2: complain, grumble
          ~ vt: to say in a murmur -- mur.mur.er n

   murmurous
          [mur.mur.ous] adj (1582): filled with or characterized by
          murmurs: low and indistinct -- mur.mur.ous.ly adv

   Murphy
          [Mur.phy] n [Miss Murphy, nonexistent prostitute used to
          lure victims] (1959): any of various confidence games;
          esp: one in which the victim believes he is paying for
          sex

   Murphy bed
          [Murphy bed] n [William L. Murphy d. 1959 Am. inventor] (1925):
          a bed that may be folded or swung into a closet

   Murphy's Law
          [Murphy's Law] n [Edward A. Murphy b1917 Am. engineer] (1958):
          an observation: anything that can go wrong will go wrong

   murrain
          [mur.rain] n [ME moreyne, fr. MF morine, fr. morir to die,
          fr. L mori--more at murder] (14c): a pestilence or plague
          esp. affecting domestic animals

   murre
          [murre] n [origin unknown] (1602): any of a genus (Uria)
          of seabirds; esp: a common bird (U. aalge) of northern
          seas

   murrey
          [mur.rey] n [ME, fr. MF more, fr. ML moratum, fr. neut. of
          moratus mulberry colored, fr. L morum mulberry--more
          at mulberry] (15c): a purplish black: mulberry

   murs
          [murs] [F] foreign term : mores: attitudes, customs, and
          manners of a society

   murther
          [mur.ther] chiefly dial var of murder

   mus
          [mus] abbreviation museum, music, musical, musician

   muscadet
          [mus.ca.det] n, often cap [F, fr. Prov, muscadet grape, fr.
          musc musk] (ca. 1899): a dry white wine from the Loire
          valley of France

   muscadine
          [mus.ca.dine] n [prob. alter. of muscatel] (ca. 1785): a
          grape (Vitis rotundifolia) of the southern U.S. with
          musky fruits borne in small clusters; also: the fruit

   muscae volitantes
          [mus.cae vo.li.tan.tes] n pl [NL, lit., flying flies] (1797):
          spots before the eyes due to cells and cell fragments
          in the vitreous humor and lens

   muscarine
          [mus.ca.rine] n [G Muskarin, fr. NL (Amanita) muscaria fly
          agaric] (1872): a toxic ammonium base that is biochemically
          related to acetylcholine, is found esp. in fly agaric,
          and acts directly on smooth muscle

   muscarinic
          [mus.ca.rin.ic] adj (1936): relating to, resembling, producing,
          or mediating the parasympathetic effects (as a slowed
          heart rate and increased activity of smooth muscle) produced
          by muscarine <~ receptors>--compare nicotinic

   muscat
          [mus.cat] n [MF, fr. OProv, fr. muscat musky, fr. musc musk,
          fr. LL muscus--more at musk] (1548) 1: muscatel 2: any
          of several cultivated grapes used in making wine and
          raisins

   muscatel
          [mus.ca.tel] n [ME muskadelle, fr. MF muscadel, fr. OProv,
          fr. muscadel resembling musk, fr. muscat] (15c) 1: a
          sweet fortified wine from muscat grapes 2: a raisin from
          muscat grapes

   [1]muscle
          [mus.cle] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF, fr. L musculus, fr.
          dim. of mus mouse--more at mouse] (14c) 1 a: a body tissue
          consisting of long cells that contract when stimulated
          and produce motion b: an organ that is essentially a
          mass of muscle tissue attached at either end to a fixed
          point and that by contracting moves or checks the movement
          of a body part 2 a: muscular strength: brawn b: effective
          strength: power <political ~> [2]muscle vb mus.cled ;
          mus.cling vt (1913): to move or force by or as if by
          muscular effort <muscled him out of office> ~ vi: to
          make one's way by brute strength or by force

   muscle-bound
          [mus.cle-bound] adj (1879) 1: having some of the muscles
          tense and enlarged and of impaired elasticity sometimes
          as a result of excessive exercise 2: lacking in flexibility:
          rigid

   muscle car
          [muscle car] n (1969): any of a group of American-made 2-door
          sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance
          driving

   muscled
          [mus.cled] adj (1644): having muscles esp. of a specified
          kind--often used in combination <hard-muscled arms>

   muscle spindle
          [muscle spindle] n (1894): a sensory end organ in a muscle
          that is sensitive to stretch in the muscle, consists
          of small striated muscle fibers richly supplied with
          nerve fibers, and is enclosed in a connective tissue
          sheath--called also stretch receptor

   muscovite
          [mus.co.vite] n [ML or NL Muscovia, Moscovia Moscow] (1535)
          1 cap a: a native or resident of the ancient principality
          of Moscow or of the city of Moscow b: russian 2 [muscovy
          (glass)]: a mineral that is a colorless to pale brown
          potassium mica -- Muscovite adj

   Muscovy duck
          [Mus.co.vy duck] n [Muscovy, principality of Moscow, Russia]
          (1657): a large dark crested duck (Cairina moschata)
          of Central and So. America that is widely kept in domestication

   muscul-
          [muscul-] or musculo- comb form [LL muscul-, fr. L musculus]
          1: muscle <muscular> 2: muscular and <musculoskeletal>

   muscular
          [mus.cu.lar] adj (1681) 1 a: of, relating to, or constituting
          muscle b: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
          2: having well-developed musculature 3 a: of or relating
          to physical strength: brawny b: having strength of expression
          or character: vigorous <~ prose> -- mus.cu.lar.i.ty n
          -- mus.cu.lar.ly adv

   muscular dystrophy
          [muscular dystrophy] n (1886): any of a group of hereditary
          diseases characterized by progressive wasting of muscles

   musculature
          [mus.cu.la.ture] n [F, fr. L musculus] (1875): the muscles
          of all or a part of the animal body

   musculoskeletal
          [mus.cu.lo.skel.e.tal] adj (ca. 1944): of, relating to, or
          involving both musculature and skeleton

   [1]muse
          [muse] vb mused ; mus.ing [ME, fr. MF muser to gape, idle,
          muse, fr. muse mouth of an animal, fr. ML musus] vi (14c)
          1: to become absorbed in thought; esp: to turn something
          over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively
          2 archaic: wonder, marvel ~ vt: to think or say reflectively
          syn see ponder -- mus.er n [2]muse n (15c): a state of
          deep thought or dreamy abstraction [3]muse n [ME, fr.
          MF, fr. L Musa, fr. Gk Mousa] (14c) 1 cap: any of the
          nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology presiding over
          song and poetry and the arts and sciences 2: a source
          of inspiration; esp: a guiding genius 3: poet

   musee imaginaire
          [mu.see ima.gi.naire] [F] foreign term : imaginary museum

   museology
          [mu.se.ol.o.gy] n [museum + -logy] (1885): the science or
          profession of museum organization and management --
          mu.seo.log.i.cal adj -- mu.se.ol.o.gist n

   musette
          [mu.sette] n [ME, fr. MF, dim. of muse bagpipe, fr. muser
          to muse, play the bagpipe] (14c) 1: a bellows-blown bagpipe
          popular in France in the 17th and 18th centuries 2: a
          small knapsack; also: a similar bag with one shoulder
          strap--called also musette bag

   museum
          [mu.se.um] n [L Museum place for learned occupation, fr.
          Gk Mouseion, fr. neut. of Mouseios of the Muses, fr.
          Mousa] (1672): an institution devoted to the procurement,
          care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest
          or value; also: a place where objects are exhibited

   museum piece
          [museum piece] n (1901) 1: something preserved in or suitable
          for a museum 2: one that is out-of-date: a thing of the
          past

   [1]mush
          [mush] n [prob. alter. of mash] (1671) 1: a thick porridge
          made with cornmeal boiled in water or milk 2: something
          soft and spongy or shapeless 3 a: weak sentimentality:
          drivel b: mawkish amorousness [2]mush vt (ca. 1781) chiefly
          dial: to reduce to a crumbly mass ~ vi, of an airplane:
          to fly in a partly or nearly stalled condition -- mush.er
          n [3]mush vi [prob. fr. F marchons, 1st pl. imper. of
          marcher to move, march, fr. MF marchier--more at march]
          (1897): to travel esp. over snow with a sled drawn by
          dogs--often used as a command to a dog team -- mush.er
          n [4]mush n (1902): a trip esp. across snow with a dog
          team

   [1]mushroom
          [mush.room] n [alter. of ME musseroun, fr. MF mousseron,
          fr. LL mussirion-, mussirio] (1533) 1 a: an enlarged
          complex aboveground fleshy fruiting body of a fungus
          (as a basidiomycete) that consists typically of a stem
          bearing a pileus; esp: one that is edible b: fungus 2:
          upstart 3: something resembling a mushroom [2]mushroom
          vi (1894) 1: to collect wild mushrooms 2 a: to well up
          and spread out laterally from a central source b: to
          become enlarged or extended: grow 3: to spring up suddenly
          or multiply rapidly

   mushroom cloud
          [mushroom cloud] n (ca. 1909): a mushroom-shaped cloud; specif:
          one caused by the explosion of a nuclear weapon

   mushy
          [mushy] adj mush.i.er ; -est (1839) 1 a: having the consistency
          of mush: soft b: lacking in definition or precision 2:
          excessively tender or emotional; esp: mawkishly amorous
          -- mush.i.ly adv -- mush.i.ness n

   music
          [mu.sic] n, often attrib [ME musik, fr. OF musique, fr. L
          musica, fr. Gk mousike any art presided over by the Muses,
          esp. music, fr. fem. of mousikos of the Muses, fr. Mousa
          Muse] (13c) 1 a: the science or art of ordering tones
          or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal
          relationships to produce a composition having unity and
          continuity b: vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds
          having rhythm, melody, or harmony 2 a: an agreeable sound:
          euphony <her voice was ~ to my ears> b: musical quality
          <the ~ of verse> 3: a musical accompaniment <a play set
          to ~> 4: the score of a musical composition set down
          on paper 5: a distinctive type or category of music <there
          is a ~ for everybody --Eric Salzman>

   [1]musical
          [mu.si.cal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML musicalis, fr. musica]
          (15c) 1 a: of or relating to music b: having the pleasing
          harmonious qualities of music: melodious 2: having an
          interest in or talent for music 3: set to or accompanied
          by music 4: of or relating to musicians or music lovers
          -- mu.si.cal.ly adv [2]musical n (1823) 1 archaic: musicale
          2: a film or theatrical production typically of a sentimental
          or humorous nature that consists of musical numbers and
          dialogue based on a unifying plot

   musical box
          [musical box] n (1829) chiefly Brit: music box

   musical chairs
          [musical chairs] n pl but sing in constr (1877): a game in
          which players march to music around a row of chairs numbering
          one less than the players and scramble for seats when
          the music stops; also: a situation or series of events
          suggesting the game of musical chairs (as in rapid change
          or confusing activity)

   musical comedy
          [musical comedy] n (1765): musical 2

   musicale
          [mu.si.cale] n [F soiree musicale, lit., musical evening]
          (1872): a social entertainment with music as the leading
          feature

   musicalise
          [mu.si.cal.ise] Brit var of musicalize

   musicality
          [mu.si.cal.i.ty] n (1853) 1: sensitivity to, knowledge of,
          or talent for music 2: the quality or state of being
          musical: melodiousness

   musicalize
          [mu.si.cal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1919): to set to music
          -- mu.si.cal.i.za.tion n

   musical saw
          [musical saw] n (1927): a handsaw made to produce melody
          by bending the blade while sounding it with a hammer
          or violin bow

   music box
          [music box] n (1844): a container enclosing an apparatus
          that reproduces music mechanically when activated by
          a clockwork

   music drama
          [music drama] n (1877): an opera in which the action is not
          interrupted by formal song divisions (as recitatives
          or arias) and the music is determined solely by dramatic
          appropriateness

   music hall
          [music hall] n (1842): a vaudeville theater; also: vaudeville

   musician
          [mu.si.cian] n (14c): a composer, conductor, or performer
          of music; esp: instrumentalist -- mu.si.cian.ly adj --
          mu.si.cian.ship n

   music of the spheres
          [music of the spheres] (1609): an ethereal harmony thought
          by the Pythagoreans to be produced by the vibration of
          the celestial spheres

   musicology
          [mu.si.col.o.gy] n [It musicologia, fr. L musica music +
          -logia -logy] (1909): a study of music as a branch of
          knowledge or field of research as distinct from composition
          or performance -- mu.si.co.log.i.cal adj -- mu.si.col.o.gist
          n

   [1]musing
          [mus.ing] n (14c): meditation [2]musing adj (15c): thoughtfully
          abstracted: meditative -- mus.ing.ly adv

   musique concrete
          [mu.sique con.crete] n [F, lit., concrete music] (1952):
          a recorded montage of natural sounds often electronically
          modified and presented as a musical composition

   musk
          [musk] n [ME muske, fr. MF musc, fr. LL muscus, fr. LGk moschos,
          fr. (assumed) MPer musk-, fr. Skt muska testicle, fr.
          dim. of mus mouse; akin to OE mus mouse] (14c) 1 a: a
          substance with a penetrating persistent odor obtained
          from a sac beneath the abdominal skin of the male musk
          deer and used as a perfume fixative; also: a similar
          substance from another animal or a synthetic substitute
          b: the odor of musk; also: an odor resembling musk esp.
          in heaviness or persistence 2: any of various plants
          with musky odors; esp: musk plant

   musk deer
          [musk deer] n (1681): any of a genus (Moschus) of small
          heavy-limbed hornless deer of central Asian uplands with tusked
          musk-producing males

   muskeg
          [mus.keg] n [Cree maskek] (1806) 1: bog; esp: a sphagnum
          bog of northern No. America often with tussocks 2: a
          usu. thick deposit of partially decayed vegetable matter
          of wet boreal regions

   muskellunge
          [mus.kel.lunge] n, pl muskellunge [alter. of CanF maskinonge,
          fr. Ojibwa maskinoshe] (1789): a large No. American pike
          (Esox masquinongy) that has dark markings, may weigh
          over 60 pounds (27 kilograms), and is a valuable sport
          fish

   musket
          [mus.ket] n [MF mousquet, fr. OIt moschetto arrow for a crossbow,
          musket, fr. dim. of mosca fly, fr. L musca--more at midge]
          (ca. 1587): a heavy large-caliber muzzle-loading usu.
          smoothbore shoulder firearm; broadly: a shoulder gun
          carried by infantry

   musketeer
          [mus.ke.teer] n [modif. of MF mousquetaire, fr. mousquet]
          (1590) 1: a soldier armed with a musket 2 [fr. the musketeers'
          friendship in the novel Les Trois Mousquetaires (1844)
          by Alexandre Dumas]: a good friend: buddy

   musketry
          [mus.ket.ry] n (1646) 1: muskets 2: musketeers 3 a: musket
          fire b: the art or science of using small arms esp. in
          battle

   muskie
          [mus.kie] or mus.ky n, pl muskies (1894): muskellunge

   muskmelon
          [musk.mel.on] n (1573): a usu. sweet musky-odored edible
          melon that is the fruit of a trailing or climbing Asian
          herbaceous vine (Cucumis melo): as a: any of various
          melons of small or moderate size with netted skin that
          include most of the muskmelons cultivated in No. America
          b: cantaloupe 1 c: winter melon

   Muskogean
          [Mus.ko.ge.an] or Mus.kho.ge.an n (1891): a language family
          of southeastern U.S. that includes Muskogee

   Muskogee
          [Mus.ko.gee] n, pl Muskogee or Muskogees (1775) 1: a member
          of an American Indian people of Georgia and eastern Alabama
          constituting the nucleus of the Creek confederacy 2:
          the language of the Muskogees and of some of the Seminoles

   musk ox
          [musk ox] n (1744): a heavyset shaggy-coated wild ox (Ovibos
          moschatus) now confined to Greenland and the barren northern
          lands of No. America

   musk plant
          [musk plant] n (1852): a yellow-flowered No. American herb
          (Mimulus moschatus) of the snapdragon family that has
          hairy foliage and sometimes a musky odor

   muskrat
          [musk.rat] n, pl muskrat or muskrats [prob. by folk etymology
          fr. a word of Algonquian origin; akin to Massachuset
          musquash muskrat] (1607): an aquatic rodent (Ondatra
          zibethica) of the U.S. and Canada with a long scaly laterally
          compressed tail, webbed hind feet, and dark glossy brown
          fur; also: its fur or pelt

   musk rose
          [musk rose] n (1577): a rose (Rosa moschata) of the Mediterranean
          region with white flowers having a musky odor

   musk thistle
          [musk thistle] n (1731): a Eurasian thistle (Carduus nutans)
          that has nodding musky flower heads and is naturalized
          in eastern No. America

   musk turtle
          [musk turtle] n (1868): any of various small American freshwater
          turtles (genera Sternotherus and Kinosternon) that have
          musk glands; esp: a dark turtle (S. odoratus) having
          a strong musky odor

   musky
          [musky] adj musk.i.er ; -est (1613): having an odor of or
          resembling musk -- musk.i.ness n

   Muslim
          [Mus.lim] n [Ar muslim, lit., one who surrenders (to God)]
          (1615) 1: an adherent of Islam 2: black muslim -- Muslim
          adj

   Muslim era
          [Muslim era] n (1948): islamic era

   muslin
          [mus.lin] n [F mousseline, fr. It mussolina, fr. Ar mawsiliy
          of Mosul, fr. al-Mawsil Mosul, Iraq] (1609): a plain-woven
          sheer to coarse cotton fabric

   musquash
          [mus.quash] n [Massachuset] (1633): muskrat

   [1]muss
          [muss] n [origin unknown] (1591) 1 obs a: a game in which
          players scramble for small objects thrown to the ground
          b: scramble 2 slang: a confused conflict: row 3: a state
          of disorder: mess [2]muss vt (1837): to make untidy:
          disarrange

   mussel
          [mus.sel] n [ME muscle, fr. OE muscelle, fr. (assumed) VL
          muscula, fr. L musculus muscle, mussel] (bef. 12c) 1:
          a marine bivalve mollusk (esp. genus Mytilus) usu. having
          a dark elongated shell 2: a freshwater bivalve mollusk
          (as of Unio, Anodonta, or related genera) that is esp.
          abundant in rivers of the central U.S. and has a shell
          with a lustrous nacreous lining

   Mussulman
          [Mus.sul.man] also Mus.sal.man n, pl Mus.sul.men or Mussulmans
          [Turk musluman & Per musulman, modif. of Ar muslim] (ca.
          1583): muslim

   mussy
          [mussy] adj muss.i.er ; -est (ca. 1859): characterized by
          clutter or muss: messy -- muss.i.ly adv -- muss.i.ness
          n

   [1]must
          [must] vb, pres & past all persons must [ME moste, fr. OE
          moste, past indic. & subj. of motan to be allowed to,
          have to; akin to OHG muozan to be allowed to, have to]
          verbal auxiliary (bef. 12c) 1 a: be commanded or requested
          to <you ~ stop> b: be urged to: ought by all means to
          <you ~ read that book> 2: be compelled by physical necessity
          to <man ~ eat to live>: be required by immediate or future
          need or purpose to <we ~ hurry to catch the bus> 3 a:
          be obliged to: be compelled by social considerations
          to <I ~ say you're looking well> b: be required by law,
          custom, or moral conscience to <we ~ obey the rules>
          c: be determined to <if you ~ go at least wait for me>
          d: be unreasonably or perversely compelled to <why ~
          you be so stubborn> 4: be logically inferred or supposed
          to <it ~ be time> 5: be compelled by fate or by natural
          law to <what ~ be will be> 6: was or were presumably
          certain to: was or were bound to <if he really was there
          I ~ have seen him> 7 dial: may, shall--used chiefly in
          questions ~ vi, archaic: to be obliged to go <I ~ to
          Coventry --Shak.> [2]must n (1616) 1: an imperative need
          or duty: requirement 2: an indispensable item: essential
          <exercise is a ~> [3]must n [ME, fr. OE, fr. L mustum]
          (bef. 12c): the expressed juice of fruit and esp. grapes
          before and during fermentation; also: the pulp and skins
          of the crushed grapes [4]must n [ME (Sc) moist, fr. MF
          must, alter. of musc musk] (15c) 1: musk 2: mold, mustiness

   mustache
          [mus.tache] n [MF moustache, fr. OIt mustaccio, fr. MGk moustaki,
          dim. of Gk mystak-, mystax upper lip, mustache] (1585)
          1: the hair growing on the human upper lip; esp: such
          hair grown and often trimmed in a particular style 2:
          hair or bristles about the mouth of a mammal -- mus.tached
          adj

   mustachio
          [mus.ta.chio] n, pl -chios [Sp & It; Sp mostacho, fr. It
          mustaccio, fr. OIt] (1588): mustache; esp: a large mustache
          -- mus.ta.chioed adj

   mustang
          [mus.tang] n [MexSp mestengo, fr. Sp, stray, fr. mesteno
          strayed, fr. mesta annual roundup of cattle that disposed
          of strays, fr. ML (animalia) mixta mixed animals] (1808)
          1: the small hardy naturalized horse of the western plains
          directly descended from horses brought in by the Spaniards;
          also: bronc 2 slang: a commissioned officer (as in the
          U.S. Navy) who has risen from the ranks

   mustard
          [mus.tard] n [ME, fr. OF mostarde, fr. moust must, fr. L
          mustum] (13c) 1 a: a pungent yellow powder of the seeds
          of any of several common mustards (Brassica hirta, B.
          nigra, or B. juncea) used as a condiment or in medicine
          as a stimulant and diuretic, an emetic, or a counterirritant
          b slang: zest 2: any of several herbs (genus Brassica
          of the family Cruciferae, the mustard family) with lobed
          leaves, yellow flowers, and linear beaked pods 3: a dark
          to moderate yellow -- mus.tardy adj

   mustard gas
          [mustard gas] n (1917): an irritant vesicant oily liquid
          used esp. as a chemical weapon

   mustard plaster
          [mustard plaster] n (1810): a counterirritant and rubefacient
          plaster containing powdered mustard

   [1]muster
          [mus.ter] n [ME mustre, fr. MF mostre, monstre, fr. monstrer]
          (14c) 1: a representative specimen: sample 2 a: an act
          of assembling; specif: formal military inspection b:
          critical examination c: an assembled group: collection
          d: inventory [2]muster vb mus.tered ; mus.ter.ing [ME
          mustren to show, muster, fr. MF monstrer, fr. L monstrare
          to show, fr. monstrum evil omen, monster--more at monster]
          vt (15c) 1 a: to cause to gather: convene b: to enroll
          formally--usu. used with in or into <was ~ed into the
          army> c: to call the roll of 2 a: to bring together:
          collect b: to call forth: rouse 3: to amount to: comprise
          ~ vi: to come together: congregate syn see summon

   muster out
          [muster out] vt (1834): to discharge from service

   muster roll
          [muster roll] n (1605): inventory, roster; specif: a register
          of the officers and men in a military unit or ship's
          company

   musth
          [musth] also must n [Hindi mast intoxicated, fr. Per] (1878):
          a periodic state of the bull elephant characterized esp.
          by aggressive behavior and usu. connected with the rutting
          season

   mustn't
          [mustn't] (1741): must not

   must-see
          [must-see] n (1946): something (as a film) that must or should
          be seen -- must-see adj

   musty
          [musty] adj must.i.er ; -est (1530) 1 a: impaired by damp
          or mildew: moldy b: tasting of mold c: smelling of damp
          and decay: fusty 2 a: trite, stale b (1): antiquated
          (2): superannuated syn see malodorous -- must.i.ly adv
          -- must.i.ness n

   mutable
          [mu.ta.ble] adj [ME, fr. L mutabilis, fr. mutare to change;
          akin to OE mithan to conceal, Skt minati he exchanges,
          deceives] (14c) 1: prone to change: inconstant 2 a: capable
          of change or of being changed b: capable of or liable
          to mutation -- mu.ta.bil.i.ty n -- mu.ta.bly adv

   mutagen
          [mu.ta.gen] n [ISV mutation + -gen] (1933): an agent (as
          mustard gas or various radiations) that tends to increase
          the frequency or extent of mutation -- mu.ta.gen.ic adj
          -- mu.ta.gen.i.cal.ly adv

   mutagenesis
          [mu.ta.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1948): the occurrence or induction
          of mutation

   mutagenicity
          [mu.ta.ge.nic.i.ty] n (1956): the capacity to induce mutations

   mutant
          [mu.tant] adj [L mutant-, mutans, prp. of mutare] (1903):
          of, relating to, or produced by mutation -- mutant n

   mutase
          [mu.tase] n [ISV mut- (fr. L mutare) + -ase] (1938): any
          of various enzymes that catalyze molecular rearrangements
          and esp. those involving the transfer of phosphate from
          one hydroxyl group to another in the same molecule

   mutate
          [mu.tate] vb mu.tat.ed ; mu.tat.ing [L mutatus, pp. of mutare]
          vi (1818): to undergo mutation ~ vt: to cause to undergo
          mutation -- mu.ta.tive adj

   mutation
          [mu.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: a significant and basic alteration:
          change 2: umlaut 3 a: a relatively permanent change in
          hereditary material involving either a physical change
          in chromosome relations or a biochemical change in the
          codons that make up genes; also: the process of producing
          a mutation b: an individual strain or trait resulting
          from mutation -- mu.ta.tion.al adj -- mu.ta.tion.al.ly
          adv

   mutatis mutandis
          [mu.ta.tis mu.tan.dis] adv [ME, fr. ML] (15c) 1: with the
          necessary changes having been made 2: with the respective
          differences having been considered

   mutato nomine de te fabula narratur
          [mu.ta.to no.mi.ne de te fa.bu.la nar.ra.tur] [L] foreign
          term : with the name changed the story applies to you

   mutchkin
          [mutch.kin] n [ME (Sc) muchekyn] (15c): a Scottish unit of
          liquid capacity equal to 0.90 pint (0.42 liter)

   [1]mute
          [mute] adj mut.er ; mut.est [alter. of ME muet, fr. MF, fr.
          OF mu, fr. L mutus, prob. fr. mu, representation of a
          muttered sound] (1513) 1: unable to speak: dumb 2: characterized
          by absence of speech: as a: felt or experienced but not
          expressed <touched her hand in ~ sympathy> b: refusing
          to plead directly or stand trial <the prisoner stands
          ~> 3: remaining silent, undiscovered, or unrecognized
          4 a: contributing nothing to the pronunciation of a word
          <the b in plumb is ~> b: contributing to the pronunciation
          of a word but not representing the nucleus of a syllable
          <the e in mate is ~> -- mute.ly adv -- mute.ness n [2]mute
          n (1530) 1: stop 9 2: a person who cannot or does not
          speak 3: a device attached to a musical instrument to
          reduce, soften, or muffle its tone [3]mute vt mut.ed
          ; mut.ing (1883) 1: to muffle, reduce, or eliminate the
          sound of 2: to tone down: soften, subdue <~ a color>
          [4]mute vi mut.ed ; mut.ing [ME, fr. MF meutir, short
          for esmeutir, fr. OF esmeltir, of Gmc origin; akin to
          MD smelten to melt, defecate (used of birds)] (15c) of
          a bird: to evacuate the cloaca

   muted
          [mut.ed] adj (1861) 1 : provided with or produced or modified
          by the use of a mute 2 a: being mute: silent b: toned
          down: low-key, subdued -- mut.ed.ly adv

   mute swan
          [mute swan] n (1785): a common white swan (Cygnus olor) that
          produces no loud notes, is native to Europe and western
          Asia, and has been introduced into parts of the U.S.

   mutilate
          [mu.ti.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L mutilatus, pp. of mutilare,
          fr. mutilus truncated, maimed] (1534) 1: to cut up or
          alter radically so as to make imperfect <the child mutilated
          the book with his scissors> 2: to cut off or permanently
          destroy a limb or essential part of: cripple syn see
          maim -- mu.ti.la.tion n -- mu.ti.la.tor n

   mutine
          [mu.tine] vi mu.tined ; mu.tin.ing [MF (se) mutiner] (1555)
          obs: rebel, mutiny

   mutineer
          [mu.ti.neer] n (1610): one that mutinies

   mutinous
          [mu.ti.nous] adj (1578) 1 a: disposed to or in a state of
          mutiny: rebellious b: turbulent, unruly 2: of, relating
          to, or constituting mutiny -- mu.ti.nous.ly adv -- mu.ti.nous.ness
          n

   mutiny
          [mu.ti.ny] n, pl -nies [mutine to rebel, fr. MF (se) mutiner,
          fr. mutin mutinous, fr. meute revolt, fr. (assumed) VL
          movita, fr. fem. of movitus, alter. of L motus, pp. of
          movere to move] (1567) 1 obs: tumult, strife 2: forcible
          or passive resistance to lawful authority; esp: concerted
          revolt (as of a naval crew) against discipline or a superior
          officer syn see rebellion -- mutiny vi

   mutism
          [mut.ism] n [F mutisme, fr. L mutus mute] (1824): the condition
          of being mute

   mutt
          [mutt] n [short for muttonhead dull-witted person] (1901)
          1: a stupid or insignificant person: fool 2: a mongrel
          dog: cur

   mutter
          [mut.ter] vb [ME muteren, of imit. origin] vi (14c) 1: to
          utter sounds or words indistinctly or with a low voice
          and with the lips partly closed 2: to murmur complainingly
          or angrily: grumble ~ vt: to utter esp. in a low or imperfectly
          articulated manner -- mutter n -- mut.ter.er n

   mutton
          [mut.ton] n [ME motoun, fr. OF moton ram, wether, of Celt
          origin; akin to OIr molt wether] (13c): the flesh of
          a mature sheep used for food -- mut.tony adj

   muttonchops
          [mut.ton.chops] n pl (1865): side-whiskers that are narrow
          at the temple and broad and round by the lower jaws--called
          also muttonchop whiskers

   muttonfish
          [mut.ton.fish] n [fr. its flavor] (1735): a common snapper
          (Lutjanus analis) of the warmer parts of the western
          Atlantic that is usu. olive green and sometimes nearly
          white or tinged with rosy red and that is a commercially
          important food and sport fish--called also mutton snapper

   mutual
          [mu.tu.al] adj [ME, fr. MF mutuel, fr. L mutuus lent, borrowed,
          mutual, fr. mutare to change--more at mutable] (15c)
          1 a: directed by each toward the other or the others
          <~ affection> b: having the same feelings one for the
          other <they had long been ~ enemies> c: shared in common
          <enjoying their ~ hobby> d: joint 2: characterized by
          intimacy 3: of or relating to a plan whereby the members
          of an organization share in the profits and expenses;
          specif: of, relating to, or taking the form of an insurance
          method in which the policyholders constitute the members
          of the insuring company -- mu.tu.al.ly adv

   mutual fund
          [mutual fund] n (1934): an open-end investment company that
          invests money of its shareholders in a usu. diversified
          group of securities of other corporations

   mutualism
          [mu.tu.al.ism] n (1849) 1: the doctrine or practice of mutual
          dependence as the condition of individual and social
          welfare 2: mutually beneficial association between different
          kinds of organisms -- mu.tu.al.ist n -- mu.tu.al.is.tic
          adj

   mutuality
          [mu.tu.al.i.ty] n (ca. 1586) 1: the quality or state of being
          mutual 2: a sharing of sentiments: intimacy

   mutualize
          [mu.tu.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1812): to make mutual
          -- mu.tu.al.i.za.tion n

   mutually exclusive
          [mutually exclusive] adj (1874): being related such that
          each excludes or precludes the other <mutually exclusive
          events>; also: incompatible <their outlooks were not
          mutually exclusive>

   mutuel
          [mutuel] n (1908): pari-mutuel

   muumuu
          [muu.muu] n [Hawaiian mu'umu'u, fr. mu'umu'u cut off] (1923):
          a loose often long dress having bright colors and patterns
          and adapted from the dresses orig. distributed by missionaries
          to the native women of Hawaii

   Muzak
          [Mu.zak] trademark--used for recorded background music transmitted
          by wire to the loudspeaker of a subscriber (as an office)

   muzhik
          [mu.zhik] n [Russ] (1568): a Russian peasant

   [1]muzzle
          [muz.zle] n [ME musell, fr. MF musel, fr. dim. of muse mouth
          of an animal, fr. ML musus] (15c) 1: the projecting jaws
          and nose of an animal: snout 2 a: a fastening or covering
          for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or
          biting b: something (as censorship) that restrains normal
          expression 3: the open end of an implement; esp: the
          discharging end of a weapon [2]muzzle vt muz.zled ; muz.zling
          (15c) 1: to fit with a muzzle 2: to restrain from expression:
          gag -- muz.zler n

   muzzy
          [muz.zy] adj muz.zi.er ; -est [perh. blend of muddled and
          fuzzy] (ca. 1728) 1 a: deficient in brightness: dull,
          gloomy <a ~ day> b: lacking in clarity and precision
          <his conclusions can be ~ and naive --Times Lit. Supp.>
          2: muddled or confused in mind -- muz.zi.ly adv -- muz.zi.ness
          n

   mv...
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   mV
          [mV] abbreviation millivolt  MV abbreviation main verb, mean
          variation, motor vessel

   MVD
          [MVD] [Russ Ministerstvo vnutrennikh del] abbreviation Ministry
          of Internal Affairs

   MVP
          [MVP] abbreviation most valuable player

   mw...
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   mW
          [mW] abbreviation milliwatt  MW abbreviation megawatt

   MWe
          [MWe] abbreviation megawatts electric

   mx...
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   mxd
          [mxd] abbreviation mixed

   my...
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   my
          [my] adj [ME, fr. OE min, fr. min, suppletive gen. of ic
          I; akin to OE me me] (12c) 1: of or relating to me or
          myself esp. as possessor, agent, or object of an action
          <~ car> <~ promise> <~ injuries> 2--used interjectionally
          to express surprise and sometimes reduplicated <~ oh
          ~>--used also interjectionally with names of various
          parts of the body to express doubt or disapproval <~
          foot>

   my
          [my] abbreviation million years

   my-
          [my-] or myo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. mys mouse, muscle--more
          at mouse]: muscle <myoglobin>: muscle and <myoneural>

   myalgia
          [my.al.gia] n [NL] (1860): pain in one or more muscles --
          my.al.gic adj

   myasthenia
          [my.as.the.nia] n [NL] (ca. 1856): muscular debility
          -- my.as.then.ic adj or n

   myasthenia gravis
          [myasthenia gra.vis] n [NL, lit., grave myasthenia] (1900):
          a disease characterized by progressive weakness and exhaustibility
          of voluntary muscles without atrophy or sensory disturbance and
          caused by an autoimmune attack on acetylcholine receptors at the
          neuromuscular junction

   myc
          [myc] or mycol abbreviation mycology

   myc-
          [myc-] or myco- comb form [NL, fr. Gk myket-, mykes fungus;
          akin to Gk myxa nasal mucus]: fungus <mycology> <mycosis>

   mycelium
          [my.ce.li.um] n, pl -lia [NL, fr. myc- + Gk helos nail, wart,
          callus] (1836): the mass of interwoven filamentous hyphae
          that forms esp. the vegetative portion of the thallus
          of a fungus and is often submerged in another body (as
          of soil or organic matter or the tissues of a host);
          also: a similar mass of filaments formed by some bacteria
          (as streptomyces) -- my.ce.li.al adj

   Mycenaean
          [My.ce.nae.an] also My.ce.ni.an adj (1598) 1: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of Mycenae, its people, or the
          period (1400 to 1100 b.c.) of Mycenae's political ascendancy
          2: characteristic of the Bronze Age Mycenaean culture
          of the eastern Mediterranean area -- Mycenaean n

   mycetoma
          [my.ce.to.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL, fr. Gk myket-, mykes]
          (1874): a condition marked by invasion of the deep subcutaneous
          tissues with fungi or actinomycetes; also: a tumorous
          mass occurring in such a condition -- my.ce.to.ma.tous
          adj

   mycetophagous
          [my.ce.toph.a.gous] adj [Gk myket-, mykes + E -phagous] (ca.
          1890): feeding on fungi

   mycetozoan
          [my.ce.to.zo.an] n [NL Mycetozoa, order of protozoans, fr.
          Gk myket-, mykes + NL -zoa] (1881): slime mold -- mycetozoan
          adj

   -mycin
          [-mycin] n comb form [streptomycin]: substance obtained from
          a fungus-like bacterium <erythromycin>

   mycobacterium
          [my.co.bac.te.ri.um] n [NL] (1909): any of a genus (Mycobacterium)
          of nonmotile aerobic acid-fast bacteria that include numerous
          saprophytes and the pathogens causing tuberculosis and leprosy
          -- my.co.bac.te.ri.al adj

   mycoflora
          [my.co.flo.ra] n [NL] (1945): the fungi characteristic of
          a region or special environment

   mycology
          [my.col.o.gy] n [NL mycologia, fr. myc- + L -logia -logy]
          (1836) 1: a branch of biology dealing with fungi 2: fungal
          life -- my.co.log.i.cal adj -- my.co.log.i.cal.ly adv
          -- my.col.o.gist n

   mycophagist
          [my.coph.a.gist] n [mycophagy, fr. myc- + -phagy] (1861):
          one that eats fungi (as mushrooms) -- my.coph.a.gy n

   mycophagous
          [my.coph.a.gous] adj (ca. 1909): feeding on fungi

   mycophile
          [my.co.phile] n (1953): a person whose hobby is hunting wild
          edible mushrooms

   mycoplasma
          [my.co.plas.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (1955): any of
          a genus (Mycoplasma) of minute pleomorphic gram-negative
          chiefly nonmotile microorganisms without cell walls that
          are intermediate in some respects between viruses and
          bacteria and are mostly parasitic usu. in mammals--called
          also pleuropneumonia-like organism -- my.co.plas.mal
          adj

   mycoplasma-like organism
          [mycoplasma-like organism] n (1968): any of a group of prokaryotic
          organisms that resemble mycoplasmas, cause disease in plants, are
          transmitted by insect vectors, and have proved extremely difficult
          to grow in artificial media

   mycorrhiza
          [my.cor.rhi.za] n, pl -zae or -zas [NL, fr. myc- + Gk rhiza
          root--more at root] (1895): the symbiotic association
          of the mycelium of a fungus with the roots of a seed
          plant -- my.cor.rhi.zal adj

   mycosis
          [my.co.sis] n, pl my.co.ses [NL] (1876): infection with or
          disease caused by a fungus -- my.cot.ic adj

   mycotoxin
          [my.co.tox.in] n (1962): a toxic substance produced by a
          fungus and esp. a mold

   mydriasis
          [my.dri.a.sis] n [L, fr. Gk] (ca. 1775): a long-continued
          or excessive dilatation of the pupil of the eye -- myd.ri.at.ic
          adj or n

   myel-
          [myel-] or myelo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. myelos, prob.
          fr. myon cluster of muscles, fr. mys mouse, muscle--more
          at mouse]: marrow: spinal cord <myelencephalon>

   myelencephalon
          [my.e.len.ceph.a.lon] n [NL] (1871): the posterior part of
          the developing vertebrate hindbrain or the corresponding
          part of the adult brain composed of the medulla oblongata
          -- my.e.len.ce.phal.ic adj

   myelin
          [my.e.lin] n [ISV] (1873): a soft white somewhat fatty material
          that forms a thick myelin sheath about the protoplasmic
          core of a myelinated nerve fiber -- my.e.lin.ic adj

   myelinated
          [my.e.lin.at.ed] adj (1899): having a myelin sheath <~ nerve
          fibers>

   myelin sheath
          [myelin sheath] n (1896): a layer of myelin surrounding some
          nerve fibers--called also medullary sheath

   myelitis
          [my.e.li.tis] n, pl -lit.i.des [NL] (1835): inflammation
          of the spinal cord or of the bone marrow

   myeloblast
          [my.e.lo.blast] n [ISV] (ca. 1904): a large mononuclear nongranular
          bone-marrow cell; esp: one that is a precursor of a myelocyte
          -- my.e.lo.blas.tic adj

   myelocyte
          [my.e.lo.cyte] n [ISV] (1891): a bone-marrow cell; esp: a
          motile cell with cytoplasmic granules that gives rise
          to the granulocytes of the blood and occurs abnormally
          in the circulating blood -- my.e.lo.cyt.ic adj

   myelofibrosis
          [my.e.lo.fi.bro.sis] n [NL] (1947): an anemic condition in
          which bone marrow becomes fibrotic and the liver and
          spleen usu. exhibit a development of blood-cell precursors
          -- my.e.lo.fi.brot.ic adj

   myelogenous
          [my.e.log.e.nous] adj [ISV] (1876): of, relating to, originating
          in, or produced by the bone marrow <~ sarcoma>

   myelogenous leukemia
          [myelogenous leukemia] n (1904): leukemia characterized by
          proliferation of myeloid tissue (as of the bone marrow
          and spleen) and an abnormal increase in the number of
          granulocytes, myelocytes, and myeloblasts in the circulating
          blood--called also myelocytic leukemia, myeloid leukemia

   myeloid
          [my.e.loid] adj [ISV] (1857): of, relating to, or resembling
          bone marrow

   myeloma
          [my.e.lo.ma] n [NL] (ca. 1857): a primary tumor of the bone
          marrow -- my.e.lo.ma.tous adj

   myelopathy
          [my.e.lop.a.thy] n [ISV] (ca. 1891): a disease or disorder
          of the spinal cord or bone marrow -- my.e.lo.path.ic
          adj

   myeloproliferative
          [my.e.lo.pro.lif.er.a.tive] adj (1951): of, relating to,
          or being a disorder (as leukemia) marked by excessive
          proliferation of bone marrow elements and esp. blood
          cell precursors

   myiasis
          [my.ia.sis] n, pl my.ia.ses [NL, fr. Gk myia fly--more at
          midge] (1837): infestation with fly maggots

   Mylar
          [My.lar] trademark--used for a polyester film

   mynah
          [my.nah] or my.na n [Hindi maina hill mynah fr. Skt madana,
          a kind of bird] (1769): any of various Asian starlings
          (esp. genera Acridotheres, Gracula, and Sturnus); esp:
          a dark brown slightly crested bird (A. tristis) of southeastern
          Asia with a white tail tip and wing markings and bright
          yellow bill and feet--compare hill mynah

   mynheer
          [myn.heer] n [D mijnheer, fr. mijn my + heer master, sir]
          (1652): a male Netherlander--used as a title equivalent
          to Mr.

   myo-
          [myo-] --see my-

   myoblast
          [myo.blast] n [ISV] (1884): an undifferentiated cell capable
          of giving rise to muscle cells

   myocarditis
          [myo.car.di.tis] n [NL] (1866): inflammation of the myocardium

   myocardium
          [myo.car.di.um] n [NL, fr. my- + Gk kardia heart--more at
          heart] (1879): the middle muscular layer of the heart
          wall -- myo.car.di.al adj

   myoclonus
          [my.oc.lo.nus] n [NL] (1883): irregular involuntary contraction
          of a muscle usu. resulting from functional disorder of
          controlling motoneurons; also: a condition characterized
          by myoclonus -- myo.clon.ic adj

   myoelectric
          [myo.elec.tric] also myo.elec.tri.cal adj (ca. 1919): of,
          relating to, or utilizing electricity generated by muscle

   myofibril
          [myo.fi.bril] n [NL myofibrilla, fr. my- + fibrilla fibril]
          (1898): any of the longitudinal parallel contractile
          elements of a muscle cell that are composed of myosin
          and actin -- myo.fi.bril.lar adj

   myofilament
          [myo.fil.a.ment] n (1949): one of the individual filaments
          of actin or myosin that make up a myofibril

   myogenic
          [myo.gen.ic] adj [ISV] (1904): taking place or functioning
          in ordered rhythmic fashion because of the inherent properties
          of cardiac muscle rather than specific neural stimuli
          <a ~ heartbeat>

   myoglobin
          [myo.glo.bin] n [ISV] (1925): a red iron-containing protein
          pigment in muscles that is similar to hemoglobin

   myoinositol
          [myo.ino.si.tol] n (1951): a biologically active inositol
          that is a component of the vitamin B complex and a lipotropic
          agent

   myology
          [my.ol.o.gy] n [F or NL; F myologie, fr. NL myologia, fr.
          my- + L -logia -logy] (1649): a scientific study of muscles

   myoma
          [my.o.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (1875): a tumor consisting
          of muscle tissue -- my.o.ma.tous adj

   myoneural
          [myo.neu.ral] adj (1905): of, relating to, or connecting
          muscles and nerves <~ junctions>

   myopathy
          [my.op.a.thy] n [ISV] (ca. 1849): a disorder of muscle tissue
          or muscles -- myo.path.ic adj

   myope
          [my.ope] n [F, fr. LL myops myopic, fr. Gk myops, fr. myein
          to be closed + ops eye, face--more at eye] (1728): a
          myopic person

   myopia
          [my.o.pia] n [NL, fr. Gk myopia, fr. myop-, myops] (ca. 1752)
          1: a condition in which the visual images come to a focus
          in front of the retina of the eye resulting esp. in defective
          vision of distant objects 2: a lack of foresight or discernment:
          a narrow view of something -- my.o.pic adj -- my.o.pi.cal.ly
          adv

   myosin
          [my.o.sin] n [ISV my- + [2]-ose + [1]-in] (1942): a fibrous
          globulin of muscle that can split ATP and that reacts
          with actin to form actomyosin

   myosis, myotic
          [my.o.sis, my.ot.ic] var of miosis, miotic

   myositis
          [myo.si.tis] n [NL, irreg. fr. Gk mys muscle, mouse] (ca.
          1819): muscle soreness

   myotome
          [myo.tome] n [ISV] (1894): the portion of an embryonic somite
          from which skeletal musculature is produced

   myotonia
          [myo.to.nia] n [NL] (ca. 1896): tonic spasm of one or more
          muscles; also: a condition characterized by such spasms
          -- myo.ton.ic adj

   Myr
          [Myr] abbreviation million years

   [1]myriad
          [myr.i.ad] n [Gk myriad-, myrias, fr. myrioi countless, ten
          thousand] (1555) 1: ten thousand 2: a great number <a
          ~ of ideas> [2]myriad adj (1791) 1: innumerable <those
          ~ problems> 2: having innumerable aspects or elements
          <the ~ activity of the new land --Meridel Le Sueur>

   myriapod
          [myr.ia.pod] also myr.io.pod n [ultim. fr. Gk myrioi + pod-,
          pous foot--more at foot] (1826): any of a group (Myriapoda)
          of arthropods having the body made up of numerous similar
          segments nearly all of which bear true jointed legs and
          including the millipedes and centipedes -- myriapod also
          myriopod adj

   myristic acid
          [my.ris.tic acid] n [ISV, fr. NL Myristica, genus of trees]
          (1848): a crystalline fatty acid occurring esp. in the
          form of glycerides in most fats

   myrmeco-
          [myrmeco-] comb form [Gk myrmeko-, fr. myrmek-, myrmex--more
          at pismire]: ant <myrmecophilous>

   myrmecology
          [myr.me.col.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1902): the scientific study
          of ants -- myr.me.co.log.i.cal adj -- myr.me.col.o.gist
          n

   myrmecophile
          [myr.me.co.phile] n [ISV] (1898): an organism that habitually
          shares an ant nest

   myrmecophilous
          [myr.me.coph.i.lous] adj (1866): fond of, associated with,
          or benefited by ants

   myrmidon
          [myr.mi.don] n [ME Mirmydon, L Myrmidon-, Myrmido, fr. Gk
          Myrmidon] (15c) 1 cap: a member of a legendary Thessalian
          people who accompanied their king Achilles in the Trojan
          War 2: a loyal follower; esp: a subordinate who executes
          orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously

   myrobalan
          [my.rob.a.lan] n [MF mirobolan, fr. L myrobalanus, fr. Gk
          myrobalanos, fr. myron unguent + balanos acorn--more
          at gland] (ca. 1530): the dried astringent fruit of an
          East Indian tree (genus Terminalia of the family Combretaceae)
          used chiefly in tanning and in inks

   myrrh
          [myrrh] n [ME myrre, fr. OE, fr. L myrrha, fr. Gk, of Sem
          origin; akin to Ar murr myrrh] (bef. 12c): a yellowish
          brown to reddish brown aromatic gum resin with a bitter
          slightly pungent taste obtained from a tree (esp. Commiphora
          abyssinica of the family Burseraceae) of eastern Africa
          and Arabia; also: a mixture of myrrh and labdanum

   myrtle
          [myr.tle] n, often attrib [ME mirtille, fr. MF, fr. ML myrtillus,
          fr. L myrtus, fr. Gk myrtos] (1562) 1 a: a common evergreen
          bushy shrub (Myrtus communis) of southern Europe with
          oval to lance-shaped shiny leaves, fragrant white or
          rosy flowers, and black berries b: any of a family (Myrtaceae,
          the myrtle family) of chiefly tropical shrubs or trees
          to which the common myrtle belongs 2 a: [1]periwinkle
          1a b: california laurel

   myself
          [my.self] pron (bef. 12c) 1: that identical one that is I--used
          reflexively <I'm going to get ~ a new suit>, for emphasis
          <I ~ will go>, or in absolute constructions <~ a tourist,
          I nevertheless avoided other tourists> 2: my normal,
          healthy, or sane condition <didn't feel ~ yesterday>
          usage Myself is often used where I or me might be expected:
          as subject <to wonder what myself will say --Emily Dickinson>
          <others and myself continued to press for the legislation>,
          after as, than, or like <an aversion to paying such people
          as myself to tutor> <was enough to make a better man
          than myself quail> <old-timers like myself>, and as object
          <now here you see myself with the diver> <for my wife
          and myself it was a happy time>. Such uses almost always
          occur when the speaker or writer is referring to himself
          or herself as an object of discourse rather than as a
          participant in discourse. The other reflexive personal
          pronouns are similarly but less frequently used in the
          same circumstances. Critics have frowned on these uses
          since about the turn of the century, prob. unaware that
          they serve a definite purpose. Users themselves are as
          unaware as the critics--they simply follow their instincts.
          These uses are standard.

   mystagogue
          [mys.ta.gogue] n [L mystagogus, fr. Gk mystagogos, fr. mystes
          initiate (perh. akin to Gk myein to be closed) + agein
          to lead--more at agent] (ca. 1550) 1: one who initiates
          another into a mystery cult 2: one who understands or
          teaches mystical doctrines -- mys.ta.go.gy n

   mysterious
          [mys.te.ri.ous] adj (1600) 1 a: of, relating to, or constituting
          mystery <the ~ ways of God> b: exciting wonder, curiosity,
          or surprise while baffling efforts to comprehend or identify:
          mystifying <heard a ~ noise> <a ~ stranger> 2: stirred
          by or attracted to the inexplicable -- mys.te.ri.ous.ly
          adv -- mys.te.ri.ous.ness n

   mysterium tremendum
          [my.ster.i.um tre.men.dum] [L] foreign term : overwhelming
          mystery

   [1]mystery
          [mys.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME mysterie, fr. L mysterium,
          fr. Gk mysterion, fr. mystes initiate] (14c) 1 a: a religious
          truth that one can know only by revelation and cannot
          fully understand b (1): any of the 15 events (as the
          Nativity, the Crucifixion, or the Assumption) serving
          as a subject for meditation during the saying of the
          rosary (2) cap: a Christian sacrament; specif: eucharist
          c (1): a secret religious rite believed (as in Eleusinian
          and Mithraic cults) to impart enduring bliss to the initiate
          (2): a cult devoted to such rites 2 a: something not
          understood or beyond understanding: enigma b obs: a private
          secret c: the secret or specialized practices or ritual
          peculiar to an occupation or a body of people <the mysteries
          of the tailor's craft> d: a piece of fiction dealing
          usu. with the solution of a mysterious crime 3: profound,
          inexplicable, or secretive quality or character <the
          ~ of her smile> syn mystery, problem, enigma, riddle,
          puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes. mystery
          applies to what cannot be fully understood by human reason
          or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation
          <the mystery of the stone monoliths>. problem applies
          to any question or difficulty calling for a solution
          or causing concern <the problems created by high technology>.
          enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very
          difficult to interpret <his suicide was an enigma his
          family never understood>. riddle suggests an enigma or
          problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction <the
          riddle of the reclusive pop star>. puzzle applies to
          an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its
          solution <the mechanisms of heredity were long a puzzle
          for scientists>. [2]mystery n, pl -ter.ies [ME, fr. LL
          misterium, mysterium, alter. of ministerium service,
          occupation, fr. minister servant--more at minister] (14c)
          1 archaic: trade, craft 2 archaic: a body of persons
          engaged in a particular trade, business, or profession:
          guild 3: mystery play

   mystery play
          [mystery play] n [[2]mystery] (1852): a medieval drama based
          on scriptural incidents (as the creation of the world,
          the Flood, or the life, death, and resurrection of Christ)--compare
          miracle play

   [1]mystic
          [mys.tic] adj [ME mistik, fr. L mysticus of mysteries, fr.
          Gk mystikos, fr. mystes initiate] (14c) 1: mystical 1a
          2: of or relating to mysteries or esoteric rites: occult
          3: of or relating to mysticism or mystics 4 a: mysterious
          b: obscure, enigmatic c: inducing a feeling of awe or
          wonder d: having magical properties [2]mystic n (1679)
          1: a follower of a mystical way of life 2: an advocate
          of a theory of mysticism

   mystical
          [mys.ti.cal] adj (15c) 1 a: having a spiritual meaning or
          reality that is neither apparent to the senses nor obvious
          to the intelligence <the ~ food of the sacrament> b:
          involving or having the nature of an individual's direct
          subjective communion with God or ultimate reality <the
          ~ experience of the Inner Light> 2: mysterious, unintelligible
          3: mystic 2, 3 -- mys.ti.cal.ly adv

   mysticism
          [mys.ti.cism] n (1736) 1: the experience of mystical union
          or direct communion with ultimate reality reported by
          mystics 2: the belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual
          truth, or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective
          experience (as intuition or insight) 3 a: vague speculation:
          a belief without sound basis b: a theory postulating
          the possibility of direct and intuitive acquisition of
          ineffable knowledge or power

   mystification
          [mys.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (1815) 1: an act or instance of mystifying
          2: the quality or state of being mystified 3: something
          designed to mystify

   mystify
          [mys.ti.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [F mistifier, fr. mystere
          mystery, fr. L mysterium] (ca. 1734) 1: to perplex the
          mind of: bewilder 2: to make mysterious or obscure <~
          an interpretation of a prophecy> -- mys.ti.fi.er n --
          mys.ti.fy.ing.ly adv

   mystique
          [mys.tique] n [F, fr. mystique, adj., mystic, fr. L mysticus]
          (1891) 1: an air or attitude of mystery and reverence
          developing around something or someone 2: the special
          esoteric skill essential in a calling or activity

   myth
          [myth] n [Gk mythos] (1830) 1 a: a usu. traditional story
          of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold
          part of the world view of a people or explain a practice,
          belief, or natural phenomenon b: parable, allegory 2
          a: a popular belief or tradition that has grown up around
          something or someone; esp: one embodying the ideals and
          institutions of a society or segment of society <seduced
          by the American ~ of individualism --Orde Coombs> b:
          an unfounded or false notion 3: a person or thing having
          only an imaginary or unverifiable existence 4: the whole
          body of myths

   mythical
          [myth.i.cal] or myth.ic adj (1669) 1: based on or described
          in a myth esp. as contrasted with history 2 usu mythical:
          existing only in the imagination: fictitious, imaginary
          <sportswriters picked a ~ all-star team> 3 usu mythic:
          having qualities suitable to myth: legendary <the twilight
          of a mythic professional career --Clayton Riley> syn
          see fictitious -- myth.i.cal.ly adv

   mythicize
          [myth.i.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing (1840) 1: to turn into
          or envelop in myth 2: to treat as myth -- myth.i.ciz.er
          n

   mythmaker
          [myth.mak.er] n (1871): a creator of myths or of mythical
          situations or lore -- myth.mak.ing n

   mythography
          [my.thog.ra.phy] n [Gk mythographia, fr. mythos + -graphia
          -graphy] (1851) 1: the representation of mythical subjects
          in art 2: a critical compilation of myths -- my.thog.ra.pher
          n

   mythological
          [myth.o.log.i.cal] also myth.o.log.ic adj (1614) 1: of or
          relating to mythology or myths: dealt with in mythology
          2: lacking factual basis or historical validity: mythical,
          fabulous -- myth.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   mythologize
          [my.thol.o.gize] vb -gized ; -giz.ing vt (1603) 1 obs: to
          explain the mythological significance of 2: to build
          a myth around: mythicize ~ vi 1: to relate, classify,
          and explain myths 2: to create or perpetuate myths --
          my.thol.o.giz.er n

   mythology
          [my.thol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [F or LL; F mythologie, fr. LL
          mythologia interpretation of myths, fr. Gk, legend, myth,
          fr. mythologein to relate myths, fr. mythos + logos speech--more
          at legend] (1603) 1: an allegorical narrative 2: a body
          of myths: as a: the myths dealing with the gods, demigods,
          and legendary heroes of a particular people b: mythos
          2 <cold war ~> 3: a branch of knowledge that deals with
          myth 4: a popular belief or assumption that has grown
          up around someone or something <defective mythologies
          that ignore masculine depth of feeling --Robert Bly>
          -- my.thol.o.ger n -- my.thol.o.gist n

   mythomania
          [mytho.ma.nia] n [NL, fr. Gk mythos + LL mania mania] (ca.
          1909): an excessive or abnormal propensity for lying
          and exaggerating -- mytho.ma.ni.ac n or adj

   mythopoeia
          [mytho.poe.ia] n [LL, fr. Gk mythopoiia, fr. mythopoiein
          to make a myth, fr. mythos + poiein to make--more at
          poet] (1846): a creating of myth: a giving rise to myths
          -- mytho.poe.ic also mytho.po.et.ic or mytho.po.et.i.cal
          adj

   mythos
          [my.thos] n, pl my.thoi [Gk] (1753) 1 a: myth 1a b: mythology
          2a 2: a pattern of beliefs expressing often symbolically
          the characteristic or prevalent attitudes in a group
          or culture 3: theme, plot

   mythy
          [mythy] adj (1931): resembling, concerned with, or of a subject
          for myth <a ~ theme>

   my word
          [my word] interj (1841)--used to express surprise or astonishment

   myxedema
          [myx.ede.ma] n [NL, fr. Gk myxa lamp wick, nasal mucus +
          NL edema edema--more at mucus] (1877): severe hypothyroidism
          characterized by firm inelastic edema, dry skin and hair,
          and loss of mental and physical vigor -- myx.ede.ma.tous
          adj

   myxoma
          [myx.o.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL, fr. Gk myxa] (1870):
          a soft tumor made up of gelatinous connective tissue
          like that of the umbilical cord -- myx.o.ma.tous adj

   myxomatosis
          [myx.o.ma.to.sis] n [NL, fr. myxomat-, myxoma] (1927): a
          condition characterized by the presence of myxomas in
          the body; specif: a severe virus disease of rabbits that
          is caused by a poxvirus transmitted by mosquitoes and
          that has been used in the biological control of rabbits
          in plague areas

   myxomycete
          [myxo.my.cete] n [ultim. fr. Gk myxa + myket-, mykes fungus--more
          at myc-] (1877): slime mold

   myxovirus
          [myxo.vi.rus] n [NL, fr. Gk myxa + NL virus virus; fr. its
          affinity for certain mucins] (1955): any of a group of
          rather large RNA-containing viruses that includes the
          influenza viruses -- myxo.vi.ral adj

   n...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   n
          [n] n, pl n's or ns often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 14th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic n 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter n 3 a: one designated n esp. as the 14th in
          order or class b: an indefinite number; esp: a constant
          integer or a variable taking on integral values 4: something
          shaped like the letter N 5: the haploid or gametic number
          of chromosomes 6: en 2

   n
          [n] abbreviation name, nano-, navy, net, neuter, usu ital
          neutron, noon, normal, north, northern, note, noun, number
          N abbreviation newton, nitrogen

   -n
          [-n] --see -en

   N Dak
          [N Dak] abbreviation North Dakota

   n'est-ce pas?
          [n'est-ce pas?] [F] foreign term : isn't it so?

   n'importe
          [n'im.porte] [F] foreign term : it's no matter

   N Mex
          [N Mex] abbreviation New Mexico

   -n't
          [-n't] vb comb form: not <isn't>

   n-type
          [n-type] adj [negative + type] (1946): relating to or being
          a semiconductor in which charge is carried by electrons--compare
          p-type

   na...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Na
          [Na] [NL natrium] abbreviation sodium  NA abbreviation national
          association, no account, North America, not applicable,
          not available

   NAACP
          [NAACP] abbreviation National Association for the Advancement
          of Colored People

   naan
          [naan] var of nan

   NAB
          [NAB] abbreviation New American Bible

   nab
          [nab] vt nabbed ; nab.bing [perh. alter. of E dial. nap]
          (1686) 1: to catch or seize in arrest: apprehend 2: to
          seize suddenly

   nabe
          [nabe] n [by shortening & alter. fr. neighborhood] (1935):
          a neighborhood theater--usu. used in pl. with the

   nabob
          [na.bob] n [Urdu nawwab, fr. Ar nuwwab, pl. of na'ib governor]
          (1612) 1: a provincial governor of the Mogul empire in
          India 2: a person of great wealth or prominence

   Naboth
          [Na.both] n [Heb Nabhoth]: the owner of a vineyard coveted
          and seized by Ahab king of Israel

   nacelle
          [na.celle] n [F, lit., small boat, fr. LL navicella, dim.
          of L navis ship--more at nave] (1904): a streamlined
          enclosure (as for an engine) on an aircraft

   nacho
          [na.cho] n, pl nachos [AmerSp, perh. fr. Sp nacho flat-nosed]
          (1969): a tortilla chip topped with melted cheese and
          often additional savory toppings (as hot peppers or refried
          beans)

   nacre
          [na.cre] n [MF, fr. OIt naccara drum, nacre, fr. Ar naqqarah
          drum] (1718): mother-of-pearl -- na.cre.ous adj

   NAD
          [NAD] n [nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide] (ca. 1962): a
          coenzyme of numerous dehydrogenases that occurs in most
          cells and plays an important role in all phases of intermediary
          metabolism as an oxidizing agent or when in the reduced
          form as a reducing agent for various metabolites--called
          also nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, diphosphopyridine
          nucleotide, DPN

   NAD
          [NAD] abbreviation no appreciable disease

   nada
          [na.da] n [Sp, fr. L (res) nata situation, circumstance,
          lit., a thing come into being] (1914): nothing

   Na-dene
          [Na-dene] n, often cap D [na- (fr. Haida na to dwell & Tlingit
          na people) + Dene] (1915): a hypothetically related group
          of American Indian languages that includes the Athabascan
          family, Tlingit, and Haida

   NADH
          [NADH] n [NAD + H, symbol for hydrogen] (1965): the reduced
          form of NAD

   nadir
          [na.dir] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. Ar nazir opposite] (15c) 1: the
          point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite
          the zenith and vertically downward from the observer
          2: the lowest point

   NADP
          [NADP] n [nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate] (ca.
          1962): a coenzyme of numerous dehydrogenases (as that
          acting on glucose-6-phosphate) that occurs esp. in red
          blood cells and plays a role in intermediary metabolism
          similar to NAD but acting often on different metabolites--called
          also nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, TPN,
          triphosphopyridine nucleotide

   NADPH
          [NADPH] n [NADP + H, symbol for hydrogen] (ca. 1966): the
          reduced form of NADP

   [1]nag
          [nag] n [ME nagge; akin to D negge small horse] (15c): horse;
          esp: one that is old or in poor condition [2]nag vb nagged
          ; nag.ging [prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON gnaga to
          gnaw; akin to OE gnagan to gnaw] vi (ca. 1828) 1: to
          find fault incessantly: complain 2: to be a persistent
          source of annoyance or distraction ~ vt 1: to irritate
          by constant scolding or urging 2: badger, worry -- nag.ger
          n -- nagging adj -- nag.ging.ly adv [3]nag n (1925):
          one who nags habitually

   nagana
          [na.ga.na] n [Zulu unakane, ulunakane] (1895): trypanosomiasis
          (esp. when caused by Trypanosoma brucei) of domestic
          animals

   Nah
          [Nah] abbreviation Nahum

   nah
          [nah] var of no

   Nahuatl
          [Na.huatl] n [Sp nahuatl, fr. Nahuatl Nahuatl] (1822): a
          group of closely related Uto-Aztecan languages that includes
          the speech of several peoples (as the Aztecs) of central
          and southern Mexico and Central America -- Na.huat.lan
          adj or n

   Nahum
          [Na.hum] n [Heb Nahum] 1: a Hebrew prophet of the 7th century
          b.c. 2: a prophetic book of canonical Jewish and Christian
          Scripture

   NAIA
          [NAIA] abbreviation National Association of Intercollegiate
          Athletes

   naiad
          [na.iad] n, pl na.iads or na.ia.des [ME, fr. MF or L; MF
          naiade, fr. L naiad-, naias, fr. Gk, fr. nan to flow--more
          at nourish] (14c) 1: any of the nymphs in classical mythology
          living in and giving life to lakes, rivers, springs,
          and fountains 2: any of the aquatic young of a mayfly,
          dragonfly, damselfly, or stone fly--compare nymph 3 3:
          any of a genus (Najas of the family Najadaceae) of submerged
          aquatic plants

   [1]naif
          [na.if] adj [F] (1598): naive [2]naif n (1893): a naive person

   [1]nail
          [nail] n [ME, fr. OE naegl; akin to OHG nagal nail, fingernail,
          L unguis fingernail, toenail, claw, Gk onyx] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a horny sheath protecting the upper end of each
          finger and toe of humans and most other primates b: a
          structure (as a claw) that terminates a digit and corresponds
          to a nail 2: a slender usu. pointed and headed fastener
          designed to be pounded in [2]nail vt (bef. 12c) 1: to
          fasten with or as if with a nail 2: to fix in steady
          attention <~ed his eye on the crack> 3 a: catch, trap
          b: to detect and expose usu. so as to discredit 4 a:
          strike, hit b: to put out (a runner) in baseball 5: to
          perform or complete perfectly or impressively <~ed a
          jump shot> -- nail.er n

   nail-biter
          [nail-bit.er] n (1971): something (as a close contest) that
          induces tension or anxiety <lost a tough, 14-inning ~
          --Steve Pate>

   nailbrush
          [nail.brush] n (1802): a small firm-bristled brush for cleaning
          the hands and esp. the fingernails

   nail down
          [nail down] vt (1615) 1: to gain or win decisively <nail
          down his consent> 2: to settle or establish clearly and
          unmistakably

   nail file
          [nail file] n (1875): a small narrow instrument (as of metal
          or cardboard) with a rough or emery surface that is used
          for shaping fingernails

   nainsook
          [nain.sook] n [Hindi nainsukh, fr. nain eye + sukh delight]
          (1790): a soft lightweight muslin

   naira
          [nai.ra] n [alter. of Nigeria] (1972): the basic monetary
          unit of Nigeria

   naive
          [na.ive] adj na.iv.er ; -est [F naive, fem. of naif, fr.
          OF, inborn, natural, fr. L nativus native] (1654) 1:
          marked by unaffected simplicity: artless, ingenuous 2
          a: deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment;
          esp: credulous b: not previously subjected to experimentation
          or a particular experimental situation <made the test
          with ~ rats>; also: not having previously used a particular
          drug (as marijuana) 3: self-taught, primitive syn see
          natural -- na.ive.ly adv -- na.ive.ness n

   naivete
          [na.ive.te] n [F naivete, fr. OF, inborn character, fr. naif]
          (1673) 1: a naive remark or action 2: the quality or
          state of being naive

   naivety
          [na.ive.ty] n, pl -ties (1708) chiefly Brit: naivete

   naked
          [na.ked] adj [ME, fr. OE nacod; akin to OHG nackot naked,
          L nudus, Gk gymnos] (bef. 12c) 1: not covered by clothing:
          nude 2: devoid of customary or natural covering: bare:
          as a: not enclosed in a sheath or scabbard b: not provided
          with a shade c of a plant or one of its parts: lacking
          pubescence or enveloping or subtending parts d: lacking
          foliage or vegetation e of an animal or one of its parts:
          lacking an external covering (as of hair, feathers, or
          shell) 3 a: scantily supplied or furnished b: lacking
          embellishment: unadorned 4: unarmed, defenseless 5: lacking
          confirmation or support 6: devoid of concealment or disguise
          7: unaided by any optical device or instrument <visible
          to the ~ eye> 8: not backed by the writer's ownership
          of the commodity contract or security syn see bare --
          na.ked.ly adv -- na.ked.ness n

   naled
          [na.led] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1962): a short-lived insecticide
          of relatively low toxicity to warm-blooded animals that
          is used esp. to control crop pests and mosquitoes

   nalidixic acid
          [na.li.dix.ic acid] n [perh. fr. naphthyridine -- fr. naphth-
          + pyridine) + carboxylic acid] (1964): an antibacterial
          agent that is used esp. in the treatment of genitourinary
          infections

   nalorphine
          [na.lor.phine] n [N-allyl + morphine] (ca. 1953): a white
          crystalline compound that is derived from morphine and
          is used in the form of its hydrochloride as a respiratory
          stimulant to counteract poisoning by morphine and similar
          narcotic drugs

   naloxone
          [nal.ox.one] n [N-allyl + hydroxy- + -one] (1964): a potent
          antagonist of narcotic drugs and esp. morphine that is
          administered esp. as the hydrochloride

   naltrexone
          [nal.trex.one] n [N-allyl + trex- (as in methotrexate) +
          -one] (1973): a narcotic antagonist

   namby-pamby
          [nam.by-pam.by] adj [Namby Pamby, nickname given to Ambrose
          Philips] (1745) 1: lacking in character or substance:
          insipid 2: weak, indecisive -- namby-pamby n

   [1]name
          [name] n [ME, fr. OE nama; akin to OHG namo name, L nomen,
          Gk onoma, onyma] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a word or phrase that
          constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or
          thing b: a word or symbol used in logic to designate
          an entity 2: a descriptive often disparaging epithet
          <called him ~s> 3 a: reputation <gave the town a bad
          ~> b: an illustrious record: fame <made a ~ for himself
          in golf> c: a person or thing with a reputation 4: family,
          clan 5: appearance as opposed to reality <a friend in
          ~ only> 6: one referred to by a name <praise his holy
          ~> -- in the name of 1: by authority of <open in the
          name of the law> 2: for the reason of: using the excuse
          of <called for reforms in the name of progress> [2]name
          vt named ; nam.ing (bef. 12c) 1: to give a name to: call
          2 a: to mention or identify by name b: to accuse by name
          3: to nominate for office: appoint 4: to decide on: choose
          <~ the day for the wedding> 5: to mention explicitly:
          specify <unwilling to ~ a price> -- nam.er n [3]name
          adj (1598) 1: of, relating to, or bearing a name <~ tags>
          2: appearing in the name of a literary or theatrical
          production 3 a: having an established reputation b: featuring
          celebrities

   nameable
          [name.able] also nam.able adj (1780) 1: worthy of being named:
          memorable 2: capable of being named: identifiable

   name-calling
          [name-call.ing] n (1853): the use of offensive names esp.
          to win an argument or to induce rejection or condemnation
          (as of a person or project) without objective consideration
          of the facts

   name day
          [name day] n (1721): the church feast day of the saint after
          whom one is named

   name-dropping
          [name-drop.ping] n (1950): the practice of seeking to impress
          others by studied but apparently casual mention of prominent
          persons as associates -- name-drop.per n

   nameless
          [name.less] adj (14c) 1: obscure, undistinguished 2: not
          known by name: anonymous 3: having no legal right to
          a name: illegitimate 4: not having been given a name:
          unnamed 5: not marked with a name <a ~ grave> 6 a: incapable
          of precise description: indefinable b: too repulsive
          or distressing to describe -- name.less.ly adv -- name.less.ness
          n

   namely
          [name.ly] adv (14c): that is to say: to wit

   name of the game
          [name of the game] (1966) 1: the essential quality or matter
          <patience is the name of the game in coastal duck hunting
          --Dick Beals> 2: the fundamental goal of an activity

   nameplate
          [name.plate] n (ca. 1859): something (as a plate or plaque)
          bearing a name (as of a resident or manufacturer)

   namesake
          [name.sake] n [prob. fr. name's sake] (1646): one that has
          the same name as another; esp: one who is named after
          another or for whom another is named

   nan
          [nan] n [Hindi & Per; Hindi nan, fr. Per] (1948): a round
          flat leavened bread esp. of the Indian subcontinent

   nana
          [nana] n [prob. of baby-talk origin] (ca. 1844): grandmother

   nance
          [nance] n [short for nancy, fr. the name Nancy] (1920) 1:
          an effeminate male--often used disparagingly 2: homosexual--often
          used disparagingly

   NAND
          [NAND] n [not AND] (1958): a computer logic circuit that
          produces an output which is the inverse of that of an
          AND circuit

   nandina
          [nan.di.na] n [NL, fr. Jp nanten] (ca. 1890): a widely cultivated
          Asian evergreen shrub (Nandina domestica) of the barberry
          family

   nankeen
          [nan.keen] n [Nanking (Nanjing), China] (1755) 1: a durable
          brownish yellow cotton fabric orig. loomed by hand in
          China 2 pl: trousers made of nankeen

   Nankin
          [Nan.kin] or Nan.king n [Nanking (Nanjing), China] (1781):
          Chinese porcelain decorated in blue on a white ground

   nannoplankton
          [nan.no.plank.ton] n [NL, fr. Gk nanos, nannos dwarf + NL
          plankton plankton] (1912): the smallest plankton that
          consists of those organisms (as bacteria) passing through
          nets of very fine mesh silk cloth

   nanny
          [nan.ny] also nan.nie n, pl nannies [prob. of baby-talk origin]
          (1795): a child's nurse: nursemaid

   nanny goat
          [nanny goat] n [Nanny, nickname for Anne] (1788): a female
          domestic goat

   nano-
          [nano-] comb form [ISV, fr. Gk nanos dwarf]: one billionth
          part of <nanosecond>

   nanogram
          [nano.gram] n [ISV] (1951): one billionth of a gram

   nanometer
          [nano.me.ter] n [ISV] (1963): one billionth of a meter

   nanosecond
          [nano.sec.ond] n [ISV] (1959): one billionth of a second

   nanotesla
          [nano.tes.la] n (1968): a unit of magnetic flux density equal
          to 1E-9 tesla

   Nantua sauce
          [Nan.tua sauce] n [Nantua, France] (ca. 1961): a cream sauce
          flavored with shellfish (as lobster)

   Naomi
          [Na.o.mi] n [Heb Na'omi]: the mother-in-law of the Old Testament
          heroine Ruth

   [1]nap
          [nap] vi napped ; nap.ping [ME nappen, fr. OE hnappian; akin
          to OHG hnaffezen to doze] (bef. 12c) 1: to sleep briefly
          esp. during the day: doze 2: to be off guard [2]nap n
          (14c): a short sleep esp. during the day: snooze [3]nap
          n [ME noppe, fr. MD, flock of wool, nap] (15c): a hairy
          or downy surface (as on a woven fabric) -- nap.less adj
          -- napped adj [4]nap vt napped ; nap.ping (1620): to
          raise a nap on (fabric or leather) [5]nap n [fr. to go
          nap (to make all the points in the card game Napoleon)]
          (1895) Brit: a pick or recommendation as a good bet to
          win a contest (as a horse race); also: one named in a
          nap [6]nap vt napped ; nap.ping (1927) Brit: to pick
          or single out in a nap

   napa cabbage
          [napa cabbage] n [perh. fr. Jp dial. nappa greens] (1980):
          chinese cabbage b

   napa leather
          [napa leather] n [Napa, California] (1897): a glove leather
          made by tawing sheepskins with a soap-and-oil mixture;
          also: a similarly soft leather

   [1]napalm
          [na.palm] n [naphthene + palmitate] (1942) 1: a thickener
          consisting of a mixture of aluminum soaps used in jelling
          gasoline (as for incendiary bombs) 2: fuel jelled with
          napalm [2]napalm vt (1950): to assault with napalm

   nape
          [nape] n [ME] (14c): the back of the neck

   napery
          [na.pery] n [ME, fr. MF naperie, fr. nappe, nape tablecloth--more
          at napkin] (14c): household linen; esp: table linen

   Naphtali
          [Naph.ta.li] n [Heb Naphtali]: a son of Jacob and the traditional
          eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel

   naphtha
          [naph.tha] n [L, fr. Gk, of Iranian origin; akin to Per neft
          naphtha] (1572) 1: any of various volatile often flammable
          liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used chiefly as solvents
          and diluents 2: petroleum

   naphthalene
          [naph.tha.lene] n [alter. of earlier naphthaline, irreg.
          fr. naphtha] (1821): a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon
          usu. obtained by distillation of coal tar and used esp.
          in organic synthesis

   naphthene
          [naph.thene] n (1884): cycloparaffin -- naph.then.ic adj

   naphthol
          [naph.thol] n [ISV] (1849) 1: either of two isomeric derivatives
          of naphthalene used as antiseptics and in the manufacture
          of dyes 2: any of various hydroxy derivatives of naphthalene
          that resemble the simpler phenols

   naphthylamine
          [naph.thyl.amine] n [ISV] (1857): either of two isomeric
          crystalline bases used esp. as dye intermediates

   napier grass
          [na.pi.er grass] n [Napier, town in So. Africa] (1914): a
          tall stout African perennial grass (Pennisetum purpureum)
          that resembles sugarcane and is widely grown for forage--called
          also elephant grass

   Napierian logarithm
          [Na.pier.ian logarithm] n [John Napier] (1816): natural logarithm

   Napier's bones
          [Na.pi.er's bones] n (ca. 1658): a set of graduated rods
          (as of wood or bone) invented by John Napier and used
          for multiplication and division based on the principles
          of logarithms

   napiform
          [na.pi.form] adj [L napus turnip (perh. fr. Gk napy, sinapy
          mustard) + ISV -iform] (ca. 1846): globular at the top
          and tapering off abruptly--used esp. of roots

   napkin
          [nap.kin] n [ME nappekin, fr. nappe tablecloth, fr. MF, fr.
          L mappa napkin] (14c) 1: a piece of material (as cloth
          or paper) used at table to wipe the lips or fingers and
          protect the clothes 2: a small cloth or towel: as a dial
          Brit: handkerchief b chiefly Scot: kerchief c chiefly
          Brit: diaper 3 3: sanitary napkin

   napoleon
          [na.po.leon] n [F napoleon, fr. Napoleon Napoleon I] (1814)
          1: a former French 20-franc gold coin 2: an oblong pastry
          with a filling of cream, custard, or jelly 3 cap: one
          like Napoleon I (as in ambition)

   nappe
          [nappe] n [F, tablecloth, sheet, nappe--more at napkin] (1904)
          1: sheet 6 2: a large mass thrust over other rocks 3:
          one of the two sheets that lie on opposite sides of the
          vertex and together make up a cone

   [1]nappy
          [nap.py] n [obs. nappy, adj., foaming] (1700) chiefly Scot:
          liquor; specif: ale [2]nappy n, pl nappies [E dial. nap
          bowl, fr. ME, fr. OE hnaepp; akin to OHG hnapf bowl]
          (1864): a rimless shallow open serving dish [3]nappy
          n, pl nappies [napkin + [4]-y] (1927) chiefly Brit: diaper
          3 [4]nappy adj nap.pi.er ; -est [[3]nap] (1928): kinky
          1

   naprapathy
          [na.prap.a.thy] n [Czech naprava correction + E -pathy] (1909):
          a system of treatment by manipulation of connective tissue
          and adjoining structures (as ligaments, joints, and muscles)
          and by dietary measures that is held to facilitate the
          recuperative and regenerative processes of the body

   narc
          [narc] n [short for narcotics agent] (1967) slang: a person
          (as a government agent) who investigates narcotics violations

   narcissism
          [nar.cis.sism] n [G Narzissismus, fr. Narziss Narcissus,
          fr. L Narcissus] (1822) 1: egoism, egocentrism 2: love
          of or sexual desire for one's own body -- nar.cis.sist
          n or adj -- nar.cis.sis.tic adj

   narcissus
          [nar.cis.sus] n [L, fr. Gk Narkissos] 1 cap: a beautiful
          youth in Greek mythology who pines away for love of his
          own reflection and is then turned into the narcissus
          flower 2 pl nar.cis.si or nar.cis.sus.es or narcissus
          [NL, genus name, fr. L, narcissus, fr. Gk narkissos]:
          daffodil; esp: one whose flowers have a short corona
          and are usu. borne separately

   narco
          [nar.co] n, pl narcos (1955) slang: narc

   narcolepsy
          [nar.co.lep.sy] n, pl -sies [ISV, fr. Gk narke] (1880): a
          condition characterized by brief attacks of deep sleep
          -- nar.co.lep.tic adj

   narcoleptic
          [nar.co.lep.tic] n (1928): a person who is subject to attacks
          of narcolepsy

   narcosis
          [nar.co.sis] n, pl -co.ses [NL, fr. Gk narkosis, action of
          benumbing, fr. narkoun] (ca. 1693): a state of stupor,
          unconsciousness, or arrested activity produced by the
          influence of narcotics or other chemicals

   [1]narcotic
          [nar.cot.ic] n [ME narkotik, fr. MF narcotique, fr. narcotique,
          adj., fr. ML narcoticus, fr. Gk narkotikos, fr. narkoun
          to benumb, fr. narke numbness--more at snare] (14c) 1
          a: a drug (as opium) that in moderate doses dulls the
          senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but
          in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions
          b: a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction
          similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically
          addictive and narcotic or not 2: something that soothes,
          relieves, or lulls [2]narcotic adj (1526) 1 a: having
          the properties of or yielding a narcotic b: inducing
          mental lethargy: soporiferous 2: of, induced by, or concerned
          with narcotics 3: of, involving, or intended for narcotic
          addicts -- nar.cot.i.cal.ly adv

   narcotize
          [nar.co.tize] vb -tized ; -tiz.ing [ISV] vt (1526) 1 a: to
          treat with or subject to a narcotic b: to put into a
          state of narcosis 2: to soothe to unconsciousness or
          unawareness ~ vi: to act as a narcotizing agent

   nard
          [nard] n [ME narde, fr. OE, fr. L nardus, fr. Gk nardos,
          of Sem origin; akin to Heb nerd nard] (bef. 12c): spikenard
          1b

   nares
          [na.res] n pl [ME, fr. L, pl. of naris; akin to L nasus nose--more
          at nose] (14c): the pair of openings of the nose or nasal cavity
          of a vertebrate

   narghile
          [nar.ghi.le] or nar.gi.leh n [Per nargila, fr. nargil coconut,
          of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Skt narikela coconut; fr.
          the original material used in making its bowl] (1758):
          a water pipe that originated in the Near East

   [1]nark
          [nark] n [perh. fr. Romany nak nose] (ca. 1860) Brit: stool
          pigeon [2]nark var of narc [3]nark vt [origin unknown]
          (1888) Brit: irritate, annoy <hope you aren't ~ed with
          me --Norman Lindsay>

   Narraganset
          [Nar.ra.gan.set] or Nar.ra.gan.sett n, pl Narraganset or
          Narragansets or Narragansett or Narragansetts (1622)
          1: a member of an American Indian people of Rhode Island
          2: the Algonquian language of the Narraganset people

   narrate
          [nar.rate] vt nar.rat.ed ; nar.rat.ing [L narratus, pp. of
          narrare, fr. L gnarus knowing; akin to L gnoscere, noscere
          to know--more at know] (1656): to tell (as a story) in
          detail; also: to provide spoken commentary for (as a
          movie or television show) -- nar.ra.tor n

   narration
          [nar.ra.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process or an instance
          of narrating 2: story, narrative -- nar.ra.tion.al adj

   narrative
          [nar.ra.tive] n (1566) 1: something that is narrated: story
          2: the art or practice of narration 3: the representation
          in art of an event or story; also: an example of such
          a representation -- narrative adj -- nar.ra.tive.ly adv

   narratology
          [nar.ra.tol.o.gy] n (1976): the study of structure in narratives
          -- nar.ra.to.log.i.cal adj -- nar.ra.tol.o.gist n

   [1]narrow
          [nar.row] adj [ME narowe, fr. OE nearu; akin to OHG narwa
          scar] (bef. 12c) 1 a: of slender width b: of less than
          standard width c of a textile: woven in widths less than
          18 inches (46 centimeters) 2: limited in size or scope:
          restricted 3 a: illiberal in views or disposition: prejudiced
          b chiefly dial: stingy, niggardly 4 a: barely sufficient:
          close b: barely successful 5: minutely precise: meticulous
          6 of a ration: relatively rich in protein as compared
          with carbohydrate and fat 7: tense 3 -- nar.row.ly adv
          -- nar.row.ness n [2]narrow vt (bef. 12c) 1: to decrease
          the breadth or extent of: contract--often used with down
          2: to decrease the scope or sphere of: limit--often used
          with down ~ vi: to lessen in width or extent: contract--often
          used with down [3]narrow n (13c): a narrow part or passage;
          specif: a strait connecting two bodies of water--usu.
          used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.

   narrowband
          [nar.row.band] adj (1950): operating at, responsive to, or
          including a narrow range of frequencies

   narrow boat
          [narrow boat] n (1949) Brit: a barge with a beam of less
          than seven feet (2.1 meters)

   narrowcasting
          [nar.row.cast.ing] n (1928): radio or television transmission
          aimed at a narrowly defined area or audience (as paying
          subscribers or night workers)

   narrow-minded
          [nar.row-mind.ed] adj (1625): lacking in tolerance or breadth
          of vision: petty -- nar.row-mind.ed.ly adv -- nar.row-mind.ed.ness
          n

   narthex
          [nar.thex] n [LGk narthex, fr. Gk, giant fennel, cane, casket]
          (ca. 1673) 1: the portico of an ancient church 2: a vestibule
          leading to the nave of a church

   narwhal
          [nar.whal] also nar.whale n [Norw & Dan narhval & Sw narval,
          prob. modif. of Icel narhvalur, fr. ON nahvalr, fr. nar
          corpse + hvalr whale; fr. its color] (1646): an arctic
          cetacean (Monodon monoceros) about 20 feet (6 meters)
          long with the male having a long twisted ivory tusk

   nary
          [nary] adj [alter. of ne'er a] (1746): not any <~ a person
          wanted to go>

   NAS
          [NAS] abbreviation National Academy of Sciences, naval air
          station

   NASA
          [NASA] abbreviation National Aeronautics and Space Administration

   [1]nasal
          [na.sal] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. nes nose, fr. L nasus--more
          at nose] (14c) 1: the nosepiece of a helmet 2: a nasal
          part 3: a nasal consonant [2]nasal adj (1656) 1: of or
          relating to the nose 2 a: uttered with the soft palate
          lowered and with passage of air through the nose b: characterized
          by resonance produced through the nose 3 of a musical
          tone: sharp, penetrating -- na.sal.i.ty n -- na.sal.ly
          adv

   nasalize
          [na.sal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1817): to make nasal
          or pronounce as a nasal sound -- na.sal.i.za.tion n

   NASCAR
          [NASCAR] abbreviation National Association for Stock Car
          Auto Racing

   nascence
          [na.scence] n (1570): nascency

   nascency
          [na.scen.cy] n, pl -cies (1682): birth, origin

   nascent
          [na.scent] adj [L nascent-, nascens, prp. of nasci to be
          born] (ca. 1624): coming or having recently come into
          existence

   NASD
          [NASD] abbreviation National Association of Securities Dealers

   NASL
          [NASL] abbreviation North American Soccer League

   naso-
          [naso-] comb form [L nasus nose] 1: nose and <nasopharynx>
          2: nasal <nasogastric>

   nasogastric
          [na.so.gas.tric] adj (1942): being or performed by intubation
          of the stomach through the nasal passages <~ tube> <~
          suction>

   nasopharyngeal
          [na.so.pha.ryn.geal] adj (1872): of, relating to, or affecting
          the nose and pharynx or the nasopharynx

   nasopharynx
          [na.so.phar.ynx] n [NL] (1877): the upper part of the pharynx
          continuous with the nasal passages

   nastic
          [nas.tic] adj [Gk nastos close-pressed, fr. nassein to press]
          (1908): of, relating to, or constituting a movement of
          a plant part caused by disproportionate growth or increase
          of turgor in one surface

   nasturtium
          [nas.tur.tium] n [L, a cress] (1704): any of a genus (Tropaeolum
          of the family Tropaeolaceae, the nasturtium family) of
          herbs of Central and So. America with showy spurred flowers
          and pungent seeds; esp: either of two widely cultivated
          ornamentals (T. majus and T. minus)

   nasty
          [nas.ty] adj nas.ti.er ; -est [ME] (14c) 1 a: disgustingly
          filthy b: physically repugnant 2: indecent, obscene 3:
          mean, tawdry 4 a: extremely hazardous or harmful <had
          a ~ climb to reach the summit> b: causing severe pain
          or suffering <a ~ wound> c: sharply unpleasant: disagreeable
          <~ weather> 5 a: difficult to understand or deal with:
          vexatious <a ~ problem> b: psychologically unsettling:
          trying <a ~ fear that she was lost> 6: lacking in courtesy
          or sportsmanship <a ~ trick> syn see dirty -- nas.ti.ly
          adv -- nas.ti.ness n -- nasty n

   NASW
          [NASW] abbreviation National Association of Social Workers

   nat
          [nat] abbreviation national, native, natural

   natal
          [na.tal] adj [ME, fr. L natalis, fr. natus, pp. of nasci
          to be born--more at nation] (15c) 1: native 2: of, relating
          to, or present at birth; esp: associated with one's birth
          <a ~ star>

   natality
          [na.tal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1888): birthrate

   natant
          [na.tant] adj [ME natand, fr. L natant-, natans, prp. of
          natare to swim; akin to L nare to swim; akin to Gk nein,
          nechein to swim, Skt snati he bathes] (15c): swimming
          or floating in water <~ decapods>

   natation
          [na.ta.tion] n (1542): the action or art of swimming

   natatorial
          [na.ta.to.ri.al] or na.ta.to.ry adj (1816) 1: of or relating
          to swimming 2: adapted to or characterized by swimming
          <a ~ leg of an aquatic insect>

   natatorium
          [na.ta.to.ri.um] n [LL, fr. L natare] (ca. 1890): an indoor
          swimming pool

   natch
          [natch] adv [by shortening & alter. fr. naturally] (ca. 1945)
          slang: of course: naturally

   Natchez
          [Natch.ez] n, pl Natchez (1845) 1: a member of an American
          Indian people of southwestern Mississippi 2: the language
          of the Natchez people

   nates
          [na.tes] n pl [L, pl. of natis buttock] (ca. 1706): buttocks

   natheless
          [nathe.less] or nath.less adv [ME, fr. OE na the laes not
          the less] (bef. 12c) archaic: nevertheless, notwithstanding

   nation
          [na.tion] n [ME nacioun, fr. MF nation, fr. L nation-, natio
          birth, race, nation, fr. nasci to be born; akin to L
          gignere to beget--more at kin] (14c) 1 a (1): nationality
          5a (2): a politically organized nationality (3): a non-Jewish
          nationality <why do the ~s conspire --Ps 2:1 (RSV)> b:
          a community of people composed of one or more nationalities
          and possessing a more or less defined territory and government
          c: a territorial division containing a body of people
          of one or more nationalities and usu. characterized by
          relatively large size and independent status 2 archaic:
          group, aggregation 3: a tribe or federation of tribes
          (as of American Indians)

   [1]national
          [na.tion.al] adj (1597) 1: of or relating to a nation 2:
          nationalist 3: comprising or characteristic of a nationality
          4: belonging to or maintained by the federal government
          5: of, relating to, or being a coalition government formed
          by most or all major political parties usu. in a crisis
          -- na.tion.al.ly adv [2]national n (1887) 1: one that
          owes allegiance to or is under the protection of a nation
          without regard to the more formal status of citizen or
          subject 2: a competition that is national in scope--usu.
          used in pl. syn see citizen

   national bank
          [national bank] n (1790) 1: central bank 2: a bank operating
          under federal charter and supervision

   national forest
          [national forest] n (ca. 1905): a usu. forested area
          of considerable extent that is preserved by government decree from
          private exploitation and is harvested only under supervision

   National Guard
          [National Guard] n (1847) 1: a militia force recruited by
          each state of the U.S., equipped by the federal government,
          and jointly maintained subject to the call of either
          2 often not cap: a military establishment serving as
          a national constabulary and defense force

   national income
          [national income] n (1878): the aggregate of earnings from
          a nation's current production includin g compensation
          of employees, interest, rental income, and profits of
          business after taxes

   nationalise
          [na.tion.al.ise] chiefly Brit var of nationalize

   nationalism
          [na.tion.al.ism] n (1844): loyalty and devotion to a nation;
          esp: a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation
          above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion
          of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other
          nations or supranational groups

   [1]nationalist
          [na.tion.al.ist] n (1715) 1: an advocate of or believer in
          nationalism 2 cap: a member of a political party or group
          advocating national independence or strong national government
          [2]nationalist adj (1889) 1: of, relating to, or advocating
          nationalism 2 cap: of, relating to, or being a political
          group advocating or associated with nationalism

   nationalistic
          [na.tion.al.is.tic] adj (1866) 1: of, favoring, or characterized
          by nationalism <~ election speeches> 2: national 1 --
          na.tion.al.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   nationality
          [na.tion.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1691) 1: national character
          2: nationalism 3 a: national status; specif: a legal
          relationship involving allegiance on the part of an individual
          and usu. protection on the part of the state b: membership
          in a particular nation 4: political independence or existence
          as a separate nation 5 a: a people having a common origin,
          tradition, and language and capable of forming or actually
          constituting a nation-state b: an ethnic group constituting
          one element of a larger unit (as a nation)

   nationalize
          [na.tion.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1800) 1: to give a national
          character to 2: to invest control or ownership of in
          the national government -- na.tion.al.i.za.tion n --
          na.tion.al.iz.er n

   national monument
          [national monument] n (1916): a place of historic, scenic,
          or scientific interest set aside for preservation usu.
          by presidential proclamation

   national park
          [national park] n (1868): an area of special scenic, historical,
          or scientific importance set aside and maintained by
          a national government and in the U.S. by an act of Congress

   national seashore
          [national seashore] n (1962): a recreational area adjacent
          to a seacoast and maintained by the federal government

   national socialism
          [national socialism] n, often cap N&S (1931): nazism -- national
          socialist adj, often cap N&S

   nationhood
          [na.tion.hood] n (1850): nationality 1, 3a, 4

   nation-state
          [na.tion-state] n (1918): a form of political organization
          under which a relatively homogeneous people inhabits
          a sovereign state; esp: a state containing one as opposed
          to several nationalities

   [1]nationwide
          [na.tion.wide] adj (1912): extending throughout a nation
          [2]nationwide adv (1926): throughout the nation

   [1]native
          [na.tive] adj [ME natif, fr. MF, fr. L nativus, fr. natus,
          pp. of nasci to be born--more at nation] (14c) 1: inborn,
          innate <~ talents> 2: belonging to a particular place
          by birth <~ to Wisconsin> 3 archaic: closely related
          4: belonging to or associated with one by birth 5: natural,
          normal 6 a: grown, produced, or originating in a particular
          place or in the vicinity: local b: living or growing
          naturally in a particular region: indigenous 7: simple,
          unaffected 8 a: constituting the original substance or
          source b: found in nature esp. in an unadulterated form
          <mining ~ silver> 9 chiefly Austral: having a usu. superficial
          resemblance to a specified English plant or animal --
          na.tive.ly adv -- na.tive.ness n syn native, indigenous,
          endemic, aboriginal mean belonging to a locality. native
          implies birth or origin in a place or region and may
          suggest compatibility with it <native tribal customs>.
          indigenous applies to species or races and adds to native
          the implication of not having been introduced from elsewhere
          <maize is indigenous to America>. endemic implies being
          peculiar to a region <edelweiss is endemic in the Alps>.
          aboriginal implies having no known race preceding in
          occupancy of the region <the aboriginal peoples of Australia>.
          [2]native n (1535) 1: one born or reared in a particular
          place 2 a: an original or indigenous inhabitant b: something
          indigenous to a particular locality 3: a local resident;
          esp: a person who has always lived in a place as distinguished
          from a visitor or a temporary resident

   Native American
          [Native American] n (1925): american indian -- Native American
          adj

   nativism
          [na.tiv.ism] n (1844) 1: a policy of favoring native inhabitants
          as opposed to immigrants 2: the revival or perpetuation
          of an indigenous culture esp. in opposition to acculturation
          -- na.tiv.ist n or adj -- na.tiv.is.tic adj

   nativity
          [na.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME nativite, fr. MF nativite,
          fr. ML nativitat-, nativitas, fr. LL, birth, fr. L nativus]
          (14c) 1: the process or circumstances of being born:
          birth; esp, cap: the birth of Jesus 2: a horoscope at
          or of the time of one's birth 3: the place of origin

   natl
          [natl] abbreviation national

   NATO
          [NATO] abbreviation North Atlantic Treaty Organization

   natriuresis
          [na.tri.ure.sis] n [NL, fr. natrium sodium (fr. ISV natron)
          + uresis urination, fr. Gk ouresis, fr. ourein to urinate--more
          at urine] (1957): excessive loss of sodium in the urine
          -- na.tri.uret.ic adj or n

   natrolite
          [na.tro.lite] n [G Natrolith, fr. Natron (fr. F) + -lith
          -lite] (ca. 1805): a hydrous silicate of sodium and aluminum
          that is related to zeolite

   natron
          [na.tron] n [F, fr. Sp natron, fr. Ar natrun, fr. Gk nitron]
          (1684): a hydrous native sodium carbonate used in ancient
          times in embalming, in ceramic pastes, and as a cleansing
          agent

   [1]natter
          [nat.ter] vi [prob. imit.] (1942): chatter 2 [2]natter n
          (1943) chiefly Brit: idle talk or conversation: chat

   natty
          [nat.ty] adj nat.ti.er ; -est [perh. alter. of earlier netty,
          fr. obs. net neat, clean] (1557): trimly neat and tidy:
          smart -- nat.ti.ly adv -- nat.ti.ness n

   [1]natural
          [nat.u.ral] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L naturalis of nature, fr.
          natura nature] (14c) 1: based on an inherent sense of
          right and wrong <~ justice> 2 a: being in accordance
          with or determined by nature b: having or constituting
          a classification based on features existing in nature
          3 a (1): begotten as distinguished from adopted; also:
          legitimate (2): being a relation by actual consanguinity
          as distinguished from adoption <~ parents> b: illegitimate
          <a ~ child> 4: having an essential relation with someone
          or something: following from the nature of the one in
          question <his guilt is a ~ deduction from the evidence>
          5: implanted or being as if implanted by nature: seemingly
          inborn <a ~ talent for art> 6: of or relating to nature
          as an object of study and research 7: having a specified
          character by nature <a ~ athlete> 8 a: occurring in conformity
          with the ordinary course of nature: not marvelous or
          supernatural <~ causes> b: formulated by human reason
          alone rather than revelation <~ religion> <~ rights>
          c: having a normal or usual character <events followed
          their ~ course> 9: possessing or exhibiting the higher
          qualities (as kindliness and affection) of human nature
          <a noble ... brother ... ever most kind and ~ --Shak.>
          10 a: growing without human care; also: not cultivated
          <~ prairie unbroken by the plow> b: existing in or produced
          by nature: not artificial <~ turf> <~ curiosities> c:
          relating to or being natural food 11 a: being in a state
          of nature without spiritual enlightenment: unregenerate
          <~ man> b: living in or as if in a state of nature untouched
          by the influences of civilization and society 12 a: having
          a physical or real existence as contrasted with one that
          is spiritual, intellectual, or fictitious <a corporation
          is a legal but not a ~ person> b: of, relating to, or
          operating in the physical as opposed to the spiritual
          world <~ laws describe phenomena of the physical universe>
          13 a: closely resembling an original: true to nature
          b: marked by easy simplicity and freedom from artificiality,
          affectation, or constraint c: having a form or appearance
          found in nature 14 a: having neither flats nor sharps
          <the ~ scale of C major> b: being neither sharp nor flat
          c: having the pitch modified by the natural sign 15:
          of an off-white or beige color -- nat.u.ral.ness n syn
          natural, ingenuous, naive, unsophisticated, artless mean
          free from pretension or calculation. natural implies
          lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having
          a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than
          the man-made world <her unaffected, natural manner>.
          ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's
          feelings or intentions <the ingenuous enthusiasm of children>.
          naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting
          credulousness and unchecked innocence <politically naive>.
          unsophisticated implies a lack of experience and training
          necessary for social ease and adroitness <unsophisticated
          adolescents>. artless suggests a naturalness resulting
          from unawareness of the effect one is producing on others
          <artless charm>. syn see in addition regular [2]natural
          n (1533) 1: one born without the usual powers of reason
          and understanding 2 a: a sign placed on any degree of
          the musical staff to nullify the effect of a preceding
          sharp or flat b: a note or tone affected by the natural
          sign 3: a result or combination that immediately wins
          the stake in a game; specif: a throw of 7 or 11 on the
          first cast in craps 4 a: one having natural skills, talents,
          or abilities b: something that is likely to become an
          immediate success c: one that is obviously suitable for
          a specific purpose 5: afro

   natural childbirth
          [natural childbirth] n (1933): a system of managing childbirth
          in which the mother receives preparatory education in
          order to remain conscious during and assist in delivery
          with minimal or no use of drugs or anesthetics

   natural family planning
          [natural family planning] n (1975): a method of birth control
          that involves abstention from sexual intercourse during
          the period of ovulation which is determined through observation
          and measurement of bodily symptoms

   natural food
          [natural food] n (1917): food that has undergone minimal
          processing and contains no preservatives or artificial
          additives

   natural gas
          [natural gas] n (1825) 1: gas issuing from the earth's crust
          through natural openings or bored wells; esp: a combustible
          mixture of methane and higher hydrocarbons used chiefly
          as a fuel and raw material 2: gas manufactured from organic
          matter (as coal)

   natural history
          [natural history] n (1567) 1: a treatise on some aspect of
          nature 2: the natural development of something (as an
          organism or disease) over a period of time 3: the study
          of natural objects esp. in the field from an amateur
          or popular point of view

   naturalise
          [nat.u.ral.ise] Brit var of naturalize

   naturalism
          [nat.u.ral.ism] n (ca. 1641) 1: action, inclination, or thought
          based only on natural desires and instincts 2: a theory
          denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance;
          specif: the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate
          to account for all phenomena 3: realism in art or literature;
          specif: a theory in literature emphasizing scientific
          observation of life without idealization or the avoidance
          of the ugly

   naturalist
          [nat.u.ral.ist] n (1587) 1: one that advocates or practices
          naturalism 2: a student of natural history; esp: a field
          biologist

   naturalistic
          [nat.u.ral.is.tic] also nat.u.ral.ist adj (1838): of, characterized
          by, or according with naturalism -- nat.u.ral.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   naturalize
          [nat.u.ral.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1593) 1: to introduce
          into common use or into the vernacular 2: to bring into
          conformity with nature 3: to confer the rights of a national
          on; esp: to admit to citizenship 4: to cause (as a plant)
          to become established as if native ~ vi: to become established
          as if native -- nat.u.ral.i.za.tion n

   natural killer cell
          [natural killer cell] n (1975): a large granular lymphocyte
          capable of killing a tumor or microbial cell without
          prior exposure to the target cell and without having
          it presented with or marked by a histocompatibility antigen

   natural law
          [natural law] n (15c): a body of law or a specific principle
          held to be derived from nature and binding upon human
          society in the absence of or in addition to positive
          law

   natural logarithm
          [natural logarithm] n (1816): a logarithm with e as a base

   naturally
          [nat.u.ral.ly] adv (14c) 1: by nature: by natural character
          or ability <~ timid> 2: according to the usual course
          of things: as might be expected <we ~ dislike being hurt>
          3 a: without artificial aid <hair that curls ~> b: without
          affectation <speak ~> 4: with truth to nature: realistically

   natural number
          [natural number] n (1763): the number 1 or any number (as
          3, 12, 432) obtained by adding 1 to it one or more times:
          a positive integer

   natural philosophy
          [natural philosophy] n (14c): natural science; esp: physical
          science -- natural philosopher n

   natural resource
          [natural resource] n (1870) 1 pl: industrial materials and
          capacities (as mineral deposits and waterpower) supplied
          by nature 2: resource 1b

   natural science
          [natural science] n (14c): any of the sciences (as physics,
          chemistry, or biology) that deal with matter, energy,
          and their interrelations and transformations or with
          objectively measurable phenomena -- natural scientist
          n

   natural selection
          [natural selection] n (1857): a natural process that results
          in the survival and reproductive success of individuals
          or groups best adjusted to their environment and that
          leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited
          to that particular environment

   natural theology
          [natural theology] n (1677): theology deriving its knowledge
          of God from the study of nature independent of special
          revelation

   naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret
          [na.tu.ram ex.pel.las fur.ca, ta.men us.que re.cur.ret] [L]
          foreign term : you may drive nature out with a pitchfork,
          but she will keep coming back

   natura non facit saltum
          [na.tu.ra non fa.cit sal.tum] [L] foreign term : nature makes
          no leap

   nature
          [na.ture] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L natura, fr. natus, pp. of
          nasci to be born--more at nation] (14c) 1 a: the inherent
          character or basic constitution of a person or thing:
          essence b: disposition, temperament 2 a: a creative and
          controlling force in the universe b: an inner force or
          the sum of such forces in an individual 3: a kind or
          class usu. distinguished by fundamental or essential
          characteristics <documents of a confidential ~> <acts
          of a ceremonial ~> 4: the physical constitution or drives
          of an organism; esp: an excretory organ or function--used
          in phrases like the call of nature 5: a spontaneous attitude
          (as of generosity) 6: the external world in its entirety
          7 a: humankind's original or natural condition b: a simplified
          mode of life resembling this condition 8: the genetically
          controlled qualities of an organism 9: natural scenery
          syn see type

   naturism
          [na.tur.ism] n (1847) 1: naturalism 1, 2 2: the worship of
          the forces of nature 3: nudism -- na.tur.ist n

   naturopathy
          [na.tu.rop.a.thy] n (1901): a system of treatment of disease
          that avoids drugs and surgery and emphasizes the use
          of natural agents (as air, water, and sunshine) and physical
          means (as manipulation and electrical treatment) -- na.tu.ro.path
          n -- na.tu.ro.path.ic adj

   Naugahyde
          [Nau.ga.hyde] trademark--used for vinyl-coated fabrics

   [1]naught
          [naught] pron [ME nought, fr. OE nawiht, fr. na no + wiht
          creature, thing--more at no, wight] (bef. 12c): nothing
          <efforts came to ~> [2]naught n (bef. 12c) 1: nothingness,
          nonexistence 2: the arithmetical symbol 0: zero, cipher

   naughty
          [naugh.ty] adj naugh.ti.er ; -est [ME noughti, fr. nought]
          (14c) 1 a archaic: vicious in moral character: wicked
          b: guilty of disobedience or misbehavior 2: lacking in
          taste or propriety -- naugh.ti.ly adv -- naugh.ti.ness
          n

   naumachia
          [nau.ma.chia] n, pl -chi.ae or -chi.as [L, fr. Gk, naval
          battle, fr. naus ship + machesthai to fight--more at
          nave] (1596) 1: an ancient Roman spectacle representing
          a naval battle 2: a place for naumachiae

   nauplius
          [nau.pli.us] n, pl -plii [NL, fr. L, a shellfish, fr. Gk
          nauplios] (1836): a crustacean larva in usu. the first
          stage after leaving the egg and with three pairs of appendages,
          a median eye, and little or no segmentation

   nausea
          [nau.sea] n [L, seasickness, nausea, fr. Gk nautia, nausia,
          fr. nautes sailor] (1569) 1: a stomach distress with
          distaste for food and an urge to vomit 2: extreme disgust
          -- nau.se.ant n or adj

   nauseate
          [nau.se.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vi (1640) 1: to become affected
          with nausea 2: to feel disgust ~ vt: to affect with nausea
          or disgust

   nauseating
          [nauseating] adj (1645): causing nausea or esp. disgust usage
          see nauseous -- nau.se.at.ing.ly adv

   nauseous
          [nau.seous] adj (1612) 1: causing nausea or disgust: nauseating
          2: affected with nausea or disgust -- nau.seous.ly adv
          -- nau.seous.ness n usage Those who insist that nauseous
          can properly be used only in sense 1 and that in sense
          2 it is an error for nauseated are mistaken. Current
          evidence shows these facts: nauseous is most frequently
          used to mean physically affected with nausea, usu. after
          a linking verb such as feel or become; figurative use
          is quite a bit less frequent. Use of nauseous in sense
          1 is much more often figurative than literal, and this
          use appears to be losing ground to nauseating. Nauseated,
          while not rare, is less common than nauseous in sense
          2.

   naut
          [naut] abbreviation nautical

   nautch
          [nautch] n [Hindi nac, fr. Skt nrtya, fr. nrtyati he dances]
          (1809): an entertainment in India consisting chiefly
          of dancing by professional dancing girls

   nautical
          [nau.ti.cal] adj [L nauticus, fr. Gk nautikos, fr. nautes
          sailor, fr. naus ship--more at nave] (1552): of, relating
          to, or associated with seamen, navigation, or ships --
          nau.ti.cal.ly adv

   nautical mile
          [nautical mile] n (1834): any of various units of distance
          used for sea and air navigation based on the length of
          a minute of arc of a great circle of the earth and differing
          because the earth is not a perfect sphere: as a: a British
          unit equal to 6080 feet (1853.2 meters) b: an international
          unit equal to 6076.115 feet (1852 meters) used officially
          in the U.S. since July 1, 1959

   nautiloid
          [nau.ti.loid] n (ca. 1847): any of a subclass (Nautiloidea)
          of shell-bearing cephalopods that were abundant in the
          Ordovician and esp. the Silurian but are represented
          in the recent fauna only by the nautiluses -- nautiloid
          adj

   nautilus
          [nau.ti.lus] n, pl -lus.es or -li [NL, fr. L, paper nautilus,
          fr. Gk nautilos, lit., sailor, fr. naus ship] (1601)
          1: any of a genus (Nautilus) of cephalopod mollusks of
          the So. Pacific and Indian Oceans with a spiral chambered
          shell that is pearly on the inside--called also chambered
          nautilus 2: paper nautilus

   nav
          [nav] abbreviation naval, navigable, navigation

   navaid
          [nav.aid] n [navigation aid] (1956): a device or system (as
          a radar beacon) that provides a navigator with navigational
          data

   Navajo
          [Na.va.jo] also Na.va.ho n, pl -jo or -jos also -ho or -hos
          [Sp (Apache de) Navajo, lit., Apache of Navajo, fr. Navajo,
          area occupied by Navajos, prob. fr. Tewa (Pueblo Indian
          language of northern New Mexico) navahu, lit., arroyo
          with planted fields] (1780) 1: a member of an American
          Indian people of northern New Mexico and Arizona 2: the
          language of the Navajo people

   naval
          [na.val] adj [ME, fr. L navalis, fr. navis ship] (15c) 1
          obs: of or relating to ships or shipping 2 a: of or relating
          to a navy b: consisting of or involving warships

   naval architect
          [naval architect] n (ca. 1885): one who designs ships

   naval stores
          [naval stores] n pl [fr. their former use in the construction
          and maintenance of wooden sailing vessels] (1678): products
          (as turpentine, pitch, and rosin) obtained from resinous
          conifers and esp. pines

   [1]nave
          [nave] n [ME, fr. OE nafu; akin to OE nafela navel] (bef.
          12c): the hub of a wheel [2]nave n [ML navis, fr. L,
          ship; akin to OE nowend sailor, Gk naus ship, Skt nau]
          (1673): the main part of the interior of a church; esp:
          the long narrow central hall in a cruciform church that
          rises higher than the aisles flanking it to form a clerestory

   navel
          [na.vel] n [ME, fr. OE nafela; akin to OHG nabalo navel,
          L umbilicus, Gk omphalos] (bef. 12c) 1: a depression
          in the middle of the abdomen that marks the point of
          former attachment of the umbilical cord or yolk stalk
          2: the central point: middle

   navel orange
          [navel orange] n (1888): a seedless orange having a pit at
          the apex where the fruit encloses a small secondary fruit--called
          also navel

   [1]navicular
          [na.vic.u.lar] adj [ME naviculare, fr. L navicula boat, dim.
          of navis] (15c) 1: shaped like a boat <a ~ bone> 2: of,
          relating to, or involving a navicular bone <~ disease>
          [2]navicular n [NL (os) naviculare navicular bone] (1816):
          a navicular bone; esp: one situated on the big-toe side
          of the tarsus

   navigable
          [nav.i.ga.ble] adj (15c) 1: deep enough and wide enough to
          afford passage to ships 2: capable of being steered --
          nav.i.ga.bil.i.ty n -- nav.i.ga.bly adv

   navigate
          [nav.i.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L navigatus, pp. of navigare,
          fr. navis ship + -igare (fr. agere to drive)--more at
          agent] vi (1588) 1: to travel by water: sail 2: to steer
          a course through a medium; specif: to operate an airplane
          3: get around, move ~ vt 1 a: to sail over, on, or through
          b: to make one's way over or through: traverse 2 a: to
          steer or manage (a boat) in sailing b: to operate or
          control the course of (as an airplane)

   navigation
          [nav.i.ga.tion] n (1547) 1: the act or practice of na vigating
          2: the science of getting ships, aircraft, or spacecraft
          from place to place; esp: the method of determining position,
          course, and distance traveled 3: ship traffic or commerce
          -- nav.i.ga.tion.al adj -- nav.i.ga.tion.al.ly adv

   navigator
          [nav.i.ga.tor] n (1590): one that navigates or is qualified
          to navigate

   navvy
          [nav.vy] n, pl navvies [by shortening & alter. fr. navigator
          construction worker on a canal] (ca. 1834) chiefly Brit:
          an unskilled laborer

   navy
          [na.vy] n, pl navies [ME navie, fr. MF, fr. L navigia ships,
          fr. navigare] (14c) 1: a group of ships: fleet 2: a nation's
          ships of war and of logistic support 3 often cap: the
          complete naval establishment of a nation including yards,
          stations, ships, and personnel 4: a dark grayish purplish
          blue

   navy bean
          [navy bean] n (1856): a white-seeded kidney bean grown esp.
          for its nutritious seeds

   Navy Cross
          [Navy Cross] n (1919): a U.S. Navy decoration awarded for
          extraordinary heroism in operations against an armed
          enemy

   navy yard
          [navy yard] n (1771): a yard where naval vessels are built
          or repaired

   nawab
          [na.wab] n [Urdu nawwab] (1758): nabob

   [1]nay
          [nay] adv [ME, fr. ON nei, fr. ne not + ei ever--more at
          no, aye] (13c): no [2]nay n (14c) 1: denial, refusal
          2 a: a negative reply or vote b: one who votes no [3]nay
          conj (1560): not merely this but also: not only so but
          <the letter made him happy, ~, ecstatic>

   naysayer
          [nay.say.er] n (1721): one who denies, refuses, opposes,
          or is skeptical or cynical about something -- nay-say.ing
          n

   Nazarene
          [Naz.a.rene] n [ME Nazaren, fr. LL Nazarenus, fr. Gk Nazarenos,
          fr. Nazareth Nazareth, Palestine] (13c) 1: a native or
          resident of Nazareth 2 a: christian 1a b: a member of
          the Church of the Nazarene that is a Protestant denomination
          deriving from the merging of three holiness groups, stressing
          sanctification, and following Methodist polity

   Nazi
          [Na.zi] n [G, by shortening & alter. fr. Nationalsozialist,
          fr. national national + Sozialist socialist] (1930) 1:
          a member of a German fascist party controlling Germany
          from 1933 to 1945 under Adolf Hitler 2 often not cap:
          one who resembles a German Nazi -- nazi adj, often cap
          -- na.zi.fi.ca.tion n, often cap -- na.zi.fy vt, often
          cap

   Nazirite
          [Naz.i.rite] or Naz.a.rite n [LL nazaraeus, fr. Gk naziraios,
          nazaraios, fr. Heb nazir, lit., consecrated] (1560):
          a Jew of biblical times consecrated to God by a vow to
          avoid drinking wine, cutting the hair, and being defiled
          by the presence of a corpse -- Naz.i.rit.ism n

   Nazism
          [Na.zism] or Na.zi.ism n [Nazi + -ism] (1934): the body of
          political and economic doctrines held and put into effect
          by the National Socialist German Workers' party in the
          Third German Reich including the totalitarian principle
          of government, state control of all industry, predominance
          of groups assumed to be racially superior, and supremacy
          of the fuhrer

   nb...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Nb
          [Nb] abbreviation niobium  NB abbreviation New Brunswick,
          northbound, nota bene

   NBA
          [NBA] abbreviation National Basketball Association, National
          Boxing Association

   NBC
          [NBC] abbreviation National Broadcasting Company

   NBS
          [NBS] abbreviation National Bureau of Standards

   nc...
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   NC
          [NC] abbreviation no charge, no credit, North Carolina, nurse
          corps

   NC-17
          [NC-17] certification mark--used to certify that a motion
          picture is of such a nature that no one under the age
          of 17 can be admitted--compare g, pg, pg-13, r

   NCAA
          [NCAA] abbreviation National Collegiate Athletic Association

   NCE
          [NCE] abbreviation New Catholic Edition

   NCO
          [NCO] n (ca. 1810): noncommissioned officer

   NCV
          [NCV] abbreviation no commercial value

   nd...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   nd
          [nd] abbreviation no date  Nd abbreviation neodymium  ND
          abbreviation doctor of naturopathy, North Dakota

   -nd
          [-nd] symbol--used after the figure 2 to indicate the ordinal
          number second <2nd> <72nd>

   NDE
          [NDE] abbreviation near-death experience

   NDP
          [NDP] abbreviation New Democratic Party (Canad)

   ne...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ne
          [ne] adj [F, lit., born--more at nee] (1905) 1--used to indicate
          the original, former, or legal name of a man <Robert
          Roe, ~ John Doe> 2: originally or formerly called

   Ne
          [Ne] abbreviation neon  NE abbreviation Nebraska, New England,
          no effects, northeast

   ne-
          [ne-] or neo- comb form [Gk, fr. neos new--more at new] 1
          a: new: recent <Neogene> b: new and different period
          or form of <Neoplatonism>: in a new and different form
          or manner <Neoplatonic> c: New World <Neotropical> d:
          new and abnormal <neoplasm> 2: new chemical compound
          isomeric with or otherwise related to (such) a compound
          <neostigmine>

   NEA
          [NEA] abbreviation National Education Association, National
          Endowment for the Arts

   Neanderthal
          [Ne.an.der.thal] adj (1861) 1 also Ne.an.der.tal : being,
          relating to, or resembling Neanderthal man 2: suggesting
          a caveman in appearance, mentality, or behavior -- Neanderthal
          n

   Neanderthal man
          [Neanderthal man] n [Neanderthal, valley in western Germany]
          (1863): a Middle Paleolithic hominid (Homo sapiens
          neanderthalensis) known from skeletal remains in Europe, northern
          Africa, and western Asia -- Ne.an.der.thal.oid adj or n

   [1]neap
          [neap] adj [ME neep, fr. OE nep being at the stage of neap
          tide] (bef. 12c): of, relating to, or constituting a
          neap tide [2]neap n (1584): neap tide

   Neapolitan
          [Ne.a.pol.i.tan] n [ME, fr. L neapolitanus of Naples, fr.
          Gk neapolites citizen of Naples, fr. Neapolis Naples]
          (15c): a native or inhabitant of Naples, Italy -- Neapolitan
          adj

   Neapolitan ice cream
          [Neapolitan ice cream] n (1895): a brick of from two to four
          layers of ice cream of different flavors

   neap tide
          [neap tide] n (ca. 1548): a tide of minimum range occurring
          at the first and the third quarters of the moon

   [1]near
          [near] adv [ME ner, partly fr. ner nearer, fr. OE near, comparative
          of neah nigh; partly fr. ON naer nearer, compar. of na-nigh--more
          at nigh] (13c) 1: at, within, or to a short distance or time
          2: almost, nearly <~ dead> 3: in a close or intimate manner:
          closely <~ related> 4 archaic: in a frugal manner [2]near prep
          (13c): close to [3]near adj (14c) 1 a: not far distant in time,
          place, or degree <in the ~ future> b: almost happening: narrowly
          missed or avoided <a ~ win in the primary> <a ~ midair collision>
          c: nearly not happening <a ~ escape> 2: closely related
          or intimately associated 3 a: being the closer of two <the ~ side>
          b: being the left-hand one of a pair <the ~ wheel of a cart>
          4: direct, short <the ~est road> 5: stingy, closefisted
          6 a: closely resembling the standard or typical <a ~ desert>
          b: approximating the genuine <~ silk> -- near.ness n [4]near
          vb (1513): approach

   near beer
          [near beer] n (1909): any of various malt liquors considered
          nonalcoholic because they contain less than a specified
          percentage of alcohol

   nearby
          [near.by] adv or adj (14c): close at hand

   Nearctic
          [Ne.arc.tic] adj (1858): of, relating to, or being the
          biogeographic subregion that includes Greenland and No. America
          north of tropical Mexico

   near gale
          [near gale] n (ca. 1975): moderate gale

   near-infrared
          [near-in.fra.red] adj (1950): of or relating to the shorter
          wavelengths of radiation in the infrared spectrum and
          esp. to those between 0.7 and 2.5 micrometers

   nearly
          [near.ly] adv (1561) 1: in a close manner or relationship
          <~ related> 2 a: almost but not quite <~ identical> <~
          a year later> b: to the least extent <not ~ as good as
          we expected>

   near miss
          [near miss] n (1940) 1 a: a miss (as with a bomb) close enough
          to cause damage b: something that falls just short of
          success 2 a: a near collision (as between aircraft) b:
          close call

   near money
          [near money] n (1942): assets (as savings accounts or government
          bonds) quickly and easily converted to cash

   near point
          [near point] n (1876): the point nearest the eye at which
          an object is accurately focused on the retina at full
          accommodation

   nearshore
          [near.shore] adj (1896): extending outward an indefinite
          but usu. short distance from shore <~ sediments>

   nearside
          [near.side] adj (ca. 1840) Brit: left-hand 1 -- nearside
          n

   nearsighted
          [near.sight.ed] adj (1686): able to see near things more
          clearly than distant ones: myopic -- near.sight.ed.ly
          adv -- near.sight.ed.ness n

   near-ultraviolet
          [near-ul.tra.vi.o.let] adj (1951): of, relating to, or being
          the longest wavelengths of radiation esp. between 300
          and 400 nanometers

   [1]neat
          [neat] n, pl neat or neats [ME neet, fr. OE neat; akin to
          OHG noz head of cattle, OE neotan to make use of, Lith
          nauda use] (bef. 12c): the common domestic bovine (Bos
          taurus) [2]neat adj [MF net, fr. L nitidus bright, neat,
          fr. nitere to shine; prob. akin to MIr niam luster] (1542)
          1: free from dirt and disorder: habitually clean and
          orderly 2 a: free from admixture or dilution: straight
          <~ brandy> <~ cement> b: free from irregularity: smooth
          <~ silk> 3: marked by tasteful simplicity <a ~ outfit>
          4 a: precise, systematic b: marked by skill or ingenuity:
          adroit 5: net <~ profit> 6: fine, admirable -- neat.ly
          adv -- neat.ness n [3]neat adv (1649): without admixture
          or dilution: straight

   neaten
          [neat.en] vt neat.ened ; neat.en.ing (1898) 1: to set in
          order: make neat 2: to finish (as a piece of sewing)
          carefully

   neath
          [neath] prep (1787) dial: beneath

   neatherd
          [neat.herd] n (14c): herdsman

   neat's-foot oil
          [neat's-foot oil] n (1787): a pale yellow fatty oil made
          esp. from the bones of cattle and used chiefly as a leather
          dressing

   neb
          [neb] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to ON nef beak] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          the beak of a bird or tortoise: bill b chiefly dial:
          a person's mouth c: nose 1, snout 2: nib, tip

   Neb
          [Neb] or Nebr abbreviation Nebraska  NEB abbreviation New
          English Bible

   nebbish
          [neb.bish] n [Yiddish nebekh poor, unfortunate, fr. Czech
          nebohy ] (1951): a timid, meek, or ineffectual person
          -- neb.bishy adj

   nebenkern
          [ne.ben.kern] n [G, lit., subsidiary nucleus] (1898): a 2-stranded
          helical structure of the proximal tail region of a spermatozoon
          that is derived from mitochondria

   nebula
          [neb.u.la] n, pl -lae also -las [NL, fr. L, mist, cloud;
          akin to OHG nebul fog, Gk nephele, nephos cloud] (ca.
          1738) 1: any of numerous clouds of gas or dust in interstellar
          space 2: galaxy; esp: a galaxy other than the Milky Way
          galaxy--not used technically -- neb.u.lar adj

   nebular hypothesis
          [nebular hypothesis] n (1837): a hypothesis in astronomy:
          the solar system has evolved from a hot gaseous nebula

   nebulize
          [neb.u.lize] vt -lized ; -liz.ing [L nebula] (1872): to reduce
          to a fine spray -- neb.u.li.za.tion n -- neb.u.liz.er
          n

   nebulosity
          [neb.u.los.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1761) 1: the quality or state
          of being nebulous 2: nebulous matter; also: nebula 1

   nebulous
          [neb.u.lous] adj [L nebulosus misty, fr. nebula] (1784) 1:
          of, relating to, or resembling a nebula: nebular 2: indistinct,
          vague -- neb.u.lous.ly adv -- neb.u.lous.ness n

   ne cede malis
          [ne ce.de ma.lis] [L] foreign term : yield not to misfortunes

   necessarily
          [nec.es.sar.i.ly] adv (15c) 1: of necessity: unavoidably
          2: as a logical result or consequence

   [1]necessary
          [nec.es.sary] adj [ME necessarie, fr. L necessarius, fr.
          necesse necessary, prob. fr. ne- not + cedere to withdraw--more
          at no] (14c) 1 a: of an inevitable nature: inescapable
          b (1): logically unavoidable (2): that cannot be denied
          without contradiction c: determined or produced by the
          previous condition of things d: compulsory 2: absolutely
          needed: required [2]necessary n, pl -sar.ies (14c): an
          indispensable item: essential

   necessary condition
          [necessary condition] n (1817) 1: a proposition whose falsity
          assures the falsity of another 2: a state of affairs
          that must prevail if another is to occur: prerequisite

   necessitarianism
          [ne.ces.si.tar.i.an.ism] n (1854): the theory that results
          follow by invariable sequence from causes -- ne.ces.si.tar.i.an
          adj or n

   necessitate
          [ne.ces.si.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing (1628) 1: to make
          necessary: require 2: force, compel -- ne.ces.si.ta.tion
          n

   necessitous
          [ne.ces.si.tous] adj (1611) 1: needy, impoverished 2: urgent,
          pressing 3: necessary -- ne.ces.si.tous.ly adv --
          ne.ces.si.tous.ness n

   necessity
          [ne.ces.si.ty] n, pl -ties [ME necessite, fr. MF necessite,
          fr. L necessitat-, necessitas, fr. necesse] (14c) 1:
          the quality or state of being necessary 2 a: pressure
          of circumstance b: physical or moral compulsion c: impossibility
          of a contrary order or condition 3: the quality or state
          of being in need; esp: poverty 4 a: something that is
          necessary: requirement b: an urgent need or desire --
          of necessity : in such a way that it cannot be otherwise;
          also: as a necessary consequence

   [1]neck
          [neck] n [ME nekke, fr. OE hnecca; akin to OHG hnac nape]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): the part of an animal that connects
          the head with the body (2): the siphon of a bivalve mollusk
          (as a clam) b: the part of a garment that covers or is
          next to the neck 2: a relatively narrow part suggestive
          of a neck: as a (1): the constricted end of a bottle
          (2): the slender proximal end of a fruit b: cervix 2
          c: the part of a stringed musical instrument extending
          from the body and supporting the fingerboard and strings
          d: a narrow stretch of land e: strait 1b f: the part
          of a tooth between the crown and the root--see tooth
          illustration g: a column of solidified magma of a volcanic
          pipe or laccolith 3: a narrow margin <won by a ~> 4:
          region, part <my ~ of the woods> [2]neck vt (1842) 1:
          to kiss and caress amorously 2: to reduce in diameter
          ~ vi 1: to engage in amorous kissing and caressing 2:
          to become constricted: narrow

   neck and neck
          [neck and neck] adv or adj (1799): very close (as in a race)

   necked
          [necked] adj (14c): having a neck esp. of a specified kind--often
          used in combination <long-necked>

   neckerchief
          [neck.er.chief] n, pl -chiefs also -chieves [ME nekkerchef,
          fr. nekke + kerchef kerchief] (14c): a kerchief for the
          neck

   necking
          [neck.ing] n (1804) 1: a narrow molding near the top of a
          column or pilaster 2: the act or practice of kissing
          and caressing amorously

   necklace
          [neck.lace] n (ca. 1590): an ornament worn around the neck

   neckline
          [neck.line] n (1904): the line of the neck opening of a garment

   neck-rein
          [neck-rein] vi (1940) of a saddle horse: to respond to the
          pressure of a rein on one side of the neck by turning
          in the opposite direction ~ vt: to direct (a horse) by
          pressures of the rein on the neck

   necktie
          [neck.tie] n (1838): a narrow length of material worn about
          the neck and tied in front; esp: four-in-hand

   neckwear
          [neck.wear] n (ca. 1879): articles of clothing (as ties and
          scarves) worn about the neck

   necr-
          [necr-] or necro- comb form [LL, fr. Gk nekr-, nekro-, fr.
          nekros dead body--more at noxious] 1: those that are
          dead <necrophilia> 2: one that is dead <necropsy>

   necrology
          [ne.crol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [NL necrologium, fr. necr- + -logium
          (as in ML eulogium eulogy)] (1799) 1: obituary 2: a list
          of the recently dead -- nec.ro.log.i.cal adj -- ne.crol.o.gist
          n

   necromancy
          [nec.ro.man.cy] n [alter. of ME nigromancie, fr. MF, fr.
          ML nigromantia, by folk etymology fr. LL necromantia,
          fr. LGk nekromanteia, fr. Gk nekr- + -manteia -mancy]
          (1522) 1: conjuration of the spirits of the dead for
          purposes of magically revealing the future or influencing
          the course of events 2: magic, sorcery -- nec.ro.man.cer
          n -- nec.ro.man.tic adj -- nec.ro.man.ti.cal.ly adv

   necrophagous
          [ne.croph.a.gous] adj (1835): feeding on corpses or carrion
          <~ insects>

   necrophilia
          [nec.ro.phil.ia] n [NL] (1892): obsession with and usu. erotic
          interest in or stimulation by corpses -- nec.ro.phil.i.ac
          adj or n -- nec.ro.phil.ic adj

   necrophilism
          [ne.croph.i.lism] n (1864): necrophilia

   necropolis
          [ne.crop.o.lis] n, pl -lis.es or -les or -leis or -li [LL,
          city of the dead, fr. Gk nekropolis, fr. nekr- + -polis
          -polis] (1819): cemetery; esp: a large elaborate cemetery
          of an ancient city

   [1]necropsy
          [nec.rop.sy] n, pl -sies (1856): autopsy 1 [2]necropsy vt
          -sied ; -sy.ing (1927): to perform an autopsy on

   necrosis
          [ne.cro.sis] n, pl ne.cro.ses [LL, fr. Gk nekrosis, fr. nekroun
          to make dead, fr. nekros dead body] (1665): usu. localized
          death of living tissue -- ne.crot.ic adj

   necrotizing
          [nec.ro.tiz.ing] adj [Gk nekrotikos necrotic, fr. nekroun]
          (1899): causing, associated with, or undergoing necrosis
          <~ infections> <~ tissue>

   nectar
          [nec.tar] n [L, fr. Gk nektar] 1 a: the drink of the Greek
          and Roman gods b: something delicious to drink c: a beverage
          of fruit juice and pulp <apricot ~> 2: a sweet liquid
          that is secreted by the nectaries of a plant and is the
          chief raw material of honey -- nec.tar.ous adj

   nectarine
          [nec.tar.ine] n [obs. nectarine, adj., like nectar] (1611):
          a peach with a smooth-skinned fruit that is a frequent
          somatic mutation of the normal peach; also: its fruit

   nectary
          [nec.tary] n, pl -tar.ies [NL nectarium, irreg. fr. L nectar
          + -arium -ary] (1759): a plant gland that secretes nectar

   NED
          [NED] abbreviation New English Dictionary

   nee
          [nee] adj [F nee, fem. of ne, lit., born, pp. of naitre to
          be born, fr. L nasci--more at nation] (1758) 1--used
          to identify a woman by her maiden family name 2: originally
          or formerly called <the Brewers ~ Pilots who also are
          in their third year --Fred Ciampa>

   [1]need
          [need] n [ME ned, fr. OE nied, ned; akin to OHG not distress,
          need, OPruss nautin need] (bef. 12c) 1: necessary duty:
          obligation 2 a: a lack of something requisite, desirable,
          or useful b: a physiological or psychological requirement
          for the well-being of an organism 3: a condition requiring
          supply or relief 4: lack of the means of subsistence:
          poverty [2]need vb need.ed ; need.ing ; needs or (auxiliary)
          need vi (bef. 12c) 1: to be needful or necessary 2: to
          be in want ~ vt: to be in need of: require ~ verbal auxiliary:
          be under necessity or obligation to <you ~ not answer>

   [1]needful
          [need.ful] adj (12c) 1: being in need 2: necessary, requisite
          -- need.ful.ly adv -- need.ful.ness n [2]needful n (1709)
          1: something needed or requisite 2: money

   [1]needle
          [nee.dle] n [ME nedle, fr. OE naedl; akin to OHG nadala needle,
          najan to sew, L nere to spin, Gk nen] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          a small slender usu. steel instrument that has an eye
          for thread or surgical sutures at one end and that is
          used for sewing b: any of various devices for carrying
          thread and making stitches (as in crocheting or knitting)
          c (1): a slender hollow instrument for introducing material
          into or removing material from the body parenterally
          (2): any of various slender hollow devices used to introduce
          matter (as air) into or remove it from an object (as
          a ball) 2 a: a slender bar of magnetized steel that when
          allowed to turn freely (as in a compass) indicates the
          direction of a magnetic field (as of the earth) b: a
          slender usu. sharp-pointed indicator on a dial 3 a: a
          slender pointed object resembling a needle: as (1): a
          pointed crystal (2): a sharp rock (3): obelisk b: a needle-shaped
          leaf (as of a conifer) c: a slender rod (as of jewel
          or steel) with a rounded tip used in a phonograph to
          transmit vibrations from a record: stylus d: a slender
          pointed rod controlling a fine inlet or outlet (as in
          a valve) 4: a teasing or gibing remark -- nee.dle.like
          adj [2]needle vb nee.dled ; nee.dling vt (ca. 1715) 1:
          to sew or pierce with or as if with a needle 2 a: tease,
          torment b: to incite to action by repeated gibes <needled
          the boy into a fight> ~ vi: sew, embroider -- nee.dler
          n

   needlefish
          [nee.dle.fish] n (1601) 1: any of a family (Belonidae) of
          elongate green and silvery chiefly marine bony fishes
          with long slender jaws 2: pipefish

   needlepoint
          [nee.dle.point] n (1865) 1: lace worked with a needle over
          a paper pattern 2: embroidery done on canvas usu. in
          simple even stitches across counted threads -- needlepoint
          adj

   needless
          [need.less] adj (14c): not needed: unnecessary <~ waste>
          <~ to say> -- need.less.ly adv -- need.less.ness n

   needlewoman
          [nee.dle.wom.an] n (1535): a woman who does needlework; esp:
          seamstress

   needlework
          [nee.dle.work] n (14c) 1: work done with a needle; esp: work
          (as embroidery) other than plain sewing 2: the occupation
          of one who does needlework -- nee.dle.work.er n

   needn't
          [needn't] (1865): need not

   needs
          [needs] adv [ME nedes, fr. OE nedes, fr. gen. of ned need]
          (bef. 12c): of necessity: necessarily <must ~ be recognized>

   needy
          [needy] adj need.i.er ; -est (12c): being in want: poverty-stricken
          <~ families> -- need.i.ness n

   neem
          [neem] n [Hindi nim, fr. Skt nimba] (1813): a large East
          Indian tree (Azadirachta indica of the family Meliaceae)
          whose trunk exudes a tenacious gum and has a bitter bark
          used as a tonic and whose fruit and seeds yield a medicinal
          aromatic oil

   neep
          [neep] n [ME nepe, fr. OE naep, fr. L napus--more at napiform]
          (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: turnip

   ne'er
          [ne'er] adv (13c): never

   ne'er-do-well
          [ne'er-do-well] n (1736): an idle worthless person -- ne'er-do-well
          adj

   nefarious
          [ne.far.i.ous] adj [L nefarius, fr. nefas crime, fr. ne-
          not + fas right, divine law; perh. akin to Gk themis
          law, tithenai to place--more at do] (ca. 1609): flagrantly
          wicked or impious: evil syn see vicious -- ne.far.i.ous.ly
          adv

   neg
          [neg] abbreviation negative, negotiable

   negate
          [ne.gate] vt ne.gat.ed ; ne.gat.ing [L negatus, pp. of negare
          to say no, deny, fr. neg- no, not (akin to ne- not)--more
          at no] (ca. 1623) 1: to deny the existence or truth of
          2: to cause to be ineffective or invalid syn see nullify
          -- negate n -- ne.ga.tor n

   negation
          [ne.ga.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the action or logical operation
          of negating or making negative b: a negative statement,
          judgment, or doctrine; esp: a logical proposition formed
          by asserting the falsity of a given proposition 2 a:
          something that is the absence of something actual: nonentity
          b: something considered the opposite of something regarded
          as positive -- ne.ga.tion.al adj

   [1]negative
          [neg.a.tive] adj (15c) 1 a: marked by denial, prohibition,
          or refusal <received a ~ answer>; also: marked by absence,
          withholding, or removal of something positive <the ~
          motivation of shame --Garrett Hardin> b (1): denying
          a predicate of a subject or a part of a subject <"no
          A is B" is a ~ proposition> (2): denoting the absence
          or the contradictory of something <nontoxic is a ~ term>
          (3): expressing negation <~ particles such as no and
          not> c: adverse, unfavorable <the reviews were mostly
          ~> 2 a: lacking positive qualities; esp: disagreeable
          b: marked by features of hostility, withdrawal, or pessimism
          that hinder or oppose constructive treatment or development
          <a ~ outlook> <~ criticism> 3 a (1): less than zero and
          opposite in sign to a positive number that when added
          to the given number yields zero <-2 is a ~ number> (2):
          having more outgo than income: constituting a loss <~
          cash flow> <~ worth> b: extending or generated in a direction
          opposite to an arbitrarily chosen regular direction or
          position <~ angle> 4 a: being, relating to, or charged
          with electricity of which the electron is the elementary
          unit b: having more electrons than protons <a ~ ion>
          c (1): having lower electric potential and constituting
          the part toward which the current flows from the external
          circuit <the ~ pole> (2): being the electron-emitting
          electrode of an electron tube 5 a: not affirming the
          presence of the organism or condition in question <a
          ~ TB test> b: directed or moving away from a source of
          stimulation <~ tropism> c: less than the pressure of
          the atmosphere <~ pressure> 6: having the light and dark
          parts in approximately inverse order to those of the
          original photographic subject 7 of a lens: diverging
          light rays and forming a virtual inverted image -- neg.a.tive.ly
          adv -- neg.a.tive.ness n -- neg.a.tiv.i.ty n [2]negative
          n (1571) 1 a (1): a reply that indicates the withholding
          of assent: refusal (2) archaic: a right of veto (3) obs:
          an adverse vote: veto b: a proposition which denies or
          contradicts another; esp: the one of a pair of propositions
          in which negation is expressed 2 a: something that is
          the opposite or negation of something else b: drawback,
          liability 3 a: an expression (as the word no) of negation
          or denial b: a negative number 4: the side that upholds
          the contradictory proposition in a debate 5: a negative
          photographic image on transparent material used for printing
          positive pictures; also: the material that carries such
          an image 6: a reverse impression taken from a piece of
          sculpture or ceramics [3]negative vt -tived ; -tiv.ing
          (1706) 1 a: to refuse assent to b: to reject by or as
          if by a vote 2: to demonstrate the falsity of 3: to deny
          the truth, reality, or validity of 4: neutralize, counteract

   negative feedback
          [negative feedback] n (1934): feedback that tends to stabilize
          a process by reducing its rate or output when its effects
          are too great

   negative income tax
          [negative income tax] n (1966): a system of federal subsidy
          payments to families with incomes below a stipulated
          level

   negative transfer
          [negative transfer] n (1921): the impeding of learning or
          performance in a situation by the carry-over of learned
          responses from another situation

   negativism
          [neg.a.tiv.ism] n (1824) 1: an attitude of mind marked by
          skepticism esp. about nearly everything affirmed by others
          2: a tendency to refuse to do, to do the opposite of,
          or to do something at variance with what is asked --
          neg.a.tiv.ist n or adj -- neg.a.tiv.is.tic adj

   [1]neglect
          [ne.glect] vt [L neglectus, pp. of neglegere, neclegere,
          fr. nec- not (akin to ne- not) + legere to gather--more
          at no, legend] (1529) 1: to give little attention or
          respect to: disregard 2: to leave undone or unattended
          to esp. through carelessness -- ne.glect.er n syn neglect,
          disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget mean to pass
          over without giving due attention. neglect implies giving
          insufficient attention to something that has a claim
          to one's attention <habitually neglected his studies>.
          disregard suggests voluntary inattention <disregarded
          the wishes of other members>. ignore implies a failure
          to regard something obvious <ignored the snide remark>.
          overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste
          or lack of care <in my rush I overlooked a key example>.
          slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding
          or omitting <slighted several major authors in her survey>.
          forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure
          to impress something on one's mind <forget what others
          say and listen to me>. [2]neglect n (1588) 1: an act
          or instance of neglecting something 2: the condition
          of being neglected

   neglectful
          [ne.glect.ful] adj (1644): given to neglecting: careless,
          heedless syn see negligent -- ne.glect.ful.ly adv --
          ne.glect.ful.ness n

   negligee
          [neg.li.gee] also neg.li.ge n [F neglige, fr. pp. of negliger
          to neglect, fr. L neglegere] (1756) 1: a woman's long
          flowing usu. sheer dressing gown 2: carelessly informal
          or incomplete attire

   negligence
          [neg.li.gence] n (14c) 1 a: the quality or state of being
          negligent b: failure to exercise the care that a prudent
          person usu. exercises 2: an act or instance of being
          negligent

   negligent
          [neg.li.gent] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L neglegent-,
          neglegens, prp. of neglegere] (14c) 1: marked by or given
          to neglect esp. habitually or culpably: not taking prudent
          care 2: marked by a carelessly easy manner -- neg.li.gent.ly
          adv syn negligent, neglectful, lax, slack, remiss mean
          culpably careless or indicative of such carelessness.
          negligent implies inattention to one's duty or business
          <negligent about writing a note of thanks>. neglectful
          adds a more disapproving implication of laziness or deliberate
          inattention <a society callously neglectful of the poor>.
          lax implies a blameworthy lack of strictness, severity,
          or precision <a reporter lax about accurate quotation>.
          slack implies want of due or necessary diligence or care
          <slack workmanship and slipshod construction>. remiss
          implies blameworthy carelessness shown in slackness,
          forgetfulness, or neglect <had been remiss in her familial
          duties>.

   negligible
          [neg.li.gi.ble] adj [L neglegere, negligere] (1829): so small
          or unimportant or of so little consequence as to warrant
          little or no attention: trifling -- neg.li.gi.bil.i.ty
          n -- neg.li.gi.bly adv

   negotiable
          [ne.go.tia.ble] adj (1758): capable of being negotiated:
          as a: transferable from one person to another by being
          delivered with or without endorsement so that the title
          passes to the transferee <~ securities> b: capable of
          being traversed, dealt with, or accomplished <a difficult
          but ~ road> <~ demands> c: open to discussion or dispute
          -- ne.go.tia.bil.i.ty n

   negotiant
          [ne.go.ti.ant] n (ca. 1611): one that negotiates

   negotiate
          [ne.go.ti.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L negotiatus, pp. of
          negotiari to carry on business, fr. negotium business,
          fr. neg- not + otium leisure--more at negate] vi (1599):
          to confer with another so as to arrive at the settlement
          of some matter ~ vt 1 a: to deal with (some matter or
          affair that requires ability for its successful handling):
          manage b: to arrange for or bring about through conference,
          discussion, and compromise <~ a treaty> 2 a: to transfer
          (as a bill of exchange) to another by delivery or endorsement
          b: to convert into cash or the equivalent value <~ a
          check> 3 a: to successfully travel along or over <~ a
          turn> b: complete, accomplish <~ the trip in two hours>
          -- ne.go.ti.a.tor n -- ne.go.ti.a.to.ry adj

   negotiation
          [ne.go.ti.a.tion] n (15c): the action or process of negotiating
          or being negotiated--often used in pl.

   Negress
          [Ne.gress] n (1786): a black woman or girl--sometimes taken
          to be offensive

   Negrillo
          [Ne.gril.lo] n, pl -los or -loes [Sp, dim. of negro] (1853):
          a member of a people (as Pygmies) belonging to a group
          of dark-skinned peoples of small stature that live in
          Africa

   Negrito
          [Ne.gri.to] n, pl -tos or -toes [Sp, dim. of negro] (1812):
          a member of a people (as the Andamanese) belonging to
          a group of dark-skinned peoples of small stature that
          live in Oceania and the southeastern part of Asia

   negritude
          [ne.gri.tude] n [F negritude, fr. negre Negro + -i- + -tude]
          (1950) 1: a consciousness of and pride in the cultural
          and physical aspects of the African heritage 2: the state
          or condition of being black

   Negro
          [Ne.gro] n, pl Negroes [Sp or Pg, fr. negro black, fr. L
          nigr-, niger] (1555) 1: a member of the black race distinguished
          from members of other races by usu. inherited physical
          and physiological characteristics without regard to language
          or culture; esp: a member of a people belonging to the
          African branch of the black race--sometimes taken to
          be offensive 2: a person of Negro descent--sometimes
          taken to be offensive -- Negro adj -- Ne.gro.ness n

   negroid
          [ne.groid] adj, often cap (1859): of, resembling, related
          to, or characteristic of the Negro race -- negroid n,
          often cap

   negrophobe
          [ne.gro.phobe] n, often cap (1900): one who strongly dislikes
          or fears black people -- ne.gro.pho.bia n, often cap

   [1]negus
          [ne.gus] n [Amharic negus, fr. Ge'ez negusha nagasht king
          of kings] (1594): king--used as a title of the sovereign
          of Ethiopia [2]ne.gus n [Francis Negus d. 1732 Eng. colonel]
          (1743): a beverage of wine, hot water, sugar, lemon juice,
          and spices

   Neh
          [Neh] abbreviation Nehemiah  NEH abbreviation National Endowment
          for the Humanities

   Nehemiah
          [Ne.he.mi.ah] n [Heb Nehemyah] 1: a Jewish leader of the
          5th century b.c. who supervised the rebuilding of the
          Jerusalem city walls and instituted religious reforms
          in the city 2: a narrative and historical book of canonical
          Jewish and Christian Scripture

   Nehemias
          [Ne.he.mi.as] n [LL, fr. Heb Nehemyah]: nehemiah

   NEI
          [NEI] abbreviation not elsewhere included

   neigh
          [neigh] vi [ME neyen, fr. OE hnaegan; akin to MHG negen to
          neigh] (bef. 12c): to make the prolonged cry of a horse
          -- neigh n

   [1]neighbor
          [neigh.bor] n [ME, fr. OE neahgebur (akin to OHG nahgibur);
          akin to OE neah near and OE gebur dweller--more at nigh,
          boor] (bef. 12c) 1: one living or located near another
          2: fellowman [2]neighbor adj (1530): being immediately
          adjoining or relatively near [3]neighbor vb neigh.bored
          ; neigh.bor.ing vt (ca. 1586): to adjoin immediately
          or lie relatively near to ~ vi 1: to live or be located
          as a neighbor 2: to associate in a neighborly way

   neighborhood
          [neigh.bor.hood] n (15c) 1: neighborly relationship 2: the
          quality or state of being neighbors: proximity 3 a: a
          place or region near: vicinity b: an approximate amount,
          extent, or degree <cost in the ~ of $10> 4 a: the people
          living near one another b: a section lived in by neighbors
          and usu. having distinguishing characteristics 5: the
          set of all points belonging to a given set whose distances
          from a given point are less than a given positive number;
          broadly: a set that contains a neighborhood

   neighborly
          [neigh.bor.ly] adj (1558): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of congenial neighbors; esp: friendly syn see amicable
          -- neigh.bor.li.ness n

   neighbour
          [neigh.bour] chiefly Brit var of neighbor

   [1]neither
          [nei.ther] conj [ME, alter. (influenced by either) of nauther,
          nother, fr. OE nahwaether, nother, fr. na, no not + hwaether
          which of two, whether] (12c) 1: not either <~ black nor
          white> 2: also not <~ did I> usage Although use with
          or is neither archaic nor wrong, neither is usu. followed
          by nor. A few commentators think that neither must be
          limited in reference to two, but reference to more than
          two has been quite common since the 17th century <rigid
          enforcement of antique decorum will help neither language,
          literature, nor literati --James Sledd>. [2]neither pron
          (13c): not the one or the other of two or more usage
          Some commentators insist that neither must be used with
          a singular verb. It generally is, but esp. when a prepositional
          phrase intervenes between it and the verb, a plural verb
          is quite common <neither of those ideal solutions are
          in sight --C. P. Snow>. [3]neither adj (14c): not either
          <~ hand> [4]neither adv (1551) 1 chiefly dial: either
          <are not to be understood ~ --Earl of Chesterfield> 2:
          similarly not: also not <just as the serf was not permitted
          to leave the land, so ~ was his offspring --G. G. Coulton>

   nekton
          [nek.ton] n [G Nekton, fr. Gk nekton, neut. of nektos swimming,
          fr. nechein to swim--more at natant] (1893): free-swimming
          aquatic animals essentially independent of wave and current
          action -- nek.ton.ic adj

   nelson
          [nel.son] n [prob. fr. the name Nelson] (1889): a wrestling
          hold marked by the application of leverage against an
          opponent's arm, neck, and head--compare full nelson,
          half nelson

   nemat-
          [nemat-] or nemato- comb form [NL, fr. Gk nemat-, fr. nemat-,
          nema, fr. nen to spin--more at needle] 1: thread <nematocyst>
          2: nematode <nematology>

   nematic
          [ne.mat.ic] adj [ISV nemat- + [1]-ic] (1923): of, relating
          to, or being the phase of a liquid crystal characterized
          by arrangement of the long axes of the molecules in parallel
          lines but not layers--compare cholesteric, smectic

   nematocide
          [nem.a.to.cide] or nem.a.ti.cide n (1898): a substance or
          preparation used to destroy nematodes -- nem.a.to.ci.dal
          also nem.a.ti.ci.dal adj

   nematocyst
          [nem.a.to.cyst] n [ISV] (1875): one of the stinging organelles
          of coelenterates used in catching prey

   nematode
          [nem.a.tode] n [ultim. fr. Gk nemat-, nema] (1865): any of
          a phylum (Nematoda or Nemata) of elongated cylindrical
          worms parasitic in animals or plants or free-living in
          soil or water

   nematology
          [nem.a.tol.o.gy] n (ca. 1916): a branch of zoology that deals
          with nematodes -- nem.a.to.log.i.cal adj -- nem.a.tol.o.gist
          n

   Nembutal
          [Nem.bu.tal] trademark--used for the sodium salt of pentobarbital

   nem con
          [nem con] [NL nemine contradicente] abbreviation no one
          contradicting

   nem diss
          [nem diss] [NL nemine dissentiente] abbreviation no one dissenting

   nemertean
          [ne.mer.te.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk Nemertes Nemertes, one of
          the Nereids] (1861): any of a phylum (Nemertea syn. Rhynchocoela)
          of often vividly colored marine worms most of which burrow
          in the mud or sand along seacoasts--called also ribbon
          worm -- nem.er.tine adj or n

   nemesis
          [nem.e.sis] n [L, fr. Gk] 1 cap: the Greek goddess of retributive
          justice 2 pl -e.ses a: one that inflicts retribution
          or vengeance b: a formidable and usu. victorious rival
          or opponent 3 pl -eses a: an act or effect of retribution
          b: bane 2

   nemo me impune lacessit
          [ne.mo me im.pu.ne la.ces.sit] [L] foreign term : no one
          attacks me with impunity--motto of Scotland and of the
          Order of the Thistle

   nemophila
          [ne.moph.i.la] n [NL, fr. Gk nemos wooded pasture + philos
          loving] (1838): any of a genus (Nemophila) of American
          annual herbs of the waterleaf family cultivated for their
          showy blue or white sometimes spotted flowers

   nene
          [ne.ne] n [Hawaiian nene] (1902): an endangered goose (Branta
          sandvicensis syn. Nesochen sandvicensis) of the Hawaiian
          Islands that usu. inhabits waterless uplands and feeds
          on berries and vegetation

   neo-
          [neo-] --see ne-

   neoclassic
          [neo.clas.sic] or neo.clas.si.cal adj (1877): of, relating
          to, or constituting a revival or adaptation of the classical
          esp. in literature, music, art, or architecture -- neo.clas.si.cism
          n -- neo.clas.si.cist n or adj

   neocolonialism
          [neo.co.lo.nial.ism] n (1961): the economic and political
          policies by which a great power indirectly maintains
          or extends its influence over other areas or people --
          neo.co.lo.nial adj -- neo.co.lo.nial.ist n or adj

   neoconservative
          [neo.con.ser.va.tive] n (1955): a former liberal espousing
          political conservatism -- neo.con.ser.va.tism n -- neoconservative
          adj

   neocortex
          [neo.cor.tex] n [NL; fr. its being the cortex of the
          phylogenetically most recently developed part of the brain] (1909):
          the dorsal region of the cerebral cortex that is unique to mammals

   neocortical
          [neo.cor.ti.cal] adj (1909): of or relating to the neocortex

   neo-Darwinian
          [neo-Dar.win.ian] adj, often cap N (1895): of or relating
          to neo-Darwinism

   neo-Darwinism
          [neo-Dar.win.ism] n, often cap N (ca. 1900): a theory of
          evolution that is a synthesis of Darwin's theory in terms
          of natural selection and modern population genetics --
          neo-Dar.win.ist n, often cap N

   neodymium
          [neo.dym.i.um] n [NL, fr. ne- + -dymium (fr. didymium)] (1885):
          a yellow metallic element of the rare-earth group that
          is used in magnets and lasers

   neo-Expressionism
          [neo-Ex.pres.sion.ism] n, often cap N (1961): a revival of
          expressionism in art characterized by intense colors,
          dramatic usu. figural forms, and emotive subject matter
          -- neo-Ex.pres.sion.ist n or adj, often cap N

   neo-Freudian
          [neo-Freud.ian] adj, often cap N (1945): of or relating to
          a school of psychoanalysis that differs from Freudian
          orthodoxy in emphasizing the importance of social and
          cultural factors in the development of an individual's
          personality -- neo-Freudian n, often cap N

   Neogene
          [Neo.gene] adj [ISV ne- + -gene (fr. Gk -genes born)--more
          at -gen] (1878): of, relating to, or being the later
          portion of the Tertiary including the Miocene and Pliocene
          or the corresponding system of rocks -- Neogene n

   neo-Gothic
          [neo-Goth.ic] adj (1892): of, relating to, or constituting
          a revival or adaptation of the Gothic esp. in literature
          or architecture

   neo-impressionism
          [neo-im.pres.sion.ism] n, often cap N&I [F neo-impressionisme,
          fr. ne- ne- + impressionisme impressionism] (1892): a
          late 19th century French art theory and practice characterized
          by an attempt to make impressionism more precise in form
          and the use of a pointillist painting technique --
          neo-im.pres.sion.ist adj or n, often cap N&I

   Neo-Latin
          [Neo-Lat.in] n [ISV] (1850) 1: new latin 2: romance 5

   neoliberal
          [neo.lib.er.al] n (1945): a liberal who de-emphasizes traditional
          liberal doctrines in order to seek progress by more pragmatic
          methods -- neoliberal adj -- neo.lib.er.al.ism n

   neolith
          [neo.lith] n [back-formation fr. neolithic] (1882): a Neolithic
          stone implement

   neolithic
          [neo.lith.ic] adj (1865) 1 cap: of or relating to the latest
          period of the Stone Age characterized by polished stone
          implements 2: belonging to an earlier age and now outmoded

   neologism
          [ne.ol.o.gism] n [F neologisme, fr. ne- + log- + -isme -ism]
          (1800) 1: a new word, usage, or expression 2: a meaningless
          word coined by a psychotic -- ne.ol.o.gis.tic adj

   neo-Malthusian
          [neo-Mal.thu.sian] adj (1896): advocating control of population
          growth (as by contraception) -- neo-Malthusian n --
          neo-Mal.thu.sian.ism n

   neomycin
          [neo.my.cin] n (1949): a broad-spectrum highly toxic antibiotic
          or mixture of antibiotics produced by a streptomyces
          (Streptomyces fradiae) and used medically esp. to treat
          local infections

   [1]neon
          [ne.on] n [Gk, neut. of neos new--more at new] (1898) 1:
          a colorless odorless mostly inert gaseous element that
          is found in minute amounts in air and is used in electric
          lamps 2 a: a discharge lamp in which the gas contains
          a large proportion of neon b: a sign composed of such
          lamps c: the illumination provided by such lamps or signs
          -- ne.oned adj [2]neon adj (1904) 1: of, relating to,
          or using neon 2: extremely bright: fluorescent <~ yellow>

   neonatal
          [neo.na.tal] adj (1902): of, relating to, or affecting the
          newborn and esp. the human infant during the first month
          after birth <~ mortality> -- neo.na.tal.ly adv

   neonate
          [ne.o.nate] n [NL neonatus, fr. ne- + L natus, pp. of nasci
          to be born--more at nation] (1932): a newborn child;
          esp: a child less than a month old

   neonatology
          [neo.na.tol.o.gy] n (1960): a branch of medicine concerned
          with the care, development, and diseases of newborn infants
          -- neo.na.tol.o.gist n

   neo-Nazi
          [neo-Na.zi] n (1938): a member of a group espousing the programs
          and policies of Hitler's Nazis -- neo-Nazi adj -- neo-Na.zism
          n

   neoorthodox
          [neo.or.tho.dox] adj (1946): of or relating to a 20th century
          movement in Protestant theology characterized by a reaction
          against liberalism and emphasis on various scripturally
          based Reformation doctrines -- neo.or.tho.doxy n

   neophilia
          [neo.phil.ia] n (ca. 1947): love of or enthusiasm for what
          is new or novel -- neo.phil.i.ac n

   neophyte
          [neo.phyte] n [ME, fr. LL neophytus, fr. Gk neophytos, fr.
          neophytos newly planted, newly converted, fr. ne- + phyein
          to bring forth--more at be] (14c) 1: a new convert: proselyte
          2: novice 1 3: tyro, beginner

   neoplasia
          [neo.pla.sia] n [NL] (1890) 1: the formation of tumors 2:
          a tumorous condition

   neoplasm
          [neo.plasm] n [ISV] (1864): a new growth of tissue serving
          no physiological function: tumor

   neoplastic
          [neo.plas.tic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1890) 1: of, relating to, or
          constituting a neoplasm or neoplasia 2: of or relating
          to neoplasticism

   neoplasticism
          [neo.plas.ti.cism] n [F neo-plasticisme, fr. ne- + plastique
          plastic + -isme -ism] (1933): de stijl -- neo.plas.ti.cist
          n

   Neoplatonism
          [Neo.pla.to.nism] n (1845) 1: Platonism modified in later
          antiquity to accord with Aristotelian, post-Aristotelian,
          and oriental conceptions that conceives of the world
          as an emanation from an ultimate indivisible being with
          whom the soul is capable of being reunited in trance
          or ecstasy 2: a doctrine similar to ancient Neoplatonism
          -- Neo.pla.ton.ic adj -- Neo.pla.to.nist n

   neoprene
          [neo.prene] n [ne- + chloroprene] (1937): a synthetic rubber
          made by the polymerization of chloroprene, characterized
          by superior resistance (as to oils), and used esp. for
          special-purpose clothing (as gloves and wet suits)

   neorealism
          [neo.re.al.ism] n (1950): a movement esp. in Italian filmmaking
          characterized by the simple direct depiction of lower-class
          life -- neo.re.al.ist adj or n -- neo.re.al.is.tic adj

   Neorican
          [Neo.ri.can] n [AmerSp neorriqueno Puerto Rican living in
          New York City, blend of Sp neoyorquino New Yorker and
          puertorriqueno Puerto Rican] (1970): a Puerto Rican who
          lives on the U.S. mainland or has lived there but has
          returned to Puerto Rico

   neo-scholasticism
          [neo-scho.las.ti.cism] n (ca. 1909): a movement among Catholic
          scholars aiming to restate medieval Scholasticism in
          a manner suited to present intellectual needs

   neostigmine
          [neo.stig.mine] n [ne- + -stigmine (as in physostigmine)]
          (1941): a cholinergic drug used in the form of its bromide
          or a methyl sulfate derivative esp. in the treatment
          of some ophthalmic conditions and in the diagnosis and
          treatment of myasthenia gravis

   neoteny
          [ne.o.te.ny] n [NL neotenia, fr. ne- + Gk teinein to stretch--more
          at thin] (1901) 1: retention of some larval or immature characters
          in adulthood 2: attainment of sexual maturity during the larval
          stage -- ne.o.ten.ic adj

   neoteric
          [ne.o.ter.ic] adj [LL neotericus, fr. LGk neoterikos, fr.
          Gk, youthful, fr. neoterios, compar. of neos new, young--more
          at new] (1596): recent in origin: modern

   Neotropical
          [Neo.trop.i.cal] also Neo.trop.ic adj [ISV] (1858): of, relating
          to, or constituting the biogeographic region that extends
          south, east, and west from the central plateau of Mexico

   neotropics
          [neo.trop.ics] n pl (1923): the Neotropical region

   neotype
          [neo.type] n (1905): a type specimen that is selected subsequent
          to the description of a species to replace a preexisting
          type that has been lost or destroyed

   NEP
          [NEP] abbreviation New Economic Policy

   Nepali
          [Ne.pali] n, pl Nepali also Ne.pal.is [Hindi naipali of Nepal,
          fr. Skt naipaliya, fr. Nepala Nepal] (ca. 1885) 1: a
          native or inhabitant of Nepal 2: an Indo-Aryan language
          spoken in Nepal -- Nepali adj

   nepenthe
          [ne.pen.the] n [L nepenthes, fr. Gk nepenthes, neut. of nepenthes
          banishing pain and sorrow, fr. ne- not + penthos grief,
          sorrow; akin to Gk pathos suffering--more at no, pathos]
          (1580) 1: a potion used by the ancients to induce forgetfulness
          of pain or sorrow 2: something capable of causing oblivion
          of grief or suffering -- ne.pen.the.an adj

   nepheline
          [neph.e.line] also neph.e.lite n [F nepheline, fr. Gk nephele
          cloud--more at nebula] (ca. 1814): a hexagonal mineral
          that is a usu. glassy crystalline silicate of sodium,
          potassium, and aluminum common in igneous rocks -- neph.e.lin.ic
          adj

   nephelinite
          [neph.e.lin.ite] n [ISV] (ca. 1863): a silica-deficient igneous
          rock having nepheline as the predominant mineral --
          neph.e.lin.it.ic adj

   nephelometer
          [neph.e.lom.e.ter] n [Gk nephele cloud + ISV -meter] (1884)
          1: an instrument for measuring the extent or degree of
          cloudiness 2: an instrument for determining the concentration
          or particle size of suspensions by means of transmitted
          or reflected light -- neph.e.lo.met.ric adj --
          neph.e.lo.met.ri.cal.ly adv -- neph.e.lom.e.try n

   nephew
          [neph.ew] n [ME nevew, fr. OF neveu, fr. L nepot-, nepos
          grandson, nephew; akin to OE nefa grandson, nephew, Skt
          napat grandson] (14c) 1 a: a son of one's brother or
          sister or of one's brother-in-law or sister-in-law b:
          an illegitimate son of an ecclesiastic 2 obs: a lineal
          descendant; esp: grandson

   nephoscope
          [nepho.scope] n [Gk nephos cloud + ISV -scope--more at nebula]
          (1881): an instrument for observing the direction and
          velocity of clouds

   nephr-
          [nephr-] or nephro- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. nephros--more
          at nephritis]: kidney <nephric> <nephrology>

   nephrectomy
          [ne.phrec.to.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (1880): the surgical removal
          of a kidney -- ne.phrec.to.mize vt

   nephric
          [neph.ric] adj (1887): renal

   nephridium
          [ne.phrid.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL] (1877): a tubular glandular
          excretory organ characteristic of various invertebrates
          -- ne.phrid.i.al adj

   nephrite
          [neph.rite] n [G Nephrit, fr. Gk nephros; fr. its formerly
          being worn as a remedy for kidney diseases] (1794): a
          compact tremolite or actinolite that is the commoner
          and less valuable kind of jade and that varies in color
          from white to dark green or black

   nephritic
          [ne.phrit.ic] adj (1580) 1: renal 2: of, relating to, or
          affected with nephritis

   nephritis
          [ne.phri.tis] n, pl ne.phrit.i.des [LL, fr. Gk, fr. nephros
          kidney; prob. akin to ME nere kidney] (1580): acute or
          chronic inflammation of the kidney caused by infection,
          degenerative process, or vascular disease

   nephrology
          [ne.phrol.o.gy] n (ca. 1842): a branch of medicine concerned
          with the kidneys -- ne.phrol.o.gist n

   nephron
          [neph.ron] n [G, fr. Gk nephros] (1932): a single excretory
          unit of the vertebrate kidney

   nephropathy
          [ne.phrop.a.thy] n, pl -thies [ISV] (ca. 1900): an abnormal
          state of the kidney; esp: one associated with or secondary
          to some other pathological process -- neph.ro.path.ic
          adj

   nephrosis
          [ne.phro.sis] n [NL] (1916): a noninflammatory disease of
          the kidneys chiefly affecting function of the nephrons;
          also: nephrotic syndrome -- ne.phrot.ic adj or n

   nephrostome
          [neph.ro.stome] n [NL nephrostoma, fr. nephr- + stoma stoma]
          (1888): the ciliated funnel-shaped coelomic opening of
          a typical nephridium

   nephrotic syndrome
          [nephrotic syndrome] n (1939): an abnormal condition that
          is marked by deficiency of albumin in the blood and its
          excretion in the urine due to altered permeability of
          the glomerular basement membranes

   nephrotoxic
          [neph.ro.tox.ic] adj (1902): poisonous to the kidney <~ drugs>;
          also: resulting from or marked by poisoning of the kidney
          <~ effects> -- neph.ro.tox.i.ci.ty n

   ne plus ultra
          [ne plus ul.tra] n [NL, (go) no more beyond] (1638) 1: the
          highest point capable of being attained: acme 2: the
          most profound degree of a quality or state

   nepotism
          [nep.o.tism] n [F nepotisme, fr. It nepotismo, fr. nepote
          nephew, fr. L nepot-, nepos grandson, nephew--more at
          nephew] (1670): favoritism (as in appointment to a job)
          based on kinship -- nep.o.tis.tic adj

   Neptune
          [Nep.tune] n [L Neptunus] 1 a: the Roman god of the sea--compare
          poseidon b: ocean 2: the planet 8th in order from the
          sun -- Nep.tu.ni.an adj

   neptunium
          [nep.tu.ni.um] n [NL, fr. ISV Neptune] (1941): a radioactive
          metallic element that is chemically similar to uranium
          and is obtained in nuclear reactors as a by-product in
          the production of plutonium

   ne quid nimis
          [ne quid ni.mis] [L] foreign term : not anything in excess

   nerd
          [nerd] n [perh. fr. nerd, a creature in the children's book
          If I Ran the Zoo (1950) by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)]
          (1951): an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept
          person; esp: one slavishly devoted to intellectual or
          academic pursuits <computer ~s> -- nerd.ish adj -- nerdy
          adj

   nereid
          [ne.re.id] n [NL Nereidae, fr. Nereis, a genus, fr. L, Nereid]
          (1840): any of a family (Nereidae) of polychaete worms;
          esp: any of a genus (Nereis) of usu. large often dimorphic
          and greenish mostly marine worms -- nereid adj Ne.re.id
          n [L Nereid-, Nereis, fr. Gk Nereid-, Nereis, fr. Nereus
          Nereus] (1680): any of the sea nymphs fathered by Nereus

   Nereus
          [Ne.re.us] n [L, fr. Gk Nereus]: a sea-god in Greek mythology

   neritic
          [ne.rit.ic] adj [ISV, perh. fr. NL Nerita, genus of marine
          snails] (1891): of, relating to, inhabiting, or constituting
          the belt or region of shallow water adjoining the seacoast

   nerol
          [ne.rol] n [ISV ner- (fr. neroli oil) + [1]-ol] (1869): a
          liquid alcohol that has a rose scent and is used in perfumery

   neroli oil
          [ner.o.li oil] n [F neroli, fr. It neroli, fr. Anna Maria
          de La Tremoille, princess of Nerola fl1670] (1849): a
          fragrant pale yellow essential oil obtained from orange
          flowers and used esp. in cologne and as a flavoring

   nerts
          [nerts] n pl [alter. of nuts] (ca. 1932) slang: nonsense,
          nuts--often used interjectionally

   nervation
          [ner.va.tion] n (1849): an arrangement or system of nerves;
          also: venation

   [1]nerve
          [nerve] n [L nervus sinew, nerve; akin to Gk neuron sinew,
          nerve, nen to spin--more at needle] (14c) 1: sinew, tendon
          <strain every ~> 2: any of the filamentous bands of nervous
          tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with
          the other organs, conduct nervous impulses, and are made
          up of axons and dendrites together with protective and
          supportive structures 3 a: power of endurance or control:
          fortitude, strength b: assurance, boldness; also: presumptuous
          audacity: gall 4 a: a sore or sensitive point b pl: nervous
          disorganization or collapse: nervousness 5: vein 3 6:
          the sensitive pulp of a tooth syn see temerity [2]nerve
          vt nerved ; nerv.ing (ca. 1749): to give strength or
          courage to: supply with physical or moral force

   nerve cell
          [nerve cell] n (1858): neuron; also: cell body

   nerve center
          [nerve center] n (1868) 1: center 2c 2: a source of leadership,
          organization, control, or energy <the financial nerve
          center of the nation>

   nerve cord
          [nerve cord] n (1877) 1: the pair of closely united ventral
          longitudinal nerves with their segmental ganglia that
          is characteristic of many elongate invertebrates (as
          earthworms) 2: the dorsal tubular cord of nervous tissue
          above the notochord of a chordate that comprises or develops
          into the central nervous system

   nerved
          [nerved] adj (1800) 1 a: veined <a ~ wing> b: having veins
          or nerves esp. of a specified kind or number--used in
          combination <fan-nerved leaves> 2: showing courage or
          strength

   nerve ending
          [nerve ending] n (ca. 1890): a structure forming the distal
          end of a nerve axon

   nerve fiber
          [nerve fiber] n (ca. 1847): any of the processes (as axons
          or dendrites) of a neuron

   nerve gas
          [nerve gas] n (1940): an organophosphate chemical weapon
          that interferes with normal nerve transmission and induces
          intense bronchial spasm with resulting inhibition of
          respiration

   nerve growth factor
          [nerve growth factor] n (1962): a protein that promotes development
          of the sensory and sympathetic nervous systems and is required for
          maintenance of sympathetic neurons

   nerve impulse
          [nerve impulse] n (1900): the progressive physicochemical
          change in the membrane of a nerve fiber that follows
          stimulation and serves to transmit a record of sensation
          from a receptor or an instruction to act to an effector--called
          also nervous impulse

   nerveless
          [nerve.less] adj (1742) 1: lacking strength or courage: feeble
          2: exhibiting control or balance: poised, cool -- nerve.less.ly
          adv -- nerve.less.ness n

   nerve net
          [nerve net] n (1904): a network of nerve cells apparently
          continuous with one another and conducting impulses in
          all directions; also: a primitive nervous system (as
          in a jellyfish) consisting of such a network

   nerve-racking
          [nerve-rack.ing] or nerve-wrack.ing adj (1812): extremely
          trying on the nerves <a ~ ordeal>

   nerve trunk
          [nerve trunk] n (1851): a bundle of nerve fibers enclosed
          in a connective tissue sheath

   nervosity
          [ner.vos.i.ty] n (1787): the quality or state of being nervous

   nervous
          [ner.vous] adj (14c) 1 archaic: sinewy, strong 2: marked
          by strength of thought, feeling, or style: spirited <a
          vibrant tight-packed ~ style of writing> 3: of, relating
          to, or composed of neurons 4 a: of or relating to the
          nerves; also: originating in or affected by the nerves
          <~ energy> b: easily excited or irritated: jumpy c: timid,
          apprehensive <a ~ smile> 5 a: tending to produce nervousness
          or agitation: uneasy <a ~ situation> b: appearing or
          acting unsteady, erratic, or irregular--used of inanimate
          things syn see vigorous -- ner.vous.ly adv -- ner.vous.ness
          n

   nervous breakdown
          [nervous breakdown] n (1905): an attack of mental or emotional
          disorder esp. when of sufficient severity to require
          hospitalization

   nervous Nellie
          [nervous Nel.lie] or nervous Nel.ly n, pl nervous Nellies
          often cap 1st N [fr. the name Nellie] (1926): a timid
          or worrisome person

   nervous system
          [nervous system] n (1740): the bodily system that in vertebrates
          is made up of the brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia,
          and parts of the receptor organs and that receives and
          interprets stimuli and transmits impulses to the effector
          organs--compare central nervous system; autonomic nervous
          system, peripheral nervous system

   nervure
          [ner.vure] n [F, fr. nerf sinew, fr. L nervus] (1816): vein
          3

   nervy
          [nervy] adj nerv.i.er ; -est (1607) 1 archaic: sinewy, strong
          2 a: showing calm courage: bold b: marked by effrontery
          or presumption: brash 3: excitable, nervous -- nerv.i.ly
          adv -- nerv.i.ness n

   NES
          [NES] abbreviation not elsewhere specified

   nescience
          [ne.science] n [LL nescientia, fr. L nescient-, nesciens,
          prp. of nescire not to know, fr. ne- not + scire to know--more
          at no, science] (1612): lack of knowledge or awareness:
          ignorance -- ne.scient adj

   ness
          [ness] n [ME nasse, fr. OE naess; akin to OE nasu nose--more
          at nose] (bef. 12c): cape, promontory

   -ness
          [-ness] n suffix [ME -nes, fr. OE; akin to OHG -nissa -ness]:
          state: condition: quality: degree <goodness>

   Nesselrode
          [Nes.sel.rode] n [Count Karl R. Nesselrode d. 1862 Russ.
          statesman] (1845): a mixture of candied fruits, nuts,
          and maraschino used in puddings, pies, and ice cream

   Nessus
          [Nes.sus] n [L, fr. Gk Nessos]: a centaur slain by Hercules
          for trying to carry away Hercules' wife but avenged by
          means of a poisoned garment that causes Hercules to die
          in torment

   [1]nest
          [nest] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG nest nest, L nidus] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a bed or receptacle prepared by an animal and
          esp. a bird for its eggs and young b: a place or specially
          modified structure serving as an abode of animals and
          esp. of their immature stages <an ants' ~> c: a receptacle
          resembling a bird's nest 2 a: a place of rest, retreat,
          or lodging: home <grown children who have left the ~>
          b: den, hangout 3: the occupants or frequenters of a
          nest 4 a: a group of similar things: aggregation <a ~
          of giant mountains --Helen MacInnes> b: hotbed 2 <a ~
          of rebellion> 5: a group of objects made to fit close
          together or one within another 6: an emplaced group of
          weapons [2]nest vi (13c) 1: to build or occupy a nest:
          settle in or as if in a nest 2: to fit compactly together
          or within one another: embed ~ vt 1: to form a nest for
          2: to pack compactly together 3: to form a hierarchy,
          series, or sequence of with each member, element, or
          set contained in or containing the next <~ed subroutines
          in a computer program>

   nest egg
          [nest egg] n (14c) 1: a natural or artificial egg left in
          a nest to induce a fowl to continue to lay there 2: a
          fund of money accumulated as a reserve

   nester
          [nest.er] n (1880) 1 West: a homesteader or squatter who
          takes up land on open range for a farm 2: one that nests

   nestle
          [nes.tle] vb nes.tled ; nes.tling [ME, fr. OE nestlian, fr.
          nest] vi (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: nest 1 2: to settle snugly
          or comfortably 3: to lie in an inconspicuous or sheltered
          manner ~ vt 1: to settle, shelter, or house in or as
          if in a nest <the children were nestled all snug in their
          beds --Clement Moore> 2: to press closely and affectionately
          <~s a kitten in her arms> -- nes.tler n

   nestling
          [nest.ling] n (14c): a young bird that has not abandoned
          the nest

   Nestor
          [Nes.tor] n [L, fr. Gk Nestor] 1: a king of Pylos who serves
          in his old age as a counselor to the Greeks at Troy 2
          often not cap: one who is a patriarch or leader in a
          field

   Nestorian
          [Nes.to.ri.an] adj (1565) 1: of or relating to the doctrine
          ascribed to Nestorius and ecclesiastically condemned
          in 431 that divine and human persons remained separate
          in the incarnate Christ 2: of or relating to a church
          separating from Byzantine Christianity after 431, centering
          in Persia, and surviving chiefly in Asia Minor -- Nestorian
          n -- Nes.to.ri.an.ism n

   [1]net
          [net] n [ME nett, fr. OE; akin to OHG nezzi net] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: an open-meshed fabric twisted, knotted, or woven
          together at regular intervals b: something made of net:
          as (1): a device for catching fish, birds, or insects
          (2): a fabric barricade which divides a court in half
          (as in tennis or volleyball) and over which a ball or
          shuttlecock must be hit to be in play (3): the fabric
          that encloses the sides and back of the goal in various
          games (as soccer or hockey) 2: an entrapping device or
          situation <caught in the ~ of suspicious circumstances>
          3: something resembling a net in reticulation (as of
          lines, fibers, or figures) 4 a: a group of communications
          stations operating under unified control b: network 4
          -- net.less adj -- net.like adj -- net.ty adj [2]net
          vt net.ted ; net.ting (1593) 1: to cover or enclose with
          or as if with a net 2: to catch in or as if in a net
          3: to cover with or as if with a network 4 a: to hit
          (a ball) into the net for the loss of a point in a racket
          game b: to hit (a ball or puck) into the goal for a score
          (as in hockey or soccer) -- net.ter n [3]net adj [ME,
          clean, bright, fr. MF--more at neat] (15c) 1: free from
          all charges or deductions: as a: remaining after the
          deduction of all charges, outlay, or loss <~ earnings>
          <~ worth>--compare gross b: excluding all tare <~ weight>
          2: excluding all nonessential considerations: basic,
          final <the ~ result> <~ effect> [4]net vt net.ted ; net.ting
          (1758) 1 a: to receive by way of profit: clear b: to
          produce by way of profit: yield 2: to get possession
          of: gain [5]net n (ca. 1904) 1: a net amount, profit,
          weight, or price 2: the score of a golfer in a handicap
          match after deducting his handicap from his gross 3:
          essence, gist

   Neth
          [Neth] abbreviation Netherlands

   nether
          [neth.er] adj [ME, fr. OE nithera, fr. nither down; akin
          to OHG nidar down, Skt ni] (bef. 12c) 1: situated down
          or below: lower <the ~ side> 2: situated or believed
          to be situated beneath the earth's surface <the ~ regions>

   nethermost
          [neth.er.most] adj (14c): farthest down: lowest

   netherworld
          [neth.er.world] n (1638) 1: the world of the dead 2: underworld
          4 <the ~ of deceit, subversion, and espionage --R. M.
          Nixon>

   netminder
          [net.mind.er] n (1937): goalkeeper

   netsuke
          [net.su.ke] n, pl netsuke or netsukes [Jp] (1876): a small
          and often intricately carved toggle (as of wood, ivory,
          or metal) used to fasten a small container to a kimono
          sash

   nett
          [nett] Brit var of net

   netting
          [net.ting] n (1567) 1: network 1 2: the act or process of
          making a net or network 3: the act, process, or right
          of fishing with a net

   [1]nettle
          [net.tle] n [ME, fr. OE netel; akin to OHG nazza nettle,
          Gk adike] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Urtica of the
          family Urticaceae, the nettle family) of chiefly coarse
          herbs armed with stinging hairs 2: any of various prickly
          or stinging plants other than the true nettles (genus
          Urtica) [2]nettle vt net.tled ; net.tling (15c) 1: to
          strike or sting with or as if with nettles 2: to arouse
          to sharp but transitory annoyance or anger syn see irritate

   nettle rash
          [nettle rash] n (1740): urticaria

   nettlesome
          [net.tle.some] adj (1766): causing vexation: irritating

   net-veined
          [net-veined] adj (1861): having veins arranged in a fine
          network <a ~ leaf>--compare parallel-veined--see venation
          illustration -- net venation n

   net-winged
          [net-winged] adj (ca. 1890): having wings with a fine network
          of veins

   [1]network
          [net.work] n (1560) 1: a fabric or structure of cords or
          wires that cross at regular intervals and are knotted
          or secured at the crossings 2: a system of lines or channels
          resembling a network 3 a: an interconnected or interrelated
          chain, group, or system <a ~ of hotels> b: a system of
          computers, terminals, and databases connected by communications
          lines 4 a: a group of radio or television stations linked
          by wire or radio relay b: a radio or television company
          that produces programs for broadcast over such a network
          [2]network vt (1887) 1: to cover with or as if with a
          network <a continent ... so ~ed with navigable rivers
          and canals --Lamp> 2 chiefly Brit: to distribute for
          broadcast on a television network; also: broadcast 3
          3: to join (as computers) in a network ~ vi: to engage
          in networking

   networking
          [net.work.ing] n (1966) 1: the exchange of information or
          services among individuals, groups, or institutions 2:
          the establishment or use of a computer network

   Neufchatel
          [Neuf.cha.tel] n [F, fr. Neufchatel, France] (ca. 1865):
          a soft unripened cheese similar to cream cheese but containing
          less fat and more moisture

   neume
          [neume] n [ME, fr. ML pneuma, neuma, fr. Gk pneuma breath--more
          at pneumatic] (14c): any of various symbols used in the
          notation of Gregorian chant -- neu.mat.ic adj

   neur-
          [neur-] or neuro- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, nerve, sinew, fr.
          neuron--more at nerve] 1: nerve <neural> <neurology>
          2: neural: neural and <neuromuscular>

   neural
          [neu.ral] adj (ca. 1847) 1: of, relating to, or affecting
          a nerve or the nervous system 2: situated in the region
          of or on the same side of the body as the brain and spinal
          cord: dorsal -- neu.ral.ly adv

   neural arch
          [neural arch] n (ca. 1860): the cartilaginous or bony arch
          enclosing the spinal cord on the dorsal side of a vertebra

   neural crest
          [neural crest] n (ca. 1885): the ridge of one of the folds
          forming the neural tube that gives rise to the spinal
          ganglia and various structures of the autonomic nervous
          system

   neuralgia
          [neu.ral.gia] n [NL] (ca. 1834): acute paroxysmal pain radiating
          along the course of one or more nerves usu. without demonstrable
          changes in the nerve structure -- neu.ral.gic adj

   neural net
          [neural net] n (1949): a computer architecture in which a
          number of processors are interconnected in a manner suggestive
          of the connections between neurons in a human brain and
          which is able to learn by a process of trial and error--called
          also neural network

   neural plate
          [neural plate] n (1888): a thickened plate of ectoderm along
          the dorsal midline of the early vertebrate embryo that
          gives rise to the neural tube and crests

   neural tube
          [neural tube] n (1888): the hollow longitudinal dorsal tube
          formed by infolding and subsequent fusion of the opposite
          ectodermal folds in the vertebrate embryo that gives
          rise to the brain and spinal cord

   neuraminidase
          [neur.amin.i.dase] n [neuraminic acid, an amino acid + -ide
          + -ase] (1956): a glycosidase that splits mucoproteins
          by breaking a glucoside link and occurs esp. in influenza
          viruses as an antigen

   neurasthenia
          [neur.as.the.nia] n [NL] (1856): an emotional and psychic
          disorder that is characterized esp. by easy fatigability
          and often by lack of motivation, feelings of inadequacy,
          and psychosomatic symptoms -- neur.as.then.ic adj or
          n -- neur.as.then.i.cal.ly adv

   neurilemma
          [neu.ri.lem.ma] n [NL, fr. neur- + Gk eilema covering, coil,
          fr. eilein to wind; akin to Gk eilyein to wrap--more
          at voluble] (1852): the plasma membrane surrounding a
          Schwann cell of a myelinated nerve fiber and separating
          layers of myelin -- neu.ri.lem.mal adj

   neuritis
          [neu.ri.tis] n, pl -rit.i.des or -ri.tis.es [NL] (1840):
          an inflammatory or degenerative lesion of a nerve marked
          esp. by pain, sensory disturbances, and impaired or lost
          reflexes -- neu.rit.ic adj or n

   neuroactive
          [neu.ro.ac.tive] adj (1961): stimulating neural tissue

   neuroanatomy
          [neu.ro.anat.o.my] n (ca. 1899): the anatomy of nervous tissue
          and the nervous system -- neu.ro.an.a.tom.i.cal also
          neu.ro.an.a.tom.ic adj -- neu.ro.anat.o.mist n

   neurobiology
          [neu.ro.bi.ol.o.gy] n (1906): a branch of the life sciences
          that deals with the anatomy, physiology, and pathology
          of the nervous system -- neu.ro.bi.o.log.i.cal adj --
          neu.ro.bi.ol.o.gist n

   neuroblastoma
          [neu.ro.blas.to.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL, fr. ISV neuroblast
          embryonic ganglion cell, fr. neur- + -blast -blast] (1910):
          a malignant tumor formed of embryonic ganglion cells

   neurochemistry
          [neu.ro.chem.is.try] n (1924) 1: the study of the chemical
          makeup and activities of nervous tissue 2: chemical processes
          and phenomena related to the nervous system -- neu.ro.chem.i.cal
          adj or n -- neu.ro.chem.ist n

   neurodegenerative
          [neu.ro.de.gen.er.a.tive] adj (1907): relating to or characterized
          by degeneration of nervous tissue

   neuroendocrine
          [neu.ro.en.do.crine] adj (1922) 1: of, relating to, or being
          a hormonal substance that influences the activity of
          nerves 2: of, relating to, or functioning in neurosecretion

   neuroendocrinology
          [neu.ro.en.do.cri.nol.o.gy] n (1922): a branch of the life
          sciences dealing with neurosecretion and the physiological
          interaction between the central nervous system and the
          endocrine system -- neu.ro.en.do.cri.no.log.i.cal adj
          -- neu.ro.en.do.cri.nol.o.gist n

   neurofibril
          [neu.ro.fi.bril] n [NL neurofibrilla, fr. neur- + fibrilla
          fibril] (1898): a fine proteinaceous fibril that is found
          in cytoplasm (as of a neuron or a paramecium) and is
          capable of conducting excitation -- neu.ro.fi.bril.lary
          adj

   neurofibroma
          [neu.ro.fi.bro.ma] n (1892): a fibroma composed of nervous
          and connective tissue and produced by proliferation of
          Schwann cells

   neurofibromatosis
          [neu.ro.fi.bro.ma.to.sis] n [NL, fr. neurofibromat-, neurofibroma]
          (1896): a disorder inherited as an autosomal dominant and
          characterized esp. by brown spots on the skin, neurofibromas
          of peripheral nerves, and deformities of subcutaneous tissue and
          bone

   neurogenic
          [neu.ro.gen.ic] adj (1901) 1: originating in or controlled
          by nervous tissue <~ heartbeat> 2: induced or modified
          by nervous factors; esp: disordered because of abnormally
          altered neural relations -- neu.ro.gen.i.cal.ly adv

   neuroglia
          [neu.ro.glia] n [NL, fr. neur- + MGk glia glue--more at clay]
          (1873): supporting tissue intermingled with the essential
          elements of nervous tissue esp. in the brain, spinal
          cord, and ganglia -- neu.ro.gli.al adj

   neurohormonal
          [neu.ro.hor.mon.al] adj (ca. 1935) 1: involving both neural
          and hormonal mechanisms 2: of, relating to, or being
          a neurohormone

   neurohormone
          [neu.ro.hor.mone] n [ISV] (1935): a hormone (as acetylcholine
          or norepinephrine) produced by or acting on nervous tissue

   neurohumor
          [neu.ro.hu.mor] n (1932): neurohormone; esp: neurotransmitter
          -- neu.ro.hu.mor.al adj

   neurohypophysis
          [neu.ro.hy.poph.y.sis] n [NL] (1912): the portion of the
          pituitary gland that is composed of the infundibulum
          and posterior lobe and is concerned with the secretion
          of various hormones -- neu.ro.hy.po.phy.se.al or
          neu.ro.hy.po.phy.si.al adj

   neurol
          [neurol] abbreviation neurological, neurology

   neuroleptic
          [neu.ro.lep.tic] n [F neuroleptique, fr. neur- + -leptique
          affecting, fr. Gk leptikos seizing, fr. lambanein to
          take, seize--more at latch] (1958): any of the powerful
          tranquilizers (as the phenothiazines) used esp. to treat
          psychosis and believed to act by blocking dopamine nervous
          receptors--called also antipsychotic -- neuroleptic adj

   neurologist
          [neu.rol.o.gist] n (1832): one specializing in neurology;
          esp: a physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment
          of disease of the nervous system

   neurology
          [neu.rol.o.gy] n [NL neurologia, fr. neur- + -logia -logy]
          (ca. 1681): the scientific study of the nervous system
          esp. in respect to its structure, functions, and abnormalities
          -- neu.ro.log.i.cal or neu.ro.log.ic adj -- neu.ro.log.i.cal.ly
          adv

   neuroma
          [neu.ro.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (ca. 1847): a tumor
          or mass growing from a nerve and usu. consisting of nerve
          fibers

   neuromuscular
          [neu.ro.mus.cu.lar] adj [ISV] (1864): of or relating to nerves
          and muscles; esp: jointly involving nervous and muscular
          elements <a ~ junction>

   neuron
          [neu.ron] also neu.rone n [NL neuron, fr. Gk, nerve, sinew--more
          at nerve] (1891): a grayish or reddish granular cell
          with specialized processes that is the fundamental functional
          unit of nervous tissue -- neu.ro.nal also neu.ron.ic
          adj

   neuropathology
          [neu.ro.pa.thol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1853): pathology of the nervous
          system -- neu.ro.path.o.log.ic or neu.ro.path.o.log.i.cal
          adj -- neu.ro.pa.thol.o.gist n

   neuropathy
          [neu.rop.a.thy] n, pl -thies [ISV] (1857): an abnormal and
          usu. degenerative state of the nervous system or nerves;
          also: a systemic condition that stems from a neuropathy
          -- neu.ro.path.ic adj -- neu.ro.path.i.cal.ly adv

   neuropeptide
          [neu.ro.pep.tide] n (1975): an endogenous peptide that influences
          neural activity or functioning

   neuropharmacology
          [neu.ro.phar.ma.col.o.gy] n (1950) 1: a branch of medical
          science dealing with the action of drugs on and in the
          nervous system 2: the properties and reactions of a drug
          on and in the nervous system -- neu.ro.phar.ma.co.log.i.cal
          also neu.ro.phar.ma.co.log.ic adj -- neu.ro.phar.ma.col.o.gist
          n

   neurophysiology
          [neu.ro.phys.i.ol.o.gy] n (1868): physiology of the nervous
          system -- neu.ro.phys.i.o.log.i.cal also neu.ro.phys.i.o.log.ic
          adj -- neu.ro.phys.i.o.log.i.cal.ly adv -- neu.ro.phys.i.ol.o.gist
          n

   neuropsychiatry
          [neu.ro.psy.chi.a.try] n (1918): a branch of medicine concerned
          with both neurology and psychiatry -- neu.ro.psy.chi.at.ric
          adj -- neu.ro.psy.chi.at.ri.cal.ly adv -- neu.ro.psy.chi.a.trist
          n

   neuropsychology
          [neu.ro.psy.chol.o.gy] n (ca. 1893): a science concerned
          with the integration of psychological observations on
          behavior and the mind with neurological observations
          on the brain and nervous system -- neu.ro.psy.cho.log.i.cal
          adj -- neu.ro.psy.chol.o.gist n

   neuropteran
          [neu.rop.ter.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk neur- + pteron wing--more
          at feather] (ca. 1842): any of an order (Neuroptera)
          of usu. net-winged insects that include the lacewings
          and ant lions -- neuropteran adj -- neu.rop.ter.ous adj

   neuroradiology
          [neu.ro.ra.di.ol.o.gy] n (1938): radiology of the nervous
          system -- neu.ro.ra.dio.log.i.cal adj -- neu.ro.ra.di.ol.o.gist
          n

   neuroscience
          [neu.ro.sci.ence] n (1963): a branch (as neurophysiology)
          of the life sciences that deals with the anatomy, physiology,
          biochemistry, or molecular biology of nerves and nervous
          tissue and esp. with their relation to behavior and learning
          -- neu.ro.sci.en.tif.ic adj -- neu.ro.sci.en.tist n

   neurosecretion
          [neu.ro.se.cre.tion] n (1941) 1: the process of producing
          a secretion by nerve cells 2: a secretion produced by
          neurosecretion -- neu.ro.se.cre.to.ry adj

   neurosensory
          [neu.ro.sen.so.ry] adj (1929): of or relating to afferent
          nerves

   neurosis
          [neu.ro.sis] n, pl -ro.ses [NL] (ca. 1784): a mental and
          emotional disorder that affects only part of the personality,
          is accompanied by a less distorted perception of reality
          than in a psychosis, does not result in disturbance of
          the use of language, and is accompanied by various physical,
          physiological, and mental disturbances (as visceral symptoms,
          anxieties, or phobias)

   neurospora
          [neu.ros.po.ra] n [NL, fr. neur- + spora spore] (1928): any
          of a genus (Neurospora of the family Sordariaceae) of
          ascomycetous fungi which are used extensively in genetic
          research and have black perithecia and persistent asci
          and some of which have salmon-pink or orange spore masses
          and are severe pests in bakeries

   neurosurgery
          [neu.ro.sur.gery] n (1904): surgery of nervous structures
          (as nerves, the brain, or the spinal cord) -- neu.ro.sur.geon
          n -- neu.ro.sur.gi.cal adj

   [1]neurotic
          [neu.rot.ic] adj (1873): of, relating to, constituting, or
          affected with neurosis -- neu.rot.i.cal.ly adv [2]neurotic
          n (1896) 1: one affected with a neurosis 2: an emotionally
          unstable individual

   neuroticism
          [neu.rot.i.cism] n (1900): a neurotic character, condition,
          or trait

   neurotoxic
          [neu.ro.tox.ic] adj (ca. 1903): toxic to the nerves or nervous
          tissue -- neu.ro.tox.ic.i.ty n

   neurotoxin
          [neu.ro.tox.in] n [ISV] (1902): a poisonous complex esp.
          of protein that acts on the nervous system

   neurotransmission
          [neu.ro.trans.mis.sion] n (1961): the transmission of nerve
          impulses across a synapse

   neurotransmitter
          [neu.ro.trans.mit.ter] n (1961): a substance (as norepinephrine
          or acetylcholine) that transmits nerve impulses across
          a synapse

   neurotropic
          [neu.ro.trop.ic] adj [ISV] (1903): having an affinity for
          or localizing selectively in nerve tissue <a ~ virus>

   neurula
          [neu.ru.la] n, pl -lae or -las [NL, fr. neur- + L -ula -ule]
          (ca. 1890): an early vertebrate embryo which follows
          the gastrula and in which nervous tissue begins to differentiate
          and the basic pattern of the vertebrate begins to emerge
          -- neu.ru.la.tion n

   neuston
          [neus.ton] n [G, fr. Gk, neut. of neustos swimming, fr. nein
          to swim--more at natant] (1928): minute organisms that
          float in the surface film of water

   neut
          [neut] abbreviation neuter

   [1]neuter
          [neu.ter] adj [ME neutre, fr. MF & L; MF neutre, fr. L neuter,
          lit., neither, fr. ne- not + uter which of two--more
          at no, whether] (14c) 1 a: of, relating to, or constituting
          the gender that ordinarily includes most words or grammatical
          forms referring to things classed as neither masculine
          nor feminine b: neither active nor passive: intransitive
          2: taking no side: neutral 3: lacking or having imperfectly
          developed or nonfunctional generative organs <the worker
          bee is ~> [2]neuter n (15c) 1 a: a noun, pronoun, adjective,
          or inflectional form or class of the neuter gender b:
          the neuter gender 2: one that is neutral 3 a: worker
          2 b: a spayed or castrated animal [3]neuter vt (1903):
          castrate, alter

   [1]neutral
          [neu.tral] n (15c) 1: one that is neutral 2: a neutral color
          3: a position of disengagement (as of gears) [2]neutral
          adj [MF, fr. (assumed) ML neutralis, fr. L, of neuter
          gender, fr. neutr-, neuter] (1549) 1: not engaged on
          either side; specif: not aligned with a political or
          ideological grouping <a ~ nation> 2: of or relating to
          a neutral state or power <~ territory> 3 a: not decided
          or pronounced as to characteristics: indifferent b (1):
          achromatic (2): nearly achromatic c (1): neuter 3 (2):
          lacking stamens or pistils d: neither acid nor basic
          e: not electrically charged 4: produced with the tongue
          in the position it has when at rest -- neu.tral.ly adv
          -- neu.tral.ness n

   neutralise
          [neu.tral.ise] Brit var of neutralize

   neutralism
          [neu.tral.ism] n (1579) 1: neutrality 2: a policy or the
          advocacy of neutrality esp. in international affairs
          -- neu.tral.ist n -- neu.tral.is.tic adj

   neutrality
          [neu.tral.i.ty] n (15c): the quality or state of being neutral;
          esp: refusal to take part in a war between other powers

   neutralization
          [neu.tral.i.za.tion] n (1808) 1: an act or process of neutralizing
          2: the quality or state of being neutralized

   neutralize
          [neu.tral.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1759) 1: to make chemically
          neutral 2 a: to counteract the activity or effect of:
          make ineffective <propaganda that is difficult to ~>
          b: kill, destroy 3: to make electrically inert by combining
          equal positive and negative quantities 4: to invest (as
          a territory or a nation) with conventional or obligatory
          neutrality conferring inviolability during a war 5: to
          make neutral by blending with the complementary color
          6: to give (as a pair of phonemes) a nondistinctive form
          or pronunciation </t/ and /d/ are neutralized when pronounced
          as flaps> ~ vi: to undergo neutralization -- neu.tral.iz.er
          n

   neutral red
          [neutral red] n (1890): a basic dye used chiefly as a biological
          stain and acid-base indicator

   neutral spirits
          [neutral spirits] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1919): ethyl
          alcohol of 190 or higher proof used esp. for blending
          other alcoholic liquors

   neutrino
          [neu.tri.no] n, pl -nos [It, fr. neutro neutral, neuter,
          fr. L neutr-, neuter] (1934): an uncharged elementary
          particle that is believed to be massless or to have a
          very small mass, that has any of three forms, and that
          interacts only rarely with other particles -- neu.tri.no.less
          adj

   neutron
          [neu.tron] n [prob. fr. neutral] (1932): an uncharged elementary
          particle that has a mass nearly equal to that of the
          proton and is present in all known atomic nuclei except
          the hydrogen nucleus -- neu.tron.ic adj

   neutron activation analysis
          [neutron activation analysis] n (1951): an analytical method
          used to determine the chemical elements comprising a
          material by bombarding it with neutrons to produce radioactive
          atoms whose radiations are indicative of the elements
          present--called also neutron activation

   neutron bomb
          [neutron bomb] n (1959): a nuclear bomb designed to produce
          lethal neutrons but less blast and fire damage than other
          nuclear bombs

   neutron star
          [neutron star] n (1934): a hypothetical dense celestial object
          that consists primarily of closely packed neutrons and
          that results from the collapse of a much larger stellar
          body

   [1]neutrophil
          [neu.tro.phil] or neu.tro.phil.ic adj [ISV neutro- (fr. L
          neutr-, neuter neither) + -phil] (ca. 1890): staining
          to the same degree with acid or basic dyes <~ granulocytes>
          [2]neutrophil n (1897): a granulocyte that is the chief
          phagocytic white blood cell of the blood

   Nev
          [Nev] abbreviation Nevada

   neve
          [ne.ve] n [F dial. (Swiss), fr. (assumed) VL nivatum, fr.
          L niv-, nix snow--more at snow] (1843): the partially
          compacted granular snow that forms the surface part of
          the upper end of a glacier; broadly: a field of granular
          snow

   never
          [nev.er] adv [ME, fr. OE naefre, fr. ne not + aefre ever--more
          at no] (bef. 12c) 1: not ever: at no time <~ saw her
          before> 2: not in any degree: not under any condition
          <~ the wiser for his experience>

   never mind
          [never mind] conj (1954): much less, let alone--used esp.
          in negative contexts to add to one term another denoting
          something less likely <with this knee I can hardly walk,
          never mind run>

   nevermore
          [nev.er.more] adv (12c): never again

   never-never land
          [nev.er-nev.er land] n (1907): an ideal or imaginary place

   nevertheless
          [nev.er.the.less] adv (14c): in spite of that: however <her
          childish but ~ real delight --Richard Corbin>

   nevus
          [ne.vus] n, pl ne.vi [NL, fr. L naevus] (ca. 1836): a congenital
          pigmented area on the skin: birthmark

   [1]new
          [new] adj [ME, fr. OE niwe; akin to OHG niuwi new, L novus,
          Gk neos] (bef. 12c) 1: having existed or having been
          made but a short time: recent, modern 2 a (1): having
          been seen, used, or known for a short time: novel <rice
          was a ~ crop for the area> (2): unfamiliar <visit ~ places>
          b: being other than the former or old <a steady flow
          of ~ money> 3: having been in a relationship or condition
          but a short time <~ to the job> 4 a: beginning as the
          resumption or repetition of a previous act or thing <a
          ~ day> <the ~ edition> b: made or become fresh <awoke
          a ~ person> 5: different from one of the same category
          that has existed previously <~ realism> 6: of dissimilar
          origin and usu. of superior quality <introducing ~ blood>
          7 cap: modern 3; esp: having been in use after medieval
          times -- new.ish adj -- new.ness n syn new, novel, original,
          fresh mean having recently come into existence or use.
          new may apply to what is freshly made and unused <new
          brick> or has not been known before <new designs> or
          not experienced before <starts the new job>. novel applies
          to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented
          <a novel approach to the problem>. original applies to
          what is the first of its kind to exist <a man without
          one original idea>. fresh applies to what has not lost
          its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy,
          brightness <fresh towels> <a fresh start>. [2]new adv
          (bef. 12c): newly, recently--usu. used in combination

   New Year
          [New Year] n (13c) 1: the calendar year about to start or
          recently started 2 a: new year's day b: the first days
          of a calendar year 3: rosh hashanah

   New Year's Day
          [New Year's Day] n (13c): the first day of the calendar year
          observed as a legal holiday in many countries

   New Age
          [New Age] adj (1956) 1: of, relating to, or being a late
          20th century social movement drawing on ancient concepts
          esp. from Eastern and American Indian traditions and
          incorporating such themes as holism, concern for nature,
          spirituality, and metaphysics 2: of, relating to, or
          being a soft soothing form of instrumental music often
          used to promote relaxation

   [1]newborn
          [new.born] adj (14c) 1: recently born 2: born anew [2]newborn
          n, pl newborn or newborns (1879): a newborn individual

   Newburg
          [New.burg] or New.burgh adj [origin unknown] (1902): served
          with a sauce made of cream, butter, sherry, and egg yolks
          <lobster ~> <shrimp ~>

   Newcastle disease
          [New.cas.tle disease] n [Newcastle upon Tyne, England] (1927):
          a destructive virus disease of birds and esp. domestic
          fowl that involves respiratory and nervous symptoms

   newcomer
          [new.com.er] n (15c) 1: one recently arrived 2: beginner

   New Criticism
          [New Criticism] n (1941): an analytic literary criticism
          that is marked by concentration on the language, imagery,
          and emotional or intellectual tensions in literary works
          -- New Critic n -- New Critical adj

   New Deal
          [New Deal] n [fr. the supposed resemblance to the situation
          of freshness and equality of opportunity afforded by
          a fresh deal in a card game] (1932): the legislative
          and administrative program of President F. D. Roosevelt
          designed to promote economic recovery and social reform
          during the 1930s; also: the period of this program --
          New Dealer n -- New Deal.ish adj -- New Deal.ism n

   new drug
          [new drug] n (ca. 1951): a drug that has not been declared
          safe and effective by qualified experts under the conditions
          prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the label and
          that may be a new chemical formula or an established
          drug prescribed for use in a new way

   new economics
          [new economics] n pl but usu sing in constr (1928): an economic
          concept that is a logical extension of Keynesianism and
          that holds that appropriate fiscal and monetary maneuvering
          can maintain healthy economic growth and prosperity indefinitely

   newel
          [new.el] n [ME nowell, fr. MF nouel stone of a fruit, fr.
          LL nucalis like a nut, fr. L nuc-, nux nut--more at nut]
          (14c) 1: an upright post about which the steps of a circular
          staircase wind 2: a post at the foot of a straight stairway
          or one at a landing

   New Eng
          [New Eng] abbreviation New England

   New English Bible
          [New English Bible] n (1957): a translation of the Bible
          by a British interdenominational committee first published
          in its entirety in 1970

   newfangled
          [new.fan.gled] adj [ME, fr. newefangel, fr. new + (assumed)
          OE -fangol, fr. OE fon (pp. fangen) to take, seize--more
          at pact] (14c) 1: attracted to novelty 2: of the newest
          style or kind <had many ~ gadgets in the kitchen> --
          new.fan.gled.ness n

   new-fashioned
          [new-fash.ioned] adj (1592) 1: made in a new fashion or form
          2: up-to-date

   newfound
          [new.found] adj (15c): newly found <a ~ friend>

   Newfoundland
          [New.found.land] n [Newfoundland, Canada] (1773): any of
          a breed of very large heavy highly intelligent, black,
          black and white, or bronze dogs developed in Newfoundland

   Newgate
          [New.gate] n (14c): a London prison razed in 1902

   New Greek
          [New Greek] n (ca. 1958): Greek as used by the Greeks since
          the end of the medieval period

   New Hebrew
          [New Hebrew] n (ca. 1959): the Hebrew language in use in
          present-day Israel

   newie
          [new.ie] n (ca. 1945): something new

   New Jersey tea
          [New Jer.sey tea] n [New Jersey, state of U.S.; fr. the use
          of its leaves as a substitute for tea during the American
          Revolution] (1759): a low deciduous shrub (Ceanothus
          americanus) of the buckthorn family that is found in
          the eastern U.S. and has dull green leaves and small
          white flowers borne in large terminal panicles

   New Jerusalem
          [New Je.ru.sa.lem] n [fr. the phrase "the holy city, New
          Jerusalem" (Rev. 21:2)] (1535) 1: the final abode of
          souls redeemed by Christ 2: an ideal earthly community

   New Journalism
          [New Journalism] n (1967): journalism that features the author's
          subjective responses to people and events and that often
          includes fictional elements meant to illuminate and dramatize
          those responses

   New Latin
          [New Latin] n (ca. 1889): Latin as used since the end of
          the medieval period esp. in scientific description and
          classification

   New Left
          [New Left] n (1960): a political movement originating esp.
          among students in the 1960s, favoring confrontational
          tactics, often breaking with traditional leftist ideologies,
          and associated esp. with antiwar, antinuclear, feminist,
          and ecological issues -- new leftist n, often cap N&L

   newly
          [new.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: lately, recently <a ~ married
          couple> 2: anew, afresh

   newlywed
          [new.ly.wed] n (1918): a person recently married

   newmarket
          [new.mar.ket] n [Newmarket, England] (1837): a long close-fitting
          coat worn in the 19th century

   new math
          [new math] n (1964): basic mathematics taught with emphasis
          on abstraction and the principles of set theory--called
          also new mathematics

   new moon
          [new moon] n (bef. 12c) 1: the moon's phase when it is in
          conjunction with the sun so that its dark side is toward
          the earth; also: the thin crescent moon seen shortly
          after sunset for a few days after the actual occurrence
          of the new moon phase 2: the first day of each Jewish
          month marked by a special liturgy

   New Right
          [New Right] n (1966): a political movement made up esp. of
          Protestants, opposed esp. to secular humanism, and concerned
          with issues esp. of church and state, patriotism, laissez-faire
          economics, pornography, and abortion

   news
          [news] n pl but sing in constr, often attrib (15c) 1 a: a
          report of recent events b: previously unknown information
          <I've got ~ for you> 2 a: material reported in a newspaper
          or news periodical or on a newscast b: matter that is
          newsworthy 3: newscast -- news.less adj

   news agency
          [news agency] n (1873): an organization that supplies news
          to subscribing newspapers, periodicals, and newscasters

   newsagent
          [news.agent] n (1851) chiefly Brit: newsdealer

   newsboy
          [news.boy] n (1764): one who delivers or sells newspapers

   newsbreak
          [news.break] n (1944): a newsworthy event

   newscast
          [news.cast] n [news + broadcast] (ca. 1939): a radio or television
          broadcast of news -- news.cast.er n

   news conference
          [news conference] n (1946): press conference

   newsdealer
          [news.deal.er] n (1861): a dealer in newspapers, magazines,
          and often paperback books

   newshound
          [news.hound] n (1918): an aggressive journalist

   newsletter
          [news.let.ter] n (1903): a small publication (as a leaflet
          or newspaper) containing news of interest chiefly to
          a special group

   newsmagazine
          [news.mag.a.zine] n (1923) 1: a usu. weekly magazine devoted
          chiefly to summarizing and analyzing news 2: magazine
          4c

   newsman
          [news.man] n (1596): one who gathers, reports, or comments
          on the news: reporter, correspondent

   newsmonger
          [news.mon.ger] n (1592): one who is active in gathering and
          repeating news; esp: gossip

   [1]newspaper
          [news.pa.per] n (1670) 1: a paper that is printed and distributed
          usu. daily or weekly and that contains news, articles
          of opinion, features, and advertising 2: an organization
          that publishes a newspaper 3: the paper of a newspaper:
          newsprint [2]newspaper vi (1943): to do newspaper work

   newspaperman
          [news.pa.per.man] n (1806): one who owns or is employed by
          a newspaper

   newspaperwoman
          [news.pa.per.wom.an] n (1881): a woman who owns or is employed
          by a newspaper

   newspeak
          [new.speak] n, often cap [Newspeak, a language "designed
          to diminish the range of thought," in the novel 1984
          (1949) by George Orwell] (1950): propagandistic language
          marked by euphemism, circumlocution, and the inversion
          of customary meanings: double-talk 2

   newspeople
          [news.peo.ple] n pl (1972): reporters

   newsperson
          [news.per.son] n (1973): reporter

   newsprint
          [news.print] n (1909): paper made chiefly from groundwood
          pulp and used mostly for newspapers

   newsreader
          [news.read.er] n (1925) chiefly Brit: one who broadcasts
          the news

   newsreel
          [news.reel] n (1916): a short movie dealing with current
          events

   newsroom
          [news.room] n (1929) 1: a place (as an office) where news
          is prepared for publication or broadcast 2: newsstand

   newsstand
          [news.stand] n (1872): a place (as an outdoor stall) where
          newspapers and periodicals are sold

   New Style
          [New Style] adj (1615): using or according to the Gregorian
          calendar

   newsweekly
          [news.week.ly] n (1947): a weekly newspaper or newsmagazine

   newswoman
          [news.wom.an] n (1928): a woman who is a reporter

   newsworthy
          [news.wor.thy] adj (1932): sufficiently interesting to the
          general public to warrant reporting (as in a newspaper)
          -- news.wor.thi.ness n

   newswriting
          [news.writ.ing] n (1916): journalism 1a

   newsy
          [newsy] adj news.i.er ; -est (1832) 1: containing or filled
          with news <~ letters> 2: newsworthy -- news.i.ness n

   newt
          [newt] n [ME, alter. (resulting from misdivision of an ewte)
          of ewte--more at eft] (15c): any of various small semiaquatic
          salamanders (as of the genus Triturus)

   New Testament
          [New Testament] n (14c): the second part of the Christian
          Bible comprising the canonical Gospels and Epistles and
          also the book of Acts and book of Revelation

   newton
          [new.ton] n [Sir Isaac Newton] (1904): the unit of force
          in the meter-kilogram-second system equal to the force
          required to impart an acceleration of one meter per second
          per second to a mass of one kilogram

   new town
          [new town] n (1918): an urban development comprising a small
          to medium-sized city with a broad range of housing and
          planned industrial, commercial, and recreational facilities

   new wave
          [new wave] n, often cap N&W (1960) 1: a cinematic movement
          that is characterized by improvisation, abstraction,
          and subjective symbolism and that often makes use of
          experimental photographic techniques 2: a new movement
          in a particular field 3: rock music characterized by
          cohesive ensemble playing and usu. lyrics which express
          anger and social discontent 4: dernier cri; esp: fashion
          that is strikingly outrageous -- new-wave adj -- new
          wav.er n

   New World
          [New World] n (1555): western hemisphere; esp: the continental
          landmass of No. and So. America

   [1]next
          [next] adj [ME, fr. OE niehst, superl. of neah nigh--more
          at nigh] (bef. 12c) 1: immediately adjacent (as in place,
          rank, or time) 2: any other considered hypothetically
          <knew it as well as the ~ man> [2]next prep (bef. 12c):
          nearest or adjacent to [3]next adv (14c) 1: in the time,
          place, or order nearest or immediately succeeding <~
          we drove home> <the ~ closest school> 2: on the first
          occasion to come <when ~ we meet>

   next door
          [next door] adv (1579): in or to the next building, house,
          apartment, or room <lives next door>; broadly: in or
          at an adjacent place -- next door to : next to

   next-door
          [next-door] adj (1749): located or living in the next building,
          house, apartment, or room; broadly: nearby, adjacent

   next friend
          [next friend] n (1579): a person admitted to or appointed
          by a court to act for the benefit of a person (as an
          infant) lacking full legal capacity

   next of kin
          [next of kin] (1766): one or more persons in the nearest
          degree of relationship to another person

   [1]next to
          [next to] prep (1633) 1: immediately following or adjacent
          to 2: in comparison to <next to you I'm wealthy> [2]next
          to adv (1667): very nearly: almost <it was next to impossible
          to see in the fog>

   nexus
          [nex.us] n, pl nex.us.es or nex.us [L, fr. nectere to bind]
          (1663) 1: connection, link; also: a causal link 2: a
          connected group or series 3: center, focus

   Nez Perce
          [Nez Perce] n, pl Nez Perce or Nez Per.ces [F, lit., pierced
          nose] (1812) 1: a member of an American Indian people
          of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon 2: the language of the
          Nez Perce people

   nf...
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   NF
          [NF] abbreviation Newfoundland, no funds

   NFC
          [NFC] abbreviation National Football Conference

   NFL
          [NFL] abbreviation National Football League

   Nfld
          [Nfld] abbreviation Newfoundland

   NFP
          [NFP] abbreviation natural family planning

   NFS
          [NFS] abbreviation not for sale

   ng...
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   ng
          [ng] abbreviation nanogram  NG abbreviation national guard,
          no good

   NGF
          [NGF] abbreviation nerve growth factor

   NGO
          [NGO] abbreviation nongovernmental organization

   NGU
          [NGU] abbreviation nongonococcal urethritis

   ngultrum
          [ngul.trum] n [Tibetan] (1973): the basic monetary unit of
          Bhutan

   ngwee
          [ngwee] n, pl ngwee [Bemba, lit., bright] (1966): a monetary
          unit of Zambia equal to 1/100 kwacha

   nh...
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   NH
          [NH] abbreviation never hinged, New Hampshire

   NHL
          [NHL] abbreviation National Hockey League

   ni...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Ni
          [Ni] abbreviation nickel

   niacin
          [ni.a.cin] n [nicotinic acid + [1]-in] (1942): nicotinic
          acid; also: nicotinamide

   niacinamide
          [ni.a.cin.amide] n (1942): nicotinamide

   Niagara
          [Ni.ag.a.ra] n [Niagara Falls] (1841): an overwhelming flood:
          torrent <a ~ of protests>

   nialamide
          [ni.al.amide] n [nicotinic acid + amyl + amide] (1959): a
          synthetic antidepressant drug that is an inhibitor of
          monoamine oxidase

   nib
          [nib] n [prob. alter. of neb] (1585) 1: bill, beak 2 a: the
          sharpened point of a quill pen b: pen point; also: each
          of the two divisions of a pen point 3: a small pointed
          or projecting part

   [1]nibble
          [nib.ble] vb nib.bled ; nib.bling [origin unknown] vt (ca.
          1512) 1 a: to bite gently b: to eat or chew in small
          bits 2: to take away bit by bit <waves nibbling the shore>
          ~ vi 1: to take gentle, small, or cautious bites; also:
          snack 2: to deal with something as if by nibbling --
          nib.bler n [2]nibble n (1658) 1: an act of nibbling 2:
          a very small quantity or portion (as of food); also:
          snack 3: a tentative expression of interest

   Nibelung
          [Ni.be.lung] n, pl -lungs also -lung.en [G] (1861) 1: a member
          of a race of dwarfs in Germanic legend 2: any of the
          followers of Siegfried 3: any of the Burgundian kings
          in the medieval German Nibelungenlied

   nibs
          [nibs] n pl but sing in constr [origin unknown] (ca. 1821):
          an important or self-important person--usu. used in the
          phrases his nibs or her nibs as if a title of honor

   NIC
          [NIC] abbreviation newly industrialized country, newly
          industrializing country

   nicad
          [ni.cad] n [[1]nickel + cadmium] (1965): a rechargeable dry
          cell that has a nickel cathode and a cadmium anode

   niccolite
          [nic.co.lite] n [NL niccolum nickel, prob. fr. Sw nickel]
          (1868): a pale copper-red usu. massive mineral of metallic
          luster that is essentially a nickel arsenide

   nice
          [nice] adj nic.er ; nic.est [ME, foolish, wanton, fr. OF,
          fr. L nescius ignorant, fr. nescire not to know--more
          at nescience] (14c) 1 obs a: wanton, dissolute b: coy,
          reticent 2 a: showing fastidious or finicky tastes: particular
          b: exacting in requirements or standards: punctilious
          3: possessing, marked by, or demanding great or excessive
          precision and delicacy 4 obs: trivial 5 a: pleasing,
          agreeable <a ~ time> <a ~ person> b: well-executed <~
          shot> c: appropriate, fitting 6 a: socially acceptable:
          well-bred b: virtuous, respectable 7: polite, kind <that's
          ~ of you to say> syn see correct -- nice adv -- nice.ly
          adv -- nice.ness n

   Nicene
          [Ni.cene] adj [ME, fr. LL nicaenus, fr. L Nicaea Nicaea,
          fr. Gk Nikaia] (14c) 1: of or relating to Nicaea or the
          Nicaeans 2: of or relating to the ecumenical church council
          held in Nicaea in a.d. 325 or to the Nicene Creed

   Nicene Creed
          [Nicene Creed] n (ca. 1569): a Christian creed expanded from
          a creed issued by the first Nicene Council, beginning
          "I believe in one God," and used in liturgical worship

   nice-nelly
          [nice-nel.ly] adj, often cap 2d N [fr. the name Nelly] (1925)
          1: marked by euphemism 2: prudish -- nice nelly n, often
          cap 2d N -- nice-nel.ly.ism n, often cap 2d N

   nicety
          [nice.ty] n, pl -ties [ME nicete, fr. MF nicete foolishness,
          fr. nice, adj.] (14c) 1: the quality or state of being
          nice 2: an elegant, delicate, or civilized feature <enjoy
          the niceties of life> 3: a fine point or distinction:
          subtlety <the niceties of table manners> 4: careful attention
          to details: delicate exactness: precision 5: delicacy
          of taste or feeling: fastidiousness

   [1]niche
          [niche] n [F, fr. MF, fr. nicher to nest, fr. (assumed) VL
          nidicare, fr. L nidus nest--more at nest] (1611) 1 a:
          a recess in a wall esp. for a statue b: something that
          resembles a niche 2 a: a place, employment, status, or
          activity for which a person or thing is best fitted b:
          a habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence
          of an organism or species c: the ecological role of an
          organism in a community esp. in regard to food consumption
          d: a specialized market [2]niche vt niched ; nich.ing
          (1752): to place in or as if in a niche

   Nichrome
          [Ni.chrome] trademark--used for an alloy of nickel, chromium,
          and iron that is commonly used in the heating elements
          of electrical appliances

   nicht wahr?
          [nicht wahr?] [G] foreign term : not true? : isn't it so?

   [1]nick
          [nick] n [ME nyke, prob. alter. of nocke nock] (15c) 1 a:
          a small notch or groove b: a break in one strand of two-stranded
          DNA caused by a missing phosphodiester bond c: a small
          cut incurred in shaving 2: a final critical moment <in
          the ~ of time> 3 slang Brit: prison; also: police station
          4 Brit: condition <in good ~> [2]nick vt (1523) 1: to
          jot down: record 2 a: to make a nick in: notch, chip
          b: to cut into or wound slightly <a bullet ~ed his leg>
          3: to cut short <cold weather, which ~ed steel and automobile
          output --Time> 4: to catch at the right point or time
          5: cheat, overcharge 6 a slang Brit: arrest b slang Brit:
          steal ~ vi 1: to make petty attacks: snipe 2: to complement
          one another genetically and produce superior offspring

   nickel
          [nick.el] also nick.le n [prob. fr. Sw nickel, fr. G Kupfernickel
          niccolite, prob. fr. Kupfer copper + Nickel goblin; fr.
          the deceptive copper color of niccolite] (1755) 1: a
          silver-white hard malleable ductile metallic element
          capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion that
          is used chiefly in alloys and as a catalyst 2 a (1):
          the U.S. 5-cent piece regularly containing 25 percent
          nickel and 75 percent copper (2): the Canadian 5-cent
          piece b: five cents 3: a pass defense in football that
          employs five defensive backs

   [1]nickel-and-dime
          [nick.el-and-dime] adj (1950) 1: involving or offering only
          a small amount of money 2: small-time

   [2]nickel -and-dime
          [nickel -and-dime] vt nick.eled-and-dimed or nick.el-and-dimed
          ; nick.el.ing-and-dim.ing or nickel-and-diming (1961):
          to impair, weaken, or defeat gradually (as through a
          series of small incursions or excessive attention to
          detail)

   nickeliferous
          [nick.el.if.er.ous] adj (1821): containing nickel

   nickelodeon
          [nick.el.ode.on] n [prob. fr. nickel + -odeon (as in melodeon
          music hall)] (1907) 1: an early movie theater to which
          admission usu. cost five cents 2: jukebox

   nickel silver
          [nickel silver] n (1860): german silver

   [1]nicker
          [nick.er] vi nick.ered ; nick.er.ing [perh. alter. of neigh]
          (1641): neigh, whinny -- nicker n [2]nicker n [perh.
          fr. nicker one that nicks] (1910) slang Brit: [1]pound
          2a

   nicknack
          [nick.nack] var of knickknack

   [1]nickname
          [nick.name] n [ME nekename additional name, alter. (resulting
          from misdivision of an ekename) of ekename, fr. eke eke,
          also + name name] (15c) 1: a usu. descriptive name given
          instead of or in addition to the one belonging to a person,
          place, or thing 2: a familiar form of a proper name (as
          of a person or a city) [2]nickname vt (1536) 1: misname,
          miscall 2: to give a nickname to -- nick.nam.er n

   nicotiana
          [ni.co.ti.a.na] n [NL, fr. herba nicotiana, lit., Nicot's
          herb, fr. Jean Nicot d. 1600 Fr. diplomat and scholar]
          (1600): any of several tobaccos (as Nicotiana alata)
          grown for their showy flowers

   nicotinamide
          [nic.o.tin.amide] n [ISV] (1895): a compound of the vitamin
          B complex found esp. as a constituent of coenzymes and
          used similarly to nicotinic acid

   nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
          [nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide] n (1961): nad

   nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
          [nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate] n (1962): nadp

   nicotine
          [nic.o.tine] n [F, fr. NL nicotiana] (1819): a poisonous
          alkaloid that is the chief active principle of tobacco
          and is used as an insecticide

   nicotinic
          [nic.o.tin.ic] adj [ISV] (1873): relating to, resembling,
          producing, or mediating the effects produced by nicotine
          on nerve fibers at autonomic ganglia and at the neuromuscular
          junctions of voluntary muscle which increases activity
          in small doses and inhibits it in larger doses
          <~ receptors>--compare muscarinic

   nicotinic acid
          [nicotinic acid] n (1873): an acid of the vitamin B complex
          found widely in animals and plants and used esp. against
          pellagra--called also niacin

   nictitate
          [nic.ti.tate] vi -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [alter. of nictate to
          wink, fr. L nictatus, pp. of nictare--more at connive]
          (ca. 1834): wink

   nictitating membrane
          [nictitating membrane] n (1713): a thin membrane found in
          many vertebrates at the inner angle or beneath the lower
          lid of the eye and capable of extending across the eyeball

   nidicolous
          [ni.dic.o.lous] adj [L nidus nest + E -colous--more at nest]
          (ca. 1902) 1: reared for a time in a nest 2: sharing
          the nest of another kind of animal

   nidification
          [ni.di.fi.ca.tion] n [ML nidification-, nidificatio, fr.
          L nidificare to build a nest, fr. nidus nest] (1658):
          the act, process, or technique of building a nest

   nidifugous
          [ni.dif.u.gous] adj [L nidus nest + fugere to flee--more
          at fugitive] (1896): leaving the nest soon after hatching

   nidus
          [ni.dus] n, pl ni.di or ni.dus.es [NL, fr. L] (1742) 1: a
          nest or breeding place; esp: a place or substance in
          an animal or plant where bacteria or other organisms
          lodge and multiply 2: a place where something originates,
          develops, or is located

   niece
          [niece] n [ME nece granddaughter, niece, fr. OF niece, fr.
          LL neptia, fr. L neptis; akin to L nepot-, nepos grandson,
          nephew--more at nephew] (14c) 1: a daughter of one's
          brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law 2:
          an illegitimate daughter of an ecclesiastic

   [1]niello
          [ni.el.lo] n, pl ni.el.li or niellos [It, fr. ML nigellum,
          fr. neut. of L nigellus blackish, dim. of niger black]
          (1816) 1: any of several black enamel-like alloys usu.
          of sulfur with silver, copper, and lead 2: the art or
          process of decorating metal with incised designs filled
          with niello 3: a piece of metal or an object decorated
          with niello [2]niello vt (1866): to inlay or ornament
          with niello

   nifedipine
          [ni.fed.i.pine] n [prob. nitr- + -fe- (fr. phenyl) + -dipine
          (by alter. & shortening fr. pyridine)] (1974): a calcium
          channel blocker that is a coronary vasodilator used esp.
          in the treatment of angina pectoris

   Niflheim
          [Nifl.heim] n [ON Niflheimr]: the abode of the dead in Norse
          mythology

   [1]nifty
          [nif.ty] adj nif.ti.er ; -est [origin unknown] (1865): very
          good: very attractive: fine <~ clothes> -- nif.ti.ly
          adv [2]nifty n, pl nifties (1923): something that is
          nifty; esp: a clever or neatly turned phrase or joke

   Niger-Congo
          [Ni.ger-Con.go] n [Niger (river) + Congo (river)] (ca. 1950):
          a language family that includes the Mande and Kwa branches
          and that is spoken by most of the indigenous peoples
          of west, central, and south Africa

   [1]niggard
          [nig.gard] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON hnoggr niggardly;
          akin to OE hneaw niggardly] (14c): a meanly covetous
          and stingy person: miser -- niggard adj [2]niggard vi
          (ca. 1600) obs: to act niggardly ~ vt, obs: to treat
          in a niggardly manner

   niggardly
          [nig.gard.ly] adj (1571) 1: grudgingly mean about spending
          or granting: begrudging 2: provided in meanly limited
          supply syn see stingy -- nig.gard.li.ness n -- niggardly
          adv

   nigger
          [nig.ger] n [alter. of earlier neger, fr. MF negre, fr. Sp
          or Pg negro, fr. negro black, fr. L niger] (1700) 1:
          a black person--usu. taken to be offensive 2: a member
          of any dark-skinned race--usu. taken to be offensive
          3: a member of a socially disadvantaged class of persons
          <it's time for somebody to lead all of America's ~s ...
          all the people who feel left out of the political process
          --Ron Dellums> usage Nigger in senses 1 and 2 can be
          found in the works of such writers of the past as Joseph
          Conrad, Mark Twain, and Charles Dickens, but it now ranks
          as perhaps the most offensive and inflammatory racial
          slur in English. Its use by and among blacks is not always
          intended or taken as offensive, but, except in sense
          3, it is otherwise a word expressive of racial hatred
          and bigotry.

   [1]niggle
          [nig.gle] vb nig.gled ; nig.gling [origin unknown] vi (ca.
          1616) 1 a: trifle b: to spend too much effort on minor
          details 2: to find fault constantly in a petty way: carp
          <she haggles, she ~s, she wears out our patience --Virginia
          Woolf> 3: gnaw ~ vt: to give stingily or in tiny portions
          -- nig.gler n [2]niggle n (1886) chiefly Brit: a trifling
          doubt, objection, or complaint

   niggling
          [nig.gling] adj (1599): petty; also: bothersome or persistent
          esp. in a petty or tiresome way <~ injuries> -- niggling
          n -- nig.gling.ly adv

   [1]nigh
          [nigh] adv [ME, fr. OE neah; akin to OHG nah, adv., nigh,
          prep., nigh, after, ON na- nigh] (bef. 12c) 1: near in
          place, time, or relationship--often used with on, onto,
          or unto 2: nearly, almost [2]nigh adj (bef. 12c) 1: close,
          near 2 chiefly dial: direct, short 3: being on the left
          side <the ~ horse> [3]nigh prep (bef. 12c): near [4]nigh
          vt (13c): to draw or come near to: approach ~ vi: to
          draw near

   [1]night
          [night] n [ME, fr. OE niht; akin to OHG naht night, L noct-,
          nox, Gk nykt-, nyx] (bef. 12c) 1: the time from dusk
          to dawn when no sunlight is visible 2 a: an evening or
          night taken as an occasion or point of time <the opening
          ~> b: an evening set aside for a particular purpose 3
          a: the quality or state of being dark b: a condition
          or period felt to resemble the darkness of night: as
          (1): a period of dreary inactivity or affliction (2):
          absence of moral values c: the beginning of darkness:
          nightfall -- night.less adj [2]night adj (bef. 12c) 1:
          of, relating to, or associated with the night <~ air>
          2: intended for use at night <a ~ lamp> 3 a: existing,
          occurring, or functioning at night <~ baseball> <a ~
          nurse> b: active or functioning best at night <~ people>

   night and day
          [night and day] adv (bef. 12c): all the time: continually

   night blindness
          [night blindness] n (1754): reduced visual capacity in faint
          light (as at night) -- night-blind adj

   night-blooming cereus
          [night-blooming cereus] n (1832): any of several night-blooming
          cacti; esp: a slender sprawling or climbing cactus (Selenicereus
          grandiflorus) often cultivated for its large showy fragrant
          white flowers

   nightcap
          [night.cap] n (14c) 1: a cloth cap worn with nightclothes
          2: a usu. alcoholic drink taken at the end of the day
          3: the final race or contest of a day's sports; esp:
          the second game of a baseball doubleheader

   nightclothes
          [night.clothes] n pl (1602): garments for wear in bed

   [1]nightclub
          [night.club] n (1894): a place of entertainment open at night
          usu. serving food and liquor, having a floor show, and
          providing music and space for dancing [2]nightclub vi
          (1936): to patronize nightclubs -- night.club.ber n

   night court
          [night court] n (1934): a criminal court in a large city
          that sits at night (as for the summary disposition of
          criminal charges and the granting of bail)

   night crawler
          [night crawler] n (1924): earthworm; esp: a large earthworm
          found on the soil surface at night

   nightdress
          [night.dress] n (ca. 1714) 1: nightgown 2: nightclothes

   nightfall
          [night.fall] n (1700): the close of the day: dusk

   nightglow
          [night.glow] n (1951): airglow seen during the night

   nightgown
          [night.gown] n (14c) 1 archaic: dressing gown 2: a loose
          garment for wear in bed

   nighthawk
          [night.hawk] n (1611) 1 a: any of a genus (Chordeiles) of
          American nightjars related to the whippoorwill b: a common
          European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) 2: a person
          who habitually is active late at night

   night heron
          [night heron] n (1784): any of various widely distributed
          nocturnal or crepuscular herons (esp. genus Nycticorax)

   nightie
          [night.ie] or nighty n, pl night.ies [nightgown + -ie] (1871):
          a nightgown for a woman or child

   nightingale
          [night.in.gale] n [ME, alter. of OE nihtegale, fr. niht +
          galan to sing--more at yell] (13c): any of several Old
          World thrushes (genus Erithacus and esp. E. megarhynchos)
          noted for the sweet usu. nocturnal song of the male;
          also: any of various other birds that sing at night

   nightjar
          [night.jar] n [fr. its harsh sound] (1630): any of a family
          (Caprimulgidae) of medium-sized long-winged crepuscular
          or nocturnal birds (as the whippoorwills and nighthawks)
          having a short bill, short legs, and soft mottled plumage
          and feeding on insects which they catch on the wing--called
          also goatsucker

   night latch
          [night latch] n (1854): a door lock having a spring bolt
          operated from the outside by a key and from the inside
          by a knob

   night letter
          [night letter] n (1910): a telegram sent at night at a reduced
          rate for delivery the following morning

   nightlife
          [night.life] n (1852): the activity of or entertainment provided
          for pleasure-seekers at night (as in nightclubs); also:
          establishments providing nightlife

   night-light
          [night-light] n (1839): a light kept burning throughout the
          night

   [1]nightlong
          [night.long] adj (1850): lasting the whole night <~ festivities>
          [2]night.long adv (1870): through the whole night

   [1]nightly
          [night.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1: happening, done, or used by
          night or every night 2: of or relating to the night or
          every night [2]nightly adv (15c): every night; also:
          at or by night

   nightmare
          [night.mare] n [ME, fr. [1]night + [1]mare] (14c) 1: an evil
          spirit formerly thought to oppress people during sleep
          2: a frightening dream that usu. awakens the sleeper
          3: something (as an experience, situation, or object)
          having the monstrous character of a nightmare or producing
          a feeling of anxiety or terror -- nightmare adj -- night.mar.ish
          adj -- night.mar.ish.ly adv

   night owl
          [night owl] n (ca. 1846): a person who keeps late hours at
          night

   night rail
          [night rail] n [night + rail, a woman's loose garment] (1554)
          archaic: nightgown

   night raven
          [night raven] n (bef. 12c): a bird that cries at night

   night rider
          [night rider] n (1877): a member of a secret band who ride
          masked at night doing acts of violence for the purpose
          of punishing or terrorizing

   nights
          [nights] adv (bef. 12c): in the nighttime repeatedly: on
          any night <works ~>

   nightscope
          [night.scope] n (1972): an optical device usu. using infrared
          radiation that enables a person to see objects in the
          dark better

   nightshade
          [night.shade] n (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Solanum of
          the family Solanaceae, the nightshade family) of herbs,
          shrubs, and trees having alternate leaves, cymose flowers,
          and fruits that are berries and including some poisonous
          weeds, various ornamentals, and important crop plants
          (as the potato and eggplant) 2: belladonna 1

   nightshirt
          [night.shirt] n (1857): a nightgown resembling a shirt

   nightside
          [night.side] n (1848): the side of a celestial body (as the
          earth, the moon, or a planet) not in daylight

   night soil
          [night soil] n (ca. 1774): human excrement used esp. for
          fertilizing the soil

   nightspot
          [night.spot] n (1936): nightclub

   nightstand
          [night.stand] n (1892): night table

   nightstick
          [night.stick] n (1887): a police officer's club

   night table
          [night table] n (1788): a small bedside table or stand

   nighttime
          [night.time] n, often attrib (14c): the time from dusk to
          dawn

   nightwalker
          [night.walk.er] n (15c) 1: a person who roams about at night
          esp. with criminal intent 2: prostitute, streetwalker

   NIH
          [NIH] abbreviation National Institutes of Health, not invented
          here

   nihilism
          [ni.hil.ism] n [G Nihilismus, fr. L nihil nothing--more at
          nil] (ca. 1817) 1 a: a viewpoint that traditional values
          and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless
          and useless b: a doctrine that denies any objective ground
          of truth and esp. of moral truths 2 a (1): a doctrine
          or belief that conditions in the social organization
          are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own
          sake independent of any constructive program or possibility
          (2) cap: the program of a 19th century Russian party
          advocating revolutionary reform and using terrorism and
          assassination b: terrorism -- ni.hil.ist n or adj --
          ni.hil.is.tic adj

   -nik
          [-nik] n suffix [Yiddish, fr. Pol & Ukrainian]: one connected
          with or characterized by being <beatnik>

   Nike
          [Ni.ke] n [Gk Nike]: the Greek goddess of victory

   nil
          [nil] n [L, nothing, contr. of nihil, fr. OL nihilum, fr.
          ne- not + hilum trifle--more at no] (1833): nothing,
          zero -- nil adj

   nil admirari
          [nil ad.mi.ra.ri] [L] foreign term : to be excited by nothing:
          equanimity

   nil desperandum
          [nil de.spe.ran.dum] [L] foreign term : never despair

   nile green
          [nile green] n, often cap N [Nile River, Africa] (1871):
          a pale yellow green

   Nile perch
          [Nile perch] n (1926): a large predaceous food fish (Lates
          niloticus) of the rivers and lakes of northern and central
          Africa that may exceed 200 pounds (91 kilograms) in weight

   nill
          [nill] vb [ME nilen, fr. OE nyllan, fr. ne not + wyllan to
          wish--more at no, will] vi (bef. 12c) archaic: to be
          unwilling: will not <will you ~ you, I will marry you
          --Shak.> ~ vt, archaic: refuse

   Nilotic
          [Ni.lot.ic] adj [L Niloticus, fr. Gk Neilotes, fr. Neilos
          Nile] (1653) 1: of or relating to the Nile or the peoples
          of the Nile basin 2: of, relating to, or being the languages
          of the Nilotic people

   nilpotent
          [nil.po.tent] adj [L nil nothing + potent-, potens having
          power--more at potent] (1870): equal to zero when raised
          to some power <~ matrices>

   nil sine numine
          [nil si.ne nu.mi.ne] [L] foreign term : nothing without the
          divine will--motto of Colorado

   [1]nim
          [nim] vb nimmed ; nim.ming [earlier nim to take, fr. ME nimen,
          fr. OE niman] vt (12c) archaic: steal, filch ~ vi, archaic:
          thieve [2]nim n [prob. fr. [1]nim] (1901): any of various
          games in which counters are laid out in one or more piles
          and each player in turn draws one or more counters with
          the object of taking the last counter, forcing the opponent
          to take it, or taking the most or fewest counters

   NIMBY
          [NIMBY] abbreviation not in my backyard

   nimble
          [nim.ble] adj nim.bler ; nim.blest [ME nimel, fr. OE numol
          holding much, fr. niman to take; akin to OHG neman to
          take, Gk nemein to distribute, manage, nomos pasture,
          nomos usage, custom, law] (14c) 1: quick and light in
          motion: agile <~ fingers> 2 a: marked by quick, alert,
          clever conception, comprehension, or resourcefulness
          <a ~ mind> b: responsive, sensitive <a ~ listener> --
          nim.ble.ness n -- nim.bly adv

   nimbostratus
          [nim.bo.stra.tus] n [NL, fr. L nimbus + NL stratus stratus]
          (ca. 1909): a low dark gray rainy cloud layer--see cloud
          illustration

   nimbus
          [nim.bus] n, pl nim.bi or nim.bus.es [L, rainstorm, cloud;
          prob. akin to L nebula cloud--more at nebula] (1616)
          1 a: a luminous vapor, cloud, or atmosphere about a god
          or goddess when on earth b: a cloud or atmosphere (as
          of romance) about a person or thing 2: an indication
          (as a circle) of radiant light or glory about the head
          of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereign
          3 a: a rain cloud b: thunderhead; also: cumulus 2

   nimiety
          [ni.mi.e.ty] n, pl -ties [LL nimietas, fr. L nimius too much,
          adj., fr. nimis, adv.] (ca. 1564): excess, redundancy

   niminy-piminy
          [nim.i.ny-pim.i.ny] adj [prob. alter. of namby-pamby] (1786):
          affectedly refined: finicky

   Nimrod
          [Nim.rod] n [Heb Nimrodh] 1: a descendant of Ham represented
          in Genesis as a mighty hunter and a king of Shinar 2
          not cap: hunter

   nincompoop
          [nin.com.poop] n [origin unknown] (1676): fool, simpleton
          -- nin.com.poop.ery n

   nine
          [nine] n [ME, fr. nyne, adj., fr. OE nigon; akin to OHG niun
          nine, L novem, Gk ennea] (bef. 12c) 1: one more than
          eight 2: the ninth in a set or series <wears a ~> 3:
          something having nine units or members: as a cap: the
          nine Muses b: a baseball team c: the first or last nine
          holes of an 18-hole golf course -- nine adj -- nine pron,
          pl in constr -- to the nines 1: to perfection 2: in a
          highly elaborate or showy manner <dressed to the nines>

   nine days' wonder
          [nine days' wonder] n (1594): something or someone that creates
          a short-lived sensation--called also nine day wonder

   ninefold
          [nine.fold] adj (bef. 12c) 1: being nine times as great or
          as many 2: having nine units or members -- nine.fold
          adv

   ninepin
          [nine.pin] n (1580) 1 pl but sing in constr: a bowling game
          resembling tenpins played without the headpin 2: a pin
          used in ninepins

   nineteen
          [nine.teen] n [ME nynetene, adj., fr. OE nigontene, fr. nigon
          + -tiene (akin to OE tien ten)--more at ten] (bef. 12c):
          one more than eighteen -- nineteen adj -- nineteen pron,
          pl in constr -- nine.teenth adj or n

   ninety
          [nine.ty] n, pl nineties [ME ninety, adj., fr. OE nigontig,
          short for hundnigontig, fr. hundnigontig, n., group of
          90, fr. hund-, lit., hundred + nigon nine + -tig group
          of 10; akin to OE tien ten] (bef. 12c) 1: nine times
          ten 2 pl: the numbers 90 to 99; specif: the years 90
          to 99 in a lifetime or century -- nine.ti.eth adj or
          n -- ninety adj -- ninety pron, pl in constr

   ninhydrin
          [nin.hy.drin] n [fr. Ninhydrin, a trademark] (1913): a poisonous
          crystalline oxidizing agent used esp. as an analytical
          reagent

   ninja
          [nin.ja] n, pl ninja also ninjas [Jp, fr. nin- persevere
          + -ja person] (1975): a person trained in ancient Japanese
          martial arts and employed esp. for espionage and assassinations

   ninny
          [nin.ny] n, pl ninnies [perh. by shortening & alter. fr.
          an innocent] (1593): fool, simpleton

   ninnyhammer
          [nin.ny.ham.mer] n (1592): ninny

   ninon
          [ni.non] n [prob. fr. F Ninon, nickname for Anne] (1911):
          a smooth sheer fabric

   ninth
          [ninth] n, pl ninths (13c) 1: one that is number nine in
          a countable series;also: one of nine equal parts of something
          2 a: a musical interval embracing an octave and a second
          b: the tone at this interval c: a chord containing a
          ninth -- ninth adj or adv

   ninth cranial nerve
          [ninth cranial nerve] n (ca. 1961): glossopharyngeal nerve

   niobate
          [ni.o.bate] n [NL niobium + E [1]-ate] (1845): a salt containing
          an anionic grouping of niobium and oxygen

   Niobe
          [Ni.o.be] n [L, fr. Gk Niobe]: a daughter of Tantalus and
          wife of Amphion who while weeping for her slain children
          is turned into a stone from which her tears continue
          to flow

   niobium
          [ni.o.bi.um] n [NL, fr. L Niobe; fr. its occurrence in tantalite]
          (1845): a lustrous light gray ductile metallic element
          that resembles tantalum chemically and is used in alloys

   [1]nip
          [nip] vb nipped ; nip.ping [ME nippen; akin to ON hnippa
          to prod] vt (14c) 1 a: to catch hold of and squeeze tightly
          between two surfaces, edges, or points: pinch, bite <the
          dog nipped his ankle> b: to pinch in (as a garment) <a
          dress nipped at the waist> 2 a: to sever by or as if
          by pinching sharply b: to destroy the growth, progress,
          or fulfillment of <nipped in the bud> 3: to injure or
          make numb with cold: chill 4: snatch, steal 5: to defeat
          by a small margin ~ vi 1: to move briskly, nimbly, or
          quickly 2 chiefly Brit: to make a quick trip [2]nip n
          (1549) 1: something that nips: as a archaic: a sharp
          biting comment b: a sharp stinging cold <a ~ in the air>
          c: a biting or pungent flavor: tang <cheese with a ~>
          2: the act of nipping: pinch, bite 3: the region of a
          squeezing or crushing device (as a calender) where the
          rolls or jaws are closest together 4: a small portion
          [3]nip n [prob. fr. nipperkin, a liquor container] (ca.
          1796): a small quantity of liquor: sip; also: a very
          small bottle of liquor [4]nip vi nipped ; nip.ping (1887):
          to take liquor in nips: tipple

   nipa
          [ni.pa] n [prob. fr. It, fr. Malay nipah nipa palm] (1779):
          thatch made of leaves of the nipa palm

   nip and tuck
          [nip and tuck] adj or adv (1832): being so close that the
          lead or advantage shifts rapidly from one opponent to
          another

   nipa palm
          [nipa palm] n (1882): a semiaquatic creeping palm (Nipa fruticans)
          found chiefly from India to Melanesia

   nipper
          [nip.per] n (1541) 1: any of various devices (as pincers)
          for nipping--usu. used in pl. 2 a chiefly Brit: a boy
          employed as a helper (as of a carter or hawker) b: child;
          esp: a small boy

   nipping
          [nip.ping] adj (1547): sharp, chilling -- nip.ping.ly adv

   nipple
          [nip.ple] n [earlier neble, nible, prob. dim. of neb, nib]
          (1530) 1: the protuberance of a mammary gland upon which
          in the female the lactiferous ducts open and from which
          milk is drawn 2 a: an artificial teat through which a
          bottle-fed infant nurses b: a device with an orifice
          through which the discharge of a liquid can be regulated
          3 a: a protuberance resembling or suggesting the nipple
          of a breast b: a small projection through which oil or
          grease is injected into machinery 4: a pipe coupling
          consisting of a short piece of threaded tubing -- nip.pled
          adj

   Nipponese
          [Nip.pon.ese] adj [Nippon, Japan] (1859): japanese -- Nipponese
          n

   nippy
          [nip.py] adj nip.pi.er ; -est (1575) 1: marked by a tendency
          to nip <a ~ dog> 2: brisk, quick, or nimble in movement:
          snappy 3: pungent, sharp 4: chilly, chilling <a ~ day>
          -- nip.pi.ly adv -- nip.pi.ness n

   nip-up
          [nip-up] n (1938): a spring from a supine position to a standing
          position

   nirvana
          [nir.va.na] n, often cap [Skt nirvana, lit., act of extinguishing,
          fr. nisout + vati it blows--more at wind] (1801) 1: the final
          beatitude that transcends suffering, karma, and samsara and
          is sought esp. in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and
          individual consciousness 2 a: a place or state of oblivion to care,
          pain, or external reality; also: bliss, heaven b: a goal hoped for
          but apparently unattainable: dream -- nir.van.ic adj

   Nisan
          [Ni.san] n [Heb Nisan] (14c): the 7th month of the civil
          year or the 1st month of the ecclesiastical year in the
          Jewish calendar

   nisei
          [ni.sei] n, pl nisei often cap [Jp, lit., second generation,
          fr. ni second + sei generation] (1929): a son or daughter
          of Japanese immigrants who is born and educated in America
          and esp. in the U.S.

   nisi
          [ni.si] adj [L, unless, fr. ne- not + si if] (1836): taking
          effect at a specified time unless previously modified
          or avoided by cause shown, further proceedings, or a
          condition fulfilled <a decree ~>

   Nissen hut
          [Nis.sen hut] n [Peter N. Nissen d. 1930 Brit. mining engineer]
          (1932): a prefabricated shelter with a semicircular arching
          roof of corrugated iron sheeting and a concrete floor

   nisus
          [ni.sus] n, pl ni.sus [L, fr. niti to lean, rely, strive;
          akin to L nictare to wink--more at connive] (1699): a
          mental or physical effort to attain an end: a perfective
          urge or endeavor

   [1]nit
          [nit] n [ME nite, fr. OE hnitu; akin to OHG hniz nit, Gk
          konid-, konis] (bef. 12c): the egg of a louse or other
          parasitic insect; also: the insect itself when young
          [2]nit n (ca. 1941) chiefly Brit: nitwit

   NIT
          [NIT] abbreviation National Invitational Tournament

   nite
          [nite] var of night

   niter
          [ni.ter] n [ME nitre natron, fr. MF, fr. L nitrum, fr. Gk
          nitron, fr. Egypt ntry] (1684) 1: potassium nitrate 2
          archaic: chile saltpeter

   nitery
          [nit.ery] also nit.er.ie n, pl ni.ter.ies [nite + -ery (as
          in eatery); niterie fr. nite + F -erie -ery] (ca. 1934):
          nightclub

   nitid
          [nit.id] adj [L nitidus--more at neat] (ca. 1656): bright,
          lustrous

   nitinol
          [ni.ti.nol] n [nickel + titanium + -nol (fr. Naval Ordnance
          Laboratory, where it was created)] (1968): a nonmagnetic
          alloy of titanium and nickel that after being deformed
          returns to its original shape upon being reheated

   nitpick
          [nit.pick] vb [back-formation fr. nit-picking] vi (1966):
          to engage in nit-picking ~ vt: to criticize by nit-picking
          -- nitpick n -- nit.pick.er n -- nit.picky adj

   nit-picking
          [nit-pick.ing] n [[1]nit] (1956): minute and usu. unjustified
          criticism

   nitr-
          [nitr-] or nitro- comb form [niter] 1: nitrogen <nitride>
          2 usu nitro-: containing the univalent group composed
          of one nitrogen and two oxygen atoms <nitrobenzene>

   nitrate
          [ni.trate] n [F, fr. nitrique] (1794) 1: a salt or ester
          of nitric acid 2: sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate
          used as a fertilizer

   nitrate of soda
          [nitrate of soda] (1843): sodium nitrate used as a fertilizer

   nitration
          [ni.tra.tion] n (1887): the process of adding a nitro group
          to an organic compound -- ni.trate vt -- ni.tra.tor n

   nitre
          [ni.tre] chiefly Brit var of niter

   nitric acid
          [ni.tric acid] n [F nitrique, fr. nitre niter, fr. MF] (1794):
          a corrosive liquid inorganic acid used esp. as an oxidizing
          agent, in nitrations, and in making organic compounds
          (as fertilizers, explosives, and dyes)

   nitric oxide
          [nitric oxide] n (1807): a colorless poisonous gas formed
          by oxidation of nitrogen or ammonia

   [1]nitride
          [ni.tride] n [ISV] (1850): a binary compound of nitrogen
          with a more electropositive element [2]nitride vt ni.trid.ed
          ; ni.trid.ing (1928): to case-harden (as steel) by causing
          the surface to absorb nitrogen

   nitrification
          [ni.tri.fi.ca.tion] n (1827): the oxidation (as by bacteria)
          of ammonium salts to nitrites and the further oxidation
          of nitrites to nitrates

   nitrifier
          [ni.tri.fi.er] n (1903): any of the nitrifying bacteria

   nitrifying
          [ni.tri.fy.ing] adj [F nitrifier to convert into nitrite,
          fr. nitr-] (1827): active in or relating to nitrification
          <~ organisms> <~ activities>

   nitrifying bacteria
          [nitrifying bacteria] n pl (1925): bacteria of a family
          (Nitrobacteraceae) comprising gram-negative bacteria
          commonly found in the soil and obtaining energy through
          the process of nitrification

   nitrile
          [ni.trile] n [ISV nitr- + -il, -ile (fr. L -ilis [1]-ile)]
          (1848): an organic cyanide containing the group CN which
          on hydrolysis yields an acid with elimination of ammonia

   nitrite
          [ni.trite] n (1800): a salt or ester of nitrous acid

   [1]nitro
          [ni.tro] adj [nitr-] (1892): containing or being the univalent
          group composed of nitrogen and two oxygen atoms [2]nitro
          n, pl nitros (1903): any of various nitrated products;
          specif: nitroglycerin

   nitrobenzene
          [ni.tro.ben.zene] n [ISV] (1868): a poisonous yellow insoluble
          oil with an almond odor that is used esp. as a solvent,
          as a mild oxidizing agent, and in making aniline

   nitrocellulose
          [ni.tro.cel.lu.lose] n [ISV] (1882): any of several nitric-acid
          esters of cellulose used esp. for making explosives,
          plastics, and varnishes

   nitrofuran
          [ni.tro.fu.ran] n (1930): any of several nitro derivatives
          of furan used as bacteria-inhibiting agents

   nitrogen
          [ni.tro.gen] n, often attrib [F nitrogene, fr. nitre niter
          + -gene -gen] (1794): a colorless tasteless odorless
          element that as a diatomic gas is relatively inert and
          constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume and
          that occurs as a constituent of all living tissues --
          ni.trog.e.nous adj

   nitrogenase
          [ni.tro.ge.nase] n (1934): an enzyme of various nitrogen-fixing
          bacteria that catalyzes the reduction of molecular nitrogen
          to ammonia

   nitrogen balance
          [nitrogen balance] n (1944): the difference between nitrogen
          intake and nitrogen loss in the body or the soil

   nitrogen cycle
          [nitrogen cycle] n (1908): a continuous series of natural
          processes by which nitrogen passes successively from
          air to soil to organisms and back to air or soil involving
          principally nitrogen fixation, nitrification, decay,
          and denitrification

   nitrogen dioxide
          [nitrogen dioxide] n (1885): a toxic reddish brown gas that
          is a strong oxidizing agent, is produced by combustion
          (as of fossil fuels), and is an atmospheric pollutant

   nitrogen fixation
          [nitrogen fixation] n (1895): the metabolic assimilation
          of atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia by soil microorganisms
          and esp. rhizobia

   nitrogen-fixer
          [nitrogen-fixer] n (1912): any of various soil microorganisms
          that are involved in nitrogen fixation

   nitrogen-fixing
          [nitrogen-fixing] adj (1899): capable of nitrogen fixation
          <~ bacteria>

   nitrogen mustard
          [nitrogen mustard] n (1943): any of various toxic blistering
          compounds analogous to mustard gas but containing nitrogen
          instead of sulfur

   nitrogen narcosis
          [nitrogen narcosis] n (1937): a state of euphoria and exhilaration
          that occurs when nitrogen in normal air enters the bloodstream
          at approximately seven times atmospheric pressure (as in deep-water
          diving)--called also rapture of the deep

   nitrogen oxide
          [nitrogen oxide] n (ca. 1934): any of several oxides of nitrogen
          most of which are produced in combustion and are considered
          to be atmospheric pollutants: as a: nitric oxide b: nitrogen
          dioxide c: nitrous oxide

   nitrogen tetroxide
          [nitrogen tetroxide] n (1885): a colorless toxic gas that
          is a dimer of nitrogen dioxide and that in liquid form
          is used as an oxidizer in rocket engines

   nitroglycerin
          [ni.tro.glyc.er.in] or ni.tro.glyc.er.ine n [ISV] (1857):
          a heavy oily explosive poisonous liquid used chiefly
          in making dynamites and in medicine as a vasodilator

   nitromethane
          [ni.tro.meth.ane] n (1872): a liquid nitroparaffin that is
          used as an industrial solvent, in chemical synthesis,
          and as a fuel for rockets and high-performance engines

   nitroparaffin
          [ni.tro.par.af.fin] n [ISV] (1892): any of various nitro
          derivatives of alkanes

   nitros-
          [nitros-] or nitroso- comb form [NL nitrosus nitrous]: containing
          the group NO <nitrosamine>

   nitrosamine
          [ni.tro.sa.mine] n (1878): any of various organic compounds
          which are characterized by the grouping NNO and some
          of which are powerful carcinogens

   nitrous
          [ni.trous] adj [NL nitrosus, fr. L, full of natron, fr. nitrum
          natron--more at niter] (1601) archaic: of, relating to,
          or containing niter

   nitrous acid
          [nitrous acid] n (1676): an unstable acid known only in solution
          or in the form of its salts

   nitrous oxide
          [nitrous oxide] n (1800): a colorless gas that when inhaled
          produces loss of sensibility to pain preceded by exhilaration
          and sometimes laughter and is used esp. as an anesthetic
          in dentistry and that is an atmospheric pollutant produced
          by combustion and a suspected contributor to greenhouse
          warming--called also laughing gas

   nitty-gritty
          [nit.ty-grit.ty] n [origin unknown] (1963): what is essential
          and basic: specific practical details <get down to the
          ~ of the problem> -- nitty-gritty adj

   nitwit
          [nit.wit] n [prob. fr. G dial. nit not + E wit] (ca. 1922):
          a scatterbrained or stupid person

   NIU
          [NIU] abbreviation network interface unit

   [1]nix
          [nix] n [G nichts nothing] (1789): nothing [2]nix vt (ca.
          1934): veto, reject <the court ~ed the merger> [3]nix
          adv (ca. 1909): no--used to express disagreement or the
          withholding of permission--often used with on <they said
          ~ on our plan> [4]nix n [G, fr. OHG nihhus; akin to OE
          nicor water monster and perh. to Gk nizein to wash] (1833):
          a water sprite of Germanic folklore

   [1]nixie
          [nix.ie] n [G Nixe female nix, fr. OHG nichessa, fem. of
          nihhus nix] (1816): [4]nix [2]nix.ie also nixy n, pl
          nix.ies [[1]nix + -ie] (ca. 1890): a piece of mail that
          is undeliverable because illegibly or incorrectly addressed
          Nix.ie trademark--used for an electronic indicator tube

   nizam
          [ni.zam] n [Hindi nizam order, governor, fr. Ar nizam] (1768):
          one of a line of sovereigns of Hyderabad, India, reigning
          from 1713 to 1950 -- ni.zam.ate n

   nj...
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   NJ
          [NJ] abbreviation New Jersey

   nk...
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   NKVD
          [NKVD] [Russ Narodnyi komissariat vnutrennikh del] abbreviation
          People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs

   nl...
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   NL
          [NL] abbreviation National League, new line, night letter,
          [L non licet] it is not permitted; north latitude

   NLCS
          [NLCS] abbreviation National League Championship Series

   NLF
          [NLF] abbreviation National Liberation Front

   NLRB
          [NLRB] abbreviation National Labor Relations Board

   NLT
          [NLT] abbreviation night letter

   nm...
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   nm
          [nm] abbreviation nanometer  NM abbreviation nautical mile,
          New Mexico, no mark, not marked

   NMHA
          [NMHA] abbreviation National Mental Health Association

   NMI
          [NMI] abbreviation no middle initial

   NMR
          [NMR] abbreviation nuclear magnetic resonance

   nn...
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   NNE
          [NNE] abbreviation north-northeast

   NNW
          [NNW] abbreviation north-northwest

   no...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]no
          [no] adv [ME, fr. OE na, fr. ne not + a always; akin to ON
          & OHG ne not, L ne-, Gk ne---more at aye] (bef. 12c)
          1 a chiefly Scot: not b--used as a function word to express
          the negative of an alternative choice or possibility
          <shall we go out to dinner or ~> 2: in no respect or
          degree--used in comparisons 3: not so--used to express
          negation, dissent, denial, or refusal <~, I'm not going>
          4--used with a following adjective to imply a meaning
          expressed by the opposite positive statement <in ~ uncertain
          terms> 5--used as a function word to emphasize a following
          negative or to introduce a more emphatic, explicit, or
          comprehensive statement 6--used as an interjection to
          express surprise, doubt, or incredulity 7--used in combination
          with a verb to form a compound adjective <no-bake pie>
          [2]no adj (12c) 1 a: not any <~ parking> <~ disputing
          the decision> b: hardly any: very little <finished in
          ~ time> 2: not a: quite other than a <he's ~ expert>
          3--used in combination with a noun to form a compound
          adjective <a no-nonsense realist> [3]no n, pl noes or
          nos (1588) 1: an act or instance of refusing or denying
          by the use of the word no: denial 2 a: a negative vote
          or decision b pl: persons voting in the negative No or
          Noh n, pl No or Noh [Jp no, lit., talent] (1871): classic
          Japanese dance-drama having a heroic theme, a chorus,
          and highly stylized action, costuming, and scenery

   NO
          [NO] I abbreviation nitrogen oxide Copyright (c) 1994
          Merriam-Webster, Inc. All Rights Reserved

   no
          [no] abbreviation north, northern, [L numero, abl. of numerus]
          number  No abbreviation nobelium

   NOAA
          [NOAA] abbreviation National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

   no-account
          [no-account] adj (1845): of no account: trifling <her ~ relatives>

   Noachian
          [No.a.chi.an] adj [Heb Noah Noah] (1678) 1: of or relating
          to the patriarch Noah or his time 2: ancient, antiquated

   Noah
          [No.ah] n [Heb Noah]: an Old Testament patriarch who built
          the ark in which he, his family, and living creatures
          of every kind survived the Flood

   [1]nob
          [nob] n [prob. alter. of knob] (ca. 1700) 1: head 1 2: a
          jack of the same suit as the starter in cribbage that
          scores one point for the holder--usu. used in the phrases
          his nob or his nobs [2]nob n [perh. fr. [1]nob] (1703)
          chiefly Brit: one in a superior position in life

   nobble
          [nob.ble] vt nob.bled ; nob.bling [perh. irreg. freq. of
          nab] (1847) 1 Brit: to incapacitate (a racehorse) esp.
          by drugging 2 slang Brit a: to win over to one's side
          b: steal c: swindle, cheat d: to get hold of: catch --
          nob.bler n

   nobby
          [nob.by] adj nob.bi.er ; -est (1788): chic, smart

   Nobelist
          [No.bel.ist] n (1938): a winner of a Nobel prize

   nobelium
          [no.bel.i.um] n [NL, fr. Alfred B. Nobel] (1957): a radioactive
          element produced artificially

   Nobel prize
          [No.bel prize] n (1900): any of various annual prizes (as
          in peace, literature, medicine) established by the will
          of Alfred Nobel for the encouragement of persons who
          work for the interests of humanity

   nobility
          [no.bil.i.ty] n [ME nobilite, fr. MF nobilite, fr. L nobilitat-,
          nobilitas, fr. nobilis] (14c) 1: the quality or state
          of being noble in character, quality, or rank 2: the
          body of persons forming the noble class in a country
          or state: aristocracy

   [1]noble
          [no.ble] adj no.bler ; no.blest [ME, fr. OF, fr. L nobilis
          well-known, noble, fr. noscere to come to know--more
          at know] (13c) 1 a: possessing outstanding qualities:
          illustrious b: famous, notable <~ deeds> 2: of high birth
          or exalted rank: aristocratic 3 a: possessing very high
          or excellent qualities or properties <~ wine> b: very
          good or excellent 4: grand or impressive esp. in appearance
          <~ edifice> 5: possessing, characterized by, or arising
          from superiority of mind or character or of ideals or
          morals: lofty <a ~ ambition> 6: chemically inert or inactive
          esp. toward oxygen <a ~ metal such as platinum>--compare
          base 6a syn see moral -- no.ble.ness n -- no.bly adv
          [2]noble n (14c) 1: a person of noble rank or birth 2:
          an old English gold coin equivalent to 6s 8d

   noble gas
          [noble gas] n (1902): any of a group of rare gases that include
          helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and sometimes radon
          and that exhibit great stability and extremely low reaction
          rates--called also inert gas

   nobleman
          [no.ble.man] n (14c): a man of noble rank: peer

   noble savage
          [noble savage] n (1672): a mythic conception of people belonging
          to non-European cultures as having innate natural simplicity
          and virtue uncorrupted by European civilization; also:
          a person exemplifying this conception

   noblesse
          [no.blesse] n [ME, fr. OF noblesce, fr. noble] (13c) 1: noble
          birth or condition 2: the members esp. of the French
          nobility

   noblesse oblige
          [no.blesse oblige] n [F, lit., nobility obligates] (1837):
          the obligation of honorable, generous, and responsible
          behavior associated with high rank or birth

   noblewoman
          [no.ble.wom.an] n (13c): a woman of noble rank: peeress

   [1]nobody
          [no.body] pron (14c): no person: not anybody [2]nobody n,
          pl no.bod.ies (1581): a person of no influence or consequence

   no-brainer
          [no-brain.er] n (1973): something that requires a minimum
          of thought

   nocent
          [no.cent] adj [ME, fr. L nocent-, nocens, fr. prp. of nocere
          to harm, hurt--more at noxious] (15c): harmful

   nociceptive
          [no.ci.cep.tive] adj [L nocere + E -i- + receptive] (1904)
          1 of a stimulus: painful, injurious 2: of, induced by,
          or responding to a nociceptive stimulus--used esp. of
          receptors or protective reflexes

   [1]nock
          [nock] n [ME nocke notched tip on the end of a bow; akin
          to MD nocke summit] (14c) 1: one of the notches cut in
          either of two tips of horn fastened on the ends of a
          bow or in the bow itself for holding the string 2 a:
          the part of an arrow having a notch for the bowstring
          b: the notch itself [2]nock vt (14c) 1: to make a nock
          in (a bow or arrow) 2: to fit (an arrow) against the
          bowstring

   no contest
          [no contest] n (1952): nolo contendere

   noctambulist
          [noct.am.bu.list] n [L noct-, nox night + -ambulist (as in
          somnambulist)--more at night] (ca. 1731): sleepwalker

   noctilucent cloud
          [noc.ti.lu.cent cloud] n [noctilucent ultim. fr. L noct-
          + lucent-, lucens lucent] (1910): a luminous thin usu.
          colored cloud seen esp. at twilight at a height of about
          50 miles (80 kilometers)

   noctuid
          [noc.tu.id] n [NL Noctuidae, fr. Noctua, genus of moths,
          fr. L, the little owl (Athene noctua); akin to L nox
          night] (1894): any of a large family (Noctuidae) of medium-sized
          often dull-colored moths with larvae (as cutworms and
          armyworms) that are often destructive agricultural pests
          -- noctuid adj

   nocturn
          [noc.turn] n [ME nocturne, fr. MF, fr. ML nocturna, fr. L,
          fem. of nocturnus] (14c): a principal division of the
          office of matins

   nocturnal
          [noc.tur.nal] adj [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr. LL nocturnalis,
          fr. L nocturnus of night, nocturnal, fr. noct-, nox night]
          (15c) 1: of, relating to, or occurring in the night <a
          ~ journey> 2: active at night <a ~ predator> -- noc.tur.nal.ly
          adv

   nocturne
          [noc.turne] n [F, adj., nocturnal, fr. L nocturnus] (1862):
          a work of art dealing with evening or night; esp: a dreamy
          pensive composition for the piano--compare aubade 3

   nocuous
          [noc.u.ous] adj [L nocuus, fr. nocere to harm--more at noxious]
          (1635): harmful -- noc.u.ous.ly adv

   [1]nod
          [nod] vb nod.ded ; nod.ding [ME nodden; perh. akin to OHG
          hnoton to shake] vi (14c) 1: to make a quick downward
          motion of the head whether deliberately (as in expressing
          assent, salutation, or command) or involuntarily (as
          from drowsiness) 2: to incline or sway from the vertical
          as though ready to fall 3: to bend or sway the upper
          part gently downward or forward: bob gently 4: to make
          a slip or error in a moment of abstraction ~ vt 1: to
          incline (as the head) downward or forward 2: to bring,
          invite, or send by a nod <nodded them into the room>
          3: to signify by a nod <nodded their approval> -- nod.der
          n [2]nod n (ca. 1541) 1: the act or an instance of nodding
          <gave a ~ of greeting> 2: an indication esp. of approval
          or recognition <received the party's ~ as candidate for
          governor>

   nodal
          [nod.al] adj (1831): being, relating to, or located at or
          near a node -- no.dal.i.ty n -- nod.al.ly adv

   nodding
          [nodding] adj (1590) 1: bending downward or forward: pendulous,
          drooping <a plant with ~ flowers> 2: slight, superficial
          <a ~ acquaintance>

   noddle
          [nod.dle] n [ME nodle back of the head or neck] (1579): head,
          pate

   noddy
          [nod.dy] n, pl noddies [prob. short for obs. noddypoll, alter.
          of hoddypoll fumbling inept person] (ca. 1530) 1: a stupid
          person 2: any of several stout-bodied terns (esp. genus
          Anous) of warm seas

   node
          [node] n [ME, fr. L nodus knot, node; akin to MIr naidm bond]
          (15c) 1 a: a pathological swelling or enlargement (as
          of a rheumatic joint) b: a discrete mass of one kind
          of tissue enclosed in tissue of a different kind 2: an
          entangling complication (as in a drama): predicament
          3: either of the two points where the orbit of a planet
          or comet intersects the ecliptic; also: either of the
          points at which the orbit of an earth satellite crosses
          the plane of the equator 4 a: a point, line, or surface
          of a vibrating body or system that is free or relatively
          free from vibratory motion b: a point at which a wave
          has an amplitude of zero 5 a: a point at which subsidiary
          parts originate or center b: a point on a stem at which
          a leaf or leaves are inserted c: a point at which a curve
          intersects itself in such a manner that the branches
          have different tangents d: vertex 1b

   node of Ranvier
          [node of Ran.vier] [Louis A. Ranvier d. 1922 Fr. histologist]
          (ca. 1885): a constriction in the myelin sheath of a
          myelinated nerve fiber

   nod off
          [nod off] vi (1914): to fall asleep

   nodose
          [no.dose] adj [L nodosus, fr. nodus] (ca. 1721): having numerous
          or conspicuous protuberances -- no.dos.i.ty n

   nodular
          [nod.u.lar] adj (1794): of, relating to, characterized by,
          or occurring in the form of nodules <~ lesions>

   nodulation
          [nod.u.la.tion] n (1872) 1: the process of forming nodules
          and esp. root nodules containing symbiotic bacteria 2:
          nodule

   nodule
          [nod.ule] n [ME, fr. L nodulus, dim. of nodus] (15c): a small
          mass of rounded or irregular shape: as a: a small rounded
          lump of a mineral or mineral aggregate b: a swelling
          on a leguminous root that contains symbiotic bacteria
          c: a small abnormal knobby bodily protuberance (as a
          tumorous growth or a calcification near an arthritic
          joint)

   nodus
          [no.dus] n, pl no.di [L, knot, node] (ca. 1738): complication,
          difficulty

   noel
          [no.el] n [F noel Christmas, carol, fr. L natalis birthday,
          fr. natalis natal] (1811) 1: a Christmas carol 2 cap:
          christmas

   noes
          [noes] pl of no

   noetic
          [no.et.ic] adj [Gk noetikos intellectual, fr. noein to think,
          fr. nous mind] (1653): of, relating to, or based on the
          intellect

   no-fault
          [no-fault] adj (1967) 1: of, relating to, or being a motor
          vehicle insurance plan under which someone involved in
          an accident is compensated usu. up to a stipulated limit
          for actual losses (as for property damage, medical bills,
          and lost wages) by that person's own insurance company
          regardless of who is responsible for the accident 2:
          of, relating to, or being a divorce law under which neither
          party is held responsible for the breakup of the marriage
          3: characterized by the absence of a prevailing sense
          of individual responsibility (as for behavior) <a ~ society>

   no-frills
          [no-frills] adj (1960): offering or providing only the essentials:
          not fancy, elaborate, or luxurious

   nog
          [nog] n [origin unknown] (1693) 1: a strong ale formerly
          brewed in Norfolk, England 2 [by shortening]: eggnog

   noggin
          [nog.gin] n [origin unknown] (1630) 1: a small mug or cup
          2: a small quantity (as a gill) of drink 3: a person's
          head

   nogging
          [nog.ging] n [nog wooden block the size of a brick] (1825):
          rough brick masonry used to fill in the open spaces of
          a wooden frame

   [1]no-good
          [no-good] adj (1908): having no worth, virtue, use, or chance
          of success [2]no-good n (1924): a no-good person or thing

   Noh
          [Noh] var of no

   no-hit
          [no-hit] adj (1916): of, relating to, or being a baseball
          game or a part of a game in which a pitcher allows the
          opposition no base hits

   no-hitter
          [no-hit.ter] n (1947): a no-hit game in baseball

   no-holds-barred
          [no-holds-barred] adj (1942): free of restrictions or hampering
          conventions <a ~ contest>

   no-hoper
          [no-hop.er] n (ca. 1943) chiefly Brit: one that has no chance
          of success

   nohow
          [no.how] adv (1775) 1: in no manner or way: not at all <was
          ~ equal to the task> 2 dial: anyhow

   NOIBN
          [NOIBN] abbreviation not otherwise indexed by name

   noil
          [noil] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1624): short fiber removed
          during the combing of a textile fiber and often separately
          spun into yarn

   noir
          [noir] n, often attrib [short for film noir] (1980) 1: crime
          fiction featuring hard-boiled cynical characters and
          bleak sleazy settings 2: film noir -- noir.ish adj

   [1]noise
          [noise] n [ME, fr. OF, strife, quarrel, noise, fr. L nausea
          nausea] (13c) 1: loud, confused, or senseless shouting
          or outcry 2 a: sound; esp: one that lacks agreeable musical
          quality or is noticeably unpleasant b: any sound that
          is undesired or interferes with one's hearing of something
          c: an unwanted signal or a disturbance (as static or
          a variation of voltage) in an electronic device or instrument
          (as radio or television); broadly: a disturbance interfering
          with the operation of a usu. mechanical device or system
          d: electromagnetic radiation (as light or radio waves)
          that is composed of several frequencies and that involves
          random changes in frequency or amplitude e: irrelevant
          or meaningless data or output occurring along with desired
          information 3: common talk: rumor; esp: slander 4: something
          that attracts attention <the play ... will make little
          ~ in the world --Brendan Gill> 5: something spoken or
          uttered -- noise.less adj -- noise.less.ly adv [2]noise
          vb noised ; nois.ing vi (14c) 1: to talk much or loudly
          2: to make a noise ~ vt: to spread by rumor or report--usu.
          used with about or abroad <the scandal was quickly noised
          about>

   noisemaker
          [noise.mak.er] n (1574): one that makes noise; esp: a device
          (as a horn or rattle) used to make noise at parties --
          noise.mak.ing n or adj

   noise pollution
          [noise pollution] n (1966): annoying or harmful noise (as
          of automobiles or jet airplanes) in an environment

   noisette
          [noi.sette] n [F, dim. of nois choice cut of meat, lit.,
          nut, fr. OF, fr. L nux--more at nut] (1891): a small
          piece of lean meat

   noisome
          [noi.some] adj [ME noysome, fr. noy annoyance, fr. OF enui,
          anoi--more at ennui] (14c) 1: noxious, harmful 2 a: offensive
          to the senses and esp. to the sense of smell b: highly
          obnoxious or objectionable syn see malodorous -- noi.some.ly
          adv -- noi.some.ness n

   noisy
          [noisy] adj nois.i.er ; -est (1693) 1: making noise 2: full
          of or characterized by noise or clamor 3: noticeably
          showy, gaudy, or bright: conspicuous -- nois.i.ly adv
          -- nois.i.ness n

   nolens volens
          [no.lens vo.lens] [L] foreign term : unwilling (or) willing:
          willy-nilly

   noli me tangere
          [no.li me tan.ge.re] n [L, do not touch me; fr. Jesus' words
          to Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:17)] (1591): a warning against
          touching or interference

   nolle prosequi
          [nol.le pro.se.qui] n [L, to be unwilling to pursue] (1681):
          an entry on the record of a legal action denoting that
          the prosecutor or plaintiff will proceed no further in
          an action or suit either as a whole or as to some count
          or as to one or more of several defendants

   nolo
          [no.lo] n (1914): nolo contendere

   no-load
          [no-load] adj (1963): charging no sales commission <a ~ mutual
          fund> -- no-load n

   nolo contendere
          [no.lo con.ten.de.re] n [L, I do not wish to contend] (1872):
          a plea in a criminal prosecution that without admitting
          guilt subjects the defendant to conviction but does not
          preclude denying the truth of the charges in a collateral
          proceeding

   nol-pros
          [nol-pros] vt nol-prossed ; nol-pros.sing [nolle prosequi]
          (ca. 1878): to discontinue by entering a nolle prosequi

   nom
          [nom] abbreviation nominative

   noma
          [no.ma] n [NL, fr. Gk nome, fr. nemein to spread (of an ulcer),
          lit., to graze, pasture--more at nimble] (1834): a spreading
          invasive gangrene chiefly of the lining of the cheek
          and lips that is usu. fatal and occurs most often in
          persons severely debilitated by disease or profound nutritional
          deficiency

   nomad
          [no.mad] n [L nomad-, nomas member of a wandering pastoral
          people, fr. Gk, fr. nemein] (1579) 1: a member of a people
          who have no fixed residence but move from place to place
          usu. seasonally and within a well-defined territory 2:
          an individual who roams about aimlessly -- nomad adj
          -- no.mad.ism n

   nomadic
          [no.mad.ic] adj (ca. 1818) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of nomads <a ~ tribe> 2: roaming about from place to
          place aimlessly, frequently, or without a fixed pattern
          of movement

   no-man's-land
          [no-man's-land] n (14c) 1 a: an area of unowned, unclaimed,
          or uninhabited land b: an unoccupied area between opposing
          armies 2: an anomalous, ambiguous, or indefinite area
          esp. of operation, application, or jurisdiction <the
          ~ between art and science>

   nombril
          [nom.bril] n [MF, lit., navel, ultim. fr. L umbilicus] (1562):
          the center point of the lower half of an armorial escutcheon

   nom de guerre
          [nom de guerre] n, pl noms de guerre [F, lit., war name]
          (1679): pseudonym

   nom de plume
          [nom de plume] n, pl noms de plume [F, pen name; prob. coined
          in E] (1823): pseudonym, pen name

   nome
          [nome] n [Gk nomos pasture, district--more at nimble] (ca.
          1727): a province of ancient Egypt

   nomen
          [no.men] n, pl no.mi.na [L nomin-, nomen name--more at name]
          (ca. 1890): the second of the three usual names of an
          ancient Roman male

   nomenclator
          [no.men.cla.tor] n [L, slave whose duty was to announce the
          names of persons met during a political campaign, fr.
          nomen + calare to call--more at low] (1585) 1: a book
          containing collections or lists of words 2 archaic: one
          who announces the names of guests or of persons generally
          3: one who gives names to or invents names for things

   nomenclatorial
          [no.men.cla.to.ri.al] adj (1885): relating to or connected
          with nomenclature

   nomenclature
          [no.men.cla.ture] n [L nomenclatura assigning of names, fr.
          nomen + calatus, pp. of calare] (1610) 1: name, designation
          2: the act or process or an instance of naming 3 a: a
          system or set of terms or symbols esp. in a particular
          science, discipline, or art b: an international system
          of standardized New Latin names used in biology for kinds
          and groups of kinds of animals and plants -- no.men.cla.tur.al
          adj

   nomen conservandum
          [no.men con.ser.van.dum] n, pl no.mi.na con.ser.van.da [NL,
          name to be kept] (ca. 1925): a biological taxonomic name
          that is preserved by special sanction in exception to
          the usual rules

   nomen dubium
          [nomen du.bi.um] n, pl nomina du.bia [NL, doubtful name]
          (1937): a taxonomic name that cannot be assigned with
          certainty to any taxonomic group because the description
          is insufficient for identification and the original specimens
          no longer exist

   nomen nudum
          [nomen nu.dum] n, pl nomina nu.da [NL, bare name] (1900):
          a proposed taxonomic name that is invalid because the
          group designated is not described or illustrated sufficiently
          for recognition, that has no nomenclatural status, and
          that consequently can be used as though never previously
          proposed

   [1]nominal
          [nom.i.nal] adj [ME nominalle, fr. ML nominalis, fr. L, of
          a name, fr. nomin-, nomen name--more at name] (15c) 1:
          of, relating to, or being a noun or a word or expression
          taking a noun construction 2 a: of, relating to, or constituting
          a name b: bearing the name of a person 3 a: existing
          or being something in name or form only <~ head of his
          party> b: of, being, or relating to a designated or theoretical
          size that may vary from the actual: approximate c: trifling,
          insignificant 4 of a rate of interest a: equal to the
          annual rate of simple interest that would obtain if interest
          were not compounded when in fact it is compounded and
          paid for periods of less than a year b: equal to the
          percentage by which a repaid loan exceeds the principal
          borrowed with no adjustment made for inflation 5: being
          according to plan: satisfactory <everything was ~ during
          the spacecraft launch> -- nom.i.nal.ly adv [2]nominal
          n (1904): a word or word group functioning as a noun

   nominalism
          [nom.i.nal.ism] n (1844) 1: a theory that there are no universal
          essences in reality and that the mind can frame no single
          concept or image corresponding to any universal or general
          term 2: the theory that only individuals and no abstract
          entities (as essences, classes, or propositions) exist--compare
          essentialism, realism -- nom.i.nal.ist n -- nominalist
          or nom.i.nal.is.tic adj

   nominal value
          [nominal value] n (ca. 1901): par 1b

   nominal wages
          [nominal wages] n pl (1898): wages measured in money as distinct
          from actual purchasing power

   nominate
          [nom.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L nominatus, pp. of nominare,
          fr. nomin-, nomen name--more at name] (1545) 1: designate,
          name 2 a: to appoint or propose for appointment to an
          office or place b: to propose as a candidate for election
          to office c: to propose for an honor <~ her for player
          of the year> 3: to enter (a horse) in a race -- nom.i.na.tor
          n

   nomination
          [nom.i.na.tion] n (15c) 1: the act, process, or an instance
          of nominating 2: the state of being nominated

   nominative
          [nom.i.na.tive] adj [ME nominatyf, fr. MF or L; MF nominatif,
          fr. L (casus) nominativus nominative case, fr. nominare;
          fr. the traditional use of the nominative form in naming
          a noun] (14c) 1 a: marking typically the subject of a
          verb esp. in languages that have relatively full inflection
          <~ case> b: of or relating to the nominative case <a
          ~ ending> 2: nominated or appointed by nomination 3:
          bearing a person's name -- nominative n

   nominee
          [nom.i.nee] n [nominate] (1688): a person who has been nominated

   nomogram
          [no.mo.gram] n [Gk nomos law + ISV -gram--more at nimble]
          (1908): a graphic representation that consists of several
          lines marked off to scale and arranged in such a way
          that by using a straightedge to connect known values
          on two lines an unknown value can be read at the point
          of intersection with another line

   nomograph
          [no.mo.graph] n (ca. 1909): nomogram -- no.mo.graph.ic adj
          -- no.mog.ra.phy n

   nomological
          [no.mo.log.i.cal] adj [nomology science of physical and logical
          laws, fr. Gk nomos + E -logy] (1845): relating to or
          expressing basic physical laws or rules of reasoning
          <~ universals>

   nomothetic
          [no.mo.thet.ic] adj [Gk nomothetikos of legislation, fr.
          nomothetes lawgiver, fr. nomos law + -thetes one who
          establishes, fr. tithenai to put--more at do] (1658):
          relating to, involving, or dealing with abstract, general,
          or universal statements or laws

   -nomy
          [-nomy] n comb form [ME -nomie, fr. OF, fr. L -nomia, fr.
          Gk, fr. nomos]: system of laws governing or sum of knowledge
          regarding a (specified) field <agronomy>

   non-
          [non-] prefix [ME, fr. MF, fr. L non not, fr. OL noenum, fr. nenot
          + oinom, neut. of oinos one--more at no, one] 1: not: other than:
          reverse of: absence of 2: of little or no consequence: unimportant:
          worthless <nonissues> <nonsystem> 3: lacking the usual esp.
          positive characteristics of the thing specified <noncelebration>
          <nonart>non.abra.sive non.ab.sorb.able non.ab.sor.bent
          non.ab.sorp.tive non.ab.stract non.ac.a.dem.ic non.ac.cep.tance
          non.ac.count.able non.ac.cred.it.ed non.ac.cru.al non.achieve.ment
          non.ac.id non.acid.ic non.ac.quis.i.tive non.act.ing non.ac.tion
          non.ac.ti.vat.ed non.ac.tor non.adap.tive non.ad.dict
          non.ad.dic.tive non.ad.he.sive non.adi.a.bat.ic non.ad.ja.cent
          non.ad.mir.er non.ad.mis.sion non.aes.thet.ic non.af.fil.i.at.ed
          non.af.flu.ent non-Af.ri.can non.ag.gres.sion non.ag.gres.sive
          non.ag.ri.cul.tur.al non.al.co.hol.ic non.al.ler.gen.ic
          non.al.ler.gic non.al.pha.bet.ic non.alu.mi.num non.am.big.u.ous
          non-Amer.i.can non.an.a.lyt.ic non.an.a.tom.ic non.an.i.mal
          non.an.swer non.an.tag.o.nis.tic non.an.thro.po.log.i.cal
          non.an.thro.pol.o.gist non.an.ti.bi.ot.ic non.an.ti.gen.ic
          non.ap.pear.ance non.aquat.ic non.aque.ous non.ar.a.ble
          non.ar.bi.trar.i.ness non.ar.bi.trary non.ar.chi.tect
          non.ar.chi.tec.ture non.ar.gu.ment non.aris.to.crat.ic
          non.ar.o.mat.ic non.art non.art.ist non.ar.tis.tic non.as.cet.ic
          non.as.pi.rin non.as.ser.tive non.as.so.ci.at.ed
          non.as.tro.nom.i.cal non.ath.lete non.ath.let.ic non.atom.ic
          non.at.tached non.at.tach.ment non.at.ten.dance non.at.tend.er
          non.au.di.to.ry non.au.thor non.au.thor.i.tar.i.an non.au.to.mat.ed
          non.au.to.mat.ic non.au.to.mo.tive non.au.ton.o.mous
          non.avail.abil.i.ty non.bac.te.ri.al non.bar.bi.tu.rate non.ba.sic
          non.bear.ing non.be.hav.ior.al non.be.ing non.be.lief
          non.be.liev.er non.bel.lig.er.en.cy non.bel.lig.er.ent non.bet.ting
          non.bib.lio.graph.ic non.bi.na.ry non.bind.ing non.bio.de.grad.able
          non.bio.graph.i.cal non.bi.o.log.i.cal non.bi.o.log.i.cal.ly
          non.bi.ol.o.gist non.bit.ing non.black non.body non.bond.ed
          non.bot.a.nist non.brand non.break.able non.breath.ing non.breed.er
          non.breed.ing non.broad.cast non.build.ing non.burn.able
          non.buy.ing non.cab.i.net non.cak.ing non.call.able non.cam.pus
          non.can.cel.able non.can.cer.ous non.can.ni.bal.is.tic
          non.cap.i.tal non.cap.i.tal.ist non.car.cin.o.gen
          non.car.ci.no.gen.ic non.car.di.ac non.ca.reer non.car.ri.er
          non.cash non.ca.su.al non-Cath.o.lic non.caus.al non.cel.e.bra.tion
          non.ce.leb.ri.ty non.cel.lu.lar non.cel.lu.los.ic non-Celt.ic
          non.cen.tral non.cer.tif.i.cat.ed non.cer.ti.fied non.char.ac.ter
          non.char.is.mat.ic non.chau.vin.ist non.chem.i.cal non-Chris.tian
          non.chro.no.log.i.cal non.church non.church.go.er non.cir.cu.lar
          non.cir.cu.lat.ing non.cit.i.zen non.clan.des.tine non.class
          non.clas.si.cal non.clas.si.fied non.class.room non.cler.i.cal
          non.cling non.clin.i.cal non.clog.ging non.co.er.cive
          non.cog.ni.tive non.co.her.ent non.co.in.ci.dence non.co.i.tal
          non.cok.ing non.co.la non.col.lec.tor non.col.lege non.col.le.giate
          non.col.lin.ear non.col.or non.col.ored non.col.or.fast non.com.bat
          non.com.bat.ive non.com.bus.ti.ble non.com.mer.cial
          non.com.mit.ment non.com.mit.ted non.com.mu.ni.cat.ing
          non.com.mu.ni.ca.tion non.com.mu.ni.ca.tive non.com.mu.nist
          non.com.mu.ni.ty non.com.mu.ta.tive non.com.mu.ta.tiv.i.ty
          non.com.pa.ra.bil.i.ty non.com.pa.ra.ble non.com.pat.i.ble
          non.com.pe.ti.tion non.com.pet.i.tive non.com.pet.i.tor
          non.com.ple.men.ta.ry non.com.plex non.com.pli.ance
          non.com.pli.cat.ed non.com.ply.ing non.com.pos.er non.com.pound
          non.com.pre.hen.sion non.com.press.ible non.com.put.er
          non.com.put.er.ized non.con.cep.tu.al non.con.cern non.con.clu.sion
          non.con.cur.rent non.con.dens.able non.con.di.tioned
          non.con.duct.ing non.con.duc.tion non.con.duc.tive non.con.fer.ence
          non.con.fi.dence non.con.fi.den.tial non.con.flict.ing
          non.con.fron.ta.tion non.con.fron.ta.tion.al non.con.gru.ent
          non.con.ju.gat.ed non.con.nec.tion non.con.scious
          non.con.sec.u.tive non.con.sen.su.al non.con.ser.va.tion
          non.con.ser.va.tive non.con.sol.i.dat.ed non.con.stant
          non.con.sti.tu.tion.al non.con.struc.tion non.con.struc.tive
          non.con.sum.er non.con.sum.ing non.con.sump.tion non.con.sump.tive
          non.con.tact non.con.ta.gious non.con.tem.po.rary non.con.tig.u.ous
          non.con.tin.gent non.con.tin.u.ous non.con.tract non.con.trac.tu.al
          non.con.tra.dic.tion non.con.tra.dic.to.ry non.con.trib.u.to.ry
          non.con.trol.la.ble non.con.trolled non.con.trol.ling
          non.con.tro.ver.sial non.con.ven.tion.al non.con.vert.ible
          non.co.pla.nar non.cor.po.rate non.cor.re.la.tion non.cor.rod.ible
          non.cor.rod.ing non.cor.ro.sive non.coun.try non.coun.ty
          non.cov.er.age non.cre.a.tive non.cre.a.tiv.i.ty non.cre.den.tialed
          non.crime non.crim.i.nal non.cri.sis non.crit.i.cal non.crush.able
          non.crys.tal.line non.cu.li.nary non.cul.ti.vat.ed
          non.cul.ti.va.tion non.cul.tur.al non.cu.mu.la.tive non.cur.rent
          non.cus.tom.er non.cy.clic non.cy.cli.cal non.dance non.danc.er
          non-Dar.win.i.an non.de.cep.tive non.de.ci.sion non.de.creas.ing
          non.de.duc.tive non.de.fer.ra.ble non.de.form.ing non.de.gen.er.ate
          non.de.grad.able non.de.gree non.del.e.gate non.de.lib.er.ate
          non.de.lin.quent non.de.liv.ery non.de.mand.ing non.dem.o.crat.ic
          non.de.nom.i.na.tion.al non.de.nom.i.na.tion.al.ism
          non.de.part.men.tal non.de.pen.dent non.de.plet.able
          non.de.plet.ing non.de.po.si.tion non.de.pressed non.de.riv.a.tive
          non.de.scrip.tive non.de.sert non.de.tach.able
          non.de.ter.min.is.tic non.de.vel.op.ment non.de.vi.ant
          non.di.a.bet.ic non.di.a.lyz.able non.di.dac.tic non.dif.fus.ible
          non.di.men.sion.al non.dip.lo.mat.ic non.di.rect.ed
          non.di.rec.tion.al non.dis.abled non.dis.clo.sure non.dis.count
          non.dis.cre.tion.ary non.dis.crim.i.na.tion non.dis.crim.i.na.to.ry
          non.dis.cur.sive non.dis.per.sive non.dis.rup.tive
          non.di.ver.si.fied non.doc.tor non.doc.tri.naire
          non.doc.u.men.ta.ry non.dog.mat.ic non.dol.lar non.do.mes.tic
          non.dom.i.nant non.dra.mat.ic non.driv.er non.drug non.du.ra.ble
          non.earn.ing non.ec.cle.si.as.ti.cal non.econ.o.mist non.ed.i.ble
          non.ed.i.to.ri.al non.ed.u.ca.tion non.ed.u.ca.tion.al
          non.ef.fec.tive non.elas.tic non.elect.ed non.elec.tion
          non.elec.tive non.elec.tric non.elec.tri.cal non.elec.tron.ic
          non.el.e.men.ta.ry non.elite non.emer.gen.cy non.emo.tion.al
          non.em.phat.ic non.em.pir.i.cal non.em.ploy.ee non.em.ploy.ment
          non.emp.ty non.en.cap.su.lat.ed non.end.ing non.en.er.gy
          non.en.force.abil.i.ty non.en.force.ment non.en.gage.ment
          non.en.gi.neer.ing non.en.ter.tain.ment non.en.zy.mat.ic
          non.en.zy.mic non.equi.lib.ri.um non.equiv.a.lence non.equiv.a.lent
          non.erot.ic non.es.tab.lished non.es.tab.lish.ment
          non.es.ter.i.fied non.eth.i.cal non.eth.nic non-Eu.ro.pe.an
          non.eval.u.a.tive non.ev.i.dence non.ex.clu.sive non.ex.ec.u.tive
          non.ex.empt non.ex.is.ten.tial non.ex.ot.ic non.ex.pend.able
          non.ex.per.i.men.tal non.ex.pert non.ex.plan.a.to.ry
          non.ex.ploi.ta.tion non.ex.ploit.a.tive non.ex.ploit.ive
          non.ex.plo.sive non.ex.posed non.ex.tant non.fact non.fac.tor
          non.fac.tu.al non.fac.ul.ty non.fad.ing non.fa.mil.ial non.fam.i.ly
          non.fan non.farm non.farm.er non.fa.tal non.fat.ten.ing non.fat.ty
          non.fed.er.al non.fed.er.at.ed non.fem.i.nist non.fil.a.men.tous
          non.fil.ter.able non.fi.nal non.fi.nan.cial non.fi.nite
          non.fis.sion.able non.flu.o.res.cent non.fly.ing non.food
          non.for.feit.able non.for.fei.ture non.for.mal non.fos.sil
          non.frat.er.ni.za.tion non.freez.ing non.friv.o.lous non.fro.zen
          non.fuel non.ful.fill.ment non.func.tion.al non.func.tion.ing
          non.game non.gas.eous non.gay non.ge.net.ic non.gen.i.tal
          non.geo.met.ri.cal non.ghet.to non.glam.or.ous non.glare
          non.golf.er non.gov.ern.ment non.gov.ern.men.tal non.grad.ed
          non.grad.u.ate non.gram.mat.i.cal non.gran.u.lar
          non.grav.i.ta.tion.al non.greasy non.gre.gar.i.ous non.grow.ing
          non.growth non.guest non.ha.lo.ge.nat.ed non.hand.i.capped
          non.hap.pen.ing non.har.dy non.har.mon.ic non.haz.ard.ous non.heme
          non.he.mo.lyt.ic non.he.red.i.tary non.hi.er.ar.chi.cal
          non-His.pan.ic non.his.tor.i.cal non.home non.ho.mo.ge.neous
          non.ho.mol.o.gous non.ho.mo.sex.u.al non.hor.mon.al non.hos.pi.tal
          non.hos.pi.tal.ized non.hos.tile non.hous.ing non.hu .man
          non.hunt.er non.hunt.ing non.hy.gro.scop.ic non.hys.ter.i.cal
          non.ide.al non.iden.ti.ty non.ideo.log.i.cal non.im.age
          non.im.i.ta.tive non.im.mi.grant non.im.mune non.im.pact
          non.im.pli.ca.tion non.im.por.ta.tion non.in.clu.sion
          non.in.creas.ing non.in.cum.bent non.in.de.pen.dence non-In.di.an
          non.in.dig.e.nous non.in.di.vid.u.al non-In.do-Eu.ro.pe.an
          non.in.dus.tri.al non.in.dus.tri.al.ized non.in.dus.try
          non.in.fect.ed non.in.fec.tious non.in.fec.tive non.in.fest.ed
          non.in.flam.ma.ble non.in.flam.ma.to.ry non.in.fla.tion.ary
          non.in.flec.tion.al non.in.flu.ence non.in.for.ma.tion non.ini.tial
          non.ini.ti.ate non.in.ju.ry non.in.sect non.in.sec.ti.cid.al
          non.in.stall.ment non.in.sti.tu.tion.al non.in.sti.tu.tion.al.ized
          non.in.struc.tion.al non.in.stru.men.tal non.in.sur.ance
          non.in.sured non.in.te.gral non.in.te.grat.ed non.in.tel.lec.tu.al
          non.in.ter.act.ing non.in.ter.ac.tive non.in.ter.change.able
          non.in.ter.course non.in.ter.est non.in.ter.fer.ence
          non.in.ter.sect.ing non.in.tim.i.dat.ing non.in.tox.i.cant
          non.in.tox.i.cat.ing non.in.tru.sive non.in.tu.i.tive
          non.ion.iz.ing non.ir.ra.di.at.ed non.ir.ri.gat.ed non.ir.ri.tant
          non.ir.ri.tat.ing non.is.sue non-Jap.a.nese non-Jew non-Jew.ish
          non.join.er non.ju.di.cial non.ju.ry non.jus.ti.cia.ble non.ko.sher
          non.la.bor non.land.own.er non.lan.guage non.law.yer non.lead.ed
          non.league non.le.gal non.le.gume non.le.gu.mi.nous non.le.thal
          non.lex.i.cal non.li.brar.i.an non.li.brary non.life non.lin.e.al
          non.lin.e.ar non.lin.e.ar.i.ty non.lin.guis.tic non.liq.uid
          non.lit.er.al non.lit.er.ary non.liv.ing non.lo.cal non.log.i.cal
          non.lu.mi.nous non.mag.net.ic non.main.stream non.ma.jor
          non.ma.lig.nant non.mal.lea.ble non.man.age.ment non.man.a.ge.ri.al
          non.man.u.al non.man.u.fac.tur.ing non.mar.i.tal non.mar.ket
          non-Marx.ist non.ma.te.ri.al non.ma.te.ri.al.is.tic
          non.math.e.mat.i.cal non.math.e.ma.ti.cian non.ma.tric.u.lat.ed
          non.mean.ing.ful non.mea.sur.able non.meat non.me.chan.i.cal
          non.mech.a.nis.tic non.med.i.cal non.meet.ing non.mem.ber
          non.mem.ber.ship non.men.tal non.mer.cu.ri.al non.meta.mer.ic
          non.met.a.phor.i.cal non.met.ric non.met.ri.cal non.met.ro
          non.met.ro.pol.i.tan non.mi.cro.bi.al non.mi.grant non.mi.gra.to.ry
          non.mil.i.tant non.mil.i.tary non.mi.met.ic non.mi.nor.i.ty
          non.mo.bile non.mo.lec.u.lar non.mon.e.tar.ist non.mon.e.tary
          non.mon.ey non.mo.nog.a.mous non.mo.tile non.mo.til.i.ty
          non.mo.tor.ized non.mov.ing non.mu.nic.i.pal non.mu.sic
          non.mu.si.cal non.mu.si.cian non.mu.tant non.my.e.lin.at.ed
          non.mys.ti.cal non.nar.ra.tive non.na.tion.al non.na.tive
          non.nat.u.ral non.ne.ces.si.ty non.neg.li.gent non.ne.go.tia.ble
          non.net.work non.news non.ni.trog.e.nous non.nor.ma.tive non.nov.el
          non.nu.cle.at.ed non.nu.mer.i.cal non.nu.tri.tious non.nu.tri.tive
          non.ob.scene non.ob.ser.vance non.ob.ser.vant non.ob.vi.ous
          non.oc.cu.pa.tion.al non.oc.cur.rence non.of.fi.cial non.ohm.ic
          non.oily non.op.er.at.ic non.op.er.at.ing non.op.er.a.tion.al
          non.op.er.a.tive non.op.ti.mal non.or.gan.ic non.or.tho.dox
          non.over.lap.ping non.own.er non.ox.i.diz.ing non.paid
          non.par.al.lel non.par.a.sit.ic non.par.tic.i.pant
          non.par.tic.i.pat.ing non.par.tic.i.pa.tion non.par.tic.i.pa.to.ry
          non.par.ty non.pas.sive non.past non.pay.ing non.pay.ment
          non.per.for.mance non.per.form.er non.per.ish.able non.per.mis.sive
          non.per.son.al non.pe.tro.leum non.phi.los.o.pher
          non.phil.o.soph.i.cal non.pho.ne.mic non.pho.net.ic non.phos.phate
          non.pho.to.graph.ic non.phys.i.cal non.phy.si.cian non.pla.nar
          non.plas.tic non.play non.play.ing non.po.et.ic non.poi.son.ous
          non.po.lar.iz.able non.po.lice non.po.lit.i.cal non.po.lit.i.cal.ly
          non.pol.i.ti.cian non.pol.lut.ing non.poor non.po.rous
          non.pos.ses.sion non.prac.ti.cal non.prac.tic.ing non.preg.nant
          non.print non.prob.lem non.pro.duc.ing non.pro.fes.sion.al
          non.pro.fes.sion.al.ly non.pro.fes.so.ri.al non.pro.gram
          non.pro.gram.mer non.pro.gres.sive non.pro.pri.etary
          non.psy.chi.at.ric non.psy.chi.a.trist non.psy.cho.log.i.cal
          non.psy.chot.ic non.pub.lic non.pu.ni.tive non.pur.po.sive
          non.quan.ti.fi.able non.quan.ti.ta.tive non.ra.cial non.ra.cial.ly
          non.ra.dio.ac.tive non.rail.road non.ran.dom non.ran.dom.ness
          non.rat.ed non.ra.tio.nal non.re.ac.tive non.re.ac.tor
          non.re.al.is.tic non.re.ap.point.ment non.re.ceipt
          non.re.cip.ro.cal non.rec.og.ni.tion non.re.cy.cla.ble
          non.re.duc.ing non.re.dun.dant non.re.fill.able non.re.flect.ing
          non.reg.u.lat.ed non.reg.u.la.tion non.rel.a.tive non.rel.e.vant
          non.re.li.gious non.re.new.able non.re.new.al non.re.pay.able
          non.rep.re.sen.ta.tive non.re.pro.duc.tive non.res.i.den.tial
          non.res.o.nant non.re.spon.dent non.re.spond.er non.re.sponse
          non.re.spon.sive non.re.strict.ed non.re.trac.tile
          non.ret.ro.ac.tive non.re.us.able non.re.vers.ible
          non.rev.o.lu.tion.ary non.ri.ot.er non.ri.ot.ing non.ro.tat.ing
          non.rou.tine non.roy.al non.rub.ber non.rul.ing non.ru.mi.nant
          non-Rus.sian non.sal.able non.sa.line non.sa.pon.i.fi.able
          non.schiz.o.phren.ic non.school non.sci.en.tif.ic non.sci.en.tist
          non.sea.son.al non.sec.re.tory non.se.cure non.sed.i.ment.able
          non.seg.re.gat.ed non.seg.re.ga.tion non.se.lect.ed non.se.lec.tive
          non-self-gov.ern.ing non.sen.sa.tion.al non.sen.si.tive
          non.sen.su.ous non.sen.tence non.sep.tate non.se.quen.tial
          non.se.ri.ous non.sex.ist non.sex.u.al non.shrink non.shrink.able
          non.sign.er non.si.mul.ta.neous non.sink.able non.skat.er
          non.skel.e.tal non.ski.er non.smok.er non.smok.ing non.so.cial.ist
          non.so.lar non.so.lu.tion non.spa.tial non.speak.er non.speak.ing
          non.spe.cial.ist non.spe.cif.ic non.spe.cif.i.cal.ly
          non.spec.tac.u.lar non.spec.u.la.tive non.speech non.spher.i.cal
          non.sta.tion.ary non.sta.tis.ti.cal non.steady non.sto.ry
          non.stra.te.gic non.struc.tur.al non.struc.tured non.stu.dent
          non.style non.sub.ject non.sub.jec.tive non.sub.si.dized
          non.suc.cess non.sug.ar non.su.per.im.pos.able non.su.per.vi.so.ry
          non.sur.gi.cal non.swim.mer non.sym.bol.ic non.sym.met.ric
          non.sym.met.ri.cal non.syn.chro.nous non.sys.tem.at.ic
          non.sys.tem.ic non.tar.iff non.tax.able non.teach.ing
          non.tech.ni.cal non.tem.po.ral non.ten.ured non.ter.mi.nal
          non.the.at.ri.cal non.the.ist non.the.is.tic non.theo.log.i.cal
          non.the.o.ret.i.cal non.ther.a.peu.tic non.think.ing
          non.threat.en.ing non.tid.al non.to.bac.co non.ton.al
          non.to.tal.i.tar.i.an non.tox.ic non.tra.di.tion.al
          non.trans.fer.able non.treat.ment non.triv.i.al non.trop.i.cal
          non.tur.bu.lent non.typ.i.cal non.unan.i.mous non.uni.form
          non.uni.for.mi.ty non.union.ized non.unique non.unique.ness
          non.uni.ver.sal non.uni.ver.si.ty non.ur.ban non.ur.gent
          non.util.i.tar.i.an non.util.i.ty non.uto.pi.an non.val.id
          non.va.lid.i.ty non.vas.cu.lar non.veg.e.tar.i.an non.ven.om.ous
          non.vet.er.an non.vi.a.ble non.view.er non.vi.ral non.vir.gin
          non.vis.cous non.vi.su.al non.vo.cal non.vo.ca.tion.al
          non.vol.ca.nic non.vol.un.tary non.vot.er non.vot.ing non.war
          non.win.ning non.woody non.work non.work.er non.work.ing
          non.writ.er non.yel.low.ing

   nonadditive
          [non.ad.di.tive] adj (1926) 1: not having a numerical value
          equal to the sum of values for the component parts 2:
          of, relating to, or being a genic effect that is not
          additive -- non.ad.di.tiv.i.ty n

   nonage
          [non.age] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. non- + age age] (15c) 1: minority
          1 2 a: a period of youth b: lack of maturity

   nonagenarian
          [no.na.ge.nar.i.an] n [L nonagenarius containing ninety,
          fr. nonageni ninety each, fr. nonaginta ninety, fr. nona-
          (akin to novem nine) + -ginta (akin to viginti twenty)--more
          at nine, vigesimal] (1804): a person whose age is in
          the nineties -- nonagenarian adj

   nonagon
          [no.na.gon] n [L nonus ninth + E -gon--more at noon] (ca.
          1639): a polygon of nine angles and nine sides

   nonaligned
          [non.aligned] adj (1960): not allied with other nations and
          esp. with either the Communist or the non-Communist blocs
          -- non.align.ment n

   nonallelic
          [non.al.le.lic] adj (1945): not behaving as alleles toward
          one another <~ genes>

   non-A, non-B hepatitis
          [non-A, non-B hepatitis] n (1976): hepatitis clinically and
          immunologically similar to hepatitis A and hepatitis
          B but caused by different viruses

   nonbank
          [non.bank] n, often attrib (1939): a business that is not
          an officially established bank but offers many similar
          services -- non.bank.ing adj

   nonbonding
          [non.bond.ing] adj (1952): being or occupied by electrons
          esp. of an atom's valence shell that are not involved
          in a chemical bond <a ~ atomic orbital>

   [1]nonbook
          [non.book] adj (1949): being something other than a book;
          esp: being a library holding (as a microfilm) that is
          not a book [2]non.book n (1960): a book of little literary
          merit which is often a compilation (as of pictures, press
          clippings, or speeches)

   nonbusiness
          [non.busi.ness] adj (1927): not related to business; esp:
          not related to one's primary business

   noncaloric
          [non.ca.lo.ric] adj (1950): free from or very low in calories

   noncandidate
          [non.can.di.date] n (1944): a person who is not a candidate;
          esp: one who has refused to be a candidate for a particular
          political office -- non.can.di.da.cy n

   [1]nonce
          [nonce] n [ME nanes, alter. (fr. misdivision of then anes
          in such phrases as to then anes for the one purpose)
          of anes one purpose, irreg. fr. an, on one--more at one]
          (13c) 1: the one, particular, or present occasion, purpose,
          or use <for the ~> 2: the time being [2]nonce adj (1884):
          occurring, used, or made only once or for a special occasion
          <a ~ word>

   nonchalance
          [non.cha.lance] n (1678): the quality or state of being nonchalant

   nonchalant
          [non.cha.lant] adj [F, fr. OF, fr. prp. of nonchaloir to
          disregard, fr. non- + chaloir to concern, fr. L calere
          to be warm--more at lee] (ca. 1734): having an air of
          easy unconcern or indifference syn see cool -- non.cha.lant.ly
          adv

   nonchromosomal
          [non.chro.mo.som.al] adj (1960) 1: not situated on a chromosome
          2: not involving chromosomes

   noncom
          [non.com] n (1883): noncommissioned officer

   noncombatant
          [non.com.bat.ant] n (1811): one that does not engage in combat:
          as a: a member (as a chaplain) of the armed forces whose
          duties do not include fighting b: civilian -- noncombatant
          adj

   noncommissioned officer
          [non.com.mis.sioned officer] n (1703): a subordinate officer
          (as a sergeant) in the army, air force, or marine corps
          appointed from among enlisted personnel

   noncommittal
          [non.com.mit.tal] adj (1829) 1: giving no clear indication
          of attitude or feeling 2: having no clear or distinctive
          character -- non.com.mit.tal.ly adv

   non compos mentis
          [non com.pos men.tis] adj [L, lit., not having mastery of
          one's mind] (1607): not of sound mind

   nonconcur
          [non.con.cur] vi (ca. 1847): to refuse or fail to concur
          -- non.con.cur.rence n

   nonconductor
          [non.con.duc.tor] n (1751): a substance that conducts heat,
          electricity, or sound only in very small degree

   nonconform
          [non.con.form] vi [back-formation fr. nonconformist] (1681):
          to fail to conform -- non.con.form.er n

   nonconformance
          [non.con.for.mance] n (1843): failure to conform

   nonconformism
          [non.con.form.ism] n (1844): nonconformity

   nonconformist
          [non.con.form.ist] n (1619) 1 often cap: a person who does
          not conform to an established church; esp: one who does
          not conform to the Church of England 2: a person who
          does not conform to a generally accepted pattern of thought
          or action -- nonconformist adj, often cap

   nonconformity
          [non.con.for.mi.ty] n (1618) 1 a: failure or refusal to conform
          to an established church b often cap: the movement or
          principles of English Protestant dissent c often cap:
          the body of English Nonconformists 2: refusal to conform
          to an established or conventional creed, rule, or practice
          3: absence of agreement or correspondence

   noncooperation
          [non.co.op.er.a.tion] n (1795): failure or refusal to cooperate;
          specif: refusal through civil disobedience of a people
          to cooperate with the government of a country --
          non.co.op.er.a.tion.ist n -- non.co.op.er.a.tor n

   noncooperative
          [non.co.op.er.a.tive] adj (1922): of, relating to, or characterized
          by noncooperation

   noncredit
          [non.cred.it] adj (1965): not offering credit toward a degree
          <~ courses>

   noncrossover
          [non.cross.over] adj (1919): having or being chromosomes
          that have not participated in genetic crossing-over <~
          offspring>

   noncustodial
          [non.cus.to.di.al] adj (1973): of or being a parent who does
          not have legal custody of a child

   nondairy
          [non.dairy] adj (1968): containing no milk or milk products
          <~ whipped topping>

   nondeductible
          [non.de.duct.ible] adj (1943): not deductible; esp: not deductible
          for income tax purposes -- non.de.duct.ibil.i.ty n

   nondefense
          [non.de.fense] adj (1961): not used or intended for or associated
          with the military <~ spending>

   nondescript
          [non.de.script] adj [non- + L descriptus, pp. of describere
          to describe] (ca. 1807) 1: belonging or appearing to
          belong to no particular class or kind: not easily described
          2: lacking distinctive or interesting qualities: dull,
          drab -- nondescript n

   nondestructive
          [non.de.struc.tive] adj (1926): not destructive; specif:
          not causing destruction of material being investigated
          or treated <~ testing of metal> -- non.de.struc.tive.ly
          adv -- non.de.struc.tive.ness n

   nondiapausing
          [non.dia.paus.ing] adj (1963) 1: not having a diapause 2:
          not being in a state of diapause

   nondirective
          [non.di.rec.tive] adj (1931): of, relating to, or being
          psychotherapy, counseling, or interviewing in which the counselor
          refrains from interpretation or explanation but encourages the
          client (as by repeating phrases) to talk freely

   nondisjunction
          [non.dis.junc.tion] n [ISV] (1913): failure of homologous
          chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate subsequent
          to metaphase in meiosis or mitosis so that one daughter
          cell has both and the other neither of the chromosomes
          -- non.dis.junc.tion.al adj

   nondistinctive
          [non.dis.tinc.tive] adj (1916) of a speech sound: having
          no signaling value

   nondividing
          [non.di.vid.ing] adj (1945): not undergoing cell division

   nondormant
          [non.dor.mant] adj (1940) 1: being in such a condition that
          germination is possible <~ seeds> 2: being in active
          vegetative growth <~ plants>

   nondrinker
          [non.drink.er] n (1899): a person who abstains from alcoholic
          beverages -- non.drink.ing adj

   nondrying oil
          [non.dry.ing oil] n (1905): a highly saturated oil (as olive
          oil) that is unable to solidify when exposed in a thin
          film to air

   [1]none
          [none] pron, sing or pl in constr [ME, fr. OE nan, fr. ne
          not + an one--more at no, one] (bef. 12c) 1: not any
          2: not one: nobody 3: not any such thing or person 4:
          no part: nothing [2]none adj (bef. 12c) archaic: not
          any: no [3]none adv (1651) 1: by no means: not at all
          <~ too soon to begin> 2: in no way: to no extent <~ the
          worse for wear> [4]none n, often cap [LL nona, fr. L,
          9th hour of the day from sunrise--more at noon] (1845):
          the fifth of the canonical hours

   noneconomic
          [non.eco.nom.ic] adj (1920): not economic; esp: having no
          economic importance or implication

   nonelectrolyte
          [non.elec.tro.lyte] n (1891): a substance that does not readily
          ionize when dissolved or melted and is a poor conductor
          of electricity

   nonentity
          [non.en.ti.ty] n (ca. 1600) 1: something that does not exist
          or exists only in the imagination 2: nonexistence 3:
          a person of little consequence or significance

   nones
          [nones] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME nonys, fr. L nonae,
          fr. fem. pl. of nonus ninth] (14c) 1: the ninth day before
          the ides according to ancient Roman reckoning 2 often
          cap: [4]none

   nonessential
          [non.es.sen.tial] adj (1751) 1: not essential 2: synthesized
          by the body in sufficient quantity to satisfy dietary
          needs <~ amino acids> -- nonessential n

   nonesuch
          [none.such] n (1590): a person or thing without an equal
          -- nonesuch adj

   nonet
          [no.net] n [It nonetto, fr. nono ninth, fr. L nonus--more
          at noon] (1865): a combination of nine instruments or
          voices; also: a musical composition for such a combination

   nonetheless
          [none.the.less] adv (1847): nevertheless

   non-euclidean
          [non-eu.clid.e.an] adj, often cap E (ca. 1864): not assuming
          or in accordance with all the postulates of Euclid's
          Elements <~ geometry>

   nonevent
          [non.event] n (1962) 1 a: an expected event that fails to
          take place or to satisfy expectations b: an often highly
          publicized event of little intrinsic interest or significance
          2: an occurrence that is officially ignored

   nonexistence
          [non.ex.is.tence] n (1646): absence of existence: the negation
          of being -- non.ex.is.tent adj

   nonfat
          [non.fat] adj (1926): lacking fat solids: having fat solids
          removed <~ milk>

   nonfeasance
          [non.fea.sance] n [non- + obs. E feasance doing, execution]
          (1596): failure to act; esp: failure to do what ought
          to be done

   nonferrous
          [non.fer.rous] adj (1887) 1: not containing, including, or
          relating to iron 2: of or relating to metals other than
          iron

   nonfiction
          [non.fic.tion] n (1909): literature that is not fictional
          -- non.fic.tion.al adj

   nonfigurative
          [non.fig.u.ra.tive] adj (1927): nonobjective 2

   nonflammable
          [non.flam.ma.ble] adj (1915): not flammable; specif: not
          easily ignited and not burning rapidly if ignited --
          non.flam.ma.bil.i.ty n

   nonflowering
          [non.flow.er.ing] adj (ca. 1934): producing no flowers; specif:
          lacking a flowering stage in the life cycle

   nonfluency
          [non.flu.en.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1945) 1: lack of fluency
          2: an instance of nonfluency

   nongonococcal
          [non.gon.o.coc.cal] adj (1961): not caused by a gonococcus
          <~ urethritis>

   non grata
          [non gra.ta] adj [persona non grata] (1925): not approved:
          unwelcome

   nongreen
          [non.green] adj (1897): not green; specif: containing no
          chlorophyll <~ saprophytes>

   nonhero
          [non.he.ro] n (1940): anti-hero

   nonhistone
          [non.his.tone] adj (ca. 1966): relating to or being any of
          the eukaryotic proteins (as DNA polymerase) that bind
          to nuclear DNA but are not histones

   non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
          [non-Hodg.kin's lymphoma] n (1976): any of the numerous malignant
          lymphomas (as Burkitt's lymphoma) that are not classified
          as Hodgkin's disease

   nonidentical
          [non.iden.ti.cal] adj (1890) 1: different 2: fraternal 2

   nonillion
          [no.nil.lion] n, often attrib [F, fr. L nonus ninth + F -illion
          (as in million)--more at noon] (1690): the figure 1 followed
          by 30 zeroes: the figure 1,000 followed by nine groups
          of three zeroes; also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by
          54 zeroes: one millon to the ninth power

   noninductive
          [non.in.duc.tive] adj (1896): not inductive; esp: having
          negligible inductance

   nonintervention
          [non.in.ter.ven.tion] n (1831): the state or policy of not
          intervening <~ in the affairs of other countries> --
          non.in.ter.ven.tion.ist n or adj

   noninvasive
          [non.in.va.sive] adj (1971): not involving penetration (as
          by surgery or hypodermic needle) of the skin of the intact
          organism <~ diagnostic techniques>

   noninvolvement
          [non.in.volve.ment] n (1936): absence of involvement or emotional
          attachment -- non.in.volved adj

   nonionic
          [non.ion.ic] adj (1929): not ionic; esp: not dependent on
          a surface-active anion for effect <~ surfactants>

   nonjoinder
          [non.join.der] n (1833): failure to include a necessary party
          to a suit at law

   nonjudgmental
          [non.judg.men.tal] adj (1952): avoiding judgments based on
          one's personal and esp. moral standards

   nonjuring
          [non.jur.ing] adj [non- + L jurare to swear--more at jury]
          (1691): not swearing allegiance--used esp. of a member
          of a party in Great Britain that would not swear allegiance
          to William and Mary or to their successors

   nonjuror
          [non.ju.ror] n (1691): a person refusing to take an oath
          esp. of allegiance, supremacy, or abjuration; specif:
          one of the beneficed clergy in England and Scotland refusing
          to take an oath of allegiance to William and Mary or
          to their successors after the revolution of 1688

   nonliterate
          [non.lit.er.ate] adj (1947) 1: not literate 2: having no
          written language -- nonliterate n

   nonmetal
          [non.met.al] n (ca. 1864): a chemical element (as boron,
          carbon, or nitrogen) that lacks the characteristics of
          a metal

   nonmetallic
          [non.me.tal.lic] adj (1815) 1: not metallic 2: of, relating
          to, or being a nonmetal

   nonmoral
          [non.mor.al] adj (ca. 1866): not falling into or existing
          in the sphere of morals or ethics

   nonnegative
          [non.neg.a.tive] adj (1885): not negative: as a: being either
          positive or zero b: taking on nonnegative values <a ~
          function>

   nonnuclear
          [non.nu.cle.ar] adj (1953) 1: not nuclear: as a: being a
          weapon whose destructive power is not derived from a
          nuclear reaction b: not operated by, using, or produced
          by nuclear energy c: not using or involving nuclear weapons
          2: not having nuclear weapons <a ~ country>

   no-no
          [no-no] n, pl no-no's or no-nos (ca. 1942): something unacceptable
          or forbidden

   nonobjective
          [non.ob.jec.tive] adj (1905) 1: not objective 2: representing
          or intended to represent no natural or actual object,
          figure, or scene <~ art> -- non.ob.jec.tiv.ism n
          -- non.ob.jec.tiv.ist n -- non.ob.jec.tiv.i.ty n

   non obst
          [non obst] or non obs abbreviation non obstante

   non obstante
          [non ob.stan.te] prep [ME, fr. ML] (15c): notwithstanding

   non-oil
          [non-oil] adj (1979) 1: not relating to, containing, or derived
          from oil 2: being a net importer of petroleum or petroleum
          products <~ nations>

   non omnia possumus omnes
          [non om.nia pos.su.mus om.nes] [L] foreign term : we can't
          all (do) all things

   non omnis moriar
          [non om.nis mo.ri.ar] [L] foreign term : I shall not wholly
          die

   no-nonsense
          [no-nonsense] adj (1928): tolerating no nonsense: serious,
          businesslike

   nonorgasmic
          [non.or.gas.mic] adj (1973): not capable of experiencing
          orgasm

   nonoxynol-9
          [no.nox.y.nol-9] n [nonyl + oxy- + phenol + 9 (fr. the fact
          that the compounds it contains have an average of nine
          ethylene oxide groups per molecule)] (1980): a spermicide
          used in contraceptive products

   nonparametric
          [non.para.met.ric] adj (1942): not involving the estimation
          of parameters of a statistical function <~ statistical
          tests>

   [1]non pareil
          [non .pa.reil] adj [ME nonparaille, fr. MF nonpareil, fr.
          non- + pareil equal, fr. (assumed) VL pariculus, fr.
          L par equal] (15c): having no equal

   [2]nonpareil
          [nonpareil] n (1593) 1: an individual of unequaled excellence:
          paragon 2 a: a small flat disk of chocolate covered with
          white sugar pellets b: sugar in small pellets of various
          colors

   nonpartisan
          [non.par.ti.san] adj (1885): not partisan; esp: free from
          party affiliation, bias, or designation <~ ballot> <a
          ~ board> -- non.par.ti.san.ship n

   nonpasserine
          [non.pas.ser.ine] adj (ca. 1909): not passerine; esp: of
          or relating to an order (Coraciiformes) of arboreal birds
          including the rollers, kingfishers, and hornbills

   nonpathogenic
          [non.patho.gen.ic] adj (1884): not capable of inducing
          disease--compare avirulent

   nonpeak
          [non.peak] adj (ca. 1914): off-peak

   nonperforming
          [non.per.form.ing] adj (1979): not bringing in the expected
          return <~ loans> <~ assets>

   nonpersistent
          [non.per.sis.tent] adj (1900): not persistent: as a: decomposed
          rapidly by environmental action <~ insecticides> b: capable
          of being transmitted by a vector for only a relatively
          short time <~ viruses>

   nonperson
          [non.per.son] n (ca. 1909): a person who is regarded
          as nonexistent: as a: unperson b: one having no social or legal
          status

   non placet
          [non pla.cet] n [L, it does not please] (1589): a negative
          vote

   [1]nonplus
          [non.plus] n [L non plus no more] (1582): a state of bafflement
          or perplexity: quandary [2]nonplus vt -plussed also -plused
          ; -plus.sing also -plus.ing (1591): to cause to be at
          a loss as to what to say, think, or do: perplex syn see
          puzzle

   nonpoint
          [non.point] adj (1977): not occurring at a single well-defined
          site; specif: being pollution that cannot be traced to
          a single location

   nonpolar
          [non.po.lar] adj (1892): not polar; esp: consisting of molecules
          not having a dipole <a ~ solvent>

   non possumus
          [non pos.su.mus] n [L, we cannot] (1883): a statement expressing
          inability to do something

   nonprescription
          [non.pre.scrip.tion] adj (1958): capable of being bought
          without a doctor's prescription <~ drugs>

   nonproductive
          [non.pro.duc.tive] adj (1901): not productive: as a: failing
          to produce or yield: unproductive <a ~ oil well> b: not
          directly concerned with production <the ~ labor of clerks
          and inspectors> c of a cough: dry -- non.pro.duc.tive.ness
          n

   nonprofit
          [non.prof.it] adj (1903): not conducted or maintained for
          the purpose of making a profit <a ~ organization> --
          nonprofit n

   nonproliferation
          [non.pro.lif.er.a.tion] adj (1964): providing for the stoppage
          of proliferation (as of nuclear arms) <~ treaty>
          -- nonproliferation n

   nonpros
          [non.pros] vt non.prossed ; non.pros.sing [non prosequitur]
          (1755): to enter a non prosequitur against

   non prosequitur
          [non pro.se.qui.tur] n [LL, he does not prosecute] (1768):
          a judgment entered against the plaintiff in a suit in
          which that party does not appear to prosecute

   nonprotein
          [non.pro.tein] adj (1926): not being or derived from protein
          <the ~ part of an enzyme> <~ nitrogen>

   nonreader
          [non.read.er] n (1924) 1: one who does not or cannot read
          2: a child who is very slow in learning to read -- non.read.ing
          adj

   nonrecombinant
          [non.re.com.bi.nant] adj (1962): not exhibiting the results
          of genetic recombination -- nonrecombinant n

   nonrecourse
          [non.re.course] adj (1926): being or based on an agreement
          in which the lender has no right of recourse to the borrower's
          assets beyond stated limits <a ~ note> <a ~ loan>

   nonrecurrent
          [non.re.cur.rent] adj (ca. 1864): not recurring

   nonrecurring
          [non.re.cur.ring] adj (ca. 1864): nonrecurrent; specif: unlikely
          to happen again--used of financial transactions that
          affect a profit and loss statement abnormally

   nonrefundable
          [non.re.fund.able] adj (1963): not subject to refunding or
          being refunded <a ~ bond> <a ~ fee>

   nonrelativistic
          [non.rel.a.tiv.is.tic] adj (1930) 1: not based on or involving
          the theory of relativity <~ equations> <~ kinematics>
          2: of, relating to, or being a body moving at less than
          a relativistic velocity -- non.rel.a.tiv.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   nonrepresentational
          [non.rep.re.sen.ta.tion.al] adj (1923): nonobjective 2 --
          non.rep.re.sen.ta.tion.al.ism n

   nonresidence
          [non.res.i.dence] n (1585): the state or fact of being nonresident

   nonresidency
          [non.res.i.den.cy] n (1584): nonresidence

   nonresident
          [non.res.i.dent] adj (1540): not residing in a particular
          place -- nonresident n

   nonresistance
          [non.re.sis.tance] n (1643): the principles or practice of
          passive submission to constituted authority even when
          unjust or oppressive; also: the principle or practice
          of not resisting violence by force

   nonresistant
          [non.re.sis.tant] adj (1702): not resistant; specif: susceptible
          to the effects of a deleterious agent (as an insecticide,
          a pathogen, or an extreme environmental condition) --
          nonresistant n

   nonrestrictive
          [non.re.stric.tive] adj (1916): not restrictive; specif:
          not limiting the reference of a modified word or phrase

   nonrestrictive clause
          [nonrestrictive clause] n (1916): a descriptive clause that
          is not essential to the definiteness of the meaning of
          the word it modifies (as who is retired in "my father,
          who is retired, does volunteer work")

   nonreturnable
          [non.re.turn.able] adj (1903): not returnable; specif: not
          returnable to a dealer in exchange for a deposit <~ bottles>
          -- nonreturnable n

   nonrigid
          [non.rig.id] adj (1909): not rigid; esp: maintaining form
          by pressure of contained gas <a ~ airship>

   non sans droict
          [non sans droict] [OF] foreign term : not without right--motto
          on Shakespeare's coat of arms

   nonscheduled
          [non.sched.uled] adj (1947): licensed to transport by air
          without a regular schedule <~ airlines>

   [1]nonscience
          [non.sci.ence] n (1855): something (as a discipline) that
          is not a science [2]nonscience adj (1944): of or relating
          to fields other than science

   nonsecretor
          [non.se.cre.tor] n (1944): an individual of blood group A,
          B, or AB who does not secrete the antigens characteristic
          of these blood groups in bodily fluids (as saliva)

   nonsectarian
          [non.sec.tar.i.an] adj (1831): not having a sectarian character:
          not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious
          group

   nonself
          [non.self] n (1963): material that is foreign to the body
          of an organism

   [1]nonsense
          [non.sense] n (1614) 1 a: words or language having no meaning
          or conveying no intelligible ideas b (1): language, conduct,
          or an idea that is absurd or contrary to good sense (2):
          an instance of absurd action 2 a: things of no importance
          or value: trifles b: affected or impudent conduct <took
          no ~ from subordinates> 3: genetic information consisting
          of one or more codons that do not code for any amino
          acid and usu. cause termination of the molecular chain
          in protein synthesis--compare antisense, missense --
          non.sen.si.cal adj -- non.sen.si.cal.ly adv -- non.sen.si.cal.ness
          n [2]nonsense adj (1778) 1: consisting of an arbitrary grouping
          of speech sounds or symbols <a ~ syllable> 2: consisting of one
          or more codons that are genetic nonsense

   nonsense verse
          [nonsense verse] n (1799): humorous or whimsical verse that
          features absurd characters and actions and often contains
          evocative but meaningless nonce words

   non seq
          [non seq] abbreviation non sequitur

   non sequitur
          [non se.qui.tur] n [L, it does not follow] (1540) 1: an inference
          that does not follow from the premises; specif: a fallacy
          resulting from a simple conversion of a universal affirmative
          proposition or from the transposition of a condition
          and its consequent 2: a statement (as a response) that
          does not follow logically from anything previously said

   nonsignificant
          [non.sig.nif.i.cant] adj (1902): not significant: as
          a: insignificant b: meaningless c: having or yielding a value lying
          within limits between which variation is attributed to chance
          <a ~ statistical test> -- non.sig.nif.i.cant.ly adv

   nonsked
          [non.sked] n [by shortening & alter. fr. nonscheduled] (1949):
          a nonscheduled transport plane or airline

   nonskid
          [non.skid] adj (1904): designed or equipped to prevent skidding

   nonslip
          [non.slip] adj (1903): designed to reduce or prevent slipping

   nonsocial
          [non.so.cial] adj (1902): not socially oriented: lacking
          a social component

   nonsporting
          [non.sport.ing] adj (1852): lacking the qualities characteristic
          of a hunting dog

   nonstandard
          [non.stan.dard] adj (1923) 1: not standard 2: not conforming
          in pronunciation, grammatical construction, idiom, or
          word choice to the usage generally characteristic of
          educated native speakers of a language--compare substandard

   nonstarter
          [non.start.er] n (1902) 1: one that does not start 2: someone
          or something that is not productive or effective <his
          son has been, in politics a ~ --Anthony Lejeune>

   nonsteroidal
          [non.ste.roi.dal] also non.ste.roid adj (1964): of, relating
          to, or being a compound and esp. a drug that is not a
          steroid -- nonsteroid n

   nonstick
          [non.stick] adj [[3]stick] (1958): allowing of easy removal
          of cooked food particles <a ~ coating in a frying pan>

   nonstop
          [non.stop] adj (1902): done, made, or held without a stop:
          not easing or letting up -- nonstop adv

   nonsuch
          [non.such] var of nonesuch

   nonsuit
          [non.suit] n [ME, fr. AF nounsuyte, fr. noun- non- + OF siute
          following, pursuit--more at suit] (14c): a judgment against
          a plaintiff for failure to prosecute a case or inability
          to establish a prima facie case -- nonsuit vt

   non sum qualis eram
          [non sum qua.lis eram] [L] foreign term : I am not what I
          used to be

   nonsupport
          [non.sup.port] n (1909): failure to support; specif: failure
          (as of a parent) to honor a statutory or contractual
          obligation to provide maintenance

   nonsyllabic
          [non.syl.lab.ic] adj (ca. 1909): not constituting a syllable
          or the nucleus of a syllable <the second vowel of a falling
          diphthong is ~>

   nonsystem
          [non.sys.tem] n (1964): a system that lacks effective organization

   nontarget
          [non.tar.get] adj (1945): not being the intended object of
          action by a particular agent <effect of insecticides
          on ~ organisms>

   nonterminating
          [non.ter.mi.nat.ing] adj (ca. 1908): not terminating or ending;
          esp: being a decimal for which there is no place to the
          right of the decimal point such that all places farther
          to the right contain the entry 0 <1/3 gives the ~ decimal
          .33333 ... >

   nonthermal
          [non.ther.mal] adj (ca. 1964): not produced by heat; specif:
          of, relating to, or being radiation having a spectrum
          that is not the spectrum of a blackbody

   nontitle
          [non.ti.tle] adj (1968): of, relating to, or being an athletic
          contest in which a title is not at stake

   non troppo
          [non trop.po] adv or adj [It, lit., not too much] (ca. 1854):
          without excess--used to qualify a direction in music

   non-U
          [non-U] adj (1954): not characteristic of the upper classes

   nonunion
          [non.union] adj (1863) 1: not belonging to or connected with
          a trade union <~ carpenters> 2: not recognizing or favoring
          trade unions or their members 3: not produced or worked
          on by members of a trade union <~ lettuce>

   nonuse
          [non.use] n (1542) 1: failure to use <~ of available material>
          2: the fact or condition of not being used

   nonuser
          [non.us.er] n (1926): one who does not make use of something
          (as an available public facility or a harmful drug)

   nonvanishing
          [non.van.ish.ing] adj (1907): not zero or becoming zero

   nonvector
          [non.vec.tor] n (1956): an organism (as an insect) that does
          not transmit a particular pathogen (as a virus)

   nonverbal
          [non.ver.bal] adj (1924): not verbal: as a: being other than
          verbal <~ factors> b: involving minimal use of language
          <~ tests> c: ranking low in verbal skill -- non.ver.bal.ly
          adv

   nonvintage
          [non.vin.tage] adj (1924): undated and usu. blended to approximate
          a standard <a ~ wine>

   nonviolence
          [non.vi.o.lence] n (1920) 1: abstention from violence as
          a matter of principle; also: the principle of such abstention
          2 a: the quality or state of being nonviolent: avoidance
          of violence b: nonviolent demonstrations for the purpose
          of securing political ends <studied the history and techniques
          of ~>

   nonviolent
          [non.vi.o.lent] adj (1920): abstaining or free from violence
          -- non.vi.o.lent.ly adv

   nonvolatile
          [non.vol.a.tile] adj (1866): not volatile: as a: not vaporizing
          readily <a ~ solvent> b of a computer memory: retaining
          data when power is shut off

   non-Western
          [non-West.ern] adj (1902) 1: not being part of the western
          tradition <~ countries> 2: of or relating to non-Western
          societies <~ values>

   nonwhite
          [non.white] n (1927): a person whose features and esp. whose
          skin color are distinctively different from those of
          peoples of northwestern Europe; esp: one who has African
          ancestors of the black race -- nonwhite adj

   nonword
          [non.word] n (1961): a word that has no meaning, is not known
          to exist, or is disapproved

   nonwoven
          [non.wo.ven] adj (1945) 1: made of fibers held together by
          interlocking or bonding (as by chemical or thermal means):
          not woven, knitted, or felted <~ fabric> 2: made of nonwoven
          fabric <a ~ dress> -- nonwoven n

   nonzero
          [non.ze.ro] adj (1905) 1: being, having, or involving a value
          other than zero 2: having phonetic content <~ affixes>

   [1]noodle
          [noo.dle] n [perh. alter. of noddle] (1753) 1: a stupid person:
          simpleton 2: head, noggin [2]noodle n [G Nudel] (1779):
          a food paste made with egg and shaped typically in ribbon
          form [3]noodle vi noo.dled ; noo.dling [imit.] (ca. 1937):
          to improvise on an instrument in an informal or desultory
          manner

   nook
          [nook] n [ME noke, nok] (14c) 1 chiefly Scot: a right-angled
          corner 2 a: an interior angle formed by two meeting walls:
          recess b: a secluded or sheltered place or part <searched
          every ~ and cranny>

   nooky
          [nooky] n [perh. fr. nook + [4]-y] (1928) 1: sexual
          intercourse--often considered vulgar 2: the female partner
          in sexual intercourse--often considered vulgar

   noon
          [noon] n [ME, fr. OE non ninth hour from sunrise, fr. L nona,
          fr. fem. of nonus ninth; akin to L novem nine--more at
          nine] (13c) 1: midday; specif: 12 o'clock at midday 2
          archaic: midnight--used chiefly in the phrase noon of
          night 3: the highest point

   noonday
          [noon.day] n (1535): midday

   no one
          [no one] pron (bef. 12c): no person: nobody

   nooning
          [noon.ing] n (ca. 1652) 1 chiefly dial: a meal eaten at noon
          2 chiefly dial: a period at noon for eating or resting

   noontide
          [noon.tide] n (12c) 1: noontime 2: the culminating point

   noontime
          [noon.time] n (14c): the time of noon: midday

   [1]noose
          [noose] n [ME nose, perh. of Prov origin; akin to Prov nous
          knot, fr. L nodus--more at node] (15c) 1: a loop with
          a running knot that binds closer the more it is drawn
          2: something that snares like a noose [2]noose vt noosed
          ; noos.ing (1600) 1: to secure by a noose 2: to make
          a noose in or of

   noosphere
          [noo.sphere] n [ISV noo- mind (fr. Gk noos, nous) + sphere
          sphere] (1945): the sphere of human consciousness and
          mental activity esp. in regard to its influence on the
          biosphere and in relation to evolution

   Nootka
          [Noot.ka] n, pl Nootka or Nootkas (1841) 1: a member of a
          Wakashan people inhabiting the West Coast of Vancouver
          Island 2: the language of the Nootka people

   NOP
          [NOP] abbreviation not otherwise provided for

   nopal
          [no.pal] n [Sp, fr. Nahuatl nohpalli] (1730): any of a genus
          (Nopalea) of cacti of Mexico and Central America that
          differ from the prickly pears in having erect petals
          and scarlet flowers with the stamens much longer than
          the petals; broadly: prickly pear

   no-par
          [no-par] or no-par-value adj (1922): having no nominal value
          <~ stocks>

   nope
          [nope] adv [by alter.] (1888): no

   Nor
          [Nor] abbreviation Norway, Norwegian

   nor-
          [nor-] comb form [normal]: homologue containing one less
          methyl group <norepinephrine>

   NOR
          [NOR] n [not OR] (1957): a computer logic circuit that produces
          an output that is the inverse of that of an OR circuit

   NORAD
          [NORAD] abbreviation North American Air Defense Command

   noradrenaline
          [nor.adren.a.line] also nor.adren.a.lin n (1932): norepinephrine

   noradrenergic
          [nor.ad.ren.er.gic] adj [noradrenaline + -ergic] (1963):
          liberating, activated by, or involving norepinephrine
          in the transmission of nerve impulses <~ nerve endings>
          <~ nerve fibers>

   [1]Nordic
          [Nor.dic] adj [F nordique, fr. nord north, fr. OE north]
          (1898) 1: of or relating to the Germanic peoples of northern
          Europe and esp. of Scandinavia 2: of or relating to a
          group or physical type of the Caucasian race characterized
          by tall stature, long head, light skin and hair, and
          blue eyes 3 a: of or relating to competitive ski events
          involving cross-country racing, ski jumping, or biathlon--compare
          alpine b: of, relating to, or being cross-country skiing
          [2]Nordic n (1901) 1: a native of northern Europe 2:
          a person of Nordic physical type 3: a member of the peoples
          of Scandinavia

   norepinephrine
          [nor.epi.neph.rine] n (1945): a catecholamine that is the
          chemical means of transmission across synapses in postganglionic
          neurons of the sympathetic nervous system and in some
          parts of the central nervous system, is a vasopressor
          hormone of the adrenal medulla, and is a precursor of
          epinephrine in its major biosynthetic pathway

   norethindrone
          [nor.eth.in.drone] n [nor- + ethinyl + hydr- + -one (as in
          progesterone)] (1958): a synthetic progestational hormone
          used in oral contraceptives often in the form of its
          acetate

   Norf
          [Norf] abbreviation Norfolk

   Norfolk jacket
          [Nor.folk jacket] n [Norfolk, England] (1866): a loose-fitting
          belted single-breasted jacket with box pleats

   Norfolk terrier
          [Norfolk terrier] n (1964): any of a breed of dogs developed
          in England and resembling the Norwich terrier but having
          folded-over ears

   nori
          [no.ri] n [Jp] (1892): dried laver seaweed pressed into thin
          sheets and used esp. as a seasoning or as a wrapper for
          sushi

   norland
          [nor.land] n (ca. 1578) chiefly dial: northland

   norm
          [norm] abbreviation normal

   norm
          [norm] n [L norma, lit., carpenter's square] (1821) 1: an
          authoritative standard: model 2: a principle of right
          action binding upon the members of a group and serving
          to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable
          behavior 3: average: as a: a set standard of development
          or achievement usu. derived from the average or median
          achievement of a large group b: a pattern or trait taken
          to be typical in the behavior of a social group c: a
          widespread practice, procedure, or custom: rule <standing
          ovations became the ~> 4 a: a real-valued nonnegative
          function defined on a vector space and satisfying the
          conditions that the function is zero if and only if the
          vector is zero, the function of the product of a scalar
          and a vector is equal to the product of the absolute
          value of the scalar and the function of the vector, and
          the function of the sum of two vectors is less than or
          equal to the sum of the functions of the two vectors;
          specif: the square root of the sum of the squares of
          the absolute values of the elements of a matrix or of
          the components of a vector b: the greatest distance between
          two successive points of a set of points that partition
          an interval into smaller intervals syn see average

   [1]normal
          [nor.mal] adj [L normalis, fr. norma] (ca. 1696) 1: perpendicular;
          esp: perpendicular to a tangent at a point of tangency
          2 a: according with, constituting, or not deviating from a norm,
          rule, or principle b: conforming to a type, standard, or regular
          pattern 3: occurring naturally <~ immunity> 4 a: of, relating to,
          or characterized by average intelligence or development b: free
          from mental disorder: sane 5 a of a solution: having
          a concentration of one gram equivalent of solute per liter
          b: containing neither basic hydroxyl nor acid hydrogen <~ silver
          phosphate> c: not associated <~ molecules> d: having
          a straight-chain structure <~ pentane> <~ butyl alcohol>
          6 of a subgroup: having the property that every coset produced
          by operating on the left by a given element is equal to the coset
          produced by operating on the right by the same element 7: relating
          to, involving, or being a normal curve or normal distribution
          <~ approximation to the binomial distribution> 8 of a matrix:
          having the property of commutativity under multiplication by the
          transpose of the matrix each of whose elements is a conjugate
          complex number with respect to the corresponding element of the
          given matrix syn see regular -- nor.mal.i.ty n -- nor.mal.ly adv
          [2]normal n (ca. 1738) 1 a: a normal line b: the portion
          of a normal line to a plane curve between the curve and the x-axis
          2: one that is normal 3: a form or state regarded as the norm:
          standard

   normal curve
          [normal curve] n (1894): the symmetrical bell-shaped curve
          of a normal distribution

   normalcy
          [nor.mal.cy] n (1857): the state or fact of being normal

   normal distribution
          [normal distribution] n (1897): a probability density function
          that approximates the distribution of many random variables
          (as the proportion of outcomes of a particular sort in
          a large number of independent repetitions of an experiment
          in which the probabilities remain constant from trial
          to trial) and that equals the transcendental number e
          raised to an exponent and multiplied by a coefficient
          where the coefficient is a fraction whose numerator is
          1 and whose denominator is the standard deviation mulitplied
          by the square root of twice the transcendental number
          pi and the exponent is minus one half of the square of
          a fraction whose numerator is the difference between
          x and the mean and whose denominator is the standard
          deviation--compare normal curve

   normalise
          [nor.mal.ise] Brit var of normalize

   normalize
          [nor.mal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1865) 1: to make conform
          to or reduce to a norm or standard 2: to make normal
          (as by a transformation of variables) 3: to bring or
          restore (as relations between countries) to a normal
          condition -- nor.mal.iz.able adj -- nor.mal.i.za.tion
          n

   normalizer
          [nor.mal.iz.er] n (1926) 1: one that normalizes 2 a: a subgroup
          consisting of those elements of a group for which the
          group operation with regard to a given element is commutative
          b: the set of elements of a group for which the group
          operation with regard to every element of a given subgroup
          is commutative

   normal school
          [normal school] n [trans. of F ecole normale; fr. the fact
          that the first French school so named was intended to
          serve as a model] (1839): a usu. 2-year school for training
          chiefly elementary teachers

   Norman
          [Nor.man] n [ME, fr. OF Normant, fr. ON Northmann-, Northmathr
          Norseman, fr. northr north + mann-, mathr man; akin to
          OE north north and to OE man man] (13c) 1: a native or
          inhabitant of Normandy: a: one of the Scandinavian conquerors
          of Normandy in the 10th century b: one of the Norman-French
          conquerors of England in 1066 2: norman-french -- Norman
          adj

   Norman architecture
          [Norman architecture] n (1797): a Romanesque style first
          appearing in and near Normandy about a.d. 950; also:
          architecture resembling or imitating this style

   normande
          [nor.mande] adj [F, fr. fem. of normand Norman, fr. Normandy,
          France] (ca. 1929): prepared with any of several foods
          traditionally associated with Normandy (as cream, apples,
          cider, or calvados) <veal ~>

   Norman-French
          [Norman-French] n (1605) 1: the French language of the medieval
          Normans 2: the modern dialect of Normandy

   normative
          [nor.ma.tive] adj [F normatif, fr. norme norm, fr. L norma]
          (1878) 1: of, relating to, or determining norms or standards
          <~ tests> 2: conforming to or based on norms <~ behavior>
          <~ judgments> 3: prescribing norms <~ rules of ethics>
          <~ grammar> -- nor.ma.tive.ly adv -- nor.ma.tive.ness
          n

   normed
          [normed] adj (1935): being a mathematical entity upon which
          a norm is defined <a ~ vector space>

   normotensive
          [nor.mo.ten.sive] adj [normal + -o- + -tensive (as in hypotensive)]
          (ca. 1941): having blood pressure typical of the group to which one
          belongs -- normotensive n

   normothermia
          [nor.mo.ther.mia] n [NL, fr. normalis normal + -o- + -thermia
          -thermy] (1960): normal body temperature -- nor.mo.ther.mic
          adj

   Norn
          [Norn] n [ON]: any of the three Norse goddesses of fate

   [1]Norse
          [Norse] n, pl Norse [prob. fr. obs. D noorsch, adj., Norwegian,
          Scandinavian, alter. of obs. D noordsch northern, fr.
          D noord north; akin to OE north north] (ca. 1688) 1 a:
          norwegian 2 b: any of the western Scandinavian dialects
          or languages c: the Scandinavian group of Germanic languages
          2 pl a: scandinavians b: norwegians [2]Norse adj (1768)
          1: of or relating to ancient Scandinavia or the language
          of its inhabitants 2: norwegian

   Norseman
          [Norse.man] n (1817): any of the ancient Scandinavians

   [1]north
          [north] adv [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG nord north and perh.
          to Gk nerteros lower, infernal] (bef. 12c): to, toward,
          or in the north [2]north adj (bef. 12c) 1: situated toward
          or at the north <the ~ entrance> 2: coming from the north
          <a ~ wind> [3]north n (13c) 1 a: the direction of the
          north terrestrial pole: the direction to the left of
          one facing east b: the compass point directly opposite
          to south 2 cap a: regions or countries lying to the north
          of a specified or implied point of orientation b: the
          industrially and economically developed nations of the
          world--compare south 3 often cap a: the one of four positions
          at 90-degree intervals that lies to the north or at the
          top of a diagram b: a person occupying this position
          in the course of a specified activity (as the game of
          bridge)

   Northants
          [Northants] abbreviation Northamptonshire

   northbound
          [north.bound] adj (1903): traveling or headed north

   north by east
          [north by east] (1725): a compass point that is one point
          east of due north: N11 degrees 15 minutes E

   north by west
          [north by west] (ca. 1771): a compass point that is one point
          west of due north: N11 degrees 15 minutes W

   [1]northeast
          [north.east] adv (bef. 12c): to, toward, or in the northeast
          [2]northeast adj (bef. 12c) 1: coming from the northeast
          <a ~ wind> 2: situated toward or at the northeast <the
          ~ corner> [3]northeast n (12c) 1 a: the general direction
          between north and east b: the point midway between the
          north and east compass points 2 cap: regions or countries
          lying to the northeast of a specified or implied point
          of orientation

   northeast by east
          [northeast by east] (ca. 1771): a compass point that is one
          point east of due northeast: N56 degrees 15 minutes E

   northeast by north
          [northeast by north] (ca. 1771): a compass point that is
          one point north of due northeast: N33 degrees 45 minutes
          E

   northeaster
          [north.east.er] n (1774) 1: a strong northeast wind 2: a
          storm with northeast winds

   northeasterly
          [north.east.er.ly] adv or adj (1739) 1: from the northeast
          2: toward the northeast

   northeastern
          [north.east.ern] adj (14c) 1 often cap: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of a region conventionally designated
          Northeast 2: lying toward or coming from the northeast
          -- north.east.ern.most adj

   Northeasterner
          [North.east.ern.er] n (1961): a native or inhabitant of a
          northeastern region (as of the U.S.)

   [1]northeastward
          [north.east.ward] adv or adj (1553): toward the northeast
          -- north.east.wards adv [2]northeastward n (1892): northeast

   norther
          [north.er] n (1820) 1: a strong north wind 2: a storm with
          north winds

   [1]northerly
          [north.er.ly] adj or adv [[3]north + -erly (as in easterly)]
          (1551) 1: situated toward or belonging to the north <the
          ~ border> 2: coming from the north <a ~ wind> [2]northerly
          n, pl -lies (1955): a wind from the north

   [1]northern
          [north.ern] adj [ME northerne, fr. OE; akin to OHG nordroni
          northern, OE north north] (bef. 12c) 1 cap a: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated
          North b: of, relating to, or constituting the northern
          dialect 2 a: lying toward the north b: coming from the
          north <a ~ storm> -- north.ern.most adj [2]northern n
          (1950) 1 cap: the dialect of English spoken in the part
          of the U.S. north of a line running northwest through
          central New Jersey, below the northern tier of counties
          in Pennsylvania, through northern Ohio, Indiana, and
          Illinois, across central Iowa, and through the northwest
          corner of So. Dakota 2: [3]pike 1a

   northern corn rootworm
          [northern corn rootworm] n (1952): a corn rootworm (Diabrotica
          barberi syn. D. longicornis) often destructive to Indian
          corn in the northern parts of the central and eastern
          U.S.

   Northern Cross
          [Northern Cross] n: a cross formed by six stars in Cygnus

   Northerner
          [North.ern.er] n (1599): a native or inhabitant of the North;
          esp: a native or resident of the northern part of the
          U.S.

   northern harrier
          [northern harrier] n (1980): a widely distributed brown or
          grayish hawk (Circus cyaneus) that inhabits open and
          marshy regions and has a conspicuous white patch on the
          rump--called also marsh hawk

   northern hemisphere
          [northern hemisphere] n, often cap N&H (ca. 1771): the half
          of the earth that lies north of the equator

   northern lights
          [northern lights] n pl (14c): aurora borealis

   northern oriole
          [northern oriole] n (1974): an American oriole (Icterus galbula)
          that is characterized by the black and orange plumage
          of the male and that includes the Baltimore oriole of
          the eastern U.S. and a more western form (I. g. bullockii)
          with a black and orange head

   northern pike
          [northern pike] n (1856): [3]pike 1a

   northern white cedar
          [northern white cedar] n (1926): an arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
          of eastern No. America that has branchlets in horizontal planes;
          also: its wood--called also white cedar

   North Germanic
          [North Germanic] n (ca. 1930): a subdivision of the Germanic
          languages including Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, and
          Danish

   northing
          [north.ing] n (1669) 1: difference in latitude to the north
          from the last preceding point of reckoning 2: northerly
          progress

   northland
          [north.land] n, often cap (bef. 12c): land in the north:
          the north of a country

   Northman
          [North.man] n (bef. 12c): norseman

   north-northeast
          [north-north.east] n (14c): a compass point that is two points
          east of due north: N22 degrees 30 minutes E

   north-northwest
          [north-north.west] n (14c): a compass point that is two points
          west of due north: N22 degrees 30 minutes W

   north pole
          [north pole] n (14c) 1 a often cap N&P: the northernmost
          point of the earth; broadly: the corresponding point
          of a celestial body (as a planet) b: the zenith of the
          heavens as viewed from the north terrestrial pole 2 of
          a magnet: the pole that points toward the north when
          the magnet is freely suspended

   north-seeking pole
          [north-seeking pole] n (ca. 1920): north pole 2

   North Star
          [North Star] n: the star of the northern hemisphere toward
          which the axis of the earth points--called also polestar

   [1]Northumbrian
          [North.um.bri.an] adj (1622) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of ancient Northumbria, its people, or its language 2: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of Northumberland, its people, or its
          language [2]Northumbrian n (1752) 1: a native or inhabitant
          of ancient Northumbria 2: a native or inhabitant of Northumberland
          3 a: the Old English dialect of Northumbria b: the Modern English
          dialect of Northumberland

   [1]northward
          [north.ward] adv or adj (bef. 12c): toward the north -- north.wards
          adv [2]northward n (14c): northward direction or part <sail to the
          ~>

   [1]northwest
          [north.west] adv (bef. 12c): to, toward, or in the northwest
          [2]northwest adj (bef. 12c) 1: coming from the northwest
          <a ~ wind> 2: situated toward or at the northwest <the
          ~ corner> [3]northwest n (12c) 1 a: the general direction
          between north and west b: the point midway between the
          north and west compass points 2 cap: regions or countries
          lying to the northwest of a specified or implied point
          of orientation

   northwest by north
          [northwest by north] (ca. 1771): a compass point that is
          one point north of due northwest: N33 degrees 45 minutes
          W

   northwest by west
          [northwest by west] (ca. 1771): a compass point that is one
          point west of due northwest: N56 degrees 15 minutes W

   northwester
          [north.west.er] n (1737): a strong northwest wind

   northwesterly
          [north.west.er.ly] adv or adj (ca. 1611) 1: from the northwest
          2: toward the northwest

   northwestern
          [north.west.ern] adj (1612) 1 often cap: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of a region conventionally designated
          Northwest 2: lying toward or coming from the northwest
          -- north.west.ern.most adj

   Northwesterner
          [North.west.ern.er] n (1955): a native or inhabitant of the
          Northwest and esp. of the northwestern part of the U.S.

   [1]northwestward
          [north.west.ward] adv or adj (14c): toward the northwest
          -- north.west.wards adv [2]northwestward n (1796): northwest

   nortriptyline
          [nor.trip.ty.line] n [nor- + -tript- (perh. fr. tricyclic
          + hepta-) + -yl + [2]-ine] (1964): a tricyclic antidepressant

   Norw
          [Norw] abbreviation Norway, Norwegian

   Norway maple
          [Nor.way maple] n (1797): a European maple (Acer platanoides)
          with dark green or often reddish or red veined leaves
          that is much planted for shade in the U.S.

   Norway rat
          [Norway rat] n (ca. 1759): brown rat

   Norway spruce
          [Norway spruce] n (1797): a widely cultivated spruce (Picea
          abies) that is native to northern Europe and has a pyramidal
          shape, spreading branches and pendulous branchlets, dark
          foliage, and long pendulous cones

   Norwegian
          [Nor.we.gian] n [ML Norwegia Norway] (1605) 1 a: a native
          or inhabitant of Norway b: a person of Norwegian descent
          2: the Germanic language of the Norwegian people -- Norwegian
          adj

   Norwegian elkhound
          [Norwegian elkhound] n (1930): any of a Norwegian breed of
          short-bodied medium-sized dogs with erect ears and a
          very heavy coat of gray hairs with black tips

   Norwich terrier
          [Nor.wich terrier] n [Norwich, England] (1931): any of an
          English breed of small active low-set terriers that have
          a long straight wiry coat and erect ears

   nos
          [nos] abbreviation numbers  NOS abbreviation not otherwise
          specified

   nosce te ipsum
          [nos.ce te ip.sum] [L] foreign term : know thyself

   [1]nose
          [nose] n [ME, fr. OE nosu; akin to OHG nasa nose, L nasus]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: the part of the face that bears the nostrils
          and covers the anterior part of the nasal cavity; broadly:
          this part together with the nasal cavity b: the anterior
          part of the head at the top or end of the muzzle: snout,
          proboscis 2 a: the sense of smell: olfaction b: aroma,
          bouquet 3: the vertebrate olfactory organ 4 a: the forward
          end or projection of something b: the projecting or working
          end of a tool 5: the stem of a boat or its protective
          metal covering 6 a: the nose as a symbol of prying or
          meddling curiosity or interference b: a knack for discovery
          or understanding <a keen ~ for absurdity> -- on the nose
          1 a: at or to a target point <the bombs landed right
          on the nose> b (1): on target: accurate (2): accurately
          2: to win--used of horse or dog racing bets [2]nose vb
          nosed ; nos.ing vt (ca. 1587) 1: to detect by or as if
          by smell: scent 2 a: to push or move with the nose b:
          to move (as a vehicle) ahead slowly or cautiously <nosed
          my car into the parking space> 3: to touch or rub with
          the nose: nuzzle ~ vi 1: to use the nose in examining,
          smelling, or showing affection 2: to search impertinently:
          pry 3: to move ahead slowly or cautiously <the boat nosed
          around the bend>

   noseband
          [nose.band] n (1611): the part of a headstall that passes
          over a horse's nose

   nosebleed
          [nose.bleed] n (1848): an attack of bleeding from the nose

   nose cone
          [nose cone] n (1949): a protective cone constituting the
          forward end of an aerospace vehicle

   nosed
          [nosed] adj (1505): having a nose esp. of a specified kind--usu.
          used in combination <snub-nosed>

   nosedive
          [nose.dive] n (1912) 1: a downward nose-first plunge of a
          flying object (as an airplane) 2: a sudden extreme drop
          <stock prices took a ~> -- nose-dive vi

   no-see-um
          [no-see-um] n [fr. the words (as supposedly spoken by American
          Indians) no see um you don't see them] (1848): biting
          midge

   nosegay
          [nose.gay] n [ME, fr. nose nose + gay ornament, lit., something
          gay, fr. gay] (15c): a small bunch of flowers: posy

   noseguard
          [nose.guard] n (1950): a defensive lineman in football who
          plays opposite the offensive center

   nose job
          [nose job] n (1963): rhinoplasty

   nose out
          [nose out] vt (ca. 1630) 1: to discover often by prying 2:
          to defeat by a narrow margin

   nosepiece
          [nose.piece] n (1611) 1: a piece of armor for protecting
          the nose 2: the end piece of a microscope body to which
          an objective is attached 3: the bridge of a pair of eyeglasses

   nose tackle
          [nose tackle] n (1977): noseguard

   nosewheel
          [nose.wheel] n (1934): a landing-gear wheel under the nose
          of an airplane

   nosey parker
          [nos.ey par.ker] n, often cap N&P [prob. fr. the name Parker]
          (1907) chiefly Brit: busybody

   [1]nosh
          [nosh] n (1952): a light meal: snack [2]nosh vb [Yiddish
          nashn, fr. MHG naschen to eat on the sly] vi (1956):
          to eat a snack ~ vt: chew, munch -- nosh.er n

   no-show
          [no-show] n (1941) 1: a person who reserves space (as on
          an airplane) but neither uses nor cancels the reservation
          2: a person who buys a ticket (as to a sporting event)
          but does not attend; broadly: a person who is expected
          but who does not show up 3: failure to show up

   nosing
          [nos.ing] n (ca. 1775): the usu. rounded edge of a stair
          tread that projects over the riser; also: a similar rounded
          projection

   nosocomial
          [nos.o.co.mi.al] adj [LL nosocomium hospital, fr. LGk nosokomeion,
          fr. Gk nosokomos one who tends the sick, fr. nosos disease
          + -komos; akin to Gk kamnein to suffer, toil, Skt samyati he tires]
          (ca. 1843): originating or taking place in a hospital <~ infection>

   nosology
          [no.sol.o.gy] n [prob. fr. NL nosologia, fr. Gk nosos disease
          + NL -logia -logy] (ca. 1721) 1: a classification or
          list of diseases 2: a branch of medical science that
          deals with classification of diseases -- no.so.log.i.cal
          or no.so.log.ic adj -- no.so.log.i.cal.ly adv

   nostalgia
          [nos.tal.gia] n [NL, fr. Gk nostos return home + NL -algia;
          akin to Gk neisthai to return, OE genesan to survive,
          Skt nasate he approaches] (1770) 1: the state of being
          homesick: homesickness 2: a wistful or excessively sentimental
          yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable
          condition; also: something that evokes nostalgia -- nos.tal.gic
          adj or n -- nos.tal.gi.cal.ly adv

   nostalgie de la boue
          [nos.tal.gie de la boue] [F] foreign term : yearning for
          the mud: attraction to what is unworthy, crude, or degrading

   nostalgist
          [nos.tal.gist] n (1953): a person given to nostalgia for
          the past

   nostoc
          [nos.toc] n [NL] (1650): any of a genus (Nostoc) of blue-green
          algae that fix nitrogen

   nostril
          [nos.tril] n [ME nosethirl, fr. OE nosthyrl, fr. nosu nose
          + thyrel hole; akin to OE thurh through] (bef. 12c) 1:
          either of the external nares; broadly: either of the
          nares with the adjoining passage on the same side of
          the septum 2: either fleshy lateral wall of the nose

   nostrum
          [nos.trum] n [L, neut. of noster our, ours, fr. nos we--more
          at us] (1602) 1: a medicine of secret composition recommended
          by its preparer but usu. without scientific proof of
          its effectiveness 2: a usu. questionable remedy or scheme:
          panacea

   nosy
          [nosy] or nos.ey adj nos.i.er ; -est [[1]nose] (1882): of
          prying or inquisitive disposition or quality: intrusive
          -- nos.i.ly adv -- nos.i.ness n

   not
          [not] adv [ME, alter. of nought, fr. nought, pron.--more
          at naught] (13c) 1--used as a function word to make negative
          a group of words or a word 2--used as a function word
          to stand for the negative of a preceding group of words
          <is sometimes hard to see and sometimes ~> NOT n [not]
          (1947): a logical operator that produces a statement
          that is the inverse of an input statement

   nota
          [nota] pl of notum

   nota bene
          [no.ta be.ne] [L, mark well] (ca. 1721)--used to call attention
          to something important

   notability
          [no.ta.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1832): a notable or prominent
          person

   [1]notable
          [no.ta.ble] adj (14c) 1 a: worthy of note: remarkable b:
          distinguished, prominent 2 archaic: efficient or capable
          in performance of housewifely duties -- no.ta.ble.ness
          n [2]no.ta.ble n (1815) 1: a person of note: notability
          2 pl, often cap: a group of persons summoned esp. in
          monarchical France to act as a deliberative body

   notably
          [no.ta.bly] adv (14c) 1: in a notable manner: to a high degree
          <was ~ impressed> 2: especially, particularly <other
          powers, ~ Britain and the United States --C. A. Fisher>

   notarial
          [no.tar.i.al] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a notary public 2: done or executed by a notary public
          -- no.tar.i.al.ly adv

   notarization
          [no.ta.ri.za.tion] n (1940) 1: the act, process, or an instance
          of notarizing 2: the notarial certificate appended to
          a document

   notarize
          [no.ta.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing (1926): to acknowledge
          or attest as a notary public

   notary public
          [no.ta.ry public] n, pl notaries public or notary publics
          [ME notary clerk, notary public, fr. L notarius clerk,
          secretary, fr. notarius of shorthand, fr. nota note,
          shorthand character] (15c): a public officer who attests
          or certifies writings (as a deed) to make them authentic
          and takes affidavits, depositions, and protests of negotiable
          paper--called also notary

   notate
          [no.tate] vt no.tat.ed ; no.tat.ing [back-formation fr. notation]
          (1903): to put into notation

   notation
          [no.ta.tion] n [L notation-, notatio, fr. notare to note]
          (1584) 1: annotation, note 2 a: the act, process, method,
          or an instance of representing by a system or set of
          marks, signs, figures, or characters b: a system of characters,
          symbols, or abbreviated expressions used in an art or
          science or in mathematics or logic to express technical
          facts or quantities -- no.ta.tion.al adj

   [1]notch
          [notch] n [perh. alter. (fr. misdivision of an otch) of (assumed)
          otch, fr. MF oche] (1577) 1 a: a V-shaped indentation
          b: a slit made to serve as a record c: a rounded indentation
          cut into the pages of a book on the edge opposite the
          spine 2: a deep close pass: gap 3: degree, step -- notched
          adj [2]notch vt (1600) 1: to cut or make a notch in 2
          a: to mark or record by a notch b: score, achieve--sometimes
          used with up

   notchback
          [notch.back] n (1965): an automobile with a trunk whose lid
          forms a distinct deck; also: the back of such an automobile

   [1]note
          [note] vt not.ed ; not.ing [ME, fr. OF noter, fr. L notare
          to mark, note, fr. nota] (13c) 1 a: to notice or observe
          with care b: to record or preserve in writing 2 a: to
          make special mention of: remark b: indicate, show --
          not.er n [2]note n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L nota mark, character,
          written note] (13c) 1 a (1) obs: melody, song (2): tone
          2a (3): call, sound; esp: the musical call of a bird
          b: a written symbol used to indicate duration and pitch
          of a tone by its shape and position on the staff 2 a:
          a characteristic feature (as of odor or flavor) b: something
          (as an emotion or disposition) like a note in tone or
          resonance <a ~ of sadness> <end on a high ~> 3 a (1):
          memorandum (2): a condensed or informal record b (1):
          a brief comment or explanation (2): a printed comment
          or reference set apart from the text c (1): a written
          promise to pay a debt (2): a piece of paper money d (1):
          a short informal letter (2): a formal diplomatic communication
          e: a scholarly or technical essay shorter than an article
          and restricted in scope f: a sheet of notepaper 4 a:
          distinction, reputation <a figure of international ~>
          b: observation, notice <took full ~ of the proceedings>
          c: knowledge, information syn see sign

   notebook
          [note.book] n (1579): a book for notes or memoranda

   notecase
          [note.case] n (1838) Brit: wallet 2a

   noted
          [not.ed] adj (14c): well-known by reputation: eminent, celebrated
          syn see famous -- not.ed.ly adv -- not.ed.ness n

   noteless
          [note.less] adj (ca. 1616): not noticed: undistinguished

   note of hand
          [note of hand] (ca. 1738): promissory note

   notepad
          [note.pad] n (1922): pad 4

   notepaper
          [note.pa.per] n (1849): writing paper suitable for notes

   noteworthy
          [note.wor.thy] adj (1552): worthy of or attracting attention
          esp. because of some special excellence -- note.wor.thi.ly
          adv -- note.wor.thi.ness n

   not-for-profit
          [not-for-profit] adj (ca. 1973): nonprofit

   nother
          [noth.er] or 'noth.er adj [alter. (fr. misdivision of another)
          of other, adj.] (1956): other--used esp. in the phrase
          a whole nother--used chiefly in speech or informal prose

   [1]nothing
          [noth.ing] pron [ME, fr. OE nan thing, nathing, fr. nan no
          + thing thing--more at none] (bef. 12c) 1: not any thing:
          no thing <leaves ~ to the imagination> 2: no part 3:
          one of no interest, value, or consequence <they mean
          ~ to me> -- nothing doing : by no means: definitely no
          -- nothing for it : no alternative <nothing for it but
          to start over> [2]nothing adv (12c): not at all: in no
          degree -- nothing like : not nearly <it's nothing like
          thorough enough> [3]nothing n (1535) 1 a: something that
          does not exist b: the absence of all magnitude or quantity;
          also: zero 1a c: nothingness 3b 2: someone or something
          of no or slight value or size [4]nothing adj (1611):
          of no account: worthless

   nothingness
          [noth.ing.ness] n (ca. 1631) 1: the quality or state of being
          nothing: as a: nonexistence b: utter insignificance c:
          death 2: something insignificant or valueless 3 a: void,
          emptiness b: a metaphysical entity opposed to and devoid
          of being and regarded by some existentialists as the
          ground of anxiety

   [1]notice
          [no.tice] n [ME, fr. MF, acquaintance, fr. L notitia knowledge,
          acquaintance, fr. notus known, fr. pp. of noscere to
          come to know--more at know] (15c) 1 a (1): warning or
          intimation of something: announcement (2): notification
          by one of the parties to an agreement or relation of
          intention of terminating it at a specified time (3):
          the condition of being warned or notified--usu. used
          in the phrase on notice b: information, intelligence
          2 a: attention, heed b: polite or favorable attention:
          civility 3: a written or printed announcement 4: a short
          critical account or examination [2]notice vt no.ticed
          ; no.tic.ing (15c) 1: to give notice of 2 a: to comment
          upon b: review 3 a: to treat with attention or civility
          b: to take notice of: mark 4: to give a formal notice
          to -- no.tic.er n

   noticeable
          [no.tice.able] adj (1796) 1: worthy of notice 2: capable
          of being noticed -- no.tice.ably adv syn noticeable,
          remarkable, prominent, outstanding, conspicuous, salient,
          striking mean attracting notice or attention. noticeable
          applies to something unlikely to escape observation <a
          piano recital with no noticeable errors>. remarkable
          applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional
          as to invite comment <a film of remarkable intelligence
          and wit>. prominent applies to something commanding notice
          by standing out from its surroundings or background <a
          doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town>.
          outstanding applies to something that rises above and
          excels others of the same kind <honored for her outstanding
          contributions to science>. conspicuous applies to something
          that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind
          <conspicuous bureaucratic waste>. salient applies to
          something of significance that merits the attention given
          it <the salient points of the speech>. striking applies
          to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply
          upon the observer's mind or vision <the region's striking
          poverty>.

   notice board
          [notice board] n (1854) chiefly Brit: a board bearing a notice
          or on which notices may be posted; esp: bulletin board

   notifiable
          [no.ti.fi.able] adj (1889): required by law to be reported
          to official health authorities <a ~ disease>

   notification
          [no.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or an instance of notifying
          2: a written or printed matter that gives notice

   notify
          [no.ti.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME notifien, fr. MF notifier
          to make known, fr. LL notificare, fr. L notus known]
          (14c) 1 obs: to point out 2: to give notice of or report
          the occurrence of <he notified his intention to sue>
          3: to give formal notice to <~ a family of the death
          of a relation> syn see inform -- no.ti.fi.er n

   no-till
          [no-till] n (1968): no-tillage

   no-tillage
          [no-till.age] n (1968): a system of farming that consists
          of planting a narrow slit trench without tillage and
          with the use of herbicides to suppress weeds

   notion
          [no.tion] n [L notion-, notio, fr. noscere] (1537) 1 a (1):
          an individual's conception or impression of something
          known, experienced, or imagined (2): an inclusive general
          concept (3): a theory or belief held by a person or group
          b: a personal inclination: whim 2 obs: mind, intellect
          3 pl: small useful items: sundries syn see idea

   notional
          [no.tion.al] adj (1597) 1: theoretical, speculative 2: existing
          in the mind only: imaginary 3: given to foolish or fanciful
          moods or ideas 4 a: of, relating to, or being a notion
          or idea: conceptual b (1): presenting an idea of a thing,
          action, or quality <has is ~ in he has luck, relational
          in he has gone> (2): of or representing what exists or
          occurs in the world of things as distinguished from syntactic
          categories -- no.tion.al.i.ty n -- no.tion.al.ly adv

   notochord
          [no.to.chord] n [Gk noton, notos back + L chorda cord--more
          at cord] (1848): a longitudinal flexible rod of cells
          that in the lowest chordates (as a lancelet or a lamprey)
          and in the embryos of the higher vertebrates forms the
          supporting axis of the body -- no.to.chord.al adj

   notoriety
          [no.to.ri.e.ty] n, pl -ties [MF or ML; MF notoriete, fr.
          ML notorietat-, notorietas, fr. notorius] (ca. 1650)
          1: the quality or state of being notorious 2: a notorious
          person

   notorious
          [no.to.ri.ous] adj [ML notorius, fr. LL notorium information,
          indictment, fr. L noscere to come to know--more at know]
          (1534): generally known and talked of; esp: widely and
          unfavorably known syn see famous

   notoriously
          [no.to.ri.ous.ly] adv (1512) 1: in a notorious manner 2:
          it is notorious: as is very well known

   no-trump
          [no-trump] adj (1899): being a bid, contract, or hand suitable
          to play without any suit being trumps -- no-trump n

   Notts
          [Notts] abbreviation Nottinghamshire

   notum
          [no.tum] n, pl no.ta [NL, fr. Gk noton back] (1877): the
          dorsal surface of a thoracic segment of an insect

   [1]notwithstanding
          [not.with.stand.ing] prep [ME notwithstonding, fr. not +
          withstonding, prp. of withstonden to withstand] (14c):
          despite <~ their lack of experience, they were an immediate
          success>--often used after its object <the motion passed,
          our objection ~> [2]notwithstanding adv (15c): nevertheless,
          however [3]notwithstanding conj (15c): although

   nougat
          [nou.gat] n [F, fr. Prov, fr. OProv nogat, fr. noga nut,
          fr. (assumed) VL nuca, fr. L nuc-, nux--more at nut]
          (1827): a confection of nuts or fruit pieces in a sugar
          paste

   nought
          [nought] var of naught

   noumenon
          [nou.me.non] n, pl -na [G, fr. Gk nooumenon that which is
          apprehended by thought, fr. neut. of pres. pass. part.
          of noein to think, conceive, fr. nous mind] (1796): a
          posited object or event as it appears in itself independent
          of perception by the senses -- nou.men.al adj

   noun
          [noun] n [ME nowne, fr. AF noun name, noun, fr. OF nom, fr.
          L nomen--more at name] (14c): any member of a class of
          words that typically can be combined with determiners
          to serve as the subject of a verb, can be interpreted
          as singular or plural, can be replaced with a pronoun,
          and refer to an entity, quality, state, action, or concept

   noun phrase
          [noun phrase] n, often cap N&P (1923): a phrase formed by
          a noun and all its modifiers and determiners; broadly:
          any syntactic element (as a clause, clitic, pronoun,
          or zero element) with a noun's function (as the subject
          of a verb or the object of a verb or preposition)--abbr.
          NP

   nourish
          [nour.ish] vt [ME nurishen, fr. OF noriss-, stem of norrir,
          fr. L nutrire to suckle, nourish; akin to Gk nan to flow,
          noteros damp, Skt snauti it drips] (14c) 1: nurture,
          rear 2: to promote the growth of <no occasions to exercise
          the feelings nor ~ passion --L. O. Coxe> 3 a: to furnish
          or sustain with nutriment: feed b: maintain, support
          <their profits ... ~ other criminal activities --Beverly
          Smith> -- nour.ish.er n

   nourishing
          [nour.ish.ing] adj (14c): giving nourishment: nutritious

   nourishment
          [nour.ish.ment] n (15c) 1 a: food, nutriment b: sustenance
          3 <books for intellectual ~> 2: the act of nourishing:
          the state of being nourished

   nous
          [nous] n [Gk noos, nous mind] (1678) 1: mind, reason: as
          a: an intelligent purposive principle of the world b:
          the divine reason regarded in Neoplatonism as the first
          emanation of God 2 chiefly Brit: common sense, alertness

   nous avons change tout cela
          [nous avons chan.ge tout ce.la] [F] foreign term : we have
          changed all that

   nous verrons ce que nous verrons
          [nous ver.rons ce que nous ver.rons] [F] foreign term : we
          shall see what we shall see

   nouveau
          [nou.veau] adj [F, fr. MF novel] (1828): newly arrived or
          developed

   nouveau riche
          [nou.veau riche] n, pl nou.veaux riches [F, lit., new rich]
          (1813): a person newly rich: parvenu

   nouvelle
          [nou.velle] adj [nouvelle cuisine] (1976): of or relating
          to nouvelle cuisine <a ~ restaurant>

   nouvelle cuisine
          [nouvelle cuisine] n [F, lit., new cuisine] (1975): a form
          of French cuisine that uses little flour or fat and stresses
          light sauces and the use of fresh seasonal produce; also:
          any national cuisine that stresses lightness and freshness
          in preparation <American nouvelle cuisine>

   nouvelle vague
          [nouvelle vague] n [F] (1959): new wave 1, 2

   nov
          [nov] abbreviation novelist  Nov abbreviation November

   nova
          [no.va] n, pl novas or no.vae [NL, fem. of L novus new] (1927):
          a star that suddenly increases its light output tremendously
          and then fades away to its former obscurity in a few
          months or years -- no.va.like adj

   novaculite
          [no.vac.u.lite] n [L novacula razor] (1796): a very hard
          fine-grained siliceous rock used for whetstones and possibly
          of sedimentary origin

   novation
          [no.va.tion] n [LL novation-, novatio renewal, legal novation,
          fr. L novare to make new, fr. novus] (1682): the substitution
          of a new legal obligation for an old one

   [1]novel
          [nov.el] adj [ME, fr. MF, new, fr. L novellus, fr. dim. of
          novus new--more at new] (15c) 1: new and not resembling
          something formerly known or used 2: original or striking
          esp. in conception or style <a ~ scheme to collect money>
          syn see new [2]novel n [It novella] (1639) 1: an invented
          prose narrative that is usu. long and complex and deals
          esp. with human experience through a usu. connected sequence
          of events 2: the literary genre consisting of novels
          -- nov.el.is.tic adj -- nov.el.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   novelette
          [nov.el.ette] n (1814): novella 2

   novelettish
          [nov.el.ett.ish] adj (1904): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a novelette; esp: sentimental

   novelist
          [nov.el.ist] n (1728): a writer of novels

   novelize
          [nov.el.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1828): to convert into the
          form of a novel <~ a play> -- nov.el.iza.tion n

   novella
          [no.vel.la] n, pl novellas or no.vel.le [It, fr. fem. of
          novello new, fr. L novellus] (1898) 1 pl novelle: a story
          with a compact and pointed plot 2 pl usu novellas: a
          work of fiction intermediate in length and complexity
          between a short story and a novel

   novelty
          [nov.el.ty] n, pl -ties [ME novelte, fr. MF novelete, fr.
          novel] (14c) 1: something new or unusual 2: the quality
          or state of being novel: newness 3: a small manufactured
          article intended mainly for personal or household adornment--usu.
          used in pl.

   [1]November
          [No.vem.ber] n [ME Novembre, fr. OF, fr. L November, ninth
          month of the early Roman calendar, fr. novem nine--more
          at nine] (13c): the 11th month of the Gregorian calendar
          [2]November (1956)--a communications code word for the
          letter n

   novemdecillion
          [no.vem.de.cil.lion] n, often attrib [L novemdecim nineteen
          (fr. novem + decem ten) + E -illion (as in million)--more
          at ten] (ca. 1934): the figure 1 followed by 60 zeroes:
          the figure 1,000 followed by 19 groups of three zeroes;
          also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by 114 zeroes: one
          million to the 19th power

   novena
          [no.ve.na] n [ML, fr. L, fem. of novenus nine each, fr. novem]
          (1853): a Roman Catholic period of prayer lasting nine
          consecutive days

   novice
          [nov.ice] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML novicius, fr. L, newly imported,
          fr. novus--more at new] (14c) 1: a person admitted to
          probationary membership in a religious community 2: beginner,
          tyro

   novitiate
          [no.vi.tiate] n [F noviciat, fr. ML noviciatus, fr. novicius]
          (1600) 1: the period or state of being a novice 2: a
          house where novices are trained 3: novice

   novobiocin
          [no.vo.bi.o.cin] n [novo- (perh. modif. of L niveus snowy,
          specific epithet of the bacterium Streptomyces niveus)
          + bi- + -mycin] (1956): a weak dibasic acid that is highly
          toxic to humans and is used as an antimicrobial drug
          in some serious cases of staphylococcic and urinary tract
          infection

   Novocain
          [No.vo.cain] trademark--used for a preparation containing
          the hydrochloride of procaine

   novocaine
          [no.vo.caine] n [ISV novo- (fr. L novus new) + cocaine] (1910):
          procaine; also: its hydrochloride

   novus homo
          [no.vus ho.mo] [L] foreign term : new man: man newly ennobled:
          upstart

   novus ordo seclorum
          [novus or.do se.clo.rum] [L] foreign term : a new cycle of
          the ages--motto on the reverse of the Great Seal of the
          United States

   NOW
          [NOW] abbreviation National Organization for Women

   [1]now
          [now] adv [ME, fr. OE nu; akin to OHG nu now, L nunc, Gk
          nyn] (bef. 12c) 1 a: at the present time or moment b:
          in the time immediately before the present <thought of
          them just ~> c: in the time immediately to follow: forthwith
          <come in ~> 2--used with the sense of present time weakened
          or lost to express command, request, or admonition <~
          hear this> <~ you be sure to write> 3--used with the
          sense of present time weakened or lost to introduce an
          important point or indicate a transition (as of ideas)
          4: sometimes <~ one and ~ another> 5: under the present
          circumstances 6: at the time referred to <~ the trouble
          began> [2]now conj (bef. 12c): in view of the fact that:
          since--often followed by that <~ that we are here> [3]now
          n (12c): the present time or moment <been ill up to ~>
          [4]now adj (14c) 1: of or relating to the present time:
          existing <the ~ president> 2 a: excitingly new <~ clothes>
          b: constantly aware of what is new <~ people> <the ~
          generation>

   NOW account
          [NOW account] n [negotiable order of withdrawal] (1974):
          a savings account on which checks may be drawn

   nowadays
          [now.a.days] adv [ME now a dayes, fr. [1]now + a dayes during
          the day] (14c): at the present time

   now and then
          [now and then] adv (15c): from time to time: occasionally
          <now and then we go off to the country>

   noway
          [no.way] adv (13c) 1 or no.ways : nowise 2 usu no way : no--used
          emphatically

   [1]nowhere
          [no.where] adv (bef. 12c) 1: not in or at any place 2: to
          no place [2]nowhere n (1831) 1: a nonexistent place 2:
          an unknown, distant, or obscure place or state <rose
          to fame out of ~> -- miles from nowhere : in an extremely
          remote place

   nowhere near
          [nowhere near] adv (15c): not nearly

   nowheres
          [no.wheres] adv (ca. 1866) chiefly dial: nowhere

   nowhither
          [no.whith.er] adv (bef. 12c): to or toward no place

   no-win
          [no-win] adj (1962): not likely to give victory, success,
          or satisfaction: that cannot be won <a ~ situation> <a
          ~ war>

   nowise
          [no.wise] adv (14c): not at all

   nowness
          [now.ness] n (1674): the quality or state of existing or
          occurring in or belonging to the present time

   nowt
          [nowt] dial Eng var of nought

   noxious
          [nox.ious] adj [ME noxius, fr. L, fr. noxa harm; akin to
          L nocere to harm, nec-, nex violent death, Gk nekros
          dead body] (15c) 1 a: physically harmful or destructive
          to living beings <~ wastes that poison our streams> b:
          constituting a harmful influence on mind or behavior:
          morally corrupting <~ doctrines> 2: distasteful, obnoxious
          syn see pernicious -- nox.ious.ly adv -- nox.ious.ness
          n

   nozzle
          [noz.zle] n [dim. of nose] (1683) 1 a: a projecting vent
          of something b: a short tube with a taper or constriction
          used (as on a hose) to speed up or direct a flow of fluid
          c: a part in a rocket engine that accelerates the exhaust
          gases from the combustion chamber to a high velocity
          2 slang: nose

   np...
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   np
          [np] abbreviation no pagination, no place (of publication)
          Np abbreviation neptunium  NP abbreviation neuropsychiatric,
          neuropsychiatry, no protest, notary public, noun phrase

   NPF
          [NPF] abbreviation not provided for

   NPN
          [NPN] abbreviation nonprotein nitrogen

   NPR
          [NPR] abbreviation National Public Radio

   NPS
          [NPS] abbreviation National Park Service

   nr...
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   nr
          [nr] abbreviation near  NR abbreviation not rated

   NRA
          [NRA] abbreviation National Recovery Administration, National
          Rifle Association

   NRC
          [NRC] abbreviation National Research Council, Nuclear Regulatory
          Commission

   ns...
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   ns
          [ns] also nsec abbreviation nanosecond Ns abbreviation nimbostratus
          NS abbreviation new series, new style, not specified, not
          sufficient, Nova Scotia, nuclear ship

   NSA
          [NSA] abbreviation National Security Agency

   NSAID
          [NSAID] n [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug] (1985): a
          nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (as ibuprofen)

   NSC
          [NSC] abbreviation National Security Council

   NSF
          [NSF] abbreviation National Science Foundation, not sufficient
          funds

   NSW
          [NSW] abbreviation New South Wales

   nt...
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   NT
          [NT] abbreviation New Territories, New Testament, Northern
          Territory, Northwest Territories

   nth
          [nth] adj [n (indefinite number) + -th] (1852) 1: numbered
          with an unspecified or indefinitely large ordinal number
          <for the ~ time> 2: extreme, utmost <to the ~ degree>

   Nthmb
          [Nthmb] abbreviation Northumberland

   NTP
          [NTP] abbreviation normal temperature and pressure

   NTSB
          [NTSB] abbreviation National Transportation Safety Board

   nt wt
          [nt wt] or n wt abbreviation net weight

   nu...
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   nu
          [nu] n [Gk ny, of Sem origin; akin to Heb nun nun] (ca. 1823):
          the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet

   NU
          [NU] abbreviation name unknown

   nuance
          [nu.ance] n [F, fr. MF, shade of color, fr. nuer to make
          shades of color, fr. nue cloud, fr. L nubes; perh. akin
          to W nudd mist] (1781) 1: a subtle distinction or variation
          2: a subtle quality: nicety 3: sensibility to, awareness
          of, or ability to express delicate shadings (as of meaning,
          feeling, or value) -- nu.anced adj

   nub
          [nub] n [alter. of E dial. knub, prob. fr. LG knubbe] (1727)
          1: knob, lump 2: nubbin 3: gist, point

   nubbin
          [nub.bin] n [perh. dim. of nub] (1692) 1: something (as an
          ear of Indian corn) that is small for its kind, stunted,
          undeveloped, or imperfect 2: a small usu. projecting
          part or bit 3: nub 3

   nubble
          [nub.ble] n [dim. of nub] (1818): a small knob or lump --
          nub.bly adj

   nubby
          [nub.by] adj nub.bi.er ; -est [nub + [1]-y] (ca. 1876) 1:
          having or being like nubbles 2: having nubs <a ~ knit
          fabric>

   Nubian
          [Nu.bi.an] n (15c) 1 a: a native or inhabitant of Nubia b:
          a member of one of the group of dark-skinned peoples
          that formed a powerful empire between Egypt and Ethiopia
          from the 6th to the 14th centuries 2: any of several
          languages spoken in central and northern Sudan -- Nubian
          adj

   nubile
          [nu.bile] adj [F, fr. L nubilis, fr. nubere to marry--more
          at nuptial] (ca. 1642) 1: of marriageable condition or
          age 2: sexually attractive--used of a young woman --
          nu.bil.i.ty n

   nucellus
          [nu.cel.lus] n, pl nu.cel.li [NL, fr. L nucella small nut,
          fr. nuc-, nux nut--more at nut] (1882): the central and
          chief part of a plant ovule that encloses the female
          gametophyte -- nu.cel.lar adj

   nuchal
          [nu.chal] adj [ML nucha nape, fr. Ar nukha' spinal marrow]
          (1835): of, relating to, or lying in the region of the
          nape

   nucle-
          [nucle-] or nucleo- comb form [F nucle-, nucleo-, fr. NL
          nucleus] 1: nucleus <nucleoplasm> 2: nucleic acid <nucleoprotein>

   nuclear
          [nu.cle.ar] adj (1846) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          a nucleus 2 a: of or relating to the atomic nucleus <~
          reaction> <~ physics> b: used in or produced by a nuclear
          reaction (as fission) <~ fuel> <~ waste> <~ energy> c
          (1): being a weapon whose destructive power derives from
          an uncontrolled nuclear reaction (2): of, produced by,
          or involving nuclear weapons <the ~ age> <~ war> (3):
          armed with nuclear weapons <~ powers> d: of, relating
          to, or powered by nuclear energy <a ~ submarine> <the
          ~ debate> <a ~ plant>

   nuclear family
          [nuclear family] n (1947): a family group that consists only
          of father, mother, and children

   nuclear magnetic resonance
          [nuclear magnetic resonance] n (1942): the magnetic resonance
          of an atomic nucleus

   nuclear medicine
          [nuclear medicine] n (1952): a branch of medicine dealing
          with the use of radioactive materials in the diagnosis
          and treatment of disease

   nuclear membrane
          [nuclear membrane] n (1888): a double membrane enclosing
          a cell nucleus and having its outer part continuous with
          the endoplasmic reticulum--see cell illustration

   nuclear-powered
          [nuclear-powered] adj (1948): powered by nuclear energy

   nuclear resonance
          [nuclear resonance] n (1940): the resonance absorption of
          a gamma ray by a nucleus identical to the nucleus that
          emitted the gamma ray

   nuclear sap
          [nuclear sap] n (1877): the clear homogeneous ground substance
          of a cell nucleus--called also karyolymph

   nuclear winter
          [nuclear winter] n (1983): the chilling of climate that is
          hypothesized to be a consequence of nuclear war and to
          result from the prolonged blockage of sunlight by high-altitude
          dust clouds produced by nuclear explosions

   nuclease
          [nu.cle.ase] n (1902): any of various enzymes that promote
          hydrolysis of nucleic acids

   nucleate
          [nu.cle.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL nucleatus, pp. of nucleare
          to become stony, fr. L nucleus] vt (ca. 1864) 1: to form
          into a nucleus: cluster 2: to act as a nucleus for 3:
          to supply nuclei to ~ vi 1: to form a nucleus 2: to act
          as a nucleus 3: to begin to form -- nu.cle.ation n --
          nu.cle.a.tor n

   nucleated
          [nu.cle.at.ed] or nu.cle.ate adj [L nucleatus, fr. nucleus
          kernel] (1845) 1: having a nucleus or nuclei <~ cells>
          2 usu nucleate: originating or occurring at nuclei <nucleate
          boiling>

   nucleic acid
          [nu.cle.ic acid] n [fr. their occurrence in cell nuclei]
          (1892): any of various acids (as DNA or RNA) that are
          composed of nucleotide chains

   nuclein
          [nu.cle.in] n (1878) 1: nucleoprotein 2: nucleic acid

   nucleocapsid
          [nu.cle.o.cap.sid] n (1963): the nucleic acid and surrounding
          protein coat in a virus

   nucleoid
          [nu.cle.oid] n (1938): the DNA-containing area of a prokaryotic
          cell (as a bacterium)

   nucleolus
          [nu.cle.o.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. L, dim. of nucleus] (1845):
          a spherical body of the nucleus of most eukaryotes that
          becomes enlarged during protein synthesis, is associated
          with a nucleolus organizer, and contains the DNA templates
          for ribosomal RNA--see cell illustration -- nu.cle.o.lar
          adj

   nucleolus organizer
          [nucleolus organizer] n (1939): the specific part of a chromosome
          with which a nucleolus is associated esp. during its
          reorganization after nuclear division--called also nucleolar
          organizer

   nucleon
          [nu.cle.on] n [ISV] (1923) 1: a nuclear particle: a: proton
          b: neutron 2: a hypothetical single entity with one-half
          unit of isospin that can manifest itself as either a
          proton or a neutron -- nu.cle.on.ic adj

   nucleonics
          [nu.cle.on.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1937): a branch
          of physical science that deals with nucleons or with
          all phenomena of the atomic nucleus

   nucleophile
          [nu.cle.o.phile] n (1943): a nucleophilic substance (as an
          electron-donating reagent)

   nucleophilic
          [nu.cle.o.phil.ic] adj (1933) 1 of an atom, ion, or molecule:
          having an affinity for atomic nuclei: being an electron
          donor 2: involving a nucleophilic species <a ~ reaction>--compare
          electrophilic -- nu.cleo.phil.i.cal.ly adv -- nu.cle.o.phi.lic.i.ty
          n

   nucleoplasm
          [nu.cle.o.plasm] n [ISV] (1888): the protoplasm of a nucleus;
          esp: nuclear sap -- nu.cle.o.plas.mic adj

   nucleoprotein
          [nu.cle.o.pro.tein] n [ISV] (1907): a compound that consists
          of a protein (as a histone) conjugated with a nucleic
          acid (as a DNA) and that is the principal constituent
          of the hereditary material in chromosomes

   nucleoside
          [nu.cle.o.side] n [ISV nucle- + [2]-ose + -ide] (1911): a
          compound (as guanosine or adenosine) that consists of
          a purine or pyrimidine base combined with deoxyribose
          or ribose and is found esp. in DNA or RNA

   nucleosome
          [nu.cle.o.some] n (1962): any of the repeating globular subunits
          of chromatin that consist of a complex of DNA and histone
          -- nu.cle.o.so.mal adj

   nucleosynthesis
          [nu.cle.o.syn.the.sis] n [NL] (1960): the production of a
          chemical element from simpler nuclei (as of hydrogen)
          esp. in a star -- nu.cle.o.syn.thet.ic adj

   nucleotidase
          [nu.cle.o.tid.ase] n (1911): a phosphatase that promotes
          hydrolysis of a nucleotide (as into a nucleoside and
          phosphoric acid)

   nucleotide
          [nu.cle.o.tide] n [ISV, irreg. fr. nucle- + -ide] (1908):
          any of several compounds that consist of a ribose or
          deoxyribose sugar joined to a purine or pyrimidine base
          and to a phosphate group and that are the basic structural
          units of nucleic acids (as RNA and DNA)--compare nucleoside

   nucleus
          [nu.cle.us] n, pl nu.clei also nu.cle.us.es [NL, fr. L, kernel,
          dim. of nuc-, nux nut--more at nut] (1704) 1: the small
          brighter and denser portion of a galaxy or of the head
          of a comet 2: a central point, group, or mass about which
          gathering, concentration, or accretion takes place: as
          a: a cellular organelle of eukaryotes that is essential
          to cell functions (as reproduction and protein synthesis),
          is composed of nuclear sap and a nucleoprotein-rich network
          from which chromosomes and nucleoli arise, and is enclosed
          in a definite membrane--see cell illustration b: a mass
          of gray matter or group of nerve cells in the central
          nervous system c: a characteristic and stable complex
          of atoms or groups in a molecule; esp: ring <the naphthalene
          ~> d: the positively charged central portion of an atom
          that comprises nearly all of the atomic mass and that
          consists of protons and neutrons except in hydrogen which
          consists of one proton only 3: the peak of sonority in
          the utterance of a syllable

   nuclide
          [nu.clide] n [nucleus + Gk eidos form, species--more at idol]
          (1947): a species of atom characterized by the constitution
          of its nucleus and hence by the number of protons, the
          number of neutrons, and the energy content -- nu.clid.ic
          adj

   [1]nude
          [nude] adj nud.er ; nud.est [L nudus naked--more at naked]
          (1531) 1: lacking something essential esp. to legal validity
          <a ~ contract> 2 a: devoid of a natural or conventional
          covering; esp: not covered by clothing or a drape b (1):
          of the color of a white person's flesh (2): giving the
          appearance of nudity <a ~ dress> c: featuring nudes <a
          ~ movie> d: frequented by naked people <a ~ beach> syn
          see bare -- nude adv -- nude.ly adv -- nude.ness n --
          nu.di.ty n [2]nude n (1708) 1 a: a representation of
          a nude human figure b: a nude person 2: the condition
          of being nude <in the ~>

   nudge
          [nudge] vb nudged ; nudg.ing [origin unknown] vt (1675) 1:
          to touch or push gently; esp: to seek the attention of
          by a push of the elbow 2: to prod lightly: urge into
          action 3: approach <its circulation is nudging the four
          million mark --Bennett Cerf> ~ vi: to give a nudge --
          nudge n -- nudg.er n

   nudibranch
          [nu.di.branch] n, pl -branchs [NL Nudibranchia, fr. L nudus
          + Gk branchia gills] (1847): any of an order (Nudibranchia)
          of marine gastropod mollusks without a shell in the adult
          state and without true gills -- nudibranch adj

   nudism
          [nud.ism] n (1929): the practice of going nude esp. in sexually
          mixed groups and during periods of time spent at specially
          secluded places -- nud.ist adj or n

   nudnick
          [nud.nick] or nud.nik n [Yiddish nudnik, fr. nudyen to bore,
          fr. Pol nudzic, fr. nuda boredom] (1947): a person who
          is a bore or nuisance

   nugae
          [nu.gae] [L] foreign term : trifles

   nugatory
          [nu.ga.to.ry] adj [L nugatorius, fr. nugari to trifle, fr.
          nugae trifles] (1603) 1: of little or no consequence:
          trifling, inconsequential 2: having no force: inoperative
          syn see vain

   nugget
          [nug.get] n [origin unknown] (1852) 1: a solid lump; esp:
          a native lump of precious metal 2: tidbit 2 <~s of wisdom>
          3: a small usu. rounded piece of food <chicken ~s>

   nuisance
          [nui.sance] n [ME nusaunce, fr. AF, fr. OF nuire to harm,
          fr. L nocere--more at noxious] (15c) 1: harm, injury
          2: one that is annoying, unpleasant, or obnoxious: pest

   nuisance tax
          [nuisance tax] n (1924): an excise tax collected in small
          amounts on a wide range of commodities directly from
          the consumer

   nuit blanche
          [nuit blanche] [F] foreign term : white night: a sleepless
          night

   [1]nuke
          [nuke] n [by shortening & alter. fr. nuclear] (1959) 1: a
          nuclear weapon 2: a nuclear-powered electric generating
          station [2]nuke vt nuked ; nuk.ing (1967) 1: to attack
          or destroy with or as if with nuclear bombs 2: microwave

   [1]null
          [null] adj [MF nul, lit., not any, fr. L nullus, fr. ne-
          not + ullus any; akin to L unus one--more at no, one]
          (ca. 1567) 1: having no legal or binding force: invalid
          2: amounting to nothing: nil 3: having no value: insignificant
          4 a: having no elements <~ set> b: having zero as a limit
          <~ sequence> c of a matrix: having all elements equal
          to zero 5 a: indicating usu. by a zero reading on a scale
          when a given quantity (as current or voltage) is zero
          or when two quantities are equal--used of an instrument
          b: being or relating to a method of measurement in which
          an unknown quantity (as of electric current) is compared
          with a known quantity of the same kind and found equal
          by a null detector 6: of, being, or relating to zero
          7: zero 1c [2]null n (1605) 1: zero 3a(1) 2 a: a condition
          of a radio receiver when minimum or zero signal is received
          b: a minimum or zero value of an electric current or
          of a radio signal [3]null vt (1643): to make null

   nullah
          [nul.lah] n [Hindi nala] (1776): gully, ravine

   null and void
          [null and void] adj (1669): having no force, binding power,
          or validity

   null hypothesis
          [null hypothesis] n (1935): a statistical hypothesis to be
          tested and accepted or rejected in favor of an alternative;
          specif: the hypothesis that an observed difference (as
          between the means of two samples) is due to chance alone
          and not due to a systematic cause

   nullification
          [nul.li.fi.ca.tion] n (1798) 1: the act of nullifying: the
          state of being nullified 2: the action of a state impeding
          or attempting to prevent the operation and enforcement
          within its territory of a law of the U.S. -- nul.li.fi.ca.tion.ist
          n

   nullifier
          [nul.li.fi.er] n (1832): one that nullifies; specif: one
          maintaining the right of nullification against the U.S.
          government

   nullify
          [nul.li.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [LL nullificare, fr. L nullus]
          (1535) 1: to make null; esp: to make legally null and
          void 2: to make of no value or consequence syn nullify,
          negate, annul, abrogate, invalidate mean to deprive of
          effective or continued existence. nullify implies counteracting
          completely the force, effectiveness, or value of something
          <a penalty nullified the touchdown>. negate implies the
          destruction or canceling out of each of two things by
          the other <the arguments negate each other>. annul suggests
          making ineffective or nonexistent often by legal or official
          action <the treaty annuls all previous agreements>. abrogate
          is like annul but more definitely implies a legal or
          official purposeful act <a law to abrogate trading privileges>.
          invalidate implies making something powerless or unacceptable
          by declaration of its logical or moral or legal unsoundness
          <the court invalidated the statute>.

   nulliparous
          [nul.lip.a.rous] adj [NL nullipara one who has never borne
          an offspring, fr. L nullus not any + -para -para] (1859):
          of, relating to, or being a female that has not borne
          offspring

   nullity
          [nul.li.ty] n, pl -ties (1570) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being null; esp: legal invalidity b (1): nothingness;
          also: insignificance (2): a mere nothing: nonentity 2:
          one that is null; specif: an act void of legal effect
          3: the number of elements in a basis of a null-space

   null-space
          [null-space] n (1884): a subspace of a vector space consisting
          of vectors that under a given linear transformation are
          mapped onto zero

   num
          [num] abbreviation numeral  Num or Numb abbreviation Numbers

   numb
          [numb] adj [ME nomen, fr. pp. of nimen to take--more at nim]
          (14c) 1: devoid of sensation esp. as a result of cold
          or anesthesia 2: devoid of emotion: indifferent -- numb
          vt -- numb.ing.ly adv -- numb.ly adv -- numb.ness n

   [1]number
          [num.ber] n [ME nombre, fr. OF, fr. L numerus] (14c) 1 a
          (1): a sum of units: total (2): complement 1b (3): an
          indefinite usu. large total <a ~ of members were absent>
          <the ~ of elderly is rising> (4) pl: a numerous group:
          many (5): a numerical preponderance b (1): the characteristic
          of an individual by which it is treated as a unit or
          of a collection by which it is treated in terms of units
          (2): an ascertainable total <bugs beyond ~> c (1): a
          unit belonging to an abstract mathematical system and
          subject to specified laws of succession, addition, and
          multiplication; esp: natural number (2): an element of
          any of many mathematical systems obtained by extension
          of or analogy with the natural number system (3) pl:
          arithmetic 2: a distinction of word form to denote reference
          to one or more than one; also: a form or group of forms
          so distinguished 3 pl a (1): metrical structure: meter
          (2): metrical lines: verses b archaic: musical sounds:
          notes 4 a: a word, symbol, letter, or combination of
          symbols representing a number b: a numeral or combination
          of numerals or other symbols used to identify or designate
          <dialed the wrong ~> c (1): a member of a sequence or
          collection designated by esp. consecutive numbers (as
          an issue of a periodical) (2): a position in a numbered
          sequence d: a group of one kind <not of their ~> 5: one
          singled out from a group: individual: as a: girl, woman
          <met an attractive ~ at the dance> b (1): a musical,
          theatrical, or literary selection or production (2):
          routine, act c: an item of merchandise and esp. clothing
          6: insight into a person's ability or character <had
          my ~> 7 pl but sing or pl in constr a: a form of lottery
          in which an individual wagers on the appearance of a
          certain combination of digits (as in regularly published
          numbers)--called also numbers game b: [2]policy 2a 8
          pl a: figures representing amounts of money usu. in dollars
          spent, earned, or involved b (1): statistics 2; esp:
          individual statistics (as of an athlete) (2): rating
          3c 9: a person represented by a number or considered
          without regard to individuality <at the university I
          was just a ~> usage see amount -- by the numbers 1: in
          unison to a specific count or cadence 2: in a systematic,
          routine, or mechanical manner [2]number vb num.bered
          ; num.ber.ing vt (14c) 1: count, enumerate 2: to claim
          as part of a total: include 3: to restrict to a definite
          number <your days are ~ed> 4: to assign a number to 5:
          to amount to in number: total <the crew ~s 100> ~ vi
          1: to reach a total number 2: to call off numbers in
          sequence -- num.ber.able adj -- num.ber.er n

   number cruncher
          [number cruncher] n (1966) 1: a computer that performs fast
          numerical calculations esp. on large amounts of data
          2: a person concerned with complex numerical data (as
          statistics) -- number crunching n

   numberless
          [num.ber.less] adj (1573): innumerable, countless

   number line
          [number line] n (1960): a line of infinite extent whose points
          correspond to the real numbers according to their distance
          in a positive or negative direction from a point arbitrarily
          taken as zero

   [1]number one
          [number one] n (ca. 1705) 1: one's own interests or welfare:
          oneself <looking out for number one>--often written No.
          1 2: one that is first in rank, importance, or influence--often
          written No. 1 [2]number one adj (1839) 1: first in rank,
          importance, or influence: foremost <cancer is the country's
          number one killer>--often written No. 1 2: of highest
          or of high quality

   Numbers
          [Num.bers] n pl but sing in constr: the mainly narrative
          fourth book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture

   number theory
          [number theory] n (1912): the study of the properties of
          integers -- number theoretic adj -- number theorist n

   numbskull
          [numb.skull] var of numskull

   numen
          [nu.men] n, pl nu.mi.na [L, nod, divine will, numen; akin
          to L nutare to nod, Gk neuein] (1628): a spiritual force
          or influence often identified with a natural object,
          phenomenon, or place

   numerable
          [nu.mer.a.ble] adj [L numerabilis, fr. numerare to count]
          (1570): capable of being counted

   [1]numeral
          [nu.mer.al] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL numeralis, fr. L numerus]
          (14c) 1: of, relating to, or expressing numbers 2: consisting
          of numbers or numerals -- nu.mer.al.ly adv [2]numeral
          n (1686) 1: a conventional symbol that represents a number
          2 pl: numbers that designate by year a school or college
          class and that are awarded for distinction in an extracurricular
          activity

   [1]numerate
          [nu.mer.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L numeratus, pp. of numerare
          to count, fr. numerus] (ca. 1721): enumerate [2]nu.mer.ate
          adj [L numerus number + E -ate (as in literate)] (1959):
          marked by the capacity for quantitative thought and expression
          -- nu.mer.acy n

   numeration
          [nu.mer.a.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act or process or an instance
          of counting or numbering; also: a system of counting
          or numbering b: an act or instance of designating by
          a number 2: the art of reading in words numbers expressed
          by numerals

   numerator
          [nu.mer.a.tor] n (1575) 1: the part of a fraction that is
          above the line and signifies the number of parts of the
          denominator taken 2: one that numbers

   [1]numeric
          [nu.mer.ic] adj (ca. 1828): numerical; esp: denoting a number
          or a system of numbers <~ code> <a ~ sign> [2]nu.mer.ic
          n (1879): number, numeral

   numerical
          [nu.mer.i.cal] adj [L numerus] (1628) 1: of or relating to
          numbers <the ~ superiority of the enemy> 2: expressed
          in or involving numbers or a number system <~ standing
          in a class> <a ~ code> -- nu.mer.i.cal.ly adv

   numerical analysis
          [numerical analysis] n (1946): the study of quantitative
          approximations to the so lutions of mathematical problems
          including consideration of the errors and bounds to the
          errors involved

   numerical taxonomy
          [numerical taxonomy] n (1963): taxonomy in which many
          quantitatively measured characters are given equal weight in the
          determination of taxa and the construction of diagrams indicating
          systematic relationships -- numerical taxonomic adj -- numerical
          taxonomist n

   numerology
          [nu.mer.ol.o.gy] n [L numerus + E -o- + -logy] (1911): the
          study of the occult significance of numbers -- nu.mer.o.log.i.cal
          adj -- nu.mer.ol.o.gist n

   numero uno
          [nu.me.ro uno] n or adj [It numero uno or Sp numero uno]
          (1968): number one

   numerous
          [nu.mer.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF numereux, fr. L numerosus, fr.
          numerus] (15c): consisting of great numbers of units
          or individuals <born into a ~ family>; also: many <received
          ~ complaints> -- nu.mer.ous.ly adv -- nu.mer.ous.ness
          n

   numinous
          [nu.mi.nous] adj [L numin-, numen numen] (1647) 1: supernatural,
          mysterious 2: filled with a sense of the presence of
          divinity: holy 3: appealing to the higher emotions or
          to the aesthetic sense: spiritual -- nu.mi.nous.ness
          n

   numis
          [numis] abbreviation numismatic, numismatical, numismatics

   numismatic
          [nu.mis.mat.ic] adj [F numismatique, fr. L nomismat-, nomisma
          coin, fr. Gk, current coin, fr. nomizein to use, fr.
          nomos custom, law--more at nimble] (1792) 1: of or relating
          to numismatics 2: of or relating to currency: monetary
          -- nu.mis.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   numismatics
          [nu.mis.mat.ics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1828): the
          study or collection of coins, tokens, and paper money
          and sometimes related objects (as medals) -- nu.mis.ma.tist
          n

   nummular
          [num.mu.lar] adj [F nummulaire, fr. L nummulus, dim. of nummus
          coin, prob. fr. Gk nomimos customary, fr. nomos] (1846):
          characterized by circular or oval lesions or drops <~
          dermatitis>

   nummulitic limestone
          [num.mu.lit.ic limestone] n [NL Nummulites, genus of foraminifers,
          fr. L nummulus] (1833): the most widely distributed and distinctive
          formation of the Eocene in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa

   numskull
          [num.skull] n [numb + skull] (1717) 1: a thick or muddled
          head 2: a dull or stupid person: dunce

   [1]nun
          [nun] n [ME, fr. OE nunne, fr. LL nonna] (bef. 12c): a woman
          belonging to a religious order; esp: one under solemn
          vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience -- nun.like
          adj [2]nun n [Heb nun] (ca. 1823): the 14th letter of
          the Hebrew alphabet

   nunatak
          [nun.a.tak] n [Inuit (Greenland) nunataq] (1877): a hill
          or mountain completely surrounded by glacial ice

   Nunc Dimittis
          [Nunc Di.mit.tis] n [L, now lettest thou depart; fr. the
          first words of the canticle] (1552): the prayer of Simeon
          in Luke 2:29-32 used as a canticle

   nunchaku
          [nun.cha.ku] n [Jp dial. (Okinawa)] (1970): a weapon that
          consists of two hardwood sticks joined at their ends
          by a short length of rawhide, cord, or chain

   nunciature
          [nun.ci.a.ture] n [It nunciatura, fr. nuncio] (1652) 1: a
          papal diplomatic mission headed by a nuncio 2: the office
          or period of office of a nuncio

   nuncio
          [nun.cio] n, pl -ci.os [It, fr. L nuntius messenger, message]
          (1528): a papal legate of the highest rank permanently
          accredited to a civil government

   nuncle
          [nun.cle] n [by alter. (fr. misdivision of an uncle)] (ca.
          1589) chiefly dial: uncle

   nuncupative
          [nun.cu.pa.tive] adj [ML nuncupativus, fr. LL, so-called,
          fr. L nuncupatus, pp. of nuncupare to name, prob. ultim.
          fr. nomen name + capere to take--more at name, heave]
          (1546): not written: oral <a ~ will>

   nunnery
          [nun.nery] n, pl -ner.ies (14c): a convent of nuns

   Nupe
          [Nu.pe] n, pl Nupe or Nupes (1883) 1: the language of the
          Nupe people 2: a member of a people of west central Nigeria

   [1]nuptial
          [nup.tial] adj [L nuptialis, fr. nuptiae, pl., wedding, fr.
          nubere to marry; perh. akin to Gk nymphe bride, nymph]
          (15c) 1: of or relating to marriage or the marriage ceremony
          2: characteristic of or occurring in the breeding season
          <~ flight> [2]nuptial n (ca. 1555): marriage, wedding--usu.
          used in pl.

   nuptiality
          [nup.tial.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1899): the marriage rate

   Nuristani
          [Nur.i.stani] n [Nuristan, Afghanistan] (1957): kafiri

   [1]nurse
          [nurse] n [ME, fr. OF nurice, fr. LL nutricia, fr. L, fem.
          of nutricius nourishing--more at nutritious] (13c) 1
          a: a woman who suckles an infant not her own: wet nurse
          b: a woman who takes care of a young child: dry nurse
          2: one that looks after, fosters, or advises 3: a person
          who is skilled or trained in caring for the sick or infirm
          esp. under the supervision of a physician 4 a: a member
          of an insect society that belongs to the worker caste
          and cares for the young b: a female mammal used to suckle
          the young of another [2]nurse vb nursed ; nurs.ing [ME
          nurshen to suckle, nourish, contr. of nurishen] vt (14c)
          1 a: to nourish at the breast: suckle b: to take nourishment
          from the breast of 2: rear, educate 3 a: to promote the
          development or progress of b: to manage with care or
          economy <nursed the business through hard times> c: to
          take charge of and watch over 4 a: to care for and wait
          on (as a sick person) b: to attempt to cure by care and
          treatment 5: to hold in one's memory or consideration
          <~ a grievance> 6 a: to use, handle, or operate carefully
          so as to conserve energy or avoid injury or pain <~ a
          sprained ankle> b: to use sparingly c: to consume slowly
          or over a long period <~ a cup of coffee> ~ vi 1 a: to
          feed an offspring from the breast b: to feed at the breast:
          suck 2: to act or serve as a nurse -- nurs.er n

   nursemaid
          [nurse.maid] n (1657): a girl or woman who is regularly employed
          to look after children

   nurse-midwife
          [nurse-mid.wife] n (1952): a registered nurse with additional
          training as a midwife who delivers infants and provides
          antepartum and postpartum care -- nurse-mid.wife.ry n

   nurse-practitioner
          [nurse-prac.ti.tion.er] n (1969): a registered nurse who
          is qualified through advanced training to assume some
          of the duties and responsibilities formerly assumed only
          by a physician

   nursery
          [nurs.ery] n, pl -er.ies (14c) 1 obs: attentive care: fosterage
          2 a: a child's bedroom b: a place where children are
          temporarily cared for in their parents' absence c: day
          nursery 3 a: something that fosters, develops, or promotes
          b: a place in which persons are trained or educated 4:
          an area where plants are grown for transplanting, for
          use as stocks for budding and grafting, or for sale 5:
          a place where young animals grow or are cared for

   nurseryman
          [nurs.ery.man] n (1672): one whose occupation is the cultivation
          of plants (as trees and shrubs) esp. for sale

   nursery rhyme
          [nursery rhyme] n (1832): a short rhyme for children that
          often tells a story

   nursery school
          [nursery school] n (1835): a school for children usu. under
          five years

   nurse's aide
          [nurse's aide] n (1943): a worker who assists trained nurses
          in a hospital by performing unspecialized services (as
          giving baths)

   nurse shark
          [nurse shark] n [alter. of ME nusse] (1851): any of various
          sharks of a widely distributed family (Orectolobidae);
          esp: a shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) of the warmer parts
          of the Atlantic Ocean

   nursing
          [nurs.ing] n (1860) 1: the profession of a nurse <schools
          of ~> 2: the duties of a nurse <proper ~ is difficult
          work>

   nursing home
          [nursing home] n (1896): a privately operated establishment
          providing maintenance and personal or nursing care for
          persons (as the aged or the chronically ill) who are
          unable to care for themselves properly

   nursling
          [nurs.ling] n (1557) 1: one that is solicitously cared for
          2: a nursing child

   nurturance
          [nur.tur.ance] n (ca. 1938): affectionate care and attention
          -- nur.tur.ant adj

   [1]nurture
          [nur.ture] n [ME, fr. MF norriture, fr. LL nutritura act
          of nursing, fr. L nutritus, pp. of nutrire to suckle,
          nourish--more at nourish] (14c) 1: training, upbringing
          2: something that nourishes: food 3: the sum of the influences
          modifying the expression of the genetic potentialities
          of an organism [2]nurture vt nur.tured ; nur.tur.ing
          (15c) 1: to supply with nourishment 2: educate 3: to
          further the development of: foster -- nur.tur.er n

   [1]nut
          [nut] n [ME nute, note, fr. OE hnutu; akin to OHG nuz nut
          and perh. to L nux nut] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a hard-shelled
          dry fruit or seed with a separable rind or shell and
          interior kernel (2): the kernel of a nut b: a dry indehiscent
          one-seeded fruit with a woody pericarp 2 a: a hard problem
          or undertaking b: core, heart 3: a perforated block usu.
          of metal that has an internal screw thread and is used
          on a bolt or screw for tightening or holding something
          4: the ridge in a stringed instrument (as a violin) over
          which the strings pass on the upper end of the fingerboard
          5: a small lump (as of butter) 6 a: a foolish, eccentric,
          or crazy person b: enthusiast <a movie ~> 7 pl: nonsense--often
          used interjectionally 8 slang: a person's head 9: testis--usu.
          considered vulgar 10: the amount of money that must be
          earned in order to break even 11: en 1 -- nut.like adj
          [2]nut vi nut.ted ; nut.ting (1604): to gather or seek
          nuts

   nutate
          [nu.tate] vi nu.tat.ed ; nu.tat.ing (1880): to exhibit or
          undergo nutation

   nutation
          [nu.ta.tion] n [L nutation-, nutatio, fr. nutare to nod,
          rock--more at numen] (1612) 1 archaic: the act of nodding
          the head 2: oscillatory movement of the axis of a rotating
          body (as the earth): wobble 3: a spontaneous usu. spiral
          movement of a growing plant part -- nu.ta.tion.al adj

   nut-brown
          [nut-brown] adj (14c): of the color of a brown nut

   nutcase
          [nut.case] n (1959): nut 6a

   nutcracker
          [nut.crack.er] n (ca. 1548): an implement for cracking nuts

   nutgall
          [nut.gall] n (15c): a gall that resembles a nut; esp: a gall
          produced on oak

   nut grass
          [nut grass] n (1775): a perennial sedge (Cyperus rotundus)
          of wide distribution that has slender rootstocks bearing
          small edible tubers resembling nuts; also: a related
          sedge (C. esculentus)

   nuthatch
          [nut.hatch] n [ME notehache, fr. note nut + -hache; akin
          to OE tohaccian to hack--more at hack] (14c): any of
          various small tree-climbing chiefly insectivorous birds
          (family Sittidae and esp. genus Sitta) that have a compact
          body, a narrow bill, a short tail, and sometimes a black
          cap

   nuthouse
          [nut.house] n (1900) slang: an insane asylum

   nutlet
          [nut.let] n (1856) 1 a: a small nut b: a small fruit similar
          to a nut 2: the stone of a drupelet

   nutmeg
          [nut.meg] n [ME notemigge, notemuge, ultim. fr. OProv noz
          muscada, fr. noz nut (fr. L nuc-, nux) + muscada, fem.
          of muscat musky--more at muscat] (15c): an aromatic seed
          that is used as a spice and is produced by an evergreen
          tree (Myristica fragrans of the family Myristicaceae,
          the nutmeg family) native to the Moluccas; also: a tree
          yielding nutmeg

   nutpick
          [nut.pick] n (ca. 1889): a small sharp-pointed implement
          for extracting the kernels from nuts

   nutria
          [nu.tria] n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, otter, modif. of L lutra; prob.
          akin to OE oter otter] (1820) 1: the durable usu. light
          brown fur of a nutria 2: a large So. American semiaquatic
          rodent (Myocastor coypus) with webbed hind feet that
          has been introduced into parts of Europe, Asia, and No.
          America

   [1]nutrient
          [nu.tri.ent] adj [L nutrient-, nutriens, prp. of nutrire
          to nourish--more at nourish] (1650): furnishing nourishment
          [2]nutrient n (ca. 1828): a nutritive substance or ingredient

   nutriment
          [nu.tri.ment] n [ME, fr. L nutrimentum, fr. nutrire] (15c):
          something that nourishes or promotes growth and repairs
          the natural wastage of organic life

   nutrition
          [nu.tri.tion] n [ME nutricioun, fr. MF nutrition, fr. LL
          nutrition-, nutritio, fr. L nutrire] (15c): the act or
          process of nourishing or being nourished; specif: the
          sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes
          in and utilizes food substances -- nu.tri.tion.al adj
          -- nu.tri.tion.al.ly adv

   nutritionist
          [nu.tri.tion.ist] n (1926): a specialist in the study of
          nutrition

   nutritious
          [nu.tri.tious] adj [L nutricius, fr. nutric-, nutrix nurse,
          fr. nutrire to nourish--more at nourish] (1665): nourishing
          -- nu.tri.tious.ly adv -- nu.tri.tious.ness n

   nutritive
          [nu.tri.tive] adj (14c) 1: of or relating to nutrition 2:
          nourishing -- nu.tri.tive.ly adv

   nutritive ratio
          [nutritive ratio] n (1897): the ratio of digestible protein
          to other nutrients in a foodstuff or ration

   nuts
          [nuts] adj (1785) 1: enthusiastic, keen <everyone seems ~
          about it --Lois Long> 2: insane, crazy <said that it
          was a novel and all the people who said otherwise were
          ~ --Flannery O'Connor>

   nuts and bolts
          [nuts and bolts] n (1967) 1: the working parts or elements
          2: the practical workings of a machine or enterprise
          as opposed to theoretical considerations or speculative
          possibilities -- nuts-and-bolts adj

   nutsedge
          [nut.sedge] n (ca. 1909): nut grass

   nutshell
          [nut.shell] n (13c) 1: the hard external covering in which
          the kernel of a nut is enclosed 2: something of small
          size, amount, or scope -- in a nutshell : in a very brief
          statement

   nutter
          [nut.ter] n (1958) slang Brit: nut 6a

   nutty
          [nut.ty] adj nut.ti.er ; -est (15c) 1: having or producing
          nuts 2: having a flavor like that of nuts 3: eccentric,
          silly; also: mentally unbalanced -- nut.ti.ly adv --
          nut.ti.ness n

   nux vomica
          [nux vom.i.ca] n, pl nux vomica [NL, lit., emetic nut] (14c)
          1: the poisonous seed of an Asian tree (Strychnos nux-vomica
          of the family Loganiaceae) that contains several alkaloids
          and esp. strychnine and brucine; also: the tree yielding
          nux vomica 2: a drug containing nux vomica

   nuzzle
          [nuz.zle] vb nuz.zled ; nuz.zling [ME noselen to bring the
          nose toward the ground, fr. nose] vi (1530) 1: to work
          with or as if with the nose; esp: to root, rub, or snuff
          something 2: to lie close or snug: nestle ~ vt 1: to
          root, rub, or touch with or as if with the nose: nudge
          2: to rub or push gently (as one's face) against something
          <nuzzled her face into the pillow>

   nv...
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   NV
          [NV] abbreviation Nevada, nonvoting

   nw...
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   NW
          [NW] abbreviation northwest

   NWT
          [NWT] abbreviation Northwest Territories

   ny...
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   nyala
          [ny.a.la] n, pl nyalas or nyala [of Bantu origin; akin to
          Venda dzi-nyala nyala buck] (1894): an antelope (Tragelaphus
          angasi) of southeastern Africa with vertical white stripes
          on the sides of the body and with shaggy black hair along
          the male underside; also: a related antelope (T. buxtoni)
          of Ethiopia

   nyctalopia
          [nyc.ta.lo.pia] n [NL, fr. L nyctalops suffering from night
          blindness, fr. Gk nyktalops, fr. nykt-, nyx night + alaos
          blind + op-, ops eye--more at night, eye] (1684): night
          blindness

   nyet
          [nyet] [Russ] foreign term : no

   nylon
          [ny.lon] n [coined word] (1938) 1: any of numerous strong
          tough elastic synthetic polyamide materials that are
          fashioned into fibers, filaments, bristles, or sheets
          and used esp. in textiles and plastics 2 pl: stockings
          made of nylon

   nymph
          [nymph] n [ME nimphe, fr. MF, fr. L nympha bride, nymph,
          fr. Gk nymphe--more at nuptial] (14c) 1: any of the minor
          divinities of nature in classical mythology represented
          as beautiful maidens dwelling in the mountains, forests,
          trees, and waters 2: girl 3: any of various immature
          insects; esp: a larva of an insect (as a grasshopper,
          true bug, or mayfly) with incomplete metamorphosis that
          differs from the imago esp. in size and in its incompletely
          developed wings and genitalia--compare naiad 2 -- nymph.al
          adj

   nymphalid
          [nym.pha.lid] n [NL Nymphalidae, ultim. fr. L nympha nymph]
          (1897): any of a family (Nymphalidae) of butterflies
          (as a mourning cloak or fritillary) with the first pair
          of legs reduced in size in both sexes and useless for
          walking -- nymphalid adj

   nymphet
          [nym.phet] also nym.phette n (1955): a sexually precocious
          girl barely in her teens

   nympho
          [nym.pho] n, pl nymphos [short for nymphomaniac] (ca. 1910):
          a person affected by nymphomania: nymphomaniac

   nympholepsy
          [nym.pho.lep.sy] n [nympholept, fr. Gk nympholeptos frenzied,
          lit., caught by nymphs, fr. nymphe + lambanein to seize--more
          at latch] (1775) 1: a demoniac enthusiasm held by the
          ancients to seize one bewitched by a nymph 2: a frenzy
          of emotion -- nym.pho.lept n -- nym.pho.lep.tic adj

   nymphomania
          [nym.pho.ma.nia] n [NL, fr. nymphae inner lips of the vulva
          (fr. L, pl. of nympha) + LL mania mania] (1775): excessive
          sexual desire by a female -- nym.pho.ma.ni.ac n or adj
          -- nym.pho.ma.ni.a.cal adj

   Nynorsk
          [Ny.norsk] n [Norw, lit., new Norwegian] (1931): a literary
          form of Norwegian based on the spoken dialects of Norway--compare
          bokmal

   nystagmus
          [nys.tag.mus] n [NL, fr. Gk nystagmos drowsiness, fr. nystazein
          to doze; prob. akin to Lith snusti to doze] (1822): a
          rapid involuntary oscillation of the eyeballs (as from
          dizziness) -- nys.tag.mic adj

   nystatin
          [nys.ta.tin] n [New York State (where it was developed) +
          [1]-in] (1952): an antibiotic that is derived from a
          soil actinomycete (Streptomyces noursei) and is used
          esp. in the treatment of candidiasis

   o...
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   [1]-o
          [-o] n suffix [perh. fr. [1]oh]: one that is, has the qualities
          of, or is associated with <bucko> [2]-o interj suffix
          [prob. fr. [1]oh]--in interjections formed from other
          parts of speech <cheerio> <righto>

   -o-
          [-o-] [ME, fr. OF, fr. L, fr. Gk, thematic vowel of many
          nouns and adjectives in combination]--used as a connective
          vowel orig. to join word elements of Greek origin and
          now also to join word elements of Latin or other origin
          <speedometer> <elastomer>

   o-
          [o-] or oo- comb form [Gk oi-, oio-, fr. oion--more at egg]:
          egg <oology>; specif: ovum <oogonium>

   o
          [o] abbreviation ocean, ohm, old, order, oriental, over
          O abbreviation Ohio, oxygen, [NL octarius] pint

   o-
          [o-] abbreviation ortho-

   o
          [o] n, pl o's or os often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 15th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic o 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter o 3: one designated o esp. as the 15th in
          order or class 4: something shaped like the letter O;
          esp: zero O var of oh

   o/a
          [o/a] abbreviation on or about

   O altitudo
          [O al.ti.tu.do] [L] foreign term : O (the) height: feeling
          of spiritual exaltation

   O level
          [O level] n (1949) 1: the lowest of three levels of standardized
          British examinations in a secondary school subject; also:
          successful completion of an O-level examination in a
          particular subject--called also Ordinary level--compare
          a level, s level 2 a: the level of education required
          to pass an O-level examination b: a course leading to
          an O-level examination

   O-ring
          [O-ring] n (1946): a ring (as of synthetic rubber) used as
          a gasket

   o tempora! o mores!
          [o tem.po.ra! o mo.res!] [L] foreign term : oh the times!
          oh the manners!

   oa...
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   oaf
          [oaf] n, pl oafs [of Scand origin; akin to ON alfr elf--more
          at elf] (1625) 1: a stupid person: boob 2: a big clumsy
          slow-witted person -- oaf.ish adj -- oaf.ish.ly adv --
          oaf.ish.ness n

   oak
          [oak] n, pl oaks or oak often attrib [ME ook, fr. OE ac;
          akin to OHG eih oak and perh. to Gk aigilops, a kind
          of oak] (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of a genus (Quercus) of trees
          or shrubs of the beech family that produce acorns; also:
          any of various plants related to or resembling the oaks
          b: the tough hard durable wood of an oak tree 2: the
          leaves of an oak used as decoration -- oak.en adj

   oak apple
          [oak apple] n (15c): a large round gall produced on oak leaves
          and twigs by a gall wasp (esp. Amphibolips concluenta
          or Andricus quercuscalifornicus)

   oak-leaf cluster
          [oak-leaf cluster] n (1918): a bronze or silver cluster of
          oak leaves and acorns added to various military decorations
          to signify a second or subsequent award of the basic
          decoration

   oakmoss
          [oak.moss] n (1921): any of several lichens (as Evernia prunastri)
          that grow on oak trees and yield a resin used in perfumery

   oakum
          [oa.kum] n [ME okum, fr. OE acumba tow, fr. a- (separative
          & perfective prefix) + -cumba (akin to OE camb comb)--more
          at abide] (15c): loosely twisted hemp or jute fiber impregnated
          with tar or a tar derivative and used in caulking seams
          and packing joints

   oak wilt
          [oak wilt] n (1942): a destructive disease of oak trees that
          is caused by a fungus (Ceratocystis fagacearum) and is
          characterized by wilting, discoloration, and defoliation

   [1]oar
          [oar] n [ME oor, fr. OE ar; akin to ON ar oar] (bef. 12c)
          1: a long pole with a broad blade at one end used for
          propelling or steering a boat 2: oarsman -- oared adj
          [2]oar vt (1610): to propel with or as if with oars:
          row ~ vi: to pro gress by or as if by using oars

   oarfish
          [oar.fish] n (1860): any of several sea fishes (genus Regalecus
          and e sp. R. glesne) with narrow soft bodies from 20
          to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) long, a red dorsal fin running
          the entire length of the body, and red-tipped anterior
          rays rising above the head

   oarlock
          [oar.lock] n (bef. 12c): a usu. U-shaped device for holding
          an oar in place

   oarsman
          [oars.man] n (1701): one who rows esp. in a racing crew --
          oars.man.ship n

   oarswoman
          [oars.wom.an] n (1882): a woman who rows esp. in a racing
          crew

   OAS
          [OAS] abbreviation Organization of American States

   OASDHI
          [OASDHI] abbreviation Old Age, Survivors, Disability, and
          Health Insurance

   oasis
          [oa.sis] n, pl oa.ses [LL, fr. Gk] (1613) 1: a fertile or
          green area in an arid region (as a desert) 2: something
          that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast

   oast
          [oast] n [ME ost, fr. OE ast; akin to MD eest kiln, L aestus
          heat, aestas summer--more at edify] (bef. 12c): a usu.
          conical kiln used for drying hops, malt, or tobacco--called
          also oasthouse

   oat
          [oat] n, often attrib [ME ote, fr. OE ate] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          any of several grasses (genus Avena); esp: a widely cultivated
          cereal grass (A. sativa) b: a crop or plot of the oat;
          also: oat seed--usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in
          constr. 2 archaic: a reed instrument made of an oat straw

   oatcake
          [oat.cake] n (14c): a thin flat oatmeal cake

   oat-cell
          [oat-cell] adj (1903): of, relating to, or being a highly
          malignant form of cancer esp. of the lungs that is characterized
          by rapid proliferation of small anaplastic cells <~ carcinomas>

   oaten
          [oat.en] adj (14c): of or relating to oats, oat straw, or
          oatmeal

   oater
          [oat.er] n (1946): western 2

   oat grass
          [oat grass] n (1578): wild oat 1a; broadly: one of several
          grasses resembling the oat

   oath
          [oath] n, pl oaths [ME ooth, fr. OE ath; akin to OHG eid
          oath, MIr oeth] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a solemn usu. formal
          calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of
          what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends
          to do what one says (2): a solemn attestation of the
          truth or inviolability of one's words b: something (as
          a promise) corroborated by an oath 2: an irreverent or
          careless use of a sacred name; broadly: swearword

   oatmeal
          [oat.meal] n (14c) 1 a: meal made from oats b: rolled oats
          2: porridge made from ground or rolled oats

   OAU
          [OAU] abbreviation Organization of African Unity

   ob...
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   ob-
          [ob-] prefix [NL, fr. L, in the way, against, toward, fr.
          ob in the way of, on account of; akin to OCS o, ob on,
          around]: inversely <obovate>

   ob
          [ob] [L obiit] abbreviation he died, she died; observation
          Ob or Obad abbreviation Obadiah  OB abbreviation obstetric,
          obstetrician, obstetrics

   Obadiah
          [Oba.di.ah] n [Heb 'Obhadhyah] 1: a Hebrew prophet 2: a prophetic
          book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture

   [1]obbligato
          [ob.bli.ga.to] adj [It, obligatory, fr. pp. of obbligare
          to oblige, fr. L obligare--more at oblige] (1794): not
          to be omitted: obligatory--used as a direction in music--compare
          ad libitum [2]obbligato n, pl -tos also -ti (1845) 1:
          an elaborate esp. melodic part accompanying a solo or
          principal melody and usu. played by a single instrument
          <a song with violin ~> 2: accompaniment 2b; esp: an attendant
          background sound

   obcordate
          [ob.cor.date] adj (1775): heart-shaped with the notch apical
          <~ leaf>

   obduracy
          [ob.du.ra.cy] n, pl -cies (1597): the quality or state of
          being obdurate

   obdurate
          [ob.du.rate] adj [ME, fr. L obduratus, pp. of obdurare to
          harden, fr. ob- against + durus hard--more at during]
          (15c) 1 a: stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing b: hardened
          in feelings 2: resistant to persuasion or softening influences
          syn see inflexible -- ob.du.rate.ly adv -- ob.du.rate.ness
          n

   OBE
          [OBE] abbreviation officer of the Order of the British Empire,
          out-of-body experience

   obeah
          [obe.ah] also obi n, often cap [of African origin; akin to
          Twi o-bayifo sorcerer, Ibo dibia folk healer] (1760):
          a system of belief among blacks chiefly of the British
          West Indies, the Guianas, and the southeastern U.S. that
          is characterized by the use of sorcery and magic ritual

   obedience
          [obe.di.ence] n (13c) 1 a: an act or instance of obeying
          b: the quality or state of being obedient 2: a sphere
          of jurisdiction; esp: an ecclesiastical or sometimes
          secular dominion

   obedient
          [obe.di.ent] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L oboedient-, oboediens,
          fr. prp. of oboedire to obey] (13c): submissive to the
          restraint or command of authority: willing to obey --
          obe.di.ent.ly adv syn obedient, docile, tractable, amenable
          mean submissive to the will of another. obedient implies
          compliance with the demands or requests of one in authority
          <obedient to the government>. docile implies a predisposition
          to submit readily to control or guidance <a docile child>.
          tractable suggests having a character that permits easy
          handling or managing <tractable beasts of burden>. amenable
          suggests a willingness to yield or to cooperate either
          because of a desire to be agreeable or because of a natural
          open-mindedness <amenable to new ideas>.

   obeisance
          [obei.sance] n [ME obeisaunce obedience, obeisance, fr. MF
          obeissance, fr. obeissant, prp. of obeir to obey] (14c)
          1: a movement of the body made in token of respect or
          submission: bow 2: deference, homage -- obei.sant adj
          -- obei.sant.ly adv

   obelia
          [obe.lia] n [NL] (1868): any of a genus (Obelia) of small
          colonial marine hydroids with colonies branched like
          trees

   obelisk
          [obe.lisk] n [MF obelisque, fr. L obeliscus, fr. Gk obeliskos,
          fr. dim. of obelos] (1569) 1: an upright 4-sided usu.
          monolithic pillar that gradually tapers as it rises and
          terminates in a pyramid 2 a: obelus b: dagger 2b

   obelize
          [obe.lize] vt -lized ; -liz.ing (ca. 1656): to designate
          or annotate with an obelus

   obelus
          [obe.lus] n, pl ob.e.li [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk obelos spit,
          pointed pillar, obelus] (14c) 1: a symbol used in ancient
          manuscripts to mark a questionable passage 2: the symbol
          that looks like a division sign

   Oberon
          [Ober.on] n [F, fr. OF Auberon]: the king of the fairies
          in medieval folklore

   obese
          [obese] adj [L obesus, fr. ob- against + esus, pp. of edere
          to eat--more at ob-, eat] (1651): excessively fat

   obesity
          [obe.si.ty] n (1611): a condition characterized by excessive
          bodily fat

   obey
          [obey] vb obeyed ; obey.ing [ME obeien, fr. OF obeir, fr.
          L oboedire, fr. ob- toward + -oedire (akin to audire
          to hear)--more at ob-, audible] vt (14c) 1: to follow
          the commands or guidance of 2: to conform to or comply
          with <~ an order> <falling objects ~ the laws of physics>
          ~ vi: to behave obediently -- obey.er n

   obfuscate
          [ob.fus.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [LL obfuscatus, pp. of
          obfuscare, fr. L ob- in the way + fuscus dark brown--more
          at ob-, dusk] (1577) 1 a: darken b: to make obscure 2:
          confuse -- ob.fus.ca.tion n -- ob.fus.ca.to.ry adj

   OB-GYN
          [OB-GYN] abbreviation obstetrician gynecologist, obstetrics
          gynecology

   obi
          [obi] n [Jp] (1876): a broad sash worn esp. with a Japanese
          kimono

   Obie
          [Obie] n [O.B., abbr. for off Broadway] (1965): an award
          pre sented annually by a professional organization for
          notable achievement in plays performed off-Broadway

   obiit
          [ob.iit] [L] foreign term : he or she died

   obit
          [obit] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L obitus death, fr. obire to go
          to meet, die, fr. ob- in the way + ire to go--more at
          issue] (15c): obituary

   obiter dictum
          [obi.ter dic.tum] n, pl obiter dic.ta [LL, lit., something
          said in passing] (1812) 1: an incidental and collateral
          opinion that is uttered by a judge but is not binding
          2: an incidental remark or observation

   obituary
          [obit.u.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [ML obituarium, fr. L obitus death]
          (1738): a notice of a person's death usu. with a short
          biographical account -- obit.u.ar.ist n -- obituary adj

   obj
          [obj] abbreviation object, objective

   [1]object
          [ob.ject] n [ME, fr. ML objectum, fr. L, neut. of objectus,
          pp. of obicere to throw in the way, present, hinder,
          fr. ob- in the way + jacere to throw--more at ob-, jet]
          (14c) 1 a: something material that may be perceived by
          the senses <I see an ~ in the distance> b: something
          that when viewed stirs a particular emotion (as pity)
          <look to the tragic loading of this bed ... the ~ poisons
          sight; let it be hid --Shak.> 2: something mental or
          physical toward which thought, feeling, or action is
          directed <an ~ for study> <the ~ of my affection> <delicately
          carved art ~s> 3 a: the goal or end of an effort or activity:
          purpose, objective <their ~ is to investigate the matter
          thoroughly> b: a cause for attention or concern <money
          is no ~> 4: a thing that forms an element of or constitutes
          the subject matter of an investigation or science 5 a:
          a noun or noun equivalent (as a pronoun, gerund, or clause)
          denoting the goal or result of the action of a verb b:
          a noun or noun equivalent in a prepositional phrase syn
          see intention -- ob.ject.less adj -- ob.ject.less.ness
          n [2]ob.ject vb [ME, fr. L objectus, pp. of obicere to
          throw in the way, object] vt (15c): to put forth in opposition
          or as an objection <~ed that the statement was misleading>
          ~ vi 1: to oppose something firmly and usu. with words
          or arguments 2: to feel distaste for something -- ob.jec.tor
          n

   object ball
          [ob.ject ball] n (1856): the ball first struck by the cue
          ball in pool or billiards; also: a ball hit by the cue
          ball

   objectify
          [ob.jec.ti.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (ca. 1837) 1: to treat
          as an object or cause to have objective reality 2: to
          give expression to (as an abstract notion, feeling, or
          ideal) in a form that can be experienced by others <it
          is the essence of the fairy tale to ~ differing facets
          of the child's emotional experience --John Updike> --
          ob.jec.ti.fi.ca.tion n

   objection
          [ob.jec.tion] n (14c) 1: an act of objecting 2 a: a reason
          or argument presented in opposition b: a feeling or expression
          of disapproval

   objectionable
          [ob.jec.tion.able] adj (1781): undesirable, offensive --
          ob.jec.tion.able.ness n -- ob.jec.tion.ably adv

   [1]objective
          [ob.jec.tive] adj (1620) 1 a: relating to or existing as
          an object of thought without consideration of independent
          existence--used chiefly in medieval philosophy b: of,
          relating to, or being an object, phenomenon, or condition
          in the realm of sensible experience independent of individual
          thought and perceptible by all observers: having reality
          independent of the mind <~ reality> <our reveries ...
          are significantly and repeatedly shaped by our transactions
          with the ~ world --Marvin Reznikoff>--compare subjective
          3a c of a symptom of disease: perceptible to persons
          other than the affected individual--compare subjective
          4c d: involving or deriving from sense perception or
          experience with actual objects, conditions, or phenomena
          <~ awareness> <~ data> 2: relating to, characteristic
          of, or constituting the case of words that follow prepositions
          or transitive verbs 3 a: expressing or dealing with facts
          or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal
          feelings, prejudices, or interpretations <~ art> <an
          ~ history of the war> <an ~ judgment> b of a test: limited
          to choices of fixed alternatives and reducing subjective
          factors to a minimum syn see material, fair -- ob.jec.tive.ly
          adv -- ob.jec.tive.ness n -- ob.jec.tiv.i.ty n [2]objective
          n (1835) 1: a lens or system of lenses that forms an
          image of an object 2 a: something toward which effort
          is directed: an aim, goal, or end of action b: a strategic
          position to be attained or a purpose to be achieved by
          a military operation syn see intention

   objective complement
          [objective complement] n (1870): a noun, adjective, or pronoun
          used in the predicate as complement to a verb and as
          qualifier of its direct object (as chairman in "we elected
          him chairman")

   objective correlative
          [objective correlative] n (1919): something (as a situation
          or chain of events) that symbolizes or objectifies a
          particular emotion and that may be used in creative writing
          to evoke a desired emotional response in the reader

   objectivism
          [ob.jec.tiv.ism] n (1854) 1: any of various theories asserting
          the validity of objective phenomena over subjective experience;
          esp: realism 2a 2: an ethical theory that moral good
          is objectively real or that moral precepts are objectively
          valid 3: a 20th century movement in poetry growing out
          of imagism and putting stress on form -- ob.jec.tiv.ist
          adj or n -- ob.jec.tiv.is.tic adj

   object language
          [ob.ject language] n (1935): target language

   object lesson
          [ob.ject lesson] n (1831): something that serves as a practical
          example of a principle or abstract idea

   objet d'art
          [ob.jet d'art] n, pl ob.jets d'art [F, lit., art object]
          (1865) 1: an article of some artistic value 2: curio--called
          also objet

   objet trouve
          [ob.jet trou.ve] n, pl objets trouves [F, lit., found object]
          (1937): a natural object (as a piece of driftwood) found
          by chance and held to have aesthetic value esp. through
          the working of natural forces on it; also: an artifact
          not orig. intended as art but held to have aesthetic
          value esp. when displayed as a work of art

   objurgation
          [ob.jur.ga.tion] n [ME objurgacyon, fr. MF or L; MF objurgation,
          fr. L objurgation-, objurgatio, fr. objurgare to scold,
          blame, fr. ob- against + jurgare to quarrel, lit., to
          take to law, fr. jur-, jus law + -igare (fr. agere to
          lead)--more at ob-, just, agent] (15c): a harsh rebuke
          -- ob.jur.gate vt -- ob.jur.ga.to.ry adj

   obl
          [obl] abbreviation oblique, oblong

   oblanceolate
          [ob.lan.ceo.late] adj (1850): inversely lanceolate <an ~
          leaf>--see leaf illustration

   oblast
          [ob.last] n, pl oblasts also ob.las.ti [Russ oblast'] (ca.
          1886): a political subdivision of Imperial Russia or
          of a republic in the U.S.S.R.

   [1]oblate
          [ob.late] adj [prob. fr. NL oblatus, fr. ob- + -latus (as
          in prolatus prolate)] (1705): flattened or depressed
          at the poles <an ~ spheroid> -- ob.late.ness n [2]ob.late
          n [ML oblatus, lit., one offered up, fr. L, pp. of offerre--more
          at offer] (1864) 1: a layman living in a monastery under
          a modified rule and without vows 2: a member of one of
          several Roman Catholic communities of men or women

   oblation
          [ob.la.tion] n [ME oblacioun, fr. MF oblation, fr. LL oblation-,
          oblatio, fr. L offerre] (15c) 1: the act of making a
          religious offering; specif, cap: the act of offering
          the eucharistic elements to God 2: something offered
          in worship or devotion: a holy gift offered usu. at an
          altar or shrine

   [1]obligate
          [ob.li.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L obligatus, pp. of obligare]
          (1533) 1: to bind legally or morally: constrain 2: to
          commit (as funds) to meet an obligation [2]ob.li.gate
          adj (1887) 1: restricted to one particularly characteristic
          mode of life <an ~ parasite> 2: biologically essential
          for survival <~ mutualism> -- ob.li.gate.ly adv

   obligation
          [ob.li.ga.tion] n (14c) 1: the action of obligating oneself
          to a course of action (as by a promise or vow) 2 a: something
          (as a formal contract, a promise, or the demands of conscience
          or custom) that obligates one to a course of action b:
          a debt security (as a mortgage or corporate bond) c:
          a commitment (as by a government) to pay a particular
          sum of money; also: an amount owed under such an obligation
          <unable to meet its ~s, the company went into bankruptcy>
          3 a: a condition or feeling of being obligated b: a debt
          of gratitude 4: something one is bound to do: duty, responsibility

   obligatory
          [oblig.a.to.ry] adj (15c) 1: binding in law or conscience
          2: relating to or enforcing an obligation <a writ ~>
          3: mandatory, required <~ military service>; also: so
          commonplace as to be a convention, fashion, or cliche
          <the ~ death scene in opera> 4: obligate 1 -- oblig.a.to.ri.ly
          adv

   oblige
          [oblige] vb obliged ; oblig.ing [ME, fr. OF obliger, fr.
          L obligare, lit., to bind to, fr. ob- toward + ligare
          to bind--more at ligature] vt (14c) 1: to constrain by
          physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies
          of circumstance <obliged to find a job> 2 a: to put in
          one's debt by a favor or service <we are much obliged
          for your help> b: to do a favor for <always ready to
          ~ a friend> ~ vi: to do something as or as if a favor
          syn see force -- oblig.er n

   obligee
          [ob.li.gee] n (1574): one to whom another is obligated (as
          by a contract); specif: one who is protected by a surety
          bond

   obliging
          [oblig.ing] adj (1632): willing to do favors: accommodating
          syn see amiable -- oblig.ing.ly adv -- oblig.ing.ness
          n

   obligor
          [ob.li.gor] n (1541): one who is bound by a legal obligation

   [1]oblique
          [oblique] adj [ME oblike, fr. L obliquus] (15c) 1 a: neither
          perpendicular nor parallel: inclined b: having the axis
          not perpendicular to the base <an ~ cone> c: having no
          right angle <an ~ triangle> 2 a: not straightforward:
          indirect; also: obscure b: devious, underhanded 3: situated
          obliquely and having one end not inserted on bone <~
          muscles> 4: taken from an airplane with the camera directed
          horizontally or diagonally downward <an ~ photograph>
          -- oblique.ly adv -- oblique.ness n [2]oblique n (ca.
          1608) 1: something (as a line) that is oblique 2: any
          of several oblique muscles; esp: any of the thin flat
          muscles forming the middle and outer layers of the lateral
          walls of the abdomen [3]oblique adv (1667): at a 45 degree
          angle <to the right ~, march>

   oblique angle
          [oblique angle] n (1695): an acute or obtuse angle

   oblique case
          [oblique case] n (1530): a grammatical case other than the
          nominative or vocative

   obliquity
          [obliq.ui.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: deviation from moral rectitude
          or sound thinking 2 a: deviation from parallelism or
          perpendicularity; also: the amount of such deviation
          b: the angle between the planes of the earth's equator
          and orbit having a value of about 23 degrees 27 minutes
          <~ of the ecliptic> 3 a: indirectness or deliberate obscurity
          of speech or conduct b: an obscure or confusing statement

   obliterate
          [oblit.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L oblitteratus, pp. of
          oblitterare, fr. ob- ob- + littera letter] (1609) 1:
          to make undecipher able or imperceptible by obscuring
          or wearing away 2 a: to remove utterly from recognition
          or memory b: to remove from existence: destroy utterly
          all trace, indication, or significance of c: to cause
          to disappear (as a bodily part or a scar) or collapse
          (as a duct conveying body fluid): remove 4 <a blood vessel
          obliterated by inflammation> 3: cancel 4 -- oblit.er.a.tion
          n -- oblit.er.a.tor n

   obliterative
          [oblit.er.a.tive] adj (ca. 1812): inducing or characterized
          by obliteration: as a: causing or accompanied by closure
          or collapse of a lumen <~ arterial disease> b: tending
          to make inconspicuous <~ behavior>

   oblivion
          [obliv.i.on] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L oblivion-, oblivio, fr.
          oblivisci to forget, perh. fr. ob- in the way + levis
          smooth--more at ob-, levigate] (14c) 1: the fact or condition
          of forgetting or having forgotten; esp: the condition
          of being oblivious 2: the condition or state of being
          forgotten or unknown

   oblivious
          [obliv.i.ous] adj (15c) 1: lacking remembrance, memory, or
          mindful attention 2: lacking active conscious knowledge
          or awareness--usu. used with of or to -- obliv.i.ous.ly
          adv -- obliv.i.ous.ness n

   oblong
          [ob.long] adj [ME, fr. L oblongus, fr. ob- toward + longus
          long--more at long] (15c): deviating from a square, circular,
          or spherical form by elongation in one dimension <an
          ~ piece of paper> <an ~ melon> -- oblong n

   obloquy
          [ob.lo.quy] n, pl -quies [ME, fr. LL obloquium, fr. obloqui
          to speak against, fr. ob- against + loqui to speak] (15c)
          1: a strongly condemnatory utterance: abusive language
          2: the condition of one that is discredited: bad repute
          syn see abuse

   obnoxious
          [ob.nox.ious] adj [L obnoxius, fr. ob in the way of, exposed
          to + noxa harm--more at noxious] (1597) 1 archaic: exposed
          to something unpleasant or harmful--used with to 2 archaic:
          deserving of censure 3: odiously or disgustingly objectionable:
          highly offensive -- ob.nox.ious.ly adv -- ob.nox.ious.ness
          n

   obnubilate
          [ob.nu.bi.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L obnubilatus, pp.
          of obnubilare, fr. ob- in the way + nubilare to be cloudy,
          fr. nubilus cloudy, fr. nubes cloud--more at ob-, nuance]
          (1583): becloud, obscure -- ob.nu.bi.la.tion n

   oboe
          [oboe] n [It, fr. F hautbois--more at hautbois] (1794): a
          double-reed woodwind instrument having a conical tube,
          a brilliant penetrating tone, and a usual range from
          B flat below middle C upward for over 2 1/2 octaves --
          obo.ist n

   obol
          [obol] n [L obolus, fr. Gk obolos, obelos, lit., spit] (1579):
          an ancient Greek coin or weight equal to 1/6 drachma

   obovate
          [ob.ovate] adj (1785): ovate with the narrower end basal
          <~ leaves>--see leaf illustration

   obovoid
          [ob.ovoid] adj (1819): ovoid with the broad end toward the
          apex <an ~ fruit>

   obscene
          [ob.scene] adj [MF, fr. L obscenus, obscaenus] (1593) 1:
          disgusting to the senses: repulsive 2 a: abhorrent to
          morality or virtue; specif: designed to incite to lust
          or depravity b: containing or being language regarded
          as taboo in polite usage <~ lyrics> c: repulsive by reason
          of crass disregard of moral or ethical principles <an
          ~ misuse of power> d: so excessive as to be offensive
          <~ wealth> <~ waste> syn see coarse -- ob.scene.ly adv

   obscenity
          [ob.scen.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1589) 1: the quality or state
          of being obscene 2: something (as an utterance or act)
          that is obscene

   obscurant
          [ob.scur.ant] or ob.scu.ran.tic adj (1878): tending to make
          obscure -- obscurant n

   obscurantism
          [ob.scu.ran.tism] n (1834) 1: opposition to the spread of
          knowledge: a policy of withholding knowledge from the
          general public 2 a: a style (as in literature or art)
          characterized by deliberate vagueness or abstruseness
          b: an act or instance of obscurantism -- ob.scu.ran.tist
          n or adj

   [1]obscure
          [ob.scure] adj [ME, fr. MF obscur, fr. L obscurus] (15c)
          1 a: dark, dim b: shrouded in or hidden by darkness c:
          not clearly seen or easily distinguished: faint 2: not
          readily understood or clearly expressed; also: mysterious
          3: relatively unknown: as a: remote, secluded b: not
          prominent or famous <an ~ poet> 4: constituting an unstressed
          vowel having the value of/uh/ -- ob.scure.ly adv -- ob.scure.ness
          n syn obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous,
          equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies
          a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy
          of expression or withholding of full knowledge <obscure
          poems>. dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation
          often with ominous or sinister suggestion <muttered dark
          hints of revenge>. vague implies a lack of clear formulation
          due to inadequate conception or consideration <a vague
          sense of obligation>. enigmatic stresses a puzzling,
          mystifying quality <enigmatic occult writings>. cryptic
          implies a purposely concealed meaning <cryptic hints
          of hidden treasure>. ambiguous applies to language capable
          of more than one interpretation <an ambiguous directive>.
          equivocal applies to language left open to differing
          interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading
          <moral precepts with equivocal phrasing>. [2]obscure
          vt ob.scured ; ob.scur.ing (15c) 1: to make dark, dim,
          or indistinct 2: to conceal or hide by or as if by covering
          3: to reduce (a vowel) to the value of /uh/ -- ob.scu.ra.tion
          n [3]obscure n (1667): obscurity

   obscurity
          [ob.scu.ri.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: one that is obscure 2:
          the quality or state of being obscure

   obscurum per obscurius
          [ob.scu.rum per ob.scu.ri.us] [L] foreign term : (explaining)
          the obscure by means of the more obscure

   obsequious
          [ob.se.qui.ous] adj [ME, compliant, fr. L obsequiosus, fr.
          obsequium compliance, fr. obsequi to comply, fr. ob-
          toward + sequi to follow--more at ob-, sue] (15c): marked
          by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness syn see subservient
          -- ob.se.qui.ous.ly adv -- ob.se.qui.ous.ness n

   obsequy
          [ob.se.quy] n, pl -quies [ME obsequie, fr. MF, fr. ML obsequiae
          (pl.), alter. of L exsequiae, fr. exsequi to follow out,
          execute--more at execution] (15c): a funeral or burial
          rite--usu. used in pl.

   observable
          [ob.serv.able] adj (1609) 1: noteworthy 2: capable of being
          observed: discernible -- ob.serv.abil.i.ty n -- observable
          n -- ob.serv.ably adv

   observance
          [ob.ser.vance] n (13c) 1 a: a customary practice, rite, or
          ceremony <Sabbath ~s> b: a rule governing members of
          a religious order 2: an act or instance of following
          a custom, rule, or law <~ of the speed limits> 3: an
          act or instance of watching

   [1]observant
          [ob.ser.vant] adj (1602) 1 a: paying strict attention: watchful
          <an ~ spectator> b: keen, perceptive 2: careful in observing
          (as rites, laws, or customs): mindful <pious and religiously
          ~ families --Sidney Hook> <always ~ of the amenities>
          -- ob.ser.vant.ly adv [2]observant n (1605) obs: an assiduous
          or obsequious servant or attendant

   observation
          [ob.ser.va.tion] n [MF, fr. L observation-, observatio, fr.
          observare] (1535) 1: an act or instance of observing
          a custom, rule, or law: observance 2 a: an act of recognizing
          and noting a fact or occurrence often involving measurement
          with instruments <weather ~s> b: a record or description
          so obtained 3: a judgment on or inference from what one
          has observed; broadly: remark, statement 4 obs: attentive
          care: heed 5: the condition of one that is observed <under
          ~ at the hospital> -- ob.ser.va.tion.al adj -- ob.ser.va.tion.al.ly
          adv

   observatory
          [ob.ser.va.to.ry] n, pl -ries [prob. fr. NL observatorium,
          fr. L observare] (1676) 1: a building or place given
          over to or equipped for observation of natural phenomena
          (as in astronomy); also: an institution whose primary
          purpose is making such observations 2: a situation or
          structure commanding a wide view

   observe
          [ob.serve] vb ob.served ; ob.serv.ing [ME, fr. MF observer,
          fr. L observare to guard, watch, observe, fr. ob- in
          the way, toward + servare to keep--more at conserve]
          vt (14c) 1: to conform one's action or practice to (as
          a law, rite, or condition): comply with 2: to inspect
          or take note of as an augury, omen, or presage 3: to
          celebrate or solemnize (as a ceremony or festival) in
          a customary or accepted way 4 a: to watch carefully esp.
          with attention to details or behavior for the purpose
          of arriving at a judgment b: to make a scientific observation
          on or of 5: to come to realize or know esp. through consideration
          of noted facts 6: to utter as a remark ~ vi 1 a: to take
          notice b: to make observations: watch 2: remark, comment
          syn see keep -- ob.serv.ing.ly adv

   observer
          [ob.serv.er] n (ca. 1550): one that observes: as
          a: a representative sent to observe but not participate officially
          in an activity (as a meeting or war) b: an expert analyst and
          commentator in a particular field <political ~s>

   obsess
          [ob.sess] vb [L obsessus, pp. of obsidere to frequent, besiege,
          fr. ob- against + sedere to sit--more at ob-, sit] vt
          (1531): to haunt or excessively preoccupy the mind of
          <was ~ed with the idea> ~ vi: to engage in obsessive
          thinking: become obsessed with an idea

   obsession
          [ob.ses.sion] n (1680) 1: a persistent disturbing preoccupation
          with an often unreasonable idea or feeling; broadly:
          compelling motivation <an ~ with profits> 2: something
          that causes an obsession -- ob.ses.sion.al adj -- ob.ses.sion.al.ly
          adv

   obsessive
          [ob.ses.sive] adj (1901) 1 a: tending to cause obsession
          b: excessive often to an unreasonable degree 2: of, relating
          to, or characterized by obsession: deriving from obsession
          -- obsessive n -- ob.ses.sive.ly adv -- ob.ses.sive.ness
          n

   obsessive-compulsive
          [obsessive-compulsive] adj (1927): relating to or characterized
          by recurring obsessions and compulsions esp. as symptoms
          of a neurotic state -- obsessive-compulsive n

   obsidian
          [ob.sid.i.an] n [NL obsidianus, fr. L obsidianus lapis, false
          MS reading for obsianus lapis, lit., stone of Obsius,
          fr. Obsius, its supposed discoverer] (1796): a dark natural
          glass formed by the cooling of molten lava

   obsolesce
          [ob.so.lesce] vb -lesced ; -lesc.ing [L obsolescere] vi (1873):
          to be or become obsolescent ~ vt: to make obsolescent

   obsolescence
          [ob.so.les.cence] n (ca. 1841): the process of becoming obsolete
          or the condition of being nearly obsolete <the gradual
          ~ of machinery> <reduced to ~>

   obsolescent
          [ob.so.les.cent] adj (1755): going out of use: becoming obsolete
          -- ob.so.les.cent.ly adv

   [1]obsolete
          [ob.so.lete] adj [L obsoletus, fr. pp. of obsolescere to
          grow old, become disused, perh. fr. ob- toward + solere
          to be accustomed] (1579) 1 a: no longer in use or no
          longer useful b: of a kind or style no longer current:
          old-fashioned 2 of a plant or animal part: indistinct
          or imperfect as compared with a corresponding part in
          related organisms: vestigial syn see old -- ob.so.lete.ly
          adv -- ob.so.lete.ness n [2]obsolete vt -let.ed ; -let.ing
          (1640): to make obsolete

   obstacle
          [ob.sta.cle] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L obstaculum, fr. obstare
          to stand in front of, fr. ob- in the way + stare to stand--more
          at ob-, stand] (14c): something that impedes progress
          or achievement

   obstacle course
          [obstacle course] n (1943): a military training course filled
          with obstacles (as hurdles, fences, walls, and ditches)
          that must be negotiated; broadly: a series of obstacles
          that must be overcome

   obstet
          [obstet] abbreviation obstetrical, obstetrics

   obstetric
          [ob.stet.ric] or ob.stet.ri.cal adj [modif. of L obstetricius,
          fr. obstetric-, obstetrix midwife, fr. obstare] (1742):
          of, relating to, or associated with childbirth or obstetrics
          -- ob.stet.ri.cal.ly adv

   obstetrician
          [ob.ste.tri.cian] n (ca. 1828): a physician specializing
          in obstetrics

   obstetrics
          [ob.stet.rics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1819):
          a branch of medical science that deals with birth and
          with its antecedents and sequels

   obstinacy
          [ob.sti.na.cy] n, pl -cies (14c) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being obstinate: stubbornness b: the quality or state
          of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue <the
          ~ of tuberculosis> 2: an instance of being obstinate

   obstinate
          [ob.sti.nate] adj [ME, fr. L obstinatus, pp. of obstinare
          to be resolved, fr. ob- in the way + -stinare (akin to
          stare to stand)] (14c) 1: perversely adhering to an opinion,
          purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or
          persuasion 2: not easily subdued, remedied, or removed
          <~ fever> -- ob.sti.nate.ly adv -- ob.sti.nate.ness n
          syn obstinate, dogged, stubborn, pertinacious, mulish
          mean fixed and unyielding in course or purpose. obstinate
          implies usu. an unreasonable persistence <an obstinate
          proponent of conspiracy theories>. dogged suggests an
          admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence
          <pursued the story with dogged perseverance>. stubborn
          implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may
          not be admirable <a person too stubborn to admit error>.
          pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence
          <a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an
          answer>. mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy
          <a mulish determination to have his own way>.

   obstreperous
          [ob.strep.er.ous] adj [L obstreperus, fr. obstrepere to clamor
          against, fr. ob- against + strepere to make a noise]
          (ca. 1600) 1: marked by unruly or aggressive noisiness:
          clamorous <~ merriment> 2: stubbornly resistant to control:
          unruly syn see vociferous -- ob.strep.er.ous.ly adv --
          ob.strep.er.ous.ness n

   obstruct
          [ob.struct] vt [L obstructus, pp. of obstruere, fr. ob- in
          the way + struere to build, heap up--more at ob-, strew]
          (1590) 1: to block or close up by an obstacle 2: to hinder
          from passage, action, or operation: impede 3: to cut
          off from sight <a wall ~s the view> syn see hinder --
          ob.struc.tive adj or n -- ob.struc.tive.ness n -- ob.struc.tor
          n

   obstruction
          [ob.struc.tion] n (1533) 1 a: an act of obstructing b: the
          state of being obstructed; esp: a condition of being
          clogged or blocked 2: something that obstructs

   obstructionism
          [ob.struc.tion.ism] n (1879): deliberate interference with
          the progress or business esp. of a legislative body --
          ob.struc.tion.ist n or adj -- ob.struc.tion.is.tic adj

   obtain
          [ob.tain] vb [ME obteinen, fr. MF & L; MF obtenir, fr. L
          obtinere to hold on to, possess, obtain, fr. ob- in the
          way + tenere to hold--more at thin] vt (15c): to gain
          or attain usu. by planned action or effort ~ vi 1 archaic:
          succeed 2: to be generally recognized or established:
          prevail -- ob.tain.abil.i.ty n -- ob.tain.able adj --
          ob.tain.er n -- ob.tain.ment n

   obtect
          [ob.tect] also ob.tect.ed adj [L obtectus, pp. of obtegere
          to cover over, fr. ob- in the way + tegere to cover--more
          at thatch] (ca. 1902): enclosed in or characterized by
          enclosure in a firm chitinous case or covering <an ~
          pupa>

   obtrude
          [ob.trude] vb ob.trud.ed ; ob.trud.ing [L obtrudere to thrust
          at, fr. ob- in the way + trudere to thrust--more at ob-,
          threat] vt (ca. 1609) 1: to thrust out: extrude 2: to
          force or impose (as oneself or one's ideas) without warrant
          or request ~ vi: to become unduly prominent or interfering:
          intrude -- ob.trud.er n

   obtrusion
          [ob.tru.sion] n [LL obtrusion-, obtrusio, fr. L obtrudere]
          (1579) 1: an act of obtruding 2: something that is obtruded

   obtrusive
          [ob.tru.sive] adj (1667) 1 a: forward in manner or conduct
          <~ behavior> b: undesirably prominent 2: thrust out:
          protruding syn see impertinent -- ob.tru.sive.ly adv
          -- ob.tru.sive.ness n

   obtund
          [ob.tund] vt [ME, fr. L obtundere] (14c): to reduce the edge
          or violence of: dull <~ed reflexes>

   obturation
          [ob.tu.ra.tion] n [L obturation-, obturatio, fr. obturare
          to obstruct] (1610): obstruction, closure -- ob.tu.rate
          vt

   obturator
          [ob.tu.ra.tor] n [NL, fr. L obturare] (ca. 1741): one that
          closes: as a: one (as a prosthetic device) that closes
          or blocks up an opening (as a fissure in the palate)
          b: a hooded swelling of the placenta that fits over the
          nucellus in some plants

   obtuse
          [ob.tuse] adj ob.tus.er ; -est [ME, fr. L obtusus blunt,
          dull, fr. pp. of obtundere to beat against, blunt, fr.
          ob- against + tundere to beat--more at ob-, contusion]
          (15c) 1 a: not pointed or acute: blunt b (1) of an angle:
          exceeding 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees (2): having
          an obtuse angle <an ~ triangle>--see triangle illustration
          c of a leaf: rounded at the free end 2 a: lacking sharpness
          or quickness of sensibility or intellect: insensitive,
          stupid b: difficult to comprehend: not clear or precise
          in thought or expression syn see dull -- ob.tuse.ly adv
          -- ob.tuse.ness n

   obv
          [obv] abbreviation obverse

   [1]obverse
          [ob.verse] adj [L obversus, fr. pp. of obvertere to turn
          toward, fr. ob- toward + vertere to turn--more at ob-,
          worth] (ca. 1656) 1: facing the observer or opponent
          2: having the base narrower than the top <an ~ leaf>
          3: constituting the obverse of something: opposite --
          ob.verse.ly adv [2]ob.verse n (1658) 1: the side of a
          coin or currency note bearing the chief device and lettering;
          broadly: a front or principal surface 2: a counterpart
          having the opposite orientation or force <their rise
          was merely the ~ of the Empire's fall --A. J. Toynbee>;
          also: opposite 1 <joy and its ~, sorrow> 3: a proposition
          inferred immediately from another by denying the opposite
          of what the given proposition affirms <the ~ of "all
          A is B" is "no A is not B">

   obviate
          [ob.vi.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL obviatus, pp. of obviare
          to meet, withstand, fr. L obviam] (1598): to anticipate
          and prevent (as a situation) or make unnecessary (as
          an action) -- ob.vi.a.tion n

   obvious
          [ob.vi.ous] adj [L obvius, fr. obviam in the way, fr. ob
          in the way of + viam, acc. of via way--more at ob-, via]
          (1603) 1 archaic: being in the way or in front 2: easily
          discovered, seen, or understood syn see evident -- ob.vi.ous.ness
          n

   obviously
          [ob.vi.ous.ly] adv (1638) 1: in an obvious manner <showed
          his anger ~> 2: as is plainly evident <~, something is
          wrong>

   oc...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   oc
          [oc] abbreviation ocean  OC abbreviation off center, officer
          candidate, on center, on course, over-the-counter

   oca
          [oca] n [Sp, fr. Quechua oqa] (1604): either of two So. American
          wood sorrels (Oxalis crenata and O. tuberosa) cultivated
          for their edible tubers; also: the tuber of an oca

   ocarina
          [oc.a.ri.na] n [It, fr. It dial., dim. of oca goose, fr.
          LL auca, fr. L avis bird--more at aviary] (1877): a simple
          wind instrument typically having an oval body with finger
          holes and a projecting mouthpiece

   Occam's razor
          [Oc.cam's razor] n [William of Occam] (ca. 1837): a scientific
          and philosophic rule that entities should not be multiplied
          unnecessarily which is interpreted as requiring that
          the simplest of competing theories be preferred to the
          more complex or that explanations of unknown phenomena
          be sought first in terms of known quantities

   occas
          [occas] abbreviation occasionally

   [1]occasion
          [oc.ca.sion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L occasion-, occasio,
          fr. occidere to fall, fall down, fr. ob- toward + cadere
          to fall--more at ob-, chance] (14c) 1: a favorable opportunity
          or circumstance <did not have ~ to talk with them> 2
          a: a state of affairs that provides a ground or reason
          <the ~ of the discord was their mutual intolerance> b:
          an occurrence or condition that brings something about;
          esp: the immediate inciting circumstance as distinguished
          from the fundamental cause <his insulting remark was
          the ~ of a bitter quarrel> 3 a: happening, incident b:
          a time at which something happens: instance 4 a: a need
          arising from a particular circumstance b archaic: a personal
          want or need--usu. used in pl. 5 pl: affairs, business
          6: a special event or ceremony: celebration -- on occasion
          : from time to time [2]occasion vt -sioned ; -sion.ing
          (15c): bring about, cause

   occasional
          [oc.ca.sion.al] adj (ca. 1631) 1 a: of or relating to a particular
          occasion <a budget able to meet ~ demands as well as regular ones>
          b: created for a particular occasion <~ verse> 2: acting as the
          occasion or contributing cause of something 3: encountered,
          occurring, appearing, or taken at irregular or infrequent intervals
          <~ visitors> <an ~ vacation> 4: acting in a specified capacity from
          time to time <an ~ lecturer> 5: designed or constructed to be used
          as the occasion demands <~ furniture>

   occasionally
          [oc.ca.sion.al.ly] adv (1630): on occasion: now and then

   Occident
          [Oc.ci.dent] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L occident-, occi dens, fr.
          prp. of occidere to fall, set (of the sun)] (14c): west
          2a

   occidental
          [oc.ci.den.tal] adj, often cap (14c) 1: of, relating to,
          or situated in the Occident: western 2: of or relating
          to Occidentals -- oc.ci.den.tal.ly adv Occidental n (1857):
          a member of one of the occidental peoples; esp: a person
          of European ancestry

   Occidentalism
          [Oc.ci.den.tal.ism] n (1839): the characteristic features
          of occidental peoples or culture

   occidentalize
          [oc.ci.den.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing often cap (1870):
          to make occidental (as in culture)

   occipital
          [oc.cip.i.tal] adj (1541): of, relating to, or located within
          or near the occiput or the occipital bone -- occipital
          n -- oc.cip.i.tal.ly adv

   occipital bone
          [occipital bone] n (1679): a compound bone that forms the
          posterior part of the skull and bears a condyle by which
          the skull articulates with the atlas

   occipital condyle
          [occipital condyle] n (ca. 1860): an articular surface on
          the occipital bone by which the skull articulates with
          the atlas

   occipital lobe
          [occipital lobe] n (ca. 1890): the posterior lobe of each
          cerebral hemisphere that bears the visual areas and has
          the form of a 3-sided pyramid

   occiput
          [oc.ci.put] n, pl occiputs or oc.cip.i.ta [ME, fr. L occipit-,
          occiput, fr. ob- against + capit-, caput head--more at
          ob-, head] (14c): the back part of the head or skull

   Occitan
          [Oc.ci.tan] n [F, fr. ML occitanus, fr. OProv oc yes (contrasted
          with OF oil yes) + ML -itanus (perh. as in aquitanus
          of Aquitaine)] (1958): provencal 2 -- Occitan adj

   occlude
          [oc.clude] vb oc.clud.ed ; oc.clud.ing [L occludere, fr.
          ob- in the way + claudere to shut, close--more at close]
          vt (1597) 1: to close up or block off: obstruct <a thrombus
          occluding a coronary artery>; also: conceal 2: sorb ~
          vi 1: to come into contact with cusps of the opposing
          teeth fitting together <his teeth do not ~ properly>
          2: to become occluded

   occluded front
          [occluded front] n (ca. 1938): occlusion 2

   occlusal
          [oc.clu.sal] adj (1897): of or relating to the grinding or
          biting surface of a tooth or to occlusion of the teeth

   occlusion
          [oc.clu.sion] n [L occludere] (ca. 1645) 1: the act of occluding:
          the state of being occluded: as a: the complete obstruction
          of the breath passage in the articulation of a speech
          sound b: the bringing of the opposing surfaces of the
          teeth of the two jaws into contact; also: the relation
          between the surfaces when in contact c: the inclusion
          or sorption of gas trapped during solidification of a
          material 2: the front formed by a cold front overtaking
          a warm front and lifting the warm air above the earth's
          surface

   occlusive
          [oc.clu.sive] adj [L occlusus, pp. of occludere] (1888) 1:
          serving to occlude 2: characterized by occlusion

   [1]occult
          [oc.cult] vt [L occultare, freq. of occulere] (1500): to
          shut off from view or exposure: cover, eclipse -- oc.cult.er
          n [2]oc.cult adj [L occultus, fr. pp. of occulere to
          cover up, fr. ob- in the way + -culere (akin to celare
          to conceal)--more at ob-, hell] (1567) 1: not revealed:
          secret 2: not easily apprehended or understood: abstruse,
          mysterious 3: hidden from view: concealed 4: of or relating
          to the occult 5: not manifest or detectable by clinical
          methods alone <~ carcinoma>; also: not present in macroscopic
          amounts <~ blood in a stool> -- oc.cult.ly adv [3]occult
          n (1923): matters regarded as involving the action or
          influence of supernatural or supernormal powers or some
          secret knowledge of them--used with the

   occultation
          [oc.cul.ta.tion] n (15c) 1: the state of being hidden from
          view or lost to notice 2: the interruption of the light
          from a celestial body or of the signals from a spacecraft
          by the intervention of a celestial body; esp: an eclipse
          of a star or planet by the moon

   occultism
          [oc.cult.ism] n (1881): occult theory or practice: belief
          in or study of the action or influence of supernatural
          or supernormal powers -- oc.cult.ist n

   occupancy
          [oc.cu.pan.cy] n, pl -cies (1596) 1: the fact or condition
          of holding, possessing, or residing in or on something
          <~ of the estate> 2: the act or fact of taking or having
          possession (as of unowned land) to acquire ownership
          3: the fact or condition of being occupied <~ by more
          than 400 persons is unlawful> 4: the use to which a property
          is put <industrial ~> 5: a building or part of a building
          intended to be occupied (as by a tenant) <multiple ~
          buildings>

   occupant
          [oc.cu.pant] n (1596) 1: one who occupies a particular place;
          esp: resident 2: one who acquires title by occupancy

   occupation
          [oc.cu.pa.tion] n [ME occupacioun, fr. MF occupation, fr.
          L occupation-, occupatio, fr. occupare] (14c) 1 a: an
          activity in which one engages <in the first three grades
          learning to read is perhaps the major ~ of the pupil
          --J. B. Conant> b: the principal business of one's life:
          vocation 2 a: the possession, use, or settlement of land:
          occupancy b: the holding of an office or position 3 a:
          the act or process of taking possession of a place or
          area: seizure b: the holding and control of an area by
          a foreign military force c: the military force occupying
          a country or the policies carried out by it syn see work
          -- oc.cu.pa.tion.al adj -- oc.cu.pa.tion.al.ly adv

   occupational therapy
          [occupational therapy] n (1915): therapy by means of activity;
          esp: creative activity prescribed for its effect in promoting
          recovery or rehabilitation -- occupational therapist
          n

   occupy
          [oc.cu.py] vt -pied ; -py.ing [ME occupien to take possession
          of, occupy, modif. of MF occuper, fr. L occupare, fr.
          ob- toward + -cupare (akin to capere to seize)--more
          at ob-, heave] (14c) 1: to engage the attention or energies
          of 2 a: to take up (a place or extent in space) <this
          chair is occupied> <the fireplace will ~ this corner
          of the room> b: to take or fill (an extent in time) <the
          hobby occupies all of my free time> 3 a: to take or hold
          possession or control of <enemy troops occupied the ridge>
          b: to fill or perform the functions of (an office or
          position) 4: to reside in as an owner or tenant -- oc.cu.pi.er
          n

   occur
          [oc.cur] vi oc.curred ; oc.cur.ring [L occurrere, fr. ob-
          in the way + currere to run--more at ob-, car] (1534)
          1: to be found or met with: appear 2: to come into existence:
          happen 3: to come to mind

   occurrence
          [oc.cur.rence] n (1539) 1: something that occurs <a startling
          ~> 2: the action or instance of occurring <the repeated
          ~ of petty theft in the locker room> syn occurrence,
          event, incident, episode, circumstance mean something
          that happens or takes place. occurrence may apply to
          a happening without intent, volition, or plan <an encounter
          that was a chance occurrence>. event usu. implies an
          occurrence of some importance and frequently one having
          antecedent cause <the events following the assassination>.
          incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or
          secondary importance <a minor wartime incident>. episode
          stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident
          <a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work>.
          circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action
          or event as part of its setting or background <couldn't
          recall the exact circumstances>.

   [1]occurrent
          [oc.cur.rent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L occurrent-, occurrens,
          prp. of occurrere] (15c) 1: occurring at a particular
          time or place: current 2: incidental [2]occurrent n (1535):
          something that occurs as distinguished from something
          that continues to exist

   ocean
          [ocean] n, often attrib [ME occean, fr. L oceanus, fr. Gk
          Okeanos, a river thought of as encircling the earth,
          ocean] (14c) 1 a: the whole body of salt water that covers
          nearly three fourths of the surface of the globe b: any
          of the large bodies of water (as the Atlantic Ocean)
          into which the great ocean is divided 2: a very large
          or unlimited space or quantity

   oceanarium
          [ocean.ar.i.um] n, pl -iums or -ia (1938): a large marine
          aquarium

   oceanfront
          [ocean.front] n (1919): a shore area on the ocean

   oceangoing
          [ocean.go.ing] adj (1885): of, relating to, or designed for
          travel on the ocean

   oceanic
          [oce.an.ic] adj (1656) 1 a: of or relating to the ocean b:
          occurring in or frequenting the ocean and esp. the open
          sea as distinguished from littoral or neritic waters
          2: vast, great

   Oceanid
          [Oce.anid] n [Gk okeanid-, okeanis, fr. Okeanos Oceanus]:
          any of the ocean nymphs that are daughters of Oceanus
          and Tethys in Greek mythology

   oceanog
          [oceanog] abbreviation oceanography

   oceanography
          [ocean.og.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1859): a science that deals with
          the oceans and includes the delimitation of their extent
          and depth, the physics and chemistry of their waters,
          marine biology, and the exploitation of their resources
          -- ocean.og.ra.pher n -- ocean.o.graph.ic also ocean.o.graph.i.cal
          adj -- ocean.o.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   oceanology
          [ocean.ol.o.gy] n (ca. 1864): oceanography; specif: the science
          of marine resources and technology -- ocean.ol.o.gist
          n

   ocean perch
          [ocean perch] n (1943): any of several marine scorpaenid
          food fishes (genus Sebastes): a: redfish a; also: a related
          food fish (S. fasciatus) b: one (S. alutus) abundant
          in the northeastern Pacific from Japan to the Bering
          Sea to southern California

   ocean sunfish
          [ocean sunfish] n (1629): a large bony fish (Mola mola of
          the order Tetraodontiformes) having high dorsal and anal
          fins and a body nearly oval in outline and attaining
          a length of 10 feet (3 meters) and a weight in excess
          of 2 tons (1.8 metric tons)

   Oceanus
          [Oce.anus] n [L, fr. Gk Okeanos]: a Titan who rules over
          a great river encircling the earth in Greek mythology

   ocellus
          [ocel.lus] n, pl ocel.li [NL, fr. L, dim. of oculus eye--more
          at eye] (1819) 1: a minute simple eye or eyespot of an
          invertebrate 2: an eyelike colored spot (as on a peacock
          feather or the wings of some butterflies) -- ocel.lar
          adj

   ocelot
          [oce.lot] n [F, fr. Nahuatl ocelotl jaguar] (1774): a medium-sized
          American wildcat (Felis pardalis) that ranges from Texas
          to northern Argentina and has a tawny yellow or grayish coat dotted
          and striped with black

   ocher
          [ocher] or ochre n [ME oker, fr. MF ocre, fr. L ochra, fr.
          Gk ochra, fr. fem. of ochros yellow] (14c) 1: an earthy
          usu. red or yellow and often impure iron ore used as
          a pigment 2: the color of ocher; esp: the color of yellow
          ocher -- ocher.ous or ochre.ous adj

   ochlocracy
          [och.loc.ra.cy] n [Gk & MF; MF ochlocratie, fr. Gk ochlokratia,
          fr. ochlos mob + -kratia -cracy] (1584): government by
          the mob: mob rule -- och.lo.crat n -- och.lo.crat.ic
          or och.lo.crat.i.cal adj

   -ock
          [-ock] n suffix [ME -oc, fr. OE]: small one <hillock>

   Ockham's razor
          [Ock.ham's razor] var of occam's razor

   ocotillo
          [oco.ti.llo] n, pl -llos [MexSp] (1856): a thorny scarlet-flowered
          candlewood (Fouquieria splendens of the family Fouquieriaceae)
          of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico

   OCR
          [OCR] abbreviation optical character reader, optical character
          recognition

   OCS
          [OCS] abbreviation officer candidate school

   oct
          [oct] abbreviation octavo  Oct abbreviation October

   octa-
          [octa-] or octo- also oct- comb form [Gk okta-, okto-, okt-
          (fr. okto) & L octo-, oct-, fr. octo--more at eight]:
          eight <octane> <octoroon>

   octagon
          [oc.ta.gon] n [L octagonum, fr. Gk oktagonon, fr. okta- +
          -gonon -gon] (1639): a polygon of eight angles and eight
          sides -- oc.tag.o.nal adj -- oc.tag.o.nal.ly adv

   octahedral
          [oc.ta.he.dral] adj (1758) 1: having eight plane faces 2:
          of, relating to, or formed in octahedrons -- oc.ta.he.dral.ly
          adv

   octahedron
          [oc.ta.he.dron] n, pl -drons or -dra [Gk oktaedron, fr. okta-
          + -edron -hedron] (1570): a solid bounded by eight plane
          faces

   octal
          [oc.tal] adj (1948): of, relating to, or being a number system
          with a base of eight

   octameter
          [oc.tam.e.ter] n [LL, having eight feet, fr. LGk oktametros,
          fr. okta- + metron measure--more at measure] (1889):
          a line of verse consisting of eight metrical feet

   octane
          [oc.tane] n [ISV] (ca. 1872) 1: any of several isomeric liquid
          alkanes containing eight carbon atoms 2: octane number

   octane number
          [octane number] n (1931): a number that is used to measure
          the antiknock properties of a liquid motor fuel (as gasoline)
          with a higher number indicating a smaller likelihood
          of knocking--called also octane rating--compare cetane
          number

   octant
          [oc.tant] n [L octant-, octans eighth of a circle, fr. octo]
          (1731) 1: an instrument for observing altitudes of a
          celestial body from a moving ship or aircraft 2: any
          of the eight parts into which a space is divided by three
          coordinate planes

   octapeptide
          [oc.ta.pep.tide] n (1961): a protein fragment or molecule
          (as oxytocin or vasopressin) that consists of eight amino
          acids linked in a polypeptide chain

   octave
          [oc.tave] n [ME, fr. ML octava, fr. L, fem. of octavus eighth,
          fr. octo eight--more at eight] (14c) 1: an 8-day period
          of observances beginning with a festival day 2 a: a stanza
          of eight lines: ottava rima b: the first eight lines
          of an Italian sonnet 3 a: a musical interval embracing
          eight diatonic degrees b: a tone or note at this interval
          c: the harmonic combination of two tones an octave apart
          d: the whole series of notes, tones, or digitals comprised
          within this interval and forming the unit of the modern
          scale e: an organ stop giving tones an octave above those
          corresponding to the digitals 4: the interval between
          two frequencies (as in an electromagnetic spectrum) having
          a ratio of 2 to 1 5: a group of eight

   octavo
          [oc.ta.vo] n, pl -vos [L, abl. of octavus eighth] (1582):
          the size of a piece of paper cut eight from a sheet;
          also: a book, a page, or paper of this size

   octet
          [oc.tet] n (1879) 1: a group or set of eight: as a: octave
          2b b: the performers of an octet 2: a musical composition
          for eight instruments or voices

   octillion
          [oc.til.lion] n [F, fr. MF, fr. oct- octa- + -illion (as
          in million)] (1690): the figure 1 followed by 27 zeroes:
          the figure 1,000 followed by eight groups of three zeroes;
          also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by 48 zeroes: one millon
          to the eighth power

   October
          [Oc.to.ber] n [ME Octobre, fr. OE & OF; OE October, fr. L,
          8th month of the early Roman calendar, fr. octo; OF,
          fr. L October] (bef. 12c): the 10th month of the Gregorian
          calendar

   octodecillion
          [oc.to.de.cil.lion] n [L octodecim eighteen + E -illion (as
          in million)] (1939): the figure 1 followed by 57 zeroes:
          the figure 1,000 followed by 18 groups of three zeroes;
          also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by 114 zeroes: one
          million to the 18th power

   octogenarian
          [oc.to.ge.nar.i.an] n [L octogenarius containing eighty,
          fr. octogeni eighty each, fr. octoginta eighty, fr. octo
          eight + -ginta (akin to viginti twenty)--more at vigesimal]
          (1815): a person whose age is in the eighties -- octogenarian
          adj

   octoploid
          [oc.to.ploid] adj [ISV] (1925): having a chromosome number
          eight times the basic haploid chromosome number -- octoploid
          n

   octopod
          [oc.to.pod] n [ultim. fr. Gk oktopod-, oktopous scorpion,
          fr. okto- octa- + pod-, pous foot--more at foot] (ca.
          1836): any of an order (Octopoda) of cephalopod mollusks
          (as an octopus or argonaut) that have eight arms bearing
          sessile suckers -- octopod adj

   octopus
          [oc.to.pus] n, pl -pus.es or -pi [NL Octopod-, Octopus, fr.
          Gk oktopous] (1758) 1: any of a genus (Octopus) of cephalopod
          mollusks that have eight muscular arms equipped with
          two rows of suckers; broadly: any octopod excepting the
          paper nautilus 2: something that resembles an octopus
          esp. in having many centrally directed branches

   octoroon
          [oc.to.roon] n [octa- + -roon (as in quadroon)] (1861): a
          person of one-eighth black ancestry

   octosyllabic
          [oc.to.syl.lab.ic] adj [LL octosyllabus, fr. Gk oktasyllabos,
          fr. okta- octa- + syllabe syllable] (ca. 1771) 1: consisting
          of eight syllables 2: composed of verses of eight syllables
          -- octosyllabic n

   octosyllable
          [oc.to.syl.la.ble] n (ca. 1846): a word or line of eight
          syllables

   octothorp
          [oc.to.thorp] n [octo- + thorp, of unknown origin; fr. the
          eight points on its circumference] (1971): the symbol
          #

   [1]ocular
          [oc.u.lar] adj [LL ocularis of eyes, fr. L oculus eye] (ca.
          1575) 1 a: done or perceived by the eye <~ inspection>
          b: based on what has been seen <~ testimony> 2 a: of
          or relating to the eye <~ muscles> b: resembling an eye
          in form or function [2]ocular n (1835): eyepiece

   ocularist
          [oc.u.lar.ist] n (1866): a person who makes and fits artificial
          eyes

   oculist
          [oc.u.list] n [F oculiste, fr. L oculus] (1615) 1: ophthalmologist
          2: optometrist

   oculomotor
          [oc.u.lo.mo.tor] adj [L oculus eye + E -o- + motor] (ca.
          1890) 1: moving or tending to move the eyeball 2: of
          or relating to the oculomotor nerve

   oculomotor nerve
          [oculomotor nerve] n (1881): either of the pair of chiefly
          motor nerves that comprise the 3d pair of cranial nerves,
          arise from the midbrain, and supply four muscles of the
          eye

   oculus
          [oc.u.lus] n, pl oc.u.li [L, lit., eye--more at eye] (1848)
          1: a circular or oval window 2: a circular opening at
          the top of a dome

   od...
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   od
          [od] or odd interj, often cap [euphemism for God] (1695)
          archaic--used as a mild oath [1]OD n [overdose] (ca.
          1960) 1: an overdose of a narcotic 2: one who has taken
          an OD [2]OD vi OD'd or ODed ; OD'.ing ; OD's (1966) 1:
          to become ill or die of an OD 2: to have or experience
          too much of something--used with on <~ on television>

   OD
          [OD] abbreviation doctor of optometry, [L oculus dexter]
          right eye; officer of the day, olive drab, on demand,
          outside diameter, outside dimension, overdraft, overdrawn

   odalisque
          [oda.lisque] n [F, fr. Turk odalik, fr. oda room] (ca. 1681)
          1: a female slave 2: a concubine in a harem

   odd
          [odd] adj [ME odde, fr. ON oddi point of land, triangle,
          odd number; akin to OE ord point of a weapon] (14c) 1
          a: being without a corresponding mate <an ~ shoe> b (1):
          left over after others are paired or grouped (2): separated
          from a set or series 2 a: somewhat more than the indicated
          approximate quantity, extent, or degree--usu. used in
          combination <300-odd pages> b (1): left over as a remainder
          <had a few ~ dollars for entertainment after paying his
          bills> (2): constituting a small amount <had some ~ change
          in her pocket> 3 a: being one of the sequence of natural
          numbers beginning with one and counting by twos that
          are not divisible by two b: marked by an odd number of
          units c: being a function such that f (-x) equals -f(x)
          where the sign is reversed but the absolute value remains
          the same if the sign of the independent variable is reversed
          4 a: not regular, expected, or planned <worked at ~ jobs>
          b: encountered or experienced from time to time: occasional
          5: having an out-of-the-way location: remote 6: differing
          markedly from the usual or ordinary or accepted: peculiar
          syn see strange -- odd.ness n

   oddball
          [odd.ball] n (1948): one that is eccentric -- oddball adj

   Odd Fellow
          [Odd Fellow] n [Independent Order of Odd Fellows] (1795):
          a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order

   oddity
          [odd.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1713) 1: an odd person, thing, event,
          or trait 2: the quality or state of being odd

   odd lot
          [odd lot] n (1897): a number or quantity other than the usual
          unit in transactions; esp: a quantity of less than 100
          shares of stock

   oddly
          [odd.ly] adv (1610) 1: in an odd manner 2: it is odd that
          <was quite happy, ~ enough>

   odd man out
          [odd man out] n (1923): a person who differs from the other
          members of a group

   oddment
          [odd.ment] n (1796) 1 a: something left over: remnant b pl:
          odds and ends 2: something odd: oddity

   odd permutation
          [odd permutation] n (1929): a permutation that is produced
          by the successive application of an odd number of interchanges
          of pairs of elements

   odd-pinnate
          [odd-pin.nate] adj (ca. 1890): having leaflets on each side
          of the petiole and having a single leaflet at the tip
          of the petiole -- odd-pin.nate.ly adv

   odds
          [odds] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1520) 1 a archaic:
          inequalities b obs: degree of unlikeness 2 a: an amount
          by which one thing exceeds or falls short of another
          <won the election by considerable ~> b (1): a difference
          favoring one of two opposed things <overwhelming ~> (2):
          a difference in terms of advantage or disadvantage <what's
          the ~, if thinking so makes them happy --Flora Thompson>
          c (1): the probability that one thing is so or will happen
          rather than another: chances <the ~ are against it> (2):
          the ratio of the probability of one event to that of
          an alternative event 3: disagreement, variance--usu.
          used with at <faculty and administration often are at
          ~ on everything --W. E. Brock b1930> 4 a: special favor:
          partiality b: an allowance granted by one making a bet
          to one accepting the bet and designed to equalize the
          chances favoring one of the bettors c: the ratio between
          the amount to be paid off for a winning bet and the amount
          of the bet -- by all odds : in every way: without question
          <by all odds the best book of the year>

   odds and ends
          [odds and ends] n pl (ca. 1746) 1 a: miscellaneous articles
          b: miscellaneous small matters (as of business) to be
          attended to 2: miscellaneous remnants or leftovers <odds
          and ends of food>

   oddsmaker
          [odds.maker] n (ca. 1949): one who figures odds

   odds-on
          [odds-on] adj (1890) 1: having or viewed as having a better
          than even chance to win <the ~ favorite> 2: not involving
          much risk: pretty sure <an ~ bet>

   odd trick
          [odd trick] n (1897): each trick in excess of six won by
          declarer's side at bridge--compare book 9

   ode
          [ode] n [MF or LL; MF, fr. LL, fr. Gk oide, lit., song, fr.
          aeidein, aidein to sing; akin to Gk aude voice] (1588):
          a lyric poem usu. marked by exaltation of feeling and
          style, varying length of line, and complexity of stanza
          forms -- od.ist n

   -ode
          [-ode] n comb form [Gk -odos, fr. hodos] 1: way: path <electrode>
          2: electrode <diode>

   oderint dum metuant
          [ode.rint dum me.tu.ant] [L] foreign term : let them hate,
          so long as they fear

   odeum
          [ode.um] n, pl -odea [L & Gk; L, fr. Gk oideion, fr. oide
          song] (1616) 1: a small roofed theater of ancient Greece
          and Rome used chiefly for competitions in music and poetry
          2: a theater or concert hall

   odic
          [od.ic] adj (1863): of, relating to, or forming an ode

   odi et amo
          [odi et amo] [L] foreign term : I hate and I love

   Odin
          [Odin] n [Dan, fr. ON Othinn]: the supreme god and creator
          in Norse mythology

   odious
          [odi.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF odieus, fr. L odiosus, fr. odium]
          (14c): exciting or deserving hatred or repugnance <~
          associates> <an ~ business> -- odi.ous.ly adv -- odi.ous.ness
          n

   odium
          [odi.um] n [L, hatred, fr. odisse to hate; akin to OE atol
          terrible, Gk odyssasthai to be angry] (1602) 1: the state
          or fact of being subjected to hatred and contempt as
          a result of a despicable act or blameworthy circumstance
          2: hatred and condemnation accompanied by loathing or
          contempt: detestation 3: disrepute or infamy attached
          to something: opprobrium

   odometer
          [odom.e.ter] n [F odometre, fr. Gk hodometron, fr. hodos
          way, road + metron measure--more at measure] (1791):
          an instrument for measuring the distance traveled (as
          by a vehicle)

   odonate
          [odo.nate] n [irreg. fr. Gk odous, odon tooth] (1947): any
          of an order (Odonata) of predaceous insects comprising
          the dragonflies and damselflies -- odonate adj

   odont-
          [odont-] or odonto- comb form [F, fr. Gk, odont-, odous--more
          at tooth]: tooth <odontoblast>

   -odont
          [-odont] adj comb form [Gk odont-, odous tooth]: having teeth
          of a (specified) nature <acrodont>

   -odontia
          [-odontia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk odont-, odous]: form,
          condition, or mode of treatment of the teeth <orthodontia>

   odontoblast
          [odon.to.blast] n [ISV] (1878): any of the elongated radially
          arranged cells on the surface of the dental pulp that
          secrete dentin -- odon.to.blas.tic adj

   odontoglossum
          [odon.to.glos.sum] n [NL, fr. Gk odont- + glossa tongue--more
          at gloss] (1880): any of a genus (Odontoglossum) of widely
          cultivated tropical American orchids

   odontoid process
          [odon.toid process] n (ca. 1819): a toothlike process projecting
          from the anterior end of the centrum of the axis vertebra
          on which the atlas vertebra rotates

   odor
          [odor] n [ME odour, fr. MF, fr. L odor; akin to L olere to
          smell, Gk ozein to smell, osme smell, odor] (13c) 1 a:
          a quality of something that stimulates the olfactory
          organ: scent b: a sensation resulting from adequate stimulation
          of the olfactory organ: smell 2 a: a characteristic or
          predominant quality: flavor <the ~ of sanctity> b: repute,
          estimation <in bad ~> 3 archaic: something that emits
          a sweet or pleasing scent: perfume syn see smell -- odored
          adj -- odor.less adj

   odorant
          [odor.ant] n (1935): an odorous substance; esp: one added
          to a dangerous odorless substance to warn of its presence

   odoriferous
          [odor.if.er.ous] adj (15c) 1: yielding an odor: odorous 2:
          morally offensive -- odor.if.er.ous.ly adv -- odor.if.er.ous.ness
          n

   odorize
          [odor.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1884): to make odorous: scent

   odorous
          [odor.ous] adj (15c): having an odor: as a: fragrant b: malodorous
          -- odor.ous.ly adv -- odor.ous.ness n syn odorous, fragrant,
          redolent, aromatic mean emitting and diffusing scent. odorous
          applies to whatever has a strong distinctive smell whether pleasant
          or unpleasant <odorous cheeses should be tightly wrapped>. fragrant
          applies to things (as flowers or spices) with sweet or agreeable
          odors <a fragrant rose>. redolent applies usu. to a place or thing
          impregnated with odors <the kitchen was redolent of garlic and
          tomatoes>. aromatic applies to things emitting pungent often fresh
          odors <an aromatic blend of tobaccos>.

   odour
          [odour] chiefly Brit var of odor

   Odyssean
          [Odys.se.an] adj (ca. 1711): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Odysseus or his journey

   Odysseus
          [Odys.seus] n [Gk]: a king of Ithaca and Greek leader in
          the Trojan War who after the war wanders 10 years before
          reaching home

   odyssey
          [od.ys.sey] n, pl -seys [the Odyssey, epic poem attributed
          to Homer recounting the long wanderings of Odysseus]
          (1889) 1: a long wandering or voyage usu. marked by many
          changes of fortune 2: an intellectual or spiritual wandering
          or quest

   oe...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Oe
          [Oe] abbreviation oersted

   OECD
          [OECD] abbreviation Organization for Economic Cooperation
          and Development

   oecumenical
          [oe.cu.men.i.cal] var of ecumenical

   OED
          [OED] abbreviation Oxford English Dictionary

   oedema
          [oe.de.ma] chiefly Brit var of edema

   oedipal
          [oe.di.pal] adj, often cap (1939): of, relating to, or resulting
          from the Oedipus complex -- oe.di.pal.ly adv, often cap

   [1]Oedipus
          [Oe.di.pus] n [L, fr. Gk Oidipous]: the son of Laius and
          Jocasta who in fulfillment of an oracle unknowingly kills
          his father and marries his mother [2]Oedipus adj (1910):
          oedipal

   Oedipus complex
          [Oedipus complex] n (1910): the positive libidinal feelings
          of a child toward the parent of the opposite sex and
          hostile or jealous feelings toward the parent of the
          same sex that may be a source of adult personality disorder
          when unresolved

   oeil-de-boeuf
          [oeil-de-boeuf] n, pl oeils-de-boeuf [F oeil-de-boeuf, lit.,
          ox's eye] (1849): oculus 1

   oeillade
          [oeil.lade] n [MF oeillade, fr. oeil eye, fr. L oculus--more
          at eye] (1592): a glance of the eye; esp: ogle

   OEM
          [OEM] n [original equipment manufacturer] (1968): one that
          produces complex equipment (as a computer system) from
          components usu. bought from other manufacturers

   oenology
          [oe.nol.o.gy] var of enology

   Oenone
          [Oe.no.ne] n [L, fr. Gk Oinone]: a nymph who is abandoned
          by her husband Paris for Helen of Troy

   oenophile
          [oe.no.phile] n [F oenophile, fr. oeno- (fr. Gk oinos wine)
          + -phile -phile--more at wine] (1930): a lover or connoisseur
          of wine

   OEO
          [OEO] abbreviation Office of Economic Opportunity

   OER
          [OER] abbreviation officer efficiency report

   oersted
          [oer.sted] n [Hans Christian Oersted] (1930): the unit of
          magnetic field strength in the centimeter-gram-second
          system

   OES
          [OES] abbreviation Order of the Eastern Star

   oesophagus
          [oe.soph.a.gus] chiefly Brit var of esophagus

   oestr-
          [oestr-] or oestro- chiefly Brit var of estr-

   oeuvre
          [oeu.vre] n, pl oeuvres [F oeuvre, lit., work, fr. L opera--more
          at opera] (1875): a substantial body of work constituting
          the lifework of a writer, an artist, or a composer

   of...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]of
          [of] prep [ME, off, of, fr. OE, adv. & prep.; akin to OHG
          aba off, away, L ab from, away, Gk apo] (bef. 12c) 1--used
          as a function word to indicate a point of reckoning <north
          ~ the lake> 2 a--used as a function word to indicate
          origin or derivation <a man ~ noble birth> b--used as
          a function word to indicate the cause, motive, or reason
          <died ~ flu> c: by <plays ~ Shakespeare> d: on the part
          of <very kind ~ you> 3--used as a function word to indicate
          the component material, parts, or elements or the contents
          <throne ~ gold> <cup ~ water> 4 a--used as a function
          word to indicate the whole that includes the part denoted
          by the preceding word <most ~ the army> b--used as a
          function word to indicate a whole or quantity from which
          a part is removed or expended <gave ~ his time> 5 a:
          relating to: about <stories ~ her travels> b: in respect
          to <slow ~ speech> 6 a--used as a function word to indicate
          belonging or a possessive relationship <king ~ England>
          b--used as a function word to indicate relationship between
          a result determined by a function or operation and a
          basic entity (as an independent variable) <a function
          ~ x> <the product ~ two numbers> 7--used as a function
          word to indicate something from which a person or thing
          is delivered <eased ~ her pain> or with respect to which
          someone or something is made destitute <robbed ~ all
          their belongings> 8 a--used as a function word to indicate
          a particular example belonging to the class denoted by
          the preceding noun <the city ~ Rome> b--used as a function
          word to indicate apposition <that fool ~ a husband> 9
          a--used as a function word to indicate the object of
          an action denoted or implied by the preceding noun <love
          ~ nature> b--used as a function word to indicate the
          application of a verb <cheats him ~ a dollar> or of an
          adjective <fond ~ candy> 10--used as a function word
          to indicate a characteristic or distinctive quality or
          possession <a woman ~ courage> 11 a--used as a function
          word to indicate the position in time of an action or
          occurrence <died ~ a Monday> b: before <quarter ~ ten>
          12 archaic: on <a plague ~ all cowards --Shak.> [2]of
          verbal auxiliary [by alter.] (1837) nonstand: have--used
          in place of the contraction 've often in representations
          of uneducated speech <I could ~ beat them easy --Ring
          Lardner>

   OF
          [OF] abbreviation outfield

   ofay
          [ofay] n [origin unknown] (1925): a white person--usu. used
          disparagingly

   off
          [off] abbreviation office, officer, official

   [1]off
          [off] adv [ME of, fr. OE--more at of] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1):
          from a place or position <march ~>; specif: away from
          land <ship stood ~ to sea> (2): at a distance in space
          or time <stood 10 paces ~> <a long way ~> b: from a course:
          aside <turned ~ into a bypath>; specif: away from the
          wind c: into an unconscious state <dozed ~> 2 a: so as
          to be separated from support <rolled to the edge of the
          table and ~> or close contact <blew the lid ~> <the handle
          came ~> b: so as to be divided <surface marked ~ into
          squares> 3 a: to a state of discontinuance or suspension
          <shut ~ an engine> b--used as an intensifier <drink ~
          a glass> <finish it ~> 4: in absence from or suspension
          of regular work or service <take time ~ for lunch> 5:
          offstage [2]off prep (bef. 12c) 1 a--used as a function
          word to indicate physical separation or distance from
          a position of rest, attachment, or union <take it ~ the
          table> <a path ~ the main walk> <a shop just ~ the main
          street> b: to seaward of <two miles ~ shore> 2--used
          as a function word to indicate the object of an action
          <borrowed a dollar ~ him> <dined ~ oysters> 3 a--used
          as a function word to indicate the suspension of an occupation
          or activity <~ duty> <~ liquor> b: below the usual standard
          or level of <~ his game> [3]off adj (1666) 1 a: more
          removed or distant <the ~ side of the building> b: seaward
          c: right 2 a: started on the way <~ on a spree> b: not
          taking place or staying in effect: canceled <the deal
          was ~> c: not operating d: not placed so as to permit
          operation 3 a: not corresponding to fact: incorrect <~
          in his reckoning> b: poor, subnormal c: not entirely
          sane: eccentric d: remote, slight <an ~ chance> 4 a:
          spent off duty <reading on his ~ days> b: slack <~ season>
          5 a: off-color b: inferior <~ grade of oil>; also: affected
          with putrefaction c: down <stocks were ~> 6: circumstanced
          <worse ~> [4]off vi (1717): to go away: depart--used
          chiefly as an imperative <~, or I'll shoot> ~ vt, slang:
          kill, murder

   offal
          [of.fal] n [ME, fr. of off + fall] (14c) 1: the waste or
          by-product of a process: as a: trimmings of a hide b:
          the by-products of milling used esp. for stock feeds
          c: the viscera and trimmings of a butchered animal removed
          in dressing 2: rubbish

   off and on
          [off and on] adv (1535): with periodic cessation: intermittently
          <rained off and on all day>

   [1]offbeat
          [off.beat] n (ca. 1928): the unaccented beat of a musical
          measure [2]off.beat adj (1938): eccentric, unconventional

   off Broadway
          [off Broadway] n, often cap O [fr. its usu. being produced
          in smaller theaters outside of the Broadway theatrical
          district] (1954): a part of the New York professional
          theater stressing fundamental and artistic values and
          formerly engaging in experimentation -- off-Broadway
          adj or adv, often cap O

   offcast
          [off.cast] adj (1571): cast off: discarded -- offcast n

   off-color
          [off-col.or] or off-col.ored adj (1860) 1 a: not having the
          right or standard color b: being out of sorts 2 a: of
          doubtful propriety: dubious b: verging on the indecent

   offcut
          [off.cut] n (ca. 1664) chiefly Brit: something that is cut
          off (as a waste piece of lumber)

   offend
          [of.fend] vb [ME, fr. MF offendre, fr. L offendere to strike
          against, offend, fr. ob- against + -fendere to strike--more
          at ob-, defend] vi (14c) 1 a: to transgress the moral
          or divine law: sin <if it be a sin to covet honor, I
          am the most ~ing soul alive --Shak.> b: to violate a
          law or rule: do wrong <~ against the law> 2 a: to cause
          difficulty, discomfort, or injury <took off his shoe
          and removed the ~ing pebble> b: to cause dislike, anger,
          or vexation <thoughtless words that ~ needlessly> ~ vt
          1 a: violate, transgress b: to cause pain to: hurt 2
          obs: to cause to sin or fall 3: to cause to feel vexation
          or resentment usu. by violation of what is proper or
          fitting <was ~ed by their language> -- of.fend.er n syn
          offend, outrage, affront, insult mean to cause hurt feelings
          or deep resentment. offend need not imply an intentional
          hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the
          victim's sense of what is proper or fitting <hoped that
          my remarks had not offended her>. outrage implies offending
          beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings <outraged
          by their accusations>. affront implies treating with
          deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy
          <deeply affronted by his callousness>. insult suggests
          deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame
          <managed to insult every guest at the party>.

   offense
          [of.fense] or of.fence n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L offensa, fr.
          fem. of offensus, pp. of offendere] (14c) 1 a obs: an
          act of stumbling b archaic: a cause or occasion of sin:
          stumbling block 2: something that outrages the moral
          or physical senses 3 a: the act of attacking: assault
          b: the means or method of attacking or of attempting
          to score c: the offensive team or members of a team playing
          offensive positions d: scoring ability 4 a: the act of
          displeasing or affronting b: the state of being insulted
          or morally outraged <takes ~ at the slightest criticism>
          5 a: a breach of a moral or social code: sin, misdeed
          b: an infraction of law; esp: misdemeanor -- of.fense.less
          adj syn offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon,
          huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state
          resulting from a slight or indignity. offense implies
          hurt displeasure <takes deep offense at racial slurs>.
          resentment suggests a longer lasting indignation or smoldering
          ill will <harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother>.
          umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion
          of another's motives <took umbrage at the offer of advice>.
          pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity
          <in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation>. dudgeon
          suggests an angry fit of indignation <stormed out of
          the meeting in high dudgeon>. huff implies a peevish
          short-lived spell of anger usu. at a petty cause <in
          a huff he slammed the door>. syn offense, sin, vice,
          crime, scandal mean a transgression of law. offense applies
          to the infraction of any law, rule, or code <at that
          school no offense went unpunished>. sin implies an offense
          against moral or religious law <the sin of blasphemy>.
          vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or
          corrupts <regarded gambling as a vice>. crime implies
          a serious offense punishable by the law of the state
          <the crime of murder>. scandal applies to an offense
          that outrages the public conscience <a career ruined
          by a sex scandal>.

   [1]offensive
          [of.fen.sive] adj (ca. 1548) 1 a: making attack: aggressive
          b: of, relating to, or designed for attack <~ weapons>
          c: of or relating to an attempt to score in a game or
          contest; also: of or relating to a team in possession
          of the ball or puck 2: giving painful or unpleasant sensations:
          nauseous, obnoxious <~ odor of garbage> 3: causing displeasure
          or resentment -- of.fen.sive.ly adv -- of.fen.sive.ness
          n [2]offensive n (1720) 1: the act of an attacking party
          2: attack

   [1]offer
          [of.fer] vb of.fered ; of.fer.ing [ME offren, in sense 1,
          fr. OE offrian, fr. LL offerre, fr. L, to present, tender,
          fr. ob- toward + ferre to carry; in other senses, fr.
          OF offrir, fr. L offerre--more at bear] vt (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to present as an act of worship or devotion: sacrifice
          b: to utter (as a prayer) in devotion 2 a: to present
          for acceptance or rejection: tender <was ~ed a job> b:
          to present in order to satisfy a requirement <candidates
          for degrees may ~ French as one of their foreign languages>
          3 a: propose, suggest <~ a solution to a problem> b:
          to declare one's readiness or willingness <~ed to help
          me> 4 a: to try or begin to exert: put up <~ed stubborn
          resistance> b: threaten <~ed to strike him with his cane>
          5: to make available: afford; esp: to place (merchandise)
          on sale 6: to present in performance or exhibition 7:
          to propose as payment: bid ~ vi 1: to present something
          as an act of worship or devotion: sacrifice 2 archaic:
          to make an attempt 3: to present itself 4: to make a
          proposal (as of marriage) [2]offer n (15c) 1 a: a presenting
          of something for acceptance <considering job ~s from
          several firms> <an ~ of marriage> b: an undertaking to
          do an act or give something on condition that the party
          to whom the proposal is made do some specified act or
          make a return promise 2 obs: offering 3: a price named
          by one proposing to buy: bid 4 a: attempt, try b: an
          action or movement indicating a purpose or intention
          -- on offer chiefly Brit: being offered esp. for sale

   offering
          [of.fer.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the act of one who offers
          b: something offered; esp: a sacrifice ceremonially offered
          as a part of worship c: a contribution to the support
          of a church 2: something offered for sale or patronage
          <latest ~s of the leading novelists> 3: a course of instruction
          or study

   offertory
          [of.fer.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ML offertorium, fr. LL offerre]
          (1539) 1 often cap a: the eucharistic offering of bread
          and wine to God before they are consecrated at Communion
          b: a verse from a Psalm said or sung at the beginning
          of the offertory 2 a: the period of collection and presentation
          of the offerings of the congregation at public worship
          b: a musical composition played or sung during an offertory

   [1]offhand
          [off.hand] adv (1694): without premeditation or preparation:
          extempore <couldn't give the figures ~> [2]offhand adj
          (1708) 1: casual, informal <a relaxed, ~ manner> 2: done
          or made offhand <~ excuses>

   offhanded
          [off.hand.ed] adj (1835): offhand -- off.hand.ed.ly adv --
          off.hand.ed.ness n

   off-hour
          [off-hour] n (1932) 1: a period of time other than a rush
          hour 2: a period of time other than regular business
          hours

   offic
          [offic] abbreviation official

   office
          [of.fice] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L officium service, duty, office,
          fr. opus work + facere to make, do--more at operate,
          do] (13c) 1 a: a special duty, charge, or position conferred
          by an exercise of governmental authority and for a public
          purpose: a position of authority to exercise a public
          function and to receive whatever emoluments may belong
          to it b: a postion of responsibility or some degree of
          executive authority 2 [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL officium, fr.
          L]: a prescribed form or service of worship; specif,
          cap: divine office 3: a religious or social ceremonial
          observance: rite 4 a: something that one ought to do
          or must do: an assigned or assumed duty, task, or role
          b: the proper or customary action of something: function
          c: something done for another: service 5: a place where
          a particular kind of business is transacted or a service
          is supplied: as a: a place in which the functions of
          a public officer are performed b: the directing headquarters
          of an enterprise or organization c: the place in which
          a professional person conducts business 6 pl, chiefly
          Brit: the apartments, attached buildings, or outhouses
          in which the activities attached to the service of a
          house are carried on 7 a: a major administrative unit
          in some governments <British Foreign Office> b: a subdivision
          of some government departments <Patent Office> syn see
          function

   office boy
          [office boy] n (1846): a boy or man employed for odd jobs
          in a business office

   officeholder
          [of.fice.hold.er] n (1818): one holding a public office

   [1]officer
          [of.fi.cer] n [ME, fr. MF officier, fr. ML officiarius, fr.
          L officium] (14c) 1 a obs: agent b: one charged with
          police duties 2: one who holds an office of trust, authority,
          or command <the ~s of the bank> 3 a: one who holds a
          position of authority or command in the armed forces;
          specif: commissioned officer b: the master or any of
          the mates of a merchant or passenger ship [2]officer
          vt (1670) 1: to furnish with officers 2: to command or
          direct as an officer

   officer of arms
          [officer of arms] (ca. 1500): any of the officers (as king
          of arms, herald, or pursuivant) of a monarch or government
          responsible for devising and granting armorial bearings

   [1]official
          [of.fi.cial] n (14c) 1: one who holds or is invested with
          an office: officer <government ~s> 2: one who administers
          the rules of a game or sport esp. as a referee or umpire
          [2]official adj (ca. 1604) 1: of or relating to an office,
          position, or trust <~ duties> 2: holding an office 3
          a: authoritative, authorized <~ statement> b: prescribed
          or recognized as authorized <an ~ language> c: described
          by the U.S. Pharmacopeia or the National Formulary 4:
          befitting or characteristic of a person in office <extended
          an ~ greeting> -- of.fi.cial.ly adv

   officialdom
          [of.fi.cial.dom] n (1863): officials as a class

   officialese
          [of.fi.cial.ese] n (1884): the characteristic language of
          official statements: wordy, pompous, or obscure language

   officialism
          [of.fi.cial.ism] n (1857): lack of flexibility and initiative
          combined with excessive adherence to regulations in the
          behavior of usu. government officials

   officiant
          [of.fi.ci.ant] n (1844): one (as a priest) that officiates
          at a religious rite

   [1]officiary
          [of.fi.ci.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [ML officiarius] (1611) 1: officer,
          official 2: a body of officers or officials [2]officiary
          adj (1612): connected with, derived from, or having a
          title or rank by virtue of holding an office <~ earl>

   officiate
          [of.fi.ci.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vt (1631) 1: to carry
          out (an official duty or function) 2: to serve as a leader
          or celebrant of (a ceremony) 3: to administer the rules
          of (a game or sport) esp. as a referee or umpire ~ vi
          1: to perform a ceremony, function, or duty <~ at a wedding>
          2: to act in an official capacity: act as an official
          (as at a sports contest) -- of.fi.ci.a.tion n

   officinal
          [of.fi.ci.nal] adj [ML officinalis of a storeroom, fr. officina
          storeroom, fr. L, workshop, fr. opific-, opifex workman,
          fr. opus work + facere to do] (ca. 1720): medicinal <a
          monograph on ~ flora>

   officious
          [of.fi.cious] adj [L officiosus, fr. officium service, office]
          (1565) 1 archaic a: kind, obliging b: dutiful 2: volunteering
          one's services where they are neither asked nor needed:
          meddlesome 3: informal, unofficial syn see impertinent
          -- of.fi.cious.ly adv -- of.fi.cious.ness n

   offing
          [off.ing] n [[1]off] (1627) 1: the part of the deep sea seen
          from the shore 2: the near or foreseeable future <in
          the ~>

   offish
          [off.ish] adj [[1]off] (1831): standoffish -- off.ish.ness
          n

   off-key
          [off-key] adj or adv (1927) 1: varying in pitch from the
          proper tone of a melody 2: irregular, anomalous

   off-kilter
          [off-kil.ter] adj (ca. 1944): not in perfect balance: a bit
          askew

   off-limits
          [off-lim.its] adj (1945): not to be entered or patronized
          by a designated class (as military personnel); also:
          not to be interfered with, considered, or spoken of <the
          subject of sex was ~ in her family>

   off-line
          [off-line] adj (1950): not connected to or served by a system
          and esp. a computer or telecommunications system; also:
          done independently of a system <~ computer storage> --
          off-line adv

   off-load
          [off-load] vb (1850): unload

   off of
          [off of] prep (1593): off usage The of is often criticized
          as superfluous, a comment that is irrelevant because
          off of is an idiom. It is much more common in speech
          than in edited writing and is more common in American
          English than in British.

   off-off-Broadway
          [off-off-Broadway] n, often cap both Os [fr. its relation
          to off Broadway being analogous to the relation of off
          Broadway to Broadway] (1965): an avant-garde theatrical
          movement in New York -- off-off-Broadway adj or adv,
          often cap both Os

   off-peak
          [off-peak] adj (1920): not being in the period of maximum
          use or business: not peak <telephone rates during ~ hours>

   off-price
          [off-price] adj (1952): of, relating to, selling, or being
          discounted merchandise <an ~ store> <~ apparel>

   offprint
          [off.print] n (1885): a separately printed excerpt (as a
          magazine article) -- offprint vt

   off-putting
          [off-put.ting] adj (1828): that puts one off: repellent,
          disconcerting -- off-put.ting.ly adv

   off-ramp
          [off-ramp] n (1954): a ramp by which one leaves a limited-access
          highway

   off-road
          [off-road] adj (1968): of, relating to, done with, or being
          a vehicle designed esp. to operate away from public roads

   offscouring
          [off.scour.ing] n (1526) 1: someone rejected by society:
          outcast 2: something that is scoured off: refuse

   offscreen
          [off.screen] adv or adj (1935) 1: out of sight of the motion
          picture or television viewer 2: in private life

   off-season
          [off-sea.son] n (1848): a time of suspended or reduced activity;
          esp: the time during which an athlete is not training
          or competing

   [1]offset
          [off.set] n (ca. 1555) 1 a archaic: outset, start b: cessation
          2 a (1): a short prostrate lateral shoot arising from
          the base of a plant (2): a small bulb arising from the
          base of another bulb b: a lateral or collateral branch
          (as of a family or race): offshoot c: a spur from a range
          of hills 3 a: a horizontal ledge on the face of a wall
          formed by a diminution of its thickness above b: displacement
          c: an abrupt change in the dimension or profile of an
          object or the part set off by such change 4: something
          that sets off to advantage or embellishes something else:
          foil 5: an abrupt bend in an object by which one part
          is turned aside out of line 6: something that serves
          to counterbalance or to compensate for something else;
          esp: either of two balancing ledger items 7 a: unintentional
          transfer of ink (as from a freshly printed sheet) b:
          a printing process in which an inked impression from
          a plate is first made on a rubber-blanketed cylinder
          and then transferred to the paper being printed -- offset
          adj or adv [2]off.set vb -set ; -set.ting vt (1792) 1
          a: to place over against something: balance <credits
          ~ debits> b: to serve as a counterbalance for: compensate
          <his speed ~ his opponent's greater weight> 2: to form
          an offset in <~ a wall> ~ vi: to become marked by offset

   offshoot
          [off.shoot] n (1710) 1 a: a collateral or derived branch,
          descendant, or member: outgrowth b: a lateral branch
          (as of a mountain range) 2: a branch of a main stem esp.
          of a plant

   [1]offshore
          [off.shore] adv (1720) 1: from the shore: seaward; also:
          at a distance from the shore 2: outside the country:
          abroad [2]off.shore adj (1845) 1: coming or moving away
          from the shore toward the water <an ~ breeze> 2 a: situated
          off the shore but within waters under a country's control
          <~ fisheries> b: distant from the shore--compare inshore
          3: situated or operating in a foreign country <~ mutual
          funds> <~ banking> [3]off.shore prep (1965): off the
          shore of

   offside
          [off.side] adv or adj (1867): illegally in advance of the
          ball or puck

   off-site
          [off-site] adj or adv (1946): not located or occurring at
          the site of a particular activity

   off-speed
          [off-speed] adj (1965): being slower than usual or expected
          <throwing ~ pitches>

   offspring
          [off.spring] n, pl offspring also offsprings [ME ofspring,
          fr. OE, fr. of off + springan to spring] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the progeny of an animal or plant: young b: child
          2 a: product, result <scholarly manuscripts--the labored
          ~s of PhDs --Donna Martin> b: offshoot 1a

   offstage
          [off.stage] adv or adj (1921) 1: on a part of the stage not
          visible to the audience 2: in private life <known ~ as
          a kindly person> 3: behind the scenes: out of the public
          view <much of the important work of the conference was
          done ~>

   off-the-books
          [off-the-books] adj (1980): not reported or recorded
          <~ transactions> <~ covert operations> -- off the books adv

   off-the-cuff
          [off-the-cuff] adj (1938): not prepared in advance: spontaneous,
          informal <~ remarks> -- off-the-cuff adv

   off-the-peg
          [off-the-peg] adj (1959) chiefly Brit: ready-made 1

   off-the-rack
          [off-the-rack] adj (1965): ready-made 1 <~ suits>

   off-the-record
          [off-the-record] adj (1933): given or made in confidence
          and not for publication <~ comments>

   off-the-shelf
          [off-the-shelf] adj (1950): available as a stock item: not
          specially designed or custom-made <made of ~ components>

   off-the-wall
          [off-the-wall] adj (ca. 1966): highly unusual: bizarre <an
          ~ sense of humor>

   offtrack
          [off.track] adv or adj (1944): away from a racetrack <betting
          ~> <~ bookies>

   off-white
          [off-white] n (1927): a yellowish or grayish white

   off year
          [off year] n (1873) 1: a year in which no major election
          is held 2: a year of diminished activity or production
          <an off year for auto sales>

   oft
          [oft] adv [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG ofto often] (bef. 12c):
          often

   often
          [of.ten] adv [ME, alter. of oft] (14c): many times: frequently

   oftentimes
          [of.ten.times] or oft.times adv (14c): often, repeatedly

   og...
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   OG
          [OG] abbreviation officer of the guard, original gum

   ogee
          [ogee] also OG n [obs. E ogee ogive; fr. the use of such
          moldings in ogives] (1677) 1: a molding with an S-shaped
          profile 2: a pointed arch having on each side a reversed
          curve near the apex--see arch illustration

   ogham
          [ogham] or ogam n [Ir ogham, fr. MIr ogom, ogum] (1729):
          the alphabetic system of 5th and 6th century Irish in
          which an alphabet of 20 letters is represented by notches
          for vowels and lines for consonants and which is known
          principally from inscriptions cut on the edges of rough
          standing tombstones -- ogham.ic adj -- ogham.ist n

   ogival
          [ogi.val] adj (1841): of, relating to, or having the form
          of an ogive or an ogee

   ogive
          [ogive] n [ME oggif stone comprising an arch, fr. MF augive
          diagonal arch] (1611) 1 a: a diagonal arch or rib across
          a Gothic vault b: a pointed arch 2: a graph of a distribution
          function or a cumulative frequency distribution 3: ogee
          1

   [1]ogle
          [ogle] vb ogled ; ogling [prob. fr. LG oegeln, fr. oog eye;
          akin to OHG ouga eye--more at eye] vi (1682): to glance
          with amorous invitation or challenge ~ vt 1: to eye amorously
          or provocatively 2: to look at esp. with greedy or interested
          attention -- ogler n [2]ogle n (1711): an amorous or
          coquettish glance

   ogre
          [ogre] n [F, prob. ultim. fr. L Orcus, god of the underworld]
          (1713) 1: a hideous giant of fairy tales and folklore
          that feeds on human beings: monster 2: a dreaded person
          or object -- ogre.ish adj

   ogress
          [ogress] n (1713): a female ogre

   oh...
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   [1]oh
          [oh] interj [ME o] (13c) 1--used to express an emotion (as
          surprise or desire) or in response to physical stimuli
          2--used in direct address <~, waiter] Will you come here,
          please?> 3--used to express acknowledgment or understanding
          of a statement 4--used to introduce an example or approximation
          [2]oh n [o; fr. the similarity of the symbol for zero
          (0) to the letter O] (1936): zero

   OH
          [OH] abbreviation Ohio

   ohia
          [ohia] n [Hawaiian 'ohi'a] (1824): lehua

   ohia lehua
          [ohia lehua] n [Hawaiian 'ohi'a-lehua] (1888): lehua

   ohm
          [ohm] n [Georg Simon Ohm] (1867): the practical
          meter-kilogram-second unit of electric resistance equal to the
          resistance of a circuit in which a potential difference of one volt
          produces a current of one ampere -- ohm.ic adj -- ohm.i.cal.ly adv

   ohmmeter
          [ohm.me.ter] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): an instrument for indicating
          resistance in ohms directly

   OHMS
          [OHMS] abbreviation on Her Majesty's service, on His Majesty's
          service

   Ohm's law
          [Ohm's law] n (1863): a law in electricity: the strength
          of a direct current is directly proportional to the potential
          difference and inversely proportional to the resistance
          of the circuit

   oi...
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   -oic
          [-oic] adj suffix [F -oique (as in acide caproique caproic
          acid)]: containing carboxyl or a derivative <benzoic
          acid>

   [1]-oid
          [-oid] n suffix: something resembling a (specified) object
          or having a (specified) quality <globoid> [2]-oid adj
          suffix [MF & L; MF -oide, fr. L -oides, fr. Gk -oeides,
          fr. -o- + eidos appearance, form--more at wise]: resembling:
          having the form or appearance of <petaloid>

   oidium
          [oid.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. o- + -idium] (1857) 1 a: any
          of a genus (Oidium of the family Moniliaceae) of imperfect
          fungi many of which are now considered to be conidial
          stages of various powdery mildews b: one of the small
          conidia borne in chains by various fungi (as an oidium)--called
          also arthrospore 2: a powdery mildew caused by an oidium
          esp. in the grape

   [1]oil
          [oil] n, often attrib [ME oile, fr. OF, fr. L oleum olive
          oil, fr. Gk elaion, fr. elaia olive] (13c) 1 a: any of
          numerous unctuous combustible substances that are liquid
          or can be liquefied easily on warming, are soluble in
          ether but not in water, and leave a greasy stain on paper
          or cloth b (1): petroleum (2): the petroleum industry
          2: a substance (as a cosmetic preparation) of oily consistency
          <bath ~> 3 a: an oil color used by an artist b: a painting
          done in oil colors 4: unctuous or flattering speech [2]oil
          vt (15c): to smear, rub over, furnish, or lubricate with
          oil ~ vi: to take on fuel oil -- oil the hand or oil
          the palm : bribe, tip

   oil beetle
          [oil beetle] n (1658): any of various blister beetles (genus
          Meloe or a related genus) that emit a yellowish liquid
          from the leg joints when disturbed

   oilbird
          [oil.bird] n (ca. 1890): a nocturnal bird (Steatornis caripensis)
          of northern So. America and Trinidad that is related
          to the nightjars, feeds chiefly on the fatty fruits of
          various palms, and has fatty young from which oil is
          extracted for use instead of butter--called also guacharo

   oil cake
          [oil cake] n (1743): the solid residue after extracting the
          oil from seeds (as of cotton)

   oilcan
          [oil.can] n (1839): a can for oil; esp: a spouted can designed
          to release oil drop by drop (as for lubricating machinery)

   oilcloth
          [oil.cloth] n (1796): cloth treated with oil or paint and
          used for table and shelf coverings

   oil color
          [oil color] n (1539) 1: a pigment used for oil paint 2: oil
          paint

   oiled
          [oiled] adj (1535) 1: lubricated, treated, or covered with
          or as if with oil <~ paper> 2 slang: drunk 1a

   oiler
          [oil.er] n (ca. 1846) 1: one (as a workman) that oils something
          2: a receptacle or device for applying oil 3 pl: oilskin
          3 4: an auxiliary naval vessel used for refueling at
          sea

   oil field
          [oil field] n (1894): a region rich in petroleum deposits;
          esp: one that has been brought into production

   oil gland
          [oil gland] n (ca. 1836): a gland (as of the skin) that produces
          an oily secretion; specif: uropygial gland

   oilman
          [oil.man] n (1865) 1: an oil company executive 2: an oil
          field worker

   oil of vitriol
          [oil of vitriol] (1580): concentrated sulfuric acid

   oil of wintergreen
          [oil of wintergreen] (1866): the methyl ester of salicylic
          acid that is used as a flavoring and as a counterirritant

   oil paint
          [oil paint] n (1790): paint in which a drying oil is the
          vehicle

   oil painting
          [oil painting] n (1782) 1 a: the act or art of painting in
          oil colors b: a picture painted in oils 2: painting that
          uses pigments orig. ground in oil

   oil palm
          [oil palm] n (ca. 1864): an African pinnate-leaved palm (Elaeis
          guineensis) cultivated for its clustered fruit whose
          flesh and seeds yield oil

   oil pan
          [oil pan] n (1908): the lower section of the crankcase used
          as a lubricating-oil reservoir on an internal combustion
          engine

   oil patch
          [oil patch] n (ca. 1952) 1: oil field 2: the petroleum industry

   oilseed
          [oil.seed] n (1562): a seed or crop (as flaxseed) grown mainly
          for oil

   oil shale
          [oil shale] n (1873): a rock (as shale) from which oil can
          be recovered by distillation

   oilskin
          [oil.skin] n (1812) 1: an oiled waterproof cloth used for
          coverings and garments 2: an oilskin raincoat 3 pl: an
          oilskin suit of coat and trousers

   oil slick
          [oil slick] n (1889): a film of oil floating on water

   oilstone
          [oil.stone] n (1585): a whetstone for use with oil

   oil well
          [oil well] n (1847): a well from which petroleum is obtained

   oily
          [oily] adj oil.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: of, relating to, or consisting
          of oil 2 a: covered or impregnated with oil <~ rags> b: relatively
          high in naturally secreted oils <~ skin> <~ hair> 3: excessively
          smooth or suave in manner -- oil.i.ly adv -- oil.i.ness n

   oink
          [oink] n [imit.] (1941): the natural noise of a hog -- oink
          vi

   ointment
          [oint.ment] n [ME, alter. of oignement, fr. OF, ultim. fr.
          L unguentum, fr. unguere to anoint; akin to OHG ancho
          butter, Skt anakti he salves] (14c): a salve or unguent
          for application to the skin

   OIT
          [OIT] abbreviation Office of International Trade

   oiticica
          [oi.ti.ci.ca] n [Pg, fr. Tupi] (1901): any of several So.
          American trees; esp: a Brazilian tree (Licania rigida)
          with seeds that yield a drying oil similar to tung oil

   oj...
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   OJ
          [OJ] abbreviation orange juice

   Ojibwa
          [Ojib.wa] or Ojib.way n, pl Ojibwa or Ojibwas or Ojibway
          or Ojibways [Ojibwa ochipwe, an Ojibwa band] (1700) 1:
          a member of an American Indian people of the region around
          Lake Superior and westward 2: an Algonquian language
          of the Ojibwa people

   OJT
          [OJT] abbreviation on-the-job training

   ok...
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   [1]OK
          [OK] or okay adv or adj [abbr. of oll korrect, facetious
          alter. of all correct] (1839): all right [2]OK or okay
          n (1841): approval, endorsement [3]OK or okay vt OK'd
          or okayed ; OK'.ing or okay.ing (1888): approve, authorize

   OK
          [OK] abbreviation Oklahoma, outer keel

   oka
          [oka] var of oca

   okapi
          [oka.pi] n [Mvu'ba (language of northeast Zaire)] (1900):
          an ungulate mammal (Okapia johnstoni) of Zaire that is
          closely related to the giraffe but has a relatively short
          neck, a coat typically of solid reddish chestnut on the
          trunk, yellowish white on the cheeks, and purplish black
          and cream rings on the upper parts of the legs

   okeydoke
          [okey.doke] or okey.do.key adv [redupl. of OK] (ca. 1932)--used
          to express assent

   Okie
          [Okie] n [Oklahoma + -ie] (1938): a migrant agricultural
          worker; esp: one from Oklahoma in the 1930s--sometimes
          used disparagingly

   Okla
          [Okla] abbreviation Oklahoma

   okra
          [okra] n [of African origin; akin to Ibo okuru okra] (1679)
          1: a tall annual (Abelmoschus esculentus) of the mallow
          family that is cultivated for its mucilaginous green
          pods used esp. in soups or stews; also: the pods of this
          plant 2: [2]gumbo 1

   ol...
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   [1]-ol
          [-ol] n suffix [ISV, fr. alcohol]: chemical compound (as
          an alcohol or phenol) containing hydroxyl <glycerol>
          <cresol> [2]-ol --see -ole [3]-ol n comb form [ISV, fr.
          L oleum oil--more at oil]: hydrocarbon chemically related
          to benzene <xylol>

   [1]old
          [old] adj [ME, fr. OE eald; akin to OHG alt old, L alere
          to nourish, alescere to grow, altus high, deep] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: dating from the remote past: ancient <~ traditions>
          b: persisting from an earlier time <an ~ ailment> <they
          brought up the same ~ argument> c: of long standing <an
          ~ friend> 2 a: distinguished from an object of the same
          kind by being of an earlier date <many still used the
          ~ name> b cap: belonging to an early period in the development
          of a language or literature <Old Persian> 3: having existed
          for a specified period of time <a girl three years ~>
          4: of, relating to, or originating in a past era <~ chronicles
          record the event> 5 a: advanced in years or age <an ~
          man> b: showing the characteristics of age <looked ~
          at 20> 6: experienced <an ~ trooper speaking of the last
          war> 7: former <his ~ students> 8 a: showing the effects
          of time or use: worn, aged <~ shoes> b: well advanced
          toward reduction by running water to the lowest level
          possible--used of topographic features c: no longer in
          use: discarded <~ rags> d: of a grayish or dusty color
          <~ mauve> e: tiresome <gets ~ fast> 9 a: long familiar
          <same ~ story> <good ~ Joe> b--used as an intensive <a
          high ~ time> c--used to express an attitude of affection
          or amusement <a big ~ dog> <flex the ~ biceps> <any ~
          time> syn old, ancient, venerable, antique, antiquated,
          archaic, obsolete mean having come into existence or
          use in the more or less distant past. old may apply to
          either actual or merely relative length of existence
          <old houses> <an old sweater of mine>. ancient applies
          to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from
          the distant past <ancient accounts of dragons>. venerable
          stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age
          <the family's venerable patriarch>. antique applies to
          what has come down from a former or ancient time <collected
          antique Chippendale furniture>. antiquated implies being
          discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to
          the present time <antiquated teaching methods>. archaic
          implies having the character or characteristics of a
          much earlier time <the play used archaic language to
          convey a sense of period>. obsolete may apply to something
          regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though
          it is still in existence <a computer that makes earlier
          models obsolete>. [2]old n (13c) 1: one of a specified
          age--usu. used in combination <a 3-year-old> 2: old or
          earlier time--used in the phrase of old <mighty men of
          ~>

   old boy
          [old boy] n (1868) 1 often cap O&B, Brit: an alumnus esp.
          of a boys' school 2: a man who is a member of a long-standing
          and usu. influential clique esp. in a professional, business,
          or social sphere

   Old Bulgarian
          [Old Bulgarian] n (1861): old church slavonic

   Old Catholic
          [Old Catholic] n (1871): a member of one of various hierarchical
          and liturgical churches separating from the Roman Catholic
          Church at various times since the 18th century

   Old Christmas
          [Old Christmas] n (1863) chiefly Midland: epiphany 1

   Old Church Slavonic
          [Old Church Slavonic] n (ca. 1929): the Slavic language used
          in the liturgical and Biblical translations of Cyril
          and Methodius as attested in manuscripts of the 10th
          and 11th centuries--called also Old Church Slavic

   old country
          [old country] n, often cap O&C (1782): an emigrant's country
          of origin; esp: one in Europe--usu. used with the

   olden
          [old.en] adj (14c): of or relating to a bygone era

   Old English
          [Old English] n (13c) 1 a: the language of the English people
          from the time of the earliest documents in the 7th century
          to about 1100 b: English of any period before Modern
          English 2: black letter

   Old English sheepdog
          [Old English sheepdog] n (1891): any of a breed of tailless
          dogs developed in England and having a profuse blue-gray
          and white coat

   oldfangled
          [old.fan.gled] adj [old + -fangled (as in newfangled)] (1842):
          old-fashioned

   [1]old-fashioned
          [old-fash.ioned] adj (1596) 1 a: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a past era <wears an ~ black bow tie --Green Peyton> b: adhering
          to customs of a past era 2: outmoded -- old-fash.ioned.ly adv
          -- old-fash.ioned.ness n [2]old-fashioned n (1901): a cocktail usu.
          made with whiskey, bitters, su gar, a twist of lemon peel, and
          a small amount of water or soda

   Old French
          [Old French] n (1708): the French language from the 9th to
          the 16th century; esp: French from the 9th to the 13th
          century

   Old Glory
          [Old Glory] n (1862): the flag of the U.S.

   old gold
          [old gold] n (1879): a dark yellow

   old guard
          [old guard] n, often cap O&G (1850) 1: a group of established
          prestige and influence 2: the conservative members of
          an organization (as a political party)

   old hand
          [old hand] n (ca. 1785): hand 10e

   old hat
          [old hat] adj (1911) 1: old-fashioned 2: lacking in freshness:
          trite

   Old High German
          [Old High German] n (ca. 1884): High German exemplified in
          documents prior to the 12th century

   oldie
          [old.ie] n (1874): one that is old; esp: a popular song of
          an earlier day

   Old Ionic
          [Old Ionic] n (ca. 1889): the Greek dialect of the Homeric
          epics

   Old Iranian
          [Old Iranian] n (1939): any Iranian language in use in the
          period b.c.

   Old Irish
          [Old Irish] n (ca. 1884): the Irish in use from the 7th century
          to about 950

   oldish
          [old.ish] adj (ca. 1669): somewhat old or elderly

   old lady
          [old lady] n (1836) 1: wife 2: mother 3: girlfriend; esp:
          one with whom a man cohabits

   Old Latin
          [Old Latin] n (ca. 1889): Latin used in the early inscriptions
          and in literature prior to the classical period

   old-line
          [old-line] adj (1856) 1 a: having a reputation or authority
          based on length or proven quality of service <an ~ firm>
          b: of established prestige and influence <~ families>
          2: adhering to traditional policies or practices: conservative

   old maid
          [old maid] n (ca. 1530) 1: spinster 3 2: a prim fussy person
          <he was a real old maid about burning rubbish --R. C.
          Ruark> 3: a simple card game in which cards are matched
          in pairs and the player holding the unmatched card at
          the end loses -- old-maid.ish adj -- old-maid.ish.ness
          n

   old man
          [old man] n (1768) 1 a: husband b: father 2 cap: one in authority;
          esp: commanding officer 3: boyfriend; esp: one with whom a woman
          cohabits

   old-man's beard
          [old-man's beard] n (1742) 1: any of several clematises (esp.
          Clematis vitalba) having plumose styles 2: a greenish
          gray pendulous lichen (Usnea barbata) growing on trees

   old master
          [old master] n (1824): a work of art by an established master
          and esp. by any of the distinguished painters of the
          16th, 17th, or early 18th century; also: such an artist

   Old Nick
          [Old Nick] n (1668)--used as a name of the devil

   Old Norse
          [Old Norse] n (1844): the North Germanic language of the
          Scandinavian peoples prior to about 1350

   Old North French
          [Old North French] n (ca. 1930): the northern dialects of
          Old French including esp. those of Normandy and Picardy

   Old Persian
          [Old Persian] n (ca. 1909): an ancient Iranian language known
          from cuneiform inscriptions from the 5th and 6th centuries
          b.c.--see indo-european languages table

   Old Prussian
          [Old Prussian] n (1872): a Baltic language used in East Prussia
          until the 17th century

   old rose
          [old rose] n (1893): a variable color averaging a grayish
          red

   Old Saxon
          [Old Saxon] n (1841): the language of the Saxons of northwest
          Germany until about the 12th century

   old school
          [old school] n (1749): adherents of traditional policies
          and practices

   old school tie
          [old school tie] n (1932) 1 a: an attitude of conservatism,
          aplomb, and upper-class solidarity associated with English
          public school graduates b: a necktie displaying the colors
          of an English public school 2: clannishness among members
          of an established clique

   old-shoe
          [old-shoe] adj (1944): characterized by familiarity or freedom
          from restraint: comfortable, unpretentious

   old sledge
          [old sledge] n (1830): seven-up

   old-squaw
          [old-squaw] n (1838): a common sea duck (Clangula hyemalis)
          of the more northern parts of the northern hemisphere

   oldster
          [old.ster] n (1848): an old or elderly person

   old style
          [old style] n (1617) 1 cap O&S: a style of reckoning time
          used before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar 2:
          a style of type distinguished by graceful irregularity
          among individual letters, bracketed serifs, and but slight
          contrast between light and heavy strokes Old Style adj
          (1678): using or according to the Julian calendar

   Old Swedish
          [Old Swedish] n (ca. 1909): the Swedish language as exemplified
          in documents prior to about 1350

   Old Testament
          [Old Testament] n (14c): the first part of the Christian
          Bible containing the books of the Jewish canon of Scripture

   old-time
          [old-time] adj (1824) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of an earlier period <~ songs> 2: of long standing <~
          residents>

   old-timer
          [old-tim.er] n (1879) 1 a: veteran b: oldster 2: something
          that is old-fashioned: antique

   old-timey
          [old-timey] adj (1850): of a kind or style prevalent in or
          reminiscent of an earlier time <~ music>

   Old Welsh
          [Old Welsh] n (1882): the Welsh language exemplified in documents
          prior to about 1150

   oldwife
          [old.wife] n (1588) 1: any of several marine fishes (as an
          alewife, menhaden, or triggerfish) 2: old-squaw

   old wives' tale
          [old wives' tale] n (1656): an often traditional belief that
          is not based on fact: superstition

   old-world
          [old-world] adj (1712): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the Old World; esp: having the charm or picturesque
          qualities of the Old World <narrow ~ streets>

   Old World
          [Old World] n (ca. 1596): the eastern hemisphere exclusive
          of Australia; specif: Europe

   ole
          [ole] n [Sp] (1922): [2]bravo

   ole-
          [ole-] or oleo- comb form [F ole-, oleo-, fr. L ole-, fr.
          oleum--more at oil]: oil <oleograph>

   -ole
          [-ole] also -ol n comb form [ISV, fr. L oleum] 1: chemical
          compound containing a 5-membered usu. heterocyclic ring
          <pyrrole> 2: chemical compound not containing hydroxyl
          <eucalyptol>--esp. in names of ethers <safrole>

   oleaginous
          [ole.ag.i.nous] adj [ME, fr. MF oleagineux, fr. L oleagineus
          of an olive tree, fr. olea olive tree, fr. Gk elaia]
          (15c) 1: resembling or having the properties of oil:
          oily; also: containing or producing oil 2: marked by
          an offensively ingratiating manner or quality -- ole.ag.i.nous.ly
          adv -- ole.ag.i.nous.ness n

   oleander
          [ole.an.der] n [ML, alter. of arodandrum, lorandrum, perh.
          alter. of L rhododendron--more at rhododendron] (1548):
          a poisonous evergreen shrub (Nerium oleander) of the
          dogbane family with fragrant white to red flowers

   oleandomycin
          [ole.an.do.my.cin] n [oleandrose, a sugar derived from oleandrin
          (a glycoside contained in oleander leaves) + -o- + -mycin]
          (1956): an antibiotic produced by a streptomyces (Streptomyces
          antibioticus)

   oleaster
          [ole.as.ter] n [ME, fr. L, fr. olea] (14c): any of several
          plants (genus Elaeagnus of the family Elaeagnaceae, the
          oleaster family) having alternate leaves and perfect
          flowers with four stamens; esp: russian olive

   oleate
          [ole.ate] n (ca. 1823): a salt or ester of oleic acid

   olecranon
          [olec.ra.non] n [NL, fr. Gk olekranon, fr. olene elbow +
          kranion skull--more at ell, cranium] (ca. 1741): the
          process of the ulna projecting behind the elbow joint

   olefin
          [ole.fin] n [ISV, fr. F (gaz) olefiant ethylene, fr. L oleum]
          (1860) 1: alkene 2: a synthetic fiber (as polypropylene)
          derived from an alkene -- ole.fin.ic adj

   oleic acid
          [oleic acid] n (1819): a monounsaturated fatty acid found
          in natural fats and oils

   olein
          [ole.in] n [F oleine, fr. L oleum] (1838) 1: an ester of
          glycerol and oleic acid 2: the liquid portion of a fat

   oleo
          [oleo] n [short for oleomargarine] (1884): margarine

   oleograph
          [oleo.graph] n [ISV] (1873): a chromolithograph printed on
          cloth to imitate an oil painting

   oleomargarine
          [oleo.mar.ga.rine] n [F oleomargarine, fr. ole- + margarine
          margarine] (1873): margarine

   oleoresin
          [oleo.res.in] n [ISV] (ca. 1846) 1: a natural plant product
          (as copaiba) containing chiefly essential oil and resin;
          esp: turpentine 1b 2: a preparation consisting essentially
          of oil holding resin in solution -- oleo.res.in.ous adj

   oleum
          [ole.um] n [L, olive oil--more at oil] (ca. 1823) 1 pl olea
          : oil 2 pl oleums : a heavy oily strongly corrosive solution
          of sulfur trioxide in anhydrous sulfuric acid

   olfaction
          [ol.fac.tion] n (ca. 1846) 1: the sense of smell 2: the act
          or process of smelling

   olfactometer
          [ol.fac.tom.e.ter] n (1889): an instrument for measuring
          the sensitivity of the sense of smell

   olfactory
          [ol.fac.to.ry] adj [L olfactorius, fr. olfacere to smell,
          fr. olere to smell + facere to do--more at odor, do]
          (ca. 1658): of, relating to, or connected with the sense
          of smell

   olfactory bulb
          [olfactory bulb] n (ca. 1860): a bulbous anterior projection
          of the olfactory lobe that is the place of termination
          of the olfactory nerves and is esp. well developed in
          lower vertebrates (as fishes)

   olfactory lobe
          [olfactory lobe] n (ca. 1860): an anterior projection of
          each cerebral hemisphere that is continuous anteriorly
          with the olfactory nerve

   olfactory nerve
          [olfactory nerve] n (1670): either of the pair of nerves
          that are the first cranial nerves and that arise in the
          olfactory neurosensory cells of the nasal mucous membrane
          and pass to the anterior part of the cerebrum

   olig-
          [olig-] or oligo- comb form [ML, fr. Gk, fr. oligos; perh.
          akin to Arm alkat scant]: few <oligophagous>

   oligarch
          [ol.i.garch] n [Gk oligarches, fr. olig- + -arches -arch]
          (ca. 1610): a member or supporter of an oligarchy

   oligarchic
          [ol.i.gar.chic] or ol.i.gar.chi.cal adj (1586): of, relating
          to, or based on an oligarchy

   oligarchy
          [ol.i.gar.chy] n, pl -chies (1542) 1: government by the few
          2: a government in which a small group exercises control
          esp. for corrupt and selfish purposes; also: a group
          exercising such control 3: an organization under oligarchic
          control

   Oligocene
          [Ol.i.go.cene] adj [ISV] (ca. 1859): of, relating to, or
          being an epoch of the Tertiary between the Eocene and
          Miocene or the corresponding system of rocks--see geologic
          time table -- Oligocene n

   oligochaete
          [ol.i.go.chaete] n [NL Oligochaeta, ultim. fr. Gk olig- +
          chaite long hair] (1896): any of a class or order (Oligochaeta)
          of hermaphroditic terrestrial or aquatic annelids (as
          an earthworm) that lack a specialized head -- oligochaete
          adj

   oligoclase
          [ol.i.go.clase] n [G Oligoklas, fr. olig- olig- + Gk klasis
          breaking, fr. klan to break--more at clast] (1832): a
          mineral of the plagioclase series

   oligodendrocyte
          [ol.i.go.den.dro.cyte] n [ISV, fr. olig- + dendr- + -cyte]
          (1932): a neuroglial cell resembling an astrocyte but
          smaller with few and slender processes having few branches

   oligodendroglia
          [ol.i.go.den.drog.lia] n [NL, fr. oligodendrocyte + -glia
          (form of neuroglia)] (1924): neuroglia made up of oligodendrocytes
          that is held to function in myelin formation in the central nervous
          system -- ol.i.go.den.drog.li.al adj

   oligomer
          [olig.o.mer] n (1952): a polymer or polymer intermediate
          containing relatively few structural units -- olig.o.mer.ic
          adj -- olig.o.mer.i.za.tion n

   oligonucleotide
          [ol.i.go.nu.cle.o.tide] n (1942): a chain of usu. up to 20
          nucleotides

   oligophagous
          [ol.i.goph.a.gous] adj (1920): eating only a few specific
          kinds of food -- ol.i.goph.a.gy n

   oligopoly
          [ol.i.gop.o.ly] n [olig- + -poly (as in monopoly)] (1895):
          a market situation in which each of a few producers affects
          but does not control the market -- ol.i.gop.o.lis.tic
          adj

   oligopsony
          [ol.i.gop.so.ny] n [olig- + Gk opsonia purchase of victuals,
          fr. opsonein to purchase victuals, fr. opson food + oneisthai
          to buy--more at venal] (1942): a market situation in
          which each of a few buyers exerts a disproportionate
          influence on the market -- ol.i.gop.so.nis.tic adj

   oligosaccharide
          [ol.i.go.sac.cha.ride] n [ISV] (1930): a saccharide (as a
          disaccharide) that contains a known small number of monosaccharide
          units

   oligotrophic
          [ol.i.go.tro.phic] adj [ISV] (1928): deficient in plant nutrients
          <~ boggy acid soils>; esp: having abundant dissolved
          oxygen <an ~ body of water>--compare eutrophic, mesotrophic

   olio
          [olio] n, pl oli.os [modif. of Sp olla] (ca. 1643) 1: olla
          podrida 1 2 a: a miscellaneous mixture: hodgepodge b:
          a miscellaneous collection (as of literary or musical
          selections)

   olivaceous
          [ol.i.va.ceous] adj (1776): olive 1

   [1]olive
          [ol.ive] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L oliva, fr. Gk elaia] (13c)
          1 a: a Mediterranean evergreen tree (Olea europaea of
          the family Oleaceae, the olive family) cultivated for
          its drupaceous fruit that is an important food and source
          of oil; also: the fruit b: any of various shrubs and
          trees resembling the olive 2: any of several colors resembling
          that of the unripe fruit of the olive tree that are yellowish
          green 3: an oval eminence on each ventrolateral aspect
          of the medulla oblongata [2]olive adj (1657) 1: of the
          color olive or olive green 2: approaching olive in color
          or complexion

   olive branch
          [olive branch] n (14c) 1: a branch of the olive tree esp.
          when used as a symbol of peace 2: an offer or gesture
          of conciliation or goodwill

   olive drab
          [olive drab] n (1897) 1: a grayish olive 2 a: a wool or cotton
          fabric of an olive drab color b: a uniform of this fabric

   olive green
          [olive green] n (ca. 1757): a greenish olive

   olivenite
          [oliv.en.ite] n [G Olivenit, fr. oliven-, olive olive] (1820):
          a mineral that is a basic arsenate of copper

   Oliver
          [Ol.i.ver] n [F Olivier]: the close friend of Roland in the
          Charlemagne legends

   olivine
          [ol.iv.ine] n [G Olivin, fr. L oliva] (1794): a usu. greenish
          mineral that is a complex silicate of magnesium and iron
          used esp. in refractories--compare peridot -- ol.iv.in.ic
          or ol.iv.in.it.ic adj

   olla
          [ol.la] n [Sp, fr. L olla, aulla pot; akin to Skt ukha pot
          and prob. to Goth auhns oven] (1622): a large bulging
          widemouthed earthenware vessel sometimes with looped
          handles used (as by Pueblo Indians) for storage, cooking,
          or as a container for water

   olla podrida
          [ol.la po.dri.da] n, pl olla podridas also ollas podridas
          [Sp, lit., rotten pot] (1599) 1: a rich highly seasoned
          stew of meat and vegetables usu. including sausage and
          chick-peas that is slowly simmered and is a traditional
          Spanish and Latin-American dish 2: hodgepodge

   ololiuqui
          [olo.li.u.qui] n [Sp ololiuque, fr. Nahuatl ololiuhqui, lit.,
          something rolled into a ball] (1915): a woody stemmed
          Mexican vine (Rivea corymbosa) of the morning glory family
          having small fleshy fruits with single seeds that are
          used esp. by the Indians for medicinal, narcotic, and
          religious purposes

   oloroso
          [olo.ro.so] n, pl -sos [Sp, fr. oloroso fragrant, fr. olor
          odor, fr. L, fr. olere to smell--more at odor] (1876):
          a dry full-bodied Spanish sherry

   olympiad
          [olym.pi.ad] n, often cap [ME, fr. MF Olympiade, fr. L Olympiad-,
          Olympias, fr. Gk, fr. Olympia, site of ancient Olympic
          Games] (14c) 1: one of the 4-year intervals between Olympic
          Games by which time was reckoned in ancient Greece 2:
          a quadrennial celebration of the modern Olympic Games

   [1]Olympian
          [Olym.pi.an] adj (15c) 1: of or relating to Mount Olympus
          in Thessaly 2: befitting or characteristic of an Olympian;
          esp: lofty <his ... formula of glib simplicity and ~
          arrogance --Richard Pollak> [2]Olympian adj (1593) 1:
          of or relating to the ancient Greek region of Olympia
          2: of, relating to, or constituting the Olympic Games
          [3]Olympian n (1606): a participant in Olympic Games
          [4]Olympian n (1843) 1: one of the ancient Greek deities
          dwelling on Olympus 2: a being of lofty detachment or
          superior attainments

   Olympian Games
          [Olympian Games] n pl (1593): olympic games 1

   Olympia oyster
          [Olym.pia oyster] n [Olympia, Washington] (1908): a small
          flavorful native oyster (Ostrea lurida) of the Puget
          Sound area of the Pacific coast of No. America--called
          also Olympia

   Olympic
          [Olym.pic] adj (1590) 1: [1]olympian 2: of or relating to
          the Olympic Games

   Olympic Games
          [Olympic Games] n pl (ca. 1610) 1: an ancient Panhellenic
          festival held every fourth year and made up of contests
          of sports, music, and literature with the victor's prize
          a crown of wild olive 2: a modified revival of the ancient
          Olympic Games consisting of international athletic contests
          that are held at separate winter and summer gatherings
          at four year intervals--called also Olympics

   Olympus
          [Olym.pus] n [L, fr. Gk Olympos] (1580): a mountain in Thessaly
          that in Greek mythology is the abode of the gods

   om...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   om
          [om] n [Skt] (1788): a mantra consisting of the sound /om/
          and used in contemplation of ultimate reality

   OM
          [OM] abbreviation order of merit

   -oma
          [-oma] n suffix, pl -omas or -omata [L omat-, -oma, fr. Gk
          -omat-, -oma, fr. -o- (stem vowel of causative verbs
          in -oun) + -mat-, -ma, suffix denoting result--more at
          -ment]: tumor <adenoma> <fibroma>

   Omaha
          [Oma.ha] n, pl Omaha or Omahas (1804): a member of an American
          Indian people of northeastern Nebraska

   omasum
          [oma.sum] n, pl oma.sa [NL, fr. L, tripe of a bullock] (ca.
          1706): the third chamber of the ruminant stomach that
          is situated between the reticulum and the abomasum--compare
          rumen

   OMB
          [OMB] abbreviation Office of Management and Budget

   ombre
          [om.bre] n [F or Sp; F hombre, fr. Sp, lit., man--more at
          hombre] (ca. 1661): an old three-handed card game popular
          in Europe esp. in the 17th and 18th centuries om.bre
          adj [F, pp. of ombrer to shade, fr. It ombrare, fr. ombra
          shade, fr. L umbra--more at umbrage] (ca. 1896): having
          colors or tones that shade into each other--used esp.
          of fabrics in which the color is graduated from light
          to dark -- ombre  n

   ombudsman
          [om.buds.man] n, pl -men [Sw, lit., representative, fr. ON
          umbothsmathr, fr. umboth commission + mathr man] (1959)
          1: a government official (as in Sweden or New Zealand)
          appointed to receive and investigate complaints made
          by individuals against abuses or capricious acts of public
          officials 2: one that investigates reported complaints
          (as from students or consumers), reports findings, and
          helps to achieve equitable settlements -- om.buds.man.ship
          n

   -ome
          [-ome] n suffix [NL -oma, fr. L, -oma]: mass <phyllome>

   omega
          [ome.ga] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. Gk o mega, lit., large o] (15c)
          1: the 24th and last letter of the Greek alphabet 2:
          last, ending 3 a: a negatively charged elementary particle
          that has a mass 3270 times the mass of an electron--called
          also omega minus b: a very short-lived unstable meson
          with mass 1532 times the mass of an electron--called
          also omega meson

   omega-3
          [ome.ga-3] adj (1980): being or composed of polyunsaturated
          fatty acids that have the final double bond in the hydrocarbon
          chain between the third and fourth carbon atoms from
          one end of the molecule and that are found esp. in fish,
          fish oils, vegetable oils, and green leafy vegetables

   omelette
          [om.e.lette] or om.e.let n [F omelette, alter. of MF alumelle,
          lit., knife blade, modif. of L lamella, dim. of lamina
          thin plate] (ca. 1611): beaten eggs cooked without stirring
          until set and served folded in half

   omen
          [omen] n [L omin-, omen] (1582): an occurrence or phenomenon
          believed to portend a future event: augury

   omentum
          [omen.tum] n, pl -ta or -tums [L; perh. akin to L induere
          to put on, exuere to take off--more at exuviae] (1547):
          a fold of peritoneum connecting or supporting abdominal
          structures (as the viscera); also: a fold of peritoneum
          free at one end -- omen.tal adj

   omer
          [omer] n [Heb 'omer] (ca. 1608) 1: an ancient Hebrew unit
          of dry capacity equal to 1/10 ephah 2 a often cap: the
          sheaf of barley traditionally offered in Jewish Temple
          worship on the second day of the Passover b cap: a 7-week
          liturgical period of expectancy betwe en the second day
          of the Passover and Shabuoth

   omerta
          [omer.ta] [It] foreign term : submission: code chiefly among
          members of the criminal underworld that enjoins private
          vengeance and the refusal to give information to outsiders
          (as the police)

   omicron
          [om.i.cron] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. Gk o mikron, lit., small o]
          (15c): the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet

   ominous
          [om.i.nous] adj (1587): being or exhibiting an omen: portentous;
          esp: foreboding or foreshowing evil: inauspicious --
          om.i.nous.ly adv -- om.i.nous.ness n syn ominous, portentous,
          fateful mean having a menacing or threatening aspect.
          ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character
          foreshadowing evil or disaster <ominous rumblings from
          a once-dormant volcano>. portentous suggests being frighteningly
          big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes
          forwarning of calamity <an eerie and portentous stillness>.
          fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance
          <the fateful conference that led to war>.

   omissible
          [omis.si.ble] adj (1816): that may be omitted

   omission
          [omis.sion] n [ME omissioun, fr. LL omission-, omissio, fr.
          L omittere] (14c) 1 a: something neglected or left undone
          b: apathy toward or neglect of duty 2: the act of omitting:
          the state of being omitted

   omit
          [omit] vt omit.ted ; omit.ting [ME omitten, fr. L omittere,
          fr. ob- toward + mittere to let go, send--more at ob-]
          (15c) 1: to leave out or leave unmentioned 2: to fail
          to perform or make use of: forbear 3 obs: disregard 4
          obs: give up

   ommatidium
          [om.ma.tid.i.um] n, pl -tid.ia [NL, fr. Gk ommat-, omma eye;
          akin to Gk ops eye--more at eye] (1884): one of the elements
          corresponding to a small simple eye that make up the
          compound eye of an arthropod -- om.ma.tid.i.al adj

   omne ignotum pro magnifico
          [om.ne ig.no.tum pro mag.ni.fi.co] [L] foreign term : everything
          unknown (is taken) as grand: the unknown tends to be
          exaggerated in importance or difficulty

   omni-
          [omni-] comb form [L, fr. omnis]: all: universally
          <omnidirectional>

   omnia mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis
          [om.nia mu.tan.tur, nos et mu.ta.mur in il.lis] [L] foreign
          term : all things are changing, and we are changing with
          them

   omnia vincit amor
          [om.nia vin.cit amor] [L] foreign term : love conquers all

   [1]omnibus
          [om.ni.bus] n [F, fr. L, for all, dat. pl. of omnis] (1829)
          1: a usu. automotive public vehicle designed to carry
          a large number of passengers: bus 2: a book containing
          reprints of a number of works [2]omnibus adj (1842) 1:
          of, relating to, or providing for many things at once
          2: containing or including many items

   omnicompetent
          [om.ni.com.pe.tent] adj (1827): able to handle any situation;
          esp: having the authority or legal capacity to act in
          all matters -- om.ni.com.pe.tence n

   omnidirectional
          [om.ni.di.rec.tion.al] adj (1927): being in or involving
          all directions; esp: receiving or sending radio waves
          equally well in all directions <~ antenna>

   omnifarious
          [om.ni.far.i.ous] adj [LL omnifarius, fr. L omni- + -farius
          (as in multifarius diverse)--more at multifarious] (1653):
          of all varieties, forms, or kinds

   omnificent
          [om.nif.i.cent] adj [L omni- + E -ficent (as in magnificent)]
          (1677): unlimited in creative power

   omnipotence
          [om.nip.o.tence] n (15c) 1: the quality or state of being
          omnipotent 2: an agency or force of unlimited power

   [1]omnipotent
          [om.nip.o.tent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L omnipotent-, omnipotens,
          fr. omni- + potent-, potens potent] (14c) 1 often cap:
          almighty 1 2: having virtually unlimited authority or
          influence 3 obs: arrant -- om.nip.o.tent.ly adv [2]omnipotent
          n (1600) 1: one who is omnipotent 2 cap: god 1

   omnipresence
          [om.ni.pres.ence] n (1601): the quality or state of being
          omnipresent: ubiquity

   omnipresent
          [om.ni.pres.ent] adj (1609): present in all places at all
          times

   omnirange
          [om.ni.range] n (1946): a system of radio navigation in which
          any bearing relative to a special radio transmitter on
          the ground may be chosen and flown by an airplane pilot--called
          also omnidirectional range

   omniscience
          [om.ni.science] n [ML omniscientia, fr. L omni- + scientia
          knowledge--more at science] (1612): the quality or state
          of being omniscient

   omniscient
          [om.ni.scient] adj [NL omniscient-, omnisciens, back-formation
          fr. ML omniscientia] (1604) 1: having infinite awareness,
          understanding, and insight 2: possessed of universal
          or complete knowledge -- om.ni.scient.ly adv

   omnium-gatherum
          [om.ni.um-gath.er.um] n, pl omnium-gatherums [L omnium (gen.
          pl. of omnis) + E gather + L -um, noun ending] (1530):
          a miscellaneous collection (as of things or persons)

   omnivore
          [om.ni.vore] n [NL omnivora, neut. pl. of omnivorus, fr.
          L] (1890): one that is omnivorous

   omnivorous
          [om.niv.o.rous] adj [L omnivorus, fr. omni- + -vorus -vorous]
          (ca. 1656) 1: feeding on both animal and vegetable substances
          2: avidly taking in everything as if devouring or consuming
          -- om.niv.o.rous.ly adv

   omphalos
          [om.pha.los] n [Gk, navel--more at navel] (1855): a central
          point: hub 2 , focal point

   omphaloskepsis
          [om.pha.lo.skep.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk omphalos + skepsis
          examination--more at spy] (1925): contemplation of one's navel
          as an aid to meditation; also: inertia 2

   on...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]-on
          [-on] n suffix [ISV, alter. of -one]: chemical compound not
          a ketone or other oxo compound <parathion> [2]-on n suffix
          [fr. -on (in ion)] 1: subatomic particle <nucleon> 2
          a: unit: quantum <photon> <magneton> b: basic hereditary
          component <cistron> <operon> [3]-on n suffix [NL, fr.
          -on (in argon)]: noble gas <radon>

   ON
          [ON] or Ont abbreviation Ontario

   [1]on
          [on] prep [ME an, on, prep. & adv., fr. OE; akin to OHG ana
          on, Gk ana up, on] (bef. 12c) 1 a--used as a function
          word to indicate position in contact with and supported
          by the top surface of <the book is lying ~ the table>
          b--used as a function word to indicate position in or
          in contact with an outer surface <the fly landed ~ the
          ceiling> <I have a cut ~ my finger> <paint ~ the wall>
          c--used as a function word to indicate position in close
          proximity with <a village ~ the sea> <stay ~ your opponent>
          d--used as a function word to indicate direction or location
          with respect to something <~ the south> <the garden is
          ~ the side of the house> 2 a--used as a function word
          to indicate a source of attachment or support <~ a string>
          <stand ~ one foot> <hang it ~ a nail> b--used as a function
          word to indicate a source of dependence <you can rely
          ~ me> <feeds ~ insects> <lives ~ a pension> c--used as
          a function word to indicate means of conveyance <~ the
          bus> or presence within the confines or in possession
          of <had a knife ~ him> 3--used as a function word to
          indicate a time frame during which something takes place
          <a parade ~ Sunday> or an instant, action, or occurrence
          when something begins or is done <~ cue> <~ arriving
          home, I found your letter> <news ~ the hour> <cash ~
          delivery> 4 archaic: of 5 a--used as a function word
          to indicate manner of doing something--often used with
          the <~ the sly> <keep everything ~ the up-and-up> b--used
          as a function word to indicate means or agency <cut myself
          ~ a knife> <talk ~ the telephone> c--used as a function
          word to indicate a medium of expression--used orig. to
          refer to physical position <best show ~ television> 6
          a (1)--used as a function word to indicate active involvement
          in a condition or status <~ fire> <~ the increase> <~
          the lookout> (2): regularly using or showing the effects
          of using <~ drugs> b--used as a function word to indicate
          involvement with the activity, work, or function of <~
          tour> <~ the jury> <~ duty> c--used as a function word
          to indicate position or status in proper relationship
          with a standard or objective <~ schedule> 7 a--used as
          a function word to indicate reason, ground, or basis
          (as for an action, opinion, or computation) <I have it
          ~ good authority> <~ one condition> <the interest will
          be 10 cents ~ the dollar> b--used as a function word
          to indicate the cause or source <profited ~ the sale
          of stock> c--used as a function word to indicate the
          focus of obligation or responsibility <drinks are ~ the
          house> <put the blame ~ my actions> 8 a--used as a function
          word to indicate the object of collision, opposition,
          or hostile action <bumped my head ~ a limb> <an attack
          ~ religion> <pulled a gun ~ me> b--used as a function
          word to indicate the object with respect to some disadvantage,
          handicap, or detriment <has three inches in height ~
          me> <a 3-game lead ~ the second-place team> <the joke's
          ~ me> 9 a--used as a function word to indicate destination
          or the focus of some action, movement, or directed effort
          <crept up ~ him> <feast your eyes ~ this> <working ~
          my skiing [2]on adv (bef. 12c) 1 a: in or into a position
          of contact with an upper surface esp. so as to be positioned
          for use or operation <put the plates ~> b: in or into
          a position of being attached to or covering a surface;
          esp: in or into the condition of being worn <put his
          new shoes ~> 2 a: forward or at a more advanced point
          in space or time <went ~ home> <later ~> b: in continuance
          or succession <rambled ~> <and so ~> 3: into operation
          or a position permitting operation <switched the light
          ~> [3]on adj (ca. 1541) 1: engaged in an activity or
          function (as a dramatic role) 2 a (1): being in operation
          <the radio is ~> (2): placed so as to permit operation
          <the switch is ~> b: taking place <the game is ~> 3:
          aware of something--usu. used with to <my boss was ~
          to me> 4: intended, planned <has nothing ~ for tonight>
          5 Brit: talking or harping incessantly--used with about
          6 chiefly Brit: regarded as possible or feasible--usu.
          used in negative constructions 7 a: engaged in or as
          if in a performance <the comedian was always ~> b: being
          at a high level of performance

   on-again, off-again
          [on-again, off-again] adj (1948): existing briefly and then
          disappearing in an intermittent unpredictable way <on-again,
          off-again fads>

   onager
          [on.a.ger] n [ME, wild ass, fr. L, fr. Gk onagros, fr. onos
          ass + agros field--more at acre] (14c) 1: an Asian wild
          ass (Equus hemionus onager syn. E. onager) that usu.
          has a broad dorsal stripe and is related to the kiang
          2 [LL, fr. L]: a heavy catapult used in ancient and medieval
          times

   on and off
          [on and off] adv (1855): off and on -- on-and-off adj

   onanism
          [onan.ism] n [prob. fr. NL onanismus, fr. Onan, son of Judah
          (Gen 38:9)] (ca. 1741) 1: masturbation 2: coitus interruptus
          3: self-gratification -- onan.is.tic adj

   onboard
          [on.board] adj (1960): carried within or occurring aboard
          a vehicle (as a satellite or spacecraft) <an ~ computer>

   [1]once
          [once] adv [ME ones, fr. gen. of on one] (12c) 1: one time
          and no more 2: at any one time: under any circumstances:
          ever 3: at some indefinite time in the past: formerly
          4: by one degree of relationship -- once and for all
          1: with finality: definitively 2: for the last time [2]once
          n (13c): one single time: one time at least -- at once
          1: at the same time: simultaneously 2: immediately 3:
          [2]both [3]once adj (1691): that once was: former [4]once
          conj (1761): at the moment when: as soon as

   once-over
          [once-over] n (1914): a swift examination or survey; esp:
          a swift comprehensive appraising glance

   once that
          [once that] conj (1874): once

   onchocerciasis
          [on.cho.cer.ci.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL, fr. Onchocerca, genus
          of worms] (1911): infestation with or disease caused
          by filarial worms (genus Onchocerca); esp: a human disease
          caused by a worm (O. volvulus) that is native to Africa
          but now present in parts of tropical America and is transmitted
          by several blackflies

   oncidium
          [on.cid.i.um] n [NL, fr. Gk onkos barbed hook--more at angle]
          (ca. 1868): any of a genus (Oncidium) of showy tropical
          American chiefly epiphytic orchids

   onco-
          [onco-] comb form [NL, fr. Gk onkos bulk, mass; akin to Gk
          enenkein to carry--more at enough]: tumor <oncology>

   oncogene
          [on.co.gene] n (1969): a gene having the potential to cause
          a normal cell to become cancerous

   oncogenesis
          [on.co.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1932): the induction or formation
          of tumors

   oncogenic
          [on.co.gen.ic] adj (1936) 1: relating to tumor formation
          2: tending to cause tumors

   oncogenicity
          [on.co.ge.nic.i.ty] n (1944): the capacity to induce or form
          tumors

   oncology
          [on.col.o.gy] n (ca. 1857): the study of tumors -- on.co.log.i.cal
          also on.co.log.ic adj -- on.col.o.gist n

   oncoming
          [on.com.ing] adj (1844) 1 a: coming nearer in time or space
          <the ~ year> <an ~ car> b: future <looked forward to
          his ~ visit> 2: emergent, rising <the ~ generation>

   oncornavirus
          [on.cor.na.vi.rus] n [onco- + RNA + virus] (1970): any of
          a group of RNA-containing viruses that produce tumors

   [1]one
          [one] adj [ME on, an, fr. OE an; akin to OHG ein one, L unus
          (OL oinos), Skt eka] (bef. 12c) 1: being a single unit
          or thing <~ day at a time> 2 a: being one in particular
          <early ~ morning> b: being preeminently what is indicated
          <~ fine person> 3 a: being the same in kind or quality
          <both of ~ species> b (1): constituting a unified entity
          of two or more components <the combined elements form
          ~ substance> (2): being in agreement or union <am ~ with
          you on this> 4 a: some 1 <will see you again ~ day> b:
          being a certain individual specified by name <~ John
          Doe made a speech> 5: only 2 <the ~ person she wanted
          to marry> [2]one n (bef. 12c) 1: the first whole number
          above zero 2: the number denoting unity 3 a: the first
          in a set or series--often used with an attributive noun
          <day ~> b: an article of clothing of a size designated
          one <wears a ~> 4: a single person or thing <has the
          ~ but needs the other> 5: a one-dollar bill -- at one
          : at harmony: in a state of agreement -- for one : as
          one example <I for one disagree> [3]one pron (13c) 1:
          a certain indefinitely indicated person or thing <saw
          ~ of his friends> 2 a: an individual of a vaguely indicated
          group: anyone at all <~ never knows> b--used as a third
          person substitute for a first person pronoun <I'd like
          to read more but ~ doesn't have the time> 3: a single
          instance of a specified action <felt like belting him
          ~ --John Casey> usage Sense 2a is usu. a sign of a formal
          style. A formal style excludes the participation of the
          reader or hearer; thus one is used where a less formal
          style might address the reader directly <for the consequences
          of such choices, one has only oneself to thank --Walker
          Gibson>. This generic one has never been common in informal
          use in either British or American English, and people
          who start sentences with one often shift to another pronoun
          more natural to casual discourse <when one is learning
          the river, he is not allowed to do or think about anything
          else --Mark Twain>. Use of one to replace a first-person
          pronoun--sense 2b--has occas. been criticized. It is
          more common in British English than in American <I'm
          watching this pretty carefully and I hope that the issue
          will come up in the Lords and one may be able to speak
          about it --Donald Coggan, Archbishop of Canterbury>.

   -one
          [-one] n suffix [ISV, alter. of -ene]: ketone or related
          or analogous compound or class of compounds <lactone>
          <quinone>

   one another
          [one another] pron (1526): each other usage see each other

   one-armed bandit
          [one-armed bandit] also one-arm bandit n (1934): slot machine
          2

   one-bagger
          [one-bag.ger] n (1952): single 2

   one-dimensional
          [one-di.men.sion.al] adj (1883) 1: having one dimension 2:
          lacking depth: superficial <~ characters> --
          one-di.men.sion.al.i.ty n

   onefold
          [one.fold] adj (bef. 12c): constituting a single undivided
          whole

   one-handed
          [one-hand.ed] adj (15c) 1: having or using only one hand
          <could beat him up ~> 2 a: designed for or requiring
          the use of only one hand b: effected by the use of only
          one hand

   one-horse
          [one-horse] adj (1750) 1: drawn or operated by one horse
          2: small, small-time <a ~ town>

   Oneida
          [Onei.da] n, pl Oneida or Oneidas [Oneida oneyote', lit.,
          standing rock] (1666) 1: a member of an American Indian
          people orig. of New York 2: the Iroquoian language of
          the Oneida people

   oneiric
          [onei.ric] adj [Gk oneiros dream; akin to Arm anurj dream]
          (1859): of or relating to dreams: dreamy -- onei.ri.cal.ly
          adv

   oneiromancy
          [onei.ro.man.cy] n [Gk oneiros + E -mancy] (1652): divination
          by means of dreams

   one-line octave
          [one-line octave] n (1931): the musical octave that begins
          on middle C--see pitch illustration

   one-liner
          [one-lin.er] n (1967): a very succinct joke or witticism

   one-man
          [one-man] adj (1842): of or relating to just one individual:
          as a: consisting of only one individual <a ~ committee>
          b (1): done, presented, or produced by only one individual
          <a ~ stage play> (2): featuring the work of a single
          artist (as a painter) <a ~ show of oils> c: designed
          for or limited to one individual

   oneness
          [one.ness] n (1594): the quality or state or fact of being
          one: as a: singleness b: integrity, wholeness c: harmony
          d: sameness, identity e: unity, union

   one-nighter
          [one-night.er] n (ca. 1937): one-night stand

   one-night stand
          [one-night stand] n (1880) 1: a performance (as of a play
          or concert) given (as by a traveling group of actors
          or musicians) only once in each of a series of localities
          2 a: a locality used for one-night stands b: a stopover
          for a one-night stand 3: a sexual encounter limited to
          a single occasion; also: a partner in such an encounter

   one-note
          [one-note] adj (1973): unvarying in tone or emphasis: monotonous

   one-off
          [one-off] adj (1934) Brit: limited to a single time, occasion,
          or instance: one-shot, unique -- one-off n

   one-on-one
          [one-on-one] adj or adv (1967) 1: playing directly against
          a single opposing player 2: involving a direct encounter
          between one person and another

   one-piece
          [one-piece] adj (1880): consisting of or made in a single
          undivided piece <a ~ bathing suit> -- one-piec.er n

   onerous
          [oner.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF onereus, fr. L onerosus, fr. oner-,
          onus burden; akin to Skt anas cart] (14c) 1: involving,
          imposing, or constituting a burden: troublesome <an ~
          task> 2: having legal obligations that outweigh the advantages
          <~ contract> -- oner.ous.ly adv -- oner.ous.ness n syn
          onerous, burdensome, oppressive, exacting mean imposing
          hardship. onerous stresses being laborious and heavy
          esp. because distasteful <the onerous task of cleaning
          up the mess>. burdensome suggests causing mental as well
          as physical strain <burdensome responsibilities>. oppressive
          implies extreme harshness or severity in what is imposed
          <the oppressive tyranny of a police state>. exacting
          implies rigor or sternness rather than tyranny or injustice
          in the demands made or in the one demanding <an exacting
          employer>.

   oneself
          [one.self] also one's self pron (1548) 1: a person's self:
          one's own self--used reflexively as object of a preposition
          or verb or for emphasis in various constructions 2: one's
          normal, healthy, or sane condition or self -- be oneself
          : to conduct oneself in a usual or fitting manner

   one-shot
          [one-shot] adj (1927) 1: that is complete or effective through
          being done or used or applied only once <there is no
          easy ~ answer to the problem> 2: that is not followed
          by something else of the same kind <a ~ tax cut> -- one-shot
          n

   one-sided
          [one-sid.ed] adj (1813) 1 a (1): having one side prominent:
          lopsided (2): having or occurring on one side only b:
          limited to one side: partial <a ~ interpretation> 2:
          unilateral <a ~ decision> -- one-sid.ed.ly adv -- one-sid.ed.ness
          n

   ones place
          [ones place] n (1976): units place

   one-step
          [one-step] n (1911) 1: a ballroom dance in 2/4 time marked
          by quick walking steps backward and forward 2: music
          used for the one-step -- one-step vi

   one-stop
          [one-stop] adj (1934): being or relating to a business that
          provides a complete range of goods or services of a particular
          kind

   one-tailed
          [one-tailed] also one-tail adj (1947): being a statistical
          test for which the critical region consists of all values
          of the test statistic greater than a given value or less
          than a given value but not both--compare two-tailed

   [1]onetime
          [one.time] adj (1840) 1: former, sometime <a ~ actor> 2:
          occurring only once: one-shot [2]onetime adv (1886):
          formerly

   one-to-one
          [one-to-one] adj (1873) 1: pairing each element of a set
          uniquely with an element of another set 2: one-on-one
          2

   one-track
          [one-track] adj (1926): marked by often narrowly restricted
          attention to or absorption in just one thing <a ~ mind>

   one-two
          [one-two] n (1809) 1: a combination of two quick blows in
          rapid succession in boxing; esp: a left jab followed
          at once by a hard blow with the right hand 2 or one-two
          punch : a combination of two forces acting against something

   one-up
          [one-up] vt [back-formation fr. one-upmanship] (1963): to
          practice one-upmanship on

   one up
          [one up] adj (1919): being in a position of advantage--usu.
          used with on

   one-upmanship
          [one-up.man.ship] also one-ups.man.ship  n (1952): the art
          or practice of outdoing or keeping one jump ahead of
          a friend or competitor <engaged in a round of verba l
          ~>

   one-way
          [one-way] adj (1824) 1: that moves in or allows movement
          in only one direction <~ street> 2: one-sided, unilateral
          <a ~ conversation> 3: that functions in only one of two
          or more ways

   ongoing
          [on.go.ing] adj (1877) 1 a: being actually in process b:
          continuing 2: continuously moving forward: growing --
          on.go.ing.ness n

   onion
          [on.ion] n [ME, fr. MF oignon, fr. L union-, unio] (14c)
          1: a widely cultivated Asian herb (Allium cepa) of the
          lily family with pungent edible bulbs; also: its bulb
          2: any of various plants of the same genus as the onion
          -- on.iony adj

   onion dome
          [onion dome] n (1941): a dome (as of a church) having the
          general shape of an onion -- onion-domed adj

   onion ring
          [onion ring] n (1946): a ring of sliced onion coated with
          batter or crumbs and fried

   onionskin
          [on.ion.skin] n (1879): a thin strong translucent paper of
          very light weight

   onium
          [oni.um] adj [-onium] (1905): being or characterized by a
          usu. complex cation

   -onium
          [-onium] n suffix [NL, fr. ammonium]: an ion having a positive
          charge <hydronium>--compare -ium 1b

   on-line
          [on-line] adj or adv (1950): connected to, served by, or
          available through a system and esp. a computer or
          telecommunications system <an ~ database>; also: done while
          connected to a system <~ computer storage>

   onlooker
          [on.look.er] n (1606): one that looks on; esp: a passive
          spectator -- on.look.ing adj

   [1]only
          [on.ly] adj [ME, fr. OE anlic, fr. an one--more at one] (bef.
          12c) 1: unquestionably the best: peerless 2: alone in
          its class or kind: sole <an ~ child> [2]only adv (14c)
          1 a: as a single fact or instance and nothing more or
          different: merely <has ~ lost one election --George Orwell>
          b: solely, exclusively <known ~ to him> 2: at the very
          least <it was ~ too true> 3 a: in the final outcome <will
          ~ make you sick> b: with nevertheless the final result
          <won the battles, ~ to lose the war> 4 a: as recently
          as <~ last week> b: in the immediate past <~ just talked
          to her> usage The placement of only in a sentence has
          been a source of studious commentary since the 18th century,
          most of it intended to prove by force of argument that
          prevailing standard usage is wrong. After 200 years of
          preachment the following observations may be made: the
          position of only in standard spoken English is not fixed,
          since ambiguity is avoided through sentence stress; in
          casual prose that keeps close to the rhythms of speech
          only is often placed where it would be in speech; and
          in edited and more formal prose only tends to be placed
          immediately before the word or words it modifies. [3]only
          conj (14c) 1 a: with the restriction that: but <you may
          go, ~ come back early> b: and yet: however <they look
          very nice, ~ we can't use them> 2: were it not that:
          except <I'd introduce you to her, ~ you'd win her --Jack
          London>

   onomastic
          [on.o.mas.tic] adj [Gk onomastikos, fr. onomazein to name,
          fr. onoma name--more at name] (1716): of, relating to,
          or consisting of a name or names -- on.o.mas.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   onomastics
          [on.o.mas.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1930) 1 a:
          the science or study of the origins and forms of words
          esp. as used in a specialized field b: the science or
          study of the origin and forms of proper names of persons
          or places 2: the system underlying the formation and
          use of words esp. for proper names or of words used in
          a specialized field -- on.o.mas.ti.cian n

   onomatology
          [on.o.ma.tol.o.gy] n [F onomatologie, fr. Gk ono mat-, onoma
          name + F -logie -logy] (ca. 1847): onomastics -- on.o.ma.tol.o.gist
          n

   onomatopoeia
          [on.o.mato.poe.ia] n [LL, fr. Gk onomatopoiia, fr. onomat-,
          onoma name + poiein to make--more at poet] (ca. 1577)
          1: the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation
          of the sound associated with it (as buzz, hiss) 2: the
          use of words whose sound suggests the sense -- on.o.mato.poe.ic
          or on.o.mato.po.et.ic adj -- on.o.mato.poe.i.cal.ly or
          on.o.mato.po.et.i.cal.ly adv

   Onondaga
          [On.on.da.ga] n, pl -ga or -gas [Onondaga onota'ke, the chief
          Onondaga town] (1684) 1: a member of an American Indian
          people of New York and Canada 2: the Iroquoian language
          of the Onondaga people

   on-ramp
          [on-ramp] n (1958): a ramp by which one enters a limited-access
          highway

   onrush
          [on.rush] n (1844) 1: a rushing forward or onward 2: onset
          -- on.rush.ing adj

   on-screen
          [on-screen] adv or adj (1955): in a motion picture or a television
          program

   onset
          [on.set] n (1535) 1: attack, assault <withstand the ~ of
          the army> 2: beginning, commencement <the ~ of winter>

   onshore
          [on.shore] adj (1875) 1: coming or moving from the water
          toward or onto the shore <an ~ wind> 2 a: situated on
          or near the shore as distinguished from being in deep
          or open water b: situated on land 3: domestic 2 <~ markets>
          -- on.shore adv

   onside
          [on.side] adv or adj (1871): not offside: in a position legally
          to play or receive the ball or puck

   onside kick
          [onside kick] n (1926): a kickoff in football in which the
          ball travels just far enough to be legally recoverable
          by the kicking team

   on-site
          [on-site] adj or adv (1946): carried out or located at the
          place connected with a particular activity <~ training
          in construction skills>

   onslaught
          [on.slaught] n [modif. of D aanslag act of striking; akin
          to OE an on and to OE slean to strike--more at slay]
          (ca. 1625): an esp. fierce attack; also: something resembling
          such an attack <an ~ of technological changes>

   onstage
          [on.stage] adv or adj (1925): on a part of the stage visible
          to the audience

   onstream
          [on.stream] adv or adj (1930): in or into production <plants
          scheduled to come ~>

   ont-
          [ont-] or onto- comb form [NL, fr. LGk, fr. Gk ont-, on,
          prp. of einai to be--more at is] 1: being: existence
          <ontology> 2: organism <ontogeny>

   -ont
          [-ont] n comb form [Gk ont-, on, prp.]: cell: organism <diplont>

   on-the-job
          [on-the-job] adj (1946): of, relating to, or being something
          (as training or experience) learned, gained, or done
          while working at a job and often under supervision

   ontic
          [on.tic] adj (1942): of, relating to, or having real being
          -- on.ti.cal.ly adv

   [1]onto
          [on.to] prep (1581) 1: to a position on 2: in or into a state
          of awareness about <put me ~ your methods> 3--used as
          a function word to indicate a set each element of which
          is the image of at least one element of another set <a
          function mapping the set S ~ the set T> [2]onto adj (1942):
          mapping elements in such a way that every element in
          one set is the image of at least one element in another
          set <a function that is one-to-one and ~>

   ontogenesis
          [on.to.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1875): ontogeny

   ontogenetic
          [on.to.ge.net.ic] adj [ISV] (1878) 1: of, relating to, or
          appearing in the course of ontogeny 2: based on visible
          morphological characters -- on.to.ge.net.i.cal.ly adv

   ontogeny
          [on.tog.e.ny] n [ISV] (1872): the development or course of
          development esp. of an individual organism

   ontological
          [on.to.log.i.cal] adj (1782) 1: of or relating to ontology
          2: relating to or based upon being or existence
          -- on.to.log.i.cal.ly adv

   ontological argument
          [ontological argument] n (1877): an argument for the existence
          of God based upon the meaning of the term God

   ontology
          [on.tol.o.gy] n [NL ontologia, fr. ont- + -logia -logy] (ca.
          1721) 1: a branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature
          and relations of being 2: a particular theory about the
          nature of being or the kinds of existents -- on.tol.o.gist
          n

   onus
          [onus] n (ca. 1640) 1 [L--more at onerous] a: burden b: a
          disagreeable necessity: obligation c: blame d: stigma
          2 [NL onus (probandi), lit., burden of proving]: burden
          of proof

   onus probandi
          [onus pro.ban.di] [L] foreign term : burden of proof

   [1]onward
          [on.ward] also on.wards adv (1532): toward or at a point
          lying ahead in space or time: forward [2]onward adj (1674):
          directed or moving onward: forward

   onychophoran
          [on.y.choph.o.ran] n [NL Onychophora, group name, fr. Gk
          onych-, onyx claw + -phoros -phore] (ca. 1890): peripatus
          -- onychophoran adj

   -onym
          [-onym] n comb form [ME, fr. L -onymum, fr. Gk -onymon, fr.
          onyma--more at name]: name: word <antonym>

   onyx
          [on.yx] n [ME onix, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L onych-, onyx, fr.
          Gk, lit., claw, nail--more at nail] (14c): a translucent
          chalcedony in parallel layers of different colors

   oo...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   oo-
          [oo-] --see o-

   oocyst
          [oo.cyst] n [ISV] (1875): zygote; specif: a sporozoan zygote
          undergoing sporogenous development

   oocyte
          [oo.cyte] n [ISV] (1895): an egg before maturation: a female
          gametocyte

   OOD
          [OOD] abbreviation officer of the deck

   oodles
          [oo.dles] n pl but sing or pl in constr [origin unknown]
          (1869): a great quantity: lot

   oogamous
          [oog.a.mous] adj (1888): having or involving a small motile
          male gamete and a large immobile female gamete -- oog.a.my
          n

   oogenesis
          [oo.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1879): formation and maturation
          of the egg -- oo.ge.net.ic adj

   oogonium
          [oo.go.ni.um] n, pl -nia [NL] (1867) 1: a female sexual organ
          in various algae and fungi that corresponds to the archegonium
          of ferns and mosses 2: a descendant of a primordial germ
          cell that gives rise to oocytes -- oo.go.ni.al adj

   [1]ooh
          [ooh] interj (1939)--used to express amazement, joy, or surprise
          [2]ooh vi (1951): to exclaim in amazement, joy, or surprise
          <~ing and aahing over the new automobiles> -- ooh n

   oolite
          [oo.lite] n [prob. fr. F oolithe, fr. oo- o- + -lithe -lite]
          (1785): a rock consisting of small round grains usu.
          of calcium carbonate cemented together -- oo.lit.ic adj

   oologist
          [ool.o.gist] n (1863) 1: a person specializing in the study
          of birds' eggs 2: a collector of birds' eggs -- ool.o.gy
          n

   oolong
          [oo.long] n [Chin (Beijing) wulong, lit., black dragon] (1850):
          tea made from leaves that have been partially fermented
          before firing

   oompah
          [oom.pah] also oom.pah-pah n [imit.] (1877): a repeated rhythmic
          bass accompaniment esp. in a band -- oompah vb

   oomph
          [oomph] n [imit. of a sound made under exertion] (1936) 1:
          personal charm or magnetism: glamour 2: sex appeal 3:
          punch, vitality

   oophorectomy
          [oo.pho.rec.to.my] n, pl -mies [NL oophoron ovary (fr. o-
          + Gk -phoron, neut. of -phoros -phore) + E -ectomy] (1872):
          ovariectomy

   oops
          [oops] interj (1933)--used typically to express mild apology,
          surprise, or dismay

   Oort cloud
          [Oort cloud] n [Jan Oort d. 1992 Dutch astronomer] (1968):
          a spherical shell of small frozen bodies believed to
          surround the sun far beyond the orbit of Pluto and from
          which some are dislodged when perturbed (as by a passing
          star) to fall toward the sun as comets

   oospore
          [oo.spore] n [ISV] (1865): zygote; esp: a spore produced
          by heterogamous fertilization that yields a sporophyte

   ootheca
          [oo.the.ca] n, pl oo.the.cae [NL] (ca. 1856): a firm-walled
          and distinctive egg case (as of a cockroach) -- oo.the.cal
          adj

   ootid
          [oo.tid] n [irreg. fr. o- + -id] (1904): an egg cell after
          meiosis

   [1]ooze
          [ooze] n [ME wose, fr. OE wase mire; akin to ON veisa stagnant
          water] (bef. 12c) 1: a soft deposit (as of mud, slime,
          or shells) on the bottom of a body of water 2: a piece
          of soft wet plastic ground [2]ooze vb oozed ; ooz.ing
          [ME wosen, fr. wose sap] vi (14c) 1: to pass or flow
          slowly through or as if through small openings or interstices
          2: to move slowly or imperceptibly <the crowd began to
          ~ forward --Bruce Marshall> 3 a: to exude moisture b:
          to exude something often in a faintly repellent manner
          <~ with sympathy> ~ vt 1: to emit slowly 2: exude 2 <~
          confidence> [3]ooze n [ME wose sap, juice, fr. OE wos;
          akin to OHG waso damp] (ca. 1581) 1: a decoction of vegetable
          material used for tanning leather 2: the act of oozing
          3: something that oozes

   oozy
          [oozy] adj ooz.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: containing or composed
          of ooze: resembling ooze 2: exuding moisture: slimy

   op...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   op
          [op] n (1964): optical art

   op
          [op] abbreviation operation, operative, operator, opportunity,
          opus  OP abbreviation observation post, out of print

   opacity
          [opac.i.ty] n, pl -ties [F opacite shadiness, fr. L opacitat-,
          opacitas, fr. opacus shaded, dark] (ca. 1611) 1: the
          quality or state of a body that makes it impervious to
          the rays of light; broadly: the relative capacity of
          matter to obstruct the transmission of radiant energy
          2 a: obscurity of sense: unintelligibleness b: the quality
          or state of being mentally obtuse: dullness 3: an opaque
          spot in a normally transparent structure (as the lens
          of the eye)

   opah
          [opah] n [perh. fr. Ibo uba] (1750): a large elliptical marine
          bony fish (Lampris guttatus of the family Lampridae)
          with brilliant colors

   opal
          [opal] n [L opalus, fr. Gk opallios, fr. Skt upala stone,
          jewel] (1591): a mineral that is a hydrated amorphous
          silica softer and less dense than quartz and typically
          with definite and often marked iridescent play of colors

   opalescent
          [opal.es.cent] adj (ca. 1813): reflecting an iridescent light
          -- opal.es.cence n -- opal.es.cent.ly adv

   opaline
          [opal.ine] adj (1784): resembling opal

   opaque
          [opaque] adj [L opacus] (1641) 1: exhibiting opacity: blocking
          the passage of radiant energy and esp. light 2 a: hard
          to understand or explain <~ prose> b: obtuse, thickheaded
          -- opaque n -- opaque.ly adv -- opaque.ness n

   opaque projector
          [opaque projector] n (1951): a projector using reflected
          light for projecting an image of an opaque object or
          matter on an opaque support (as a photograph)

   op art
          [op art] n (1964): optical art -- op artist n

   op cit
          [op cit] [L opere citato] abbreviation in the work cited

   ope
          [ope] vb oped ; op.ing (15c) archaic: open

   OPEC
          [OPEC] abbreviation Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

   op-ed
          [op-ed] n, often cap O&E, often attrib [short for opposite
          editorial] (1970): a page of special features usu. opposite
          the editorial page of a newspaper

   [1]open
          [open] adj open.er ; open.est [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG offan
          open, OE up up] (bef. 12c) 1: having no enclosing or
          confining barrier: accessible on all or nearly all sides
          <cattle grazing on an ~ range> 2 a (1): being in a position
          or adjustment to permit passage: not shut or locked <an
          ~ door> (2): having a barrier (as a door) so adjusted
          as to allow passage <the house was ~> b: having the lips
          parted <stood there with his mouth wide ~> c: not buttoned
          or zipped <an ~ shirt> 3 a: completely free from concealment:
          exposed to general view or knowledge <their hostilities
          eventually erupted with ~ war> b: exposed or vulnerable
          to attack or question: subject <~ to doubt> 4 a: not
          covered with a top, roof, or lid <an ~ car> <her eyes
          were ~> b: having no protective covering <~ wiring> <an
          ~ wound> 5: not restricted to a particular group or category
          of participants <~ to the public> <~ housing>: as a:
          enterable by both amateur and professional contestants
          <an ~ tournament> b: enterable by a registered voter
          regardless of political affiliation <an ~ primary> 6:
          fit to be traveled over: presenting no obstacle to passage
          or view <the ~ road> <~ country> 7: having the parts
          or surfaces laid out in an expanded position: spread
          out: unfolded <an ~ book> 8 a (1): low 13 (2): formed
          with the tongue in a lower position <Italian has an ~
          and a close e> b (1): having clarity and resonance unimpaired
          by undue tension or constriction of the throat <an ~
          vocal tone> (2) of a tone: produced by an open string
          or on a wind instrument by the lip without the use of
          slides, valves, or keys 9 a: available to follow or make
          use of <the only course ~ to us> b: not taken up with
          duties or engagements <keep an hour ~ on Friday> c: not
          finally decided: subject to further consideration <the
          salary is ~> <an ~ question> d: available for a qualified
          applicant: vacant <the job is still ~> e: remaining available
          for use or filling until canceled <an ~ order for more
          items> f: available for future purchase <these items
          are in ~ stock> 10 a: characterized by ready accessibility
          and usu. generous attitude: as (1): generous in giving
          (2): willing to hear and consider or to accept and deal
          with: responsive (3): free from reserve or pretense:
          frank b: accessible to the influx of new factors (as
          foreign goods) <an ~ market> 11 a: having openings, interruptions,
          or spaces: as (1): being porous and friable <~ soil> (2): sparsely
          distributed: scattered <~ population> (3) of a compound: having
          components separated by a space in writing or printing (as opaque
          pr adv -- open.ly adv -- open.ness n [2]open vb opened ; open.ing
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to move (as a door) from a closed position
          b: to make available for entry or passage by turning back (as
          a barrier) or removing (as a cover or an obstruction) 2 a: to make
          available for or active in a regular function <~ a new store>
          b: to make accessible for a particular purpose <~ed new land for
          settlement> <~ the way for changes> c: to initiate access
          to (a computer file) prior to use 3 a: to disclose or expose
          to view: reveal b: to make more discerning or responsive: enlighten
          <must ~ our minds to the problems> c: to bring into view or come
          in sight of by changing position 4 a: to make an opening in <~ed
          the boil> b: to loosen and make less compact <~ the soil>
          5: to spread out: unfold <~ed the book> 6 a: to enter upon: begin
          <~ed the meeting> b: to commence action in a card game by making
          (a first bid), putting a first bet in (the pot), or playing (a card
          or suit) as first lead 7: to restore or recall (as an order) from
          a finally determined state to a state in which the parties are free
          to prosecute or oppose ~ vi 1: to become open <the office ~ed
          early> 2 a: to spread out: expand <the wound ~ed under the strain>
          b: to become disclosed <a beautiful vista ~ed before us>
          3: to become enlightened or responsive 4: to give access <the rooms
          ~ onto a hall> 5: speak out 2 <finally he ~ed freely on the
          subject> 6 a: to begin a course or activity <the play
          ~s on Tuesday> b: to make a bet, bid, or lead in commencing a round
          or hand of a card game -- open.abil.i.ty n -- open.able adj [3]open
          n (13c) 1: opening 2: open and unobstructed space: as a: open air
          b: open water 3: an open contest, competition, or tournament
          4: a public or unconcealed state or position

   open admission
          [open admission] n (1969): open enrollment 2

   open-air
          [open-air] adj (1830): outdoor

   open air
          [open air] n (15c): the space where air is unconfined; esp:
          outdoors

   open-and-shut
          [open-and-shut] adj (1841) 1: perfectly simple: obvious 2:
          easily settled <an ~ case>

   open bar
          [open bar] n (1973): a bar (as at a wedding reception) at
          which drinks are served free--compare cash bar

   opencast
          [open.cast] adj (ca. 1890) chiefly Brit: worked from a surface
          open to the air <an ~ mine> <~ mining>

   open chain
          [open chain] n (1884): an arrangement of atoms represented
          in a structural formula by a chain whose ends are not
          joined so as to form a ring

   open city
          [open city] n (1914): a city that is not occupied or defended
          by military forces and that is not allowed to be bombed
          under international law

   open dating
          [open dating] n (1971): the marking of perishable food products
          with a clearly readable date indicating when the food
          was packaged or the last date on which it should be sold
          or used

   open door
          [open door] n (1526) 1: a recognized right of admittance:
          freedom of access 2: a policy giving opportunity for
          commercial relations with a country to all nations on
          equal terms -- open-door adj

   open-end
          [open-end] adj (1917): organized to allow for contingencies:
          as a: permitting additional debt to be incurred under
          the original indenture subject to specified conditions
          <an ~ mortgage> b: having a fluctuating capitalization
          of shares that are issued or redeemed at the current
          net asset value or at a figure in fixed ratio to this
          <an ~ investment company>--compare closed-end

   open-ended
          [open-end.ed] adj (1825): not rigorously fixed: as a: adaptable
          to the developing needs of a situation b: permitting
          or designed to permit spontaneous and unguided responses
          -- open-end.ed.ness n

   open enrollment
          [open enrollment] n (1964) 1: the voluntary enrollment of
          a student in a public school other than the one assigned
          on the basis of residence 2: enrollment on demand as
          a student in an institution of higher learning irrespective
          of formal qualifications

   opener
          [open.er] n (15c): one that opens <a bottle ~>: as a pl:
          cards of sufficient value for a player to open the betting
          in a poker game b: the first item, contest, or event
          of a series -- for openers : to begin with

   open-eyed
          [open-eyed] adj (1601) 1: having the eyes open 2: carefully
          observant: discerning

   openhanded
          [open.hand.ed] adj (1593): generous, munificent -- open.hand.ed.ly
          adv -- open.hand.ed.ness n

   open-heart
          [open-heart] adj (1960): of, relating to, or performed on
          a heart temporarily relieved of circulatory function
          and surgically opened for inspection and treatment <~
          surgery>

   openhearted
          [open.heart.ed] adj (1611) 1: candidly straightforward: frank
          2: responsive to emotional appeal -- open.heart.ed.ly
          adv -- open.heart.ed.ness n

   open-hearth
          [open-hearth] adj (1885): of, relating to, involving, or
          produced in the open-hearth process <~ steel>

   open-hearth process
          [open-hearth process] n (1882): a process of making steel
          from pig iron in a furnace of the regenerative reverberatory
          type

   open house
          [open house] n (15c) 1: ready and usu. informal hospitality
          or entertainment for all comers 2: a house or apartment
          open for inspection esp. by prospective buyers or tenants

   opening
          [open.ing] n (13c) 1 a: an act or instance of making or becoming
          open b: an act or instance of beginning: commencement;
          esp: a formal and usu. public event by which something
          new is put officially into operation 2: something that
          is open: as a (1): breach, aperture (2): an open width:
          span b: an area without trees or with scattered usu.
          mature trees that occurs as a break in a forest c: two
          pages that face one another in a book 3: something that
          constitutes a beginning: as a: a planned series of moves
          made at the beginning of a game of chess or checkers--compare
          endgame, middle game b: a first performance 4 a: occasion,
          chance b: an opportunity for employment

   open letter
          [open letter] n (1878): a published letter of protest or
          appeal usu. addressed to an individual but intended for
          the general public

   open loop
          [open loop] n (1947): a control system for an operation or
          process in which there is no self-correcting action as
          there is in a closed loop

   open marriage
          [open marriage] n (1971): a marriage in which the partners
          agree to let each other have sexual partners outside
          the marriage

   open-minded
          [open-mind.ed] adj (1828): receptive to arguments or ideas
          -- open-mind.ed.ly adv -- open-mind.ed.ness n

   openmouthed
          [open.mouthed] adj (15c) 1: clamorous, vociferous 2: having
          the mouth wide open 3: struck with amazement or wonder
          -- open.mouth.ed.ly adv -- open.mouth.ed.ness n

   open-pollinated
          [open-pol.li.nat.ed] adj (1925): pollinated by natural agencies
          without human intervention

   open season
          [open season] n (ca. 1890) 1: a period when it is legal to
          kill or catch game or fish protected at other times by
          law 2: a time during which someone or something is the
          object of sustained attack or criticism

   open secret
          [open secret] n (1828): a supposedly secret but generally
          known matter

   open sentence
          [open sentence] n (1937): a statement (as in mathematics)
          that contains at least one blank or unknown and that
          becomes true or false when the blank is filled or a quantity
          is substituted for the unknown

   open sesame
          [open ses.a.me] n [fr. open sesame, the magical command used
          by Ali Baba to open the door of the robbers' den in Ali
          Baba and the Forty Thieves] (ca. 1837): something that
          unfailingly brings about a desired end

   open shop
          [open shop] n (1903): an establishment in which eligibility
          for employment and retention on the payroll are not determined
          by membership or nonmembership in a labor union though
          there may be an agreement by which a union is recognized
          as sole bargaining agent

   open sight
          [open sight] n (1591): a firearm rear sight having an open
          notch

   open stance
          [open stance] n (1948): a stance (as in golf) in which the
          forward foot is farther from the line of play than the
          back foot--compare closed stance

   open syllable
          [open syllable] n (1891): a syllable ended by a vowel or
          diphthong

   open up
          [open up] vt (1582) 1: to make available 2: to make plain
          or visible: disclose 3: to open by cutting into ~ vi
          1: to spread out or come into view <the road opens up
          ahead> 2: to commence firing 3: to become communicative
          <tried to get the patient to open up>

   openwork
          [open.work] n, often attrib (1598): work constructed so as
          to show openings through its substance: work that is
          perforated or pierced <wrought-iron ~> -- open-worked
          adj

   [1]opera
          [opera] pl of opus [2]op.era n [It, work, opera, fr. L, work,
          pains; akin to L oper-, opus--more at operate] (1644)
          1: a drama set to music and made up of vocal pieces with
          orchestral accompaniment and orchestral overtures and
          interludes; specif: grand opera 2: the score of a musical
          drama 3: the performance of an opera; also: a house where
          operas are performed

   operable
          [op.er.a.ble] adj (1646) 1: fit, possible, or desirable to
          use: practicable 2: likely to result in a favorable outcome
          upon surgical treatment <an ~ cancer> -- op.er.a.bil.i.ty
          n -- op.er.a.bly adv

   opera bouffe
          [op.era bouffe] n [F, fr. It opera buffa] (1870): satirical
          comic opera

   opera buffa
          [opera buf.fa] n [It, lit., comic opera] (1802): an 18th
          century farcical comic opera with dialogue in recitative

   opera comique
          [opera co.mique] n [F, lit., comic opera] (1744): an opera
          characterized by spoken dialogue interspersed between
          the arias and ensemble numbers--compare grand opera

   opera glass
          [opera glass] n (1738): a small low-power binocular without
          prisms for use at the opera or theater--often used in
          pl.

   operagoer
          [op.era.go.er] n (1850): a person who frequently goes to
          operas -- op.era.go.ing n

   opera hat
          [opera hat] n (1810): a man's collapsible top hat

   opera house
          [opera house] n (1720): a theater devoted principally to
          the performance of operas; broadly: theater

   operand
          [op.er.and] n [L operandum, neut. of gerundive of operari]
          (1886): something (as a quantity or data) that is operated
          on (as in a mathematical operation); also: the address
          in a computer instruction of data to be operated on

   [1]operant
          [op.er.ant] adj (15c) 1: functioning or tending to produce
          effects: effective <an ~ conscience> 2: of or relating
          to the observable or measurable 3: of, relating to, or
          being an operant or operant conditioning <~ behavior>
          -- op.er.ant.ly adv [2]operant n (1937): behavior (as
          bar pressing by a rat to obtain food) that operates on
          the environment to produce rewarding and reinforcing
          effects

   operant conditioning
          [operant conditioning] n (1941): conditioning in which the
          desired behavior or increasingly closer approximations
          to it are followed by a rewarding or reinforcing stimulus--compare
          classical conditioning

   opera seria
          [opera se.ria] n [It, lit., serious opera] (ca. 1854): an
          18th century opera with a heroic or legendary subject

   operate
          [op.er.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L operatus, pp. of operari
          to work, fr. oper-, opus work; akin to OE efnan to perform,
          Skt apas work] vi (1588) 1: to perform a function: exert
          power or influence <factors operating against our success>
          2: to produce an appropriate effect <the drug operated
          quickly> 3 a: to perform an operation or a series of
          operations b: to perform surgery c: to carry on a military
          or naval action or mission 4: to follow a course of conduct
          that is often irregular <crooked gamblers operating in
          the club> ~ vt 1: bring about, effect 2 a: to cause to
          function: work b: to put or keep in operation 3: to perform
          an operation on; esp: to perform surgery on

   operatic
          [op.er.at.ic] adj (1749) 1: of or relating to opera 2: grand,
          dramatic, or romantic in style or effect -- op.er.at.i.cal.ly
          adv

   operating
          [operating] adj (1808): of, relating to, or used for or in
          operations <~ expenses> <a hospital ~ room>

   operating system
          [operating system] n (1961): software that controls the operation
          of a computer and directs the processing of programs
          (as by assigning storage space in memory and controlling
          input and output functions)

   operation
          [op.er.a.tion] n [ME operacioun, fr. MF operation, fr. L
          operation-, operatio, fr. operari] (14c) 1: performance
          of a practical work or of something involving the practical
          application of principles or processes 2 a: an exertion
          of power or influence <the ~ of a drug> b: the quality
          or state of being functional or operative <the plant
          is now in ~> c: a method or manner of functioning <a
          machine of very simple ~> 3: efficacy, potency--archaic
          except in legal usage 4: a procedure carried out on a
          living body usu. with instruments esp. for the repair
          of damage or the restoration of health 5: any of various
          mathematical or logical processes (as addition) of deriving
          one entity from others according to a rule 6 a: a usu.
          military action, mission, or maneuver including its planning
          and execution b pl: the office on the flight line of
          an airfield where pilots file clearance for flights and
          where flying from the field is controlled c pl: the agency
          of an organization charged with carrying on the principal
          planning and operating functions of a headquarters and
          its subordinate units 7: a business transaction esp.
          when speculative 8: a single step performed by a computer
          in the execution of a program

   operational
          [op.er.a.tion.al] adj (ca. 1909) 1: of or relating to operation
          or to an operation <the ~ gap between planning and production>
          2: of, relating to, or based on operations 3 a: of, engaged
          in, or connected with execution of military or naval
          operations in campaign or battle b: ready for or in condition
          to undertake a destined function -- op.er.a.tion.al.ly
          adv

   operationalism
          [op.er.a.tion.al.ism] n (1931): a view that the concepts
          or terms used in nonanalytic scientific statements must
          be definable in terms of identifiable and repeatable
          operations -- op.er.a.tion.al.ist n -- op.er.a.tion.al.is.tic
          adj

   operationism
          [op.er.a.tion.ism] n (1935): operationalism -- op.er.a.tion.ist
          n

   operations research
          [operations research] n (1945): the application of scientific
          and esp. mathematical methods to the study and analysis
          of problems involving complex systems--called also operational
          research

   [1]operative
          [op.er.a.tive] adj (15c) 1: producing an appropriate effect:
          efficacious 2: exerting force or influence: operating
          3 a: having to do with physical operations (as of machines)
          b: working <an ~ craftsman> 4: based on or consisting
          of an operation <~ dentistry> -- op.er.a.tive.ly adv
          -- op.er.a.tive.ness n [2]operative n (ca. 1810): operator:
          as a: artisan, mechanic b: a secret agent c: private
          detective

   operator
          [op.er.a.tor] n (1611) 1: one that operates: as a: one that
          operates a machine or device b: one that operates a business
          c: one that performs surgical operations d: one that
          deals in stocks or commodities 2 a: mountebank, fraud
          b: a shrewd and skillful person who knows how to circumvent
          restrictions or difficulties 3 a: something and esp.
          a symbol that denotes or performs a mathematical or logical
          operation b: a mathematical function 4: a binding site
          in a DNA chain at which a genetic repressor binds to
          inhibit the initiation of transcription of messenger
          RNA by one or more nearby structural genes--called also
          operator gene--compare operon -- op.er.a.tor.less adj

   [1]opercular
          [oper.cu.lar] adj (1830): of, relating to, or constituting
          an operculum [2]opercular n (ca. 1890): an opercular
          part (as a bone or scale)

   operculate
          [oper.cu.late] also oper.cu.lat.ed adj (ca. 1775): having
          an operculum

   operculum
          [oper.cu.lum] n, pl -la also -lums [NL, fr. L, cover, fr.
          operire to shut, cover] (1752) 1: a body process or part
          that suggests a lid: as a: a horny or shelly plate on
          the posterior dorsal surface of the foot in many gastropod
          mollusks that closes the shell when the animal is retracted
          b: the covering of the gills of a fish--see fish illustration
          2: a lid or covering flap (as of a moss capsule or a
          pyxidium in a seed plant)

   operetta
          [op.er.et.ta] n [It, dim. of opera] (1770): a usu. romantic
          comic opera that includes songs and dancing -- op.er.et.tist
          n

   operon
          [op.er.on] n [F operon, fr. operer to bring about, effect
          (fr. L operari) + -on [2]-on] (1961): a group of closely
          linked genes that produces a single messenger RNA molecule
          in transcription and that consists of structural genes
          and regulating elements (as an operator and promoter)

   operose
          [op.er.ose] adj [L operosus, fr. oper-, opus work--more at
          operate] (1678): tedious, wearisome -- op.er.ose.ly adv
          -- op.er.ose.ness n

   Ophelia
          [Ophe.lia] n: the daughter of Polonius in Shakespeare's Hamlet

   ophidian
          [ophid.i.an] adj [ultim. fr. Gk ophis] (1883): of, relating
          to, or resembling snakes -- ophidian n

   Ophir
          [Ophir] n [Heb Ophir]: a biblical land of uncertain location
          but reputedly rich in gold

   ophitic
          [ophit.ic] adj [ophite serpentine (stone), fr. L ophites,
          fr. Gk ophites (lithos), fr. ophites snakelike, fr. ophis
          snake; akin to Skt ahi snake and prob. to L anguis snake,
          anguilla eel, Gk enchelys eel, echidna viper, echinos
          hedgehog, OE igil] (1875): having or being a rock fabric
          in which lath-shaped plagioclase crystals are enclosed
          in later formed augite

   ophiuroid
          [ophi.u.roid] n [NL Ophiuroidea, group name, fr. Ophiura,
          genus name, fr. Gk ophis + oura tail--more at ass] (ca.
          1879): brittle star -- ophiuroid adj

   ophthalm-
          [ophthalm-] or ophthalmo- comb form [Gk, fr. ophthalmos]:
          eye <ophthalmology>

   ophthalmia
          [oph.thal.mia] n [ME obtalmia, fr. LL ophthalmia, fr. Gk,
          fr. ophthalmos eye; akin to Gk ops eye--more at eye]
          (14c): inflammation of the conjunctiva or the eyeball

   ophthalmic
          [oph.thal.mic] adj (ca. 1741) 1: of, relating to, or situated
          near the eye 2: supplying or draining the eye or structures
          in the region of the eye <~ artery>

   ophthalmologist
          [oph.thal.mol.o.gist] n (1834): a physician that specializes
          in ophthalmology--compare optician, optometrist

   ophthalmology
          [oph.thal.mol.o.gy] n (ca. 1842): a branch of medical science
          dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of
          the eye -- oph.thal.mo.log.ic or oph.thal.mo.log.i.cal
          adj -- oph.thal.mo.log.i.cal.ly adv

   ophthalmoscope
          [oph.thal.mo.scope] n [ISV] (ca. 1857): an instrument for
          use in viewing the interior of the eye and esp. the retina
          -- oph.thal.mo.scop.ic adj -- oph.thal.mos.co.py n

   -opia
          [-opia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk -opia, fr. ops] 1: condition
          of having (such) vision <diplopia> 2: condition of having
          (such) a visual defect <hyperopia>

   [1]opiate
          [opi.ate] n (15c) 1: a preparation or derivative of opium;
          broadly: a narcotic or opioid peptide 2: something that
          induces rest or inaction or quiets uneasiness [2]opiate
          adj (1543) 1 a: containing or mixed with opium b: of,
          relating to, binding, or being an opiate <~ receptors>
          2 a: inducing sleep: narcotic b: causing dullness or
          inaction

   opine
          [opine] vb opined ; opin.ing [ME, fr. MF opiner, fr. L opinari
          to have an opinion] vi (15c): to express opinions ~ vt:
          to state as an opinion

   opinion
          [opin.ion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L opinion-, opinio, fr. opinari]
          (14c) 1 a: a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the
          mind about a particular matter b: approval, esteem 2
          a: belief stronger than impression and less strong than
          positive knowledge b: a generally held view 3 a: a formal
          expression of judgment or advice by an expert b: the
          formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee)
          of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal
          decision is based -- opin.ioned adj syn opinion, view,
          belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment
          one holds as true. opinion implies a conclusion thought
          out yet open to dispute <each expert seemed to have a
          different opinion>. view suggests a subjective opinion
          <very assertive in stating his views>. belief implies
          often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent <a
          firm belief in her party's platform>. conviction applies
          to a firmly and seriously held belief <the conviction
          that animal life is as sacred as human>. persuasion suggests
          a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its
          truth <was of the persuasion that everything changes>.
          sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's
          feelings <her feminist sentiments are well-known>.

   opinionated
          [opin.ion.at.ed] adj (1601): unduly adhering to one's own
          opinion or to preconceived notions -- opin.ion.at.ed.ly
          adv -- opin.ion.at.ed.ness n

   opinionative
          [opin.ion.a.tive] adj (1536) 1: of, relating to, or consisting
          of opinion: doctrinal 2: opinionated -- opin.ion.a.tive.ly
          adv -- opin.ion.a.tive.ness n

   opioid
          [opi.oid] adj (1957) 1: possessing some properties characteristic
          of opiate narcotics but not derived from opium 2: of,
          involving, or induced by an opioid substance or an opioid
          peptide

   opioid peptide
          [opioid peptide] n (1976): any of a group of endogenous neural
          polypeptides (as an endorphin or enkephalin) that bind
          esp. to opiate receptors and mimic some of the pharmacological
          properties of opiate drugs--called also opioid

   opisthobranch
          [opis.tho.branch] n, pl -branchs [NL Opisthobranchia, fr.
          Gk opisthen behind (akin to Gk epi on) + branchia gills--more
          at epi-] (ca. 1856): any of a subclass (Opisthobranchia)
          of marine gastropod mollusks that have the gills when
          present posterior to the heart and often lack a shell
          -- opisthobranch adj

   opium
          [opi.um] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk opion, fr. dim. of opos sap]
          (14c) 1: a bitter brownish addictive narcotic drug that
          consists of the dried juice of the opium poppy 2: something
          having an effect like that of opium

   opium poppy
          [opium poppy] n (1863): an annual Eurasian poppy (Papaver
          somniferum) cultivated since antiquity as the source
          of opium, for its edible oily seeds, or for its showy
          flowers

   opossum
          [opos.sum] n, pl opossums also opossum [Virginia Algonquian,
          lit., white animal] (1610) 1: any of a family (Didelphidae)
          of American marsupials that usu. have a pointed snout
          and prehensile tail; esp: a common omnivorous largely
          nocturnal and arboreal mammal (Didelphis virginiana)
          of No. America having grayish to blackish fur with white
          on the cheeks 2: any of several Australian phalangers

   opp
          [opp] abbreviation opposite

   [1]opponent
          [op.po.nent] n [L opponent-, opponens, prp. of opponere]
          (1588) 1: one that takes an opposite position (as in
          a debate, contest, or conflict) 2: a muscle that opposes
          or counteracts and limits the action of another [2]opponent
          adj (1647) 1: antagonistic, opposing 2: situated in front

   opportune
          [op.por.tune] adj [ME, fr. MF opportun, fr. L opportunus,
          fr. ob- toward + portus port, harbor--more at ob-, ford]
          (15c) 1: suitable or convenient for a particular occurrence
          <an ~ moment> 2: occurring at an appropriate time <an
          ~ offer of assistance> -- op.por.tune.ly adv -- op.por.tune.ness
          n

   opportunism
          [op.por.tun.ism] n (1870): the art, policy, or practice of
          taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances often
          with little regard for principles or consequences --
          op.por.tun.ist n or adj

   opportunistic
          [op.por.tu.nis.tic] adj (1892): taking advantage of opportunities
          as they arise: as a: exploiting opportunities with little
          regard to principle or consequences <a politician considered
          ~> b: feeding on whatever food is available <~ feeders>
          c: being or caused by a usu. harmless microorganism that
          can become pathogenic when the host's resistance is impaired
          <~ infections> -- op.por.tu.nis.ti.cal.ly adv

   opportunity
          [op.por.tu.ni.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: a favorable juncture
          of circumstances <the halt provided an ~ for rest and
          refreshment> 2: a good chance for advancement or progress

   opportunity cost
          [opportunity cost] n (1911): the cost of making an investment
          that is the difference between the return on one investment
          and the return on an alternative

   opposable
          [op.pos.able] adj (1667) 1: capable of being opposed or resisted
          2: capable of being placed against one or more of the
          remaining digits of a hand or foot <the ~ human thumb>
          -- op.pos.abil.i.ty n

   oppose
          [op.pose] vt op.posed ; op.pos.ing [F opposer, fr. L opponere
          (perf. indic. opposui), fr. ob- against + ponere to place--more
          at ob-, position] (1579) 1: to place opposite or against
          something 2: to place over against something so as to
          provide resistance, counterbalance, or contrast 3: to
          offer resistance to -- op.pos.er n syn oppose, combat,
          resist, withstand mean to set oneself against someone
          or something. oppose can apply to any conflict, from
          mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare <opposed
          the plan>. combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering
          of something <combat disease>. resist implies an overt
          recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive
          effort to counteract or repel it <resisting temptation>.
          withstand suggests a more passive resistance <trying
          to withstand peer pressure>.

   opposed
          [op.posed] adj (1596): set or placed in opposition: contrary
          <with politicians, as ~ to soap, you cannot return what
          you have bought --Felix G. Rohatyn>

   opposeless
          [op.pose.less] adj (1605) archaic: irresistible

   [1]opposite
          [op.po.site] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L oppositus, pp. of opponere]
          (14c) 1 a: set over against something that is at the
          other end or side of an intervening line or space <~
          interior angles> <~ ends of a diameter> b: situated in
          pairs on an axis with each member being separated from
          the other by half the circumference of the axis <~ leaves>--compare
          alternate 2 a: occupying an opposing and often antagonistic
          position <~ sides of the question> b: diametrically different (as
          in nature or character) <~ meanings> 3: contrary to one another
          or to a thing specified: reverse <gave them ~ directions> 4: being
          the other of a pair that are corresponding or complementary
          in position, function, or nature <members of the ~ sex> 5: of,
          relating to, or being the side of a baseball field that is near the
          first base line for a right-handed batter and near the third base
          line for a left-handed batter -- op.po.site.ly adv
          -- op.po.site.ness n syn opposite, contradictory, contrary,
          antithetical mean being so far apart as to be or seem
          irreconcilable. opposite applies to things in sharp contrast
          or in conflict <opposite views on foreign aid>. contradictory
          applies to two things that completely negate each other so that
          if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid <made
          contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise
          or fall>. contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical
          opposition <contrary assessments of the war situation>.
          antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition
          <a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy>.
          [2]opposite n (15c) 1: something that is opposed to some other
          often specified thing 2: antonym 3: additive inverse; esp: the
          additive inverse of a real number [3]opposite adv (1667):
          on or to an opposite side [4]opposite prep (1758) 1: across from
          and usu. facing or on the same level with <sat ~ each other>
          2: in a role complementary to <played ~ the leading man in the
          comedy>

   opposite number
          [opposite number] n (1906): a member of a system or class
          who holds relatively the same position as a particular
          member in a corresponding system or class: counterpart

   opposition
          [op.po.si.tion] n (14c) 1: a configuration in which one celestial
          body is opposite another in the sky or in which the elongation
          is near or equal to 180 degrees 2: the relation between
          two propositions having the same subject and predicate
          but differing in quantity or quality or both 3: an act
          of setting opposite or over against: the condition of
          being so set 4: hostile or contrary action or condition
          5 a: something that opposes; specif: a body of persons
          opposing something b often cap: a political party opposing
          and prepared to replace the party in power -- op.po.si.tion.al
          adj

   oppositionist
          [op.po.si.tion.ist] n (1773): a member of an opposition --
          oppositionist adj

   oppress
          [op.press] vt [ME, fr. MF oppresser, fr. L oppressus, pp.
          of opprimere, fr. ob- against + premere to press--more
          at ob-, press] (14c) 1 a archaic: suppress b: to crush
          or burden by abuse of power or authority 2: to burden
          spiritually or mentally: weigh heavily upon syn see wrong
          -- op.pres.sor n

   oppression
          [op.pres.sion] n (14c) 1 a: unjust or cruel exercise of authority
          or power b: something that oppresses esp. in being an
          unjust or excessive exercise of power 2: a sense of being
          weighed down in body or mind: depression

   oppressive
          [op.pres.sive] adj (ca. 1677) 1: unreasonably burdensome
          or severe <~ legislation> 2: tyrannical 3: overwhelming
          or depressing to the spirit or senses <an ~ climate>
          syn see onerous -- op.pres.sive.ly adv -- op.pres.sive.ness
          n

   opprobrious
          [op.pro.bri.ous] adj (14c) 1: expressive of opprobrium: scurrilous
          <~ language> 2: deserving of opprobrium: infamous --
          op.pro.bri.ous.ly adv -- op.pro.bri.ous.ness n

   opprobrium
          [op.pro.bri.um] n [L, fr. opprobrare to reproach, fr. ob
          in the way of + probrum reproach; akin to L pro forward
          and to L ferre to carry, bring--more at ob-, for, bear]
          (1656) 1: something that brings disgrace 2 a: public
          disgrace or ill fame that follows from conduct considered
          grossly wrong or vicious b: contempt, reproach

   oppugn
          [op.pugn] vt [ME, fr. L oppugnare, fr. ob- against + pugnare
          to fight--more at ob-, pungent] (15c) 1: to fight against
          2: to call in question -- op.pugn.er n

   Ops
          [Ops] n [L]: the Roman goddess of abundance and the wife
          of Saturn

   opsin
          [op.sin] n [prob. fr. rhodopsin] (1951): any of various colorless
          proteins that in combination with retinal or a related
          prosthetic group form a visual pigment (as rhodopsin)
          in a reaction which is reversed by light

   -opsis
          [-opsis] n comb form, pl -opses or -opsides [NL, fr. Gk,
          fr. opsis appearance, vision]: structure resembling a
          (specified) thing <caryopsis>

   opsonic
          [op.son.ic] adj (1903): of, relating to, or involving opsonin

   opsonin
          [op.so.nin] n [L opsonare to buy provisions, cater (fr. Gk
          opsonein) + E [1]-in--more at oligopsony] (1903): an
          antibody of blood serum that makes foreign cells more
          susceptible to the action of the phagocytes

   -opsy
          [-opsy] n comb form [Gk -opsia, fr. opsis]: examination <necropsy>

   opt
          [opt] abbreviation optical, optician, optics, option, optional

   opt
          [opt] vi [F opter, fr. L optare] (1877): to make a choice;
          esp: to decide in favor of something <~ed for a tax increase
          --Tom Wicker>

   optative
          [op.ta.tive] adj (15c) 1 a: of, relating to, or constituting
          a verbal mood that is expressive of wish or desire b:
          of, relating to, or constituting a sentence that is expressive
          of wish or hope 2: expressing desire or wish -- optative
          n -- op.ta.tive.ly adv

   [1]optic
          [op.tic] adj [ME, fr. MF optique, fr. ML opticus, fr. Gk
          optikos, fr. opsesthai to be going to see; akin to Gk
          opsis appearance, ops eye--more at eye] (14c): of or
          relating to vision or the eye [2]optic n (1600) 1: eye
          2 a: any of the elements (as lenses, mirrors, or light
          guides) of an optical instrument or system--usu. used
          in pl. b: an optical instrument

   optical
          [op.ti.cal] adj (1570) 1: of or relating to the science of
          optics 2 a: of or relating to vision: visual b: visible
          1 <~ wavelength> c: of, relating to, or being objects
          that emit light in the visible range of frequencies <an
          ~ galaxy> d: using the properties of light to aid vision
          <an ~ instrument> 3 a: of, relating to, or utilizing
          light esp. instead of other forms of energy <~ microscopy>
          b: involving the use of light-sensitive devices to acquire
          information for a computer <~ character recognition>
          4: of or relating to optical art -- op.ti.cal.ly adv

   optical activity
          [optical activity] n (1877): ability of a chemical substance
          to rotate the plane of vibration of polarized light to
          the right or left

   optical art
          [optical art] n (1964): nonobjective art characterized by
          the use of straight or curved lines or geometric patterns
          often for an illusory effect (as of motion)

   optical bench
          [optical bench] n (1883): an apparatus that is fitted for
          the convenient location and adjustment of light sources
          and optical devices and that is used for the observation
          and measurement of optical phenomena

   optical disk
          [optical disk] n (1980): a disk with a plastic coating on
          which information (as music or visual images) is recorded
          digitally (as in the form of tiny pits) and which is
          read by using a laser

   optical fiber
          [optical fiber] n (1962): a single fiber-optic strand

   optical glass
          [optical glass] n (1840): flint or crown glass of well-defined
          characteristics used esp. for making lenses

   optical illusion
          [optical illusion] n (1794): illusion 2a(1)

   optically active
          [optically active] adj (1885): capable of rotating the plane
          of polarization of light to the right or left--used of
          compounds, molecules, or atoms

   optical rotation
          [optical rotation] n (1895): the angle through which the
          plane of vibration of polarized light that traverses
          an optically active substance is rotated

   optic axis
          [optic axis] n (1664): a line in a doubly refracting medium
          that is parallel to the direction in which all components
          of plane-polarized light travel with the same speed

   optic chiasma
          [optic chiasma] n (1872): the X-shaped partial decussation
          on the undersurface of the hypothalamus through which
          the optic nerves are continuous with the brain--called
          also optic chiasm

   optic cup
          [optic cup] n (ca. 1885): the optic vesicle after invaginating
          to form a 2-layered cup from which the retina and pigmented
          layer of the eye will develop--called also eyecup

   optic disk
          [optic disk] n (ca. 1890): blind spot 1a

   optician
          [op.ti.cian] n (1687) 1: a maker of or dealer in optical
          items and instruments 2: a person who reads prescriptions
          for visual correction, orders lenses, and dispenses spectacles
          and contact lenses--compare ophthalmologist, optometrist

   optic lobe
          [optic lobe] n (1854): either of two prominences of the midbrain
          concerned with vision

   optic nerve
          [optic nerve] n (1615): either of the pair of nerves that
          comprise the 2d pair of cranial nerves, arise from the
          ventral part of the diencephalon, supply the retina,
          and conduct visual stimuli to the brain--see eye illustration

   optics
          [op.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1579): a science that
          deals with the genesis and propagation of light, the
          changes that it undergoes and produces, and other phenomena
          closely associated with it

   optic vesicle
          [optic vesicle] n (ca. 1885): an evagination of each lateral
          wall of the embryonic vertebrate forebrain from which
          the nervous structures of the eye develop

   optimal
          [op.ti.mal] adj (1890): most desirable or satisfactory: optimum
          -- op.ti.mal.i.ty n -- op.ti.mal.ly adv

   optimisation, optimise
          [op.ti.mi.sa.tion, op.ti.mise] Brit var of optimization,
          optimize

   optimism
          [op.ti.mism] n [F optimisme, fr. L optimum, n., best, fr.
          neut. of optimus best; akin to L ops power--more at opulent]
          (1759) 1: a doctrine that this world is the best possible
          world 2: an inclination to put the most favorable construction
          upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible
          outcome -- op.ti.mist n -- op.ti.mis.tic adj -- op.ti.mis.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   Optimist
          [Op.ti.mist] n [Optimist (Club)] (1911): a member of a major
          international service club

   optimization
          [op.ti.mi.za.tion] n (1857): an act, process, or methodology
          of making something (as a design, system, or decision)
          as fully perfect, functional, or effective as possible;
          specif: the mathematical procedures (as finding the maximum
          of a function) involved in this

   optimize
          [op.ti.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1857): to make as perfect,
          effective, or functional as possible -- op.ti.miz.er
          n

   optimum
          [op.ti.mum] n, pl -ma also -mums [L] (1879) 1: the amount
          or degree of something that is most favorable to some
          end; esp: the most favorable condition for the growth
          and reproduction of an organism 2: greatest degree attained
          or attainable under implied or specified conditions --
          optimum adj

   [1]option
          [op.tion] n [F, fr. L option-, optio free choice; akin to
          L optare to choose] (ca. 1604) 1: an act of choosing
          2 a: the power or right to choose: freedom of choice
          b: a privilege of demanding fulfillment of a contract
          on any day within a specified time c: a contract conveying
          a right to buy or sell designated securities, commodities,
          or property interest at a specified price during a stipulated
          period; also: the right conveyed by an option d: a right
          of an insured person to choose the form in which payments
          due on a policy shall be made or applied 3: something
          that may be chosen: as a: an alternative course of action
          <didn't have many ~s open> b: an item that is offered
          in addition to or in place of standard equipment 4: an
          offensive football play in which a back may choose whether
          to pass or run with the ball--called also option play
          syn see choice [2]option vt (1926): to grant or take
          an option on

   optional
          [op.tion.al] adj (1792): involving an option: not compulsory
          -- op.tion.al.i.ty n -- op.tion.al.ly adv

   opto-
          [opto-] comb form [Gk optos, verbal of opsesthai--more at
          optic] 1: vision <optometry> 2: optic and <optoelectronics>

   optoelectronics
          [op.to.elec.tron.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1959): a branch
          of electronics that deals with electronic devices for
          emitting, modulating, transmitting, and sensing light
          -- op.to.elec.tron.ic adj

   optokinetic
          [op.to.ki.net.ic] adj (1925): of, relating to, or involving
          movements of the eyes

   optometrist
          [op.tom.e.trist] n (1903): a specialist licensed to practice
          optometry--compare ophthalmologist, optician

   optometry
          [op.tom.e.try] n [ISV] (1886): the art or profession of examining
          the eye for defects and faults of refraction and prescribing
          correctional lenses or exercises -- op.to.met.ric adj

   opt out
          [opt out] vi (1951): to choose not to participate
          in something--often used with of <opted out of the project>

   opulence
          [op.u.lence] n (ca. 1510) 1: wealth, affluence 2: abundance,
          profusion

   opulent
          [op.u.lent] adj [L opulentus, fr. ops power, help; akin to
          L opus work] (1601): exhibiting or characterized by opulence:
          as a: having a large estate or property: wealthy <hoping
          to marry an ~ widow> b: amply or plentifully provided
          or fashioned often to the point of ostentation <living
          in ~ comfort> syn see rich -- op.u.lent.ly adv

   opuntia
          [opun.tia] n [L, a plant, fr. fem. of opuntius of Opus, fr.
          Opunt-, Opus Opus, ancient city in Greece] (1601): any
          of a large genus (Opuntia) of cacti with usu. yellow
          flowers and flat or terete joints usu. studded with tubercles
          bearing spines or prickly hairs--compare cholla, prickly
          pear

   opus
          [opus] n, pl op.era also opus.es [L oper-, opus--more at
          operate] (1809): work; esp: a musical composition or
          set of compositions usu. numbered in the order of its
          issue

   opuscule
          [opus.cule] n [F, fr. L opusculum, dim. of opus] (ca. 1656):
          a small or petty work: opusculum

   opusculum
          [opus.cu.lum] n, pl -la [L] (1654): a minor work
          (as of literature)--usu. used in pl.

   or...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]-or
          [-or] n suffix [ME, fr. OF -eur, -eor & L -or; OF -eur, fr.
          L -or; OF -eor, fr. L -ator, fr. -a-, v. stem + -tor,
          agent suffix; akin to Gk -tor, agent suffix, Skt -ta]:
          one that does a (specified) thing <grantor> [2]-or n
          suffix [ME, fr. OF -eur, fr. L -or]: condition: activity
          <demeanor>

   OR
          [OR] abbreviation operating room, operational research, operations
          research, Oregon, owner's risk, own recognizance

   [1]or
          [or] conj [ME, alter. of other, alter. of OE oththe; akin
          to OHG eddo or] (13c) 1--used as a function word to indicate
          an alternative <coffee ~ tea> <sink ~ swim>, the equivalent
          or substitutive character of two words or phrases <lessen
          ~ abate>, or approximation or uncertainty <in five ~
          six days> 2 archaic: either 3 archaic: whether 4--used
          in logic as a sentential connective that forms a complex
          sentence which is true when at least one of its constituent
          sentences is true--compare disjunction [2]or prep [ME,
          fr. or, adv., early, before, fr. ON ar; akin to OE aer
          early--more at ere] (13c) archaic: before [3]or conj
          (13c) archaic: before [4]or n [ME, fr. MF, gold, fr.
          L aurum--more at aureus] (15c): the heraldic color gold
          or yellow OR n [[1]or] (1947): a logical operator that
          requires either of two inputs to be present or conditions
          to be met for an output to be made or a statement to
          be executed <~ gate in a computer>

   ora
          [ora] pl of os

   orache
          [or.ache] or or.ach n [ME orage, arage, fr. MF arrache, fr.
          (assumed) VL atrapic-, atrapex, fr. Gk atraphaxys] (13c):
          any of various herbs (genus Atriplex) of the goosefoot
          family that include some (as A. hortensis) used as potherbs

   oracle
          [or.a.cle] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L oraculum, fr. orare to speak--more
          at oration] (15c) 1 a: a person (as a priestess of ancient Greece)
          through whom a deity is believed to speak b: a shrine in which
          a deity reveals hidden knowledge or the divine purpose through such
          a person c: an answer or decision given by an oracle 2 a: a person
          giving wise or authoritative decisions or opinions
          b: an authoritative or wise expression or answer

   oracular
          [orac.u.lar] adj [L oraculum] (1678) 1: of, relating to,
          or being an oracle 2: resembling an oracle (as in solemnity
          of delivery) syn see dictatorial -- orac.u.lar.i.ty n
          -- orac.u.lar.ly adv

   [1]oral
          [oral] adj [L or-, os mouth; akin to ON oss mouth of a river,
          Skt as mouth] (1628) 1 a: uttered by the mouth or in
          words: spoken b: using speech or the lips esp. in teaching
          the deaf 2 a: of, given through, or involving the mouth
          b: being on or relating to the same surface as the mouth
          3 a: of, relating to, or characterized by the first stage
          of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory
          during which libidinal gratification is derived from
          intake (as of food), by sucking, and later by biting
          b: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits
          of passive dependency and aggressiveness -- oral.i.ty
          n -- oral.ly adv [2]oral n (1876): an oral examination--usu.
          used in pl.

   oral history
          [oral history] n (1955) 1: tape-recorded historical information
          obtained in interviews concerning personal experiences
          and recollections; also: the study of such information
          2: a written work based on oral history -- oral historian
          n

   oralism
          [oral.ism] n (1883): advocacy or use of the oral method of
          teaching the deaf -- oral.ist n

   orang
          [orang] n [by shortening] (1778): orangutan

   [1]orange
          [or.ange] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OProv auranja, fr. Ar naranj,
          fr. Per narang, fr. Skt naranga orange tree] (14c) 1
          a: a globose berry with a yellowish to reddish orange
          rind and a sweet edible pulp b: any of various rather
          small evergreen trees (genus Citrus) with ovate unifoliolate
          leaves, hard yellow wood, fragrant white flowers, and
          fruits that are oranges 2: any of several trees or fruits
          resembling the orange 3: any of a group of colors that
          lie midway between red and yellow in hue [2]orange adj
          (1542) 1: of or relating to the orange 2: of the color
          orange Orange adj (1795): of, relating to, or sympathizing
          with Orangemen -- Or.ange.ism n

   orangeade
          [or.ange.ade] n [F, fr. orange + -ade] (1706): a beverage
          of sweetened orange juice mixed with water

   orange chromide
          [orange chromide] n [chromide, ultim. fr. Gk chromis, a sea
          fish] (1933): a brilliant orange or yellow red-spotted
          fish (Etroplus maculatus) often kept in tropical aquariums

   orange hawkweed
          [orange hawkweed] n (ca. 1900): a European hawkweed (Hieracium
          aurantiacum) that has flower heads with bright orange-red
          rays and is a troublesome weed esp. in northeastern No.
          America

   Orangeman
          [Or.ange.man] n [William III of England, prince of Orange]
          (1796) 1: a member of a secret society organized in the
          north of Ireland in 1795 to defend the British sovereign
          and to support the Protestant religion 2: a Protestant
          Irishman esp. of Ulster

   orange peel
          [orange peel] n (ca. 1909): a rough surface (as on porcelain)
          like that of an orange

   orange pekoe
          [orange pekoe] n (ca. 1877): tea made from the smallest and
          youngest leaves of the shoot

   orangery
          [or.ange.ry] also or.ange.rie n, pl -ries (1664): a protected
          place and esp. a greenhouse for raising oranges in cool
          climates

   orangewood
          [or.ange.wood] n (1884): the wood of the orange tree used
          esp. in turnery and carving

   orangish
          [or.ang.ish] adj (1967): somewhat orange

   orangutan
          [orang.u.tan] n [Bazaar Malay (Malay-based pidgin), fr. Malay
          orang man + hutan forest] (1691): a largely herbivorous
          arboreal anthropoid ape (Pongo pygmaeus) of Borneo and
          Sumatra that is about two thirds as large as the gorilla
          and has brown skin, long sparse reddish brown hair, and
          very long arms

   orangy
          [or.angy] or or.ang.ey adj (1778): resembling or suggestive
          of an orange (as in flavor or color)

   ora pro nobis
          [ora pro no.bis] [L] foreign term : pray for us

   orate
          [orate] vi orat.ed ; orat.ing [back-formation fr. oration]
          (ca. 1600): to speak in an elevated and often pompous
          manner

   oration
          [ora.tion] n [L oration-, oratio speech, oration, fr. orare
          to plead, speak, pray; akin to Hitt ariya- to consult
          an oracle and perh. to Gk ara prayer] (1502): an elaborate
          discourse delivered in a formal and dignified manner

   orator
          [or.a.tor] n (15c) 1: one who delivers an oration 2: one
          distinguished for skill and power as a public speaker

   Oratorian
          [Or.a.to.ri.an] n (ca. 1656): a member of the Congregation
          of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri founded in Rome in
          1575 and comprising independent communities of secular
          priests under obedience but without vows -- Oratorian
          adj

   oratorical
          [or.a.tor.i.cal] adj (1589): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of an orator or oratory -- or.a.tor.i.cal.ly adv

   oratorio
          [or.a.to.rio] n, pl -ri.os [It, fr. the Oratorio di San Filippo
          Neri (Oratory of St. Philip Neri) in Rome] (ca. 1738):
          a lengthy choral work usu. of a religious nature consisting
          chiefly of recitatives, arias, and choruses without action
          or scenery

   [1]oratory
          [or.a.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ME oratorie, fr. LL oratorium,
          fr. L orare] (14c) 1: a place of prayer; esp: a private
          or institutional chapel 2 cap: an Oratorian congregation,
          house, or church [2]oratory n [L oratoria, fr. fem. of
          oratorius oratorical, fr. orare] (1593) 1: the art of
          speaking in public eloquently or effectively 2 a: public
          speaking that employs oratory b: public speaking that
          is characterized by the use of stock phrases and that
          appeals chiefly to the emotions

   [1]orb
          [orb] n [ME, fr. MF orbe, fr. L orbis circle, disk, orb]
          (14c) 1: any of the concentric spheres in old astronomy
          surrounding the earth and carrying the celestial bodies
          in their revolutions 2 archaic: something circular: circle,
          orbit 3: a spherical body; esp: a spherical celestial
          object 4: eye 5: a sphere surmounted by a cross symbolizing
          kingly power and justice [2]orb vt (1600) 1: to form
          into a disk or circle 2 archaic: encircle, surround,
          enclose ~ vi, archaic: to move in an orbit

   orbicular
          [or.bic.u.lar] adj [ME orbiculer, fr. MF or LL; MF orbiculaire,
          fr. LL orbicularis, fr. L orbiculus, dim. of orbis] (15c):
          spherical, circular -- or.bic.u.lar.ly adv

   orbiculate
          [or.bic.u.late] adj (ca. 1760): circular or nearly circular
          in outline <an ~ leaf>--see leaf illustration

   [1]orbit
          [or.bit] n [ME, fr. ML orbita, fr. L, rut, track, prob. fr.
          orbis] (15c): the bony socket of the eye -- or.bit.al
          adj [2]orbit n [L orbita path, rut, orbit] (1696) 1 a:
          a path described by one body in its revolution about
          another (as by the earth about the sun or by an electron
          about an atomic nucleus); also: one complete revolution
          of a body describing such a path b: a circular path 2:
          a range or sphere of activity or influence syn see range
          -- or.bit.al adj [3]orbit vt (1943) 1: to revolve in
          an orbit around: circle 2: to send up and make revolve
          in an orbit <~ a satellite> ~ vi: to travel in circles

   orbital
          [or.bit.al] n [orbital, adj.] (1932): a subdivision of a
          nuclear shell containing zero, one, or two electrons

   orbiter
          [or.bit.er] n (1951): one that orbits: as a: a spacecraft
          designed to orbit a celestial body without landing on
          its surface b: space shuttle

   orb weaver
          [orb weaver] n (1889): any of a family (Araneidae) of No.
          American spiders that have eight similar eyes and typically
          spin a large elaborate web

   orca
          [or.ca] n [NL Orca, genus name, fr. L, a whale, prob. modif.
          of Gk oryg-, oryx--more at oryx] (1866): killer whale

   Orcadian
          [Or.ca.di.an] n [L Orcades Orkney Islands] (1661): a native
          or inhabitant of the Orkney Islands -- Orcadian adj

   orch
          [orch] abbreviation orchestra

   orchard
          [or.chard] n [ME, fr. OE ortgeard, fr. ort- (fr. L hortus
          garden) + geard yard--more at yard] (bef. 12c): a planting
          of fruit trees, nut trees, or sugar maples; also: the
          trees of such a planting

   orchard grass
          [orchard grass] n (1765): a widely grown tall stout hay and
          pasture grass (Dactylis glomerata) that grows in tufts
          and has loose open panicles

   orchardist
          [or.chard.ist] n (1794): an owner or supervisor of orchards

   orchestra
          [or.ches.tra] n [L, fr. Gk orchestra, fr. orcheisthai to
          dance; perh. akin to Skt rghayati he trembles, he rages]
          (1606) 1 a: the circular space used by the chorus in
          front of the proscenium in an ancient Greek theater b:
          a corresponding semicircular space in a Roman theater
          used for seating important persons 2 a: the space in
          front of the stage in a modern theater that is used by
          an orchestra b: the forward section of seats on the main
          floor of a theater c: the main floor of a theater 3:
          a group of musicians including esp. string players organized
          to perform ensemble music--compare band

   orchestral
          [or.ches.tral] adj (ca. 1811) 1: of, relating to, or composed
          for an orchestra 2: suggestive of an orchestra or its
          musical qualities -- or.ches.tral.ly adv

   orchestrate
          [or.ches.trate] vt -trat.ed ; -trat.ing (1880) 1 a: to compose
          or arrange (music) for an orchestra b: to provide with
          orchestration <~ a ballet> 2: to arrange or combine so
          as to achieve a desired or maximum effect <orchestrated
          preparations for the banquet> -- or.ches.tra.tor also
          or.ches.trat.er n

   orchestration
          [or.ches.tra.tion] n (ca. 1859) 1: the arrangement of a musical
          composition for performance by an orchestra; also: orchestral
          treatment of a musical composition 2: harmonious organization
          <develop a world community through ~ of cultural diversities
          --L. K. Frank> -- or.ches.tra.tion.al adj

   orchid
          [or.chid] n [irreg. fr. NL Orchis] (1845) 1: any of a large
          family (Orchidaceae, the orchid family) of perennial
          epiphytic or terrestrial monocotyledonous plants that
          usu. have showy 3-petaled flowers with the middle petal
          enlarged into a lip and differing from the others in
          shape and color 2: a light purple -- or.chid.like adj

   orchidaceous
          [or.chi.da.ceous] adj [NL Orchidaceae, family name, fr. Orchis]
          (1838) 1: of, relating to, or resembling the orchids
          2: showy, ostentatious

   orchis
          [or.chis] n [NL, fr. L, orchid, fr. Gk, testicle, orchid;
          akin to MIr uirgge testicle] (1562): orchid; esp: any
          of a genus (Orchis) with fleshy roots and a spurred lip

   ord
          [ord] abbreviation order, ordnance

   ordain
          [or.dain] vb [ME ordeinen, fr. OF ordener, fr. LL ordinare,
          fr. L, to put in order, appoint, fr. ordin-, ordo order]
          vt (14c) 1: to invest officially (as by the laying on
          of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority 2 a:
          to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law:
          enact b: destine, foreordain ~ vi: to issue an order
          -- or.dain.er n -- or.dain.ment n

   ordeal
          [or.deal] n [ME ordal, fr. OE ordal; akin to OHG urteil judgment,
          OE dal division--more at deal] (bef. 12c) 1: a primitive
          means used to determine guilt or innocence by submitting
          the accused to dangerous or painful tests believed to
          be under supernatural control <~ by fire> 2: a severe
          trial or experience

   [1]order
          [or.der] vb or.dered ; or.der.ing [ME, fr. ordre, n.] vt
          (13c) 1: to put in order: arrange 2 a: to give an order
          to: command b: destine, ordain c: to command to go or
          come to a specified place d: to give an order for <~
          a meal> ~ vi 1: to bring about order: regulate 2 a: to
          issue orders: command b: to give or place an order --
          or.der.able adj -- or.der.er n syn order, arrange, marshal,
          organize, systematize, methodize mean to put persons
          or things into their proper places in relation to each
          other. order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate
          confusion <ordered her business affairs>. arrange implies
          a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment <arranged
          the files numerically>. marshal suggests gathering and
          arranging in preparation for a particular operation or
          effective use <marshaling the facts for argument>. organize
          implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as
          a unit with each element having a proper function <organized
          the volunteers into teams>. systematize implies arranging
          according to a predetermined scheme <systematized billing
          procedures>. methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure
          rather than a fixed scheme <meth odizes every aspect
          of daily living>. syn see in addition command [2]order
          n [ME, fr. MF ordre, fr. ML & L; ML ordin-, ordo ecclesiastical
          order, fr. L, arrangement, group, class; akin to L ordiri
          to lay the warp, begin] (14c) 1 a: a group of people
          united in a formal way: as (1): a fraternal society <the
          Masonic Order> (2): a community under a religious rule;
          esp: one requiring members to take solemn vows b: a badge
          or medal of such a society; also: a military decoration
          2 a: any of the several grades of the Christian ministry
          b pl: the office of a person in the Christian ministry
          c pl: ordination 3 a: a rank, class, or special group
          in a community or society b: a class of persons or things
          grouped according to quality, value, or natural characteristics:
          as (1): a category of taxonomic classification ranking
          above the family and below the class (2): the broadest
          category in soil classification 4 a (1): rank, level
          <a statesman of the first ~> (2): category, class <in
          emergencies of this ~ --R. B. Westerfield> b (1): the
          arrangement or sequence of objects or of events in time
          <listed the items in ~ of importance> (2): a sequential
          arrangement of mathematical elements c: degree 12a, b
          d (1): the number of times differentiation is applied
          successively <derivatives of higher ~> (2) of a differential
          equation: the order of the derivative of highest order
          e: the number of columns or rows or columns and rows
          in a magic square, determinant, or matrix <the ~ of a
          matrix with 2 rows and 3 columns is 2 by 3> f: the number
          of elements in a finite mathematical group 5 a (1): a
          sociopolitical system <was opposed to changes in the
          established ~> (2): a particular sphere or aspect of
          a sociopolitical system <the present economic ~> b: a
          regular or harmonious arrangement <the ~ of nature> 6
          a: a prescribed form of a religious service: rite b:
          the customary mode of procedure esp. in debate <point
          of ~> 7 a: the state of peace, freedom from confused
          or unruly behavior, and respect for law or proper authority
          <promised to restore law and ~> b: a specific rule, regulation,
          or authoritative direction: command 8 a: a style of building
          b: a type of column and entablature forming the unit
          of a style 9 a: state or condition esp. with regard to
          functioning or repair <things were in terrible ~> b:
          a proper, orderly, or functioning condition <their passports
          were in ~> <the phone is out of ~> 10 a: a written direction
          to pay money to someone b: a commission to purchase,
          sell, or supply goods or to perform work c: goods or
          items bought or sold d: an assigned or requested undertaking
          <landing men on the moon was a large ~> 11: order of
          the day <flat ro adj -- in order : appropriate, desirable
          <an apology is in order> -- in order to : for the purpose
          of -- on order : in the process of being ordered -- on
          the order of 1: after the fashion of: like <much on the
          order of Great Lakes bulk carriers --Ships and the Sea>
          2: about, approximately <spent on the order of two million
          dollars> -- to order : according to the specifications
          of an order <shoes made to order>

   order arms
          [order arms] n [fr. the command order arms]] (1844) 1: a
          position in the manual of arms in which the rifle is
          held vertically beside the right leg with the butt resting
          on the ground 2: a command to return the rifle to order
          arms from present arms or to drop the hand from a hand
          salute

   ordered
          [or.dered] adj (1579): characterized by order: as a: marked
          by regularity or discipline <led an ~ life> b: marked
          by regular or harmonious arrangement or disposition <an
          ~ landscape> <the ~ crystal structure> c: having elements
          arranged or identified according to a rule: as (1): having
          the property that every pair of different elements is
          related by a transitive relationship that is not symmetric
          (2): having elements labeled by ordinal numbers <an ~
          triple has a first, second, and third element>

   orderliness
          [or.der.li.ness] n (1571): the quality or state of being
          orderly

   [1]orderly
          [or.der.ly] adj (ca. 1577) 1 a (1): arranged or disposed
          in some order or pattern: regular <~ rows of houses>
          (2): not marked by disorder: tidy <keeps an ~ desk> b:
          governed by law: regulated <an ~ universe> c: methodical
          <an ~ mind> 2: well behaved: peaceful <an ~ crowd> --
          orderly adv [2]orderly n, pl -lies (1781) 1: a soldier
          assigned to perform various services (as carrying messages)
          for a superior officer 2: a hospital attendant who does
          routine or heavy work (as cleaning, carrying supplies,
          or moving patients)

   order of business
          [order of business] [order of business (predetermined sequence
          of matters to be dealt with by an assembly)] (ca. 1890):
          a matter which must be dealt with: task <the discipline
          problem was the first order of business at the meeting
          of the school board>

   order of magnitude
          [order of magnitude] (1875): a range of magnitude extending
          from some value to ten times that value

   order of the day
          [order of the day] (1698) 1: the business or tasks appointed
          for an assembly for a given day 2: the characteristic
          or dominant feature or activity <growth and change are
          the order of the day in every field --Ruth G. Strickland>

   [1]ordinal
          [or.di.nal] n (14c) 1 cap [ME, fr. ML ordinale, fr. LL, neut.
          of ordinalis]: a book of rites for the ordination of
          deacons, priests, and bishops 2 [LL ordinalis, fr. ordinalis,
          adj.]: ordinal number [2]ordinal adj [LL ordinalis, fr.
          L ordin-, ordo] (1599) 1: of a specified order or rank
          in a series 2: of or relating to a taxonomic order

   ordinal number
          [ordinal number] n (1607) 1: a number designating the place
          (as first, second, or third) occupied by an item in an
          ordered sequence 2: a number assigned to an ordered set
          that designates both the order of its elements and its
          cardinal number

   ordinance
          [or.di.nance] n [ME, fr. MF & ML; MF ordenance, lit., act
          of arranging, fr. ML ordinantia, fr. L ordinant-, ordinans,
          prp. of ordinare to put in order--more at ordain] (14c)
          1 a: an authoritative decree or direction: order b: a
          law set forth by a governmental authority; specif: a
          municipal regulation 2: something ordained or decreed
          by fate or a deity 3: a prescribed usage, practice, or
          ceremony syn see law

   ordinand
          [or.di.nand] n [LL ordinandus, gerundive of ordinare to ordain]
          (ca. 1842): a candidate for ordination

   [1]ordinary
          [or.di.nary] n, pl -nar.ies [ME ordinarie, fr. AF & ML; AF,
          fr. ML ordinarius, fr. L ordinarius, adj.] (14c) 1 a
          (1): a prelate exercising original jurisdiction over
          a specified territory or group (2): a clergyman appointed
          formerly in England to attend condemned criminals b:
          a judge of probate in some states of the U.S. 2 often
          cap: the parts of the Mass that do not vary from day
          to day 3: the regular or customary condition or course
          of things--usu. used in the phrase out of the ordinary
          4 a Brit: a meal served to all comers at a fixed price
          b chiefly Brit: a tavern or eating house serving regular
          meals 5: a common heraldic charge (as the bend) of simple
          form [2]ordinary adj [ME ordinarie, fr. L ordinarius,
          fr. ordin-, ordo order] (15c) 1: of a kind to be expected
          in the normal order of events: routine, usual 2: having
          or constituting immediate or original jurisdiction; also:
          belonging to such jurisdiction 3 a: of common quality,
          rank, or ability b: deficient in quality: poor, inferior
          syn see common -- or.di.nar.i.ly adv -- or.di.nar.i.ness
          n

   ordinary-language philosophy
          [ordinary-language philosophy] n (1957): a trend in philosophical
          analysis that seeks to resolve philosophical perplexity
          by revealing sources of puzzlement in the misunderstanding
          of ordinary language

   Ordinary level
          [Ordinary level] n (1947): o level

   ordinary seaman
          [ordinary seaman] n (1702): a seaman of some experience but
          not as skilled as an able seaman

   ordinary share
          [ordinary share] n (1891) Brit: a share of common stock

   ordinate
          [or.di.nate] n [NL (linea) ordinate (applicata), lit., line
          applied in an orderly manner] (1676): the Cartesian coordinate
          obtained by measuring parallel to the y-axis--compare
          abscissa

   ordination
          [or.di.na.tion] n (14c): the act or an instance of ordaining:
          the state of being ordained

   ordnance
          [ord.nance] n [ME ordinaunce, fr. MF ordenance, lit., act
          of arranging] (14c) 1 a: military supplies including
          weapons, ammunition, combat vehicles, and maintenance
          tools and equipment b: a service of the army charged
          with the procuring, distributing, and safekeeping of
          ordnance 2: cannon, artillery

   ordo
          [or.do] n, pl ordos or or.di.nes [ML, fr. L, order] (1849):
          a list of offices and feasts of the Roman Catholic Church
          for each day of the year

   ordonnance
          [or.don.nance] n [F, alter. of MF ordenance] (1644): disposition
          of the parts (as of a literary composition) with regard
          to one another and the whole: arrangement

   Ordovician
          [Or.do.vi.cian] adj [L Ordovices, ancient people in northern
          Wales] (1879): of, relating to, or being the period between
          the Cambrian and the Silurian or the corresponding system
          of rocks--see geologic time table -- Ordovician n

   ordure
          [or.dure] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ord filthy, fr. L horridus horrid]
          (14c) 1: excrement 2: something that is morally degrading

   Ore
          [Ore] or Oreg abbreviation Oregon

   [1]ore
          [ore] n, often attrib [ME or, oor, partly fr. OE ora ore;
          partly fr. OE ar brass; akin to OHG er bronze, L aes
          copper, bronze] (bef. 12c) 1: a mineral containing a
          valuable constituent (as metal) for which it is mined
          and worked 2: a source from which valuable matter is
          extracted [2]ore n, pl ore [Sw ore & Dan & Norw ore]
          (1716): a monetary unit equal to 1/100 krona (Sweden)
          or 1/100 krone (Denmark)

   oread
          [ore.ad] n [ME oreades, pl., fr. L oread-, oreas, fr. Gk
          oreiad-, oreias, fr. oreios of a mountain, fr. oros mountain--more
          at orient] (14c): any of the nymphs of mountains and hills in Greek
          mythology

   ore dressing
          [ore dressing] n (1862): mechanical preparation (as by crushing)
          and concentration (as by flotation) of ore

   oregano
          [oreg.a.no] n [AmerSp oregano, fr. Sp, wild marjoram, fr.
          L origanum--more at origanum] (1771) 1: a bushy perennial
          mint (Origanum vulgare) that is used as a seasoning and
          a source of aromatic oil--called also origanum, wild
          marjoram 2: any of several plants (genera Lippia and
          Coleus) other than oregano of the vervain or mint families

   Oregon grape
          [Or.e.gon grape] n [Oregon, state of the U.S.] (1869): an
          evergreen shrub (Mahonia aquifolium) of the barberry
          family that has yellow flowers, bears edible bluish black
          berries, and is native to western No. America

   Oreo
          [Or.eo] n [fr. Oreo, trademark for a chocolate cookie with
          a white cream filling] (1969): a black person who adopts
          the characteristic mentality and behavior of white middle-class
          society--usu. used disparagingly

   ore rotundo
          [ore ro.tun.do] [L] foreign term : with round mouth: eloquently

   Orestes
          [Ores.tes] n [L, fr. Gk Orestes]: the son of Agamemnon and
          Clytemnestra who with his sister Electra avenges his
          father by killing his mother and her lover Aegisthus

   org
          [org] abbreviation organic, organization, organized

   organ
          [or.gan] n [ME, partly fr. OE organa, fr. L organum, fr.
          Gk organon, lit., tool, instrument; partly fr. OF organe,
          fr. L organum; akin to Gk ergon work--more at work] (bef.
          12c) 1 a archaic: any of various musical instruments;
          esp: wind instrument b (1): a wind instrument consisting
          of sets of pipes made to sound by compressed air and
          controlled by keyboards and producing a variety of musical
          effects--called also pipe organ (2): reed organ (3):
          an instrument in which the sound and resources of the
          pipe organ are approximated by means of electronic devices
          (4): any of various similar cruder instruments 2 a: a
          differentiated structure (as a heart, kidney, leaf, or
          stem) consisting of cells and tissues and performing
          some specific function in an organism b: bodily parts
          performing a function or cooperating in an activity <the
          eyes and related structures that make up the visual ~s>
          3: a subordinate group or organization that performs
          specialized functions <the various ~s of government>
          4: periodical

   organ-
          [organ-] or organo- comb form [ME, fr. ML, fr. L organum]
          1: organ <organogenesis> 2: organic <organomercurial>

   organdy
          [or.gan.dy] also or.gan.die n, pl -dies [F organdi] (1835):
          a very fine transparent muslin with a stiff finish

   organelle
          [or.gan.elle] n [NL organella, fr. L organum] (1920): a specialized
          cellular part (as a mitochondrion, lysosome, or ribosome) that
          is analogous to an organ

   organ-grinder
          [or.gan-grind.er] n (ca. 1807): one that cranks a hand organ;
          esp: a street musician who operates a barrel organ

   [1]organic
          [or.gan.ic] adj (1517) 1 archaic: instrumental 2 a: of, relating
          to, or arising in a bodily organ b: affecting the structure
          of the organism 3 a (1): of, relating to, or derived
          from living organisms (2): of, relating to, yielding,
          or involving the use of food produced with the use of
          feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin without
          employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth
          stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides <~ farming> <~
          produce> b (1): of, relating to, or containing carbon
          compounds (2): relating to, being, or dealt with by a
          branch of chemistry concerned with the carbon compounds
          of living beings and most other carbon compounds 4 a:
          forming an integral element of a whole: fundamental <incidental
          music rather than ~ parts of the action --Francis Fergusson>
          b: having systematic coordination of parts: organized
          <an ~ whole> c: having the characteristics of an organism:
          developing in the manner of a living plant or animal
          <society is ~> 5: of, relating to, or constituting the
          law by which a government or organization exists -- or.gan.i.cal.ly
          adv -- or.ga.nic.i.ty n [2]organic n (1942): an organic substance:
          as a: a fertilizer of plant or animal origin b: a pesticide whose
          active component is an organic compound or a mixture of organic
          compounds

   organicism
          [or.gan.i.cism] n [ISV] (1883) 1 a: the explanation of life
          and living processes in terms of the levels of organization
          of living systems rather than in terms of the properties
          of their smallest components b: vitalism 2: any of various
          theories that attribute to society or the universe as
          a whole an existence or characteristics analogous to
          those of a biological organism -- or.gan.i.cist n or
          adj

   organisation, organise, organiser
          [or.ga.ni.sa.tion, or.ga.nise, or.ga.nis.er] Brit var of
          organization, organize, organizer

   organism
          [or.gan.ism] n (ca. 1774) 1: a complex structure of interdependent
          and subordinate elements whose relations and properties are largely
          determined by their function in the whole 2: an individual
          constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs
          separate in function but mutually dependent: a living being
          -- or.gan.is.mic also or.gan.is.mal adj -- or.gan.is.mi.cal.ly adv

   organist
          [or.gan.ist] n (1591): a person who plays the organ

   [1]organization
          [or.ga.ni.za.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act or process of organizing
          or of being organized b: the condition or manner of being
          organized 2 a: association, society <charitable ~s> b:
          an administrative and functional structure (as a business
          or a political party); also: the personnel of such a
          structure [2]organization adj (1949): characterized by
          complete conformity to the standards and requirements
          of an organization <an ~ man>

   organizational
          [or.ga.ni.za.tion.al] adj (1881) 1: of or relating to an
          organization: involving organization <the ~ state of
          a crystal> 2: organization -- or.ga.ni.za.tion.al.ly
          adv

   organize
          [or.ga.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vt (15c) 1: to cause to
          develop an organic structure 2: to form into a coherent
          unity or functioning whole: integrate <trying to ~ her
          thoughts> 3 a: to set up an administrative structure
          for b: to persuade to associate in an organization; esp:
          unionize 4: to arrange by systematic planning and united
          effort ~ vi 1: to undergo physical or organic organization
          2: to arrange elements into a whole of interdependent
          parts 3: to form an organization; specif: to form or
          persuade workers to join a union syn see order -- or.gan.iz.able
          adj

   organized
          [organized] adj (1817) 1: having a formal organization to
          coordinate and carry out activities <~ baseball> <~ crime>
          2: affiliated by membership in an organization (as a
          union) <~ steelworkers>

   organizer
          [or.ga.niz.er] n (1849) 1: one that organizes 2: a region
          of a developing embryo or a substance produced by such
          a region that is capable of inducing a specific type
          of development in undifferentiated tissue--called also
          inductor

   organochlorine
          [or.gan.o.chlo.rine] adj (1961): of, relating to, or belonging
          to the chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides (as aldrin,
          DDT, or dieldrin) -- organochlorine n

   organ of Corti
          [organ of Cor.ti] [Alfonso Corti d. 1876 Ital. anatomist]
          (1882): a complex epithelial structure in the cochlea
          that rests on the internal surface of the basilar membrane
          and in mammals is the chief part of the ear by which
          sound is directly perceived

   organogenesis
          [or.gan.o.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1860): the origin and development
          of bodily organs--compare morphogenesis -- or.gan.o.ge.net.ic adj

   organoleptic
          [or.gan.o.lep.tic] adj [F organoleptique, fr. organ- + Gk
          leptikos disposed to take, fr. lambanein to take--more
          at latch] (1852) 1: being, affecting, or relating to
          qualities (as taste, color, odor, and feel) of a substance
          (as a food or drug) that stimulate the sense organs 2:
          involving use of the sense organs <~ evaluation of foods>
          -- or.gan.o.lep.ti.cal.ly adv

   organology
          [or.ga.nol.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1842): the study of the organs
          of plants and animals

   organomercurial
          [or.gan.o.mer.cu.ri.al] n (1938): an organic compound or
          a pharmaceutical preparation containing mercury

   organometallic
          [or.gan.o.me.tal.lic] adj [ISV] (1852): of, relating to,
          or being an organic compound that usu. contains a metal
          or metalloid bonded directly to carbon -- organometallic
          n

   organon
          [or.ga.non] n [Gk, lit., tool--more at organ] (1610): an
          instrument for acquiring knowledge; specif: a body of
          principles of scientific or philosophic investigation

   organophosphate
          [or.gan.o.phos.phate] n (1949): an organophosphorus compound
          (as a pesticide) -- organophosphate adj

   organophosphorus
          [or.gan.o.phos.pho.rus] also or.gan.o.phos.pho.rous adj (1950):
          of, relating to, or being a phosphorus-containing organic
          compound and esp. a pesticide (as malathion) that acts
          by inhibiting cholinesterase -- organophosphorus n

   organ-pipe cactus
          [organ-pipe cactus] n (1908): any of several tall upright
          cacti (as Lemaireocereus thurberi or L. marginatus) of
          the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Mexico that usu. branch
          at the base to form several upright stems

   organum
          [or.ga.num] n [ML, fr. L, organ] (1614) 1: organon 2: early
          polyphony of the late Middle Ages that consists of one
          or more voice parts accompanying the cantus firmus in
          parallel motion usu. at a fourth, fifth, or octave above
          or below; also: a composition in this style

   organza
          [or.gan.za] n [prob. alter. of Lorganza, a trademark] (1820):
          a sheer dress fabric resembling organdy and usu. made
          of silk, rayon, or nylon

   organzine
          [or.gan.zine] n [F or It; F organsin, fr. It organzino] (1699):
          a raw silk yarn used for warp threads in fine fabrics

   orgasm
          [or.gasm] n [NL orgasmus, fr. Gk orgasmos, fr. organ to grow
          ripe, be lustful; prob. akin to Skt urja sap, strength]
          (ca. 1763): intense or paroxysmal excitement; esp: the
          climax of sexual excitement typically occurring toward
          the end of coitus -- or.gas.mic also or.gas.tic adj

   orgeat
          [or.geat] n [F, fr. MF, fr. orge barley, fr. L hordeum; akin
          to OHG gersta barley] (1754): a sweet almond-flavored
          nonalcoholic syrup used as a cocktail ingredient or food
          flavoring

   orgiastic
          [or.gi.as.tic] adj [Gk orgiastikos, fr. orgiazein to celebrate
          orgies, fr. orgia] (1698) 1: of, relating to, or marked
          by orgies 2: characterized by unrestrained emotion: frenzied
          -- or.gi.as.ti.cal.ly adv

   orgone
          [or.gone] n [prob. fr. orgasm + -one (as in hormone)] (1942):
          a vital energy held to pervade nature and be a factor
          in health in the theories of Wilhelm Reich

   orgulous
          [or.gu.lous] adj [ME, fr. OF orgueilleus, fr. orgueil pride,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG urguol distinguished] (13c):
          proud

   orgy
          [or.gy] n, pl orgies [MF orgie, fr. L orgia, pl., fr. Gk;
          akin to Gk ergon work--more at work] (ca. 1561) 1: secret
          ceremonial rites held in honor of an ancient Greek or
          Roman deity and usu. characterized by ecstatic singing
          and dancing 2 a: drunken revelry b: a sexual encounter
          involving many people; also: an excessive sexual indulgence
          3: something that resembles an orgy in lack of control
          or moderation <an ~ of destruction>

   -oria
          [-oria] pl of -orium

   -orial
          [-orial] adj suffix [ME, fr. L -orius -ory + ME -al]: of,
          belonging to, or connected with <combinatorial>

   oribatid
          [orib.a.tid] n [NL Oribatidae (coextensive with Oribatoidea),
          fr. Oribata, genus name, fr. Gk oribates walking the
          mountains, fr. oros mountain + -bates, fr. bainein to
          go--more at orient, come] (1875): any of a superfamily
          (Oribatoidea) of small oval eyeless nonparasitic mites
          having a heavily sclerotized integument with a leathery
          appearance -- oribatid adj

   oriel
          [ori.el] n [ME, porch, oriel, fr. MF oriol porch] (14c):
          a large bay window projecting from a wall and supported
          by a corbel or bracket

   [1]orient
          [ori.ent] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L orient-, oriens, fr. prp.
          of oriri to rise; akin to Skt rnoti he moves, arises,
          Gk ornynai to rouse, oros mountain] (14c) 1 archaic:
          east 1b 2 cap: east 2 3 a: a pearl of great luster b:
          the luster of a pearl [2]orient adj (15c) 1 archaic:
          oriental 1 2 a: lustrous, sparkling <~ gems> b archaic:
          radiant, glowing 3 archaic: rising in the sky [3]ori.ent
          vt [F orienter, fr. MF, fr. orient] (ca. 1741) 1 a: to
          cause to face or point toward the east; specif: to build
          (a church or temple) with the longitudinal axis pointing
          eastward and the chief altar at the eastern end b: to
          set or arrange in any determinate position esp. in relation
          to the points of the compass c: to ascertain the bearings
          of 2 a: to set right by adjusting to facts or principles
          b: to acquaint with the existing situation or environment
          3: to direct (as a book or film) toward the interests
          of a particular group 4: to cause the axes of the molecules
          of to assume the same direction

   oriental
          [ori.en.tal] adj (14c) 1 often cap: of, relating to, or situated
          in the Orient 2 a: of superior grade, luster, or value
          b: being corundum or sapphire but simulating another
          gem in color 3 often cap: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of Orientals 4 cap: of, relating
          to, or constituting the biogeographic region that includes
          Asia south and southeast of the Himalayas and the Malay
          Archipelago west of Wallace's line -- ori.en.tal.ly adv
          Oriental n (15c): a member of one of the indigenous peoples
          of the Orient

   oriental fruit moth
          [oriental fruit moth] n (1921): a small nearly cosmopolitan
          moth (Grapholita molesta) prob. of Japanese origin whose
          larva is injurious to the twigs and fruit of orchard
          trees and esp. the peach--called also oriental peach
          moth

   Orientalia
          [Ori.en.ta.lia] n pl [NL] (1903): materials concerning or
          characteristic of the Orient

   orientalism
          [ori.en.tal.ism] n, often cap (1769) 1: a trait, custom,
          or habit of expression characteristic of oriental peoples
          2: scholarship or learning in oriental subjects -- ori.en.tal.ist
          n, often cap

   orientalize
          [ori.en.tal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1823) often cap:
          to make oriental ~ vi, often cap: to become oriental

   Oriental poppy
          [Oriental poppy] n (1731): an Asian perennial poppy (Papaver
          orientale) that is commonly cultivated for its large
          showy flowers

   Oriental rug
          [Oriental rug] n (1881): a handwoven or hand-knotted one-piece
          rug or carpet made in the Orient--called also Oriental
          carpet

   orientate
          [ori.en.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing vt (1849): orient ~ vi:
          to face or turn to the east

   orientation
          [ori.en.ta.tion] n (1839) 1 a: the act or process of orienting
          or of being oriented b: the state of being oriented;
          broadly: arrangement, alignment 2: a usu. general or
          lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest
          3: change of position by organs, organelles, or organisms
          in response to external stimulus -- ori.en.ta.tion.al
          adj -- ori.en.ta.tion.al.ly adv

   oriented
          [ori.ent.ed] adj (1944): intellectually, emotionally, or
          functionally directed <humanistically ~ scholars>

   orienteer
          [ori.en.teer] n [back-formation fr. orienteering] (1965):
          one who engages in orienteering

   orienteering
          [ori.en.teer.ing] n [modif. of Sw orientering, fr. orientera
          to orient] (1948): a cross-country race in which each
          participant uses a map and compass to navigate between
          checkpoints along an unfamiliar course

   orifice
          [or.i.fice] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL orificium, fr. L or-, os
          mouth + facere to make, do--more at oral, do] (15c):
          an opening (as a vent, mouth, or hole) through which
          something may pass -- or.i.fi.cial adj

   oriflamme
          [ori.flamme] n [ME oriflamble, the banner of St. Denis, fr.
          MF, fr. ML aurea flamma, lit., golden flame] (1600):
          a banner, symbol, or ideal inspiring devotion or courage

   orig
          [orig] abbreviation original, originally, originator

   origami
          [ori.ga.mi] n [Jp, fr. ori fold + kami paper] (1956): the
          Japanese art or process of folding squares of paper into
          representational shapes

   origanum
          [orig.a.num] n [ME, fr. L, wild marjoram, fr. Gk origanon]
          (14c): any of several aromatic mints (esp. genus Origanum)
          used as seasonings; esp: oregano 1

   origin
          [or.i.gin] n [ME origine, prob. fr. MF, fr. L origin-, origo,
          fr. oriri to rise--more at orient] (15c) 1: ancestry,
          parentage 2 a: rise, beginning, or derivation from a
          source b: the point at which something begins or rises
          or from which it derives <the ~ of the custom is forgotten>;
          also: something that creates, causes, or gives rise to
          another <this spring is the ~ of the brook> 3: the more
          fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle 4: the
          intersection of coordinate axes syn origin, source, inception,
          root mean the point at which something begins its course
          or existence. origin applies to the things or persons
          from which something is ultimately derived and often
          to the causes operating before the thing itself comes
          into being <an investigation into the origin of baseball>.
          source applies more often to the point where something
          springs into being <the source of the Nile> <the source
          of recurrent trouble>. inception stresses the beginning
          of something without implying causes <the business has
          been a success since its inception>. root suggests a
          first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily
          discerned <the real root of the violence>.

   [1]original
          [orig.i.nal] n (14c) 1 archaic: the source or cause from
          which something arises; specif: originator 2 a: that
          from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is made
          b: a work composed firsthand 3 a: a person of fresh initiative
          or inventive capacity b: a unique or eccentric person
          [2]original adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          an origin or beginning: initial <the ~ part of the house>
          2 a: not secondary, derivative, or imitative b: being
          the first instance or source from which a copy, reproduction,
          or translation is or can be made 3: independent and creative
          in thought or action: inventive syn see new

   originality
          [orig.i.nal.i.ty] n (1742) 1: the quality or state of being
          original 2: freshness of aspect, design, or style 3:
          the power of independent thought or constructive imagination

   originally
          [orig.i.nal.ly] adv (14c) 1 archaic: by origin or derivation:
          inherently 2: in the beginning: in the first place: initially
          3: in a fresh or original manner

   original sin
          [original sin] n (14c): the state of sin that according to
          Christian theology characterizes all human beings as
          a result of Adam's fall

   originate
          [orig.i.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing vt (1667): to give rise
          to: initiate ~ vi: to take or have origin: begin syn
          see spring -- orig.i.na.tion n -- orig.i.na.tor n

   originative
          [orig.i.na.tive] adj (1827): having ability to originate:
          creative -- orig.i.na.tive.ly adv

   oriole
          [ori.ole] n [F oriol, fr. L aureolus, dim. of aureus golden--more
          at aureus] (1776) 1: any of various usu. brightly colored
          Old World passerine birds (family Oriolidae and esp.
          genus Oriolus) 2: any of various New World passerine
          birds (family Icteridae and esp. genus Icterus) of which
          the males are usu. bright black and yellow or black and
          orange

   Orion
          [Ori.on] n [L, fr. Gk Orion] 1: a giant hunter slain by Artemis
          in Greek mythology 2 [L (gen. Orionis)]: a constellation
          on the equator east of Taurus represented on charts by
          the figure of a hunter with belt and sword

   orismology
          [or.is.mol.o.gy] n [Gk horismos definition (fr. horizein
          to define) + E -logy--more at horizon] (1816): the science
          of defining technical terms -- or.is.mo.log.i.cal adj

   orison
          [or.i.son] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL oration-, oratio, fr. L,
          oration] (13c): prayer

   -orium
          [-orium] n suffix, pl -oriums or -oria [L, fr. neut. of -orius
          -ory]: [1]-ory <haustorium>

   Oriya
          [Ori.ya] n (1801): the Indo-Aryan language of Orissa, India

   Ork
          [Ork] abbreviation Orkney

   Orleanist
          [Or.lean.ist] n (1834): a supporter of the Orleans family
          in its claim to the throne of France by descent from
          a younger brother of Louis XIV

   Orlon
          [Or.lon] trademark--used for an acrylic fiber

   orlop deck
          [or.lop deck] n [ME overlop deck of a single decker, fr.
          MLG overlop, lit., something that overleaps] (1758):
          the lowest deck in a ship having four or more decks

   Ormazd
          [Or.mazd] n [Per Urmazd, fr. MPer, fr. Av Ahuramazdah-] (1603):
          ahura mazda

   ormolu
          [or.mo.lu] n, often attrib [F or moulu, lit., ground gold]
          (1765): golden or gilded brass or bronze used for decorative
          purposes (as in mounts for furniture)

   [1]ornament
          [or.na.ment] n [ME, fr. OF ornement, fr. L ornamentum, fr.
          ornare] (13c) 1 archaic: a useful accessory 2 a: something
          that lends grace or beauty b: a manner or quality that
          adorns 3: one whose virtues or graces add luster to a
          place or society 4: the act of adorning or being adorned
          5: an embellishing note not belonging to the essential
          harmony or melody--called also embellishment, fioritura
          [2]or.na.ment vt (1720): to provide with ornament: embellish
          syn see adorn

   [1]ornamental
          [or.na.men.tal] adj (1646): of, relating to, or serving as
          ornament; specif: grown as an ornamental -- or.na.men.tal.ly
          adv [2]ornamental n (1650): a decorative object; esp:
          a plant cultivated for its beauty rather than for use

   ornamentation
          [or.na.men.ta.tion] n (1851) 1: something that ornaments:
          embellishment 2: the act or process of ornamenting: the
          state of being ornamented

   ornate
          [or.nate] adj [ME ornat, fr. L ornatus, pp. of ornare to
          furnish, embellish; akin to L ordo order--more at order]
          (15c) 1: marked by elaborate rhetoric or florid style
          2: elaborately or excessively decorated -- or.nate.ly
          adv -- or.nate.ness n

   ornery
          [or.nery] adj or.neri.er ; -est [alter. of ordinary] (1816):
          having an irritable disposition: cantankerous -- or.neri.ness
          n

   ornith
          [ornith] abbreviation ornithology

   ornith-
          [ornith-] or ornitho- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. ornith-,
          ornis--more at erne]: bird <or nithology>

   ornithic
          [or.nith.ic] adj [Gk ornithikos, fr. ornith-, ornis] (1854):
          of, relating to, or characteristic of birds

   ornithine
          [or.ni.thine] n [ISV ornithuric acid (a compound of which
          ornithine is a component, found in the urine of birds)
          + [2]-ine] (1881): a crystalline amino acid that functions
          esp. in urea production as a carrier by undergoing conversion
          to citrulline and then arginine in reaction with ammonia
          and carbon dioxide followed by recovery along with urea
          by enzymatic hydrolysis of arginine

   ornithischian
          [or.nith.is.chi.an] n [NL Ornithischia, fr. ornith- + ischium]
          (1933): any of an order (Ornithischia) of herbivorous
          dinosaurs (as a stegosaurus) that have the pubis of the
          pelvis rotated backward to a position parallel and close
          to the ischium--compare saurischian -- ornithischian
          adj

   ornithology
          [or.ni.thol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [NL ornithologia, fr. ornith-
          + -logia -logy] (1678) 1: a branch of zoology dealing
          with birds 2: a treatise on ornithology -- or.ni.tho.log.i.cal
          also or.ni.tho.log.ic adj -- or.ni.tho.log.i.cal.ly adv
          -- or.ni.thol.o.gist n

   ornithopod
          [or.nith.o.pod] n [ultim. fr. Gk ornith- + pod-, pous foot--more
          at foot] (ca. 1890): any of a suborder (Ornithopoda)
          of bipedal ornithischian dinosaurs (as a hadrosaur) with
          digitigrade walking limbs usu. having only three functional
          toes

   ornithopter
          [or.ni.thop.ter] n [ISV ornith- + -pter (as in helicopter)]
          (1908): an aircraft designed to derive its chief support
          and propulsion from flapping wings

   ornithosis
          [or.ni.tho.sis] n, pl -tho.ses [NL] (1939): psittacosis

   [1]oro-
          [oro-] comb form [Gk oros--more at orient]: mountain <orography>
          [2]oro- comb form [L or-, os--more at oral]: mouth <oropharynx>

   orogenesis
          [oro.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1886): orogeny -- oro.ge.net.ic adj

   orogeny
          [orog.e.ny] n [ISV] (1890): the process of mountain formation
          esp. by folding of the earth's crust -- oro.gen.ic adj

   orographic
          [oro.graph.ic] also oro.graph.i.cal adj (ca. 1803): of or
          relating to mountains; esp: associated with or induced
          by the presence of mountains <~ rainfall>

   orography
          [orog.ra.phy] n [ISV] (ca. 1846): a branch of physical geography
          that deals with mountains

   Oromo
          [Oro.mo] n, pl Oromos or Oromo (1893) 1: a member
          of a Cushitic-speaking people of southern Ethiopia and adjacent
          parts of Kenya 2: the Cushitic language of the Oromo

   oropharyngeal
          [oro.pha.ryn.geal] adj (1885) 1: of or relating to the oropharynx
          2: of or relating to the mouth and pharynx

   oropharynx
          [oro.phar.ynx] n (1887): the part of the pharynx that is
          below the soft palate and above the epiglottis and is
          continuous with the mouth

   orotund
          [oro.tund] adj [modif. of L ore rotundo, lit., with round
          mouth] (ca. 1799) 1: marked by fullness, strength, and
          clarity of sound: sonorous 2: pompous, bombastic -- oro.tun.di.ty
          n

   oro y plata
          [oro y pla.ta] [Sp] foreign term : gold and silver--motto
          of Montana

   [1]orphan
          [or.phan] n [ME, fr. LL orphanus, fr. Gk orphanos; akin to
          OHG erbi inheritance, L orbus orphaned] (15c) 1: a child
          deprived by death of one or usu. both parents 2: a young
          animal that has lost its mother 3: one deprived of some
          protection or advantage <~s of the storm> -- orphan adj
          -- or.phan.hood n [2]orphan vt or.phaned ; or.phan.ing
          (1814): to cause to become an orphan

   orphanage
          [or.phan.age] n (ca. 1580) 1: the state of being an orphan
          2: an institution for the care of orphans

   orphan drug
          [orphan drug] n (1981): a drug that is not developed or marketed
          because its extremely limited use makes it unprofitable

   orphan's court
          [orphan's court] n (1713): a probate court which in some
          states has jurisdiction over the affairs of minors and
          the administration of estates

   Orpheus
          [Or.pheus] n [L, fr. Gk]: a poet and musician in Greek mythology
          who almost rescues his wife Eurydice from Hades by charming
          Pluto and Persephone with his lyre

   orphic
          [or.phic] adj (1678) 1 cap: of or relating to Orpheus or
          the rites or doctrines ascribed to him 2: mystic, oracular
          3: fascinating, entrancing -- or.phi.cal.ly adv

   Orphism
          [Or.phism] n [Orpheus, its reputed founder] (1880): a mystic
          Greek religion offering initiates purification of the
          soul from innate evil and release from the cycle of reincarnation

   orphrey
          [or.phrey] n, pl orphreys [ME orfrey, fr. MF orfreis, fr.
          ML aurifrigium, fr. L aurum gold + Phrygius Phrygian--more
          at aureus] (13c) 1 a: elaborate embroidery b: a piece
          of such embroidery 2: an ornamental border or band esp.
          on an ecclesiastical vestment

   orpiment
          [or.pi.ment] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L auripigmentum, fr. aurum
          + pigmentum pigment] (14c): native orange to lemon-yellow
          arsenic trisulfide

   orpine
          [or.pine] n [ME orpin, fr. MF, fr. orpiment] (14c): an herb
          (Sedum telephium of the family Crassulaceae, the orpine
          family) that has fleshy leaves and pink or purple flowers
          and was formerly used in folk medicine; broadly: sedum

   Orpington
          [Or.ping.ton] n [Orpington, England] (1897): any of an English
          breed of large deep-chested domestic fowls

   orrery
          [or.rery] n, pl or.rer.ies [Charles Boyle d. 1731 4th Earl
          of Orrery] (1713): an apparatus showing the relative
          positions and motions of bodies in the solar system by
          balls moved by a clockwork

   orris
          [or.ris] n [prob. alter. of ME ireos, fr. ML, alter. of L
          iris iris] (1545): orrisroot

   orrisroot
          [or.ris.root] n (1598): the fragrant rootstock of any of
          three European irises (Iris florentina, I. germanica,
          and I. pallida) used esp. in perfumery

   ort
          [ort] n [ME, fr. MLG orte] (15c): a morsel left at a meal:
          scrap

   orth-
          [orth-] or ortho- comb form [ME, fr. MF, straight, right,
          true, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr. orthos; akin to Skt urdhva high,
          upright] 1: straight: upright: vertical <orthograde>
          2: perpendicular <orthorhombic> 3: correct: corrective
          <orthodontia> 4 a: hydrated or hydroxylated to the highest
          degree <orthophosphoric acid> b: involving substitution
          at or characterized by or having the relationship of
          two neighboring positions in the benzene ring <ortho-xylene>

   orthicon
          [or.thi.con] n [ISV orth- + iconoscope] (1939): a camera
          tube similar to but more sensitive than an iconoscope
          in which the charges are scanned by a low-velocity beam

   ortho
          [or.tho] adj (1904): orthochromatic

   orthocenter
          [or.tho.cen.ter] n [ISV] (1869): the common intersection
          of the three altitudes of a triangle or their extensions
          or of the several altitudes of a polyhedron provided
          these latter exist and meet in a point

   orthochromatic
          [or.tho.chro.mat.ic] adj [ISV] (1887) 1: of, relating to,
          or producing tone values of light and shade in a photograph
          that correspond to the tones in nature 2: sensitive to
          all colors except red

   orthoclase
          [or.tho.clase] n [G Orthoklas, fr. orth- + Gk klasis breaking,
          fr. klan to break--more at clast] (1849): a mineral consisting
          of a monoclinic form of feldspar

   orthodontia
          [or.tho.don.tia] n [NL] (ca. 1849): orthodontics

   orthodontics
          [or.tho.don.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1909): a branch
          of dentistry dealing with irregularities of the teeth
          and their correction (as by means of braces) -- or.tho.don.tic
          adj -- or.tho.don.ti.cal.ly adv -- or.tho.don.tist n

   [1]orthodox
          [or.tho.dox] adj [ME orthodoxe, fr. MF or LL; MF orthodoxe,
          fr. LL orthodoxus, fr. LGk orthodoxos, fr. Gk orth- +
          doxa opinion--more at doxology] (15c) 1 a: conforming
          to established doctrine esp. in religion b: conventional
          2 cap: of, relating to, or constituting any of various
          conservative religious or political groups: as a: eastern
          orthodox b: of or relating to Orthodox Judaism -- or.tho.dox.ly
          adv [2]orthodox n, pl orthodox also or.tho.dox.es (1587)
          1: one that is orthodox 2 cap: a member of an Eastern
          Orthodox church

   Orthodox Judaism
          [Orthodox Judaism] n (1904): Judaism that adheres to the
          Torah and Talmud as interpreted in an authoritative rabbinic
          law code and applies their principles and regulations
          to modern living--compare conservative judaism, reform
          judaism

   orthodoxy
          [or.tho.doxy] n, pl -dox.ies (1630) 1: the quality or state
          of being orthodox 2: an orthodox belief or practice 3
          cap a: Eastern Orthodox Christianity b: orthodox judaism

   orthoepy
          [or.tho.epy] n [NL orthoepia, fr. Gk orthoepeia, fr. orth-
          + epos word--more at voice] (1668) 1: the customary pronunciation
          of a language 2: the study of the pronunciation of a
          language -- or.tho.ep.ic adj -- or.tho.ep.i.cal.ly adv
          -- or.tho.epist n

   orthogenesis
          [or.tho.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1895): variation of organisms
          in successive generations that in some evolutionary theories
          takes place in some predestined direction and results
          in progressive evolutionary trends independent of external
          factors -- or.tho.ge.net.ic adj -- or.tho.ge.net.i.cal.ly
          adv

   orthogonal
          [or.thog.o.nal] adj [MF, fr. L orthogonius, fr. Gk orthogonios,
          fr. orth- + gonia angle--more at -gon] (1612) 1 a: intersecting
          or lying at right angles b: having perpendicular slopes
          or tangents at the point of intersection <~ curves> 2:
          having a sum of products or an integral that is zero
          or sometimes one under specified conditions: as a of
          real-valued functions: having the integral of the product
          of each pair of functions over a specific interval equal
          to zero b of vectors: having the scalar product equal
          to zero c of a square matrix: having the sum of products
          of corresponding elements in any two rows or any two
          columns equal to one if the rows or columns are the same
          and equal to zero otherwise: having a transpose with
          which the product equals the identity matrix 3 of a linear
          transformation: having a matrix that is orthogonal: preserving
          length and distance 4: composed of mutually orthogonal
          elements <an ~ basis of a vector space> 5: statistically
          independent -- or.thog.o.nal.i.ty n -- or.thog.o.nal.ly
          adv

   orthogonalize
          [or.thog.o.nal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1930): to make orthogonal
          -- or.thog.o.nal.i.za.tion n

   orthograde
          [or.tho.grade] adj (1902): walking with the body upright
          or vertical

   orthographic
          [or.tho.graph.ic] also or.tho.graph.i.cal adj (1706) 1: of,
          relating to, being, or prepared by orthographic projection
          <an ~ map> 2 a: of or relating to orthography b: correct
          in spelling -- or.tho.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   orthographic projection
          [orthographic projection] n (1668) 1: projection of a single
          view of an object (as a view of the front) onto a drawing
          surface in which the lines of projection are perpendicular
          to the drawing surface 2: the representation of related
          views of an object as if they were all in the same plane
          and projected by orthographic projection

   orthography
          [or.thog.ra.phy] n [ME ortografie, fr. MF, fr. L orthographia,
          fr. Gk, fr. orth- + graphein to write--more at carve]
          (15c) 1 a: the art of writing words with the proper letters
          according to standard usage b: the representation of
          the sounds of a language by written or printed symbols
          2: a part of language study that deals with letters and
          spelling

   orthomolecular
          [or.tho.mo.lec.u.lar] adj (1968): relating to, based on,
          using, or being a theory according to which disease and
          esp. mental illness may be cured by restoring the optimum
          amounts of substances normally present in the body <~
          therapy> <an ~ psychiatrist>

   orthonormal
          [or.tho.nor.mal] adj (1932) 1 of real-valued functions: orthogonal
          with the integral of the square of each function over a specified
          interval equal to one 2: being or composed of orthogonal elements
          of unit length <~ basis of a vector space>

   orthopedic
          [or.tho.pe.dic] also or.tho.pae.dic adj [F orthopedique,
          fr. orthopedie orthopedics, fr. orth- + Gk paid-, pais
          child--more at few] (1840) 1: of, relating to, or employed
          in orthopedics 2: marked by deformities or crippling
          -- or.tho.pe.di.cal.ly adv

   orthopedics
          [or.tho.pe.dics] also or.tho.pae.dics n pl but sing or pl
          in constr (ca. 1853): a branch of medicine concerned
          with the correction or prevention of skeletal deformities
          -- or.tho.pe.dist n

   orthophosphate
          [or.tho.phos.phate] n (1859): a salt or ester of orthophosphoric
          acid

   orthophosphoric acid
          [or.tho.phos.pho.ric acid] n [ISV] (1885): phosphoric acid
          1

   orthopsychiatry
          [or.tho.psy.chi.a.try] n (ca. 1927): prophylactic psychiatry
          concerned esp. with incipient mental and behavioral disorders
          in youth -- or.tho.psy.chi.at.ric adj -- or.tho.psy.chi.a.trist
          n

   orthoptera
          [or.thop.tera] n pl [NL, order name, fr. orth- + Gk pteron
          wing--more at feather] (1828): insects that are orthopterans

   orthopteran
          [or.thop.ter.an] n [NL Orthoptera] (ca. 1842): any of an
          order (Orthoptera) of insects (as crickets, grasshoppers,
          and sometimes mantises) that are characterized by biting
          mouthparts, two pairs of wings or none, and an incomplete
          metamorphosis -- orthopteran adj -- or.thop.ter.ist n
          -- or.thop.ter.oid n or adj

   orthorhombic
          [or.tho.rhom.bic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1859): of, relating to,
          or constituting a system of crystallization characterized
          by three unequal axes at right angles to each other

   orthoscopic
          [or.tho.scop.ic] adj [ISV orth- + -scopic (as in microscopic)]
          (1853): giving an image in correct and normal proportions

   orthosis
          [or.tho.sis] n, pl or.tho.ses [NL, fr. Gk orthosis straightening,
          fr. orthoun to straighten, fr. orthos] (1958): orthotic

   orthostatic
          [or.tho.stat.ic] adj (1902): of, relating to, or caused by
          erect posture <~ hypotension>

   orthotic
          [or.thot.ic] n [NL orthosis] (1955): a support or brace for
          weak or ineffective joints or muscles

   orthotics
          [or.thot.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1957): a branch of
          mechanical and medical science that deals with the support
          and bracing of weak or ineffective joints or muscles
          -- or.thot.ic adj -- or.tho.tist n

   orthotropous
          [or.thot.ro.pous] adj [ISV] (1830): having the ovule straight
          so that the chalaza, hilum, and micropyle are in the
          same axial line

   ortolan
          [or.to.lan] n [F or It; F, fr. It ortolano, lit., gardener,
          fr. L hortulanus, fr. hortulus, dim. of hortus garden--more
          at yard] (1656): an Old World bunting (Emberiza hortulana)
          having a greenish gray head and breast, streaky brown
          back and wings, and a yellow throat

   ORV
          [ORV] abbreviation off-road vehicle

   Orvieto
          [Or.vie.to] n [Orvieto, city in central Italy] (1846): a
          usu. dry Italian white wine

   [1]-ory
          [-ory] n suffix [ME -orie, fr. L -orium, fr. neut. of -orius,
          adj. suffix] 1: place of or for <observatory> 2: something
          that serves for <crematory> [2]-ory adj suffix [ME -orie,
          fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L -orius] 1: of, relating to, or
          characterized by <gustatory> 2: serving for, producing,
          or maintaining <justificatory>

   oryx
          [oryx] n, pl oryx or oryx.es [NL, fr. L, a gazelle, fr. Gk,
          pickax, antelope, kind of whale, fr. oryssein to dig;
          akin to L runcare to grub up, weed, Skt luncati he plucks]
          (1535): any of a small genus (Oryx) of large heavily-built
          African and Arabian antelopes that have a light-colored
          coat with dark conspicuous markings esp. on the face

   orzo
          [or.zo] n [It, lit., barley, fr. L hordeum--more at orgeat]
          (ca. 1929): rice-shaped pasta

   os...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]os
          [os] n, pl os.sa [L oss-, os--more at osseous] (15c): bone
          [2]os n, pl ora [L or-, os--more at oral] (1737): mouth,
          orifice

   Os
          [Os] abbreviation osmium  OS [L oculus sinister] abbreviation
          left eye; old series, old style, ordinary seaman, out
          of stock

   Osage
          [Osage] n, pl Osag.es or Osage (1698) 1: a member of an American
          Indian people orig. of Missouri 2: the Siouan language
          of the Osage people

   Osage orange
          [Osage orange] n (1817): an ornamental usu. thorny American
          tree (Maclura pomifera) of the mulberry family with shiny
          ovate leaves and hard bright orange wood; also: its yellowish
          globose fruit

   Oscan
          [Os.can] n [L Oscus] (1753) 1: a member of a people of ancient
          Italy occupying Campania 2: the language of the Oscan
          people

   [1]Oscar
          [Os.car] trademark--used esp. for any of a number of golden
          statuettes awarded annually by a professional organization
          for notable achievement in motion pictures [2]Oscar (1952)--a
          communications code word for the letter o

   oscillate
          [os.cil.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L oscillatus, pp. of
          oscillare to swing, fr. oscillum swing] (1726) 1 a: to
          swing backward and forward like a pendulum b: to move
          or travel back and forth between two points 2: to vary
          between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories 3: to
          vary above and below a mean value syn see swing -- os.cil.la.to.ry
          adj

   oscillation
          [os.cil.la.tion] n (1658) 1: the action or state of oscillating
          2: variation, fluctuation 3: a flow of electricity changing
          periodically from a maximum to a minimum; esp: a flow
          periodically changing direction 4: a single swing (as
          of an oscillating body) from one extreme limit to the
          other -- os.cil.la.tion.al adj

   oscillator
          [os.cil.la.tor] n (1835) 1: one that oscillates 2: a device
          for producing alternating current; esp: a radio-frequency
          or audio-frequency generator

   oscillo-
          [oscillo-] comb form [ISV, fr. L oscillare]: wave: oscillation
          <oscilloscope>

   oscillogram
          [os.cil.lo.gram] n [ISV] (1903): a record made by an oscillograph
          or oscilloscope

   oscillograph
          [os.cil.lo.graph] n [ISV] (1893): an instrument for recording
          alternating current wave forms or other electrical oscillations
          -- os.cil.lo.graph.ic adj -- os.cil.lo.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv -- os.cil.log.ra.phy n

   oscilloscope
          [os.cil.lo.scope] n [ISV] (1906): an instrument in which
          the variations in a fluctuating electrical quantity appear
          temporarily as a visible wave form on the fluorescent
          screen of a cathode-ray tube -- os.cil.lo.scop.ic adj

   oscine
          [os.cine] adj [NL Oscines, suborder name, fr. L, pl. of oscin-,
          oscen songbird, bird giving omens by its cry, fr. obs-,
          ob- in front of, in the way + canere to sing--more at
          ob-, chant] (1883): of or relating to a large suborder
          (Oscines) of passerine birds (as larks, shrikes, finches,
          orioles, and crows) characterized by a vocal apparatus
          highly specialized for singing -- oscine n

   Osco-Umbrian
          [Os.co-Um.bri.an] n [L Oscus + E Umbrian] (1894): a subdivision
          of the Italic branch of the Indo-European language family
          containing Oscan and Umbrian

   osculate
          [os.cu.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L osculatus, pp. of osculari,
          fr. osculum kiss, fr. dim. of os mouth--more at oral]
          (ca. 1656): kiss

   osculation
          [os.cu.la.tion] n (ca. 1658): the act of kissing; also: kiss
          -- os.cu.la.to.ry adj

   osculum
          [os.cu.lum] n [NL, fr. L, dim. of os mouth] (1887): an excurrent
          opening of a sponge

   [1]-ose
          [-ose] adj suffix [ME, fr. L -osus]: full of: having: possessing
          the qualities of <cymose> [2]-ose n suffix [F, fr. glucose]
          1: carbohydrate <amylose>; esp: sugar <pentose> 2: primary
          hydrolysis product <proteose>

   Osee
          [Osee] n [LL, fr. Heb Hoshea']: hosea

   OSHA
          [OSHA] abbreviation Occupational Safety and Health Administration

   osier
          [osier] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML auseria osier bed] (14c) 1:
          any of various willows (esp. Salix viminalis) whose pliable
          twigs are used for furniture and basketry 2: a willow
          rod used in basketry 3: any of several American dogwoods

   Osiris
          [Osi.ris] n [L, fr. Gk, fr. Egypt Ws'r]: the Egyptian god
          of the underworld and husband and brother of Isis

   -osis
          [-osis] n suffix, pl -oses or -osises [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk
          -osis, fr. -o- (stem of causative verbs in -oun) + -sis]
          1 a: action: process: condition <hypnosis> b: abnormal
          or diseased condition <leukosis> 2: increase: formation
          <leukocytosis>

   Osmanli
          [Os.man.li] n [Turk osmanli, fr. Osman, founder of the Ottoman
          Empire] (1813) 1: ottoman 1 2: turkish

   osmeterium
          [os.me.te.ri.um] n, pl -ria [NL, irreg. fr. Gk osme odor]
          (1816): a protrusible forked glandular process that emits
          a disagreeable odor, is borne on the first thoracic segment
          of the larvae of many swallowtails and related butterflies,
          and is a defensive organ

   osmic acid
          [osmic acid] n (1842): osmium tetroxide

   osmiridium
          [os.mi.rid.i.um] n [Gk osme + NL iridium] (1880): iridosmine

   osmium
          [os.mi.um] n [NL, fr. Gk osme odor] (1804): a hard brittle
          blue-gray or blue-black polyvalent metallic element of
          the platinum group with a high melting point that is
          the heaviest metal known and is used esp. as a catalyst
          and in hard alloys

   osmium tetroxide
          [osmium tetroxide] n (1876): a crystalline compound that
          is an oxide of osmium, has a poisonous irritating vapor,
          and is used as a catalyst, oxidizing agent, and biological
          fixative and stain

   osmol
          [os.mol] or os.mole n [blend of osmosis and mol ([5]mole)]
          (1942): a standard unit of osmotic pressure based on
          a one molal concentration of an ion in a solution

   osmolality
          [os.mo.lal.i.ty] n, pl -ties [osmol + [1]-al + -ity] (ca.
          1944): the concentration of an osmotic solution esp.
          when measured in osmols or milliosmols per 1000 grams
          of solvent -- os.mo.lal adj

   osmolarity
          [os.mo.lar.i.ty] n, pl -ties [osmol + -ar + -ity] (1948):
          the concentration of an osmotic solution esp. when measured
          in osmols or milliosmols per liter of solution -- os.mo.lar
          adj

   osmometer
          [os.mom.e.ter] n [osmosis + -meter] (1854): an apparatus
          for measuring osmotic pressure -- os.mo.met.ric adj --
          os.mom.e.try n

   osmoregulation
          [os.mo.reg.u.la.tion] n [osmosis + regulation] (1927): regulation
          of osmotic pressure esp. in the body of a living organism

   osmoregulatory
          [os.mo.reg.u.la.to.ry] adj (ca. 1911): of, relating to, or
          concerned with the maintenance of constant osmotic pressure

   osmosis
          [os.mo.sis] n [NL, short for endosmosis] (1867) 1: movement
          of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane (as of
          a living cell) into a solution of higher solute concentration
          that tends to equalize the concentrations of solute on
          the two sides of the membrane 2: a process of absorption
          or diffusion suggestive of the flow of osmotic action;
          esp: a usu. effortless often unconscious assimilation
          <learned a number of languages by ~ --Roger Kimball>

   osmotic
          [os.mot.ic] adj (1854): of, relating to, or having the properties
          of osmosis -- os.mot.i.cal.ly adv

   osmotic pressure
          [osmotic pressure] n (1888): the pressure produced by or
          associated with osmosis and dependent on molar concentration
          and absolute temperature: as a: the maximum pressure
          that develops in a solution separated from a solvent
          by a membrane permeable only to the solvent b: the pressure
          that must be applied to a solution to just prevent osmosis

   osmotic shock
          [osmotic shock] n (1950): a rapid change in the osmotic pressure
          (as by transfer to a medium of different concentration)
          affecting a living system

   osmunda
          [os.mun.da] n [NL, fr. ML, fr. OF osmonde] (1789): any of
          a genus (Osmunda) of rather large ferns (as the cinnamon
          fern) with pinnate or bipinnate fronds and fibrous creeping
          rhizomes

   osprey
          [os.prey] n, pl ospreys [ME ospray, fr. (assumed) MF osfraie,
          fr. L ossifraga, a bird of prey] (15c) 1: a large fish-eating
          hawk (Pandion haliaetus) that is a dark brown color above
          and mostly pure white below 2: a feather trimming used
          for millinery

   OSS
          [OSS] abbreviation Office of Strategic Services

   ossa
          [ossa] pl of os

   ossein
          [os.se.in] n [ISV, fr. L oss-, os] (1857): the collagen of
          bones

   osseous
          [os.se.ous] adj [L osseus, fr. oss-, os bone; akin to Gk
          osteon bone, Skt asthi] (1682): bony 1

   Ossete
          [Os.sete] also Os.set n [Russ osetin, fr. Osetiya Ossetia,
          fr. Georgian Oseti, fr. osi Ossete] (1814): a member
          of a people of the central Caucasus -- Os.se.tian adj
          or n

   Ossetic
          [Os.set.ic] n (ca. 1890): the Iranian language of the Ossetes

   Ossianic
          [Os.si.an.ic] adj (1808): of, relating to, or resembling
          the legendary Irish bard Ossian, the poems ascribed to
          him, or the rhythmic prose style used by James Macpherson
          in the poems he claimed to have translated from Ossian

   ossicle
          [os.si.cle] n [L ossiculum, dim. of oss-, os] (1578): a small
          bone or bony structure (as the malleus, incus, or stapes)
          -- os.sic.u.lar adj

   ossification
          [os.si.fi.ca.tion] n (1697) 1 a: the natural process of bone
          formation b: the hardening (as of muscular tissue) into
          a bony substance 2: a mass or particle of ossified tissue
          3: a tendency toward or state of being molded into a
          rigid, conventional, sterile, or unimaginative condition

   ossifrage
          [os.si.frage] n [L ossifraga, a bird of prey, fr. fem. of
          ossifragus bone-breaking, fr. oss-, os + frangere to
          break--more at break] (1601): lammergeier

   ossify
          [os.si.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [L oss-, os + E -ify] vi (1713)
          1: to change into bone 2: to become hardened or conventional
          and opposed to change ~ vt 1: to change (as cartilage)
          into bone 2: to make rigidly conventional and opposed
          to change

   osso buco
          [os.so bu.co] also os.so buc.co n [It ossobuco veal shank,
          lit., pierced bone] (1935): braised veal shanks

   ossuary
          [os.su.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [LL ossuarium, fr. L, neut. of
          ossuarius of bones, fr. OL ossua, pl. of oss-, os] (1658):
          a depository for the bones of the dead

   oste-
          [oste-] or osteo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. osteon--more
          at osseous]: bone <osteal> <osteomyelitis>

   osteal
          [os.te.al] adj [ISV] (1877): of, relating to, or resembling
          bone; also: affecting or involving bone or the skeleton

   osteitis
          [os.te.i.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1847): inflammation of bone

   ostensible
          [os.ten.si.ble] adj [F, fr. L ostensus, pp. of ostendere
          to show, fr. obs-, ob- in the way + tendere to stretch--more
          at ob-, thin] (ca. 1771) 1: intended for display: open
          to view 2: being such in appearance: plausible rather
          than demonstrably true or real <the ~ purpose for the
          trip> syn see apparent

   ostensibly
          [os.ten.si.bly] adv (1765) 1: in an ostensible manner 2:
          to all outward appearances

   ostensive
          [os.ten.sive] adj (1782) 1: ostensible 2 2: of, relating
          to, or constituting definition by exemplifying the thing
          or quality being defined -- os.ten.sive.ly adv

   ostensorium
          [os.ten.so.ri.um] n, pl -ria [ML, fr. L ostendere] (ca. 1772):
          monstrance

   ostentation
          [os.ten.ta.tion] n [ME ostentacion, fr. MF ostentation, fr.
          L ostentation-, ostentatio, fr. ostentare to display,
          freq. of ostendere] (15c) 1: excessive display: pretentiousness
          2 archaic: an act of displaying

   ostentatious
          [os.ten.ta.tious] adj (1673): marked by or fond of conspicuous
          or vainglorious and sometimes pretentious display syn
          see showy -- os.ten.ta.tious.ly adv -- os.ten.ta.tious.ness
          n

   osteoarthritis
          [os.te.o.ar.thri.tis] n [NL] (1878): arthritis marked by
          degeneration of the cartilage and bone of joints
          -- os.te.o.ar.thrit.ic adj

   osteoblast
          [os.te.o.blast] n [ISV] (1875): a bone-forming cell
          -- os.te.o.blas.tic adj

   osteoclast
          [os.te.o.clast] n [ISV oste- + Gk klastos broken--more at
          clast] (1872): any of the large multinucleate cells closely
          associated with areas of bone resorption -- os.te.o.clas.tic
          adj

   osteocyte
          [os.te.o.cyte] n (1942): a cell that is characteristic of
          adult bone and is isolated in a lacuna of the bone substance

   osteogenesis
          [os.te.o.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1830): development and formation
          of bone

   osteogenesis imperfecta
          [osteogenesis im.per.fec.ta] n [NL, imperfect osteogenesis]
          (ca. 1901): a hereditary disease marked esp. by extreme
          brittleness of the long bones

   osteogenic
          [os.te.o.gen.ic] adj (1867) 1: producing bone 2: originating
          in bone

   osteogenic sarcoma
          [osteogenic sarcoma] n (ca. 1923): osteosarcoma

   [1]osteoid
          [os.te.oid] adj [ISV] (1840): resembling bone [2]osteoid
          n (1934): uncalcified bone matrix

   osteology
          [os.te.ol.o.gy] n [NL osteologia, fr. Gk, description of
          bones, fr. oste- + -logia -logy] (1670) 1: a branch of
          anatomy dealing with the bones 2: the bony structure
          of an organism -- os.te.o.log.i.cal adj -- os.te.ol.o.gist
          n

   osteoma
          [os.te.o.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (ca. 1849): a benign
          tumor composed of bone tissue

   osteomalacia
          [os.te.o.ma.la.cia] n [NL, fr. oste- + Gk malakia softness,
          fr. malakos soft--more at mollify] (ca. 1834): a disease
          of adults that is characterized by softening of the bones
          and is analogous to rickets in the immature

   osteomyelitis
          [os.te.o.my.e.li.tis] n [NL] (1854): an infectious inflammatory
          disease of bone often of bacterial origin that is marked
          by local death and separation of tissue

   osteopath
          [os.te.o.path] n (1897): a practitioner of osteopathy

   osteopathy
          [os.te.op.a.thy] n [NL osteopathia, fr. oste- + L -pathia
          -pathy] (1899): a system of medical practice based on
          a theory that diseases are due chiefly to loss of structural
          integrity which can be restored by manipulation of the
          parts supplemented by therapeutic measures (as use of
          medicine or surgery) -- os.te.o.path.ic adj --
          os.te.o.path.i.cal.ly adv

   osteoplasty
          [os.te.o.plas.ty] n (ca. 1860): plastic surgery on bone;
          esp: replacement of lost bone tissue or reconstruction
          of defective bony parts -- os.te.o.plas.tic adj

   osteoporosis
          [os.te.o.po.ro.sis] n, pl -ro.ses [NL, fr. oste- + porosis
          rarefaction, fr. porus pore + -osis] (1846): a condition
          that affects esp. older women and is characterized by
          decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement
          of bone spaces producing porosity and fragility --
          os.te.o.po.rot.ic adj

   osteosarcoma
          [os.te.o.sar.co.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (ca. 1826):
          a sarcoma derived from bone or containing bone tissue

   ostinato
          [osti.na.to] n, pl -tos also -ti [It, obstinate, fr. L obstinatus]
          (ca. 1876): a musical figure repeated persistently at the same
          pitch throughout a composition--compare imitation, sequence

   ostiole
          [os.ti.ole] n [NL ostiolum, fr. L, dim. of ostium] (ca. 1857):
          a small bodily aperture, orifice, or pore

   ostium
          [os.ti.um] n, pl os.tia [NL, fr. L, door, mouth of a river;
          akin to L os mouth--more at oral] (1828): a mouthlike
          opening in a bodily organ

   ostler
          [os.tler] var of hostler

   ostmark
          [ost.mark] n [G, lit., East mark] (1948): the former East
          German mark

   ostomy
          [os.to.my] n, pl -mies [colostomy] (1957): an operation (as
          a colostomy) to create an artificial passage for bodily
          elimination

   -ostosis
          [-ostosis] n comb form, pl -ostoses or -ostosises [NL, fr.
          Gk -ostosis, fr. osteon bone--more at osseous]: ossification
          of a (specified) part or to a (specified) degree <hyperostosis>

   ostracise
          [os.tra.cise] Brit var of ostracize

   ostracism
          [os.tra.cism] n (1588) 1: a method of temporary banishment
          by popular vote without trial or special accusation practiced
          in ancient Greece 2: exclusion by general consent from
          common privileges or social acceptance

   ostracize
          [os.tra.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing [Gk ostrakizein to banish
          by voting with potsherds, fr. ostrakon shell, potsherd--more
          at oyster] (1649) 1: to exile by ostracism 2: to exclude
          from a group by common consent

   ostracod
          [os.tra.cod] also os.tra.code n [ultim. fr. Gk ostrakon]
          (1865): any of a subclass (Ostracoda) of very small active
          mostly freshwater crustaceans that have the body enclosed
          in a bivalve carapace, the body segmentation obscured,
          the abdomen rudimentary, and only seven pairs of appendages

   ostracoderm
          [os.tra.co.derm] n [ultim. fr. Gk ostrakon + derma skin--more
          at derm-] (1891): any of the early fossil jawless fishes
          of the Lower Paleozoic usu. having a bony covering of
          plates or scales

   ostracon
          [os.tra.con] n, pl -tra.ca [Gk ostrakon potsherd, shell--more
          at oyster] (1883): a fragment (as of pottery) containing
          an inscription--usu. used in pl.

   ostrich
          [os.trich] n [ME, fr. OF ostrusce, fr. (assumed) VL avis
          struthio, fr. L avis bird + LL struthio ostrich--more
          at struthious] (13c) 1 a: a swift-footed 2-toed flightless
          ratite bird (Struthio camelus) of Africa that is the
          largest of existing birds and often weighs 300 pounds
          (140 kilograms) b: rhea c: leather made from ostrich
          skin 2 [fr. the belief that the ostrich when pursued
          hides its head in the sand and believes itself to be
          unseen]: one who attempts to avoid danger or difficulty
          by refusing to face it -- os.trich.like adj

   Ostrogoth
          [Os.tro.goth] n [ME, fr. LL Ostrogothi, pl.] (14c): a member
          of the eastern division of the Goths -- Os.tro.goth.ic
          adj

   Oswego tea
          [Os.we.go tea] n [Oswego River, N. Y.] (1752): a No. American
          mint (Monarda didyma) with showy scarlet irregular flowers

   ot...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ot-
          [ot-] or oto- comb form [Gk ot-, oto-, fr. ot-, ous--more
          at ear]: ear <otitis>: ear and <otolaryngology>

   OT
          [OT] abbreviation occupational therapy, Old Testament, overtime

   OTA
          [OTA] abbreviation Office of Technology Assessment

   OTB
          [OTB] abbreviation offtrack betting

   OTC
          [OTC] abbreviation over-the-counter

   Othello
          [Othel.lo] n: a Moor in the military service of Venice, husband
          of Desdemona, and protagonist of Shakespeare's tragedy
          Othello

   [1]other
          [oth.er] adj [ME, fr. OE other; akin to OHG andar other,
          Skt antara] (bef. 12c) 1 a: being the one (as of two
          or more) remaining or not included <held on with one
          hand and waved with the ~ one> b: being the one or ones
          distinct from that or those first mentioned or implied
          <taller than the ~ boys> c: second <every ~ day> 2: not
          the same: different <any ~ color would have been better>
          <something ~ than it seems to be> 3: additional <sold
          in the U.S. and 14 ~ countries> 4 a: recently past <the
          ~ evening> b: former <in ~ times> [2]other n (bef. 12c)
          1 a: one that remains of two or more b: a thing opposite
          to or excluded by something else <went from one side
          to the ~> 2: a different or additional one <the ~s came
          later> [3]other pron, sometimes pl in constr (bef. 12c)
          1 obs a: one of two that remains b: each preceding one
          2: a different or additional one <something or ~> [4]other
          adv (13c): otherwise--used with than <was unable to see
          them ~ than by going to their home>

   other-directed
          [oth.er-di.rect.ed] adj (1950): directed in thought and action
          primarily by external norms rather than by one's own
          scale of values -- oth.er-di.rect.ed.ness n

   otherguess
          [oth.er.guess] adj [alter. of E dial. othergates] (1632)
          archaic: different

   otherness
          [oth.er.ness] n (1587) 1: the quality or state of being other
          or different 2: something that is other or different

   other than
          [other than] prep (1679): with the exception of: except for,
          besides <other than that, nothing happened>

   otherwhere
          [oth.er.where] adv (14c): elsewhere

   otherwhile
          [oth.er.while] also oth.er.whiles adv (13c) chiefly dial:
          at another time

   [1]otherwise
          [oth.er.wise] pron [ME, fr. OE (on) othre wisan in another
          manner] (bef. 12c): something or anything else: something
          to the contrary <do very little to enforce competition--and
          have never intended ~ --Milton Viorst> [2]otherwise adv
          (13c) 1: in a different way or manner <glossed over or
          ~ handled --Playboy> 2: in different circumstances <might
          ~ have left> 3: in other respects <an ~ flimsy farce
          --Current Biog.> 4: if not <do what I tell you, ~ you'll
          be sorry> 5: not--paired with an adjective, adverb, noun,
          or verb to indicate its contrary or to suggest an indefinite
          alternative <people whose deeds, admirable or ~ --John
          Fischer> <almost thirty thousand women, Irish and ~ --J.
          M. Burns> <his opinion as to the success or ~ of it --Austral.
          Dict. of Biog.> [3]otherwise adj (14c): different <if
          conditions were ~>

   other woman
          [other woman] n (1855): a woman with whom a married man has
          an affair--usu. used with the

   otherworld
          [oth.er.world] n (13c): a world beyond death or beyond present
          reality

   otherworldly
          [oth.er.world.ly] adj (1879) 1 a: of, relating to, or resembling
          that of a world other than the actual world b: devoted
          to preparing for a world to come 2: devoted to intellectual
          or imaginative pursuits -- oth.er.world.li.ness n

   [1]-otic
          [-otic] adj suffix [Gk -otikos, fr. -otos, ending of verbals,
          fr. -o- (stem of causative verbs in -oun) + -tos, suffix
          forming verbals--more at -ed]: of, relating to, or characterized
          by a (specified) action, process, or condition <symbiotic>
          [2]-otic adj comb form [Gk otikos of the ear, fr. ot-,
          ous ear]: having (such) a relationship to the ear <dichotic>

   otiose
          [oti.ose] adj [L otiosus, fr. otium leisure] (1794) 1: producing
          no useful result: futile 2: being at leisure: idle 3:
          lacking use or effect: functionless syn see vain -- oti.ose.ly
          adv -- oti.ose.ness n -- oti.os.i.ty n

   otitis
          [oti.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1799): inflammation of the ear

   otitis media
          [otitis me.dia] n [NL] (1874): inflammation of the middle
          ear marked by pain, fever, dizziness, and abnormalities
          of hearing

   otium cum dignitate
          [oti.um cum dig.ni.ta.te] [L] foreign term : leisure with
          dignity

   otocyst
          [oto.cyst] n [ISV; fr. its probable auditory function] (1877):
          a fluid-containing organ of many invertebrates that contains
          an otolith: statocyst -- oto.cys.tic adj

   otolaryngology
          [oto.lar.yn.gol.o.gy] n (1897): a medical specialty concerned
          esp. with the ear, nose, and throat -- oto.lar.yn.go.log.i.cal
          adj -- oto.lar.yn.gol.o.gist n

   otolith
          [oto.lith] n [F otolithe, fr. ot- + -lithe -lith] (ca. 1836):
          a calcareous concretion in the inner ear of a vertebrate
          or in the otocyst of an invertebrate -- oto.lith.ic adj

   otorhinolaryngology
          [oto.rhi.no.lar.yn.gol.o.gy] n (ca. 1900): otolaryngology
          -- oto.rhi.no.lar.yn.go.log.i.cal adj --
          oto.rhi.no.lar.yn.gol.o.gist n

   otosclerosis
          [oto.scle.ro.sis] n [NL] (1901): growth of spongy bone in
          the inner ear that causes progressively increasing deafness

   ototoxic
          [oto.tox.ic] adj (1951): producing, involving, or being adverse
          effects on organs or nerves involved in hearing or balance
          -- oto.tox.ic.i.ty n

   OTR
          [OTR] abbreviation occupational therapist, registered

   OTS
          [OTS] abbreviation officers' training school

   ottava
          [ot.ta.va] adv or adj [It, octave, fr. ML octava] (1848):
          at an octave higher or lower than written--used as a
          direction in music

   ottava rima
          [ottava ri.ma] n, pl ottava rimas [It, lit., eighth rhyme]
          (1820): a stanza of eight lines of heroic verse with
          a rhyme scheme of abababcc

   Ottawa
          [Ot.ta.wa] n, pl -was or -wa (1687): a member of an American
          Indian people of Michigan and southern Ontario

   otter
          [ot.ter] n, pl otters also otter [ME oter, fr. OE otor; akin
          to OHG ottar otter, Gk hydor water--more at water] (bef.
          12c) 1: any of various largely aquatic carnivorous mammals
          (as genus Lutra or Enhydra) that are related to the weasels
          and minks and usu. have webbed and clawed feet and dark
          brown fur 2: the fur or pelt of an otter

   otter hound
          [otter hound] n [fr. its use in hunting otters] (1607): any
          of a British breed of large hounds that have a wiry water-resistant
          coat and a keen scent

   otto
          [ot.to] var of attar

   ottoman
          [ot.to.man] n (1605) 1 cap a: a member of a Turkish dynasty
          founded by Osman I that ruled the Ottoman Empire b: a
          citizen or functionary of the Ottoman Empire 2 [F ottomane,
          fr. fem. of ottoman, adj.] a: an upholstered often overstuffed
          seat or couch usu. without a back b: an overstuffed footstool
          3: a heavy clothing fabric characterized by pronounced
          crosswise ribs Ot.to.man adj [F, adj. & n., prob. fr.
          It ottomano, fr. Ar 'othmani, fr. 'Othman Osman I, founder
          of the Ottoman Empire] (1603): of or relating to the
          Ottoman Empire, its rulers, or its citizens or functionaries

   ou...
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   ouabain
          [oua.bain] n [ISV, fr. F ouabaio, an African tree, fr. Somali
          waabayyo arrow poison] (1893): a poisonous glycoside
          obtained from several African shrubs or trees (genera
          Strophanthus and Acokanthera) of the dogbane family and
          used medically like digitalis and in Africa as an arrow
          poison

   oubliette
          [ou.bli.ette] n [F, fr. MF, fr. oublier to forget, fr. (assumed)
          VL oblitare, freq. of L oblivisci to forget--more at
          oblivion] (1819): a dungeon with an opening only at the
          top

   [1]ouch
          [ouch] n [ME, alter. (fr. misdivision of a nouche) of nouche,
          fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG nusca clasp] (14c)
          1 obs: clasp, brooch 2 a: a setting for a precious stone
          b: jewel, ornament; esp: a buckle or brooch set with
          precious stones [2]ouch interj [origin unknown] (1838)--used
          esp. to express sudden pain

   oud
          [oud] n [Ar 'ud, lit., wood] (1738): a musical instrument
          of the lute family used in southwest Asia and northern
          Africa

   [1]ought
          [ought] verbal auxiliary [ME oughte (1st & 3d sing. pres.
          indic.), fr. oughte, 1st & 3d sing. past indic. & subj.
          of owen to own, owe--more at owe] (12c)--used to express
          obligation <~ to pay our debts>, advisability <~ to take
          care of yourself>, natural expectation <~ to be here
          by now>, or logical consequence <the result ~ to be infinity>
          [2]ought vt [ME oughte, 1st & 3d sing. past indic. of
          owen] (13c) 1 chiefly Scot: possess 2 chiefly Scot: owe
          [3]ought n (1678): moral obligation: duty [4]ought var
          of aught

   oughtn't
          [oughtn't] (1884): ought not

   ouguiya
          [ou.gui.ya] n, pl ouguiya [Ar dial. ugiyah, fr. Ar uqiyah,
          lit., ounce] (1973): the basic monetary unit of Mauritania

   Ouija
          [Oui.ja] trademark--used for a board with the alphabet and
          other signs on it that is used with a planchette to seek
          spiritualistic or telepathic messages

   [1]ounce
          [ounce] n [ME, fr. MF unce, fr. L uncia 12th part, ounce,
          fr. unus one--more at one] (14c) 1 a: a unit of weight
          equal to 1/12 troy pound or 1/12 apothecaries' pound
          b: a unit of weight equal to 1/16 avoirdupois pound c:
          a small amount <an ~ of common sense> 2: fluidounce [2]ounce
          n [ME once lynx, fr. MF, alter. (by misdivision, as if
          l'once the ounce) of lonce, fr. (assumed) VL lyncea,
          fr. L lync-, lynx] (1774): snow leopard

   our
          [our] adj [ME oure, fr. OE ure; akin to OHG unser our, OE
          us us] (bef. 12c): of or relating to us or ourselves
          or ourself esp. as possessors or possessor, agents or
          agent, or objects or object of an action <~ throne> <~
          actions> <~ being chosen>

   Our Father
          [Our Father] n [fr. the opening words] (1882): lord's prayer

   ours
          [ours] pron, sing or pl in constr (14c): that which belongs
          to us--used without a following noun as a pronoun equivalent
          in meaning to the adjective our

   ourself
          [our.self] pron (14c): myself--used to refer to the single-person
          subject when we is used instead of I (as by a sovereign)
          <will keep ~ till supper time alone --Shak.>

   ourselves
          [our.selves] pron pl (15c) 1: those identical ones that are
          we--compare we 1--used reflexively <we're doing it solely
          for ~>, for emphasis <we ~ will never go>, or in absolute
          constructions <~ no longer young, we can sympathize with
          those who are old> 2: our normal, healthy, or sane condition
          <just not ~ today>

   -ous
          [-ous] adj suffix [ME, fr. OF -ous, -eus, -eux, fr. L -osus]
          1: full of: abounding in: having: possessing the qualities
          of <clamorous> <poisonous> 2: having a valence lower
          than in compounds or ions named with an adjective ending
          in -ic <mercurous>

   ousel
          [ou.sel] var of ouzel

   Oushak
          [Ou.shak] n, often attrib [fr. Oushak, Ushak (Usak), town
          in Turkey] (1901): a heavy wool Oriental rug characterized
          esp. by bright primary colors and an elaborate medallion
          pattern

   ou sont les neiges d'antan?
          [ou sont les neiges d'an.tan?] [F] foreign term : where are
          the snows of yesteryear?

   oust
          [oust] vt [ME, fr. AF ouster, fr. OF oster, fr. LL obstare
          to ward off, fr. L, to stand in the way, fr. ob- in the
          way + stare to stand--more at ob-, stand] (15c) 1 a:
          to remove from or dispossess of property or position
          by legal action, by force, or by the compulsion of necessity
          b: to take away (as a right or authority): bar, remove
          2: to take the place of: supplant syn see eject

   ouster
          [oust.er] n [AF, to oust] (1531) 1 a: a wrongful dispossession
          b: a judgment removing an officer or depriving a corporation
          of a franchise 2: expulsion

   out-
          [out-] prefix [[1] out]: in a manner that exceeds or surpasses
          and sometimes overpowers or defeats <outmaneuver>out.achieve
          out.act out.bar.gain out.bid out.bitch out.bluff out.box
          out.brag out.brawl out.bulk out.buy out.catch out.charge
          out.climb out.coach out.com.pete out.dance out.daz.zle
          out.de.bate out.de.liv.er out.de.sign out.drag out.dress
          out.drink out.drive out.du.el out.earn out.eat out.fight
          out.fig.ure out.fish out.fly out.fum.ble out.gain out.glit.ter
          out.gross out.hit out.ho.mer out.hunt out.hus.tle out.in.trigue
          out.jump out.kick out.kill out.last out.leap out.learn
          out.man out.ma.neu.ver out.ma.nip.u.late out.march out.mus.cle
          out.or.ga.nize out.pass out.per.form out.pitch out.play
          out.plot out.pol.i.tick out.poll out.pop.u.late out.pow.er
          out.pray out.preach out.price out.pro.duce out.prom.ise
          out.punch out.rate out.re.bound out.re.pro.duce out.ri.val
          out.roar out.row out.rush out.sail out.scheme out.scoop
          out.score out.shout out.sing out.sit out.skate out.soar
          out.spar.kle out.speed out.sprint out.stride out.swear
          out.swim out.talk out.think out.throw out.trade out.vie
          out.vote out.wait out.walk out.watch out.wres.tle out.write
          out.yell out.yield

   [1]out
          [out] adv [ME, fr. OE ut; akin to OHG uz out, Gk hysteros
          later, Skt ud up, out] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): in a direction
          away from the inside or center <went ~ into the garden>
          (2): outside <it's raining ~> b: from among others c:
          away from the shore d: away from home or work <~ to lunch>
          e: away from a particular place 2 a: so as to be missing
          or displaced from the usual or proper place <left a word
          ~> <threw his shoulder ~> b: into the possession or control
          of another <lend ~ money> c: into a state of loss or
          defeat <was voted ~> d: into a state of vexation <they
          do not mark me, and that brings me ~ --Shak.> e: into
          groups or shares <sorted ~ her notes> <parceled ~ the
          farm> 3 a: to the point of depletion, extinction, or
          exhaustion <the food ran ~> <turn the light ~> <all tuckered
          ~> b: to completion or satisfaction <hear me ~> <work
          the problem ~> c: to the full or a great extent or degree
          <all decked ~> <stretched ~ on the floor> 4 a: in or
          into the open <the sun came ~> b: out loud <cried ~>
          c: in or into public circulation <the evening paper isn't
          ~ yet> <hand ~ pamphlets> <the library book is still
          ~> 5 a: at an end <before the day is ~> b: in or into
          an insensible or unconscious state <she was ~ cold> c:
          in or into a useless state <landed the plane with one
          engine ~> d: so as to put a player or side out or to
          be put out in baseball 6--used on a two-way radio circuit
          to indicate that a message is complete and no reply is
          expected [2]out vt (bef. 12c): eject, oust ~ vi: to become
          publicly known <the truth will ~> [3]out prep (13c)--used
          as a function word to indicate an outward movement <ran
          ~ the door> <looked ~ the window> [4]out adj (13c) 1
          a: situated outside: external b: out-of-bounds 2: situated
          at a distance: outlying <the ~ islands> 3: not being
          in power 4: absent 5: put out while at bat or baserunning
          in baseball 6: directed outward or serving to direct
          something outward <the ~ basket> 7: not being in vogue
          or fashion 8: not to be considered: out of the question
          9: determined 1 <was ~ to get revenge> [5]out n (1717)
          1: outside 2: one who is out of office or power or on
          the outside <a matter of ~s versus ins> 3 a: an act or
          instance of putting a player out or of being put out
          in baseball b: a player that is put out 4: a way of escaping
          from an embarrassing or difficult situation -- on the
          outs : on unfriendly terms: at variance

   outage
          [out.age] n (1899) 1: a quantity or bulk of something lost
          in transportation or storage 2 a: a failure or interruption
          in use or functioning b: a period of interruption esp.
          of electric current

   out-and-out
          [out-and-out] adj (1813): being such completely at all times,
          in every way, or from every point of view <an ~ fraud>

   out-and-outer
          [out-and-out.er] n (ca. 1812): one who goes to extremes

   outback
          [out.back] n (1893): isolated rural country esp. of Australia

   outbalance
          [out.bal.ance] vt (1644): outweigh

   [1]outboard
          [out.board] adj (ca. 1823) 1: situated outboard 2: having,
          using, or limited to the use of an outboard motor [2]outboard
          adv (ca. 1848) 1: outside a ship's bulwarks: in a lateral
          direction from the hull 2: in a position closer or closest
          to either of the wingtips of an airplane or to the sides
          of an automobile [3]outboard n (1935) 1: outboard motor
          2: a boat with an outboard motor

   outboard motor
          [outboard motor] n (1909): a small internal combustion engine
          with propeller integrally attached for mounting at the
          stern of a small boat

   outbound
          [out.bound] adj (1598): outward bound <~ traffic>

   outbrave
          [out.brave] vt (1589) 1: to face or resist defiantly 2: to
          exceed in courage

   outbreak
          [out.break] n (1602) 1 a: a sudden or violent increase in
          activity or currency <the ~ of war> b: a sudden rise
          in the incidence of a disease <an ~ of measles> c: a
          sudden increase in numbers of a harmful organism and
          esp. an insect within a particular area <an ~ of locusts>
          2: insurrection, revolt

   outbreed
          [out.breed] vt -bred ; -breed.ing (ca. 1909) 1 : to subject
          to outbreeding 2 : to breed faster than

   outbreeding
          [out.breed.ing] n (1901): the interbreeding of individuals
          or stocks that are relatively unrelated

   outbuilding
          [out.build.ing] n (1626): a building (as a stable or a woodshed)
          separate from but accessory to a main house

   outburst
          [out.burst] n (1657) 1: a violent expression of feeling <an
          ~ of anger> 2: a surge of activity or growth <new ~s
          of creative power --C. E. Montague> 3: eruption <volcanic
          ~s>

   outbye
          [out.bye] or out.by adv [ME (Sc) out-by, fr. out + by] (15c)
          chiefly Scot: a short distance away; also: outdoors

   outcast
          [out.cast] n (14c) 1: one that is cast out or refused acceptance
          (as by society): pariah 2 [Sc cast out to quarrel] Scot:
          quarrel -- outcast adj

   outcaste
          [out.caste] n (1876) 1: a Hindu who has been ejected from
          his caste for violation of its customs or rules 2: one
          who has no caste

   outclass
          [out.class] vt (1870): to excel or surpass so decisively
          as to be or appear to be of a higher class

   outcome
          [out.come] n (1788): something that follows as a result or
          consequence

   [1]outcrop
          [out.crop] n (1805) 1: a coming out of bedrock
          or of an unconsolidated deposit to the surface of the ground 2: the
          part of a rock formation that appears at the surface of the ground
          [2]out.crop vi (ca. 1847) 1: to project from the surrounding soil
          <ledges outcropping from the eroded slope> 2: to come to the
          surface: appear

   outcropping
          [out.crop.ping] n (1872): outcrop

   [1]outcross
          [out.cross] n (1890) 1: a cross between relatively unrelated
          individuals 2: the progeny of an outcross [2]outcross
          vt (1918): to cross with a relatively unrelated individual
          or strain

   outcry
          [out.cry] n (14c) 1 a: a loud cry: clamor b: a vehement protest
          2: auction

   outdated
          [out.dat.ed] adj (1616): no longer current: outmoded
          -- out.dat.ed.ly adv -- out.dat.ed.ness n

   outdistance
          [out.dis.tance] vt (1857): to go far ahead of (as in a race):
          outstrip

   outdo
          [out.do] vt -did ; -done ; -do.ing ; -does (1607) 1: to go
          beyond in action or performance 2: defeat, overcome syn
          see exceed

   outdoor
          [out.door] also out.doors adj [out (of) door, out (of) doors]
          (1748) 1: of or relating to the outdoors 2 a: performed
          outdoors <~ sports> b: outdoorsy <an ~ couple> 3: not
          enclosed: having no roof <an ~ restaurant>

   [1]outdoors
          [out.doors] adv (1817): outside a building: in or into the
          open air [2]outdoors n pl but sing in constr (1844) 1:
          a place or location away from the confines of a building
          2: the world away from human habitations

   outdoorsman
          [out.doors.man] n (1918): one who spends much time in the
          outdoors or in outdoor activities -- out.doors.man.ship
          n

   outdoorsy
          [out.doorsy] adj (1936) 1: relating to, characteristic of,
          or appropriate for the outdoors <~ clothing> 2: fond
          of outdoor activities <sounded rugged and ~ --N.Y. Times>

   outdraw
          [out.draw] vt -drew ; -drawn ; -draw.ing (ca. 1909) 1: to
          attract a larger audience or following than 2: to draw
          a handgun more quickly than

   outer
          [out.er] adj [ME, fr. [4]out + [1]-er] (13c) 1: existing
          independent of mind: objective 2 a: situated farther
          out <the ~ limits> b: being away from a center c: situated
          or belonging on the outside <the ~ covering>

   outercoat
          [out.er.coat] n (1948): coat 1a

   outer ear
          [outer ear] n (1935): the outer visible portion of the ear
          that collects and directs sound waves toward the eardrum
          by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal
          bone

   outermost
          [out.er.most] adj (14c): farthest out

   outer planet
          [outer planet] n (1941): any of the planets Jupiter, Saturn,
          Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto whose orbits lie beyond the
          asteroid belt

   outer space
          [outer space] n (1901): space immediately outside the earth's
          atmosphere; broadly: interplanetary or interstellar space

   outerwear
          [out.er.wear] n (1921): clothing for outdoor wear

   outface
          [out.face] vt (ca. 1529) 1: to cause to waver or submit by
          or as if by staring 2: to confront unflinchingly: defy

   outfall
          [out.fall] n (1629): the outlet of a body of water (as a
          river or lake); esp: the mouth of a drain or sewer

   outfield
          [out.field] n (1868) 1: the part of a baseball field beyond
          the infield and between the foul lines 2: the baseball
          defensive positions comprising right field, center field,
          and left field; also: the players who occupy these positions
          -- out.field.er n

   [1]outfit
          [out.fit] n (ca. 1769) 1: the act of fitting out or equipping
          (as for a voyage or expedition) 2 a: the tools or equipment
          for the practice of a trade b: wearing apparel with accessories
          usu. for a special occasion or activity c: physical,
          mental, or moral endowments or resources 3: a group that
          works as a team: organization; esp: a military unit [2]outfit
          vb out.fit.ted ; out.fit.ting vt (1847) 1: to furnish
          with an outfit 2: supply <outfitting every family with
          shoes --Amer. Guide Series: Vt.> ~ vi: to acquire an
          outfit syn see furnish

   outfitter
          [out.fit.ter] n (1846): one that outfits: as a: haberdasher
          b: a business providing equipment, supplies, and often
          trained guides (as for hunting trips); also: a guide
          working for such an outfitter

   outflank
          [out.flank] vt (1765) 1: to get around the flank of (an opposing
          force) 2: get around, circumvent

   [1]outflow
          [out.flow] vi (ca. 1580): to flow out [2]out.flow n (ca.
          1864) 1: a flowing out <the ~ of dollars> 2: something
          that flows out <~ of a sewage treatment plant>

   outfoot
          [out.foot] vt (1737): to outdo in speed: outstrip

   outfox
          [out.fox] vt (1924): outsmart

   out-front
          [out-front] adj (1968): frank, open

   outgas
          [out.gas] vt (1925) 1: to remove occluded gases from usu.
          by heating; broadly: to remove gases from 2: to remove
          (gases) from a material or a space ~ vi: to lose gases

   outgeneral
          [out.gen.er.al] vt (1767): to surpass in generalship: outmaneuver

   [1]outgiving
          [out.giv.ing] n (1663): something that is given out; esp:
          a public statement or utterance [2]outgiving adj (1942):
          socially responsive and demonstrative

   [1]outgo
          [out.go] vt (1530): to go beyond: outdo [2]out.go n, pl outgoes
          (ca. 1640) 1: something that goes out; specif: expenditure
          2 a: the act of going out b: departure 3: outlet 1a

   outgoing
          [out.go.ing] adj (1633) 1 a: going away: departing <an ~
          ship> b: retiring or withdrawing from a place or position
          <the ~ president> c: directed to an intended recipient
          <~ mail> 2: openly friendly and responsive: extroverted
          -- out.go.ing.ness n

   outgoings
          [out.go.ings] n pl (1765) Brit: costs incurred: expenses

   out-group
          [out-group] n (ca. 1907): a group that is distinct from one's
          own and so usu. an object of hostility or dislike--compare
          in-group 1

   outgrow
          [out.grow] vt -grew ; -grown ; -grow.ing (1594) 1: to grow
          or increase faster than <mankind is ~ing food supplies
          --R. C. Murphy> 2: to grow too large or too mature for
          <outgrew his best suit> <the need to ~ the habit of war
          --Norman Cousins>

   outgrowth
          [out.growth] n (1837) 1: a process or product of growing
          out <an ~ of hair> 2: consequence, by-product <crime
          is often an ~ of poverty>

   outguess
          [out.guess] vt (1911): to anticipate the expectations, intentions,
          or actions of: outwit

   outgun
          [out.gun] vt (1691): to surpass in firepower; broadly: outdo

   outhaul
          [out.haul] n (1840): a rope used to haul a sail taut along
          a spar

   out-Herod
          [out-Her.od] vt [out- + Herod the Great, depicted in medieval
          mystery plays as a blustering tyrant] (1602): to exceed
          in violence or extravagance--usu. used in the phrase
          out-Herod Herod

   outhouse
          [out.house] n (14c): outbuilding; esp: privy 1a

   outing
          [out.ing] n (1821) 1: a brief usu. outdoor pleasure trip
          2: an athletic competition or race; also: an appearance
          therein 3: a usu. public presentation or appearance (as
          in a particular role) <her first ~ as a novelist> 4:
          the public disclosure of the covert homosexuality of
          a prominent person by homosexual activists

   outing flannel
          [outing flannel] n (1890): a flannelette sometimes having
          an admixture of wool

   outland
          [out.land] n (bef. 12c) 1: a foreign land 2 pl: the outlying
          regions of a country: provinces -- outland adj

   outlander
          [out.land.er] n (1598): a person who belongs to another region,
          culture, or group: foreigner, stranger

   outlandish
          [out.land.ish] adj (bef. 12c) 1: of or relating to another
          country: foreign 2 a: strikingly out of the ordinary:
          bizarre <an ~ costume> b: exceeding proper or reasonable
          limits or standards 3: remote from civilization syn see
          strange -- out.land.ish.ly adv -- out.land.ish.ness n

   [1]outlaw
          [out.law] n [ME outlawe, fr. OE utlaga, fr. ON utlagi, fr.
          ut out (akin to OE ut out) + lag-, log law--more at out,
          law] (bef. 12c) 1: a person excluded from the benefit
          or protection of the law 2 a: a lawless person or a fugitive
          from the law b: a person or organization under a ban
          or restriction c: one that is unconventional or rebellious
          3: an animal (as a horse) that is wild and unmanageable
          -- outlaw adj [2]outlaw vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to deprive
          of the benefit and protection of law: declare to be an
          outlaw b: to make illegal <~ed dueling> 2: to place under
          a ban or restriction 3: to remove from legal jurisdiction
          or enforcement -- out.law.ry n

   [1]outlay
          [out.lay] vt -laid ; -lay.ing (1555): to lay out (money):
          expend [2]out.lay n (1798) 1: the act of expending 2:
          expenditure, payment <~s for national defense>

   outlet
          [out.let] n [ME ut-lete, fr. ut out + -lete watercourse,
          fr. OE gelaet, fr. laetan to let] (13c) 1 a: a place
          or opening through which something is let out: exit,
          vent b: a means of release or satisfaction for an emotion
          or impulse <sexual ~s> c: a medium of expression or publication
          2: a stream flowing out of a lake or pond 3 a: a market
          for a commodity b: an agency (as a store or dealer) through
          which a product is marketed <retail ~s> 4: a receptacle
          for the plug of an electrical device

   outlet pass
          [outlet pass] n (ca. 1975): a pass made in basketball by
          th e player taking a defensive rebound to a teammate
          to start a fast break

   outlier
          [out.li.er] n (1676) 1: a person whose residence and place
          of business are at a distance 2: something (as a geological
          feature) that is situated away from or classed differently
          from a main or related body

   [1]outline
          [out.line] n (1662) 1 a: a line that marks the outer limits
          of an object or figure: boundary b: shape 2 a: a style
          of drawing in which contours are marked without shading
          b: a sketch in outline 3 a: a condensed treatment of
          a particular subject <an ~ of world history> b: a summary
          of a written work: synopsis 4: a preliminary account
          of a project: plan 5: a fishing line set out overnight:
          trotline syn outline, contour, profile, silhouette mean
          the line that bounds and gives form to something. outline
          applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of
          a body or mass <traced the outline of his hand>. contour
          stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface
          as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled <a
          car with flowing contours>. profile suggests a varied
          and sharply defined outline against a lighter background
          <a portrait of her face in profile>. silhouette suggests
          a shape esp. of a head or figure with all detail blacked
          out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined
          <photograph in silhouette against a bright sky>. [2]outline
          vt (ca. 1790) 1: to draw the outline of 2: to indicate
          the principal features or different parts of <outlined
          their responsibilities>

   outlive
          [out.live] vt (15c) 1: to live beyond or longer than <outlived
          most of his friends> <~ its usefulness> 2: to survive
          the effects of <universities ... ~ many political and
          social changes --J. B. Conant>

   outlook
          [out.look] n (1667) 1 a: a place offering a view b: a view
          from a particular place 2: point of view <a positive
          ~ on life> 3: the act of looking out 4: the prospect
          for the future <the ~ for steel demand in the U.S. --Wall
          Street Jour.> syn see prospect

   out loud
          [out loud] adv (1821): loudly enough to be heard: aloud

   outlying
          [out.ly.ing] adj (ca. 1690): remote from a center or main
          body <~ areas>

   outmatch
          [out.match] vt (1603): to prove superior to: outdo

   out-migrant
          [out-mi.grant] n (1945): one that out-migrates

   out-migrate
          [out-mi.grate] vi (1953): to leave one region or community
          in order to settle in another esp. as part of a large-scale
          and continuing movement of population--compare in-migrate
          -- out-mi.gra.tion n

   outmode
          [out.mode] vt out.mod.ed ; out.mod.ing [out (of) mode] (1906):
          to make unfashionable or obsolete

   outmoded
          [out.mod.ed] adj (1903) 1: not being in style 2: no longer
          acceptable, current, or usable <~ customs>

   outmost
          [out.most] adj (12c): farthest out: outermost

   outnumber
          [out.num.ber] vt (1670): to exceed in number

   out of
          [out of] prep (bef. 12c) 1 a (1)--used as a function word
          to indicate direction or movement from within to the
          outside of <walked out of the room> (2)--used as a function
          word to indicate a change in quality, state, or form
          <woke up out of a deep sleep> b (1)--used as a function
          word to indicate a position or situation beyond the range,
          limits, or sphere of <out of control> (2)--used as a
          function word to indicate a position or state away from
          the usual or expected <out of practice> 2--used as a
          function word to indicate origin, source, or cause <a
          remarkable colt out of an ordinary mare> <built out of
          old lumber> <came out of fear> 3--used as a function
          word to indicate exclusion from or deprivation of <cheated
          him out of his savings> <out of breath> 4--used as a
          function word to indicate choice or selection from a
          group <one out of four survived> -- out of it 1: not
          part of a group, activity, or fashion 2: in a dazed or
          confused state

   out-of-body
          [out-of-body] adj (1970): relating to or involving a feeling
          of separation from one's body and of being able to view
          oneself and others from an external perspective <an ~
          experience>

   out-of-bounds
          [out-of-bounds] adv or adj (1857): outside the prescribed
          boundaries or limits

   out-of-date
          [out-of-date] adj (1628): outmoded, obsolete

   out-of-door
          [out-of-door] or out-of-doors adj (1800): outdoor

   out-of-doors
          [out-of-doors] n pl but sing in constr (1819): outdoors

   out-of-pocket
          [out-of-pock.et] adj (1885): requiring an outlay of cash
          <~ expenses>

   out-of-sight
          [out-of-sight] adj (1893) slang: wonderful

   out-of-the-way
          [out-of-the-way] adj (1704) 1: unusual <~ information> 2:
          being off the beaten track <an ~ restaurant>

   outpace
          [out.pace] vt (1611) 1: to surpass in speed 2: outdo

   outpatient
          [out.pa.tient] n (1715): a patient who is not hospitalized
          overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated
          facility for diagnosis or treatment--compare inpatient

   outplacement
          [out.place.ment] n (1970): the process of easing unwanted
          or unneeded executives out of a company by providing
          company-paid assistance in finding them new jobs

   outpoint
          [out.point] vt (1883) 1: to sail closer to the wind than
          2: to win more points than (as in a boxing match)

   outport
          [out.port] n (1642) 1 chiefly Brit: a port other than the
          main port of a country 2: a small fishing village esp.
          in Newfoundland

   outpost
          [out.post] n (1757) 1 a: a security detachment dispatched
          by a main body of troops to protect it from enemy surprise
          b: a military base established by treaty or agreement
          in another country 2 a: an outlying or frontier settlement
          b: an outlying branch or position of a main organization
          or group

   [1]outpour
          [out.pour] vt (1671): to pour out [2]out.pour n (1864): outpouring

   outpouring
          [out.pour.ing] n (15c) 1: the act of pouring out 2: something
          that pours out or is poured out: outflow

   outpull
          [out.pull] vt (1926): outdraw 1

   [1]output
          [out.put] n (ca. 1858) 1: something produced: as a: mineral,
          agricultural, or industrial production <steel ~> b: mental
          or artistic production <literary ~> c: the amount produced
          by a person in a given time d: power or energy produced
          or delivered by a machine or system (as for storage or
          for conversion in kind or in characteristics) <solar
          X-ray ~> e: the information produced by a computer 2:
          the act, process, or an instance of producing 3: the
          terminal for the output on an electrical device [2]output
          vt out.put.ted or output ; out.put.ting (1858): to produce
          as output

   outrace
          [out.race] vt (1657): outpace

   [1]outrage
          [out.rage] n [ME, fr. MF, excess, outrage, fr. outre beyond,
          in excess, fr. L ultra--more at ultra-] (14c) 1: an act
          of violence or brutality 2 a: injury, insult <do no ~s
          on silly women or poor passengers --Shak.> b: an act
          that violates accepted standards of behavior or taste
          <an ~ alike against decency and dignity --John Buchan>
          3: the anger and resentment aroused by injury or insult
          [2]outrage vt out.raged ; out.rag.ing (1590) 1 a: rape
          b: to violate the standards or principles of <he has
          outraged respectability past endurance --John Braine>
          2: to arouse anger or resentment in usu. by some grave
          offense syn see offend

   outrageous
          [out.ra.geous] adj (14c) 1 a: exceeding the limits of what
          is usual b: not conventional or matter-of-fact: fantastic
          2: violent, unrestrained 3 a: going beyond all standards
          of what is right or decent <an ~ disregard of human rights>
          b: deficient in propriety or good taste <~ language>
          <~ manners> -- out.ra.geous.ly adv -- out.ra.geous.ness
          n

   outrance
          [ou.trance] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. outrer to pass beyond, carry
          to excess, fr. outre] (15c): the last extremity

   outrange
          [out.range] vt (1858): to surpass in range

   outrank
          [out.rank] vt (1842) 1: to rank higher than 2: to exceed
          in importance

   outre
          [ou.tre] adj [F, fr. pp. of outrer to carry to excess] (1722):
          violating convention or propriety: bizarre

   [1]outreach
          [out.reach] vt (ca. 1568) 1 a: to surpass in reach b: exceed
          <the demand ~es the supply> 2: to get the better of by
          trickery ~ vi 1: to go too far 2: to reach out [2]out.reach
          n (1870) 1: the act of reaching out 2: the extent or
          limit of reach <the ~ of the Ohio floods --Clifton Johnson>
          3: the extending of services or assistance beyond current
          or usual limits <an ~ program>; also: the extent of such
          services or assistance

   outre-mer
          [outre-mer] [F] foreign term : overseas: distant lands

   [1]outride
          [out.ride] vt -rode ; -rid.den ; -rid.ing (1530) 1: to ride
          better, faster, or farther than: outstrip 2: to ride
          out (a storm) [2]out.ride n (1880): an unstressed syllable
          or group of syllables added to a foot in sprung rhythm
          but not counted in the scansion

   outrider
          [out.rid.er] n (1530) 1: a mounted attendant 2: one who escorts
          or clears the way for a vehicle or person 3: forerunner,
          harbinger

   outrigger
          [out.rig.ger] n (1748) 1 a: a projecting spar with a shaped
          log at the end attached to a canoe to prevent upsetting
          b: a spar or projecting beam run out from a ship's side
          to help secure the masts or from a mast to extend a rope
          or sail c: a projecting support for an oarlock; also:
          a boat equipped with these supports 2: a projecting member
          run out from a main structure to provide additional stability
          or to support something; esp: a projecting frame to support
          the elevator or tailplanes of an airplane or the rotor
          of a helicopter

   [1]outright
          [out.right] adv (14c) 1 archaic: straight ahead: directly
          2: in entirety: completely <rejected the proposal ~>
          3: without restraint or reservation <laughed ~> 4: on
          the spot: instantaneously <was killed ~> 5: without lien
          or encumbrance <purchased the property ~ for cash> [2]out.right
          adj (1532) 1 a: being completely or exactly what is stated
          <an ~ lie> b: given without reservation <~ grants for
          research> c: made without encumbrance or lien <~ sale>
          2 archaic: proceeding directly onward -- out.right.ly
          adv

   outrun
          [out.run] vt -ran ; -run ; -run.ning (1526) 1: to run faster
          than 2: exceed, surpass <his ambitions ~ his abilities>

   outsell
          [out.sell] vt -sold ; -sell.ing (1609) 1 archaic: to exceed
          in value 2: to exceed in number of items sold 3: to surpass
          in selling or salesmanship

   outset
          [out.set] n (1759): beginning, start

   outshine
          [out.shine] vb -shone or -shined ; -shin.ing vt (1596) 1
          a: to shine brighter than b: to excel in splendor or
          showiness 2: outdo, surpass <outshone most of the other
          films in quality --Kathleen Karr> ~ vi: to shine out

   outshoot
          [out.shoot] vt -shot ; -shoot.ing (1530) 1: to surpass in
          shooting or making shots 2: to shoot or go beyond

   [1]outside
          [out.side] n (1505) 1 a: a place or region beyond an enclosure
          or boundary: as (1): the world beyond the confines of
          an institution (as a prison) (2) often cap, Alaska: the
          world beyond the territory or state of Alaska; esp: the
          48 contiguous states b: the area farthest from a specified
          point of reference: as (1): the side of home plate farthest
          from the batter (2): the part of a playing area toward
          the sidelines (3): the part of a playing area away from
          the goal 2: an outer side or surface 3: an outer manifestation:
          appearance 4: the extreme limit of a guess: maximum <the
          crowd numbered 10,000 at the ~> [2]outside adj (1634)
          1 a: of, relating to, or being on or toward the outer
          side or surface <the ~ edge> b: of, relating to, or being
          on or toward the outer side of a curve or turn c: of,
          relating to, or being on or near the outside <an ~ pitch>
          2 a: situated or performed outside a particular place
          b: connected with or giving access to the outside <~
          telephone line> 3: maximum 4 a: not included or originating
          in a particular group or organization <blamed the riot
          on ~ agitators> b: not belonging to one's regular occupation
          or duties <~ interests> 5: barely possible: remote <an
          ~ chance> 6: made or done from the outside <borrowed
          a basketball and practiced his ~ shot> [3]outside adv
          (1813) 1: on or to the outside 2: outdoors [4]outside
          prep (1826) 1--used as a function word to indicate movement
          to or position on the outer side of 2: beyond the limits
          of <~ the scope of this report> <~ the law> 3: except

   outside of
          [outside of] prep (ca. 1840) 1: outside 2: aside from

   outsider
          [out.sid.er] n (1800) 1: a person who does not belong to
          a particular group 2 chiefly Brit: a contender not expected
          to win -- out.sid.er.ness n

   outsight
          [out.sight] n (1605): the power or act of perceiving external
          things <the clear-eyed insight and ~ of the born writer
          --New Yorker>

   [1]outsize
          [out.size] n (1845): an unusual size; esp: a size larger
          than the standard [2]outsize also out.sized adj (1880)
          1: unusually large or heavy 2: exaggerated or extravagant
          in size or degree

   outskirt
          [out.skirt] n (1596): a part remote from the center: border--usu.
          used in pl. <on the ~s of town>

   outslick
          [out.slick] vt (1926): to get the better of esp. by trickery
          or cunning

   outsmart
          [out.smart] vt (1924): to get the better of; esp: outwit

   outsole
          [out.sole] n (1884): the outside sole of a boot or shoe

   outsourcing
          [out.sourc.ing] n (1982): the practice of subcontracting
          manufacturing work to outside and esp. foreign or nonunion
          companies

   outspeak
          [out.speak] vt -spoke ; -spo.ken ;  -speak.ing (1603) 1:
          to excel in speaking 2: to declare openly or boldly

   outspend
          [out.spend] vt (1586) 1: to exceed the limits of in spending
          <~s his income> 2: to spend more than <outspent the other
          candidates>

   outspent
          [out.spent] adj (1652): completely worn out: exhausted <spurred
          him, like an ~ horse, to death --P. B. Shelley>

   outspoken
          [out.spo.ken] adj (ca. 1808) 1: direct and open in speech
          or expression: frank <~ in his criticism --Current Biog.>
          2: spoken or expressed without reserve <his ~ advocacy
          of gun control> -- out.spo.ken.ly adv -- out.spo.ken.ness
          n

   outspread
          [out.spread] vt -spread ; -spread.ing (14c): to spread out

   outstand
          [out.stand] vb -stood ; -stand.ing vt (1571): to endure beyond
          <I have outstood my time --Shak.> ~ vi: stand out

   outstanding
          [out.stand.ing] adj (1611) 1: standing out: projecting 2
          a: unpaid <left several bills ~> b: continuing to exist:
          unresolved <a long ~ problem in astronomy> c of securities:
          publicly issued and sold 3 a: standing out from a group:
          conspicuous b: marked by eminence and distinction syn
          see noticeable -- out.stand.ing.ly adv

   outstare
          [out.stare] vt (1596): outface 1

   outstation
          [out.sta.tion] n (1844): a remote or outlying station

   outstay
          [out.stay] vt (1600) 1: overstay 1 <~ed their welcome> 2:
          to surpass in staying power <~ed his competitors>

   outstretch
          [out.stretch] vt (15c): to stretch out: extend

   outstrip
          [out.strip] vt [out- + obs. strip to move fast] (1580) 1:
          to go faster or farther than 2: to get ahead of: leave
          behind <has civilization outstripped the ability of its
          users to use it? --Margaret Mead> syn see exceed

   outtake
          [out.take] n (1902) 1: a passage outward: flue, vent 2: something
          that is taken out: as a: a take that is not used in an
          edited version of a film or video tape b: a recorded
          musical selection not included in a record album

   outturn
          [out.turn] n (1800): a quantity produced: output

   [1]outward
          [out.ward] adj (bef. 12c) 1: moving, directed, or turned
          toward the outside or away from a center <an ~ flow>
          2: situated on the outside: exterior 3: of or relating
          to the body or to appearances rather than to the mind
          or the inner life <~ beauty> 4: external [2]outward or
          out.wards adv (bef. 12c) 1: toward the outside 2 obs:
          on the outside: externally [3]outward n (1606): external
          form, appearance, or reality

   outward-bound
          [out.ward-bound] adj (1602): bound in an outward direction
          or to foreign parts <an ~ ship>

   outwardly
          [out.ward.ly] adv (14c) 1 a: on the outside: externally b:
          toward the outside 2: in outward state, behavior, or
          appearance <was ~ friendly>

   outwardness
          [out.ward.ness] n (1580) 1: the quality or state of being
          external 2: concern with or responsiveness to outward
          things

   outwash
          [out.wash] n (1894): detritus chiefly consisting of gravel
          and sand carried by running water from the melting ice
          of a glacier and laid down in stratified deposits

   outwear
          [out.wear] vt -wore ; -worn ; -wear.ing (ca. 1541) 1: wear
          out, exhaust 2: to last longer than <a fabric that ~s
          others>

   outweigh
          [out.weigh] vt (1597): to exceed in weight, value, or importance
          <the advantages ~ the disadvantages>

   outwit
          [out.wit] vt -wit.ted ; -wit.ting (1652) 1: to get the better
          of by superior cleverness: outsmart 2 archaic: to surpass
          in wisdom

   [1]outwork
          [out.work] vt (13c) 1: work out, complete 2: to work harder,
          faster, or better than [2]out.work n (ca. 1615): a minor
          defensive position constructed outside a fortified area

   outworker
          [out.work.er] n (1813) chiefly Brit: a person who works at
          home for a business firm

   outworn
          [out.worn] adj (1565): no longer useful or acceptable: outmoded
          <an ~ social system>

   out-year
          [out-year] n (1981): the year beyond a current fiscal year--usu.
          used in pl. except when attrib.

   ouzel
          [ou.zel] n [ME ousel, fr. OE osle--more at merle] (bef. 12c)
          1: blackbird 1a; also: a related bird (Turdus torquatus)
          2: dipper 1

   ouzo
          [ou.zo] n [NGk] (1898): a colorless anise-flavored unsweetened
          Greek liqueur

   ov...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ov-
          [ov-] or ovi- or ovo- comb form [L ov-, ovi-, fr. ovum--more
          at egg]: egg <ovicide>: ovum <oviduct>

   ova
          [ova] pl of ovum

   [1]oval
          [oval] n (1570) 1: an oval figure or object 2: a racetrack
          in the shape of an oval or a rectangle having rounded
          corners [2]oval adj [ML ovalis, fr. LL, of an egg, fr.
          L ovum] (1577): having the shape of an egg; also: broadly
          elliptical -- oval.i.ty n -- oval.ly adv -- oval.ness
          n

   ovalbumin
          [ov.al.bu.min] n (ca. 1836) 1: the principal albumin of white
          of egg; esp: the crystalline part of egg albumins 2:
          dried whites of eggs

   Oval Office
          [Oval Office] n [fr. the Oval Office, the U.S. president's
          office in the west wing of the White House] (1962): the
          seat of the executive department of the U.S. government

   oval window
          [oval window] n (1683): fenestra 1a

   Ovambo
          [Ovam.bo] n, pl Ovambo or Ovambos (1853) 1: a member of a
          Bantu people of northern Namibia 2: the Bantu language
          of the Ovambo people

   ovarian
          [ovar.i.an] also ovar.i.al adj (ca. 1834): of, relating to,
          or involving an ovary

   ovariectomy
          [ovari.ec.to.my] n, pl -mies (1889): the surgical removal
          of an ovary -- ovari.ec.to.mized adj

   ovariole
          [ovar.i.ole] n [(assumed) NL ovariolum, dim. of ovarium]
          (1877): one of the tubes of which the ovaries of most
          insects are composed

   ovariotomy
          [ovar.i.ot.o.my] n, pl -mies (1844) 1: surgical incision
          of an ovary 2: ovariectomy

   ovary
          [ova.ry] n, pl -ries [NL ovarium, fr. L ovum egg] (1658)
          1: one of the typically paired essential female reproductive
          organs that produce eggs and in vertebrates female sex
          hormones 2: the enlarged rounded usu. basal portion of
          the pistil or gynoecium of an angiospermous plant that
          bears the ovules and consists of one or more carpels--see
          flower illustration

   ovate
          [ovate] adj (1760) 1: shaped like an egg 2: having an outline
          like a longitudinal section of an egg with the basal
          end broader <~ leaves>--see leaf illustration

   ovation
          [ova.tion] n [L ovation-, ovatio, fr. ovare to exult; akin
          to Gk euoi, interjection used in bacchic revels] (1533)
          1: a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general
          who had won a victory of less importance than that for
          which a triumph was granted 2: an expression or demonstration
          of popular acclaim esp. by enthusiastic applause <received
          a standing ~>

   oven
          [ov.en] n [ME, fr. OE ofen; akin to OHG ofan oven and perh.
          to Gk ipnos oven] (bef. 12c): a chamber used for baking,
          heating, or drying

   ovenbird
          [ov.en.bird] n [fr. the shape of its nest] (ca. 1825) 1:
          any of various So. American small brown passerine birds
          (genus Furnarius) 2: an American warbler (Seiurus aurocapillus)
          that builds a dome-shaped nest on the ground

   ovenproof
          [ov.en.proof] adj (ca. 1940): capable of withstanding the
          temperature range of a kitchen oven <~ dishes>

   over-
          [over-] prefix 1: so as to exceed or surpass <overachieve>
          2: excessive <overstimulation> 3: to an excessive degree
          <overthin>over.ab.stract over.abun.dance over.abun.dant
          over.ac.cen.tu.ate over.ad.just.ment over.ad.ver.tise
          over.ag.gres.sive over.alert over.am.bi.tious over.am.bi.tious.ness
          over.am.pli.fied over.anal.y.sis over.an.a.lyt.i.cal over.an.a.lyze
          over.anx.i.ety over.anx.ious over.ap.pli.ca.tion over.arous.al
          over.ar.range over.ar.tic.u.late over.as.sert over.as.ser.tion
          over.as.ser.tive over.as.sess.ment over.at.ten.tion over.bake
          over.beat over.be.jew.eled over.bill over.bleach over.boil
          over.bold over.bor.row over.breath.ing over.brief over.bright
          over.broad over.browse over.bru.tal over.burn over.busy
          over.care.ful over.cau.tion over.cau.tious over.cen.tral.i.za.tion
          over.cen.tral.ize over.chill over.civ.i.lized over.claim
          over.clas.si.fi.ca.tion over.clas.si.fy over.clean over.clear
          over.coach over.com.mer.cial.i.za.tion over.com.mer.cial.ize
          over.com.mu.ni.cate over.com.mu.ni.ca.tion over.com.plex
          over.com.pli.ance over.com.pli.cate over.com.pli.cat.ed
          over.com.press over.con.cen.tra.tion over.con.cern over.con.cerned
          over.con.fi.dence over.con.fi.dent over.con.fi.dent.ly
          over.con.sci.en.tious over.con.scious over.con.ser.va.tive
          over.con.struct over.con.sume over.con.sump.tion over.con.trol
          over.cook over.cool over.cor.rect over.count over.cred.u.lous
          over.crit.i.cal over.cul.ti.va.tion over.cure over.dec.o.rate
          over.dec.o.ra.tion over.de.mand.ing over.de.pen.dence
          over.de.pen.dent over.de.sign over.dif.fer.en.ti.a.tion
          over.di.rect over.dis.count over.di.ver.si.ty over.doc.u.ment
          over.dra.mat.ic over.dra.ma.tize over.drink over.dry over.ea.ger
          over.ea.ger.ness over.ear.nest over.ed.it over.ed.u.cate
          over.ed.u.cat.ed over.ed.u.ca.tion over.elab.o.rate
          over.elab.o.ra.tion over.em.bel.lish over.emote over.emo.tion.al
          over.em.pha.sis over.em.pha.size over.em.phat.ic over.en.am.ored
          over.en.cour.age over.en.er.get.ic over.en.gi.neer over.en.rolled
          over.en.ter.tained over.en.thu.si.asm over.en.thu.si.as.tic
          over.equipped over.es.ti.mate over.es.ti.ma.tion over.eval.u.a.tion
          over.ex.ag.ger.ate over.ex.ag.ger.a.tion over.ex.cite
          over.ex.cit.ed over.ex.er.cise over.ex.ert over.ex.er.tion
          over.ex.pand over.ex.pan.sion over.ex.pec.ta.tion over.ex.plain
          over.ex.plic.it over.ex.ploit over.ex.ploi.ta.tion
          over.ex.trac.tion over.ex.trap.o.la.tion over.ex.trav.a.gant
          over.ex.u.ber.ant over.fac.ile over.fa.mil.iar over.fa.mil.iar.i.ty
          over.fas.tid.i.ous over.fat over.fa.vor over.fer.til.i.za.tion
          over.fer.til.ize over.fo.cus over.fond over.ful.fill over.fund
          over.fussy over.gen.er.al.i.za.tion over.gen.er.al.ize
          over.gen.er.os.i.ty over.gen.er.ous over.gen.er.ous.ly
          over.glam.or.ize over.gov.ern over.han.dle over.har.vest over.hasty
          over.ho.mog.e.nize over.hunt over.hunt.ing over.hype
          over.ide.al.ize over.iden.ti.fi.ca.tion over.iden.ti.fy
          over.imag.i.na.tive over.im.press over.in.debt.ed.ness
          over.in.dulge over.in.dul.gence over.in.dul.gent
          over.in.dus.tri.al.ize over.in.flate over.in.flat.ed
          over.in.fla.tion over.in.form over.in.formed over.in.ge.nious
          over.in.ge.nu.ity over.in.sis.tent over.in.tel.lec.tu.al.i.za.tion
          over.in.tel.lec.tu.al.ize over.in.tense over.in.ten.si.ty
          over.in.ter.pre.ta.tion over.in.vest.ment over.la.bor over.la.bored
          over.lad.en over.large over.lav.ish over.lend over.length
          over.length.en over.light over.lit.er.al over.lit.er.ary over.load
          over.long over.loud over.lush over.man.age over.man.nered
          over.ma.ture over.ma.tu.ri.ty over.med.i.cate over.med.i.ca.tion
          over.mighty over.milk over.mine over.mix over.mod.est
          over.mod.est.ly over.mus.cled over.nice over.nour.ish
          over.nu.tri.tion over.ob.vi.ous over.op.er.ate over.opin.ion.at.ed
          over.op.ti.mism over.op.ti.mist over.op.ti.mis.tic
          over.op.ti.mis.ti.cal.ly over.or.ches.trate over.or.ga.nize
          over.or.ga.nized over.or.na.ment over.pack.age over.par.tic.u.lar
          over.pay over.pay.ment over.ped.al over.peo.ple over.plan
          over.plant over.plot over.po.tent over.praise over.pre.cise
          over.pre.scribe over.pre.scrip.tion over.priv.i.leged over.prize
          over.pro.cess over.pro.duce over.pro.duc.tion over.pro.gram
          over.prom.ise over.pro.mote over.pro.tect over.pro.tec.tion
          over.pro.tec.tive over.pro.tec.tive.ness over.pump over.rate
          over.re.act over.re.ac.tion over.re.fined over.re.fine.ment
          over.reg.u.late over.reg.u.la.tion over.re.li.ance over.re.port
          over.re.spond over.rich over.rig.id over.salt over.san.guine
          over.sat.u.rate over.sat.u.ra.tion over.sauce over.scru.pu.lous
          over.se.cre.tion over.sen.si.tive over.sen.si.tive.ness
          over.sen.si.tiv.i.ty over.se.ri.ous over.se.ri.ous.ly over.ser.vice
          over.sim.plis.tic over.smoke over.so.lic.i.tous
          over.so.phis.ti.cat.ed over.spe.cial.i.za.tion over.spe.cial.ize
          over.spec.u.late over.spec.u.la.tion over.sta.bil.i.ty over.staff
          over.stim.u.late over.stim.u.la.tion over.stock over.strain
          over.stress over.stretch over.struc.tured over.sub.tle over.suds
          over.sup.ply over.sus.pi.cious over.sweet over.sweet.en
          over.sweet.ness over.swing over.talk over.talk.a.tive over.tax
          over.tax.a.tion over.thin over.think over.tight.en over.tip
          over.tired over.train over.treat over.treat.ment over.use
          over.uti.li.za.tion over.uti.lize over.vi.o.lent over.viv.id
          over.wa.ter over.wea.ry over.wind over.with.hold over.zeal.ous
          over.zeal.ous.ness

   [1]over
          [over] adv [ME, adv. & prep., fr. OE ofer; akin to OHG ubar
          (prep.) above, beyond, over, L super, Gk hyper] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: across a barrier or intervening space; esp:
          across the goal line in football b: forward beyond an
          edge or brink and often down <wandered too near the cliff
          and fell ~> c: across the brim <soup boiled ~> d: so
          as to bring the underside up <turned his cards ~> e:
          from a vertical to a prone or inclined position <knocked
          the lamp ~> f: from one person or side to another <hand
          it ~> g: across <got his point ~> h: to one's home <invite
          some friends ~> i: on the other side of an intervening
          space <the next town ~> j: to agreement or concord <won
          them ~> 2 a (1): beyond some quantity, limit, or norm
          often by a specified amount or to a specified degree
          <show ran a minute ~> (2): in an excessive manner: inordinately
          b: till a later time (as the next day): overnight <stay
          ~> <sleep ~> 3 a: above b: so as to cover the whole surface
          <windows boarded ~> 4--used on a two-way radio circuit
          to indicate that a message is complete and a reply is
          expected 5 a: through <read it ~>; also: in an intensive
          or comprehensive manner b: once more: again <do it ~>
          [2]over prep (bef. 12c) 1--used as a function word to
          indicate motion or situation in a position higher than
          or above another <towered ~ his mother> <flew ~ the lake>
          <rode ~ the old Roman road> 2 a--used as a function word
          to indicate the possession of authority, power, or jurisdiction
          in regard to some thing or person <respected those ~
          him> b--used as a function word to indicate superiority,
          advantage, or preference <a big lead ~ the others> c--used
          as a function word to indicate one that is overcome,
          circumvented, or disregarded <passed ~ the governor's
          veto> 3 a: more than <cost ~ $5> b: above 4 4 a--used
          as a function word to indicate position upon or movement
          down upon <laid a blanket ~ the child> <hit him ~ the
          head> b (1): all through or throughout <showed me ~ the
          house> <went ~ his notes> (2)--used as a function word
          connecting one mathematical set and another whose elements
          are coefficients or values of parameters used to form
          elements of the first set <polynomials ~ the field of
          real numbers> c--used as a function word to indicate
          a particular medium or channel of communication <~ the
          radio> 5--used as a function word to indicate position
          on or motion to the other side or beyond <lives ~ the
          way> <fell ~ the edge> 6 a: throughout, during <~ the
          past 25 years> b: until the end of <stay ~ Sunday> 7
          a--used as a function word to indicate an object of solicitude,
          interest, consideration, or reference <the Lord watches
          ~ his own> b--used as a function word to indicate the
          object of an expressed or implied occupation, activity,
          or concern <trouble ~ money> <met with advisers ~ lunch>
          [3]over adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: upper, higher b: outer, covering
          c: excessive <~ imagination> 2 a: not used up: remaining
          <something ~ to provide for unusual requirements --J.
          A. Todd> b: having or showing an excess or surplus 3:
          being at an end <the day is ~> 4: fried on both sides
          <ordered two eggs ~> -- over easy : fried on one side
          then turned and fried lightly on the other side <eggs
          over easy> [4]over vt overed ; over.ing (1837): to leap
          over

   overachiever
          [over.achiev.er] n (1952): one who achieves success over
          and above the standard or expected level esp. at an early
          age -- over.achieve vi -- over.achieve.ment n

   overact
          [over.act] vi (1611) 1: to act more than is necessary 2:
          to overact a part ~ vt: to exaggerate in acting -- over.ac.tion
          n

   overactive
          [over.ac.tive] adj (1854): excessively or abnormally active
          -- over.ac.tiv.i.ty n

   over against
          [over against] prep (1517): as opposed to: in contrast with

   [1]overage
          [over.age] also over.aged adj [[2]over + age] (15c) 1: too
          old to be useful 2: older than is normal for one's position,
          function, or grade [2]over.age n [[3]over + -age] (1909):
          surplus, excess

   [1]overall
          [over.all] adv (13c) 1: all over 1 <the pattern used ~> 2:
          from one end to the other <600 feet long ~> 3 a: in view
          of all the circumstances or conditions <~, the sale was
          a success> b: as a whole: generally <doesn't do as well
          ~> c: with everyone or everything taken into account
          <was third ~ in earnings> <got 31 miles to the gallon
          ~> [2]over.all n (1815) 1 pl a archaic: loose protective
          trousers worn over regular clothes b: trousers of strong
          material usu. with a bib and shoulder straps 2 chiefly
          Brit: a loose-fitting protective smock worn over regular
          clothing [3]over.all adj (1894) 1: including everything
          2: viewed as a whole: general

   overalled
          [over.alled] adj (1908): wearing overalls

   over and above
          [over and above] prep (15c): in addition to: besides

   over and over
          [over and over] adv (15c): repeatedly

   overarching
          [over.arch.ing] adj (1720) 1: forming an arch overhead 2:
          dominating or embracing all else <~ goals>

   overarm
          [over.arm] adj (1864) 1: overhand 2 of a swimming stroke:
          made with the arm lifted out of the water and stretched
          forward over the shoulder to begin the stroke

   overawe
          [over.awe] vt (1579): to restrain or subdue by awe

   [1]overbalance
          [over.bal.ance] vt (1608) 1: outweigh 2: to cause to lose
          balance [2]over.bal.ance n (1659): something more than
          an equivalent

   overbear
          [over.bear] vt -bore ; -borne also -born ; -bear.ing (1535)
          1: to bring down by superior weight or force: overwhelm
          2 a: to domineer over b: to surpass in importance or
          cogency: outweigh

   overbearing
          [overbearing] adj (ca. 1677) 1 a: tending to overwhelm:
          overpowering b: decisively important: dominant 2: harshly and
          haughtily arrogant syn see proud -- over.bear.ing.ly adv

   overbid
          [over.bid] vb -bid ; -bid.ding vi (ca. 1616) 1: to bid in
          excess of value 2 a: to bid more than the scoring capacity
          of a hand at cards b Brit: to make a higher bid than
          the preceding one ~ vt: to bid beyond or in excess of;
          esp: to bid more than the value of (one's hand at cards)
          -- over.bid n

   overbite
          [over.bite] n (1887): the projection of the upper anterior
          teeth over the lower in the normal occlusal position
          of the jaws

   overblouse
          [over.blouse] n (1921): a usu. fitted or belted blouse worn
          untucked

   [1]overblown
          [over.blown] adj [[3]blow] (1616): past the prime of bloom
          <~ roses> [2]overblown adj [[1]blow] (1864) 1: excessively
          large in girth: portly 2: inflated <~ claims> <~ rhetoric>;
          also: pretentious

   overboard
          [over.board] adv (bef. 12c) 1: over the side of a ship or
          boat into the water 2: to extremes of enthusiasm 3: into
          discard: aside

   overbook
          [over.book] vt (1903): to issue reservations for (as an airplane
          flight) in excess of the space available ~ vi: to issue
          reservations in excess of the space available

   overbought
          [over.bought] adj (1929): not likely to show an immediate
          rise in price because of prior heavy buying and accompanying
          price rises <an ~ market>

   overbuild
          [over.build] vb -built ; -build.ing vt (1601): to build beyond
          the actual demand of ~ vi: to build houses or commercial
          developments in excess of demand

   [1]overburden
          [over.bur.den] vt (1532): to place an excessive burden on
          [2]over.bur.den n (1855): material overlying a deposit
          of useful geological materials or bedrock

   overbuy
          [over.buy] vb -bought ; -buy.ing vt (1745): to buy in excess
          of needs or demand ~ vi: to make purchases beyond one's
          needs or in excess of one's ability to pay

   overcall
          [over.call] vt (ca. 1903): to make a higher bid than (the
          previous bid or bidder) in a card game ~ vi: to bid over
          an opponent's bid in bridge when one's partner has not
          bid or doubled -- over.call n

   overcapacity
          [over.ca.pac.i.ty] n (1928): excessive capacity for production
          or services in relation to demand

   overcapitalize
          [over.cap.i.tal.ize] vt (1890) 1: to put a nominal value
          on the capital of (a corporation) higher than actual
          cost or fair market value 2: to capitalize beyond what
          the business or the profit-making prospects warrant --
          over.cap.i.tal.i.za.tion n

   [1]overcast
          [over.cast] vt -cast ; -cast.ing (14c) 1 : darken, overshadow
          2 : to sew (raw edges of a seam) with long slanting widely
          spaced stitches to prevent raveling [2]over.cast adj
          (1536): clouded over <an ~ day> [3]over.cast n (1686):
          covering; esp: a covering of clouds over the sky

   overcasting
          [over.cast.ing] n (1885): the act of stitching raw edges
          of fabric to prevent raveling; also: the stitching so
          done

   overcast stitch
          [overcast stitch] n (1891): a small close embroidery stitch
          sometimes done over a foundation thread and used to form
          outlines

   overcharge
          [over.charge] vt (14c) 1: to charge too much or too fully
          2: to fill too full 3: exaggerate, overdraw ~ vi: to
          make an excessive charge -- over.charge n

   overcloud
          [over.cloud] vt (1592): to overspread with or as if with
          clouds

   overcoat
          [over.coat] n (1802) 1: a warm coat worn over indoor clothing
          2: a protective coating (as of paint)

   overcome
          [over.come] vb -came ;  -come ; -com.ing [ME, fr. OE ofercuman,
          fr. ofer over + cuman to come] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to get
          the better of: surmount <~ difficulties> 2: overwhelm
          ~ vi: to gain the superiority: win syn see conquer --
          over.com.er n

   overcommit
          [over.com.mit] vt (1951): to commit excessively: as a: to
          obligate (as oneself) beyond the ability for fulfillment
          b: to allocate (resources) in excess of the capacity
          for replenishment -- over.com.mit.ment n

   overcompensation
          [over.com.pen.sa.tion] n (1912): excessive compensation;
          specif: excessive reaction to a feeling of inferiority,
          guilt, or inadequacy leading to an exaggerated attempt
          to overcome the feeling -- over.com.pen.sate vb --
          over.com.pen.sa.to.ry adj

   overcrowd
          [over.crowd] vt (1766): to cause to be too crowded ~ vi:
          to crowd together too much

   overcut
          [over.cut] vt (1906): to cut excessively; specif: to cut
          timber from (a forest) in excess of annual growth or
          an allotted annual amount

   overdetermined
          [over.de.ter.mined] adj (1915) 1: excessively determined
          2: having more than one determining psychological factor

   overdevelop
          [over.de.vel.op] vt (1869): to develop excessively; esp:
          to subject (exposed photographic material) to a developing
          solution for excessive time or at excessive temperature,
          agitation, or concentration -- over.de.vel.op.ment n

   overdo
          [over.do] vb -did ; -done ; -do.ing ; -does vt (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to do in excess b: to use to excess c: exaggerate
          2: to cook too long 3: exhaust ~ vi: to go to extremes

   overdog
          [over.dog] n [[3]over + underdog] (1938): one that is dominant
          or victorious

   overdominance
          [over.dom.i.nance] n (1947): the condition wherein a heterozygote
          produces a phenotype more extreme or better adapted than
          that of the homozygote -- over.dom.i.nant adj

   [1]overdose
          [over.dose] n (1700) 1: too great a dose (as of a therapeutic
          agent); also: a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)
          2: an excessive quantity or amount <an ~ of sports> --
          over.dos.age n [2]over.dose vt (1727): to give an overdose
          or too many doses to ~ vi: to take or experience an overdose--usu.
          used with on

   overdraft
          [over.draft] n (1878) 1: an act of overdrawing at a bank:
          the state of being overdrawn; also: the sum overdrawn
          2: line of credit

   overdraw
          [over.draw] vb -drew ; -drawn ; -draw.ing vt (1734) 1: to
          draw checks on (a bank account) for more than the balance
          <the account was overdrawn> 2: exaggerate, overstate
          ~ vi: to make an overdraft

   overdrawn
          [over.drawn] adj (1866): having an overdrawn account

   [1]overdress
          [over.dress] vt (1706): to dress or adorn to excess ~ vi:
          to dress oneself to excess [2]over.dress n (1812): a
          dress worn over another

   overdrive
          [over.drive] n (1926) 1: an automotive transmission gear
          that transmits to the drive shaft a speed greater than
          engine speed 2: a state of heightened activity <going
          into rhetorical ~>

   [1]overdub
          [over.dub] n (ca. 1965) 1: the act or an instance of overdubbing
          2: recorded sound that is overdubbed <vocal ~s> [2]over.dub
          vt (1967): to transfer (recorded sound) onto a recording
          that bears sound recorded earlier in order to produce
          a combined effect

   overdue
          [over.due] adj (1845) 1 a: unpaid when due b: delayed beyond
          an appointed time 2: too great: excessive 3: more than
          ready

   overeat
          [over.eat] vi over.ate ; over.eat.en ; over.eat.ing (1599):
          to eat to excess -- over.eat.er n

   overexpose
          [over.ex.pose] vt (1869): to expose excessively; esp: to
          expose (as film) to excessive radiation (as light) --
          over.ex.po.sure n

   overextend
          [over.ex.tend] vt (1937): to extend or expand beyond a safe
          or reasonable point; esp: to commit (oneself) financially
          beyond what can be paid -- over.ex.ten.sion n

   overfatigue
          [over.fa.tigue] n (1727): excessive fatigue esp. when carried
          beyond the recuperative capacity of the individual --
          over.fa.tigued adj

   overfeed
          [over.feed] vb -fed ; -feed.ing vt (1608): to feed to excess
          ~ vi: to eat to excess

   overfill
          [over.fill] vt (13c): to fill to overflowing ~ vi: to become
          full to overflowing

   overfish
          [over.fish] vt (1867): to fish to the detriment of (a fishing
          ground) or to the depletion of (a kind of organism)

   overflight
          [over.flight] n (1950): a passage over an area in an airplane

   [1]overflow
          [over.flow] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to cover with or as if with
          water: inundate 2: to flow over the brim of 3: to cause
          to overflow ~ vi 1: to flow over bounds 2: to fill a
          space to capacity and spread beyond its limits <the crowd
          ~ed into the street> [2]over.flow n (1589) 1: a flowing
          over: inundation 2: something that flows over: surplus
          3: an outlet or receptacle for surplus liquid

   overfly
          [over.fly] vt -flew ; -flown ; -fly.ing (14c): to fly over;
          esp: to pass over in an airplane or spacecraft

   overgarment
          [over.gar.ment] n (15c): an outer garment

   overglaze
          [over.glaze] adj (1879): applied or suitable for applying
          on top of a fired glaze <~ enamels> -- overglaze n

   overgraze
          [over.graze] vt (1919): to allow animals to graze (as a pasture)
          to the point of damaging vegetational cover

   overgrow
          [over.grow] vb -grew ; -grown ; -grow.ing vt (14c) 1: to
          grow over so as to cover with herbage 2: to grow beyond
          or rise above: outgrow ~ vi 1: to grow excessively 2:
          to become grown over -- over.growth n

   overgrown
          [overgrown] adj (1604): grown abnormally or excessively large
          <dismissed him as an ~ adolescent>

   [1]overhand
          [over.hand] adj (1656): made with the hand brought forward
          and down from above shoulder level -- overhand adv --
          over.hand.ed adv or adj [2]overhand vt (1871): to sew
          with short vertical stitches [3]overhand n (ca. 1934):
          an overhand stroke (as in handball)

   overhand knot
          [overhand knot] n (1840): a small knot often used to prevent
          the end of a cord from fraying--see knot illustration

   [1]overhang
          [over.hang] vb -hung ; -hang.ing vt (1592) 1: to project
          over 2: to impend over: threaten ~ vi: to project so
          as to be over something [2]over.hang n (1864) 1: the
          part of the bow or stern of a ship that projects over
          the water above the waterline 2: something that overhangs;
          also: the extent of the overhanging 3: a projection of
          the roof or upper story of a building beyond the wall
          of the lower part 4: an excess supply of a commodity
          that cannot be readily converted, sold, or disposed of
          <dollar ~> <inventory ~>

   overhaul
          [over.haul] vt (1705) 1 a: to examine thoroughly b (1): repair
          (2): to renovate, revise, or renew thoroughly 2: to haul
          or drag over 3: overtake -- over.haul n

   [1]overhead
          [over.head] adv (15c): above one's head: aloft [2]over.head
          adj (1874) 1 a: operating, lying, or coming from above
          b: having the driving part above the part driven <valves
          operated by an ~ camshaft> 2: of or relating to overhead
          <~ costs> [3]over.head n (1914) 1: business expenses
          (as rent, insurance, or heating) not chargeable to a
          particular part of the work or product 2: ceiling; esp:
          the ceiling of a ship's compartment 3: a stroke in a
          racket game made above head height: smash

   overhead projector
          [overhead projector] n (1951): a projector for projecting
          onto a vertical screen magnified images of graphic material
          on a horizontal transparency illuminated from below--called
          also overhead

   overhear
          [over.hear] vb -heard ; -hear.ing vt (1549): to hear without
          the speaker's knowledge or intention ~ vi: to overhear
          something

   overheat
          [over.heat] vt (14c) 1: to heat to excess 2: to stimulate
          or agitate unduly ~ vi: to become heated beyond a safe
          or desirable point

   overheated
          [over.heat.ed] adj (1953): perfervid

   overissue
          [over.is.sue] n (1803): an issue exceeding the limit of capital,
          credit, or authority -- over.is.su.ance n -- overissue
          vt

   overjoyed
          [over.joyed] adj (1594): feeling great joy

   [1]overkill
          [over.kill] vt (1957): to obliterate (a target) with more
          nuclear force than required [2]over.kill n (1958) 1:
          a destructive capacity greatly exceeding that required
          for a given target 2: an excess of something (as a quantity
          or an action) beyond what is required or suitable for
          a particular purpose <a propaganda ~> <an ~ in weaponry>
          3: killing in excess of what is intended or required

   [1]overland
          [over.land] adv (12c): by, on, or across land [2]overland
          adj (1800): going or accomplished over the land instead
          of by sea <~ emigrants> <an ~ route>

   overlap
          [over.lap] vt (1726) 1: to extend over or past and cover
          a part of 2: to have something in common with ~ vi 1:
          to occupy the same area in part: lap over 2: to have
          something in common -- over.lap n

   [1]overlay
          [over.lay] vt -laid ; -lay.ing (14c) 1 a: to lay or spread
          over or across: superimpose b: to prepare an overlay
          for 2: overlie 2 [2]over.lay n (1794): a covering either
          permanent or temporary: as a: an ornamental veneer b:
          a decorative and contrasting design or article placed
          on top of a plain one c: a transparent sheet containing
          graphic matter to be superimposed on another sheet

   overleaf
          [over.leaf] adv (1843): on the other side of a leaf (as of
          a book)

   overleap
          [over.leap] vt -leaped or -leapt ; -leap.ing (bef. 12c) 1:
          to leap over or across 2: to defeat (oneself) by going
          too far

   overlearn
          [over.learn] vt (1874): to continue to study or practice
          after attaining proficiency

   overlie
          [over.lie] vt -lay ; -lain ; -ly.ing (13c) 1: to lie over
          or upon 2: to cause the death of by lying upon

   [1]overlook
          [over.look] vt (14c) 1: to look over: inspect 2 a: to look
          down upon from above b: to rise above or afford a view
          of 3 a: to look past: miss b: ignore 1 c: excuse 2 4:
          superintend, oversee 5: to look on with the evil eye:
          bewitch syn see neglect [2]over.look n (1861): a place
          from which one may look down on a scene below <plenty
          of ~s and trails --Thelma H. Bell>

   overlord
          [over.lord] n (13c) 1: a lord over other lords: a lord paramount
          2 a: an absolute or supreme ruler b: one having great
          power or authority <a corporate ~> -- over.lord.ship
          n

   overly
          [over.ly] adv (1821): to an excessive degree

   [1]overman
          [over.man] n (13c) 1: a man in authority over others; specif:
          foreman 2 [trans. of G Ubermensch]: superman 1 [2]over.man
          vt (ca. 1637): to have or get too many personnel for
          the needs of <~ a ship>

   overmantel
          [over.man.tel] n (1882): an ornamental structure (as a painting)
          above a mantelpiece -- overmantel adj

   overmaster
          [over.mas.ter] vt (14c): overpower, subdue

   overmastering
          [over.mas.ter.ing] adj (1645): dominant <~ behavior> <the
          ~ question>

   overmatch
          [over.match] vt (14c) 1: to be more than a match for: defeat
          2: to match with a superior opponent

   [1]overmuch
          [over.much] adj (13c): too much [2]overmuch adv (14c): in
          too great a degree [3]over.much n (14c): too great an
          amount

   [1]overnight
          [over.night] adv (14c) 1 a: on the evening before b: during
          the night <stayed away ~> 2: very quickly or suddenly
          <became famous ~> [2]overnight adj (1824) 1: of, lasting,
          or staying the night 2: sudden, rapid <an ~ sensation>
          [3]overnight vi (1891): to stay overnight [4]over.night
          n (1959): an overnight stay

   overnight bag
          [overnight bag] n (1925): a suitcase of a size to carry clothing
          and personal articles for an overnight trip--called also
          overnight case

   overnighter
          [over.night.er] n (1949): overnight bag

   [1]overpass
          [over.pass] vt (14c) 1: to pass across, over, or beyond:
          cross; also: surpass 2: transgress 3: disregard, ignore
          [2]over.pass n (1929): a crossing of two highways or
          of a highway and pedestrian path or railroad at different
          levels where clearance to traffic on the lower level
          is obtained by elevating the higher level; also: the
          upper level of such a crossing

   overpersuade
          [over.per.suade] vt (1624): to persuade to act contrary to
          one's conviction or preference -- over.per.sua.sion n

   overplaid
          [over.plaid] n (1926): a textile design consisting of a plaid
          pattern superimposed on another plaid or on a textured
          ground; also: a fabric with such a design -- over.plaid.ed
          adj

   overplay
          [over.play] vt (1819) 1 a: to present (as a dramatic role)
          extravagantly: exaggerate b: to place too much emphasis
          on 2: to rely too much on the strength of--usu. used
          in the phrase overplay one's hand 3: to strike a golf
          ball beyond (a putting green) ~ vi: to exaggerate a part
          or effect

   overplus
          [over.plus] n [ME, part trans. of MF surplus] (14c): surplus

   overpopulate
          [over.pop.u.late] vt (1868): to furnish or provide with more
          than the environment or market will bear ~ vi: to become
          overly populous

   overpopulation
          [over.pop.u.la.tion] n (1823): the condition of having a
          population so dense as to cause environmental deterioration,
          an impaired quality of life, or a population crash

   overpower
          [over.pow.er] vt (1593) 1: to overcome by superior force:
          subdue 2: to affect with overwhelming intensity <the
          stench ~ed us> 3: to provide with more power than is
          needed or desirable <a dangerously ~ed car> -- over.pow.er.ing.ly
          adv

   overpressure
          [over.pres.sure] n (1644): pressure significantly above what
          is usual or normal

   overprice
          [over.price] vt (1605): to price too high

   [1]overprint
          [over.print] vt (1863): to print over with something additional
          [2]over.print n (1876): something added by or as if by
          overprinting; esp: a printed marking added to a postage
          or revenue stamp esp. to alter the original or to commemorate
          a special event

   overproof
          [over.proof] adj (1807): containing more alcohol than proof
          spirit

   overproportion
          [over.pro.por.tion] vt (1642): to make disproportionately
          large -- overproportion n -- over.pro.por.tion.ate adj
          -- over.pro.por.tion.ate.ly adv

   overqualified
          [over.qual.i.fied] adj (1954): having more education, training,
          or experience than a job calls for

   overreach
          [over.reach] vt (14c) 1: to reach above or beyond: overtop
          2: to defeat (oneself) by seeking to do or gain too much
          3: to get the better of esp. in dealing and bargaining
          and typically by unscrupulous or crafty methods ~ vi
          1 of a horse: to strike the forefoot with the front part
          of the hind foot 2 a: to go to excess b: exaggerate 3:
          to overreach oneself -- over.reach n -- over.reach.er
          n

   overrepresented
          [over.rep.re.sent.ed] adj (1900): represented excessively;
          esp: having representatives in a proportion higher than
          the average -- over.rep.re.sen.ta.tion n

   [1]override
          [over.ride] vt -rode ; -rid.den ; -rid.ing (bef. 12c) 1:
          to ride over or across: trample 2: to ride (as a horse)
          too much or too hard 3 a: to prevail over: dominate b:
          to set aside: annul <~ a veto> c: to neutralize the action
          of (as an automatic control) 4: to extend or pass over;
          esp: overlap [2]over.ride n (1931) 1: a commission paid
          to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates
          2: royalty 5a 3: a device or system used to override
          a control 4: an act or an instance of overriding

   overripe
          [over.ripe] adj (1671) 1: passed beyond maturity or ripeness
          toward decay 2 a: decadent b: lacking originality or
          vigor -- over-ripe.ness n

   overrule
          [over.rule] vt (1576) 1: to rule over: govern 2: to prevail
          over: overcome 3 a: to rule against b: to set aside:
          reverse

   [1]overrun
          [over.run] vt -ran ; -run ; -run.ning (bef. 12c) 1 a (1):
          to defeat decisively and occupy the positions of (2):
          to invade and occupy or ravage b: to spread or swarm
          over: infest 2 a: to run or go beyond or past <the plane
          overran the runway> b: exceed c: to readjust (set type)
          by shifting letters or words from one line into another
          3: to flow over [2]over.run n (1898) 1: an act or instance
          of overrunning; esp: an exceeding of the costs estimated
          in a contract for development and manufacture of new
          equipment 2: the amount by which something overruns 3:
          a run in excess of the quantity ordered by a customer

   overscale
          [over.scale] or over.scaled adj (1953): oversize <an ~ coat>
          <an ~ sofa>

   oversea
          [over.sea] adj or adv (12c) chiefly Brit: overseas

   [1]overseas
          [over.seas] adv (1533): beyond or across the sea <lived ~
          for a time> [2]over.seas adj (1892) 1: of or relating
          to movement, transport, or communication over the sea
          <an ~ liner> 2: situated, originating in, or relating
          to lands beyond the sea <~ installations> <~ immigrants>

   oversee
          [over.see] vt -saw ; -seen ; -see.ing (bef. 12c) 1: survey,
          watch 2 a: inspect, examine b: supervise

   overseer
          [over.seer] n (1523): supervisor, superintendent

   oversell
          [over.sell] vt -sold ; -sell.ing (ca. 1879) 1 a: to sell
          too much or too many to b: to sell too much or too many
          of 2: to make excessive claims for -- over.sell n

   overset
          [over.set] vt -set ; -set.ting (1583) 1 a: to disturb mentally
          or physically: upset b: to turn or tip over: overturn
          2: to set too much type matter for -- over.set n

   oversexed
          [over.sexed] adj (1898): exhibiting an excessive sexual drive
          or interest

   overshadow
          [over.shad.ow] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to cast a shadow over 2:
          to exceed in importance: outweigh

   overshirt
          [over.shirt] n (1805): a shirt usu. worn over another shirt
          without being tucked in

   overshoe
          [over.shoe] n (1823): an outer shoe; esp: galosh

   overshoot
          [over.shoot] vt -shot ; -shoot.ing (14c) 1: to pass swiftly
          beyond 2: to shoot or pass over or beyond so as to miss
          3: to excel in shooting -- over.shoot n

   [1]overshot
          [over.shot] adj (ca. 1535) 1: actuated by the weight of water
          passing over and flowing from above <an ~ waterwheel>
          2 a: having the upper jaw extending beyond the lower
          b: projecting beyond the lower jaw [2]overshot n (1945):
          a pattern or weave featuring filling threads which pass
          two or more warp yarns before reentering the fabric

   oversight
          [over.sight] n (15c) 1 a: watchful and responsible care b:
          regulatory supervision <congressional ~> 2: an inadvertent
          omission or error

   oversimple
          [over.sim.ple] adj (15c): too simple: not thoroughgoing or
          exhaustive <~ theories> -- over.sim.ply adv

   oversimplify
          [over.sim.pli.fy] vt (1923): to simplify to such an extent
          as to bring about distortion, misunderstanding, or error
          ~ vi: to engage in undue or extreme simplification --
          over.sim.pli.fi.ca.tion n

   oversize
          [over.size] or over.sized adj (1853): being of more than
          standard or ordinary size <~ pillows> <an ~ shirt>

   overskirt
          [over.skirt] n (1870): a skirt worn over another skirt

   overslaugh
          [over.slaugh] vt [D overslaan to pass over, omit, fr. MD
          overslaun, fr. over- over- + slaen to strike] (1846):
          to pass over for appointment or promotion in favor of
          another

   oversleep
          [over.sleep] vb -slept ; -sleep.ing vi (14c): to sleep beyond
          the time for waking ~ vt: to allow (oneself) to oversleep

   overslip
          [over.slip] vt (15c) obs: escape

   oversold
          [over.sold] adj (1926): likely to show a rise in price because
          of prior heavy selling and accompanying decline in price
          <an ~ stock>

   oversoul
          [over.soul] n (ca. 1844): the absolute reality and basis
          of all existences conceived as a spiritual being in which
          the ideal nature imperfectly manifested in human beings
          is perfectly realized

   overspend
          [over.spend] vb -spent ; -spend.ing vt (ca. 1618) 1: to spend
          or use to excess: exhaust 2: to exceed in expenditure
          ~ vi: to spend beyond one's means -- over.spend.er n

   overspill
          [over.spill] n (1884) 1: the act or an instance of spilling
          over 2 chiefly Brit: the movement of excess urban population
          into less crowded areas

   overspread
          [over.spread] vt -spread ; -spread.ing (bef. 12c): to spread
          over or above -- over.spread n

   overstate
          [over.state] vt (1803): to state in too strong terms: exaggerate
          -- over.state.ment n

   overstay
          [over.stay] vt (1646): to stay beyond the time or the limits
          of

   oversteer
          [over.steer] n (1951): the tendency of an automobile to steer
          into a sharper turn than the driver intends sometimes
          with a thrusting of the rear to the outside; also: the
          action or an instance of oversteer

   overstep
          [over.step] vt (bef. 12c): exceed, transgress

   overstory
          [over.sto.ry] n (1925) 1: the layer of foliage in a forest
          canopy 2: the trees contributing to an overstory

   overstrew
          [over.strew] vt -strewed ; -strewed or -strewn ; -strew.ing
          (ca. 1570) 1: to strew or scatter about 2: to cover here
          and there

   overstride
          [over.stride] vt -strode ; -strid.den ;  -strid.ing (13c)
          1 a: to stride over, across, or beyond b: bestride 2:
          to stride faster than or beyond

   overstrung
          [over.strung] adj (1810): too highly strung: too sensitive

   overstuff
          [over.stuff] vt (1904) 1: to stuff too full 2: to cover (as
          a chair or sofa) completely and deeply with upholstery

   oversubscribe
          [over.sub.scribe] vt (1891): to subscribe for more of than
          is available -- over.sub.scrip.tion n

   overt
          [overt] adj [ME, fr. MF ouvert, overt, fr. pp. of ouvrir
          to open, fr. (assumed) VL operire, alter. of L aperire]
          (14c): open to view: manifest -- overt.ly adv -- overt.ness
          n

   overtake
          [over.take] vt -took ; -tak.en ; -tak.ing [ME, fr. [1]over
          + taken to take] (13c) 1 a: to catch up with b: to catch
          up with and pass by 2: to come upon suddenly

   over-the-counter
          [over-the-counter] adj (1921) 1: not traded or effected on
          an organized securities exchange <~ transactions> <~
          securities> 2: sold lawfully without prescription <~
          drugs>

   over-the-hill
          [over-the-hill] adj (1946) 1: past one's prime 2: advanced
          in age

   over-the-top
          [over-the-top] adj (1985): extremely or excessively flamboyant
          or outrageous <an ~ performance>

   over-the-transom
          [over-the-transom] adj (ca. 1952): offered without prior
          arrangement esp. for publication: unsolicited <an ~ manuscript>

   overthrow
          [over.throw] vt -threw ; -thrown ;  -throw.ing (14c) 1: overturn,
          upset 2: to cause the downfall of: bring down, defeat
          3: to throw a ball over or past (as a base or a receiver)
          -- over.throw n

   overtime
          [over.time] n (1536) 1: time in excess of a set limit: as
          a: working time in excess of a standard day or week b:
          an extra period of play in a contest 2: the wage paid
          for overtime -- overtime adv

   overtone
          [over.tone] n (1867) 1 a: one of the higher tones produced
          simultaneously with the fundamental and that with the
          fundamental comprise a complex musical tone: harmonic
          1a b: harmonic 2 2: the color of the light reflected
          (as by a paint) 3: a secondary effect, quality, or meaning:
          suggestion 3, connotation

   overtop
          [over.top] vt (ca. 1594) 1: to rise above the top of 2: to
          be superior to 3: surpass

   overtrade
          [over.trade] vi (1734): to trade beyond one's capital

   overtrick
          [over.trick] n (1903): a card trick won in excess of the
          number bid

   overtrump
          [over.trump] vt (1746): to trump with a higher trump card
          than the highest previously played on the same trick
          ~ vi: to play a higher trump card than the highest previously
          played on the same trick

   [1]overture
          [over.ture] n [ME, lit., opening, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL
          opertura, alter. of L apertura--more at aperture] (15c)
          1 a: an initiative toward agreement or action: proposal
          b: something introductory: prelude 2 a: the orchestral
          introduction to a musical dramatic work b: an orchestral
          concert piece written esp. as a single movement in sonata
          form [2]overture vt -tured ; -tur.ing (ca. 1650) 1: to
          put forward as an overture 2: to make or present an overture
          to

   [1]overturn
          [over.turn] vt (13c) 1: to cause to turn over: upset 2: invalidate,
          destroy ~ vi: upset, turn over [2]over.turn n (ca. 1592) 1: the act
          of overturning: the state of being overturned 2: the sinking
          of surface water and rise of bottom water in a lake or sea that
          results from changes in temperature that commonly occur in spring
          and fall

   overvalue
          [over.val.ue] vt (1597): to assign an excessive or fictitious
          value to -- over.valu.a.tion n

   overview
          [over.view] n (1588): a general survey: summary

   overvoltage
          [over.volt.age] n (1907) 1: the excess potential required
          for the discharge of an ion at an electrode over and
          above the equilibrium potential of the electrode 2: voltage
          in excess of the normal operating voltage of a device
          or circuit

   overwear
          [over.wear] vt -wore ; -worn ; -wear.ing (1578): wear out,
          exhaust

   overweening
          [over.ween.ing] adj [ME overwening, prp. of overwenen to
          be arrogant, fr. over + wenen to ween] (14c) 1: arrogant,
          presumptuous 2: immoderate, exaggerated -- over.ween.ing.ly
          adv

   overweigh
          [over.weigh] vt (13c) 1: to exceed in weight 2: oppress 2

   [1]overweight
          [over.weight] n (1552) 1: weight over and above what is required
          or allowed 2: excessive or burdensome weight [2]over.weight
          vt (1603) 1: to give too much weight or consideration
          to 2: to weight excessively [3]over.weight adj (1638):
          exceeding expected, normal, or proper weight; esp: exceeding
          the bodily weight normal for one's age, height, and build

   overwhelm
          [over.whelm] vt [ME, fr. [1]over + whelmen to turn over,
          cover up] (14c) 1: upset, overthrow 2 a: to cover over
          completely: submerge b: to overcome by superior force
          or numbers c: to overpower in thought or feeling

   overwhelming
          [over.whelm.ing] adj (1742): tending or serving to overwhelm
          <an ~ majority>; also: extreme, great <~ indifference>
          -- over.whelm.ing.ly adv

   [1]overwinter
          [over.win.ter] vi (bef. 12c): to survive the winter [2]overwinter
          adj (1900): occurring during the period spanning the
          winter

   over with
          [over with] adj (1915): being at an end: finished, completed

   overwork
          [over.work] vt (1818) 1: to cause to work too hard, too long,
          or to exhaustion 2: to decorate all over 3 a: to work
          too much on: overdo b: to make excessive use of ~ vi:
          to work too much or too long: overdo -- overwork n

   overwrite
          [over.write] vb -wrote ; -writ.ten ; -writ.ing vt (1699)
          1: to write over the surface of 2: to write in inflated
          or overly elaborate style ~ vi: to write too much or
          in an overly elaborate style

   overwrought
          [over.wrought] adj [pp. of overwork] (1670) 1: extremely
          excited: agitated 2: elaborated to excess: overdone

   ovi-
          [ovi-] or ovo- --see ov-

   ovicide
          [ovi.cide] n [ISV] (1913): an agent that kills eggs; esp:
          an insecticide effective against the egg stage -- ovi.cid.al
          adj

   oviduct
          [ovi.duct] n [NL oviductus, fr. ov- + ductus duct] (1672):
          a tube that serves exclusively or esp. for the passage
          of eggs from an ovary -- ovi.duc.tal adj

   ovine
          [ovine] adj [LL ovinus, fr. L ovis sheep--more at ewe] (ca.
          1828): of, relating to, or resembling sheep -- ovine
          n

   oviparous
          [ovip.a.rous] adj [L oviparus, fr. ov- + -parus -parous]
          (1646): producing eggs that develop and hatch outside
          the maternal body; also: involving the production of
          such eggs

   oviposit
          [ovi.pos.it] vi [prob. back-formation fr. ovipositor] (1816):
          to lay eggs--used esp. of insects -- ovi.po.si.tion n
          -- ovi.po.si.tion.al adj

   ovipositor
          [ovi.pos.i.tor] n [NL, fr. L ov- + positor one that places,
          fr. ponere to place--more at position] (1816): a specialized
          organ (as of an insect) for depositing eggs--see insect
          illustration

   ovoid
          [ovoid] also ovoi.dal adj [F ovoide, fr. L ovum egg--more
          at egg] (ca. 1828): resembling an egg in shape: ovate
          -- ovoid n

   ovolo
          [ovo.lo] n, pl -los [It, dim. of uovo, ovo egg, fr. L ovum]
          (1663): a rounded convex molding

   Ovonics
          [Ovon.ics] n pl but usu sing in constr [Stanford R. Ovshinsky
          b1923 Am. inventor + electronics] (1968): a branch of
          electronics that deals with applications of the change
          from an electrically nonconducting state to a semiconducting
          state shown by glasses of special composition upon application
          of a certain minimum voltage -- ovon.ic adj

   ovotestis
          [ovo.tes.tis] n [NL] (1877): a hermaphrodite gonad (as in
          some scale insects)

   ovoviviparous
          [ovo.vi.vip.a.rous] adj (1801): producing eggs that develop
          within the maternal body (as of various fishes or reptiles)
          and hatch within or immediately after extrusion from
          the parent -- ovo.vi.vip.a.rous.ly adv -- ovo.vi.vip.a.rous.ness
          n

   ovulate
          [ovu.late] adj (1861): bearing an ovule

   ovulation
          [ovu.la.tion] n (1848): the discharge of a mature ovum from
          the ovary -- ovu.late vb

   ovulatory
          [ovu.la.to.ry] adj (1931): of, relating to, or involving
          ovulation

   ovule
          [ovule] n [NL ovulum, dim. of L ovum] (1830) 1: an outgrowth
          of the ovary of a seed plant that is a megasporangium
          and encloses an embryo sac within a nucellus 2: a small
          egg; esp: one in an early stage of growth

   ovum
          [ovum] n, pl ova [NL, fr. L, egg--more at egg] (ca. 1706):
          a female gamete: macrogamete

   ow...
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   ow
          [ow] interj [fr. ow, interj. expressing surprise, fr. ME]
          (ca. 1911)--used esp. to express sudden pain

   OW
          [OW] abbreviation one-way

   owe
          [owe] vb owed ; ow.ing [ME, to possess, own, owe, fr. OE
          agan; akin to OHG eigun (1st & 3d pl. pres. indic.) possess,
          Skt ise he possesses] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: possess,
          own b: to have or bear (an emotion or attitude) to someone
          or something <~s the boss a grudge> 2 a (1): to be under
          obligation to pay or repay in return for something received:
          be indebted in the sum of <~s me $5> (2): to be under
          obligation to render (as duty or service) <I ~ you a
          favor> b: to be indebted to <~s the grocer for supplies>
          3: to be indebted for <owed his wealth to his father>
          <~s much to good luck> ~ vi 1: to be in debt <~s for
          his house> 2: to be attributable <an idea that ~s to
          Greek philosophy>

   owing
          [owing] adj (15c): due to be paid <has bills ~>

   owing to
          [owing to] prep (1695): because of <delayed owing to a crash>

   owl
          [owl] n [ME owle, fr. OE ule; akin to OHG uwila owl] (bef.
          12c): any of an order (Strigiformes) of chiefly nocturnal
          birds of prey with a large head and eyes, short hooked
          bill, strong talons, and soft fluffy often mottled brown
          plumage

   owlet
          [owl.et] n (1542): a small or young owl

   owlish
          [owl.ish] adj (1611): resembling or suggesting an owl --
          owl.ish.ly adv -- owl.ish.ness n

   [1]own
          [own] adj [ME owen, fr. OE agen; akin to OHG eigan own, ON
          eiginn, OE agan to possess--more at owe] (bef. 12c) 1:
          belonging to oneself or itself--usu. used following a
          possessive case or possessive adjective <cooked my ~
          dinner> 2--used to express immediate or direct kinship
          <an ~ son> <an ~ sister> [2]own vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to
          have or hold as property: possess b: to have power over:
          control <wanted to ~ his own life> 2: to acknowledge
          to be true, valid, or as claimed: admit <~ a debt> ~
          vi: to acknowledge something to be true, valid, or as
          claimed--used with to or up syn see acknowledge -- own.er
          n [3]own pron, sing or pl in constr (bef. 12c): one or
          ones belonging to oneself--used after a possessive and
          without a following noun <gave out books so that each
          of us had our ~> <a room of your ~> -- on one's own :
          for or by oneself: independently of assistance or control

   ownership
          [own.er.ship] n (1583) 1: the state, relation, or fact of
          being an owner 2: a group or organization of owners

   ox...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ox
          [ox] n, pl ox.en also ox [ME, fr. OE oxa; akin to OHG ohso
          ox, Skt uksa bull, and perh. to Skt uksati he moistens,
          Gk hygros wet--more at humor] (bef. 12c) 1: a domestic
          bovine mammal (Bos taurus); broadly: a bovine mammal
          2: an adult castrated male domestic ox

   ox-
          [ox-] or oxo- comb form [F, fr. oxygene]: oxygen <oxacillin>

   oxacillin
          [ox.a.cil.lin] n [ox- + azole + penicillin] (1962): a semisynthetic
          penicillin that is esp. effective in the control of infections
          caused by penicillin-resistant staphylococci

   oxalate
          [ox.a.late] n (1791): a salt or ester of oxalic acid

   oxalic acid
          [ox.al.ic acid] n [F (acide) oxalique, fr. L oxalis] (1791):
          a poisonous strong acid that occurs in various plants
          as oxalates and is used esp. as a bleaching or cleaning
          agent and as a chemical intermediate

   oxalis
          [ox.al.is] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, wood sorrel, fr. Gk,
          fr. oxys sharp--more at oxygen] (ca. 1706): wood sorrel

   oxaloacetate
          [ox.a.lo.ac.e.tate] also ox.al.ac.e.tate n (1891): a salt
          or ester of oxaloacetic acid

   oxaloacetic acid
          [ox.a.lo.ace.tic acid] also ox.al.ace.tic acid n [oxalic
          + acetic acid] (1896): a crystalline acid that is formed
          by reversible oxidation of malic acid (as in carbohydrate
          metabolism via the Krebs cycle) and in reversible transamination
          reactions (as from aspartic acid)

   oxalosuccinic acid
          [ox.a.lo.suc.cin.ic acid] n [oxalic + succinic acid] (1925):
          a tricarboxylic acid that is formed as an intermediate
          in the Krebs cycle

   oxazepam
          [ox.az.e.pam] n [hydroxy- + diazepam] (1964): a tranquilizing
          drug

   oxblood
          [ox.blood] n (1705): a moderate reddish brown

   oxbow
          [ox.bow] n (14c) 1: a U-shaped frame forming a collar about
          an ox's neck and supporting the yoke 2: something (as
          a bend in a river) resembling an oxbow -- oxbow adj

   Oxbridge
          [Ox.bridge] adj [Oxford + Cambridge] (1960): of, relating
          to, or characteristic of Oxford and Cambridge Universities--compare
          plateglass, redbrick 2

   oxcart
          [ox.cart] n (1749): a cart drawn by oxen

   oxeye
          [ox.eye] n (15c): any of several composite plants (as of
          the genera Chrysanthemum or Heliopsis) having heads with
          both disk and ray flowers; esp: daisy 1b

   oxeye daisy
          [oxeye daisy] n (ca. 1763): daisy 1b

   Oxfam
          [Oxfam] abbreviation Oxford Committee for Famine Relief

   oxford
          [ox.ford] n [Oxford, England] (ca. 1890) 1: a low shoe laced
          or tied over the instep 2: a soft durable cotton or synthetic
          fabric made in plain or basket weaves--called also oxford
          cloth

   Oxford down
          [Oxford down] n, often cap D [Oxfordshire, England] (1859):
          any of a Down breed of large hornless sheep developed
          by crossing Cotswolds and Hampshires--called also Oxford

   Oxford movement
          [Oxford movement] n (1841): a High Church movement within
          the Church of England begun at Oxford in 1833

   oxheart
          [ox.heart] n (1870): any of various large sweet cherries

   oxidant
          [ox.i.dant] n (1884): oxidizing agent -- oxidant adj

   oxidase
          [ox.i.dase] n [ISV] (1896): any of various enzymes that catalyze
          oxidations; esp: one able to react directly with molecular
          oxygen -- ox.i.da.sic adj

   oxidation
          [ox.i.da.tion] n [F, fr. oxider, oxyder to oxidize, fr. oxide]
          (1791) 1: the act or process of oxidizing 2: the state
          or result of being oxidized -- ox.i.da.tive adj -- ox.i.da.tive.ly
          adv

   oxidation number
          [oxidation number] n (1926): a positive or negative number
          that represents the effective charge of an atom or element
          and that indicates the extent or possibility of its
          oxidation--called also oxidation state

   oxidation-reduction
          [oxidation-reduction] n (1909): a chemical reaction in which
          one or more electrons are transferred from one atom or
          molecule to another

   oxidative phosphorylation
          [oxidative phosphorylation] n (1954): the synthesis of ATP
          by phosphorylation of ADP for which energy is obtained
          by electron transport and which takes place in the mitochondria
          during aerobic respiration

   oxide
          [ox.ide] n [F oxide, oxyde, fr. ox- (fr. oxygene oxygen)
          + -ide (fr. acide acid)] (1790): a binary compound of
          oxygen with a more electropositive element or group --
          ox.id.ic adj

   oxidize
          [ox.i.dize] vb -dized ; -diz.ing vt (1806) 1: to combine
          with oxygen 2: to dehydrogenate esp. by the action of
          oxygen 3: to change (a compound) by increasing the proportion
          of the electronegative part or change (an element or
          ion) from a lower to a higher positive valence: remove
          one or more electrons from (an atom, ion, or molecule)
          ~ vi: to become oxidized -- ox.i.diz.able adj

   oxidizer
          [ox.i.diz.er] n (1875): oxidizing agent; esp: one used to
          support the combustion of a rocket propellant

   oxidizing agent
          [oxidizing agent] n (1903): a substance that oxidizes something
          esp. chemically (as by accepting electrons)

   oxidoreductase
          [ox.i.do.re.duc.tase] n [oxidation + -o- + reduction + -ase]
          (1922): an enzyme that catalyzes an oxidation-reduction
          reaction

   oxime
          [ox.ime] n [ISV ox- + -ime (fr. imide)] (ca. 1890): any of
          various compounds obtained chiefly by the action of hydroxylamine
          on aldehydes and ketones and characterized by the bivalent
          grouping C=NOH

   oxlip
          [ox.lip] n [(assumed) ME oxeslippe, fr. OE oxanslyppe, lit.,
          ox dung, fr. oxa ox + slypa, slyppe paste--more at slip]
          (bef. 12c): a Eurasian primula (Primula elatior) having
          usu. yellow flowers

   oxo-
          [oxo-] --see ox-

   oxo
          [oxo] adj [ox-] (ca. 1926): containing oxygen

   Oxon
          [Oxon] [ML Oxonia] abbreviation Oxford; Oxfordshire, [ML
          Oxoniensis] of Oxford

   Oxonian
          [Ox.o.ni.an] n [ML Oxonia Oxford] (ca. 1540): a student or
          graduate of Oxford University -- Oxonian adj

   oxtail
          [ox.tail] n (15c): the tail of a beef animal; esp: the skinned
          tail used for food (as in soup)

   oxter
          [ox.ter] n [ME (Sc), alter. of OE oxta; akin to OE eax axis,
          axle--more at axis] (15c) 1 chiefly Scot & Irish: armpit
          1 2 chiefly Scot & Irish: arm

   oxtongue
          [ox.tongue] n (14c): a European hawkweed (Picris echioides)
          that has yellow flowers and is now naturalized in the
          eastern U.S.

   oxy
          [oxy] adj [F, fr. oxygene oxygen] (1910): containing oxygen
          or additional oxygen--often used in combination <oxyhemoglobin>

   oxyacetylene
          [oxy.acet.y.lene] adj [ISV] (1909): of, relating to, or utilizing
          a mixture of oxygen and acetylene <an ~ torch>

   oxyacid
          [oxy.ac.id] n (ca. 1841): an acid (as sulfuric acid) that
          contains oxygen--called also oxygen acid

   oxygen
          [ox.y.gen] n, often attrib [F oxygene, fr. Gk oxys, adj.,
          acidic, lit., sharp + F -gene -gen; akin to L acer sharp--more
          at edge] (1790): a colorless tasteless odorless gaseous
          element that constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere
          and is found in water, in most rocks and minerals, and
          in numerous organic compounds, that is capable of combining
          with all elements except the inert gases, that is active
          in physiological processes, and that is involved esp.
          in combustion -- ox.y.gen.ic adj -- ox.y.gen.less adj

   oxygenate
          [ox.y.gen.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1790): to impregnate,
          combine, or supply (as blood) with oxygen -- ox.y.gen.a.tion
          n

   oxygenator
          [ox.y.gen.a.tor] n (ca. 1864): one that oxygenates; specif:
          an apparatus that oxygenates the blood extracorporeally
          (as during open-heart surgery)

   oxygen cycle
          [oxygen cycle] n (1935): the cycle whereby atmospheric oxygen
          is converted to carbon dioxide in animal respiration
          and regenerated by green plants in photosynthesis

   oxygen debt
          [oxygen debt] n (1923): a cumulative deficit of oxygen available
          for oxidative metabolism that develops during periods
          of intense bodily activity and must be made good when
          the body returns to rest

   oxygen demand
          [oxygen demand] n (1950): biochemical oxygen demand

   oxygen mask
          [oxygen mask] n (1920): a device worn over the nose and mouth
          (as by pilots at high altitudes) through which oxygen
          is supplied from a storage tank

   oxygen tent
          [oxygen tent] n (1925): a canopy which can be placed over
          a bedridden person and within which a flow of oxygen
          can be maintained

   oxyhemoglobin
          [oxy.he.mo.glo.bin] n [ISV] (1873): hemoglobin loosely combined
          with oxygen that it releases to the tissues

   oxyhydrogen
          [oxy.hy.dro.gen] adj (1827): of, relating to, or utilizing
          a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen <~ torch>

   oxymoron
          [ox.y.mo.ron] n, pl -mo.ra [LGk oxymoron, fr. neut. of oxymoros
          pointedly foolish, fr. Gk oxys sharp, keen + moros foolish]
          (1657): a combination of contradictory or incongruous
          words (as cruel kindness) -- ox.y.mo.ron.ic adj --
          ox.y.mo.ron.i.cal.ly adv

   oxyphenbutazone
          [oxy.phen.bu.ta.zone] n [oxy + phenylbutazone] (1961): a
          phenylbutazone derivative used for its anti-inflammatory,
          analgesic, and antipyretic effects

   oxyphilic
          [oxy.phil.ic] adj [Gk oxys acidic + E -phil--more at oxygen]
          (1901): acidophilic

   oxytetracycline
          [oxy.tet.ra.cy.cline] n (1953): a yellow crystalline broad-spectrum
          antibiotic produced by a soil actinomycete (Streptomyces rimosus)

   oxytocic
          [oxy.to.cic] adj [ISV, fr. Gk oxys sharp, quick + tokos childbirth,
          fr. tiktein to bear--more at thane] (1873): hastening parturition;
          also: inducing contraction of uterine smooth muscle -- oxytocic n

   oxytocin
          [oxy.to.cin] n [ISV, fr. oxytocic] (1928): a pituitary octapeptide
          hormone that stimulates esp. the contraction of uterine muscle and
          the secretion of milk

   oxyuriasis
          [oxy.uri.a.sis] n [NL, fr. Oxyuris, genus of worms] (ca.
          1909): infestation with or disease caused by pinworms
          (family Oxyuridae)

   oy...
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   oyer and terminer
          [oy.er and ter.mi.ner] n [ME, part trans. of AF oyer et terminer,
          lit., to hear and determine] (15c) 1: a commission authorizing
          a British judge to hear and determine a criminal case
          at the assizes 2: a high criminal court in some U.S.
          states

   [1]oyez
          [oyez] vb imper [ME, fr. AF, hear ye, imper. pl. of oir to
          hear, fr. L audire--more at audible] (15c)--used by a
          court or public crier to gain attention before a proclamation
          [2]oyez n, pl oyes.ses (15c): a cry of oyez

   oyster
          [oys.ter] n, often attrib [ME oistre, fr. MF, fr. L ostrea,
          fr. Gk ostreon; akin to Gk ostrakon shell, osteon bone--more
          at osseous] (13c) 1 a: any of various marine bivalve
          mollusks (family Ostreidae) that have a rough irregular
          shell closed by a single adductor muscle and include
          commercially important shellfish b: any of various mollusks
          resembling or related to the oysters 2: something that
          is or can be readily made to serve one's personal ends
          <the world was her ~> 3: a small mass of muscle contained
          in a concavity of the pelvic bone on each side of the
          back of a fowl 4: an extremely taciturn person 5: a grayish-white
          color

   oyster bed
          [oyster bed] n (1591): a place where oysters grow or are
          cultivated

   oystercatcher
          [oys.ter.catch.er] n (1731): any of a genus (Hae matopus)
          of wading birds that have stout legs, a heavy wedge-shaped
          bill, and often black-and-white plumage

   oyster crab
          [oyster crab] n (1756): a tiny crab (Pinnotheres ostreum)
          that lives as a commensal in the gill cavity of the oyster

   oyster cracker
          [oyster cracker] n (1873): a small salted usu. round cracker

   oyster drill
          [oyster drill] n (1925): drill 4a

   oystering
          [oys.ter.ing] n (1662): the act or business of taking oysters
          for the market or for food

   oysterman
          [oys.ter.man] n (1552): one who gathers, opens, breeds, or
          sells oysters

   oyster mushroom
          [oyster mushroom] n (1875): an edible mushroom (Pleurotus
          ostreatus) that grows esp. on deciduous trees and dead
          wood

   oyster plant
          [oyster plant] n (1821): salsify

   oysters Rockefeller
          [oysters Rocke.fel.ler] n pl [prob. fr. John D. Rockefeller
          d. 1937] (1939): a dish of oysters on the half shell
          cooked with various savory toppings typically including
          chopped spinach and a seasoned sauce

   oz...
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   oz
          [oz] [obs. It onza (now oncia)] abbreviation ounce, ounces

   ozokerite
          [ozo.ke.rite] also ozo.ce.rite n [G Ozokerit, fr. Gk ozein
          to smell + keros wax--more at cerumen] (ca. 1837): a
          waxy mineral mixture of hydrocarbons that is colorless
          or white when pure and often of unpleasant odor and is
          used esp. in making candles and in electrotyping

   ozonation
          [ozon.a.tion] n (1854): the treatment or combination of a
          substance or compound with ozone -- ozon.ate vt

   ozone
          [ozone] n [G Ozon, fr. Gk ozon, prp. of ozein to smell--more
          at odor] (ca. 1840) 1: a triatomic very reactive form
          of oxygen that is a bluish irritating gas of pungent
          odor, that is formed naturally in the atmosphere by a
          photochemical reaction and is a major air pollutant in
          the lower atmosphere but a beneficial component of the
          upper atmosphere, and that is used for oxidizing, bleaching,
          disinfecting, and deodorizing 2: pure and refreshing
          air -- ozo.nic adj

   ozone hole
          [ozone hole] n (1986): an area of the ozone layer (as near
          the south pole) that is seasonally depleted of ozone

   ozone layer
          [ozone layer] n (1929): an atmospheric layer at heights of
          about 20 to 30 miles (32 to 48 kilometers) that is normally
          characterized by high ozone content which blocks most
          solar ultraviolet radiation from entry into the lower
          atmosphere

   ozonide
          [ozon.ide] n (1867): a compound of ozone; specif: a compound
          formed by the addition of ozone to the double or triple
          bond of an unsaturated organic compound

   ozonize
          [ozon.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1850): to treat, impregnate,
          or combine with ozone -- ozon.i.za.tion n -- ozon.iz.er
          n

   ozonosphere
          [ozo.no.sphere] n (1933): ozone layer

   p...
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   p
          [p] abbreviation page, pages, parental generation, part,
          participle, past, pater, pawn, pence, penny, per, peseta,
          peso, petite, piano, pico-, pint, pipe, pitch, pole,
          port, power, pro, proton, purl  P abbreviation phosphorus,
          pressure, [F poids] weight

   p
          [p] n, pl p's or ps often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 16th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic p 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter p 3: one designated p esp. as the 16th in
          order or class 4 [abbr. for pass] a: a grade rating a
          student's work as passing b: one graded or rated with
          a P 5: something shaped like the letter P

   p-
          [p-] abbreviation para-

   P/E
          [P/E] abbreviation price/earnings

   p and h
          [p and h] abbreviation postage and handling

   p-type
          [p-type] adj [positive type] (1946): relating to or being
          a semiconductor in which charge is carried by holes--compare
          n-type

   P-wave
          [P-wave] n [by shortening] (1936): pressure wave

   pa...
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   pa
          [pa] n [short for papa] (1811): father PA n (1970): physician's
          assistant

   Pa
          [Pa] abbreviation pascal, Pennsylvania, protactinium  PA
          abbreviation particular average, passenger agent, Pennsylvania,
          per annum, personal appearance, personal assistant, power
          amplifier, power of attorney, press agent, private account,
          professional association, public address, purchasing
          agent

   PAYE
          [PAYE] Brit abbreviation pay as you earn

   pa'anga
          [pa.'an.ga] n [Tongan, lit., seed from a species of vine]
          (1966): the basic monetary unit of Tonga

   PABA
          [PABA] n [para-aminobenzoic acid] (1943): para-aminobenzoic
          acid

   pablum
          [pab.lum] n [fr. Pablum, a trademark for an infant cereal]
          (1948): pabulum 3

   pabulum
          [pab.u.lum] n [L, food, fodder; akin to L pascere to feed--more
          at food] (1733) 1: food; esp: a suspension or solution
          of nutrients in a state suitable for absorption 2: intellectual
          sustenance 3: something (as writing or speech) that is
          insipid, simplistic, or bland

   Pac
          [Pac] abbreviation Pacific  PAC abbreviation political action
          committee

   paca
          [pa.ca] n [Pg & Sp, fr. Tupi paka] (1657): either of two
          large chiefly Central and So. American rodents that constitute
          a genus (Agouti syn. Cuniculus) and typically have a
          white-spotted brownish coat

   [1]pace
          [pace] n [ME pas, fr. OF, step, fr. L passus, fr. pandere
          to spread--more at fathom] (14c) 1 a: rate of movement;
          esp: an established rate of locomotion b: rate of progress;
          specif: parallel rate of growth or development <supplies
          kept ~ with demand> c: an example to be emulated; specif:
          first place in a competition <three strokes off the ~
          --Time> d (1): rate of performance or delivery: tempo;
          esp: speed <serves with great ~> <a ~ bowler in cricket>
          (2): rhythmic animation: fluency <writes with color,
          with zest, and with ~ --Amy Loveman> 2: a manner of walking:
          tread 3 a: step 2a(1) b: any of various units of distance
          based on the length of a human step 4 a pl: an exhibition
          or test of skills or capacities <the trainer put the
          tiger through its ~s> b: gait; esp: a fast 2-beat gait
          (as of the horse) in which the legs move in lateral pairs
          and support the animal alternately on the right and left
          legs [2]pace vb paced ; pac.ing vi (1513) 1 a: to walk
          with often slow or measured tread b: to move along: proceed
          2: to go at a pace--used esp. of a horse ~ vt 1 a: to
          measure by pacing--often used with off <paced off a 10-yard
          penalty> b: to cover at a walk <could hear him pacing
          the floor> 2: to cover (a course) by pacing--used of
          a horse 3 a: to set or regulate the pace of <taught them
          how to ~ their solos for ... impact --Richard Goldstein>;
          also: to establish a moderate or steady pace for (oneself)
          b (1): to go before: precede (2): to set an example for:
          lead c: to keep pace with [3]pa.ce prep [L, abl. of pac-,
          pax peace, permission--more at pact] (1863): contrary
          to the opinion of--usu. used as an expression of deference
          to someone's contrary opinion--usu. ital. <easiness is
          a virtue in grammar, ~ old-fashioned grammarians --Philip
          Howard>

   pace car
          [pace car] n (1965): an automobile that leads the field of
          competitors through a pace lap but does not participate
          in the race

   pace lap
          [pace lap] n (1971): a lap of an auto racecourse by the entire
          field of competitors before the start of a race to allow
          the engines to warm up and to permit a flying start

   pacemaker
          [pace.mak.er] n (1884) 1 a: one that sets the pace for another
          b: one that takes the lead or sets an example 2 a: a
          body part (as the sinoatrial node of the heart) that
          serves to establish and maintain a rhythmic activity
          b: an electrical device for stimulating or steadying
          the heartbeat or reestablishing the rhythm of an arrested
          heart -- pace.mak.ing n

   pacer
          [pac.er] n (ca. 1661) 1: one that paces; specif: a horse
          whose predominant gait is the pace 2: pacemaker

   pacesetter
          [pace.set.ter] n (1895): pacemaker 1 -- pace.set.ting adj

   pachisi
          [pa.chi.si] n [Hindi pacisi, fr. pacis twenty-five] (1867):
          an ancient board game played with dice and counters on
          a cruciform board in which players attempt to be the
          first to reach the home square

   pachuco
          [pa.chu.co] n, pl -cos [AmerSp] (1943): a young Mexican-American
          having a taste for flashy clothes and a special jargon
          and usu. belonging to a neighborhood gang

   pachyderm
          [pachy.derm] n [F pachyderme, fr. Gk pachydermos thick-skinned,
          fr. pachys thick + derma skin; akin to Skt bahu dense,
          much--more at derm-] (1838): any of various nonruminant
          hoofed mammals (as an elephant, a rhinoceros, or a pig)
          most of which have a thick skin

   pachydermatous
          [pachy.der.ma.tous] adj [ultim. fr. Gk pachys + dermat-,
          derma skin] (1823) 1: of or relating to the pachyderms
          2 a: thick, thickened <~ skin> b: callous, insensitive

   pachysandra
          [pach.y.san.dra] n [NL, irreg. fr. Gk pachys + NL -andrus
          -androus] (1813): any of a genus (Pachysandra) of shrubby
          evergreen plants of the box family often used as a ground
          cover

   pachytene
          [pachy.tene] n [ISV pachy- (fr. Gk pachys) + -tene] (1912):
          the stage of meiotic prophase that immediately follows
          the zygotene and that is characterized by paired chromosomes
          thickened and visibly divided into chromatids and by
          the occurrence of crossing-over -- pachytene adj

   pacific
          [pa.cif.ic] adj [ME pacifique, fr. L pacificus, fr. pac-,
          pax peace + -i- + -ficus -fic--more at pact] (ca. 1548)
          1 a: tending to lessen conflict: conciliatory b: rejecting
          the use of force as an instrument of policy 2 a: having
          a soothing appearance or effect <mild ~ breezes> b: mild
          of temper: peaceable 3 cap: of, relating to, bordering
          on, or situated near the Pacific Ocean -- pa.cif.i.cal.ly
          adv

   pacification
          [pac.i.fi.ca.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act or process of pacifying:
          the state of being pacified b: the act of forcibly suppressing
          or eliminating a population considered to be hostile
          2: a treaty of peace

   pacificator
          [pa.cif.i.ca.tor] n (1539): pacifier 1

   pacificism
          [pa.cif.i.cism] n (1910): pacifism -- pa.cif.i.cist n

   Pacific salmon
          [Pacific salmon] n (1888): any of several anadromous salmonid
          fishes (genus Oncorhynchus) chiefly of the northern Pacific
          including the sockeye, coho, chum salmon, and chinook
          salmon

   Pacific time
          [Pacific time] n [Pacific Ocean] (1883): the time of the
          8th time zone west of Greenwich that includes the Pacific
          coastal region of the U.S.--see time zone illustration

   pacifier
          [pac.i.fi.er] n (1533) 1: one that pacifies 2: a usu. nipple-shaped
          device for babies to suck or bite on

   pacifism
          [pac.i.fism] n [F pacifisme, fr. pacifique pacific] (1902)
          1: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling
          disputes; specif: refusal to bear arms on moral or religious
          grounds 2: an attitude or policy of nonresistance --
          pac.i.fist n

   pacifist
          [pac.i.fist] or pac.i.fis.tic adj (1908) 1: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of pacifism or pacifists 2: strongly
          and actively opposed to conflict and esp. war --
          pac.i.fis.ti.cal.ly adv

   pacify
          [pac.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME pacifien, fr. L pacificare,
          fr. pac-, pax peace] (15c) 1 a: to allay the anger or
          agitation of: soothe <~ a crying child> b: appease, propitiate
          2 a: to restore to a tranquil state: settle <made an
          attempt to ~ the commotion> b: to reduce to a submissive
          state: subdue <forces moved in to ~ the country> -- pac.i.fi.able
          adj syn pacify, appease, placate, mollify, propitiate,
          conciliate mean to ease the anger or disturbance of.
          pacify suggests a soothing or calming <pacified by a
          sincere apology>. appease implies quieting insistent
          demands by making concessions <appease their territorial
          ambitions>. placate suggests changing resentment or bitterness
          to goodwill <a move to placate local opposition>. mollify
          implies soothing hurt feelings or rising anger <a speech
          that mollified the demonstrators>. propitiate implies
          averting anger or malevolence esp. of a superior being
          <propitiated his parents by dressing up>. conciliate
          suggests ending an estrangement by persuasion, concession,
          or settling of differences <conciliating the belligerent
          nations>.

   Pacinian corpuscle
          [Pa.cin.i.an corpuscle] n [Filippo Pacini d. 1883 Ital. anatomist]
          (ca. 1860): an oval capsule that terminates some sensory nerve
          fibers esp. in the skin of the hands and feet

   [1]pack
          [pack] n, often attrib [ME, of LG or D origin; akin to MLG
          & MD pak pack] (13c) 1 a: a bundle arranged for convenience
          in carrying esp. on the back b: a group or pile of related
          objects c (1): a number of individual components packaged
          as a unit <a ~ of cigarettes> (2): container (3): a compact
          unitized assembly to perform a specific function (4):
          a stack of magnetic disks in a container for use as a
          storage device 2 a: the contents of a bundle b: a large
          amount or number: heap <a ~ of lies> c: a full set of
          playing cards 3 a: an act or instance of packing b: a
          method of packing 4 a: a set of persons with a common
          interest: clique b: an organized troop (as of Cub Scouts)
          5 a (1): a group of domesticated animals trained to hunt
          or run together (2): a group of often predatory animals
          of the same kind <a wolf ~> (3): a large group of individuals
          massed together (as in a race) b: wolf pack 6: a concentrated
          or compacted mass (as of snow or ice) 7: wet absorbent
          material for therapeutic application to the body 8 a:
          a cosmetic paste for the face b: an application or treatment
          of oils or creams for conditioning the scalp and hair
          9: material used in packing [2]pack vt (14c) 1 a: to
          make into a compact bundle b: to fill completely <fans
          ~ed the stadium> c: to fill with packing <~ a joint in
          a pipe> d: to load with a pack <~ a mule> e: to put in
          a protective container <goods ~ed for shipment> 2 a:
          to crowd together b: to increase the density of: compress
          3 a: to cause or command to go without ceremony <~ed
          him off to school> b: to bring to an end: give up--used
          with up or in <might ~ up the assignment>--used esp.
          in the phrase pack it in 4: to gather into tight formation:
          make a pack of (as hounds) 5: to cover or surround with
          a pack 6 a: to transport on foot or on the back of an
          animal <~ a canoe overland> b: to wear or carry as equipment
          <~ a gun> c: to be supplied or equipped with: possess
          <a storm ~ing hurricane winds> d: to cause or be capable
          of making (an impact) <a book that ~s a man-sized punch
          --C. J. Rolo> ~ vi 1 a: to go away without ceremony:
          depart <simply ~ed up and left> b: quit, stop--used with
          up or in <why don't you ~ in, before you kill yourself
          --Millard Lampell> 2 a: to stow goods and equipment for
          transportation b: to be suitable for packing <a knit
          dress ~s well> 3 a: to assemble in a group: congregate
          b: to crowd together 4: to become built up or compacted
          in a layer or mass <the ore ~ed into a stony mass> 5
          a: to carry goods or equipment b: to travel with one's
          baggage (as by horse) -- pack.abil.i.ty n -- pack.able
          adj [3]pack vt [obs. pack to make a secret agreement]
          (1587) 1: to influence the composition of (as a political
          agency) so as to bring about a desired result <~ a jury>
          2 archaic: to arrange (the cards in a pack) so as to
          cheat [4]pack adj [perh. fr. obs. pack to make a secret
          agreement] (1701) chiefly Scot: intimate

   [1]package
          [pack.age] n (1611) 1 archaic: the act or process of packing
          2 a: a small or moderate-sized pack: parcel b: a commodity
          or a unit of a product uniformly wrapped or sealed c:
          a preassembled unit 3: a covering wrapper or container
          4: something that suggests a package: as a: package deal
          b: a radio or television series offered for sale at a
          lump sum c: contract benefits gained through collective
          bargaining d: a ready-made computer program or collection
          of related software e: a travel arrangement contract
          that offers for a fixed price transportation, accommodations,
          and often sightseeing and entertainment f: a collection
          of related items; esp: one to be considered or acted
          on together <presented his tax ~ to the nation> [2]package
          vt pack.aged ; pack.ag.ing (1921) 1 a: to make into a
          package; esp: to produce as an entertainment package
          b: to present (as a product) in such a way as to heighten
          its appeal to the public 2: to enclose in a package or
          covering -- pack.ag.er n

   package deal
          [package deal] n (ca. 1948) 1: an offer or agreement involving
          a number of related items or one making acceptance of
          one item dependent on the acceptance of another 2: the
          items offered in a package deal

   package store
          [package store] n (ca. 1918): a store that sells bottled
          or canned alcoholic beverages for consumption off the
          premises

   pack animal
          [pack animal] n (1847): an animal used for carrying packs

   packboard
          [pack.board] n (1939): a usu. canvas-covered light wood or
          metal frame with shoulder straps used for carrying goods
          and equipment

   packed
          [packed] adj (1777) 1 a: compressed <hard-packed snow> b:
          that is crowded or stuffed--often used in combination
          <an action-packed story> 2: filled to capacity <played
          to a ~ house>

   packer
          [pack.er] n (14c) 1: one that packs: as a: one engaged in
          processing food (as meat) and distributing it to retailers
          b: an automotive vehicle with a closed body and a compressing
          device (as for compacting rubbish) in the rear 2: porter
          1 3: one that conveys goods by means of a pack

   packet
          [pack.et] n [ME, fr. MF pacquet, of Gmc origin; akin to MD
          pak pack] (15c) 1 a: a small bundle or parcel b: a small
          thin package c Brit (1): pay envelope (2): salary, paycheck
          d chiefly Brit: a considerable amount <that trip will
          cost you a ~> 2 a: a number of letters dispatched at
          one time b: a small group, cluster, or mass 3: a passenger
          boat usu. carrying mail and cargo 4 Brit: a pack of cigarettes
          5: a short fixed-length section of data that is transmitted
          as a unit in an electronic communications network

   packhorse
          [pack.horse] n (ca. 1500): a horse used as a pack animal

   pack ice
          [pack ice] n (1850): sea ice formed into a mass by the crushing
          together of pans, floes, and brash

   packing
          [pack.ing] n (14c) 1 a: the action or process of packing
          something; also: a method of packing b: the processing
          of food and esp. meat for future sale 2: material (as
          a covering or stuffing) used to protect packed goods
          (as for shipping); also: material used for making airtight
          or watertight <~ for a faucet>

   packinghouse
          [pack.ing.house] n (1834): an establishment for slaughtering
          livestock and processing and packing meat, meat products,
          and by-products; also: one for processing and packing
          other foodstuffs--called also packing plant

   packman
          [pack.man] n (ca. 1625): peddler

   pack rat
          [pack rat] n (1885) 1: wood rat; esp: a bushy-tailed rodent
          (Neotoma cinerea) of the Rocky Mountain area that has
          well-developed cheek pouches and hoards food and miscellaneous
          objects 2: one who collects or hoards esp. unneeded items

   packsack
          [pack.sack] n (1851): a case (as of canvas) held on the back
          by shoulder straps and used to carry gear when traveling
          on foot

   packsaddle
          [pack.sad.dle] n (14c): a saddle designed to support loads
          on the backs of pack animals

   packthread
          [pack.thread] n (14c): strong thread or small twine used
          for sewing or tying packs or parcels

   pact
          [pact] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L pactum, fr. neut. of pactus,
          pp. of pacisci to agree, contract; akin to OE fon to
          seize, L pax peace, pangere to fix, fasten, Gk pegnynai]
          (15c): [4]compact; esp: an international treaty

   [1]pad
          [pad] vb pad.ded ; pad.ding [perh. fr. MD paden to follow
          a path, fr. pad path] vt (1553): to traverse on foot
          ~ vi: to go on foot: walk; esp: to walk with or as if
          with padded feet <the dog padded along beside him> <padding
          around in bedroom slippers> [2]pad n [MD pad] (1567)
          1 dial Brit: path 2: a horse that moves along at an easy
          pace 3 archaic: footpad [3]pad n [origin unknown] (1570)
          1 a: a thin flat mat or cushion: as (1): a piece of soft
          stuffed material used as or under a saddle (2): padding
          used to shape an article of clothing (3): a guard worn
          to shield body parts against impact (4): a piece of usu.
          folded absorbent material (as gauze) used as a surgical
          dressing or protective covering (5): frictional material
          that presses against the disks in a disk brake b: a piece
          of material saturated with ink for inking the surface
          of a rubber stamp 2 a: the foot of an animal b: the cushioned
          thickening of the underside of the toes of an animal
          3: a floating leaf of a water plant 4: a collection of
          sheets of paper glued together at one end 5 a (1): a
          section of an airstrip used for warm-ups or turnarounds
          (2): an area used for helicopter takeoffs and landings
          b: launchpad c: a horizontal concrete surface (as for
          parking a mobile home) 6 a: bed b: living quarters [4]pad
          vt pad.ded ; pad.ding (1827) 1 a: to furnish with a pad
          or padding b: mute, muffle 2: to expand or increase esp.
          with needless, misleading, or fraudulent matter <~ an
          expense account>--often used with out <they ~ out their
          bibliographies --J. P. Kenyon> [5]pad n [imit.] (1594):
          a soft muffled or slapping sound

   padding
          [pad.ding] n (1828): material with which something is padded

   [1]paddle
          [pad.dle] vi pad.dled ; pad.dling [origin unknown] (1530)
          1: to move the hands or feet about in shallow water 2
          archaic: to use the hands or fingers in toying or caressing
          3: toddle -- pad.dler n [2]paddle n [ME padell spade-shaped
          tool for cleaning a plow] (1624) 1 a: a usu. wooden implement
          that has a long handle and a broad flattened blade and
          that is used to propel and steer a small craft (as a
          canoe) b: an implement often with a short handle and
          a broad flat blade that is used for stirring, mixing,
          or hitting; esp: one used to hit a ball in any of various
          games (as table tennis) 2 a: any of the broad boards
          at the circumference of a paddle wheel or waterwheel
          b: any of the broad blades attached to a shaft (as in
          an ice cream machine) and used for stirring 3: a computer
          input device with a dial used to control linear movement
          of a cursor on a computer display [3]paddle vb pad.dled
          ; pad.dling vi (1677): to go on or through water by or
          as if by means of a paddle or paddle wheel ~ vt 1 a:
          to propel by a paddle b: to transport in a paddled craft
          <paddled us to shore in his canoe> 2 a: to beat or stir
          with or as if with a paddle (as in washing or dyeing)
          b: to punish by or as if by beating with a paddle --
          pad.dler n

   paddleball
          [pad.dle.ball] n (1935): a game like handball played by hitting
          the ball with a paddle; also: the ball used in this game

   paddleboard
          [pad.dle.board] n (1938): a long narrow buoyant board used
          for riding the surf or in rescuing swimmers

   paddleboat
          [pad.dle.boat] n (1874): a boat propelled by a paddle wheel

   paddlefish
          [pad.dle.fish] n (1807): any of a family (Polyodontidae)
          of ganoid fishes; esp: a large fish (Polyodon spathula)
          of the Mississippi valley that has a long paddle-shaped
          snout

   paddle tennis
          [paddle tennis] n (1925): a game like tennis that is played
          with a paddle and rubber ball on a small court

   paddle wheel
          [paddle wheel] n (1685): a wheel with paddles around its
          circumference used to propel a boat

   paddle wheeler
          [paddle wheeler] n (1924): a steamer propelled by a paddle
          wheel

   paddock
          [pad.dock] n [alter. of ME parrok, fr. OE pearroc, fr. ML
          parricus] (1622) 1 a: a usu. enclosed area used esp.
          for pasturing or exercising animals; esp: an enclosure
          where racehorses are saddled and paraded before a race
          b Austral & NewZeal: an often enclosed field 2: an area
          at an automobile racecourse where racing cars are parked

   paddy
          [pad.dy] also padi n, pl paddies also pad.is [Malay padi]
          (1623) 1: rice; esp: threshed unmilled rice 2: wet land
          in which rice is grown Pad.dy n, pl Paddies [fr. Paddy,
          Hiberno-English nickname for Patrick] (1780): irishman--often
          taken to be offensive

   paddy wagon
          [pad.dy wagon] n [prob. fr. Paddy] (1930): an enclosed motortruck
          used by police to carry prisoners--called also Black
          Maria, patrol wagon

   padlock
          [pad.lock] n [ME padlok, fr. pad- (of unknown origin) + lok
          lock] (15c): a removable lock with a shackle that can
          be passed through a staple or link and then secured --
          padlock vt

   padre
          [pa.dre] n [Sp or It or Pg, lit., father, fr. L pater--more
          at father] (1584) 1: a Christian clergyman; esp: priest
          2: a military chaplain

   padrone
          [pa.dro.ne] n, pl -nes or -ni [It, protector, owner, fr.
          L patronus patron] (1670) 1 a: master b: an Italian innkeeper
          2: one that secures employment esp. for Italian immigrants

   paduasoy
          [pad.u.a.soy] n [alter. of earlier poudesoy, fr. F pou-de-soie]
          (1663): a corded silk fabric; also: a garment made of
          it

   paean
          [pae.an] n [L, hymn of thanksgiving esp. addressed to Apollo,
          fr. Gk paian, paion, fr. Paian, Paion, epithet of Apollo
          in the hymn] (1589): a joyous song or hymn of praise,
          tribute, thanksgiving, or triumph; broadly: encomium,
          tribute

   paed-
          [paed-] or paedo- --see ped-

   paediatric
          [pae.di.at.ric] , pae.di.a.tri.cian , pae.di.at.rics chiefly
          Brit var of pediatric, pediatrician, pediatrics

   paedogenesis
          [pae.do.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1871): reproduction by young
          or larval animals: neoteny -- pae.do.ge.net.ic or pae.do.gen.ic
          adj -- pae.do.ge.net.i.cal.ly adv

   paedomorphic
          [pae.do.mor.phic] adj (1891): of, relating to, or involving
          paedomorphosis or paedomorphism

   paedomorphism
          [pae.do.mor.phism] n (ca. 1891): retention in the adult of
          infantile or juvenile characters

   paedomorphosis
          [pae.do.mor.pho.sis] n [NL, fr. paed- + Gk morphosis formation,
          fr. morphoun to form, fr. morphe form] (1922): phylogenetic
          change that involves retention of juvenile characters
          by the adult

   paella
          [pa.el.la] n [Catal, lit., pot, pan, fr. MF paelle, fr. L
          patella small pan--more at patella] (ca. 1892): a saffron-flavored
          dish containing rice, meat, seafood, and vegetables

   paeon
          [pae.on] n [L, fr. Gk paion, fr. paian, paion paean] (1603):
          a metrical foot of four syllables with one long and three
          short syllables (as in classical prosody) or with one
          stressed and three unstressed syllables (as in English
          prosody)

   pagan
          [pa.gan] n [ME, fr. LL paganus, fr. L, country dweller, fr.
          pagus country district; akin to L pangere to fix--more
          at pact] (14c) 1: heathen 1; esp: a follower of a polytheistic
          religion (as in ancient Rome) 2: one who has little or
          no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and
          material goods: an irreligious or hedonistic person --
          pagan adj -- pa.gan.ish adj

   paganism
          [pa.gan.ism] n (15c) 1 a: pagan beliefs or practices b: a
          pagan religion 2: the quality or state of being a pagan

   paganize
          [pa.gan.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1615): to make pagan
          ~ vi: to become pagan -- pa.gan.iz.er n

   [1]page
          [page] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF] (14c) 1 a (1): a youth being
          trained for the medieval rank of knight and in the personal
          service of a knight (2): a youth attendant on a person
          of rank esp. in the medieval period b: a boy serving
          as an honorary attendant at a formal function (as a wedding)
          2: one employed to deliver messages, assist patrons,
          serve as a guide, or attend to similar duties 3: an act
          or instance of paging <a ~ came over the loudspeaker>
          [2]page vt paged ; pag.ing (15c) 1: to wait on or serve
          in the capacity of a page 2: to summon by repeatedly
          calling out the name of [3]page n [MF, fr. L pagina;
          akin to L pangere to fix, fasten--more at pact] (1589)
          1 a: one of the leaves of a publication or manuscript;
          also: a single side of one of these leaves b: the material
          printed or written on a page 2 a: a written record b:
          a noteworthy event or period <one of the brightest ~s
          of my life> 3: a sizable subdivision of computer memory;
          also: a block of information that fills a page and can
          be transferred as a unit between the internal and external
          storage of a computer [4]page vb paged ; pag.ing vt (1628):
          to number or mark the pages of ~ vi: to turn the pages
          (as of a book or magazine) esp. in a steady or haphazard
          manner--usu. used with through

   pageant
          [pag.eant] n [ME pagyn, padgeant, lit., scene of a play,
          fr. ML pagina, perh. fr. L, page] (14c) 1 a: a mere show:
          pretense b: an ostentatious display 2: show, exhibition;
          esp: an elaborate colorful exhibition or spectacle often
          with music that consists of a series of tableaux, of
          a loosely unified drama, or of a procession usu. with
          floats 3: pageantry 1

   pageantry
          [pag.eant.ry] n (1608) 1: pageants and the presentation of
          pageants 2: colorful, rich, or splendid display: spectacle
          3: mere show: empty display

   page boy
          [page boy] n (1874) 1: a boy serving as a page 2 usu pageboy
          : an often shoulder-length hairdo with the ends of the
          hair turned under in a smooth roll

   pager
          [pag.er] n (1901): one that pages; esp: beeper

   Paget's disease
          [Pag.et's disease] n [Sir James Paget d. 1899 Eng. surgeon]
          (1889) 1: an eczematous inflammatory precancerous condition
          esp. of the nipple and areola 2: a chronic disease in
          which the bones become enlarged, weak, and deformed

   page-turner
          [page-turn.er] n (1972): an engrossing book or story

   paginate
          [pag.i.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L pagina page] (1884):
          [4]page

   pagination
          [pag.i.na.tion] n (1841) 1: the action of paging: the condition
          of being paged 2 a: the numbers or marks used to indicate
          the sequence of pages (as of a book) b: the number and
          arrangement of pages or an indication of these

   pagoda
          [pa.go.da] n [Pg pagode oriental idol, temple] (1588): a
          Far Eastern tower usu. with roofs curving upward at the
          division of each of several stories and erected as a
          temple or memorial

   Pahlavi
          [Pah.la.vi] n [Per pahlawi, fr. Pahlav Parthia, fr. OPer
          Parthava-] (1773) 1: the Iranian language of Sassanian
          Persia 2: a script used for writing Pahlavi

   [1]paid
          [paid] past and past part of pay [2]paid adj (1817) 1: marked
          by the receipt of pay <~ vacation time> 2: being or having
          been paid or paid for <a ~ official> <a ~ political announcement>

   pail
          [pail] n [ME payle, paille] (14c) 1: a usu. cylindrical container
          with a handle: bucket 2: the quantity that a pail contains
          -- pail.ful n

   paillard
          [pail.lard] n [F paillarde, fr. Paillard, late 19th cent.
          Fr. restaurateur] (1972): a piece of beef or veal usu.
          pounded thin and grilled

   paillette
          [pail.lette] n [F, fr. paille straw--more at pallet] (ca.
          1890) 1: a small shiny object (as a spangle) applied
          in clusters as a decorative trimming (as on women's clothing)
          2: a trimming made of paillettes

   [1]pain
          [pain] n [ME, fr. OF peine, fr. L poena, fr. Gk poine payment,
          penalty; akin to Gk tinein to pay, tinesthai to punish,
          Av kaena revenge, Skt cayate he revenges] (14c) 1: punishment
          2 a: usu. localized physical suffering associated with
          bodily disorder (as a disease or an injury); also: a
          basic bodily sensation induced by a noxious stimulus,
          received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical
          discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically
          leading to evasive action b: acute mental or emotional
          distress or suffering: grief 3 pl: the throes of childbirth
          4 pl: trouble, care, or effort taken for the accomplishment
          of something <was at ~s to reassure us> 5: one that irks
          or annoys or is otherwise troublesome--often used in
          such phrases as pain in the neck -- pain.less adj --
          pain.less.ly adv -- pain.less.ness n -- on pain of or
          under pain of : subject to penalty or punishment of <ordered
          not to leave the country on pain of death> [2]pain vt
          (14c) 1: to make suffer or cause distress to: hurt 2
          archaic: to put (oneself) to trouble or exertion ~ vi
          1 archaic: suffer 2: to give or have a sensation of pain

   pained
          [pained] adj (14c) 1: feeling pain: hurt 2: expressing or
          involving pain <a ~ expression> <with ~ surprise>

   painful
          [pain.ful] adj pain.ful.ler ; pain.ful.lest (14c) 1 a: feeling
          or giving pain b: irksome, annoying 2: requiring effort
          or exertion <a long ~ trip> 3 archaic: careful, diligent
          -- pain.ful.ly adv -- pain.ful.ness n

   painkiller
          [pain.kill.er] n (1853): something (as a drug) that relieves
          pain -- pain.kill.ing adj

   [1]painstaking
          [pains.tak.ing] n (1538): the action of taking pains: diligent
          care and effort [2]painstaking adj (1696): taking pains:
          expending, showing, or involving diligent care and effort
          -- pains.tak.ing.ly adv

   [1]paint
          [paint] vb [ME, fr. OF peint, pp. of peindre, fr. L pingere
          to tattoo, embroider, paint; akin to OE fah variegated,
          Gk poikilos variegated, pikros sharp, bitter] vt (13c)
          1 a (1): to apply color, pigment, or paint to (2): to
          color with a cosmetic b (1): to apply with a movement
          resembling that used in painting (2): to treat with a
          liquid by brushing or swabbing <~ the wound with iodine>
          2 a (1): to produce in lines and colors on a surface
          by applying pigments (2): to depict by such lines and
          colors b: to decorate, adorn, or variegate by applying
          lines and colors c: to produce or evoke as if by painting
          <~s glowing pictures of the farm> 3: to touch up or cover
          over by or as if by painting 4: to depict as having specified
          or implied characteristics <~s them whiter than the evidence
          justifies --Oliver La Farge> ~ vi 1: to practice the
          art of painting 2: to use cosmetics [2]paint n (1602)
          1: the action of painting: something produced by painting
          2: makeup; esp: a cosmetic to add color 3 a (1): a mixture
          of a pigment and a suitable liquid to form a closely
          adherent coating when spread on a surface in a thin coat
          (2): the pigment used in this mixture esp. when in the
          form of a cake <a box of ~s> b: an applied coating of
          paint 4: pinto 5: free throw lane

   paintbrush
          [paint.brush] n (1827) 1: a brush for applying paint 2 a:
          indian paintbrush 1 b: orange hawkweed

   painted bunting
          [painted bunting] n (ca. 1811): a brightly colored finch
          (Passerina ciris) that is found from the southern U.S.
          to Panama

   painted cup
          [painted cup] n (1787): indian paintbrush 1

   painted lady
          [painted lady] n (1753) 1: a migratory nymphalid butterfly
          (Vanessa cardui) with wings mottled in brown, orange,
          black, and white 2: prostitute 1a

   painted trillium
          [painted trillium] n (1855): a trillium (Trillium undulatum)
          of northeastern No. America that has a solitary flower
          with white petals streaked with purple

   painted turtle
          [painted turtle] n (1876): a No. American turtle (Chrysemys
          picta) having a greenish to black carapace with yellow,
          red, or olive bordered scutes and a yellow plastron

   [1]painter
          [paint.er] n (14c): one that paints: as a: an artist who
          paints b: one who applies paint esp. as an occupation
          [2]pain.ter n [ME paynter, prob. fr. MF pendoir, pentoir
          clothesline, fr. pendre to hang--more at pendant] (14c):
          a line used for securing or towing a boat [3]pain.ter
          n [alter. of panther] (ca. 1764): cougar

   painterly
          [paint.er.ly] adj (1586): of, relating to, or typical of
          a painter: artistic -- paint.er.li.ness n

   painter's colic
          [painter's colic] n (ca. 1834): intestinal colic associated
          with obstinate constipation due to chronic lead poisoning

   painting
          [paint.ing] n (13c) 1: a product of painting; esp: a work
          produced through the art of painting 2: the art or occupation
          of painting

   paintwork
          [paint.work] n (1888) chiefly Brit 1: work with paint 2:
          paint 3b

   [1]pair
          [pair] n, pl pairs or pair [ME paire, fr. OF, fr. L paria
          equal things, fr. neut. pl. of par equal] (14c) 1 a (1):
          two corresponding things designed for use together <a
          ~ of shoes> (2): two corresponding bodily parts or members
          <a ~ of hands> b: something made up of two corresponding
          pieces <a ~ of trousers> 2 a: two similar or associated
          things: as (1): two mated animals (2): a couple in love,
          engaged, or married <were a devoted ~> (3): two playing
          cards of the same value or denomination and esp. of the
          same rank (4): two horses harnessed side by side (5):
          two members of a deliberative body that agree not to
          vote on a specific issue during a time agreed on; also:
          an agreement not to vote made by the two members b: a
          partnership esp. of two players in a contest against
          another partnership 3 chiefly dial: a set or series of
          small objects (as beads) [2]pair vt (1606) 1 a: to make
          a pair of--often used with off or up <~ed off the animals>
          b: to cause to be a member of a pair c: to arrange a
          voting pair between 2: to arrange in pairs ~ vi 1: to
          constitute a member of a pair <a sock that didn't ~>
          2 a: to become associated with another--often used with
          off or up <~ed up with an old friend> b: to become grouped
          or separated into pairs--often used with off <~ed off
          for the next dance>

   pair-bond
          [pair-bond] n (1940): a monogamous relationship -- pair-bond.ing
          n

   paired-associate learning
          [paired-associate learning] n (1966): the learning of syllables,
          digits, or words in pairs (as in the study of a foreign
          language) so that one member of the pair evokes recall
          of the other

   pair of compasses
          [pair of compasses] (1563): compass 3c

   pair of virginals
          [pair of virginals] (1542): virginal

   pair production
          [pair production] n (1934): the transformation of a quantum
          of radiant energy simultaneously into an electron and
          a positron when the quantum interacts with the intense
          electric field near a nucleus

   paisa
          [pai.sa] n [ultim. fr. Hindi paisa, a quarter-anna coin]
          (1956) 1 pl paisa : a monetary unit equal to 1/100 rupee
          (Nepal, Pakistan) or 1/100 taka (Bangladesh) 2 pl pai.se
          --see rupee at money table

   paisley
          [pais.ley] adj, often cap [Paisley, Scotland] (1824) 1: made
          typically of soft wool and woven or printed with colorful
          curved abstract figures 2: marked by designs, patterns,
          or figures typically used in paisley fabrics <a ~ print>
          -- paisley n

   Paiute
          [Pai.ute] n (1827) 1: a member of an American Indian people
          orig. of Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California 2: either
          of the two Uto-Aztecan languages of the Paiute people

   pajama
          [pa.ja.ma] n [Hindi pajama, fr. Per pa leg + jama garment]
          (1883): pajamas -- pa.ja.maed adj

   pajamas
          [pa.ja.mas] n pl [pl. of pajama] (1800) 1: loose lightweight
          trousers formerly much worn in the Near East 2: a loose
          usu. two-piece lightweight suit designed esp. for sleeping
          or lounging

   pak choi
          [pak choi] var of bok choy

   pakeha
          [pa.ke.ha] n, pl pakeha or pakehas often cap [Maori] (1832)
          chiefly NewZeal: a person who is not of Maori descent;
          esp: a white person

   Paki
          [Paki] n [short for Pakistani] (1964) chiefly Brit: a Pakistani
          immigrant--usu. used disparagingly

   [1]pal
          [pal] n [Romany phral, phal brother, friend, fr. Skt bhratr
          brother; akin to OE brothor brother] (ca. 1682): a close
          friend -- pal.ship n [2]pal vi palled ; pal.ling (1879):
          to be or become pals: associate as pals <they've palled
          around for years>

   [1]palace
          [pal.ace] n [ME palais, fr. OF, fr. L palatium, fr. Palatium,
          the Palatine Hill in Rome where the emperors' residences
          were built] (13c) 1 a: the official residence of a chief
          of state (as a monarch or a president) b chiefly Brit:
          the official residence of an archbishop or bishop 2 a:
          a large stately house b: a large public building c: a
          highly decorated place for public amusement or refreshment
          <a movie ~> [2]palace adj (14c) 1: of or relating to
          a palace 2: of, relating to, or involving the intimates
          of a chief executive <a ~ revolution> <~ politics> 3:
          luxurious, deluxe

   paladin
          [pal.a.din] n [F, fr. It paladino, fr. ML palatinus courtier,
          fr. LL, imperial official--more at palatine] (1592) 1:
          a trusted military leader (as for a medieval prince)
          2: a leading champion of a cause

   palae-
          [palae-] or palaeo- chiefly Brit var of pale-

   palaestra
          [pa.laes.tra] n, pl -trae [ME palestre arena, fr. L palaestra
          place for wrestling, fr. Gk palaistra, fr. palaiein to
          wrestle] (1580) 1: a school in ancient Greece or Rome
          for sports (as wrestling) 2: gymnasium

   palanquin
          [pa.lan.quin] n [Pg palanquim, fr. Malay or Jav pelangki,
          of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Bengali palanka bed] (1588):
          a conveyance formerly used esp. in eastern Asia usu.
          for one person that consists of an enclosed litter borne
          on the shoulders of men by means of poles

   palatable
          [pal.at.able] adj (1669) 1: agreeable to the palate or taste
          2: agreeable or acceptable to the mind -- pal.at.abil.i.ty
          n -- pal.at.able.ness n -- pal.at.ably adv syn palatable,
          appetizing, savory, tasty, toothsome mean agreeable or
          pleasant esp. to the sense of taste. palatable often
          applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable
          <butterflies that birds find palatable>. appetizing suggests
          a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance
          as well as taste <appetizing hors d'oeuvres>. savory
          applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy
          and often spiciness <dumplings with savory fillings>.
          tasty implies a pronounced taste <a tart and tasty pie>.
          toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes
          implies tenderness or daintiness <an enticing array of
          toothsome desserts>.

   palatal
          [pal.a.tal] adj (1728) 1 a: formed with some part of the
          tongue near or touching the hard palate posterior to
          the teethridge b of a vowel: front 2 2: of, relating
          to, forming, or affecting the palate -- palatal n --
          pal.a.tal.ly adv

   palatalization
          [pal.a.tal.i.za.tion] n (1863) 1: the quality or state of
          being palatalized 2: an act or instance of palatalizing
          an utterance

   palatalize
          [pal.a.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1867): to pronounce as
          or change into a palatal sound

   palate
          [pal.ate] n [ME, fr. L palatum] (14c) 1: the roof of the
          mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity 2 a:
          a usu. intellectual taste or liking b: the sense of taste

   palatial
          [pa.la.tial] adj [L palatium palace] (1754) 1: of, relating
          to, or being a palace 2: suitable to a palace: magnificent
          -- pa.la.tial.ly adv -- pa.la.tial.ness n

   palatinate
          [pa.lat.i.nate] n (ca. 1580): the territory of a palatine

   [1]palatine
          [pal.a.tine] adj [ME, fr. L palatinus imperial, fr. palatium]
          (15c) 1 a: possessing royal privileges b: of or relating
          to a palatine or a palatinate 2 a: of or relating to
          a palace esp. of a Roman or Holy Roman emperor b: palatial
          [2]palatine n [LL palatinus imperial official, fr. L
          palatinus, adj.] (1591) 1 a: a feudal lord having sovereign
          power within his domains b: a high officer of an imperial
          palace 2 cap: a native or inhabitant of the Palatinate
          3: a fur cape or stole covering the neck and shoulders
          [3]palatine adj [F palatin, fr. L palatum palate] (ca.
          1656): of, relating to, or lying near the palate [4]palatine
          n (1854): either of a pair of bones that are situated
          behind and between the maxillae and in humans are of
          extremely irregular form

   [1]palaver
          [pa.lav.er] n [Pg palavra word, speech, fr. LL parabola parable,
          speech] (1735) 1 a: a long parley usu. between persons
          of different cultures or levels of sophistication b:
          conference, discussion 2 a: idle talk b: misleading or
          beguiling speech [2]palaver vb pa.lav.ered ; pa.lav.er.ing
          vi (1773) 1: to talk profusely or idly 2: parley ~ vt:
          to use palaver to: cajole

   palazzo
          [pa.laz.zo] n, pl pa.laz.zi [It, fr. L palatium palace] (ca.
          1666): a large imposing building (as a museum or a place
          of residence) esp. in Italy

   pale-
          [pale-] or paleo- comb form [Gk palai-, palaio- ancient,
          fr. palaios, fr. palai long ago; prob. akin to Gk tele
          far off, Skt carama last] 1: involving or dealing with
          ancient forms or conditions <paleobotany> 2: early: primitive:
          archaic <Paleolithic>

   [1]pale
          [pale] n [ME, fr. MF pal stake, fr. L palus--more at pole]
          (12c) 1 archaic: palisade, paling 2 a: one of the stakes
          of a palisade b: picket 3 a: a space or field having
          bounds: enclosure b: a territory or district within certain
          bounds or under a particular jurisdiction 4: an area
          or the limits within which one is privileged or protected
          (as from censure) <conduct that was beyond the ~> 5:
          a perpendicular stripe on a heraldic shield [2]pale vt
          paled ; pal.ing (14c): to enclose with pales: fence [3]pale
          adj pal.er ; pal.est [ME, fr. MF, fr. L pallidus, fr.
          pallere to be pa le--more at fallow] (14c) 1: deficient
          in color or intensity of color: pallid <a ~ complexion>
          2: not bright or brilliant: dim <a ~ sun shining through
          the fog> 3: feeble, faint <a ~ imitation> 4: deficient
          in chroma <a ~ pink> -- pale.ly adv -- pale.ness n --
          pal.ish adj [4]pale vb paled ; pal.ing vi (14c): to become
          pale ~ vt: to make pale

   palea
          [pa.lea] n, pl pa.le.ae [NL, fr. L, chaff--more at pallet]
          (1753) 1: one of the chaffy scales on the receptacle
          of many composite plants 2: the upper bract that with
          the lemma encloses the flower in grasses -- pa.le.al
          adj

   Palearctic
          [Pa.le.arc.tic] adj (1858): of, relating to, or being
          a biogeographic region or subregion that includes Europe, Asia
          north of the Himalayas, northern Arabia, and Africa north of the
          Sahara

   pale dry
          [pale dry] adj (1953): dry and light colored <pale dry ginger
          ale>

   paleface
          [pale.face] n (1822): a white person

   paleoanthropology
          [pa.leo.an.thro.pol.o.gy] n (1916): a branch of anthropology
          dealing with fossil hominids -- pa.leo.an.thro.po.log.i.cal
          adj -- pa.leo.an.thro.pol.o.gist n

   paleobiology
          [pa.leo.bi.ol.o.gy] n (1893): a branch of paleontology concerned
          with the biology of fossil organisms -- pa.leo.bi.o.log.i.cal
          also pa.leo.bi.o.log.ic adj -- pa.leo.bi.ol.o.gist n

   paleobotany
          [pa.leo.bot.a.ny] n [ISV] (1872): a branch of botany dealing
          with fossil plants -- pa.leo.bo.tan.i.cal or pa.leo.bo.tan.ic
          adj -- pa.leo.bo.tan.i.cal.ly adv -- pa.leo.bot.a.nist
          n

   Paleocene
          [Pa.leo.cene] adj [ISV] (1877): of, relating to, or being
          the earliest epoch of the Tertiary or the corresponding
          system of rocks--see geologic time table -- Paleocene
          n

   paleoclimatology
          [pa.leo.cli.ma.tol.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1909): a science dealing
          with the climate of past ages -- pa.leo.cli.ma.tol.o.gist
          n

   paleoecology
          [pa.leo.ecol.o.gy] n (1898): a branch of ecology that is
          concerned with the characteristics of ancient environments
          and with their relationships to ancient plants and animals
          -- pa.leo.eco.log.i.cal also pa.leo.eco.log.ic adj --
          pa.leo.ecol.o.gist n

   Paleogene
          [Pa.leo.gene] adj [G Palaogen, fr. pala- pale- + -gen (fr.
          Gk -genes born)--more at -gen] (1882): of, relating to,
          or being the earlier part of the Tertiary including the
          Paleocene, Eocene, and Oligocene or the corresponding
          system of rocks -- Paleogene n

   paleogeography
          [pa.leo.ge.og.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1881): the geography of ancient
          times or of a particular past geological epoch --
          pa.leo.geo.graph.ic or pa.leo.geo.graph.i.cal adj --
          pa.leo.geo.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   paleographic
          [pa.leo.graph.ic] or pa.leo.graph.i.cal adj (ca. 1842): relating
          to writings of former times -- pa.leo.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   paleography
          [pa.le.og.ra.phy] n [NL palaeographia, fr. Gk palai- pale-
          + -graphia -graphy] (ca. 1818) 1: the study of ancient
          writings and inscriptions 2 a: an ancient manner of writing
          b: ancient writings -- pa.le.og.ra.pher n

   Paleo-Indian
          [Pa.leo-In.di.an] n (1940): one of the early American hunting
          people of Asian origin extant in the late Pleistocene
          -- Paleo-Indian adj

   Paleolithic
          [Pa.leo.lith.ic] adj [ISV] (1865): of or relating to the
          earliest period of the Stone Age characterized by rough
          or chipped stone implements

   paleomagnetism
          [pa.leo.mag.ne.tism] n (1854) 1: the intensity and direction
          of residual magnetization in ancient rocks 2: a science
          that deals with paleomagnetism -- pa.leo.mag.net.ic adj
          -- pa.leo.mag.net.i.cal.ly adv -- pa.leo.mag.ne.tist
          n

   paleon
          [paleon] abbreviation paleontology

   paleontology
          [pa.le.on.tol.o.gy] n [F paleontologie, fr. pale- pale- +
          Gk onta existing things (fr. neut. pl. of ont-, on, prp.
          of einai to be) + F -logie -logy--more at is] (1838):
          a science dealing with the life of past geological periods
          as known from fossil remains -- pa.le.on.to.log.i.cal
          or pa.le.on.to.log.ic adj -- pa.le.on.tol.o.gist n

   paleopathology
          [pa.leo.pa.thol.o.gy] n (1893): a branch of pathology concerned
          with diseases of former times as evidenced esp. in fossil
          or other remains -- pa.leo.patho.log.i.cal adj --
          pa.leo.pa.thol.o.gist n

   Paleozoic
          [Pa.leo.zo.ic] adj (1838): of, relating to, originating in,
          or being an era of geological history that extends from
          the beginning of the Cambrian to the close of the Permian
          and is marked by the culmination of nearly all classes
          of invertebrates except the insects and in the later
          epochs by the appearance of terrestrial plants, amphibians,
          and reptiles; also: relating to the corresponding system
          of rocks -- Paleozoic n

   paleozoology
          [pa.leo.zo.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1857): a branch of paleontology
          dealing with ancient and fossil animals -- pa.leo.zoo.log.i.cal
          adj -- pa.leo.zo.ol.o.gist n

   palet
          [pal.et] n [pale palea + [1]-et] (ca. 1880): palea

   palette
          [pal.ette] n [F, fr. MF, dim. of pale spade, fr. L pala;
          prob. akin to L pangere to fix--more at pact] (1622)
          1: a thin oval or rectangular board or tablet that a
          painter holds and mixes pigments on 2 a: the set of colors
          put on the palette b (1): a particular range, quality,
          or use of color (2): a comparable range, quality, or
          use of available elements esp. in another art (as music)

   palette knife
          [palette knife] n (1759): a knife with usu. a flexible steel
          blade and no cutting edge used to mix colors or to apply
          colors (as to a painting)

   palfrey
          [pal.frey] n, pl palfreys [ME, fr. OF palefrei, fr. ML palafredus,
          fr. LL paraveredus post-horse for secondary roads, fr.
          Gk parabeside, subsidiary + LL veredus post-horse, fr. a Gaulish
          word akin to W gorwydd horse; akin to OIr reidid he rides--more
          at para-, ride] (13c) archaic: a saddle horse other than
          a warhorse; esp: a lady's light easy-gaited horse

   Pali
          [Pa.li] n [Skt pali row, series of Buddhist sacred texts]
          (1800): an Indo-Aryan language used as the liturgical
          and scholarly language of Theravada Buddhism

   palimony
          [pal.i.mo.ny] n [blend of pal and alimony] (1979): a court-ordered
          allowance paid by one member of a couple formerly living together
          out of wedlock to the other

   palimpsest
          [pa.limp.sest] n [L palimpsestus, fr. Gk palimpsestos scraped
          again, fr. palin + psen to rub, scrape; akin to Skt psati,
          babhasti he chews] (1825) 1: writing material (as a parchment
          or tablet) used one or more times after earlier writing
          has been erased 2: something having usu. diverse layers
          or aspects apparent beneath the surface

   palindrome
          [pal.in.drome] n [Gk palindromos running back again, fr.
          palin back, again + dramein to run; akin to Gk polos
          axis, pole--more at pole, dromedary] (ca. 1629): a word,
          verse, or sentence (as "Able was I ere I saw Elba") or
          a number (as 1881) that reads the same backward or forward
          -- pal.in.drom.ic adj -- pal.in.drom.ist n

   paling
          [pal.ing] n (15c) 1: a fence of pales or pickets 2: wood
          for making pales 3: a pale or picket for a fence

   palingenesis
          [pal.in.gen.e.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk palin again + L genesis
          genesis] (1818): metempsychosis

   palingenetic
          [pal.in.ge.net.ic] adj (1833): of or relating to palingenesis

   palinode
          [pal.in.ode] n [Gk palinoidia, fr. palin + aeidein to sing--more
          at ode] (1599) 1: an ode or song recanting or retracting
          something in an earlier poem 2: a formal retraction

   [1]palisade
          [pal.i.sade] n [F palissade, ultim. fr. L palus stake--more
          at pole] (1600) 1 a: a fence of stakes esp. for defense
          b: a long strong stake pointed at the top and set close
          with others as a defense 2: a line of bold cliffs [2]palisade
          vt -sad.ed ; -sad.ing (1632): to fortify with palisades

   palisade cell
          [palisade cell] n (1875): a cell of the palisade layer

   palisade layer
          [palisade layer] n (1914): a layer of columnar cells rich
          in chloroplasts found beneath the upper epidermis of
          foliage leaves--called also palisade mesophyll, palisade
          parenchyma, palisade tissue--compare spongy parenchyma

   [1]pall
          [pall] vb [ME, short for appallen to become pale--more at
          appall] vi (14c) 1: to lose strength or effectiveness
          2: to lose in interest or attraction <his humor began
          to ~ on us> 3: to become tired of something ~ vt 1: to
          cause to become insipid 2: to deprive of pleasure in
          something by satiating syn see satiate [2]pall n [ME,
          cloak, mantle, fr. OE paell, fr. L pallium] (14c) 1:
          pallium 1a 2 a: a square of linen usu. stiffened with
          cardboard that is used to cover the chalice b (1): a
          heavy cloth draped over a coffin (2): a coffin esp. when
          holding a body 3: something that covers or conceals;
          esp: an overspreading element that produces an effect
          of gloom <a ~ of thick black smoke> [3]pall vt (15c):
          to cover with a pall: drape

   Palladian
          [Pal.la.di.an] adj (1731): of or relating to a revived classical
          style in architecture based on the works of Andrea Palladio
          -- Pal.la.di.an.ism n

   [1]palladium
          [pal.la.di.um] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk palladion, fr. Pallad-,
          Pallas] 1 cap: a statue of Pallas whose preservation
          was believed to ensure the safety of Troy 2 pl pal.la.dia
          : safeguard [2]palladium n [NL, fr. Pallad-, Pallas,
          an asteroid] (1803): a silver-white ductile malleable
          metallic element of the platinum group that is used esp.
          in electrical contacts, as a catalyst, and in alloys
          -- pal.la.dous adj

   Pallas
          [Pal.las] n [L Pallad-, Pallas, fr. Gk]: athena

   pallbearer
          [pall.bear.er] n [[2]pall] (1707): a person who helps to
          carry the coffin at a funeral; also: a member of the
          escort or honor guard of the coffin who does not actually
          help to carry it

   [1]pallet
          [pal.let] n [ME pailet, fr. (assumed) MF paillet, fr. paille
          straw, fr. L palea chaff, straw; akin to Skt palava chaff]
          (14c) 1: a straw-filled tick or mattress 2: a small,
          hard, or temporary bed [2]pallet n [ME palette, lit.,
          small shovel, fr. MF--more at palette] (1558) 1: a wooden
          flat-bladed instrument 2: a lever or surface in a timepiece
          that receives an impulse from the escapement wheel and
          imparts motion to a balance or pendulum 3: a portable
          platform for handling, storing, or moving materials and
          packages (as in warehouses, factories, or vehicles)

   palletise
          [pal.let.ise] Brit var of palletize

   palletize
          [pal.let.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1944): to place on, transport,
          or store by means of pallets -- pal.let.i.za.tion n --
          pal.let.iz.er n

   pallette
          [pal.lette] n [alter. of palette] (1834): one of the plates
          at the armpits of a suit of armor--see armor illustration

   pallial
          [pal.li.al] adj [NL pallium] (1836) 1: of, relating to, or
          produced by a mantle of a mollusk 2: of or relating to
          the cerebral cortex

   palliasse
          [pal.liasse] n [modif. of F paillasse, fr. paille straw]
          (1763): a thin straw mattress used as a pallet

   palliate
          [pal.li.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME, fr. LL palliatus, pp.
          of palliare to cloak, conceal, fr. L pallium cloak] (15c)
          1: to reduce the violence of (a disease): abate 2: to
          cover by excuses and apologies 3: to moderate the intensity
          of <trying to ~ the boredom> -- pal.li.a.tion n -- pal.li.a.tor
          n

   [1]palliative
          [pal.li.a.tive] adj (15c): serving to palliate <~ surgery>
          -- pal.lia.tive.ly adv [2]palliative n (1724): something
          that palliates

   pallid
          [pal.lid] adj [L pallidus--more at pale] (1590) 1: deficient
          in color: wan <a ~ countenance> 2: lacking sparkle or
          liveliness: dull <a ~ entertainment> -- pal.lid.ly adv
          -- pal.lid.ness n

   pallida Mors
          [pal.li.da Mors] [L] foreign term : pale Death

   pallium
          [pal.li.um] n, pl -lia or -li.ums [ME, fr. L] (12c) 1 a:
          a white woolen band with pendants in front and back worn
          over the chasuble by a pope or archbishop as a symbol
          of full episcopal authority b: a draped rectangular cloth
          worn as a cloak by men of ancient Greece and Rome 2 [NL,
          fr. L, cloak] a: cerebral cortex b: the mantle of a mollusk,
          brachiopod, or bird

   pall-mall
          [pall-mall] n [MF pallemaille, fr. It pallamaglio, fr. palla
          ball (of Gmc origin; akin to OHG balla ball) + maglio
          mallet, fr. L malleus--more at ball, maul] (1598): a
          17th century game in which each player attempts to drive
          a wooden ball with a mallet down an alley and through
          a raised ring in as few strokes as possible; also: the
          alley in which it is played

   pallor
          [pal.lor] n [ME, fr. L, fr. pallere to be pale--more at fallow]
          (15c): deficiency of color esp. of the face: paleness

   pally
          [pal.ly] adj (1895): sharing the relationship of pals: intimate

   [1]palm
          [palm] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. L palma palm of the hand, palm
          tree; fr. the resemblance of the tree's leaves to the
          outstretched hand; akin to Gk palame palm of the hand,
          OE folm, OIr lam hand] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a family
          (Palmae, the palm family) of mostly tropical or subtropical
          monocotyledonous trees, shrubs, or vines with usu. a
          simple stem and a terminal crown of large pinnate or
          fan-shaped leaves 2: a leaf of the palm as a symbol of
          victory or rejoicing; also: a branch (as of laurel) similarly
          used 3: a symbol of triumph; also: victory, triumph 4:
          an addition to a military decoration in the form of a
          palm frond esp. to indicate a second award of the basic
          decoration -- palm.like adj [2]palm n [ME paume, fr.
          MF, fr. L palma] (14c) 1: the somewhat concave part of
          the human hand between the bases of the fingers and the
          wrist or the corresponding part of the forefoot of a
          lower mammal 2: a flat expanded part esp. at the end
          of a base or stalk (as of an anchor) 3 [L palmus, fr.
          palma]: a unit of length based on the breadth or length
          of the hand 4: something (as a part of a glove) that
          covers the palm of the hand 5: an act of palming (as
          of cards) [3]palm vt (1673) 1 a: to conceal in or with
          the hand <~ a card> b: to pick up stealthily 2: to impose
          by fraud <a second imposter to be ~ed upon you --Sir
          Walter Scott> 3: to touch with the palm: as a: to stroke
          with the palm or hand b: to shake hands with c: to allow
          (a basketball) to come to rest momentarily in the hand
          while dribbling thus committing a violation

   palmar
          [pal.mar] adj (1656): of, relating to, or involving the palm
          of the hand

   palmary
          [pal.ma.ry] adj [L palmarius deserving the palm, fr. palma]
          (1657): outstanding, best

   palmate
          [pal.mate] also pal.mat.ed adj (ca. 1760): resembling a hand
          with the fingers spread: as a: having lobes radiating
          from a common point <a ~ leaf>--see leaf illustration
          b: having the distal portion broad, flat, and lobed <a
          ~ antler> -- pal.mate.ly adv -- pal.ma.tion n

   palmed
          [palmed] adj (15c): having a palm of a specified kind--used
          in combination <leather-palmed gloves>

   palmer
          [palm.er] n (13c): a person wearing two crossed palm leaves
          as a sign of a pilgrimage made to the Holy Land

   palmerworm
          [palm.er.worm] n (1560): a caterpillar that suddenly appears
          in great numbers devouring herbage

   palmette
          [pal.mette] n [F, fr. palme palm, fr. L palma] (1850): a
          decorative motif suggestive of a palm

   palmetto
          [pal.met.to] n, pl -tos or -toes [modif. of Sp palmito, fr.
          palma palm, fr. L] (ca. 1746) 1: any of several usu.
          low-growing fan-leaved palms; esp: cabbage palmetto 2:
          strips of the leaf blade of a palmetto used in weaving

   palmist
          [palm.ist] n [prob. back-formation fr. palmistry] (1886):
          one who practices palmistry

   palmistry
          [palm.ist.ry] n [ME pawmestry, prob. fr. paume palm + maistrie
          mastery] (15c): the art or practice of reading a person's
          character or future from the lines on the palms

   palmitate
          [pal.mi.tate] n (1873): a salt or ester of palmitic acid

   palmitic acid
          [pal.mit.ic acid] n [ISV, fr. palmitin] (1857): a waxy crystalline
          saturated fatty acid occurring free or in the form of esters (as
          glycerides) in most fats and fatty oils and in several essential
          oils and waxes

   palmitin
          [pal.mi.tin] n [F palmitine, prob. fr. palmite pith of the
          palm tree, fr. Sp palmito] (1857): an ester of glycerol
          and palmitic acid; esp: a solid ester found in animal
          fats

   palm off
          [palm off] vt (1822) 1: to dispose of usu. by trickery or
          guile 2: pass off 2

   palm oil
          [palm oil] n (1705): an edible fat obtained from the flesh
          of the fruit of several palms and used esp. in soap and
          lubricating greases

   Palm Sunday
          [Palm Sunday] n [fr. the palm branches strewn in Christ's
          way] (bef. 12c): the Sunday before Easter celebrated
          in commemoration of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem

   palmy
          [palmy] adj palm.i.er ; -est (1602) 1: marked by prosperity:
          flourishing 2: abounding in or bearing palms

   palmyra
          [pal.my.ra] n [Pg palmeira, fr. palma palm, fr. L] (1698):
          a tall fan-leaved palm (Borassus flabellifer) of India
          cultivated for its hard resistant wood, fiber, and sugar-rich
          sap--called also palmyra palm

   palomino
          [pal.o.mi.no] n, pl -nos [AmerSp, fr. Sp, like a dove, fr.
          L palumbinus, fr. palumbes ringdove; akin to Gk peleia
          dove, L pallere to be pale--more at fallow] (1914): a
          horse that is pale cream to gold in color and has a flaxen
          or white mane and tail

   palooka
          [pa.loo.ka] n [origin unknown] (1925) 1: an inexperienced
          or incompetent boxer 2: oaf, lout

   paloverde
          [pal.o.ver.de] n [MexSp, lit., green tree] (1854) 1: any
          of several small spiny leguminous trees or shrubs (genus
          Cercidium) that have greenish branches and are found
          chiefly in dry regions of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico
          2: jerusalem thorn

   palp
          [palp] n [NL palpus] (1842): palpus

   palpable
          [pal.pa.ble] adj [ME, fr. LL palpabilis, fr. L palpare to
          stroke, caress--more at feel] (14c) 1: capable of being
          touched or felt: tangible 2: easily perceptible: noticeable
          3: easily perceptible by the mind: manifest syn see perceptible
          -- pal.pa.bil.i.ty n -- pal.pa.bly adv

   palpate
          [pal.pate] vt pal.pat.ed ; pal.pat.ing [prob. back-formation
          fr. palpation, fr. L palpation-, palpatio, fr. palpare]
          (ca. 1852): to examine by touch esp. medically -- pal.pa.tion
          n

   palpebral
          [pal.pe.bral] adj [LL palpebralis, fr. L palpebra eyelid;
          akin to L palpare] (1840): of, relating to, or located
          on or near the eyelids

   palpitant
          [pal.pi.tant] adj (1837): marked by trembling or throbbing

   palpitate
          [pal.pi.tate] vi -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L palpitatus, pp. of
          palpitare, freq. of palpare to stroke] (ca. 1623): to
          beat rapidly and strongly: throb -- pal.pi.ta.tion n

   palpus
          [pal.pus] n, pl pal.pi [NL, fr. L, caress, soft palm of the
          hand, fr. palpare] (1813): a segmented usu. tactile or
          gustatory process on an arthropod mouthpart--see insect
          illustration

   palsgrave
          [pals.grave] n [D paltsgrave] (1539): count palatine 1a

   palsied
          [pal.sied] adj (1550): affected with or as if with palsy

   [1]palsy
          [pal.sy] n, pl palsies [ME parlesie, fr. MF paralisie, fr.
          L paralysis] (14c) 1: paralysis 2: a condition marked
          by uncontrollable tremor of the body or a part [2]palsy
          vt pal.sied ; pal.sy.ing (1615): to affect with or as
          if with palsy [3]palsy adj (1951): palsy-walsy

   palsy-walsy
          [palsy-walsy] adj [redupl. of palsy] (1943) slang: being
          or appearing to be very intimate

   palter
          [pal.ter] vi pal.tered ; pal.ter.ing [origin unknown] (1601)
          1: to act insincerely or deceitfully: equivocate 2: haggle,
          chaffer syn see lie -- pal.ter.er n

   paltry
          [pal.try] adj pal.tri.er ; -est [obs. paltry trash, fr. dial.
          palt, pelt piece of coarse cloth, trash; akin to MLG
          palte rag] (1570) 1: inferior, trashy 2: mean, despicable
          3: trivial 4: meager, measly <made a ~ donation> -- pal.tri.ness
          n

   paludal
          [pa.lu.dal] adj [L palud-, palus marsh; akin to Skt palvala
          pond] (ca. 1820): of or relating to marshes or fens:
          marshy

   paly
          [paly] adj (1560) archaic: somewhat pale: pallid

   palynology
          [pal.y.nol.o.gy] n [Gk palynein to sprinkle, fr. pale fine
          meal] (1944): a branch of science dealing with pollen
          and spores -- pal.y.no.log.i.cal also pal.y.no.log.ic
          adj -- pal.y.no.log.i.cal.ly adv -- pal.y.nol.o.gist
          n

   pam
          [pam] abbreviation pamphlet

   pampa
          [pam.pa] n, pl pam.pas [AmerSp, fr. Quechua] (1704): an extensive
          generally grass-covered plain of temperate So. America
          east of the Andes: prairie

   pampas grass
          [pam.pas grass] n (ca. 1851): a So. American grass (Cortaderia
          selloana) often grown for ornament that has showy white
          panicles borne on tall stems

   pampean
          [pam.pe.an] adj (1839): of or relating to the pampas of So.
          America or their Indian inhabitants

   pamper
          [pam.per] vt pam.pered ; pam.per.ing [ME, prob. of D origin;
          akin to Flem pamperen to pamper] (14c) 1 archaic: to
          cram with rich food: glut 2 a: to treat with extreme
          or excessive care and attention <~ed their guests> b:
          gratify, humor <enabled him to ~ his wanderlust --New
          Yorker> syn see indulge -- pam.per.er n

   pampero
          [pam.pe.ro] n, pl -ros [AmerSp, fr. pampa] (1818): a strong
          cold wind from the west or southwest that sweeps over
          the pampas

   pamphlet
          [pam.phlet] n [ME pamflet unbound booklet, fr. Pamphilus
          seu De Amore Pamphilus or On Love, popular Latin love
          poem of the 12th cent.] (14c): an unbound printed publication
          with no cover or with a paper cover

   [1]pamphleteer
          [pam.phle.teer] n (1642): a writer of pamphlets attacking
          something or urging a cause [2]pamphleteer vi (1698)
          1: to write and publish pamphlets 2: to engage in partisan
          arguments indirectly in writings

   Pan
          [Pan] abbreviation Panama

   pan-
          [pan-] comb form [Gk, fr. pan, neut. of pant-, pas all, every;
          akin to Toch B pont- all] 1: all: completely <panchromatic>
          2 a: involving all of a (specified) group <Pan-American>
          b: advocating or involving the union of a (specified)
          group <Pan-Slavism> 3: whole: general <panleukopenia>

   [1]pan
          [pan] n [ME panne, fr. OE (akin to OHG phanna pan), fr. L
          patina, fr. Gk patane] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a usu. broad,
          shallow, and open container for domestic use (as for
          warming, baking, or frying) b: any of various similar
          usu. metal receptacles: as (1): the hollow part of the
          lock in a firelock or flintlock gun that receives the
          priming (2): either of the receptacles in a pair of scales
          (3): a round shallow metal container for separating metal
          (as gold) from waste by washing 2 a (1): a natural basin
          or depression in land (2): a similar artificial basin
          (as for evaporating brine) b: a drifting fragment of
          the flat thin ice that forms in bays or along the shore
          3: hardpan 1 4 slang: face 5: a harsh criticism [2]pan
          vb panned ; pan.ning vt (1839) 1 a: to wash in a pan
          for the purpose of separating heavy particles b: to separate
          (as gold) by panning c: to place in a pan 2: to criticize
          severely <the show was panned> ~ vi 1: to wash material
          (as earth or gravel) in a pan in search of metal (as
          gold) 2: to yield precious metal in the process of panning--usu.
          used with out [3]pan n [Hindi pan, fr. Skt parna wing,
          leaf--more at fern] (1616) 1: a betel leaf 2: a masticatory
          of betel nut, mineral lime, and pan [4]pan n [short for
          panorama] (ca. 1922) 1: the process of panning a motion-picture
          or video camera 2: a shot in which the camera is panned
          [5]pan vb panned ; pan.ning vt (1930): to rotate (as
          a motion-picture camera) so as to keep an object in the
          picture or secure a panoramic effect ~ vi 1: to pan a
          motion-picture or video camera 2 of a camera: to undergo
          panning Pan n [L, fr. Gk]: a Greek god of pastures, flocks,
          and shepherds usu. represented as having the legs, horns,
          and ears of a goat

   panacea
          [pan.a.cea] n [L, fr. Gk panakeia, fr. panakes all-healing,
          fr. pan- + akos remedy] (1548): a remedy for all ills
          or difficulties: cure-all -- pan.a.ce.an adj

   panache
          [pa.nache] n [MF pennache, fr. OIt pennacchio, fr. LL pinnaculum
          small wing--more at pinnacle] (1553) 1: an ornamental
          tuft (as of feathers) esp. on a helmet 2: dash or flamboyance
          in style and action: verve

   panada
          [pa.na.da] n [Sp, fr. pan bread, fr. L panis--more at food]
          (ca. 1598): a paste of flour or bread crumbs and water
          or stock used as a base for sauce or a binder for forcemeat
          or stuffing

   panama
          [pan.a.ma] n, often cap [AmerSp panama, fr. Panama, Central
          America] (1848): a lightweight hat of natural-colored
          straw hand-plaited of narrow strips from the young leaves
          of the jipijapa; also: a machine-made imitation of this

   Panama Red
          [Panama Red] n (1967): marijuana of a reddish tint that is
          of Panamanian origin and is held to be very potent

   Pan-American
          [Pan-Amer.i.can] adj (1889): of, relating to, or involving
          the independent republics of No. and So. America

   Pan-Americanism
          [Pan-Amer.i.can.ism] n (1901): a movement for greater cooperation
          among the Pan-American nations

   panatela
          [pan.a.tela] n [Sp, fr. AmerSp, a long thin biscuit, ultim.
          fr. L panis bread] (1847): a long slender straight-sided
          cigar

   [1]pancake
          [pan.cake] n (14c): a flat cake made of thin batter and cooked
          (as on a griddle) on both sides [2]pancake vb pan.caked
          ; pan.cak.ing vi (1911): to make a pancake landing ~
          vt: to cause to pancake

   Pan-Cake
          [Pan-Cake] trademark--used for a cosmetic in semimoist cake
          form

   pancake landing
          [pancake landing] n (1928): a landing in which the airplane
          is stalled usu. unintentionally above the landing surface
          causing it to drop abruptly in an approximately horizontal
          position with little forward motion

   pancetta
          [pan.cet.ta] n [It, fr. dim. of pancia belly, paunch, fr.
          L pantic-, pantex] (1974): unsmoked bacon used esp. in
          Italian cuisine

   panchax
          [pan.chax] n [NL] (1961): any of various small brilliantly
          colored Old World killifishes (genus Aplocheilus) often
          kept in the tropical aquarium

   Panchen Lama
          [Pan.chen Lama] n [Panchen fr. Chin (Beijing) banchan] (1794):
          the lama who is the chief spiritual adviser of the Dalai
          Lama

   panchromatic
          [pan.chro.mat.ic] adj [ISV] (1903): sensitive to light of
          all colors in the visible spectrum <~ film>

   pancratium
          [pan.cra.ti.um] n [L, fr. Gk pankration, fr. pan- + kratos
          strength--more at hard] (1603): an ancient Greek athletic
          contest involving both boxing and wrestling

   pancreas
          [pan.cre.as] n [NL, fr. Gk pankreas sweetbread, fr. pan-
          + kreas flesh, meat--more at raw] (1578): a large lobulated
          gland of vertebrates that secretes digestive enzymes
          and the hormones insulin and glucagon -- pan.cre.at.ic
          adj

   pancreat-
          [pancreat-] comb form [NL, fr. Gk pankreat-, pancreas]: pancreas
          <pancreatic>

   pancreatectomy
          [pan.cre.a.tec.to.my] n (ca. 1900): surgical removal of all
          or part of the pancreas -- pan.cre.a.tec.to.mized adj

   pancreatic duct
          [pancreatic duct] n (ca. 1860): a duct leading from the pancreas
          and opening into the duodenum

   pancreatic juice
          [pancreatic juice] n (ca. 1666): a clear alkaline secretion
          of pancreatic enzymes (as trypsin and lipase) that flows
          into the duodenum and acts on food already acted on by
          the gastric juice and saliva

   pancreatin
          [pan.cre.a.tin] n (ca. 1860): a mixture of enzymes from the
          pancreatic juice; also: a preparation containing such
          a mixture

   pancreatitis
          [pan.cre.a.ti.tis] n, pl -tit.i.des [NL] (ca. 1842): inflammation
          of the pancreas

   pancreozymin
          [pan.cre.o.zy.min] n [pancreas + -o- + zym- + [1]-in] (1943):
          cholecystokinin

   pancytopenia
          [pan.cy.to.pe.nia] n [NL, fr. pan- + cyt- + -penia] (ca.
          1941): an abnormal reduction in the number of erythrocytes,
          white blood cells, and blood platelets in the blood;
          also: a disorder (as aplastic anemia) characterized by
          such a reduction

   panda
          [pan.da] n [F, perh. fr. a language of the southeast Himalayas]
          (1835) 1: a long-tailed largely herbivorous mammal (Ailurus
          fulgens) that is related to and resembles the American
          raccoon, has long rusty or chestnut fur, and is found
          from the Himalayas to China 2: giant panda

   panda car
          [panda car] n [fr. its black and white coloration] (1967)
          Brit: a police patrol car

   pandanus
          [pan.da.nus] n, pl -ni [NL, genus name, fr. Malay pandan
          screw pine] (1830): screw pine; also: a fiber made from
          screw-pine leaves and used for woven products (as mats)

   Pandarus
          [Pan.da.rus] n [L, fr. Gk Pandaros]: a Lycian archer in the
          Trojan War who in medieval legend procures Cressida for
          Troilus

   pandect
          [pan.dect] n [LL Pandectae, the Pandects, digest of Roman
          civil law (6th cent. a.d.), fr. L, pl. of pandectes encyclopedic
          work, fr. Gk pandektes all-receiving, fr. pan- + dechesthai
          to receive; akin to Gk dokein to seem, seem good--more
          at decent] (1533) 1: a complete code of the laws of a
          country or system of law 2: a treatise covering an entire
          subject

   [1]pandemic
          [pan.dem.ic] adj [LL pandemus, fr. Gk pandemos of all the
          people, fr. pan- + demos people--more at demagogue] (1666):
          occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an
          exceptionally high proportion of the population <~ malaria>
          [2]pandemic n (ca. 1853): a pandemic outbreak of a disease

   Pandemonium
          [Pan.de.mo.ni.um] n [NL, fr. Gk pan- + daimon evil spirit--more
          at demon] 1: the capital of Hell in Milton's Paradise
          Lost 2: the infernal regions: hell 3 not cap: a wild
          uproar: tumult

   [1]pander
          [pan.der] n [ME Pandare Pandarus, fr. L Pandarus] (1530)
          1 a: a go-between in love intrigues b: pimp 2: someone
          who caters to or exploits the weaknesses of others [2]pander
          vi pan.dered ; pan.der.ing (1602): to act as a pander;
          esp: to provide gratification for others' desires <films
          that ~ to the basest emotions> -- pan.der.er n

   pandit
          [pan.dit] n [Hindi pandit, fr. Skt pandita] (ca. 1828): a
          wise or learned man in India--often used as an honorary
          title

   pandora
          [pan.do.ra] n [It, fr. LL pandura 3-stringed lute, fr. Gk
          pandoura] (1597): bandore

   Pandora's box
          [Pan.do.ra's box] n [fr. the box, sent by the gods to Pandora,
          which she was forbidden to open and which loosed a swarm
          of evils upon mankind when she opened it out of curiosity]
          (1579): a prolific source of troubles

   pandowdy
          [pan.dow.dy] n, pl -dies [origin unknown] (1805): a deep-dish
          spiced apple dessert sweetened with sugar, molasses,
          or maple syrup and covered with a rich crust

   pandy
          [pan.dy] vt pan.died ; pan.dy.ing [prob. fr. L pande, imper.
          sing. of pandere to spread out (the hand); command of
          the schoolmaster to the boy--more at fathom] (1863) Brit:
          to punish (a schoolboy) with a blow on the palm of the
          hand esp. with a ferule

   pane
          [pane] n [ME pan, pane strip of cloth, pane, fr. MF pan,
          fr. L pannus cloth, rag--more at vane] (14c): a piece,
          section, or side of something: as a: a framed sheet of
          glass in a window or door b: one of the sections into
          which a sheet of postage stamps is cut for distribution
          -- paned adj

   panegyric
          [pan.e.gy.ric] n [L panegyricus, fr. Gk panegyrikos, fr.
          panegyrikos of or for a festival assembly, fr. panegyris
          festival assembly, fr. pan- + agyris assembly; akin to
          Gk ageirein to gather] (1603): a eulogistic oration or
          writing; also: formal or elaborate praise syn see encomium
          -- pan.e.gy.ri.cal adj -- pan.e.gy.ri.cal.ly adv

   panegyrist
          [pan.e.gy.rist] n (1605): eulogist

   [1]panel
          [pan.el] n [ME, piece of cloth, slip of parchment, jury schedule,
          fr. MF, piece of cloth, piece, fr. (assumed) VL pannellus,
          dim. of L pannus] (14c) 1 a (1): a schedule containing
          names of persons summoned as jurors (2): the group of
          persons so summoned (3): jury 1 b (1): a group of persons
          selected for some service (as investigation or arbitration)
          <a ~ of experts> (2): a group of persons who discuss
          before an audience a topic of public interest; also:
          panel discussion (3): a group of entertainers or guests
          engaged as players in a quiz or guessing game on a radio
          or television program 2: a separate or distinct part
          of a surface: as a: a fence section: hurdle b (1): a
          thin usu. rectangular board set in a frame (as in a door)
          (2): a usu. sunken or raised section of a surface set
          off by a margin (3): a flat usu. rectangular piece of
          construction material (as plywood or precast masonry)
          made to form part of a surface c: a vertical section
          of fabric (as a gore) d: comic strip; also: a frame of
          a comic strip e: any of several units of construction
          of an airplane wing surface 3: a thin flat piece of wood
          on which a picture is painted; also: a painting on such
          a surface 4 a: a section of a switchboard b: a flat often
          insulating support (as for computer hardware or parts
          of an electrical device) usu. with control handles on
          one face c: a usu. vertical mount for controls or dials
          (as of instruments of measurement) [2]panel vt -eled
          or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling (15c): to furnish or
          decorate with panels <paneled the living room>

   panel discussion
          [panel discussion] n (ca. 1938): a formal discussion by a
          panel

   paneling
          [paneling] also panelling n (1824): panels joined in a continuous
          surface; esp: decorative wood panels so joined

   panelist
          [pan.el.ist] n (1951): a member of a discussion or advisory
          panel or of a radio or television panel

   panel truck
          [panel truck] n (1937): a small motortruck with a fully enclosed
          body

   panem et circenses
          [pa.nem et cir.cen.ses] [L] foreign term : bread and circuses:
          provision of the means of life and recreation by government
          to appease discontent

   panetela
          [pan.e.tela] var of panatela

   panettone
          [pan.et.to.ne] n [It, fr. panetto small loaf, dim. of pane
          bread, fr. L panis--more at food] (1922): a usu. yeast-leavened
          bread containing raisins and candied fruit

   panfish
          [pan.fish] n (1805): a small food fish (as a sunfish) usu.
          taken with hook and line and not available on the market

   panfry
          [pan.fry] vt (ca. 1929): to cook in a frying pan with a small
          amount of fat

   panful
          [pan.ful] n (ca. 1864): as much or as many as a pan will
          hold

   [1]pang
          [pang] n [origin unknown] (15c) 1: a brief piercing spasm
          of pain 2: a sharp attack of mental anguish <~s of remorse>
          <a ~ of jealousy struck me --Graham Greene> [2]pang vt
          (1502): to cause to have pangs: torment

   panga
          [pan.ga] n [Swahili] (1925): machete

   pangenesis
          [pan.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1868): a disproven hypothetical mechanism
          of heredity in which the cells throw off particles that
          collect in the reproductive products or in buds so that
          the egg or bud contains particles from all parts of the
          parent -- pan.ge.net.ic adj

   Panglossian
          [Pan.gloss.ian] adj [Pangloss, optimistic tutor in Voltaire's
          Candide (1759)] (1831): marked by the view that all is
          for the best in this best of possible worlds: excessively
          optimistic

   pangola grass
          [pan.go.la grass] n [alter. of Pongola grass, fr. the Pongola
          River, So. Africa] (1948): a rapid-growing perennial
          grass (Digitaria decumbens) of southern Africa that has
          been introduced into the southern U.S. as a pasture grass

   pangolin
          [pan.go.lin] n [Malay dial. pengguling] (1774): any of a
          family (Manidae) of Asian and African edentate mammals
          having the body covered with large imbricated horny scales

   [1]panhandle
          [pan.han.dle] n (1856): a narrow projection of a larger territory
          (as a state) <the Texas ~> [2]panhandle vb pan.han.dled
          ; pan.han.dling [back-formation fr. panhandler, prob.
          fr. panhandle, n.; fr. the extended forearm] vi (1903):
          to stop people on the street and ask for food or money:
          beg ~ vt 1: to accost on the street and beg from 2: to
          get by panhandling -- pan.han.dler n

   Panhellenic
          [Pan.hel.len.ic] adj (1847) 1: of or relating to all Greece
          or all the Greeks 2: of or relating to the Greek-letter
          sororities or fraternities in American colleges and universities
          or to an association representing them

   panhuman
          [pan.hu.man] adj (ca. 1909): of or relating to all humanity
          <the ~ problem of evil --R. K. Merton>

   [1]panic
          [pan.ic] adj [F panique, fr. Gk panikos, lit., of Pan, fr.
          Pan] (1603) 1: of, relating to, or resembling the mental
          or emotional state believed induced by the god Pan <~
          fear> 2: of, relating to, or arising from a panic <a
          wave of ~ buying> 3: of or relating to the god Pan [2]panic
          n (1708) 1: a sudden overpowering fright; esp: a sudden
          unreasoning terror often accompanied by mass flight 2:
          a sudden widespread fright concerning financial affairs
          that results in a depression of values caused by extreme
          measures for protection of property (as securities) 3
          slang: one that is very funny syn see fear -- pan.icky
          adj [3]panic vb pan.icked ; pan.ick.ing vt (1827) 1:
          to affect with panic 2: to produce demonstrative appreciation
          on the part of <~ an audience with a gag> ~ vi: to be
          affected with panic

   panic button
          [panic button] n (ca. 1950): something setting off a precipitous
          emergency response <there was no pushing of panic buttons
          at the White House, no rushing of troops --J. C. Harsch>

   panic grass
          [pan.ic grass] n [ME panik, fr. MF or L; MF panic foxtail
          millet, fr. L panicum, fr. panus stalk of a panicle]
          (1597): any of various grasses (Panicum and related genera)
          including some important forage and cereal grasses

   panicle
          [pan.i.cle] n [L panicula, dim. of panus] (1597) 1: a compound
          racemose inflorescence--see inflorescence illustration
          2: a pyramidal loosely branched flower cluster -- pan.i.cled
          adj -- pa.nic.u.late adj

   panic-stricken
          [pan.ic-strick.en] adj (1804): overcome with panic

   panicum
          [pan.i.cum] n [NL, fr. L, foxtail millet] (ca. 1864): any
          of a large and widely distributed genus (Panicum) of
          grasses that have a very diverse habit and 1- to 2-flowered
          spikelets arranged in a panicle

   Panjabi
          [Pan.ja.bi] n [Hindi panjabi, fr. panjabi of Punjab] (1854)
          1: an Indo-Aryan language of the Punjab 2: punjabi 2

   panjandrum
          [pan.jan.drum] n, pl -drums also -dra [Grand Panjandrum,
          burlesque title of an imaginary personage in some nonsense
          lines by Samuel Foote] (1755): a powerful personage or
          pretentious official

   panleukopenia
          [pan.leu.ko.pe.nia] n [NL] (1940): an acute usu. fatal viral
          epizootic disease esp. of cats characterized by fever,
          diarrhea and dehydration, and extensive destruction of
          white blood cells

   panmictic
          [pan.mic.tic] adj [pan- + Gk miktos, verbal of mignynai to
          mix] (1943): of, relating to, or exhibiting panmixia

   panmixia
          [pan.mix.ia] n [NL, fr. pan- + Gk mixis act of mingling,
          mating, fr. mignynai to mix--more at mix] (ca. 1889):
          random mating within a breeding population

   panne
          [panne] n [F, fr. OF penne, panne fur used for lining, fr.
          L pinna feather, wing--more at pen] (ca. 1794) 1: a silk
          or rayon velvet with lustrous pile flattened in one
          direction--called also panne velvet 2: a heavy silk or rayon satin
          with high luster and waxy smoothness

   pannier
          [pan.nier] also pan.ier n [ME panier, fr. MF, fr. L panarium,
          fr. panis bread--more at food] (13c) 1: a large container:
          as a: a basket often carried on the back of an animal
          or the shoulders of a person b: one of a pair of packs
          or baskets hung over the rear wheel of a vehicle (as
          a bicycle) 2 a: one of a pair of hoops formerly used
          to expand women's skirts at the sides b: an overskirt
          draped at the sides of a skirt for an effect of fullness

   pannikin
          [pan.ni.kin] n [[1]pan + -nikin (as in cannikin)] (1823)
          Brit: a small pan or cup

   panocha
          [pa.no.cha] or pa.no.che var of penuche

   panoplied
          [pan.o.plied] adj (1832): dressed in or having a panoply

   panoply
          [pan.o.ply] n, pl -plies [Gk panoplia, fr. pan- + hopla arms,
          armor, pl. of hoplon tool, weapon--more at hoplite] (1632)
          1 a: a full suit of armor b: ceremonial attire 2: something
          forming a protective covering 3 a: a magnificent or impressive
          array <the full ~ of a military funeral> b: a display
          of all appropriate appurtenances <has the ~ of science
          fiction ... but it is not true science fiction --Isaac
          Asimov>

   panoptic
          [pan.op.tic] adj [Gk panoptes all-seeing, fr. pan- + opsesthai
          to be going to see--more at optic] (1826): being or presenting
          a comprehensive or panoramic view

   panorama
          [pan.o.rama] n [pan- + Gk horama sight, fr. horan to see--more
          at wary] (1796) 1 a: cyclorama 1 b: a picture exhibited
          a part at a time by being unrolled before the spectator
          2 a: an unobstructed or complete view of an area in every
          direction b: a comprehensive presentation of a subject
          <a ~ of American history> c: range 3: a mental picture
          of a series of images or events -- pan.o.ram.ic adj --
          pan.o.ram.i.cal.ly adv

   pan out
          [pan out] vi [[2]pan] (ca. 1868): turn out; esp: succeed
          <the signs revealed that the experiment wasn't panning
          out --Ronald Reagan>

   panpipe
          [pan.pipe] n [Pan, its traditional inventor] (1820): a primitive
          wind instrument consisting of a series of short vertical
          pipes of graduated length bound together with the mouthpieces
          in an even row--often used in pl.

   pansexual
          [pan.sex.u.al] adj (1926): exhibiting or implying many forms
          of sexual expression -- pan.sex.u.al.i.ty n

   Pan-Slavism
          [Pan-Slav.ism] n (1850): a political and cultural movement
          orig. emphasizing the cultural ties between the Slavic
          peoples but later associated with Russian expansionism
          -- Pan-Slav.ic adj -- Pan-Slav.ist n

   [1]pansy
          [pan.sy] n, pl pansies [ME pensee, fr. MF pensee, fr. pensee
          thought, fr. fem. of pense, pp. of penser to think, fr.
          L pensare to ponder--more at pensive] (15c) 1: a garden
          plant (Viola wittrockiana) derived chiefly from the wild
          pansy (Viola tricolor) of Europe by hybridizing the latter
          with other wild violets; also: its flower 2 a: an effeminate
          man or boy--usu. used disparagingly b: a male homosexual--usu.
          used disparagingly [2]pansy adj (1929): effeminate 1;
          also: homosexual--usu. used disparagingly

   pant-
          [pant-] or panto- comb form [MF, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr. pant-,
          pas--more at pan-]: all <pantisocracy>

   [1]pant
          [pant] vb [ME, modif. of MF pantaisier, fr. (assumed) VL
          phantasiare to have hallucinations, fr. Gk phantasioun,
          fr. phantasia appearance, imagination--more at fancy]
          vi (14c) 1 a: to breathe quickly, spasmodically, or in
          a labored manner b: to run panting <~ing along beside
          the bicycle> c: to move with or make a throbbing or puffing
          sound 2: to long eagerly: yearn 3: throb, pulsate ~ vt:
          to utter with panting: gasp [2]pant n (1513) 1 a: a panting
          breath b: the visible movement of the chest accompanying
          such a breath 2: a throbbing or puffing sound [3]pant
          n [short for pantaloons] (1840) 1: an outer garment covering
          each leg separately and usu. extending from the waist
          to the ankle--usu. used in pl. 2 pl, chiefly Brit: men's
          underpants 3 pl: pantie -- with one's pants down : in
          an embarrassing position (as of being unprepared to act)
          [4]pant adj (1899): of or relating to pants <a ~ leg>

   Pantagruel
          [Pan.ta.gru.el] n [F]: the huge son of Gargantua in Rabelais's
          Pantagruel -- Pan.ta.gru.el.ian adj -- Pan.ta.gru.el.ism
          n -- Pan.ta.gru.el.ist n

   pantalets
          [pan.ta.lets] or pan.ta.lettes n pl [pantaloons] (1834):
          long drawers with a ruffle at the bottom of each leg
          worn esp. by women and children in the first half of
          the 19th century

   pantaloon
          [pan.ta.loon] n [MF & OIt; MF Pantalon, fr. OIt Pantaleone,
          Pantalone] (ca. 1590) 1 a or pan.ta.lo.ne cap: a character
          in the commedia dell'arte that is usu. a skinny old dotard
          who wears spectacles, slippers, and a tight-fitting combination
          of trousers and stockings b: a buffoon in pantomimes
          2 pl a: wide breeches worn esp. in England during the
          reign of Charles II b: close-fitting trousers usu. having
          straps passing under the instep and worn esp. in the
          19th century 3: loose-fitting usu. shorter than ankle-length
          trousers

   panta rhei
          [pan.ta rhei] [Gk] foreign term : all things are in flux

   pantdress
          [pant.dress] n (1964): a dress having a divided skirt

   pantechnicon
          [pan.tech.ni.con] n [short for pantechnicon van, fr. pantechnicon
          storage warehouse] (1891) Brit: [3]van 1

   pantheism
          [pan.the.ism] n [F pantheisme, fr. pantheiste pantheist,
          fr. E pantheist, fr. pan- + Gk theos god] (1732) 1: a
          doctrine that equates God with the forces and laws of
          the universe 2: the worship of all gods of different
          creeds, cults, or peoples indifferently; also: toleration
          of worship of all gods (as at certain periods of the
          Roman empire) -- pan.the.ist n -- pan.the.is.tic also
          pan.the.is.ti.cal adj -- pan.the.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   pantheon
          [pan.the.on] n [ME Panteon, a temple at Rome, fr. L Pantheon,
          fr. Gk pantheion temple of all the gods, fr. neut. of
          pantheios of all gods, fr. pan- + theos god] (14c) 1:
          a temple dedicated to all the gods 2: a building serving
          as the burial place of or containing memorials to the
          famous dead of a nation 3: the gods of a people; esp:
          the officially recognized gods 4: a group of illustrious
          persons

   panther
          [pan.ther] n, pl panthers also panther [ME pantere, fr. OF,
          fr. L panthera, fr. Gk panther] (13c) 1: leopard: as
          a: a leopard of a hypothetical exceptionally large fierce
          variety b: a leopard of the black color phase 2: cougar
          3: jaguar

   pantie
          [pant.ie] or panty n, pl pant.ies [[3]pant] (1908): a woman's
          or child's undergarment covering the lower trunk and
          made with closed crotch--usu. used in pl.

   pantie girdle
          [pantie girdle] n (1941): a woman's girdle having a sewed-in
          or detachable crotch and made with or without garters
          and bones

   pantile
          [pan.tile] n [[1]pan] (1640) 1: a roofing tile whose cross
          section is an ogee curve 2: a roofing tile of which the
          cross section is an arc of a circle and which is laid
          with alternate convex and concave surfaces uppermost
          -- pan.tiled adj

   pantisocracy
          [pant.i.soc.ra.cy] n, pl -cies [pant- + isocracy equal rule,
          fr. Gk isokratia, fr. is- + -kratia -cracy] (1794): a
          utopian community in which all rule equally -- pant.i.so.crat.ic
          or pant.i.so.crat.i.cal adj -- pant.i.soc.ra.tist n

   panto
          [pan.to] n, pl pantos (1852) Brit: pantomime 2c

   pantofle
          [pan.to.fle] n [ME pantufle, fr. MF pantoufle] (15c): slipper

   pantograph
          [pan.to.graph] n [F pantographe, fr. pant- + -graphe -graph]
          (1723) 1: an instrument for copying (as a map) on a predetermined
          scale consisting of four light rigid bars jointed in
          parallelogram form; also: any of various extensible devices
          of similar construction (as for use as brackets or gates)
          2: an electrical trolley carried by a collapsible and
          adjustable frame -- pan.to.graph.ic adj

   [1]pantomime
          [pan.to.mime] n [L pantomimus, fr. pant- + mimus mime] (1589)
          1: pantomimist 2 a: an ancient Roman dramatic performance
          featuring a solo dancer and a narrative chorus b: any
          of various dramatic or dancing performances in which
          a story is told by expressive bodily or facial movements
          of the performers c: a British theatrical entertainment
          of the Christmas season based on a nursery tale and featuring
          topical songs, tableaux, and dances 3 a: conveyance of
          a story by bodily or facial movements esp. in drama or
          dance b: the art or genre of conveying a story by bodily
          movements only -- pan.to.mim.ic adj [2]pantomime vb -mimed
          ; -mim.ing vi (1768): to engage in pantomime ~ vt: to
          represent by pantomime

   pantomimist
          [pan.to.mim.ist] n (1838) 1: an actor or dancer in pantomimes
          2: a composer of pantomimes

   pantothenate
          [pan.to.the.nate] n (ca. 1934): a salt or ester of pantothenic
          acid

   pantothenic acid
          [pan.to.then.ic acid] n [Gk pantothen from all sides, fr.
          pant-, pas all--more at pan-] (1933): a viscous oily
          acid of the vitamin B complex found in all living tissues

   pantropical
          [pan.trop.i.cal] also pan.trop.ic adj (1936): occurring or
          distributed throughout the tropical regions of the earth

   pantry
          [pan.try] n, pl pantries [ME panetrie, fr. MF paneterie,
          fr. OF, fr. panetier servant in charge of the pantry,
          fr. pan bread, fr. L panis--more at food] (14c) 1: a
          room or closet used for storing (as provisions) or from
          which food is brought to the table 2: a room (as in a
          hotel or hospital) for preparation of foods on order

   pantryman
          [pan.try.man] n (ca. 1567): a man in charge of or working
          in a pantry (as in a hotel or hospital)

   pants suit
          [pants suit] n (1964): pantsuit

   pantsuit
          [pant.suit] n (1964): a woman's ensemble consisting usu.
          of a long jacket and tailored pants of the same material
          -- pant.suit.ed adj

   panty hose
          [panty hose] n (1963): a one-piece undergarment for women
          that consists of hosiery made with a panty-style top--usu.
          pl. in constr.

   panty raid
          [panty raid] n (ca. 1952): a raid on a women's dormitory
          by college men usu. to obtain panties as trophies

   pantywaist
          [panty.waist] n (ca. 1936): sissy -- pantywaist adj

   Panurge
          [Pan.urge] n [F]: a witty rascal and companion of Pantagruel
          in Rabelais's Pantagruel

   panzer
          [pan.zer] n [G Panzer tank, armor, coat of mail, fr. MHG
          panzier, fr. OF panciere, fr. pance, panche belly--more
          at paunch] (ca. 1939): tank 3; specif: a German tank
          of World War II

   panzer division
          [panzer division] n (ca. 1939): a German armored division

   [1]pap
          [pap] n [ME pappe; of imit. origin] (13c) 1 chiefly dial:
          nipple, teat 2: something shaped like a nipple [2]pap
          n [ME] (15c) 1: a soft food for infants or invalids 2:
          political patronage 3: something lacking solid value
          or substance

   papa
          [pa.pa] n [F (baby talk)] (1681): father Pa.pa (1952)--a
          communications code word for the letter p

   papacy
          [pa.pa.cy] n, pl -cies [ME papacie, fr. ML papatia, fr. LL
          papa pope--more at pope] (14c) 1: the office of pope
          2: a succession or line of popes 3: the term of a pope's
          reign 4 cap: the system of government of the Roman Catholic
          Church of which the pope is the supreme head

   Papago
          [Pa.pa.go] n, pl Papago or Papagos (1839) 1: a member of
          an American Indian people of southwestern Arizona and
          northwestern Mexico 2: the Uto-Aztecan language of the
          Papago people

   papain
          [pa.pa.in] n [ISV, fr. papaya] (ca. 1890): a protease in
          the juice of unripe papaya that is used esp. as a tenderizer
          for meat and in medicine

   papal
          [pa.pal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML papalis, fr. LL papa] (14c):
          of or relating to a pope or to the Roman Catholic Church;
          also: resembling a pope or that of a pope -- pa.pal.ly
          adv

   papal cross
          [papal cross] n (ca. 1889): a figure of a cross having a
          long upright shaft and three crossbars with the longest
          at or somewhat above its middle and the two other successively
          shorter crossbars above the longest one--see cross illustration

   papal infallibility
          [papal infallibility] n (1870): the Roman Catholic doctrine
          that the pope cannot err when speaking ex cathedra in
          defining a doctrine of Christian faith or morals

   Papanicolaou smear
          [Pa.pa.ni.co.laou smear] n [George N. Papanicolaou d. 1962
          Am. medical scientist] (1950): pap smear

   Papanicolaou test
          [Papanicolaou test] n (1946): pap smear

   paparazzo
          [pa.pa.raz.zo] n, pl -raz.zi [It] (1966): a free-lance photographer
          who aggressively pursues celebrities for the purpose of taking
          candid photographs

   papaverine
          [pa.pav.er.ine] n [ISV, fr. L papaver poppy] (1857): a crystalline
          alkaloid that is found in opium and is used chiefly
          as an antispasmodic for its ability to relax smooth muscle

   papaw
          [pa.paw] n [prob. modif. of Sp papaya] (1624) 1: papaya 2:
          a No. American tree (Asimina triloba) of the custard-apple
          family with purple flowers and an edible fruit; also:
          its fruit

   papaya
          [pa.pa.ya] n [Sp, of AmerInd origin; akin to Arawak papaia]
          (1598): a tropical American tree (Carica papaya of the
          family Caricaceae, the papaya family) with an oblong
          to globose yellow edible fruit; also: its fruit

   [1]paper
          [pa.per] n [ME papir, fr. MF papier, fr. L papyrus papyrus,
          paper, fr. Gk papyros papyrus] (14c) 1 a (1): a felted
          sheet of usu. vegetable fibers laid down on a fine screen
          from a water suspension (2): a similar sheet of other
          material (as plastic) b: a piece of paper 2 a: a piece
          of paper containing a written or printed statement: document
          <pedigree ~s> b: a piece of paper containing writing
          or print c: a formal written composition often designed
          for publication and often intended to be read aloud <presented
          a scholarly ~ at the meeting> d: a piece of written schoolwork
          3: a paper container or wrapper 4: newspaper 5: the negotiable
          notes or instruments of commerce 6: wallpaper 7: tickets;
          esp: free passes 8: paperback -- on paper 1: in writing
          <wants these promises on paper> 2: in theory <the plan
          looks good on paper> 3: figured at face value <on paper
          the stock was worth nearly a million dollars> [2]paper
          vb pa.pered ; pa.per.ing vt (1594) 1 archaic: to put
          down or describe in writing 2: to fold or enclose in
          paper 3: to cover or line with paper; esp: to apply wallpaper
          to 4: to fill by giving out free passes <~ the theater
          for opening night> 5: to cover (an area) with advertising
          bills, circulars, or posters ~ vi: to hang wallpaper
          -- pa.per.er n [3]paper adj (1594) 1 a: made of paper,
          paperboard, or papier-mache <a ~ bag> b: papery 2: of
          or relating to clerical work or written communication
          3: existing only in theory: nominal <a ~ blockade> 4:
          admitted by free passes <a ~ audience> 5: finished with
          a crisp smooth surface similar to that of paper <~ taffeta>

   paperback
          [pa.per.back] n (1899): a book with a flexible paper binding
          -- paperback also pa.per.backed adj

   paper birch
          [paper birch] n (1810): a No. American birch (Betula papyrifera)
          with peeling white bark and toothed ovate leaves

   paperboard
          [pa.per.board] n (1549): a material made from cellulose fiber
          (as wood pulp) like paper but usu. thicker

   paperbound
          [pa.per.bound] n (1950): paperback -- paperbound adj

   paperboy
          [pa.per.boy] n (1876): a boy who delivers newspapers: newsboy

   paper chromatography
          [paper chromatography] n (1948): chromatography that uses
          paper strips or sheets as the adsorbent stationary phase
          through which a solution flows and that is used esp.
          to separate amino acids

   paper clip
          [paper clip] n (1919): a length of wire bent into flat loops
          that is used to hold papers together

   paper cutter
          [paper cutter] n (ca. 1828) 1: paper knife 2: a machine or
          device for cutting or trimming sheets of paper to required
          dimensions

   paperhanger
          [pa.per.hang.er] n (1796) 1: one that applies wallpaper 2
          slang: one who passes worthless checks

   paperhanging
          [pa.per.hang.ing] n (1873): the act of applying wallpaper

   paper knife
          [paper knife] n (ca. 1807) 1: a knife for slitting envelopes
          or uncut pages 2: the knife of a paper cutter

   paperless
          [pa.per.less] adj (1969): recording or relaying information
          by electronic media rather than on paper <~ offices>

   papermaker
          [pa.per.mak.er] n (ca. 1580): one that makes paper
          -- pa.per.mak.ing n

   paper money
          [paper money] n (1691) 1: money consisting of government
          notes and banknotes 2: bank money

   paper mulberry
          [paper mulberry] n (1777): an Asian tree (Broussonetia papyrifera)
          of the mulberry family that is widely grown as a shade tree

   paper nautilus
          [paper nautilus] n (1835): a pelagic cephalopod (genus Argonauta)
          of which the female has a delicate papery shell

   paper over
          [paper over] vt (1955) 1: to gloss over, explain away, or
          patch up (as major differences or disparities) esp. in
          order to maintain a semblance of unity or agreement 2:
          hide, conceal

   paper profit
          [paper profit] n (1893): a profit that can be realized only
          by selling something (as a security) that has appreciated
          in market value

   paper-thin
          [paper-thin] adj (1928): extremely thin <~ partitions>

   paper tiger
          [paper tiger] n (1850): one that is outwardly powerful or
          dangerous but inwardly weak or ineffectual

   paper trail
          [paper trail] n (1965): documents (as financial records or
          published materials) from which a person's actions may
          be traced or opinions learned

   paper-train
          [pa.per-train] vt (1971): to train (as a dog) to defecate
          and urinate on paper indoors

   paperweight
          [pa.per.weight] n (ca. 1858): a usu. small heavy object used
          to hold down loose papers (as on a desk)

   paperwork
          [pa.per.work] n (1889): routine clerical or record-keeping
          work often incidental to a more important task

   papery
          [pa.pery] adj (1627): resembling paper in thinness or consistency
          <~ leaves> <~ silk> -- pa.per.i.ness n

   papeterie
          [pa.pe.terie] n [F] (ca. 1847): packaged fancy stationery

   [1]Paphian
          [Pa.phi.an] n [L paphius, fr. Gk paphios, fr. Paphos, ancient
          city of Cyprus that was the center of worship of Aphrodite]
          (1598) 1 often not cap: prostitute 2: a native or inhabitant
          of Paphos [2]Paphian adj (1605) 1: of or relating to
          illicit love: wanton 2: of or relating to Paphos or its
          people

   Papiamento
          [Pa.pia.men.to] also Pa.pia.men.tu n [Sp, fr. Papiamento
          papya talk + -mentu -ment] (1923): a Spanish-based creole
          language of Netherlands Antilles

   papier colle
          [pa.pier col.le] n, pl papiers colles [F, glued paper] (1935):
          collage

   [1]papier-mache
          [pa.pier-ma.che] n [F, lit., chewed paper] (1753): a light
          strong molding material of wastepaper pulped with glue
          and other additives [2]papier-mache adj (1753) 1: formed
          of papier-mache 2: unreal, artificial

   papilionaceous
          [pa.pil.i.o.na.ceous] adj [L papilion-, papilio butterfly--more
          at pavilion] (1668): having a corolla (as in the bean
          or pea) with usu. five petals that include a large standard
          enclosing two lateral wings and a lower carina

   papilla
          [pa.pil.la] n, pl pa.pil.lae [L, nipple, fr. dim. of papula
          pimple; akin to Lith papas nipple] (1713): a small projecting
          body part similar to a nipple in form: a: a vascular
          process of connective tissue extending into and nourishing
          the root of a hair, feather, or developing tooth b: any
          of the vascular protuberances of the dermal layer of
          the skin extending into the epidermal layer and often
          containing tactile corpuscles c: any of the small protuberances
          on the upper surface of the tongue -- pap.il.lary adj
          -- pa.pil.late adj -- pa.pil.lose adj

   papilloma
          [pap.il.lo.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL] (1866) 1: a benign
          tumor (as a wart) due to overgrowth of epithelial tissue
          on papillae of vascular connective tissue (as of the
          skin) 2: an epithelial tumor caused by a virus -- pap.il.lo.ma.tous
          adj

   papillomavirus
          [pap.il.lo.ma.vi.rus] n [NL] (1960): any of a group
          of papovaviruses that cause papillomas

   papillon
          [pa.pil.lon] n [F, lit., butterfly, fr. L papilion-, papilio]
          (1907): any of a breed of small slender toy spaniels
          having large erect heavily fringed ears

   papillote
          [pa.pil.lote] n [F, fr. papillon butterfly] (1818): a greased
          usu. paper wrapper in which food (as meat or fish) is
          cooked

   papist
          [pa.pist] n, often cap [MF or NL; MF papiste, fr. pape pope;
          NL papista, fr. LL papa pope] (1534): roman catholic--usu.
          used disparagingly -- papist adj

   papistry
          [pa.pist.ry] n (1535): the Roman Catholic religion--usu.
          used disparagingly

   papoose
          [pa.poose] n [Narraganset papoos] (1634): a young child of
          American Indian parents

   papovavirus
          [pa.po.va.vi.rus] n [papilloma + polyoma + vacuolating +
          virus] (1962): any of a group of viruses that have a
          capsid composed of 72 subunits and that are associated
          with or responsible for various neoplasms (as some warts)
          of mammals

   pappose
          [pap.pose] adj (1691): having or being a pappus

   pappus
          [pap.pus] n, pl pap.pi [L, fr. Gk pappos] (ca. 1704): an
          appendage or tuft of appendages that crowns the ovary
          or fruit in various seed plants and functions in dispersal
          of the fruit

   pappy
          [pap.py] n (1763) chiefly Southern & Midland: papa

   paprika
          [pa.pri.ka] n [Hung, fr. Serbo-Croation, fr. papar ground
          pepper, ultim. fr. L piper--more at pepper] (ca. 1896):
          a usu. mild red condiment consisting of the dried finely
          ground pods of various cultivated sweet peppers; also:
          a sweet pepper used for making paprika

   Pap smear
          [Pap smear] n [George N. Papanicolaou d. 1962 Am. medical
          scientist] (1952): a method for the early detection of
          uterine cancer that involves the staining of exfoliated
          cells using a special technique which differentiates
          diseased tissue--called also Papanicolaou smear, Papanicolaou
          test, Pap test

   Papuan
          [Pap.u.an] n (1814) 1: a native or inhabitant of Papua 2:
          a member of any of the native peoples of New Guinea and
          adjacent areas of Melanesia 3: any of a heterogeneous
          group of languages spoken in New Guinea, New Britain,
          and the Solomon islands -- Papuan adj

   papular
          [pap.u.lar] adj (ca. 1820): consisting of or characterized
          by papules

   papule
          [pap.ule] n [L papula] (1864): a small solid usu. conical
          elevation of the skin

   papyrology
          [pap.y.rol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1898): the study of papyrus manuscripts
          -- pap.y.rol.o.gist n

   papyrus
          [pa.py.rus] n, pl pa.py.ri or pa.py.rus.es [ME, fr. L--more
          at paper] (14c) 1: a tall sedge (Cyperus papyrus) of
          the Nile valley 2: the pith of the papyrus plant esp.
          when cut in strips and pressed into a material to write
          on 3 a: a writing on papyrus b: a written scroll made
          of papyrus

   par
          [par] abbreviation paragraph, parallel, parish

   [1]par
          [par] n [L, one that is equal, fr. par equal] (1622) 1 a:
          the established value of the monetary unit of one country
          expressed in terms of the monetary unit of another country
          using the same metal as the standard of value b: the
          face amount of an instrument of value (as a check or
          note): as (1): the monetary value assigned to each share
          of stock in the charter of a corporation (2): the principal
          of a bond 2: common level: equality--usu. used with on
          <judged the recording to be on a ~ with previous ones>
          3 a: an amount taken as an average or norm b: an accepted
          standard; specif: a usual standard of physical condition
          or health 4: the score standard for each hole of a golf
          course; also: a score equal to par -- par adj -- par
          for the course : not unusual: normal [2]par vt parred
          ; par.ring (1950): to score par on (a hole)

   para
          [pa.ra] n, pl paras or para [Turk, fr. Per parah, lit., piece]
          (1687) 1 a: any of several monetary units of the Turkish
          Empire b: a coin representing one para 2: a monetary
          unit of Yugoslavia equal to 1/100 dinar

   -para
          [-para] n comb form, pl -paras or -parae [L, fr. parere to
          give birth to--more at pare]: woman delivered of (so
          many) children <primipara>

   [1]para-
          [para-] or par- prefix [ME, fr. MF, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr. para;
          akin to Gk pro before--more at for] 1: beside: alongside
          of: beyond: aside from <parathyroid> <parenteral> 2 a:
          closely related to <paraldehyde> b: involving substitution
          at or characterized by two opposite positions in the
          benzene ring that are separated by two carbon atoms
          <paradichlorobenzene>
          3 a: faulty: abnormal <paresthesia> b: associated in
          a subsidiary or accessory capacity <paramedical> c: closely
          resembling: almost <paratyphoid> [2]para- comb form [parachute]:
          parachute <paratrooper>

   para
          [para] abbreviation paragraph

   para-aminobenzoic acid
          [para-ami.no.ben.zo.ic acid] n [ISV] (1906): a colorless
          para-substituted aminobenzoic acid that is a growth factor
          of the vitamin B complex--called also PABA

   para-aminosalicylic acid
          [para-ami.no.sal.i.cyl.ic acid] n (1946): the white crystalline
          para-substituted isomer of aminosalicylic acid that is
          made synthetically and is used in the treatment of tuberculosis

   parabiosis
          [para.bi.o.sis] n [NL] (1903) 1: reversible suspension of
          obvious vital activities 2: anatomical and physiological
          union of two organisms -- para.bi.ot.ic adj -- para.bi.ot.i.cal.ly
          adv

   parable
          [par.a.ble] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL parabola, fr. Gk parabole
          comparison, fr. paraballein to compare, fr. para- + ballein
          to throw--more at devil] (14c): example; specif: a usu.
          short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude
          or a religious principle

   parabola
          [pa.rab.o.la] n [NL, fr. Gk parabole, lit., comparison] (1579)
          1: a plane curve generated by a point moving so that
          its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance
          from a fixed line: the intersection of a right circular
          cone with a plane parallel to an element of the cone
          2: something bowl-shaped (as an antenna or microphone
          reflector)

   parabolic
          [par.a.bol.ic] adj [in sense 1, fr. LL parabola parable;
          in sense 2, fr. NL parabola] (1669) 1: expressed by or
          being a parable: allegorical 2: of, having the form of,
          or relating to a parabola <motion in a ~ curve>
          -- par.a.bol.i.cal.ly adv

   paraboloid
          [pa.rab.o.loid] n (ca. 1702): a surface all of whose intersections
          by planes are either parabolas and ellipses or parabolas and
          hyperbolas -- pa.rab.o.loi.dal adj

   [1]parachute
          [para.chute] n [F, fr. para- (as in parasol) + chute fall--more
          at chute] (1785) 1: a device for slowing the descent
          of a person or object through the air that consists of
          a usu. hemispherical fabric canopy beneath which the
          person or object is suspended 2: patagium 3: a device
          or structure suggestive of a parachute in form, use,
          or operation -- para.chut.ic adj [2]parachute vb -chut.ed
          ; -chut.ing vt (1809): to convey by means of a parachute
          ~ vi: to descend by means of a parachute

   parachutist
          [para.chut.ist] n (1888): one that parachutes: as a: paratrooper
          b: a person who parachutes as a sport

   Paraclete
          [Par.a.clete] n [ME Paraclyte, fr. LL Paracletus, Paraclitus,
          fr. Gk Parakletos, lit., advocate, intercessor, fr. parakalein
          to invoke, fr. para- + kalein to call--more at low] (15c):
          holy spirit

   [1]parade
          [pa.rade] n [F, fr. MF, fr. parer to prepare--more at pare]
          (ca. 1656) 1: a pompous show: exhibition 2 a: the ceremonial
          formation of a body of troops before a superior officer
          b: a place where troops assemble regularly for parade
          3 a: an informal procession b: a public procession c:
          a showy array or succession <a ~ of tycoons' castles
          --Gail Sheehy> 4 a: a place for strolling b: those who
          promenade [2]parade vb pa.rad.ed ; pa.rad.ing vt (1686)
          1: to cause to maneuver or march: marshal 2: promenade
          3: to exhibit ostentatiously ~ vi 1: to march in or as
          if in a procession 2: promenade 3 a: show off b: masquerade
          <myths which ~ as modern science --M. R. Cohen> syn see
          show -- pa.rad.er n

   paradichlorobenzene
          [para.di.chlo.ro.ben.zene] n [ISV] (1876): a white crystalline
          compound made by chlorinating benzene and used chiefly
          as a fumigant against clothes moths

   paradiddle
          [par.a.did.dle] n [origin unknown] (1927): a quick succession
          of drumbeats slower than a roll and alternating left-
          and right-hand strokes in a typical L-R-L-L, R-L-R-R
          pattern

   paradigm
          [par.a.digm] n [LL paradigma, fr. Gk paradeigma, fr. paradeiknynai
          to show side by side, fr. para- + deiknynai to show--more
          at diction] (15c) 1: example, pattern; esp: an outstandingly clear
          or typical example or archetype 2: an example of a conjugation
          or declension showing a word in all its inflectional forms
          3: a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school
          or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and
          the experiments performed in support of them are formulated
          -- par.a.dig.mat.ic adj -- par.a.dig.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   paradisaic
          [par.a.di.sa.ic] adj [paradise + -aic (as in Hebraic)] (1754):
          paradisiacal -- par.a.di.sa.i.cal adj -- par.a.di.sa.i.cal.ly
          adv

   paradisal
          [par.a.dis.al] adj (1560): paradisiacal

   paradise
          [par.a.dise] n [ME paradis, fr. OF, fr. LL paradisus, fr.
          Gk paradeisos, lit., enclosed park, of Iranian origin;
          akin to Av pairi-daeza- enclosure; akin to Gk peri around
          and to Gk teichos wall--more at peri-, dough] (12c) 1
          a: eden 2 b: an intermediate place or state where the
          righteous departed await resurrection and judgment c:
          heaven 2: a place or state of bliss, felicity, or delight
          -- par.a.dis.ial also par.a.dis.i.cal adj

   paradisiacal
          [par.a.di.si.a.cal] or par.a.dis.i.ac adj [LL paradisiacus,
          fr. paradisus] (1649): of, relating to, or resembling
          paradise -- par.a.di.si.a.cal.ly adv

   parador
          [pa.ra.dor] n [Sp, inn, fr. parar to stop, lodge for the
          night, fr. L parare to prepare--more at pare] (1845):
          a usu. government-operated hostelry found esp. in Spain

   paradox
          [par.a.dox] n [L paradoxum, fr. Gk paradoxon, fr. neut. of
          paradoxos contrary to expectation, fr. para- + dokein
          to think, seem--more at decent] (1540) 1: a tenet contrary
          to received opinion 2 a: a statement that is seemingly
          contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps
          true b: a self-contradictory statement that at first
          seems true c: an argument that apparently derives
          self-contradictory conclusions by valid deduction from acceptable
          premises 3: something or someone with seemingly contradictory
          qualities or phases

   paradoxical
          [par.a.dox.i.cal] adj (1581) 1 a: of the nature of a paradox
          b: inclined to paradoxes 2: not being the normal or usual
          kind <~ pulse> -- par.a.dox.i.cal.i.ty n -- par.a.dox.i.cal.ly
          adv -- par.a.dox.i.cal.ness n

   paradoxical sleep
          [paradoxical sleep] n (1964): rem sleep

   paraesthesia
          [par.aes.the.sia] var of paresthesia

   paraffin
          [par.af.fin] n [G, fr. L parum too little (akin to Gk pauros
          little, paid-, pais child) + affinis bordering on--more
          at few, affinity] (1838) 1 a: a waxy crystalline flammable
          substance obtained esp. from distillates of wood, coal,
          petroleum, or shale oil that is a complex mixture of
          hydrocarbons and is used chiefly in coating and sealing,
          in candles, in rubber compounding, and in pharmaceuticals
          and cosmetics b: any of various mixtures of similar hydrocarbons
          including mixtures that are semisolid or oily 2: alkane
          3 chiefly Brit: kerosene -- par.af.fin.ic adj

   paraformaldehyde
          [para.for.mal.de.hyde] n (1894): a white powder that consists
          of a polymer of formaldehyde and is used esp. as a fungicide

   paragenesis
          [para.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1853): the formation of minerals
          in contact in such a manner as to affect one another's
          development -- para.ge.net.ic adj -- para.ge.net.i.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]paragon
          [par.a.gon] n [MF, fr. OIt paragone, lit., touchstone, fr.
          paragonare to test on a touchstone, fr. Gk parakonan
          to sharpen, fr. para- + akone whetstone, fr. ake point;
          akin to Gk akme point--more at edge] (ca. 1548): a model
          of excellence or perfection [2]paragon vt (ca. 1586)
          1: to compare with: parallel 2: to put in rivalry: match
          3 obs: surpass

   [1]paragraph
          [par.a.graph] n [MF & ML; MF paragraphe, fr. ML paragraphus
          sign marking a paragraph, fr. Gk paragraphos line used
          to mark change of persons in a dialogue, fr. paragraphein
          to write alongside, fr. para- + graphein to write--more
          at carve] (1525) 1 a: a subdivision of a written composition
          that consists of one or more sentences, deals with one
          point or gives the words of one speaker, and begins on
          a new usu. indented line b: a short composition or note
          that is complete in one paragraph 2: a character used
          to indicate the beginning of a paragraph and as a reference
          mark -- par.a.graph.ic adj [2]paragraph vt (1764) 1:
          to write paragraphs about 2: to divide into paragraphs
          ~ vi: to write paragraphs

   paragrapher
          [par.a.graph.er] n (1822): a writer of paragraphs esp. for
          the editorial page of a newspaper

   parainfluenza virus
          [para.in.flu.en.za virus] n (1959): any of several paramyxoviruses
          that are associated with or responsible for some respiratory
          infections esp. in children--called also parainfluenza

   parajournalism
          [para.jour.nal.ism] n (1965): journalism that is heavily
          colored by the opinions of the reporter

   parakeet
          [par.a.keet] n [Sp & MF; Sp periquito, fr. MF perroquet parrot]
          (1581): any of numerous usu. small slender parrots with
          a long graduated tail

   paralanguage
          [para.lan.guage] n (ca. 1958): optional vocal effects (as
          tone of voice) that accompany or modify the phonemes
          of an utterance and that may communicate meaning

   paraldehyde
          [par.al.de.hyde] n (1857): a colorless liquid polymeric
          modification of acetaldehyde used as a hypnotic

   paralegal
          [para.le.gal] adj (1971): of, relating to, or being
          a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer -- para.le.gal n

   paralinguistics
          [para.lin.guis.tics] n (ca. 1958): the study of paralanguage
          -- para.lin.guis.tic adj

   Paralipomenon
          [Par.a.li.pom.e.non] n [LL, fr. Gk Paraleipomenon, gen. of
          Paraleipomena, lit., things left out, fr. neut. pl. of
          passive prp. of paraleipein to leave out, fr. para- +
          leipein to leave; fr. its forming a supplement to Samuel
          and Kings--more at loan]: chronicles

   parallactic
          [par.al.lac.tic] adj [NL parallacticus, fr. Gk parallaktikos,
          fr. parallaxis] (1630): of, relating to, or due to parallax

   parallax
          [par.al.lax] n [MF parallaxe, fr. Gk parallaxis, fr. parallassein
          to change, fr. para- + allassein to change, fr. allos
          other] (1580): the apparent displacement or the difference
          in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different
          points not on a straight line with the object; esp: the
          angular difference in direction of a celestial body as
          measured from two points on the earth's orbit

   [1]parallel
          [par.al.lel] adj [L parallelus, fr. Gk parallelos, fr. para
          beside + allelon of one another, fr. allos ... allos
          one ... another, fr. allos other--more at else] (1549)
          1 a: extending in the same direction, everywhere equidistant,
          and not meeting <~ rows of trees> b: everywhere equally
          distant <concentric spheres are ~> 2 a: having parallel
          sides <a ~ reamer> b: being or relating to an electrical
          circuit having a number of conductors in parallel c:
          arranged in parallel <a ~ processor> d: relating to or
          being a connection in a computer system in which the
          bits of a byte are transmitted over separate channels
          at the same time--compare serial 3 a: similar, analogous,
          or interdependent in tendency or development b: readily
          compared: companion c: having identical syntactical elements
          in corresponding positions; also: being such an element
          d (1): having the same tonic--used of major and minor
          keys and scales (2): keeping the same distance apart
          in musical pitch 4: performed while keeping one's skis
          parallel <~ turns> syn see similar [2]parallel n (1551)
          1 a: a parallel line, curve, or surface b: one of the
          imaginary circles on the surface of the earth paralleling
          the equator and marking the latitude; also: the corresponding
          line on a globe or map--see latitude illustration c:
          a character used in printing esp. as a reference mark
          2 a: something equal or similar in all essential particulars:
          counterpart b: similarity, analogue 3: a comparison to
          show resemblance: a tracing of similarity 4 a: the state
          of being physically parallel: parallelism b: an arrangement
          of electrical devices in a circuit in which the same
          potential difference is applied to two or more resistances
          with each resistance being on a different branch of the
          circuit--compare series c: an arrangement or state that
          permits several operations or tasks to be performed simultaneously
          rather than consecutively [3]parallel vt (1598) 1: to indicate
          analogy of: compare 2 a: to show something equal to: match
          b: to correspond to 3: to place so as to be parallel in direction
          with something 4: to extend, run, or move in a direction parallel
          to [4]parallel adv (1787): in a parallel manner

   parallel bars
          [parallel bars] n pl (1868) 1: a pair of wooden bars supported
          horizontally above the floor at the same height or at
          different heights usu. by a common base and used in gymnastics
          2: an event in gymnastics competition in which even or
          uneven parallel bars are used

   parallelepiped
          [par.al.lel.e.pi.ped] n [Gk parallelepipedon, fr. parallelos
          + epipedon plane surface, fr. neut. of epipedos flat,
          fr. epi- epi- + pedon ground; akin to L ped-, pes foot--more
          at foot] (1570): a 6-faced polyhedron all of whose faces
          are parallelograms lying in pairs of parallel planes

   parallelism
          [par.al.lel.ism] n (1610) 1: the quality or state of being
          parallel 2: resemblance, correspondence 3: repeated syntactical
          similarities introduced for rhetorical effect 4: a theory
          that mind and matter accompany one another but are not
          causally related 5: the development of similar new characters
          by two or more related organisms in response to similarity
          of environment--called also parallel evolution

   parallelogram
          [par.al.lel.o.gram] n [LL or Gk; LL parallelogrammum, fr.
          Gk parallelogrammon, fr. neut. of parallelogrammos bounded
          by parallel lines, fr. parallelos + gramme line, fr.
          graphein to write--more at carve] (1570): a quadrilateral
          with opposite sides parallel and equal

   parallel-veined
          [par.al.lel-veined] adj (1861) of a leaf: having veins arranged
          nearly parallel to one another--compare net-veined

   paralogism
          [pa.ral.o.gism] n [MF paralogisme, fr. LL paralogismus, fr.
          Gk paralogismos, fr. paralogos unreasonable, fr. para-
          + logos speech, reason--more at legend] (1565): a fallacious
          argument

   paralyse
          [par.a.lyse] Brit var of paralyze

   paralysis
          [pa.ral.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [L, fr. Gk, fr. paralyein to
          loosen, disable, fr. para- + lyein to loosen--more at
          lose] (1525) 1: complete or partial loss of function
          esp. when involving the motion or sensation in a part
          of the body 2: loss of the ability to move 3: a state
          of powerlessness or incapacity to act

   paralysis agitans
          [paralysis agi.tans] n [NL, lit., shaking palsy] (1817):
          parkinson's disease

   [1]paralytic
          [par.a.lyt.ic] adj [ME paralytyk, fr. MF paralitike, fr.
          L paralyticus, fr. Gk paralytikos, fr. paralyein] (14c)
          1: affected with or characterized by paralysis 2: of,
          relating to, or resembling paralysis -- par.a.lyt.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]paralytic n (14c): one affected with paralysis

   paralyze
          [par.a.lyze] vt -lyzed ; -lyz.ing [F paralyser, back-formation
          fr. paralysie paralysis, fr. L paralysis] (1804) 1: to
          affect with paralysis 2: to make powerless or ineffective
          3: unnerve 4: stun, stupefy 5: to bring to an end: prevent,
          destroy -- par.a.ly.za.tion n -- par.a.lyz.er n -- par.a.lyz.ing.ly
          adv

   paramagnet
          [para.mag.net] n [back-formation fr. paramagnetic] (ca. 1900):
          a paramagnetic substance

   paramagnetic
          [para.mag.net.ic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1850): being or relating
          to a magnetizable substance (as aluminum) that has small
          but positive susceptibility which varies little with
          magnetizing force -- para.mag.net.i.cal.ly adv -- para.mag.ne.tism
          n

   paramecium
          [par.a.me.cium] n, pl -cia also -ciums [NL, fr. Gk paramekes
          oblong, fr. para- + mekos length; akin to Gk makros long--more
          at meager] (1752): any of a genus (Paramecium) of ciliate
          protozoans that have an elongate body rounded at the
          anterior end and an oblique funnel-shaped buccal groove
          bearing the mouth at the extremity

   paramedic
          [para.med.ic] also para.med.i.cal n (1967) 1: a person who
          works in a health field in an auxiliary capacity to a
          physician (as by giving injections and taking X rays)
          2: a specially trained medical technician licensed to
          provide a wide range of emergency services (as defibrillation
          and the intravenous administration of drugs) before or
          during transportation to a hospital--compare emt

   paramedical
          [para.med.i.cal] also para.med.ic adj (1921): concerned with
          supplementing the work of highly trained medical professionals
          <~ aides and technicians>

   parament
          [par.a.ment] n [ME, fr. ML paramentum, fr. parare to adorn,
          fr. L, to prepare--more at pare] (15c): an ornamental
          ecclesiastical hanging or vestment

   parameter
          [pa.ram.e.ter] n [NL, fr. para- + Gk metron measure--more
          at measure] (1656) 1 a: an arbitrary constant whose value
          characterizes a member of a system (as a family of curves);
          also: a quantit y (as a mean or variance) that describes
          a statistical population b: an independent variable used
          to express the coordinates of a variable point and functions
          of them--compare parametric equation 2: any of a set
          of physical properties whose values determine the characteristics
          or behavior of something <~s of the atmosphere such as
          temperature, pressure, and density> 3: something represented
          by a parameter: a characteristic element; broadly: characteristic,
          element, factor <political dissent as a ~ of modern life> 4: limit,
          boundary--usu. used in pl. <the ~s of science fiction>
          -- para.met.ric adj -- para.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   parameterize
          [pa.ram.e.ter.ize] or pa.ram.e.trize vt -ter.ized or -trized
          ; -ter.iz.ing or -triz.ing (1940): to express in terms
          of parameters -- pa.ram.e.ter.i.za.tion or pa.ram.e.tri.za.tion
          n

   parametric equation
          [parametric equation] n (1909): any of a set of equations
          that express the coordinates of the points of a curve
          as functions of one parameter or that express the coordinates
          of the points of a surface as functions of two parameters

   paramilitary
          [para.mil.i.tary] adj (1935): of, relating to, being, or
          characteristic of a force formed on a military pattern
          esp. as a potential auxiliary military force <a ~ border
          patrol> <~ training>

   paramnesia
          [par.am.ne.sia] n [NL, fr. para- + -mnesia (as in amnesia)]
          (1888): a disorder of memory; esp: deja vu 1

   [1]paramount
          [par.a.mount] adj [AF paramont, fr. OF par by (fr. L per)
          + amont above, fr. a to (fr. L ad) + mont mountain--more
          at for, at, mount] (1579): superior to all others: supreme
          syn see dominant -- par.a.mount.cy n -- par.a.mount.ly
          adv [2]paramount n (1616): a supreme ruler

   paramour
          [par.amour] n [ME, fr. par amour by way of love, fr. MF]
          (14c): an illicit lover

   paramylum
          [par.am.y.lum] n [NL, fr. para- + L amylum starch--more at
          amyl-] (1897): a reserve carbohydrate that is found in
          various protozoans and algae and resembles starch

   paramyxovirus
          [para.myxo.vi.rus] n [NL] (1962): any of a group of RNA-containing
          viruses (as the mumps, measles, and parainfluenza viruses)

   parang
          [pa.rang] n [Malay] (1839): a short sword, cleaver, or machete
          common in Malaysia and Indonesia

   paranoia
          [para.noia] n [NL, fr. Gk, madness, fr. paranous demented,
          fr. para- + nous mind] (ca. 1811) 1: a psychosis characterized
          by systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur
          usu. without hallucinations 2: a tendency on the part
          of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational
          suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others -- para.noi.ac
          also para.noic adj or n -- para.noi.cal.ly adv

   paranoid
          [para.noid] also para.noi.dal adj (1904) 1: characterized
          by or resembling paranoia 2: characterized by suspiciousness,
          persecutory trends, or megalomania 3: extremely fearful
          -- paranoid n

   paranoid schizophrenia
          [paranoid schizophrenia] n (1940): schizophrenia characterized
          esp. by persecutory or grandiose delusions or hallucinations
          or by delusional jealousy

   paranormal
          [para.nor.mal] adj (ca. 1920): not scientifically explainable:
          supernatural -- paranormal n -- para.nor.mal.i.ty n --
          para.nor.mal.ly adv

   paranymph
          [para.nymph] n [LL paranymphus, fr. Gk paranymphos, fr. para-
          + nymphe bride--more at nuptial] (1600) 1: a friend going
          with a bridegroom to fetch home the bride in ancient
          Greece; also: the bridesmaid conducting the bride to
          the bridegroom 2 a: best man b: bridesmaid

   parapet
          [par.a.pet] n [It parapetto, fr. parare to shield (fr. L,
          to prepare) + petto chest, fr. L pectus--more at pare,
          pectoral] (1590) 1: a wall, rampart, or elevation of
          earth or stone to protect soldiers: breastwork 2: a low
          wall or railing to protect the edge of a platform, roof,
          or bridge--called also parapet wall -- par.a.pet.ed adj

   paraph
          [pa.raph] n [MF, fr. L paragraphus paragraph] (1584): a flourish
          at the end of a signature

   paraphernalia
          [par.a.pher.na.lia] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ML, ultim.
          fr. Gk parapherna bride's property beyond her dowry,
          fr. para- + pherne dowry, fr. pherein to bear--more at
          bear] (1651) 1: the separate real or personal property
          of a married woman that she can dispose of by will and
          sometimes according to common law during her life 2:
          personal belongings 3 a: articles of equipment: furnishings
          b: accessory items: appurtenances

   [1]paraphrase
          [para.phrase] n [MF, fr. L paraphrasis, fr. Gk, fr. paraphrazein
          to paraphrase, fr. para- + phrazein to point out] (1548)
          1: a restatement of a text, passage, or work giving the
          meaning in another form 2: the use or process of paraphrasing
          in studying or teaching composition [2]paraphrase vb
          -phrased ; -phras.ing vi (1596): to make a paraphrase
          ~ vt: to make a paraphrase of -- para.phras.able adj
          -- para.phras.er n

   paraphrastic
          [para.phras.tic] adj [F paraphrastique, fr. Gk paraphrastikos,
          fr. paraphrazein] (ca. 1623): having the nature of or
          being a paraphrase -- para.phras.ti.cal.ly adv

   paraphysis
          [pa.raph.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL, fr. Gk, sucker, offshoot,
          fr. paraphyein to produce at the side, fr. para- + phyein
          to bring forth--more at be] (1857): one of the slender
          sterile filaments borne among the sporogenous or gametogenous
          organs in cryptogamic plants

   paraplegia
          [para.ple.gia] n [NL, fr. Gk paraplegie hemiplegia, fr. para-
          + -plegia -plegia] (ca. 1657): paralysis of the lower
          half of the body with involvement of both legs -- para.ple.gic
          adj or n

   parapodium
          [para.po.di.um] n, pl -dia [NL] (1877) 1: either of a pair
          of fleshy lateral processes borne by most segments of
          a polychaete worm 2: a lateral expansion on each side
          of the foot usu. forming a broad swimming organ in some
          gastropods -- para.po.di.al adj

   paraprofessional
          [para.pro.fes.sion.al] n (1965): a trained aide who assists
          a professional person (as a teacher or doctor) -- paraprofessional
          adj

   parapsychology
          [para.psy.chol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1925): a field of study concerned
          with the investigation of evidence for paranormal psychological
          phenomena (as telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis)
          -- para.psy.cho.log.i.cal adj -- para.psy.chol.o.gist
          n

   paraquat
          [para.quat] n [para- + quaternary] (ca. 1961): a highly toxic
          contact herbicide containing a salt of a cation

   pararosaniline
          [para.ros.an.i.line] n [ISV] (ca. 1879): a white crystalline
          base that is the parent compound of many dyes; also:
          its red chloride used esp. as a biological stain

   Para rubber
          [Pa.ra rubber] n [Para, Brazil] (1857): native rubber from
          So. American rubber trees (genus Hevea and esp. H. brasiliensis)

   Para rubber tree
          [Para rubber tree] n (1930): a So. American rubber tree (Hevea
          brasiliensis)

   parasailing
          [para.sail.ing] n (1967): the recreational sport of soaring
          in a parachute while being towed usu. by a motorboat

   parasang
          [par.a.sang] n [L parasanga, fr. Gk parasanges, of Iranian
          origin; akin to Per farsung parasang] (1594): any of
          various Persian units of distance; esp: an ancient unit
          of about four miles (six kilometers)

   parasexual
          [para.sex.u.al] adj (1954): relating to or being reproduction
          that results in recombination of genes from different
          individuals but does not involve meiosis and formation
          of a zygote by fertilization as in sexual reproduction
          <the ~ cycle in some fungi> -- para.sex.u.al.i.ty n

   parashah
          [pa.ra.shah] n [Heb parashah, lit., explanation] (1624):
          a passage in Jewish Scripture dealing with a single topic;
          specif: a section of the Torah assigned for weekly reading
          in synagogue worship

   parasite
          [par.a.site] n [MF, fr. L parasitus, fr. Gk parasitos, fr.
          para- + sitos grain, food] (1539) 1: a person who exploits
          the hospitality of the rich and earns welcome by flattery
          2: an organism living in, with, or on another organism
          in parasitism 3: something that resembles a biological
          parasite in dependence on something else for existence
          or support without making a useful or adequate return
          -- par.a.sit.ic also par.a.sit.i.cal adj -- par.a.sit.i.cal.ly
          adv syn parasite, sycophant, toady, leech, sponge mean
          a usu. obsequious flatterer or self-seeker. parasite
          applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power,
          or influence or is useless to society <a jet-setter with
          an entourage of parasites>. sycophant adds to this a
          strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation
          <a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants>. toady emphasizes
          the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker <cultivated
          leaders of society and became their toady>. leech stresses
          persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's
          own advantage <a leech living off his family and friends>.
          sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and
          opportunism of the cadger <a shiftless sponge, always
          looking for a handout>.

   parasiticidal
          [par.a.sit.i.cid.al] adj (1892): destructive to parasites
          -- par.a.sit.i.cide n

   parasitise
          [par.a.sit.ise] Brit var of parasitize

   parasitism
          [par.a.sit.ism] n (1611) 1: the behavior of a parasite 2:
          an intimate association between organisms of two or more
          kinds; esp: one in which a parasite obtains benefits
          from a host which it usu. injures 3: parasitosis

   parasitize
          [par.a.sit.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1890): to infest or live
          on or with as a parasite -- par.a.sit.i.za.tion n

   parasitoid
          [par.a.sit.oid] n (1922): an insect and esp. a wasp that
          completes its larval development within the body of another
          insect eventually killing it and is free-living as an
          adult -- parasitoid adj

   parasitology
          [par.a.si.tol.o.gy] n [L parasitus + ISV -logy] (1882): a
          branch of biology dealing with parasites and parasitism
          esp. among animals -- par.a.si.to.log.i.cal also par.a.si.to.log.ic
          adj -- par.a.si.to.log.i.cal.ly adv -- par.a.si.tol.o.gist n

   parasitosis
          [par.a.sit.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [NL] (ca. 1899): infestation
          with or disease caused by parasites

   parasol
          [par.a.sol] n [F, fr. OIt parasole, fr. parare to shield
          + sole sun, fr. L sol--more at parapet, solar] (1660):
          a lightweight umbrella used as a sunshade esp. by women

   [1]parasympathetic
          [para.sym.pa.thet.ic] adj [ISV] (1905): of, relating to,
          being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system
          [2]parasympathetic n (1925) 1: a parasympathetic nerve
          2: parasympathetic nervous system

   parasympathetic nervous system
          [parasympathetic nervous system] n (ca. 1934): the part of
          the autonomic nervous system that contains chiefly cholinergic
          fibers, that tends to induce secretion, to increase the
          tone and contractility of smooth muscle, and to slow
          heart rate, and that consists of a cranial and a sacral
          part--compare sympathetic nervous system

   parasympathomimetic
          [para.sym.pa.tho.mi.met.ic] adj [ISV] (1942): simulating
          parasympathetic nervous action in physiological effect

   parasynthesis
          [para.syn.the.sis] n [NL] (1862): the formation of words
          by adding a derivative ending and prefixing a particle
          (as in denationalize) -- para.syn.thet.ic adj

   paratactic
          [para.tac.tic] also para.tac.ti.cal adj (1871): of or relating
          to parataxis -- para.tac.ti.cal.ly adv

   parataxis
          [para.tax.is] n [NL, fr. Gk, act of placing side by side,
          fr. paratassein to place side by side, fr. para- + tassein
          to arrange] (ca. 1842): the placing of clauses or phrases
          one after another without coordinating or subordinating
          connectives

   parathion
          [para.thi.on] n [para- + thiophosphate + [1]-on] (1947):
          an extremely toxic insecticide

   parathormone
          [par.a.thor.mone] n [fr. Parathormone, a trademark] (1925):
          parathyroid hormone

   [1]parathyroid
          [para.thy.roid] n (1897): parathyroid gland [2]parathyroid
          adj [ISV] (1902): of, relating to, or produced by the
          parathyroid glands

   parathyroidectomy
          [para.thy.roid.ec.to.my] n, pl -mies (1903): partial or complete
          excision of the parathyroid glands -- para.thy.roid.ec.to.mized
          adj

   parathyroid gland
          [parathyroid gland] n [ISV] (ca. 1903): any of usu. four
          small endocrine glands that are adjacent to or embedded
          in the thyroid gland and produce parathyroid hormone

   parathyroid hormone
          [parathyroid hormone] n (1953): a hormone of the parathyroid
          gland that regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus
          in the body

   paratrooper
          [para.troop.er] n (1927): a member of the paratroops

   paratroops
          [para.troops] n pl [[2]para-] (1940): troops trained and
          equipped to parachute from an airplane -- para.troop
          adj

   [1]paratyphoid
          [para.ty.phoid] adj [ISV] (1902) 1: resembling typhoid fever
          2: of or relating to paratyphoid or its causative organisms
          <~ infection> [2]paratyphoid n (1903): a salmonellosis
          that resembles typhoid fever and is commonly contracted
          by eating contaminated food--called also paratyphoid
          fever

   par avance
          [par avance] [F] foreign term : in advance: by anticipation

   paravane
          [para.vane] n [prob. fr. F para- warding off (as in parachute)
          + E vane] (1919): a torpedo-shaped protective device
          with serrate teeth in its forward end used underwater
          by a ship in mined areas to sever the moorings of mines

   par avion
          [par avion] [F] foreign term : by airplane--used on airmail

   parboil
          [par.boil] vt [ME, fr. parboilen to boil thoroughly, fr.
          MF parboillir, fr. LL perbullire, fr. L per- thoroughly
          (fr. per through) + bullire to boil, fr. bulla bubble--more
          at for] (14c): to boil briefly as a preliminary or incomplete
          cooking procedure

   parbuckle
          [par.buck.le] n [origin unknown] (1626): a purchase for hoisting
          or lowering a cylindrical object by making fast the middle
          of a long rope aloft and looping both ends around the
          object which rests in the loops and rolls in them as
          the ends are hauled up or paid out; also: a single line
          made fast at one end and passed around an object that
          is used similarly -- parbuckle vt

   Parcae
          [Par.cae] n pl [L]: fate 4

   [1]parcel
          [par.cel] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL particella, fr.
          L particula small part--more at particle] (14c) 1 a:
          fragment, portion b: a volume of a fluid (as air) considered
          as a single entity within a greater volume of the same
          fluid 2: a tract or plot of land 3: a company, collection,
          or group of persons, animals, or things: lot <the whole
          story was a ~ of lies> 4 a: a wrapped bundle: package
          b: a unit of salable merchandise [2]parcel adv (15c)
          archaic: partly [3]parcel adj (15c): part-time, partial
          [4]parcel vt -celed or -celled ; -cel.ing or -cel.ling
          (15c) 1: to divide into parts: distribute--often used
          with out 2: to make up into a parcel: wrap 3: to cover
          (as a rope) with strips of canvas or tape

   parcel post
          [parcel post] n (1837) 1: a mail service handling parcels
          2: packages handled by parcel post

   parcenary
          [par.ce.nary] n [AF parcenarie, fr. OF parconerie, fr. parcon
          portion, fr. L partition-, partitio partition] (1544):
          coparcenary 1

   parcener
          [par.ce.ner] n [AF, fr. OF parconier, fr. parcon] (1574):
          coparcener

   parch
          [parch] vb [ME] vt (14c) 1: to toast under dry heat 2: to
          shrivel with heat 3: to dry or shrivel with cold ~ vi:
          to become dry or scorched

   parched
          [parched] adj (ca. 1552): deprived of natural moisture; also:
          thirsty

   Parcheesi
          [Par.chee.si] trademark--used for a board game adapted from
          pachisi

   parchment
          [parch.ment] n [ME parchemin, fr. MF, modif. of L pergamena,
          fr. Gk pergamene, fr. fem. of Pergamenos of Pergamum,
          fr. Pergamon Pergamum] (14c) 1: the skin of a sheep or
          goat prepared for writing on 2: strong, tough, and often
          somewhat translucent paper made to resemble parchment
          3: a parchment manuscript; also: an academic diploma

   [1]pard
          [pard] n [ME parde, fr. MF, fr. L pardus, fr. Gk pardos]
          (14c): leopard [2]pard n [short for pardner] (1850) chiefly
          dial: partner, chum

   pardie
          [par.die] or par.di or par.dy interj [ME pardee, fr. OF par
          De by God] (14c) archaic--used as a mild oath

   pardner
          [pard.ner] n [alter. of partner] (1795) chiefly dial: partner,
          chum

   [1]pardon
          [par.don] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. pardoner] (14c) 1: indulgence
          1 2: the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty
          3 a: a release from the legal penalties of an offense
          b: an official warrant of remission of penalty 4: excuse
          or forgiveness for a fault, offense, or discourtesy <I
          beg your ~> [2]pardon vt par.doned ; par.don.ing [ME,
          fr. MF pardoner, fr. LL perdonare to grant freely, fr.
          L per- thoroughly + donare to give--more at parboil,
          donation] (15c) 1 a: to absolve from the consequences
          of a fault or crime b: to allow (an offense) to pass
          without punishment: forgive c: to relieve of a penalty
          improperly assessed 2: tolerate syn see excuse

   pardonable
          [par.don.able] adj (15c): admitting of being pardoned: excusable
          <~ offenses> -- par.don.able.ness n -- par.don.ably adv

   pardoner
          [par.don.er] n (14c) 1: a medieval preacher delegated to
          raise money for religious works by soliciting offerings
          and granting indulgences 2: one that pardons

   pare
          [pare] vt pared ; par.ing [ME, fr. MF parer to prepare, trim,
          fr. L parare to prepare, acquire; akin to L parere to
          give birth to, produce, Lith pereti to hatch] (14c) 1:
          to trim off an outside, excess, or irregular part of
          <~ apples> <paring his nails> 2: to diminish or reduce
          by or as if by paring <~ expenses> <the novel was pared
          down to 200 pages> -- par.er n

   paregoric
          [par.e.go.ric] n [F paregorique mitigating pain, fr.
          LL paregoricus, fr. Gk paregorikos, fr. paregorein to talk over,
          soothe, fr. para- + agora assembly, fr. ageirein to gather] (ca.
          1847): camphorated tincture of opium used esp. to relieve pain

   parenchyma
          [pa.ren.chy.ma] n [NL, fr. Gk, visceral flesh, fr. parenchein
          to pour in beside, fr. para- + en- en- + chein to pour--more
          at found] (1651) 1: a tissue of higher plants that consists
          of thin-walled living photosynthetic or storage cells
          capable of division even when mature and that makes up
          much of the substance of leaves and roots, the pulp of
          fruits, and parts of stems and supporting structures
          2: the essential and distinctive tissue of an organ or
          an abnormal growth as distinguished from its supportive
          framework -- par.en.chy.ma.tous or pa.ren.chy.mal adj

   [1]parent
          [par.ent] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L parent-, parens; akin to L
          parere to give birth to] (15c) 1 a: one that begets or
          brings forth offspring b: a person who brings up and
          cares for another 2 a: an animal or plant that is regarded
          in relation to its offspring b: the material or source
          from which something is derived c: a group from which
          another arises and to which it usu. remains subsidiary
          <a ~ company> -- parent adj -- pa.ren.tal adj -- pa.ren.tal.ly
          adv -- par.ent.less adj [2]parent vt (1663): to be or
          act as the parent of: originate, produce

   parentage
          [par.ent.age] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. parent] (15c) 1 a: descent
          from parents or ancestors: lineage <a person of noble
          ~> b: derivation, origin <a tradition of uncertain ~>
          2: parenthood

   parenteral
          [par.en.ter.al] adj [ISV para- + enteral] (ca. 1910): situated
          or occurring outside the intestine; esp: introduced otherwise
          than by way of the intestines -- par.en.ter.al.ly adv

   parenthesis
          [pa.ren.the.sis] n, pl -the.ses [LL, fr. Gk, lit., act of
          inserting, fr. parentithenai to insert, fr. para- + en-
          en- + tithenai to place--more at do] (ca. 1550) 1 a:
          an amplifying or explanatory word, phrase, or sentence
          inserted in a passage from which it is usu. set off by
          punctuation b: a remark or passage that departs from
          the theme of a discourse: digression 2: interlude, interval
          3: one or both of the curved marks ( ) used in writing
          and printing to enclose a parenthetical expression or
          to group a symbolic unit in a logical or mathematical
          expression -- par.en.thet.i.cal also par.en.thet.ic adj
          -- par.en.thet.i.cal.ly adv

   parenthesize
          [pa.ren.the.size] vt -sized ; -siz.ing (1837): to make a
          parenthesis of: enclose within parentheses

   parenthood
          [par.ent.hood] n (1856): the state of being a parent; specif:
          the position, function, or standing of a parent

   parenting
          [par.ent.ing] n (1958) 1: the raising of a child by its parents
          2: the act or process of becoming a parent 3: the act
          of caring for someone in the manner of a parent

   parent-teacher association
          [parent-teacher association] n, often cap P&T&A (1915): an
          organization of local groups of teachers and the parents
          of their pupils that works for the improvement of the
          schools and the benefit of the pupils

   paresis
          [pa.re.sis] n, pl pa.re.ses [NL, fr. Gk, fr. parienai to
          let fall, fr. para- + hienai to let go, send--more at
          jet] (1693) 1: slight or partial paralysis 2: general
          paresis -- pa.ret.ic adj or n

   paresthesia
          [par.es.the.sia] n [NL, fr. para- + -esthesia (as in anesthesia)]
          (ca. 1860): a sensation of pricking, tingling, or creeping
          on the skin that has no objective cause -- par.es.thet.ic
          adj

   pareu
          [pa.reu] or pa.reo n [Tahitian] (1860): a wraparound skirt
          usu. made from a rectangular piece of printed cloth and
          worn by men and women throughout Polynesia

   pareve
          [pa.re.ve] adj [Yiddish parev] (1941): made without milk,
          meat, or their derivatives <~ margarine>--compare fleishig,
          milchig

   par excellence
          [par ex.cel.lence] adj [F, lit., by excellence] (1695): being
          the best of a kind: preeminent <a salesman par excellence>

   par exemple
          [par ex.em.ple] [F] foreign term : for example

   parfait
          [par.fait] n [F, lit., something perfect, fr. parfait perfect,
          fr. L perfectus] (1894) 1: a flavored custard containing
          whipped cream and syrup frozen without stirring 2: a
          cold dessert made of layers of fruit, syrup, ice cream,
          and whipped cream

   parfait glass
          [parfait glass] n (ca. 1951): a tall narrow glass with a
          short stem

   parfleche
          [par.fleche] n [CanF parfleche, fr. F parer to ward off +
          fleche arrow] (1827) 1: a raw hide soaked in lye to remove
          the hair and dried 2: an article (as a bag or case) made
          of parfleche

   parfocal
          [par.fo.cal] adj [L par equal + E focal] (1886): being or
          having lenses or lens sets (as eyepieces) with the corresponding
          focal points all in the same plane -- par.fo.cal.i.ty
          n -- par.fo.cal.ize vt

   parge
          [parge] vt parged ; parg.ing (1701): parget

   [1]parget
          [par.get] vt -get.ed or -get.ted ; -get.ing or -get.ting
          [ME pargetten, fr. MF parjeter to throw on top of, fr.
          par- thoroughly (fr. L per-) + jeter to throw--more at
          jet] (14c): to coat with plaster; esp: to apply ornamental
          or waterproofing plaster to [2]parget n (14c) 1: plaster,
          whitewash, or roughcast for coating a wall 2: plasterwork
          esp. in raised ornamental figures on walls

   pargyline
          [par.gy.line] n [propargyl (an alcohol) + [2]-ine] (1961):
          a monoamine oxidase inhibitor that is used in the hydrochloride
          esp. as an antihypertensive agent

   parhelic circle
          [parhelic circle] n (1890): a luminous circle or halo parallel
          to the horizon at the altitude of the sun--called also
          parhelic ring

   parhelion
          [par.he.lion] n, pl -lia [L parelion, fr. Gk parelion, fr.
          para- + helios sun--more at solar] (1647): any of several
          bright spots often tinged with color that often appear
          on the parhelic circle -- par.he.lic adj

   pariah
          [pa.ri.ah] n [Tamil paraiyan, lit., drummer] (1613) 1: a
          member of a low caste of southern India 2: outcast 1

   parian
          [par.i.an] n [Parian, adj.; fr. its suitability for making
          statuettes] (1850): a porcelain composed essentially
          of kaolin and feldspar and usu. used unglazed in ornamental
          articles Par.i.an adj (1611): of or relating to the island
          of Paros noted for its marble used extensively for sculpture
          in ancient times

   Parian ware
          [Parian ware] n (1894) 1: parian 2: articles made of parian

   [1]parietal
          [pa.ri.e.tal] adj [MF, fr. NL pariet-, paries wall of a cavity
          or hollow organ, fr. L, wall] (15c) 1 a: of or relating
          to the walls of a part or cavity b: of, relating to,
          or forming the upper posterior wall of the head 2: attached
          to the main wall rather than the axis or a cross wall
          of a plant ovary--used of an ovule or a placenta 3: of
          or relating to college living or its regulation; esp:
          of or relating to parietals [2]parietal n (15c) 1: a
          parietal part (as a bone, scale, or plate) 2 pl: the
          regulations governing the visiting privileges of members
          of the opposite sex in campus dormitories

   parietal bone
          [parietal bone] n (15c): either of a pair of bones of the
          roof of the skull between the frontal bones and the occipital
          bones

   parietal cell
          [parietal cell] n (1875): any of the large oval cells of
          the gastric mucous membrane that secrete hydrochloric
          acid

   parietal lobe
          [parietal lobe] n (ca. 1889): the middle division of each
          cerebral hemisphere that contains an area concerned with
          bodily sensations

   pari-mutuel
          [pari-mu.tu.el] n [F pari mutuel, lit., mutual stake] (1888)
          1: a betting pool in which those who bet on competitors
          finishing in the first three places share the total amount
          bet minus a percentage for the management 2: a machine
          for registering the bets and computing the payoffs in
          pari-mutuel betting

   paring
          [par.ing] n (14c) 1: the act of cutting away an edge or surface
          2: something pared off <apple ~s>

   paring knife
          [paring knife] n (1591): a small short-bladed knife (as for
          paring fruit)

   pari passu
          [pa.ri pas.su] adv or adj [L, with equal step] (1567): at
          an equal rate or pace

   Paris
          [Par.is] n [L, fr. Gk]: a son of Priam whose abduction of
          Helen leads to the Trojan War

   Paris green
          [Par.is green] n [Paris, France] (1868) 1: a very poisonous
          copper-based bright green powder that is used as an insecticide
          and pigment 2: a brilliant yellowish green

   parish
          [par.ish] n [ME parisshe, fr. MF parroche, fr. LL parochia,
          fr. LGk paroikia, fr. paroikos Christian, fr. Gk, stranger,
          fr. para- + oikos house--more at vicinity] (14c) 1 a
          (1): the ecclesiastical unit of area committed to one
          pastor (2): the residents of such an area b Brit: a subdivision
          of a county often coinciding with an original ecclesiastical
          parish and constituting the unit of local government
          2: a local church community composed of the members or
          constituents of a Protestant church 3: a civil division
          of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in
          other states

   parishioner
          [pa.rish.ion.er] n [ME parisshoner, prob. modif. of MF parrochien,
          fr. parroche] (15c): a member or inhabitant of a parish

   [1]parity
          [par.i.ty] n, pl -ties [L paritas, fr. par equal] (ca. 1609)
          1: the quality or state of being equal or equivalent
          2 a: equivalence of a commodity price expressed in one
          currency to its price expressed in another b: equality
          of purchasing power established by law between different
          kinds of money at a given ratio 3: an equivalence between
          farmers' current purchasing power and their purchasing
          power at a selected base period maintained by government
          support of agricultural commodity prices 4 a: the property
          of an integer with respect to being odd or even <3 and
          7 have the same ~> b (1): the state of being odd or even
          used as the basis of a method of detecting errors in
          binary-coded data (2): parity bit 5: the property of
          oddness or evenness of a quantum mechanical function
          6: the symmetry of behavior in an interaction of a physical
          entity (as a subatomic particle) with that of its mirror
          image [2]parity n [-parous] (1878): the state or fact
          of having borne offspring; also: the number of children
          previously borne

   parity bit
          [parity bit] n (1957): a bit added to an array of bits (as
          on magnetic tape) to provide parity

   [1]park
          [park] n [ME, fr. OF parc enclosure, fr. ML parricus] (13c)
          1 a: an enclosed piece of ground stocked with game and
          held by royal prescription or grant b: a tract of land
          that often includes lawns, woodland, and pasture attached
          to a country house and is used as a game preserve and
          for recreation 2 a: a piece of ground in or near a city
          or town kept for ornament and recreation b: an area maintained
          in its natural state as a public property 3 a West: a
          level valley between mountain ranges b: an open space
          and esp. a grassland that is often all or partly surrounded
          by woodland and is suitable for cultivation or grazing
          4 a: a space occupied by military animals, vehicles,
          or materials b: parking lot 5: an enclosed arena or stadium
          used esp. for ball games 6: an area designed for a specified
          industrial, commercial, or residential use <amusement
          ~> <industrial ~> <mobile home ~> -- park.like adj [2]park
          vt (1526) 1: to enclose in a park 2 a (1): to bring (a
          vehicle) to a stop and keep standing at the edge of a
          public way (2): to leave temporarily on a public way
          or in a parking lot or garage b: to land and leave (as
          an airplane) c: to establish (as a satellite) in orbit
          3 a: to set and leave temporarily <~ed his hat on the
          chair> b: to place, settle, or establish esp. for a considerable
          time <kids ~ed in front of the TV> <~ed her money in
          a savings account> 4: to assemble (as equipment or stores)
          in a military dump or park ~ vi: to park a vehicle --
          park.er n

   parka
          [par.ka] n [Aleut, fr. Russ dial., ultim. fr. Nenets (Samoyedic
          language of northern Russia)] (1780) 1: a hooded fur
          pullover garment for arctic wear 2: a usu. lined fabric
          outerwear pullover or jacket

   parking lot
          [parking lot] n (1924): an area used for the parking of motor
          vehicles

   parking meter
          [parking meter] n (1936): a coin-operated device which registers
          the purchase of parking time for a motor vehicle

   parkinsonian
          [par.kin.so.nian] adj (1906) 1: of or similar to that of
          parkinsonism 2: affected with parkinsonism and esp. Parkinson's
          disease

   parkinsonism
          [par.kin.son.ism] n (ca. 1923) 1: parkinson's disease 2:
          a nervous disorder that resembles Parkinson's disease

   Parkinson's disease
          [Par.kin.son's disease] n [James Parkinson d. 1824 Eng. physician]
          (1877): a chronic progressive nervous disease chiefly of later life
          that is linked to decreased dopamine production in the substantia
          nigra and is marked by tremor and weakness of resting muscles and
          by a shuffling gait--called also paralysis agitans, Parkinson's,
          Parkinson's syndrome

   Parkinson's Law
          [Parkinson's Law] n [C. Northcote Parkinson b1909 Eng. historian]
          (1955) 1: an observation in office organization: the
          number of subordinates increases at a fixed rate regardless
          of the amount of work produced 2: an observation in office
          organization: work expands so as to fill the time available
          for its completion

   parkland
          [park.land] n (1907): land with clumps of trees and shrubs
          in cultivated condition used as or suitable for use as
          a park

   parkway
          [park.way] n (1887): a broad landscaped thoroughfare

   parlance
          [par.lance] n [MF, fr. OF, fr. parler] (ca. 1580) 1: speech;
          esp: formal debate or parley 2: manner or mode of speech:
          idiom

   parlando
          [par.lan.do] or par.lan.te adj [parlando fr. It, verbal of
          parlare to speak, fr. ML parabolare; parlante fr. It,
          prp. of parlare] (ca. 1854): delivered or performed in
          a style suggestive of speech--used as a direction in
          music

   [1]parlay
          [par.lay] vt [F paroli, n., parlay, fr. It dial., pl. of
          parolo, perh. fr. paro equal, fr. L par] (1828) 1: to
          bet in a parlay 2 a: to exploit successfully b: to increase
          or otherwise transform into something of much greater
          value [2]parlay n (1904): a series of two or more bets
          so set up in advance that the original stake plus its
          winnings are risked on the successive wagers; broadly:
          the fresh risking of an original stake together with
          its winnings

   parle
          [parle] vi parled ; parl.ing [ME, to parley, fr. MF parler]
          (14c) archaic: parley -- parle n, archaic

   [1]parley
          [par.ley] n, pl parleys [ME parlai speech, prob. fr. MF parlee,
          fr. fem. of parle, pp. of parler to speak, fr. ML parabolare,
          fr. LL parabola speech, parable--more at parable] (1581)
          1 a: a conference for discussion of points in dispute
          b: a conference with an enemy 2: discussion [2]par.ley
          vi par.leyed ; par.ley.ing (1591): to speak with another:
          confer; specif: to discuss terms with an enemy

   parliament
          [par.lia.ment] n [ME, fr. OF parlement, fr. parler] (13c)
          1: a formal conference for the discussion of public affairs;
          specif: a council of state in early medieval England
          2 a: an assemblage of the nobility, clergy, and commons
          called together by the British sovereign as the supreme
          legislative body in the United Kingdom b: a similar assemblage
          in another nation or state 3 a: the supreme legislative
          body of a usu. major political unit that is a continuing
          institution comprising a series of individual assemblages
          b: the British House of Commons 4: one of several principal
          courts of justice existing in France before the revolution
          of 1789

   parliamentarian
          [par.lia.men.tar.i.an] n (1644) 1 often cap: an adherent
          of the parliament in opposition to the king during the
          English Civil War 2: an expert in the rules and usages
          of a deliberative assembly (as a parliament) 3: a member
          of a parliament

   parliamentary
          [par.lia.men.ta.ry] adj (1616) 1 a: of or relating to a parliament
          b: enacted, done, or ratified by a parliament 2: of or adhering
          to the parliament as opposed to the king during the English Civil
          War 3: of, based on, or having the characteristics of parliamentary
          government 4: of or relating to members of a parliament
          5: of or according to parliamentary law <~ procedure>

   parliamentary government
          [parliamentary government] n (1858): a system of government
          having the real executive power vested in a cabinet composed
          of members of the legislature who are individually and
          collectively responsible to the legislature

   parliamentary law
          [parliamentary law] n (1893): the rules and precedents governing
          the proceedings of deliberative assemblies and other
          organizations

   [1]parlor
          [par.lor] n [ME parlour, fr. OF, fr. parler] (13c) 1: a room
          used primarily for conversation or the reception of guests:
          as a: a room in a private dwelling for the entertainment
          of guests b: a conference chamber or private reception
          room c: a room in an inn, hotel, or club for conversation
          or semiprivate uses 2: any of various business places
          <a funeral ~> <a beauty ~> [2]parlor adj (1552) 1: used
          in or suitable for a parlor <~ furniture> 2 a: fostered
          or advocated in comfortable seclusion without consequent
          action or application to affairs <~ bolshevism> b: given
          to or characterized by fostering or advocating something
          (as a doctrine) in such a manner <~ socialist>

   parlor car
          [parlor car] n (1868): an extra-fare railroad passenger car
          for day travel equipped with individual chairs

   parlor game
          [parlor game] n (1872): a game suitable for playing indoors

   parlor grand
          [parlor grand] n (1856): a grand piano intermediate in length
          between a concert grand and a baby grand

   parlour
          [par.lour] chiefly Brit var of parlor

   parlous
          [par.lous] adj [ME, alter. of perilous] (14c) 1 obs: dangerously
          shrewd or cunning 2: full of danger or risk: hazardous
          -- par.lous.ly adv

   Parmesan
          [Par.me.san] n [Parmesan of Parma, fr. MF parmesan, fr. OIt
          parmigiano] (1538): a very hard dry sharply flavored
          cheese that is sold grated or in wedges

   parmigiana
          [par.mi.gia.na] or par.mi.gia.no adj [It parmigiana, fem.
          of parmigiano of Parma, fr. Parma] (1943): made or covered
          with Parmesan cheese <veal ~>

   Parnassian
          [Par.nas.si.an] adj (ca. 1644) 1 [L parnassius of Parnassus,
          fr. Gk parnasios, fr. Parnasos Parnassus, mountain in
          Greece sacred to Apollo and the Muses]: of or relating
          to poetry 2 [F parnassien, fr. Parnasse Parnassus; fr.
          Le Parnasse contemporain (1866), an anthology of poetry]:
          of or relating to a school of French poets of the second
          half of the 19th century emphasizing metrical form rather
          than emotion -- Parnassian n

   parochial
          [pa.ro.chi.al] adj [ME parochiall, fr. MF parochial, fr.
          LL parochialis, fr. parochia parish--more at parish]
          (14c) 1: of or relating to a church parish 2: of or relating
          to a parish as a unit of local government 3: confined
          or restricted as if within the borders of a parish: limited
          in range or scope (as to a narrow area or region): provincial,
          narrow -- pa.ro.chi.al.ly adv

   parochialism
          [pa.ro.chi.al.ism] n (1847): the quality or state of being
          parochial; esp: selfish pettiness or narrowness (as of
          interests, opinions, or views)

   parochial school
          [parochial school] n (1755): a private school maintained
          by a religious body usu. for elementary and secondary
          instruction

   parodist
          [par.o.dist] n (1742): a writer of parodies

   [1]parody
          [par.o.dy] n, pl -dies [L parodia, fr. Gk paroidia, fr. para-
          + aidein to sing--more at ode] (1598) 1: a literary or
          musical work in which the style of an author or work
          is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule 2:
          a feeble or ridiculous imitation syn see caricature --
          pa.rod.ic adj -- par.o.dis.tic adj [2]parody vt -died
          ; -dy.ing (ca. 1745) 1: to compose a parody on <~ a poem>
          2: to imitate in the manner of a parody

   parol
          [par.ol] n [MF parole] (1590): word of mouth -- parol adj

   [1]parole
          [pa.role] n [F, speech, parole, fr. MF, fr. LL parabola
          speech--more at parable] (ca. 1616) 1: a promise made with
          or confirmed by a pledge of one's honor; esp: the promise
          of a prisoner of war to fulfill stated conditions in consideration
          of his release 2: a watchword given only to officers of the guard
          and of the day 3: a conditional release of a prisoner serving
          an indeterminate or unexpired sentence 4 a: language viewed
          as a specific individual usage: performance b: a linguistic
          act--compare langue -- parole adj [2]parole vt pa.roled
          ; pa.rol.ing (1790): to release (a prisoner) on parole

   parolee
          [pa.rol.ee] n (1903): one released on parole

   paronomasia
          [par.o.no.ma.sia] n [L, fr. Gk, fr. paronomazein to call
          with a slight change of name, fr. para- + onoma name--more
          at name] (1577): a play on words: pun -- par.o.no.mas.tic
          adj

   paronym
          [par.o.nym] n [LL paronymon, fr. Gk paronymon, neut. of paronymos]
          (ca. 1846): a paronymous word

   paronymous
          [par.on.y.mous] adj [Gk paronymos, fr. para- + -onymos (as
          in homonymos homonymous)] (ca. 1661) 1: conjugate 4 2
          a: formed from a word in another language b: having a
          form similar to that of a cognate foreign word

   parotid
          [pa.rot.id] adj [NL parotid-, parotis parotid gland, fr.
          L, tumor near the ear, fr. Gk parotid-, parotis, fr.
          para- + ot-, ous ear--more at ear] (1687): of or relating
          to the parotid gland

   parotid gland
          [parotid gland] n (ca. 1771): either of a pair of large serous
          salivary glands situated below and in front of the ear

   parotitis
          [par.o.ti.tis] n (1822): inflammation of the parotid glands;
          also: mumps

   parous
          [par.ous] adj [-parous] (ca. 1889): having produced offspring

   -parous
          [-parous] adj comb form [L -parus, fr. parere to give birth
          to, produce--more at pare]: giving birth to: producing
          <multiparous>

   Parousia
          [Par.ou.sia] n [Gk, lit., presence, fr. paront-, paron, prp.
          of pareinai to be present, fr. para- + einai to be--more
          at is] (1875): second coming

   paroxysm
          [par.ox.ysm] n [F & ML; F paroxysme, fr. ML paroxysmus, fr.
          Gk paroxysmos, fr. paroxynein to stimulate, fr. para-
          + oxynein to provoke, fr. oxys sharp--more at oxygen]
          (15c) 1: a fit, attack, or sudden increase or recurrence
          of symptoms (as of a disease): convulsion <a ~ of coughing>
          2: a sudden violent emotion or action: outburst <a ~
          of rage> -- par.ox.ys.mal adj

   [1]parquet
          [par.quet] vt par.queted ; par.quet.ing (1678) 1: to furnish
          with a floor of parquet 2: to make of parquetry [2]par.quet
          n [F, fr. MF, small enclosure, fr. parc park] (1816)
          1 a: a patterned wood surface (as flooring or paneling);
          esp: one made of parquetry b: parquetry 2: the main floor
          of a theater; specif: the part from the front of the
          stage to the parquet circle

   parquet circle
          [parquet circle] n (1854): the part of the main floor of
          a theater that is beneath the galleries

   parquetry
          [par.que.try] n, pl -tries (ca. 1842): work in the form of
          usu. geometrically patterned wood laid or inlaid esp.
          for floors

   parr
          [parr] n, pl parr also parrs [origin unknown] (ca. 1722):
          a young salmon actively feeding in fresh water

   parrakeet
          [par.ra.keet] var of parakeet

   parrel
          [par.rel] or par.ral n [ME perell, fr. alter. of parail apparel,
          short for apparail, fr. MF apareil, fr. apareillier to
          prepare--more at apparel] (15c): a rope loop or sliding
          collar by which a yard or spar is held to a mast in such
          a way that it may be hoisted or lowered

   parricidal
          [par.ri.cid.al] adj (1627): of, relating to, or guilty of
          parricide

   parricide
          [par.ri.cide] n (1554) 1: one that murders his or her father,
          mother, or a close relative 2: the act of a parricide

   [2]parrot
          [parrot] vt (1596): to repeat by rote

   [1]pa rrot
          [pa r.rot] n [prob. irreg. fr. MF perroquet] (ca. 1525) 1:
          any of numerous widely distributed tropical zygodactyl
          birds (order Psittaciformes and esp. family Psittacidae)
          that have a distinctive stout curved hooked bill, are
          often crested and brightly variegated, and include some
          excellent mimics 2: a person who sedulously echoes another's
          words -- parrot adj

   parrot fever
          [parrot fever] n (1930): psittacosis

   parrot fish
          [parrot fish] n (1712): any of a family (Scaridae) of usu.
          brightly colored chiefly tropical marine fishes that
          have the teeth in each jaw fused into a cutting plate
          like a beak

   parry
          [par.ry] vb par.ried ; par.ry.ing [prob. fr. F parez, imper.
          of parer to parry, fr. OProv parar, fr. L parare to prepare--more
          at pare] vi (1672) 1: to ward off a weapon or blow 2:
          to evade or turn aside something ~ vt 1: to ward off
          (as a blow) 2: to evade esp. by an adroit answer <~ an
          embarrassing question> -- parry n

   [1]parse
          [parse] vb parsed ; pars.ing [L pars orationis part of speech]
          vt (1553) 1 a: to resolve (as a sentence) into component
          parts of speech and describe them grammatically b: to
          describe grammatically by stating the part of speech
          and explaining the inflection and syntactical relationships
          2: to examine in a minute way: analyze critically ~ vi
          1: to give a grammatical description of a word or a group
          of words 2: to admit of being parsed [2]parse n (1963):
          a product or an instance of parsing

   parsec
          [par.sec] n [parallax + second] (1913): a unit of measure
          for interstellar space equal to a distance having a parallax
          of one second as measured from diametrically opposite
          points on the earth's orbit or to 3.26 light-years

   parser
          [pars.er] n (ca. 1864): one that parses; specif: a computer
          program that breaks down text into recognized strings
          of characters for further analysis

   Parsi
          [Par.si] also Par.see n [Per parsi, fr. Pars Persia] (1615)
          1: a Zoroastrian descended from Persian refugees settled
          principally at Bombay 2: the Iranian dialect of the Parsi
          religious literature -- Par.si.ism n

   parsimonious
          [par.si.mo.ni.ous] adj (1598): exhibiting or marked by parsimony;
          esp: frugal to the point of stinginess syn see stingy
          -- par.si.mo.ni.ous.ly adv

   parsimony
          [par.si.mo.ny] n [ME parcimony, fr. L parsimonia, fr. parsus,
          pp. of parcere to spare] (15c) 1 a: the quality of being
          careful with money or resources: thrift b: the quality
          or state of being stingy 2: economy in the use of means
          to an end; esp: economy of explanation in conformity
          with Occam's razor

   parsley
          [pars.ley] n [ME persely, fr. OE petersilie, fr. (assumed)
          VL petrosilium, alter. of L petroselinum, fr. Gk petroselinon,
          fr. petros stone + selinon celery] (bef. 12c): a European
          biennial herb (Petroselinum crispum) of the carrot family
          that is widely cultivated for its leaves which are used
          as a culinary herb or garnish

   parsleyed
          [pars.leyed] also pars.lied adj (1952): garnished or flavored
          with parsley <~ potatoes>

   parsnip
          [pars.nip] n [ME pasnepe, modif. of MF pasnaie, fr. L pastinaca,
          fr. pastinum 2-pronged dibble] (14c): a Eurasian biennial
          herb (Pastinaca sativa) of the carrot family with large
          pinnate leaves and yellow flowers that is cultivated
          for its long tapered edible root; also: the root

   parson
          [par.son] n [ME persone, fr. OF, fr. ML persona, lit., person,
          fr. L] (13c) 1: rector 2: clergyman; esp: a Protestant
          pastor

   parsonage
          [par.son.age] n (15c): the house provided by a church for
          its pastor

   Parsons table
          [Par.sons ta.ble] n [Parsons School of Design, New York City]
          (1967): a usu. rectangular table having straight legs
          that are flush with the edge of the top

   pars pro toto
          [pars pro to.to] [L] foreign term : part (taken) for the
          whole

   part
          [part] abbreviation participial, participle, particular

   [1]part
          [part] n [ME, fr. OF & OE, both fr. L part-, pars; perh.
          akin to L parare to prepare--more at pare] (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): one of the often indefinite or unequal subdivisions
          into which something is or is regarded as divided and
          which together constitute the whole (2): an essential
          portion or integral element b: one of several or many
          equal units of which something is composed or into which
          it is divisible: an amount equal to another amount <mix
          one ~ of the powder with three ~s of water> c (1): an
          exact divisor of a quantity: aliquot (2): partial fraction
          d: one of the constituent elements of a plant or animal
          body: as (1): organ, member (2) pl: private parts e:
          a division of a literary work f (1): a vocal or instrumental
          line or melody in concerted music or in harmony (2):
          a particular voice or instrument in concerted music;
          also: the score for it g: a constituent member of a machine
          or other apparatus; also: a spare part 2: something falling
          to one in a division or apportionment: share 3: one's
          share or allotted task (as in an action) <one must do
          one's ~> 4: one of the opposing sides in a conflict or
          dispute 5: a general area of indefinite boundaries--usu.
          used in pl. <you're not from around these ~s> <took off
          for ~s unknown> 6: a function or course of action performed
          7 a: an actor's lines in a play b: the role of a character
          in a play 8: a constituent of character or capacity:
          talent <a man of many ~s> 9: the line where the hair
          is parted -- for the most part : in general: on the whole
          <for the most part the crowd was orderly> -- in part
          : in some degree: partially -- on the part of : with
          regard to the one specified syn part, portion, piece,
          member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something
          less than the whole. part is a general term appropriate
          when indefiniteness is required <they ran only part of
          the way>. portion implies an assigned or allotted part
          <cut the pie into six portions>. piece applies to a separate
          or detached part of a whole <a puzzle with 500 pieces>.
          member suggests one of the functional units composing
          a body <a structural member>. division applies to a large
          or diversified part <the manufacturing division of the
          company>. section applies to a relatively small or uniform
          part <the entertainment section of the newspaper>. segment
          applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if
          by natural lines of cleavage <the retired segment of
          the population>. fragment applies to a part produced
          by or as if by breaking off or shattering <only a fragment
          of the play still exists>. [2]part vb [ME, fr. OF partir,
          fr. L partire to divide, fr. part-, pars] vi (13c) 1
          a: to separate from or take leave of someone b: to take
          leave of one another 2: to become separated into parts
          3 a: to go away: depart b: die 4: to become separated,
          detached, or broken 5: to relinquish possession or control
          <hated to ~ with that money> ~ vt 1 a: to divide into
          parts b: to separate by combing on each side of a line
          c: to break or suffer the breaking of (as a rope or anchor
          chain) 2: to divide into shares and distribute: apportion
          3 a: to remove from contact or association <if aught
          but death ~ thee and me --Ruth 1:17(AV)> b: to keep separate
          <the narrow channel that ~s England from France> c: to
          hold (as brawlers) apart d: to separate by a process
          of extraction, elimination, or secretion 4 a archaic:
          leave, quit b dial Brit: relinquish, give up syn see
          separate [3]part adv (1513): partly [4]part adj (1818):
          partial 1

   partake
          [par.take] vb -took ; -tak.en ; -tak.ing [back-formation
          fr. partaker, alter. of part taker] vi (ca. 1585) 1:
          to take part in or experience something along with others
          <~ in the revelry> <~ of the good life> 2: to have a
          portion (as of food or drink) 3: to possess or share
          a certain nature or attribute <the experience ~s of a
          mystical quality> ~ vt: to take part in syn see share
          -- par.tak.er n

   part and parcel
          [part and parcel] n (15c): an essential or integral component
          <stress was part and parcel of the job>

   parted
          [part.ed] adj (1590) 1 a: divided into parts b: cleft so
          that the divisions reach nearly but not quite to the
          base--usu. used in combination <a 3-parted corolla> 2
          archaic: dead

   parterre
          [par.terre] n [F, fr. MF, fr. par terre on the ground] (ca.
          1639) 1: an ornamental garden with paths between the
          beds 2: the part of the main floor of a theater that
          is behind the orchestra; esp: parquet circle

   parthenocarpy
          [par.the.no.car.py] n [ISV, fr. Gk parthenos virgin + karpos
          fruit--more at harvest] (1911): the production of fruits
          without fertilization <bananas set fruit by ~ and without
          pollination> -- par.the.no.car.pic adj

   parthenogenesis
          [par.the.no.gen.e.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk parthenos + L genesis
          genesis] (1849): reproduction by development of an unfertilized
          usu. female gamete that occurs esp. among lower plants
          and invertebrate animals

   parthenogenetic
          [par.the.no.ge.net.ic] adj (1872): of, characterized by,
          or produced by parthenogenesis -- par.the.no.ge.net.i.cal.ly
          adv

   Parthenon
          [Par.the.non] n [L, fr. Gk Parthenon] (ca. 1841): a Doric
          temple of Athena built on the acropolis at Athens in
          the 5th century b.c.

   Parthian
          [Par.thi.an] adj (1579) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of ancient Parthia or its people 2: relating to, being,
          or having the effect of a shot fired while in real or
          feigned retreat -- Parthian n

   [1]partial
          [par.tial] adj [ME parcial, fr. MF partial, fr. ML partialis,
          fr. LL, of a part, fr. L part-, pars part] (14c) 1: of
          or relating to a part rather than the whole: not general
          or total <a ~ solution> 2: inclined to favor one party
          more than the other: biased 3: markedly fond of someone
          or something--used with to <~ to pizza> [2]partial n
          (1880): overtone 1a

   partial denture
          [partial denture] n (1860): a usu. removable artificial replacement
          of one or more teeth

   partial derivative
          [partial derivative] n (1889): the derivative of a function
          of several variables with respect to one of them and
          with the remaining variables treated as constants

   partial differential equation
          [partial differential equation] n (1889): a differential
          equation containing at least one partial derivative

   partial differentiation
          [partial differentiation] n (ca. 1890): the process of finding
          a partial derivative

   partial fraction
          [partial fraction] n (1816): one of the simpler fractions
          into the sum of which the quotient of two polynomials
          may be decomposed

   partiality
          [par.tial.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: the quality or state
          of being partial: bias 2: a special taste or liking

   partially
          [par.tial.ly] adv (15c) 1 archaic: in a biased manner: with
          partiality 2: to some extent: in some degree

   partially ordered
          [partially ordered] adj (1941): having some or all elements
          connected by a relation that is reflexive, transitive,
          and antisymmetric

   partial pressure
          [partial pressure] n (1857): the pressure exerted by a (specified)
          component in a mixture of gases

   partial product
          [partial product] n (ca. 1924): a product obtained by multiplying
          a multiplicand by one digit of a multiplier having more
          than one digit

   partible
          [par.ti.ble] adj (14c): capable of being parted: divisible
          <a ~ inheritance> -- par.ti.bil.i.ty n

   participant
          [par.tic.i.pant] n (1562): one that participates -- participant
          adj

   participate
          [par.tic.i.pate] vb -pat.ed ; -pat.ing [L participatus, pp.
          of participare, fr. particip-, particeps participant,
          fr. part-, pars part + capere to take--more at heave]
          vt (1531) archaic: partake ~ vi 1: to possess some of
          the attributes of a person, thing, or quality 2 a: to
          take part <always tried to ~ in class discussions> b:
          to have a part or share in something syn see share --
          par.tic.i.pa.tor n

   participation
          [par.tic.i.pa.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of participating 2:
          the state of being related to a larger whole

   participational
          [par.tic.i.pa.tion.al] adj (1959): participatory

   participative
          [par.tic.i.pa.tive] adj (1951): relating to or involving
          participation; esp: of, relating to, or being a style
          of management in which subordinates participate in decision
          making

   participatory
          [par.tic.i.pa.to.ry] adj (1881): characterized by or involving
          participation; esp: providing the opportunity for individual
          participation <~ democracy>

   participial
          [par.ti.cip.i.al] adj [L participialis, fr. participium]
          (1591): of, relating to, or formed with or from a participle
          -- par.ti.cip.i.al.ly adv

   participle
          [par.ti.ci.ple] n [ME, fr. MF, modif. of L participium, fr.
          particip-, particeps] (14c): a word having the characteristics
          of both verb and adjective; esp: an English verbal form
          that has the function of an adjective and at the same
          time shows such verbal features as tense and voice and
          capacity to take an object

   particle
          [par.ti.cle] n [ME, fr. L particula, fr. dim. of part-, pars]
          (14c) 1 a: a minute quantity or fragment b: a relatively
          small or the smallest discrete portion or amount of something
          2 archaic: a clause or article of a composition or document
          3: any of the basic units of matter and energy (as a
          molecule, atom, proton, electron, or photon) 4: a unit
          of speech expressing some general aspect of meaning or
          some connective or limiting relation and including the
          articles, most prepositions and conjunctions, and some
          interjections and adverbs <the ~ up has a perfective
          meaning in phrases such as beat up and cut up> 5: a small
          eucharistic wafer distributed to a Roman Catholic layman
          at Communion

   particle accelerator
          [particle accelerator] n (1946): accelerator d

   particleboard
          [par.ti.cle.board] n (ca. 1957): a composition board made
          of very small pieces of wood bonded together

   particle physics
          [particle physics] n (1946): a branch of physics dealing
          with the constitution, properties, and interactions of
          elementary particles esp. as revealed in experiments
          using particle accelerators--called also high-energy
          physics -- particle physicist n

   parti-color
          [par.ti-col.or] or par.ti-col.ored adj [obs. E party parti-color,
          fr. ME parti, fr. MF, striped, fr. pp. of partir to divide]
          (1535): showing different colors or tints; esp: having
          a predominant color broken by patches of one or more
          other colors <~ setters> -- parti-color n

   [1]particular
          [par.tic.u.lar] adj [ME particuler, fr. MF, fr. LL particularis,
          fr. L particula small part] (14c) 1: of, relating to,
          or being a single person or thing <the ~ person I had
          in mind> 2 obs: partial 3: of, relating to, or concerned
          with details <gave us a very ~ account of the trip> 4
          a: distinctive among other examples or cases of the same
          general category: notably unusual <suffered from measles
          of ~ severity> b: being one unit or element among others
          <~ incidents in a story> 5 a: denoting an individual
          member or subclass in logic b: affirming or denying a
          predicate to a part of the subject--used of a proposition
          in logic <"some men are wise" is a ~ affirmative> 6 a:
          concerned over or attentive to details: meticulous <a
          very ~ gardener> b: nice in taste: fastidious c: hard
          to please: exacting syn see circumstantial, special [2]particular
          n (15c) 1 archaic: a separate part of a whole 2 a: an
          individual fact, point, circumstance, or detail b: a
          specific item or detail of information or news <bill
          of ~s> 3 a: an individual or a specific subclass (as
          in logic) falling under some general concept or term
          b: a particular proposition in logic syn see item --
          in particular : in distinction from others: specifically

   particularise
          [par.tic.u.lar.ise] Brit var of particularize

   particularism
          [par.tic.u.lar.ism] n (1824) 1: exclusive or special devotion
          to a particular interest 2: a political theory that each
          political group has a right to promote its own interests
          and esp. independence without regard to the interests
          of larger groups 3: a tendency to explain complex social
          phenomena in terms of a single causative factor --
          par.tic.u.lar.ist n or adj -- par.tic.u.lar.is.tic adj

   particularity
          [par.tic.u.lar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1528) 1 a: a minute detail:
          particular b: an individual characteristic: peculiarity;
          also: singularity 2: the quality or state of being particular
          as distinguished from universal 3 a: attentiveness to
          detail: exactness b: the quality or state of being fastidious
          in behavior or expression

   particularization
          [par.tic.u.lar.i.za.tion] n (1657): the act of particularizing:
          the condition of being particularized

   particularize
          [par.tic.u.lar.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1593): to state
          in detail: specify ~ vi: to go into details

   particularly
          [par.tic.u.lar.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a particular manner: in
          detail 2: to an unusual degree 3: in particular: specifically

   [1]particulate
          [par.tic.u.late] adj [L particula] (1871): of or relating
          to minute separate particles [2]particulate n (1942):
          a particulate substance

   particulate inheritance
          [particulate inheritance] n (1889): inheritance of characters
          specif. transmitted by genes in accord with Mendel's
          laws

   [1]parting
          [part.ing] n (15c): a place or point where a division or
          separation occurs -- parting of the ways 1: a point of
          separation or divergence 2: a place or time at which
          a choice must be made [2]parting adj (ca. 1577): given,
          taken, or performed at parting <a ~ kiss>

   parti pris
          [par.ti pris] n, pl partis pris [F, lit., side taken] (1860):
          a preconceived opinion: prejudice -- parti pris adj

   [1]partisan
          [par.ti.san] also par.ti.zan n [MF partisan, fr. OIt partigiano,
          fr. parte part, party, fr. L part-, pars part] (1555)
          1: a firm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person;
          esp: one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning
          allegiance 2 a: a member of a body of detached light
          troops making forays and harassing an enemy b: a member
          of a guerrilla band operating within enemy lines syn
          see follower -- partisan adj -- par.ti.san.ly adv --
          par.ti.san.ship n [2]par.ti.san or par.ti.zan n [MF partisane,
          fr. OIt partigiana, fem. of partigiano] (1556): a weapon
          of the 16th and 17th centuries with long shaft and broad
          blade

   partita
          [par.ti.ta] n [It, fr. partire to divide, fr. L--more at
          part] (1880) 1: variation 4 2: suite 2b(1)

   partite
          [par.tite] adj [L partitus, fr. pp. of partire] (ca. 1570)
          1: divided into a usu. specified number of parts 2: parted
          1b <a ~ leaf>

   [1]partition
          [par.ti.tion] n (15c) 1: the action of parting: the state
          of being parted: division 2: something that divides;
          esp: an interior dividing wall 3: one of the parts or
          sections of a whole [2]partition vt (1741) 1 a: to divide
          into parts or shares b: to divide (as a country) into
          two or more territorial units having separate political
          status 2: to separate or divide by a partition (as a
          wall)--often used with off -- par.ti.tion.er n

   partitionist
          [par.ti.tion.ist] n (ca. 1900): an advocate of political
          partition

   partitive
          [par.ti.tive] adj (14c) 1: serving to part or divide into
          parts 2 a: of, relating to, or denoting a part <a ~ construction>
          b: serving to indicate the whole of which a part is specified
          <~ genitive> -- par.ti.tive.ly adv

   partlet
          [part.let] n [ME (Sc) patelet, fr. MF patelette, fr. dim.
          of patte paw] (1519): a 16th century chemisette with
          a band or collar

   partly
          [part.ly] adv (1523): in some measure or degree: partially

   [1]partner
          [part.ner] n [ME partener, alter. of parcener, fr. AF,
          coparcener--more at parcener] (14c) 1 archaic: one that shares:
          partaker 2 a: one associated with another esp. in an action:
          associate, colleague b: either of two persons who dance together
          c: one of two or more persons who play together in a game against
          an opposing side d: either of two people living together; esp:
          spouse 3: a member of a partnership; also: such membership 4: one
          of the heavy timbers that strengthen a ship's deck to support
          a mast--usu. used in pl. -- part.ner.less adj [2]partner vt (1611)
          1: to join or associate with another as partner 2: to provide with
          a partner ~ vi: to act as a partner

   partners desk
          [partners desk] n (1946): a large desk with an open kneehole
          which allows use of the desk by two people seated opposite
          each other

   partnership
          [part.ner.ship] n (1576) 1: the state of being a partner:
          participation 2 a: a legal relation existing between
          two or more persons contractually associated as joint
          principals in a business b: the persons joined together
          in a partnership 3: a relationship resembling a legal
          partnership and usu. involving close cooperation between
          parties having specified and joint rights and responsibilities

   part of speech
          [part of speech] (1509): a traditional class of words distinguished
          according to the kind of idea denoted and the function performed
          in a sentence

   parton
          [par.ton] n [particle + [2]-on] (1969): a hypothetical particle
          (as a quark or gluon) that is held to be a constituent
          of hadrons

   partridge
          [par.tridge] n, pl partridge or par.tridg.es [ME partrich,
          modif. of OF perdris, modif. of L perdic-, perdix, fr.
          Gk perdik-, perdix] (14c) 1: any of various typically
          medium-sized stout-bodied Old World gallinaceous game
          birds (Perdix, Alectoris, and related genera) with variegated
          plumage 2: any of numerous gallinaceous birds (as the
          American ruffed grouse or bobwhite) somewhat like the
          Old World partridges in size, habits, or value as game

   partridgeberry
          [par.tridge.ber.ry] n (1714): an American trailing evergreen
          plant (Mitchella repens) of the madder family with insipid
          scarlet berries; also: its fruit

   part-song
          [part-song] n (1850): a usu. unaccompanied song consisting
          of two or more voice parts with one part carrying the
          melody

   part-time
          [part-time] adj (1891): involving or working less than customary
          or standard hours <a ~ job> <~ students> -- part-time
          adv -- part-tim.er n

   [1]parturient
          [par.tu.ri.ent] adj [L parturient-, parturiens, prp. of parturire
          to be in labor, fr. parere to give birth to--more at
          pare] (1592) 1: bringing forth or about to bring forth
          young 2: of or relating to parturition [2]parturient
          n (1947): a parturient individual

   parturition
          [par.tu.ri.tion] n [LL parturition-, parturitio, fr. L parturire]
          (1646): the action or process of giving birth to offspring

   parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus
          [par.tu.ri.unt mon.tes, nas.ce.tur ri.di.cu.lus mus] [L]
          foreign term : the mountains are in labor, and a ridiculous
          mouse will be brought forth

   partway
          [part.way] adv (1859) 1: to some extent: partially, partly
          2: at a point in the way or distance <~ through the trip
          they met some friends>

   [1]party
          [par.ty] n, pl parties [ME partie part, party, fr. OF, fr.
          partir to divide--more at part] (14c) 1: a person or
          group taking one side of a question, dispute, or contest
          2: a group of persons organized for the purpose of directing
          the policies of a government 3: a person or group participating
          in an action or affair <mountain-climbing ~> <a ~ to
          the transaction> 4: a particular individual: person <an
          old ~ approaching 80> 5: a detail of soldiers 6: a social
          gathering; also: the entertainment provided for it --
          party adj [2]party vi par.tied ; par.ty.ing (1919): to
          attend or give parties; broadly: revel 1 -- par.ty.er
          n

   party line
          [party line] n (1834) 1: the policy or practice of a political
          party 2: a single telephone circuit connecting two or
          more subscribers with the exchange--called also party
          wire 3: the principles or policies of an individual or
          organization; also: the explanation or interpretation
          usu. put forth <the party line that her mother was a
          saint --Leslie Bennetts> -- par.ty-lin.er n

   party pooper
          [party poop.er] n [[3]poop + -er] (1954): one who refuses
          to join in the fun of a party; broadly: one who refuses
          to go along with everyone else

   party wall
          [party wall] n (ca. 1798): a wall which divides two adjoining
          properties and in which each of the owners shares the
          rights

   parure
          [pa.rure] n [F, lit., adornment, fr. OF pareure, fr. parer
          to prepare, adorn--more at pare] (1818): a matched set
          of ornaments (as jewelry)

   par value
          [par value] n (1807): par 1b(1)

   parve
          [par.ve] var of pareve

   parvenu
          [par.ve.nu] n, pl -nus [F, fr. pp. of parvenir to arrive,
          fr. L pervenire, fr. per through + venire to come--more
          at for, come] (1802): one that has recently or suddenly
          risen to an unaccustomed position of wealth or power
          and has not yet gained the prestige, dignity, or manner
          associated with it -- parvenu adj

   parvenue
          [par.ve.nue] n [F, fr. parvenue, fem. of parvenum, pp.] (1826):
          a woman who is a parvenu -- parvenue adj

   parvis
          [par.vis] also par.vise n [ME parvis, fr. MF, modif. of LL
          paradisus enclosed park--more at paradise] (14c) 1: a
          court or enclosed space before a building (as a church)
          2: a single portico or colonnade before a church

   parvo
          [par.vo] n (1980): parvovirus 2

   parvovirus
          [par.vo.vi.rus] n [NL, fr. L parvus small (akin to Gk pauros
          small, paid-, pais child) + NL -o- + virus--more at few]
          (1965) 1: any of a group of small single-stranded DNA
          viruses pathogenic for vertebrates 2: a highly contagious
          febrile disease of dogs that is caused by a parvovirus
          and marked by loss of appetite, lethargy, often bloody
          diarrhea and vomiting, and sometimes death

   PAS
          [PAS] abbreviation para-aminosalicylic acid

   pas
          [pas] n, pl pas [F, fr. L passus step--more at pace] (1707)
          1: the right of precedence 2: a dance step or combination
          of steps

   pascal
          [pas.cal] n [Blaise Pascal] (1956) 1: a unit of pressure
          in the meter-kilogram-second system equivalent to one
          newton per square meter 2 usu cap P or all cap: a structured
          computer programming language developed from Algol and
          designed to process both numerical and textual data

   Pascal's triangle
          [Pas.cal's triangle] n (1886): a system of numbers triangularly
          arranged in rows that consist of the coefficients in
          the expansion of (a + b) to the exponent n for n  = 0,
          1, 2, 3,...

   Pasch
          [Pasch] also Pas.cha n [ME pasche Passover, Easter, fr. OF,
          fr. LL pascha, fr. LGk, fr. Gk, Passover, fr. Heb pesah]
          (12c) 1: easter 2: passover -- pas.chal adj

   paschal full moon
          [paschal full moon] n (1892): the 14th day of a lunar month
          occurring on or next after March 21 according to a fixed
          set of ecclesiastical calendar rules and without regard
          to the real moon

   Paschal Lamb
          [Paschal Lamb] n (15c): agnus dei 2

   pas de bourree
          [pas de bour.ree] n, pl pas de bourree or pas de bour.rees
          [F, lit., bourree step] (1897): a walking or running
          ballet step usu. executed on the points of the toes

   pas de chat
          [pas de chat] n, pl pas de chat [F, lit., cat's step] (1914):
          a forward leap in ballet

   pas de deux
          [pas de deux] n, pl pas de deux [F, lit., step for two] (ca.
          1762) 1: a dance or figure for two performers 2: an intricate
          relationship or activity involving two parties or things

   pas de quatre
          [pas de qua.tre] n, pl pas de quatre [F, lit., step for four]
          (1884): a dance or figure for four performers

   pas de trois
          [pas de trois] n, pl pas de trois [F, lit., step for three]
          (ca. 1762): a dance or figure for three performers

   pase
          [pa.se] n [Sp, lit., feint, fr. pase let him pass, fr. pasar
          to pass, fr. (assumed) VL passare] (1937): a movement
          of a cape by a matador in drawing a bull and taking his
          charge

   paseo
          [pa.seo] n, pl pa.se.os [Sp, fr. pasear to take a stroll,
          fr. paso passage, step, fr. L passus] (1832) 1 a: a leisurely
          stroll: promenade b: a public walk or boulevard 2: a
          formal entrance march of bullfighters into an arena

   [1]pash
          [pash] vt [ME passhen] (14c) dial Eng: smash [2]pash n [origin
          unknown] (1611) dial Eng: head

   pasha
          [pa.sha] n [Turk pasa] (1646): a man of high rank or office
          (as in Turkey or northern Africa)

   Pashto
          [Pash.to] n [Pashto] (1784): the Iranian language of the
          Pashtuns

   Pashtun
          [Pash.tun] n, pl Pashtuns or Pashtun (1815): a member of
          a people of eastern and southern Afghanistan and adjacent
          parts of Pakistan

   Pasiphae
          [Pa.siph.ae] n [L, fr. Gk Pasiphae]: the wife of Minos and
          mother of the Minotaur by a white bull

   pasqueflower
          [pasque.flow.er] n [modif. of MF passefleur, fr. passer to
          pass (fr. OF) + fleur flower, fr. L flor-, flos--more
          at blow] (1597): any of several low perennial herbs (genus
          Anemone) of the buttercup family with palmately compound
          leaves and large usu. white or purple early spring flowers

   pasquinade
          [pas.qui.nade] n [MF, fr. It pasquinata, fr. Pasquino, name
          given to a statue in Rome on which lampoons were posted]
          (1658) 1: a lampoon posted in a public place 2: satirical
          writing: satire -- pasquinade vt

   pass
          [pass] abbreviation passenger, passive

   [1]pass
          [pass] vb [ME, fr. OF passer, fr. (assumed) VL passare, fr.
          L passus step--more at pace] vi (13c) 1: move, proceed,
          go 2 a: to go away: depart b: die--often used with on
          3 a: to move in a path so as to approach and continue
          beyond something: move past; esp: to move past another
          vehicle going in the same direction b: to run the normal
          course--used of time or a period of time <the hours ~
          quickly> 4 a: to go or make one's way through <allow
          no one to ~> b: to go uncensured, unchallenged, or seemingly
          unnoticed <let the remark ~> 5: to go from one quality,
          state, or form to another <~es from a liquid to a gaseous
          state> 6 a: to sit in inquest or judgment b (1): to render
          a decision, verdict, or opinion <the court ~ed on the
          legality of wiretapping> (2): to become legally rendered
          <judgment ~ed for the plaintiff> 7: to go from the control,
          ownership, or possession of one person or group to that
          of another <the throne ~ed to the king's son> <title
          ~es to the buyer upon payment in full> 8 a: happen, occur
          b: to take place or be exchanged as or in a social, personal,
          or business interaction <words ~ed> 9 a: to become approved
          by a legislature or body empowered to sanction or reject
          <the proposal ~ed> b: to undergo an inspection, test,
          or course of study successfully 10 a: to serve as a medium
          of exchange b: to be accepted or regarded <drivel that
          ~es for literature> c: to identify oneself or be identified
          as something one isn't <tried to ~ as an adult> <Mom
          could ~ as my sister> 11 a obs: to make a pass in fencing
          b: to throw or hit a ball or puck to a teammate--often
          used with off 12 a: to decline to bid, double, or redouble
          in a card game b: to withdraw from the current poker
          pot ~ vt 1: to go beyond: as a: surpass, exceed <~es
          all expectations> b: to advance or develop beyond c:
          to go past (one moving in the same direction) 2: to omit
          a regularly scheduled declaration and payment of (a dividend)
          3 a: to go across, over, or through: cross b: to live
          through (as an experience or peril): undergo c: to go
          through (as a test) successfully 4 a: to secure the approval
          of <the bill ~ed the Senate> b: to cause or permit to
          win approval or legal or official sanction <~ a law>
          c: to give approval or a passing grade to <~ the students>
          5 a: to let (as time or a period of time) go by esp.
          while involved in a leisure activity <I'll read to ~
          the time> b: to let go unnoticed: n -- pass muster :
          to gain approval or acceptance -- pass the buck : to
          shift a responsibility to someone else -- pass the hat
          : to take up a collection for money -- pass the time
          of day : to exchange greetings or engage in pleasant
          conversation [2]pass n [ME, fr. MF pas, fr. L passus]
          (14c) 1: a means (as an opening, road, or channel) by
          which a barrier may be passed or access to a place may
          be gained; esp: a low place in a mountain range 2: a
          position to be held usu. against odds [3]pass n [[1]pass]
          (1523) 1: realization <brought his dream to ~> 2: the
          act or an instance of passing: passage 3: a usu. distressing
          or bad state of affairs <what has brought you to such
          a ~?> 4 a: a written permission to move about freely
          in a place or to leave or enter it b: a written leave
          of absence from a military post or station for a brief
          period c: a permit or ticket allowing free transportation
          or free admission 5 archaic: a thrust or lunge in fencing
          6 a: a transference of objects by sleight of hand or
          other deceptive means b: a moving of the hands over or
          along something 7 archaic: an ingenious sally (as of
          wit) 8: the passing of an examination or course of study;
          also: the mark or certification of such passing 9: a
          single complete mechanical operation; also: a single
          complete cycle of operations (as for processing, manufacturing,
          or printing) 10 a (1): a transfer of a ball or a puck
          from one player to another on the same team (2): a ball
          or puck so transferred b: passing shot 11: base on balls
          12: an election not to bid, bet, or draw an additional
          card in a card game 13: a throw of dice in the game of
          craps that wins the bet for the shooter--compare [3]crap
          2, missout 14: a single passage or movement (as of an
          airplane) over a place or toward a target 15 a: effort,
          try b: a sexually inviting gesture or approach 16: pase

   passable
          [pass.able] adj (15c) 1 a: capable of being passed, crossed,
          or traveled on <~ roads> b: capable of being freely circulated
          2: good enough: adequate -- pass.ably adv

   passacaglia
          [pas.sa.ca.glia] n [modif. of Sp pasacalle, fr. pasar to
          pass + calle street, fr. L callis path--more at pase]
          (1659) 1 a: an old Italian or Spanish dance tune b: an
          instrumental musical composition consisting of variations
          usu. on a ground bass in moderately slow triple time
          2: an old dance performed to a passacaglia

   passado
          [pas.sa.do] n, pl -dos or -does [modif. of F passade (fr.
          It passata) or It passata, fr. passare to pass, fr. (assumed)
          VL] (1588) archaic: a thrust in fencing with one foot
          advanced

   [1]passage
          [pas.sage] n (13c) 1 a: a way of exit or entrance: a road,
          path, channel, or course by which something passes b:
          a corridor or lobby giving access to the different rooms
          or parts of a building or apartment 2 a: the action or
          process of passing from one place, condition, or stage
          to another b: death 1 c: a continuous movement or flow
          <the ~ of time> 3 a (1): a specific act of traveling
          or passing esp. by sea or air (2): a privilege of conveyance
          as a passenger: accommodations b: the passing of a legislative
          measure or law: enactment 4: a right, liberty, or permission
          to pass 5 a: something that happens or is done: incident
          b: something that takes place between two persons mutually
          6 a: a usu. brief portion of a written work or speech
          that is relevant to a point under discussion or noteworthy
          for content or style b: a phrase or short section of
          a musical composition c: a detail of a work of art (as
          a painting) 7: the act or action of passing something
          or undergoing a passing 8: incubation of a pathogen (as
          a virus) in culture, a living organism, or a developing
          egg [2]passage vb pas.saged ; pas.sag.ing vi (1824):
          to go past or across: cross ~ vt: to subject to passage
          <passaged a virus>

   passageway
          [pas.sage.way] n (1649): a way that allows passage

   passagework
          [pas.sage.work] n (1865): a section of a musical composition
          characteristically unimportant thematically and consisting
          esp. of ornamental figures

   passant
          [pas.sant] adj [ME passaunt, fr. MF passant, fr. prp. of
          passer to pass] (15c): walking with the farther forepaw
          raised--used of a heraldic animal

   pass away
          [pass away] vi (13c) 1: to go out of existence 2: die 1

   passband
          [pass.band] n (1922): a band of frequencies (as in a radio
          circuit or a light filter) that is transmitted with maximum
          efficiency

   passbook
          [pass.book] n (1828): bankbook

   pass degree
          [pass degree] n (1868): a bachelor's degree without honors
          that is taken at a British university

   passe
          [pas.se] adj [F, fr. pp. of passer] (1775) 1: past one's
          prime 2 a: outmoded b: behind the times

   passed ball
          [passed ball] n (1861): a baseball pitch not hit by the batter
          that passes the catcher when it should have been caught
          and allows a base runner to advance--compare wild pitch

   passed pawn
          [passed pawn] n (1797): a chess pawn that has no enemy pawn
          in front of it on its own or an adjacent file

   passel
          [pas.sel] n [alter. of parcel] (1835): a large number or
          amount

   passementerie
          [passe.men.terie] n [F, fr. passement ornamental braid, fr.
          passer] (1794): a fancy edging or trimming made of braid,
          cord, gimp, beading, or metallic thread

   passenger
          [pas.sen.ger] n, often attrib [ME passager, fr. MF, fr. passager,
          adj., passing, fr. passage act of passing, fr. OF, fr.
          passer] (14c) 1: wayfarer 2: a traveler in a public or
          private conveyance

   passenger pigeon
          [passenger pigeon] n (1802): an extinct but formerly abundant
          No. American migratory pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius)

   passe-partout
          [passe-par.tout] n [F, fr. passe partout pass everywhere]
          (1675) 1: master key 2 a: [5]mat b: a method of framing
          in which a picture, a mat, a glass, and a back (as of
          cardboard) are held together by strips of paper or cloth
          pasted over the edges 3: a strong paper gummed on one
          side and used esp. for mounting pictures

   passerby
          [pass.er.by] n, pl pass.ers.by (1568): one who passes by

   passerine
          [pas.ser.ine] adj [L passerinus of sparrows, fr. passer sparrow]
          (1776): of or relating to the largest order (Passeriformes)
          of birds which includes more than half of all living
          birds and consists chiefly of altricial songbirds of
          perching habits--compare oscine -- passerine n

   pas seul
          [pas seul] n [F, lit., solo step] (1813): a solo dance or
          dance figure

   pass-fail
          [pass-fail] adj (1959): being a system of grading whereby
          the grades "pass" and "fail" replace the traditional
          letter grades -- pass-fail n

   passible
          [pas.si.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL passibilis, fr. L passus,
          pp. of pati to suffer--more at patient] (14c): capable
          of feeling or suffering

   passim
          [pas.sim] adv [L, fr. passus scattered, fr. pp. of pandere
          to spread--more at fathom] (1803): here and there

   [1]passing
          [pass.ing] n (14c): the act of one that passes or causes
          to pass; esp: death 1 -- in passing : by the way: incidentally
          [2]passing adj (14c) 1: going by or past <a ~ pedestrian>
          2: having a brief duration <a ~ whim> 3 obs: surpassing
          4: superficial <a ~ acquaintance> <a ~ resemblance> 5
          a: of, relating to, or used in or for the act or process
          of passing <~ lanes> b: given on satisfactory completion
          of an examination or course of study <a ~ grade> [3]passing
          adv (14c): to a surpassing degree: exceedingly <~ strange>

   passing note
          [passing note] n (1730): a nonharmonic tone interposed between
          essential harmonic tones of adjacent chords--called also
          passing tone

   passing shot
          [passing shot] n (ca. 1949): a stroke (as in tennis) that
          drives the ball to one side and beyond the reach o f
          an opponent

   passion
          [pas.sion] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL passion-, passio suffering,
          being acted upon, fr. L pati to suffer--more at patient]
          (13c) 1 often cap a: the sufferings of Christ between
          the night of the Last Supper and his death b: an oratorio
          based on a gospel narrative of the Passion 2 obs: suffering
          3: the state or capacity of being acted on by external
          agents or forces 4 a (1): emotion <his ruling ~ is greed>
          (2) pl: the emotions as distinguished from reason b:
          intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction
          c: an outbreak of anger 5 a: ardent affection: love b:
          a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity,
          object, or concept c: sexual desire d: an object of desire
          or deep interest -- pas.sion.less adj syn passion, fervor,
          ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling
          action. passion applies to an emotion that is deeply
          stirring or ungovernable <was a slave to his passions>.
          fervor implies a warm and steady emotion <read the poem
          aloud with great fervor>. ardor suggests warm and excited
          feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived <the ardor
          of their honeymoon soon faded>. enthusiasm applies to
          lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal,
          cause, or activity <never showed much enthusiasm for
          sports>. zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit
          of an aim or devotion to a cause <preaches with the zeal
          of the converted>. syn see in addition feeling

   passional
          [pas.sion.al] adj (15c): of, relating to, or marked by passion

   passionate
          [pas.sion.ate] adj (15c) 1 a: easily aroused to anger b:
          filled with anger: angry 2 a: capable of, affected by,
          or expressing intense feeling b: enthusiastic, ardent
          3: swayed by or affected with sexual desire syn see impassioned
          -- pas.sion.ate.ly adv -- pas.sion.ate.ness n

   passionflower
          [pas.sion.flow.er] n [fr. the fancied resemblance of parts
          of the flower to the instruments of Christ's crucifixion]
          (1633): any of a genus (Passiflora of the family Passifloraceae,
          the passionflower family) of chiefly tropical woody tendriled
          climbing vines or erect herbs with usu. showy flowers
          and pulpy often edible berries

   passion fruit
          [passion fruit] n (1752): the edible fruit of a passionflower

   Passionist
          [Pas.sion.ist] n [It passionista, fr. passione passion, fr.
          LL passion-, passio] (1832): a member of a Roman Catholic
          mendicant order founded by St. Paul of the Cross in Italy
          in 1720 and devoted chiefly to missionary work and retreats

   passion play
          [passion play] n, often cap 1st P (1870): a dramatic representation
          of the scenes connected with the passion and crucifixion of Christ

   Passion Sunday
          [Passion Sunday] n (14c): the fifth Sunday in Lent

   Passiontide
          [Pas.sion.tide] n (1847): the last two weeks of Lent

   Passion Week
          [Passion Week] n (15c) 1: holy week 2: the week between Passion
          Sunday and Palm Sunday

   passivate
          [pas.siv.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1913) 1: to make inactive
          or less reactive <~ the surface of steel by chemical
          treatment> 2: to protect (as a solid-state device) against
          contamination by coating or surface treatment -- pas.siv.ation
          n

   [1]passive
          [pas.sive] adj [ME, fr. L passivus, fr. passus, pp.] (14c)
          1 a (1): acted upon by an external agency (2): receptive
          to outside impressions or influences b (1): asserting
          that the grammatical subject of a verb is subjected to
          or affected by the action represented by that verb (2):
          containing or yielding a passive verb form c (1): lacking
          in energy or will: lethargic (2): tending not to take
          an active or dominant part d: induced by an outside agency
          <~ exercise of a paralyzed leg> 2 a: not active or operating:
          inert b: of, relating to, or making direct use of the
          sun's heat usu. without the intervention of mechanical
          devices <~ technique> <~ solar house> c: latent d (1):
          of, relating to, or characterized by a state of chemical
          inactivity; esp: resistant to corrosion (2): not involving
          expenditure of chemical energy <~ transport across a
          cell membrane> e of an electronic element: exhibiting
          no gain or control f: operating solely by means of the
          power of an input signal <a ~ communication satellite
          that reflects television signals> g: relating to the
          detection of an object through its emission of energy
          3 a: receiving or enduring without resistance: submissive
          b: existing or occurring without being active, open,
          or direct <~ support> 4: of, relating to, or being business
          activity in which the investor does not have immediate
          control over income syn see inactive -- pas.sive.ly adv
          -- pas.sive.ness n -- pas.siv.i.ty n [2]passive n (1530)
          1: a passive verb form 2: the passive voice of a language

   passive immunity
          [passive immunity] n (1895): immunity acquired by transfer
          of antibodies (as by injection of serum from an individual
          with active immunity) -- passive immunization n

   passive resistance
          [passive resistance] n (1819): resistance esp. to a government
          or an occupying power characterized mainly by noncooperation

   passive restraint
          [passive restraint] n (1970): a restraint (as a self-locking
          seat belt) that acts automatically to protect an automobile
          rider during a crash

   passive smoking
          [passive smoking] n (1971): the involuntary inhalation of
          tobacco smoke (as from another's cigarette) esp. by a
          nonsmoker

   passive transfer
          [passive transfer] n (1935): a local transfer of skin sensitivity
          from an allergic to a normal person by injection of serum
          from the former that is used esp. for identifying specific
          allergens when a high degree of allergic sensitivity
          is suspected

   passivism
          [pas.siv.ism] n (1872): a passive attitude, behavior, or
          way of life -- pas.siv.ist n

   passkey
          [pass.key] n (ca. 1817) 1: master key 2: skeleton key

   pass off
          [pass off] vt (1799) 1: to make public or offer for sale
          with intent to deceive 2: to give a false identity or
          character to

   pass out
          [pass out] vi (1899) 1: die 1 2: to lose consciousness ~
          vt: to reject (a deal in bridge) as unplayable because
          everyone has passed on the first round of bidding

   pass over
          [pass over] vt (14c) 1: to ignore in passing 2: to pay no
          attention to the claims of: disregard

   Passover
          [Pass.over] n [fr. the exemption of the Israelites from the
          slaughter of the firstborn in Egypt (Exod 12:23-27)]
          (1530): a Jewish holiday beginning on the 14th of Nisan
          and commemorating the Hebrews' liberation from slavery
          in Egypt

   passport
          [pass.port] n [ME (Sc) pasport, fr. MF passeport, fr. passer
          to pass + port port, fr. L portus--more at ford] (15c)
          1 a: a formal document issued by an authorized official
          of a country to one of its citizens that is usu. necessary
          for exit from and reentry into the country, that allows
          the citizen to travel in a foreign country in accordance
          with visa requirements, and that requests protection
          for the citizen while abroad b: a license issued by a
          country permitting a foreign citizen to pass or take
          goods through its territory: safe-conduct c: a document
          of identification required by law to be carried by persons
          residing or traveling within a country 2 a: a permission
          or authorization to go somewhere b: something that secures
          admission, acceptance, or attainment <education as a
          ~ to success>

   pass-through
          [pass-through] n (1951) 1: the act, action, or process of
          offsetting increased costs by raising prices 2: an opening
          in a wall between two rooms through which something (as
          dishes) may be passed

   pass up
          [pass up] vt (1896): to let go by without accepting or taking
          advantage of <pass up a chance for promotion>; also:
          decline, reject

   password
          [pass.word] n (ca. 1817) 1: something that enables one to
          pass or gain admission: as a: a spoken word or phrase
          required to pass by a guard b: a sequence of characters
          required for access to a computer system 2: watchword

   [1]past
          [past] adj [ME, fr. pp. of passen to pass] (14c) 1 a: ago
          <12 years ~> b: just gone or elapsed <for the ~ few months>
          2: having existed or taken place in a period before the
          present: bygone 3: of, relating to, or constituting a
          verb tense that is expressive of elapsed time and that
          in English is usu. formed by internal vowel change (as
          in sang) or by the addition of a suffix (as in laughed)
          4: having served as a specified officer in an organization
          <~ president> [2]past prep (14c) 1 a: beyond the age
          for or of <~ playing with dolls> b: after <half ~ two>
          2 a: at the farther side of: beyond b: in a course or
          direction going close to and then beyond <drove ~ the
          house> 3 obs: more than 4: beyond the capacity, range,
          or sphere of <~ belief> [3]past n (1590) 1 a: time gone
          by b: something that happened or was done in the past
          <regret the ~> 2 a: the past tense of a language b: a
          verb form in the past tense 3: a past life, history,
          or course of action; esp: one that is kept secret --
          past.less adj [4]past adv (1784): so as to reach and
          go beyond a point near at hand

   pasta
          [pas.ta] n [It, fr. LL] (1874) 1: paste in processed form
          (as spaghetti) or in the form of fresh dough (as ravioli)
          2: a dish of cooked pasta

   [1]paste
          [paste] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL pasta dough, paste] (14c) 1
          a: a dough that contains a considerable proportion of
          fat and is used for pastry crust or fancy rolls b: a
          confection made by evaporating fruit with sugar or by
          flavoring a gelatin, starch, or gum arabic preparation
          c: a smooth food product made by evaporation or grinding
          <tomato ~> <almond ~> d: a shaped dough (as spaghetti
          or ravioli) prepared from semolina, farina, or wheat
          flour 2: a soft plastic mixture or composition: as a:
          a preparation usu. of flour or starch and water used
          as an adhesive or a vehicle for mordant or color b: clay
          or a clay mixture used in making pottery or porcelain
          3: a brilliant glass of high lead content used for the
          manufacture of artificial gems [2]paste vt past.ed ;
          past.ing (1561) 1: to cause to adhere by or as if by
          paste: stick 2: to cover with something pasted on [3]paste
          vt past.ed ; past.ing [alter. of baste] (1846) 1: to
          strike hard at 2: to beat or defeat soundly

   [1]pasteboard
          [paste.board] n (1562) 1: a solid paperboard with a paper
          facing; broadly: paperboard 2: ticket [2]pasteboard adj
          (1599) 1: made of pasteboard 2: sham, unsubstantial <prefabricated
          plots and ~ heroes --Peter Andrews>

   pastedown
          [paste.down] n (ca. 1888): the outer leaf of an endpaper
          that is pasted down to the inside of the front or back
          cover of a book

   [1]pastel
          [pas.tel] n [F, fr. It pastello, fr. LL pastellus woad, fr.
          dim. of pasta] (1662) 1: a paste made of powdered pigment
          ranging from pale to deep colors and used for making
          crayons; also: a crayon made of such paste 2 a: a drawing
          in pastel b: the process or art of drawing with pastels
          3: a light literary sketch 4: any of various pale or
          light colors [2]pastel adj (1884) 1 a: of or relating
          to a pastel b: made with pastels 2: pale and light in
          color 3: lacking in body or vigor

   pastelist
          [pas.tel.ist] or pas.tel.list n (1881): an artist who works
          with pastels

   pastern
          [pas.tern] n [MF pasturon, fr. pasture tether attached to
          a horse's foot, alter. of (assumed) OF pastoire, fr.
          ML pastoria, fr. L, fem. of pastorius of a herdsman,
          fr. pastor herdsman--more at pastor] (ca. 1530) 1: a
          part of the foot of an equine extending from the fetlock
          to the top of the hoof--see horse illustration 2: a part
          of the leg of an animal other than an equine that corresponds
          to the pastern

   pasteup
          [paste.up] n (ca. 1930): mechanical; also: the process of
          making mechanicals

   pasteurise
          [pas.teur.ise] Brit var of pasteurize

   pasteurization
          [pas.teur.i.za.tion] n (1886) 1: partial sterilization of
          a substance and esp. a liquid (as milk) at a temperature
          and for a period of exposure that destroys objectionable
          organisms without major chemical alteration of the substance
          2: partial sterilization of perishable food products
          (as fruit or fish) with radiation (as gamma rays)

   pasteurize
          [pas.teur.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing [Louis Pasteur] (1881):
          to subject to pasteurization -- pas.teur.iz.er n

   Pasteur treatment
          [Pasteur treatment] n (1926): a method of aborting rabies
          by stimulating production of antibodies through successive
          inoculations with attenuated virus of gradually increasing
          strength

   pasticcio
          [pas.tic.cio] n, pl -ci or -cios [It, lit., pasty, fr. (assumed)
          VL pasticium, fr. LL pasta] (1752): pastiche

   pastiche
          [pas.tiche] n [F, fr. It pasticcio] (1878) 1: a literary,
          artistic, musical, or architectural work that imitates
          the style of previous work; also: such stylistic imitation
          2 a: a musical, literary, or artistic composition made
          up of selections from different works: potpourri b: hodgepodge
          -- pas.ti.cheur n

   pasties
          [past.ies] n pl [[2]paste] (ca. 1954): small round coverings
          for a woman's nipples worn esp. by a stripteaser

   pastille
          [pas.tille] also pas.til n [F pastille, fr. L pastillus small
          loaf, lozenge; akin to L panis bread--more at food] (1658)
          1: a small mass of aromatic paste for fumigating or scenting
          the air of a room 2: an aromatic or medicated lozenge:
          troche

   pastime
          [pas.time] n (15c): something that amuses and serves to make
          time pass agreeably: diversion

   pastina
          [pas.ti.na] n [It, dim. of pasta pasta] (ca. 1948): very
          small bits of pasta used in soup or broth

   pastis
          [pas.tis] n [F, fr. F dial. (Marseilles), lit., jumble, kind
          of pastry, fr. Prov, fr. OProv pastitz cake, fr. (assumed)
          VL pasticium] (1926): a French liqueur flavored with
          aniseed

   past master
          [past master] n (1762) 1: one who has held the office of
          worshipful master in a lodge of Freemasons or of master
          in a guild, club, or society 2 [alter. of passed master]:
          one who is expert: adept

   pastness
          [past.ness] n (1829) 1: the quality or state of being past
          2: the subjective quality of something being remembered
          rather than immediately experienced

   [1]pastor
          [pas.tor] n [ME pastour, fr. MF, fr. L pastor herdsman, fr.
          pascere to feed--more at food] (14c): a spiritual overseer;
          esp: a clergyman serving a local church or parish --
          pas.tor.ship n [2]pastor vt pas.tored ; pas.tor.ing (1623):
          to serve as pastor of (as a church) [3]pas.tor n [Sp,
          fr. L] (1849) chiefly Southwest: herdsman

   [1]pastoral
          [pas.to.ral] adj [ME, fr. L pastoralis, fr. pastor herdsman]
          (15c) 1 a (1): of, relating to, or composed of shepherds
          or herdsmen (2): devoted to or based on livestock raising
          b: of or relating to the countryside: not urban c: portraying
          or expressive of the life of shepherds or country people
          esp. in an idealized and conventionalized manner <~ poetry>
          d: pleasingly peaceful and innocent: idyllic 2 a: of
          or relating to spiritual care or guidance esp. of a congregation
          b: of or relating to the pastor of a church -- pas.to.ral.ly
          adv -- pas.to.ral.ness n [2]pastoral n (1584) 1 a: a
          literary work (as a poem or play) dealing with shepherds
          or rural life in a usu. artificial manner and typically
          drawing a contrast between the innocence and serenity
          of the simple life and the misery and corruption of city
          and esp. court life b: pastoral poetry or drama c: a
          rural picture or scene d: pastorale 1b 2: crosier 1 3:
          a letter of a pastor to his charge: as a: a letter addressed
          by a bishop to his diocese b: a letter of the house of
          bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church to be read
          in each parish

   pastorale
          [pas.to.rale] n [It, fr. pastorale of herdsmen, fr. L pastoralis]
          (1724) 1 a: an opera of the 16th or 17th centuries having
          a pastoral plot b: an instrumental or vocal composition
          having a pastoral theme 2: pastoral 1a

   Pastoral Epistle
          [Pastoral Epistle] n (1836): one of three New Testament letters
          including two addressed to Timothy and one to Titus that
          give advice on matters of church government and discipline

   pastoralism
          [pas.to.ral.ism] n (1854) 1: the quality or style characteristic
          of pastoral writing 2 a: livestock raising b: social
          organization based on livestock raising as the primary
          economic activity -- pas.to.ral.ist n or adj

   pastorate
          [pas.tor.ate] n (1795) 1: the office, state, jurisdiction,
          or tenure of office of a pastor 2: a body of pastors

   past participle
          [past participle] n (1798): a participle that typically expresses
          completed action, that is traditionally one of the principal
          parts of the verb, and that is traditionally used in
          English in the formation of perfect tenses in the active
          voice and of all tenses in the passive voice

   past perfect
          [past perfect] adj (1889): of, relating to, or constituting
          a verb tense that is traditionally formed in English
          with had and denotes an action or state as completed
          at or before a past time spoken of -- past perfect n

   pastrami
          [pas.tra.mi] also pas.tromi n [Yiddish pastrame, fr. Rom
          pastrama pressed and cured meat] (1936): a highly seasoned
          smoked beef prepared esp. from shoulder cuts

   pastry
          [pas.try] n, pl pastries [[1]paste] (ca. 1538) 1 a: paste
          1a b: sweet baked goods made of dough having a high fat
          content 2: a piece of pastry

   past tense
          [past tense] n (1813): a verb tense expressing action or
          state in or as if in the past: a: a verb tense expressive
          of elapsed time (as wrote in "on arriving I wrote a letter")
          b: a verb tense expressing action or state in progress
          or continuance or habitually done or customarily occurring
          at a past time (as was writing in "I was writing while
          he dictated" or loved in "their sons loved fishing")

   pasturage
          [pas.tur.age] n (ca. 1533): pasture

   [1]pasture
          [pas.ture] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL pastura, fr. L pastus, pp.
          of pascere to feed--more at food] (14c) 1: plants (as
          grass) grown for the feeding esp. of grazing animals
          2: land or a plot of land used for grazing 3: the feeding
          of livestock: grazing [2]pasture vb pas.tured ; pas.tur.ing
          vi (14c): graze, browse ~ vt 1: to feed (as cattle) on
          pasture 2: to use as pasture

   pastureland
          [pas.ture.land] n (1591): pasture 2

   [1]pasty
          [pas.ty] n, pl pasties [ME pastee, fr. MF paste, fr. paste
          dough, paste] (13c) 1: [2]pie 1, 2; esp: a meat pie 2:
          turnover 5 [2]pasty adj past.i.er ; -est (1659): resembling
          paste; esp: pallid and unhealthy in appearance -- past.i.ness
          n

   PA system
          [PA system] n (ca. 1936): public-address system

   [1]pat
          [pat] n [ME patte, prob. of imit. origin] (15c) 1: a light
          blow esp. with the hand or a flat instrument 2: a light
          tapping often rhythmical sound 3: something (as butter)
          shaped into a small flat usu. square individual portion
          -- pat on the back : an expression of approval [2]pat
          adv (1578): in a pat manner: aptly, perfectly [3]pat
          vb pat.ted ; pat.ting vt (1591) 1: to strike lightly
          with a flat instrument 2: to flatten, smooth, or put
          into place or shape with light blows 3: to tap or stroke
          gently with the hand to soothe, caress, or show approval
          ~ vi: to strike or beat gently [4]pat adj (1646) 1 a:
          exactly suited to the purpose or occasion: apt b: suspiciously
          appropriate: contrived 2: learned, mastered, or memorized
          exactly 3: firm, unyielding 4: reduced to a simple or
          mechanical form: standard, trite

   pat
          [pat] abbreviation patent  PAT abbreviation point after touchdown

   pataca
          [pa.ta.ca] n [Pg] (1830): the basic monetary unit of Macao

   pat-a-cake
          [pat-a-cake] var of patty-cake

   patagium
          [pa.ta.gi.um] n, pl -gia [NL, fr. L, gold edging on a tunic]
          (1826) 1: the fold of skin connecting the forelimbs and
          hind limbs of some tetrapods (as flying squirrels) 2:
          the fold of skin in front of the main segments of a bird's
          wing

   [1]patch
          [patch] n [ME pacche] (14c) 1: a piece of material used to
          mend or cover a hole or a weak spot 2: a tiny piece of
          black silk or court plaster worn on the face or neck
          esp. by women to hide a blemish or to heighten beauty
          3 a: a piece of material (as adhesive plaster) used medically
          usu. to cover a wound or repair a defect b: a shield
          worn over the socket of an injured or missing eye 4 a:
          a small piece: scrap b: a part or area distinct from
          that about it <cabbage ~> c: a period of time: spell
          <was going through a rough ~> 5: a piece of cloth sewed
          on a garment as an ornament or insignia; esp: shoulder
          patch 6: a temporary connection in a communication system
          (as a telephone hookup) 7: a minor usu. temporary correction
          or modification in a computer program [2]patch vt (15c)
          1: to mend, cover, or fill up a hole or weak spot in
          2: to provide with a patch 3 a: to make of patches or
          fragments b: to mend or put together esp. in hasty or
          shabby fashion--usu. used with up c: to make a patch
          in (a computer program) 4: to connect (as circuits) by
          a patch cord syn see mend [3]patch n [perh. by folk etymology
          fr. It dial. paccio] (1549): fool, dolt

   patchboard
          [patch.board] n (1934): a switchboard in which circuits are
          interconnected by patch cords

   patch cord
          [patch cord] n (1926): a wire with a plug at each end that
          is used to connect electrical devices

   patchouli
          [patch.ou.li] also patch.ou.ly n [Tamil pacculi] (1845):
          a heavy perfume made from a fragrant essential oil from
          an East Indian shrubby mint (Pogostemon cablin); also:
          the plant itself

   patch pocket
          [patch pocket] n (1895): a flat pocket applied to the outside
          of a garment

   patch test
          [patch test] n (1933): a test for determining allergic sensitivity
          that is made by applying to the unbroken skin small pads soaked
          with the allergen to be tested

   patchwork
          [patch.work] n, often attrib (1692) 1: something composed
          of miscellaneous or incongruous parts: hodgepodge 2:
          pieces of cloth of various colors and shapes sewn together
          to form a covering

   patchwork quilt
          [patchwork quilt] n (1840) 1: a quilt made of patchwork 2:
          patchwork 1

   patchy
          [patchy] adj patch.i.er ; -est (1798) 1: marked by, consisting
          of, or diversified with patches 2: irregular in appearance,
          makeup, or quality -- patch.i.ly adv -- patch.i.ness
          n

   pate
          [pate] n [ME] (14c) 1: head 2: the crown of the head 3: brain--used
          chiefly disparagingly -- pat.ed adj pate n [F, lit., paste, fr.
          OF paste] (1863): paste 2b pa.te n [F, fr. MF paste--more at pasty]
          (1706) 1: a meat or fish pie or patty 2: a spread of finely chopped
          or pureed seasoned meat <chicken liver ~>

   pate de foie gras
          [pa.te de foie gras] n, pl pa.tes de foie gras [F, lit.,
          pate of fat liver] (1827): a pate of fat goose liver
          and usu. truffles sometimes with added fat pork

   patella
          [pa.tel.la] n, pl -lae or -las [L, fr. dim. of patina shallow
          dish] (1693): a thick flat triangular movable bone that
          forms the anterior point of the knee and protects the
          front of the joint--called also kneecap -- pa.tel.lar
          adj

   patelliform
          [pa.tel.li.form] adj [NL Patella, genus including the limpet,
          fr. L, small shallow dish] (1819) 1: resembling a limpet
          or limpet shell 2: disk-shaped with a narrow rim

   paten
          [pat.en] n [ME, fr. MF patene, fr. ML & L; ML patina, fr.
          L, shallow dish, fr. Gk patane] (14c) 1: a plate usu.
          made of precious metal and used to carry the bread at
          the Eucharist 2 a: plate b: something (as a metal disk)
          resembling a plate

   patency
          [pa.ten.cy] n (1656): the quality or state of being patent

   [1]patent
          [pat.ent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L patent-, patens, fr. prp.
          of patere to be open--more at fathom] (14c) 1 a: open
          to public inspection--used chiefly in the phrase letters
          patent b (1): secured by letters patent or by a patent
          to the exclusive control and possession of a particular
          individual or party (2): protected by a patent: made
          under a patent <~ locks> c: protected by a trademark
          or a trade name so as to establish proprietary rights
          analogous to those conveyed by letters patent or a patent:
          proprietary <~ drugs> 2: of, relating to, or concerned
          with the granting of patents esp. for inventions <a ~
          lawyer> 3: making exclusive or proprietary claims or
          pretensions 4: affording free passage: unobstructed <a
          ~ opening> 5: patulous, spreading <a ~ calyx> 6 archaic:
          accessible, exposed 7: readily visible or intelligible:
          obvious syn see evident -- pat.ent.ly adv [2]pat.ent
          n (14c) 1: an official document conferring a right or
          privilege: letters patent 2 a: a writing securing to
          an inventor for a term of years the exclusive right to
          make, use, or sell an invention b: the monopoly or right
          so granted c: a patented invention 3: privilege, license
          4: an instrument making a conveyance of public lands;
          also: the land so conveyed 5: patent leather [3]pat.ent
          vt (1675) 1: to obtain or grant a patent right to 2:
          to grant a privilege, right, or license to by patent
          3: to obtain or secure by patent; esp: to secure by letters
          patent exclusive right to make, use, or sell -- pat.ent.abil.i.ty
          n -- pat.ent.able adj

   patented
          [pat.ent.ed] adj (1951): originated by or peculiar to one
          person or group: individualized

   patentee
          [pat.en.tee] n (15c): one to whom a grant is made or a privilege
          secured by patent

   patent flour
          [pat.ent flour] n (1886): a high-grade wheat flour that consists
          solely of endosperm

   patent leather
          [pat.ent leather] n (1829): a leather with a hard smooth
          glossy surface

   patent medicine
          [patent medicine] n (1770): a packaged nonprescription drug
          which is protected by a trademark and whose contents
          are incompletely disclosed; also: any drug that is a
          proprietary

   patent office
          [patent office] n (1696): a government office for examining
          claims to patents and granting patents

   patentor
          [pat.en.tor] n (ca. 1890): one that grants a patent

   patent right
          [patent right] n (1805): a right granted by letters patent;
          esp: the exclusive right to an invention

   pater
          [pa.ter] n (14c) 1 often cap: paternoster 2 [L] chiefly Brit:
          father

   paterfamilias
          [pa.ter.fa.mil.i.as] n, pl pa.tres.fa.mil.i.as [ME, fr. L,
          fr. pater father + familias, archaic gen. of familia
          household--more at father, family] (15c) 1: the male
          head of a household 2: the father of a family

   paternal
          [pa.ter.nal] adj [ME, fr. LL paternalis, fr. L paternus paternal,
          fr. pater] (15c) 1 a: of or relating to a father b: like
          that of a father <~ benevolence> 2: received or inherited
          from one's male parent 3: related through one's father
          <~ grandfather> -- pa.ter.nal.ly adv

   paternalism
          [pa.ter.nal.ism] n (1881) 1: a system under which an authority
          undertakes to supply needs or regulate conduct of those
          under its control in matters affecting them as individuals
          as well as in their relations to authority and to each
          other 2: a policy or practice based on or characteristic
          of paternalism -- pa.ter.nal.ist n or adj -- pa.ter.nal.is.tic
          adj -- pa.ter.nal.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   paternity
          [pa.ter.ni.ty] n (1582) 1: the quality or state of being
          a father 2: origin or descent from a father

   paternity test
          [paternity test] n (1926): a test esp. of DNA or genetic
          traits to determine whether a given man could be the
          biological father of a given child

   paternoster
          [pa.ter.nos.ter] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. ML, fr. L pater noster
          our father, fr. the opening words] (bef. 12c) 1 often
          cap: lord's prayer 2: a word formula repeated as a prayer
          or magical charm

   pater patriae
          [pa.ter pa.tri.ae] [L] foreign term : father of his country

   path
          [path] n, pl paths [ME, fr. OE paeth; akin to OHG pfad path]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a trodden way 2: a track specially constructed
          for a particular use 3 a: course, route b: a way of life,
          conduct, or thought 4 a: the continuous series of positions
          or configurations that can be assumed in any motion or
          process of change by a moving or varying system b: a
          sequence of arcs in a network that can be traced continuously
          without retracing any arc 5: pathway 2

   path-
          [path-] or patho- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. pathos, lit.,
          suffering--more at pathos]: pathological state: disease
          <pathogen>

   path
          [path] or pathol abbreviation pathological, pathology

   -path
          [-path] n comb form [G, back-formation fr. -pathie -pathy]
          1: practitioner of a (specified) system of medicine that
          emphasizes one aspect of disease or its treatment <naturopath>
          2a: one suffering from a disorder (of such a part or
          system) <psychopath> b: one perceiving <telepath>

   Pathan
          [Pa.than] n [Hindi Pathan, fr. Pashto (eastern dial.) Pakhtana,
          pl. of Pakhtun] (1638): pashtun

   pathbreaking
          [path.break.ing] adj (1914): trailblazing

   pathetic
          [pa.thet.ic] adj [MF or LL; MF pathetique, fr. LL patheticus,
          fr. Gk pathetikos capable of feeling, pathetic, fr. paschein
          (aor. pathein) to experience, suffer--more at pathos]
          (1598) 1: having a capacity to move one to either compassionate
          or contemptuous pity 2: marked by sorrow or melancholy:
          sad syn see moving -- pa.thet.i.cal adj -- pa.thet.i.cal.ly
          adv

   pathetic fallacy
          [pathetic fallacy] n (1856): the ascription of human traits
          or feelings to inanimate nature (as in cruel sea)

   pathfinder
          [path.find.er] n (1840): one that discovers a way; esp: one
          that explores untraversed regions to mark out a new route
          -- path.find.ing n or adj

   pathless
          [path.less] adj (1591): untrodden, trackless -- path.less.ness
          n

   pathobiology
          [patho.bi.ol.o.gy] n (ca. 1909): pathology

   pathogen
          [path.o.gen] n [ISV] (1880): a specific causative agent (as
          a bacterium or virus) of disease

   pathogenesis
          [path.o.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1876): the origination and development
          of a disease

   pathogenetic
          [path.o.ge.net.ic] adj [ISV] (1838) 1: of or relating to
          pathogenesis 2: pathogenic 2

   pathogenic
          [path.o.gen.ic] adj [ISV] (1852) 1: pathogenetic 1 2: causing
          or capable of causing disease -- path.o.ge.nic.i.ty n

   pathognomonic
          [pa.tho.gno.mon.ic] adj [Gk pathognomonikos, fr. path- +
          gnomonikos fit to judge, fr. gnomon interpreter; akin
          to Gk gignoskein to know--more at know] (1625): distinctively
          characteristic of a particular disease

   pathological
          [path.o.log.i.cal] also path.o.log.ic adj (1688) 1: of or
          relating to pathology 2: altered or caused by disease
          -- path.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   pathologist
          [pa.thol.o.gist] n (1650): a specialist in pathology; specif:
          one who interprets and diagnoses the changes caused by
          disease in tissues and body fluids

   pathology
          [pa.thol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [NL pathologia & MF pathologie,
          fr. Gk pathologia study of the emotions, fr. path- +
          -logia -logy] (1611) 1: the study of the essential nature
          of diseases and esp. of the structural and functional
          changes produced by them 2: something abnormal: a: the
          structural and functional deviations from the normal
          that constitute disease or characterize a particular
          disease b: deviation from propriety or from an assumed
          normal state of something nonliving or nonmaterial

   pathophysiology
          [path.o.phys.i.ol.o.gy] n (1947): the physiology of abnormal
          states; specif: the functional changes that accompany
          a particular syndrome or disease -- path.o.phys.i.o.log.i.cal
          also path.o.phys.i.o.log.ic adj

   pathos
          [pa.thos] n [Gk, suffering, experience, emotion, fr. paschein
          (aor. pathein) to experience, suffer; perh. akin to Lith
          kesti to suffer] (1591) 1: an element in experience or
          in artistic representation evoking pity or compassion
          2: an emotion of sympathetic pity

   pathway
          [path.way] n (15c) 1: path, course 2: a line of communication
          over interconnecting neurons extending from one organ
          or center to another 3: the sequence of enzyme catalyzed
          reactions by which an energy-yielding substance is utilized
          by protoplasm <metabolic ~s>

   -pathy
          [-pathy] n comb form [L -pathia, fr. Gk -patheia, fr. -pathes
          suffering, fr. pathos] 1: feeling: suffering <empathy>:
          perception <telepathy> 2: disorder of (such) a part or
          kind <neuropathy> 3: system of medicine based on (such)
          a factor <osteopathy>

   patience
          [pa.tience] n (13c) 1: the capacity, habit, or fact of being
          patient 2 chiefly Brit: solitaire 2

   [1]patient
          [pa.tient] adj [ME pacient, fr. MF, fr. L patient-, patiens,
          fr. prp. of pati to suffer; perh. akin to Gk pema suffering]
          (14c) 1: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
          2: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
          3: not hasty or impetuous 4: steadfast despite opposition,
          difficulty, or adversity 5 a: able or willing to bear--used
          with of b: susceptible, admitting <~ of one interpretation>
          -- pa.tient.ly adv [2]patient n (14c) 1 a: an individual
          awaiting or under medical care and treatment b: the recipient
          of any of various personal services 2: one that is acted
          upon

   patina
          [pa.ti.na] n, pl pa.ti.nas or pa.ti.nae [It, fr. L, shallow
          dish--more at paten] (1748) 1 a: a usu. green film formed
          naturally on copper and bronze by long exposure or artificially
          (as by acids) and often valued aesthetically for its
          color b: a surface appearance of something grown beautiful
          esp. with age or use 2: an appearance or aura that is
          derived from association, habit, or established character
          3: a superficial covering or exterior

   patinate
          [pat.i.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing vt (1880): to give a patina
          to ~ vi: to take on a patina--usu. used in the past participle
          <patinated bronze> -- pat.i.na.tion n

   [1]patine
          [pa.tine] n [F, fr. It patina] (1883): patina [2]patine vt
          pa.tined ; pa.tin.ing (1896): to cover with a patina

   patio
          [pa.tio] n, pl pa.ti.os [Sp] (1828) 1: courtyard; esp: an
          inner court open to the sky 2: a recreation area that
          adjoins a dwelling, is often paved, and is adapted esp.
          to outdoor dining

   patisserie
          [pa.tis.se.rie] n [F patisserie, fr. MF pastiserie, fr. pasticier
          to make pastry, fr. (assumed) OF pastitz cake, fr. (assumed)
          VL pasticium, fr. LL pasta dough] (1784) 1: pastry 2:
          a pastry shop

   patissier
          [pa.tis.sier] n [F patissier, fr. OF pasticier, fr. (assumed)
          OF pastitz cake] (ca. 1905): a pastry chef

   patois
          [pa.tois] n, pl pa.tois [F] (1643) 1 a: a dialect other than
          the standard or literary dialect b: uneducated or provincial
          speech 2: the characteristic special language of an occupational
          or social group: jargon

   patr-
          [patr-] or patri- or patro- comb form [patr-, patri- fr.
          L, fr. patr-, pater; patr-, patro- fr. Gk, fr. patr-,
          pater--more at father]: father <patristic>

   patriarch
          [pa.tri.arch] n [ME patriarche, fr. OF, fr. LL patriarcha,
          fr. Gk patriarches, fr. patria lineage (fr. patr-, pater
          father) + -arches -arch--more at father] (13c) 1 a: one
          of the scriptural fathers of the human race or of the
          Hebrew people b: a man who is father or founder c (1):
          the oldest member or representative of a group (2): a
          venerable old man d: a man who is head of a patriarchy
          2 a: any of the bishops of the ancient or Eastern Orthodox
          sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem
          or the ancient and Western see of Rome with authority
          over other bishops b: the head of any of various Eastern
          churches c: a Roman Catholic bishop next in rank to the
          pope with purely titular or with metropolitan jurisdiction
          3: a Mormon of the Melchizedek priesthood empowered to
          perform the ordinances of the church and pronounce blessings
          within a stake or prescribed jurisdiction

   patriarchal
          [pa.tri.ar.chal] (15c): of, relating to, or being a patriarch
          or patriarchy

   patriarchal cross
          [patriarchal cross] n (ca. 1727): a chiefly heraldic cross
          denoting a cardinal's or archbishop's rank and having
          two crossbars of which the lower is the longer and intersects
          the upright above or at its center--see cross illustration

   patriarchate
          [pa.tri.arch.ate] n (1617) 1 a: the office, jurisdiction,
          or time in office of a patriarch b: the residence or
          headquarters of a patriarch 2: patriarchy

   patriarchy
          [pa.tri.ar.chy] n, pl -chies (1632) 1: social organization
          marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or
          family, the legal dependence of wives and children, and
          the reckoning of descent and inheritance in the male
          line; broadly: control by men of a disproportionately
          large share of power 2: a society or institution organized
          according to the principles or practices of patriarchy

   patrician
          [pa.tri.cian] n [ME patricion, fr. MF patricien, fr. L patricius,
          fr. patres senators, fr. pl. of pater father--more at
          father] (15c) 1: a member of one of the original citizen
          families of ancient Rome 2 a: a person of high birth:
          aristocrat b: a person of breeding and cultivation --
          patrician adj

   patriciate
          [pa.tri.ci.ate] n (ca. 1656) 1: the position or dignity of
          a patrician 2: a patrician class

   patricide
          [pat.ri.cide] n (1593) 1 [L patricida, fr. patr- + -cida
          -cide]: one who murders his or her own father 2 [LL patricidium,
          fr. L patr- + -cidium -cide]: the murder of one's own
          father -- pat.ri.cid.al adj

   patrilineal
          [pat.ri.lin.eal] adj (1904): relating to, based on, or tracing
          descent through the paternal line <~ society>

   patrimony
          [pat.ri.mo.ny] n [ME patrimonie, fr. MF, fr. L patrimonium,
          fr. patr-, pater father] (14c) 1 a: an estate inherited
          from one's father or ancestor b: anything derived from
          one's father or ancestors: heritage 2: an estate or endowment
          belonging by ancient right to a church -- pat.ri.mo.ni.al
          adj

   patriot
          [pa.tri.ot] n [MF patriote compatriot, fr. LL patriota, fr.
          Gk patriotes, fr. patria lineage, fr. patr-, pater father]
          (1605): one who loves his or her country and supports
          its authority and interests

   patriotic
          [pa.tri.ot.ic] adj (1757) 1: inspired by patriotism 2: befitting
          or characteristic of a patriot -- pa.tri.ot.i.cal.ly
          adv

   patriotism
          [pa.tri.ot.ism] n (ca. 1726): love for or devotion to one's
          country

   Patriots' Day
          [Patriots' Day] n (1897): the third Monday in April observed
          as a legal holiday in Maine and Massachusetts in commemoration
          of the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775

   patristic
          [pa.tris.tic] adj (ca. 1828): of or relating to the church
          fathers or their writings -- pa.tris.ti.cal adj

   patristics
          [pa.tris.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1847): the study
          of the writings and background of the church fathers

   Patroclus
          [Pa.tro.clus] n [L, fr. Gk Patroklos]: a Greek hero and friend
          of Achilles slain by Hector at Troy

   [1]patrol
          [pa.trol] n (1664) 1 a: the action of traversing a district
          or beat or of going the rounds along a chain of guards
          for observation or the maintenance of security b: the
          person performing such an action c: a unit of persons
          or vehicles employed for reconnaissance, security, or
          combat 2: a subdivision of a Boy Scout troop or Girl
          Scout troop [2]patrol vb pa.trolled ; pa.trol.ling [F
          patrouiller, fr. MF, to tramp around in the mud, fr.
          patte paw--more at patten] vi (1691): to carry out a
          patrol ~ vt: to carry out a patrol of -- pa.trol.ler
          n

   patrolman
          [pa.trol.man] n (1867): one who patrols; esp: a police officer
          assigned to a beat

   patrol wagon
          [patrol wagon] n (1887): paddy wagon

   patron
          [pa.tron] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML & L; ML patronus patron saint,
          patron of a benefice, pattern, fr. L, defender, fr. patr-,
          pater] (14c) 1 a: a person chosen, named, or honored
          as a special guardian, protector, or supporter b: a wealthy
          or influential supporter of an artist or writer c: a
          social or financial sponsor of a social function (as
          a ball or concert) 2: one that uses wealth or influence
          to help an individual, an institution, or a cause 3:
          one who buys the goods or uses the services offered esp.
          by an establishment 4: the holder of the right of presentation
          to an English ecclesiastical benefice 5: a master in
          ancient times who freed his slave but retained some rights
          over him 6 [F, fr. MF]: the proprietor of an establishment
          (as an inn) esp. in France 7: the chief male officer
          in some fraternal lodges having both men and women members
          -- pa.tron.al adj

   patronage
          [pa.tron.age] n (14c) 1: advowson 2: the support or influence
          of a patron 3: kindness done with an air of superiority
          4: business or activity provided by patrons <the new
          branch library is expected to have a heavy ~> 5 a: the
          power to make appointments to government jobs esp. for
          political advantage b: the distribution of jobs on the
          basis of patronage c: jobs distributed by patronage

   patroness
          [pa.tron.ess] n (15c): a woman who is a patron

   patronise
          [pa.tron.ise] Brit var of patronize

   patronize
          [pa.tron.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1589) 1: to act as patron
          of: provide aid or support for 2: to adopt an air of
          condescension toward: treat haughtily or coolly 3: to
          be a frequent or regular customer or client of -- pa.tron.i.za.tion
          n -- pa.tron.iz.ing.ly adv

   patron saint
          [patron saint] n (1717) 1: a saint to whose protection and
          intercession a person, a society, a church, or a place
          is dedicated 2: an original leader or prime exemplar

   patronymic
          [pat.ro.nym.ic] n [LL patronymicum, fr. neut. of patronymicus
          of a patronymic, fr. Gk patronymikos, fr. patronymia
          patronymic, fr. patr- + onyma name--more at name] (1612):
          a name derived from that of the father or a paternal
          ancestor usu. by the addition of an affix -- patronymic
          adj

   patroon
          [pa.troon] n [F patron & Sp patron, fr. ML patronus, fr.
          L, patron] (1743) 1 archaic: the captain or officer commanding
          a ship 2 [D, fr. F patron]: the proprietor of a manorial
          estate esp. in New York orig. granted under Dutch rule
          but in some cases existing until the mid-19th century

   patsy
          [pat.sy] n, pl pat.sies [perh. fr. It pazzo fool] (1903):
          a person who is easily manipulated or victimized: sucker

   patten
          [pat.ten] n [ME patin, fr. MF, fr. patte paw, hoof, fr. (assumed)
          VL patta, of imit. origin] (14c): a clog, sandal, or
          overshoe often with a wooden sole or metal device to
          elevate the foot and increase the wearer's height or
          aid in walking in mud

   [1]patter
          [pat.ter] vb [ME patren, fr. paternoster] vt (14c): to say
          or speak in a rapid or mechanical manner ~ vi 1: to recite
          prayers (as paternosters) rapidly or mechanically 2:
          to talk glibly and volubly 3: to speak or sing rapid-fire
          words in a theatrical performance -- pat.ter.er n [2]patter
          n (1758) 1: a specialized lingo: cant; esp: the jargon
          of criminals (as thieves) 2: the spiel of a street hawker
          or of a circus barker 3: empty chattering talk 4 a (1):
          the rapid-fire talk of a comedian (2): the talk with
          which an entertainer accompanies a routine b: the words
          of a comic song or of a rapidly spoken usu. humorous
          monologue introduced into such a song [3]patter vb [freq.
          of [3]pat] vi (1611) 1: to strike or pat rapidly and
          repeatedly 2: to run with quick light-sounding steps
          ~ vt: to cause to patter [4]patter n (1844): a quick
          succession of light sounds or pats

   [1]pattern
          [pat.tern] n [ME patron, fr. MF, fr. ML patronus] (14c) 1:
          a form or model proposed for imitation: exemplar 2: something
          designed or used as a model for making things <a dressmaker's
          ~> 3: a model for making a mold into which molten metal
          is poured to form a casting 4: an artistic, musical,
          literary, or mechanical design or form 5: a natural or
          chance configuration <frost ~> <the ~ of events> 6: a
          length of fabric sufficient for an article (as of clothing)
          7 a: the distribution of shrapnel, bombs on a target,
          or shot from a shotgun b: the grouping made on a target
          by bullets 8: a reliable sample of traits, acts, tendencies,
          or other observable characteristics of a person, group,
          or institution <behavior ~> <spending ~> 9 a: the flight
          path prescribed for an airplane that is coming in for
          a landing b: a prescribed route to be followed by a pass
          receiver in football 10: test pattern 11: a discernible
          coherent system based on the intended interrelationship
          of component parts <foreign policy ~s> 12: frequent or
          widespread incidence <a ~ of dissent> syn see model --
          pat.terned adj -- pat.tern.less adj [2]pattern vt (ca.
          1586) 1 dial chiefly Eng a: match b: imitate 2: to make,
          adapt, or fashion according to a pattern 3: to furnish,
          adorn, or mark with a design ~ vi: to form a pattern

   patterning
          [pat.tern.ing] n (1862) 1: decoration, composition, or
          configuration according to a pattern 2: physiotherapy that
          is designed to improve malfunctioning nervous control by means
          of feedback from muscular activity imposed by an outside source
          or induced by other muscles

   patty
          [pat.ty] also pat.tie n, pl patties [F pate pate] (1710)
          1: a little pie 2 a: a small flat cake of chopped food
          <a hamburger ~> b: a small flat candy <a peppermint ~>
          3: patty shell

   patty-cake
          [pat.ty-cake] n [alter. of pat-a-cake, fr. the opening words
          of the rhyme] (1889): a game in which two participants
          (as mother and child) clap their hands together to the
          rhythm of an accompanying nursery rhyme

   pattypan
          [pat.ty.pan] n [pattypan pan for baking patties] (1900):
          a summer squash having a scalloped edge--called also
          cymling

   patty shell
          [patty shell] n (1909): a shell of puff pastry made to hold
          a creamed meat, fish, or vegetable filling

   patulous
          [pat.u.lous] adj [L patulus, fr. patere to be open--more
          at fathom] (1616): spreading widely from a center <a
          tree with ~ branches>

   patzer
          [pat.zer] n [prob. fr. G Patzer bungler, fr. patzen to blunder]
          (1959): an inept chess player

   paucis verbis
          [pau.cis ver.bis] [L] foreign term : in a few words

   paucity
          [pau.ci.ty] n [ME paucite, fr. MF or L; MF paucite, fr. L
          paucitat-, paucitas, fr. paucus little--more at few]
          (15c) 1: smallness of number: fewness 2: smallness of
          quantity: dearth

   Paul
          [Paul] n [L Paulus, fr. Gk Paulos]: an early Christian apostle
          and missionary and author of several New Testament epistles

   Paul Bunyan
          [Paul Bun.yan] n: a giant lumberjack of American folklore

   Pauli exclusion principle
          [Pau.li exclusion principle] n [Wolfgang Pauli] (1926): exclusion
          principle--called also Pauli principle

   Pauline
          [Pau.line] adj (1817): of or relating to the apostle Paul,
          his epistles, or the doctrine or theology implicit in
          his epistles

   Paulist
          [Paul.ist] n (ca. 1883): a member of the Roman Catholic
          Congregation of the Missionary Priests of St. Paul the Apostle
          founded by I. T. Hecker in the U.S. in 1858

   paulownia
          [pau.low.nia] n [NL, fr. Anna Pavlovna d. 1865 Russ. princess]
          (1843): any of a genus (Paulownia) of Chinese trees of
          the snapdragon family; esp: one (P. tomentosa) widely
          cultivated for its panicles of fragrant violet flowers

   paunch
          [paunch] n [ME, fr. MF panche, fr. L pantic-, pantex] (14c)
          1 a: the belly and its contents b: potbelly 2: rumen

   paunchy
          [paunchy] adj paunch.i.er ; -est (1598): having a potbelly
          -- paunch.i.ness n

   pauper
          [pau.per] n [L, poor--more at poor] (1516) 1: a person destitute
          of means except such as are derived from charity; specif:
          one who receives aid from funds designated for the poor
          2: a very poor person -- pau.per.ism n

   pauperize
          [pau.per.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1834): to reduce to poverty

   paupiette
          [pau.piette] n [F paupiette, fr. It polpetta meat croquette,
          dim. of polpa pulp, flesh, fr. L pulpa] (1889): a thin
          slice of meat or fish wrapped around a forcemeat filling

   [1]pause
          [pause] n [ME, fr. L pausa, fr. Gk pausis, fr. pauein to
          stop] (15c) 1: a temporary stop 2 a: a break in a verse
          b: a brief suspension of the voice to indicate the limits
          and relations of sentences and their parts 3: temporary
          inaction esp. as caused by uncertainty: hesitation 4
          a: the sign denoting a fermata b: a mark (as a period
          or comma) used in writing or printing to indicate or
          correspond to a pause of voice 5: a reason or cause for
          pausing (as to reconsider) <a thought that should give
          one ~> [2]pause vb paused ; paus.ing vi (15c) 1: to stop
          temporarily 2: to linger for a time ~ vt: to cause to
          pause: stop

   pavane
          [pa.vane] also pa.van n [MF pavane, fr. It dial. pavana,
          fr. fem. of pavano of Padua, fr. Pava (Tuscan Padova)
          Padua] (1535) 1: a stately court dance by couples that
          was introduced from southern Europe into England in the
          16th century 2: music for the pavane; also: music having
          the slow duple rhythm of a pavane

   pave
          [pave] vt paved ; pav.ing [ME, fr. MF paver, fr. L pavire
          to strike, pound; perh. akin to Gk paiein to strike]
          (14c) 1: to lay or cover with material (as asphalt or
          concrete) that forms a firm level surface for travel
          2: to cover firmly and solidly as if with paving material
          3: to serve as a covering or pavement of -- pav.er n
          -- pave the way : to prepare a smooth easy way: facilitate
          development pa.ve also pa.veed or pa.ved adj [pave fr.
          F, fr. pp. of paver to pave] (1903) of jewels: set as
          close together as possible to conceal a metal base

   pavement
          [pave.ment] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L pavimentum, fr. pavire]
          (13c) 1: a paved surface: as a: the artificially covered
          surface of a public thoroughfare b chiefly Brit: sidewalk
          2: the material with which something is paved 3: something
          that suggests a pavement (as in flatness, hardness, and
          extent of surface)

   pavid
          [pav.id] adj [L pavidus, fr. pavere to be frightened; akin
          to L pavire] (ca. 1656): timid

   [1]pavilion
          [pa.vil.ion] n [ME pavilon, fr. OF paveillon, fr. L papilion-,
          papilio butterfly; perh. akin to OHG fifaltra butterfly]
          (13c) 1 a: a large often sumptuous tent b: something
          resembling a canopy or tent <tree ferns spread their
          delicate ~s --Blanche E. Baughan> 2 a: a part of a building
          projecting from the rest b: one of several detached or
          semidetached units into which a building is sometimes
          divided 3 a: a light sometimes ornamental structure in
          a garden, park, or place of recreation that is used for
          entertainment or shelter b: a temporary structure erected
          at an exposition by an individual exhibitor 4: the lower
          faceted part of a brilliant below the girdle--see brilliant
          illustration [2]pavilion vt (14c): to furnish or cover
          with or put in a pavilion

   paving
          [pav.ing] n (15c): pavement

   pavior
          [pav.ior] or pav.iour n [ME pavier, fr. paven to pave] (15c)
          Brit: one that paves

   pavlova
          [pav.lo.va] n, often cap [Anna Pavlova] (1926): a dessert
          of Australian and New Zealand origin consisting of a
          meringue shell topped with whipped cream and usu. fruit

   Pavlovian
          [Pav.lov.i.an] adj (1926) 1: of or relating to Ivan Pavlov
          or to his work and theories <~ conditioning> 2: being
          or expressing a conditioned or predictable reaction:
          automatic <the candidates gave ~ answers>

   [1]paw
          [paw] n [ME, fr. MF poue] (14c) 1: the foot of a quadruped
          (as a lion or dog) that has claws; broadly: the foot
          of an animal 2: a human hand esp. when large or clumsy
          [2]paw vt (15c) 1: to touch or strike at with a paw 2:
          to feel or touch clumsily, rudely, or sexually 3: to
          scrape or beat with or as if with a hoof 4: to flail
          at or grab for wildly ~ vi 1: to beat or scrape something
          with or as if with a hoof 2: to touch or strike with
          a paw 3: to feel or touch someone or something clumsily,
          rudely, or sexually 4: to flail or grab wildly

   pawky
          [paw.ky] adj [obs. E dial. pawk trick] (1676) chiefly Brit:
          artfully shrewd: canny

   pawl
          [pawl] n [perh. modif. of D pal pawl] (1626): a pivoted tongue
          or sliding bolt on one part of a machine that is adapted
          to fall into notches or interdental spaces on another
          part (as a ratchet wheel) so as to permit motion in only
          one direction--see ratchet wheel illustration

   [1]pawn
          [pawn] n [ME pown, fr. MF poon, fr. ML pedon-, pedo foot
          soldier, fr. LL, one with broad feet, fr. L ped-, pes
          foot--more at foot] (14c) 1: one of the chessmen of least
          value having the power to move only forward ordinarily
          one square at a time, to capture only diagonally forward,
          and to be promoted to any piece except a king upon reaching
          the eighth rank 2: one that can be used to further the
          purposes of another [2]pawn n [ME paun, modif. of MF
          pan] (15c) 1 a: something delivered to or deposited with
          another as security for a loan b: hostage 2: the state
          of being pledged 3: something used as a pledge: guaranty
          4: the act of pawning [3]pawn vt (1570): to deposit in
          pledge or as security -- pawn.er or paw.nor n

   pawnbroker
          [pawn.bro.ker] n (1687): one who lends money on the security
          of personal property pledged in his keeping -- pawn.bro.king
          n

   Pawnee
          [Paw.nee] n, pl Pawnee or Pawnees (1770): a member of an
          American Indian people orig. of Kansas and Nebraska

   pawn off
          [pawn off] vt (1832): to get rid of or pass off usu. by deception:
          palm off

   pawnshop
          [pawn.shop] n (1849): a pawnbroker's shop

   pawpaw
          [paw.paw] var of papaw

   pax
          [pax] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. L, peace--more at peace] (14c) 1:
          a tablet decorated with a sacred figure (as of Christ)
          and sometimes ceremonially kissed by participants at
          mass 2: the kiss of peace in the Mass 3: peace; esp,
          cap: a period of general stability in international affairs
          under the influence of a dominant military power--usu.
          used in combination with a latinized name <Pax Americana>

   pax vobiscum
          [pax vo.bis.cum] [L] foreign term : peace (be) with you

   [1]pay
          [pay] vb paid also in sense 7 payed ; pay.ing [ME, fr. OF
          paier, fr. L pacare to pacify, fr. pac-, pax peace] vt
          (13c) 1 a: to make due return to for services rendered
          or property delivered b: to engage for money: hire <you
          couldn't ~ me to do that> 2 a: to give in return for
          goods or service <~ wages> b: to discharge indebtedness
          for: settle <~ a bill> c: to make a disposal or transfer
          of (money) 3: to give or forfeit in expiation or retribution
          <~ the penalty> 4 a: to make compensation for b: to requite
          according to what is deserved <~ them back> 5: to give,
          offer, or make freely or as fitting <~ attention> <~
          your respects> 6 a: to return value or profit to <it
          ~s you to stay open> b: to bring in as a return <an investment
          ~ing five percent> 7: to slacken (as a rope) and allow
          to run out--used with out ~ vi 1: to discharge a debt
          or obligation 2: to be worth the expense or effort <crime
          doesn't ~> 3: to suffer the consequences of an act --
          pay one's dues 1: to earn a right or position through
          experience, suffering, or hard work 2 also pay dues :
          pay vi 3 -- pay one's way or pay one's own way : to pay
          one's share of expenses -- pay the piper : to bear the
          cost of something -- pay through the nose : to pay exorbitantly
          or dearly syn pay, compensate, remunerate, satisfy, reimburse,
          indemnify, repay, recompense mean to give money or its
          equivalent in return for something. pay implies the discharge
          of an obligation incurred <paid their bills on time>.
          compensate implies a making up for services rendered
          or help given <an attorney well compensated for her services>.
          remunerate more clearly suggests paying for services
          rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or
          not contracted for <promised to remunerate the searchers
          handsomely>. satisfy implies paying a person what is
          demanded or required by law <all creditors will be satisfied
          in full>. reimburse implies a return of money that has
          been expended for another's benefit <reimbursed employees
          for expenses>. indemnify implies making good a loss suffered
          through accident, disaster, warfare <indemnified the
          families of the killed miners>. repay stresses paying
          back an equivalent in kind or amount <repay a favor with
          a favor>. recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly
          repayment, or reward <hotel guests were recompensed for
          the inconvenience>. [2]pay n (14c) 1: something paid
          for a purpose and esp. as a salary or wage: remuneration
          2 a: the act or fact of paying or being paid b: the status
          of being paid by an employer: employ 3: a person viewed
          with respect to reliability or promptness in paying debts
          or bills 4 a: ore or a natural situation that yields
          metal and esp. gold in profitable amounts b: an oil-yielding
          stratum or zone syn see wage [3]pay adj (1856) 1: containing
          or leading to something precious or valuable 2: equipped
          with a coin slot for receiving a fee for use <~ telephone>
          3: requiring payment [4]pay vt payed also paid ; pay.ing
          [obs. F peier, fr. L picare, fr. pic-, pix pitch--more
          at pitch] (1627): to coat with a waterproof composition

   payable
          [pay.able] adj (14c) 1: that may, can, or must be paid 2:
          profitable

   pay-as-you-go
          [pay-as-you-go] adj (1840): of or relating to a system or
          policy of paying bills when due or of paying for goods
          and services when purchased

   payback
          [pay.back] n (1955) 1: a return on an investment equal to
          the original capital outlay; also: the period of time
          elapsed before an investment is recouped 2: requital

   pay-cable
          [pay-cable] n (1975): pay-TV utilizing a cable television
          system

   paycheck
          [pay.check] n (1899) 1: a check in payment of wages or salary
          2: wages, salary

   payday
          [pay.day] n (1529): a regular day on which wages are paid

   pay dirt
          [pay dirt] n (1856) 1: earth or ore that yields a profit
          to a miner 2: a useful or remunerative discovery or object

   payee
          [pay.ee] n (1758): one to whom money is or is to be paid

   pay envelope
          [pay envelope] n (1901): an envelope containing one's wages;
          also: wages

   payer
          [pay.er] also pay.or n (14c): one that pays; esp: the person
          by whom a bill or note has been or should be paid

   payload
          [pay.load] n (ca. 1922) 1: the load carried by a vehicle
          exclusive of what is necessary for its operation; esp:
          the load carried by an aircraft or spacecraft consisting
          of things (as passengers or instruments) necessary to
          the purpose of the flight 2: the weight of a payload

   paymaster
          [pay.mas.ter] n (1550): an officer or agent whose duty it
          is to pay salaries or wages

   payment
          [pay.ment] n (14c) 1: the act of paying 2: something that
          is paid: pay 3: requital

   paynim
          [pay.nim] n [ME painim, fr. OF paienime heathendom, fr. LL
          paganismus, fr. paganus pagan] (13c) archaic: pagan;
          esp: muslim

   [1]payoff
          [pay.off] n (1905) 1 a: profit, reward b: retribution 2:
          the act or occasion of receiving money or material gain
          esp. as compensation or as a bribe 3: the climax of an
          incident or enterprise; specif: the denouement of a narrative
          4: a decisive fact or factor resolving a situation or
          bringing about a definitive conclusion [2]payoff adj
          (1934): yielding results in the final test: decisive

   pay off
          [pay off] vt (1710) 1 a: to give all due wages to; esp: to
          pay in full and discharge (an employee) b: to pay (a
          debt or a creditor) in full c: bribe 2: to inflict retribution
          on 3: to allow (a thread or rope) to run off a spool
          or drum ~ vi: to yield returns

   payola
          [pay.o.la] n [[1]pay + -ola (as in Pianola, trademark for
          a player piano)] (1938): undercover or indirect payment
          (as to a disc jockey) for a commercial favor (as for
          promoting a particular record)

   payout
          [pay.out] n (1943): the act of paying out: payoff

   pay-per-view
          [pay-per-view] n (1980): a cable television service by which
          customers can order access to a single program for a
          fee

   pay phone
          [pay phone] n (1936): a usu. coin-operated public telephone

   payroll
          [pay.roll] n (1740) 1: a paymaster's or employer's list of
          those entitled to pay and of the amounts due to each
          2: the sum necessary for distribution to those on a payroll;
          also: the money to be distributed

   pay station
          [pay station] n (1919): pay phone

   payt
          [payt] abbreviation payment

   pay-TV
          [pay-TV] n (ca. 1956): a service providing noncommercial
          television programming (as recent movies and entertainment
          specials) by means of a scrambled signal to subscribers
          who are provided with a decoder--called also pay
          television--compare pay-cable, subscription tv

   pay up
          [pay up] vi (15c): to pay what is due ~ vt: to pay in full

   pb...
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   pb
          [pb] abbreviation paperback  Pb [L plumbum] abbreviation
          lead  PB abbreviation personal best, power brakes

   PBX
          [PBX] n [private branch exchange] (ca. 1961): a private telephone
          switchboard

   PBB
          [PBB] n (ca. 1975): polybrominated biphenyl

   PB&J
          [PB&J] abbreviation peanut butter and jelly

   PBS
          [PBS] abbreviation Public Broadcasting Service

   pc...
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   pc
          [pc] abbreviation parsec  PC abbreviation Peace Corps, percent,
          percentage, politically correct, postcard, [L post cibum]
          after meals; printed circuit, professional corporation

   PC
          [PC] n, pl PCs or PC's (1978): personal computer

   PCB
          [PCB] n (1966): polychlorinated biphenyl

   PCP
          [PCP] abbreviation pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, primary
          care physician

   PCP
          [PCP] n [phenyl + cycl- + piperidine] (ca. 1970): phencyclidine

   PCR
          [PCR] abbreviation polymerase chain reaction

   pct
          [pct] abbreviation percent, percentage

   pd...
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   pd
          [pd] abbreviation paid Pd abbreviation palladium PD abbreviation
          per diem, police department, postal district, potential difference,
          program director, public domain

   PDA
          [PDA] abbreviation predicted drift angle, public display
          of affection

   PDD
          [PDD] abbreviation past due date

   PDQ
          [PDQ] adv, often not cap [abbr. of pretty damned quick] (1875):
          immediately

   PDT
          [PDT] abbreviation Pacific daylight time

   pe...
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   pe
          [pe] n [Heb pe] (1823): the 17th letter of the Hebrew alphabet

   PE
          [PE] abbreviation physical education, printer's error, probable
          error, professional engineer

   pea
          [pea] n, pl peas also pease often attrib [back-formation
          fr. ME pease (taken as a pl.), fr. OE pise, fr. L pisa,
          pl. of pisum, fr. Gk pison] (1611) 1 a: a variable annual
          leguminous Eurasian vine (Pisum sativum) that is cultivated
          esp. for its rounded smooth or wrinkled edible protein-rich
          seeds b: the seed of the pea c pl: the immature pods
          of the pea with their included seeds 2: any of various
          leguminous plants related to or resembling the pea--usu.
          used in combination or with a qualifying term <chickpea>
          <black-eyed ~>; also: the seed of such a plant 3: something
          resembling a pea (as in size or shape)

   pea aphid
          [pea aphid] n (1925): a widely distributed aphid (Acyrthosiphon
          pisum) that is a serious pest on legumes (as alfalfa,
          pea, and clover)

   pea bean
          [pea bean] n (ca. 1887): any of various kidney beans cultivated
          for their small white seeds which are used dried (as
          for baking)

   [1]peace
          [peace] n [ME pees, fr. OF pais, fr. L pac-, pax; akin to
          L pacisci to agree--more at pact] (12c) 1: a state of
          tranquillity or quiet: as a: freedom from civil disturbance
          b: a state of security or order within a community provided
          for by law or custom <a breach of the ~> 2: freedom from
          disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions 3: harmony
          in personal relations 4 a: a state or period of mutual
          concord between governments b: a pact or agreement to
          end hostilities between those who have been at war or
          in a state of enmity 5--used interjectionally to ask
          for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell -- at
          peace : in a state of concord or tranquillity [2]peace
          vi (14c) obs: to be, become, or keep silent or quiet

   peaceable
          [peace.able] adj (14c) 1 a: disposed to peace: not contentious
          or quarrelsome b: quietly behaved 2: marked by freedom
          from strife or disorder -- peace.able.ness n -- peace.ably
          adv

   peace corps
          [peace corps] n (1960): a body of trained personnel sent
          as volunteers esp. to assist underdeveloped nations

   peaceful
          [peace.ful] adj (14c) 1: peaceable 1 2: untroubled by conflict,
          agitation, or commotion: quiet, tranquil 3: of or relating
          to a state or time of peace 4: devoid of violence or
          fo rce syn see calm -- peace.ful.ly adv -- peace.ful.ness
          n

   peacekeeping
          [peace.keep.ing] n (1945): the preserving of peace; esp:
          international enforcement and supervision of a truce
          between hostile states or communities -- peace.keep.er
          n

   peacemaker
          [peace.mak.er] n (15c): one who makes peace esp. by reconciling
          parties at variance -- peace.mak.ing n or adj

   peacenik
          [peace.nik] n (1965): an opponent of the Vietnam War; broadly:
          pacifist

   peace offering
          [peace offering] n (ca. 1530): a gift or service for the
          purpose of procuring peace or reconciliation

   peace officer
          [peace officer] n (1714): a civil officer (as a police officer)
          whose duty it is to preserve the public peace

   peace pipe
          [peace pipe] n (1760): calumet

   peace sign
          [peace sign] n (1969) 1: a sign made by holding the palm
          outward and forming a V with the index and middle fingers
          and used to indicate the desire for peace 2: peace symbol

   peace symbol
          [peace symbol] n (1970): a symbol used to signify peace

   peacetime
          [peace.time] n (1551): a time when a nation is not at war

   [1]peach
          [peach] n [ME peche, fr. MF (the fruit), fr. LL persica,
          fr. L (malum) persicum, lit., Persian fruit] (14c) 1
          a: a low spreading freely branching Chinese tree (Prunus
          persica) of the rose family that is widely cultivated
          in temperate areas and has lanceolate leaves, sessile
          usu. pink flowers borne on the naked twigs in early spring,
          and a fruit which is a single-seeded drupe with a hard
          endocarp, a pulpy white or yellow mesocarp, and a thin
          downy epicarp b: the edible fruit of the peach 2: a moderate
          yellowish pink 3: one resembling a peach (as in sweetness,
          beauty, or excellence) [2]peach vb [ME pechen, short
          for apechen to accuse, fr. (assumed) AF apecher, fr.
          LL impedicare to entangle--more at impeach] vt (1570):
          to inform against: betray ~ vi: to turn informer: blab

   peach leaf curl
          [peach leaf curl] n (1888): leaf curl of the peach that is
          caused by a fungus (Taphrina deformans)

   peach tree borer
          [peach tree borer] n (1850): a blue-black orange-marked clearwing
          moth (Synanthedon exitiosa syn. Sanninoidea exitiosa)
          whose white brown-headed larva bores in the wood of stone
          fruit trees (as the peach)

   peachy
          [peachy] adj peach.i.er ; -est (1599) 1: resembling a peach
          2: unusually fine: dandy

   [1]peacock
          [pea.cock] n [ME pecok, fr. pe- (fr. OE pea peafowl, fr.
          L pavon-, pavo peacock) + cok cock] (14c) 1: a male peafowl
          distinguished by a crest of upright plumules and by greatly
          elongated loosely webbed upper tail coverts which are
          mostly tipped with ocellated spots and can be erected
          and spread at will in a fan shimmering with iridescent
          color; broadly: peafowl 2: one making a proud display
          of himself: show-off -- pea.cock.ish adj -- pea.cocky
          adj [2]peacock vi (1586): show off

   peacock blue
          [peacock blue] n (1881): a moderate greenish blue

   peacock flower
          [peacock flower] n (1884): royal poinciana

   peafowl
          [pea.fowl] n [pea- (as in peacock) + fowl] (1804): either
          of two very large terrestrial pheasants (Pavo cristatus
          and P. muticus) of southeastern Asia and the East Indies
          often reared as ornamental fowls

   pea green
          [pea green] n (1752): a moderate yellow-green

   peahen
          [pea.hen] n [ME pehenne, fr. pe- + henne hen] (15c): a female
          peafowl

   pea jacket
          [pea jacket] n [by folk etymology fr. D pijjekker, fr. pij,
          a kind of cloth + jekker jacket] (1721): a heavy woolen
          double-breasted jacket orig. worn by sailors--called
          also peacoat

   [1]peak
          [peak] n [perh. alter. of pike] (1530) 1: a pointed or projecting
          part of a garment; esp: the visor of a cap or hat 2:
          promontory 3: a sharp or pointed end 4 a (1): the top
          of a hill or mountain ending in a point (2): a prominent
          mountain usu. having a well-defined summit b: something
          resembling a mountain peak 5 a: the upper aftermost corner
          of a fore-and-aft sail b: the narrow part of a ship's
          bow or stern or the part of the hold in it 6 a: the highest
          level or greatest degree b: a high point in a course
          of development esp. as represented on a graph 7: a point
          formed by the hair on the forehead syn see summit [2]peak
          vi (1577): to reach a maximum (as of capacity, value,
          or activity)--often used with out ~ vt: to cause to come
          to a peak, point, or maximum [3]peak adj (1903): being
          at or reaching the maximum [4]peak vi [origin unknown]
          (1605) 1: to grow thin or sickly 2: to dwindle away [5]peak
          vt [fr. apeak held vertically] (1626) 1: to set (as a
          gaff) nearer the perpendicular 2: to hold (oars) with
          blades well raised

   [1]peaked
          [peaked] adj (15c): having a peak: pointed -- peaked.ness
          n [2]peak.ed adj (1835): being pale and wan or emaciated:
          sickly

   peaky
          [peaky] adj (1821): [2]peaked

   [1]peal
          [peal] n [ME, appeal, summons to church, short for appel
          appeal, fr. appelen to appeal] (14c) 1 a: the loud ringing
          of bells b: a complete set of changes on a given number
          of bells c: a set of bells tuned to the tones of the
          major scale for change ringing 2: a loud sound or succession
          of sounds <~s of laughter> [2]peal vi (1632): to give
          out peals ~ vt: to utter or give forth loudly

   pealike
          [pea.like] adj (1774) 1: resembling a garden pea esp. in
          size, firmness, and shape <a ~ lump under the skin> 2
          of a flower: being showy and papilionaceous

   [1]peanut
          [pea.nut] n (1802) 1: a low-branching widely cultivated leguminous
          annual herb (Arachis hypogaea) with showy yellow flowers having
          a peduncle which elongates and bends into the soil where the ovary
          ripens into a pod containing one to three oily edible seeds; also:
          its seed or seed-containing pod 2: an insignificant or tiny person
          3 pl: a trifling amount [2]peanut adj (1836): insignificant, petty
          <~ politics>

   peanut oil
          [peanut oil] n (1882): a colorless to yellow fatty nondrying
          oil that is obtained from peanuts and is used chiefly
          as a salad oil, in margarine, in soap, and as a vehicle
          in pharmaceutical preparations and cosmetics

   pear
          [pear] n [ME pere, fr. OE peru, fr. (assumed) VL pira, fr.
          L, pl. of pirum] (bef. 12c) 1: a fleshy pome fruit that
          is borne by a tree (genus Pyrus, esp. P. communis) of
          the rose family and is usu. larger at the apical end
          2: a tree bearing pears

   [1]pearl
          [pearl] n [ME perle, fr. MF, prob. fr. (assumed) VL pernula,
          dim. of L perna upper leg, kind of sea mussel; akin to
          OE fiersn heel, Gk pterne] (14c) 1 a: a dense variously
          colored and usu. lustrous concretion formed of concentric
          layers of nacre as an abnormal growth within the shell
          of some mollusks and used as a gem b: mother-of-pearl
          2: one that is very choice or precious 3: something resembling
          a pearl intrinsically or physically 4: a nearly neutral
          slightly bluish medium gray [2]pearl vt (14c) 1: to set
          or adorn with pearls 2: to sprinkle or bead with pearly
          drops 3: to form into small round grains 4: to give a
          pearly color or luster to ~ vi 1: to form drops or beads
          like pearls 2: to fish or search for pearls -- pearl.er
          n [3]pearl adj (1610) 1 a: of, relating to, or resembling
          pearl b: made of or adorned with pearls 2: having medium-sized
          grains [4]pearl n or vt [alter. of purl] (1824) Brit:
          picot

   pearlescent
          [pearl.es.cent] adj (1936): having a pearly luster <a ~ lacquer>
          -- pearl.es.cence n

   pearl essence
          [pearl essence] n (ca. 1909): a translucent substance that
          occurs in the silvery scales of various fish (as herring)
          and is used in making artificial pearls, lacquers, and
          plastics

   pearl gray
          [pearl gray] n (1796) 1: a yellowish to light gray 2: a pale
          blue

   Pearl Harbor
          [Pearl Harbor] n [Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, Am. naval station
          attacked without warning by the Japanese on December
          7, 1941] (1942): a sneak attack often with devastating
          effect

   pearlite
          [pearl.ite] n [F perlite, fr. perle pearl] (1888): the lamellar
          mixture of ferrite and cementite in slowly cooled iron-carbon
          alloys occurring normally as a principal constituent
          of both steel and cast iron -- pearl.it.ic adj

   pearlized
          [pearl.ized] adj (1937): given a pearlescent surface or finish

   pearl millet
          [pearl millet] n (ca. 1890): a tall cereal grass (Pennisetum
          glaucum syn. P. americanum) that has large leaves and
          dense round spikes and is widely grown for its seeds
          and for forage

   pearl onion
          [pearl onion] n (ca. 1890): a very small usu. pickled onion
          used esp. in appetizers and as a garnish

   pearly
          [pearly] adj pearl.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: resembling, containing,
          or adorned with pearls or mother-of-pearl 2: highly precious

   pearly everlasting
          [pearly everlasting] n (1857): an everlasting (Anaphalis
          margaritacea) that has herbage covered with white woolly
          hairs and corymbose heads with white scarious involucres

   pearly nautilus
          [pearly nautilus] n (1822): nautilus 1

   pear psylla
          [pear psylla] n (1904): a yellowish or greenish jumping plant
          louse (Psylla pyricola) that is often destructive to
          the pear

   pear-shaped
          [pear-shaped] adj (1758) 1: having an oval shape markedly
          tapering at one end 2 of a vocal tone: free from harshness,
          thinness, or nasality

   peart
          [peart] adj [alter. of pert] (1578) chiefly Southern & Midland:
          being in good spirits: lively -- peart.ly adv

   peasant
          [peas.ant] n [ME paissaunt, fr. MF paisant, fr. OF, fr. pais
          country, fr. LL pagensis inhabitant of a district, fr.
          L pagus district] (15c) 1: a member of a European class
          of persons tilling the soil as small landowners or as
          laborers; also: a member of a similar class elsewhere
          2: a usu. uneducated person of low social status

   peasantry
          [peas.ant.ry] n (ca. 1553) 1: peasants 2: the position, rank,
          or behavior of a peasant

   peasecod
          [pease.cod] or peas.cod n [ME pesecod, fr. pese + cod bag,
          husk--more at codpiece] (14c): a pea pod

   peashooter
          [pea.shoot.er] n (1803): a toy blowgun that uses peas for
          projectiles

   pea soup
          [pea soup] n (1711) 1: a thick puree made of dried peas 2:
          a thick fog

   [1]peat
          [peat] n, often attrib [ME pete, fr. ML peta] (14c) 1: turf
          2b 2: partially carbonized vegetable tissue formed by
          partial decomposition in water of various plants (as
          mosses of the genus Sphagnum) -- peaty adj [2]peat n
          [origin unknown] (1599): a bold lively woman

   peat moss
          [peat moss] n (1880): sphagnum

   peavey
          [pea.vey] or pea.vy n, pl peaveys or peavies [prob. fr. the
          name Peavey] (1870): a lumberman's lever that has a pivoting
          hooked arm and metal spike at one end--called also cant
          dog--compare cant hook

   [1]pebble
          [peb.ble] n [ME pobble, fr. OE papolstan, fr. papol- (of
          unknown origin) + stan stone] (14c) 1: a small usu. rounded
          stone esp. when worn by the action of water 2: transparent
          and colorless quartz: rock crystal 3: an irregular, crinkled,
          or grainy surface -- peb.bly adj [2]pebble vt peb.bled
          ; peb.bling (1605) 1: to pelt with pebbles 2: to pave
          or cover with pebbles or something resembling pebbles
          3: to grain (as leather) so as to produce a rough and
          irregularly indented surface

   pec
          [pec] n (1966): pectoral muscle

   pecan
          [pe.can] n [AmerF pacane, of Algonquian origin; akin to Ojibwa
          pakan, a hard-shelled nut] (1712) 1: a large hickory
          (Carya illinoensis) that has roughish bark and hard but
          brittle wood and is widely grown in the warmer parts
          of the U.S. and in Mexico for its edible nut 2: the wood
          of the pecan tree 3: the smooth oblong thin-shelled nut
          of the pecan tree

   peccadillo
          [pec.ca.dil.lo] n, pl -loes or -los [Sp pecadillo, dim. of
          pecado sin, fr. L peccatum, fr. neut. of peccatus, pp.
          of peccare] (1591): a slight offense

   peccant
          [pec.cant] adj [L peccant-, peccans, prp. of peccare to stumble,
          sin] (ca. 1604) 1: guilty of a moral offense: sinning
          2: violating a principle or rule: faulty -- pec.cant.ly
          adv

   peccary
          [pec.ca.ry] n, pl -ries [perh. modif. of Carib baquira] (1613):
          any of several largely nocturnal gregarious American
          mammals resembling the related pigs: as a: a grizzled
          animal (Tayassu tajacu) with an indistinct white collar
          b: a blackish animal (Tayassu pecari) with a whitish
          mouth region

   peccavi
          [pec.ca.vi] n [L, I have sinned, fr. peccare] (1553): an
          acknowledgment of sin

   [1]peck
          [peck] n [ME pek, fr. MF] (13c) 1: either of two units of
          dry capacity equal to 1/4 bushel: a: a U.S. unit equivalent
          to 537.605 cubic inches b: a British imperial unit equivalent
          to 554.84 cubic inches 2: a large quantity or number
          [2]peck vb [ME, perh. fr. MLG pekken] vt (14c) 1 a: to
          strike or pierce esp. repeatedly with the bill or a pointed
          tool b: to make by pecking <~ a hole> 2: to pick up with
          the bill ~ vi 1 a: to strike, pierce, or pick up something
          with or as if with the bill b: carp, nag 2: to eat reluctantly
          and in small bites <~ at food> [3]peck n (ca. 1591) 1:
          an impression or hole made by pecking 2: a quick sharp
          stroke

   pecker
          [peck.er] n (1587) 1: one that pecks 2 chiefly Brit: courage
          3: penis--often considered vulgar

   peckerwood
          [peck.er.wood] n [prob. inversion of woodpecker] (1904):
          a rural white Southerner--often used disparagingly

   pecking order
          [pecking order] also peck order n (1928) 1: the basic pattern
          of social organization within a flock of poultry in which
          each bird pecks another lower in the scale without fear
          of retaliation and submits to pecking by one of higher
          rank; broadly: a dominance hierarchy in a group of social
          animals 2: a social hierarchy

   peckish
          [peck.ish] adj [[2]peck] (1785) 1 chiefly Brit: hungry 2:
          crotchety

   Pecksniffian
          [Peck.sniff.ian] adj [Seth Pecksniff, character in Martin
          Chuzzlewit (1843-44) by Charles Dickens] (1851): unctuously
          hypocritical: pharisaical

   pecky
          [pecky] adj [[3]peck] (1848) 1: marked by lenticular
          or finger-shaped pockets of decay caused by fungi <~ cypress>
          2: containing discolored or shriveled grains <~ rice>

   pecorino
          [pec.o.ri.no] n, often cap [It, fr. pecorino of sheep, fr.
          pecora sheep, ewe, fr. L, domestic animals, fr. pl. of
          pecus cattle--more at fee] (1912): any of various cheeses
          of Italian origin made from sheep's milk

   pecten
          [pec.ten] n, pl pectens [NL pectin-, pecten, fr. L, comb,
          scallop] (1682) 1: scallop 1a 2 pl usu pec.ti.nes : a
          body part that resembles a comb; esp: a folded vascular
          pigmented membrane projecting into the vitreous humor
          in the eye of a bird or reptile

   pectic
          [pec.tic] adj [F pectique, fr. Gk pektikos coagulating, fr.
          pegnynai to fix, coagulate--more at pact] (1831): of,
          relating to, or derived from pectin

   pectic acid
          [pectic acid] n (1831): any of various water-insoluble substances
          formed by hydrolyzing the methyl ester groups of pectins

   pectin
          [pec.tin] n [F pectine, fr. pectique] (1838): any of various
          water-soluble substances that bind adjacent cell walls
          in plant tissues and yield a gel which is the basis of
          fruit jellies; also: a commercial product rich in pectins

   pectinaceous
          [pec.ti.na.ceous] adj (ca. 1844): of, relating to, or containing
          pectin

   pectinate
          [pec.ti.nate] adj [L pectinatus, fr. pectin-, pecten comb;
          akin to Gk kten-, kteis comb] (1793): having narrow parallel
          projections or divisions suggestive of the teeth of a
          comb <~ antennae> -- pec.ti.na.tion n

   pectinesterase
          [pec.tin.es.ter.ase] n (1945): an enzyme that catalyzes the
          hydrolysis of pectins into pectic acids and methanol

   [1]pectoral
          [pec.to.ral] n (15c): something worn on the breast [2]pectoral
          adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L pectoralis, fr. pector-, pectus
          breast; akin to Toch A passam breasts, OIr ucht breast]
          (1578) 1: of, situated in or on, or worn on the chest
          2: coming from the breast or heart as the seat of emotion

   pectoral cross
          [pectoral cross] n (ca. 1735): a cross worn on the breast
          esp. by a prelate

   pectoral fin
          [pectoral fin] n (1769): either of the fins of a fish that
          correspond to the forelimbs of a quadruped

   pectoral girdle
          [pectoral girdle] n (ca. 1890): the bony or cartilaginous
          arch that supports the forelimbs of a vertebrate

   pectoral muscle
          [pectoral muscle] n (1615): any of the muscles which connect
          the ventral walls of the chest with the bones of the
          upper arm and shoulder and of which there are two on
          each side of the human body

   peculate
          [pec.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L peculatus, pp. of peculari,
          fr. peculium] (1802): embezzle -- pec.u.la.tion n --
          pec.u.la.tor n

   [1]peculiar
          [pe.cu.liar] adj [ME peculier, fr. L peculiaris of private
          property, special, fr. peculium private property, fr.
          pecu cattle; akin to L pecus cattle--more at fee] (15c)
          1: characteristic of only one person, group, or thing:
          distinctive 2: different from the usual or normal: a:
          special, particular b: odd, curious c: eccentric, queer
          syn see characteristic, strange -- pe.cu.liar.ly adv
          [2]peculiar n (1562): something exempt from ordinary
          jurisdiction; esp: a church or parish exempt from the
          jurisdiction of the ordinary in whose territory it lies

   peculiarity
          [pe.cu.liar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1646) 1: the quality or state
          of being peculiar 2: a distinguishing characteristic
          3: oddity, quirk

   pecuniary
          [pe.cu.ni.ary] adj [L pecuniarius, fr. pecunia money--more
          at fee] (1502) 1: consisting of or measured in money
          2: of or relating to money: monetary -- pe.cu.ni.ar.i.ly
          adv

   -ped
          [-ped] or -pede n comb form [L ped-, pes]: foot <maxilliped>

   ped-
          [ped-] or pedo- or paed- or paedo- comb form [Gk paid-, paido-,
          fr. paid-, pais child, boy--more at few]: child <pediatric>:
          childhood <paedogenesis>

   ped
          [ped] n [Gk pedon ground; akin to L ped-, pes foot--more
          at foot] (1951): a natural soil aggregate

   pedagogical
          [ped.a.gog.i.cal] also ped.a.gog.ic adj (1619): of, relating
          to, or befitting a teacher or education -- ped.a.gog.i.cal.ly
          adv

   pedagogics
          [ped.a.gog.ics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1859): pedagogy

   pedagogue
          [ped.a.gogue] also ped.a.gog n [ME pedagoge, fr. MF, fr.
          L paedagogus, fr. Gk paidagogos, slave who escorted children
          to school, fr. paid- ped- + agogos leader, fr. agein
          to lead--more at agent] (14c): teacher, schoolmaster;
          esp: a dull, formal, or pedantic teacher

   pedagogy
          [ped.a.go.gy] n (1583): the art, science, or profession of
          teaching; esp: education 2

   [1]pedal
          [ped.al] n [MF pedale, fr. It, fr. L pedalis, adj.] (1611)
          1: a lever pressed by the foot in the playing of a musical
          instrument (as an organ or piano) 2: a foot lever or
          treadle by which a part is activated in a mechanism [2]ped.al
          adj [L pedalis, fr. ped-, pes] (1625) 1: of or relating
          to the foot 2: of, relating to, or involving a pedal
          [3]ped.al vb ped.aled also ped.alled ; ped.al.ing also
          ped.al.ling vi (1888) 1: to ride a bicycle 2: to use
          or work a pedal ~ vt: to work the pedals of

   pedal bone
          [pedal bone] n (1881): coffin bone

   pedalfer
          [pe.dal.fer] n [Gk pedon ground + E alumen + L ferrum iron]
          (1928): a soil that lacks a hardened layer of accumulated
          carbonates

   pedal-note
          [ped.al-note] n [fr. the playing of the lowest notes on the
          organ by means of pedals] (ca. 1828) 1: pedal point 2:
          one of the lowest tones that can be sounded on a brass
          instrument being an octave below the normal usable range
          and representing the fundamental of the harmonic series

   pedalo
          [ped.alo] n, pl -los [F pedalo, fr. pedale pedal + -o (perh.
          as in meccano children's construction set)] (1945) chiefly
          Brit: a small recreational paddleboat powered by pedals

   pedal point
          [pedal point] n (1852): a single tone usu. the tonic or dominant
          that is normally sustained in the bass and sounds against
          changing harmonies in the other parts

   pedal pushers
          [pedal pushers] n pl (1944): women's and girls' calf-length
          trousers

   pedal steel
          [pedal steel] n (1969): a box-shaped musical instrument with
          legs that has usu. 10 strings which can be altered in
          pitch by the use of pedals and which are plucked while
          being pressed with a movable steel bar--called also pedal
          steel guitar

   pedant
          [ped.ant] n [MF, fr. It pedante] (1588) 1 obs: a male schoolteacher
          2 a: one who makes a show of knowledge b: one who is unimaginative
          or who unduly emphasizes minutiae in the presentation or use
          of knowledge c: a formalist or precisionist in teaching

   pedantic
          [pe.dan.tic] adj (ca. 1600) 1: of, relating to, or being
          a pedant 2: narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously
          learned 3: unimaginative, pedestria n -- pe.dan.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   pedantry
          [ped.ant.ry] n, pl -ries (1612) 1: pedantic presentation
          or application of knowledge or learning 2: an instance
          of pedantry

   peddle
          [ped.dle] vb ped.dled ; ped.dling [back-formation fr. peddler,
          fr. ME pedlere] vi (1532) 1: to travel about with wares
          for sale; broadly: sell 2: to be busy with trifles: piddle
          ~ vt 1: to sell or offer for sale from place to place:
          hawk; broadly: sell 2: to deal out or seek to disseminate

   peddler
          [ped.dler] also ped.lar n (14c): one who peddles: as a: one
          who offers merchandise (as fresh produce) for sale along
          the street or from door to door b: one who deals in or
          promotes something intangible (as a personal asset or
          an idea) <influence ~s>

   pederast
          [ped.er.ast] n [Gk paiderastes, lit., lover of boys, fr.
          paid- ped- + erastes lover, fr. erasthai to love--more
          at eros] (ca. 1736): one that practices anal intercourse
          esp. with a boy -- ped.er.as.tic adj -- ped.er.as.ty
          n

   [1]pedestal
          [ped.es.tal] n [MF piedestal, fr. OIt piedestallo, fr. pie
          di stallo foot of a stall] (1563) 1 a: the support or
          foot of a late classic or neoclassic column--see column
          illustration b: the base of an upright structure 2: base,
          foundation 3: a position of esteem [2]pedestal vt -taled
          or -talled ; -tal.ing or -tal.ling (1648): to place on
          or furnish with a pedestal

   [1]pedestrian
          [pe.des.tri.an] adj [L pedestr-, pedester, lit., going on
          foot, fr. ped-, pes foot--more at foot] (1716) 1: commonplace,
          unimaginative 2 a: going or performed on foot b: of,
          relating to, or designed for walking <a ~ mall> [2]pedestrian
          n (1793): a person going on foot: walker

   pedestrianism
          [pe.des.tri.an.ism] n (1809) 1 a: the practice of walking
          b: fondness for walking for exercise or recreation 2:
          the quality or state of being unimaginative or commonplace

   pediatric
          [pe.di.at.ric] adj (1880): of or relating to pediatrics

   pediatrician
          [pe.di.a.tri.cian] or pe.di.a.trist n (ca. 1903): a specialist
          in pediatrics

   pediatrics
          [pe.di.at.rics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1884): a branch
          of medicine dealing with the development, care, and diseases
          of children

   pedicab
          [pedi.cab] n [L ped-, pes + E cab] (1945): a tricycle with
          a 2-seat passenger compartment covered by a usu. folding
          top and a separate seat for a driver who pedals

   pedicel
          [ped.i.cel] n [NL pedicellus, dim. of L pediculus] (1676):
          a slender basal part of an organism or one of its parts:
          as a: a plant stalk that supports a fruiting or spore-bearing
          organ b: a narrow basal attachment (as of the abdomen
          of an ant) of an animal organ or part -- ped.i.cel.late
          adj

   pedicle
          [ped.i.cle] n [L pediculus, fr. dim. of ped-, pes] (1626)
          1: pedicel b 2: the part of a skin or tissue graft left
          attached to the original site during the preliminary
          stages of union -- ped.i.cled adj

   pediculate
          [pe.dic.u.late] adj [ultim. fr. L pediculus little foot,
          pedicel] (ca. 1890): of or relating to an order (Lophiiformes
          syn. Pediculati) of marine bony fishes with pectoral
          fins at the end of an armlike process and part of the
          dorsal fin modified into a lure -- pediculate n

   pediculosis
          [pe.dic.u.lo.sis] n [NL, fr. L pediculus louse, dim. of pedis
          louse] (ca. 1890): infestation with lice

   pediculous
          [pe.dic.u.lous] adj [L pediculosus, fr. pediculus] (ca. 1550):
          infested with lice: lousy

   pedicure
          [ped.i.cure] n [F pedicure, fr. L ped-, pes foot + curare
          to take care, fr. cura care] (ca. 1842) 1: one who practices
          chiropody 2 a: care of the feet, toes, and nails b: a
          single treatment of these parts -- ped.i.cur.ist n

   pedigree
          [ped.i.gree] n [ME pedegru, fr. MF pie de grue crane's foot;
          fr. the shape made by the lines of a genealogical chart]
          (15c) 1: a register recording a line of ancestors 2 a:
          an ancestral line: lineage b: the origin and the history
          of something 3 a: a distinguished ancestry b: the recorded
          purity of breed of an individual or strain -- ped.i.greed
          or pedigree adj

   pediment
          [ped.i.ment] n [alter. of obs. E periment, prob. alter. of
          E pyramid] (1592) 1: a triangular space that forms the
          gable of a low-pitched roof and that is usu. filled with
          relief sculpture in classical architecture; also: a similar
          form used as a decoration 2: a broad gently sloping bedrock
          surface with low relief that is situated at the base
          of a steeper slope and is usu. thinly covered with alluvial
          gravel and sand -- ped.i.men.tal adj -- ped.i.ment.ed
          adj

   pedipalp
          [ped.i.palp] n [NL pedipalpus, fr. ped-, pes foot + palpus
          palpus] (1826): either of the second pair of appendages
          of an arachnid (as a spider) that are borne near the
          mouth and are often modified for a special (as sensory)
          function

   pedo-
          [pedo-] --see ped-

   pedocal
          [ped.o.cal] n [Gk pedon earth + L calc-, calx lime--more
          at ped, chalk] (1928): a soil that includes a definite
          hardened layer of accumulated carbonates -- ped.o.cal.ic
          adj

   [1]pedogenesis
          [pe.do.gen.e.sis] var of paedogenesis [2]ped.o.gen.e.sis
          n [NL, fr. Gk pedon + L genesis] (1936): the formation
          and development of soil -- ped.o.gen.ic also ped.o.ge.net.ic
          adj

   pedology
          [pe.dol.o.gy] n [Gk pedon + ISV -logy] (1912): soil science
          -- ped.o.log.i.cal also ped.o.log.ic adj -- pe.dol.o.gist
          n

   pedometer
          [pe.dom.e.ter] n [F pedometre, fr. L ped-, pes foot + F -metre
          -meter--more at foot] (1723): an instrument usu. in watch
          form that records the distance a person covers on foot
          by responding to the body motion at each step

   pedophile
          [pe.do.phile] n (1951): one affected with pedophilia

   pedophilia
          [pe.do.phil.ia] n [NL] (1906): sexual perversion in which
          children are the preferred sexual object -- pe.do.phil.i.ac
          or pe.do.phil.ic adj

   peduncle
          [pe.dun.cle] n [NL pedunculus, dim. of L ped-, pes] (ca.
          1753) 1: a stalk bearing a flower or flower cluster or
          a fructification 2: a narrow part by which some larger
          part or the whole body of an organism is attached: stalk,
          pedicel 3: a narrow stalk by which a tumor or polyp is
          attached -- pe.dun.cled adj -- pe.dun.cu.lar adj

   pedunculated
          [pe.dun.cu.lat.ed] also pe.dun.cu.late adj [NL pedunculus]
          (1752): having, growing on, or being attached by a peduncle
          <a ~ tumor>

   [1]pee
          [pee] n (1612) 1: the letter p 2 pl pee Brit: penny [2]pee
          vi peed ; pee.ing [euphemism fr. the initial letter of
          piss] (ca. 1880): urinate--sometimes considered vulgar
          [3]pee (1946) 1: urine--sometimes considered vulgar 2:
          an act of urination--sometimes considered vulgar

   [1]peek
          [peek] vi [ME piken] (14c) 1 a: to look furtively b: to peer
          through a crack or hole or from a place of concealment--often
          used with in or out 2: to take a brief look: glance [2]peek
          n (1843) 1: a surreptitious look 2: a brief look: glance

   [1]peekaboo
          [peek.a.boo] n [[1]peek + [1]boo] (1599): a game for amusing
          a baby by repeatedly hiding one's face or body and popping
          back into view exclaiming "Peekaboo" [2]peekaboo adj
          (1895) 1: trimmed with eyelet embroidery <a ~ blouse>
          2: made of a sheer or transparent fabric 3: offering
          only limited display or disclosure esp. of a teasing
          sort <~ publicity>

   [1]peel
          [peel] vb [ME pelen, fr. MF peler, fr. L pilare to remove
          the hair from, fr. pilus hair] vt (13c) 1: to strip off
          an outer layer of <~ an orange> 2: to remove by stripping
          <~ the label off the can> ~ vi 1 a: to come off in sheets
          or scales b: to lose an outer layer (as of skin) <his
          face is ~ing> 2: to take off one's clothes 3: to break
          away from a group or formation--often used with off --
          peel.able adj [2]peel n (14c) 1: the skin or rind of
          a fruit 2: a thin layer of organic material that is embedded
          in a film of collodion and stripped from the surface
          of an object (as a plant fossil) for microscopic study
          [3]peel n [ME pele, fr. MF, fr. L pala] (14c): a usu.
          long-handled spade-shaped instrument that is used chiefly
          by bakers for getting something (as bread or pies) into
          or out of the oven [4]peel n [ME pel stockade, stake,
          fr. AF, stockade & MF, stake, fr. L palus stake--more
          at pole] (1726): a medieval small massive fortified tower
          along the Scottish-English border--called also peel tower

   [1]peeler
          [peel.er] n (1597) 1: one that peels 2: a crab that is about
          to shed its shell 3: a log of wood (as Douglas fir) suitable
          for cutting into rotary veneer--called also peeler log
          [2]peeler n [Sir Robert Peel] (1817) Brit: police officer

   peeling
          [peel.ing] n (1597): a peeled-off piece or strip

   peel off
          [peel off] vi (1941) 1: to veer away from an airplane formation
          esp. for diving or landing 2: depart, leave

   [1]peen
          [peen] vt (1513): to draw, bend, or flatten by or as if by
          hammering with a peen [2]peen n [prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to Norw penn peen] (1683): a usu. hemispherical
          or wedge-shaped end of the head of a hammer that is opposite
          the face and is used esp. for bending, shaping, or cutting
          the material struck

   [1]peep
          [peep] vi [ME pepen, of imit. origin] (15c) 1: to utter a
          feeble shrill sound as of a bird newly hatched: cheep
          2: to utter the slightest sound [2]peep n (15c) 1: a
          feeble shrill sound: cheep 2: a slight utterance esp.
          of complaint or protest <don't let me hear another ~
          out of you> 3: any of several small sandpipers [3]peep
          vb [ME pepen, perh. alter. of piken to peek] vi (15c)
          1 a: to peer through or as if through a crevice b: to
          look cautiously or slyly 2: to begin to emerge from or
          as if from concealment: show slightly ~ vt: to put forth
          or cause to protrude slightly [4]peep n (1530) 1: a first
          glimpse or faint appearance <at the ~ of dawn> 2 a: a
          brief look: glance b: a furtive look

   [1]peeper
          [peep.er] n (1591) 1: one that makes a peeping sound 2: any
          of various tree frogs that peep shrilly; esp: spring
          peeper [2]peeper n (1652) 1: one that peeps; specif:
          voyeur 2: eye

   peephole
          [peep.hole] n (1681): a hole or crevice to peep through

   Peeping Tom
          [Peeping Tom] n [Peeping Tom, legendary citizen of Coventry
          who watched Lady Godiva riding naked] (ca. 1796): a pruriently
          prying person: voyeur -- Peeping Tom.ism n

   peep show
          [peep show] n (1851): an entertainment (as a film) or object
          (as a small picture) that is viewed through a small opening
          or a magnifying glass and is usu. sexually explicit

   peep sight
          [peep sight] n (1881): a rear sight for a gun having an adjustable
          metal piece pierced with a small hole to peep through in aiming

   [1]peer
          [peer] n [ME, fr. MF per, fr. per, adj., equal, fr. L par]
          (13c) 1: one that is of equal standing with another:
          equal; esp: one belonging to the same societal group
          esp. based on age, grade, or status 2 archaic: companion
          3 a: a member of one of the five ranks (as duke, marquess,
          earl, viscount, or baron) of the British peerage b: noble
          1 -- peer adj [2]peer vt (14c) archaic: rival, match
          [3]peer vi [perh. by shortening & alter. fr. appear]
          (1591) 1: to look narrowly or curiously; esp: to look
          searchingly at something difficult to discern 2: to come
          slightly into view: emerge partly

   peerage
          [peer.age] n (15c) 1: the body of peers 2: the rank or dignity
          of a peer 3: a book containing a list of peers with their
          genealogy, history, and titles

   peeress
          [peer.ess] n (1689) 1: the wife or widow of a peer 2: a woman
          who holds in her own right the rank of a peer

   peerless
          [peer.less] adj (14c): matchless, incomparable

   [1]peeve
          [peeve] vt peeved ; peev.ing [back-formation fr. peevish]
          (1908): to make peevish or resentful: annoy syn see irritate
          [2]peeve n (1911) 1: a feeling or mood of resentment
          2: a particular grievance or source of aggravation

   peevish
          [pee.vish] adj [ME pevish spiteful] (ca. 1530) 1: querulous
          in temperament or mood: fretful 2: perversely obstinate
          3: marked by ill temper -- pee.vish.ly adv -- pee.vish.ness
          n

   peewee
          [pee.wee] n [imit.] (1806) 1: pewee 2: one that is diminutive
          or small; esp: a small child -- peewee adj

   peewit
          [pee.wit] n [imit.] (ca. 1529): any of several birds; esp:
          lapwing

   [1]peg
          [peg] n [ME pegge, prob. fr. MD] (15c) 1 a: a small usu.
          cylindrical pointed or tapered piece (as of wood) used
          to pin down or fasten things or to fit into or close
          holes: pin, plug b Brit: clothespin c: a predetermined
          level at which something (as a price) is fixed 2 a: a
          projecting piece used as a support or boundary marker
          b: something (as a fact or opinion) used as a support,
          pretext, or reason 3 a: one of the movable wooden pegs
          set in the head of a stringed instrument (as a violin)
          that are turned to regulate the pitch of the strings--see
          violin illustration b: a step or degree esp. in estimation
          4: a pointed prong or claw for catching or tearing 5
          Brit: drink <poured himself out a stiff ~ --Dorothy Sayers>
          6: something (as a leg) resembling a peg 7: throw; esp:
          a hard throw in baseball made in an attempt to put out
          a base runner [2]peg vb pegged ; peg.ging vt (1543) 1
          a: to put a peg into b Brit: to pin (laundry) on a clothesline
          2: to attach or fix as if with a peg: as a: to pin down:
          restrict b: to fix or hold (as prices or wage increases)
          at a predetermined level or rate c: to place in a definite
          category: identify 3: to mark by pegs 4: throw ~ vi 1:
          to work steadily and diligently--often used with away
          2: to move along vigorously or hastily: hustle [3]peg
          or pegged adj (1681): wide at the top and narrow at the
          bottom <~ pants>

   Pegasus
          [Peg.a.sus] n [L (gen. Pegasi), fr. Gk Pegasos] 1: a winged
          horse that causes the stream Hippocrene to spring from
          Mount Helicon with a blow of his hoof 2: poetic inspiration
          3: a northern constellation near the vernal equinoctial
          point

   Peg-Board
          [Peg-Board] trademark--used for material (as fiberboard)
          with regularly spaced perforations into which hooks may
          be inserted for the storage or display of articles

   peg leg
          [peg leg] n [[3]peg] (1769): an artificial leg; esp: one
          fitted at the knee

   pegmatite
          [peg.ma.tite] n [F, fr. Gk pegmat-, pegma something fastened
          together, fr. pegnynai to fasten together--more at pact]
          (ca. 1828): a coarse variety of granite occurring in
          dikes or veins -- peg.ma.tit.ic adj

   peg-top
          [peg-top] or peg-topped adj (1858): peg

   peg top
          [peg top] n (1788) 1: a pear-shaped top that is made to spin
          on the sharp metal peg in its base by the unwinding of
          a string wound round its center 2 pl: peg trousers

   PEI
          [PEI] abbreviation Prince Edward Island

   peignoir
          [pei.gnoir] n [F, lit., garment worn while combing the hair,
          fr. MF, fr. peigner to comb the hair, fr. L pectinare,
          fr. pectin-, pecten comb--more at pectinate] (1835):
          a woman's loose negligee or dressing gown

   pein
          [pein] var of peen

   peine forte et dure
          [peine forte et dure] [F] foreign term : strong and hard
          punishment: torture

   [1]pejorative
          [pe.jo.ra.tive] n (1882): a pejorative word or phrase [2]pejorative
          adj [LL pejoratus, pp. of pejorare to make or become worse, fr.
          L pejor worse; akin to Skt padyate he falls, L ped-, pes foot--more
          at foot] (ca. 1888): having negative connotations; esp: tending
          to disparage or belittle: depreciatory -- pe.jo.ra.tive.ly adv

   peke
          [peke] n, often cap (1915): pekingese 2

   Pekin
          [Pe.kin] n [Pekin, Peking (Beijing), China] (1885): any of
          a breed of large white ducks of Chinese origin used for
          meat production

   Peking duck
          [Pe.king duck] n (1955): a Chinese dish consisting of roasted
          duck meat and strips of crispy duck skin topped with
          scallions and sauce and wrapped in thin pancakes

   Pekingese
          [Pe.king.ese] or Pe.kin.ese n, pl Pekingese or Pekinese (1849)
          1 a: the Chinese dialect of Beijing b: a native or resident
          of Beijing 2: any of a Chinese breed of small short-legged
          dogs with a broad flat face and a profuse long soft coat

   Peking man
          [Peking man] n (1926): an extinct Pleistocene hominid that
          is known from skeletal and cultural remains in cave deposits
          at Cho-k'ou-tien, China and is now classified with the
          pithecanthropines

   pekoe
          [pe.koe] n [Chin (Xiamen) pek-ho] (1712): a tea made from
          young leaves that are slightly larger than those of orange
          pekoe

   pelage
          [pel.age] n [F, fr. MF, fr. poil hair, fr. L pilus] (ca.
          1828): the hairy covering of a mammal

   [1]Pelagian
          [Pe.la.gian] n (15c): one agreeing with Pelagius in denying
          original sin and consequently in holding that mankind
          has perfect freedom to do either right or wrong [2]Pelagian
          adj (15c): of or relating to Pelagians or Pelagianism

   Pelagianism
          [Pe.la.gian.ism] n (1583): the teaching of Pelagius or Pelagians

   pelagic
          [pe.lag.ic] adj [L pelagicus, fr. Gk pelagikos, fr. pelagos
          sea--more at plagal] (ca. 1656): of, relating to, or
          living or occurring in the open sea: oceanic <~ sediment>
          <~ birds>

   pelargonium
          [pel.ar.go.ni.um] n [NL, fr. Gk pelargos stork (akin to Gk
          pelios livid, polios gray) + NL -nium (as in Geranium)--more
          at fallow] (ca. 1819): any of a genus (Pelargonium) of
          southern African herbs (as a garden geranium) of the
          geranium family with showy flowers of various shades
          of red, pink, or white distinguished by a spurred calyx
          and irregular corolla

   Pelasgian
          [Pe.las.gian] n [Gk pelasgios, adj., Pelasgian, fr. Pelasgoi
          Pelasgians] (15c): a member of an ancient people mentioned
          by classical writers as early inhabitants of Greece and
          the eastern islands of the Mediterranean -- Pelasgian
          adj -- Pe.las.gic adj

   pelecypod
          [pe.lec.y.pod] n [NL Pelecypoda, group name, fr. Gk pelekys
          ax (akin to Skt parasu ax) + pod-, pous foot--more at
          foot] (ca. 1890): lamellibranch

   pelerine
          [pel.er.ine] n [obs. F, neckerchief, fr. F pelerine, fem.
          of pelerin pilgrim, fr. LL pelegrinus--more at pilgrim]
          (1744): a woman's narrow cape made of fabric or fur and
          usu. with long ends hanging down in front

   Peleus
          [Pe.leus] n [L, fr. Gk Peleus]: a son of Aeacus who becomes
          by the goddess Thetis the father of Achilles

   pelf
          [pelf] n [ME, fr. MF pelfre booty] (14c): money, riches

   pelican
          [pel.i.can] n [ME, fr. OE pellican, fr. LL pelecanus, fr.
          Gk pelekan] (bef. 12c): any of a genus (Pelecanus) of
          large web-footed fish-eating birds with a very large
          bill and distensible gular pouch

   pelisse
          [pe.lisse] n [F, fr. LL pellicia, fr. fem. of pellicius made
          of skin, fr. L pellis skin--more at fell] (1717) 1: a
          long cloak or coat made of fur or lined or trimmed with
          fur 2: a woman's loose lightweight cloak with wide collar
          and fur trimming

   pellagra
          [pel.la.gra] n [It, fr. pelle skin (fr. L pellis) + -agra
          (as in podagra, fr. L)] (ca. 1811): a disease marked
          by dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and central
          nervous symptoms and associated with a diet deficient
          in niacin -- pel.la.grous adj

   pellagrin
          [pel.la.grin] n [irreg. fr. pellagra] (1865): a person who
          is affected with pellagra

   [1]pellet
          [pel.let] n [ME pelote, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL pilota,
          dim. of L pila ball] (14c) 1: a usu. small rounded, spherical,
          or cylindrical body (as of food or medicine) 2: any of
          various projectiles fired from a weapon (as an air rifle)
          -- pel.let.al adj [2]pellet vt (1597) 1: pelletize 2:
          to strike with pellets

   pellet gun
          [pellet gun] n (1952): air gun 1

   pelletise
          [pel.let.ise] Brit var of pelletize

   pelletize
          [pel.let.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1942): to form or compact
          into pellets <~ ore> -- pel.let.i.za.tion n -- pel.let.iz.er
          n

   pellicle
          [pel.li.cle] n [MF pellicule, fr. ML pellicula, fr. L, dim.
          of pellis] (1541): a thin skin or film: as a: an outer
          membrane of some protozoans (as euglenoids or paramecia)
          b: a film that reflects a part of the light falling upon
          it and transmits the rest and that is used for dividing
          a beam of light (as in a photographic device)

   [1]pellitory
          [pel.li.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ME peletre, fr. MF piretre, fr.
          L pyrethrum--more at pyrethrum] (1533): a southern European
          composite plant (Anacyclus pyrethrum) resembling yarrow--called
          also pellitory-of-Spain [2]pellitory n [ME paritorie,
          fr. MF paritaire, fr. LL parietaria, fr. fem. of parietarius
          of a wall, fr. L pariet-, paries wall] (1548): any of
          a genus (Parietaria) of herbs of the nettle family with
          alternate leaves and inconspicuous flowers--called also
          pellitory-of-the-wall

   pell-mell
          [pell-mell] adv [MF pelemele] (1596) 1: in mingled confusion
          or disorder 2: in confused haste -- pell-mell adj or
          n

   pellucid
          [pel.lu.cid] adj [L pellucidus, fr. per through + lucidus
          lucid--more at for] (1619) 1: admitting maximum passage
          of light without diffusion or distortion 2: reflecting
          light evenly from all surfaces 3: easy to understand
          -- pel.lu.cid.ly adv

   pelmet
          [pel.met] n [prob. modif. of F palmette palmette] (1821):
          a short valance or small cornice for concealing curtain
          fixtures

   Pelops
          [Pe.lops] n [L, fr. Gk]: a son of Tantalus served by his
          father to the gods for food but later restored to life
          by them

   pelorus
          [pe.lo.rus] n [origin unknown] (1854): a navigational instrument
          resembling a mariner's compass without magnetic needles
          and having two sight vanes by which bearings are taken

   pelota
          [pe.lo.ta] n [Sp, fr. OF pelote little ball--more at pellet]
          (1844) 1: a court game related to jai alai 2: the ball
          used in jai alai

   [1]pelt
          [pelt] n [ME, perh. back-formation fr. peltry] (15c) 1: a
          usu. undressed skin with its hair, wool, or fur 2: a
          skin stripped of hair or wool for tanning [2]pelt vt
          (1596): to strip off the skin or pelt of (an animal)
          [3]pelt vb [ME] vt (15c) 1 a: to strike with a succession
          of blows or missiles <~ed him with stones> b: to assail
          vigorously or persistently <~ed her with accusations>
          2: hurl, throw <~ed snowballs at them> 3: to beat or
          dash repeatedly against <hailstones ~ing the roof> ~
          vi 1: to deliver a succession of blows or missiles 2:
          to beat incessantly 3: to move rapidly and vigorously:
          hurry -- pelt.er n [4]pelt n (1513): blow, whack

   peltate
          [pel.tate] adj [L pelta small shield, fr. Gk pelte] (ca.
          1760): shaped like a shield; specif: having the stem
          or support attached to the lower surface instead of at
          the base or margin--see leaf illustration

   pelting
          [pelt.ing] adj [prob. fr. E dial. pelt piece of trash] (1540)
          archaic: paltry, insignificant

   peltry
          [pelt.ry] n, pl peltries [ME, fr. AF pelterie] (15c): pelts,
          furs; esp: raw undressed skins--often used in pl.

   pelvic
          [pel.vic] adj (1830): of, relating to, or located in or near
          the pelvis -- pelvic n

   pelvic fin
          [pelvic fin] n (ca. 1909): one of the paired fins of a fish
          that are homologous with the hind limbs of a quadruped

   pelvic girdle
          [pelvic girdle] n (1883): a bony or cartilaginous arch that
          supports the hind limbs of a vertebrate

   pelvic inflammatory disease
          [pelvic inflammatory disease] n (1974): inflammation of the
          female reproductive tract and esp. the fallopian tubes
          that is caused esp. by sexually transmitted disease,
          occurs more often in women using IUDs, and is a leading
          cause of female sterility

   pelvis
          [pel.vis] n, pl pel.vis.es or pel.ves [NL, fr. L, basin;
          perh. akin to OE & ON full cup] (1615) 1: a basin-shaped
          structure in the skeleton of many vertebrates that is
          formed by the pelvic girdle and adjoining bones of the
          spine 2: the cavity of the pelvis 3: the funnel-shaped
          cavity of the kidney into which urine is discharged

   pelycosaur
          [pel.y.co.saur] n [ultim. fr. Gk pelyc-, pelyx bowl + sauros
          lizard] (1904): any of an order (Pelycosauria) of primitive
          Permian quadruped reptiles that resemble mammals and
          often have extreme development of the dorsal vertebral
          processes

   Pembroke table
          [Pem.broke table] n [Pembroke, Wales] (1778): a small 4-legged
          table originating in the Georgian period and having two
          drop leaves and a drawer

   Pembroke Welsh corgi
          [Pembroke Welsh corgi] n (1938): any of a breed of Welsh
          corgis with pointed ears, straight forelegs, and a short
          tail--called also Pembroke--see welsh corgi illustration

   pemmican
          [pem.mi.can] also pem.i.can n [Cree pimihkan] (1791):
          a concentrated food used by No. American Indians and consisting
          of lean meat dried, pounded fine, and mixed with melted fat; also:
          a similar preparation (as of dried beef, flour, molasses, suet)
          used for emergency rations

   pemoline
          [pem.o.line] n [origin unknown] (1961): a synthetic organic
          drug that is a mild stimulant of the central nervous
          system

   pemphigus
          [pem.phi.gus] n [NL, fr. Gk pemphig-, pemphix pustule] (ca.
          1779): a disease characterized by large blisters on skin
          and mucous membranes and often by itching or burning

   [1]pen
          [pen] vt penned ; pen.ning [ME pennen, fr. OE -pennian] (13c):
          to shut in or as if in a pen [2]pen n [ME, perh. fr.
          pennen] (14c) 1 a: a small enclosure for animals b: the
          animals in a pen <a ~ of sheep> 2: a small place of confinement
          or storage 3: a protected dock or slip for a submarine
          4: bull pen 2 [3]pen n [ME penne, fr. MF, feather, pen,
          fr. L penna, pinna feather; akin to Gk pteron wing--more
          at feather] (14c) 1: an implement for writing or drawing
          with ink or a similar fluid: as a: quill b: pen point
          c: a penholder containing a pen point d: fountain pen
          e: ballpoint 2 a: a writing instrument regarded as a
          means of expression <enlisted the ~s of the best writers
          --F. H. Chase> b: writer 3: the internal horny feather-shaped
          shell of a squid [4]pen vt penned ; pen.ning (15c): write,
          indite <~ a letter> [5]pen n [origin unknown] (1550):
          a female swan [6]pen n (1884): penitentiary

   pen
          [pen] abbreviation peninsula  PEN abbreviation International
          Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists
          and Novelists

   penal
          [pe.nal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L poenalis, fr. poena
          punishment--more at pain] (15c) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          punishment, penalties, or punitive institutions 2: liable
          to punishment <a ~ offense> 3: used as a place of confinement and
          punishment <a ~ colony> -- pe.nal.ly adv

   penal code
          [penal code] n (1845): a code of laws concerning crimes and
          offenses and their punishment

   penalise
          [pe.nal.ise] Brit var of penalize

   penalize
          [pe.nal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1868) 1: to inflict a penalty
          on 2: to put at a serious disadvantage -- pe.nal.i.za.tion
          n

   penalty
          [pen.al.ty] n, pl -ties [ML poenalitas, fr. L poenalis] (15c)
          1: the suffering in person, rights, or property that
          is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission
          of a crime or public offense 2: the suffering or the
          sum to be forfeited to which a person agrees to be subjected
          in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations 3 a: disadvantage,
          loss, or hardship due to some action b: a disadvantage
          (as loss of yardage, time, or possession of the ball
          or an addition to or subtraction from the score) imposed
          on a team or competitor for violation of the rules of
          a sport 4: points scored in bridge by the side that defeats
          the opposing contract--usu. used in pl. -- penalty adj

   penalty box
          [penalty box] n (1931): an area alongside an ice hockey rink
          to which penalized players are confined for the duration
          of their penalty

   penalty kick
          [penalty kick] (1889) 1: a free kick in rugby 2: a free kick
          at the goal in soccer made from a point 12 yards in front
          of the goal and allowed for certain violations within
          a designated area around the goal

   penalty shot
          [penalty shot] n (ca. 1948): an unhindered shot at the goal
          in ice hockey awarded to an individual for certain violations
          by an opponent

   [1]penance
          [pen.ance] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. ML poenitentia penitence] (14c)
          1: an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion
          performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin 2: a sacramental
          rite that is practiced in Roman, Eastern, and some Anglican
          churches and that consists of private confession, absolution,
          and a penance directed by the confessor 3: something
          (as a hardship or penalty) resembling an act of penance
          (as in compensating for an offense) [2]penance vt pen.anced
          ; pen.anc.ing (1600): to impose penance on

   Penates
          [Pe.na.tes] n pl [L, fr. penus food, provisions]: the Roman
          gods of the household worshiped in close connection with
          Vesta and with the Lares

   pence
          [pence] pl of penny

   pencel
          [pen.cel] or pen.cil n [ME pencel, modif. of OF penoncel]
          (13c): pennoncel

   penchant
          [pen.chant] n [F, fr. prp. of pencher to incline, fr. (assumed)
          VL pendicare, fr. L pendere to weigh] (1672): a strong
          and continued inclination; broadly: liking syn see leaning

   [1]pencil
          [pen.cil] n [ME pensel, fr. MF pincel, fr. (assumed) VL penicellus,
          alter. of L penicillus, dim. of peniculus brush, fr. dim. of penis
          tail, penis] (14c) 1: an artist's brush 2: an artist's individual
          skill or style 3 a: an implement for writing, drawing, or marking
          consisting of or containing a slender cylinder or strip of a solid
          marking substance b: a small medicated or cosmetic roll or stick
          for local applications 4: a set of geometric objects each pair
          of which has a common property <the lines in a plane through
          a point comprise a ~ of lines> 5: something (as a beam
          of radiation) long and thin like a pencil [2]pencil vt -ciled
          or -cilled ; -cil.ing or -cil.ling (ca. 1532): to paint, draw,
          write, or mark with a pencil

   penciling
          [pen.cil.ing] or pen.cil.ling n (1706): the work of the pencil
          or brush; also: a product of this

   pencil pusher
          [pencil pusher] n (1881): a person who does predominantly
          paperwork

   pendant
          [pen.dant] also pen.dent n [ME pendaunt, fr. MF pendant,
          fr. prp. of pendre to hang, fr. (assumed) VL pendere,
          fr. L pendere; akin to L pendere to weigh, estimate,
          pay, pondus weight] (14c) 1: something suspended: as
          a: an ornament (as on a necklace) allowed to hang free
          b: an electrical fixture suspended from the ceiling 2:
          a hanging ornament of roofs or ceilings much used in
          the later styles of Gothic architecture 3: a length of
          line usu. used as a connector on a boat or ship; esp:
          a short rope hanging from a spar and having at its free
          end a block or spliced thimble 4 chiefly Brit: pennant
          1a 5 a: companion piece b: something secondary or supplementary

   pendency
          [pen.den.cy] n (1637): the state of being pending

   pendent
          [pen.dent] or pen.dant adj [ME pendaunt] (14c) 1: jutting
          or leaning over: overhanging <a ~ cliff> 2: supported
          from above: suspended <icicles ~ from the eaves> 3: remaining
          undetermined: pending

   pendentive
          [pen.den.tive] n [F pendentif, fr. L pendent-, pendens, prp.
          of pendere] (ca. 1741): one of the concave triangular
          members that supports a dome over a square space

   [1]pending
          [pend.ing] prep [F pendant, fr. prp. of pendre] (1642) 1:
          during 2: while awaiting [2]pending adj (1797) 1: not
          yet decided: being in continuance 2: imminent, impending

   pendular
          [pen.du.lar] adj (1878): being or resembling the movement
          of a pendulum

   pendulous
          [pen.du.lous] adj [L pendulus, fr. pendere to hang] (ca.
          1605) 1 archaic: poised without visible support 2 a:
          suspended so as to swing freely <branches hung with ~
          vines> b: inclined or hanging downward <~ jowls> 3: marked
          by vacillation, indecision, or uncertainty -- pen.du.lous.ness
          n

   pendulum
          [pen.du.lum] n [NL, fr. L, neut. of pendulus] (1660) 1: a
          body suspended from a fixed point so as to swing freely
          to and fro under the action of gravity and commonly used
          to regulate movements (as of clockwork) 2: something
          (as a state of affairs) that alternates between opposites

   Penelope
          [Pe.nel.o.pe] n [L, fr. Gk Penelope]: the wife of Odysseus
          who waits faithfully for him during his 20 years' absence

   peneplain
          [pe.ne.plain] also pe.ne.plane n [L paene, pene almost +
          E plain or plane] (1889): a land surface of considerable
          area and slight relief shaped by erosion

   penetrable
          [pen.e.tra.ble] adj (1538): capable of being penetrated --
          pen.e.tra.bil.i.ty n

   penetralia
          [pen.e.tra.lia] n pl [L, neut. pl. of penetralis inner, fr.
          penetrare to penetrate] (1668): the innermost or most
          private parts

   penetrance
          [pen.e.trance] n [ISV, fr. L penetrare] (1934): the proportion
          of individuals of a particular genotype that express
          its phenotypic effect in a given environment

   [1]penetrant
          [pen.e.trant] adj (1543): penetrating [2]penetrant n (ca.
          1734): one that penetrates or is capable of penetrating

   penetrate
          [pen.e.trate] vb -trat.ed ; -trat.ing [L penetratus, pp.
          of penetrare, fr. penitus deep within, far; akin to L
          penus provisions] vt (ca. 1530) 1 a: to pass into or
          through b: to enter by overcoming resistance: pierce
          c: to gain entrance to 2 a: to see into or through b:
          to discover the inner contents or meaning of 3: to affect
          profoundly with feeling 4: to diffuse through or into
          ~ vi 1 a: to pass, extend, pierce, or diffuse into or
          through something b: to pierce something with the eye
          or mind 2: to affect deeply the senses or feelings syn
          see enter

   penetrating
          [penetrating] adj (1593) 1: having the power of entering,
          piercing, or pervading <a ~ shriek> 2: acute, discerning
          <~ insights into life> -- pen.e.trat.ing.ly adv

   penetration
          [pen.e.tra.tion] n (1605) 1 a: the power to penetrate; esp:
          the ability to discern deeply and acutely b: the depth
          to which something penetrates c: the extent to which
          a commercial product or agency is familiar or sells in
          a market 2: the act or process of penetrating: as a:
          the act of entering a country so that actual establishment
          of influence is accomplished b: an attack that penetrates
          the enemy's front or territory syn see discernment

   penetrative
          [pen.e.tra.tive] adj (15c) 1: tending to penetrate: piercing
          2: acute <~ observations> 3: impressive <a ~ speaker>

   penetrometer
          [pen.e.trom.e.ter] n [L penetrare + ISV -meter] (1905): an
          instrument for measuring firmness or consistency (as
          of soil)

   pengo
          [pen.go] n, pl pengo or pengos [Hung pengo, lit., jingling]
          (1925): the basic monetary unit of Hungary from 1925
          to 1946

   penguin
          [pen.guin] n [obs. E penguin great auk, perh. fr. W pen gwyn
          white head (applied to the bird in winter plumage)] (1588):
          any of various erect short-legged flightless aquatic
          birds (family Spheniscidae) of the southern hemisphere

   penholder
          [pen.hold.er] n (1815): a holder or handle for a pen point

   -penia
          [-penia] comb form [NL, fr. Gk penia]: deficiency <leukopenia>

   penicillamine
          [pen.i.cil.la.mine] n [penicillin + amine] (1943): an amino
          acid that is obtained from penicillins and is used esp.
          in the treatment of poisoning by metals (as copper or
          lead) and of cystinuria

   penicillate
          [pen.i.cil.late] adj [L penicillus brush--more at pencil]
          (1819): furnished with a tuft of fine filaments <a ~
          stigma>

   penicillin
          [pen.i.cil.lin] n [NL Penicillium] (1929) 1: any of several
          relatively nontoxic antibiotic acids that are produced
          by molds (genus Penicillium and esp. P. notatum or P.
          chrysogenum) or synthetically and are used esp. against
          cocci; also: a mixture of such acids 2: a salt or ester
          of a penicillin or a mixture of such salts or esters

   penicillinase
          [pen.i.cil.lin.ase] n (1940): an enzyme found esp.
          in staphylococcal bacteria that inactivates the penicillins
          by hydrolyzing them

   penicillium
          [pen.i.cil.li.um] n, pl -lia [NL, fr. L penicillus] (1867):
          any of a genus (Penicillium of the family Moniliaceae)
          of fungi (as a blue mold) that are found chiefly on moist
          nonliving organic matter

   penile
          [pe.nile] adj (ca. 1861): of, relating to, or affecting the
          penis

   peninsula
          [pen.in.su.la] n [L paeninsula, fr. paene almost + insula
          island] (1538): a portion of land nearly surrounded by
          water and connected with a larger body by an isthmus;
          also: a piece of land jutting out into the water whether
          with or without a well-defined isthmus -- pen.in.su.lar
          adj

   penis
          [pe.nis] n, pl pe.nes or pe.nis.es [L, penis, tail; akin
          to OHG faselt penis, Gk peos] (1676): a male organ of
          copulation that in male mammals including humans usu.
          functions as the channel by which urine leaves the body

   penis envy
          [penis envy] n (1924): the supposed coveting of the penis
          by a young human female which is held in Freudian psychoanalytic
          theory to lead to feelings of inferiority and defensive
          or compensatory behavior

   penitence
          [pen.i.tence] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. ML poenitentia, alter. of
          L paenitentia regret, fr. paenitent-, paenitens, prp.]
          (13c): the quality or state of being penitent: sorrow
          for sins or faults syn penitence, repentance, contrition,
          compunction, remorse mean regret for sin or wrongdoing.
          penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret
          for one's misdeeds <absolution is dependent upon sincere
          penitence>. repentance adds the implication of a resolve
          to change <repentance accompanied by a complete change
          of character>. contrition stresses the sorrowful regret
          that constitutes true penitence <tearful expressions
          of contrition>. compunction implies a painful sting of
          conscience esp. for contemplated wrongdoing <had no compunctions
          about taking back what is mine>. remorse suggests prolonged
          and insistent self-reproach and mental anguish for past
          wrongs and esp. for those whose consequences cannot be
          remedied <thieves untroubled by feelings of remorse>.

   [1]penitent
          [pen.i.tent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L paenitent-, paenitens,
          fr. prp. of paenitere to cause regret, feel regret, perh.
          fr. paene almost] (14c): feeling or expressing humble
          or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses: repentant
          -- pen.i.tent.ly adv [2]penitent n (14c) 1: a person
          who repents of sin 2: a person under church censure but
          admitted to penance or reconciliation esp. under the
          direction of a confessor

   penitential
          [pen.i.ten.tial] adj (1508): of or relating to penitence
          or penance -- pen.i.ten.tial.ly adv

   [1]penitentiary
          [pen.i.ten.tia.ry] n, pl -ries [ME penitenciary, fr.
          ML poenitentiarius, fr. poenitentia] (15c) 1 a: an officer in some
          Roman Catholic dioceses vested with power from the bishop to deal
          with cases of a nature normally handled only by the bishop b cap:
          a cardinal presiding over a tribunal of the Roman curia concerned
          with dispensations and indulgences 2: a public institution in which
          offenders against the law are confined for detention or punishment;
          specif: a state or federal prison in the U.S. [2]pen.i.ten.tia.ry
          adj (1577) 1: penitential 2: of, relating to, or incurring
          confinement in a penitentiary

   penknife
          [pen.knife] n [ME; fr. its original use for mending quill
          pens] (15c): a small pocketknife usu. with only one blade

   penlight
          [pen.light] also pen.lite n (1945): a small flashlight resembling
          a fountain pen in size or shape

   penman
          [pen.man] n (1539) 1 a: calligrapher b: copyist, scribe c:
          a person with a specified quality or kind of handwriting
          <a poor ~> 2: author

   penmanship
          [pen.man.ship] n (1695) 1: the art or practice of writing
          with the pen 2: quality or style of handwriting

   Penn
          [Penn] or Penna abbreviation Pennsylvania

   pen name
          [pen name] n (ca. 1864): an author's pseudonym

   pennant
          [pen.nant] n [alter. of pendant] (1698) 1 a: any of various
          nautical flags tapering usu. to a point or swallowtail
          and used for identification or signaling b: a flag or
          banner longer in the fly than in the hoist; esp: one
          that tapers to a point 2: a flag emblematic of championship
          (as in a professional baseball league); also: the championship
          itself

   pennate
          [pen.nate] adj [irreg. fr. NL Pennales] (1938): of, relating
          to, or being diatoms of an order (Pennales) usu. characterized
          by a raphe or a structure resembling a raphe and by ornamentation
          of the valves that is bilaterally symmetrical

   penne
          [pen.ne] n, pl penne [It, pl. of penna, lit., quill, feather,
          pen, fr. L pinna feather & penna wing--more at pen] (1974):
          short thick diagonally cut tubular pasta

   penni
          [pen.ni] n, pl pen.nia also penni or pen.nis [Finn] (ca.
          1893): a monetary unit of Finland equal to 1/100 markka

   penniless
          [pen.ni.less] adj (14c): destitute of money

   pennon
          [pen.non] n [ME, fr. MF penon, dim. of penne quill, wing
          feather--more at pen] (14c) 1 a: a long usu. triangular
          or swallow-tailed streamer typically attached to the
          head of a lance as an ensign b: pennant 1a 2: wing, pinion

   pennoncel
          [pen.non.cel] or pen.on.cel n [ME penoncell, fr. MF penoncel,
          dim. of penon] (14c): a small pennon used in late medieval
          or Renaissance times

   Pennsylvania Dutch
          [Penn.syl.va.nia Dutch] n (ca. 1824) 1: a people living mostly
          in eastern Pennsylvania whose characteristic cultural
          traditions go back to the German migrations of the 18th
          century 2: a dialect of High German spoken in parts of
          Pennsylvania and Maryland -- Pennsylvania Dutchman n

   Pennsylvania German
          [Pennsylvania German] n (1869): pennsylvania dutch

   Pennsylvanian
          [Penn.syl.va.nian] adj (1698) 1: of or relating to Pennsylvania
          or its people 2: of, rel ating to, or being the period
          of the Paleozoic era in No. America between the Mississippian
          and Permian or the corresponding system of rocks--see
          geologic time table -- Pennsylvanian n

   -penny
          [-penny] adj comb form [penny; perh. fr. the original price
          per hundred]: being a (designated) nail size <an eightpenny
          nail>

   penny
          [pen.ny] n, pl pennies or pence often attrib [ME, fr. OE
          penning, penig; akin to OHG pfenning, a coin] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a monetary unit of the United Kingdom formerly equal
          to 1/240 pound but now equal to 1/100 pound b: a similar
          monetary unit of any of various other countries in or
          formerly in the Commonwealth: as (1): a monetary unit
          of Malta equal to 1/100 lira (2): a monetary unit of
          Ireland equal to 1/100 pound c: a coin representing one
          penny 2: denarius 3 pl pennies: cent 4: a trivial amount
          5: a piece or sum of money <that will cost a pretty ~>

   penny-ante
          [pen.ny-an.te] adj (1868): small-time, two-bit

   penny ante
          [penny ante] n (1855): poker played for very low stakes

   penny arcade
          [penny arcade] n (1908): an amusement center having coin-operated
          devices for entertainment

   pennycress
          [pen.ny.cress] n (1713): a Eurasian herb (Thlaspi arvense)
          with round flat pods that is widely naturalized in the
          New World

   penny dreadful
          [penny dreadful] n (ca. 1873): a novel of violent adventure
          or crime

   penny-pinching
          [pen.ny-pinch.ing] n (1935): frugality, parsimony --
          pen.ny-pinch.er n -- penny-pinching adj

   pennyroyal
          [pen.ny.roy.al] n [prob. by folk etymology fr. MF poullieul,
          modif. of L pulegium fleabane, pennyroyal] (1530) 1:
          a European perennial mint (Mentha pulegium) with small
          aromatic leaves 2: an aromatic No. American mint (Hedeoma
          pulegioides) that has blue or violet flowers borne in
          axillary tufts and yields an oil used in folk medicine
          or to drive away mosquitoes

   penny stock
          [penny stock] n (ca. 1920): a usu. unlisted highly speculative
          stock selling for a dollar or less

   pennyweight
          [pen.ny.weight] n (14c): a unit of troy weight equal to 24
          grains or 1/20 troy ounce

   pennywhistle
          [pen.ny.whistle] n (1818) 1: a small fipple flute 2: a toy
          whistle

   penny-wise
          [pen.ny-wise] adj [fr. the phrase penny-wise and pound-foolish]
          (1607): wise or prudent only in dealing with small sums
          or matters

   pennywort
          [pen.ny.wort] n (14c): any of several usu. round-leaved plants
          (as of the genus Hydrocotyle of the carrot family)

   pennyworth
          [pen.ny.worth] n, pl pennyworth or pennyworths (bef. 12c)
          1: a penny's worth 2: value for the money spent: bargain
          3: a small quantity: modicum

   Penobscot
          [Pe.nob.scot] n, pl -scot or -scots (1624): a member of an
          American Indian people of the Penobscot river valley
          and Penobscot Bay region of Maine

   penoche
          [pe.no.che] var of penuche

   penology
          [pe.nol.o.gy] n [Gk poine penalty + E -logy--more at pain]
          (1838): a branch of criminology dealing with prison management
          and the treatment of offenders -- pe.no.log.i.cal adj
          -- pe.nol.o.gist n

   pen pal
          [pen pal] n (1938): a friend made and kept through correspondence

   pen point
          [pen point] n (ca. 1864): a small thin convex metal device
          that tapers to a split point, fits into a holder, and
          is used for writing or drawing

   pen pusher
          [pen pusher] n (ca. 1905): pencil pusher

   [1]pension
          [pen.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L pension-, pensio, fr. pendere
          to pay--more at pendant] (14c) 1: a fixed sum paid regularly
          to a person: a archaic: wage b: a gratuity granted (as
          by a government) as a favor or reward c: one paid under
          given conditions to a person following retirement from
          service or to surviving dependents 2 [F, fr. MF] a: accommodations
          esp. at a continental European hotel or boardinghouse: room and
          board b also pen.sio.ne [pensione, fr. It]: a hotel
          or boardinghouse esp. in continental Europe -- pen.sion.less adj
          [2]pension vt pen.sioned ; pen.sion.ing (1702) 1: to grant or pay
          a pension to 2: to dismiss or retire from service with a pension
          <~ed off his faithful old servant>

   pensionable
          [pen.sion.able] adj (1882) chiefly Brit: of, relating to,
          qualified for, or qualifying for a pension <~ employees>
          <a ~ post>

   pensionary
          [pen.sion.ary] n, pl -ar.ies (1536): pensioner; esp: hireling
          -- pensionary adj

   pensioner
          [pen.sion.er] n (15c) 1: a person who receives or lives on
          a pension 2 obs a: gentleman-at-arms b: retainer c: mercenary,
          hireling

   pensive
          [pen.sive] adj [ME pensif, fr. MF, fr. penser to think, fr.
          L pensare to ponder, freq. of pendere to weigh--more
          at pendant] (14c) 1: musingly or dreamily thoughtful
          2: suggestive of sad thoughtfulness -- pen.sive.ly adv
          -- pen.sive.ness n

   penstemon
          [pen.ste.mon] n [NL, fr. penta- + Gk stemon warp, thread--more
          at stamen] (1760): any of a genus (Penstemon) of chiefly
          American herbs of the snapdragon family with showy tubular
          flowers

   penstock
          [pen.stock] n (ca. 1607) 1: a sluice or gate for regulating
          a flow (as of water) 2: a conduit or pipe for conducting
          water

   pent
          [pent] adj [prob. fr. pp. of obs. E pend to confine] (1550):
          shut up: confined, repressed <a ~ crowd> <pent-up feelings>

   penta-
          [penta-] or pent- comb form [ME, fr. Gk, fr. pente--more
          at five] 1: five <pentahedron> 2: containing five atoms
          or groups <pentane>

   pentachlorophenol
          [pen.ta.chlo.ro.phe.nol] n (1879): a crystalline compound
          used esp. as a wood preservative and fungicide and a
          disinfectant

   pentacle
          [pen.ta.cle] n [(assumed) ML pentaculum, prob. fr. Gk pente]
          (1594): pentagram

   pentad
          [pen.tad] n [Gk pentad-, pentas, fr. pente] (1653): a group
          of five

   pentagon
          [pen.ta.gon] n [Gk pentagonon, fr. neut. of pentagonos pentagonal,
          fr. penta- + gonia angle--more at -gon] (1571): a polygon of five
          angles and five sides Pentagon n [the Pentagon building,
          headquarters of the Department of Defense] (1941): the U.S.
          military leadership

   pentagonal
          [pen.tag.o.nal] n (1571) 1: having five sides and five angles
          2: having a pentagon as a cross section or as a base
          <a ~ pyramid> -- pen.tag.o.nal.ly adv

   Pentagonese
          [Pen.ta.gon.ese] n (1951): military jargon

   pentagram
          [pen.ta.gram] n [Gk pentagrammon, fr. penta- + -grammon (akin
          to gramma letter)--more at gram] (1833): a figure of
          a 5-pointed star usu. made with alternate points connected
          by a continuous line and used as a magic or occult symbol;
          also: a similar 6-pointed star (as a Solomon's seal)

   pentahedron
          [pen.ta.he.dron] n [NL] (ca. 1775): a solid bounded by five
          faces -- pen.ta.he.dral adj

   pentamerous
          [pen.tam.er.ous] adj [NL pentamerus, fr. penta- (fr. Gk)
          + -merus -merous] (1826): divided into or consisting
          of five parts; specif: having each floral whorl consisting
          of five or a multiple of five members

   pentameter
          [pen.tam.e.ter] n [L, fr. Gk pentametros having five metrical
          feet, fr. penta- + metron measure--more at measure] (1589):
          a line of verse consisting of five metrical feet

   pentamidine
          [pent.am.i.dine] n (1941): a drug used esp. to treat protozoal
          infections (as leishmaniasis) and to prevent AIDS-related
          pneumonia

   pentane
          [pen.tane] n [ISV] (1877): any of three isomeric alkanes
          that occur esp. in petroleum

   pentangle
          [pen.tan.gle] n (14c): pentagram

   pentapeptide
          [pen.ta.pep.tide] n (1907): a polypeptide that contains five
          amino acid residues

   pentaploid
          [pen.ta.ploid] adj (1921): having or being a chromosome number
          that is five times the basic number -- pentaploid n --
          pen.ta.ploi.dy n

   pentarchy
          [pen.tar.chy] n [Gk pentarchia, fr. penta- + -archia -archy]
          (1587): a group of five countries or districts each under
          its own ruler or government

   Pentateuch
          [Pen.ta.teuch] n [ME Penteteuke, fr. LL Pentateuchus, fr.
          Gk Pentateuchos, fr. penta- + teuchos tool, vessel, book,
          fr. teuchein to make--more at doughty] (15c): the first
          five books of Jewish and Christian Scriptures

   pentathlete
          [pen.tath.lete] n (1828): an athlete participating in a pentathlon

   pentathlon
          [pen.tath.lon] n [Gk, fr. penta- + athlon contest] (1603):
          an athletic contest involving participation by each contestant
          in five different events; esp: modern pentathlon

   pentatonic
          [pen.ta.ton.ic] adj (1864): consisting of five tones; specif:
          being or relating to a scale in which the tones are arranged
          like a major scale with the fourth and seventh tones
          omitted

   pentavalent
          [pen.ta.va.lent] adj (1871): having a valence of five

   pentazocine
          [pen.taz.o.cine] n [prob. fr. penta- + az- + octa- + [2]-ine]
          (1963): an analgesic drug that is less addictive than
          morphine

   Pentecost
          [Pen.te.cost] n [ME, fr. OE pentecosten, fr. LL pentecoste,
          fr. Gk pentekoste, lit., fiftieth day, fr. pentekostos
          fiftieth, fr. pentekonta fifty, fr. penta- + -konta (akin
          to L viginti twenty)--more at vigesimal] (bef. 12c) 1:
          shabuoth 2: a Christian feast on the seventh Sunday after
          Easter commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on
          the apostles--called also Whitsunday

   [1]Pentecostal
          [Pen.te.cos.tal] adj (1663) 1: of, relating to, or suggesting
          Pentecost 2: of, relating to, or constituting any of
          various Christian religious bodies that emphasize individual
          experiences of grace, spiritual gifts (as glossolalia
          and faith healing), expressive worship, and evangelism
          -- Pen.te.cos.tal.ism n -- Pen.te.cos.tal.ist n or adj
          [2]Pentecostal n (1904): a member of a Pentecostal religious
          body

   penthouse
          [pent.house] n [alter. of ME pentis, fr. MF apentiz, fr.
          apent, pp. of apendre, appendre to attach, hang against--more
          at append] (1530) 1 a: a shed or roof attached to and
          sloping from a wall or building b: a smaller structure
          joined to a building: annex 2: a structure or dwelling
          built on the roof of a building

   pentlandite
          [pent.land.ite] n [F, fr. Joseph Pentland d. 1873 Irish scientist]
          (ca. 1858): a bronzy yellow mineral that is an isometric nickel
          iron sulfide and the principal ore of nickel

   pentobarbital
          [pen.to.bar.bi.tal] n [penta- + -o- + barbital] (1931): a
          granular barbiturate used esp. in the form of its sodium
          or calcium salt as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic

   pentobarbitone
          [pen.to.bar.bi.tone] n [penta- + -o- + barbitone] (1938)
          Brit: pentobarbital

   pentosan
          [pen.to.san] n [ISV] (1892): any of various polysaccharides
          that yield only pentoses on hydrolysis and occur widely
          in plants

   pentose
          [pen.tose] n [ISV] (1890): a monosaccharide (as ribose) that
          contains five carbon atoms in the molecule

   Pentothal
          [Pen.to.thal] trademark--used for thiopental

   pentoxide
          [pent.ox.ide] n [ISV] (ca. 1872): an oxide containing five
          atoms of oxygen in the molecule

   pentstemon
          [pent.ste.mon] var of penstemon

   pentylenetetrazol
          [pen.tyl.ene.tet.ra.zol] n [penta- + methylene + tetrazole
          ] (1949): an analeptic drug

   penuche
          [pe.nu.che] n [MexSp panocha raw sugar, fr. Sp, ear of maize,
          ultim. fr. L panicula panicle--more at panicle] (1871):
          fudge made usu. of brown sugar, butter, cream or milk,
          and nuts

   penult
          [pe.nult] n [L paenultima penult, fr. fem. of paenultimus
          almost last, fr. paene almost + ultimus last--more at
          ultimate] (1537): the next to the last member of a series;
          esp: the next to the last syllable of a word

   penultima
          [pen.ul.ti.ma] n [L] (1589): penult

   penultimate
          [pen.ul.ti.mate] adj (1677) 1: next to the last <the ~ chapter
          of a book> 2: of or relating to a penult <a ~ accent>
          -- pen.ul.ti.mate.ly adv

   penumbra
          [pen.um.bra] n, pl -brae or -bras [NL, fr. L paene almost
          + umbra shadow--more at umbrage] (1666) 1 a: a space
          of partial illumination (as in an eclipse) between the
          perfect shadow on all sides and the full light b: a shaded
          region surrounding the dark central portion of a sunspot
          2: a surrounding or adjoining region in which something
          exists in a lesser degree: fringe 3: a body of rights
          held to be guaranteed by implication in a civil constitution
          -- pen.um.bral adj

   penurious
          [pe.nu.ri.ous] adj (1590) 1: marked by or suffering from
          penury 2: given to or marked by extreme stinting frugality
          syn see stingy -- pe.nu.ri.ous.ly adv -- pe.nu.ri.ous.ness
          n

   penury
          [pen.u.ry] n [ME, fr. L penuria, paenuria want; perh. akin
          to L paene almost] (14c) 1: a cramping and oppressive
          lack of resources (as money); esp: severe poverty 2:
          extreme and often niggardly frugality syn see poverty

   peon
          [pe.on] n, pl peons or pe.o.nes [Pg peao & F pion, fr. ML
          pedon-, pedo foot soldier--more at pawn] (1609) 1: any
          of various workers in India, Sri Lanka, or Malaysia:
          as a: infantryman b: orderly 2 [Sp peon, fr. L pedon-,
          pedo]: a member of the landless laboring class in Spanish
          America 3 pl peons a: a person held in compulsory servitude
          to a master for the working out of an indebtedness b:
          drudge, menial

   peonage
          [pe.on.age] n (1844) 1 a: the use of laborers bound in servitude
          because of debt b: a system of convict labor by which
          convicts are leased to contractors 2: the condition of
          a peon

   peony
          [pe.o.ny] n, pl -nies [ME piony, fr. MF pioine, fr. L paeonia,
          fr. Gk paionia, fr. Paion Paeon, physician of the gods]
          (14c): any of a genus (Paeonia of the family Paeoniaceae)
          of chiefly Eurasian plants with large often double flowers

   [1]people
          [peo.ple] n, pl people [ME peple, fr. OF peuple, fr. L populus]
          (13c) 1 pl: human beings making up a group or assembly
          or linked by a common interest 2 pl: human beings, persons--often
          used in compounds instead of persons <salespeople> 3
          pl: the members of a family or kinship 4 pl: the mass
          of a community as distinguished from a special class
          <disputes between the ~ and the nobles>--often used by
          Communists to distinguish Communists from other people
          5 pl peoples : a body of persons that are united by a
          common culture, tradition, or sense of kinship, that
          typically have common language, institutions, and beliefs,
          and that often constitute a politically organized group
          6: lower animals usu. of a specified kind or situation
          7: the body of enfranchised citizens of a state -- peo.ple.less
          adj [2]people vt peo.pled ; peo.pling [MF peupler, fr.
          OF, fr. peuple] (15c) 1: to supply or fill with people
          2: to dwell in: inhabit

   peoplehood
          [peo.ple.hood] n (ca. 1899) 1: the quality or state of constituting
          a people 2: the awareness of the underlying unity that makes the
          individual a part of a people

   people mover
          [people mover] n (1968): any of various rapid-transit systems
          (as of moving sidewalks or automated driverless cars)
          for shuttling people

   [1]pep
          [pep] n [short for pepper] (1912): brisk energy or initiative
          and high spirits [2]pep vt pepped ; pep.ping (1925):
          to inject pep into <~ him up>

   peperomia
          [pep.er.o.mia] n [NL, fr. Gk peperi pepper + homoios like,
          similar--more at homeo-] (1882): any of a genus (Peperomia)
          of fleshy tropical herbs of the pepper family often cultivated
          for their showy foliage

   peplos
          [pep.los] also pep.lus n [L peplus, fr. Gk peplos] (1776):
          a garment worn like a shawl by women of ancient Greece

   peplum
          [pep.lum] n [L, fr. Gk peplon peplos] (1866): a short section
          attached to the waistline of a blouse, jacket, or dress
          -- pep.lumed adj

   pepo
          [pe.po] n, pl pepos [L, a melon--more at pumpkin] (ca. 1859):
          an indehiscent fleshy 1-celled or falsely 3-celled many-seeded
          berry (as a pumpkin, squash, melon, or cucumber) that
          has a hard rind and is the characteristic fruit of the
          gourd family

   [1]pepper
          [pep.per] n [ME peper, fr. OE pipor, fr. L piper, fr. Gk
          peperi] (bef. 12c) 1 a: either of two pungent products
          from the fruit of an East Indian plant that are used
          as a condiment, carminative, or stimulant: (1): black
          pepper (2): white pepper b: any of a genus (Piper of
          the family Piperaceae, the pepper family) of tropical
          mostly jointed climbing shrubs with aromatic leaves;
          esp: a woody vine (P. nigrum) with spicate flowers that
          is widely cultivated in the tropics for its red berries
          from which black pepper and white pepper are prepared
          2 a: any of several products similar to pepper that are
          obtained from close relatives of the pepper plant b:
          any of various pungent condiments obtained from plants
          of other genera than that of the pepper 3 a: capsicum
          1; esp: a New World capsicum (Capsicum annuum) whose
          fruits are hot peppers or sweet peppers b: the fruit
          of a pepper that is usu. red or yellow when ripe -- pepper
          adj [2]pepper vt pep.pered ; pep.per.ing (1538) 1 a:
          to sprinkle, season, or cover with or as if with pepper
          b: to shower with or as if with shot or other missiles
          2: to hit with rapid repeated blows 3: to sprinkle as
          if with pepper <~ed the report with statistics> -- pep.per.er
          n

   pepper-and-salt
          [pep.per-and-salt] adj (1774): salt-and-pepper

   pepperbox
          [pep.per.box] n (1546) 1: a small usu. cylindrical box or
          bottle with a perforated top used for sprinkling ground
          pepper on food 2: a pistol of the late 18th century with
          five or six revolving barrels

   peppercorn
          [pep.per.corn] n (bef. 12c): a dried berry of the black pepper

   peppered moth
          [peppered moth] n (ca. 1832): a European geometrid moth (Biston
          betularia) that typically has white wings with small
          black specks but also occurs as a solid black form esp.
          in areas where the air is heavily polluted by industry

   peppergrass
          [pep.per.grass] n (15c): any of a genus (Lepidium) of cresses;
          esp: garden cress

   pepper mill
          [pepper mill] n (ca. 1858): a hand mill for grinding peppercorns

   peppermint
          [pep.per.mint] n (1696) 1 a: a pungent and aromatic mint
          (Mentha piperita) with dark green lanceolate leaves and
          whorls of small pink flowers in spikes b: any of several
          mints (as M. arvensis) that are related to the peppermint
          2: candy flavored with peppermint -- pep.per.minty adj

   pepperoni
          [pep.per.o.ni] n [It peperoni cayenne peppers, pl. of peperone,
          aug. of pepe pepper, fr. L piper--more at pepper] (1921):
          a highly seasoned beef and pork sausage

   pepper pot
          [pepper pot] n (1679) 1 Brit: pepperbox 1 2 a: a highly seasoned
          West Indian stew of vegetables and meat or fish b: a
          thick soup of tripe, meat, dumplings, and vegetables
          highly seasoned esp. with crushed peppercorns--called
          also Philadelphia pepper pot

   pepper shaker
          [pepper shaker] n (1895): a container with a perforated top
          for sprinkling pepper

   peppertree
          [pep.per.tree] n (ca. 1692): a Peruvian evergreen tree (Schinus
          molle) of the cashew family grown as a shade tree in
          mild regions

   peppery
          [pep.pery] adj (1699) 1: of, relating to, or having the qualities
          of pepper: hot, pungent <a ~ taste> 2: having a hot temper:
          touchy <a ~ boss> 3: fiery, stinging <a ~ satire> --
          pep.per.i.ness n

   pep pill
          [pep pill] n (1937): any of various stimulant drugs in pill
          or tablet form

   peppy
          [pep.py] adj pep.pi.er ; -est (ca. 1918): full of pep --
          pep.pi.ness n

   pepsin
          [pep.sin] n [G, fr. Gk pepsis digestion, fr. pessein] (ca.
          1844) 1: a protease of the stomach that breaks down most
          proteins to polypeptides 2: a preparation containing
          pepsin that is obtained from the stomach esp. of the
          hog and is used esp. as a digestive

   pepsinogen
          [pep.sin.o.gen] n [ISV] (1878): a granular zymogen of the
          gastric glands that is readily converted into pepsin
          in a slightly acid medium

   pep talk
          [pep talk] n (1925): a usu. brief, intense, and emotional
          talk designed to influence or encourage an audience

   peptic
          [pep.tic] adj [L pepticus, fr. Gk peptikos, fr. peptos cooked,
          fr. peptein, pessein to cook, digest--more at cook] (1651)
          1: relating to or promoting digestion: digestive 2: of,
          relating to, producing, or caused by pepsin <~ digestion>
          3: connected with or resulting from the action of digestive
          juices <a ~ ulcer>

   peptidase
          [pep.ti.dase] n (1918): an enzyme that hydrolyzes simple
          peptides or their derivatives

   peptide
          [pep.tide] n [ISV, fr. peptone] (1906): any of various amides
          that are derived from two or more amino acids by combination
          of the amino group of one acid with the carboxyl group
          of another and are usu. obtained by partial hydrolysis
          of proteins -- pep.tid.ic adj

   peptide bond
          [peptide bond] n (1935): the chemical bond between carbon
          and nitrogen in a peptide linkage

   peptide linkage
          [peptide linkage] n (1925): the bivalent group CONH that
          unites the amino acid residues in a peptide

   peptidoglycan
          [pep.ti.do.gly.can] n (1966): a polymer that is composed
          of polysaccharide and peptide chains and is found esp.
          in bacterial cell walls--called also mucopeptide, murein

   peptone
          [pep.tone] n [G Pepton, fr. Gk, neut. of peptos cooked] (1860):
          any of various water-soluble products of partial hydrolysis
          of proteins

   Pequot
          [Pe.quot] n [Narraganset Pequttoog] (1631): a member of an
          American Indian people of what is now eastern Connecticut

   per-
          [per-] prefix [L, through, throughout, thoroughly, detrimental
          to, fr. per] 1: throughout: thoroughly <peruse> 2 a:
          containing the largest possible or a relatively large
          proportion of a (specified) chemical element <perchloroethylene>
          b: containing an element in its highest or a high oxidation
          state <perchloric acid>

   per
          [per] abbreviation period, person

   [1]per
          [per] prep [L, through, by means of, by--more at for] (14c)
          1: by the means or agency of: through <~ bearer> 2: with
          respect to every member of a specified group: for each
          3: according to--often used with as <~ instructions>
          <as ~ usual> usage Per occurs most frequently in business
          contexts; its use outside such contexts is often criticized
          but is quite widespread, esp. in sense 2. Its most common
          and natural nonbusiness uses always involve figures,
          usu. in relation to price <$150 per performance>, automobiles
          <32 miles per gallon> <55 miles per hour>, or sports
          <averages 15 points and 9 rebounds per game>. [2]per
          adv (1899): for each: apiece <a bargain at $3.50 ~>

   [1]peradventure
          [per.ad.ven.ture] adv [ME per aventure, fr. OF, by chance]
          (14c) archaic: perhaps, possibly [2]peradventure n (1627)
          1: doubt <a fact established beyond ~> 2: chance 4a <beyond
          ~ of doubt>

   perambulate
          [per.am.bu.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L perambulatus, pp.
          of perambulare, fr. per- through + ambulare to walk]
          vt (1568) 1: to travel over or through esp. on foot:
          traverse 2: to make an official inspection of (a boundary)
          on foot ~ vi: stroll -- per.am.bu.la.tion n -- per.am.bu.la.to.ry
          adj

   perambulator
          [per.am.bu.la.tor] n (1611) 1: one that perambulates 2 chiefly
          Brit: a baby carriage

   per angusta ad augusta
          [per an.gus.ta ad au.gus.ta] [L] foreign term : through
          difficulties to honors

   per annum
          [per an.num] adv [ML] (1536): in or for each year

   perborate
          [per.bo.rate] n [ISV] (1881): a salt that is a compound of
          a borate with hydrogen peroxide

   percale
          [per.cale] n [Per pargalah] (1840): a fine closely woven
          cotton cloth variously finished for clothing, sheeting,
          and industrial uses

   percaline
          [per.ca.line] n [F, fr. percale] (ca. 1858): a lightweight
          cotton fabric; esp: a glossy fabric used for bookbindings

   per capita
          [per cap.i.ta] adv or adj [ML, by heads] (1682) 1: equally
          to each individual 2: per unit of population: by or for
          each person <the highest income per capita of any state
          in the union>

   perceive
          [per.ceive] vt per.ceived ; per.ceiv.ing [ME, fr. MF perceivre,
          fr. L percipere, fr. per- thoroughly + capere to take--more
          at heave] (14c) 1 a: to attain awareness or understanding
          of b: to regard as being such <perceived threats> <was
          perceived as a loser> 2: to become aware of through the
          senses; esp: see, observe -- per.ceiv.able adj -- per.ceiv.ably
          adv -- per.ceiv.er n

   [1]percent
          [per.cent] adv [earlier per cent, fr. per + L centum hundred--more
          at hundred] (1568): in the hundred: of each hundred [2]percent
          n, pl percent or percents (1667) 1 pl percent a: one part
          in a hundred b: percentage <a large ~ of his income> 2 percents pl,
          Brit: securities bearing a specified rate of interest [3]percent
          adj (1888) 1: reckoned on the basis of a whole divided into one
          hundred parts 2: paying interest at a specified percent

   percentage
          [per.cent.age] n (ca. 1789) 1 a: a part of a whole expressed
          in hundredths b: the result obtained by multiplying a
          number by a percent 2 a: a share of winnings or profits
          b: advantage, profit <no ~ in going around looking like
          an old sack of laundry --Wallace Stegner> 3: an indeterminate
          part: proportion 4 a: probability b: favorable odds

   percentile
          [per.cen.tile] n (1885): a value on a scale of one hundred
          that indicates the percent of a distribution that is
          equal to or below it <a score in the 95th ~>

   per centum
          [per cen.tum] n [per + L centum] (ca. 1565): percent

   percept
          [per.cept] n [back-formation fr. perception] (1837): an impression
          of an object obtained by use of the senses: sense-datum

   perceptible
          [per.cep.ti.ble] adj (1603): capable of being perceived esp.
          by the senses <a ~ change in her tone> <the light became
          increasingly ~> -- per.cep.ti.bil.i.ty n -- per.cep.ti.bly
          adv syn perceptible, sensible, palpable, tangible, appreciable,
          ponderable mean apprehensible as real or existent. perceptible
          applies to what can be discerned by the senses often
          to a minimal extent <a perceptible difference in sound
          to a careful listener>. sensible applies to whatever
          is clearly apprehended through the senses or impresses
          itself strongly on the mind <an abrupt, sensible drop
          in temperature>. palpable applies either to what has
          physical substance or to what is obvious and unmistakable
          <the tension in the air was almost palpable>. tangible
          suggests what is capable of being handled or grasped
          both physically and mentally <no tangible evidence of
          UFOs>. appreciable applies to what is distinctly discernible
          by the senses or definitely measurable <an appreciable
          increase in income>. ponderable suggests having definitely
          measurable weight or importance <exerted a ponderable
          influence on world events>.

   perception
          [per.cep.tion] n [L perception-, perceptio act of perceiving,
          fr. percipere] (14c) 1 a: a result of perceiving: observation
          b: a mental image: concept 2 obs: consciousness 3 a:
          awareness of the elements of environment through physical
          sensation <color ~> b: physical sensation interpreted
          in the light of experience 4 a: quick, acute, and intuitive
          cognition: appreciation b: a capacity for comprehension
          syn see discernment -- per.cep.tion.al adj

   perceptive
          [per.cep.tive] adj (1656) 1: responsive to sensory stimuli:
          discerning <a ~ eye> 2 a: capable of or exhibiting keen
          perception: observant <a ~ scholar> b: characterized
          by sympathetic understanding or insight -- per.cep.tive.ly
          adv -- per.cep.tive.ness n -- per.cep.tiv.i.ty n

   perceptual
          [per.cep.tu.al] adj [percept + -ual (as in conceptual)] (1878):
          of, relating to, or involving perception esp. in relation
          to immediate sensory experience -- per.cep.tu.al.ly adv

   Perceval
          [Per.ce.val] n [OF]: a knight of King Arthur who wins a sight
          of the Holy Grail

   [1]perch
          [perch] n [ME perche, fr. MF, fr. L pertica pole] (14c) 1:
          a bar or peg on which something is hung 2 a: a roost
          for a bird b: a resting place or vantage point: seat
          c: a prominent position <his new ~ as president> 3 chiefly
          Brit: rod 2 [2]perch vi (14c): to alight, settle, or
          rest on a perch, a height, or a precarious spot ~ vt:
          to place on a perch, a height, or a precarious spot [3]perch
          n, pl perch or perch.es [ME perche, fr. MF, fr. L perca,
          fr. Gk perke; akin to OHG faro colored, L porcus, a spiny
          fish] (14c) 1 a: a small European freshwater bony fish
          (Perca fluviatilis of the family Percidae, the perch
          family) b: yellow perch 2: any of numerous bony fishes
          (as of the families Percidae, Centrarchidae, and Serranidae)

   perchance
          [per.chance] adv [ME per chance, fr. MF, by chance] (14c):
          perhaps, possibly

   Percheron
          [Per.che.ron] n [F] (1875): any of a breed of powerful rugged
          draft horses that originated in the Perche region of
          France

   perchlorate
          [per.chlo.rate] n [ISV] (1826): a salt or ester of perchloric
          acid

   perchloric acid
          [per.chlo.ric acid] n (1818): a fuming corrosive strong acid
          that is the most highly oxidized acid of chlorine and
          a powerful oxidizing agent when heated

   perchloroethylene
          [per.chlo.ro.eth.y.lene] n (1873): a colorless nonflammable
          liquid used often as a solvent in dry cleaning and for
          removal of grease from metals

   percipience
          [per.cip.i.ence] n (ca. 1774): perception 4

   [1]percipient
          [per.cip.i.ent] n [L percipient-, percipiens, prp. of percipere
          to perceive] (1662) 1: one that perceives 2: a person
          on whose mind a telepathic impulse or message is held
          to fall [2]percipient adj (1692): capable of or characterized
          by perception: discerning -- per.cip.i.ent.ly adv

   percolate
          [per.co.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L percolatus, pp. of
          percolare, fr. per- through + colare to sieve--more at
          per-, colander] vt (1626) 1 a: to cause (a solvent) to
          pass through a permeable substance (as a powdered drug)
          esp. for extracting a soluble constituent b: to prepare
          (coffee) in a percolator 2: to be diffused through: penetrate
          ~ vi 1: to ooze or trickle through a permeable substance:
          seep 2 a: to become percolated b: to become lively or
          effervescent 3: to spread gradually <allow the sunlight
          to ~ into our rooms --Norman Douglas> 4: simmer 2a --
          per.co.la.tion n

   percolator
          [per.co.la.tor] n (ca. 1842): one that percolates; specif:
          a coffeepot in which boiling water rising through a tube
          is repeatedly deflected downward through a perforated
          basket containing ground coffee beans to extract their
          essence

   per contra
          [per con.tra] adv [It, by the opposite side (of the ledger)]
          (1554) 1 a: on the contrary b: by way of contrast 2:
          as an offset

   per curiam decision
          [per cu.ri.am decision] n [ML per curiam, lit., by the court]
          (1927): a very brief usu. unanimous decision of a court
          rendered without elaborate discussion

   percuss
          [per.cuss] vt [L percussus, pp. of percutere] (1560): to
          tap sharply; esp: to practice percussion on

   percussion
          [per.cus.sion] n [ME, fr. L percussion-, percussio, fr. percutere
          to beat, fr. per- thoroughly + quatere to shake] (15c)
          1: the act of percussing: as a: the striking of a percussion
          cap so as to set off the charge in a firearm b: the beating
          or striking of a musical instrument c: the act or technique
          of tapping the surface of a body part to learn the condition
          of the parts beneath by the resultant sound 2: the striking
          of sound on the ear 3: percussion instruments that form
          a section of a band or orchestra -- percussion adj

   percussion cap
          [percussion cap] n (1823): cap 5

   percussion instrument
          [percussion instrument] n (1872): a musical instrument (as
          a drum, xylophone, or maraca) sounded by striking, shaking,
          or scraping

   percussionist
          [per.cus.sion.ist] n (1939): one skilled in the playing of
          percussion instruments

   percussive
          [per.cus.sive] adj (1793) 1: of or relating to percussion;
          esp: operative or operated by striking 2: having powerful
          impact -- per.cus.sive.ly adv -- per.cus.sive.ness n

   percutaneous
          [per.cu.ta.ne.ous] adj (1887): effected or performed through
          the skin -- per.cu.ta.ne.ous.ly adv

   perdie
          [per.die] var of pardie

   [1]per diem
          [per di.em] adv [ML] (1520): by the day: for each day [2]per
          diem adj (1809) 1: based on use or service by the day:
          daily 2: paid by the day [3]per diem n, pl per diems
          (1812) 1: a daily allowance 2: a daily fee

   perdition
          [per.di.tion] n [ME perdicion, fr. LL perdition-, perditio,
          fr. L perdere to destroy, fr. per- through + dare to
          give--more at per-, date] (14c) 1 a archaic: utter destruction
          b obs: loss 2 a: eternal damnation b: hell

   [1]perdu
          [per.du] or per.due n [F sentinelle perdue, lit., lost sentinel]
          (1605) obs: a soldier assigned to extremely hazardous
          duty [2]per.du or per.due adj [F perdu, masc., & perdue,
          fem., fr. pp. of perdre to lose, fr. L perdere] (1624):
          remaining out of sight

   perdurable
          [per.du.ra.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL perdurabilis, fr.
          L perdurare to endure, fr. per- throughout + durare to
          last--more at during] (14c): very durable -- per.du.ra.bil.i.ty
          n -- per.du.ra.bly adv

   perdure
          [per.dure] vi per.dured ; per.dur.ing [ME, fr. L perdurare]
          (15c): to continue to exist: last

   pere
          [pere] [F] foreign term : father--used orig. after French
          and now also after other family names to distinguish
          a father from his son

   pereant qui ante nos nostra dixerunt
          [per.eant qui an.te nos nos.tra dix.e.runt] [L] foreign term
          : may they perish who have expressed our bright ideas
          before us

   peregrinate
          [per.e.gri.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing vi (1593): to travel
          esp. on foot: walk ~ vt: to walk or travel over: traverse
          -- per.e.gri.na.tion n

   [1]peregrine
          [per.e.grine] adj [ME, fr. ML peregrinus, fr. L, foreign--more
          at pilgrim] (14c): having a tendency to wander [2]peregrine
          n (1555): a swift nearly cosmopolitan falcon (Falco peregrinus)
          that is much used in falconry--called also peregrine
          falcon

   pereion
          [pe.rei.on] or pe.re.on n [NL, fr. Gk peraion, prp. of peraioun
          to transport, fr. peraios situated beyond, fr. pera beyond;
          akin to Gk poros passage--more at fare] (1855): the thorax
          or the seven metameres comprising the thorax of some
          crustaceans (as a decapod)

   pereiopod
          [pe.reio.pod] or pe.reo.pod n [NL perion + E -pod] (1893):
          an appendage of the pereion

   peremptory
          [pe.remp.to.ry] adj [LL & L; LL peremptorius, fr. L, destructive,
          fr. perimere to take entirely, destroy, fr. per- thoroughly
          + emere to take--more at redeem] (15c) 1 a: putting an
          end to or precluding a right of action, debate, or delay
          <a ~ mandamus> b: admitting of no contradiction <a ~
          conclusion based on absolute evidence> 2: expressive
          of urgency or command <a ~ call> 3 a: characterized by
          often imperious or arrogant self-assurance <how insolent
          of late he is become, how proud, how ~ --Shak.> b: indicative
          of a peremptory attitude or nature: haughty <a ~ tone>
          <~ disregard of an objection> syn see masterful -- pe.remp.to.ri.ly
          adv -- pe.remp.to.ri.ness n

   peremptory challenge
          [peremptory challenge] n (ca. 1531): a challenge (as of a
          juror) made as of right without assigning any cause

   perennate
          [pe.ren.nate] vi -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L perennatus, pp. of
          perennare, fr. perennis] (ca. 1623): to live over from
          season to season <a perennating rhizome> -- per.en.na.tion
          n

   perennial
          [pe.ren.ni.al] adj [L perennis, fr. per- throughout + annus
          year--more at per-, annual] (1644) 1: present at all
          seasons of the year 2: persisting for several years usu.
          with new herbaceous growth from a perennating part <~
          asters> 3 a: persistent, enduring <~ traditions> b: continuing
          without interruption: constant, perpetual <the ~ quest
          for certainty> <a ~ student> c: regularly repeated or
          renewed: recurrent <death is a ~ literary theme> syn
          see continual -- perennial n -- pe.ren.ni.al.ly adv

   perestroika
          [per.e.stroi.ka] n [Russ perestroika, lit., restructuring]
          (1986): the policy of economic and governmental reform
          instituted by Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union during
          the mid-1980s

   pereunt et imputantur
          [per.eunt et im.pu.tan.tur] [L] foreign term : they (the
          hours) pass away and are reckoned on (our) account

   perf
          [perf] abbreviation perfect, perforated, performance

   [1]perfect
          [per.fect] adj [ME parfit, fr. OF, fr. L perfectus, fr. pp.
          of perficere to carry out, perfect, fr. per- thoroughly
          + facere to make, do--more at do] (14c) 1 a: being entirely
          without fault or defect: flawless <a ~ diamond> b: satisfying
          all requirements: accurate c: corresponding to an ideal
          standard or abstract concept <a ~ gentleman> d: faithfully
          reproducing the original; specif: letter-perfect e: legally
          valid 2: expert, proficient <practice makes ~> 3 a: pure,
          total b: lacking in no essential detail: complete c obs:
          sane d: absolute, unequivocal <enjoys ~ happiness> e:
          of an extreme kind: unmitigated <a ~ brat> <an act of
          ~ foolishness> 4 obs: mature 5: of, relating to, or constituting
          a verb form or verbal that expresses an action or state
          completed at the time of speaking or at a time spoken
          of 6 obs a: certain, sure b: contented, satisfied 7 of
          a musical interval: belonging to the consonances unison,
          fourth, fifth, and octave which retain their character
          when inverted and when raised or lowered by a half step
          become augmented or diminished 8 a: sexually mature and
          fully differentiated <a ~ insect> b: having both stamens
          and pistils in the same flower <a ~ flower> -- per.fect.ness
          n syn perfect, whole, entire, intact mean not lacking
          or faulty in any particular. perfect implies the soundness
          and the excellence of every part, element, or quality
          of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical
          state <a perfect set of teeth>. whole suggests a completeness
          or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained
          <felt like a whole person again after vacation>. entire
          implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness,
          or completeness of a thing <the entire Beethoven corpus>.
          intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in
          its natural or original state <the boat survived the
          storm intact>. [2]per.fect vt (14c) 1: to bring to final
          form 2: to make perfect: improve, refine -- per.fect.er
          n [3]per.fect n (1841): the perfect tense of a language;
          also: a verb form in the perfect tense

   perfecta
          [per.fec.ta] n [AmerSp quiniela perfecta perfect quiniela]
          (1967): a bet in which the bettor picks the first and
          second place finishers in order--compare quiniela, trifecta

   perfect binding
          [perfect binding] n (1926): a book binding in which a layer
          of adhesive holds the pages and cover together -- per.fect-bound
          adj

   perfect game
          [perfect game] n (ca. 1949): a baseball game in which a pitcher
          allows no hits, no runs, and no opposing batter to reach
          first base

   perfectible
          [per.fect.ible] adj (1635): capable of improvement or perfection
          -- per.fect.ibil.i.ty n

   perfection
          [per.fec.tion] n [ME perfeccioun, fr. OF perfection, fr.
          L perfection-, perfectio, fr. perficere] (13c) 1: the
          quality or state of being perfect: as a: freedom from
          fault or defect: flawlessness b: maturity c: the quality
          or state of being saintly 2 a: an exemplification of
          supreme excellence b: an unsurpassable degree of accuracy
          or excellence 3: the act or process of perfecting

   perfectionism
          [per.fec.tion.ism] n (ca. 1846) 1 a: the doctrine that the
          perfection of moral character constitutes a person's
          highest good b: the theological doctrine that a state
          of freedom from sin is attainable on earth 2: a disposition
          to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable
          -- per.fec.tion.ist n or adj -- per.fec.tion.is.tic adj

   perfective
          [per.fec.tive] adj (1596) 1 archaic a: tending to make perfect
          b: becoming better 2: expressing action as complete or
          as implying the notion of completion, conclusion, or
          result <~ verb> -- perfective n -- per.fec.tive.ly adv
          -- per.fec.tive.ness n -- per.fec.tiv.i.ty n

   perfectly
          [per.fect.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a perfect manner 2: to a complete
          or adequate extent: quite <was ~ happy until now>

   perfect number
          [perfect number] n (14c): an integer (as 6 or 28) the sum
          of whose integral factors including 1 but excluding itself
          is equal to itself

   perfecto
          [per.fec.to] n, pl -tos [Sp, perfect, fr. L perfectus] (1894):
          a cigar that is thick in the middle and tapers at each
          end

   perfect participle
          [perfect participle] n (1862): past participle

   perfect pitch
          [perfect pitch] n (1949): absolute pitch 2

   perfect square
          [perfect square] n (1856): an integer (as 9 or 36) whose
          square root is an integer

   perfervid
          [per.fer.vid] adj [NL perfervidus, fr. L per- thoroughly
          + fervidus fervid] (1856): marked by overwrought or exaggerated
          emotion: excessively fervent syn see impassioned

   perfide Albion
          [per.fide Al.bion] [F] foreign term : perfidious Albion (England)

   perfidious
          [per.fid.i.ous] adj (1598): of, relating to, or characterized
          by perfidy syn see faithless -- per.fid.i.ous.ly adv
          -- per.fid.i.ous.ness n

   perfidy
          [per.fi.dy] n, pl -dies [L perfidia, fr. perfidus faithless,
          fr. per- detrimental to + fides faith--more at per-,
          faith] (1592) 1: the quality or state of being faithless
          or disloyal: treachery 2: an act or an instance of disloyalty

   perfoliate
          [per.fo.li.ate] adj [NL perfoliata, an herb having leaves
          pierced by the stem, fr. L per through + foliata, fem.
          of foliatus foliate] (1687): having the basal part naturally
          united around the stem <a ~ leaf of a honeysuckle>

   perfora te
          [per.fo.ra te] vb -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L perforatus, pp. of
          perforare to bore through, fr. per- through + forare
          to bore--more at bore] vt (1538) 1: to make a hole through
          <an ulcer ~s the duodenal wall>; esp: to make a line
          of holes in to facilitate separation 2: to pass through
          or into by or as if by making a hole ~ vi: to penetrate
          a surface -- per.fo.rate adj -- per.fo.ra.tor n

   perforated
          [per.fo.rat.ed] adj (1597) 1: having a hole or perforations;
          esp: having a specified number of perforations in 20
          millimeters <the stamps are ~ 10> 2: characterized by
          perforation <a ~ ulcer>

   perforation
          [per.fo.ra.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or process of perforating
          2 a: a hole or pattern made by or as if by piercing or
          boring b: one of the series of holes between rows of
          postage stamps in a sheet that serve as an aid in separation

   perforce
          [per.force] adv [ME par force, fr. MF, by force] (14c) 1
          obs: by physical coercion 2: by force of circumstances

   perform
          [per.form] vb [ME, fr. AF performer, alter. of OF perfournir,
          fr. per- thoroughly (fr. L) + fournir to complete--more
          at furnish] vt (14c) 1: to adhere to the terms of: fulfill
          <~ a contract> 2: carry out, do 3 a: to do in a formal
          manner or according to prescribed ritual b: to give a
          rendition of: present ~ vi 1: to carry out an action
          or pattern of behavior: act, function 2: to give a performance:
          play -- per.form.abil.i.ty n -- per.form.able adj --
          per.form.er n syn perform, execute, discharge, accomplish,
          achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect.
          perform implies action that follows established patterns
          or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and
          often connotes special skill <performed gymnastics>.
          execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan
          or in intent <executed the hit-and-run>. discharge implies
          execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks
          <discharged his duties>. accomplish stresses the successful
          completion of a process rather than the means of carrying
          it out <accomplished everything they set out to do>.
          achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered
          difficulties <achieve greatness>. effect adds to achieve
          an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable
          of surmounting obstacles <effected sweeping reforms>.
          fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities
          <fulfilled their ambitions>.

   performance
          [per.for.mance] n (15c) 1 a: the execution of an action b:
          something accomplished: deed, feat 2: the fulfillment
          of a claim, promise, or request: implementation 3 a:
          the action of representing a character in a play b: a
          public presentation or exhibition <a benefit ~> 4 a:
          the ability to perform: efficiency b: the manner in which
          a mechanism performs <engine ~> 5: the manner of reacting
          to stimuli: behavior 6: the linguistic behavior of an
          individual: parole; also: the ability to speak a certain
          language--compare competence 3

   performance art
          [performance art] n (1971): a nontraditional art form that
          consists of or features a performance by the artist --
          performance artist n

   performative
          [per.for.ma.tive] adj (1955): being or relating to an expression
          that serves to effect a transaction or that constitutes
          the performance of the specified act by virtue of its
          utterance <~ verbs such as promise and congratulate>--compare
          constative -- performative n

   performatory
          [per.for.ma.to.ry] adj (1949): performative; also: of or
          relating to performance

   performing
          [performing] adj (1889): of, relating to, or constituting
          an art (as drama) that involves public performance <the
          ~ arts>

   [1]perfume
          [per.fume] n [MF perfum, prob. fr. OProv, fr. perfumar to
          perfume, fr. per- thoroughly (fr. L) + fumar to smoke,
          fr. L fumare, fr. fumus smoke--more at fume] (1533) 1:
          the scent of something sweet-smelling 2: a substance
          that emits a pleasant odor; esp: a fluid preparation
          of natural essences (as from plants or animals) or synthetics
          and a fixative used for scenting syn see fragrance [2]per.fume
          vt per.fumed ; per.fum.ing (1538): to fill or imbue with
          an odor

   perfumer
          [per.fum.er] n (ca. 1580): one that makes or sells perfumes

   perfumery
          [per.fum.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1800) 1 a: the art or process
          of making perfume b: the products made by a perfumer
          2: an establishment where perfumes are made

   perfunctory
          [per.func.to.ry] adj [LL perfunctorius, fr. L perfungi to
          accomplish, get through with, fr. per- through + fungi
          to perform--more at per-, function] (1593) 1: characterized
          by routine or superficiality: mechanical <a ~ smile>
          2: lacking in interest or enthusiasm -- per.func.to.ri.ly
          adv -- per.func.to.ri.ness n

   perfusate
          [per.fus.ate] n (1915): a fluid (as a solution pumped through
          the heart) that is perfused

   perfuse
          [per.fuse] vt per.fused ; per.fus.ing [ME, fr. L perfusus,
          pp. of perfundere to pour over, fr. per- through + fundere
          to pour--more at found] (15c) 1: suffuse 2 a: to cause
          to flow or spread: diffuse b: to force a fluid through
          (an organ or tissue) esp. by way of the blood vessels
          -- per.fu.sion n

   perfusionist
          [per.fu.sion.ist] n (1964): a certified medical technician
          responsible for extracorporeal oxygenation of the blood
          during open-heart surgery and for the operation and maintenance
          of equipment (as a heart-lung machine) controlling it

   pergola
          [per.go.la] n [It, fr. L pergula] (1675) 1: arbor, trellis
          2: a structure usu. consisting of parallel colonnades
          supporting an open roof of girders and cross rafters

   perh
          [perh] abbreviation perhaps

   [1]perhaps
          [per.haps] adv [per + hap] (1528): possibly but not certainly:
          maybe [2]perhaps n (1534): something open to doubt or
          conjecture

   peri-
          [peri-] prefix [L, fr. Gk, around, in excess, fr. peri; akin
          to Gk peran to pass through--more at fare] 1: all around:
          about <periscope> 2: near <perihelion> 3: enclosing:
          surrounding <perineurium>

   peri
          [pe.ri] n [Per peri fairy, genius, fr. MPer parik; akin to
          Av pairika sorceress] (ca. 1780) 1: a supernatural being
          in Persian folklore descended from fallen angels and
          excluded from paradise until penance is accomplished
          2: a beautiful and graceful girl

   perianth
          [peri.anth] n [NL perianthium, fr. peri- + Gk anthos flower--more
          at anthology] (1828): the floral structure comprised
          of the calyx and corolla esp. when the two whorls are
          fused--see flower illustration

   periapt
          [peri.apt] n [MF or Gk; MF periapte, fr. Gk periapton, fr.
          periaptein to fasten around (oneself), fr. peri- + haptein
          to fasten] (1584): amulet

   pericardial
          [peri.car.di.al] adj (1654): of, relating to, or affecting
          the pericardium; also: situated around the heart

   pericarditis
          [peri.car.di.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1799): inflammation of the
          pericardium

   pericardium
          [peri.car.di.um] n, pl -dia [ME, fr. ML, fr. Gk perikardion,
          neut. of perikardios around the heart, fr. peri- + kardia
          heart--more at heart] (15c) 1: the conical sac of serous
          membrane that encloses the heart and the roots of the
          great blood vessels of vertebrates 2: a cavity or space
          that contains the heart of an invertebrate and in arthropods
          is a part of the hemocoel

   pericarp
          [peri.carp] n [NL pericarpium, fr. Gk perikarpion pod, fr.
          peri- + -karpion -carp] (1759): the ripened and variously
          modified walls of a plant ovary--see endocarp illustration

   perichondrium
          [peri.chon.dri.um] n, pl -dria [NL, fr. peri- + Gk chondros
          grain, cartilage] (1741): the membrane of fibrous connective
          tissue that invests cartilage except at joints -- peri.chon.dral
          adj

   pericope
          [pe.ric.o.pe] n [LL, fr. Gk perikope section, fr. peri- +
          kope act of cutting, fr. koptein to cut--more at capon]
          (1658): a selection from a book; specif: lection 1

   pericranium
          [peri.cra.ni.um] n, pl -nia [ME pericraneum, fr. ML, fr.
          Gk perikranion, neut. of perikranios around the skull,
          fr. peri- + kranion skull--more at cranium] (15c): the
          external periosteum of the skull -- peri.cra.ni.al adj

   pericycle
          [peri.cy.cle] n [F pericycle, fr. Gk perikyklos spherical,
          fr. peri- + kyklos circle--more at wheel] (ca. 1892):
          a thin layer of parenchymatous or sclerenchymatous cells
          that surrounds the stele in most vascular plants -- peri.cy.clic
          adj

   periderm
          [peri.derm] n [NL peridermis, fr. peri- + -dermis] (1849):
          an outer layer of tissue; esp: a cortical protective
          layer of many roots and stems that typically consists
          of phellem, phellogen, and phelloderm

   peridium
          [pe.rid.i.um] n, pl pe.rid.ia [NL, fr. Gk peridion, dim.
          of pera leather bag] (ca. 1823): the outer envelope of
          the sporophore of many fungi

   peridot
          [per.i.dot] n [F peridot, fr. OF peritot] (ca. 1706): a deep
          yellowish green transparent olivine used as a gem --
          per.i.do.tic adj

   peridotite
          [pe.ri.do.tite] n [F peridotite, fr. peridot] (1878): any
          of a group of granitoid igneous rocks composed of ferromagnesian
          minerals and esp. olivine -- pe.ri.do.tit.ic adj

   perigee
          [peri.gee] n [MF, fr. NL perigeum, fr. Gk perigeion, fr.
          neut. of perigeios near the earth, fr. peri- + ge earth]
          (1594): the point in the orbit of an object (as a satellite)
          orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the
          earth; also: the point nearest a planet or a satellite
          (as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it--compare
          apogee -- peri.ge.an adj

   perigynous
          [pe.rig.y.nous] adj [NL perigynus, fr. peri- + -gynus -gynous]
          (1807): borne on a ring or cup of the receptacle surrounding
          a pistil <~ petals>; also: having perigynous stamens
          and petals <~ flowers> -- pe.rig.y.ny n

   perihelion
          [peri.he.lion] n, pl -he.lia [NL, fr. peri- + Gk helios sun--more
          at solar] (1666): the point in the path of a celestial
          body (as a planet) that is nearest to the sun--compare
          aphelion -- peri.he.lial adj

   perikaryon
          [peri.kar.y.on] n, pl -kar.ya [NL, fr. peri- + Gk karyon
          nut, kernel--more at careen] (1897): cell body -- peri.kar.y.al
          adj

   [1]peril
          [per.il] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L periculum--more at fear] (13c)
          1: exposure to the risk of being injured, destroyed,
          or lost: danger <fire put the city in ~> 2: something
          that imperils: risk <lessen the ~s of the streets> [2]peril
          vt -iled also -illed ; -il.ing also -il.ling (1567):
          to expose to danger

   perilla
          [pe.ril.la] n [NL] (1900): any of a genus (Perilla) of Asian
          mints that have a bilabiate fruiting calyx and rugose
          nutlets

   perilla oil
          [perilla oil] n (1917): a light yellow drying oil that is
          obtained from seeds of perillas

   perilous
          [per.il.ous] adj (14c): full of or involving peril: hazardous
          syn see dangerous -- per.il.ous.ly adv -- per.il.ous.ness
          n

   perilune
          [peri.lune] n [peri- + L luna moon--more at lunar] (1960):
          the point in the path of a body orbiting the moon that
          is nearest to the center of the moon--compare apolune

   perilymph
          [peri.lymph] n [ISV] (ca. 1839): the fluid between the membranous
          and bony labyrinths of the ear

   perimeter
          [pe.rim.e.ter] n [ME perimetre, fr. L perimetros, fr. Gk,
          fr. peri- + metron measure--more at measure] (15c) 1
          a: the boundary of a closed plane figure b: the length
          of a perimeter 2: a line or strip bounding or protecting
          an area 3: outer limits--often used in pl.

   perimysium
          [peri.my.si.um] n, pl -sia [NL, irreg. fr. peri- + Gk mys
          mouse, muscle--more at mouse] (ca. 1842): the connective-tissue
          sheath that surrounds a muscle and forms sheaths for
          the bundles of muscle fibers

   perinatal
          [peri.na.tal] adj (1952): occurring in, concerned with, or
          being in the period around the time of birth <~ mortality>
          <~ care> -- peri.na.tal.ly adv

   perineum
          [per.i.ne.um] n, pl -nea [ME, fr. LL perinaion, fr. Gk, fr.
          peri- + inan to empty out; perh. akin to Skt isnati he
          sets in motion] (15c): an area of tissue that marks externally
          the approximate boundary of the outlet of the pelvis
          and gives passage to the urinogenital ducts and rectum;
          also: the area between the anus and the posterior part
          of the external genitalia -- per.i.ne.al adj

   perineurium
          [peri.neu.ri.um] n, pl -ria [NL, fr. peri- + Gk neuron nerve--more
          at nerve] (ca. 1842): the connective-tissue sheath that surrounds
          a bundle of nerve fibers

   [1]period
          [pe.ri.od] n [ME pariode, fr. MF periode, fr. ML, L, & Gk;
          ML periodus period of time, punctuation mark, fr. L &
          Gk; L, rhetorical period, fr. Gk periodos circuit, period
          of time, rhetorical period, fr. peri- + hodos way] (ca.
          1530) 1: the completion of a cycle, a series of events,
          or a single action: conclusion 2 a (1): an utterance
          from one full stop to another: sentence (2): a well-proportioned
          sentence of several clauses (3): periodic sentence b:
          a musical structure or melodic section usu. composed
          of two or more contrasting or complementary phrases and
          ending with a cadence 3 a: the full pause with which
          the utterance of a sentence closes b: end, stop 4 obs:
          goal, purpose 5 a: a point . used to mark the end (as
          of a declarative sentence or an abbreviation)--often
          used interjectionally to emphasize that no more need
          be said <I don't remember -- ~> b: a rhythmical unit
          in Greek verse composed of a series of two or more cola
          6 a: a portion of time determined by some recurring phenomenon
          b (1): the interval of time required for a cyclic motion
          or phenomenon to complete a cycle and begin to repeat
          itself (2): a number k that does not change the value
          of a periodic function f when added to the independent
          variable; esp: the smallest such number c: a single cyclic
          occurrence of menstruation 7 a: a chronological division:
          stage b: a division of geologic time longer than an epoch
          and included in an era c: a stage of culture having a
          definable place in time and space 8 a: one of the divisions
          of the academic day b: one of the divisions of the playing
          time of a game syn period, epoch, era, age mean a division
          of time. period may designate an extent of time of any
          length <periods of economic prosperity>. epoch applies
          to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking
          quality, change, or series of events <the steam engine
          marked a new epoch in industry>. era suggests a period
          of history marked by a new or distinct order of things
          <the era of global communications>. age is used frequently
          of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent
          figure or feature <the age of Samuel Johnson>. [2]period
          adj (1905): of, relating to, or representing a particular
          historical period <~ furniture> <~ costumes>

   periodic
          [pe.ri.od.ic] adj (1642) 1: occurring or recurring at regular
          intervals 2 a: consisting of or containing a series of
          repeated stages, processes, or digits: cyclic <~ decimals>
          <a ~ vibration> b: being a function any value of which
          recurs at regular intervals 3: expressed in or characterized
          by periodic sentences

   periodic acid
          [per.iod.ic acid] n [ISV per- + iodic] (1836): any of the
          strongly oxidizing acids that are the most highly oxidized
          acids of iodine

   [1]periodical
          [pe.ri.od.i.cal] adj (1601) 1: periodic 1 2 a: published
          with a fixed interval between the issues or numbers b:
          published in, characteristic of, or connected with a
          periodical [2]periodical n (1798): a periodical publication

   periodical cicada
          [periodical cicada] n (1890): seventeen-year locust

   periodically
          [pe.ri.od.i.cal.ly] adv (1646) 1: at regular intervals of
          time 2: from time to time: frequently

   periodicity
          [pe.ri.od.ic.i.ty] n (1833): the quality, state, or fact
          of being regularly recurrent or having periods

   periodic law
          [periodic law] n (1872): a law in chemistry: the elements
          when arranged in the order of their atomic numbers show
          a periodic variation of atomic structure and of most
          of their properties

   periodic sentence
          [periodic sentence] n (ca. 1928): a usu. complex sentence
          that has no subordinate or trailing elements following
          its principal clause (as in "yesterday while I was walking
          down the street, I saw him")

   periodic table
          [periodic table] n (1895): an arrangement of chemical elements
          based on the periodic law

   periodization
          [pe.ri.od.i.za.tion] n (1938): division (as of history) into
          periods

   periodontal
          [peri.odon.tal] adj (1854) 1: investing or surrounding a
          tooth 2: of or affecting periodontal tissues or regions
          <~ diseases> -- peri.odon.tal.ly adv

   periodontal membrane
          [periodontal membrane] n (ca. 1903): the fibrous connective-tissue
          layer covering the cementum of a tooth and holding it in place
          in the jawbone

   periodontics
          [peri.odon.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [NL periodontium
          periodontal tissue, fr. peri- + Gk odont-, odous, odon
          tooth--more at tooth] (ca. 1944): a branch of dentistry
          that deals with diseases of the supporting and investing
          structures of the teeth including the gums, cementum,
          periodontal membranes, and alveolar bone -- peri.odon.tist
          n

   periodontology
          [peri.odon.tol.o.gy] n (1914): periodontics

   period piece
          [period piece] n (1940): a piece (as of fiction, art, furniture,
          or music) whose special value lies in its evocation of
          an historical period

   perionychium
          [peri.onych.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. peri- + Gk onych-, onyx
          nail--more at nail] (ca. 1879): the tissue bordering
          the root and sides of a fingernail or toenail

   periosteal
          [peri.os.te.al] adj (1830) 1: situated around or produced
          external to bone 2: of, relating to, or involving the
          periosteum

   periosteum
          [peri.os.te.um] n, pl -tea [NL, fr. LL periosteon, fr. Gk,
          neut. of periosteos around the bone, fr. peri- + osteon
          bone--more at osseous] (1597): the membrane of connective
          tissue that closely invests all bones except at the articular
          surfaces

   periostitis
          [peri.os.ti.tis] n [NL] (1843): inflammation of the periosteum

   [1]peripatetic
          [peri.pa.tet.ic] n (15c) 1 cap: a follower of Aristotle or
          adherent of Aristotelianism 2: pedestrian, itinerant
          3 pl: movement or journeys hither and thither [2]peripatetic
          adj [MF & L; MF peripatetique, fr. L peripateticus, fr.
          Gk peripatetikos, fr. peripatein to walk up and down,
          discourse while pacing (as did Aristotle), fr. peri-
          + patein to tread; akin to Skt patha path--more at find]
          (1566) 1 cap: aristotelian 2 a: of, relating to, or given
          to walking b: moving or traveling from place to place:
          itinerant -- peri.pa.tet.i.cal.ly adv -- Peri.pa.tet.i.cism
          n

   peripatus
          [pe.rip.a.tus] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk peripatos act of
          walking about, fr. peri- + patein to tread] (ca. 1931):
          any of a class or phylum (Onychophora) of primitive tropical
          wormlike invertebrates that appear intermediate between
          annelid worms and arthropods

   peripeteia
          [peri.pe.teia] n [Gk, fr. peripiptein to fall around, change
          suddenly, fr. peri- + piptein to fall--more at feather]
          (1591): a sudden or unexpected reversal of circumstances
          or situation esp. in a literary work

   peripety
          [pe.rip.e.ty] n, pl -ties (1753): peripeteia

   [1]peripheral
          [pe.riph.er.al] adj (1808) 1: of, relating to, involving,
          or forming a periphery or surface part 2: of, relating
          to, or being part of the peripheral nervous system <~
          nerves> 3: of, relating to, or being the outer part of
          the field of vision <good ~ vision> 4: auxiliary, supplementary
          <~ equipment>; also: of or relating to computer peripherals
          -- pe.riph.er.al.ly adv [2]peripheral n (1966): a device
          connected to a computer to provide communication (as
          input and output) or auxiliary functions (as additional
          storage)

   peripheral nervous system
          [peripheral nervous system] n (1935): the part of the nervous
          system that is outside the central nervous system and
          comprises the cranial nerves excepting the optic nerve,
          the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system

   periphery
          [pe.riph.ery] n, pl -er.ies [MF peripherie, fr. LL peripheria,
          fr. Gk periphereia, fr. peripherein to carry around,
          fr. peri- + pherein to carry--more at bear] (1571) 1:
          the perimeter of a circle or other closed curve; also:
          the perimeter of a polygon 2: the external boundary or
          surface of a body 3 a: the outward bounds of something
          as distinguished from its internal regions or center:
          confines b: an area lying beyond the strict limits of
          a thing

   periphrasis
          [pe.riph.ra.sis] n, pl -ra.ses [L, fr. Gk, fr. periphrazein
          to express periphrastically, fr. peri- + phrazein to
          point out] (1533) 1: use of a longer phrasing in place
          of a possible shorter form of expression 2: an instance
          of periphrasis

   periphrastic
          [peri.phras.tic] adj (1805) 1: of, relating to, or characterized
          by periphrasis 2: formed by the use of function words
          or auxiliaries instead of by inflection <more fair is
          a ~ comparative> -- peri.phras.ti.cal.ly adv

   periphyton
          [pe.riph.y.ton] n [NL, fr. Gk periphytos (verbal of periphyein
          to grow around, fr. peri- + phyein to bring forth, grow)
          + -on (as in plankton)--more at be] (1945): organisms
          (as some algae) that live attached to underwater surfaces
          -- peri.phyt.ic adj

   periplast
          [peri.plast] n (1853): plasma membrane; also: a proteinaceous
          subcellular layer below the plasma membrane esp. of a
          euglena

   perique
          [pe.rique] n [LaF perique] (1882): an aromatic fermented
          Louisiana tobacco used in smoking mixtures

   perisarc
          [peri.sarc] n [ISV peri- + Gk sark-, sarx flesh--more at
          sarcasm] (ca. 1871): the outer usu. chitinous integument
          of a hydroid

   periscope
          [peri.scope] n [ISV] (1879): a tubular optical instrument
          containing lenses and mirrors by which an observer obtains
          an otherwise obstructed field of view

   periscopic
          [peri.scop.ic] adj (1804) 1: providing a view all around
          or on all sides <~ lens> 2: of or relating to a periscope

   perish
          [per.ish] vb [ME perisshen, fr. OF periss-, stem of perir,
          fr. L perire, fr. per- detrimentally + ire to go--more
          at per-, issue] vi (13c) 1: to become destroyed or ruined:
          die <recollection of a past already long since ~ed --Philip
          Sherrard> <guard against your mistakes or your attempts
          (~ the thought) to cheat --C. B. Davis> 2 chiefly Brit:
          deteriorate, spoil ~ vt 1 chiefly Brit: to cause to die:
          destroy 2: weaken, benumb

   perishable
          [per.ish.able] adj (ca. 1611): liable to perish: liable to
          spoil or decay <such ~ products as fruit, vegetables,
          butter, and eggs> -- per.ish.abil.i.ty n -- perishable
          n

   perissodactyl
          [pe.ris.so.dac.tyl] n [NL Perissodactyla, fr. Gk perissos
          excessive, odd in number + daktylos finger, toe] (1849):
          any of an order (Perissodactyla) of nonruminant ungulate
          mammals (as a horse, a tapir, or a rhinoceros) that usu.
          have an odd number of toes, molar teeth with transverse
          ridges on the grinding surface, and the posterior premolars
          resembling true molars -- perissodactyl adj

   peristalsis
          [peri.stal.sis] n, pl -stal.ses [NL, fr. Gk peristaltikos
          peristaltic] (1859): successive waves of involuntary
          contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular
          structure (as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing
          the contents onward

   peristaltic
          [peri.stal.tic] adj [Gk peristaltikos, fr. peristellein to
          wrap around, fr. peri- + stellein to place] (1655) 1:
          of, relating to, resulting from, or being peristalsis
          2: having an action suggestive of peristalsis

   peristaltic pump
          [peristaltic pump] n (1962): a pump in which fluid is forced
          along by waves of contraction produced mechanically on
          flexible tubing

   peristome
          [peri.stome] n [NL peristoma, fr. peri- + Gk stoma mouth--more
          at stomach] (ca. 1796) 1: the fringe of teeth surrounding
          the orifice of a moss capsule 2: the region around the
          mouth in various invertebrates -- peri.sto.mi.al adj

   peristyle
          [peri.style] n [F peristyle, fr. L peristylum, fr. Gk peristylon,
          fr. neut. of peristylos surrounded by a colonnade, fr.
          peri- + stylos pillar--more at steer] (1612) 1: a colonnade
          surrounding a building or court 2: an open space enclosed
          by a colonnade

   perithecium
          [peri.the.ci.um] n, pl -cia [NL, fr. peri- + Gk thekion,
          dim. of theke case--more at tick] (ca. 1832): a spherical,
          cylindrical, or flask-shaped hollow fruiting body in
          various ascomycetous fungi that contains the asci and
          usu. opens by a terminal pore -- peri.the.cial adj

   peritoneum
          [peri.to.ne.um] n, pl -ne.ums or -nea [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk
          peritonaion, neut. of peritonaios stretched around, fr.
          peri- + teinein to stretch--more at thin] (15c): the
          smooth transparent serous membrane that lines the cavity
          of the abdomen of a mammal and is folded inward over
          the abdominal and pelvic viscera -- peri.to.ne.al adj
          -- peri.to.ne.al.ly adv

   peritonitis
          [peri.to.ni.tis] n [NL] (1776): inflammation of the peritoneum

   peritrichous
          [pe.rit.ri.chous] adj [peri- + Gk trich-, thrix hair] (1877)
          1: having flagella uniformly distributed over the body
          <~ bacteria> 2: having a spiral line of modified cilia
          around the oral disk <~ protozoa> -- pe.rit.ri.chous.ly
          adv

   periwig
          [peri.wig] n [modif. of MF perruque--more at peruke] (1529):
          peruke -- peri.wigged adj

   [1]periwinkle
          [per.i.win.kle] n [ME perwinke, fr. OE perwince, fr. (assumed)
          VL pervinca, short for L vincapervinca] (bef. 12c) 1:
          any of several trailing or woody evergreen herbs of the
          dogbane family: as a: a European creeper (Vinca minor)
          widely cultivated as a ground cover and for its blue
          or white flowers--called also myrtle b: a commonly cultivated
          subshrub (Catharanthus roseus syn. Vinca rosea) of the
          Old World tropics that is the source of several antineoplastic
          drugs--called also Madagascar periwinkle 2: a light purplish
          blue--called also periwinkle blue [2]periwinkle n [(assumed)
          ME, alter. of OE pinewincle, fr. L pina, a kind of mussel
          (fr. Gk) + OE -wincle (akin to Dan vincle snail shell)]
          (ca. 1530): any of various gastropod mollusks: as a:
          any of a genus (Littorina) of edible littoral marine
          snails; also: any of various similar or related marine
          snails b: any of several No. American freshwater snails

   perjure
          [per.jure] vt per.jured ; per.jur.ing [MF perjurer, fr. L
          perjurare, fr. per- detrimentally, for the worse + jurare
          to swear--more at per-, jury] (1535) 1: to make a perjurer
          of (oneself) 2 obs: to cause to commit perjury

   perjurer
          [per.jur.er] n (15c): a person guilty of perjury

   perjurious
          [per.ju.ri.ous] adj (1602): marked by perjury <~ testimony>
          -- per.ju.ri.ous.ly adv

   perjury
          [per.ju.ry] n (14c): the voluntary violation of an oath or
          vow either by swearing to what is untrue or by omission
          to do what has been promised under oath: false swearing

   [1]perk
          [perk] vb [ME] vi (14c) 1 a: to thrust up the head, stretch
          out the neck, or carry the body in a bold or insolent
          manner b: to stick up or out jauntily 2: to gain in vigor
          or cheerfulness esp. after a period of weakness or depression--usu.
          used with up <he's ~ed up noticeably> ~ vt 1: to make smart
          or spruce in appearance: freshen, improve 2: to thrust up quickly
          or impudently [2]perk vi (1656): percolate [3]perk n (1824):
          perquisite--usu. used in pl.

   perky
          [perky] adj perk.i.er ; -est (1855) 1: briskly self-assured:
          cocky 2: jaunty <a ~ ... waltz --New Yorker> -- perk.i.ly
          adv -- perk.i.ness n

   perlite
          [per.lite] n [F, fr. perle pearl] (1833): volcanic glass
          that has a concentric shelly structure, appears as if
          composed of concretions, is usu. grayish and sometimes
          spherulitic, and when expanded by heat forms a lightweight
          aggregate used esp. in concrete and plaster and as a
          medium for potting plants -- per.lit.ic adj

   perm
          [perm] abbreviation permanent

   [1]perm
          [perm] n (1927): permanent [2]perm vt (1928): to give (hair)
          a permanent wave

   permafrost
          [per.ma.frost] n [permanent + frost] (1943): a permanently
          frozen layer at variable depth below the surface in frigid
          regions of a planet (as earth)

   permanence
          [per.ma.nence] n (15c): the quality or state of being permanent:
          durability

   permanency
          [per.ma.nen.cy] n, pl -cies (1555) 1: permanence 2: something
          permanent

   [1]permanent
          [per.ma.nent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L permanent-, permanens,
          prp. of permanere to endure, fr. per- throughout + manere
          to remain--more at per-, mansion] (15c): continuing or
          enduring without fundamental or marked change: stable
          syn see lasting -- per.ma.nent.ly adv -- per.ma.nent.ness
          n [2]permanent n (1925): a long-lasting hair wave or
          straightening produced by mechanical and chemical means--called
          also permanent wave

   permanent magnet
          [permanent magnet] n (1828): a magnet that retains its magnetism
          after removal of the magnetizing force

   permanent press
          [permanent press] n (1964) 1: the process of treating a fabric
          with a chemical (as a resin) and heat for setting the
          shape and for aiding wrinkle resistance 2: material treated
          by permanent press 3: the condition of material treated
          by permanent press -- permanent-press adj

   permanent tissue
          [permanent tissue] n (ca. 1928): plant tissue that has completed
          its growth and differentiation and is usu. incapable
          of meristematic activity

   permanent tooth
          [permanent tooth] n (1836): any of the second set of teeth
          of a mammal that follow the milk teeth, typically persist
          into old age, and in humans are 32 in number

   permanganate
          [per.man.ga.nate] n (1841) 1: a salt containing the singly
          charged anion consisting of one manganese and four oxygen
          atoms; esp: potassium permanganate 2: the singly charged
          anion of a permanganate

   permeability
          [per.me.abil.i.ty] n (1759) 1: the quality or state of being
          permeable 2: the property of a magnetizable substance
          that determines the degree in which it modifies the magnetic
          flux in the region occupied by it in a magnetic field

   permeable
          [per.me.able] adj (15c): capable of being permeated: penetrable;
          esp: having pores or openings that permit liquids or
          gases to pass through <a ~ membrane> <~ limestone>

   permease
          [per.me.ase] n [ISV perme- (fr. permeate) + -ase] (1957):
          a substance that catalyzes the transport of another substance
          across a cell membrane

   permeate
          [per.me.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L permeatus, pp. of permeare,
          fr. per- through + meare to go, pass; akin to MW mynet
          to go, Czech mijet to pass] vi (1656): to diffuse through
          or penetrate something ~ vt 1: to spread or diffuse through
          <a room permeated with tobacco smoke> 2: to pass through
          the pores or interstices of -- per.me.ative adj

   permeation
          [per.me.ation] n (ca. 1623) 1: the quality or state of being
          permeated 2: the action or process of permeating

   per mensem
          [per men.sem] adv [ML] (1647): by the month

   permethrin
          [per.meth.rin] n [per- + methyl + pyrethrin] (1976): a synthetic
          pyrethrin used esp. as an insecticide

   Permian
          [Perm.ian] adj [Perm, former province in eastern Russia]
          (1841): of, relating to, or being the last period of
          the Paleozoic era or the corresponding system of rocks--see
          geologic time table -- Permian n

   per mill
          [per mill] adv [per + L mille thousand] (1902): per thousand
          -- per.mil.lage n

   permissible
          [per.mis.si.ble] adj [ME, fr. ML permissibilis, fr. L permissus,
          pp. of permittere] (15c): that may be permitted: allowable
          -- per.mis.si.bil.i.ty n -- per.mis.si.ble.ness n --
          per.mis.si.bly adv

   permission
          [per.mis.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L permission-, permissio,
          fr. permittere] (15c) 1: the act of permitting 2: formal
          consent: authorization

   permissive
          [per.mis.sive] adj [ME permyssyf, fr. MF permissif, fr. L
          permissus] (15c) 1 archaic: granted on sufferance: tolerated
          2 a: granting or tending to grant permission: tolerant
          b: deficient in firmness or control: indulgent, lax 3:
          allowing discretion: optional <reduced the ~ retirement
          age from 65 to 62> -- per.mis.sive.ly adv -- per.mis.sive.ness
          n

   [1]permit
          [per.mit] vb per.mit.ted ; per.mit.ting [ME permitten, fr.
          L permittere to let through, permit, fr. per- through
          + mittere to let go, send] vt (15c) 1: to consent to
          expressly or formally <~ access to records> 2: to give
          leave: authorize 3: to make possible ~ vi: to give an
          opportunity: allow <if time ~s> -- per.mit.tee n -- per.mit.ter
          n [2]per.mit n (1682) 1: a written warrant or license
          granted by one having authority <a gun ~> 2: permission
          [3]permit n [perh. by folk etymology fr. Sp palometa,
          a kind of pompano, fr. dim. of paloma dove, fr. L palumba,
          palumbes--more at palomino] (ca. 1945): either of two
          pompanos (Trachinotus falcatus and T. goodei) that are
          important game fishes of temperate to tropical waters
          of the western Atlantic

   permittivity
          [per.mit.tiv.i.ty] n [[1]permit + -ivity (as in selectivity)]
          (1887): the ability of a dielectric to store electrical
          potential energy under the influence of an electric field
          measured by the ratio of the capacitance of a condenser
          with the material as dielectric to its capacitance with
          vacuum as dielectric--called also dielectric constant

   permutation
          [per.mu.ta.tion] n [ME permutacioun exchange, transformation,
          fr. MF permutation, fr. L permutation-, permutatio, fr.
          permutare] (14c) 1: often major or fundamental change
          (as in character or condition) based primarily on rearrangement
          of existent elements <land-owners and peasants ... in
          the ~s of their tortured interdependence --P. E. Mosley>
          2 a: the act or process of changing the lineal order
          of an ordered set of objects b: an ordered arrangement
          of a set of objects -- per.mu.ta.tion.al adj

   permutation group
          [permutation group] n (1904): a group whose elements are
          permutations and in which the product of two permutations
          is a permutation whose effect is the same as the successive
          application of the first two

   permute
          [per.mute] vt per.mut.ed ; per.mut.ing [ME, to exchange,
          fr. MF or L; MF permuter, fr. L permutare, fr. per- +
          mutare to change--more at mutable] (1878): to change
          the order or arrangement of; esp: to arrange in all possible
          ways -- per.mut.able adj

   pernicious
          [per.ni.cious] adj [ME, fr. MF pernicieus, fr. L perniciosus,
          fr. pernicies destruction, fr. per- + nec-, nex violent
          death--more at noxious] (15c) 1: highly injurious or
          destructive: deadly 2 archaic: wicked -- per.ni.cious.ly
          adv -- per.ni.cious.ness n syn pernicious, baneful, noxious,
          deleterious, detrimental mean exceedingly harmful. pernicious
          implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious
          corrupting or undermining <the claim that pornography
          has a pernicious effect on society>. baneful implies
          injury through poisoning or destroying <the baneful notion
          that discipline destroys creativity>. noxious applies
          to what is both offensive and injurious to the health
          of a body or mind <noxious chemical fumes>. deleterious
          applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect
          <a diet found to have deleterious effects>. detrimental
          implies obvious harmfulness to something specified <the
          detrimental effects of excessive drinking>.

   pernicious anemia
          [pernicious anemia] n (1874): a severe megaloblastic anemia
          marked by a progressive decrease in the number of red
          blood cells and by pallor, weakness, and gastrointestinal
          and nervous disturbances and associated with malabsorption
          of vitamin B12due to the absence of intrinsic factor

   pernickety
          [per.nick.e.ty] adj [origin unknown] (ca. 1818): persnickety

   Pernod
          [Per.nod] trademark--used for a French liqueur

   peroneal
          [pe.ro.ne.al] adj [NL peroneus, fr. perone fibula, fr. Gk
          perone, lit., pin, fr. peirein to pierce--more at diapir]
          (1831): of, relating to, or located near the fibula

   peroral
          [per.oral] adj [ISV] (1908): occurring through or by way
          of the mouth -- per.oral.ly adv

   perorate
          [per.o.rate] vi -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L peroratus, pp. of perorare
          to declaim at length, wind up an oration, fr. per- through
          + orare to speak--more at per-, oration] (1603) 1: to
          deliver a long or grandiloquent oration 2: to make a
          peroration

   peroration
          [per.o.ra.tion] n [ME peroracyon, fr. L peroration-, peroratio,
          fr. perorare] (15c) 1: the concluding part of a discourse
          and esp. an oration 2: a highly rhetorical speech --
          per.o.ra.tion.al adj

   perovskite
          [pe.rov.skite] n [G Perowskit, fr. Count L. A. Perovskii
          d. 1856 Russ. statesman] (1840): a yellow, brown, or
          grayish black mineral sometimes containing rare earth
          elements

   peroxidase
          [per.ox.i.dase] n (1900): an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation
          of various substances by peroxides

   [1]peroxide
          [per.ox.ide] n [ISV] (1804): an oxide containing a high proportion
          of oxygen; esp: a compound (as hydrogen peroxide) in which oxygen
          is visualized as joined to oxygen -- per.ox.id.ic adj [2]peroxide
          vt -id.ed ; -id.ing (1906): to treat with a peroxide; esp:
          to bleach (hair) with hydrogen peroxide [3]peroxide adj (1920):
          having or being bleached hair <a ~ blonde>

   peroxisome
          [per.ox.i.some] n [peroxide + [3]-some] (1965): a cytoplasmic
          cell organelle containing enzymes (as catalase) which
          act in oxidative reactions and esp. in the production
          and decomposition of hydrogen peroxide -- per.ox.i.som.al
          adj

   peroxy-
          [peroxy-] comb form [ISV per- + oxy]: containing the bivalent
          group O-O <peroxyacetyl nitrate>

   peroxyacetyl nitrate
          [per.oxy.ace.tyl nitrate] n (1963): a toxic compound found
          esp. in smog

   perp
          [perp] abbreviation perpendicular, perpetrator

   perpend
          [per.pend] vb [ME, fr. L perpendere, fr. per- thoroughly
          + pendere to weigh--more at per-, pendant] vt (15c):
          to reflect on carefully: ponder ~ vi: to be attentive:
          reflect

   [1]perpendicular
          [per.pen.dic.u.lar] adj [ME perpendiculer, fr. MF, fr. L
          perpendicularis, fr. perpendiculum plumb line, fr. per-
          + pendere to hang--more at pendant] (14c) 1 a: standing
          at right angles to the plane of the horizon: exactly
          upright b: being at right angles to a given line or plane
          2: extremely steep: precipitous 3 often cap: of or relating
          to a medieval English Gothic style of architecture in
          which vertical lines predominate 4: relating to, uniting,
          or consisting of individuals of dissimilar type or on
          different levels syn see vertical -- per.pen.dic.u.lar.i.ty
          n -- per.pen.dic.u.lar.ly adv [2]perpendicular n (1571):
          a line at right angles to a line or plane (as of the
          horizon)

   perpetrate
          [per.pe.trate] vt -trat.ed ; -trat.ing [L perpetratus, pp.
          of perpetrare, fr. per- through + patrare to accomplish,
          fr. pater father--more at father] (1537): to bring about
          or carry out (as a crime or deception): commit -- per.pe.tra.tion
          n -- per.pe.tra.tor n

   perpetual
          [per.pet.u.al] adj [ME perpetuel, fr. MF, fr. L perpetuus
          uninterrupted, fr. per- through + petere to go to--more
          at feather] (14c) 1 a: continuing forever: everlasting
          b (1): valid for all time (2): holding (as an office)
          for life or for an unlimited time 2: occurring continually:
          indefinitely long-continued 3: blooming continuously
          throughout the season syn see continual -- per.pet.u.al.ly
          adv

   perpetual calendar
          [perpetual calendar] n (1895): a table for finding the day
          of the week for any one of a wide range of dates

   perpetual check
          [perpetual check] n (ca. 1909): an endless succession of
          checks to which an opponent's king may be subjected to
          force a draw in chess

   perpetuate
          [per.pet.u.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L perpetuatus, pp. of
          perpetuare, fr. perpetuus] (1530): to make perpetual
          or cause to last indefinitely <~ the species> -- per.pet.u.a.tion
          n -- per.pet.u.a.tor n

   perpetuity
          [per.pe.tu.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME perpetuite, fr. MF perpetuite,
          fr. L perpetuitat-, perpetuitas, fr. perpetuus] (15c)
          1: eternity 2 2: the quality or state of being perpetual
          <bequeathed to them in ~> 3 a: the condition of an estate
          limited so that it will not take effect or vest within
          the period fixed by law b: an estate so limited 4: an
          annuity payable forever

   perphenazine
          [per.phe.na.zine] n [blend of piperazine and phen-] (1957):
          a tranquilizing drug that is used to control tension,
          anxiety, and agitation esp. in psychotic conditions

   perplex
          [per.plex] vt [obs. perplex, adj., involved, perplexed, fr.
          L perplexus, fr. per- thoroughly + plexus involved, fr.
          pp. of plectere to braid, twine--more at per-, ply] (1593)
          1: to make unable to grasp something clearly or to think
          logically and decisively about something <her attitude
          ~es me> <a ~ing problem> 2: to make intricate or involved:
          complicate syn see puzzle

   perplexed
          [per.plexed] adj (15c) 1: filled with uncertainty: puzzled
          2: full of difficulty -- per.plexed.ly adv

   perplexity
          [per.plex.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME perplexite, fr. MF perplexite,
          fr. LL perplexitat-, perplexitas, fr. L perplexus] (14c)
          1: the state of being perplexed: bewilderment 2: something
          that perplexes 3: entanglement

   perquisite
          [per.qui.site] n [ME, property acquired by means other than
          inheritance, fr. ML perquisitum, fr. neut. of perquisitus,
          pp. of perquirere to purchase, acquire, fr. L, to search
          for thoroughly, fr. per- thoroughly + quaerere to seek]
          (15c) 1: a privilege, gain, or profit incidental to regular
          salary or wages; esp: one expected or promised 2: gratuity,
          tip 3: something held or claimed as an exclusive right
          or possession <concepts ... not the ~s of any particular
          groups --Gilbert Ryle>

   perron
          [per.ron] n [F, fr. OF, fr. perre, pierre rock, stone, fr.
          L petra, fr. Gk] (1723): an outdoor stairway leading
          up to a building entrance; also: a platform at its top

   perry
          [per.ry] n [ME peirrie, fr. MF pere, fr. (assumed) VL piratum,
          fr. L pirum pear] (14c): fermented pear juice often made
          sparkling

   pers
          [pers] abbreviation person, personal, personnel Pers abbreviation
          Persia, Persian

   per se
          [per se] adv [L] (1572): by, of, or in itself or oneself
          or themselves: as such: intrinsically

   perse
          [perse] adj [ME pers, fr. MF, fr. ML persus] (15c): of a
          dark grayish blue resembling indigo

   per second per second
          [per second per second] adv (1922): per second every second--used
          of acceleration

   persecute
          [per.se.cute] vt -cut.ed ; -cut.ing [ME, fr. MF persecuter,
          back-formation fr. persecuteur persecutor, fr. LL persecutor,
          fr. persequi to persecute, fr. L, to pursue, fr. per-
          through + sequi to follow--more at sue] (15c) 1: to harass
          in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specif:
          to cause to suffer because of belief 2: to annoy with
          persistent or urgent approaches (as attacks, pleas, or
          importunities): pester syn see wrong -- per.se.cu.tee
          n -- per.se.cu.tive adj -- per.se.cu.tor n -- per.se.cu.to.ry
          adj

   persecution
          [per.se.cu.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or practice of persecuting
          esp. those who differ in origin, religion, or social
          outlook 2: the condition of being persecuted, harassed,
          or annoyed

   Perseid
          [Per.se.id] n [L Perseus; fr. their appearing to radiate
          from a point in Perseus]: any of a group of meteors that
          appear annually about August 11

   Persephone
          [Per.seph.o.ne] n [L, fr. Gk Persephone]: a daughter of Zeus
          and Demeter abducted by Pluto to reign with him over
          the underworld

   Perseus
          [Per.seus] n [L, fr. Gk] 1: a son of Zeus and Danae and slayer
          of Medusa 2 [L (gen. Persei), fr. Gk]: a northern constellation
          between Taurus and Cassiopeia

   perseverance
          [per.se.ver.ance] n (14c): the action or condition or an
          instance of persevering: steadfastness

   perseveration
          [per.sev.er.a.tion] n [L perseveration-, perseveratio, fr.
          perseverare] (1910): continuation of something (as repetition
          of a word) usu. to an exceptional degree or beyond a
          desired point -- per.sev.er.ate vi

   persevere
          [per.se.vere] vi -vered ; -ver.ing [ME, fr. MF perseverer,
          fr. L perseverare, fr. per- through + severus severe]
          (14c): to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking
          in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement
          -- per.se.ver.ing.ly adv

   Persian
          [Per.sian] n (14c) 1: one of the people of Persia: as a:
          one of the ancient Iranians who under Cyrus and his successors
          founded an empire in southwest Asia b: a member of one
          of the peoples forming the modern Iranian nationality
          2 a: any of several Iranian languages dominant in Persia
          at different periods b: the modern language of Iran and
          western Afghanistan 3: a thin soft silk formerly used
          esp. for linings 4: persian cat -- Persian adj

   Persian cat
          [Persian cat] n (1824): any of a breed of stocky round-headed
          domestic cats that have a long silky coat and thick ruff

   Persian lamb
          [Persian lamb] n (1889) 1: a pelt that is obtained from karakul
          lambs older than those yielding broadtail and that is
          characterized by very silky tightly curled fur 2: the
          young of the karakul sheep that furnishes skins used
          in furriery

   persiflage
          [per.si.flage] n [F, fr. persifler to banter, fr. per- thoroughly
          + siffler to whistle, hiss, boo, ultim. fr. L sibilare]
          (1757): frivolous bantering talk: light raillery

   persimmon
          [per.sim.mon] n [Virginia Algonquian pessemmin] (1612) 1:
          any of a genus (Diospyros) of trees of the ebony family
          with hard fine wood, oblong leaves, and small bell-shaped
          flowers; esp: an American tree (D. virginiana) or a Japanese
          tree (D. kaki) 2: the usu. orange several-seeded globular
          berry of a persimmon that is edible when fully ripe but
          usu. extremely astringent when unripe

   persist
          [per.sist] vi [MF persister, fr. L persistere, fr. per- +
          sistere to take a stand, stand firm; akin to L stare
          to stand--more at stand] (1538) 1: to go on resolutely
          or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or
          warning 2 obs: to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified
          character, condition, or position 3: to be insistent
          in the repetition or pressing of an utterance (as a question
          or an opinion) 4: to continue to exist esp. past a usual,
          expected, or normal time syn see continue -- per.sist.er
          n

   persistence
          [per.sis.tence] n (1546) 1: the action or fact of persisting
          2: the quality or state of being persistent; esp: perseverance

   persistency
          [per.sis.ten.cy] n (1597): persistence 2

   persistent
          [per.sis.tent] adj [L persistent-, persistens, prp. of persistere]
          (1826) 1: existing for a long or longer than usual time
          or continuously: as a: retained beyond the usual period <a ~ leaf>
          b: continuing without change in function or structure <~ gills>
          c: effective in the open for an appreciable time usu. through slow
          volatilizing <mustard gas is ~> d: degraded only slowly by the
          environment <~ pesticides> e: remaining infective for a relatively
          long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation
          <~ viruses> 2 a: continuing or inclined to persist in a course
          b: continuing to exist in spite of interference or treatment
          <a ~ cough> -- per.sis.tent.ly adv

   persnickety
          [per.snick.e.ty] adj [alter. of pernickety] (ca. 1905) 1
          a: fussy about small details: fastidious <a ~ teacher>
          b: having the characteristics of a snob 2: requiring
          great precision <a ~ job> -- per.snick.e.ti.ness n

   person
          [per.son] n [ME, fr. OF persone, fr. L persona actor's mask,
          character in a play, person, prob. fr. Etruscan phersu
          mask, fr. Gk prosopa, pl. of prosopon face, mask--more
          at prosopopoeia] (13c) 1: human, individual--sometimes
          used in combination esp. by those who prefer to avoid
          man in compounds applicable to both sexes <chairperson>
          <spokesperson> 2: a character or part in or as if in
          a play: guise 3 a: one of the three modes of being in
          the Trinitarian Godhead as understood by Christians b:
          the unitary personality of Christ that unites the divine
          and human natures 4 a archaic: bodily appearance b: the
          body of a human being; also: the body and clothing <unlawful
          search of the ~> 5: the personality of a human being:
          self 6: one (as a human being, a partnership, or a corporation)
          that is recognized by law as the subject of rights and
          duties 7: reference of a segment of discourse to the
          speaker, to one spoken to, or to one spoken of as indicated
          by means of certain pronouns or in many languages by
          verb inflection -- per.son.hood n -- in person : in one's
          bodily presence

   persona
          [per.so.na] n, pl per.so.nae or personas [L] (1909) 1: a
          character assumed by an author in a written work 2 a
          pl personas [NL, fr. L]: an individual's social facade
          or front that esp. in the analytic psychology of C. G.
          Jung reflects the role in life the individual is playing--compare
          anima b: the personality that a person (as an actor or
          politician) projects in public: image 3 pl personae:
          a character in a fictional presentation (as a novel or
          play)--usu. used in pl. <comic personae>

   personable
          [per.son.able] adj (15c): pleasant or amiable in person:
          attractive -- per.son.able.ness n

   personage
          [per.son.age] n (15c) 1: a person of rank, note, or distinction;
          esp: one distinguished for presence and personal power
          2: a human individual: person 3: a dramatic, fictional,
          or historical character; also: impersonation

   persona grata
          [per.so.na gra.ta] adj [NL, acceptable person] (1882): personally
          acceptable or welcome

   [1]personal
          [per.son.al] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL personalis, fr. L persona]
          (14c) 1: of, relating to, or affecting a person: private,
          individual <~ ambition> <~ financial gain> 2 a: done
          in person without the intervention of another; also:
          proceeding from a single person b: carried on between
          individuals directly <a ~ interview> 3: relating to the
          person or body 4: relating to an individual or an individual's
          character, conduct, motives, or private affairs often
          in an offensive manner <a ~ insult> 5 a: being rational
          and self-conscious <~, responsive government is still
          possible --John Fischer> b: having the qualities of a
          person rather than a thing or abstraction <a ~ devil>
          6: of, relating to, or constituting personal property
          <a ~ estate> 7: denoting grammatical person [2]personal
          n (1861) 1: a short newspaper paragraph relating to the
          activities of a person or a group or to personal matters
          2: a short personal communication in a special column
          of the classified ads section of a newspaper or periodical
          3: personal foul

   personal computer
          [personal computer] n (1977): microcomputer 1

   personal effects
          [personal effects] n pl (1843): privately owned items (as
          clothing and jewelry) normally worn or carried on the
          person

   personal equation
          [personal equation] n (1845): variation (as in observation)
          occasioned by the personal peculiarities of an individual;
          also: a correction or allowance made for such variation

   personal foul
          [personal foul] n (ca. 1829): a foul in a game (as basketball)
          involving usu. physical contact with or deliberate roughing
          of an opponent--compare technical foul

   personalise
          [per.son.al.ise] Brit var of personalize

   personalism
          [per.son.al.ism] n (ca. 1846): a doctrine emphasizing the
          significance, uniqueness, and inviolability of personality
          -- per.son.al.ist n or adj -- per.son.al.is.tic adj

   personality
          [per.son.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME personalite, fr.
          LL personalitat-, personalitas, fr. personalis] (15c) 1 a: the
          quality or state of being a person b: personal existence 2 a: the
          condition or fact of relating to a particular person; specif: the
          condition of referring directly to or being aimed disparagingly
          or hostilely at an individual b: an offensively personal remark
          <angrily resorted to personalities> 3: the complex
          of characteristics that distinguishes an individual or a nation
          or group; esp: the totality of an individual's behavioral and
          emotional characteristics 4 a: distinction or excellence
          of personal and social traits; also: a person having such quality
          b: a person of importance, prominence, renown, or notoriety
          <a TV ~> syn see disposition

   personality inventory
          [personality inventory] n (1932): any of several tests that
          attempt to characterize the personality of an individual
          by objective scoring of replies to a large number of
          questions concerning his or her own behavior--compare
          minnesota multiphasic personality inventory

   personality test
          [personality test] n (1914): any of several tests that consist
          of standardized tasks designed to determine various aspects
          of the personality or the emotional status of the individual
          examined

   personalize
          [per.son.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1741) 1: personify
          2: to make personal or individual; specif: to mark as
          the property of a particular person <personalized stationery>
          -- per.son.al.i.za.tion n

   personally
          [per.son.al.ly] adv (14c) 1: in person <attend to the matter
          ~> 2: as a person: in personality <~ attractive but not
          very trustworthy> 3: for oneself: as far as oneself is
          concerned

   personal pronoun
          [personal pronoun] n (1668): a pronoun (as I, you, or they)
          that expresses a distinction of person

   personal property
          [personal property] n (1838): property other than real property
          consisting of things temporary or movable: chattels

   personal tax
          [personal tax] n (ca. 1935): direct tax

   personalty
          [per.son.al.ty] n, pl -ties [ME, fr. AF personalte, fr. LL
          personalitat-, personalitas personality] (15c): personal
          property

   persona non grata
          [per.so.na non gra.ta] adj [NL, unacceptable person] (1904):
          personally unacceptable or unwelcome

   personate
          [per.son.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1591) 1 a: impersonate,
          represent b: to assume without authority and with fraudulent
          intent (some character or capacity) 2: to invest with
          personality or personal characteristics <personating
          their gods ridiculous, and themselves past shame --John
          Milton> -- per.son.a.tion n -- per.son.a.tive adj --
          per.son.a.tor n

   person-hour
          [per.son-hour] n (1975): a unit of one hour's work by one
          person

   personification
          [per.son.i.fi.ca.tion] n (ca. 1755) 1: attribution of personal
          qualities; esp: representation of a thing or abstraction
          as a person or by the human form 2: a divinity or imaginary
          being representing a thing or abstraction 3: embodiment,
          incarnation

   personify
          [per.son.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (ca. 1741) 1: to conceive
          of or represent as a person or as having human qualities
          or powers 2: to be the embodiment or personification
          of: incarnate <a teacher who personified patience> --
          per.son.i.fi.er n

   personnel
          [per.son.nel] n [F, fr. G Personale, Personal, fr. ML personale,
          fr. LL, neut. of personalis personal] (1837) 1 a: a body
          of persons usu. employed (as in a factory, office, or
          organization) b personnel pl: persons 2: a division of
          an organization concerned with personnel

   [1]perspective
          [per.spec.tive] n [ME perspectyf, fr. ML perspectivum, fr.
          neut. of perspectivus of sight, optical, fr. L perspectus,
          pp. of perspicere to look through, see clearly, fr. per-
          through + specere to look--more at per-, spy] (14c) archaic:
          an optical glass (as a telescope) [2]perspective n [MF,
          prob. modif. of OIt prospettiva, fr. prospetto view,
          prospect, fr. L prospectus--more at prospect] (1563)
          1 a: the technique or process of representing on a plane
          or curved surface the spatial relation of objects as
          they might appear to the eye; specif: representation
          in a drawing or painting of parallel lines as converging
          in order to give the illusion of depth and distance b:
          a picture in perspective 2 a: the interrelation in which
          a subject or its parts are mentally viewed <places the
          issues in proper ~>; also: point of view b: the capacity
          to view things in their true relations or relative importance
          <urge you to maintain your ~ and to view your own task
          in a larger framework --W. J. Cohen> 3 a: a visible scene;
          esp: one giving a distinctive impression of distance:
          vista b: a mental view or prospect <to gain a broader
          ~ on the international scene --Current Biog.> 4: the
          appearance to the eye of objects in respect to their
          relative distance and positions -- per.spec.tiv.al adj
          [3]perspective adj [ME, optical, fr. ML perspectivus]
          (1570) 1 obs: aiding the vision <his eyes should be like
          unto the wrong end of a ~ glass --Alexander Pope> 2:
          of, relating to, employing, or seen in perspective <~
          drawing> -- per.spec.tive.ly adv

   Perspex
          [Per.spex] trademark--used for an acrylic plastic consisting
          essentially of polymethyl methacrylate

   perspicacious
          [per.spi.ca.cious] adj [L perspicac-, perspicax, fr. perspicere]
          (1640): of acute mental vision or discernment: keen syn
          see shrewd -- per.spi.ca.cious.ly adv -- per.spi.ca.cious.ness
          n -- per.spi.cac.i.ty n

   perspicuous
          [per.spic.u.ous] adj [L perspicuus transparent, perspicuous,
          fr. perspicere] (1586): plain to the understanding esp.
          because of clarity and precision of presentation <a ~
          argument> syn see clear -- per.spi.cu.ity n -- per.spic.u.ous.ly
          adv -- per.spic.u.ous.ness n

   perspiration
          [per.spi.ra.tion] n (1626) 1: the action or process of perspiring
          2: a saline fluid secreted by the sweat glands: sweat

   perspiratory
          [per.spi.ra.to.ry] adj (1725): of, relating to, secreting,
          or inducing perspiration

   perspire
          [per.spire] vi per.spired ; per.spir.ing [F perspirer, fr.
          MF, fr. L per- through + spirare to blow, breathe--more
          at per-] (ca. 1682): to emit matter through the skin;
          specif: to secrete and emit perspiration

   persuadable
          [per.suad.able] adj (ca. 1598): capable of being persuaded

   persuade
          [per.suade] vt per.suad.ed ; per.suad.ing [L persuadere,
          fr. per- thoroughly + suadere to advise, urge--more at
          sweet] (15c) 1: to move by argument, entreaty, or expostulation
          to a belief, position, or course of action 2: to plead
          with: urge -- per.suad.er n

   persuasible
          [per.sua.si.ble] adj [MF, fr. L persuasibilis persuasive,
          fr. persuasus, pp. of persuadere] (1502): persuadable

   persuasion
          [per.sua.sion] n [ME persuasioun, fr. MF or L; MF persuasion,
          fr. L persuasion-, persuasio, fr. persuadere] (14c) 1
          a: the act or process or an instance of persuading b:
          a persuading argument c: the ability to persuade: persuasiveness
          2: the condition of being persuaded 3 a: an opinion held
          with complete assurance b: a system of religious beliefs;
          also: a group adhering to a particular system of beliefs
          4: kind, sort syn see opinion

   persuasive
          [per.sua.sive] adj (15c): tending to persuade -- per.sua.sive.ly
          adv -- per.sua.sive.ness n

   pert
          [pert] adj [ME, open, bold, pert, modif. of OF apert, fr.
          L apertus open, fr. pp. of aperire to open] (14c) 1 a:
          saucily free and forward: flippantly cocky and assured
          b: being trim and chic: jaunty <a ~ little hat> c: piquantly
          stimulating <is a ~ notion> 2: lively, vivacious -- pert.ly
          adv -- pert.ness n

   pert
          [pert] abbreviation pertaining

   pertain
          [per.tain] vi [ME perteinen, fr. MF partenir, fr. L pertinere
          to reach to, belong, fr. per- through + tenere to hold--more
          at thin] (14c) 1 a (1): to belong as a part, member,
          accessory, or product (2): to belong as an attribute,
          feature, or function <the destruction and havoc ~ing
          to war> (3): to belong as a duty or right <responsibilities
          that ~ to fatherhood> b: to be appropriate to something
          <the criteria ... will be different from those that ~
          elsewhere --J. B. Conant> 2: to have reference <books
          ~ing to birds>

   pertinacious
          [per.ti.na.cious] adj [L pertinac-, pertinax, fr. per- thoroughly
          + tenac-, tenax tenacious, fr. tenere] (1626) 1 a: adhering
          resolutely to an opinion, purpose, or design b: perversely
          persistent 2: stubbornly unyielding or tenacious syn
          see obstinate -- per.ti.na.cious.ly adv -- per.ti.na.cious.ness
          n -- per.ti.nac.i.ty n

   pertinence
          [per.ti.nence] n (1659): the quality or state of being pertinent:
          relevance

   pertinency
          [per.ti.nen.cy] n (1598): pertinence

   pertinent
          [per.ti.nent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L pertinent-, pertinens,
          prp. of pertinere] (14c): having a clear decisive relevance
          to the matter in hand syn see relevant -- per.ti.nent.ly
          adv

   perturb
          [per.turb] vt [ME, fr. MF perturber, fr. L perturbare to
          throw into confusion, fr. per- + turbare to disturb--more
          at turbid] (14c) 1: to disturb greatly in mind: disquiet
          2: to throw into confusion: disorder 3: to cause to experience
          a perturbation syn see discompose -- per.turb.able adj

   perturbation
          [per.tur.ba.tion] n (14c) 1: the action of perturbing: the
          state of being perturbed 2: a disturbance of motion,
          course, arrangement, or state of equilibrium; esp: a
          disturbance of the regular and usu. elliptical course
          of motion of a celestial body that is produced by some
          force additional to that which causes its regular motion
          -- per.tur.ba.tion.al adj

   pertussis
          [per.tus.sis] n [NL, fr. L per- thoroughly + tussis cough]
          (ca. 1799): whooping cough

   peruke
          [pe.ruke] n [MF perruque, fr. OIt parrucca, perrucca hair,
          wig] (ca. 1573): wig; specif: one of a type popular from
          the 17th to the early 19th century -- pe.ruked adj

   peruse
          [pe.ruse] vt pe.rused ; pe.rus.ing [ME, to use up, deal with
          in sequence, fr. L per- thoroughly + ME usen to use]
          (1532) 1 a: to examine or consider with attention and
          in detail: study b: to look over or through in a casual
          or cursory manner 2: read; esp: to read over in an attentive
          or leisurely manner -- pe.rus.al n -- pe.rus.er n

   pervade
          [per.vade] vt per.vad.ed ; per.vad.ing [L pervadere to go
          through, pervade, fr. per- through + vadere to go--more
          at per-, wade] (1659): to become diffused throughout
          every part of

   pervasion
          [per.va.sion] n (1661): the action of pervading or condition
          of being pervaded

   pervasive
          [per.va.sive] adj (ca. 1750): that pervades or tends to pervade
          <a ~ odor> -- per.va.sive.ly adv -- per.va.sive.ness
          n

   perverse
          [per.verse] adj [ME, fr. L perversus, fr. pp. of pervertere]
          (14c) 1 a: turned away from what is right or good: corrupt
          b: improper, incorrect c: contrary to the evidence or
          the direction of the judge on a point of law <~ verdict>
          2 a: obstinate in opposing what is right, reasonable,
          or accepted: wrongheaded b: arising from or indicative
          of stubbornness or obstinacy 3: marked by peevishness
          or petulance: cranky syn see contrary -- per.verse.ly
          adv -- per.verse.ness n -- per.ver.si.ty n

   perversion
          [per.ver.sion] n (14c) 1: the action of perverting: the condition
          of being perverted 2: a perverted form; esp: an aberrant
          sexual practice esp. when habitual and preferred to normal
          coitus

   perversive
          [per.ver.sive] adj (1817) 1: that perverts or tends to pervert
          2: arising from or indicative of perversion

   [1]pervert
          [per.vert] vt [ME, fr. MF pervertir, fr. L pervertere to
          overturn, corrupt, pervert, fr. per- thoroughly + vertere
          to turn--more at per-, worth] (14c) 1 a: to cause to
          turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally
          right: corrupt b: to cause to turn aside or away from
          what is generally done or accepted: misdirect 2 a: to
          divert to a wrong end or purpose: misuse b: to twist
          the meaning or sense of: misinterpret syn see debase
          -- per.vert.er n [2]per.vert n (ca. 1661): one that has
          been perverted; specif: one given to some form of sexual
          perversion

   perverted
          [per.vert.ed] adj (14c) 1: corrupt 2: marked by perversion
          -- per.vert.ed.ly adv -- per.vert.ed.ness n

   pervious
          [per.vi.ous] adj [L pervius, fr. per- through + via way--more
          at per-, way] (ca. 1614) 1: accessible <~ to reason>
          2: permeable <~ soil> -- per.vi.ous.ness n

   Pesach
          [Pe.sach] n [Heb pesah] (1613): passover

   peseta
          [pe.se.ta] n [Sp, fr. dim. of peso] (1811): the basic monetary
          unit of Spain

   pesewa
          [pe.se.wa] n [Twi, lit., penny, penny's worth of gold dust]
          (1965): a monetary unit of Ghana equal to 1/100 cedi

   pesky
          [pes.ky] adj pes.ki.er ; -est [prob. irreg. fr. pest + -y]
          (1775): troublesome, vexatious <~ issues>

   peso
          [pe.so] n, pl pesos [Sp, lit., weight, fr. L pensum--more
          at poise] (1555) 1: an old silver coin of Spain and Spanish
          America equal to eight reals 2: the basic monetary unit
          of Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guinea-Bissau,
          Mexico, Philippines, and Uruguay

   pessary
          [pes.sa.ry] n, pl -ries [ME pessarie, fr. LL pessarium, fr.
          pessus, pessum pessary, fr. Gk pessos oval stone for
          playing checkers, pessary] (14c) 1: a vaginal suppository
          2: a device worn in the vagina to support the uterus,
          remedy a malposition, or prevent conception

   pessimism
          [pes.si.mism] n [F pessimisme, fr. L pessimus worst--more
          at pejorative] (1815) 1: an inclination to emphasize
          adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to
          expect the worst possible outcome 2 a: the doctrine that
          reality is essentially evil b: the doctrine that evil
          overbalances happiness in life -- pes.si.mist n

   pessimistic
          [pes.si.mis.tic] adj (1868): of, relating to, or characterized
          by pessimism: gloomy syn see cynical -- pes.si.mis.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   pest
          [pest] n [MF peste, fr. L pestis] (1553) 1: an epidemic disease
          associated with high mortality; specif: plague 2: something
          resembling a pest in destructiveness; esp: a plant or
          animal detrimental to humans or human concerns (as agriculture
          or livestock production) 3: one that pesters or annoys:
          nuisance -- pesty adj

   pester
          [pes.ter] vt pes.tered ; pes.ter.ing [modif. of MF empestrer
          to hobble, embarrass, fr. (assumed) VL impastoriare,
          fr. L in- + ML pastoria hobble--more at pastern] (1533)
          1 obs: overcrowd 2: to harass with petty irritations:
          annoy syn see worry

   pesthole
          [pest.hole] n (1903): a place liable to epidemic disease

   pesthouse
          [pest.house] n (1611): a shelter or hospital for those infected
          with a pestilential or contagious disease

   pesticide
          [pes.ti.cide] n (ca. 1925): an agent used to destroy pests

   pestiferous
          [pes.tif.er.ous] adj [ME, fr. L pestifer pestilential, noxious,
          fr. pestis + -fer -ferous] (15c) 1: dangerous to society:
          pernicious 2 a: carrying or propagating infection: pestilential
          b: infected with a pestilential disease 3: troublesome,
          annoying -- pes.tif.er.ous.ly adv -- pes.tif.er.ous.ness
          n

   pestilence
          [pes.ti.lence] n (14c) 1: a contagious or infectious epidemic
          disease that is virulent and devastating; esp: bubonic
          plague 2: something that is destructive or pernicious
          <I'll pour this ~ into his ear --Shak.>

   pestilent
          [pes.ti.lent] adj [ME, fr. L pestilent-, pestilens pestilential,
          fr. pestis] (14c) 1: destructive of life: deadly 2: injuring
          or endangering society: pernicious 3: causing displeasure
          or annoyance 4: infectious, contagious <~ disease> --
          pes.ti.lent.ly adv

   pestilential
          [pes.ti.len.tial] adj (14c) 1 a: causing or tending to cause
          pestilence: deadly b: of or relating to pestilence 2:
          morally harmful: pernicious 3: giving rise to vexation
          or annoyance: irritating -- pes.ti.len.tial.ly adv

   [1]pestle
          [pes.tle] n [ME pestel, fr. MF, fr. L pistillum, fr. pinsere
          to pound, crush; akin to Gk ptissein to crush, Skt pinasti
          he pounds] (14c) 1: a usu. club-shaped implement for
          pounding or grinding substances in a mortar 2: any of
          various devices for pounding, stamping, or pressing [2]pestle
          vb pes.tled ; pes.tling vt (15c) archaic: to beat, pound,
          or pulverize with or as if with a pestle ~ vi: to work
          with a pestle: use a pestle

   pesto
          [pes.to] n [It, fr. pesto, adj., pounded, fr. pestare to
          pound, fr. LL pistare, freq. of L pinsere] (1937): a
          sauce made esp. of fresh basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts,
          and grated cheese

   pet
          [pet] abbreviation petroleum  Pet abbreviation Peter  PET
          abbreviation positron-emission tomography

   [1]pet
          [pet] n [perh. back-formation fr. ME pety small--more at
          petty] (1508) 1 a: a pampered and usu. spoiled child
          b: a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration:
          darling 2: a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than
          utility [2]pet adj (1584) 1: kept or treated as a pet 2: expressing
          fondness or endearment <a ~ name> 3: favorite <a ~ project> [3]pet
          vb pet.ted ; pet.ting vt (1629) 1 a: to treat as a pet b: to stroke
          in a gentle or loving manner 2: to treat with unusual kindness and
          consideration: pamper ~ vi: to engage in amorous embracing,
          caressing, and kissing: neck -- pet.ter n [4]pet n [origin unknown]
          (1590): a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger [5]pet vi pet.ted
          ; pet.ting (1629): to take offense: sulk

   petal
          [pet.al] n [NL petalum, fr. Gk petalon; akin to Gk petannynai
          to spread out--more at fathom] (ca. 1726): one of the
          modified often brightly colored leaves of the corolla
          of a flower--see flower illustration -- pet.aled or pet.alled
          adj -- pet.al.like adj

   petaloid
          [pet.al.oid] adj (1730) 1: resembling a flower petal 2: consisting
          of petaloid elements

   petalous
          [pet.al.ous] adj (ca. 1736) 1: having petals 2: having (such
          or so many) petals--used in combination <polypetalous>

   petard
          [pe.tard] n [MF, fr. peter to break wind, fr. pet expulsion
          of intestinal gas, fr. L peditum, fr. neut. of peditus,
          pp. of pedere to break wind; akin to Gk bdein to break
          wind] (1598) 1: a case containing an explosive to break
          down a door or gate or breach a wall 2: a firework that
          explodes with a loud report

   petasos
          [pet.a.sos] or pet.a.sus n [L & Gk; L petasus, fr. Gk petasos;
          akin to Gk petannynai to spread out] (1599): a broad-brimmed
          low-crowned hat worn by ancient Greeks and Romans; esp:
          the winged hat of Hermes

   petcock
          [pet.cock] n [pet- (perh. fr. petty) + cock] (ca. 1864):
          a small cock, faucet, or valve for releasing a gas (as
          air) or draining

   petechia
          [pe.te.chia] n, pl -chi.ae [NL, fr. It petecchia, ultim.
          fr. L impetigo] (ca. 1796): a minute reddish or purplish
          spot containing blood that appears in skin or mucous
          membrane esp. in some infectious diseases (as typhoid
          fever) -- pe.te.chi.al adj

   [1]peter
          [pe.ter] vi [origin unknown] (1846) 1: to diminish gradually
          and come to an end: give out--usu. used with out <novelists
          whose creative impetus seems largely to have ~ed out
          --Times Lit. Supp.> 2: to become exhausted--usu. used
          with out [2]peter n [fr. the name Peter] (ca. 1902):
          penis--often considered vulgar Pe.ter n [LL Petrus, fr.
          Gk Petros, fr. petra rock] 1: a fisherman of Galilee
          and one of the twelve apostles 2: either of two hortatory
          letters written to early Christians and included as books
          of the New Testament

   Peter Pan
          [Peter Pan] n 1: a boy in Sir James Barrie's play Peter Pan
          who lives without growing older in a never-never land
          2: an adult who doesn't want to grow up: one who hangs
          on to adolescent interests and attitudes

   Peter Pan collar
          [Peter Pan collar] n (1908): a usu. small flat close-fitting
          collar with rounded ends that meet in front

   Peter Principle
          [Peter Principle] n [Laurence J. Peter b1919 Am. (Canad.-born)
          educator] (1968): an observation: in a hierarchy employees
          tend to rise to the level of their incompetence

   Peter's pence
          [Peter's pence] n pl but sing in constr [ME; fr. the tradition
          that St. Peter founded the papal see] (13c) 1: an annual
          tribute of a penny formerly paid by each householder
          in England to the papal see 2: a voluntary annual contribution
          made by Roman Catholics to the pope

   petiolar
          [pet.i.o.lar] adj (1760): of, relating to, or proceeding
          from a petiole

   petiolate
          [pet.i.o.late] adj (ca. 1753): having a stalk or petiole

   petiole
          [pet.i.ole] n [NL petiolus, fr. L petiolus, peciolus small
          foot, fruit stalk, prob. alter. of (assumed) L pediciolus,
          dim. of pediculus, dim. of ped-, pes foot--more at foot]
          (1753) 1: a slender stem that supports the blade of a
          foliage leaf 2: peduncle; specif: a slender abdominal
          segment joining the rest of the abdomen to the thorax
          in some insects -- pet.i.oled adj

   petiolule
          [pet.i.o.lule] n [NL petiolulus, dim. of petiolus] (1832):
          a stalk of a leaflet of a compound leaf

   petit
          [pet.it] adj [ME, small, minor, fr. MF, small] (14c): petty
          1--used chiefly in legal compounds

   petit bourgeois
          [pe.tit bourgeois] n [F, lit., small bourgeois] (1853) 1:
          a member of the petite bourgeoisie 2: petite bourgeoisie
          -- petit bourgeois adj

   [1]petite
          [pe.tite] adj [F, fem. of petit] (1784): having a small trim
          figure--usu. used of a woman -- pe.tite.ness n [2]petite
          n (ca. 1929): a clothing size for short women

   petite bourgeoisie
          [petite bourgeoisie] n [F, lit., small bourgeoisie] (1916):
          the lower middle class including esp. small shopkeepers
          and artisans

   petit four
          [pe.tit four] n, pl petits fours or petit fours [F, lit.,
          small oven] (1884): a small cake cut from pound or sponge
          cake and frosted

   [1]petition
          [pe.ti.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L petition-, petitio, fr.
          petere to seek, request--more at feather] (14c) 1: an
          earnest request: entreaty 2 a: a formal written request
          made to an official person or organized body (as a court)
          b: a document embodying such a formal written request
          3: something asked or requested -- pe.ti.tion.ary adj
          [2]petition vb pe.ti.tioned ; pe.ti.tion.ing vt (1607):
          to make a request to: solicit ~ vi: to make a request;
          esp: to make a formal written request -- pe.ti.tion.er
          n

   petitio principii
          [pe.ti.tio prin.ci.pii] n [ML, lit., postulation of the beginning,
          begging the question] (1531): a logical fallacy in which a premise
          is assumed to be true without warrant or in which what
          is to be proved is implicitly taken for granted

   petit jury
          [pet.it jury] n (15c): a jury of 12 persons impaneled to
          try and to decide finally upon the facts at issue in
          causes for trial in a court

   petit larceny
          [petit larceny] n (1587): larceny involving property of a
          value below a legally established minimum

   petit-maitre
          [pe.tit-mai.tre] n, pl petits-maitres [F, lit., small master]
          (1711): dandy, fop

   petit mal
          [pe.tit mal] n [F, lit., small illness] (1874): epilepsy
          characterized by mild convulsive seizure with transient
          clouding of consciousness--compare grand mal

   petit point
          [pet.it point] n [F, lit., small point] (1882): tent stitch;
          also: embroidery made with this stitch

   pet peeve
          [pet peeve] n (ca. 1919): a frequent subject of complaint

   petr-
          [petr-] or petri- or petro- comb form [NL, fr. Gk petr-,
          petro-, fr. petros stone & petra rock] 1: stone: rock
          <petrology> 2: petroleum <petrodollar>

   petrale sole
          [pe.tra.le sole] n [petrale prob. fr. It dial., a flatfish]
          (1953): a flounder (Eopsetta jordani) chiefly of the
          Pacific waters of No. America that is an important food
          fish--called also petrale

   Petrarchan sonnet
          [Pe.trar.chan sonnet] n [Petrarch (Francesco Petrarca)] (ca.
          1909): italian sonnet

   petrel
          [pe.trel] n [alter. of earlier pitteral] (1676): any of numerous
          seabirds (esp. families Procellariidae and Hydrobatidae);
          esp: one of the smaller long-winged birds that fly far
          from land--compare storm petrel

   petri dish
          [pe.tri dish] n [Julius R. Petri d. 1921 Ger. bacteriologist]
          (1892): a small shallow dish of thin glass or plastic
          with a loose cover used esp. for cultures in bacteriology

   petrifaction
          [pet.ri.fac.tion] n (15c) 1: the process of petrifying 2:
          something petrified 3: the quality or state of being
          petrified

   petrification
          [pet.ri.fi.ca.tion] n (ca. 1611): petrifaction

   petrify
          [pet.ri.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [MF petrifier, fr. petr- +
          -ifier -ify] vt (1594) 1: to convert (organic matter)
          into stone or a substance of stony hardness by the infiltration
          of water and the deposition of dissolved mineral matter
          2: to make rigid or inert like stone: a: to make lifeless
          or inactive: deaden <slogans are apt to ~ a man's thinking
          --Saturday Rev.> b: to confound with fear, amazement,
          or awe <a novel about an airline pilot that will ~ you
          --Martin Levin> ~ vi: to become stone or of stony hardness
          or rigidity

   Petrine
          [Pe.trine] adj [LL Petrus Peter] (1846) 1: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of the apostle Peter or the doctrines
          associated with his name 2: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Peter the Great or his reign

   petrochemical
          [pet.ro.chem.i.cal] n (1942): a chemical isolated or derived
          from petroleum or natural gas -- pet.ro.chem.is.try n

   petrodollar
          [pet.ro.dol.lar] n (1974): a dollar's worth of foreign exchange
          obtained by a petroleum-exporting country through sales
          abroad--usu. used in pl.

   petrogenesis
          [pet.ro.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1901): the origin or formation
          of rocks -- pet.ro.ge.net.ic adj

   petroglyph
          [pet.ro.glyph] n [F petroglyphe, fr. petr- petr- + -glyphe
          (as in hieroglyphe hieroglyph)] (1870): a carving or
          inscription on a rock

   petrography
          [pe.trog.ra.phy] n [NL petrographia, fr. petr- + L -graphia
          -graphy] (1651): the description and systematic classification
          of rocks -- pe.trog.ra.pher n -- pet.ro.graph.ic or
          pet.ro.graph.i.cal adj -- pet.ro.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   petrol
          [pet.rol] n [F essence de petrole, lit., essence of petroleum]
          (1895) chiefly Brit: gasoline

   petrolatum
          [pet.ro.la.tum] n [NL, fr. ML petroleum] (1887): petroleum
          jelly

   petroleum
          [pe.tro.leum] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. L petr- + oleum oil--more
          at oil] (15c): an oily flammable bituminous liquid that
          may vary from almost colorless to black, occurs in many
          places in the upper strata of the earth, is a complex
          mixture of hydrocarbons with small amounts of other substances,
          and is prepared for use as gasoline, naphtha, or other
          products by various refining processes

   petroleum jelly
          [petroleum jelly] n (1897): a neutral unctuous odorless tasteless
          substance obtained from petroleum and used esp. in ointments
          and dressings

   petrology
          [pe.trol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1811): a science that deals with
          the origin, history, occurrence, structure, chemical
          composition, and classification of rocks -- pet.ro.log.ic
          or pet.ro.log.i.cal adj -- pet.ro.log.i.cal.ly adv --
          pe.trol.o.gist n

   petronel
          [pet.ro.nel] n [perh. modif. of MF poitrinal, petrinal, fr.
          poitrinal of the chest, fr. poitrine chest, deriv. of
          L pector-, pectus--more at pectoral] (ca. 1577): a portable
          firearm resembling a carbine of large caliber

   petrosal
          [pe.tro.sal] adj [NL petrosa petrous portion of the temporal
          bone, fr. L, fem. of petrosus] (1741): of, relating to,
          or situated in the region of the petrous portion of the
          temporal bone or capsule of the inner ear

   petrous
          [pe.trous] adj [ME, fr. MF petreux, fr. L petrosus, fr. petra
          rock, fr. Gk] (14c): of, relating to, or constituting
          the exceptionally hard and dense portion of the human
          temporal bone that contains the internal auditory organs

   [1]petticoat
          [pet.ti.coat] n [ME petycote short tunic, petticoat, fr.
          pety small + cote coat] (15c) 1: a skirt worn by women,
          girls, or young children: as a: an outer skirt formerly
          worn by women and small children b: a fancy skirt made
          to show below a draped-up overskirt c: an underskirt
          usu. a little shorter than outer clothing and often made
          with a ruffled, pleated, or lace edge d archaic: the
          skirt of a woman's riding habit 2 a: a garment characteristic
          or typical of women b: woman 3: something (as a valance)
          resembling a petticoat -- pet.ti.coat.ed adj [2]petticoat
          adj (1660): of, relating to, or exercised by women: female

   pettifogger
          [pet.ti.fog.ger] n [prob. fr. petty + obs. E fogger pettifogger]
          (1576) 1: a lawyer whose methods are petty, underhanded,
          or disreputable: shyster 2: one given to quibbling over
          trifles -- pet.ti.fog.ging adj or n -- pet.ti.fog.gery
          n

   petting zoo
          [petting zoo] n (1968): a collection of farm animals or gentle
          exotic animals for children to pet and feed

   pettish
          [pet.tish] adj [prob. fr. [4]pet] (ca. 1591): fretful, peevish
          -- pet.tish.ly adv -- pet.tish.ness n

   pettitoes
          [pet.ti.toes] n pl [pl. of obs. pettytoe offal] (1555) 1:
          the feet of a pig used as food 2: toes, feet

   petty
          [pet.ty] adj pet.ti.er ; -est [ME pety small, minor, alter.
          of petit] (14c) 1: having secondary rank or importance:
          minor, subordinate 2: having little or no importance
          or significance 3: marked by or reflective of narrow
          interests and sympathies: small-minded -- pet.ti.ly adv
          -- pet.ti.ness n

   petty cash
          [petty cash] n (1834): cash kept on hand for payment of minor
          items

   petty larceny
          [petty larceny] n (1818): petit larceny

   petty officer
          [petty officer] n (1760): a subordinate officer in the navy
          or coast guard appointed from among the enlisted men--compare
          noncommissioned officer

   petty officer first class
          [petty officer first class] n (1942): an enlisted man in
          the navy or coast guard ranking above a petty officer
          second class and below a chief petty officer

   petty officer second class
          [petty officer second class] n (1942): an enlisted man in
          the navy or coast guard ranking above a petty officer
          third class and below a petty officer first class

   petty officer third class
          [petty officer third class] n (1942): an enlisted man in
          the navy or coast guard ranking above a seaman and below
          a petty officer second class

   petulance
          [pet.u.lance] n (1610): the quality or state of being petulant:
          peevishness

   petulancy
          [pet.u.lan.cy] n (1559) archaic: petulance

   petulant
          [pet.u.lant] adj [L or MF; MF, fr. L petulant-, petulans;
          akin to L petere to go to, attack, seek--more at feather]
          (1605) 1: insolent or rude in speech or behavior 2: characterized
          by temporary or capricious ill humor: peevish -- pet.u.lant.ly
          adv

   petunia
          [pe.tu.nia] n [NL, fr. obs. F petun tobacco, fr. Tupi petima]
          (1825): any of a genus (Petunia) of tropical American
          herbs of the nightshade family with showy flowers having
          funnel-shaped corollas

   peu a peu
          [peu a peu] [F] foreign term : little by little

   peu de chose
          [peu de chose] [F] foreign term : a trifle

   pew
          [pew] n [ME pewe, fr. MF puie balustrade, fr. L podia, pl.
          of podium parapet, podium, fr. Gk podion base, dim. of
          pod-, pous foot--more at foot] (14c) 1: a compartment
          in the auditorium of a church providing seats for several
          persons 2: one of the benches with backs and sometimes
          doors fixed in rows in a church

   pewee
          [pe.wee] n [imit.] (1796): any of various small olivaceous
          flycatchers (genus Contopus)

   pewholder
          [pew.hold.er] n (1845): a renter or owner of a pew

   pewit
          [pe.wit] var of peewit

   pewter
          [pew.ter] n [ME, fr. MF peutre, fr. (assumed) VL peltrum]
          (14c) 1: any of various alloys having tin as chief component;
          esp: a dull alloy with lead formerly used for domestic
          utensils 2: utensils of pewter 3: a bluish gray -- pewter
          adj

   pewterer
          [pew.ter.er] n (14c): one that makes pewter utensils

   peyote
          [pey.o.te] also pey.otl n [MexSp peyote, fr. Nahuatl peyotl]
          (1849) 1: a stimulant drug derived from mescal buttons
          2: any of several American cacti (genus Lophophora);
          esp: mescal

   pf...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   pf
          [pf] abbreviation personal foul, pfennig, picofarad, preferred
          PF abbreviation power factor, pianoforte, [It piu forte]
          louder

   PFC
          [PFC] or Pfc abbreviation private first class

   pfd
          [pfd] abbreviation preferred  PFD abbreviation personal flotation
          device

   pfennig
          [pfen.nig] n, pl pfennig also pfen.nigs or pfen.ni.ge [G,
          fr. OHG pfenning--more at penny] (1547): a monetary unit
          of Germany equal to 1/100 deutsche mark

   pg...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   pg
          [pg] abbreviation page, picogram  Pg abbreviation Portugal,
          Portuguese  PG abbreviation paying guest, postgraduate,
          prostaglandin

   PG
          [PG] certification mark--used to certify that a motion picture
          is of such a nature that all ages may be allowed admission
          but parental guidance is suggested--compare g, nc-17,
          pg-13, r

   PG-13
          [PG-13] certification mark--used to certify that a motion
          picture is of such a nature that persons of all ages
          may be admitted but parental guidance is suggested esp.
          for children under 13--compare g, nc-17, pg, r

   PGA
          [PGA] abbreviation Professional Golfers' Association

   ph...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   pH
          [pH] n [G, fr. Potenz power + H (symbol for hydrogen)] (1909):
          a measure of acidity and alkalinity of a solution that
          is a number on a scale on which a value of 7 represents
          neutrality and lower numbers indicate increasing acidity
          and higher numbers increasing alkalinity and on which
          each unit of change represents a tenfold change in acidity
          or alkalinity and that is the negative logarithm of the
          effective hydrogen-ion concentration or hydrogen-ion
          activity in gram equivalents per liter of the solution

   ph
          [ph] abbreviation phase  PH abbreviation pinch hit, public
          health, Purple Heart

   Phaedra
          [Phae.dra] n [L, fr. Gk Phaidra]: a daughter of Minos who
          marries Theseus and falls in love with her stepson Hippolytus

   Phaethon
          [Pha.e.thon] n [L, fr. Gk Phaethon]: a son of Helios who
          drives his father's sun-chariot through the sky but loses
          control and is struck down by a thunderbolt of Zeus

   phaeton
          [pha.eton] n [Phaethon] (1742) 1: any of various light four-wheeled
          horse-drawn vehicles 2: touring car

   phage
          [phage] n [by shortening] (1926): bacteriophage

   -phage
          [-phage] n comb form [Gk -phagos one that eats, fr. -phagos
          -phagous]: virus or cell that destroys cells <bacteriophage>
          <microphage>

   -phagia
          [-phagia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk]: -phagy <dysphagia>

   phagocyte
          [phago.cyte] n [ISV, fr. Gk phagein + NL -cyta -cyte] (ca.
          1884): a cell (as a white blood cell) that engulfs and
          consumes foreign material (as microorganisms) and debris
          -- phago.cyt.ic adj

   phagocytize
          [phago.cy.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1913): phagocytose

   phagocytose
          [phago.cy.tose] vt -tosed ; -tos.ing [back-formation fr.
          phagocytosis] (1912): to consume by phagocytosis

   phagocytosis
          [phago.cy.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL] (1889): the engulfing
          and usu. the destruction of particulate matter by phagocytes
          -- phago.cy.tot.ic adj

   -phagous
          [-phagous] adj comb form [Gk -phagos, fr. phagein to eat--more
          at baksheesh]: eating <saprophagous>

   -phagy
          [-phagy] n comb form, pl -phagies [Gk -phagia, fr. phagein]:
          eating of a (specified) type or substance <geophagy>

   phalange
          [pha.lange] n [F, fr. Gk phalang-, phalanx] (ca. 1860): phalanx
          2

   phalangeal
          [pha.lan.ge.al] adj (1831): of or relating to a phalanx or
          the phalanges

   phalanger
          [pha.lan.ger] n [NL, fr. Gk phalang-, phalanx] (ca. 1774):
          any of various small to medium-sized marsupial mammals
          (family Phalangeridae) of the Australian region that
          are chiefly arboreal and nocturnal and usu. densely furred

   phalanstery
          [phal.an.stery] n, pl -ster.ies [F phalanstere dwelling of
          a Fourierist community, fr. L phalang-, phalanx + F -stere
          (as in monastere monastery)] (1846) 1 a: a Fourierist
          cooperative community b: a self-contained structure housing
          such a community 2: something resembling a Fourierist
          phalanstery

   phalanx
          [pha.lanx] n, pl pha.lanx.es or pha.lan.ges [L phalang-,
          phalanx, fr. Gk, battle line, digital bone, lit., log--more
          at balk] (1553) 1: a body of heavily armed infantry in
          ancient Greece formed in close deep ranks and files;
          broadly: a body of troops in close array 2 pl phalanges:
          one of the digital bones of the hand or foot of a vertebrate
          3 pl usu phalanxes a: a massed arrangement of persons,
          animals, or things b: an organized body of persons

   phalarope
          [phal.a.rope] n, pl -ropes also -rope [F, fr. NL phalaropod-,
          phalaropus, fr. Gk phalaris coot + pod-, pous foot; akin
          to Gk phalios having a white spot--more at bald, foot]
          (ca. 1776): any of a genus (Phalaropus) of small shorebirds
          that are related to sandpipers but have lobate toes and
          are good swimmers

   phallic
          [phal.lic] adj (1789) 1: of or relating to phallicism <a
          ~ cult> 2: of, relating to, or resembling a phallus 3:
          relating to or being the stage of psychosexual development
          in psychoanalytic theory during which a child becomes
          interested in his or her own sexual organs -- phal.li.cal.ly
          adv

   phallicism
          [phal.li.cism] n (1884): the worship of the generative principle
          as symbolized by the phallus

   phallocentric
          [phal.lo.cen.tric] adj (1927): centered on or emphasizing
          the masculine point of view

   phallus
          [phal.lus] n, pl phal.li or phal.lus.es [L, fr. Gk phallos
          penis, representation of the penis; prob. akin to L flare
          to blow--more at blow] (ca. 1613) 1: a symbol or representation
          of the penis 2: penis

   -phane
          [-phane] n comb form [Gk phanes appearing, fr. phainein to
          show--more at fancy]: substance having a (specified)
          form, quality, or appearance <hydrophane>

   phanerogam
          [phan.er.o.gam] n [F phanerogame, ultim. fr. Gk phaneros
          visible (fr. phainein) + gamos marriage] (1861): a seed
          plant or flowering plant: spermatophyte

   phanerophyte
          [phan.er.o.phyte] n [Gk phaneros + ISV -phyte] (1913): a
          perennial plant that bears its perennating buds well
          above the surface of the ground

   Phanerozoic
          [Phan.er.o.zo.ic] adj [Gk phaneros + E [2]-zoic] (1930):
          of, relating to, or being an eon of geologic history
          that comprises the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic
          or the corresponding system of rocks--see geologic time
          table -- Phanerozoic n

   phantasm
          [phan.tasm] n [ME fantasme, fr. OF, fr. L phantasma, fr.
          Gk, fr. phantazein to present to the mind--more at fancy]
          (13c) 1: a product of fantasy: as a: delusive appearance:
          illusion b: ghost, specter c: a figment of the imagination
          2: a mental representation of a real object -- phan.tas.mal
          adj -- phan.tas.mic adj

   phantasma
          [phan.tas.ma] n, pl -ma.ta [L] (1598): phantasm 1

   phantasmagoria
          [phan.tas.ma.go.ria] n [F phantasmagorie, fr. phantasme phantasm
          (fr. OF fantasme) + -agorie (perh. fr. Gk agora assembly)--more
          at agora] (ca. 1802) 1: an exhibition or display of optical
          effects and illusions 2 a: a constantly shifting complex
          succession of things seen or imagined b: a scene that
          constantly changes 3: a bizarre or fantastic combination,
          collection, or assemblage -- phan.tas.ma.gor.ic or
          phan.tas.ma.gor.i.cal adj

   phantasy
          [phantasy] var of fantasy

   [1]phantom
          [phan.tom] n [ME fantosme, fantome, fr. MF fantosme, modif.
          of L phantasma] (14c) 1 a: something (as a specter) apparent
          to sense but with no substantial existence: apparition
          b: something elusive or visionary: will-o'-the-wisp c:
          an object of continual dread or abhorrence: bugbear <the
          ~ of disease and want> 2: something existing in appearance
          only 3: a representation of something abstract, ideal,
          or incorporeal <she was a ~ of delight --William Wordsworth>
          -- phan.tom.like adv or adj [2]phantom adj (15c) 1: of
          the nature of, suggesting, or being a phantom: illusory
          2: fictitious, dummy <~ voters>

   phar
          [phar] abbreviation pharmacopoeia, pharmacy

   pharaoh
          [pha.raoh] n, often cap [ME pharao, fr. OE, fr. LL pharaon-,
          pharao, fr. Gk pharao, fr. Heb par'oh, fr. Egypt pr-'',]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a ruler of ancient Egypt 2: tyrant

   pharaoh ant
          [pharaoh ant] n (ca. 1947): a little red ant (Monomorium
          pharaonis) that is a common household pest

   pharaonic
          [phar.a.on.ic] adj, often cap [F pharaonique, fr. pharaon
          pharaoh, fr. LL Pharaon-, Pharao] (ca. 1828) 1: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a pharaoh or the pharaohs 2:
          enormous in size or magnitude <~ construction projects>

   pharisaic
          [phar.i.sa.ic] adj [LL pharisaicus, fr. LGk pharisaikos,
          fr. Gk pharisaios Pharisee] (1618) 1: pharisaical 2 cap:
          of or relating to the Pharisees

   pharisaical
          [phar.i.sa.ical] adj (1531): marked by hypocritical censorious
          self-righteousness -- phar.i.sa.ical.ly adv -- phar.i.sa.ical.ness
          n

   pharisaism
          [phar.i.sa.ism] n [NL pharisaismus, fr. Gk pharisaios] (1610)
          1 cap: the doctrines or practices of the Pharisees 2
          often cap: pharisaical character, spirit, or attitude:
          hypocrisy

   pharisee
          [phar.i.see] n [ME pharise, fr. OE farise, fr. LL pharisaeus,
          fr. Gk pharisaios, fr. Aram perishayya, pl. of perisha,
          lit., separated] (bef. 12c) 1 cap: a member of a Jewish
          sect of the intertestamental period noted for strict
          observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law
          and for insistence on the validity of their own oral
          traditions concerning the law 2: a pharisaical person

   pharm
          [pharm] abbreviation pharmaceutical, pharmacist, pharmacy

   [1]pharmaceutical
          [phar.ma.ceu.ti.cal] adj [LL pharmaceuticus, fr. Gk pharmakeutikos,
          fr. pharmakeuein to administer drugs--more at pharmacy] (1648): of,
          relating to, or engaged in pharmacy or the manufacture and sale
          of pharmaceuticals <a ~ company> -- phar.ma.ceu.ti.cal.ly adv
          [2]pharmaceutical n (1881): a medicinal drug

   pharmacist
          [phar.ma.cist] n (1834): a person licensed to engage in pharmacy

   pharmaco-
          [pharmaco-] comb form [Gk pharmako-, fr. pharmakon]: medicine:
          drug <pharmacology>

   pharmacodynamics
          [phar.ma.co.dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1842):
          a branch of pharmacology dealing with the reactions between
          drugs and living systems -- phar.ma.co.dy.nam.ic adj
          -- phar.ma.co.dy.nam.i.cal.ly adv

   pharmacognosy
          [phar.ma.cog.no.sy] n [ISV, fr. Gk pharmakon + -gnosia knowledge,
          fr. gnosis--more at gnosis] (ca. 1885): descriptive pharmacology
          dealing with crude drugs and simples -- phar.ma.cog.nos.tic
          or phar.ma.cog.nos.ti.cal adj

   pharmacokinetics
          [phar.ma.co.ki.net.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1960) 1:
          the study of the bodily absorption, distribution, metabolism,
          and excretion of drugs 2: the characteristic interactions
          of a drug and the body in terms of its absorption, distribution,
          metabolism, and excretion -- phar.ma.co.ki.net.ic adj

   pharmacology
          [phar.ma.col.o.gy] n (ca. 1721) 1: the science of drugs including
          materia medica, toxicology, and therapeutics 2: the properties
          and reactions of drugs esp. with relation to their therapeutic
          value -- phar.ma.co.log.i.cal also phar.ma.co.log.ic
          adj -- phar.ma.co.log.i.cal.ly adv -- phar.ma.col.o.gist
          n

   pharmacopoeia
          [phar.ma.co.poe.ia] also phar.ma.co.pe.ia n [NL, fr. LGk
          pharmakopoiia preparation of drugs, fr. Gk pharmako-
          + poiein to make--more at poet] (1621) 1: a book describing
          drugs, chemicals, and medicinal preparations; esp: one
          issued by an officially recognized authority and serving
          as a standard 2: a collection or stock of drugs
          -- phar.ma.co.poe.ial also phar.ma.co.pe.ial adj

   pharmacotherapy
          [phar.ma.co.ther.a.py] n (ca. 1909): the treatment of disease
          and esp. mental illness with drugs

   pharmacy
          [phar.ma.cy] n, pl -cies [LL pharmacia administration of
          drugs, fr. Gk pharmakeia, fr. pharmakeuein to administer
          drugs, fr. pharmakon magic charm, poison, drug] (1651)
          1: the art, practice, or profession of preparing, preserving,
          compounding, and dispensing medical drugs 2 a: a place
          where medicines are compounded or dispensed b: drugstore
          3: pharmacopoeia 2

   pharyngeal
          [pha.ryn.geal] adj [NL pharyngeus, fr. pharyng-, pharynx]
          (1828): relating to or located or produced in the region
          of the pharynx

   pharyngitis
          [phar.yn.gi.tis] n, pl -git.i.des (ca. 1844): inflammation
          of the pharynx

   pharynx
          [phar.ynx] n, pl pha.ryn.ges also phar.ynx.es [NL pharyng-,
          pharynx, fr. Gk, throat, pharynx; akin to ON barki throat
          and prob. to L ferire to strike--more at bore] (ca. 1693)
          1: the part of the vertebrate alimentary canal between
          the cavity of the mouth and the esophagus 2: a differentiated
          part of the alimentary canal in some invertebrates that
          may be thickened and muscular, eversible and toothed,
          or adapted as a suctorial organ

   [1]phase
          [phase] n [NL phasis, fr. Gk, appearance of a star, phase
          of the moon, fr. phainein to show (middle voice, to appear)--more
          at fancy] (1812) 1: a particular appearance or state
          in a regularly recurring cycle of changes <~s of the
          moon> 2 a: a distinguishable part in a course, development,
          or cycle <the early ~s of her career> b: an aspect or
          part (as of a problem) under consideration 3: the point
          or stage in a period of uniform circular motion, harmonic
          motion, or the periodic changes of any magnitude varying
          according to a simple harmonic law to which the rotation,
          oscillation, or variation has advanced considered in
          its relation to a standard position or assumed instant
          of starting 4: a homogeneous, physically distinct, and
          mechanically separable portion of matter present in a
          nonhomogeneous physicochemical system 5: an individual
          or subgroup distinguishably different in appearance or
          behavior from the norm of the group to which it belongs;
          also: the distinguishing peculiarity -- pha.sic adj --
          in phase : in a synchronized or correlated manner --
          out of phase : in an unsynchronized manner: not in correlation
          [2]phase vt phased ; phas.ing (1904) 1: to adjust so
          as to be in a synchronized condition 2: to conduct or
          carry out by planned phases 3: to introduce in stages--often
          used with in <~ in new models>

   phase-contrast
          [phase-contrast] adj (1934): of or employing the phase-contrast
          microscope

   phase-contrast microscope
          [phase-contrast microscope] n (1947): a microscope that translates
          differences in phase of the light transmitted through or reflected
          by the object into differences of intensity in the image--called
          also phase microscope

   phasedown
          [phase.down] n (1964): a gradual reduction (as in operations)

   phase modulation
          [phase modulation] n (1930): modulation of the phase of a
          radio carrier wave by voice or other signal

   phaseout
          [phase.out] n (1958): a gradual stopping of operations or
          production: a closing down by phases

   phase out
          [phase out] vt (1940): to discontinue the practice, production,
          or use of by phases <phase out the old machinery> ~ vi:
          to stop production or operation by phases

   -phasia
          [-phasia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk, speech, fr. phasis utterance,
          fr. phanai to speak, say--more at ban]: speech disorder
          of a (specified) type <dysphasia>

   phasmid
          [phas.mid] n [NL Phasmida, group name, fr. Phasma, type genus,
          fr. Gk, apparition, fr. phainein to show--more at fancy]
          (1872): any of an order (Phasmatodea syn. Phasmida) of
          large cylindrical or sometimes flattened chiefly tropical
          insects (as a walking stick) with long strong legs, strictly
          phytophagous habits, and slight metamorphosis -- phasmid
          adj

   phatic
          [phat.ic] adj [Gk phatos, verbal of phanai to speak] (1923):
          of, relating to, or being speech used for social or emotive
          purposes rather than for communicating information --
          phat.i.cal.ly adv

   PhB
          [PhB] [NL philosophiae baccalaureus] abbreviation bachelor
          of philosophy

   PhD
          [PhD] [NL philosophiae doctor] abbreviation doctor of philosophy

   pheasant
          [pheas.ant] n, pl pheasant or pheasants [ME fesaunt, fr.
          AF, fr. OF fesan, fr. L phasianus, fr. Gk phasianos,
          fr. phasianos of the Phasis River, fr. Phasis, river
          in Colchis] (13c) 1: any of numerous large often long-tailed
          and brightly colored Old World gallinaceous birds (Phasianus
          and related genera of the family Phasianidae) including
          many raised as ornamental or game birds 2: any of various
          birds resembling a pheasant

   phellem
          [phel.lem] n [Gk phellos cork + E -em (as in phloem)] (1887):
          a layer of usu. suberized cells produced outwardly by
          a phellogen

   phelloderm
          [phel.lo.derm] n [Gk phellos + ISV -derm] (1875): a layer
          of parenchyma produced inwardly by a phellogen

   phellogen
          [phel.lo.gen] n [Gk phellos + ISV -gen] (1875): a secondary
          meristem that initiates phellem and phelloderm in the
          periderm of a stem--called also cork cambium

   phen-
          [phen-] or pheno- comb form [obs. phene benzene, fr. F phene,
          fr. Gk phainein to show; fr. its occurrence in illuminating
          gas--more at fancy] 1: related to or derived from benzene
          <phenol> 2: containing phenyl <phenobarbital>

   phenacaine
          [phe.na.caine] n [prob. fr. phenetidine + acet- + -caine]
          (1907): a crystalline base or its hydrochloride used
          as a local anesthetic

   phenacetin
          [phen.ac.e.tin] n [ISV] (1887): a white crystalline compound
          formerly used to ease pain or fever but withdrawn because
          of its serious side effects--called also acetophenetidin

   phenakite
          [phen.a.kite] or phen.a.cite n [G Phenakit, fr. Gk phenak-,
          phenax deceiver; fr. its being easily mistaken for quartz]
          (ca. 1834): a glassy mineral that consists of a beryllium
          silicate and occurs in rhombohedral crystals

   phenanthrene
          [phen.an.threne] n [ISV phen- + anthracene] (1882): a crystalline
          aromatic hydrocarbon of coal tar isomeric with anthracene

   phenazine
          [phen.a.zine] n [ISV] (ca. 1900): a yellowish crystalline
          base used esp. in organic synthesis

   phencyclidine
          [phen.cy.cli.dine] n [phen- + cycl- + -idine] (1959): a piperidine
          derivative used esp. as a veterinary anesthetic and sometimes
          illicitly as a psychedelic drug--called also angel dust, PCP

   phenetic
          [phe.net.ic] adj [phenotype + -etic (as in genetic)] (1960):
          of or relating to taxonomic analysis that emphasizes
          the overall similarities of characteristics among biological
          taxa without regard to phylogenetic relationships

   phenetics
          [phe.net.ics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1960): a system
          of biological classification based on phenetic methods
          -- phe.net.i.cist n

   phenmetrazine
          [phen.met.ra.zine] n [phenyl + methyl + tetra- + azine] (1956):
          a sympathomimetic stimulant used in the form of its hydrochloride
          as an appetite suppressant

   phenobarbital
          [phe.no.bar.bi.tal] n (1918): a crystalline barbiturate used
          as a hypnotic and sedative

   phenobarbitone
          [phe.no.bar.bi.tone] n (ca. 1932) chiefly Brit: phenobarbital

   phenocopy
          [phe.no.copy] n [ISV phenotype + copy] (1937): a phenotypic
          variation that is caused by unusual environmental conditions
          and resembles the normal expression of a genotype other
          than its own

   phenocryst
          [phe.no.cryst] n [F phenocryste, fr. Gk phainein to show
          + krystallos crystal--more at fancy] (ca. 1893): one
          of the prominent embedded crystals of a porphyry -- phe.no.crys.tic
          adj

   phenol
          [phe.nol] n [ISV phen- + [3]-ol] (ca. 1852) 1: a corrosive
          poisonous crystalline acidic compound present in coal
          tar and wood tar that in dilute solution is used as a
          disinfectant 2: any of various acidic compounds analogous
          to phenol and regarded as hydroxyl derivatives of aromatic
          hydrocarbons

   phenolate
          [phe.no.late] n (1885): phenoxide

   phenolated
          [phe.no.lat.ed] adj (1923): treated, mixed, or impregnated
          with phenol

   [1]phenolic
          [phe.no.lic] adj (1872) 1 a: of, relating to, or having the
          characteristics of a phenol b: containing or derived
          from a phenol 2: of, relating to, or being a phenolic
          [2]phenolic n (1924): a usu. thermosetting resin or plastic
          made by condensation of a phenol with an aldehyde and
          used esp. for molding and insulating and in coatings
          and adhesives--called also phenolic resin

   phenology
          [phe.nol.o.gy] n [phenomena + -logy] (ca. 1884) 1: a branch
          of science dealing with the relations between climate
          and periodic biological phenomena (as bird migration
          or plant flowering) 2: periodic biological phenomena
          (as of a kind of organism) that are correlated with climatic
          conditions -- phe.no.log.i.cal adj -- phe.no.log.i.cal.ly
          adv

   phenolphthalein
          [phe.nol.phtha.lein] n [ISV] (ca. 1875): a white or yellowish
          white crystalline compound used in analysis as an indicator
          because its solution is brilliant red in alkalies and
          is decolorized by acids and in medicine as a laxative

   phenol red
          [phenol red] n (1916): a red crystalline compound used esp.
          as an acid-base indicator

   phenom
          [phe.nom] n (ca. 1890): phenomenon; esp: a person of phenomenal
          ability or promise

   phenomena
          [phe.nom.e.na] n, pl -nas (1576) nonstand: phenomenon usage
          Phenomena has been in occasional use as a singular for
          more than 400 years and its plural phenomenas for more
          than 350. Our evidence shows that it is primarily a speech
          form used by poets, critics, and professors, among others,
          but one that sometimes turns up in edited prose <the
          Borgia were, in modern terms, a media phenomena --Economist>.
          It is etymologically no more irregular than stamina,
          agenda, and candelabra, but it has nowhere near the frequency
          of use that they have, and while they are standard, phenomena
          is still rather borderline.

   phenomenal
          [phe.nom.e.nal] adj (1825): relating to or being a phenomenon:
          as a: known through the senses rather than through thought
          or intuition b: concerned with phenomena rather than
          with h ypotheses c: extraordinary, remarkable syn see
          material -- phe.nom.e.nal.ly adv

   phenomenalism
          [phe.nom.e.nal.ism] n (ca. 1865) 1: a theory that limits
          knowledge to phenomena only 2: a theory that all knowledge
          is of phenomena and that what is construed to be perception
          of material objects is simply perception of sense-data
          -- phe.nom.e.nal.ist n or adj -- phe.nom.e.nal.is.tic
          adj -- phe.nom.e.nal.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   phenomenological
          [phe.nom.e.no.log.i.cal] adj (ca. 1858) 1: of or relating
          to phenomenology 2: phenomenal 3: of or relating to phenomenalism
          -- phe.nom.e.no.log.i.cal.ly adv

   phenomenology
          [phe.nom.e.nol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [G Phanomenologie, fr. Phanomenon
          phenomenon + -logie -logy] (ca. 1797) 1: the study of the
          development of human consciousness and self-awareness as a preface
          to philosophy or a part of philosophy 2 a (1): a philosophical
          movement that describes the formal structure of the objects
          of awareness and of awareness itself in abstraction from any claims
          concerning existence (2): the typological classification of a class
          of phenomena <the ~ of religion> b: an analysis produced
          by phenomenological investigation -- phe.nom.e.nol.o.gist n

   phenomenon
          [phe.nom.e.non] n, pl -na or -nons [LL phaenomenon, fr. Gk
          phainomenon, fr. neut. of phainomenos, prp. of phainesthai
          to appear, middle voice of phainein to show--more at
          fancy] (1605) 1 pl phenomena: an observable fact or event
          2 pl phenomena a: an object or aspect known through the
          senses rather than by thought or intuition b: a temporal
          or spatiotemporal object of sensory experience as distinguished
          from a noumenon c: a fact or event of scientific interest
          susceptible of scientific description and explanation
          3 a: a rare or significant fact or event b pl phenomenons:
          an exceptional, unusual, or abnormal person, thing, or
          occurrence usage see phenomena

   phenothiazine
          [phe.no.thi.a.zine] n [ISV] (1894) 1: a greenish yellow crystalline
          compound used as an anthelmintic and insecticide esp. in veterinary
          practice 2: any of various phenothiazine derivatives (as
          chlorpromazine) that are used as tranquilizing agents esp. in the
          treatment of schizophrenia

   phenotype
          [phe.no.type] n [G Phanotypus, fr. Gk phainein to show +
          typos type] (ca. 1911): the visible properties of an
          organism that are produced by the interaction of the
          genotype and the environment -- phe.no.typ.ic also phe.no.typ.i.cal
          adj -- phe.no.typ.i.cal.ly adv

   phenoxide
          [phen.ox.ide] n (1888): a salt of a phenol esp. in its capacity
          as a weak acid

   phentolamine
          [phen.tol.amine] n [phen- + toluidine + amine] (1952): an
          adrenergic blocking agent that is used esp. in the diagnosis
          and treatment of hypertension due to pheochromocytoma

   phenyl
          [phe.nyl] n [ISV] (ca. 1850): a univalent group that is an
          aryl group derived from benzene by removal of one hydrogen
          atom--often used in combination -- phe.nyl.ic adj

   phenylalanine
          [phe.nyl.al.a.nine] n [ISV] (1883): an essential amino acid
          that is converted in the normal body to tyrosine

   phenylbutazone
          [phen.yl.bu.ta.zone] n [phenyl + butyric acid + pyrazalone
          ] (1952): a drug that is used for its analgesic and
          anti-inflammatory properties esp. in the treatment of arthritis,
          gout, and bursitis

   phenylephrine
          [phen.yl.eph.rine] n [phenyl + epinephrine] (1947): a
          sympathomimetic agent that is used in the form of the hydrochloride
          as a vasoconstrictor, a mydriatic, and by injection to raise the
          blood pressure

   phenylethylamine
          [phen.yl.eth.yl.amine] n (1939): a neurotransmitter that
          is an amine resembling amphetamine in structure and pharmacological
          properties; also: any of its derivatives

   phenylketonuria
          [phe.nyl.ke.ton.uria] n [NL, fr. ISV phenyl + ketone + NL
          -uria] (1935): an inherited human metabolic disease that
          is characterized by inability to oxidize a metabolic
          product of phenylalanine and by severe mental deficiency--abbr.
          PKU -- phe.nyl.ke.ton.uric n or adj

   phenylpropanolamine
          [phen.yl.pro.pa.nol.amine] n [phenyl + propane + [1]-ol +
          amine] (1947): a sympathomimetic drug used in the form
          of its hydrochloride esp. as a nasal and bronchial decongestant
          and as an appetite suppressant

   phenylthiocarbamide
          [phen.yl.thio.car.ba.mide] n (1879): a crystalline compound
          that is extremely bitter or tasteless depending on the
          presence or absence of a single dominant gene in the
          taster--called also phenylthiourea, PTC

   phenylthiourea
          [phen.yl.thio.urea] n (1896): phenylthiocarbamide

   phenytoin
          [phe.nyt.o.in] n [diphenylhydantoin] (1941): a crystalline
          anticonvulsant compound used in the form of its sodium
          salt in the treatment of epilepsy--called also diphenylhydantoin

   pheochromocytoma
          [pheo.chro.mo.cy.to.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL, fr. ISV
          pheochromocyte chromaffin cell + NL -oma] (ca. 1929):
          a tumor that is derived from chromaffin cells and is
          usu. associated with paroxysmal or sustained hypertension

   pheromone
          [pher.o.mone] n [ISV phero- (fr. Gk pherein to carry) + -mone
          (as in hormone)--more at bear] (1959): a chemical substance
          that is produced by an animal and serves esp. as a stimulus
          to other individuals of the same species for one or more
          behavioral responses -- pher.o.mon.al adj

   phew
          [phew] interj (1604) 1--used to express relief or fatigue
          2--used to express disgust at or as if at an unpleasant
          odor

   phi
          [phi] n [MGk, fr. Gk phei] (ca. 1899): the 21st letter of
          the Greek alphabet

   phial
          [phi.al] n [ME, fr. L phiala, fr. Gk phiale] (14c): vial

   Phi Beta Kappa
          [Phi Be.ta Kap.pa] n [Phi Beta Kappa (Society), fr. phi +
          beta + kappa, initials of the society's Gk motto philosophia
          biou kybernetes philosophy the guide of life] (1912):
          a person winning high scholastic distinction in an American
          college or university and being elected to membership
          in a national honor society founded in 1776

   phil
          [phil] or philol abbreviation philological, philology  Phil
          abbreviation Philippians

   [1]-phil
          [-phil] or -phile n comb form [F -phile, fr. Gk -philos -philous]:
          lover: one having an affinity for or a strong attraction
          to <acidophil> <Slavophile> [2]-phil or -phile adj comb form [NL
          -philus, fr. L, fr. Gk -philos]: loving: having a fondness
          or affinity for <Francophile>

   phil-
          [phil-] or philo- comb form [ME, fr. OF, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr.
          philos dear, friendly]: loving: having an affinity for
          <philoprogenitive>

   Philadelphia lawyer
          [Phil.a.del.phia lawyer] n [Philadelphia, Pa.] (1788): a
          lawyer knowledgeable in even the most minute aspects
          of the law

   Philadelphia pepper pot
          [Philadelphia pepper pot] n (1929): pepper pot 2b

   philadelphus
          [phil.a.del.phus] n [NL, fr. Gk philadelphos brotherly, fr.
          phil- + adelphos brother--more at -adelphous] (1950):
          mock orange 1

   philander
          [phi.lan.der] vi -dered ; -der.ing [fr. obs. philander lover,
          philanderer, prob. fr. the name Philander] (1737) 1:
          to make love to someone with whom marriage is impossible
          (as because of an existing marriage) or with no intention
          of proposing marriage 2: to have many love affairs --
          phi.lan.der.er n

   philanthropic
          [phil.an.throp.ic] also phil.an.throp.i.cal adj (1789) 1:
          of, relating to, or characterized by philanthropy: humanitarian
          2: dispensing or receiving aid from funds set aside for
          humanitarian purposes -- phil.an.throp.i.cal.ly adv

   philanthropist
          [phi.lan.thro.pist] n (ca. 1736): one who practices philanthropy

   philanthropoid
          [phi.lan.thro.poid] n [blend of philanthropist and anthropoid]
          (1945): a person who works for a philanthropic organization

   philanthropy
          [phi.lan.thro.py] n, pl -pies [LL philanthropia, fr.
          Gk philanthropia, fr. philanthropos loving people, fr. phil-
          + anthropos human being] (ca. 1623) 1: goodwill to fellowmen; esp:
          active effort to promote human welfare 2 a: a philanthropic act
          or gift b: an organization distributing or supported
          by philanthropic funds

   philatelist
          [phi.lat.e.list] n (ca. 1865): a specialist in philately:
          one who collects or studies stamps

   philately
          [phi.lat.e.ly] n [F philatelie, fr. phil- + Gk ateleia tax
          exemption, fr. ateles free from tax, fr. a- + telos tax;
          perh. akin to Gk tlenai to bear; fr. the fact that a
          stamped letter frees the recipient from paying the mailing
          charges--more at tolerate] (ca. 1865): the collection
          and study of postage and imprinted stamps: stamp collecting
          -- phil.a.tel.ic adj -- phil.a.tel.i.cal.ly adv

   Philemon
          [Phi.le.mon] n [Gk Philemon] 1: a friend and probable convert
          of the apostle Paul 2: a letter written by St. Paul to
          a Christian living in the area of Colossae and included
          as a book in the New Testament 3: a poor aged Phrygian
          in Greek mythology who with his wife Baucis treats a
          disguised Zeus hospitably and is rewarded by him with
          a splendid temple

   Philharmonic
          [Phil.har.mon.ic] n [F philharmonique, lit., loving harmony,
          fr. It filarmonico, fr. fil- phil- + armonia harmony,
          fr. L harmonia] (1843): symphony orchestra

   philhellene
          [phil.hel.lene] or phil.hel.len.ic adj [Gk philellen, fr.
          phil- + Hellen Hellene] (ca. 1825): admiring Greece or
          the Greeks -- philhellene n -- phil.hel.le.nism n --
          phil.hel.le.nist n

   -philia
          [-philia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk philia friendship, fr.
          philos dear] 1: friendly feeling toward <Francophilia>
          2: tendency toward <hemophilia> 3: abnormal appetite
          or liking for <necrophilia>

   -philiac
          [-philiac] n comb form [NL -philia + Gk -akos, adj. suffix]
          1: one having a tendency toward <hemophiliac> 2: one
          having an abnormal appetite or liking for <coprophiliac>

   -philic
          [-philic] adj comb form [Gk -philos -philous]: having an
          affinity for: loving <acidophilic>

   Philippians
          [Phi.lip.pi.ans] n pl but sing in constr [short for Epistle
          to the Philippians]: a hortatory letter written by St.
          Paul to the Christians of Philippi and included as a
          book in the New Testament

   philippic
          [phi.lip.pic] n [MF philippique, fr. L & Gk; L philippica,
          orationes philippicae, speeches of Cicero against Mark
          Antony, trans. of Gk philippikoi logoi, speeches of Demosthenes
          against Philip II of Macedon, lit., speeches relating
          to Philip] (1592): a discourse or declamation full of
          bitter condemnation: tirade

   Philippine mahogany
          [Phil.ip.pine mahogany] n [Philippine Islands] (ca. 1924):
          any of several Philippine dipterocarp timber trees (genera
          Shorea, Parashorea, and Pentacme) with wood resembling
          that of the true mahoganies; also: its wood

   philistia
          [phi.lis.tia] n pl, often cap [Philistia, ancient country
          of southwest Palestine] (1857): the class or world of
          cultural philistines

   Philistine
          [Phi.lis.tine] n (14c) 1: a native or inhabitant of ancient
          Philistia 2 often not cap a: a person who is guided by
          materialism and is usu. disdainful of intellectual or
          artistic values b: one uninformed in a special area of
          knowledge -- philistine adj, often cap -- phi.lis.tin.ism
          n, often cap

   Phillips
          [Phil.lips] adj [fr. Phillips, a trademark, fr. Henry M.
          Phillips 20th cent. Am. engineer] (1935): of, relating
          to, or being a screw having a head with a cross slot
          or the corresponding screwdriver

   phillumenist
          [phil.lu.men.ist] n [phil- + L lumen light--more at luminary]
          (1943): one who collects matchbooks or matchbox labels

   Philoctetes
          [Phi.loc.te.tes] n [Gk Philoktetes]: a Greek archer who uses
          the bow of Hercules to slay Paris at Troy

   philodendron
          [phil.o.den.dron] n, pl -drons or -dra [NL, fr. Gk, neut.
          of philodendros loving trees, fr. phil- + dendron tree--more
          at dendr-] (1877): any of various aroid plants (as of
          the genus Philodendron) that are cultivated for their
          showy foliage

   philology
          [phi.lol.o.gy] n [F philologie, fr. L philologia love of
          learning and literature, fr. Gk, fr. philologos fond
          of learning and literature, fr. phil- + logos word, speech--more
          at legend] (1612) 1: the study of literature and of disciplines
          relevant to literature or to language as used in literature
          2 a: linguistics; esp: historical and comparative linguistics
          b: the study of human speech esp. as the vehicle of literature
          and as a field of study that sheds light on cultural
          history -- phil.o.log.i.cal adj -- phil.o.log.i.cal.ly
          adv -- phi.lol.o.gist n

   Philomel
          [Phil.o.mel] n [L Philomela Philomela, nightingale] (1579):
          nightingale

   Philomela
          [Phil.o.me.la] n [L, fr. Gk Philomele]: an Athenian princess
          in Greek mythology raped and deprived of her tongue by
          her brother-in-law Tereus, avenged by the killing of
          his son, and changed into a nightingale while fleeing
          from him

   philoprogenitive
          [phil.o.pro.gen.i.tive] adj [phil- + L progenitus, pp. of
          progignere to beget--more at progenitor] (1865) 1: tending
          to produce offspring: prolific 2: of, relating to, or
          characterized by love of offspring -- phil.o.pro.gen.i.tive.ness
          n

   philos
          [philos] abbreviation philosopher, philosophy

   philosophe
          [phi.lo.sophe] n [F, lit., philosopher] (1779): one of the
          deistic or materialistic writers and thinkers of the
          18th century French Enlightenment

   philosopher
          [phi.los.o.pher] n [ME, modif. of MF philosophe, fr. L philosophus,
          fr. Gk philosophos, fr. phil- + sophia wisdom, fr. sophos wise]
          (14c) 1 a: a person who seeks wisdom or enlightenment: scholar,
          thinker b: a student of philosophy 2 a: a person whose
          philosophical perspective makes meeting trouble with equanimity
          easier b: an expounder of a theory in a particular area
          of experience c: one who philosophizes

   philosophers' stone
          [philosophers' stone] n (14c): an imaginary stone, substance,
          or chemical preparation believed to have the power of
          transmuting baser metals into gold and sought by alchemists--called
          also philosopher's stone

   philosophical
          [phil.o.soph.i.cal] or phil.o.soph.ic adj (14c) 1 a: of or
          relating to philosophers or philosophy b: based on philosophy
          2: characterized by the attitude of a philosopher; specif:
          calm or unflinching in face of trouble, defeat, or loss
          -- phil.o.soph.i.cal.ly adv

   philosophical analysis
          [philosophical analysis] n (1936): analytic philosophy

   philosophise
          [phi.los.o.phise] Brit var of philosophize

   philosophize
          [phi.los.o.phize] vb -phized ; -phiz.ing vi (1594) 1: to
          reason in the manner of a philosopher 2: to expound a
          moralizing and often superficial philosophy ~ vt: to
          consider from or bring into conformity with a philosophical
          point of view -- phi.los.o.phiz.er n

   philosophy
          [phi.los.o.phy] n, pl -phies [ME philosophie, fr. OF, fr.
          L philosophia, fr. Gk, fr. philosophos philosopher] (14c)
          1 a (1): all learning exclusive of technical precepts
          and practical arts (2): the sciences and liberal arts
          exclusive of medicine, law, and theology <a doctor of
          ~> (3): the 4-year college course of a major seminary
          b (1) archaic: physical science (2): ethics c: a discipline
          comprising as its core logic, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics,
          and epistemology 2 a: pursuit of wisdom b: a search for
          a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly
          speculative rather than observational means c: an analysis
          of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental
          beliefs 3 a: a system of philosophical concepts b: a
          theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or
          thought <the ~ of war> <~ of science> 4 a: the most general
          beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or
          group b: calmness of temper and judgment befitting a
          philosopher

   philosophy of life
          [philosophy of life] (1853) 1: an overall vision of or attitude
          toward life and the purpose of life 2 [trans. of
          G Lebensphilosophie]: any of various philosophies that emphasize
          human life or life in general

   -philous
          [-philous] adj comb form [Gk -philos, fr. philos dear, friendly]:
          loving: having an affinity for <hygrophilous>

   philter
          [phil.ter] or phil.tre n [MF philtre, fr. L philtrum, fr.
          Gk philtron; akin to Gk philos dear] (ca. 1587) 1: a
          potion, drug, or charm held to have the power to arouse
          sexual passion 2: a potion credited with magical power

   phi phenomenon
          [phi phenomenon] n (ca. 1928): apparent motion resulting
          from an orderly sequence of stimuli (as lights flashed
          in rapid succession a short distance apart on a sign)
          without any actual motion being presented to the eye

   phiz
          [phiz] n [by shortening & alter. fr. physiognomy] (1688):
          face

   phleb-
          [phleb-] or phlebo- comb form [ME fleb-, fr. MF, fr. LL phlebo-,
          fr. Gk phleb-, phlebo-, fr. phleb-, phleps; perh. akin
          to Gk phlyein, phlyzein to boil over--more at fluid]:
          vein <phlebitis>

   phlebitis
          [phle.bi.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1834): inflammation of a vein

   phlebogram
          [phle.bo.gram] n [ISV] (1885): a figure of a vein or a record
          of its movements

   phlebography
          [phle.bog.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1937): the process of making phlebograms
          -- phle.bo.graph.ic adj

   phlebology
          [phle.bol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1893): a branch of medicine concerned
          with the veins

   phlebotomus fever
          [phle.bo.to.mus fever] n [NL Phlebotomus, genus of sand flies]
          (ca. 1923): sandfly fever

   phlebotomy
          [phle.bot.o.my] n, pl -mies [ME fleobotomie, fr. MF flebotomie,
          fr. LL phlebotomia, fr. Gk, fr. phleb- + -tomia -tomy]
          (14c): the letting of blood for transfusion, diagnosis,
          or experiment, and esp. formerly in the treatment of
          disease--called also venesection -- phle.bot.o.mist n

   Phlegethon
          [Phleg.e.thon] n [L, fr. Gk Phlegethon]: a river of fire
          in Hades

   phlegm
          [phlegm] n [ME fleume, fr. MF, fr. LL phlegmat-, phlegma,
          fr. Gk, flame, inflammation, phlegm, fr. phlegein to
          burn--more at black] (13c) 1: the one of the four humors
          in early physiology that was considered to be cold and
          moist and to cause sluggishness 2: viscid mucus secreted
          in abnormal quantity in the respiratory passages 3 a:
          dull or apathetic coldness or indifference b: intrepid
          coolness or calm fortitude -- phlegmy adj

   phlegmatic
          [phleg.mat.ic] adj (14c) 1: resembling, consisting of, or
          producing the humor phlegm 2: having or showing a slow
          and stolid temperament syn see impassive -- phleg.mat.i.cal.ly
          adv

   phloem
          [phlo.em] n [G, fr. Gk phloios, phloos bark; perh. akin to
          Gk phlein to teem, abound, phlyein, phlyzein to boil
          over--more at fluid] (1875): a complex tissue in the
          vascular system of higher plants that consists mainly
          of sieve tubes and elongated parenchyma cells usu. with
          fibers and that functions in translocation and in support
          and storage--compare xylem

   phloem necrosis
          [phloem necrosis] n (1923): a pathological state in a plant
          characterized by brown discoloration and disintegration
          of the phloem; esp: a fatal disease of the American elm
          caused by a mycoplasma-like organism transmitted by a
          leafhopper (Scaphoideus luteolus)

   phloem ray
          [phloem ray] n (1875): a vascular ray or part of a vascular
          ray that is located in phloem--compare xylem ray

   phlogistic
          [phlo.gis.tic] adj (1733) 1 [NL phlogiston]: of or relating
          to phlogiston 2 [Gk phlogistos]: of or relating to inflammations
          and fevers

   phlogiston
          [phlo.gis.ton] n [NL, fr. Gk, neut. of phlogistos inflammable,
          fr. phlogizein to set on fire, fr. phlog-, phlox flame,
          fr. phlegein] (1733): the hypothetical principle of fire
          regarded formerly as a material substance

   phlogopite
          [phlog.o.pite] n [G Phlogopit, fr. Gk phlogopos fiery-looking,
          fr. phlog-, phlox + ops face--more at eye] (1850): a
          usu. brown to red form of mica

   phlox
          [phlox] n, pl phlox or phlox.es [NL, fr. L, a flower, fr.
          Gk, flame, wallflower] (ca. 1706): any of a genus (Phlox
          of the family Polemoniaceae, the phlox family) of American
          annual or perennial herbs that have red, purple, white,
          or variegated flowers, a salverform corolla with the
          stamens on its tube, and a 3-valved capsular fruit

   -phobe
          [-phobe] n comb form [Gk -phobos fearing]: one fearing or
          averse to (something specified) <Francophobe>

   phobia
          [pho.bia] n [-phobia] (1786): an exaggerated usu. inexplicable
          and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects,
          or situation

   -phobia
          [-phobia] n comb form [NL, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr. -phobos fearing,
          fr. phobos fear, flight, fr. phebesthai to flee; akin
          to Lith begti to flee, OCS bezati] 1: exaggerated fear
          of <acrophobia> 2: intolerance or aversion for <photophobia>

   phobic
          [pho.bic] adj (1897): of, relating to, affected with, or
          constituting phobia -- phobic n

   -phobic
          [-phobic] adj comb form [F -phobique, fr. LL -phobicus, fr.
          Gk -phobikos, fr. -phobia] 1 a: having an intolerance
          or aversion for <photophobic> <Anglophobic> b: exhibiting
          a phobia for <claustrophobic> 2: lacking affinity for
          <hydrophobic>

   phoebe
          [phoe.be] n [imit.] (1700): any of a genus (Sayornis) of
          American flycatchers; esp: one (S. phoebe) of the eastern
          U.S. that has a slight crest and is plain grayish brown
          above and yellowish white bel ow Phoe.be n [L, fr. Gk
          Phoibe, fr. phoibe, fem. of phoibos]: artemis

   Phoebus
          [Phoe.bus] n [L, fr. Gk Phoibos, fr. phoibos radiant] 1:
          apollo 2 not cap: sun

   Phoenician
          [Phoe.ni.cian] n (14c) 1: a native or inhabitant of ancient
          Phoenicia 2: the Semitic language of ancient Phoenicia
          -- Phoenician adj

   phoenix
          [phoe.nix] n [ME fenix, fr. OE, fr. L phoenix, fr. Gk phoinix]
          (bef. 12c): a legendary bird which according to one account
          lived 500 years, burned itself to ashes on a pyre, and
          rose alive from the ashes to live another period; also:
          a person or thing likened to the phoenix -- phoe.nix.like
          adj

   phon
          [phon] n [ISV, fr. Gk phone voice, sound] (1932): the unit
          of loudness on a scale beginning at zero for the faintest
          audible sound and corresponding to the decibel scale
          of sound intensity with the number of phons of a given
          sound being equal to the decibels of a pure 1000-cycle
          tone judged by the average listener to be equal in loudness
          to the given sound

   phon-
          [phon-] or phono- comb form [L, fr. Gk phon-, phono-, fr.
          phone--more at ban]: sound: voice: speech <phonate> <phonograph>

   phon
          [phon] abbreviation phonetics

   phonate
          [pho.nate] vi pho.nat.ed ; pho.nat.ing (1876): to produce
          vocal sounds and esp. speech -- pho.na.tion n

   [1]phone
          [phone] n [Gk phone] (ca. 1866): a speech sound considered
          as a physical event without regard to its place in the
          sound system of a language [2]phone n [by shortening]
          (1884) 1: telephone 2: earphone [3]phone vb phoned ;
          phon.ing (1889): telephone

   [1]-phone
          [-phone] n comb form [Gk -phonos sounding, fr. phone] 1:
          sound <homophone>--often in names of musical instruments
          and sound-transmitting devices <radiophone> <xylophone>
          2: speaker of (a specified language) <Francophone> [2]-phone
          adj comb form [F, fr. Gk -phonos]: of or relating to
          a population that speaks (a specified language) <Francophone>

   phone-in
          [phone-in] n (1968): a call-in show (as on radio)

   phonematic
          [pho.ne.mat.ic] adj (1936): phonemic

   phoneme
          [pho.neme] n [F phoneme, fr. Gk phonemat-, phonema speech
          sound, utterance, fr. phonein to sound] (ca. 1916): any
          of the abstract units of the phonetic system of a language
          that correspond to a set of similar speech sounds (as
          the velar /k/ of cool and the palatal /k/ of keel) which
          are perceived to be a single distinctive sound in the
          language

   phonemic
          [pho.ne.mic] adj (ca. 1931) 1: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of a phoneme 2 a: constituting members
          of different phonemes (as /n/ and /m/ in English) b:
          distinctive 2 -- pho.ne.mi.cal.ly adv

   phonemics
          [pho.ne.mics] n pl but sing in constr (1936) 1: a branch
          of linguistic analysis that consists of the study of
          phonemes 2: the structure of a language in terms of phonemes
          -- pho.ne.mi.cist n

   phonetic
          [pho.net.ic] adj [NL phoneticus, fr. Gk phonetikos, fr. phonein
          to sound with the voice, fr. phone voice] (1826) 1 a:
          of or relating to spoken language or speech sounds b:
          of or relating to the science of phonetics 2: representing
          the sounds and other phenomena of speech: as a: constituting
          an alteration of ordinary spelling that better represents
          the spoken language, that employs only characters of
          the regular alphabet, and that is used in a context of
          conventional spelling b: representing speech sounds by
          means of symbols that have one value only c: employing
          for speech sounds more than the minimum number of symbols
          necessary to represent the significant differences in
          a speaker's speech -- pho.net.i.cal.ly adv

   phonetic alphabet
          [phonetic alphabet] n (1848) 1: a set of symbols (as IPA)
          used for phonetic transcription 2: any of various systems
          of identifying letters of the alphabet by means of code
          words in voice communication

   phonetician
          [pho.ne.ti.cian] n (1848): a specialist in phonetics

   phonetics
          [pho.net.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1836) 1: the system
          of speech sounds of a language or group of languages
          2 a: the study and systematic classification of the sounds
          made in spoken utterance b: the practical application
          of this science to language study

   phonic
          [pho.nic] adj (1823) 1: of, relating to, or producing sound:
          acoustic 2 a: of or relating to the sounds of speech
          b: of or relating to phonics -- pho.ni.cal.ly adv

   phonics
          [pho.nics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1684) 1: the science
          of sound: acoustics 2: a method of teaching beginners
          to read and pronounce words by learning the phonetic
          value of letters, letter groups, and esp. syllables

   phono
          [pho.no] n, pl phonos (1909): phonograph

   phonocardiogram
          [pho.no.car.dio.gram] n [ISV] (1912): a graphic record of
          heart sounds made by means of a microphone, amplifier,
          and galvanometer

   phonocardiography
          [pho.no.car.di.og.ra.phy] n (1916): the process of producing
          a phonocardiogram -- pho.no.car.dio.graph n --
          pho.no.car.dio.graph.ic adj

   phonogram
          [pho.no.gram] n [ISV] (1860) 1: a character or symbol used
          to represent a word, syllable, or phoneme 2: a succession
          of orthographic letters that occurs with the same phonetic
          value in several words (as the ight of bright, fight,
          and flight) -- pho.no.gram.mic or pho.no.gram.ic adj
          -- pho.no.gram.mi.cal.ly or pho.no.gram.i.cal.ly adv

   phonograph
          [pho.no.graph] n (1877): an instrument for reproducing sounds
          by means of the vibration of a stylus or needle following
          a spiral groove on a revolving disc or cylinder

   phonographer
          [pho.nog.ra.pher] n (1845): a specialist in phonography

   phonographic
          [pho.no.graph.ic] adj (1828) 1: of or relating to phonography
          2: of or relating to a phonograph -- pho.no.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   phonography
          [pho.nog.ra.phy] n (1701) 1: spelling based on pronunciation
          2: a system of shorthand writing based on sound

   phonolite
          [pho.no.lite] n [F, fr. G Phonolith, fr. phon- + -lith; fr.
          its ringing sound when struck] (ca. 1828): a gray or
          green volcanic rock consisting essentially of orthoclase
          and nepheline

   phonology
          [pho.nol.o.gy] n (1799) 1: the science of speech sounds including
          esp. the history and theory of sound changes in a language
          or in two or more related languages 2: the phonetics
          and phonemics of a language at a particular time
          -- pho.no.log.i.cal also pho.no.log.ic adj -- pho.no.log.i.cal.ly
          adv -- pho.nol.o.gist n

   phonon
          [pho.non] n [phon- + [2]-on] (1932): a quantum of vibrational
          energy (as in a crystal)

   phonotactics
          [pho.no.tac.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1956): the area
          of phonology concerned with the analysis and description
          of the permitted sound sequences of a language -- pho.no.tac.tic
          adj

   [1]phony
          [pho.ny] or pho.ney adj pho.ni.er ; -est [perh. alter. of
          fawney gilded brass ring used in the fawney rig, a confidence
          game, fr. Ir fainne ring, fr. OIr anne--more at anus]
          (1900): not genuine or real: as a (1): intended to deceive
          or mislead (2): intended to defraud: conterfeit <a ~
          $10 bill> <a ~ check> b: arousing suspicion: probably
          dishonest <something ~ about the story> c: having no
          genuine existence: fictitious <~ publicity stories> d:
          false, sham <a ~ name> <~ pearls> e: making a false show:
          as (1): hypocritical (2): specious <has a ~ poetic elegance
          --New Republic> -- pho.ni.ly adv -- pho.ni.ness n [2]phony
          or phoney n, pl pho.nies (1902): one that is phony [3]phony
          or phoney vt pho.nied or pho.neyed ; pho.ny.ing or pho.ney.ing
          (ca. 1942): counterfeit, fake--often used with up <a
          paper phonied up on the spur of the moment --William
          Faulkner>

   -phony
          [-phony] also -phonia n comb form [ME -phonie, fr. OF, fr.
          L -phonia, fr. Gk -phonia, fr. -phonos sounding--more
          at -phone] 1: sound <telephony> 2 usu -phonia: speech
          disorder of a (specified) type <dysphonia>

   phooey
          [phoo.ey] interj (1929)--used to express repudiation or disgust

   phorate
          [pho.rate] n [phosphorus + thioate (salt of a thio acid)]
          (1959): a very toxic organophosphate systemic insecticide
          that is used esp. in seed treatments

   -phore
          [-phore] n comb form [NL -phorus, fr. Gk -phoros, fr. -phoros
          (adj. comb. form) carrying, fr. pherein to carry--more
          at bear]: carrier <gametophore>

   -phoresis
          [-phoresis] n comb form, pl -phoreses [NL, fr. Gk phoresis
          act of carrying, fr. phorein to carry, wear, freq. of
          pherein]: transmission <electrophoresis>

   phosgene
          [phos.gene] n [Gk phos light + -genes born, produced--more
          at fancy, -gen; fr. its originally having been obtained
          by the action of sunlight] (1812): a colorless gas of
          unpleasant odor that is a severe respiratory irritant

   phosph-
          [phosph-] or phospho- comb form [phosphorus] 1: phosphorus
          <phosphide> 2: phosphate <phosphofructokinase>

   phosphatase
          [phos.pha.tase] n (1912): an enzyme that accelerates the
          hydrolysis and synthesis of organic esters of phosphoric
          acid and the transfer of phosphate groups to other compounds:
          a: alkaline phosphatase b: acid phosphatase

   phosphate
          [phos.phate] n [F, fr. acide phosphorique phosphoric acid]
          (1795) 1 a (1): a salt or ester of a phosphoric acid
          (2): the triply charged anion composed of one phosphorus
          and four oxygen atoms that is derived from phosphoric
          acid b: an organic compound of phosphoric acid in which
          the acid group is bound to nitrogen or a carboxyl group
          in a way that permits useful energy to be released (as
          in metabolism) 2: an effervescent drink of carbonated
          water with a small amount of phosphoric acid flavored
          with fruit syrup 3: a phosphatic material used for fertilizers

   phosphate rock
          [phosphate rock] n (1870): a rock that consists largely of
          calcium phosphate usu. together with other minerals (as
          calcium carbonate), is used in making fertilizers, and
          is a source of phosphorus compounds

   phosphatic
          [phos.phat.ic] adj (1843): of, relating to, or containing
          phosphoric acid or phosphates <~ fertilizers>

   phosphatide
          [phos.pha.tide] n [ISV] (1884): phospholipid -- phos.pha.tid.ic
          adj

   phosphatidyl
          [phos.pha.ti.dyl] n (1941): any of several univalent groups
          that are derived from phosphatidic acids

   phosphatidylcholine
          [phos.pha.ti.dyl.cho.line] n (1954): lecithin

   phosphatidylethanolamine
          [phos.pha.ti.dyl.eth.a.nol.amine] n (1942): any of a group
          of phospholipids that occur esp. in blood plasma and
          the white matter of the central nervous system--called
          also cephalin

   phosphatize
          [phos.pha.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1883) 1: to change
          to a phosphate or phosphates 2: to treat with phosphoric
          acid or a phosphate -- phos.pha.ti.za.tion n

   phosphaturia
          [phos.pha.tu.ria] n [NL, fr. ISV phosphate + NL -uria] (1876):
          the excessive discharge of phosphates in the urine

   phosphene
          [phos.phene] n [ISV phos- + Gk phainein to show--more at
          fancy] (ca. 1860): a luminous impression due to excitation
          of the retina

   phosphide
          [phos.phide] n [ISV] (1849): a binary compound of phosphorus
          with a more electropositive element or group

   phosphine
          [phos.phine] n [ISV] (1873) 1: a colorless poisonous flammable
          gas that is a weaker base than ammonia and that is used
          esp. to fumigate stored grain 2: any of various derivatives
          of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases

   phosphite
          [phos.phite] n (1799): a salt or ester of phosphorous acid

   phosphocreatine
          [phos.pho.cre.a.tine] n [ISV] (1927): a compound of creatine
          and phosphoric acid that is found esp. in vertebrate
          muscle where it is an energy source for muscle contraction

   phosphodiesterase
          [phos.pho.di.es.ter.ase] n (1936): a phosphatase (as from
          snake venom) that acts on diesters (as some nucleotides)
          to hydrolyze only one of the two ester groups

   phosphoenolpyruvate
          [phos.pho.enol.pyr.uvate] n (1956): a salt or ester of
          phosphoenolpyruvic acid

   phosphoenolpyruvic acid
          [phos.pho.enol.pyr.uvic acid] n (1959): the phosphate of
          the enol form of pyruvic acid that is formed as an intermediate
          in carbohydrate metabolism

   phosphofructokinase
          [phos.pho.fruc.to.ki.nase] n [phosph- + fructose + kinase]
          (1947): an enzyme that functions in carbohydrate metabolism
          and esp. in glycolysis by catalyzing the transfer of
          a second phosphate (as from ATP) to fructose

   phosphoglucomutase
          [phos.pho.glu.co.mu.tase] n (1938): an enzyme that is found
          in all plant and animal cells and that catalyzes the
          reversible isomerization of glucose-1-phosphate to
          glucose-6-phosphate

   phosphoglyceraldehyde
          [phos.pho.glyc.er.al.de.hyde] n (1941): a phosphate of
          glyceraldehyde that is formed esp. in anaerobic metabolism
          of carbohydrates by the splitting of a diphosphate of fructose

   phosphoglycerate
          [phos.pho.glyc.er.ate] n (1901): a salt or ester of phosphoglyceric
          acid

   phosphoglyceric acid
          [phos.pho.gly.cer.ic acid] n (1857): either of two isomeric
          phosphates of glyceric acid that are formed as intermediates
          in photosynthesis and in carbohydrate metabolism

   phosphokinase
          [phos.pho.ki.nase] n (1946): kinase

   phospholipase
          [phos.pho.li.pase] n (1945): any of several enzymes that
          hydrolyze lecithins or phosphatidylethanolamines--called
          also lecithinase

   phospholipid
          [phos.pho.lip.id] n (1928): any of numerous lipids (as lecithins
          and phosphatidylethanolamines) in which phosphoric acid
          as well as a fatty acid is esterified to glycerol and
          which are found in all living cells and in the bilayers
          of plasma membranes

   phosphomonoesterase
          [phos.pho.mono.es.ter.ase] n (1933): a phosphatase that acts
          on monoesters

   phosphonium
          [phos.pho.ni.um] n [NL] (1871): a univalent cation analogous
          to ammonium and derived from phosphine; also: an organic
          derivative of phosphonium

   phosphoprotein
          [phos.pho.pro.tein] n (ca. 1908): any of various proteins
          (as casein) that contain combined phosphoric acid

   phosphor
          [phos.phor] also phos.phore n [L phosphorus, fr. Gk phosphoros,
          lit., light bringer, fr. phosphoros light-bearing, fr.
          phos light + pherein to carry, bring--more at fancy,
          bear] (1705): a phosphorescent substance; specif: a substance
          that emits light when excited by radiation

   phosphor bronze
          [phosphor bronze] n (1875): a bronze of great hardness, elasticity,
          and toughness that contains a small amount of phosphorus

   phosphoresce
          [phos.pho.resce] vi -resced ; -resc.ing [prob. back-formation
          fr. phosphorescent] (1794): to exhibit phosphorescence

   phosphorescence
          [phos.pho.res.cence] n (1796) 1: luminescence that is caused
          by the absorption of radiation at one wavelength followed
          by delayed reradiation at a different wavelength and
          that continues for a noticeable time after the incident
          radiation stops--compare fluorescence 2: an enduring
          luminescence without sensible heat

   phosphorescent
          [phos.pho.res.cent] adj (1766): exhibiting phosphorescence
          -- phos.pho.res.cent.ly adv

   phosphoric
          [phos.pho.ric] adj (1800): of, relating to, or containing
          phosphorus esp. with a valence higher than in phosphorous
          compounds

   phosphoric acid
          [phosphoric acid] n (1791) 1: a syrupy or deliquescent tribasic
          acid used esp. in preparing phosphates (as for fertilizers),
          in rust-proofing metals, and esp. formerly as a flavoring
          in soft drinks--called also orthophosphoric acid 2: a
          compound (as pyrophosphoric acid or metaphosphoric acid)
          consisting of phosphate groups linked directly to each
          other by oxygen

   phosphorite
          [phos.pho.rite] n (1796) 1: a fibrous concretionary apatite
          2: phosphate rock -- phos.pho.rit.ic adj

   phosphorolysis
          [phos.pho.rol.y.sis] n [NL] (1937): a reversible reaction
          analogous to hydrolysis in which phosphoric acid functions
          in a manner similar to that of water with the formation
          of a phosphate (as glucose-1-phosphate in the breakdown
          of liver glycogen) -- phos.pho.ro.lyt.ic adj

   phosphorous
          [phos.pho.rous] adj (1815): of, relating to, or containing
          phosphorus esp. with a valence lower than in phosphoric
          compounds

   phosphorous acid
          [phosphorous acid] n (1794): a deliquescent crystalline acid
          used esp. as a reducing agent and in making phosphites

   phosphorus
          [phos.pho.rus] n, often attrib [NL, fr. Gk phosphoros
          light-bearing--more at phosphor] (1645)
          1: a phosphorescent substance or body; esp: one that
          shines or glows in the dark
          2: a nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs
          widely esp. as phosphates

   phosphoryl
          [phos.pho.ryl] n [ISV] (1871): a usu. trivalent group PO

   phosphorylase
          [phos.phor.y.lase] n (1939): any of the enzymes that catalyze
          phosphorolysis with the formation of organic phosphates

   phosphorylate
          [phos.phor.y.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing (1937): to cause
          (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric
          acid or a phosphorus-containing group -- phos.phor.y.la.tive
          adj

   phosphorylation
          [phos.phor.y.la.tion] n (1925): the process of phosphorylating
          a chemical compound either by reaction with inorganic
          phosphate or by transfer of phosphate from another organic
          phosphate; esp: the enzymatic conversion of carbohydrates
          into their phosphoric esters in metabolic processes

   phot-
          [phot-] or photo- comb form [Gk phot-, photo-, fr. phot-,
          phos--more at fancy] 1: light: radiant energy <photon>
          <photography> 2: photograph: photographic <photoengraving>
          3: photoelectric <photocell>

   photic
          [pho.tic] adj (1843) 1: of, relating to, or involving light
          esp. in relation to organisms 2: penetrated by light
          esp. of the sun <the ~ zone of the ocean> -- pho.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]photo
          [pho.to] n, pl photos (1860): photograph [2]photo vb (1868):
          photograph [3]photo adj (1889): photographic 1

   photoautotroph
          [pho.to.au.to.troph] n (1949): a photoautotrophic organism

   photoautotrophic
          [pho.to.au.to.tro.phic] adj (1943): autotrophic and utilizing
          energy from light <green plants are ~> --
          pho.to.au.to.tro.phi.cal.ly adv

   photobiology
          [pho.to.bi.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1935): a branch of biology that
          deals with the effects on living beings of radiant energy
          (as light) -- pho.to.bi.o.log.i.cal also pho.to.bi.o.log.ic
          adj -- pho.to.bi.ol.o.gist n

   photocathode
          [pho.to.cath.ode] n [ISV] (1930): a cathode that emits electrons
          when exposed to radiant energy and esp. light

   photocell
          [pho.to.cell] n [ISV] (1891): photoelectric cell

   photochemical
          [pho.to.chem.i.cal] adj (1859) 1: of, relating to, or resulting
          from the chemical action of radiant energy and esp. light
          <~ smog> 2: of or relating to photochemistry <~ studies>
          -- pho.to.chem.i.cal.ly adv

   photochemistry
          [pho.to.chem.is.try] n (1867) 1: a branch of chemistry that
          deals with the effect of radiant energy in producing
          chemical changes 2 a: photochemical properties <the ~
          of gases> b: photochemical processes <~ of vision> --
          pho.to.chem.ist n

   photochromic
          [pho.to.chro.mic] adj [phot- + chrom- + [1]-ic] (1953) 1:
          capable of changing color on exposure to radiant energy
          (as light) <~ glass> 2: of, relating to, or utilizing
          the change of color shown by a photochromic substance
          <a ~ process> -- pho.to.chro.mism n

   photocoagulation
          [pho.to.co.ag.u.la.tion] n (1961): a surgical process of
          coagulating tissue by means of a precisely oriented high-energy
          light source (as a laser)

   photocompose
          [pho.to.com.pose] vt (1929): to set (as reading matter) by
          photocomposition -- pho.to.com.pos.er n

   photocomposition
          [pho.to.com.po.si.tion] n (1929): composition of text directly
          on film or photosensitive paper for reproduction

   photoconductive
          [pho.to.con.duc.tive] adj (1929): having, involving, or operating
          by photoconductivity

   photoconductivity
          [pho.to.con.duc.tiv.i.ty] n (1929): electrical conductivity
          that is affected by exposure to electromagnetic radiation
          (as light)

   [1]photocopy
          [pho.to.copy] n [ISV] (ca. 1909): a photographic reproduction
          of graphic matter [2]photocopy vt (1944): to make a photocopy
          of ~ vi: to make a photocopy -- pho.to.copi.er n

   photocurrent
          [pho.to.cur.rent] n (1913): a stream of electrons produced
          by photoelectric or photovoltaic effects

   photodecomposition
          [pho.to.de.com.po.si.tion] n (1888): chemical breaking down
          (as of a pesticide) by means of radiant energy

   photodegradable
          [pho.to.de.grad.able] adj (1971): chemically degradable by
          the action of light <~ plastics>

   photodetector
          [pho.to.de.tec.tor] n (1947): any of various devices for
          detecting and measuring the intensity of radiant energy
          through photoelectric action

   photodiode
          [pho.to.di.ode] n (1945): a photoelectric semiconductor device
          for detecting and often measuring radiant energy (as
          light)

   photodisintegration
          [pho.to.dis.in.te.gra.tion] n (1935): disintegration of the
          nucleus of an atom caused by absorption of radiant energy
          (as light) -- pho.to.dis.in.te.grate vt

   photodissociation
          [pho.to.dis.so.ci.a.tion] n (1925): dissociation of the molecules
          of a substance (as water) caused by absorption of radiant
          energy -- pho.to.dis.so.ci.ate vb

   photoduplication
          [pho.to.du.pli.ca.tion] n (1941): the process of making photocopies
          -- pho.to.du.pli.cate vb -- pho.to.du.pli.cate n

   photodynamic
          [pho.to.dy.nam.ic] adj [ISV] (1909): of, relating to, or
          having the property of intensifying or inducing a toxic
          reaction to light (as in the destruction of cancer cells
          stained with a light-sensitive dye) in a living system
          -- pho.to.dy.nam.i.cal.ly adv

   photoelectric
          [pho.to.elec.tric] adj [ISV] (ca. 1879): involving, relating
          to, or utilizing any of various electrical effects due
          to the interaction of radiation (as light) with matter
          -- pho.to.elec.tri.cal.ly adv

   photoelectric cell
          [photoelectric cell] n (1891): an electronic device whose
          electrical properties are modified by the action of light

   photoelectric effect
          [photoelectric effect] n (1892): the emission of free electrons
          from a metal surface when light strikes it

   photoelectron
          [pho.to.elec.tron] n [ISV] (1912): an electron released in
          photoemission -- pho.to.elec.tron.ic adj

   photoemission
          [pho.to.emis.sion] n (1916): the release of electrons from
          a usu. solid material (as a metal) by means of energy
          supplied by incidence of radiation and esp. light --
          pho.to.emis.sive adj

   photoengrave
          [pho.to.en.grave] vt [back-formation fr. photoengraving]
          (1892): to make a photoengraving of -- pho.to.en.grav.er
          n

   photoengraving
          [pho.to.en.grav.ing] n (1872) 1: a photomechanical process
          for making linecuts and halftone cuts by photographing
          an image on a metal plate and then etching 2 a: a plate
          made by photoengraving b: a print made from such a plate

   photo-essay
          [pho.to-es.say] n (1944): a group of photographs (as in a
          book or magazine) arranged to explore a theme or tell
          a story

   photoexcitation
          [pho.to.ex.ci.ta.tion] n (1918): the process of exciting
          the atoms or molecules of a substance by the absorption
          of radiant energy -- pho.to.ex.cit.ed adj

   photo finish
          [photo finish] n (1936) 1: a race in which contestants are
          so close that a photograph of them as they cross the
          finish line has to be examined to determine the winner
          2: a close contest

   photofinisher
          [pho.to.fin.ish.er] n (ca. 1934): one who develops and prints
          photographic film commercially -- pho.to.fin.ish.ing
          n

   photoflash
          [pho.to.flash] n (1930): flash 6f

   photoflood
          [pho.to.flood] n (1933): an electric lamp that provides intense
          sustained illumination for taking photographs

   photofluorography
          [pho.to.flu.o.rog.ra.phy] n (1941): the photography of the
          image produced on a fluorescent screen by X rays

   photog
          [pho.tog] n [short for photographer] (ca. 1906): one who
          takes photographs: photographer

   photog
          [photog] abbreviation photographic, photography

   photogenic
          [pho.to.ge.nic] adj (1839) 1: produced or precipitated by
          light <~ dermatitis> 2: producing or generating light:
          phosphorescent <~ bacteria> 3: suitable for being photographed
          <a ~ smile> -- pho.to.ge.ni.cal.ly adv

   photogeology
          [pho.to.ge.ol.o.gy] n (1941): a branch of geology concerned
          with the identification and study of geological features
          through the study of aerial or orbital photographs --
          pho.to.geo.log.ic also pho.to.geo.log.i.cal adj --
          pho.to.ge.ol.o.gist n

   photogram
          [pho.to.gram] n [ISV] (1859): a shadowlike photograph made
          by placing objects between light-sensitive paper and
          a light source

   photogrammetry
          [pho.to.gram.me.try] n [ISV photogram photograph (fr. phot-
          + -gram) + -metry] (1875): the science of making reliable
          measurements by the use of photographs and esp. aerial
          photographs (as in surveying) -- pho.to.gram.met.ric
          adj -- pho.to.gram.me.trist n

   [1]photograph
          [pho.to.graph] n (1839): a picture or likeness obtained by
          photography [2]photograph vt (1839): to take a photograph
          of ~ vi 1: to take a photograph 2: to appear as an image
          in a photograph <an actress who ~s well>

   photographer
          [pho.tog.ra.pher] n (1847): one who practices photography;
          esp: one who makes a business of taking photographs

   photographic
          [pho.to.graph.ic] adj (1839) 1: relating to, obtained by,
          or used in photography 2: representing nature and human
          beings with the exactness of a photograph 3: capable
          of retaining vivid impressions <a ~ mind> -- pho.to.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   photography
          [pho.tog.ra.phy] n (1839): the art or process of producing
          images on a sensitized surface (as a film) by the action
          of radiant energy and esp. light

   photogravure
          [pho.to.gra.vure] n [F, fr. phot- + gravure] (1879): a process
          for printing from an intaglio plate prepared by photographic
          methods

   photoinduced
          [pho.to.in.duced] adj (1947): induced by the action of light
          -- pho.to.in.duc.tion n -- pho.to.in.duc.tive adj

   photointerpretation
          [pho.to.in.ter.pre.ta.tion] n (1923): the science of identifying
          and describing objects in photographs -- pho.to.in.ter.pret.er
          n

   photoionization
          [pho.to.ion.i.za.tion] n (1914): ionization (as in the ionosphere)
          of a molecule or atom caused by absorption of radiant energy
          -- pho.to.ion.ize vt

   photojournalism
          [pho.to.jour.nal.ism] n (1938): journalism in which written
          copy is subordinate to pictorial usu. photographic presentation
          of news stories or in which a high proportion of pictorial
          presentation is used -- pho.to.jour.nal.ist n --
          pho.to.jour.nal.is.tic adj

   photokinesis
          [pho.to.ki.ne.sis] n [NL] (1905): motion or activity induced
          by light -- pho.to.ki.net.ic adj

   photolithography
          [pho.to.li.thog.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1856) 1: lithography in
          which photographically prepared plates are used 2: a
          process involving the photographic transfer of a pattern
          to a surface for etching (as in producing an integrated
          circuit) -- pho.to.lith.o.graph n or vt -- pho.to.lith.o.graph.ic
          adj -- pho.to.lith.o.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   photolysis
          [pho.tol.y.sis] n [NL] (1911): chemical decomposition by
          the action of radiant energy -- pho.to.lyt.ic adj --
          pho.to.lyt.i.cal.ly adv

   photolyze
          [pho.to.lyze] vt -lyzed ; -lyz.ing (1936): to cause to undergo
          photolysis -- pho.to.lyz.able adj

   photomap
          [pho.to.map] n (1939): a photograph which is taken vertically
          from above (as from an airplane) and upon which a grid
          and data pertinent to maps have been added -- photomap
          vb

   photomask
          [pho.to.mask] n (1965): mask 2d

   photomechanical
          [pho.to.me.chan.i.cal] adj [ISV] (ca. 1889): relating to
          or involving any of various processes for producing printed
          matter from a photographically prepared surface --
          pho.to.me.chan.i.cal.ly adv

   photometer
          [pho.tom.e.ter] n [NL photometrum, fr. phot- + -metrum -meter]
          (1778): an instrument for measuring luminous intensity,
          luminous flux, illumination, or brightness

   photometric
          [pho.to.met.ric] adj (ca. 1828): of or relating to photometry
          or the photometer -- pho.to.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   photometry
          [pho.tom.e.try] n [NL photometria, fr. phot- + -metria -metry]
          (1824): a branch of science that deals with measurement
          of the intensity of light; also: the practice of using
          a photometer

   photomicrograph
          [pho.to.mi.cro.graph] n (1858): a photograph of a microscope
          image -- pho.to.mi.cro.graph.ic adj -- pho.to.mi.crog.ra.phy
          n

   photomontage
          [pho.to.mon.tage] n [ISV] (1931): montage using photographic
          images; also: a picture made by photomontage

   photomorphogenesis
          [pho.to.mor.pho.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1959): plant morphogenesis
          controlled by radiant energy (as light) -- pho.to.mor.pho.gen.ic
          adj

   photomosaic
          [pho.to.mo.sa.ic] n (1942): a photographic mosaic; esp: one
          composed of aerial or orbital photographs

   photomultiplier tube
          [pho.to.mul.ti.pli.er tube] n (1941): a vacuum tube that
          detects light esp. from dim sources through the use of
          photoemission and successive instances of secondary emission
          to produce enough electrons to generate a useful current--called
          also photomultiplier

   photomural
          [pho.to.mu.ral] n (1927): an enlarged photograph usu. several
          yards long used on walls esp. as decoration

   photon
          [pho.ton] n [phot- + [2]-on] (1916) 1: a unit of intensity
          of light at the retina equal to the illumination received
          per square millimeter of a pupillary area from a surface
          having a brightness of one candle per square meter 2:
          a quantum of electromagnetic radiation -- pho.ton.ic
          adj

   photonegative
          [pho.to.neg.a.tive] adj (1914): exhibiting negative phototropism
          or phototaxis

   photonics
          [pho.ton.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1952): a branch of
          physics that deals with the properties and applications
          of photons esp. as a medium for transmitting information

   photonuclear
          [pho.to.nu.cle.ar] adj (1941): relating to or caused by the
          incidence of radiant energy (as gamma rays) on atomic
          nuclei

   photo-offset
          [pho.to-off.set] n (1926): offset printing from photolithographic
          plates

   photo opportunity
          [photo opportunity] n (1972): a situation or event that lends
          itself to and is often arranged expressly for the taking
          of pictures that favorably publicize the individuals
          photographed

   photooxidation
          [pho.to.ox.i.da.tion] n (1888): oxidation under the influence
          of radiant energy (as light) -- pho.to.ox.i.da.tive adj
          -- pho.to.ox.i.dize vb

   photoperiod
          [pho.to.pe.ri.od] n (1920): a recurring cycle of light and
          dark periods of constant length; also: photophase 2 --
          pho.to.pe.ri.od.ic adj -- pho.to.pe.ri.od.i.cal.ly adv

   photoperiodism
          [pho.to.pe.ri.od.ism] n (ca. 1911): a plant or animal's response
          or capacity to respond to photoperiod

   photophase
          [pho.to.phase] n (1944) 1: light reaction 2: the light period
          of a photoperiodic cycle of light and dark

   photophobia
          [pho.to.pho.bia] n [NL] (ca. 1799): intolerance to light;
          esp: painful sensitiveness to strong light

   photophobic
          [pho.to.pho.bic] adj (1858) 1 a: shunning or avoiding light
          b: growing best under reduced illumination 2: of or relating
          to photophobia

   photophore
          [pho.to.phore] n [ISV] (1898): a light-emitting organ; esp:
          one of the luminous spots on various marine mostly deep-sea
          fishes

   photophosphorylation
          [pho.to.phos.phor.y.la.tion] n (1956): the synthesis of ATP
          from ADP and phosphate that occurs in a plant using radiant
          energy absorbed during photosynthesis

   photopic
          [phot.opic] adj [NL photopia, fr. phot- + -opia] (1915):
          relating to or being vision in bright light with light-adapted
          eyes that is mediated by the cones of the retina

   photoplay
          [pho.to.play] n (1910): motion picture 2

   photopolarimeter
          [pho.to.po.la.rim.e.ter] n (ca. 1890): an instrument used
          to measure the intensity and polarization of reflected
          light (as from clouds enveloping a planet)

   photopolymer
          [pho.to.poly.mer] n (1932): a photosensitive plastic used
          esp. in the manufacture of printing plates

   photopositive
          [pho.to.pos.i.tive] adj (1914): exhibiting positive phototropism
          or phototaxis

   photoproduct
          [pho.to.prod.uct] n (1926): a product of a photochemical
          reaction

   photoproduction
          [pho.to.pro.duc.tion] n (1949): the production of elementary
          particles (as mesons) as a result of the action of photons
          on atomic nuclei

   photoreaction
          [pho.to.re.ac.tion] n (1909): a photochemical reaction

   photoreactivation
          [pho.to.re.ac.ti.va.tion] n (1949): repair of DNA (as of
          a bacterium) esp. by a light-dependent enzymatic reaction
          after damage by ultraviolet irradiation -- pho.to.re.ac.ti.vat.ing
          adj

   photo-realism
          [photo-realism] n (1961): realism in painting characterized
          by extremely meticulous depiction of detail -- photo-realist
          n or adj

   photoreception
          [pho.to.re.cep.tion] n (1902): perception of waves in the
          range of visible light; specif: vision -- pho.to.re.cep.tive
          adj

   photoreceptor
          [pho.to.re.cep.tor] n (1906): a receptor for light stimuli

   photoreconnaissance
          [pho.to.re.con.nais.sance] n (1940): reconnaissance in which
          aerial photographs are taken

   photoreduction
          [pho.to.re.duc.tion] n (1888): chemical reduction under the
          influence of radiant energy (as light): photochemical
          reduction -- pho.to.re.duce vt

   photoreproduction
          [pho.to.re.pro.duc.tion] n (1939): reproduction by photographic
          means; also: photocopy

   photoresist
          [pho.to.re.sist] n (1953): a photosensitive resin that loses
          its resistance to chemical etching when exposed to radiation
          and is used esp. in the transference of a circuit pattern
          to a semiconductor chip during the production of an integrated
          circuit

   photorespiration
          [pho.to.res.pi.ra.tion] n (1945): oxidation involving production
          of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis

   photosensitive
          [pho.to.sen.si.tive] adj (1886): sensitive or sensitized
          to the action of radiant energy -- pho.to.sen.si.tiv.i.ty
          n

   photosensitization
          [pho.to.sen.si.ti.za.tion] n (ca. 1923) 1: the process of
          photosensitizing 2: the condition of being photosensitized;
          esp: the development of an abnormal capacity to react
          to sunlight typically by edematous swelling and dermatitis

   photosensitize
          [pho.to.sen.si.tize] vt (ca. 1923): to make sensitive to
          the influence of radiant energy and esp. light --
          pho.to.sen.si.tiz.er n

   photoset
          [pho.to.set] vt -set ; -set.ting (1957): photocompose --
          pho.to.set.ter n

   photosphere
          [pho.to.sphere] n (1664) 1: a sphere of light or radiance
          2: the luminous surface layer of the sun or a star --
          pho.to.spher.ic adj

   photostat
          [pho.to.stat] vt (1914): to copy by a Photostat device Photostat
          trademark--used for a device for making a photographic
          copy of graphic matter

   photostatic
          [pho.to.stat.ic] adj (1919): of, made by, or using a Photostat
          device <a ~ copy> <a ~ process>

   photosynthate
          [pho.to.syn.thate] n [photosynthesis + [1]-ate] (1913): a
          product of photosynthesis

   photosynthesis
          [pho.to.syn.the.sis] n [NL] (1898): synthesis of chemical
          compounds with the aid of radiant energy and esp. light;
          esp: formation of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and
          a source of hydrogen (as water) in the chlorophyll-containing
          tissues of plants exposed to light -- pho.to.syn.the.size
          vi -- pho.to.syn.thet.ic adj -- pho.to.syn.thet.i.cal.ly
          adv

   photosystem
          [pho.to.sys.tem] n (1964): either of two photochemical reactions
          occurring in chloroplasts: a: one that proceeds best
          in long wavelength light--called also photosystem I b:
          one that proceeds best in short wavelength light--called
          also photosystem II

   phototactic
          [pho.to.tac.tic] adj [ISV] (1882): of, relating to, or exhibiting
          phototaxis -- pho.to.tac.ti.cal.ly adv

   phototaxis
          [pho.to.tax.is] n [NL] (ca. 1890): a taxis in which light
          is the directive factor

   phototelegraphy
          [pho.to.te.leg.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1886): facsimile 2

   phototoxic
          [pho.to.tox.ic] adj (1942) 1: rendering the skin susceptible
          to damage (as sunburn or blisters) upon exposure to light
          and esp. ultraviolet light 2: induced by a phototoxic
          substance -- pho.to.tox.ic.i.ty n

   phototropic
          [pho.to.tro.pic] adj (ca. 1890): of, relating to, or capable
          of phototropism -- pho.to.tro.pi.cal.ly adv

   phototropism
          [pho.tot.ro.pism] n [ISV] (1899): a tropism in which light
          is the orienting stimulus

   phototube
          [pho.to.tube] n (1930): an electron tube having a photoemissive
          cathode whose released electrons are drawn to the anode
          by reason of its positive potential

   phototypesetting
          [pho.to.type.set.ting] n (1931): photocomposition; esp:
          photocomposition done on a keyboard or tape-operated composing
          machine -- pho.to.type.set.ter n

   photovoltaic
          [pho.to.vol.ta.ic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1890): of, relating to,
          or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant
          energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances
          (as two different semiconductors) -- photovoltaic n

   phr
          [phr] abbreviation phrase

   phragmoplast
          [phrag.mo.plast] n [ISV phragmo- (fr. Gk phragmos fence,
          fr. phrassein to enclose) + -plast] (1912): the enlarged
          barrel-shaped spindle that is characteristic of the later
          stages of plant mitosis and within which the cell plate
          forms

   phrasal
          [phras.al] adj (1871): of, relating to, or consisting of
          a phrase <~ prepositions> -- phras.al.ly adv

   [1]phrase
          [phrase] n [L phrasis, fr. Gk, fr. phrazein to point out,
          explain, tell] (1530) 1: a characteristic manner or style
          of expression: diction 2 a: a brief expression; esp:
          catchword b: word 3: a short musical thought typically
          two to four measures long closing with a cadence 4: a
          word or group of words forming a syntactic constituent
          with a single grammatical function <an adverbial ~> 5:
          a series of dance movements comprising a section of a
          pattern [2]phrase vt phrased ; phras.ing (1570) 1 a:
          to express in words or in appropriate or telling terms
          b: to designate by a descriptive word or phrase 2: to
          divide into melodic phrases

   phrase book
          [phrase book] n (1594): a book containing idiomatic expressions
          of a foreign language and their translation

   phrasemaker
          [phrase.mak.er] n (1822) 1: one who coins impressive phrases
          2: one given to making fine-sounding but often hollow
          and meaningless phrases -- phrase.mak.ing n

   phrasemonger
          [phrase.mon.ger] n (1815): phrasemaker 2 -- phrase.mon.ger.ing
          n

   phraseological
          [phra.se.o.log.i.cal] adj (1664) 1 a: expressed in formal
          often sententious phrases b: marked by frequently insincere
          use of such phrases 2: of or relating to phraseology

   phraseologist
          [phra.se.ol.o.gist] n (1713): one who uses sententious or
          insincere phrases

   phraseology
          [phra.se.ol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [NL phraseologia, irreg. fr.
          Gk phrasis + -logia -logy] (1664) 1: a manner of organizing
          words and phrases into longer elements: style 2: choice
          of words

   phrasing
          [phras.ing] n (1611) 1: style of expression: phraseology
          2: the act, method, or result of grouping notes into
          musical phrases

   phratry
          [phra.try] n, pl phratries [Gk phratria, fr. phrater member
          of the same clan, member of a phratry--more at brother]
          (1833) 1: a kinship group forming a subdivision of a
          Greek phyle 2: a tribal subdivision; specif: an exogamous
          group typically comprising several totemic clans

   phreatic
          [phre.at.ic] adj [Gk phreat-, phrear well; akin to Arm albiwr
          spring, OHG brunno--more at burn] (ca. 1890) 1: of, relating
          to, or being groundwater 2: of, relating to, or being
          an explosion caused by steam derived from groundwater

   phreatophyte
          [phre.at.o.phyte] n [Gk phreat-, phrear well + E -o- + -phyte]
          (1920): a deep-rooted plant that obtains its water from
          the water table or the layer of soil just above it --
          phre.at.o.phyt.ic adj

   phrenetic
          [phre.net.ic] var of frenetic

   -phrenia
          [-phrenia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk phren-, phren diaphragm,
          mind]: disordered condition of mental functions <hebephrenia>

   phrenic
          [phren.ic] adj [NL phrenicus, fr. Gk phren-, phren] (1704)
          1: of or relating to the diaphragm 2: of or relating
          to the mind

   phrenology
          [phre.nol.o.gy] n [Gk phren-, phren] (1805): the study of
          the conformation of the skull based on the belief that
          it is indicative of mental faculties and character --
          phre.no.log.i.cal adj -- phre.nol.o.gist n

   phrensy
          [phren.sy] var of frenzy

   Phrygian
          [Phry.gian] n (15c) 1: a native or inhabitant of ancient
          Phrygia 2: the extinct Indo-European language of the
          Phrygians -- Phrygian adj

   phthalic acid
          [phthal.ic acid] n [ISV, short for obs. naphthalic acid,
          fr. naphthalene] (1857): any of three isomeric acids
          obtained by oxidation of various benzene derivatives

   phthalic anhydride
          [phthalic anhydride] n (1855): a crystalline cyclic acid
          anhydride used esp. in making alkyd resins

   phthalocyanine
          [phtha.lo.cy.a.nine] n [ISV phthalic acid + -o- + cyanine]
          (1933): a bright greenish blue crystalline compound;
          also: any of several metal derivatives that are brilliant
          fast blue to green dyes or pigments

   phthisic
          [phthis.ic] n [ME tisike, fr. MF tisique, fr. tisique tubercular,
          fr. L phthisicus, fr. Gk phthisikos, fr. phthisis] (14c):
          phthisis -- phthisic or phthis.i.cal adj

   phthisis
          [phthi.sis] n, pl phthi.ses [L, fr. Gk, fr. phthinein to
          waste away; akin to Skt ksinoti he destroys] (1526):
          a progressively wasting or consumptive condition; esp:
          pulmonary tuberculosis

   phyco-
          [phyco-] comb form [Gk phykos seaweed]: algae <phycology>

   phycocyanin
          [phy.co.cy.a.nin] n [ISV phyco- + cyan- + [1]-in] (1875):
          any of various bluish green protein pigments in the cells
          of blue-green algae

   phycoerythrin
          [phy.co.er.y.thrin] n [ISV phyco- + erythr- + [1]-in] (ca.
          1868): any of the red protein pigments in the cells of
          red algae

   phycology
          [phy.col.o.gy] n (ca. 1847): algology -- phy.co.log.i.cal
          adj -- phy.col.o.gist n

   phycomycete
          [phy.co.my.cete] n [ultim. fr. Gk phykos + myket-, mykes
          fungus--more at myc-] (ca. 1900): any of a large class
          (Phycomycetes) of lower fungi that are in many respects
          similar to algae and are now often assigned to subdivisions
          (Mastigomycotina and Zygomycotina) -- phy.co.my.ce.tous
          adj

   phyl-
          [phyl-] or phylo- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. phyle, phylon;
          akin to Gk phyein to bring forth--more at be]: tribe:
          race: phylum <phylogeny>

   phylactery
          [phy.lac.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME philaterie, fr. ML philaterium,
          alter. of LL phylacterium, fr. Gk phylakterion amulet,
          phylactery, fr. phylassein to guard, fr. phylak-, phylax
          guard] (14c) 1: either of two small square leather boxes
          containing slips inscribed with scriptural passages and
          traditionally worn on the left arm and on the head by
          Jewish men during morning weekday prayers 2: amulet

   phyle
          [phy.le] n, pl phy.lae [Gk phyle tribe, phyle] (1863): the
          largest political subdivision among the ancient Athenians

   phyletic
          [phy.let.ic] adj [ISV phyl- + -etic (as in genetic)] (1881):
          of or relating to evolutionary change in a single line
          of descent without branching -- phy.let.i.cal.ly adv

   phyll-
          [phyll-] or phyllo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. phyllon--more
          at blade]: leaf <phyllome>

   -phyll
          [-phyll] n comb form [NL -phyllum, fr. Gk phyllon leaf]:
          leaf <sporophyll>

   phyllary
          [phyl.la.ry] n, pl -ries [NL phyllarium, fr. Gk phyllarion,
          dim. of phyllon leaf] (1857): one of the involucral bracts
          subtending the flower head of a composite plant

   phyllo
          [phyl.lo] n [NGk, sheet of pastry dough, lit., leaf, fr.
          Gk phyllon] (ca. 1950): extremely thin pastry dough that
          is layered to produce a flaky pastry

   phylloclade
          [phyl.lo.clade] n [NL phyllocladium, fr. phyll- + Gk klados
          branch--more at holt] (1858): a flattened stem or branch
          (as a joint of a cactus) that functions as a leaf

   phyllode
          [phyl.lode] n [NL phyllodium, fr. Gk phyllodes like a leaf,
          fr. phyllon leaf] (1848): a flat expanded petiole that
          replaces the blade of a foliage leaf, fulfills the same
          functions, and is analogous to a cladophyll

   phyllodium
          [phyl.lo.di.um] n, pl -dia [NL] (ca. 1847): phyllode

   phyllome
          [phyl.lome] n [ISV] (1875): a plant part that is a leaf or
          is phylogenetically derived from a leaf

   phyllotactic
          [phyl.lo.tac.tic] adj (1857): of or relating to phyllotaxis

   phyllotaxis
          [phyl.lo.tax.is] also phyl.lo.taxy n [NL phyllotaxis, fr.
          phyll- + -taxis] (1857) 1: the arrangement of leaves
          on a stem and in relation to one another 2: the study
          of phyllotaxis and of the laws that govern it

   -phyllous
          [-phyllous] adj comb form [NL -phyllus, fr. Gk -phyllos,
          fr. phyllon leaf--more at blade]: having (such or so
          many) leaves, leaflets, or leaflike parts <heterophyllous>

   phylloxera
          [phyl.lox.e.ra] n [NL, fr. phyll- + Gk xeros dry] (1868):
          any of various plant lice (esp. genus Phylloxera) that
          differ from aphids esp. in wing structure and in being
          continuously oviparous

   phylogenetic
          [phy.lo.ge.net.ic] adj [ISV, fr. NL phylogenesis phylogeny,
          fr. phyl- + genesis] (1877) 1: of or relating to phylogeny
          2: based on natural evolutionary relationships 3: acquired
          in the course of phylogenetic development: racial --
          phy.lo.ge.net.i.cal.ly adv

   phylogeny
          [phy.log.e.ny] n, pl -nies [ISV] (1872) 1: the evolutionary
          history of a kind of organism 2: the evolution of a genetically
          related group of organisms as distinguished from the
          development of the individual organism 3: the history
          or course of the development of something (as a word
          or custom)

   phylum
          [phy.lum] n, pl phy.la [NL, fr. Gk phylon tribe, race--more
          at phyl-] (1876) 1 a: a direct line of descent within
          a group b: a group that constitutes or has the unity
          of a phylum; esp: one of the usu. primary divisions of
          the animal kingdom 2: a group of languages related more
          remotely than those of a family or stock

   phys
          [phys] abbreviation physical, physics

   phys ed
          [phys ed] n (1955): physical education

   physi-
          [physi-] or physio- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. physis--more
          at physics] 1: nature <physiography> 2: physical <physiotherapy>

   physiatrist
          [phys.iat.rist] n [physiatrics physical medicine, fr. Gk
          physis + ISV -iatrics] (ca. 1947): a physician who specializes
          in physical medicine

   [1]physic
          [phys.ic] n [ME physik natural science, art of medicine,
          fr. OF fisique, fr. L physica, sing., natural science,
          fr. Gk physike, fr. fem. of physikos--more at physics]
          (14c) 1 a: the art or practice of healing disease b:
          the practice or profession of medicine 2: a medicinal
          agent or preparation; esp: purgative 3 archaic: natural
          science [2]physic vt phys.icked ; phys.ick.ing (14c)
          1: to treat with or administer medicine to; esp: purge
          2: heal, cure

   [1]physical
          [phys.i.cal] adj [ME phisicale medical, fr. ML physicalis,
          fr. L physica] (1597) 1 a: having material existence:
          perceptible esp. through the senses and subject to the
          laws of nature <everything ~ is measurable by weight,
          motion, and resistance --Thomas De Quincey> b: of or
          relating to material things 2 a: of or relating to natural
          science b (1): of or relating to physics (2): characterized
          or produced by the forces and operations of physics 3
          a: of or relating to the body b: concerned or preoccupied
          with the body and its needs: carnal c: characterized
          by esp. rugged and forceful physical activity: rough
          <a ~ hockey game> <a ~ player> syn see material -- phys.i.cal.ly
          adv -- phys.i.cal.ness n [2]physical n (1934): physical
          examination

   physical anthropology
          [physical anthropology] n (1873): anthropology concerned
          with the comparative study of human evolution, variation,
          and classification esp. through measurement and
          observation--compare cultural anthropology -- physical
          anthropologist n

   physical education
          [physical education] n (1830): instruction in the development
          and care of the body ranging from simple calisthenic
          exercises to a course of study providing training in
          hygiene, gymnastics, and the performance and management
          of athletic games

   physical examination
          [physical examination] n (1884): an examination of the bodily
          functions and condition of an individual

   physical geography
          [physical geography] n (1808): geography that deals with
          the exterior physical features and changes of the earth

   physicalism
          [phys.i.cal.ism] n (ca. 1931): a thesis that the descriptive
          terms of scientific language are reducible to terms which
          refer to spatiotemporal things or events or to their
          properties -- phys.i.cal.ist n -- phys.i.cal.is.tic adj

   physicality
          [phys.i.cal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1660) 1: intensely physical
          orientation: predominance of the physical usu. at the
          expense of the mental, spiritual, or social 2: a physical
          aspect or quality

   physical medicine
          [physical medicine] n (1939): a branch of medicine concerned
          with the diagnosis and treatment of disease and disability
          by physical means (as radiation, heat, and electricity)--compare
          physical therapy

   physical science
          [physical science] n (1802): any of the natural sciences
          (as physics, chemistry, and astronomy) that deal primarily
          with nonliving materials -- physical scientist n

   physical therapy
          [physical therapy] n (1922): the treatment of disease by
          physical and mechanical means (as massage, regulated
          exercise, water, light, heat, and electricity) -- physical
          therapist n

   physician
          [phy.si.cian] n [ME fisicien, fr. OF, fr. fisique medicine]
          (13c) 1: a person skilled in the art of healing; specif:
          a doctor of medicine 2: one exerting a remedial or salutary
          influence

   physician's assistant
          [physician's assistant] n (1970): a person certified to provide
          basic medical services usu. under the supervision of
          a licensed physician--called also PA, physician assistant

   physicist
          [phys.i.cist] n (1840) 1: a specialist in physics 2 archaic:
          a person skilled in natural science

   physicochemical
          [phys.i.co.chem.i.cal] adj (1664) 1: being physical and chemical
          2: of or relating to chemistry that deals with the physicochemical
          properties of substances -- phys.i.co.chem.i.cal.ly adv

   physics
          [phys.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [L physica, pl.,
          natural science, fr. Gk physika, fr. neut. pl. of physikos
          of nature, fr. physis growth, nature, fr. phyein to bring
          forth--more at be] (1715) 1: a science that deals with
          matter and energy and their interactions 2 a: the physical
          processes and phenomena of a particular system b: the
          physical properties and composition of something

   Physiocrat
          [Phys.io.crat] n [F physiocrate, fr. physi- physi- + -crate
          -crat] (1798): a member of a school of political economists
          founded in 18th century France and characterized chiefly
          by a belief that government policy should not interfere
          with the operation of natural economic laws and that
          land is the source of all wealth -- phys.io.crat.ic adj,
          often cap

   physiognomic
          [phys.i.og.nom.ic] also phys.i.og.nom.i.cal adj (ca. 1755):
          of, relating to, or characteristic of physiognomy or
          the physiognomy -- phys.i.og.nom.i.cal.ly adv

   physiognomy
          [phys.i.og.no.my] n, pl -mies [ME phisonomie, fr. MF, fr.
          LL physiognomonia, physiognomia, fr. Gk physiognomonia,
          fr. physiognomon judging character by the features, fr.
          physis nature, physique, appearance + gnomon interpreter--more
          at gnomon] (14c) 1: the art of discovering temperament
          and character from outward appearance 2: the facial features
          held to show qualities of mind or character by their
          configuration or expression 3: external aspect; also:
          inner character or quality revealed outwardly

   physiography
          [phys.i.og.ra.phy] n [prob. fr. F physiographie, fr. physi-
          + -graphie -graphy] (ca. 1828): physical geography --
          phys.i.og.ra.pher n -- phys.io.graph.ic also phys.io.graph.i.cal
          adj

   physiol
          [physiol] abbreviation physiologist, physiology

   physiological
          [phys.i.o.log.i.cal] or phys.i.o.log.ic adj (1814) 1: of
          or relating to physiology 2: characteristic of or appropriate
          to an organism's healthy or normal functioning 3: differing
          in, involving, or affecting physiological factors <a
          ~ strain of bacteria> -- phys.i.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   physiological psychology
          [physiological psychology] n (1888): a branch of psychology
          that deals with the effects of normal and pathological
          physiological processes on mental life--called also
          psychophysiology

   physiological saline
          [physiological saline] n (1896): a solution of a salt or
          salts that is essentially isotonic with tissue fluids
          or blood

   physiology
          [phys.i.ol.o.gy] n [L physiologia natural science, fr. Gk,
          fr. physi- + -logia -logy] (1597) 1: a branch of biology
          that deals with the functions and activities of life
          or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and
          of the physical and chemical phenomena involved--compare
          anatomy 2: the organic processes and phenomena of an
          organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily
          process -- phys.i.ol.o.gist n

   physiopathology
          [phys.io.pa.thol.o.gy] n (ca. 1889): a branch of biology
          or medicine that combines physiology and pathology esp.
          in the study of altered bodily function in disease --
          phys.io.path.o.log.ic or phys.io.path.o.log.i.cal adj

   physiotherapy
          [phys.io.ther.a.py] n [NL physiotherapia, fr. physi- + therapia
          therapy] (ca. 1903): physical therapy -- phys.io.ther.a.pist
          n

   physique
          [phy.sique] n [F, fr. physique physical, bodily, fr. L physicus
          of nature, fr. Gk physikos] (1813): the form or structure
          of a person's body: bodily makeup

   physostigmine
          [phy.so.stig.mine] n [ISV, fr. NL Physostigma, genus of vines
          that bear the Calabar bean] (1864): a crystalline tasteless
          alkaloid from the Calabar bean that is used in medicine
          esp. in the form of its salicylate for its anticholinesterase
          activity

   phyt-
          [phyt-] or phyto- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. phyton, fr.
          phyein to bring forth--more at be]: plant <phytophagous>

   phytane
          [phy.tane] n (1907): an isoprenoid hydrocarbon that is found
          esp. associated with fossilized plant remains from the
          Precambrian and later eras

   -phyte
          [-phyte] n comb form [ISV, fr. Gk phyton plant]: plant having
          a (specified) characteristic or habitat <xerophyte>

   -phytic
          [-phytic] adj comb form [ISV, fr. Gk phyton plant]: like
          a plant <holophytic>

   phytoalexin
          [phy.to.alex.in] n [ISV phyt- + alexin substance combating
          infection, fr. Gk alexein to ward off, protect; akin
          to Skt raksati he protects] (1949): a chemical substance
          produced by a plant to combat infection by a pathogen
          (as a fungus)

   phytochemical
          [phy.to.chem.i.cal] adj (ca. 1858): of, relating to, or being
          phytochemistry -- phy.to.chem.i.cal.ly adv

   phytochemistry
          [phy.to.chem.is.try] n (1837): the chemistry of plants, plant
          processes, and plant products -- phy.to.chem.ist n

   phytochrome
          [phy.to.chrome] n (ca. 1893): a chromoprotein that is present
          in traces in many plants and that plays a significant
          role in initiating floral and developmental processes
          when activated by red or near-infrared radiation

   phytoflagellate
          [phy.to.fla.gel.late] n (1935): any of various organisms
          (as dinoflagellates) that are considered a subclass
          (Phytomastigophora syn. Phytomastigina) usu. of algae by botanists
          and of protozoans by zoologists and that have many characteristics
          in common with typical algae

   phytogeography
          [phy.to.ge.og.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1847): the biogeography of
          plants -- phy.to.ge.og.ra.pher n -- phy.to.geo.graph.i.cal
          or phy.to.geo.graph.ic adj -- phy.to.geo.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   phytohemagglutinin
          [phy.to.he.mag.glu.ti.nin] n (1949): a proteinaceous hemagglutinin
          of plant origin used esp. to induce mitosis (as in lymphocytes)

   phytohormone
          [phy.to.hor.mone] n [ISV] (1933): plant hormone

   phyton
          [phy.ton] n [NL, fr. Gk, plant] (1848) 1: a structural unit
          of a plant consisting of a leaf and its associated portion
          of stem 2: the smallest part of a stem, root, or leaf
          that when severed may grow into a new plant -- phy.ton.ic
          adj

   phytopathogen
          [phy.to.path.o.gen] n (ca. 1930): an organism parasitic on
          a plant host -- phy.to.path.o.gen.ic adj

   phytopathology
          [phy.to.pa.thol.o.gy] n [ISV] (ca. 1859): plant pathology
          -- phy.to.path.o.log.i.cal adj

   phytophagous
          [phy.toph.a.gous] adj (1826): feeding on plants <a ~ insect>

   phytoplankter
          [phy.to.plank.ter] n (1944): a planktonic plant

   phytoplankton
          [phy.to.plank.ton] n [ISV] (1897): planktonic plant life
          -- phy.to.plank.ton.ic adj

   phytosociology
          [phy.to.so.ci.ol.o.gy] n (ca. 1928): a branch of ecology
          concerned esp. with the structure, composition, and
          interrelationships of plant communities -- phy.to.so.cio.log.i.cal
          adj

   phytosterol
          [phy.tos.ter.ol] n [ISV] (1898): any of various sterols derived
          from plants--compare zoosterol

   phytotoxic
          [phy.to.tox.ic] adj (1926): poisonous to plants --
          phy.to.tox.ic.i.ty n

   pi...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]pi
          [pi] also pie n, pl pies [origin unknown] (ca. 1659) 1: type
          that is spilled or mixed 2: a pi character or matrix
          [2]pi also pie vb pied ; pi.ing or pie.ing vt (1870):
          to spill or throw (type or type matter) into disorder
          ~ vi: to become pied [3]pi adj (ca. 1940) 1: not intended
          to appear in final printing <~ lines> 2: capable of being
          inserted only by hand <~ characters> [4]pi n, pl pis
          [MGk, fr. Gk pei, of Sem origin; akin to Heb pe pe] (1823)
          1: the 16th letter of the Greek alphabet 2 a: the symbol
          denoting the ratio of the circumference of a circle to
          its diameter b: the ratio itself: a transcendental number
          having a value to eight decimal places of 3.14159265

   PI
          [PI] abbreviation Philippine Islands, private investigator,
          programmed instruction

   pial
          [pi.al] adj (1889): of or relating to the pia mater

   pia mater
          [pia ma.ter] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. L, tender mother] (14c):
          the thin vascular membrane that invests the brain and
          spinal cord internal to the arachnoid and dura mater

   pianism
          [pi.a.nism] n (1844) 1: the art or technique of piano playing
          2: the composition or adaptation of music for the piano

   [1]pianissimo
          [pi.a.nis.si.mo] adv or adj [It, fr. piano softly] (1724):
          very softly--used as a direction in music [2]pianissimo
          n, pl -mi or -mos (1883): a passage played, sung, or
          spoken very softly

   pianist
          [pi.a.nist] n (ca. 1828): one who plays the piano; esp: a
          skilled or professional performer on the piano

   pianistic
          [pi.a.nis.tic] adj (1881) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the piano 2: skilled in or well adapted to piano playing
          -- pi.a.nis.ti.cal.ly adv

   [1]piano
          [pi.a.no] adv or adj [It, fr. LL planus smooth, fr. L, level--more
          at floor] (1683): at a soft volume: soft--used as a direction
          in music [2]pi.ano n, pl pianos [It, short for pianoforte, fr.
          gravicembalo col piano e forte, lit., harpsichord with soft and
          loud; fr. the fact that its tones could be varied in loudness]
          (1803): a musical instrument having steel wire strings that sound
          when struck by felt-covered hammers operated from a keyboard

   piano accordion
          [piano accordion] n (1860): an accordion with a keyboard
          for the right hand resembling and corresponding to the
          middle register of a piano keyboard

   pianoforte
          [pi.ano.forte] n [It] (1767) 1: fortepiano 2: piano

   piano hinge
          [piano hinge] n (1926): a hinge that has a thin pin joint
          and extends along the full length of the part to be moved

   piassava
          [pi.as.sa.va] n [Pg piassaba, fr. Tupi piasawa] (1835) 1:
          any of several stiff coarse fibers obtained from palms
          and used esp. in cordage or brushes 2: a palm yielding
          piassava; esp: either of two Brazilian palms (Attalia
          funifera and Leopoldinia piassaba)

   piastre
          [pi.as.tre] also pi.as.ter n [F piastre, fr. It piastra thin
          metal plate, coin, fr. L emplastra, emplastrum plaster]
          (1592) 1: piece of eight 2a: a monetary unit of Egypt,
          Lebanon, Sudan, and Syria equal to 1/100 pound b: a monetary
          unit of Turkey equal to 1/100 lira

   piazza
          [pi.az.za] n, pl piazzas or pi.az.ze [It, fr. L platea broad
          street--more at place] (1563) 1 pl piazze: an open square
          esp. in an Italian town 2 a: an arcaded and roofed gallery
          b dial: veranda, porch

   pibroch
          [pi.broch] n [ScGael piobaireachd pipe music] (1719): a set
          of martial or mournful variations for the Scottish Highland
          bagpipe

   [1]pic
          [pic] n, pl pics or pix [short for picture] (1884) 1: photograph
          2: motion picture [2]pic n [Sp pica, fr. picar to prick]
          (1926): the picador's lance

   [1]pica
          [pi.ca] n [NL, fr. L, magpie--more at pie] (1563): an abnormal
          desire to eat substances (as chalk or ashes) not normally
          eaten [2]pica n [prob. fr. ML, collection of church rules]
          (1588) 1: 12-point type 2: a unit of about 1/6 inch used
          in measuring typographic material 3: a typewriter type
          providing 10 characters to the linear inch and six lines
          to the vertical inch

   picador
          [pic.a.dor] n, pl picadors or pic.a.do.res [Sp, fr. picar
          to prick, fr. (assumed) VL piccare--more at pike] (1797):
          a horseman in a bullfight who jabs the bull with a lance
          to weaken its neck and shoulder muscles

   picara
          [pi.ca.ra] n [Sp picara, fem. of picaro] (ca. 1930): a woman
          who is a rogue

   [1]picaresque
          [pi.ca.resque] adj [Sp picaresco, fr. picaro] (1810): of
          or relating to rogues or rascals; also: of, relating
          to, suggesting, or being a type of fiction dealing with
          the episodic adventures of a usu. roguish protagonist
          <a ~ novel> [2]picaresque n (1895): one that is picaresque

   picaro
          [pi.ca.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp picaro] (1623): rogue, bohemian

   [1]picaroon
          [pic.a.roon] or pick.a.roon n [Sp picaron, aug. of picaro]
          (1624) 1: pirate 2: picaro [2]picaroon vi (1675): to
          act as a pirate

   [1]picayune
          [pic.a.yune] n [Prov picaioun, a small coin, fr. picaio money,
          fr. pica to jingle, of imit. origin] (1804) 1 a: a Spanish
          half real piece formerly current in the South b: half
          dime 2: something trivial [2]picayune adj (1836): of
          little value: paltry; also: petty, small-minded -- pic.a.yun.ish
          adj

   piccalilli
          [pic.ca.lil.li] n [prob. alter. of pickle] (1845): a relish
          of chopped vegetables and spices

   [1]piccolo
          [pic.co.lo] adj [It, small] (ca. 1854): smaller than ordinary
          size <a ~ banjo> [2]piccolo n, pl -los [It, short for
          piccolo flauto small flute] (1856): a small shrill flute
          whose range is an octave higher than that of an ordinary
          flute -- pic.co.lo.ist n

   pice
          [pice] n, pl pice [Hindi paisa] (1615): paisa

   piceous
          [pi.ce.ous] adj [L piceus, fr. pic-, pix pitch--more at pitch]
          (1826): of, relating to, or resembling pitch; esp: glossy
          brownish black in color <an insect with a ~ abdomen>

   [1]pick
          [pick] vb [ME piken, partly fr. (assumed) OE pician (akin
          to MD picken to prick); partly fr. MF piquer to prick--more
          at pike] vt (14c) 1: to pierce, penetrate, or break up
          with a pointed instrument <~ed the hard clay> 2 a: to
          remove bit by bit <~ meat from bones> b: to remove covering
          or adhering matter from <~ the bones> 3 a: to gather
          by plucking <~ apples> b: choose, select <tried to ~
          the shortest route> <she ~ed out the most expensive dress>
          c: to make (one's way) slowly and carefully <~ed his
          way through the rubble> 4 a: pilfer, rob <~ pockets>
          b: to obtain useful information from by questioning--used
          in such phrases as pick the brains of 5: provoke <~ a
          quarrel> 6 a: to dig into: probe <~ his teeth> b: to
          pluck (as a guitar) with a pick or with the fingers c:
          to loosen or pull apart with a sharp point <~ wool> 7:
          to unlock with a device (as a wire) other than the key
          <~ a lock> ~ vi 1: to use or work with a pick 2: to gather
          or harvest something by plucking 3: pilfer--used in the
          phrase picking and stealing 4: to eat sparingly or mincingly
          <~ing listlessly at his dinner> -- pick and choose :
          to select with care and deliberation -- pick at : to
          criticize repeatedly esp. for minor faults: nag -- pick
          on : to single out for criticism, teasing, or bullying
          <picked on smaller boys>; also: to single out for a particular
          purpose or for special attention [2]pick n (15c) 1: a
          blow or stroke with a pointed instrument 2 a: the act
          or privilege of choosing or selecting: choice <take your
          ~> b: the best or choicest one <the ~ of the herd> 3:
          the portion of a crop gathered at one time <the first
          ~ of peaches> 4: a screen in basketball [3]pick n [ME
          pik] (14c) 1: a heavy wooden-handled iron or steel tool
          pointed at one or both ends--compare mattock 2 a: toothpick
          b: picklock c: a small thin piece (as of plastic or metal)
          used to pluck the strings of a stringed instrument 3:
          one of the points on the forepart of the blade of a skate
          used in figure skating 4: a comb with long widely spaced
          teeth used to give height to a hair style [4]pick vt
          [ME pykken to pitch (a tent); akin to ME picchen to pitch]
          (1523) 1 chiefly dial: to throw or thrust with effort:
          hurl 2: to throw (a shuttle) across the loom [5]pick
          n (1627) 1 dial Eng a: the act of pitching or throwing
          b: something thrown 2 a: a throw of the shuttle b: a
          filling thread

   pickaback
          [pick.a.back] var of piggyback

   pick-and-roll
          [pick-and-roll] n (ca. 1961): a basketball play in which
          a player sets a screen and then cuts toward the basket
          for a pass

   pick-and-shovel
          [pick-and-shovel] adj (1895): done with or as if with a pick
          and shovel: laborious

   pickaninny
          [pick.a.nin.ny] or pic.a.nin.ny n, pl -nies [prob. ultim.
          fr. Pg pequenino, dim. of pequeno small] (1653): a black
          child--often taken to be offensive

   pickax
          [pick.ax] n [ME pecaxe, alter. of pikois, fr. OF picois,
          fr. pic pick, fr. L picus woodpecker--more at pie] (15c):
          [3]pick 1

   [1]picked
          [pick.ed] adj [ME, fr. [3]pick] (14c) chiefly dial: pointed,
          peaked [2]picked adj [[1]pick] (ca. 1548): choice, prime

   pickeer
          [pick.eer] vi [prob. modif. of F picorer to maraud, perh.
          fr. MF pecore sheep, fr. OIt pecora--more at pecorino]
          (ca. 1645) archaic: to skirmish in advance of an army;
          also: scout, reconnoiter

   picker
          [pick.er] n (14c): one that picks: as a: a worker who picks
          something (as crops) b: a tool, implement, or machine
          used in picking something c: a musician who picks a stringed
          instrument (as a banjo)

   pickerel
          [pick.er.el] n, pl -el or -els [ME pikerel, dim. of pike]
          (13c) 1 a dial chiefly Brit: a young or small pike b:
          either of two fishes resembling but smaller than the
          related northern pike: (1): chain pickerel (2): one (Esox
          americanus) having green or red fins and a black bar
          below and slanting away from the eye 2: walleye 3

   pickerelweed
          [pick.er.el.weed] n (1836): an American shallow-water
          monocotyledonous plant (Pontederia cordata of the family
          Pontederiaceae) with large leaves and a spike of blue flowers

   [1]picket
          [pick.et] n [F piquet, fr. MF, fr. piquer to prick--more
          at pike] (ca. 1702) 1: a pointed or sharpened stake,
          post, or pale 2 a: a detached body of soldiers serving
          to guard an army from surprise b: a detachment kept ready
          in camp for such duty c: sentry 3: a person posted by
          a labor organization at a place of work affected by a
          strike; also: a person posted for a demonstration or
          protest [2]picket vt (1745) 1: to enclose, fence, or
          fortify with pickets 2 a: to guard with a picket b: to
          post as a picket 3: tether 4 a: to post pickets at b:
          to walk or stand in front of as a picket ~ vi: to serve
          as a picket -- pick.et.er n

   picketboat
          [pick.et.boat] n (1866): a craft used (as by the coast guard)
          for harbor patrol

   picket line
          [picket line] n (1856) 1: a position held by a line of military
          pickets 2: a line of people picketing a business, organization,
          or institution

   pickings
          [pick.ings] n pl (1642): something that is picked or picked
          up: as a: gleanable or eatable fragments: scraps b: yield
          or return for effort expended

   [1]pickle
          [pick.le] n [ME pekille] (15c) 1: a solution or bath for
          preserving or cleaning: as a: a brine or vinegar solution
          in which foods are preserved b: any of various baths
          used in industrial cleaning or processing 2: a difficult
          situation: plight <could see no way out of the ~ I was
          in --R. L. Stevenson> 3: an article of food that has
          been preserved in brine or in vinegar; specif: a cucumber
          that has been so preserved 4 Brit: a mischievous or troublesome
          person [2]pickle vt pick.led ; pick.ling (1570) 1: to
          treat, preserve, or clean in or with a pickle 2: to give
          a light finish to (as furniture) by bleaching or painting
          and wiping [3]pickle n [perh. fr. Sc pickle to trifle,
          pilfer] (1552) 1 Scot: grain, kernel 2 Scot: a small
          quantity

   pickled
          [pickled] adj (ca. 1552) 1: preserved in or cured with pickle
          <~ herring> 2: drunk 1a <gets thoroughly ~ before dinner
          --New Yorker>

   picklock
          [pick.lock] n (1553) 1: burglar 2: a tool for picking locks

   pick-me-up
          [pick-me-up] n (1867): something that stimulates or restores:
          tonic, bracer

   pick off
          [pick off] vt (1810) 1: to shoot or bring down esp. one by
          one 2: to put out (a base runner who is off base) with
          a quick throw (as from the pitcher or catcher) 3: intercept
          <picked off a pass>

   pickoff
          [pick.off] n (1939): a baseball play in which a base runner
          is picked off

   pick out
          [pick out] vt (1540) 1: discern, make out 2: to play the
          notes of by ear or one by one <picking out tunes on the
          piano>

   pick over
          [pick over] vt (1839): to examine in order to select the
          best or remove the unwanted

   pickpocket
          [pick.pock.et] n (1591): a thief who picks pockets

   pickproof
          [pick.proof] adj (1933): designed to prevent picking <a ~
          lock>

   pickthank
          [pick.thank] n [fr. pick a thank to seek someone's favor]
          (15c) archaic: sycophant

   pick up
          [pick up] vt (14c) 1 a: to take hold of and lift up b: to
          gather together: collect <picked up all the pieces> c:
          to clean up: tidy 2: to take (passengers or freight)
          into a vehicle 3 a: to acquire casually or by chance
          <picked up a valuable antique at an auction> b: to acquire
          by study or experience: learn <picking up a great deal
          of knowledge in the process --Robert Schleicher> c: to
          obtain esp. by payment: buy <picked up some groceries>
          d: to acquire (a player) esp. from another team through
          a trade or by financial recompense e: to accept for the
          purpose of paying <offered to pick up the tab> f: to
          come down with: catch <picked up a cold> g: gain <picked
          up a few yards on the last play> 4 a: to enter informally
          into conversation or companionship with (a previously
          unknown person) <had a brief affair with a girl he picked
          up in a bar> b: to take into custody <the police picked
          up the fugitive> 5 a: to catch sight of: perceive <picked
          up the harbor lights> b: to come to and follow <picked
          up the outlaw's trail> c: to bring within range of sight
          or hearing <pick up distant radio signals> d: understand,
          catch <didn't pick up the hint> 6 a: revive b: increase
          7: to resume after a break: continue <pick up the discussion
          tomorrow> 8: to assume responsibility for guarding (an
          opponent) in an athletic contest ~ vi 1: to recover speed,
          vigor, or activity: improve <after the strike, business
          picked up> 2: to put things in order <was always picking
          up after her> 3: to pack up one's belongings <couldn't
          just pick up and leave> -- pick up on 1 a: understand,
          appreciate b: to become aware of: notice 2: to adopt
          as one's own: take up

   [1]pickup
          [pick.up] n (1848) 1: one that is picked up: as a: a hitchhiker
          who is given a ride b: a temporary chance acquaintance
          2: the act or process of picking up: as a: a revival
          of business activity b: acceleration 3: the conversion
          of mechanical movements into electrical impulses in the
          reproduction of sound; also: a device (as on a phonograph)
          for making such conversion 4 a (1): the reception of
          sound or an image into a radio or television transmitting
          apparatus for conversion into electrical signals (2):
          interference (as with such reception) from an adjacent
          electrical circuit or system b: a device (as a microphone
          or a television camera) for converting sound or the image
          of a scene into electrical signals c: the place where
          a broadcast originates d: the electrical system for connecting
          to a broadcasting station a program produced outside
          the studio 5: a light truck having an enclosed cab and
          an open body with low sides and tailgate--called also
          pickup truck [2]pickup adj (1909): utilizing or comprising
          local or available personnel esp. without formal organization
          <a ~ basketball game>

   Pickwickian
          [Pick.wick.ian] adj [Samuel Pickwick, character in the novel
          Pickwick Papers (1836-37) by Charles Dickens] (1836)
          1: marked by simplicity and generosity 2: intended or
          taken in a sense other than the obvious or literal one

   picky
          [picky] adj pick.i.er ; -est (1917): fussy, choosy <a ~ eater>

   picloram
          [pi.clo.ram] n [picoline + chlor- + amine] (1965): a systemic
          herbicide that breaks down only very slowly in the soil

   [1]picnic
          [pic.nic] n, often attrib [G or F; G Picknick, fr. F pique-nique]
          (1748) 1: an excursion or outing with food usu. provided
          by members of the group and eaten in the open; also:
          the food provided for a picnic 2 a: a pleasant or amusingly
          carefree experience <I don't expect being married to
          be a ~ --Josephine Pinckney> b: an easy task or feat
          3: a shoulder of pork with much of the butt removed --
          pic.nic.ky adj [2]picnic vi pic.nicked ; pic.nick.ing
          (1842): to go on a picnic: eat in picnic fashion -- pic.nick.er
          n

   pico-
          [pico-] comb form [ISV, prob. fr. Sp pico small amount, lit.,
          peak, beak] 1: one trillionth part of <picogram> 2: very
          small <picornavirus>

   picofarad
          [pi.co.far.ad] n [ISV] (ca. 1926): one trillionth of a farad

   picogram
          [pi.co.gram] n [ISV] (1951): one trillionth of a gram

   picoline
          [pic.o.line] n [L pic-, pix pitch + ISV [1]-ol + [2]-ine--more
          at pitch] (1853): any of the three liquid pyridine bases
          used chiefly as solvents and in organic synthesis

   picomole
          [pi.co.mole] n (1968): one trillionth of a mole

   picornavirus
          [pi.cor.na.vi.rus] n [pico- + RNA + virus] (1962): any of
          a group of small RNA-containing viruses that includes
          the enteroviruses and rhinoviruses

   picosecond
          [pi.co.sec.ond] n [ISV] (ca. 1962): one trillionth of a second

   [1]picot
          [pi.cot] n [F, lit., small point, fr. MF, fr. pic prick,
          fr. piquer to prick--more at pike] (ca. 1882): one of
          a series of small ornamental loops forming an edging
          on ribbon or lace [2]picot vt (1926): to finish with
          picots

   picotee
          [pic.o.tee] n [F picote pointed, fr. picoter to mark with
          points, fr. picot] (1727): a flower (as some carnations
          or tulips) having one basic color with a margin of another
          color

   picr-
          [picr-] or picro- comb form [F, fr. Gk pikr-, pikro-, fr.
          pikros--more at paint]: bitter <picric acid>

   picric acid
          [pic.ric acid] n [ISV] (1852): a toxic explosive yellow crystalline
          strong acid used esp. in high explosives and as a dye

   picrotoxin
          [pic.ro.tox.in] n [ISV] (1815): a poisonous bitter crystalline
          stimulant and convulsive drug used intravenously as an
          antidote for barbiturate poisoning

   Pict
          [Pict] n [ME Pictes, pl., Picts, fr. OE Pihtas, fr. LL Picti]
          (bef. 12c): a member of a people of the north of Scotland
          who are first noted in historical records in the late
          3d century and who became amalgamated with the Scots
          in the mid-8th century -- Pict.ish adj or n

   pictogram
          [pic.to.gram] n [ISV picto- (fr. L pictus) + -gram] (1910):
          pictograph

   pictograph
          [pic.to.graph] n [L pictus + E -o- + -graph] (1851) 1: an
          ancient or prehistoric drawing or painting on a rock
          wall 2: one of the symbols belonging to a pictorial graphic
          system 3: a diagram representing statistical data by
          pictorial forms -- pic.to.graph.ic adj

   pictography
          [pic.tog.ra.phy] n (1851): use of pictographs: picture writing
          1

   [1]pictorial
          [pic.to.ri.al] adj [LL pictorius, fr. L pictor painter] (1646)
          1: of or relating to a painter, a painting, or the painting
          or drawing of pictures <~ perspective> 2 a: of, relating
          to, or consisting of pictures <~ records> b: illustrated
          by pictures <~ weekly> c: consisting of or displaying
          the characteristics of pictographs d: suggesting or conveying
          visual images <~ poetry> -- pic.to.ri.al.ly adv --
          pic.to.ri.al.ness n [2]pictorial n (1844): a periodical having much
          pictorial matter

   pictorialism
          [pic.to.ri.al.ism] n (1869) 1: the use or creation of pictures
          or visual images 2: a movement or technique in photography
          emphasizing artificial often romanticized pictorial qualities
          -- pic.to.ri.al.ist adj or n

   pictorialize
          [pic.to.ri.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1870): to represent
          by a picture or illustrate with pictures -- pic.to.ri.al.i.za.tion
          n

   [1]picture
          [pic.ture] n [ME, fr. L pictura, fr. pictus, pp. of pingere
          to paint--more at paint] (15c) 1: a design or representation
          made by various means (as painting, drawing, or photography)
          2 a: a description so vivid or graphic as to suggest
          a mental image or give an accurate idea of something
          <the book gives a detailed ~ of what is happening> b:
          a mental image 3: image, copy <the ~ of his father> <the
          very ~ of health> 4 a: a transitory visible image or
          reproduction b: motion picture c pl: movies 5: tableau
          1, 2 <stage ~s> 6: situation <took a hard look at his
          financial ~> [2]picture vt pic.tured ; pic.tur.ing (15c)
          1: to paint or draw a representation, image, or visual
          conception of: depict; also: illustrate 2: to describe
          graphically in words 3: to form a mental image of: imagine

   picture-book
          [picture-book] adj (1922): suitable for or suggestive of
          a picture book: as a: picturesque b: picture-perfect

   picture book
          [picture book] n (1847): a book that consists wholly or chiefly
          of pictures

   picture hat
          [picture hat] n (1887): a woman's dressy hat with a broad
          brim

   picture-perfect
          [picture-perfect] adj (1981): completely flawless: perfect
          <made a ~ landing>

   picturephone
          [pic.ture.phone] n (1956): videophone

   picture-postcard
          [picture-postcard] adj (1907): picturesque, picture-book
          <a ~ village>

   picture puzzle
          [picture puzzle] n (1898): jigsaw puzzle

   picturesque
          [pic.tur.esque] adj [F & It; F pittoresque, fr. It pittoresco,
          fr. pittore painter, fr. L pictor, fr. pingere] (1703)
          1 a: resembling a picture: suggesting a painted scene
          b: charming or quaint in appearance 2: evoking mental
          images: vivid syn see graphic -- pic.tur.esque.ly adv
          -- pic.tur.esque.ness n

   picture tube
          [picture tube] n (1937): a cathode-ray tube on which the
          picture appears in a television receiver

   picture window
          [picture window] n (1938): an outsize usu. single-paned window
          designed to frame an exterior view

   picture writing
          [picture writing] n (1741) 1: the recording of events or
          expression of messages by pictures representing actions
          or facts 2: the record or message represented by picture
          writing

   picturize
          [pic.tur.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1846): to make a picture
          of: present in pictures; esp: to make into a motion picture
          -- pic.tur.i.za.tion n

   PID
          [PID] abbreviation pelvic inflammatory disease

   piddle
          [pid.dle] vi pid.dled ; pid.dling [origin unknown] (1545)
          1: dawdle, putter 2: urinate

   piddling
          [pid.dling] adj (1559): trivial, paltry

   piddock
          [pid.dock] n [origin unknown] (1851): a bivalve mollusk (genus
          Pholas or family Pholadidae) that bores holes in wood,
          clay, and rocks

   pidgin
          [pid.gin] n [pidgin English] (1876): a simplified speech
          used for communication between people with different
          languages -- pid.gin.i.za.tion n -- pid.gin.ize vt

   pidgin English
          [pidgin English] n, often cap P [Chinese Pidgin English pidgin
          business] (1859): an English-based pidgin; esp: one orig.
          used in parts of the Orient

   [1]pie
          [pie] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L pica; akin to L picus woodpecker,
          OHG speh] (13c ): magpie [2]pie n [ME] (14c) 1: a meat
          dish baked with biscuit or pastry crust--compare potpie
          2: a dessert consisting of a filling (as of fruit or
          custard) in a pastry shell or topped with pastry or both
          3 a: affair, business <she wanted her finger ... in every
          possible social ~ --Mary Deasy> b: a whole regarded as
          divisible into shares <giving the less fortunate ...
          a larger share of the economic ~ --R. M. Hutchins> [3]pie
          var of pi

   [1]piebald
          [pie.bald] adj (1594) 1: of different colors; esp: spotted
          or blotched with black and white 2: composed of incongruous
          parts [2]piebald n (1765): a piebald animal (as a horse)

   [1]piece
          [piece] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL pettia, of Gaulish
          origin; akin to W peth thing] (13c) 1: a part of a whole:
          as a: fragment <~s of broken glass> b: any of the individual
          members comprising a unit--often used in combination
          <a five-piece band> <a three-piece suit> 2: an object
          or individual regarded as a unit of a kind or class <a
          ~ of fruit> 3: a short distance <down the road a ~> 4:
          a standard quantity (as of length, weight, or size) in
          which something is made or sold 5: a literary, journalistic,
          artistic, dramatic, or musical composition 6: firearm
          7: coin; also: token 8: a man used in playing a board
          game; specif: a chessman of superior rank 9: opinion,
          view <spoke his ~> 10 a: an act of copulation--usu. considered
          vulgar b: the female partner in sexual intercourse--usu.
          considered vulgar syn see part -- of a piece : alike,
          consistent -- piece of one's mind : a severe scolding:
          tongue-lashing -- piece of the action : a share in activity
          or profit -- to pieces 1: without reserve or restraint:
          completely 2: into fragments; also: into component parts
          3: out of control <went to pieces from shock> [2]piece
          vt pieced ; piec.ing (15c) 1: to repair, renew, or complete
          by adding pieces: patch 2: to join into a whole--often
          used with together <his new book ... has been pieced
          together from talks --Merle Miller> -- piec.er n

   piece by piece
          [piece by piece] adv (1560): by degrees: piecemeal

   piece de resistance
          [piece de re.sis.tance] n, pl pieces de re.sis.tance [F,
          lit., piece of resistance] (1839) 1: the chief dish of
          a meal 2: an outstanding item or event: showpiece

   piece d'occasion
          [piece d'oc.ca.sion] [F] foreign term : piece for a special
          occasion

   piece-dye
          [piece-dye] vt (1920): to dye after weaving or knitting

   piece goods
          [piece goods] n pl (1665): cloth fabrics sold from the bolt
          at retail in lengths specified by the customer--called
          also yard goods

   piece justificative
          [piece jus.ti.fi.ca.tive] [F] foreign term : justificatory
          paper: document serving as evidence

   [1]piecemeal
          [piece.meal] adv (14c) 1: one piece at a time: gradually
          2: in pieces or fragments: apart [2]piecemeal adj (1600):
          done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in a fragmentary
          way <~ reforms in the system>

   piece montee
          [piece mon.tee] [F] foreign term : set piece: food that has
          been decoratively shaped or arranged

   piece of cake
          [piece of cake] (1936): something easily done: cinch, breeze

   piece of eight
          [piece of eight] (1610): an old Spanish peso of eight reals

   piece of work
          [piece of work] (1928): a complicated, difficult, or eccentric
          person

   piecewise
          [piece.wise] adv (1674): with respect to a number of discrete
          intervals, sets, or pieces <~ continuous functions>

   piecework
          [piece.work] n (1549): work done by the piece and paid for
          at a set rate per unit -- piece.work.er n

   pie chart
          [pie chart] n (1922): a circular chart cut by radii into
          segments illustrating relative magnitudes or frequencies--called
          also circle graph

   piecrust
          [pie.crust] n (1582): the pastry shell of a pie

   [1]pied
          [pied] adj (14c): of two or more colors in blotches; also:
          wearing or having a parti-colored coat <a ~ horse> [2]pied
          past and past part of pi, or of pie

   pied-a-terre
          [pied-a-terre] n, pl pieds-a-terre [F, lit., foot to the
          ground] (1829): a temporary or second lodging

   piedmont
          [pied.mont] adj [Piedmont, region of Italy] (1855): lying
          or formed at the base of mountains -- piedmont n

   pied piper
          [pied piper] n, often cap both Ps [the Pied Piper, hero of
          a German folktale who charmed the rats of Hameln, Germany,
          into a river] (1925) 1: one that offers strong but delusive
          enticement 2: a leader who makes irresponsible promises
          3: a charismatic person who attracts followers

   pie-eyed
          [pie-eyed] adj (1904): intoxicated

   pie-faced
          [pie-faced] adj (ca. 1912): having a round, smooth, or blank
          face

   pieing
          [pieing] pres part of pi, or of pie

   pie in the sky
          [pie in the sky] (1911): an unrealistic enterprise or prospect
          of prosperity -- pie-in-the-sky adj

   pieplant
          [pie.plant] n (ca. 1847): garden rhubarb

   pier
          [pier] n [ME per, fr. OE, fr. ML pera] (12c) 1: an intermediate
          support for the adjacent ends of two bridge spans 2:
          a structure (as a breakwater) extending into navigable
          water for use as a landing place or promenade or to protect
          or form a harbor 3: a vertical structural support: as
          a: the wall between two openings b: pillar, pilaster
          c: a vertical member that supports the end of an arch
          or lintel d: an auxiliary mass of masonry used to stiffen
          a wall 4: a structural mount (as for a telescope) usu.
          of stonework, concrete, or steel

   pierce
          [pierce] vb pierced ; pierc.ing [ME percen, fr. OF percer,
          fr. (assumed) VL pertusiare, fr. L pertusus, pp. of pertundere
          to perforate, fr. per- through + tundere to beat--more
          at per-, contusion] vt (14c) 1 a: to run into or through
          as a pointed weapon does: stab b: to enter or thrust
          into sharply or painfully 2: to make a hole through:
          perforate 3: to force or make a way into or through 4:
          to penetrate with the eye or mind: discern 5: to penetrate
          so as to move or touch the emotions of ~ vi: to force
          a way into or through something syn see enter

   pierced
          [pierced] adj (14c) 1: having holes; esp: decorated with
          perforations 2: having the earlobe punctured for an earring
          <~ ears> 3: designed for pierced ears <~ earrings>

   piercing
          [piercing] adj (14c): penetrating: as a: loud, shrill <~
          cries> b: perceptive <~ eyes> c: penetratingly cold:
          biting <a ~ wind> d: cutting, incisive <~ sarcasm> --
          pierc.ing.ly adv

   pier glass
          [pier glass] n (1703): a large high mirror; esp: one designed
          to occupy the wall space between windows--called also
          pier mirror

   Pierian
          [Pi.eri.an] adj (1591) 1: of or relating to the region of
          Pieria in ancient Macedonia or to the Muses who were
          once worshiped there 2: of or relating to learning or
          poetry

   pierogi
          [pie.ro.gi] also pi.ro.gi n, pl -gi also -gies [Pol, pl.
          of pierog dumpling, pierogi] (1927): a case of dough
          filled with a savory filling (as of meat, cheese, or
          vegetables) and cooked by boiling and then panfrying

   Pierrot
          [Pier.rot] n [F, dim. of Pierre Peter] (ca. 1770): a stock
          comic character of old French pantomime usu. having a
          whitened face and wearing loose white clothes

   pier table
          [pier table] n (1803): a table to be placed under a pier
          glass

   pies
          [pies] pl of pi, or of pie

   pie safe
          [pie safe] n (1951): a cupboard whose doors have decoratively
          pierced tin panels for ventilation

   pieta
          [pie.ta] n, often cap [It, lit., pity, fr. L pietat-, pietas]
          (1644): a representation of the Virgin Mary mourning
          over the dead body of Christ

   pietism
          [pi.e.tism] n (1697) 1 cap: a 17th century religious movement
          originating in Germany in reaction to formalism and intellectualism
          and stressing Bible study and personal religious experience
          2 a: emphasis on devotional experience and practices b: affectation
          of devotion -- pi.e.tist adj or n, often cap

   pietistic
          [pi.e.tis.tic] adj (1830) 1: of or relating to Pietism 2
          a: of or relating to religious devotion or devout persons
          b: marked by overly sentimental or emotional devotion
          to religion: religiose -- pi.e.tis.ti.cal.ly adv

   piety
          [pi.e.ty] n, pl pi.e.ties [F piete piety, pity, fr. L pietat-,
          pietas, fr. pius dutiful, pious] (1565) 1: the quality
          or state of being pious: as a: fidelity to natural obligations
          (as to parents) b: dutifulness in religion: devoutness
          2: an act inspired by piety 3: a conventional belief
          or standard: orthodoxy syn see fidelity

   piezo-
          [piezo-] comb form [Gk piezein to press; perh. akin to Skt
          pidayati he squeezes]: pressure <piezometer>

   piezoelectric
          [pi.e.zo.elec.tric] adj [ISV] (1883): of, relating to,
          marked by, or functioning by means of piezoelectricity --
          pi.e.zo.elec.tri.cal.ly adv

   piezoelectricity
          [pi.e.zo.elec.tric.i.ty] n [ISV] (1883): electricity or electric
          polarity due to pressure esp. in a crystalline substance
          (as quartz)

   piezometer
          [pi.e.zom.e.ter] n (1820): an instrument for measuring pressure
          or compressibility; esp: one for measuring the change
          of pressure of a material subjected to hydrostatic pressure
          -- pi.e.zo.met.ric adj

   [1]piffle
          [pif.fle] vi pif.fled ; pif.fling [perh. blend of piddle
          and trifle] (ca. 1878): to talk or act in a trivial,
          inept, or ineffective way [2]piffle n (1890): trivial
          nonsense <pseudo-scientific ~>

   piffling
          [pif.fling] adj (1894): of little worth or importance: trivial

   [1]pig
          [pig] n, often attrib [ME pigge] (13c) 1: a young swine not
          yet sexually mature; broadly: a wild or domestic swine
          2 a: pork b: the dressed carcass of a young swine weighing
          less than 130 pounds (60 kilograms) c: pigskin 3 a: one
          that resembles a pig <an unkempt ... person is a ~ --S.
          S. Hall> b: an animal related to or resembling the pig
          4: a crude casting of metal (as iron) 5 slang: an immoral
          woman 6 slang: police officer--usu. used disparagingly
          -- pig.like adj [2]pig vb pigged ; pig.ging vi (15c)
          1: farrow 2: to live like a pig <~ it> ~ vt: farrow

   pigboat
          [pig.boat] n (1921): submarine

   [1]pigeon
          [pi.geon] n [ME, fr. MF pijon, fr. LL pipion-, pipio young
          bird, fr. L pipire to chirp] (14c) 1: any of a widely
          distributed family (Columbidae, order Columbiformes)
          of birds with a stout body, rather short legs, and smooth
          and compact plumage; esp: a member of any of numerous
          varieties of the rock dove that exist in domestication
          and in the feral state in cities and towns throughout
          most of the world 2: a young woman 3: an easy mark: dupe
          4: clay pigeon [2]pigeon n [alter. of pidgin] (1938):
          an object of special concern: business

   pigeon breast
          [pigeon breast] n (1842): a deformity of the chest marked
          by sharp projection of the sternum

   pigeon hawk
          [pigeon hawk] n (ca. 1728) 1: a falcon of the No. American
          population of the merlin 2: sharp-shinned hawk

   [1]pigeonhole
          [pi.geon.hole] n (1577) 1: a hole or small recess for pigeons
          to nest 2: a small open compartment (as in a desk or
          cabinet) for keeping letters or documents 3: a neat category
          which usu. fails to reflect actual complexities [2]pigeonhole
          vt (1840) 1 a: to place in or as if in the pigeonhole
          of a desk b: to lay aside: shelve <his reports continued
          to be pigeonholed and his advice not taken --Walter Mills>
          2: to assign to a category: classify -- pi.geon.hol.er
          n

   pigeonite
          [pi.geon.ite] n [Pigeon Point, northeast Minn. + [1]-ite]
          (1900): a monoclinic mineral of the pyroxene group

   pigeon-livered
          [pi.geon-liv.ered] adj (1602): gentle, mild

   pigeon pea
          [pigeon pea] n (1725): a leguminous woody herb (Cajanus cajan)
          that has trifoliate leaves, yellow flowers, and somewhat
          flat pods and is much cultivated esp. in the tropics;
          also: its small highly nutritious seed

   pigeon-toed
          [pi.geon-toed] adj (1801): having the toes turned in

   pigeonwing
          [pi.geon.wing] n (ca. 1808): a fancy dance step executed
          by jumping and striking the legs together

   pigfish
          [pig.fish] n (1860): a saltwater grunt (Orthopristis chrysopterus)
          that is a food fish found from Long Island southward

   piggery
          [pig.gery] n, pl -ger.ies (1781) 1: a place where swine are
          kept 2: swinish behavior

   piggin
          [pig.gin] n [ME pygyn] (15c): a small wooden pail with one
          stave extended upward as a handle

   piggish
          [pig.gish] adj (1792) 1: of, relating to, or suggestive of
          a pig <a ~ snort> 2: having qualities (as greediness
          or stubbornness) associated with a pig -- pig.gish.ly
          adv -- pig.gish.ness n

   piggy
          [pig.gy] adj pig.gi.er ; -est (ca. 1845): piggish

   [1]piggyback
          [pig.gy.back] adv [alter. of earlier a pick pack, of unknown
          origin] (1565) 1: up on the back and shoulders 2: on
          or as if on the back of another; esp: on a railroad flatcar
          [2]piggyback n (ca. 1590) 1: the act of carrying piggyback
          2: the movement of loaded truck trailers on railroad
          flatcars [3]piggyback adj (1823) 1: marked by being up
          on the shoulders and back <a child needs hugging, tussling,
          and ~ rides --Benjamin Spock> 2: carried or transported
          piggyback: as a: of or relating to the hauling of truck
          trailers on railroad flatcars b: of, relating to, or
          being a radio or television commercial that is presented
          in addition to other commercials during one commercial
          break c: being or relating to something carried into
          space as an extra load by a vehicle (as a spacecraft)
          [4]piggyback vt (1952) 1: to carry up on the shoulders
          and back 2: to haul (as a truck trailer) by railroad
          car 3: to set up or cause to function in conjunction
          with something larger or more important ~ vi 1: to haul
          truck trailers on railroad cars 2: to function or be
          carried on or as if on the back of another

   piggy bank
          [piggy bank] n (1941): a coin bank often in the shape of
          a pig

   pigheaded
          [pig.head.ed] adj (1620): willfully or perversely unyielding:
          obstinate -- pig.head.ed.ly adv -- pig.head.ed.ness n

   pig in a poke
          [pig in a poke] (1562): something offered in such a way as
          to obscure its real nature or worth <unwilling to buy
          a pig in a poke>

   pig iron
          [pig iron] n (1665): crude iron that is the direct product
          of the blast furnace and is refined to produce steel,
          wrought iron, or ingot iron

   pig latin
          [pig latin] n, often cap L (1931): a jargon that is made
          by systematic alteration of English (as ipskay the ointjay
          for skip the joint)

   piglet
          [pig.let] n (1883): a small usu. young swine

   [1]pigment
          [pig.ment] n [L pigmentum, fr. pingere to paint--more at
          paint] (14c) 1: a substance that imparts black or white
          or a color to other materials; esp: a powdered substance
          that is mixed with a liquid in which it is relatively
          insoluble and used esp. to impart color to coating materials
          (as paints) or to inks, plastics, and rubber 2: a coloring
          matter in animals and plants esp. in a cell or tissue;
          also: any of various related colorless substances --
          pig.men.tary adj [2]pig.ment vt (1900): to color with
          or as if with pigment

   pigmentation
          [pig.men.ta.tion] n (1866): coloration with or deposition
          of pigment; esp: an excessive deposition of bodily pigment

   pigmy
          [pig.my] var of pygmy

   pignoli
          [pi.gno.li] or pi.gno.lia n [pignoli fr. It, pl. of pignolo,
          pinolo, fr. pigna, pina pine cone, fr. L pinea; pignolia
          perh. modif. of pignoli--more at pineal] (1898): pine
          nut

   pignut
          [pig.nut] n (1666) 1: any of several bitter-flavored hickory
          nuts 2: a hickory (as Carya glabra and C. cordiformis)
          bearing pignuts

   pig out
          [pig out] vi (1978) slang: to eat greedily: gorge -- pig-out
          n

   pigpen
          [pig.pen] n (1803) 1: a pen for pigs 2: a dirty slovenly
          place

   pigskin
          [pig.skin] n (1855) 1: the skin of a swine or leather made
          of it 2 a: a jockey's saddle b: football 2a

   pigstick
          [pig.stick] vi (1891): to hunt the wild boar on horseback
          with a spear -- pig.stick.er n

   pigsty
          [pig.sty] n (ca. 1591): pigpen

   pigtail
          [pig.tail] n (1688) 1: tobacco in small twisted strands or
          rolls 2: a tight braid of hair

   pigtailed
          [pig.tailed] adj (1754): wearing a pigtail <~ little girls>

   pigweed
          [pig.weed] n (ca. 1801): any of various strongly growing
          weedy plants esp. of the goosefoot or amaranth families

   piing
          [piing] pres part of pi, or of pie

   PIK
          [PIK] abbreviation payment in kind

   pika
          [pi.ka] n [perh. fr. Evenki (Tungusic language of Siberia)]
          (1827): any of various short-eared small lagomorph mammals
          (family Ochotonidae) of rocky uplands of Asia and western
          No. America with relatively short hind legs

   pikake
          [pi.ka.ke] n [Hawaiian pikake, lit., peacock, fr. E] (1938):
          an Asian vine (Jasminum sambac) cultivated for its profuse
          fragrant white flowers

   [1]pike
          [pike] n [ME, fr. OE pic pickax] (13c) 1: pikestaff 1 2:
          a sharp point or spike; also: the tip of a spear -- piked
          adj [2]pike n [ME, perh. of Scand origin; akin to Norw
          dial. pik pointed mountain] (13c) dial Eng: a mountain
          or hill having a peaked summit--used esp. in place names
          [3]pike n, pl pike or pikes [ME, fr. [1]pike] (14c) 1
          a: a large elongate long-snouted freshwater bony fish
          (Esox lucius) valued for food and sport and widely distributed
          in cooler parts of the northern hemisphere--called also
          northern, northern pike b: any of various fishes (family
          Esocidae) related to the pike: as (1): muskellunge (2):
          pickerel 2: any of various fishes resembling the pike
          in appearance or habits [4]pike n [MF pique, fr. piquer
          to prick, fr. (assumed) VL piccare, perh. fr. L picus
          woodpecker--more at pie] (ca. 1511): a heavy spear with
          a very long shaft used by infantry esp. in Europe from
          the Middle Ages to the 18th century [5]pike vt piked
          ; pik.ing (1798): to pierce, kill, or wound with a pike
          [6]pike vi piked ; pik.ing [ME pyken (refl.)] (1526)
          1: to leave abruptly <get lonely and sore, and ~ out
          --Sinclair Lewis> 2: to make one's way <~ along> [7]pike
          n (1812) 1: turnpike 2: a railroad or railroad line or
          system -- down the pike 1: in the course of events <the
          greatest boxer to come down the pike in years> 2: in
          the future <today's advances only hint at what's down
          the pike> [8]pike n [perh. fr. [3]pike] (1928): a body
          position (as in diving) in which the hips are bent, the
          knees are straight, the head is pressed forward, and
          the hands touch the toes or clasp the legs behind or
          just above the knees

   pikeman
          [pike.man] n (1566): a soldier armed with a pike

   pike perch
          [pike perch] n (1842): a fish (as the walleye) of the perch
          group that resembles the pike

   piker
          [pik.er] n [pike to play cautiously, of unknown origin] (1872)
          1: one who gambles or speculates with small amounts of
          money 2: one who does things in a small way; also: tightwad,
          cheapskate

   pikestaff
          [pike.staff] n (14c) 1: a spiked staff for use on slippery
          ground 2: the staff of a foot soldier's pike

   piki
          [pi.ki] n [Hopi piki] (ca. 1889): bread made esp. from blue
          cornmeal and baked in thin sheets by the Indians of the
          southwestern U.S.

   pilaf
          [pi.laf] or pi.laff or pi.lau also pi.law n [Turk & Pers;
          Turk pilav, fr. Pers pilav] (1612): a dish made of seasoned
          rice and often meat

   pilaster
          [pi.las.ter] n [MF pilastre, fr. It pilastro] (1575): an
          upright architectural member that is rectangular in plan
          and is structurally a pier but architecturally treated
          as a column and that usu. projects a third of its width
          or less from the wall

   pilchard
          [pil.chard] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1530) 1: a fish (Sardina
          pilchardus) of the herring family resembling the herring
          and occurring in great schools along the coasts of Europe
          2: any of several sardines related to the European pilchard

   [1]pile
          [pile] n [ME, dart, stake, fr. OE pil, fr. L pilum javelin]
          (12c) 1: a long slender column usu. of timber, steel,
          or reinforced concrete driven into the ground to carry
          a vertical load 2: a wedge-shaped heraldic charge usu.
          placed vertically with the broad end up 3 a: a target-shooting
          arrowhead without cutting edges b [L pilum]: an ancient
          Roman foot soldier's heavy javelin [2]pile vt piled ;
          pil.ing (15c): to drive piles into [3]pile vb piled ;
          pil.ing [ME, fr. [4]pile] vt (14c) 1: to lay or place
          in a pile: stack 2 a: to heap in abundance: load <piled
          potatoes on his plate> b: to collect little by little
          into a mass--usu. used with up ~ vi 1: to form a pile
          or accumulation--usu. used with up 2: to move or press
          forward in or as if in a mass: crowd <piled into a car>
          [4]pile n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L pila pillar] (15c) 1 a (1):
          a quantity of things heaped together (2): a heap of wood
          for burning a corpse or a sacrifice b: any great number
          or quantity: lot 2: a large building or group of buildings
          3: a great amount of money: fortune 4: reactor 3b [5]pile
          n [ME, fr. L pilus hair] (15c) 1: a coat or surface of
          usu. short close fine furry hairs 2: a velvety surface
          produced by an extra set of filling yarns that form raised
          loops which are cut and sheared -- pile.less adj [6]pile
          n [ME, fr. L pila ball] (15c) 1: a single hemorrhoid
          2 pl: hemorrhoids

   pileated
          [pi.le.at.ed] adj (ca. 1728): having a crest covering the
          pileum

   pileated woodpecker
          [pileated woodpecker] n (1782): a large red-crested No. American
          woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) that is black with white
          on the face, neck, and undersides of the wings

   piled
          [piled] adj (15c): having a pile <a deep-piled rug>

   pile driver
          [pile driver] n (1772): a machine for driving down piles
          with a drop hammer or a steam or air hammer

   pileum
          [pi.le.um] n, pl pi.lea [NL, fr. L pileus, pileum felt cap;
          akin to Gk pilos felt] (1874): the top of the head of
          a bird from the bill to the nape

   pileup
          [pile.up] n (ca. 1929) 1: a collision involving usu. several
          motor vehicles 2 a: a jammed tangled mass or pile (as
          of motor vehicles or people) resulting from collision
          or accumulation b: accumulation

   pileus
          [pi.le.us] n, pl pi.lei [NL, fr. L] (1760) 1: the convex,
          concave, or flattened spore-bearing structure of some
          basidiomycetes that is attached superiorly to the stem
          and typically is expanded with gills or pores on the
          underside--called also cap 2 [L]: a pointed or close-fitting
          cap worn by ancient Romans

   pilewort
          [pile.wort] n [ME pyle wort; fr. its use in treating piles]
          (15c): lesser celandine

   pilfer
          [pil.fer] vb pil.fered ; pil.fer.ing [MF pelfrer, fr. pelfre
          booty] vi (ca. 1548): steal; esp: to steal stealthily
          in small amounts and often again and again ~ vt: steal;
          esp: to steal in small quantities syn see steal -- pil.fer.able
          adj -- pil.fer.age n -- pil.fer.er n -- pil.fer.proof
          adj

   pilgarlic
          [pil.gar.lic] n [pilled garlic] (ca. 1529) 1 a: a bald head
          b: a bald-headed man 2: a man looked upon with humorous
          contempt or mock pity

   pilgrim
          [pil.grim] n [ME, fr. OF peligrin, fr. LL pelegrinus, alter.
          of L peregrinus foreigner, fr. peregrinus, adj., foreign,
          fr. peregri abroad, fr. per through + agr-, ager land--more
          at for, acre] (13c) 1: one who journeys in foreign lands:
          wayfarer 2: one who travels to a shrine or holy place
          as a devotee 3 cap: one of the English colonists settling
          at Plymouth in 1620

   [1]pilgrimage
          [pil.grim.age] n (14c) 1: a journey of a pilgrim; esp: one
          to a shrine or a sacred place 2: the course of life on
          earth [2]pilgrimage vi -aged ; -ag.ing (14c): to go on
          a pilgrimage

   pilgrim bottle
          [pilgrim bottle] n (1874): costrel

   piling
          [pil.ing] n (15c): a structure of piles; also: piles

   Pilipino
          [Pi.li.pi.no] n [Tag, lit., Philippine, fr. Sp Filipino]
          (1936): the Tagalog-based official language of the Republic
          of the Philippines

   [1]pill
          [pill] vb [ME pilen, pillen, partly fr. OE pilian to peel,
          partly fr. MF piller to plunder] vi (12c) dial chiefly
          Eng: to come off in flakes or scales: peel ~ vt 1 archaic:
          to subject to depredation or extortion 2 dial: to peel
          or strip off [2]pill n [ME pylle, fr. MD pille, ultim.
          fr. L pilula, fr. dim. of pila ball] (14c) 1 a: medicine
          in a small rounded mass to be swallowed whole b often
          cap: an oral contraceptive--usu. used with the 2: something
          repugnant or unpleasant that must be accepted or endured
          3: something resembling a pill in size or shape 4: a
          disagreeable or tiresome person [3]pill vt (1736) 1:
          to dose with pills 2: blackball ~ vi: to become rough
          with or mat into little balls <brushed woolens often
          ~>

   [1]pillage
          [pil.lage] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. piller to plunder, abuse] (14c)
          1: the act of looting or plundering esp. in war 2: something
          taken as booty [2]pillage vb pil.laged ; pil.lag.ing
          vt (ca. 1592): to plunder ruthlessly: loot ~ vi: to take
          booty syn see ravage -- pil.lag.er n

   [1]pillar
          [pil.lar] n [ME piler, fr. OF, fr. ML pilare, fr. L pila]
          (13c) 1 a: a firm upright support for a superstructure:
          post b: a usu. ornamental column or shaft; esp: one standing
          alone for a monument 2: a chief supporter: prop 3: a
          solid mass of coal, rock, or ore left standing to support
          a mine roof 4: a body part that resembles a column --
          pil.lar.less adj -- from pillar to post : from one place
          or one predicament to another [2]pillar vt (1607): to
          provide or strengthen with or as if with pillars

   pillar-box
          [pil.lar-box] n (1858) Brit: a pillar-shaped mailbox

   pillbox
          [pill.box] n (1730) 1: a box for pills; esp: a shallow round
          box of pasteboard 2: a small low concrete emplacement
          for machine guns and antitank weapons 3: a small round
          hat without a brim; specif: a woman's shallow hat with
          a flat crown and straight sides

   pill bug
          [pill bug] n [[2]pill; fr. its rolling into a ball when disturbed]
          (1843): wood louse

   [1]pillion
          [pil.lion] n [ScGael or Ir; ScGael pillean, dim. of peall
          covering, couch; Ir pillin, dim. of peall covering, couch]
          (1503) 1 a: a light saddle for women consisting chiefly
          of a cushion b: a pad or cushion put on behind a man's
          saddle chiefly for a woman to ride on 2 chiefly Brit:
          a motorcycle or bicycle saddle for a passenger [2]pillion
          adv (1926) chiefly Brit: on or as if on a pillion <ride
          ~>

   [1]pillory
          [pil.lo.ry] n, pl -ries [ME, fr. OF pilori] (13c) 1: a device
          formerly used for publicly punishing offenders consisting
          of a wooden frame with holes in which the head and hands
          can be locked 2: a means for exposing one to public scorn
          or ridicule [2]pillory vt -ried ; -ry.ing (ca. 1600)
          1: to set in a pillory as punishment 2: to expose to
          public contempt, ridicule, or scorn

   [1]pillow
          [pil.low] n [ME pilwe, fr. OE pyle (akin to OHG pfuliwi),
          fr. L pulvinus] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a support for the head
          of a reclining person; esp: one consisting of a cloth
          bag filled with feathers, down, sponge rubber, or plastic
          fiber b: something resembling a pillow esp. in form 2:
          a cushion or pad tightly stuffed and used as a support
          for the design and tools in making lace with a bobbin
          -- pil.lowy adj [2]pillow vt (1629) 1: to rest or lay
          on or as if on a pillow 2: to serve as a pillow for ~
          vi: to lay or rest one's head on or as if on a pillow

   pillow block
          [pillow block] n (1844): a block or standard to support a
          journal (as of a shaft): bearing

   pillowcase
          [pil.low.case] n (1724): a removable covering for a pillow

   pillow lace
          [pillow lace] n [fr. its being worked over a pillow on which
          the pattern is marked] (ca. 1858): lace made with a bobbin

   pillow slip
          [pillow slip] n (ca. 1828): pillowcase

   pillow talk
          [pillow talk] n (1939): intimate conversation between lovers
          in bed

   pilocarpine
          [pi.lo.car.pine] n [ISV, fr. NL Pilocarpus jaborandi, species
          of tropical shrubs] (1875): a miotic alkaloid that is
          obtained from jaborandi and used esp. in the treatment
          of glaucoma

   pilose
          [pi.lose] adj [L pilosus, fr. pilus hair] (1753): covered
          with usu. soft hair -- pi.los.i.ty n

   [1]pilot
          [pi.lot] n [MF pilote, fr. It pilota, alter. of pedota, fr.
          (assumed) MGk pedotes, fr. Gk peda steering oars, pl.
          of pedon oar; prob. akin to Gk pod-, pous foot--more
          at foot] (1530) 1 a: one employed to steer a ship: helmsman
          b: a person who is qualified and usu. licensed to conduct
          a ship into and out of a port or in specified waters
          c: a person who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft
          or spacecraft 2: guide, leader 3: cowcatcher 4: a piece
          that guides a tool or machine part 5: a television show
          produced and filmed or taped as a sample of a proposed
          series 6: pilot light 2 -- pi.lot.less adj [2]pilot vt
          (1649) 1: to act as a guide to: lead or conduct over
          a usu. difficult course 2 a: to set and conn the course
          of <~ a ship> b: to act as pilot of <~ a plane> syn see
          guide [3]pilot adj (1802): serving as a guiding or tracing
          device, an activating or auxiliary unit, or a trial apparatus
          or operation <a ~ study>

   pilotage
          [pi.lot.age] n (ca. 1618) 1: the action or business of piloting
          2: the compensation paid to a licensed ship's pilot

   pilot biscuit
          [pilot biscuit] n (1836): hardtack--called also pilot bread

   pilot engine
          [pilot engine] n (1838): a locomotive going in advance of
          a train to make sure that the way is clear

   pilot fish
          [pilot fish] n (1634): a pelagic carangid fish (Naucrates
          ductor) that has dark stripes and often swims in company
          with a shark

   pilothouse
          [pi.lot.house] n (1846): a deckhouse for a ship's helmsman
          containing the steering wheel, compass, and navigating
          equipment

   pilot light
          [pilot light] n (ca. 1890) 1: an indicator light showing
          where a switch or circuit breaker is located or whether
          a motor is in operation or power is on--called also pilot
          lamp 2: a small permanent flame used to ignite gas at
          a burner

   pilot officer
          [pilot officer] n (1919): a commissioned officer in the British
          air force who ranks with a second lieutenant in the army

   pilot whale
          [pilot whale] n (1867): blackfish 2

   pilsner
          [pil.sner] or pil.sen.er n [G, lit., of Pilsen (Plzen), city
          in Czechoslovakia] (1877) 1: a light beer with a strong
          flavor of hops 2: a tall slender footed glass for beer

   Piltdown man
          [Pilt.down man] n [Piltdown, East Sussex, England] (ca. 1918):
          a supposedly very early hominid erroneously reconstructed
          from a combination of human and animal skeletal remains
          the latter of which were later found to have been planted
          by a hoaxer

   pilular
          [pil.u.lar] adj (1802): of, relating to, or resembling a
          pill

   pilule
          [pil.ule] n [MF, fr. L pilula pill--more at pill] (1543):
          a little pill

   pilus
          [pi.lus] n, pl pi.li [L] (ca. 1890): a hair or a structure
          (as of a bacterium) resembling a hair

   Pima
          [Pi.ma] n, pl Pimas or Pima (1890) 1: a member of an American
          Indian people of southern Arizona and northern Mexico
          2: the Uto-Aztecan language of the Pima people -- Pi.man
          adj

   pima cotton
          [pi.ma cotton] n [Pima County, Arizona] (1925): a cotton
          that produces fiber of exceptional strength and firmness
          and that was developed in the southwestern U.S. by selection
          and breeding of Egyptian cottons

   pimento
          [pi.men.to] n, pl -tos or -to [Sp pimienta allspice, pepper,
          fr. LL pigmenta, pl. of pigmentum plant juice, fr. L,
          pigment] (1660) 1: allspice 2: pimiento 1

   pimento cheese
          [pimento cheese] n (1916): a Neufchatel, process, cream,
          or occas. cheddar cheese to which ground pimientos have
          been added

   pi-meson
          [pi-me.son] n [[4]pi] (1948): pion

   pimiento
          [pi.mien.to] n, pl -tos [Sp. fr. pimienta] (1845) 1: any
          of various bluntly conical thick-fleshed sweet peppers
          of European origin that have a distinctive mild sweet
          flavor and are used esp. as a garnish, as a stuffing
          for olives, and as a source of paprika 2: a plant that
          bears pimientos

   [1]pimp
          [pimp] n [origin unknown] (1600): a man who solicits clients
          for a prostitute [2]pimp vi (1636): to work as a pimp

   pimpernel
          [pim.per.nel] n [ME pimpernele, fr. MF pimprenelle, fr. LL
          pimpinella, a medicinal herb] (14c): any of a genus (Anagallis)
          of herbs of the primrose family; esp: scarlet pimpernel

   pimping
          [pimp.ing] adj [origin unknown] (1687) 1: petty, insignificant
          2 chiefly dial: puny, sickly

   pimple
          [pim.ple] n [ME pinple] (14c) 1: a small inflamed elevation
          of the skin: papule; esp: pustule 2: a swelling or protuberance
          like a pimple -- pim.pled adj -- pim.ply adj

   pimpmobile
          [pimp.mo.bile] n (1971): an ostentatious luxury car of a
          kind characteristically used by a pimp

   PIN
          [PIN] abbreviation personal identification number

   [1]pin
          [pin] n [ME, fr. OE pinn (akin to OHG pfinn peg), perh. fr.
          L pinna quill, feather--more at pen] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          a piece of solid material (as wood or metal) used esp.
          for fastening separate articles together or as a support
          by which one article may be suspended from another b
          obs: the center peg of a target; also: the center itself
          c: something that resembles a pin esp. in slender elongated
          form <an electrical connector ~> d (1): one of the wooden
          pieces constituting the target in various games (as bowling)
          (2): the peg at which a quoit is pitched (3): the staff
          of the flag marking a hole on a golf course e: a peg
          for regulating the tension of the strings of a musical
          instrument f: the part of a key stem that enters a lock
          g (1): thole 1 (2): a belaying pin 2 a (1): a small pointed
          piece of wire with a head used esp. for fastening cloth
          (2): something of small value: trifle b: an ornament
          or emblem fastened to clothing with a pin c (1): bobby
          pin (2): hairpin (3): safety pin 3: leg--usu. used in
          pl. <wobbly on his ~s> 4: a fall in wrestling [2]pin
          vt pinned ; pin.ning (14c) 1 a: to fasten, join, or secure
          with a pin b: to hold fast or immobile c: to present
          (a young woman) with a fraternity pin as a pledge of
          affection 2 a: attach, hang <pinned his hopes on a miracle>
          b: to assign the blame or responsibility for <~ the robbery
          on a night watchman> c: to define or determine clearly
          or precisely--usu. used with down <it is hard to ~ down
          exactly when things changed --Katharine Whittemore> 3
          a: to make (a chess opponent's piece) unable to move
          without exposing the king to check or a valuable piece
          to capture b of a wrestler: to secure a fall over (an
          opponent) [3]pin adj (1523) 1: of or relating to a pin
          2 of leather: having a grain suggesting the heads of
          pins

   pina cloth
          [pi.na cloth] n [Sp pina pineapple, pinecone, fr. L pinea
          pinecone--more at pineal] (ca. 1858): a lustrous transparent
          cloth of Philippine origin that is woven of silky pineapple
          fibers

   pina colada
          [pi.na co.la.da] n [Sp, lit., strained pineapple] (1923):
          a tall drink made of rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple
          juice mixed with ice

   pinafore
          [pin.a.fore] n [[2]pin + afore] (1782): a sleeveless usu.
          low-necked garment fastened in the back and worn as an
          apron or dress -- pin.a.fored adj

   pinata
          [pi.na.ta] n [Sp pinata, lit., pot, fr. It pignatta, prob.
          fr. pigna pinecone--more at pignoli] (1887): a decorated
          vessel (as a pottery jar) filled with candies, fruits,
          and gifts and hung from the ceiling to be broken with
          sticks by blindfolded persons as part of esp. Latin-American
          festivities (as at Christmas or for a birthday party)

   pinball machine
          [pin.ball machine] n (1936): an amusement device in which
          a ball propelled by a plunger scores points as it rolls
          down a slanting surface among pins and targets--called
          also pinball game

   pinbone
          [pin.bone] n (1640): the hipbone esp. of a quadruped--see
          cow illustration

   pince-nez
          [pince-nez] n, pl pince-nez [F, fr. pincer to pinch + nez
          nose, fr. L nasus--more at nose] (1876): eyeglasses clipped
          to the nose by a spring

   pincer
          [pin.cer] n [ME pinceour, fr. (assumed) AF pinceour, fr.
          MF pincier to pinch, fr. (assumed) VL pinctiare, punctiare,
          fr. L punctum puncture--more at point] (14c) 1 pl but
          sing or pl in constr a: an instrument having two short
          handles and two grasping jaws working on a pivot and
          used for gripping things b: a claw (as of a lobster)
          resembling a pair of pincers: chela 2: one part of a
          double envelopment in which two military forces converge
          on opposite sides of an enemy position -- pin.cer.like
          adj

   [1]pinch
          [pinch] vb [ME, fr. (assumed) ONF pinchier, fr. (assumed)
          VL pinctiare] vt (14c) 1 a: to squeeze between the finger
          and thumb or between the jaws of an instrument b: to
          prune the tip of (a plant or shoot) usu. to induce branching
          c: to squeeze or compress painfully d: to cause physical
          or mental pain to e (1): to cause to appear thin or shrunken
          (2): to cause to shrivel or wither 2 a: to subject to
          strict economy or want: straiten b: to confine or limit
          narrowly: constrict 3 a: steal b: arrest 4: to sail too
          close to the wind ~ vi 1: compress, squeeze 2: to be
          miserly or closefisted 3: to press painfully 4: narrow,
          taper <the road ~ed down to a trail --Cecelia Holland>
          -- pinch pennies : to practice strict economy [2]pinch
          n (15c) 1 a: a critical juncture: emergency b (1): pressure,
          stress (2): hardship, privation c: deficit 2 a: an act
          of pinching: squeeze b: as much as may be taken between
          the finger and thumb <a ~ of snuff> c: a very small amount
          3: a marked thinning of a vein or bed 4 a: theft b: a
          police raid; also: arrest syn see juncture [3]pinch adj
          (1916) 1: substitute <~ runner> 2: hit by a pinch hitter
          <~ homer>

   pinch bar
          [pinch bar] n (1837): a bar similar in form and use to a
          crowbar and sometimes having an end adapted for pulling
          spikes or inserting under a heavy wheel that is to be
          rolled

   pinchbeck
          [pinch.beck] n [Christopher Pinchbeck d. 1732 Eng. watchmaker]
          (1734) 1: an alloy of copper and zinc used esp. to imitate
          gold in jewelry 2: something counterfeit or spurious
          -- pinchbeck adj

   pincher
          [pinch.er] n (15c) 1: one that pinches 2 pl: pincers

   pinch hit
          [pinch hit] n (1927): a hit made by a pinch hitter

   pinch-hit
          [pinch-hit] vi [back-formation fr. pinch hitter] (1915) 1:
          to act or serve in place of another 2: to bat in the
          place of another player esp. when a hit is particularly
          needed

   pinch hitter
          [pinch hitter] n (1912): one that pinch-hits

   pinchpenny
          [pinch.pen.ny] adj (1582): stingy, niggardly

   pin curl
          [pin curl] n (1896): a curl made usu. by dampening a strand
          of hair with water or lotion, coiling it, and securing
          it by a hairpin or clip

   pincushion
          [pin.cush.ion] n (1632): a small cushion in which pins may
          be stuck ready for use

   [1]Pindaric
          [Pin.dar.ic] adj (1640) 1: of or relating to the poet Pindar
          2: written in the manner or style characteristic of Pindar
          [2]Pindaric n (1685) 1: a Pindaric ode 2 pl: loose irregular
          verses similar to those used in Pindaric odes

   pindling
          [pin.dling] adj [perh. alter. of spindling] (1861) dial:
          puny, frail

   [1]pine
          [pine] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE pin, fr. L pinus; prob.
          akin to Gk pitys pine] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Pinus
          of the family Pinaceae, the pine family) of coniferous
          evergreen trees that have slender elongated needles and
          include some valuable timber trees and ornamentals 2:
          the straight-grained white or yellow usu. durable and
          resinous wood of a pine varying from extreme softness
          in the white pine to hardness in the longleaf pine 3:
          any of various Australian coniferous trees (as of the
          genera Callitris or Araucaria) 4: pineapple 5: bench
          1c -- pin.ey also piny adj [2]pine vi pined ; pin.ing
          [ME, fr. OE pinian to suffer, fr. (assumed) OE pin punishment,
          fr. L poena--more at pain] (14c) 1: to lose vigor, health,
          or flesh (as through grief): languish 2: to yearn intensely
          and persistently esp. for something unattainable <they
          still pined for their lost wealth> syn see long

   pineal
          [pi.ne.al] adj [F pineal, fr. MF, fr. L pinea pinecone, fr.
          fem. of pineus of pine, fr. pinus] (1681): of, relating
          to, or being the pineal gland

   pinealectomy
          [pi.ne.al.ec.to.my] n (1915): surgical removal of the pineal
          gland -- pi.ne.al.ec.to.mize vt

   pineal gland
          [pineal gland] n (1712): a small usu. conical appendage of
          the brain of all craniate vertebrates that functions
          primarily as an endocrine organ and that in a few reptiles
          has the essential structure of an eye--called also pineal,
          pineal body, pineal organ

   pineapple
          [pine.ap.ple] n (1664) 1 a: a tropical monocotyledonous plant
          (Ananas comosus of the family Bromeliaceae, the pineapple
          family) that has rigid spiny-margined recurved leaves
          and a short stalk with a dense oblong head of small abortive
          flowers b: the large edible multiple fruit of the pineapple
          that consists of the sweet succulent fleshy inflorescence
          2: a hand grenade

   pineapple guava
          [pineapple guava] n (ca. 1924): feijoa

   pinecone
          [pine.cone] n (1695): a cone of a pine tree

   pinedrops
          [pine.drops] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1857) 1: a purplish
          brown leafless saprophytic plant (Pterospora andromedea)
          of the wintergreen family with racemose drooping white
          flowers 2: beechdrops

   pineland
          [pine.land] n (ca. 1658): land naturally dominated by pine
          forests

   pinene
          [pi.nene] n [ISV, fr. L pinus] (1885): either of two liquid
          isomeric unsaturated bicyclic terpene hydrocarbons of
          which one is a major constituent of wood turpentine

   pine nut
          [pine nut] n (bef. 12c): the edible seed of any of several
          pines--compare pinon

   pinery
          [pin.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1758) 1: a hothouse or area where
          pineapples are grown 2: a grove or forest of pine

   pinesap
          [pine.sap] n (1840): any of several yellowish or reddish
          parasitic or saprophytic herbs (genus Monotropa) of the
          wintergreen family resembling the Indian pipe

   pine siskin
          [pine siskin] n (1887): a No. American finch (Carduelis pinus)
          with streaked plumage

   pine snake
          [pine snake] n (1791) 1: a large constricting snake (Pituophis
          melanoleucus) of the eastern U.S. that is typically white
          and black and is found esp. in coastal regions from New
          Jersey southward 2: any of various snakes related to
          the pine snake

   pine tar
          [pine tar] n (1880): tar obtained by destructive distillation
          of the wood of the pine tree and used esp. in roofing
          and soaps and in the treatment of skin diseases

   pinetum
          [pi.ne.tum] n, pl pi.ne.ta [L, fr. pinus] (1842): a plantation
          of pine trees; esp: a scientific collection of living
          coniferous trees

   pinewood
          [pine.wood] n (1673) 1: a wood of pines--often used in pl.
          but sing. or pl. in constr. 2: the wood of the pine tree

   piney woods
          [piney woods] n pl (1800): woodland of the southern U.S.
          in which pines are the dominant tree

   pinfeather
          [pin.feath.er] n (ca. 1775): a feather not fully developed;
          esp: a feather just emerging through the skin

   pinfish
          [pin.fish] n (1878): a small compressed dark green grunt
          (Lagodon rhomboides) that has sharp dorsal spines and
          is found along the Atlantic coast

   pinfold
          [pin.fold] n [ME, fr. OE pundfald, fr. pund- enclosure +
          fald fold] (13c) 1: [2]pound 1a 2: a place of restraint

   ping
          [ping] n [imit.] (1835) 1: a sharp sound like that of a striking
          bullet 2: knock 2b -- ping vi

   pinger
          [ping.er] n (1957): a device for producing pulses of sound
          (as for marking an underwater site or detecting an underwater
          object)

   pingo
          [pin.go] n, pl pingos [Inuit pinguq] (1938): a low hill or
          mound forced up by hydrostatic pressure in an area underlain
          by permafrost

   ping-pong
          [ping-pong] vb (1952): shift, bounce Ping-Pong trademark--used
          for table tennis

   pinhead
          [pin.head] n (1593) 1: the head of a pin 2: something very
          small or insignificant 3: a very dull or stupid person:
          fool

   pinheaded
          [pin.head.ed] adj (1901): lacking intelligence or understanding:
          dull, stupid -- pin.head.ed.ness n

   pinhole
          [pin.hole] n (1676): a small hole made by, for, or as if
          by a pin

   [1]pinion
          [pin.ion] n [ME, fr. MF pignon, fr. (assumed) VL pinnion-,
          pinnio, fr. L pinna feather--more at pen] (15c) 1: the
          terminal section of a bird's wing including the carpus,
          metacarpus, and phalanges; broadly: wing 2: feather,
          quill; also: flight feathers -- pin.ioned adj [2]pinion
          vt (1558) 1 a: to disable or restrain by binding the
          arms b: to bind fast: shackle 2: to restrain (a bird)
          from flight esp. by cutting off the pinion of one wing
          [3]pinion n [F pignon, fr. MF peignon, fr. peigne comb,
          fr. L pecten--more at pectinate] (1659) 1: a gear with
          a small number of teeth designed to mesh with a larger
          wheel or rack 2: the smaller of a pair or the smallest
          of a train of gear wheels

   [1]pink
          [pink] n [ME, fr. MD pinke] (15c): a ship with a narrow overhanging
          stern--called also pinkie [2]pink n [origin unknown] (1573) 1: any
          of a genus (Dianthus of the family Caryophyllaceae, the pink
          family) of herbs having a cylindrical many-veined calyx with bracts
          at its base 2 a: the very embodiment: paragon b (1): one dressed
          in the height of fashion (2): elite c: highest degree possible:
          height <keep their house in the ~ of repair --Rebecca West>
          -- in the pink : in the best of health or condition [3]pink
          n (1678) 1: any of a group of colors bluish red to red in hue,
          of medium to high lightness, and of low to moderate saturation
          2 a: the scarlet color of a fox hunter's coat; also: a fox hunter's
          coat of this color b: pink-colored clothing c pl: light-colored
          trousers formerly worn by army officers 3: pinko [4]pink adj (1720)
          1: of the color pink 2: holding moderately radical and usu.
          socialistic political or economic views 3: emotionally moved:
          excited--often used as an intensive <tickled ~> -- pink.ness
          n [5]pink vt [ME, to thrust] (1503) 1 a: to perforate
          in an ornamental pattern b: to cut a saw-toothed edge
          on 2 a: pierce, stab b: to wound by irony, criticism, or ridicule

   pink bollworm
          [pink bollworm] n (1906): a small dark brown moth (Pectinophora
          gossypiella) whose pinkish larva bores into the flowers
          and bolls of cotton and is a destructive pest in most
          cotton-growing regions

   pink-collar
          [pink-collar] adj (1977): of, relating to, or constituting
          a class of employees in occupations (as nursing and clerical
          jobs) traditionally held by women

   pink elephants
          [pink elephants] n pl (1940): hallucinations arising esp.
          from heavy drinking or use of narcotics <began to see
          pink elephants>

   pinkeye
          [pink.eye] n (1855): an acute highly contagious conjunctivitis
          of humans and various domestic animals

   [1]pinkie
          [pin.kie] n [prob. fr. D pinkje small pink, dim. of pink,
          fr. MD pinke] (1840): [1]pink [2]pinkie or pin.ky n,
          pl pinkies [prob. fr. D pinkje, dim. of pink little finger]
          (ca. 1808): little finger

   pinking shears
          [pinking shears] n pl (ca. 1939): shears with a saw-toothed
          inner edge on the blades for making a zigzag cut

   pinkish
          [pink.ish] adj (1784): somewhat pink; esp: tending to be
          pink in politics -- pink.ish.ness n

   pink lady
          [pink lady] n (1936): a cocktail consisting of gin, brandy,
          lemon juice, grenadine, and white of egg shaken with
          ice and strained

   pinkly
          [pink.ly] adv (1836): in a pink manner: with a pink hue

   pinko
          [pinko] n, pl pink.os also pink.oes (1936): a person who
          holds advanced liberal or moderately radical political
          or economic views

   pinkroot
          [pink.root] n (1763): any of several plants (genus Spigelia)
          related to the nux vomica and used as anthelmintics;
          esp: an American woodland herb (S. marilandica) sometimes
          cultivated for its showy red and yellow flowers

   pink salmon
          [pink salmon] n (1905): a small spotted Pacific salmon
          (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) native to the northern Pacific Ocean and
          adjacent rivers

   pink slip
          [pink slip] n (1915): a notice from an employer that a recipient's
          employment is being terminated -- pink-slip vt

   pin money
          [pin money] n (1697) 1 a: money given by a man to his wife
          for her own use b: money set aside for the purchase of
          incidentals 2: a trivial amount of money <worked for
          pin money>

   pinna
          [pin.na] n, pl pin.nae or pinnas [NL, fr. L, feather, wing--more
          at pen] (1785) 1: a leaflet or primary division of a
          pinnate leaf or frond 2 a: a projecting body part (as
          a feather, wing, or fin) b: the largely cartilaginous
          projecting portion of the external ear--see ear illustration

   pinnace
          [pin.nace] n [MF pinace, prob. fr. OSp pinaza, fr. pino pine,
          fr. L pinus] (1538) 1: a light sailing ship; esp: one
          used as a tender 2: any of various ship's boats

   [1]pinnacle
          [pin.na.cle] n [ME pinacle, fr. MF, fr. LL pinnaculum small
          wing, gable, fr. L pinna wing, battlement] (14c) 1: an
          upright architectural member generally ending in a small
          spire and used esp. in Gothic construction to give weight
          esp. to a buttress 2: a structure or formation suggesting
          a pinnacle; specif: a lofty peak 3: the highest point
          of development or achievement: acme syn see summit [2]pinnacle
          vt -cled ; -cling (14c) 1: to surmount with a pinnacle
          2: to raise or rear on a pinnacle

   pinnate
          [pin.nate] adj [NL pinnatus, fr. L, feathered, fr. pinna
          feather, wing, fin] (ca. 1727): resembling a feather
          esp. in having similar parts arranged on opposite sides
          of an axis like the barbs on the rachis of a feather
          <~ leaf>--see leaf illustration -- pin.nate.ly adv

   pinnatifid
          [pin.nat.i.fid] adj [NL pinnatifidus, fr. pinnatus + L -fidus
          -fid] (ca. 1753): cleft in a pinnate manner <a ~ leaf>

   pinner
          [pin.ner] n (1652) 1: a woman's cap with long lappets worn
          in the 17th and 18th centuries 2: one that pins

   pinniped
          [pin.ni.ped] n [ultim. fr. L pinna + ped-, pes foot--more
          at foot] (ca. 1842): any of a suborder (Pinnipedia) of
          aquatic carnivorous mammals (as a seal or walrus) with
          all four limbs modified into flippers -- pinniped adj

   pinnule
          [pin.nule] n [NL pinnula, fr. L, dim. of pinna] (1748) 1:
          any of the secondary branches of a plumose organ esp.
          of a crinoid 2: one of the ultimate divisions of a twice
          pinnate leaf

   pinny
          [pin.ny] n, pl pinnies [by shortening & alter.] (1851) chiefly
          Brit: pinafore

   pin oak
          [pin oak] n (1813): a pyramidally-crowned oak (Quercus palustris)
          of wet regions of the eastern U.S. that has deeply cleft
          toothed leaves and rather small nearly hemispherical
          acorns

   pinochle
          [pi.noch.le] n [modif. of G dial. Binokel, a game resembling
          bezique, fr. F dial. binocle] (1864): a card game played
          with a 48-card pack containing two each of A, K, Q, J,
          10, 9 in each suit with the object to score points by
          melding certain combinations of cards or by winning tricks
          that contain scoring cards; also: the meld of queen of
          spades and jack of diamonds scoring 40 points in this
          game

   pinocytosis
          [pi.no.cy.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL, fr. Gk pinein to drink
          + NL cyt- + -osis--more at potable] (1895): the uptake
          of fluid by a cell by invagination and pinching off of
          the plasma membrane

   pinocytotic
          [pi.no.cy.tot.ic] or pi.no.cyt.ic adj (1959): of, relating
          to, or being pinocytosis -- pi.no.cy.tot.i.cal.ly adv

   pinole
          [pi.no.le] n [AmerSp, fr. Nahuatl pinolli] (1842) 1: a finely
          ground flour made from parched corn 2: any of various
          flours resembling pinole and ground from the seeds of
          other plants

   pinon
          [pi.non] or pin.yon n, pl pi.nons or pin.yons or pi.no.nes
          [AmerSp pinon, fr. Sp, pine nut, fr. pina pinecone, fr.
          L pinea--more at pineal] (1831): any of various low-growing
          pines (as Pinus quadrifolia, P. cembroides, P. edulis,
          and P. monophylla) of western No. America with edible
          seeds; also: the edible seed of a pinon

   pinot noir
          [pi.not noir] n, often cap P&N [F, lit., black Pinot (a grape
          variety)] (1941): a dry red wine produced from the same
          grape as French burgundy

   [1]pinpoint
          [pin.point] n (1849) 1: something that is extremely small
          or insignificant 2: the point of a pin 3: an extremely
          small or sharp point [2]pinpoint adj (1899) 1: extremely
          fine or precise 2: located, fixed, or directed with extreme
          precision <~ targets> 3: small as a pinpoint [3]pinpoint
          vt (1917) 1: to locate or aim with great precision or
          accuracy 2 a: to fix, determine, or identify with precision
          b: to cause to stand out conspicuously: highlight

   [1]pinprick
          [pin.prick] n (1862) 1: a small puncture made by or as if
          by a pin 2: a petty irritation or annoyance [2]pinprick
          vt (1899): to administer pinpricks to ~ vi: to administer
          pinpricks

   PINS
          [PINS] abbreviation persons in need of supervision

   pins and needles
          [pins and needles] n pl (1813): a pricking tingling sensation
          in a limb growing numb or recovering from numbness --
          on pins and needles : in a nervous or jumpy state of
          anticipation

   pinsetter
          [pin.set.ter] n (1916): an employee or a mechanical device
          that spots pins in a bowling alley

   pinspotter
          [pin.spot.ter] n (1946): pinsetter

   pinstripe
          [pin.stripe] n, often attrib (1897): a very thin stripe esp.
          on a fabric; also: a suit with such stripes--often used
          in pl. -- pin-striped adj

   pint
          [pint] n [ME pinte, fr. MF, fr. ML pincta, prob. fr. (assumed)
          VL, fem. of pinctus, pp. of L pingere to paint--more
          at paint] (14c) 1: any of various units of capacity equal
          to 1/2 quart: as a: a U.S. unit for liquids equal to
          28.875 cubic inches b: a U.S. dry unit equal to 33.600
          cubic inches c: a British imperial unit of liquid or
          dry capacity equal to 34.678 cubic inches 2: a pint pot
          or vessel

   [1]pinta
          [pin.ta] n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, spot, mark, fr. (assumed) VL
          pincta] (1825): a chronic skin disease that is endemic
          in tropical America, that occurs successively as an initial
          papule, a generalized eruption, and a patchy loss of
          pigment, and that is caused by a spirochete (Treponema
          careteum) morphologically indistinguishable from the
          causative agent of syphilis [2]pinta n [pint + -a (as
          in cuppa)] (1959) Brit: a pint of milk

   pin-table
          [pin-ta.ble] n (1936) Brit: pinball machine

   pintail
          [pin.tail] n, pl pintail or pintails (1768): a bird having
          elongated central tail feathers; esp: a slender duck
          (Anas acuta) of the northern hemisphere with the male
          having a brown head, a white breast with a white line
          continuing up the side of the neck, and chiefly gray
          upperparts

   pintle
          [pin.tle] n [ME pintel, lit., penis, fr. OE; akin to MLG
          pint penis, OE pinn pin] (15c): a usu. upright pivot
          pin on which another part turns

   [1]pinto
          [pin.to] n, pl pintos also pintoes [AmerSp, fr. pinto spotted,
          fr. obs. Sp, fr. (assumed) VL pinctus] (1860): a horse
          or pony marked with patches of white and another color--compare
          piebald, skewbald [2]pinto adj (1865): pied, mottled

   pinto bean
          [pinto bean] n (1916): a mottled kidney bean that is grown
          chiefly in the southwestern U.S. for food and for stock
          feed

   pint-size
          [pint-size] or pint-sized adj (1936): small

   [1]pinup
          [pin.up] n (1943): something fastened to a wall: as a: a
          photograph or poster of a person considered to have glamorous
          qualities b: something (as a lamp) designed for wall
          attachment [2]pinup adj (1941) 1: of or relating to pinups
          <male ~ calendars> 2: designed for hanging on a wall
          <a ~ lamp>

   pinup girl
          [pinup girl] n (1941): a girl or woman whose glamorous qualities
          make her a suitable subject for a pinup

   pinwale
          [pin.wale] adj (1949) of a fabric: made with narrow wales

   pinweed
          [pin.weed] n (1814): any of a genus (Lechea) of herbs of
          the rockrose family with slender stems, many small leaves,
          and tiny flowers

   [1]pinwheel
          [pin.wheel] n (1869) 1: a fireworks device in the form of
          a revolving wheel of colored fire 2: a toy consisting
          of lightweight vanes that revolve at the end of a stick
          3: something (as a galaxy) shaped like a pinwheel [2]pinwheel
          vi (ca. 1934): to move like a pinwheel

   pinworm
          [pin.worm] n (ca. 1864) 1: any of numerous small nematode
          worms (family Oxyuridae) that infest the intestines and
          esp. the cecum of various vertebrates; esp: a worm (Enterobius
          vermicularis) parasitic in humans 2: any of several rather
          slender insect larvae that burrow in plant tissue

   pinx
          [pinx] [L pinxit] abbreviation he painted it, she painted
          it

   pinxit
          [pinx.it] [L] foreign term : he or she painted it

   pinxter flower
          [pinx.ter flower] n [D pinkster Whitsuntide] (1857): a deciduous
          pink-flowered azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides syn.
          R. nudiflorum) that is native to rich moist woodlands
          of eastern No. America

   pinyin
          [pin.yin] n, often cap [Chin (Beijing) pinyin to spell
          phonetically, fr. pin to arrange + yin sound, pronunciation]
          (1963): a system for romanizing Chinese ideograms in which tones
          are indicated by diacritics and unaspirated consonants are
          transcribed as voiced--compare wade-giles

   pion
          [pi.on] n [contr. of pi-meson] (1950): any of four mesons
          that consist of combinations of two up or down quarks,
          that may be positive, negative, or neutral, that have
          a mass about 270 times that of the electron, and that
          are subject to the strong force -- pi.on.ic adj

   [1]pioneer
          [pi.o.neer] n [MF pionier, fr. OF peonier foot soldier, fr.
          peon foot soldier, fr. ML pedon-, pedo--more at pawn]
          (1523) 1: a member of a military unit usu. of construction
          engineers 2 a: a person or group that originates or helps
          open up a new line of thought or activity or a new method
          or technical development b: one of the first to settle
          in a territory 3: a plant or animal capable of establishing
          itself in a bare, barren, or open area and initiating
          an ecological cycle [2]pioneer vi (1780): to act as a
          pioneer <~ed in the development of airplanes> ~ vt 1:
          to open or prepare for others to follow; also: settle
          2: to originate or take part in the development of [3]pioneer
          adj (1840) 1: original, earliest 2: relating to or being
          a pioneer; esp: of, relating to, or characteristic of
          early settlers or their time

   pious
          [pi.ous] adj [ME, fr. L pius] (15c) 1 a: marked by or showing
          reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship b:
          marked by conspicuous religiosity <a hypocrite--a thing
          all ~ words and uncharitable deeds --Charles Reade> 2:
          sacred or devotional as distinct from the profane or
          secular: religious <a ~ opinion> 3: showing loyal reverence
          for a person or thing: dutiful 4 a: marked by sham or
          hypocrisy b: marked by self-conscious virtue: virtuous
          5: deserving commendation: worthy <a ~ effort> -- pi.ous.ly
          adv -- pi.ous.ness n

   [1]pip
          [pip] n [ME pippe, fr. MD (akin to OHG pfiffiz), fr. (assumed)
          VL pipita, alter. of L pituita phlegm, pip; perh. akin
          to Gk pitys pine--more at pine] (15c) 1 a: a disorder
          of a bird marked by formation of a scale or crust on
          the tongue b: the scale or crust of this disorder 2 a:
          any of various human ailments; esp: a slight nonspecific
          disorder b chiefly Brit: a feeling of irritation or annoyance
          [2]pip vb pipped ; pip.ping [imit.] vi (1598) 1: [1]peep
          1 2: to break through the shell of the egg <the chick
          pipped> ~ vt: to break open (the shell of an egg) in
          hatching [3]pip n [origin unknown] (1604) 1 a: one of
          the dots used on dice and dominoes to indicate numerical
          value b: spot 2c 2 a: spot, speck b: [1]spike 6a; also:
          blip 3: an individual rootstock of the lily of the valley
          4: a diamond-shaped insignia of rank worn by a second
          lieutenant, lieutenant, or captain in the British army
          [4]pip n [short for pippin] (1797) 1: a small fruit seed;
          esp: one of a several-seeded fleshy fruit 2: one extraordinary
          of its kind [5]pip vt pipped ; pip.ping [prob. fr. pip
          to blackball, fr. [3]pip or [4]pip] (1880) Brit: to beat
          by a narrow margin [6]pip n [imit.] (1907) chiefly Brit:
          a short high-pitched tone

   pipage
          [pip.age] or pipe.age n (1612) 1 a: transportation by means
          of pipes b: the charge for such transportation 2: material
          for pipelines: piping

   pipal
          [pi.pal] n [Hindi pipal, fr. Skt pippala] (1788): a large
          long-lived fig (Ficus religiosa) of India

   [1]pipe
          [pipe] n [ME, fr. OE pipa (akin to OHG pfifa pipe), fr. (assumed)
          VL pipa pipe, fr. L pipare to peep, of imit. origin]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a tubular wind instrument; specif: a
          small fipple flute held in and played by the left hand
          b: one of the tubes of a pipe organ: (1): flue pipe (2):
          reed pipe c: bagpipe--usu. used in pl. d (1): voice,
          vocal cord--usu. used in pl. (2): piping 1 2: a long
          tube or hollow body for conducting a liquid, gas, or
          finely divided solid or for structural purposes 3 a:
          a tubular or cylindrical object, part, or passage b:
          a roughly cylindrical and vertical geological formation
          c: the eruptive channel opening into the crater of a
          volcano 4 a: a large cask of varying capacity used esp.
          for wine and oil b: any of various units of liquid capacity
          based on the size of a pipe; esp: a unit equal to 2 hogsheads
          5: a device for smoking usu. consisting of a tube having
          a bowl at one end and a mouthpiece at the other 6: snap
          2c, cinch -- pipe.ful n -- pipe.less adj -- pipe.like
          adj [2]pipe vb piped ; pip.ing vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to
          play on a pipe b: to convey orders by signals on a boatswain's
          pipe 2 a: to speak in a high or shrill voice b: to emit
          a shrill sound ~ vt 1 a: to play (a tune) on a pipe b:
          to utter in the shrill tone of a pipe 2 a: to lead or
          cause to go with pipe music b (1): to call or direct
          by the boatswain's pipe (2): to receive aboard or attend
          the departure of by sounding a boatswain's pipe 3: to
          trim with piping 4: to furnish or equip with pipes 5:
          to convey by or as if by pipes; esp: to transmit by wire
          or coaxial cable 6: notice

   pipe clay
          [pipe clay] n (1777): highly plastic grayish white clay used
          esp. in making tobacco pipes and for whitening leather

   pipe cleaner
          [pipe cleaner] n (1870): something used to clean the inside
          of a pipe; specif: a piece of flexible wire in which
          tufted fabric is twisted and which is used to clean the
          stem of a tobacco pipe

   pipe cutter
          [pipe cutter] n (ca. 1890): a tool or machine for cutting
          pipe; esp: a hand tool comprising a grasping device and
          one or more sharp-edged wheels that cut into the pipe
          as the tool is rotated

   pipe down
          [pipe down] vi [[2]pipe] (1850): to stop talking or making
          noise

   pipe dream
          [pipe dream] n [fr. the fantasies brought about by the smoking
          of opium] (1896): an illusory or fantastic plan, hope,
          or story

   pipefish
          [pipe.fish] n (1769): any of various fishes (family Syngnathidae)
          that are related to the sea horses and have a tube-shaped
          snout and a long slender body covered with bony plates

   pipe fitter
          [pipe fitter] n (ca. 1883): a worker who installs and repairs
          piping

   pipe fitting
          [pipe fitting] n (ca. 1890) 1: a piece (as a coupling or
          elbow) used to connect pipes or as accessory to a pipe
          2: the work of a pipe fitter

   pipeline
          [pipe.line] n (1860) 1: a line of pipe with pumps, valves,
          and control devices for conveying liquids, gases, or
          finely divided solids 2: a direct channel for information
          3: the processes through which supplies pass from or
          as if from source to user -- in the pipeline : undergoing
          preparation, production, or completion: in the works

   pipe of peace
          [pipe of peace] (1705): calumet

   pipe organ
          [pipe organ] n (1885): organ 1b(1)

   piper
          [pip.er] n (bef. 12c): one that plays on a pipe

   piperazine
          [pi.per.a.zine] n [ISV piperidine + azine] (1889): a crystalline
          heterocyclic base used esp. as an anthelmintic

   piperidine
          [pi.per.i.dine] n [ISV piperine + -idine] (1854): a liquid
          heterocyclic base that has a peppery ammoniacal odor
          and is obtained usu. by hydrolysis of piperine

   piperine
          [pip.er.ine] n [prob. fr. F piperine, fr. L piper pepper]
          (1820): a white crystalline alkaloid that is the chief
          active constituent of pepper

   piperonal
          [pi.per.o.nal] n [ISV piperine + -one + [3]-al] (1869): a
          crystalline aldehyde with an odor of heliotrope

   piperonyl butoxide
          [pi.per.o.nyl bu.tox.ide] n [piperonal + -yl + butyl + oxide]
          (1945): an organic compound used in insecticides; esp:
          an oily liquid containing this compound that is used
          chiefly as a synergist (as for pyrethrum insecticides)

   pipestone
          [pipe.stone] n (ca. 1805): a pink or mottled pink-and-white
          argillaceous stone used esp. by American Indians to make
          carved objects (as tobacco pipes)

   pipe stop
          [pipe stop] n (ca. 1909): an organ stop composed of flue
          pipes

   pipette
          [pi.pette] also pi.pet n [F pipette, dim. of pipe pipe, cask,
          fr. (assumed) VL pipa, pippa pipe] (1839): a small piece
          of apparatus which typically consists of a narrow tube
          into which fluid is drawn by suction (as for dispensing
          or measurement) and retained by closing the upper end
          -- pipette also pipet vb

   pipe up
          [pipe up] vi (1889): speak up

   pipe wrench
          [pipe wrench] n (ca. 1875): a wrench for gripping and turning
          a cylindrical object (as a pipe) usu. by use of two serrated
          jaws so designed as to grip the pipe when turning in
          one direction only

   [1]piping
          [pip.ing] n (13c) 1 a: a sound, note, or call like that of
          a pipe b: the music of a pipe 2: a quantity or system
          of pipes 3: trimming stitched in seams or along edges
          (as of clothing, slipcovers, or curtains) [2]piping adj
          (15c) 1: shrill <a ~ voice> 2: tranquil <~ times of peace
          --Shak.>

   piping hot
          [piping hot] adj (14c): very hot

   pipit
          [pip.it] n [imit.] (1768): any of various small singing birds
          (family Motacillidae and esp. genus Anthus) resembling
          the lark

   pipkin
          [pip.kin] n [perh. fr. pipe] (1565): a small earthenware
          or metal pot usu. with a horizontal handle

   pippin
          [pip.pin] n [ME pepin, fr. MF] (15c) 1: any of numerous apples
          that have usu. yellow or greenish yellow skins strongly
          flushed with red and are used esp. for cooking 2: a highly
          admired or very admirable person or thing

   pip-pip
          [pip-pip] interj [prob. fr. pip-pip, imitating the sound
          of a horn] (1907) Brit--used to express farewell

   pipsissewa
          [pip.sis.se.wa] n [perh. fr. Eastern Abenaki kpi-pskwahsawe,
          lit., flower of the woods] (1789): any of a genus (Chimaphila
          and esp C. umbellata) of evergreen herbs of the wintergreen
          family with astringent leaves used as a tonic and diuretic

   pip-squeak
          [pip-squeak] n (1910): one that is small or insignificant

   piquance
          [pi.quance] n (1883): piquancy

   piquancy
          [pi.quan.cy] n (1664): the quality or state of being piquant

   piquant
          [pi.quant] adj [MF, fr. prp. of piquer] (1630) 1: agreeably
          stimulating to the palate; esp: spicy 2: engagingly provocative;
          also: having a lively arch charm syn see pungent -- pi.quant.ly
          adv -- pi.quant.ness n

   [1]pique
          [pique] n (1592): a transient feeling of wounded vanity:
          resentment <a fit of ~> syn see offense [2]pique vt piqued
          ; piqu.ing [F piquer, lit., to prick--more at pike] (1669)
          1: to arouse anger or resentment in: irritate <what ~s
          linguistic conservatives --T. H. Middleton> 2 a: to excite
          or arouse by a provocation, challenge, or rebuff <sly
          remarks to ~ their curiosity> b: pride <he ~s himself
          on his skill as a cook> syn see provoke pi.que n [F pique,
          fr. pp. of piquer to prick, quilt] (1852) 1: a durable
          ribbed clothing fabric of cotton, rayon, or silk 2: decoration
          of a tortoiseshell or ivory object with inlaid fragments
          of gold or silver

   piquet
          [pi.quet] n [F] (1646): a two-handed card game played with
          32 cards

   piracy
          [pi.ra.cy] n, pl -cies [ML piratia, fr. LGk peirateia, fr.
          Gk peirates pirate] (1537) 1: an act of robbery on the
          high seas; also: an act resembling such robbery 2: robbery
          on the high seas 3: the unauthorized use of another's
          production, invention, or conception esp. in infringement
          of a copyright

   piragua
          [pi.ra.gua] n [Sp] (1609) 1: dugout 1 2: a 2-masted flat-bottomed
          boat

   piranha
          [pi.ra.nha] n [Pg, fr. Tupi piraya, fr. pira fish + aya tooth]
          (1869): any of various usu. small So. American characin
          fishes (genus Serrasalmo) having very sharp teeth and
          including some that may attack and inflict dangerous
          wounds upon humans and large animals--called also caribe

   pirarucu
          [pi.ra.ru.cu] n [Pg, fr. Tupi pirauruku, fr. pira fish +
          uruku annatto] (1840): a very large edible bony fish
          (Arapaima gigas of the family Osteoglossidae) of the
          rivers of northern So. America

   [1]pirate
          [pi.rate] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L pirata, fr. Gk peirates,
          fr. peiran to attempt--more at fear] (14c): one who commits
          or practices piracy -- pi.rat.i.cal adj -- pi.rat.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]pirate vb pi.rat.ed ; pi.rat.ing vt (1574) 1:
          to commit piracy on 2: to take or appropriate by piracy:
          as a: to reproduce without authorization esp. in infringement
          of copyright b: to lure away from another employer by
          offers of betterment ~ vi: to commit or practice piracy

   PIRG
          [PIRG] abbreviation Public Interest Research Group

   pirn
          [pirn] n [ME] (15c) 1: quill 1a(1) 2 chiefly Scot: a device
          resembling a reel

   pirogi
          [pi.ro.gi] var of pierogi

   pirogue
          [pi.rogue] n [F, fr. Sp piragua, fr. Carib piraua] (1666)
          1: dugout 1 2: a boat like a canoe

   piroplasm
          [piro.plasm] or piro.plas.ma n, pl piroplasms or piro.plas.ma.ta
          [NL Piroplasma, genus of piroplasms] (1901): babesia

   piroshki
          [pi.rosh.ki] or pi.rozh.ki n pl [Russ pirozhki, pl. of pirozhok,
          dim. of pirog pastry] (1912): small pastries with meat,
          cheese, or vegetable filling

   pirouette
          [pir.ou.ette] n [F, lit., teetotum] (1706): a rapid whirling
          about of the body; esp: a full turn on the toe or ball
          of one foot in ballet -- pirouette vi

   pis
          [pis] pl of pi

   pis aller
          [pis al.ler] n, pl pis al.lers [F, lit., to go worst] (1676):
          a last resource or device: expedient

   piscatorial
          [pis.ca.to.ri.al] adj (1828): piscatory

   piscatory
          [pis.ca.to.ry] adj [L piscatorius, fr. piscari to fish, fr.
          piscis] (1633): of, relating to, or dependent on fish
          or fishing

   Piscean
          [Pi.sce.an] n (1925): pisces 2b

   Pisces
          [Pi.sces] n pl but sing in constr [ME, fr. L (gen. Piscium),
          fr. pl. of piscis fish--more at fish] 1: a zodiacal constellation
          directly south of Andromeda 2 a: the 12th sign of the
          zodiac in astrology b: one born under this sign

   pisciculture
          [pi.sci.cul.ture] n [prob. fr. F, fr. L piscis + F culture
          culture] (1859): fish culture

   piscina
          [pi.sci.na] n [ML, fr. L, fishpond, fr. piscis] (1793): a
          basin with a drain near the altar of a church for disposing
          of water from liturgical ablutions

   piscine
          [pi.scine] adj [L piscinus, fr. piscis] (1799): of, relating
          to, or characteristic of fish

   piscivorous
          [pi.sciv.o.rous] adj [L piscis + E -vorous] (1668): feeding
          on fishes

   pish
          [pish] interj (1592)--used to express disdain or contempt

   [1]pisiform
          [pi.si.form] adj [L pisum pea + E -iform--more at pea] (1767):
          resembling a pea in size or shape [2]pisiform n (ca.
          1771): a bone on the ulnar side of the carpus in most
          mammals

   pismire
          [pis.mire] n [ME pissemire, fr. pisse urine + mire ant, of
          Scand origin; akin to ON maurr ant; akin to L formica
          ant, Gk myrmex] (14c): ant

   pismo clam
          [pis.mo clam] n, often cap P [Pismo Beach, Calif.] (1913):
          a thick-shelled clam (Tivela stultorum) of the southwest
          coast of No. America used extensively for food

   piso
          [pi.so] n [prob. fr. Tag, fr. Sp peso] (ca. 1975): the peso
          of the Philippines

   pisolite
          [pi.so.lite] n [NL pisolithus, fr. Gk pisos pea + -lithos
          -lith] (1708): a limestone composed of pisiform concretions
          -- pi.so.lit.ic adj

   [1]piss
          [piss] vb [ME, fr. OF pissier, fr. (assumed) VL pissiare,
          of imit. origin] vi (14c): urinate--sometimes considered
          vulgar ~ vt: to urinate in or on--sometimes considered
          vulgar [2]piss n (14c) 1: urine--sometimes considered
          vulgar 2: an act of urinating--often used with take--sometimes
          considered vulgar

   pissant
          [piss.ant] n, often attrib [pissant ant, fr. [1]piss + ant]
          (ca. 1946): one that is insignificant--used as a generalized
          term of abuse--sometimes considered vulgar

   piss away
          [piss away] vt (1949): to fritter away: squander--sometimes
          considered vulgar

   pissed
          [pissed] adj (1929) 1 chiefly Brit: drunk 1a--sometimes considered
          vulgar 2: angry, irritated--often used with off--sometimes
          considered vulgar

   piss off
          [piss off] vi (1953) Brit: to leave immediately: scram--usu.
          used as a command--sometimes considered vulgar ~ vt:
          anger, irritate--sometimes considered vulgar

   pissoir
          [pis.soir] n [F, fr. MF, fr. pisser to urinate, fr. OF pissier]
          (1919): a public urinal usu. located on the street in
          some European countries

   pistachio
          [pis.ta.chio] n, pl -chios [It pistacchio, fr. L pistacium
          pistachio nut, fr. Gk pistakion, fr. pistake pistachio
          tree, of Iranian origin; akin to Pers pistah pistachio
          tree] (1598): a small Asian tree (Pistacia vera) of the
          cashew family whose drupaceous fruit contains a greenish
          edible seed; also: its seed

   pistareen
          [pis.ta.reen] n [prob. modif. of Sp peseta peseta] (1744):
          an old Spanish silver piece circulating at a debased
          rate

   piste
          [piste] n [F, fr. MF, fr. OIt pista, fr. pistare to trample
          down, pound--more at piston] (ca. 1741): trail; esp:
          a downhill ski trail

   pistil
          [pis.til] n [NL pistillum, fr. L, pestle--more at pestle]
          (1749): a single carpel or group of fused carpels usu.
          differentiated into an ovary, style, and stigma--see
          flower illustration

   pistillate
          [pis.til.late] adj (ca. 1828): having pistils; specif: having
          pistils but no stamens

   pistol
          [pis.tol] n [MF pistole, fr. G, fr. MHG pischulle, fr. Czech
          pist'ala, lit., pipe, fife; akin to Czech pistet to squeak]
          (ca. 1570): a handgun whose chamber is integral with
          the barrel; broadly: handgun -- pistol vt

   pistole
          [pis.tole] n [MF] (1592): an old gold 2-escudo piece of Spain;
          also: any of several old gold coins of Europe of approximately
          the same value

   pistoleer
          [pis.tol.eer] n (1832): one who is armed with a pistol

   pistol grip
          [pistol grip] n (1874) 1: a grip of a shotgun or rifle shaped
          like a pistol stock 2: a handle shaped like a pistol
          stock

   pistol-whip
          [pistol-whip] vt (ca. 1942): to beat with a pistol

   piston
          [pis.ton] n [F, fr. It pistone, fr. pistare to pound, fr.
          OIt, fr. ML, fr. L pistus, pp. of pinsere to crush--more
          at pestle] (1704) 1: a sliding piece moved by or moving
          against fluid pressure which usu. consists of a short
          cylinder fitting within a cylindrical vessel along which
          it moves back and forth 2 a: a sliding valve moving in
          a cylinder in a brass instrument which when depressed
          by a finger knob serves to lower the instrument's pitch
          b: a button on an organ console to bring in a previously
          selected registration

   piston pin
          [piston pin] n (1897): wrist pin

   piston ring
          [piston ring] n (1867): a springy split metal ring for sealing
          the gap between a piston and the cylinder wall

   piston rod
          [piston rod] n (1786): connecting rod

   [1]pit
          [pit] n [ME, fr. OE pytt (akin to OHG pfuzzi well), fr. L
          puteus well, pit] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a hole, shaft,
          or cavity in the ground (2): mine (3): a scooped-out
          place used for burning something (as charcoal) b: an
          area often sunken or depressed below the adjacent floor
          area: as (1): an enclosure in which animals are made
          to fight each other (2): a space at the front of a theater
          for the orchestra (3): an area in a securities or commodities
          exchange in which members trade (as stocks) 2 a: hell--used
          with the b: a place or situation of futility, misery,
          or degradation c pl: worst <it's the ~s> 3: a hollow
          or indentation esp. in the surface of an organism: as
          a: a natural hollow in the surface of the body b: one
          of the indented scars left in the skin by a pustular
          disease: pockmark c: a minute depression in the secondary
          wall of a plant cell functioning in the intercellular
          movement of water and dissolved material 4: any of the
          areas alongside an auto racecourse used for refueling
          and repairing the cars during a race--often used in pl.
          with the [2]pit vb pit.ted ; pit.ting vt (15c) 1 a: to
          place, cast, bury, or store in a pit b: to make pits
          in; esp: to scar or mark with pits 2 a: to set (as gamecocks)
          into or as if into a pit to fight b: to set into opposition
          or rivalry--usu. used with against ~ vi 1: to become
          marked with pits; esp: to preserve for a time an indentation
          made by pressure 2: to make a pit stop [3]pit n [D, fr.
          MD--more at pith] (1841): the stone of a drupaceous fruit
          [4]pit vt pit.ted ; pit.ting (1913): to remove the pit
          from (a fruit)

   [1]pita
          [pi.ta] n [Sp & Pg] (1698) 1: any of several fiber-yielding
          plants (as an agave) 2: the fiber of a pita; also: any
          of several fibers from other sources [2]pita n [NGk]
          (1951): a thin flat bread that can be separated easily
          into two layers to form a pocket--called also pita bread

   pit-a-pat
          [pit-a-pat] n [imit.] (1582): pitter-patter -- pit-a-pat
          adv or adj -- pit-a-pat vi

   pit boss
          [pit boss] n (1949): a person who supervises the gaming tables
          in a casino

   pit bull
          [pit bull] n (1930): a dog (as an American Staffordshire
          terrier) of any of several breeds or a real or apparent
          hybrid with one or more of these breeds that was developed
          and is now often trained for fighting and is noted for
          strength and stamina

   pit bull terrier
          [pit bull terrier] n (1945) 1: pit bull 2: american pit bull
          terrier

   [1]pitch
          [pitch] n [ME pich, fr. OE pic, fr. L pic-, pix; akin to
          Gk pissa pitch, OCS picilu] (bef. 12c) 1: a black or
          dark viscous substance obtained as a residue in the distillation
          of organic materials and esp. tars 2: any of various
          bituminous substances 3: resin obtained from various
          conifers and often used medicinally 4: any of various
          artificial mixtures resembling resinous or bituminous
          pitches [2]pitch vt (bef. 12c): to cover, smear, or treat
          with or as if with pitch [3]pitch vb [ME pichen] vt (13c)
          1: to erect and fix firmly in place <~ a tent> 2: to
          throw usu. with a particular objective or toward a particular
          point <~ hay onto a wagon>: as a: to throw (a baseball)
          to a batter b: to toss (as coins) so as to fall at or
          near a mark <~ pennies> c: to put aside or discard by
          or as if by throwing <~ed the trash into the bin> <decided
          to ~ the whole idea> 3: to present or advertise for sale
          esp. in a high-pressure way 4 a (1): to cause to be at
          a particular level or of a particular quality (2): to
          set in a particular musical key b: to cause to be set
          at a particular angle: slope 5: to utter glibly and insincerely
          6 a: to use as a starting pitcher b: to play as pitcher
          7: to hit (a golf ball) in a high arc with backspin so
          that it rolls very little after striking the green ~
          vi 1 a: to fall precipitately or headlong b (1) of a
          ship: to have the bow alternately plunge precipitately
          and rise abruptly (2) of an aircraft, missile, or spacecraft:
          to turn about a lateral axis so that the forward end
          rises or falls in relation to the after end c: buck 1
          2: encamp 3: to hit upon or happen upon something <~
          upon the perfect gift> 4: to incline downward: slope
          5 a: to throw a ball to a batter b: to play ball as a
          pitcher c: to pitch a golf ball 6: to make a sales pitch
          syn see throw -- pitch into 1: attack, assail 2: to set
          to work on energetically [4]pitch n (1542) 1 a: slope;
          also: degree of slope: rake b: the distance between any
          of various things: as (1): distance between one point
          on a gear tooth and the corresponding point on the next
          tooth (2): distance from any point on the thread of a
          screw to the corresponding point on an adjacent thread
          measured parallel to the axis c: the theoretical distance
          a propeller would advance longitudinally in one revolution
          d: the number of teeth or of threads per inch e: a unit
          of width of type based on the number of times a letter
          can be set in a linear inch 2: the action or a manner
          of pitching; esp: an up-and-down movement--compare yaw
          3 archaic: top, zenith 4 a: the relative level, intensity,
          or extent of some quality or state <tensions rose to
          a feverish ~> b (1): the property of a sound and esp.
          a musical tone that is determined by the frequency of
          the waves producing it: highness or lowness of sound
          (2): a standard frequency for tuning instruments c (1):
          the difference in the relative vibration frequency of
          the human voice that contributes to the total meaning
          of speech (2): a definite relative pitch that is a significant
          phenomenon in speech 5: a steep place: declivity 6 chiefly
          Brit a: an outdoor site (as for camping or doing business)
          b: playing field 1 7: an all-fours game in which the
          first card led is a trump 8 a: an often high-pressure
          sales presentation b: advertisement 9 a: the delivery
          of a baseball by a pitcher to a batter b: a baseball
          so thrown c: pitchout 2 -- pitched adj

   pitch-black
          [pitch-black] adj (1599): extremely dark or black

   pitchblende
          [pitch.blende] n [part trans. of G Pechblende, fr. Pech pitch
          + Blende blende] (1770): a brown to black mineral that
          consists of massive uraninite, has a distinctive luster,
          contains radium, and is the chief ore-mineral source
          of uranium

   pitch-dark
          [pitch-dark] adj (1827): extremely dark: pitch-black

   pitched battle
          [pitched battle] n (1607): an intensely fought battle in
          which the opposing forces are locked in close combat

   [1]pitcher
          [pitch.er] n [ME picher, fr. OF pichier, fr. ML bicarius
          goblet] (13c) 1: a container for holding and pouring
          liquids that usu. has a lip or spout and a handle 2:
          a modified leaf of a pitcher plant in which the hollowed
          petiole and base of the blade form an elongated receptacle
          -- pitch.er.ful n [2]pitcher n (ca. 1722): one that pitches;
          specif: the player that pitches in a game of baseball

   pitcher plant
          [pitcher plant] n (1819): a plant (esp. family Sarraceniaceae,
          the pitcher-plant family) with leaves modified into pitchers
          in which insects are trapped and digested by means of
          liquids secreted by the leaves

   pitchfork
          [pitch.fork] n (13c): a long-handled fork that has two or
          three long somewhat curved prongs and is used esp. in
          pitching hay -- pitchfork vt

   pitch in
          [pitch in] vi (1843) 1: to begin to work 2: to contribute
          to a common endeavor

   pitchman
          [pitch.man] n (ca. 1926): one who makes a sales pitch: as
          a: one who sells merchandise on the streets or from a
          concession b: one who does radio or TV commercials

   pitchout
          [pitch.out] n (1912) 1: a pitch in baseball deliberately
          out of reach of the batter to enable the catcher to put
          out a base runner esp. with a throw 2: a lateral pass
          in football between two backs behind the line of scrimmage
          -- pitch out vi

   pitch pine
          [pitch pine] n (1676) 1: any of several pines that yield
          pitch; esp: a 3-leaved pine (Pinus rigida) of eastern
          No. America 2: the wood of a pitch pine

   pitch pipe
          [pitch pipe] n (1711): a small reed pipe or flue pipe producing
          one or more tones to establish the pitch in singing or
          in tuning an instrument

   pitchpole
          [pitch.pole] vb [pitchpole somersault, fr. [3]pitch + pole,
          poll head] vi (1851): to turn end over end <the catamaran
          pitchpoled> ~ vt: to cause to turn end over end

   pitchwoman
          [pitch.wom.an] n (1957): a woman who makes a sales pitch

   pitchy
          [pitchy] adj (15c) 1 a: full of pitch: tarry b: of, relating
          to, or having the qualities of pitch 2: pitch-black

   piteous
          [pit.e.ous] adj (14c): of a kind to move to pity or compassion
          -- pit.e.ous.ly adv -- pit.e.ous.ness n

   pitfall
          [pit.fall] n (14c) 1: trap, snare; specif: a pit flimsily
          covered or camouflaged and used to capture and hold animals
          or men 2: a hidden or not easily recognized danger or
          difficulty

   [1]pith
          [pith] n [ME, fr. OE pitha; akin to MD & MLG pit pith, pit]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a usu. continuous central strand of spongy
          tissue in the stems of most vascular plants that prob.
          functions chiefly in storage b: any of various loose
          spongy plant tissues that resemble true pith c: the soft
          or spongy interior of a part of the body 2 a: the essential
          part: core b: substantial quality (as of meaning) 3:
          importance [2]pith vt (1805) 1 a: to kill (as cattle)
          by piercing or severing the spinal cord b: to destroy
          the spinal cord or central nervous system of (as a frog)
          usu. by passing a wire or needle up and down the vertebral
          canal 2: to remove the pith from (a plant stem)

   pithead
          [pit.head] n (1839) chiefly Brit: the top of a mining pit
          or coal shaft; also: the immediately adjacent ground
          and buildings

   pithecanthropine
          [pith.ec.an.thro.pine] n (1925): any of a group of Pleistocene
          hominids (as Java man, Peking man, and Heidelberg man)
          that have a smaller cranial capacity than modern humans
          (Homo sapiens) but a greater cranial capacity than the
          australopithecines, prominent eyebrow ridges, a receding
          forehead, constriction of the skull behind the eye sockets,
          and relatively large canine and incisor teeth and that
          were formerly considered to comprise a genus (Pithecanthropus)
          but are now grouped in a single species (Homo erectus)
          -- pithecanthropine adj

   pithecanthropus
          [pith.ec.an.thro.pus] n, pl -pi [NL, fr. Gk pithekos ape
          + anthropos human being] (1895): pithecanthropine

   pith helmet
          [pith helmet] n (1889): topee

   pith ray
          [pith ray] n (1902): medullary ray

   pithy
          [pithy] adj pith.i.er ; -est (1562) 1: consisting of or abounding
          in pith 2: having substance and point: tersely cogent
          syn see concise -- pith.i.ly adv -- pith.i.ness n

   pitiable
          [piti.able] adj (15c) 1: deserving or exciting pity: lamentable
          2: of a kind to evoke mingled pity and contempt esp.
          because of inadequacy <a ~ excuse> syn see contemptible
          -- piti.able.ness n -- piti.ably adv

   pitier
          [piti.er] n (1601): one that pities

   pitiful
          [piti.ful] adj (14c) 1 archaic: full of pity: compassionate
          2 a: deserving or arousing pity or commiseration b: exciting
          pitying contempt (as by meanness or inadequacy) -- piti.ful.ly
          adv -- piti.ful.ness n

   pitiless
          [piti.less] adj (15c): devoid of pity: merciless -- piti.less.ly
          adv -- piti.less.ness n

   pitman
          [pit.man] n (1703) 1 pl pit.men : one who works in or near
          a pit (as in a coal mine) 2 pl pitmans : connecting rod

   piton
          [pi.ton] n [F] (1893): a spike, wedge, or peg that is driven
          into a rock or ice surface as a support (as for a mountain
          climber)

   pitot-static tube
          [pi.tot-stat.ic tube] n, often cap P (1926): a device that
          consists of a pitot tube and a static tube and that measures
          pressures in such a way that the relative speed of a
          fluid can be determined

   pitot tube
          [pi.tot tube] n, often cap P [F (tube de) Pitot, fr. Henri
          Pitot d. 1771 Fr. physicist] (ca. 1859) 1: a device that
          consists of a tube having a short right-angled bend which
          is placed vertically in a moving body of fluid with the
          mouth of the bent part directed upstream and that is
          used with a manometer to measure the velocity of fluid
          flow 2: pitot-static tube

   pit saw
          [pit saw] n (1679): a handsaw worked by two persons one of
          whom stands on or above the log being sawed into planks
          and the other below it usu. in a pit

   pit stop
          [pit stop] n (1932) 1: a stop at the pits during an automobile
          race 2 a: a stop (as during a trip) for fuel, food, or
          rest or for use of a rest room b (1): a place where a
          pit stop can be made (2): an establishment providing
          food or drink

   pittance
          [pit.tance] n [ME pitance, fr. OF, piety, pity, fr. ML pietantia,
          fr. pietant-, pietans, prp. of pietari to be charitable,
          fr. L pietas piety--more at pity] (14c): a small portion,
          amount, or allowance; also: a meager wage or remuneration

   pitted
          [pit.ted] adj (bef. 12c): marked with pits

   pitter-patter
          [pit.ter-pat.ter] n [redupl. of [4]patter] (15c): a rapid
          succession of light sounds or beats: patter -- pitter-patter
          adv or adj -- pitter-patter vi

   pitting
          [pit.ting] n (1665) 1: an arrangement of pits 2: the action
          or process of forming pits 3: the bringing of gamecocks
          together to fight

   pittosporum
          [pit.tos.po.rum] n [NL, fr. Gk pitta, pissa pitch + spora
          seed--more at pitch, spore] (1789): any of various Old
          World shrubs or trees (genus Pittosporum of the family
          Pittosporaceae) planted esp. as ornamentals in warm regions

   [1]pituitary
          [pi.tu.i.tary] adj [L pituita phlegm; fr. the former belief
          that the pituitary gland secreted phlegm--more at pip]
          (1615) 1: of or relating to the pituitary gland 2: caused
          or characterized by secretory disturbances of the pituitary
          gland <a ~ dwarf> [2]pituitary n, pl -tar.ies (1845):
          pituitary gland

   pituitary gland
          [pituitary gland] n (1825): a small oval endocrine organ
          that is attached to the infundibulum of the brain, consists
          of an epithelial anterior lobe joined by an intermediate
          part to a posterior lobe of nervous origin, and produces
          various internal secretions directly or indirectly impinging
          on most basic body functions--called also hypophysis,
          pituitary body--see brain illustration

   pit viper
          [pit viper] n (ca. 1885): any of various mostly New World
          venomous snakes (subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae)
          with a sensory pit on each side of the head and hollow
          perforated fangs

   [1]pity
          [pity] n, pl pit.ies [ME pite, fr. OF pite, fr. L pietat-,
          pietas piety, pity, fr. pius pious] (13c) 1 a: sympathetic
          sorrow for one suffering, distressed, or unhappy b: capacity
          to feel pity 2: something to be regretted <it's a ~ you
          can't go> syn pity, compassion, commiseration, condolence,
          sympathy mean the act or capacity for sharing the painful
          feelings of another. pity implies tender or sometimes
          slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress
          <felt pity for the captives>. compassion implies pity
          coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare <treats
          the homeless with great compassion>. commiseration suggests
          pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words
          of comfort <murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's
          headquarters>. condolence applies chiefly to formal expression
          of grief to one who has suffered loss <expressed their
          condolences to the widow>. sympathy often suggests a
          tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into
          another's emotional experience of any sort <went to my
          best friend for sympathy> <in sympathy with her desire
          to locate her natural parents>. [2]pity vb pit.ied ;
          pity.ing vt (15c): to feel pity for ~ vi: to feel pity

   pitying
          [pitying] adj (1589): expressing or feeling pity -- pity.ing.ly
          adv

   pityriasis
          [pit.y.ri.a.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk, fr. pityron scurf] (ca. 1693):
          a condition of humans or domestic animals marked by dry
          scaling or scurfy patches of skin

   piu
          [piu] adv [It, fr. L plus] (1724): more--used to qualify
          an adverb or adjective used as a direction in music

   Piute
          [Pi.ute] var of paiute

   [1]pivot
          [piv.ot] n [F] (1611) 1: a shaft or pin on which something
          turns 2 a: a person, thing, or factor having a major
          or central role, function, or effect b: a key player
          or position; specif: an offensive position of a basketball
          player standing usu. with back to the basket to relay
          passes, shoot, or provide a screen for teammates 3: the
          action of pivoting [2]pivot adj (1796) 1: turning on
          or as if on a pivot 2: pivotal [3]pivot vi (1841): to
          turn on or as if on a pivot ~ vt 1: to provide with,
          mount on, or attach by a pivot 2: to cause to pivot --
          pivot.able adj

   pivotal
          [piv.ot.al] adj (1844) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          a pivot 2: vitally important: crucial -- piv.ot.al.ly
          adv

   pivotman
          [piv.ot.man] n (ca. 1814): one who plays the pivot; specif:
          a center on a basketball team

   pivot tooth
          [pivot tooth] n (1842): an artificial crown attached to the
          root of a tooth by a usu. metallic pin--called also pivot
          crown

   pix
          [pix] pl of pic

   pixel
          [pix.el] n [pix + element] (1969) 1: any of the small discrete
          elements that together constitute an image (as on a television
          screen) 2: any of the detecting elements of a charge-coupled
          device used as an optical sensor

   [1]pixie
          [pix.ie] or pixy n, pl pix.ies [origin unknown] (1746): fairy;
          specif: a cheerful mischievous sprite -- pix.ie.ish adj
          [2]pixie or pixy adj (1943): playfully mischievous --
          pixi.ness n

   pixilated
          [pix.i.lat.ed] or pix.il.lat.ed adj [irreg. fr. pixie] (1848)
          1: somewhat unbalanced mentally; also: bemused 2: whimsical
          -- pix.i.la.tion n

   pizz
          [pizz] abbreviation pizzicato

   pizza
          [piz.za] n [It, perh. of Gmc origin; akin to OHG bizzo, pizzo
          bite, bit, bizan to bite--more at bite] (1935): an open
          pie made typically of flattened bread dough spread with
          a savory mixture usu. including tomatoes and cheese and
          often other toppings and baked--called also pizza pie
          -- pizza.like adj

   pizzazz
          [piz.zazz] or pi.zazz n [origin unknown] (1937): the quality
          of being exciting or attractive: as a: glamour b: vitality
          -- piz.zazzy or pi.zazzy adj

   pizzeria
          [piz.ze.ria] n [It, fr. pizza] (1943): an establishment where
          pizzas are made or sold

   [1]pizzicato
          [piz.zi.ca.to] n, pl -ca.ti (1845): a note or passage played
          by plucking strings [2]pizzicato adv or adj [It, pp.
          of pizzicare to pluck] (ca. 1854): by means of plucking
          instead of bowing--used as a direction in music--compare
          arco

   pizzle
          [piz.zle] n [prob. fr. Flem pezel; akin to LG pesel pizzle]
          (1523) 1: the penis of an animal 2: a whip made of a
          bull's pizzle

   pj...
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   pj's
          [pj's] n pl [pajamas] (1951): pajamas

   pk...
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   pk
          [pk] abbreviation park, peak, peck, pike  PK abbreviation
          preacher's kid

   PK
          [PK] n (1943): psychokinesis

   pkg
          [pkg] abbreviation package

   pkt
          [pkt] abbreviation packet, pocket

   PKU
          [PKU] abbreviation phenylketonuria

   pkwy
          [pkwy] abbreviation parkway

   pl...
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   P&L
          [P&L] abbreviation principal and interest, profit and loss

   pl
          [pl] abbreviation place, plate, plural  PL abbreviation partial
          loss, private line, Public Law

   PL/1
          [PL/1] n [programming language (version) 1] (1965):
          a general-purpose language for programming a computer

   placable
          [pla.ca.ble] adj (1586): easily placated: tolerant, tractable
          -- pla.ca.bil.i.ty n -- pla.ca.bly adv

   [1]placard
          [plac.ard] n [ME placquart formal document, fr. MF, fr. plaquier
          to plate--more at plaque] (1560) 1: a notice posted in
          a public place: poster 2: a small card or metal plaque
          [2]plac.ard vt (1813) 1 a: to cover with or as if with
          posters b: to post in a public place 2: to announce by
          or as if by posting

   placate
          [pla.cate] vt pla.cat.ed ; pla.cat.ing [L placatus, pp. of
          placare--more at please] (1678): to soothe or mollify
          esp. by concessions: appease syn see pacify -- pla.cat.er
          n -- pla.cat.ing.ly adv -- pla.ca.tion n -- pla.ca.tive
          adj -- pla.ca.to.ry adj

   [1]place
          [place] n [ME, fr. OF, open space, fr. L platea broad street,
          fr. Gk plateia (hodos), fr. fem. of platys broad, flat;
          akin to Skt prthu broad, L planta sole of the foot] (13c)
          1 a: physical environment: space b: a way for admission
          or transit c: physical surroundings: atmosphere 2 a:
          an indefinite region or expanse <all over the ~> b: a
          building or locality used for a special purpose <a ~
          of learning> <a fine eating ~> c archaic: the three-dimensional
          compass of a material object 3 a: a particular region,
          center of population, or location <a nice ~ to visit>
          b: a building, part of a building, or area occupied as
          a home <our summer ~> 4: a particular part of a surface
          or body: spot 5: relative position in a scale or series:
          as a: position in a social scale <kept them in their
          ~> b: a step in a sequence <in the first ~, it's none
          of your business> c: a position at the conclusion of
          a competition <finished in last ~> 6 a: a proper or designated
          niche <the ~ of education in society> b: an appropriate
          moment or point <this is not the ~ to discuss compensation
          --Robert Moses> 7 a: an available seat or accommodation
          <needs a ~ to stay> b: an empty or vacated position <new
          ones will take their ~> 8: the position of a figure in
          relation to others of a row or series; esp: the position
          of a digit within a numeral 9 a: remunerative employment:
          job b: prestige accorded to one of high rank: status
          <an endless quest for preferment and ~ --Time> 10: a
          public square: plaza 11: a small street or court 12:
          second place at the finish (as of a horse race) -- in
          place 1: in an original or proper position 2: in the
          same spot without forward or backward movement <run in
          place> [2]place vb placed ; plac.ing vt (15c) 1 a: to
          put in or as if in a particular place or position: set
          b: to present for consideration <a question placed before
          the group> c: to put in a particular state <~ a performer
          under contract> d: to direct to a desired spot e: to
          cause (the voice) to produce free and well resonated
          singing or speaking tones 2 a: to assign to a position
          in a series or category: rank b: estimate <placed the
          value of the estate too high> c: to identify by connecting
          with an associated context <couldn't quite ~ her face>
          <police placed them at the crime scene> 3: to distribute
          in an orderly manner: arrange 4: to appoint to a position
          5: to find a place (as a home or employment) for 6 a:
          to give (an order) to a supplier b: to give an order
          for <~ a bet> c: to try to establish a connection for
          <~ a telephone call> ~ vi: to earn a given spot in a
          competition; specif: to come in second (as in a horse
          race) -- place.able adj

   place aux dames
          [place aux dames] [F] foreign term : (make) room for the
          ladies

   placebo
          [pla.ce.bo] n, pl -bos (13c) 1: the Roman Catholic vespers
          for the dead 2 a (1): a medication prescribed more for
          the mental relief of the patient than for its actual
          effect on a disorder (2): an inert or innocuous substance
          used esp. in controlled experiments testing the efficacy
          of another substance (as a drug) b: something tending
          to soothe

   placebo effect
          [placebo effect] n (1950): improvement in the condition of
          a sick person that occurs in response to treatment but
          cannot be considered due to the specific treatment used

   placeholder
          [place.hold.er] n (1958): a symbol in a mathematical or logical
          expression that may be replaced by the name of any element
          of a set

   [1]placekick
          [place.kick] n (1856): the kicking of a ball (as a football)
          placed or held in a stationary position on the ground
          [2]placekick vt (1856) 1: to kick (a ball) from a stationary
          position 2: to score by means of a placekick -- place.kick.er
          n

   placeless
          [place.less] adj (14c): lacking a fixed location -- place.less.ly
          adv

   placeman
          [place.man] n (1741): a political appointee to a public office
          esp. in 18th century Britain

   place mat
          [place mat] n (1928): a small often rectangular table mat
          on which a place setting is laid

   placement
          [place.ment] n (1844) 1: an act or instance of placing: as
          a: an accurately hit ball (as in tennis) that an opponent
          cannot return b: the assignment of a person to a suitable
          place (as a job or a class in school) 2: placekick

   placement test
          [placement test] n (1928): a test usu. given to a student
          entering an educational institution to determine specific
          knowledge or proficiency in various subjects for the
          purpose of assignment to appropriate courses or classes

   place-name
          [place-name] n (1868): the name of a geographical locality

   placenta
          [pla.cen.ta] n, pl -centas or -cen.tae [NL, fr. L, flat cake,
          fr. Gk plakoenta, acc. of plakoeis, fr. plak-, plax flat
          surface--more at fluke] (1691) 1: the vascular organ
          in mammals except monotremes and marsupials that unites
          the fetus to the maternal uterus and mediates its metabolic
          exchanges through a more or less intimate association
          of uterine mucosal with chorionic and usu. allantoic
          tissues; also: an analogous organ in another animal 2:
          a sporangium-bearing surface; esp: the part of the carpel
          bearing ovules -- pla.cen.tal adj or n

   placentation
          [pla.cen.ta.tion] n (1760) 1: the arrangement of placentas
          and ovules in a plant ovary 2 a: the development of the
          placenta and attachment of the fetus to the uterus during
          pregnancy b: the morphological type of a placenta

   [1]placer
          [plac.er] n (1579): one that places: as a: one that deposits
          or arranges b: one of the winners in a competition [2]plac.er
          n [Sp, fr. Catal, submarine plain, fr. plaza place, fr.
          L platea broad street--more at place] (1848): an alluvial,
          marine, or glacial deposit containing particles of valuable
          mineral and esp. of gold

   place setting
          [place setting] n (1944): a table service for one person

   place value
          [place value] n (1911): the value of the place of a digit
          in a numeral

   placid
          [plac.id] adj [L placidus, fr. placere to please--more at
          please] (1626) 1: serenely free of interruption or disturbance
          <~ skies> <a ~ disposition> 2: complacent syn see calm
          -- pla.cid.i.ty n -- plac.id.ly adv -- plac.id.ness n

   placket
          [plack.et] n [origin unknown] (1605) 1 a: a slit in a garment
          (as a skirt) often forming the closure b archaic: a pocket
          esp. in a woman's skirt 2 archaic a: petticoat b: woman

   placoid
          [plac.oid] adj [Gk plak-, plax flat surface] (1842): of,
          relating to, or being a scale of dermal origin with an
          enamel-tipped spine characteristic of the elasmobranchs

   plagal
          [pla.gal] adj [ML plagalis, ultim. fr. Gk plagios oblique,
          sideways, fr. plagos side; akin to L plaga net, region,
          Gk pelagos sea] (1597) 1 of a church mode: having the
          keynote on the 4th scale step--compare authentic 4a 2
          of a cadence: progressing from the subdominant chord
          to the tonic--compare authentic 4b

   plage
          [plage] n [F, beach, luminous surface, fr. It piaggia beach,
          fr. LL plagia, fr. Gk plagios oblique] (1888) 1: the
          beach of a seaside resort 2: a bright region on the sun
          caused by the light emitted by clouds of calcium or hydrogen
          and often associated with a sunspot

   plagiarise
          [pla.gia.rise] Brit var of plagiarize

   plagiarism
          [pla.gia.rism] n (1621) 1: an act or instance of plagiarizing
          2: something plagiarized -- pla.gia.rist n -- pla.gia.ris.tic
          adj

   plagiarize
          [pla.gia.rize] vb -rized ; -riz.ing vt [plagiary] (1716):
          to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another)
          as one's own: use (a created production) without crediting
          the source ~ vi: to commit literary theft: present as
          new and original an idea or product derived from an existing
          source -- pla.gia.riz.er n

   plagiary
          [pla.gia.ry] n, pl -ries [L plagiarius, lit., plunderer,
          fr. plagium hunting net, fr. plaga net] (1601) 1 archaic:
          one that plagiarizes 2: plagiarism

   plagioclase
          [pla.gio.clase] n [Gk plagios oblique + klasis breaking,
          fr. klan to break--more at clast] (ca. 1868): a triclinic
          feldspar; esp: one having calcium or sodium in its composition

   plagiotropic
          [pla.gio.tro.pic] adj [Gk plagios + ISV -tropic] (1882):
          having the longer axis inclined away from the vertical

   [1]plague
          [plague] n [ME plage, fr. MF, fr. LL plaga, fr. L, blow;
          akin to L plangere to strike--more at plaint] (14c) 1
          a: a disastrous evil or affliction: calamity b: a destructively
          numerous influx <a ~ of locusts> 2 a: an epidemic disease
          causing a high rate of mortality: pestilence b: a virulent
          contagious febrile disease that is caused by a bacterium
          (Yersinia pestis) and that occurs in bubonic, pneumonic,
          and septicemic forms--called also black death 3 a: a
          cause of irritation: nuisance b: a sudden unwelcome outbreak
          <a ~ of burglaries> [2]plague vt plagued ; plagu.ing
          (15c) 1: to smite, infest, or afflict with or as if with
          disease, calamity, or natural evil 2 a: to cause worry
          or distress to: hamper, burden b: to disturb or annoy
          persistently syn see worry -- plagu.er n

   plaguey
          [plagu.ey] or plaguy adj (1615): causing irritation or annoyance:
          troublesome -- plaguey adv -- plagu.i.ly adv

   plaice
          [plaice] n, pl plaice [ME plaice, fr. MF plais, fr. LL platessa]
          (13c): any of various flatfishes; esp: a large European
          flounder (Pleuronectes platessa) with red spots

   plaid
          [plaid] n [ScGael plaide] (1512) 1: a rectangular length
          of tartan worn over the left shoulder as part of the
          Scottish national costume 2 a: a twilled woolen fabric
          with a tartan pattern b: a fabric with a pattern of tartan
          or an imitation of tartan 3 a: tartan 1 b: a pattern
          of unevenly spaced repeated stripes crossing at righ
          t angles -- plaid adj -- plaid.ed adj

   [1]plain
          [plain] vi [ME, fr. OF plaindre, fr. L plangere to lament--more
          at plaint] (14c) archaic: complain [2]plain n [ME, fr.
          OF, fr. L planum, fr. neut. of planus flat, plain--more
          at floor] (14c) 1 a: an extensive area of level or rolling
          treeless country b: a broad unbroken expanse 2: something
          free from artifice, ornament, or extraneous matter [3]plain
          adj (14c) 1 archaic: even, level 2: lacking ornament:
          undecorated 3: free of extraneous matter: pure 4: free
          of impediments to view: unobstructed 5 a (1): evident
          to the mind or senses: obvious <it's perfectly ~ that
          they will resist> (2): clear <let me make my meaning
          ~> b: marked by outspoken candor: free from duplicity
          or subtlety: blunt <~ talk> 6 a: belonging to the great
          mass of humans b: lacking special distinction or affectation:
          ordinary 7: characterized by simplicity: not complicated
          <~ home-cooked meals> 8: lacking beauty or ugliness syn
          see common, evident, frank -- plain.ly adv -- plain.ness
          n [4]plain adv (14c): in a plain manner <saw them clearly
          and told you ~ --Amer. Documentation> [5]plain adv [partly
          fr. ME plein entire, complete, fr. MF, full, fr. L plenus;
          partly fr. [4]plain--more at full] (1535): absolutely
          <it ~ galled me to pay fancy prices --F. R. Buckley>

   plainchant
          [plain.chant] n [F plain-chant, lit., plain song] (ca. 1741):
          plainsong

   plainclothes
          [plain.clothes] adj (1866): dressed in civilian clothes while
          on duty--used esp. of a police officer

   plainclothesman
          [plain.clothes.man] n (1899): a plainclothes police officer

   plain-Jane
          [plain-Jane] adj [fr. the name Jane] (1912): not fancy or
          glamorous: ordinary

   plain-laid
          [plain-laid] adj (1881) of a rope: consisting of three strands
          laid right-handed

   Plain People
          [Plain People] n (1904): members of any of various Protestant
          groups (as Mennonites) esp. in the U.S. who wear distinctively
          plain clothes and adhere to a simple and traditional
          style of life excluding many conveniences of modern technology

   Plains
          [Plains] adj (1844): of or relating to No. American Indians
          of the Great Plains or to their culture

   plain sailing
          [plain sailing] n (1756): easy progress over an unobstructed
          course

   plainsman
          [plains.man] n [Great Plains + man] (1870): an inhabitant
          of the plains

   plainsong
          [plain.song] n (1513): a monophonic rhythmically free liturgical
          chant of any of various Christian rites; esp: gregorian
          chant

   plainspoken
          [plain.spo.ken] adj (1678): candid, frank -- plain.spo.ken.ness
          n

   plaint
          [plaint] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L planctus, fr. plangere to strike,
          beat one's breast, lament; akin to OHG fluokhon to curse,
          Gk plessein to strike] (13c) 1: lamentation, wail 2:
          protest, complaint

   plaintext
          [plain.text] n (1918): the intelligible form of an encrypted
          text or of its elements--compare ciphertext

   plaintful
          [plaint.ful] adj (14c): mournful

   plaintiff
          [plain.tiff] n [ME plaintif, fr. MF, fr. plaintif, adj.]
          (14c): a person who brings a legal action--compare defendant

   plaintive
          [plain.tive] adj [ME plaintif grieving, fr. MF, fr. plaint]
          (1579): expressive of suffering or woe: melancholy --
          plain.tive.ly adv -- plain.tive.ness n

   plain-vanilla
          [plain-vanilla] adj (1975): lacking special features or qualities:
          basic

   plain weave
          [plain weave] n (1888): a weave in which the threads interlace
          alternately

   plain-woven
          [plain-woven] adj (1925): made in plain weave

   plaister
          [plais.ter] var of plaster

   [1]plait
          [plait] n [ME pleit, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL plicitum, fr.
          neut. of L plicitus, pp. of plicare to fold--more at
          ply] (14c) 1: pleat 2: a braid of material (as hair or
          straw); specif: pigtail [2]plait vt (14c) 1: pleat 1
          2 a: to interweave the strands or locks of: braid b:
          to make by plaiting -- plait.er n

   plaiting
          [plait.ing] n (15c): the interlacing of strands: braiding

   plan-
          [plan-] or plano- comb form [L planus] 1: flat <planosol>
          2: flat and <plano-concave>

   [1]plan
          [plan] n [F, plane, foundation, ground plan; partly fr. L
          planum level ground, fr. neut. of planus level; partly
          fr. F planter to plant, fix in place, fr. LL plantare--more
          at floor, plant] (1706) 1: a drawing or diagram drawn
          on a plane: as a: a top or horizontal view of an object
          b: a large-scale map of a small area 2 a: a method for
          achieving an end b: an often customary method of doing
          something: procedure c: a detailed formulation of a program
          of action d: goal, aim 3: an orderly arrangement of parts
          of an overall design or objective 4: a detailed program
          (as for payment or the provision of some service) <pension
          ~> -- plan.less adj -- plan.less.ly adv -- plan.less.ness
          n syn plan, design, plot, scheme, project mean a method
          devised for making or doing something or achieving an
          end. plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes
          graphic representation <plans for a house>. design often
          suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved
          order or harmony <a design for a new dress>. plot implies
          a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention
          to their relations and proportions <the plot of the play>.
          scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may
          apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest
          <a scheme to defraud the government>. project often stresses
          imaginative scope and vision <a project to develop the
          waterfront>. [2]plan vb planned ; plan.ning vt (1728)
          1: to arrange the parts of: design 2: to devise or project
          the realization or achievement of <~ a program> 3: to
          have in mind: intend ~ vi: to make plans -- plan.ner
          n

   planar
          [pla.nar] adj (1850) 1: of, relating to, or lying in a plane
          2: two-dimensional in quality -- pla.nar.i.ty n

   planaria
          [pla.nar.ia] n [NL, fr. fem. of LL planarius lying on a plane,
          fr. L planum plane] (ca. 1909): planarian; esp: any of
          a genus (Planaria) of 2-eyed planarian worms

   planarian
          [pla.nar.i.an] n [NL Planaria] (ca. 1858): any of various
          dark-colored freshwater triclad flatworms (family Planariidae)
          with two eyespots and a triangular head; broadly: triclad

   planation
          [pla.na.tion] n (1877): the condition or process of becoming
          flattened

   planchet
          [plan.chet] n [dim. of planch flat plate, fr. MF planche]
          (1611) 1: a metal disk to be stamped as a coin 2: a small
          metal or plastic disk

   planchette
          [plan.chette] n [F, fr. dim. of planche plank, fr. L planca]
          (1860): a small triangular or heart-shaped board supported
          on casters at two points and a vertical pencil at a third
          and believed to produce automatic writing when lightly
          touched by the fingers; also: a similar board without
          a pencil

   Planck's constant
          [Planck's constant] n [Max K.E.L. Planck] (1910): a constant
          that gives the unvarying ratio of the energy of a quantum
          of radiation to its frequency

   [1]plane
          [plane] vb planed ; plan.ing [ME, fr. MF planer, fr. LL planare,
          fr. L planus level--more at floor] vt (14c) 1 a: to make
          smooth or even: level b: to make smooth or even by use
          of a plane 2: to remove by planing--often used with away
          or off ~ vi 1: to work with a plane 2: to do the work
          of a plane -- plan.er n [2]plane n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L
          platanus, fr. Gk platanos; prob. akin to Gk platys broad--more
          at place] (14c): any of a genus (Platanus of the family
          Platanaceae, the plane-tree family) of trees with large
          palmately lobed leaves and flowers in globose heads--called
          also buttonwood, plane tree, sycamore [3]plane n [ME,
          fr. MF, fr. LL plana, fr. planare] (14c): a tool for
          smoothing or shaping a wood surface [4]plane n [L planum,
          fr. neut. of planus level] (1604) 1 a: a surface of such
          nature that a straight line joining two of its points
          lies wholly in the surface b: a flat or level surface
          2: a level of existence, consciousness, or development
          <on the intellectual ~> 3 a: one of the main supporting
          surfaces of an airplane b [by shortening]: airplane [5]plane
          adj [L planus] (1704) 1: having no elevations or depressions:
          flat 2 a: of, relating to, or dealing with geometric
          planes b: lying in a plane <a ~ curve> syn see level
          [6]plane vi planed ; plan.ing [ME, fr. MF planer, fr.
          plain level, plain] (15c) 1 a: to fly while keeping the
          wings motionless b: to skim across the surface of the
          water 2: to travel by airplane

   plane angle
          [plane angle] n (1570): an angle that for a given dihedral
          angle is formed by two intersecting lines each of which
          lies on a face of the dihedral angle and is perpendicular
          to the edge of the face

   plane geometry
          [plane geometry] n (1747): a branch of elementary geometry
          that deals with plane figures

   planeload
          [plane.load] n (1941): a load that fills an airplane

   plane of polarization
          [plane of polarization] (1831): the plane in which the
          magnetic-vibration component of plane-polarized
          electromagnetic radiation lies

   plane-polarized
          [plane-polarized] adj (ca. 1853): vibrating in a single plane
          <plane-polarized light waves>

   planer tree
          [pla.ner tree] n [J. J. Planer d. 1789 Ger. botanist] (ca.
          1810): a small-leaved No. American tree (Planera aquatica)
          of the elm family with an oval ribbed fruit

   planet
          [plan.et] n [ME planete, fr. OF, fr. LL planeta, modif. of
          Gk planet-, planes, lit., wanderer, fr. planasthai to
          wander--more at floor] (13c) 1 a: any of the seven celestial
          bodies sun, moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and
          Saturn that in ancient belief have motions of their own
          among the fixed stars b (1): any of the large bodies
          that revolve around the sun in the solar system (2):
          a similar body associated with another star c: earth--usu.
          used with the 2: a celestial body held to influence the
          fate of human beings 3: a person or thing of great importance:
          luminary -- plan.et.like adj

   plane table
          [plane table] n (1607): an instrument consisting essentially
          of a drawing board on a tripod with a ruler pointed at
          the object observed and used for plotting the lines of
          a survey directly from observation

   planetarium
          [plan.e.tar.i.um] n, pl -i.ums or -ia (1860) 1: a model or
          representation of the solar system 2 a: an optical device
          for projecting various celestial images and effects b:
          a building or room housing such a projector

   planetary
          [plan.e.tary] adj (1607) 1 a: of, relating to, being, or
          resembling a planet b: erratic, wandering c: having a
          motion like that of a planet <~ electrons> d: immense
          <the scope of this project has reached ~ proportions>
          2 a: of, relating to, or belonging to the earth: terrestrial
          b: global, worldwide 3: having or consisting of an epicyclic
          train of gear wheels

   planetary nebula
          [planetary nebula] n (1785): a usu. compact luminous ring-shaped
          nebula that is composed of matter which has been ejected
          from a hot star at its center

   planetary science
          [planetary science] n (1969): planetology -- planetary scientist
          n

   planetesimal
          [plan.e.tes.i.mal] n [planet + -esimal (as in infinitesimal)]
          (1903): any of numerous small solid celestial bodies
          that may have existed at an early stage of the development
          of the solar system

   planetesimal hypothesis
          [planetesimal hypothesis] n (1904): a hypothesis in astronomy:
          the planets have evolved by aggregation from planetesimals

   planetoid
          [plan.et.oid] n (1803): a small body resembling a planet;
          esp: asteroid -- plan.et.oi.dal adj

   planetology
          [plan.et.ol.o.gy] n, pl -gies (1907): a branch of astronomy
          that deals with the condensed matter of the solar system
          and esp. with the planets and their moons -- plan.et.o.log.i.cal
          adj -- plan.et.ol.o.gist n

   planet-stricken
          [plan.et-strick.en] or plan.et-struck adj (1599) 1 archaic:
          affected by the influence of a planet 2 archaic: panic-stricken

   planet wheel
          [planet wheel] n (1827): a gear wheel that revolves around
          the wheel with which it meshes in an epicyclic train

   planetwide
          [plan.et.wide] adj (1969): extending throughout or involving
          an entire planet

   planform
          [plan.form] n (1908): the contour of an object (as an airplane)
          or mass as viewed from above

   plangency
          [plan.gen.cy] n (1858): the quality or state of being plangent

   plangent
          [plan.gent] adj [L plangent-, plangens, prp. of plangere
          to strike, lament--more at plaint] (1858) 1: having a
          loud reverberating sound 2: having an expressive and
          esp. plaintive quality -- plan.gent.ly adv

   planimeter
          [pla.nim.e.ter] n [F planimetre, fr. L planum plane + F -metre
          -meter] (ca. 1858): an instrument for measuring the area
          of a plane figure by tracing its boundary line

   planimetric
          [pla.ni.met.ric] adj (ca. 1828) 1: of, relating to, or made
          by means of a planimeter <~ measurements> 2 of a map:
          having no indications of relief -- pla.ni.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv

   planish
          [plan.ish] vt [ME planysshen, fr. MF planiss-, stem of planir
          to make smooth, fr. plan level, fr. L planus--more at
          floor] (14c): to smooth, toughen, and finish (metal)
          by hammering lightly -- plan.ish.er n

   planisphere
          [pla.ni.sphere] n [alter. of ME planisperie, fr. ML planisphaerium,
          fr. L planum plane + sphaera sphere] (1571): a representation
          of the circles of the sphere on a plane; esp: a polar projection
          of the celestial sphere and the stars on a plane with adjustable
          circles or other appendages for showing celestial phenomena for any
          given time -- pla.ni.spher.ic adj

   [1]plank
          [plank] n [ME, fr. ONF planke, fr. L planca] (13c) 1 a: a
          heavy thick board; esp: one 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters)
          thick and at least 8 inches (20 centimeters) wide b:
          an object made of a plank or planking c: planking 2 a:
          an article in the platform of a political party b: a
          principal item of a policy or program [2]plank vt (15c)
          1: to cover, build, or floor with planks 2: set down
          1, 2--usu. used with down 3: to cook and serve on a board
          <~ed salmon> <~ed steak>

   planking
          [plank.ing] n (15c) 1: the act or process of covering or
          fitting with planks 2: a quantity of planks

   plankter
          [plank.ter] n [Gk plankter wanderer, fr. plazesthai] (1935):
          a planktonic organism

   plankton
          [plank.ton] n [G, fr. Gk, neut. of planktos drifting, fr.
          plazesthai to wander, drift, middle voice of plazein
          to drive astray; akin to L plangere to strike--more at
          plaint] (1891): the passively floating or weakly swimming
          usu. minute animal and plant life of a body of water
          -- plank.ton.ic adj

   Planned Parenthood
          [Planned Parenthood] service mark--used for research and
          dissemination of information on contraception

   planning
          [plan.ning] n (1748): the act or process of making or carrying
          out plans; specif: the establishment of goals, policies,
          and procedures for a social or economic unit <city ~>
          <business ~>

   plano-
          [plano-] --see plan-

   plano-concave
          [pla.no-con.cave] adj (1693): flat on one side and concave
          on the other

   plano-convex
          [pla.no-con.vex] adj (1665): flat on one side and convex
          on the other

   planography
          [pla.nog.ra.phy] n (ca. 1909): a process (as lithography)
          for printing from a plane surface -- pla.no.graph.ic
          adj

   planosol
          [pla.no.sol] n [plan- + L solum ground, soil] (1938): any
          of an intrazonal group of soils that have a strongly
          leached upper layer over a compacted clay or silt and
          occur on smooth flat uplands

   plan position indicator
          [plan position indicator] n (1932): a radarscope having a
          sweep synchronized with a usu. rotating antenna so that
          the radar return can be used to find range and bearing

   [1]plant
          [plant] vb [ME, fr. OE plantian, fr. LL plantare to plant,
          fix in place, fr. L, to plant, fr. planta plant] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to put or set in the ground for growth <~ seeds>
          b: to set or sow with seeds or plants c: implant 2 a:
          establish, institute b: colonize, settle c: to place
          (animals) in a new locality d: to stock with animals
          3 a: to place in or on the ground b: to place firmly
          or forcibly <~ed a hard blow on his chin> 4 a: conceal
          b: to covertly place for discovery, publication, or dissemination
          ~ vi: to plant something -- plant.able adj [2]plant n
          [ME plante, fr. OE, fr. L planta] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a young
          tree, vine, shrub, or herb planted or suitable for planting
          b: any of a kingdom (Plantae) of living things typically
          lacking locomotive movement or obvious nervous or sensory
          organs and possessing cellulose cell walls 2 a: the land,
          buildings, machinery, apparatus, and fixtures employed
          in carrying on a trade or an industrial business b: a
          factory or workshop for the manufacture of a particular
          product c: the total facilities available for production
          or service d: the buildings and other physical equipment
          of an institution 3: an act of planting 4: something
          or someone planted -- plant.like adj

   Plantagenet
          [Plan.tag.e.net] adj [Plantagenet, nickname of the family
          adopted as surname] (1868): of or relating to a royal
          house ruling England from 1154 to 1485 -- Plantagenet
          n

   [1]plantain
          [plan.tain] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L plantagin-, plantago, fr.
          planta sole of the foot; fr. its broad leaves--more at
          place] (13c): any of a genus (Plantago of the family
          Plantaginaceae, the plantain family) of short-stemmed
          elliptic-leaved herbs with spikes of minute greenish
          flowers [2]plantain n [Sp plantano, platano plane tree,
          banana tree, fr. ML plantanus plane tree, alter. of L
          platanus--more at plane] (1555) 1: a banana plant (Musa
          paradisiaca) 2: the angular greenish starchy fruit of
          the plantain that is a staple food in the tropics when
          cooked

   plantain lily
          [plantain lily] n (1882): any of a genus (Hosta) of perennial
          plants of the lily family with densely growing basal
          leaves and racemose white or violet flowers--called also
          hosta, funkia

   plantar
          [plan.tar] adj [L plantaris, fr. planta sole--more at place]
          (ca. 1706): of or relating to the sole of the foot <~
          wart>

   plantation
          [plan.ta.tion] n (1569) 1: a usu. large group of plants and
          esp. trees under cultivation 2: a settlement in a new
          country or region <Plymouth Plantation> 3 a: a place
          that is planted or under cultivation b: an agricultural
          estate usu. worked by resident labor

   planter
          [plant.er] n (14c) 1: one that cultivates plants: as a (1):
          farmer (2): one who owns or operates a plantation b:
          a planting machine or implement 2: one who settles or
          founds a place and esp. a new colony 3: a container in
          which ornamental plants are grown

   planter's punch
          [planter's punch] n (1924): a punch of rum, lime or lemon
          juice, sugar, water, and sometimes bitters

   plant food
          [plant food] n (1869) 1: food 1b 2: fertilizer

   plant hormone
          [plant hormone] n (1935): an organic substance other than
          a nutrient that in minute amounts modifies a plant physiological
          process; esp: one produced by a plant and active elsewhere
          than at the site of production

   plantigrade
          [plan.ti.grade] adj [F, fr. L planta sole + F -grade] (1831):
          walking on the sole with the heel touching the ground
          <humans are ~> -- plantigrade n

   planting
          [plant.ing] n (1632): an area where plants are grown for
          commercial or decorative purposes; also: the plants cultivated
          in such an area

   plant kingdom
          [plant kingdom] n (1884): a basic group of natural objects
          that includes all living and extinct plants--compare
          animal kingdom, mineral kingdom

   plantlet
          [plant.let] n (1816): a small or young plant

   plant louse
          [plant louse] n (1805): aphid; also: any of various small
          insects (as a jumping plant louse) of similar habits

   plantocracy
          [plan.to.cra.cy] n [planter + -o- + -cracy] (ca. 1846) 1:
          a ruling class made up of planters 2: government by planters

   plantsman
          [plants.man] n (1881): a person skilled with plants: an expert
          gardener or horticulturist

   planula
          [plan.u.la] n, pl -lae [NL, fr. L planus level, flat--more
          at floor] (1870): the very young usu. flattened oval
          or oblong free-swimming ciliated larva of a coelenterate

   plaque
          [plaque] n [F, fr. MF, metal sheet, fr. plaquier to plate,
          fr. MD placken to piece, patch; akin to MD placke piece,
          MHG placke patch] (1848) 1 a: an ornamental brooch; esp:
          the badge of an honorary order b: a flat thin piece (as
          of metal) used for decoration c: a commemorative or identifying
          inscribed tablet 2 a: a localized abnormal patch on a
          body part or surface b: a film of mucus that harbors
          bacteria on a tooth c: an atherosclerotic lesion d: a
          histopathologic lesion of brain tissue that is characteristic
          of Alzheimer's disease and consists of a cluster of degenerating
          nerve endings and dendrites around a core of amyloid
          3: a clear area in a bacterial culture produced by destruction
          of cells by a virus

   [1]plash
          [plash] n [prob. imit.] (1513): splash [2]plash vi (1542):
          to cause a splashing or spattering effect ~ vt: to break
          the surface of (water): splash

   -plasia
          [-plasia] or -plasy n comb form [NL -plasia, fr. Gk plasis
          molding, fr. plassein]: development: formation <hyperplasia>
          <homoplasy>

   plasm-
          [plasm-] or plasmo- comb form [F, fr. NL plasma]: plasma
          <plasmodium> <plasmolysis>

   -plasm
          [-plasm] n comb form [G -plasma, fr. NL plasma]: formative
          or formed material (as of a cell or tissue) <endoplasm>

   plasm
          [plasm] n [LL plasma something molded] (1747): plasma

   plasma
          [plas.ma] n [G, fr. LL, something molded, fr. Gk, fr. plassein
          to mold--more at plaster] (1772) 1: a green faintly translucent
          quartz 2 [NL, fr. LL] a: the fluid part of blood, lymph,
          or milk as distinguished from suspended material b: the
          juice that can be expressed from muscle 3: protoplasm
          4: a collection of charged particles (as in the atmospheres
          of stars or in a metal) containing about equal numbers
          of positive ions and electrons and exhibiting some properties
          of a gas but differing from a gas in being a good conductor
          of electricity and in being affected by a magnetic field
          -- plas.mat.ic adj

   plasma cell
          [plasma cell] n (1888): a lymphocyte that is a mature
          antibody-secreting B cell

   plasmagel
          [plas.ma.gel] n (1923): gelated cytoplasm; esp: the outer
          firm zone of a pseudopodium

   plasmagene
          [plas.ma.gene] n [ISV] (1939): an extranuclear determiner
          of hereditary characteristics with a capacity for replication
          similar to that of a nuclear gene

   plasma jet
          [plasma jet] n (1957): a stream of very hot ionized plasma;
          also: a device for producing such a stream

   plasmalemma
          [plas.ma.lem.ma] n [NL, fr. plasma + Gk lemma husk--more
          at lemma] (1923): plasma membrane

   plasma membrane
          [plasma membrane] n (1900): a semipermeable limiting layer
          of cell protoplasm--called also cell membrane--see cell
          illustration

   plasmapheresis
          [plas.ma.phe.re.sis] n [NL, fr. plasm- + Gk aphairesis taking
          off--more at aphaeresis] (1914): a process for obtaining
          blood plasma without depleting the donor or patient of
          other blood constituents (as red blood cells) by separating
          out the plasma from the whole blood and returning the
          rest to the donor's or patient's circulatory system

   plasmasol
          [plas.ma.sol] n (1923): cytoplasm in the form of a sol esp.
          in a pseudopodium or amoeboid cell

   plasma torch
          [plasma torch] n (1959): a device that heats a gas by electrical
          means to form a plasma for high-temperature operations
          (as melting metal)

   plasmid
          [plas.mid] n [plasma + [2]-id] (1952): an extrachromosomal
          ring of DNA esp. of bacteria that replicates autonomously

   plasmin
          [plas.min] n (ca. 1866): a proteolytic enzyme that dissolves
          the fibrin of blood clots

   plasminogen
          [plas.min.o.gen] n (1945): the precursor of plasmin that
          is found in blood plasma and serum

   plasmodesma
          [plas.mo.des.ma] also plas.mo.desm n, pl -des.ma.ta or -des.mas
          [NL plasmodesma, fr. plasma + Gk desmat-, desma bond,
          fr. dein to bind--more at diadem] (1905): one of the
          cytoplasmic strands that pass through openings in some
          plant cell walls and provide living bridges between cells

   plasmodium
          [plas.mo.di.um] n, pl -dia [NL, fr. plasm- + -odium thing
          resembling, fr. Gk -odes like] (1875) 1 a: a motile multinucleate
          mass of protoplasm resulting from fusion of uninucleate
          amoeboid cells; also: an organism (as a stage of a slime
          mold) that consists of such a structure b: syncytium
          1 2: an individual malaria parasite

   plasmogamy
          [plas.mog.a.my] n [ISV] (1912): fusion of the cytoplasm of
          two or more cells as distinguished from fusion of nuclei

   plasmolysis
          [plas.mol.y.sis] n [NL] (1883): shrinking of the cytoplasm
          away from the wall of a living cell due to outward osmotic
          flow of water -- plas.mo.lyt.ic adj

   plasmolyze
          [plas.mo.lyze] vb -lyzed ; -lyz.ing vt (1888): to subject
          to plasmolysis ~ vi: to undergo plasmolysis

   -plast
          [-plast] n comb form [MF -plaste thing molded, fr. LL -plastus,
          fr. Gk -plastos, fr. plastos molded, fr. plassein]: organized
          particle or granule: cell <chromoplast>

   [1]plaster
          [plas.ter] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. L emplastrum, fr. Gk emplastron,
          fr. emplassein to plaster on, fr. en- + plassein to mold,
          plaster; perh. akin to L planus level, flat--more at
          floor] (bef. 12c) 1: a medicated or protective dressing
          that consists of a film (as of cloth or plastic) spread
          with a usu. medicated substance <adhesive ~>; broadly:
          something applied to heal and soothe 2: a pasty composition
          (as of lime, water, and sand) that hardens on drying
          and is used for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions
          -- plas.tery adj [2]plaster vb plas.tered ; plas.ter.ing
          vt (14c) 1: to overlay or cover with plaster: coat 2:
          to apply a plaster to 3 a: to cover over or conceal as
          if with a coat of plaster b: to apply as a coating or
          incrustation c: to smooth down with a sticky or shiny
          substance <~ed his hair down> 4: to fasten or apply tightly
          to another surface 5: to treat with plaster of paris
          6: to affix to or place on esp. conspicuously or in quantity
          7: to inflict heavy damage or loss on esp. by a concentrated
          or unremitting attack ~ vi: to apply plaster -- plas.ter.er
          n

   plasterboard
          [plas.ter.board] n (1897): a board made of several plies
          of fiberboard, paper, or felt usu. bonded to a hardened
          gypsum plaster core and used esp. as wallboard

   plaster cast
          [plaster cast] n (1825) 1: a sculptor's model in plaster
          of paris 2: a rigid dressing of gauze impregnated with
          plaster of paris

   plastered
          [plas.tered] adj (1902): drunk, intoxicated

   plastering
          [plastering] n (15c) 1: a coating of or as if of plaster
          2: a decisive defeat

   plaster of paris
          [plaster of par.is] often cap 2d P [Paris, France] (15c):
          a white powdery slightly hydrated calcium sulfate made
          by calcining gypsum and used chiefly for casts and molds
          in the form of a quick-setting paste with water

   plaster saint
          [plaster saint] n (1890): a person without human failings

   plasterwork
          [plas.ter.work] n (1600): plastering often ornate in design
          used to finish architectural constructions

   [1]plastic
          [plas.tic] adj [L plasticus of molding, fr. Gk plastikos,
          fr. plassein to mold, form] (1632) 1: formative, creative
          <~ forces in nature> 2 a: capable of being molded or
          modeled <~ clay> b: capable of adapting to varying conditions:
          pliable <ecologically ~ animals> 3: sculptural 4: made
          or consisting of a plastic 5: capable of being deformed
          continuously and permanently in any direction without
          rupture 6: of, relating to, or involving plastic surgery
          7: having a quality suggestive of mass-produced plastic
          goods; esp: artificial 4 <~ smiles> syn plastic, pliable,
          pliant, ductile, malleable, adaptable mean susceptible
          of being modified in form or nature. plastic applies
          to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of
          hardening into the desired fixed form <plastic materials
          allow the sculptor greater freedom>. pliable suggests
          something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated
          <pliable rubber tubing>. pliant may stress flexibility
          and sometimes connote springiness <an athletic shoe with
          a pliant sole>. ductile applies to what can be drawn
          out or extended with ease <ductile metals such as copper>.
          malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into
          shape <the malleable properties of gold enhance its value>.
          adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified
          to suit other conditions, needs, or uses <computer hardware
          that is adaptable>. [2]plastic n (1905) 1: a plastic
          substance; specif: any of numerous organic synthetic
          or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic
          or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and
          that can be made into objects, films, or filaments 2:
          credit cards used for payment -- plas.ticky adj

   -plastic
          [-plastic] adj comb form [Gk -plastikos, fr. plassein] 1:
          developing: forming <thromboplastic> 2: of or relating
          to (something designated by a term ending in -plasm,
          -plast, -plasty, or -plasy) <homoplastic> <neoplastic>

   plastically
          [plas.ti.cal.ly] adv (1835) 1: in a plastic manner 2: with
          respect to plastic qualities

   plastic art
          [plastic art] n (ca. 1907) 1: art (as sculpture or bas-relief)
          characterized by modeling: three-dimensional art 2: visual
          art (as painting, sculpture, or film) esp. as distinguished
          from art that is written (as poetry or music)--often
          used in pl.

   plastic foam
          [plastic foam] n (1943): expanded plastic

   plasticine
          [plas.ti.cine] also plas.ti.cene n [fr. Plasticine, a trademark]
          (1897): a plastic paste used for models and sculptures

   plasticity
          [plas.tic.i.ty] n (ca. 1783) 1: the quality or state of being
          plastic; esp: capacity for being molded or altered 2:
          the ability to retain a shape attained by pressure deformation
          3: the capacity of organisms with the same genotype to
          vary in developmental pattern, in phenotype, or in behavior
          according to varying environmental conditions

   plasticize
          [plas.ti.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing (1919) 1: to make plastic
          2: to treat with a plastic <a plasticized mattress cover>
          -- plas.ti.ci.za.tion n

   plasticizer
          [plas.ti.ciz.er] n (1925): one that plasticizes; specif:
          a chemical added esp. to rubbers and resins to impart
          flexibility, workability, or stretchability

   plastic surgeon
          [plastic surgeon] n (1946): a specialist in plastic surgery

   plastic surgery
          [plastic surgery] n (1842): surgery concerned with the repair,
          restoration, or improvement of lost, injured, defective,
          or misshapen body parts

   plastid
          [plas.tid] n [G, fr. Gk plastos molded] (1885): any of various
          cytoplasmic organelles (as an amyloplast or chloroplast)
          of photosynthetic cells that serve in many cases as centers
          of special metabolic activities -- plas.tid.i.al adj

   plastisol
          [plas.ti.sol] n [plastic + [4]sol] (1946): a substance consisting
          of a mixture of a resin and a plasticizer that can be
          molded, cast, or made into a continuous film by application
          of heat

   plastocyanin
          [plas.to.cy.a.nin] n [Gk plastos + E cyan- + [1]-in] (1961):
          a copper-containing protein that acts as an intermediary
          in photosynthetic electron transport

   plastoquinone
          [plas.to.qui.none] n [Gk plastos + E quinone] (1958): a plant
          substance that is related to vitamin K and plays a role
          in photosynthetic phosphorylation

   plastral
          [plas.tral] adj (1889): of or relating to a plastron

   plastron
          [plas.tron] n [MF, fr. OIt piastrone, aug. of piastra thin
          metal plate--more at piastre] (ca. 1507) 1 a: a metal
          breastplate formerly worn under the hauberk b: a quilted
          pad worn in fencing practice to protect the chest, waist,
          and the side on which the weapon is held 2: the ventral
          part of the shell of a tortoise or turtle consisting
          typically of nine symmetrically placed bones overlaid
          by horny plates 3 a: a trimming like a bib for a woman's
          dress b: dickey 1a 4: a thin film of air held by water-repellent
          hairs of some aquatic insects

   -plasty
          [-plasty] n comb form [F -plastie, fr. LGk -plastia molding,
          fr. Gk -plastes molder, fr. plassein]: plastic surgery
          <osteoplasty>

   -plasy
          [-plasy] --see -plasia

   plat
          [plat] abbreviation plateau, platoon

   [1]plat
          [plat] vt plat.ted ; plat.ting [ME, alter. of plaiten] (14c):
          plait [2]plat n (1535): plait [3]plat n [prob. alter.
          of plot] (15c) 1: a small piece of ground (as a lot or
          quadrat): plot 2: a plan, map, or chart of a piece of
          land with actual or proposed features (as lots); also:
          the land represented [4]plat vt plat.ted ; plat.ting
          (1751): to make a plat of

   platan
          [plat.an] n [ME, fr. L platanus--more at plane] (14c): [2]plane

   plat du jour
          [plat du jour] n, pl plats du jour [F, lit., plate of the
          day] (1906): a dish that is featured by a restaurant
          on a particular day

   [1]plate
          [plate] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. plate, fem. of plat flat, fr.
          (assumed) VL plattus, prob. fr. Gk platys broad, flat--more
          at place] (14c) 1 a: a smooth flat thin piece of material
          b (1): forged, rolled, or cast metal in sheets usu. thicker
          than 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) (2): a very thin layer
          of metal deposited on a surface of base metal by plating
          c: one of the broad metal pieces used in armor; also:
          armor of such plates d (1): a lamina or plaque (as of
          bone or horn) that forms part of an animal body; esp:
          scute (2): the thin under portion of the forequarter
          of beef; esp: the fatty back part--see beef illustration
          e: home plate f: any of the large movable segments into
          which the earth's crust is divided according to the theory
          of plate tectonics 2 [ME; partly fr. OF plate plate,
          piece of silver; partly fr. OSp plata silver, fr. (assumed)
          VL platta metal plate, fr. fem. of plattus flat] a obs:
          a silver coin b: precious metal; esp: silver bullion
          3 [ME, fr. MF plat dish, plate, fr. plat flat] a: domestic
          hollowware made of or plated with gold, silver, or base
          metals b: a shallow usu. circular vessel from which food
          is eaten or served c (1): a quantity to fill a plate:
          plateful (2): a main course served on a plate (3): food
          and service supplied to one person <a dinner at $10 a
          ~> d (1): a prize given to the winner in a contest (2)
          Brit: a horse race in which the contestants compete for
          a prize of fixed value rather than stakes e: a dish or
          pouch passed in taking collections f: a flat glass dish
          used chiefly for culturing microorganisms 4 a: a prepared
          surface from which printing is done b: a sheet of material
          (as glass) coated with a light-sensitive photographic
          emulsion c (1): the usu. flat or grid-formed anode of
          an electron tube at which electrons collect (2): a metallic
          grid with its interstices filled with active material
          that forms one of the structural units of a battery d:
          license plate 5: a horizontal structural member that
          provides bearing and anchorage esp. for the trusses of
          a roof or the rafters 6: the part of a denture that fits
          to the mouth; broadly: denture 7: a full-page illustration
          often on different paper from the text pages 8: a schedule
          of matters to deal with <have a lot on my ~ now> -- plate.ful
          n -- plate.like adj [2]plate vt plat.ed ; plat.ing (14c)
          1: to cover or equip with plate: as a: to provide with
          armor plate b: to cover with an adherent layer mechanically,
          chemically, or electrically; also: to deposit (as a layer)
          on a surface 2: to make a printing surface from or for
          3: to fix or secure with a plate 4: to cause (as a runner)
          to score in baseball

   [1]plateau
          [pla.teau] n, pl plateaus or pla.teaux [F, fr. MF, platter,
          fr. plat flat] (1796) 1 a: a usu. extensive land area
          having a relatively level surface raised sharply above
          adjacent land on at least one side: tableland b: a similar
          undersea feature 2 a: a region of little or no change
          in a graphic representation b: a relatively stable level,
          period, or condition 3: a level of attainment or achievement
          <the 500-point ~> [2]plateau vi (1939): to reach a level,
          period, or condition of stability

   plate glass
          [plate glass] n (ca. 1741): rolled, ground, and polished
          sheet glass

   plateglass
          [plate.glass] adj, often cap (1968): of, relating to, or
          being the British universities founded in the latter
          half of the twentieth century--compare oxbridge, redbrick

   platelet
          [plate.let] n (1895): a minute flattened body (as of ice
          or a mineral); esp: blood platelet

   platemaker
          [plate.mak.er] n (1904): a machine for making printing plates
          and esp. offset printing plates -- plate.mak.ing n

   platen
          [plat.en] n [MF plateine, fr. plate] (1541) 1: a flat plate;
          esp: one that exerts or receives pressure (as in a printing
          press) 2: the roller of a typewriter or printer

   plater
          [plat.er] n (1777) 1: one that plates 2 a: a horse that runs
          chiefly in plate races b: a racehorse that competes in
          the lowest grade of races

   plate rail
          [plate rail] n (1902): a rail or narrow shelf along the upper
          part of a wall for holding plates or ornaments

   plateresque
          [plat.er.esque] adj, often cap [Sp plateresco, fr. platero
          silversmith, fr. plata silver] (ca. 1864): of, relating
          to, or being a 16th century Spanish architectural style
          characterized by elaborate ornamentation suggestive of
          silver plate

   plate tectonics
          [plate tectonics] n pl but sing in constr (1969): a theory
          in geology: the lithosphere of the earth is divided into
          a small number of plates which float on and travel independently
          over the mantle and much of the earth's seismic activity
          occurs at the boundaries of these plates--compare continental
          drift

   platform
          [plat.form] n, often attrib [MF plate-forme diagram, map,
          lit., flat form] (1535) 1: plan, design 2: a declaration
          of the principles on which a group of persons stands;
          esp: a declaration of principles and policies adopted
          by a political party or a candidate 3 a (1): a usu. raised
          horizontal flat surface; esp: a raised flooring (as for
          speakers or performers) (2): a device or structure incorporating
          or providing a platform; esp: such a structure on legs
          used for offshore drilling (as for oil) b: a place or
          opportunity for public discussion 4 a: a usu. thick layer
          (as of cork) between the inner sole and outer sole of
          a shoe b: a shoe having such a sole 5: a vehicle (as
          a satellite or aircraft) used for a particular activity
          or purpose or to carry a usu. specified kind of equipment

   platform balance
          [platform balance] n (1811): a balance having a platform
          on which objects are weighed--called also platform scale

   platform rocker
          [platform rocker] n (1944): a chair that rocks on a stable
          platform

   platform tennis
          [platform tennis] n (1955): a variation of paddle tennis
          that is played on a platform enclosed by a wire fence

   platina
          [pla.ti.na] n [Sp] (1750): platinum

   plating
          [plat.ing] n (1831) 1: the act or process of plating 2 a:
          a coating of metal plates b: a thin coating of metal

   platinize
          [plat.i.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1825): to cover, treat,
          or combine with platinum or a compound of platinum

   platinocyanide
          [plat.i.no.cy.a.nide] n (1845): a fluorescent complex salt
          formed by the union of a compound of platinum and cyanide
          with another cyanide

   platinum
          [plat.i.num] n, often attrib [NL, fr. Sp platina, fr. dim.
          of plata silver--more at plate] (1812) 1: a heavy precious
          grayish white noncorroding ductile malleable metallic
          element that fuses with difficulty and is used esp. in
          chemical ware and apparatus, as a catalyst, and in dental
          and jewelry alloys 2: a moderate gray

   platinum blonde
          [platinum blonde] n (1931) 1: a person whose hair is of a
          pale silvery blonde color 2: the color of the hair of
          a platinum blonde

   platitude
          [plat.i.tude] n [F, fr. plat flat, dull] (1812) 1: the quality
          or state of being dull or insipid 2: a banal, trite,
          or stale remark

   platitudinal
          [plat.i.tu.di.nal] adj (1870): platitudinous

   platitudinarian
          [plat.i.tu.di.nar.i.an] n (1855): one given to the use of
          platitudes

   platitudinize
          [plat.i.tu.di.nize] vi -nized ; -niz.ing [platitudinous]
          (1885): to utter platitudes

   platitudinous
          [plat.i.tu.di.nous] adj [platitude + -inous (as in multitudinous)]
          (1862): having the characteristics of a platitude: full
          of platitudes <~ remarks> -- plat.i.tu.di.nous.ly adv

   platonic
          [pla.ton.ic] adj [L platonicus, fr. Gk platonikos, fr. Platon
          Plato] (1533) 1 cap: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Plato or Platonism 2 a: relating to or based on platonic
          love; also: experiencing or professing platonic love
          b: of, relating to, or being a relationship marked by
          the absence of romance or sex 3: nominal, theoretical
          -- pla.ton.i.cal.ly adv

   platonic love
          [platonic love] n, often cap P (1631) 1: love conceived by
          Plato as ascending from passion for the individual to
          contemplation of the universal and ideal 2: a close relationship
          between two persons in which sexual desire is nonexistent
          or has been suppressed or sublimated

   Platonism
          [Pla.to.nism] n (ca. 1570) 1 a: the philosophy of Plato stressing
          esp. that actual things are copies of transcendent ideas
          and that these ideas are the objects of true knowledge
          apprehended by reminiscence b: neoplatonism 2: platonic
          love -- Pla.to.nist n -- Pla.to.nis.tic adj

   Platonize
          [Pla.to.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vi (1608): to adopt, imitate,
          or conform to Platonic opinions ~ vt: to explain in accordance
          with or adapt to Platonic doctrines; esp: idealize

   [1]platoon
          [pla.toon] n [F peloton small detachment, lit., ball, fr.
          MF pelote little ball--more at pellet] (1637) 1: a subdivision
          of a company-size military unit normally consisting of
          two or more squads or sections 2: a group of persons
          sharing a common characteristic or activity <a ~ of waiters>;
          esp: a group of football players who are trained for
          either offense or defense and are sent into or withdrawn
          from the game as a body [2]platoon vt (1963): to play
          (one player) alternately with another player in the same
          position (as on a baseball team) ~ vi 1: to alternate
          with another player at the same position 2: to use alternate
          players at the same position

   platoon sergeant
          [platoon sergeant] n (1915): a noncommissioned officer in
          the army ranking above a staff sergeant and below a first
          sergeant

   Plattdeutsch
          [Platt.deutsch] n [G, fr. D Platduitsch, lit., Low German,
          fr. plat flat, low + duitsch German] (1834): the Low
          German speech of northern Germany comprising several
          dialects

   platter
          [plat.ter] n [ME plater, fr. AF, fr. MF plat plate] (13c)
          1 a: a large plate used esp. for serving meat b: plate
          3c(2) 2: a phonograph record -- plat.ter.ful n -- on
          a platter : without effort: very easily <can have the
          presidency on a platter --Jonathan Daniels>

   [1]platy
          [platy] adj (1533): resembling a plate; also: consisting
          of plates or flaky layers--used chiefly of soil or mineral
          formations [2]platy n, pl platy or plat.ys or plat.ies
          [NL Platypoecilus, former genus name of the fish] (1931):
          either of two live-bearers (Xiphophorus maculatus and
          X. variatus of the family Poeciliidae) that are popular
          aquarium fishes and are noted for variability and brilliant
          color--called also platyfish

   platyhelminth
          [platy.hel.minth] n [ultim. fr. Gk platys broad, flat + helminth-,
          helmis helminth] (ca. 1890): any of a phylum (Platyhelminthes)
          of soft-bodied usu. much flattened acoelomate worms (as the
          planarians, flukes, and tapeworms)--called also flatworm
          -- platy.hel.min.thic adj

   platypus
          [platy.pus] n, pl platy.pus.es also platy.pi [NL, fr. Gk
          platypous flat-footed, fr. platys broad, flat + pous
          foot--more at place, foot] (1799): a small carnivorous
          aquatic oviparous mammal (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) of
          eastern Australia and Tasmania that has a fleshy bill
          resembling that of a duck, dense fur, webbed feet, and
          a broad flattened tail

   platyrrhine
          [plat.yr.rhine] adj (1857) 1 [NL Platyrrhina, fr. Gk platyrrhin-,
          platyrrhis broad-nosed, fr. platys + rhin-, rhis nose]:
          of, relating to, or being any of a division (Platyrrhina)
          of monkeys all of which are New World monkeys and are
          characterized by a broad nasal septum, usu. 36 teeth,
          and often a prehensile tail 2 [Gk platyrrhin-, platyrrhis]:
          having a short broad nose -- platyrrhine n

   plaudit
          [plau.dit] n [L plaudite applaud, pl. imper. of plaudere
          to applaud] (1624) 1: an act or round of applause 2:
          enthusiastic approval--usu. used in pl. <received the
          ~s of the critics>

   plausibility
          [plau.si.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1649) 1: the quality or state
          of being plausible 2: something plausible

   plausible
          [plau.si.ble] adj [L plausibilis worthy of applause, fr.
          plausus, pp. of plaudere] (1565) 1: superficially fair,
          reasonable, or valuable but often specious <a ~ pretext>
          2: superficially pleasing or persuasive <a swindler ...
          , then a quack, then a smooth, ~ gentleman --R. W. Emerson>
          3: appearing worthy of belief <the argument was both
          powerful and ~> -- plau.si.ble.ness n -- plau.si.bly
          adv

   plausive
          [plau.sive] adj [L plausus, pp.] (1600) 1: manifesting praise
          or approval 2 obs: pleasing 3 archaic: specious

   [1]play
          [play] n [ME, fr. OE plega; akin to OE plegan to play, MD
          pleyen] (bef. 12c) 1 a: swordplay b archaic: game, sport
          c: the conduct, course, or action of a game d: a particular
          act or maneuver in a game: as (1): the action during
          an attempt to advance the ball in football (2): the action
          in which a player is put out in baseball e: the action
          in which cards are played after bidding in a card game
          f: the moving of a piece in a board game (as chess) g:
          one's turn in a game <it's your ~> 2 a obs: sexual intercourse
          b: amorous flirtation: dalliance 3 a: recreational activity;
          esp: the spontaneous activity of children b: absence
          of serious or harmful intent: jest <said it in ~> c:
          the act or an instance of playing on words or speech
          sounds d: gaming, gambling 4 a (1): an act, way, or manner
          of proceeding: maneuver <that was a ~ to get your fingerprints
          --Erle Stanley Gardner> (2): deal, venture b (1): operation,
          activity <other motives surely come into ~ --M. R. Cohen>
          (2): brisk, fitful, or light movement <the gem presented
          a dazzling ~ of colors> (3): free or unimpeded motion
          (as of a part of a machine); also: the length or measure
          of such motion (4): scope or opportunity for action 5:
          emphasis or publicity esp. in the news media <wished
          the country received a better ~ in the American press
          --Hugh MacLennan> 6: a move or series of moves calculated
          to arouse friendly feelings--usu. used with make <made
          a big ~ for the girl --Will Herman> 7 a: the stage representation
          of an action or story b: a dramatic composition: drama
          syn see fun -- in play : in condition or position to
          be legitimately played -- out of play : not in play [2]play
          vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to engage in sport or recreation:
          frolic b: to have sexual relations; esp: to have promiscuous
          or illicit sexual relations--usu. used in the phrase
          play around c (1): to move aimlessly about: trifle (2):
          to toy or fiddle around with something <~ed with her
          food> (3): to deal or behave frivolously or mockingly:
          jest (4): to deal in a light, speculative, or sportive
          manner (5): to make use of double meaning or of the similarity
          of sound of two words for stylistic or humorous effect
          2 a: to take advantage <~ing on fears> b (1): flutter,
          frisk (2): to move or operate in a lively, irregular,
          or intermittent manner c: to move or function freely
          within prescribed limits d: to produce a stream <hoses
          ~ing on a fire> 3 a (1): to perform music <~ on a violin>
          (2): to sound in performance <the organ is ~ing> (3):
          to emit sounds <the radio is ~ing> (4): to reproduce
          recorded sounds <a record is ~ing> b (1): to act in a
          dramatic production (2): show, run <what's ~ing at the
          theater> c: to be suitable for dramatic performance d:
          to act with special consideration so as to gain favor,
          approval, or sympathy <might ~ to popular prejudices
          to serve his political ends --V. L. Parrington>--often
          used in the phrase play up to 4 a: to engage or take
          part in a game b: to perform in a position in a specified
          manner <the outfielders were ~ing deep> c: to perform
          an action during one's turn in a game d: gamble e (1):
          to behave or conduct oneself in a specified way <~ safe>
          (2): to feign a specified state or quality <~ dead> (3):
          to take part in or assent to some activity: cooperate
          <~ along with his scheme> (4): to act so as to prove
          advantageous to another--usu. used in the phrase play
          into the hands of 5: to gain approval: go over <her idea
          did not ~ well> ~ vt 1 a (1): to engage in or occupy
          oneself with <~ baseball> (2): to engage in (an activity)
          as a game (3): to deal with, handle, or manage (4): exploit,
          manipulate b: to pretend to engage in the activities
          of <~ war> <children ~ing house> c (1): to amount to
          by one's efforts <~ed an important role in their success>
          (2): to perform or execute for amusement or to deceive
          or mock <~ a trick> (3): wreak <~ havoc> 2 a (1)n --
          play.able adj -- play ball : cooperate -- play both ends
          against the middle : to set opposing interests against
          each other to one's own ultimate profit -- play by ear
          : to deal with something without previous planning or
          instructions -- play games : to try to hide the truth
          from someone by deceptive means -- play one's cards :
          to act with the means available to one -- play possum
          : to pretend to be asleep or dead -- play second fiddle
          : to take a subordinate position -- play the field :
          to date or have romantic connections with more than one
          person -- play the game : to act according to a code
          or set of standards -- play with fire : to do something
          risky or dangerous -- play with oneself : masturbate

   playa
          [pla.ya] n [Sp, lit., beach, fr. LL plagia--more at plage]
          (1854): the flat-floored bottom of an undrained desert
          basin that becomes at times a shallow lake

   playact
          [play.act] vb [back-formation fr. playacting] vt (1901):
          act out 1a ~ vi 1 a: to take part in theatrical performances
          esp. as a professional b: to make believe 2: to engage
          in theatrical or insincere behavior -- play.act.ing n

   play-action pass
          [play-action pass] n (1964): a pass play in football in which
          the quarterback fakes a handoff before passing the ball--called
          also play-action

   play back
          [play back] vt (1949): to perform a playback of (a usu. recently
          recorded disc or tape)

   playback
          [play.back] n (1929): an act or instance of reproducing recorded
          sound or pictures often immediately after recording

   playbill
          [play.bill] n (1616): a bill advertising a play and usu.
          announcing the cast Playbill trademark--used for a theater
          program

   playbook
          [play.book] n (1535) 1: one or more plays in book form 2:
          a notebook containing diagramed football plays

   playboy
          [play.boy] n (1907): a man who lives a life devoted chiefly
          to the pursuit of pleasure

   play-by-play
          [play-by-play] adj (1931) 1: being or giving a running commentary
          on a sports event 2: relating each event as it occurs
          -- play-by-play n

   play down
          [play down] vt (1930): to attach little importance to: minimize

   played out
          [played out] adj (ca. 1859) 1: worn out or used up 2: tired
          out: spent

   player
          [play.er] n (14c): one that plays: as a: a person who plays
          a game b: musician c: actor d: a device that reproduces
          recorded material (as video images or music) from a usu.
          specified medium e: one actively involved esp. in a competitive
          field or process: participant

   player piano
          [player piano] n (1907): a piano containing a mechanism by
          which it plays automatically

   playfellow
          [play.fel.low] n (1513): playmate

   playfield
          [play.field] n (1883): a playground for outdoor athletics

   playful
          [play.ful] adj (13c) 1: full of play: frolicsome, sportive
          <a ~ kitten> 2: humorous, jocular -- play.ful.ly adv
          -- play.ful.ness n

   playgirl
          [play.girl] n (1938): a woman who lives a life devoted chiefly
          to the pursuit of pleasure

   playgoer
          [play.go.er] n (1822): a person who frequently attends plays

   playground
          [play.ground] n (1794) 1: a piece of land used for and usu.
          equipped with facilities for recreation esp. by children
          2: an area known or suited for activity of a specified
          sort <a vacation ~>

   playhouse
          [play.house] n (bef. 12c) 1: theater 2: a small house for
          children to play in

   playing card
          [playing card] n (1543): one of a set of 24 to 78 thin rectangular
          pieces of paperboard or plastic marked on one side to show its rank
          and suit and used in playing any of numerous games

   playing field
          [playing field] n (ca. 1584) 1: a field for various games;
          esp: the part of a field officially marked off for play
          2: a set of conditions for competition (as in business)--usu.
          used in such phrases as a level playing field

   playland
          [play.land] n (1918): playground

   playlet
          [play.let] n (1884): a short play

   playlist
          [play.list] n (1972): a list of recordings to be played on
          the air by a radio station

   playmaker
          [play.mak.er] n (ca. 1942): a player who leads the offense
          for a team (as in basketball or hockey) -- play.mak.ing
          n or adj

   playmate
          [play.mate] n (1642): a companion in play

   play-off
          [play-off] n (1895) 1: a final contest or series of contests
          to determine the winner between contestants or teams
          that have tied 2: a series of contests played after the
          end of the regular season to determine a championship

   play off
          [play off] vt (1807) 1 a: to set in opposition for one's
          own gain b: to set in contrast 2: to complete the playing
          of (an interrupted contest) 3: to break (a tie) by a
          play-off

   play out
          [play out] vt (1596) 1 a: to perform to the end <play out
          a role> b: use up, finish 2: unreel, unfold <played out
          a length of line --Gordon Webber> ~ vi: to become spent
          or exhausted

   playpen
          [play.pen] n (1931): a portable usu. collapsible enclosure
          in which a baby or young child may play

   playroom
          [play.room] n (1819): rumpus room

   playsuit
          [play.suit] n (1908): a sports and play outfit for women
          or children that consists usu. of a blouse and shorts

   play therapy
          [play therapy] n (1939): psychotherapy in which a child is
          encouraged to reveal feelings and conflicts in play rather
          than by verbalization

   plaything
          [play.thing] n (1675): toy

   playtime
          [play.time] n (1661): a time for play or diversion

   play up
          [play up] vt (1909): emphasize; also: exaggerate, overemphasize

   playwear
          [play.wear] n (1964): informal clothing worn for leisure
          activities

   playwright
          [play.wright] n [[1]play + obs. wright maker--more at wright]
          (1687): a person who writes plays

   playwriting
          [play.writ.ing] also play.wright.ing n (1809): the writing
          of plays

   plaza
          [pla.za] n [Sp, fr. L platea broad street--more at place]
          (1683) 1 a: a public square in a city or town b: an open
          area usu. located near urban buildings and often featuring
          walkways, trees and shrubs, places to sit, and sometimes
          shops 2: a place on a thoroughfare (as a turnpike) at
          which all traffic must temporarily stop (as to pay tolls)
          3: an area adjacent to an expressway which has service
          facilities (as a restaurant, service station, and rest
          rooms) 5: shopping center

   PLC
          [PLC] Brit abbreviation public limited company

   plea
          [plea] n [ME plaid, plai, fr. OF plait, plaid, fr. ML placitum,
          fr. L, decision, decree, fr. neut. of placitus, pp. of
          placere to please, be decided--more at please] (13c)
          1: a legal suit or action 2: an allegation made by a
          party in support of a cause: as a: an allegation of fact--compare
          demurrer b (1): a defendant's answer to a plaintiff's
          declaration in common-law practice (2): an accused person's
          answer to a charge or indictment in criminal practice
          c: a plea of guilty to an indictment 3: something offered
          by way of excuse or justification <left early with the
          ~ of a headache> 4: an earnest entreaty: appeal <their
          ~ for understanding must be answered> syn see apology

   plea bargaining
          [plea bargaining] n (1964): the negotiation of an agreement
          between a prosecutor and a defendant whereby the defendant
          is permitted to plead guilty to a reduced charge -- plea-bargain
          vi -- plea bargain n

   pleach
          [pleach] vt [ME plechen, fr. ONF plechier, fr. (assumed)
          VL plactiare, alter. of plectere to braid--more at ply]
          (14c): interlace, plait

   plead
          [plead] vb plead.ed or pled also plead ; plead.ing [ME plaiden
          to institute a lawsuit, fr. MF plaidier, fr. plaid plea]
          vi (13c) 1: to argue a case or cause in a court of law
          2 a: to make an allegation in an action or other legal
          proceeding; esp: to answer the previous pleading of the
          other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging
          new facts b: to conduct pleadings 3: to make a plea of
          a specified nature <~ not guilty> 4 a: to argue for or
          against a claim b: to entreat or appeal earnestly ~ vt
          1: to maintain (as a case or cause) in a court of law
          or other tribunal 2: to allege in or by way of a legal
          plea 3: to offer as a plea usu. in defense, apology,
          or excuse -- plead.able adj -- plead.er n -- plead.ing.ly
          adv

   pleading
          [pleading] n (14c) 1: advocacy of a cause in a court of law
          2 a: one of the formal usu. written allegations and counter
          allegations made alternately by the parties in a legal
          action or proceeding b: the action or process performed
          by the parties in presenting such formal allegations
          until a single point at issue is produced c: the introduction
          of one of these allegations and esp. the first one d:
          the body of rules according to which these allegations
          are framed 3: the act or an instance of making a plea
          4: a sincere entreaty

   pleasance
          [pleas.ance] n (14c) 1: a feeling of pleasure: delight 2:
          a pleasant rest or recreation place usu. attached to
          a mansion

   pleasant
          [pleas.ant] adj [ME plesaunt, fr. MF plaisant, fr. prp. of
          plaisir] (14c) 1: having qualities that tend to give
          pleasure: agreeable <a ~ day> 2: having or characterized
          by pleasing manners, behavior, or appearance -- pleas.ant.ly
          adv -- pleas.ant.ness n

   pleasantry
          [pleas.ant.ry] n, pl -ries (1655) 1: an agreeable playfulness
          in conversation: banter 2: a humorous act or remark:
          jest 3: a polite social remark <exchanged pleasantries>

   [1]please
          [please] vb pleased ; pleas.ing [ME plesen, fr. MF plaisir,
          fr. L placere; akin to L placare to placate and perh.
          to Gk plak-, plax flat surface--more at fluke] vi (14c)
          1: to afford or give pleasure or satisfaction 2: like,
          wish <do as you ~> 3 archaic: to have the kindness <will
          you ~ to enter the carriage --Charles Dickens> ~ vt 1:
          to give pleasure to: gratify 2: to be the will or pleasure
          of <may it ~ your Majesty> -- pleas.er n [2]please adv
          (1667) 1--used as a function word to express politeness
          or emphasis in a request <~ come in> 2--used as a function
          word to express polite affirmation <have some tea? Please>

   pleasing
          [pleas.ing] adj (14c): giving pleasure: agreeable <the sun's
          ~ warmth> -- pleas.ing.ly adv -- pleas.ing.ness n

   pleasurable
          [plea.sur.able] adj (1579): pleasant, gratifying --
          plea.sur.abil.i.ty n -- plea.sur.able.ness n -- plea.sur.ably adv

   [1]pleasure
          [plea.sure] n [ME plesure, alter. of plesir, fr. MF plaisir,
          fr. plaisir to please] (14c) 1: desire, inclination <wait
          upon his ~ --Shak.> 2: a state of gratification 3 a:
          sensual gratification b: frivolous amusement 4: a source
          of delight or joy [2]pleasure vb plea.sured ; plea.sur.ing
          vt (1537) 1: to give pleasure to: gratify 2: to give
          sexual pleasure to ~ vi 1: to take pleasure: delight
          2: to seek pleasure

   pleasure dome
          [pleasure dome] n (1797): a place of pleasurable entertainment
          or recreation: resort

   pleasureless
          [plea.sure.less] adj (1814): giving no pleasure

   pleasure principle
          [pleasure principle] n (1912): a tendency for individual
          behavior to be directed toward immediate satisfaction
          of instinctual drives and immediate relief from pain
          or discomfort

   [1]pleat
          [pleat] vt [ME pleten, fr. pleit, plete plait] (14c) 1: fold;
          esp: to arrange in pleats <~ a skirt> 2: plait 2 -- pleat.er
          n [2]pleat n [ME plete] (15c): a fold in cloth made by
          doubling material over on itself; also: something resembling
          such a fold -- pleat.less adj

   pleb
          [pleb] n (1865): plebeian

   plebe
          [plebe] n [obs. plebe common people, fr. F plebe, fr. L plebs]
          (1833): a freshman at a military or naval academy

   [1]plebeian
          [ple.be.ian] n [L plebeius of the common people, fr. plebs
          common people] (1533) 1: a member of the Roman plebs
          2: one of the common people -- ple.be.ian.ism n [2]plebeian
          adj (1566) 1: of or relating to plebeians 2: crude or
          coarse in manner or style: common -- ple.be.ian.ly adv

   plebiscite
          [pleb.i.scite] n [L plebis scitum law voted by the comitia,
          lit., decree of the common people] (1860): a vote by
          which the people of an entire country or district express
          an opinion for or against a proposal esp. on a choice
          of government or ruler -- ple.bi.sci.ta.ry adj

   plebs
          [plebs] n, pl ple.bes [L] (1647) 1: the general populace
          2: the common people of ancient Rome

   plecopteran
          [ple.cop.ter.an] n [NL Plecoptera, group name, fr. Gk plekein
          to braid + pteron wing--more at ply, feather] (ca. 1890):
          stone fly -- plecopteran adj

   plectrum
          [plec.trum] n, pl plec.tra or plectrums [L, fr. Gk plektron,
          fr. plessein to strike--more at plaint] (1626): [3]pick
          2c

   [1]pledge
          [pledge] n [ME, security, fr. MF plege, fr. LL plebium, fr.
          (assumed) LL plebere to pledge, prob. of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG pflegan to take care of--more at plight]
          (14c) 1 a: a bailment of a chattel as security for a
          debt or other obligation without involving transfer of
          title b: the chattel so delivered c: the contract incidental
          to such a bailment 2 a: the state of being held as a
          security or guaranty b: something given as security for
          the performance of an act 3: a token, sign, or earnest
          of something else 4: a gage of battle 5: toast 3 6 a:
          a binding promise or agreement to do or forbear b (1):
          a promise to join a fraternity, sorority, or secret society
          (2): a person who has so promised [2]pledge vt pledged
          ; pledg.ing (15c) 1: to make a pledge of; esp: pawn 2:
          to drink to the health of 3: to bind by a pledge 4: to
          promise the performance of by a pledge -- pledg.er or
          pled.gor n

   pledgee
          [pledg.ee] n (1766): one to whom a pledge is given

   pledget
          [pled.get] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1540): a compress or pad
          used to apply medication to or absorb discharges (as
          from a wound)

   -plegia
          [-plegia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk -plegia, fr. plessein to
          strike--more at plaint]: paralysis <diplegia>

   pleiad
          [ple.iad] n [F Pleiade, group of seven 16th cent. Fr. poets,
          fr. MF, group of seven tragic poets of ancient Alexandria,
          fr. Gk Pleiad-, Pleias, fr. sing. of Pleiades] (ca. 1839):
          a group of usu. seven illustrious or brilliant persons
          or things Pleiad n: any of the Pleiades

   Pleiades
          [Ple.ia.des] n pl [L, fr. Gk] 1: the seven daughters of Atlas
          turned into a group of stars in Greek mythology 2: a
          conspicuous cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus
          that includes six stars in the form of a very small dipper

   plein air
          [plein air] adj [F, open air] (1894) 1: of or relating to
          painting in outdoor daylight 2: of or relating to a branch
          of impressionism that attempts to represent outdoor light
          and air -- plein.air.ism n -- plein.air.ist n

   pleio-
          [pleio-] or pleo- or plio- comb form [Gk pleion, pleon--more
          at plus]: more <pleiotropic> <pleomorphic> <Pliocene>

   pleiotropic
          [pleio.tro.pic] adj (1938): producing more than one genic
          effect; specif: having multiple phenotypic expressions
          <a ~ gene> -- plei.ot.ro.py n

   Pleistocene
          [Pleis.to.cene] adj [Gk pleistos most + ISV -cene; akin to
          Gk pleion more] (1839): of, relating to, or being the
          earlier epoch of the Quaternary or the corresponding
          system of rocks--see geologic time table -- Pleistocene
          n

   plenary
          [ple.na.ry] adj [ME, fr. LL plenarius, fr. L plenus full--more
          at full] (15c) 1: complete in every respect: absolute,
          unqualified <~ power> 2: fully attended or constituted
          by all entitled to be present <a ~ session> syn see full

   plenary indulgence
          [plenary indulgence] n (1675): a remission of the entire
          temporal punishment for sin

   plenipotent
          [ple.nip.o.tent] adj [LL plenipotent-, plenipotens, fr. L
          plenus + potent-, potens powerful--more at potent] (1658):
          plenipotentiary

   [1]plenipotentiary
          [plen.i.po.ten.tia.ry] adj [ML plenipotentiarius, adj. &
          n., fr. LL plenipotent-, plenipotens] (ca. 1645) 1: invested
          with full power 2: of or relating to a plenipotentiary
          [2]plenipotentiary n, pl -ries (ca. 1656): a person and
          esp. a diplomatic agent invested with full power to transact
          business

   plenish
          [plen.ish] vt [ME (Sc) plenyssen to fill up, fr. MF pleniss-,
          stem of plenir, fr. plen full, fr. L plenus] (1513) chiefly
          Brit: equip

   plenitude
          [plen.i.tude] n [ME plenitude, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L plenitudo,
          fr. plenus] (15c) 1: the quality or state of being full:
          completeness 2: a great sufficiency: abundance

   plenitudinous
          [plen.i.tu.di.nous] adj [L plenitudin-, plenitudo] (1895):
          characterized by plenitude

   pleno jure
          [ple.no ju.re] [L] foreign term : with full right

   plenteous
          [plen.te.ous] adj [ME plentevous, plenteous, fr. MF plentiveus,
          fr. plentif abundant, fr. plente plenty] (14c) 1: fruitful,
          productive <a ~ harvest --J. G. Frazer>--usu. used with
          in or of <the seasons had been ~ in corn --George Eliot>
          2: constituting or existing in plenty <~ grace with thee
          is found --Charles Wesley> -- plen.te.ous.ly adv --
          plen.te.ous.ness n

   plentiful
          [plen.ti.ful] adj (15c) 1: containing or yielding plenty
          <a ~ land> 2: characterized by, constituting, or existing
          in plenty -- plen.ti.ful.ly adv -- plen.ti.ful.ness n
          syn plentiful, ample, abundant, copious mean more than
          sufficient without being excessive. plentiful implies
          a great or rich supply <peaches are plentiful this summer>.
          ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular
          requirement <ample food to last the winter>. abundant
          suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful
          <streams abundant with fish>. copious stresses largeness
          of supply rather than fullness or richness <copious examples
          of bureaucratic waste>.

   plentitude
          [plen.ti.tude] n [by alter. (influenced by plenty)] (1615):
          plenitude

   [1]plenty
          [plen.ty] n [ME plente, fr. OF plente, fr. LL plenitat-,
          plenitas, fr. L, fullness, fr. plenus full--more at full]
          (13c) 1 a: a full or more than adequate amount or supply
          <had ~ of time to finish the job> b: a large number or
          amount <in ~ of trouble> 2: the quality or state of being
          copious: plentifulness [2]plenty adj (14c) 1: plentiful
          in amount, number, or supply <if reasons were as ~ as
          blackberries --Shak.> 2: ample <~ work to be done --Time>
          usage Many commentators object to use of sense 2 in writing;
          it appears to be limited chiefly to spoken English. Sense
          1 is literary but is no longer in common use. [3]plenty
          adv (1842): more than sufficiently: to a considerable
          degree <the nights were ~ cold --F. B. Gipson> usage
          Many handbooks advise avoiding the adverb plenty in writing;
          "use very, quite, or a more precise word," they advise.
          Actually plenty is often a more precise word than its
          recommended replacements; very, fully, or quite will
          not work as well in these typical quotations <it's already
          plenty hot for us in the kitchen without some dolt opening
          the oven --C. H. Bridges> <may not be rising quite as
          rapidly as other health costs, but it is going up plenty
          fast --Changing Times>. It is not used in more formal
          writing.

   plenum
          [ple.num] n, pl -nums or -na [NL, fr. L, neut. of plenus]
          (1678) 1 a: a space or all space every part of which
          is full of matter b (1): a condition in which the pressure
          of the air in an enclosed space is greater than that
          of the outside atmosphere (2): an enclosed space in which
          such a condition exists 2: a general assembly of all
          members esp. of a legislative body 3: the quality or
          state of being full

   pleochroism
          [ple.och.ro.ism] n [ISV pleochroic, fr. pleio- + Gk chros
          skin, color] (1857): the property of a crystal of showing
          different colors when viewed by light that vibrates parallel
          to different axes -- pleo.chro.ic adj

   pleomorphic
          [pleo.mor.phic] adj (1886): able to assume different forms:
          polymorphic <~ bacteria> <a ~ sarcoma> -- pleo.mor.phism
          n

   pleonasm
          [ple.o.nasm] n [LL pleonasmus, fr. Gk pleonasmos, fr. pleonazein
          to be excessive, fr. pleion, pleon more--more at plus]
          (1610) 1: the use of more words than those necessary
          to denote mere sense (as in the man he said): redundancy
          2: an instance or example of pleonasm -- ple.o.nas.tic
          adj -- ple.o.nas.ti.cal.ly adv

   pleopod
          [ple.o.pod] n [Gk plein to sail + E -o- + -pod; fr. its use
          in swimming--more at flow] (ca. 1890): an abdominal limb
          of a crustacean

   plerocercoid
          [ple.ro.cer.coid] n [Gk pleres full + kerkos tail--more at
          full] (1906): the solid elongate infective larva of some
          tapeworms usu. occurring in the muscles of fishes

   plesiosaur
          [ple.si.o.saur] n [ultim. fr. Gk plesios close (akin to Gk
          pelas near) + sauros lizard] (1839): any of a suborder
          (Plesiosauria) of Mesozoic marine reptiles with dorsoventrally
          flattened bodies and limbs modified into paddles

   plethora
          [pleth.o.ra] n [ML, fr. Gk plethora, lit., fullness, fr.
          plethein to be full--more at full] (1541) 1: a bodily
          condition characterized by an excess of blood and marked
          by turgescence and a florid complexion 2: excess, superfluity;
          also: profusion, abundance -- ple.tho.ric adj

   plethysmogram
          [ple.thys.mo.gram] n (1894): a tracing made by a plethysmograph

   plethysmograph
          [ple.thys.mo.graph] n [ISV, fr. Gk plethysmos increase, fr.
          plethynein to increase, fr. plethys mass, quantity, fr.
          plethein] (1872): an instrument for determining and registering
          variations in the size of an organ or limb resulting
          from changes in the amount of blood present or passing
          through it -- ple.thys.mo.graph.ic adj --
          ple.thys.mo.graph.i.cal.ly adv -- pleth.ys.mog.ra.phy n

   pleura
          [pleu.ra] n, pl pleu.rae or pleuras [ME, fr. ML, fr. Gk,
          rib, side] (15c): the delicate serous membrane that lines
          each half of the thorax of mammals and is folded back
          over the surface of the lung of the same side -- pleu.ral
          adj

   pleurisy
          [pleu.ri.sy] n [ME pluresie, fr. MF pleuresie, fr. LL pleurisis,
          alter. of L pleuritis, fr. Gk, fr. pleura side] (14c):
          inflammation of the pleura usu. with fever, painful and
          difficult respiration, cough, and exudation of fluid
          or fibrinous material into the pleural cavity -- pleu.rit.ic
          adj

   pleuropneumonia
          [pleu.ro.pneu.mo.nia] n [NL] (1725) 1: combined inflammation
          of the pleura and lungs 2: an acute febrile and often
          fatal respiratory disorder of cattle, goats, sheep, and
          related animals caused by a mycoplasma (Mycoplasma mycoides)

   pleuropneumonia-like organism
          [pleuropneumonia-like organism] n (1935): mycoplasma

   pleuston
          [pleus.ton] n [ISV pleus- (irreg. fr. Gk plein to sail, float)
          + -on (as in plankton)] (1943): organisms living in the
          thin surface layer existing at the air-water interface
          of a body of fresh water -- pleus.ton.ic adj

   -plex
          [-plex] n comb form [partly fr. L -plex (as in duplex); partly
          fr. complex] 1: a figure of a given power <googolplex>
          2: a building divided into an often specified number
          of spaces (as apartments or movie theaters) <fourplex>
          <multiplex>

   plexiform
          [plex.i.form] adj [NL plexus + E -iform] (ca. 1828): of,
          relating to, or having the form or characteristics of
          a plexus

   Plexiglas
          [Plex.i.glas] trademark--used for acrylic plastic sheets
          and molding powders

   plexus
          [plex.us] n, pl plex.us.es [NL, fr. L plectere to braid--more
          at ply] (1682) 1: a network of anastomosing or interlacing
          blood vessels or nerves 2: an interwoven combination
          of parts or elements in a structure or system

   plf
          [plf] abbreviation plaintiff

   pliable
          [pli.able] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. plier to bend, fold--more
          at ply] (14c) 1 a: supple enough to bend freely or repeatedly
          without breaking b: yielding readily to others: complaisant
          2: adjustable to varying conditions syn see plastic --
          pli.abil.i.ty n -- pli.able.ness n -- pli.ably adv

   pliancy
          [pli.an.cy] n (1699): the quality or state of being pliant

   pliant
          [pli.ant] adj (14c) 1: pliable 1a 2: easily influenced: yielding
          3: suitable for varied uses syn see plastic -- pli.ant.ly
          adv -- pli.ant.ness n

   plica
          [pli.ca] n, pl pli.cae [ML, fr. L plicare to fold--more at
          ply] (ca. 1706): a fold or folded part; esp: a groove
          or fold of skin

   plicate
          [pli.cate] adj [L plicatus, pp. of plicare] (1760) 1: folded
          lengthwise like a fan <a ~ leaf> 2: having the surface
          thrown up into or marked with parallel ridges <~ wing
          cases>

   plication
          [pli.ca.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or process of folding: the
          state of being folded 2: fold

   plie
          [plie] n [F, fr. pp. of plier to bend] (1892): a bending
          of the knees outward by a ballet dancer with the back
          held straight

   pliers
          [pli.ers] n pl but sing or pl in constr [[2]ply] (ca. 1569):
          a small pincers for holding small objects or for bending
          and cutting wire

   [1]plight
          [plight] vt [ME, fr. OE plihtan to endanger, fr. pliht danger;
          akin to OE pleon to expose to danger, OHG pflegan to
          take care of] (13c): to put or give in pledge: engage
          <~ one's troth> -- plight.er n [2]plight n (13c): a solemnly
          given pledge: engagement [3]plight n [ME plit condition,
          fr. AF, fr. (assumed) VL plicitum fold--more at plait]
          (13c): an unfortunate, difficult, or precarious situation

   plimsoll
          [plim.soll] n [prob. fr. the supposed resemblance of the
          upper edge of the shoe's mudguard to the Plimsoll mark
          on a ship] (1907) Brit: sneaker 2

   Plimsoll mark
          [Plimsoll mark] n [Samuel Plimsoll d. 1898 Eng. shipping
          reformer] (1884): a load line or a set of load-line markings
          on an oceangoing cargo ship--called also Plimsoll line

   [1]plink
          [plink] vb [imit.] vi (1941) 1: to make a tinkling sound
          2: to shoot at random targets in an informal and noncompetitive
          manner ~ vt 1: to cause to make a tinkling sound 2: to
          shoot at esp. in a casual manner -- plink.er n [2]plink
          n (1954): a tinkling metallic sound

   plinth
          [plinth] n [L plinthus, fr. Gk plinthos] (1601) 1 a: the
          lowest member of a base: subbase b: a block upon which
          the moldings of an architrave or trim are stopped at
          the bottom 2: a usu. square block serving as a base;
          broadly: any of various bases or lower parts--see base
          illustration 3: a course of stones forming a continuous
          foundation or base course

   plio-
          [plio-] --see pleio-

   Pliocene
          [Pli.o.cene] adj (1831): of, relating to, or being the latest
          epoch of the Tertiary or the corresponding system of
          rocks--see geologic time table -- Pliocene n

   Pliofilm
          [Plio.film] trademark--used for a glossy membrane made of
          rubber hydrochloride and used esp. for packaging

   plique-a-jour
          [plique-a-jour] n [F, lit., braid letting in daylight] (1878):
          a style of enameling in which usu. transparent enamels
          are fused into the openings of a metal filigree to produce
          an effect suggestive of stained glass

   pliskie
          [plis.kie] or plis.ky n, pl pliskies [origin unknown] (1706)
          chiefly Scot: practical joke, trick

   plisse
          [plis.se] n [F plisse, fr. pp. of plisser to pleat, fr. MF,
          fr. pli fold, fr. plier to fold--more at ply] (1873)
          1: a textile finish of permanently puckered designs formed
          by treating with a sodium hydroxide solution 2: a fabric
          with a plisse finish

   PLO
          [PLO] abbreviation Palestine Liberation Organization

   plod
          [plod] vb plod.ded ; plod.ding [origin unknown] vi (1562)
          1: to work laboriously and monotonously: drudge 2 a:
          to walk heavily or slowly: trudge b: to proceed slowly
          or tediously <the movie just ~s along> ~ vt: to tread
          slowly or heavily along or over -- plod n -- plod.der
          n -- plod.ding.ly adv

   -ploid
          [-ploid] adj comb form [ISV, fr. diploid & haploid]: having
          or being a chromosome number that bears (such) a relationship
          to or is (so many) times the basic chromosome number
          of a given group <polyploid>

   ploidy
          [ploi.dy] n [fr. such words as diploidy, hexaploidy] (1939):
          degree of repetition of the basic number of chromosomes

   [1]plonk
          [plonk] var of plunk [2]plonk n [short for earlier plink-plonk,
          perh. modif. of F vin blanc white wine] (1930) chiefly
          Brit: cheap or inferior wine

   plop
          [plop] vb plopped ; plop.ping [imit.] vi (1821) 1: to fall,
          drop, or move suddenly with a sound like that of something
          dropping into water 2: to allow the body to drop heavily
          <plopped into a chair> ~ vt: to set, drop, or throw heavily
          -- plop n

   plosion
          [plo.sion] n (1899): explosion 3

   plosive
          [plo.sive] n [short for explosive] (1899): stop 9 -- plosive
          adj

   [1]plot
          [plot] n [ME, fr. OE] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a small area of planted
          ground <a vegetable ~> b: a small piece of land in a
          cemetery c: a measured piece of land: lot 2: ground plan,
          plat 3: the plan or main story of a literary work 4:
          a secret plan for accomplishing a usu. evil or unlawful
          end: intrigue 5: a graphic representation (as a chart)
          -- plot.less adj -- plot.less.ness n syn plot, intrigue,
          machination, conspiracy, cabal mean a plan secretly devised
          to accomplish an evil or treacherous end. plot implies
          careful foresight in planning a complex scheme <an assassination
          plot>. intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering
          in an atmosphere of duplicity <backstairs intrigue>.
          machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries,
          or evils by indirect means <the machinations of a party
          boss>. conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several
          people usu. involving treason or great treachery <a conspiracy
          to fix prices>. cabal typically applies to political
          intrigue involving persons of some eminence <a cabal
          among powerful senators>. syn see in addition plan [2]plot
          vb plot.ted ; plot.ting vt (1588) 1 a: to make a plot,
          map, or plan of b: to mark or note on or as if on a map
          or chart 2: to lay out in plots 3 a: to locate (a point)
          by means of coordinates b: to locate (a curve) by plotted
          points c: to represent (an equation) by means of a curve
          so constructed 4: to plan or contrive esp. secretly 5:
          to invent or devise the plot of (a literary work) ~ vi
          1: to form a plot: scheme 2: to be located by means of
          coordinates <the data ~ at a single point>

   Plotinism
          [Plo.ti.nism] n (ca. 1890): the Neoplatonic ideas of the
          philosopher Plotinus -- Plo.ti.nist n

   plotline
          [plot.line] n (1952): plot 3

   plottage
          [plot.tage] n (1936): the area included in a plot of land

   plotter
          [plot.ter] n (1588): one that plots: as a: a person who schemes
          or conspires b: a contriver of a literary plot c: a device
          for plotting; specif: an instrument that graphs computer
          output

   plotty
          [plot.ty] adj plot.ti.er ; -est (1897): marked by intricacy
          of plot or intrigue

   ploughman's lunch
          [plough.man's lunch] n (1970): a cold lunch served esp. in
          an English pub typically including bread, cheese, and
          pickled onions

   plover
          [plo.ver] n, pl plover or plovers [ME, fr. MF, fr. (assumed)
          VL pluviarius, fr. L pluvia rain--more at pluvial] (14c)
          1: any of a family (Charadriidae) of shore-inhabiting
          birds that differ from the sandpipers in having a short
          hard-tipped bill and usu. a stouter more compact build
          2: any of various birds (as a turnstone or sandpiper)
          related to the plovers

   [1]plow
          [plow] or plough n [ME, fr. OE ploh hide of land; akin to
          OHG pfluog plow] (12c) 1: an implement used to cut, lift,
          and turn over soil esp. in preparing a seedbed 2: any
          of various devices (as a snowplow) operating like a plow
          [2]plow or plough vt (15c) 1 a: to turn, break up, or
          work with a plow b: to make (as a furrow) with a plow
          2: to cut into, open, or make furrows or ridges in with
          or as if with a plow 3: to cleave the surface of or move
          through (water) <whales ~ing the ocean> 4: to clear away
          snow from with a snowplow <~ the street> ~ vi 1 a: to
          use a plow b: to bear or admit of plowing 2 a: to move
          in a way resembling that of a plow <the car ~ed into
          a fence> b: to proceed steadily and laboriously <had
          to ~ through a stack of letters> -- plow.able adj --
          plow.er n

   plow back
          [plow back] vt (1930): to reinvest (profits) in a business
          -- plow.back n

   plowboy
          [plow.boy] n (1596) 1: a boy who leads the team drawing a
          plow 2: a country youth

   plowman
          [plow.man] n (13c) 1: a man who guides a plow 2: a farm laborer

   plowshare
          [plow.share] n [ME ploughshare, fr. plough plow + schare
          plowshare--more at share] (14c): a part of a plow that
          cuts the furrow

   plow under
          [plow under] vt (1900): to cause to disappear: bury, overwhelm

   ploy
          [ploy] n [prob. fr. employ] (1722) 1: escapade, frolic 2
          a: a tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent
          b: a devised or contrived move: stratagem <a ~ to get
          her to open the door --Robert B. Parker>

   pls
          [pls] abbreviation please

   PLSS
          [PLSS] abbreviation portable life-support system

   [1]pluck
          [pluck] vb [ME, fr. OE pluccian; akin to MHG pflucken to
          pluck] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to pull or pick off or out 2
          a: to remove something (as hairs) from by or as if by
          plucking <~ one's eyebrows> b: rob, fleece 3: to move,
          remove, or separate forcibly or abruptly <~ed the child
          from the middle of the street> 4 a: to pick, pull, or
          grasp at b: to play by sounding the strings with the
          fingers or a pick ~ vi: to make a sharp pull or twitch
          -- pluck.er n [2]pluck n (15c) 1: an act or instance
          of plucking or pulling 2: the heart, liver, lungs, and
          windpipe of a slaughtered animal esp. as an item of food
          3: courageous readiness to fight or continue against
          odds: dogged resolution

   plucky
          [plucky] adj pluck.i.er ; -est (1842): spirited, brave --
          pluck.i.ly adv -- pluck.i.ness n

   [1]plug
          [plug] n [D, fr. MD plugge; akin to MHG pfloc plug] (1627)
          1 a: a piece used to fill a hole: stopper b: an obtruding
          or obstructing mass of material resembling a stopper
          2: a flat compressed cake of tobacco 3: a small core
          or segment removed from a larger object 4: something
          inferior; esp: an inferior often aged or unsound horse;
          also: a quiet steady cold-blooded horse usu. of light
          or moderate weight 5 a: hydrant, fireplug b: spark plug
          6: an artificial angling lure used primarily for casting
          and made with one or more sets of gang hooks 7: any of
          various devices resembling or functioning like a plug:
          as a: a male fitting for making an electrical connection
          to a live circuit by insertion in a receptacle (as an
          outlet) b: a device for connecting electric wires to
          a jack 8: a piece of favorable publicity or a favorable
          mention usu. incorporated in general matter [2]plug vb
          plugged ; plug.ging vt (1630) 1: to stop, make tight,
          or secure by inserting a plug 2: to hit with a bullet:
          shoot 3: to advertise or publicize insistently ~ vi 1:
          to become plugged--usu. used with up 2: to work doggedly
          and persistently <plugged away at her homework> 3: to
          fire shots -- plug.ger n -- plug into : to connect or
          become connected to by or as if by means of a plug <the
          city was plugged into the new highway system>

   plugged
          [plugged] adj (1694) 1 of a coin: altered by the insertion
          of a plug of base metal 2: closed by or as if by a plug:
          obstructed

   plug hat
          [plug hat] n (1863): a man's stiff hat (as a bowler or top
          hat)

   plug-in
          [plug-in] adj (1922): designed to be connected to an electric
          circuit by plugging in <a ~ toy> -- plug-in n

   plug in
          [plug in] vi (1903): to establish an electric circuit by
          inserting a plug ~ vt: to attach or connect to a service
          outlet

   plugola
          [plug.o.la] n [plug + -ola (as in payola)] (1959): incidental
          advertising on radio or television that is not purchased
          like regular advertising

   plug-ugly
          [plug-ug.ly] n (1856): thug, tough; esp: one hired to intimidate

   plum
          [plum] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE plume, modif. of L prunum
          plum, fr. Gk proumnon] (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of numerous
          trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) with globular to oval
          smooth-skinned fruits that are drupes with oblong seeds
          b: the edible fruit of a plum 2: any of various trees
          with edible fruits resembling plums; also: the fruit
          3 a: a raisin when used in desserts b: sugarplum 4: something
          superior or very desirable; esp: something desirable
          given in return for a favor 5: a dark reddish purple
          -- plum.like adj

   plumage
          [plum.age] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. plume feather--more
          at plume] (14c): the feathers of a bird -- plum.aged
          adj

   [1]plumb
          [plumb] n [ME, fr. (assumed) OF plomb lead, fr. L plumbum]
          (14c): a lead weight attached to a line and used to indicate
          a vertical direction -- out of plumb or off plumb : out
          of vertical or true [2]plumb adv (15c) 1: straight down
          or up: vertically 2 chiefly dial: to a complete degree:
          absolutely <'you're ~ crazy', she remarked, with easy
          candor --Harper's Weekly> 3: in a direct manner: exactly;
          also: without interval of time: immediately [3]plumb
          vt (15c) 1: to weight with lead 2 a: to measure the depth
          of with a plumb b: to examine minutely and critically
          <~ing the book's complexities> 3: to adjust or test by
          a plumb line 4: to seal with lead 5 [back-formation fr.
          plumber]: to supply with or install as plumbing ~ vi:
          to work as a plumber [4]plumb adj (15c) 1: exactly vertical
          or true 2: thorough, complete syn see vertical

   plumbago
          [plum.ba.go] n, pl -gos [L plumbagin-, plumbago galena, fr.
          plumbum] (1747) 1 [NL, fr. L]: any of a genus (Plumbago
          of the family Plumbaginaceae, the plumbago family) of
          woody chiefly tropical plants with alternate leaves and
          spikes of showy flowers 2: graphite 1

   plumb bob
          [plumb bob] n (ca. 1840): the metal bob of a plumb line

   plumber
          [plumb.er] n [ME, fr. MF plommier, plombier, fr. L plumbarius,
          fr. plumbum] (15c) 1: a dealer or worker in lead 2: one
          who installs, repairs, and maintains piping, fittings,
          and fixtures involved in the distribution and use of
          water in a building

   plumber's helper
          [plumber's helper] n (1952): plunger d--called also plumber's
          friend

   plumber's snake
          [plumber's snake] n (1938): a long flexible rod or cable
          usu. of steel that is used to free clogged pipes

   plumbing
          [plumb.ing] n (1666) 1: the act of using a plumb 2: a plumber's
          occupation or trade 3 a: the apparatus (as pipes and
          fixtures) concerned in the distribution and use of water
          in a building b: an internal system that resembles plumbing;
          esp: one consisting of conduits or channels for conveying
          fluids

   plumbism
          [plum.bism] n [L plumbum lead] (1876): lead poisoning esp.
          when chronic

   plumb line
          [plumb line] n (15c) 1: a line (as of cord) that has at one
          end a weight (as a plumb bob) and is used esp. to determine
          verticality 2: a line directed to the center of gravity
          of the earth: a vertical line

   [1]plume
          [plume] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L pluma small soft feather--more
          at fleece] (14c) 1: a feather of a bird: as a: a large
          conspicuous or showy feather b: contour feather c: plumage
          d: a cluster of distinctive feathers 2 a: material (as
          a feather, cluster of feathers, or a tuft of hair) worn
          as an ornament b: a token of honor or prowess: prize
          3: something resembling a feather (as in shape, appearance,
          or lightness): as a: a plumose appendage of a plant b:
          an elongated and usu. open and mobile column or band
          (as of smoke, exhaust gases, or blowing snow) c: an animal
          structure having a main shaft bearing many hairs or filamentous
          parts; esp: a full bushy tail [2]plume vt plumed ; plum.ing
          (15c) 1 a: to provide or deck with feathers b: to array
          showily 2: to indulge (oneself) in pride with an obvious
          or vain display of self-satisfaction 3 of a bird a: to
          preen and arrange the feathers of (itself) b: to preen
          and arrange (feathers)

   plumed
          [plumed] adj (15c): provided with or adorned with or as if
          with a plume--often used in combination <a white-plumed
          egret>

   plumelet
          [plume.let] n (ca. 1847): a small tuft or plume

   plumeria
          [plu.me.ria] n [NL, genus name, fr. Charles Plumier d. 1704
          Fr. botanist] (1753): frangipani

   [1]plummet
          [plum.met] n [ME plomet, fr. MF plombet ball of lead, fr.
          plomb lead, fr. (assumed) OF--more at plumb] (14c): plumb;
          also: plumb line [2]plummet vi (1937) 1: to fall perpendicularly
          <birds ~ed down> 2: to drop sharply and abruptly <prices
          ~ed>

   plummy
          [plum.my] adj plum.mi.er ; -est (1759) 1 a: full of plums
          <a rich ~ cake> b: choice, desirable <got a ~ role in
          the movie> 2 a: having a plum color b: rich and mellow
          often to the point of affectation <a ~ singing voice>

   plumose
          [plu.mose] adj (ca. 1727) 1: having feathers or plumes: feathered
          2: feathery

   [1]plump
          [plump] vb [ME] vi (14c) 1: to drop, sink, or come in contact
          suddenly or heavily <~ed down in the chair> 2: to favor
          or decide in favor of someone or something strongly or
          emphatically--used with for ~ vt 1: to drop, cast, or
          place suddenly or heavily 2: to give support and favorable
          publicity to [2]plump n (15c): a sudden plunge, fall,
          or blow; also: the sound made by a plump [3]plump adv
          (1594) 1: with a sudden or heavy drop 2 a: straight down
          b: straight ahead 3: without qualification: directly
          [4]plump n [ME plumpe] (15c) chiefly dial: group, flock
          <a ~ of ducks rose at the same time --H. D. Thoreau>
          [5]plump vb [[6]plump] vt (1533): to make plump ~ vi:
          to become plump [6]plump adj [ME, dull, blunt, fr. MD
          plomp] (1569) 1: having a full rounded usu. pleasing
          form <a ~ woman> 2: ample, abundant -- plump.ish adj

   plumpen
          [plump.en] vb (1687): [5]plump

   [1]plumper
          [plump.er] n [[5]plump] (1690): an object carried in the
          mouth to fill out the cheeks [2]plumper n [[1]plump]
          (ca. 1785) chiefly Brit: a vote for only one candidate
          when two or more are to be elected to the same office

   [1]plumply
          [plump.ly] adv (1611): in a plump way <a ~ pretty girl> [2]plumply
          adv [[3]plump] (1786): in a wholehearted manner and without
          hesitation or circumlocution: forthrightly

   [1]plumpness
          [plump.ness] n (1545): the quality or state of being plump
          [2]plumpness n (1780): freedom from hesitation or circumlocution

   plum pudding
          [plum pudding] n (1711): a rich boiled or steamed pudding
          containing fruits and spices

   plum tomato
          [plum tomato] n (ca. 1900): a small oblong tomato

   plumule
          [plu.mule] n [NL plumula, fr. L, dim. of pluma small soft
          feather--more at fleece] (ca. 1741) 1: the primary bud
          of a plant embryo usu. situated at the apex of the hypocotyl
          and consisting of leaves and an epicotyl 2: a down feather

   plumy
          [plumy] adj plum.i.er ; -est (1582) 1: downy 2: having or
          resembling plumes

   [1]plunder
          [plun.der] vb plun.dered ; plun.der.ing [G plundern] vt (1632)
          1 a: to take the goods of by force (as in war): pillage,
          sack <invaders ~ed the town> b: to take by force or wrongfully:
          steal, loot 2: to make extensive use of as if by plundering:
          use or use up wrongfully <~ the land> ~ vi: to commit
          robbery or looting -- plun.der.er n [2]plunder n (1643)
          1: an act of plundering: pillaging 2: something taken
          by force, theft, or fraud: loot 3 chiefly dial: personal
          or household effects syn see spoil

   plunderous
          [plun.der.ous] adj (1845): given to plundering

   [1]plunge
          [plunge] vb plunged ; plung.ing [ME, fr. MF plonger, fr.
          (assumed) VL plumbicare, fr. L plumbum lead] vt (14c)
          1: to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly
          into something 2: to cause to enter a state or course
          of action usu. suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently ~
          vi 1: to thrust or cast oneself into or as if into water
          2 a: to become pitched or thrown headlong or violently
          forward and downward; also: to move oneself in such a
          manner b: to act with reckless haste: enter suddenly
          or unexpectedly c: to bet or gamble heavily and recklessly
          3: to descend or dip suddenly [2]plunge n (15c): an act
          or instance of plunging: dive; also: swim

   plunger
          [plung.er] n (1611): one that plunges: as a: diver b: a reckless
          gambler or speculator c (1): a sliding reciprocating
          piece driven by or against fluid pressure; esp: piston
          (2): a piece with a motion more or less like that of
          a ram or piston d: a rubber suction cup on a handle used
          to free plumbing traps and waste outlets of obstructions

   plunk
          [plunk] vb [imit.] vt (1805) 1: to pluck or hit so as to
          produce a quick, hollow, metallic, or harsh sound 2:
          to set down suddenly: plump ~ vi 1: to make a plunking
          sound 2: to drop abruptly: dive 3: to come out in favor
          of someone or something--used with for -- plunk n --
          plunk.er n

   plunk down
          [plunk down] vi (1891): to drop abruptly: settle into position
          ~ vt 1 a: to put down usu. firmly or abruptly <plunked
          the money down on the counter> b: to settle (oneself)
          into position <plunked himself down on the bench> 2:
          to pay out

   pluperfect
          [plu.per.fect] adj [ME pluperfyth, modif. of LL plusquamperfectus,
          lit., more than perfect] (15c) 1: past perfect 2: utterly perfect
          or complete -- pluperfect n

   plural
          [plu.ral] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF plurel, fr. L pluralis,
          fr. plur-, plus more--more at plus] (14c) 1: of, relating
          to, or constituting a class of grammatical forms usu.
          used to denote more than one or in some languages more
          than two <genetics is ~ in form but takes a singular
          verb> 2: relating to, consisting of, or containing more
          than one or more than one kind or class <a ~ society>
          -- plural n -- plu.ral.ly adv

   pluralism
          [plu.ral.ism] n (1818) 1: the holding of two or more offices
          or positions (as benefices) at the same time 2: the quality
          or state of being plural 3 a: a theory that there are
          more than one or more than two kinds of ultimate reality
          b: a theory that reality is composed of a plurality of
          entities 4 a: a state of society in which members of
          diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain
          an autonomous participation in and development of their
          traditional culture or special interest within the confines
          of a common civilization b: a concept, doctrine, or policy
          advocating this state -- plu.ral.ist adj or n -- plu.ral.is.tic
          adj -- plu.ral.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   plurality
          [plu.ral.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a: the state of being
          plural b: the state of being numerous c: a large number
          or quantity 2: pluralism 1; also: a benefice held by
          pluralism 3 a: a number greater than another b: an excess
          of votes over those cast for an opposing candidate c:
          a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of
          more than two candidates that is greater than the number
          cast for any other candidate but not more than half the
          total votes cast

   pluralize
          [plu.ral.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1803): to make plural or
          express in the plural form -- plu.ral.i.za.tion n

   pluripotent
          [plu.rip.o.tent] adj [L plur-, plus more + E potent] (1916):
          not fixed as to developmental potentialities: having
          developmental plasticity <~ stem cell>

   [1]plus
          [plus] adj [L, adv., more, fr. neut. of plur-, plus, adj.;
          akin to Gk pleion more, L plenus full--more at full]
          (1579) 1: algebraically positive 2: having, receiving,
          or being in addition to what is anticipated 3 a: falling
          high in a specified range <a grade of C ~> b: greater
          than that specified c: possessing a specified quality
          to a high degree 4: electrically positive 5: relating
          to or being a particular one of the two mating types
          that are required for successful fertilization in sexual
          reproduction in some lower plants (as a fungus) [2]plus
          n, pl plus.es also plus.ses (1654) 1: plus sign 2: an
          added quantity 3: a positive factor or quality 4: surplus
          [3]plus prep (1668) 1: increased by: with the addition
          of <four ~ five> <principal ~ interest> <made twelve
          dollars a week ~ room and board --E. L. Doctorow> 2:
          besides--used chiefly in speech and casual writing <~
          all this, as a sedative it has no equal --Groucho Marx>
          [4]plus conj (ca. 1950) 1: and <the Smyth Report, ~ an
          idea and some knowledge of bureaucracy, were all I needed
          --Pat Frank> <a box-office ~ critical and artistic success
          --G. J. Nathan> <eats alone, a hot beef sandwich ~ a
          BLT ~ apple pie --Garrison Keillor> 2: in addition to
          which <it was an achievement. Plus, I wrote the story
          and the musical score --Jackie Gleason> <it's also pretty
          on my open shelves, ~ it smells good --Nikki Giovanni>
          usage The preposition plus has long been used with a
          meaning equivalent to and (as in "two plus two"); it
          is not, therefore, very surprising that in time people
          have begun to use it as a conjunction much like and.
          Sense 2 is considered to be an adverb by some commentators.
          It is used chiefly in speech and in informal writing.

   plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose
          [plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose] [F] foreign term
          : the more that changes, the more it's the same thing--often
          shortened to plus ca change

   plus fours
          [plus fours] n pl (1920): loose sports knickers made four
          inches longer than ordinary knickers

   [1]plush
          [plush] n [MF peluche] (1594): a fabric with an even pile
          longer and less dense than velvet pile [2]plush adj (ca.
          1645) 1: relating to, resembling, or made of plush 2:
          notably luxurious -- plush.ly adv -- plush.ness n

   plushy
          [plushy] adj plush.i.er ; -est (1611) 1: having the texture
          of or covered with plush 2: luxurious, showy -- plush.i.ness
          n

   plus royaliste que le roi
          [plus roy.a.liste que le roi] [F] foreign term : more royalist
          than the king

   plussage
          [plus.sage] n (1924): an amount over and above another amount

   plus sign
          [plus sign] n (ca. 1907): a sign + denoting addition or a
          positive quantity

   Pluto
          [Plu.to] n [L Pluton-, Pluto, fr. Gk Plouton] 1: the Greek
          god of the underworld--compare dis 2 [NL]: the planet
          with the farthest mean distance from the sun

   plutocracy
          [plu.toc.ra.cy] n, pl -cies [Gk ploutokratia, fr. ploutos
          wealth; akin to Gk plein to sail, float--more at flow]
          (1652) 1: government by the wealthy 2: a controlling
          class of the wealthy -- plu.to.crat n -- plu.to.crat.ic
          adj -- plu.to.crat.i.cal.ly adv

   pluton
          [plu.ton] n [prob. back-formation fr. plutonic] (1936): a
          typically large body of intrusive igneous rock

   plutonian
          [plu.to.ni.an] adj, often cap (1667): of, relating to, or
          characteristic of Pluto or the lower world: infernal

   plutonic
          [plu.ton.ic] adj [L Pluton-, Pluto] (1833) 1: formed
          by solidification of magma deep within the earth and crystalline
          throughout <~ rock> 2 often cap: plutonian

   plutonium
          [plu.to.ni.um] n [NL, fr. Pluton-, Pluto, the planet Pluto]
          (1942): a radioactive metallic element similar chemically
          to uranium that is formed as the isotope 239 by decay
          of neptunium and found in minute quantities in pitchblende,
          that undergoes slow disintegration with the emission
          of an alpha particle to form uranium 235, and that is
          fissionable with slow neutrons to yield atomic energy

   [1]pluvial
          [plu.vi.al] adj [L pluvialis, fr. pluvia rain, fr. fem. of
          pluvius rainy, fr. pluere to rain--more at flow] (ca.
          1656) 1 a: of or relating to rain b: characterized by
          abundant rain 2 of a geologic change: resulting from
          the action of rain [2]pluvial n (1929): a prolonged period
          of wet climate

   [1]ply
          [ply] vb plied ; ply.ing [ME plien, short for applien to
          apply] vt (14c) 1 a: to use or wield diligently <busily
          ~ing his pen> b: to practice or perform diligently <~
          a trade> 2: to keep furnishing or supplying something
          to <plied us with liquor> 3 a: to make a practice of
          rowing or sailing over or on <the boat plies the river>
          b: to go or travel regularly over, on, or through <jets
          ~ing the skies> ~ vi 1: to apply oneself steadily 2:
          to go or travel regularly <a steamer ~ing between the
          towns> [2]ply n, pl plies [[3]ply] (1532) 1 a: one of
          several layers (as of cloth) usu. sewn or laminated together
          b: one of the strands in a yarn c: one of the veneer
          sheets forming plywood d: a layer of a paper or paperboard
          2: inclination, bias [3]ply vt plied ; ply.ing [ME plien
          to fold, fr. MF plier, fr. L plicare; akin to OHG flehtan
          to braid, L plectere, Gk plekein] (ca. 1909): to twist
          together <~ two single yarns>

   Plymouth Rock
          [Plym.outh Rock] n [Plymouth Rock, on which the Pilgrims
          are supposed to have landed in 1620] (1849): any of an
          American breed of medium-sized single-combed dual-purpose
          domestic fowls

   plywood
          [ply.wood] n (1907): a structural material consisting of
          sheets of wood glued or cemented together with the grains
          of adjacent layers arranged at right angles or at a wide
          angle

   pm...
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   pm
          [pm] abbreviation phase modulation, premium  Pm abbreviation
          promethium  PM abbreviation paymaster, permanent magnet,
          police magistrate, postmaster, post meridiem--often not
          cap and often punctuated; postmortem, prime minister,
          provost marshal

   pmk
          [pmk] abbreviation postmark

   PMS
          [PMS] abbreviation premenstrual syndrome

   pmt
          [pmt] abbreviation payment

   pn...
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   PN
          [PN] abbreviation promissory note

   -pnea
          [-pnea] or -pnoea n comb form [NL, fr. Gk -pnoia, fr. pnoia,
          fr. pnein to breathe]: breath: breathing <hyperpnea>
          <apnoea>

   pneum-
          [pneum-] or pneumo- comb form [NL, partly fr. Gk pneum- (fr.
          pneuma); partly fr. Gk pneumon lung] 1: air: gas <pneumothorax>
          2: lung <pneumoconiosis> 3: respiration <pneumograph>
          4: pneumonia <pneumococcus>

   pneuma
          [pneu.ma] n [Gk] (1884): soul, spirit

   pneumat-
          [pneumat-] or pneumato- comb form [Gk, fr. pneumat-, pneuma]
          1: air: vapor: gas <pneumatolytic> 2: respiration <pneumatophore>

   pneumatic
          [pneu.mat.ic] adj [L pneumaticus, fr. Gk pneumatikos, fr.
          pneumat-, pneuma air, breath, spirit, fr. pnein to breathe--more
          at sneeze] (1659) 1: of, relating to, or using gas (as
          air or wind): a: moved or worked by air pressure b (1):
          adapted for holding or inflated with compressed air (2):
          having air-filled cavities 2: of or relating to the pneuma:
          spiritual 3: having a well-proportioned feminine figure;
          esp: having a full bust -- pneu.mat.i.cal.ly adv
          -- pneu.ma.tic.i.ty n

   pneumatology
          [pneu.ma.tol.o.gy] n [NL pneumatologia, fr. Gk pneumat-,
          pneuma + NL -logia -logy] (1678): the study of spiritual
          beings or phenomena

   pneumatolytic
          [pneu.ma.to.lyt.ic] adj [ISV] (1896): formed or forming by
          hot vapors or superheated liquids under pressure--used
          esp. of minerals and ores

   pneumatophore
          [pneu.mat.o.phore] n [ISV] (1859) 1: a muscular gas-containing
          sac that serves as a float on a siphonophore colony 2:
          a root often functioning as a respiratory organ in a
          wetland plant

   pneumococcus
          [pneu.mo.coc.cus] n, pl -coc.ci [NL] (1890): a bacterium
          (Streptococcus pneumoniae) that causes an acute pneumonia
          involving one or more lobes of the lung -- pneu.mo.coc.cal
          adj

   pneumoconiosis
          [pneu.mo.co.ni.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [NL, fr. pneum- + Gk konis
          dust--more at incinerate] (1881): a disease of the lungs
          caused by the habitual inhalation of irritants (as mineral
          or metallic particles)--compare black lung, silicosis

   Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
          [Pneu.mo.cys.tis ca.ri.nii pneumonia] n [NL Pneumocystis
          carinii, species name] (1964): a pneumonia that affects
          individuals whose immunological defenses have been compromised,
          that is caused by a microorganism (Pneumocystis carinii),
          and that attacks esp. the interstitial tissue of the
          lungs with marked thickening of the alveolar septa and
          alveoli

   pneumograph
          [pneu.mo.graph] n [ISV] (1878): an instrument for recording
          thoracic movements or volume change during respiration

   pneumonectomy
          [pneu.mo.nec.to.my] n, pl -mies [Gk pneumon + ISV -ectomy]
          (ca. 1895): excision of an entire lung or of one or more
          lobes of a lung

   pneumonia
          [pneu.mo.nia] n [NL, fr. Gk, fr. pneumon lung, alter. of
          pleumon--more at pulmonary] (1603): a disease of the
          lungs characterized by inflammation and consolidation
          followed by resolution and caused by infection or irritants

   pneumonic
          [pneu.mon.ic] adj [NL pneumonicus, fr. Gk pneumonikos, fr.
          pneumon] (1675) 1: of, relating to, or affecting the
          lungs: pulmonic, pulmonary 2: of, relating to, or affected
          with pneumonia

   pneumonitis
          [pneu.mo.ni.tis] n [NL, fr. Gk pneumon] (ca. 1834): inflammation
          of the lungs

   pneumothorax
          [pneu.mo.tho.rax] n [NL] (1821): a condition in which air
          or other gas is present in the pleural cavity and which
          occurs spontaneously as a result of disease or injury
          of lung tissue or puncture of the chest wall or is induced
          as a therapeutic measure to collapse the lung

   pnxt
          [pnxt] [L pinxit] abbreviation he painted it, she painted
          it

   po...
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   Po
          [Po] abbreviation polonium  PO [L per os] abbreviation by
          mouth, orally; petty officer, postal order, post office,
          purchase order

   [1]poach
          [poach] vt [ME pochen, fr. MF pocher, fr. OF pochier, lit.,
          to put into a bag, fr. poche bag, pocket, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE pocca bag] (15c): to cook in simmering liquid
          [2]poach vb [MF pocher, of Gmc origin; akin to ME poken
          to poke] vi (1611) 1: to encroach upon esp. for the purpose
          of taking something 2: to trespass for the purpose of
          stealing game; also: to take game or fish illegally ~
          vt 1: to trespass on <a field ~ed too frequently by the
          amateur --Times Lit. Supp.> 2 a: to take (game or fish)
          by illegal methods b: to appropriate (something) as one's
          own

   [1]poacher
          [poach.er] n [[2]poach] (1614) 1: one that trespasses or
          steals 2: one who kills or takes wild animals (as game
          or fish) illegally [2]poacher n [[1]poach] (1861) 1:
          a covered pan containing a plate with depressions or
          shallow cups in each of which an egg can be cooked over
          steam rising from boiling water in the bottom of the
          pan 2: a baking dish in which food (as fish) can be poached

   POB
          [POB] abbreviation post office box

   po'boy
          [po'.boy] var of poor boy

   POC
          [POC] abbreviation port of call

   pocas palabras
          [po.cas pa.la.bras] [Sp] foreign term : few words

   pochard
          [po.chard] n [origin unknown] (1552): any of numerous rather
          heavy-bodied diving ducks (esp. genus Aythya) with a
          large head and with feet and legs placed far back under
          the body

   [1]pock
          [pock] n [ME pokke, fr. OE pocc; akin to MLG & MD pocke pock]
          (bef. 12c): a pustule in an eruptive disease (as smallpox);
          also: a spot suggesting such a pustule [2]pock vt (1841):
          to mark with or as if with pocks: pit

   [1]pocket
          [pock.et] n [ME poket, fr. ONF pokete, dim. of poke bag,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE pocca bag] (15c) 1 a: a small
          bag carried by a person: purse b: a small bag that is
          sewed or inserted in a garment so that it is open at
          the top or side <coat ~> 2: supply of money: means 3:
          receptacle, container: as a: an opening at the corner
          or side of a billiard table b: a superficial pouch in
          some animals 4: a small often isolated area or group
          <~s of unemployment>: a (1): a cavity containing a deposit
          (as of gold, water, or gas) (2): a small body of ore
          b: air pocket 5: a place for a batten made by sewing
          a strip on a sail 6 a: blind alley b: the position of
          a contestant in a race hemmed in by others c: an area
          formed by blockers from which a football quarterback
          attempts to pass 7: the concave area at the base of the
          finger sections of a baseball glove or mitt in which
          the ball is normally caught -- pock.et.ful n -- in one's
          pocket : in one's control or possession -- in pocket
          1: provided with funds 2: in the position of having made
          a profit -- out of pocket 1: low on money or funds 2:
          having suffered a loss [2]pocket vt (1589) 1 a: to put
          or enclose in or as if in one's pocket <~ed the change>
          b: to appropriate to one's own use: steal c: to refuse
          assent to (a bill) by a pocket veto 2: to put up with:
          accept 3: to set aside: suppress <~ed his pride> 4 a:
          to hem in b: to drive (a ball) into a pocket of a pool
          table 5: to cover or supply with pockets -- pock.et.able
          adj [3]pocket adj (1612) 1 a: small enough to be carried
          in the pocket b: small, miniature <a ~ park> 2 a: of
          or relating to money b: carried in or paid from one's
          own pocket

   pocket battleship
          [pocket battleship] n (1930): a small German battleship built
          so as to come within treaty limitations of tonnage and
          armament

   pocket billiards
          [pocket billiards] n pl but usu sing in constr (1913): pool
          2b

   [1]pocketbook
          [pock.et.book] n (1617) 1 often pocket book : a small esp.
          paperback book that can be carried in the pocket 2: a
          flat typically leather folding case for money or personal
          papers that can be carried in a pocket or handbag 3 a:
          purse b: handbag 2 4: financial resources: income [2]pocketbook
          adj (1894): relating to or involving economic interests
          <~ issues>

   pocket borough
          [pocket borough] n (1856): an English constituency controlled
          before parliamentary reform by a single person or family

   pocket edition
          [pocket edition] n (1715) 1: pocketbook 1 2: a miniature
          form of something

   pocket gopher
          [pocket gopher] n (1873): gopher 2a

   pocket-handkerchief
          [pocket-handkerchief] n (1645): a handkerchief carried in
          the pocket

   pocketknife
          [pock.et.knife] n (1727): a knife that has one or more blades
          that fold into the handle and that can be carried in
          the pocket

   pocket money
          [pocket money] n (1632): money for small personal expenses

   pocket mouse
          [pocket mouse] n (1884): any of various nocturnal burrowing
          rodents (family Heteromyidae) that resemble mice, live
          in arid parts of western No. America, and have long hind
          legs and tail and fur-lined cheek pouches

   pocket-size
          [pock.et-size] also pock.et-sized adj (1907) 1: of a size
          convenient for carrying in the pocket 2: small <a ~ country>

   pocket veto
          [pocket veto] n (1842): an indirect veto of a legislative
          bill by an executive through retention of the bill unsigned
          until after adjournment of the legislature -- pocket
          veto vt

   [1]pockmark
          [pock.mark] n (ca. 1673): a mark, pit, or depressed scar
          caused by smallpox or acne; also: an imperfection or
          depression like a pockmark [2]pockmark vt (1756): to
          cover with or as if with pockmarks: pit

   pocky
          [pocky] adj (14c): covered with pocks

   poco
          [po.co] adv [It, little, fr. L paucus--more at few] (1724):
          to a slight degree: somewhat--used to qualify a direction
          in music <~ allegro>

   poco a poco
          [po.co a po.co] adv [It] (ca. 1854): little by little:
          gradually--used as a direction in music

   pococurante
          [po.co.cu.ran.te] adj [It poco curante caring little] (1815):
          indifferent, nonchalant -- po.co.cu.ran.tism n

   pocosin
          [po.co.sin] n [prob. fr. Virginia or North Carolina Algonquian]
          (1634): an upland swamp of the coastal plain of the southeastern
          U.S.

   [1]pod
          [pod] n [origin unknown] (1573) 1: a bit socket in a brace
          2: a straight groove or channel in the barrel of an auger
          [2]pod n [prob. alter. of cod bag--more at codpiece]
          (1688) 1: a dry dehiscent pericarp or fruit that is composed
          of one or more carpels; esp: legume 2 a: an anatomical
          pouch b: a grasshopper egg case 3: a tapered and roughly
          cylindrical body of ore or mineral 4: a usu. protective
          container or housing: as a: a streamlined compartment
          (as for fuel) under the wings or fuselage of an aircraft
          b: a compartment (as for personnel, a power unit, or
          an instrument) on a ship or craft [3]pod vi pod.ded ;
          pod.ding (1734): to produce pods [4]pod n [origin unknown]
          (1832): a number of animals (as whales) clustered together

   POD
          [POD] abbreviation pay on delivery, post office department

   -pod
          [-pod] n comb form [Gk -podos, fr. pod-, pous foot--more
          at foot]: foot: part resembling a foot <pleopod>

   podagra
          [po.dag.ra] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk, lit., foot trap, fr. pod-,
          pous + agra hunt, catch; prob. akin to Gk agein to drive,
          lead--more at agent] (14c): a painful condition of the
          big toe caused by gout

   pod corn
          [pod corn] n (1893): an Indian corn that has each kernel
          enclosed in a chaffy shell similar to that of other cereals

   podesta
          [po.de.sta] n [It podesta, lit., power, fr. L potestat-,
          potestas, irreg. fr. potis able--more at potent] (1548):
          a chief magistrate in a medieval Italian municipality

   podgy
          [podgy] adj podg.i.er ; -est [podge something pudgy] (1846)
          chiefly Brit: pudgy

   podiatry
          [po.di.a.try] n [Gk pod-, pous + E -iatry] (1914): the medical
          care and treatment of the human foot--called also chiropody
          -- po.di.at.ric adj -- po.di.a.trist n

   -podium
          [-podium] n comb form, pl -podia [NL, fr. Gk podion, dim.
          of pod-, pous foot--more at foot]: foot: part resembling
          a foot <pseudopodium>

   podium
          [po.di.um] n, pl podiums or po.dia [L--more at pew] (1743)
          1: a low wall serving as a foundation or terrace wall:
          as a: one around the arena of an ancient amphitheater
          serving as a base for the tiers of seats b: the masonry
          under the stylobate of a temple 2 a: a dais esp. for
          an orchestral conductor b: lectern

   podophyllin
          [podo.phyl.lin] n [ISV, fr. NL Podophyllum] (1851): a resin
          obtained from podophyllum and used in medicine as a caustic

   podophyllum
          [podo.phyl.lum] n, pl -phyl.li or -phyllums [NL, fr. Podophyllum,
          genus of herbs including the mayapple] (1842): the dried
          rhizome and rootlet of the mayapple that is used as a
          caustic or as a source of the more effective podophyllin

   Podunk
          [Po.dunk] n [Podunk, village in Mass. or locality in Conn.]
          (1846): a small, unimportant, and isolated town

   podzol
          [pod.zol] also pod.sol n [Russ] (1908): any of a group of
          zonal soils that develop in a moist climate esp. under
          coniferous or mixed forest and have an organic mat and
          a thin organic-mineral layer above a light gray leached
          layer resting on a dark illuvial horizon enriched with
          amorphous clay -- pod.zol.ic adj

   podzolization
          [pod.zol.i.za.tion] also pod.sol.i.za.tion n (1912): a process
          of soil formation esp. in humid regions involving principally
          leaching of the upper layers with accumulation of material
          in lower layers and development of characteristic horizons;
          specif: the development of a podzol -- pod.zol.ize vb

   POE
          [POE] abbreviation port of embarkation, port of entry

   poem
          [po.em] n [MF poeme, fr. L poema, fr. Gk poiema, fr. poiein]
          (15c) 1: a composition in verse 2: something suggesting
          a poem (as in expressiveness, lyricism, or formal grace)
          <the house we stayed in ... was itself a ~ --H. J. Laski>

   poesy
          [po.e.sy] n, pl po.e.sies [ME poesie, fr. MF, fr. L poesis,
          fr. Gk poiesis, lit., creation, fr. poiein] (14c) 1 a:
          a poem or body of poems b: poetry c: artificial or sentimentalized
          poetic writing 2: poetic inspiration

   poet
          [po.et] n [ME, fr. MF poete, fr. L poeta, fr. Gk poietes
          maker, poet, fr. poiein to make; akin to Skt cinoti he
          gathers, heaps up] (14c) 1: one who writes poetry: a
          maker of verses 2: one (as a creative artist) of great
          imaginative and expressive capabilities and special sensitivity
          to the medium

   poeta nascitur, non fit
          [po.eta nas.ci.tur, non fit] [L] foreign term : a poet is
          born, not made

   poetaster
          [po.et.as.ter] n [NL, fr. L poeta + -aster -aster] (1599):
          an inferior poet

   poetess
          [po.et.ess] n (1530): a girl or woman who is a poet

   poetic
          [po.et.ic] adj (1530) 1 a: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of poets or poetry b: given to writing poetry 2: written
          in verse

   poetical
          [po.et.i.cal] adj (14c) 1: poetic 2: being beyond or above
          the truth of history or nature: idealized <had ~ ideas
          about love> -- po.et.i.cal.ly adv -- po.et.i.cal.ness
          n

   poeticism
          [po.et.i.cism] n (1847): an archaic, trite, or strained expression
          in poetry

   poeticize
          [po.et.i.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing (1804): to give a poetic
          quality to

   poetic justice
          [poetic justice] n (ca. 1890): an outcome in which vice is
          punished and virtue rewarded usu. in a manner peculiarly
          or ironically appropriate

   poetic license
          [poetic license] n (1819): license 4

   poetics
          [po.et.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1741) 1 a:
          a treatise on poetry or aesthetics b also po.et.ic :
          poetic theory or practice 2: poetic feelings or utterances

   poetize
          [po.et.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1581): to compose poetry
          ~ vt: poeticize -- po.et.iz.er n

   poet laureate
          [poet laureate] n, pl poets laureate or poet laureates (15c)
          1: a poet honored for achievement in his art 2: a poet
          appointed for life by an English sovereign as a member
          of the royal household and formerly expected to compose
          poems for court and national occasions 3: one regarded
          by a country or region as its most eminent or representative
          poet

   poetry
          [po.et.ry] n (14c) 1 a: metrical writing: verse b: the productions
          of a poet: poems 2: writing that formulates a concentrated
          imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged
          to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and
          rhythm 3 a: something likened to poetry esp. in beauty
          of expression b: poetic quality or aspect <the ~ of dance>

   po-faced
          [po-faced] adj [perh. fr. po chamber pot, toilet, fr. F pot
          pot] (1934) Brit: having an assumed solemn, serious,
          or earnest expression or manner: piously or hypocritically
          solemn

   pogonip
          [pog.o.nip] n [Shoshone paginappih cloud] (1865): a dense
          winter fog containing frozen particles that is formed
          in deep mountain valleys of the western U.S.

   pogonophoran
          [po.go.noph.o.ran] n [NL Pogonophora, fr. Gk pogonophora,
          neut. pl. of pogonophoros wearing a beard, fr. pogon
          beard + -phoros -phore] (1963): any of a phylum (Pogonophora)
          of marine wormlike animals of uncertain systematic relationships
          that live in chitinous tubes, have obscure segmentation,
          and lack a mouth and digestive tract -- pogonophoran
          adj

   pogo stick
          [po.go stick] n [fr. Pogo, a trademark] (1921): a pole with
          a strong spring at the bottom and two footrests on which
          a person stands and moves along with a series of jumps

   [1]pogrom
          [po.grom] n [Yiddish, fr. Russ, lit., devastation] (1903):
          an organized massacre of helpless people; specif: such
          a massacre of Jews [2]pogrom vt (1915): to massacre or
          destroy in a pogrom

   pogromist
          [po.grom.ist] n (1907): one who organizes or takes part in
          a pogrom

   pogy
          [po.gy] n, pl pogies [by shortening & alter. fr. poghaden,
          perh. fr. Eastern Abenaki] (ca. 1847): menhaden

   poi
          [poi] n, pl poi or pois [Hawaiian & Samoan] (1823): a Hawaiian
          food of taro root cooked, pounded, and kneaded to a paste
          and often allowed to ferment

   -poiesis
          [-poiesis] n comb form, pl -poieses [NL, fr. Gk poiesis
          creation--more at poesy]: production: formation <hematopoiesis>

   -poietic
          [-poietic] adj comb form [Gk poietikos creative, fr. poietes
          maker--more at poet]: productive: formative <hematopoietic>

   poignance
          [poi.gnance] n (1769): poignancy

   poignancy
          [poi.gnan.cy] n, pl -cies (1730) 1: the quality or state
          of being poignant 2: an instance of poignancy

   poignant
          [poi.gnant] adj [ME poinaunt, fr. MF poignant, prp. of poindre
          to prick, sting, fr. L pungere--more at pungent] (14c)
          1: pungently pervasive <a ~ perfume> 2 a (1): painfully
          affecting the feelings: piercing (2): deeply affecting:
          touching b: designed to make an impression: cutting <~
          satire> 3 a: pleasurably stimulating b: being to the
          point: apt syn see pungent, moving -- poi.gnant.ly adv

   poikilotherm
          [poi.ki.lo.therm] n [Gk poikilos variegated + ISV -therm--more
          at paint] (1920): an organism (as a frog) with a variable
          body temperature that is usu. slightly higher than the
          temperature of its environment: a cold-blooded organism
          -- poi.ki.lo.ther.mic adj

   poilu
          [poi.lu] n [F, fr. poilu hairy, fr. MF, fr. poil hair, fr.
          L pilus] (1914): a French soldier; esp: a front-line
          soldier in World War I

   poinciana
          [poin.ci.ana] n [NL, fr. De Poinci, 17th cent. governor of
          part of the French West Indies] (1731): any of several
          ornamental tropical leguminous trees or shrubs (genera
          Caesalpinia and Delonix) formerly placed in their own
          genus (Poinciana)--compare royal poinciana

   poinsettia
          [poin.set.tia] n [NL, fr. Joel R. Poinsett d. 1851 Am. diplomat]
          (1836): any of several spurges (genus Euphorbia) with
          flower clusters subtended by showy involucral bracts;
          esp: a showy Mexican and Central American plant (E. pulcherrima)
          with tapering usu. scarlet bracts that suggest petals
          and surround small yellow flowers

   [1]point
          [point] n [ME, partly fr. OF, puncture, small spot, point
          in time or space, fr. L punctum, fr. neut. of punctus,
          pp. of pungere to prick; partly fr. OF pointe sharp end,
          fr. (assumed) VL puncta, fr. L, fem. of punctus, pp.--more
          at pungent] (13c) 1 a (1): an individual detail: item
          (2): a distinguishing detail <tact is one of her strong
          ~s> b: the most important essential in a discussion or
          matter <missed the whole ~ of the joke> c: cogency 2
          obs: physical condition 3: an end or object to be achieved:
          purpose <did not see what ~ there was in continuing the
          discussion> 4 a (1): a geometric element of which it
          is postulated that at least two exist and that two suffice
          to determine a line (2): a geometric element determined
          by an ordered set of coordinates b (1): a narrowly localized
          place having a precisely indicated position <walked to
          a ~ 50 yards north of the building> (2): a particular
          place: locality <have come from distant ~s> c (1): an
          exact moment <at this ~ I was interrupted> (2): a time
          interval immediately before something indicated: verge
          <at the ~ of death> d (1): a particular step, stage,
          or degree in development <had reached the ~ where nothing
          seemed to matter anymore> (2): a definite position in
          a scale 5 a: the terminal usu. sharp or narrowly rounded
          part of something: tip b: a weapon or tool having such
          a part and used for stabbing or piercing: as (1): arrowhead
          (2): spearhead c (1): the contact or discharge extremity
          of an electric device (as a spark plug or distributor)
          (2) chiefly Brit: an electric outlet 6 a: a projecting
          usu. tapering piece of land or a sharp prominence b (1):
          the tip of a projecting body part (2): tine 2 (3) pl:
          the extremities or markings of the extremities of an
          animal esp. when of a color differing from the rest of
          the body c (1): a railroad switch (2): the tip of the
          angle between two rails in a railroad frog d: the head
          of the bow of a stringed instrument 7: a short musical
          phrase; esp: a phrase in contrapuntal music 8 a: a very
          small mark b (1): punctuation mark; esp: period (2):
          decimal point 9: a lace for tying parts of a garment
          together used esp. in the 16th and 17th centuries 10:
          one of usu. 11 divisions of a heraldic shield that determines
          the position of a charge 11 a: one of the 32 equidistant
          spots of a compass card b: the difference of 11 1/4 degrees
          between two such successive points 12: a small detachment
          ahead of an advance guard or behind a rear guard 13 a:
          needlepoint 1 b: lace made with a bobbin 14: one of 12
          s : irrelevant -- in point of : with regard to: in the
          matter of <in point of law> <in point of fact> -- to
          the point : relevant, pertinent <a suggestion that was
          to the point> [2]point vt (14c) 1 a: to furnish with
          a point: sharpen <~ing a pencil with a knife> b: to give
          added force, emphasis, or piquancy to <~ up a remark>
          2: to scratch out the old mortar from the joints of (as
          a brick wall) and fill in with new material 3 a (1):
          to mark the pauses or grammatical divisions in: punctuate
          (2): to separate (a decimal fraction) from an integer
          by a decimal point--usu. used with off b: to mark (as
          Hebrew words) with diacritics (as vowel points) 4 a (1):
          to indicate the position or direction of esp. by extending
          a finger <~ the way home> (2): to direct someone's attention
          to <~ the way to new knowledge --Elizabeth Hall>--usu.
          used with out or up <~ out a mistake> <~s up the difference>
          b of a hunting dog: to indicate the presence and place
          of (game) by a point 5 a: to cause to be turned in a
          particular direction <~ a gun> <~ed the boat upstream>
          b: to extend (a leg) and arch (the foot) in executing
          a point in dancing ~ vi 1 a: to indicate the fact or
          probability of something specified <everything ~s to
          a bright future> b: to indicate the position or direction
          of something esp. by extending a finger <~ at the map>
          c: to direct attention <can ~ with pride to their own
          traditions> d: to point game <a dog that ~s well> 2 a:
          to lie extended, aimed, or turned in a particular direction
          <a directional arrow that ~ed to the north> b: to execute
          a point in dancing 3 of a ship: to sail close to the
          wind 4: to train for a particular contest

   point-blank
          [point-blank] adj (1591) 1 a: marked by no appreciable drop
          below initial horizontal line of flight b: so close to
          a target that a missile fired will travel in a straight
          line to the mark 2: direct, blunt <a ~ refusal> -- point-blank
          adv

   point count
          [point count] n (1950): a method of evaluating the strength
          of a hand in bridge by counting points for each high
          card and usu. for long or short suits; also: the value
          of a hand so evaluated

   point d'appui
          [point d'ap.pui] n, pl points d'appui [F, lit., point of
          support] (1819): foundation, base

   point de repere
          [point de re.pere] [F] foreign term : point of reference

   point-device
          [point-de.vice] adj [ME at point devis at a fixed point]
          (1526) archaic: marked by punctilious attention to detail:
          meticulous -- point-device adv, archaic

   pointe
          [pointe] n [F pointe (du pied), lit., tiptoe] (1846): a ballet
          position in which the body is balanced on the extreme
          tip of the toe

   [1]pointed
          [point.ed] adj (14c) 1 a: having a point b: being an arch
          with a pointed crown; also: marked by the use of a pointed
          arch <~ architecture> 2 a: being to the point: pertinent
          b: aimed at a particular person or group 3: conspicuous,
          marked <~ indifference> -- point.ed.ly adv -- point.ed.ness
          n [2]pointed adj [short for appointed] (1523) obs: set,
          fixed

   pointelle
          [poin.telle] n [perh. fr. [1]point + -elle (as in dentelle
          lace)] (1953): an openwork design (as in knitted fabric)
          typically in the shape of chevrons; also: a fabric with
          this design

   pointer
          [point.er] n (1574) 1 a pl, cap: the two stars in the Big
          Dipper a line through which points to the North Star
          b: one that points out; esp: a rod used to direct attention
          c: a computer memory address that contains another address
          (as of desired data) 2: a large strong slender smooth-haired
          gundog that hunts by scent and indicates the presence
          of game by pointing 3: one that furnishes with points
          4: a useful suggestion or hint: tip

   point estimate
          [point estimate] n (1966): the single value assigned to a
          parameter in point estimation

   point estimation
          [point estimation] n (1962): estimation in which a single
          value is assigned to a parameter

   point guard
          [point guard] n (1970): a guard in basketball who is chiefly
          responsible for running the offense

   pointillism
          [poin.til.lism] n, often cap [F pointillisme, fr. pointiller
          to stipple, fr. point spot--more at point] (1901): the
          theory or practice in art of applying small strokes or
          dots of color to a surface so that from a distance they
          blend together -- poin.til.list n

   pointillistic
          [poin.til.lis.tic] also point.til.list adj (1922) 1: composed
          of many discrete details or parts 2: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of pointillism or pointillists

   point lace
          [point lace] n (1672): needlepoint 1

   pointless
          [point.less] adj (1726) 1: devoid of meaning: senseless <a
          ~ remark> 2: devoid of effectiveness: flat <~ attempts
          to be funny> -- point.less.ly adv -- point.less.ness
          n

   point man
          [point man] n (1903): a soldier who goes ahead of a patrol;
          broadly: one who is in the forefront (as on a political
          issue)

   point mutation
          [point mutation] n (1925): mutation due to intramolecular
          gene reorganization (as by substitution, addition, or
          deletion of a nucleotide)

   point of accumulation
          [point of accumulation] (1929): limit point

   point of departure
          [point of departure] (1857): a starting point esp. in a discussion

   point of honor
          [point of honor] (1612): a matter seriously affecting one's
          honor

   point of inflection
          [point of inflection] (1743): inflection point

   point of no return
          [point of no return] (1941) 1: the point in the flight of
          an aircraft beyond which the remaining fuel will be insufficient
          for a return to the starting point with the result that
          the craft must proceed 2: a critical point at which turning
          back or reversal is not possible

   point of view
          [point of view] (1720): a position from which something is
          considered or evaluated: standpoint

   point set topology
          [point set topology] n (1957): a branch of topology concerned
          with the properties and theory of topological spaces
          and metric spaces developed with emphasis on set theory

   point source
          [point source] n (1903): a source of radiation (as light)
          that is concentrated at a point and considered as having
          no spatial extension

   point-to-point
          [point-to-point] n (1898): a cross-country steeplechase

   pointy
          [pointy] adj point.i.er ; -est (1644) 1: coming to a rather
          sharp point 2: having parts that stick out sharply here
          and there

   pointy-head
          [pointy-head] n (1968): intellectual--usu. used disparagingly
          -- pointy-head.ed adj

   [1]poise
          [poise] n [ME poyse weight, heaviness, fr. MF pois, fr. L
          pensum, fr. neut. of pensus, pp. of pendere to weigh--more
          at pendant] (1555) 1: a stably balanced state: equilibrium
          <a ~ between widely divergent impulses --F. R. Leavis>
          2 a: easy self-possessed assurance of manner: gracious
          tact in coping or handling; also: the pleasantly tranquil
          interaction between persons of poise <no angry outbursts
          marred the ~ of the meeting> b: a particular way of carrying
          oneself: bearing, carriage syn see tact [2]poise vb poised
          ; pois.ing [ME, to weigh, ponder, fr. MF pois-, stem
          of peser, fr. L pensare--more at pensive] vt (1598) 1
          a: balance; esp: to hold or carry in equilibrium <carried
          a water jar poised on her head> b: to hold supported
          or suspended without motion in a steady position <poised
          her fork and gave her guest a knowing look --Louis Bromfield>
          2: to hold or carry (the head) in a particular way 3:
          to put into readiness: brace ~ vi 1: to become drawn
          up into readiness 2: hover [3]poise n [F, fr. Jean Louis
          Marie Poiseuille d. 1869 Fr. physician and anatomist]
          (1913): a centimeter-gram-second unit of viscosity equal
          to the viscosity of a fluid that would require a shearing
          force of one dyne to move a square-centimeter area of
          either of two parallel layers of fluid one centimeter
          apart with a velocity of one centimeter per second relative
          to the other layer with the space between the layers
          being filled with the fluid

   poised
          [poised] adj (ca. 1643): having poise: a: marked by balance
          or equilibrium b: marked by easy composure of manner
          or bearing

   poisha
          [poi.sha] n, pl poisha [Bengali, fr. Hindi paisa] (ca. 1976):
          the paisa of Bangladesh

   [1]poison
          [poi.son] n [ME, fr. MF, drink, poisonous drink, poison,
          fr. L potion-, potio drink--more at potion] (13c) 1 a:
          a substance that through its chemical action usu. kills,
          injures, or impairs an organism b (1): something destructive
          or harmful (2): an object of aversion or abhorrence 2:
          a substance that inhibits the activity of another substance
          or the course of a reaction or process <a catalyst ~>
          [2]poison vt poi.soned ; poi.son.ing (14c) 1 a: to injure
          or kill with poison b: to treat, taint, or impregnate
          with or as if with poison 2: to exert a baneful influence
          on: corrupt <~ed their minds> 3: to inhibit the activity,
          course, or occurrence of -- poi.son.er n [3]poison adj
          (1530) 1: poisonous, venomous <a ~ plant> <a ~ tongue>
          2: impregnated with poison: poisoned <a ~ arrow>

   poison gas
          [poison gas] n (1915): a poisonous gas or a liquid or a solid
          giving off poisonous vapors designed (as in chemical
          warfare) to kill, injure, or disable by inhalation or
          contact

   poison hemlock
          [poison hemlock] n (ca. 1818) 1: a large branching biennial
          poisonous herb (Conium maculatum) of the carrot family
          with finely divided leaves and white flowers 2: water
          hemlock

   poison ivy
          [poison ivy] n (1784) 1 a: a climbing plant (Rhus radicans)
          of the cashew family that is esp. common in the eastern
          and central U.S., that has ternate leaves, greenish flowers,
          and white berries, and that produces an acutely irritating
          oil causing a usu. intensely itching skin rash b: any
          of several plants (as poison oak) closely related to
          poison ivy 2: a skin rash caused by poison ivy

   poison oak
          [poison oak] n (1743) 1: any of several plants of the same
          genus (Rhus) as poison ivy that produce an oil with similar
          irritating properties: a: a bushy plant (Rhus diversiloba)
          of the Pacific coast b: a bushy plant (Rhus toxicodendron
          syn. R. quercifolia) of the southeastern U.S. 2: poison
          ivy 1

   poisonous
          [poi.son.ous] adj (ca. 1580) 1: having the properties or
          effects of poison: venomous 2: destructive, harmful 3:
          spiteful, malicious -- poi.son.ous.ly adv

   poison-pen
          [poison-pen] adj (1925): written with malice and spite and
          usu. anonymously <~ letter>

   poison pill
          [poison pill] n (1983): a financial tactic (as increasing
          indebtedness) used by a company to deter an unwanted
          takeover

   poison sumac
          [poison sumac] n (1817): a smooth American swamp shrub (Rhus
          vernix) that has pinnate leaves, greenish flowers, and
          greenish white berries and produces an irritating oil--called
          also poison dogwood

   poisonwood
          [poi.son.wood] n (1721): a poisonous tree (Metopium toxiferum)
          of the cashew family that is native to Florida and the
          West Indies and has compound leaves, greenish paniculate
          flowers, and orange-yellow fruits

   Poisson distribution
          [Pois.son distribution] n [Simeon D. Poisson d. 1840 Fr.
          mathematician] (1922): a probability density function
          that is often used as a mathematical model of the number
          of outcomes obtained in a suitable interval of time and
          space, that has its mean equal to its variance , that
          is used as an approximation to the binomial distribution,
          and that for nonnegative values of x has the form of
          a fraction whose numerator consists of the product of
          two factors of which the first is the transcendental
          number e raised to an exponent equal to minus the mean
          and the second consists of the mean raised to the exponent
          x and whose denominator is x!

   Poisson's ratio
          [Poisson's ratio] n [S. Poisson] (1886): the ratio of transverse
          to longitudinal strain in a material under tension

   [1]poke
          [poke] n [ME, fr. ONF--more at pocket] (13c) 1 chiefly Southern
          & Midland: bag, sack 2 a: wallet b: purse [2]poke vb
          poked ; pok.ing [ME; akin to MD poken to poke] vt (14c)
          1 a (1): prod, jab <poked him in the ribs> (2): to urge
          or stir by prodding or jabbing (3): to cause to prod:
          thrust <poked a stick at the snake> b (1): pierce, stab
          (2): to produce by piercing, stabbing, or jabbing <~
          a hole> c (1): hit, punch <poked him in the nose> (2):
          to deliver (a blow) with the fist 2 a: to cause to project
          <poked her head out of the window> b: to make (one's
          way) by poking <poked his way through the ruins> c: to
          interpose or interject in a meddlesome manner <asked
          him not to ~ his nose into other people's business> ~
          vi 1 a: to make a prodding, jabbing, or thrusting movement
          esp. repeatedly b: to strike out at something 2 a: to
          look about or through something without system: rummage
          <poking around in the attic> b: meddle 3: to move or
          act slowly or aimlessly <just poked around and didn't
          accomplish much> 4: to become stuck out or forward: protrude
          -- poke fun at : ridicule, mock [3]poke n (ca. 1796)
          1 a: a quick thrust: jab b: a blow with the fist: punch
          2: a projecting brim on the front of a woman's bonnet
          [4]poke n [perh. modif. of Virginia Algonquian pocone,
          poughkone puccoon] (1708): pokeweed

   pokeberry
          [poke.ber.ry] n (1774): the berry of the pokeweed; also:
          pokeweed

   poke bonnet
          [poke bonnet] n (1820): a woman's bonnet with a projecting
          brim at the front

   [1]poker
          [pok.er] n (1534): one that pokes; esp: a metal rod for stirring
          a fire [2]po.ker n [prob. modif. of F poque, a card game
          similar to poker] (1836): any of several card games in
          which a player bets that the value of his or her hand
          is greater than that of the hands held by others, in
          which each subsequent player must either equal or raise
          the bet or drop out, and in which the player holding
          the highest hand at the end of the betting wins the pot

   poker face
          [poker face] n [[2]poker; fr. the poker player's need to
          conceal emotions during play] (1885): an inscrutable
          face that reveals no hint of a person's thoughts or feelings
          -- po.ker-faced adj

   pokeweed
          [poke.weed] n (1751): a coarse American perennial herb (Phytolacca
          americana of the family Phytolaccaceae, the pokeweed family) with
          racemose white flowers, dark purple juicy berries, a poisonous
          root, and young shoots sometimes used as potherbs

   pokey
          [po.key] n, pl pokeys [origin unknown] (ca. 1919) slang:
          jail

   poky
          [poky] or pok.ey adj pok.i.er ; -est [[2]poke] (1849) 1:
          small and cramped 2: shabby, dull 3: annoyingly slow
          -- pok.i.ly adv -- pok.i.ness n

   pol
          [pol] n (ca. 1942): politician

   Pol
          [Pol] abbreviation Poland, Polish

   Polabian
          [Po.la.bi.an] n [Polab, ultim. fr. Polabian po on + Labi,
          the Elbe River] (1866) 1 or Po.lab : a member of a Slavic
          people formerly dwelling in the basin of the Elbe and
          on the Baltic coast of Germany 2: the extinct West Slavic
          language of the Polabians

   Polack
          [Po.lack] n [Pol polak] (1574) 1 obs: a native or inhabitant
          of Poland 2: a person of Polish birth or descent--usu.
          used disparagingly

   Poland China
          [Po.land Chi.na] n [Poland, Europe + China, Asia] (1879):
          any of an American breed of large white-marked black
          swine

   [1]polar
          [po.lar] adj [NL polaris, fr. L polus pole] (1551) 1 a: of
          or relating to a geographical pole or the region around
          it b: coming from or having the characteristics of such
          a region c (1): passing over a celestial body's north
          and south poles <a satellite in a ~ orbit> (2): traveling
          in a polar orbit <a ~ satellite> 2: of or relating to
          one or more poles (as of a magnet) 3: serving as a guide
          4: diametrically opposite 5: exhibiting polarity; esp:
          having a dipole or characterized by molecules having
          dipoles <a ~ solvent> 6: resembling a pole or axis around
          which all else revolves: pivotal 7: of, relating to,
          or expressed in polar coordinates <~ equations>; also:
          of or relating to a polar coordinate system [2]polar
          n (1848): a straight line related to a point; specif:
          the straight line joining the points of contact of the
          tangents from a point exterior to a conic section

   polar bear
          [polar bear] n (1781): a large creamy-white bear (Thalarctos
          maritimus syn. Ursus maritimus) that inhabits arctic
          regions

   polar body
          [polar body] n (1888): a cell that separates from an oocyte
          during meiosis and that contains a nucleus produced in
          the first or second meiotic division but very little
          cytoplasm

   polar circle
          [polar circle] n (1551): either of the two parallels of latitude
          each at a distance from a pole of the earth equal to
          about 23 degrees 27 minutes

   polar coordinate
          [polar coordinate] n (1816): either of two numbers that locate
          a point in a plane by its distance from a fixed point
          on a line and the angle this line makes with a fixed
          line

   polar front
          [polar front] n (1920): the boundary between the cold air
          of a polar region and the warmer air of lower latitudes

   polarimeter
          [po.lar.im.e.ter] n [ISV, fr. polarization] (ca. 1859) 1:
          an instrument for determining the amount of polarization
          of light or the proportion of polarized light in a partially
          polarized ray 2: a polariscope for measuring the amount
          of rotation of the plane of polarization esp. by liquids
          -- po.lar.i.met.ric adj -- po.lar.im.e.try n

   Polaris
          [Po.lar.is] n [NL, fr. polaris polar]: north star

   polariscope
          [po.lar.i.scope] n [ISV, fr. polarization] (1829) 1: an instrument
          for studying the properties of or examining substances in polarized
          light 2: polarimeter 2 -- po.lar.i.scop.ic adj

   polarise
          [po.lar.ise] Brit var of polarize

   polarity
          [po.lar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1646) 1: the quality or condition
          inherent in a body that exhibits opposite properties
          or powers in opposite parts or directions or that exhibits
          contrasted properties or powers in contrasted parts or
          directions: the condition of having poles 2: attraction
          toward a particular object or in a specific direction
          3: the particular state either positive or negative with
          reference to the two poles or to electrification 4 a:
          diametrical opposition b: an instance of such opposition

   polarization
          [po.lar.i.za.tion] n (1812) 1: the action of polarizing or
          state of being or becoming polarized: as a (1): the action
          or process of affecting radiation and esp. light so that
          the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form (2):
          the state of radiation affected by this process b: an
          increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell often
          caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes
          c: magnetization 2 a: division into two opposites b:
          concentration about opposing extremes of groups or interests
          formerly ranged on a continuum

   polarize
          [po.lar.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing [F polariser, fr. NL polaris
          polar] vt (1811) 1: to cause (as light waves) to vibrate
          in a definite pattern 2: to give physical polarity to
          3: to break up into opposing factions or groupings <a
          campaign that polarized the electorate> 4: concentrate
          1 <recreate a cohesive rock community by polarizing ...
          an amorphous, fragmented audience --Ellen Willis> ~ vi:
          to become polarized -- po.lar.iz.abil.i.ty n -- po.lar.iz.able
          adj

   polar nucleus
          [polar nucleus] n (1882): either of the two nuclei of a seed
          plant embryo sac that are destined to form endosperm

   polarography
          [po.lar.og.ra.phy] n [ISV, fr. polarization] (1936): a method
          of qualitative or quantitative analysis based on current-voltage
          curves obtained during electrolysis of a solution with
          a steadily increasing electromotive force -- po.lar.o.graph.ic
          adj -- po.lar.o.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   Polaroid
          [Po.lar.oid] trademark--used esp. for a light-polarizing
          material used esp. in eyeglasses and lamps to prevent
          glare or for a camera that develops pictures instantly

   polaron
          [po.lar.on] n [ISV polar + [2]-on] (1946): a conducting electron
          in an ionic crystal together with the induced polarization
          of the surrounding lattice

   polder
          [pol.der] n [D] (1604): a tract of low land (as in the Netherlands)
          reclaimed from a body of water (as the sea)

   [1]pole
          [pole] n [ME, fr. OE pal stake, pole, fr. L palus stake;
          akin to L pangere to fix--more at pact] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: a long slender usu. cylindrical object (as a length
          of wood) b: a shaft which extends from the front axle
          of a wagon between wheelhorses and by which the wagon
          is drawn: tongue c: a long staff of wood, metal, or fiberglass
          used in the pole vault 2 a: a varying unit of length;
          esp: one measuring 16 1/2 feet (5.03 meters) b: a unit
          of area equal to a square rod (25.293 square meters)
          3: a tree with a breast-high diameter of from 4 to 12
          inches (10 to 30 centimeters) 4: the inside front row
          position on the starting line for a race [2]pole vb poled
          ; pol.ing vt (1573) 1: to act upon with a pole 2: to
          impel or push with a pole ~ vi 1: to propel a boat with
          a pole 2: to use ski poles to gain speed [3]pole n [ME,
          fr. L polus, fr. Gk polos pivot, pole; akin to Gk pelesthai
          to become, Skt carati he moves, wanders--more at wheel]
          (14c) 1: either extremity of an axis of a sphere and
          esp. of the earth's axis 2 a: either of two related opposites
          b: a point of guidance or attraction 3 a: either of the
          two terminals of an electric cell, battery, generator,
          or motor b: one of two or more regions in a magnetized
          body at which the magnetic flux density is concentrated
          4: either of two morphologically or physiologically differentiated
          areas at opposite ends of an axis in an organism or cell--see
          blastula illustration 5 a: the fixed point in a system of polar
          coordinates that serves as the origin b: the point of origin of two
          tangents to a conic section that determine a polar -- poles apart
          : as diametrically opposed as possible Pole n [G, of Slavic origin;
          akin to Pol polak Pole] (1535) 1: a native or inhabitant of Poland
          2: a person of Polish descent

   [1]poleax
          [pole.ax] n [ME polax, pollax, fr. pol, polle poll + ax]
          (14c) 1: a battle-ax with a short handle and often a
          hook or spike opposite the blade; also: one with a long
          handle used as an ornamental weapon 2: an ax used in
          slaughtering cattle [2]poleax vt (1882): to attack, strike,
          or fell with or as if with a poleax

   pole bean
          [pole bean] n (ca. 1770): a cultivated bean that is usu.
          trained to grow upright on supports

   polecat
          [pole.cat] n, pl polecats or polecat [ME polcat, prob. fr.
          MF poul, pol cock + ME cat; prob. fr. its preying on
          poultry--more at pullet] (14c) 1: any of several carnivorous
          mammals (as of the genera Mustela or Vormela) of the
          weasel family; esp: a brown to black European mammal
          (M. putorius) from which the domesticated ferret is derived
          2: skunk

   poleis
          [poleis] pl of polis

   poleless
          [pole.less] adj (1647): having no pole

   polemic
          [po.lem.ic] n [F polemique, fr. MF, fr. polemique controversial,
          fr. Gk polemikos warlike, hostile, fr. polemos war; perh.
          akin to Gk pelemizein to shake, OE ealfelo baleful] (1638)
          1 a: an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions
          or principles of another b: the art or practice of disputation
          or controversy--usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in
          constr. 2: an aggressive controversialist: disputant
          -- po.lem.i.cist n

   polemical
          [po.lem.i.cal] also po.lem.ic adj (1640) 1: of, relating
          to, or being a polemic: controversial 2: engaged in or
          addicted to polemics: disputatious -- po.lem.i.cal.ly
          adv

   polemicize
          [po.lem.i.cize] vi -cized ; -ciz.ing (1950): to engage in
          controversy: deliver a polemic

   polemist
          [po.le.mist] n (1825): one skilled in or given to polemics

   polemize
          [pol.e.mize] vi -mized ; -miz.ing (1828): polemicize

   polemonium
          [pol.e.mo.ni.um] n [NL, fr. Gk polemonion, a plant] (1900):
          jacob's ladder 1

   polenta
          [po.len.ta] n [It, fr. L, crushed and hulled barley; akin
          to L pollen fine flour] (1764): mush made of chestnut
          meal, cornmeal, semolina, or farina

   poler
          [pol.er] n (1848): one that poles; esp: one that poles a
          boat

   polestar
          [pole.star] n 1: north star 2 a: a directing principle: guide
          b: a center of attraction

   pole vault
          [pole vault] n (ca. 1890): a vault with the aid of a pole;
          specif: a field event consisting of a vault for height
          over a crossbar -- pole-vault vi -- pole-vaulter n

   poleward
          [pole.ward] adv or adj (1875): toward or in the direction
          of a pole of the earth <as the sun moves ~> <~ variation
          in temperature>

   [1]police
          [po.lice] vt po.liced ; po.lic.ing (1589) [in sense 1, fr.
          MF policier, fr. police conduct of public affairs; in
          other senses, fr. [2]police] 1 archaic: govern 2: to
          control, regulate, or keep in order by use of police
          3: to make clean and put in order 4 a: to supervise the
          operation, execution, or administration of to prevent
          or detect and prosecute violations of rules and regulations
          b: to exercise such supervision over the policies and
          activities of 5: to perform the functions of a police
          force in or over [2]police n, pl police often attrib
          [F, fr. LL politia government, administration, fr. Gk
          politeia, fr. polites citizen, fr. polis city, state;
          akin to Skt pur rampart, Lith pilis castle] (1716) 1
          a: the internal organization or regulation of a political
          unit through exercise of governmental powers esp. with
          respect to general comfort, health, morals, safety, or
          prosperity b: control and regulation of affairs affecting
          the general order and welfare of any unit or area c:
          the system of laws for effecting such control 2 a: the
          department of government concerned primarily with maintenance
          of public order, safety, and health and enforcement of
          laws and possessing executive, judicial, and legislative
          powers b: the department of government charged with prevention,
          detection, and prosecution of public nuisances and crimes
          3 a: police force b pl: police officers 4 a: a private
          organization resembling a police force <campus ~> b pl:
          the members of a private police organization 5 a: the
          action or process of cleaning and putting in order b:
          military personnel detailed to perform this function

   police action
          [police action] n (1933): a localized military action undertaken
          without formal declaration of war by regular armed forces
          against persons (as guerrillas or aggressors) held to
          be violators of international peace and order

   police court
          [police court] n (1823): a court of record that has jurisdiction
          over various minor offenses (as breach of the peace)
          and the power to bind over for trial in a superior court
          or for a grand jury persons accused of more serious offenses

   police dog
          [police dog] n (1908) 1: a dog trained to assist police (as
          in drug detection) 2: german shepherd

   police force
          [police force] n (1838): a body of trained officers entrusted
          by a government with maintenance of public peace and
          order, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection
          of crime

   policeman
          [po.lice.man] n (1801) 1: a member of a police force 2: one
          held to resemble a policeman <making the United States
          the ~ for the whole wide world --R. B. Long>

   police officer
          [police officer] n (1800): a member of a police force

   police power
          [police power] n (1827): the inherent power of a government
          to exercise reasonable control over persons and property
          within its jurisdiction in the interest of the general
          security, health, safety, morals, and welfare except
          where legally prohibited

   police procedural
          [police procedural] n, pl police procedurals (1967): a mystery
          story written from the point of view of the police investigating
          the crime

   police reporter
          [police reporter] n (1834): a reporter regularly assigned
          to cover police news (as crimes and arrests)

   police state
          [police state] n (1865): a political unit characterized by
          repressive governmental control of political, economic,
          and social life usu. by an arbitrary exercise of power
          by police and esp. secret police in place of regular
          operation of administrative and judicial organs of the
          government according to publicly known legal procedures

   police station
          [police station] n (1846): the headquarters of the police
          for a locality

   policewoman
          [po.lice.wom.an] n (1853): a woman who is a member of a police
          force

   [1]policy
          [pol.i.cy] n, pl -cies often attrib [ME policie government,
          policy, fr. MF, government, regulation, fr. LL politia]
          (15c) 1 a: prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs
          b: management or procedure based primarily on material
          interest 2 a: a definite course or method of action selected
          from among alternatives and in light of given conditions
          to guide and determine present and future decisions b:
          a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals
          and acceptable procedures esp. of a governmental body
          [2]policy n, pl -cies [alter. of earlier police, fr.
          MF, certificate, fr. OIt polizza, modif. of ML apodixa
          receipt, fr. MGk apodeixis, fr. Gk, proof, fr. apodeiknynai
          to demonstrate--more at apodictic] (1565) 1: a writing
          whereby a contract of insurance is made 2 a: a daily
          lottery in which participants bet that certain numbers
          will be drawn from a lottery wheel b: number 7a

   policyholder
          [pol.i.cy.hold.er] n (1851): the owner of an insurance policy

   policy science
          [policy science] n (1950): a social science dealing with
          the making of high-level policy (as in a government or
          business)

   polio
          [po.lio] n (1931): poliomyelitis

   poliomyelitis
          [po.lio.my.eli.tis] n [NL, fr. Gk polios gray + myelos marrow--more
          at fallow, myel-] (1878): an acute infectious virus disease
          characterized by fever, motor paralysis, and atrophy of skeletal
          muscles often with permanent disability and deformity and marked
          by inflammation of nerve cells in the anterior gray matter in each
          lateral half of the spinal cord--called also infantile paralysis

   poliovirus
          [po.lio.vi.rus] n [NL, fr. poliomyelitis + virus] (1953):
          an enterovirus that occurs in several antigenically distinct
          forms and is the causative agent of human poliomyelitis

   polis
          [po.lis] n, pl po.leis [Gk--more at police] (1894): a Greek
          city-state; broadly: a state or society esp. when characterized
          by a sense of community

   -polis
          [-polis] n comb form [LL, fr. Gk, fr. polis]: city <megalopolis>

   [1]polish
          [pol.ish] vb [ME polisshen, fr. MF poliss-, stem of polir,
          fr. L polire] vt (14c) 1: to make smooth and glossy usu.
          by friction: burnish 2: to smooth, soften, or refine
          in manners or condition 3: to bring to a highly developed,
          finished, or refined state: perfect ~ vi: to become smooth
          or glossy by or as if by friction -- pol.ish.er n [2]polish
          n (1704) 1 a: a smooth glossy surface: luster b: freedom
          from rudeness or coarseness: culture c: a state of high
          development or refinement 2: the action or process of
          polishing 3: a preparation that is used to produce a
          gloss and often a color for the protection and decoration
          of a surface <furniture ~> <nail ~> [1]Pol.ish adj [Pole]
          (1674): of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland,
          the Poles, or Polish [2]Polish n (1784): the Slavic language
          of the Poles

   polish off
          [polish off] vt (1829): to finish off or dispose of rapidly
          or completely

   polit
          [polit] abbreviation political, politician

   politburo
          [po.lit.bu.ro] n [Russ politbyuro, fr. politicheskoe byuro
          political bureau] (1925): the principal policy-making
          and executive committee of a Communist party

   polite
          [po.lite] adj po.lit.er ; -est [L politus, fr. pp. of polire]
          (1501) 1 a: of, relating to, or having the characteristics
          of advanced culture b: marked by refined cultural interests
          and pursuits esp. in arts and belles lettres 2 a: showing
          or characterized by correct social usage b: marked by
          an appearance of consideration, tact, deference, or courtesy
          c: marked by a lack of roughness or crudities <~ literature>
          syn see civil -- po.lite.ly adv -- po.lite.ness n

   politesse
          [po.li.tesse] n [F, fr. MF, cleanness, fr. OIt pulitezza,
          fr. pulito, pp. of pulire to polish, clean, fr. L polire]
          (1717): formal politeness: decorousness

   politic
          [pol.i.tic] adj [ME politik, fr. MF politique, fr. L politicus,
          fr. Gk politikos, fr. polites citizen--more at police]
          (15c) 1: political 2: characterized by shrewdness in
          managing, contriving, or dealing 3: sagacious in promoting
          a policy 4: shrewdly tactful syn see expedient, suave

   political
          [po.lit.i.cal] adj [L politicus] (1551) 1 a: of or relating
          to government, a government, or the conduct of government
          b: of, relating to, or concerned with the making as distinguished
          from the administration of governmental policy 2: of,
          relating to, involving, or involved in politics and esp.
          party politics 3: organized in governmental terms <~
          units> 4: involving or charged or concerned with acts
          against a government or a political system <~ prisoners>
          -- po.lit.i.cal.ly adv

   political action committee
          [political action committee] n (1944): a group formed (as
          by an industry or an issue-oriented organization) to
          raise and contribute money to the campaigns of candidates
          likely to advance the group's interests

   political economy
          [political economy] n (1740) 1: economics 2: the theory or
          study of the role of public policy in influencing the
          economic and social welfare of a political unit -- political
          economist n

   politicalize
          [po.lit.i.cal.ize] vt -ized ; -izing (1869): politicize --
          po.lit.i.cal.i.za.tion n

   politically correct
          [politically correct] adj (1983): conforming to a belief
          that language and practices which could offend political
          sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be
          eliminated

   political science
          [political science] n (1779): a social science concerned
          chiefly with the description and analysis of political
          and esp. governmental institutions and processes -- political
          scientist n

   politician
          [pol.i.ti.cian] n (1589) 1: a person experienced in the art
          or science of government; esp: one actively engaged in
          conducting the business of a government 2 a: a person
          engaged in party politics as a profession b: a person
          primarily interested in political office for selfish
          or other narrow usu. short-sighted reasons

   politicise
          [po.lit.i.cise] Brit var of politicize

   politicize
          [po.lit.i.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing (1846): to give a political
          tone or character to <an attempt to ~ the civil service>
          -- po.lit.i.ci.za.tion n

   politick
          [pol.i.tick] vi [back-formation fr. politicking, n., fr.
          politics + [3]-ing] (ca. 1934): to engage in often partisan
          political discussion or activity -- pol.i.tick.er n

   politico
          [po.lit.i.co] n, pl -cos also -coes [It politico or Sp politico,
          ultim. fr. L politicus political] (1630): politician
          2

   politics
          [pol.i.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [Gk politika,
          fr. neut. pl. of politikos political] (ca. 1529) 1 a:
          the art or science of government b: the art or science
          concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy
          c: the art or science concerned with winning and holding
          control over a government 2: political actions, practices,
          or policies 3 a: political affairs or business; esp:
          competition between competing interest groups or individuals
          for power and leadership (as in a government) b: political
          life esp. as a principal activity or profession c: political
          activities characterized by artful and often dishonest
          practices 4: the political opinions or sympathies of
          a person 5 a: the total complex of relations between
          people living in society b: relations or conduct in a
          particular area of experience esp. as seen or dealt with
          from a political point of view <sexual ~> <office ~>

   polity
          [pol.i.ty] n, pl -ties [LL politia--more at police] (1538)
          1: political organization 2: a specific form of political
          organization 3: a politically organized unit 4 a: the
          form or constitution of a politically organized unit
          b: the form of government of a religious denomination

   polka
          [pol.ka] n [Czech, fr. Polka Polish woman, fem. of Polak
          Pole] (1844) 1: a vivacious couple dance of Bohemian
          origin in duple time with a basic pattern of hop-step-close-step
          2: a lively Bohemian dance tune in 2/4 time -- polka
          vi

   polka dot
          [pol.ka dot] n (1884): a dot in a pattern of regularly distributed
          dots in textile design -- polka-dot or pol.ka-dot.ted adj

   [1]poll
          [poll] n [ME pol, polle, fr. MLG] (14c) 1: head 2 a: the
          top or back of the head b: nape 3: the broad or flat
          end of a striking tool (as a hammer) 4 a (1): the casting
          or recording of the votes of a body of persons (2): a
          counting of votes cast b: the place where votes are cast
          or recorded--usu. used in pl. <at the ~s> c: the period
          of time during which votes may be cast at an election
          d: the total number of votes recorded <a heavy ~> 5 a:
          a questioning or canvassing of persons selected at random
          or by quota to obtain information or opinions to be analyzed
          b: a record of the information so obtained [2]poll vt
          (14c) 1 a: to cut off or cut short the hair or wool of:
          crop, shear b: to cut off or cut short (as wool) 2 a:
          to cut off or back the top of (as a tree); specif: pollard
          b: to cut off or cut short the horns of (cattle) 3 a:
          to receive and record the votes of b: to request each
          member of to declare a vote individually <~ the assembly>
          4: to receive (as votes) in an election 5: to question
          or canvass in a poll 6: to test (as several computer
          terminals sharing a single line) in sequence for messages
          to be transmitted ~ vi: to cast one's vote at a poll
          -- poll.ee n -- poll.er n

   pollack
          [pol.lack] or pol.lock n, pl pollack or pollock [ME poullok,
          perh. fr. ScotGael pollag or Ir pollog] (15c) 1: a commercially
          important north Atlantic food fish (Pollachius virens)
          related to and resembling the cods but darker 2: a commercially
          important northern Pacific food fish (Theragra chalcogramma)
          of the cod family that closely resembles the pollack--called
          also walleye pollack

   [1]pollard
          [pol.lard] n [[2]poll] (1546): a tree cut back to the trunk
          to promote the growth of a dense head of foliage [2]pollard
          vt (1670): to make a pollard of (a tree)

   polled
          [polled] adj (1607): having no horns

   pollen
          [pol.len] n [NL pollin-, pollen, fr. L, fine flour] (1760)
          1: a mass of microspores in a seed plant appearing usu.
          as a fine dust 2: a dusty bloom on the body of an insect

   pollen basket
          [pollen basket] n (1860): a smooth area on each hind tibia
          of a bee that is edged by a fringe of stiff hairs and
          serves to collect and transport pollen--called also corbicula

   pollen grain
          [pollen grain] n (1835): one of the granular microspores
          that occur in pollen and give rise to the male gametophyte
          of a seed plant

   pollenizer
          [pol.len.iz.er] also pol.lin.iz.er n [pollenize to pollinate]
          (1897) 1: a plant that is a source of pollen 2: pollinator
          a

   pollen mother cell
          [pollen mother cell] n (1884): a cell that is derived from
          the hypodermis of the pollen sac and that gives rise
          by meiosis to four cells each of which develops into
          a pollen grain

   pollen sac
          [pollen sac] n (1875): one of the pouches of a seed plant
          anther in which pollen is formed

   pollen tube
          [pollen tube] n (1835): a tube that is formed by a pollen
          grain and conveys the sperm nuclei to the embryo sac
          of an angiosperm or the archegonium of a gymnosperm

   pollex
          [pol.lex] n, pl pol.li.ces [NL pollic-, pollex, fr. L, thumb,
          big toe] (ca. 1836): the first digit of the forelimb:
          thumb

   pollice verso
          [pol.li.ce ver.so] [L] foreign term : with thumb turned:
          with a gesture or expression of condemnation

   pollin-
          [pollin-] comb form [NL pollin-, pollen]: pollen <pollinate>

   pollinate
          [pol.li.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1875) 1: to carry out
          the pollination of 2: to mark or smudge with pollen

   pollination
          [pol.li.na.tion] n (1875): the transfer of pollen from an
          anther to the stigma in angiosperms or from the microsporangium
          to the micropyle in gymnosperms

   pollinator
          [pol.li.na.tor] n (1903): one that pollinates: as a: an agent
          (as an insect) that pollinates flowers b: pollenizer
          1

   pollinium
          [pol.lin.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. pollin-] (1862): a coherent
          mass of pollen grains often with a stalk bearing an adhesive
          disk that clings to insects

   pollinosis
          [pol.li.no.sis] or pol.len.osis n [NL pollinosis, fr. pollin-]
          (1925): an acute recurrent catarrhal disorder caused
          by allergic sensitivity to specific pollens

   pollster
          [poll.ster] n (1939): one that conducts a poll or compiles
          data obtained by a poll

   poll tax
          [poll tax] n (1692): a tax of a fixed amount per person levied
          on adults

   pollutant
          [pol.lut.ant] n (1892): something that pollutes

   pollute
          [pol.lute] vt pol.lut.ed ; pol.lut.ing [ME, fr. L pollutus,
          pp. of polluere, fr. por- (akin to L per through) + -luere
          (akin to L lutum mud, Gk lyma dirt, defilement)--more
          at for] (14c) 1 a: to make ceremonially or morally impure:
          defile b: debase 1 <using language to deceive or mislead
          ~s language --Linda C. Lederman> 2 a: to make physically
          impure or unclean: befoul, dirty b: to contaminate (an
          environment) esp. with man-made waste syn see contaminate
          -- pol.lut.er n -- pol.lut.ive adj

   pollution
          [pol.lu.tion] n (14c) 1: the action of polluting esp. by
          environmental contamination with man-made waste; also:
          the condition of being polluted 2: pollutant

   Pollux
          [Pol.lux] n [L, modif. of Gk Polydeukes] 1: one of the Dioscuri
          2: a first-magnitude star in the constellation Gemini

   Pollyanna
          [Pol.ly.an.na] n [Pollyanna, heroine of the novel Pollyanna
          (1913) by Eleanor Porter d. 1920 Am. fiction writer]
          (1921): a person characterized by irrepressible optimism
          and a tendency to find good in everything -- Pollyanna
          adj -- Pol.ly.an.na.ish also Pol.ly.an.nish adj

   pollywog
          [pol.ly.wog] or pol.li.wog n [alter. of ME polwygle, prob.
          fr. pol poll + wiglen to wiggle] (1832): tadpole

   polo
          [po.lo] n [Balti, ball] (1872) 1: a game played by teams
          of players on horseback using mallets with long flexible
          handles to drive a wooden ball through goalposts 2: water
          polo -- po.lo.ist n

   polo coat
          [polo coat] n (1910): a tailored overcoat that is made esp.
          of tan camel's hair and often has stitched edges and
          a half-belt on the back

   polonaise
          [po.lo.naise] n [F, fr. fem. of polonais Polish, fr. Pologne
          Poland, fr. ML Polonia] (1773) 1: an elaborate overdress
          with a short-sleeved fitted waist and a draped cutaway
          overskirt 2 a: a stately Polish processional dance popular
          in 19th century Europe b: music for this dance in moderate
          3/4 time

   Polonia
          [Po.lo.nia] n [NL, Poland, fr. ML] (1944): people of Polish
          descent living outside Poland

   polonium
          [po.lo.ni.um] n [NL, fr. ML Polonia] (1898): a radioactive
          metallic element that is similar chemically to tellurium
          and bismuth, occurs esp. in pitchblende and radium-lead
          residues, and emits an alpha particle to form an isotope
          of lead

   Polonius
          [Po.lo.ni.us] n: a garrulous courtier and father of Ophelia
          and Laertes in Shakespeare's Hamlet

   polo shirt
          [polo shirt] n (1920): a close-fitting pullover often knit
          shirt with short or long sleeves and turnover collar
          or banded neck

   poltergeist
          [pol.ter.geist] n [G, fr. poltern to knock + Geist spirit]
          (1848): a noisy usu. mischievous ghost held to be responsible
          for unexplained noises (as rappings)

   [1]poltroon
          [pol.troon] n [MF poultron, fr. OIt poltrone, prob. akin
          to poltro colt, ultim. fr. L pullus young of an animal--more
          at foal] (ca. 1529): a spiritless coward: craven [2]poltroon
          adj (1645): characterized by complete cowardice

   poltroonery
          [pol.troon.ery] n (1590): mean pusillanimity: cowardice

   poly
          [poly] abbreviation polytechnic

   poly-
          [poly-] comb form [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr. polys; akin to
          OHG filu many, Skt puru, L plenus full--more at full]
          1: many: several: much: multi- <polychotomous> <polygyny>
          2 a: containing an indefinite number more than one of
          a (specified) substance <polysulfide> b: polymeric: polymer
          of a (specified) monomer <polyethylene> <polyadenylic
          acid>

   poly
          [poly] n, pl pol.ys often attrib [short for polymer] (1942):
          a polymerized plastic or something made of this; esp:
          a polyester fiber, fabric, or garment

   polyA
          [poly.A] n [poly- + adenylic acid] (1957): RNA or a segment
          of RNA that is composed of a polynucleotide chain consisting
          entirely of adenylic acid residues and that codes for
          polylysine when functioning as messenger RNA in protein
          synthesis

   polyacrylamide
          [poly.acryl.amide] n (1944): a polyamide of acrylic acid

   polyacrylonitrile
          [poly.ac.ry.lo.ni.trile] n (1935): a polymer of acrylonitrile
          used often as fibers

   polyadenylic acid
          [poly.ad.e.nyl.ic acid] n (1956): polya

   polyalcohol
          [poly.al.co.hol] n (1900): an alcohol (as a diol) that contains
          more than one hydroxyl group

   polyamide
          [poly.am.ide] n [ISV] (1929): a compound characterized by
          more than one amide group; esp: a polymeric amide (as
          nylon)

   polyamine
          [poly.amine] n (1861): a compound characterized by more than
          one amino group

   polyandry
          [poly.an.dry] n [Gk polyandros, adj., having many husbands,
          fr. poly- + andr-, aner man, husband--more at andr-]
          (1780): the state or practice of having more than one
          husband or male mate at one time--compare polygamy, polygyny
          -- poly.an.drous adj

   polyantha
          [poly.an.tha] n [NL, fr. Gk polyanthos blooming] (1889):
          any of numerous dwarf hybrid roses characterized by many
          large clusters of small flowers

   polyanthus
          [poly.an.thus] n, pl -an.thus.es or -an.thi [NL, fr. Gk polyanthos
          blooming, fr. poly- + anthos flower--more at anthology] (ca. 1727)
          1: any of various hybrid primroses 2: a narcissus (Narcissus
          tazetta) having small white or yellow flowers arranged in umbels
          and having a spreading perianth

   polyatomic
          [poly.atom.ic] adj [ISV] (1857): containing more than one
          and esp. more than two atoms <~ molecules>

   polybrominated biphenyl
          [poly.bro.mi.nat.ed biphenyl] n (1975): any of several compounds
          that are similar to polychlorinated biphenyls in environmental
          toxicity and in structure but that have various hydrogen
          atoms replaced by bromine rather than chlorine--called
          also PBB

   polybutadiene
          [poly.bu.ta.di.ene] n (1939): a synthetic rubber that has
          a high resistance to wear and is used esp. in the manufacture
          of tires

   polycarbonate
          [poly.car.bon.ate] n (1930): any of various tough transparent
          thermoplastics characterized by high impact strength
          and high softening temperature

   polycentric
          [poly.cen.tric] adj (1887): having more than one center (as
          of development or control): as a: having several centromeres
          <~ chromosomes> <~ cells> b: characterized by polycentrism

   polycentrism
          [poly.cen.trism] n (1956): the existence of many centers
          of communist ideological thought; esp: the existence
          of a number of autonomous national communist movements

   polychaete
          [poly.chaete] n [ultim. fr. Gk polychaites having much hair,
          fr. poly- + chaite long hair] (1896): any of a class
          (Polychaeta) of chiefly marine annelid worms (as clam
          worms) usu. with paired segmental appendages, separate
          sexes, and a free-swimming trochophore larva -- polychaete
          adj

   polychlorinated biphenyl
          [poly.chlo.ri.nat.ed biphenyl] n (1962): any of several compounds
          that are produced by replacing hydrogen atoms in biphenyl
          with chlorine, have various industrial applications,
          and are poisonous environmental pollutants which tend
          to accumulate in animal tissues--called also PCB

   polychotomous
          [poly.chot.o.mous] adj [poly- + -chotomous (as in dichotomous)]
          (ca. 1858): dividing or marked by division into many
          parts, branches, or classes -- poly.chot.o.my n

   polychromatic
          [poly.chro.mat.ic] adj [Gk polychromatos, fr. poly- + chromat-,
          chroma color--more at chromatic] (ca. 1841) 1: showing
          a variety or a change of colors: multicolored 2: being
          or relating to radiation that is composed of more than
          one wavelength

   polychromatophilic
          [poly.chro.mato.phil.ic] adj (1897): stainable with more
          than one type of stain and esp. with both acid and basic
          dyes <~ erythroblasts> -- poly.chro.mato.phil.ia n

   polychrome
          [poly.chrome] adj [Gk polychromos, fr. poly- + chroma] (1837):
          relating to, made with, or decorated in several colors
          <~ pottery> -- polychrome vt -- poly.chro.my n

   polycistronic
          [poly.cis.tron.ic] adj (1963): containing the genetic information
          of a number of cistrons <~ messenger RNA>

   polyclinic
          [poly.clin.ic] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): a clinic or hospital treating
          diseases of many sorts

   polyclonal
          [poly.clon.al] adj (1914): produced by or being cells derived
          from two or more cells of different ancestry or genetic
          constitution <~ antibodies>

   polycondensation
          [poly.con.den.sa.tion] n [ISV] (1936): a chemical condensation
          leading to the formation of a compound of high molecular
          weight

   polyconic projection
          [poly.con.ic projection] n (ca. 1864): a map projection consisting
          of a composite series of concentric cones each of which before
          being unrolled has been placed over a sphere so as to be tangent
          to a different parallel of latitude

   polycrystalline
          [poly.crys.tal.line] adj (1918) 1: consisting of crystals
          variously oriented 2: composed of more than one crystal
          -- poly.crys.tal n

   polycyclic
          [poly.cy.clic] adj [ISV] (1869): having more than one cyclic
          component; esp: having two or more rings in the molecule

   polycystic
          [poly.cys.tic] adj (1872): having or involving more than
          one cyst <~ kidneys> <~ disease>

   polycythemia
          [poly.cy.the.mia] n [NL, fr. poly- + cyt- + -hemia] (ca.
          1857): a condition marked by an abnormal increase in
          the number of circulating red blood cells; specif: polycythemia
          vera -- poly.cy.the.mic adj

   polycythemia vera
          [polycythemia ve.ra] n [NL, true polycythemia] (ca. 1925):
          polycythemia of unknown cause that is characterized by
          increase in total blood volume and accompanied by nosebleed,
          distension of the circulatory vessels, and enlargement
          of the spleen--called also erythremia

   polycytidylic acid
          [poly.cyt.i.dyl.ic acid] n (1965): RNA or a segment of RNA
          that is composed of a polynucleotide chain consisting
          entirely of cytosine-containing nucleotides and that
          codes for a polypeptide chain consisting of proline residues
          when functioning as messenger RNA in protein synthesis

   polydactyl
          [poly.dac.tyl] adj [Gk polydaktylos, fr. poly- + daktylos
          digit] (ca. 1890): having or causing polydactyly

   polydactyly
          [poly.dac.ty.ly] n (1886): the condition of having more than
          the normal number of fingers or toes

   polydipsia
          [poly.dip.sia] n [NL, fr. poly- + Gk dipsa thirst] (1660):
          excessive or abnormal thirst -- poly.dip.sic adj

   polydisperse
          [poly.dis.perse] adj [poly- + L dispersus dispersed, fr.
          pp. of dispergere to disperse] (1915): of, relating to,
          or characterized by or as particles of varied sizes in
          the dispersed phase of a disperse system -- poly.dis.per.si.ty
          n

   polyelectrolyte
          [poly.elec.tro.lyte] n (ca. 1947): a substance of high molecular
          weight (as a protein) that is an electrolyte

   polyembryony
          [poly.em.bry.o.ny] n [ISV poly- + embryon- + [2]-y] (1849)
          1: the condition of having several embryos 2: the production
          of two or more embryos from one ovule or egg -- poly.em.bry.on.ic
          adj

   polyene
          [poly.ene] n [ISV] (1928): an organic compound containing
          many double bonds; esp: one having the double bonds in
          a long aliphatic hydrocarbon chain -- poly.enic adj

   [1]polyester
          [poly.es.ter] n [ISV] (1929): any of a group of polymers
          that consist basically of repeated units of an ester
          and are used esp. in making fibers or plastics --
          poly.es.ter.i.fi.ca.tion n
          [2]polyester adj (1975): characterized by inelegant
          or unsophisticated middle-class taste
          <~ suburbs> <~ folks>

   polyestrous
          [poly.es.trous] adj (1900): having more than one period of
          estrus in a year

   polyethylene
          [poly.eth.yl.ene] n (ca. 1862): a polymer of ethylene; esp:
          any of various partially crystalline lightweight thermoplastics
          that are resistant to chemicals and moisture, have good
          insulating properties, and are used esp. in packaging
          and insulation

   polygala
          [po.lyg.a.la] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, milkwort, fr. Gk
          polygalon, fr. poly- + gala milk--more at galaxy] (1578):
          milkwort

   polygamic
          [poly.gam.ic] adj (1819): polygamous

   polygamous
          [po.lyg.a.mous] adj [Gk polygamos, fr. poly- + -gamos -gamous]
          (1613) 1 a: relating to or practicing polygamy b: having
          more than one mate at one time <baboons are ~> 2: bearing
          both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same
          plant

   polygamy
          [po.lyg.a.my] n (ca. 1591) 1: marriage in which a spouse
          of either sex may have more than one mate at the same
          time--compare polyandry, polygyny 2: the state of being
          polygamous -- po.lyg.a.mist n -- po.lyg.a.mize vi

   polygene
          [poly.gene] n [ISV] (1941): any of a group of nonallelic
          genes that collectively control the inheritance of a
          quantitative character or modify the expression of a
          qualitative character -- poly.gen.ic adj

   polygenesis
          [poly.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1882): development from more
          than one source

   polygenetic
          [poly.ge.net.ic] adj (1861) 1: polyphyletic 2: having many
          distinct sources

   [1]polyglot
          [poly.glot] n [[2]polyglot] (ca. 1645) 1: one who is polyglot
          2 cap: a book containing versions of the same text in
          several languages; esp: the Scriptures in several languages
          3: a mixture or confusion of languages or nomenclatures
          [2]polyglot adj [Gk polyglottos, fr. poly- + glotta language--more
          at gloss] (1656) 1 a: speaking or writing several languages:
          multilingual b: composed of numerous linguistic groups
          <a ~ population> 2: containing matter in several languages
          <a ~ sign> 3: composed of elements from different languages
          4: being widely diverse (as in ethnic or cultural origins)
          <~ cuisine>

   polyglotism
          [poly.glot.ism] or poly.glot.tism n (1882): the use of many
          languages: the ability to speak many languages

   polygon
          [poly.gon] n [LL polygonum, fr. Gk polygonon, fr. neut. of
          polygonos polygonal, fr. poly- + gonia angle--more at
          -gon] (1571) 1: a closed plane figure bounded by straight
          lines 2: a closed figure on a sphere bounded by arcs
          of great circles -- po.lyg.o.nal adj -- po.lyg.o.nal.ly
          adv

   polygonum
          [po.lyg.o.num] n [NL, fr. Gk polygonon knotgrass, fr. poly-
          + gony knee--more at knee] (ca. 1706): any of a genus
          (Polygonum) of herbs of the buckwheat family with a prominent
          tubular sheath around the base of each petiole, thickened
          nodes, and flowers that are solitary and axillary or
          in spiked racemes--called also knotweed

   polygraph
          [poly.graph] n (1871): an instrument for recording variations
          of several different pulsations (as of physiological
          variables) simultaneously; broadly: lie detector -- poly.graph.ic
          adj

   polygrapher
          [po.lyg.ra.pher] n (ca. 1934): one who operates a polygraph

   polygraphist
          [po.lyg.ra.phist] n (1954): polygrapher

   polygynous
          [po.lyg.y.nous] adj (1874): relating to or practicing polygyny

   polygyny
          [po.lyg.y.ny] n (1780): the state or practice of having more
          than one wife or female mate at one time--compare polyandry,
          polygamy

   polyhedral angle
          [polyhedral angle] n (ca. 1864): a portion of space partly
          enclosed by three or more planes whose intersections
          meet in a vertex

   polyhedron
          [poly.he.dron] n, pl -drons or -dra [NL] (1570): a solid
          formed by plane faces -- poly.he.dral adj

   polyhedrosis
          [poly.he.dro.sis] n, pl -dro.ses [NL, fr. polyhedron] (1947):
          any of several virus diseases of insect larvae characterized
          by dissolution of tissues and accumulation of polyhedral
          granules in the resultant fluid

   polyhistor
          [poly.his.tor] n [Gk polyistor very learned, fr. poly- +
          istor, histor learned--more at history] (1588): polymath
          -- poly.his.tor.ic adj

   polyhydroxy
          [poly.hy.droxy] adj (ca. 1929): containing more than one
          hydroxyl group in the molecule

   Polyhymnia
          [Poly.hym.nia] n [L, fr. Gk Polyymnia]: the Greek Muse of
          sacred song

   poly I:C
          [poly I:C] or poly I.poly C n [poly- + inosinic acid + cytidylic
          acid] (1969): a synthetic 2-stranded RNA composed of
          one strand of polyinosinic acid and one strand of polycytidylic
          acid that induces interferon formation and has been used
          experimentally as an anticancer and antiviral agent

   polyinosinic acid
          [poly.ino.sin.ic acid] n [poly- + inosinic acid, fr. Gk in-,
          is sinew + ISV [2]-ose + [1]-in + [1]-ic + acid] (1965):
          RNA or a segment of RNA that is composed of a polynucleotide
          chain consisting entirely of inosinic acid residues

   polylysine
          [poly.ly.sine] n (1947): a protein whose polypeptide chain
          consists entirely of lysine residues

   polymath
          [poly.math] n [Gk polymathes very learned, fr. poly- + manthanein
          to learn--more at mathematical] (1621): a person of encyclopedic
          learning -- polymath or poly.math.ic adj -- po.ly.ma.thy
          n

   polymer
          [poly.mer] n [ISV, back-formation fr. polymeric, fr. Gk polymeres
          having many parts, fr. poly- + meros part--more at merit]
          (1866): a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed
          by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating
          structural units -- poly.mer.ic adj -- poly.mer.ism n

   polymerase
          [poly.mer.ase] n (1958): any of several enzymes that catalyze
          the formation of DNA or RNA from precursor substances
          in the presence of preexisting DNA or RNA acting as a
          template

   polymerase chain reaction
          [polymerase chain reaction] n (1987): an in vitro technique
          for rapidly synthesizing large quantities of a given
          DNA segment that involves separating the DNA into its
          two complementary strands, using DNA polymerase to synthesize
          two-stranded DNA from each single strand, and repeating
          the process

   polymerisation, polymerise
          [po.ly.mer.i.sa.tion, po.ly.mer.ise] chiefly Brit var of
          polymerization, polymerize

   polymerization
          [po.ly.mer.i.za.tion] n [ISV] (1872) 1: a chemical reaction
          in which two or more molecules combine to form larger
          molecules that contain repeating structural units--compare
          association 5 2: reduplication of parts in an organism

   polymerize
          [po.ly.mer.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1865): to subject
          to polymerization ~ vi: to undergo polymerization

   polymethyl methacrylate
          [poly.meth.yl methacrylate] n (1936): a thermoplastic resin
          of polymerized methyl methacrylate which is characterized
          by its optical clarity (as in a contact lens)

   polymorph
          [poly.morph] n [ISV] (ca. 1828) 1: a polymorphic organism;
          also: one of the several forms of such an organism 2:
          any of the crystalline forms of a polymorphic substance

   polymorphism
          [poly.mor.phism] n (1839): the quality or state of being
          able to assume different forms: as a: existence of a
          species in several forms independent of the variations
          of sex b: the property of crystallizing in two or more
          forms with distinct structure -- poly.mor.phic adj --
          poly.mor.phi.cal.ly adv

   polymorphonuclear
          [poly.mor.pho.nu.cle.ar] adj (1897) of a leukocyte: having
          the nucleus complexly lobed -- polymorphonuclear n

   polymorphous
          [poly.mor.phous] adj [Gk polymorphous, fr. poly- + -morphos
          -morphous] (1785): having, assuming, or occurring in
          various forms, characters, or styles: polymorphic <a
          ~ rash> <~ sexuality> -- poly.mor.phous.ly adv

   polymorphous perverse
          [polymorphous perverse] adj (1909): relating to or exhibiting
          infantile sexual tendencies in which the genitals are
          not yet identified as the sole or principal sexual organs
          nor coitus as the goal of erotic activity

   polymyxin
          [poly.myx.in] n [ISV, fr. NL polymyxa, fr. poly- + Gk myxa
          mucus--more at mucus] (1947): any of several toxic antibiotics
          obtained from a soil bacterium (Bacillus polymyxa) and
          active against gram-negative bacteria

   Polynesian
          [Poly.ne.sian] n (1807) 1: a member of any of the indigenous
          peoples of Polynesia 2: a group of Austronesian languages
          spoken in Polynesia -- Polynesian adj

   polyneuritis
          [poly.neu.ri.tis] n [NL] (1886): neuritis of several peripheral
          nerves at the same time

   Polynices
          [Poly.ni.ces] n [L, fr. Gk Polyneikes]: a son of Oedipus
          for whom the Seven against Thebes mount their expedition

   [1]polynomial
          [poly.no.mi.al] n [poly- + -nomial (as in binomial)] (1674):
          a mathematical expression of one or more algebraic terms
          each of which consists of a constant multiplied by one
          or more variables raised to a nonnegative integral power
          [2]polynomial adj (ca. 1704): relating to, composed of,
          or expressed as one or more polynomials <~ functions>
          <~ equations>

   polynuclear
          [poly.nu.cle.ar] adj [ISV] (1908): chemically polycyclic
          esp. with respect to the benzene ring--used chiefly of
          aromatic hydrocarbons that are important as pollutants
          and possibly as carcinogens

   polynucleotide
          [poly.nu.cle.o.tide] n [ISV] (1911): a polymeric chain of
          nucleotides

   polynya
          [po.lyn.ya] n, pl polynyas also po.lyn.yi [Russ polyn'ya]
          (1853): an area of open water in sea ice

   polyolefin
          [poly.ole.fin] n (1930): a polymer of an alkene (as polyethylene)

   polyoma virus
          [poly.oma virus] n [NL polyoma, fr. poly- + -oma] (1958):
          a papovavirus of rodents that is associated with various
          kinds of tumors--called also polyoma

   polyonymous
          [poly.on.y.mous] adj [Gk polyonymos, fr. poly- + onoma, onyma
          name--more at name] (1678): having or known by various
          names

   polyp
          [pol.yp] n [MF polype octopus, nasal tumor, fr. L polypus,
          fr. Gk polypous, fr. poly- + pous foot--more at foot]
          (1742) 1: a coelenterate that has typically a hollow
          cylindrical body closed and attached at one end and opening
          at the other by a central mouth surrounded by tentacles
          armed with nematocysts 2: a projecting mass of swollen
          and hypertrophied or tumorous membrane -- pol.yp.oid
          adj

   polypeptide
          [poly.pep.tide] n [ISV] (1903): a molecular chain of amino
          acids -- poly.pep.tid.ic adj

   polypetalous
          [poly.pet.al.ous] adj [NL polypetalus, fr. poly- + petalum
          petal] (ca. 1704): having or consisting of separate petals

   polyphagia
          [poly.pha.gia] n [Gk polyphagia, fr. polyphagos] (ca. 1693):
          excessive appetite or eating

   polyphagous
          [po.lyph.a.gous] adj [Gk polyphagos eating too much, fr.
          poly- + -phagos -phagous] (1815): feeding on or utilizing
          many kinds of food -- po.lyph.a.gy n

   polyphase
          [poly.phase] adj [ISV] (1891): having or producing two or
          more phases <a ~ machine> <a ~ current>

   polyphasic
          [poly.pha.sic] adj (1922): consisting of two or more phases

   Polyphemus
          [Poly.phe.mus] n [L, fr. Gk Polyphemos]: a Cyclops whom Odysseus
          blinds in order to escape from his cave

   polyphenol
          [poly.phe.nol] n [ISV] (1894): a polyhydroxy phenol
          -- poly.phe.no.lic adj

   polyphiloprogenitive
          [poly.phil.o.pro.gen.i.tive] adj (1919): extremely prolific:
          philoprogenitive

   polyphone
          [poly.phone] n (1872): a symbol or sequence of symbols having
          more than one phonemic value (as a in English)

   polyphonic
          [poly.phon.ic] or po.lyph.o.nous adj (1782) 1: of, relating
          to, or marked by polyphony 2: being a polyphone
          -- poly.phon.i.cal.ly or po.lyph.o.nous.ly adv

   polyphonic prose
          [polyphonic prose] n (1916): a freely rhythmical prose employing
          characteristic devices of verse (as alliteration and
          assonance)

   polyphony
          [po.lyph.o.ny] n [Gk polyphonia variety of tones, fr. polyphonos
          having many tones or voices, fr. poly- + phone voice--more
          at ban] (ca. 1864): a style of musical composition in
          which two or more independent melodies are juxtaposed
          in harmony

   polyphyletic
          [poly.phy.let.ic] adj [ISV, fr. Gk polyphylos of many tribes,
          fr. poly- + phyle tribe--more at phyl-] (1875): of, relating
          to, or derived from different ancestral stocks; specif:
          relating to or being a taxonomic group that includes
          members (as genera or species) from different ancestral
          lineages -- poly.phy.let.i.cal.ly adv

   polypide
          [pol.yp.ide] n [polyp + Gk -ides, patronymic suffix] (1850):
          one of the individual zooids of a bryozoan colony

   polyploid
          [poly.ploid] adj [ISV] (1920): having or being a chromosome
          number that is a multiple greater than two of the monoploid
          number -- polyploid n -- poly.ploi.dy n

   polypnea
          [po.lyp.nea] n [NL] (ca. 1890): rapid or panting respiration

   polypody
          [poly.po.dy] n, pl -dies [ME polypodie, fr. L polypodium,
          fr. Gk polypodion, fr. poly- + pod-, pous foot--more
          at foot] (14c): any of a genus (Polypodium) of chiefly
          epiphytic ferns with creeping rhizomes; esp: either of
          two ferns (P. vulgare of Eurasia and P. virginianum of
          No. America) with relatively narrow entire segments

   polypropylene
          [poly.pro.pyl.ene] n (1935): any of various thermoplastic
          plastics or fibers that are polymers of propylene

   polyptych
          [po.lyp.tych] n [Gk polyptychos having many folds, fr. poly-
          + ptyche fold, fr. ptyssein to fold] (1859): an arrangement
          of four or more panels (as of a painting) usu. hinged
          and folding together

   polyrhythm
          [poly.rhythm] n (1929): the simultaneous combination of contrasting
          rhythms in music -- poly.rhyth.mic adj -- poly.rhyth.mi.cal.ly adv

   polyribonucleotide
          [poly.ri.bo.nu.cle.o.tide] n (1956): a polynucleotide in
          which the mononucleotides are ribonucleotides

   polyribosome
          [poly.ri.bo.some] n (1962): a cluster of ribosomes linked
          together by a molecule of messenger RNA and forming the
          site of protein synthesis -- poly.ri.bo.som.al adj

   polysaccharide
          [poly.sac.cha.ride] n [ISV] (1892): a carbohydrate that can
          be decomposed by hydrolysis into two or more molecules
          of monosaccharides; esp: any of the more complex carbohydrates
          (as cellulose, starch, or glycogen)

   polysemous
          [po.ly.se.mous] adj [LL polysemus, fr. Gk polysemos, fr.
          poly- + sema sign] (1884): having multiple meanings --
          po.ly.se.my n

   polysome
          [poly.some] n (1962): polyribosome

   polysorbate
          [poly.sor.bate] n (1950): any of several emulsifiers used
          in the preparation of some pharmaceuticals or foods

   polystichous
          [po.lys.ti.chous] adj [Gk polystichos, fr. poly- + stichos
          row--more at distich] (ca. 1890): arranged in several
          rows

   polystyrene
          [poly.sty.rene] n (1927): a polymer of styrene; esp: a rigid
          transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and
          electrical insulating properties and is used esp. in
          molded products, foams, and sheet materials

   polysulfide
          [poly.sul.fide] n [ISV] (1849): a sulfide containing two
          or more atoms of sulfur in the molecule

   polysyllabic
          [poly.syl.lab.ic] adj [ML polysyllabus, fr. Gk polysyllabos,
          fr. poly- + syllabe syllable] (1782) 1: having more than
          one and usu. more than three syllables 2: characterized
          by words of many syllables -- poly.syl.lab.i.cal.ly adv

   polysyllable
          [poly.syl.la.ble] n [modif. of ML polysyllaba, fr. fem. of
          polysyllabus] (1570): a polysyllabic word

   polysynaptic
          [poly.syn.ap.tic] adj (1964): involving two or more synapses
          in the central nervous system <~ reflexes> -- poly.syn.ap.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   polysyndeton
          [poly.syn.de.ton] n [NL, fr. LGk, neut. of polysyndetos using
          many conjunctions, fr. Gk poly- + syndetos bound together,
          conjunctive--more at asyndeton] (ca. 1577): repetition
          of conjunctions in close succession (as in we have ships
          and men and money and stores)

   [1]polytechnic
          [poly.tech.nic] adj [F polytechnique, fr. Gk polytechnos
          skilled in many arts, fr. poly- + techne art--more at
          technical] (1805): relating to or devoted to instruction
          in many technical arts or applied sciences [2]polytechnic
          n (1836): a polytechnic school

   polytene
          [poly.tene] adj [ISV] (1935): relating to, being, or having
          chromosomes each of which consists of many strands with
          the corresponding chromomeres in contact -- poly.te.ny
          n

   polytheism
          [poly.the.ism] n [F polytheisme, fr. LGk polytheos polytheistic,
          fr. Gk, of many gods, fr. poly- + theos god] (1613):
          belief in or worship of more than one god -- poly.the.ist
          adj or n -- poly.the.is.tic also poly.the.is.ti.cal adj

   polythene
          [poly.thene] n [by contr.] (1939) chiefly Brit: polyethylene

   polytonality
          [poly.to.nal.i.ty] n (1923): the simultaneous use of two
          or more musical keys -- poly.ton.al adj -- poly.ton.al.ly
          adv

   polytypic
          [poly.typ.ic] adj (1888): represented by several or many
          types or subdivisions <a ~ species of organism>

   polyunsaturated
          [poly.un.sat.u.rat.ed] adj (1932) of an oil or fatty acid:
          having many double or triple bonds in a molecule--compare
          monounsaturated

   polyurethane
          [poly.ure.thane] n [ISV] (1944): any of various polymers
          that contain NHCOO linkages and are used esp. in flexible
          and rigid foams, elastomers, and resins (as for coatings)

   polyuria
          [poly.uria] n [NL] (ca. 1842): excessive secretion of urine

   polyvalent
          [poly.va.lent] adj [ISV] (1881) 1: having a chemical valence
          greater usu. than two 2: effective against, sensitive
          toward, or counteracting more than one exciting agent
          (as a toxin or antigen) -- poly.va.lence n

   polyvinyl
          [poly.vi.nyl] adj [ISV] (1927): of, relating to, or being
          a polymerized vinyl compound, resin, or plastic--often
          used in combination

   polyvinyl chloride
          [polyvinyl chloride] n (1933): a polymer of vinyl chloride
          used esp. for electrical insulation, films, and pipes--abbr.
          PVC

   polywater
          [poly.wa.ter] n [polymeric water] (1969): water condensed
          into a glass capillary tube and formerly held to be a
          stable form with special properties

   Pom
          [Pom] n (1912) Austral & NewZeal: pommy--usu. used disparagingly

   pomace
          [pom.ace] n [ME pomys, prob. fr. ML pomacium cider, fr. LL
          pomum apple, fr. L, fruit] (15c) 1: the dry or pulpy
          residue of material (as fruit, seeds, or fish) from which
          a liquid (as juice or oil) has been pressed or extracted
          2: something crushed to a pulpy mass

   pomaceous
          [po.ma.ceous] adj [NL pomaceus, fr. LL pomum] (1708) 1: of
          or relating to apples 2 [pome]: resembling a pome

   pomade
          [po.made] n [MF pommade ointment formerly made from apples,
          fr. It pomata, fr. pomo apple, fr. LL pomum] (1562):
          a perfumed ointment; esp: a fragrant hair dressing --
          pomade vt

   pomander
          [po.man.der] n [ME, modif. of MF pome d'ambre, lit., apple
          or ball of amber] (15c) 1: a mixture of aromatic substances
          enclosed in a perforated bag or box and used to scent
          clothes and linens or formerly carried as a guard against
          infection; also: a clove-studded orange or apple used
          for the same purposes 2: a box or hollow fruit-shaped
          ball for holding pomander

   pomatum
          [po.ma.tum] n [NL, fr. LL pomum apple] (1562): pomade

   pome
          [pome] n [ME, fr. MF pome, pomme apple, pome, ball, ultim.
          fr. LL pomum] (15c): a fleshy fruit (as an apple or pear)
          consisting of an outer thickened fleshy layer and a central
          core with usu. five seeds enclosed in a capsule

   pomegranate
          [pome.gran.ate] n [ME poumgrenet, fr. MF pomme grenate, lit.,
          seedy apple] (14c) 1: a thick-skinned several-celled
          reddish berry that is about the size of an orange and
          has many seeds with pulpy crimson arils of tart flavor
          2: a widely cultivated tropical Old World tree (Punica
          granatum of the family Punicaceae) bearing pomegranates

   pomelo
          [pom.e.lo] n, pl -los [alter. of earlier pompelmous, fr.
          D pompelmoes] (1858) 1: grapefruit 2: shaddock

   Pomeranian
          [Pom.er.a.nian] n (1760) 1: any of a breed of very small
          compact long-haired dogs 2: a native or inhabitant of
          Pomerania -- Pomeranian adj

   pommee
          [pom.mee] adj [F, fr. MF pomme apple, ball] (1725) of a heraldic
          cross: having the end of each arm terminating in a ball
          or disk--see cross illustration

   [1]pommel
          [pom.mel] n [ME pomel, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL pomellum
          ball, knob, fr. dim. of LL pomum apple] (14c) 1: the
          knob on the hilt of a sword or saber 2: the protuberance
          at the front and top of a saddle 3: either of a pair
          of removable rounded or U-shaped handles used on the
          top of a pommel horse [2]pom.mel vt -meled or -melled
          ; -mel.ing or -mel.ling [[1]pommel] (1530): pummel

   pommel horse
          [pommel horse] n (1908) 1: a gymnastics apparatus for swinging
          and balancing feats that consists of a padded rectangular
          or cylindrical form with two pommels on the top and that
          is supported in a horizontal position above the floor
          2: an event in which the pommel horse is used

   Pommy
          [Pom.my] or Pom.mie n, pl Pommies [by shortening & alter.
          fr. pomegranate, alter. of Jimmy Grant, rhyming slang
          for immigrant] (1912) Austral & NewZeal: briton; esp:
          an English immigrant--usu. used disparagingly

   Pomo
          [Po.mo] n, pl Pomo or Pomos (1852): a member of an American
          Indian people of northern California

   pomology
          [po.mol.o.gy] n [NL pomologia, fr. L pomum fruit + -logia
          -logy] (1818): the science and practice of fruit growing
          -- po.mo.log.i.cal adj -- po.mol.o.gist n

   pomp
          [pomp] n [ME, fr. MF pompe, fr. L pompa procession, pomp,
          fr. Gk pompe act of sending, escort, procession, pomp,
          fr. pempein to send] (14c) 1: a show of magnificence:
          splendor <every day begins ... in a ~ of flaming colours
          --F. D. Ommanney> 2: a ceremonial or festival display
          (as a train of followers or a pageant) 3 a: ostentatious
          display: vainglory b: an ostentatious gesture or act

   pompadour
          [pom.pa.dour] n [Marquise de Pompadour] (1756) 1 a: a man's
          style of hairdressing in which the hair is combed into
          a high mound in front b: a woman's style of hairdressing
          in which the hair is brushed into a loose full roll around
          the face 2: hair dressed in a pompadour -- pom.pa.doured
          adj

   pompano
          [pom.pa.no] n, pl -no or -nos [AmerSp pampano, fr. Sp, a
          percoid fish (Sparus auratus), lit., vine leaf, fr. L
          pampinus] (1778) 1: a carangid food fish (Trachinotus
          carolinus) of the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of
          No. America; broadly: any of several related fishes 2:
          a small bluish or greenish butterfish (Peprilus simillimus)
          of the Pacific coast

   [1]pom-pom
          [pom-pom] n [alter. of pompon] (1897) 1: an ornamental ball
          or tuft used esp. on clothing, caps, or costumes 2: a
          handheld usu. brightly colored fluffy ball flourished
          by cheerleaders [2]pom-pom n [imit.; fr. the sound of
          its discharge] (1899): a multibarreled automatic antiaircraft
          gun of 20 to 40 millimeters mounted esp. on ships

   pompon
          [pom.pon] n [F, fr. MF pompe tuft of ribbons] (1753) 1: [1]pom-pom
          1 2: a chrysanthemum or dahlia with small rounded flower heads

   pomposity
          [pom.pos.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1620) 1: pompous demeanor, speech,
          or behavior 2: a pompous gesture, habit, or act

   pompous
          [pomp.ous] adj (15c) 1: excessively elevated or ornate <~
          rhetoric> 2: having or exhibiting self-importance: arrogant
          <a ~ politician> 3: relating to or suggestive of pomp:
          magnificent -- pomp.ous.ly adv -- pomp.ous.ness n

   pon
          [pon] abbreviation pontoon

   ponce
          [ponce] n [origin unknown] (1872) Brit: pimp; also: a male
          homosexual--usu. used disparagingly

   poncho
          [pon.cho] n, pl ponchos [AmerSp, fr. Araucanian] (1717) 1:
          a blanket with a slit in the middle so that it can be
          slipped over the head and worn as a sleeveless garment
          2: a waterproof garment resembling a poncho and having
          an integral hood

   [1]pond
          [pond] n [ME ponde artificially confined body of water, prob.
          alter. of pounde enclosure--more at pound] (14c): a body
          of water usu. smaller than a lake [2]pond vt (1694):
          to block (as a stream) to create a pond ~ vi: to collect
          in or form a pond

   ponder
          [pon.der] vb pon.dered ; pon.der.ing [ME, fr. MF ponderer,
          fr. L ponderare to weigh, ponder, fr. ponder-, pondus
          weight--more at pendant] vt (14c) 1: to weigh in the
          mind: appraise <~ed their chances of success> 2: to think
          about: reflect on <~ed the events of the day> ~ vi: to
          think or consider esp. quietly, soberly, and deeply --
          pon.der.er n syn ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate mean
          to consider or examine attentively or deliberately. ponder
          implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged
          inconclusive thinking about a matter <pondered the course
          of action>. meditate implies a definite focusing of one's
          thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply <meditated
          on the meaning of life>. muse suggests a more or less
          focused daydreaming as in remembrance <mused upon childhood
          joys>. ruminate implies going over the same matter in
          one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of
          either purposive thinking or rapt absorption <ruminated
          on past disappointments>.

   ponderable
          [pon.der.a.ble] adj [LL ponderabilis, fr. ponderare] (1813):
          significant enough to be worth considering: appreciable
          syn see perceptible

   ponderosa pine
          [pon.der.o.sa pine] n [NL ponderosa, specific epithet of
          Pinus ponderosa, fr. L, fem. of ponderosus ponderous]
          (1878): a tall pine (Pinus ponderosa) of western No.
          America with long needles usu. in groups of 2 or 3; also:
          its strong reddish straight-grained wood--called also
          ponderosa

   ponderous
          [pon.der.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF pondereux, fr. L ponderosus,
          fr. ponder-, pondus weight] (15c) 1: of very great weight
          2: unwieldy or clumsy because of weight and size 3: oppressively
          or unpleasantly dull: lifeless <~ prose> syn see heavy
          -- pon.der.ous.ly adv -- pon.der.ous.ness n

   pond lily
          [pond lily] n (1748): water lily

   pond scum
          [pond scum] n (ca. 1890) 1: spirogyra; also: any of various
          related algae 2: a mass of tangled algal filaments in
          stagnant waters

   pond skater
          [pond skater] n (1895): water strider

   pondweed
          [pond.weed] n (1578): any of a genus (Potamogeton of the
          family Potamogetonaceae, the pondweed family) of aquatic
          plants with jointed usu. rooting stems, 2-ranked floating
          or submerged leaves, and spikes of greenish flowers

   pone
          [pone] n [modif. of Virginia Algonquian appone] (1634) Southern
          & Midland: corn pone

   pongee
          [pon.gee] n, often attrib [Chin (Beijing) benji, fr. ben
          own + ji loom] (1711): a thin soft fabric of Chinese
          origin woven from raw silk; also: an imitation of this
          fabric in cotton or a synthetic fiber (as of polyester
          or rayon)

   pongid
          [pon.gid] n [ultim. fr. Kongo mpongi ape] (1950): any of
          a family (Pongidae) of apes that includes the chimpanzee,
          gorilla, and orangutan -- pongid adj

   [1]poniard
          [pon.iard] n [MF poignard, fr. poing fist, fr. L pugnus fist--more
          at pungent] (1588): a dagger with a usu. slender blade
          of triangular or square cross section [2]poniard vt (1601):
          to pierce or kill with a poniard

   pons
          [pons] n, pl pon.tes [NL, short for pons Varolii] (1831):
          a broad mass of chiefly transverse nerve fibers conspicuous
          on the ventral surface of the brain of man and lower
          mammals at the anterior end of the medulla oblongata--see
          brain illustration

   pons asinorum
          [pons asi.no.rum] n [NL, lit., asses' bridge, name applied
          to the proposition that the base angles of an isosceles
          triangle are equal] (1751): a critical test of ability
          or understanding; also: stumbling block

   pons Varolii
          [pons Va.ro.lii] n [NL, lit., bridge of Varoli, fr. Costanzo
          Varoli d. 1575 Ital. surgeon and anatomist] (ca. 1693):
          pons

   pontifex
          [pon.ti.fex] n, pl pon.tif.i.ces [L pontific-, pontifex,
          fr. pont-, pons bridge + facere to make--more at find,
          do] (ca. 1580): a member of the council of priests in
          ancient Rome

   pontiff
          [pon.tiff] n [F pontif, fr. L pontific-, pontifex] (1626)
          1: pontifex 2: bishop; specif: pope

   [1]pontifical
          [pon.tif.i.cal] n (14c) 1: episcopal attire; specif: the
          insignia of the episcopal order worn by a prelate when
          celebrating a pontifical mass--usu. used in pl. 2: a
          book containing the forms for sacraments and rites performed
          by a bishop [2]pontifical adj [ME, fr. L pontificalis,
          fr. pontific-, pontifex] (15c) 1 a: of or relating to
          a pontiff or pontifex b: celebrated by a prelate of episcopal
          rank with distinctive ceremonies <~ mass> 2: pompous
          3: pretentiously dogmatic -- pon.tif.i.cal.ly adv

   [1]pontificate
          [pon.tif.i.cate] n [ME, fr. L pontificatus, fr. pontific-,
          pontifex] (15c): the state, office, or term of office
          of a pontiff [2]pon.tif.i.cate vi -cat.ed ; -cat.ing
          [ML pontificatus, pp. of pontificare, fr. L pontific-,
          pontifex] (1818) 1 a: to officiate as a pontiff b: to
          celebrate pontifical mass 2: to speak or express opinions
          in a pompous or dogmatic way -- pon.tif.i.ca.tion n --
          pon.tif.i.ca.tor n

   pontil
          [pon.til] n [F, perh. fr. It puntello, dim. of punto point,
          fr. L punctus--more at point] (1832): punty--called also
          pontil rod

   pontine
          [pon.tine] adj [NL pont-, pons pons] (1889): of or relating
          to the pons

   Pont l'Eveque
          [Pont l'E.veque] n [Pont l'Eveque, town in France] (ca. 1889):
          a soft surface-ripened cheese firmer, yellower, and having
          less surface mold than Camembert

   [1]pontoon
          [pon.toon] n [F ponton, fr. L ponton-, ponto] (1690) 1: a
          flat-bottomed boat (as a lighter); esp: a flat-bottomed
          boat or portable float used in building a floating temporary
          bridge 2: a float esp. of a seaplane [2]pontoon n [perh.
          alter. of vingt-et-un] (ca. 1917) Brit: blackjack 5

   pony
          [po.ny] n, pl ponies [prob. fr. obs. F poulenet, dim. of
          F poulain colt, fr. ML pullanus, fr. L pullus young of
          an animal, foal--more at foal] (1659) 1 a: a small horse;
          esp: one of any of several breeds of very small stocky
          animals noted for their gentleness and endurance b: a
          bronco, mustang, or similar horse of the western U.S.
          c: racehorse--usu. used in pl. 2: something smaller than
          standard: as a: a small beer glass b: a small liqueur
          glass typically holding one ounce 3: a literal translation
          of a foreign language text; esp: one used surreptitiously
          by students in preparing or reciting lessons

   pony express
          [pony express] n, often cap P&E (1860): a rapid postal and
          express system that operated across the western U.S.
          in 1860-1861 by relays of horses and riders

   ponytail
          [po.ny.tail] n (1951): a hairstyle in which the hair is pulled
          together and banded at the back of the head so as to
          resemble a pony's tail -- po.ny.tailed adj

   pony up
          [po.ny up] vb po.nied up ; po.ny.ing up [origin unknown]
          vt (1824): to pay (money) esp. in settlement of an account
          <ponied up $12.50 for the fine --Newsweek> ~ vi: pay

   Ponzi scheme
          [Pon.zi scheme] n [Charles A. Ponzi d. 1949 Am. (Ital.-born)
          swindler] (1973): an investment swindle in which some
          early investors are paid off with money put up by later
          ones in order to encourage more and bigger risks

   -poo
          [-poo] suffix [origin unknown]--used as a disparaging diminutive
          <cutesy-poo>

   [1]pooch
          [pooch] vb [alter. of [1]pouch] (ca. 1923) chiefly dial:
          bulge [2]pooch n [origin unknown] (1924): dog

   pood
          [pood] n [Russ pud, fr. ORuss, fr. ON pund pound--more at
          pound] (1554): a Russian unit of weight equal to about
          36.11 pounds (16.38 kilograms)

   poodle
          [poo.dle] n [G Pudel, short for Pudelhund, fr. pudeln to
          splash + Hund dog] (1820) 1: a dog of any of three breeds
          of active intelligent heavy-coated solid-colored dogs--compare
          toy poodle 2: a fabric with a nubby or coarsely looped
          surface that resembles a poodle's coat--called also poodle
          cloth

   [1]poof
          [poof] interj (1824)--used to express disdain or dismissal
          or to suggest instantaneous occurrence [2]poof also poove
          n, pl poofs also pooves [perh. alter. of [2]puff] (ca.
          1860) Brit: a male homosexual--usu. used disparagingly

   poofter
          [poof.ter] also poof.tah n [by alter.] (1903) Brit: poof--usu.
          used disparagingly

   pooh
          [pooh] interj (1602)--used to express contempt or disapproval

   pooh-bah
          [pooh-bah] also poo-bah n, often cap P&B [Pooh-Bah, character
          in Gilbert and Sullivan's opera The Mikado (1885) bearing
          the title Lord-High-Everything-Else] (1888) 1: a person
          holding many public or private offices 2: a person in
          high position or of great influence

   pooh-pooh
          [pooh-pooh] also pooh vb [pooh] vi (1827): to express contempt
          or impatience ~ vt: to express contempt for or make light
          of: play down, dismiss

   [1]pool
          [pool] n [ME, fr. OE pol; akin to OHG pfuol pool] (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): a small and rather deep body of usu. fresh water
          (2): a quiet place in a stream (3): a body of water forming
          above a dam b: something resembling a pool <a ~ of light>
          2: a small body of standing liquid 3: a continuous area
          of porous sedimentary rock that yields petroleum or gas
          4: swimming pool [2]pool vi (1626) 1: to form a pool
          2 of blood: to accumulate or become static (as in the
          veins of a bodily part) [3]pool n [F poule, lit., hen,
          fr. OF, fem. of poul cock--more at pullet] (ca. 1712)
          1 a: an aggregate stake to which each player of a game
          has contributed b: all the money bet by a number of persons
          on a particular event 2 a: a game played on an English
          billiard table in which each of the players stakes a
          sum and the winner takes all b: any of various games
          of billiards played on an oblong table having 6 pockets
          with usu. 15 object balls 3: an aggregation of the interests
          or property of different persons made to further a joint
          undertaking by subjecting them to the same control and
          a common liability 4: a readily available supply: as
          a: the whole quantity of a particular material present
          in the body and available for function or the satisfying
          of metabolic demands b: a body product (as blood) collected
          from many donors and stored for later use c: a group
          of people available for some purpose <a shrinking ~ of
          applicants> <typing ~> 5: gene pool [4]pool vt (1879):
          to combine (as resources) in a common fund or effort

   poolroom
          [pool.room] n (1861) 1: a room in which bookmaking is carried
          on 2: a room for the playing of pool

   poolside
          [pool.side] n (1921): the area surrounding a swimming pool

   [1]poop
          [poop] n [ME, fr. MF poupe, fr. L puppis] (15c) 1 obs: stern
          2: an enclosed superstructure at the stern of a ship
          above the main deck [2]poop vt (1748) 1: to break over
          the stern of 2: to ship (a sea or wave) over the stern
          [3]poop vb [origin unknown] vt (ca. 1932) slang: to put
          out of breath; also: to tire out ~ vi, slang: to become
          exhausted <~ out> [4]poop n [perh. fr. [5]poop] (ca.
          1941) slang: information, scoop [5]poop n [poop, v.,
          to defecate, break wind, fr. ME poupen to make a gulping
          sound; of imit. origin] (1965): excrement

   poop deck
          [poop deck] n (1840): a partial deck above a ship's main
          afterdeck

   pooper-scooper
          [poop.er-scoop.er] n [[5]poop] (1976): a device used for
          picking up the droppings of a pet (as a dog) for disposal

   poor
          [poor] adj [ME poure, fr. OF povre, fr. L pauper; akin to
          L paucus little and to L parere to give birth to, produce--more
          at few, pare] (13c) 1 a: lacking material possessions
          b: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty 2 a:
          less than adequate: meager b: small in worth 3: exciting
          pity <you ~ thing> 4 a: inferior in quality or value
          b: humble, unpretentious c: mean, petty 5: lean, emaciated
          6: barren, unproductive--used of land 7: indifferent,
          unfavorable 8: lacking a normal or adequate supply of
          something specified--often used in combination <oil-poor
          countries> -- poor.ish adj -- poor.ness n

   poor box
          [poor box] n (1621): a box (as in a church) for alms for
          the poor

   poor boy
          [poor boy] n (ca. 1941): submarine 2

   Poor Clare
          [Poor Clare] n (1608): a member of an austere order of nuns
          founded by St. Clare under the direction of St. Francis
          in Assisi, Italy, in 1212

   poor farm
          [poor farm] n (1852): a farm maintained at public expense
          for the support and employment of needy persons

   poorhouse
          [poor.house] n (1792): a place maintained at public expense
          to house needy or dependent persons

   poor law
          [poor law] n (1752): a law providing for or regulating the
          public relief or support of the poor

   [1]poorly
          [poor.ly] adv (13c): in a poor condition or manner; esp:
          in an inferior or imperfect way: badly <sang ~> [2]poor.ly
          adj (1750): somewhat ill: indisposed

   poor mouth
          [poor mouth] n (1822): an exaggerated claim of poverty

   poor-mouth
          [poor-mouth] vi (1964): to plead poverty as a defense or
          excuse ~ vt: to speak disparagingly of

   poor-spirited
          [poor-spir.it.ed] adj (1670): lacking zest, confidence, or
          courage -- poor-spir.it.ed.ly adv -- poor-spir.it.ed.ness
          n

   poor white
          [poor white] n (1819): a member of an inferior or underprivileged
          white social group--often taken to be offensive

   [1]pop
          [pop] vb popped ; pop.ping [ME poppen, of imit. origin] vt
          (15c) 1: to strike or knock sharply: hit 2: to push,
          put, or thrust suddenly and often deftly 3: to cause
          to explode or burst open 4: to fire at: shoot 5: to take
          (pills) esp. frequently or habitually 6: to open with
          a pop <~ a cold beer> ~ vi 1 a: to go, come, or appear
          suddenly--often used with up b: to escape or break away
          from something (as a point of attachment) usu. suddenly
          or unexpectedly 2: to make or burst with a sharp sound:
          explode 3: to protrude from the sockets 4: to shoot with
          a firearm 5: to hit a pop fly--often used with up or
          out -- pop the question : to propose marriage [2]pop
          n (1591) 1: a sharp explosive sound 2: a shot from a
          gun 3: soda pop 4: pop fly -- a pop : for each one: apiece
          <tickets at $10 a pop> [3]pop adv (1621): like or with
          a pop: suddenly [4]pop n [short for poppa] (1838): father
          [5]pop adj [by shortening] (1880) 1: popular <~ music>:
          as a: of or relating to popular music <~ singer> b: of
          or relating to the popular culture disseminated through
          the mass media <~ psychology> <~ grammarians> <~ society>
          2 a: of or relating to pop art <~ painter> b: having,
          using, or imitating themes or techniques characteristic
          of pop art <~ movie> [6]pop n (1954) 1: pop music 2:
          pop art 3: pop culture

   pop
          [pop] abbreviation population  POP abbreviation point of
          purchase

   pop art
          [pop art] n (1957): art in which commonplace objects (as
          road signs, hamburgers, comic strips, or soup cans) are
          used as subject matter and are often physically incorporated
          in the work -- pop artist n

   popcorn
          [pop.corn] n (1823): an Indian corn (Zea mays praecox) whose
          kernels on exposure to heat burst open to form a white
          starchy mass; also: the kernels esp. after popping

   pope
          [pope] n [ME, fr. OE papa, fr. LL papa, fr. Gk pappas, papas,
          title of bishops, lit., papa] (bef. 12c) 1 often cap:
          a prelate who as bishop of Rome is the head of the Roman
          Catholic Church 2: one that resembles a pope (as in authority)
          3 a: the Eastern Orthodox or Coptic patriarch of Alexandria
          b: a priest of an Eastern church

   popery
          [pop.ery] n (ca. 1534): roman catholicism--usu. used disparagingly

   pop eye
          [pop eye] n [back-formation fr. pop-eyed] (1828): an eye
          staring and bulging (as from excitement) -- pop-eyed
          adj

   pop fly
          [pop fly] n (1887): a high fly ball in baseball

   popgun
          [pop.gun] n (1622): a toy gun that usu. shoots a cork and
          produces a popping sound

   popinjay
          [pop.in.jay] n [ME papejay parrot, fr. MF papegai, papejai,
          fr. Ar babgha'] (1528): a strutting supercilious person

   popish
          [pop.ish] adj [pope] (1528): roman catholic--often used
          disparagingly

   poplar
          [pop.lar] n [ME poplere, fr. MF pouplier, fr. pouple poplar,
          fr. L populus] (14c) 1 a: any of a genus (Populus) of
          slender catkin-bearing quick-growing trees (as an aspen
          or cottonwood) of the willow family b: the wood of a
          poplar 2: tulip tree 1

   poplin
          [pop.lin] n [F papeline] (1710): a strong fabric in plain
          weave with crosswise ribs

   popliteal
          [pop.li.te.al] adj [NL popliteus, fr. L poplit-, poples ham
          of the knee] (1786): of or relating to the back part
          of the leg behind the knee joint

   pop off
          [pop off] vi (1764) 1 a: to die unexpectedly b: to leave
          suddenly 2: to talk thoughtlessly and often loudly or
          angrily

   popover
          [pop.over] n (1876): a hollow quick bread shaped like a muffin
          and made from a thin batter of eggs, milk, and flour

   poppa
          [pop.pa] var of papa

   popper
          [pop.per] n (1750) 1: one that pops; esp: a utensil for popping
          corn 2 slang: a vial of amyl nitrite or butyl nitrite
          esp. when used illicitly as an aphrodisiac

   poppet
          [pop.pet] n [ME popet--more at puppet] (15c) 1 a Midland:
          doll b obs: marionette 2 chiefly Brit: dear 3 a: an upright
          support or guide of a machine that is fastened at the
          bottom only b: a valve that rises perpendicularly to
          or from its seat

   poppied
          [pop.pied] adj (1818) 1 archaic: growing or overgrown with
          poppies 2: drowsy

   [1]popple
          [pop.ple] n [ME popul, fr. OE, fr. L populus] (14c) chiefly
          dial: poplar 1 [2]popple n [popple, vb., fr. ME poplen
          to bubble, ripple, prob. of imit. origin] (1875): a choppy
          sea

   poppy
          [pop.py] n, pl poppies [ME popi, fr. OE popaeg, popig, modif.
          of L papaver] (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of a genus (Papaver
          of the family Papaveraceae, the poppy family) of chiefly
          annual or perennial herbs with milky juice, showy regular
          flowers, and capsular fruits including the opium poppy
          and several forms cultivated as ornamentals b: an extract
          or decoction of poppy used medicinally 2: a strong reddish
          orange

   poppycock
          [pop.py.cock] n [D dial. pappekak, lit., soft dung, fr. D
          pap pap + kak dung] (1865): empty talk or writing: nonsense

   poppyhead
          [pop.py.head] n (1839): a raised ornament often in the form
          of a finial generally used on the tops of the upright
          ends of seats in Gothic churches

   poppy seed
          [poppy seed] n (14c): the seed of a poppy used chiefly as
          a topping or flavoring for baked goods

   pop quiz
          [pop quiz] n (ca. 1960): an unscheduled or unannounced quiz

   Popsicle
          [Pop.si.cle] trademark--used for flavored and colored water
          frozen on a stick

   pop-top
          [pop-top] n (1965): a closure that can be pulled by hand
          to open a can

   populace
          [pop.u.lace] n [MF, fr. It popolaccio rabble, aug. of popolo
          the people, fr. L populus] (1572) 1: the common people:
          masses 2: population

   popular
          [pop.u.lar] adj [L popularis, fr. populus the people, a people]
          (1548) 1: of or relating to the general public 2: suitable
          to the majority: as a: adapted to or indicative of the
          understanding and taste of the majority <a ~ history
          of the war> b: suited to the means of the majority: inexpensive
          <sold at ~ prices> 3: frequently encountered or widely
          accepted 4: commonly liked or approved <a very ~ girl>
          syn see common -- pop.u.lar.ly adv

   popular front
          [popular front] n, often cap P&F (1936): a coalition esp.
          of leftist political parties against a common opponent;
          specif: one sponsored and dominated by Communists as
          a device for gaining power

   popularise
          [pop.u.lar.ise] Brit var of popularize

   popularity
          [pop.u.lar.i.ty] n (1601): the quality or state of being
          popular

   popularize
          [pop.u.lar.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1593): to cater to
          popular taste ~ vt: to make popular: as a: to cause to
          be liked or esteemed b: to present in generally understandable
          or interesting form -- pop.u.lar.i.za.tion n -- pop.u.lar.iz.er
          n

   popular sovereignty
          [popular sovereignty] n (1848) 1: a doctrine in political
          theory that government is created by and subject to the
          will of the people 2: a pre-Civil War doctrine asserting
          the right of the people living in a newly organized territory
          to decide by vote of their territorial legislature whether
          or not slavery would be permitted there

   populate
          [pop.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [ML populatus, pp. of
          populare to people, fr. L populus people] (1578) 1: to
          have a place in: occupy, inhabit 2 a: to furnish or provide
          with inhabitants: people b: to provide with members

   population
          [pop.u.la.tion] n [LL population-, populatio, fr. L populus]
          (1612) 1 a: the whole number of people or inhabitants
          in a country or region b: the total of individuals occupying
          an area or making up a whole c: the total of particles
          at a particular energy level--used esp. of atoms in a
          laser 2: the act or process of populating 3 a: a body
          of persons or individuals having a quality or characteristic
          in common b (1): the organisms inhabiting a particular
          locality (2): a group of interbreeding organisms that
          represents the level of organization at which speciation
          begins 4: a group of individual persons, objects, or
          items from which samples are taken for statistical measurement
          -- pop.u.la.tion.al adj

   population explosion
          [population explosion] n (1953): a pyramiding of numbers
          of a biological population; esp: the recent great increase
          in human numbers resulting from increased survival and
          exponential population growth

   [1]populist
          [pop.u.list] n [L populus the people] (1892) 1: a member
          of a political party claiming to represent the common
          people; esp, often cap: a member of a U.S. political
          party formed in 1891 primarily to represent agrarian
          interests and to advocate the free coinage of silver
          and government control of monopolies 2: a believer in
          the rights, wisdom, or virtues of the common people --
          pop.u.lism n -- pop.u.lis.tic adj [2]populist adj (1893)
          1 often cap: of, relating to, or characterized by populism
          2: popular 1, 2

   populous
          [pop.u.lous] adj [ME, fr. L populosus, fr. populus people]
          (15c) 1 a: densely populated b: having a large population
          2 a: numerous b: filled to capacity -- pop.u.lous.ly
          adv -- pop.u.lous.ness n

   pop-up
          [pop-up] n (1906): pop fly

   por
          [por] abbreviation portrait  POR abbreviation pay on return,
          price on request

   porbeagle
          [por.bea.gle] n [Corn porgh-bugel] (1758): a small viviparous
          shark (Lamna nasus) chiefly of the No. Atlantic Ocean
          with a pointed nose and crescent-shaped tail

   porcelain
          [por.ce.lain] n [MF porcelaine cowrie shell, porcelain, fr.
          It porcellana, fr. porcello vulva, lit., little pig,
          fr. L porcellus, dim. of porcus pig, vulva; fr. the shape
          of the shell--more at farrow] (ca. 1530): a hard, fine-grained,
          sonorous, nonporous, and usu. translucent and white ceramic
          ware that consists essentially of kaolin, quartz, and
          feldspar and is fired at high temperatures -- por.ce.lain.like
          adj -- por.ce.la.ne.ous or por.cel.la.ne.ous adj

   porcelain enamel
          [porcelain enamel] n (1883): a fired-on opaque glassy coating
          on metal (as steel)

   porcelainize
          [por.ce.lain.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1951): to fire a glassy
          coating on (as steel)

   porch
          [porch] n [ME porche, fr. OF, fr. L porticus portico, fr.
          porta gate; akin to L portus port--more at ford] (14c)
          1: a covered area adjoining an entrance to a building
          and usu. having a separate roof 2 obs: portico

   porcine
          [por.cine] adj [L porcinus, fr. porcus pig--more at farrow]
          (ca. 1656): of, relating to, or suggesting swine

   porcino
          [por.ci.no] n, pl -ni [It, short for fungo porcino, lit.,
          porcine mushroom] (1976): a wild edible boletus mushroom
          (esp. Boletus edulis)

   porcupine
          [por.cu.pine] n, pl porcupines also porcupine [ME porkepin,
          fr. MF porc espin, fr. OIt porcospino, fr. L porcus pig
          + spina spine, prickle] (15c): any of various relatively
          large rodents having stiff sharp erectile bristles mingled
          with the hair and constituting an Old World terrestrial
          family (Hystricidae) and a New World arboreal family
          (Erethizontidae)

   porcupine fish
          [porcupine fish] n (1681): any of several bony fishes (family
          Diodontidae) having sharp spines covering the body; esp:
          a spotted chiefly tropical fish (Diodon hystrix) that
          is olive to brown above with white below

   [1]pore
          [pore] vi pored ; por.ing [ME pouren] (13c) 1: to gaze intently
          2: to read studiously or attentively--usu. used with
          over 3: to reflect or meditate steadily [2]pore n [ME,
          fr. MF, fr. L porus, fr. Gk poros passage, pore--more
          at fare] (14c) 1: a minute opening esp. in an animal
          or plant; esp: one by which matter passes through a membrane
          2: a small interstice (as in soil) admitting absorption
          or passage of liquid -- pored adj

   pore fungus
          [pore fungus] n (1922): a fungus (family Boletaceae
          or Polyporaceae) having the spore-bearing surface within tubes
          or pores

   porgy
          [por.gy] n, pl porgies also porgy [alter. of pargo, fr. Sp
          & Pg, fr. L phager, fr. Gk phagros] (1671) 1: a blue-spotted
          crimson food fish (Pagrus pagrus of the family Sparidae)
          of the eastern and western Atlantic; also: any of various
          fishes of the same family 2 [alter. of pogy]: any of
          various bony fishes (as a menhaden) of families other
          than that of the porgy

   pork
          [pork] n [ME, fr. OF porc pig, fr. L porcus--more at farrow]
          (14c) 1: the fresh or salted flesh of swine when dressed
          for food 2: government money, jobs, or favors used by
          politicians as patronage

   pork barrel
          [pork barrel] n (1909): government projects or appropriations
          yielding rich patronage benefits; also: pork 2

   pork belly
          [pork belly] n (ca. 1950): an uncured side of pork

   porker
          [pork.er] n (1657): hog; esp: a young pig fattened for table
          use as fresh pork

   porkpie hat
          [pork.pie hat] n [fr. its shape] (1860): a hat with a low
          telescoped crown, flat top, and brim turned up all around
          or up in back and down in front

   [1]porky
          [porky] adj pork.i.er ; -est (1852): resembling a pig: fat
          [2]por.ky n, pl porkies (1900): porcupine

   porn
          [porn] also por.no n, often attrib (1962): pornography

   pornographer
          [por.nog.ra.pher] n (1850): one who produces pornography

   pornography
          [por.nog.ra.phy] n [Gk pornographos, adj., writing about
          prostitutes, fr. porne prostitute + graphein to write;
          akin to Gk pernanai to sell, poros journey--more at fare,
          carve] (ca. 1864) 1: the depiction of erotic behavior
          (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual
          excitement 2: material (as books or a photograph) that
          depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual
          excitement 3: the depiction of acts in a sensational
          manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction
          <the ~ of violence> -- por.no.graph.ic adj -- por.no.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   porny
          [porny] adj porn.i.er ; -est (1961): of, relating to, involved
          in, or being pornography

   porosity
          [po.ros.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being porous b: the ratio of the volume of interstices
          of a material to the volume of its mass 2: pore

   porous
          [po.rous] adj (14c) 1 a: possessing or full of pores b: containing
          vessels <hardwood is ~> 2 a: permeable to fluids b: permeable
          to outside influences <his imagination is astonishingly
          ~ --Elizabeth Hardwick> 3: capable of being penetrated <~ national
          boundaries> <a ~ defense> -- po.rous.ly adv -- po.rous.ness n

   porphyria
          [por.phyr.ia] n [NL, fr. ISV porphyrin] (1923): any of several
          usu. hereditary abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism
          characterized by excretion of excess porphyrins in the
          urine

   porphyrin
          [por.phy.rin] n [ISV, fr. Gk porphyra purple] (1910): any
          of various compounds with a structure that consists essentially
          of four pyrrole rings joined by four =CH- groups; esp:
          one (as chlorophyll or hemoglobin) containing a central
          metal atom and usu. exhibiting biological activity

   porphyritic
          [por.phy.rit.ic] adj [ML porphyriticus, fr. Gk porphyritikos,
          fr. porphyrites (lithos) porphyry] (15c) 1: of or relating
          to porphyry 2: having distinct crystals (as of feldspar)
          in a relatively fine-grained base

   porphyropsin
          [por.phy.rop.sin] n [Gk porphyra purple + E -opsin (as in
          rhodopsin)] (1930): a purple pigment in the retinal rods
          of freshwater fishes that resembles rhodopsin

   porphyry
          [por.phy.ry] n, pl -ries [ME porphiri, fr. ML porphyrium,
          alter. of L porphyrites, fr. Gk porphyrites (lithos),
          lit., stone like Tyrian purple, fr. porphyra purple]
          (15c) 1: a rock consisting of feldspar crystals embedded
          in a compact dark red or purple groundmass 2: an igneous
          rock of porphyritic texture

   porpoise
          [por.poise] n [ME porpoys, fr. MF porpois, fr. ML porcopiscis,
          fr. L porcus pig + piscis fish--more at farrow, fish]
          (14c) 1: any of a family (Phocoenidae) of small gregarious
          toothed whales; esp: a blunt-snouted usu. largely black
          whale (Phocoena phocoena) of the No. Atlantic and Pacific
          5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.4 meters) long 2: dolphin 1a

   porrect
          [por.rect] adj [L porrectus, pp. of porrigere to stretch
          out, fr. por- forward + regere to direct--more at portend,
          right] (15c): extended forward <~ antennae>

   porridge
          [por.ridge] n [alter. of pottage] (ca. 1643): a soft food
          made by boiling meal of grains or legumes in milk or
          water until thick -- por.ridgy adj

   porringer
          [por.rin.ger] n [alter. of ME poteger, potinger, fr. AF potageer,
          fr. MF potager of pottage, fr. potage pottage] (1522):
          a low usu. metal bowl with a single and usu. flat and
          pierced handle

   [1]port
          [port] n [ME, fr. OE & OF, fr. L portus--more at ford] (bef.
          12c) 1: a place where ships may ride secure from storms:
          haven 2 a: a harbor town or city where ships may take
          on or discharge cargo b: airport 3: port of entry [2]port
          n [ME porte, fr. MF, gate, door, fr. L porta passage,
          gate; akin to L portus port] (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly Scot:
          gate 2 a: an opening (as in a valve seat or valve face)
          for intake or exhaust of a fluid b: the area of opening
          in a cylinder face of a passageway for the working fluid
          in an engine; also: such a passageway 3 a: an opening
          in a vessel's side (as for admitting light or loading
          cargo) b archaic: the cover for a porthole 4: a hole
          in an armored vehicle or fortification through which
          guns may be fired 5: a hardware interface by which a
          computer communicates with another device or system [3]port
          n [ME, fr. MF, fr. porter to carry, fr. L portare] (14c)
          1: the manner of bearing oneself 2 archaic: state 3 3:
          the position in which a military weapon is carried at
          the command port arms [4]port vt [[5]port] (1580): to
          turn or put (a helm) to the left--used chiefly as a command
          [5]port n [prob. fr. [1]port or [2]port] (ca. 1625):
          the left side of a ship or aircraft looking forward--called
          also larboard--compare starboard -- port adj [6]port
          n [Oporto, Portugal] (1691): a sweet fortified wine of
          rich taste and aroma made in Portugal; also: a similar
          wine made elsewhere

   port
          [port] abbreviation portable, portrait  Port abbreviation
          Portugal, Portuguese

   [1]portable
          [por.ta.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL portabilis, fr. L portare
          to carry--more at fare] (15c) 1 a: capable of being carried
          or moved about <a ~ TV> <a ~ sawmill> b: usable on many
          computers without modification <~ software> 2 archaic:
          bearable -- por.ta.bil.i.ty n -- por.ta.bly adv [2]portable
          n (1883): something that is portable

   [1]portage
          [por.tage] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. porter to carry] (15c) 1: the
          labor of carrying or transporting 2 archaic: the cost
          of carrying: porterage 3 a: the carrying of boats or
          goods overland from one body of water to another or around
          an obstacle (as a rapids) b: the route followed in making
          such a transfer [2]por.tage vb por.taged ; por.tag.ing
          vt (1864): to carry over a portage ~ vi: to move gear
          over a portage

   [1]portal
          [por.tal] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML portale city gate, porch,
          fr. neut. of portalis of a gate, fr. L porta gate--more
          at port] (14c) 1: door, entrance; esp: a grand or imposing
          one 2: the whole architectural composition surrounding
          and including the doorways and porches of a church 3:
          the approach or entrance to a bridge or tunnel 4: a communicating
          part or area of an organism; specif: the point at which
          something (as a pathogen) enters the body [2]portal adj
          [NL porta transverse fissure of the liver, fr. L, gate]
          (1845) 1: of or relating to the transverse fissure on
          the underside of the liver where most of the vessels
          enter 2: of, relating to, or being a portal vein

   portal system
          [portal system] n [portal vein] (1851): a system of veins
          that begins and ends in capillaries

   portal-to-portal
          [portal-to-portal] adj (1943): of or relating to the time
          spent by a worker in traveling between the entrance to
          an employer's property and the worker's actual job site
          (as in a mine) <~ pay>

   portal vein
          [portal vein] n [[2]portal] (1845): a vein that collects
          blood from one part of the body and distributes it in
          another through capillaries; esp: a vein carrying blood
          from the digestive organs and spleen to the liver

   portamento
          [por.ta.men.to] n, pl -men.ti [It, lit., act of carrying,
          fr. portare to carry, fr. L] (1771): a continuous gliding
          movement from one tone to another (as by the voice)

   portapak
          [por.ta.pak] or por.ta.pack n [portable + [1]pack] (1970):
          a small portable combined videotape recorder and camera

   port arms
          [port arms] n [fr. the command port arms]] (ca. 1890): a
          position in the manual of arms in which the rifle is
          held diagonally in front of the body with the muzzle
          pointing upward to the left; also: a command to assume
          this position

   portative
          [por.ta.tive] adj [ME portatif, fr. MF, fr. L portatus, pp.
          of portare] (14c): portable

   portcullis
          [port.cul.lis] n [ME port colice, fr. MF porte coleice, lit.,
          sliding door] (14c): a grating of iron hung over the
          gateway of a fortified place and lowered between grooves
          to prevent passage

   port de bras
          [port de bras] n [F, lit., carriage of the arm] (1912): the
          technique and practice of arm movement in ballet

   Port du Salut
          [Port du Sa.lut] n [F port-du-salut, port-salut, fr. Port
          du Salut, Trappist abbey in northwest France] (1881):
          a semisoft pressed ripened cheese of usu. mild flavor
          originated by Trappist monks in France

   Porte
          [Porte] n [F, short for Sublime Porte, lit., sublime gate;
          fr. the gate of the sultan's palace where justice was
          administered] (15c): the government of the Ottoman empire

   porte cochere
          [porte co.chere] n [F porte cochere, lit., coach door] (1698)
          1: a passageway through a building or screen wall designed
          to let vehicles pass from the street to an interior courtyard
          2: a roofed structure extending from the entrance of
          a building over an adjacent driveway and sheltering those
          getting in or out of vehicles

   portend
          [por.tend] vt [ME, fr. L portendere, fr. por- forward (akin
          to per through) + tendere to stretch--more at for, thin]
          (15c) 1: to give an omen or anticipatory sign of: bode
          2: indicate, signify

   portent
          [por.tent] n [L portentum, fr. neut. of portentus, pp. of
          portendere] (ca. 1587) 1: something that foreshadows
          a coming event: omen 2: prophetic indication or significance
          3: marvel, prodigy

   portentous
          [por.ten.tous] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          a portent 2: eliciting amazement or wonder: prodigious
          3 a: being a grave or serious matter <~ decisions> b:
          self-consciously solemn or important: pompous c: ponderously
          excessive <that discipline's overwrought, ~ phrases --R.
          M. Coles> syn see ominous -- por.ten.tous.ly adv
          -- por.ten.tous.ness n

   [1]porter
          [por.ter] n [ME, fr. OF portier, fr. LL portarius, fr. L
          porta gate--more at port] (13c) chiefly Brit: a person
          stationed at a door or gate to admit or assist those
          entering [2]porter n [ME portour, fr. MF porteour, fr.
          LL portator, fr. L portare to carry--more at fare] (14c)
          1: a person who carries burdens; esp: one employed to
          carry baggage for patrons at a hotel or transportation
          terminal 2: a parlor-car or sleeping-car attendant who
          waits on passengers and makes up berths 3 [short for
          porter's beer]: a heavy dark brown beer brewed from browned
          or charred malt 4: a person who does routine cleaning
          (as in a hospital or office) [3]porter vt (1609): to
          transport or carry as or as if by a porter ~ vi: to act
          as a porter

   porterage
          [por.ter.age] n (15c): a porter's work; also: the charge
          for it

   porterhouse
          [por.ter.house] n (ca. 1758) 1 archaic: a house where malt
          liquor (as porter) is sold 2: a large steak cut from
          the thick end of the short loin to contain a T-shaped
          bone and a large piece of tenderloin--see beef illustration

   portfolio
          [port.fo.lio] n, pl -li.os [It portafoglio, fr. portare to
          carry (fr. L) + foglio leaf, sheet, fr. L folium--more
          at blade] (1722) 1: a hinged cover or flexible case for
          carrying loose papers, pictures, or pamphlets 2 [fr.
          the use of such a case to carry documents of state]:
          the office and functions of a minister of state or member
          of a cabinet 3: the securities held by an investor: the
          commercial paper held by a financial house (as a bank)
          4: a set of pictures (as drawings or photographs) either
          bound in book form or loose in a folder

   porthole
          [port.hole] n [[2]port] (ca. 1591) 1: an opening (as a window)
          with a cover or closure esp. in the side of a ship or
          aircraft 2: a port through which to shoot 3: [2]port
          2

   Portia
          [Por.tia] n: the heroine in Shakespeare's The Merchant of
          Venice

   portico
          [por.ti.co] n, pl -coes or -cos [It, fr. L porticus--more
          at porch] (1605): a colonnade or covered ambulatory esp.
          in classical architecture and often at the entrance of
          a building

   portiere
          [por.tiere] n [F portiere, fr. OF, fem. of portier porter,
          doorkeeper] (1843): a curtain hanging across a doorway

   [1]portion
          [por.tion] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L portion-, portio; akin to
          L part-, pars part] (14c) 1: an individual's part or
          share of something: as a: a share received by gift or
          inheritance b: dowry c: a helping of food 2: an individual's
          lot, fate, or fortune: one's share of good and evil 3:
          an often limited part set off or abstracted from a whole
          <give but that ~ which yourself proposed --Shak.> syn
          see part, fate [2]portion vt por.tioned ; por.tion.ing
          (14c) 1: to divide into portions: distribute 2: to allot
          a dowry to: dower

   portionless
          [por.tion.less] adj (1782): having no portion; esp: having
          no dowry or inheritance

   portland cement
          [port.land cement] n [Isle of Portland, England; fr. its
          resemblance to a limestone found there] (1824): a hydraulic
          cement made by finely pulverizing the clinker produced
          by calcining to incipient fusion a mixture of clay and
          limestone or similar materials

   portly
          [port.ly] adj port.li.er ; -est [[3]port] (15c) 1: dignified,
          stately 2: heavy or rotund of body: stout -- port.li.ness
          n

   [1]portmanteau
          [port.man.teau] n, pl -teaus or -teaux [MF portemanteau,
          fr. porter to carry + manteau mantle, fr. L mantellum--more
          at port] (1579) 1: a large suitcase 2: a word or morpheme
          whose form and meaning are derived from a blending of
          two or more distinct forms (as smog from smoke and fog)
          [2]portmanteau adj (1909) 1: combining more than one
          use or quality 2: being a portmanteau <a ~ word>

   port of call
          [port of call] (1884) 1: an intermediate port where ships
          customarily stop for supplies, repairs, or transshipment
          of cargo 2: a stop included on an itinerary

   port of entry
          [port of entry] (1840) 1: a place where foreign goods may
          be cleared through a customhouse 2: a place where an
          alien may be permitted to enter a country

   portrait
          [por.trait] n [MF, fr. pp. of portraire] (1570) 1: picture;
          esp: a pictorial representation (as a painting) of a
          person usu. showing the face 2: a sculptured figure:
          bust, statue 3: a graphic portrayal in words

   portraitist
          [por.trait.ist] n (1866): a maker of portraits

   portraiture
          [por.trai.ture] n (14c) 1: the making of portraits: portrayal
          2: portrait

   portray
          [por.tray] vt [ME portraien, fr. MF portraire, fr. L protrahere
          to draw forth, reveal, expose--more at protract] (14c)
          1: to make a picture of: depict 2 a: to describe in words
          b: to play the role of: enact -- por.tray.er n

   portrayal
          [por.tray.al] n (ca. 1847) 1: the act or process or an instance
          of portraying: representation 2: portrait

   portress
          [por.tress] n (15c): a female porter: as a: a doorkeeper
          in a convent or apartment house b: charwoman

   Port Royalist
          [Port Roy.al.ist] n [F port-royaliste, fr. Port-Royal, a
          convent near Versailles, France] (ca. 1741): a member
          or adherent of a 17th century French Jansenist lay community
          noted for its logicians and educators

   Port Salut
          [Port Sa.lut] n (1902): port du salut

   Portuguese
          [Por.tu.guese] n, pl Portuguese [Pg portugues, adj. & n.,
          fr. Portugal] (1534) 1 a: a native or inhabitant of Portugal
          b: one who is of Portuguese descent 2: the Romance language
          of Portugal and Brazil -- Portuguese adj

   Portuguese man-of-war
          [Portuguese man-of-war] n, pl Portuguese man-of-wars also
          Portuguese men-of-war (1707): any of a genus (Physalia)
          of large tropical and subtropical pelagic siphonophores
          having a crested bladderlike float which bears the colony
          comprised of three types of zooids on the lower surface
          with one of the three having nematocyst-equipped tentacles

   portulaca
          [por.tu.laca] n [NL, fr. L, purslane, fr. portula, dim. of
          porta gate; fr. the lid of its capsule--more at port]
          (1548): any of a genus (Portulaca) of mainly tropical
          succulent herbs of the purslane family; esp: a widely
          cultivated plant (P. grandiflora) with showy flowers
          and small conical leaves

   port-wine stain
          [port-wine stain] n (ca. 1909): a reddish purple superficial
          hemangioma of the skin commonly occurring as a birthmark

   pos
          [pos] abbreviation position, positive  POS abbreviation point
          of sale

   posada
          [po.sa.da] n [Sp, fr. posar to lodge, fr. LL pausare] (1763):
          an inn in Spanish-speaking countries

   [1]pose
          [pose] vb posed ; pos.ing [ME, fr. MF poser, fr. (assumed)
          VL pausare, fr. LL, to stop, rest, pause, fr. L pausa
          pause] vt (14c) 1 a: to present for attention or consideration
          <let me ~ a question> b: to put or set forth: offer <this
          attitude ~s a threat to our hopes for peace> 2 a: to
          put or set in place b: to place (as a model) in a studied
          attitude ~ vi 1: to assume a posture or attitude usu.
          for artistic purposes 2: to affect an attitude or character
          usu. to deceive or impress [2]pose n (1818) 1: a sustained
          posture; esp: one assumed for artistic effect 2: an attitude,
          role, or characteristic assumed for effect syn pose,
          air, airs, affectation, mannerism mean an adopted way
          of speaking or behaving. pose implies an attitude deliberately
          assumed in order to impress others <her shyness was just
          a pose>. air may suggest natural acquirement through
          environment or way of life <a traveler's sophisticated
          air>. airs always implies artificiality and pretentiousness
          <snobbish airs>. affectation applies to a trick of speech
          or behavior that strikes the observer as insincere <the
          posh accent is an affectation>. mannerism applies to
          an acquired eccentricity that has become a habit <gesturing
          with a cigarette was her most noticeable mannerism>.
          [3]pose vt posed ; pos.ing [short for earlier appose,
          fr. ME apposen, alter. of opposen to oppose] (1593):
          puzzle, baffle

   Poseidon
          [Po.sei.don] n [L, fr. Gk Poseidon]: the Greek god of the
          sea--compare neptune

   [1]poser
          [pos.er] n [[3]pose] (1793): a puzzling or baffling question
          [2]poser n [[1]pose] (1888): a person who poses

   poseur
          [po.seur] n [F, lit., poser, fr. poser] (1872): a person
          who pretends to be what he or she is not: an affected
          or insincere person

   posh
          [posh] adj [origin unknown] (1918): elegant, fashionable
          -- posh.ly adv -- posh.ness n

   posit
          [pos.it] vt pos.it.ed ; pos.it.ing [L positus, pp. of ponere]
          (1647) 1: to dispose or set firmly: fix 2: to assume
          or affirm the existence of: postulate 3: to propose as
          an explanation: suggest

   [1]position
          [po.si.tion] n [ME posycion, fr. MF position, fr. L position-,
          positio, fr. ponere to lay down, put, place, fr. (assumed)
          OL posinere, fr. po- away (akin to OCS po-, perfective
          prefix, Gk apo away) + L sinere to leave--more at of]
          (14c) 1: an act of placing or arranging: as a: the laying
          down of a proposition or thesis b: an arranging in order
          2: a point of view adopted and held to <made my ~ on
          the issue clear> 3 a: the point or area occupied by a
          physical object <took her ~ at the head of the line>
          b: a certain arrangement of bodily parts <rose to a standing
          ~> 4: a market commitment in securities or commodities;
          also: the inventory of a market trader 5 a: relative
          place, situation, or standing <is now in a ~ to make
          decisions on his own> b: social or official rank or status
          c: an employment for which one has been hired: job <a
          ~ with a brokerage firm> d: a situation that confers
          advantage or preference [2]position vt po.si.tioned ;
          po.si.tion.ing (1817): to put in proper position; also:
          locate

   positional
          [po.si.tion.al] adj (1571) 1: of, relating to, or fixed by
          position <~ astronomy> 2: involving little movement <~
          warfare> 3: dependent on position or environment or context
          -- po.si.tion.al.ly adv

   positional notation
          [positional notation] n (1941): a system of expressing numbers
          in which the digits are arranged in succession, the position
          of each digit has a place value, and the number is equal
          to the sum of the products of each digit by its place
          value

   position effect
          [position effect] n (1930): genetic effect that is due to
          interaction of adjacent genes and that is modified when
          the spatial relationships of the genes change (as by
          chromosomal inversion)

   position paper
          [position paper] n (1949): a detailed report that recommends
          a course of action on a particular issue

   [1]positive
          [pos.i.tive] adj [ME, fr. MF positif, fr. L positivus, fr.
          positus, pp. of ponere] (14c) 1 a: formally laid down
          or imposed: prescribed <~ laws> b: expressed clearly
          or peremptorily <her answer was a ~ no> c: fully assured:
          confident 2 a: of, relating to, or constituting the degree
          of comparison that is expressed in English by the unmodified
          and uninflected form of an adjective or adverb and denotes
          no increase or diminution b (1): independent of changing
          circumstances: unconditioned (2): relating to or constituting
          a motion or device that is definite, unyielding, constant,
          or certain in its action <a ~ system of levers> c (1):
          incontestable <~ proof> (2): unqualified <a ~ disgrace>
          3 a: not fictitious: real <a ~ influence for good in
          the community> b: active and effective in social or economic
          function rather than merely maintaining peace and order
          <a ~ government> 4 a: having or expressing actual existence
          or quality as distinguished from deprivation or deficiency
          <~ change in temperature>: as (1): capable of being constructively
          applied (2): not speculative: empirical b: having rendition
          of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original
          subject <a ~ photographic image> c: that is or is generated
          in a direction arbitrarily or customarily taken as that of increase
          or progression <~ rotation of the earth> <we are making some
          ~ progress> d: directed or moving toward a source of stimulation
          <a ~ taxis> e: real and numerically greater than zero <+2
          is a ~ integer> 5 a (1): being, relating to, or charged with
          electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which
          predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk (2):
          having more protons than electrons <a ~ ion> b (1): having higher
          electric potential and constituting the part from which the current
          flows to the external circuit <the ~ terminal of a discharging
          storage battery> (2): being an electron-collecting electrode
          of an electron tube 6 a: marked by or indicating acceptance,
          approval, or affirmation b: affirming the presence of that sought
          or suspected to be present <a ~ test for blood> 7 of a lens:
          converging light rays and forming a real inverted image syn see
          sure -- pos.i.tive.ly adv -- pos.i.tive.ness n [2]positive
          n (1530): something positive: as a (1): the positive degree
          of comparison in a language (2): a positive form of an adjective
          or adverb b: something of which an affirmation can be made: reality
          c: a positive photograph or a print from a negative

   positive definite
          [positive definite] adj (1907) 1: having a positive value
          for all values of the constituent variables <positive
          definite quadratic forms> 2 of a matrix: having the characteristic
          roots real and positive

   positive law
          [positive law] n (14c): law established or recognized by
          governmental authority--compare natural law

   positivism
          [pos.i.tiv.ism] n [F positivisme, fr. positif positive +
          -isme -ism] (1847) 1 a: a theory that theology and metaphysics
          are earlier imperfect modes of knowledge and that positive
          knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties
          and relations as verified by the empirical sciences b:
          logical positivism 2: the quality or state of being positive
          -- pos.i.tiv.ist adj or n -- pos.i.tiv.is.tic adj --
          pos.i.tiv.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   positivity
          [pos.i.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1659) 1: the quality or state
          of being positive 2: something that is positive

   positron
          [pos.i.tron] n [positive + -tron (as in electron)] (1933):
          a positively charged particle having the same mass and
          magnitude of charge as the electron and constituting
          the antiparticle of the electron

   positron-emission tomography
          [positron-emission tomography] n (1979): tomography in which
          a cross-sectional image of regional metabolism is obtained
          by a usu. color-coded cathode-ray tube representation
          of the distribution of gamma radiation given off in the
          collision of electrons in cells with positrons emitted
          by radionuclides incorporated into metabolic substances

   positronium
          [pos.i.tro.ni.um] n (1945): a short-lived system that consists
          of a positron and an electron bound together and is suggestive
          of a hydrogen atom

   poss
          [poss] abbreviation possessive

   posse
          [pos.se] n [ML posse comitatus, lit., power or authority
          of the county] (1645) 1: a large group often with a common
          interest 2: a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to
          assist in preserving the public peace usu. in an emergency
          3: a group of people temporarily organized to make a
          search (as for a lost child)

   possess
          [pos.sess] vt [ME, fr. MF possesser to have possession of,
          take possession of, fr. L possessus, pp. of possidere,
          fr. potis able, having the power + sedere to sit--more
          at potent, sit] (14c) 1 a: to have and hold as property:
          own b: to have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill 2
          a: to take into one's possession b: to enter into and
          control firmly: dominate <was ~ed by demons> c: to bring
          or cause to fall under the influence, possession, or
          control of some emotional or intellectual reaction <melancholy
          ~es her> 3 a obs: to instate as owner b: to make the
          owner or holder--used in passive construction to indicate
          simple possession <~ed of riches> <~ed of knowledge and
          experience> -- pos.ses.sor n

   possessed
          [pos.sessed] adj (1534) 1 a (1): influenced or controlled
          by something (as an evil spirit or a passion) (2): mad,
          crazed b: urgently desirous to do or have something 2
          obs: held as a possession 3: self-possessed, calm --
          pos.sessed.ly adv -- pos.sessed.ness n

   possession
          [pos.ses.sion] n (14c) 1 a: the act of having or taking into
          control b: control or occupancy of property without regard
          to ownership c: ownership d: control of the ball or puck
          2: something owned, occupied, or controlled: property
          3 a: domination by something (as an evil spirit, a passion,
          or an idea) b: a psychological state in which an individual's
          normal personality is replaced by another c: the fact
          or condition of being self-controlled -- pos.ses.sion.al
          adj -- pos.ses.sion.less adj

   [1]possessive
          [pos.ses.sive] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          a word, a word group, or a grammatical case that denotes
          ownership or a relation analogous to ownership 2: manifesting
          possession or the desire to own or dominate -- pos.ses.sive.ly
          adv -- pos.ses.sive.ness n [2]possessive n (15c) 1: a
          possessive word or word group 2 a: the possessive case
          b: a word in the possessive case

   possessive adjective
          [possessive adjective] n (1870): a pronominal adjective expressing
          possession

   possessive pronoun
          [possessive pronoun] n (15c): a pronoun that derives from
          a personal pronoun and denotes possession and analogous
          relationships

   possessory
          [pos.ses.so.ry] adj (15c) 1: of, arising from, or having
          the nature of possession <~ rights> 2: having possession
          3: characteristic of a possessor: possessive

   posset
          [pos.set] n [ME poshet, possot] (15c): a hot drink of sweetened
          and spiced milk curdled with ale or wine

   possibility
          [pos.si.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the condition or fact
          of being possible 2 archaic: one's utmost power, capacity,
          or ability 3: something that is possible 4: potential
          or prospective value--usu. used in pl. <the house had
          great possibilities>

   possible
          [pos.si.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L possibilis, fr. posse
          to be able, fr. potis, pote able + esse to be--more at
          potent, is] (14c) 1 a: being within the limits of ability,
          capacity, or realization b: being what may be done or
          may occur according to nature, custom, or manners 2 a:
          being something that may or may not occur b: being something
          that may or may not be true or actual <~ explanation>
          3: having an indicated potential <a ~ housing site> syn
          possible, practicable, feasible mean capable of being
          realized. possible implies that a thing may certainly
          exist or occur given the proper conditions <a possible
          route up the west face of the mountain>. practicable
          implies that something may be effected by available means
          or under current conditions <a practicable route up the
          west face of the mountain>. feasible applies to what
          is likely to work or be useful in attaining the end desired
          <commercially feasible for mass production>.

   possibly
          [pos.si.bly] adv (14c) 1: in a possible manner: by any possibility
          2: by merest chance: perhaps

   possum
          [pos.sum] n (1613): opossum

   [1]post
          [post] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. L postis; prob. akin to L por-
          forward and to L stare to stand--more at portend, stand]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a piece (as of timber or metal) fixed firmly
          in an upright position esp. as a stay or support:  pillar,
          column 2: a pole or stake set up to mark or indicate
          something; esp: a pole that marks the starting or finishing
          point of a horse race 3: a metallic fitting attached
          to an electrical device (as a storage battery) for convenience
          in making connections 4: goalpost 5: the metal stem of
          a pierced earring [2]post vt (1633) 1 a: to publish,
          announce, or advertise by or as if by use of a placard
          b: to denounce by public notice c: to enter on a public
          listing d: to forbid (property) to trespassers under
          penalty of legal prosecution by notices placed along
          the boundaries e:  score <~ed a 70 in the final round>
          2: to affix to a usual place (as a wall) for public notices:
          placard [3]post n [MF poste relay station, courier, fr.
          OIt posta relay station, fr. fem. of posto, pp. of porre
          to place, fr. L ponere--more at position] (1507) 1 obs:
          courier 2 archaic a: one of a series of stations for
          keeping horses for relays b: the distance between any
          two such consecutive stations: stage 3 chiefly Brit a:
          a nation's organization for handling mail; also: the
          mail handled b: a single dispatch of mail c: post office
          d: postbox [4]post vi (1533) 1: to travel with post-horses
          2: to ride or travel with haste: hurry 3: to rise from
          the saddle and return to it in rhythm with a horse's
          trot ~ vt 1 archaic: to dispatch in haste 2: mail <~
          a letter> 3 a: to transfer or carry from a book of original
          entry to a ledger b: to make transfer entries in 4: to
          make familiar with a subject: inform <kept her ~ed on
          the latest gossip> [5]post adv (1549): with post-horses:
          express [6]post n [MF poste, fr. OIt posto, fr. pp. of
          porre to place] (1598) 1 a: the place at which a soldier
          is stationed; esp: a sentry's beat or station b: a station
          or task to which one is assigned c: the place at which
          a body of troops is stationed:  camp d: a local subdivision
          of a veterans' organization e: one of two bugle calls
          sounded (as in the British army) at tattoo 2 a: an office
          or position to which a person is appointed b: a player
          position in basketball that is the focal point of the
          offense; specif: pivot 2b 3 a: trading post, settlement
          b: a trading station on the floor of a stock exchange
          [7]post vt (1683) 1 a: to station in a given place <guards
          were ~ed at the doors> b: to carry ceremoniously to a
          position <~ing the colors> 2 chiefly Brit: to assign
          to a unit, position, or location (as in the military
          or civil service) 3: to put up (as bond)

   post-
          [post-] prefix [ME, fr. L, fr. post; akin to Lith pas at,
          Gk apo away from--more at of] 1 a: after: subsequent:
          later <postdate> b: behind: posterior: following after
          <postlude> <postconsonantal> 2 a: subsequent to: later
          than <postoperative> b: posterior to <postorbital>post.abor.tion
          post.ac.ci.dent post.ad.o.les.cent post.am.pu.ta.tion
          post.apoc.a.lyp.tic post.ar.rest post.atom.ic post.at.tack
          post.bac.ca.lau.re.ate post.base post.bib.li.cal post.bour.geois
          post.burn post.cap.i.tal.ist post-Chris.tian post.co.i.tal
          post.col.lege post.col.le.giate post.co.lo.nial post.con.cep.tion
          post.con.cert post.con.quest post.con.so.nan.tal post.con.ven.tion
          post.cop.u.la.to.ry post.cor.o.nary post.coup post.crash
          post.cri.sis post-Dar.win.i.an post.dead.line post.de.bate
          post.deb.u.tante post.de.liv.ery post.de.po.si.tion.al
          post.de.pres.sion post.de.val.u.a.tion post.dive
          post.di.ves.ti.ture post.di.vorce post.drug post.ed.it.ing
          post-Ein.stein.ian post.elec.tion post.em.bry.o.nal
          post.em.bry.on.ic post.emer.gen.cy post.en.ceph.a.lit.ic
          post.ep.i.lep.tic post.erup.tive post.ex.er.cise post.ex.pe.ri.ence
          post.ex.per.i.men.tal post.ex.po.sure post.fault post.fire
          post.flight post.frac.ture post.freeze post-Freud.ian post.game
          post.gla.cial post.grad.u.a.tion post.har.vest post.hem.or.rhag.ic
          post.hol.i.day post.ho.lo.caust post.hos.pi.tal post.im.pact
          post.im.pe.ri.al post.in.au.gu.ral post.in.de.pen.dence
          post.in.dus.tri.al post.in.fec.tion post.in.jec.tion
          post.in.oc.u.la.tion post.ir.ra.di.a.tion post.is.che.mic
          post.iso.la.tion post.land.ing post.launch post.lib.er.a.tion
          post.mar.i.tal post.mas.tec.to.my post.mat.ing post.me.di.e.val
          post.mid.night post.neo.na.tal post.or.gas.mic post.pol.li.na.tion
          post.pres.i.den.tial post.pri.ma.ry post.pris.on
          post.psy.cho.an.a.lyt.ic post.pu.ber.ty post.pu.bes.cent post.race
          post.re.ces.sion post-Ref.or.ma.tion post.res.ur.rec.tion
          post.re.tire.ment post.rev.o.lu.tion.ary post.ri.ot post.ro.man.tic
          post.sea.son post.sec.ond.ary post.show post.stim.u.la.tion
          post.stim.u.la.to.ry post.stim.u.lus post.strike post.sur.gi.cal
          post.tax post.teen post.trau.mat.ic post.treat.ment post.trial
          post.vac.ci.nal post.vac.ci.na.tion post.va.got.o.my
          post.va.sec.to.my post-Vic.to.ri.an post.war post.wean.ing
          post.work.shop

   postage
          [post.age] n (1654) 1: the fee for postal service 2: adhesive
          stamps or printed indicia representing postal fees

   postage-due stamp
          [postage-due stamp] n (1893): a special adhesive stamp that
          is applied by a post office to mail bearing insufficient
          postage

   postage meter
          [postage meter] n (1927): a machine that prints postal indicia
          on pieces of mail, records the amount of postage, and
          subtracts it from a total paid amount for which the machine
          has been set

   postage stamp
          [postage stamp] n (1840): a government adhesive stamp or
          imprinted stamp for use on mail as evidence of prepayment
          of postage

   postage-stamp
          [postage-stamp] adj (1938): suggesting a postage stamp in
          size: very small <~ yards>

   postal
          [post.al] adj (1843) 1: of or relating to the mails or the
          post office 2: conducted by mail <~ chess>

   postal card
          [postal card] n (1872) 1: a card officially stamped and issued
          by the government for use in the mail 2: postcard

   postal order
          [postal order] n (1883) Brit: money order

   postal service
          [postal service] n (ca. 1920): post office 1

   postal union
          [postal union] n (1875): an association of governments setting
          up uniform regulations and practices for international
          mail

   postaxial
          [post.ax.i.al] adj (1872): of or relating to the ulnar side
          of the vertebrate forelimb or the fibular side of the
          hind limb; also: of or relating to the side of an animal
          or side of one of its limbs that is posterior to the
          axis of its body or limb

   postbag
          [post.bag] n (1813) 1 Brit: mailbag 2 Brit: a single batch
          of mail: letters

   postbellum
          [post.bel.lum] adj [L post bellum after the war] (1874):
          of, relating to, or characteristic of the period following
          a war and esp. following the American Civil War

   postbox
          [post.box] n (1754): mailbox; esp: a public mailbox

   postboy
          [post.boy] n (1707): postilion

   postcard
          [post.card] n (1870) 1: postal card 1 2: a card on which
          a message may be written for mailing without an envelope
          and to which the sender must affix a stamp -- post.card.like
          adj

   postcava
          [post.ca.va] n [NL] (1882): the inferior vena cava of vertebrates
          higher than fishes -- post.ca.val adj

   post chaise
          [post chaise] n (1712): a carriage usu. having a closed body
          on four wheels and seating two to four persons

   postclassical
          [post.clas.si.cal] or post.clas.sic adj (1867): of or relating
          to a period (as in art, literature, or civilization)
          following a classical one

   postcode
          [post.code] n (1967): a code (as of numbers and letters)
          used similarly to the zip code esp. in the United Kingdom
          and Australia

   post-communion
          [post-com.mu.nion] n, often cap P&C [ML postcommunion-,
          postcommunio, fr. L post- + LL communio communion] (15c):
          a liturgically variable prayer following the communion at Mass

   postcranial
          [post.cra.ni.al] adj (1913): of or relating to the part of
          the body caudal to the head <~ skeleton> <~ fossil remains>
          -- post.cra.ni.al.ly adv

   postdate
          [post.date] vt (1624) 1 a: to date with a date later than
          that of execution <~ a check> b: to assign (an event)
          to a date subsequent to that of actual occurrence 2:
          to follow in time

   postdiluvian
          [post.di.lu.vi.an] adj [post- + L diluvium flood--more at
          deluge] (1680): of or relating to the period after the
          flood described in the Bible -- postdiluvian n

   [1]postdoc
          [post.doc] n (1968): one engaged in postdoctoral study or
          research [2]postdoc adj (1970): postdoctoral

   postdoctoral
          [post.doc.tor.al] also post.doc.tor.ate adj (1936): being
          beyond the doctoral level: a: of or relating to advanced
          academic or professional work beyond a doctor's degree
          <a ~ fellowship> b: engaged in such work <~ scholars>

   postemergence
          [post.emer.gence] adj (1940): used or occurring in the stage
          between the emergence of a seedling and the maturity
          of a crop plant <~ herbicides> <~ development>

   [1]poster
          [post.er] n [[4]post] (1605) archaic: a swift traveler [2]poster
          n [[2]post] (1838): a bill or placard for posting often
          in a public place; esp: one that is decorative or pictorial

   poster color
          [poster color] n (1925): an opaque watercolor paint with
          a gum or glue-size binder sold usu. in jars--called also
          poster paint

   poste restante
          [poste res.tante] n [F, lit., waiting mail] (1768) chiefly
          Brit: general delivery

   [1]posterior
          [pos.te.ri.or] adj [L, compar. of posterus coming after,
          fr. post after--more at post-] (1534) 1: later in time:
          subsequent 2: situated behind: as a: caudal b of the
          human body or its parts: dorsal 3 of a plant part: adaxial,
          superior -- pos.te.ri.or.ly adv [2]pos.te.ri.or n (ca.
          1616): the hinder parts of the body; specif: buttocks

   posteriority
          [pos.te.ri.or.i.ty] n (14c): the quality or state of being
          later or subsequent

   posterity
          [pos.ter.i.ty] n [ME posterite, fr. MF posterite, fr.
          L posteritat-, posteritas, fr. posterus coming after] (14c) 1: the
          offspring of one progenitor to the furthest generation 2: all
          future generations

   postern
          [pos.tern] n [ME posterne, fr. OF, alter. of posterle, fr.
          LL posterula, dim. of postera back door, fr. L, fem.
          of posterus] (14c) 1: a back door or gate 2: a private
          or side entrance or way -- postern adj

   posterolateral
          [pos.tero.lat.er.al] adj [posterior + -o- + lateral] (1852):
          posterior and lateral in position or direction

   post exchange
          [post exchange] n (1892): a store at a military installation
          that sells merchandise and services to military personnel
          and authorized civilians

   postexilic
          [post.ex.il.ic] adj (1871): of or relating to the period
          of Jewish history between the end of the exile in Babylon
          in 538 b.c. and a.d. 1

   postface
          [post.face] n [F, fr. post- + -face (as in preface preface)]
          (1782): a brief article or note (as of explanation) placed
          at the end of a publication

   postfeminist
          [post.fem.i.nist] adj (1983): of, relating to, occurring
          in, or being the period following widespread advocacy
          and acceptance of feminism

   postfix
          [post.fix] adj [post- + -fix (as in prefix)] (1973): characterized
          by placement of an operator after its operand or after its two
          operands if it is a binary operator--compare infix, prefix

   post-free
          [post-free] adj (1723) chiefly Brit: postpaid

   postganglionic
          [post.gan.gli.on.ic] adj (1897): distal to a ganglion; specif:
          of, relating to, or being an axon arising from a cell
          body within an autonomic ganglion--compare preganglionic

   [1]postgraduate
          [post.grad.u.ate] adj (1858): graduate 2 [2]postgraduate
          n (ca. 1890): a student continuing formal education after
          graduation from high school or college

   [1]posthaste
          [post.haste] n [[3]post] (1545) archaic: great haste [2]posthaste
          adv (1593): with all possible speed [3]posthaste adj
          (1604) obs: speedy, immediate <requires your ... ~ appearance
          --Shak.>

   post hoc
          [post hoc] adj [NL post hoc, ergo propter hoc after this,
          therefore because of this] (1704) 1: relating to or being
          the fallacy of arguing from temporal sequence to a causal
          relation 2: formulated after the fact <a post hoc rationalization>

   post hoc, ergo propter hoc
          [post hoc, er.go prop.ter hoc] [L] foreign term : after this,
          therefore on account of it (a fallacy of argument)

   posthole
          [post.hole] n (1703): a hole dug for a post (as to support
          a fence or wall)

   post horn
          [post horn] n (1675): a simple straight or coiled brass or
          copper wind instrument with cupped mouthpiece used esp.
          by guards of mail coaches of the 18th and 19th centuries

   post-horse
          [post-horse] n [[3]post] (1527): a horse for use esp. by
          couriers or mail carriers

   posthumous
          [post.hu.mous] adj [L posthumus, alter. of postumus late-born,
          posthumous, fr. superl. of posterus coming after--more
          at posterior] (1619) 1: born after the death of the father
          2: published after the death of the author 3: following
          or occurring after death <~ fame> -- post.hu.mous.ly
          adv -- post.hu.mous.ness n

   posthypnotic
          [post.hyp.not.ic] adj [ISV] (1890): of, relating to,
          or characteristic of the period following a hypnotic trance

   postiche
          [pos.tiche] n [F, fr. Sp. postizo] (1886): wig; esp: toupee
          2

   postilion
          [pos.til.ion] or pos.til.lion n [MF postillon mail carrier
          using post-horses, fr. It postiglione, fr. posta post--more
          at post] (ca. 1611): one who rides as a guide on the
          near horse of one of the pairs attached to a coach or
          post chaise esp. without a coachman

   Postimpressionism
          [Post.im.pres.sion.ism] n [F postimpressionisme, fr. post-
          + impressionisme impressionism] (1910): a theory or practice
          of art originating in France in the last quarter of the
          19th century that in revolt against impressionism stresses
          variously volume, picture structure, or expressionism
          -- Post.im.pres.sion.ist adj or n -- Post.im.pres.sion.is.tic
          adj

   [1]posting
          [post.ing] n [[4]post] (1682) 1: the act of transferring
          an entry or item from a book of original entry to the
          proper account in a ledger 2: the record in a ledger
          account resulting from the transfer of an entry or item
          from a book of original entry [2]posting n [[7]post]
          (1880): appointment to a post or a command

   post-Kantian
          [post-Kant.ian] adj (1843): of or relating to the idealist
          philosophers (as Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel) following
          Kant and developing some of his ideas

   postlapsarian
          [post.lap.sar.i.an] adj [post- + L lapsus slip, fall--more
          at lapse] (1733): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the time or state after the fall of mankind

   postliterate
          [post.lit.er.ate] adj (1965): relating to or occurring after
          the introduction of the electronic media

   postlude
          [post.lude] n [post- + -lude (as in prelude)] (1851) 1: a
          closing piece of music; esp: an organ voluntary at the
          end of a church service 2: a closing phase (as of an
          epoch or a literary work)

   postman
          [post.man] n (1529): mailman

   [1]postmark
          [post.mark] n (1678): an official postal marking on a piece
          of mail; specif: a mark showing the post office and date
          of mailing [2]postmark vt (1716): to put a postmark on

   postmaster
          [post.mas.ter] n (1513) 1: one who has charge of a post office
          2: one who has charge of a station for the accommodation
          of travelers or who supplies post-horses -- post.mas.ter.ship
          n

   postmaster general
          [postmaster general] n, pl postmasters general (1626): an
          official in charge of a national post office department
          or agency

   postmenopausal
          [post.men.o.paus.al] adj (1928) 1: having undergone menopause
          2: occurring after menopause

   post meridiem
          [post me.ri.di.em] adj [L] (1647): being after noon--abbr.
          p.m.

   postmillenarianism
          [post.mil.le.nar.i.an.ism] n (ca. 1890): postmillennialism
          -- postmillenarian adj or n

   postmillennial
          [post.mil.len.ni.al] adj (1851) 1: coming after or relating
          to the period after the millennium 2: holding or relating
          to postmillennialism

   postmillennialism
          [post.mil.len.ni.al.ism] n (1879): the theological doctrine
          that the second coming of Christ will occur after the
          millennium -- post.mil.len.ni.al.ist n

   postmistress
          [post.mis.tress] n (1697): a woman who is a postmaster

   postmodern
          [post.mod.ern] adj (1949): of, relating to, or being any
          of several movements (as in art, architecture, or literature)
          that are reactions against the philosophy and practices
          of modern movements and are typically marked by revival
          of traditional elements and techniques -- post.mod.ern.ism
          n -- post.mod.ern.ist adj or n

   [1]postmortem
          [post.mor.tem] adj [L post mortem after death] (ca. 1836)
          1: done, occurring, or collected after death <~ tissue
          specimens> 2: following the event [2]postmortem n (1850)
          1: an analysis or discussion of an event after it is
          over 2: autopsy 1

   postmortem examination
          [postmortem examination] n (1837): autopsy 1

   postnasal drip
          [postnasal drip] n (1949): flow of mucous secretion from
          the posterior part of the nasal cavity onto the wall
          of the pharynx occurring usu. as a chronic accompaniment
          of an allergic state

   postnatal
          [post.na.tal] adj [ISV] (ca. 1859): occurring or being after
          birth; specif: of or relating to an infant immediately
          after birth <~ care> -- post.na.tal.ly adv

   postnuptial
          [post.nup.tial] adj (1807): made or occurring after marriage
          or mating

   post oak
          [post oak] n [[1]post] (1775): an oak (Quercus stellata)
          of the eastern and central U.S. having hard durable wood

   [1]post-obit
          [post-obit] n (1751): post-obit bond [2]post-obit adj [L
          post obitum after death] (ca. 1834): occurring or taking
          effect after death

   post-obit bond
          [post-obit bond] n (1788): a bond made by a reversioner to
          secure a loan and payable out of his reversion

   post obitum
          [post ob.itum] [L] foreign term : after death

   post office
          [post office] n (1652) 1: a government department or agency
          handling the transmission of mail 2: a local branch of
          a national post office handling the mail for a particular
          place or area 3: a game in which a player acting as postmaster
          or postmistress may exact a kiss from one of the opposite
          sex as payment for the pretended delivery of a letter

   postoperative
          [post.op.er.a.tive] adj [ISV] (ca. 1890) 1: following a surgical
          operation <~ care> 2: having undergone a surgical operation
          <a ~ patient> -- post.op.er.a.tive.ly adv

   postorbital
          [post.or.bit.al] adj (ca. 1836): situated behind the eye
          socket

   postpaid
          [post.paid] adj (1653): having the postage paid by the sender
          and not chargeable to the receiver

   postpartum
          [post.par.tum] adj [NL post partum after birth] (1846) 1:
          following parturition <~ period> 2: being in the postpartum
          period <~ mothers> -- postpartum adv

   postpone
          [post.pone] vt post.poned ; post.pon.ing [L postponere to
          place after, postpone, fr. post- + ponere to place--more
          at position] (ca. 1520) 1: to put off to a later time:
          defer 2 a: to place later (as in a sentence) than the
          normal position in English <~ an adjective> b: to place
          later in order of precedence, preference, or importance
          syn see defer -- post.pon.able adj -- post.pone.ment
          n -- post.pon.er n

   postposition
          [post.po.si.tion] n [F, fr. postposer to place after, fr.
          L postponere (perf. indic. postposui)] (ca. 1638): the
          placing of a grammatical element after a word to which
          it is primarily related in a sentence; also: such a word
          or particle esp. when functioning as a preposition --
          post.po.si.tion.al adj -- post.po.si.tion.al.ly adv

   postpositive
          [post.pos.i.tive] adj (1786): placed after or at the end
          of another word -- post.pos.i.tive.ly adv

   postprandial
          [post.pran.di.al] adj (1820): occurring after a meal

   postproduction
          [post.pro.duc.tion] n (1953): the period following filming
          or taping in which a motion picture or television show
          is readied for public presentation

   post road
          [post road] n (1657): a route over which mail is carried

   postscript
          [post.script] n [NL postscriptum, fr. L, neut. of postscriptus,
          pp. of postscribere to write after, fr. post- + scribere
          to write--more at scribe] (1551): a note or series of
          notes appended to a completed letter, article, or book

   postsynaptic
          [post.syn.ap.tic] adj (1909) 1: occurring after synapsis
          <a ~ chromosome> 2: relating to, occurring in, or being
          part of a nerve cell by which a wave of excitation is
          conveyed away from a synapse -- post.syn.ap.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   posttension
          [post.ten.sion] vt (1950): to apply tension to (reinforcing
          steel) after concrete has set

   posttest
          [post.test] n (ca. 1951): a test given to students after
          completion of an instructional program or segment and
          often used in conjunction with a pretest to measure their
          achievement and the effectiveness of the program

   post time
          [post time] n [[1]post] (1941): the designated time for the
          start of a horse race

   posttranscriptional
          [post.tran.scrip.tion.al] adj (1969): occurring, acting,
          or existing after genetic transcription

   posttransfusion
          [post.trans.fu.sion] adj (1944) 1: caused by transfused blood
          2: occurring after blood transfusion <~ shock>

   posttranslational
          [post.trans.la.tion.al] adj (1975): occurring or existing
          after genetic translation

   post-traumatic stress disorder
          [post-traumatic stress disorder] n (1980): a psychological
          reaction occurring after a highly stressing event that
          is usu. characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks,
          recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the
          event--called also post-traumatic stress syndrome

   postulancy
          [pos.tu.lan.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1883) 1: the quality or
          state of being a postulant 2: the period during which
          a person remains a postulant

   postulant
          [pos.tu.lant] n [F, petitioner, candidate, postulant, fr.
          MF, fr. prp. of postuler to demand, solicit, fr. L postulare]
          (1759) 1: a person admitted to a religious order as a
          probationary candidate for membership 2: a person on
          probation before being admitted as a candidate for holy
          orders in the Episcopal Church

   [1]postulate
          [pos.tu.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L postulatus, pp. of
          postulare; akin to L poscere to ask, OHG forscon to search,
          Skt prcchati he asks--more at pray] (1593) 1: demand,
          claim 2 a: to assume or claim as true, existent, or necessary:
          depend upon or start from the postulate of b: to assume
          as a postulate or axiom (as in logic or mathematics)
          -- pos.tu.la.tion n -- pos.tu.la.tion.al adj [2]pos.tu.late
          n [ML postulatum, fr. neut. of postulatus, pp. of postulare
          to assume, fr. L, to demand] (1646) 1: a hypothesis advanced
          as an essential presupposition, condition, or premise
          of a train of reasoning 2: axiom 3

   postulator
          [pos.tu.la.tor] n (1863): an official who presents a plea
          for beatification or canonization in the Roman Catholic
          Church--compare devil's advocate

   postural
          [pos.tur.al] adj (1857): of, relating to, or involving posture

   [1]posture
          [pos.ture] n [F, fr. It postura, fr. L positura, fr. positus,
          pp. of ponere to place--more at position] (ca. 1586)
          1 a: the position or bearing of the body whether characteristic
          or assumed for a special purpose <erect ~> b: the pose
          of a model or artistic figure 2: state or condition at
          a given time esp. with respect to capability in particular
          circumstances <maintain a competitive ~ in the market>
          <put the country in a ~ of defense> 3: a conscious mental
          or outward behavioral attitude <takes a neutral ~ toward
          the discussions> [2]posture vb pos.tured ; pos.tur.ing
          vt (ca. 1645): to cause to assume a given posture: pose
          ~ vi 1: to assume a posture; esp: to strike a pose for
          effect 2: to assume an artificial or pretended attitude:
          attitudinize -- pos.tur.er n

   postvocalic
          [post.vo.cal.ic] adj [ISV] (1892): immediately following
          a vowel

   posy
          [po.sy] n, pl posies [alter. of poesy] (1533) 1: a brief
          sentiment, motto, or legend 2 a: bouquet, nosegay b:
          flower

   [1]pot
          [pot] n [ME, fr. OE pott; akin to MLG pot pot] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a usu. rounded metal or earthen container used chiefly
          for domestic purposes (as in cooking or for holding liquids
          or growing plants); also: any of various technical or
          industrial vessels or enclosures resembling or likened
          to a household pot <the ~ of a still> b: potful <a ~
          of coffee> 2: an enclosed framework of wire, wood, or
          wicker for catching fish or lobsters 3 a: a large amount
          (as of money) b (1): the total of the bets at stake at
          one time (2): one round in a poker game c: the common
          fund of a group 4: potshot 5: potbelly 6: ruin <gone
          to ~> 7 Brit: a shot in snooker in which a ball is pocketed
          [2]pot vb pot.ted ; pot.ting vt (1616) 1 a: to place
          in a pot b: to pack or preserve (as cooked and chopped
          meat) in a sealed pot, jar, or can often with aspic 2:
          to shoot with a potshot 3: to make or shape (earthenware)
          as a potter 4: to embed (as electronic components) in
          a container with an insulating or protective material
          (as plastic) ~ vi: to take a potshot [3]pot n [perh.
          modif. of MexSp potiguaya] (1938): marijuana

   pot
          [pot] abbreviation potential, potentiometer

   [1]potable
          [po.ta.ble] adj [ME, fr. LL potabilis, fr. L potare to drink;
          akin to L bibere to drink, Gk pinein] (15c): suitable
          for drinking -- po.ta.bil.i.ty n -- po.ta.ble.ness n
          [2]potable n (1623): a liquid that is suitable for drinking;
          esp: an alcoholic beverage

   potage
          [po.tage] n [MF, fr. OF, pottage] (1567): a thick soup

   pot ale
          [pot ale] n (1812): the residue of fermented wort left in
          a still after the distillation of whiskey or alcohol
          and used for feeding swine

   potash
          [pot.ash] n [sing. of pot ashes] (ca. 1648) 1: potassium
          carbonate esp. from wood ashes 2: potassium or a potassium
          compound esp. as used in agriculture or industry

   potassic
          [po.tas.sic] adj (1858): of, relating to, or containing potassium

   potassium
          [po.tas.si.um] n, often attrib [NL, fr. potassa potash, fr.
          E potash] (ca. 1807): a silver-white soft light low-melting
          univalent metallic element of the alkali metal group
          that occurs abundantly in nature esp. combined in minerals

   potassium-argon
          [potassium-argon] adj (1953): being or relating to a method
          of dating paleontological or geological materials based
          on the radioactive decay of potassium to argon that has
          taken place in a specimen

   potassium bromide
          [potassium bromide] n (1873): a crystalline salt with a saline
          taste that is used as a sedative and in photography

   potassium carbonate
          [potassium carbonate] n (1885): a white salt that forms a
          strongly alkaline solution and is used in making glass
          and soap

   potassium chlorate
          [potassium chlorate] n (1885): a crystalline salt that is
          used as an oxidizing agent in matches, fireworks, and
          explosives

   potassium chloride
          [potassium chloride] n (1885): a crystalline salt occurring
          as a mineral and in natural waters and used esp. as a
          fertilizer

   potassium cyanide
          [potassium cyanide] n (1885): a very poisonous crystalline
          salt used esp. in gold and silver extraction from ore

   potassium dichromate
          [potassium dichromate] n (1885): a soluble salt forming large
          orange-red crystals used esp. in dyeing, in photography,
          and as an oxidizing agent

   potassium hydroxide
          [potassium hydroxide] n (1885): a white deliquescent solid
          that dissolves in water with much heat to form a strongly
          alkaline and caustic liquid and is used chiefly in making
          soap and as a reagent

   potassium nitrate
          [potassium nitrate] n (1885): a crystalline salt that occurs
          as a product of nitrification in arable soils, is a strong
          oxidizer, and is used esp. in making gunpowder, as a
          fertilizer, and in medicine

   potassium permanganate
          [potassium permanganate] n (1869): a dark purple salt used
          as an oxidizer and disinfectant

   potassium sorbate
          [potassium sorbate] n (1960): a potassium salt of sorbic
          acid used esp. as a food preservative

   potassium sulfate
          [potassium sulfate] n (1885): a white crystalline compound
          used esp. as a fertilizer

   potation
          [po.ta.tion] n [ME potacioun, fr. MF potation, fr. L potation-,
          potatio act of drinking, fr. potare to drink--more at
          potable] (15c) 1: a usu. alcoholic drink or brew 2: the
          act or an instance of drinking or inhaling; also: the
          portion taken in one such act

   potato
          [po.ta.to] n, pl -toes often attrib [Sp batata, fr. Taino]
          (1565) 1: sweet potato 2 a: an erect So. American herb
          (Solanum tuberosum) of the nightshade family widely cultivated
          as a vegetable crop b: the edible starchy tuber of a
          potato--called also Irish potato, white potato

   potato beetle
          [potato beetle] n (1821): colorado potato beetle

   potato blight
          [potato blight] n (1879): any of several destructive fungus
          diseases of the potato

   potato bug
          [potato bug] n (1799): colorado potato beetle

   potato chip
          [potato chip] n (1878): a thin slice of white potato that
          has been fried until crisp and then usu. salted

   potato leafhopper
          [potato leafhopper] n (1921): a small green white-spotted
          leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) of the eastern and southern
          U.S. that is a serious pest on many cultivated plants
          and esp. on the potato

   potato pancake
          [potato pancake] n (1935): a fried flat cake of grated potato
          mixed with raw egg and usu. grated onion and spices

   potato tuberworm
          [potato tu.ber.worm] n (1920): a grayish brown moth (Phthorimaea
          operculella of the family Gelechiidae) whose larva mines
          the leaves and bores in the stems esp. of potato and
          tobacco plants and commonly overwinters in potato tubers

   pot-au-feu
          [pot-au-feu] n, pl pot-au-feu [F, lit., pot on the fire]
          (1791): a French boiled dinner of meat and vegetables

   potbellied
          [pot.bel.lied] adj (1657): having a potbelly

   potbellied stove
          [potbellied stove] n (1933): a stove with a rounded or bulging
          body--called also potbelly stove

   potbelly
          [pot.bel.ly] n (ca. 1714) 1: an enlarged, swollen, or protruding
          abdomen 2: potbellied stove

   potboil
          [pot.boil] vi (1867): to produce potboilers

   potboiler
          [pot.boil.er] n (1864): a usu. inferior work (as of art or
          literature) produced chiefly for profit

   pot-bound
          [pot-bound] adj (1850) of a potted plant: having roots so
          densely matted as to allow little or no space for further
          growth

   potboy
          [pot.boy] n (1795): a boy who serves drinks in a tavern

   pot cheese
          [pot cheese] n (1812): cottage cheese

   poteen
          [po.teen] also po.theen n [Ir poitin, lit., small pot, dim.
          of pota pot] (1812): whiskey illicitly distilled in Ireland

   Potemkin village
          [Po.tem.kin village] n [Grigori Potemkin, who supposedly
          built impressive fake villages along a route Catherine
          the Great was to travel] (1937): an impressive facade
          or show designed to hide an undesirable fact or condition

   potence
          [po.tence] n (15c): potency

   potency
          [po.ten.cy] n, pl -cies (15c) 1 a: force, power b: the quality
          or state of being potent c: the ability or capacity to
          achieve or bring about a particular result 2: potentiality
          1

   [1]potent
          [po.tent] adj [ME, fr. L potent-, potens (prp. of posse to
          be able), fr. L potis, pote able; akin to Goth bruthfaths
          bridegroom, Gk posis husband, Skt pati master] (15c)
          1: having or wielding force, authority, or influence:
          powerful 2: achieving or bringing about a particular
          result: effective 3 a: chemically or medicinally effective
          <a ~ vaccine> b: rich in a characteristic constituent
          4: able to copulate--usu. used of the male -- po.tent.ly
          adv [2]potent adj [obs. E potent crutch] (1610) of a
          heraldic cross: having flat bars across the ends of the
          arms--see cross illustration

   potentate
          [po.ten.tate] n (15c): ruler, sovereign; broadly: one who
          wields great power or sway

   [1]potential
          [po.ten.tial] adj [ME potencial, fr. LL potentialis, fr.
          potentia potentiality, fr. L, power, fr. potent-, potens]
          (14c) 1: existing in possibility: capable of development
          into actuality <~ benefits> 2: expressing possibility;
          specif: of, relating to, or constituting a verb phrase
          expressing possibility, liberty, or power by the use
          of an auxiliary with the infinitive of the verb (as in
          "it may rain") syn see latent -- po.ten.tial.ly adv [2]potential
          n (1817) 1 a: something that can develop or become actual
          <a ~ for violence> b: promise 2 2 a: any of various functions
          from which the intensity or the velocity at any point
          in a field may be readily calculated b: the work required
          to move a unit positive charge from a reference point
          (as at infinity) to a point in question c: potential
          difference

   potential difference
          [potential difference] n (1896): the difference in potential
          between two points that represents the work involved
          or the energy released in the transfer of a unit quantity
          of electricity from one point to the other

   potential energy
          [potential energy] n (1853): the energy that a piece of matter
          has because of its position or because of the arrangement
          of parts

   potentiality
          [po.ten.ti.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1625) 1: the ability to
          develop or come into existence 2: potential 1

   potentiate
          [po.ten.ti.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1817): to make effective
          or active or more effective or more active; also: to
          augment the activity of (as a drug) synergistically --
          po.ten.ti.a.tion n -- po.ten.ti.a.tor n

   potentilla
          [po.ten.til.la] n [NL, fr. ML, garden heliotrope, fr. L potent-,
          potens] (1548): cinquefoil 1

   potentiometer
          [po.ten.ti.om.e.ter] n [ISV potential + -o- + -meter] (1881)
          1: an instrument for measuring electromotive forces 2:
          voltage divider -- po.ten.ti.o.met.ric adj

   potful
          [pot.ful] n (14c) 1: as much or as many as a pot will hold
          2: a large amount <makes a ~ of money --John Corry>

   pot hat
          [pot hat] n (1798): a hat with a stiff crown; esp: derby

   pothead
          [pot.head] n (1959): a person who smokes marijuana

   [1]pother
          [poth.er] n [origin unknown] (1591) 1 a: confused or fidgety
          flurry or activity: commotion b: agitated talk or controversy
          usu. over a trivial matter 2: a choking cloud of dust
          or smoke 3: mental turmoil [2]pother vb poth.ered ; poth.er.ing
          vt (1692): to put into a pother ~ vi: to be in a pother

   potherb
          [pot.herb] n (1538): a usu. leafy herb that is cooked for
          use as greens; also: one (as mint) used to season food

   pot holder
          [pot holder] n (1944): a small cloth pad used for handling
          hot cooking utensils or containers

   pothole
          [pot.hole] n (1826) 1 a: a circular hole formed in the rocky
          bed of a river by the grinding action of stones or gravel
          whirled round by the water b: a sizable rounded often
          water-filled depression in land 2: a pot-shaped hole
          in a road surface -- pot.holed adj

   pothook
          [pot.hook] n (15c) 1: an S-shaped hook for hanging pots and
          kettles over an open fire 2: a written character resembling
          a pothook

   pothouse
          [pot.house] n (1724): tavern 1

   pothunter
          [pot.hunt.er] n (1781) 1: one who hunts game for food 2:
          an amateur archaeologist -- pot.hunt.ing n

   potion
          [po.tion] n [ME pocioun, fr. MF potion, fr. L potion-, potio
          drink, potion, fr. potare to drink--more at potable]
          (14c): a mixture of liquids (as liquor or medicine)

   [1]potlatch
          [pot.latch] n [Chinook Jargon patlach, fr. Nootka p'atlp'ach]
          (ca. 1861) 1: a ceremonial feast of the American Indians
          of the northwest coast marked by the host's lavish distribution
          of gifts or sometimes destruction of property to demonstrate
          wealth and generosity with the expectation of eventual
          reciprocation 2 Northwest: a social event or celebration
          [2]potlatch vt (1898) 1: to give (as a gift) esp. with
          the expectation of a gift in return 2: to hold or give
          a potlatch for (as a tribe or group) ~ vi: to hold or
          give a potlatch

   pot likker
          [pot lik.ker] Southern & Midland var of pot liquor

   potline
          [pot.line] n (1944): a row of electrolytic cells used in
          the production of aluminum

   pot liquor
          [pot liquor] n (1744): the liquid left in a pot after cooking
          something

   potluck
          [pot.luck] n (1592) 1 a: the regular meal available to a
          guest for whom no special preparations have been made
          b: a communal meal to which people bring food to share--usu.
          used attributively <a ~ supper> 2: whatever is offered
          or available in given circumstances or at a given time

   pot marigold
          [pot marigold] n (1814): a calendula (Calendula officinalis)
          grown esp. for ornament

   potometer
          [po.tom.e.ter] n [Gk poton drink (akin to Gk pinein to drink)
          + E -meter--more at potable] (1884): an apparatus for
          measuring the rate of transpiration in a plant by determining
          the amount of water absorbed

   potpie
          [pot.pie] n (ca. 1792): pastry-covered meat and vegetables
          cooked in a deep dish

   potpourri
          [pot.pour.ri] n [F pot pourri, lit., rotten pot] (1749) 1:
          a mixture of flowers, herbs, and spices that is usu.
          kept in a jar and used for scent 2: a miscellaneous collection:
          medley <a ~ of the best songs and sketches --Current
          Biog.>

   pot roast
          [pot roast] n (1881): a piece of beef cooked by braising
          usu. on top of the stove

   potsherd
          [pot.sherd] n [ME pot-sherd, fr. pot + sherd shard] (14c):
          a pottery fragment

   [1]potshot
          [pot.shot] n [fr. the notion that such a shot is unsportsmanlike
          and worthy only of one whose object is to fill the cooking
          pot] (1858) 1: a shot taken from ambush or at a random
          or easy target 2: a critical remark made in a random
          or sporadic manner [2]potshot vb potshot ; pot.shot.ting
          vi (1918): to take a potshot ~ vt: to attack or shoot
          with a potshot

   pot still
          [pot still] n (1799): a still used esp. in the distillation
          of Irish grain whiskey and Scotch malt whiskey in which
          the heat of the fire is applied directly to the pot containing
          the mash

   potstone
          [pot.stone] n (1771): a more or less impure steatite used
          esp. in prehistoric times to make cooking vessels

   pottage
          [pot.tage] n [ME potage, fr. OF, fr. pot pot, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE pott pot] (13c): a thick soup of vegetables
          and often meat

   potted
          [pot.ted] adj (1646) 1 chiefly Brit: preserved in a pot,
          jar, or can 2: planted or grown in a pot 3 chiefly Brit:
          briefly and superficially summarized <a dull, pedestrian
          ~ history --Times Lit. Supp.> 4 slang: drunk 1a

   [1]potter
          [pot.ter] n (bef. 12c): one that makes pottery [2]potter
          vi [prob. freq. of E dial. pote to poke] (1829): putter
          -- pot.ter.er n -- pot.ter.ing.ly adv

   potter's clay
          [potter's clay] n (15c): a plastic clay suitable for making
          pottery--called also potter's earth

   potter's field
          [potter's field] n [fr. the mention in Mt 27:7 of the purchase
          of a potter's field for use as a graveyard] (1777): a
          public burial place for paupers, unknown persons, and
          criminals

   potter's wheel
          [potter's wheel] n (ca. 1741): a usu. horizontal disk revolving
          on a vertical spindle and carrying the clay being shaped
          by a potter

   pottery
          [pot.tery] n, pl -ter.ies (15c) 1: a place where clayware
          is made and fired 2 a: the art or craft of the potter
          b: the manufacture of clayware 3: clayware; esp: earthenware
          as distinguished on the one hand from porcelain and stoneware
          and on the other from brick and tile

   pottle
          [pot.tle] n [ME potel, fr. MF, fr. pot] (14c): a container
          holding a half gallon (1.9 liters)

   potto
          [pot.to] n, pl pottos [perh. fr. Wolof pata, a tailless monkey]
          (1705): any of several African primates (genera Arctocebus
          and Perodicticus); esp: a West African primate (P. potto)
          that has a vestigial index finger and tail

   Pott's disease
          [Pott's disease] n [Percivall Pott d. 1788 Eng. surgeon]
          (1835): tuberculosis of the spine with destruction of
          bone resulting in curvature of the spine

   [1]potty
          [pot.ty] adj pot.ti.er ; -est [prob. fr. [1]pot] (ca. 1860)
          1 Brit: trivial, insignificant 2 chiefly Brit: slightly
          crazy 3: snobbish [2]potty n, pl potties (ca. 1942):
          a small child's pot for urination or defecation

   potty-chair
          [pot.ty-chair] n (1943): a child's chair having an open seat
          under which a receptacle in placed for toilet training

   potzer
          [pot.zer] var of patzer

   [1]pouch
          [pouch] n [ME pouche, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to OE pocca
          bag] (14c) 1: a small drawstring bag carried on the person
          2 a: a bag of small or moderate size for storing or transporting
          goods; specif: a lockable bag for first-class mail or
          diplomatic dispatches b chiefly Scot: pocket c: packet
          3: an anatomical structure resembling a pouch -- pouched
          adj [2]pouch vt (ca. 1566) 1: to put or form into or
          as if into a pouch 2: to transmit by pouch ~ vi 1: to
          bulge or stick out or down in a manner suggesting a pouch
          <~ing cheeks> 2: to transmit mail or dispatches by pouch

   pouchy
          [pouchy] adj pouch.i.er ; -est (1828): having, tending to
          have, or resembling a pouch <~ insomniac eyes --Graham
          Greene>

   pouf
          [pouf] also pouffe n [F pouf, something inflated, of imit.
          origin] (1817) 1: puff 3b(3) 2: a bouffant or fluffy
          part of a garment or accessory 3: ottoman -- poufed or
          pouffed adj

   Pouilly-Fuisse
          [Pouil.ly-Fuis.se] n [Solutre-Pouilly and Fuisse, villages
          in France] (1927): a dry white burgundy from an area
          west of Macon, France

   Pouilly-Fume
          [Pouil.ly-Fu.me] n [F, fr. Pouilly-sur-Loire, village in
          France + fume, pp. of fumer to smoke, fr. L fumare, fr.
          fumus smoke--more at fume] (1935): a dry white wine from
          the Loire valley of France

   poularde
          [pou.larde] also pou.lard n [F poularde] (1732): a pullet
          sterilized to produce fattening

   poult
          [poult] n [ME polet, pulte young fowl--more at pullet] (15c):
          a young fowl; esp: a young turkey

   poulterer
          [poul.ter.er] n [alter. of ME pulter, fr. MF pouletier] (1638):
          one that deals in poultry

   poulter's measure
          [poul.ter's measure] n [obs. poulter poulterer, fr. ME pulter;
          fr. the former practice of occas. giving one or two extra
          when counting eggs by dozens] (1576): a meter in which
          lines of 12 and 14 syllables alternate

   [1]poultice
          [poul.tice] n [ME pultes, fr. ML, lit., pap, fr. L, pl. of
          pult-, puls porridge] (15c): a soft usu. heated and sometimes
          medicated mass spread on cloth and applied to sores or
          other lesions [2]poultice vt -ticed ; -tic.ing (1730):
          to apply a poultice to

   poultry
          [poul.try] n [ME pultrie, fr. MF pouleterie, fr. OF, fr.
          pouletier poulterer, fr. poulet--more at pullet] (14c):
          domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat

   poultryman
          [poul.try.man] n (ca. 1574) 1: one who raises domestic fowls
          esp. on a commercial scale for the production of eggs
          and meat 2: one who deals in poultry or poultry products

   [1]pounce
          [pounce] n [ME, talon] (15c): the claw of a bird of prey
          [2]pounce vi pounced ; pounc.ing (1744) 1 a: to swoop
          upon and seize something with or as if with talons b:
          to seize upon and make capital of something (as another's
          blunder or an opportunity) 2: to make a sudden assault
          or approach [3]pounce n (1841): the act of pouncing [4]pounce
          vt pounced ; pounc.ing [MF poncer, fr. ponce] (1535):
          to dust, rub, finish, or stencil with pounce [5]pounce
          n [F ponce pumice, fr. MF, fr. LL pomic-, pomex, alter.
          of L pumic-, pumex--more at foam] (1706) 1: a fine powder
          formerly used to prevent ink from spreading 2: a fine
          powder for making stenciled patterns

   pouncet-box
          [poun.cet-box] n [prob. fr. (assumed) MF poncette small pounce
          bag] (1596) archaic: a box for carrying pomander

   [1]pound
          [pound] n, pl pounds also pound [ME, fr. OE pund, fr. L pondo
          pound, fr. abl. of pondus weight--more at pendant] (bef.
          12c) 1: any of various units of mass and weight: as a:
          a unit equal to 12 troy ounces or 5760 grains or 0.3732417216
          kilogram formerly used in weighing gold, silver, and
          a few other costly materials b: a unit now in general
          use among English-speaking peoples equal to 16 avoirdupois
          ounces or 7000 grains or 0.45359237 kilogram--see weight
          table 2 a: the basic monetary unit of the United Kingdom--called
          also pound sterling b: any of numerous basic monetary
          units of other countries (as Cyprus, Egypt, Ireland,
          Lebanon, Sudan, and Syria) c: [2]lira [2]pound n [ME,
          enclosure, fr. OE pund-] (14c) 1 a: an enclosure for
          animals; esp: a public enclosure for stray or unlicensed
          animals <a dog ~> b: a depot for holding impounded personal
          property until redeemed by the owner <a car ~> 2: a place
          or condition of confinement 3: an enclosure within which
          fish are kept or caught; esp: the inner compartment of
          a fish trap or pound net [3]pound n (1562): an act or
          sound of pounding [4]pound vb [alter. of ME pounen, fr.
          OE punian] vt (1594) 1: to reduce to powder or pulp by
          beating 2 a: to strike heavily or repeatedly b: to produce
          with or as if with repeated vigorous strokes--usu. used
          with out <~ out a story on the typewriter> c: to inculcate
          by insistent repetition: drive <day after day the facts
          were ~ed home to them --Ivy B. Priest> 3: to move along
          heavily or persistently <~ed the pavements looking for
          work> ~ vi 1: to strike heavy repeated blows 2: pulsate,
          throb <my heart was ~ing> 3 a: to move with or make a
          heavy repetitive sound b: to work hard and continuously--usu.
          used with away

   [1]poundage
          [pound.age] n (ca. 1500) 1: a charge per pound of weight
          2: weight in pounds [2]poundage n (1554): impoundment
          1

   poundal
          [pound.al] n [[1]pound + -al (as in quintal)] (1879): a unit
          of force equal to the force that would give a free mass
          of one pound an acceleration of one foot per second per
          second

   pound cake
          [pound cake] n [fr. the original recipe prescribing a pound
          of each of the principal ingredients] (1747): a rich
          butter cake made with a large proportion of eggs and
          shortening

   [1]pounder
          [pound.er] n (bef. 12c) 1: one that pounds 2: a tool used
          for pounding [2]pounder n (1684) 1: a gun throwing a
          projectile of a specified weight--usu. used in combination
          <the ship was armed with six-pounders> 2: one having
          a usu. specified weight or value in pounds--usu. used
          in combination <caught a ten-pounder>

   pound-foolish
          [pound-fool.ish] adj [fr. the phrase penny-wise and pound-foolish]
          (1607): imprudent in dealing with large sums or large matters

   pound mile
          [pound mile] n (1939): the transport of one pound of mail
          or express for one mile

   pound net
          [pound net] n (1865): a fish trap consisting of a netting
          arranged into a directing wing and an enclosure with
          a narrow entrance

   pound sign
          [pound sign] n (1980) 1: the symbol used to designate an
          English pound 2: the symbol used to represent a pound
          of weight

   [1]pour
          [pour] vb [ME] vt (14c) 1 a: to cause to flow in a stream
          b: to dispense from a container <~ed drinks for everyone>
          2: to supply or produce freely or copiously 3: to give
          full expression to: vent <~ed out his feelings> ~ vi
          1: to move with a continuous flow 2: to rain hard 3:
          to move or come continuously: stream <complaints ~ed
          in> -- pour.able adj -- pour.er n -- pour.ing.ly adv
          [2]pour n (1790) 1: the action of pouring: stream 2 a:
          an instance of pouring or an amount poured b: a heavy
          fall of rain: downpour

   pour acquit
          [pour ac.quit] [F] foreign term : received payment

   pourboire
          [pour.boire] n [F, fr. pour boire for drinking] (1817): tip,
          gratuity

   pour le merite
          [pour le me.rite] [F] foreign term : for merit

   pourparler
          [pour.par.ler] n [F, fr. MF, fr. pourparler to discuss, fr.
          OF, fr. pour for, before + parler to speak--more at purchase,
          parley] (1795): a discussion preliminary to negotiations

   pourpoint
          [pour.point] n [ME purpoint, fr. MF pourpoint, fr. OF porpoint,
          fr. porpoint, adj., quilted, alter. of (assumed) VL perpunctus,
          pp. of perpungere to perforate, fr. L per through + pungere
          to prick, pierce--more at pungent] (14c): a padded and
          quilted doublet

   pour point
          [pour point] n (1922): the lowest temperature at which a
          substance flows under specified conditions

   pour rire
          [pour rire] [F] foreign term : for laughing: not to be taken
          seriously

   pousse-cafe
          [pousse-ca.fe] n [F, lit., coffee chaser] (1880): an after-dinner
          drink consisting of several liqueurs of different colors
          and specific gravities poured so as to remain in separate
          layers

   poussette
          [pous.sette] vi pous.sett.ed ; pous.sett.ing [F, game in
          which contestants cross pins with each attempting to
          get his pin on top, fr. pousser to push] (1812): to swing
          in a semicircle with hands joined with one's partner
          in a country-dance

   [1]pout
          [pout] vb [ME] vi (14c) 1 a: to show displeasure by thrusting
          out the lips or wearing a sullen expression b: sulk 2:
          protrude ~ vt: to cause to protrude <~ed her lips> [2]pout
          n (1591) 1: a protrusion of the lips expressive of displeasure
          2 pl: a fit of pique [3]pout n, pl pout or pouts [prob.
          fr. (assumed) ME poute, a fish with a large head, fr.
          OE -pute; akin to ME pouten to pout] (1591): any of several
          large-headed fishes (as a bullhead or eelpout)

   pouter
          [pout.er] n (1725) 1: a domestic pigeon of a breed characterized
          by erect carriage and a dilatable crop 2: one that pouts

   pouty
          [pouty] adj (1863) 1: sulky 1 2: expressive of displeasure

   POV
          [POV] abbreviation point of view

   poverty
          [pov.er.ty] n, often attrib [ME poverte, fr. OF poverte,
          fr. L paupertat-, paupertas, fr. pauper poor--more at
          poor] (12c) 1 a: the state of one who lacks a usual or
          socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions
          b: renunciation as a member of a religious order of the
          right as an individual to own property 2: scarcity, dearth
          3 a: debility due to malnutrition b: lack of fertility
          <~ of the soil> syn poverty, indigence, penury, want,
          destitution mean the state of one with insufficient resources.
          poverty may cover a range from extreme want of necessities
          to an absence of material comforts <the extreme poverty
          of the slum dwellers>. indigence implies seriously straitened
          circumstances <the indigence of her years as a graduate
          student>. penury suggests a cramping or oppressive lack
          of money <a catastrophic illness that condemned them
          to years of penury>. want and destitution imply extreme
          poverty that threatens life itself through starvation
          or exposure <lived in a perpetual state of want> <the
          widespread destitution in countries beset by famine>.

   poverty line
          [poverty line] n (1901): a level of personal or family income
          below which one is classified as poor according to governmental
          standards--called also poverty level

   poverty-stricken
          [pov.er.ty-strick.en] adj (1803): very poor: destitute

   [1]pow
          [pow] n [alter. of poll] (1724): head, poll [2]pow n [imit.]
          (1881): a sound of a blow or explosion POW n (ca. 1919):
          prisoner of war

   [1]powder
          [pow.der] vb pow.dered ; pow.der.ing vt (13c) 1: to sprinkle
          or cover with or as if with powder 2: to reduce or convert
          to powder 3: to hit (as a ball) very hard ~ vi 1: to
          become powder 2: to apply cosmetic powder -- pow.der.er
          n [2]powder n, often attrib [ME poudre, fr. OF, fr. L
          pulver-, pulvis dust; prob. akin to Skt palava chaff]
          (14c) 1: matter in a finely divided state: particulate
          matter 2 a: a preparation in the form of fine particles
          esp. for medicinal or cosmetic use b: fine dry light
          snow 3: any of various solid explosives used chiefly
          in gunnery and blasting -- pow.der.less adj -- pow.der.like
          adj

   powder blue
          [powder blue] n (1896): a pale blue

   powder horn
          [powder horn] n (1533): a flask for carrying gunpowder; esp:
          one made of the horn of an ox or cow

   powder keg
          [powder keg] n (1855) 1: a small usu. metal cask for holding
          gunpowder or blasting powder 2: something liable to explode

   powder metallurgy
          [powder metallurgy] n (1933): a branch of science or an art
          concerned with the production of powdered metals or of
          metallic objects by compressing a powdered metal or alloy
          with or without other materials and heating without thoroughly
          melting to solidify and strengthen

   powder monkey
          [powder monkey] n (1682): one who carries or has charge of
          explosives (as in blasting operations)

   powder puff
          [powder puff] n (ca. 1704): a small fluffy device (as a pad)
          for applying cosmetic powder

   powder-puff
          [powder-puff] adj (1939): of, relating to, or being a competitive
          activity or event for women <a ~ football game>

   powder room
          [powder room] n (ca. 1937) 1: a rest room for women 2: a
          lavatory in the main living area of a house

   powdery
          [pow.dery] adj (15c) 1 a: resembling or consisting of powder
          <~ snow> b: easily reduced to powder: crumbling 2: covered
          with or as if with powder

   powdery mildew
          [powdery mildew] n (1889) 1: an ascomycetous fungus (family
          Erysiphaceae) producing abundant powdery conidia on the
          host 2: a plant disease caused by a powdery mildew

   [1]power
          [pow.er] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF poeir, fr. poeir to
          be able, fr. (assumed) VL potere, alter. of L posse--more
          at potent] (13c) 1 a (1): ability to act or produce an
          effect (2): ability to get extra-base hits (3): capacity
          for being acted upon or undergoing an effect b: legal
          or official authority, capacity, or right 2 a: possession
          of control, authority, or influence over others b: one
          having such power; specif: a sovereign state c: a controlling
          group: establishment--often used in the phrase the powers
          that be d archaic: a force of armed men e chiefly dial:
          a large number or quantity 3 a: physical might b: mental
          or moral efficacy c: political control or influence 4
          pl: an order of angels--see celestial hierarchy 5 a:
          the number of times as indicated by an exponent that
          a number occurs as a factor in a product; also: the product
          itself b: cardinal number 2 6 a: a source or means of
          supplying energy; esp: electricity b: motive power c:
          the time rate at which work is done or energy emitted
          or transferred 7: magnification 2b 8: scope, comprehensiveness
          9: the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis in
          a statistical test when a particular alternative hypothesis
          happens to be true syn power, authority, jurisdiction,
          control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern
          or rule or determine. power implies possession of ability
          to wield force, permissive authority, or substantial
          influence <the power to mold public opinion>. authority
          implies the granting of power for a specific purpose
          within specified limits <gave her attorney the authority
          to manage her estate>. jurisdiction applies to official
          power exercised within prescribed limits <the bureau
          having jurisdiction over alcohol and firearms>. control
          stresses the power to direct and restrain <you are responsible
          for the students under your control>. command implies
          the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience
          <the army officer in command>. sway suggests the extent
          or scope of exercised power or influence <an empire that
          extended its sway over the known world>. dominion stresses
          sovereign power or supreme authority <given dominion
          over all the animals>. syn power, force, energy, strength,
          might mean the ability to exert effort. power may i [2]power
          (1540) vt 1: to supply with power and esp. motive power
          2: to give impetus to ~ vi 1: to move about by means
          of motive power 2: to move with great speed or force
          [3]power adj (1949) 1: relating to or utilizing power
          <plays a ~ game>; also: powerful 1 <a ~ critic> 2: of,
          relating to, or being a meal at which influential people
          discuss business or politics

   power base
          [power base] n (1959): a base of political support

   powerboat
          [pow.er.boat] n (1908): motorboat

   power broker
          [power broker] n (1961): a person (as in politics) able to
          exert strong influence through control of votes or individuals

   power dive
          [power dive] n (1930): a dive of an airplane accelerated
          by the power of the engine

   power-dive
          [pow.er-dive] vi (1937): to make a power dive ~ vt: to cause
          to power-dive

   powerful
          [pow.er.ful] adj (15c) 1: having great power, prestige, or
          influence 2: leading to many or important deductions
          <a ~ set of postulates> -- pow.er.ful.ly adv

   power function
          [power function] n (1957) 1: a function of a parameter under
          statistical test whose value for a particular value of
          the parameter is the probability of rejecting the null
          hypothesis if that value of the parameter happens to
          be true 2: a function that equals the product of a constant
          and a power of the independent variable

   powerhouse
          [pow.er.house] n (ca. 1890) 1 a: power plant 1 b: a source
          of influence or inspiration 2: one having great power:
          as a: one having great drive, energy, or ability b: an
          athletic team characterized by strong aggressive play

   powerless
          [pow.er.less] adj (15c) 1: devoid of strength or resources
          2: lacking the authority or capacity to act -- pow.er.less.ly
          adv -- pow.er.less.ness n

   power mower
          [power mower] n (1940): a motor-driven lawn mower

   power of attorney
          [power of attorney] (1747): a legal instrument authorizing
          one to act as the attorney or agent of the grantor

   power pack
          [power pack] n (1936): a unit for converting a power supply
          (as from a battery or household electrical circuit) to
          a voltage suitable for an electronic device

   power plant
          [power plant] n (1890) 1: an electric utility generating
          station 2: an engine and related parts supplying the
          motive power of a self-propelled object (as a rocket
          or automobile)

   power play
          [power play] n (1947) 1: a military, diplomatic, political,
          or administrative maneuver in which power is brought
          to bear 2 a: a concentrated attack in football in which
          the ballcarrier is preceded by a mass of blockers b:
          a situation in ice hockey in which one team temporarily
          has more players on the ice than the other team because
          of a penalty

   power politics
          [power politics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1926): politics
          based primarily on the use of power (as military and
          economic strength) as a coercive force rather than on
          ethical precepts

   power series
          [power series] n (1893): an infinite series whose terms are
          successive integral powers of a variable multiplied by
          constants

   power shovel
          [power shovel] n (1909): a power-operated excavating machine
          consisting of a boom or crane that supports a lever arm
          with a large bucket at the end of it

   power station
          [power station] n (1901): power plant 1

   power steering
          [power steering] n (1932): automotive steering with engine
          power used to amplify the torque applied at the steering
          wheel by the driver

   power structure
          [power structure] n (1950) 1: a group of persons having control
          of an organization: establishment 2: the hierarchical
          interrelationships existing within a controlling group

   power sweep
          [power sweep] n (1964): sweep 3e

   power take-off
          [power take-off] n (1929): a supplementary mechanism (as
          on a tractor) enabling the engine power to be used to
          operate nonautomotive apparatus (as a pump or saw)

   power train
          [power train] n (1943): the intervening mechanism by which
          power is transmitted from an engine to a propeller or
          axle that it drives

   power up
          [power up] vt (1970): to cause to operate <power up the computer>
          -- pow.er-up n

   [1]powwow
          [pow.wow] n [Narraganset powwaw or Massachuset pauwau] (1625)
          1: an American Indian medicine man 2 a: an American Indian
          ceremony (as for victory in war) b: an American Indian
          social gathering or fair usu. including competitive dancing
          3 a: a social get-together b: a meeting for discussion
          [2]powwow vi (1642): to hold a powwow

   [1]pox
          [pox] n, pl pox or pox.es [alter. of pocks, pl. of pock]
          (1550) 1 a: a virus disease (as chicken pox) characterized
          by pustules or eruptions b archaic: smallpox c: syphilis
          2: a disastrous evil: plague, curse <a ~ on him> [2]pox
          vt (1601) archaic: to infect with a pox and esp. with
          syphilis

   poxvirus
          [pox.vi.rus] n (1941): any of a group of relatively large
          round, brick-shaped, or ovoid DNA-containing animal viruses
          (as the causative agent of smallpox) that have a fluffy
          appearance caused by a covering of tubules and threads

   pozzolana
          [poz.zo.la.na] or poz.zo.lan n [It pozzolana] (1706): finely
          divided siliceous or siliceous and aluminous material
          that reacts chemically with slaked lime at ordinary temperature
          and in the presence of moisture to form a strong slow-hardening
          cement -- poz.zo.la.nic adj

   pp...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   pp
          [pp] abbreviation pages, [L per procurationem] by proxy;
          pianissimo  PP abbreviation parcel post, past participle,
          postpaid, prepaid

   ppa
          [ppa] abbreviation per power of attorney

   ppb
          [ppb] abbreviation parts per billion

   ppd
          [ppd] abbreviation postpaid, prepaid

   PPI
          [PPI] abbreviation plan position indicator

   ppm
          [ppm] abbreviation parts per million

   PPO
          [PPO] n, pl PPOs [preferred provider organization] (1983):
          an organization providing health care that gives economic
          incentives to the individual purchaser of a health-care
          contract to patronize certain physicians, laboratories,
          and hospitals that agree to supervision and reduced fees--compare
          hmo

   PPS
          [PPS] [NL post postscriptum] abbreviation an additional postscript

   ppt
          [ppt] abbreviation parts per thousand, parts per trillion,
          precipitate

   pptn
          [pptn] abbreviation precipitation

   pq...
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   PQ
          [PQ] abbreviation Province of Quebec

   pr...
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   pr
          [pr] abbreviation pair, price, printed Pr abbreviation
          praseodymium, propyl PR abbreviation payroll, proportional
          representation, public relations, Puerto Rico

   practicable
          [prac.ti.ca.ble] adj (1670) 1: capable of being put into
          practice or of being done or accomplished: feasible 2:
          capable of being used: usable syn see possible --
          prac.ti.ca.bil.i.ty n -- prac.ti.ca.ble.ness n -- prac.ti.ca.bly
          adv

   [1]practical
          [prac.ti.cal] adj [ME, fr. LL practicus, fr. Gk praktikos,
          fr. prassein to pass over, fare, do; akin to Gk peran
          to pass through--more at fare] (15c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or manifested in practice or action: not theoretical
          or ideal <a ~ question> <for all ~ purposes> b: being
          such in practice or effect: virtual <a ~ failure> 2:
          actively engaged in some course of action or occupation
          <a ~ farmer> 3: capable of being put to use or account:
          useful <he had a ~ knowledge of French> 4 a: disposed
          to action as opposed to speculation or abstraction b
          (1): qualified by practice or practical training <a good
          ~ mechanic> (2): designed to supplement theoretical training
          by experience 5: concerned with voluntary action and
          ethical decisions <~ reason> -- prac.ti.cal.i.ty n --
          prac.ti.cal.ness n [2]practical n (1925): an examination
          requiring demonstration of some practical skill <a zoology
          ~>

   practical art
          [practical art] n (ca. 1925): an art (as woodworking) that
          serves ordinary or material needs--usu. used in pl.

   practical joke
          [practical joke] n (ca. 1847): a prank intended to trick
          or embarrass someone or cause physical discomfort --
          practical joker n

   practically
          [prac.ti.cal.ly] adv (1623) 1: in a practical manner <look
          ~ at the problem> 2: almost, nearly <~ everyone went
          to the party>

   practical nurse
          [practical nurse] n (1921): a nurse who cares for the sick
          professionally without having the training or experience
          required of a registered nurse; esp: licensed practical
          nurse

   practical theology
          [practical theology] n (ca. 1909): the study of the institutional
          activities of religion (as preaching, church administration,
          pastoral care, and liturgics)

   [1]practice
          [prac.tice] or prac.tise vb prac.ticed or prac.tised ; prac.tic.ing
          or prac.tis.ing [ME practisen, fr. MF practiser, fr. practique,
          pratique practice, n., fr. LL practice, fr. Gk praktike, fr. fem.
          of praktikos] vt (14c) 1 a: carry out, apply <~ what you preach>
          b: to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually
          <~ politeness> c: to be professionally engaged in <~ medicine>
          2 a: to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient
          <~ the act> b: to train by repeated exercises <~ pupils
          in penmanship> 3 obs: plot ~ vi 1: to do repeated exercises for
          proficiency 2: to pursue a profession actively 3 archaic: intrigue
          4: to do something customarily 5: to take advantage of someone <he
          practised on their credulity with huge success --Times Lit. Supp.>
          -- prac.tic.er n [2]practice also practise n (15c) 1 a: actual
          performance or application <ready to carry out in ~ what they
          advocated in principle> b: a repeated or customary action <had this
          irritating ~> c: the usual way of doing something <local ~s> d: the
          form, manner, and order of conducting legal suits and prosecutions
          2 a: systematic exercise for proficiency <~ makes perfect> b: the
          condition of being proficient through systematic exercise <get
          in ~> 3 a: the continuous exercise of a profession
          b: a professional business; esp: one constituting an incorporeal
          property syn see habit

   practiced
          [prac.ticed] or prac.tised adj (1568) 1: experienced, skilled
          2: learned by practice

   practice-teach
          [prac.tice-teach] vi -taught ; -teach.ing [back-formation
          fr. practice teaching] (1952): to engage in practice
          teaching -- practice teacher n

   practice teaching
          [practice teaching] n (ca. 1913): teaching by a student under
          the supervision of an experienced teacher

   practicing
          [practicing] or practising adj (1625): actively engaged in
          a specified career or way of life <a ~ physician>

   practicum
          [prac.ti.cum] n [G Praktikum, fr. LL practicum, neut. of
          practicus practical] (ca. 1909): a course of study designed
          esp. for the preparation of teachers and clinicians that
          involves the supervised practical application of previously
          studied theory

   practitioner
          [prac.ti.tion.er] n [alter. of earlier practician, fr. ME
          (Sc) pratician, fr. MF practicien, fr. pratique] (1535)
          1: one who practices; esp: one who practices a profession
          2 Christian Science: an authorized healer

   praecipe
          [prae.ci.pe] n [ME presepe, fr. ML praecipe, fr. L, imper.
          of praecipere to instruct--more at precept] (15c) 1:
          any of various legal writs commanding a person to do
          something or to appear and show cause why he or she should
          not 2: a written order requesting a clerk or prothonotary
          of a court to issue a writ and specifying the contents
          of the writ

   praedial
          [prae.di.al] var of predial

   praemunire
          [prae.mu.ni.re] n [ME praemunire facias, fr. ML, that you
          cause to warn; fr. prominent words in the writ] (1529):
          an offense against the English Crown punishable chiefly
          by forfeiture and orig. committed by asserting papal
          legal supremacy in England

   praenomen
          [prae.no.men] n, pl -nomens or -no.mi.na [L, fr. prae- pre-
          + nomen name--more at name] (1706): the first of the
          usual three names of an ancient Roman male

   praesidium
          [prae.sid.i.um] var of presidium

   praetor
          [prae.tor] n [ME pretor, fr. L praetor] (15c): an ancient
          Roman magistrate ranking below a consul and having chiefly
          judicial functions -- prae.to.ri.al adj -- prae.tor.ship
          n

   praetorian
          [prae.to.ri.an] adj (15c) 1 often cap: of, forming, or resembling
          the Roman imperial bodyguard 2: of or relating to a praetor
          -- praetorian n, often cap

   pragmatic
          [prag.mat.ic] also prag.mat.i.cal adj [L pragmaticus skilled
          in law or business, fr. Gk pragmatikos, fr. pragmat-,
          pragma deed, fr. prassein to do--more at practical] (1616)
          1 archaic a (1): busy (2): officious b: opinionated 2:
          relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often
          to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters:
          practical as opposed to idealistic <~ men of power have
          had no time or inclination to deal with ... social morality
          --K. B. Clark> 3: relating to or being in accordance
          with philosophical pragmatism -- pragmatic n -- prag.mat.i.cal.ly
          adv

   pragmaticism
          [prag.mat.i.cism] n (1905): the philosophic doctrine of C.
          S. Peirce -- prag.mat.i.cist n

   pragmatics
          [prag.mat.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1937) 1: a
          branch of semiotic that deals with the relation between
          signs or linguistic expressions and their users 2: linguistics
          concerned with the relationship of sentences to the environment
          in which they occur

   pragmatic sanction
          [pragmatic sanction] n (1643): a solemn decree of a sovereign
          on a matter of primary importance and with the force
          of fundamental law

   pragmatism
          [prag.ma.tism] n (ca. 1864) 1: a practical approach to problems
          and affairs <tried to strike a balance between principles
          and ~> 2: an American movement in philosophy founded
          by C. S. Peirce and William James and marked by the doctrines
          that the meaning of conceptions is to be sought in their
          practical bearings, that the function of thought is to
          guide action, and that truth is preeminently to be tested
          by the practical consequences of belief -- prag.ma.tist
          adj or n -- prag.ma.tis.tic adj

   prairie
          [prai.rie] n, often attrib [F, fr. (assumed) VL prataria,
          fr. L pratum meadow] (ca. 1682) 1: land in or predominantly
          in grass 2: a tract of grassland: as a: a large area
          of level or rolling land in the Mississippi valley that
          in its natural uncultivated state usu. has deep fertile
          soil, a cover of tall coarse grasses, and few trees b:
          one of the dry treeless plateaus east of the Rocky Mountains
          that merge on their east side with the prairies proper
          and are characterized by shorter grasses and drier less
          fertile soil

   prairie chicken
          [prairie chicken] n (1691): a grouse (Tympanuchus cupido)
          chiefly of the prairies of the central U.S.; also: a
          closely related smaller grouse (T. pallidicinctus)

   prairie dog
          [prairie dog] n (1774): any of a genus (Cynomys) of gregarious
          burrowing rodents of the squirrel family chiefly of central
          and western U.S. plains; esp: a black-tailed rodent (C.
          ludovicianus) that usu. lives in extensive colonial burrows

   prairie schooner
          [prairie schooner] n (1841): a covered wagon used by pioneers
          in cross-country travel--called also prairie wagon

   prairie soil
          [prairie soil] n (1817): any of a zonal group of soils developed
          in a temperate relatively humid climate under tall grass

   prairie wolf
          [prairie wolf] n (1804): coyote

   [1]praise
          [praise] vb praised ; prais.ing [ME, fr. OF preisier to prize,
          praise, fr. LL pretiare to prize, fr. L pretium price--more
          at price] vt (13c) 1: to express a favorable judgment
          of: commend 2: to glorify (a god or saint) esp. by the
          attribution of perfections ~ vi: to express praise --
          prais.er n [2]praise n (14c) 1 a: an expression of approval:
          commendation b: worship 2 a: value, merit b archaic:
          one that is praised

   praiseworthy
          [praise.wor.thy] adj (15c): laudable -- praise.wor.thi.ly
          adv -- praise.wor.thi.ness n

   Prakrit
          [Pra.krit] n [Skt prakrta, fr. prakrta natural, vulgar] (1766):
          any or all of the ancient Indo-Aryan languages or dialects
          other than Sanskrit

   praline
          [pra.line] n [F, fr. Count Plessis-Praslin d. 1675 Fr. soldier]
          (1723): a confection of nuts and sugar: a: almonds cooked
          in boiling sugar until brown and crisp b: a patty of
          creamy brown sugar and pecan meats

   pralltriller
          [prall.tril.ler] n [G, fr. prallen to rebound + Triller trill]
          (ca. 1841): a musical ornament made by a quick alternation
          of a principal tone with the tone above

   [1]pram
          [pram] n [MD praem & MLG pram] (1548): a small lightweight
          nearly flat-bottomed boat with a broad transom and usu.
          squared-off bow [2]pram n [by shortening & alter. fr.
          perambulator] (1884) chiefly Brit: baby carriage

   [1]prance
          [prance] vb pranced ; pranc.ing [ME prauncen] vi (14c) 1:
          to spring from the hind legs or move by so doing 2: to
          ride on a prancing horse 3: to walk or move in a spirited
          manner: strut; also: to dance about ~ vt: to cause (a
          horse) to prance -- pranc.er n [2]prance n (1751): an
          act or instance of prancing; specif: a prancing movement

   prandial
          [pran.di.al] adj [L prandium late breakfast, luncheon] (1820):
          of or relating to a meal

   prang
          [prang] vt [origin unknown] (1941) chiefly Brit: to have
          an accident with: cause to crash -- prang n, chiefly
          Brit

   [1]prank
          [prank] n [obs. prank to play tricks] (ca. 1529): trick:
          a obs: a malicious act b: a mildly mischievous act c:
          a ludicrous act [2]prank vb [prob. fr. D pronken to strut;
          akin to MHG gebrunkel glitter of metal] vi (15c): to
          show oneself off ~ vt: to dress or adorn gaily or showily

   prankish
          [prank.ish] adj (1827) 1: full of pranks <a ~ child> 2: having
          the nature of a prank <~ acts> -- prank.ish.ly adv --
          prank.ish.ness n

   prankster
          [prank.ster] n (1927): a person who plays pranks

   prase
          [prase] n [F, fr. L prasius, fr. Gk prasios, fr. prasios,
          adj., of the color of a leek fr. prason leek; akin to
          L porrum leek] (1788): a chalcedony that is translucent
          and yellowish green

   praseodymium
          [pra.seo.dym.i.um] n [NL, alter. of praseodidymium, irreg.
          fr. Gk prasios, adj. + NL didymium didymium] (1885):
          a yellowish white trivalent metallic element of the rare-earth
          group used chiefly in the form of its salts in coloring
          glass greenish yellow

   prate
          [prate] vi prat.ed ; prat.ing [ME, fr. MD; akin to MLG pratten
          to pout] (15c): to talk long and idly: chatter -- prate
          n -- prat.er n -- prat.ing.ly adv

   pratfall
          [prat.fall] n [prat buttocks + fall] (1938) 1: a fall on
          the buttocks 2: a humiliating mishap or blunder

   pratincole
          [pra.tin.cole] n [ultim. fr. L pratum meadow + incola inhabitant,
          fr. in- + colere to cultivate--more at wheel] (1773):
          any of several Old World shore-inhabiting birds (genera
          Glareolus and Stiltia of the family Glareolidae) with
          a short bill and a forked tail

   pratique
          [pra.tique] n [F, lit., practice--more at practice] (1609):
          clearance given an incoming ship by the health authority
          of a port

   [1]prattle
          [prat.tle] vb prat.tled ; prat.tling [LG pratelen; akin to
          MD praten to prate] vi (1532) 1: prate 2: to utter or
          make meaningless sounds suggestive of the chatter of
          children: babble ~ vt: to say in an unaffected or childish
          manner -- prat.tler n -- prat.tling.ly adv [2]prattle
          n (1555) 1: trifling or empty talk 2: a sound that is
          meaningless, repetitive, and suggestive of the chatter
          of children

   prau
          [prau] n [Malay perahu] (1582): any of various Indonesian
          boats usu. without a deck that are propelled esp. by
          sails or paddles

   [1]prawn
          [prawn] n [ME prane] (15c): any of numerous widely distributed
          edible decapod crustaceans (as of the genera Pandalus
          and Peneus) that resemble shrimps and have large compressed
          abdomens; also: shrimp [2]prawn vi (1886): to fish for
          or with prawns -- prawn.er n

   praxeology
          [prax.e.ol.o.gy] n [alter. of earlier praxiology, fr. praxis
          + -o- + -logy] (1904): the study of human action and
          conduct -- prax.e.o.log.i.cal adj

   praxis
          [prax.is] n, pl prax.es [ML, fr. Gk, doing, action, fr. prassein
          to do, practice--more at practical] (1581): action, practice:
          as a: exercise or practice of an art, science, or skill
          b: customary practice or conduct

   pray
          [pray] vb [ME, fr. OF preier, fr. L precari, fr. prec-, prex
          request, prayer; akin to OHG fragen to ask, Skt prcchati
          he asks] vt (13c) 1: entreat, implore--often used as
          a function word in introducing a question, request, or
          plea <~ be careful> 2: to get or bring by praying ~ vi
          1: to make a request in a humble manner 2: to address
          God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication,
          or thanksgiving

   [1]prayer
          [prayer] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF preiere, fr. ML precaria,
          fr. L, fem. of precarius obtained by entreaty, fr. prec-,
          prex] (14c) 1 a (1): an address (as a petition) to God
          or a god in word or thought <said a ~ for the success
          of the voyage> (2): a set order of words used in praying
          b: an earnest request or wish 2: the act or practice
          of praying to God or a god <kneeling in ~> 3: a religious
          service consisting chiefly of prayers--often used in
          pl. 4: something prayed for 5: a slight chance <haven't
          got a ~> [2]pray.er n [ME prayere, fr. prayen to pray
          + [2]-er] (14c): one that prays: suppliant

   prayer beads
          [prayer beads] n pl (1630): a string of beads by which prayers
          are counted; specif: rosary

   prayer book
          [prayer book] n (ca. 1597): a book containing prayers and
          often other forms and directions for worship

   prayerful
          [prayer.ful] adj (1626) 1: devout 2: earnest, sincere --
          prayer.ful.ly adv -- prayer.ful.ness n

   prayer meeting
          [prayer meeting] n (1780): a usu. informal gathering for
          worship and prayer; esp: a Protestant worship service
          usu. held on a week night--called also prayer service

   prayer rug
          [prayer rug] n (ca. 1890): a small Oriental rug used by Muslims
          to kneel on when praying

   prayer shawl
          [prayer shawl] n (1905): tallith

   prayer wheel
          [prayer wheel] n (1814): a cylinder of wood or metal that
          revolves on an axis and contains written prayers and
          that is used in praying by Tibetan Buddhists

   praying mantis
          [praying mantis] n (ca. 1890): mantis; esp: a European mantis
          (Mantis religiosa) that has been introduced into the
          U.S.--called also praying mantid

   PRC
          [PRC] abbreviation People's Republic of China

   pre-
          [pre-] prefix [ME, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L prae-, fr. prae
          in front of, before--more at for] 1 a (1): earlier than:
          prior to: before <Precambrian> <prehistoric> (2): preparatory
          or prerequisite to <premedical> b: in advance: beforehand
          <precancel> <prepay> 2: in front of: anterior to <preaxial>
          <premolar>pre.ad.mis.sion pre.adult pre.ag.ri.cul.tur.al
          pre.an.es.thet.ic pre.an.nounce pre.ap.prove pre.ar.range
          pre.ar.range.ment pre.as.sem.bled pre.as.sign pre.bake
          pre.bat.tle pre.bib.li.cal pre.book pre.break.fast
          pre.cap.i.tal.ist pre.chill pre.Christ.mas pre.clear pre.clear.ance
          pre.code pre.co.i.tal pre.col.lege pre.col.le.giate pre.co.lo.nial
          pre.com.bus.tion pre.com.mit.ment pre.com.pute pre.com.put.er
          pre.con.cert pre.con.quest pre.con.so.nan.tal pre.con.struct.ed
          pre.con.ven.tion pre.con.vic.tion pre.cool pre.cop.u.la.to.ry
          pre.crash pre.crease pre.cri.sis pre.cut pre.dawn pre.de.fine
          pre.de.liv.ery pre.de.par.ture pre.des.ig.nate pre.de.val.u.a.tion
          pre.de.vel.op.ment pre.din.ner pre.dis.charge pre.dis.cov.ery
          pre.dive pre.drill pre.dy.nas.tic pre.elec.tion pre.elec.tric
          pre.em.bar.go pre.em.ploy.ment pre.en.roll.ment pre.erect
          pre.es.tab.lish pre.eth.i.cal pre.ex.per.i.ment pre.fade
          pre.fas.cist pre.feu.dal pre.fight pre.file pre.filled pre.fi.nance
          pre.fire pre.flame pre.flight pre.for.mat pre.for.mu.late
          pre.fresh.man pre.fro.zen pre.game pre.gen.i.tal pre.har.vest
          pre.head.ache pre.hir.ing pre.hol.i.day pre.hu.man pre.in.au.gu.ral
          pre.in.cor.po.ra.tion pre.in.duc.tion pre.in.dus.tri.al
          pre.in.ter.view pre.in.va.sion pre.kin.der.gar.ten pre.launch
          pre.life pre.lit.er.ary pre.log.i.cal pre.lunch pre.lun.cheon
          pre.made pre.man.u.fac.ture pre.mar.i.tal pre.mar.i.tal.ly
          pre.mar.ket pre.mar.ket.ing pre.mar.riage pre.meal pre.mea.sure
          pre.me.di.e.val pre.meet pre.mei.ot.ic pre.men.o.paus.al
          pre.merg.er pre.mi.gra.tion pre.mod.ern pre.mod.i.fi.ca.tion
          pre.mod.i.fy pre.moist.en pre.mold pre.molt pre.mor.al
          pre.my.cot.ic pre.noon pre.no.ti.fi.ca.tion pre.no.ti.fy
          pre.num.ber pre.open.ing pre.op.er.a.tion.al pre.or.der pre.paste
          pre.per.for.mance pre.pill pre.plan pre.por.tion pre.pre.pared
          pre.pres.i.den.tial pre.price pre.pri.ma.ry pre.pro.duc.tion
          pre.pro.gram pre.psy.che.del.ic pre.pub.li.ca.tion pre.punch
          pre.pu.pal pre.pur.chase pre.qual.i.fi.ca.tion pre.qual.i.fy
          pre.race pre.re.ces.sion pre.re.cord.ed pre.re.hears.al
          pre.re.lease pre.re.quire pre.re.tire.ment pre.re.turn pre.re.view
          pre.re.vi.sion.ist pre.rev.o.lu.tion pre.rev.o.lu.tion.ary
          pre.rinse pre.ri.ot pre.rock pre.ro.man.tic pre.sale pre.sched.ule
          pre.screen pre.sea.son pre.sen.tence pre.sen.tenc.ing pre.ser.vice
          pre.set pre.set.tle.ment pre.show pre.slaugh.ter pre.sleep
          pre.slice pre.song pre.spec.i.fy pre.split pre.stamp
          pre.ster.il.ize pre.stor.age pre.strike pre.struc.ture pre.sum.mit
          pre.sur.gery pre.sweet.en pre.symp.tom.at.ic pre.tape pre.tax
          pre.tech.no.log.i.cal pre.tele.vi.sion pre.ter.mi.na.tion
          pre.the.a.ter pre.tour.na.ment pre.train pre.trav.el pre.treat
          pre.treat.ment pre.trial pre.trimmed pre.type pre.uni.fi.ca.tion
          pre.uni.ver.si.ty pre.vi.a.ble pre.war pre.warn pre.wash
          pre.wean.ing pre.work pre.wrap

   preach
          [preach] vb [ME prechen, fr. OF prechier, fr. LL praedicare,
          fr. L, to proclaim publicly, fr. prae- pre- + dicare
          to proclaim--more at diction] vi (13c) 1: to deliver
          a sermon 2: to urge acceptance or abandonment of an idea
          or course of action; specif: to exhort in an officious
          or tiresome manner ~ vt 1: to set forth in a sermon <~
          the gospel> 2: to advocate earnestly <~ed revolution>
          3: to deliver (as a sermon) publicly 4: to bring, put,
          or affect by preaching <~ed the ... church out of debt
          --Amer. Guide Series: Va.> -- preach.er n -- preach.ing.ly
          adv

   preachify
          [preach.ify] vi -ified ; -ify.ing (1775): to preach ineptly
          or tediously

   preachment
          [preach.ment] n (14c) 1: the act or practice of preaching
          2: sermon, exhortation; specif: a tedious or unwelcome
          one

   preachy
          [preachy] adj preach.i.er ; -est (1819): marked by obvious
          moral exhortation: didactic -- preach.i.ly adv -- preach.i.ness
          n

   preadaptation
          [pre.ad.ap.ta.tion] n (1886) 1: the possession by an organism
          or taxonomic group of characters that are not adapted
          to the ancestral environment but favor survival in some
          other environment 2: a preadaptive character

   preadapted
          [pre.adapt.ed] adj (1915): characterized by preadaptation

   preadaptive
          [pre.adap.tive] adj (1915): of, relating to, or characterized
          by preadaptation

   preadolescence
          [pre.ad.o.les.cence] n (1930): the period of human development
          just preceding adolescence; specif: the period between
          the approximate ages of 9 and 12 -- pre.ad.o.les.cent
          adj or n

   preamble
          [pre.am.ble] n [ME, fr. MF preambule, fr. ML preambulum,
          fr. LL, neut. of praeambulus walking in front of, fr.
          L prae- + ambulare to walk] (14c) 1: an introductory
          statement; esp: the introductory part of a constitution
          or statute that usu. states the reasons for and intent
          of the law 2: an introductory fact or circumstance; esp:
          one indicating what is to follow

   preamp
          [pre.amp] n (1949): preamplifier

   preamplifier
          [pre.am.pli.fi.er] n (1935): an amplifier designed to amplify
          extremely weak electrical signals before they are fed
          to additional amplifier circuits

   preatomic
          [pre.atom.ic] adj (1914): of or relating to a time before
          the use of the atomic bomb and atomic energy

   preaxial
          [pre.ax.i.al] adj (1872): situated in front of an axis of
          the body

   prebend
          [preb.end] n [ME prebende, fr. MF, fr. ML praebenda, fr.
          LL, subsistence allowance granted by the state, fr. L,
          fem. of praebendus, gerundive of praebere to offer, fr.
          prae- + habere to hold--more at give] (15c) 1: a stipend
          furnished by a cathedral or collegiate church to a clergyman
          (as a canon) in its chapter 2: prebendary -- pre.ben.dal
          adj

   prebendary
          [preb.en.dary] n, pl -dar.ies (15c) 1: a clergyman receiving
          a prebend for officiating and serving in the church 2:
          an honorary canon in a cathedral chapter

   prebiological
          [pre.bi.o.log.i.cal] also pre.bi.o.log.ic adj (1953): of,
          relating to, or being chemical or environmental precursors
          of the origin of life <~ molecules>

   prebiotic
          [pre.bi.ot.ic] adj (1958): prebiological

   prec
          [prec] abbreviation preceding

   precalculus
          [pre.cal.cu.lus] adj (1964): relating to or being mathematical
          prerequisites for the study of calculus -- precalculus
          n

   Precambrian
          [Pre.cam.bri.an] adj (1864): of, relating to, or being the
          earliest era of geological history or the corresponding
          system of rocks characterized esp. by the appearance
          of single-celled organisms and is equivalent to the Archean
          and Proterozoic eons--see geologic time table -- Precambrian
          n

   [1]precancel
          [pre.can.cel] vt (1921): to cancel (a postage stamp) in advance
          of use -- pre.can.cel.la.tion n [2]precancel n (1929):
          a precanceled postage stamp

   precancerous
          [pre.can.cer.ous] adj [ISV] (1882): tending to become cancerous
          <a ~ lesion>

   precarious
          [pre.car.i.ous] adj [L precarius obtained by entreaty,
          uncertain--more at prayer] (1646) 1: depending on the will
          or pleasure of another 2: dependent on uncertain premises: dubious
          <~ generalizations> 3 a: dependent on chance circumstances, unknown
          conditions, or uncertain developments b: characterized by a lack
          of security or stability that threatens with danger syn see
          dangerous -- pre.car.i.ous.ly adv -- pre.car.i.ous.ness n

   precast
          [pre.cast] adj (1914): being concrete that is cast in the
          form of a structural element (as a panel or beam) before
          being placed in final position

   precatory
          [prec.a.to.ry] adj [LL precatorius, fr. L precari to pray--more
          at pray] (1636): expressing a wish

   precaution
          [pre.cau.tion] n [F precaution, fr. LL praecaution-, praecautio,
          fr. L praecavere to guard against, fr. prae- + cavere
          to be on one's guard--more at hear] (1603) 1: care taken
          in advance: foresight <warned of the need for ~> 2: a
          measure taken beforehand to prevent harm or secure good:
          safeguard -- pre.cau.tion.ary adj

   precede
          [pre.cede] vb pre.ced.ed ; pre.ced.ing [ME, fr. MF preceder,
          fr. L praecedere, fr. prae- pre- + cedere to go] vt (15c)
          1: to surpass in rank, dignity, or importance 2: to be,
          go, or come ahead or in front of 3: to be earlier than
          4: to cause to be preceded: preface ~ vi: to go or come
          before

   precedence
          [pre.ce.dence] n (1588) 1 a obs: antecedent b: the fact of
          preceding in time 2 a: the right to superior honor on
          a ceremonial or formal occasion b: the order of ceremonial
          or formal preference c: priority of importance <your
          safety takes ~>

   precedency
          [pre.ce.den.cy] n (1612): precedence

   [1]precedent
          [pre.ce.dent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L praecedent-, praecedens,
          prp. of praecedere] (15c): prior in time, order, arrangement,
          or significance [2]prec.e.dent n (15c) 1: an earlier
          occurrence of something similar 2 a: something done or
          said that may serve as an example or rule to authorize
          or justify a subsequent act of the same or an analogous
          kind <a verdict that had no ~> b: the convention established
          by such a precedent or by long practice 3: a person or
          thing that serves as a model

   preceding
          [pre.ced.ing] adj (15c): that immediately precedes in time
          or place <the ~ day> <~ paragraphs> syn preceding, antecedent,
          foregoing, previous, prior, former, anterior mean being
          before. preceding usu. implies being immediately before
          in time or in place <the preceding sentence>. antecedent
          applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation
          <conditions antecedent to the revolution>. foregoing
          applies chiefly to statements <the foregoing remarks>.
          previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier,
          but prior often adds an implication of greater importance
          <a child from a previous marriage> <a prior obligation>.
          former implies always a definite comparison or contrast
          with something that is latter <the former name of the
          company>. anterior applies to position before or ahead
          of usu. in space, sometimes in time or order <the anterior
          lobe of the brain>.

   precensor
          [pre.cen.sor] vt (1942): to censor (a publication or film)
          before its release to the public

   precentor
          [pre.cen.tor] n [LL praecentor, fr. L praecinere to sing
          before, fr. prae- + canere to sing--more at chant] (1613):
          a leader of the singing of a choir or congregation --
          pre.cen.to.ri.al adj -- pre.cen.tor.ship n

   precept
          [pre.cept] n [ME, fr. L praeceptum, fr. neut. of praeceptus,
          pp. of praecipere to take beforehand, instruct, fr. prae-
          + capere to take--more at heave] (14c) 1: a command or
          principle intended esp. as a general rule of action 2:
          an order issued by legally constituted authority to a
          subordinate official syn see law

   preceptive
          [pre.cep.tive] adj (15c): giving precepts: didactic

   preceptor
          [pre.cep.tor] n (15c) 1 a: teacher, tutor b: the headmaster
          or principal of a school 2: the head of a preceptory
          of Knights Templars -- pre.cep.tor.ship n

   [1]preceptorial
          [pre.cep.to.ri.al] adj (ca. 1741): of, relating to, or making
          use of preceptors [2]preceptorial n (ca. 1952): a college
          course that emphasizes independent reading, discussion
          in small groups, and individual conferences with the
          teacher

   preceptory
          [pre.cep.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1540) 1: a subordinate house
          or community of the Knights Templars; broadly: commandery
          1 2: commandery 2

   precess
          [pre.cess] vb [back-formation fr. precession] vi (1892):
          to progress with a movement of precession ~ vt: to cause
          to precess

   precession
          [pre.ces.sion] n [NL praecession-, praecessio, fr. ML, act
          of preceding, fr. L praecedere to precede] (1879): a
          comparatively slow gyration of the rotation axis of a
          spinning body about another line intersecting it so as
          to describe a cone -- pre.ces.sion.al adj

   precession of the equinoxes
          [precession of the equinoxes] (1621): a slow westward motion
          of the equinoxes along the ecliptic caused by the gravitational
          action of sun and moon upon the protuberant matter about
          the earth's equator

   pre-Chellean
          [pre-Chel.le.an] adj (1916): of or relating to a Lower Paleolithic
          culture preceding the Abbevillian and characterized by crudely
          flaked stone hand axes

   pre-Christian
          [pre-Chris.tian] adj (1828): of, relating to, or being a
          time before the beginning of the Christian era

   precieux
          [pre.cieux] or pre.cieuse adj [F precieux, masc., & precieuse,
          fem., lit., precious, fr. MF precios] (1727): precious
          3

   precinct
          [pre.cinct] n [ME, fr. ML praecinctum, fr. L, neut. of praecinctus,
          pp. of praecingere to gird about, fr. praepre- + cingere
          to gird--more at cincture] (15c) 1: a part of a territory with
          definite bounds or functions often established for administrative
          purposes: district: as a: a subdivision of a county, town, city,
          or ward for election purposes b: a division of a city for police
          control 2 a: an enclosure bounded by the walls of a building--often
          used in pl. b: a sphere of thought, action, or influence--often
          used in pl. 3 a pl: the region immediately surrounding a place:
          environs b: place, locale 4: boundary--often used in pl. <a ruined
          tower within the ~s of the squire's grounds --T. L. Peacock>

   preciosity
          [pre.ci.os.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1866) 1: fastidious refinement
          2: an instance of preciosity

   [1]precious
          [pre.cious] adj [ME, fr. MF precios, fr. L pretiosus, fr.
          pretium price--more at price] (13c) 1: of great value
          or high price 2: highly esteemed or cherished 3: excessively
          refined: affected 4: great, thoroughgoing <~ scoundrel>
          -- pre.cious.ness n [2]precious adv (1595): very, extremely
          <has ~ little to say>

   preciously
          [pre.cious.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a precious manner 2: precious

   precipe
          [pre.ci.pe] var of praecipe

   precipice
          [prec.i.pice] n [MF, fr. L praecipitium, fr. praecipit-,
          praeceps headlong, fr. prae- + caput head--more at head]
          (1613) 1: a very steep or overhanging place 2: a hazardous
          situation; broadly: brink

   precipitable
          [pre.cip.i.ta.ble] adj (1670): capable of being precipitated

   precipitance
          [pre.cip.i.tance] n (1667): precipitancy

   precipitancy
          [pre.cip.i.tan.cy] n (1646): undue hastiness or suddenness

   [1]precipitant
          [pre.cip.i.tant] adj (1671): precipitate -- pre.cip.i.tant.ly
          adv -- pre.cip.i.tant.ness n [2]precipitant n (ca. 1685):
          a precipitating agent; esp: one that causes the formation
          of a precipitate

   [1]precipitate
          [pre.cip.i.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L praecipitatus,
          pp. of praecipitare, fr. praecipit-, praeceps] vt (1528)
          1 a: to throw violently: hurl <the quandaries into which
          the release of nuclear energy has precipitated mankind
          --A. B. Arons> b: to throw down 2: to bring about esp.
          abruptly <~ a scandal that would end with his expulsion
          --John Cheever> 3 a: to cause to separate from solution
          or suspension b: to cause (vapor) to condense and fall
          or deposit ~ vi 1 a: to fall headlong b: to fall or come
          suddenly into some condition 2: to move or act precipitately
          3 a: to separate from solution or suspension b: to condense
          from a vapor and fall as rain or snow -- pre.cip.i.ta.tive
          adj -- pre.cip.i.ta.tor n [2]pre.cip.i.tate n [NL praecipitatum,
          fr. L, neut. of praecipitatus] (1594) 1: a substance
          separated from a solution or suspension by chemical or
          physical change usu. as an insoluble amorphous or crystalline
          solid 2: a product, result, or outcome of some process
          or action [3]pre.cip.i.tate adj (1615) 1 a: falling,
          flowing, or rushing with steep descent b: precipitous,
          steep 2: exhibiting violent or unwise speed -- pre.cip.i.tate.ly
          adv -- pre.cip.i.tate.ness n syn precipitate, headlong,
          abrupt, impetuous, sudden mean showing undue haste or
          unexpectedness. precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation
          and implies prematureness of action <the army's precipitate
          withdrawal>. headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought
          <a headlong flight from arrest>. abrupt stresses curtness
          and a lack of warning or ceremony <an abrupt refusal>.
          impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness
          <an impetuous lover proposing marriage>. sudden stresses
          unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action <flew
          into a sudden rage>.

   precipitation
          [pre.cip.i.ta.tion] n (1502) 1: the quality or state of being
          precipitate: hastiness 2: an act, process, or instance
          of precipating; esp: the process of forming a precipitate
          3: something precipitated: as a: a deposit on the earth
          of hail, mist, rain, sleet, or snow; also: the quantity
          of water deposited b: precipitate 1

   precipitin
          [pre.cip.i.tin] n [ISV, fr. precipitate] (1900): an antibody
          that forms a precipitate when it unites with its antigen

   precipitinogen
          [pre.cip.i.tin.o.gen] n (1904): an antigen that stimulates
          the production of a specific precipitin

   precipitous
          [pre.cip.i.tous] adj [F precipiteux, fr. MF, fr. L precipitium
          precipice] (1613) 1: precipitate 2 2 a: very steep, perpendicular,
          or overhanging in rise or fall <a ~ slope> b: having precipitous
          sides <a ~ gorge> c: having a very steep ascent <a ~ street> syn
          see steep -- pre.cip.i.tous.ly adv -- pre.cip.i.tous.ness n

   precis
          [pre.cis] n, pl pre.cis [F, fr. precis precise] (1760): a
          concise summary of essential points, statements, or facts

   precise
          [pre.cise] adj [ME, fr. MF precis, fr. L praecisus, pp. of
          praecidere to cut off, fr. prae- + caedere to cut] (15c)
          1: exactly or sharply defined or stated 2: minutely exact
          3: strictly conforming to a pattern, standard, or convention
          4: distinguished from every other <at just that ~ moment>
          syn see correct -- pre.cise.ness n

   precisely
          [pre.cise.ly] adv (14c): exactly <~ two o'clock>--sometimes
          used as an intensive <was popular ~ because he was so
          kind>

   precisian
          [pre.ci.sian] n (1571) 1: a person who stresses or practices
          scrupulous adherence to a strict standard esp. of religious
          observance or morality 2: puritan 1

   [1]precision
          [pre.ci.sion] n (1740) 1: the quality or state of being precise:
          exactness 2 a: the degree of refinement with which an
          operation is performed or a measurement stated--compare
          accuracy 2b b: the accuracy (as in binary or decimal
          places) with which a number can be represented usu. expressed
          in terms of the number of computer words available for
          representation <double ~ arithmetic permits the representation
          of an expression by two computer words> 3: relevance
          2 -- pre.ci.sion.ist n [2]precision adj (1875) 1: adapted
          for extremely accurate measurement or operation 2: held
          to low tolerance in manufacture 3: marked by precision
          of execution

   preclinical
          [pre.clin.i.cal] adj (1926) 1: of, relating to, or concerned
          with the period preceding clinical manifestations 2:
          of, relating to, or being the period in medical or dental
          education preceding the clinical study of medicine or
          dentistry

   preclude
          [pre.clude] vt pre.clud.ed ; pre.clud.ing [L praecludere,
          fr. prae- + claudere to close--more at close] (1629)
          1 archaic: close 2: to make impossible by necessary consequence:
          rule out in advance -- pre.clu.sion n -- pre.clu.sive
          adj -- pre.clu.sive.ly adv

   precocial
          [pre.co.cial] adj [NL praecoces precocial birds, fr. L, pl.
          of praecoc-, precox] (ca. 1872): capable of a high degree
          of independent activity from birth <ducklings are ~>--compare
          altricial

   precocious
          [pre.co.cious] adj [L praecoc-, praecox early ripening, precocious,
          fr. prae- + coquere to cook--more at cook] (1650) 1: exceptionally
          early in development or occurrence 2: exhibiting mature qualities
          at an unusually early age -- pre.co.cious.ly adv
          -- pre.co.cious.ness n -- pre.coc.i.ty n

   precognition
          [pre.cog.ni.tion] n [LL praecognition-, praecognitio, fr.
          L praecognoscere to know beforehand, fr. prae- + cognoscere
          to know--more at cognition] (ca. 1611): clairvoyance
          relating to an event or state not yet experienced --
          pre.cog.ni.tive adj

   pre-Columbian
          [pre-Co.lum.bi.an] adj (1888): preceding or belonging to
          the time before the arrival of Columbus in America

   preconceive
          [pre.con.ceive] vt (1558): to form (as an opinion) prior
          to actual knowledge or experience <preconceived notions>

   preconception
          [pre.con.cep.tion] n (1625) 1: a preconceived idea 2: prejudice

   preconcert
          [pre.con.cert] vt (1748): to settle by prior agreement

   [1]precondition
          [pre.con.di.tion] n (1825): prerequisite [2]precondition
          vt (1922): to put in a proper or desired condition or
          frame of mind esp. in preparation

   [1]preconscious
          [pre.con.scious] adj (1860): not present in consciousness
          but capable of being recalled without encountering any
          inner resistance or repression -- pre.con.scious.ly adv
          [2]preconscious n (ca. 1922): the preconscious part of
          the psyche esp. in psychoanalysis

   precontact
          [pre.con.tact] adj (ca. 1909): of or relating to the period
          before contact of an indigenous people with an outside
          culture

   precook
          [pre.cook] vt (1926): to cook partially or entirely before
          final cooking or reheating

   precritical
          [pre.crit.i.cal] adj (1881): prior to the development of
          critical capacity

   precursor
          [pre.cur.sor] n [ME precursoure, fr. L praecursor, fr. praecurrere
          to run before, fr. praepre- + currere to run--more at current]
          (15c) 1 a: one that precedes and indicates the approach of another
          b: predecessor 2: a substance, cell, or cellular component from
          which another substance, cell, or cellular component is formed syn
          see forerunner -- pre.cur.so.ry adj

   pred
          [pred] abbreviation predicate

   predaceous
          [pre.da.ceous] or pre.da.cious adj [L praedari to prey upon
          (fr. praeda prey) + E -aceous or -acious (as in rapacious)--more
          at prey] (1713) 1: living by preying on other animals:
          predatory 2 usu predacious: tending to devour or despoil:
          rapacious -- pre.da.ceous.ness n -- pre.dac.i.ty n

   predate
          [pre.date] vt (ca. 1864): antedate

   predation
          [pre.da.tion] n [ME predacion, fr. L praedation-, praedatio,
          fr. praedari] (15c) 1: the act of preying or plundering:
          depredation 2: a mode of life in which food is primarily
          obtained by the killing and consuming of animals

   predation pressure
          [predation pressure] n (1942): the effects of predation on
          a natural community esp. with respect to the survival
          of species preyed upon

   predator
          [pred.a.tor] n (1912) 1: one that preys, destroys, or devours
          2: an animal that lives by predation

   predatory
          [pred.a.to.ry] adj (1589) 1 a: of, relating to, or practicing
          plunder, pillage, or rapine b: inclined or intended to
          injure or exploit others for personal gain or profit
          <~ pricing practices> 2: living by predation: predaceous;
          also: adapted to predation

   predecease
          [pre.de.cease] vb -ceased ; -ceas.ing vt (1593): to die before
          (another person) ~ vi: to die first -- predecease n

   predecessor
          [pre.de.ces.sor] n [ME predecessour, fr. MF predecesseur,
          fr. LL praedecessor, fr. L prae- pre- + decessor retiring
          governor, fr. decedere to depart, retire from office--more
          at decease] (14c) 1: one that precedes; esp: a person
          who has previously occupied a position or office to which
          another has succeeded 2 archaic: ancestor

   predestinarian
          [pre.des.ti.nar.i.an] n [predestination + -arian] (1667):
          one who believes in predestination -- predestinarian
          adj -- pre.des.ti.nar.i.an.ism n

   [1]predestinate
          [pre.des.ti.nate] adj [ME, fr. L praedestinatus, pp.
          of praedestinare] (14c): destined, fated, or determined beforehand
          [2]pre.des.ti.nate vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [ME, fr. L praedestinatus,
          pp.] (15c) 1: to foreordain to an earthly or eternal lot or destiny
          by divine decree 2 archaic: predetermine

   predestination
          [pre.des.ti.na.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of predestinating:
          the state of being predestinated 2: the doctrine that
          God in consequence of his foreknowledge of all events
          infallibly guides those who are destined for salvation

   predestinator
          [pre.des.ti.na.tor] n (1579) 1 archaic: predestinarian 2:
          one that predestinates

   predestine
          [pre.des.tine] vt [ME, fr. MF or L; MF predestiner, fr. L
          praedestinare, fr. prae- + destinare to determine--more
          at destine] (14c): to destine, decree, determine, appoint,
          or settle beforehand; e sp: predestinate 1

   predetermination
          [pre.de.ter.mi.na.tion] n (1647) 1: the act of predetermining:
          the state of being predetermined: as a: the ordaining
          of events beforehand b: a fixing or settling in advance
          2: a purpose formed beforehand

   predetermine
          [pre.de.ter.mine] vt [LL praedeterminare, fr. L prae- + determinare
          to determine] (1625) 1 a: foreordain, predestine b: to determine
          beforehand 2: to impose a direction or tendency on beforehand

   predeterminer
          [pre.de.ter.min.er] n (1959): a limiting noun modifier (as
          both or all) characterized by occurrence before the determiner
          in a noun phrase

   prediabetes
          [pre.di.a.be.tes] n (1935): an inapparent abnormal state
          that precedes the development of clinically evident diabetes
          -- pre.di.a.bet.ic adj or n

   predial
          [pre.di.al] adj [ME prediall, fr. ML praedialis, fr. L praedium
          landed property, fr. praed-, praes bondsman, fr. prae-
          + vad-, vas surety--more at wed] (15c): of or relating
          to land or its products

   [1]predicable
          [pred.i.ca.ble] n [ML praedicabile, fr. neut. of praedicabilis]
          (1551): something that may be predicated; esp: one of
          the five most general kinds of attribution in traditional
          logic that include genus, species, difference, property,
          and accident [2]predicable adj [ML praedicabilis, fr.
          LL praedicare to predicate] (ca. 1598): capable of being
          asserted

   predicament
          [pre.dic.a.ment] n [ME, fr. LL praedicamentum, fr. praedicare]
          (14c) 1: the character, status, or classification assigned
          by a predication; specif: category 1 2: condition, state;
          esp: a difficult, perplexing, or trying situation

   [1]predicate
          [pred.i.cate] n [ME, fr. LL praedicatum, fr. neut. of praedicatus]
          (15c) 1 a: something that is affirmed or denied of the subject
          in a proposition in logic b: a term designating a property
          or relation 2: the part of a sentence or clause that expresses what
          is said of the subject and that usu. consists of a verb with
          or without objects, complements, or adverbial modifiers
          -- pred.i.ca.tive adj -- pred.i.ca.tive.ly adv [2]pred.i.cate
          vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [LL praedicatus, pp. of praedicare to assert,
          predicate logically, preach, fr. L, to proclaim publicly,
          assert--more at preach] (1552) 1 a: affirm, declare b archaic:
          preach 2 a: to assert to be a quality, attribute, or property--used
          with following of <~s intelligence of humans> b: to make (a term)
          the predicate in a proposition 3: found, base--usu. used with
          on <the theory is predicated on recent findings> 4: imply
          [3]pred.i.cate adj (1887): completing the meaning of a copula
          <~ adjective> <~ noun>

   predicate calculus
          [predicate calculus] n (1950): the branch of symbolic logic
          that uses symbols for quantifiers and for arguments and
          predicates of propositions as well as for unanalyzed
          propositions and logical connectives--called also functional
          calculus--compare propositional calculus

   predicate nominative
          [predicate nominative] n (1887): a noun or pronoun in the
          nominative or common case completing the meaning of a
          copula

   predication
          [pred.i.ca.tion] n [ME predicacion, fr. MF predication, fr.
          L praedication-, praedicatio, fr. praedicare] (14c) 1
          archaic a: an act of proclaiming or preaching b: sermon
          2: an act or instance of predicating: as a: the expression
          of action, state, or quality by a grammatical predicate
          b: the logical affirmation of something about another;
          esp: assignment of something to a class

   predicatory
          [pred.i.ca.to.ry] adj [LL praedicatorius, fr. praedicare
          to preach] (1611): of or relating to preaching

   predict
          [pre.dict] vb [L praedictus, pp. of praedicere, fr. prae-
          pre- + dicere to say--more at diction] vt (ca. 1632):
          to declare or indicate in advance; esp: foretell on the
          basis of observation, experience, or scientific reason
          ~ vi: to make a prediction syn see foretell -- pre.dict.abil.i.ty
          n -- pre.dict.able adj -- pre.dic.tive adj -- pre.dic.tive.ly
          adv -- pre.dic.tor n

   predictably
          [pre.dict.ably] adv (1914) 1: in a manner that can be predicted
          <works quickly and ~> 2: as one could predict: as one
          would expect <~, the politicians howled>

   prediction
          [pre.dic.tion] n (1561) 1: an act of predicting 2: something
          that is predicted: forecast

   predigest
          [pre.di.gest] vt (1663) 1: to subject to predigestion 2:
          to simplify for easy use <~ed classics for children>

   predigestion
          [pre.di.ges.tion] n (ca. 1612): artificial or natural partial
          digestion of food <enzymatic ~> <microbial ~>

   predilection
          [pre.di.lec.tion] n [F predilection, fr. ML praediligere
          to love more, prefer, fr. L prae- + diligere to love--more
          at diligent] (1742): an established preference for something
          syn predilection, prepossession, prejudice, bias mean
          an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something.
          predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's
          temperament or experience <a predilection for horror
          movies>. prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely
          to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to
          it <a prepossession against technology>. prejudice usu.
          implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling
          rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerence <a mindless
          prejudice against the unfamiliar>. bias implies an unreasoned
          and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against
          a person or thing <the common bias against overweight
          people>.

   predispose
          [pre.dis.pose] vt (1646) 1: to dispose in advance <a good
          teacher ~s children to learn> 2: to make susceptible
          <malnutrition ~s one to disease> ~ vi: to bring about
          susceptibility syn see incline -- pre.dis.po.si.tion
          n

   prednisolone
          [pred.nis.o.lone] n [blend of prednisone and [1]-ol] (1955):
          a glucocorticoid that is a dehydrogenated analogue of
          hydrocortisone and is used esp. as an anti-inflammatory
          drug

   prednisone
          [pred.ni.sone] n [prob. fr. pregnane + diene (compound containing
          two double bonds) + cortisone] (1955): a glucocorticoid
          that is a dehydrogenated analogue of cortisone and is
          used as an anti-inflammatory agent esp. in the treatment
          of arthritis, as an antineoplastic agent, and as
          an immunosuppressant

   predoctoral
          [pre.doc.tor.al] adj (1937): of, relating to, or engaged
          in academic study leading to the doctoral degree

   predominance
          [pre.dom.i.nance] n (1602): the quality or state of being
          predominant

   predominancy
          [pre.dom.i.nan.cy] n (1598): predominance

   predominant
          [pre.dom.i.nant] adj [MF, fr. ML praedominant-, praedominans,
          prp. of praedominari to predominate, fr. L prae- + dominari
          to rule, govern--more at dominate] (1576) 1: having superior
          strength, influence, or authority: prevailing 2: being
          most frequent or common syn see dominant

   predominantly
          [pre.dom.i.nant.ly] adv (1681): for the most part: mainly

   [1]predominate
          [pre.dom.i.nate] adj [alter. of predominant] (1591): predominant
          -- pre.dom.i.nate.ly adv [2]pre.dom.i.nate vb [ML praedominatus,
          pp. of praedominari] vi (1594) 1: to hold advantage in
          numbers or quantity 2: to exert controlling power or
          influence: prevail ~ vt: to exert control over: dominate
          -- pre.dom.i.na.tion n

   pree
          [pree] vt preed ; pree.ing [alter. of preve to prove, test,
          fr. ME preven, fr. OF preuv-, stem of prover to prove]
          (1680) Scot: to taste tentatively: sample

   preeclampsia
          [pre.eclamp.sia] n [NL] (1923): a toxic condition developing
          in late pregnancy that is characterized by a sudden rise
          in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, generalized
          edema, albuminuria, severe headache, and visual disturbances
          -- pre.eclamp.tic adj

   preemergence
          [pre.emer.gence] adj (1935): used or occurring before emergence
          of seedlings above the ground <~ herbicides>

   preemergent
          [pre.emer.gent] adj (1959): preemergence

   preemie
          [pree.mie] n [premature + -ie] (1927): a premature baby

   preeminence
          [pre.em.i.nence] n (13c): the quality or state of being preeminent:
          superiority

   preeminent
          [pre.em.i.nent] adj [ME, fr. LL praeeminent-, praeeminens,
          fr. L, prp. of praeeminere to be outstanding, fr. prae-
          + eminere to stand out--more at eminent] (15c): having
          paramount rank, dignity, or importance: outstanding --
          pre.em.i.nent.ly adv

   preempt
          [pre.empt] vb [back-formation fr. preemption] vt (1850) 1:
          to acquire (as land) by preemption 2: to seize upon to
          the exclusion of others: take for oneself <the movement
          was then ~ed by a lunatic fringe> 3: to replace with
          something considered to be of greater value or priority:
          take precedence over <the program did not appear, having
          been ~ed by a baseball game --Robert MacNeil> 4: to gain
          a commanding or preeminent place in 5: to prevent from
          happening or taking place: forestall, preclude ~ vi:
          to make a preemptive bid in bridge -- pre.emp.tor n

   preemption
          [pre.emp.tion] n [ML praeemption-, praeemptio previous purchase,
          fr. praeemere to buy before, fr. L prae- pre- + emere
          to buy--more at redeem] (1602) 1 a: the right of purchasing
          before others; esp: one given by the government to the
          actual settler upon a tract of public land b: the purchase
          of something under this right 2: a prior seizure or appropriation:
          a taking possession before others

   preemptive
          [pre.emp.tive] adj (1855) 1 a: of or relating to preemption
          b: having power to preempt 2 of a bid in bridge: higher
          than necessary and intended to shut out bids by the opponents
          3: giving a stockholder first option to purchase new
          stock in an amount proportionate to his existing holdings
          4: marked by the seizing of the initiative: initiated
          by oneself <a ~ attack> -- pre.emp.tive.ly adv

   [1]preen
          [preen] n [ME prene, fr. OE preon; akin to MHG pfrieme awl]
          (bef. 12c) 1 dial chiefly Brit: pin 2 dial chiefly Brit:
          brooch [2]preen vt (1572) chiefly Scot: pin [3]preen
          vb [ME preinen] vt (14c) 1: to dress or smooth (oneself)
          up: primp 2 of a bird: to trim or dress with a bill 3:
          to pride or congratulate (oneself) for achievement ~
          vi 1: to make oneself sleek 2: gloat, swell -- preen.er
          n

   pre-engineered
          [pre-en.gi.neered] adj (1951): constructed of or employing
          prefabricated modules <a ~ building>

   preexilic
          [pre.ex.il.ic] adj (1880): previous to the exile of the Jews
          to Babylon in about 600 b.c.

   preexist
          [pre.ex.ist] vi (1599): to exist earlier or before ~ vt:
          antedate

   preexistence
          [pre.ex.is.tence] n (ca. 1652): existence in a former state
          or previous to something else; specif: existence of the
          soul before its union with the body -- pre.ex.is.tent
          adj

   pref
          [pref] abbreviation preface, preference, preferred, prefix

   prefab
          [pre.fab] n (1937): a prefabricated structure -- prefab adj

   prefabricate
          [pre.fab.ri.cate] vt (1932) 1: to fabricate the parts of
          at a factory so that construction consists mainly of
          assembling and uniting standardized parts 2: to produce
          artificially -- pre.fab.ri.ca.tion n

   [1]preface
          [pref.ace] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML prephatia, alter.
          of L praefation-, praefatio foreword, fr. praefari to say
          beforehand, fr. praepre- + fari to say--more at ban] (14c) 1 often
          cap: a variable doxology beginning with the Sursum Corda and ending
          with the Sanctus in traditional eucharistic liturgies 2: the
          introductory remarks of a speaker or author 3: approach,
          preliminary [2]preface vb pref.aced ; pref.ac.ing vi (1619):
          to make introductory remarks ~ vt 1: to say or write as preface
          <a note prefaced to the manuscript> 2: precede, herald
          3: to introduce by or begin with a preface 4: to stand in front
          of <a porch ~s the entrance> 5: to be a preliminary
          to -- pref.ac.er n

   prefatory
          [pref.a.to.ry] adj [L praefari] (1675) 1: of, relating to,
          or constituting a preface 2: located in front

   prefect
          [pre.fect] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L praefectus, fr. pp. of praeficere
          to place at the head of, fr. prae- + facere to make--more
          at do] (14c) 1: any of various high officials or magistrates
          of differing functions and ranks in ancient Rome 2: a
          chief officer or chief magistrate 3: a student monitor
          in a private school

   prefect apostolic
          [prefect apostolic] n (ca. 1888): a Roman Catholic clergyman
          and usu. a priest with quasi-episcopal jurisdiction over
          a district of a missionary territory

   prefecture
          [pre.fec.ture] n (15c) 1: the office or term of office of
          a prefect 2: the official residence of a prefect 3: the
          district governed by a prefect -- pre.fec.tur.al adj

   prefecture apostolic
          [prefecture apostolic] n (1911): the district under a prefect
          apostolic

   prefer
          [pre.fer] vt pre.ferred ; pre.fer.ring [ME preferren, fr.
          MF preferer, fr. L praeferre to put before, prefer, fr.
          prae- + ferre to carry--more at bear] (14c) 1: to promote
          or advance to a rank or position 2: to like better or
          best <~s sports to reading> <~s to watch TV> 3: to give
          (a creditor) priority 4 archaic: to put or set forward
          or before someone: recommend 5: to bring or lay against
          someone <won't ~ charges> 6: to bring forward or lay
          before one for consideration -- pre.fer.rer n

   preferable
          [pref.er.a.ble] adj (1666): having greater value or desirability:
          being preferred -- pref.er.a.bil.i.ty n -- pref.er.a.bly
          adv

   preference
          [pref.er.ence] n [ME preferraunce, fr. MF preferance, fr.
          ML praeferentia, fr. L praeferent-, praeferens, prp.
          of praeferre] (15c) 1 a: the act of preferring: the state
          of being preferred b: the power or opportunity of choosing
          2: one that is preferred 3: the act, fact, or principle
          of giving advantages to some over others 4: priority
          in the right to demand and receive satisfaction of an
          obligation 5: orientation 2 <sexual ~> syn see choice

   preferential
          [pref.er.en.tial] adj (1849) 1: showing preference 2: employing
          or creating a preference in trade relations 3: designed
          to permit expression of preference among candidates <a
          ~ primary> 4: giving preference esp. in hiring to union
          members <a ~ shop> -- pref.er.en.tial.ly adv

   preferment
          [pre.fer.ment] n (15c) 1 a: advancement or promotion in dignity,
          office, or station b: a position or office of honor or
          profit 2: priority or seniority in right esp. to receive
          payment or to purchase property on equal terms with others
          3: the act of bringing forward (as charges)

   preferred stock
          [preferred stock] n (ca. 1859): stock guaranteed priority
          by a corporation's charter over common stock in the payment
          of dividends and usu. in the distribution of assets

   prefiguration
          [pre.fig.u.ra.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of prefiguring: the
          state of being prefigured 2: something that prefigures

   prefigurative
          [pre.fig.u.ra.tive] adj (1504): of, relating to, or showing
          by prefiguration -- pre.fig.u.ra.tive.ly adv --
          pre.fig.u.ra.tive.ness n

   prefigure
          [pre.fig.ure] vt [ME, fr. LL praefigurare, fr. L prae- pre-
          + figurare to shape, picture, fr. figura figure] (15c)
          1: to show, suggest, or announce by an antecedent type,
          image, or likeness 2: to picture or imagine beforehand:
          foresee -- pre.fig.ure.ment n

   [1]prefix
          [pre.fix] vt [ME, fr. MF prefixer, fr. pre- + fixer to fix,
          fr. fix fixed, fr. L fixus--more at fix] (15c) 1: to
          fix or appoint beforehand 2 [partly fr. [2]prefix]: to
          place in front; esp: to add as a prefix <~ a syllable
          to a word> [2]pre.fix n [NL praefixum, fr. L, neut. of
          praefixus, pp. of praefigere to fasten before, fr. prae-
          + figere to fasten--more at fix] (1646) 1: an affix attached
          to the beginning of a word, base, or phrase and serving
          to produce a derivative word or an inflectional form--compare
          suffix 2: a title used before a person's name -- pre.fix.al
          adj [3]pre.fix adj (1971): characterized by placement
          of an operator before its operand or before its two operands
          if it is a binary operator--compare infix, postfix

   prefocus
          [pre.fo.cus] vt (1948): to focus beforehand (as automotive
          headlights before installation)

   preform
          [pre.form] vt [L praeformare, fr. prae- + formare to form,
          fr. forma form] (1601) 1: to form or shape beforehand
          2: to bring to approximate preliminary shape and size
          -- pre.form n

   preformation
          [pre.for.ma.tion] n (1732) 1: previous formation 2: the now
          discredited theory that every germ cell contains the
          organism of its kind fully formed and that development
          involves merely an increase in size--compare epigenesis
          1, homunculus 2 -- pre.for.ma.tion.ist n or adj

   [1]prefrontal
          [pre.fron.tal] adj (1854): anterior to or involving the anterior
          part of a frontal structure <a ~ bone> [2]prefrontal
          n (1854): a prefrontal part (as a bone)

   preganglionic
          [pre.gan.gli.on.ic] adj (1895): proximal to a ganglion; specif:
          of, relating to, or being a usu. medullated axon arising
          from a cell body in the central nervous system and terminating
          in an autonomic ganglion--compare postganglionic

   pregnable
          [preg.na.ble] adj [alter. of ME prenable, fr. MF--more at
          impregnable] (14c): vulnerable to capture <a ~ fort>
          -- preg.na.bil.i.ty n

   pregnancy
          [preg.nan.cy] n, pl -cies (15c) 1: the quality of being pregnant
          (as in meaning) 2: the condition of being pregnant: gestation
          3: an instance of being pregnant

   [1]pregnant
          [preg.nant] adj [ME preignant, fr. MF, fr. prp. of preindre
          to press, fr. L premere--more at press] (14c) archaic:
          cogent [2]pregnant adj [ME, fr. L praegnant-, praegnans,
          alter. of praegnas, fr. prae- pre- + -gnas (akin to gignere
          to give birth to)--more at kin] (15c) 1: abounding in
          fancy, wit, or resourcefulness: inventive <all this has
          been said ... by great and ~ artists --Times Lit. Supp.>
          2: rich in significance or implication: meaningful, profound
          <the ~ phrases of the Bible --Edmund Wilson> <a ~ pause>
          3: containing unborn young within the body: gravid 4:
          having possibilities of development or consequence: involving
          important issues: momentous <draw inspiration from the
          heroic achievements of that ~ age --Kemp Malone> 5 obs:
          inclined, disposed <your own most ~ and vouchsafed ear
          --Shak.> 6: full, teeming -- preg.nant.ly adv

   pregnenolone
          [preg.nen.o.lone] n [ISV pregnene + [1]-ol + -one] (1936):
          an unsaturated hydroxy steroid ketone that is formed
          by the oxidation of steroids (as cholesterol) and yields
          progesterone on dehydrogenation

   preheat
          [pre.heat] vt (1898): to heat beforehand; esp: to heat (an
          oven) to a designated temperature before using for cooking
          -- pre.heat.er n

   prehensile
          [pre.hen.sile] adj [F prehensile, fr. L prehensus, pp. of
          prehendere to seize--more at get] (ca. 1785) 1: adapted
          for seizing or grasping esp. by wrapping around <~ tail>
          2: gifted with mental grasp or moral or aesthetic perception
          -- pre.hen.sil.i.ty n

   prehension
          [pre.hen.sion] n (ca. 1828) 1: the act of taking hold, seizing,
          or grasping 2 a: mental understanding: comprehension
          b: apprehension by the senses

   pre-Hispanic
          [pre-His.pan.ic] adj (1919): of, relating to, or being the
          time prior to Spanish conquests in the western hemisphere

   prehistorian
          [pre.his.to.ri.an] n (1893): an archaeologist who specializes
          in prehistory

   prehistoric
          [pre.his.tor.ic] also pre.his.tor.i.cal adj (1851) 1: of,
          relating to, or existing in times antedating written
          history 2: of or relating to a language in a period of
          its development from which contemporary records of its
          sounds and forms have not been preserved -- pre.his.tor.i.cal.ly
          adv

   prehistory
          [pre.his.to.ry] n (1871) 1: the study of prehistoric humankind
          2: a history of the antecedents of an event, situation,
          or thing 3: the prehistoric period of human evolution

   prehominid
          [pre.hom.i.nid] n [ultim. fr. L pre- + homin-, homo human
          being--more at homage] (1939): any of various extinct
          primates resembling or ancestral to humans -- prehominid
          adj

   preignition
          [pre.ig.ni.tion] n (1898): ignition in an internal combustion
          engine while the inlet valve is open or before compression
          is completed

   preimplantation
          [pre.im.plan.ta.tion] adj (1945): of, involving, or being
          an embryo before uterine implantation

   prejudge
          [pre.judge] vt [MF prejuger, fr. L praejudicare, fr. prae-
          + judicare to judge--more at judge] (1579): to judge
          before hearing or before full and sufficient examination
          -- pre.judg.er n -- pre.judg.ment n

   [1]prejudice
          [prej.u.dice] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L praejudicium previous
          judgment, damage, fr. prae- + judicium judgment--more
          at judicial] (13c) 1: injury or damage resulting from
          some judgment or action of another i n disregard of one's
          rights; esp: detriment to one's legal rights or claims
          2 a (1): preconceived judgment or opinion (2): an adverse
          opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before
          sufficient knowledge b: an instance of such judgment
          or opinion c: an irrational attitude of hostility directed
          against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed
          characteristics syn see predilection [2]prejudice vt
          -diced ; -dic.ing (15c) 1: to injure or damage by some
          judgment or action (as in a case of law) 2: to cause
          to have prejudice

   prejudiced
          [prej.u.diced] adj (1579): resulting from or having a prejudice
          or bias for or esp. against

   prejudicial
          [prej.u.di.cial] adj (15c) 1: tending to injure or impair:
          detrimental 2: leading to premature judgment or unwarranted
          opinion -- prej.u.di.cial.ly adv -- prej.u.di.cial.ness
          n

   prelacy
          [prel.a.cy] n, pl -cies (14c) 1: the office or dignity of
          a prelate 2: episcopal church government

   prelapsarian
          [pre.lap.sar.i.an] adj [pre- + L lapsus slip, fall--more
          at lapse] (1879): characteristic of or belonging to the
          time or state before the fall of mankind

   prelate
          [prel.ate] n [ME prelat, fr. OF, fr. ML praelatus, lit.,
          one receiving preferment, fr. L (pp. of praeferre to
          prefer), fr. prae- + latus, pp. of ferre to carry--more
          at tolerate, bear] (13c): an ecclesiastic (as a bishop
          or abbot) of superior rank

   prelature
          [prel.a.ture] n (1607) 1: prelacy 1 2: a body of prelates

   prelect
          [pre.lect] vi [L praelectus, pp. of praelegere, fr. prae-
          + legere to read--more at legend] (1785): to discourse
          publicly: lecture -- pre.lec.tion n

   prelibation
          [pre.li.ba.tion] n [L praelibation-, praelibatio, fr. praelibare
          to taste beforehand, fr. prae- + libare to pour as an
          offering, taste--more at libation] (1526): foretaste

   prelim
          [pre.lim] n or adj (1891): preliminary

   [1]preliminary
          [pre.lim.i.nary] n, pl -nar.ies [F preliminaires, pl., fr.
          ML praeliminaris, adj., preliminary, fr. L prae- pre-
          + limin-, limen threshold] (1656): something that precedes
          or is introductory or preparatory: as a: a preliminary
          scholastic examination b pl, Brit: front matter c: a
          preliminary heat or trial (as of a race) d: a minor match
          preceding the main event (as of a boxing card) [2]preliminary
          adj (ca. 1667): coming before and usu. forming a necessary
          prelude to something else -- pre.lim.i.nar.i.ly adv

   preliterate
          [pre.lit.er.ate] adj (1925) 1 a: not yet employing writing
          as a cultural medium b: lacking the use of writing 2:
          antedating the use of writing -- preliterate n

   [1]prelude
          [pre.lude] n [MF, fr. ML praeludium, fr. L praeludere to
          play beforehand, fr. prae- + ludere to play--more at
          ludicrous] (1561) 1: an introductory performance, action,
          or event preceding and preparing for the principal or
          a more important matter 2 a: a musical section or movement
          introducing the theme or chief subject (as of a fugue
          or suite) or serving as an introduction to an opera or
          oratorio b: an opening voluntary c: a separate concert
          piece usu. for piano or orchestra and based entirely
          on a short motif [2]prelude vb pre.lud.ed ; pre.lud.ing
          vt (1655) 1: to serve as a prelude to 2: to play as a
          prelude ~ vi: to give or serve as a prelude; esp: to
          play a musical introduction -- pre.lud.er n

   prelusion
          [pre.lu.sion] n [L praelusion-, praelusio, fr. praeludere]
          (1597): prelude, introduction

   prelusive
          [pre.lu.sive] adj (1605): constituting or having the form
          of a prelude: introductory -- pre.lu.sive.ly adv

   prem
          [prem] abbreviation premium

   premalignant
          [pre.ma.lig.nant] adj (ca. 1897): precancerous

   preman
          [pre.man] n (1921): any of several extinct primates ancestral
          to humans and esp. recent humans

   premature
          [pre.ma.ture] adj [L praematurus too early, fr. prae- + maturus
          ripe, mature] (ca. 1529): happening, arriving, existing,
          or performed before the proper, usual, or intended time;
          esp: born after a gestation period of less than 37 weeks
          <~ babies> -- premature n -- pre.ma.ture.ly adv -- pre.ma.ture.ness
          n -- pre.ma.tu.ri.ty n

   premaxilla
          [pre.max.il.la] n [NL] (1866): either of a pair of bones
          of the upper jaw of vertebrates between and in front
          of the maxillae -- pre.max.il.lary adj or n

   [1]premed
          [pre.med] n (ca. 1928): a premedical student or course of
          study [2]premed adj (1950): premedical

   premedical
          [pre.med.i.cal] adj (1904): preceding and preparing for the
          professional study of medicine

   premeditate
          [pre.med.i.tate] vb [L praemeditatus, pp. of praemeditari,
          fr. prae- + meditari to meditate] vt (ca. 1548): to think
          about and revolve in the mind beforehand ~ vi: to think,
          consider, or deliberate beforehand -- pre.med.i.ta.tor
          n

   premeditated
          [pre.med.i.tat.ed] adj (1590): characterized by fully conscious
          willful intent and a measure of forethought and planning
          <~ murder> -- pre.med.i.tat.ed.ly adv

   premeditation
          [pre.med.i.ta.tion] n (15c): an act or instance of premeditating;
          specif: consideration or planning of an act beforehand
          that shows intent to commit that act

   premeditative
          [pre.med.i.ta.tive] adj (1858): given to or characterized
          by premeditation

   premenstrual
          [pre.men.stru.al] adj (1885): of, relating to, occurring
          in, or being the period just preceding menstruation <~
          tension> <~ women> -- pre.men.stru.al.ly adv

   premenstrual syndrome
          [premenstrual syndrome] n (1982): a varying group of symptoms
          manifested by some women prior to menstruation that may
          include emotional instability, irritability, insomnia,
          fatigue, anxiety, depression, headache, edema, and abdominal
          pain--abbr. PMS

   premie
          [pre.mie] var of preemie

   [1]premier
          [pre.mier] adj [ME primier, fr. MF premier first, chief,
          fr. L primarius of the first rank--more at primary] (15c)
          1: first in position, rank, or importance 2: first in
          time: earliest [2]premier n [F, fr. premier, adj.] (1711):
          prime minister -- pre.mier.ship n

   premier danseur
          [pre.mier dan.seur] n [F] (1828): the principal male dancer
          in a ballet company

   [1]premiere
          [pre.miere] adj [alter. of [1]premier] (1768): premier [2]premiere
          n [F premiere, fr. fem. of premier first] (1889) 1: a first
          performance or exhibition <the ~ of a play> 2: the chief actress
          of a theatrical cast [3]premiere also pre.mier vb premiered
          ; pre.mier.ing vt (1933): to give a first public performance
          of ~ vi 1: to have a first public performance 2: to appear for the
          first time as a star performer

   premiere danseuse
          [pre.miere dan.seuse] n [F] (1828): prima ballerina

   premillenarianism
          [pre.mil.le.nar.i.an.ism] n (1844): premillennialism --
          pre.mil.le.nar.i.an adj or n

   premillennial
          [pre.mil.len.ni.al] adj (1846) 1: coming before a millennium
          2: holding or relating to premillennialism -- pre.mil.len.ni.al.ly
          adv

   premillennialism
          [pre.mil.len.ni.al.ism] n (ca. 1883): the view that Christ's
          return will usher in a future millennium of Messianic
          rule mentioned in Revelation -- pre.mil.len.ni.al.ist
          n

   [1]premise
          [prem.ise] also pre.miss n [in sense 1, fr. ME premisse,
          fr. MF, fr. ML praemissa, fr. L, fem. of praemissus,
          pp. of praemittere to place ahead, fr. prae- pre- + mittere
          to send; in other senses, fr. ME premisses, fr. ML praemissa,
          fr. L, neut. pl. of praemissus] (14c) 1 a: a proposition
          antecedently supposed or proved as a basis of argument
          or inference; specif: either of the first two propositions
          of a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn b:
          something assumed or taken for granted: presupposition
          2 pl: matters previously stated; specif: the preliminary
          and explanatory part of a deed or of a bill in equity
          3 pl [fr. its being identified in the premises of the
          deed] a: a tract of land with the buildings thereon b:
          a building or part of a building usu. with its appurtenances
          (as grounds) [2]pre.mise vt pre.mised ; pre.mis.ing (1526)
          1 a: to set forth beforehand as an introduction or a
          postulate b: to offer as a premise in an argument 2:
          postulate 3: to base on certain assumptions

   [1]premium
          [pre.mi.um] n [L praemium booty, profit, reward, fr. prae-
          + emere to take, buy--more at redeem] (1601) 1 a: a reward
          or recompense for a particular act b: a sum over and
          above a regular price paid chiefly as an inducement or
          incentive c: a sum in advance of or in addition to the
          nominal value of something <bonds callable at a ~ of
          six percent> d: something given free or at a reduced
          price with the purchase of a product or service 2: the
          consideration paid for a contract of insurance 3: a high
          value or a value in excess of that normally or usu. expected
          <put a ~ on accuracy> [2]premium adj (1844): of exceptional
          quality or amount; also: higher-priced

   [1]premix
          [pre.mix] vt (1927): to mix before use [2]pre.mix n (1937):
          a mixture of ingredients designed to be mixed with other
          ingredients before use

   premolar
          [pre.mo.lar] adj (ca. 1859): situated in front of or preceding
          the molar teeth; esp: being or relating to those teeth
          of a mammal in front of the true molars and behind the
          canines when the latter are present -- premolar n

   premonish
          [pre.mon.ish] vt (1526) archaic: forewarn ~ vi, archaic:
          to give warning in advance

   premonition
          [pre.mo.ni.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL praemonition-, praemonitio,
          fr. L praemonere to warn in advance, fr. prae- + monere
          to warn--more at mind] (15c) 1: previous notice or warning:
          forewarning 2: anticipation of an event without conscious reason:
          presentiment

   premonitory
          [pre.mon.i.to.ry] adj (1647): giving warning <a ~ symptom>
          -- pre.mon.i.to.ri.ly adv

   Premonstratensian
          [Pre.mon.stra.ten.sian] n [ML praemonstratensis, fr.
          praemonstratensis of Premontre, fr. Praemonstratus Premontre]
          (1695): a member of an order of canons regular founded by St.
          Norbert at Premontre near Laon, France, in 1120

   premune
          [pre.mune] adj [back-formation fr. premunition] (1948): exhibiting
          premunition

   premunition
          [pre.mu.ni.tion] n [L praemunition-, praemunitio advance
          fortification, fr. praemunire to fortify in advance,
          fr. prae- + munire to fortify--more at munition] (1607)
          1 archaic: an advance provision of protection 2 a: resistance
          to a disease due to the existence of its causative agent
          in a state of physiological equilibrium in the host b:
          immunity to a particular infection due to previous presence
          of the causative agent

   prename
          [pre.name] n (1894): forename

   prenatal
          [pre.na.tal] adj (1826) 1: occurring, existing, or performed
          before birth <~ care> <the ~ period> 2: providing or
          receiving prenatal medical care <a ~ clinic> <~ patients>
          -- pre.na.tal.ly adv

   [1]prenominate
          [pre.nom.i.nate] adj [LL praenominatus, pp. of praenominare
          to name before, fr. L prae- + nominare to name--more
          at nominate] (1513) obs: previously mentioned [2]pre.nom.i.nate
          vt (1547) obs: to mention previously -- pre.nom.i.na.tion
          n, obs

   prenotion
          [pre.no.tion] n [L praenotion-, praenotio preconception,
          fr. prae- + notio idea, conception--more at notion] (1588)
          1: presentiment, premonition 2: preconception

   [1]prentice
          [pren.tice] n [ME prentis, short for apprentis] (14c): apprentice
          1, learner -- prentice adj [2]prentice vt pren.ticed
          ; pren.tic.ing (1598): apprentice

   prenuptial
          [pre.nup.tial] adj (1869): made or occurring before marriage
          <a ~ agreement>

   preoccupancy
          [pre.oc.cu.pan.cy] n (ca. 1755) 1: an act or the right of
          taking possession before another 2: the condition of
          being completely busied or preoccupied

   preoccupation
          [pre.oc.cu.pa.tion] n (1603) 1: an act of preoccupying: the
          state of being preoccupied 2 a: extreme or excessive
          concern with something b: something that preoccupies
          one

   preoccupied
          [pre.oc.cu.pied] adj (1842) 1: previously applied to another
          group and unavailable for use in a new sense--used of
          a biological generic or specific name 2 a: lost in thought;
          also: absorbed in some preoccupation b: already occupied

   preoccupy
          [pre.oc.cu.py] vt [L praeoccupare, lit., to seize in advance,
          fr. prae- + occupare to seize, occupy] (1567) 1: to engage
          or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or
          preferentially 2: to take possession of or fill beforehand
          or before another

   preoperative
          [pre.op.er.a.tive] adj (1904): occurring before a surgical
          operation -- pre.op.er.a.tive.ly adv

   preordain
          [pre.or.dain] vt (1533): to decree or ordain in advance:
          foreordain -- pre.or.dain.ment n -- pre.or.di.na.tion
          n

   preovulatory
          [pre.ovu.la.to.ry] adj (1935): occurring or existing in or
          typical of the period immediately preceding ovulation
          <~ oocytes> <a ~ surge of luteinizing hormone>

   pre-owned
          [pre-owned] adj (1964): secondhand

   prep
          [prep] abbreviation preparatory, preposition

   [1]prep
          [prep] n (1862) 1: preparation 2: preparatory school 3: a
          preliminary trial for a racehorse [2]prep vb prepped
          ; prep.ping vi (1915) 1: to attend preparatory school
          2 [short for prepare]: to get ready ~ vt: prepare; esp:
          to prepare for operation or examination

   prepackage
          [pre.pack.age] vt (1945): to package (as food or a manufactured
          article) before offering for sale to the consumer

   preparation
          [prep.a.ra.tion] n [ME preparacion, fr. MF preparation, fr.
          L praeparation-, praeparatio, fr. praeparare to prepare]
          (14c) 1: the action or process of making something ready
          for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion,
          test, or duty 2: a state of being prepared: readiness
          3: a preparatory act or measure 4: something that is
          prepared; specif: a medicinal substance made ready for
          use <a ~ for colds>

   [1]preparative
          [pre.par.a.tive] n (14c): something that prepares the way
          for or serves as a preliminary to something else: preparation
          [2]preparative adj (ca. 1530): preparatory -- pre.par.a.tive.ly
          adv

   preparator
          [pre.par.a.tor] n (1762): one that prepares; specif: a person
          who prepares scientific specimens or museum displays

   preparatory
          [pre.pa.ra.to.ry] adj (15c): preparing or serving to prepare
          for something: introductory -- pre.pa.ra.to.ri.ly adv

   preparatory school
          [preparatory school] n (1822) 1: a usu. private school preparing
          students primarily for college 2 Brit: a private elementary
          school preparing students primarily for British public
          schools

   preparatory to
          [preparatory to] prep (1649): in preparation for

   prepare
          [pre.pare] vb pre.pared ; pre.par.ing [ME, fr. MF preparer,
          fr. L praeparare, fr. prae- pre- + parare to procure,
          prepare--more at pare] vt (15c) 1 a: to make ready beforehand
          for some purpose, use, or activity <~ food for dinner>
          b: to put in a proper state of mind <is prepared to listen>
          2: to work out the details of: plan in advance <preparing
          strategy for the coming campaign> 3 a: to put together:
          compound <~ a prescription> b: to put into written form
          <~ a report> ~ vi: to get ready <preparing for a career>
          -- pre.par.er n

   prepared
          [prepared] adj (1663): subjected to a special process or
          treatment -- pre.pared.ly adv

   preparedness
          [pre.pared.ness] n (1590): the quality or state of being
          prepared; esp: a state of adequate preparation in case
          of war

   prepay
          [pre.pay] vt -paid ; -pay.ing (1839): to pay or pay the charge
          on in advance -- pre.pay.ment n

   prepd
          [prepd] abbreviation prepared

   prepense
          [pre.pense] adj [by shortening & alter. fr. earlier purpensed,
          fr. ME, pp. of purpensen to deliberate, premeditate,
          fr. MF purpenser, fr. OF, fr. pur- for + penser to think--more
          at purchase, pensive] (1702): planned beforehand:
          premeditated--usu. used postpositively <malice ~> -- pre.pense.ly
          adv

   prepg
          [prepg] abbreviation preparing

   preplant
          [pre.plant] also pre.plant.ing adj (1961): occurring or used
          before planting a crop <~ soil fertilization>

   prepn
          [prepn] abbreviation preparation

   preponderance
          [pre.pon.der.ance] n (1681) 1: a superiority in weight, power,
          importance, or strength 2 a: a superiority or excess
          in number or quantity b: majority

   preponderancy
          [pre.pon.der.an.cy] n (1646): preponderance

   preponderant
          [pre.pon.der.ant] adj (15c) 1: having superior weight, force,
          or influence 2: having greater prevalence syn see dominant
          -- pre.pon.der.ant.ly adv

   [1]preponderate
          [pre.pon.der.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L praeponderatus,
          pp. of praeponderare, fr. prae- + ponder-, pondus weight--more
          at pendant] vi (1623) 1: to exceed in weight 2: to exceed
          in influence, power, or importance 3: to exceed in numbers
          ~ vt 1 archaic: outweigh 2 archaic: to weigh down --
          pre.pon.der.a.tion n [2]pre.pon.der.ate adj (1802): preponderant
          -- pre.pon.der.ate.ly adv

   preposition
          [prep.o.si.tion] n [ME preposicioun, fr. L praeposition-,
          praepositio, fr. praeponere to put in front, fr. prae-
          pre- + ponere to put--more at position] (14c): a function
          word that typically combines with a noun phrase to form
          a phrase which usu. expresses a modification or predication
          -- prep.o.si.tion.al adj -- prep.o.si.tion.al.ly adv

   prepositive
          [pre.pos.i.tive] adj [LL praepositivus, fr. L praepositus,
          pp. of praeponere] (1583): put before: prefixed --
          pre.pos.i.tive.ly adv

   prepossess
          [pre.pos.sess] vt (1614) 1 obs: to take previous possession
          of 2: to cause to be preoccupied 3: to influence beforehand
          esp. favorably

   prepossessing
          [pre.pos.sess.ing] adj (1642) 1 archaic: creating prejudice
          2: tending to create a favorable impression: attractive

   prepossession
          [pre.pos.ses.sion] n (1648) 1 archaic: prior possession 2:
          an attitude, belief, or impression formed beforehand:
          prejudice 3: an exclusive concern with one idea or object:
          preoccupation syn see predilection

   preposterous
          [pre.pos.ter.ous] adj [L praeposterus, lit., in the wrong
          order, fr. prae- + posterus hinder, following--more at
          posterior] (1542): contrary to nature, reason, or common
          sense: absurd -- pre.pos.ter.ous.ly adv -- pre.pos.ter.ous.ness
          n

   prepotency
          [pre.po.ten.cy] n (1646) 1: the quality or state of being
          prepotent: predominance 2: unusual ability of an individual
          or strain to transmit its characters to offspring because
          of homozygosity for numerous dominant genes

   prepotent
          [pre.po.tent] adj [ME, fr. L praepotent-, praepotens, fr.
          prae- + potens powerful--more at potent] (15c) 1 a: having
          exceptional power, authority, or influence b: exceeding
          others in power 2: exhibiting genetic prepotency -- pre.po.tent.ly
          adv

   [1]preppy
          [prep.py] or prep.pie n, pl prep.pies [[1]prep] (1967) 1:
          a student at or a graduate of a preparatory school 2:
          a person deemed to dress or behave like a preppy [2]preppy
          or preppie adj (1967) 1: relating to, characteristic
          of, or being a preppy 2: relating to or being a style
          of dress characterized esp. by classic clothing and neat
          appearance -- prep.pi.ly adv -- prep.pi.ness n

   preprandial
          [pre.pran.di.al] adj (1822): of, relating to, or suitable
          for the time just before dinner <a ~ drink>

   prepreg
          [pre.preg] n [pre- + impregnated] (1954): a reinforcing or
          molding material (as paper or glass cloth) already impregnated
          with a synthetic resin

   [1]preprint
          [pre.print] n (1889) 1: an issue of a technical paper often
          in preliminary form before its publication in a journal
          2: something (as an advertisement) printed before the
          rest of the publication in which it is to appear [2]pre.print
          vt (1926): to print in advance for later use

   preprocess
          [pre.pro.cess] vt (1942): to do preliminary processing of
          (as data) -- pre.pro.ces.sor n

   preprofessional
          [pre.pro.fes.sion.al] adj (1926): of or relating to the period
          preceding specific study for or practice of a profession

   prep school
          [prep school] n (1895): preparatory school

   prepuberal
          [pre.pu.ber.al] adj (ca. 1935): prepubertal

   prepubertal
          [pre.pu.ber.tal] adj (1859): of or relating to prepuberty

   prepuberty
          [pre.pu.ber.ty] n (1922): the period immediately preceding
          puberty

   prepubescence
          [pre.pu.bes.cence] n (1916): prepuberty

   prepubescent
          [pre.pu.bes.cent] adj (1904): prepubertal -- prepubescent
          n

   prepuce
          [pre.puce] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L praeputium] (15c): foreskin;
          also: a similar fold investing the clitoris -- pre.pu.tial
          adj

   prequel
          [pre.quel] n [pre- + -quel (as in sequel)] (1972): a literary
          or dramatic work whose story precedes that of an earlier
          work

   Pre-Raphaelite
          [Pre-Ra.pha.el.ite] n (1850) 1 a: a member of a brotherhood
          of artists formed in England in 1848 to restore the artistic
          principles and practices regarded as characteristic of
          Italian art before Raphael b: an artist or writer influenced
          by this brotherhood 2: a modern artist dedicated to restoring
          early Renaissance ideals or methods -- Pre-Raphaelite
          adj -- Pre-Ra.pha.el.it.ism n

   preregistration
          [pre.reg.is.tra.tion] n (1967): a special registration (as
          for returning students) prior to an official registration
          period -- pre.reg.is.ter vi

   prerequisite
          [pre.req.ui.site] n (1633): something that is necessary to
          an end or to the carrying out of a function -- prerequisite
          adj

   prerogative
          [pre.rog.a.tive] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L praerogativa,
          Roman century voting first in the comitia, privilege,
          fr. fem. of praerogativus voting first, fr. praerogatus,
          pp. of praerogare to ask for an opinion before another,
          fr. prae- + rogare to ask--more at right] (15c) 1 a:
          an exclusive or special right, power, or privilege: as
          (1): one belonging to an office or an official body (2):
          one belonging to a person, group, or class of individuals
          (3): one possessed by a nation as an attribute of sovereignty
          b: the discretionary power inhering in the British Crown
          2: a distinctive excellence -- pre.rog.a.tived adj

   pres
          [pres] abbreviation present, president

   [1]presage
          [pres.age] n [ME, fr. L praesagium, fr. praesagus having
          a foreboding, fr. prae- + sagus prophetic--more at seek]
          (14c) 1: something that foreshadows or portends a future
          event: omen 2: an intuition or feeling of what is going
          to happen in the future 3 archaic: prognostication 4:
          warning or indication of the future -- pre.sage.ful adj
          [2]pre.sage vb pre.saged ; pre.sag.ing vt (1562) 1: to
          give an omen or warning of: foreshadow 2: foretell, predict
          ~ vi: to make or utter a prediction -- pre.sag.er n,
          obs

   presanctified
          [pre.sanc.ti.fied] adj (1758): consecrated at a previous
          service--used of eucharistic elements

   Presb
          [Presb] abbreviation Presbyterian

   presbyope
          [pres.by.ope] n [prob. fr. F, fr. Gk presbys old man + ops
          eye--more at eye] (ca. 1857): one affected with presbyopia

   presbyopia
          [pres.by.o.pia] n [NL] (1793): a visual condition which becomes
          apparent esp. in middle age and in which loss of elasticity
          of the lens of the eye causes defective accommodation
          and inability to focus sharply for near vision -- pres.by.o.pic
          adj or n

   presbyter
          [pres.by.ter] n [LL, elder, priest, fr. Gk presbyteros, compar.
          of presbys old man, elder; akin to Gk pro before and
          Gk bainein to go--more at for, come] (1597) 1: a member
          of the governing body of an early Christian church 2:
          a member of the order of priests in churches having episcopal
          hierarchies that include bishops, priests, and deacons
          3: elder 4b -- pres.byt.er.ate n

   [1]presbyterial
          [pres.by.te.ri.al] adj (ca. 1600): of or relating to presbyters
          or a presbytery -- pres.by.te.ri.al.ly adv [2]presbyterial
          n, often cap (1928): an organization of Presbyterian
          women associated with a presbytery

   [1]Presbyterian
          [Pres.by.te.ri.an] n (1640): a member of a Presbyterian church
          [2]Presbyterian adj (1641) 1 often not cap: characterized
          by a graded system of representative ecclesiastical bodies
          (as presbyteries) exercising legislative and judicial
          powers 2: of, relating to, or constituting a Protestant
          Christian church that is presbyterian in government and
          traditionally Calvinistic in doctrine -- Pres.by.te.ri.an.ism
          n

   presbytery
          [pres.by.tery] n, pl -ter.ies [ME & LL; ME presbytory part
          of church reserved for clergy, fr. LL presbyterium group
          of presbyters, part of church reserved for clergy, fr.
          Gk presbyterion group of presbyters, fr. presbyteros
          elder, priest] (15c) 1: the part of a church reserved
          for the officiating clergy 2: a ruling body in presbyterian
          churches consisting of the ministers and representative
          elders from congregations within a district 3: the jurisdiction
          of a presbytery 4: the house of a Roman Catholic parish
          priest

   [1]preschool
          [pre.school] adj (1914): of, relating to, or constituting
          the period in a child's life from infancy to the age
          of five or six that ordinarily precedes attendance at
          elementary school [2]pre.school n (ca. 1925): nursery
          school, kindergarten

   preschooler
          [pre.school.er] n (1946) 1: a child not yet old enough for
          school 2: a child attending a preschool

   prescience
          [pre.science] n [ME, fr. LL praescientia, fr. L praescient-,
          praesciens, prp. of praescire to know beforehand, fr.
          prae- + scire to know--more at science] (14c): foreknowledge
          of events: a: divine omniscience b: human anticipation
          of the course of events: foresight -- pre.scient adj
          -- pre.scient.ly adv

   prescientific
          [pre.sci.en.tif.ic] adj (1858): of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of a period before the rise of modern
          science or a state prior to the application of the scientific
          method

   prescind
          [pre.scind] vb [L praescindere to cut off in front, fr. prae-
          + scindere to cut--more at shed] vi (1650): to withdraw
          one's attention ~ vt: to detach for purposes of thought

   prescore
          [pre.score] vt (1937): to record (as sound) in advance for
          use when the corresponding scenes are photographed in
          making movies

   prescribe
          [pre.scribe] vb pre.scribed ; pre.scrib.ing [ME, fr. L praescribere
          to write at the beginning, dictate, order, fr. prae- + scribere
          to write--more at scribe] vi (15c) 1: to lay down a rule: dictate
          2 [ME, fr. ML praescribere, fr. L, to write at the beginning]:
          to claim a title to something by right of prescription 3: to write
          or give medical prescriptions 4: to become by prescription invalid
          or unenforceable ~ vt 1 a: to lay down as a guide, direction,
          or rule of action: ordain b: to specify with authority
          2: to designate or order the use of as a remedy -- pre.scrib.er n

   prescript
          [pre.script] adj [ME, fr. L praescriptus, pp.] (ca. 1540):
          prescribed as a rule -- pre.script n

   prescription
          [pre.scrip.tion] n [partly fr. ME prescripcion establishment
          of a claim, fr. MF prescription, fr. LL praescription-,
          praescriptio, fr. L, act of writing at the beginning,
          order, limitation of subject matter, fr. praescribere;
          partly fr. L praescription-, praescriptio order] (14c)
          1 a: the establishment of a claim of title to something
          under common law usu. by use and enjoyment for a period
          fixed by statute b: the right or title acquired under
          common law by such possession 2: the process of making
          claim to something by long use and enjoyment 3: the action
          of laying down authoritative rules or directions 4 a:
          a written direction for a therapeutic or corrective agent;
          specif: one for the preparation and use of a medicine
          b: a prescribed medicine c: something like a doctor's
          prescription <~s for economic recovery> 5 a: ancient
          or long continued custom b: a claim founded upon ancient
          custom or long continued use 6: something prescribed
          as a rule

   prescription drug
          [prescription drug] n (1951): a drug that can be obtained
          only by means of a physician's prescription

   prescriptive
          [pre.scrip.tive] adj (1748) 1: serving to prescribe <~ rules
          of usage> 2: acquired by, founded on, or determined by
          prescription or by long-standing custom -- pre.scrip.tive.ly
          adv

   preselect
          [pre.se.lect] vt (ca. 1859): to choose in advance usu. on
          the basis of a particular criterion -- pre.se.lec.tion
          n

   presell
          [pre.sell] vt -sold ; -sell.ing (1947) 1: to precondition
          (as a customer) for subsequent purchase or create advance
          demand for (as a product) esp. through marketing strategies
          2: to sell in advance <raised money to publish the book
          by preselling film rights>

   presence
          [pres.ence] n (14c) 1: the fact or condition of being present
          2 a: the part of space within one's immediate vicinity
          b: the neighborhood of one of superior esp. royal rank
          3 archaic: company 2a 4: one that is present: as a: the
          actual person or thing that is present b: something present
          of a visible or concrete nature 5 a: the bearing, carriage,
          or air of a person; esp: stately or distinguished bearing
          b: a quality of poise and effectiveness that enables
          a performer to achieve a close relationship with his
          audience 6: something (as a spirit) felt or believed
          to be present

   presence of mind
          [presence of mind] (1665): self-control so maintained in
          an emergency or in an embarrassing situation that one
          can say or do the right thing

   [1]present
          [pres.ent] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. presenter] (13c): something
          presented: gift [2]pre.sent vb [ME, fr. OF presenter,
          fr. L praesentare, fr. praesent-, praesens, adj.] vt
          (14c) 1 a (1): to bring or introduce into the presence
          of someone esp. of superior rank or status (2): to introduce
          socially b: to bring (as a play) before the public 2:
          to make a gift to 3: to give or bestow formally 4 a:
          to lay (as a charge) before a court as an object of inquiry
          b: to bring a formal public charge, indictment, or presentment
          against 5: to nominate to a benefice 6 a: to offer to
          view: show b: to bring to one's attention <this ~s a
          problem> 7: to act the part of: perform 8: to aim, point,
          or direct (as a weapon) so as to face something or in
          a particular direction ~ vi 1: to present a weapon 2:
          to become manifest 3: to come forward as a patient 4:
          to make a presentation syn see give -- pre.sent.er n
          [3]pres.ent adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L praesent-, praesens,
          fr. prp. of praeesse to be before one, fr. prae- pre-
          + esse to be--more at is] (14c) 1: now existing or in
          progress 2 a: being in view or at hand b: existing in
          something mentioned or under consideration 3: constituting
          the one actually involved, at hand, or being considered
          4: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that
          is expressive of present time or the time of speaking
          5 obs: attentive 6 archaic: instant, immediate -- pres.ent.ness
          n [4]pres.ent n (14c) 1 a obs: present occasion or affair
          b pl: the present words or statements; specif: the legal
          instrument or other writing in which these words are
          used 2 a: the present tense of a language b: a verb form
          in the present tense 3: the present time -- at present
          : at or during this time: now

   presentable
          [pre.sent.able] adj (ca. 1626) 1: capable of being presented
          2: being in condition to be seen or inspected esp. by
          the critical -- pre.sent.abil.i.ty n -- pre.sent.able.ness
          n -- pre.sent.ably adv

   present arms
          [pre.sent arms] n [fr. the command present arms]] (ca. 1884)
          1: a position in the manual of arms in which the rifle
          is held vertically in front of the body 2: a command
          to assume the position of present arms or to give a hand
          salute

   presentation
          [pre.sen.ta.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act of presenting b: the
          act, power, or privilege esp. of a patron of applying
          to the bishop or ordinary for instituting someone into
          a benefice 2: something presented: as a: a symbol or
          image that represents something b: something offered
          or given: gift c: something set forth for the attention
          of the mind d: a descriptive or persuasive account (as
          by a salesman of a product) 3: the position in which
          the fetus lies in the uterus in labor with respect to
          the mouth of the uterus 4: an immediate object of perception,
          cognition, or memory 5 often cap: a church feast on November
          21 celebrating the presentation of the Virgin Mary in
          the temple 6: the method by which radio, navigation,
          or radar information is given to the operator (as the
          pilot of an airplane) -- pre.sen.ta.tion.al adj

   presentative
          [pre.sen.ta.tive] adj (ca. 1842): known, knowing, or capable
          of being known directly rather than through cogitation

   present-day
          [pres.ent-day] adj (1887): now existing or occurring

   presentee
          [pre.sen.tee] n (15c): one who is presented or to whom something
          is presented

   presentient
          [pre.sen.tient] adj [L praesentient-, praesentiens, prp.
          of praesentire] (1814): having a presentiment

   presentiment
          [pre.sen.ti.ment] n [F pressentiment, fr. MF, fr. pressentir
          to have a presentiment, fr. L praesentire to feel beforehand,
          fr. prae- + sentire to feel--more at sense] (1714): a
          feeling that something will or is about to happen: premonition
          -- pre.sen.ti.men.tal adj

   presentism
          [pres.ent.ism] n [[3]present] (1923): an outlook dominated
          by present-day attitudes and experiences -- pres.ent.ist
          adj

   presently
          [pres.ent.ly] adv (14c) 1 a archaic: at once b: before long:
          without undue delay 2: at the present time: now usage
          Both senses 1b and 2 are flourishing in current English,
          but many commentators have objected to sense 2. Since
          this sense has been in continuous use since the 15th
          century, it is not clear why it is objectionable. Perhaps
          a note in the Oxford English Dictionary (1909) that the
          sense has been obsolete since the 17th century in literary
          English is to blame, but the note goes on to observe
          that the sense is in regular use in most English dialects.
          The last citation in that dictionary is from a 1901 Leeds
          newspaper, written in Standard English. Sense 2 is most
          common in contexts relating to business and politics
          <the fastest-rising welfare cost is Medicaid, presently
          paid by the states and cities --William Safire>

   presentment
          [pre.sent.ment] n (14c) 1: the act of presenting to an authority
          a formal statement of a matter to be dealt with; specif:
          the notice taken or statement made by a grand jury of
          an offense from their own knowledge without a bill of
          indictment laid before them 2: the act of offering at
          the proper time and place a document (as a bill of exchange)
          that calls for acceptance or payment by another 3 a:
          the act of presenting to view or consciousness b: something
          set forth, presented, or exhibited c: the aspect in which
          something is presented

   present participle
          [present participle] n (1864): a participle that typically
          expresses present action in relation to the time expressed
          by the finite verb in its clause and that in English
          is formed with the suffix -ing and is used in the formation
          of the progressive tenses

   present perfect
          [present perfect] adj (1887): of, relating to, or constituting
          a verb tense that is formed in English with have and
          that expresses action or state completed at the time
          of speaking -- present perfect n

   present tense
          [present tense] n (14c): the tense of a verb that expresses
          action or state in the present time and is used of what
          occurs or is true at the time of speaking and of what
          is habitual or characteristic or is always or necessarily
          true, that is sometimes used to refer to action in the
          past, and that is sometimes used for future events

   present value
          [present value] n (1831): the sum of money which if invested
          now at a given rate of compound interest will accumulate
          exactly to a specified amount at a specified future date

   preservationist
          [pres.er.va.tion.ist] n (1927): one who advocates preservation
          (as of a biological species or a historical landmark)

   [1]preservative
          [pre.ser.va.tive] adj (14c): having the power of preserving
          [2]preservative n (15c): something that preserves or
          has the power of preserving; specif: an additive used
          to protect against decay, discoloration, or spoilage

   [1]preserve
          [pre.serve] vb pre.served ; pre.serv.ing [ME, fr. MF preserver,
          fr. ML praeservare, fr. LL, to observe beforehand, fr.
          L prae- + servare to keep, guard, observe--more at conserve]
          vt (14c) 1: to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction:
          protect 2 a: to keep alive, intact, or free from decay
          b: maintain 3 a: to keep or save from decomposition b:
          to can, pickle, or similarly prepare for future use 4:
          to keep up and reserve for personal or special use ~
          vi 1: to make preserves 2: to raise and protect game
          for purposes of sport 3: to be able to be preserved (as
          by canning) -- pre.serv.abil.i.ty n -- pre.serv.able
          adj -- pres.er.va.tion n -- pre.serv.er n [2]preserve
          n (1600) 1: fruit canned or made into jams or jellies
          or cooked whole or in large pieces in a syrup so as to
          keep its shape--often used in pl. 2: an area restricted
          for the protection and preservation of natural resources
          (as animals or trees); esp: one used primarily for regulated
          hunting or fishing 3: something regarded as reserved
          for certain persons

   preshrink
          [pre.shrink] vt -shrank ; -shrunk (1926): to shrink (as a
          fabric) before making into a garment so that it will
          not shrink much when washed

   preside
          [pre.side] vi pre.sid.ed ; pre.sid.ing [L praesidere to guard,
          preside over, fr. prae- + sedere to sit--more at sit]
          (1608) 1: to exercise guidance, direction, or control
          2 a: to occupy the place of authority: act as president,
          chairman, or moderator b: to occupy a position similar
          to that of a president or chairman 3: to occupy a position
          of featured instrumental performer--usu. used with at
          <presided at the organ> -- pre.sid.er n

   presidency
          [pres.i.den.cy] n, pl -cies (1591) 1 a: the office of president
          b (1): the office of president of the U.S. (2): the American
          governmental institution comprising the office of president
          and various associated administrative and policy-making
          agencies 2: the term during which a president holds office
          3: the action or function of one that presides: superintendence
          4: a Mormon executive council of the church or a stake
          consisting of a president and two counselors

   president
          [pres.i.dent] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L praesident-, praesidens,
          fr. prp. of praesidere] (14c) 1: an official chosen to
          preside over a meeting or assembly 2: an appointed governor
          of a subordinate political unit 3: the chief officer
          of an organization (as a corporation or institution)
          usu. entrusted with the direction and administration
          of its policies 4: the presiding officer of a governmental
          body 5 a: an elected official serving as both chief of
          state and chief political executive in a republic having
          a presidential government b: an elected official having
          the position of chief of state but usu. only minimal
          political powers in a republic having a parliamentary
          government -- pres.i.den.tial adj -- pres.i.den.tial.ly
          adv -- pres.i.dent.ship n

   presidential government
          [presidential government] n (1902): a system of government
          in which the president is constitutionally independent
          of the legislature

   Presidents' Day
          [Presidents' Day] n (1952): washington's birthday 2

   presidial
          [pre.sid.i.al] adj [LL praesidialis, fr. L praesidium garrison,
          fr. praesid-, praeses guard, governor, fr. praesidere]
          (1611) 1 [F presidial, fr. MF, alter. of presidal, fr.
          LL praesidalis of a provincial governor, fr. L praesid-,
          praeses]: provincial 1 2: of, having, or constituting
          a garrison 3: of or relating to a president: presidential

   presidiary
          [pre.sid.i.ary] adj (1599): presidial 2

   presidio
          [pre.si.dio] n, pl -di.os [Sp, fr. L praesidium] (1763):
          a garrisoned place; esp: a military post or fortified
          settlement in areas currently or orig. under Spanish
          control

   presidium
          [pre.sid.i.um] n, pl -ia or -iums [Russ prezidium, fr. L
          praesidium garrison] (1920) 1: a permanent executive
          committee selected esp. in Communist countries to act
          for a larger body 2: a nongovernmental executive committee

   presignify
          [pre.sig.ni.fy] vt [L praesignificare, fr. prae- + significare
          to signify] (1586): to intimate or signify beforehand:
          presage

   [1]presoak
          [pre.soak] vt (1919): to soak beforehand [2]pre.soak n (1919)
          1: an instance of presoaking 2: a preparation used in
          presoaking clothes

   pre-Socratic
          [pre-So.crat.ic] adj (1871): of or relating to Greek philosophers
          before Socrates -- pre-Socratic n

   presort
          [pre.sort] vt (1951): to sort (outgoing mail) by zip code
          usu. before delivery to a post office

   [1]press
          [press] n [ME presse, fr. OF, fr. presser to press] (13c)
          1 a: a crowd or crowded condition: throng b: a thronging
          or crowding forward or together 2 a: an apparatus or
          machine by which a substance is cut or shaped, an impress
          ion of a body is taken, a material is compressed, pressure
          is applied to a body, liquid is expressed, or a cutting
          tool is fed into the work by pressure b: a building containing
          presses or a business using presses 3: closet, cupboard
          4 a: an action of pressing or pushing: pressure b: an
          aggressive pressuring defense employed in basketball
          often over the entire court area 5: the properly smoothed
          and creased condition of a freshly pressed garment <out
          of ~> 6 a: printing press b: the act or the process of
          printing c: a printing or publishing establishment 7
          a: the gathering and publishing or broadcasting of news:
          journalism b: newspapers, periodicals, and often radio
          and television news broadcasting c: news reporters, publishers,
          and broadcasters d: comment or notice in newspapers and
          periodicals <is getting a good ~> 8: any of various pressure
          devices (as one for keeping sporting gear from warping
          when not in use) 9: a lift in weight lifting in which
          the weight is raised to shoulder height and then smoothly
          extended overhead without assist from the legs--compare
          clean and jerk, snatch [2]press vb [ME, fr. MF presser,
          fr. L pressare, freq. of premere to press; prob. akin
          to Russ naperet' to press] vt (14c) 1: to act upon through
          steady pushing or thrusting force exerted in contact:
          squeeze 2 a: assail, harass b: afflict, oppress 3 a:
          to squeeze out the juice or contents of b: to squeeze
          with apparatus or instruments to a desired density, smoothness,
          or shape 4 a: to exert influence on: constrain b: to
          try hard to persuade: beseech, entreat 5: to move by
          means of pressure 6 a: to lay stress or emphasis on b:
          to insist on or request urgently 7: to follow through
          (a course of action) 8: to clasp in affection or courtesy
          9: to make (a phonograph record) from a matrix ~ vi 1:
          to crowd closely: mass 2: to force or push one's way
          3: to seek urgently: contend 4: to require haste or speed
          in action 5: to exert pressure 6: to take or hold a press
          7: to employ a press in basketball -- press.er n -- press
          the flesh : to greet and shake hands with people esp.
          while campaigning for political office [3]press vb [alter.
          of obs. prest to enlist by giving pay in advance] vt
          (1578) 1: to force into service esp. in an army or navy:
          impress 2 a: to take by authority esp. for public use:
          commandeer b: to take and force into any usu. emergency
          service ~ vi: to impress men as soldiers or sailors [4]press
          n (1599) 1: impressment into service esp. in a navy 2
          obs: a warrant for impressing recruits

   press agent
          [press agent] n [[1]press] (1883): an agent employed to establish
          and maintain good public relations through publicity
          -- press-agent vb -- press-agent.ry n

   pressboard
          [press.board] n (1849) 1: ironing board; esp: a small one
          for sleeves 2: a strong highly glazed composition board
          resembling vulcanized fiber

   press box
          [press box] n (1889): a space reserved for reporters (as
          at a stadium)

   press cloth
          [press cloth] n (1899): a cloth used between an iron and
          a garment

   press conference
          [press conference] n (1937): an interview or announcement
          given by a public figure to the press by appointment

   press-gang
          [press-gang] n [[4]press] (1693): a detachment of men under
          command of an officer empowered to force men into military
          or naval service -- press-gang vt

   pressing
          [press.ing] adj (1616) 1: urgently important: critical 2:
          earnest, warm -- press.ing.ly adv

   press kit
          [press kit] n (1968): a collection of promotional materials
          for distribution to the press

   pressman
          [press.man] n (1598) 1: an operator of a press; esp: the
          operator of a printing press 2 Brit: newspaperman

   pressmark
          [press.mark] n [[1]press (closet)] (1802) chiefly Brit: a
          mark or number assigned to a book to indicate its location
          in a library

   press of sail
          [press of sail] (1794): the fullest amount of sail that a
          ship can crowd on--called also press of canvas

   pressor
          [pres.sor] adj [LL, one that presses, fr. L premere to press--more
          at press] (ca. 1890): raising or tending to raise blood pressure;
          also: involving vasoconstriction

   pressroom
          [press.room] n (1683) 1: a room in a printing plant containing
          the printing presses 2: a room (as at the White House)
          for the use of members of the press

   pressrun
          [press.run] n (1945): a continuous operation of a printing
          press producing a specified number of copies; also: the
          number of copies printed

   press secretary
          [press secretary] n (1951): a person officially in charge
          of press relations for a usu. prominent public figure
          <the President's press secretary>

   press-up
          [press-up] (1936) Brit: push-up

   [1]pressure
          [pres.sure] n [ME, fr. LL pressura, fr. L, action of pressing,
          pressure, fr. pressus, pp. of premere] (14c) 1 a: the
          burden of physical or mental distress b: the constraint
          of circumstance: the weight of social or economic imposition
          2: the application of force to something by something
          else in direct contact with it: compression 3 archaic:
          impression, stamp 4 a: the action of a force against
          an opposing force b: the force or thrust exerted over
          a surface divided by its area c: electromotive force
          5: the stress or urgency of matters demanding attention:
          exigency <people who work well under ~> 6: the force
          of selection that results from one or more agents and
          tends to reduce a population of organisms <population
          ~> <predation ~> 7: atmospheric pressure 8: a sensation
          aroused by moderate compression of a body part or surface
          -- pres.sure.less adj [2]pressure vt pres.sured ; pres.sur.ing
          (1938) 1: to apply pressure to 2: pressurize 3: to cook
          in a pressure cooker

   pressure cabin
          [pressure cabin] n (1935): a pressurized cabin

   pressure cooker
          [pressure cooker] n (1915) 1: an airtight utensil for quick
          cooking or preserving of foods by means of superheated
          steam under pressure 2: a situation or environment that
          is fraught with emotional or social pressures -- pressure-cook
          vb

   pressure gauge
          [pressure gauge] n (1862): a gauge for indicating fluid pressure

   pressure group
          [pressure group] n (1928): an interest group organized to
          influence public and esp. government policy but not to
          elect candidates to office

   pressure point
          [pressure point] n (1909): a point where a blood vessel runs
          near a bone and can be compressed (as to check bleeding)
          by the application of pressure against the bone

   pressure suit
          [pressure suit] n (1936): an inflatable suit for high-altitude
          or space flight to protect the body from low pressure

   pressure wave
          [pressure wave] n (1942): a wave (as a sound wave) in which
          the propagated disturbance is a variation of pressure
          in a material medium--called also P-wave

   pressurise
          [pres.sur.ise] Brit var of pressurize

   pressurize
          [pres.sur.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1938) 1: to confine the
          contents of under a pressure greater than that of the
          outside atmosphere; esp: to maintain near-normal atmospheric
          pressure in during high-altitude or spaceflight (as by
          means of a supercharger) 2: to apply pressure to 3: to
          design to withstand pressure -- pres.sur.i.za.tion n
          -- pres.sur.iz.er n

   presswork
          [press.work] n (1771): the operation, management, or product
          of a printing press; esp: the branch of printing concerned
          with the actual transfer of ink from form or plates to
          paper

   prest
          [prest] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L praestus--more at presto]
          (14c) obs: ready

   prestidigitation
          [pres.ti.dig.i.ta.tion] n [F, fr. prestidigitateur prestidigitator,
          fr. preste nimble, quick (fr. It presto) + L digitus finger--more
          at digit] (1859): sleight of hand, legerdemain --
          pres.ti.dig.i.ta.tor n

   prestige
          [pres.tige] n, often attrib [F, fr. MF, conjuror's trick,
          illusion, fr. L praestigiae, pl., conjuror's tricks,
          fr. praestringere to graze, blunt, constrict, fr. prae-
          + stringere to bind tight--more at strain] (1829) 1:
          standing or estimation in the eyes of people: weight
          or credit in general opinion 2: commanding position in
          people's minds syn see influence -- pres.tige.ful adj

   prestigious
          [pres.ti.gious] adj [L praestigiosus, fr. praestigiae] (1546)
          1 archaic: of, relating to, or marked by illusion, conjuring,
          or trickery 2: having prestige: honored -- pres.ti.gious.ly
          adv -- pres.ti.gious.ness n

   prestissimo
          [pres.tis.si.mo] adv or adj [It, fr. presto + -issimo, suffix
          denoting a high degree] (ca. 1724): faster than presto--used
          as a direction in music

   [1]presto
          [pres.to] adv or adj [It, quick, quickly, fr. L praestus
          ready, fr. praesto, adv., on hand; akin to L prae before--more
          at for] (ca. 1599) 1: suddenly as if by magic: immediately
          2: at a rapid tempo--used as a direction in music [2]presto
          n, pl prestos (1869): a presto musical passage or movement

   [1]prestress
          [pre.stress] vt (1934): to introduce internal stresses into
          (as a structural beam) to counteract the stresses that
          will result from applied load (as in incorporating cables
          under tension in concrete) [2]pre.stress n (1934) 1:
          the stresses introduced in prestressing 2: the process
          of prestressing 3: the condition of being prestressed

   presumable
          [pre.sum.able] adj (1692): capable of being presumed: acceptable
          as an assumption

   presumably
          [pre.sum.ably] adv (1846): by reasonable assumption

   presume
          [pre.sume] vb pre.sumed ; pre.sum.ing [ME, fr. LL & MF; LL
          praesumere to dare, fr. L, to anticipate, assume, fr.
          prae- + sumere to take; MF presumer to assume, fr. L
          praesumere--more at consume] vt (14c) 1: to undertake
          without leave or clear justification: dare 2: to expect
          or assume esp. with confidence 3: to suppose to be true
          without proof <presumed innocent until proved guilty>
          4: to take for granted: imply ~ vi 1: to act or proceed
          presumptuously or on a presumption 2: to go beyond what
          is right or proper -- pre.sumed.ly adv -- pre.sum.er
          n

   presuming
          [presuming] adj (15c): presumptuous -- pre.sum.ing.ly adv

   presumption
          [pre.sump.tion] n [ME presumpcioun, fr. OF presumption, fr.
          LL & L; LL praesumption-, praesumptio presumptuous attitude,
          fr. L, assumption, fr. praesumere] (13c) 1: presumptuous
          attitude or conduct: audacity 2 a: an attitude or belief
          dictated by probability: assumption b: the ground, reason,
          or evidence lending probability to a belief 3: a legal
          inference as to the existence or truth of a fact not
          certainly known that is drawn from the known or proved
          existence of some other fact

   presumptive
          [pre.sump.tive] adj (15c) 1: based on probability or presumption
          2: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief 3:
          being an embryonic precursor with the potential for forming
          a particular structure or tissue in the normal course
          of development <~ retina> -- pre.sump.tive.ly adv

   presumptuous
          [pre.sump.tu.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF presumptueux, fr.
          LL praesumptuosus, irreg. fr. praesumptio] (14c): overstepping due
          bounds (as of propriety or courtesy): taking liberties
          -- pre.sump.tu.ous.ly adv -- pre.sump.tu.ous.ness n

   presuppose
          [pre.sup.pose] vt [ME, fr. MF presupposer, fr. ML praesupponere
          (perf. indic. praesupposui), fr. L prae- + ML supponere
          to suppose--more at suppose] (15c) 1: to suppose beforehand
          2: to require as an antecedent in logic or fact
          -- pre.sup.po.si.tion n -- pre.sup.po.si.tion.al adj

   presynaptic
          [pre.syn.ap.tic] adj (1909): situated or occurring just before
          a nerve synapse -- pre.syn.ap.ti.cal.ly adv

   pret-a-porter
          [pret-a-por.ter] n [F, ready to wear] (1959): ready-to-wear
          clothes

   [1]preteen
          [pre.teen] n (1952): a boy or girl not yet 13 years old [2]preteen
          adj (1954) 1: relating to or produced for children esp. in the
          9 to 12 year-old age group <~ fashions> 2: being younger than 13

   preteen-ager
          [pre.teen-ag.er] n (1965): preteen

   [1]pretend
          [pre.tend] vb [ME, fr. L praetendere to allege as an excuse,
          lit., to stretch out, fr. prae- pre- + tendere to stretch--more
          at thin] vt (15c) 1: to give a false appearance of being,
          possessing, or performing <does not ~ to be a psychiatrist>
          2 a: to make believe: feign <he ~ed deafness> b: to claim,
          represent, or assert falsely <~ing an emotion he could
          not really feel> 3 archaic: venture, undertake ~ vi 1:
          to feign an action, part, or role in play 2: to put in
          a claim syn see assume [2]pretend adj (1911): imaginary,
          make-believe

   pretended
          [pre.tend.ed] adj (15c): professed or avowed but not genuine
          <~ affection> -- pre.tend.ed.ly adv

   pretender
          [pre.tend.er] n (1609): one that pretends: as a: one who
          lays claim to something; specif: a claimant to a throne
          who is held to have no just title b: one who makes a
          false or hypocritical show

   pretense
          [pre.tense] or pre.tence n [ME, fr. MF pretensse, fr. (assumed)
          ML praetensa, fr. LL, fem. of praetensus, pp. of L praetendere]
          (15c) 1: a claim made or implied; esp: one not supported
          by fact 2 a: mere ostentation: pretentiousness <confuse
          dignity with pomposity and ~ --Bennett Cerf> b: a pretentious
          act or assertion 3: an inadequate or insincere attempt
          to attain a certain condition or quality 4: professed
          rather than real intention or purpose: pretext <was there
          under false ~s> 5: make-believe, fiction 6: false show:
          simulation <saw through his ~ of indifference>

   [1]pretension
          [pre.ten.sion] n (15c) 1: an allegation of doubtful value:
          pretext 2: a claim or an effort to establish a claim
          3: a claim or right to attention or honor because of
          merit 4: an aspiration or intention that may or may not
          reach fulfillment <has serious literary ~s> 5: vanity,
          pretentiousness syn see ambition -- pre.ten.sion.less
          adj [2]pre.ten.sion vt [pre- + [2]tension] (1937): prestress

   pretentious
          [pre.ten.tious] adj [F pretentieux, fr. pretention pretension,
          fr. ML praetention-, praetentio, fr. L praetendere] (1837)
          1: characterized by pretension: as a: making usu. unjustified
          or excessive claims (as of value or standing) <the ~
          fraud who assumes a love of culture that is alien to
          him --Richard Watts> b: expressive of affected, unwarranted,
          or exaggerated importance, worth, or stature <~ language>
          <~ houses> 2: making demands on one's skill, ability,
          or means: ambitious <the ~ daring of the Green Mountain
          Boys in crossing the lake --Amer. Guide Series: Vt.>
          syn see showy -- pre.ten.tious.ly adv -- pre.ten.tious.ness
          n

   [1]preterit
          [pret.er.it] or pret.er.ite adj [ME preterit, fr. MF, fr.
          L praeteritus, fr. pp. of praeterire to go by, pass,
          fr. praeter beyond, past, by (fr. compar. of prae before)
          + ire to go--more at for, issue] (14c) archaic: bygone,
          former [2]preterit or preterite n (14c): past tense

   preterm
          [pre.term] adj (1928): of, relating to, being, or brought
          forth by premature birth <~ infant> <~ labor>

   preterminal
          [pre.ter.mi.nal] adj (1947): occurring before death <~ cancer>

   pretermission
          [pre.ter.mis.sion] n [L praetermission-, praetermissio, fr.
          praetermittere] (1583): the act or an instance of pretermitting:
          omission

   pretermit
          [pre.ter.mit] vt -mit.ted ; -mit.ting [L praetermittere,
          fr. praeter by, past + mittere to let go, send] (1538)
          1: to let pass without mention or notice: omit 2: to
          leave undone: neglect 3: suspend, break off

   preternatural
          [pre.ter.nat.u.ral] adj [ML praeternaturalis, fr. L praeter
          naturam beyond nature] (1580) 1: existing outside of
          nature 2: exceeding what is natural or regular: extraordinary
          <wits trained to ~ acuteness by the debates --G. L. Dickinson>
          3: inexplicable by ordinary means; esp: psychic <~ phenomena>
          -- pre.ter.nat.u.ral.ly adv -- pre.ter.nat.u.ral.ness
          n

   pretest
          [pre.test] n (1926): a preliminary test: as a: a test of
          the effectiveness or safety of a product prior to its
          sale b: a test to evaluate the preparedness of students
          for further studies -- pre.test vt

   pretext
          [pre.text] n [L praetextus, fr. praetexere to assign as a
          pretext, screen, extend in front, fr. prae- + texere
          to weave--more at technical] (1513): a purpose or motive
          alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the
          real intention or state of affairs syn see apology

   pretor, pretorian
          [pre.tor, pre.to.ri.an] var of praetor, praetorian

   prettify
          [pret.ti.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1850): to make pretty --
          pret.ti.fi.ca.tion n -- pret.ti.fi.er n

   prettiness
          [pret.ti.ness] n (1649) 1: the quality or state of being
          pretty 2: something pretty

   [1]pretty
          [pret.ty] adj pret.ti.er ; -est [ME praty, prety, fr. OE
          praettig tricky, fr. praett trick; akin to ON prettr
          trick] (15c) 1 a: artful, clever b: pat, apt 2 a: pleasing
          by delicacy or grace b: having conventionally accepted
          elements of beauty c: appearing or sounding pleasant
          or nice but lacking strength, force, manliness, purpose,
          or intensity <~ words that make no sense --Elizabeth
          B. Browning> 3 a: miserable, terrible <a ~ mess you've
          gotten us into> b chiefly Scot: stout 4: moderately large:
          considerable <a very ~ profit> <cost a ~ penny> syn see
          beautiful -- pret.ti.ly adv -- pret.ty.ish adj [2]pret.ty
          adv (1565) 1: in some degree: moderately <~ cold weather>
          2: in a pretty manner: prettily <pop vocalists who can
          sing ~ --Gerald Levitch> usage Some handbooks complain
          that pretty is overworked and recommend the selection
          of a more specific word or restrict pretty to informal
          or colloquial contexts. Pretty is used to tone down a
          statement and is in wide use across the whole spectrum
          of English. It is common in informal speech and writing
          but is neither rare nor wrong in serious discourse <he
          may, if he be pretty well off or clever, qualify himself
          as a doctor --G. B. Shaw> <a return to those traditions
          of American foreign policy which worked pretty well for
          over a century --H. S. Commager> <the arguments for buying
          expensive books have to be pretty cogent --Times Lit.
          Supp.> [3]pret.ty n, pl pretties (1736) 1 pl: dainty
          clothes; esp: lingerie 2: a pretty person or thing [4]pret.ty
          vt pret.tied ; pret.ty.ing (1909): to make pretty--usu.
          used with up <curtains to ~ up the room>

   pretzel
          [pret.zel] n [G Brezel, ultim. fr. L brachiatus having branches
          like arms, fr. brachium arm--more at brace] (ca. 1838):
          a brittle or chewy glazed usu. salted slender bread often
          shaped like a loose knot

   prev
          [prev] abbreviation previous, previously

   prevail
          [pre.vail] vi [ME, fr. L praevalere, fr. prae- pre- + valere
          to be strong--more at wield] (15c) 1: to gain ascendancy
          through strength or superiority: triumph 2: to be or
          become effective or effectual 3: to use persuasion successfully
          <~ed on him to sing> 4: to be frequent: predominate <the
          west winds that ~ in the mountains> 5: to be or continue
          in use or fashion: persist <a custom that still ~s>

   prevalence
          [prev.a.lence] n (1713) 1: the quality or state of being
          prevalent 2: the degree to which something is prevalent;
          esp: the percentage of a population that is affected
          with a particular disease at a given time

   prevalent
          [prev.a.lent] adj [L praevalent-, praevalens very powerful,
          fr. prp. of praevalere] (1576) 1 archaic: powerful 2:
          being in ascendancy: dominant 3: generally or widely
          accepted, practiced, or favored: widespread -- prevalent
          n -- prev.a.lent.ly adv

   prevaricate
          [pre.var.i.cate] vi -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L praevaricatus,
          pp. of praevaricari to act in collusion, lit., to straddle,
          fr. prae- + varicare to straddle, fr. varus bowlegged]
          (ca. 1631): to deviate from the truth: equivocate syn
          see lie -- pre.var.i.ca.tion n -- pre.var.i.ca.tor n

   prevenient
          [pre.ve.nient] adj [L praevenient-, praeveniens, prp. of
          praevenire] (ca. 1656): antecedent, anticipatory -- pre.ve.nient.ly
          adv

   prevent
          [pre.vent] vb [ME, to anticipate, fr. L praeventus, pp. of
          praevenire to come before, anticipate, forestall, fr.
          prae- + venire to come--more at come] vt (15c) 1 archaic
          a: to be in readiness for (as an occasion) b: to meet
          or satisfy in advance c: to act ahead of d: to go or
          arrive before 2: to deprive of power or hope of acting
          or succeeding 3: to keep from happening or existing <steps
          to ~ war> 4: to hold or keep back: hinder, stop--often
          used with from ~ vi: to interpose an obstacle -- pre.vent.abil.i.ty
          n -- pre.vent.able also pre.vent.ible adj -- pre.vent.er n syn
          prevent, anticipate, forestall mean to deal with beforehand.
          prevent implies taking advance measures against something possible
          or probable <measures taken to prevent leaks>. anticipate may imply
          merely getting ahead of another by being a precursor or forerunner
          or it may imply checking another's intention by acting first
          <anticipated the question by making a statement>. forestall implies
          a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course
          <hoped to forestall the sale>.

   preventative
          [pre.ven.ta.tive] adj or n (ca. 1666): preventive

   prevention
          [pre.ven.tion] n (1582): the act of preventing or hindering

   [1]preventive
          [pre.ven.tive] n (ca. 1639): something that prevents; esp:
          something used to prevent disease [2]preventive adj (1639)
          1: devoted to or concerned with prevention: precautionary
          <~ steps against soil erosion> 2: undertaken to forestall
          anticipated hostile action <a ~ coup> -- pre.ven.tive.ly
          adv -- pre.ven.tive.ness n

   preverbal
          [pre.ver.bal] adj (1921) 1: occurring before the verb 2:
          having not yet acquired the faculty of speech <a ~ child>

   [1]preview
          [pre.view] vt (1607) 1: to see beforehand; specif: to view
          or to show in advance of public presentation 2: to give
          a preliminary survey of -- pre.view.er n [2]preview n
          (1922) 1: an advance showing or performance (as of a
          motion picture or play) 2 also pre.vue : a showing of
          snatches from a motion picture advertised for appearance
          in the near future--called also trailer 3: an advance
          statement, sample, or survey

   previous
          [pre.vi.ous] adj [L praevius leading the way, fr. prae- pre-
          + via way--more at way] (1625) 1: going before in time
          or order: prior 2: acting too soon: premature syn see
          preceding -- pre.vi.ous.ly adv -- pre.vi.ous.ness n

   previous question
          [previous question] n (ca. 1715): a parliamentary motion
          to put the pending question to an immediate vote without
          further debate or amendment that if defeated has the
          effect of permitting resumption of debate

   previous to
          [previous to] prep (1702): prior to, before

   [1]prevision
          [pre.vi.sion] n [ME previsioun, fr. OF prevision, fr. LL
          praevision-, praevisio, fr. L praevidere to foresee,
          fr. prae- + videre to see--more at wit] (15c) 1: foresight,
          prescience 2: forecast, prognostication -- pre.vi.sion.al
          adj -- pre.vi.sion.ary adj [2]prevision vt pre.vi.sioned
          ; pre.vi.sion.ing (1891): foresee

   prevocalic
          [pre.vo.cal.ic] adj [ISV] (1899): immediately preceding a
          vowel

   prevocational
          [pre.vo.ca.tion.al] adj (1914): given or required before
          admission to a vocational school

   prewriting
          [pre.writ.ing] n (1968): the formulation and organization
          of ideas preparatory to writing

   prexy
          [prexy] also prex n, pl prex.ies also prex.es [prexy fr.
          prex, by shortening & alter. fr. president] (1871) slang:
          president--used chiefly of a college president

   [1]prey
          [prey] n, pl prey also preys [ME preie, fr. OF, fr. L praeda;
          akin to L prehendere to grasp, seize--more at get] (13c)
          1 archaic: spoil, booty 2 a: an animal taken by a predator
          as food b: one that is helpless or unable to resist attack:
          victim <was ~ to his own appetites> 3: the act or habit
          of preying [2]prey vi preyed ; prey.ing [ME, fr. OF preier,
          fr. L praedari, fr. praeda] (14c) 1: to make raids for
          the sake of booty 2 a: to seize and devour prey b: to
          commit violence or robbery or fraud 3: to have an injurious,
          destructive, or wasting effect -- prey.er n

   prez
          [prez] n, pl prez.es [by shortening & alter.] (1892) slang:
          president

   prf
          [prf] abbreviation proof

   Priam
          [Pri.am] n [L Priamus, fr. Gk Priamos]: the father of Hector
          and Paris and king of Troy during the Trojan War

   priapic
          [pri.a.pic] adj [L priapus lecher, fr. Priapus] (1786) 1:
          phallic 2: relating to or preoccupied with virility

   Priapus
          [Pri.a.pus] n [L, fr. Gk Priapos]: a Greek and Roman god
          of gardens and male generative power

   [1]price
          [price] n [ME pris, fr. OF, fr. L pretium price, money; prob.
          akin to Skt prati- against, in return--more at pros-]
          (13c) 1 archaic: value, worth 2 a: the quantity of one
          thing that is exchanged or demanded in barter or sale
          for another b: the amount of money given or set as consideration
          for the sale of a specified thing 3: the terms for the
          sake of which something is done or undertaken: as a:
          an amount sufficient to bribe one <believed every man
          had his ~> b: a reward for the apprehension or death
          of a person <an outlaw with a ~ on his head> 4: the cost
          at which something is obtained <the ~ of freedom is restraint
          --J. Irwin Miller> [2]price vt priced ; pric.ing (15c)
          1: to set a price on 2: to find out the price of 3: to
          drive by raising prices excessively <priced themselves
          out of the market> -- pric.er n

   price-cutter
          [price-cut.ter] n (1901): one that reduces prices esp. to
          a level designed to cripple competition -- price-cut.ting
          n

   priced
          [priced] adj (1722): having a specified price--used in combination
          <low-priced merchandise>

   price-earnings ratio
          [price-earnings ratio] n (1961): a measure of the value of
          a common stock determined as the ratio of its market
          price to its earnings per share and usu. expressed as
          a simple numeral

   price-fixing
          [price-fix.ing] n (1920): the setting of prices artificially
          (as by producers or government) contrary to free market
          operations

   price index
          [price index] n (1886): an index number expressing the level
          of a group of commodity prices relative to the level
          of the prices of the same commodities during an arbitrarily
          chosen base period and used to indicate changes in the
          level of prices from one period to another

   priceless
          [price.less] adj (1593) 1 a: having a value beyond any price:
          invaluable b: costly because of rarity or quality: precious
          2: having worth in terms of other than market value 3:
          delightfully amusing, odd, or absurd -- price.less.ly
          adv

   price support
          [price support] n (1945): artificial maintenance of prices
          (as of a raw material) at some predetermined level usu.
          through government action

   price tag
          [price tag] n (1881) 1: a tag on merchandise showing the
          price at which it is offered for sale 2: price, cost

   price war
          [price war] n (1925): commercial competition characterized
          by the repeated cutting of prices below those of competitors

   pricey
          [pric.ey] also pricy adj pric.i.er ; -est (1932): expensive

   [1]prick
          [prick] n [ME prikke, fr. OE prica; akin to MD pric prick]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a mark or shallow hole made by a pointed
          instrument 2 a: a pointed instrument or weapon b: a sharp
          projecting organ or part 3: an instance of pricking or
          the sensation of being pricked: as a: a nagging or sharp
          feeling of remorse, regret, or sorrow b: a slight sharply
          localized discomfort <the ~ of a needle> 4: penis--usu.
          considered vulgar 5: a spiteful or contemptible man often
          having some authority--usu. considered vulgar [2]prick
          vt (bef. 12c) 1: to pierce slightly with a sharp point
          2: to affect with anguish, grief, or remorse <doubt began
          to ~ him --Philip Hale> 3: to ride, guide, or urge on
          with or as if with spurs: goad 4: to mark, distinguish,
          or note by means of a small mark 5: to trace or outline
          with punctures 6: to remove (a young seedling) from the
          seedbed to another suitable for further growth--usu.
          used with out 7: to cause to be or stand erect <a dog
          ~ing its ears> ~ vi 1 a: to prick something or cause
          a pricking sensation b: to feel discomfort as if from
          being pricked 2 a: to urge a horse with the spur b: to
          ride fast 3: thrust 4: to become directed upward: point
          -- prick up one's ears : to listen intently

   pricker
          [prick.er] n (14c) 1: one that pricks: as a: a rider of horses
          b: a military light horseman 2 a: thorn, prickle b: brier

   pricket
          [prick.et] n [ME priket, fr. prikke] (15c) 1 a: a spike on
          which a candle is stuck b: a candlestick with such a
          point 2: a buck in the second year of life

   [1]prickle
          [prick.le] n [ME prikle, fr. OE pricle; akin to OE prica
          prick] (15c) 1: a fine sharp process or projection; esp:
          a sharp pointed emergence arising from the epidermis
          or bark of a plant 2: a prickling or tingling sensation
          [2]prickle vb prick.led ; prick.ling vt (1513) 1: to
          prick slightly 2: to produce prickles in ~ vi: to cause
          or feel a prickling, tingling, or stinging sensation

   prickly
          [prick.ly] adj prick.li.er ; -est (1578) 1: full of or covered
          with prickles; esp: distinguished from related kinds
          by the presence of prickles 2: marked by prickling: stinging
          <a ~ sensation> 3 a: troublesome, vexatious <~ issues>
          b: easily irritated <had a ~ disposition> -- prick.li.ness
          n

   prickly ash
          [prickly ash] n (1709): a prickly aromatic shrub or small
          tree (Zanthoxylum americanum) of the rue family with
          yellowish flowers

   prickly heat
          [prickly heat] n (1736): a noncontagious cutaneous eruption
          of red pimples with intense itching and tingling caused
          by inflammation around the sweat ducts

   prickly pear
          [prickly pear] n (1612) 1: opuntia; esp: any of those with
          flat spiny joints--called also prickly pear cactus--compare
          cholla 2: the pulpy pear-shaped edible fruit of various
          prickly pears (as Opuntia ficus-indica)

   prickly poppy
          [prickly poppy] n (1724): any of a genus (Argemone) of plants
          of the poppy family with white or yellow flowers and
          prickly leaves and fruits

   [1]pride
          [pride] n [ME, fr. OE pryde, fr. prud proud--more at proud]
          (bef. 12c) 1: the quality or state of being proud: as
          a: inordinate self-esteem: conceit b: a reasonable or
          justifiable self-respect c: delight or elation arising
          from some act, possession, or relationship <parental
          ~> 2: proud or disdainful behavior or treatment: disdain
          3 a: ostentatious display b: highest pitch: prime 4:
          a source of pride: the best in a group or class 5: a
          company of lions 6: a showy or impressive group <a ~
          of dancers> [2]pride vt prid.ed ; prid.ing (13c): to
          indulge (as oneself) in pride

   prideful
          [pride.ful] adj (15c): full of pride: as a: disdainful, haughty
          b: exultant, elated -- pride.ful.ly adv -- pride.ful.ness
          n

   pride of place
          [pride of place] (1605): the highest or first position

   prie-dieu
          [prie-dieu] n, pl prie-dieux [F, lit., pray God] (1760) 1:
          a kneeling bench designed for use by a person at prayer
          and fitted with a raised shelf on which the elbows or
          a book may be rested 2: a low armless upholstered chair
          with a high straight back

   prier
          [pri.er] n (1552): one that pries; esp: an inquisitive person

   priest
          [priest] n [ME preist, fr. OE preost, ultim. fr. LL presbyter--more
          at presbyter] (bef. 12c): one authorized to perform the sacred
          rites of a religion esp. as a mediatory agent between humans and
          God; specif: an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic
          clergyman ranking below a bishop and above a deacon

   priestess
          [priest.ess] n (1693) 1: a woman authorized to perform the
          sacred rites of a religion 2: a woman regarded as a leader
          (as of a movement)

   priesthood
          [priest.hood] n (bef. 12c) 1: the office, dignity, or character
          of a priest 2: the whole body of priests

   priestly
          [priest.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1: of or relating to a priest
          or the priesthood: sacerdotal 2: characteristic of or
          befitting a priest -- priest.li.ness n

   priest-ridden
          [priest-rid.den] adj (1653): controlled or oppressed by a
          priest

   [1]prig
          [prig] n [prig to steal] (1610): thief [2]prig n [prob. fr.
          [1]prig] (1676) 1 archaic: fop 2 archaic: fellow, person
          3: one who offends or irritates by observance of proprieties
          (as of speech or manners) in a pointed manner or to an
          obnoxious degree -- prig.gery n -- prig.gish adj -- prig.gish.ly
          adv -- prig.gish.ness n

   priggism
          [prig.gism] n (ca. 1805): stilted adherence to convention

   [1]prill
          [prill] vt [origin unknown] (1944): to convert (as a molten
          solid) into spherical pellets usu. by forming into drops
          in a spray and allowing the drops to solidify [2]prill
          n (1952): a pellet made by prilling

   [1]prim
          [prim] vt primmed ; prim.ming [origin unknown] (1706) 1:
          to give a prim or demure expression to <primming her
          thin lips after every mouthful --John Buchan> 2: to dress
          primly [2]prim adj prim.mer ; prim.mest (1709) 1 a: stiffly
          formal and proper: decorous b: prudish 2: neat, trim
          <~ hedges> -- prim.ly adv -- prim.ness n

   prim
          [prim] abbreviation primary, primitive

   prima ballerina
          [pri.ma ballerina] n [It, leading ballerina] (1870): the
          principal female dancer in a ballet company

   primacy
          [pri.ma.cy] n (14c) 1: the state of being first (as in importance,
          order, or rank): preeminence <the ~ of intellectual and esthetic
          over materialistic values --T. R. McConnell> 2: the office, rank,
          or preeminence of an ecclesiastical primate

   prima donna
          [pri.ma don.na] n, pl prima donnas [It, lit., first lady]
          (1782) 1: a principal female singer in an opera or concert
          organization 2: an extremely sensitive, vain, or undisciplined
          person

   [1]prima facie
          [pri.ma fa.cie] adv [ME, fr. L] (15c): at first view: on
          the first appearance [2]prima facie adj (1800) 1: true,
          valid, or sufficient at first impression: apparent <the
          theory ... gives a prima facie solution --R. J. Butler>
          2: self-evident 3: legally sufficient to establish a
          fact or a case unless disproved <prima facie evidence>

   primal
          [pri.mal] adj [ML primalis, fr. L primus first--more at prime]
          (1602) 1: original, primitive <village life continued
          in its ~ innocence --Van Wyck Brooks> 2: first in importance:
          fundamental <our ~ concern>

   primality
          [pri.mal.i.ty] n (1919): the property of being a prime number

   primal scream therapy
          [primal scream therapy] n (1971): psychotherapy in which
          the patient recalls and reenacts a particularly disturbing
          past experience usu. occurring early in life and expresses
          normally repressed anger or frustration esp. through
          spontaneous and unrestrained screams, hysteria, or violence--called
          also primal therapy

   primarily
          [pri.mar.i.ly] adv (1601) 1: for the most part: chiefly <has
          now become ~ a residential town --S. P. B. Mais> 2: in
          the first place: originally

   [1]primary
          [pri.ma.ry] adj [ME, fr. LL primarius basic, primary, fr.
          L, principal, fr. primus] (15c) 1 a: first in order of
          time or development: primitive <the ~ stage of civilization>
          b: of or relating to formations of the Paleozoic and
          earlier periods 2 a: of first rank, importance, or value:
          principal <the ~ purpose> b: basic, fundamental <security
          is a ~ need> c: of, relating to, or constituting the
          principal quills of a bird's wing d: of or relating to
          agriculture, forestry, and the extractive industries
          or their products e: expressive of present or future
          time <~ tense> f: of, relating to, or constituting the
          strongest of the three or four degrees of stress recognized
          by most linguists <the first syllable of basketball carries
          ~ stress> 3 a: direct, firsthand <~ sources of information>
          b: not derivable from other colors, odors, or tastes
          c: preparatory to something else in a continuing process
          <~ instruction> d: of or relating to a primary school
          <~ education> e: belonging to the first group or order
          in successive divisions, combinations, or ramifications
          <~ nerves> f: of, relating to, or constituting the inducing
          current or its circuit in an induction coil or transformer
          g: directly derived from ores <~ metals> h: of, relating
          to, or being the amino acid sequence in proteins <~ protein
          structure> 4: resulting from the substitution of one
          of two or more atoms or groups in a molecule; esp: being
          or characterized by a carbon atom having a bond to only
          one other carbon atom 5: of, relating to, involving,
          or derived from primary meristem <~ tissue> <~ growth>
          6: of, relating to, or involved in the production of
          organic substances by green plants <~ productivity> [2]primary
          n, pl -ries (ca. 1772) 1: something that stands first
          in rank, importance, or value: fundamental--usu. used
          in pl. 2: the celestial body around which one or more
          other celestial bodies revolve; esp: the more massive
          usu. brighter component of a binary star system 3: one
          of the usu. 9 or 10 strong quills on the distal joint
          of a bird's wing--see wing illustration 4 a: primary
          color b: a primary-color sensation 5 a: caucus b: an
          election in which qualified voters nominate or express
          a preference for a particular candidate or group of candidates
          for political office, choose party officials, or select
          delegates for a party convention 6: the coil that is
          connected to the source of electricity in an induction
          coil or transformer--called also primary coil

   primary atypical pneumonia
          [primary atypical pneumonia] n (ca. 1944): any of a group
          of pneumonias (as Q fever and psittacosis) caused esp.
          by viruses, mycoplasmas, rickettsias, and chlamydias

   primary cell
          [primary cell] n (1902): a cell that converts chemical energy
          into electrical energy by irreversible chemical reactions

   primary color
          [primary color] n (1612): any of a set of colors from which
          all other colors may be derived

   primary meristem
          [primary meristem] n (1875): meristem (as procambium) derived
          from the apical meristem

   primary root
          [primary root] n (ca. 1890): the root of a plant that develops
          first and originates from the radicle

   primary school
          [primary school] n (1802) 1: a school usu. including the
          first three grades of elementary school but sometimes
          also including kindergarten 2: elementary school

   primary syphilis
          [primary syphilis] n (ca. 1890): the first stage of syphilis
          that is marked by the development of a chancre and the
          spread of the causative spirochete in the tissues of
          the body

   primary tooth
          [primary tooth] n (ca. 1898): milk tooth

   primary wall
          [primary wall] n (ca. 1933): the first-formed wall of a plant
          cell that is produced around the protoplast and usu.
          has plasmodesmata

   primate
          [pri.mate] n [ME primat, fr. OF, fr. ML primat-, primas archbishop,
          fr. L, leader, fr. primus] (13c) 1 often cap: a bishop who has
          precedence in a province, group of provinces, or a nation
          2 archaic: one first in authority or rank: leader 3 [NL Primates,
          fr. L, pl. of primat-, primas]: any of an order (Primates)
          of mammals comprising humans, apes, monkeys, and related forms (as
          lemurs and tarsiers) -- pri.mate.ship n -- pri.ma.tial adj

   primatology
          [pri.ma.tol.o.gy] n (1926): the study of primates esp. other
          than recent humans (Homo sapiens) -- pri.ma.to.log.i.cal
          adj -- pri.ma.tol.o.gist n

   [1]prime
          [prime] n [ME, fr. OE prim, fr. L prima hora first hour]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a often cap: the second of the canonical
          hours b: the first hour of the day usu. considered either
          as 6 a.m. or the hour of sunrise 2 a: the earliest stage
          b: spring c: youth 3: the most active, thriving, or successful
          stage or period <in the ~ of his life> 4: the chief or
          best individual or part: pick <~ of the flock, and choicest
          of the stall --Alexander Pope> 5: prime number 6 a: the
          first note or tone of a musical scale: tonic b: the interval
          between two notes on the same staff degree 7: the symbol
          often used to represents minutes or arc 8: prime rate
          [2]prime adj [ME, fr. MF, fem. of prin first, fr. L primus;
          akin to L prior] (14c) 1: first in time: original 2 a:
          of, relating to, or being a prime number--compare relatively
          prime b: having no polynomial factors other than itself
          and no monomial factors other than 1 <a ~ polynomial>
          c: expressed as a product of prime factors (as prime
          numbers and prime polynomials) <a ~ factorization> 3
          a: first in rank, authority, or significance: principal
          b: having the highest quality or value <~ farmland> c:
          of the highest grade regularly marketed--used of meat
          and esp. beef 4: not deriving from something else: primary
          -- prime.ly adv -- prime.ness n [3]prime vb primed ;
          prim.ing [prob. fr. [1]prime] vt (1513) 1: fill, load
          2 a: to prepare for firing by supplying with priming
          b: to insert a primer into (a cartridge case) 3: to apply
          the first color, coating, or preparation to <~ a wall>
          4: to put into working order by filling or charging with
          something <~ a pump with water> 5: to instruct beforehand:
          coach <primed the witness> 6: stimulate ~ vi: to become
          prime -- prime the pump : to take steps to encourage
          the growth or functioning of something

   prime cost
          [prime cost] n (1718): the combined total of raw material
          and direct labor costs incurred in production; broadly:
          cost less vendor's or agent's commission for charges

   prime meridian
          [prime meridian] n (ca. 1859): the meridian of 0 degrees
          longitude which runs through the original site of the
          Royal Observatory at Greenwich, England, and from which
          other longitudes are reckoned

   prime minister
          [prime minister] n (1655) 1: the chief minister of a ruler
          or state 2: the official head of a cabinet or ministry;
          esp: the chief executive of a parliamentary government
          -- prime ministerial adj -- prime ministership n -- prime
          ministry n

   prime mover
          [prime mover] n [trans. of ML primus motor] (1809) 1 a: an
          initial source of motive power (as a windmill, waterwheel,
          turbine, or internal combustion engine) designed to receive
          and modify force and motion as supplied by some natural
          source and apply them to drive machinery b: a powerful
          tractor or truck usu. with all-wheel drive 2: the self-moved
          being that is the source of all motion 3: the original
          or most effective force in an undertaking or work <education
          is ... a prime mover of cultural and societal change
          --R. C. Buck>

   prime number
          [prime number] n (1570): any integer other than 0 or positive
          or negative 1 that is not divisible without remainder
          by any other integers except positive or negative 1 and
          the positive or negative integer itself

   [1]primer
          [prim.er] n [ME, fr. ML primarium, fr. LL, neut. of primarius
          primary] (14c) 1: a small book for teaching children
          to read 2: a small introductory book on a subject [2]prim.er
          n (1819) 1: a device for priming; esp: a cap, tube, or
          wafer containing percussion powder or compound used to
          ignite an explosive charge 2: material used in priming
          a surface--called also prime coat 3: a molecule (as a
          short strand of RNA or DNA) whose presence is required
          for formation of another molecule (as a longer chain
          of DNA)

   prime rate
          [prime rate] n (1958): an interest rate formally announced
          by a bank to be the lowest available at a particular
          time to its most credit-worthy customers--called also
          prime interest rate

   primero
          [pri.me.ro] n [modif. of Sp primera, fr. fem. of primer first,
          fr. L primarius] (1533): a card game popular in the 16th
          and 17th centuries

   prime time
          [prime time] n (1958) 1: the time period when the television
          or radio audience is the largest; also: prime-time television
          2: the choicest or busiest time -- prime-time adj

   primeval
          [pri.me.val] adj [L primaevus, fr. primus first + aevum age--more
          at aye] (1662) 1: of or relating to the earliest ages
          (as of the world or human history): ancient, primitive
          <100 acres of ~ forest which has never felt an ax --Mary
          R. Zimmer> 2: primordial 1b -- pri.me.val.ly adv

   priming
          [priming] n (15c) 1: the act of one that primes 2: the explosive
          used in priming a charge 3: [2]primer 2

   primipara
          [pri.mip.a.ra] n, pl -ras or -rae [L, fr. primus first +
          -para -para] (ca. 1842) 1: an individual bearing a first
          offspring 2: an individual that has borne only one offspring
          -- pri.mip.a.rous adj

   [1]primitive
          [prim.i.tive] adj [ME primitif, fr. L primitivus first formed,
          fr. primitiae first fruits, fr. primus first--more at
          prime] (14c) 1 a: not derived: original, primary b: assumed
          as a basis; esp: axiomatic <~ concepts> 2 a: of or relating
          to the earliest age or period: primeval <the ~ church>
          b: closely approximating an early ancestral type: little
          evolved <~ mammals> c: belonging to or characteristic
          of an early stage of development: crude, rudimentary
          <~ technology> d: of, relating to, or constituting the
          assumed parent speech of related languages <~ Germanic>
          3 a: elemental, natural <our ~ feelings of vengeance
          --John Mackwood> b: of, relating to, or produced by a
          people or culture that is nonindustrial and often nonliterate
          and tribal <~ art> c: naive d (1): self-taught, untutored
          <~ craftsmen> (2): produced by a self-taught artist <a
          ~ painting> -- prim.i.tive.ly adv -- prim.i.tive.ness
          n -- prim.i.tiv.i.ty n [2]primitive n (15c) 1 a: something
          primitive; specif: a primitive idea, term, or proposition
          b: a root word 2 a (1): an artist of an early period
          of a culture or artistic movement (2): a later imitator
          or follower of such an artist b (1): a self-taught artist
          (2): an artist whose work is marked by directness and
          naivete c: a work of art produced by a primitive artist
          d: a typically rough or simple usu. handmade and antique
          home accessory or furnishing 3 a: a member of a primitive
          people b: an unsophisticated person

   primitivism
          [prim.i.tiv.ism] n (1861) 1 a: belief in the superiority
          of a simple way of life close to nature b: belief in
          the superiority of nonindustrial society to that of the
          present 2: the style of art of primitive peoples or primitive
          artists -- prim.i.tiv.ist n or adj -- prim.i.tiv.is.tic
          adj

   [1]primo
          [pri.mo] n, pl primos [It, fr. primo first, fr. L primus]
          (1792): the first or leading part (as in a duet or trio)
          [2]pri.mo adv [L, fr. primus] (ca. 1901): in the first
          place [3]pri.mo adj [prob. fr. It, chief, first] (1972)
          slang: of the finest quality: excellent

   primogenitor
          [pri.mo.gen.i.tor] n [LL, fr. L primus + genitor begetter,
          fr. gignere to beget--more at kin] (1654): ancestor,
          forefather

   primogeniture
          [pri.mo.gen.i.ture] n [LL primogenitura, fr. L primus + genitura
          birth, fr. genitus, pp. of gignere] (1602) 1: the state
          of being the firstborn of the children of the same parents
          2: an exclusive right of inheritance belonging to the
          eldest son

   primordial
          [pri.mor.di.al] adj [ME, fr. LL primordialis, fr. L primordium
          origin, fr. primus first + ordiri to begin--more at prime,
          order] (14c) 1 a: first created or developed: primeval
          1 b: existing in or persisting from the beginning (as
          of a solar system or universe) <a ~ gas cloud> c: earliest
          formed in the growth of an individual or organ: primitive
          2: fundamental, primary <~ human joys --Sir Winston Churchill>
          -- pri.mor.di.al.ly adv

   primordium
          [pri.mor.di.um] n, pl -dia [NL, fr. L] (1671): the rudiment
          or commencement of a part or organ

   primp
          [primp] vb [perh. alter. of [1]prim] vt (1801): to dress,
          adorn, or arrange in a careful or finicky manner ~ vi:
          to dress or groom oneself carefully <~s for hours before
          a date>

   primrose
          [prim.rose] n [ME primerose, fr. MF, fr. prime (fem. of prin
          prime) + rose rose--more at prime, rose] (14c): any of
          a genus (Primula of the family Primulaceae, the primrose
          family) of perennial herbs with large tufted basal leaves
          and showy variously colored flowers--compare evening
          primrose

   primrose path
          [primrose path] n (1602) 1: a path of ease or pleasure and
          esp. sensual pleasure <himself the primrose path of dalliance
          treads --Shak.> 2: a path of least resistance

   primrose yellow
          [primrose yellow] n (1882) 1: a light to moderate greenish
          yellow 2: a light to moderate yellow

   primula
          [prim.u.la] n [ML, fr. primula veris, lit., first fruit of
          spring] (1753): primrose

   primum mobile
          [pri.mum mo.bi.le] n, pl primum mobiles [ME, fr. ML, lit.,
          first moving thing] (15c): the outermost concentric sphere
          conceived in medieval astronomy as carrying the spheres
          of the fixed stars and the planets in its daily revolution

   primum non nocere
          [pri.mum non no.ce.re] [L] foreign term : the first thing
          (is) to do no harm

   primus
          [pri.mus] n, often cap [ML, one who is first, magnate, fr.
          L, first--more at prime] (1724): the presiding bishop
          of the Scottish Episcopal Church

   primus inter pares
          [pri.mus in.ter pa.res] n [L] (1813): first among equals

   prin
          [prin] abbreviation principal, principle

   prince
          [prince] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L princip-, princeps leader,
          initiator, fr. primus first + capere to take--more at
          heave] (13c) 1 a: monarch, king b: the ruler of a principality
          or state 2: a male member of a royal family; esp: a son
          of the sovereign 3: a nobleman of varying rank and status
          4: one likened to a prince; esp: a man of high rank or
          of high standing in his class or profession -- prince.ship
          n

   Prince Albert
          [Prince Al.bert] n [Prince Albert Edward (later Edward VII
          king of England)] (1884): a double-breasted frock coat
          with the upper part fitted to the body

   Prince Charming
          [Prince Charming] n [Prince Charming, hero of the fairy tale
          Cinderella by Charles Perrault] (1862): a suitor who
          fulfills the dreams of his beloved; also: a man of often
          specious charm toward women

   prince consort
          [prince consort] n, pl princes consort (1861): the husband
          of a reigning queen

   princedom
          [prince.dom] n (1560) 1: the jurisdiction, sovereignty, rank,
          or estate of a prince 2: principality 3--usu. used in
          pl.

   princelet
          [prince.let] n (1682): princeling

   princeliness
          [prince.li.ness] n (1571) 1: princely conduct or character
          2: luxury, magnificence

   princeling
          [prince.ling] n (1794): a petty or insignificant prince

   princely
          [prince.ly] adj prince.li.er ; -est (15c) 1: of or relating
          to a prince: royal 2: befitting a prince: noble, magnificent
          <~ manners> <a ~ sum> -- princely adv

   Prince of Wales
          [Prince of Wales] (15c): the male heir apparent to the British
          throne--used as a title only after it has been specif.
          conferred by the sovereign

   prince's-feather
          [prince's-feath.er] n (1629): a showy widely cultivated annual
          plant (Amaranthus hybridus erythrostachys) of the amaranth
          family having dense usu. red spikes of flowers

   [1]princess
          [prin.cess] n (14c) 1 archaic: a woman having sovereign power
          2: a female member of a royal family; esp: a daughter
          or granddaughter of a sovereign 3: the consort of a prince
          4: one likened to a princess; esp: a woman of high rank
          or of high standing in her class or profession <a pop
          music ~> [2]princess or prin.cesse adj [F princesse princess,
          fr. prince] (1867): close-fitting and usu. with gores
          from neck to flaring hemline <a ~ gown>

   Princess Royal
          [Princess Royal] n, pl Princesses Royal (ca. 1649): the eldest
          daughter of a British sovereign--a title granted for
          life and used only after it has been specif. conferred
          by the sovereign

   [1]principal
          [prin.ci.pal] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L principalis, fr. princip-,
          princeps] (14c) 1: most important, consequential, or
          influential: chief 2: of, relating to, or constituting
          principal or a principal usage see principle -- prin.ci.pal.ly
          adv [2]principal n (14c) 1: a person who has controlling
          authority or is in a leading position: as a: a chief
          or head man or woman b: the chief executive officer of
          an educational institution c: one who employs another
          to act as agent subject to the employer's general control
          and instruction; specif: the person from whom an agent's
          authority derives d: the chief or an actual participant
          in a crime e: the person primarily or ultimately liable
          on a legal obligation f: a leading performer: star 2:
          a matter or thing of primary importance: as a (1): a
          capital sum placed at interest, due as a debt, or used
          as a fund (2): the corpus of an estate, portion, devise,
          or bequest b: the construction that gives shape and strength
          to a roof and is usu. one of several trusses; broadly:
          the most important member of a piece of framing usage
          see principle -- prin.ci.pal.ship n

   principal diagonal
          [principal diagonal] n (1965): the diagonal in a square matrix
          that runs from upper left to lower right

   principality
          [prin.ci.pal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a: the state, office,
          or authority of a prince b: the position or responsibilities
          of a principal (as of a school) 2: the territory or jurisdiction
          of a prince: the country that gives title to a prince
          3 pl: an order of angels--see celestial hierarchy

   principal parts
          [principal parts] n pl (1870): a series of verb forms from
          which all the other forms of a verb can be derived including
          in English the infinitive, the past tense, and the present
          and past participles

   principium
          [prin.cip.i.um] n, pl -ia [L, beginning, basis] (1600): a
          fundamental principle

   principle
          [prin.ci.ple] n [ME, modif. of MF principe, fr. L principium
          beginning, fr. princip-, princeps initiator--more at
          prince] (14c) 1 a: a comprehensive and fundamental law,
          doctrine, or assumption b (1): a rule or code of conduct
          (2): habitual devotion to right principles <a man of
          ~> c: the laws or facts of nature underlying the working
          of an artificial device 2: a primary source: origin 3
          a: an underlying faculty or endowment <such ~s of human
          nature as greed and curiosity> b: an ingredient (as a
          chemical) that exhibits or imparts a characteristic quality
          4 cap, Christian Science: a divine principle: god --
          in principle : with respect to fundamentals <prepared
          to accept the proposition in principle> usage Although
          nearly every handbook and many dictionaries warn against
          confusing principle and principal, many people still
          do. Principle is only a noun; principal is both adjective
          and noun. If you are unsure which noun you want, read
          the definitions in this dictionary.

   principled
          [prin.ci.pled] adj (1642): exhibiting, based on, or characterized
          by principle--often used in combination

   princox
          [prin.cox] n [origin unknown] (1540) archaic: a pert youth:
          coxcomb

   prink
          [prink] vb [prob. alter. of [2]prank] (1576): primp -- prink.er
          n

   [1]print
          [print] n [ME preinte, fr. MF, fr. preint, pp. of preindre
          to press, fr. L premere--more at press] (14c) 1 a: a
          mark made by pressure: impression b: something impressed
          with a print or formed in a mold 2 a: printed state or
          form b: the printing industry 3 a: printed matter b pl:
          printed publications 4: printed letters: type 5 a (1):
          a copy made by printing (2): a reproduction of an original
          work of art (as a painting) made by a photomechanical
          process (3): an original work of art (as a woodcut, etching,
          or lithograph) intended for graphic reproduction and
          produced by or under the supervision of the artist who
          designed it b: cloth with a pattern or figured design
          applied by printing; also: an article of such cloth c:
          a photographic or motion-picture copy; esp: one made
          from a negative -- in print : procurable from the publisher
          -- out of print : not procurable from the publisher [2]print
          vt (14c) 1 a: to impress something in or on b: to stamp
          (as a mark) in or on something 2 a: to make a copy of
          by impressing paper against an inked printing surface
          b (1): to impress (as wallpaper) with a design or pattern
          (2): to impress (a pattern or design) on something c:
          to publish in print d: print out; also: to display on
          a surface (as a computer screen) for viewing 3: to write
          in letters shaped like those of ordinary roman text type
          4: to make (a positive picture) on a sensitized photographic
          surface from a negative or a positive ~ vi 1 a: to work
          as a printer b: to produce printed matter 2: to produce
          something in printed form 3: to write or hand-letter
          in imitation of unjoined printed characters [3]print
          adj (1953): of, relating to, or writing for printed publications
          <~ journalists>

   printable
          [print.able] adj (1837) 1: capable of being printed or of
          being printed from 2: considered fit to publish -- print.abil.i.ty
          n

   printed circuit
          [printed circuit] n (1946): a circuit for electronic apparatus
          made by depositing conductive material in continuous
          paths from terminal to terminal on an insulating surface

   printed matter
          [printed matter] n (1876): matter printed by any of various
          mechanical processes that is eligible for mailing at
          a special rate

   printer
          [print.er] n (1567): one that prints: as a: a person engaged
          in printing b: a device used for printing; esp: a machine
          for printing from photographic negatives c: a device
          (as a dot matrix printer) that produces printout

   printer's devil
          [printer's devil] n (1763): an apprentice in a printing office

   printery
          [print.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1638): printing office

   printhead
          [print.head] n (1968): a usu. movable part of a computer
          printer that contains the printing elements

   printing
          [print.ing] n (14c) 1: the act or product of one that prints
          2: reproduction in printed form 3: the art, practice,
          or business of a printer 4: impression 4c 5 pl: paper
          to be printed on

   printing office
          [printing office] n (1733): an establishment where printing
          is done

   printing press
          [printing press] n (1588): a machine that produces printed
          copies

   printless
          [print.less] adj (1610): making, bearing, or taking no imprint

   printmaking
          [print.mak.ing] n (1928): the design and production of prints
          by an artist -- print.mak.er n

   printout
          [print.out] n (1953): a printed record produced automatically
          (as by a computer)

   print out
          [print out] vt (1953): to make a printout of

   prion
          [pri.on] n [protinaceous + infectious + [2]-on] (1982): a
          protein particle that lacks nucleic acid and is sometimes
          held to be the cause of various infectious diseases of
          the nervous system (as scrapie and Creutzfeldt-Jakob
          disease)

   [1]prior
          [pri.or] n [ME, fr. OE & OF; both fr. ML, fr. LL, administrator,
          fr. L, former, superior] (bef. 12c) 1: the superior ranking
          next to the abbot of a monastery 2: the superior of a
          house or group of houses of any of various religious
          communities -- pri.or.ate n -- pri.or.ship n [2]pri.or
          adj [L, former, superior, compar. of OL pri before; akin
          to L priscus ancient, prae before--more at for] (1714)
          1: earlier in time or order: previous <by ~ agreement>
          2: taking precedence (as in importance) syn see preceding
          -- pri.or.ly adv

   prioress
          [pri.or.ess] n (14c): a nun corresponding in rank to a prior

   prioritize
          [pri.or.i.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1964): to list or rate
          (as projects or goals) in order of priority usage see
          -ize -- pri.or.i.ti.za.tion n

   priority
          [pri.or.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a (1): the quality or state
          of being prior (2): precedence in date or position of
          publication--used of taxa b (1): superiority in rank,
          position, or privilege (2): legal precedence in exercise
          of rights over the same subject matter 2: a preferential
          rating; esp: one that allocates rights to goods and services
          usu. in limited supply <that project has top ~> 3: something
          given or meriting attention before competing alternatives

   prior restraint
          [prior restraint] n (1951): governmental prohibition on expression
          (esp. by publication) before the publication actually takes place

   prior to
          [prior to] prep (1714): in advance of: before usage Sometimes
          termed pompous or affected, prior to is a synonym of
          before that most often appears in rather formal contexts,
          such as the annual reports of corporations. It may occas.
          emphasize the notion of anticipation <if page makeup
          decisions are verified and approved prior to typesetting,
          proofreading of pages afterward becomes unnecessary --Publishers
          Weekly>. It is also used sometimes in less formal contexts
          <they have taught her how to walk (which I thought she
          did rather well prior to the expenditure of the 200 bucks)
          --Groucho Marx (letter)>.

   priory
          [pri.o.ry] n, pl -ries [ME priorie, fr. AF, fr. ML prioria,
          fr. prior] (13c): a religious house under a prior or
          prioress

   prise
          [prise] chiefly Brit var of [5]prize

   prism
          [prism] n [LL prismat-, prisma, fr. Gk, lit., anything sawn,
          fr. priein to saw] (1570) 1: a polyhedron with two polygonal
          faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces
          parallelograms 2 a: a transparent body that is bounded
          in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to
          refract or disperse a beam of light b: a prism-shaped
          decorative glass luster 3: a crystal form whose faces
          are parallel to one axis; esp: one whose faces are parallel
          to the vertical axis 4: a medium that distorts, slants,
          or colors whatever is viewed through it

   prismatic
          [pris.mat.ic] adj (1709) 1: relating to, resembling,
          or constituting a prism 2 a: formed by a prism b: resembling the
          colors formed by refraction of light through a prism <~ effects>
          3: highly colored: brilliant <~ lyrics> 4: having such symmetry
          that a general form with faces cutting all axes at unspecified
          intercepts is a prism <~ crystals> -- pris.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   prismatoid
          [pris.ma.toid] n [LL prismat-, prisma prism] (ca. 1890):
          a polyhedron that has all of its vertices in two parallel
          planes

   prismoid
          [pris.moid] n (ca. 1704): a prismatoid whose parallel bases
          have the same number of sides -- pris.moi.dal adj

   [1]prison
          [pris.on] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L prehension-, prehensio act
          of seizing, fr. prehendere to seize--more at get] (12c)
          1: a state of confinement or captivity 2: a place of
          confinement esp. for lawbreakers; specif: an institution
          (as one under state jurisdiction) for confinement of
          persons convicted of serious crimes--compare jail [2]prison
          vt (14c): imprison, confine

   prison camp
          [prison camp] n (ca. 1908) 1: a camp for the confinement
          of reasonably trustworthy prisoners usu. employed on
          government projects 2: a camp for prisoners of war or
          political prisoners

   prisoner
          [pris.on.er] n (14c) 1: a person deprived of liberty and
          kept under involuntary restraint, confinement, or custody;
          esp: one on trial or in prison 2: someone restrained
          as if in prison <a ~ of her own conscience>

   prisoner of war
          [prisoner of war] (1678): a person captured in war; esp:
          a member of the armed forces of a nation who is taken
          by the enemy during combat

   prisoner's base
          [prisoner's base] n (ca. 1773): a game in which players on
          each of two teams seek to tag and imprison players of
          the other team who have ventured out of their home territory

   prissy
          [pris.sy] adj pris.si.er ; -est [prob. blend of prim and
          sissy] (1895): being prim and precise: finicky -- pris.si.ly
          adv -- pris.si.ness n

   pristane
          [pris.tane] n [L pristis shark, sawfish; fr. its occurrence
          in the liver oils of sharks] (1923): an isoprenoid hydrocarbon
          that usu. accompanies phytane

   pristine
          [pris.tine] adj [L pristinus; akin to L prior] (1534) 1:
          belonging to the earliest period or state: original <the
          hypothetical ~ lunar atmosphere> 2 a: not spoiled, corrupted,
          or polluted (as by civilization): pure <a ~ forest> b:
          fresh and clean as or as if new <~ hard-backs in uniform
          editions to fill our built-in bookcases --Michiko Kakutani>
          -- pris.tine.ly adv

   prithee
          [prith.ee] interj [alter. of (I) pray thee] (ca. 1591)
          archaic--used to express a wish or request

   priv
          [priv] abbreviation private, privately, privative

   privacy
          [pri.va.cy] n, pl -cies (15c) 1 a: the quality or state of
          being apart from company or observation: seclusion b:
          freedom from unauthorized intrusion <one's right to ~>
          2 archaic: a place of seclusion 3 a: secrecy b: a private
          matter: secret

   privatdocent
          [pri.vat.do.cent] or pri. vat.do.zent n [G Privatdozent,
          fr. privat private + Dozent teacher, fr. L docent-, docens,
          prp. of docere to teach--more at docile] (1854): an unsalaried
          university lecturer or teacher in German-speaking countries
          remunerated directly by students' fees

   [1]private
          [pri.vate] adj [ME privat, fr. L privatus, fr. pp. of privare
          to deprive, release, fr. privus private, individual;
          prob. akin to L pro for, in front of--more at for] (14c)
          1 a: intended for or restricted to the use of a particular
          person, group, or class <a ~ park> b: belonging to or
          concerning an individual person, company, or interest
          <a ~ house> c (1): restricted to the individual or arising
          independently of others <~ opinion> (2): carried on by
          the individual independently of the usual institutions
          <~ study>; also: being educated by independent study
          or a tutor or in a private school <~ students> d: not
          general in effect <a ~ statute> e: of, relating to, or
          receiving hospital service in which the patient has more
          privileges than a semiprivate or ward patient 2 a (1):
          not holding public office or employment <a ~ citizen>
          (2): not related to one's official position: personal
          <~ correspondence> b: being a private <a ~ soldier> 3
          a: withdrawn from company or observation: sequestered
          <a ~ retreat> b: not known or intended to be known publicly:
          secret c: preferring to keep personal affairs to oneself:
          valuing privacy highly d: unsuitable for public use or
          display 4: not having shares that can be freely traded
          on the open market <a ~ company> -- pri.vate.ly adv --
          pri.vate.ness n [2]private n (15c) 1 archaic: one not
          in public office 2 obs: privacy 3 pl: private parts 4
          a: a person of low rank in various organizations (as
          a police or fire department) b: an enlisted man of the
          lowest rank in the marine corps or of one of the two
          lowest ranks in the army -- in private : not openly or
          in public

   private detective
          [private detective] n (1868): private investigator

   private enterprise
          [private enterprise] n (1844): free enterprise

   privateer
          [pri.va.teer] n (1664): an armed private ship licensed to
          attack enemy shipping; also: a sailor on such a ship
          -- privateer vi

   private eye
          [private eye] n (1938): private investigator

   private first class
          [private first class] n (1918): an enlisted man ranking in
          the army above a private and below a corporal and in
          the marine corps above a private and below a lance corporal

   private investigator
          [private investigator] n (1940): a person not a member of
          a police force who is licensed to do detective work (as
          investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for
          missing persons)

   private law
          [private law] n (1773): a branch of law concerned with private
          persons, property, and relationships--compare public
          law

   private parts
          [private parts] n pl (1785): the external genital and excretory
          organs

   private school
          [private school] n (1857): a school that is established,
          conducted, and primarily supported by a nongovernmental
          agency

   private treaty
          [private treaty] n (1858): a sale of property on terms determined
          by conference of the seller and buyer--compare auction

   privation
          [pri.va.tion] n [ME privacion, fr. MF privation, fr. L privation-,
          privatio, fr. privare to deprive] (14c) 1: an act or instance
          of depriving: deprivation 2: the state of being deprived; esp: lack
          of what is needed for existence

   privatise
          [pri.vat.ise] Brit var of privatize

   privatism
          [pri.vat.ism] n [private] (1950): the attitude of being uncommitted
          to or avoiding involvement in anything beyond one's immediate
          interests

   [1]privative
          [priv.a.tive] adj (14c): constituting or predicating privation
          or absence of a quality (as the prefixes a-, un-, non-)
          -- priv.a.tive.ly adv [2]priv.a.tive n (1588): a privative
          term, expression, or proposition; also: a privative prefix
          or suffix

   privatize
          [pri.vat.ize] vt (1948): to make private; esp: to change
          (as a business or industry) from public to private control
          or ownership -- pri.vat.iza.tion n

   privet
          [priv.et] n [origin unknown] (1542): a European deciduous
          shrub (Ligustrum vulgare) of the olive family with semievergreen
          leaves and small white flowers that is widely used for
          hedges; broadly: any of various congeneric shrubs

   [1]privilege
          [priv.i.lege] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L privilegium law for or
          against a private person, fr. privus private + leg-,
          lex law] (12c): a right or immunity granted as a peculiar
          benefit, advantage, or favor: prerogative; esp: such
          a right or immunity attached specif. to a position or
          an office [2]privilege vt -leged ; -leg.ing (14c): to
          grant a privilege to

   privileged
          [priv.i.leged] adj (14c) 1: having or enjoying one or more
          privileges <~ classes> 2: not subject to the usual rules
          or penalties because of some special circumstance; esp:
          not subject to disclosure in a court of law <a ~ communication>

   privity
          [priv.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME privite privacy, secret, fr.
          OF privite, fr. ML privitat-, privatas, fr. L privus
          private--more at private] (1523) 1 a: a relationship
          between persons who successively have a legal interest
          in the same right or property b: an interest in a transaction,
          contract, or legal action to which one is not a party
          arising out of a relationship to one of the parties 2:
          private or joint knowledge of a private matter; esp:
          cognizance implying concurrence

   [1]privy
          [privy] adj [ME prive, fr. OF prive, fr. L privatus private]
          (14c) 1 a: private, withdrawn b: secret 2: belonging
          or relating to a person in one's individual rather than
          official capacity 3: admitted as one sharing in a secret
          <~ to the conspiracy> -- priv.i.ly adv [2]privy n, pl
          priv.ies (14c) 1 a: a small building having a bench with
          holes through which the user may defecate or urinate
          b: toilet 3b 2: a person having a legal interest of privity

   privy council
          [privy council] n (14c) 1 archaic: a secret or private council
          2 cap P&C: a body of officials and dignitaries chosen
          by the British monarch as an advisory council to the
          Crown usu. functioning through its committees 3: a usu.
          appointive advisory council to an executive -- privy
          councillor n

   privy purse
          [privy purse] n (1765): an allowance for the private expenses
          of the British sovereign

   prix fixe
          [prix fixe] n [F, fixed price] (1883): a complete meal offered
          at a fixed price; also: the price charged

   [1]prize
          [prize] n [ME pris prize, price--more at price] (14c) 1:
          something offered or striven for in competition or in
          contests of chance; also: premium 1d 2: something exceptionally
          desirable 3 archaic: a contest for a reward: competition
          [2]prize adj (1803) 1 a: awarded or worthy of a prize
          b: awarded as a prize c: entered for the sake of a prize
          <a ~ drawing> 2: outstanding of a kind <raised ~ hogs>
          [3]prize vt prized ; priz.ing [ME prisen, fr. MF prisier,
          fr. LL pretiare, fr. L pretium price, value--more at
          price] (14c) 1: to estimate the value of: rate 2: to
          value highly: esteem syn see appreciate [4]prize n [ME
          prise, fr. MF, act of taking, fr. prendre to take, fr.
          L prehendere--more at get] (14c) 1: something taken by
          force, stratagem, or threat; esp: property lawfully captured
          at sea in time of war 2: an act of capturing or taking;
          esp: the wartime capture of a ship and its cargo at sea
          syn see spoil [5]prize vt prized ; priz.ing [prize lever]
          (1686): to press, force, or move with a lever: pry

   prizefight
          [prize.fight] n (1824): a professional boxing match
          -- prize.fight.er n

   prizefighting
          [prize.fight.ing] n (1706): professional boxing

   prize money
          [prize money] n (1748) 1: a part of the proceeds of a captured
          ship formerly divided among the officers and men making
          the capture 2: money offered in prizes

   prizer
          [priz.er] n (1599) archaic: one that contends for a prize

   prizewinner
          [prize.win.ner] n (1893): a winner of a prize

   prizewinning
          [prize.win.ning] adj (1919): having won or of a quality to
          win a prize <a ~ design>

   PRN
          [PRN] [L pro re nata] abbreviation for the emergency, as
          needed

   [1]pro-
          [pro-] prefix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L, fr. Gk, before, forward,
          forth, for, fr. pro--more at for] 1 a: earlier than:
          prior to: before <prothalamion> b: rudimentary: prot-
          <pronucleus> c: precursory <proinsulin> 2 a: located
          in front of or at the front of: anterior to <procephalic>
          <proventriculus> b: front: anterior <prothorax> 3: projecting
          <prognathous> [2]pro- prefix [L pro in front of, before,
          for, forward--more at for] 1: taking the place of: substituting
          for <procathedral> <procaine> 2: favoring: supporting:
          championing <pro-American>

   [1]pro
          [pro] n, pl pros [ME, fr. L, prep., for--more at for] (15c)
          1: an argument or evidence in affirmation <an appraisal
          of the ~s and cons> 2: the affirmative side or one holding
          it [2]pro adv [pro-] (15c): on the affirmative side:
          in affirmation <much has been written ~ and con> [3]pro
          prep [L] (1837): in favor of: for [4]pro n or adj (1866):
          professional

   PRO
          [PRO] abbreviation public relations officer

   proa
          [proa] var of prau

   proabortion
          [pro.abor.tion] adj (1972): favoring the legalization of
          abortion -- pro-abor.tion.ist n

   proactive
          [pro.ac.tive] adj (1933) 1 [[1]pro-]: relating to, caused
          by, or being interference between previous learning and
          the recall or performance of later learning <~ inhibition
          of memory> 2 [[2]pro- + reactive]: acting in anticipation
          of future problems, needs, or changes

   pro aris et focis
          [pro aris et fo.cis] [L] foreign term : for altars and firesides

   prob
          [prob] abbreviation probable, probably, probate, problem

   probabilism
          [prob.a.bi.lism] n [F probabilisme, fr. L probabilis probable]
          (ca. 1843) 1: a theory that in disputed moral questions
          any solidly probable course may be followed even though
          an opposed course is or appears more probable 2: a theory
          that certainty is impossible esp. in the sciences and
          that probability suffices to govern belief and action
          -- prob.a.bi.list adj or n

   probabilistic
          [prob.a.bi.lis.tic] adj (1864) 1: of or relating to probabilism
          2: of, relating to, or based on probability --
          prob.a.bi.lis.ti.cal.ly adv

   probability
          [prob.a.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: the quality or state
          of being probable 2: something (as an event or circumstance)
          that is probable 3 a (1): the ratio of the number of
          outcomes in an exhaustive set of equally likely outcomes
          that produce a given event to the total number of possible
          outcomes (2): the chance that a given event will occur
          b: a branch of mathematics concerned with the study of
          probabilities 4: a logical relation between statements
          such that evidence confirming one confirms the other
          to some degree

   probability density
          [probability density] n (1939): probability density function;
          also: a particular value of a probability density function

   probability density function
          [probability density function] n (1957) 1: probability function
          2: a function of a continuous random variable whose integral
          over an interval gives the probability that its value
          will fall within the interval

   probability distribution
          [probability distribution] n (1937): probability function;
          also: probability density function 2

   probability function
          [probability function] n (1906): a function of a discrete
          random variable that gives the probability that a specified
          value will occur

   [1]probable
          [prob.a.ble] adj [ME, provable, fr. MF, fr. L probabilis
          commendable, probable, fr. probare to test, approve,
          prove--more at prove] (1606) 1: supported by evidence
          strong enough to establish presumption but not proof
          <a ~ hypothesis> 2: establishing a probability <~ evidence>
          3: likely to be or become true or real <~ events> [2]probable
          n (1647): one that is probable

   probable cause
          [probable cause] n (ca. 1676): a reasonable ground for supposing
          that a charge is well-founded

   probably
          [prob.a.bly] adv (1613): insofar as seems reasonably true,
          factual, or to be expected: without much doubt <is ~
          happy> <it will ~ rain>

   proband
          [pro.band] n [L probandus, gerundive of probare] (ca. 1929):
          subject 3c(2)

   probang
          [pro.bang] n [origin unknown] (1657): a slender flexible
          rod with a sponge on one end used esp. for removing obstructions
          from the esophagus

   [1]probate
          [pro.bate] n [ME probat, fr. L probatum, neut. of probatus,
          pp. of probare] (15c) 1 a: the action or process of proving
          before a competent judicial authority that a document
          offered for official recognition and registration as
          the last will and testament of a deceased person is genuine
          b: the judicial determination of the validity of a will
          2: the officially authenticated copy of a probated will
          [2]pro.bate vt pro.bat.ed ; pro.bat.ing (1570) 1: to
          establish (a will) by probate as genuine and valid 2:
          to put (a convicted offender) on probation

   probate court
          [probate court] n (ca. 1847): a court that has jurisdiction
          chiefly over the probate of wills and administration
          of deceased persons' estates

   probation
          [pro.ba.tion] n [ME probacioun, fr. MF probation, fr. L probation-,
          probatio, fr. probare] (15c) 1: critical examination and evaluation
          or subjection to such examination and evaluation 2 a: subjection
          of an individual to a period of testing and trial to ascertain
          fitness (as for a job or school) b: the action of suspending the
          sentence of a convicted offender and giving the offender freedom
          during good behavior under the supervision of a probation officer
          c: the state or a period of being subject to probation
          -- pro.ba.tion.al adj -- pro.ba.tion.al.ly adv -- pro.ba.tion.ary
          adj

   probationer
          [pro.ba.tion.er] n (1603) 1: a person (as a newly admitted
          student nurse) whose fitness is being tested during a
          trial period 2: a convicted offender on probation

   probation officer
          [probation officer] n (1880): an officer appointed to investigate,
          report on, and supervise the conduct of convicted offenders
          on probation

   probative
          [pro.ba.tive] adj (15c) 1: serving to test or try: exploratory
          2: serving to prove: substantiating

   probatory
          [pro.ba.to.ry] adj (1625): probative

   [1]probe
          [probe] n [ML proba examination, fr. L probare] (1580) 1:
          a slender medical instrument used esp. for exploration
          (as of a wound or bodily cavity) 2 a: any of various
          testing devices or substances: as (1): a pointed metal
          tip for making electrical contact with a circuit element
          being checked (2): a usu. small object that is inserted
          into something so as to test conditions at a given point
          (3): a device used to penetrate or send back information
          esp. from outer space or a celestial body (4): a device
          (as an ultrasound generator) or a substance (as DNA in
          genetic research) used to obtain specific information
          for diagnostic or experimental purposes b: a pipe on
          the receiving airplane thrust into the drogue of the
          delivering airplane in air refueling 3 a: the action
          of probing b: a penetrating or critical investigation
          c: a tentative exploratory advance or survey [2]probe
          vb probed ; prob.ing vt (1649) 1: to search into and
          explore with great thoroughness: subject to a penetrating
          investigation 2: to examine with a probe <unmanned vehicles
          probed space> ~ vi: to make a searching exploratory investigation
          syn see enter -- prob.er n

   probenecid
          [pro.ben.e.cid] n [irreg. fr. propyl + benzoic acid] (1950):
          a drug that acts on renal tubular function and is used
          to increase the concentration of some drugs (as penicillin)
          in the blood by inhibiting their excretion and to increase
          the excretion of urates in gout

   probit
          [prob.it] n [probability unit] (1934): a unit of measurement
          of statistical probability based on deviations from the
          mean of a normal distribution

   probity
          [pro.bi.ty] n [ME probite, fr. MF probite, fr. L probitat-,
          probitas, fr. probus honest--more at prove] (15c): adherence
          to the highest principles and ideals: uprightness syn
          see honesty

   [1]problem
          [prob.lem] n [ME probleme, fr. MF, fr. L problema, fr. Gk
          problema, lit., obstacle, fr. proballein to throw forward,
          fr. pro- forward + ballein to throw--more at pro-, devil]
          (14c) 1 a: a question raised for inquiry, consideration,
          or solution b: a proposition in mathematics or physics
          stating something to be done 2 a: an intricate unsettled
          question b: a source of perplexity, distress, or vexation
          c: difficulty in understanding or accepting <I have a
          ~ with your saying that> syn see mystery [2]problem adj
          (1894) 1: dealing with a problem of conduct or social
          relationship <a ~ play> 2: difficult to deal with <a
          ~ child>

   [1]problematic
          [prob.lem.at.ic] or prob.lem.at.i.cal adj (1609) 1 a: posing
          a problem: difficult to solve or decide b: not definite
          or settled: uncertain <their future remains ~> c: open
          to question or debate: questionable 2: expressing or
          supporting a possibility syn see doubtful -- prob.lem.at.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]problematic n (1957): something that is problematic:
          a problematic aspect or concern

   pro bono
          [pro bono] adj [L pro bono publico for the public good] (1970):
          being, involving, or doing legal work donated esp. for
          the public good <pro bono work>

   pro bono publico
          [pro bo.no pu.bli.co] [L] foreign term : for the public good

   proboscidean
          [pro.bos.ci.de.an] or pro.bos.cid.i.an n [ultim. fr. L proboscid-,
          proboscis] (ca. 1859): any of an order (Proboscidea) of large
          mammals comprising the elephants and extinct related forms
          -- proboscidean adj

   proboscis
          [pro.bos.cis] n, pl -bos.cis.es also -bos.ci.des [L, fr.
          Gk proboskis, fr. pro- + boskein to feed] (1576) 1 a:
          the trunk of an elephant; also: any long flexible snout
          b: the human nose esp. when prominent 2: any of various
          elongated or extensible tubular processes (as the sucking
          organ of a butterfly) of the oral region of an invertebrate

   proc
          [proc] abbreviation proceedings

   procaine
          [pro.caine] n [ISV [2]pro- + -caine] (1918): a basic ester
          of para-aminobenzoic acid; also: its crystalline hydrochloride
          used as a local anesthetic

   procambium
          [pro.cam.bi.um] n [NL] (1875): the part of the primary meristem
          of a plant that forms cambium and primary vascular tissues
          -- pro.cam.bi.al adj

   procarbazine
          [pro.car.ba.zine] n [propyl + carbamic acid + azine] (1965):
          an antineoplastic drug that is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
          used in the form of its hydrochloride esp. in the palliative
          treatment of Hodgkin's disease

   procaryote
          [pro.cary.ote] var of prokaryote

   procathedral
          [pro.ca.the.dral] n (1868): a parish church used as a cathedral

   [1]procedural
          [pro.ce.dur.al] adj (1889): of or relating to procedure;
          esp: of or relating to the procedure used by courts or
          other bodies administering substantive law -- pro.ce.dur.al.ly
          adv [2]procedural n (1974): a realist crime novel with
          a specific focus <a courtroom ~>; esp: police procedural

   procedural due process
          [procedural due process] n (1938): due process 1

   procedure
          [pro.ce.dure] n [F procedure, fr. MF, fr. proceder] (ca.
          1611) 1 a: a particular way of accomplishing something
          or of acting b: a step in a procedure 2 a: a series of
          steps followed in a regular definite order <legal ~>
          <a surgical ~> b: a series of instructions for a computer
          that has a name by which it can be called into action
          3 a: a traditional or established way of doing things
          b: protocol 3a

   proceed
          [pro.ceed] vi [ME proceden, fr. MF proceder, fr. L procedere,
          fr. pro- forward + cedere to go--more at pro-] (14c)
          1: to come forth from a source: issue 2 a: to continue
          after a pause or interruption b: to go on in an orderly
          regulated way 3 a: to begin and carry on an action, process,
          or movement b: to be in the process of being accomplished
          4: to move along a course: advance syn see spring

   proceeding
          [pro.ceed.ing] n (15c) 1: legal action <a divorce ~> 2: procedure
          3 pl: events, happenings 4: transaction 5 pl: an official
          record of things said or done

   proceeds
          [pro.ceeds] n pl (1665) 1: the total amount brought in <the
          ~ of a sale> 2: the net amount received (as for a check
          or from an insurance settlement) after deduction of any
          discount or charges

   procephalic
          [pro.ce.phal.ic] adj (1874): relating to, forming, or situated
          on or near the front of the head

   procercoid
          [pro.cer.coid] n [pro- + Gk kerkos tail] (1926): the solid
          first parasitic larva of some tapeworms that develops
          usu. in the body cavity of a copepod

   [1]process
          [pro.cess] n, pl pro.cess.es [ME proces, fr. MF, fr. L processus,
          fr. procedere] (14c) 1 a: progress, advance <in the ~
          of time> b: something going on: proceeding 2 a (1): a
          natural phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead
          toward a particular result <the ~ of growth> (2): a natural
          continuing activity or function <such life ~es as breathing>
          b: a series of actions or operations conducing to an
          end; esp: a continuous operation or treatment esp. in
          manufacture 3 a: the whole course of proceedings in a
          legal action b: the summons, mandate, or writ used by
          a court to compel the appearance of the defendant in
          a legal action or compliance with its orders 4: a prominent
          or projecting part of an organism or organic structure
          <a bone ~> 5: [5]conk [2]process vt (1532) 1 a: to proceed
          against by law: prosecute b (1): to take out a summons
          against (2): to serve a summons on 2 a: to subject to
          a special process or treatment (as in the course of manufacture)
          b (1): to subject to or handle through an established
          usu. routine set of procedures <~ insurance claims> (2):
          to subject to examination or analysis <computers ~ data>
          c: to work (hair) into a conk [3]process adj (1888) 1:
          treated or made by a special process esp. when involving
          synthesis or artificial modification 2: made by or used
          in a mechanical or photomechanical duplicating process
          3: of or involving illusory effects usu. introduced during
          processing of the film [4]pro.cess vi [back-formation
          fr. [1]procession] (1814) chiefly Brit: to move in a
          procession

   process cheese
          [process cheese] n (1926): a cheese made by blending several
          lots of cheese--called also processed cheese

   processible
          [pro.cess.ible] or pro.cess.able adj (1954): suitable for
          processing: capable of being processed -- pro.cess.ibil.i.ty
          or pro.cess.abil.i.ty n

   [1]procession
          [pro.ces.sion] n [ME processioun, fr. OF procession, fr.
          LL & L; LL procession-, processio religious procession,
          fr. L, act of proceeding, fr. procedere] (12c) 1 a: a
          group of individuals moving along in an orderly often
          ceremonial way b: succession, sequence 2 a: continuous
          forward movement: progression b: emanation <the Holy
          Spirit's ~ from the Father> [2]procession vi (1691) archaic:
          to go in procession

   [1]processional
          [pro.ces.sion.al] n (15c) 1: a book containing material for
          a procession 2: a musical composition (as a hymn) designed
          for a procession 3: a ceremonial procession [2]processional
          adj (ca. 1611): of, relating to, or moving in a procession
          -- pro.ces.sion.al.ly adv

   processor
          [pro.ces.sor] n (1909) 1: one that processes <scrap
          ~> <agricultural ~> 2 a (1): computer (2): the part of a computer
          system that operates on data--called also central processing unit
          b: a computer program (as a compiler) that puts another program
          into a form acceptable to the computer 3: food processor

   proces-verbal
          [pro.ces-ver.bal] n, pl pro.ces-ver.baux [F, lit., verbal
          trial] (1635): an official written record

   pro-choice
          [pro-choice] adj (1975): favoring the legalization of abortion
          -- pro-choic.er n

   proclaim
          [pro.claim] vt [ME proclamen, fr. MF or L; MF proclamer,
          fr. L proclamare, fr. pro- before + clamare to cry out--more
          at pro-, claim] (14c) 1 a: to declare publicly, typically
          insistently, proudly, or defiantly and in either speech
          or writing: announce b: to give outward indication of:
          show 2: to declare or declare to be solemnly, officially,
          or formally <~ an amnesty> <~ the country a republic>
          3: to praise or glorify openly or publicly: extol syn
          see declare -- pro.claim.er n

   proclamation
          [proc.la.ma.tion] n [ME proclamacion, fr. MF proclamation,
          fr. L proclamation-, proclamatio, fr. proclamare] (14c)
          1: the action of proclaiming: the state of being proclaimed
          2: something proclaimed; specif: an official formal public
          announcement

   proclitic
          [pro.clit.ic] n [NL procliticus, fr. Gk pro- + LL -cliticus
          (as in encliticus enclitic)] (ca. 1864): a clitic that
          is associated with a following word -- proclitic adj

   proclivity
          [pro.cliv.i.ty] n, pl -ties [L proclivitas, fr. proclivis
          sloping, prone, fr. pro- forward + clivus slope--more
          at pro-, declivity] (ca. 1591): an inclination or predisposition
          toward something; esp: a strong inherent inclination
          toward something objectionable syn see leaning

   Procne
          [Proc.ne] n [L, fr. Gk Prokne]: the wife of Tereus who is
          changed into a swallow while fleeing from him

   proconsul
          [pro.con.sul] n [ME, fr. L, fr. pro consule for a consul]
          (14c) 1: a governor or military commander of an ancient
          Roman province 2: an administrator in a modern colony,
          dependency, or occupied area usu. with wide powers --
          pro.con.su.lar adj -- pro.con.su.late n -- pro.con.sul.ship
          n

   procrastinate
          [pro.cras.ti.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L procrastinatus,
          pp. of procrastinare, fr. pro- forward + crastinus of
          tomorrow, fr. cras tomorrow] vt (1588): to put off intentionally
          and habitually ~ vi: to put off intentionally the doing
          of something that should be done syn see delay
          -- pro.cras.ti.na.tion n -- pro.cras.ti.na.tor n

   procreant
          [pro.cre.ant] adj (1588) 1: producing offspring 2 archaic:
          of or relating to procreation

   procreate
          [pro.cre.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L procreatus, pp. of procreare,
          fr. proforth + creare to create--more at pro-, create] vt (1536):
          to beget or bring forth (offspring): propagate ~ vi: to beget
          or bring forth offspring: reproduce -- pro.cre.ation
          n -- pro.cre.ative adj -- pro.cre.ator n

   procrustean
          [pro.crus.te.an] adj, often cap (ca. 1846) 1: of, relating
          to, or typical of Procrustes 2: marked by arbitrary often
          ruthless disregard of individual differences or special
          circumstances

   procrustean bed
          [procrustean bed] n, often cap P (1844): a scheme or pattern
          into which someone or something is arbitrarily forced

   Procrustes
          [Pro.crus.tes] n [L, fr. Gk Prokroustes]: a villainous son
          of Poseidon in Greek mythology who forces travelers to
          fit into his bed by stretching their bodies or cutting
          off their legs

   procryptic
          [pro.cryp.tic] adj [pro- (as in protect) + cryptic] (1891):
          of, relating to, or being a concealing pattern or shade
          of coloring esp. in insects

   proctodaeum
          [proc.to.dae.um] n, pl -daea or -dae.ums [NL, fr. Gk proktos
          anus + hodos way] (1878): the posterior ectodermal part
          of the alimentary canal formed in the embryo by invagination
          of the outer body wall

   proctology
          [proc.tol.o.gy] n [Gk proktos + E -logy] (1899): a branch
          of medicine dealing with the structure and diseases of
          the anus, rectum, and sigmoid colon -- proc.to.log.ic
          or proc.to.log.i.cal adj -- proc.tol.o.gist n

   proctor
          [proc.tor] n [ME procutour procurator, proctor, alter. of
          procuratour] (14c): supervisor, monitor; specif: one
          appointed to supervise students (as at an examination)
          -- proctor vb -- proc.to.ri.al adj -- proc.tor.ship n

   procumbent
          [pro.cum.bent] adj [L procumbent-, procumbens, prp. of procumbere
          to fall or lean forward, fr. pro- forward + -cumbere
          to lie down] (1668) 1: being or having stems that trail
          along the ground without rooting 2: lying face down

   procuration
          [proc.u.ra.tion] n [ME procuratioun, fr. MF procuration,
          fr. L procuration-, procuratio, fr. procurare] (15c)
          1 a: the act of appointing another as one's agent or
          attorney b: the authority vested in one so appointed
          2: the action of obtaining something (as supplies): procurement

   procurator
          [proc.u.ra.tor] n (14c) 1: one that manages another's affairs:
          agent 2: an officer of the Roman empire entrusted with
          management of the financial affairs of a province and
          often having administrative powers as agent of the emperor
          -- proc.u.ra.to.ri.al adj

   procure
          [pro.cure] vb pro.cured ; pro.cur.ing [ME, fr. LL procurare,
          fr. L, to take care of, fr. pro- for + cura care] vt
          (14c) 1 a: to get possession of: obtain by particular
          care and effort b: to get and make available for promiscuous
          sexual intercourse 2: bring about, achieve ~ vi: to procure
          women -- pro.cur.able adj -- pro.cure.ment n

   procurer
          [pro.cur.er] n (1538): one that procures; esp: pander

   Procyon
          [Pro.cy.on] n [L, fr. Gk Prokyon, lit., fore-dog; fr. its
          rising before Sirius]: the brightest star in the constellation
          Canis Minor

   prod
          [prod] abbreviation product, production

   [1]prod
          [prod] vb prod.ded ; prod.ding [origin unknown] vt (1535)
          1 a: to thrust a pointed instrument into: prick b: to
          incite to action: stir 2: to poke or stir as if with
          a prod ~ vi: to urge someone on -- prod.der n [2]prod
          n (ca. 1787) 1: a pointed instrument used to prod 2:
          an incitement to act

   [1]prodigal
          [prod.i.gal] adj [L prodigus, fr. prodigere to drive away,
          squander, fr. pro-, prod- forth + agere to drive--more
          at pro-, agent] (ca. 1520) 1: recklessly extravagant
          2: characterized by wasteful expenditure: lavish 3: yielding
          abundantly: luxuriant--often used with of <nature has
          been so ~ of her bounty --H. T. Buckle> syn see profuse
          -- prod.i.gal.i.ty n -- prod.i.gal.ly adv [2]prodigal
          n (1596): one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly

   prodigious
          [pro.di.gious] adj (15c) 1 a obs: being an omen: portentous
          b archaic: resembling or befitting a prodigy: strange,
          unusual 2: exciting amazement or wonder 3: extraordinary
          in bulk, quantity, or degree: enormous syn see monstrous
          -- pro.di.gious.ly adv -- pro.di.gious.ness n

   prodigy
          [prod.i.gy] n, pl -gies [ME, fr. L prodigium omen, monster,
          fr. pro-, prod- + -igium (akin to aio I say)--more at
          adage] (15c) 1 a: a portentous event: omen b: something
          extraordinary or inexplicable 2 a: an extraordinary,
          marvelous, or unusual accomplishment, deed, or event
          b: a highly talented child or youth

   prodromal
          [pro.dro.mal] adj (1716): precursory; esp: marked by prodromes

   prodrome
          [pro.drome] n [F, lit., precursor, fr. Gk prodromos, fr.
          pro- before + dromos act of running, racecourse--more
          at pro-, dromedary] (ca. 1834): a premonitory symptom
          of disease

   [1]produce
          [pro.duce] vb pro.duced ; pro.duc.ing [ME (Sc), fr. L producere,
          fr. pro- forward + ducere to lead--more at tow] vt (15c)
          1: to offer to view or notice 2: to give birth or rise
          to: yield 3: to extend in length, area, or volume <~
          a side of a triangle> 4: to present to the public on
          the stage or screen or over radio or television 5 a:
          to cause to have existence or to happen: bring about
          b: to give being, form, or shape to: make; esp: manufacture
          6: to compose, create, or bring out by intellectual or
          physical effort 7: to cause to accrue ~ vi: to bear,
          make, or yield something -- pro.duc.ible adj [2]pro.duce
          n (1695) 1 a: something produced b: the amount produced:
          yield 2: agricultural products and esp. fresh fruits
          and vegetables as distinguished from grain and other
          staple crops 3: the progeny usu. of a female animal

   producer
          [pro.duc.er] n (1513) 1: one that produces; esp: one that
          grows agricultural products or manufactures crude materials
          into articles of use 2: a furnace or apparatus that produces
          combustible gas to be used for fuel by circulating air
          or a mixture of air and steam through a layer of incandescent
          fuel 3: a person who supervises or finances the production
          of a stage or screen production or radio or television
          program 4: any of various organisms (as a green plant)
          which produce their own organic compounds from simple
          precursors (as carbon dioxide and inorganic nitrogen)
          and many of which are food sources for other organisms--compare
          consumer

   producer gas
          [producer gas] n (1895): a fuel gas made in a producer and
          consisting chiefly of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and
          nitrogen

   producer goods
          [producer goods] n pl (1948): goods (as tools and raw materials)
          used to produce other goods and satisfy human wants only
          indirectly

   product
          [prod.uct] n [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. ML productum, fr. L,
          something produced, fr. neut. of productus, pp. of producere;
          in other senses, fr. L productum] (15c) 1: the number
          or expression resulting from the multiplication together
          of two or more numbers or expressions 2 a: something
          produced b: something resulting from or necessarily following
          from a set of conditions <a ~ of his environment> 3:
          the amount, quantity, or total produced 4: conjunction
          5

   production
          [pro.duc.tion] n (15c) 1 a: something produced: product b
          (1): a literary or artistic work (2): a work presented
          on the stage or screen or over the air c: something exaggerated
          out of proportion to its importance 2 a: the act or process
          of producing b: the creation of utility; esp: the making
          of goods available for use 3: total output esp. of a
          commodity or an industry -- pro.duc.tion.al adj

   production control
          [production control] n (1929): systematic planning, coordinating,
          and directing of all manufacturing activities and influences
          to insure having goods made on time, of adequate quality,
          and at reasonable cost

   production line
          [production line] n (1935): line 6j

   productive
          [pro.duc.tive] adj (1612) 1: having the quality or power
          of producing esp. in abundance <~ fishing waters> 2:
          effective in bringing about <investigating committees
          have been ~ of much good --R. K. Carr> 3 a: yielding
          results, benefits, or profits b: yielding or devoted
          to the satisfaction of wants or the creation of utilities
          4: continuing to be used in the formation of new words
          or constructions <un- is a ~ prefix> 5: raising mucus
          or sputum (as from the bronchi) <a ~ cough> -- pro.duc.tive.ly
          adv -- pro.duc.tive.ness n

   productivity
          [pro.duc.tiv.i.ty] n (ca. 1810) 1: the quality or state of
          being productive 2: rate of production esp. of food by
          the utilization of solar energy by producer organisms

   proem
          [pro.em] n [ME proheme, fr. MF, fr. L prooemium, fr. Gk prooimion,
          fr. pro- + oime song; prob. akin to Hitt isamaisong, Skt syati
          he binds--more at sinew] (14c) 1: preliminary comment: preface
          2: prelude -- pro.emi.al adj

   proenzyme
          [pro.en.zyme] n [ISV] (ca. 1900): zymogen

   proestrus
          [pro.es.trus] n [NL] (1923): a period immediately preceding
          estrus characterized by preparatory physiological changes

   prof
          [prof] abbreviation professional, professor

   prof
          [prof] n (1838): professor

   pro-family
          [pro-fam.i.ly] adj (1926) 1: favoring or encouraging traditional
          family structures and values 2: opposing abortion and
          often birth control

   profanation
          [prof.a.na.tion] n (1552): the act or an instance of profaning

   profanatory
          [pro.fa.na.to.ry] adj (1853): tending to profane: desecrating

   [1]profane
          [pro.fane] vt pro.faned ; pro.fan.ing [ME prophanen, fr.
          L profanare, fr. profanus] (14c) 1: to treat (something
          sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt: desecrate
          2: to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or vulgar use -- pro.fan.er
          n [2]profane adj [ME prophane, fr. MF, fr. L profanus,
          fr. pro- before + fanum temple--more at pro-, feast]
          (15c) 1: not concerned with religion or religious purposes:
          secular 2: not holy because unconsecrated, impure, or
          defiled: unsanctified 3: serving to debase or defile
          what is holy: irreverent 4 a: not being among the initiated
          b: not possessing esoteric or expert knowledge -- pro.fane.ly
          adv -- pro.fane.ness n

   profanity
          [pro.fan.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1607) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being profane b: the use of profane language 2 a:
          profane language b: an utterance of profane language

   profess
          [pro.fess] vb [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. profes, adj., having
          professed one's vows, fr. MF, fr. LL professus, fr. L,
          pp. of profiteri to profess, confess, fr. pro- before
          + fateri to acknowledge; in other senses, fr. L professus,
          pp.--more at confess] vt (14c) 1: to receive formally
          into a religious community following a novitiate by acceptance
          of the required vows 2 a: to declare or admit openly
          or freely: affirm b: to declare in words or appearances
          only: pretend, claim 3: to confess one's faith in or
          allegiance to 4 a: to practice or claim to be versed
          in (a calling or profession) b: to teach as a professor
          ~ vi 1: to make a profession or avowal 2 obs: to profess
          friendship

   professed
          [pro.fessed] adj (ca. 1569) 1: openly and freely declared
          or acknowledged: affirmed 2: professing to be qualified;
          also: expert

   professedly
          [pro.fessed.ly] adv (1570) 1: by profession or declaration:
          avowedly 2: with pretense: allegedly

   profession
          [pro.fes.sion] n [ME professioun, fr. OF profession, fr.
          LL & L; LL profession-, professio, fr. L, public declaration,
          fr. profiteri] (13c) 1: the act of taking the vows of
          a religious community 2: an act of openly declaring or
          publicly claiming a belief, faith, or opinion: protestation
          3: an avowed religious faith 4 a: a calling requiring
          specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic
          preparation b: a principal calling, vocation, or employment
          c: the whole body of persons engaged in a calling

   [1]professional
          [pro.fes.sion.al] adj (ca. 1748) 1 a: of, relating to, or
          characteristic of a profession b: engaged in one of the
          learned professions c (1): characterized by or conforming
          to the technical or ethical standards of a profession
          (2): exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally
          businesslike manner in the workplace 2 a: participating
          for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor
          often engaged in by amateurs <a ~ golfer> b: having a
          particular profession as a permanent career <a ~ soldier>
          c: engaged in by persons receiving financial return <~
          football> 3: following a line of conduct as though it
          were a profession <a ~ patriot> -- pro.fes.sion.al.ly
          adv [2]professional n (1811): one that is professional;
          esp: one that engages in a pursuit or activity professionally

   professional corporation
          [professional corporation] n (1970): a corporation organized
          by one or more licensed individuals (as a doctor or lawyer)
          esp. for the purpose of providing professional services
          and obtaining tax advantages

   professionalism
          [pro.fes.sion.al.ism] n (1856) 1: the conduct, aims, or qualities
          that characterize or mark a profession or a professional
          person 2: the following of a profession (as athletics)
          for gain or livelihood

   professionalize
          [pro.fes.sion.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1856): to give
          a professional character to -- pro.fes.sion.al.i.za.tion
          n

   professor
          [pro.fes.sor] n (14c) 1: one that professes, avows, or declares
          2 a: a faculty member of the highest academic rank at
          an institution of higher education b: a teacher at a
          university, college, or sometimes secondary school c:
          one that teaches or professes special knowledge of an
          art, sport, or occupation requiring skill -- pro.fes.so.ri.al
          adj -- pro.fes.so.ri.al.ly adv -- pro.fes.sor.ship n

   professorate
          [pro.fes.sor.ate] n (1860): the office, term of office, or
          position of a professor

   professoriat
          [pro.fes.so.ri.at] or pro.fes.so.ri.ate n [modif. of F professorat,
          fr. professeur professor, fr. L professor, fr. profiteri] (1858)
          1: the body of college and university teachers at an institution
          or in society 2: the office, duties, or position of a professor

   [1]proffer
          [prof.fer] vt prof.fered ; prof.fer.ing [ME profren, fr.
          AF profrer, fr. OF poroffrir, fr. por- forth (fr. L pro-)
          + offrir to offer--more at pro-] (14c): to present for
          acceptance: tender, offer [2]proffer n (14c): offer,
          suggestion

   proficiency
          [pro.fi.cien.cy] n (ca. 1639) 1: the quality or state of
          being proficient 2: advancement in knowledge or skill:
          progress

   proficient
          [pro.fi.cient] adj [L proficient-, proficiens, prp. of proficere
          to go forward, accomplish, fr. pro- forward + facere
          to make--more at pro-, do] (ca. 1590): well advanced
          in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge -- proficient
          n -- pro.fi.cient.ly adv syn proficient, adept, skilled,
          skillful, expert mean having great knowledge and experience
          in a trade or profession. proficient implies a thorough
          competence derived from training and practice <proficient
          in translating foreign languages>. adept implies special
          aptitude as well as proficiency <adept at doing long
          division>. skilled stresses mastery of technique <a skilled
          surgeon>. skillful implies individual dexterity in execution
          or performance <skillful drivers>. expert implies extraordinary
          proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical
          skill <expert in the evaluation of wines>.

   [1]profile
          [pro.file] n [It profilo, fr. profilare to draw in outline,
          fr. pro- forward (fr. L) + filare to spin, fr. LL--more
          at file] (ca. 1656) 1: a representation of something
          in outline; esp: a human head or face represented or
          seen in a side view 2: an outline seen or represented
          in sharp relief: contour 3: a side or sectional elevation:
          as a: a drawing showing a vertical section of the ground
          b: a vertical section of a soil from the ground surface
          to the underlying unweathered material 4: a set of data
          often in graphic form portraying the significant features
          of something <a corporation's earnings ~>; esp: a graph
          representing the extent to which an individual exhibits
          traits or abilities as determined by tests or ratings
          5: a concise biographical sketch 6: degree or level of
          public exposure <trying to keep a low ~> <a job with
          a high ~> syn see outline [2]profile vt pro.filed ; pro.fil.ing
          (1715) 1: to represent in profile or by a profile: produce
          (as by drawing, writing, or graphing) a profile of 2:
          to shape the outline of by passing a cutter around --
          pro.fil.er n

   [1]profit
          [prof.it] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF, fr. L profectus advance,
          profit, fr. proficere] (14c) 1: a valuable return: gain
          2: the excess of returns over expenditure in a transaction
          or series of transactions; esp: the excess of the selling
          price of goods over their cost 3: net income usu. for
          a given period of time 4: the ratio of profit for a given
          year to the amount of capital invested or to the value
          of sales 5: the compensation accruing to entrepreneurs
          for the assumption of risk in business enterprise as
          distinguished from wages or rent -- prof.it.less adj
          -- prof.it.wise adv [2]profit vi (14c) 1: to be of service
          or advantage: avail 2: to derive benefit: gain 3: to
          make a profit ~ vt: to be of service to: benefit

   profitable
          [prof.it.able] adj (14c): affording profits: yielding advantageous
          returns or results -- prof.it.abil.i.ty n -- prof.it.able.ness
          n -- prof.it.ably adv

   profit and loss
          [profit and loss] n (1588): a summary account used at the
          end of an accounting period to collect the balances of
          the nominal accounts so that the net profit or loss may
          be shown

   profiteer
          [prof.i.teer] n (1912): one who makes what is considered
          an unreasonable profit esp. on the sale of essential
          goods during times of emergency -- profiteer vi

   profiterole
          [pro.fit.er.ole] n [F, perh. fr. profit profit] (1884): a
          miniature cream puff with a sweet or savory filling

   profit sharing
          [profit sharing] n (1881): a system or process under which
          employees receive a part of the profits of an industrial
          or commercial enterprise

   profit system
          [profit system] n (1945): free enterprise

   profligacy
          [prof.li.ga.cy] n (1738): the quality or state of being profligate

   [1]profligate
          [prof.li.gate] adj [L profligatus, fr. pp. of profligare
          to strike down, fr. pro- forward, down + -fligare (akin
          to fligere to strike); akin to Gk phlibein to squeeze]
          (1647) 1: completely given up to dissipation and licentiousness
          2: wildly extravagant: prodigal -- prof.li.gate.ly adv
          [2]profligate n (1709): a person given to wildly extravagant
          and usu. grossly self-indulgent expenditure

   profluent
          [pro.flu.ent] adj [ME, fr. L profluent-, profluens, prp.
          of profluere to flow forth, fr. pro- forth + fluere to
          flow--more at pro-, fluid] (15c): flowing copiously or
          smoothly

   pro forma
          [pro for.ma] adj [L, for form] (ca. 1580) 1: made or carried
          out in a perfunctory manner or as a formality 2: provided
          in advance to prescribe form or describe items <pro forma
          invoice>

   [1]profound
          [pro.found] adj [ME, fr. MF profond deep, fr. L profundus,
          fr. pro- before + fundus bottom--more at pro-, bottom]
          (14c) 1 a: having intellectual depth and insight b: difficult
          to fathom or understand 2 a: extending far below the
          surface b: coming from, reaching to, or situated at a
          depth: deep-seated <a ~ sigh> 3 a: characterized by intensity
          of feeling or quality b: all encompassing: complete <~
          sleep> -- pro.found.ly adv -- pro.found.ness n [2]profound
          n (1621) archaic: something that is very deep; specif:
          the depths of the sea

   profundity
          [pro.fun.di.ty] n, pl -ties [ME profundite, fr. MF profundite,
          fr. L profunditat-, profunditas depth, fr. profundus]
          (15c) 1 a: intellectual depth b: something profound or
          abstruse 2: the quality or state of being profound or
          deep

   profuse
          [pro.fuse] adj [ME, fr. L profusus, pp. of profundere to
          pour forth, fr. pro- forth + fundere to pour--more at
          found] (15c) 1: pouring forth liberally: extravagant
          <~ in their thanks> 2: exhibiting great abundance: bountiful
          <a ~ harvest> -- pro.fuse.ly adv -- pro.fuse.ness n syn
          profuse, lavish, prodigal, luxuriant, lush, exuberant
          mean giving or given out in great abundance. profuse
          implies pouring forth without restraint <uttered profuse
          apologies>. lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured
          profusion <a lavish wedding reception>. prodigal implies
          reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to
          early exhaustion of resources <prodigal spending>. luxuriant
          suggests a rich and splendid abundance <luxuriant side-whiskers>.
          lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance <a lush green lawn>.
          exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces
          abundantly <an exuberant imagination>.

   profusion
          [pro.fu.sion] n (1545) 1: lavish expenditure: extravagance
          2: the quality or state of being profuse 3: great quantity:
          lavish display or supply <snow falling in ~>

   prog
          [prog] abbreviation program

   [1]prog
          [prog] vi progged ; prog.ging [origin unknown] (1624) chiefly
          dial: to search about; esp: forage [2]prog n (1655) chiefly
          dial: food, victuals

   progenitor
          [pro.gen.i.tor] n [ME, fr. MF progeniteur, fr. L progenitor,
          fr. progignere to beget, fr. pro- forth + gignere to
          beget--more at kin] (14c) 1 a: an ancestor in the direct
          line: forefather b: a biologically ancestral form 2:
          precursor, originator <~s of socialist ideas --Times
          Lit. Supp.>

   progeny
          [prog.e.ny] n, pl -nies [ME progenie, fr. MF, fr. L progenies,
          fr. progignere] (14c) 1 a: descendants, children b: offspring
          of animals or plants 2: outcome, product 3: a body of
          followers, disciples, or successors

   progestational
          [pro.ges.ta.tion.al] adj (1923): preceding pregnancy or gestation;
          esp: of, relating to, inducing, or constituting the modifications
          of the female mammalian system associated esp. with ovulation and
          corpus luteum formation <~ hormones>

   progesterone
          [pro.ges.ter.one] n [progestin + -sterone] (1935): a female
          steroid sex hormone that is secreted by the corpus luteum
          to prepare the endometrium for implantation and later
          by the placenta during pregnancy to prevent rejection
          of the developing embryo or fetus

   progestin
          [pro.ges.tin] n [pro- + gestation + [1]-in] (1930):
          a progestational hormone; esp: progesterone

   progestogen
          [pro.ges.to.gen] n [progestational + -ogen (as in estrogen)]
          (1942): any of several progestational steroids (as progesterone)
          -- pro.ges.to.gen.ic adj

   proglottid
          [pro.glot.tid] n [NL proglottis] (1878): a segment of a tapeworm
          containing both male and female reproductive organs

   proglottis
          [pro.glot.tis] n, pl -glot.ti.des [NL proglottid-, proglottis,
          fr. Gk proglottis tip of the tongue, fr. pro- + glotta
          tongue--more at gloss] (1855): proglottid

   prognathism
          [prog.na.thism] n (ca. 1864): prognathous condition

   prognathous
          [prog.na.thous] adj (1836): having the jaws projecting beyond
          the upper part of the face

   prognosis
          [prog.no.sis] n, pl -no.ses [LL, fr. Gk prognosis, lit.,
          foreknowledge, fr. progignoskein to know before, fr.
          pro- + gignoskein to know--more at know] (1655) 1: the
          prospect of recovery as anticipated from the usual course
          of disease or peculiarities of the case 2: forecast,
          prognostication

   [1]prognostic
          [prog.nos.tic] n [ME pronostique, fr. MF, fr. L prognosticum,
          fr. Gk prognostikon, fr. neut. of prognostikos foretelling,
          fr. progignoskein] (14c) 1: something that foretells:
          portent 2: prognostication, prophecy [2]prognostic adj
          (1603): of, relating to, or serving as ground for prognostication
          or a prognosis <~ weather charts> <favorable ~ signs>

   prognosticate
          [prog.nos.ti.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (15c) 1: to foretell
          from signs or symptoms: predict 2: presage syn see foretell
          -- prog.nos.ti.ca.tive adj -- prog.nos.ti.ca.tor n

   prognostication
          [prog.nos.ti.ca.tion] n (15c) 1: an indication in advance:
          foretoken 2 a: an act, the fact, or the power of prognosticating:
          forecast b: foreboding

   prograde
          [pro.grade] adj [L pro- forward + E -grade (as in retrograde)]
          (1967): having or being a direction of rotation or revolution
          that is counterclockwise as viewed from the north pole
          of the sky or a planet

   [1]program
          [pro.gram] n [F programme agenda, public notice, fr. Gk programma,
          fr. prographein to write before, fr. probefore + graphein
          to write--more at carve] (1633) 1 [LL programma, fr. Gk]: a public
          notice 2 a: a brief usu. printed outline of the order
          to be followed, of the features to be presented, and the persons
          participating (as in a public exercise or performance) b: the
          performance of a program; esp: a performance broadcast on radio
          or television 3: a plan or system under which action may be taken
          toward a goal 4: curriculum 5: prospectus, syllabus 6 a: a plan for
          the programming of a mechanism (as a computer) b: a sequence
          of coded instructions that can be inserted into a mechanism (as
          a computer); also: such a sequence that is part of an organism's
          genotype or behavioral repertoire [2]program also programme
          vt -grammed or -gramed ; -gram.ming or -gram.ing (1896)
          1 a: to arrange or furnish a program of or for: bill b: to enter
          in a program 2: to work out a sequence of operations
          to be performed by (a mechanism): provide with a program
          3 a: to insert a program for (a particular action) into
          or as if into a mechanism b: to control by or as if by a program
          c (1): to code in an organism's program (2): to provide with
          a biological program <cells programmed to synthesize hemoglobin>
          4: to predetermine the thinking, behavior, or operations
          of as if by computer programming <children are programmed into
          violence --Lisa A. Richette> -- pro.gram.ma.bil.i.ty n
          -- pro.gram.ma.ble adj or n

   program director
          [program director] n (1953): one in charge of planning and
          scheduling program material for a radio or television
          station or network

   programmatic
          [pro.gram.mat.ic] adj (1896) 1: relating to program music
          2: of, relating to, resembling, or having a program --
          pro.gram.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   programme
          [programme] chiefly Brit var of program

   programmed instruction
          [programmed instruction] n (1962): instruction through information
          given in small steps with each requiring a correct response by the
          learner before going on to the next step

   programmer
          [pro.gram.mer] also pro.gram.er n (ca. 1890): one that programs:
          as a: a person who prepares and tests programs for devices
          (as computers) b: one that programs a mechanism c: one
          that prepares instructional or educational programs

   programming
          [pro.gram.ming] also pro.gram.ing n (1940) 1: the planning,
          scheduling, or performing of a program 2 a: the process
          of instructing or learning by means of an instructional
          program b: the process of preparing an instructional
          program

   program music
          [program music] n (1879): music intended to suggest a sequence
          of images or incidents

   program trading
          [program trading] n (1985): computerized trading of large
          blocks of stocks in one market against stock index futures
          in another

   [1]progress
          [prog.ress] n [ME, fr. L progressus advance, fr. progredi
          to go forth, fr. pro- forward + gradi to go--more at
          pro-, grade] (15c) 1 a (1): a royal journey marked by
          pomp and pageant (2): a state procession b: a tour or
          circuit made by an official (as a judge) c: an expedition,
          journey, or march through a region 2: a forward or onward
          movement (as to an objective or to a goal): advance 3:
          gradual betterment; esp: the progressive development
          of mankind -- in progress : going on: occurring [2]pro.gress
          vi (1539) 1: to move forward: proceed 2: to develop to
          a higher, better, or more advanced stage

   progression
          [pro.gres.sion] n (15c) 1: a sequence of numbers in which
          each term is related to its predecessor by a uniform
          law 2 a: the action or process of progressing: advance
          b: a continuous and connected series: sequence 3 a: succession
          of musical tones or chords b: the movement of musical
          parts in harmony c: sequence 2c -- pro.gres.sion.al adj

   [1]progressive
          [pro.gres.sive] adj (ca. 1612) 1 a: of, relating to,
          or characterized by progress b: making use of or interested in new
          ideas, findings, or opportunities c: of, relating to,
          or constituting an educational theory marked by emphasis on the
          individual child, informality of classroom procedure, and
          encouragement of self-expression 2: of, relating to,
          or characterized by progression 3: moving forward or onward:
          advancing 4 a: increasing in extent or severity <a ~ disease>
          b: increasing in rate as the base increases <a ~ tax> 5 often cap:
          of or relating to political Progressives 6: of, relating to,
          or constituting a verb form that expresses action or state
          in progress at the time of speaking or a time spoken
          of -- pro.gres.sive.ly adv -- pro.gres.sive.ness n [2]progressive
          n (1846) 1 a: one that is progressive b: one believing in moderate
          political change and esp. social improvement by governmental action
          2 cap: a member of any of various U.S. political parties:
          as a: a member of a predominantly agrarian minor party that around
          1912 split off from the Republicans; specif: bull moose
          b: a follower of Robert M. La Follette in the presidential campaign
          of 1924 c: a follower of Henry A. Wallace in the presidential
          campaign of 1948

   Progressive Conservative
          [Progressive Conservative] adj (1944): of or relating to
          a major political party in Canada traditionally advocating
          economic nationalism and close ties with the United Kingdom
          and the Commonwealth -- Progressive Conservative n

   progressivism
          [pro.gres.siv.ism] n (1892) 1: the principles, beliefs, or
          practices of progressives 2 cap: the political and economic
          doctrines advocated by the Progressives 3: the theories
          of progressive education -- pro.gres.siv.ist n or adj
          -- pro.gres.siv.is.tic adj

   progressivity
          [pro.gres.siv.i.ty] n (1883): the quality or state of being
          a progressive tax

   pro hac vice
          [pro hac vi.ce] [L] foreign term : for this occasion

   prohibit
          [pro.hib.it] vt [ME, fr. L prohibitus, pp. of prohibere to
          keep off, fr. pro- forward + habere to hold--more at
          pro-, give] (15c) 1: to forbid by authority: enjoin 2
          a: to prevent from doing something b: preclude syn see
          forbid

   prohibition
          [pro.hi.bi.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of prohibiting by authority
          2: an order to restrain or stop 3 often cap: the forbidding
          by law of the manufacture, transportation, and sale of
          alcoholic liquors except for medicinal and sacramental
          purposes

   prohibitionist
          [pro.hi.bi.tion.ist] n (ca. 1846): one who favors prohibition;
          esp, cap: a member of a minor U.S. political party advocating
          prohibition

   prohibitive
          [pro.hib.i.tive] adj (15c) 1: tending to prohibit or restrain
          2: tending to preclude use or purchase <~ costs> 3: almost
          certain to perform as predicted <a ~ favorite> -- pro.hib.i.tive.ly
          adv -- pro.hib.i.tive.ness n

   prohibitory
          [pro.hib.i.to.ry] adj (ca. 1591): prohibitive

   proinsulin
          [pro.insulin] n (1916): a single-chain pancreatic polypeptide
          precursor of insulin that gives rise to the double chain
          of insulin by loss of the middle part of the molecule

   proj
          [proj] abbreviation project, projector

   [1]project
          [proj.ect] n [ME proiecte, fr. ML projectum, fr. L, neut.
          of projectus, pp. of proicere to throw forward, fr. pro-
          + jacere to throw--more at jet] (15c) 1: a specific plan
          or design: scheme 2 obs: idea 3: a planned undertaking:
          as a: a definitely formulated piece of research b: a
          large usu. government-supported undertaking c: a task
          or problem engaged in usu. by a group of students to
          supplement and apply classroom studies 4: a usu. public
          housing development consisting of houses or apartments
          built and arranged according to a single plan syn see
          plan [2]pro.ject vb [partly modif. of MF projeter, fr.
          OF porjeter to throw forward, fr. por- (fr. L porro forward;
          akin to Gk pro forward) + jeter to throw; partly fr.
          L projectus, pp.--more at for, jet] vt (15c) 1 a: to
          devise in the mind: design b: to plan, figure, or estimate
          for the future <~ expenditures for the coming year> 2:
          to throw or cast forward: thrust 3: to put or set forth:
          present for consideration 4: to cause to protrude 5:
          to cause (light or shadow) to fall into space or (an
          image) to fall on a surface <~ a beam of light> 6: to
          reproduce (as a point, line, or area) on a surface by
          motion in a prescribed direction 7: to display outwardly
          esp. to an audience <~ an image> <an actress who could
          ~ amorality --Current Biog.> 8: to attribute (one's own
          ideas, feelings, or characteristics) to other people
          or to objects <a nation is an entity on which one can
          ~ many of the worst of one's instincts --Times Lit. Supp.>
          ~ vi 1: to jut out: protrude 2 a: to come across vividly:
          give an impression b: to make oneself heard clearly --
          pro.ject.able adj

   [1]projectile
          [pro.jec.tile] n (1665) 1: a body projected by external force
          and continuing in motion by its own inertia; esp: a missile
          for a weapon (as a firearm) 2: a self-propelling weapon
          (as a rocket) [2]projectile adj (1715) 1: projecting
          or impelling forward <a ~ force> 2: capable of being
          thrust forward

   projection
          [pro.jec.tion] n (1557) 1 a: a systematic presentation of
          intersecting coordinate lines on a flat surface upon
          which features from the curved surface of the earth or
          the celestial sphere may be mapped b: the process or
          technique of reproducing a spatial object upon a plane
          or curved surface or a line by projecting its points;
          also: a graph or figure so formed 2: a transforming change
          3: the act of throwing or thrusting forward 4: the forming
          of a plan: scheming 5 a (1): a jutting out (2): a part
          that juts out b: a view of a building or architectural
          element 6 a: the act of perceiving a mental object as
          spatially and sensibly objective; also: something so
          perceived b: the attribution of one's own ideas, feelings,
          or attitudes to other people or to objects; esp: the
          externalization of blame, guilt, or responsibility as
          a defense against anxiety 7: the display of motion pictures
          by projecting an image from them upon a screen 8 a: the
          act of projecting esp. to an audience b: control of the
          volume, clarity, and distinctness of a voice to gain
          greater audibility 9: an estimate of future possibilities
          based on a current trend -- pro.jec.tion.al adj syn projection,
          protrusion, protuberance, bulge mean an extension beyond
          the normal line or surface. projection implies a jutting
          out esp. at a sharp angle <those projections along the
          wall are safety hazards>. protrusion suggests a thrusting
          out so that the extension seems a deformity <the bizarre
          protrusions of a coral reef>. protuberance implies a
          growing or swelling out in rounded form <a skin disease
          marked by warty protuberances>. bulge suggests an expansion
          caused by internal pressure <bulges in the tile floor>.

   projection booth
          [projection booth] n (ca. 1928): a booth in a theater or
          hall for housing and operating a projector and esp. a
          motion-picture projector

   projectionist
          [pro.jec.tion.ist] n (1922): one that makes projections:
          as a: cartographer b: a person who operates a motion-picture
          projector or television equipment

   projective
          [pro.jec.tive] adj (1682) 1: relating to, produced by, or
          involving geometric projection 2: of or relating to something
          that indicates the psychodynamic constitution of an individual
          <~ tests> -- pro.jec.tive.ly adv

   projective geometry
          [projective geometry] n (1885): a branch of geometry that
          deals with the properties of configurations that are
          unaltered by projection

   projector
          [pro.jec.tor] n (1596) 1: one that plans a project; specif:
          promoter 2: one that projects: as a: a device for projecting
          a beam of light b: an optical instrument for projecting
          an image upon a surface c: a machine for projecting motion
          pictures on a screen 3: an imagined line from an object
          to a surface along which projection takes place

   projet
          [pro.jet] n, pl projets [F, fr. MF pourget, fr. pourjeter,
          projeter] (1808) 1: plan; esp: a draft of a proposed
          measure or treaty 2: a projected or proposed design

   prokaryote
          [pro.kary.ote] n [NL Prokaryotes, proposed subdivision of
          protists, fr. [1]pro- + kary- + -otes, pl. n. suffix,
          fr. Gk -otos--more at -otic] (1963): a cellular organism
          (as a bacterium or a blue-green alga) that does not have
          a distinct nucleus--compare eukaryote -- pro.kary.ot.ic
          adj

   prolactin
          [pro.lac.tin] n [[2]pro- + lact- + [1]-in] (1932): a protein
          hormone of the anterior lobe of the pituitary that induces
          lactation

   prolamin
          [pro.la.min] or pro.la.mine n [ISV proline + ammonia + [1]-in,
          [2]-ine] (1908): any of various simple proteins (as zein)
          that are found esp. in seeds and are insoluble in absolute
          alcohol or water

   prolan
          [pro.lan] n [G, fr. L proles progeny--more at proletarian]
          (1931): either of two gonadotrophic hormones: a:
          follicle-stimulating hormone b: luteinizing hormone

   [1]prolapse
          [pro.lapse] n [NL prolapsus, fr. LL, fall, fr. L prolabi
          to fall or slide forward, fr. pro- forward + labi to
          slide--more at pro-, sleep] (ca. 1834): the falling down
          or slipping of a body part from its usual position or
          relations [2]pro.lapse vi pro.lapsed ; pro.laps.ing (1876):
          to undergo prolapse

   prolate
          [pro.late] adj [L prolatus (pp. of proferre to bring forward,
          extend) fr. pro- forward + latus, pp. of ferre to carry--more
          at bear, tolerate] (1694): extended; esp: elongated in
          the direction of a line joining the poles <a ~ spheroid>

   prole
          [prole] n or adj (1887): proletarian

   proleg
          [pro.leg] n (1816): a fleshy leg that occurs on an abdominal
          segment of some insect larvae but not in the adult

   prolegomenon
          [pro.le.gom.e.non] n, pl -e.na [Gk, neut. pres. pass. part.
          of prolegein to say beforehand, fr. pro- before + le
          gein to say--more at legend] (ca. 1652): prefatory remarks;
          specif: a formal essay or critical discussion serving
          to introduce and interpret an extended work -- pro.le.gom.e.nous
          adj

   prolepsis
          [pro.lep.sis] n, pl -lep.ses [Gk prolepsis, fr. prolambanein
          to take beforehand, fr. pro- before + lambanein to take--more
          at latch] (1578): anticipation: as a: the representation
          or assumption of a future act or development as if presently
          existing or accomplished b: the application of an adjective
          to a noun in anticipation of the result of the action
          of the verb (as in "while yon slow oxen turn the furrowed
          plain") -- pro.lep.tic adj -- pro.lep.ti.cal.ly adv

   proletarian
          [pro.le.tar.i.an] n [L proletarius, fr. proles progeny, fr.
          pro- forth + -oles (akin to alere to nourish)--more at
          old] (1658): a member of the proletariat -- proletarian
          adj

   proletarianise
          [pro.le.tar.i.an.ise] Brit var of proletarianize

   proletarianize
          [pro.le.tar.i.an.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1887): to reduce
          to a proletarian status or level -- pro.le.tar.i.an.i.za.tion
          n

   proletariat
          [pro.le.tar.i.at] n [F proletariat, fr. L proletarius] (1853)
          1: the lowest social or economic class of a community
          2: the laboring class; esp: the class of industrial workers
          who lack their own means of production and hence sell
          their labor to live

   pro-life
          [pro-life] adj (1961): antiabortion -- pro-lif.er n

   proliferate
          [pro.lif.er.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [back-formation fr.
          proliferation, fr. F proliferation, fr. proliferer to
          proliferate, fr. prolifere reproducing freely, fr. L
          proles + -fer -ferous] vi (1873) 1: to grow by rapid
          production of new parts, cells, buds, or offspring 2:
          to increase in number as if by proliferating: multiply
          ~ vt: to cause to grow by proliferating -- pro.lif.er.a.tion
          n -- pro.lif.er.a.tive adj

   prolific
          [pro.lif.ic] adj [F prolifique, fr. L proles] (1650) 1: producing
          young or fruit esp. freely: fruitful 2 archaic: causing
          abundant growth, generation, or reproduction 3: marked
          by abundant inventiveness or productivity <a ~ composer>
          syn see fertile -- pro.lif.i.ca.cy n -- pro.lif.i.cal.ly
          adv -- pro.lif.ic.ness n

   prolificity
          [pro.li.fic.i.ty] n (1725): prolific power or character

   proline
          [pro.line] n [G Prolin] (1904): an amino acid that can be
          synthesized by animals from glutamate

   prolix
          [pro.lix] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF prolixe, fr. L prolixus
          extended, fr. pro- forward + liquere to be fluid--more
          at liquid] (15c) 1: unduly prolonged or drawn out: too
          long 2: marked by or using an excess of words syn see
          wordy -- pro.lix.i.ty n -- pro.lix.ly adv

   prolocutor
          [pro.loc.u.tor] n [ME, fr. L, fr. pro- for + locutor speaker,
          fr. loqui to speak] (15c) 1: one who speaks for another:
          spokesman 2: presiding officer: chairman

   prologize
          [pro.log.ize] or pro.logu.ize vi -log.ized or -logu.ized
          ; -log.iz.ing or -logu.iz.ing (1608): to write or speak
          a prologue

   prologue
          [pro.logue] also pro.log n [ME prolog, fr. MF prologue, fr.
          L prologus preface to a play, fr. Gk prologos part of
          a Greek play preceding the entry of the chorus, fr. pro-
          before + legein to speak--more at pro-, legend] (14c)
          1: the preface or introduction to a literary work 2 a:
          a speech often in verse addressed to the audience by
          an actor at the beginning of a play b: the actor speaking
          such a prologue 3: an introductory or preceding event
          or development

   prolong
          [pro.long] vt [ME, fr. MF prolonguer, fr. LL prolongare,
          fr. L pro- forward + longus long] (15c) 1: to lengthen
          in time: continue 2: to lengthen in extent, scope, or
          range syn see extend -- pro.long.er n

   prolongation
          [pro.lon.ga.tion] n (15c) 1: an extension or lengthening
          in time or duration 2: an expansion or continuation in
          extent, scope, or range

   prolusion
          [pro.lu.sion] n [L prolusion-, prolusio, fr. proludere to
          play beforehand, fr. pro- before + ludere to play--more
          at ludicrous] (1601) 1: a preliminary trial or exercise:
          prelude 2: an introductory and often tentative discourse
          -- pro.lu.so.ry adj

   prom
          [prom] abbreviation promontory

   prom
          [prom] n [short for promenade] (1894) 1: a formal dance given
          by a high school or college class 2 Brit: promenade 2

   [1]promenade
          [prom.e.nade] vb -nad.ed ; -nad.ing [[2]promenade] vi (1588)
          1: to take or go on a promenade 2: to perform a promenade
          in a dance ~ vt: to walk about in or on -- prom.e.nad.er
          n [2]promenade n [F, fr. promener to take for a walk,
          fr. L prominare to drive forward, fr. pro- forward +
          minare to drive--more at amenable] (1648) 1: a place
          for strolling 2: a leisurely walk or ride esp. in a public
          place for pleasure or display 3 a: a ceremonious opening
          of a formal ball consisting of a grand march of all the
          guests b: a figure in a square dance in which couples
          move counterclockwise in a circle

   promenade deck
          [promenade deck] n (1829): an upper deck or an area on a
          deck of a passenger ship where passengers stroll

   Promethean
          [Pro.me.the.an] adj (1588): of, relating to, or resembling
          Prometheus, his experiences, or his art; esp: daringly
          original or creative

   Prometheus
          [Pro.me.theus] n [L, fr. Gk Prometheus]: a Titan who is chained
          and tortured by Zeus for stealing fire from heaven and
          giving it to mankind

   promethium
          [pro.me.thi.um] n [NL, fr. L Prometheus] (1948): a radioactive
          metallic element of the rare-earth group obtained as
          a fission product of uranium or from neutron-irradiated
          neodymium

   prominence
          [prom.i.nence] n (1598) 1: something prominent: projection
          <a rocky ~> 2: the quality, state, or fact of being prominent
          or conspicuous 3: a mass of gas resembling a cloud that
          arises from the chromosphere of the sun

   prominent
          [prom.i.nent] adj [ME promynent, fr. L prominent-, prominens,
          fr. prp. of prominere to jut forward, fr. pro- forward
          + -minere (akin to mont-, mons mountain)--more at mount]
          (15c) 1: standing out or projecting beyond a surface
          or line: protuberant 2 a: readily noticeable: conspicuous
          b: widely and popularly known: leading syn see noticeable
          -- prom.i.nent.ly adv

   promiscuity
          [pro.mis.cu.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1849) 1: a miscellaneous
          mixture or mingling of persons or things 2: promiscuous
          sexual behavior

   promiscuous
          [pro.mis.cu.ous] adj [L promiscuus, fr. pro- forth + miscere
          to mix--more at pro-, mix] (1603) 1: composed of all
          sorts of persons or things 2: not restricted to one class,
          sort, or person: indiscriminate <education ... cheapened
          through the ~ distribution of diplomas --Norman Cousins>
          3: not restricted to one sexual partner 4: casual, irregular
          <~ eating habits> -- pro.mis.cu.ous.ly adv -- pro.mis.cu.ous.ness
          n

   [1]promise
          [prom.ise] n [ME promis, fr. L promissum, fr. neut. of promissus,
          pp. of promittere to send forth, promise, fr. pro- forth
          + mittere to send] (15c) 1 a: a declaration that one
          will do or refrain from doing something specified b:
          a legally binding declaration that gives the person to
          whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance
          or forbearance of a specified act 2: reason to expect
          something <little ~ of relief>; esp: ground for expectation
          of success, improvement, or excellence <shows considerable
          ~> 3: something that is promised [2]promise vb prom.ised
          ; prom.is.ing vt (15c) 1: to pledge to do, bring about,
          or provide <~ aid> 2 archaic: warrant, assure 3 chiefly
          dial: betroth 4: to suggest beforehand: give promise
          of <dark clouds ~ rain> ~ vi 1: to make a promise 2:
          to give ground for expectation: be imminent -- prom.is.ee
          n -- prom.i.sor also prom.is.er n

   promised land
          [promised land] n (1667): something and esp. a place or condition
          believed to promise final satisfaction or realization
          of hopes

   promising
          [prom.is.ing] adj (1601): full of promise: likely to succeed
          or to yield good results -- prom.is.ing.ly adv

   promissory
          [prom.is.so.ry] adj [ME promissorye, fr. ML promissorius,
          fr. L promittere] (15c): containing or conveying a promise
          or assurance

   promissory note
          [promissory note] n (1710): a written promise to pay at a
          fixed or determinable future time a sum of money to a
          specified individual or to bearer

   promo
          [pro.mo] n, pl promos often attrib [short for promotional]
          (1946): a promotional announcement, blurb, or appearance

   promontory
          [prom.on.to.ry] n, pl -ries [L promunturium, promonturium;
          prob. akin to prominere to jut forth--more at prominent]
          (1548) 1 a: a high point of land or rock projecting into
          a body of water b: a prominent mass of land overlooking
          or projecting into a lowland 2: a bodily prominence

   promote
          [pro.mote] vt pro.mot.ed ; pro.mot.ing [ME, fr. L promotus,
          pp. of promovere, lit., to move forward, fr. pro- forward
          + movere to move] (14c) 1 a: to advance in station, rank,
          or honor: raise b: to change (a pawn) into a piece in
          chess by moving to the eighth rank c: to advance (a student)
          from one grade to the next higher grade 2 a: to contribute
          to the growth or prosperity of: further <~ international
          understanding> b: to help bring (as an enterprise) into
          being: launch c: to present (merchandise) for buyer acceptance
          through advertising, publicity, or discounting 3 slang:
          to get possession of by doubtful means or by ingenuity
          syn see advance -- pro.mot.abil.i.ty n -- pro.mot.able
          adj

   promoter
          [pro.mot.er] n (14c) 1: one that promotes; esp: one who assumes
          the financial responsibilities of a sporting event (as
          a boxing match) including contracting with the principals,
          renting the site, and collecting gate receipts 2 obs:
          prosecutor 3: a substance that in very small amounts
          is able to increase the activity of a catalyst 4: a binding
          site in a DNA chain at which RNA polymerase binds to
          initiate transcription of messenger RNA by one or more
          nearby structural genes

   promotion
          [pro.mo.tion] n (15c) 1: the act or fact of being raised
          in position or rank: preferment 2: the act of furthering
          the growth or development of something; esp: the furtherance
          of the acceptance and sale of merchandise through advertising,
          publicity, or discounting -- pro.mo.tion.al adj

   promotive
          [pro.mo.tive] adj (1644): tending or serving to promote --
          pro.mo.tive.ness n

   [1]prompt
          [prompt] vt [ME, fr. ML promptare, fr. L promptus prompt]
          (14c) 1: to move to action: incite 2: to assist (one
          acting or reciting) by suggesting or saying the next
          words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned:
          cue 3: to serve as the inciting cause of -- prompt.er
          n [2]prompt adj (1784): of or relating to prompting actors
          [3]prompt adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L promptus ready,
          prompt, fr. pp. of promere to bring forth, fr. pro- forth
          + emere to take--more at redeem] (15c) 1: being ready
          and quick to act as occasion demands 2: performed readily
          or immediately <~ assistance> syn see quick -- prompt.ly
          adv -- prompt.ness n [4]prompt n, pl prompts (1597) 1
          [[1]prompt]: something that prompts: reminder 2 [[3]prompt]:
          a limit of time given for payment of an account for goods
          purchased; also: the contract by which this time is fixed

   promptbook
          [prompt.book] n (1809): a copy of a play with directions
          for performance used by a theater prompter

   promptitude
          [promp.ti.tude] n [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF, fr. LL promptitudo,
          fr. L promptus] (15c): the quality or habit of being
          prompt: promptness

   prompt side
          [prompt side] n (1824) 1: the side of the stage adjacent
          to the prompter's corner 2: the side of the stage to
          the right of an actor facing the audience

   promulgate
          [pro.mul.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L promulgatus, pp.
          of promulgare, fr. pro- forward + -mulgare (prob. akin
          to mulgere to milk, extract)--more at emulsion] (1530)
          1: to make known by open declaration: proclaim 2 a: to
          make known or public the terms of (a proposed law) b:
          to put (a law) into action or force syn see declare --
          pro.mul.ga.tion n -- pro.mul.ga.tor n

   pron
          [pron] abbreviation pronoun, pronounced, pronunciation

   pronation
          [pro.na.tion] n [pronate, fr. LL pronatus, pp. of pronare
          to bend forward, fr. L pronus] (1666) 1: rotation of
          the hand and forearm so that the palm faces backwards
          or downwards 2: rotation of the medial bones in the midtarsal
          region of the foot inward and downward so that in walking
          the foot tends to come down on its inner margin -- pro.nate
          vb

   pronator
          [pro.na.tor] n (ca. 1741): a muscle that produces pronation

   prone
          [prone] adj [ME, fr. L pronus bent forward, tending; akin
          to L pro forward--more at for] (14c) 1: having a tendency
          or inclination: being likely <~ to forget names> <accident-prone>
          2 a: having the front or ventral surface downward b:
          lying flat or prostrate -- prone adv -- prone.ly adv
          -- prone.ness n syn prone, supine, prostrate, recumbent
          mean lying down. prone implies a position with the front
          of the body turned toward the supporting surface <push-ups
          require a prone position>. supine implies lying on one's
          back and suggests inertness or abjectness <lying supine
          on the couch>. prostrate implies lying full-length as
          in submission, defeat, or physical collapse <a runner
          fell prostrate at the finish line>. recumbent implies
          the posture of one sleeping or resting <a patient comfortably
          recumbent in a hospital bed>. syn see in addition liable

   pronephros
          [pro.neph.ros] n [NL, fr. Gk pro- + nephros kidney--more
          at nephritis] (1881): either member of the first and
          most anterior pair of the three successive paired vertebrate
          renal organs that functions in the adults of amphioxus
          and some lampreys, functions temporarily in larval fishes
          and amphibians, and is present but nonfunctional in embryos
          of reptiles, birds, and mammals--compare mesonephros,
          metanephros -- pro.neph.ric adj

   [1]prong
          [prong] n [ME pronge] (15c) 1: fork 2: a tine of a fork 3:
          a slender pointed or projecting part: as a: a fang of
          a tooth b: a point of an antler 4: something resembling
          a prong [2]prong vt (1848): to stab, pierce, or break
          up with a pronged device

   pronged
          [pronged] adj (1767) 1: having a usu. specified number of
          prongs--usu. used in combination <a three-pronged fork>
          2: having a usu. specified number of parts or approaches
          <a two-pronged strategy>

   pronghorn
          [prong.horn] n, pl pronghorn or pronghorns (1823): a ruminant
          mammal (Antilocapra americana) of treeless parts of western
          No. America that resembles an antelope--called also pronghorn
          antelope

   pronominal
          [pro.nom.i.nal] adj [LL pronominalis, fr. L pronomin-, pronomen]
          (1680) 1: of, relating to, or constituting a pronoun
          2: resembling a pronoun in identifying or specifying
          without describing <the ~ adjective this in this dog>
          -- pro.nom.i.nal.ly adv

   pronoun
          [pro.noun] n [ME pronom, fr. L pronomin-, pronomen, fr. pro-
          for + nomin-, nomen name--more at pro-, name] (1530):
          any of a small set of words in a language that are used
          as substitutes for nouns or noun phrases and whose referents
          are named or understood in the context

   pronounce
          [pro.nounce] vb pro.nounced ; pro.nounc.ing [ME, fr. MF prononcier,
          fr. L pronuntiare, fr. proforth + nuntiare to report, fr. nuntius
          messenger--more at pro-] vt (14c) 1: to declare officially
          or ceremoniously <the minister pronounced them husband and wife>
          2: to declare authoritatively or as an opinion <doctors pronounced
          him fit to resume duties> 3 a: to employ the organs of speech
          to produce <~ these words>; esp: to say correctly <I can't ~ his
          name> b: to represent in printed characters the spoken counterpart
          of (an orthographic representation) <both dictionaries ~ clique the
          same> 4: recite <speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced
          it to you --Shak.> ~ vi 1: to pass judgment 2: to produce the
          components of spoken language -- pro.nounce.abil.i.ty
          n -- pro.nounce.able adj -- pro.nounc.er n

   pronounced
          [pro.nounced] adj (ca. 1741): strongly marked: decided --
          pro.nounced.ly adv

   pronouncement
          [pro.nounce.ment] n (1593) 1: a usu. formal declaration of
          opinion 2: an authoritative announcement

   pronouncing
          [pronouncing] adj (1764): relating to or indicating pronunciation
          <a ~ dictionary>

   pronto
          [pron.to] adv [Sp, fr. L promptus prompt] (ca. 1740): without
          delay

   [1]pronuclear
          [pro.nu.clear] adj [pronucleus] (ca. 1890): of, relating
          to, or resembling a pronucleus [2]pronuclear adj [[2]pro-
          + nuclear] (1971): advocating the use of nuclear-powered
          generating stations

   pronucleus
          [pro.nu.cle.us] n [NL] (1880): the haploid nucleus of a male
          or female gamete (as an egg or sperm) up to the time
          of fusion with that of another gamete in fertilization

   pronunciamento
          [pro.nun.ci.a.men.to] n, pl -tos or -toes [modif. of
          Sp pronunciamiento, fr. pronunciar to pronounce, fr. L pronuntiare]
          (1835): proclamation, pronouncement

   pronunciation
          [pro.nun.ci.a.tion] n [ME pronunciacion, fr. MF prononciation,
          fr. L pronuntiation-, pronuntiatio, fr. pronuntiare]
          (15c): the act or manner of pronouncing something --
          pro.nun.ci.a.tion.al adj

   [1]proof
          [proof] n [ME, alter. of preove, fr. OF preuve, fr. LL proba,
          fr. L probare to prove--more at prove] (13c) 1 a: the
          cogency of evidence that compels acceptance by the mind
          of a truth or a fact b: the process or an instance of
          establishing the validity of a statement esp. by derivation
          from other statements in accordance with principles of
          reasoning 2 obs: experience 3: something that induces
          certainty or establishes validity 4 archaic: the quality
          or state of having been tested or tried; esp: unyielding
          hardness 5: evidence operating to determine the finding
          or judgment of a tribunal 6 a pl proofs or proof : a
          copy (as of typeset text) made for examination or correction
          b: a test impression of an engraving, etching, or lithograph
          c: a coin that is struck from a highly-polished die on
          a polished planchet, is not intended for circulation,
          and sometimes differs in metallic content from coins
          of identical design struck for circulation d: a test
          photographic print made from a negative 7: a test applied
          to articles or substances to determine whether they are
          of standard or satisfactory quality 8 a: the minimum
          alcoholic strength of proof spirit b: strength with reference
          to the standard for proof spirit; specif: alcoholic strength
          indicated by a number that is twice the percent by volume
          of alcohol present <whiskey of 90 ~ is 45% alcohol> [2]proof
          adj (1592) 1: able to resist or repel <boots that were
          ... ~ against cold and wet --Robertson Davies>--often
          used in combination <windproof> 2: used in proving or
          testing or as a standard of comparison 3: of standard
          strength or quality or alcoholic content [3]proof vt
          (1745) 1 a: to make or take a proof or test of b: proofread
          2: to give a resistant quality to 3: to activate (yeast)
          by mixing with water and sometimes sugar or milk -- proof.er
          n

   proofread
          [proof.read] vt -read ; -read.ing [back-formation fr. proofreader]
          (1920): to read and mark corrections in (as a proof)

   proofreader
          [proof.read.er] n (1832): a person who proofreads

   proofroom
          [proof.room] n (1903): a room for proofreading

   proof spirit
          [proof spirit] n (1790): an alcoholic liquor or mixture of
          ethanol and water that contains 50% ethanol by volume
          at 60 degrees F (16 degrees C)

   [1]prop
          [prop] n [ME proppe, fr. MD, stopper; akin to MLG proppe
          stopper] (15c): something that props or sustains: support
          [2]prop vt propped ; prop.ping (1538) 1 a: to support
          by placing something under or against--often used with
          up b: to support by placing against something 2: sustain,
          strengthen [3]prop n (1841): property 3 [4]prop n (1914):
          propeller

   prop-
          [prop-] comb form [ISV, fr. propionic (acid)]: related to
          propionic acid <propane> <propyl>

   prop
          [prop] abbreviation property, proposition, proprietor

   propaedeutic
          [pro.pae.deu.tic] n [Gk propaideuein to teach beforehand,
          fr. pro- before + paideuein to teach, fr. paid-, pais
          child--more at pro-, few] (1798): preparatory study or
          instruction -- propaedeutic adj

   propaganda
          [pro.pa.gan.da] n [NL, fr. Congregatio de propaganda fide
          Congregation for propagating the faith, organization
          established by Pope Gregory XV d. 1623] (1718) 1 cap:
          a congregation of the Roman curia having jurisdiction
          over missionary territories and related institutions
          2: the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for
          the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a
          cause, or a person 3: ideas, facts, or allegations spread
          deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing
          cause; also: a public action having such an effect --
          pro.pa.gan.dist n or adj -- pro.pa.gan.dis.tic adj --
          pro.pa.gan.dis.ti.cal.ly adv

   propagandize
          [pro.pa.gan.dize] vb -dized ; -diz.ing vt (1844): to subject
          to propaganda; also: to carry on propaganda for ~ vi:
          to carry on propaganda -- pro.pa.gan.diz.er n

   propagate
          [prop.a.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L propagatus, pp. of
          propagare to set slips, propagate, fr. propages slip,
          offspring, fr. pro- before + pangere to fasten--more
          at pro-, pact] vt (ca. 1570) 1: to cause to continue
          or increase by sexual or asexual reproduction 2: to pass
          along to offspring 3 a: to cause to spread out and affect
          a greater number or greater area: extend b: to foster
          growing knowledge of, familiarity with, or acceptance
          of (as an idea or belief): publicize c: to transmit (as
          sound or light) through a medium ~ vi 1: to multiply
          sexually or asexually 2: increase, extend 3: to travel
          through space or a material--used of wave energy (as
          light, sound, or radio waves) -- prop.a.ga.ble adj --
          prop.a.ga.tive adj -- prop.a.ga.tor n

   propagation
          [prop.a.ga.tion] n (15c): the act or action of propagating:
          as a: increase (as of a kind of organism) in numbers
          b: the spreading of something (as a belief) abroad or
          into new regions c: enlargement or extension (as of a
          crack) in a solid body

   propagule
          [prop.a.gule] n [NL propagulum, fr. L propages slip] (1858):
          a structure (as a cutting, a seed, or a spore) that propagates
          a plant

   propane
          [pro.pane] n [ISV prop- + -ane] (1866): a heavy flammable
          gaseous alkane found in crude petroleum and natural gas
          and used esp. as fuel and in chemical synthesis

   pro patria
          [pro pa.tria] [L] foreign term : for one's country

   propel
          [pro.pel] vt pro.pelled ; pro.pel.ling [ME propellen, fr.
          L propellere, fr. pro- before + pellere to drive--more
          at felt] (15c): to drive forward or onward by or as if
          by means of a force that imparts motion

   [1]propellant
          [pro.pel.lant] also pro.pel.lent adj (1644): capable of propelling
          [2]propellant also propellent n (1814): something that propels:
          as a: an explosive for propelling projectiles b: fuel plus oxidizer
          used by a rocket engine c: a gas kept under pressure in a bottle
          or can for expelling the contents when the pressure is released

   propeller
          [pro.pel.ler] also pro.pel.lor n (1780): one that propels;
          esp: a device that consists of a central hub with radiating
          blades placed and twisted so that each forms part of
          a helical surface and that is used to propel a vehicle
          (as a ship or airplane)

   propend
          [pro.pend] vi [L propendere, fr. pro- before + pendere to
          hang--more at pendant] (1545) obs: incline

   propense
          [pro.pense] adj [L propensus, pp. of propendere] (1528) archaic:
          leaning or inclining toward: disposed

   propensity
          [pro.pen.si.ty] n, pl -ties (1570): an often intense natural
          inclination or preference syn see leaning

   [1]proper
          [prop.er] adj [ME propre proper, own, fr. MF, fr. L proprius
          own] (14c) 1 a: referring to one individual only b: belonging
          to one: own c: appointed for the liturgy of a particular
          day d: represented heraldically in natural color 2: belonging
          characteristically to a species or individual: peculiar
          3 chiefly dial: good-looking, handsome 4: very good:
          excellent 5 chiefly Brit: utter, absolute 6: strictly
          limited to a specified thing, place, or idea <the city
          ~> 7 a: strictly accurate: correct b archaic: virtuous,
          respectable c: strictly decorous: genteel 8: marked by
          suitability, rightness, or appropriateness: fit 9: being
          a mathematical subset (as a subgroup) that does not contain
          all the elements of the inclusive set from which it is
          derived syn see fit -- prop.er.ly adv -- prop.er.ness
          n [2]proper n (15c) 1: the parts of the Mass that vary
          according to the liturgical calendar 2: the part of a
          missal or breviary containing the proper of the Mass
          and the offices proper to the holy days of the liturgical
          year [3]proper adv (15c) chiefly dial: in a thorough
          manner: completely

   proper adjective
          [proper adjective] n (1905): an adjective that is formed
          from a proper noun and that is usu. capitalized in English

   properdin
          [pro.per.din] n [prob. fr. [1]pro- + L perdere to destroy
          + E [1]-in--more at perdition] (1954): a serum protein
          that participates in destruction of bacteria, neutralization
          of viruses, and lysis of red blood cells

   proper fraction
          [proper fraction] n (1674): a fraction in which the numerator
          is less or of lower degree than the denominator

   proper noun
          [proper noun] n (ca. 1890): a noun that designates a particular
          being or thing, does not take a limiting modifier, and
          is usu. capitalized in English--called also proper name

   propertied
          [prop.er.tied] adj (ca. 1772): possessing property

   property
          [prop.er.ty] n, pl -ties [ME proprete, fr. MF proprete, fr.
          L proprietat-, proprietas, fr. proprius own] (14c) 1
          a: a quality or trait belonging and esp. peculiar to
          an individual or thing b: an effect that an object has
          on another object or on the senses c: virtue 3 d: an
          attribute common to all members of a class 2 a: something
          owned or possessed; specif: a piece of real estate b:
          the exclusive right to possess, enjoy, and dispose of
          a thing: ownership c: something to which a person or
          business has a legal title d: one (as a performer) under
          contract whose work is esp. valuable 3: an article or
          object used in a play or motion picture except painted
          scenery and costumes syn see quality -- prop.er.ty.less
          adj -- prop.er.ty.less.ness n

   property damage insurance
          [property damage insurance] n (ca. 1946): insurance protecting
          against all or part of an individual's legal liability
          for damage done (as by his or her automobile) to the
          property of another

   property right
          [property right] n (1903): a legal right or interest in or
          against specific property

   property tax
          [property tax] n (1808): a tax levied on real or personal
          property

   prophage
          [pro.phage] n (1951): an intracellular form of a bacteriophage
          in which it is harmless to the host, is usu. integrated
          into the hereditary material of the host, and reproduces
          when the host does

   prophase
          [pro.phase] n [ISV] (1884) 1: the initial stage of mitosis
          and of the mitotic division of meiosis characterized
          by the condensation of chromosomes consisting of two
          chromatids, disappearance of the nucleolus and nuclear
          membrane, and formation of mitotic spindle 2: the initial
          stage of the first division of meiosis in which the chromosomes
          become visible, homologous pairs of chromosomes undergo
          synapsis and crossing over, chiasmata appear, chromosomes
          condense with homologues visible as tetrads, and the
          nuclear membrane and nucleolus disappear--compare diakinesis,
          diplotene, leptotene, pachytene, zygotene -- pro.pha.sic
          adj

   prophecy
          [proph.e.cy] also proph.e.sy n, pl -cies also -sies [ME prophecie,
          fr. OF, fr. LL prophetia, fr. Gk propheteia, fr. prophetes prophet]
          (13c) 1: an inspired utterance of a prophet 2: the function
          or vocation of a prophet; specif: the inspired declaration
          of divine will and purpose 3: a prediction of something to come

   prophesy
          [proph.e.sy] vb -sied ; -sy.ing [ME prophesien, fr. MF prophesier,
          fr. OF, fr. prophecie] vt (14c) 1: to utter by or as if by divine
          inspiration 2: to predict with assurance or on the basis of mystic
          knowledge 3: prefigure ~ vi 1: to speak as if divinely inspired
          2: to give instruction in religious matters: preach 3: to make
          a prediction syn see foretell -- proph.e.si.er n

   prophet
          [proph.et] n [ME prophete, fr. OF, fr. L propheta, fr. Gk
          prophetes, fr. pro for + phanai to speak--more at for,
          ban] (12c) 1: one who utters divinely inspired revelations;
          specif, often cap: the writer of one of the prophetic
          books of the Old Testament 2: one gifted with more than
          ordinary spiritual and moral insight; esp: an inspired
          poet 3: one who foretells future events: predictor 4:
          an effective or leading spokesman for a cause, doctrine,
          or group 5 Christian Science a: a spiritual seer b: disappearance
          of material sense before the conscious facts of spiritual
          Truth -- proph.et.hood n

   prophetess
          [proph.et.ess] n (14c): a woman who is a prophet

   prophetic
          [pro.phet.ic] also pro.phet.i.cal adj (15c) 1: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a prophet or prophecy 2: foretelling
          events: predictive -- pro.phet.i.cal.ly adv

   Prophets
          [Proph.ets] n pl: the second part of the Jewish scriptures

   [1]prophylactic
          [pro.phy.lac.tic] adj [Gk prophylaktikos, fr. prophylassein
          to be on guard, fr. pro- before + phylassein to guard,
          fr. phylak-, phylax guard] (1574) 1: guarding from or
          preventing disease 2: tending to prevent or ward off:
          preventive -- pro.phy.lac.ti.cal.ly adv [2]prophylactic
          n (1642): something prophylactic; esp: a device and esp.
          a condom for preventing venereal infection or conception

   prophylaxis
          [pro.phy.lax.is] n, pl -lax.es [NL, fr. Gk prophylaktikos]
          (ca. 1842): measures designed to preserve health (as
          of an individual or of society) and prevent the spread
          of disease

   [1]propine
          [pro.pine] vt pro.pined ; pro.pin.ing [ME, fr. MF propiner,
          fr. L propinare to present, drink to someone's health,
          fr. Gk propinein lit., to drink first, fr. pro- + pinein
          to drink--more at potable] (15c) chiefly Scot: to present
          or give esp. as a token of friendship [2]propine n (15c)
          Scot: a gift in return for a favor

   propinquity
          [pro.pin.qui.ty] n [ME propinquite, fr. L propinquitat-,
          propinquitas kinship, proximity, fr. propinquus near,
          akin, fr. prope near--more at approach] (14c) 1: nearness
          of blood: kinship 2: nearness in place or time: proximity

   propionate
          [pro.pi.o.nate] n [ISV] (1862): a salt or ester of propionic
          acid

   propionic acid
          [pro.pi.on.ic acid] n [ISV [1]pro- + Gk pion fat; akin to
          Skt pivan swelling, fat] (1850): a liquid sharp-odored
          fatty acid found in milk and distillates of wood, coal,
          and petroleum

   propitiate
          [pro.pi.ti.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L propitiatus, pp. of
          propitiare, fr. propitius propitious] (1583): to gain
          or regain the favor or goodwill of: appease, conciliate
          syn see pacify -- pro.pi.ti.a.tor n

   propitiation
          [pro.pi.ti.a.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of propitiating 2:
          something that propitiates; specif: an atoning sacrifice

   propitiatory
          [pro.pi.ti.a.to.ry] adj (1551) 1: intended to propitiate:
          expiatory 2: of or relating to propitiation

   propitious
          [pro.pi.tious] adj [ME propicious, fr. L propitius, prob.
          fr. pro- for + petere to seek--more at pro-, feather]
          (15c) 1: favorably disposed: benevolent 2: being of good
          omen: auspicious <~ sign> 3: tending to favor: advantageous
          syn see favorable -- pro.pi.tious.ly adv -- pro.pi.tious.ness
          n

   proplastid
          [pro.plas.tid] n [ISV] (1922): a minute cytoplasmic body
          from which a plastid is formed

   propman
          [prop.man] n (ca. 1937): a man in charge of stage properties

   propolis
          [prop.o.lis] n [ME propoleos, fr. ML, alter. of L propolis,
          fr. Gk, fr. pro- for + polis city--more at pro-, police]
          (15c): a brownish resinous material of waxy consistency
          collected by bees from the buds of trees and used as
          a cement

   propone
          [pro.pone] vt pro.poned ; pro.pon.ing [ME (Sc), fr.
          L proponere--more at propound] (14c) 1 Scot: propose, propound
          2 Scot: to put forward (a defense)

   proponent
          [pro.po.nent] n [L proponent-, proponens, prp. of proponere]
          (1588): one who argues in favor of something: advocate

   [1]proportion
          [pro.por.tion] n [ME proporcion, fr. MF proportion, fr. L
          proportion-, proportio, fr. pro for + portion-, portio
          portion--more at for] (14c) 1: harmonious relation of
          parts to each other or to the whole: balance, symmetry
          2 a: proper or equal share <each did her ~ of the work>
          b: quota, percentage 3: the relation of one part to another
          or to the whole with respect to magnitude, quantity,
          or degree: ratio 4: size, dimension 5: a statement of
          equality between two ratios in which the first of the
          four terms divided by the second equals the third divided
          by the fourth (as in 4/2 equals 10/5)--compare extreme
          1b, mean 1c -- in proportion : proportional 1 [2]proportion
          vt pro.por.tioned ; pro.por.tion.ing (14c) 1: to adjust
          (a part or thing) in size relative to other parts or
          things 2: to make the parts of harmonious or symmetrical
          3: apportion, allot

   proportionable
          [pro.por.tion.able] adj (14c): proportional, proportionate
          -- pro.por.tion.ably adv, archaic

   [1]proportional
          [pro.por.tion.al] n (14c): a number or quantity in a proportion
          [2]proportional adj (15c) 1 a: corresponding in size,
          degree, or intensity b: having the same or a constant
          ratio <corresponding sides of similar triangles are ~>
          2: regulated or determined in size or degree with reference
          to proportions <a ~ system of immigration quotas> --
          pro.por.tion.al.i.ty n -- pro.por.tion.al.ly adv

   proportional parts
          [proportional parts] n pl (ca. 1890): fractional parts of
          the difference between successive entries in a table
          for use in linear interpolation

   proportional representation
          [proportional representation] n (1870): an electoral system
          designed to represent in a legislative body each political
          group or party in proportion to its actual voting strength
          in the electorate

   proportional tax
          [proportional tax] n (ca. 1943): a tax in which the tax rate
          remains constant regardless of the amount of the tax
          base

   [1]proportionate
          [pro.por.tion.ate] adj (14c): proportional 1 -- pro.por.tion.ate.ly
          adv [2]pro.por.tion.ate vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1570): to make
          proportionate: proportion

   proposal
          [pro.pos.al] n (1653) 1: an act of putting forward or stating
          something for consideration 2 a: something proposed:
          suggestion b: offer; specif: an offer of marriage

   propose
          [pro.pose] vb pro.posed ; pro.pos.ing [ME, fr. MF proposer,
          fr. L proponere (perf. indic. proposui)--more at propound]
          vi (14c) 1: to form or put forward a plan or intention
          <man ~s, but God disposes> 2 obs: to engage in talk or
          discussion 3: to make an offer of marriage ~ vt 1 a:
          to set before the mind (as for discussion, imitation,
          or action) <~ a plan for settling the dispute> b: to
          set before someone and esp. oneself as an aim or intent
          <proposed to spend the summer in Italy> 2 a: to set forth
          for acceptance or rejection <~ terms for peace> <~ a
          topic for debate> b: to recommend to fill a place or
          vacancy: nominate <~ them for membership> c: to offer
          as a toast <~ the happiness of the couple> -- pro.pos.er
          n

   [1]proposition
          [prop.o.si.tion] n (14c) 1 a (1): something offered for
          consideration or acceptance: proposal (2): a request for sexual
          intercourse b: the point to be discussed or maintained in argument
          usu. stated in sentence form near the outset c: a theorem
          or problem to be demonstrated or performed 2 a: an expression
          in language or signs of something that can be believed, doubted,
          or denied or is either true or false b: the objective meaning
          of a proposition 3: something of an indicated kind <getting there
          is a tough ~> <the farm was never a paying ~> -- prop.o.si.tion.al
          adj [2]proposition vt -si.tioned ; -si.tion.ing (1924): to make
          a proposal to; esp: to suggest sexual intercourse to

   propositional calculus
          [propositional calculus] n (1903): the branch of symbolic
          logic that uses symbols for unanalyzed propositions and
          logical connectives only--called also sentential calculus--compare
          predicate calculus

   propositional function
          [propositional function] n (1903) 1: sentential function
          2: something that is designated or expressed by a sentential
          function

   propositus
          [pro.pos.i.tus] n, pl -i.ti [NL, fr. L, pp. of proponere]
          (1899): the person immediately concerned: subject

   propound
          [pro.pound] vt [alter. of earlier propone, fr. ME (Sc) proponen,
          fr. L proponere to display, propound, fr. pro- before
          + ponere to put, place--more at pro-, position] (1537):
          to offer for discussion or consideration -- pro.pound.er
          n

   propoxyphene
          [pro.poxy.phene] n [prop- + oxy + -phene (alter. of phenyl)]
          (1955): an analgesic structurally related to methadone
          but less addicting that is administered in the form of
          its hydrochloride

   propraetor
          [pro.prae.tor] or pro.pre.tor n [L propraetor, fr. pro- (as
          in proconsul) + praetor] (ca. 1580): a praetor of ancient
          Rome sent out to govern a province

   propranolol
          [pro.pran.o.lol] n [propyl + propanol + [1]-ol] (1964): a
          beta-adrenergic blocking agent used in the form of its
          hydrochloride in the treatment of abnormal heart rhythms
          and angina pectoris

   [1]proprietary
          [pro.pri.e.tary] n, pl -tar.ies (15c) 1: one that possesses,
          owns, or holds exclusive right to something; specif:
          proprietor 1 2: something that is used, produced, or
          marketed under exclusive legal right of the inventor
          or maker; specif: a drug (as a patent medicine) that
          is protected by secrecy, patent, or copyright against
          free competition as to name, product, composition, or
          process of manufacture 3: a business secretly owned by
          and run as a cover for an intelligence organization [2]proprietary
          adj [LL proprietarius, fr. L proprietas property--more at property]
          (1589) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic of a proprietor
          <~ rights> 2: used, made, or marketed by one having the exclusive
          legal right <a ~ process> 3: privately owned and managed and run
          as a profit-making organization <a ~ clinic>

   proprietor
          [pro.pri.e.tor] n [alter. of [1]proprietary] (1637) 1: one
          granted ownership of a colony (as one of the original
          American colonies) and full prerogatives of establishing
          a government and distributing land 2 a: one who has the
          legal right or exclusive title to something: owner b:
          one having an interest (as control or present use) less
          than absolute and exclusive right -- pro.pri.e.tor.ship
          n

   proprietorial
          [pro.pri.e.to.ri.al] adj (1851): proprietary 1

   proprietress
          [pro.pri.e.tress] n (1692): a woman who is a proprietor

   propriety
          [pro.pri.e.ty] n, pl -ties [ME propriete, fr. MF propriete,
          proprete property, quality of a person or thing--more
          at property] (14c) 1 obs: true nature 2 obs: a special
          characteristic: peculiarity 3: the quality or state of
          being proper: appropriateness 4 a: conformity to what
          is socially acceptable in conduct or speech b: fear of
          offending against conventional rules of behavior esp.
          between the sexes c pl: the customs and manners of polite
          society

   proprioception
          [pro.pri.o.cep.tion] n [proprioceptive + -ion] (1906): the
          reception of stimuli produced within the organism

   proprioceptive
          [pro.pri.o.cep.tive] adj [L proprius own + E -ceptive (as
          in receptive)] (1906): of, relating to, or being stimuli
          arising within the organism

   proprioceptor
          [pro.pri.o.cep.tor] n [NL, fr. L proprius + NL -ceptor (as
          in receptor)] (1906): a sensory receptor (as a muscle
          spindle) excited by proprioceptive stimuli

   prop root
          [prop root] n (1905): a root that serves as a prop or support
          to the plant

   proptosis
          [prop.to.sis] n [NL, fr. LL, falling forward, fr. Gk proptosis,
          fr. propiptein to fall forward, fr. pro- forward + piptein
          to fall--more at pro-, feather] (1676): forward projection
          or displacement esp. of the eyeball

   propulsion
          [pro.pul.sion] n [L propellere to propel] (1626) 1: the action
          or process of propelling 2: something that propels

   propulsive
          [pro.pul.sive] adj [L propulsus] (1758): tending or having
          power to propel

   propyl
          [pro.pyl] n, often attrib [ISV prop- + -yl] (1850): either
          of two isomeric alkyl groups derived from propane--often
          used in combination

   propylaeum
          [pro.py.lae.um] n, pl -laea [L, fr. Gk propylaion, fr. pro-
          before + pyle gate--more at pro-] (ca. 1706): a vestibule
          or entrance of architectural importance before a building
          or enclosure--often used in pl.

   propylene
          [pro.pyl.ene] n (1850): a flammable gaseous hydrocarbon obtained
          by cracking petroleum hydrocarbons and used chiefly in
          organic synthesis

   propylene glycol
          [propylene glycol] n (1885): a sweet hygroscopic viscous
          liquid made esp. from propylene and used esp. as an antifreeze
          and solvent and in brake fluids

   pro rata
          [pro ra.ta] adv [L] (1575): proportionately according to
          an exactly calculable factor (as share or liability)
          -- pro rata adj

   prorate
          [pro.rate] vb pro.rat.ed ; pro.rat.ing [pro rata] vt (1860):
          to divide, distribute, or assess proportionately ~ vi:
          to make a pro rata distribution -- pro.ra.tion n

   pro rege, lege, et grege
          [pro re.ge, le.ge, et gre.ge] [L] foreign term : for the
          king, the law, and the people

   pro re nata
          [pro re na.ta] [L] foreign term : for an occasion that has
          arisen: as needed--used in medical prescriptions

   prorogate
          [pro.ro.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing (1534): p rorogue --
          pro.ro.ga.tion n

   prorogue
          [pro.rogue] vb pro.rogued ; pro.rogu.ing [ME prorogen, fr.
          MF proroguer, fr. L prorogare, fr. pro- before + rogare
          to ask--more at pro-, right] vt (15c) 1: defer, postpone
          2: to terminate a session of (as a British parliament)
          by royal prerogative ~ vi: to suspend or end a legislative
          session

   pros-
          [pros-] prefix [LL, fr. Gk, fr. proti, pros face to face
          with, toward, in addition to, near; akin to Skt prati-
          near, toward, against, in return, Gk pro before--more
          at for]: in front <prosencephalon>

   pros
          [pros] abbreviation prosody

   pros
          [pros] pl of pro

   prosaic
          [pro.sa.ic] adj [LL prosaicus, fr. L prosa prose] (ca. 1656)
          1 a: characteristic of prose as distinguished from poetry:
          factual b: dull, unimaginative 2: everyday, ordinary
          -- pro.sa.i.cal.ly adv

   prosaism
          [pro.sa.ism] n (1787) 1: a prosaic manner, style, or quality
          2: a prosaic expression

   prosaist
          [pro.sa.ist] n [L prosa prose] (1803) 1: a prose writer 2:
          a prosaic person

   prosateur
          [pro.sa.teur] n [F, fr. It prosatore, fr. ML prosator, fr.
          L prosa] (1880): a writer of prose

   prosauropod
          [pro.sau.ro.pod] n [NL Prosauropoda, fr. [1]pro- + Sauropoda--more
          at sauropod] (1941): any of a group (Prosauropoda) of chiefly
          herbivorous Triassic dinosaurs that are prob. ancestral
          to sauropods

   proscenium
          [pro.sce.ni.um] n [L, fr. Gk proskenion front of the building
          forming the background for a dramatic performance, stage,
          fr. pro- + skene building forming the background for
          a dramatic performance--more at scene] (1606) 1 a: the
          stage of an ancient Greek or Roman theater b: the part
          of a modern stage in front of the curtain c: the wall
          that separates the stage from the auditorium and provides
          the arch that frames it 2: foreground

   prosciutto
          [pro.sciut.to] n, pl -ti or -tos [It, alter. of presciutto,
          fr. pre- (fr. L prae- pre-) + asciutto dried out, fr.
          L exsuctus, fr. pp. of exsugere to suck out, fr. ex-
          + sugere to suck--more at suck] (ca. 1929): dry-cured
          spiced Italian ham usu. sliced thin

   proscribe
          [pro.scribe] vt pro.scribed ; pro.scrib.ing [L proscribere
          to publish, proscribe, fr. pro- before + scribere to
          write--more at scribe] (1560) 1: to condemn or forbid
          as harmful or unlawful: prohibit 2: to publish the name
          of as condemned to death with the property of the condemned
          forfeited to the state -- pro.scrib.er n

   proscription
          [pro.scrip.tion] n [ME proscripcion, fr. L proscription-,
          proscriptio, fr. proscribere] (14c) 1: the act of proscribing:
          the state of being proscribed 2: an imposed restraint
          or restriction: prohibition -- pro.scrip.tive adj --
          pro.scrip.tive.ly adv

   [1]prose
          [prose] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L prosa, fr. fem. of prorsus,
          prosus, straightforward, being in prose, contr. of proversus,
          pp. of provertere to turn forward, fr. pro- forward +
          vertere to turn--more at pro-, worth] (14c) 1 a: the
          ordinary language people use in speaking or writing b:
          a literary medium distinguished from poetry esp. by its
          greater irregularity and variety of rhythm and its closer
          correspondence to the patterns of everyday speech 2:
          a prosaic style, quality, or condition [2]prose adj (14c)
          1: of, relating to, or written in prose 2: prosaic [3]prose
          vi prosed ; pros.ing (1642) 1: to write prose 2: to write
          or speak in a prosaic manner

   prosector
          [pro.sec.tor] n [prob. fr. F prosecteur, fr. LL prosector
          anatomist, fr. L prosecare to cut away, fr. pro- forth
          + secare to cut--more at pro-, saw] (ca. 1857): a person
          who makes dissections for anatomic demonstrations

   prosecute
          [pros.e.cute] vb -cut.ed ; -cut.ing [ME, fr. L prosecutus,
          pp. of prosequi to pursue--more at pursue] vt (15c) 1:
          to follow to the end: pursue until finished <was ...
          ordered to ~ the war with ... vigor --Marjory S. Douglas>
          2: to engage in: perform 3 a: to bring legal action against
          for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of
          law <prosecuted them for fraud> b: to institute legal
          proceedings with reference to <~ a claim> ~ vi: to institute
          and carry on a legal suit or prosecution -- pros.e.cut.able
          adj

   prosecuting attorney
          [prosecuting attorney] n (1832): an attorney who conducts
          proceedings in a court on behalf of the government: district
          attorney

   prosecution
          [pros.e.cu.tion] n (1567) 1: the act or process of prosecuting;
          specif: the institution and continuance of a criminal
          suit involving the process of pursuing formal charges
          against an offender to final judgment 2: the party by
          whom criminal proceedings are instituted or conducted
          3 obs: pursuit

   prosecutor
          [pros.e.cu.tor] n (ca. 1670) 1: a person who institutes an
          official prosecution before a court 2: prosecuting attorney

   prosecutorial
          [pros.e.cu.to.ri.al] adj (1968): of, relating to, or being
          a prosecutor or prosecution

   [1]proselyte
          [pros.e.lyte] n [ME proselite, fr. LL proselytus proselyte,
          alien resident, fr. Gk proselytos, fr. pros near + -elytos
          (akin to elythe he went)--more at pros-, elastic] (14c):
          a new convert; specif: a convert to Judaism [2]proselyte
          vb -lyt.ed ; -lyt.ing (1624): proselytize

   proselytise
          [pros.e.ly.tise] Brit var of proselytize

   proselytism
          [pros.e.ly.tism] n (ca. 1660) 1: the act of becoming or condition
          of being a proselyte: conversion 2: the act or process
          of proselytizing

   proselytize
          [pros.e.ly.tize] vb -tized ; -tiz.ing vi (1679) 1: to induce
          someone to convert to one's faith 2: to recruit someone
          to join one's party, institution, or cause ~ vt: to recruit
          or convert esp. to a new faith, institution, or cause
          -- pros.e.ly.ti.za.tion n -- pros.e.ly.tiz.er n

   proseminar
          [pro.sem.i.nar] n (ca. 1922): a directed course of study
          like a graduate seminar but often open to advanced undergraduates

   prosencephalon
          [pros.en.ceph.a.lon] n [NL] (1846): forebrain -- pros.en.ce.phal.ic
          adj

   prose poem
          [prose poem] n (1842): a composition in prose that has some
          of the qualities of a poem -- prose poet n

   proser
          [pros.er] n (1627) 1: a writer of prose 2: one who talks
          or writes tediously

   Proserpina
          [Pro.ser.pi.na] or Pros.er.pine n [L]: persephone

   prosimian
          [pro.sim.i.an] n [NL Prosimii, fr. [1]pro- + L simia ape--more
          at simian] (ca. 1890): any of a suborder (Prosimii) of
          lower primates (as lemurs) -- prosimian adj

   prosit
          [pro.sit] or prost interj [G, fr. L prosit may it be beneficial,
          fr. prodesse to be useful--more at proud] (1846)--used
          to wish good health esp. before drinking

   proso
          [pro.so] n [Russ] (1917): millet 1a

   prosobranch
          [pros.o.branch] n, pl -branchs [NL Prosobranchia, fr. proso-
          in front (fr. Gk proso forward) + branchia gills (fr.
          Gk)] (1851): any of a subclass (Prosobranchia) of gastropod
          mollusks that have the loop of visceral nerves twisted
          into a figure 8, the sexes usu. separate, and usu. an
          operculum -- prosobranch adj

   prosodic
          [pro.sod.ic] or pro.sod.i.cal adj (1774): of or relating
          to prosody -- pro.sod.i.cal.ly adv

   prosody
          [pros.o.dy] n, pl -dies [ME, fr. L prosodia accent of a syllable,
          fr. Gk prosoidia song sung to instrumental music, accent,
          fr. pros in addition to + oide song--more at pros-, ode]
          (15c) 1: the study of versification; esp: the systematic
          study of metrical structure 2: a particular system, theory,
          or style of versification 3: the rhythmic and intonational
          aspect of language -- pros.o.dist n

   prosoma
          [pro.so.ma] n [NL, fr. Gk pro- + soma body] (1872): the anterior
          region of the body of an invertebrate when not readily
          analyzable into its primitive segmentation; esp: cephalothorax

   prosopography
          [pros.o.pog.ra.phy] n [NL prosopographia, fr. Gk prosopon
          person + -graphia -graphy] (1929): a study that identifies
          and relates a group of persons or characters within a
          particular historical or literary context -- pros.o.po.graph.i.cal
          adj

   prosopopoeia
          [pro.so.po.poe.ia] n [L, fr. Gk prosopopoiia, fr. prosopon
          mask, person (fr. pros- + ops face) + poiein to make--more
          at eye, poet] (ca. 1555) 1: a figure of speech in which
          an imaginary or absent person is represented as speaking
          or acting 2: personification

   [1]prospect
          [pros.pect] n [ME, fr. L prospectus view, prospect, fr. prospicere
          to look forward, exercise foresight, fr. proforward + specere
          to look--more at pro-, spy] (15c) 1: exposure 3b 2 a (1):
          an extensive view (2): a mental consideration: survey b: a place
          that commands an extensive view: lookout c: something extended
          to the view: scene d archaic: a sketch or picture of a scene 3 obs:
          aspect 4 a: the act of looking forward: anticipation b: a mental
          picture of something to come: vision c: something that is awaited
          or expected: possibility d pl (1): financial expectations (2):
          chances 5: a place showing signs of containing a mineral deposit
          6 a: a potential buyer or customer b: a likely candidate
          -- in prospect : possible or likely for the future syn prospect,
          outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization
          of something to come. prospect implies expectation of a particular
          event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern
          <the prospect of a quiet weekend>. outlook suggests a forecasting
          of the future <a favorable outlook for the economy>. anticipation
          implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering
          or enjoyment of what is foreseen <the anticipation of her arrival>.
          foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience
          of something forthcoming <the frost was a foretaste of winter>.
          [2]pros.pect vi (1841): to explore an area esp. for mineral
          deposits ~ vt: to inspect (a region) for mineral deposits; broadly:
          explore -- pros.pec.tor n

   prospective
          [pro.spec.tive] adj (ca. 1699) 1: relating to or effective
          in the future 2 a: likely to come about: expected <the
          ~ benefits of this law> b: likely to be or become <a
          ~ mother> -- pro.spec.tive.ly adv

   prospectus
          [pro.spec.tus] n, pl -tus.es [L, prospect] (1765) 1: a preliminary
          printed statement that describes an enterprise (as a business
          or publication) and that is distributed to prospective buyers,
          investors, or participants 2: something (as a statement
          or situation) that forecasts the course or nature of something

   prosper
          [pros.per] vb pros.pered ; pros.per.ing [ME, fr. MF prosperer,
          fr. L prosperare to cause to succeed, fr. prosperus favorable]
          vi (14c) 1: to succeed in an enterprise or activity;
          esp: to achieve economic success 2: to become strong
          and flourishing ~ vt: to cause to succeed or thrive

   prosperity
          [pros.per.i.ty] n (13c): the condition of being successful
          or thriving; esp: economic well-being

   Prospero
          [Pros.pero] n: the rightful duke of Milan in Shakespeare's
          The Tempest

   prosperous
          [pros.per.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF prospereus, fr. L prosperus]
          (15c) 1: auspicious, favorable 2 a: marked by success
          or economic well-being b: enjoying vigorous and healthy
          growth: flourishing -- pros.per.ous.ly adv -- pros.per.ous.ness
          n

   pross
          [pross] or pros.sie or pros.tie n (ca. 1902) slang: prostitute
          1a

   prostacyclin
          [pros.ta.cy.clin] n [prosta- (as in prostaglandin) + cycl-
          + [1]-in] (1976): a prostaglandin that is a metabolite
          of arachidonic acid, inhibits platelet aggregation, and
          dilates blood vessels

   prostaglandin
          [pros.ta.glan.din] n [prostate gland + [1]-in; fr. its occurrence
          in the seminal fluid of animals] (1936): any of various
          oxygenated unsaturated cyclic fatty acids of animals
          that perform a variety of hormonelike actions (as in
          controlling blood pressure or smooth muscle contraction)

   prostate
          [pros.tate] n [NL prostata prostate gland, fr. Gk prostates,
          fr. proistanai to put in front, fr. pro- before + histanai
          to cause to stand--more at pro-, stand] (1646): prostate
          gland -- pros.tat.ic adj

   prostatectomy
          [pros.ta.tec.to.my] n, pl -mies (ca. 1890): surgical removal
          or resection of the prostate gland

   prostate gland
          [prostate gland] n (1828): a firm partly muscular partly
          glandular body that is situated about the base of the
          mammalian male urethra and secretes an alkaline viscid
          fluid which is a major constituent of the ejaculatory
          fluid

   prostatism
          [pros.ta.tism] n (ca. 1900): disease of the prostate; esp:
          a disorder resulting from obstruction of the bladder
          neck by an enlarged prostate

   prostatitis
          [pros.ta.ti.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1844): inflammation of the prostate
          gland

   prosthesis
          [pros.the.sis] n, pl -the.ses [NL, fr. Gk, addition, fr.
          prostithenai to add to, fr. pros- in addition to + tithenai
          to put--more at pros-, do] (ca. 1900): an artificial
          device to replace a missing part of the body

   prosthetic
          [pros.thet.ic] adj (ca. 1890) 1: of or relating to a prosthesis
          or prosthetics 2: of, relating to, or constituting a
          nonprotein group of a conjugated protein -- pros.thet.i.cal.ly
          adv

   prosthetics
          [pros.thet.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1894):
          the surgical or dental specialty concerned with the design,
          construction, and fitting of protheses

   prosthetist
          [pros.thet.ist] n (1902): a specialist in prosthetics

   prosthodontics
          [pros.tho.don.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [NL
          prosthodontia, fr. prosthesis + -odontia] (1947): prosthetic
          dentistry

   prosthodontist
          [pros.tho.don.tist] n (1917): a specialist in prosthodontics

   [1]prostitute
          [pros.ti.tute] vt -tut.ed ; -tut.ing [L prostitutus, pp.
          of prostituere, fr. pro- before + statuere to station--more
          at pro-, statute] (1530) 1: to offer indiscriminately
          for sexual intercourse esp. for money 2: to devote to
          corrupt or unworthy purposes: debase <~ one's talents>
          -- pros.ti.tu.tor n [2]prostitute adj (1563): devoted
          to corrupt purposes: prostituted [3]prostitute n (1613)
          1 a: a woman who engages in promiscuous sexual intercourse
          esp. for money: whore b: a male who engages in sexual
          and esp. homosexual practices for money 2: a person (as
          a writer or painter) who deliberately debases his or
          her talents (as for money)

   prostitution
          [pros.ti.tu.tion] n (1553) 1: the act or practice of indulging
          in promiscuous sexual relations esp. for money 2: the
          state of being prostituted: debasement

   prostomium
          [pro.sto.mi.um] n, pl -mia [NL, fr. Gk pro- + stoma mouth--more
          at stomach] (1870): the portion of the head of various
          worms that is situated in front of the mouth -- pro.sto.mi.al
          adj

   [1]prostrate
          [pros.trate] adj [ME prostrat, fr. L prostratus, pp.
          of prosternere, fr. probefore + sternere to spread out, throw
          down--more at strew] (14c) 1: stretched out with face on the ground
          in adoration or submission; also: lying flat 2: completely overcome
          and lacking vitality, will, or power to rise <was ~ from the heat>
          3: trailing on the ground: procumbent <~ shrub> syn see prone
          [2]pros.trate vt pros.trat.ed ; pros.trat.ing (15c) 1: to throw
          or put into a prostrate position 2: to put (oneself) in a humble
          and submissive posture or state <the whole town had to ~ itself
          in official apology --Claudia Cassidy> 3: to reduce to submission,
          helplessness, or exhaustion <was prostrated with grief>

   prostration
          [pros.tra.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act of assuming a prostrate
          position b: the state of being in a prostrate position:
          abasement 2 a: complete physical or mental exhaustion:
          collapse b: the process of being made powerless or the
          condition of powerlessness <the country suffered economic
          ~ after the war>

   prosy
          [prosy] adj pros.i.er ; -est [[1]prose] (1814): lacking in
          qualities that seize the attention or strike the imagination:
          commonplace; esp: tediously dull in speech or manner
          -- pros.i.ly adv -- pros.i.ness n

   prot-
          [prot-] or proto- comb form [ME protho-, fr. MF, fr. LL proto-,
          fr. Gk prot-, proto-, fr. protos; akin to Gk pro before--more
          at for] 1 a: first in time <protohistory> b: beginning:
          giving rise to <protoplanet> 2: parent substance of a
          (specified) substance <protactinium> 3: first formed:
          primary <protoxylem> 4 cap: relating to or constituting
          the recorded or assumed language that is ancestral to
          a language or to a group of related languages or dialects
          <Proto-Indo-European>

   Prot
          [Prot] abbreviation Protestant

   protactinium
          [prot.ac.tin.i.um] n [NL] (1918): a shiny radioactive metallic
          element of relatively short life

   protagonist
          [pro.tag.o.nist] n [Gk protagonistes, fr. prot- prot- + agonistes
          competitor at games, actor, fr. agonizesthai to compete,
          fr. agon contest, competition at games--more at agony]
          (1671) 1 a: the principal character in a literary work
          (as a drama or story) b: a leading actor, character,
          or participant in a literary work or real event 2: a
          leader, proponent, or supporter of a cause: champion
          3: a muscle that by its contraction actually causes a
          particular movement

   protamine
          [prot.amine] n [ISV prot- + amine] (1874): any of various
          strongly basic proteins of relatively low molecular weight
          that are rich in arginine and are found associated esp.
          with DNA in place of histone in the sperm cells of various
          animals (as fish)

   protasis
          [prot.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [LL, fr. Gk, premise of a syllogism,
          conditional clause, fr. proteinein to stretch out before,
          put forward, fr. pro- + teinein to stretch--more at thin]
          (ca. 1568) 1: the introductory part of a play or narrative
          poem 2: the subordinate clause of a conditional sentence--compare
          apodosis -- pro.tat.ic adj

   prote-
          [prote-] or proteo- comb form [ISV, fr. F proteine]: protein
          <proteolysis> <proteose>

   protea
          [pro.tea] n [NL, fr. L Proteus Proteus] (1825): any of a
          genus (Protea of the family Proteaceae, the protea family)
          of evergreen shrubs often grown for their showy bracts
          and dense flower heads

   protean
          [pro.te.an] adj (1598) 1: of or resembling Proteus in having
          a varied nature or ability to assume different forms
          2: displaying great diversity or variety: versatile

   protease
          [pro.te.ase] n [ISV] (1903): any of numerous enzymes that
          hydrolyze proteins and are classified according to the
          most prominent functional group (as serine or cysteine)
          at the active site--called also proteinase

   protect
          [pro.tect] vt [ME, fr. L protectus, pp. of protegere, fr.
          pro- in front + tegere to cover--more at pro-, thatch]
          (15c) 1: to cover or shield from exposure, injury, or
          destruction: guard 2: to maintain the status or integrity
          of esp. through financial or legal guarantees: as a:
          to save from contingent financial loss b: to foster or
          shield from infringement or restriction <salesmen with
          ~ed territories>; specif: to restrict competition for
          (as domestic industries) by means of tariffs or trade
          controls syn see defend -- pro.tec.tive adj -- pro.tec.tive.ly
          adv -- pro.tec.tive.ness n

   protectant
          [pro.tec.tant] n (1935): a protecting agent

   protection
          [pro.tec.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of protecting: the state
          of being protected 2 a: one that protects b: supervision
          or support of one that is smaller and weaker 3: the freeing
          of the producers of a country from foreign competition
          in their home market by restrictions (as high duties)
          on foreign competitive goods 4 a: immunity from prosecution
          purchased by criminals through bribery b: money extorted
          by racketeers posing as a protective association 5: coverage
          1a

   protectionist
          [pro.tec.tion.ist] n (1844): an advocate of government economic
          protection for domestic producers through restrictions
          on foreign competitors -- pro.tec.tion.ism n -- protectionist
          adj

   protective tariff
          [protective tariff] n (1838): a tariff intended primarily
          to protect domestic producers rather than to yield revenue

   protector
          [pro.tec.tor] n (14c) 1 a: one that protects: guardian b:
          a device used to prevent injury: guard 2 a: one having
          the care of a kingdom during the king's minority: regent
          b: the executive head of the Commonwealth of England,
          Scotland, and Ireland from 1653 to 1659--called also
          Lord Protector of the Commonwealth -- pro.tec.tor.ship
          n

   protectoral
          [pro.tec.tor.al] adj (1657): of or relating to a protector
          or protectorate

   protectorate
          [pro.tec.tor.ate] n (1692) 1 a: government by a protector
          b cap: the government of England (1653-59) under the
          Cromwells c: the rank, office, or period of rule of a
          protector 2 a: the relationship of superior authority
          assumed by one power or state over a dependent one b:
          the dependent political unit in such a relationship

   protectory
          [pro.tec.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1885): an institution for the
          protection and care usu. of homeless or delinquent children

   protectress
          [pro.tec.tress] n (1570): a woman who is a protector

   protege
          [pro.te.ge] n [F, fr. pp. of proteger to protect, fr. L protegere]
          (1787): one who is protected or trained or whose career
          is furthered by a person of experience, prominence, or influence

   protegee
          [pro.te.gee] n [F, fem. of protege] (1778): a female protege

   protein
          [pro.tein] n, often attrib [F proteine, fr. LGk proteios
          primary, fr. Gk protos first--more at prot-] (ca. 1844)
          1: any of numerous naturally occurring extremely complex
          substances that consist of amino-acid residues joined
          by peptide bonds, contain the elements carbon, hydrogen,
          nitrogen, oxygen, usu. sulfur, and occas. other elements
          (as phosphorus or iron), and include many essential biological
          compounds (as enzymes, hormones, or immunoglobulins)
          2: the total nitrogenous material in plant or animal
          substances

   proteinaceous
          [pro.tein.a.ceous] adj (ca. 1844): of, relating to, resembling,
          or being protein

   proteinase
          [pro.tein.ase] n [ISV] (ca. 1929): protease

   proteinuria
          [pro.tein.uria] n [NL, fr. ISV protein + NL -uria] (1911):
          the presence of excess protein in the urine

   pro tem
          [pro tem] adv (1828): pro tempore

   pro tempore
          [pro tem.po.re] adv [ME, fr. L] (15c): for the time being

   protend
          [pro.tend] vb [ME, fr. L protendere, fr. pro- + tendere to
          stretch--more at thin] vt (15c) 1 archaic: to stretch
          forth 2 archaic: extend ~ vi, archaic: stick out, protrude

   protensive
          [pro.ten.sive] adj [L protensus, pp. of protendere] (1671)
          1 archaic: having continuance in time 2 archaic: having
          lengthwise extent or extensiveness -- pro.ten.sive.ly
          adv

   proteoglycan
          [pro.teo.gly.can] [ISV] (1968): any of a class of glycoproteins
          of high molecular weight that are found esp. in the extracellular
          matrix of connective tissue

   proteolysis
          [pro.te.ol.y.sis] n [NL] (1880): the hydrolysis of proteins
          or peptides with formation of simpler and soluble products

   proteolytic
          [pro.teo.lyt.ic] adj (1877): of, relating to, or producing
          proteolysis -- pro.teo.lyt.i.cal.ly adv

   proteose
          [pro.te.ose] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): any of various water-soluble
          protein derivatives formed by partial hydrolysis of proteins

   Proterozoic
          [Pro.te.ro.zo.ic] adj [Gk proteros former, earlier (fr. pro
          before) + ISV -zoic--more at for] (1899): of, relating
          to, or being the eon of geologic time or the corresponding
          system of rocks that includes the interval between the
          Archean and Phanerozoic eons, perhaps exceeds in length
          all of subsequent geological time, and is marked by rocks
          that contain fossils indicating the first appearance
          of eukaryotic organisms (as algae) -- Proterozoic n

   [1]protest
          [pro.test] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. protester] (15c) 1: a solemn
          declaration of opinion and usu. of dissent: as a: a sworn
          declaration that payment of a note or bill has been refused
          and that all responsible signers or debtors are liable
          for resulting loss or damage b: a declaration made esp.
          before or while paying that a tax is illegal and that
          payment is not voluntary 2: the act of objecting or a
          gesture of disapproval <resigned in ~>; esp: a usu. organized
          public demonstration of disapproval 3: a complaint, objection,
          or display of unwillingness usu. to an idea or a course
          of action <went under ~> 4: an objection made to an official
          or a governing body of a sport [2]pro.test vb [ME, fr.
          MF protester, fr. L protestari, fr. pro- forth + testari
          to call to witness--more at pro-, testament] vt (15c)
          1: to make solemn declaration or affirmation of <~ my
          innocence> 2: to execute or have executed a formal protest
          against (as a bill or note) 3: to make a statement or
          gesture in objection to <~ed the abuses of human rights>
          ~ vi 1: to make a protestation 2: to make or enter a
          protest syn see assert -- pro.test.er or pro.tes.tor
          n

   [1]protestant
          [prot.es.tant] n [MF, fr. L protestant-, protestans, prp.
          of protestari] (1539) 1 cap a: any of a group of German
          princes and cities presenting a defense of freedom of
          conscience against an edict of the Diet of Spires in
          1529 intended to suppress the Lutheran movement b: a
          member of any of several church denominations denying
          the universal authority of the Pope and affirming the
          Reformation principles of justification by faith alone,
          the priesthood of all believers, and the primacy of the
          Bible as the only source of revealed truth; broadly:
          a Christian not of a Catholic or Eastern church 2: one
          who makes or enters a protest -- Prot.es.tant.ism n [2]protestant
          adj (1539) 1 cap: of or relating to Protestants, their
          churches, or their religion 2: making or sounding a protest
          <the two ~ ladies up and marched out --Time>

   Protestant ethic
          [Protestant ethic] n (1926): an ethic that stresses the virtue
          of hard work, thrift, and self-discipline

   protestation
          [pro.tes.ta.tion] n (14c): the act of protesting: a solemn
          declaration or avowal

   proteus
          [pro.te.us] n, pl -tei [NL, fr. L, Proteus] (1896): any of
          a genus (Proteus) of aerobic usu. motile enterobacteria
          that include saprophytes in decaying organic matter and
          forms associated with urinary tract infections Pro.teus
          n [L, fr. Gk Proteus]: a Greek sea god capable of assuming
          different forms

   prothalamion
          [pro.tha.la.mi.on] or pro.tha.la.mi.um n, pl -mia [NL, fr.
          Gk pro- + -thalamion (as in epithalamion)] (1597): a
          song in celebration of a marriage

   prothallium
          [pro.thal.li.um] n, pl -thal.lia [NL, fr. pro- + thallus]
          (1858) 1: the gametophyte of a pteridophyte (as a fern)
          that is typically a small flat green thallus attached
          to the soil by rhizoids 2: a greatly reduced structure
          of a seed plant corresponding to the pteridophyte prothallium

   prothallus
          [pro.thal.lus] n [NL] (1854): prothallium

   prothesis
          [proth.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [LL, alter. of prosthesis, fr.
          Gk, lit., addition--more at prosthesis] (ca. 1550): the
          addition of a sound to the beginning of a word (as in
          Old French estat--whence English estate--from Latin status)
          -- pro.thet.ic adj

   prothonotary
          [pro.tho.no.ta.ry] or pro.to.no.ta.ry n, pl -ries [ME
          prothonotarie, fr. LL protonotarius, fr. prot- + L notarius
          stenographer--more at notary public] (15c): a chief clerk of any
          of various courts of law -- pro.tho.no.tar.i.al adj

   prothoracic
          [pro.tho.rac.ic] adj (1826): of or relating to the prothorax

   prothoracic gland
          [prothoracic gland] n (1887): one of a pair of thoracic endocrine
          organs in some insects that control molting

   prothorax
          [pro.tho.rax] n [NL prothorac-, prothorax, fr. [1]pro- +
          thorax] (1826): the anterior segment of the thorax of
          an insect--see insect illustration

   prothrombin
          [pro.throm.bin] n [ISV] (1898): a plasma protein produced
          in the liver in the presence of vitamin K and converted
          into thrombin in the clotting of blood

   protist
          [pro.tist] n [NL Protista, fr. Gk, neut. pl. of protistos
          very first, primal, fr. superl. of protos first--more
          at prot-] (1889): any of a taxonomic group and esp. a
          kingdom (Protista) of unicellular, colonial, or multicellular
          organisms usu. including the protozoans and most algae
          and in various classifications prokaryotes, some or all
          fungi, and the sponges -- pro.tis.tan adj or n

   protium
          [pro.ti.um] n [NL, fr. Gk protos first] (1933): the ordinary
          light hydrogen isotope of atomic mass 1

   proto-
          [proto-] --see prot-

   protocol
          [pro.to.col] n [MF prothocole, fr. ML protocollum, fr. LGk
          protokollon first sheet of a papyrus roll bearing data
          of manufacture, fr. Gk prot- prot- + kollan to glue together,
          fr. kolla glue; perh. akin to MD helen to glue] (1541)
          1: an original draft, minute, or record of a document
          or transaction 2 a: a preliminary memorandum often formulated
          and signed by diplomatic negotiators as a basis for a
          final convention or treaty b: the records or minutes
          of a diplomatic conference or congress that show officially
          the agreements arrived at by the negotiators 3 a: a code
          prescribing strict adherence to correct etiquette and
          precedence (as in diplomatic exchange and in the military
          services) b: a set of conventions governing the treatment
          and esp. the formatting of data in an electronic communications
          system 4: a detailed plan of a scientific or medical
          experiment, treatment, or procedure

   protoderm
          [pro.to.derm] n [ISV] (ca. 1932): the outer primary meristem
          of a plant or plant part

   protogalaxy
          [pro.to.gal.axy] n (1950): a cloud of gas believed to be
          the precursor to a galaxy

   protohistory
          [pro.to.his.to.ry] n [ISV] (1903): the study of human beings
          in the times that immediately antedate recorded history
          -- pro.to.his.to.ri.an n -- pro.to.his.tor.ic adj

   protohuman
          [pro.to.hu.man] adj (ca. 1909): of, relating to, or resembling
          an early hominid (as an australopithecine) -- protohuman
          n

   protolanguage
          [pro.to.lan.guage] n (1948): an assumed or recorded ancestral
          language

   protomartyr
          [pro.to.mar.tyr] n [ME prothomartir, fr. MF, fr. LL protomartyr,
          fr. LGk protomartyr-, protomartys, fr. Gk prot- + martyr-,
          martys martyr] (15c): the first martyr in a cause or
          region

   proton
          [pro.ton] n [Gk proton, neut. of protos first--more at prot-]
          (1920): an elementary particle that is identical with
          the nucleus of the hydrogen atom, that along with neutrons
          is a constituent of all other atomic nuclei, that carries
          a positive charge numerically equal to the charge of
          an electron, and that has a mass of 1.673E-24 gram --
          pro.ton.ic adj

   protonate
          [pro.ton.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vt (1945): to add a proton
          to ~ vi: to acquire an additional proton -- pro.ton.ation
          n

   protonema
          [pro.to.ne.ma] n, pl -ne.ma.ta [NL protonemat-, protonema,
          fr. prot- + Gk nema thread--more at neMAT-] (1857): the
          primary usu. filamentous thalloid stage of the gametophyte
          in mosses and in some liverworts comparable to the prothallium
          in ferns -- pro.to.ne.mal adj -- pro.to.ne.ma.tal adj

   protonotary apostolic
          [protonotary apostolic] or prothonotary apostolic n,
          pl protonotaries apostolic or prothonotaries apostolic (1682):
          a priest of the chief college of the papal curia who keeps records
          of consistories and canonizations and signs papal bulls; also:
          an honorary member of this college

   proton synchrotron
          [proton synchrotron] n (1947): a synchrotron in which protons
          are accelerated by means of frequency modulation of the
          radio-frequency accelerating voltage so that they have
          energies of billions of electron volts

   protopathic
          [pro.to.path.ic] adj [ISV, fr. MGk protopathes affected first,
          fr. Gk prot- prot- + pathos experience, suffering--more
          at pathos] (1905): of, relating to, or being cutaneous
          sensory reception responsive only to rather gross stimuli

   protophloem
          [pro.to.phlo.em] n (1884): the first-formed phloem that develops
          from procambium, consists of narrow thin-walled cells
          capable of a limited amount of stretching, and is usu.
          associated with a region of rapid growth

   protoplanet
          [pro.to.plan.et] n (1949): a hypothetical whirling gaseous
          mass within a giant cloud of gas and dust that rotates
          around a sun and is believed to give rise to a planet
          -- pro.to.plan.e.tary adj

   protoplasm
          [pro.to.plasm] n [G Protoplasma, fr. prot- + NL plasma] (1848)
          1: the organized colloidal complex of organic and inorganic
          substances (as proteins and water) that constitutes the
          living nucleus, cytoplasm, plastids, and mitochondria
          of the cell 2: cytoplasm -- pro.to.plas.mic adj

   protoplast
          [pro.to.plast] n [MF protoplaste, fr. LL protoplastus first
          human, fr. Gk protoplastos first formed, fr. prot- prot-
          + plastos formed, fr. plassein to mold--more at plaster]
          (1532) 1: one that is formed first: prototype 2: a plant
          cell that has had its cell wall removed; also: the nucleus,
          cytoplasm, and plasma membrane of a cell as distinguished
          from inert walls and inclusions

   protoporphyrin
          [pro.to.por.phy.rin] n [ISV] (1925): a purple porphyrin acid
          obtained from hemin or heme by removal of bound iron

   protostar
          [pro.to.star] n (1947): a cloud of gas and dust in space
          believed to develop into a star

   protostele
          [pro.to.stele] n (1901): a stele forming a solid rod with
          the phloem surrounding the xylem -- pro.to.ste.lic adj

   protostome
          [pro.to.stome] n [NL Protostomia, fr. prot- + Gk stoma mouth--more
          at stomach] (ca. 1961): any of a major group (Protostomia)
          of bilateral metazoan animals (as mollusks, annelids, and
          arthropods) characterized in typical forms by determinate and
          spiral cleavage, formation of a mouth and anus directly from the
          blastopore, and formation of the coelom by splitting of the
          embryonic mesoderm--compare deuterostome

   prototroph
          [pro.to.troph] n [back-formation fr. prototrophic] (1946):
          a prototrophic individual

   prototrophic
          [pro.to.tro.phic] adj [ISV] (1900): having the nutritional
          requirements of the normal or wild type -- pro.to.tro.phy
          n

   prototypal
          [pro.to.typ.al] adj (ca. 1693): prototypical

   prototype
          [pro.to.type] n [F, fr. Gk prototypon, fr. neut. of prototypos
          archetypal, fr. prot- + typos type] (1552) 1: an original
          model on which something is patterned: archetype 2: an
          individual that exhibits the essential features of a
          later type 3: a standard or typical example 4: a first
          full-scale and usu. functional form of a new type or
          design of a construction (as an airplane)

   prototypical
          [pro.to.typ.i.cal] also pro.to.typ.ic adj (1650): of, relating
          to, or being a prototype -- pro.to.typ.i.cal.ly adv

   protoxylem
          [pro.to.xy.lem] n (1887): the first-formed xylem developing
          from procambium and consisting of narrow cells with annular,
          spiral, or scalariform wall thickenings

   protozoal
          [pro.to.zo.al] adj (1890): of or relating to protozoans

   protozoan
          [pro.to.zo.an] n [NL Protozoa, fr. prot- + -zoa] (ca. 1864):
          any of a phylum or subkingdom (Protozoa) of chiefly motile
          and heterotrophic unicellular protists (as amoebas, trypanosomes,
          sporozoans, and paramecia) that are represented in almost
          every kind of habitat and include some pathogenic parasites
          of humans and domestic animals -- protozoan adj

   protozoology
          [pro.to.zo.ol.o.gy] n [NL Protozoa + ISV -logy] (1904): a
          branch of zoology dealing with protozoans -- pro.to.zo.ol.o.gist
          n

   protozoon
          [pro.to.zo.on] n, pl -zoa [NL, fr. sing. of Protozoa] (ca.
          1853): protozoan

   protract
          [pro.tract] vt [L protractus, pp. of protrahere, lit., to
          draw forward, fr. pro- forward + trahere to draw--more
          at pro-] (1540) 1 archaic: delay, defer 2: to prolong
          in time or space: continue 3: to extend forward or outward--compare
          retract 1 syn see extend -- pro.trac.tive adj

   protracted meeting
          [protracted meeting] n (1832): a protracted revival meeting

   protractile
          [pro.trac.tile] adj [L protractus] (1828): capable of being
          thrust out <~ jaws>

   protraction
          [pro.trac.tion] n [LL protraction-, protractio act of drawing
          out, fr. protrahere] (1535) 1: the act of protracting:
          the state of being protracted 2: the drawing to scale
          of an area of land

   protractor
          [pro.trac.tor] n (ca. 1611) 1 a: one that protracts b: a
          muscle that extends a part 2: an instrument for laying
          down and measuring angles in drawing and plotting

   protreptic
          [pro.trep.tic] n [LL protrepticus hortatory, encouraging,
          fr. Gk protreptikos, fr. protrepein to turn forward,
          urge on, fr. pro- + trepein to turn] (ca. 1656): an utterance
          (as a speech) designed to instruct and persuade -- protreptic
          adj

   protrude
          [pro.trude] vb pro.trud.ed ; pro.trud.ing [L protrudere,
          fr. pro- + trudere to thrust--more at threat] vt (1620)
          1 archaic: to thrust forward 2: to cause to project ~
          vi: to jut out from the surrounding surface or context
          <a handkerchief protruding from his breast pocket> --
          pro.tru.si.ble adj

   protrusion
          [pro.tru.sion] n [L protrudere] (1646) 1: the act of protruding:
          the state of being protruded 2: something (as a part
          or excrescence) that protrudes syn see projection

   protrusive
          [pro.tru.sive] adj (1676) 1 archaic: thrusting forward 2:
          prominent, protuberant <a ~ jaw> 3: obtrusive, pushing
          <a coarse ~ manner> -- pro.tru.sive.ly adv -- pro.tru.sive.ness
          n

   protuberance
          [pro.tu.ber.ance] n (1646) 1: something that is protuberant
          2: the quality or state of being protuberant syn see
          projection

   protuberant
          [pro.tu.ber.ant] adj [LL protuberant-, protuberans, prp.
          of protuberare to bulge out, fr. L pro- forward + tuber
          excrescence, swelling; perh. akin to L tumere to swell--more
          at thumb] (1646) 1: thrusting out from a surrounding
          or adjacent surface often as a rounded mass: prominent
          2: forcing itself into consciousness: obtrusive --
          pro.tu.ber.ant.ly adv

   proud
          [proud] adj [ME, fr. OE prud, prob. fr. OF prod, prud, prou
          capable, good, valiant, fr. LL prode advantage, advantageous,
          back-formation fr. L prodesse to be advantageous, fr.
          pro-, prod- for, in favor + esse to be--more at pro-,
          is] (bef. 12c) 1: feeling or showing pride: as a: having
          or displaying excessive self-esteem b: much pleased:
          exultant c: having proper self-respect 2 a: marked by
          stateliness: magnificent b: giving reason for pride:
          glorious <the ~est moment in her life> 3: vigorous, spirited
          <a ~ steed> 4 chiefly Brit: raised above a surrounding
          area <a ~ design on a stamp> -- proud.ly adv syn proud,
          arrogant, haughty, lordly, insolent, overbearing, supercilious,
          disdainful mean showing scorn for inferiors. proud may
          suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness <too proud
          to take charity>. arrogant implies a claiming for oneself
          of more consideration or importance than is warranted
          <a conceited and arrogant executive>. haughty suggests
          a consciousness of superior birth or position <a haughty
          aristocrat>. lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant
          display of power <a lordly condescension>. insolent implies
          contemptuous haughtiness <ignored by an insolent waiter>.
          overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable
          insolence <an overbearing supervisor>. supercilious implies
          a cool, patronizing haughtiness <an aloof and supercilious
          manner>. disdainful suggests a more active and openly
          scornful superciliousness <disdainful of their social
          inferiors>.

   proud flesh
          [proud flesh] n (14c): an excessive growth of granulation
          tissue (as in an ulcer)

   proudful
          [proud.ful] adj (14c) chiefly dial: marked by or full of
          pride

   proudhearted
          [proud.heart.ed] adj (14c): proud in spirit: haughty

   proustite
          [proust.ite] n [F, fr. Joseph L. Proust d. 1826 Fr. chemist]
          (1835): a mineral that consists of a red silver arsenic
          sulfide and occurs in crystals or massively

   prov
          [prov] abbreviation province, provincial, provisional  Prov
          abbreviation Proverbs

   provascular
          [pro.vas.cu.lar] adj (ca. 1948): of, relating to, or being
          procambium

   prove
          [prove] vb proved ; proved or prov.en ; prov.ing [ME, fr.
          OF prover, fr. L probare to test, approve, prove, fr.
          probus good, honest, fr. pro- for, in favor + -bus (akin
          to OE beon to be)--more at pro-, be] vt (13c) 1 archaic:
          to learn or find out by experience 2 a: to test the truth,
          validity, or genuineness of <the exception ~s the rule>
          <~ a will at probate> b: to test the worth or quality
          of; specif: to compare against a standard--sometimes
          used with up or out c: to check the correctness of (as
          an arithmetic result) 3 a: to establish the existence,
          truth, or validity of (as by evidence or logic) <~ a
          theorem> <the charges were never proved in court> b:
          to demonstrate as having a particular quality or worth
          <the vaccine has been proven effective after years of
          tests> <proved herself a great actress> 4: to show (oneself)
          to be worthy or capable <eager to ~ myself in the new
          job> ~ vi: to turn out esp. after trial or test <the
          new drug proved effective> -- prov.able adj -- prov.able.ness
          n -- prov.ably adv -- prov.er n usage The past participle
          proven, orig. the past participle of preve, a Middle
          English variant of prove that survived in Scotland, has
          gradually worked its way into standard English over the
          past three and a half centuries. It seems to have first
          become established in legal use and to have come only
          slowly into literary use. Tennyson was one of its earliest
          frequent users, prob. for metrical reasons. It was disapproved
          by 19th century gr ammarians, one of whom included it
          in a list of "words that are not words." Surveys made
          some 30 or 40 years ago indicated that proved was about
          four times as frequent as proven. But our evidence from
          the last 10 or 15 years shows this no longer to be the
          case. As a past participle proven is now about as frequent
          as proved in all contexts. As an attributive adjective
          <proved or proven gas reserves> proven is much more common
          than proved.

   provenance
          [prov.e.nance] n [F, fr. provenir to come forth, originate,
          fr. L provenire, fr. pro- forth + venire to come--more
          at pro-, come] (1785) 1: origin, source 2: the history
          of ownership of a valued object or work of art or literature

   [1]Provencal
          [Pro.ven.cal] adj [MF, fr. Provence Provence] (1589) 1: of,
          relating to, or characteristic of Provence or the people
          of Provence 2 or Pro.ven.cale : cooked with garlic, onion,
          mushrooms, tomato, olive oil, and herbs <scallops ~>
          [2]Pro.ven.cal n (1600) 1: a native or inhabitant of
          Provence 2: a Romance language spoken in southern France;
          esp: the dialect of this language spoken in Provence

   provender
          [prov.en.der] n [ME, fr. MF provende, provendre, fr. ML provenda,
          alter. of praebenda prebend] (14c) 1: dry food for domestic
          animals: feed 2: food, victuals

   provenience
          [pro.ve.nience] n [alter. of provenance] (1882): origin,
          source

   provenly
          [prov.en.ly] adv (1887): demonstrably as stated: without
          doubt or uncertainty

   proventriculus
          [pro.ven.tric.u.lus] n, pl -li [NL] (ca. 1836) 1: the glandular
          or true stomach of a bird that is situated between the
          crop and gizzard 2: a muscular dilatation of the foregut
          in most mandibulate insects that is armed internally
          with chitinous teeth or plates for triturating food 3:
          the thin-walled sac in front of the gizzard of an earthworm

   prove out
          [prove out] vi (1941): to turn out to be satisfactory or
          as expected

   [1]proverb
          [prov.erb] n [ME proverbe, fr. MF, fr. L proverbium, fr.
          pro- + verbum word--more at word] (14c) 1: a brief popular
          epigram or maxim: adage 2: byword 4 [2]proverb vt (14c)
          1: to speak of proverbially 2 obs: to provide with a
          proverb

   pro-verb
          [pro-verb] n (1907): a form of the verb do used to avoid
          repetition of a verb (as do in "act as I do")

   proverbial
          [pro.ver.bi.al] adj (1548) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          a proverb 2: that has become a proverb or byword: commonly
          spoken of <the ~ smoking gun> -- pro.ver.bi.al.ly adv

   Proverbs
          [Prov.erbs] n pl but sing in constr: a collection of moral
          sayings and counsels forming a book of canonical Jewish
          and Christian Scripture

   provide
          [pro.vide] vb pro.vid.ed ; pro.vid.ing [ME, fr. L providere,
          lit., to see ahead, fr. pro- forward + videre to see--more
          at pro-, wit] vi (15c) 1: to take precautionary measures
          <~ for the common defense --U.S. Constitution> 2: to
          make a proviso or stipulation <the constitution ... ~s
          for an elected two-chamber legislature --Current Biog.>
          3: to make preparation to meet a need <~ for entertainment>;
          esp: to supply something for sustenance or support <~s
          for the poor> ~ vt 1 archaic: to prepare or get ready
          in advance 2 a: to supply or make available (something
          wanted or needed) <provided new uniforms for the band>;
          also: afford <curtains ~ privacy> b: to make something
          available to <~ the children with free balloons> 3: to
          have as a condition: stipulate <the contract ~s that
          certain deadlines will be met>

   provided
          [provided] conj [ME, pp. of providen to provide] (15c): on
          condition that: with the understanding: if usage see
          providing

   providence
          [prov.i.dence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L providentia, fr. provident-,
          providens] (14c) 1 a often cap: divine guidance or care
          b cap: God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding
          human destiny 2: the quality or state of being provident

   provident
          [prov.i.dent] adj [ME, fr. L provident-, providens, fr. prp.
          of providere] (15c) 1: making provision for the future:
          prudent 2: frugal, saving -- prov.i.dent.ly adv

   providential
          [prov.i.den.tial] adj (1648) 1: of, relating to, or determined
          by Providence 2 archaic: marked by foresight: prudent
          3: occurring by or as if by an intervention of Providence
          <a ~ escape> syn see lucky -- prov.i.den.tial.ly adv

   provider
          [pro.vid.er] n (1523): one that provides; esp: breadwinner

   providing
          [providing] conj [ME, prp. of providen] (15c): on condition
          that: in case usage Although occas. still disapproved,
          providing is as well established as a conjunction as
          provided is. Provided is more common.

   province
          [prov.ince] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L provincia] (14c) 1 a: a
          country or region brought under the control of the ancient
          Roman government b: an administrative district or division
          of a country c pl: all of a country except the metropolises
          2 a: a division of a country forming the jurisdiction
          of an archbishop or metropolitan b: a territorial unit
          of a religious order 3 a: a biogeographic division of
          less rank than a region b: an area that exhibits essential
          continuity of geological history; also: one characterized
          by particular structural or petrological features 4 a:
          proper or appropriate function or scope: sphere b: a
          department of knowledge or activity syn see function

   [1]provincial
          [pro.vin.cial] n [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. MF or ML; MF, fr.
          ML provincialis, fr. provincia ecclesiastical province;
          in other senses, fr. L provincialis, fr. provincia province]
          (14c) 1: the superior of a province of a Roman Catholic
          religious order 2: one living in or coming from a province
          3 a: a person of local or restricted interests or outlook
          b: a person lacking urban polish or refinement [2]provincial
          adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or coming from a province
          2 a: limited in outlook: narrow b: lacking the polish
          of urban society: unsophisticated 3: of or relating to
          a decorative style (as in furniture) marked by simplicity,
          informality, and relative plainness; esp: french provincial
          -- pro.vin.cial.ly adv

   provincialism
          [pro.vin.cial.ism] n (1770) 1: a dialectal or local word,
          phrase, or idiom 2: the quality or state of being provincial

   provincialist
          [pro.vin.cial.ist] n (1656): a native or inhabitant of a
          province

   provinciality
          [pro.vin.ci.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1782) 1: provincialism
          2 2: an act or instance of provincialism

   provincialize
          [pro.vin.cial.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1829): to make provincial
          -- pro.vin.cial.i.za.tion n

   proving ground
          [proving ground] n (ca. 1890) 1: a place for scientific
          experimentation or testing (as of vehicles or weapons) 2: a place
          where something is developed or tried out

   provirus
          [pro.vi.rus] n [NL] (1949): a form of a virus that is integrated
          into the genetic material of a host cell and by replicating
          with it can be transmitted from one cell generation to
          the next without causing lysis -- pro.vi.ral adj

   [1]provision
          [pro.vi.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL & L; LL provision-, provisio
          act of providing, fr. L, foresight, fr. providere to
          see ahead--more at provide] (14c) 1 a: the act or process
          of providing b: the fact or state of being prepared beforehand
          c: a measure taken beforehand to deal with a need or
          contingency: preparation <made ~ for replacements> 2:
          a stock of needed materials or supplies; esp: a stock
          of food--usu. used in pl. 3: proviso, stipulation [2]provision
          vt pro.vi.sioned ; pro.vi.sion.ing (1809): to supply
          with provisions

   [1]provisional
          [pro.vi.sion.al] adj (1601): serving for the time being:
          temporary -- pro.vi.sion.al.ly adv [2]provisional n (1886):
          a postage stamp for use until a regular issue appears--compare
          definitive

   provisionary
          [pro.vi.sion.ary] adj (1617): provisional

   provisioner
          [pro.vi.sion.er] n (1866): a furnisher of provisions

   proviso
          [pro.vi.so] n, pl -sos or -soes [ME, fr. ML proviso quod
          provided that] (15c) 1: an article or clause (as in a
          contract) that introduces a condition 2: a conditional
          stipulation

   provisory
          [pro.vi.so.ry] adj (ca. 1611) 1: containing or subject to
          a proviso: conditional 2: provisional

   provitamin
          [pro.vi.ta.min] n (1927): a precursor of a vitamin convertible
          into the vitamin in an organism

   Provo
          [Pro.vo] n, pl Provos [Provisional I.R.A., name of the faction
          + [1]-o] (1971): a member of the extremist faction of
          the Irish Republican Army

   provocateur
          [pro.vo.ca.teur] n (1919): agent provocateur

   provocation
          [prov.o.ca.tion] n [ME provocacioun, fr. MF provocation,
          fr. L provocation-, provocatio, fr. provocare] (14c)
          1: the act of provoking: incitement 2: something that
          provokes, arouses, or stimulates

   provocative
          [pro.voc.a.tive] adj (15c): serving or tending to provoke,
          excite, or stimulate -- provocative n -- pro.voc.a.tive.ly
          adv -- pro.voc.a.tive.ness n

   provoke
          [pro.voke] vt pro.voked ; pro.vok.ing [ME, fr. MF provoquer,
          fr. L provocare, fr. pro- forth + vocare to call, fr.
          voc-, vox voice--more at pro-, voice] (14c) 1 a archaic:
          to arouse to a feeling or action b: to incite to anger
          2 a: to call forth (as a feeling or action): evoke <~
          laughter> b: to stir up purposely <~ a fight> c: to provide
          the needed stimulus for <will ~ a lot of discussion>
          -- pro.vok.er n syn provoke, excite, stimulate, pique,
          quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking. provoke directs
          attention to the response called forth <my stories usually
          provoke laughter>. excite implies a stirring up or moving
          profoundly <news that excited anger and frustration>.
          stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence,
          or indifference <stimulating conversation>. pique suggests
          stimulating by mild irritation or challenge <that remark
          piqued my interest>. quicken implies beneficially stimulating
          and making active or lively <the high salary quickened
          her desire to have the job>. syn see in addition irritate

   provoking
          [pro.vok.ing] adj (1642): causing mild anger: annoying --
          pro.vok.ing.ly adv

   provolone
          [pro.vo.lo.ne] n [It, aug. of provola, a kind of cheese]
          (1912): a usu. firm pliant often smoked cheese of Italian
          origin

   provost
          [pro.vost] n [ME, fr. OE profost & OF provost, fr. ML propositus,
          alter. of praepositus, fr. L, one in charge, director,
          fr. pp. of praeponere to place at the head--more at preposition]
          (bef. 12c) 1: the chief dignitary of a collegiate or
          cathedral chapter 2: the chief magistrate of a Scottish
          burgh 3: the keeper of a prison 4: a high-ranking university
          administrative officer

   provost court
          [provost court] n (1864): a military court usu. for the trial
          of minor offenses within an occupied hostile territory

   provost guard
          [provost guard] n (1862): a police detail of soldiers under
          the authority of the provost marshal

   provost marshal
          [provost marshal] n (1535): an officer who supervises the
          military police of a command

   [1]prow
          [prow] adj [ME, fr. MF prou--more at proud] (14c) archaic:
          valiant, gallant [2]prow n [MF proue, prob. fr. OIt dial.
          prua, fr. L prora, fr. Gk proira] (1555) 1: the bow of
          a ship: stem 2: a pointed projecting front part

   prowess
          [prow.ess] n [ME prouesse, fr. OF proesse, fr. prou] (13c)
          1: distinguished bravery; esp: military valor and skill
          2: extraordinary ability <his ~ on the football field>

   [1]prowl
          [prowl] vb [ME prollen] vi (14c): to move about or wander
          stealthily in or as if in search of prey ~ vt: to roam
          over in a predatory manner -- prowl.er n [2]prowl n (1803):
          an act or instance of prowling -- on the prowl : in the
          act of prowling; also: in search of something <his fourth
          wife had just left him, and he was on the prowl again
          --Mary McCarthy>

   prowl car
          [prowl car] n (1937): squad car

   prox
          [prox] abbreviation proximo

   proxemics
          [prox.e.mics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [proximity +
          -emics (as in phonemics)] (1963): the study of the nature,
          degree, and effect of the spatial separation individuals
          naturally maintain (as in various social and interpersonal
          situations) and of how this separation relates to environmental
          and cultural factors -- prox.e.mic adj

   proximal
          [prox.i.mal] adj [L proximus] (1727) 1: situated close to:
          proximate 2: next to or nearest the point of attachment
          or origin, a central point, or the point of view; esp:
          located toward the center of the body--compare distal
          3: of, relating to, or being the mesial and distal surfaces
          of a tooth -- prox.i.mal.ly adv

   proximal convoluted tubule
          [proximal convoluted tubule] n (ca. 1899): the convoluted
          portion of the vertebrate nephron that lies between Bowman's
          capsule and the loop of Henle and functions esp. in the
          resorption of sugar, sodium and chloride ions, and water
          from the glomerular filtrate--called also proximal tubule

   proximate
          [prox.i.mate] adj [L proximatus, pp. of proximare to approach,
          fr. proximus nearest, next, superl. of prope near--more
          at approach] (1661) 1: immediately preceding or following
          (as in a chain of events, causes, or effects) <~, rather
          than ultimate, goals --Reinhold Niebuhr> 2 a: very near:
          close b: soon forthcoming: imminent -- prox.i.mate.ly
          adv -- prox.i.mate.ness n

   proximity
          [prox.im.i.ty] n [MF proximite, fr. L proximitat-, proximitas,
          fr. proximus] (15c): the quality or state of being proximate:
          closeness

   proximity fuze
          [proximity fuze] n (1945): a fuze for a projectile that uses
          the principle of radar to detect the presence of a target
          within the projectile's effective range

   proximo
          [prox.i.mo] adj [L proximo mense in the next month] (1855):
          of or occurring in the next month after the present

   proxy
          [proxy] n, pl prox.ies [ME procucie, contr. of procuracie,
          fr. AF, fr. ML procuratia, alter. of L procuratio procuration]
          (15c) 1: the agency, function, or office of a deputy
          who acts as a substitute for another 2 a: authority or
          power to act for another b: a document giving such authority;
          specif: a power of attorney authorizing a specified person
          to vote corporate stock 3: a person authorized to act
          for another: procurator -- proxy adj

   proxy marriage
          [proxy marriage] n (1900): a marriage celebrated in the absence
          of one of the contracting parties who is represented
          at the ceremony by a proxy

   prude
          [prude] n [F, good woman, prudish woman, short for prudefemme
          good woman, fr. OF prode femme] (1704): a person who
          is excessively or priggishly attentive to propriety or
          decorum; esp: a woman who shows or affects extreme modesty

   prudence
          [pru.dence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L prudentia, alter.
          of providentia--more at providence] (14c) 1: the ability to govern
          and discipline oneself by the use of reason 2: sagacity
          or shrewdness in the management of affairs 3: skill and good
          judgment in the use of resources 4: caution or circumspection
          as to danger or risk

   prudent
          [pru.dent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L prudent-, prudens, contr.
          of provident-, providens--more at provident] (14c): characterized
          by, arising from, or showing prudence: as a: marked by
          wisdom or judiciousness b: shrewd in the management of
          practical affairs c: marked by circumspection: discreet
          d: provident, frugal syn see wise -- pru.dent.ly adv

   prudential
          [pru.den.tial] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or proceeding
          from prudence 2: exercising prudence esp. in business
          matters -- pru.den.tial.ly adv

   prudery
          [prud.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1709) 1: the characteristic quality
          or state of a prude 2: a prudish act or remark

   prudish
          [prud.ish] adj (1717): marked by prudery: priggish -- prud.ish.ly
          adv -- prud.ish.ness n

   pruinose
          [pru.i.nose] adj [L pruinosus covered with hoarfrost, fr.
          pruina hoarfrost--more at freeze] (ca. 1826): covered
          with whitish dust or bloom <~ stems>

   [1]prune
          [prune] n [ME, fr. MF, plum, fr. L prunum--more at plum]
          (14c): a plum dried or capable of drying without fermentation
          [2]prune vb pruned ; prun.ing [ME prouynen, fr. MF proignier,
          prob. alter. of provigner to layer, fr. provain layer,
          fr. L propagin-, propago, fr. pro- forward + pangere
          to fix--more at pro-, pact] vt (15c) 1 a: to reduce esp.
          by eliminating superfluous matter <pruned the text> <~
          the budget> b: to remove as superfluous <~ away all ornamentation>
          2: to cut off or cut back parts of for better shape or more
          fruitful growth ~ vi: to cut away what is unwanted or superfluous
          -- prun.er n

   prunella
          [pru.nel.la] also pru.nelle n [F prunelle, lit., sloe, fr.
          dim. of prune plum] (1670) 1: a twilled woolen dress
          fabric 2: a heavy woolen fabric used for the uppers of
          shoes

   pruning hook
          [pruning hook] n (1611): a pole bearing a curved blade for
          pruning plants

   prunus
          [pru.nus] n [NL, fr. L, plum tree, fr. Gk proumne] (1901):
          any of a genus (Prunus) of drupaceous trees or shrubs
          of the rose family that have showy clusters of usu. white
          or pink flowers first appearing in the spring often before
          the leaves including many grown for ornament or for their
          fruit (as the plum, cherry, or apricot)

   prurience
          [pru.ri.ence] n (1781): the quality or state of being prurient

   pruriency
          [pru.ri.en.cy] n (1795): prurience

   prurient
          [pru.ri.ent] adj [L prurient-, pruriens, prp. of prurire
          to itch, crave; akin to L pruna glowing coal, Skt plosati
          he singes, and prob. to L pruina hoarfrost--more at freeze]
          (1592): marked by or arousing an immoderate or unwholesome
          interest or desire; esp: marked by, arousing, or appealing
          to unusual sexual desire -- pru.ri.ent.ly adv

   prurigo
          [pru.ri.go] n [NL, fr. L, itch, fr. prurire] (ca. 1646):
          a chronic inflammatory skin disease marked by itching
          papules

   pruritic
          [pru.rit.ic] adj (1899): of, relating to, or marked by itching

   pruritus
          [pru.ri.tus] n [L, fr. prurire] (1653): itch 1a

   Prussian blue
          [Prus.sian blue] n [Prussia, Germany] (1724) 1: any of numerous
          blue iron pigments formerly regarded as ferric ferrocyanide
          2: a dark blue crystalline hydrated ferric ferrocyanide
          used as a test for ferric iron 3: a greenish blue

   prussianise
          [prus.sian.ise] Brit var of prussianize

   Prussianism
          [Prus.sian.ism] n (1856): the practices or policies (as the
          advocacy of militarism) held to be typically Prussian

   prussianize
          [prus.sian.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing often cap (1861): to make
          Prussian in character or principle (as in authoritarian
          control or rigid discipline) -- prus.sian.i.za.tion n

   prutah
          [pru.tah] or pru.ta n, pl pru.toth or pru.tot [NHeb perutah,
          fr. LHeb, a small coin] (1949) 1: a former monetary unit
          of Israel equivalent to 1/1000 pound 2: a coin representing
          one prutah

   [1]pry
          [pry] vi pried ; pry.ing [ME prien] (14c): to look closely
          or inquisitively; also: to make a nosy or presumptuous
          inquiry [2]pry vt pried ; pry.ing [prob. back-formation
          fr. [5]prize] (ca. 1806) 1: to raise, move, or pull apart
          with a lever: prize 2: to extract, detach, or open with
          difficulty <pried the secret out of my sister> [3]pry
          n (1823) 1: a tool for prying 2: leverage

   pryer
          [pry.er] var of prier

   prying
          [prying] adj (1552): impertinently or officiously inquisitive
          or interrogatory syn see curious -- pry.ing.ly adv

   Przewalski's horse
          [Prze.wal.ski's horse] n [Nikolai M. Przhevalskii d. 1888
          Russ. soldier & explorer] (1881): a small stocky bay-
          or dun-colored wild horse (Equus caballus przewalskii
          syn. E. przewalskii) of central Asia having a large head
          and short erect mane--called also Przewalski horse

   ps...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   ps
          [ps] abbreviation picosecond  Ps or Psa abbreviation Psalms
          PS [NL postscriptum] abbreviation postscript; power
          steering, power supply, public school

   PSA
          [PSA] abbreviation public service announcement

   psalm
          [psalm] n, often cap [ME, fr. OE psealm, fr. LL psalmus,
          fr. Gk psalmos, lit., twanging of a harp, fr. psallein
          to pluck, play a stringed instrument] (bef. 12c): a sacred
          song or poem used in worship; esp: one of the biblical
          hymns collected in the Book of Psalms

   psalmbook
          [psalm.book] n (12c) archaic: psalter

   psalmist
          [psalm.ist] n (15c): a writer or composer of esp. biblical
          psalms

   psalmody
          [psalm.o.dy] n [ME psalmodie, fr. LL psalmodia, fr. LGk psalmoidia,
          lit., singing to the harp, fr. Gk psalmos + aidein to sing--more
          at ode] (14c) 1: the act, practice, or art of singing psalms
          in worship 2: a collection of psalms

   Psalms
          [Psalms] n pl but sing in constr: a collection of sacred
          poems forming a book of canonical Jewish and Christian
          Scripture

   Psalter
          [Psal.ter] n [ME, fr. OE psalter & OF psaltier, fr. LL psalterium,
          fr. LGk psalterion, fr. Gk, psaltery] (bef. 12c): the Book
          of Psalms; also: a collection of Psalms for liturgical
          or devotional use

   psal terium
          [psal .te.ri.um] n, pl -ria [NL, fr. LL, psalter; fr. the
          resemblance of the folds to the pages of a book] (ca.
          1846): omasum

   psaltery
          [psal.tery] also psal.try n, pl -ter.ies also -tries [ME
          psalterie, fr. MF, fr. L psalterium, fr. Gk psalterion,
          fr. psallein to play on a stringed instrument] (14c):
          an ancient musical instrument resembling the zither

   psec
          [psec] abbreviation picosecond

   psephology
          [pse.phol.o.gy] n [Gk psephos pebble, ballot, vote; fr. the
          use of pebbles by the ancient Greeks in voting] (1952):
          the scientific study of elections -- pse.pho.log.i.cal
          adj -- pse.phol.o.gist n

   pseud
          [pseud] n [short for pseudo-intellectual] (1964) Brit: a
          person who pretends to be an intellectual

   pseud
          [pseud] abbreviation pseudonym, pseudonymous

   pseud-
          [pseud-] or pseudo- comb form [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr. pseudes,
          fr. pseudesthai to lie; akin to Arm sut lie and prob.
          to Gk psychein to breathe--more at psych-]: false: spurious
          <pseudoclassic> <pseudopodium>

   pseudepigraph
          [pseud.ep.i.graph] n (1884): pseudepigraphon 2

   pseudepigraphon
          [pseud.epig.ra.phon] n, pl -pha [NL, sing. of pseudepigrapha,
          fr. Gk, neut. pl. of pseudepigraphos falsely inscribed,
          fr. pseud- + epigraphein to inscribe--more at epigram]
          (1692) 1 pl: apocrypha 2: any of various pseudonymous
          or anonymous Jewish religious writings of the period
          200 b.c. to 200 a.d.; esp: one of such writings (as the
          Psalms of Solomon) not included in any canon of biblical
          Scripture--usu. used in pl.

   pseudepigraphy
          [pseud.epig.ra.phy] n [Gk pseudepigraphos] (ca. 1842): the
          ascription of false names of authors to works

   pseudo
          [pseu.do] adj [ME, fr. pseudo-] (15c): being apparently rather
          than actually as stated: sham, spurious <distinction
          between true and ~ humanism --K. F. Reinhardt>

   pseudoallele
          [pseu.do.al.lele] n (1948): any of two or more closely linked
          genes that act usu. as if a single member of an allelic
          pair but occas. undergo crossing-over and recombination

   pseudocholinesterase
          [pseu.do.cho.lin.es.ter.ase] n (1943): cholinesterase 2

   pseudoclassic
          [pseu.do.clas.sic] adj (1899): pretending to be or erroneously
          regarded as classic -- pseudoclassic n

   pseudoclassicism
          [pseu.do.clas.si.cism] n (1871): imitative representation
          of classicism in literature and art

   pseudocoel
          [pseu.do.coel] n (1887): a body cavity that is not a product
          of gastrulation and is not lined with a well-defined
          mesodermal membrane

   pseudocoelomate
          [pseu.do.coe.lom.ate] n (1940): an invertebrate (as a nematode
          or rotifer) having a body cavity that is a pseudocoel
          -- pseudocoelomate adj

   pseudocyesis
          [pseu.do.cy.e.sis] n [NL, fr. pseud- + cyesis pregnancy,
          fr. Gk kyesis, fr. kyein to be pregnant--more at cyme]
          (ca. 1817): a psychosomatic state that occurs without
          conception and is marked by some of the physical symptoms
          and changes in hormonal balance of pregnancy

   pseudomonad
          [pseu.do.mo.nad] n [NL Pseudomonad-, Pseudomonas] (1921):
          any of a genus (Pseudomonas) of gram-negative rod-shaped
          motile bacteria including some that produce a greenish
          fluorescent water-soluble pigment and some that are saprophytes
          or plant or animal pathogens

   pseudomonas
          [pseu.do.mo.nas] n, pl -mo.na.des [NL, fr. pseud- + monad-,
          monas monad] (1903): pseudomonad

   pseudomorph
          [pseu.do.morph] n [prob. fr. F pseudomorphe, fr. pseud- +
          -morphe -morph] (1849) 1: a mineral having the characteristic
          outward form of another species 2: a deceptive or irregular
          form -- pseu.do.mor.phic adj -- pseu.do.mor.phism n --
          pseu.do.mor.phous adj

   pseudonym
          [pseu.do.nym] n [F pseudonyme, fr. Gk pseudonymos bearing
          a false name, fr. pseud- + onyma name--more at name]
          (1833): a fictitious name; esp: pen name

   pseudonymity
          [pseu.do.nym.i.ty] n (1877): the use of a pseudonym; also:
          the fact or state of being signed with a pseudonym

   pseudonymous
          [pseu.don.y.mous] adj [Gk pseudonymos] (ca. 1706): bearing
          or using a fictitious name <a ~ report>; also: being
          a pseudonym -- pseu.don.y.mous.ly adv -- pseu.don.y.mous.ness
          n

   pseudoparenchyma
          [pseu.do.pa.ren.chy.ma] n [NL] (1875): compactly interwoven
          short-celled filaments in a thallophyte that resemble
          parenchyma of higher plants -- pseu.do.par.en.chy.ma.tous
          adj

   pseudopod
          [pseu.do.pod] n [NL pseudopodium] (1874): pseudopodium --
          pseu.dop.o.dal or pseu.do.po.di.al adj

   pseudopodium
          [pseu.do.po.di.um] n, pl -po.dia [NL] (1854) 1: a temporary
          protrusion or retractile process of the cytoplasm of
          a cell that functions (as in an amoeba) esp. in a locomotor
          or food gathering capacity--see amoeba illustration 2:
          a slender leafless branch of the gametophyte in various
          mosses that often bears gemmae

   pseudopregnancy
          [pseu.do.preg.nan.cy] n (1860) 1: pseudocyesis 2: an anestrous
          state resembling pregnancy that occurs in various mammals
          usu. after an infertile copulation -- pseu.do.preg.nant
          adj

   pseudorandom
          [pseu.do.ran.dom] adj (1949): being or involving entities
          (as numbers) that are selected by a definite computational
          process but that satisfy one or more standard tests for
          statistical randomness

   pseudoscience
          [pseu.do.sci.ence] n (1844): a system of theories, assumptions,
          and methods erroneously regarded as scientific --
          pseu.do.sci.en.tif.ic adj -- pseu.do.sci.en.tist n

   pseudoscorpion
          [pseu.do.scor.pi.on] n [NL Pseudoscorpiones, fr. pseud- +
          L scorpion-, scorpio scorpion] (1835): any of a widely
          distributed order (Pseudoscorpionida syn. Pseudoscorpiones)
          of tiny arachnids that have no caudal stinger and feed
          on tiny invertebrates (as insects and mites)

   pseudosophistication
          [pseu.do.so.phis.ti.ca.tion] n (1965): false or feigned
          sophistication -- pseu.do.so.phis.ti.cat.ed adj

   pseudotuberculosis
          [pseu.do.tu.ber.cu.lo.sis] n [NL] (1900): any of several
          diseases that are characterized by the formation of granulomas
          resembling tubercular nodules but are not caused by the
          tubercle bacillus

   psf
          [psf] abbreviation pounds per square foot

   PSG
          [PSG] abbreviation platoon sergeant

   pshaw
          [pshaw] interj (1673)--used to express irritation, disapproval,
          contempt, or disbelief

   [1]psi
          [psi] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. LGk, fr. Gk psei] (15c): the 23d
          letter of the Greek alphabet [2]psi n [prob. by shortening
          & alter. fr. psychic] (ca. 1946): parapsychological psychic
          phenomena or powers

   psi
          [psi] abbreviation pounds per square inch

   psig
          [psig] abbreviation pounds per square inch gauge

   psilocybin
          [psi.lo.cy.bin] n [NL Psilocybe, fungus genus + [1]-in] (1958):
          a hallucinogenic indole obtained from a fungus (Psilocybe
          mexicana)

   psilophyte
          [psi.lo.phyte] n [NL Psilophyton, genus of plants, fr. Gk
          psilos bare, mere (prob. akin to Gk psen to rub) + phyton
          plant--more at phyt-] (ca. 1911): any of an order (Psilophytales)
          of extinct simple dichotomously branched plants from
          the Paleozoic of Europe and eastern Canada that include
          the oldest known land plants with vascular structure
          -- psi.lo.phyt.ic adj

   psi particle
          [psi particle] n (1974): j/psi particle

   psittacine
          [psit.ta.cine] adj [L psittacinus, fr. psittacus parrot,
          fr. Gk psittakos] (1874): of or relating to the parrots
          -- psittacine n

   psittacosis
          [psit.ta.co.sis] n [NL, fr. L psittacus] (1897): an infectious
          disease of birds caused by a bacterium (Chlamydia psittaci),
          marked by diarrhea and wasting, and transmissible to
          humans in whom it usu. occurs as an atypical pneumonia
          accompanied by high fever -- psit.ta.co.tic adj

   psocid
          [pso.cid] n [ultim. fr. NL Psocus, genus of lice] (1891):
          any of an order (Psocoptera syn. Corrodentia) of minute
          usu. winged primitive insects (as a book louse)

   psoriasis
          [pso.ri.a.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk psoriasis, fr. psorian to have
          the itch, fr. psora itch; akin to Gk psen to rub] (ca.
          1684): a chronic skin disease characterized by circumscribed
          red patches covered with white scales -- pso.ri.at.ic
          adj or n

   PST
          [PST] abbreviation Pacific standard time

   psych
          [psych] also psyche vt psyched ; psych.ing [by shortening]
          (1917) 1: psychoanalyze 2 a: to anticipate correctly
          the intentions or actions of: outguess b: to analyze
          or figure out (as a problem or course of action) <I ~ed
          it all out by myself and decided --David Hulburd> 3 a:
          to make psychologically uneasy: intimidate, scare <pressure
          doesn't ~ me --Jerry Quarry>--often used with out b:
          to make (as oneself) psychologically ready esp. for
          performance--often used with up <~ed herself up for the race>

   psych-
          [psych-] or psycho- comb form [Gk, fr. psyche breath, principle
          of life, life, soul, fr. psychein to breathe; akin to
          Skt babhasti he blows] 1: mind: mental processes and
          activities <psychodynamic> <psychology> 2: psychological
          methods <psychoanalysis> <psychotherapy> 3: brain <psychosurgery>
          4: mental and <psychosomatic>

   psych
          [psych] abbreviation psychology

   psychasthenia
          [psych.as.the.nia] n [NL] (1900): a neurotic state characterized
          esp. by phobias, obsessions, or compulsions that one
          knows are irrational -- psych.as.then.ic adj or n

   Psyche
          [Psy.che] n [L, fr. Gk psyche soul] 1: a princess loved by
          Cupid 2a not cap: soul, self b: mind

   psychedelia
          [psy.che.de.lia] n [NL, fr. E psychedelic] (1967): the world
          of people, phenomena, or items associated with psychedelic
          drugs

   [1]psychedelic
          [psy.che.del.ic] n [irreg. fr. psych- + Gk deloun to show,
          fr. delos evident; akin to Skt dideti it shines, L dies
          day--more at deity] (1956): a psychedelic drug (as LSD)
          [2]psychedelic adj (1957) 1 a: of, relating to, or being
          drugs (as LSD) capable of producing abnormal psychic
          effects (as hallucinations) and sometimes psychic states
          resembling mental illness b: produced by or associated
          with the use of psychedelic drugs <a ~ experience> 2:
          imitating, suggestive of, or reproducing effects (as
          distorted or bizarre images or sounds) resembling those
          produced by psychedelic drugs <~ color schemes> --
          psy.che.del.i.cal.ly adv

   psychiatry
          [psy.chi.a.try] n [prob. fr. F psychiatrie, fr. psychiatre
          psychiatrist, fr. psych- psych- + Gk iatros physician--more
          at -iatry] (ca. 1846): a branch of medicine that deals
          with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders -- psy.chi.at.ric
          adj -- psy.chi.at.ri.cal.ly adv -- psy.chi.a.trist n

   [1]psychic
          [psy.chic] also psy.chi.cal adj [Gk psychikos of the soul,
          fr. psyche soul] (1642) 1: of or relating to the psyche:
          psychogenic 2: lying outside the sphere of physical science
          or knowledge: immaterial, moral, or spiritual in origin
          or force 3: sensitive to nonphysical or supernatural
          forces and influences: marked by extraordinary or mysterious
          sensitivity, perception, or understanding -- psy.chi.cal.ly
          adv [2]psychic n (1871) 1 a: a person apparently sensitive
          to nonphysical forces b: medium 2d 2: psychic phenomena

   psycho
          [psy.cho] n, pl psychos [short for psychopath] (1942): a
          deranged or psychopathic person--not used technically
          -- psycho adj

   psychoacoustics
          [psy.cho.acous.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1948): a branch
          of science dealing with hearing, the sensations produced
          by sounds, and the problems of communication -- psy.cho.acous.tic
          adj

   psychoactive
          [psy.cho.ac.tive] adj (1961): affecting the mind or behavior
          <~ drugs>

   psychoanalysis
          [psy.cho.anal.y.sis] n [NL] (1906): a method of analyzing
          psychic phenomena and treating emotional disorders that
          involves treatment sessions during which the patient
          is encouraged to talk freely about personal experiences
          and esp. about early childhood and dreams -- psy.cho.an.a.lyst
          n

   psychoanalytic
          [psy.cho.an.a.lyt.ic] also psy.cho.an.a.lyt.i.cal adj (1906):
          of, relating to, or employing psychoanalysis or its principles
          and techniques -- psy.cho.an.a.lyt.i.cal.ly adv

   psychoanalyze
          [psy.cho.an.a.lyze] vt (1911): to treat by means of psychoanalysis

   psychobabble
          [psy.cho.bab.ble] n (1975): a predominantly metaphorical
          language for expressing one's feelings; also: psychological
          jargon -- psy.cho.bab.bler n

   psychobiography
          [psy.cho.bi.og.ra.phy] n (1931): a biography written from
          a psychodynamic or psychoanalytic point of view; also:
          the application of such a point of view when writing
          a biography -- psy.cho.bi.og.ra.pher n -- psy.cho.bio.graph.i.cal
          adj

   psychobiology
          [psy.cho.bi.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1902): the study of mental
          functioning and behavior in relation to other biological
          processes -- psy.cho.bi.o.log.i.cal also psy.cho.bi.o.log.ic
          adj -- psy.cho.bi.ol.o.gist n

   psychochemical
          [psy.cho.chem.i.cal] n (1956): a psychoactive chemical --
          psychochemical adj

   psychodrama
          [psy.cho.dra.ma] n (1937) 1: an extemporized dramatization
          designed to afford catharsis and social relearning for
          one or more of the participants from whose life history
          the plot is abstracted 2: a dramatic narrative or event
          characterized by psychological overtones -- psy.cho.dra.mat.ic
          adj

   psychodynamics
          [psy.cho.dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1874)
          1: the psychology of mental or emotional forces or processes
          developing esp. in early childhood and their effects
          on behavior and mental states 2: explanation or interpretation
          (as of behavior or mental states) in terms of mental
          or emotional forces or processes 3: motivational forces
          acting esp. at the unconscious level -- psy.cho.dy.nam.ic
          adj -- psy.cho.dy.nam.i.cal.ly adv

   psychogenesis
          [psy.cho.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1838) 1: the origin and development
          of mental functions, traits, or states 2: development
          from mental as distinguished from physical origins --
          psy.cho.ge.net.ic adj

   psychogenic
          [psy.cho.gen.ic] adj (1902): originating in the mind or in
          mental or emotional conflict -- psy.cho.gen.i.cal.ly
          adv

   psychograph
          [psy.cho.graph] n (1916): psychobiography

   psychohistory
          [psy.cho.his.to.ry] n (1934): historical analysis or interpretation
          employing psychological and psychoanalytic methods; also: a work
          of history employing such methods -- psy.cho.his.to.ri.an
          n -- psy.cho.his.to.ri.cal adj

   psychokinesis
          [psy.cho.ki.ne.sis] n [NL] (1914): movement of physical objects
          by the mind without use of physical means--compare precognition,
          telekinesis -- psy.cho.ki.net.ic adj

   psychol
          [psychol] abbreviation psychologist, psychology

   psycholinguistics
          [psy.cho.lin.guis.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1936): the
          study of the mental faculties involved in the perception,
          production, and acquisition of language -- psy.cho.lin.guist
          n -- psy.cho.lin.guis.tic adj

   psychological
          [psy.cho.log.i.cal] also psy.cho.log.ic adj (ca. 1688) 1
          a: of or relating to psychology b: mental 2: directed
          toward the will or toward the mind specif. in its conative
          function <~ warfare> -- psy.cho.log.i.cal.ly adv

   psychological moment
          [psychological moment] n (1871): the occasion when the mental
          atmosphere is most certain to be favorable to the full
          effect of an action or event

   psychologise
          [psy.chol.o.gise] Brit var of psychologize

   psychologism
          [psy.chol.o.gism] n (1858): a theory that applies psychological
          conceptions to the interpretation of historical events
          or logical thought

   psychologize
          [psy.chol.o.gize] vb -gized ; -giz.ing vi (1810): to speculate
          in psychological terms or on psychological motivations
          ~ vt: to explain or interpret in psychological terms

   psychology
          [psy.chol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [NL psychologia, fr. psych- +
          -logia -logy] (1653) 1: the science of mind and behavior
          2 a: the mental or behavioral characteristics of an individual
          or group b: the study of mind and behavior in relation
          to a particular field of knowledge or activity 3: a treatise
          on psychology -- psy.chol.o.gist n

   psychometric
          [psy.cho.met.ric] adj (1854): of or relating to psychometrics
          or psychometry -- psy.cho.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   psychometrician
          [psy.cho.me.tri.cian] n (ca. 1939) 1: a person (as a clinical
          psychologist) who is skilled in the administration and
          interpretation of objective psychological tests 2: a
          psychologist who devises, constructs, and standardizes
          psychometric tests

   psychometrics
          [psy.cho.met.rics] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1924): the
          psychological theory or technique of mental measurement

   psychometry
          [psy.chom.e.try] n (ca. 1842) 1: divination of facts concerning
          an object or its owner through contact with or proximity
          to the object 2: psychometrics

   psychomotor
          [psy.cho.mo.tor] adj [ISV] (1878): of or relating to motor
          action directly proceeding from mental activity

   psychoneurosis
          [psy.cho.neu.ro.sis] n [NL] (1883): neurosis; esp: a neurosis
          based on emotional conflict in which an impulse that
          has been blocked seeks expression in a disguised response
          or symptom -- psy.cho.neu.rot.ic adj or n

   psychopath
          [psy.cho.path] n [ISV] (1885): a mentally ill or unstable
          person; esp: a person having a psychopathic personality

   [1]psychopathic
          [psy.cho.path.ic] adj (1847): of, relating to, or characterized
          by psychopathy -- psy.cho.path.i.cal.ly adv [2]psychopathic
          n (ca. 1890): psychopath

   psychopathic personality
          [psychopathic personality] n (ca. 1923) 1: an emotionally
          and behaviorally disordered state characterized by clear
          perception of reality except for the individual's social
          and moral obligations and often by the pursuit of immediate
          personal gratification in criminal acts, drug addiction,
          or sexual perversion 2: an individual having a psychopathic
          personality

   psychopathology
          [psy.cho.pa.thol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1847): the study of psychological
          and behavioral dysfunction occurring in mental disorder
          or in social disorganization; also: such dysfunction
          -- psy.cho.path.o.log.ic or psy.cho.path.o.log.i.cal
          adj -- psy.cho.path.o.log.i.cal.ly adv -- psy.cho.pa.thol.o.gist
          n

   psychopathy
          [psy.chop.a.thy] n [ISV] (1847): mental disorder; esp: extreme
          mental disorder marked usu. by egocentric and antisocial
          activity

   psychopharmacology
          [psy.cho.phar.ma.col.o.gy] n (1920): the study of the effect
          of drugs on the mind and behavior -- psy.cho.phar.ma.co.log.i.cal
          or psy.cho.phar.ma.co.log.ic adj -- psy.cho.phar.ma.col.o.gist
          n

   psychophysical
          [psy.cho.phys.i.cal] adj (1847): of or relating to psychophysics;
          also: sharing mental and physical qualities --
          psy.cho.phys.i.cal.ly adv

   psychophysical parallelism
          [psychophysical parallelism] n (1894): parallelism 4

   psychophysics
          [psy.cho.phys.ics] n pl but sing in constr [ISV] (1878):
          a branch of psychology concerned with the effect of physical
          processes (as intensity of stimulation) on the mental
          processes of an organism -- psy.cho.phys.i.cist n

   psychophysiological
          [psy.cho.phys.i.o.log.i.cal] also psy.cho.phys.i.o.log.ic
          adj (1839) 1: of or relating to physiological psychology
          2: combining or involving mental and bodily processes
          -- psy.cho.phys.i.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   psychophysiology
          [psy.cho.phys.i.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1839): physiological psychology
          -- psy.cho.phys.i.ol.o.gist n

   psychosexual
          [psy.cho.sex.u.al] adj (1897) 1: of or relating to the mental,
          emotional, and behavioral aspects of sexual development
          2: of or relating to mental or emotional attitudes concerning
          sexual activity 3: of or relating to the physiological
          psychology of sex -- psy.cho.sex.u.al.ly adv

   psychosexuality
          [psy.cho.sex.u.al.i.ty] n (1910): the psychic factors of
          sex

   psychosis
          [psy.cho.sis] n, pl -cho.ses [NL] (1847): fundamental mental
          derangement (as schizophrenia) characterized by defective
          or lost contact with reality

   psychosocial
          [psy.cho.so.cial] adj (1899) 1: involving both psychological
          and social aspects <~ adjustment in marriage> 2: relating
          social conditions to mental health <~ medicine> --
          psy.cho.so.cial.ly adv

   psychosomatic
          [psy.cho.so.mat.ic] adj [ISV] (1863) 1: of, relating to,
          concerned with, or involving both mind and body <the
          ~ nature of man --Herbert Ratner> 2: of, relating to,
          involving, or concerned with bodily symptoms caused by
          mental or emotional disturbance <~ illness> <~ medicine>
          -- psy.cho.so.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   psychosomatics
          [psy.cho.so.mat.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1938): a branch
          of medical science dealing with interrelationships between
          the mind or emotions and the body and esp. with the relation
          of psychic conflict to somatic symptomatology

   psychosurgery
          [psy.cho.sur.gery] n (1936): cerebral surgery employed in
          treating psychic symptoms -- psy.cho.sur.geon n --
          psy.cho.sur.gi.cal adj

   psychosynthesis
          [psy.cho.syn.the.sis] n (1919): a form of psychotherapy combining
          psychoanalytic techniques with meditation and exercise

   psychotherapeutic
          [psy.cho.ther.a.peu.tic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1888): of, relating
          to, or used in psychotherapy -- psy.cho.ther.a.peu.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   psychotherapy
          [psy.cho.ther.a.py] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): treatment of mental
          or emotional disorder or of related bodily ills by psychological
          means -- psy.cho.ther.a.pist n

   psychotic
          [psy.chot.ic] adj (ca. 1890): of, relating to, marked by,
          or affected with psychosis <a ~ patient> <~ behavior>
          -- psychotic n -- psy.chot.i.cal.ly adv

   psychotomimetic
          [psy.choto.mi.met.ic] adj [psychotic + -o- + mimetic] (1957):
          of, relating to, involving, or inducing psychotic alteration
          of behavior and personality <~ drugs> -- psychotomimetic
          n -- psy.choto.mi.met.i.cal.ly adv

   psychotropic
          [psy.cho.tro.pic] adj (1948): acting on the mind <~ drugs>
          -- psychotropic n

   psych-out
          [psych-out] n (1971): an act or an instance of psyching someone
          out

   psychro-
          [psychro-] comb form [Gk, fr. psychros, fr. psychein to cool]:
          cold <psychrometer>

   psychrometer
          [psy.chrom.e.ter] n [ISV] (1838): a hygrometer consisting
          essentially of two similar thermometers with the bulb
          of one being kept wet so that the cooling that results
          from evaporation makes it register a lower temperature
          than the dry one and with the difference between the
          readings constituting a measure of the dryness of the
          atmosphere -- psy.chro.met.ric adj -- psy.chrom.e.try
          n

   psychrophilic
          [psy.chro.phil.ic] adj (ca. 1903): thriving at a relatively
          low temperature <~ bacteria>

   psylla
          [psyl.la] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk, flea; akin to L pulex
          flea, Skt plusi] (1852): any of various plant lice (family
          Psyllidae) including economically important plant pests--compare
          pear psylla

   psyllid
          [psyl.lid] n [ultim. fr. NL Psylla] (1899): psylla -- psyllid
          adj

   psyllium seed
          [psyl.li.um seed] n [NL psyllium, fr. Gk psyllion fleawort,
          fr. psylla] (1897): the seed of a fleawort (esp. Plantago
          psyllium) that has the property of swelling and becoming
          gelatinous when moist and is used as a mild laxative--called
          also psyllium

   psywar
          [psy.war] n [by shortening] (1951): psychological warfare

   pt...
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   pt
          [pt] abbreviation part, payment, pint, point, port Pt abbreviation
          platinum PT abbreviation Pacific time, part-time, physical therapy,
          physical training

   pta
          [pta] abbreviation peseta  PTA abbreviation Parent-Teacher
          Association

   ptarmigan
          [ptar.mi.gan] n, pl -gan or -gans [modif. of ScGael tarmachan]
          (1599): any of various grouses (genus Lagopus) of northern
          regions with completely feathered feet

   PT boat
          [PT boat] n [patrol torpedo] (1941): a small fast patrol
          craft usu. armed with torpedoes, machine guns, and depth
          charges--called also PT

   PTC
          [PTC] n (1932): phenylthiocarbamide

   pte
          [pte] Brit abbreviation private

   pteranodon
          [pter.an.o.don] n [NL, fr. Gk pteron wing + anodon toothless
          fr. an- + odon, odous tooth--more at feather, tooth]
          (1897): any of a genus (Pteranodon) of Cretaceous pterosaurs
          having a backwardly directed bony crest on the skull
          and a wingspan of about 25 feet (7.7 meters)

   pterid-
          [pterid-] or pterido- comb form [Gk pterid-, pteris; akin
          to Gk pteron wing, feather]: fern <pteridology>

   pteridine
          [pter.i.dine] n [ISV pterin + -idine] (ca. 1943): a yellow
          crystalline bicyclic base that is a structural constituent
          esp. of various animal pigments

   pteridology
          [pter.i.dol.o.gy] n (1855): the study of ferns --
          pter.i.do.log.i.cal adj -- pter.i.dol.o.gist n

   pteridophyte
          [pte.ri.do.phyte] n [NL Pteridophyta, fr. Gk pterid-, pteris
          fern + phyton plant--more at phyt-] (1880): any of a
          division (Pteridophyta) of vascular plants (as a fern)
          that have roots, stems, and leaves but lack flowers or
          seeds

   pteridosperm
          [pte.ri.do.sperm] n [ISV] (1904): seed fern

   pterin
          [pter.in] n [ISV pter- (fr. Gk pteron wing) + [1]-in; fr.
          its being a factor in the pigments of butterfly wings]
          (1934): any of various compounds that contain the bicyclic
          ring system characteristic of pteridine

   pterodactyl
          [ptero.dac.tyl] n [NL Pterodactylus, genus of reptiles, fr.
          Gk pteron wing + daktylos finger--more at feather] (1830):
          any of various pterosaurs (suborder Pterodactyloidea)
          of the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous having a rudimentary
          tail and a beak with reduced dentition; broadly: pterosaur

   pteropod
          [ptero.pod] n [NL Pteropoda, group name, fr. Gk pteron wing
          + NL -poda] (1835): any of the opisthobranch mollusks
          comprising two orders (Thecosomata and Gymnosomata) and
          having the anterior lobes of the foot expanded into broad
          thin winglike swimming organs

   pterosaur
          [ptero.saur] n [NL Pterosauria, fr. Gk pteron wing + sauros
          lizard] (1862): any of an order (Pterosauria) of extinct
          flying reptiles existing from the Late Triassic throughout
          the Jurassic and most of the Cretaceous and having a
          featherless wing membrane extending from the side of
          the body along the arm to the end of the greatly elongated
          fourth digit

   pteroylglutamic acid
          [pter.o.yl.glu.tam.ic acid] n [ISV pteroyl (the radical +
          glutamic acid] (1943): folic acid

   [1]pterygoid
          [pter.y.goid] adj [NL pterygoides, fr. Gk pterygoeides, lit.,
          shaped like a wing, fr. pteryg-, pteryx wing; akin to
          Gk pteron wing--more at feather] (1722): of, relating
          to, or lying in the region of the inferior part of the
          sphenoid bone of the vertebrate skull [2]pterygoid n
          (1831): a pterygoid part (as a bone, muscle, or nerve)

   pterygoid process
          [pterygoid process] n (1741): a process extending downward
          from each side of the sphenoid bone in humans and other
          mammals

   pteryla
          [pter.y.la] n, pl -lae [NL, fr. Gk pteron + hyle wood, forest]
          (1867): one of the definite areas of the skin of a bird
          on which feathers grow

   ptg
          [ptg] abbreviation printing

   PTO
          [PTO] abbreviation Parent-Teacher Organization, please turn
          over, power takeoff

   Ptolemaic
          [Ptol.e.ma.ic] adj [Gk Ptolemaikos, fr. Ptolemaios Ptolemy]
          (1674) 1: of or relating to Ptolemy the geographer and
          astronomer who flourished at Alexandria about a.d. 130
          2: of or relating to the Greco-Egyptian Ptolemies ruling
          Egypt from 323 to 30 b.c.

   Ptolemaic system
          [Ptolemaic system] n (ca. 1771): the system of planetary
          motions according to which the earth is at the center
          with the sun, moon, and planets revolving around it

   ptomaine
          [pto.maine] n [It ptomaina, fr. Gk ptoma fall, fallen body,
          corpse, fr. piptein to fall--more at feather] (1880):
          any of various organic bases which are formed by the
          action of putrefactive bacteria on nitrogenous matter
          and some of which are poisonous

   ptomaine poisoning
          [ptomaine poisoning] n (1893): food poisoning caused by bacteria
          or bacterial products

   ptosis
          [pto.sis] n, pl pto.ses [NL, fr. Gk ptosis act of falling,
          fr. piptein] (1743): a sagging or prolapse of an organ
          or part; esp: a drooping of the upper eyelid

   PTSD
          [PTSD] abbreviation post-traumatic stress disorder

   PTV
          [PTV] abbreviation public television

   Pty
          [Pty] Brit abbreviation proprietary

   ptyalin
          [pty.a.lin] n [Gk ptyalon saliva, fr. ptyein to spit--more
          at spew] (1845): an amylase found in the saliva of many
          animals that converts starch into sugar

   ptyalism
          [pty.a.lism] n [NL ptyalismus, fr. Gk ptyalismos, fr. ptyalizein
          to salivate, fr. ptyalon] (1676): an excessive flow of
          saliva

   pu...
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   Pu
          [Pu] abbreviation plutonium  PU abbreviation pickup

   pub
          [pub] abbreviation public, publication, publicity, published,
          publisher, publishing

   pub
          [pub] n (ca. 1859) 1 chiefly Brit: public house
          2 2: an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold and
          consumed

   pub crawler
          [pub crawler] n (1910): one who goes from bar to bar -- pub-crawl
          vi -- pub crawl n

   pubertal
          [pu.ber.tal] or pu.ber.al adj [pubertal fr. puberty; puberal
          fr. ML puberalis, fr. L puber] (ca. 1837): of or relating
          to puberty

   puberty
          [pu.ber.ty] n [ME puberte, fr. L pubertas, fr. puber pubescent]
          (14c) 1: the condition of being or the period of becoming
          first capable of reproducing sexually marked by maturing
          of the genital organs, development of secondary sex
          characteristics, and in the human and in higher primates by the
          first occurrence of menstruation in the female 2: the age at which
          puberty occurs often construed legally as 14 in boys and
          12 in girls

   puberulent
          [pu.ber.u.lent] adj [L puber pubescent + E -ulent (as in
          pulverulent)] (ca. 1859): covered with fine pubescence

   pubes
          [pu.bes] n, pl pubes [NL, fr. L, manhood, body hair, pubic
          region; akin to L puber pubescent] (ca. 1570) 1: the
          hair that appears on the lower part of the hypogastric
          region at puberty 2: the pubic region

   pubescence
          [pu.bes.cence] n (15c) 1: the quality or state of being pubescent
          2: a pubescent covering or surface

   pubescent
          [pu.bes.cent] adj [L pubescent-, pubescens, prp. of pubescere
          to reach puberty, become covered as with hair, fr. pubes]
          (1646) 1 a: arriving at or having reached puberty b:
          of or relating to puberty 2: covered with fine soft short
          hairs--compare villous

   pubic
          [pu.bic] adj (1831): of, relating to, or situated in or near
          the region of the pubes or the pubis

   pubis
          [pu.bis] n, pl pu.bes [NL os pubis, lit., bone of the pubic
          region] (1597): the ventral and anterior of the three
          principal bones composing either half of the pelvis--called
          also pubic bone

   publ
          [publ] abbreviation publication, published, publisher

   [1]public
          [pub.lic] adj [ME publique, fr. MF, fr. L publicus; akin
          to L populus the people] (14c) 1 a: exposed to general
          view: open b: well-known, prominent c: perceptible, material
          2 a: of, relating to, or affecting all the people or
          the whole area of a nation or state <~ law> b: of or
          relating to a government c: of, relating to, or being
          in the service of the community or nation 3 a: of or
          relating to people in general: universal b: general,
          popular 4: of or relating to business or community interests
          as opposed to private affairs: social 5: devoted to the
          general or national welfare: humanitarian 6 a: accessible
          to or shared by all members of the community b: capitalized
          in shares that can be freely traded on the open market--often
          used with go -- pub.lic.ness n [2]public n (15c) 1: a
          place accessible or visible to the public--usu. used
          in the phrase in public 2: the people as a whole: populace
          3: a group of people having common interests or characteristics;
          specif: the group at which a particular activity or enterprise
          aims

   public-address system
          [public-address system] n (1923): an apparatus including
          a microphone and loudspeakers used for broadcasting to
          a large audience in an auditorium or outdoors

   publican
          [pub.li.can] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L publicanus tax farmer,
          fr. publicum public revenue, fr. neut. of publicus] (13c)
          1 a: a Jewish tax collector for the ancient Romans b:
          a collector of taxes or tribute 2 chiefly Brit: the licensee
          of a public house

   public assistance
          [public assistance] n (1884): government aid to needy, blind,
          aged, or disabled persons and to dependent children

   publication
          [pub.li.ca.tion] n [ME publicacioun, fr. MF publication,
          fr. L publication-, publicatio, fr. publicare, fr. publicus
          public] (14c) 1: the act or process of publishing 2:
          a published work

   public defender
          [public defender] n (1918): a lawyer usu. holding public
          office whose duty is to defend accused persons unable
          to pay for legal assistance

   public domain
          [public domain] n (1832) 1: land owned directly by the government
          2: the realm embracing property rights that belong to
          the community at large, are unprotected by copyright
          or patent, and are subject to appropriation by anyone

   public health
          [public health] n (1617): the art and science dealing with
          the protection and improvement of community health by
          organized community effort and including preventive medicine
          and sanitary and social science

   public house
          [public house] n (1658) 1: inn, hostelry 2 chiefly Brit:
          a licensed saloon or bar

   publicise
          [pub.li.cise] Brit var of publicize

   publicist
          [pub.li.cist] n (1792) 1 a: an expert in international law
          b: an expert or commentator on public affairs 2: one
          that publicizes; specif: press agent

   publicity
          [pub.lic.i.ty] n (1791) 1: the quality or state of being
          public 2 a: an act or device designed to attract public
          interest; specif: information with news value issued
          as a means of gaining public attention or support b:
          the dissemination of information or promotional material
          c: paid advertising d: public attention or acclaim

   publicize
          [pub.li.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing (1925): to bring to the
          attention of the public: advertise

   public land
          [public land] n (1789): land owned by a government; specif:
          that part of the U.S. public domain subject to sale or
          disposal under the homestead laws

   public law
          [public law] n (1773) 1: a legislative enactment affecting
          the public at large 2: a branch of law concerned with
          regulating the relations of individuals with the government
          and the organization and conduct of the government itself--compare
          private law

   publicly
          [pub.lic.ly] also pub.li.cal.ly adv (1567) 1: in a manner
          observable by or in a place accessible to the public:
          openly 2 a: by the people generally b: by a government

   public officer
          [public officer] n (1925): a person who has been legally
          elected or appointed to office and who exercises governmental
          functions

   public relations
          [public relations] n pl but usu sing in constr, often attrib
          (1807): the business of inducing the public to have understanding
          for and goodwill toward a person, firm, or institution;
          also: the degree of understanding and goodwill achieved

   public sale
          [public sale] n (1678): auction 1

   public school
          [public school] n (1580) 1: an endowed secondary boarding
          school in Great Britain offering a classical curriculum
          and preparation for the universities or public service
          2: a free tax-supported school controlled by a local
          governmental authority

   public servant
          [public servant] n (1676): a government official or employee

   public service
          [public service] n (ca. 1576) 1: the business of supplying
          a commodity (as electricity or gas) or service (as transportation)
          to any or all members of a community 2: a service rendered in the
          public interest 3: governmental employment; esp: civil service

   public-service corporation
          [public-service corporation] n (1904): a quasi-public corporation

   public speaking
          [public speaking] n (1762) 1: the act or process of making
          speeches in public 2: the art of effective oral communication
          with an audience

   public-spirited
          [public-spirited] adj (1677): motivated by devotion to the
          general welfare -- pub.lic-spir.it.ed.ness n

   public television
          [public television] n (1965): television supported by public
          funds and private contributions rather than by commercials

   public utility
          [public utility] n (1903): a business organization (as an
          electric company) performing a public service and subject
          to special governmental regulation

   public works
          [public works] n pl (1676): works (as schools, highways,
          docks) constructed for public use or enjoyment esp. when
          financed and owned by the government

   publish
          [pub.lish] vb [ME, modif. of MF publier, fr. L publicare,
          fr. publicus public] vt (14c) 1 a: to make generally
          known b: to make public announcement of 2 a: to disseminate
          to the public b: to produce or release for distribution;
          specif: print 2c c: to issue the work of (an author)
          ~ vi 1: to put out an edition 2: to have one's work accepted
          for publication -- pub.lish.able adj

   publisher
          [pub.lish.er] n (15c): one that publishes something; esp:
          a person or corporation whose business is publishing

   publishing
          [pub.lish.ing] n (1580): the business or profession of the
          commercial production and issuance of literature, information,
          musical scores or sometimes recordings, or art <newspaper
          ~> <software ~>

   puccoon
          [puc.coon] n [Virginia Algonquian poughkone] (1612) 1: any
          of several American plants (as bloodroot) yielding a
          red or yellow pigment 2: a pigment from a puccoon

   puce
          [puce] n [F, lit., flea, fr. L pulic-, pulex--more at psylla]
          (1882): a dark red

   [1]puck
          [puck] n [ME puke, fr. OE puca; akin to ON puki devil] (bef.
          12c) 1 archaic: an evil spirit: demon 2: a mischievous
          sprite: hobgoblin; specif, cap: robin goodfellow [2]puck
          n [E dial. puck to poke, hit, prob. fr. Ir poc butt,
          stroke in hurling, lit., buck (male deer)] (1891): a
          vulcanized rubber disk used in ice hockey

   pucka
          [pucka] var of pukka

   [1]pucker
          [puck.er] vb puck.ered ; puck.er.ing [prob. irreg. fr. [1]poke]
          vi (1598): to become wrinkled or constricted ~ vt: to
          contract into folds or wrinkles [2]pucker n (ca. 1750):
          a fold or wrinkle in a normally even surface

   puckery
          [puck.ery] adj (1830): that puckers or causes puckering

   puckish
          [puck.ish] adj [[1]puck] (1874): impish, whimsical -- puck.ish.ly
          adv -- puck.ish.ness n

   PUD
          [PUD] abbreviation pickup and delivery

   pud
          [pud] n (1706) Brit: pudding

   pudding
          [pud.ding] n [ME] (13c) 1: blood sausage 2 a (1): a boiled
          or baked soft food usu. with a cereal base <corn ~> (2):
          a dessert of a soft, spongy, or thick creamy consistency
          <chocolate ~> (3) Brit: dessert 1 b: a dish often containing
          suet or having a suet crust and orig. boiled in a bag
          <steak and kidney ~>

   pudding stone
          [pudding stone] n (1753): conglomerate

   [1]puddle
          [pud.dle] n [ME podel; akin to LG pudel puddle, OE pudd ditch]
          (14c) 1: a very small pool of usu. dirty or muddy water
          2 a: an earthy mixture (as of clay, sand, and gravel)
          worked while wet into a compact mass that becomes impervious
          to water when dry b: a thin mixture of soil and water
          for puddling plants [2]puddle vb pud.dled ; pud.dling
          vi (15c): to dabble or wade around in a puddle ~ vt 1:
          to make muddy or turbid: muddle 2 a: to work (a wet mixture
          of earth or concrete) into a dense impervious mass b:
          to subject (iron) to the process of puddling 3 a: to
          strew with puddles b: to compact (soil) esp. by working
          when too wet c: to dip the roots of (a plant) in a thin
          mud before transplanting -- pud.dler n

   puddle duck
          [puddle duck] n (1877): dabbler b

   puddle jumper
          [puddle jumper] n (1942) slang: lightplane

   puddling
          [pud.dling] n (1839): the process of converting pig iron
          into wrought iron or rarely steel by subjecting it to
          heat and frequent stirring in a furnace in the presence
          of oxidizing substances

   pudency
          [pu.den.cy] n [L pudentia, fr. pudent-, pudens, prp. of pudere
          to be ashamed, make ashamed] (1611): modesty

   pudendum
          [pu.den.dum] n, pl -da [NL, sing. of L pudenda, fr. neut.
          pl. of pudendus, gerundive of pudere to be ashamed] (1634):
          the external genital organs of a human being and esp.
          of a woman--usu. used in pl. -- pu.den.dal adj

   pudgy
          [pudgy] adj pudg.i.er ; -est [origin unknown] (1836): being
          short and plump: chubby -- pudg.i.ness n

   pudibund
          [pu.di.bund] adj [L pudibundus, fr. pudere to be ashamed
          + -bundus (as in moribundus moribund)] (ca. 1656): prudish

   pueblo
          [pueb.lo] n, pl -los [Sp, village, lit., people, fr. L populus]
          (1808) 1 a: the communal dwelling of an Indian village
          of Arizona, New Mexico, and adjacent areas consisting
          of contiguous flat-roofed stone or adobe houses in groups
          sometimes several stories high b: an Indian village of
          the southwestern U.S. 2 cap: a member of a group of Indian
          peoples of the southwestern U.S.

   puerile
          [pu.er.ile] adj [F or L; F pueril, fr. L puerilis, fr. puer
          boy, child; akin to Skt putra son, child and perh. to
          Gk pais boy, child--more at few] (1661) 1: juvenile 2:
          childish, silly <~ remarks> -- pu.er.ile.ly adv -- pu.er.il.i.ty
          n

   puerilism
          [pu.er.il.ism] n (1924): childish behavior esp. as a symptom
          of mental disorder

   puerperal
          [pu.er.per.al] adj [L puerpera woman in childbirth, fr. puer
          child + parere to give birth to--more at pare] (1768):
          of, relating to, or occurring during childbirth or the
          period immediately following <~ infection> <~ depression>

   puerperal fever
          [puerperal fever] n (1768): an abnormal condition that results
          from infection of the placental site following delivery
          or abortion and is characterized in mild form by fever
          but in serious cases the infection may spread through
          the uterine wall or pass into the bloodstream--called
          also childbed fever, puerperal sepsis

   puerperium
          [pu.er.pe.ri.um] n, pl -ria [L, fr. puerpera] (ca. 1890):
          the period between childbirth and the return of the uterus
          to its normal size

   [1]puff
          [puff] vb [ME, fr. OE pyffan, of imit. origin] vi (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): to blow in short gusts (2): to exhale forcibly
          b: to breathe hard: pant c: to emit small whiffs or clouds
          (as of smoke) often as an accompaniment to vigorous action
          <~ at a pipe> 2: to speak or act in a scornful, conceited,
          or exaggerated manner 3 a: to become distended: swell--usu.
          used with up b: to open or appear in or as if in a puff
          4: to form a chromosomal puff ~ vt 1 a: to emit, propel,
          blow, or expel by or as if by puffs: waft b: to draw
          on (as a cigar, cigarette, or pipe) with intermittent
          exhalations of smoke 2 a: to distend with or as if with
          air or gas: inflate b: to make proud or conceited: elate
          c (1): to praise extravagantly and usu. with exaggeration
          (2): advertise [2]puff n (13c) 1 a: an act or instance
          of puffing: whiff b: a slight explosive sound accompanying
          a puff c: a perceptible cloud or aura emitted in a puff
          d: draw 1a 2: a light round hollow pastry 3 a: a slight
          swelling: protuberance b: a fluffy mass: as (1): pouf
          2 (2): a small fluffy pad for applying cosmetic powder
          (3): a soft loose roll of hair (4): a quilted bed covering
          4: a commendatory or promotional notice or review 5:
          an enlarged region of a chromosome that is associated
          with intensely active genes involved in RNA synthesis
          -- puff.i.ness n -- puffy adj

   puff adder
          [puff adder] n (1789) 1: a thick-bodied extremely venomous
          African viper (Bitis arietans) 2: hognose snake

   puffball
          [puff.ball] n (1649): any of various globose and often edible
          fungi (esp. family Lycoperdaceae) that discharge ripe
          spores in a smokelike cloud when pressed or struck

   puffer
          [puff.er] n (1629) 1: one that puffs 2 a: any of a family
          (Tetraodontidae) of chiefly tropical marine bony fishes
          which can distend themselves to a globular form and most
          of which are highly poisonous--called also blowfish,
          globefish b: any of various fish of the same order
          (Tetraodontiformes syn. Plectognathi) as the puffers

   puffery
          [puff.ery] n (1782): exaggerated commendation esp. for promotional
          purposes: hype

   puffin
          [puf.fin] n [ME pophyn] (14c): any of several seabirds (genera
          Fratercula and Lunda) having a short neck and a deep
          grooved parti-colored laterally compressed bill

   puff pastry
          [puff pastry] n (1611): a pastry dough containing many alternating
          layers of butter and dough or the light flaky pastry made from
          it--called also puff paste

   [1]pug
          [pug] n [obs. pug hobgoblin, monkey] (1789) 1: a small sturdy
          compact dog of a breed of Asian origin with a close coat,
          tightly curled tail, and broad wrinkled face 2 a: pug
          nose b: a close knot or coil of hair: bun [2]pug vt pugged
          ; pug.ging [origin unknown] (1843): to work and mix (as
          clay) when wet esp. to make more homogeneous and easier
          to handle (as in throwing or molding wares) [3]pug n
          [by shortening & alter. fr. pugilist] (1858): [1]boxer
          1 [4]pug n [Hindi pag foot] (1865): footprint; esp: a
          print of a wild mammal

   puggaree
          [pug.ga.ree] or pug.a.ree or pug.gree n [Hindi pagri turban]
          (1665): a light scarf wrapped around a sun helmet or
          used as a hatband

   pugilism
          [pu.gi.lism] n [L pugil boxer; akin to L pugnus fist--more
          at pungent] (1791): [2]boxing -- pu.gi.lis.tic adj

   pugilist
          [pu.gi.list] n (1790): fighter; esp: a professional boxer

   pugmark
          [pug.mark] n (1922): [4]pug

   pug mill
          [pug mill] n [[2]pug] (1824): a machine in which materials
          (as clay and water) are mixed, blended, or kneaded into
          a desired consistency

   pugnacious
          [pug.na.cious] adj [L pugnac-, pugnax, fr. pugnare to fight--more
          at pungent] (1642): having a quarrelsome or combative
          nature: truculent syn see belligerent -- pug.na.cious.ly
          adv -- pug.na.cious.ness n -- pug.nac.i.ty n

   pug nose
          [pug nose] n [[1]pug] (1778): a nose having a slightly concave
          bridge and flattened nostrils -- pug-nosed adj

   puisne
          [puis.ne] adj [MF puisne younger--more at puny] (1688) chiefly
          Brit: inferior in rank <~ judge> -- puisne n

   puissance
          [puis.sance] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. puissant powerful,
          fr. poeir to be able, be powerful--more at power] (15c):
          strength, power

   puissant
          [puis.sant] adj (15c): having puissance: powerful

   puke
          [puke] vb puked ; puk.ing [origin unknown] (1600): vomit
          -- puke n

   pukka
          [puk.ka] adj [Hindi pakka cooked, ripe, solid, fr. Skt pakva;
          akin to Gk pessein to cook--more at cook] (1698): genuine,
          authentic; also: first-class

   pul
          [pul] n, pl puls or pul [Per pul] (1927): a monetary unit
          of Afghanistan equal to 1/100 afghani

   pula
          [pu.la] n, pl pula [Tswana, lit., rain (used as a greeting)]
          (1976): the basic monetary unit of Botswana

   Pulaski
          [Pu.las.ki] n [Edward C. Pulaski, 20th cent. Am. forest ranger]
          (1924): a single-bit ax with an adze-shaped hoe extending
          from the back

   pulchritude
          [pul.chri.tude] n [ME, fr. L pulchritudin-, pulchritudo,
          fr. pulchr-, pulcher beautiful] (15c): physical comeliness
          -- pul.chri.tu.di.nous adj

   pule
          [pule] vi puled ; pul.ing [prob. imit.] (1534): whine, whimper

   puli
          [pu.li] n, pl pu.lik or pulis [Hung] (1936): any of a breed
          of medium-sized Hungarian sheepdogs with a thick woolly
          coat hanging in long thin cords

   Pulitzer prize
          [Pu.lit.zer prize] n (1918): any of various annual prizes
          (as for outstanding literary or journalistic achievement)
          established by the will of Joseph Pulitzer--called also
          Pulitzer

   [1]pull
          [pull] vb [ME, fr. OE pullian; akin to MLG pulen to shell,
          cull] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to exert force upon so as to
          cause or tend to cause motion toward the force b: to
          stretch (cooling candy) repeatedly <~ taffy> c: to strain
          abnormally <~ a tendon> d: to hold back (a racehorse)
          from winning e: to work (an oar) by drawing back strongly
          2 a: to draw out from the skin <~ feathers from a rooster's
          tail> b: to pluck from a plant or by the roots <~ flowers>
          <~ turnips> c: extract <~ a tooth> 3: to hit (a ball)
          toward the left from a right-handed swing or toward the
          right from a left-handed swing--compare push 4: to draw
          apart: rend, tear 5: to print (as a proof) by impression
          6: to remove from a place or situation <~ the engine>
          <~ed the pitcher in the third inning> <~ed the show>
          7: to bring (a weapon) into the open <~ed a knife> 8
          a: commit, perpetrate <~ a robbery> <~ a prank> b: to
          carry out as an assignment or duty 9: put on, assume
          <~ a grin> 10 a: to draw the support or attention of:
          attract <~ votes>--often used with in b: obtain, secure
          <~ed a B in the course> 11: to demand or obtain an advantage
          over someone by the assertion of <~ rank> ~ vi 1 a: to
          use force in drawing, dragging, or tugging b: to move
          esp. through the exercise of mechanical energy <the car
          ~ed clear of the rut> c (1): to take a drink (2): to
          draw hard in smoking <~ed at a pipe> d: to strain against
          the bit 2: to draw a gun 3: to admit of being pulled
          4: to feel or express strong sympathy: root <~ing for
          my team to win> 5 of an offensive lineman in football:
          to move back from the line of scrimmage and toward one
          flank to provide blocking for a ballcarrier -- pull.er
          n -- pull a fast one : to perpetrate a trick or fraud
          -- pull punches also pull a punch : to refrain from using
          all the force at one's disposal -- pull oneself together
          : to regain one's composure -- pull one's leg : to deceive
          someone playfully: hoax -- pull one's weight : to do
          one's full share of the work -- pull out all the stops
          : to use all one's resources without restraint -- pull
          stakes or pull up stakes : to move out: leave -- pull
          strings also pull wires : to exert hidden influence or
          control -- pull the plug 1: to disconnect a medical life-support
          system 2: to withdraw essential and esp. financial support
          -- pull the rug from under : to weaken or unsettle esp.
          by removing support or assistance from -- pull the string
          : to throw a change-up -- pull the wool over one's eyes
          : to blind to the true situation: hoodwink -- pull together
          : to work in harmony: cooperate [2]pull n, often attrib
          (14c) 1 a: the act or an instance of pulling b (1): a
          draft of liquid (2): an inhalation of smoke c: the effort
          expended in moving <a long ~ uphill> d: force required
          to overcome resistance to pulling <trigger ~> 2 a: advantage
          b: special influence 3: proof 6a 4: a device for pulling
          something or for operating by pulling <drawer ~> 5: a
          force that attracts, compels, or influences: attraction
          6: an injury resulting from abnormal straining or stretching
          <a muscle ~> <a groin ~>

   pull away
          [pull away] vi (ca. 1934) 1: to draw oneself back or away:
          withdraw 2: to move off or ahead

   pullback
          [pull.back] n (1668): a pulling back; esp: an orderly withdrawal
          of troops from a position or area

   pull down
          [pull down] vt (15c) 1 a: demolish, destroy b: to hunt down:
          overcome 2 a: to bring to a lower level: reduce b: to
          depress in health, strength, or spirits 3: to draw as
          wages or salary

   pullet
          [pul.let] n [ME polet young fowl, fr. MF poulet, fr. OF,
          dim. of poul cock, fr. LL pullus, fr. L, young of an
          animal, chicken, sprout--more at foal] (14c): a young
          hen; specif: a hen of the domestic chicken less than
          a year old

   pulley
          [pul.ley] n, pl pulleys [ME pouley, fr. MF poulie, prob.
          ultim. fr. Gk polos axis, pole--more at pole] (14c) 1:
          a sheave or small wheel with a grooved rim and with or
          without the block in which it runs used singly with a
          rope or chain to change the direction and point of application
          of a pulling force and in various combinations to increase
          the applied force esp. for lifting weights 2: a pulley
          or pulleys with ropes to form a tackle that constitutes
          one of the simple machines 3: a wheel used to transmit
          power by means of a band, belt, cord, rope, or chain
          passing over its rim

   pull in
          [pull in] vt (1605) 1: check, restrain 2: arrest ~ vi: to
          arrive at a destination or come to a stop

   Pullman
          [Pull.man] n [George M. Pullman] (1867) 1: a railroad passenger
          car with specially comfortable furnishings for day or
          esp. for night travel 2: a large suitcase

   pull off
          [pull off] vt (1883): to carry out despite difficulties:
          accomplish successfully against odds

   pullorum disease
          [pul.lo.rum disease] n [NL pullorum (specific epithet of
          Salmonella pullorum), fr. L, of chickens (gen. pl. of
          pullus)] (1929): a destructive typically diarrheal salmonellosis
          esp. of young domestic chickens that is caused by a bacterium
          (Salmonella pullorum)

   pull out
          [pull out] vi (1855) 1: leave, depart 2: withdraw

   pullout
          [pull.out] n (1825) 1: the act or an instance of pulling
          out: as a: the action in which an airplane goes from
          a dive to horizontal flight b: pullback 2: something
          that can be pulled out

   [1]pullover
          [pull.over] n (1899): a pullover garment (as a sweater) [2]pullover
          adj (1907): put on by being pulled over the head

   pull over
          [pull over] vi (1930): to steer one's vehicle to the side
          of the road ~ vt: to cause to pull over <pulled him over
          for speeding>

   pull round
          [pull round] vi (1891) chiefly Brit: to regain one's health
          ~ vt, chiefly Brit: to restore to good health

   pull tab
          [pull tab] n (1963): a metal tab (as on a can) pulled to
          open the container

   pull through
          [pull through] vi (1852): to survive a dangerous or difficult
          situation ~ vt: to help survive a dangerous or difficult
          situation

   pullulate
          [pul.lu.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L pullulatus, pp. of
          pullulare, fr. pullulus, dim. of pullus chicken, sprout--more
          at foal] (1619) 1 a: germinate, sprout b: to breed or
          produce freely 2: swarm, teem -- pul.lu.la.tion n

   pull-up
          [pull-up] n (1938): chin-up

   pull up
          [pull up] vt (1623) 1: to bring to a stop: halt 2: check,
          rebuke ~ vi 1 a: to check oneself b: to come to an often
          abrupt halt: stop 2: to draw even with others in a race

   pulmonary
          [pul.mo.nary] adj [L pulmonarius, fr. pulmon-, pulmo lung;
          akin to Gk pleumon lung, Skt kloman right lung] (1704)
          1: relating to, functioning like, or associated with
          the lungs 2: pulmonate 3: carried on by the lungs

   pulmonary artery
          [pulmonary artery] n (1704): an artery that conveys venous
          blood from the heart to the lungs--see heart illustration

   pulmonary circulation
          [pulmonary circulation] n (ca. 1890): the passage of blood
          from the right side of the heart through arteries to
          the lungs where it picks up oxygen and is returned to
          the left side of the heart by veins

   pulmonary vein
          [pulmonary vein] n (1704): a valveless vein that returns
          oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart

   [1]pulmonate
          [pul.mo.nate] adj [L pulmon-, pulmo lung] (ca. 1859) 1: having
          lungs or organs resembling lungs 2: of or relating to
          a subclass (Pulmonata) of gastropod mollusks having a
          respiratory sac and comprising most land snails and slugs
          and many freshwater snails [2]pulmonate n (1883): a pulmonate
          gastropod

   pulmonic
          [pul.mon.ic] adj [L pulmon-, pulmo] (1661): pulmonary

   pulmotor
          [pul.mo.tor] n [fr. Pulmotor, a trademark] (1911): a respiratory
          apparatus for pumping oxygen or air into and out of the
          lungs (as of an asphyxiated person)

   [1]pulp
          [pulp] n [ME pulpe, fr. MF poulpe, fr. L pulpa flesh, pulp]
          (14c) 1 a (1): the soft, succulent part of a fruit usu.
          composed of mesocarp (2): stem pith when soft and spongy
          b: a soft mass of vegetable matter (as of apples) from
          which most of the water has been extracted by pressure
          c: the soft sensitive tissue that fills the central cavity
          of a tooth--see tooth illustration d: a material prepared
          by chemical or mechanical means from various materials
          (as wood or rags) for use in making paper and cellulose
          products 2: pulverized ore mixed with water 3 a: pulpy
          condition or character b: something in such a condition
          or having such a character 4: a magazine or book printed
          on cheap paper (as newsprint) and often dealing with
          sensational material -- pulp.i.ness n -- pulpy adj [2]pulp
          vt (1683) 1: to reduce to pulp: cause to appear pulpy
          2: to deprive of the pulp 3: to produce or reproduce
          (written matter) in pulp form ~ vi: to become pulp or
          pulpy -- pulp.er n

   pulpal
          [pulp.al] adj (1903): of or relating to pulp esp. of a tooth
          <a ~ abscess> -- pulp.al.ly adv

   pulpit
          [pul.pit] n [ME, fr. LL pulpitum, fr. L, staging, platform]
          (14c) 1: an elevated platform or high reading desk used
          in preaching or conducting a worship service 2 a: the
          preaching profession b: a preaching position

   pulpwood
          [pulp.wood] n (1885): a wood (as of aspen, hemlock, pine,
          or spruce) used in making pulp for paper

   pulque
          [pul.que] n [MexSp] (1693): a Mexican alcoholic beverage
          made from the fermented sap of various agaves (as Agave
          atrovirens)

   pulsant
          [pul.sant] adj (1709): pulsating with activity

   pulsar
          [pul.sar] n [pulse + -ar (as in quasar)] (1968): a celestial
          source of pulsating electromagnetic radiation (as radio
          waves) characterized by a short relatively constant interval
          (as .033 second) between pulses that is held to be a
          rotating neutron star

   pulsate
          [pul.sate] vi pul.sat.ed ; pul.sat.ing [L pulsatus, pp. of
          pulsare, freq. of pellere] (1794) 1: to exhibit a pulse
          or pulsation: beat 2: to throb or move rhythmically:
          vibrate

   pulsatile
          [pul.sa.tile] adj (1541): of or marked by pulsation

   pulsation
          [pul.sa.tion] n (1541) 1: rhythmical throbbing or vibrating
          (as of an artery); also: a single beat or throb 2: a
          periodically recurring alternate increase and decrease
          of a quantity (as pressure, volume, or voltage)

   pulsator
          [pul.sa.tor] n (1890): something that beats or throbs in
          working

   [1]pulse
          [pulse] n [ME puls, fr. OF pouls porridge, fr. L pult-, puls,
          prob. fr. Gk poltos] (13c): the edible seeds of various
          leguminous crops (as peas, beans, or lentils); also:
          a plant yielding pulse [2]pulse n [ME puls, fr. MF pouls,
          fr. L pulsus, lit., beating, fr. pellere to drive, push,
          beat--more at felt] (14c) 1 a: a regular throbbing caused
          in the arteries by the contractions of the heart b: the
          palpable beat resulting from such pulse as detected in
          a superficial artery; also: the number of individual
          beats in a specified time period (as one minute) <a resting
          ~ of 70> 2 a: underlying sentiment or opinion or an indication
          of it b: vitality 3 a: rhythmical beating, vibrating,
          or sounding b: beat, throb 4 a: a transient variation
          of a quantity (as electrical current or voltage) whose
          value is normally constant b (1): an electromagnetic
          wave or modulation thereof of brief duration (2): a brief
          disturbance of pressure in a medium; esp: a sound wave
          or short train of sound waves 5: a dose of a substance
          esp. when applied over a short period of time <pulse-labeled
          DNA> [3]pulse vb pulsed ; puls.ing vi (15c): to exhibit
          a pulse or pulsation: throb ~ vt 1: to drive by or as
          if by a pulsation 2: to cause to pulsate 3 a: to produce
          or modulate (as electromagnetic waves) in the form of
          pulses <pulsed waves> b: to cause (an apparatus) to produce
          pulses -- puls.er n

   pulse-jet engine
          [pulse-jet engine] n (1949): a jet engine designed to produce
          a pulsating thrust by the intermittent flow of hot gases

   pulv
          [pulv] [L pulvis] abbreviation powder

   pulverable
          [pul.ver.a.ble] adj (ca. 1617): capable of being pulverized

   pulverise
          [pul.ver.ise] Brit var of pulverize

   pulverize
          [pul.ver.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing [ME, fr. MF pulveriser,
          fr. LL pulverizare, fr. L pulver-, pulvis dust, powder--more
          at powder] vt (15c) 1: to reduce (as by crushing, beating,
          or grinding) to very small particles: atomize 2: annihilate,
          demolish ~ vi: to become pulverized -- pul.ver.iz.able
          adj -- pul.ver.i.za.tion n -- pul.ver.iz.er n

   pulverulent
          [pul.ver.u.lent] adj [L pulverulentus dusty, fr. pulver-,
          pulvis] (ca. 1656) 1: consisting of or reducible to fine
          powder 2: being or looking dusty: crumbly

   pulvillus
          [pul.vil.lus] n, pl -vil.li [NL, fr. L, dim. of pulvinus]
          (ca. 1826): one of the lobed hairy adhesive organs that
          terminate the feet of dipteran flies

   pulvinus
          [pul.vi.nus] n, pl -vi.ni [NL, fr. L, cushion] (1857): a
          mass of large thin-walled cells surrounding a vascular
          strand at the base of a petiole or petiolule and functioning
          in turgor movements of leaves or leaflets

   puma
          [pu.ma] n, pl pumas also puma [Sp, fr. Quechua] (1777): cougar;
          also: the fur or pelt of a cougar

   pumice
          [pum.ice] n [ME pomis, fr. MF, fr. L pumic-, pumex--more
          at foam] (15c): a volcanic glass full of cavities and
          very light in weight used esp. in powder form for smoothing
          and polishing -- pu.mi.ceous adj

   pumicite
          [pum.ic.ite] n (1916): pumice

   pummel
          [pum.mel] vb -meled also -melled ; -mel.ing also -mel.ling
          [alter. of pommel] (1548): pound, beat

   pummelo
          [pum.me.lo] var of pomelo 2

   [1]pump
          [pump] n [ME pumpe, pompe, fr. MLG pumpe or MD pompe, perh.
          fr. Sp bomba, of imit. origin] (15c) 1: a device that
          raises, transfers, or compresses fluids or that attenuates
          gases esp. by suction or pressure or both 2: heart 3:
          an act or the process of pumping 4: an energy source
          (as light) for pumping atoms or molecules 5: a mechanism
          (as the sodium pump) for pumping atoms, ions, or molecules
          [2]pump vi (1508) 1: to work a pump: raise or move a
          fluid with a pump 2: to exert oneself to pump or as if
          to pump something 3: to move in a manner that resembles
          the action of a pump handle ~ vt 1 a: to raise (as water)
          with a pump b: to draw fluid from with a pump 2: to pour
          forth, deliver, or draw with or as if with a pump <~ed
          money into the economy> <~ new life into the classroom>
          3 a: to question persistently b: to elicit by persistent
          questioning 4 a: to operate by manipulating a lever b:
          to manipulate as if operating a pump handle <~ed my hand
          warmly> c: to cause to move with an action resembling
          that of a pump handle <a runner ~ing her arms> 5: to
          transport (as ions) against a concentration gradient
          by the expenditure of energy 6 a: to excite (as atoms
          or molecules) esp . so as to cause emission of coherent
          monochromatic electromagnetic radiation (as in a laser)
          b: to energize (as a laser) by pumping -- pump iron :
          to lift weights [3]pump n [origin unknown] (1555): a
          shoe that grips the foot chiefly at the toe and heel;
          esp: a close-fitting woman's dress shoe with a moderate
          to high heel

   pumped storage
          [pumped storage] n (1927): a hydroelectric system in which
          electricity is generated during periods of high demand
          by the use of water that has been pumped into a reservoir
          at a higher altitude during periods of low demand

   pumper
          [pump.er] n (1660): one that pumps; esp: a fire truck equipped
          with a pump

   pumpernickel
          [pum.per.nick.el] n [G, fr. pumpern to break wind + Nickel
          goblin; fr. its reputed indigestibility] (1756): a dark
          coarse sourdough bread made of unbolted rye flour

   pumpkin
          [pump.kin] n, often attrib [alter. of earlier pumpion, modif.
          of F popon, pompon melon, pumpkin, fr. L pepon-, pepo,
          fr. Gk pepon, fr. pepon ripened; akin to Gk pessein to
          cook, ripen--more at cook] (1654) 1 a: the usu. round
          orange fruit of a vine (Cucurbita pepo) of the gourd
          family widely cultivated as food b: winter crookneck
          c Brit: any of various large-fruited winter squashes
          (C. maxima) 2: a usu. hairy prickly vine that produces
          pumpkins

   pumpkinseed
          [pump.kin.seed] n (1814): a brilliantly colored No. American
          freshwater sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) with a reddish
          spot on the operculum

   pump priming
          [pump priming] n (1936): government investment expenditures
          designed to induce a self-sustaining expansion of economic
          activity

   pump up
          [pump up] vt (1791) 1 a: to fill with enthusiasm or excitement
          b: to fill with or as if with air: inflate 2: increase
          1

   [1]pun
          [pun] n [perh. fr. It puntiglio fine point, quibble--more
          at punctilio] (1662): the usu. humorous use of a word
          in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings
          or the meaning of another word similar in sound [2]pun
          vi punned ; pun.ning (1670): to make puns

   puna
          [pu.na] n [AmerSp, fr. Quechua] (1613): a treeless windswept
          tableland or basin in the higher Andes

   [1]punch
          [punch] vb [ME, fr. MF poinconner to prick, stamp, fr. poincon
          puncheon] vt (14c) 1 a: prod, poke b: drive, herd <~ing
          cattle> 2 a: to strike with a forward thrust esp. of
          the fist b: to drive or push forcibly by or as if by
          a punch c: to hit (a ball) with less than a full swing
          3: to emboss, cut, perforate, or make with or as if with
          a punch 4 a: to push down so as to produce a desired
          result <~ buttons on a jukebox> b: to hit or press down
          the operating mechanism of <~ a time clock> <~ a typewriter>
          c: to produce by or as if by punching keys <~ out a tune
          on the piano> d: to enter (as data) by punching keys
          5: to give emphasis to ~ vi: to perform the action of
          punching something -- punch.er n [2]punch n (14c) 1:
          the action of punching 2: a quick blow with or as if
          with the fist 3: effective energy or forcefulness <a
          story that packs a ~> <political ~> -- punch.less adj
          -- to the punch : to the first blow or to decisive action--usu.
          used with beat [3]punch n [prob. short for puncheon]
          (14c) 1 a: a tool usu. in the form of a short rod of
          steel that is variously shaped at one end for different
          operations (as forming, perforating, embossing, or cutting)
          b: a short tapering steel rod for driving the heads of
          nails below a surface c: a steel die faced with a letter
          in relief that is forced into a softer metal to form
          an intaglio matrix from which foundry type is cast d:
          a device or machine for cutting holes or notches (as
          in paper or cardboard) 2: a hole or notch from a perforating
          operation [4]punch n [perh. fr. Hindi pac five, fr. Skt
          panca; akin to Gk pente five; fr. its orig. having five
          ingredients--more at five] (1632): a hot or cold drink
          that is usu. a combination of hard liquor, wine, or beer
          and nonalcoholic beverages; also: a drink that is a mixture
          of nonalcoholic beverages

   Punch-and-Judy show
          [Punch-and-Judy show] n (1876): a traditional puppet show
          in which the little hook-nosed humpback Punch fights
          comically with his wife Judy

   punchball
          [punch.ball] n (1932): baseball adapted for small areas in
          which a rubber ball is hit with a fist instead of a bat

   punchboard
          [punch.board] n (1912): a small board that has many holes
          each filled with a rolled-up printed slip to be punched
          out on payment of a nominal sum in an effort to obtain
          a slip that entitles the player to a designated prize

   punch bowl
          [punch bowl] n (1692): a large bowl from which a beverage
          (as punch) is served

   punch-drunk
          [punch-drunk] adj [[2]punch] (1918) 1: suffering cerebral
          injury from many minute brain hemorrhages as a result
          of repeated head blows received in boxing 2: behaving
          as if punch-drunk: dazed, confused

   punched card
          [punched card] n (1919): a card in which holes are punched
          in designated positions to represent data--called also
          Hollerith card, punch card

   [1]puncheon
          [pun.cheon] n [ME ponson, fr. MF poincon pointed tool, king
          post, fr. (assumed) VL punction-, punctio pointed tool,
          fr. L, action of pricking, fr. pungere to prick--more
          at pungent] (14c) 1: a pointed tool for piercing or for
          working on stone 2 a: a short upright framing timber
          b: a split log or heavy slab with the face smoothed [2]puncheon
          n [ME poncion, fr. MF ponchon, poincon, of unknown origin]
          (15c): a large cask of varying capacity

   punch in
          [punch in] vi (1926): to record the time of one's arrival
          or beginning work by punching a time clock

   punchinello
          [pun.chi.nel.lo] n [modif. of It dial. polecenella] (1666)
          1 cap: a fat short humpbacked clown or buffoon in Italian
          puppet shows 2 pl -los : a squat grotesque person

   punching bag
          [punching bag] n (1886): a stuffed or inflated bag that is
          usu. suspended for free movement and that is punched
          for exercise or for training in boxing

   punch line
          [punch line] n (1921): the sentence, statement, or phrase
          (as in a joke) that makes the point

   punch out
          [punch out] vi (1973) 1: to record the time of one's stopping
          work or departure by punching a time clock 2: to bail
          out of an aircraft using an ejection seat ~ vt 1: to
          beat up 2: strike out

   punch-out
          [punch-out] n (1928): fistfight

   punch press
          [punch press] n (1911): a press equipped with cutting, shaping,
          or combination dies for working on material (as metal)

   punch-up
          [punch-up] n (1958) chiefly Brit: fistfight

   punch up
          [punch up] vt (ca. 1959): to give energy or forcefulness
          to <jokes added to punch up a speech>

   punchy
          [punchy] adj punch.i.er ; -est (1917) 1: having punch: forceful,
          spirited 2: punch-drunk

   punctate
          [punc.tate] adj [NL punctatus, fr. L punctum point--more
          at point] (ca. 1760) 1: marked with minute spots or depressions
          <a ~ leaf> 2: characterized by dots or points <~ skin
          lesions> -- punc.ta.tion n

   punctilio
          [punc.til.io] n, pl -i.os [It & Sp; It puntiglio point of
          honor, scruple, fr. Sp puntillo, fr. dim. of punto point,
          fr. L punctum] (1596) 1: a minute detail of conduct in
          a ceremony or in observance of a code 2: careful observance
          of forms (as in social conduct)

   punctilious
          [punc.til.i.ous] adj (1634): marked by or concerned about
          precise accordance with the details of codes or conventions
          syn see careful -- punc.til.i.ous.ly adv -- punc.til.i.ous.ness
          n

   punctual
          [punc.tu.al] adj [ME, having a sharp point, fr. ML punctualis
          of a point, fr. L punctus pricking, point, fr. pungere
          to prick--more at pungent] (1675): being on time: prompt
          -- punc.tu.al.i.ty n -- punc.tu.al.ly adv

   punctuate
          [punc.tu.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML punctuatus, pp. of
          punctuare to point, provide with punctuation marks, fr.
          L punctus point] vt (ca. 1818) 1: to mark or divide (written
          matter) with punctuation marks 2: to break into or interrupt
          at intervals <the steady click of her needles punctuated
          the silence --Edith Wharton> 3: accentuate, emphasize
          ~ vi: to use punctuation marks -- punc.tu.a.tor n

   punctuated equilibrium
          [punctuated equilibrium] n (1978): evolution that is characterized
          by long periods of stability in the characteristics of an organism
          and short periods of rapid change during which new forms appear
          esp. from small subpopulations of the ancestral form in restricted
          parts of its geographic range; also: a theory or model of evolution
          emphasizing this--compare gradualism 2

   punctuation
          [punc.tu.a.tion] n (ca. 1539) 1: the act of punctuating:
          the state of being punctuated 2: the act or practice
          of inserting standardized marks or signs in written matter
          to clarify the meaning and separate structural units;
          also: a system of punctuation 3: something that contrasts
          or accentuates

   punctuation mark
          [punctuation mark] n (1860): any of various standardized
          marks or signs used in punctuation

   [1]puncture
          [punc.ture] n [ME, fr. L punctura, fr. punctus, pp. of pungere]
          (14c) 1: an act of puncturing 2: a hole, wound, or perforation
          made by puncturing 3: a minute depression [2]puncture
          vb punc.tured ; punc.tur.ing vt (1699) 1: to pierce with
          or as if with a pointed instrument or object 2: to make
          useless or ineffective as if by a puncture: deflate ~
          vi: to become punctured

   puncture vine
          [puncture vine] n (1911): an Old World annual prostrate herb
          (Tribulus terrestris) of the caltrop family that has
          hard spiny pods and is a troublesome weed esp. in the
          western U.S.--called also caltrop, puncture-weed

   pundit
          [pun.dit] n [Hindi pandit, fr. Skt pandita, fr. pandita learned]
          (1672) 1: pandit 2: a learned man: teacher 3: one who
          gives opinions in an authoritative manner: critic --
          pun.dit.ry n

   pung
          [pung] n [short for earlier tow-pong, of Algonquian origin;
          akin to Micmac tobagun drag made with skin] (1825) NewEng:
          a sleigh with a box-shaped body

   pungency
          [pun.gen.cy] n (1649): the quality or state of being pungent

   pungent
          [pun.gent] adj [L pungent-, pungens, prp. of pungere to prick,
          sting; akin to L pugnus fist, pugnare to fight, Gk pygme
          fist] (1597) 1: sharply painful 2: having a stiff and
          sharp point <~ leaves> 3 a: marked by a sharp incisive
          quality: caustic <a ~ critic> <~ language> b: being sharp
          and to the point 4: causing a sharp or irritating sensation;
          esp: acrid -- pun.gent.ly adv syn pungent, piquant, poignant,
          racy mean sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses.
          pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality
          esp. of odors <a cheese with a pungent odor>. piquant
          suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through
          tartness or mild pungency <a piquant sauce>. poignant
          suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective
          in stirring one's consciousness or emotions <felt a poignant
          sense of loss>. racy implies having a strongly characteristic
          natural quality fresh and unimpaired <spontaneous, racy
          prose>.

   pungle
          [pun.gle] vb pun.gled ; pun.gling [Sp pongale put it down]
          vt (1851): to make a payment or contribution of (money)--usu.
          used with up ~ vi: pay, contribute--usu. used with up

   [1]Punic
          [Pu.nic] adj [L punicus, fr. Poenus inhabitant of Carthage;
          akin to Gk Phoinix Phoenician] (1533) 1: of or relating
          to Carthage or the Carthaginians 2: faithless, treacherous
          [2]Punic n (1673): the Phoenician dialect of ancient
          Carthage

   punish
          [pun.ish] vb [ME punisshen, fr. MF puniss-, stem of punir,
          fr. L punire, fr. poena penalty--more at pain] vt (14c)
          1 a: to impose a penalty on for a fault, offense, or
          violation b: to inflict a penalty for the commission
          of (an offense) in retribution or retaliation 2 a: to
          deal with roughly or harshly b: to inflict injury on:
          hurt ~ vi: to inflict punishment -- pun.ish.abil.i.ty
          n -- pun.ish.able adj -- pun.ish.er n syn punish, chastise,
          castigate, chasten, discipline, correct mean to inflict
          a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing. punish implies
          subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing <punished for
          stealing>. chastise may apply to either the infliction
          of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation
          <chastised his son for neglecting his studies>. castigate
          usu. implies a severe, typically public censure <an editorial
          castigating the entire city council>. chasten suggests
          any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued
          <chastened by a landslide election defeat>. discipline
          implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under
          control <parents must discipline their children>. correct
          implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender <the
          function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer>.

   punishment
          [pun.ish.ment] n (15c) 1: the act of punishing 2 a: suffering,
          pain, or loss that serves as retribution b: a penalty
          inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure 3:
          severe, rough, or disastrous treatment

   punition
          [pu.ni.tion] n [ME punicion, fr. MF punition, fr. L punition-,
          punitio, fr. punire] (15c): punishment

   punitive
          [pu.ni.tive] adj [F punitif, fr. ML punitivus, fr. L punitus,
          pp. of punire] (1624): inflicting, involving, or aiming
          at punishment -- pu.ni.tive.ly adv -- pu.ni.tive.ness
          n

   punitive damages
          [punitive damages] n pl (ca. 1890): damages awarded in excess
          of normal compensation to the plaintiff to punish a defendant
          for a serious wrong

   Punjabi
          [Pun.jabi] n [Hindi panjabi, fr. panjabi of Punjab, fr. Per
          panjabi, fr. Panjab Punjab] (1846) 1: panjabi 1 2: a
          native or inhabitant of the Punjab region of the northwestern
          Indian subcontinent -- Punjabi adj

   [1]punk
          [punk] n [origin unknown] (1596) 1 archaic: prostitute 2
          [prob. partly fr. [3]punk]: nonsense, foolishness 3 a:
          a young inexperienced person: beginner, novice; esp:
          a young man b: a usu. petty gangster, hoodlum, or ruffian
          c: a youth used as a homosexual partner 4 a: punk rock
          b: a punk rock musician c: one who affects punk styles
          [2]punk adj (1896) 1: very poor: inferior <played a ~
          game> 2: being in poor health <said that she was feeling
          ~> 3 a: of or relating to punk rock b: relating to or
          being a style (as of dress or hair) inspired by punk
          rock -- punk.ish adj [3]punk n [perh. alter. of spunk]
          (1687) 1: wood so decayed as to be dry, crumbly, and
          useful for tinder 2: a dry spongy substance prepared
          from fungi (genus Fomes) and used to ignite fuses esp.
          of fireworks

   punkah
          [pun.kah] n [Hindi pakha] (1787): a fan used esp. in India
          that consists of a canvas-covered frame suspended from
          the ceiling and that is operated by a cord

   punker
          [punk.er] n (1977): [1]punk 4b, c

   punkie
          [pun.kie] also pun.ky n, pl punkies [New York D punki, modif.
          of Delaware (Munsee) ponkwes] (1769): biting midge

   punkin
          [pun.kin] var of pumpkin

   punk rock
          [punk rock] n (1971): rock music marked by extreme and often
          deliberately offensive expressions of alienation and
          social discontent -- punk rocker n

   [1]punky
          [punky] adj punk.i.er ; -est [[3]punk] (1872): resembling
          punk in being soft or rotted -- punk.i.ness n [2]punky
          adj [[1]punk] (1972): resembling or typical of a punk

   punnet
          [pun.net] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1822) Brit: a small basket
          for fruits or vegetables

   Punnett square
          [Pun.nett square] n [Reginald C. Punnett d. 1967 Eng. geneticist]
          (1942): an n by n square used in genetics to calculate
          the frequencies of the different genotypes and phenotypes
          among the offspring of a cross

   punny
          [pun.ny] adj pun.ni.er ; -est (1947): constituting or involving
          a pun

   punster
          [pun.ster] n (1700): one who is given to punning

   [1]punt
          [punt] n [(assumed) ME, fr. OE, fr. L ponton-, ponto] (bef.
          12c): a long narrow flat-bottomed boat with square ends
          usu. propelled with a pole [2]punt vt (1816): to propel
          (as a punt) with a pole [3]punt vi [F ponter, fr. ponte
          point in some games, play against the banker, fr. Sp
          punto point, fr. L punctum--more at point] (1712) 1:
          to play at a gambling game against the banker 2 Brit:
          gamble [4]punt vb [origin unknown] vt (1845): to kick
          (a football or soccer ball) with the top of the foot
          before the ball which is dropped from the hands hits
          the ground ~ vi: to punt a ball [5]punt n (1845): the
          act or an instance of punting a ball [6]punt n [Ir, pound,
          fr. E pound] (1975): the monetary pound of Ireland

   punter
          [punt.er] n (ca. 1706): one that punts: as a chiefly Brit:
          a person who gambles; esp: one who bets against a bookmaker
          b: one who uses a punt in boating c: one who punts a
          ball

   punt formation
          [punt formation] n (1949): an offensive football formation
          in which a back making a punt stands approximately 10
          yards behind the line and the other backs are in blocking
          position close to the line

   punty
          [pun.ty] n, pl punties [F pontil] (1662): a metal rod used
          for fashioning hot glass

   puny
          [pu.ny] adj pu.ni.er ; -est [MF puisne younger, lit., born
          afterward, fr. puis afterward + ne born] (1593): slight
          or inferior in power, size, or importance: weak -- pu.ni.ly
          adv -- pu.ni.ness n

   [1]pup
          [pup] n [short for puppy] (1773): a young dog; also: one
          of the young of various animals (as a seal or rat) [2]pup
          vi pupped ; pup.ping (1787): to give birth to pups

   pupa
          [pu.pa] n, pl pu.pae or pupas [NL, fr. L pupa doll] (1815):
          an intermediate usu. quiescent stage of a metamorphic
          insect (as a bee, moth, or beetle) that occurs between
          the larva and the imago, is usu. enclosed in a cocoon
          or protective covering, and undergoes internal changes
          by which larval structures are replaced by those typical
          of the imago -- pu.pal adj

   puparium
          [pu.par.i.um] n, pl pu.par.ia [NL, fr. pupa] (1815): a rigid
          outer shell formed from the larval skin that covers some
          pupae (as of a dipteran fly)

   pupate
          [pu.pate] vi pu.pat.ed ; pu.pat.ing (ca. 1879): to become
          a pupa: pass through a pupal stage -- pu.pa.tion n

   pupfish
          [pup.fish] n (1949): any of several killifishes (genus Cyprinodon
          of the family Cyprinodontidae) esp. of warm streams and
          springs of the western U.S.

   [1]pupil
          [pu.pil] n [ME pupille minor ward, fr. MF, fr. L pupillus
          male ward (fr. dim. of pupus boy) & pupilla female ward,
          fr. dim. of pupa girl, doll] (1536) 1: a child or young
          person in school or in the charge of a tutor or instructor:
          student 2: one who has been taught or influenced by a
          famous or distinguished person [2]pupil n [MF pupille,
          fr. L pupilla, fr. dim. of pupa doll; fr. the tiny image
          of oneself seen reflected in another's eye] (1567): the
          contractile aperture in the iris of the eye -- pu.pil.lary
          adj

   pupilage
          [pu.pil.age] or pu.pil.lage n (ca. 1599): the state or period
          of being a pupil

   puppet
          [pup.pet] n, often attrib [ME popet, fr. MF poupette, dim.
          of (assumed) poupe doll, fr. L pupa] (1538) 1 a: a small-scale
          figure (as of a person or animal) usu. with a cloth body
          and hollow head that fits over and is moved by the hand
          b: marionette 2: doll 1 3: one whose acts are controlled
          by an outside force or influence -- pup.pet.like adj

   puppeteer
          [pup.pe.teer] n (ca. 1923): one who manipulates puppets

   puppetry
          [pup.pet.ry] n, pl -ries (1528) 1: the production or creation
          of puppets or puppet shows 2: the art of manipulating
          puppets

   puppy
          [pup.py] n, pl puppies [ME popi, fr. MF poupee doll, toy,
          fr. (assumed) poupe doll] (1591): a young domestic dog;
          specif: one less than a year old -- pup.py.hood n --
          pup.py.ish adj -- pup.py.like adj

   puppy dog
          [puppy dog] n (1595): a domestic dog; esp: one having the
          lovable attributes of a puppy

   puppy love
          [puppy love] n (1834): transitory affection felt by a boy
          or girl for one of the opposite sex

   pup tent
          [pup tent] n (1863): a low small tent for two persons usu.
          consisting of two halves fastened together

   Purana
          [Pu.ra.na] n, often cap [Skt purana, fr. purana ancient,
          fr. pura formerly; akin to Skt pura before, Gk para beside,
          pro before--more at for] (1696): one of a class of Hindu
          sacred writings chiefly from a.d. 300 to a.d. 750 comprising
          popular myths and legends and other traditional lore
          -- Pu.ra.nic adj

   purblind
          [pur.blind] adj [ME pur blind, fr. pur purely, wholly, fr.
          pur pure] (14c) 1 a obs: wholly blind b: partly blind
          2: lacking in vision, insight, or understanding: obtuse
          -- pur.blind.ly adv -- pur.blind.ness n

   [1]purchase
          [pur.chase] vb pur.chased ; pur.chas.ing [ME purchacen, fr.
          OF purchacier to seek to obtain, fr. por-, pur- for,
          forward (modif. of L pro-) + chacier to pursue, chase--more
          at pro-] vt (14c) 1 a archaic: gain, acquire b: to acquire
          (real estate) by means other than descent or inheritance
          c: to obtain by paying money or its equivalent: buy d:
          to obtain by labor, danger, or sacrifice 2: to apply
          a device for obtaining a mechanical advantage to (as
          something to be moved); also: to move by a purchase 3:
          to constitute the means for buying <our dollars ~ less
          each year> ~ vi: to purchase something -- pur.chas.able
          adj -- pur.chas.er n [2]purchase n (14c) 1: an act or
          instance of purchasing 2: something obtained esp. for
          a price in money or its equivalent 3 a (1): a mechanical
          hold or advantage applied to the raising or moving of
          heavy bodies (2): an apparatus or device by which advantage
          is gained b (1): an advantage (as a firm hold or position)
          used in applying one's power <clutching the steering
          wheel for more ~ --Barry Crump> (2): a means of exerting
          power

   purdah
          [pur.dah] n [Hindi parda, lit., screen, veil] (1865) 1: seclusion
          of women from public observation among Muslims and some
          Hindus esp. in India 2: a state of seclusion or concealment

   pure
          [pure] adj pur.er ; pur.est [ME pur, fr. OF, fr. L purus;
          akin to OHG fowen to sift, Skt punati he cleanses, MIr
          ur fresh, new] (14c) 1 a (1): unmixed with any other
          matter <~ gold> (2): free from dust, dirt, or taint <~
          food> (3): spotless, stainless b: free from harshness
          or roughness and being in tune--used of a musical tone
          c of a vowel: characterized by no appreciable alteration
          of articulation during utterance 2 a: being thus and
          no other: sheer, unmitigated <~ folly> b (1): abstract,
          theoretical (2): a priori <~ mechanics> c: not directed
          toward exposition of reality or solution of practical
          problems <~ literature> d: being nonobjective and to
          be appraised on formal and technical qualities only <~
          form> 3 a (1): free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes
          (2): containing nothing that does not properly belong
          b: free from moral fault or guilt c: marked by chastity:
          continent d (1): of pure blood and unmixed ancestry (2):
          homozygous in and breeding true for one or more characters
          e: ritually clean syn see chaste -- pure.ness n

   pure-blooded
          [pure-blood.ed] or pure-blood adj (1821): full-blooded 1
          -- pure.blood n

   purebred
          [pure.bred] adj (1868): bred from members of a recognized
          breed, strain, or kind without admixture of other blood
          over many generations -- pure.bred n

   pure democracy
          [pure democracy] n (ca. 1910): democracy in which the power
          is exercised directly by the people rather than through
          representatives

   [1]puree
          [pu.ree] n [F puree, fr. MF, fr. fem. of pure, pp. of purer
          to purify, strain, fr. L purare to purify, fr. purus]
          (1707) 1: a paste or thick liquid suspension usu. made
          from cooked food ground finely 2: a thick soup made of
          pureed vegetables [2]puree vt pu.reed ; pu.ree.ing (1928):
          to make a puree of

   pure imaginary
          [pure imaginary] n (1947): a complex number that is the product
          of a real number other than zero and the imaginary unit
          -- pure imaginary adj

   purely
          [pure.ly] adv (14c) 1: wholly, completely <a selection based
          ~ on merit> 2: without admixture of anything injurious
          or foreign 3: simply, merely <read ~ for relaxation>
          4: in a chaste or innocent manner

   purfle
          [pur.fle] vt pur.fled ; pur.fling [ME purfilen, fr. MF porfiler,
          fr. (assumed) VL profilare, fr. L pro- forward + LL filare
          to spin--more at pro-, file] (14c): to ornament the border
          or edges of -- purfle n

   purgation
          [pur.ga.tion] n (14c): the act or result of purging

   [1]purgative
          [pur.ga.tive] adj [ME purgatif, fr. MF, fr. LL purgativus,
          fr. L purgatus, pp.] (15c): purging or tending to purge
          [2]purgative n (1626): a purging medicine: cathartic

   purgatorial
          [pur.ga.to.ri.al] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or suggestive
          of purgatory 2: cleansing of sin: expiatory

   purgatory
          [pur.ga.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ME, fr. AF or ML; AF purgatorie,
          fr. ML purgatorium, fr. LL, neut. of purgatorius purging,
          fr. L purgare] (13c) 1: an intermediate state after death
          for expiatory purification; specif: a place or state
          of punishment wherein according to Roman Catholic doctrine
          the souls of those who die in God's grace may make satisfaction
          for past sins and so become fit for heaven 2: a place
          or state of temporary suffering or misery

   [1]purge
          [purge] vb purged ; purg.ing [ME, fr. MF purgier, fr. L purigare,
          purgare to purify, purge, fr. purus pure + -igare (akin
          to agere to drive, do)--more at act] vt (14c) 1 a: to
          clear of guilt b: to free from moral or ceremonial defilement
          2 a: to cause evacuation from (as the bowels) b (1):
          to make free of something unwanted <~ a manhole of gas>
          <~ yourself of fear> (2): to free (as a boiler) of sediment
          or relieve (as a steam pipe) of trapped air by bleeding
          c (1): to rid (as a nation or party) by a purge (2):
          to get rid of <the leaders had been purged> <~ money-losing
          operations> ~ vi 1: to become purged 2: to have or produce
          frequent evacuations 3: to cause purgation -- purg.er
          n [2]purge n (1563) 1: something that purges; esp: purgative
          2 a: an act or instance of purging b: the removal of
          elements or members regarded as undesirable and esp.
          as treacherous or disloyal

   puri
          [pu.ri] n, pl puri or puris [Hindi puri, fr. Skt pura] (ca.
          1885): a puffy fried wheat cake of India

   purification
          [pu.ri.fi.ca.tion] n (14c): the act or an instance of purifying
          or of being purified

   purificator
          [pu.ri.fi.ca.tor] n (1853) 1: a linen cloth used to wipe
          the chalice after celebration of the Eucharist 2: one
          that purifies

   purificatory
          [pu.ri.fi.ca.to.ry] adj (1610): serving, tending, or intended
          to purify

   purify
          [pu.ri.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME purifien, fr. MF purifier,
          fr. L purificare, fr. L purus + -ificare -ify] vt (14c):
          to make pure: as a: to clear from material defilement
          or imperfection b: to free from guilt or moral or ceremonial
          blemish c: to free from undesirable elements ~ vi: to
          grow or become pure or clean -- pu.ri.fi.er n

   Purim
          [Pu.rim] n [Heb purim, lit., lots; fr. the casting of lots
          by Haman (Esth 9:24-26)] (1535): a Jewish holiday celebrated
          on the 14th of Adar in commemoration of the deliverance
          of the Jews from the massacre plotted by Haman

   purine
          [pu.rine] n [G Purin, fr. L purus pure + NL uricus uric (fr.
          E uric) + G -in [2]-ine] (1898) 1: a crystalline base
          that is the parent of compounds of the uric-acid group
          2: a derivative of purine; esp: a base (as adenine or
          guanine) that is a constituent of DNA or RNA

   purism
          [pur.ism] n (1803) 1: an example of rigid adherence to or
          insistence on purity or nicety esp. in use of words;
          esp: a word, phrase, or sense used chiefly by purists
          2: the quality or practice of adherence to purity esp.
          in language

   purist
          [pur.ist] n (ca. 1706): one who adheres strictly and often
          excessively to a tradition; esp: one preoccupied with
          the purity of a language and its protection from the
          use of foreign or altered forms -- pu.ris.tic adj --
          pu.ris.ti.cal.ly adv

   [1]puritan
          [pu.ri.tan] n [prob. fr. LL puritas purity] (1572) 1 cap:
          a member of a 16th and 17th century Protestant group
          in England and New England opposing as unscriptural the
          ceremonial worship and the prelacy of the Church of England
          2: one who practices or preaches a more rigorous or professedly
          purer moral code than that which prevails [2]puritan
          adj, often cap (1589): of or relating to puritans, the
          Puritans, or puritanism

   puritanical
          [pu.ri.tan.i.cal] adj (1607) 1: puritan 2: of, relating to,
          or characterized by a rigid morality -- pu.ri.tan.i.cal.ly
          adv

   puritanism
          [pu.ri.tan.ism] n (1573) 1 cap: the beliefs and practices
          characteristic of the Puritans 2: strictness and austerity
          esp. in matters of religion or conduct

   purity
          [pu.ri.ty] n [ME purete, fr. OF purete, fr. LL puritat-,
          puritas, fr. L purus pure] (13c) 1: the quality or state
          of being pure 2: saturation 4a

   Purkinje cell
          [Pur.kin.je cell] n [Jan Purkinje] (ca. 1890): any of numerous
          nerve cells that occupy the middle layer of the cerebellar
          cortex and are characterized by a large globose body
          with massive dendrites directed outward and a single
          slender axon directed inward

   Purkinje fiber
          [Purkinje fiber] n (ca. 1890): any of the modified cardiac
          muscle fibers that have few nuclei, granulated central
          cytoplasm, and sparse peripheral striations and make
          up a network of conducting tissue in the myocardium

   [1]purl
          [purl] n [ME] (14c) 1: gold or silver thread or wire for
          embroidering or edging 2: the intertwisting of thread
          that knots a stitch usu. along an edge 3: purl stitch
          [2]purl vt (1526) 1 a: to embroider with gold or silver
          thread b: to edge or border with gold or silver embroidery
          2: to knit in purl stitch ~ vi: to do knitting in purl
          stitch [3]purl n [perh. of Scand origin; akin to Norw
          purla to ripple] (ca. 1522) 1: a purling or swirling
          stream or rill 2: a gentle murmur or movement (as of
          purling water) [4]purl vi (1591) 1: eddy, swirl 2: to
          make a soft murmuring sound like that of a purling stream

   purlieu
          [pur.lieu] n [ME purlewe land severed from an English royal
          forest by perambulation, fr. AF purale perambulation,
          fr. OF puraler to go through, fr. pur- for, through +
          aler to go--more at purchase] (15c) 1 a: an outlying
          or adjacent district b pl: environs, neighborhood 2 a:
          a frequently visited place: haunt b pl: confines, bounds

   purlin
          [pur.lin] n [origin unknown] (15c): a horizontal member in
          a roof

   purloin
          [pur.loin] vt [ME, to put away, misappropriate, fr. AF purloigner,
          fr. OF porloigner to put off, delay, fr. porforward + loing
          at a distance, fr. L longe, fr. longus long--more at purchase,
          long] (15c): to appropriate wrongfully and often by a breach
          of trust syn see steal -- pur.loin.er n

   purl stitch
          [purl stitch] n [[1]purl] (1885): a knitting stitch usu.
          made with the yarn at the front of the work by inserting
          the right needle into the front of a loop on the left
          needle from the right, catching the yarn with the right
          needle, and bringing it through to form a new loop--compare
          knit stitch

   puromycin
          [pu.ro.my.cin] n [purine + -o- + -mycin] (1953): an antibiotic
          that is obtained from an actinomycete (Streptomyces alboniger)
          and is used esp. as a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis

   [1]purple
          [pur.ple] adj pur.pler ; pur.plest [ME purpel, alter. of
          purper, fr. OE purpuran of purple, gen. of purpure purple
          color, fr. L purpura, fr. Gk porphyra] (bef. 12c) 1:
          regal, imperial 2: of the color purple 3 a: highly rhetorical:
          ornate b: marked by profanity [2]purple n (15c) 1 a (1):
          cloth dyed purple (2): a garment of such color; esp:
          a purple robe worn as an emblem of rank or authority
          b (1): tyrian purple (2): any of various colors that
          fall about midway between red and blue in hue c (1):
          a mollusk (as of the genus Purpura) yielding a purple
          dye and esp. the Tyrian purple of ancient times (2):
          a pigment or dye that colors purple 2 a: imperial or
          regal rank or power b: high rank or station [3]purple
          vb pur.pled ; pur.pling vt (15c): to make purple ~ vi:
          to become purple

   purpleheart
          [pur.ple.heart] n (1796): a strong durable purplish wood
          that is obtained from various leguminous trees (genus
          Peltogyne); also: a tree producing such wood

   Purple Heart
          [Purple Heart] n (1932): a U.S. military decoration awarded
          to any member of the armed forces wounded or killed in
          action

   purple loosestrife
          [purple loosestrife] n (1548): an Old World marsh herb (Lythrum
          salicaria) of the loosestrife family that is naturalized
          in the eastern U.S. and has long spikes of purple flowers

   purple martin
          [purple martin] n (1743): a large swallow (Progne subis)
          of No. America the males of which have bluish black plumage

   purple passage
          [purple passage] n [trans. of L pannus purpureus purple patch;
          fr. the traditional splendor of purple cloth as contrasted
          with plainer materials] (1895) 1: a passage conspicuous
          for brilliance or effectiveness in a work that is dull,
          commonplace, or uninspired 2 chiefly Brit: a piece of
          obtrusively ornate writing--called also purple patch

   purple scale
          [purple scale] n (ca. 1909): a brownish or purplish armored
          scale (Lepidosaphes beckii) that is destructive to citrus
          fruit

   purplish
          [pur.plish] adj (1562): somewhat purple

   purply
          [pur.ply] adj (1725): purplish

   [1]purport
          [pur.port] n [ME, fr. AF, content, tenor, fr. purporter to
          contain, fr. OF porporter to convey, fr. por- forward
          + porter to carry--more at purchase, port] (15c): meaning
          conveyed, professed, or implied: import; also: substance,
          gist [2]pur.port vt (1528) 1: to have the often specious
          appearance of being, intending, or claiming (something
          implied or inferred) <a book that ~s to be an objective
          analysis>; also: claim <foreign novels which he ~s to
          have translated --Mary McCarthy> 2: intend, purpose

   purported
          [pur.port.ed] adj (1894): reputed, alleged <took gullible
          tourists to ~ ancient sites>

   purportedly
          [pur.port.ed.ly] adv (1942): it is purported: ostensibly,
          allegedly

   [1]purpose
          [pur.pose] n [ME purpos, fr. OF, fr. purposer to purpose,
          fr. L proponere (perf. indic. proposui) to propose--more
          at propound] (14c) 1 a: something set up as an object
          or end to be attained: intention b: resolution, determination
          2: a subject under discussion or an action in course
          of execution syn see intention -- on purpose : by intent:
          intentionally [2]purpose vt pur.posed ; pur.pos.ing (14c):
          to propose as an aim to oneself

   purpose-built
          [pur.pose-built] adj (1954) chiefly Brit: built for a particular
          purpose

   purposeful
          [pur.pose.ful] adj (1853) 1: having a purpose: as a: meaningful
          <~ activities> b: intentional <~ ambiguity> 2: full of
          determination <a ~ man> -- pur.pose.ful.ly adv -- pur.pose.ful.ness
          n

   purposeless
          [pur.pose.less] adj (ca. 1552): having no purpose: aimless,
          meaningless -- pur.pose.less.ly adv -- pur.pose.less.ness
          n

   purposely
          [pur.pose.ly] adv (15c): with a deliberate or express purpose

   purposive
          [pur.po.sive] adj (1855) 1: serving or effecting a useful
          function though not as a result of planning or design
          2: having or tending to fulfill a conscious purpose or
          design: purposeful -- pur.po.sive.ly adv -- pur.po.sive.ness
          n

   purpura
          [pur.pu.ra] n [NL, fr. L, purple color] (1753): any of several
          hemorrhagic states characterized by patches of purplish
          discoloration resulting from extravasation of blood into
          the skin and mucous membranes -- pur.pu.ric adj

   purpure
          [pur.pure] n [ME, fr. OE, purple] (1535): the heraldic color
          purple

   [1]purr
          [purr] n [imit.] (1601): a low vibratory murmur typical of
          an apparently contented or pleased cat [2]purr vi (1620)
          1: to make a purr or a sound like a purr <cars ~ing along
          the highway> 2 a: to speak in a manner that resembles
          a purr b: to speak in a malicious catty manner -- purr.ing.ly
          adv

   [1]purse
          [purse] n [ME purs, fr. OE, modif. of ML bursa, fr. LL, ox
          hide, fr. Gk byrsa] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a small bag for
          money (2): a receptacle (as a pocketbook) for carrying
          money and often other small objects b: a receptacle (as
          a pouch) shaped like a purse 2 a: resources, funds b:
          a sum of money offered as a prize or present; also: the
          total amount of money offered in prizes for a given event
          -- purse.like adj [2]purse vt pursed ; purs.ing (14c)
          1: to put into a purse 2: pucker, knit

   purse-proud
          [purse-proud] adj (1681): proud because of one's wealth esp.
          in the absence of other distinctions

   purser
          [purs.er] n [ME, fr. purs purse] (15c) 1: an official on
          a ship responsible for papers and accounts and on a passenger
          ship also for the comfort and welfare of passengers 2:
          a steward on an airliner

   purse seine
          [purse seine] n (1870): a large seine designed to be set
          by two boats around a school of fish and so arranged
          that after the ends have been brought together the bottom
          can be closed -- purse seiner n -- purse seining n

   purse strings
          [purse strings] n pl (15c): financial resources; also: control
          over these resources

   purslane
          [purs.lane] n [ME, fr. MF porcelaine, fr. LL porcillagin-,
          porcillago, alter. of L porcillaca, alter. of portulaca]
          (14c): any of a family (Portulacaceae, the purslane family)
          of cosmopolitan usu. succulent herbs; esp: a fleshy-leaved
          trailing plant (Portulaca oleracea) with tiny yellow
          flowers that is a common troublesome weed but is sometimes
          eaten as a potherb or in salads

   pursuance
          [pur.su.ance] n (1605): the act of pursuing; esp: a carrying
          out or into effect: prosecution <in ~ of his duties>

   pursuant to
          [pur.su.ant to] prep (1648): in carrying out: in conformity
          with: according to

   pursue
          [pur.sue] vb pur.sued ; pur.su.ing [ME, fr. AF pursuer, fr.
          OF poursuir, fr. L prosequi, fr. pro- forward + sequi
          to follow--more at pro-, sue] vt (14c) 1: to follow in
          order to overtake, capture, kill, or defeat 2: to find
          or employ measures to obtain or accomplish: seek <~ a
          goal> 3: to proceed along <~s a northern course> 4 a:
          to engage in <~ a hobby> b: to follow up or proceed with
          <~ an argument> 5: to continue to afflict: haunt <was
          pursued by horrible memories> 6: [2]chase 1c <pursued
          by dozens of fans> ~ vi: to go in pursuit syn see chase
          -- pur.su.er n

   pursuit
          [pur.suit] n [ME, fr. MF poursuite, fr. poursuir] (14c) 1:
          the act of pursuing 2: an activity that one engages in
          as a vocation, profession, or avocation: occupation syn
          see work

   pursuit plane
          [pursuit plane] n (ca. 1918): a fighter plane esp. of the
          period before World War II

   pursuivant
          [pur.sui.vant] n [ME pursevant attendant of a herald, fr.
          MF poursuivant, lit., follower, fr. prp. of poursuir,
          poursuivre to pursue] (14c) 1: an officer of arms ranking
          below a herald but having similar duties 2: follower,
          attendant

   [1]pursy
          [pur.sy] adj pur.si.er ; -est [ME, fr. AF pursif, alter.
          of MF polsif, fr. poulser, polser to beat, push, pant--more
          at push] (15c) 1: short-winded esp. because of corpulence
          2: fat -- pur.si.ness n [2]pursy adj purs.i.er ; -est
          [[1]purse] (1552) 1: having a puckered appearance 2:
          purse-proud

   purtenance
          [pur.te.nance] n [ME, lit., appendage, modif. of MF partenance,
          fr. partenir to pertain--more at pertain] (15c): entrails,
          pluck

   purulence
          [pu.ru.lence] n (1597): the quality or state of being purulent;
          also: pus

   purulent
          [pu.ru.lent] adj [L purulentus, fr. pur-, pus pus] (1597)
          1: containing, consisting of, or being pus <a ~ discharge>
          2: accompanied by suppuration

   purvey
          [pur.vey] vt pur.veyed ; pur.vey.ing [ME purveien, fr. MF
          porveeir, fr. L providere to provide] (14c) 1: to supply
          (as provisions) usu. as a matter of business 2: peddle
          2

   purveyance
          [pur.vey.ance] n (14c): the act or process of purveying or
          procuring

   purveyor
          [pur.vey.or] n (14c) 1: one that purveys 2: victualler, caterer

   purview
          [pur.view] n [ME purveu, fr. AF purveu est it is provided
          (opening phrase of a statute)] (15c) 1 a: the body or
          enacting part of a statute b: the limit, purpose, or
          scope of a statute 2: the range or limit of authority,
          competence, responsibility, concern, or intention 3:
          range of vision, understanding, or cognizance

   pus
          [pus] n [L pur-, pus--more at foul] (1541): thick opaque
          usu. yellowish white fluid matter formed by suppuration
          and composed of exudate containing white blood cells,
          tissue debris, and microorganisms

   Puseyism
          [Pu.sey.ism] n [Edward Bouverie Pusey] (1838): tractarianism
          -- Pu.sey.ite n

   [1]push
          [push] vb [ME pusshen, fr. MF poulser to beat, push, fr.
          OF, fr. L pulsare, freq. of pellere to drive, strike--more
          at felt] vt (13c) 1 a: to press against with force in
          order to drive or impel b: to move or endeavor to move
          away or ahead by steady pressure without striking 2 a:
          to thrust forward, downward, or outward b: to cause to
          increase: raise <~ prices to record levels> c: to hit
          (a ball) toward the right from a right-handed swing or
          toward the left from a left-handed swing--compare pull
          3 a: to press or urge forward to completion b: to urge
          or press the advancement, adoption, or practice of <~ed
          a bill in the legislature>; esp: to make aggressive efforts
          to sell <we're ~ing ham this week> c: to engage in the
          illicit sale of (narcotics) 4: to bear hard upon so as
          to involve in difficulty <poverty ~ed them to the breaking
          point> 5: to approach in age or number <grandmother must
          be ~ing 75> ~ vi 1: to press against something with steady
          force in or as if in order to impel 2: to press forward
          energetically against opposition 3: to exert oneself
          continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end
          <~ing for higher wages> -- push one's luck : to take
          an increasing risk [2]push n (1563) 1: a vigorous effort
          to attain an end: drive: a: a military assault or offensive
          b: an advance that overcomes obstacles c: a campaign
          to promote a product 2: a time for action: emergency
          3 a: an act of pushing: shove b (1): a physical force
          steadily applied in a direction away from the body exerting
          it (2): a nonphysical pressure: influence, urge c: vigorous
          enterprise or energy 4 a: an exertion of influence to
          promote another's interests b: stimulation to activity:
          impetus -- push comes to shove : a decisive moment comes
          <backed down when push came to shove>

   PUSH
          [PUSH] abbreviation People United to Serve Humanity

   push around
          [push around] vt (1923): to impose on contemptuously

   pushball
          [push.ball] n (1896): a game in which each of two sides endeavors
          to push an inflated orig. leather-covered ball six feet
          (1.8 meters) in diameter across its opponents' goal;
          also: the ball used

   push-bike
          [push-bike] n (1913) Brit: bicycle--called also push bicycle

   push broom
          [push broom] n (1926): a long-handled wide brush that is
          designed to be pushed and is used for sweeping

   push-button
          [push-button] adj (1916) 1: operated or done by means of
          push buttons <a ~ phone> 2: using or dependent on complex
          and more or less self-operating mechanisms that are put
          in operation by a simple act comparable to pushing a
          button <~ warfare>

   push button
          [push button] n (1878): a small button or knob that when
          pushed operates something esp. by closing an electric
          circuit

   pushcart
          [push.cart] n (1893): a cart or barrow pushed by hand

   pushchair
          [push.chair] n (1921) chiefly Brit: stroller

   pushdown
          [push.down] n (1961): a store of data (as in a computer)
          from which the most recently stored item must be the
          first retrieved--called also pushdown list, pushdown
          stack

   pusher
          [push.er] n (1591): one that pushes; esp: one that pushes
          illegal drugs

   pushful
          [push.ful] adj (1896) chiefly Brit: pushing -- push.ful.ness
          n, chiefly Brit

   pushing
          [push.ing] adj (1692) 1: marked by ambition, energy, enterprise,
          and initiative 2: marked by tactless forwardness or officious
          intrusiveness

   push off
          [push off] vi (1925): set out <we pushed off for home>

   push on
          [push on] vi (1718): to continue on one's way: proceed

   pushover
          [push.over] n (1906) 1: something accomplished without difficulty:
          snap 2: an opponent who is easy to defeat or a victim who
          is capable of no effective resistance 3: someone unable to resist
          an attraction or appeal: sucker

   pushpin
          [push.pin] n (1907): a pin that has a roughly cylindrical
          head and that is easily inserted and withdrawn (as from
          a bulletin board)

   push-pull
          [push-pull] adj (1922): relating to or being an arrangement
          of two electronic circuit elements (as transistors) such
          that an alternating input causes them to send current
          through a load alternately <a ~ circuit> -- push-pull
          n

   Pushtu
          [Push.tu] var of pashto

   Pushtun
          [Push.tun] var of pashtun

   push-up
          [push-up] n (1942): a conditioning exercise performed in
          a prone position by raising and lowering the body with
          the straightening and bending of the arms while keeping
          the back straight and supporting the body on the hands
          and toes

   pushy
          [pushy] adj push.i.er ; -est (1936): aggressive often to
          an objectionable degree: forward -- push.i.ly adv --
          push.i.ness n

   pusillanimity
          [pu.sil.la.nim.i.ty] n (14c): the quality or state of being
          pusillanimous: cowardliness

   pusillanimous
          [pu.sil.lan.i.mous] adj [LL pusillanimis, fr. L pusillus
          very small (dim. of pusus boy) + animus spirit; perh.
          akin to L puer child--more at puerile, animate] (1586):
          lacking courage and resolution: marked by contemptible
          timidity syn see cowardly -- pu.sil.lan.i.mous.ly adv

   [1]puss
          [puss] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1530) 1: cat 2: girl [2]puss
          n [Ir pus mouth] (ca. 1890) slang: face

   pussley
          [puss.ley] n [by alter.] (1833): purslane

   [1]pussy
          [pussy] n, pl puss.ies [[1]puss] (1726) 1: cat 2: a catkin
          of the pussy willow [2]pus.sy n, pl pussies [perh. of
          LG or Scand origin; akin to ON puss pocket, pouch, LG
          puse vulva, OE pusa bag] (ca. 1879) 1: vulva--usu. considered
          vulgar 2 a: sexual intercourse--usu. considered vulgar
          b: the female partner in sexual intercourse--usu. considered
          vulgar [3]pus.sy adj pus.si.er ; -est (ca. 1890): full
          of or resembling pus [4]pus.sy var of [1]pursy

   pussycat
          [pussy.cat] n (1805) 1: cat 2: one that is weak, compliant,
          or amiable: softy

   pussyfoot
          [pussy.foot] vi (1903) 1: to tread or move warily or stealthily
          2: to refrain from committing oneself -- pussy.foot.er
          n

   pussytoes
          [pussy.toes] or puss.y's-toes n pl but sing or pl in constr
          (1892): any of a genus (Antennaria) of woolly or hoary
          chiefly temperate composite herbs that have small usu.
          whitish discoid flower heads and a pappus formed of club-shaped
          bristles

   pussy willow
          [pussy willow] n (1869): a willow (as the American Salix
          discolor) having large cylindrical silky aments

   [1]pustulant
          [pus.tu.lant] n (1871): an agent (as a chemical) that induces
          pustule formation [2]pustulant adj (ca. 1890): producing
          pustules

   pustular
          [pus.tu.lar] adj (1739) 1: of, relating to, or resembling
          pustules 2: covered with pustular prominences: pustulated

   pustulated
          [pus.tu.lat.ed] adj (1732): covered with pustules

   pustulation
          [pus.tu.la.tion] n (ca. 1860) 1: the act of producing pustules:
          the state of having pustules 2: pustule

   pustule
          [pus.tule] n [ME, fr. L pustula; akin to Lith pusti to blow,
          Gk physa breath] (14c) 1: a small circumscribed elevation
          of the skin containing pus and having an inflamed base
          2: a small often distinctively colored elevation or spot
          resembling a blister or pimple

   [1]put
          [put] vb put ; put.ting [ME putten; akin to OE putung instigation,
          MD poten to plant] vt (12c) 1 a: to place in a specified position
          or relationship: lay <~ the book on the table> b: to move
          in a specified direction c (1): to send (as a weapon or missile)
          into or through something: thrust (2): to throw with an overhand
          pushing motion <~ the shot> d: to bring into a specified state
          or condition <a reapportionment ... that was ~ into effect at the
          September primaries --Current Biog.> 2 a: to cause to endure
          or suffer something: subject <~ traitors to death> b: impose,
          inflict <~ a special tax on luxuries> 3 a: to set before one for
          judgment or decision <~ the question> b: to call for a formal vote
          on <~ the motion> 4 a (1): to convey into another form <want
          to ~ my feelings into words> (2): to translate into another
          language or style <~ the poem into English> (3): adapt <lyrics
          ~ to music> b: express, state <putting it mildly> 5 a: to devote
          (oneself) to an activity or end <~ himself to winning back their
          confidence> b: apply <~ her mind to the problem> c: assign <~ them
          to work> d: to cause to perform an action: urge <~ the horse over
          the fence> e: impel, incite <~ them into a frenzy> 6 a: repose,
          rest <~s his faith in reason> b: invest <~ her money in the
          company> 7 a: to give as an estimate <~ the time as about eleven>
          b: attach, attribute <~s a high value on their friendship>
          c: impute <~ the blame on the partners> 8: bet, wager <~ $2 on the
          favorite> ~ vi 1: to start in motion: go; esp: to leave in a hurry
          2 of a ship: to take a specified course <~ down the river> -- put
          forth 1 a: assert, propose b: to make public: issue 2: to bring
          into action: exert 3: to produce or send out by growth <put forth
          leaves> 4: to start out -- put forward : propose <put forward
          a theory> -- put in mind : remind -- put one's finger on : identify
          <put his finger on the cause of the trouble> -- put one's foot down
          : to take a firm stand -- put one's foot in one's mouth : to make
          a tactless or embarrassing blunder -- put paid to Brit: to finish
          off: wipe out -- put the arm on or put the bite on : to ask for
          money -- put the finger on : to inform on <put the finger on ...
          heroin pushers --Barrie Zwicker> -- put the make on : to make
          sexual advances toward -- put to bed : to make the final
          preparations for printing (as a newspaper) -- put together
          1: to create as a unified whole: construct 2: add, combine -- put
          to it : to give difficulty to: press hard <had been put
          to it to keep up> [2]put n (14c) 1: a throw made with an overhand
          pushing motion; specif: the act or an instance of putting the shot
          2: an option to sell a specified amount of a security (as a stock)
          or commodity (as wheat) at a fixed price at or within a specified
          time--compare call 3d [3]put adj (1848): being in place: fixed, set
          <stay ~ until I call>

   put about
          [put about] vi (1748) of a ship: to change direction: go
          on another tack ~ vt: to cause to change course or direction

   put across
          [put across] vt (1919) 1: put over 3 2: to convey effectively
          or forcefully

   put-and-take
          [put-and-take] n (1922): any of various games of chance played
          with a teetotum or with dice in which players contribute
          to a pool and take from it according to the instructions
          on the top or dice

   putative
          [pu.ta.tive] adj [ME, fr. LL putativus, fr. L putatus, pp.
          of putare to think] (15c) 1: commonly accepted or supposed
          2: assumed to exist or to have existed -- pu.ta.tive.ly
          adv

   put away
          [put away] vt (14c) 1 a: discard, renounce <to put grief
          away is disloyal to the memory of the departed --H. A.
          Overstreet> b: divorce 2: to eat or drink up: consume
          3 a: to confine esp. in a mental institution b: bury
          c: kill

   put by
          [put by] vt (15c) 1 archaic: reject 2: to lay aside: save

   put down
          [put down] vt (14c) 1: to bring to an end: stop <put down
          a riot> 2 a: depose, degrade b: disparage, belittle <mentioned
          his poetry only to put it down> c: disapprove, criticize
          <was put down for the way she dressed> d: humiliate,
          squelch <put him down with a sharp retort> 3: to make
          ineffective: check <put down the gossip> 4: to do away
          with (as an injured, sick, or aged animal): destroy 5
          a: to put in writing <put it down truthfully> b: to enter
          in a list <put me down for a donation> 6 a: to place
          in a category <I put him down as a hypochondriac --O.
          S. J. Gogarty> b: attribute <put it down to inexperience>
          7: to pack or preserve for future use 8: consume <putting
          down helping after helping --Carson McCullers> -- put
          down roots : to establish a permanent residence

   put-down
          [put-down] n (1962): an act or instance of putting down;
          esp: a humiliating remark: squelch

   put in
          [put in] vt (15c) 1: to make a formal offer or declaration
          of <put in a plea of guilty> 2: to come in with: interpose
          <put in a word for his brother> 3: to spend (time) esp.
          at some occupation or job <put in six hours at the office>
          4: plant <put in a crop> ~ vi 1: to call at or enter
          a place; esp: to enter a harbor or port 2: to make an
          application, request, or offer--often used with for <had
          to retire and put in for a pension --Seymour Nagan>

   putlog
          [put.log] n [prob. alter. of earlier putlock, perh. fr. [3]put
          + [2]lock] (1645): one of the short timbers that support
          the flooring of a scaffold

   put off
          [put off] vt (14c) 1 a: disconcert b: repel 2 a: to hold
          back to a later time b: to induce to wait <put the bill
          collector off> 3: to rid oneself of: take off 4: to sell
          or pass fraudulently

   put on
          [put on] vt (15c) 1 a: to dress oneself in: don b: to make
          part of one's appearance or behavior c: feign <put a
          saintly manner on> 2: to cause to act or operate: apply
          <put on more speed> 3 a: add <put on weight> b: exaggerate,
          overstate <he's putting it on when he makes such claims>
          4: perform, produce <put on a play> 5 a: to mislead deliberately
          esp. for amusement <the interviewer ... must be put down
          -- or possibly, put on --Melvin Maddocks> b: kid <you're
          putting me on>

   [1]put-on
          [put-on] adj (1621): pretended, assumed [2]put-on n (ca.
          1927) 1: an instance of putting someone on <conversational
          ~s are related to old-fashioned joshing --Jacob Brackman>
          2: parody, spoof <a kind of ~ of every pretentious film
          ever made --C. A. Ridley>

   putout
          [put.out] n (1885): the retiring of a base runner or batter
          by a defensive player in baseball

   put out
          [put out] vt (14c) 1: extinguish <put the fire out> 2: exert,
          use <put out considerable effort> 3: publish, issue 4:
          to produce for sale 5 a: disconcert, embarrass b: annoy,
          irritate c: inconvenience <don't put yourself out for
          us> 6: to cause to be out (as in baseball or cricket)
          ~ vi 1: to set out from shore 2: to make an effort 3:
          to engage in sexual intercourse

   put over
          [put over] vt (1528) 1: postpone, delay 2: put across 2 3:
          to achieve or carry through by deceit or trickery <put
          one over on me>

   putrefaction
          [pu.tre.fac.tion] n [ME putrefaccion, fr. LL putrefaction-,
          putrefactio, fr. L putrefacere] (14c) 1: the decomposition
          of organic matter; esp: the typically anaerobic splitting
          of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation
          of foul-smelling incompletely oxidized products 2: the
          state of being putrefied: corruption -- pu.tre.fac.tive
          adj

   putrefy
          [pu.tre.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME putrefien, fr. MF & L;
          MF putrefier, fr. L putrefacere, fr. putrere to be rotten
          + facere to make--more at do] vt (14c): to make putrid
          ~ vi: to undergo putrefaction syn see decay

   putrescence
          [pu.tres.cence] n (1646): the state of being putrescent

   putrescent
          [pu.tres.cent] adj [L putrescent-, putrescens, prp. of putrescere
          to grow rotten, incho. of putrere] (1732) 1: undergoing
          putrefaction: becoming putrid 2: of or relating to putrefaction

   putrescible
          [pu.tres.ci.ble] adj (1797): liable to become putrid

   putrescine
          [pu.tres.cine] n [ISV, fr. L putrescere] (1887): a crystalline
          slightly poisonous ptomaine that occurs in small amounts
          in virtually all living things

   putrid
          [pu.trid] adj [L putridus, fr. putrere to be rotten, fr.
          puter, putris rotten; akin to L putere to stink--more
          at foul] (1598) 1 a: being in a state of putrefaction:
          rotten b: of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction:
          foul <a ~ odor> 2 a: morally corrupt b: totally objectionable
          syn see malodorous -- pu.trid.i.ty n -- pu.trid.ly adv

   putsch
          [putsch] n [G] (1920): a secretly plotted and suddenly executed
          attempt to overthrow a government

   putschist
          [putsch.ist] n (1898): one who takes part in a putsch

   putt
          [putt] n [Sc, lit., shove, gentle push, fr. putt, put to
          put] (1743): a golf stroke made on a putting green to
          cause the ball to roll into or near the hole -- putt
          vb

   puttee
          [put.tee] n [Hindi patti strip of cloth, fr. Skt pattika]
          (1886) 1: a cloth strip wrapped around the leg from ankle
          to knee 2: a usu. leather legging secured by a strap
          or catch or by laces

   [1]putter
          [put.ter] n (14c): one that puts <a ~ of questions> [2]putt.er
          n (1743) 1: a golf club used in putting 2: one that putts
          [3]put.ter vi [alter. of potter] (ca. 1877) 1: to move
          or act aimlessly or idly 2: to work at random: tinker
          -- put.ter.er n

   put through
          [put through] vt (1852) 1: to carry to a successful conclusion
          <put through a number of reforms> 2 a: to make a telephone
          connection for b: to obtain a connection for (a telephone
          call)

   putting green
          [putt.ing green] n (1841): a smooth grassy area at the end
          of a golf fairway containing the hole; also: a similar
          area usu. with many holes that is used for practice

   putto
          [put.to] n, pl put.ti [It, lit., boy, fr. (assumed) VL puttus,
          alter. of L putus; akin to L puer boy--more at puerile]
          (1644): a figure of an infant boy esp. in European art
          of the Renaissance--usu. used in pl.

   [1]putty
          [put.ty] n, pl putties [F potee potter's glaze, lit., potful,
          fr. OF, fr. pot pot--more at pottage] (ca. 1706) 1 a:
          a doughlike material typically made of whiting and linseed
          oil that is used esp. to fasten glass in window frames
          and to fill crevices in woodwork b: any of various substances
          resembling putty in appearance, consistency, or use 2:
          a light brownish gray to light grayish brown color 3:
          one who is easily manipulated <is ~ in her hands> --
          put.ty.less adj -- put.ty.like adj [2]putty vt put.tied
          ; put.ty.ing (1734): to use putty on or apply putty to

   putty knife
          [putty knife] n (1858): an implement with a broad flat metal
          blade used esp. for applying putty and for scraping

   puttyroot
          [put.ty.root] n (1817): a No. American orchid (Aplectrum
          hyemale) having a slender naked rootstock and producing
          a solitary leaf and a scape bearing a raceme of brownish
          flowers

   put-up
          [put-up] adj (1810): arranged secretly beforehand

   put up
          [put up] vt (14c) 1 a: to place in a container or receptacle
          <put his lunch up in a bag> b: to put away (a sword)
          in a scabbard: sheathe c: to prepare so as to preserve
          for later use: can d: to put in storage 2: to start (game)
          from cover 3: to nominate for election 4: to offer up
          (as a prayer) 5: set 16 6: to offer for public sale <put
          their possessions up for auction> 7: to give food and
          shelter to: accommodate 8: to arrange (as a plot or scheme)
          with others <put up a job to steal the jewels> 9: build,
          erect 10 a: to make a display of <put up a bluff> b:
          to engage in <put up a struggle against odds> 11 a: contribute,
          pay b: to offer as a prize or stake 12 chiefly Brit:
          to increase the amount of: raise ~ vi: lodge -- put up
          to : incite, instigate <they put him up to playing the
          prank> -- put up with : to endure or tolerate without
          complaint or attempt at reprisal

   put-upon
          [put-up.on] adj (1920): imposed upon: taken advantage of

   [1]puzzle
          [puz.zle] vb puz.zled ; puz.zling [origin unknown] vt (1602)
          1: to offer or represent to (as a person) a problem difficult
          to solve or a situation difficult to resolve: challenge
          mentally; also: to exert (as oneself) over such a problem
          or situation <they puzzled their wits to find a solution>
          2 archaic: complicate, entangle 3: to solve with difficulty
          or ingenuity <~ out an answer to a riddle> ~ vi 1: to
          be uncertain as to action or choice 2: to attempt a solution
          of a puzzle by guesswork or experiment -- puz.zler n
          syn puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound,
          dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally. puzzle
          implies existence of a problem difficult to solve <the
          persistent fever puzzled the doctor>. perplex adds a
          suggestion of worry and uncertainty esp. about making
          a necessary decision <a behavior that perplexed her friends>.
          bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear
          and decisive thinking <a bewildering number of possibilities>.
          distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by
          conflicting preoccupations or interests <distracted by
          personal problems>. nonplus implies a bafflement that
          makes orderly planning or deciding impossible <the remark
          left us utterly nonplussed>. confound implies temporary
          mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement
          <the tragic news confounded us all>. dumbfound suggests
          intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of
          astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym
          of astound <was at first too dumbfounded to reply>. [2]puzzle
          n (ca. 1612) 1: the state of being puzzled: perplexity
          2 a: something that puzzles b: a question, problem, or
          contrivance designed for testing ingenuity syn see mystery

   puzzleheaded
          [puz.zle.head.ed] adj (ca. 1784): having or based on confused
          attitudes or ideas -- puz.zle.head.ed.ness n

   puzzlement
          [puz.zle.ment] n (1822) 1: the state of being puzzled: perplexity
          2: puzzle

   puzzling
          [puzzling] adj (1666): difficult to understand or solve --
          puz.zling.ly adv

   pv...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   PV
          [PV] abbreviation photovoltaic, polyvinyl

   PVA
          [PVA] abbreviation polyvinyl acetate

   PVC
          [PVC] abbreviation polyvinyl chloride

   PVO
          [PVO] abbreviation private voluntary organization

   pvt
          [pvt] abbreviation private  PVT abbreviation pressure, volume,
          temperature

   pw...
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   PW
          [PW] abbreviation prisoner of war

   PWA
          [PWA] abbreviation person with AIDS

   pwr
          [pwr] abbreviation power  PWR abbreviation pressurized water
          reactor

   pwt
          [pwt] abbreviation pennyweight

   py...
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   py-
          [py-] or pyo- comb form [Gk, fr. pyon pus--more at foul]:
          pus <pyemia> <pyorrhea>

   pya
          [pya] n [Burmese] (1952): a monetary unit of Myanmar equal
          to 1/100 kyat

   pycnidium
          [pyc.nid.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. Gk pyknos dense] (1857):
          a flask-shaped fruiting body bearing conidiophores and
          conidia on the interior and occurring in various imperfect
          fungi and ascomycetes -- pyc.nid.i.al adj

   pycnogonid
          [pyc.no.go.nid] n [ultim. fr. Gk pyknos + gony knee--more
          at knee] (1881): sea spider

   pycnometer
          [pyc.nom.e.ter] n [Gk pyknos + ISV -meter] (1858): a standard
          vessel often provided with a thermometer for measuring
          and comparing the densities of liquids or solids

   pye-dog
          [pye-dog] n [perh. fr. Hindi pahi outsider] (1864): a half-wild
          dog common about Asian villages

   pyel-
          [pyel-] or pyelo- comb form [NL, pelvis, fr. Gk pyelos basin;
          akin to Gk plynein to wash, plein to sail--more at flow]:
          renal pelvis <pyelitis>

   pyelitis
          [py.eli.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1842): inflammation of the lining
          of the renal pelvis

   pyelonephritis
          [py.elo.ne.phri.tis] n [NL] (1866): inflammation of both
          the lining of the pelvis and the parenchyma of the kidney
          -- py.elo.ne.phrit.ic adj

   pyemia
          [py.emia] n [NL] (ca. 1857): septicemia caused by pus-forming
          bacteria and accompanied by multiple abscesses

   pygidium
          [py.gid.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. Gk pygidion, dim. of pyge
          rump] (ca. 1849): a caudal structure or the terminal
          body region of various invertebrates -- py.gid.i.al adj

   pygmaean
          [pyg.mae.an] or pyg.me.an adj [L pygmaeus] (1667): pygmy

   Pygmalion
          [Pyg.ma.lion] n [L, fr. Gk Pygmalion]: a king of Cyprus who
          makes a female figure of ivory that is brought to life
          for him by Aphrodite

   pygmoid
          [pyg.moid] adj (ca. 1930): resembling or having the characteristics
          of the Pygmies

   pygmy
          [pyg.my] n, pl pygmies [ME pigmei, fr. L pygmaeus of a pygmy,
          dwarfish, fr. Gk pygmaios, fr. pygme fist, measure of
          length--more at pungent] (14c) 1 often cap: any of a
          race of dwarfs described by ancient Greek authors 2 cap:
          any of a small people of equatorial Africa ranging under
          five feet (1.5 meters) in height 3 a: a short insignificant
          person: dwarf b: something very small of its kind --
          pygmy adj

   pygmy chimpanzee
          [pygmy chimpanzee] n (1962): an anthropoid ape (Pan paniscus)
          of Zaire that has a lighter build than the related common
          chimpanzee (P. troglodytes)--called also pygmy chimp

   pyjamas
          [py.ja.mas] chiefly Brit var of pajamas

   pyknic
          [pyk.nic] adj [ISV, fr. Gk pyknos dense, stocky] (1925):
          characterized by shortness of stature, broadness of girth,
          and powerful muscularity: endomorphic 2 -- pyknic n

   pylon
          [py.lon] n [Gk pylon, fr. pyle gate] (1850) 1 a: a usu. massive
          gateway b: an ancient Egyptian gateway building in a
          truncated pyramidal form c: a monumental mass flanking
          an entranceway or an approach to a bridge 2 a chiefly
          Brit: a tower for supporting either end of usu. a number
          of wires over a long span b: any of various towerlike
          structures 3 a: a post or tower marking a prescribed
          course of flight for an airplane b: traffic cone 4: a
          rigid structure on the outside of an aircraft for supporting
          something (as an engine or missile)--see airplane illustration

   pyloric
          [py.lo.ric] adj (1807): of or relating to the pylorus; also:
          of, relating to, or situated in or near the posterior
          part of the stomach

   pylorus
          [py.lo.rus] n, pl py.lo.ri [LL, fr. Gk pyloros, lit., gatekeeper,
          fr. pyle] (1615): the opening from the vertebrate stomach
          into the intestine

   pyoderma
          [pyo.der.ma] n [NL] (1930): a bacterial skin inflammation
          marked by pus-filled lesions

   pyogenic
          [pyo.gen.ic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1847): producing pus <~ bacteria>;
          also: marked by pus production <~ meningitis>

   pyorrhea
          [py.or.rhea] n [NL] (1878): purulent inflammation of the
          sockets of the teeth leading usu. to loosening of the
          teeth

   pyr-
          [pyr-] or pyro- comb form [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr.
          pyr--more at fire] 1: fire: heat <pyrometer> <pyrheliometer>
          2 a: produced by or as if by the action of heat <pyroelectricity>
          b: derived from a corresponding ortho acid by loss usu.
          of one molecule of water from two molecules of acid <pyrophosphoric
          acid> 3: fever <pyrogenic>

   pyracantha
          [pyr.acan.tha] n [NL, fr. Gk pyrakantha, a tree, fr. pyr-
          + akantha thorn] (1705): any of a small genus (Pyracantha)
          of Eurasian thorny evergreen or semievergreen shrubs
          of the rose family with alternate leaves, corymbs of
          white flowers, and small red or orange pomes

   pyralid
          [py.ral.id] n [ultim. fr. L pyralis, fly fabled as living
          in fire, fr. Gk, fr. pyr fire] (ca. 1890): any of a very
          large heterogeneous family (Pyralidae) of mostly small
          slender long-legged moths -- pyralid adj

   [1]pyramid
          [pyr.a.mid] n [L pyramid-, pyramis, fr. Gk] (1549) 1 a: an
          ancient massive structure found esp. in Egypt having
          typically a square ground plan, outside walls in the
          form of four triangles that meet in a point at the top,
          and inner sepulchral chambers b: a structure or object
          of similar form 2: a polyhedron having for its base a
          polygon and for faces triangles with a common vertex
          3: a crystalline form each face of which intersects the
          vertical axis and either two lateral axes or in the tetragonal
          system one lateral axis 4: an anatomical structure resembling
          a pyramid: as a: any of the conical masses that project
          from the renal medulla into the kidney pelvis b: either
          of two large bundles of motor fibers from the cerebral
          cortex that reach the medulla oblongata and are continuous
          with the pyramidal tracts of the spinal cord 5: an immaterial
          structure built on a broad supporting base and narrowing
          gradually to an apex <the socioeconomic ~> -- py.ra.mi.dal
          adj -- py.ra.mi.dal.ly adv -- pyr.a.mid.i.cal adj [2]pyramid
          vi (ca. 1900) 1: to speculate (as on a security or commodity
          exchange) by using paper profits as margin for additional
          transactions 2: to increase rapidly and progressively
          step by step on a broad base ~ vt 1: to arrange or build
          up as if on the base of a pyramid 2: to use (as profits)
          in speculative pyramiding 3: to increase the impact of
          (as a tax assessed at the production level) on the ultimate
          consumer by treating as a cost subject to markup

   pyramidal tract
          [pyramidal tract] n (ca. 1890): any of four columns of motor
          fibers that run in pairs on each side of the spinal cord
          and are continuations of the pyramids of the medulla
          oblongata

   Pyramus
          [Pyr.a.mus] n [L, fr. Gk Pyramos]: a legendary youth of Babylon
          who dies for love of Thisbe

   pyran
          [py.ran] n [ISV] (1904): either of two cyclic compounds that
          contain five carbon atoms and one oxygen atom in the
          ring

   pyranose
          [py.ra.nose] n [ISV] (1927): a monosaccharide in the form
          of a cyclic hemiacetal containing a pyran ring

   pyranoside
          [py.ran.o.side] n (1932): a glycoside containing the pyran
          ring

   pyrargyrite
          [pyr.ar.gy.rite] n [G Pyrargyrit, fr. Gk pyr- + argyros
          silver--more at argent] (1849): a mineral consisting of silver
          antimony sulfide that occurs in rhombohedral crystals or in massive
          form and has a dark red or black color with a metallic luster

   pyre
          [pyre] n [L pyra, fr. Gk, fr. pyr fire--more at fire] (1658):
          a combustible heap for burning a dead body as a funeral
          rite; broadly: a pile of material to be burned <a ~ of
          dead leaves>

   pyrenoid
          [py.re.noid] n [ISV, fr. NL pyrena stone of a fruit, fr.
          Gk pyren; akin to Gk pyros wheat grain, wheat--more at
          furze] (ca. 1875): one of the protein bodies in the chromatophores
          of various lower organisms (as some algae) that act as centers for
          starch deposition

   pyrethrin
          [py.re.thrin] n [ISV, fr. L pyrethrum] (1924): either of
          two oily liquid esters having insecticidal properties
          and occurring esp. in the flowers of pyrethrum

   pyrethroid
          [py.re.throid] n [pyrethrin + -oid] (1949): any of various
          synthetic compounds that are related to the pyrethrins
          and resemble them in insecticidal properties -- pyrethroid
          adj

   pyrethrum
          [py.re.thrum] n [L, pellitory, fr. Gk pyrethron, fr. pyr
          fire] (ca. 1543) 1: any of several chrysanthemums with
          finely divided often aromatic leaves including ornamentals
          as well as important sources of insecticides 2: an insecticide
          made from the dried heads of any of several Old World
          chrysanthemums

   pyretic
          [py.ret.ic] adj [NL pyreticus, fr. Gk pyretikos, fr. pyretos
          fever, fr. pyr] (ca. 1858): of or relating to fever:
          febrile

   Pyrex
          [Py.rex] trademark--used for borosilicate glass and glassware
          resistant to heat, chemicals, and electricity

   pyrexia
          [py.rex.ia] n [NL, fr. Gk pyressein to be feverish, fr. pyretos]
          (1769): abnormal elevation of body temperature: fever
          -- py.rex.i.al adj -- py.rex.ic adj

   pyrheliometer
          [pyr.he.li.om.e.ter] n [ISV] (1863): an instrument for measuring
          the sun's radiant energy as received at the earth --
          pyr.he.lio.met.ric adj

   pyric
          [py.ric] adj [F pyrique, fr. Gk pyr] (1946): resulting from,
          induced by, or associated with burning

   pyridine
          [pyr.i.dine] n [pyr- + -ide + [2]-ine] (1851): a toxic
          water-soluble flammable liquid base of pungent odor that is the
          parent of many naturally occurring organic compounds and is used
          as a solvent and as a denaturant for alcohol and in the manufacture
          of pharmaceuticals and waterproofing agents

   pyridoxal
          [pyr.i.dox.al] n [ISV, fr. pyridoxine] (1944): a crystalline
          aldehyde of the vitamin B6 group that occurs as a phosphate
          and is active as a coenzyme

   pyridoxamine
          [pyr.i.dox.amine] n [ISV pyridoxine + amine] (1944): a crystalline
          amine of the vitamin B6 group that occurs as a phosphate and
          is active as a coenzyme

   pyridoxine
          [pyr.i.dox.ine] n [pyridine + ox- + [2]-ine] (1939): a crystalline
          phenolic alcohol of the vitamin B6 group found esp. in cereals and
          convertible in the organism into pyridoxal and pyridoxamine

   pyriform
          [pyr.i.form] adj [NL pyriformis, fr. ML pyrum pear (alter.
          of L pirum) + L -iformis -iform] (1741): having the form
          of a pear

   pyrimethamine
          [py.ri.meth.amine] n [pyrimidine + ethyl + amine] (1952):
          a folic acid antagonist used in the treatment of malaria
          and of toxoplasmosis

   pyrimidine
          [py.rim.i.dine] n [ISV, alter. of pyridine] (1885) 1: a feeble
          organic base of penetrating odor 2: a derivative of pyrimidine;
          esp: a base (as cytosine, thymine, or uracil) that is
          a constituent of DNA or RNA

   pyrite
          [py.rite] n [L pyrites] (1588): a common mineral that consists
          of iron disulfide, has a pale brass-yellow color and
          metallic luster, and is burned in making sulfur dioxide
          and sulfuric acid

   pyrites
          [py.rites] n, pl pyrites [L, flint, fr. Gk pyrites of or
          in fire, fr. pyr fire] (1543): any of various metallic-looking
          sulfides of which pyrite is the commonest -- py.rit.ic
          adj

   pyrocatechol
          [py.ro.cat.e.chol] n [ISV] (1890): a crystalline phenol obtained
          by pyrolysis of various natural substances (as resins
          and lignins) but usu. made synthetically and used esp.
          as a photographic developer and in organic synthesis

   pyroclastic
          [py.ro.clas.tic] adj (1887): formed by or involving fragmentation
          as a result of volcanic or igneous action

   pyroelectricity
          [py.ro.elec.tric.i.ty] n [ISV] (ca. 1834): a state of electrical
          polarization produced (as in a crystal) by a change of
          temperature -- py.ro.elec.tric adj

   pyrogallol
          [py.ro.gal.lol] n [ISV pyro- + gallic (acid) + [1]-ol] (1876):
          a poisonous bitter crystalline phenol with weak acid
          properties that is obtained usu. by pyrolysis of gallic
          acid and used esp. as a mild reducing agent (as in photographic
          developing)

   pyrogen
          [py.ro.gen] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): a fever-producing substance

   pyrogenic
          [py.ro.gen.ic] adj [ISV] (1853) 1: producing or produced
          by heat or fever 2: of or relating to igneous origin
          -- py.ro.ge.nic.i.ty n

   pyrola
          [py.ro.la] n [NL, prob. fr. L pirum pear] (1578): wintergreen
          1

   pyroligneous acid
          [py.ro.lig.ne.ous acid] n [F pyroligneux, fr. pyr- + ligneux
          woody, fr. L lignosus, fr. lignum wood--more at ligneous]
          (ca. 1790): an acid reddish brown aqueous liquid containing
          chiefly acetic acid, methanol, wood oils, and tars that
          is obtained by destructive distillation of wood

   pyrolusite
          [py.ro.lu.site] n [G Pyrolusit, fr. Gk pyr- + lousis washing,
          fr. louein to wash--more at lye] (1828): a mineral consisting
          of manganese dioxide that is of an iron-black or dark
          steel-gray color and metallic luster, is usu. soft, and
          is the most important ore of manganese

   pyrolysate
          [py.rol.y.sate] or py.rol.y.zate n (1944): a product of pyrolysis

   pyrolysis
          [py.rol.y.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1890): chemical change brought
          about by the action of heat -- py.ro.lyt.ic adj
          -- py.ro.lyt.i.cal.ly adv

   pyrolyze
          [py.ro.lyze] also py.ro.lize vt -lyzed also -lized ; -lyz.ing
          also -liz.ing (1932): to subject to pyrolysis -- py.ro.lyz.able
          adj -- py.ro.lyz.er n

   pyromancy
          [py.ro.man.cy] n [ME pyromancie, fr. MF, fr. LL pyromantia,
          fr. Gk pyromanteia, fr. pyr fire + manteia divination--more
          at -mancy] (14c): divination by means of fire or flames

   pyromania
          [py.ro.ma.nia] n [NL] (ca. 1842): an irresistible impulse
          to start fires -- py.ro.ma.ni.ac n -- py.ro.ma.ni.a.cal
          adj

   pyrometallurgy
          [py.ro.met.al.lur.gy] n [ISV] (1908): chemical metallurgy
          depending on heat action (as roasting and smelting) --
          py.ro.met.al.lur.gi.cal adj

   pyrometer
          [py.rom.e.ter] n [ISV] (1796): an instrument for measuring
          temperatures esp. when beyond the range of mercurial
          thermometers -- py.ro.met.ric adj -- py.ro.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv -- py.rom.e.try n

   pyromorphite
          [py.ro.mor.phite] n [G Pyromorphit, fr. Gk pyr- + morphe
          form] (ca. 1814): a mineral consisting essentially of
          a lead chloride and phosphate

   pyronine
          [py.ro.nine] n [ISV, irreg. fr. pyr- + [2]-ine] (1895): any
          of several basic xanthene dyes used chiefly as biological
          stains

   pyroninophilic
          [py.ro.nin.o.phil.ic] adj (1946): staining selectively with
          pyronines <~ cells>

   pyrope
          [py.rope] n [ME pirope, a red gem, fr. MF, fr. L pyropus,
          a red bronze, fr. Gk pyropos, lit., fiery-eyed, fr. pyr-
          + op-, ops eye--more at eye] (1804): a magnesium-aluminum
          garnet that is deep red in color and is frequently used
          as a gem

   pyrophoric
          [py.ro.phor.ic] adj [NL pyrophorus, fr. Gk pyrophoros fire-bearing,
          fr. pyr- + -phoros carrying--more at -phore] (1836) 1: igniting
          spontaneously 2: emitting sparks when scratched or struck esp. with
          steel

   pyrophosphate
          [py.ro.phos.phate] n (1836): a salt or ester of pyrophosphoric
          acid

   pyrophosphoric acid
          [py.ro.phos.pho.ric acid] n [ISV] (1832): a crystalline acid
          formed when orthophosphoric acid is heated or prepared
          in the form of salts by heating acid salts of orthophosphoric
          acid

   pyrophyllite
          [py.ro.phyl.lite] n [G Pyrophyllit, fr. Gk pyr- + phyllon
          leaf--more at blade] (1830): a white or greenish mineral
          that is a hydrous aluminum silicate, resembles talc,
          occurs in a foliated form or in compact masses, and is
          used esp. in ceramic wares

   pyrosis
          [py.ro.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk pyrosis burning, fr. pyroun to
          burn, fr. pyr fire--more at fire] (1789): heartburn

   [1]pyrotechnic
          [py.ro.tech.nic] also py.ro.tech.ni.cal adj [F pyrotechnique,
          fr. Gk pyr fire + techne art--more at technical] (1825):
          of or relating to pyrotechnics -- py.ro.tech.ni.cal.ly
          adv [2]pyrotechnic n (1840) 1 a: firework b: any of various
          similar devices (as for igniting a rocket or producing
          an explosion) 2: a combustible substance used in a firework

   pyrotechnics
          [py.ro.tech.nics] n pl (1729) 1 sing or pl in constr: the
          art of making or the manufacture and use of fireworks
          2 a: a display of fireworks b: a spectacular display
          (as of extreme virtuosity) <verbal ~> <keyboard ~> --
          py.ro.tech.nist n

   pyroxene
          [py.rox.ene] n [F pyroxene, fr. Gk pyr- + xenos stranger]
          (1800): any of a group of igneous-rock-forming silicate
          minerals that contain calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron,
          or aluminum, usu. occur in short prismatic crystals or
          massive form, are often laminated, and vary in color
          from white to dark green or black -- py.rox.e.nic adj
          -- py.rox.e.noid adj or n

   pyroxenite
          [py.rox.e.nite] n (ca. 1862): an igneous rock that is free
          from olivine and is composed essentially of pyroxene
          -- py.rox.e.nit.ic adj

   pyroxylin
          [py.rox.y.lin] n [ISV pyr- + Gk xylon wood] (ca. 1847) 1:
          a flammable mixture of nitrocelluloses used esp. in making
          plastics and water-repellent coatings (as lacquers) 2:
          a pyroxylin product

   Pyrrha
          [Pyr.rha] n [L, fr. Gk]: the wife of Deucalion

   pyrrhic
          [pyr.rhic] n [L pyrrhichius, fr. Gk (pous) pyrrhichios, fr.
          pyrrhiche, a kind of dance] (1626): a metrical foot consisting
          of two short or unaccented syllables Pyr.rhic adj [Pyrrhus,
          king of Epirus who sustained heavy losses in defeating
          the Romans] (1885): achieved at excessive cost <a ~ victory>;
          also: costly to the point of negating or outweighing
          expected benefits <a great but ~ act of ingenuity>

   Pyrrhonism
          [Pyr.rho.nism] n [F pyrrhonisme, fr. Pyrrhon Pyrrho, 4th
          cent. b.c. Gk. philosopher, fr. Gk Pyrrhon] (ca. 1670)
          1: the doctrines of a school of ancient extreme skeptics
          who suspended judgment on every proposition--compare
          academicism 2: total or radical skepticism -- Pyr.rho.nist
          n

   pyrrhotite
          [pyr.rho.tite] n [modif. of G Pyrrhotin, fr. Gk pyrrhotes
          redness, fr. pyrrhos red, fr. pyr fire--more at fire]
          (1868): a bronze-colored mineral of metallic luster that
          consists of ferrous sulfide and is attracted by a magnet

   Pyrrhus
          [Pyr.rhus] n [L, fr. Gk Pyrrhos]: a son of Achilles and slayer
          of Priam at the taking of Troy

   pyrrole
          [pyr.role] n [Gk pyrrhos] (1835): a toxic liquid heterocyclic
          compound that has a ring consisting of four carbon atoms
          and one nitrogen atom, polymerizes readily in air, and
          is the parent compound of many biologically important
          substances (as bile pigments, porphyrins, and chlorophyll);
          broadly: a derivative of pyrrole -- pyr.ro.lic adj

   pyruvate
          [py.ru.vate] n (1855): a salt or ester of pyruvic acid

   pyruvic acid
          [py.ru.vic acid] n [ISV pyr- + L uva grapes; fr. its importance
          in fermentation--more at uvula] (1838): a 3-carbon keto
          acid that in carbohydrate metabolism is an important
          intermediate product formed as pyruvate by glycolysis

   [1]Pythagorean
          [Py.thag.o.re.an] n (1550): any of a group professing to
          be followers of the Greek philosopher Pythagoras [2]Pythagorean
          adj (ca. 1580): of, relating to, or associated with the
          Greek philosopher Pythagoras, his philosophy, or the
          Pythagoreans

   Pythagoreanism
          [Py.thag.o.re.an.ism] n (ca. 1727): the doctrines and theories
          of Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans who developed some
          basic principles of mathematics and astronomy, originated
          the doctrine of the harmony of the spheres, and believed
          in metempsychosis, the eternal recurrence of things,
          and the mystical significance of numbers

   Pythagorean theorem
          [Pythagorean theorem] n (ca. 1909): a theorem in geometry:
          the square of the length of the hypotenuse of a right
          triangle equals the sum of the squares of the lengths
          of the other two sides

   Pythiad
          [Pyth.i.ad] n [Gk Pythia, the Pythian games, fr. neut. pl.
          of pythios] (1842): the 4-year period between celebrations
          of the Pythian games in ancient Greece

   [1]Pythian
          [Pyth.i.an] adj [L pythius of Delphi, fr. Gk pythios, fr.
          Pytho Pytho, name for Delphi, Greece] (1603) 1: of or
          relating to games celebrated at Delphi every four years
          2: of or relating to Delphi or its oracle of Apollo [2]Pythian
          n (1903): knight of pythias

   Pythias
          [Pyth.i.as] n [Gk]: a friend of Damon condemned to death
          by Dionysius of Syracuse

   python
          [py.thon] n [L, monstrous serpent killed by Apollo, fr. Gk
          Python, fr. Pytho Delphi] (1836): any of various large
          constricting snakes (as a boa); esp: any of the large
          oviparous snakes (subfamily Pythoninae of the family
          Boidae) of Africa, Asia, Australia , and adjacent islands
          that include some of the largest existing snakes

   pythoness
          [py.tho.ness] n [ME Phitonesse, fr. MF pithonisse, fr. LL
          pythonissa, fr. Gk Python, spirit of divination, perh.
          fr. Pytho, seat of the Delphic oracle] (14c) 1: a woman
          who practices divination 2: a prophetic priestess of
          Apollo -- py.thon.ic adj

   pyuria
          [py.uria] n [NL] (ca. 1811): pus in the urine; also: a condition
          characterized by pus in the urine

   pyx
          [pyx] n [ME, fr. ML pyxis, fr. L, box, fr. Gk, fr. pyxos
          box (shrub)] (15c) 1: a container for the reserved host;
          esp: a small round metal receptacle used to carry the
          Eucharist to the sick 2: a box used in a mint for deposit
          of sample coins reserved for testing weight and fineness

   pyxie
          [pyx.ie] n [by shortening & alter. fr. NL Pyxidanthera] (1882):
          a creeping evergreen dicotyledonous shrub (Pyxidanthera
          barbulata of the family Diapensiaceae) of the sandy pine
          barrens of the Atlantic coast of the U.S. that has white
          or pink pentamerous flowers

   pyxis
          [pyx.is] n, pl pyx.i.des [NL, fr. L, box] (1845): a capsular
          fruit that dehisces so that the upper part falls off
          like a cap

   q...
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   q
          [q] n, pl q's or qs often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 17th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic q 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter q 3: one designated q esp. as the 17th in
          order or class 4: something shaped like the letter Q

   q
          [q] abbreviation quart, quartile, quarto, queen, query, question,
          quetzal, quire

   Q-boat
          [Q-boat] n (1918): q-ship

   Q fever
          [Q fever] n [query] (1937): a disease that is characterized
          by high fever, chills, and muscular pains, is caused
          by a rickettsial bacterium (Coxiella burnetii), and is
          transmitted by raw milk, by droplet infection, or by
          ticks

   Q-ship
          [Q-ship] n (1919): an armed ship disguised as a merchant
          or fishing ship to decoy enemy submarines into gun range

   qa...
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   QA
          [QA] abbreviation quality assurance

   qb...
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   QB
          [QB] abbreviation quarterback, queen's bench

   qc...
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   QC
          [QC] abbreviation quality control, queen's counsel

   qd...
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   qd
          [qd] [L quaque die] abbreviation daily

   qe...
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   QED
          [QED] abbreviation quantum electrodynamics, [L quod erat
          demonstrandum] which was to be demonstrated

   QEF
          [QEF] [L quod erat faciendum] abbreviation which was to be
          done

   QEI
          [QEI] [L quod erat inveniendum] abbreviation which was to
          be found out

   qf...
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   QF
          [QF] abbreviation quick-firing

   qi...
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   qid
          [qid] [L quater in die] abbreviation four times a day

   qintar
          [qin.tar] n, pl qin.dar.ka also qintars or qin.dars [Alb]
          (ca. 1929): a monetary unit of Albania equal to 1/100
          lek

   qiviut
          [qi.vi.ut] n [Inuit] (1958): the wool of the undercoat of
          the musk ox

   ql...
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   Qld
          [Qld] abbreviation Queensland

   qm...
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   qm
          [qm] [L quoque matutino] abbreviation every morning QM abbreviation
          quartermaster

   QMC
          [QMC] abbreviation quartermaster corps

   QMG
          [QMG] abbreviation quartermaster general

   qo...
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   qoph
          [qoph] n [Heb qoph] (ca. 1823): the 19th letter of the Hebrew
          alphabet

   qp...
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   qp
          [qp] or q pl [L quantum placet] abbreviation as much as you
          please

   qq...
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   qq
          [qq] abbreviation questions

   qq v
          [qq v] [L quae vide] abbreviation which (pl) see

   qr...
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   qr
          [qr] abbreviation quarter, quire

   qs...
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   qs
          [qs] [L quantum sufficit] abbreviation as much as suffices

   qt...
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   qt
          [qt] abbreviation quantity, quart

   qt
          [q.t.] n, often cap Q&T [abbr.] (ca. 1887): quiet--usu. used
          in the phrase on the q.t.

   qtd
          [qtd] abbreviation quartered

   qto
          [qto] abbreviation quarto

   qty
          [qty] abbreviation quantity

   qu...
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   qu
          [qu] or ques abbreviation question

   qua
          [qua] prep [L, which way, as, fr. abl. sing. fem. of qui
          who--more at who] (1647): in the capacity or character
          of: as <confusion of the role of scientist ~ scientist
          with that of scientist as citizen --Philip Handler>

   quaalude
          [quaa.lude] n [fr. Quaalude, a trademark] (1966): a tablet
          or capsule of methaqualone

   [1]quack
          [quack] vi [alter. of queck to quack, fr. ME queken, fr.
          queke, interj., of imit. origin] (14c): to make the characteristic
          cry of a duck [2]quack n (1839): a noise made by quacking [3]quack
          vi [[4]quack] (1628): to act like a quack [4]quack n [short for
          quacksalver] (1638) 1: charlatan 2 2: a pretender to medical skill
          -- quack.ish adj [5]quack adj (1653): of, relating to,
          or characteristic of a quack; esp: pretending to cure diseases

   quackery
          [quack.ery] n (ca. 1711): the practices or pretensions of
          a quack

   quack grass
          [quack grass] n [alter. of quick (grass), alter. of quitch
          (grass)] (ca. 1818): a European grass (Agropyron repens)
          that is naturalized throughout No. America as a weed
          and spreads by creeping rhizomes--called also couch grass,
          quitch, twitch, witchgrass

   quacksalver
          [quack.sal.ver] n [obs. D (now kwakzalver)] (1579): charlatan,
          quack

   quad
          [quad] abbreviation quadrant

   [1]quad
          [quad] n (1820): quadrangle [2]quad n [short for quadrat]
          (ca. 1879): a type-metal space that is 1 en or more in
          width [3]quad vt quad.ded ; quad.ding (1888): to fill
          out (as a typeset line) with blank space [4]quad n (1896):
          quadruplet [5]quad adj (1970): quadraphonic [6]quad n
          (1971): quadraphonic sound [7]quad n [short for quadrillion]
          (1974): a unit of energy equal to one quadrillion British
          thermal units

   quadrangle
          [quad.ran.gle] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL quadriangulum, fr. L,
          neut. of quadriangulus quadrangular, fr. quadri- + angulus
          angle] (15c) 1: quadrilateral 2 a: a 4-sided enclosure
          esp. when surrounded by buildings b: the buildings enclosing
          a quadrangle 3: a tract of country represented by one
          of a series of map sheets (as published by the U.S. Geological
          Survey) -- qua.dran.gu.lar adj

   quadrant
          [quad.rant] n [ME, fr. L quadrant-, quadrans fourth part;
          akin to L quattuor four--more at four] (15c) 1 a: an
          instrument for measuring altitudes consisting commonly
          of a graduated arc of 90 degrees with an index or vernier
          and usu. having a plumb line or spirit level for fixing
          the vertical or horizontal direction b: a device or mechanical
          part shaped like or suggestive of the quadrant of a circle
          2 a: an arc of 90 degrees that is one quarter of a circle
          b: the area bounded by a quadrant and two radii 3 a:
          any of the four parts into which a plane is divided by
          rectangular coordinate axes lying in that plane b: any
          of the four quarters into which something is divided
          by two real or imaginary lines that intersect each other
          at right angles -- qua.dran.tal adj

   Quadrantid
          [Qua.dran.tid] n [NL Quadrant-, Quadrans (Muralis) mural
          quadrant, a group of stars in the constellation Draco
          from which the shower appears to radiate]: any of a group
          of meteors that appear annually about January 3

   quadraphonic
          [quad.ra.phon.ic] also quad.ri.phon.ic adj [irreg. fr. quadri-
          + -phonic (as in stereophonic)] (ca. 1970): of, relating
          to, or using four channels for the transmission, recording,
          or reproduction of sound -- quad.ra.phon.ics or quad.ri.phon.ics
          n pl but sing in constr

   quadrat
          [quad.rat] n [alter. of [2]quadrate] (1683) 1: [2]quad 2:
          a usu. rectangular plot used for ecological or population
          studies

   [1]quadrate
          [quad.rate] adj [ME, fr. L quadratus, pp. of quadrare to
          make square, fit, fr. quadrum square; akin to L quattuor
          four] (14c) 1: being square or approximately square 2
          of a heraldic cross: expanded into a square at the junction
          of the arms--see cross illustration 3: of, relating to,
          or constituting a bony or cartilaginous element of each
          side of the skull to which the lower jaw is articulated
          in most vertebrates below mammals [2]quadrate n (15c)
          1: an approximately square or cubical area, space, or
          body 2: a quadrate bone

   quadratic
          [qua.drat.ic] adj (1668): involving terms of the second degree
          at most <~ function> <~ equations> -- quadratic n --
          qua.drat.i.cal.ly adv

   quadratic form
          [quadratic form] n (1859): a homogeneous polynomial of the
          second degree

   quadrature
          [quad.ra.ture] n (1591) 1: a configuration in which two celestial
          bodies (as the moon and the sun) have an angular separation
          of 90 degrees as seen from the earth 2: the process of
          finding a square equal in area to a given area

   quadrennial
          [qua.dren.ni.al] adj (ca. 1656) 1: consisting of or lasting
          for four years 2: occurring or being done every four
          years -- quadrennial n -- qua.dren.ni.al.ly adv

   quadrennium
          [qua.dren.ni.um] n, pl -ni.ums or -nia [L quadriennium, fr.
          quadri- + annus year--more at annual] (1754): a period
          of four years

   quadri-
          [quadri-] or quadr- or quadru- comb form [ME, fr. L; akin
          to L quattuor four] 1 a: four <quadrilateral> <quadrumanous>
          b: square <quadric> 2: fourth <quadricentennial>

   quadric
          [quad.ric] adj [ISV] (1858): quadratic <~ surface>--used
          where there are more than two variables -- quadric n

   quadricentennial
          [quad.ri.cen.ten.ni.al] n (1882): a 400th anniversary or
          its celebration

   quadriceps
          [quad.ri.ceps] n [NL quadricipit-, quadriceps, fr. quadri-
          + -cipit-, -ceps (as in bicipit-, biceps biceps)] (1840):
          the greater extensor muscle of the front of the thigh
          that is divided into four parts

   quadriga
          [qua.dri.ga] n, pl -gae [L, sing. of quadrigae team of four,
          contr. of quadrijugae, fem. pl. of quadrijugus yoked
          four abreast, fr. quadri- + jungere to yoke, join--more
          at yoke] (ca. 1741): a chariot drawn by four horses abreast

   [1]quadrilateral
          [quad.ri.lat.er.al] n [L quadrilaterus four-sided, fr. quadri-
          + later-, latus side] (1650): a polygon of four sides
          [2]quadrilateral adj (1656): having four sides

   [1]quadrille
          [qua.drille] n [F, group of knights engaged in a carousel,
          fr. Sp cuadrilla troop, fr. dim. of cuadra square, fr.
          L quadra, quadrum] (1726) 1: a four-handed variant of
          ombre popular esp. in the 18th century 2: a square dance
          for four couples made up of five or six figures chiefly
          in 6/8 and 2/4 time; also: music for this dance [2]quadrille
          adj [F quadrille] (ca. 1885): marked with squares or
          rectangles

   quadrillion
          [qua.dril.lion] n [F, fr. MF, fr. quadri- + -illion (as in
          million)] (1674): the figure 1 followed by 15 zeroes:
          the figure 1,000 followed by four groups of three zeroes;
          also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by 24 zeroes: one million
          to the fouth power -- quadrillion adj -- qua.dril.lionth
          adj or n

   quadripartite
          [quad.ri.par.tite] adj [ME, fr. L quadripartitus, fr. quadri-
          + partitus, pp. of partire to divide, fr. part-, pars
          part] (15c) 1: consisting of or divided into four parts
          2: shared or participated in by four parties or persons
          <a ~ agreement>

   quadriplegic
          [quad.ri.ple.gic] n [quadriplegia, fr. NL] (1921): one affected
          with paralysis of both arms and both legs -- quad.ri.ple.gia
          n

   [1]quadrivalent
          [quad.ri.va.lent] adj [ISV] (1865) 1: tetravalent 2: composed
          of four homologous chromosomes synapsed in meiotic prophase
          [2]quadrivalent n (1923): a quadrivalent chromosomal
          group

   quadrivial
          [qua.driv.i.al] adj (15c) 1: of or relating to the quadrivium
          2: having four ways or roads meeting in a point

   quadrivium
          [qua.driv.i.um] n [LL, fr. L, crossroads, fr. quadri- + via
          way--more at way] (1804): a group of studies consisting
          of arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy and forming
          the upper division of the seven liberal arts in medieval
          universities--compare trivium

   quadroon
          [qua.droon] n [modif. of Sp cuarteron, fr. cuarto fourth,
          fr. L quartus--more at quart] (1707): a person of one-quarter
          black ancestry

   quadrumanous
          [qua.dru.ma.nous] adj [ultim. fr. L quadri- + manus hand--more
          at manual] (1819): of, relating to, or being the primates
          excluding humans which are distinguished by hand-shaped
          feet

   quadrumvir
          [qua.drum.vir] n [back-formation fr. quadrumvirate] (1790):
          a member of a quadrumvirate

   quadrumvirate
          [qua.drum.vi.rate] n [quadri- + -umvirate (as in triumvirate)]
          (1752): a group or association of four

   quadruped
          [quad.ru.ped] n [L quadruped-, quadrupes, fr. quadruped-,
          quadrupes, adj., having four feet, fr. quadri- + ped-,
          pes foot--more at foot] (1646): an animal having four
          feet -- quadruped adj -- qua.dru.pe.dal adj

   [1]quadruple
          [qua.dru.ple] vb qua.dru.pled ; qua.dru.pling vt (14c): to
          make four times as great or as many ~ vi: to become four
          times as great or as numerous [2]quadruple n (15c): a
          sum four times as great as another [3]quadruple adj [MF
          or L; MF, fr. L quadruplus, fr. quadri- + -plus multiplied
          by--more at -fold] (1557) 1: having four units or members
          2: being four times as great or as many 3: marked by
          four beats per measure <~ meter> -- qua.dru.ply adv --
          qua.dru.plic.i.ty n

   quadruplet
          [qua.dru.plet] n (1787) 1: one of four offspring born at
          one birth 2: a combination of four of a kind 3: a group
          of four musical notes to be performed in the time ordinarily
          given to three of the same kind

   [1]quadruplicate
          [qua.dru.pli.cate] adj [L quadruplicatus, pp. of quadruplicare
          to quadruple, fr. quadruplic-, quadruplex fourfold, fr.
          quadri- + -plic-, -plex fold--more at -fold] (1657) 1:
          consisting of or existing in four corresponding or identical
          parts or examples <~ invoices> 2: being the fourth of
          four things exactly alike [2]qua.dru.pli.cate vt -cat.ed
          ; -cat.ing (ca. 1661) 1: to make quadruple or fourfold
          2: to prepare in quadruplicate -- qua.dru.pli.ca.tion
          n [3]qua.dru.pli.cate n (1790) 1: four copies all alike--used
          with in <typed in ~> 2: one of four things exactly alike;
          specif: one of four identical copies

   quadrupole
          [quad.ru.pole] n [ISV quadri- + pole] (1922): a system composed
          of two dipoles of equal but oppositely directed moment

   quaere
          [quae.re] n [L, imper. of quaerere to seek, question] (1589)
          archaic: query

   quaestor
          [quaes.tor] n [ME questor, fr. L quaestor, fr. quaerere]
          (14c): one of numerous ancient Roman officials concerned
          chiefly with financial administration

   quaff
          [quaff] vb [origin unknown] vi (1523): to drink deeply ~
          vt: to drink (a beverage) deeply -- quaff n -- quaff.er
          n

   quag
          [quag] n [origin unknown] (1589): marsh, bog

   quagga
          [quag.ga] n [obs. Afrik (now kwagga), fr. Khoikhoi quacha]
          (1785): an extinct mammal (Equus quagga) of southern
          Africa related to the zebras

   quaggy
          [quag.gy] adj (1610) 1: marshy 2: flabby

   quagmire
          [quag.mire] n (ca. 1580) 1: soft miry land that shakes or
          yields under the foot 2: a difficult, precarious, or
          entrapping position: predicament

   quahog
          [qua.hog] also qua.haug n [Narraganset poquauhock] (1753):
          a thick-shelled edible clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) of
          the U.S.

   quai
          [quai] n [F, fr. MF cai--more at quay] (1862): quay

   quaich
          [quaich] or quaigh n [ScGael cuach] (1546) chiefly Scot:
          a small shallow drinking vessel with ears for use as
          handles

   [1]quail
          [quail] n, pl quail or quails [ME quaille, fr. MF, fr. ML
          quaccula, of imit. origin] (14c): any of numerous small
          gallinaceous birds: as a: an Old World migratory game
          bird (Coturnix coturnix) b: bobwhite [2]quail vb [ME,
          fr. MD quelen] vi (15c) 1 a chiefly dial: wither, decline
          b: to give way: falter <his courage never ~ed> 2: to
          recoil in dread or terror: cower <the strongest ~ before
          financial ruin --Samuel Butler d.1902> ~ vt, archaic:
          to make fearful syn see recoil

   quaint
          [quaint] adj [ME cointe, fr. OF, fr. L cognitus, pp. of cognoscere
          to know--more at cognition] (13c) 1 obs: expert, skilled
          2 a: marked by skillful design <~ with many a device in India ink
          --Herman Melville> b: marked by beauty or elegance 3 a: unusual
          or different in character or appearance: odd <figures of fun,
          ~ people --Herman Wouk> b: pleasingly or strikingly old-fashioned
          or unfamiliar syn see strange -- quaint.ly adv -- quaint.ness n

   [1]quake
          [quake] vi quaked ; quak.ing [ME, fr. OE cwacian] (bef. 12c)
          1: to shake or vibrate usu. from shock or instability
          2: to tremble or shudder usu. from cold or fear [2]quake
          n (14c): an instance of shaking or trembling (as of the
          earth or moon); esp: earthquake

   quaker
          [quak.er] n (1597) 1: one that quakes 2 cap: friend 5 --
          Quak.er.ish adj -- Quak.er.ism n -- Quak.er.ly adj

   Quaker gun
          [Quaker gun] n [fr. opposition to war as a basic Quaker tenet]
          (1809): a dummy piece of artillery usu. made of wood

   quaker-ladies
          [quak.er-la.dies] n pl (1871): bluets

   quaking aspen
          [quaking aspen] n (1843): an aspen (Populus tremuloides)
          chiefly of the U.S. and Canada that has small nearly
          circular leaves with flattened petioles and finely serrate
          margins

   qual
          [qual] abbreviation qualitative, quality

   quale
          [qua.le] n, pl qua.lia [L, neut. of qualis of what kind]
          (1675) 1: a property (as redness) considered apart from
          things having the property: universal 2: a property as
          it is experienced as distinct from any source it might
          have in a physical object

   qualifiable
          [qual.i.fi.able] adj (1611): capable of qualifying or being
          qualified

   qualification
          [qual.i.fi.ca.tion] n (ca. 1544) 1: a restriction in meaning
          or application: a limiting modification <this statement
          stands without ~> 2 a obs: nature b archaic: characteristic
          3 a: a quality or skill that fits a person (as for an
          office) <the applicant with the best ~s> b: a condition
          or standard that must be complied with (as for the attainment
          of a privilege) <a ~ for membership>

   qualified
          [qual.i.fied] adj (1558) 1 a: fitted (as by training or experience)
          for a given purpose: competent b: having complied with the specific
          requirements or precedent conditions (as for an office
          or employment): eligible 2: limited or modified in some way
          <~ approval> -- qual.i.fied.ly adv

   qualifier
          [qual.i.fi.er] n (1561): one that qualifies: as a: one that
          satisfies requirements or meets a specified standard
          b: a word (as an adjective) or word group that limits
          or modifies the meaning of another word (as a noun) or
          word group

   qualify
          [qual.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [MF qualifier, fr. ML qualificare,
          fr. L qualis] vt (1533) 1 a: to reduce from a general
          to a particular or restricted form: modify b: to make
          less harsh or strict: moderate c: to alter the strength
          or flavor of d: to limit or modify the meaning of (as
          a noun) 2: to characterize by naming an attribute: describe
          <cannot ~ it as ... either glad or sorry --T. S. Eliot>
          3 a: to fit by training, skill, or ability for a special
          purpose b (1): to declare competent or adequate: certify
          (2): to invest with legal capacity: license ~ vi 1: to
          be or become fit (as for an office): meet the required
          standard 2: to acquire legal or competent power or capacity
          <has just qualified as a lawyer> 3 a: to exhibit a required
          degree of ability in a preliminary contest <qualified
          for the finals> b: to shoot well enough to earn a marksmanship
          badge

   qualitative
          [qual.i.ta.tive] adj (1607): of, relating to, or involving
          quality or kind -- qual.i.ta.tive.ly adv

   qualitative analysis
          [qualitative analysis] n (1842): chemical analysis designed
          to identify the components of a substance or mixture

   [1]quality
          [qual.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME qualite, fr. OF qualite, fr.
          L qualitat-, qualitas, fr. qualis of what kind; akin
          to L qui who--more at who] (14c) 1 a: peculiar and essential
          character: nature <her ethereal ~ --Gay Talese> b: an
          inherent feature: property <had a ~ of stridence, dissonance
          --Roald Dahl> c: capacity, role <in the ~ of reader and
          companion --Joseph Conrad> 2 a: degree of excellence:
          grade <the ~ of competing air service --Current Biog.>
          b: superiority in kind <merchandise of ~> 3 a: social
          status: rank b: aristocracy 4 a: a distinguishing attribute:
          characteristic <possesses many fine qualities> b archaic:
          an acquired skill: accomplishment 5: the character in
          a logical proposition of being affirmative or negative
          6: vividness of hue 7 a: timbre b: the identifying character
          of a vowel sound determined chiefly by the resonance
          of the vocal chambers in uttering it 8: the attribute
          of an elementary sensation that makes it fundamentally
          unlike any other sensation syn quality, property, character,
          attribute mean an intelligible feature by which a thing
          may be identified. quality is a general term applicable
          to any trait or characteristic whether individual or
          generic <material with a silky quality>. property implies
          a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential
          nature and may be used to describe a type or species
          <the property of not conducting heat>. character applies
          to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a
          class <remarks of an unseemly character>. attribute implies
          a quality ascribed to a thing or a being <the traditional
          attributes of a military hero>. [2]quality adj (1701):
          being of high quality

   quality assurance
          [quality assurance] n (1982): a program for the systematic
          monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of a
          project, service, or facility to ensure that standards
          of quality are being met

   quality circle
          [quality circle] n (1980): a group of employees who volunteer
          to meet regularly to discuss and propose solutions to
          problems (as of quality or productivity) in the workplace

   quality control
          [quality control] n (1935): an aggregate of activities (as
          design analysis and inspection for defects) designed
          to ensure adequate quality esp. in manufactured products
          -- quality controller n

   quality point
          [quality point] n (1948): grade point

   quality point average
          [quality point average] n (ca. 1972): grade point average

   qualm
          [qualm] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1530) 1: a sudden attack
          of illness, faintness, or nausea 2: a sudden access of
          usu. disturbing emotion (as doubt or fear) 3: a feeling
          of uneasiness about a point esp. of conscience or propriety
          -- qualmy adj syn qualm, scruple, compunction, demur
          mean a misgiving about what one is doing or going to
          do. qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following
          one's conscience or better judgment <no qualms about
          plagiarizing>. scruple implies doubt of the rightness
          of an act on grounds of principle <no scruples against
          buying stolen goods>. compunction implies a spontaneous
          feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential
          victim <had compunctions about lying>. demur implies
          hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion
          or influence <accepted her decision without demur>.

   qualmish
          [qualm.ish] adj (1548) 1 a: feeling qualms: nauseated b:
          overly scrupulous: squeamish 2: of, relating to, or producing
          qualms -- qualm.ish.ly adv -- qualm.ish.ness n

   quamash
          [qua.mash] var of camas

   quandary
          [quan.da.ry] n, pl -ries [origin unknown] (1579): a state
          of perplexity or doubt

   quand meme
          [quand meme] [F] foreign term : even so: all the same

   quant
          [quant] abbreviation quantitative

   quantal
          [quan.tal] adj (1933) 1 [L quanti how many, pl. of quantus]:
          of, relating to, or having only two experimental alternatives
          (as dead or alive, all or none) 2 [quantum]: of or relating
          to a quantum

   quantification
          [quan.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (ca. 1840): the operation of quantifying
          -- quan.ti.fi.ca.tion.al adj -- quan.ti.fi.ca.tion.al.ly
          adv

   quantifier
          [quan.ti.fi.er] n (1876): one that quantifies: as a: a prefixed
          operator that binds the variables in a logical formula
          by specifying their quantity b: a limiting noun modifier
          (as five in "the five young men") expressive of quantity
          and characterized by occurrence before the descriptive
          adjectives in a noun phrase

   quantify
          [quan.ti.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ML quantificare, fr. L quantus
          how much] (ca. 1840) 1 a (1): to limit by a quantifier
          (2): to bind by prefixing a quantifier b: to make explicit
          the logical quantity of 2: to determine, express, or
          measure the quantity of -- quan.ti.fi.able adj

   quantitate
          [quan.ti.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [back-formation fr.
          quantitative] (1927) 1: to measure or estimate the quantity
          of; esp: to measure or determine precisely 2: to express
          in quantitative terms -- quan.ti.ta.tion n

   quantitative
          [quan.ti.ta.tive] adj [ML quantitativus, fr. L quantitat-,
          quantitas quantity] (1581) 1: of, relating to, or expressible
          in terms of quantity 2: of, relating to, or involving
          the measurement of quantity or amount 3: based on quantity;
          specif, of classical verse: based on temporal quantity
          or duration of sounds -- quan.ti.ta.tive.ly adv --
          quan.ti.ta.tive.ness n

   quantitative analysis
          [quantitative analysis] n (ca. 1847): chemical analysis designed
          to determine the amounts or proportions of the components
          of a substance

   quantitative inheritance
          [quantitative inheritance] n (ca. 1929): genic inheritance
          of a character (as human skin color) controlled by polygenes

   quantity
          [quan.ti.ty] n, pl -ties [ME quantite, fr. MF quantite, fr.
          L quantitat-, quantitas, fr. quantus how much, how large;
          akin to L quam how, as, quando when, qui who--more at
          who] (14c) 1 a: an indefinite amount or number b: a determinate
          or estimated amount c: total amount or number d: a considerable
          amount or number--often used in pl. <generous quantities
          of luck --H. E. Putsch> 2 a: the aspect in which a thing
          is measurable in terms of greater, less, or equal or
          of increasing or decreasing magnitude b: the subject
          of a mathematical operation c: an individual considered
          with respect to a given situation <an unknown ~ ... as
          attorney general --Tom Wicker> 3 a: duration and intensity
          of speech sounds as distinct from their individual quality
          or phonemic character; specif: the relative length or
          brevity of a prosodic syllable in some languages (as
          Greek and Latin) b: the relative duration or time length
          of a speech sound or sound sequence 4: the character
          of a logical proposition as being universal, particular,
          or singular

   quantity theory
          [quantity theory] n (1888): a theory in economics: changes
          in the price level tend to vary directly with the amount
          of money in circulation and the rate of its circulation

   quantize
          [quan.tize] vt quan.tized ; quan.tiz.ing [quantum] (1922)
          1: to subdivide (as energy) into small but measurable
          increments 2: to calculate or express in terms of quantum
          mechanics -- quan.ti.za.tion n -- quan.tiz.er n

   [1]quantum
          [quan.tum] n, pl quan.ta [L, neut. of quantus how much] (1567)
          1 a: quantity, amount b: portion, part c: gross quantity:
          bulk 2 a: any of the very small increments or parcels
          into which many forms of energy are subdivided b: any
          of the small subdivisions of a quantized physical magnitude
          (as magnetic moment) [2]quantum adj (1942): large, significant
          <a ~ improvement>

   quantum chromodynamics
          [quantum chromodynamics] n pl but sing in constr (1975):
          a theory of fundamental particles based on the assumption
          that quarks are distinguished by differences in color
          and are held together (as in hadrons) by an exchange
          of gluons

   quantum electrodynamics
          [quantum electrodynamics] n pl but usu sing in constr (1927):
          quantum mechanics applied to electrical interactions
          (as between nuclear particles)

   quantum field theory
          [quantum field theory] n (1948): a theory in physics: the
          interaction of two separate physical systems (as particles)
          is attributed to a field that extends from one to the
          other and is manifested in a particle exchange between
          the two systems

   quantum jump
          [quantum jump] n (1926) 1: an abrupt transition (as of an
          electron, an atom, or a molecule) from one discrete energy
          state to another 2: quantum leap

   quantum leap
          [quantum leap] n (1956): an abrupt change, sudden increase,
          or dramatic advance

   quantum mechanics
          [quantum mechanics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1922):
          a theory of matter that is based on the concept of the
          possession of wave properties by elementary particles,
          that affords a mathematical interpretation of the structure
          and interactions of matter on the basis of these properties,
          and that incorporates within it quantum theory and the
          uncertainty principle--called also wave mechanics --
          quantum mechanical adj -- quantum mechanically adv

   quantum mutatus ab illo
          [quan.tum mu.ta.tus ab il.lo] [L] foreign term : how changed
          from what he once was

   quantum number
          [quantum number] n (1902): any of a set of integers or half
          odd integers that indicate the magnitude of various discrete
          quantities (as electric charge) of a particle or system
          and that serve to define its state

   quantum sufficit
          [quan.tum suf.fi.cit] [L] foreign term : as much as suffices:
          a sufficient quantity--used chiefly in medical prescriptions

   quantum theory
          [quantum theory] n (1912): a theory in physics based on the
          concept of the subdivision of radiant energy into finite
          quanta and applied to numerous processes involving transference
          or transformation of energy in an atomic or molecular
          scale

   quar
          [quar] abbreviation quarterly

   [1]quarantine
          [quar.an.tine] n [partly modif. of F quarantaine, fr. OF,
          fr. quarante forty, fr. L quadraginta, fr. quadra- (akin
          to quattuor four) + -ginta (akin to viginti twenty);
          partly modif. of It quarantena quarantine of a ship,
          fr. quaranta forty, fr. L quadraginta--more at four,
          vigesimal] (1609) 1: a period of 40 days 2 a: a term
          during which a ship arriving in port and suspected of
          carrying contagious disease is held in isolation from
          the shore b: a regulation placing a ship in quarantine
          c: a place where a ship is detained during quarantine
          3 a: a restraint upon the activities or communication
          of persons or the transport of goods designed to prevent
          the spread of disease or pests b: a place in which those
          under quarantine are kept 4: a state of enforced isolation
          [2]quarantine vb -tined ; -tin.ing vt (1804) 1: to detain
          in or exclude by quarantine 2: to isolate from normal
          relations or communication <~ an aggressor> ~ vi: to
          establish or declare a quarantine

   quare
          [quare] dial var of [1]queer

   quark
          [quark] n [coined by Murray Gell-Mann] (1964): any of several
          elementary particles that are postulated to come in pairs
          (as in the up and down varieties) of similar mass with
          one member having a charge of positive 2/3 and the other
          a charge of -1/3 and are held to make up hadrons

   [1]quarrel
          [quar.rel] n [ME, fr. OF, square-headed arrow, building stone,
          fr. (assumed) VL quadrellum, dim. of L quadrum square--more
          at quadrate] (13c): a square-headed bolt or arrow esp.
          for a crossbow [2]quarrel n [ME querele, fr. MF, complaint,
          fr. L querela, fr. queri to complain] (14c) 1: a ground
          of dispute or complaint <have no ~ with a different approach>
          2: a usu. verbal conflict between antagonists: altercation
          [3]quarrel vi -reled or -relled ; -rel.ing or -rel.ling
          (14c) 1: to find fault <many people ~ with the idea --Johns
          Hopkins Mag.> 2: to contend or dispute actively <~ed
          frequently with his superiors --London Calling> -- quar.rel.er
          or quar.rel.ler n

   quarrelsome
          [quar.rel.some] adj (1596): apt or disposed to quarrel in
          an often petty manner: contentious syn see belligerent
          -- quar.rel.some.ly adv -- quar.rel.some.ness n

   quarrier
          [quar.ri.er] n (14c): a worker in a stone quarry

   [1]quarry
          [quar.ry] n, pl quarries [ME querre entrails of game given
          to the hounds, fr. MF cuiree, fr. cuir skin, hide (on
          which the entrails were placed), fr. L corium--more at
          cuirass] (14c) 1 obs: a heap of the game killed in a
          hunt 2: game; specif: game hunted with hawks 3: one that
          is sought or pursued: prey [2]quarry n, pl quarries [ME
          quarey, alter. of quarrere, fr. MF quarriere, fr. (assumed)
          OF quarre squared stone, fr. L quadrum square] (14c)
          1: an open excavation usu. for obtaining building stone,
          slate, or limestone 2: a rich source [3]quarry vb quar.ried
          ; quar.ry.ing vt (1774) 1: to dig or take from or as
          if from a quarry <~ marble> 2: to make a quarry in <~
          a hill> ~ vi: to delve in or as if in a quarry [4]quarry
          n, pl quarries [alter. of [1]quarrel] (1555): a diamond-shaped
          pane of glass, stone, or tile

   quarrying
          [quarrying] n (ca. 1828): the business, occupation, or act
          of extracting useful material (as building stone) from
          quarries

   quarryman
          [quar.ry.man] n (15c): quarrier

   quart
          [quart] n [ME, one fourth of a gallon, fr. MF quarte, fr.
          OF, fr. fem. of quart, adj., fourth, fr. L quartus; akin
          to L quattuor four--more at four] (14c) 1: any of various
          units of capacity as: a: a British imperial liquid or
          dry unit equal to 1/4 imperial gallon or 69.335 cubic
          inches b: a U.S. liquid unit equal to 1/4 gallon or 57.75
          cubic inches c: a U.S. dry unit equal to 1/32 bushel
          or 67.201 cubic inches 2: a vessel or measure having
          a capacity of one quart

   [1]quartan
          [quar.tan] adj [ME quarteyne, fr. MF (fievre) quartaine quartan
          fever, fr. L (febris) quartana, fr. quartanus of the
          fourth, fr. quartus] (14c): occurring every fourth day
          reckoning inclusively; specif: recurring at approximately
          72-hour intervals [2]quartan n (14c): an intermittent
          fever that recurs at approximately 72-hour intervals;
          esp: a quartan malaria

   [1]quarter
          [quar.ter] n [ME, fr. OF quartier, fr. L quartarius, fr.
          quartus fourth] (14c) 1: one of four equal parts into
          which something is divisible: a fourth part <in the top
          ~ of his class> 2: any of various units of capacity or
          weight equal to or derived from one fourth of some larger
          unit 3: any of various units of length or area equal
          to one fourth of some larger unit 4: the fourth part
          of a measure of time: as a: one of a set of four 3-month
          divisions of a year <business was up during the third
          ~> b: a school term of about 12 weeks c: quarter hour
          <a ~ after three> 5 a: a coin worth a quarter of a dollar
          b: the sum of 25 cents 6 a: one limb of a quadruped with
          the adjacent parts; esp: one fourth part of the carcass
          of a slaughtered animal including a leg b pl, Brit: hindquarter
          2 7 a: the region or direction lying under any of the
          four divisions of the horizon b: one of the four parts
          into which the horizon is divided or the cardinal point
          corresponding to it c: a compass point or direction other
          than the cardinal points d (1): an unspecified person
          or group <financial help from many ~s --Current Biog.>
          (2): a point, direction, or place not definitely identified
          <the view to the rear ~ --Consumer Reports> 8 a: a division
          or district of a town or city <he describes the immigrant
          ~ --Alfred Kazin> b: the inhabitants of such a quarter
          9 a: an assigned station or post b pl: an assembly of
          a ship's company for ceremony, drill, or emergency c
          pl: living accommodations: lodgings <show you to your
          ~s> 10: merciful consideration of an opponent; specif:
          the clemency of not killing a defeated enemy 11: a fourth
          part of the moon's period 12: the side of a horse's hoof
          between the toe and the heel--see hoof illustration 13
          a: any of the four parts into which a heraldic field
          is divided b: a bearing or charge occupying the first
          fourth part of a heraldic field 14: the state of two
          machine parts that are exactly at right angles to one
          another or are spaced about a circle so as to subtend
          a right angle at the center of the circle 15 a: the stern
          area of a ship's side b: the part of the yardarm outside
          the slings 16: one side of the upper of a shoe or boot
          from heel to vamp 17: one of the four equal periods into
          which the playing time of some games is divided [2]quarter
          vt (14c) 1 a: to cut or divide into four equal or nearly
          equal parts <~ an apple> <condemned to be hanged, drawn,
          and ~ed> b archaic: divide 2: to provide with lodging
          or shelter 3: to crisscross (an area) in many directions
          4 a: to arrange or bear (as different coats of arms)
          quarterly on one escutcheon b: to add (a coat of arms)
          to others on one escutcheon c: to divide (a shield) into
          distinct sections (as by stripes) 5: to adjust or locate
          (as cranks) at right angles in a machine ~ vi 1: lodge,
          dwell 2: to crisscross a district 3: to change from one
          quarter to another <the moon ~s> 4: to strike on a ship's
          quarter <the wind was ~ing> [3]quarter adj (14c): consisting
          of or equal to a quarter

   quarterage
          [quar.ter.age] n (14c): a quarterly payment, tax, wage, or
          allowance

   [1]quarterback
          [quar.ter.back] n (1879) 1: an offensive back in football
          who usu. lines up behind the center, calls the signals,
          and directs the offensive play of the team 2: one who
          gives direction and leadership [2]quarterback vt (1944)
          1: to direct the offensive play of (as a football team)
          2: to give executive direction to: boss <~ed the original
          buying syndicate --Time> ~ vi: to play quarterback

   quarterback sneak
          [quarterback sneak] n (ca. 1923): a usu. quick run with the
          ball by a quarterback into the middle of the offensive
          line

   quarter-bound
          [quar.ter-bound] adj (ca. 1888) of a book: bound in material
          of two qualities with the material of better quality
          on the spine only -- quarter binding n

   quarter day
          [quarter day] n (15c) chiefly Brit: the day which begins
          a quarter of the year and on which a quarterly payment
          often falls due

   quarterdeck
          [quar.ter.deck] n (1627) 1: the stern area of a ship's upper
          deck 2: a part of a deck on a naval vessel set aside
          by the captain for ceremonial and official use

   [1]quarterfinal
          [quar.ter.fi.nal] n (1927) 1 pl: a quarterfinal round 2:
          a quarterfinal match -- quar.ter.fi.nal.ist n [2]quarterfinal
          adj (ca. 1934) 1: immediately preceding the semifinal
          in an elimination tournament 2: of or participating in
          a quarterfinal

   quarter horse
          [quarter horse] n [fr. its high speed for distances up to
          a quarter of a mile] (1834): any of a breed of compact
          muscular saddle horses characterized by great endurance
          and by high speed for short distances

   quarter hour
          [quarter hour] n (1883) 1: any of the quarter points of an
          hour 2: fifteen minutes 3: a unit of academic credit
          representing an hour of class (as lecture class) or three
          hours of laboratory work each week for an academic quarter

   [1]quartering
          [quar.ter.ing] n (15c) 1 a: the division of an escutcheon
          containing different coats of arms into four or more
          compartments b: a quarter of an escutcheon or the coat
          of arms on it 2: a line of usu. noble or distinguished
          ancestry [2]quartering adj (ca. 1692) 1: coming from
          a point well abaft the beam of a ship but not directly
          astern <~ waves> 2: lying at right angles

   [1]quarterly
          [quar.ter.ly] adv (14c) 1: in heraldic quarters or quarterings
          2: at 3-month intervals [2]quarterly adj (15c) 1: computed
          for or payable at 3-month intervals <~ premium> 2: recurring,
          issued, or spaced at 3-month intervals 3: divided into
          heraldic quarters or compartments [3]quarterly n, pl
          -lies (1830): a periodical published four times a year

   Quarterly Meeting
          [Quarterly Meeting] n (1675): an organizational unit of the
          Society of Friends usu. composed of several Monthly Meetings

   quartermaster
          [quar.ter.mas.ter] n (15c) 1: a petty officer who attends
          to a ship's helm, binnacle, and signals 2: an army officer
          who provides clothing and subsistence for a body of troops

   quartern
          [quar.tern] n [ME quarteron, fr. OF, quarter of a pound,
          quarter of a hundred, fr. quartier quarter] (14c): a
          fourth part (as of a unit of measurement)

   quarter note
          [quarter note] n (1763): a musical note with the time value
          of 1/4 of a whole note--see note illustration

   quarter rest
          [quarter rest] n (ca. 1890): a musical rest corresponding
          in time value to a quarter note--see rest illustration

   quartersawn
          [quar.ter.sawn] also quar.ter.sawed adj (ca. 1890): sawed
          from quartered logs so that the annual rings are nearly
          at right angles to the wide face--used of boards and
          planks

   quarter section
          [quarter section] n (1804): a tract of land that is half
          a mile square and contains 160 acres in the U.S. government
          system of land surveying

   quarter sessions
          [quarter sessions] n pl (1577): a former English local court
          with limited original and appellate criminal and sometimes
          civil jurisdiction and often administrative functions
          held quarterly usu. by two justices of the peace in a
          county or by a recorder in a borough

   quarterstaff
          [quar.ter.staff] n, pl -staves (1550): a long stout staff
          formerly used as a weapon and wielded with one hand in
          the middle and the other between the middle and the end

   quarter tone
          [quarter tone] n (ca. 1776) 1: a musical interval of one
          half a semitone 2: a tone at an interval of one quarter

   quartet
          [quar.tet] also quar.tette n [It quartetto, fr. quarto fourth,
          fr. L quartus--more at quart] (1773) 1: a musical composition
          for four instruments or voices 2: a group or set of four;
          esp: the performers of a quartet

   quartic
          [quar.tic] adj [L quartus fourth] (ca. 1890): of the fourth
          degree <~ equation> -- quartic n

   quartile
          [quar.tile] n [ISV, fr. L quartus] (1879): any of the three
          values that divide the items of a frequency distribution
          into four classes with each containing one fourth of
          the total population; also: any one of the four classes

   quarto
          [quar.to] n, pl quartos [L, abl. of quartus fourth] (1589)
          1: the size of a piece of paper cut four from a sheet;
          also: paper or a page of this size 2: a book printed
          on quarto pages

   quartz
          [quartz] n [G Quarz] (ca. 1631) 1: a mineral consisting of
          silicon dioxide occurring in colorless and transparent
          or colored hexagonal crystals or in crystalline masses
          2: a quartz crystal that when placed in an electric field
          oscillates at a constant frequency and is used to control
          devices which require precise regulation <a ~ watch>
          -- quartz.ose adj

   quartz glass
          [quartz glass] n (1903): vitreous silica prepared from pure
          quartz and noted for its transparency to ultraviolet
          radiation

   quartz heater
          [quartz heater] n (1980): a portable electric radiant heater
          that has heating elements sealed in quartz-glass tubes
          producing infrared radiation in front of a reflective
          backing

   quartz-iodine lamp
          [quartz-iodine lamp] n (ca. 1964): an incandescent lamp that
          has a quartz bulb and a tungsten filament with the bulb
          containing iodine which reacts with the vaporized tungsten
          to prevent excessive blackening of the bulb

   quartzite
          [quartz.ite] n [ISV] (ca. 1847): a compact granular rock
          composed of quartz and derived from sandstone by metamorphism
          -- quartz.it.ic adj

   quasar
          [qua.sar] n [quasi-stellar] (1964): any of a class of celestial
          objects that resemble stars but whose large redshift
          and apparent brightness imply extreme distance and huge
          energy output

   [1]quash
          [quash] vt [ME quashen to smash, fr. MF quasser, casser,
          fr. L quassare to shake violently, shatter, freq. of
          quatere to shake] (13c): to suppress or extinguish summarily
          and completely <~ a rebellion> [2]quash vt [ME quassen,
          fr. MF casser, quasser to annul, fr. LL cassare, fr.
          L cassus void] (14c): to nullify esp. by judicial action
          <~ an indictment>

   quasi-
          [quasi-] comb form [L quasi as if, as it were, approximately,
          fr. quam as + si if--more at quantity, so] 1: in some
          sense or degree <quasiperiodic> 2: resembling in some
          degree <quasiparticle>

   quasi
          [qua.si] adj [quasi-] (1642) 1: having some resemblance usu.
          by possession of certain attributes <a ~ corporation>
          2: having a legal status only by operation or construction
          of law and without reference to intent <a ~ contract>

   quasi-judicial
          [qua.si-ju.di.cial] adj (1836) 1: having a partly judicial
          character by possession of the right to hold hearings
          on and conduct investigations into disputed claims and
          alleged infractions of rules and regulations and to make
          decisions in the general manner of courts <~ bodies>
          2: essentially judicial in character but not within the
          judicial power or function esp. as constitutionally defined
          <~ review> -- qua.si-ju.di.cial.ly adv

   quasi-legislative
          [qua.si-leg.is.la.tive] adj (ca. 1934) 1: having a partly
          legislative character by possession of the right to make
          rules and regulations having the force of law <a ~ agency>
          2: essentially legislative in character but not within
          the legislative power or function esp. as constitutionally
          defined <~ powers>

   Quasimodo
          [Qua.si.mo.do] n [ML quasi modo geniti infantes as newborn
          babes (words of the introit for Low Sunday)] (ca. 1847):
          low sunday

   quasiparticle
          [qua.si.par.ti.cle] n (1957): a composite entity (as a vibration
          in a solid) that is analogous in its behavior to a single
          particle

   quasiperiodic
          [qua.si.pe.ri.od.ic] adj (ca. 1890): almost but not quite
          periodic; esp: periodic on a small scale but unpredictable
          at some larger scale -- qua.si.pe.ri.od.ic.i.ty n

   quasi-public
          [qua.si-pub.lic] adj (1888): essentially public (as in services
          rendered) although under private ownership or control

   quasi-stellar object
          [qua.si-stel.lar object] n (1964): quasar

   quassia
          [quas.sia] n [NL, genus name of a So. American tree, fr.
          Quassi 18th cent. Surinam slave who discovered the medicinal
          value of quassia] (1770): a drug from the heartwood of
          various tropical trees of the ailanthus family used esp.
          as a bitter tonic and remedy for roundworms in children
          and as an insecticide

   quatercentenary
          [qua.ter.cen.te.na.ry] n [L quater four times + E centenary--more
          at quaternion] (1883): a year marking a 400th anniversary

   [1]quaternary
          [qua.ter.na.ry] adj [L quaternarius, fr. quaterni four each]
          (1605) 1 a: of, relating to, or consisting of four units
          or members b: of, relating to, or being a number system
          with a base of four 2 cap: of, relating to, or being
          the geological period from the end of the Tertiary to
          the present time or the corresponding system of rocks--see
          geologic time table 3: consisting of, containing, or
          being an atom bonded to four other atoms [2]quaternary
          n, pl -ries (1880) 1 cap: the Quaternary period or system
          of rocks 2: a member of a group fourth in order or rank

   quaternary ammonium compound
          [quaternary ammonium compound] n (ca. 1934): any of numerous
          strong bases and their salts derived from ammonium by
          replacement of the hydrogen atoms with organic radicals
          and important esp. as surface-active agents, disinfectants,
          and drugs

   quaternion
          [qua.ter.ni.on] n [ME quaternyoun, fr. LL quaternion-, quaternio,
          fr. L quaterni four each, fr. quater four times; akin
          to L quattuor four--more at four] (14c) 1: a set of four
          parts, things, or persons 2 a: a generalized complex
          number that is composed of a real number and a vector
          and that depends on one real and three imaginary units
          b pl: the calculus of quaternions

   quaternity
          [qua.ter.ni.ty] n, pl -ties [LL quaternitas, fr. L quaterni
          four each] (1529): a union of a group or set of four

   quatrain
          [qua.train] n [MF, fr. quatre four, fr. L quattuor] (1582):
          a unit or group of four lines of verse

   quatrefoil
          [qua.tre.foil] n [ME quaterfoil set of four leaves, fr. MF
          quatre + ME -foil (as in trefoil)] (15c) 1: a conventionalized
          representation of a flower with four petals or of a leaf
          with four leaflets 2: a 4-lobed foliation in architecture

   quattrocento
          [quat.tro.cen.to] n, often cap [It, lit., four hundred, fr.
          quattro four (fr. L quattuor) + cento hundred--more at
          cinquecento] (ca. 1854): the 15th century esp. with reference
          to Italian literature and art

   quattuordecillion
          [quat.tu.or.de.cil.lion] n, often attrib [L quattuordecim
          fourteen (fr. quattuor four + decem ten) + E -illion
          (as in million)--more at ten] (ca. 1903): the figure
          1 followed by 45 zeroes: the figure 1,000 followed by
          14 zeroes; also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by 84 zeroes:
          one million to the 14th power

   [1]quaver
          [qua.ver] vb qua.vered ; qua.ver.ing [ME, freq. of quaven
          to tremble] vi (15c) 1: tremble 2: trill 3: to utter
          sound in tremulous tones ~ vt: to utter quaveringly --
          qua.ver.ing.ly adv -- qua.very adj [2]quaver n (1570)
          1: eighth note 2: trill 1 3: a tremulous sound

   quay
          [quay] n [alter. of earlier key, fr. ME, fr. MF dial. cai,
          prob. of Celt origin; akin to Bret kae hedge, enclosure;
          akin to OE hecg hedge] (1696): a structure built parallel
          to the bank of a waterway for use as a landing place

   quayage
          [quay.age] n (ca. 1756) 1: a charge for use of a quay 2:
          room on or for quays 3: a system of quays

   quayside
          [quay.side] n (1903): land bordering a quay

   Que
          [Que] abbreviation Quebec

   quean
          [quean] n [ME quene, fr. OE cwene; akin to OE cwen woman,
          queen] (bef. 12c) 1: a disreputable woman; specif: prostitute
          2 chiefly Scot: woman; esp: one that is young or unmarried

   queasy
          [quea.sy] also quea.zy adj quea.si.er ; -est [ME coysy, qwesye]
          (15c) 1 a: causing nausea <~ motion> b: suffering from
          nausea: nauseated 2: full of doubt: hazardous 3 a: causing
          uneasiness b (1): delicate, squeamish (2): ill at ease
          -- quea.si.ly adv -- quea.si.ness n

   Quebec
          [Que.bec] (1952)--a communications code word for the letter
          q

   Quebecois
          [Que.be.cois] n, pl Quebecois [F quebecois, quebecois, fr.
          Quebec Quebec] (1873): a native or inhabitant of Quebec;
          specif: a French-speaking native or inhabitant of Quebec
          -- Quebecois adj

   quebracho
          [que.bra.cho] n [AmerSp, alter. of quiebracha, fr. Sp quiebra
          it breaks + hacha ax] (ca. 1881) 1: any of several trees
          of southern So. America with hard wood: as a: a tree
          (Aspidosperma quebracho) of the dogbane family which
          occurs in Argentina and Chile and whose dried bark is
          used as a respiratory sedative in dyspnea and in asthma
          b: a chiefly Argentine tree (Schinopsis lorentzii) of
          the cashew family with dense wood rich in tannins 2 a:
          the wood of a quebracho b: a tannin-rich extract of the
          Argentine quebracho used in tanning leather

   Quechua
          [Que.chua] n, pl Quechua or Quechuas [Sp, prob. fr. Southern
          Peruvian Quechua qheswa (simi), lit., valley speech]
          (1840) 1: a family of closely related languages spoken
          by Indian peoples of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and
          Argentina 2 a: a member of an Indian people of central
          Peru b: a group of peoples constituting the dominant
          element of the Inca Empire -- Que.chu.an adj or n

   [1]queen
          [queen] n [ME quene, fr. OE cwen woman, wife, queen; akin
          to Goth qens wife, Gk gyne woman, Skt jani] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: the wife or widow of a king b: the wife or widow
          of a tribal chief 2 a: a female monarch b: a female chieftain
          3 a: a woman eminent in rank, power, or attractions <a
          movie ~> b: a goddess or a thing personified as female
          and having supremacy in a specified realm c: an attractive
          girl or woman; esp: a beauty contest winner 4: the most
          privileged piece of each color in a set of chessmen having
          the power to move in any direction across any number
          of unoccupied squares 5: a playing card marked with a
          stylized figure of a queen 6: the fertile fully developed
          female of social bees, ants, and termites whose function
          is to lay eggs 7: a mature female cat kept esp. for breeding
          8: a male homosexual; esp: an effeminate one--often used
          disparagingly [2]queen vi (1611) 1: to act like a queen;
          esp: to put on airs--usu. used with it <~s it over her
          friends> 2: to become a queen in chess ~ vt: to promote
          (a pawn) to a queen in chess

   Queen Anne
          [Queen Anne] adj [Queen Anne of England] (1863) 1: of, relating
          to, or having the characteristics of a style of furniture
          originating in England under Dutch influence esp. during
          the first half of the 18th century that is marked by
          extensive use of upholstery, marquetry, and oriental
          fabrics 2: of, relating to, or having the characteristics
          of a style of English building of the early 18th century
          characterized by modified classic ornament and the use
          of red brickwork in which even relief ornament is carved

   Queen Anne's lace
          [Queen Anne's lace] n (1895): a widely naturalized Eurasian
          biennial herb (Daucus carota) which has a whitish acrid
          taproot and from which the cultivated carrot originated--called
          also wild carrot

   queen consort
          [queen consort] n, pl queens consort (1765): the wife of
          a reigning king

   queenly
          [queen.ly] adj queen.li.er ; -est (15c) 1: of, relating to,
          or befitting a queen 2: having royal rank 3: monarchical
          -- queen.li.ness n -- queenly adv

   queen mother
          [queen mother] n (1577): a queen dowager who is mother of
          the reigning sovereign

   queen post
          [queen post] n (1823): one of two vertical tie posts in a
          truss (as of a roof)

   queen regnant
          [queen regnant] n, pl queens regnant (ca. 1639): a queen
          reigning in her own right

   Queen's Bench
          [Queen's Bench] n (ca. 1809): a division of the English superior
          courts system that hears civil and criminal court cases--used
          during the reign of a queen

   Queen's Counsel
          [Queen's Counsel] n (ca. 1860): a barrister selected to serve
          as counsel to the British crown--used during the reign
          of a queen

   queenship
          [queen.ship] n (1536) 1: the rank, dignity, or state of being
          a queen 2: a regal quality like that of a queen

   queenside
          [queen.side] n (1897): the side of a chessboard containing
          the file on which the queen sits at the beginning of
          the game

   queen-size
          [queen-size] adj (1959) 1: having dimensions of approximately
          60 inches by 80 inches (about 1.5 by 2.0 meters)--used
          of a bed--compare full-size, king-size, twin-size 2:
          of a size that fits a queen-size bed <a ~ sheet>

   queen substance
          [queen substance] n (1954): a pheromone secreted by queen
          bees that is consumed by worker bees and inhibits ovary
          development

   [1]queer
          [queer] adj [origin unknown] (1508) 1 a: worthless, counterfeit
          <~ money> b: questionable, suspicious 2 a: differing
          in some odd way from what is usual or normal b (1): eccentric,
          unconventional (2): mildly insane: touched c: absorbed
          or interested to an extreme or unreasonable degree: obsessed
          d: homosexual--usu. used disparagingly 3: not quite well
          syn see strange -- queer.ish adj -- queer.ly adv -- queer.ness
          n [2]queer vt (ca. 1812) 1: to spoil the effect or success
          of <~ one's plans> 2: to put or get into an embarrassing
          or disadvantageous situation [3]queer n (ca. 1812): one
          that is queer; esp: homosexual--usu. used disparagingly

   [1]quell
          [quell] vt [ME, to kill, quell, fr. OE cwellan to kill; akin
          to OHG quellen to torture, kill, quala torment, Lith
          gelti to hurt] (13c) 1: to thoroughly overwhelm and reduce
          to submission or passivity <~ a riot> 2: quiet, pacify
          <~ fears> -- quell.er n [2]quell n [ME, fr. quellen to
          kill] (15c) 1 obs: slaughter 2 archaic: the power of
          quelling

   quench
          [quench] vb [ME, fr. OE -cwencan; akin to OE -cwincan to
          vanish, OFris quinka] vt (12c) 1 a: put out, extinguish
          b: to put out the light or fire of <~ glowing coals with
          water> c: to cool (as heated metal) suddenly by immersion
          (as in oil or water) d: to cause to lose heat or warmth
          <you have ~ed the warmth of France toward you --Alfred
          Tennyson> 2 a: to bring (something immaterial) to an
          end typically by satisfying, damping, cooling, or decreasing
          <a rational understanding of the laws of nature can ~
          impossible desires --Lucius Garvin> <the praise that
          ~es all desire to read the book --T. S. Eliot> b: to
          terminate by or as if by destroying: eliminate <the Commonwealth
          party ~ed a whole generation of play-acting --Margery
          Bailey> <~ a rebellion> c: to relieve or satisfy with
          liquid <~ed his thirst at a wayside spring> ~ vi 1: to
          become extinguished: cool 2: to become calm: subside
          -- quench.able adj -- quench.er n -- quench.less adj

   quenelle
          [que.nelle] n [F, fr. G Knodel dumpling, fr. MHG; akin to
          OHG knoto knot--more at knot] (1845): a poached oval
          dumpling of pureed forcemeat (as of pike) often served
          in a cream sauce

   quercetin
          [quer.ce.tin] n [ISV, fr. L quercetum oak forest, fr. quercus
          oak--more at fir] (1857): a yellow crystalline pigment
          occurring usu. in the form of glycosides in various plants

   quercitron
          [quer.cit.ron] n [blend of NL Quercus and ISV citron] (1794)
          1: a large timber oak (Quercus velutina) of the eastern
          and central U.S. 2: the bark of the quercitron that is
          rich in tannin and a dye containing quercetin; also:
          the dye

   querist
          [que.rist] n [L quaerere to ask] (1633): one who inquires

   quern
          [quern] n [ME, fr. OE cweorn; akin to OHG quirn hand mill,
          OCS zruny] (bef. 12c): a primitive hand mill for grinding
          grain

   querulous
          [quer.u.lous] adj [ME querelose, fr. L querulus, fr. queri
          to complain] (15c) 1: habitually complaining 2: fretful,
          whining <a ~ voice> -- quer.u.lous.ly adv -- quer.u.lous.ness
          n

   [1]query
          [que.ry] n, pl queries [alter. of earlier quere, fr. L quaere,
          imper. of quaerere to ask] (ca. 1635) 1: question, inquiry
          2: a question in the mind: doubt 3: question mark [2]query
          vt que.ried ; que.ry.ing (1654) 1: to ask questions of
          esp. with a desire for authoritative information 2: to
          ask questions about esp. in order to resolve a doubt
          3: to put as a question 4: to mark with a query syn see
          ask -- que.ri.er n

   quesadilla
          [que.sa.dil.la] n [MexSp, fr. Sp, cheese pastry, dim. of
          quesada, fr. queso cheese, fr. L caseus] (1944): a wheat
          tortilla filled with a savory mixture, folded, fried
          in deep fat, and topped with cheese

   [1]quest
          [quest] n [ME, search, pursuit, investigation, inquest, fr.
          MF queste search, pursuit, fr. (assumed) VL quaesta,
          fr. L, fem. of quaestus, pp. of quaerere] (14c) 1 a:
          a jury of inquest b: investigation 2: an act or instance
          of seeking: a: pursuit, search b: a chivalrous enterprise
          in medieval romance usu. involving an adventurous journey
          3 obs: a person or group of persons who search or make
          inquiry [2]quest vi (14c) 1 of a dog a: to search a trail
          b: bay 2: to go on a quest ~ vt 1: to search for 2: to
          ask for -- quest.er n

   [1]question
          [ques.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L quaestion-, quaestio, fr.
          quaerere to seek, ask] (14c) 1 a (1): an interrogative
          expression often used to test knowledge (2): an interrogative
          sentence or clause b: a subject or aspect in dispute
          or open for discussion: issue; broadly: problem, matter
          c (1): a subject or point of debate or a proposition
          to be voted on in a meeting (2): the bringing of such
          to a vote d: the specific point at issue 2 a: an act
          or instance of asking: inquiry b: interrogation; also:
          a judicial or official investigation c: torture as part
          of an examination d (1): objection, dispute <true beyond
          ~> (2): room for doubt or objection <little ~ of his
          skill> (3): chance, possibility <no ~ of escape> [2]question
          vt (15c) 1: to ask a question of or about 2: to interrogate
          intensively: cross-examine 3 a: doubt, dispute b: to
          subject to analysis: examine ~ vi: to ask questions:
          inquire syn see ask -- ques.tion.er n

   questionable
          [ques.tion.able] adj (1590) 1 obs: inviting inquiry 2 obs:
          liable to judicial inquiry or action 3: affording reason
          for being doubted, questioned, or challenged: not certain
          or exact: problematic <milk of ~ purity> <a ~ decision>
          4: attended by well-grounded suspicions of being immoral,
          crude, false, or unsound: dubious <~ motives> syn see
          doubtful -- ques.tion.able.ness n -- ques.tion.ably adv

   questionary
          [ques.tion.ary] n, pl -ar.ies (1887): questionnaire

   questionless
          [ques.tion.less] adj (1532) 1: indubitable, unquestionable
          2: unquestioning

   question mark
          [question mark] n (1869) 1: something unknown, unknowable,
          or uncertain 2: a mark ? used in writing and printing
          at the conclusion of a sentence to indicate a direct
          question

   questionnaire
          [ques.tion.naire] n [F, fr. questionner to question, fr.
          MF, fr. question, n.] (1899) 1: a set of questions for
          obtaining statistically useful or personal information
          from individuals 2: a written or printed questionnaire
          often with spaces for answers 3: a survey made by the
          use of a questionnaire

   question time
          [question time] n (1885): a period in a session of a British
          parliamentary body during which members may put questions
          to ministers on matters concerning their departments

   questor
          [ques.tor] var of quaestor

   quetzal
          [quet.zal] n, pl quetzals or quet.za.les [AmerSp, fr. Nahuatl
          quetzalli tail coverts of the quetzal] (1827) 1: a Central
          American trogon (Pharomachrus mocinno) that has brilliant
          green plumage above, a red breast, and in the male long
          upper tail coverts 2 pl quetzales: the basic monetary
          unit of Guatemala

   Quetzalcoatl
          [Quet.zal.co.a.tl] n [Nahuatl Quetzalcoatl]: a chief Toltec
          and Aztec god identified with the wind and air and represented
          by a feathered serpent

   [1]queue
          [queue] n [F, lit., tail, fr. L cauda, coda] (1748) 1: a
          braid of hair usu. worn hanging at the back of the head
          2: a waiting line esp. of persons or vehicles 3 a: a
          sequence of messages or jobs held in auxiliary storage
          awaiting transmission or processing b: a data structure
          that consists of a list of records such that records
          are added at one end and removed from the other [2]queue
          vb queued ; queu.ing or queue.ing vt (1777): to arrange
          or form in a queue ~ vi: to line up or wait in a queue--often
          used with up -- queu.er n

   [1]quibble
          [quib.ble] vb quib.bled ; quib.bling vi (1656) 1: to evade
          the point of an argument by caviling about words 2 a:
          cavil, carp b: bicker ~ vt: to subject to quibbles --
          quib.bler n [2]quibble n [prob. dim. of obs. quib quibble]
          (1670) 1: an evasion of or shift from the point 2: a
          minor objection or criticism

   quiche
          [quiche] n [F, fr. F dial. (Lorraine)] (1941): an unsweetened
          custard pie usu. having a savory filling (as spinach,
          mushrooms, or ham)

   quiche lorraine
          [quiche lor.raine] n, often cap L [F, quiche of Lorraine]
          (1941): a quiche containing cheese and bacon bits

   [1]quick
          [quick] adj [ME quik, fr. OE cwic; akin to ON kvikr living,
          L vivus living, vivere to live, Gk bios, zoe life] (bef.
          12c) 1: not dead: living, alive 2: acting or capable
          of acting with speed: as a (1): fast in understanding,
          thinking, or learning: mentally agile <a ~ wit> <~ thinking>
          (2): reacting to stimuli with speed and keen sensitivity
          (3): aroused immediately and intensely <~ tempers> b
          (1): fast in development or occurrence <a ~ succession
          of events> (2): done or taking place with rapidity <gave
          them a ~ look> c: marked by speed, readiness, or promptness
          of physical movement <walked with ~ steps> d: inclined
          to hastiness (as in action or response) <~ to criticize>
          e: capable of being easily and speedily prepared <a ~
          and tasty dinner> 3 archaic a: not stagnant: running,
          flowing b: moving, shifting <~ mud> 4 archaic: fiery,
          glowing 5 obs a: pungent b: caustic 6 archaic: pregnant
          7: having a sharp angle <a ~ turn in the road> -- quick.ly
          adv -- quick.ness n syn quick, prompt, ready, apt mean
          able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative
          of such ability. quick stresses instancy of response
          and is likely to connote native rather than acquired
          power <quick reflexes> <a keen quick mind>. prompt is
          more likely to connote training and discipline that fits
          one for instant response <prompt emergency medical care>.
          ready suggests facility or fluency in response <backed
          by a pair of ready assistants>. apt stresses the possession
          of qualities (as intelligence, a particular talent, or
          a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible
          <an apt student> <her answer was apt and to the point>.
          syn see in addition fast [2]quick n (bef. 12c) 1 quick
          pl: living beings 2 [prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON
          kvika sensitive flesh, fr. kvikr living] a: a painfully
          sensitive spot or area of flesh (as that underlying a
          fingernail or toenail) b: the inmost sensibilities <hurt
          to the ~ by the remark> c: the very center of something:
          heart 3 archaic: life 11 [3]quick adv (14c): in a quick
          manner

   quick assets
          [quick assets] n pl (1891): cash, accounts receivable, and
          other current assets excluding inventories

   quick bread
          [quick bread] n (1918): bread made with a leavening agent
          (as baking powder or baking soda) that permits immediate
          baking of the dough or batter mixture

   quicken
          [quick.en] vb quick.ened ; quick.en.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to
          make alive: revive b: to cause to be enlivened: stimulate
          2 archaic a: kindle b: to cause to burn more intensely
          3: to make more rapid: hasten, accelerate <~ed her steps>
          4 a: to make (a curve) sharper b: to make (a slope) steeper
          ~ vi 1: to quicken something 2: to come to life; esp:
          to enter into a phase of active growth and development
          <seeds ~ing in the soil> 3: to reach the stage of gestation
          at which fetal motion is felt 4: to shine more brightly
          <watched the dawn ~ing in the east> 5: to become more
          rapid <her pulse ~ed at the sight> -- quick.en.er n syn
          quicken, animate, enliven, vivify mean to make alive
          or lively. quicken stresses a sudden renewal of life
          or activity esp. in something inert <the arrival of spring
          quickens the earth>. animate emphasizes the imparting
          of motion or vitality to what is or might be mechanical
          or artificial <happiness animated his conversation>.
          enliven suggests a stimulus that arouses from dullness
          or torpidity <enlivened her lectures with humorous anecdotes>.
          vivify implies a freshening or energizing through renewal
          of vitality <new blood needed to vivify the dying club>.
          syn see in addition provoke

   quick fix
          [quick fix] n (1970): an expedient usu. temporary or inadequate
          solution to a problem

   quick-freeze
          [quick-freeze] vt -froze ; -fro.zen ; -freez.ing (1930):
          to freeze (food) for preservation so rapidly that ice
          crystals formed are too small to rupture the cells and
          the natural juices and flavor are preserved

   quickie
          [quick.ie] n, often attrib (ca. 1926): something done or
          made in a hurry: as a: a quickly and usu. cheaply produced
          work (as a motion picture or book) b: a hastily performed
          act of sexual intercourse

   quick kick
          [quick kick] n (ca. 1940): a punt in football on first, second,
          or third down made from a running or passing formation
          and designed to take the opposing team by surprise

   quicklime
          [quick.lime] n (14c): [1]lime 2a

   quicksand
          [quick.sand] n (14c) 1: sand readily yielding to pressure;
          esp: a deep mass of loose sand mixed with water into
          which heavy objects readily sink 2: something that entraps
          or frustrates

   quickset
          [quick.set] n (15c) chiefly Brit: plant cuttings set in the
          ground to grow esp. in a hedgerow; also: a hedge or thicket
          esp. of hawthorn grown from quickset

   [1]quicksilver
          [quick.sil.ver] n (bef. 12c): mercury 2a [2]quicksilver adj
          (1655): resembling or suggestive of quicksilver; esp:
          mercurial 3

   quickstep
          [quick.step] n (ca. 1811): a spirited march tune usu. accompanying
          a march in quick time

   quick-tempered
          [quick-tem.pered] adj (1830): easily angered: irascible

   quick time
          [quick time] n (ca. 1802): a rate of marching in which 120
          steps each 30 inches in length are taken in one minute

   quick-witted
          [quick-wit.ted] adj (1530): quick in perception and understanding:
          mentally alert syn see intelligent -- quick-wit.ted.ly adv
          -- quick-wit.ted.ness n

   [1]quid
          [quid] n, pl quid also quids [origin unknown] (1688) Brit:
          a pound sterling [2]quid n [E dial., cud, fr. ME quide,
          fr. OE cwidu, cwudu--more at cud] (ca. 1727): a cut or
          wad of something chewable

   quiddity
          [quid.di.ty] n, pl -ties [ME quidite, fr. ML quidditat-,
          quidditas essence, fr. L quid what, neut. of quis who--more
          at who] (14c) 1: whatever makes something the type that
          it is: essence 2 a: a trifling point: quibble b: crotchet,
          eccentricity

   quidnunc
          [quid.nunc] n [L quid nunc what now?] (1709): a person who
          seeks to know all the latest news or gossip: busybody

   quid pro quo
          [quid pro quo] n [NL, something for something] (1591): something
          given or received for something else; also: a deal arranging
          a quid pro quo

   quien sabe?
          [quien sa.be?] [Sp] foreign term : who knows?

   quiescence
          [qui.es.cence] n (ca. 1631): the quality or state of being
          quiescent

   quiescent
          [qui.es.cent] adj [L quiescent-, quiescens, prp. of quiescere
          to become quiet, rest, fr. quies] (1605) 1: marked by
          inactivity or repose: tranquilly at rest 2: causing no
          trouble or symptoms <~ gallstones> syn see latent --
          qui.es.cent.ly adv

   [1]quiet
          [qui.et] n [ME, fr. L quiet-, quies rest, quiet--more at
          while] (14c): the quality or state of being quiet: tranquillity
          -- on the quiet : in a secretive manner: in secret [2]quiet
          adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L quietus, fr. pp. of quiescere]
          (14c) 1 a: marked by little or no motion or activity:
          calm <a ~ sea> b: gentle, easygoing <a ~ temperament>
          c: not interfered with <~ reading> d: enjoyed in peace
          and relaxation <a ~ cup of tea> 2 a: free from noise
          or uproar: still b: unobtrusive, conservative <~ clothes>
          3: secluded <a ~ nook> -- qui.et.ly adv -- qui.et.ness
          n [3]quiet adv (1573): in a quiet manner <a quiet-running
          engine> [4]quiet vb [ME, fr. LL quietare to set free,
          to calm, fr. L quietus] vt (14c) 1: to cause to be quiet:
          calm 2: to make secure by freeing from dispute or question
          <~ title to a property> ~ vi: to become quiet--usu. used
          with down -- qui.et.er n

   quieten
          [qui.et.en] vb qui.et.ened ; qui.et.en.ing (ca. 1828) chiefly
          Brit: quiet

   quietism
          [qui.et.ism] n (1687) 1 a: a system of religious mysticism
          teaching that perfection and spiritual peace are attained
          by annihilation of the will and passive absorption in
          contemplation of God and divine things b: a passive withdrawn
          attitude or policy toward the world or worldly affairs
          2: a state of calmness or passivity -- qui.et.ist adj
          or n -- qui.et.ist.ic adj

   quietude
          [qui.etude] n [MF, fr. LL quietudo, fr. L quietus] (1597):
          a quiet state: repose

   quietus
          [qui.etus] n [ME quietus est, fr. ML, he is quit, formula
          of discharge from obligation] (1540) 1: final settlement
          (as of a debt) 2: removal from activity; esp: death 3:
          something that quiets or represses

   qui facit per alium facit per se
          [qui fa.cit per ali.um fa.cit per se] [L] foreign term :
          he who does (something) through another does it through
          himself

   quiff
          [quiff] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1890) Brit: a prominent forelock

   [1]quill
          [quill] n [ME quil hollow reed, bobbin; akin to MHG kil large
          feather] (15c) 1 a (1): a bobbin, spool, or spindle on
          which filling yarn is wound (2): a hollow shaft often
          surrounding another shaft and used in various mechanical
          devices b: a roll of dried bark <cinnamon ~s> 2 a (1):
          the hollow horny shaft of a feather--see feather illustration
          (2): feather; esp: one of the large stiff feathers of
          the wing or tail b: one of the hollow sharp spines of
          a porcupine or hedgehog c: [3]pen 3 3: something made
          from or resembling the quill of a feather; esp: a pen
          for writing 4: a float for a fishing line [2]quill vt
          (1783) 1: to pierce with quills 2 a: to wind (thread
          or yarn) on a quill b: to make a series of small rounded
          ridges in (cloth)

   quillback
          [quill.back] n, pl quillback or quillbacks (1882): any of
          several suckers; esp: a small fish (Carpiodes cyprinus)
          of central and eastern No. America that has the first
          ray of the dorsal fin much elongated

   quillwork
          [quill.work] n (1843): ornamental work in porcupine or bird
          quills

   [1]quilt
          [quilt] n [ME quilte mattress, quilt, fr. OF cuilte, fr.
          L culcita mattress] (14c) 1: a bed coverlet of two layers
          of cloth filled with padding (as down or batting) held
          in place by ties or stitched designs 2: something that
          is quilted or resembles a quilt [2]quilt vt (1555) 1
          a: to fill, pad, or line like a quilt b (1): to stitch,
          sew, or cover with lines or patterns like those used
          in quilts (2): to stitch (designs) through layers of
          cloth c: to fasten between two pieces of material 2:
          to stitch or sew in layers with padding in between ~
          vi 1: to make quilts 2: to do quilted work -- quilt.er
          n

   quilting
          [quilt.ing] n (1609) 1: material that is quilted or used
          for making quilts 2: the process of quilting

   quinacrine
          [quin.a.crine] n [quinine + acridine] (ca. 1934): an antimalarial
          drug derived from acridine and used esp. in the form
          of its dihydrochloride

   quince
          [quince] n [ME quynce quinces, pl. of coyn, quyn quince,
          fr. MF coin, fr. L cotoneum, alter. cydonium, fr. Gk
          kydonion] (14c) 1: the fruit of a central Asian tree
          (Cydonia oblonga) of the rose family that resembles a
          hard-fleshed yellow apple and is used esp. in preserves
          2: a tree that bears quinces

   quincentenary
          [quin.cen.te.na.ry] n [L quinque five + E centenary] (1879):
          a 500th anniversary or its celebration -- quincentenary
          adj

   quincentennial
          [quin.centen.ni.al] n [L quinque five + E centennial] (1884):
          quincentenary -- quincentennial adj

   quincunx
          [quin.cunx] n [L quincunc-, quincunx, lit., five twelfths,
          fr. quinque five + uncia twelfth part--more at five,
          ounce] (1658): an arrangement of five things in a square
          or rectangle with one at each corner and one in the middle
          -- quin.cun.cial or quin.cunx.ial adj

   quindecillion
          [quin.de.cil.lion] n, often attrib [L quindecim fifteen (fr.
          quinque five + decem ten) + E -illion (as in million)--more
          at ten] (1903): the figure 1 followed by 48 zeroesthe
          figure 1,000 followed by 15 groups of three zeroes; also,
          Brit: the figure 1 followed by 30 zeroes: one million
          to the fifth power

   quinidine
          [quin.i.dine] n [ISV, fr. quinine] (1836): an alkaloid that
          is stereoisomeric with quinine and is used in treating
          cardiac rhythm irregularities

   quiniela
          [qui.nie.la] or qui.nel.la n [AmerSp quiniela, a game of
          chance resembling a lottery] (1905): a bet in which the
          bettor picks the first and second place finishers but
          need not designate their order of finish in order to
          win--compare perfecta

   quinine
          [qui.nine] n [Sp quina cinchona, fr. Quechua kina bark] (1826)
          1: a bitter crystalline alkaloid from cinchona bark used
          in medicine 2: a salt of quinine used esp. as an antipyretic,
          antimalarial, and bitter tonic

   quinine water
          [quinine water] n (1953): tonic water

   quinoa
          [qui.noa] n [Sp, fr. Quechua kinua] (1625): a pigweed (Chenopodium
          quinoa) of the high Andes whose seeds are ground and widely used
          as food in Peru

   quinoline
          [quin.o.line] n [ISV quinine + [3]-ol + [2]-ine] (1845) 1:
          a pungent oily nitrogenous base obtained usu. by distillation
          of coal tar or by synthesis from aniline that is the
          parent compound of many alkaloids, drugs, and dyes 2:
          a derivative of quinoline

   quinone
          [qui.none] n [ISV quinine + -one] (1853) 1: either of two
          isomeric cyclic crystalline compounds that are di-keto
          derivatives of dihydro-benzene 2: any of various usu.
          yellow, orange, or red quinonoid compounds including
          several that are biologically important as coenzymes,
          hydrogen acceptors, or vitamins

   quinonoid
          [qui.no.noid] or quin.oid adj (1878): resembling quinone
          esp. in having a benzene nucleus containing two double
          bonds within the nucleus

   quinquennial
          [quin.quen.ni.al] adj (15c) 1: consisting of or lasting for
          five years 2: occurring or being done every five years
          -- quinquennial n -- quin.quen.ni.al.ly adv

   quinquennium
          [quin.quen.ni.um] n, pl -ni.ums or -nia [L, fr. quinque five
          + annus year--more at five, annual] (1621): a period
          of five years

   quinsy
          [quin.sy] n [ME quinesie, fr. MF quinancie, fr. LL cynanche,
          fr. Gk kynanche, fr. kyn-, kyon dog + anchein to strangle--more
          at hound, anger] (14c): an abscess in the tissue around
          a tonsil usu. resulting from bacterial infection and
          often accompanied by pain and fever

   quint
          [quint] n (1935): quintuplet

   quinta
          [quin.ta] n [Sp & Pg, quinta, farm rented at one fifth of
          its income, fr. L, fem. of quintus fifth] (1754): a country
          villa or estate esp. in Portugal or Latin America

   quintain
          [quin.tain] n [ME quintaine, fr. MF, perh. fr. L quintana
          street in a Roman camp separating the fifth maniple from
          the sixth where a market was held, fr. fem. of quintanus
          fifth in rank, fr. quintus fifth] (15c): an object to
          be tilted at; esp: a post with a revolving crosspiece
          that has a target at one end and a sandbag at the other
          end

   quintal
          [quin.tal] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML quintale, fr. Ar qintar,
          fr. LGk kentenarion, fr. LL centenarium, fr. L, neut.
          of centenarius consisting of a hundred--more at centenary]
          (15c) 1: hundredweight 2: a unit of weight equal to 100
          kilograms (about 220 pounds)

   quintessence
          [quin.tes.sence] n [ME, fr. MF quinte essence, fr. ML quinta
          essentia, lit., fifth essence] (15c) 1: the fifth and
          highest element in ancient and medieval philosophy that
          permeates all nature and is the substance composing the
          celestial bodies 2: the essence of a thing in its purest
          and most concentrated form 3: the most typical example
          or representative -- quin.tes.sen.tial adj -- quin.tes.sen.tial.ly
          adv

   quintet
          [quin.tet] also quin.tette n [quintet fr. It quintetto, fr.
          quinto fifth, fr. L quintus; quintette fr. F, fr. It
          quintetto] (1811) 1: a musical composition or movement
          for five instruments or voices 2: a group or set of five:
          as a: the performers of a quintet b: a basketball team

   [1]quintic
          [quin.tic] adj [L quintus fifth] (1853): of the fifth degree
          [2]quintic n (1856): a polynomial or a polynomial equation
          of the fifth degree

   quintile
          [quin.tile] n [L quintus + E [2]-ile] (ca. 1928): any of
          the four values that divide the items of a frequency
          distribution into five classes with each containing one
          fifth of the total population; also: any one of the five
          classes

   quintillion
          [quin.til.lion] n [L quintus + E -illion (as in million)]
          (1674): the figure 1 followed by 18 zeroes: the figure
          1000 followed by five groups of three zeroes; also, Brit:
          the figure 1 followed by 30 zeroes: one million to the
          fifth power -- quintillion adj -- quin.til.lionth adj
          or n

   [1]quintuple
          [quin.tu.ple] adj [MF, fr. ML quintuplus, fr. L quintus fifth
          + -plus -fold; akin to L quinque five--more at five,
          -fold] (1570) 1: being five times as great or as many
          2: having five units or members 3: marked by five beats
          per measure <~ meter> -- quintuple n [2]quintuple vb
          quin.tu.pled ; quin.tu.pling vt (1639): to make five
          times as great or as many ~ vi: to become five times
          as much or as numerous

   quintuplet
          [quin.tu.plet] n (1873) 1: a combination of five of a kind
          2: one of five offspring born at one birth

   [1]quintuplicate
          [quin.tu.pli.cate] adj [ML quintuplicatus, pp. of quintuplicare
          to quintuple, fr. quintuplus quintuple] (1656) 1: consisting
          of or existing in five corresponding or identical parts
          or examples <~ invoices> 2: being the fifth of five things
          exactly alike <file the ~ copy> [2]quintuplicate n (1851)
          1: one of five things exactly alike; specif: one of five
          identical copies 2: five copies all alike--used with
          in <typed in ~> [3]quin.tu.pli.cate vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing
          (ca. 1890) 1: to make quintuple or fivefold 2: to prepare
          in quintuplicate

   [1]quip
          [quip] n [earlier quippy, perh. fr. L quippe indeed, to be
          sure (often ironic), fr. quid what--more at quiddity]
          (1532) 1 a: a clever usu. taunting remark: gibe b: a
          witty or funny observation or response usu. made on the
          spur of the moment 2: quibble, equivocation 3: something
          strange, droll, curious, or eccentric: oddity [2]quip
          vb quipped ; quip.ping vi (1579): to make quips: gibe
          ~ vt: to jest or gibe at -- quip.per n

   quipster
          [quip.ster] n (1876): one who is given to quipping

   quipu
          [qui.pu] n [Sp quipo, fr. Quechua khipu] (1704): a device
          made of a main cord with smaller varicolored cords attached
          and knotted and used by the ancient Peruvians (as for
          calculating)

   [1]quire
          [quire] n [ME quair four sheets of paper folded once, collection
          of sheets, fr. MF quaer, fr. (assumed) VL quaternum set
          of four, fr. L quaterni four each, set of four--more
          at quaternion] (15c): a collection of 24 or sometimes
          25 sheets of paper of the same size and quality: one
          twentieth of a ream [2]quire var of choir

   Quirinus
          [Qui.ri.nus] n [L]: an early state god of the Romans later
          identified with Romulus

   [1]quirk
          [quirk] n [origin unknown] (1565) 1 a: an abrupt twist or
          curve b: a peculiar trait: idiosyncrasy c: accident,
          vagary <a ~ of fate> 2: a groove separating a bead or
          other molding from adjoining members -- quirk.i.ly adv
          -- quirk.i.ness n -- quirk.ish adj -- quirky adj [2]quirk
          vb (1596): curve, twist <~ed his eyebrows>

   [1]quirt
          [quirt] n [MexSp cuarta] (1845): a riding whip with a short
          handle and a rawhide lash [2]quirt vt (1887): to strike
          or drive with a quirt

   quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
          [quis cus.to.di.et ip.sos cus.to.des?] [L] foreign term :
          who will keep the keepers themselves?

   qui s'excuse s'accuse
          [qui s'ex.cuse s'ac.cuse] [F] foreign term : he who excuses
          himself accuses himself

   quisling
          [quis.ling] n, often attrib [Vidkun Quisling d. 1945 Norw.
          politician who collaborated with the Nazis] (1940): traitor
          2, collaborator -- quis.ling.ism n

   quis separabit?
          [quis se.pa.ra.bit?] [L] foreign term : who shall separate
          (us)? --motto of the Order of St. Patrick

   [1]quit
          [quit] adj [ME quite, quit, fr. OF quite] (13c): released
          from obligation, charge, or penalty; esp: free [2]quit
          vb quit also quit.ted ; quit.ting [ME quiten, quitten,
          fr. MF quiter, quitter, fr. OF, fr. quite free of, released,
          lit., at rest, fr. L quietus quiet, at rest] vt (13c)
          1: to make full payment of: pay up <~ a debt> 2: to set
          free: relieve, release <~ oneself of fear> 3: conduct,
          acquit <the youths ~ themselves like men> 4 a: to depart
          from or out of b: to leave the company of c: give up
          1, 2 <~ a job> <~ smoking> ~ vi 1: to cease normal, expected,
          or necessary action 2: to give up employment 3: to admit
          defeat: give up syn see stop [3]quit n (ca. 1923): the
          act or an instance of quitting a job

   quitch
          [quitch] n [(assumed) ME quicche, fr. OE cwice; akin to OHG
          quecca couch grass] (bef. 12c): quack grass

   quitclaim
          [quit.claim] vt (14c): to release or relinquish a legal claim
          to; esp: to release a claim to or convey by a quitclaim
          deed -- quitclaim n

   quitclaim deed
          [quitclaim deed] n (1756): a legal instrument used to release
          one person's right, title, or interest to another without
          providing a guarantee or warranty of title

   quite
          [quite] adv [ME, fr. quite, adj., quit] (14c) 1: wholly,
          completely <not ~ finished> 2: to an extreme: positively
          <~ sure>--often used as an intensifier with a <~ a swell
          guy> <~ a beauty> 3: to a considerable extent: rather
          <~ near> usage see plenty -- quite a bit : a considerable
          amount -- quite a few : many

   qui transtulit sustinet
          [qui trans.tu.lit sus.ti.net] [L] foreign term : He who
          transplanted sustains (us)--motto of Connecticut

   quitrent
          [quit.rent] n (15c): a fixed rent payable to a feudal superior
          in commutation of services; specif: a fixed rent due
          from a socage tenant

   quits
          [quits] adj [ME, quit, prob. fr. ML quittus, alter. of L
          quietus at rest] (15c): being on even terms by repayment
          or requital

   quittance
          [quit.tance] n (14c) 1 a: discharge from a debt or an obligation
          b: a document evidencing quittance 2: recompense, requital

   quitter
          [quit.ter] n (1611): one that quits; esp: one that gives
          up too easily: defeatist

   quittor
          [quit.tor] n [ME quiture pus, prob. fr. OF, act of boiling,
          fr. L coctura, fr. coctus, pp. of coquere to cook--more
          at cook] (1703): a purulent inflammation of the feet
          esp. of horses and donkeys

   qui va la?
          [qui va la?] [F] foreign term : who goes there?

   [1]quiver
          [quiv.er] n [ME, fr. MF quivre, of Gmc origin; akin to OE
          cocer quiver, OHG kohhari] (14c) 1: a case for carrying
          or holding arrows 2: the arrows in a quiver [2]quiver
          vi quiv.ered ; quiv.er.ing [ME, prob. fr. quiver agile,
          quick; akin to OE cwiferlice zealously] (15c): to shake
          or move with a slight trembling motion -- quiv.er.ing.ly
          adv [3]quiver n (1786): the act or action of quivering:
          tremor

   qui vive
          [qui vive] n [F qui-vive, fr. qui vive? long live who?, challenge
          of a French sentry] (1726): alert, lookout--used in the
          phrase on the qui vive

   quixote
          [qui.xote] n, often cap [Don Quixote, hero of the novel Don
          Quixote de la Mancha (1605, 1615) by Cervantes] (1648):
          a quixotic person -- quix.o.tism n -- quix.o.try n

   quixotic
          [quix.ot.ic] adj [Don Quixote] (1815) 1: foolishly impractical
          esp. in the pursuit of ideals; esp: marked by rash lofty
          romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action 2:
          capricious, unpredictable syn see imaginary -- quix.ot.i.cal
          adj -- quix.ot.i.cal.ly adv

   [1]quiz
          [quiz] n, pl quiz.zes [origin unknown] (1749) 1: an eccentric
          person 2: practical joke 3: the act or action of quizzing;
          specif: a short oral or written test [2]quiz vt quizzed
          ; quiz.zing (1794) 1: to make fun of: mock 2: to look
          at inquisitively 3: to question closely -- quiz.zer n

   quizmaster
          [quiz.mas.ter] n (1943): one who puts the questions to contestants
          in a quiz show

   quiz show
          [quiz show] n (1944): an entertainment program (as on radio
          or television) in which contestants answer questions--called
          also quiz program

   quizzical
          [quiz.zi.cal] adj (1800) 1: comically quaint 2: mildly teasing
          or mocking <a ~ remark> 3: expressive of puzzlement,
          curiosity, or disbelief <raised a ~ eyebrow> -- quiz.zi.cal.i.ty
          n -- quiz.zi.cal.ly adv

   quoad hoc
          [quo.ad hoc] [L] foreign term : as far as this: to this extent

   quod
          [quod] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1700) slang Brit: prison

   quod erat demonstrandum
          [quod erat de.mon.stran.dum] [L] foreign term : which was
          to be proved

   quod erat faciendum
          [quod erat fa.ci.en.dum] [L] foreign term : which was to
          be done

   quodlibet
          [quod.li.bet] n [ME, fr. ML quodlibetum, fr. L quodlibet,
          neut. of quilibet any whatever, fr. qui who, what + libet
          it pleases, fr. libere to please--more at who, love]
          (14c) 1: a philosophical or theological point proposed
          for disputation; also: a disputation on such a point
          2: a whimsical combination of familiar melodies or texts

   quod semper, quod ubique, quod ab omnibus
          [quod sem.per, quod ubi.que, quod ab om.ni.bus] [L] foreign
          term : what (has been held) always, everywhere, by everybody

   quod vide
          [quod vi.de] [L] foreign term : which see

   [1]quoin
          [quoin] n [alter. of  [1]coin] (1532) 1 a: a solid exterior
          angle (as of a building) b: one of the members (as a
          block) forming a quoin and usu. differentiated from the
          adjoining walls by material, texture, color, size, or
          projection 2: the keystone or a voussoir of an arch 3:
          a wooden or expandable metal block used by printers to
          lock up a form within a chase [2]quoin vt (1683) 1: to
          equip (a type form) with quoins 2: to provide with quoins
          <~ed walls>

   [1]quoit
          [quoit] n [ME coite] (15c) 1: a flattened ring of iron or
          circle of rope used in a throwing game 2 pl but sing
          in constr: a game in which the quoits are thrown at an
          upright pin in an attempt to ring the pin or come as
          near to it as possible [2]quoit vt (1597): to throw like
          a quoit

   quondam
          [quon.dam] adj [L, at one time, formerly, fr. quom, cum when;
          akin to L qui who--more at who] (1539): former, sometime
          <a ~ friend>

   Quonset
          [Quon.set] trademark--used for a prefabricated shelter set
          on a foundation of bolted steel trusses and built of
          a semicircular arching roof of corrugated metal insulated
          with wood fiber

   quorum
          [quo.rum] n [ME, quorum of justices of the peace, fr. L,
          of whom, gen. pl. of qui who; fr. the wording of the
          commission formerly issued to justices of the peace]
          (1602) 1: a select group 2: the number (as a majority)
          of officers or members of a body that when duly assembled
          is legally competent to transact business 3: a Mormon
          body comprising those in the same grade of priesthood

   quorum pars magna fui
          [quo.rum pars mag.na fui] [L] foreign term : in which I played
          a great part

   quos deus vult perdere prius dementat
          [quos de.us vult per.de.re pri.us de.men.tat] [L] foreign
          term : those whom a god wishes to destroy he first drives
          mad

   quot
          [quot] abbreviation quotation

   quota
          [quo.ta] n [ML, fr. L quota pars how great a part] (1618)
          1: a proportional part or share; esp: the share or proportion
          assigned to each in a division or to each member of a
          body 2: the number or amount constituting a proportional
          share

   quotable
          [quot.able] adj (1811): fit for or worth quoting -- quot.abil.i.ty
          n

   quotation
          [quo.ta.tion] n (1646) 1 a: the act or process of quoting
          b (1): the naming or publishing of current bids and offers
          or prices of securities or commodities (2): the bids,
          offers, or prices so named or published; esp: the highest
          bid and lowest offer for a particular security in a given
          market at a given time 2: something that is quoted; esp:
          a passage referred to, repeated, or adduced

   quotation mark
          [quotation mark] n (ca. 1859): one of a pair of punctuation
          marks " " or ' ' used chiefly to indicate the beginning
          and the end of a quotation in which the exact phraseology
          of another or of a text is directly cited

   [1]quote
          [quote] vb quot.ed ; quot.ing [ML quotare to mark the number
          of, number references, fr. L quotus of what number or
          quantity, fr. quot how many, (as) many as; akin to L
          qui who--more at who] vt (1582) 1 a: to speak or write
          (a passage) from another usu. with credit acknowledgment
          b: to repeat a passage from esp. in substantiation or
          illustration 2: to cite in illustration <~ cases> 3 a:
          to state (the current price or bid-offer spread) for
          a commodity, stock, or bond b: to give exact information
          on 4: to set off by quotation marks ~ vi: to inform a
          hearer or reader that matter following is quoted -- quot.er
          n [2]quote n (1888) 1: quotation 2: quotation mark--often
          used orally to indicate the beginning of a direct quotation

   quoth
          [quoth] vb past [ME, past of quethen to say, fr. OE cwethan;
          akin to OHG quedan to say] (bef. 12c) archaic: said--used
          chiefly in the first and third persons with a postpositive
          subject

   quotha
          [quotha] interj [alter. of quoth he] (1519) archaic--used
          esp. to express surprise or contempt

   quot homines, tot sententiae
          [quot ho.mi.nes, tot sen.ten.ti.ae] [L] foreign term : there
          are as many opinions as there are men

   quotidian
          [quo.tid.i.an] adj [ME cotidian, fr. MF, fr. L quotidianus,
          cotidianus, fr. quotidie every day, fr. quot (as) many
          as + dies day--more at deity] (14c) 1: occurring every
          day <~ fever> 2 a: belonging to each day: everyday <~
          routine> b: commonplace, ordinary <~ drabness> -- quotidian
          n

   quotient
          [quo.tient] n [ME quocient, modif. of L quotiens how many
          times, fr. quot how many] (15c) 1: the number resulting
          from the division of one number by another 2: the numerical
          ratio usu. multiplied by 100 between a test score and
          a measurement on which that score might be expected largely
          to depend 3: quota, share

   quotient group
          [quotient group] n (1893): a group whose elements are the
          cosets of a normal subgroup of a given group--called
          also factor group

   quotient ring
          [quotient ring] n (ca. 1958): a ring whose elements are the
          cosets of an ideal in a given ring

   quo vadis?
          [quo va.dis?] [L] foreign term : whither are you going?

   quo warranto
          [quo war.ran.to] n [ME quo waranto, fr. ML quo warranto by
          what warrant; fr. the wording of the writ] (15c) 1 a:
          an English writ formerly requiring a person to show by
          what authority he exercises a public office, franchise,
          or liberty b: a legal proceeding for a like purpose begun
          by an information 2: the legal action begun by a quo
          warranto

   Qur'an
          [Qur.'an] also Qur.an var of koran

   qv...
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   qv
          [qv] [L quod vide] abbreviation which see

   qw...
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   QWERTY
          [QWER.TY] n, often not cap [fr. the first six letters in
          the second row of the keyboard] (1929): a standard typewriter
          keyboard--called also QWERTY keyboard

   qy...
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   qy
          [qy] abbreviation query

   r...
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   r
          [r] n, pl r's or rs often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 18th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic r 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter r 3: one designated r esp. as the 18th in
          order or class 4: something shaped like the letter R
          R certification mark--used to certify that a motion picture
          is of such a nature that admission is restricted to persons
          over a specified age (as 17) unless accompanied by a
          parent or guardian--compare g, nc-17, pg, pg-13

   r
          [r] abbreviation rabbi, radius, rain, range, Rankine, rare,
          real, Reaumur, recto, red, repeat, rerun, resistance,
          right, river, roentgen, rook, rough, run  R abbreviation
          radial, radical--used esp. of a univalent hydrocarbon
          radical; recipe; registered trademark--often enclosed
          in a circle; regular, Republican

   R and D
          [R and D] n (1966): research and development

   R and R
          [R and R] abbreviation rest and recreation, rest and recuperation

   R & B
          [R & B] abbreviation rhythm and blues

   r color
          [r color] n (1937): an acoustic effect of a simultaneously
          articulated /r/ imparted to a vowel by retroflexion or
          constriction of the tongue -- r-col.ored adj

   R factor
          [R factor] n [resistance] (1962): a group of genes present
          in some bacteria that provide a basis for resistance
          to antibiotics and can be transferred from cell to cell
          by conjugation

   R-value
          [R-value] n [prob. fr. thermal resistance] (1948): a measure
          of resistance to the flow of heat through a given thickness
          of a material (as insulation) with higher numbers indicating
          better insulating properties--compare u-value

   ra...
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   Ra
          [Ra] n [Egypt r']: the Egyptian sun-god and chief deity

   ra
          [ra] abbreviation range  Ra abbreviation radium  RA abbreviation
          regular army, right ascension, Royal Academician, Royal
          Academy

   RAAF
          [RAAF] abbreviation Royal Australian Air Force

   rabato
          [ra.ba.to] n, pl -tos [modif. of MF rabat, lit., act of turning
          down, fr. rabattre] (1591): a wide lace-edged collar
          of the early 17th century often stiffened to stand high
          at the back

   [1]rabbet
          [rab.bet] n [ME rabet, fr. MF rabat act of beating down,
          fr. OF rabattre to beat down, reduce--more at rebate]
          (14c): a channel, groove, or recess cut out of the edge
          or face of a surface; esp: one intended to receive another
          member (as a panel) [2]rabbet vt (15c) 1: to unite the
          edges of in a rabbet joint 2: to cut a rabbet in ~ vi:
          to become joined by a rabbet

   rabbet joint
          [rabbet joint] n (ca. 1828): a joint formed by fitting together
          rabbeted boards or timbers

   rabbi
          [rab.bi] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL, fr. Gk rhabbi, fr. Heb rabbi
          my master, fr. rabh master + -i my] (bef. 12c) 1: master,
          teacher--used by Jews as a term of address 2: a Jew qualified
          to expound and apply the halakah and other Jewish law
          3: a Jew trained and ordained for professional religious
          leadership; specif: the official leader of a Jewish congregation

   rabbin
          [rab.bin] n [F] (1579): rabbi

   rabbinate
          [rab.bin.ate] n (1702) 1: the office or tenure of a rabbi
          2: the whole body of rabbis

   rabbinic
          [rab.bin.ic] or rab.bin.i.cal adj (1612) 1: of or relating
          to rabbis or their writings 2: of or preparing for the
          rabbinate 3: comprising or belonging to any of several
          sets of Hebrew characters simpler than the square Hebrew
          letters -- rab.bin.i.cal.ly adv

   Rabbinic Hebrew
          [Rabbinic Hebrew] n (ca. 1909): the Hebrew used esp. by medieval
          rabbis

   rabbinism
          [rab.bin.ism] n (1652): rabbinic teachings and traditions

   [1]rabbit
          [rab.bit] n, pl rabbit or rabbits often attrib [ME rabet,
          prob. fr. MF dial. (Walloon) robett, fr. MD robe] (14c)
          1: any of a family (Leporidae) of long-eared short-tailed
          lagomorph mammals with long hind legs: a: any of various
          lagomorphs that are born naked, blind, and helpless,
          that are sometimes gregarious, and that include esp.
          the cottontails of the New World and a small Old World
          mammal (Oryctolagus cuniculus) that is the source of
          various domestic breeds b: hare 2: the pelt of a rabbit
          3: welsh rabbit 4 a: a figure of a rabbit sped mechanically
          along the edge of a dog track as an object of pursuit
          b: a runner in a long-distance race who sets a fast pace
          for the field in the first part of the race -- rab.bity
          adj [2]rabbit vi (1852): to hunt rabbits -- rab.bit.er
          n

   rabbitbrush
          [rab.bit.brush] n (ca. 1890): any of several low branching
          composite shrubs (genus Chrysothamnus and esp. C. nauseosus)
          of the alkali plains of western No. America that are
          characterized by linear entire leaves and clusters of
          golden yellow or white flowers

   rabbit ears
          [rabbit ears] n pl (1952): an indoor dipole television antenna
          consisting of two usu. extensible rods connected to a
          base to form a V shape

   rabbit fever
          [rabbit fever] n (1925): tularemia

   rabbit punch
          [rabbit punch] n (1915): a short chopping blow delivered
          to the back of the neck or the base of the skull -- rabbit-punch
          vt

   rabbitry
          [rab.bit.ry] n, pl -ries (1838): a place where domestic rabbits
          are kept; also: a rabbit-raising enterprise

   [1]rabble
          [rab.ble] n [ME rabel pack of animals] (14c) 1: a disorganized
          or confused collection of things 2 a: a disorganized
          or disorderly crowd of people: mob b: the lowest class
          of people [2]rabble vt rab.bled ; rab.bling (1644): to
          insult or assault by or as a mob

   rabblement
          [rab.ble.ment] n (1548) 1: rabble 2: disturbance

   rabble-rouser
          [rab.ble-rous.er] n (1843): one that stirs up (as to hatred
          or violence) the masses of the people: demagogue
          -- rab.ble-rous.ing n or adj

   Rabelaisian
          [Ra.be.lai.sian] adj (1817) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Rabelais or his works 2: marked by gross robust humor,
          extravagance of caricature, or bold naturalism

   Rabi
          [Ra.bi] n [Ar rabi'] (ca. 1769): either of two months of
          the Islamic year: a: the 3d month b: the 4th month

   rabic
          [ra.bic] adj (1885): of or relating to rabies

   rabid
          [ra.bid] adj [L rabidus mad, fr. rabere] (1611) 1 a: extremely
          violent: furious b: going to extreme lengths in expressing
          or pursuing a feeling, interest, or opinion 2: affected
          with rabies -- ra.bid.i.ty n -- ra.bid.ly adv -- ra.bid.ness
          n

   rabies
          [ra.bies] n, pl rabies [NL, fr. L, madness, fr. rabere to
          rave--more at rage] (ca. 1598): an acute virus disease
          of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals usu. transmitted
          through the bite of a rabid animal and typically characterized
          by increased salivation, abnormal behavior, and eventual
          paralysis and death

   raccoon
          [rac.coon] n, pl raccoon or raccoons [Virginia Algonquian
          raugroughcun, arocoun] (1608) 1 a: a small nocturnal
          carnivore (Procyon lotor) of No. America that is chiefly
          gray, has a black mask and bushy ringed tail, lives chiefly
          in trees, and has a varied diet including small animals,
          fruits, and nuts b: the pelt of this animal 2: any of
          several animals resembling or related to the raccoon

   raccoon dog
          [raccoon dog] n (1868): a small omnivorous canid (Nyctereutes
          procyonoides) of eastern Asia having a long yellowish
          brown coat and facial markings resembling that of a raccoon--called
          also tanuki

   [1]race
          [race] n [ME ras, fr. ON ras; akin to OE raes rush] (14c)
          1 chiefly Scot: the act of running 2 a: a strong or rapid
          current of water flowing through a narrow channel b:
          a watercourse used industrially c: the current flowing
          in such a course 3 a: a set course or duration of time
          b: the course of life 4 a: a contest of speed b pl: a
          meeting in which several races (as for horses) are run
          c: a contest or rivalry involving progress toward a goal
          <pennant ~> 5: a track or channel in which something
          rolls or slides; specif: a groove (as for the balls)
          in a bearing--see roller bearing illustration [2]race
          vb raced ; rac.ing vi (15c) 1: to compete in a race 2:
          to go or move at top speed or out of control 3: to revolve
          too fast under a diminished load ~ vt 1: to engage in
          a race with 2 a: to enter in a race b: to drive or ride
          at high speed c: to transport or propel at maximum speed
          3: to speed (as an engine) without a working load or
          with the transmission disengaged [3]race n [MF, generation,
          fr. OIt razza] (1580) 1: a breeding stock of animals
          2 a: a family, tribe, people, or nation belonging to
          the same stock b: a class or kind of people unified by
          community of interests, habits, or characteristics <the
          English ~> 3 a: an actually or potentially interbreeding
          group within a species; also: a taxonomic category (as
          a subspecies) representing such a group b: breed c: a
          division of mankind possessing traits that are transmissible
          by descent and sufficient to characterize it as a distinct
          human type 4 obs: inherited temperament or disposition
          5: distinctive flavor, taste, or strength

   racecourse
          [race.course] n (1764) 1: a course for racing 2: raceway
          1

   racehorse
          [race.horse] n (ca. 1626): a horse bred or kept for racing

   racemate
          [ra.ce.mate] n (1907): a racemic compound or mixture

   raceme
          [ra.ceme] n [L racemus bunch of grapes; prob. akin to Gk
          rhag-, rhax grape] (1785): a simple inflorescence (as
          in the lily-of-the-valley) in which the flowers are borne
          on short stalks of about equal length at equal distances
          along an elongated axis and open in succession toward
          the apex--see inflorescence illustration

   racemic
          [ra.ce.mic] adj (1892): of, relating to, or constituting
          a compound or mixture that is composed of equal amounts
          of dextrorotatory and levorotatory forms of the same
          compound and is not optically active

   racemization
          [ra.ce.mi.za.tion] n (1895): the action or process of changing
          from an optically active compound into a racemic compound
          or mixture -- ra.ce.mize vb

   racemose
          [ra.ce.mose] adj [L racemosus full of clusters, fr. racemus]
          (1698): having or growing in the form of a raceme

   racer
          [rac.er] n (1649) 1: one that races or is used for racing
          2: any of various active American colubrid snakes (genus
          Coluber and Mastigophis); esp: black racer

   race riot
          [race riot] n (1890): a riot caused by racial dissensions
          or hatreds

   race runner
          [race runner] n (1915): a No. American lizard (Cnemidophorus
          sexlineatus) that moves swiftly

   racetrack
          [race.track] n (1859): a usu. oval course for racing

   racetracker
          [race.track.er] n (1953): one who frequents a racetrack

   racewalking
          [race.walk.ing] n (1962): the competitive sport of racing
          at a fast walk while maintaining continuous foot contact
          with the ground and keeping the supporting leg straight
          -- race.walk.er n

   raceway
          [race.way] n (1828) 1: a canal for a current of water 2:
          a channel for loosely holding electrical wires in buildings
          3: [1]race 5 4: a course for racing; esp: a track for
          harness racing

   rachet
          [rach.et] var of ratchet

   rachis
          [ra.chis] n, pl ra.chis.es also ra.chi.des [NL rachid-, rachis,
          fr. Gk rhachis; akin to Gk rhachos thorn, Lith razas
          dry twig, tine] (1842) 1: spinal column 2: an axial structure:
          as a (1): the elongated axis of an inflorescence (2):
          an extension of the petiole of a compound leaf that bears
          the leaflets b: the distal part of the shaft of a feather
          that bears the web

   rachitic
          [ra.chit.ic] adj [NL rachitis rickets, fr. Gk rhachitis spinal
          disease, fr. rhachis] (1797): rickety

   racial
          [ra.cial] adj (1862) 1: of, relating to, or based on a race
          2: existing or occurring between races -- ra.cial.ly
          adv

   racialism
          [ra.cial.ism] n (1907): racism -- ra.cial.ist n or adj --
          ra.cial.is.tic adj

   racing
          [rac.ing] n (1680): the sport or profession of engaging in
          or holding races

   racing form
          [racing form] n (1946): an information sheet giving details
          of past performance (as for racehorses) for use by bettors

   racism
          [rac.ism] n (1936) 1: a belief that race is the primary determinant
          of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce
          an inherent superiority of a particular race 2: racial prejudice
          or discrimination -- rac.ist n or adj

   [1]rack
          [rack] n [ME rak, prob. of Scand origin; akin to Sw dial.
          rak wreck; akin to OE wrecan to drive--more at wreak]
          (14c): a wind-driven mass of high often broken clouds
          [2]rack vi (1590): to fly or scud in high wind [3]rack
          n [ME, prob. fr. MD rec framework; akin to OE reccan
          to stretch, Gk oregein--more at right] (14c) 1: a framework
          for holding fodder for livestock 2: an instrument of
          torture on which a body is stretched 3 a (1): a cause
          of anguish or pain (2): acute suffering b: the action
          of straining or wrenching 4: a framework, stand, or grating
          on or in which articles are placed 5: a frame placed
          in a stream to stop fish and floating or suspended matter
          6 a: a bar with teeth on one face for gearing with a
          pinion or worm gear to transform rotary motion to linear
          motion or vice versa (as in an automobile steering mechanism
          or microscope drawtube) b: a notched bar used as a ratchet
          to engage with a pawl, click, or detent 7: a pair of
          antlers 8: a triangular frame used to set up the balls
          in a pool game; also: the balls as set up -- rack.ful
          n -- on the rack : under great mental or emotional stress
          [4]rack vt (15c) 1: to torture on the rack 2: to cause
          to suffer torture, pain, or anguish 3 a: to stretch or
          strain violently <~ed his brains> b: to raise (rents)
          oppressively c: to harass or oppress with high rents
          or extortions 4: to work or treat (material) on a rack
          5: to work by a rack and pinion or worm so as to extend
          or contract <~ a camera> 6: to seize (as parallel ropes
          of a tackle) together 7: to place (as pool balls) in
          a rack ~ vi: to become forced out of shape or out of
          plumb syn see afflict -- rack.er n -- rack.ing.ly adv
          [5]rack vt [ME rakken, fr. OProv arraca, fr. raca stems
          and husks of pressed grapes] (15c): to draw off (as wine)
          from the lees [6]rack vi [prob. alter. of [1]rock] (1530)
          of a horse: to go at a rack [7]rack n (1580): either
          of two gaits of a horse: a: pace 4b b: a fast showy 4-beat
          gait [8]rack n [perh. fr. [3]rack] (1570) 1: the neck
          and spine of a forequarter of veal, pork, or esp. mutton
          2: the rib section of a foresaddle of lamb used for chops
          or as a roast--see lamb illustration [9]rack n [alter.
          of wrack] (1599): destruction <~ and ruin>

   [1]racket
          [rack.et] also rac.quet n [MF raquette, ultim. fr. Ar rahah
          palm of the hand] (ca. 1520) 1: a lightweight implement
          that consists of a netting (as of nylon) stretched in
          a usu. oval open frame with a handle attached and that
          is used for striking the ball or shuttlecock in various
          games (as tennis, racquets, or badminton) 2 usu racquets
          pl but sing in constr: a game for two or four players
          with ball and racket on a 4-walled court [2]racket n
          [origin unknown] (1565) 1: confused clattering noise:
          clamor 2 a: social whirl or excitement b: the strain
          of exciting or trying experiences 3 a: a fraudulent scheme,
          enterprise, or activity b: a usu. illegitimate enterprise
          made workable by bribery or intimidation c: an easy and
          lucrative means of livelihood d slang: occupation, business
          [3]racket vi (1609) 1: to engage in active social life
          2: to move with or make a racket

   [1]racketeer
          [rack.e.teer] n (1928): one who obtains money by an illegal
          enterprise usu. involving intimidation [2]racketeer vi
          (1928): to carry on a racket ~ vt: to practice extortion
          on

   rackety
          [rack.ety] adj (1773) 1: noisy 2: flashy, rowdy 3: rickety

   rackle
          [rack.le] adj [ME rakel] (14c) chiefly Scot: impetuous

   rack railway
          [rack railway] n (1884): a railway having between its rails
          a rack that meshes with a gear wheel or pinion of the
          locomotive for traction on steep grades

   rack rent
          [rack rent] n [[4]rack] (1607) 1: an excessive or unreasonably
          high rent 2 Brit: the highest rent that can be earned
          on a property

   rack-rent
          [rack-rent] vt (1748): to subject to rack rent

   rack-renter
          [rack-rent.er] n (1680): one that pays or exacts rack rent

   rack up
          [rack up] vt (1949): accumulate, gain <racked up their tenth
          victory>

   raclette
          [ra.clette] n [F, lit., scraper, fr. racler to scrape, fr.
          MF, fr. OProv rasclar, fr. (assumed) VL rasiculare, fr.
          L rasus, pp. of radere to scrape--more at rodent] (ca.
          1949): a Swiss dish consisting of cheese melted over
          a fire and then scraped onto bread or boiled potatoes;
          also: the cheese used in this dish

   racon
          [ra.con] n [radar beacon] (1945): radar beacon

   raconteur
          [ra.con.teur] n [F, fr. MF, fr. raconter to tell, fr. OF,
          fr. re- + aconter, acompter to tell, count--more at account]
          (1828): a person who excels in telling anecdotes

   racoon
          [ra.coon] var of raccoon

   racquetball
          [rac.quet.ball] n (1968): a game similar to handball that
          is played on a 4-walled court with a short-handled racket
          and a larger ball

   [1]racy
          [racy] adj rac.i.er ; -est [[3]race] (ca. 1650) 1 a: full
          of zest or vigor b: having a strongly marked quality:
          piquant <a ~ flavor> c: risque, suggestive 2: having
          the distinctive quality of something in its original
          or most characteristic form syn see pungent -- rac.i.ly
          adv -- rac.i.ness n [2]racy adj rac.i.er ; -est [[1]race]
          (1841): having a body fitted for racing: long-bodied
          and lean

   [1]rad
          [rad] n [radiation absorbed dose] (1918): a unit of absorbed
          dose of ionizing radiation equal to an energy of 100
          ergs per gram of irradiated material [2]rad adj (1982)
          slang: cool 7, radical

   rad
          [rad] abbreviation radical, radian, radiator, radio, radius,
          radix

   radar
          [ra.dar] n, often attrib [radio detecting and ranging] (1941):
          a device or system consisting usu. of a synchronized
          radio transmitter and receiver that emits radio waves
          and processes their reflections for display and is used
          esp. for detecting and locating objects (as aircraft)
          or surface features (as of a planet)

   radar astronomy
          [radar astronomy] n (1959): astronomy in which celestial
          bodies in the solar system are studied by analyzing the
          return of radio waves directed at them

   radar beacon
          [radar beacon] n (1945): a radar transmitter that upon receiving
          a radar signal emits a signal which reinforces the normal
          reflected signal or which introduces a code into the
          reflected signal esp. for identification purposes

   radarscope
          [ra.dar.scope] n [radar + oscilloscope] (1945): the oscilloscope
          or screen serving as the visual indicator in a radar
          receiver

   [1]raddle
          [rad.dle] n [ME radel, fr. dim. of rad-, red red] (14c):
          red ocher [2]raddle vt rad.dled ; rad.dling (1631): to
          mark or paint with raddle [3]raddle vt rad.dled ; rad.dling
          [E dial. raddle supple stick interwoven with others as
          in making a fence] (1671): to twist together: interweave

   raddled
          [rad.dled] adj [origin unknown] (1694) 1: being in a state
          of confusion: lacking composure 2: broken-down, worn

   radi-
          [radi-] or radio- comb form [F, fr. L radius ray] 1: radiant
          energy: radiation <radioactive> <radiopaque> 2: radioactive
          <radioelement> 3: radium: X rays <radiotherapy> 4: radioactive
          isotopes esp. as produced artificially <radiocarbon>
          5: radio <radiotelegraphy>

   [1]radial
          [ra.di.al] adj [ML radialis, fr. L radius ray] (1570) 1:
          arranged or having parts arranged like rays 2 a: relating
          to, placed like, or moving along a radius b: characterized
          by divergence from a center 3: of, relating to, or adjacent
          to a bodily radius <the thumb is on the ~ aspect of the
          hand> 4: developing uniformly around a central axis <~
          cleavage of an egg> -- ra.di.al.ly adv [2]radial n (1872)
          1 a: a radial part b: ray 2: a body part (as an artery)
          lying near or following the course of the radius 3: a
          pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to
          the beads are laid at approximately 90 degrees to the
          centerline of the tread--called also radial-ply tire,
          radial tire

   radial cleavage
          [radial cleavage] n (1973): holoblastic cleavage that is
          typical of deuterostomes and that is characterized by
          arrangement of the blastomeres of each upper tier directly
          over those of the next lower tier resulting in radial
          symmetry around the pole to pole axis of the embryo--compare
          spiral cleavage

   radial engine
          [radial engine] n (1909): a usu. internal combustion engine
          with cylinders arranged radially like the spokes of a
          wheel

   radial symmetry
          [radial symmetry] n (ca. 1890): the condition of having similar
          parts regularly arranged around a central axis -- radially
          symmetrical adj

   radian
          [ra.di.an] n (1879): a unit of plane angular measurement
          that is equal to the angle at the center of a circle
          subtended by an arc equal in length to the radius

   radiance
          [ra.di.ance] n (1601) 1: the quality or state of being radiant
          2: a deep pink 3: the flux density of radiant energy
          per unit solid angle and per unit projected area of radiating
          surface

   radiancy
          [ra.di.an.cy] n (1646): radiance

   [1]radiant
          [ra.di.ant] adj (15c) 1 a: radiating rays or reflecting beams
          of light b: vividly bright and shining: glowing 2: marked
          by or expressive of love, confidence, or happiness <a
          ~ smile> 3 a: emitted or transmitted by radiation b:
          emitting or relating to radiant heat syn see bright --
          ra.di.ant.ly adv [2]radiant n (ca. 1741): something that
          radiates: as a: a point in the heavens at which the visible
          parallel paths of meteors appear to meet when traced
          backward b: the part of a gas or electric heater that
          becomes incandescent

   radiant energy
          [radiant energy] n (ca. 1890): energy traveling as electromagnetic
          waves

   radiant flux
          [radiant flux] n (1917): the rate of emission or transmission
          of radiant energy

   radiant heat
          [radiant heat] n (1794): heat transmitted by radiation as
          contrasted with that transmitted by conduction or convection

   [1]radiate
          [ra.di.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L radiatus, pp. of radiare,
          fr. radius ray] vi (ca. 1619) 1: to proceed in a direct
          line from or toward a center 2: to send out rays: shine
          brightly 3 a: to issue in or as if in rays b: to evolve
          by adaptive radiation ~ vt 1: to send out in or as if
          in rays 2: irradiate, illuminate 3: to spread abroad
          or around as if from a center [2]ra.di.ate adj (1668):
          having rays or radial parts: as a: having ray flowers
          b: characterized by radial symmetry: radially symmetrical
          -- ra.di.ate.ly adv

   radiation
          [ra.di.a.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the action or process of radiating
          b: the process of emitting radiant energy in the form
          of waves or particles c (1): the combined processes of
          emission, transmission, and absorption of radiant energy
          (2): the transfer of heat by radiation--compare conduction,
          convection 2 a: something that is radiated b: energy
          radiated in the form of waves or particles 3: radial
          arrangement 4: adaptive radiation 5: radiator -- ra.di.a.tion.al
          adj -- ra.di.a.tion.less adj -- ra.di.a.tive adj

   radiation sickness
          [radiation sickness] n (1924): sickness that results from
          exposure to radiation and is commonly marked by fatigue,
          nausea, vomiting, loss of teeth and hair, and in more
          severe cases by damage to blood-forming tissue with decrease
          in red and white blood cells and with bleeding

   radiator
          [ra.di.a.tor] n (1836): one that radiates: as a: any of various
          devices (as a nest of pipes or tubes) for transferring
          heat from a fluid within to an area or object outside
          b: a transmitting antenna

   [1]radical
          [rad.i.cal] adj [ME, fr. LL radicalis, fr. L radic-, radix
          root--more at root] (14c) 1: of, relating to, or proceeding
          from a root: as a (1): of or growing from the root of
          a plant <~ tubers> (2): growing from the base of a stem,
          from a rootlike stem, or from a stem that does not rise
          above the ground <~ leaves> b: of, relating to, or constituting
          a linguistic root c: of or relating to a mathematical
          root d: designed to remove the root of a disease or all
          diseased tissue <~ surgery> 2: of or relating to the
          origin: fundamental 3 a: marked by a considerable departure
          from the usual or traditional: extreme b: tending or
          disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits,
          conditions, or institutions c: of, relating to, or constituting
          a political group associated with views, practices, and
          policies of extreme change d: advocating extreme measures
          to retain or restore a political state of affairs <the
          ~ right> 4 slang: excellent, cool -- rad.i.cal.ness n
          [2]radical n (1641) 1 a: a root part b: a basic principle:
          foundation 2 a: root 6 b: a sound or letter belonging
          to a radical 3: one who is radical 4: free radical; also:
          a group of atoms bonded together that is considered an
          entity in various kinds of reactions 5 a: a mathematical
          expression indicating a root by means of a radical sign
          b: radical sign

   radical chic
          [radical chic] n (1970): a fashionable practice among socially
          prominent people of associating with radicals or members
          of minority groups

   radicalise
          [rad.i.cal.ise] Brit var of radicalize

   radicalism
          [rad.i.cal.ism] n (1820) 1: the quality or state of being
          radical 2: the doctrines or principles of radicals

   radicalize
          [rad.i.cal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1830): to make radical
          esp. in politics -- rad.i.cal.i.za.tion n

   radically
          [rad.i.cal.ly] adv (15c) 1: in origin or essence 2: in a
          radical or extreme manner

   radical sign
          [radical sign] n (1668): a sign placed before an expression
          to denote that the square root is to be extracted or
          that the root marked by an index (as a cube root) is
          to be extracted

   radicand
          [rad.i.cand] n [L radicandum, neut. of radicandus, gerundive
          of radicari] (ca. 1890): the quantity under a radical
          sign

   radicchio
          [ra.dic.chio] n [It, chicory, fr. (assumed) VL radiculus,
          alter. of L radicula] (1968): a chicory of a red variety
          with variegated leaves that is used as a salad green

   radices
          [radices] pl of radix

   radicle
          [rad.i.cle] n [L radicula, dim. of radic-, radix] (1671)
          1: the lower part of the axis of a plant embryo or seedling:
          a: the embryonic root of a seedling b: hypocotyl c: the
          hypocotyl and the root together 2: radical

   radicular
          [ra.dic.u.lar] adj (1830) 1: of or relating to a plant radicle
          2: of, relating to, or involving a nerve root <~ pain>

   radii
          [radii] pl of radius

   radio-
          [radio-] --see radi-

   [1]radio
          [ra.dio] adj [[2]radio or radio-] (1887) 1: of, relating
          to, or operated by radiant energy 2: of or relating to
          electric currents or phenomena (as electromagnetic radiation)
          of frequencies between about 15,000 and 1E11 hertz 3
          a: of, relating to, or used in radio or a radio set b:
          specializing in radio or associated with the radio industry
          c (1): transmitted by radio (2): making or participating
          in radio broadcasts d: controlled or directed by radio
          [2]radio n, pl ra.di.os [short for radiotelegraphy] (1903)
          1 a: the wireless transmission and reception of electric
          impulses or signals by means of electromagnetic waves
          b: the use of these waves for the wireless transmission
          of electric impulses into which sound is converted 2:
          a radio message 3: a radio receiving set 4 a: a radio
          transmitting station b: a radio broadcasting organization
          c: the radio broadcasting industry d: communication by
          radio [3]radio vt (1913) 1: to send or communicate by
          radio 2: to send a radio message to ~ vi: to send or
          communicate something by radio

   radioactive
          [ra.dio.ac.tive] adj [ISV] (1898): of, caused by, or exhibiting
          radioactivity -- ra.dio.ac.tive.ly adv

   radioactivity
          [ra.dio.ac.tiv.i.ty] n [ISV] (1899): the property possessed
          by some elements (as uranium) or isotopes (as carbon
          14) of spontaneously emitting energetic particles (as
          electrons or alpha particles) by the disintegration of
          their atomic nuclei; also: the rays emitted

   radioallergosorbent
          [ra.dio.al.ler.go.sor.bent] adj [radi- + allergen + -o- +
          sorbent] (1967): relating to or being a blood analysis
          that tests for allergen-specific antibodies and is used
          to detect allergic reactions

   radio astronomy
          [radio astronomy] n (1948): astronomy dealing with radio
          waves received from outside the earth's atmosphere --
          radio astronomer n -- radio astronomical adj

   radioautograph
          [ra.dio.au.to.graph] n (1941): autoradiograph --
          ra.dio.au.to.graph.ic adj -- ra.dio.au.tog.ra.phy n

   radio beacon
          [radio beacon] n (1919): a radio transmitting station that
          transmits special radio signals for use (as on a landing
          field) in determining the direction or position of those
          receiving them

   radiobiology
          [ra.dio.bi.ol.o.gy] n (1919): a branch of biology dealing
          with the effects of radiation or radioactive materials
          on biological systems -- ra.dio.bi.o.log.i.cal also
          ra.dio.bi.o.log.ic adj -- ra.dio.bi.o.log.i.cal.ly adv
          -- ra.dio.bi.ol.o.gist n

   radio car
          [radio car] n (1925): an automobile equipped with radio
          communication

   radiocarbon
          [ra.dio.car.bon] n, often attrib [ISV] (1939): radioactive
          carbon; esp: carbon 14

   radiocarbon dating
          [radiocarbon dating] n (1951): carbon dating -- radiocarbon-date
          vt

   radiochemistry
          [ra.dio.chem.is.try] n (1904): a branch of chemistry dealing
          with radioactive substances and phenomena including tracer
          studies -- ra.dio.chem.i.cal adj -- ra.dio.chem.i.cal.ly
          adv -- ra.dio.chem.ist n

   radiochromatogram
          [ra.dio.chro.mato.gram] n (1951): a chromatogram revealing
          one or more radioactive substances

   radio compass
          [radio compass] n (1918): a direction finder used in navigation

   radioecology
          [ra.dio.ecol.o.gy] n (1956): the study of the effects of
          radiation and radioactive substances on ecological communities

   radioelement
          [ra.dio.el.e.ment] n [ISV] (1903): a radioactive element

   radio frequency
          [radio frequency] n (1915): any of the electromagnetic wave
          frequencies that lie in the range extending from below
          3 kilohertz to about 300 gigahertz and that include the
          frequencies used for radio and television transmission

   radio galaxy
          [radio galaxy] n (1960): a galaxy that is a powerful source
          of radio waves

   radiogenic
          [ra.dio.gen.ic] adj (1935): produced by or determined from
          radioactivity <~ isotopes> <~ tumors>

   radiogram
          [ra.dio.gram] n (1896) 1: radiograph 2: a message transmitted
          by radiotelegraphy 3 [short for radiogramophone] Brit:
          a combined radio receiver and record player

   [1]radiograph
          [ra.dio.graph] n (1896): a picture produced on a sensitive
          surface by a form of radiation other than visible light;
          specif: an X-ray or gamma ray photograph -- ra.dio.graph.ic
          adj -- ra.dio.graph.i.cal.ly adv [2]radiograph vt (1896):
          to make a radiograph of

   radiography
          [ra.di.og.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1896): the art, act, or process
          of making radiographs

   radioimmunoassay
          [ra.dio.im.mu.no.as.say] n (1961): immunoassay of a substance
          that has been radioactively labeled -- ra.dio.im.mu.no.as.say.able
          adj

   radioisotope
          [ra.dio.iso.tope] n [ISV] (1946): a radioactive isotope --
          ra.dio.iso.to.pic adj -- ra.dio.iso.to.pi.cal.ly adv

   radiolabel
          [ra.dio.la.bel] vt (1953): to label with a radioactive atom
          or substance

   radiolarian
          [ra.di.o.lar.i.an] n [ultim. fr. LL radiolus small sunbeam,
          fr. dim. of L radius ray--more at ray] (1877): any of
          three classes (Acantharia, Polycystina, and Phaeodaria)
          of usu. spherical marine protozoans having radiating
          threadlike pseudopodia and often a siliceous skeleton
          of spicules -- radiolarian adj

   radiological
          [ra.dio.log.i.cal] or ra.dio.log.ic adj (1909) 1: of or relating
          to radiology 2: of or relating to nuclear radiation --
          ra.dio.log.i.cal.ly adv

   radiologist
          [ra.di.ol.o.gist] n (1906): a physician specializing in the
          use of radiant energy for diagnostic and therapeutic
          purposes

   radiology
          [ra.di.ol.o.gy] n (1900) 1: a branch of medicine concerned
          with the use of radiant energy (as X rays and radium)
          in the diagnosis and treatment of disease 2: the science
          of radioactive substances and high-energy radiations

   radiolucent
          [ra.dio.lu.cent] adj (1917): partly or wholly permeable to
          radiation <~ tissues> -- ra.dio.lu.cen.cy n

   radiolysis
          [ra.di.ol.y.sis] n [NL] (1948): chemical decomposition by
          the action of radiation -- ra.dio.lyt.ic adj

   radioman
          [ra.dio.man] n (1921): a radio operator or technician

   radiometer
          [ra.di.om.e.ter] n (1875): an instrument for measuring the
          intensity of radiant energy by the torsional twist of
          suspended vanes that are blackened on one side and exposed
          to a source of radiant energy; also: an instrument for
          measuring electromagnetic or acoustic radiation -- ra.di.om.e.try
          n

   radiometric
          [ra.dio.met.ric] adj [ISV] (1877) 1: relating to, using,
          or measured by a radiometer 2: of or relating to the
          measurement of geologic time by means of the rate of
          disintegration of radioactive elements -- ra.dio.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv

   radiomimetic
          [ra.dio.mi.met.ic] adj [ISV] (1947): producing effects similar
          to those of radiation

   radionuclide
          [ra.dio.nu.clide] n (1947): a radioactive nuclide

   radiopaque
          [ra.di.opaque] adj (ca. 1923): being opaque to various forms
          of radiation (as X rays)

   radiopharmaceutical
          [ra.dio.phar.ma.ceu.ti.cal] n (1952): a radioactive drug
          used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes -- radiopharmaceutical
          adj

   radiophone
          [ra.dio.phone] n (1919): radiotelephone

   radiophoto
          [ra.dio.pho.to] n (1929): a picture transmitted by radio

   radioprotective
          [ra.dio.pro.tec.tive] adj (1956): serving to protect or aiding
          in protecting against the injurious effect of radiations
          <~ drugs> -- ra.dio.pro.tec.tion n

   radio range
          [radio range] n (1929): a radio facility for aircraft navigation

   radiosensitive
          [ra.dio.sen.si.tive] adj (1920): sensitive to the effects
          of radiant energy <~ cancer cells> -- ra.dio.sen.si.tiv.i.ty
          n

   radiosonde
          [ra.dio.sonde] n [ISV] (1937): a miniature radio transmitter
          that is carried aloft (as by an unmanned balloon) with
          instruments for broadcasting the humidity, temperature,
          and pressure

   radio spectrum
          [radio spectrum] n (1929): the region of the electromagnetic
          spectrum usu. including frequencies below 30,000 megahertz
          in which radio or radar transmission and detection techniques
          may be used

   radio star
          [radio star] n (1948): a cosmic radio source; esp: a point
          source of radio emissions

   radiostrontium
          [ra.dio.stron.tium] n [NL] (1941): radioactive strontium;
          esp: strontium 90

   radiotelegraph
          [ra.dio.tele.graph] n [ISV] (1903): wireless telegraphy --
          ra.dio.te.leg.ra.phy n

   radiotelemetry
          [ra.dio.te.lem.e.try] n (1951) 1: telemetry 2: biotelemetry
          -- ra.dio.tele.met.ric adj

   radiotelephone
          [ra.dio.tele.phone] n [ISV] (1904): an apparatus for carrying
          on wireless telephony by radio waves -- ra.dio.te.le.pho.ny
          n

   radio telescope
          [radio telescope] n (1929): a radio receiver-antenna combination
          used for observation in radio astronomy

   radiotherapy
          [ra.dio.ther.a.py] n [ISV] (1903): the treatment of disease
          with radiation (as X rays) -- ra.dio.ther.a.pist n

   radiothorium
          [ra.dio.tho.ri.um] n [NL] (1905): a radioactive isotope of
          thorium with the mass number 228

   radiotracer
          [ra.dio.trac.er] n (1946): a radioactive tracer

   radio-ulna
          [ra.dio-ul.na] n [NL] (1960): a single bone in the forelimb
          of an amphibian (as a frog) that represents fusion of
          the separate radius and ulna of higher vertebrate forms

   radio wave
          [radio wave] n (1916): an electromagnetic wave with radio
          frequency

   radish
          [rad.ish] n [ME, alter. of OE raedic, fr. L radic-, radix
          root, radish--more at root] (15c): the pungent fleshy
          root of a widely cultivated Eurasian plant (Raphanus
          sativus) of the mustard family usu. eaten raw; also:
          a plant that produces radishes

   radium
          [ra.di.um] n, often attrib [NL, fr. L radius ray] (1899):
          an intensely radioactive brilliant white metallic element
          that resembles barium chemically, occurs in combination
          in minute quantities in minerals (as pitchblende or carnotite),
          emits alpha particles and gamma rays to form radon, and
          is used chiefly in luminous materials and in the treatment
          of cancer

   radium therapy
          [radium therapy] n (1904): radiotherapy

   radius
          [ra.di.us] n, pl ra.dii also ra.di.us.es [L, ray, radius]
          (ca. 1611) 1: a line segment extending from the center
          of a circle or sphere to the circumference or bounding
          surface 2 a: the bone on the thumb side of the human
          forearm; also: a corresponding part of vertebrates above
          fishes b: the third and usu. largest vein of an insect's
          wing 3 a: the length of a radius <a truck with a short
          turning ~> b: the circular area defined by a stated radius
          c: a bounded or circumscribed area 4: a radial part 5:
          the distance from a center line or point to an axis of
          rotation

   radius of curvature
          [radius of curvature] (ca. 1753): the reciprocal of the curvature
          of a curve

   radius vector
          [radius vector] n (ca. 1753) 1 a: the line segment or its
          length from a fixed point to a variable point b: the
          linear polar coordinate of a variable point 2: a straight
          line joining the center of an attracting body (as the
          sun) with that of a body (as a planet) in orbit around
          it

   radix
          [ra.dix] n, pl ra.di.ces or ra.dix.es [L, root--more at root]
          (1798) 1: the base of a number system or of logarithms
          2: the primary source

   RADM
          [RADM] abbreviation rear admiral

   radome
          [ra.dome] n [radar dome] (ca. 1944): a plastic housing sheltering
          the antenna assembly of a radar set esp. on an airplane

   radon
          [ra.don] n [ISV, fr. radium] (1918): a heavy radioactive
          gaseous element formed by the decay of radium

   radula
          [rad.u.la] n, pl -lae also -las [NL, fr. L, scraper, fr.
          radere to scrape--more at rodent] (ca. 1859): a horny
          band or ribbon in mollusks other than bivalves that bears
          minute teeth on its dorsal surface and tears up food
          and draws it into the mouth -- rad.u.lar adj

   radwaste
          [rad.waste] n, often attrib [by shortening] (1973): radioactive
          waste

   RAF
          [RAF] abbreviation Royal Air Force

   raff
          [raff] n [ME raf rubbish] (14c): riffraff

   raffia
          [raf.fia] n [Malagasy rafia] (1882): the fiber of the raffia
          palm used esp. for tying plants and making baskets and
          hats

   raffia palm
          [raffia palm] n (1897): a pinnate-leaved palm (Raphia farinifera
          syn. R. ruffia) of Madagascar that is valued for the
          fiber from its leafstalks

   raffinose
          [raf.fi.nose] n [F, fr. raffiner to refine, fr. re- + affiner
          to make fine, fr. a- ad- (fr. L ad-) + fin fine] (1876):
          a crystalline slightly sweet sugar obtained commercially
          from cottonseed meal and present in many plant products

   raffish
          [raff.ish] adj (1801) 1: marked by or suggestive of flashy
          vulgarity or crudeness 2: marked by a careless unconventionality:
          rakish -- raff.ish.ly adv -- raff.ish.ness n

   [1]raffle
          [raffle] vb raf.fled ; raf.fling vi (ca. 1680): to engage
          in a raffle ~ vt: to dispose of by means of a raffle
          <~ off a turkey> [2]raffle n [ME rafle, a dice game,
          fr. MF, dice game in which all the stakes can be won
          in a throw, lit., rake for a fire, fr. MHG raffel rake
          for a fire, fr. raffen to snatch, gather] (1766): a lottery
          in which the prize is won by one of numerous persons
          buying chances [3]raffle n [prob. fr. F rafle act of
          snatching, sweeping, fr. MF, rake for a fire] (1881):
          rubbish; esp: a jumble or tangle of nautical equipment

   rafflesia
          [raf.fle.sia] n [NL, fr. Sir Stamford Raffles d. 1826 Eng.
          colonial administrator] (1830): any of a genus (Rafflesia
          of the family Rafflesiaceae) of Malaysian dicotyledonous
          plants that are parasitic in other plants and have fleshy
          usu. foul-smelling apetalous flowers emerging from the
          host, imbricated scales in place of leaves, and no stems

   [1]raft
          [raft] n [ME rafte rafter, raft, fr. ON raptr rafter] (15c)
          1 a: a collection of logs or timber fastened together
          for conveyance by water b: a flat structure for support
          or transportation on water 2: a floating cohesive mass
          3: an aggregation of animals (as waterfowl) resting on
          the water [2]raft vt (1706) 1: to transport in the form
          of or by means of a raft; also: to convey (as pebbles)
          in floating ice or masses of organic material 2: to make
          into a raft ~ vi: to travel by raft [3]raft n [alter.
          of raff jumble] (1830): a large collection or number

   [1]rafter
          [raf.ter] n [ME, fr. OE raefter; akin to ON raptr rafter]
          (bef. 12c): any of the parallel beams that support a
          roof--see ridgepole illustration -- raf.tered adj [2]raft.er
          n [[2]raft] (1809) 1: one who maneuvers logs into position
          and binds them into rafts 2: one who travels by raft

   raftsman
          [rafts.man] n (1776): a man engaged in rafting

   [1]rag
          [rag] n [ME ragge, fr. (assumed) OE ragg, fr. ON rogg tuft,
          shagginess] (14c) 1 a: a waste piece of cloth b pl: clothes
          usu. in poor or ragged condition c: clothing <the ~ trade>
          2: something resembling a rag 3: newspaper [2]rag n [ME
          ragge] (14c) 1: any of various hard rocks 2: a large
          roofing slate that is rough on one side [3]rag vt ragged
          ; rag.ging [origin unknown] (1739) 1: to rail at: scold
          2: torment, tease [4]rag n (1864) chiefly Brit: an outburst
          of boisterous fun; also: prank [5]rag n [short for ragtime]
          (1897): a composition in ragtime

   raga
          [ra.ga] n [Skt raga, lit., color, tone; akin to Skt rajyati
          it reddens, Gk rhezein to dye] (1788) 1: one of the ancient
          traditional melodic patterns or modes in Indian music
          2: an improvisation based on a traditional raga--compare
          tala

   ragamuffin
          [rag.a.muf.fin] n [ME Ragamuffyn, name for a ragged, oafish
          person] (1581): a ragged often disreputable person; esp:
          a poorly clothed often dirty child

   ragbag
          [rag.bag] n (1820) 1: a bag for scraps 2: a miscellaneous
          collection

   rag doll
          [rag doll] n (1853): a stuffed usu. painted cloth doll

   [1]rage
          [rage] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL rabia, fr. L rabies rage, madness,
          fr. rabere to be mad; akin to Skt rabhas violence] (14c)
          1 a: violent and uncontrolled anger b: a fit of violent
          wrath c archaic: insanity 2: violent action (as of wind
          or sea) 3: an intense feeling: passion 4: a fad pursued
          with intense enthusiasm <was all the ~> syn see anger,
          fashion [2]rage vi raged ; rag.ing (14c) 1: to be in
          a rage 2: to be in tumult 3: to prevail uncontrollably

   ragged
          [rag.ged] adj (14c) 1: roughly unkempt 2: having an irregular
          edge or outline 3 a: torn or worn to tatters b: worn-out
          from stress and strain <ran herself ~> 4: wearing tattered
          clothes 5 a: straggly b: executed in an irregular or
          uneven manner c of a sound: harsh, dissonant -- rag.ged.ly
          adv -- rag.ged.ness n

   ragged robin
          [ragged robin] n (1741): a perennial herb (Lychnis flos-cuculi)
          cultivated for its pink flowers with narrow-lobed petals

   raggedy
          [rag.gedy] adj (1890): ragged

   raggle-taggle
          [rag.gle-tag.gle] adj [irreg. fr. ragtag] (1904): motley

   ragi
          [ra.gi] n [perh. fr. Deccan Hindi ragi] (1792): an Old World
          cereal grass (Eleusine coracana) yielding a staple food
          crop esp. in India and Africa; also: the seeds of ragi
          used for food

   raging
          [raging] adj (15c) 1: causing great pain or distress 2: violent,
          wild 3: extraordinary, tremendous <a ~ success>

   raglan
          [rag.lan] n [F.J.H. Somerset, Baron Raglan d. 1855 Brit.
          field marshal] (ca. 1859): a loose overcoat with raglan
          sleeves

   raglan sleeve
          [raglan sleeve] n (ca. 1924): a sleeve that extends to the
          neckline with slanted seams from the underarm to the
          neck

   ragman
          [rag.man] n (1586): a man who collects or deals in rags

   Ragnarok
          [Rag.na.rok] n [ON Ragnarok, lit., fate of the gods, fr.
          ragna, gen. pl. of regin gods + rok fate, course (later
          rendered as Ragnarokkr, lit., twilight of the gods)]:
          the final destruction of the world in the conflict between
          the Aesir and the powers of Hel led by Loki--called also
          Twilight of the Gods

   ragout
          [ra.gout] n [F ragout, fr. ragouter to revive the taste,
          fr. MF ragouster, fr. re- + a- ad- (fr. L ad-) + goust
          taste, fr. L gustus; akin to L gustare to taste--more
          at choose] (ca. 1657) 1: well-seasoned meat and vegetables
          cooked in a thick sauce 2: mixture, melange

   ragpicker
          [rag.pick.er] n (1860): one who collects rags and refuse
          for a livelihood

   ragtag
          [rag.tag] adj [ragtag and bobtail] (1882) 1: ragged, unkempt
          2: motley 2 <a ~ bunch of misfits>

   ragtag and bobtail
          [ragtag and bobtail] n [[1]rag + [1]tag] (1820): rabble

   ragtime
          [rag.time] n [prob. fr. ragged + time] (1897) 1: rhythm
          characterized by strong syncopation in the melody with a regularly
          accented accompaniment 2: music having ragtime rhythm

   ragtop
          [rag.top] n (1953): a convertible automobile

   ragweed
          [rag.weed] n (1790): any of various chiefly No. American
          weedy composite herbs (genus Ambrosia) that produce highly
          allergenic pollen

   ragwort
          [rag.wort] n (14c): any of several senecios; esp: tansy ragwort

   rah
          [rah] interj (1870): hurrah--used esp. to cheer on a team

   rah-rah
          [rah-rah] adj [redupl. of rah] (1911): marked by the enthusiastic
          expression of college spirit

   [1]raid
          [raid] n [ME (Sc) rade, fr. OE rad ride, raid--more at road]
          (15c) 1 a: a hostile or predatory incursion b: a surprise
          attack by a small force 2 a: a brief foray outside one's
          usual sphere b: a sudden invasion by officers of the
          law c: a daring operation against a competitor d: the
          recruiting of personnel (as faculty, executives, or athletes)
          from competing organizations 3: the act of mulcting public
          money 4: an attempt by professional operators to depress
          stock prices by concerted selling [2]raid vi (1865):
          to conduct or take part in a raid ~ vt: to make a raid
          on

   raider
          [raid.er] n (1863): one that raids: as a: a fast lightly
          armed ship operating against merchant shipping b: a soldier
          specially trained for close-range fighting c: one that
          attempts a usu. hostile takeover of a business corporation
          <corporate ~s>

   [1]rail
          [rail] n [ME raile, fr. MF reille ruler, bar, fr. L regula
          ruler, fr. regere to keep straight, direct, rule--more
          at right] (14c) 1 a: a bar extending from one post or
          support to another and serving as a guard or barrier
          b: a structural member or support 2 a: railing 1 b: a
          light structure serving as a guard at the outer edge
          of a ship's deck c: a fence bounding a racetrack 3 a:
          a bar of rolled steel forming a track for wheeled vehicles
          b: track c: railroad [2]rail vt (14c): to provide with
          a railing: fence [3]rail n, pl rail or rails [ME raile,
          fr. MF raale] (15c): any of numerous wading birds (family
          Rallidae, the rail family) that are of small or medium
          size and have short rounded wings, a short tail, and
          usu. very long toes which enable them to run on the soft
          mud of marshes [4]rail vi [ME, fr. MF railler to mock,
          fr. OProv ralhar to babble, joke, fr. (assumed) VL ragulare
          to bray, fr. LL ragere to neigh] (15c): to revile or
          scold in harsh, insolent, or abusive language syn see
          scold -- rail.er n

   railbird
          [rail.bird] n (1892): a racing enthusiast who sits on or
          near the track rail to watch a race or workout

   railbus
          [rail.bus] n (1933): a passenger car with an automotive engine
          for operation on rails

   railcar
          [rail.car] n (1834) 1: a railroad car 2: a self-propelled
          railroad car

   railhead
          [rail.head] n (1896): a point on a railroad at which traffic
          may originate or terminate

   railing
          [rail.ing] n (15c) 1: a barrier consisting of a rail and
          supports 2: rails; also: material for making rails

   raillery
          [rail.lery] n, pl -ler.ies [F raillerie, fr. MF, fr. railler
          to mock] (1653) 1: good-natured ridicule: banter 2: jest

   [1]railroad
          [rail.road] n (1825): a permanent road having a line of rails
          fixed to ties and laid on a roadbed and providing a track
          for cars or equipment drawn by locomotives or propelled
          by self-contained motors; also: such a road and its assets
          constituting a single property [2]railroad vt (1877)
          1 a: to convict with undue haste and by means of false
          charges or insufficient evidence b: to push through hastily
          or without due consideration 2: to transport by railroad
          ~ vi: to work for a railroad company -- rail.road.er
          n

   railroad flat
          [railroad flat] n (1947): an apartment having a series of
          narrow rooms arranged in line

   railroading
          [rail.road.ing] n (1870): construction or operation of a
          railroad

   railroad worm
          [railroad worm] n (1909) 1 [prob. fr. its dissemination by
          railroad]: apple maggot 2 [fr. the rows of luminescent
          spots along its sides making it resemble a lighted train]:
          the larva or wingless female of any of several So. American
          beetles (genus Phrixothrix of the family Cantharidae)

   rail-splitter
          [rail-split.ter] n (1860): one that makes logs into fence
          rails

   railway
          [rail.way] n (1812): railroad; esp: a railroad operating
          with light equipment or within a small area

   raiment
          [rai.ment] n [ME rayment, short for arrayment, fr. arrayen
          to array] (15c): clothing, garments

   [1]rain
          [rain] n, often attrib [ME reyn, fr. OE regn, ren; akin to
          OHG regan rain] (bef. 12c) 1 a: water falling in drops
          condensed from vapor in the atmosphere b: the descent
          of this water c: water that has fallen as rain: rainwater
          2 a: a fall of rain: rainstorm b pl: the rainy season
          3: rainy weather 4: a heavy fall of particles or bodies
          [2]rain vi (bef. 12c) 1: to send down rain 2: to fall
          as water in drops from the clouds 3: to fall like rain
          ~ vt 1: to pour down 2: to bestow abundantly -- rain
          cats and dogs : to rain heavily

   rainbird
          [rain.bird] n (1555): any of numerous birds (esp. of the
          family Cuculidae) whose cries are popularly believed
          to augur rain

   rainbow
          [rain.bow] n (bef. 12c) 1: an arc or circle that exhibits
          in concentric bands the colors of the spectrum and that
          is formed opposite the sun by the refraction and reflection
          of the sun's rays in raindrops, spray, or mist 2 a: a
          multicolored array b: a wide assortment or range 3 [fr.
          the impossibility of reaching the rainbow, at whose foot
          a pot of gold is said to be buried]: an illusory goal
          or hope 4: rainbow trout -- rain.bow.like adj

   rainbow fish
          [rainbow fish] n (1888): any of numerous brilliantly colored
          fishes (as a wrasse, parrot fish, or guppy)

   rainbow runner
          [rainbow runner] n (1940): a large brilliantly marked blue
          and yellow carangid food and sport fish (Elagatis bipinnulata)
          common in warm seas

   rainbow trout
          [rainbow trout] n (1882): a large stout-bodied salmonid fish
          (Oncorhynchus mykiss syn. Salmo gairdneri) of western
          No. America that is related to the Pacific salmon and
          is typically greenish above and white on the belly with
          a pink, red, or lavender stripe along each side of the
          body and with profuse black dots--compare steelhead

   rain check
          [rain check] n (1884) 1: a ticket stub good for a later performance
          when the scheduled one is rained out 2: an assurance of a deferred
          extension of an offer; esp: an assurance that a customer can take
          advantage of a sale later if the item or service offered is not
          available (as by being sold out)

   raincoat
          [rain.coat] n (1830): a coat of waterproof or water-resistant
          material

   raindrop
          [rain.drop] n (bef. 12c): a drop of rain

   rainfall
          [rain.fall] n (1854) 1: the amount of precipitation usu.
          measured by the depth in inches 2: rain 2a

   rain forest
          [rain forest] n (1903) 1: a tropical woodland with an annual
          rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) and
          marked by lofty broad-leaved evergreen trees forming
          a continuous canopy--called also tropical rain forest
          2: temperate rain forest

   rain gauge
          [rain gauge] n (1769): an instrument for measuring the quantity
          of precipitation

   rainmaking
          [rain.mak.ing] n (1775): the action or process of producing
          or attempting to produce rain by artificial means --
          rain.mak.er n

   rain out
          [rain out] vt (1928): to interrupt or prevent by rain

   rainproof
          [rain.proof] adj (1831): impervious to rain

   rainspout
          [rain.spout] n (1922): gutter 1a; also: downspout

   rainsquall
          [rain.squall] n (1849): a squall accompanied by rain

   rainstorm
          [rain.storm] n (1816): a storm of or with rain

   rain tree
          [rain tree] n (ca. 1890): monkeypod

   rainwash
          [rain.wash] n (1876): the washing away of material by rain;
          also: the material so washed away

   rainwater
          [rain.wa.ter] n (bef. 12c): water fallen as rain that has
          not collected soluble matter from the soil and is therefore
          soft

   rainwear
          [rain.wear] n (1939): waterproof or water-resistant clothing

   rainy
          [rainy] adj rain.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c): marked by, abounding
          with, or bringing rain

   rainy day
          [rainy day] n (ca. 1580): a period of want or need

   [1]raise
          [raise] vb raised ; rais.ing [ME, fr. ON reisa--more at rear]
          vt (13c) 1: to cause or help to rise to a standing position
          2 a: awaken, arouse b: to stir up: incite <~ a rebellion>
          c: to flush (game) from cover d: to recall from or as
          if from death e: to establish radio communication with
          3 a: to set upright by lifting or building b: to lift
          higher c: to place higher in rank or dignity: elevate
          d: heighten, invigorate <~ the spirits> e: to end or
          suspend the operation or validity of <~ a siege> 4: to
          get together for a purpose: collect <~ funds> 5 a: to
          breed and bring (an animal) to maturity b: grow, cultivate
          <~ cotton> c: to bring up (a child): rear 6 a: to give
          rise to: provoke <~ a commotion> b: to give voice to
          <~ a cheer> 7: to bring up for consideration or debate
          <~ an issue> 8 a: to increase the strength, intensity,
          or pitch of b: to increase the degree of c: to cause
          to rise in level or amount <~ the rent> d (1): to increase
          the amount of (a poker bet) (2): to bet more than (a
          previous bettor) e (1): to make a higher bridge bid in
          (a partner's suit) (2): to increase the bid of (one's
          partner) 9: to make light and porous <~ dough> 10: to
          cause to ascend 11: to multiply (a quantity) by itself
          a specified number of times 12: to bring in sight on
          the horizon by approaching <~ land> 13 a: to bring up
          the nap of (cloth) b: to cause (as a blister) to form
          on the skin 14: to increase the nominal value of fraudulently
          <~ a check> 15: to articulate (a sound) with the tongue
          in a higher position ~ vi 1 dial: rise 2: to increase
          a bet or bid syn see lift -- rais.er n -- raise Cain
          or raise hell 1: to act wildly: create a disturbance
          2: to scold or upbraid someone esp. loudly -- raise eyebrows
          : to cause surprise or astonishment [2]raise n (1538)
          1: an act of raising or lifting 2: a rising stretch of
          road: an upward grade: rise 3: an increase in amount:
          as a: an increase of a bet or bid b: an increase in wages
          or salary 4: a vertical or inclined opening or passageway
          connecting one mine working area with another at a higher
          level

   raised
          [raised] adj (1599) 1 a: done in relief b: having a nap 2:
          leavened with yeast rather than with baking powder or
          baking soda

   raisin
          [rai.sin] n [ME, fr. MF, grape, fr. L racemus cluster of
          grapes or berries--more at raceme] (14c): a grape of
          any of several varieties that has been dried in the sun
          or by artificial heat

   raison d'etat
          [rai.son d'etat] [F] foreign term : reason of state

   raison d'etre
          [rai.son d'etre] n [F] (1864): reason or justification for
          existence

   raj
          [raj] n [Hindi raj, fr. Skt rajya; akin to Skt rajan king]
          (1800): rule; esp, often cap: the former British rule
          of the Indian subcontinent

   raja
          [ra.ja] or ra.jah n [Hindi raja, fr. Skt rajan king--more
          at royal] (1555) 1: an Indian or Malay prince or chief
          2: the bearer of a title of nobility among the Hindus

   Rajab
          [Ra.jab] n [Ar] (ca. 1771): the 7th month of the Islamic
          year

   Rajasthani
          [Ra.jas.tha.ni] n [Hindi Rajasthani, fr. Rajasthan Rajasthan]
          (1901): the Indo-Aryan dialects of Rajasthan

   Rajput
          [Raj.put] or Raj.poot n [Hindi rajput, fr. Skt rajaputra
          king's son, fr. rajan king + putra son--more at few]
          (1598): a member of a dominant military caste of northern
          India

   [1]rake
          [rake] n [ME, fr. OE racu; akin to OHG rehho rake] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: an implement equipped with projecting prongs
          to gather material (as leaves) or for loosening or smoothing
          the surface of the ground b: a machine for gathering
          hay 2: an implement like a rake [2]rake vt raked ; rak.ing
          (13c) 1: to gather, loosen, or smooth with or as if with
          a rake 2: to gain rapidly or in abundance <~ in a fortune>
          3 a: to touch in passing over lightly b: scratch 4: to
          censure severely 5: to search through: ransack 6: to
          sweep the length of esp. with gunfire: enfilade 7: to
          glance over rapidly -- rak.er n [3]rake n [origin unknown]
          (1626) 1: inclination from the perpendicular; esp: the
          overhang of a ship's bow or stern 2: inclination from
          the horizontal: slope 3: the angle between the top cutting
          surface of a tool and a plane perpendicular to the surface
          of the work 4: the angle between a wing-tip edge that
          is sensibly straight in planform and the plane of symmetry
          of an airplane [4]rake vi raked ; rak.ing (1691): to
          incline from the perpendicular [5]rake n [short for rakehell]
          (1653): a dissolute person: libertine

   rakehell
          [rake.hell] n (1554): libertine 2 -- rakehell or rake.helly
          adj

   rake-off
          [rake-off] n [rake off, v.; fr. the use of a rake by a croupier
          to collect the operator's profits in a gambling casino]
          (1888): a percentage or cut taken (as by an operator)

   rake up
          [rake up] vt (1581): to make known or public: uncover <rake
          up a scandal>

   raki
          [ra.ki] n [Turk, fr. Ar 'araqi, lit., of liquor, fr. 'araq
          liquor, arrack] (1675): a Turkish liqueur flavored with
          aniseed

   [1]rakish
          [rak.ish] adj [[5]rake] (1706): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a rake: dissolute [2]rakish adj [prob. fr. [4]rake; fr. the
          raking masts of pirate ships] (1824) 1: having a trim
          or streamlined appearance suggestive of speed <a ~ ship>
          2: dashingly or carelessly unconventional: jaunty <~ clothes>

   rakishly
          [rak.ish.ly] adv (1838): in a rakish manner

   rakishness
          [rak.ish.ness] n (ca. 1828): the quality or state of being
          rakish

   rale
          [rale] n [F rale, fr. raler to make a rattling sound in the
          throat] (1828): an abnormal sound heard accompanying
          the normal respiratory sounds on auscultation of the
          chest

   rallentando
          [ral.len.tan.do] adv or adj [It, lit., slowing down, verbal
          of rallentare to slow down again, fr. re- + allentare
          to slow down, fr. LL, fr. L al- ad- + lentus slow, pliant--more
          at lithe] (ca. 1811): ritardando

   [1]rally
          [ral.ly] vb ral.lied ; ral.ly.ing [F rallier, fr. OF ralier,
          fr. re- + alier to unite--more at ally] vt (1603) 1 a:
          to muster for a common purpose b: to recall to order
          2 a: to arouse for action b: to rouse from depression
          or weakness ~ vi 1: to come together again to renew an
          effort 2: to join in a common cause 3: recover, rebound
          4: to engage in a rally [2]rally n, pl rallies (1651)
          1 a: a mustering of scattered forces to renew an effort
          b: a summoning up of strength or courage after weakness
          or dejection c: a recovery of price after a decline d:
          a renewed offensive 2: a mass meeting intended to arouse
          group enthusiasm 3: a series of shots interchanged between
          players (as in tennis) before a point is won 4 also ral.lye
          : an automobile competition using public roads and ordinary
          traffic rules with the object of maintaining a specified
          average speed between checkpoints over a route unknown
          to the participants until the start of the event [3]rally
          vt ral.lied ; ral.ly.ing [F railler to mock, rally--more
          at rail] (1668): to attack with raillery: banter

   rallying
          [ral.ly.ing] n (1957): the sport of driving in automobile
          rallies

   [1]ram
          [ram] n [ME, fr. OE ramm; akin to OHG ram] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          a male sheep b cap: aries 2 a: battering ram b: a warship
          with a heavy beak at the prow for piercing an enemy ship
          3: any of various guided pieces for exerting pressure
          or for driving or forcing something by impact: as a:
          the plunger of a hydrostatic press or force pump b: the
          weight that strikes the blow in a pile driver [2]ram
          vb rammed ; ram.ming [ME rammen, prob. fr. ram, n.] vi
          (14c) 1: to strike with violence: crash 2: to move with
          extreme rapidity ~ vt 1: to force in by or as if by driving
          2 a: to make compact (as by pounding) b: cram, crowd
          3: to force passage or acceptance of <~ home an idea>
          4: to strike against violently -- ram.mer n RAM n (1957):
          random-access memory

   Rama
          [Ra.ma] n [Skt Rama]: a deity or deified hero of later Hinduism
          worshiped as an avatar of Vishnu

   Ramadan
          [Ram.a.dan] n [Ar Ramadan] (ca. 1595): the 9th month of the
          Islamic year observed as sacred with fasting practiced
          daily from dawn to sunset

   ramate
          [ra.mate] adj [L ramus branch--more at ramify] (1897): ramose

   [1]ramble
          [ram.ble] vb ram.bled ; ram.bling [perh. fr. ME romblen,
          freq. of romen to roam] vi (1620) 1 a: to move aimlessly
          from place to place b: to explore idly 2: to talk or
          write in a desultory or long-winded wandering fashion
          3: to grow or extend irregularly ~ vt: to wander over:
          roam syn see wander -- ram.bling.ly adv [2]ramble n (1654):
          a leisurely excursion for pleasure; esp: an aimless walk

   rambler
          [ram.bler] n (1624) 1: one that rambles 2: any of various
          climbing roses with long flexible canes and rather small
          often double flowers in large clusters 3: ranch house

   rambouillet
          [ram.bouil.let] n, often cap [Rambouillet, France] (1906):
          any of a breed of large sturdy sheep developed in France

   rambunctious
          [ram.bunc.tious] adj [prob. alter. of rumbustious] (1830):
          marked by uncontrollable exuberance: unruly -- ram.bunc.tious.ly
          adv -- ram.bunc.tious.ness n

   rambutan
          [ram.bu.tan] n [Malay] (1707): a bright red spiny Malayan
          fruit closely related to the litchi; also: a tree (Nephelium
          lappaceum) of the soapberry family that bears this fruit

   ramekin
          [ram.e.kin] also ram.e.quin n [F ramequin, fr. LG ramken,
          dim. of ram cream] (ca. 1706) 1: a preparation of cheese
          esp. with bread crumbs or eggs baked in a mold or shell
          2: an individual baking dish

   ramet
          [ra.met] n [L ramus branch] (1929): an independent member
          of a clone

   ramie
          [ra.mie] n [Malay rami] (1832) 1: an Asian perennial plant
          (Boehmeria nivea) of the nettle family 2 a: the strong
          lustrous bast fiber of ramie capable of being spun or
          woven b: fabric made of ramie often resembling linen
          or silk

   ramification
          [ram.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1665) 1 a: branch, offshoot b: a branched
          structure 2 a: the act or process of branching b: arrangement
          of branches (as on a plant) 3: consequence, outgrowth
          <the ~s of a problem>

   ramify
          [ram.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME ramifien, fr. MF ramifier,
          fr. ML ramificare, fr. L ramus branch; akin to L radix
          root--more at root] vi (15c) 1: to split up into branches
          or constituent parts 2: to send forth branches or extensions
          ~ vt 1: to cause to branch 2: to separate into divisions

   Ramism
          [Ra.mism] n [Petrus Ramus d. 1572 Fr. philosopher] (1710):
          the doctrines of Ramus based on opposition to Aristotelianism
          and advocacy of a new logic blended with rhetoric --
          Ra.mist n or adj

   ramjet
          [ram.jet] n (1942): a jet engine that consists essentially
          of a hollow tube without mechanical components and depends
          on the aircraft's speed of flight for the air compression
          necessary to produce the thrust obtained from the expansion
          of gases caused by the combustion of fuel

   ramose
          [ra.mose] adj [L ramosus, fr. ramus branch] (1689): consisting
          of or having branches <a ~ sponge>

   [1]ramp
          [ramp] vb [ME, fr. MF ramper to crawl, rear, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG rimpfan to wrinkle--more at rumple] vi (14c)
          1 a: to stand or advance menacingly with forelegs or
          with arms raised b: to move or act furiously 2: to creep
          up--used esp. of plants ~ vt [[4]ramp (electrical waveform)]:
          to increase or decrease esp. at a constant rate--usu.
          used with up or down <~ up production> [2]ramp n (1671):
          the act or an instance of ramping [3]ramp n [back-formation
          fr. ramps, alter. of rams, fr. ME, fr. OE hramsa; akin
          to OHG ramusia ramp, Gk krommyon onion] (1598): any of
          various alliums used for food [4]ramp n [F rampe, fr.
          ramper, fr. MF] (1778) 1: a short bend, slope, or curve
          usu. in the vertical plane where a handrail or coping
          changes its direction 2: a sloping way: as a: a sloping
          floor, walk, or roadway leading from one level to another
          b: a stairway for entering or leaving an airplane c:
          a slope for launching boats 3: apron 2h

   [1]rampage
          [ram.page] vi ram.paged ; ram.pag.ing [Sc] (1808): to rush
          wildly about [2]ram.page n (1861): a course of violent,
          riotous, or reckless action or behavior -- ram.pa.geous
          adj -- ram.pa.geous.ly adv -- ram.pa.geous.ness n

   rampancy
          [ram.pan.cy] n (1664): the quality or state of being rampant

   rampant
          [ram.pant] adj [ME, fr. MF, prp. of ramper] (14c) 1 a: rearing
          upon the hind legs with forelegs extended b: standing
          on one hind foot with one foreleg raised above the other
          and the head in profile--used of a heraldic animal 2
          a: marked by a menacing wildness, extravagance, or absence
          of restraint b: widespread 3: having one impost or abutment
          higher than the other <a ~ arch> -- ram.pant.ly adv

   rampart
          [ram.part] n [MF, fr. ramparer to fortify, fr. re- + emparer
          to defend, fr. OProv antparar, fr. (assumed) VL anteparare,
          fr. L ante before + parare to prepare--more at ante-,
          pare] (1536) 1: a protective barrier: bulwark 2: a broad
          embankment raised as a fortification and usu. surmounted
          by a parapet 3: a wall-like ridge (as of rock fragments,
          earth, or debris)

   rampike
          [ram.pike] n [origin unknown] (1853): an erect broken or
          dead tree

   [1]ramrod
          [ram.rod] n (1757) 1: a rod for ramming home the charge in
          a muzzle-loading firearm 2: a cleaning rod for small
          arms 3: boss, overseer [2]ramrod adj (1905): marked by
          rigidity, severity, or stiffness [3]ramrod vt (ca. 1940):
          to direct, supervise, and control

   ramshackle
          [ram.shack.le] adj [alter. of earlier ransackled, fr. pp.
          of obs. ransackle, freq. of ransack] (1830) 1: appearing
          ready to collapse: rickety 2: carelessly or loosely constructed

   ramshorn
          [rams.horn] n (1901): any of various snails (as genera Planorbis,
          Helisoma, and Planorbarius) often used as aquarium scavengers

   ramus
          [ra.mus] n, pl ra.mi [NL, fr. L, branch--more at ramify]
          (1803): a projecting part, elongated process, or branch:
          as a: the posterior more or less vertical part on each
          side of the lower jaw that articulates with the skull
          b: a branch of a nerve

   ran
          [ran] past of run

   [1]ranch
          [ranch] n [MexSp rancho small ranch, fr. Sp, camp, hut &
          Sp dial., small farm, fr. OSp ranchearse to take up quarters,
          fr. MF se ranger to take up a position, fr. ranger to
          set in a row--more at range] (1831) 1: a large farm for
          raising horses, beef cattle, or sheep 2: a farm or area
          devoted to a particular specialty 3: ranch house [2]ranch
          vi (1866): to live or work on a ranch ~ vt 1: to work
          as a rancher on 2: to raise on a ranch

   ranch dressing
          [ranch dressing] n (1984): a creamy salad dressing usu. containing
          milk or buttermilk and mayonnaise

   rancher
          [ranch.er] n (1836): one who owns or works on a ranch

   ranchero
          [ran.che.ro] n, pl -ros [MexSp, fr. rancho] (1826): rancher;
          also: ranch 1

   ranch house
          [ranch house] n (1862) 1: the main dwelling house on a ranch
          2: a one-story house typically with a low-pitched roof
          and an open plan

   ranchman
          [ranch.man] n (1856): rancher

   rancho
          [ran.cho] n, pl ranchos [MexSp, small ranch] (1808): ranch
          1

   rancid
          [ran.cid] adj [L rancidus, fr. rancere to be rancid] (1646)
          1: having a rank smell or taste 2: offensive -- ran.cid.i.ty
          n -- ran.cid.ness n

   rancor
          [ran.cor] n [ME rancour, fr. MF ranceur, fr. LL rancor rancidity,
          rancor, fr. L rancere] (14c): bitter deep-seated ill
          will syn see enmity

   rancorous
          [ran.cor.ous] adj (1590): marked by rancor -- ran.cor.ous.ly
          adv

   rancour
          [ran.cour] Brit var of rancor

   rand
          [rand] n, pl rand [the Rand, So. Africa] (ca. 1932) 1: the
          basic monetary unit of South Africa 2: a former monetary
          unit of Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland

   [1]random
          [ran.dom] n [ME, impetuosity, fr. MF randon, fr. OF, fr.
          randir to run, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG rinnan to run--more
          at run] (1561): a haphazard course -- at random : without
          definite aim, direction, rule, or method [2]random adj
          (1565) 1 a: lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
          b: made, done, or chosen at random <read ~ passages from
          the book> 2 a: relating to, having, or being elements
          or events with definite probability of occurrence <~
          processes> b: being or relating to a set or to an element
          of a set each of whose elements has equal probability
          of occurrence <a ~ sample>; also: characterized by procedures
          designed to obtain such sets or elements <~ sampling>
          -- ran.dom.ly adv -- ran.dom.ness n syn random, haphazard,
          casual mean determined by accident rather than design.
          random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or
          regular procedure <a random selection of books>. haphazard
          applies to what is done without regard for regularity
          or fitness or ultimate consequence <a haphazard collection
          of rocks>. casual suggests working or acting without
          deliberation, intention, or purpose <a casual collector>.
          [3]random adv (1618): in a random manner

   random-access
          [random-access] adj (1953): permitting access to stored data
          in any order the user desires

   random-access memory
          [random-access memory] n (1955): a computer memory that provides
          the main internal storage available to the user for programs
          and data--called also RAM--compare read-only memory

   randomize
          [ran.dom.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1926): to select, assign,
          or arrange in a random way -- ran.dom.i.za.tion n --
          ran.dom.iz.er n

   randomized block
          [randomized block] n (ca. 1942): an experimental design (as
          in horticulture) in which different treatments are distributed
          in random order in a block or plot--called also randomized
          block design

   random variable
          [random variable] n (1949): a variable that is itself a function
          of the result of a statistical experiment in which each
          outcome has a definite probability of occurrence--called
          also variate

   random walk
          [random walk] n (1941): a process (as Brownian motion or
          genetic drift) consisting of a sequence of steps (as
          movements or changes in gene frequency) each of whose
          characteristics (as magnitude and direction) is determined
          by chance

   [1]randy
          [randy] adj [prob. fr. obs. rand to rant] (1698) 1 chiefly
          Scot: having a coarse manner 2: lustful, lecherous [2]randy
          n, pl rand.ies (1762) chiefly Scot: a scolding or dissolute
          woman

   rang
          [rang] past of ring

   [1]range
          [range] n, often attrib [ME, row of persons, fr. MF renge,
          fr. OF rengier to range] (14c) 1 a (1): a series of things
          in a line: row (2): a series of mountains (3): one of
          the north-south rows of townships in a U.S. public-land
          survey that are numbered east and west from the principal
          meridian of the survey b: an aggregate of individuals
          in one order c: a direction line 2: a cooking stove that
          has an oven and a flat top with burners or heating elements
          3 a: a place that may be ranged over b: an open region
          over which animals (as livestock) may roam and feed c:
          the region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological
          community naturally lives or occurs 4: the act of ranging
          about 5 a (1): the horizontal distance to which a projectile
          can be propelled (2): the horizontal distance between
          a weapon and target b: the maximum distance a vehicle
          or craft can travel without refueling c (1): a place
          where shooting is practiced (2): driving range 6 a: the
          space or extent included, covered, or used: scope b:
          the extent of pitch covered by a melody or lying within
          the capacity of a voice or instrument 7 a: a sequence,
          series, or scale between limits <a wide ~ of patterns>
          b: the limits of a series: the distance or extent between
          possible extremes c: the difference between the least
          and greatest values of an attribute or of the variable
          of a frequency distribution 8 a: the set of values a
          function may take on b: the class of admissible values
          of a variable 9: line 11 syn range, gamut, compass, sweep,
          scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers
          of something (as to cover or control). range is a general
          term indicating the extent of one's perception or the
          extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities <the entire
          range of human experience>. gamut suggests a graduated
          series running from one possible extreme to another <a
          performance that ran the gamut of emotions>. compass
          implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge,
          or activity <your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass
          of this study>. sweep suggests extent, often circular
          or arc-shaped, of motion or activity <the book covers
          the entire sweep of criminal activity>. scope is applicable
          to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but
          somewhat flexible <as time went on, the scope of the
          investigation widened>. orbit suggests an often circumscribed
          range of activity or influence within which forces work
          toward accommodation <within that restricted orbit they
          tried to effect social change>. [2]range vb ranged ;
          rang.ing [ME, fr. MF ranger, fr. OF rengier, fr. renc,
          reng line, place, row--more at rank] vt (14c) 1 a: to
          set in a row or in the proper order b: to place among
          others in a position or situation c: to assign to a category:
          classify 2 a: to rove over or through b: to sail or pass
          along 3: to arrange (an anchor cable) on deck 4: to graze
          (livestock) on a range 5: to determine or give the elevation
          necessary for (a gun) to propel a projectile to a given
          distance ~ vi 1 a: to roam at large or freely b: to move
          over an area so as to explore it 2: to take a position
          3 a: to correspond in direction or line: align b: to
          extend in a particular direction 4: to have range 5:
          to change or differ within limits 6 of an organism: to
          live or occur in or be native to a region 7: to obtain
          the range of an object by instrument (as radar or laser)

   range finder
          [range finder] n (1872) 1: an instrument used in gunnery
          to determine the distance of a target 2: a surveying
          instrument (as a transit) for determining quickly the
          distances, bearings, and elevations of distant objects
          3: a usu. built-in adjustable optical device for focusing
          a camera that automatically indicates the correct focus
          (as when two parts of a split image are brought together)

   rangeland
          [range.land] n (1935): land used or suitable for range

   ranger
          [rang.er] n (14c) 1 a: the keeper of a British royal park
          or forest b: forest ranger 2: one that ranges 3 a: one
          of a body of organized armed men who range over a region
          esp. to enforce the law b: a soldier specially trained
          in close-range fighting and in raiding tactics

   rangy
          [rangy] adj rang.i.er ; -est (1868) 1: able to range for
          considerable distances 2 a: long-limbed and long-bodied
          <~ cattle> b: being tall and slender 3: having room for
          ranging 4: having great scope -- rang.i.ness n

   rani
          [ra.ni] or ra.nee n [Hindi rani, fr. Skt rajni, fem. of rajan
          king--more at royal] (1673): a Hindu queen: a rajah's
          wife

   ranid
          [ra.nid] n [ultim. fr. L rana frog] (ca. 1934): any of a
          large family (Ranidae) of frogs distinguished by slightly
          dilated transverse sacral processes

   [1]rank
          [rank] adj [ME, fr. OE ranc overbearing, strong; akin to
          ON rakkr erect and perh. to OE riht right--more at right]
          (13c) 1: luxuriantly or excessively vigorous in growth
          2: offensively gross or coarse: foul 3 obs: grown too
          large 4 a: shockingly conspicuous <must lecture him on
          his ~ disloyalty --David Walden> b: outright--used as
          an intensive <~ beginners> 5 archaic: lustful, ruttish
          6: offensive in odor or flavor; esp: rancid 7: putrid,
          festering 8: high in amount or degree: fraught syn see
          malodorous, flagrant -- rank.ly adv -- rank.ness n [2]rank
          n [ME, fr. MF renc, reng, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          hring ring--more at ring] (14c) 1 a: row, series b: a
          row of people c (1): a line of soldiers ranged side by
          side in close order (2) pl: armed forces (3) pl: the
          body of enlisted personnel d: any of the rows of squares
          that extend across a chessboard perpendicular to the
          files e Brit: stand 6 2 a: relative standing or position
          b: a degree or position of dignity, eminence, or excellence:
          distinction <soon took ~ as a leading attorney --J. D.
          Hicks> c: high social position <the privileges of ~>
          d: a grade of official standing in a hierarchy 3: an
          orderly arrangement: formation 4: an aggregate of individuals
          classed together--usu. used in pl. 5: the order according
          to some statistical characteristic (as the score on a
          test) 6: any of a series of classes of coal based on
          increasing alteration of the parent vegetable matter,
          increasing carbon content, and increasing fuel value
          7: the number of linearly independent rows or columns
          in a matrix [3]rank vt (1573) 1: to arrange in lines
          or in a regular formation 2: to determine the relative
          position of: rate 3: to take precedence of ~ vi 1: to
          form or move in ranks 2: to take or have a position in
          relation to others

   rank and file
          [rank and file] n (1598) 1: the enlisted personnel of an
          armed force 2: the individuals who constitute the body
          of an organization, society, or nation as distinguished
          from the leaders -- rank-and-file adj -- rank and fil.er
          n

   rank correlation
          [rank correlation] n (1907): a measure of correlation depending
          on rank

   ranker
          [rank.er] n (1878): one who serves or has served in the ranks;
          esp: a commissioned officer promoted from the ranks

   Rankine
          [Ran.kine] adj [William J. M. Rankine d. 1872 Scot. engineer
          & physicist] (ca. 1926): being, according to, or relating
          to an absolute-temperature scale on which the unit of
          measurement equals a Fahrenheit degree and on which the
          freezing point of water is 491.67 degrees and the boiling
          point 671.67 degrees

   ranking
          [rank.ing] adj (1862): having a high position: as a: foremost
          <~ poet> b: being next to the chairman in seniority <~
          committee member>

   rankle
          [ran.kle] vb ran.kled ; ran.kling [ME ranclen to fester,
          fr. MF rancler, fr. OF draoncler, raoncler, fr. draoncle,
          raoncle festering sore, fr. ML dracunculus, fr. L, dim.
          of draco serpent--more at dragon] vi (1606) 1: to cause
          anger, irritation, or deep bitterness 2: to feel anger
          and irritation ~ vt: to cause irritation or bitterness
          in

   ransack
          [ran.sack] vt [ME ransaken, fr. ON rannsaka, fr. rann house
          + -saka (akin to OE secan to seek)--more at seek] (13c)
          1 a: to search thoroughly b: to examine closely and carefully
          2: to search through to commit robbery: plunder -- ran.sack.er
          n

   [1]ransom
          [ran.som] n [ME ransoun, fr. OF rancon, fr. L redemption-,
          redemptio--more at redemption] (13c) 1: a consideration
          paid or demanded for the release of someone or something
          from captivity 2: the act of ransoming [2]ransom vt (14c)
          1: to deliver esp. from sin or its penalty 2: to free
          from captivity or punishment by paying a price syn see
          rescue -- ran.som.er n

   [1]rant
          [rant] vb [obs. D ranten, randen] vi (1602) 1: to talk in
          a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner 2: to scold vehemently
          ~ vt: to utter in a bombastic declamatory fashion --
          rant.er n -- rant.ing.ly adv [2]rant n (1649) 1 a: a
          bombastic extravagant speech b: bombastic extravagant
          language 2 dial Brit: a rousing good time

   ranula
          [ran.u.la] n [NL, fr. L, swelling on the tongue of cattle,
          fr. dim. of rana frog] (15c): a cyst formed under the
          tongue by obstruction of a gland duct

   ranunculus
          [ra.nun.cu.lus] n, pl -lus.es or -li [NL, fr. L, fr. dim.
          of rana frog] (1543): buttercup

   [1]rap
          [rap] n [ME rappe] (14c) 1: a sharp blow or knock 2 a: a
          sharp rebuke or criticism b: a negative and often undeserved
          reputation or charge--usu. used with bum or bad <given
          a bum ~ by the press> 3 a: the responsibility for or
          adverse consequences of an action <refused to take the
          ~> b: a criminal charge c: a prison sentence [2]rap vb
          rapped ; rap.ping vt (14c) 1: to strike with a sharp
          blow 2: to utter suddenly and forcibly 3: to cause to
          be or come by raps <~ the meeting to order> 4: to criticize
          sharply ~ vi 1: to strike a quick sharp blow 2: to make
          a short sharp sound [3]rap vt rapped also rapt ; rap.ping
          [back-formation fr. rapt] (1528) 1: to snatch away or
          upward 2: enrapture [4]rap n [perh. fr. [1]rap] (1834):
          a minimum amount or degree (as of care or consideration):
          the least bit <doesn't care a ~> [5]rap vi rapped ; rap.ping
          [perh. fr. [1]rap] (1929) 1: to talk freely and frankly
          2: to perform rap music [6]rap n (1967) 1: talk, conversation;
          also: a line of talk: patter 2 a: a rhythmic chanting
          often in unison of usu. rhymed couplets to a musical
          accompaniment b: a piece so performed

   rap
          [rap] abbreviation rapid

   rapacious
          [ra.pa.cious] adj [L rapac-, rapax, fr. rapere to seize--more
          at rapid] (1651) 1: excessively grasping or covetous
          2: living on prey 3: ravenous syn see voracious -- ra.pa.cious.ly
          adv -- ra.pa.cious.ness n

   rapacity
          [ra.pac.i.ty] n (1543): the quality of being rapacious

   [1]rape
          [rape] n [ME, fr. L rapa, rapum turnip, rape; akin to OHG
          raba turnip, rape, Lith rope] (14c): a European herb
          (Brassica napus) of the mustard family grown as a forage
          crop for sheep and hogs and for its seeds which yield
          rapeseed oil and are a bird food--compare canola [2]rape
          vt raped ; rap.ing [ME, fr. L rapere] (14c) 1 a archaic:
          to seize and take away by force b: despoil 2: to commit
          rape on -- rap.er n -- rap.ist n [3]rape n (14c) 1: an
          act or instance of robbing or despoiling or carrying
          away a person by force 2 a: sexual intercourse with a
          woman by a man without her consent and chiefly by force
          or deception--compare statutory rape b: unlawful sexual
          intercourse by force or threat other than by a man with
          a woman 3: an outrageous violation [4]rape n [F rape
          grape stalk] (1657): grape pomace

   rapeseed
          [rape.seed] n (1577): the seed of the rape plant

   rapeseed oil
          [rapeseed oil] n (1816): a nondrying or semidrying oil obtained
          from rapeseed and turnip seed and used chiefly as a lubricant,
          illuminant, and food--called also rape oil--compare canola
          oil

   Raphael
          [Ra.pha.el] n [LL, fr. Gk Rhaphael, fr. Heb Repha'el]: one
          of the four archangels named in Hebrew tradition

   raphe
          [ra.phe] n [NL, fr. Gk rhaphe seam, fr. rhaptein to sew]
          (ca. 1753) 1: the seamlike union of the two lateral halves
          of a part or organ (as the tongue) having externally
          a ridge or furrow 2 a: the part of the stalk of an anatropous
          ovary that is united in growth to the outside covering
          and forms a ridge along the body of the ovule b: the
          median line or slit of a diatom's valve

   raphia
          [ra.phia] n [NL, genus of palms, fr. Malagasy rafia raffia]
          (ca. 1866): raffia

   raphide
          [raph.ide] n, pl raph.ides [F & NL; F raphide, fr. NL raphides,
          pl., fr. Gk rhaphides, pl. of rhaphid-, rhaphis needle,
          fr. rhaptein] (ca. 1842): any of the needle-shaped crystals
          usu. of calcium oxalate that develop as metabolic by-products
          in plant cells

   [1]rapid
          [rap.id] adj [L rapidus seizing, sweeping, rapid, fr. rapere
          to seize, sweep away; akin to Lith aprepti to embrace]
          (1634): marked by a fast rate of motion, activity, succession,
          or occurrence syn see fast -- rap.id.ly adv -- rap.id.ness
          n [2]rapid n (1765): a part of a river where the current
          is fast and the surface is usu. broken by obstructions--usu.
          used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.

   rapid eye movement
          [rapid eye movement] n (1916): a rapid conjugate movement
          of the eyes associated esp. with REM sleep

   rapid eye movement sleep
          [rapid eye movement sleep] n (1965): rem sleep

   rapid-fire
          [rap.id-fire] adj (1890) 1: firing or adapted for firing
          shots in rapid succession 2: marked by rapidity, liveliness,
          or sharpness

   rapidity
          [ra.pid.i.ty] n (1654): the quality or state of being rapid

   rapid transit
          [rapid transit] n (1873): fast passenger transportation (as
          by subway) in urban areas

   rapier
          [ra.pi.er] n [MF (espee) rapiere] (1553): a straight 2-edged
          sword with a narrow pointed blade

   rapine
          [rap.ine] n [ME rapyne, fr. L rapina, fr. rapere to seize,
          rob] (15c): pillage, plunder

   rapini
          [ra.pi.ni] also rap.pi.ni n [It rapini, pl. of rapino, dim.
          of rapo turnip, fr. L rapum--more at rape] (1942): broccoli
          rabe

   rapparee
          [rap.pa.ree] n [Ir rapaire, ropaire, lit., thruster, stabber,
          fr. rop thrust, stab] (1690) 1: an Irish irregular soldier
          or bandit 2: vagabond, plunderer

   rappee
          [rap.pee] n [F (tabac) rape, lit., grated tobacco] (ca. 1740):
          a pungent snuff made from dark rank tobacco leaves

   rappel
          [rap.pel] vi -pelled also -peled ; -pel.ling also -pel.ing
          [F, lit., recall, fr. OF rapel, fr. rapeler to recall,
          fr. re- + apeler to appeal, call--more at appeal] (1944):
          to descend (as from a cliff) by sliding down a rope passed
          under one thigh, across the body, and over the opposite
          shoulder or through a special friction device -- rappel
          n

   rapper
          [rap.per] n (1640): one that raps or is used for rapping:
          as a: a door knocker b: a performer of rap music

   rapport
          [rap.port] n [F, fr. rapporter to bring back, refer, fr.
          OF raporter to bring back, fr. re- + aporter to bring,
          fr. L apportare, fr. ad- ad- + portare to carry--more
          at fare] (ca. 1661): relation; esp: relation marked by
          harmony, conformity, accord, or affinity

   rapporteur
          [rap.por.teur] n [MF, fr. rapporter to bring back, report]
          (ca. 1500): a person who gives reports (as at a meeting
          of a learned society)

   rapprochement
          [rap.proche.ment] n [F, fr. rapprocher to bring together,
          fr. MF, fr. re- + approcher to approach, fr. OF aprochier]
          (1809): establishment of or state of having cordial relations

   rapscallion
          [rap.scal.lion] n [alter. of earlier rascallion, irreg. fr.
          rascal] (1699): rascal, ne'er-do-well

   rap sheet
          [rap sheet] n (1960): a police arrest record esp. for an
          individual

   rapt
          [rapt] adj [ME, fr. L raptus, pp. of rapere to seize--more
          at rapid] (14c) 1: lifted up and carried away 2: transported
          with emotion: enraptured 3: wholly absorbed: engrossed
          -- rapt.ly adv -- rapt.ness n

   raptor
          [rap.tor] n [NL Raptores, former order name, fr. L, pl. of
          raptor plunderer, fr. rapere] (1873): bird of prey

   raptorial
          [rap.to.ri.al] adj (1823) 1: predaceous 1 2: adapted to seize
          prey 3: of, relating to, or being a bird of prey

   [1]rapture
          [rap.ture] n [L raptus] (1629) 1 a: a state or experience
          of being carried away by overwhelming emotion b: a mystical
          experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge
          of divine things 2: an expression or manifestation of
          ecstasy or passion syn see ecstasy -- rap.tur.ous adj
          -- rap.tur.ous.ly adv -- rap.tur.ous.ness n [2]rapture
          vt rap.tured ; rap.tur.ing (1637): enrapture

   rapture of the deep
          [rapture of the deep] (1953): nitrogen narcosis

   rara avis
          [ra.ra avis] n, pl ra.ra avis.es or ra.rae aves [L, rare
          bird] (1607): rarity 2

   [1]rare
          [rare] adj rar.er ; rar.est [ME, fr. L rarus] (14c) 1: marked
          by wide separation of component particles: thin <~ air>
          2 a: marked by unusual quality, merit, or appeal: distinctive
          b: superlative or extreme of its kind 3: seldom occurring
          or found: uncommon syn see choice, infrequent -- rare.ness
          n [2]rare adj rar.er ; rar.est [alter. of earlier rere,
          fr. ME, fr. OE hrere boiled lightly; akin to OE hreran
          to stir, OHG hruoren] (1784): cooked so that the inside
          is still red <~ roast beef>

   rare bird
          [rare bird] n (1890): rarity 2, rara avis

   rarebit
          [rare.bit] n [(Welsh) rarebit] (ca. 1785): welsh rabbit

   rare earth
          [rare earth] n (1875) 1: any of a group of similar oxides
          of metals or a mixture of such oxides occurring together
          in widely distributed but relatively scarce minerals
          2: rare earth element

   rare earth element
          [rare earth element] n (1942): any of a series of metallic
          elements of which the oxides are classed as rare earths
          and which include the elements of the lanthanide series
          and sometimes yttrium and scandium--called also rare
          earth metal

   raree-show
          [rar.ee-show] n [alter. of rare show] (1684): a small display
          or scene viewed in a box: peep show; broadly: an unusual
          or amazing show or spectacle

   rarefaction
          [rar.e.fac.tion] n [F or ML; F rarefaction, fr. ML rarefaction-,
          rarefactio, fr. L rarefacere to rarefy] (1603) 1: the
          action or process of rarefying 2: the quality or state
          of being rarefied 3: a state or region of minimum pressure
          in a medium traversed by compressional waves (as sound
          waves) -- rar.e.fac.tion.al adj

   rarefied
          [rar.e.fied] also rar.i.fied adj (1941) 1: of, relating to,
          or interesting to a select group: esoteric 2: very high

   rarefy
          [rar.e.fy] also rar.i.fy vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME rarefien,
          rarifien, fr. MF rarefier, modif. of L rarefacere, fr.
          rarus rare + facere to make--more at do] vt (14c) 1:
          to make rare, thin, porous, or less dense: to expand
          without the addition of matter 2: to make more spiritual,
          refined, or abstruse ~ vi: to become less dense

   rarely
          [rare.ly] adv (1552) 1: not often: seldom 2: with rare skill:
          excellently 3: in an extreme or exceptional manner

   rareripe
          [rare.ripe] n [E dial. rare early + E ripe] (1722) 1: an
          early ripening fruit or vegetable 2 dial: green onion

   raring
          [rar.ing] adj [fr. prp. of E dial. rare to rear, alter. of
          E rear] (1909): full of enthusiasm or eagerness <ready
          and ~ to go>

   rarity
          [rar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1542) 1: the quality, state, or fact
          of being rare 2: one that is rare

   rasbora
          [ras.bo.ra] n [NL] (1931): any of a genus (Rasbora) of tiny
          brilliantly colored cyprinid freshwater fishes often
          kept in tropical aquariums

   rascal
          [ras.cal] n [ME rascaile rabble, one of the rabble] (15c)
          1: a mean, unprincipled, or dishonest person 2: a mischievous
          person or animal -- rascal adj

   rascality
          [ras.cal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1577) 1: rabble 2 a: the
          character or actions of a rascal: knavery b: a rascally
          act

   rascally
          [ras.cal.ly] adj (1594): of or characteristic of a rascal
          -- rascally adv

   rase
          [rase] vt rased ; ras.ing [ME, fr. MF raser, fr. (assumed)
          VL rasare, freq. of L radere to scrape, shave--more at
          rodent] (14c) 1 archaic: erase 2 archaic: raze 2

   [1]rash
          [rash] adv [ME (northern dial.) rasch quickly; akin to OHG
          rasc fast] (15c) archaic: in a rash manner [2]rash adj
          (1509) 1: marked by or proceeding from undue haste or
          lack of deliberation or caution 2 obs: quickly effective
          syn see adventurous -- rash.ly adv -- rash.ness n [3]rash
          n [obs. F rache scurf, fr. (assumed) VL rasica, fr. rasicare
          to scratch, fr. L rasus, pp. of radere] (1709) 1: an
          eruption on the body 2: a large number of instances in
          a short period <a ~ of complaints>

   rasher
          [rash.er] n [perh. fr. obs. rash to cut, fr. ME rashen] (1592):
          a thin slice of bacon or ham broiled or fried; also:
          a portion consisting of several such slices

   [1]rasp
          [rasp] vb [ME, fr. (assumed) MF rasper, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG raspon to scrape together] vt (14c) 1: to rub
          with something rough; specif: to abrade with a rasp 2:
          to grate upon: irritate 3: to utter in a raspy tone ~
          vi 1: scrape 2: to produce a grating sound -- rasp.er
          n -- rasp.ing.ly adv [2]rasp n (ca. 1512) 1: a coarse
          file with cutting points instead of lines 2: something
          used for rasping 3 a: an act of rasping b: a rasping
          sound, sensation, or effect

   raspberry
          [rasp.ber.ry] n [E dial. rasp raspberry + E berry] (ca. 1616)
          1 a: any of various usu. black or red edible berries
          that are aggregate fruits consisting of numerous small
          drupes on a fleshy receptacle and that are usu. rounder
          and smaller than the closely related blackberries b:
          a plant (genus Rubus) of the rose family that bears raspberries
          2 [short for raspberry tart, rhyming slang for fart]:
          a sound of contempt made by protruding the tongue between
          the lips and expelling air forcibly to produce a vibration;
          broadly: an expression of disapproval or contempt

   raspy
          [raspy] adj (1838) 1: harsh, grating 2: irritable

   Rasta
          [Ras.ta] n (1955): rastafarian -- Rasta adj

   Rastafarian
          [Ras.ta.far.i.an] n [Ras Tafari, precoronation name of Haile
          Selassie] (1955): an adherent of Rastafarianism -- Rastafarian
          adj

   Rastafarianism
          [Ras.ta.far.i.an.ism] n (1968): a religious cult among black
          Jamaicans that teaches the eventual redemption of blacks
          and their return to Africa, employs the ritualistic use
          of marijuana, forbids the cutting of hair, and venerates
          Haile Selassie as a god

   raster
          [ras.ter] n [G, fr. L raster, rastrum rake, fr. radere to
          scrape] (1934): a scan pattern (as of the electron beam
          in a cathode-ray tube) in which an area is scanned from
          side to side in lines from top to bottom; also: a pattern
          of closely spaced rows of dots that form the image on
          a cathode-ray tube (as of a television or computer display)

   rasure
          [ra.sure] n [MF, fr. L rasura, fr. rasus, pp. of radere]
          (1508): erasure, obliteration

   [1]rat
          [rat] n [ME, fr. OE raet; akin to OHG ratta rat and perh.
          to L rodere to gnaw--more at rodent] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          any of numerous rodents (Rattus and related genera) differing
          from the related mice by considerably larger size and
          by structural details (as of the teeth) b: any of various
          similar rodents 2: a contemptible person: as a: one who
          betrays or deserts friends or associates b: scab 3b c:
          informer 2 3: a pad over which a woman's hair is arranged
          4: a person who spends much time esp. idly in a specified
          place <a mall ~> -- rat.like adj [2]rat vb rat.ted ;
          rat.ting vi (1812) 1: to betray, desert, or inform on
          one's associates--usu. used with on 2: to catch or hunt
          rats 3: to work as a scab ~ vt: to give (hair) the effect
          of greater quantity by use of a rat

   ratable
          [rat.able] or rate.able adj (1503): capable of being rated,
          estimated, or apportioned -- rat.ably adv

   ratafia
          [rat.a.fia] n [F] (1699) 1: a liqueur made from an infusion
          of macerated fruit or fruit juice in a liquor (as brandy)
          and often flavored with almonds 2: a sweet biscuit made
          of almond paste

   rataplan
          [rat.a.plan] n [F, of imit. origin] (ca. 1848): the iterative
          sound of beating <a rolling ~ of drums --Time>

   rat-a-tat
          [rat-a-tat] or rat-a-tat-tat n [imit.] (1681): a rapid succession
          of knocking, tapping, or cracking sounds

   ratatouille
          [ra.ta.tou.ille] n [F, fr. blend of ratouiller to disturb,
          shake and tatouiller to stir] (ca. 1877): a seasoned
          stew made of eggplant, tomatoes, green peppers, squash,
          and sometimes meat

   ratbag
          [rat.bag] n (1890) chiefly Austral: a stupid, eccentric,
          or disagreeable person

   rat-bite fever
          [rat-bite fever] n (1910): either of two febrile bacterial
          diseases of humans usu. transmitted by the bite of a
          rat

   rat cheese
          [rat cheese] n (1939): cheddar

   [1]ratchet
          [ratch.et] n [alter. of earlier rochet, fr. F, alter. of
          MF rocquet ratchet, bobbin, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          rocko distaff--more at rock] (1654) 1: a mechanism that
          consists of a bar or wheel having inclined teeth into
          which a pawl drops so that motion can be imparted to
          the wheel or bar, governed, or prevented and that is
          used in a hand tool (as a wrench or screwdriver) to allow
          effective motion in one direction only 2: a pawl or detent
          for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel [2]ratchet
          vt (1973): to cause to move by steps or degrees--usu.
          used with up or down <tried to ~ down the debt> ~ vi:
          to proceed by steps or degrees

   ratchet wheel
          [ratchet wheel] n (1777): a toothed wheel held in position
          or turned by an engaging pawl

   [1]rate
          [rate] vb rat.ed ; rat.ing [ME] vt (14c) 1: to rebuke angrily
          or violently 2 obs: to drive away by scolding ~ vi: to
          voice angry reprimands [2]rate n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML
          rata, fr. L (pro) rata (parte) according to a fixed proportion]
          (15c) 1 a: reckoned value: valuation b obs: estimation
          2 obs: a fixed quantity 3 a: a fixed ratio between two
          things b: a charge, payment, or price fixed according
          to a ratio, scale, or standard: as (1): a charge per
          unit of a public-service commodity (2): a charge per
          unit of freight or passenger service (3): a unit charge
          or ratio used by a government for assessing property
          taxes (4) Brit: a local tax 4 a: a quantity, amount,
          or degree of something measured per unit of something
          else b: an amount of payment or charge based on another
          amount; specif: the amount of premium per unit of insurance
          5: relative condition or quality: class -- at any rate
          : in any case: anyway [3]rate vb rat.ed ; rat.ing vt
          (15c) 1 obs: allot 2 a: to set an estimate on: value,
          esteem <black is rated very high this season> b: to determine
          or assign the relative rank or class of: grade <~ a seaman>
          c: to estimate the normal capacity or power of 3: consider,
          regard <was rated an excellent pianist> 4: to fix the
          amount of premium to be charged per unit of insurance
          on 5: to have a right to: deserve <she rated special
          privileges> ~ vi: to enjoy a status of special privilege
          <really ~s with the boss> syn see estimate

   ratel
          [ra.tel] n [Afrik, lit., rattle, fr. D, fr. MD--more at rattle]
          (1777): an African or Asian nocturnal carnivorous mammal
          (Mellivora capensis) of the weasel family that resembles
          a badger

   ratemeter
          [rate.me.ter] n (1949): an instrument that indicates the
          counting rate of an electronic counter

   rate of change
          [rate of change] (ca. 1939): a value that results from dividing
          the change in a function of a variable by the change
          in the variable <velocity is the rate of change in distance
          with respect to time>

   rate of exchange
          [rate of exchange] (ca. 1741): the amount of one currency
          that will buy a given amount of another

   rate of interest
          [rate of interest] (1785): the percentage usu. on an annual
          basis that is paid for the use of money borrowed from
          another

   ratepayer
          [rate.pay.er] n (1845) 1 Brit: taxpayer 2: one who pays for
          the consumption of electricity according to established
          rates

   rater
          [rat.er] n (1611) 1: one that rates; specif: a person who
          estimates or determines a rating 2: one having a specified
          rating or class--usu. used in combination <first-rater>

   rat fink
          [rat fink] n (1964): fink, informer

   ratfish
          [rat.fish] n (1882): chimaera; esp: a silvery iridescent
          white-spotted chimaera (Hydrolagus colliei) of cold deep
          waters of the Pacific coast of No. America

   rathe
          [rathe] adj [ME, quick, fr. OE hraeth, alter. of hraed; akin
          to OHG hrad quick] (14c) archaic: early <bring the ~
          primrose that forsaken dies --John Milton>

   rather
          [rath.er] adv [ME, fr. OE hrathor, compar. of hrathe quickly;
          akin to OHG rado quickly, OE hraed quick] (bef. 12c)
          1: with better reason or more propriety: more properly
          <this you should pity ~ than despise --Shak.> 2: more
          readily or willingly: preferably <I'd ~ not go> <would
          ~ read than watch television>--often used interjectionally
          to express affirmation 3: more correctly speaking <my
          father, or ~ my stepfather> 4: to the contrary: instead
          <was no better but ~ grew worse --Mk 5:26 (RSV)> 5: in
          some degree: somewhat <it's ~ warm>--often used as a
          mild intensive <spent ~ a lot of money> -- the rather
          archaic: the more quickly or readily

   rather than
          [rather than] conj (14c): and not <obscures rather than resolves
          the problem> <why do one thing rather than another?>

   rathskeller
          [raths.kel.ler] n [obs. G (now Ratskeller), city-hall basement
          restaurant, fr. Rat council + Keller cellar] (1900):
          a usu. basement tavern or restaurant

   raticide
          [rat.i.cide] n (1908): a substance for killing rats

   ratify
          [rat.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME ratifien, fr. MF ratifier,
          fr. ML ratificare, fr. L ratus determined, fr. pp. of
          reri to calculate--more at reason] (14c): to approve
          and sanction formally: confirm <~ a treaty> -- rat.i.fi.ca.tion
          n -- rat.i.fi.er n

   ratine
          [ra.ti.ne] n [F ratine] (ca. 1914) 1: a nubby ply yarn of
          various fibers made by twisting under tension a thick
          and a thin yarn 2: a rough bulky fabric usu. woven loosely
          in plain weave from ratine yarns

   rating
          [rat.ing] n (1702) 1: a classification according to grade;
          specif: a military or naval specialist classification
          2 chiefly Brit: a naval enlisted man 3 a: relative estimate
          or evaluation: standing <the school has a good academic
          ~> b: an estimate of an individual's or business's credit
          and responsibility c: an estimate of the percentage of
          the public listening to or viewing a particular radio
          or television program 4: a stated operating limit of
          a machine expressible in power units (as kilowatts of
          a direct-current generator) or in characteristics (as
          voltage)

   ratio
          [ra.tio] n, pl ra.tios [L, computation, reason--more at reason]
          (1660) 1 a: the indicated quotient of two mathematical
          expressions b: the relationship in quantity, amount,
          or size between two or more things: proportion 2: the
          expression of the relative values of gold and silver
          as determined by a country's currency laws

   ratiocinate
          [ra.ti.o.ci.nate] vi -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L ratiocinatus,
          pp. of ratiocinari to reckon, fr. ratio + -cinari (as
          in vaticinari to prophesy)--more at vaticinate] (1643):
          reason -- ra.ti.o.ci.na.tor n

   ratiocination
          [ra.ti.o.ci.na.tion] n (ca. 1530) 1: the process of exact
          thinking: reasoning 2: a reasoned train of thought --
          ra.ti.o.ci.na.tive adj

   [1]ration
          [ra.tion] n [F, fr. L ration-, ratio computation, reason]
          (ca. 1711) 1 a: a food allowance for one day b pl: food,
          provisions 2: a share esp. as determined by supply [2]ration
          vt ra.tioned ; ra.tion.ing (1859) 1: to supply with or
          put on rations 2 a: to distribute as rations--often used
          with out b: to distribute equitably c: to use sparingly

   [1]rational
          [ra.tio.nal] adj [ME racional, fr. L rationalis, fr. ration-,
          ratio] (14c) 1 a: having reason or understanding b: relating
          to, based on, or agreeable to reason: reasonable <a ~
          explanation> <~ behavior> 2: involving only multiplication,
          division, addition, and subtraction and only a finite
          number of times 3: relating to, consisting of, or being
          one or more rational numbers <a ~ root of an equation>
          -- ra.tio.nal.ly adv -- ra.tio.nal.ness n [2]rational
          n (1606): something rational; specif: rational number

   rationale
          [ra.tio.nale] n [L, neut. of rationalis] (1657) 1: an explanation
          of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice,
          or phenomena 2: an underlying reason: basis

   rational function
          [rational function] n (1885): a function that is the quotient
          of two polynomials; also: polynomial

   rationalise
          [ra.tio.nal.ise] Brit var of rationalize

   rationalism
          [ra.tio.nal.ism] n (1827) 1: reliance on reason as the basis
          for establishment of religious truth 2 a: a theory that
          reason is in itself a source of knowledge superior to
          and independent of sense perceptions b: a view that reason
          and experience rather than the nonrational are the fundamental
          criteria in the solution of problems 3: functionalism
          -- ra.tio.nal.ist n -- rationalist or ra.tio.nal.is.tic
          adj -- ra.tio.nal.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   rationality
          [ra.tio.nal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1628) 1: the quality or state
          of being rational 2: the quality or state of being agreeable
          to reason: reasonableness 3: a rational opinion, belief,
          or practice--usu. used in pl.

   rationalize
          [ra.tio.nal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1803) 1: to free
          (a mathematical expression) from irrational parts <~
          a denominator> 2: to bring into accord with reason or
          cause something to seem reasonable: as a: to substitute
          a natural for a supernatural explanation of <~ a myth>
          b: to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable
          motives without analysis of true and esp. unconscious
          motives <rationalized his dislike of his brother> 3:
          to apply the principles of scientific management to (as
          an industry or its operations) for a desired result (as
          increased efficiency) ~ vi: to provide plausible but
          untrue reasons for conduct -- ra.tio.nal.iz.able adj
          -- ra.tio.nal.i.za.tion n -- ra.tio.nal.iz.er n

   rational number
          [rational number] n (1904): an integer or the quotient of
          an integer divided by a nonzero integer

   ratite
          [rat.ite] n [ultim. fr. L ratitus marked with the figure
          of a raft, fr. ratis raft] (ca. 1890): a bird with a
          flat breastbone; esp: any of various mostly flightless
          birds (as an ostrich, rhea, emu, moa, or kiwi) with small
          or rudimentary wings and no keel on the sternum that
          are prob. of polyphyletic origin and are assigned to
          a number of different orders -- ratite adj

   ratline
          [rat.line] n [ME radelyng] (15c): any of the small transverse
          ropes attached to the shrouds of a ship so as to form
          the steps of a rope ladder

   [1]ratoon
          [ra.toon] n [Sp retono, fr. retonar to sprout, fr. re- (fr.
          L) + otonar to grow in autumn, fr. otono autumn, fr.
          L autumnus] (1631) 1: a shoot of a perennial plant (as
          sugarcane) 2: a crop (as of bananas) produced on ratoons
          [2]ratoon vi (1756): to sprout or spring up from the
          root ~ vt: to grow or produce (a crop) from or on ratoons

   rat race
          [rat race] n (1939): strenuous, wearisome, and usu. competitive
          activity or rush

   rats
          [rats] interj (1890)--used to express disappointment, frustration,
          or disgust

   rat snake
          [rat snake] n (1860): any of numerous large harmless rat-eating
          colubrid snakes (esp. genus Elaphe)--called also chicken
          snake

   rattail
          [rat.tail] n (1705) 1: a horse's tail with little or no hair
          2: grenadier 2

   rattail cactus
          [rattail cactus] n (1900): a commonly cultivated tropical
          American cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis) with showy
          crimson flowers

   rat-tail file
          [rat-tail file] n (1744): a round slender tapered file

   rattan
          [rat.tan] n [Malay rotan] (1660) 1: a rattan cane or switch
          2 a: a climbing palm (esp. of the genera Calamus and
          Daemonorops) with very long tough stems b: a part of
          the stem of a rattan used esp. for walking sticks and
          wickerwork

   ratteen
          [rat.teen] n [F ratine] (1685) archaic: a coarse woolen fabric

   ratter
          [rat.ter] n (1857): one that catches rats; specif: a rat-catching
          dog or cat

   [1]rattle
          [rat.tle] vb rat.tled ; rat.tling [ME ratelen; akin to MD
          ratel rattle] vi (14c) 1: to make a rapid succession
          of short sharp noises <the windows rattled in the wind>
          2: to chatter incessantly and aimlessly 3: to move with
          a clatter or rattle; also: to be or move about in a place
          or station too large or grand <rattled around the big
          old house> ~ vt 1: to say, perform, or affect in a brisk
          lively fashion <rattled off four magnificent backhands
          --Kim Chapin> 2: to cause to make a rattling sound 3:
          rouse; specif: to beat (a cover) for game 4: to upset
          to the point of loss of poise and composure syn see embarrass
          [2]rattle n (1519) 1 a: a device that produces a rattle;
          specif: a case containing pellets used as a baby's toy
          b: the sound-producing organ on a rattlesnake's tail
          2 a: a rapid succession of sharp clattering sounds b:
          noise, racket 3: a throat noise caused by air passing
          through mucus and heard esp. at the approach of death
          [3]rattle vt rat.tled ; rat.tling [irreg. fr. ratline]
          (1729): to furnish with ratlines

   rattlebrain
          [rat.tle.brain] n (1709): a flighty or thoughtless person
          -- rat.tle.brained adj

   rattler
          [rat.tler] n (15c) 1: one that rattles 2: rattlesnake

   rattlesnake
          [rat.tle.snake] n (1630): any of the American pit vipers
          comprising two genera (Crotalus and Sistrurus) and having
          horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail that
          make a sharp rattling sound when shaken

   rattlesnake plantain
          [rattlesnake plantain] n (1778): an orchid (genus Goodyera)
          with checked or mottled leaves

   rattlesnake root
          [rattlesnake root] n (1682): any of various plants formerly
          believed to be distasteful to rattlesnakes or effective
          against their venom: as a: any of a genus (Prenanthes
          and esp. P. altissima) of composite plants that have
          lobed or pinnatifid leaves and small heads of drooping
          ligulate flowers b: seneca snakeroot

   rattlesnake weed
          [rattlesnake weed] n (1760): a hawkweed (Hieracium venosum)
          with purple-veined leaves

   rattletrap
          [rat.tle.trap] n (1822): something rattly or rickety; esp:
          an old car -- rattletrap adj

   [1]rattling
          [rat.tling] adj (1560) 1: lively, brisk <moved at a ~ pace>
          2: extraordinarily good: splendid -- rat.tling.ly adv
          [2]rattling adv (1829): to an extreme degree: very <a
          ~ good argument --E. A. Betts>

   rattly
          [rat.tly] adj (1881): likely to rattle: making a rattle

   ratton
          [rat.ton] n [ME ratoun, fr. MF raton, dim. of rat, prob.
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE raet rat] (14c) chiefly dial:
          rat

   rattrap
          [rat.trap] n (15c) 1: a trap for rats 2: a dirty dilapidated
          structure 3: a hopeless situation

   rat trap cheese
          [rat trap cheese] n (1927): cheddar

   ratty
          [rat.ty] adj rat.ti.er ; -est (1865) 1 a: infested with rats
          b: of, relating to, or suggestive of a rat 2: shabby,
          unkempt <a ~ brown overcoat --John Lardner> 3 a: despicable,
          treacherous b: irritable <feeling ~ as hell --Richard
          Bissell>

   raucous
          [rau.cous] adj [L raucus hoarse; akin to L ravis hoarseness]
          (1769) 1: disagreeably harsh or strident: hoarse <~ voices>
          2: boisterously disorderly <a ... ~ frontier town --Truman
          Capote> syn see loud -- rau.cous.ly adv -- rau.cous.ness
          n

   raunch
          [raunch] n [back-formation fr. raunchy] (1964): vulgarity,
          lewdness

   raunchy
          [raun.chy] adj raun.chi.er ; -est [origin unknown] (1939)
          1: slovenly, dirty <a ~ panhandler>; also: very smelly
          <~ sneakers> 2: obscene, smutty <~ jokes> -- raun.chi.ly
          adv -- raun.chi.ness n

   rauwolfia
          [rau.wol.fia] n [NL, fr. Leonhard Rauwolf d. 1596 Ger. botanist]
          (1752) 1: any of a large pantropical genus (Rauvolfia
          syn. Rauwolfia) of somewhat poisonous trees and shrubs
          of the dogbane family that yield emetic and purgative
          substances 2: a medicinal extract from the root of an
          Asian rauwolfia (Rauvolfia serpentina) used in the treatment
          of hypertension and mental disorders

   [1]ravage
          [rav.age] n [F, fr. MF, fr. ravir to ravish--more at ravish]
          (ca. 1611) 1: an act or practice of ravaging 2: damage
          resulting from ravaging: violently destructive effect
          <the ~s of time> [2]ravage vb rav.aged ; rav.ag.ing vt
          (ca. 1611): to wreak havoc on: affect destructively ~
          vi: to commit destructive actions -- rav.age.ment n --
          rav.ag.er n syn ravage, devastate, waste, sack, pillage,
          despoil mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying.
          ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and
          destruction <a hurricane ravaged the coast>. devastate
          implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area
          <an earthquake devastated the city>. waste may imply
          producing the same result by a slow process rather than
          sudden and violent action <years of drought had wasted
          the area>. sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions
          from a place <barbarians sacked ancient Rome>. pillage
          implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness
          suggested by sack <settlements pillaged by Vikings>.
          despoil applies to looting or robbing of a place or person
          without suggesting accompanying destruction <the Nazis
          despoiled the art museums>.

   [1]rave
          [rave] vb raved ; rav.ing [ME] vi (14c) 1 a: to talk irrationally
          in or as if in delirium b: to speak out wildly c: to
          talk with extreme enthusiasm <raved about its beauty>
          2: to move or advance violently: storm <the iced gusts
          still ~ and beat --John Keats> ~ vt: to utter in madness
          or frenzy -- rav.er n [2]rave n (1598) 1: an act or instance
          of raving 2: an extravagantly favorable criticism <the
          play received the critics' ~s>

   [1]ravel
          [rav.el] vb -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling [D rafelen,
          fr. rafel loose thread] vt (1582) 1 a: to separate or
          undo the texture of: unravel b: to undo the intricacies
          of: disentangle 2: entangle, confuse ~ vi 1 obs: to become
          entangled or confused 2: to become unwoven, untwisted,
          or unwound: fray 3: break up, crumble -- rav.el.er n
          -- rav.el.ment n [2]ravel n (1634): an act or result
          of raveling: as a: something tangled b: something raveled
          out; specif: a loose thread

   raveling
          [raveling] or ravelling n (1658): ravel b

   [1]raven
          [ra.ven] n [ME, fr. OE hraefn; akin to OHG hraban raven,
          L corvus, Gk korax] (bef. 12c): a large glossy black
          corvine bird (Corvus corax) of Europe, Asia, northern
          Africa, and America [2]raven adj (1634): shiny and black
          like a raven's feathers <~ hair> [3]rav.en vb rav.ened
          ; rav.en.ing [MF raviner to rush, take by force, fr.
          ravine rapine] vt (1530) 1: to devour greedily 2: despoil
          <men ... ~ the earth, destroying its resources --New
          Yorker> ~ vi 1: to feed greedily 2: to prowl for food:
          prey 3: plunder -- rav.en.er n

   ravenous
          [rav.en.ous] adj (15c) 1: rapacious <~ wolves> 2: very eager
          or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification <a
          ~ appetite> syn see voracious -- rav.en.ous.ly adv --
          rav.en.ous.ness n

   ravin
          [rav.in] n [ME, fr. MF ravine] (14c) 1: plunder, pillage
          2 a: an act or habit of preying b: something seized as
          prey

   ravine
          [ra.vine] n [F, fr. MF, rapine, rush, fr. L rapina rapine]
          (1760): a small narrow steep-sided valley that is larger
          than a gully and smaller than a canyon and that is usu.
          worn by running water

   ravined
          [rav.ined] adj (1606) obs: rapacious, ravenous

   [1]raving
          [rav.ing] n (14c): irrational, incoherent, wild, or extravagant
          utterance or declamation--usu. used in pl. [2]raving
          adj (15c) 1: talking wildly or irrationally <a ~ lunatic>
          2: ravishing <a ~ beauty>

   ravioli
          [rav.i.o.li] n, pl ravioli also rav.i.o.lis [It, fr. It dial.,
          pl. of raviolo, lit., little turnip, dim. of rava turnip,
          fr. L rapa--more at rape] (ca. 1611): pasta in the form
          of little cases of dough containing a savory filling
          (as of meat or cheese)

   ravish
          [rav.ish] vt [ME ravisshen, fr. MF raviss-, stem of ravir,
          fr. (assumed) VL rapire, alter. of L rapere to seize,
          rob--more at rapid] (14c) 1 a: to seize and take away
          by violence b: to overcome with emotion (as joy or delight)
          <~ed by the scenic beauty> c: rape 2 2: plunder, rob
          -- rav.ish.er n -- rav.ish.ment n

   ravishing
          [rav.ish.ing] adj (14c): unusually attractive, pleasing,
          or striking -- rav.ish.ing.ly adv

   [1]raw
          [raw] adj raw.er ; raw.est [ME, fr. OE hreaw; akin to OHG
          hro raw, L crudus raw, cruor blood, Gk kreas flesh] (bef.
          12c) 1: not cooked 2 a (1): being in or nearly in the
          natural state: not processed or purified <~ fibers> <~
          sewage> (2): not diluted or blended <~ spirits> b: unprepared
          or imperfectly prepared for use c: not being in polished,
          finished, or processed form <~ data> <a ~ draft of a
          thesis> 3 a (1): having the surface abraded or chafed
          (2): very irritated <a ~ sore throat> b: lacking covering:
          naked c: not protected: susceptible to hurt <~ emotions>
          4 a: lacking experience or understanding: green <a ~
          recruit> b (1): marked by absence of refinements (2):
          vulgar, coarse c: not tempered: unbridled <~ power> 5:
          disagreeably damp or cold syn see rude -- raw.ly adv
          -- raw.ness n [2]raw n (1823): a raw place or state --
          in the raw 1: in a natural, unrefined, or crude state
          2: naked <slept in the raw>

   raw bar
          [raw bar] n (1943): a counter (as in a restaurant) that serves
          raw shellfish

   rawboned
          [raw.boned] adj (1591): relatively thin with prominent bone
          structure; also: heavy-framed and rugged but not attractively
          built syn see lean

   raw deal
          [raw deal] n (ca. 1912): an instance of unfair treatment

   [1]rawhide
          [raw.hide] n (1829) 1: a whip of untanned hide 2: untanned
          cattle skin [2]rawhide vt raw.hid.ed ; raw.hid.ing (1858)
          1: to whip or drive with or as if with a rawhide 2: chastise
          2

   rawinsonde
          [ra.win.sonde] n [radar + wind + radiosonde] (1946): a radiosonde
          tracked by a radio direction-finding device to determine
          the velocity of winds aloft

   raw material
          [raw material] n (1796): crude or processed material that
          can be converted by manufacture, processing, or combination
          into a new and useful product <wheat ... is raw material
          for the flour mill --C. A. Koepke>; broadly: something
          with a potential for improvement, development, or elaboration
          <perplexities are often the raw material of discoveries
          --Agnes M. Clerke>

   raw score
          [raw score] n (1920): an individual's actual achievement
          score (as on a test) before being adjusted for relative
          position in the test group

   rax
          [rax] vb [ME (northern dial.) raxen, fr. OE raxan; akin to
          OE reccan to stretch--more at rack] (bef. 12c) chiefly
          Scot: stretch

   [1]ray
          [ray] n [ME raye, fr. MF raie, fr. L raia] (14c): any of
          an order (Rajiformes) of cartilaginous fishes (as stingrays
          and skates) having the body flattened dorsoventrally,
          the eyes on the upper surface, and enlarged pectoral
          fins fused with the head [2]ray n [ME, fr. MF rai, fr.
          L radius rod, ray] (14c) 1 a: any of the lines of light
          that appear to radiate from a bright object b: a beam
          of radiant energy (as light) of small cross section c
          (1): a stream of material particles traveling in the
          same line (as in radioactive phenomena) (2): a single
          particle of such a stream 2 a: light cast by rays: radiance
          b: a moral or intellectual light 3: a thin line suggesting
          a ray: as a: any of a group of lines diverging from a
          common center b: half line 4 a: one of the bony rods
          that extend and support the membrane in the fin of a
          fish b: one of the radiating divisions of the body of
          a radiate animal (as a starfish) 5 a: a branch or flower
          stalk of an umbel b (1): medullary ray (2): vascular
          ray c: ray flower 1 6: particle, trace <~ of hope> --
          rayed adj [3]ray vi (1598) 1 a: to shine in or as if
          in rays b: to issue as rays 2: to extend like the radii
          of a circle: radiate ~ vt 1: to emit in rays 2: to furnish
          or mark with rays

   ray flower
          [ray flower] n (1842) 1: one of the marginal flowers of the
          head in a composite plant (as the aster) that also has
          disk flowers 2: the entire head in a plant (as chicory)
          that lacks disk flowers

   Rayleigh scattering
          [Ray.leigh scattering] n [John W. S. Rayleigh] (1937): scattering
          of light by particles small enough to render the effect
          selective so that different colors are deflected through
          different angles

   rayless
          [ray.less] adj (1747): having, admitting, or emitting no
          rays; esp: dark -- ray.less.ness n

   rayless goldenrod
          [rayless goldenrod] n (1923): a shrubby to herbaceous composite
          plant (Haplopappus heterophyllus syn. Isocoma wrightii)
          esp. of open saline ground from Texas to Arizona and
          northern Mexico that lacks ray flowers and causes trembles
          in cattle

   rayon
          [ray.on ] n [irreg. fr. [2]ray] (1924) 1: any of a group
          of smooth textile fibers made from regenerated cellulose
          by extrusion through minute holes 2: a rayon yarn, thread,
          or fabric

   raze
          [raze] vt razed ; raz.ing [alter. of rase] (1536) 1 a archaic:
          erase b: to scrape, cut, or shave off 2: to destroy to
          the ground: demolish -- raz.er n

   razee
          [ra.zee] n [F (vaisseau) rase, lit., cut-off ship] (1794):
          a wooden warship with the upper deck cut away

   razor
          [ra.zor] n [ME rasour, fr. OF raseor, fr. raser to raze,
          shave--more at rase] (14c): a keen-edged cutting instrument
          for shaving or cutting hair

   razorback
          [ra.zor.back] n (1849): a thin-bodied long-legged feral hog
          chiefly of the southeastern U.S.

   razor-backed
          [ra.zor-backed] or ra.zor.back adj (1829): having a sharp
          narrow back <a ~ horse>

   razorbill
          [ra.zor.bill] n (1674): a No. Atlantic auk (Alca torda) with
          the plumage black above and white below and a compressed
          sharp-edged bill--called also razor-billed auk

   razor clam
          [razor clam] n (1882): any of a family (Solenidae) of marine
          bivalve mollusks having a long narrow thin shell

   [1]razz
          [razz] n [short for razzberry sound of contempt, alter. of
          raspberry] (ca. 1919): raspberry 2 [2]razz vt (1921):
          heckle, deride <the fans ~ed the visiting players>

   razzamatazz
          [razz.a.ma.tazz] chiefly Brit var of razzmatazz

   razzle-dazzle
          [raz.zle-daz.zle] n [redupl. of dazzle] (1889) 1: a state
          of confusion or hilarity 2: a complex maneuver (as in
          sports) designed to confuse an opponent 3: a confusing
          or colorful often gaudy action or display -- razzle-dazzle
          adj

   razzmatazz
          [razz.ma.tazz] n [prob. alter. of razzle-dazzle] (1942) 1:
          razzle-dazzle 3 2: double-talk 2 3: vim, zing

   rb...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Rb
          [Rb] abbreviation rubidium

   RBC
          [RBC] abbreviation red blood cells, red blood count

   RBE
          [RBE] abbreviation relative biological effectiveness

   RBI
          [RBI] n, pl RBIs or RBI [run batted in] (1948): a run in
          baseball that is driven in by a batter; also: official
          credit to a batter for driving in a run <led the league
          in ~s>

   rc...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   RC
          [RC] abbreviation Red Cross, resistance-capacitance, Roman
          Catholic

   RCAF
          [RCAF] abbreviation Royal Canadian Air Force

   RCMP
          [RCMP] abbreviation Royal Canadian Mounted Police

   RCN
          [RCN] abbreviation Royal Canadian Navy

   rct
          [rct] abbreviation recruit

   rd...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   rd
          [rd] abbreviation road, rod, round  RD abbreviation registered
          dietitian, rural delivery

   -rd
          [-rd] symbol--used after the figure 3 to indicate the ordinal
          number third <3rd> <83rd>

   RDA
          [RDA] abbreviation recommended daily allowance, recommended
          dietary allowance

   RDF
          [RDF] abbreviation radio direction finder, radio direction
          finding, Rapid Deployment Force, refuse-derived fuel

   re...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]re
          [re] n [ML, fr. the syllable sung to this note in a medieval
          hymn to St. John the Baptist] (14c): the 2d tone of the
          diatonic scale in solmization [2]re prep [L, abl. of
          res thing--more at real] (1707): with regard to: in re

   Re
          [Re] abbreviation rhenium

   re-
          [re-] prefix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L re-, red- back, again, against]
          1: again: anew <retell> 2: back: backward <recall>re.ac.cel.er.ate
          re.ac.cept re.ac.ces.sion re.ac.cli.ma.tize re.ac.cred.it
          re.ac.cred.i.ta.tion re.ac.quaint re.ac.quire re.ac.qui.si.tion
          re.ac.ti.vate re.ac.ti.va.tion re.ad.dress re.ad.just
          re.ad.just.ment re.ad.mis.sion re.ad.mit re.adopt re.af.firm
          re.af.fir.ma.tion re.af.fix re.al.lo.cate re.al.lo.ca.tion
          re.anal.y.sis re.an.a.lyze re.an.i.mate re.an.i.ma.tion re.an.nex
          re.an.nex.a.tion re.ap.pear re.ap.pear.ance re.ap.pli.ca.tion
          re.ap.ply re.ap.point re.ap.point.ment re.ap.prais.al re.ap.praise
          re.ap.pro.pri.ate re.ap.prove re.ar.gue re.ar.gu.ment re.arous.al
          re.arouse re.ar.range re.ar.range.ment re.ar.rest re.ar.tic.u.late
          re.as.cend re.as.cent re.as.sem.blage re.as.sem.ble re.as.sem.bly
          re.as.sert re.as.ser.tion re.as.sess re.as.sess.ment re.as.sign
          re.as.sign.ment re.as.sume re.at.tach re.at.tach.ment re.at.tain
          re.at.tempt re.at.tri.bute re.at.tri.bu.tion re.au.tho.ri.za.tion
          re.au.tho.rize re.awak.en re.bait re.bal.ance re.bap.tism
          re.bap.tize re.be.gin re.bid re.bind re.blend re.bloom re.board
          re.boil re.book re.boot re.bore re.bot.tle re.breed re.buri.al
          re.bury re.buy re.cal.cu.late re.cal.cu.la.tion re.cal.i.brate
          re.cal.i.bra.tion re.cen.tral.i.za.tion re.cen.tri.fuge
          re.cer.ti.fi.ca.tion re.cer.ti.fy re.chal.lenge re.chan.nel
          re.char.ter re.check re.cho.reo.graph re.chris.ten
          re-Chris.tian.ize re.chro.mato.graph re.chro.ma.tog.ra.phy
          re.cir.cu.late re.cir.cu.la.tion re.clad re.clas.si.fi.ca.tion
          re.clas.si.fy re.clothe re.cock re.cod.i.fi.ca.tion re.cod.i.fy
          re.col.o.ni.za.tion re.col.o.nize re.col.or re.com.bine
          re.com.mence re.com.mence.ment re.com.mis.sion re.com.pi.la.tion
          re.com.pile re.com.pu.ta.tion re.com.pute re.con.ceive
          re.con.cen.trate re.con.cen.tra.tion re.con.cep.tion
          re.con.cep.tu.al.i.za.tion re.con.cep.tu.al.ize re.con.dense
          re.con.fig.u.ra.tion re.con.fig.ure re.con.nect re.con.nec.tion
          re.con.quer re.con.quest re.con.se.crate re.con.se.cra.tion
          re.con.sol.i.date re.con.tact re.con.tam.i.nate
          re.con.tam.i.na.tion re.con.tex.tu.al.ize re.con.tour re.con.vene
          re.con.ver.sion re.con.vert re.con.vict re.con.vic.tion
          re.con.vince re.copy re.cork re.cross re.cul.ti.vate re.date
          re.ded.i.cate re.ded.i.ca.tion re.de.fect re.de.liv.er
          re.de.liv.ery re.de.pos.it re.de.ter.mi.na.tion re.de.ter.mine
          re.di.ges.tion re.dis.cov.er re.dis.cov.ery re.dis.cuss re.dis.play
          re.dis.pose re.dis.po.si.tion re.dis.solve re.dis.till
          re.dis.til.la.tion re.di.vide re.di.vi.sion re.don re.draft re.draw
          re.dream re.drill re.dub re.el.i.gi.bil.i.ty re.el.i.gi.ble
          re.emerge re.emer.gence re.emis.sion re.emit re.em.pha.sis
          re.em.pha.size re.em.ploy re.em.ploy.ment re.en.coun.ter re.en.dow
          re.en.er.gize re.en.gage re.en.gage.ment re.en.gi.neer re.en.grave
          re.en.list re.en.list.ment re.en.roll re.en.throne re.equip
          re.equip.ment re.erect re.es.ca.late re.es.ca.la.tion
          re.es.tab.lish re.es.tab.lish.ment re.es.ti.mate re.eval.u.ate
          re.eval.u.a.tion re.ex.am.i.na.tion re.ex.am.ine re.ex.pe.ri.ence
          re.ex.plore re.ex.port re.ex.por.ta.tion re.ex.pose re.ex.po.sure
          re.ex.press re.face re.feed re.feel re.fence re.fight re.fig.ure
          re.file re.find re.fire re.fix re.float re.fold re.forge re.for.mat
          re.for.mu.late re.for.mu.la.tion re.for.ti.fi.ca.tion re.for.ti.fy
          re.found re.foun.da.tion re.frame re.freeze re.fry re.fur.nish
          re.gain re.gath.er re.gear re.gild re.give re.glaze re.grade
          re.graft re.grant re.green re.grind re.groom re.groove re.growth
          re.han.dle re.hang re.heat re.hinge re.hire re.hos.pi.tal.i.za.tion
          re.hos.pi.tal.ize re.hu.man.ize re.hyp.no.tize re.iden.ti.fy
          re.ig.nite re.ig.ni.tion re.im.age re.im.merse re.im.plant
          re.im.plan.ta.tion re.im.port re.im.por.ta.tion re.im.pose
          re.im.po.si.tion re.in.cor.po.rate re.in.cor.po.ra.tion re.in.dict
          re.in.dict.ment re.in.fes.ta.tion re.in.flate re.in.fla.tion
          re.in.hab.it re.ini.tiate re.in.ject re.in.jec.tion re.in.jure
          re.in.ju.ry re.ink re.in.ner.vate re.in.ner.va.tion re.in.oc.u.late
          re.in.oc.u.la.tion re.in.sert re.in.ser.tion re.in.spect
          re.in.spec.tion re.in.spire re.in.stall re.in.stal.la.tion
          re.in.sti.tute re.in.sti.tu.tion.al.i.za.tion re.in.ter
          re.in.ter.view re.in.tro.duce re.in.tro.duc.tion re.in.vade
          re.in.va.sion re.in.ves.ti.gate re.in.ves.ti.ga.tion
          re.in.vig.o.rate re.in.vig.o.ra.tion re.in.vig.o.ra.tor re.jack.et
          re.judge re.jug.gle re.key re.key.board re.kin.dle re.knit
          re.la.bel re.lac.quer re.land.scape re.launch re.learn re.lend
          re.li.cense re.li.cen.sure re.light re.link re.liq.ue.fy re.load
          re.lock re.look re.lu.bri.cate re.lu.bri.ca.tion re.mar.ket
          re.mar.riage re.mar.ry re.mate re.ma.te.ri.al.ize re.mea.sure
          re.mea.sure.ment re.meet re.melt re.merge re.mi.gra.tion
          re.mil.i.ta.ri.za.tion re.mil.i.ta.rize re.mix re.mo.bi.li.za.tion
          re.mo.bi.lize re.moist.en re.mold re.mon.e.ti.za.tion re.mon.e.tize
          re.mo.ti.vate re.mo.ti.va.tion re.my.thol.o.gize re.nail re.name
          re.na.tion.al.i.za.tion re.na.tion.al.ize re.nest re.num.ber
          re.ob.serve re.oc.cu.pa.tion re.oc.cu.py re.oc.cur re.oc.cur.rence
          re.oil re.op.er.ate re.op.er.a.tion re.or.ches.trate
          re.or.ches.tra.tion re.ori.ent re.ori.en.tate re.ori.en.ta.tion
          re.out.fit re.ox.i.da.tion re.ox.i.dize re.pack re.paint re.park
          re.patch re.pat.tern re.pave re.peg re.peo.ple re.pho.to.graph
          re.phrase re.plan re.plas.ter re.plate re.pledge re.plot re.plumb
          re.pol.ish re.poll re.pop.u.lar.ize re.pop.u.late re.pop.u.la.tion
          re.pot re.pres.sur.ize re.price re.pri.vat.i.za.tion re.pri.vat.ize
          re.pro.vi.sion re.pump re.punc.tu.a.tion re.pur.chase re.pu.ri.fy
          re.rack re.raise re.read re.read.ing re.re.cord re.reg.is.ter
          re.reg.is.tra.tion re.reg.u.late re.reg.u.la.tion re.re.lease
          re.re.mind re.re.peat re.re.view re.rig re.roof re.route re.sail
          re.sam.ple re.saw re.school re.score re.screen re.sculpt re.seal
          re.seal.able re.sea.son re.seat re.se.cure re.see re.seg.re.gate
          re.seg.re.ga.tion re.sell re.sell.er re.sen.si.tize re.sen.tence
          re.ser.vice re.set.tle re.set.tle.ment re.sew re.shin.gle re.shoe
          re.shoot re.show re.sight re.sil.ver re.site re.size re.slate
          re.soak re.so.cial.i.za.tion re.so.cial.ize re.sod re.sol.der
          re.sole re.so.lid.i.fi.ca.tion re.so.lid.i.fy re.sow
          re.spir.i.tu.al.ize re.spot re.spray re.sprout re.sta.bi.lize
          re.stack re.stage re.stamp re.stim.u.late re.stim.u.la.tion
          re.stock re.stoke re.strength.en re.stress re.study re.stuff
          re.style re.sub.mis.sion re.sub.mit re.sum.mon re.sup.ply
          re.sur.vey re.syn.the.sis re.syn.the.size re.sys.tem.a.tize
          re.tack.le re.tag re.tar.get re.taste re.teach re.team re.test
          re.tex.ture re.thread re.tie re.tight.en re.tile re.time re.trace
          re.trans.fer re.trans.form re.trans.for.ma.tion re.trans.mis.sion
          re.trans.mit re.try re.tune re.type re.uni.fy re.uni.fi.ca.tion
          re.up.hol.ster re.uti.li.za.tion re.uti.lize re.vac.ci.nate
          re.vac.ci.na.tion re.val.i.date re.val.i.da.tion
          re.val.o.ri.za.tion re.val.o.rize re.vict.ual re.vi.su.al.i.za.tion
          re.vote re.warm re.wash re.weave re.weigh re.wet re.wire re.wrap
          re.zone

   REA
          [REA] abbreviation Rural Electrification Administration

   reabsorb
          [re.ab.sorb] vt (ca. 1774): to take up (something previously
          secreted or emitted) <sugars ~ed in the kidney>; also:
          resorb 2

   [1]reach
          [reach] vb [ME rechen, fr. OE raecan; akin to OHG reichen
          to reach, Lith raizytis to stretch oneself] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to stretch out: extend b: thrust 2 a: to touch
          or grasp by extending a part of the body (as a hand)
          or an object <couldn't ~ the apple> b: to pick up and
          draw toward one: take c (1): to extend to <the shadow
          ~ed the wall> (2): to get up to or as far as: come to
          <your letter ~ed me yesterday> <his voice ~ed the last
          rows> <they hoped to ~ an agreement> d (1): encompass
          (2): to make an impression on (3): to communicate with
          3: to hand over: pass ~ vi 1 a: to make a stretch with
          or as if with one's hand b: to strain after something
          2 a: project, extend <his land ~es to the river> b: to
          arrive at or come to something <as far as the eye could
          ~> 3: to sail on a reach -- reach.able adj -- reach.er
          n [2]reach n (1536) 1: a continuous stretch or expanse;
          esp: a straight portion of a stream or river 2 a (1):
          the action or an act of reaching (2): an individual part
          of a progression or journey b (1): a reachable distance
          <within ~> (2): ability to reach <had a long ~> c: an
          extent or range esp. of knowledge or comprehension 3:
          a bearing shaft or coupling pole; esp: the rod joining
          the hind axle to the forward bolster of a wagon 4: the
          tack sailed by a ship with the wind coming just forward
          of the beam or with the wind directly abeam or abaft
          the beam 5: echelon, level--usu. used in pl. <the higher
          ~es of academic life>

   reach-me-down
          [reach-me-down] adj or n (1862) chiefly Brit: hand-me-down

   react
          [re.act] vb [NL reactus, pp. of reagere, fr. L re- + agere
          to act--more at agent] vi (1644) 1: to exert a reciprocal
          or counteracting force or influence--often used with
          on or upon 2: to respond to a stimulus 3: to act in opposition
          to a force or influence--usu. used with against 4: to
          move or tend in a reverse direction 5: to undergo chemical
          reaction ~ vt: to cause to react

   reactance
          [re.ac.tance] n (1893): the part of the impedance of an
          alternating-current circuit that is due to capacitance or
          inductance or both and that is expressed in ohms

   reactant
          [re.ac.tant] n (ca. 1920): a substance that enters into and
          is altered in the course of a chemical reaction

   reaction
          [re.ac.tion] n (ca. 1611) 1 a: the act or process or an instance
          of reacting b: resistance or opposition to a force, influence,
          or movement; esp: tendency toward a former and usu. outmoded
          political or social order or policy 2: a response to
          some treatment, situation, or stimulus <her stunned ~
          to the news>; also: such a response expressed verbally
          <critical ~ to the play> 3: bodily response to or activity
          aroused by a stimulus: a: an action induced by vital
          resistance to another action; esp: the response of tissues
          to a foreign substance (as an antigen or infective agent)
          b: depression or exhaustion due to excessive exertion
          or stimulation c: heightened activity and overaction
          succeeding depression or shock d: a mental or emotional
          disorder forming an individual's response to his or her
          life situation 4: the force that a body subjected to
          the action of a force from another body exerts in the
          opposite direction 5 a (1): chemical transformation or
          change: the interaction of chemical entities (2): the
          state resulting from such a reaction b: a process involving
          change in atomic nuclei

   reactionary
          [re.ac.tion.ary] adj (1840): relating to, marked by, or favoring
          reaction; esp: ultraconservative in politics -- reactionary
          n -- re.ac.tion.ary.ism n

   reactive
          [re.ac.tive] adj (1794) 1: of, relating to, or marked by
          reaction or reactance 2 a: readily responsive to a stimulus
          b: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset
          <~ depression> -- re.ac.tive.ly adv -- re.ac.tive.ness
          n -- re.ac.tiv.i.ty n

   reactor
          [re.ac.tor] n (ca. 1904) 1: one that reacts 2: a device (as
          a coil, winding, or conductor of small resistance) used
          to introduce reactance into an alternating-current circuit
          3 a: a vat for an industrial chemical reaction b: a device
          for the controlled release of nuclear energy (as for
          producing heat)

   [1]read
          [read] vb read ; read.ing [ME reden to advise, interpret,
          read, fr. OE raedan; akin to OHG ratan to advise, Skt
          radhnoti he achieves, prepares] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a (1):
          to receive or take in the sense of (as letters or symbols)
          esp. by sight or touch (2): to study the movements of
          (as lips) with mental formulation of the communication
          expressed (3): to utter aloud the printed or written
          words of <~ them a story> b: to learn from what one has
          seen or found in writing or printing c: to deliver aloud
          by or as if by reading; specif: to utter interpretively
          d (1): to become acquainted with or look over the contents
          of (as a book) (2): to make a study of <~ law> (3): to
          read the works of e: to check (as copy or proof) for
          errors f (1): to receive and understand (a voice message)
          by radio (2): understand, comprehend 2 a: to interpret
          the meaning or significance of <~ palms> b: foretell,
          predict <able to ~ his fortune> 3: to recognize or interpret
          as if by reading: as a: to learn the nature of by observing
          outward expression or signs <~s him like a book> b: to
          note the action or characteristics of in order to anticipate
          what will happen <a good canoeist ~s the rapids> <a golfer
          ~ing a green>; also: to predict the movement of (a putt)
          by reading a green c: to anticipate by observation of
          an opponent's position or movement <~ a blitz> 4 a: to
          attribute a meaning to (as something read): interpret
          <how do you ~ this passage> b: to attribute (a meaning)
          to something read or considered <~ a nonexistent meaning
          into her words> 5: to use as a substitute for or in preference
          to another word or phrase in a particular passage, text,
          or version <~ hurry for harry>--often used to introduce
          a clarifying substitute for a euphemistic or misleading
          word or phrase <a friendly, ~ nosy, coworker> 6: indicate
          <the thermometer ~s zero> 7: to interpret (a musical
          work) in performance 8 a: to acquire (information) from
          storage; esp: to sense the meaning of (data) in recorded
          and coded form--used of a computer or data processor
          b: to read the coded information on (as a floppy disk)
          ~ vi 1 a: to perform the act of reading words: read something
          b (1): to learn something by reading (2): to pursue a
          course of study 2 a: to yield a particular meaning or
          impression when read b: to be readable or read in a particular
          manner or to a particular degree <this book ~s smoothly>
          3: to consist of specific words, phrases, or other similar
          elements <a passage that ~s differently in older versions>
          -- read between the lines : to understand more than is
          directly stated -- read the riot act 1: to order a mob
          to disperse 2 a: to order or warn to cease something
          b: to protest vehemently c: to reprimand severely [2]read
          adj (1586): instructed by or informed through reading
          [3]read n (1825) 1 chiefly Brit: a period of reading
          <it was a night ... for a ~ and a long sleep --William
          Sansom> 2: something (as a book) that is read <a novel
          that's a good ~> 3: the action or an instance of reading

   readable
          [read.able] adj (15c): able to be read easily: as a: legible
          b: interesting to read -- read.abil.i.ty n -- read.able.ness
          n -- read.ably adv

   reader
          [read.er] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: one that reads b: one appointed
          to read to others: as (1): lector (2): one chosen to
          read aloud selected material in a Christian Science church
          or society c (1): proofreader (2): one who evaluates
          manuscripts (3): one who reads periodical literature
          to discover items of special interest or value d: an
          employee who reads and records the indications of meters
          e: a teacher's assistant who reads and marks student
          papers 2 Brit: one who reads lectures or expounds subjects
          to students 3 a: a device for projecting a readable image
          of a transparency b: a unit that scans material recorded
          (as on punched cards) for storage or computation 4 a:
          a book for instruction and practice esp. in reading b:
          anthology

   readerly
          [read.er.ly] adj (1959): of, relating to, or typical of a
          reader

   readership
          [read.er.ship] n (1719) 1 a: the quality or state of being
          a reader b: the office or position of a reader 2: the
          mass or a particular group of readers <a magazine's ~>

   readily
          [read.i.ly] adv (14c): in a ready manner: as a: without hesitating:
          willingly <~ accepted advice> b: without much difficulty: easily
          <for reasons that anyone could ~ understand>

   reading
          [read.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: the act of reading 2 a: material
          read or for reading b: extent of material read 3 a: a
          particular version b: data indicated by an instrument
          4 a: a particular interpretation of something (as a law)
          b: a particular performance of something (as a musical
          work) 5: an indication of a certain state of affairs
          <a study to get some ~ of shoppers' preferences>

   reading desk
          [reading desk] n (1703): lectern

   reading frame
          [reading frame] n (1965): any of the three possible ways
          of reading a sequence of nucleotides as a series of triplets

   read-only memory
          [read-only memory] n (1961): a usu. small computer memory
          that contains special-purpose information (as a program)
          which cannot be altered--called also ROM--compare random-access
          memory

   read out
          [read out] vt (1600) 1 a: to read aloud b: to produce a readout
          of 2: to expel from an organization or group

   readout
          [read.out] n (1652) 1: the process of reading 2 a: the process
          of removing information from an automatic device (as
          an electronic computer) and displaying it in an understandable
          form b: the information removed from such a device and
          displayed or recorded (as by magnetic tape or printing
          device) c: an electronic device that presents information
          in visual form 3: the radio transmission of data or pictures
          from a space vehicle

   [1]ready
          [ready] adj read.i.er ; -est [ME redy; akin to OE geraede
          ready, Goth garaiths arranged] (13c) 1 a: prepared mentally
          or physically for some experience or action b: prepared
          for immediate use <dinner is ~> 2 a: willingly disposed:
          inclined <~ to agree to his proposal> b: likely to do
          something indicated <a house that looks ~ to collapse>
          3: displayed readily and spontaneously <a ~ wit> 4: immediately
          available <had little ~ cash> syn see quick -- read.i.ness
          n -- at the ready : ready for immediate use <kept their
          guns at the ready> [2]ready vt read.ied ; ready.ing (14c):
          to make ready

   ready box
          [ready box] n (1942): a box placed near a gun (as on a ship)
          to hold ammunition kept ready for immediate use

   [1]ready-made
          [ready-made] adj (15c) 1: made beforehand esp. for general
          sale <~ suits> 2: lacking originality or individuality
          3: readily available <her illness provided a ~ excuse>
          [2]ready-made n (1882) 1: something (as a garment) that
          is ready-made 2 usu ready.made [F ready-made, fr. E]:
          a commonplace artifact (as a comb or a pair of ice tongs)
          selected and displayed as a work of art

   ready room
          [ready room] n (1941): a room in which pilots or astronauts
          are briefed and await orders

   ready-to-wear
          [ready-to-wear] adj (1895) 1 of clothing: ready-made 2: dealing
          in ready-made clothes <~ stores> -- ready-to-wear n

   ready-witted
          [ready-wit.ted] adj (1581): quick-witted

   reafforestation
          [re.af.for.es.ta.tion] n (1884) chiefly Brit: reforestation
          -- re.af.for.est vt, chiefly Brit

   reagent
          [re.agent] n [NL reagent-, reagens, prp. of reagere to react--more
          at react] (1797): a substance used (as in detecting or measuring
          a component, in preparing a product, or in developing photographs)
          because of its chemical or biological activity

   reaggregate
          [re.ag.gre.gate] vt (1849): to cause to re-form into an aggregate
          or a whole -- re.ag.gre.gate n -- re.ag.gre.ga.tion n

   reagin
          [re.agin] n [ISV, fr. reagent] (ca. 1911) 1: a substance
          in the blood of persons with syphilis responsible for
          positive serological reactions for syphilis 2: an antibody
          in the blood of individuals with some forms of allergy
          possessing the power of passively sensitizing the skin
          of normal individuals -- re.agin.ic adj

   [1]real
          [re.al] adj [ME, real, relating to things (in law), fr. MF,
          fr. ML & LL; ML realis relating to things (in law), fr.
          LL, real, fr. L res thing, fact; akin to Skt rayi property]
          (14c) 1: of or relating to fixed, permanent, or immovable
          things (as lands or tenements) 2 a: not artificial, fraudulent,
          illusory, or apparent: genuine <~ gold>; also: being
          precisely what the name implies <a ~ professional> b
          (1): occurring in fact <a story of ~ life> (2): of or
          relating to practical or everyday concerns or activities
          <left school to live in the ~ world> (3): existing as
          a physical entity and having properties that deviate
          from an ideal, law, or standard <a ~ gas>--compare ideal
          3b c: having objective independent existence <unable
          to believe that what he saw was ~> d: fundamental, essential
          e (1): belonging to or having elements or components
          that belong to the set of real numbers <the ~ roots of
          an equation> <a ~ matrix> (2): concerned with or contain
          ing real numbers <~ analysis> (3): real-valued <~ variable>
          f: measured by purchasing power <~ income> <~ dollars>
          g: complete, utter <a ~ fiasco> 3 of a particle: capable
          of being detected--compare virtual 3 -- re.al.ness n
          -- for real 1: in earnest: seriously <fighting for real>
          2: genuine <couldn't believe the threats were for real>
          [2]real n (ca. 1626): a real thing; esp: a mathematically
          real quantity [3]real adv (1718): very <he was ~ cool
          --H. M. McLuhan> usage Most handbooks consider the adverb
          real to be informal and more suitable to speech than
          writing. Our evidence shows these observations to be
          true in the main, but real is becoming increasingly common
          in writing of an informal, conversational style. It is
          used as an intensifier only and is not interchangeable
          with really except in that use. [4]re.al n, pl reals
          or re.ales [Sp, fr. real royal, fr. L regalis--more at
          royal] (1555): a former monetary unit and coin of Spain
          and its possessions [5]re.al n, pl reals or reis [Pg,
          fr. real royal, fr. L regalis] (1951): a former monetary
          unit and coin of Portugal or Brazil

   real estate
          [real estate] n (1666): property in buildings and land

   real focus
          [real focus] n (1909): a point at which rays (as of light)
          converge or from which they diverge

   realgar
          [re.al.gar] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. Catal, fr. Ar rahj al-ghar
          powder of the mine] (15c): an orange-red mineral consisting
          of arsenic sulfide and having a resinous luster

   realia
          [re.a.lia] n pl [LL, neut. pl. of realis real] (1937): objects
          or activities used to relate classroom teaching to the
          real life esp. of peoples studied

   realign
          [re.align] vt (1899): to align again; esp: to reorganize
          or make new groupings of -- re.align.ment n

   real image
          [real image] n (1899): an optical image formed of real foci

   realism
          [re.al.ism] n (1817) 1: concern for fact or reality and rejection
          of the impractical and visionary 2 a: a doctrine that
          universals exist outside the mind; specif: the conception
          that an abstract term names an independent and unitary
          reality b: the conception that objects of sense perception
          or cognition exist independently of the mind--compare
          nominalism 3: fidelity in art and literature to nature
          or to real life and to accurate representation without
          idealization -- re.al.ist adj or n -- re.al.is.tic adj
          -- re.al.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   reality
          [re.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1550) 1: the quality or state of
          being real 2 a (1): a real event, entity, or state of
          affairs <his dream became a ~> (2): the totality of real
          things and events <trying to escape from ~> b: something
          that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily
          -- in reality : in actual fact

   realization
          [re.al.i.za.tion] n (ca. 1611) 1: the action of realizing:
          the state of being realized 2: something realized

   realize
          [re.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing [F realiser, fr. MF realiser,
          fr. real real] (ca. 1611) 1 a: to bring into concrete
          existence: accomplish <finally realized her goal> b:
          to cause to seem real: make appear real <a book in which
          the characters are carefully realized> 2 a: to convert
          into actual money <realized assets> b: to bring or get
          by sale, investment, or effort: gain 3: to conceive vividly
          as real: be fully aware of <did not ~ the risk she was
          taking> syn see think -- re.al.iz.able adj -- re.al.iz.er
          n

   real-life
          [real-life] adj (1938): existing or occurring in reality:
          drawn from or drawing on actual events or situations
          <~ problems> <~ drama>

   really
          [re.al.ly] adv (15c) 1 a: in reality: actually <things as
          they ~ are> <there was nothing peculiar about her doing
          this, ~ --Peter Taylor> b: truly, unquestionably--used
          as an intensifier <a ~ beautiful day> 2--used to emphasize
          an assertion <you ~ should read Yeats> <~, you're being
          ridiculous>

   realm
          [realm] n [ME realme, fr. OF reialme, alter. of reiame, fr.
          L regimen rule--more at regimen] (13c) 1: kingdom 2 2:
          sphere, domain <within the ~ of possibility> 3: a primary
          marine or terrestrial biogeographic division of the earth's
          surface

   real number
          [real number] n (1909): one of the numbers that have no imaginary
          parts and comprise the rationals and the irrationals

   real part
          [real part] n (1949): the term in a complex number (as 2
          in 2 + 3i) that does not contain the imaginary unit as
          a factor

   realpolitik
          [re.al.po.li.tik] n, often cap [G, fr. real actual + Politik
          politics] (1914): politics based on practical and material
          factors rather than on theoretical or ethical objectives

   real presence
          [real presence] n, often cap R&P (1559): the doctrine that
          Christ is actually present in the Eucharist

   real time
          [real time] n (1953): the actual time during which something
          takes place <the computer may partly analyze the data
          in real time (as it comes in) --R. H. March> -- real-time
          adj

   Realtor
          [Re.al.tor] collective mark--used for a real estate agent
          who is a member of the National Association of Realtors

   realty
          [re.al.ty] n [real + -ty (as in property)] (1670): real estate

   real-valued
          [real-valued] adj (1965): taking on only real numbers for
          values <a ~ function>

   real-world
          [real-world] adj (1963): real-life

   [1]ream
          [ream] n [ME reme, fr. MF raime, fr. Ar rizmah, lit., bundle]
          (14c) 1: a quantity of paper being 20 quires or variously
          480, 500, or 516 sheets 2: a great amount--usu. used
          in pl. [2]ream vt [perh. fr. (assumed) ME remen to open
          up, fr. OE reman; akin to OE ryman to open up, rum space--more
          at room] (1815) 1 a: to widen the opening of (a hole):
          countersink b (1): to enlarge or dress out (a hole) with
          a reamer (2): to enlarge the bore of (as a gun) in this
          way c: to remove by reaming 2 a: to press out with a
          reamer b: to press out the juice of (as an orange) with
          a reamer 3: cheat, victimize 4: reprimand

   reamer
          [ream.er] n (1825): one that reams: as a: a rotating finishing
          tool with cutting edges used to enlarge or shape a hole
          b: a fruit juice extractor with a ridged and pointed
          center rising from a shallow dish

   reap
          [reap] vb [ME repen, fr. OE reopan] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a (1):
          to cut with a sickle, scythe, or reaping machine (2):
          to clear of a crop by reaping b: to gather by reaping:
          harvest 2: obtain, win ~ vi: to reap something

   reaper
          [reap.er] n (bef. 12c): one that reaps; esp: any of various
          machines for reaping grain

   reaphook
          [reap.hook] n (1591): a hand implement with a hook-shaped
          blade used in reaping

   reapportion
          [re.ap.por.tion] vt (ca. 1828): to apportion (as a house
          of representatives) anew ~ vi: to make a new apportionment
          -- re.ap.por.tion.ment n

   [1]rear
          [rear] vb [ME reren, fr. OE raeran; akin to ON reisa to raise,
          OE risan to rise] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to erect by building:
          construct 2: to raise upright 3 a (1): to breed and raise
          (an animal) for use or market (2): bring up 1 b: to cause
          (as plants) to grow 4: to cause (a horse) to rise up
          on the hind legs ~ vi 1: to rise high 2 of a horse: to
          rise up on the hind legs syn see lift -- rear.er n [2]rear
          n [ME rere, short for rerewarde rearward] (14c) 1: the
          back part of something: as a: the unit (as of an army)
          or area farthest from the enemy b: the part of something
          located opposite its front <the ~ of a house> c: buttocks
          2: the space or position at the back <moved to the ~>
          [3]rear adj [ME rere-, fr. MF rere backward, behind,
          fr. L retro---more at retro] (14c): being at the back
          [4]rear adv (1855): toward or from the rear--usu. used
          in combination <a rear-driven car>

   rear admiral
          [rear admiral] n (1589): a commissioned officer in the navy
          who ranks above a commodore and in the coast guard who
          ranks above a captain and whose insignia is two stars

   rear echelon
          [rear echelon] n (ca. 1934): an element of a military headquarters
          or unit located at a considerable distance from the front and
          concerned esp. with administrative and supply duties

   rear-end
          [rear-end] vt (1957): to crash into the back of (as an automobile)

   rear end
          [rear end] n (ca. 1930): buttocks

   rearguard
          [rear.guard] adj (1898): of or relating to resistance esp.
          to sweeping social forces <fought a ~ action against
          automation>

   rear guard
          [rear guard] n [MF reregarde, fr. OF, fr. rere + garde guard]
          (1659): a military detachment detailed to bring up and
          protect the rear of a main body or force

   rearm
          [re.arm] vt (1871): to arm (as a nation or a military force)
          again with new or better weapons ~ vi: to become armed
          again -- re.ar.ma.ment n

   rearmost
          [rear.most] adj (1718): farthest in the rear: last

   rearview mirror
          [rear.view mirror] n (1926): a mirror (as in an automobile)
          that gives a view of the area behind a vehicle

   [1]rearward
          [rear.ward] n [ME rerewarde, fr. AF; akin to OF reregarde
          rear guard] (14c): rear; esp: the rear division (as of
          an army) [2]rear.ward adj [[2]rear + -ward] (1598) 1:
          located at, near, or toward the rear 2: directed toward
          the rear [3]rear.ward also rear.wards adv (1625): at,
          near, or toward the rear: backward

   reas
          [reas] abbreviation reasonable

   [1]reason
          [rea.son] n [ME resoun, fr. OF raison, fr. L ration-, ratio
          reason, computation, fr. reri to calculate, think; prob.
          akin to Goth rathjo account, explanation] (13c) 1 a:
          a statement offered in explanation or justification <gave
          ~s that were quite satisfactory> b: a rational ground
          or motive <a good ~ to act soon> c: a sufficient ground
          of explanation or of logical defense; esp: something
          (as a principle or law) that supports a conclusion or
          explains a fact <the ~s behind her client's action> d:
          the thing that makes some fact intelligible: cause <the
          ~ for earthquakes> <the real ~ why he wanted me to stay
          --Graham Greene> 2 a (1): the power of comprehending,
          inferring, or thinking esp. in orderly rational ways:
          intelligence (2): proper exercise of the mind (3): sanity
          b: the sum of the intellectual powers 3 archaic: treatment
          that affords satisfaction -- in reason : rightly, justifiably
          -- within reason : within reasonable limits -- with reason
          : with good cause [2]reason vb rea.soned ; rea.son.ing
          vi (15c) 1 a obs: to take part in conversation, discussion,
          or argument b: to talk with another so as to influence
          his actions or opinions <can't ~ with her> 2: to use
          the faculty of reason so as to arrive at conclusions
          ~ vt 1 archaic: to justify or support with reasons 2:
          to persuade or influence by the use of reason 3: to discover,
          formulate, or conclude by the use of reason <a carefully
          ~ed analysis> syn see think -- rea.son.er n

   reasonable
          [rea.son.able] adj (14c) 1 a: being in accordance with reason
          <a ~ theory> b: not extreme or excessive <~ requests>
          c: moderate, fair <a ~ chance> <a ~ price> d: inexpensive
          2 a: having the faculty of reason b: possessing sound
          judgment -- rea.son.abil.i.ty n -- rea.son.able.ness
          n -- rea.son.ably adv

   reasoning
          [reasoning] n (14c) 1: the use of reason; esp: the drawing
          of inferences or conclusions through the use of reason
          2: an instance of the use of reason: argument

   reasonless
          [rea.son.less] adj (14c) 1: not having the faculty of reason
          <a ~ brute> 2: not reasoned: senseless <~ hostility>
          3: not based on or supported by reasons <a ~ accusation>
          -- rea.son.less.ly adv

   reassurance
          [re.as.sur.ance] n (ca. 1611) 1: the action of reassuring:
          the state of being reassured 2: reinsurance

   reassure
          [re.as.sure] vt (1598) 1: to assure anew <reassured him that
          the work was on schedule> 2: to restore to confidence
          <felt reassured by their earnest promise to do better>
          3: reinsure -- re.as.sur.ing.ly adv

   reata
          [re.ata] n [AmerSp--more at lariat] (1846): lariat

   Reaumur
          [Re.au.mur] adj [Rene Antoine Ferchault de Reaumur] (1814):
          relating to or conforming to a thermometric scale on
          which the boiling point of water is at 80 degrees above
          the zero of the scale and the freezing point is at zero

   [1]reave
          [reave] vb reaved or reft ; reav.ing [ME reven, fr. OE reafian;
          akin to OHG roubon to rob, L rumpere to break] vi (bef.
          12c): plunder, rob ~ vt 1 archaic a (1): rob, despoil
          (2): to deprive one of b: seize 2 archaic: to carry or
          tear away -- reav.er n [2]reave vt reaved or reft ; reav.ing
          [ME reven, prob. modif. of ON rifa to rive] (13c) archaic:
          burst

   reb
          [reb] n [short for rebel] (1862): johnny reb Reb n [Yiddish,
          fr. Heb rabbi my master, rabbi] (1882): rabbi, mister--used
          as a title

   rebar
          [re.bar] n [reinforcing bar] (1953): a steel rod with ridges
          for use in reinforced concrete

   rebarbative
          [re.bar.ba.tive] adj [F rebarbatif, fr. MF, fr. rebarber
          to be repellent, fr. re- + barbe beard, fr. L barba--more
          at beard] (1892): repellent, irritating -- re.bar.ba.tive.ly
          adv

   [1]rebate
          [re.bate] vb re.bat.ed ; re.bat.ing [ME, fr. MF rabattre
          to beat down again, fr. OF, fr. re- + abattre to beat
          down, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + battre to beat, fr. L battuere]
          vt (14c) 1: to reduce the force or activity of: diminish
          2: to reduce the sharpness of: blunt 3 a: to make a rebate
          of b: to give a rebate to ~ vi: to give rebates -- re.bat.er
          n [2]re.bate n (1656): a return of a part of a payment
          [3]re.bate chiefly Brit var of rabbet

   rebato
          [re.ba.to] var of rabato

   rebbe
          [reb.be] n [Yiddish rebe, fr. Heb rabbi rabbi] (1881): a
          Jewish spiritual leader or teacher: rabbi

   rebec
          [re.bec] or re.beck n [ME rebecke, fr. MF rebec, alter. of
          OF rebebe, fr. OProv rebeb, fr. Ar rabab] (15c): an ancient
          bowed usu. 3-stringed musical instrument with a pear-shaped
          body and slender neck

   Rebekah
          [Re.bek.ah] n [Heb Ribhqah]: the wife of Isaac

   [1]rebel
          [reb.el] adj [ME, fr. OF rebelle, fr. L rebellis, fr. re-
          + bellum war, fr. OL duellum] (14c) 1 a: opposing or
          taking arms against a government or ruler b: of or relating
          to rebels <the ~ camp> 2: disobedient, rebellious [2]rebel
          n (14c): one who rebels or participates in a rebellion
          [3]re.bel vi re.belled ; re.bel.ling (14c) 1 a: to oppose
          or disobey one in authority or control b: to renounce
          and resist by force the authority of one's government
          2 a: to act in or show opposition or disobedience <rebelled
          against the conventions of polite society> b: to feel
          or exhibit anger or revulsion <rebelled at the injustice
          of life>

   rebellion
          [re.bel.lion] n (14c) 1: opposition to one in authority or
          dominance 2 a: open, armed, and usu. unsuccessful defiance
          of or resistance to an established government b: an instance
          of such defiance or resistance syn rebellion, revolution,
          uprising, revolt, insurrection, mutiny mean an outbreak
          against authority. rebellion implies an open formidable
          resistance that is often unsuccessful <open rebellion
          against the officers>. revolution applies to a successful
          rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government)
          <a political revolution that toppled the monarchy>. uprising
          implies a brief, limited and often immediately ineffective
          rebellion <quickly put down the uprising>. revolt and
          insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails
          or succeeds <a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised
          party leaders> <an insurrection of oppressed laborers>.
          mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection
          esp. against naval authority <a mutiny led by the ship's
          cook>.

   rebellious
          [re.bel.lious] adj (15c) 1 a: given to or engaged in rebellion
          <~ troops> b: of, relating to, or characteristic of a
          rebel or rebellion <a ~ speech> 2: resisting treatment
          or management: refractory -- re.bel.lious.ly adv --
          re.bel.lious.ness n

   rebel yell
          [rebel yell] n (1863): a prolonged high-pitched yell often
          uttered by Confederate soldiers in the U.S. Civil War

   rebirth
          [re.birth] n (1837) 1 a: a new or second birth: metempsychosis
          b: spiritual regeneration 2: renaissance, revival <a
          ~ of nationalism>

   Reblochon
          [Re.blo.chon] n [F reblochon, fr. F dial. (Savoy)] (1908):
          a semisoft creamy mild-flavored French cheese

   reboant
          [reb.o.ant] adj [L reboant-, reboans, prp. of reboare to
          resound, fr. re- + boare to cry aloud, roar, fr. Gk boan,
          of imit. origin] (1830): marked by reverberation

   reborn
          [re.born] adj (1598): born again: regenerated, revived

   [1]rebound
          [re.bound] vb [ME, fr. MF rebondir, fr. OF, fr. re- + bondir
          to bound--more at bound] vi (14c) 1 a: to spring back
          on or as if on collision or impact with another body
          b: to recover from setback or frustration 2: reecho 3:
          to gain possession of a rebound in basketball ~ vt: to
          cause to rebound -- re.bound.er n [2]re.bound n (1530)
          1 a: the action of rebounding: recoil b: an upward leap
          or movement: recovery <a sharp ~ in prices> 2 a: a basketball
          or hockey puck that rebounds b: the act or an instance
          of gaining possession of a basketball rebound <leads
          the league in ~s> 3: a reaction to setback, frustration,
          or crisis <on the ~ from an unhappy love affair>

   rebozo
          [re.bo.zo] n, pl -zos [Sp, shawl, fr. rebozar to muffle,
          alter. of embozar to muffle, prob. fr. (assumed) VL imbucciare,
          fr. L in- + bucca cheek] (1807): a long scarf worn chiefly
          by Mexican women

   rebranch
          [re.branch] vi (1888): to form secondary branches

   rebroadcast
          [re.broad.cast] vt -cast ; -cast.ing (1923) 1: to broadcast
          again (a radio or television program being simultaneously
          received from another source) 2: to repeat (a broadcast)
          at a later time -- rebroadcast n

   rebuff
          [re.buff] vt [MF rebuffer, fr. OIt ribuffare to reprimand,
          fr. ribuffo reprimand] (ca. 1586): to reject or criticize
          sharply: snub -- rebuff n

   rebuild
          [re.build] vb -built ; -build.ing vt (1537) 1 a: to make
          extensive repairs to: reconstruct <~ a war-torn city>
          b: to restore to a previous state <~ inventories> 2:
          to make extensive changes in: remodel <~ society> ~ vi:
          to build again <planned to ~ after the fire> syn see
          mend

   [1]rebuke
          [re.buke] vt re.buked ; re.buk.ing [ME, fr. ONF rebuker]
          (14c) 1 a: to criticize sharply: reprimand b: to serve
          as a rebuke to 2: to turn back or keep down: check syn
          see reprove -- re.buk.er n [2]rebuke n (15c): an expression
          of strong disapproval: reprimand

   rebus
          [re.bus] n [L, by things, abl. pl. of res thing--more at
          real] (1605): a representation of words or syllables
          by pictures of objects or by symbols whose names resemble
          the intended words or syllables in sound; also: a riddle
          made up of such pictures or symbols

   rebut
          [re.but] vb re.but.ted ; re.but.ting [ME, fr. MF reboter,
          fr. re- + boter to butt--more at butt] vt (14c) 1: to
          drive or beat back: repel 2 a: to contradict or oppose
          by formal legal argument, plea, or countervailing proof
          b: to expose the falsity of: refute ~ vi: to make or
          furnish an answer or counter proof -- re.but.ta.ble adj

   rebuttal
          [re.but.tal] n (1830): the act of rebutting esp. in a legal
          suit; also: argument or proof that rebuts

   [1]rebutter
          [re.but.ter] n [AF rebuter, fr. OF reboter to rebut] (1540):
          the answer of a defendant in matter of fact to a plaintiff's
          surrejoinder [2]rebutter n (1794): one that rebuts

   rec
          [rec] abbreviation receipt, record, recording, recreation

   recalcitrance
          [re.cal.ci.trance] n (1856): the state of being recalcitrant

   recalcitrancy
          [re.cal.ci.tran.cy] n (1869): recalcitrance

   recalcitrant
          [re.cal.ci.trant] adj [LL recalcitrant-, recalcitrans, prp.
          of recalcitrare to be stubbornly disobedient, fr. L,
          to kick back, fr. re- + calcitrare to kick, fr. calc-,
          calx heel] (1843) 1: obstinately defiant of authority
          or restraint 2 a: difficult to manage or operate b: not
          responsive to treatment c: resistant <this subject is
          ~ both to observation and to experiment --G. G. Simpson>
          syn see unruly -- recalcitrant n

   [1]recall
          [re.call] vt (1582) 1 a: to call back <was ~ed to active
          duty> b: to bring back to mind <~ those early years>
          c: to remind one of: resemble <a playwright who ~s the
          Elizabethan dramatists> 2: cancel, revoke 3: restore,
          revive syn see remember -- re.call.abil.i.ty n -- re.call.able
          adj -- re.call.er n [2]re.call n (1611) 1: a call to
          return <a ~ of workers after a layoff> 2: the right or
          procedure by which an official may be removed by vote
          of the people 3: remembrance of what has been learned
          or experienced 4: the act of revoking 5: a public call
          by a manufacturer for the return of a product that may
          be defective or contaminated

   recamier
          [re.ca.mier] n [fr. its appearance in a portrait of Mme.
          Recamier by Jacques-Louis David] (1924): a sometimes
          backless couch with a high curved headrest and low footrest

   recanalization
          [re.can.a.li.za.tion] n (1953): the process of restoring
          flow to or reuniting an interrupted channel of a bodily
          tube (as a blood vessel or vas deferens) -- re.can.a.lize
          vt

   recant
          [re.cant] vb [L recantare, fr. re- + cantare to sing--more
          at chant] vt (1535) 1: to withdraw or repudiate (a statement
          or belief) formally and publicly: renounce 2: revoke
          ~ vi: to make an open confession of error syn see abjure
          -- re.can.ta.tion n

   [1]recap
          [re.cap] n [by shortening] (ca. 1926): recapitulation [2]re.cap
          vb re.capped ; re.cap.ping (1945): recapitulate [3]re.cap
          n [[4]recap] (1940): retread 1 [4]re.cap vt re.capped
          ; re.cap.ping [re- + [1]cap] (1941): retread -- re.cap.pa.ble
          adj

   recapitalization
          [re.cap.i.tal.i.za.tion] n (1920): a revision of the capital
          structure of a corporation

   recapitalize
          [re.cap.i.tal.ize] vt (1904): to change the capital structure
          of

   recapitulate
          [re.ca.pit.u.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [LL recapitulatus,
          pp. of recapitulare to restate by heads, sum up, fr.
          L re- + capitulum division of a book--more at chapter]
          vt (1570): to repeat the principal points or stages of:
          summarize ~ vi: sum up

   recapitulation
          [re.ca.pit.u.la.tion] n (14c) 1: a concise summary 2: the
          hypothetical occurrence in an individual organism's development
          of successive stages resembling the series of ancestral
          types from which it has descended so that the ontogeny
          of the individual is a recapitulation of the phylogeny
          of its group 3: the third section of a sonata form

   [1]recapture
          [re.cap.ture] n (1752) 1 a: the act of retaking b: an instance
          of being retaken 2: the retaking of a prize or goods
          under international law 3: a government seizure under
          law of earnings or profits beyond a fixed amount [2]recapture
          vt (1799) 1 a: to capture again b: to experience again
          <by no effort of the imagination could she ~ the ecstasy
          --Ellen Glasgow> 2: to take (as a portion of earnings
          or profits above a fixed amount) by law or through negotiations
          under law

   recast
          [re.cast] vt -cast ; -cast.ing (1603): to cast again <~ a
          gun> <~ a play>; also: remodel, refashion <~s his political
          image to fit the times> -- re.cast n

   recce
          [rec.ce] n, often attrib [by shortening & alter.] (1941):
          reconnaissance

   recd
          [recd] abbreviation received

   [1]recede
          [re.cede] vi re.ced.ed ; re.ced.ing [ME, fr. L recedere to
          go back, fr. re- + cedere to go] (15c) 1 a: to move back
          or away: withdraw b: to slant backward 2: to grow less
          or smaller: diminish, decrease syn recede, retreat, retract,
          back mean to move backward. recede implies a gradual
          withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time
          or space <the flood waters gradually receded>. retreat
          implies withdrawal from a point or position reached <retreating
          soldiers>. retract implies drawing back from an extended
          position <a cat retracting its claws>. back is used with
          up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion
          <backed off on the throttle>. [2]re.cede vt [re- + cede]
          (1771): to cede back to a former possessor

   [1]receipt
          [re.ceipt] n [ME receite, fr. ONF, fr. ML recepta, prob.
          fr. L, neut. pl. of receptus, pp. of recipere to receive]
          (14c) 1: recipe 2 a obs: receptacle b archaic: a revenue
          office 3: the act or process of receiving 4: something
          received--usu. used in pl. 5: a writing acknowledging
          the receiving of goods or money [2]receipt vt (1787)
          1: to give a receipt for or acknowledge the receipt of
          2: to mark as paid

   receivable
          [re.ceiv.able] adj (14c) 1: capable of being received 2:
          subject to call for payment <notes ~>

   receivables
          [re.ceiv.ables] n pl (1863): amounts of money receivable

   receive
          [re.ceive] vb re.ceived ; re.ceiv.ing [ME, fr. ONF receivre,
          fr. L recipere, fr. re- + capere to take--more at heave]
          vt (14c) 1: to come into possession of: acquire <~ a
          gift> 2 a: to act as a receptacle or container for <the
          cistern ~s water from the roof> b: to assimilate through
          the mind or senses <~ new ideas> 3 a: to permit to enter:
          admit b: welcome, greet c: to react to in a specified
          manner 4: to accept as authoritative, true, or accurate:
          believe 5 a: to support the weight or pressure of: bear
          b: to take (a mark or impression) from the weight of
          something <some clay ~s clear impressions> c: acquire,
          experience <received his early schooling at home> d:
          to suffer the hurt or injury of <received a broken nose>
          ~ vi 1: to be a recipient 2: to be at home to visitors
          <~s on Tuesdays> 3: to convert incoming radio waves into
          perceptible signals 4: to prepare to take possession
          of the ball from a kick in football

   received
          [received] adj (15c): generally accepted: common <a healthy
          skepticism about ~ explanations --B. K. Lewalski>

   Received Pronunciation
          [Received Pronunciation] n (1869): the pronunciation of Received
          Standard

   Received Standard
          [Received Standard] n (1913): a traditionally prestigious
          form of English spoken at the English public schools,
          at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and by many
          educated British people elsewhere

   receiver
          [re.ceiv.er] n (14c): one that receives: as a: treasurer
          b (1): a person appointed to hold in trust and administer
          property under litigation (2): a person appointed to
          settle the affairs of a business involving a public interest
          or to manage a corporation during reorganization c: one
          that receives stolen goods: fence d: a device for converting
          signals (as electromagnetic waves) into audio or visual
          form: as (1): a device in a telephone for converting
          electric impulses or varying current into sound (2):
          a radio receiver with a tuner and amplifier on one chassis
          e (1): catcher (2): a member of the offensive team in
          football eligible to catch a forward pass

   receiver general
          [receiver general] n, pl receivers general (15c): a public
          officer in charge of the treasury (as of Massachusetts)

   receivership
          [re.ceiv.er.ship] n (15c) 1: the office or function of a
          receiver 2: the state of being in the hands of a receiver

   receiving blanket
          [receiving blanket] n (1926): a small lightweight blanket
          used to wrap an infant (as after bathing)

   receiving end
          [receiving end] n (1937): the position of being a recipient
          or esp. a victim--usu. used in the phrase on the receiving
          end

   receiving line
          [receiving line] n (1933): a group of people who stand in
          a line and individually welcome guests (as at a wedding
          reception)

   recency
          [re.cen.cy] n (1612): the quality or state of being recent

   recension
          [re.cen.sion] n [L recension-, recensio enumeration, fr.
          recensere to review, fr. re- + censere to assess, tax--more
          at censor] (ca. 1828) 1: a critical revision of a text
          2: a text established by critical revision

   recent
          [re.cent] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L recent-, recens;
          perh. akin to Gk kainos new] (15c) 1 a: having lately
          come into existence: new, fresh b: of or relating to
          a time not long past 2 cap: holocene -- re.cent.ness
          n

   recently
          [re.cent.ly] adv (1533): during a recent period of time:
          lately

   receptacle
          [re.cep.ta.cle] n [ME, fr. L receptaculum, fr. receptare
          to receive, freq. of recipere to receive] (15c) 1: one
          that receives and contains something: container 2 [NL
          receptaculum, fr. L] a: the end of the flower stalk upon
          which the floral organs are borne b: a modified branch
          bearing sporangia in a cryptogamous plant 3: a mounted
          female electrical fitting that contains the live parts
          of the circuit

   reception
          [re.cep.tion] n [ME recepcion, fr. MF or L; MF reception,
          fr. L reception-, receptio, fr. recipere] (15c) 1: the
          act or action or an instance of receiving: as a: receipt
          <the ~ and distribution of funds> b: admission <~ into
          the church> c: response, reaction <the play met with
          a mixed ~> d: the receiving of a radio or television
          broadcast e: the catching of a forward pass by a receiver
          2: a social gathering often for the purpose of extending
          a formal welcome

   receptionist
          [re.cep.tion.ist] n (1901): a person employed to greet telephone
          callers, visitors, patients, or clients

   receptive
          [re.cep.tive] adj (15c) 1: able or inclined to receive; esp:
          open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions
          2 a of a sensory end organ: fit to receive and transmit
          stimuli b: sensory -- re.cep.tive.ly adv -- re.cep.tive.ness
          n -- re.cep.tiv.i.ty n

   receptor
          [re.cep.tor] n (1898): receiver: as a: a cell or group of
          cells that receives stimuli: sense organ b: a chemical
          group or molecule (as a protein) on the cell surface
          or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific
          chemical group, molecule, or virus

   [1]recess
          [re.cess] n [L recessus, fr. recedere to recede] (1531) 1:
          the action of receding: recession 2: a hidden, secret,
          or secluded place or part 3 a: indentation, cleft <a
          deep ~ in the hill> b: alcove <a ~ lined with books>
          4: a suspension of business or procedure often for rest
          or relaxation <children playing at ~> [2]recess vt (1809)
          1: to put into a recess <~ed lighting> 2: to make a recess
          in 3: to interrupt for a recess ~ vi: to take a recess

   [1]recession
          [re.ces.sion] n (ca. 1652) 1: the act or action of receding:
          withdrawal 2: a departing procession (as of clergy and
          choir at the end of a church service) 3: a period of
          reduced economic activity -- re.ces.sion.ary adj [2]re.ces.sion
          n [re- + cession] (1828): the act of ceding back to a
          former possessor

   [1]recessional
          [re.ces.sion.al] adj (1867): of or relating to a withdrawal
          [2]recessional n (1867) 1: a hymn or musical piece at
          the conclusion of a service or program 2: [1]recession
          2

   [1]recessive
          [re.ces.sive] adj (ca. 1673) 1 a: tending to recede b: withdrawn
          2 2 a: producing little or no phenotypic effect when
          occurring in heterozygous condition with a contrasting
          allele <~ genes> b: expressed only when the determining
          gene is in the homozygous condition <~ traits> -- re.ces.sive.ly
          adv -- re.ces.sive.ness n [2]recessive n (1900) 1: an
          organism possessing one or more recessive characters
          2: a recessive character or gene

   recharge
          [re.charge] vi (1598) 1: to make a new attack 2: to regain
          energy or spirit ~ vt 1: to charge again; esp: to restore
          anew the active materials in (a storage battery) 2: to
          inspire or invigorate afresh: renew -- re.charge n --
          re.charge.able adj -- re.charg.er n

   rechauffe
          [re.chauf.fe] n [F, fr. rechauffe warmed-over, fr. pp. of
          rechauffer to warm over, fr. re- re- + chauffer to warm,
          fr. MF chaufer--more at chafe] (1805) 1: rehash 2: a
          warmed-over dish of food

   recheat
          [re.cheat] n [ME rechate, fr. rechaten to blow the recheat,
          fr. MF rachater to assemble, rally, fr. re- + achater
          to acquire, fr. (assumed) VL accaptare--more at cate]
          (15c): a hunting call sounded on a horn to assemble the
          hounds

   recherche
          [re.cher.che] adj [F, fr. pp. of rechercher to seek out,
          fr. MF recherchier--more at research] (1722) 1 a: exquisite,
          choice b: exotic, rare 2: excessively refined: affected
          3: pretentious, overblown

   recidivism
          [re.cid.i.vism] n (1886): a tendency to relapse into a previous
          condition or mode of behavior; esp: relapse into criminal
          behavior

   recidivist
          [re.cid.i.vist] n [F recidiviste, fr. recidiver to relapse,
          fr. ML recidivare, fr. L recidivus recurring, fr. recidere
          to fall back, fr. re- + cadere to fall--more at chance]
          (1880): one who relapses; specif: an habitual criminal
          -- recidivist adj -- re.cid.i.vis.tic adj

   recip
          [recip] abbreviation reciprocal, reciprocity

   recipe
          [rec.i.pe] n [L, take, imper. of recipere to take, receive--more
          at receive] (1584) 1: prescription 4a 2: a set of instructions
          for making something from various ingredients 3: a formula
          or procedure for doing or attaining something <a ~ for
          success>

   recipient
          [re.cip.i.ent] n [L recipient-, recipiens, prp. of recipere]
          (1558): one that receives: receiver -- recipient adj

   [1]reciprocal
          [re.cip.ro.cal] adj [L reciprocus returning the same way,
          alternating] (1570) 1 a: inversely related: opposite
          b: of, constituting, or resulting from paired crosses
          in which the kind that supplies the male parent of the
          first cross supplies the female parent of the second
          cross and vice versa 2: shared, felt, or shown by both
          sides 3: serving to reciprocate: consisting of or functioning
          as a return in kind <the ~ devastation of nuclear war>
          4 a: mutually corresponding <agreed to extend ~ privileges
          to each other's citizens> b: marked by or based on reciprocity
          <~ trade agreements> -- re.cip.ro.cal.ly adv [2]reciprocal
          n (1570) 1: something in a reciprocal relationship to
          another 2: either of a pair of numbers (as 2/3 and 3/2
          or 9 and 1/9) whose product is one; broadly: multiplicative
          inverse

   reciprocal pronoun
          [reciprocal pronoun] n (1844): a pronoun (as each other)
          used when its referents are predicated to bear the same
          relationship to one another

   reciprocate
          [re.cip.ro.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing vt (1607) 1: to give
          and take mutually 2: to return in kind or degree <~ a
          compliment gracefully> ~ vi 1: to make a return for something
          <we hope to ~ for your kindness> 2: to move forward and
          backward alternately <a reciprocating valve> -- re.cip.ro.ca.tor
          n syn reciprocate, retaliate, requite, return mean to
          give back usu. in kind or in quantity. reciprocate implies
          a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what
          one has received <reciprocated their hospitality by inviting
          them for a visit>. retaliate usu. implies a paying back
          of injury in exact kind, often vengefully <the enemy
          retaliated by executing their prisoners>. requite implies
          a paying back according to one's preference and often
          not equivalently <requited her love with cold indifference>.
          return implies a paying or giving back <returned their
          call> <return good for evil>.

   reciprocating engine
          [reciprocating engine] n (1822): an engine in which the to-and-fro
          motion of one or more pistons is transformed into the rotary motion
          of a crankshaft

   reciprocation
          [re.cip.ro.ca.tion] n (1561) 1 a: a mutual exchange b: a
          return in kind or of like value 2: an alternating motion
          -- re.cip.ro.ca.tive adj

   reciprocity
          [rec.i.proc.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1766) 1: the quality or state
          of being reciprocal: mutual dependence, action, or influence
          2: a mutual exchange of privileges; specif: a recognition
          by one of two countries or institutions of the validity
          of licenses or privileges granted by the other

   recision
          [re.ci.sion] n [MF, alter. of rescision, fr. LL rescission-,
          rescissio rescission] (1611): an act of rescinding: cancellation

   recital
          [re.cit.al] n (1536) 1 a: a detailed account: enumeration
          <a ~ of names and dates> b: the act or process or an
          instance of reciting c: discourse, narration <a colorful
          ~ of a night on the town> 2 a: a concert given by an
          individual musician or dancer or by a dance troupe b:
          a public exhibition of skill given by music or dance
          pupils -- re.cit.al.ist n

   recitation
          [rec.i.ta.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of enumerating <a ~ of
          relevant details> 2: the act or an instance of reading
          or repeating aloud esp. publicly 3 a: a student's oral
          reply to questions b: a class period esp. in association
          with and for review of a lecture

   recitative
          [rec.i.ta.tive] n [It recitativo, fr. recitare to recite,
          fr. L] (1656) 1: a rhythmically free vocal style that
          imitates the natural inflections of speech and that is
          used for dialogue and narrative in operas and oratorios;
          also: a passage to be delivered in this style 2: recitation
          2 -- recitative adj

   recitativo
          [rec.i.ta.ti.vo] n, pl -vi or -vos [It] (1645): recitative
          1

   recite
          [re.cite] vb re.cit.ed ; re.cit.ing [ME, to state formally,
          fr. MF or L; MF reciter to recite, fr. L recitare, fr.
          re- + citare to summon--more at cite] vt (15c) 1: to
          repeat from memory or read aloud publicly 2 a: to relate
          in full <~s dull anecdotes> b: to give a recital of:
          detail <recited a catalog of offenses> 3: to repeat or
          answer questions about (a lesson) ~ vi 1: to repeat or
          read aloud something memorized or prepared 2: to reply
          to a teacher's question on a lesson -- re.cit.er n

   reck
          [reck] vb [ME, to take heed, fr. OE reccan; akin to OHG ruohhen
          to take heed] vi (bef. 12c) 1: worry, care 2 archaic:
          to be of account or interest: matter ~ vt 1 archaic:
          to care for: regard 2 archaic: to matter to: concern

   reckless
          [reck.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1: marked by lack of proper caution:
          careless of consequences 2: irresponsible <~ charges>
          syn see adventurous -- reck.less.ly adv -- reck.less.ness
          n

   reckon
          [reck.on] vb reck.oned ; reck.on.ing [ME rekenen, fr. OE
          -recenian (as in gerecenian to narrate); akin to OE reccan]
          vt (13c) 1 a: count <~ the days till Christmas> b: estimate,
          compute <~ the height of a building> c: to determine
          by reference to a fixed basis <the existence of the U.S.
          is ~ed from the Declaration of Independence> 2: to regard
          or think of as: consider 3 chiefly dial: think, suppose
          <I ~ I've outlived my time --Ellen Glasgow> ~ vi 1: to
          settle accounts 2: to make a calculation 3 a: judge b
          chiefly dial: suppose, think 4: to accept something as
          certain: place reliance <I ~ on your promise to help>
          -- reckon with : to take into consideration -- reckon
          without : to fail to consider: ignore

   reckoning
          [reckoning] n (14c) 1: the act or an instance of reckoning:
          as a: account, bill b: computation c: calculation of
          a ship's position 2: a settling of accounts <day of ~>
          3: a summing up

   reclaim
          [re.claim] vt [ME reclamen, fr. MF reclamer to call back,
          fr. L reclamare to cry out against, fr. re- + clamare
          to cry out--more at claim] (14c) 1 a: to recall from
          wrong or improper conduct: reform b: tame, subdue 2 a:
          to rescue from an undesirable state b: to make available
          for human use by changing natural conditions <~ swampland>
          3: to obtain from a waste product or by-product: recover
          4 a: to demand or obtain the return of b: to regain possession
          of syn see rescue -- re.claim.able adj

   reclamation
          [rec.la.ma.tion] n [F reclamation, fr. L reclamation-, reclamatio,
          fr. reclamare] (1633): the act or process of reclaiming:
          as a: reformation, rehabilitation b: restoration to use: recovery

   reclame
          [re.clame] n [F, advertising, fr. reclamer to appeal, fr.
          MF reclamer] (1883) 1: a gift for dramatization or publicity:
          showmanship 2: public acclaim: vogue

   recline
          [re.cline] vb re.clined ; re.clin.ing [ME, fr. MF or L; MF
          recliner, fr. L reclinare, fr. re- + clinare to bend--more
          at lean] vt (15c): to cause or permit to incline backwards
          ~ vi 1: to lean or incline backwards 2: repose, lie

   recliner
          [re.clin.er] n (1928): a chair with an adjustable back and
          footrest

   reclosable
          [re.clos.able] adj (1965): capable of being tightly closed
          again after opening <~ packages of bacon>

   [1]recluse
          [re.cluse] adj [ME, fr. OF reclus, lit., shut up, fr. LL
          reclusus, pp. of recludere to shut up, fr. L re- + claudere
          to close--more at close] (13c): marked by withdrawal
          from society: solitary -- re.clu.sive adj -- re.clu.sive.ly
          adv -- re.clu.sive.ness n [2]recluse n (13c): a person
          who leads a secluded or solitary life

   reclusion
          [re.clu.sion] n (15c): the state of being recluse

   recognise
          [rec.og.nise] chiefly Brit var of recognize

   recognition
          [rec.og.ni.tion] n [ME recognicion, fr. L recognition-, recognitio,
          fr. recognoscere] (15c) 1: the action of recognizing: the state
          of being recognized: as a: acknowledgment; esp: formal
          acknowledgment of the political existence of a government or nation
          b: knowledge or feeling that someone or something present has been
          encountered before 2: special notice or attention 3: the sensing
          and encoding of printed or written data by a machine <o ptical
          character ~> <magnetic ink character ~>

   recognizance
          [re.cog.ni.zance] n [ME, alter. of reconissaunce, fr. MF
          reconoissance recognition, fr. reconoistre to recognize]
          (14c) 1 a: an obligation of record entered into before
          a court or magistrate requiring the performance of an
          act (as appearance in court) usu. under penalty of a
          money forfeiture <released on his own ~> b: the sum liable
          to forfeiture upon such an obligation 2 archaic: token,
          pledge

   recognize
          [rec.og.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing [modif. of MF reconoiss-,
          stem of reconoistre, fr. L recognoscere, fr. re- + cognoscere
          to know--more at cognition] (ca. 1532) 1: to acknowledge
          formally: as a: to admit as being lord or sovereign b:
          to admit as being of a particular status c: to admit
          as being one entitled to be heard: give the floor to
          d: to acknowledge the de facto existence or the independence
          of 2: to acknowledge or take notice of in some definite
          way: as a: to acknowledge with a show of appreciation
          <~ an act of bravery with the award of a medal> b: to
          acknowledge acquaintance with <~ a neighbor with a nod>
          3 a: to perceive to be something or someone previously
          known <recognized the word> b: to perceive clearly: realize
          -- rec.og.niz.abil.i.ty n -- rec.og.niz.able adj -- rec.og.niz.ably
          adv -- rec.og.niz.er n

   [1]recoil
          [re.coil] vi [ME reculen, fr. MF reculer, fr. re- + cul
          backside--more at culet] (14c) 1 a: to fall back under pressure
          b: to shrink back physically or emotionally 2: to spring back
          to or as if to a starting point: rebound 3 obs: degenerate syn
          recoil, shrink, flinch, wince, blench, quail mean to draw back
          in fear or distaste. recoil implies a start or movement away
          through shock, fear, or disgust <recoiled at the suggestion
          of stealing>. shrink suggests an instinctive recoil through
          sensitiveness, scrupulousness, or cowardice <shrank from the
          unpleasant truth>. flinch implies a failure to endure pain or face
          something dangerous or frightening with resolution <faced her
          accusers without flinching>. wince suggests a slight involuntary
          physical reaction (as a start or recoiling) <winced in pain>.
          blench implies fainthearted flinching <stood their ground without
          blenching>. quail suggests shrinking and cowering in fear <quailed
          before the apparition>. [2]re.coil n (14c) 1: the act or action
          of recoiling; esp: the kickback of a gun upon firing 2: reaction
          <the ~ from the rigors of Calvinism --Edmund Wilson>

   recoilless
          [re.coil.less] adj (1943): venting expanding propellant gas
          before recoil is produced <~ rifle> <~ airgun>

   recoil-operated
          [recoil-operated] adj (1942) of a firearm: utilizing the
          movement of parts in recoil to operate the action

   recoin
          [re.coin] vt (1685): to coin again or anew; esp: remint --
          re.coin.age n

   re-collect
          [re-col.lect] vt [partly fr. L recollectus, pp. of recolligere,
          fr. re- + colligere to collect; partly fr. re- + collect]
          (1604): to collect again; esp: rally, recover

   recollect
          [rec.ol.lect] vb [ML recollectus, pp. of recolligere, fr.
          L, to gather again] vt (1559) 1: to bring back to the
          level of conscious awareness: remember <trying to ~ the
          name> 2: to remind (oneself) of something temporarily
          forgotten ~ vi: to call something to mind syn see remember

   recollected
          [re.col.lect.ed] adj (1627): composed, calm

   recollection
          [rec.ol.lec.tion] n (1624) 1 a: tranquillity of mind b: religious
          contemplation 2 a: the action or power of recalling to
          mind b: something recalled to the mind syn see memory

   recombinant
          [re.com.bi.nant] adj (1942) 1: relating to or exhibiting
          genetic recombination <~ progeny> 2: relating to or containing
          recombinant DNA; also: produced by recombinant DNA technology
          -- recombinant n

   recombinant DNA
          [recombinant DNA] n (1975): genetically engineered DNA prepared
          in vitro by cutting up DNA molecules and splicing together
          specific DNA fragments usu. from more than one species
          of organism

   recombination
          [re.com.bi.na.tion] n (1903): the formation by the processes
          of crossing-over and independent assortment of new combinations
          of genes in progeny that did not occur in the parents
          -- re.com.bi.na.tion.al adj

   recommend
          [rec.om.mend] vt [ME, to praise, fr. ML recommendare, fr.
          L re- + commendare to commend] (14c) 1 a: to present
          as worthy of acceptance or trial <~ed the medicine> b:
          to endorse as fit, worthy, or competent <~s her for the
          position> 2: entrust, commit <~ed his soul to God> 3:
          to make acceptable <has other points to ~ it> 4: advise
          <~ that the matter be dropped> -- rec.om.mend.able adj
          -- rec.om.men.da.to.ry adj

   recommendation
          [rec.om.men.da.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the act of recommending
          b: something (as a procedure) recommended 2: something
          that recommends or expresses commendation

   recommit
          [re.com.mit] vt (1621) 1: to refer (as a bill) back to a
          committee 2: to entrust or consign again -- re.com.mit.ment
          n -- re.com.mit.tal n

   [1]recompense
          [rec.om.pense] vt -pensed ; -pens.ing [ME, fr. MF recompenser,
          fr. LL recompensare, fr. L re- + compensare to compensate]
          (15c) 1 a: to give something to by way of compensation
          (as for a service rendered or damage incurred) b: to
          pay for 2: to return in kind: requite syn see pay [2]recompense
          n (15c): an equivalent or a return for something done,
          suffered, or given: compensation <offered in ~ for injuries>

   recompose
          [re.com.pose] vt (1611) 1: to compose again: rearrange 2:
          to restore to composure -- re.com.po.si.tion n

   recon
          [re.con] n (1918): reconnaissance

   reconcile
          [rec.on.cile] vb -ciled ; -cil.ing [ME, fr. MF or
          L; MF reconcilier, fr. L reconciliare, fr. re- + conciliare
          to conciliate] vt (14c) 1 a: to restore to friendship or harmony
          <reconciled the factions> b: settle, resolve <~ differences>
          2: to make consistent or congruous <~ an ideal with reality>
          3: to cause to submit to or accept something unpleasant <was
          reconciled to hardship> 4 a: to check (a financial account) against
          another for accuracy b: to account for ~ vi: to become reconciled
          syn see adapt -- rec.on.cil.abil.i.ty n -- rec.on.cil.able adj
          -- rec.on.cile.ment n -- rec.on.cil.er n

   reconciliation
          [rec.on.cil.i.a.tion] n [ME, fr. L reconciliation-, reconciliatio,
          fr. reconciliare] (14c) 1: the action of reconciling: the state
          of being reconciled 2: the Roman Catholic sacrament of penance
          -- rec.on.cil.ia.to.ry adj

   recondite
          [re.con.dite] adj [L reconditus, pp. of recondere to conceal,
          fr. re- + condere to store up, fr. com- + -dere to put--more
          at com-, do] (1649) 1: hidden from sight: concealed 2:
          difficult or impossible for one of ordinary understanding
          or knowledge to comprehend: deep <a ~ subject> 3: of,
          relating to, or dealing with something little known or
          obscure <~ fact about the origin of the holiday --Floyd
          Dell> -- re.con.dite.ly adv -- re.con.dite.ness n

   recondition
          [re.con.di.tion] vt (1920) 1: to restore to good condition
          (as by replacing parts) 2: to condition (as a person
          or a person's attitudes) anew; also: to reinstate (a
          response) in an organism

   reconfirm
          [re.con.firm] vt (1611): to confirm again; also: to establish
          more strongly -- re.con.fir.ma.tion n

   reconnaissance
          [re.con.nais.sance] n [F, lit., recognition, fr. MF
          reconoissance--more at recognizance] (1810): a preliminary survey
          to gain information; esp: an exploratory military survey of enemy
          territory

   reconnoiter
          [re.con.noi.ter] or re.con.noi.tre vb -noi.tered or -noi.tred
          ; -noi.ter.ing or -noi.tring [obs. F reconnoitre, lit.,
          to recognize, fr. MF reconoistre--more at recognize]
          vt (1707): to make a reconnaissance of ~ vi: to engage
          in reconnaissance

   reconsider
          [re.con.sid.er] vt (1571): to consider again esp. with a
          view to changing or reversing ~ vi: to consider something
          again -- re.con.sid.er.a.tion n

   reconstitute
          [re.con.sti.tute] vt (1812): to constitute again or anew;
          esp: to restore to a former condition by adding water
          -- re.con.sti.tu.tion n

   reconstruct
          [re.con.struct] vt (1768): to construct again: as a: to establish
          or assemble again b: to build up again mentally: re-create
          <~ing a lost civilization> -- re.con.struct.ible adj
          -- re.con.struc.tive adj -- re.con.struc.tor n

   reconstruction
          [re.con.struc.tion] n (1791) 1 a: the action of reconstructing:
          the state of being reconstructed b often cap: the reorganization
          and reestablishment of the seceded states in the Union
          after the American Civil War 2: something reconstructed

   reconstructionism
          [re.con.struc.tion.ism] n, often cap (1942) 1: a movement
          in 20th century American Judaism that advocates a creative
          adjustment to contemporary conditions through the cultivation
          of traditions and folkways shared by all Jews 2: advocacy
          of post-Civil War reconstruction -- re.con.struc.tion.ist
          adj or n, often cap

   reconstructive surgery
          [reconstructive surgery] n (1943): surgery to restore function
          or normal appearance by remaking defective organs or
          parts

   reconvey
          [re.con.vey] vt (1506): to convey back to a previous position
          or owner -- re.con.vey.ance n

   [1]record
          [re.cord] vb [ME, lit., to recall, fr. OF recorder, fr. L
          recordari, fr. re- + cord-, cor heart--more at heart]
          vt (14c) 1 a (1): to set down in writing: furnish written
          evidence of (2): to deposit an authentic official copy
          of <~ a deed> b: to state for or as if for the record
          <voted in favor but ~ed certain reservations> c (1):
          to register permanently by mechanical means <earthquake
          shocks ~ed by a seismograph> (2): indicate, read <the
          thermometer ~ed 90 degrees> 2: to give evidence of 3:
          to cause (as sound, visual images, or data) to be registered
          on something (as a disc or magnetic tape) in reproducible
          form ~ vi: to record something -- re.cord.able adj [2]rec.ord
          n (14c) 1: the state or fact of being recorded 2: something
          that records: as a: something that recalls or relates
          past events b: an official document that records the
          acts of a public body or officer c: an authentic official
          copy of a document deposited with a legally designated
          officer d: the official copy of the papers used in a
          law case 3 a (1): a body of known or recorded facts about
          something or someone esp. with reference to a particular
          sphere of activity that often forms a discernible pattern
          <a good academic ~> <a liberal voting ~> (2): a collection
          of related items of information (as in a database) treated
          as a unit b (1): an attested top performance (2): an
          unsurpassed statistic 4: something on which sound or
          visual images have been recorded; specif: a disc with
          a spiral groove carrying recorded sound for phonograph
          reproduction -- for the record : for public knowledge:
          on the record -- off the record : not for publication
          <spoke off the record> <remarks that were off the record>
          -- of record : being documented or attested <a partner
          of record in several firms> -- on record 1: in the position
          of having publicly declared oneself <went on record as
          opposed to higher taxes> 2: being known, published, or
          documented <the judge's opinion is on record> -- on the
          record : for publication [3]record adj (1893): of, relating
          to, or being one that is extraordinary among or surpasses
          others of its kind

   recordation
          [re.cor.da.tion] n (ca. 1812): the action or process of recording

   record changer
          [record changer] n (1931): a phonograph with a device that
          automatically positions and plays successively each of
          a stack of records; also: the automatic device on a record
          changer

   recorder
          [re.cord.er] n (15c) 1 a: the chief judicial magistrate of
          some British cities and boroughs b: a municipal judge
          with criminal jurisdiction of first instance and sometimes
          limited civil jurisdiction 2: one that records 3: any
          of a group of wind instruments ranging from soprano to
          bass that are characterized by a conical tube, a whistle
          mouthpiece, and eight finger holes

   recording
          [re.cord.ing] n (1932): record 4

   recordist
          [re.cord.ist] n (ca. 1930): one who records sound (as on
          magnetic tape)

   [1]recount
          [re.count] vt [ME, fr. MF reconter, fr. re- + conter to count,
          relate--more at count] (15c): to relate in detail: narrate
          -- re.count.er n [2]re.count vt [re- + count] (1764):
          to count again [3]re.count n (1884): a second or fresh
          count

   recoup
          [re.coup] vb [F recouper to cut back, fr. OF, fr. re- + couper
          to cut--more at cope] vt (1628) 1 a: to get an equivalent
          for (as losses): make up for b: reimburse, compensate
          <~ a person for losses> 2: regain <an attempt to ~ his
          fortune> ~ vi: to make good or make up for something
          lost; also: recuperate -- re.coup.able adj -- re.coup.ment
          n

   recourse
          [re.course] n [ME recours, fr. MF, fr. LL recursus, fr. L,
          act of running back, fr. recurrere to run back--more
          at recur] (14c) 1 a: a turning to someone or something
          for help or protection b: a source of help or strength:
          resort 2: the right to demand payment from the maker
          or endorser of a negotiable instrument (as a check)

   recover
          [re.cov.er] vb re.cov.ered ; re.cov.er.ing [ME, fr. MF recoverer,
          fr. L recuperare, fr. re- + (assumed) L caperare, fr.
          L capere to take--more at heave] vt (14c) 1: to get back:
          regain 2 a: to bring back to normal position or condition
          <stumbled, then ~ed himself> b archaic: rescue 3 a: to
          make up for <~ increased costs through higher prices>
          b: to gain by legal process 4 archaic: reach 5: to find
          or identify again <~ a comet> 6 a: to obtain from an
          ore, a waste product, or a by-product b: to save from
          loss and restore to usefulness: reclaim ~ vi 1: to regain
          a normal position or condition (as of health) <~ing from
          a cold> 2: to obtain a final legal judgment in one's
          favor -- re.cov.er.abil.i.ty n -- re.cov.er.able adj
          -- re.cov.er.er n

   re-cover
          [re-cov.er] vt (15c): to cover again or anew

   recovery
          [re.cov.ery] n, pl -er.ies (15c): the act, process, or an
          instance of recovering; esp: an economic upturn (as after
          a depression)

   recovery room
          [recovery room] n (1916): a hospital room equipped for meeting
          postoperative emergencies

   [1]recreant
          [rec.re.ant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. prp. of recroire to renounce
          one's cause in a trial by battle, fr. re- + croire to
          believe, fr. L credere--more at creed] (14c) 1: crying
          for mercy: cowardly 2: unfaithful to duty or allegiance
          [2]recreant n (15c) 1: coward 2: apostate, deserter

   recreate
          [rec.re.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L recreatus, pp. of recreare]
          vt (1530): to give new life or freshness to: refresh
          ~ vi: to take recreation -- rec.re.a.tive adj

   re-create
          [re-cre.ate] vt (1587): to create again; esp: to form anew
          in the imagination -- re-cre.at.able adj -- re-cre.a.tion
          n -- re-cre.a.tive adj -- re-cre.a.tor n

   recreation
          [rec.re.a.tion] n [ME recreacion, fr. MF recreation, fr.
          L recreation-, recreatio restoration to health, fr. recreare
          to create anew, restore, refresh, fr. re- + creare to
          create] (15c): refreshment of strength and spirits after
          work; also: a means of refreshment or diversion: hobby
          -- rec.re.a.tion.al adj

   recreational vehicle
          [recreational vehicle] n (1966): a vehicle designed for
          recreational use (as in camping); esp: motor home

   recreationist
          [rec.re.a.tion.ist] n (1904): a person who seeks recreation
          esp. in the outdoors

   recreation room
          [recreation room] n (1854) 1: a room (as a rumpus room) used
          for recreation and relaxation--called also rec room 2:
          a public room (as in a hospital) for recreation and social
          activities

   recrimination
          [re.crim.i.na.tion] n [ML recrimination-, recriminatio, fr.
          recriminare to make a retaliatory charge, fr. L re- +
          criminari to accuse--more at criminate] (ca. 1611): a
          retaliatory accusation; also: the making of such accusations
          <endless ~> -- re.crim.i.nate vi -- re.crim.i.na.tive
          adj -- re.crim.i.na.to.ry adj

   recrudesce
          [re.cru.desce] vi -desced ; -desc.ing [L recrudescere to
          become raw again, fr. re- + crudescere to become raw,
          fr. crudus raw--more at raw] (1884): to break out or
          become active again

   recrudescence
          [re.cru.des.cence] n (ca. 1721): a new outbreak after a period
          of abatement or inactivity: renewal

   recrudescent
          [re.cru.des.cent] adj (ca. 1727): breaking out again: renewing

   [1]recruit
          [re.cruit] vt (1643) 1 a (1): to fill up the number of (as
          an army) with new members: reinforce (2): to enlist as
          a member of an armed service b: to increase or maintain
          the number of <America ~ed her population from Europe>
          c: to secure the services of: engage, hire d: to seek
          to enroll <~ students> 2: replenish 3: to restore or
          increase the health, vigor, or intensity of ~ vi: to
          enlist new members -- re.cruit.er n [2]recruit n [F recrute,
          recrue fresh growth, new levy of soldiers, fr. MF, fr.
          recroistre to grow up again, fr. L recrescere, fr. re-
          + crescere to grow--more at crescent] (ca. 1645) 1: a
          fresh or additional supply 2: a newcomer to a field or
          activity; specif: a newly enlisted or drafted member
          of the armed forces 3: a former enlisted man of the lowest
          rank in the army

   recruitment
          [re.cruit.ment] n (ca. 1828) 1: the action or process of
          recruiting 2: the process of adding new individuals to
          a population or subpopulation (as of breeding individuals)
          by growth, reproduction, immigration, and stocking; also:
          a measure (as in numbers or biomass) of recruitment

   recrystallize
          [re.crys.tal.lize] vb (1797): to crystallize again or repeatedly
          -- re.crys.tal.li.za.tion n

   rec sec
          [rec sec] abbreviation recording secretary

   rect
          [rect] abbreviation receipt, rectangle, rectangular, rectified

   rectal
          [rec.tal] adj (ca. 1859): relating to, affecting, or being
          near the rectum -- rec.tal.ly adv

   rectangle
          [rect.an.gle] n [ML rectangulus having a right angle, fr.
          L rectus right + angulus angle--more at right, angle]
          (1571): a parallelogram all of whose angles are right
          angles; esp: one with adjacent sides of unequal length

   rectangular
          [rect.an.gu.lar] adj (1624) 1: shaped like a rectangle <a
          ~ area> 2 a: crossing, lying, or meeting at a right angle
          <~ axes> b: having edges, surfaces, or faces that meet
          at right angles: having faces or surfaces shaped like
          rectangles <~ parallelepipeds> <a ~ solid> -- rect.an.gu.lar.i.ty
          n -- rect.an.gu.lar.ly adv

   rectangular coordinate
          [rectangular coordinate] n (ca. 1864): a Cartesian coordinate
          of a Cartesian coordinate system whose straight-line
          axes or coordinate planes are perpendicular

   rectifiable
          [rec.ti.fi.able] adj [rectify (to determine the length of
          an arc)] (1816): having finite length <a ~ curve> --
          rec.ti.fi.abil.i.ty n

   rectifier
          [rec.ti.fi.er] n (1611): one that rectifies; specif: a device
          for converting alternating current into direct current

   rectify
          [rec.ti.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME rectifien, fr. MF rectifier,
          fr. ML rectificare, fr. L rectus right--more at right]
          (14c) 1: to set right: remedy 2: to purify (as alcohol)
          esp. by repeated or fractional distillation 3: to correct
          by removing errors: adjust <~ the calendar> 4: to make
          (an alternating current) unidirectional syn see correct
          -- rec.ti.fi.ca.tion n

   rectilinear
          [rec.ti.lin.e.ar] adj [LL rectilineus, fr. L rectus + linea
          line] (1659) 1: moving in or forming a straight line
          <~ motion> 2: characterized by straight lines 3: perpendicular
          3 -- rec.ti.lin.e.ar.ly adv

   rectitude
          [rec.ti.tude] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL rectitudo, fr. L rectus
          straight, right] (15c) 1: the quality or state of being
          straight 2: moral integrity: righteousness 3: the quality
          or state of being correct in judgment or procedure

   rectitudinous
          [rec.ti.tu.di.nous] adj [LL rectitudin-, rectitudo rectitude]
          (1897) 1: characterized by rectitude 2: piously self-righteous

   recto
          [rec.to] n, pl rectos [ NL recto (folio) on the right-hand
          leaf] (1824) 1: the side of a leaf (as of a manuscript)
          that is to be read first 2: a right-hand page--compare
          verso

   rector
          [rec.tor] n [ME, fr. L, fr. regere to direct--more at right]
          (14c) 1: one that directs: leader 2 a: a clergyman (as
          of the Protestant Episcopal Church) in charge of a parish
          b: an incumbent of a Church of England benefice in full
          possession of its rights c: a Roman Catholic priest directing
          a church with no pastor or one whose pastor has other
          duties 3: the head of a university or school -- rec.tor.ate
          n -- rec.to.ri.al adj -- rec.tor.ship n

   rectory
          [rec.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1594) 1: a benefice held by a rector
          2: a residence of a rector or a parish priest

   rectrix
          [rec.trix] n, pl rec.tri.ces [NL, fr. L, fem. of rector one
          that directs] (1768): any of the quill feathers of a
          bird's tail that are important in controlling flight
          direction--see bird illustration

   rectum
          [rec.tum] n, pl rectums or rec.ta [ME, fr. ML, fr. rectum
          intestinum, lit., straight intestine] (15c): the terminal
          part of the intestine from the sigmoid flexure to the
          anus

   rectus
          [rec.tus] n, pl rec.ti [NL, fr. rectus musculus straight
          muscle] (ca. 1704): any of several straight muscles (as
          of the abdomen)

   reculer pour mieux sauter
          [re.cu.ler pour mieux sau.ter] [F] foreign term : to draw
          back in order to make a better jump

   recumbency
          [re.cum.ben.cy] n, pl -cies (1646): the state of leaning,
          resting, or reclining: repose; also: a recumbent position

   recumbent
          [re.cum.bent] adj [L recumbent-, recumbens, prp. of recumbere
          to lie down, fr. re- + -cumbere to lie down; akin to
          L cubare to lie] (1705) 1 a: suggestive of repose: leaning,
          resting b: lying down 2: representing a person lying
          down <a ~ statue> syn see prone

   recuperate
          [re.cu.per.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L recuperatus, pp. of
          recuperare--more at recover] vt (1542): to get back:
          regain ~ vi: to regain a former state or condition; esp:
          to recover health or strength -- re.cu.per.a.tion n

   recuperative
          [re.cu.per.a.tive] adj (ca. 1828) 1: of or relating to recuperation
          <~ powers> 2: aiding in recuperation: restorative

   recur
          [re.cur] vi re.curred ; re.cur.ring [ME recurren to return,
          fr. L recurrere, lit., to run back, fr. re- + currere
          to run--more at car] (1529) 1: to have recourse: resort
          2: to go back in thought or discourse 3 a: to come up
          again for consideration b: to come again to mind 4: to
          occur again after an interval: occur time after time
          -- re.cur.rence n

   recurrent
          [re.cur.rent] adj [L recurrent-, recurrens, prp. of recurrere]
          (1611) 1: running or turning back in a direction opposite
          to a former course--used of various nerves and branches
          of vessels in the arms and legs 2: returning or happening
          time after time <~ complaints> -- re.cur.rent.ly adv

   recurring decimal
          [recurring decimal] n (1801): repeating decimal

   recursion
          [re.cur.sion] n [LL recursion-, recursio, fr. recurrere]
          (1616) 1: return 2: the determination of a succession
          of elements (as numbers or functions) by operation on
          one or more preceding elements according to a rule or
          formula involving a finite number of steps 3: a computer
          programming technique involving the use of a procedure,
          subroutine, function, or algorithm that calls itself
          in a step having a termination condition so that successive
          repetitions are processed up to the critical step until
          the condition is met at which time the rest of each repetition
          is processed from the last one called to the first--compare
          iteration

   recursive
          [re.cur.sive] adj (1934) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          recursion <a ~ function in a computer program> 2: of,
          relating to, or constituting a procedure that can repeat
          itself indefinitely <a ~ rule in a grammar> -- re.cur.sive.ly
          adv -- re.cur.sive.ness n

   recurved
          [re.curved] adj (1597): curved backward or inward

   recusancy
          [re.cu.san.cy] n (ca. 1600): the act or state of being a
          recusant

   recusant
          [re.cu.sant] n [L recusant-, recusans, prp. of recusare to
          refuse, fr. re- + causari to give a reason, fr. causa
          cause, reason] (ca. 1553) 1: an English Roman Catholic
          of the time from about 1570 to 1791 who refused to attend
          services of the Church of England and thereby committed
          a statutory offense 2: one who refuses to accept or obey
          established authority -- recusant adj

   recuse
          [re.cuse] vt re.cused ; re.cus.ing [ME, to refuse, fr. MF
          recuser, fr. L recusare] (1949): to disqualify (oneself)
          as judge in a particular case; broadly: to remove (oneself)
          from participation to avoid a conflict of interest --
          re.cus.al n

   recut
          [re.cut] vt (1664) 1: to cut again 2: to edit (as a film)
          anew

   [1]recycle
          [re.cy.cle] vt (1926) 1: to pass again through a series of
          changes or treatments: as a: to process (as liquid body
          waste, glass, or cans) in order to regain material for
          human use b: recover 6 2: to adapt to a new use: alter
          3: to bring back: reuse <~s a number of good anecdotes
          --Larry McMurtry> 4: to make ready for reuse <a plan
          to ~ vacant tenements> ~ vi 1: to return to an earlier
          point in a countdown 2: to return to an original condition
          so that operation can begin again--used of an electronic
          device -- re.cy.cla.ble adj or n -- re.cy.cler n [2]recycle
          n (1926): the process of recycling

   red
          [red] abbreviation reduce, reduction

   [1]red
          [red] adj red.der ; red.dest [ME, fr. OE read; akin to OHG
          rot red, L ruber & rufus, Gk erythros] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          of the color red b: having red as a distinguishing color
          2 a (1): flushed esp. with anger or embarrassment (2):
          ruddy, florid (3): being or having skin of a coppery
          hue b: bloodshot <eyes ~ from crying> c: in the color
          range between a moderate orange and russet or bay d:
          tinged with red: reddish 3: heated to redness: glowing
          4 a: inciting or endorsing radical social or political
          change esp. by force b often cap: communist c often cap:
          of or relating to a communist country and esp. to the
          U.S.S.R. [2]red n (bef. 12c) 1: a color whose hue resembles
          that of blood or of the ruby or is that of the long-wave
          extreme of the visible spectrum 2: red clothing <the
          lady in ~> 3: one that is of a red or reddish color:
          as a: red wine b: an animal with a red or reddish coat
          4 a: a pigment or dye that colors red b: a shade or tint
          of red 5 a: one who advocates the violent overthrow of
          an existing social or political order b cap: communist
          6 [fr. the bookkeeping practice of entering debit items
          in red ink]: the condition of showing a loss--usu. used
          with the <in the ~>--compare black

   redact
          [re.dact] vt [ME, fr. L redactus, pp. of redigere] (15c)
          1: to put in writing: frame 2: to select or adapt for
          publication: edit

   redaction
          [re.dac.tion] n [F redaction, fr. LL redaction-, redactio
          act of reducing, compressing, fr. L redigere to bring
          back, reduce, fr. re-, red- re- + agere to lead--more
          at agent] (1785) 1: an act or instance of redacting something
          2: a work that has been redacted: edition, version --
          re.dac.tion.al adj

   redactor
          [re.dac.tor] n (1816): one who redacts a work; esp: editor

   red admiral
          [red admiral] n (1840): a nymphalid butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)
          that is common in both Europe and America, has broad
          orange-red bands on the forewings, and feeds chiefly
          on nettles in the larval stage

   red alert
          [red alert] n (ca. 1951): the final stage of alert in which
          enemy attack appears imminent; broadly: a state of alert
          brought on by impending danger

   red alga
          [red alga] n (1852): any of a division (Rhodophyta) of chiefly
          marine algae that have predominantly red pigmentation

   red ant
          [red ant] n (1667): any of various reddish ants (as the pharaoh
          ant)

   redargue
          [red.ar.gue] vt -gued ; -gu.ing [ME, fr. L redarguere, fr.
          red- + arguere to demonstrate, prove--more at argue]
          (1627) archaic: confute, disprove

   red-bait
          [red-bait] vb, often cap R vt (1940): to subject (as a person
          or group) to red-baiting ~ vi: to engage in red-baiting
          -- red-bait.er n, often cap R

   red-baiting
          [red-bait.ing] n, often cap R (1928): the act of attacking
          or persecuting as a Communist or as communistic

   red bay
          [red bay] n (ca. 1730): a small tree (Persea borbonia) of
          the southern U.S. that has dark red heartwood

   redbelly dace
          [red.bel.ly dace] n (1884): either of two small brightly
          marked No. American cyprinid fishes (Phoxinus eos and
          P. erythrogaster)--called also red-bellied dace

   redbird
          [red.bird] n (1669): any of several birds (as a cardinal,
          several tanagers, or the bullfinch) with predominantly
          red plumage

   red blood cell
          [red blood cell] n (1910): any of the hemoglobin-containing
          cells that carry oxygen to the tissues and are responsible
          for the red color of vertebrate blood--called also erythrocyte,
          red blood corpuscle, red cell, red corpuscle

   red-blooded
          [red-blood.ed] adj (1881): vigorous, lusty

   redbone
          [red.bone] n (1916): any of a breed of moderate-sized speedy
          dark red or red and tan coonhounds of American origin

   redbreast
          [red.breast] n (15c) 1: a bird (as a robin) with a reddish
          breast 2: a reddish-bellied sunfish (Lepomis auritus)
          of the eastern U.S.--called also red-breasted bream

   redbrick
          [red.brick] adj (1943) 1: built of red brick 2 often cap
          [fr. the common use of red brick in constructing the
          buildings of recently founded universities]: of, relating
          to, or being the British Universities founded in the
          19th or early 20th century--compare oxbridge, plateglass

   redbud
          [red.bud] n (1705): any of several leguminous trees (genus
          Cercis) with usu. pale rosy pink flowers

   red bug
          [red bug] n (1804) Southern & Midland: chigger 2

   redcap
          [red.cap] n (1918): a baggage porter (as at a railroad
          station)--compare skycap

   red carpet
          [red carpet] n (1951): a greeting or reception marked by
          ceremonial courtesy--usu. used in the phrase roll out
          the red carpet

   red-carpet
          [red-carpet] adj [fr. the traditional laying down of a red
          carpet for important guests to walk on] (1952): marked
          by ceremonial courtesy <~ treatment>

   red cedar
          [red cedar] n (1682) 1: a common juniper (Juniperus virginiana)
          chiefly of the eastern U.S. that has dark green closely
          imbricated scalelike leaves; also: a related tree (J.
          silicicola) of the southeastern U.S. 2: an arborvitae
          (Thuja plicata) of the Pacific Northwest 3: the red or
          reddish brown wood of a red cedar

   red cent
          [red cent] n (ca. 1839): penny--used for emphasis in negative
          constructions

   red clover
          [red clover] n (bef. 12c): a Eurasian clover (Trifolium pratense)
          that has globose heads of reddish purple flowers and
          is widely cultivated as a hay, forage, and cover crop

   redcoat
          [red.coat] n (1520): a British soldier esp. in America during
          the Revolutionary War

   red coral
          [red coral] n (ca. 1864): a gorgonian (Corallium nobile)
          of the Mediterranean and adjacent parts of the Atlantic
          having a hard stony skeleton of a delicate red or pink
          color used for ornaments and jewelry

   Red Cross
          [Red Cross] n (1863): a red Greek cross on a white background
          used as the emblem of the International Red Cross

   red currant
          [red currant] n (1622): either of two currants (Ribes sativum
          and R. rubrum) often cultivated for their fruit; also:
          the fruit

   [1]redd
          [redd] vb redd.ed or redd ; redd.ing [ME (Sc), to clear,
          perh. alter. of ridden--more at rid] vt (ca. 1520) chiefly
          dial: to set in order--usu. used with up or out ~ vi,
          chiefly dial: to make things tidy--usu. used with up
          [2]redd n [origin unknown] (1808): the spawning ground
          or nest of various fishes

   red deer
          [red deer] n (15c): elk 1b--used for one of the Old World
          elk

   redden
          [red.den] vb red.dened ; red.den.ing vt (ca. 1611): to make
          red or reddish ~ vi: to become red; esp: blush

   reddish
          [red.dish] adj (14c): tinged with red -- red.dish.ness n

   red dog
          [red dog] n (1953): blitz 2b -- red dog vb

   red drum
          [red drum] n (1709): channel bass

   [1]rede
          [rede] vt [ME--more at read] (bef. 12c) 1 dial: to give counsel
          to: advise 2 dial: interpret, explain [2]rede n (bef.
          12c) 1 chiefly dial: counsel, advice 2 archaic: account,
          story

   redear
          [red.ear] n (ca. 1948): a common sunfish (Lepomis microlophus)
          of the southern and eastern U.S. resembling the bluegill
          but having the back part of the operculum bright orange-red--called
          also redear sunfish, shellcracker

   redecorate
          [re.dec.o.rate] vt (ca. 1611): to freshen or change in appearance:
          refurbish ~ vi: to freshen or change a decorative scheme
          -- re.dec.o.ra.tion n -- re.dec.o.ra.tor n

   redeem
          [re.deem] vt [ME redemen, modif. of MF redimer, fr. L redimere,
          fr. re-, red- re- + emere to take, buy; akin to Lith
          imti to take] (15c) 1 a: to buy back: repurchase b: to
          get or win back 2: to free from what distresses or harms:
          as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b:
          to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental
          c: to release from blame or debt: clear d: to free from
          the consequences of sin 3: to change for the better:
          reform 4: repair, restore 5 a: to free from a lien by
          payment of an amount secured thereby b (1): to remove
          the obligation of by payment <the U.S. Treasury ~s savings
          bonds on demand> (2): to exchange for something of value
          <~ trading stamps> c: to make good: fulfill 6 a: to atone
          for: expiate b (1): to offset the bad effect of (2):
          to make worthwhile: retrieve syn see rescue -- re.deem.able
          adj

   redeemer
          [re.deem.er] n (15c): a person who redeems; esp, cap: jesus

   redeeming
          [re.deem.ing] adj (1631): serving to offset or compensate
          for a defect <her performance is the film's ~ feature>

   redefine
          [re.de.fine] vt (1872) 1: to define (as a concept) again:
          reformulate <had to ~ their terms> 2 a: to reexamine
          or reevaluate esp. with a view to change b: transform
          1c -- re.def.i.ni.tion n

   redemption
          [re.demp.tion] n [ME redempcioun, fr. MF redemption, fr.
          L redemption-, redemptio, fr. redimere to redeem] (14c):
          the act, process, or an instance of redeeming

   redemptioner
          [re.demp.tion.er] n (1771): an immigrant to America in the
          18th and 19th centuries who obtained passage by becoming
          an indentured servant

   redemptive
          [re.demp.tive] adj (15c): of, relating to, or bringing about
          redemption

   Redemptorist
          [Re.demp.tor.ist] n [F redemptoriste, fr. LL redemptor redeemer,
          fr. L, contractor, fr. redimere] (ca. 1842): a member
          of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer founded
          by St. Alphonsus Liguori in Scala, Italy, in 1732 and
          devoted to preaching

   redemptory
          [re.demp.to.ry] adj (1602): serving to redeem

   redeploy
          [re.de.ploy] vt (1945): to transfer from one area or activity
          to another ~ vi: to relocate men or equipment -- re.de.ploy.ment
          n

   redescribe
          [re.de.scribe] vt (1871): to describe anew or again; esp:
          to give a new and more complete description to (a biological
          taxon)

   redescription
          [re.de.scrip.tion] n (1884): a new and more complete description
          esp. of a biological taxon

   redesign
          [re.de.sign] vt (1891): to revise in appearance, function,
          or content -- redesign n

   redevelop
          [re.de.vel.op] vt (1882): to develop again; esp: redesign,
          rebuild -- re.de.vel.op.er n

   redevelopment
          [re.de.vel.op.ment] n (1873): the act or process of redeveloping;
          esp: renovation of a blighted area

   red-eye
          [red-eye] n (1819) 1: cheap whiskey 2: a late night or overnight
          flight

   redeye gravy
          [red.eye gravy] n (1947): gravy made from the juices of ham
          and often flavored with coffee

   red fescue
          [red fescue] n (1900): a perennial pasture and turf grass
          (Festuca rubra) of Eurasia and No. America with creeping
          rootstocks, erect culms, and reddish spikelets

   redfish
          [red.fish] n (15c): any of various reddish fishes: as a (1):
          a marine scorpaenid food fish (Sebastes marinus) of the
          northern coasts of Europe and No. America that is usu.
          bright rose-red when mature--called also rosefish (2):
          a fish (Sebastes mentella) related to the redfish b:
          channel bass

   red flag
          [red flag] n (1777) 1: a warning signal 2: something that
          attracts usu. irritated attention

   red flannel hash
          [red flannel hash] n (ca. 1907): hash made esp. from beef,
          potatoes, and beets

   red fox
          [red fox] n (1778): a usu. orange-red to reddish brown Holarctic
          fox (Vulpes vulpes) that has a white-tipped tail

   red giant
          [red giant] n (1916): a star that has low surface temperature
          and a diameter that is large relative to the sun

   red-green blindness
          [red-green blindness] n (1888): dichromatism in which the
          spectrum is seen in tones of yellow and blue--called
          also red-green color blindness

   Red Guard
          [Red Guard] n (1966): a member of a paramilitary youth organization
          in China in the 1960s

   red gum
          [red gum] n (1788) 1 a: any of several Australian eucalyptus
          trees (esp. Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. amygdalina,
          and E. calophylla) b: eucalyptus gum 2: sweet gum

   red-handed
          [red-hand.ed] adv or adj (1819): in the act of committing
          a crime or misdeed <caught ~>

   redhead
          [red.head] n (1664) 1: a person having red hair 2: a No.
          American duck (Aythya americana) resembling the related
          canvasback but having a shorter bill with a black tip
          and in the male a brighter reddish head

   redheaded
          [red.head.ed] adj (1565): having red hair or a red head

   red heat
          [red heat] n (1686): the state of being red-hot; also: the
          temperature at which a substance is red-hot

   red herring
          [red herring] n (15c) 1: a herring cured by salting and slow
          smoking to a dark brown color 2 [fr. the practice of
          drawing a red herring across a trail to confuse hunting
          dogs]: something that distracts attention from the real
          issue

   redhorse
          [red.horse] n (1796): any of numerous large suckers (genus
          Moxostoma) of No. American rivers and lakes with the
          males having red fins esp. in the breeding season

   red-hot
          [red-hot] adj (14c): extremely hot: as a: glowing with heat
          b: exhibiting or marked by intense emotion, enthusiasm,
          or violence <a ~ campaign> c: fresh, new <~ news> d:
          extremely popular

   red hot
          [red hot] n (1835) 1: one who shows intense emotion or partisanship
          2: hot dog 1 3: a small red candy strongly flavored with cinnamon

   redia
          [re.dia] n, pl re.di.ae also re.di.as [NL, fr. Francesco
          Redi d. 1698? Ital. naturalist] (1877): a larva produced
          within the sporocyst of many trematodes that produces
          another generation of rediae or develops into a cercaria
          -- re.di.al adj

   redial
          [re.dial] n (1980): a function on a telephone that automatically
          repeats the dialing of the last number called; also:
          a button that invokes this function -- re.dial vb

   Red Indian
          [Red Indian] n (1831) chiefly Brit: american indian

   redingote
          [red.in.gote] n [F, modif. of E riding coat] (1793): a fitted
          outer garment: as a: a double-breasted coat with wide
          flat cuffs and collar worn by men in the 18th century
          b: a woman's lightweight coat open at the front c: a
          dress with a front gore of contrasting material

   red ink
          [red ink] n [fr. the use of red ink in financial statements
          to indicate a loss] (1926) 1: a business loss: deficit
          2: the condition of showing a business loss

   redintegrate
          [red.in.te.grate] vt [ME, fr. L redintegratus, pp. of redintegrare,
          fr. re-, redre- + integrare to make complete--more at integrate]
          (15c) archaic: to restore to a former and esp. sound state

   redintegration
          [red.in.te.gra.tion] n (15c) 1 archaic: restoration to a
          former state 2 a: revival of the whole of a previous
          mental state when a phase of it recurs b: arousal of
          any response by a part of the complex of stimuli that
          originally aroused that response -- red.in.te.gra.tive
          adj

   redirect
          [re.di.rect] vt (1844): to change the course or direction
          of -- re.di.rec.tion n

   [1]rediscount
          [re.dis.count] vt (1866): to discount again (as commercial
          paper) -- re.dis.count.able adj [2]re.dis.count n (1892)
          1: the act or process of rediscounting 2: negotiable
          paper that is rediscounted

   redistribute
          [re.dis.trib.ute] vt (1611) 1: to alter the distribution
          of: reallocate 2: to spread to other areas -- re.dis.tri.bu.tion
          n -- re.dis.tri.bu.tion.al adj -- re.dis.trib.u.tive
          adj

   redistributionist
          [re.dis.tri.bu.tion.ist] n (1979): one that believes in or
          advocates a welfare state

   redistrict
          [re.dis.trict] vt (1850): to divide anew into districts;
          specif: to revise the legislative districts of ~ vi:
          to revise legislative districts

   redivivus
          [red.i.vi.vus] adj [LL, fr. L, reused] (1675): brought back
          to life: reborn--used postpositively

   red lead
          [red lead] n (15c): an orange-red to brick-red lead oxide
          used in storage-battery plates, in glass and ceramics,
          and as a paint pigment

   red leaf
          [red leaf] n (1909): any of several plant diseases characterized
          by reddening of the foliage

   redleg
          [red.leg] n (1900): artilleryman

   red-legged grasshopper
          [red-legged grasshopper] n (1867): a widely distributed and
          sometimes highly destructive small No. American grasshopper
          (Melanoplus femur-rubrum) with red hind legs--called
          also red-legged locust

   red-letter
          [red-let.ter] adj [fr. the practice of marking holy days
          in red letters in church calendars] (1704): of special
          significance

   red light
          [red light] n (1849): a warning signal; esp: a red traffic
          signal

   red-light district
          [red-light district] n (1900): a district in which houses
          of prostitution are numerous

   [1]redline
          [red.line] n (1952): a recommended safety limit: the fastest,
          farthest, or highest point or degree considered safe;
          also: the red line which marks this point on a gauge
          [2]red.line vi (1968): to withhold home-loan funds or
          insurance from neighborhoods considered poor economic
          risks ~ vt: to discriminate against in housing or insurance

   redly
          [red.ly] adv (1611): in a red manner: with red color

   red man
          [red man] n (1725) 1: american indian 2 cap R&M [Improved
          Order of Red Men]: a member of a major benevolent and
          fraternal order

   red maple
          [red maple] n (1770): a common tree (Acer rubrum) of the
          eastern and central U.S. that grows chiefly on moist
          soils, has reddish twigs and flowers, and yields a lighter
          and softer wood than the sugar maple

   red marrow
          [red marrow] n (1900): reddish bone marrow that is the seat
          of blood-cell production

   red mass
          [red mass] n, often cap R&M (1889): a votive mass of the
          Holy Spirit celebrated in red vestments esp. at the opening
          of courts and congresses

   red mite
          [red mite] n (1894): any of several mites having a red color:
          as a: european red mite b: citrus red mite

   red mulberry
          [red mulberry] n (1717): a No. American forest tree (Morus
          rubra) with toothed leaves and soft durable wood; also:
          its edible usu. purple fruit

   red mullet
          [red mullet] n (1762): goatfish

   redneck
          [red.neck] n (1830) 1: a white member of the Southern rural
          laboring class--sometimes used disparagingly 2: a person
          whose behavior and opinions are similar to those attributed
          to rednecks--often used disparagingly -- redneck also
          red.necked adj

   redness
          [red.ness] n (bef. 12c): the quality or state of being red
          or red-hot

   redo
          [re.do] vt -did ; -done ; -do.ing ; -does (1597) 1: to do
          over or again 2: redecorate -- re.do n

   red oak
          [red oak] n (1634) 1: any of numerous American oaks (as Quercus
          rubra and Quercus falcata) that have four stamens in
          each floret, acorns with the inner surface of the shell
          lined with woolly hairs, the acorn cap covered with thin
          scales, and leaf veins that usu. run beyond the margin
          of the leaf to form bristles 2: the wood of red oak

   red ocher
          [red ocher] n (1572): a red earthy hematite used as a pigment

   redolence
          [red.o.lence] n (15c) 1: an often pungent or agreeable odor
          2: the quality or state of being redolent syn see fragrance

   redolent
          [red.o.lent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L redolent-, redolens,
          prp. of redolere to emit a scent, fr. re-, red- + olere
          to smell--more at odor] (15c) 1: exuding fragrance: aromatic
          2 a: full of a specified fragrance: scented <air ~ of
          seaweed> b: evocative, suggestive <a city ~ of antiquity>
          syn see odorous -- red.o.lent.ly adv

   red osier
          [red osier] n (1807): a common shrubby No. American dogwood
          (Cornus sericea syn. C. stolonifera) with reddish purple
          twigs, white flowers, and globose blue or whitish fruit

   redouble
          [re.dou.ble] vt (15c) 1: to make twice as great in size or
          amount; broadly: intensify, strengthen 2 a obs: to echo
          back b archaic: repeat ~ vi 1: to become redoubled 2
          archaic: resound 3: to double an opponent's double in
          bridge -- redouble n

   redoubt
          [re.doubt] n [F redoute, fr. It ridotto, fr. ML reductus
          secret place, fr. L, withdrawn, fr. pp. of reducere to
          lead back--more at reduce] (ca. 1608) 1 a: a small usu.
          temporary enclosed defensive work b: a defended position:
          protective barrier 2: a secure retreat: stronghold

   redoubtable
          [re.doubt.able] adj [ME redoutable, fr. MF, fr. redouter
          to dread, fr. re- + douter to doubt] (15c) 1: causing
          fear or alarm: formidable 2: illustrious, eminent; broadly:
          worthy of respect -- re.doubt.ably adv

   redound
          [re.dound] vi [ME, fr. MF redonder, fr. L redundare, fr.
          re-, red- re- + unda wave--more at water] (14c) 1 archaic:
          to become swollen: overflow 2: to have an effect for
          good or ill <new power alignments which may or may not
          ~ to the faculty's benefit --G. W. Bonham> 3: to become
          transferred or added: accrue 4: rebound, reflect

   redout
          [red.out] n (1942): a condition in which centripetal acceleration
          (as that created when an aircraft abruptly enters a dive)
          drives blood to the head and causes reddening of the
          visual field and headache

   redox
          [re.dox] adj [reduction + oxidation] (1928): of or relating
          to oxidation-reduction

   red panda
          [red panda] n (1955): panda 1

   red-pencil
          [red-pen.cil] vt (1946) 1: censor 2: correct, revise

   red pepper
          [red pepper] n (ca. 1591): cayenne pepper

   red pine
          [red pine] n (1809) 1: a No. American pine (Pinus resinosa)
          that has reddish bark and two long needles in each cluster
          2: the relatively hard wood of the red pine that consists
          chiefly of sapwood

   redpoll
          [red.poll] n (1738): either of two small finches (genus Carduelis
          syn. Acanthis) having brownish streaked plumage and a
          red or rosy crown; esp: one (C. flammea) found in northern
          regions of both of the New and Old World

   red poll
          [red poll] n, often cap R&P [alter. of red polled] (1891):
          any of a breed of large hornless red beef cattle of English
          origin

   [1]redress
          [re.dress] vt [ME, fr. MF redresser, fr. OF redrecier, fr.
          re- + drecier to make straight--more at dress] (14c)
          1 a (1): to set right: remedy (2): to make up for: compensate
          b: to remove the cause of (a grievance or complaint)
          c: to exact reparation for: avenge 2 archaic a: to requite
          (a person) for a wrong or loss b: heal syn see correct
          -- re.dress.er n [2]re.dress n (14c) 1 a: relief from
          distress b: means or possibility of seeking a remedy
          <without ~> 2: compensation for wrong or loss: reparation
          3 a: an act or instance of redressing b: retribution,
          correction

   red ribbon
          [red ribbon] n (1927): a red ribbon usu. with appropriate
          words or markings awarded the second-place winner in
          a competition

   redroot
          [red.root] n (1709) 1: a perennial herb (Lachnanthes caroliniana
          syn. L. tinctoria) of the bloodwort family of the eastern
          U.S. whose red root is the source of a dye 2: new jersey
          tea 3: bloodroot 4: a pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)
          that bears greenish flowers in dense spikes with bracts
          almost twice as long as the sepals

   red rust
          [red rust] n (1846) 1: the uredinial stage of a rust 2: the
          diseased condition produced by red rust

   red salmon
          [red salmon] n (1881): sockeye

   red-shafted flicker
          [red-shaft.ed flicker] n (1846): a flicker of western No.
          America with light red on the underside of the tail and
          wings, a gray nape with no red, and in the male red on
          each cheek

   redshank
          [red.shank] n (1525): a common Old World sandpiper (Tringa
          totanus) with pale red legs and feet

   redshift
          [red.shift] n (1923): a displacement of the spectrum of a
          celestial body toward longer wavelengths that is a consequence
          of the Doppler effect or the gravitational field of the
          source -- red.shift.ed adj

   redshirt
          [red.shirt] n [fr. the red jersey commonly worn by such a
          player in practice scrimmages against the regulars] (1955):
          a college athlete who is kept out of varsity competition
          for a year in order to extend eligibility -- redshirt
          vb

   red-shouldered hawk
          [red-shoul.dered hawk] n (1812): a common No. American hawk
          (Buteo lineatus) that has a banded tail and a light spot
          on the underside of the wings toward the tips

   red sindhi
          [red sin.dhi] n [[1]red + sindhi one belonging to Sind, Pakistan]
          (1946): any of a breed of humped rather small red dairy
          cattle developed in southwestern Asia and extensively
          used for crossbreeding with European stock in tropical
          areas

   red siskin
          [red siskin] n (1948): a finch (Carduelis cucullata) of northern
          So. America that is scarlet with black head, wings, and
          tail

   redskin
          [red.skin] n (1699): american indian--usu. taken to be offensive

   red snapper
          [red snapper] n (1755): any of various reddish fishes (as
          of the genera Lutjanus and Sebastes) including several
          food fishes

   red snow
          [red snow] n (1678): snow colored by various airborne dusts
          or by a growth of algae (as of the genus Chlamydomonas)
          that contain red pigment and live in the upper layer
          of snow; also: an alga causing red snow

   red soil
          [red soil] n (1889): any of a group of zonal soils that develop
          in a warm temperate moist climate under deciduous or
          mixed forests and that have thin organic and organic-mineral
          layers overlying a yellowish brown leached layer resting
          on an illuvial red horizon--called also red podzolic
          soil

   red spider
          [red spider] n (1646): spider mite

   red spruce
          [red spruce] n (1777): a spruce (Picea rubens) of eastern
          No. America that has pubescent twigs and yellowish green
          needles and is an important source of lumber and pulpwood

   red squill
          [red squill] n (1738) 1: a red-bulbed form of squill (Urginea
          maritima) 2: a rat poison derived from the bulb of red
          squill

   red squirrel
          [red squirrel] n (1682): a common and widely distributed
          No. American squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) that
          has reddish upper parts and is smaller than the gray
          squirrel

   red star
          [red star] n (1903): a star having a very low surface temperature
          and a red color

   redstart
          [red.start] n [red + obs. start handle, tail] (ca. 1570)
          1: a small Old World songbird (Phoenicurus phoenicurus
          of the family Turdidae) with the male having a white
          brow, black throat, and chestnut breast and tail 2: an
          American warbler (Setophaga ruticilla of the family Parulidae)
          with a black and orange male

   red-tailed hawk
          [red-tailed hawk] n (1805): a widely distributed chiefly
          rodent-eating New World hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) that
          is usu. mottled dusky above and white streaked dusky
          and tinged with buff below and has a rather short typically
          reddish tail--called also redtail

   red tape
          [red tape] n [fr. the red tape formerly used to bind legal
          documents in England] (1736): official routine or procedure
          marked by excessive complexity which results in delay
          or inaction

   red tide
          [red tide] n (1904): seawater discolored by the presence
          of large numbers of dinoflagellates (esp. of the genera
          Gonyaulax and Gymnodinium) which produce a toxin poisonous
          esp. to many forms of marine vertebrate life and to humans
          who consume contaminated shellfish--compare saxitoxin

   redtop
          [red.top] n (1790): any of various grasses (genus Agrostis)
          with usu. reddish panicles; esp: an important forage
          and lawn grass (A. alba syn. A. gigantea) of eastern
          No. America

   reduce
          [re.duce] vb re.duced ; re.duc.ing [ME, to lead back, fr.
          L reducere, fr. re- + ducere to lead--more at tow] vt
          (14c) 1 a: to draw together or cause to converge: consolidate
          <~ all the questions to one> b (1): to diminish in size,
          amount, extent, or number <~ taxes> <~ the likelihood
          of war> (2): to decrease the volume and concentrate the
          flavor of by boiling <add the wine and ~ the sauce for
          two minutes> c: to narrow down: restrict <the Indians
          were reduced to small reservations> d: to make shorter:
          abridge 2 archaic: to restore to righteousness: save
          3: to bring to a specified state or condition <the impact
          of the movie reduced them to tears> 4 a: to force to
          capitulate b: force, compel 5 a: to bring to a systematic
          form or character <~ natural events to laws> b: to put
          down in written or printed form <~ an agreement to writing>
          6: to correct (as a fracture) by bringing displaced or
          broken parts back into their normal positions 7 a: to
          lower in grade or rank: demote b: to lower in condition
          or status: downgrade 8 a: to diminish in strength or
          density b: to diminish in value 9 a (1): to change the
          denominations or form of without changing the value (2):
          to construct a geometrical figure similar to but smaller
          than (a given figure) b: to transpose from one form into
          another: convert c: to change (an expression) to an equivalent
          but more fundamental expression <~ a fraction> 10: to
          break down (as by crushing or grinding): pulverize 11
          a: to bring to the metallic state by removal of nonmetallic
          elements <~ an ore by heat> b: deoxidize c: to combine
          with or subject to the action of hydrogen d (1): to change
          (an element or ion) from a higher to a lower oxidation
          state (2): to add one or more electrons to (an atom or
          ion or molecule) 12: to change (a stressed vowel) to
          an unstressed vowel ~ vi 1 a (1): to become diminished
          or lessened; esp: to lose weight by dieting (2): to become
          reduced <ferrous iron ~s to ferric iron> b: to become
          concentrated or consolidated c: to undergo meiosis 2:
          to become converted or equated syn see decrease, conquer
          -- re.duc.er n -- re.duc.ibil.i.ty n -- re.duc.ible adj
          -- re.duc.ibly adv

   reducing agent
          [reducing agent] n (1885): a substance that reduces a chemical
          compound usu. by donating electrons

   reductant
          [re.duc.tant] n (1925): reducing agent

   reductase
          [re.duc.tase] n (1902): an enzyme that catalyzes reduction

   reductio ad absurdum
          [re.duc.tio ad ab.sur.dum] n [LL, lit., reduction to the
          absurd] (1741) 1: disproof of a proposition by showing
          an absurdity to which it leads when carried to its logical
          conclusion 2: the carrying of something to an absurd
          extreme

   reduction
          [re.duc.tion] n [ME reduccion restoration, fr. MF reduction,
          fr. LL & L; LL reduction-, reductio reduction (in a syllogism),
          fr. L, restoration, fr. reducere] (1546) 1: the act or
          process of reducing: the state of being reduced 2 a:
          something made by reducing b: the amount by which something
          is reduced 3 [Sp reduccion, fr. L reduction-, reductio]:
          a So. American Indian settlement directed by Jesuit missionaries
          4: meiosis 2; specif: production of the gametic chromosome
          number in the first meiotic division -- re.duc.tion.al
          adj

   reduction division
          [reduction division] n (1891): the usu. first division of
          meiosis in which chromosome reduction occurs; also: meiosis
          2

   reduction gear
          [reduction gear] n (1896): a combination of gears used to
          reduce the input speed (as of a marine turbine) to a
          lower output speed (as of a ship's propeller)

   reductionism
          [re.duc.tion.ism] n (1943) 1: the attempt to explain all
          biological processes by the same explanations (as by
          physical laws) that chemists and physicists use to interpret
          inanimate matter; also: the theory that complete reductionism
          is possible 2: a procedure or theory that reduces complex
          data or phenomena to simple terms; esp: oversimplification
          -- re.duc.tion.ist n or adj -- re.duc.tion.is.tic adj

   reductive
          [re.duc.tive] adj (1633) 1: of, relating to, causing, or
          involving reduction 2: of or relating to reductionism:
          reductionistic -- re.duc.tive.ly adv -- re.duc.tive.ness
          n

   redundancy
          [re.dun.dan.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1602) 1 a: the quality or
          state of being redundant: superfluity b: the use of redundant
          components; also: such components c chiefly Brit: dismissal
          from a job esp. by layoff 2: profusion, abundance 3 a:
          superfluous repetition: prolixity b: an act or instance
          of needless repetition 4: the part of a message that
          can be eliminated without loss of essential information

   redundant
          [re.dun.dant] adj [L redundant-, redundans, prp. of redundare
          to overflow--more at redound] (1594) 1 a: exceeding what
          is necessary or normal: superfluous b: characterized
          by or containing an excess; specif: using more words
          than necessary c: characterized by similarity or repetition
          <a group of particularly ~ brick buildings> d chiefly
          Brit: no longer needed for a job and hence laid off 2:
          profuse, lavish 3: serving as a duplicate for preventing
          failure of an entire system (as a spacecraft) upon failure
          of a single component -- re.dun.dant.ly adv

   reduplicate
          [re.du.pli.cate] vt [LL reduplicatus, pp. of reduplicare,
          fr. L re- + duplicare to double--more at duplicate] (ca.
          1570) 1: to make or perform again: copy, repeat 2: to
          form (a word) by reduplication -- re.du.pli.cate adj

   reduplication
          [re.du.pli.ca.tion] n (1555) 1: an act or instance of doubling
          or reiterating 2 a: an often grammatically functional
          repetition of a radical element or a part of it occurring
          usu. at the beginning of a word and often accompanied
          by change of the radical vowel b (1): a word or form
          produced by reduplication (2): the repeated element in
          such a word or form 3: anadiplosis -- re.du.pli.ca.tive
          adj -- re.du.pli.ca.tive.ly adv

   reduviid
          [re.du.vi.id] n [ultim. fr. L reduvia hangnail] (1888): assassin
          bug -- reduviid adj

   redux
          [re.dux] adj [L, returning, fr. reducere to lead back] (1873):
          brought back--used postpositively

   redware
          [red.ware] n (ca. 1797): earthenware pottery made of clay
          containing considerable iron oxide

   red water
          [red water] n (1594): any of several cattle diseases characterized
          by hematuria

   red wheat
          [red wheat] n (1523): a wheat that has red grains

   red wine
          [red wine] n (ca. 1754): a wine with a predominantly red
          color derived during fermentation from the natural pigment
          in the skins of dark-colored grapes

   redwing
          [red.wing] n (1657) 1: a European thrush (Turdus iliacus
          syn. T. musicus) having the underwing coverts red 2:
          red-winged blackbird

   red-winged blackbird
          [red-winged blackbird] n (1797): a No. American blackbird
          (Agelaius phoeniceus) of which the adult male is black
          with a patch of bright scarlet at the bend of the wings
          bordered behind with yellow or buff--called also redwing
          blackbird

   red wolf
          [red wolf] n (1840): a wolf (Canis rufus syn. C. niger) orig.
          of the southeastern U.S.

   redwood
          [red.wood] n (1634) 1: any of various woods yielding a red
          dye 2: a tree that yields a red dyewood or produces red
          or reddish wood 3 a: a commercially important coniferous
          timber tree (Sequoia sempervirens) of the bald cypress
          family that grows chiefly in coastal California and sometimes
          reaches a height of 360 feet (110 meters)--called also
          coast redwood b: its brownish red durable wood

   red worm
          [red worm] n (1935): bloodworm

   reecho
          [re.echo] vi (1590): to repeat or return an echo: echo again
          or repeatedly: reverberate ~ vt: to echo back: repeat

   [1]reed
          [reed] n [ME rede, fr. OE hreod; akin to OHG hriot reed]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of various tall grasses with slender
          often prominently jointed stems that grow esp. in wet
          areas b: a stem of a reed c: a person or thing too weak
          to rely on: one easily swayed or overcome 2: a growth
          or mass of reeds; specif: reeds for thatching 3: arrow
          4: a wind instrument made from the hollow joint of a
          plant 5: an ancient Hebrew unit of length equal to 6
          cubits 6 a: a thin elastic tongue (as of cane, wood,
          metal, or plastic) fastened at one end over an air opening
          in a wind instrument (as a clarinet, organ pipe, or accordion)
          and set in vibration by an air current b: a woodwind
          instrument that produces sound by the vibrating of a
          reed against the mouthpiece <the ~s of an orchestra>
          7: a device on a loom resembling a comb and used to space
          warp yarns evenly 8: reeding 1a -- reed.like adj [2]reed
          vt (1951): mill 2

   reedbuck
          [reed.buck] n, pl reedbuck also reedbucks (1834): any of
          a genus (Redunca) of fawn-colored African antelopes in
          which the females are hornless

   reeded
          [reed.ed] adj (1829): decorated with reeds or reeding <a
          bed with ~ posts>

   reedify
          [re.ed.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME reedifien, fr. MF reedifier,
          fr. LL reaedificare, fr. L re- + aedificare to build--more
          at edify] (15c) Brit: rebuild

   reeding
          [reed.ing] n (1815) 1 a: a small convex molding--see molding
          illustration b: decoration by series of reedings 2: milling

   reedit
          [re.edit] vt (1797): to edit again: make a new edition of
          -- re.edi.tion n

   reedman
          [reed.man] n (1938): one who plays a reed instrument

   reed organ
          [reed organ] n (1851): a keyboard wind instrument in which
          the wind acts on a set of free reeds

   reed pipe
          [reed pipe] n (ca. 1741): a pipe-organ pipe producing its
          tone by vibration of a beating reed in a current of air

   reeducate
          [re.ed.u.cate] vt (1808): to train again; esp: to rehabilitate
          through education -- re.ed.u.ca.tion n -- re.ed.u.ca.tive
          adj

   reedy
          [reedy] adj reed.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: abounding in or covered
          with reeds 2: made of or resembling reeds; esp: slender,
          frail 3: having the tone quality of a reed instrument
          -- reed.i.ness n

   [1]reef
          [reef] n [ME riff, fr. ON rif; akin to OE ribb rib] (14c)
          1: a part of a sail taken in or let out in regulating
          size 2: reduction in sail area by reefing [2]reef vt
          (1667) 1: to reduce the area of (a sail) by rolling or
          folding a portion 2: to lower or bring inboard (a spar)
          wholly or partially ~ vi: to reduce a sail by taking
          in a reef -- reef.able adj [3]reef n [D rif, prob. of
          Scand origin; akin to ON rif reef of a sail] (1584) 1
          a: a chain of rocks or coral or a ridge of sand at or
          near the surface of water b: a hazardous obstruction
          2: lode, vein -- reefy adj

   [1]reefer
          [reef.er] n (1818) 1: one that reefs 2: a close-fitting usu.
          double-breasted jacket or coat of thick cloth [2]ree.fer
          n [by shortening & alter.] (1914) 1: refrigerator 2:
          a refrigerator car, truck, trailer, or ship [3]ree.fer
          n [prob. modif. of MexSp grifa] (1931): a marijuana cigarette;
          also: marijuana 2

   reef knot
          [reef knot] n (1841): a square knot used in reefing a sail

   [1]reek
          [reek] n [ME rek, fr. OE rec; akin to OHG rouh smoke] (bef.
          12c) 1 chiefly dial: smoke 2: vapor, fog 3: a strong
          or disagreeable fume or odor [2]reek vi (bef. 12c) 1:
          to emit smoke or vapor 2 a: to give off or become permeated
          with a strong or offensive odor b: to give a strong impression
          of some constituent quality or feature <a neighborhood
          that ~s of poverty> 3: emanate ~ vt 1: to subject to
          the action of smoke or vapor 2: exude, give off <a politician
          who ~s charm> -- reek.er n -- reeky adj

   [1]reel
          [reel] n [ME, fr. OE hreol; akin to ON hraell weaver's reed,
          Gk krekein to weave] (bef. 12c) 1: a revolvable device
          on which something flexible is wound: as a: a small windlass
          at the butt of a fishing rod for the line b chiefly Brit:
          a spool or bobbin for sewing thread c: a flanged spool
          for photographic film; esp: one for motion pictures 2:
          a quantity of something wound on a reel [2]reel vt (14c)
          1: to wind on or as if on a reel 2: to draw by reeling
          a line <~ a fish in> ~ vi: to turn a reel -- reel.able
          adj [3]reel vb [ME relen, prob. fr. reel, n.] vi (14c)
          1 a: to turn or move round and round b: to be in a whirl
          2: to behave in a violent disorderly manner 3: to waver
          or fall back (as from a blow) 4: to walk or move unsteadily
          ~ vt: to cause to reel [4]reel n (1572): a reeling motion
          [5]reel n [prob. fr. [4]reel] (ca. 1585) 1: a lively
          Scottish-Highland dance; also: the music for this dance
          2: virginia reel

   reelect
          [re.elect] vt (1601): to elect for another term in office
          -- re.elec.tion n

   reeler
          [reel.er] n (ca. 1598) 1: one that reels 2: a motion picture
          having a specified number of reels <a two-reeler>

   reel off
          [reel off] vt (1837) 1: to tell or recite readily and usu.
          at length <reel off a few jokes to break the ice> 2:
          to chalk up usu. as a series

   reel-to-reel
          [reel-to-reel] adj (1961): of, relating to, or utilizing
          magnetic tape that requires threading on a take-up reel
          <a ~ tape recorder>

   reembroider
          [re.em.broi.der] vt (1927): to outline a design (as on lace)
          with embroidery stitching

   reenact
          [re.en.act] vt (ca. 1676) 1: to enact (as a law) again 2:
          to act or perform again 3: to repeat the actions of (an
          earlier event or incident) -- re.en.act.ment n

   reenforce
          [re.en.force] var of reinforce

   reenter
          [re.en.ter] vt (15c) 1: to enter (something) again 2: to
          return to and enter ~ vi: to enter again

   reentrance
          [re.en.trance] n (1594): reentry

   [1]reentrant
          [re.en.trant] adj (1781): directed inward [2]reentrant n
          (1899) 1: one that reenters 2: one that is reentrant
          3: an indentation in a landform

   reentry
          [re.en.try] n (15c) 1: a retaking possession; esp: entry
          by a lessor on leased premises on the tenant's failure
          to perform the conditions of the lease 2: a second or
          new entry 3: a playing card that will enable a player
          to regain the lead 4: the action of reentering the earth's
          atmosphere after travel in space

   reest
          [reest] vi [prob. short for Sc arreest to arrest, fr. ME
          (Sc) arreisten, fr. MF arester--more at arrest] (1786)
          chiefly Scot: balk

   [1]reeve
          [reeve] n [ME reve, fr. OE gerefa, fr. ge- (associative prefix)
          + -refa (akin to OE -rof number, OHG ruova)--more at
          co-] (bef. 12c) 1: a local administrative agent of an
          Anglo-Saxon king 2: a medieval English manor officer
          responsible chiefly for overseeing the discharge of feudal
          obligations 3 a: the council president in some Canadian
          municipalities b: a local official charged with enforcement
          of specific regulations <deer ~> [2]reeve vb rove or
          reeved ; reev.ing [origin unknown] vt (1627) 1: to pass
          (as a rope) through a hole or opening 2: to fasten by
          passing through a hole or around something 3: to pass
          a rope through ~ vi, of a rope: to pass through a block
          or similar device [3]reeve n [origin unknown] (1634):
          the female of the ruff (sandpiper)

   ref
          [ref] abbreviation reference, referred, refining, reformed,
          refunding

   ref
          [ref] n (1899): a referee in a game or sport

   refashion
          [re.fash.ion] vt (1803): remake, alter

   refect
          [re.fect] vt [L refectus, pp. of reficere] (14c) archaic:
          to refresh with food or drink

   refection
          [re.fec.tion] n [ME refeccioun, fr. MF refection, fr. L refection-,
          refectio, fr. reficere to restore, fr. re- + facere to make--more
          at do] (14c) 1: refreshment of mind, spirit, or body; esp:
          nourishment 2 a: the taking of refreshment b: food and drink
          together: repast

   refectory
          [re.fec.to.ry] n, pl -ries [LL refectorium, fr. L reficere]
          (15c): a dining hall (as in a monastery or college)

   refectory table
          [refectory table] n (1923): a long table with heavy legs

   refel
          [re.fel] vt re.felled ; re.fel.ling [L refellere to prove
          false, refute, fr. re- + fallere to deceive] (1530) obs:
          reject, repulse

   refer
          [re.fer] vb re.ferred ; re.fer.ring [ME referren, fr. L referre
          to bring back, report, refer, fr. re- + ferre to carry--more
          at bear] vt (14c) 1 a (1): to think of, regard, or classify
          within a general category or group (2): to explain in
          terms of a general cause b: to allot to a particular
          place, stage, or period c: to regard as coming from or
          located in a specific area 2 a: to send or direct for
          treatment, aid, information, or decision <~ a patient
          to a specialist> <~ a bill back to a committee> b: to
          direct for testimony or guaranty as to character or ability
          ~ vi 1 a: to have relation or connection: relate b: to
          direct attention usu. by clear and specific mention <no
          one referred to yesterday's quarrel> 2: to have recourse:
          glance briefly <referred frequently to his notes while
          speaking> -- re.fer.able adj -- re.fer.rer n

   [1]referee
          [ref.er.ee] n (1621) 1: one to whom a thing is referred:
          as a: a person to whom a legal matter if referred for
          investigation and report or for settlement b: a person
          who reviews a paper and esp. a technical paper and recommends
          that it should or should not be published c chiefly Brit:
          reference 4a 2: a sports official usu. having final authority
          in administering a game [2]referee vb -eed ; -ee.ing
          vt (1889) 1: to conduct (as a match or game) as referee
          2 a: to arbitrate (as a legal matter) as a judge or third
          party b: to review (as a technical paper) before publication
          ~ vi: to act as a referee

   [1]reference
          [ref.er.ence] n (1589) 1: the act of referring or consulting
          2: a bearing on a matter: relation <in ~ to your recent
          letter> 3: something that refers: as a: allusion, mention
          b: something (as a sign or indication) that refers a
          reader or consulter to another source of information
          (as a book or passage) c: consultation of sources of
          information 4: one referred to or consulted: as a: a
          person to whom inquiries as to character or ability can
          be made b: a statement of the qualifications of a person
          seeking employment or appointment given by someone familiar
          with the person c (1): a source of information (as a
          book or passage) to which a reader or consulter is referred
          (2): a work (as a dictionary or encyclopedia) containing
          useful facts or information d: denotation, meaning [2]reference
          adj (1856): used or usable for reference; esp: constituting
          a standard for measuring or constructing [3]reference
          vt -enced ; -enc.ing (1891) 1 a: to supply with references
          b: to cite in or as a reference 2: to put in a form (as
          a table) adapted to easy reference

   reference mark
          [reference mark] n (1856): a conventional mark (as an asterisk,
          dagger, or double dagger) placed in written or printed
          text to direct the reader's attention esp. to a footnote

   referendum
          [ref.er.en.dum] n, pl -da or -dums [NL, fr. L, neut. of referendus,
          gerundive of referre to refer] (1847) 1 a: the principle
          or practice of submitting to popular vote a measure passed
          on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative
          b: a vote on a measure so submitted 2: a diplomatic agent's note
          asking for government instructions

   referent
          [ref.er.ent] n [L referent-, referens, prp. of referre] (1844):
          one that refers or is referred to; esp: the thing that
          a symbol (as a word or sign) stands for -- referent adj

   referential
          [ref.er.en.tial] adj (1660): of, containing, or constituting
          a reference -- ref.er.en.tial.i.ty n -- ref.er.en.tial.ly
          adv

   referral
          [re.fer.ral] n (1927) 1: the act, action, or an instance
          of referring <gave the patient a ~ to a specialist> 2:
          one that is referred

   [1]refill
          [re.fill] vt (1681): to fill again: replenish ~ vi: to become
          filled again -- re.fill.able adj [2]re.fill n (1886)
          1: a product or a container and a product used to refill
          the exhausted supply of a device 2: something provided
          again; esp: a second or later filling of a medical prescription

   refinance
          [re.fi.nance] vt (1908): to renew or reorganize the financing
          of ~ vi: to finance something anew

   refine
          [re.fine] vb re.fined ; re.fin.ing vt (1582) 1: to free (as
          metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
          2: to free from moral imperfection: elevate 3: to improve
          or perfect by pruning or polishing <~ a poetic style>
          4: to reduce in vigor or intensity 5: to free from what
          is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth ~ vi 1: to become pure
          or perfected 2: to make improvement by introducing subtleties
          or distinctions -- re.fin.er n

   refined
          [re.fined] adj (1588) 1: fastidious, cultivated 2: free from
          impurities 3: precise, exact <a ~ test for radioactivity>

   refinement
          [re.fine.ment] n (ca. 1611) 1: the action or process of refining
          2: the quality or state of being refined: cultivation
          3 a: a refined feature or method b: a highly refined
          distinction: subtlety c: a contrivance or device intended
          to improve or perfect

   refinery
          [re.fin.ery] n, pl -er.ies (ca. 1741): a building and equipment
          for refining or processing (as oil or sugar)

   refinish
          [re.fin.ish] vt (1931): to give (as furniture) a new surface
          ~ vi: to refinish furniture -- re.fin.ish.er n

   [1]refit
          [re.fit] vt (1666): to fit out or supply again ~ vi: to obtain
          repairs or fresh supplies or equipment [2]re.fit n (1799):
          the action of refitting; esp: a refitting and renovating
          of a ship

   refl
          [refl] abbreviation reflex, reflexive

   reflation
          [re.fla.tion] n [re- + -flation (as in deflation)] (1932):
          restoration of deflated prices to a desirable level --
          re.flate vb -- re.fla.tion.ary adj

   reflect
          [re.flect] vb [ME, fr. L reflectere to bend back, fr. re-
          + flectere to bend] vt (15c) 1 archaic: to turn into
          or away from a course: deflect 2: to prevent passage
          of and cause to change direction <a mirror ~s light>
          3: to bend or fold back 4: to give back or exhibit as
          an image, likeness, or outline: mirror <the clouds were
          ~ed in the water> 5: to bring or cast as a result <his
          attitude ~s little credit on his judgment> 6: to make
          manifest or apparent: show <the pulse ~s the condition
          of the heart> 7: realize, consider ~ vi 1: to throw back
          light or sound 2 a: to think quietly and calmly b: to
          express a thought or opinion resulting from reflection
          3 a: to tend to bring reproach or discredit <an investigation
          that ~s on all the members of the department> b: to bring
          about a specified appearance or characterization <an
          act which ~s well on him> c: to have a bearing or influence
          syn see think

   reflectance
          [re.flec.tance] n (1926): the fraction of the total radiant
          flux incident upon a surface that is reflected and that
          varies according to the wavelength distribution of the
          incident radiation--called also reflectivity

   reflecting telescope
          [reflecting telescope] n (ca. 1704): reflector 2

   reflection
          [re.flec.tion] n [ME, alter. of reflexion, fr. LL reflexion-,
          reflexio act of bending back, fr. L reflectere] (14c)
          1: an instance of reflecting; esp: the return of light
          or sound waves from a surface 2: the production of an
          image by or as if by a mirror 3 a: the action of bending
          or folding back b: a reflected part: fold 4: something
          produced by reflecting: as a: an image given back by
          a reflecting surface b: an effect produced by an influence
          <the high crime rate is a ~ of our violent society> 5:
          an often obscure or indirect criticism: reproach <a ~
          on his character> 6: a thought, idea, or opinion formed
          or a remark made as a result of meditation 7: consideration
          of some subject matter, idea, or purpose 8 obs: turning
          back: return 9 a: a transformation of a figure in which
          each point is replaced by a point symmetric with respect
          to a line or plane b: a transformation that involves
          reflection in more than one axis of a rectangular coordinate
          system -- re.flec.tion.al adj

   reflective
          [re.flec.tive] adj (1627) 1: capable of reflecting light,
          images, or sound waves 2: marked by reflection: thoughtful,
          deliberative 3: of, relating to, or caused by reflection
          <~ glare> 4: reflexive 3 -- re.flec.tive.ly adv --
          re.flec.tive.ness n

   reflectometer
          [re.flec.tom.e.ter] n (1891): a device for measuring the
          reflectance of radiant energy (as light) -- re.flec.tom.e.try
          n

   reflector
          [re.flec.tor] n (1665) 1: one that reflects; esp: a polished
          surface for reflecting light or other radiation 2: a
          telescope in which the principal focusing element is
          a mirror

   reflectorize
          [re.flec.tor.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1940) 1: to make reflecting
          2: to provide with reflectors

   [1]reflex
          [re.flex] n [L reflexus, pp. of reflectere to reflect] (1508)
          1 a: reflected heat, light, or color b: a mirrored image
          c: a copy exact in essential or peculiar features 2 a:
          an automatic and often inborn response to a stimulus
          that involves a nerve impulse passing inward from a receptor
          to a nerve center and thence outward to an effector (as
          a muscle or gland) without reaching the level of
          consciousness--compare habit b: the process that culminates
          in a reflex and comprises reception, transmission, and
          reaction--called also reflex action c pl: the power of acting
          or responding with adequate speed d: a way of thinking or behaving
          3: a linguistic element (as a word or sound) or system (as writing)
          that is derived from a prior and esp. an older element or system
          [2]reflex adj [L reflexus] (1649) 1: directed back on the mind
          or its operations: introspective 2: bent, turned, or directed back:
          reflected <a stem with ~ leaves> 3: produced or carried out
          in reaction, resistance, or return 4 of an angle: being between 180
          degrees and 360 degrees 5: of, relating to, or produced by a reflex
          without intervention of consciousness -- re.flex.ly adv

   reflex arc
          [reflex arc] n (1882): the complete nervous path involved
          in a reflex

   reflexed
          [re.flexed] adj [L reflexus + E [1]-ed] (1733): bent or curved
          backward or downward <~ petals> <~ leaves>

   reflexion
          [re.flex.ion] chiefly Brit var of reflection

   [1]reflexive
          [re.flex.ive] adj [ML reflexivus, fr. L reflexus] (1640)
          1 a: directed or turned back on itself b: marked by or
          capable of reflection: reflective 2: of, relating to,
          characterized by, or being a relation that exists between
          an entity and itself <the relation "is equal to" is ~
          but the relation "is the father of" is not> 3: of, relating
          to, or constituting an action (as in "he perjured himself")
          directed back on the agent or the grammatical subject
          4: characterized by habitual and unthinking behavior
          -- re.flex.ive.ly adv -- re.flex.ive.ness n -- re.flex.iv.i.ty
          n [2]reflexive n (1866): reflexive pronoun

   reflexive pronoun
          [reflexive pronoun] n (1867): a pronoun referring to the
          subject of the sentence, clause, or verbal phrase in
          which it stands; specif: a personal pronoun compounded
          with -self

   reflexology
          [re.flex.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1923) 1: the study and interpretation
          of behavior in terms of simple and complex reflexes 2:
          massage of the hands or feet based on the belief that
          pressure applied to specific points on these extremities
          benefits other parts of the body

   reflow
          [re.flow] vi (14c) 1: to flow back: ebb 2: to flow in again
          -- re.flow n

   refluence
          [ref.lu.ence] n (15c) archaic: reflux 1

   refluent
          [re.flu.ent] adj [ME, fr. L refluent-, refluens, prp. of
          refluere to flow back, fr. re- + fluere to flow--more
          at fluid] (15c): flowing back

   [1]reflux
          [re.flux] n [ME, fr. ML refluxus, fr. L re- + fluxus flow--more
          at flux] (15c) 1: a flowing back: ebb 2: a process of
          refluxing or condition of being refluxed [2]re.flux vt
          (1926): to cause to flow back or return; esp: to heat
          so that the vapors formed condense and return to be heated
          again

   refocus
          [re.fo.cus] vt (ca. 1865) 1: to focus again 2: to change
          the emphasis or direction of <had ~ed his life> ~ vi
          1: to focus something again 2: to change emphasis or
          direction

   reforestation
          [re.for.es.ta.tion] n (1887): the action of renewing forest
          cover by planting seeds or young trees -- re.for.est
          vt

   [1]reform
          [re.form] vb [ME, fr. MF reformer, fr. L reformare, fr. re-
          + formare to form, fr. forma form] vt (14c) 1 a: to put
          or change into an improved form or condition b: to amend
          or improve by change of form or removal of faults or
          abuses 2: to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or
          introducing a better method or course of action 3: to
          induce or cause to abandon evil ways <~ a drunkard> 4
          a: to subject (hydrocarbons) to cracking b: to produce
          (as gasoline or gas) by cracking ~ vi: to become changed
          for the better syn see correct -- re.form.abil.i.ty n
          -- re.form.able adj [2]reform n (1663) 1: amendment of
          what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved 2: a
          removal or correction of an abuse, a wrong, or errors
          3 cap: reform judaism [3]reform adj (1819): relating
          to or favoring reform

   re-form
          [re-form] vt (14c): to form again ~ vi: to take form again
          <the ice ~ed on the lake>

   reformate
          [re.for.mate] n (1949): a product of hydrocarbon reforming

   reformation
          [ref.or.ma.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of reforming: the state
          of being reformed 2 cap: a 16th century religious movement
          marked ultimately by rejection or modification of some
          Roman Catholic doctrine and practice and establishment
          of the Protestant churches -- ref.or.ma.tion.al adj

   reformative
          [re.for.ma.tive] adj (1593): intended or tending to reform

   [1]reformatory
          [re.for.ma.to.ry] adj (1589): reformative [2]reformatory
          n, pl -ries (1834): a penal institution to which esp.
          young or first offenders are committed for training and
          reformation

   reformed
          [re.formed] adj (1563) 1: changed for the better 2 cap: protestant;
          specif: of or relating to the chiefly Calvinist Protestant churches
          formed in various continental European countries

   reformed spelling
          [reformed spelling] n (ca. 1934): any of several methods
          of spelling English words that use letters with more
          phonetic consistency than conventional spelling and that
          usu. discard some silent letters (as in pedagog for pedagogue)

   reformer
          [re.form.er] n (1548) 1: one that works for or urges reform
          2 cap: a leader of the Protestant Reformation 3: an apparatus
          for cracking oils or gases to form specialized products

   reformism
          [re.form.ism] n (1904) : a doctrine, policy, or movement
          of reform -- re.form.ist n or adj

   Reform Judaism
          [Reform Judaism] n (ca. 1905): Judaism marked by a liberal
          approach in nonobservance of much legal tradition regarded
          as irrelevant to the present and in shortening and simplification
          of traditional ritual--compare conservative judaism,
          orthodox judaism

   reform school
          [reform school] n (ca. 1859): a reformatory for boys or girls

   refr
          [refr] abbreviation refraction

   refract
          [re.fract] vt [L refractus, pp. of refringere to break open,
          break up, fr. re- + frangere to break--more at break]
          (1612) 1 a: to subject (as a ray of light) to refraction
          b: to alter or distort as if by refraction <to ~ that
          familiar world through the mind and heart of a romantic
          ... woman --Anton Myrer> 2: to determine the refracting
          power of

   refractile
          [re.frac.tile] adj (ca. 1849): capable of refracting: refractive

   refracting telescope
          [refracting telescope] n (1764): refractor

   refraction
          [re.frac.tion] n (1603) 1: deflection from a straight path
          undergone by a light ray or energy wave in passing obliquely
          from one medium (as air) into another (as glass) in which
          its velocity is different 2: the change in the apparent
          position of a celestial body due to bending of the light
          rays emanating from it as they pass through the atmosphere;
          also: the correction to be applied to the apparent position
          of a body because of this bending 3: the action of distorting
          an image by viewing through a medium; also: an instance
          of this

   refractive
          [re.frac.tive] adj (1673) 1: having power to refract 2: relating
          or due to refraction -- re.frac.tive.ly adv -- re.frac.tive.ness
          n -- re.frac.tiv.i.ty n

   refractive index
          [refractive index] n (1839): index of refraction

   refractometer
          [re.frac.tom.e.ter] n [ISV] (ca. 1859): an instrument for
          measuring indices of refraction -- re.frac.to.met.ric
          adj -- re.frac.tom.e.try n

   refractor
          [re.frac.tor] n (1769): a telescope whose principal focusing
          element is a lens

   [1]refractory
          [re.frac.to.ry] adj [alter. of refractary, fr. L refractarius,
          irreg. fr. refragari to oppose, fr. re- + -fragari (as
          in suffragari to support with one's vote)] (1606) 1:
          resisting control or authority: stubborn, unmanageable
          2 a: resistant to treatment or cure <a ~ lesion> b: unresponsive
          to stimulus c: immune, insusceptible <after recovery
          they were ~ to infection> 3: difficult to fuse, corrode,
          or draw out; esp: capable of enduring high temperature
          syn see unruly -- re.frac.to.ri.ly adv -- re.frac.to.ri.ness
          n [2]refractory n, pl -ries (1627): a refractory person
          or thing; esp: a heat-resisting ceramic material

   refractory period
          [refractory period] n (ca. 1880): the brief period immediately
          following the response esp. of a muscle or nerve before
          it recovers the capacity to make a second response--called
          also refractory phase

   [1]refrain
          [re.frain] vb [ME refreynen, fr. MF refreiner, refrener,
          fr. L refrenare, fr. re- + frenum bridle--more at frenum]
          vt (14c) archaic: curb, restrain ~ vi: to keep oneself
          from doing, feeling, or indulging in something and esp.
          from following a passing impulse -- re.frain.ment n [2]refrain
          n [ME refreyn, fr. MF refrain, fr. refraindre, refreindre
          to resound, fr. L refringere to break up] (14c): a regularly
          recurring phrase or verse esp. at the end of each stanza
          or division of a poem or song: chorus; also: the musical
          setting of a refrain

   refrangible
          [re.fran.gi.ble] adj [irreg. fr. L refringere to break up]
          (1673): capable of being refracted -- re.fran.gi.bil.i.ty
          n -- re.fran.gi.ble.ness n

   refresh
          [re.fresh] vb [ME refresshen, fr. MF refreschir, fr. OF,
          fr. re- + freis fresh--more at fresh] vt (14c) 1: to
          restore strength and animation to: revive 2: to freshen
          up: renovate 3 a: to restore or maintain by renewing
          supply: replenish b: arouse, stimulate <let me ~ your
          memory> 4: to run water over or restore water to ~ vi
          1: to become refreshed 2: to take refreshment 3: to lay
          in fresh provisions syn see renew

   refreshen
          [re.fresh.en] vt [re- + freshen] (1782): refresh

   refresher
          [re.fresh.er] n (15c) 1: something (as a drink) that refreshes
          2: reminder 3: review or instruction designed esp. to
          keep one abreast of professional developments <~ course>

   refreshing
          [re.fresh.ing] adj (ca. 1580): serving to refresh; esp: agreeably
          stimulating because of freshness or newness -- re.fresh.ing.ly
          adv

   refreshment
          [re.fresh.ment] n (14c) 1: the act of refreshing: the state
          of being refreshed 2 a: something (as food or drink)
          that refreshes b pl (1): a light meal (2): assorted light
          foods

   refried beans
          [re.fried beans] n pl (1957): beans cooked with seasonings,
          fried, then mashed and fried again

   refrig
          [refrig] abbreviation refrigerating, refrigeration

   [1]refrigerant
          [re.frig.er.ant] adj (1599): allaying heat or fever [2]refrigerant
          n (1676): a refrigerant agent or agency: as a: a medication for
          reducing body heat b: a substance used in refrigeration

   refrigerate
          [re.frig.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L refrigeratus, pp.
          of refrigerare, fr. re- + frigerare to cool, fr. frigor-,
          frigus cold--more at frigid] (1534): to make or keep
          cold or cool; specif: to freeze or chill (as food) for
          preservation -- re.frig.er.a.tion n

   refrigerator
          [re.frig.er.a.tor] n (1803): something that refrigerates;
          esp: a room or appliance for keeping food or other items
          cool

   reft
          [reft] past of reave

   refuel
          [re.fu.el] vt (1811): to provide with additional fuel ~ vi:
          to take on additional fuel

   [1]refuge
          [ref.uge] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L refugium, fr. refugere to
          escape, fr. re- + fugere to flee--more at fugitive] (14c)
          1: shelter or protection from danger or distress 2: a
          place that provides shelter or protection 3: something
          to which one has recourse in difficulty [2]refuge vb
          ref.uged ; ref.ug.ing vt (1594): to give refuge to ~
          vi: to seek or take refuge

   refugee
          [ref.u.gee] n [F refugie, pp. of (se) refugier to take refuge,
          fr. L refugium] (1685): one that flees; esp: a person
          who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger
          or persecution -- ref.u.gee.ism n

   refugium
          [re.fu.gi.um] n, pl -gia [NL, fr. L, refuge] (1943): an area
          of relatively unaltered climate that is inhabited by
          plants and animals during a period of continental climatic
          change (as a glaciation) and remains as a center of relict
          forms from which a new dispersion and speciation may
          take place after climatic readjustment

   refulgence
          [re.ful.gence] n [L refulgentia, fr. refulgent-, refulgens,
          prp. of refulgere to shine brightly, fr. re- + fulgere
          to shine--more at fulgent] (1634): a radiant or resplendent
          quality or state: brilliance -- re.ful.gent adj

   [1]refund
          [re.fund] vt [ME, fr. MF & L; MF refonder, fr. L refundere,
          lit., to pour back, fr. re- + fundere to pour--more at
          found] (15c) 1: to give or put back 2: to return (money)
          in restitution, repayment, or balancing of accounts --
          re.fund.abil.i.ty n -- re.fund.able adj [2]re.fund n
          (1866) 1: the act of refunding 2: a sum refunded [3]re.fund
          vt [re- + [2]fund] (ca. 1860): to fund again

   refurbish
          [re.fur.bish] vt (1611): to brighten or freshen up: renovate
          -- re.fur.bish.er n -- re.fur.bish.ment n

   refusal
          [re.fus.al] n (15c) 1: the act of refusing or denying 2:
          the opportunity or right of refusing or taking before
          others

   [1]refuse
          [re.fuse] vb re.fused ; re.fus.ing [ME, fr. MF refuser, fr.
          (assumed) VL refusare, perh. blend of L refutare to refute
          and recusare to demur--more at recuse] vt (14c) 1: to
          express oneself as unwilling to accept <~ a gift> <~
          a promotion> 2 a: to show or express unwillingness to
          do or comply with <refused to answer the question> b:
          deny <they were refused admittance to the game> 3 obs:
          give up, renounce 4 of a horse: to decline to jump or
          leap over ~ vi: to withhold acceptance, compliance, or
          permission syn see decline -- re.fus.er n [2]ref.use
          n [ME, fr. MF refus rejection, fr. OF, fr. refuser] (14c)
          1: the worthless or useless part of something: leavings
          2: trash, garbage [3]ref.use adj (15c): thrown aside
          or left as worthless

   refusenik
          [re.fuse.nik] also re.fus.nik n [part trans. of Russ otkaznik,
          fr. otkaz refusal] (1974): a Soviet citizen and esp.
          a Jew refused permission to emigrate

   refutation
          [ref.u.ta.tion] n (ca. 1548): the act or process of refuting

   refute
          [re.fute] vt re.fut.ed ; re.fut.ing [L refutare to check,
          suppress, refute] (1597) 1: to prove wrong by argument
          or evidence: show to be false or erroneous 2: to deny
          the truth or accuracy of <refuted the allegations> --
          re.fut.able adj -- re.fut.ably adv -- re.fut.er n

   reg
          [reg] n [by shortening] (ca. 1925): regulation <federal ~s>

   reg
          [reg] abbreviation region, register, registered, registration,
          regular

   regal
          [re.gal] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L regalis--more at
          royal] (14c) 1: of, relating to, or suitable for a king
          2: of notable excellence or magnificence: splendid --
          re.gal.i.ty n -- re.gal.ly adv

   [1]regale
          [re.gale] vb re.galed ; re.gal.ing [F regaler, fr. MF, fr.
          regale, n.] vt (ca. 1656) 1: to entertain sumptuously:
          feast with delicacies 2: to give pleasure or amusement
          to <regaled us with tall tales> ~ vi: to feast oneself:
          feed [2]regale n [F regal, fr. MF regale, fr. re- + galer
          to have a good time--more at gallant] (1670) 1: a sumptuous
          feast 2: a choice piece esp. of food

   regalia
          [re.ga.lia] n pl [ML, fr. L, neut. pl. of regalis] (ca. 1540)
          1: royal rights or prerogatives 2 a: the emblems, symbols,
          or paraphernalia indicative of royalty b: decorations
          or insignia indicative of an office or membership 3:
          special dress; esp: finery

   [1]regard
          [re.gard] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. regarder] (14c) 1 archaic:
          appearance 2 a: attention, consideration <due ~ should
          be given to all facets of the question> b: a protective
          interest: care <ought to have more ~ for his health>
          3: look, gaze 4 a: the worth or estimation in which something
          or someone is held <a man of small ~> b (1): a feeling
          of respect and affection: esteem <his hard work won him
          the ~ of his colleagues> (2) pl: friendly greetings implying
          such feeling <give him my ~s> 5: a basis of action or
          opinion: motive 6: an aspect to be taken into consideration:
          respect <is a small school, and is fortunate in this
          ~> 7 obs: intention -- in regard to : with respect to:
          concerning -- with regard to : in regard to [2]regard
          vb [ME, fr. MF regarder to look back at, regard, fr.
          OF, fr. re- + garder to guard, look at--more at guard]
          vt (14c) 1: to consider and appraise usu. from a particular
          point of view <is highly ~ed as a mechanic> 2: to pay
          attention to: take into consideration or account 3 a:
          to show respect or consideration for b: to hold in high
          esteem 4: to look at 5 archaic: to relate to ~ vi 1:
          to look attentively: gaze 2: to pay attention: heed --
          as regards : with respect to: concerning syn regard,
          respect, esteem, admire mean to recognize the worth of
          a person or thing. regard is a general term that is usu.
          qualified <he is highly regarded in the profession>.
          respect implies a considered evaluation or estimation
          <after many years they came to respect her views>. esteem
          implies greater warmth of feeling accompanying a high
          valuation <no citizen of the town was more highly esteemed>.
          admire suggests usu. enthusiastic appreciation and often
          deep affection <a friend that I truly admire>.

   regardant
          [re.gar.dant] adj [ME regardand, fr. MF regardant, prp. of
          regarder] (15c): looking backward over the shoulder--used
          of a heraldic animal

   regardful
          [re.gard.ful] adj (ca. 1586) 1: heedful, observant 2: full
          or expressive of regard or respect: respectful -- re.gard.ful.ly
          adv -- re.gard.ful.ness n

   regarding
          [re.gard.ing] prep (1866): with respect to: concerning

   [1]regardless
          [re.gard.less] adj (1591): heedless, careless -- re.gard.less.ly
          adv -- re.gard.less.ness n [2]regardless adv (1872):
          despite everything <went ahead with their plans ~> usage
          see irregardless

   regardless of
          [regardless of] prep (1784): without taking into account
          <accepts all regardless of age>; also: in spite of <regardless
          of our mistakes>

   regatta
          [re.gat.ta] n [It regata] (1652): a rowing, speedboat, or
          sailing race or a series of such races

   regd
          [regd] abbreviation registered

   regency
          [re.gen.cy] n, pl -cies (15c) 1: the office, jurisdiction,
          or government of a regent or body of regents 2: a body
          of regents 3: the period of rule of a regent or body
          of regents Regency adj (1880): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the styles of George IV's regency as Prince of Wales
          during the period 1811-20

   regeneracy
          [re.gen.er.a.cy] n (1626): the state of being regenerated

   [1]regenerate
          [re.gen.er.ate] adj [ME regenerat, fr. L regeneratus, pp.
          of regenerare to regenerate, fr. re- + generare to beget--more
          at generate] (15c) 1: formed or created again 2: spiritually
          reborn or converted 3: restored to a better, higher,
          or more worthy state -- re.gen.er.ate.ly adv -- re.gen.er.ate.ness
          n [2]re.gen.er.ate vi (1541) 1: to become formed again 2: to become
          regenerate: reform 3: to undergo regeneration ~ vt 1 a: to subject
          to spiritual regeneration b: to change radically and for the better
          2 a: to generate or produce anew; esp: to replace (a body part)
          by a new growth of tissue b: to produce again chemically sometimes
          in a physically changed form 3: to restore to original strength
          or properties -- re.gen.er.a.ble adj [3]re.gen.er.ate n (ca. 1569):
          one that is regenerated: as a: an individual who is spiritually
          reborn b (1): an organism that has undergone regeneration (2):
          a regenerated body part

   regenerated cellulose
          [regenerated cellulose] n (1904): cellulose obtained in a
          changed form by chemical treatment (as of a cellulose
          solution or derivative)

   regeneration
          [re.gen.er.a.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or the process
          of regenerating: the state of being regenerated 2: spiritual
          renewal or revival 3: renewal or restoration of a body or bodily
          part after injury or as a normal process 4: utilization by special
          devices of heat or other products that would ordinarily be lost

   regenerative
          [re.gen.er.a.tive] adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or marked
          by regeneration 2: tending to regenerate

   regenerator
          [re.gen.er.a.tor] n (ca. 1550) 1: one that regenerates 2:
          a device used esp. with hot-air engines or gas furnaces
          in which incoming air or gas is heated by contact with
          masses (as of brick) previously heated by outgoing hot
          air or gas

   regent
          [re.gent] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF, fr. ML regent-, regens,
          fr. L, prp. of regere to rule--more at right] (15c) 1:
          one who governs a kingdom in the minority, absence, or
          disability of the sovereign 2: one who rules or reigns:
          governor 3: a member of a governing board (as of a state
          university) -- regent adj -- re.gent.al adj

   reggae
          [reg.gae] n [origin unknown] (1968): popular music of Jamaican
          origin that combines native styles with elements of rock
          and soul music and is performed at moderate tempos with
          the accent on the offbeat

   regicide
          [reg.i.cide] n [L reg-, rex king + E -cide--more at royal]
          (ca. 1548) 1: one who kills a king 2: the killing of
          a king -- reg.i.ci.dal adj

   regime
          [re.gime] n [F regime, fr. L regimin-, regimen] (1776) 1
          a: regimen 1 b: a regular pattern of occurrence or action
          (as of seasonal rainfall) c: the characteristic behavior
          or orderly procedure of a natural phenomenon or process
          2 a: mode of rule or management b: a form of government
          <a socialist ~> c: a government in power <predicted that
          the new ~ would fall> d: a period of rule

   regimen
          [reg.i.men] n [ME, fr. L regimin-, regimen rule, fr. regere
          to rule] (14c) 1 a: a systematic plan (as of diet, therapy,
          or medication) esp. when designed to improve and maintain
          the health of a patient b: a regular course of action
          and esp. of strenuous training <the daily ~ of a top
          ballet dancer> 2: government, rule 3: regime 1c

   [1]regiment
          [reg.i.ment] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL regimentum, fr. L regere]
          (14c) 1 archaic: governmental rule 2: a military unit
          consisting usu. of a number of battalions [2]reg.i.ment
          vt (1617) 1: to form into or assign to a regiment 2 a:
          to organize rigidly esp. for the sake of regulation or
          control <~ an entire country> b: to subject to order
          or uniformity -- reg.i.men.ta.tion n

   regimental
          [reg.i.men.tal] adj (1659) 1: of or relating to a regiment
          2: authoritative, dictatorial

   regimentals
          [reg.i.men.tals] n pl (1742) 1: a regimental uniform 2: military
          dress

   region
          [re.gion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L region-, regio, fr. regere
          to rule] (14c) 1: an administrative area, division, or
          district; esp: the basic administrative unit for local
          government in Scotland 2 a: an indefinite area of the
          world or universe <few unknown ~s left on earth> b: a
          broad geographical area distinguished by similar features
          <the Appalachian ~> c (1): a major world area that supports
          a characteristic fauna (2): an area characterized by
          the prevalence of one or more vegetational climax types
          3 a: any of the major subdivisions into which the body
          or one of its parts is divisible b: an indefinite area
          surrounding a specified body part <a pain in the ~ of
          the heart> 4: a sphere of activity or interest: field
          5: any of the zones into which the atmosphere is divided
          according to height or the sea according to depth 6:
          an open connected set together with none, some, or all
          of the points on its boundary <a simple closed curve
          divides a plane into two ~s>

   [1]regional
          [re.gion.al] adj (15c) 1: affecting a particular region:
          localized 2: of, relating to, characteristic of, or serving
          a region <a ~ high school> 3: marked by regionalism <~
          art> [2]regional n (1936): something (as a branch of
          an organization or an edition of a magazine) that serves
          a region

   regionalism
          [re.gion.al.ism] n (1881) 1 a: consciousness of and loyalty
          to a distinct region with a homogeneous population b:
          development of a political or social system based on
          one or more such areas 2: emphasis on regional locale
          and characteristics in art or literature 3: a characteristic
          feature (as of speech) of a geographic area -- re.gion.al.ist
          n or adj -- re.gion.al.is.tic adj

   regionalize
          [re.gion.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1921): to divide into
          regions or administrative districts: arrange regionally
          -- re.gion.al.i.za.tion n

   regionally
          [re.gion.al.ly] adv (1879): on a regional basis

   regisseur
          [re.gis.seur] n [F regisseur, fr. regir to direct, fr. L
          regere to rule] (1828): a director responsible for staging
          a theatrical work (as a ballet)

   [1]register
          [reg.is.ter] n [ME registre, fr. MF, fr. ML registrum, alter.
          of LL regesta, pl., register, fr. L, neut. pl. of regestus,
          pp. of regerere to bring back, pile up, collect, fr.
          re- + gerere to bear] (14c) 1: a written record containing
          regular entries of items or details 2 a: a book or system
          of public records b: a roster of qualified or available
          individuals <a civil service ~> 3: an entry in a register
          4 a: a set of organ pipes of like quality: stop b (1):
          the range of a human voice or a musical instrument (2):
          a portion of such a range similarly produced or of the
          same quality c: any of the varieties of a language that
          a speaker uses in a particular social context 5 a: a
          device regulating admission of air to fuel b: a grille
          often with shutters for admitting heated air or for ventilation
          6: registration, registry 7 a: an automatic device registering
          a number or a quantity b: a number or quantity so registered
          8: a condition of correct alignment or proper relative
          position 9: a device (as in a computer) for storing small
          amounts of data; esp: one in which data can be both stored
          and operated on [2]register vb reg.is.tered ; reg.is.ter.ing
          vt (14c) 1 a: to make or secure official entry of in
          a register b:  to enroll formally esp. as a voter or
          student c: to record automatically: indicate d: to make
          a record of: note e: perceive; also: comprehend 2: to
          make or adjust so as to correspond exactly 3: to secure
          special protection for (a piece of mail) by prepayment
          of a fee 4: to convey an impression of: express 5: achieve
          <~ed an impressive victory> ~ vi 1 a: to enroll one's
          name in a register <~ed at the hotel> b: to enroll one's
          name officially as a prerequisite for voting c: to enroll
          formally as a student 2 a: to correspond exactly b: to
          be in correct alignment or register 3: to make or convey
          an impression [3]register n [prob. alter. of ME registrer]
          (ca. 1532): registrar

   registered
          [registered] adj (1861) 1 a: having the owner's name entered
          in a register <~ security> b: recorded as the owner of
          a security 2: recorded on the basis of pedigree or breed
          characteristics in the studbook of a breed association
          3: qualified formally or officially

   registered mail
          [registered mail] n (1886): mail recorded in the post office
          of mailing and at each successive point of transmission
          and guaranteed special care in delivery

   registered nurse
          [registered nurse] n (1896): a graduate trained nurse who
          has been licensed by a state authority after qualifying
          for registration

   register ton
          [register ton] n (ca. 1909): ton 1a

   registrable
          [reg.is.tra.ble] also reg.is.ter.able adj (1765): capable
          of being registered

   registrant
          [reg.is.trant] n (ca. 1890): one that registers or is registered

   registrar
          [reg.is.trar] n [alter. of ME registrer, fr. MF registreur,
          fr. registrer to register, fr. ML registrare, fr. registrum]
          (1675): an official recorder or keeper of records: as
          a: an officer of an educational institution responsible
          for registering students, keeping academic records, and
          corresponding with applicants and evaluating their credentials
          b: an admitting officer at a hospital c chiefly Brit:
          resident 3

   registration
          [reg.is.tra.tion] n (ca. 1566) 1: the act of registering
          2: an entry in a register 3: the number of individuals
          registered: enrollment 4 a: the art or act of selecting
          and adjusting pipe organ stops b: the combination of
          stops selected for performing a particular organ work
          5: a document certifying an act of registering

   registry
          [reg.is.try] n, pl -tries (1589) 1: registration, enrollment
          2: the nationality of a ship according to its entry in
          a register: flag 3: a place of registration 4 a: an official
          record book b: an entry in a registry

   regius professor
          [re.gius professor] n [NL, royal professor] (1621): a holder
          of a professorship founded by royal subsidy at a British
          university

   reglet
          [reg.let] n [F reglet, fr. MF reglet straightedge, fr. regle
          rule, fr. L regula--more at rule] (1664) 1: a flat narrow
          architectural molding 2: a strip of wood used like a
          lead between lines of type

   regnal
          [reg.nal] adj [ML regnalis, fr. L regnum reign--more at reign]
          (1612): of or relating to a king or his reign; specif:
          calculated from a monarch's accession to the throne <in
          his eighth ~ year>

   regnant
          [reg.nant] adj [L regnant-, regnans, prp. of regnare to reign,
          fr. regnum] (1600) 1: exercising rule: reigning 2 a:
          having the chief power: dominant b: of common or widespread
          occurrence

   regnat populus
          [reg.nat po.pu.lus] [L] foreign term : the people rule--motto
          of Arkansas

   regnum
          [reg.num] n, pl reg.na [L] (ca. 1890): kingdom

   regolith
          [reg.o.lith] n [Gk rhegos blanket + E -lith; akin to Gk rhezein
          to dye--more at raga] (1897): unconsolidated residual
          or transported material that overlies the solid rock
          on the earth, moon, or a planet

   regosol
          [reg.o.sol] n [rego- (as in regolith) + L solum soil--more
          at sole] (1949): any of a group of azonal soils consisting
          chiefly of imperfectly consolidated material and having
          no clear-cut and specific morphology

   regreet
          [re.greet] vt (1593) archaic: to greet in return

   regreets
          [regreets] n pl (1596) obs: greetings

   [1]regress
          [re.gress] n [ME, fr. L regressus, fr. regredi to go back,
          fr. re- + gradi to go--more at grade] (14c) 1 a: an act
          or the privilege of going or coming back b: reentry 1
          2: movement backward to a previous and esp. worse or
          more primitive state or condition 3: the act of reasoning
          backward [2]re.gress vi (1552) 1 a: to make or undergo
          regress: retrograde b: to be subject to or exhibit regression
          2: to tend to approach or revert to a mean ~ vt: to induce
          a state of psychological regression in -- re.gres.sor
          n

   regression
          [re.gres.sion] n (1597) 1: the act or an instance of regressing
          2: a trend or shift toward a lower or less perfect state:
          as a: progressive decline of a manifestation of disease
          b (1): gradual loss of differentiation and function by
          a body part esp. as a physiological change accompanying
          aging (2): gradual loss of memories and acquired skills
          c: reversion to an earlier mental or behavioral level
          d: a functional relationship between two or more correlated
          variables that is often empirically determined from data
          and is used esp. to predict values of one variable when
          given values of the others <the ~ of y on x is linear>;
          specif: a function that yields the mean value of a random
          variable under the condition that one or more independent
          variables have specified values 3: retrograde motion

   regressive
          [re.gres.sive] adj (1634) 1: tending to regress or produce
          regression 2: being, characterized by, or developing
          in the course of an evolutionary process involving increasing
          simplification of bodily structure 3: decreasing in rate
          as the base increases <a ~ tax> -- re.gres.sive.ly adv
          -- re.gres.sive.ness n -- re.gres.siv.i.ty n

   [1]regret
          [re.gret] vb re.gret.ted ; re.gret.ting [ME regretten, fr.
          MF regreter, fr. OF, fr. re- + -greter (perh. of Gmc
          origin; akin to ON grata to weep)--more at greet] vt
          (14c) 1 a: to mourn the loss or death of b: to miss very
          much 2: to be very sorry for <~s his mistakes> ~ vi:
          to experience regret -- re.gret.ter n [2]regret n (1590)
          1: sorrow aroused by circumstances beyond one's control
          or power to repair 2 a: an expression of distressing
          emotion (as sorrow or disappointment) b pl: a note politely
          declining an invitation syn see sorrow -- re.gret.ful
          adj -- re.gret.ful.ness n

   regretfully
          [re.gret.ful.ly] adv (1682) 1: with regret 2: it is to be
          regretted

   regrettable
          [re.gret.ta.ble] adj (1603): deserving regret

   regrettably
          [re.gret.ta.bly] adv (1866) 1: to a regrettable extent <a
          ~ steep decline in wages> 2: it is to be regretted <~,
          they could not attend>

   regroup
          [re.group] vt (1885): to form into a new grouping <in order
          to subtract 129 from 531 ~ 531 into 5 hundreds, 2 tens,
          and 11 ones> <~ military forces> ~ vi 1: to reorganize
          (as after a setback) for renewed activity 2: to alter
          the tactical formation of a military force

   regrow
          [re.grow] vb -grew ; -grown ; -grow.ing vt (1872): to grow
          (as a missing part) anew ~ vi: to continue growth after
          interruption or injury

   regt
          [regt] abbreviation regiment

   [1]regular
          [reg.u.lar] adj [ME reguler, fr. MF, fr. LL regularis regular,
          fr. L, of a bar, fr. regula rule--more at rule] (14c)
          1: belonging to a religious order 2 a: formed, built,
          arranged, or ordered according to some established rule,
          law, principle, or type b (1): both equilateral and equiangular
          <a ~ polygon> (2): having faces that are congruent regular
          polygons and all the polyhedral angles congruent <a ~
          polyhedron> c of a flower: having the arrangement of
          floral parts exhibiting radial symmetry with members
          of the same whorl similar in form 3 a: orderly, methodical
          <~ habits> b: recurring, attending, or functioning at
          fixed or uniform intervals <a ~ income> <a ~ churchgoer>
          4 a: constituted, conducted, or done in conformity with
          established or prescribed usages, rules, or discipline
          b: normal, standard: as (1): absolute, complete <a ~
          fool> <the office seemed like a ~ madhouse> (2): thinking
          or behaving in an acceptable, normal, or agreeable manner
          <was a ~ guy> c (1): conforming to the normal or usual
          manner of inflection (2): weak 7 d of a postage stamp:
          issued in large numbers over a long period for general
          use in prepayment of postage 5: of, relating to, or constituting
          the permanent standing military force of a state <~ army>
          <~ soldiers> syn regular, normal, typical, natural mean
          being of the sort or kind that is expected as usual,
          ordinary, or average. regular stresses conformity to
          a rule, standard, or pattern <the club's regular monthly
          meeting>. normal implies lack of deviation from what
          has been discovered or established as the most usual
          or expected <normal behavior for a two-year-old>. typical
          implies showing all important traits of a type, class,
          or group and may suggest lack of strong individuality
          <a typical small town>. natural applies to what conforms
          to a thing's essential nature, function, or mode of being
          <the natural love of a mother for her child>. [2]regular
          n (15c) 1: one who is regular: as a: one of the regular
          clergy b: a soldier in a regular army c: one who can
          be trusted or depended on <a party ~> d: a player on
          an athletic team who usu. starts every game e: one who
          is usu. present or participating; esp: a long-standing
          regular customer 2: something of average or medium size;
          esp: a clothing size designed to fit a person of average
          height

   regularity
          [reg.u.lar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1603) 1: the quality or state
          of being regular 2: something that is regular

   regularize
          [reg.u.lar.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1833): to make regular
          by conformance to law, rules, or custom -- reg.u.lar.i.za.tion
          n

   regularly
          [reg.u.lar.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a regular manner 2: on a regular
          basis: at regular intervals

   regular solid
          [regular solid] n (1841): any of the five possible regular
          polyhedrons that include the regular forms of the tetrahedron,
          hexahedron, octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron

   regulate
          [reg.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [ME, fr. LL regulatus,
          pp. of regulare, fr. L regula rule] (15c) 1 a: to govern
          or direct according to rule b (1): to bring under the
          control of law or constituted authority (2): to make
          regulations for or concerning <~ the industries of a
          country> 2: to bring order, method, or uniformity to
          <~ one's habits> 3: to fix or adjust the time, amount,
          degree, or rate of <~ the pressure of a tire> -- reg.u.la.tive
          adj -- reg.u.la.to.ry adj

   [1]regulation
          [reg.u.la.tion] n (1665) 1: the act of regulating: the state
          of being regulated 2 a: an authoritative rule dealing
          with details or procedure <safety ~s> b: a rule or order
          issued by an executive authority or regulatory agency
          of a government and having the force of law 3 a: the
          process of redistributing material (as in an embryo)
          to restore a damaged or lost part independent of new
          tissue growth b: the mechanism by which an early embryo
          maintains normal development syn see law [2]regulation
          adj (ca. 1839): conforming to regulations: official

   regulator
          [reg.u.la.tor] n (1655) 1: one that regulates 2: regulatory
          gene

   regulatory gene
          [regulatory gene] or regulator gene n (1961): a gene that
          regulates the expression of one or more structural genes
          by controlling the production of a protein (as a genetic
          repressor) which regulates their rate of transcription

   regulus
          [reg.u.lus] n [NL, fr. L, petty king, fr. reg-, rex king--more
          at royal] 1 cap: a first-magnitude star in the constellation
          Leo 2 [ML, metallic antimony, fr. L]: the more or less
          impure mass of metal formed beneath the slag in smelting
          and reducing ores

   regurgitate
          [re.gur.gi.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [ML regurgitatus,
          pp. of regurgitare, fr. L re- + LL gurgitare to engulf,
          fr. L gurgit-, gurges whirlpool--more at voracious] vi
          (1653): to become thrown or poured back ~ vt: to throw
          or pour back or out from or as if from a cavity <~ food>
          <memorized facts to ~ on the exam>

   regurgitation
          [re.gur.gi.ta.tion] n (1601): an act of regurgitating: as
          a: the casting up of incompletely digested food (as by
          some birds in feeding their young) b: the backward flow
          of blood through a defective heart valve

   rehab
          [re.hab] n, often attrib [short for rehabilitation or rehabilitate]
          (1941) 1: the action or process of rehabilitating: rehabilitation
          2: a rehabilitated building or dwelling -- rehab vt -- re.hab.ber n

   rehabilitant
          [re.ha.bil.i.tant] n (1961): a disabled person undergoing
          rehabilitation

   rehabilitate
          [re.ha.bil.i.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [ML rehabilitatus,
          pp. of rehabilitare, fr. L re- + LL habilitare to habilitate]
          (ca. 1581) 1 a: to restore to a former capacity: reinstate
          b: to restore to good repute: reestablish the good name
          of 2 a: to restore to a former state (as of efficiency,
          good management, or solvency) <~ slum areas> b: to restore
          or bring to a condition of health or useful and constructive
          activity -- re.ha.bil.i.ta.tion n -- re.ha.bil.i.ta.tive
          adj -- re.ha.bil.i.ta.tor n

   [1]rehash
          [re.hash] vt (ca. 1822) 1: to talk over or discuss again
          2: to present or use again in another form without substantial
          change or improvement [2]re.hash n (1849) 1: something
          that is rehashed 2: the action or process of rehashing

   rehear
          [re.hear] vt -heard ; -hear.ing (1756): to hear again or
          anew esp. judicially

   rehearing
          [rehearing] n (1686): a second or new hearing by the same
          tribunal

   rehearsal
          [re.hears.al] n (14c) 1: something recounted or told again:
          recital 2 a: a private performance or practice session
          preparatory to a public appearance b: a practice exercise:
          trial

   rehearse
          [re.hearse] vb re.hearsed ; re.hears.ing [ME rehersen, fr.
          MF rehercier, lit., to harrow again, fr. re- + hercier
          to harrow, fr. herce harrow--more at hearse] vt (14c)
          1 a: to say again: repeat b: to recite aloud in a formal
          manner 2: to present an account of: relate <~ a familiar
          story> 3: to recount in order: enumerate <rehearsed their
          demands> 4 a: to give a rehearsal of b: to train or make
          proficient by rehearsal 5: to perform or practice as
          if in a rehearsal ~ vi: to engage in a rehearsal -- re.hears.er
          n

   rehouse
          [re.house] vt (1820): to house again or anew; esp: to establish
          in a new or different housing unit of a better quality

   rehydrate
          [re.hy.drate] vt (1943): to restore fluid to (something dehydrated)
          -- re.hy.drat.able adj -- re.hy.dra.tion n

   reichsmark
          [reichs.mark] n, pl reichsmarks also reichsmark [G, fr. Reich
          empire, kingdom + Mark mark] (1924): the German mark
          from 1925 to 1948

   reification
          [re.ifi.ca.tion] n (1846): the process or result of reifying

   reify
          [re.ify] vt re.ified ; re.ify.ing [L res thing--more at real]
          (1854): to regard (something abstract) as a material
          or concrete thing

   [1]reign
          [reign] n [ME regne, fr. OF, fr. L regnum, fr. reg-, rex
          king--more at royal] (13c) 1 a: royal authority: sovereignty
          <under the ~ of the Stuart kings> b: the dominion, sway,
          or influence of one resembling a monarch <the ~ of the
          Puritan ministers> 2: the time during which one (as a
          sovereign) reigns [2]reign vi (14c) 1 a: to possess or
          exercise sovereign power: rule b: to hold office as chief
          of state although possessing little governing power <in
          England the sovereign ~s but does not rule> 2: to exercise
          authority in the manner of a monarch 3: to be predominant
          or prevalent <chaos ~ed in the classroom>

   reign of terror
          [reign of terror] [Reign of Terror, a period of the French
          Revolution that was conspicuous for mass executions of
          political suspects] (1801): a state or a period of time
          marked by violence often committed by those in power
          that produces widespread terror

   reimagine
          [re.imag.ine] vt (ca. 1934): to imagine again or anew; esp:
          to form a new conception of: re-create

   reimburse
          [re.im.burse] vt -bursed ; -burs.ing [re- + obs. E imburse
          to put in the pocket, pay, fr. ML imbursare, fr. L in-
          in- + ML bursa purse--more at purse] (1611) 1: to pay
          back to someone: repay <~ travel expenses> 2: to make
          restoration or payment of an equivalent to <~ him for
          his traveling expenses> syn see pay -- re.im.burs.able
          adj -- re.im.burse.ment n

   reimpression
          [re.im.pres.sion] n (1684): reprint a

   [1]rein
          [rein] n [ME reine, fr. MF rene, fr. (assumed) VL retina,
          fr. L retinere to restrain--more at retain] (14c) 1:
          a strap fastened to a bit by which a rider or driver
          controls an animal--usu. used in pl. 2 a: a restraining
          influence: check <kept a tight ~ on the proceedings>
          b: controlling or guiding power--usu. used in pl. <the
          ~s of government> 3: opportunity for unhampered activity
          or use <gave full ~ to her imagination> [2]rein vt (15c)
          1: to control or direct with or as if with reins 2: to
          check or stop by or as if by a pull at the reins <~ed
          in her horse> <couldn't ~ his impatience> ~ vi 1 archaic:
          to submit to the use of reins 2: to stop or slow up one's
          horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins

   reincarnate
          [re.in.car.nate] vt (1858): to incarnate again

   reincarnation
          [re.in.car.na.tion] n (1858) 1 a: the action of reincarnating:
          the state of being reincarnated b: rebirth in new bodies
          or forms of life; esp: a rebirth of a soul in a new human
          body 2: a fresh embodiment

   reindeer
          [rein.deer] n [ME reindere, fr. ON hreinn reindeer + ME deer
          animal, deer] (14c): caribou--used esp. for the Old World
          caribou

   reindeer moss
          [reindeer moss] n (ca. 1753): a gray, erect, tufted, and
          much-branched lichen (Cladonia rangiferina) that forms
          extensive patches in arctic and north-temperate regions,
          constitutes a large part of the food of caribou, and
          is sometimes eaten by humans--called also reindeer lichen

   reindustrialization
          [re.in.dus.tri.al.i.za.tion] n (1979): a policy of stimulating
          economic growth esp. through government aid to revitalize
          and modernize aging industries and encourage growth of
          new ones -- re.in.dus.tri.al.ize vb

   re infecta
          [re in.fec.ta] [L] foreign term : the business being unfinished:
          without accomplishing one's purpose

   reinfection
          [re.in.fec.tion] n (1882): infection following recovery from
          or superimposed on infection of the same type

   reinforce
          [re.in.force] vb [re- + inforce, alter. of enforce] vt (1600)
          1: to strengthen or increase by fresh additions <~ our
          troops> <were reinforcing their pitching staff> 2: to
          strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support:
          make stronger or more pronounced <~ levees> <~ the elbows
          of a jacket> <~ ideas> 3: to stimulate (as an experimental
          animal or a student) with a reinforcer; also: to encourage
          (a response) with a reinforcer ~ vi: to seek or get reinforcements
          -- re.in.force.able adj

   reinforced concrete
          [reinforced concrete] n (1902): concrete in which metal (as
          steel) is embedded so that the two materials act together
          in resisting forces

   reinforcement
          [re.in.force.ment] n (1617) 1: the action of reinforcing:
          the state of being reinforced 2: something that reinforces

   reinforcer
          [re.in.forc.er] n (1955): a stimulus (as a reward or the
          removal of an electric shock) that increases the probability
          of a desired response in operant conditioning by being
          applied or effected following the desired response

   reins
          [reins] n pl [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L renes] (14c) 1 a:
          kidneys b: the region of the kidneys: loins 2: the seat
          of the feelings or passions

   reinsman
          [reins.man] n (1855): a skilled driver or rider of horses

   reinstate
          [re.in.state] vt -stat.ed ; -stat.ing (1628) 1: to place
          again (as in possession or in a former position) 2: to
          restore to a previous effective state -- re.in.state.ment
          n

   reinsurance
          [re.in.sur.ance] n (1755): insurance by another insurer of
          all or a part of a risk previously assumed by an insurance
          company

   reinsure
          [re.in.sure] vt (1755) 1: to insure again by transferring
          to another insurance company all or a part of a liability
          assumed 2: to insure again by assuming all or a part
          of the liability of an insurance company already covering
          a risk ~ vi: to provide increased insurance -- re.in.sur.er
          n

   reintegrate
          [re.in.te.grate] vt [ML reintegratus, pp. of reintegrare
          to renew, reinstate, fr. L re- + integrare to integrate]
          (1626): to integrate again into an entity: restore to
          unity -- re.in.te.gra.tion n -- re.in.te.gra.tive adj

   reinterpret
          [re.in.ter.pret] vt (1611): to interpret again; specif: to
          give a new or different interpretation to -- re.in.ter.pre.ta.tion
          n

   reinvent
          [re.in.vent] vt (1686) 1: to make as if for the first time
          something already invented <~ the wheel> 2: to remake
          or redo completely 3: to bring into use again -- re.in.
          ven.tion n

   reinvest
          [re.in.vest] vt (1611) 1: to invest again or anew 2 a: to
          invest (as income from investments) in additional securities
          b: to invest (as earnings) in a business rather than
          distribute as dividends or profits

   reinvestment
          [re.in.vest.ment] n (1611) 1: the action of reinvesting:
          the state of being reinvested 2: a second or repeated
          investment

   reis
          [reis] pl of real

   reissue
          [re.is.sue] vi (ca. 1618): to come forth again ~ vt: to issue
          again; esp: to cause to become available again -- reissue
          n

   REIT
          [REIT] abbreviation real estate investment trust

   reiterate
          [re.it.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME, fr. L reiteratus,
          pp. of reiterare to repeat, fr. re- + iterare to iterate]
          (15c): to state or do over again or repeatedly sometimes
          with wearying effect -- re.it.er.a.tion n -- re.it.er.a.tive
          adj -- re.it.er.a.tive.ly adv

   Reiter's syndrome
          [Rei.ter's syndrome] n [Hans Reiter d. 1969 Ger. physician]
          (ca. 1947): a disease that is usu. initiated by infection
          in genetically predisposed individuals and is characterized
          usu. by recurrence of arthritis, conjunctivitis, and
          urethritis--called also Reiter's disease

   reive
          [reive] vb reived ; reiv.ing [ME (Sc) reifen, fr. OE reafian
          to rob--more at reave] (bef. 12c) Scot: raid -- reiv.er
          n, Scot

   [1]reject
          [re.ject] vt [ME, fr. L rejectus, pp. of reicere, fr. re-
          + jacere to throw--more at jet] (15c) 1 a: to refuse
          to accept, consider, submit to, take for some purpose,
          or use <~ed the suggestion> <~ a manuscript> b: to refuse
          to hear, receive, or admit: rebuff, repel <parents who
          ~ their children> c: to refuse as lover or spouse 2 obs:
          to cast off 3: throw back, repulse 4: to spew out 5:
          to subject to immunological rejection syn see decline
          -- re.ject.er or re.jec.tor n -- re.ject.ing.ly adv --
          re.jec.tive adj [2]re.ject n (ca. 1555): a rejected person
          or thing; esp: one rejected as not wanted, unsatisfactory,
          or not fulfilling standard requirements

   rejectee
          [re.ject.ee] n (1941): one that is rejected; esp: a person
          rejected as unfit for military service

   rejection
          [re.jec.tion] n (ca. 1552) 1 a: the action of rejecting:
          the state of being rejected b: the immunological process
          of sloughing off foreign tissue or an organ (as a transplant)
          by the recipient organism 2: something rejected

   rejection slip
          [rejection slip] n (1906): a printed slip enclosed with a
          rejected manuscript returned by an editor to an author

   rejigger
          [re.jig.ger] vt [re- + [3]jigger] (1942): alter, rearrange

   rejoice
          [re.joice] vb re.joiced ; re.joic.ing [ME, fr. MF rejoiss-,
          stem of rejoir, fr. re- + joir to rejoice, fr. L gaudere--more
          at joy] vt (14c): to give joy to: gladden ~ vi: to feel
          joy or great delight -- re.joic.er n -- re.joic.ing.ly
          adv -- rejoice in : have, possess

   rejoicing
          [rejoicing] n (14c) 1: the action of one that rejoices 2:
          an instance, occasion, or expression of joy: festivity

   rejoin
          [re.join] vb [ME, fr. MF rejoin-, stem of rejoindre, fr.
          re- + OF joindre to join--more at join] vi (15c): to
          answer the replication of the plaintiff ~ vt 1: to join
          again 2: to say often sharply or critically in response
          esp. as a reply to a reply syn see answer

   rejoinder
          [re.join.der] n [ME rejoiner, fr. MF rejoindre to rejoin]
          (15c) 1: the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's replication
          2: reply; specif: an answer to a reply

   rejuvenate
          [re.ju.ve.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [re- + L juvenis young--more
          at young] vt (1807) 1 a: to make young or youthful again: give new
          vigor to b: to restore to an original or new state <~ old cars>
          2 a: to stimulate (a stream) to renewed erosive activity esp.
          by uplift b: to develop youthful features of topography in ~ vi:
          to cause or undergo rejuvenescence syn see renew
          -- re.ju.ve.na.tion n -- re.ju.ve.na.tor n

   rejuvenescence
          [re.ju.ve.nes.cence] n [ML rejuvenescere to become young
          again, fr. L re- + juvenescere to become young, fr. juvenis]
          (ca. 1631): a renewal of youthfulness or vigor: rejuvenation
          -- re.ju.ve.nes.cent adj

   rel
          [rel] abbreviation relating, relative, released, religion,
          religious

   [1]relapse
          [re.lapse] n [ME, fr. ML relapsus, fr. L relabi to slide
          back, fr. re- + labi to slide--more at sleep] (15c) 1:
          the act or an instance of backsliding, worsening, or
          subsiding 2: a recurrence of symptoms of a disease after
          a period of improvement [2]re.lapse vi re.lapsed ; re.laps.ing
          (1568) 1: to slip or fall back into a former worse state
          2: sink, subside <~ into deep thought> -- re.laps.er
          n

   relapsing fever
          [relapsing fever] n (1849): a variable acute epidemic disease
          that is marked by recurring high fever usu. lasting 3
          to 7 days and is caused by a spirochete (genus Borrelia)
          transmitted by the bites of lice and ticks

   relate
          [re.late] vb re.lat.ed ; re.lat.ing [L relatus (pp. of referre
          to carry back), fr. re- + latus, pp. of ferre to carry--more
          at tolerate, bear] vt (1530) 1: to give an account of:
          tell 2: to show or establish logical or causal connection
          between <seeks to ~ crime to poverty> ~ vi 1: to apply
          or take effect retroactively 2: to have relationship
          or connection <the readings ~ to his lectures> 3: to
          have or establish a relationship: interact <the way a
          child ~s to a teacher> 4: to respond esp. favorably <can't
          ~ to that kind of music> -- re.lat.able adj -- re.lat.er
          or re.la.tor n

   related
          [related] adj (ca. 1663) 1: connected by reason of an established
          or discoverable relation 2: connected by common ancestry
          or sometimes by marriage 3: having close harmonic connection--used
          of tones, chords, or tonalities -- re.lat.ed.ly adv
          -- re.lat.ed.ness n

   relation
          [re.la.tion] n [ME relacioun, fr. MF relation, fr. L relation-,
          relatio, fr. referre (pp. relatus) to carry back] (14c)
          1: the act of telling or recounting: account 2: an aspect
          or quality (as resemblance) that connects two or more
          things or parts as being or belonging or working together
          or as being of the same kind <the ~ of time and space>;
          specif: a property (as one expressed by is equal to,
          is less than, or is the brother of) that holds between
          an ordered pair of objects 3: the referring by a legal
          fiction of an act to a prior date as the time of its
          taking effect 4 a (1): a person connected by consanguinity
          or affinity: relative (2): a person legally entitled
          to a share of the property of an intestate b: relationship
          by consanguinity or affinity: kinship 5: reference, respect
          <in ~ to> 6: the attitude or stance which two or more
          persons or groups assume toward one another <race ~s>
          7 a: the state of being mutually or reciprocally interested
          (as in social or commercial matters) b pl (1): dealings,
          affairs <foreign ~s> (2): intercourse (3): sexual intercourse

   relational
          [re.la.tion.al] adj (1662) 1: of or relating to kinship 2:
          characterized or constituted by relations 3: having the
          function chiefly of indicating a relation of syntax <has
          is notional in he has luck, ~ in he has gone> 4: relating
          to, using, or being a method of organizing data in a
          database so that it is perceived by the user as a set
          of tables -- re.la.tion.al.ly adv

   relational grammar
          [relational grammar] n (1982): a grammar based on a theory
          in which grammatical relations (as subject or object)
          are primitives in terms of which syntactic operations
          are defined

   relationship
          [re.la.tion.ship] n (ca. 1744) 1: the state of being related
          or interrelated <studied the ~ between the variables>
          2: the relation connecting or binding participants in
          a relationship: as a: kinship b: a specific instance
          or type of kinship 3 a: a state of affairs existing between
          those having relations or dealings <had a good ~ with
          his family> b: a romantic or passionate attachment

   [1]relative
          [rel.a.tive] n (14c) 1: a word referring grammatically to
          an antecedent 2: a thing having a relation to or connection
          with or necessary dependence on another thing 3 a: a
          person connected with another by blood or affinity b:
          an animal or plant related to another by common descent
          4: a relative term [2]relative adj (15c) 1: introducing
          a subordinate clause qualifying an expressed or implied
          antecedent <~ pronoun>; also: introduced by such a connective
          <~ clause> 2: relevant, pertinent <matters ~ to world
          peace> 3: not absolute or independent: comparative <the
          ~ isolation of life in the country> 4: having the same
          key signature--used of major and minor keys and scales
          5: expressed as the ratio of the specified quantity (as
          an error in measuring) to the total magnitude (as the
          value of a measured quantity) or to the mean of all the
          quantities involved

   relative humidity
          [relative humidity] n (1820): the ratio of the amount of
          water vapor actually present in the air to the greatest
          amount possible at the same temperature

   relatively
          [rel.a.tive.ly] adv (1561): to a relative degree or extent:
          somewhat

   relatively prime
          [relatively prime] adj (ca. 1890) of integers: having no
          common factors except positive 1 and minus 1 <12 and
          25 are relatively prime>

   relative to
          [relative to] prep (1660): with regard to: in connection
          with

   relative wind
          [relative wind] n (ca. 1918): the motion of the air relative
          to a body in it

   relativism
          [rel.a.tiv.ism] n (1865) 1 a: a theory that knowledge is
          relative to the limited nature of the mind and the conditions
          of knowing b: a view that ethical truths depend on the
          individuals and groups holding them 2: relativity --
          rel.a.tiv.ist n

   relativistic
          [rel.a.tiv.is.tic] adj (1886) 1: of, relating to, or characterized
          by relativity or relativism 2: moving at a velocity such that there
          is a significant change in properties (as mass) in accordance with
          the theory of relativity <a ~ electron> -- rel.a.tiv.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   relativity
          [rel.a.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1834) 1 a: the quality
          or state of being relative b: something that is relative
          2: the state of being dependent for existence on or determined
          in nature, value, or quality by relation to something
          else 3 a: a theory which is based on the two postulates
          (1) that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and
          independent of the source or observer and (2) that the
          mathematical forms of the laws of physics are invariant
          in all inertial systems and which leads to the assertion
          of the equivalence of mass and energy and of change in
          mass, dimension, and time with increased velocity--called
          also special relativity, special theory of relativity
          b: an extension of the theory to include gravitation
          and related acceleration phenomena--called also general
          relativity, general theory of relativity 4: relativism
          1b

   relativize
          [rel.a.tiv.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1935): to treat or describe
          as relative

   relax
          [re.lax] vb [ME, fr. L relaxare, fr. re- + laxare to loosen,
          fr. laxus loose--more at slack] vt (15c) 1: to make less
          tense or rigid: slacken <~ed his grip> 2: to make less
          severe or stringent: modify <~ immigration laws> 3: to
          make soft or enervated 4: to relieve from nervous tension
          ~ vi 1: to become lax, weak, or loose: rest 2: to become
          less intense or severe <hoped the committee would ~ in
          its opposition> 3 of a muscle or muscle fiber: to become
          inactive and lengthen 4: to cast off social restraint,
          nervous tension, or anxiety <couldn't ~ in crowds> 5:
          to seek rest or recreation <~ at the seashore> 6: to
          relieve constipation 7: to attain equilibrium following
          the abrupt removal of some influence (as light, high
          temperature, or stress) -- re.lax.er n

   [1]relaxant
          [re.lax.ant] adj (1771): of, relating to, or producing relaxation
          <an anesthetic and ~ agent> [2]relaxant n (ca. 1847):
          a substance (as a drug) that relaxes; specif: one that
          relieves muscular tension

   relaxation
          [re.lax.a.tion] n (1548) 1: the act of relaxing or state
          of being relaxed 2: a relaxing or recreative state, activity,
          or pastime: diversion 3: the lengthening that characterizes
          inactive muscle fibers or muscles

   relaxed
          [re.laxed] adj (1623) 1: freed from or lacking in precision
          or stringency 2: set or being at rest or at ease 3: easy
          of manner: informal -- re.laxed.ly adv -- re.laxed.ness
          n

   relaxin
          [re.lax.in] n (1930): a sex hormone of the corpus luteum
          that facilitates birth by causing relaxation of the pelvic
          ligaments

   [1]relay
          [re.lay] n (1659) 1 a: a supply (as of horses) arranged beforehand
          for successive relief b: a number of persons who relieve others
          in some work <worked in ~s around the clock> 2 a: a race between
          teams in which each team member successively covers a specified
          portion of the course b: one of the divisions of a relay
          3: an electromagnetic device for remote or automatic control that
          is actuated by variation in conditions of an electric circuit and
          that operates in turn other devices (as switches) in the same
          or a different circuit 4: servomotor 5: the act of passing along
          (as a message or ball) by stages; also: one of such stages
          [2]re.lay vt re.layed ; re.lay.ing [ME, to hunt with relays, fr.
          MF relaier, fr. OF, fr. re- + laier to leave--more at delay] (1788)
          1 a: to place or dispose in relays b: to provide with relays
          2: to pass along by relays <news was ~ed to distant points>
          3: to control or operate by a relay [3]re.lay vt -laid ; -lay.ing
          [re- + [1]lay] (1757): to lay again <~ track>

   re-lease
          [re-lease] vt (1828): to lease again

   [1]release
          [re.lease] vt re.leased ; re.leas.ing [ME relesen, fr. MF
          relessier, fr. L relaxare to relax] (14c) 1: to set free
          from restraint, confinement, or servitude <~ hostages>
          <~ pent-up emotions> <~ the brakes>; also: to let go:
          dismiss <released from her job> 2: to relieve from something
          that confines, burdens, or oppresses <was released from
          her promise> 3: to give up in favor of another: relinquish
          <~ a claim to property> 4: to give permission for publication,
          performance, exhibition, or sale of; also: to make available
          to the public <the commission released its findings>
          <~ a new movie> syn see free -- re.leas.able adj [2]release
          n (14c) 1: relief or deliverance from sorrow, suffering,
          or trouble 2 a: discharge from obligation or responsibility
          b (1): relinquishment of a right or claim (2): an act
          by which a legal right is discharged; specif: a conveyance
          of a right in lands or tenements to another having an
          estate in possession 3 a: the act or an instance of liberating
          or freeing (as from restraint) b: the act or manner of
          concluding a musical tone or phrase c: the act or manner
          of ending a sound: the movement of one or more vocal
          organs in quitting the position for a speech sound 4:
          an instrument effecting a legal release 5: the state
          of being freed 6: a device adapted to hold or release
          a mechanism as required 7 a: the act of permitting performance
          or publication; also: performance, publication <became
          a best-seller on its ~> b: the matter released; esp:
          a statement prepared for the press

   released time
          [released time] n (1941): time off from regularly scheduled
          activities (as school) given to take part in some other
          specified activity

   release print
          [release print] n (1937): a motion-picture film released
          for public showing

   releaser
          [re.leas.er] n (15c): one that releases; specif: a stimulus
          that serves as the initiator of complex reflex behavior

   relegate
          [rel.e.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L relegatus, pp. of relegare,
          fr. re- + legare to send with a commission--more at legate]
          (1599) 1: to send into exile: banish 2: assign: as a:
          to assign to a place of insignificance or of oblivion:
          put out of sight or mind b: to assign to an appropriate
          place or situation on the basis of classification or
          appraisal c: to submit to someone or something for appropriate
          action: delegate syn see commit -- rel.e.ga.tion n

   relent
          [re.lent] vb [ME, to melt, soften, fr. AF relenter, fr. re-
          + L lentare to bend, fr. lentus soft, pliant, slow--more
          at lithe] vi (1526) 1 a: to become less severe, harsh,
          or strict usu. from reasons of humanity b: to cease resistance:
          give in 2: let up, slacken ~ vt, obs: soften, mollify
          syn see yield

   relentless
          [re.lent.less] adj (1592): showing or promising no abatement
          of severity, intensity, strength, or pace: unrelenting
          <~ pressure> <a ~ campaign> -- re.lent.less.ly adv --
          re.lent.less.ness n

   relevance
          [rel.e.vance] n (1733) 1 a: relation to the matter at hand
          b: practical and esp. social applicability: pertinence
          <giving ~ to college courses> 2: the ability (as of an
          information retrieval system) to retrieve material that
          satisfies the needs of the user

   relevancy
          [rel.e.van.cy] n, pl -cies (1561): relevance; also: something
          relevant

   relevant
          [rel.e.vant] adj [ML relevant-, relevans, fr. L, prp. of
          relevare to raise up--more at relieve] (1560) 1 a: having
          significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at
          hand b: affording evidence tending to prove or disprove
          the matter at issue or under discussion <~ testimony>
          c: having social relevance 2: proportional, relative
          -- rel.e.vant.ly adv syn relevant, germane, material,
          pertinent, apposite, applicable, apropos mean relating
          to or bearing upon the matter in hand. relevant implies
          a traceable, significant, logical connection <found material
          relevant to her case>. germane may additionally imply
          a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or
          occasion <a point not germane to the discussion>. material
          implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed
          with without serious alteration of the case <facts material
          to the investigation>. pertinent stresses a clear and
          decisive relevance <a pertinent observation>. apposite
          suggests a felicitous relevance <add an apposite quotation
          to the definition>. applicable suggests the fitness of
          bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular
          case <the rule is not applicable in this case>. apropos
          suggests being both relevant and opportune <the quip
          was apropos>.

   reliability
          [re.li.abil.i.ty] n (1816) 1: the quality or state of being
          reliable 2: the extent to which an experiment, test,
          or measuring procedure yields the same results on repeated
          trials

   [1]reliable
          [re.li.able] adj (1569) 1: suitable or fit to be relied on:
          dependable 2: giving the same result on successive trials
          -- re.li.able.ness n -- re.li.ably adv [2]reliable n
          (1890): one that is reliable

   reliance
          [re.li.ance] n (1607) 1: the act of relying: the state of
          being reliant 2: something or someone relied on

   reliant
          [re.li.ant] adj (1859): having reliance on something or someone:
          dependent -- re.li.ant.ly adv

   relic
          [rel.ic] n [ME relik, fr. OF relique, fr. ML reliquia, fr.
          LL reliquiae, pl., remains of a martyr, fr. L, remains,
          fr. relinquere to leave behind--more at relinquish] (13c)
          1 a: an object esteemed and venerated because of association
          with a saint or martyr b: souvenir, memento 2 pl: remains,
          corpse 3: a survivor or remnant left after decay, disintegration,
          or disappearance 4: a trace of some past or outmoded
          practice, custom, or belief

   [1]relict
          [rel.ict] n [in sense 1, fr. ME relicte, fr. LL relicta,
          fr. L, fem. of relictus, pp. of relinquere; in senses
          2 & 3, fr. relict residual, adj., fr. L relictus] (15c)
          1: widow 2: a persistent remnant of an otherwise extinct
          flora or fauna or kind of organism 3 a: a relief feature
          or rock remaining after other parts have disappeared
          b: something left unchanged [2]relict adj (15c): of,
          relating to, or being a relict <~ populations>

   reliction
          [re.lic.tion] n [L reliction-, relictio act of leaving behind,
          fr. relinquere] (ca. 1676) 1: the gradual recession of
          water leaving land permanently uncovered 2: land uncovered
          by reliction

   [1]relief
          [re.lief] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. relever to relieve]
          (14c) 1: a payment made by a feudal tenant to a lord
          on succeeding to an inherited estate 2 a: removal or
          lightening of something oppressive, painful, or distressing
          b: welfare 2a c: military assistance to an endangered
          post or force d: means of breaking or avoiding monotony
          or boredom: diversion 3: release from a post or from
          the performance of duty 4: one that takes the place of
          another on duty 5: legal remedy or redress 6 [F] a: a
          mode of sculpture in which forms and figures are distinguished
          from a surrounding plane surface b: sculpture or a sculptural
          form executed in this mode c: projecting detail, ornament,
          or figures 7: sharpness of outline due to contrast <a
          roof in bold ~ against the sky> 8: the elevations or
          inequalities of a land surface 9: the pitching done by
          a relief pitcher <two innings of hitless ~> [2]relief
          adj (1838) 1: providing relief 2: characterized by surface
          inequalities 3: of or used in letterpress

   relief map
          [relief map] n (1876): a map representing topographic relief

   relief pitcher
          [relief pitcher] n (ca. 1949): a baseball pitcher who takes
          over for another during a game

   relief printing
          [relief printing] n (1875): letterpress 1

   relieve
          [re.lieve] vb re.lieved ; re.liev.ing [ME releven, fr. MF
          relever to raise, relieve, fr. L relevare, fr. re- +
          levare to raise--more at lever] vt (14c) 1 a: to free
          from a burden: give aid or help to b: to set free from
          an obligation, condition, or restriction c: to ease of
          a burden, wrong, or oppression by judicial or legislative
          interposition 2 a: to bring about the removal or alleviation
          of: mitigate b: rob, deprive 3 a: to release from a post,
          station, or duty b: to take the place of 4: to remove
          or lessen the monotony of 5 a: to set off by contrast
          b: to raise in relief 6: to discharge the bladder or
          bowels of (oneself) ~ vi 1: to bring or give relief 2:
          to stand out in relief 3: to serve as a relief pitcher
          -- re.liev.able adj syn relieve, alleviate, lighten,
          assuage, mitigate, allay mean to make something less
          grievous. relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden
          to make it tolerable <took an aspirin to relieve the
          pain>. alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening
          of pain or distress <the lotion alleviated the itching>.
          lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight
          <good news would lighten our worries>. assuage implies
          softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable
          <ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat>. mitigate suggests
          a moderating or countering of the effect of something
          violent or painful <the need to mitigate barbaric laws>.
          allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears
          or alarms <allayed their fears>.

   relieved
          [re.lieved] adj (1869): experiencing or showing relief esp.
          from anxiety or pent-up emotions -- re.liev.ed.ly adv

   reliever
          [re.liev.er] n (15c): one that relieves; esp: relief pitcher

   relievo
          [re.lie.vo] n, pl -vos [It rilievo, fr. rilevare to raise,
          fr. L relevare] (1625): relief 6

   relig
          [relig] abbreviation religion

   religio-
          [re.li.gio-] comb form: religion and <religio-political>

   religio loci
          [re.li.gio lo.ci] [L] foreign term : religious sanctity of
          a place

   religion
          [re.li.gion] n [ME religioun, fr. L religion-, religio supernatural
          constraint, sanction, religious practice, perh. fr. religare
          to restrain, tie back--more at rely] (13c) 1 a: the state
          of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of ~> b (1): the service and
          worship of God or the supernatural (2): commitment or devotion
          to religious faith or observance 2: a personal set
          or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and
          practices 3 archaic: scrupulous conformity: conscientiousness
          4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and
          faith -- re.li.gion.less adj

   religionist
          [re.li.gion.ist] n (1653): a person adhering to a religion;
          esp: a religious zealot

   religiose
          [re.li.gi.ose] adj [religion + [1]-ose] (1853): religious;
          esp: excessively, obtrusively, or sentimentally religious
          -- re.li.gi.os.i.ty n

   [1]religious
          [re.li.gious] adj [ME, fr. OF religieus, fr. L religiosus,
          fr. religio] (13c) 1: relating to or manifesting faithful
          devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity
          <a ~ person> <~ attitudes> 2: of, relating to, or devoted
          to religious beliefs or observances 3 a: scrupulously
          and conscientiously faithful b: fervent, zealous -- re.li.gious.ly
          adv -- re.li.gious.ness n [2]religious n, pl religious [ME, fr.
          OF religieus, fr. religieus, adj.] (13c): a member of a religious
          order under monastic vows

   reline
          [re.line] vt (1851): to put new lines on or a new lining
          in

   relinquish
          [re.lin.quish] vt [ME relinquisshen, fr. MF relinquiss-,
          stem of relinquir, fr. L relinquere to leave behind,
          fr. re- + linquere to leave--more at loan] (15c) 1: to
          withdraw or retreat from: leave behind 2: give up <~
          a title> 3 a: to stop holding physically: release <slowly
          ~ed his grip on the bar> b: to give over possession or
          control of: yield <few leaders willingly ~ power> --
          re.lin.quish.ment n syn relinquish, yield, resign, surrender,
          abandon, waive mean to give up completely. relinquish
          usu. does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some
          regret, reluctance, or weakness <relinquished her crown>.
          yield implies concession or compliance or submission
          to force <the troops yielded ground grudgingly>. resign
          emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without
          struggle <resigned her position>. surrender implies a
          giving up after a struggle to retain or resist <surrendered
          their claims>. abandon stresses finality and completeness
          in giving up <abandoned all hope>. waive implies conceding
          or forgoing with little or no compulsion <waived the
          right to a trial by jury>.

   reliquary
          [rel.i.quary] n, pl -quar.ies [F reliquaire, fr. ML reliquiarium,
          fr. reliquia relic--more at relic] (ca. 1656): a container
          or shrine in which sacred relics are kept

   relique
          [re.lique] archaic var of relic

   reliquiae
          [re.liq.ui.ae] n pl [L--more at relic] (1654): remains of
          the dead: relics

   [1]relish
          [rel.ish] n [alter. of ME reles taste, fr. OF, something
          left behind, release, fr. relessier to release] (1530)
          1: characteristic flavor; esp: pleasing or zestful flavor
          2: a quantity just sufficient to flavor or characterize:
          trace 3 a: enjoyment of or delight in something that
          satisfies one's tastes, inclinations, or desires <eat
          with great ~> b: a strong liking: inclination <has little
          ~ for sports> 4 a: something adding a zestful flavor;
          esp: a condiment (as of pickles or green tomatoes) eaten
          with other food to add flavor b: appetizer, hors d'oeuvre
          [2]relish vt (1586) 1: to add relish to 2: to be pleased
          or gratified by: enjoy 3: to eat or drink with pleasure
          4: to appreciate with taste and discernment ~ vi: to
          have a characteristic or pleasing taste -- rel.ish.able
          adj

   relive
          [re.live] vi (1548): to live again ~ vt: to live over again;
          esp: to experience again in the imagination

   relocate
          [re.lo.cate] vt (1834): to locate again: establish or lay
          out in a new place ~ vi: to move to a new location --
          re.lo.cat.able adj -- re.lo.ca.tion n

   relocatee
          [re.lo.cat.ee] n (1954): one who moves to a new location:
          one that is relocated

   relucent
          [re.lu.cent] adj [L relucent-, relucens, pp. of relucere
          to shine back, fr. re- + lucere to shine--more at light]
          (15c): reflecting light: shining

   reluct
          [re.luct] vi [L reluctari] (1547): to show reluctance

   reluctance
          [re.luc.tance] n (1710) 1: the quality or state of being
          reluctant 2: the opposition offered in a magnetic circuit
          to magnetic flux; specif: the ratio of the magnetic potential
          difference to the corresponding flux

   reluctancy
          [re.luc.tan.cy] n (1634): reluctance

   reluctant
          [re.luc.tant] adj [L reluctant-, reluctans, prp. of reluctari
          to struggle against, fr. re- + luctari to struggle] (1667):
          feeling or showing aversion, hesitation, or unwillingness
          <~ to get involved>; also: having or assuming a specified
          role unwillingly <a ~ hero> syn see disinclined -- re.luc.tant.ly
          adv

   reluctate
          [re.luc.tate] vi -tat.ed ; -tat.ing (1643): reluct
          -- re.luc.ta.tion n

   relume
          [re.lume] vt re.lumed ; re.lum.ing [irreg. fr. LL reluminare,
          fr. L re- + luminare to light up--more at illuminate]
          (1604) archaic: to light or light up again: rekindle

   rely
          [re.ly] vi re.lied ; re.ly.ing [ME relien to rally, fr. MF
          relier to connect, rally, fr. L religare to tie back,
          fr. re- + ligare to tie--more at ligature] (1574) 1:
          to be dependent <the system on which we ~ for water>
          2: to have confidence based on experience <someone you
          can ~ on> -- re.li.er n

   rem
          [rem] n [roentgen equivalent man] (1947): the dosage of an
          ionizing radiation that will cause the same biological
          effect as one roentgen of X-ray or gamma-ray exposure
          REM n (1957): rapid eye movement

   rem acu tetigisti
          [rem acu te.ti.gis.ti] [L] foreign term : you have touched
          the point with a needle: you have hit the nail on the
          head

   [1]remain
          [re.main] vi [ME, fr. MF remaindre, fr. L remanere, fr. re-
          + manere to remain--more at mansion] (14c) 1 a: to be
          a part not destroyed, taken, or used up <only a few ruins
          ~> b: to be something yet to be shown, done, or treated
          <it ~s to be seen> 2: to stay in the same place or with
          the same person or group; esp: to stay behind 3: to continue
          unchanged <the fact ~s that we can't go> [2]remain n
          (15c) 1 obs: stay 2: a remaining part or trace--usu.
          used in pl. 3 pl: a dead body

   [1]remainder
          [re.main.der] n [ME, fr. AF, fr. MF remaindre] (14c) 1: an
          interest or estate in property that follows and is dependent
          on the termination of a prior intervening possessory
          estate created at the same time by the same instrument
          2 a: a remaining group, part, or trace b (1): the number
          left after a subtraction (2): the final undivided part
          after division that is less or of lower degree than the
          divisor 3: a book sold at a reduced price by the publisher
          after sales have slowed [2]remainder adj (1567): leftover,
          remaining [3]remainder vt -dered ; -der.ing (1904): to
          dispose of as remainders

   remainder theorem
          [remainder theorem] n (1886): a theorem in algebra: if f(x)
          is a polynomial in x then the remainder on dividing f(x)
          by x - a is f(a)

   [1]remake
          [re.make] vt -made ; -mak.ing (ca. 1635): to make anew or
          in a different form -- re.mak.er n [2]re.make n (1936):
          one that is remade; esp: a new version of a motion picture

   reman
          [re.man] vt (1666) 1: to man again or anew 2: to imbue with
          courage again

   remand
          [re.mand] vt [ME remaunden, fr. MF remander, fr. LL remandare
          to send back word, fr. L re- + mandare to order--more
          at mandate] (15c): to order back: as a: to send back
          (a case) to another court or agency for further action
          b: to return to custody pending trial or for further
          detention -- remand n

   remanence
          [rem.a.nence] n (ca. 1880): the magnetic induction remaining
          in a magnetized substance no longer under external magnetic
          influence

   remanent
          [rem.a.nent] adj [ME, fr. L remanent-, remanens, prp. of
          remanere to remain] (15c) 1: residual, remaining 2: of,
          relating to, or characterized by remanence

   remanufacture
          [re.man.u.fac.ture] vt (1851): to manufacture into a new
          product -- remanufacture n -- re.man.u.fac.tur.er n

   remap
          [re.map] vt (1931): to map again; also: to lay out in a new
          pattern

   [1]remark
          [re.mark] n [F remarque, fr. MF, fr. remarquer to remark,
          fr. re- re- + marquer to mark--more at marque] (1660)
          1: the act of remarking: notice 2: an expression of opinion
          or judgment 3: mention of that which deserves attention
          or notice [2]remark vt (1675) 1: to take notice of: observe
          2: to express as an observation or comment: say ~ vi:
          to notice something and comment thereon--used with on
          or upon

   remarkable
          [re.mark.able] adj (ca. 1604): worthy of being or likely
          to be noticed esp. as being uncommon or extraordinary
          syn see noticeable -- re.mark.able.ness n

   remarkably
          [re.mark.ably] adv (1638) 1: in a remarkable manner <~ talented>
          2: as is remarkable <~, no one was hurt>

   remarque
          [re.marque] n [F remarque remark, note, fr. MF, fr. remarquer]
          (1882) 1: a drawn, etched, or incised scribble or sketch
          done on the margin of a plate or stone and removed before
          the regular printing 2: a proof taken before remarques
          have been removed

   remaster
          [re.mas.ter] vt (1964): to create a new master of esp. by
          altering or enhancing the sound quality of an older recording

   rematch
          [re.match] n (1941): a second match between the same contestants
          or teams

   remediable
          [re.me.di.a.ble] adj (15c): capable of being remedied --
          re.me.di.abil.i.ty n

   remedial
          [re.me.di.al] adj (1651) 1: intended as a remedy 2: concerned
          with the correction of faulty study habits and the raising
          of a pupil's general competence <~ reading courses>;
          also: receiving or requiring remedial instruction <~
          students> -- re.me.di.al.ly adv

   remediate
          [re.me.di.ate] adj (1605) archaic: remedial

   remediation
          [re.me.di.a.tion] n (1818): the act or process of remedying
          <~ of reading problems> -- re.me.di.ate vt

   [1]remedy
          [rem.e.dy] n, pl -dies [ME remedie, fr. AF, fr. L remedium,
          fr. re- + mederi to heal--more at medical] (13c) 1: a
          medicine, application, or treatment that relieves or
          cures a disease 2: something that corrects or counteracts
          3: the legal means to recover a right or to prevent or
          obtain redress for a wrong -- rem.e.di.less adj [2]remedy
          vt -died ; -dy.ing (15c): to provide or serve as a remedy
          for: relieve <~ a social evil> syn see correct

   remember
          [re.mem.ber] vb -bered ; -ber.ing [ME remembren, fr. MF remembrer,
          fr. LL rememorari, fr. L re- + LL memorari to be mindful of, fr.
          L memor mindful--more at memory] vt (14c) 1: to bring to mind
          or think of again <~s the old days> 2 archaic a: bethink
          1b b: remind 3 a: to keep in mind for attention or consideration
          <~s friends at Christmas> b: reward <was ~ed in the will>
          4: to retain in the memory <~ the facts until the test is over>
          5: to convey greetings from <~ me to her> 6: record, commemorate
          ~ vi 1: to exercise or have the power of memory 2: to have
          a recollection or remembrance -- re.mem.ber.abil.i.ty
          n -- re.mem.ber.able adj -- re.mem.ber.er n syn remember,
          recollect, recall, remind, reminisce mean to bring an image or idea
          from the past into the mind. remember implies a keeping in memory
          that may be effortless or unwilled <remembers that day as though
          it were yesterday>. recollect implies a bringing back to mind what
          is lost or scattered <as near as I can recollect>. recall suggests
          an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech
          <can't recall the words of the song>. remind suggests a jogging
          of one's memory by an association or similarity <that reminds
          me of a story>. reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic
          recalling of experiences long past and gone <old college friends
          like to reminisce>.

   remembrance
          [re.mem.brance] n (14c) 1: the state of bearing in mind 2
          a: the ability to remember: memory b: the period over
          which one's memory extends 3: an act of recalling to
          mind 4: a memory of a person, thing, or event 5 a: something
          that serves to keep in or bring to mind: reminder b:
          commemoration, memorial c: a greeting or gift recalling
          or expressing friendship or affection syn see memory

   Remembrance Day
          [Remembrance Day] n (1918): November 11 set aside in commemoration
          of the end of hostilities in 1918 and 1945 and observed as a legal
          holiday in Canada; also: remembrance sunday

   remembrancer
          [re.mem.branc.er] n (15c) 1: any of several English officials
          2: one that reminds

   Remembrance Sunday
          [Remembrance Sunday] n (1942): a Sunday that is usu. closest
          to November 11 and that in Great Britain is set aside
          in commemoration of the end of hostilities in 1918 and
          1945

   remex
          [re.mex] n, pl rem.i.ges [NL remig-, remex, fr. L, oarsman,
          fr. remus oar + agere to drive--more at row, agent] (1767):
          a primary or secondary quill feather of the wing of a
          bird

   remind
          [re.mind] vt (1660): to put in mind of something: cause to
          remember syn see remember -- re.mind.er n

   remindful
          [re.mind.ful] adj (1810) 1: mindful 2: tending to remind:
          suggestive, evocative

   reminisce
          [rem.i.nisce] vi -nisced ; -nisc.ing [back-formation fr.
          reminiscence] (1829): to indulge in reminiscence syn
          see remember -- rem.i.nis.cer n

   reminiscence
          [rem.i.nis.cence] n (1589) 1: apprehension of a Platonic
          idea as if it had been known in a previous existence
          2 a: recall to mind of a long-forgotten experience or
          fact b: the process or practice of thinking or telling
          about past experiences 3 a: a remembered experience b:
          an account of a memorable experience--often used in pl.
          4: something so like another as to be regarded as an
          unconscious repetition, imitation, or survival syn see
          memory

   reminiscent
          [rem.i.nis.cent] adj [L reminiscent-, reminiscens, prp. of
          reminisci to remember, fr. re- + -minisci (akin to L
          ment-, mens mind)--more at mind] (1765) 1: of the character
          of or relating to reminiscence 2: marked by or given
          to reminiscence 3: tending to remind: suggestive --
          rem.i.nis.cent.ly adv

   reminiscential
          [rem.i.nis.cen.tial] adj (1646): reminiscent

   remint
          [re.mint] vt (1823): to melt down (old or worn coin) and
          make into new coin

   remise
          [re.mise] vt re.mised ; re.mis.ing [ME, fr. MF remis, pp.
          of remettre to put back, fr. L remittere to send back]
          (15c): to give, grant, or release a claim to: deed

   remiss
          [re.miss] adj [ME, fr. L remissus, fr. pp. of remittere to
          send back, relax] (15c) 1: negligent in the performance
          of work or duty: careless 2: showing neglect or inattention:
          lax syn see negligent -- re.miss.ly adv -- re.miss.ness
          n

   remissible
          [re.mis.si.ble] adj (1577): capable of being forgiven <~
          sins> -- re.mis.si.bly adv

   remission
          [re.mis.sion] n (13c) 1: the act or process of remitting
          2: a state or period during which something is remitted

   [1]remit
          [re.mit] vb re.mit.ted ; re.mit.ting [ME remitten, fr. L
          remittere to send back, fr. re- + mittere to send] vt
          (14c) 1 a: to lay aside (a mood or disposition) partly
          or wholly b: to desist from (an activity) c: to let (as
          attention or diligence) slacken: relax 2 a: to release
          from the guilt or penalty of <~ sins> b: to refrain from
          exacting <~ a tax> c: to cancel or refrain from inflicting
          <~ the penalty> d: to give relief from (suffering) 3:
          to submit or refer for consideration, judgment, decision,
          or action; specif: remand 4: to restore or consign to
          a former status or condition 5: postpone, defer 6: to
          send (money) to a person or place esp. in payment of
          a demand, account, or draft ~ vi 1 a: to abate in force
          or intensity: moderate b of a disease or abnormality:
          to abate symptoms for a period 2: to send money (as in
          payment) -- re.mit.ment n -- re.mit.ta.ble adj -- re.mit.ter
          n [2]re.mit n (15c) 1: an act of remitting 2: something
          remitted to another person or authority

   remittal
          [re.mit.tal] n (1596): remission

   remittance
          [re.mit.tance] n (1705) 1 a: a sum of money remitted b: an
          instrument by which money is remitted 2: transmittal
          of money (as to a distant place)

   remittance man
          [remittance man] n (1886): one living abroad on remittances
          from home

   remittent
          [re.mit.tent] adj [L remittent-, remittens, prp. of remittere]
          (1693) of a disease: marked by alternating periods of
          abatement and increase of symptoms

   [1]remnant
          [rem.nant] n [ME, contr. of remenant, fr. MF, fr. prp. of
          remenoir to remain, fr. L remanere--more at remain] (14c)
          1 a: a usu. small part, member, or trace remaining b:
          a small surviving group--often used in pl. 2: an unsold
          or unused end of piece goods [2]remnant adj (1550): still
          remaining

   remodel
          [re.mod.el] vt (1789): to alter the structure of: remake

   remonstrance
          [re.mon.strance] n (1585) 1: an earnest presentation of reasons
          for opposition or grievance; esp: a document formally
          stating such points 2: an act or instance of remonstrating

   remonstrant
          [re.mon.strant] adj (1641): vigorously objecting or opposing
          -- remonstrant n -- re.mon.strant.ly adv

   remonstrate
          [re.mon.strate] vb -strat.ed ; -strat.ing [ML remonstratus,
          pp. of remonstrare to demonstrate, fr. L re- + monstrare
          to show--more at muster] vi (1666): to present and urge
          reasons in opposition: expostulate--usu. used with with
          ~ vt: to say or plead in protest, reproof, or opposition
          -- re.mon.stra.tion n -- re.mon.stra.tive adj --
          re.mon.stra.tive.ly adv -- re.mon.stra.tor n

   remora
          [rem.o.ra] n [LL, fr. L, delay, fr. remorari to delay, fr.
          re- + morari to delay--more at moratorium] (1567) 1:
          any of a family (Echeneididae) of marine bony fishes
          that have the anterior dorsal fin modified into a suctorial
          disk on the head by means of which they cling esp. to
          other fishes 2: hindrance, drag

   remorse
          [re.morse] n [ME, fr. MF remors, fr. ML remorsus, fr. LL,
          act of biting again, fr. L remordere to bite again, fr.
          re- + mordere to bite--more at mordant] (14c) 1: a gnawing
          distress arising from a sense of guilt for past wrongs:
          self-reproach 2 obs: compassion syn see penitence

   remorseful
          [re.morse.ful] adj (1592): motivated or marked by remorse
          -- re.morse.ful.ly adv -- re.morse.ful.ness n

   remorseless
          [re.morse.less] adj (1593) 1: having no remorse: merciless
          2: relentless -- re.morse.less.ly adv -- re.morse.less.ness
          n

   [1]remote
          [re.mote] adj re.mot.er ; -est [ME, fr. L remotus, fr. pp.
          of removere to remove] (15c) 1: separated by an interval
          or space greater than usual <an involucre ~ from the
          flower> 2: far removed in space, time, or relation: divergent
          <the ~ past> <comments ~ from the truth> 3: out-of-the-way,
          secluded <a ~ cabin in the hills> 4: acting, acted on,
          or controlled indirectly or from a distance <~ computer
          operation>; also: relating to the acquisition of information
          about a distant object (as by radar or photography) without
          coming into physical contact with it <~ sensing> 5: not
          arising from a primary or proximate action 6: small in
          degree: slight <a ~ possibility> 7: distant in manner:
          aloof -- re.mote.ly adv -- re.mote.ness n [2]remote n
          (1937) 1: a radio or television program or a portion
          of a program originating outside the studio 2: remote
          control 2

   remote control
          [remote control] n (1904) 1: control (as by radio signal)
          of operation from a point at some distance removed 2:
          a device or mechanism for controlling something from
          a distance

   remotion
          [re.mo.tion] n (15c) 1: the quality or state of being remote
          2: the act of removing: removal 3 obs: departure

   [1]remount
          [re.mount] vb [ME, partly fr. re- + mounten to mount, partly
          fr. MF remonter, fr. re- + monter to mount] vt (15c)
          1: to mount (something) again <~ a picture> 2: to furnish
          remounts to ~ vi 1: to mount again 2: revert [2]re.mount
          n (1781): a fresh horse to replace one no longer available

   removal
          [re.mov.al] n (1597): the act or process of removing: the
          fact of being removed

   [1]remove
          [re.move] vb re.moved ; re.mov.ing [ME, fr. OF removoir,
          fr. L removere, fr. re- + movere to move] vt (14c) 1
          a: to change the location, position, station, or residence
          of <~ soldiers to the front> b: to transfer (a legal
          proceeding) from one court to another 2: to move by lifting,
          pushing aside, or taking away or off <~ your hat> 3:
          to dismiss from office 4: to get rid of: eliminate <~
          a tumor surgically> ~ vi 1: to change location, station,
          or residence <removing from the city to the suburbs>
          2: to go away 3: to be capable of being removed -- re.mov.abil.i.ty
          n -- re.mov.able also re.move.able adj -- re.mov.able.ness
          n -- re.mov.ably adv -- re.mov.er n [2]remove n (1553) 1: removal;
          specif: move 2c 2 a: a distance or interval separating one person
          or thing from another b: a degree or stage of separation

   removed
          [removed] adj (ca. 1548) 1 a: distant in degree of relationship
          b: of a younger or older generation <a second cousin's
          child is a second cousin once ~> 2: separate or remote
          in space, time, or character

   REM sleep
          [REM sleep] n (1965): a state of sleep that recurs cyclically
          several times during a normal period of sleep and that
          is characterized by increased neuronal activity of the
          forebrain and midbrain, by depressed muscle tone, and
          esp. in humans by dreaming, rapid eye movements, and
          vascular congestion of the sex organs--called also paradoxical
          sleep, rapid eye movement sleep

   remuda
          [re.mu.da] n [AmerSp, relay of horses, fr. Sp, exchange,
          fr. remudar to exchange, fr. re- + mudar to change, fr.
          L mutare--more at mutable] (ca. 1892): the herd of horses
          from which those to be used for the day are chosen

   remunerate
          [re.mu.ner.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L remuneratus, pp. of
          remunerare to recompense, fr. re- + munerare to give,
          fr. muner-, munus gift--more at mean] (1523) 1: to pay
          an equivalent for <their services were generously remunerated>
          2: to pay an equivalent to for a service, loss, or expense:
          recompense syn see pay -- re.mu.ner.a.tor n -- re.mu.ner.a.to.ry
          adj

   remuneration
          [re.mu.ner.a.tion] n (15c) 1: something that remunerates:
          recompense, pay 2: an act or fact of remunerating

   remunerative
          [re.mu.ner.a.tive] adj (ca. 1677) 1: serving to remunerate
          2: providing remuneration: profitable -- re.mu.ner.a.tive.ly
          adv -- re.mu.ner.a.tive.ness n

   Remus
          [Re.mus] n [L]: a son of Mars slain by his twin brother Romulus

   renaissance
          [re.nais.sance] n, often attrib [F, fr. MF, rebirth, fr.
          renaistre to be born again, fr. L renasci, fr. re- +
          nasci to be born--more at nation] (1845) 1 cap a: the
          transitional movement in Europe between medieval and
          modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy,
          lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic
          revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering
          of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern
          science b: the period of the Renaissance c: the neoclassic
          style of architecture prevailing during the Renaissance
          2 often cap: a movement or period of vigorous artistic
          and intellectual activity 3: rebirth, revival

   Renaissance man
          [Renaissance man] n (1906): a person who has wide interests
          and is expert in several areas

   renal
          [re.nal] adj [F or LL; F renal, fr. LL renalis, fr. L renes
          kidneys] (ca. 1656): relating to, involving, or located
          in the region of the kidneys: nephritic

   renal clearance
          [renal clearance] n (1948): clearance 3

   renascence
          [re.na.scence] n, often cap (1727): renaissance

   renascent
          [re.na.scent] adj [L renascent-, renascens, prp. of renasci]
          (ca. 1727): rising again into being or vigor

   renature
          [re.na.ture] vt re.na.tured ; re.na.tur.ing [re- + denature]
          (1926): to restore (as a denatured protein) to an original
          or normal condition -- re.na.tur.ation n

   rencontre
          [ren.con.tre] or ren.coun.ter n [rencounter fr. MF rencontre,
          fr. rencontrer; rencontre fr. F] (1523) 1: a hostile
          meeting or a contest between forces or individuals: combat
          2: a casual meeting

   rencounter
          [ren.coun.ter] vt [MF rencontrer to meet by chance or in
          hostility, fr. re- + encontrer to encounter] (1549) archaic:
          to meet casually

   rend
          [rend] vb rent also rend.ed ; rend.ing [ME, fr. OE rendan;
          akin to OFris renda to tear and perh. to Skt randhra
          hole] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to remove from place by violence:
          wrest 2: to split or tear apart or in pieces by violence
          3: to tear (the hair or clothing) as a sign of anger,
          grief, or despair 4 a: to lacerate mentally or emotionally
          b: to pierce with sound c: to divide (as a nation) into
          contesting factions ~ vi 1: to perform an act of tearing
          or splitting 2: to become torn or split syn see tear

   [1]render
          [ren.der] vb ren.dered ; ren.der.ing [ME rendren, fr. MF
          rendre to give back, yield, fr. (assumed) VL rendere,
          alter. of L reddere, partly fr. re- + dare to give &
          partly fr. re- + -dere to put--more at date, do] vt (14c)
          1 a: to melt down <~ suet>; also: to extract by melting
          <~ lard> b: to treat so as to convert into industrial
          fats and oils or fertilizer 2 a: to transmit to another:
          deliver b: give up, yield c: to furnish for consideration,
          approval, or information: as (1): to hand down (a legal
          judgment) (2): to agree on and report (a verdict) 3 a:
          to give in return or retribution b (1): give back, restore
          (2): reflect, echo c: to give in acknowledgment of dependence
          or obligation: pay d: to do (a service) for another 4
          a (1): to cause to be or become: make <enough rainfall
          ... to ~ irrigation unnecessary --P. E. James> <~ed him
          helpless> (2): impart b (1): to reproduce or represent
          by artistic or verbal means: depict (2): to give a performance
          of (3): to produce a copy or version of <the documents
          are ~ed in the original French> (4): to execute the motions
          of <~ a salute> c: translate 5: to direct the execution
          of: administer <~ justice> 6: to apply a coat of plaster
          or cement directly to ~ vi: to give recompense -- ren.der.able
          adj -- ren.der.er n [2]render n (1647): a return esp.
          in goods or services due from a feudal tenant to his
          lord

   [1]rendezvous
          [ren.dez.vous] n, pl ren.dez.vous [MF, fr. rendez vous present
          yourselves] (1591) 1 a: a place appointed for assembling
          or meeting b: a place of popular resort: haunt 2: a meeting
          at an appointed place and time 3: the process of bringing
          two spacecraft together [2]rendezvous vb -voused ; -vous.ing
          ; -vouses vi (ca. 1645): to come together at a rendezvous
          ~ vt 1: to bring together at a rendezvous 2: to meet
          at a rendezvous

   rendition
          [ren.di.tion] n [obs. F, fr. MF, alter. of reddition, fr.
          LL reddition-, redditio, fr. L reddere to return] (1601):
          the act or result of rendering: as a: surrender b: translation
          c: performance, interpretation

   rendzina
          [ren.dzi.na] n [Pol redzina rich limy soil] (1922): any of
          a group of dark grayish brown intrazonal soils developed
          in grassy regions of high to moderate humidity from soft
          calcareous marl or chalk

   [1]renegade
          [ren.e.gade] n [Sp renegado, fr. ML renegatus, fr. pp. of
          renegare to deny, fr. L re- + negare to deny--more at
          negate] (1583) 1: a deserter from one faith, cause, or
          allegiance to another 2: an individual who rejects lawful
          or conventional behavior [2]renegade vi -gad.ed ; -gad.ing
          (ca. 1611): to become a renegade [3]renegade adj (1705)
          1: having deserted a faith, cause, or religion for a
          hostile one 2: having rejected tradition: unconventional

   renege
          [re.nege] vb re.neged ; re.neg.ing [ML renegare] vt (1548):
          deny, renounce ~ vi 1 obs: to make a denial 2: revoke
          3: to go back on a promise or commitment -- re.neg.er
          n

   renegotiable
          [re.ne.go.tia.ble] adj (1943): subject to renegotiation <~
          mortgages> <~ rates>

   renegotiate
          [re.ne.go.ti.ate] vt (ca. 1934): to negotiate again (as to
          adjust interest rates or repayments or to get more money)
          <~ a loan> <~ a contract> -- re.ne.go.ti.a.tion n

   renew
          [re.new] vt (14c) 1: to make like new: restore to freshness,
          vigor, or perfection <as we ~ our strength in sleep>
          2: to make new spiritually: regenerate 3 a: to restore
          to existence: revive b: to make extensive changes in:
          rebuild 4: to do again: repeat 5: to begin again: resume
          6: replace, replenish <~ water in a tank> 7 a: to grant
          or obtain an extension of or on <~ a license> b: to grant
          or obtain an extension on the loan of <~ a library book>
          ~ vi 1: to become new or as new 2: to begin again: resume
          3: to make a renewal (as of a lease) -- re.new.er n syn
          renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to
          make like new. renew implies a restoration of what had
          become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new
          <efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle>. restore
          implies a return to an original state after depletion
          or loss <restored a fine piece of furniture>. refresh
          implies the supplying of something necessary to restore
          lost strength, animation, or power <a refreshing drink>.
          renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing,
          or rebuilding <the apartment has been entirely renovated>.
          rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor,
          powers, or appearance <the change in jobs rejuvenated
          her spirits>.

   renewable
          [re.new.able] adj (1727) 1: capable of being renewed <~ contracts>
          2: capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sound
          management practices <~ resources> -- re.new.abil.i.ty
          n -- re.new.ably adv

   renewal
          [re.new.al] n (ca. 1686) 1: the act or process of renewing:
          repetition 2: the quality or state of being renewed 3:
          something (as a subscription to a magazine) renewed 4:
          something used for renewing; specif: an expenditure that
          betters existing fixed assets 5: the rebuilding of a
          large area (as of a city) by a public authority

   reni-
          [reni-] or reno- comb form [L renes kidneys]: kidney <reniform>

   reniform
          [re.ni.form] adj [NL reniformis, fr. reni- + -formis -form]
          (ca. 1753): suggesting a kidney in outline

   renin
          [re.nin] n [ISV, fr. L renes] (1906): a proteolytic enzyme
          of the kidney that plays a major role in the release
          of angiotensin

   renitency
          [re.ni.ten.cy] n (1613): resistance, opposition

   renitent
          [re.ni.tent] adj [F or L; F renitent, fr. L renitent-, renitens,
          prp. of reniti to resist, fr. re- + niti to strive--more
          at nisus] (1701) 1: resisting physical pressure 2: resisting
          constraint or compulsion: recalcitrant

   renminbi
          [ren.min.bi] n pl [Chin (Beijing) renminbi, fr. renmin people
          + bi currency] (1957): the currency of the People's Republic
          of China consisting of yuan

   rennet
          [ren.net] n [ME, fr. (assumed) ME rennen to cause to coagulate,
          fr. OE gerennan, fr. ge- together + (assumed) OE rennan
          to cause to run; akin to OHG rennen to cause to run,
          OE rinnan to run--more at co-, run] (15c) 1 a: the contents
          of the stomach of an unweaned animal and esp. a calf
          b: the lining membrane of a stomach or one of its compartments
          (as the fourth of a ruminant) used for curdling milk;
          also: a preparation of the stomach of animals used for
          this purpose 2 a: rennin b: a substitute for rennin

   rennin
          [ren.nin] n [rennet + [1]-in] (1897): an enzyme that coagulates
          milk and is used in making cheese and junkets; esp: one
          from the mucous membrane of the stomach of a calf

   renogram
          [re.no.gram] n (1952): a photographic depiction of the course
          of renal excretion of a radioactively labeled substance
          -- re.no.graph.ic adj -- re.nog.ra.phy n

   renominate
          [re.nom.i.nate] vt (1864): to nominate again esp. for a succeeding
          term -- re.nom.i.na.tion n

   renounce
          [re.nounce] vb re.nounced ; re.nounc.ing [ME, fr. MF renoncer,
          fr. L renuntiare, fr. re- + nuntiare to report, fr. nuntius
          messenger] vt (14c) 1: to give up, refuse, or resign
          usu. by formal declaration <~ his errors> 2: to refuse
          to follow, obey, or recognize any further: repudiate
          <~ the authority of the church> ~ vi 1: to make a renunciation
          2: to fail to follow suit in a card game syn see abdicate,
          abjure -- re.nounce.ment n -- re.nounc.er n

   renovascular
          [re.no.vas.cu.lar] adj (1961): of, relating to, or involving
          the blood vessels of the kidneys <~ hypertension>

   renovate
          [ren.o.vate] vt -vat.ed ; -vat.ing [L renovatus, pp. of renovare,
          fr. re- + novare to make new, fr. novus new--more at
          new] (ca. 1522) 1: to restore to a former better state
          (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding) 2: to restore
          to life, vigor, or activity: revive <the church was renovated
          by a new ecumenical spirit> syn see renew -- ren.o.va.tion
          n -- ren.o.va.tive adj -- ren.o.va.tor n

   [1]renown
          [re.nown] n [ME, fr. MF renon, fr. OF, fr. renomer to celebrate,
          fr. re- + nomer to name, fr. L nominare, fr. nomin-,
          nomen name--more at name] (14c) 1: a state of being widely
          acclaimed and highly honored: fame 2 obs: report, rumor
          [2]renown vt (15c): to give renown to

   renowned
          [re.nowned] adj (14c): having renown: celebrated syn see
          famous

   [1]rent
          [rent] n [ME rente, fr. OF, income from a property, fr. (assumed)
          VL rendita, fr. fem. of renditus, pp. of rendere to yield--more
          at render] (12c) 1: property (as a house) rented or for
          rent 2 a: a usu. fixed periodical return made by a tenant
          or occupant of property to the owner for the possession
          and use thereof; esp: an agreed sum paid at fixed intervals
          by a tenant to the landlord b: the amount paid by a hirer
          of personal property to the owner for the use thereof
          3 a: the portion of the income of an economy (as of a
          nation) attributable to land as a factor of production
          in addition to capital and labor b: economic rent --
          for rent : available for use or service in return for
          payment [2]rent vt (15c) 1: to grant the possession and
          enjoyment of in exchange for rent 2: to take and hold
          under an agreement to pay rent ~ vi 1: to be for rent
          2 a: to obtain the possession and use of a place or article
          in exchange for rent b: to allow the possession and use
          of property in exchange for rent syn see hire -- rent.abil.i.ty
          n -- rent.able adj [3]rent past and past part of rend
          [4]rent n [E dial. rent to rend, fr. ME, alter. of renden--more
          at rend] (1535) 1: an opening made by or as if by rending
          2: a split in a party or organized group: schism 3: an
          act or instance of rending

   rent-a-car
          [rent-a-car] n (1935): a rented car

   [1]rental
          [rent.al] n (14c) 1: an amount paid or collected as rent
          2: something that is rented 3: an act of renting 4: a
          business that rents something [2]rental adj (15c) 1 a:
          of or relating to rent b: available for rent 2: dealing
          in rental property <a ~ agency>

   rental library
          [rental library] n (1928): a commercially operated library
          (as in a store) that lends books at a fixed charge per
          book per day--called also lending library

   rent control
          [rent control] n (1931): government regulation of the amount
          charged as rent for housing and often also of eviction
          -- rent-controlled adj

   rente
          [rente] n [F] (1873): a government security (as in France)
          paying interest; also: the interest paid

   renter
          [rent.er] n (1655): one that rents; specif: the lessee or
          tenant of property

   rentier
          [ren.tier] n [F, fr. OF, fr. rente] (ca. 1847): a person
          who lives on income from property or securities

   rent strike
          [rent strike] n (1964): a refusal by a group of tenants to
          pay rent (as in protest against high rates)

   renunciation
          [re.nun.ci.a.tion] n [ME, fr. L renuntiation-, renuntiatio,
          fr. renuntiare to renounce] (14c): the act or practice
          of renouncing: repudiation; specif: ascetic self-denial
          -- re.nun.ci.a.tive adj -- re.nun.ci.a.to.ry adj

   reoffer
          [re.of.fer] vt (1920): to offer (a security issue) for public
          sale

   reopen
          [re.open] vt (1733) 1: to open again 2 a: to take up again:
          resume <~ discussion> b: to resume discussion or consideration
          of <~ a contract> 3: to begin again ~ vi: to open again
          <school ~s in September>

   [1]reorder
          [re.or.der] vt (1656) 1: to arrange in a different way 2:
          to give a reorder for ~ vi: to place a reorder [2]reorder
          n (1901): an order like a previous order placed with
          the same supplier

   reorganization
          [re.or.ga.ni.za.tion] n (1813): the act or process of reorganizing:
          the state of being reorganized; esp: the financial reconstruction
          of a business concern -- re.or.ga.ni.za.tion.al adj

   reorganize
          [re.or.ga.nize] vt (ca. 1686): to organize again or anew
          ~ vi: to reorganize something -- re.or.ga.niz.er n

   reovirus
          [reo.vi.rus] n [respiratory enteric orphan (i.e., unidentified)
          virus] (1959): any of a group of double-stranded RNA
          viruses lacking a lipoprotein envelope that includes
          many pathogens of plants or animals

   [1]rep
          [rep] n (ca. 1705) slang: reputation; esp: status in a group
          (as a gang) [2]rep n (1848): representative <sales ~s>
          [3]rep or repp n [F reps, modif. of E ribs, pl. of rib]
          (1860): a plain-weave fabric with prominent rounded crosswise
          ribs [4]rep n (1925): repertory 2b, 3 [5]rep n [roentgen
          equivalent physical] (1947): the dosage of an ionizing
          radiation that will develop the same amount of energy
          upon absorption in human tissue as one roentgen of X-ray
          or gamma-ray exposure [6]rep n [short for repetition]
          (1978): a repetition of a specified movement or exercise
          (as in weight lifting)

   rep
          [rep] abbreviation repair, repeat, report, reporter,
          representative, republic Rep abbreviation Republican

   repackage
          [re.pack.age] vt (1946): to package again or anew; specif:
          to put into a more efficient or attractive form -- re.pack.ag.er
          n

   [1]repair
          [re.pair] vi [ME, fr. MF repairier to go back to one's country,
          fr. LL repatriare, fr. L re- + patria native country--more
          at expatriate] (14c) 1 a: to betake oneself: go <~ed
          to the judge's chambers> b: to come together: rally 2
          obs: return [2]repair n (14c) 1: the act of repairing:
          resort 2: a popular gathering place [3]repair vb [ME,
          fr. MF reparer, fr. L reparare, fr. re- + parare to prepare--more
          at pare] vt (14c) 1 a: to restore by replacing a part
          or putting together what is torn or broken: fix <~ a
          shoe> b: to restore to a sound or healthy state: renew
          <~ his strength> 2: to make good: compensate for: remedy
          <~ a gap in my reading> ~ vi: to make repairs syn see
          mend -- re.pair.abil.i.ty n -- re.pair.able adj -- re.pair.er
          n [4]repair n (15c) 1 a: an instance or result of repairing
          b: the act or process of repairing c: the replacement
          of destroyed cells or tissues by new formations 2 a:
          relative condition with respect to soundness or need
          of repairing b: the state of being in good or sound condition

   repairman
          [re.pair.man] n (1871): one who repairs; specif: one whose
          occupation is to make repairs in a mechanism

   repand
          [re.pand] adj [L repandus spread out, fr. repandere to open
          wide, fr. re- + pandere to spread--more at fathom] (ca.
          1760): having a slightly undulating margin <a ~ leaf>
          <a ~ colony of bacteria>

   reparable
          [rep.a.ra.ble] adj (1570): capable of being repaired

   reparation
          [rep.a.ra.tion] n [ME , fr. MF, fr. LL reparation-, reparatio,
          fr. L reparare] (14c) 1 a: a repairing or keeping in
          repair b pl: repairs 2 a: the act of making amends, offering
          expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury
          b: something done or given as amends or satisfaction
          3: the payment of damages: indemnification; specif: compensation
          in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for
          damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation
          as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation--usu.
          used in pl.

   reparative
          [re.par.a.tive] adj (1656) 1: of, relating to, or effecting
          repair 2: serving to make amends

   repartee
          [rep.ar.tee] n [F repartie, fr. repartir to retort, fr. MF,
          fr. re- + partir to divide--more at part] (ca. 1645)
          1 a: a quick and witty reply b: a succession or interchange
          of clever retorts: amusing and usu. light sparring with
          words 2: adroitness and cleverness in reply: skill in
          repartee syn see wit

   [1]repartition
          [re.par.ti.tion] n [prob. fr. Sp reparticion, fr. repartir
          to distribute, fr. re- + partir to divide, fr. L partire--more
          at part] (1555): distribution [2]re.par.ti.tion n [re-
          + partition] (1835): a second or additional dividing
          or distribution

   repass
          [re.pass] vb [ME, fr. MF repasser, fr. OF, fr. re- + passer
          to pass] vi (15c): to pass again esp. in the opposite
          direction: return ~ vt 1: to pass through, over, or by
          again <~ the house> 2: to cause to pass again 3: to adopt
          again <~ed the resolution> -- re.pas.sage n

   [1]repast
          [re.past] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. repaistre to feed, fr.
          re- + paistre to feed, fr. L pascere--more at food] (14c)
          1: something taken as food: meal 2: the act or time of
          taking food [2]re.past vt (15c) obs: feed ~ vi: to take
          food: feast

   repatriate
          [re.pa.tri.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL repatriatus, pp.
          of repatriare to go back to one's country--more at repair]
          (1611): to restore or return to the country of origin,
          allegiance, or citizenship <~ prisoners of war> -- re.pa.tri.ate
          n -- re.pa.tri.a.tion n

   repay
          [re.pay] vb -paid ; -pay.ing vt (15c) 1 a: to pay back <~
          a loan> b: to give or inflict in return or requital <~
          evil for evil> 2: to make a return payment to: compensate,
          requite 3: to make requital for: recompense <the success
          that ~s hard work> ~ vi: to make return payment or requital
          syn see pay -- re.pay.able adj -- re.pay.ment n

   repeal
          [re.peal] vt [ME repelen, fr. MF repeler, fr. OF, fr. re-
          + apeler to appeal, call] (14c) 1: to rescind or annul
          by authoritative act; esp: to revoke or abrogate by legislative
          enactment 2: abandon, renounce 3 obs: to summon to return:
          recall -- repeal n -- re.peal.able adj

   repealer
          [re.peal.er] n (1765): one that repeals; specif: a legislative
          act that abrogates an earlier act

   [1]repeat
          [re.peat] vb [ME repeten, fr. MF repeter, fr. L repetere
          to return to, repeat, fr. re- + petere to go to, seek--more
          at feather] vt (14c) 1 a: to say or state again b: to
          say over from memory: recite c: to say after another
          2 a: to make, do, or perform again <~ an experiment>
          b: to make appear again <the curtains ~ the wallpaper
          pattern> <will ~ the program tomorrow> c: to go through
          or experience again <had to ~ third grade> 3: to express
          or present (oneself) again in the same words, terms,
          or form ~ vi: to say, do, or accomplish something again;
          esp: to win (as a sports championship) another time in
          succession -- re.peat.abil.i.ty n -- re.peat.able adj
          [2]re.peat n (15c) 1 a: something repeated: repetition
          b: a musical passage to be repeated in performance; also:
          a sign placed before and after such a passage c: a usu.
          transcribed repetition of a radio or television program
          d: a genetic duplication in which the duplicated parts
          are adjacent to each other along the chromosome 2: the
          act of repeating

   repeated
          [re.peat.ed] adj (1611) 1: renewed or recurring again and
          again <~ changes of plan> 2: said, done, or presented
          again

   repeatedly
          [re.peat.ed.ly] adv (ca. 1718): again and again

   repeater
          [re.peat.er] n (1598): one that repeats: as a: one who relates
          or recites b: a watch or clock with a striking mechanism
          that upon pressure of a spring will indicate the time
          in hours or quarters and sometimes minutes c: a firearm
          having a magazine that holds a number of cartridges loaded
          one at a time into the chamber by the action of the piece
          d: an habitual violator of the laws e: one who votes
          illegally by casting more than one ballot in an election
          f: a student enrolled in a class or course for a second
          or subsequent time g: a device for receiving electronic
          communication signals and delivering corresponding amplified
          ones

   repeating
          [re.peat.ing] adj (1824) of a firearm: designed to load cartridges
          from a magazine

   repeating decimal
          [repeating decimal] n (1773): a decimal in which after a
          certain point a particular digit or sequence of digits
          repeats itself indefinitely--compare terminating decimal

   repechage
          [re.pe.chage] n [F repechage second chance, reexamination
          for a candidate who has failed, fr. repecher to fish
          out, rescue, fr. re- + pecher to fish, fr. L piscari--more
          at piscatory] (1928): a trial heat (as in rowing) in
          which first-round losers are given another chance to
          qualify for the semifinals

   repel
          [re.pel] vb re.pelled ; re.pel.ling [ME repellen, fr. L repellere,
          fr. re- + pellere to drive--more at felt] vt (15c) 1 a: to drive
          back: repulse b: to fight against: resist 2: turn away, reject
          <repelled the insinuation> 3 a: to drive away: discourage <foul
          words and frowns must not ~ a lover --Shak.> b: to be incapable
          of adhering to, mixing with, taking up, or holding c: to force away
          or apart or tend to do so by mutual action at a distance
          4: to cause aversion in: disgust ~ vi: to cause aversion
          -- re.pel.ler n

   repellency
          [re.pel.len.cy] n (1747): the quality or capacity of repelling

   [1]repellent
          [re.pel.lent] also re.pel.lant adj [L repellent-, repellens,
          prp. of repellere] (1643) 1: serving or tending to drive
          away or ward off--often used in combination <a mosquito-repellent
          spray> 2: arousing aversion or disgust: repulsive --
          re.pel.lent.ly adv [2]repellent also repellant n (1661):
          something that repels; esp: a substance that repels insects

   [1]repent
          [re.pent] vb [ME, fr. OF repentir, fr. re- + pentir to be
          sorry, fr. L paenitere--more at penitent] vi (14c) 1:
          to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment
          of one's life 2 a: to feel regret or contrition b: to
          change one's mind ~ vt 1: to cause to feel regret or
          contrition 2: to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for
          -- re.pent.er n [2]re.pent adj [L repent-, repens, prp.
          of repere to creep--more at reptile] (1669): creeping,
          prostrate <~ stems>

   repentance
          [re.pen.tance] n (14c): the action or process of repenting
          esp. for misdeeds or moral shortcomings syn see penitence

   repentant
          [re.pen.tant] adj (13c) 1: experiencing repentance: penitent
          2: expressive of repentance -- re.pen.tant.ly adv

   repercussion
          [re.per.cus.sion] n [L repercussion-, repercussio, fr. repercutere
          to drive back, fr. re- + percutere to beat--more at percussion]
          (1536) 1: reflection, reverberation 2 a: an action or effect given
          or exerted in return: a reciprocal action or effect
          b: a widespread, indirect, or unforeseen effect of an act, action,
          or event--usu. used in pl. -- re.per.cus.sive adj

   repertoire
          [rep.er.toire] n [F repertoire, fr. LL repertorium] (1847)
          1 a: a list or supply of dramas, operas, pieces, or parts
          that a company or person is prepared to perform b: a
          supply of skills, devices, or expedients <part of the
          ~ of a quarterback>; broadly: amount, supply <an endless
          ~ of summer clothes> c: a list or supply of capabilities
          <the instruction ~ of a computer> 2 a: the complete list
          or supply of dramas, operas, or musical works available
          for performance <our modern orchestral ~> b: the complete
          list or supply of skills, devices, or ingredients used
          in a particular field, occupation, or practice <the ~
          of literary criticism>

   repertory
          [rep.er.to.ry] n, pl -ries [LL repertorium list, fr. L reperire
          to find, fr. re- + parere to produce--more at pare] (1593)
          1: a place where something may be found: repository 2
          a: repertoire b: a company that presents several different
          plays, operas, or pieces usu. alternately in the course
          of a season at one theater c: a theater housing such
          a company 3: the production and presentation of plays
          by a repertory company <acting in ~>

   repetend
          [rep.e.tend] n [L repetendus to be repeated, gerundive of
          repetere to repeat] (1874): a repeated sound, word, or
          phrase; specif: refrain

   repetition
          [rep.e.ti.tion] n [ME repeticioun, fr. L repetition-, repetitio,
          fr. repetere to repeat] (15c) 1: the act or an instance
          of repeating or being repeated 2: mention, recital --
          rep.e.ti.tion.al adj

   repetitious
          [rep.e.ti.tious] adj (1675): characterized or marked by repetition;
          esp: tediously repeating -- rep.e.ti.tious.ly adv --
          rep.e.ti.tious.ness n

   repetitive
          [re.pet.i.tive] adj (1839) 1: containing repetition 2: repetitious
          -- re.pet.i.tive.ly adv -- re.pet.i.tive.ness n

   repine
          [re.pine] vi (ca. 1530) 1: to feel or express dejection or
          discontent 2: to long for something -- re.pin.er n

   repl
          [repl] abbreviation replace, replacement

   replace
          [re.place] vt (1595) 1: to restore to a former place or position
          <~ cards in a file> 2: to take the place of esp. as a
          substitute or successor 3: to put something new in the
          place of <~ a worn carpet> -- re.place.able adj -- re.plac.er
          n syn replace, displace, supplant, supersede mean to
          put out of a usual or proper place or into the place
          of another. replace implies a filling of a place once
          occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable
          or adequate <replaced the broken window>. displace implies
          an ousting or dislodging <war had displaced thousands>.
          supplant implies either a dispossessing or usurping of
          another's place, possessions, or privileges or an uprooting
          of something and its replacement with something else
          <was abruptly supplanted in her affections by another>.
          supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has
          become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior
          <the new edition supersedes all previous ones>.

   replacement
          [re.place.ment] n (ca. 1790) 1: the action or process of
          replacing: the state of being replaced 2: one that replaces
          another esp. in a job or function

   replacement set
          [replacement set] n (1959): a set of elements any one of
          which may be used to replace a given variable or placeholder
          in a mathematical sentence or expression (as an equation)

   replant
          [re.plant] vt (1575) 1: to plant again or anew 2: to provide
          with new plants 3: to subject to replantation

   replantation
          [re.plan.ta.tion] n (1870): reattachment or reinsertion of
          a bodily part (as a limb or tooth) after separation from
          the body

   [1]replay
          [re.play] vt (1884): to play again or over [2]re.play n (1895)
          1 a: an act or instance of replaying b: the playing of
          a tape (as a videotape) 2: repetition, reenactment <don't
          want a ~ of our old mistakes>

   repleader
          [re.plead.er] n [replead to plead again + -er (as in misnomer)]
          (1607) 1: a second legal pleading 2: the right of pleading
          again granted usu. when the issue raised is immaterial
          or insufficient

   replenish
          [re.plen.ish] vb [ME replenisshen, fr. MF repleniss-, stem
          of replenir to fill, fr. OF, fr. re- + plein full, fr.
          L plenus--more at full] vt (14c) 1 a: to fill with persons
          or animals: stock b archaic: to supply fully: perfect
          c: to fill with inspiration or power: nourish 2 a: to
          fill or build up again <~ed his glass> b: to make good:
          replace ~ vi: to become full: fill up again -- re.plen.ish.able
          adj -- re.plen.ish.er n -- re.plen.ish.ment n

   replete
          [re.plete] adj [ME, fr. MF & L; MF replet, fr. L repletus,
          pp. of replere to fill up, fr. re- + plere to fill--more
          at full] (14c) 1: fully or abundantly provided or filled
          <a book ~ with ... delicious details --William Safire>
          2 a: abundantly fed b: fat, stout 3: complete syn see
          full -- re.plete.ness n

   repletion
          [re.ple.tion] n (14c) 1: the act of eating to excess: the
          state of being fed to excess: surfeit 2: the condition
          of being filled up or overcrowded 3: fulfillment of a
          need or desire: satisfaction

   [1]replevin
          [re.plev.in] n [ME, fr. AF replevine, fr. replevir to give
          security, fr. OF, fr. re- + plevir to pledge, fr. (assumed)
          LL plebere--more at pledge] (15c) 1: the recovery by
          a person of goods or chattels claimed to be wrongfully
          taken or detained upon the person's giving security to
          try the matter in court and return the goods if defeated
          in the action 2: the writ or the common-law action whereby
          goods and chattels are replevied [2]replevin vt (1678):
          replevy

   [1]replevy
          [re.plevy] n, pl re.plev.ies [ME, fr. AF replevir, v.] (15c):
          replevin [2]replevy vt re.plev.ied ; re.plevy.ing (1596):
          to take or get back by a writ for replevin -- re.plevi.able
          adj

   replica
          [rep.li.ca] n [It, repetition, fr. replicare to repeat, fr.
          LL, fr. L, to fold back--more at reply] (1824) 1: an
          exact reproduction (as of a painting) executed by the
          original artist <a ~ of this was painted ... this year
          --Constance Strachey> 2: a copy exact in all details
          <DNA makes a ~ of itself> <sailed a ~ of the Viking ship>;
          broadly: copy <this faithful, pathetic ~ of a Midwestern
          suburb --G. F. Kennan> syn see reproduction

   replicable
          [rep.li.ca.ble] adj (1950): capable of replication <~ experimental
          results> -- rep.li.ca.bil.i.ty n

   replicase
          [rep.li.case] n [replication + -ase] (1963): a polymerase
          that promotes synthesis of a particular RNA in the presence
          of a template of RNA

   [1]replicate
          [rep.li.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [LL replicatus, pp. of
          replicare] vt (15c): duplicate, repeat <~ a statistical
          experiment> ~ vi: to undergo replication: produce a replica
          of itself <virus particles replicating in cells> [2]rep.li.cate
          adj (1922): manifold, repeated [3]rep.li.cate n (1929):
          one of several identical experiments, procedures, or
          samples

   replication
          [rep.li.ca.tion] n (14c) 1 a: answer, reply b (1): an answer
          to a reply: rejoinder (2): a plaintiff's reply to a defendant's
          plea, answer, or counterclaim 2: echo, reverberation
          3 a: copy, reproduction b: the action or process of reproducing
          4: performance of an experiment or procedure more than
          once; esp: systematic or random repetition of agricultural
          test rows or plats to reduce error

   replicative
          [rep.li.ca.tive] adj (ca. 1890): of, relating to, involved
          in, or characterized by replication <the ~ form of tobacco
          mosaic virus>

   replicon
          [rep.li.con] n [replicate + [2]-on] (1963): a linear or circular
          section of DNA or RNA which replicates sequentially as
          a unit

   [1]reply
          [re.ply] vb re.plied ; re.ply.ing [ME replien, fr. MF replier
          to fold again, fr. L replicare to fold back, fr. re-
          + plicare to fold--more at ply] vi (14c) 1 a: to respond
          in words or writing b: echo, resound c: to make a legal
          replication 2: to do something in response; specif: to
          return gunfire or an attack ~ vt: to give as an answer
          syn see answer -- re.pli.er n [2]reply n, pl replies
          (1560) 1: something said, written, or done in answer
          or response 2: replication 1b(2)

   repo
          [re.po] n, pl repos [by shortening & alter.] (1963): repurchase
          agreement

   repolarization
          [re.po.lar.i.za.tion] n (1922): polarization of a muscle
          fiber, cell, or membrane following depolarization --
          re.po.lar.ize vb

   repondez s'il vous plait
          [re.pon.dez s'il vous plait] [F] foreign term : reply, if
          you please

   [1]report
          [re.port] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. reporter to report,
          fr. L reportare, fr. re- + portare to carry--more at
          fare] (14c) 1 a: common talk or an account spread by
          common talk: rumor b: quality of reputation <a witness
          of good ~> 2 a: a usu. detailed account or statement
          <a news ~> b: an account or statement of a judicial opinion
          or decision c: a usu. formal record of the proceedings
          of a meeting or session 3: an explosive noise -- on report
          : subject to disciplinary action [2]report vt (14c) 1
          a: to give an account of: relate b: to describe as being
          in a specified state <~ed him much improved> 2 a: to
          serve as carrier of (a message) b: to relate the words
          or sense of (something said) c: to make a written record
          or summary of d (1): to watch for and write about the
          newsworthy aspects or developments of: cover (2): to
          prepare or present an account of for broadcast 3 a (1):
          to give a formal or official account or statement of
          <the treasurer ~ed a balance of ten dollars> (2): to
          return or present (a matter referred for consideration)
          with conclusions or recommendations b: to announce or
          relate as the result of investigation <~ed no sign of
          disease> c: to announce the presence, arrival, or sighting
          of d: to make known to the proper authorities <~ a fire>
          e: to make a charge of misconduct against ~ vi 1 a: to
          give an account: tell b: to present oneself c: to account
          for oneself <~ed sick on Friday> 2: to make, issue, or
          submit a report 3: to act in the capacity of a reporter

   reportable
          [re.port.able] adj (1858) 1: worth reporting <~ news> 2:
          required by law to be reported <~ income> <~ diseases>

   reportage
          [re.port.age] n [F, fr. reporter to report] (ca. 1864) 1
          a: the act or process of reporting news b: something
          (as news) that is reported 2: writing intended to give
          an account of observed or documented events

   report card
          [report card] n (1920) 1: a report on a student that
          is periodically submitted by a school to the student's parents
          or guardian 2: an evaluation of performance

   reportedly
          [re.port.ed.ly] adv (1901): according to report

   reporter
          [re.port.er] n (14c): one that reports: as a: one who makes
          authorized statements of law decisions or legislative
          proceedings b: one who makes a shorthand record of a
          speech or proceeding c (1): one employed by a newspaper,
          magazine, or television company to gather and report
          news (2): one who broadcasts news -- re.por.to.ri.al
          adj -- re.por.to.ri.al.ly adv

   report out
          [report out] vt (1907): to return after consideration and
          often with revisions to a legislative body for action
          <after much debate the committee reported the bill out>

   report stage
          [report stage] n (ca. 1906): the stage in the British legislative
          process preceding the third reading and concerned esp.
          with amendments and details

   reposal
          [re.pos.al] n (1605) obs: the act of reposing

   [1]repose
          [re.pose] vb re.posed ; re.pos.ing [ME, fr. MF reposer, fr.
          OF, fr. LL repausare, fr. L re- + LL pausare to stop,
          fr. L pausa pause] vt (15c): to lay at rest ~ vi 1 a:
          to lie at rest b: to lie dead <reposing in state> c:
          to remain still or concealed 2: to take a rest 3 archaic:
          rely 4: to rest for support: lie [2]repose n (1509) 1
          a: a state of resting after exertion or strain; esp:
          rest in sleep b: eternal or heavenly rest <pray for the
          ~ of a soul> 2 a: a place of rest b: peace, tranquillity
          <the ~ of the bayous> c: a harmony in the arrangement
          of parts and colors that is restful to the eye 3 a: lack
          of activity: quiescence b: cessation or absence of activity,
          movement, or animation <the face in ~ is grave and thoughtful>
          4: composure of manner: poise [3]re.pose vt re.posed
          ; re.pos.ing [ME, to replace, fr. L reponere (perf. indic.
          reposui)] (15c) 1 archaic: to put away or set down: deposit
          2 a: to place (as confidence or trust) in someone or
          something b: to place for control, management, or use

   reposeful
          [re.pose.ful] adj (1852): of a kind to induce ease and relaxation
          -- re.pose.ful.ly adv -- re.pose.ful.ness n

   reposit
          [re.pos.it] vt re.pos.it.ed ; re.pos.it.ing [L repositus,
          pp. of reponere to replace, fr. re- + ponere to place--more
          at position] (ca. 1641) 1: deposit, store 2: to put back
          in place: replace

   [1]reposition
          [re.po.si.tion] n (1588): the act of repositing: the state
          of being reposited [2]re.po.si.tion vt (ca. 1859) 1:
          to change the position of 2: to revise the marketing
          strategy of (a product or a company) so as to increase
          sales

   [1]repository
          [re.pos.i.to.ry] n, pl -ries (15c) 1: a place, room, or container
          where something is deposited or stored: depository 2:
          a side altar in a Roman Catholic church where the consecrated
          Host is reserved from Maundy Thursday until Good Friday
          3: one that contains or stores something nonmaterial
          <considered the book a ~ of knowledge> 4: a place or
          region richly supplied with a natural resource 5: a person
          to whom something is confided or entrusted [2]repository
          adj (1950) of a drug: designed to act over a prolonged
          period <~ penicillin>

   repossess
          [re.pos.sess] vt (15c) 1 a: to regain possession of b: to
          resume possession of in default of the payment of installments
          due 2: to restore to possession -- re.pos.ses.sion n
          -- re.pos.sess.or n

   [1]repousse
          [re.pous.se] adj [F, lit., pushed back] (1858) 1: shaped
          or ornamented with patterns in relief made by hammering
          or pressing on the reverse side--used esp. of metal 2:
          formed in relief [2]repousse n (1858) 1: repousse work
          2: repousse decoration

   repower
          [re.pow.er] vt (1954): to provide again or anew with power;
          esp: to provide (as a boat) with a new engine

   repp
          [repp] var of rep

   reprehend
          [rep.re.hend] vt [ME, fr. L reprehendere, lit., to hold back,
          fr. re- + prehendere to grasp--more at get] (14c): to
          voice disapproval of: censure syn see criticize

   reprehensible
          [rep.re.hen.si.ble] adj (14c): worthy of or deserving reprehension:
          culpable -- rep.re.hen.si.bil.i.ty n -- rep.re.hen.si.ble.ness
          n -- rep.re.hen.si.bly adv

   reprehension
          [rep.re.hen.sion] n [ME reprehensioun, fr. MF or L;
          MF reprehension, fr. L reprehension-, reprehensio, fr.
          reprehendere] (14c): the act of reprehending: censure

   reprehensive
          [rep.re.hen.sive] adj (1589): serving to reprehend: conveying
          reprehension or reproof

   represent
          [rep.re.sent] vb [ME, fr. MF representer, fr. L repraesentare,
          fr. re- + praesentare to present] vt (14c) 1: to bring
          clearly before the mind: present <a book which ~s the
          character of early America> 2: to serve as a sign or
          symbol of <the flag ~s our country> 3: to portray or
          exhibit in art: depict 4: to serve as the counterpart
          or image of: typify <a movie hero who ~s the ideals of
          the culture> 5 a: to produce on the stage b: to act the
          part or role of 6 a (1): to take the place of in some
          respect (2): to act in the place of or for usu. by legal
          right b: to serve esp. in a legislative body by delegated
          authority usu. resulting from election 7: to describe
          as having a specified character or quality <~s himself
          as a friend> 8 a: to give one's impression and judgment
          of: state in a manner intended to affect action or judgment
          b: to point out in protest or remonstrance 9: to serve
          as a specimen, example, or instance of 10 a: to form
          an image or representation of in the mind b (1): to apprehend
          (an object) by means of an idea (2): to recall in memory
          11: to correspond to in essence: constitute ~ vi: to
          make representations against something: protest -- rep.re.sent.able
          adj -- rep.re.sent.er n

   re-present
          [re-pre.sent] vt (1564): to present again or anew
          -- re-pre.sen.ta.tion n

   representation
          [rep.re.sen.ta.tion] n (15c) 1: one that represents: as a:
          an artistic likeness or image b (1): a statement or account
          made to influence opinion or action (2): an incidental
          or collateral statement of fact on the faith of which
          a contract is entered into c: a dramatic production or
          performance d (1): a usu. formal statement made against
          something or to effect a change (2): a usu. formal protest
          2: the act or action of representing: the state of being
          represented: as a: representationalism 2 b (1): the action
          or fact of one person standing for another so as to have
          the rights and obligations of the person represented
          (2): the substitution of an individual or class in place
          of a person (as a child for a deceased parent) c: the
          action of representing or the fact of being represented
          esp. in a legislative body 3: the body of persons representing
          a constituency -- rep.re.sen.ta.tion.al adj --
          rep.re.sen.ta.tion.al.ly adv

   representationalism
          [rep.re.sen.ta.tion.al.ism] n (1899) 1: the doctrine that
          the immediate object of knowledge is an idea in the mind
          distinct from the external object which is the occasion
          of perception 2: the theory or practice of realistic
          representation in art -- rep.re.sen.ta.tion.al.ist n

   [1]representative
          [rep.re.sen.ta.tive] adj (1532) 1: serving to represent 2
          a: standing or acting for another esp. through delegated
          authority b: of, based on, or constituting a government
          in which the many are represented by persons chosen from
          among them usu. by election 3: serving as a typical or
          characteristic example <a ~ moviegoer> 4: of or relating
          to representation or representationalism -- rep.re.sen.ta.tive.ly
          adv -- rep.re.sen.ta.tive.ness n -- rep.re.sen.ta.tiv.i.ty
          n [2]representative n (1647) 1: a typical example of
          a group, class, or quality: specimen 2: one that represents
          another or others: as a (1): one that represents a constituency
          as a member of a legislative body (2): a member of the
          house of representatives of the U.S. Congress or a state
          legislature b: one that represents another as agent,
          deputy, substitute, or delegate usu. being invested with
          the authority of the principal c: one that represents
          a business organization d: one that represents another
          as successor or heir

   repress
          [re.press] vb [ME, fr. L repressus, pp. of reprimere to check,
          fr. re- + premere to press--more at press] vt (14c) 1
          a: to check by or as if by pressure: curb <injustice
          was ~ed> b: to put down by force: subdue <~ a disturbance>
          2 a: to hold in by self-control <~ed a laugh> b: to prevent
          the natural or normal expression, activity, or development
          of <~ed her anger> 3: to exclude from consciousness 4:
          to inactivate (a gene or formation of a gene product)
          by allosteric combination at a DNA binding site ~ vi:
          to take repressive action -- re.press.ibil.i.ty n --
          re.press.ible adj -- re.pres.sive adj -- re.pres.sive.ly
          adv -- re.pres.sive.ness n

   re-press
          [re-press] vt (14c): to press again <~ a record>

   repressed
          [re.pressed] adj (1665) 1: subjected to or marked by repression
          2: characterized by restraint

   repression
          [re.pres.sion] n (1533) 1 a: the action or process of repressing:
          the state of being repressed <~ of unpopular opinions>
          b: an instance of repressing <racial ~s> 2 a: a process
          by which unacceptable desires or impulses are excluded
          from consciousness and left to operate in the unconscious
          b: an item so excluded -- re.pres.sion.ist adj

   repressor
          [re.pres.sor] n [NL] (1611): one that represses; esp: a protein
          that is determined by a regulatory gene, binds to a genetic
          operator, and inhibits the initiation of transcription
          of messenger RNA

   reprieval
          [re.priev.al] n (ca. 1586) archaic: reprieve

   [1]reprieve
          [re.prieve] vt re.prieved ; re.priev.ing [alter. of earlier
          repry, perh. fr. MF repris, pp. of reprendre to take
          back] (1596) 1: to delay the punishment of (as a condemned
          prisoner) 2: to give relief or deliverance to for a time
          [2]reprieve n (1592) 1 a: the act of reprieving: the
          state of being reprieved b: a formal temporary suspension
          of the execution of a sentence esp. of death 2: an order
          or warrant for a reprieve 3: a temporary respite (as
          from pain or trouble)

   [1]reprimand
          [rep.ri.mand] n [F reprimande, fr. L reprimenda, fem. of
          reprimendus, gerundive of reprimere to check--more at
          repress] (1636): a severe or formal reproof [2]reprimand
          vt (1681): to reprove sharply or censure formally usu.
          from a position of authority syn see reprove

   [1]reprint
          [re.print] vt (1551): to print again: make a reprint of [2]re.print
          n (1611): a reproduction of printed matter: as a: a subsequent
          printing of a book already published that preserves the identical
          text of the previous printing b: offprint c: matter (as an article)
          that has appeared in print before

   reprinter
          [re.print.er] n (1689): one that publishes a reprint

   reprisal
          [re.pri.sal] n [ME reprisail, fr. MF reprisaille, fr. OIt
          ripresaglia, fr. ripreso, pp. of riprendere to take back,
          fr. rire- (fr. L re-) + prendere to take, fr. L prehendere--more
          at get] (15c) 1 a: the act or practice in international law
          of resorting to force short of war in retaliation for damage
          or loss suffered b: an instance of such action 2 obs: prize 3: the
          regaining of something (as by recapture) 4: something (as a sum
          of money) given or paid in restitution--usu. used in pl.
          5: a retaliatory act

   [1]reprise
          [re.prise] n [ME, fr. MF, lit., action of taking back, fr.
          OF, fr. reprendre to take back, fr. re- + prendre to
          take, fr. L prehendere] (15c) 1: a deduction or charge
          made yearly out of a manor or estate--usu. used in pl.
          2: a recurrence, renewal, or resumption of an action
          3 a: a musical repetition: (1): the repetition of the
          exposition preceding the development (2): recapitulation
          b: a repeated performance: repetition [2]re.prise vt
          re.prised ; re.pris.ing [MF reprise action of taking
          back] (15c) 1 archaic: take back; esp: to recover by
          force 2 archaic: compensate 3 a: to repeat the performance
          of b: recapitulate

   repristinate
          [re.pris.ti.nate] vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [re- + pristine +
          [4]-ate] (1659): to restore to an original state or condition
          -- re.pris.ti.na.tion n

   repro
          [re.pro] n, pl repros [short for reproduction] (1946) 1:
          a clear sharp proof made esp. from a letterpress printing
          surface to serve as photographic copy for a printing
          plate 2: reproduction 2

   [1]reproach
          [re.proach] n [ME reproche, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. reprochier
          to reproach, fr. (assumed) VL repropiare, fr. L re- +
          prope near--more at approach] (14c) 1: an expression
          of rebuke or disapproval 2: the act or action of reproaching
          or disapproving <was beyond ~> 3 a: a cause or occasion
          of blame, discredit, or disgrace b: discredit, disgrace
          4 obs: one subjected to censure or scorn -- re.proach.ful
          adj -- re.proach.ful.ly adv -- re.proach.ful.ness n [2]reproach
          vt (14c) 1: to express disappointment in or displeasure
          with (a person) for conduct that is blameworthy or in
          need of amendment 2: to make (something) a matter of
          reproach 3: to bring into discredit syn see reprove --
          re.proach.able adj -- re.proach.er n -- re.proach.ing.ly
          adv

   reprobance
          [rep.ro.bance] n (1604) archaic: reprobation

   [1]reprobate
          [rep.ro.bate] vt -bat.ed ; -bat.ing [ME, fr. LL reprobatus,
          pp. of reprobare--more at reprove] (15c) 1: to condemn
          strongly as unworthy, unacceptable, or evil <reprobating
          the laxity of the age> 2: to foreordain to damnation
          3: to refuse to accept: reject syn see criticize -- rep.ro.ba.tive
          adj -- rep.ro.ba.to.ry adj [2]reprobate adj (15c) 1 archaic:
          rejected as worthless or not standing a test: condemned
          2 a: foreordained to damnation b: morally corrupt: depraved
          3: expressing or involving reprobation 4: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of a reprobate [3]reprobate n (1545): a reprobate
          person

   reprobation
          [rep.ro.ba.tion] n (14c): the act of reprobating or the state
          of being reprobated

   reprocess
          [re.pro.cess] vt (1921): to subject to a special process
          or treatment in preparation for reuse; esp: to extract
          uranium and plutonium from (the spent fuel rods of a
          nuclear reactor) for use again as fuel

   reproduce
          [re.pro.duce] vt (1611): to produce again: as a: to produce
          (new individuals of the same kind) by a sexual or asexual
          process b: to cause to exist again or anew <~ water from
          steam> c: to imitate closely <sound-effects can ~ the
          sound of thunder> d: to present again e: to make a representation
          (as an image or copy) of <~ a face on canvas> f: to revive
          mentally: recall g: to translate (a recording) into sound
          ~ vi h: to undergo reproduction i: to produce offspring
          -- re.pro.duc.er n -- re.pro.duc.ibil.i.ty n -- re.pro.duc.ible
          adj or n -- re.pro.duc.ibly adv

   reproduction
          [re.pro.duc.tion] n (1659) 1: the act or process of reproducing;
          specif: the process by which plants and animals give
          rise to offspring and which fundamentally consists of
          the segregation of a portion of the parental body by
          a sexual or an asexual process and its subsequent growth
          and differentiation into a new individual 2: something
          reproduced: copy 3: young seedling trees in a forest
          syn reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica
          mean a thing made to closely resemble another. reproduction
          implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing
          <reproductions from the museum's furniture collection>.
          duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding
          to another thing <a duplicate of a house key>. copy applies
          esp. to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically
          <printed a thousand copies of the lithograph>. facsimile
          suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter
          that may differ in scale <a facsimile of a rare book>.
          replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular
          item in all details <a replica of the Mayflower> but
          not always in the same scale <miniature replicas of classic
          cars>.

   reproduction proof
          [reproduction proof] n (1945): repro 1

   [1]reproductive
          [re.pro.duc.tive] adj (1753): of, relating to, or capable
          of reproduction -- re.pro.duc.tive.ly adv [2]reproductive
          n (1934): an actual or potential parent; specif: a sexually
          functional social insect

   reprogram
          [re.pro.gram] vt (1959): to program anew; esp: to write new
          programs for (as a computer) ~ vi: to rewrite or revise
          a program esp. of a computer -- re.pro.gram.ma.ble adj

   reprography
          [re.prog.ra.phy] n [reproduction + -graphy] (1956): facsimile
          reproduction (as by photocopying) of graphic matter --
          re.prog.ra.pher n -- re.pro.graph.ic adj -- re.pro.graph.ics
          n pl

   reproof
          [re.proof] n [ME reprof, fr. MF reprove, fr. OF, fr. reprover]
          (14c): criticism for a fault: rebuke

   reprove
          [re.prove] vb re.proved ; re.prov.ing [ME, fr. MF reprover,
          fr. LL reprobare to disapprove, condemn, fr. L re- +
          probare to test, approve--more at prove] vt (14c) 1:
          to scold or correct usu. gently or with kindly intent
          2: to express disapproval of: censure <it is not for
          me to ~ popular taste --D. W. Brogan> 3 obs: disprove,
          refute 4 obs: convince, convict ~ vi: to express rebuke
          or reproof -- re.prov.er n -- re.prov.ing.ly adv syn
          reprove, rebuke, reprimand, admonish, reproach, chide
          mean to criticize adversely. reprove implies an often
          kindly intent to correct a fault <gently reproved my
          table manners>. rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof
          <the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics>. reprimand
          implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke
          <reprimanded by the ethics committee>. admonish suggests
          earnest or friendly warning and counsel <admonished by
          my parents to control expenses>. reproach and chide suggest
          displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof
          or scolding <reproached him for tardiness> <chided by
          their mother for untidiness>.

   rept
          [rept] abbreviation report

   [1]reptile
          [rep.tile] n [ME reptil, fr. MF or LL; MF reptile (fem.),
          fr. LL reptile (neut.), fr. neut. of reptilis creeping,
          fr. L reptus, pp. of repere to crawl; akin to Lith replioti
          to crawl] (14c) 1: an animal that crawls or moves on
          its belly (as a snake) or on small short legs (as a lizard)
          2: any of a class (Reptilia) of air-breathing vertebrates
          that include the alligators and crocodiles, lizards,
          snakes, turtles, and extinct related forms (as dinosaurs
          and pterosaurs) and are characterized by a completely
          ossified skeleton with a single occipital condyle, a
          distinct quadrate bone usu. immovably articulated with
          the skull, ribs attached to the sternum, and a body usu.
          covered with scales or bony plates 3: a groveling or
          despised person [2]reptile adj (1607): characteristic
          of a reptile: reptilian

   [1]reptilian
          [rep.til.ian] adj (ca. 1846) 1: resembling or having the
          characteristics of the reptiles 2: of or relating to
          the reptiles 3: cold-bloodedly treacherous <a ~ villain
          --Theodore Dreiser> [2]reptilian n (ca. 1847): reptile
          2

   republic
          [re.pub.lic] n [F republique, fr. MF republique, fr. L respublica,
          fr. res thing, wealth + publica, fem. of publicus public--more
          at real, public] (1604) 1 a (1): a government having a chief
          of state who is not a monarch and who in modern times is usu.
          a president (2): a political unit (as a nation) having such a form
          of government b (1): a government in which supreme power resides
          in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected
          officers and representatives responsible to them and governing
          according to law (2): a political unit (as a nation) having such
          a form of government c: a usu. specified republican government
          of a political unit <the French Fourth Republic> 2: a body
          of persons freely engaged in a specified activity <the
          ~ of letters> 3: a constituent political and territorial unit
          of the former nations of Czechoslovakia, the U.S.S.R.,
          or Yugoslavia

   [1]republican
          [re.pub.li.can] n (1697) 1: one that favors or supports a
          republican form of government 2 cap a: a member of a
          political party advocating republicanism b: a member
          of the Democratic-Republican party or of the Republican
          party of the U.S. [2]republican adj (1712) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or having the characteristics of a republic b: favoring,
          supporting, or advocating a republic c: belonging or
          appropriate to one living in or supporting a republic
          <~ simplicity> 2 cap a: democratic-republican b: of,
          relating to, or constituting the one of the two major
          political parties evolving in the U.S. in the mid-19th
          century that is usu. primarily associated with business,
          financial, and some agricultural interests and is held
          to favor a restricted governmental role in economic life

   republicanism
          [re.pub.li.can.ism] n (1689) 1: adherence to or sympathy
          for a republican form of government 2: the principles
          or theory of republican government 3 cap a: the principles,
          policy, or practices of the Republican party of the U.S.
          b: the Republican party or its members

   republicanize
          [re.pub.li.can.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1797): to make republican
          in character, form, or principle

   republication
          [re.pub.li.ca.tion] n (1730) 1: the act or action of republishing:
          the state of being republished 2: something that has been
          republished

   republish
          [re.pub.lish] vt (1592) 1: to publish again or anew 2: to
          execute (a will) anew -- re.pub.lish.er n

   repudiate
          [re.pu.di.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L repudiatus, pp. of
          repudiare, fr. repudium rejection of a prospective spouse,
          divorce, prob. fr. re- + pudere to shame] (1545) 1: to
          divorce or separate formally from (a woman) 2: to refuse
          to have anything to do with: disown 3 a: to refuse to
          accept; esp: to reject as unauthorized or as having no
          binding force b: to reject as untrue or unjust <~ a charge>
          4: to refuse to acknowledge or pay syn see decline --
          re.pu.di.a.tor n

   repudiation
          [re.pu.di.a.tion] n (1545): the act of repudiating: the state
          of being repudiated; esp: the refusal of public authorities
          to acknowledge or pay a debt -- re.pu.di.a.tion.ist n

   repugn
          [re.pugn] vb [ME, fr. MF & L; MF repugner, fr. L repugnare]
          vi (14c) archaic: to offer opposition, objection, or
          resistance ~ vt: to contend against: oppose

   repugnance
          [re.pug.nance] n (15c) 1 a: the quality or fact of being
          contradictory or inconsistent b: an instance of such
          contradiction or inconsistency 2: strong dislike, distaste,
          or antagonism

   repugnancy
          [re.pug.nan.cy] n, pl -cies (15c): repugnance

   repugnant
          [re.pug.nant] adj [ME, opposed, contradictory, incompatible,
          fr. MF, fr. L repugnant-, repugnans, prp. of repugnare
          to fight against, fr. re- + pugnare to fight--more at
          pungent] (15c) 1: incompatible, inconsistent 2 archaic:
          hostile 3: exciting distaste or aversion -- re.pug.nant.ly
          adv

   [1]repulse
          [re.pulse] vt re.pulsed ; re.puls.ing [L repulsus, pp. of
          repellere to repel] (15c) 1: to drive or beat back: repel
          2: to repel by discourtesy, coldness, or denial 3: to
          cause repulsion in [2]repulse n (1533) 1: rebuff, rejection
          2: the action of repelling an attacker: the fact of being
          repelled

   repulsion
          [re.pul.sion] n (15c) 1: the action of repulsing: the state
          of being repulsed 2: the action of repelling: the force
          with which bodies, particles, or like forces repel one
          another 3: a feeling of aversion: repugnance

   repulsive
          [re.pul.sive] adj (1598) 1: tending to repel or reject: cold,
          forbidding 2: serving or able to repulse 3: arousing
          aversion or disgust -- re.pul.sive.ly adv -- re.pul.sive.ness
          n

   repurchase agreement
          [re.pur.chase agreement] n (1952): a contract giving the
          seller of securities (as treasury bills) the right to
          repurchase after a stated period and the buyer the right
          to retain interest earnings

   reputable
          [rep.u.ta.ble] adj (1674) 1: enjoying good repute: held in
          esteem 2: employed widely or sanctioned by good writers
          -- rep.u.ta.bil.i.ty n -- rep.u.ta.bly adv

   reputation
          [rep.u.ta.tion] n [ME reputacioun, fr. L reputation-, rep
          utatio consideration, fr. reputare] (14c) 1 a: overall
          quality or character as seen or judged by people in general
          b: recognition by other people of some characteristic
          or ability <has the ~ of being clever> 2: a place in
          public esteem or regard: good name -- rep.u.ta.tion.al
          adj

   [1]repute
          [re.pute] vt re.put.ed ; re.put.ing [ME, fr. MF reputer,
          fr. L reputare to reckon up, think over, fr. re- + putare
          to reckon] (15c): believe, consider [2]repute n (1551)
          1: the character or status commonly ascribed to one:
          reputation 2: the state of being favorably known, spoken
          of, or esteemed

   reputed
          [reputed] adj (1549) 1: having a good repute: reputable 2:
          being such according to reputation or popular belief

   reputedly
          [re.put.ed.ly] adv (1687): according to reputation or general
          belief

   req
          [req] abbreviation request, require, required, requisition

   reqd
          [reqd] abbreviation required

   [1]request
          [re.quest] n [ME requeste, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL requaesta,
          fr. fem. of requaestus, pp. of requaerere to require]
          (14c) 1: the act or an instance of asking for something
          2: something asked for 3: the condition or fact of being
          requested <available on ~> 4: the state of being sought
          after: demand [2]request vt (1533) 1: to make a request
          to or of <~ed her to write a paper> 2: to ask as a favor
          or privilege <~s to be excused> 3 obs: to ask (a person)
          to come or go to a thing or place 4: to ask for <~ed
          a brief delay> syn see ask -- re.quest.er or re.quest.or
          n

   requiem
          [re.qui.em] n [ME, fr. L (first word of the introit of the
          requiem mass), acc. of requies rest, fr. re- + quies
          quiet, rest--more at while] (14c) 1: a mass for the dead
          2 a: a solemn chant (as a dirge) for the repose of the
          dead b: something that resembles such a solemn chant
          3 a: a musical setting of the mass for the dead b: a
          musical composition in honor of the dead

   requiem shark
          [requiem shark] n [obs. F requiem shark, alter. of F requin]
          (1900): any of a family (Carcharhinidae) of sharks (as
          the tiger shark) that includes some dangerous to humans

   requiescat
          [re.qui.es.cat] n [L, may he (or she) rest, fr. requiescere
          to rest, fr. re- + quiescere to be quiet, fr. quies]
          (1824): a prayer for the repose of a dead person

   requiescat in pace
          [re.qui.es.cat in pa.ce] [L] foreign term : may he or she
          rest in peace--used on tombstones

   require
          [re.quire] vb re.quired ; re.quir.ing [ME requeren, fr. MF
          requerre, fr. (assumed) VL requaerere to seek for, need,
          require, alter. of L requirere, fr. re- + quaerere to
          seek, ask] vt (14c) 1 a: to claim or ask for by right
          and authority b archaic: request 2 a: to call for as
          suitable or appropriate <the occasion ~s formal dress>
          b: to demand as necessary or essential: have a compelling
          need for <all living beings ~ food> 3: to impose a compulsion
          or command on: compel 4 chiefly Brit: to feel or be obliged--used
          with a following infinitive <one does not ~ to be a specialist
          --Elizabeth Bowen> ~ vi, archaic: ask syn see demand

   requirement
          [re.quire.ment] n (1662): something required: a: something
          wanted or needed: necessity <production was not sufficient
          to satisfy military ~s> b: something essential to the
          existence or occurrence of something else: condition
          <failed to meet the school's ~s for graduation>

   requisite
          [req.ui.site] adj [ME, fr. L requisitus, pp. of requirere]
          (15c): essential, necessary -- requisite n -- req.ui.site.ness
          n

   requisition
          [req.ui.si.tion] n [ME requisicion, fr. MF or ML; MF requisition,
          fr. ML requisition-, requisitio, fr. L, act of searching,
          fr. requirere] (15c) 1 a: the act of formally requiring
          or calling upon someone to perform an action b: a formal
          demand made by one nation upon another for the surrender
          or extradition of a fugitive from justice 2 a: the act
          of requiring something to be furnished b: a demand or
          application made usu. with authority: as (1): a demand
          made by military authorities upon civilians for supplies
          or other needs (2): a written request for something authorized
          but not made available automatically 3: the state of
          being in demand or use -- requisition vt

   requital
          [re.quit.al] n (1582) 1: something given in return, compensation,
          or retaliation 2: the act or action of requiting: the
          state of being requited

   requite
          [re.quite] vt re.quit.ed ; re.quit.ing [re- + obs. quite
          to quit, pay, fr. ME quiten--more at quit] (1529) 1 a:
          to make return for: repay b: to make retaliation for:
          avenge 2: to make suitable return to for a benefit or
          service or for an injury syn see reciprocate -- re.quit.er
          n

   reradiate
          [re.ra.di.ate] vt (1913): to radiate again or anew; esp:
          to emit (energy) in the form of radiation after absorbing
          incident radiation -- re.ra.di.a.tion n

   reredos
          [rere.dos] n [ME, fr. AF areredos, fr. MF arrere behind +
          dos back, fr. L dorsum--more at arrear] (14c): a usu.
          ornamental wood or stone screen or partition wall behind
          an altar

   rereward
          [rereward] n [ME rerewarde, fr. AF, fr. OF rere behind +
          ONF warde guard; akin to OF garde guard--more at rear
          guard] (14c) obs: rear guard

   [1]rerun
          [re.run] vt -ran ; -run ; -run.ning (1804): to run again
          or anew [2]re.run n (ca. 1934): the act or action or
          an instance of rerunning: repetition; esp: a movie or
          television show that is rerun

   res
          [res] abbreviation research, reservation, reserve, reservoir,
          residence, resident, resolution RES abbreviation
          reticuloendothelial system

   res
          [res] n, pl res [L--more at real] (1851): a particular thing:
          matter--used esp. in legal phrases

   res adjudicata
          [res ad.ju.di.ca.ta] n [LL] (1902): res judicata

   resalable
          [re.sal.able] adj (1866): fit for resale

   resale
          [re.sale] n (1625) 1: the act of selling again usu. to a
          new party 2 a: a secondhand sale b: an additional sale
          to the same buyer

   rescale
          [re.scale] vt (1944): to plan, establish, or formulate on
          a new and usu. smaller scale

   reschedule
          [re.sched.ule] vt (1965): to schedule or plan again according
          to a different timetable; esp: to defer required payment
          of (a debt or loan)

   rescind
          [re.scind] vt [L rescindere to annul, fr. re- + scindere
          to cut--more at shed] (1643) 1: to take away: remove
          2 a: take back, cancel <refused to ~ the order> b: to
          abrogate (a contract) and restore the parties to the
          positions they would have occupied had there been no
          contract 3: to make void (as an act) by action of the
          enacting authority or a superior authority: repeal --
          re.scind.er n -- re.scind.ment n

   rescission
          [re.scis.sion] n [LL rescission-, rescissio, fr. L rescindere]
          (1611): an act of rescinding

   rescissory
          [re.scis.so.ry] adj (1605): relating to or tending to or
          having the effect of rescission

   rescript
          [re.script] n [ME rescripte, fr. L rescriptum, fr. neut.
          of rescriptus, pp. of rescribere to write in reply, fr.
          re- + scribere to write--more at scribe] (15c) 1: a written
          answer of a Roman emperor or of a pope to a legal inquiry
          or petition 2: an official or authoritative order, decree,
          edict, or announcement 3: an act or instance of rewriting

   rescue
          [res.cue] vt res.cued ; res.cu.ing [ME, fr. MF rescourre,
          fr. OF, fr. re- + escourre to shake out, fr. L excutere,
          fr. ex- + quatere to shake] (14c): to free from confinement,
          danger, or evil: save, deliver: as a: to take (as a prisoner)
          forcibly from custody b: to recover (as a prize) by force
          c: to deliver (as a place under siege) by armed force
          -- res.cu.able adj -- rescue n -- res.cu.er n syn rescue,
          deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free
          from confinement or danger. rescue implies freeing from
          imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action <rescued
          the crew of a sinking ship>. deliver implies release
          usu. of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery,
          or suffering <delivered his people from bondage>. redeem
          implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving
          what is demanded or necessary <job training designed
          to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment>.
          ransom specif. applies to buying out of captivity <tried
          to ransom the kidnap victim>. reclaim suggests a bringing
          back to a former state or condition of someone or something
          abandoned or debased <reclaimed long-abandoned farms>.
          save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further
          imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued
          existence <an operation that saved my life>.

   rescue mission
          [rescue mission] n (1902): a city religious mission seeking
          to convert and rehabilitate the down-and-out

   [1]research
          [re.search] n [MF recerche, fr. recerchier to investigate
          thoroughly, fr. OF, fr. re- + cerchier to search--more
          at search] (1577) 1: careful or diligent search 2: studious
          inquiry or examination; esp: investigation or experimentation
          aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision
          of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts,
          or practical application of such new or revised theories
          or laws 3: the collecting of information about a particular
          subject [2]research vt (1593) 1: to search or investigate
          exhaustively <~ a problem> 2: to do research for <~ a
          book> ~ vi: to engage in research -- re.search.able adj
          -- re.search.er n

   researchist
          [re.search.ist] n (1921): one engaged in research

   reseau
          [re.seau] n, pl re.seaux [F reseau, fr. OF resel, dim. of
          rais net, fr. L retis, rete] (1578) 1: a net ground or
          foundation in lace 2: a grid photographed by a separate
          exposure onto a plate containing star images to facilitate
          astronomical measurements

   resect
          [re.sect] vt [L resectus, pp. of resecare to cut off, fr.
          re- + secare to cut--more at saw] (1846): to perform
          resection on -- re.sect.abil.i.ty n -- re.sect.able adj

   resection
          [re.sec.tion] n (1775): the surgical removal of part of an
          organ or structure

   reseda
          [re.se.da] n [F reseda, fr. reseda, a mignonette] (1873):
          a grayish green color

   reseed
          [re.seed] vt (1888) 1: to sow seed on again or anew 2: to
          maintain (itself) by self-sown seed ~ vi: to maintain
          itself by self-sown seed

   resemblance
          [re.sem.blance] n (14c) 1 a: the quality or state of resembling;
          esp: correspondence in appearance or superficial qualities
          b: a point of likeness: similarity 2: representation,
          image 3 archaic: characteristic appearance 4 obs: probability
          syn see likeness

   resemblant
          [re.sem.blant] adj (14c): marked by or showing resemblance

   resemble
          [re.sem.ble] vt re.sem.bled ; re.sem.bling [ME, fr. MF resembler,
          ressembler, fr. OF, fr. re- + sembler to be like, seem,
          fr. L similare to copy, fr. similis like--more at same]
          (14c) 1: to be like or similar to 2 archaic: to represent
          as like

   resend
          [re.send] vt -sent ; -send.ing (1554): to send again or back

   resent
          [re.sent] vt [F ressentir to be emotionally sensible of,
          fr. OF, fr. re- + sentir to feel, fr. L sentire--more
          at sense] (1628): to feel or express annoyance or ill
          will at

   resentful
          [re.sent.ful] adj (1656) 1: full of resentment: inclined
          to resent 2: caused or marked by resentment -- re.sent.ful.ly
          adv -- re.sent.ful.ness n

   resentment
          [re.sent.ment] n (1619): a feeling of indignant displeasure
          or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong,
          insult, or injury syn see offense

   reserpine
          [re.ser.pine] n [G Reserpin, prob. irreg. fr. NL Rauwolfia
          serpentina, a species of rauwolfia] (1952): an alkaloid
          extracted esp. from the root of rauwolfias and used in
          the treatment of hypertension, mental disorders, and
          tension states

   reservation
          [res.er.va.tion] n (15c) 1: an act of reserving something:
          as a (1): the act or fact of a grantor's reserving some
          newly created thing out of the thing granted (2): the
          right or interest so reserved b: the setting of limiting
          conditions or withholding from complete exposition <answered
          without ~> c: an arrangement to have something (as a
          hotel room) held for one's use; also: a promise, guarantee,
          or record of such engagement 2 a: a limiting condition
          <agreed, but with ~s> b: doubt, misgiving <had serious
          ~s about marriage> 3: something reserved: as a: a tract
          of public land set aside (as for use by American Indians)
          b: an area in which hunting is not permitted; esp: one
          set aside as a secure breeding place -- res.er.va.tion.ist
          n

   [1]reserve
          [re.serve] vt re.served ; re.serv.ing [ME, fr. MF reserver,
          fr. L reservare, lit., to keep back, fr. re- + servare
          to keep--more at conserve] (14c) 1 a: to hold in reserve:
          keep back <~ grain for seed> b: to set aside (part of
          the consecrated elements) at the Eucharist for future
          use c: to retain or hold over to a future time or place:
          defer <~ one's judgment on a plan> d: to make legal reservation
          of 2: to set or have set aside or apart <~ a hotel room>
          syn see keep -- re.serv.able adj [2]reserve n, often
          attrib (1648) 1: something reserved or set aside for
          a particular purpose, use, or reason: as a (1): a military
          force withheld from action for later decisive use--usu.
          used in pl. (2): forces not in the field but available
          (3): the military forces of a country not part of the
          regular services; also: reservist b: a tract (as of public
          land) set apart: reservation 2: something stored or kept
          available for future use or need: stock 3: an act of
          reserving: qualification 4 a: restraint, closeness, or
          caution in one's words and actions b: forbearance from
          making a full explanation, complete disclosure, or free
          expression of one's mind 5 archaic: secret 6 a: money
          or its equivalent kept in hand or set apart usu. to meet
          liabilities b: the liquid resources of a nation for meeting
          international payments 7: substitute 8: reserve price
          9: a wine made from select grapes, bottled on the maker's
          premises, and aged specially and often longer -- in reserve
          : held back for future or special use

   reserve bank
          [reserve bank] n (1905): a central bank holding reserves
          of other banks

   reserve clause
          [reserve clause] n (1944): a clause formerly placed in a
          professional athlete's contract that reserved for the
          club the exclusive right automatically to renew the contract
          and that bound the athlete to the club until retirement
          or until the athlete was traded or released

   reserved
          [re.served] adj (1601) 1: restrained in words and actions
          2: kept or set apart or aside for future or special use
          syn see silent -- re.serv.ed.ly adv -- re.serv.ed.ness
          n

   reserved power
          [reserved power] n (1838): a political power reserved by
          a constitution to the exclusive jurisdiction of a specified
          political authority

   reserve price
          [reserve price] n (1919): a price announced at an auction
          as the lowest that will be considered

   reservist
          [re.serv.ist] n (1876): a member of a military reserve

   reservoir
          [res.er.voir] n [F reservoir, fr. MF, fr. reserver] (1690)
          1: a place where something is kept in store: as a: an
          artificial lake where water is collected and kept in
          quantity for use b: a part of an apparatus in which a
          liquid is held c: supply, store <a large ~ of educated
          people> 2: an extra supply: reserve 3: an organism in
          which a parasite that is pathogenic for some other species
          lives and multiplies without damaging its host; also:
          a noneconomic organism within which a pathogen of economic
          or medical importance flourishes

   reset
          [re.set] vt -set ; -set.ting (1655) 1: to set again or anew
          <~ type> <~ a diamond> <~ a circuit breaker> 2: to change
          the reading of often to zero <~ an odometer> -- re.set
          n -- re.set.table adj

   res gestae
          [res ges.tae] n pl [L] (1616): things done; esp: the facts
          that form the environment of a litigated issue and are
          admissible in evidence

   resh
          [resh] n [Heb resh] (ca. 1823): the 20th letter of the Hebrew
          alphabet

   reshape
          [re.shape] vt (1827): to give a new form or orientation to:
          reorganize -- re.shap.er n

   reshuffle
          [re.shuf.fle] vt (1830) 1: to shuffle (as cards) again 2:
          to reorganize usu. by the redistribution of existing
          elements <the cabinet was reshuffled by the prime minister>
          -- reshuffle n

   resid
          [re.sid] n (1967): residual oil

   reside
          [re.side] vi re.sid.ed ; re.sid.ing [ME, fr. MF or L; MF
          resider, fr. L residere to sit back, remain, abide, fr.
          re- + sedere to sit--more at sit] (15c) 1 a: to be in
          residence as the incumbent of a benefice or office b:
          to dwell permanently or continuously: occupy a place
          as one's legal domicile 2 a: to be present as an element
          or quality b: to be vested as a right -- re.sid.er n

   residence
          [res.i.dence] n (14c) 1 a: the act or fact of dwelling in
          a place for some time b: the act or fact of living or
          regularly staying at or in some place for the discharge
          of a duty or the enjoyment of a benefit 2 a (1): the
          place where one actually lives as distinguished from
          one's domicile or a place of temporary sojourn (2): domicile
          2a b: the place where a corporation is actually or officially
          established c: the status of a legal resident 3 a: a
          building used as a home: dwelling b: housing or a unit
          of housing provided for students 4 a: the period or duration
          of abode in a place b: a period of active and esp. full-time
          study, research, or teaching at a college or university
          -- in residence : engaged to live and work at a particular
          place often for a specified time <poet in residence at
          a university>

   residence time
          [residence time] n (1954): the duration of persistence of
          a mass or substance in a medium or place

   residency
          [res.i.den.cy] n, pl -cies (1579) 1: a usu. official place
          of residence 2: a territory in a protected state in which
          the powers of the protecting state are executed by a
          resident agent 3: a period of advanced training in a
          medical specialty after graduation from medical school
          and licensing to practice medicine

   [1]resident
          [res.i.dent] adj [ME, fr. L resident-, residens, prp. of
          residere] (14c) 1 a: living in a place for some length
          of time: residing b: serving in a regular or full-time
          capacity <the ~ engineer for a highway department>; also:
          being in residence 2: present, inherent 3: not migratory
          [2]resident n (15c) 1: one who resides in a place 2:
          a diplomatic agent residing at a foreign court or seat
          of government; esp: one exercising authority in a protected
          state as representative of the protecting power 3: a
          physician serving a residency

   resident commissioner
          [resident commissioner] n (1902) 1: a nonvoting representative
          of a dependency in the U.S. House of Representatives
          2: a resident administrator in a British colony or possession

   residential
          [res.i.den.tial] adj (1654) 1 a: used as a residence or by
          residents b: providing living accommodations for students
          <a ~ college> 2: restricted to or occupied by residences
          <a ~ neighborhood> 3: of or relating to residence or
          residences -- res.i.den.tial.ly adv

   [1]residual
          [re.sid.u.al] n [L residuum residue] (1557) 1: remainder,
          residuum: as a: the difference between results obtained
          by observation and by computation from a formula or between
          the mean of several observations and any one of them
          b: a residual product or substance c: an internal aftereffect
          of experience or activity that influences later behavior;
          esp: a disability remaining from a disease or operation
          2: a payment (as to an actor or writer) for each rerun
          after an initial showing (as of a TV show) [2]residual
          adj (1570) 1: of, relating to, or constituting a residue
          2: leaving a residue that remains effective for some
          time -- re.sid.u.al.ly adv

   residual oil
          [residual oil] n (ca. 1948): fuel oil that remains after
          the removal of valuable distillates (as gasoline) from
          petroleum and that is used esp. by industry--called also
          resid

   residual power
          [residual power] n (1919): power held to remain at the disposal
          of a governmental authority after an enumeration or delegation
          of specified powers to other authorities

   residuary
          [re.sid.u.ary] adj (1726): of, relating to, or constituting
          a residue <~ estate>

   residue
          [res.i.due] n [ME, fr. MF residu, fr. L residuum, fr. neut.
          of residuus left over, fr. residere to remain] (14c):
          something that remains after a part is taken, separated,
          or designated: remnant, remainder: as a: the part of
          a testator's estate remaining after the satisfaction
          of all debts, charges, allowances, and previous devises
          and bequests b: the remainder after subtracting a multiple
          of a modulus from an integer or a power of the integer
          that can appear as the second of the two terms in an
          appropriate congruence <2 and 7 are ~s of 12 modulo 5>
          c: a constituent structural unit (as a group or monomer)
          of a usu. complex molecule <amino acid ~s from hydrolysis
          of protein>

   residue class
          [residue class] n (1948): the set of elements (as integers)
          that leave the same remainder when divided by a given
          modulus

   residuum
          [re.sid.u.um] n, pl re.sid.ua [L] (1672): something residual:
          as a: residue a b: a residual product (as from the distillation
          of petroleum)

   resign
          [re.sign] vb [ME, fr. MF resigner, fr. L resignare, lit.,
          to unseal, cancel, fr. re- + signare to sign, seal--more
          at sign] vt (14c) 1: relegate, consign; esp: to give
          (oneself) over without resistance <~ed herself to her
          fate> 2: to give up deliberately; esp: to renounce (as
          a right or position) by a formal act ~ vi 1: to give
          up one's office or position: quit 2: to accept something
          as inevitable: submit syn see relinquish, abdicate --
          re.sign.ed.ly adv -- re.sign.ed.ness n -- re.sign.er
          n

   re-sign
          [re-sign] vt (1805): to sign again ~ vi: to sign up again

   resignation
          [res.ig.na.tion] n (14c) 1 a: an act or instance of resigning
          something: surrender b: a formal notification of resigning
          2: the quality or state of being resigned: submissiveness

   resile
          [re.sile] vi re.siled ; re.sil.ing [LL & L; LL resilire to
          withdraw, fr. L, to recoil] (1529): recoil, retract;
          esp: to return to a prior position

   resilience
          [re.sil.ience] n (1824) 1: the capability of a strained body
          to recover its size and shape after deformation caused
          esp. by compressive stress 2: an ability to recover from
          or adjust easily to misfortune or change

   resiliency
          [re.sil.ien.cy] n (ca. 1836): resilience

   resilient
          [re.sil.ient] adj [L resilient-, resiliens, prp. of resilire
          to jump back, recoil, fr. re- + salire to leap--more
          at sally] (1674): characterized or marked by resilience:
          as a: capable of withstanding shock without permanent
          deformation or rupture b: tending to recover from or
          adjust easily to misfortune or change syn see elastic
          -- re.sil.ient.ly adv

   [1]resin
          [res.in] n [ME, fr. MF resine, fr. L resina; akin to Gk rhetine
          pine resin] (14c) 1 a: any of various solid or semisolid
          amorphous fusible flammable natural organic substances
          that are usu. transparent or translucent and yellowish
          to brown, are formed esp. in plant secretions, are soluble
          in organic solvents (as ether) but not in water, are
          electrical nonconductors, and are used chiefly in varnishes,
          printing inks, plastics, and sizes and in medicine b:
          rosin 2 a: any of a large class of synthetic products
          that have some of the physical properties of natural
          resins but are different chemically and are used chiefly
          in plastics b: any various products made from a natural
          resin or a natural polymer -- res.in.ous adj [2]resin
          vt res.ined ; res.in.ing (1865): to treat with resin

   resinate
          [res.in.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (ca. 1890): to impregnate
          or flavor with resin

   resin canal
          [resin canal] n (1884): a tubular intercellular space in
          gymnosperms and some angiosperms that is lined with epithelial
          cells which secrete resin--called also resin duct

   resinoid
          [res.in.oid] n (1880): gum resin

   [1]resist
          [re.sist] vb [ME, fr. MF or L; MF resister, fr. L resistere,
          fr. re- + sistere to take a stand; akin to L stare to
          stand--more at stand] vi (14c): to exert force in opposition
          ~ vt 1: to exert oneself so as to counteract or defeat
          2: to withstand the force or effect of syn see oppose
          [2]resist n (1836): something (as a coating) that protects
          against a chemical, electrical, or physical action

   resistance
          [re.sis.tance] n (14c) 1 a: an act or instance of resisting:
          opposition b: a means of resisting 2: the ability to
          resist; esp: the inherent capacity of a living being
          to resist untoward circumstances (as disease, malnutrition,
          or toxic agents) 3: an opposing or retarding force 4
          a: the opposition offered by a body or substance to the
          passage through it of a steady electric current b: a
          source of resistance 5 often cap: an underground organization
          of a conquered or nearly conquered country engaging in
          sabotage and secret operations against occupation forces
          and collaborators

   [1]resistant
          [re.sis.tant] adj (15c): giving or capable of resistance--often
          used in combination <wrinkle-resistant clothes> [2]resistant
          n (1600): one that resists: resister

   resister
          [re.sist.er] n (14c): one that resists; esp: one who actively
          opposes the policies of a government

   resistibility
          [re.sist.ibil.i.ty] n (1617) 1: the quality or state of being
          resistible 2: ability to resist

   resistible
          [re.sist.ible] adj (1608): capable of being resisted

   resistive
          [re.sis.tive] adj (1603): marked by resistance--often used
          in combination <fire-resistive material> -- re.sis.tive.ly
          adv -- re.sis.tive.ness n

   resistivity
          [re.sis.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1885) 1: the longitudinal
          electrical resistance of a uniform rod of unit length
          and unit cross-sectional area: the reciprocal of conductivity
          2: capacity for resisting: resistance

   resistless
          [re.sist.less] adj (1586) 1: irresistible 2: offering no
          resistance -- re.sist.less.ly adv -- re.sist.less.ness
          n

   resistor
          [re.sis.tor] n (1905): a device that has electrical resistance
          and that is used in an electric circuit for protection,
          operation, or current control

   resitting
          [re.sit.ting] n (1661): a sitting (as of a legislature) for
          a second time: another sitting

   res judicata
          [res ju.di.ca.ta] n [L, judged matter] (1693): a matter finally
          decided on its merits by a court having competent jurisdiction
          and not subject to litigation again between the same
          parties

   resoluble
          [re.sol.u.ble] adj [LL resolubilis, fr. L resolvere to resolve,
          unloose] (1602): capable of being resolved

   [1]resolute
          [res.o.lute] adj [L resolutus, pp. of resolvere] (1533) 1:
          marked by firm determination: resolved 2: bold, steady
          syn see faithful -- res.o.lute.ly adv -- res.o.lute.ness
          n [2]resolute n (1602): a resolute person

   resolution
          [res.o.lu.tion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF resolution, fr. L
          resolution-, resolutio, fr. resolvere] (14c) 1: the act
          or process of reducing to simpler form: as a: the act
          of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones b: the
          act of answering: solving c: the act of determining d:
          the passing of a voice part from a dissonant to a consonant
          tone or the progression of a chord from dissonance to
          consonance e: the separating of a chemical compound or
          mixture into its constituents f (1): the division of
          a prosodic element into its component parts (2): the
          substitution in Greek or Latin prosody of two short syllables
          for a long syllable g: the analysis of a vector into
          two or more vectors of which it is the sum h: the process
          or capability of making distinguishable the individual
          parts of an object, closely adjacent optical images,
          or sources of light 2: the subsidence of a pathological
          state (as inflammation) 3 a: something that is resolved
          <made a ~ to mend my ways> b: firmness of resolve 4:
          a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent voted
          by an official body or assembled group 5: the point in
          a literary work at which the chief dramatic complication
          is worked out syn see courage

   [1]resolve
          [re.solve] vb re.solved ; re.solv.ing [ME, fr. L resolvere
          to unloose, dissolve, fr. re- + solvere to loosen, release--more
          at solve] vt (14c) 1 obs: dissolve, melt 2 a: break up,
          separate <the prism resolved the light into a play of
          color>; also: to change by disintegration b: to reduce
          by analysis <~ the problem into simple elements> c: to
          distinguish between or make independently visible adjacent
          parts of d: to separate (a racemic compound or mixture)
          into the two components 3: to cause resolution of (a
          pathological state) 4 a: to deal with successfully: clear
          up <~ doubts> <~ a dispute> b: to find an answer to c:
          to make clear or understandable d: to find a mathematical
          solution of e: to split up (as a vector) into two or
          more components esp. in assigned directions 5: to reach
          a firm decision about <~ to get more sleep> <~ disputed
          points in a text> 6 a: to declare or decide by a formal
          resolution and vote b: to change by resolution or formal
          vote <the house resolved itself into a committee> 7:
          to make (as voice parts) progress from dissonance to
          consonance 8: to work out the resolution of (as a play)
          ~ vi 1: to become separated into component parts; also:
          to become reduced by dissolving or analysis 2: to form
          a resolution: determine 3: consult, deliberate 4: to
          progress from dissonance to consonance syn see decide
          -- re.solv.able adj -- re.solv.er n [2]resolve n (1591)
          1: fixity of purpose: resoluteness 2: something that
          is resolved 3: a legal or official determination; esp:
          a formal resolution

   resolvent
          [re.sol.vent] n (1851): a means of solving something (as
          an equation) -- resolvent adj

   resolving power
          [resolving power] n (1879) 1: the ability of an optical system
          to form distinguishable images of objects separated by
          small angular distances 2: the ability of a photographic
          film or plate to reproduce the fine detail of an optical
          image

   resonance
          [res.o.nance] n (15c) 1 a: the quality or state of being
          resonant b (1): a vibration of large amplitude in a mechanical
          or electrical system caused by a relatively small periodic
          stimulus of the same or nearly the same period as the
          natural vibration period of the system (2): the state
          of adjustment that produces resonance in a mechanical
          or electrical system 2 a: the intensification and enriching
          of a musical tone by supplementary vibration b: a quality
          imparted to voiced sounds by vibration in anatomical
          resonating chambers or cavities (as the mouth or the
          nasal cavity) c: a quality of richness or variety d:
          a quality of evoking response <how much ~ the scandal
          seems to be having --U.S. News & World Report> 3: the
          sound elicited on percussion of the chest 4: the conceptual
          alternation of a chemical species (as a molecule or ion)
          between two or more equivalent allowed structural representations
          differing only in the placement of electrons that aids
          in understanding the actual state of the species as an
          amalgamation of its possible structures and the usu.
          higher-than-expected stability of the species 5 a: the
          enhancement of an atomic, nuclear, or particle reaction
          or a scattering event by excitation of internal motion
          in the system b: magnetic resonance 6: an extremely short-lived
          elementary particle 7: a synchronous gravitational relationship
          of two celestial bodies (as moons) that orbit a third
          (as a planet) which can be expressed as a simple ratio
          of their orbital periods

   resonant
          [res.o.nant] adj (1592) 1: continuing to sound: echoing 2
          a: capable of inducing resonance b: relating to or exhibiting
          resonance 3 a: intensified and enriched by or as if by
          resonance b: marked by grandiloquence -- resonant n --
          res.o.nant.ly adv

   resonate
          [res.o.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L resonatus, pp. of resonare
          to resound--more at resound] vi (1873) 1: to produce
          or exhibit resonance 2: to respond as if by resonance
          <~ to the music>; also: to have a repetitive pattern
          that resembles resonance 3: to relate harmoniously ~
          vt: to subject to resonating

   resonator
          [res.o.na.tor] n (ca. 1869): something that resounds or resonates:
          as a: a hollow metallic container for producing microwaves
          or a piezoelectric crystal put into oscillation by the oscillations
          of an outside source b: a device for increasing the resonance
          of a musical instrument

   resorb
          [re.sorb] vb [L resorbere, fr. re- + sorbere to suck up--more
          at absorb] vt (1640) 1: to swallow or suck in again 2:
          to break down and assimilate (something previously differentiated)
          ~ vi: to undergo resorption

   resorcin
          [res.or.cin] n [ISV res- (fr. L resina resin) + orcin, a
          phenol ] (ca. 1868): resorcinol

   resorcinol
          [res.or.cin.ol] n (1881): a crystalline phenol obtained from
          various resins or artificially and used esp. in making
          dyes, pharmaceuticals, and resins

   resorption
          [re.sorp.tion] n [L resorbere] (ca. 1820): the action or
          process of resorbing something -- re.sorp.tive adj

   re-sort
          [re-sort] vt (1889): to sort again

   [1]resort
          [re.sort] n [ME, fr. MF, resource, recourse, fr. resortir
          to rebound, resort, fr. OF, fr. re- + sortir to escape,
          sally] (14c) 1 a: one that affords aid or refuge: resource
          <went to them as a last ~> b: recourse 2 a: frequent,
          habitual, or general visiting <a place of popular ~>
          b: persons who frequent a place: throng c (1): a frequently
          visited place: haunt (2): a place providing recreation
          and entertainment esp. to vacationers syn see resource
          [2]resort vi (15c) 1: to go esp. frequently or habitually:
          repair 2: to have recourse <~ to force>

   resorter
          [re.sort.er] n (1917): a frequenter of resorts

   resound
          [re.sound] vb [ME resounen, fr. MF resoner, fr. L resonare,
          fr. re- + sonare to sound--more at sound] vi (14c) 1:
          to become filled with sound: reverberate 2 a: to sound
          loudly b: to produce a sonorous or echoing sound 3: to
          become renowned ~ vt 1: to extol loudly or widely: celebrate
          2: echo, reverberate 3: to sound or utter in full resonant
          tones

   resounding
          [re.sound.ing] adj (15c) 1: producing or characterized by
          resonant sound: resonating 2 a: impressively sonorous
          b: emphatic, unequivocal <a ~ success> -- re.sound.ing.ly
          adv

   resource
          [re.source] n [F ressource, fr. OF ressourse relief, resource,
          fr. resourdre to relieve, lit., to rise again, fr. L
          resurgere--more at resurrection] (1611) 1 a: a source
          of supply or support: an available means--usu. used in
          pl. b: a natural source of wealth or revenue--often used
          in pl. c: computable wealth--usu. used in pl. d: a source
          of information or expertise 2: something to which one
          has recourse in difficulty: expedient 3: a possibility
          of relief or recovery 4: a means of spending one's leisure
          time 5: an ability to meet and handle a situation: resourcefulness
          syn resource, resort, expedient, shift, makeshift, stopgap mean
          something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source
          of supply. resource and resort apply to anything one falls back
          upon <exhausted all of their resources> <a last resort>. expedient
          may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one
          is not at hand or not possible <a flimsy expedient>. shift implies
          a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient <desperate shifts
          to stave off foreclosure>. makeshift implies an inferior expedient
          adopted because of urgent need or countenanced through indifference
          <old equipment employed as a makeshift>. stopgap applies
          to something used temporarily as an emergency measure <a new law
          intended only as a stopgap>.

   resourceful
          [re.source.ful] adj (1851): able to meet situations: capable
          of devising ways and means -- re.source.ful.ly adv --
          re.source.ful.ness n

   resp
          [resp] abbreviation respective, respectively

   [1]respect
          [re.spect] n [ME, fr. L respectus, lit., act of looking back,
          fr. respicere to look back, regard, fr. re- + specere
          to look--more at spy] (14c) 1: a relation or reference
          to a particular thing or situation <remarks having ~
          to an earlier plan> 2: an act of giving particular attention:
          consideration 3 a: high or special regard: esteem b:
          the quality or state of being esteemed c pl: expressions
          of respect or deference <paid our ~s> 4: particular,
          detail <a good plan in some ~s> -- in respect of chiefly
          Brit: with respect to: concerning -- in respect to :
          with respect to: concerning -- with respect to : with
          reference to: in relation to [2]respect vt (1560) 1 a:
          to consider worthy of high regard: esteem b: to refrain
          from interfering with 2: to have reference to: concern
          syn see regard -- re.spect.er n

   [1]respectable
          [re.spect.able] adj (1599) 1: worthy of respect: estimable
          2: decent or correct in character or behavior: proper
          3 a: fair in size or quantity <~ amount> b: moderately
          good: tolerable 4: fit to be seen: presentable <~ clothes>
          -- re.spect.abil.i.ty n -- re.spect.able.ness n -- re.spect.ably
          adv [2]respectable n (1814): a respectable person

   respectful
          [re.spect.ful] adj (1687): marked by or showing respect or
          deference -- re.spect.ful.ly adv -- re.spect.ful.ness
          n

   respecting
          [re.spect.ing] prep (1611) 1: in view of: considering 2:
          with respect to: concerning

   respective
          [re.spec.tive] adj (1592) 1 obs: partial, discriminative
          2: particular, separate <their ~ homes> -- re.spec.tive.ness
          n

   respectively
          [re.spec.tive.ly] adv (1605) 1: in particular: separately
          <could not recognize the solutions as salty or sour,
          ~> 2: in the order given <Mary and Anne were ~ 12 and
          16 years old>

   respell
          [re.spell] vt (1806): to spell again or in another way; esp:
          to spell out according to a phonetic system -- re.spell.ing
          n

   respice finem
          [re.spi.ce fi.nem] [L] foreign term : look to the end: consider
          the outcome

   respirable
          [re.spi.ra.ble] adj (1779): fit for breathing; also: capable
          of being taken in by breathing <~ particles of ash>

   respiration
          [res.pi.ra.tion] n [ME respiracioun, fr. L respiration-,
          respiratio, fr. respirare] (15c) 1 a: the placing of
          air or dissolved gases in intimate contact with the circulating
          medium of a multicellular organism (as by breathing)
          b: a single complete act of breathing 2: the physical
          and chemical processes by which an organism supplies
          its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism
          and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing
          reactions 3: any of various energy-yielding oxidative reactions
          in living matter -- re.spi.ra.to.ry adj

   respirator
          [res.pi.ra.tor] n (1836) 1: a device worn over the mouth
          or nose for protecting the respiratory tract 2: a device
          for maintaining artificial respiration

   respiratory pigment
          [respiratory pigment] n (1896): any of various permanently
          or intermittently colored conjugated proteins and esp.
          hemoglobin that function in the transfer of oxygen in
          cellular respiration

   respiratory quotient
          [respiratory quotient] n (ca. 1890): a ratio indicating the
          relation of the volume of carbon dioxide given off in
          respiration to that of the oxygen consumed

   respiratory system
          [respiratory system] n (1940): a system of organs subserving
          the function of respiration and in air-breathing vertebrates
          consisting typically of the lungs and their nervous and
          circulatory supply and the channels by which these are
          continuous with the outer air

   respire
          [re.spire] vb re.spired ; re.spir.ing [ME, fr. L respirare,
          fr. re- + spirare to blow, breathe] vi (15c) 1: breathe;
          specif: to inhale and exhale air successively 2 of a
          cell or tissue: to take up oxygen and produce carbon
          dioxide through oxidation ~ vt: breathe

   respirometer
          [res.pi.rom.e.ter] n (ca. 1883): an instrument for studying
          the character and extent of respiration -- res.pi.ro.met.ric
          adj -- res.pi.rom.e.try n

   [1]respite
          [re.spite] n [ME respit, fr. OF, fr. ML respectus, fr. L,
          act of looking back--more at respect] (13c) 1: a period
          of temporary delay; esp: reprieve 1b 2: an interval of
          rest or relief [2]respite vt re.spit.ed ; re.spit.ing
          (14c) 1: to grant a respite to 2: put off, delay

   resplendence
          [re.splen.dence] n (15c): the quality or state of being
          resplendent: splendor

   resplendency
          [re.splen.den.cy] n (1611): resplendence

   resplendent
          [re.splen.dent] adj [L resplendent-, resplendens, prp. of
          resplendere to shine back, fr. re- + splendere to shine--more
          at splendid] (15c): shining brilliantly: characterized
          by a glowing splendor <meadows ~ with wildflowers --Outdoor
          World> syn see splendid -- re.splen.dent.ly adv

   [1]respond
          [re.spond] n (15c): an engaged pillar supporting an arch
          or closing a colonnade or arcade [2]respond vb [MF respondre,
          fr. L respondere to promise in return, answer, fr. re-
          + spondere to promise--more at spouse] vi (1719) 1: to
          say something in return: make an answer <~ to criticism>
          2 a: to react in response <~ed to a call for help> b:
          to show favorable reaction <~ to surgery> 3: to be answerable
          <~ in damages> ~ vt: reply syn see answer -- re.spond.er
          n

   [1]respondent
          [re.spon.dent] n [L respondent-, respondens, prp. of respondere]
          (1528) 1: one who responds: as a: one who maintains a
          thesis in reply b (1): one who answers in various legal
          proceedings (as in equity cases) (2): the prevailing
          party in the lower court c: a person who responds to
          a poll 2: a reflex that occurs in response to a specific
          external stimulus--compare operant [2]respondent adj
          (1726) 1: making response: responsive; esp: being a respondent
          at law 2: relating to or being behavior or responses
          to a stimulus that are followed by a reward <~
          conditioning>--compare operant 3

   response
          [re.sponse] n [ME & L; ME respounse, fr. MF respons, fr.
          L responsum reply, fr. neut. of responsus, pp. of respondere]
          (14c) 1: an act of responding 2: something constituting
          a reply or a reaction: as a: a verse, phrase, or word
          sung or said by the people or choir after or in reply
          to the officiant in a liturgical service b: the activity
          or inhibition of previous activity of an organism or
          any of its parts resulting from stimulation c: the output
          of a transducer or detecting device resulting from a
          given input

   responsibility
          [re.spon.si.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1787) 1: the quality or
          state of being responsible: as a: moral, legal, or mental
          accountability b: reliability, trustworthiness 2: something
          for which one is responsible: burden

   responsible
          [re.spon.si.ble] adj (1643) 1 a: liable to be called on to
          answer b (1): liable to be called to account as the primary
          cause, motive, or agent <a committee ~ for the job> (2):
          being the cause or explanation <mechanical defects were
          ~ for the accident> c: liable to legal review or in case
          of fault to penalties 2 a: able to answer for one's conduct
          and obligations: trustworthy b: able to choose for oneself
          between right and wrong 3: marked by or involving responsibility
          or accountability <~ financial policies> <a ~ job> 4:
          politically answerable; esp: required to submit to the
          electorate if defeated by the legislature--used esp.
          of the British cabinet -- re.spon.si.ble.ness n -- re.spon.si.bly
          adv syn responsible, answerable, accountable, amenable,
          liable mean subject to being held to account. responsible
          implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust <the
          bureau responsible for revenue collection>. answerable
          suggests a relation between one having a moral or legal
          obligation and a court or other authority charged with
          oversight of its observance <an intelligence agency answerable
          to Congress>. accountable suggests imminence of retribution
          for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation <elected
          officials are accountable to the voters>. amenable and
          liable stress the fact of subjection to review, censure,
          or control by a designated authority under certain conditions
          <laws are amenable to judicial review> <not liable for
          the debts of the former spouse>.

   responsions
          [re.spon.sions] n pl [ME responcioun response, sum to be
          paid, fr. MF or ML; MF responsion, fr. ML responsion-,
          responsio, fr. L, answer, fr. respondere] (1813): an
          examination required for matriculation as an undergraduate
          at Oxford

   responsive
          [re.spon.sive] adj (15c) 1: giving response: constituting
          a response: answering <a ~ glance> <~ aggression> 2:
          quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically:
          sensitive 3: using responses <~ worship> -- re.spon.sive.ly
          adv -- re.spon.sive.ness n

   responsory
          [re.spon.so.ry] n, pl -ries [ME, fr. ML responsorius, fr.
          L respondere] (15c): a set of versicles and responses
          sung or said after or during a lection

   responsum
          [re.spon.sum] n, pl -sa [NL, fr. L, reply, response] (1896):
          a written decision from a rabbinic authority in response
          to a submitted question or problem

   res publica
          [res pu.bli.ca] n [L--more at republic] (ca. 1898) 1: commonwealth,
          state, republic 2: commonweal

   ressentiment
          [res.sen.ti.ment] n [F, resentment, fr. ressentir to resent--more
          at resent] (1941): deep-seated resentment, frustration,
          and hostility accompanied by a sense of being powerless
          to express these feelings directly

   [1]rest
          [rest] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG rasta rest and perh. to
          OHG ruowa calm] (bef. 12c) 1: repose, sleep; specif:
          a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and
          metabolic activities 2 a: freedom from activity or labor
          b: a state of motionlessness or inactivity c: the repose
          of death 3: a place for resting or lodging 4: peace of
          mind or spirit 5 a (1): a rhythmic silence in music (2):
          a character representing such a silence b: a brief pause
          in reading 6: something used for support -- at rest 1:
          resting or reposing esp. in sleep or death 2: quiescent,
          motionless 3: free of anxieties [2]rest vi (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to get rest by lying down; esp: sleep b: to lie
          dead 2: to cease from action or motion: refrain from
          labor or exertion 3: to be free from anxiety or disturbance
          4: to sit or lie fixed or supported <a column ~s on its
          pedestal> 5 a: to remain confident: trust <cannot ~ on
          that assumption> b: to be based or founded <the verdict
          ~ed on several sound precedents> 6: to remain for action
          or accomplishment <the answer ~s with you> 7 of farmland:
          to remain idle or uncropped 8: to bring to an end voluntarily
          the introduction of evidence in a law case ~ vt 1: to
          give rest to 2: to set at rest 3: to place on or against
          a support 4: to cause to be firmly fixed <~ed all hope
          in his child> 5: to stop voluntarily from presenting
          evidence pertinent to (a case at law) -- rest.er n [3]rest
          n [ME reste, lit., stoppage, short for areste, fr. MF,
          fr. OF, fr. arester to arrest] (14c): a projection or
          attachment on the side of the breastplate of medieval
          armor for supporting the butt of a lance [4]rest n [ME,
          fr. MF reste, fr. rester to remain, fr. L restare, fr.
          re- + stare to stand--more at stand] (15c): something
          that remains over: remainder <ate the ~ of the candy>
          -- for the rest : with regard to remaining issues or
          needs

   restart
          [re.start] vt (1845) 1: to start anew 2: to resume (as an
          activity) after interruption ~ vi: to resume operation
          -- re.start n -- re.start.able adj

   restate
          [re.state] vt (ca. 1713): to state again or in another way

   restatement
          [re.state.ment] n (1803) 1: something that is restated 2:
          the act of restating

   restaurant
          [res.tau.rant] n [F, fr. prp. of restaurer to restore, fr.
          L restaurare] (1827): a business establishment where
          meals or refreshments may be procured

   restaurateur
          [res.tau.ra.teur] also res.tau.ran.teur n [F restaurateur,
          fr. LL restaurator restorer, fr. L restaurare] (1796):
          the operator or proprietor of a restaurant

   restful
          [rest.ful] adj (14c) 1: marked by, affording, or suggesting
          rest and repose <a ~ color scheme> 2: being at rest:
          quiet syn see comfortable -- rest.ful.ly adv -- rest.ful.ness
          n

   rest home
          [rest home] n (1926): an establishment that provides housing
          and general care for the aged or the convalescent

   rest house
          [rest house] n (1807): a building used for shelter by travelers

   resting
          [rest.ing] adj (14c) 1: being or characterized by dormancy:
          quiescent <a ~ spore> <bulbs in the ~ state> 2: not undergoing
          or marked by division: vegetative <a ~ nucleus>

   restitute
          [res.ti.tute] vb -tut.ed ; -tut.ing [L restitutus, pp. of
          restituere] vt (ca. 1500) 1: to restore to a former state
          or position 2: give back; esp: refund ~ vi: to undergo
          restitution

   restitution
          [res.ti.tu.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L restitution-, restitutio,
          fr. restituere to restore, fr. re- + statuere to set
          up--more at statute] (14c) 1: an act of restoring or
          a condition of being restored: as a: a restoration of
          something to its rightful owner b: a making good of or
          giving an equivalent for some injury 2: a legal action
          serving to cause restoration of a previous state

   restive
          [res.tive] adj [ME restyf, fr. MF restif, fr. rester to stop
          behind, remain] (15c) 1: stubbornly resisting control:
          balky 2: marked by impatience: fidgety syn see contrary
          -- res.tive.ly adv -- res.tive.ness n

   restless
          [rest.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1: lacking or denying rest: uneasy
          <a ~ night> 2: continuously moving: unquiet <the ~ sea>
          3: characterized by or manifesting unrest esp. of mind
          <~ pacing>; also: changeful, discontented -- rest.less.ly
          adv -- rest.less.ness n

   rest mass
          [rest mass] n (1914): the mass of a body exclusive of additional
          mass the body acquires by its motion according to the
          theory of relativity

   restorable
          [re.stor.able] adj (1611): fit for restoring or reclaiming

   restoral
          [re.stor.al] n (1611): restoration

   restoration
          [res.to.ra.tion] n (14c) 1: an act of restoring or the condition
          of being restored: as a: a bringing back to a former
          position or condition: reinstatement <the ~ of peace>
          b: restitution c: a restoring to an unimpaired or improved
          condition <the ~ of a painting> d: the replacing of missing
          teeth or crowns 2: something that is restored; esp: a
          representation or reconstruction of the original form
          (as of a fossil or a building) 3 cap a: the reestablishing
          of the monarchy in England in 1660 under Charles II b:
          the period in English history usu. held to coincide with
          the reign of Charles II but sometimes to extend through
          the reign of James II

   [1]restorative
          [re.stor.ative] adj (14c): of or relating to restoration;
          esp: having power to restore [2]restorative n (15c):
          something that serves to restore to consciousness, vigor,
          or health

   restore
          [re.store] vt re.stored ; re.stor.ing [ME, fr. OF restorer,
          fr. L restaurare to renew, rebuild, alter. of instaurare
          to renew] (14c) 1: give back, return 2: to put or bring
          back into existence or use 3: to bring back to or put
          back into a former or original state: renew 4: to put
          again in possession of something syn see renew -- re.stor.er
          n

   restrain
          [re.strain] vt [ME restraynen, fr. MF restraindre, fr. L
          restringere to restrain, restrict, fr. re- + stringere
          to bind tight--more at strain] (14c) 1 a: to prevent
          from doing, exhibiting, or expressing something <~ed
          the child from jumping> b: to limit, restrict, or keep
          under control <try to ~ your anger> 2: to moderate or
          limit the force, effect, development, or full exercise
          of <~ trade> 3: to deprive of liberty; esp: to place
          under arrest or restraint -- re.strain.able adj -- re.strain.er
          n syn restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back
          from or control in doing something. restrain suggests
          holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from
          going to extremes <restrained themselves from laughing>.
          check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity,
          or impetus <trying to check government spending>. curb
          suggests an abrupt or drastic checking <learn to curb
          your appetite>. bridle implies keeping under control
          by subduing or holding in <bridle an impulse to throw
          the book down>.

   restrained
          [re.strained] adj (14c): marked by restraint: being without
          excess or extravagance -- re.strain.ed.ly adv

   restraining order
          [restraining order] n (ca. 1876) 1: a preliminary legal order
          sometimes issued to keep a situation unchanged pending
          decision upon an application for an injunction 2: a legal
          order issued against an individual to restrict or prohibit
          access or proximity to another specified individual

   restraint
          [re.straint] n [ME, fr. MF restrainte, fr. restraindre] (15c)
          1 a: an act of restraining: the state of being restrained
          b (1): a means of restraining: a restraining force or
          influence (2): a device that restricts movement <a ~
          for children riding in cars> 2: a control over the expression
          of one's emotions or thoughts

   restrict
          [re.strict] vt [L restrictus, pp. of restringere] (1535)
          1: to confine within bounds: restrain 2: to place under
          restrictions as to use or distribution syn see limit

   restricted
          [re.strict.ed] adj (ca. 1828): subject or subjected to restriction:
          as a: not general: limited <the decision had a ~ effect>
          b: available to the use of particular groups or specif. excluding
          others <a ~ country club> c: not intended for general circulation
          or release <a ~ document> -- re.strict.ed.ly adv

   restriction
          [re.stric.tion] n [ME restriccioun, fr. LL restriction-,
          restrictio, fr. L restringere] (15c) 1: something that
          restricts: as a: a regulation that restricts or restrains
          <~s for hunters> b: a limitation on the use or enjoyment
          of property or a facility 2: an act of restricting: the
          condition of being restricted

   restriction enzyme
          [restriction enzyme] n (1965): any of various enzymes that
          break DNA into fragments at specific sites in the interior
          of the molecule--called also restriction endonuclease

   restrictionism
          [re.stric.tion.ism] n (1937): a policy or philosophy favoring
          restriction (as of trade or immigration) -- re.stric.tion.ist
          adj or n

   restrictive
          [re.stric.tive] adj (1579) 1 a: of or relating to restriction
          b: serving or tending to restrict <~ regulations> 2:
          limiting the reference of a modified word or phrase 3:
          prohibiting further negotiation -- restrictive n --
          re.stric.tive.ly adv -- re.stric.tive.ness n

   restrictive clause
          [restrictive clause] n (ca. 1895): a descriptive clause that
          is essential to the definiteness of the word it modifies
          (as that you ordered in "the book that you ordered is
          out of print")

   restrike
          [re.strike] n (1899): a coin or medal struck from an original
          die at some time after the original issue

   rest room
          [rest room] n (1899): a room or suite of rooms providing
          toilets and lavatories

   restructure
          [re.struc.ture] vt (1942): to change the makeup, organization,
          or pattern of ~ vi: to restructure something

   [1]result
          [re.sult] vi [ME, fr. ML resultare, fr. L, to rebound, fr.
          re- + saltare to leap--more at saltation] (15c) 1 a:
          to proceed or arise as a consequence, effect, or conclusion
          <death ~ed from the disease> b: to have an issue or result
          <the disease ~ed in death> 2: revert 2 [2]result n (1647)
          1: something that results as a consequence, issue, or
          conclusion; also: beneficial or tangible effect: fruit
          2: something obtained by calculation or investigation
          -- re.sult.ful adj -- re.sult.less adj

   [1]resultant
          [re.sul.tant] adj (1639): derived from or resulting from
          something else -- re.sul.tant.ly adv [2]resultant n (1815):
          something that results: outcome; specif: the single vector
          that is the sum of a given set of vectors

   resume
          [re.sume] vb re.sumed ; re.sum.ing [ME, fr. MF or L; MF resumer,
          fr. L resumere, fr. re- + sumere to take up, take--more
          at consume] vt (15c) 1: to assume or take again: reoccupy
          <resumed his seat by the fire --Thomas Hardy> 2: to return
          to or begin again after interruption <resumed her work>
          3: to take back to oneself 4: to pick up again 5: reiterate,
          summarize ~ vi: to begin again something interrupted
          re.su.me n [F resume, fr. pp. of resumer to resume, summarize,
          fr. MF resumer] (1804) 1: summary 2: curriculum vitae

   resumption
          [re.sump.tion] n [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF resomption, fr. LL
          resumption-, resumptio, fr. L resumere] (15c) 1: an act
          or instance of resuming: recommencement 2: a return to
          payment in specie

   resupinate
          [re.su.pi.nate] adj [L resupinatus, pp. of resupinare to
          bend back to a supine position, fr. re- + supinus supine]
          (ca. 1776) 1: inverted in position <~ orchid flowers>
          2: having or being a fruiting body lying flat on the
          substrate with the hymenium at the periphery or over
          the whole surface <~ fungi> <~ sporophores>

   resurface
          [re.sur.face] vt (1894): to provide with a new or fresh surface
          ~ vi: to come again to the surface (as of the water);
          broadly: to appear or show up again -- re.sur.fac.er
          n

   resurgam
          [re.sur.gam] [L] foreign term : I shall rise again

   resurge
          [re.surge] vi re.surged ; re.surg.ing [L resurgere] (1575):
          to undergo a resurgence

   resurgence
          [re.sur.gence] n (ca. 1834): a rising again into life, activity,
          or prominence: renascence

   resurgent
          [re.sur.gent] adj [L resurgent-, resurgens, prp. of resurgere]
          (1808): undergoing or tending to produce resurgence

   resurrect
          [res.ur.rect] vt [back-formation fr. resurrection] (1772)
          1: to raise from the dead 2: to bring to view, attention,
          or use again

   resurrection
          [res.ur.rec.tion] n [ME, fr. LL resurrection-, resurrectio
          act of rising from the dead, fr. resurgere to rise from
          the dead, fr. L, to rise again, fr. re- + surgere to
          rise--more at surge] (14c) 1 a cap: the rising of Christ
          from the dead b often cap: the rising again to life of
          all the human dead before the final judgment c: the state
          of one risen from the dead 2: resurgence, revival 3 Christian
          Science: a spiritualization of thought: material belief
          that yields to spiritual understanding -- res.ur.rec.tion.al
          adj

   resurrectionist
          [res.ur.rec.tion.ist] n (1776) 1: body snatcher 2: one who
          resurrects

   resuscitate
          [re.sus.ci.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [L resuscitatus, pp.
          of resuscitare to reawaken, fr. re- + suscitare to rouse,
          fr. sub-, sus- up + citare to put in motion, stir--more
          at sub-, cite] vt (1532): to revive from apparent death
          or from unconsciousness; also: revitalize ~ vi: come
          to, revive -- re.sus.ci.ta.tion n -- re.sus.ci.ta.tive
          adj

   resuscitator
          [re.sus.ci.ta.tor] n (ca. 1843): one that resuscitates; specif:
          an apparatus used to restore respiration (as to a partially
          asphyxiated person)

   ret
          [ret] vb ret.ted ; ret.ting [ME, fr. MD] vt (14c): to soak
          (as flax) to loosen the fiber from the woody tissue ~
          vi: to become retted

   ret
          [ret] abbreviation retain, retired, return

   retable
          [re.ta.ble] n [F, fr. MF, modif. of OProv retaule, alter.
          of reretaule, ultim. fr. L retro- + tabula board, tablet]
          (ca. 1823): a raised shelf above an altar for the altar
          cross, the altar lights, and flowers

   [1]retail
          [re.tail] vb [ME, fr. MF retaillier to cut back, divide into
          pieces, fr. OF, fr. re- + taillier to cut--more at tailor]
          vt (15c) 1: to sell in small quantities directly to the
          ultimate consumer 2: tell, retell ~ vi: to sell at retail
          -- re.tail.er n [2]re.tail n (15c): the sale of commodities
          or goods in small quantities to ultimate consumers; also:
          the industry of such selling -- at retail 1: at a retailer's
          price 2: [4]retail [3]re.tail adj (1601): of, relating
          to, or engaged in the sale of commodities at retail <~
          trade> [4]re.tail adv (1784): in small quantities: from
          a retailer

   retailing
          [re.tail.ing] n (14c): the activities involved in the selling
          of goods to ultimate consumers for personal or household
          consumption

   retain
          [re.tain] vt [ME reteinen, retainen, fr. MF retenir, fr.
          L retinere to hold back, keep, restrain, fr. re- + tenere
          to hold--more at thin] (15c) 1 a: to keep in possession
          or use b: to keep in one's pay or service; specif: to
          employ by paying a retainer c: to keep in mind or memory:
          remember 2: to hold secure or intact syn see keep

   retained object
          [retained object] n (ca. 1904): an object of a verb in the
          predicate of a passive construction (as me in "a book
          was given me" and book in "I was given a book")

   [1]retainer
          [re.tain.er] n (1540) 1 a: a person attached or owing service
          to a household; esp: servant b: employee 2: one that
          retains 3: any of various devices used for holding something
          [2]retainer n [ME reteiner act of withholding, fr. reteinen
          + AF -er (as in weyver waiver)] (1775) 1: the act of
          a client by which the services of a lawyer, counselor,
          or adviser are engaged 2: a fee paid to a lawyer or professional
          adviser for advice or services or for a claim on services
          when needed

   [1]retake
          [re.take] vt -took ; -tak.en ; -tak.ing (15c) 1: to take
          or receive again 2: recapture 3: to photograph again
          [2]re.take n (1916): a subsequent filming, photographing,
          or recording undertaken to improve upon the first; also:
          an instance of this

   retaliate
          [re.tal.i.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [LL retaliatus, pp. of
          retaliare, fr. L re- + talio legal retaliation] vt (1611):
          to repay (as an injury) in kind ~ vi: to return like
          for like; esp: to get revenge syn see reciprocate --
          re.tal.i.a.tion n -- re.tal.i.a.tive adj -- re.tal.ia.to.ry
          adj

   [1]retard
          [re.tard] vb [ME, fr. MF or L; MF retarder, fr. L retardare,
          fr. re- + tardus slow] vt (15c) 1: to slow up esp. by
          preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment: impede
          2: to delay academic progress by failure to promote ~
          vi: to undergo retardation syn see delay -- re.tard.er
          n [2]re.tard n (1788) 1: a holding back or slowing down:
          retardation 2: a retarded person; also: a person held
          to resemble a retarded person in behavior--often taken
          to be offensive

   retardant
          [re.tar.dant] adj (1642): serving or tending to retard <a
          growth-retardant substance> -- retardant n

   retardate
          [re.tar.date] n (1915): a mentally retarded person

   retardation
          [re.tar.da.tion] n (15c) 1: an act or instance of retarding
          2: the extent to which something is retarded 3: a musical
          suspension; specif: one that resolves upward 4 a: an
          abnormal slowness of thought or action; also: less than
          normal intellectual competence usu. characterized by
          an IQ of less than 70 b: slowness in development or progress

   retarded
          [re.tard.ed] adj (1895): slow or limited in intellectual
          or emotional development or academic progress

   retch
          [retch] vb [(assumed) ME rechen to spit, retch, fr. OE hraecan
          to spit, hawk; akin to ON hraekja to spit] vt (ca. 1798):
          vomit 1 ~ vi: to make an effort to vomit; also: vomit
          -- retch n

   retd
          [retd] abbreviation retained, retired, returned

   rete
          [re.te] n, pl re.tia [NL, fr. L, net] (1541) 1: a network
          esp. of blood vessels or nerves: plexus 2: an anatomical
          part resembling or including a network

   retell
          [re.tell] vt -told ; -tell.ing (1593) 1: to tell again or
          in another form 2: to count again

   retelling
          [re.tell.ing] n (1883): a new version of a story <a ~ of
          a Greek legend>

   retention
          [re.ten.tion] n [ME retencioun, fr. L retention-, retentio,
          fr. retinere to retain--more at retain] (14c) 1 a: the
          act of retaining: the state of being retained b: abnormal
          retaining of a fluid or secretion in a body cavity 2
          a: power of retaining: retentiveness b: an ability to
          retain things in mind; specif: a preservation of the
          aftereffects of experience and learning that makes recall
          or recognition possible 3: something retained

   retentive
          [re.ten.tive] adj [ME retentif, fr. MF & ML; MF, fr. ML retentivus,
          fr. L retentus, pp. of retinere] (14c): having the power, property,
          or capaci ty of retaining <soils ~ of moisture>; esp: retaining
          knowledge easily -- re.ten.tive.ly adv -- re.ten.tive.ness n

   retentivity
          [re.ten.tiv.i.ty] n (1881): the power of retaining; specif:
          the capacity for retaining magnetism after the action
          of the magnetizing force has ceased

   retenue
          [re.te.nue] [F] foreign term : self-restraint: reserve

   rethink
          [re.think] vb -thought ; -think.ing vt (1700): to think about
          again: reconsider ~ vi: to engage in reconsideration
          -- re.think n -- re.think.er n

   reticence
          [ret.i.cence] n (1603) 1: the quality or state of being reticent:
          reserve, restraint 2: an instance of being reticent 3:
          reluctance 1

   reticency
          [ret.i.cen.cy] n, pl -cies (1617): reticence

   reticent
          [ret.i.cent] adj [L reticent-, reticens, prp. of reticere
          to keep silent, fr. re- + tacere to be silent--more at
          tacit] (ca. 1834) 1: inclined to be silent or uncommunicative
          in speech: reserved 2: restrained in expression, presentation,
          or appearance <the room has an aspect of ~ dignity --A.
          N. Whitehead> 3: reluctant syn see silent -- ret.i.cent.ly
          adv

   reticle
          [ret.i.cle] n [L reticulum network] (ca. 1731): a scale on
          transparent material (as in an optical instrument) used
          esp. for measuring or aiming

   reticular
          [re.tic.u.lar] adj (1597) 1 a: reticulate b: of, relating
          to, or forming a reticulum 2: intricate

   reticular formation
          [reticular formation] n (1887): a mass of nerve cells and
          fibers situated primarily in the brain stem and functioning
          upon stimulation esp. in arousal of the organism

   [1]reticulate
          [re.tic.u.late] adj [L reticulatus, fr. reticulum] (1658)
          1: resembling a net; esp: having veins, fibers, or lines
          crossing <a ~ leaf> 2: being or involving evolutionary
          change dependent on genetic recombination involving diverse
          interbreeding populations -- re.tic.u.late.ly adv [2]re.tic.u.late
          vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [back-formation fr. reticulated, adj.,
          reticulate] vt (1787): to divide, mark, or construct so as to form
          a network ~ vi: to become reticulated

   reticulation
          [re.tic.u.la.tion] n (1671): a reticulated formation: network;
          also: something reticulated

   reticule
          [ret.i.cule] n [F reticule, fr. L reticulum network, network
          bag, fr. dim. of rete net] (ca. 1738) 1: reticle 2: a
          woman's drawstring bag used esp. as a carryall

   reticulocyte
          [re.tic.u.lo.cyte] n [NL reticulum + ISV -cyte] (1922): an
          immature red blood cell that appears esp. during regeneration
          of lost blood and has a fine basophilic reticulum formed
          of ribosomal remains

   reticuloendothelial
          [re.tic.u.lo.en.do.the.li.al] adj [NL reticulum + endothelium]
          (ca. 1923): of, relating to, or being the reticuloendothelial
          system

   reticuloendothelial system
          [reticuloendothelial system] n (ca. 1923): a diffuse system
          of cells arising from mesenchyme and comprising all the
          phagocytic cells of the body except the circulating white
          blood cells

   reticulum
          [re.tic.u.lum] n [NL, fr. L, network] (ca. 1658) 1: the second
          compartment of the stomach of a ruminant in which folds
          of the mucous membrane form hexagonal cells--compare
          abomasum, omasum, rumen 2: a reticular structure: network;
          esp: interstitial tissue composed of reticulum cells

   reticulum cell
          [reticulum cell] n (1912): one of the branched anastomosing
          reticuloendothelial cells that form an intricate interstitial
          network ramifying through other tissues and organs

   retin-
          [retin-] or retino- comb form [retina] 1: retina <retinitis>
          <retinoscopy> 2: retinol <retinoid>

   retina
          [ret.i.na] n, pl retinas or ret.i.nae [ME rethina, fr. ML
          retina, prob. fr. L rete net] (14c): the sensory membrane
          that lines the eye, is composed of several layers including
          one containing the rods and cones, and functions as the
          immediate instrument of vision by receiving the image
          formed by the lens and converting it into chemical and
          nervous signals which reach the brain by way of the optic
          nerve--see eye illustration

   retinaculum
          [ret.i.nac.u.lum] n, pl -la [NL, fr. L, halter, cable, fr.
          retinere to hold back--more at retain] (ca. 1825): a
          small structure on the forewings of many lepidopterous
          insects (as a noctuid moth) that catches and holds the
          frenulum

   [1]retinal
          [ret.i.nal] adj (1838): of, relating to, involving, or being
          a retina [2]ret.i.nal n [retin- + [3]-al] (1944): a yellowish
          to orange aldehyde derived from vitamin A that in combination
          with proteins forms the visual pigments of the retinal
          rods and cones

   retinene
          [ret.i.nene] n (1934): retinal

   retinitis
          [ret.i.ni.tis] n [NL] (1861): inflammation of the retina

   retinitis pigmentosa
          [retinitis pig.men.to.sa] n [NL, pigmented retinitis] (1861):
          any of several hereditary progressive degenerative diseases
          of the eye marked by night blindness in the early stages,
          atrophy and pigment changes in the retina, constriction
          of the visual field, and eventual blindness

   retinoblastoma
          [ret.i.no.blas.to.ma] n [retin- + blast- + -oma] (1924):
          a malignant tumor of the retina that develops during
          childhood, is derived from retinal germ cells, and is
          associated with a chromosomal abnormality

   retinoic acid
          [ret.i.no.ic acid] n (1965): an acid derived from vitamin
          A and used esp. in the treatment of acne

   retinoid
          [ret.i.noid] n (1976): any of various synthetic or naturally
          occurring analogues of vitamin A

   retinol
          [ret.i.nol] n [retin- + [1]-ol; fr. its being the source
          of retinal] (1960): the chief and typical vitamin A

   retinopathy
          [ret.i.nop.a.thy] n (1932): any of various noninflammatory
          disorders of the retina including some that cause blindness

   retinoscopy
          [ret.i.nos.co.py] n (1884): observation of the retina of
          the eye esp. to determine the state of refraction

   retinotectal
          [ret.i.no.tec.tal] adj [retin- + tectum + [1]-al] (1951):
          of, relating to, or being the nerve fibers connecting
          the retina and the tectum of the midbrain <~ pathways>

   retinue
          [ret.i.nue] n [ME retenue, fr. MF, fr. fem. of retenu, pp.
          of retenir to retain] (14c): a group of retainers or
          attendants

   retinula
          [re.tin.u.la] n, pl -lae also -las [NL, dim. of ML retina]
          (1878): the neural receptor of a single facet of an arthropod
          compound eye -- re.tin.u.lar adj

   retirant
          [re.tir.ant] n (1948): retiree

   retire
          [re.tire] vb re.tired ; re.tir.ing [MF retirer, fr. re- +
          tirer to draw] vi (1533) 1: to withdraw from action or
          danger: retreat 2: to withdraw esp. for privacy 3: to
          move back: recede 4: to withdraw from one's position
          or occupation: conclude one's working or professional
          career 5: to go to bed ~ vt 1: withdraw: as a: to march
          (a military force) away from the enemy b: to withdraw
          from circulation or from the market: recall c: to withdraw
          from usual use or service 2: to cause to retire from
          one's position or occupation 3 a: to put out (a batter
          or batsman) in baseball or cricket b: to cause (a side)
          to end a turn at bat in baseball 4: to win permanent
          possession of (as a trophy)

   retired
          [re.tired] adj (1590) 1: secluded <~ village> 2: withdrawn
          from one's position or occupation: having concluded one's
          working or professional career 3: received by or due
          to one in retirement -- re.tired.ly adv -- re.tired.ness
          n

   retiree
          [re.tir.ee] n (1945): a person who has retired from a working
          or professional career

   [1]retirement
          [re.tire.ment] n (1596) 1 a: an act of retiring: the state
          of being retired b: withdrawal from one's position or
          occupation or from active working life c: the age at
          which one normally retires <reaches ~ in May> 2: a place
          of seclusion or privacy [2]retirement adj (1919): of,
          relating to, or designed for retired persons

   retiring
          [re.tir.ing] adj (1766): reserved, shy -- re.tir.ing.ly adv
          -- re.tir.ing.ness n

   retool
          [re.tool] vt (1927) 1: to reequip with tools 2: reorganize

   [1]retort
          [re.tort] vb [L retortus, pp. of retorquere, lit., to twist
          back, hurl back, fr. re- + torquere to twist--more at
          torture] vt (ca. 1557) 1: to pay or hurl back: return
          <~ an insult> 2 a: to make a reply to b: to say in reply
          3: to answer (as an argument) by a counter argument ~
          vi 1: to answer back usu. sharply 2: to return an argument
          or charge 3: retaliate syn see answer [2]retort n (1600):
          a quick, witty, or cutting reply; esp: one that turns
          back or counters the first speaker's words [3]re.tort
          n [MF retorte, fr. ML retorta, fr. L, fem. of retortus;
          fr. its shape] (1605): a vessel or chamber in which substances
          are distilled or decomposed by heat [4]re.tort vt (1850):
          to treat (as oil shale) by heating in a retort

   retort pouch
          [re.tort pouch] n (1977): a flexible package in which prepared
          food is hermetically sealed for long-term unrefrigerated
          storage

   [1]retouch
          [re.touch] vb [F retoucher, fr. MF, fr. re- + toucher to
          touch] vt (1685) 1: to rework in order to improve: touch
          up 2: to alter (as a photographic negative) to produce
          a more desirable appearance 3: to color (new growth of
          hair) to match previously dyed, tinted, or bleached hair
          ~ vi: to make or give retouches -- re.touch.er n [2]re.touch
          n (1703): the act, process, or an instance of retouching;
          esp: the retouching of a new growth of hair

   retract
          [re.tract] vb [ME, fr. L retractus, pp. of retrahere--more
          at retreat] vt (15c) 1: to draw back or in <cats ~ their
          claws> 2 a: take back, withdraw <~ a confession> b: disavow
          ~ vi 1: to draw or pull back 2: to recant or disavow
          something syn see abjure, recede -- re.tract.able adj

   retractile
          [re.trac.tile] adj (1777): capable of being drawn back or
          in <~ claws> -- re.trac.til.i.ty n

   retraction
          [re.trac.tion] n (14c) 1: an act of recanting; specif: a
          statement made by one retracting 2: an act of retracting:
          the state of being retracted 3: the ability to retract

   retractor
          [re.trac.tor] n (1837): one that retracts: as a: a surgical
          instrument for holding open the edges of a wound b: a
          muscle that draws in an organ or part

   retrain
          [re.train] vt (1918): to train again or anew ~ vi: to become
          trained again -- re.train.able adj

   retral
          [re.tral] adj [L retro back--more at retro-] (1875) 1: situated
          at or toward the back: posterior 2: backward, retrograde
          -- re.tral.ly adv

   retranslate
          [re.trans.late] vt (1860): to translate (a translation) into
          another language; also: to give a new form to ~ vi: to
          retranslate something -- re.trans.la.tion n

   re-tread
          [re-tread] vt -trod ; -trod.den or -trod ; -tread.ing (1598):
          to tread again

   [1]retread
          [re.tread] vt re.tread.ed ; re.tread.ing (1907) 1: to bond
          or vulcanize a new tread to the prepared surface of (a
          worn tire) 2: to make over as if new <~ an old plot>
          [2]re.tread n (1914) 1: a retreaded tire 2: something
          made or done again esp. in slightly revised form: remake
          3 a: one (as a retired person) who is retrained for work
          b: one (as an athlete) who has previously held the same
          or a similar position

   [1]retreat
          [re.treat] n [ME retret, fr. MF retrait, fr. pp. of retraire
          to withdraw, fr. L retrahere, fr. re- + trahere to draw]
          (14c) 1 a (1): an act or process of withdrawing esp.
          from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable (2):
          the process of receding from a position or state attained
          <the ~ of a glacier> <the slow ~ of an epidemic> b (1):
          the usu. forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or
          from an advanced position (2): a signal for retreating
          c (1): a signal given by bugle at the beginning of a
          military flag-lowering ceremony (2): a military flag-lowering
          ceremony 2: a place of privacy or safety: refuge 3: a
          period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study,
          and instruction under a director [2]retreat vi (15c)
          1: to make a retreat: withdraw 2: to slope backward ~
          vt: to draw or lead back: remove; specif: to move (a
          piece) back in chess syn see recede -- re.treat.er n

   retreatant
          [re.treat.ant] n (1880): a person on a religious retreat

   retrench
          [re.trench] vb [obs. F retrencher (now retrancher), fr. MF
          retrenchier, fr. re- + trenchier to cut] vt (1625) 1
          a: cut down, reduce b: to cut out: excise 2: to pare
          away: remove ~ vi: to make retrenchments; specif: economize
          syn see shorten

   retrenchment
          [re.trench.ment] n (ca. 1600): reduction, curtailment; specif:
          a cutting of expenses

   retrial
          [re.tri.al] n (1875): a second trial, experiment, or test;
          specif: a second judicial trial

   retribution
          [ret.ri.bu.tion] n [ME retribucioun, fr. MF retribution,
          fr. LL retribution-, retributio, fr. L retribuere to
          pay back, fr. re- + tribuere to pay--more at tribute]
          (14c) 1: recompense, reward 2: the dispensing or receiving
          of reward or punishment esp. in the hereafter 3: something
          given or exacted in recompense; esp: punishment

   retributive
          [re.trib.u.tive] adj (1678): of, relating to, or marked by
          retribution -- re.trib.u.tive.ly adv

   retributory
          [re.trib.u.to.ry] adj (ca. 1615): retributive

   retrieval
          [re.triev.al] n (ca. 1643) 1: an act or process of retrieving
          2: possibility of being retrieved or of recovering <beyond
          ~>

   [1]retrieve
          [re.trieve] vb re.trieved ; re.triev.ing [ME retreven, modif.
          of MF retrouver to find again, fr. re- + trouver to find,
          fr. (assumed) VL tropare to find, compose--more at troubadour]
          vt (15c) 1: to discover and bring in (killed or wounded
          game) 2: to call to mind again 3: to get back again:
          regain 4 a: rescue, salvage b: to return (as a ball or
          shuttlecock that is difficult to reach) successfully
          5: restore, revive <his writing ~s the past> 6: to remedy
          the evil consequences of: correct 7: to get and bring
          back; esp: to recover (as information) from storage ~
          vi: to bring in game <a dog that ~s well>; also: to bring
          back an object thrown by a person -- re.triev.abil.i.ty
          n -- re.triev.able adj [2]retrieve n (1575) 1: retrieval
          2: the successful return of a ball that is difficult
          to reach or control (as in tennis)

   retriever
          [re.triev.er] n (15c): one that retrieves; esp: a dog of
          any of several breeds (as a golden retriever) having
          a heavy water-resistant coat and used esp. for retrieving
          game

   retro
          [ret.ro] adj [F retro, short for retrospectif retrospective]
          (1974): relating to, reviving, or being the styles or
          esp. the fashions of the past: fashionably nostalgic
          or old-fashioned <a ~ look>

   retro-
          [retro-] prefix [ME, fr. L, fr. retro, fr. re- + -tro (as
          in intro within)--more at intro-] 1: backward: back <retro-rocket>
          2: situated behind <retroperitoneal>

   retroaction
          [ret.ro.ac.tion] n (ca. 1738) 1 [retroactive]: retroactive
          operation (as of a law or tax) 2 [retro- + action]: a
          reciprocal action: reaction

   retroactive
          [ret.ro.ac.tive] adj [F retroactif, fr. L retroactus, pp.
          of retroagere to drive back, reverse, fr. retro- + agere
          to drive--more at agent] (1611): extending in scope or
          effect to a prior time or to conditions that existed
          or originated in the past; esp: made effective as of
          a date prior to enactment, promulgation, or imposition
          <~ tax> -- ret.ro.ac.tive.ly adv -- ret.ro.ac.tiv.i.ty
          n

   retrocede
          [ret.ro.cede] vb -ced.ed ; -ced.ing [L retrocedere, fr. retro-
          + cedere to go, cede] vi (1654): to go back: recede ~
          vt [F retroceder, fr. ML retrocedere, fr. L retro- +
          cedere to cede]: to cede back (as a territory) -- ret.ro.ces.sion
          n

   retrodict
          [ret.ro.dict] vt [retro- + predict] (1949): to utilize present
          information or ideas to infer or explain (a past event
          or state of affairs) <~ past eclipses> -- ret.ro.dic.tion
          n -- ret.ro.dic.tive adj

   retro-engine
          [ret.ro-engine] n (1965): retro-rocket

   retrofire
          [ret.ro.fire] vt (1961): to cause (a retro-rocket) to become
          ignited ~ vi, of a retro-rocket: to become ignited --
          retrofire n

   retrofit
          [ret.ro.fit] vt (1953) 1: to furnish (as a computer, airplane,
          or building) with new or modified parts or equipment
          not available or considered necessary at the time of
          manufacture 2: to install (new or modified parts or equipment)
          in something previously manufactured or constructed --
          retrofit n

   retroflex
          [ret.ro.flex] adj [NL retroflexus, fr. L retro- + flexus,
          pp. of flectere to bend] (1776) 1: turned or bent abruptly
          backward 2: articulated with the tongue tip turned up
          or curled back just under the hard palate <~ vowel>

   retroflexion
          [ret.ro.flex.ion] or ret.ro.flec.tion n (1845) 1: the state
          of being bent back; esp: the bending back of an organ
          (as a uterus) upon itself 2: the act or process of bending
          back 3: retroflex articulation

   retrogradation
          [ret.ro.gra.da.tion] n (ca. 1545): the action or process
          of retrograding

   [1]retrograde
          [ret.ro.grade] adj [ME, fr. L retrogradus, fr. retrogradi]
          (14c) 1 a (1) of a celestial body: having a direction
          contrary to that of the general motion of similar bodies
          (2): having or being a direction of rotation or revolution
          that is clockwise as viewed from the north pole of the
          sky or a planet b: moving, occurring, or performed in
          a backward direction or opposite to the usual direction
          <a ~ step> <~ peristalsis> c: contrary to the normal
          order: inverse 2: tending toward or resulting in a worse
          or previous state 3 archaic: contradictory, opposed 4:
          characterized by retrogression 5: affecting a period
          prior to a precipitating cause <~ amnesia> 6: retro --
          ret.ro.grade.ly adv [2]retrograde adv (ca. 1619): backward,
          reversely [3]retrograde vb [L retrogradi, fr. retro-
          + gradi to go--more at grade] vt (1582) archaic: to turn
          back: reverse ~ vi 1 a: to go back: retreat b: to go
          back over or recapitulate something 2: to decline to
          a worse condition

   retrogress
          [ret.ro.gress] vi [L retrogressus, pp. of retrogradi] (1819):
          to move backward: revert

   retrogression
          [ret.ro.gres.sion] n (1646) 1: regression 3 2: return to
          a former and less complex level of development or organization

   retrogressive
          [ret.ro.gres.sive] adj (1802): characterized by retrogression:
          as a: going or directed backward b: declining from a
          better to a worse state c: passing from a higher to a
          lower level of organization <~ evolution> -- ret.ro.gres.sive.ly
          adv

   retropack
          [ret.ro.pack] n (1962): a system of auxiliary rockets on
          a spacecraft that produces thrust in the direction opposite
          to the motion of the spacecraft and that is used to reduce
          speed

   retroperitoneal
          [ret.ro.per.i.to.ne.al] adj (1874): situated behind the peritoneum
          -- ret.ro.per.i.to.ne.al.ly adv

   retroreflection
          [ret.ro.re.flec.tion] n (ca. 1965): the action or use of
          a retroreflector -- ret.ro.re.flec.tive adj

   retroreflector
          [ret.ro.re.flec.tor] n (1946): a device that reflects radiation
          (as light) so that the paths of the rays are parallel
          to those of the incident rays

   retro-rocket
          [ret.ro-rock.et] n (1957): an auxiliary rocket engine (as
          on a spacecraft) used in decelerating

   retrorse
          [re.trorse] adj [L retrorsus, contr. of retroversus] (ca.
          1825): bent backward or downward

   [1]retrospect
          [ret.ro.spect] n [prob. fr. retro- + prospect] (1602) 1 archaic:
          reference to or regard of a precedent or authority 2:
          a review of or meditation on past events -- in retrospect
          : in considering the past or a past event [2]retrospect
          adj (1709): retrospective [3]retrospect vi (1659) 1:
          to engage in retrospection 2: to refer back: reflect
          ~ vt: to go back over in thought

   retrospection
          [ret.ro.spec.tion] n (1674): the act or process or an instance
          of surveying the past

   [1]retrospective
          [ret.ro.spec.tive] adj (1664) 1 a (1): of, relating to, or
          given to retrospection (2): based on memory <a ~ report>
          b: being a retrospective <a ~ exhibition> 2: affecting
          things past: retroactive -- ret.ro.spec.tive.ly adv
          [2]retrospective n (1932): a generally comprehensive exhibition
          or performance of the work of an artist over a span of years

   retrousse
          [re.trous.se] adj [F, fr. pp. of retrousser to tuck up, fr.
          MF, fr. re- + trousser to truss, tuck up--more at truss]
          (1802): turned up <~ nose>

   retroversion
          [ret.ro.ver.sion] n [L retroversus turned backward, fr. retro-
          + versus, pp. of vertere to turn--more at worth] (1776)
          1: the bending backward of the uterus and cervix 2: the
          act or process of turning back or regressing

   retrovirus
          [ret.ro.vi.rus] n (1975): any of a group of RNA-containing
          viruses (as HIV) that produce reverse transcriptase by
          means of which DNA is produced using their RNA as a template
          and incorporated into the genome of infected cells and
          that include numerous tumorigenic viruses -- ret.ro.vi.ral
          adj

   retsina
          [ret.si.na] n [NGk, perh. fr. It resina resin, fr. L--more
          at resin] (1940): a resin-flavored Greek wine

   [1]return
          [re.turn] vb [ME retournen, fr. MF retourner, fr. re- + tourner
          to turn--more at turn] vi (14c) 1 a: to go back or come
          back again <~ home> b: to go back in thought or practice:
          revert <soon ~ed to her old habit> 2: to pass back to
          an earlier possessor 3: reply, retort ~ vt 1 a: to give
          (as an official account) to a superior b Brit: to elect
          (a candidate) as attested by official report or returns
          c: to bring back (as a writ or verdict) to an office
          or tribunal 2 a: to bring, send, or put back to a former
          or proper place <~ the gun to its holster> b: to restore
          to a former or to a normal state 3 a: to send back: visit--usu.
          used with on or upon b obs: retort 4: to bring in (as
          profit): yield 5 a: to give or perform in return: repay
          <~ a compliment> b: to give back to the owner c: reflect
          <~ an echo> 6: to cause (as a wall) to continue in a
          different direction (as at a right angle) 7: to lead
          (a specified suit or specified card of a suit) in response
          to a partner's earlier lead 8 a: to hit back (a ball
          or shuttlecock) b: to run with (a football) after a change
          of possession (as by a punt or a fumble) syn see reciprocate
          -- re.turn.er n [2]return n (14c) 1 a: the act of coming
          back to or from a place or condition b: a regular or
          frequent returning: recurrence 2 a (1): the delivery
          of a legal order (as a writ) to the proper officer or
          court (2): an endorsed certificate stating an official's
          action in the execution of such an order (3): the sending
          back of a commission with the certificate of the commissioners
          b: an account or formal report c (1): a report of the
          results of balloting--usu. used in pl. <election ~s>
          (2): an official declaration of the election of a candidate
          (3) chiefly Brit: election d (1): a formal statement
          on a required legal form showing taxable income, allowable
          deductions and exemptions, and the computation of the
          tax due (2): a list of taxable property 3 a: the continuation
          usu. at a right angle of the face or of a member of a
          building or of a molding or group of moldings b: a turn,
          bend, or winding back (as in a rod, stream, or trench)
          c: a means for conveying something (as water) back to
          its starting point 4 a: a quantity of goods, consignment,
          or cargo coming back in exchange for goods sent out as
          a mercantile venture b: the value of or profit from such
          venture c (1): the profit from labor, investment, or
          business: yield (2) pl: results d: the rate of profit
          in a process of production per unit of cost 5 a: the
          act of returning something to a former place, condition,
          or ownership: restitution b: something returned; esp,
          pl: unsold publications returned to the publisher for
          cash or credit 6 a: something given in repayment or reciprocation
          b: answer, retort 7: an answering play: as a: a lead
          in a suit previously led by one's partner in a card game
          b: the action or an instance of returning a ball (as
          in football or tennis) -- in return : in compensation
          or repayment [3]return adj (1676) 1 a: having or formed
          by a change of direction <a ~ facade> b: doubled on itself
          <a ~ flue> 2: played, delivered, or given in return:
          taking place for the second time <a ~ meeting for the
          two champions> 3: used or taken on returning <the ~ road>
          4: returning or permitting return <a ~ valve> 5: of,
          relating to, or causing a return to a place or condition

   [1]returnable
          [re.turn.able] adj (15c) 1: legally required to be returned,
          delivered, or argued at a specified time or place <a
          writ ~ on the date indicated> 2 a: capable of returning
          or of being returned (as for reuse) b: permitted to be
          returned [2]returnable n (1963): something designed to
          be returned (as for recycling); esp: a returnable beverage
          container

   returnee
          [re.turn.ee] n (1944): one who returns; esp: one returning
          to the U.S. after military service overseas

   retuse
          [re.tuse] adj [L retusus blunted, fr. pp. of retundere to
          pound back, blunt, fr. re- + tundere to beat, pound--more
          at contusion] (ca. 1753): having the apex rounded or
          obtuse with a slight notch

   [1]Reuben
          [Reu.ben] n [Heb Re'ubhen]: a son of Jacob and the traditional
          eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel [2]Reuben
          n [prob. fr. Reuben Kulakofsky d. 1960 Am. grocer] (1956):
          a grilled sandwich of corned beef, Swiss cheese, and
          sauerkraut usu. on rye bread [3]Reuben n [Reuben L. Goldberg
          d. 1970 Am. cartoonist] (1958): a statuette awarded annually
          by a professional organization for notable achievement
          in cartoon artistry

   reunion
          [re.union] n (1610) 1: an act of reuniting: the state of
          being reunited 2: a reuniting of persons after separation

   reunionist
          [re.union.ist] n (1866): an advocate of reunion (as of sects
          or parties) -- re.union.is.tic adj

   reunite
          [re.unite] vb [ML reunitus, pp. of reunire, fr. L re- + LL
          unire to unite--more at unite] vt (15c): to bring together
          again ~ vi: to come together again: rejoin

   re-up
          [re-up] vi [re- + sign up] (ca. 1906): to enlist again

   reusable
          [re.us.able] adj (1943): capable of being used again or repeatedly
          -- re.us.abil.i.ty n

   [1]reuse
          [re.use] vt (1843): to use again esp. after reclaiming or
          reprocessing <the need to ~ scarce resources> [2]reuse
          n (1866): further or repeated use

   [1]rev
          [rev] n [short for revolution] (ca. 1890): a revolution of
          a motor [2]rev vb revved ; rev.ving vt (1920) 1 a: to
          step up the number of revolutions per minute of--often
          used with up <~ up the engine> b: increase--used with
          up <~ up production> 2: to drive or operate esp. at high
          speed--often used with up 3: to make more active or effective--used
          with up 4: to stir up: excite--usu. used with up ~ vi 1: to operate
          at an increased speed of revolution--usu. used with
          up 2: to increase in amount or activity--used with up

   rev
          [rev] abbreviation revenue, reverse, review, reviewed, revised,
          revision, revolution  Rev abbreviation Revelation, reverend

   revaluate
          [re.val.u.ate] vt [back-formation fr. revaluation] (1921):
          revalue; specif: to increase the value of (as currency)
          -- re.val.u.a.tion n

   revalue
          [re.val.ue] vt (1592) 1: to value (as currency) anew 2: to
          make a new valuation of: reappraise

   revamp
          [re.vamp] vt (1850) 1: remake, revise 2: renovate, reconstruct
          -- re.vamp n

   revanche
          [re.vanche] n [F, fr. MF, alter. of revenche--more at revenge]
          (1882): revenge; esp: a usu. political policy designed
          to recover lost territory or status -- re.vanch.ism n

   [1]revanchist
          [re.vanch.ist] n (1926): one who advocates a policy of revanche
          [2]revanchist adj (1948): of or relating to a policy
          of revanche

   revascularization
          [re.vas.cu.lar.i.za.tion] n (1951): a surgical procedure
          for the provision of a new, additional, or augmented
          blood supply to a body part or organ

   Revd
          [Revd] Brit abbreviation reverend

   [1]reveal
          [re.veal] vt [ME revelen, fr. MF reveler, fr. L revelare
          to uncover, reveal, fr. re- + velare to cover, veil,
          fr. velum veil] (14c) 1: to make known through divine
          inspiration 2: to make (something secret or hidden) publicly
          or generally known <~ a secret> 3: to open up to view:
          display <the uncurtained window ~ed a cluttered room>
          -- re.veal.able adj -- re.veal.er n syn reveal, disclose,
          divulge, tell, betray mean to make known what has been
          or should be concealed. reveal may apply to supernatural
          or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of
          ordinary human vision or reason <divine will as revealed
          in sacred writings>. disclose may imply a discovering
          but more often an imparting of information previously
          kept secret <candidates must disclose their financial
          assets>. divulge implies a disclosure involving some
          impropriety or breach of confidence <refused to divulge
          an anonymous source>. tell implies an imparting of necessary
          or useful information <told them what he had overheard>.
          betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of
          faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure <a
          blush that betrayed her embarrassment>. [2]reveal n [alter.
          of earlier revale, fr. ME revalen to lower, fr. MF revaler,
          fr. re- + val valley--more at vale] (1688): the side
          of an opening (as for a window) between a frame and the
          outer surface of a wall; also: jamb

   revealing
          [re.veal.ing] adj (ca. 1925): allowing a look at
          or an understanding of something inner or hidden: insightful
          -- re.veal.ing.ly adv

   revealment
          [re.veal.ment] n (1584): an act of revealing

   revegetate
          [re.veg.e.tate] vt (1804): to provide (barren or denuded
          land) with a new vegetative cover -- re.veg.e.ta.tion
          n

   reveille
          [rev.eil.le] n [modif. of F reveillez, imper. pl. of reveiller
          to awaken, fr. MF reveiller, fr. re- + eveiller to awaken,
          fr. (assumed) VL exvigilare, fr. L ex- + vigilare to
          keep watch, stay awake--more at vigilant] (1644) 1: a
          signal to get up mornings 2: a bugle call at about sunrise
          signaling the first military formation of the day; also:
          the formation so signaled

   [1]revel
          [rev.el] vi -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling [ME, fr.
          MF reveler, lit., to rebel, fr. L rebellare] (14c) 1:
          to take part in a revel: carouse 2: to take intense pleasure
          or satisfaction [2]revel n (14c): a usu. wild party or
          celebration

   revelation
          [rev.e.la.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL revelation-, revelatio,
          fr. L revelare to reveal] (14c) 1 a: an act of revealing
          or communicating divine truth b: something that is revealed
          by God to humans 2 a: an act of revealing to view or
          making known b: something that is revealed; esp: an enlightening
          or astonishing disclosure <shocking ~s> c: a pleasant
          often enlightening surprise <her talent was a ~> 3 cap:
          an apocalyptic writing addressed to early Christians
          of Asia Minor and included as a book in the New Testament--called
          also Apocalypse

   Revelations
          [Rev.e.la.tions] n pl but sing in constr: revelation 3

   revelator
          [rev.e.la.tor] n (1801): one that reveals; esp: one that
          reveals the will of God

   revelatory
          [re.ve.la.to.ry] adj (1882): of or relating to revelation:
          serving to reveal something

   reveler
          [rev.el.er] or rev.el.ler n (14c): one who engages in revelry

   revelry
          [rev.el.ry] n (15c): noisy partying or merrymaking

   revenant
          [rev.e.nant] n [F, fr. prp. of revenir to return] (1827):
          one that returns after death or a long absence -- revenant
          adj

   [1]revenge
          [re.venge] vt re.venged ; re.veng.ing [ME, fr. MF revengier,
          fr. OF, fr. re- + vengier to avenge--more at vengeance]
          (14c) 1: to avenge (as oneself) usu. by retaliating in
          kind or degree 2: to inflict injury in return for <~
          an insult> -- re.veng.er n [2]revenge n [MF revenge,
          revenche, fr. revengier, revenchier to revenge] (ca.
          1547) 1: a desire for revenge 2: an act or instance of
          retaliating in order to get even 3: an opportunity for
          getting satisfaction

   revengeful
          [re.venge.ful] adj (ca. 1586): full of or prone to revenge:
          determined to get even -- re.venge.ful.ly adv -- re.venge.ful.ness
          n

   revenons a nos moutons
          [re.ve.nons a nos mou.tons] [F] foreign term : let us return
          to our sheep: let us get back to the subject

   revenue
          [rev.e.nue] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF, fr. revenir to return,
          fr. L revenire, fr. re- + venire to come--more at come]
          (15c) 1: the total income produced by a given source
          <a property expected to yield a large annual ~> 2: the
          gross income returned by an investment 3: the yield of
          sources of income (as taxes) that a political unit (as
          a nation or state) collects and receives into the treasury
          for public use 4: a government department concerned with
          the collection of the national revenue

   revenue bond
          [revenue bond] n (1856): a bond issued by a public agency
          authorized to build, acquire, or improve a revenue-producing
          property (as a toll road) and payable out of revenue
          derived from such property

   revenuer
          [rev.e.nu.er] n (1880): a revenue officer or boat

   revenue stamp
          [revenue stamp] n (1862): a stamp (as on a cigar box) for
          use as evidence of payment of a tax

   revenue tariff
          [revenue tariff] n (1820): a tariff intended wholly or primarily
          to produce public revenue--compare protective tariff

   reverb
          [re.verb] n [short for reverberation] (1953): an electronically
          produced echo effect in recorded music; also: a device
          for producing reverb

   reverberant
          [re.ver.ber.ant] adj (ca. 1798) 1: tending to reverberate
          2: marked by reverberation: resonant -- re.ver.ber.ant.ly
          adv

   [1]reverberate
          [re.ver.ber.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L reverberatus, pp.
          of reverberare, fr. re- + verberare to lash, fr. verber
          rod--more at vervain] vt (15c) 1: reflect 2: repel 3:
          echo ~ vi 1 a: to become driven back b: to become reflected
          2: to continue in or as if in a series of echoes: resound
          [2]re.ver.ber.ate adj (1603): reverberant

   reverberation
          [re.ver.ber.a.tion] n (14c) 1: an act of reverberating: the
          state of being reverberated 2 a: something that is reverberated
          b: an effect or impact that resembles an echo

   reverberative
          [re.ver.ber.a.tive] adj (1716) 1: constituting reverberation
          2: tending to reverberate: reverberant

   reverberatory
          [re.ver.ber.a.to.ry] adj (1605): acting by reverberation

   reverberatory furnace
          [reverberatory furnace] n (1672): a furnace in which heat
          is radiated from the roof onto the material treated

   [1]revere
          [re.vere] vt re.vered ; re.ver.ing [L revereri, fr. re- +
          vereri to fear, respect--more at wary] (ca. 1661): to
          show devoted deferential honor to: regard as worthy of
          great honor <~ the aged> <~ tradition> syn revere, reverence,
          venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly
          and respectfully. revere stresses deference and tenderness
          of feeling <a professor revered by generations of students>.
          reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability
          in the one honored and a corresponding depth of feeling
          in the one honoring <reverenced the academy's code of
          honor>. venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct
          because of character, association, or age <heroes still
          venerated>. worship implies homage usu. expressed in
          words or ceremony <worships their memory>. adore implies
          love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal
          attachment <a doctor adored by her patients>. [2]revere
          n [by alter.] (ca. 1934): revers

   [1]reverence
          [rev.er.ence] n (14c) 1: honor or respect felt or shown:
          deference; esp: profound adoring awed respect 2: a gesture
          of respect (as a bow) 3: the state of being revered 4:
          one held in reverence--used as a title for a clergyman
          syn see honor [2]reverence vt -enced ; -enc.ing (14c):
          to regard or treat with reverence syn see revere -- rev.er.enc.er
          n

   [1]reverend
          [rev.er.end] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L reverendus, gerundive
          of revereri] (15c) 1: worthy of reverence: revered 2
          a: of or relating to the clergy b: being a member of
          the clergy--used as a title <the Reverend Mr. Doe> <the
          Reverend John Doe> <the Reverend Mrs. Jane Doe> [2]reverend
          n (1608): a member of the clergy--sometimes used in pl.
          as a title

   reverent
          [rev.er.ent] adj [ME, fr. L reverent-, reverens, prp. of
          revereri] (14c): expressing or characterized by reverence:
          worshipful -- rev.er.ent.ly adv

   reverential
          [rev.er.en.tial] adj (ca. 1555) 1: expressing or having a
          quality of reverence <~ awe> 2: inspiring reverence --
          rev.er.en.tial.ly adv

   reverie
          [rev.er.ie] also rev.ery n, pl rev.er.ies [F reverie, fr.
          MF, delirium, fr. resver, rever to wander, be delirious]
          (1657) 1: daydream 2: the condition of being lost in
          thought

   revers
          [re.vers] n, pl re.vers [F, lit., reverse, fr. MF, fr. revers,
          adj.] (1869): a lapel esp. on a woman's garment

   reversal
          [re.ver.sal] n (15c) 1: an act or the process of reversing
          2: a conversion of a photographic positive into a negative
          or vice versa 3: a change of fortune usu. for the worse

   [1]reverse
          [re.verse] adj [ME revers, fr. MF, fr. L reversus, pp. of
          revertere to turn back--more at revert] (14c) 1 a: opposite
          or contrary to a previous or normal condition <~ order>
          b: having the back presented to the observer or opponent
          2: coming from the rear of a military force 3: acting,
          operating, or arranged in a manner contrary to the usual
          4: effecting reverse movement <~ gear> 5: so made that
          the part which normally prints in color appears white
          against a colored background -- re.verse.ly adv [2]reverse
          vb re.versed ; re.vers.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to turn completely
          about in position or direction b: to turn upside down:
          invert 2: annul: as a: to overthrow, set aside, or make
          void (a legal decision) by a contrary decision b: to
          cause to take an opposite point of view c: to change
          to the contrary <~ a policy> 3: to cause to go in the
          opposite direction; esp: to cause (as an engine) to perform
          its action in the opposite direction ~ vi 1: to turn
          or move in the opposite direction 2: to put a mechanism
          (as an engine) in reverse -- re.vers.er n -- reverse
          field : to make a sudden reversal in direction or opinion
          syn reverse, transpose, invert mean to change to the
          opposite position. reverse is the most general term and
          may imply change in order, side, direction, meaning <reversed
          his position on the trade agreement>. transpose implies
          a change in order or relative position of units often
          through exchange of position <transposed the letters
          to form an anagram>. invert applies chiefly to turning
          upside down or inside out <a stamp with an inverted picture
          of an airplane>. [3]reverse n (14c) 1: something directly
          contrary to something else: opposite 2: an act or instance
          of reversing; esp: defeat, setback 3: the back part of
          something 4 a (1): a gear that reverses something; also:
          the whole mechanism brought into play when such a gear
          is used (2): movement in reverse b: an offensive play
          in football in which a back moving in one direction gives
          the ball to a player moving in the opposite direction
          -- in reverse : in an opposite manner or direction

   reverse discrimination
          [reverse discrimination] n (1969): discrimination against
          whites or males (as in employment or education)

   reverse osmosis
          [reverse osmosis] n (1955): the movement of fresh water through
          a semipermeable membrane when pressure is applied to
          a solution (as seawater) on one side of it

   reverse transcriptase
          [reverse tran.scrip.tase] n (1971): a polymerase that catalyzes
          the formation of DNA using RNA as a template and that
          is found esp. in retroviruses

   reverse transcription
          [reverse transcription] n (1971): the process of synthesizing
          double-stranded DNA using RNA as a template and reverse
          transcriptase as a catalyst

   [1]reversible
          [re.vers.ible] adj (1648): capable of being reversed or of
          reversing: as a: capable of going through a series of
          actions (as changes) either backward or forward <a ~
          chemical reaction> b: having two finished usable sides
          <~ fabric> c: wearable with either side out <a ~ coat>
          -- re.vers.ibil.i.ty n -- re.vers.ibly adv [2]reversible
          n (1863): a reversible cloth or article of clothing

   reversion
          [re.ver.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L reversion-, reversio act
          of returning, fr. revertere] (15c) 1 a: the part of a
          simple estate remaining in the control of its owner after
          the owner has granted therefrom a lesser particular estate
          b: a future interest in property left in the control
          of a grantor or the grantor's successor 2: the right
          of succession or future possession or enjoyment 3 a:
          an act or the process of returning (as to a former condition)
          b: a return toward an ancestral type or condition: reappearance
          of an ancestral character 4: an act or instance of turning
          the opposite way: the state of being so turned 5: a product
          of reversion; specif: an organism with an atavistic character:
          throwback

   reversional
          [re.ver.sion.al] adj (1675): reversionary

   reversionary
          [re.ver.sion.ary] adj (1720): of, relating to, constituting,
          or involving esp. a legal reversion

   reversioner
          [re.ver.sion.er] n (1614): one that has or is entitled to
          a reversion; broadly: one having a vested right to a
          future estate

   revert
          [re.vert] vi [ME, fr. MF revertir, fr. L revertere, v.t.,
          to turn back & reverti, v.i., to return, come back, fr.
          re- + vertere, verti to turn--more at worth] (15c) 1:
          to come or go back (as to a former condition, period,
          or subject) 2: to return to the proprietor or his heirs
          at the end of a reversion 3: to return to an ancestral
          type -- re.vert.er n -- re.vert.ible adj

   revertant
          [re.ver.tant] n (1955): a mutant gene, individual, or strain
          that regai ns a former capability (as the production
          of a particular protein) by undergoing further mutation
          <yeast ~s> -- revertant adj

   revest
          [re.vest] vt (1561): reinstate, reinvest

   revet
          [re.vet] vt re.vet.ted ; re.vet.ting [F revetir, lit., to
          clothe again, dress up, fr. L revestire, fr. re- + vestire
          to clothe--more at vest] (1812): to face (as an embankment)
          with a revetment

   revetment
          [re.vet.ment] n (1779) 1: a facing (as of stone or concrete)
          to sustain an embankment 2: embankment; esp: a barricade
          to provide shelter (as against bomb fragments or strafing)

   [1]review
          [re.view] n [ME, fr. MF reveue, fr. revoir to look over,
          fr. re- + voir to see--more at view] (15c) 1 a: a formal
          military inspection b: a military ceremony honoring a
          person or an event 2: revision 1a 3: a general survey
          (as of the events of a period) 4: an act or the process
          of reviewing 5: judicial reexamination (as of the proceedings
          of a lower tribunal by a higher) 6 a: a critical evaluation
          (as of a book or play) b: a magazine devoted chiefly
          to reviews and essays 7 a: a retrospective view or survey
          (as of one's life) b (1): renewed study of material previously
          studied (2): an exercise facilitating such study 8: revue
          [2]re.view vb [in senses 1 & 2, fr. re- + view; in other
          senses, fr. [1]review] vt (1576) 1: to view or see again
          2: to examine or study again; esp: to reexamine judicially
          3: to look back on: take a retrospective view of 4 a:
          to go over or examine critically or deliberately <~ed
          the results of the study> b: to give a critical evaluation
          of <~ a novel> 5: to hold a review of <~ troops> ~ vi
          1: to study material again: make a review <~ for a test>
          2: to write reviews -- re.view.able adj

   reviewer
          [re.view.er] n (1651): one that reviews; esp: a writer of
          critical reviews

   revile
          [re.vile] vb re.viled ; re.vil.ing [ME, fr. MF reviler to
          despise, fr. re- + vil vile] vt (14c): to subject to
          verbal abuse: vituperate ~ vi: to use abusive language:
          rail syn see scold -- re.vile.ment n -- re.vil.er n

   revisal
          [re.vis.al] n (1612): an act of revising: revision

   [1]revise
          [re.vise] n (1591) 1: an act of revising: revision 2: a printing
          proof that incorporates changes marked in a previous
          proof [2]re.vise vb re.vised ; re.vis.ing [MF reviser,
          fr. L revisere to look at again, freq. of revidere to
          see again, fr. re- + videre to see--more at wit] vt (1596)
          1 a: to look over again in order to correct or improve
          <~ a manuscript> b Brit: to study again: review 2 a:
          to make a new, amended, improved, or up-to-date version
          of <~ a dictionary> b: to provide with a new taxonomic
          arrangement <revising the alpine ferns> ~ vi, Brit: review
          1 syn see correct -- re.vis.able adj -- re.vis.er or
          re.vi.sor n

   Revised Standard Version
          [Revised Standard Version] n (1946): a revision of the American
          Standard Version of the Bible published in 1946 and 1952

   Revised Version
          [Revised Version] n (1880): a British revision of the Authorized
          Version of the Bible published in 1881 and 1885

   revision
          [re.vi.sion] n (1611) 1 a: an act of revising b: a result
          of revising: alteration 2: a revised version -- re.vi.sion.ary
          adj

   revisionism
          [re.vi.sion.ism] n (1903) 1: a movement in revolutionary
          Marxian socialism favoring an evolutionary rather than
          a revolutionary spirit 2: advocacy of revision (as of
          a doctrine or policy or in historical analysis) -- re.vi.sion.ist
          n or adj

   [1]revisit
          [re.vis.it] vt (15c): to visit again: return to <~ the old
          neighborhood>; also: to consider or take up again <reluctant
          to ~ past disputes> [2]revisit n (1623): a second or
          subsequent visit

   revisory
          [re.vi.so.ry] adj (ca. 1841): having the power or purpose
          to revise <a ~ committee> <a ~ function>

   revitalise
          [re.vi.tal.ise] Brit var of revitalize

   revitalize
          [re.vi.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1869): to give new life
          or vigor to -- re.vi.tal.i.za.tion n

   revival
          [re.viv.al] n (1651) 1: an act or instance of reviving: the
          state of being revived: as a: renewed attention to or
          interest in something b: a new presentation or publication
          of something old c (1): a period of renewed religious
          interest (2): an often highly emotional evangelistic
          meeting or series of meetings 2: restoration of force,
          validity, or effect (as to a contract)

   revivalism
          [re.viv.al.ism] n (1815) 1: the spirit or methods characteristic
          of religious revivals 2: a tendency or desire to revive
          or restore

   revivalist
          [re.viv.al.ist] n (1820) 1: one who conducts religious revivals;
          specif: a clergyman who travels about to conduct revivals
          2: one who revives or restores something disused -- revivalist
          adj -- re.viv.al.is.tic adj

   revive
          [re.vive] vb re.vived ; re.viv.ing [ME, fr. MF revivre, fr.
          L revivere to live again, fr. re- + vivere to live--more
          at quick] vi (15c): to return to consciousness or life:
          become active or flourishing again ~ vt 1: to restore
          to consciousness or life 2: to restore from a depressed,
          inactive, or unused state: bring back 3: to renew in
          the mind or memory -- re.viv.able adj -- re.viv.er n

   revivify
          [re.viv.i.fy] vt [F revivifier, fr. LL revivificare, fr.
          L re- + LL vivificare to vivify] (1675): to give new
          life to: revive -- re.viv.i.fi.ca.tion n

   reviviscence
          [re.vi.vis.cence] n [L reviviscere to come to life again,
          fr. re- + viviscere to come to life, fr. vivus alive,
          living--more at quick] (1626): an act of reviving: the
          state of being revived -- re.vi.vis.cent adj

   revocable
          [rev.o.ca.ble] also re.vok.able adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L revocabilis,
          fr. revocare] (15c): capable of being revoked

   revocation
          [rev.o.ca.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L revocation-, revocatio,
          fr. revocare] (15c): an act or instance of revoking

   [1]revoke
          [re.voke] vb re.voked ; re.vok.ing [ME, fr. MF revoquer,
          fr. L revocare, fr. re- + vocare to call, fr. voc-, vox
          voice--more at voice] vt (14c) 1: to annul by recalling
          or taking back: rescind <~ a will> 2: to bring or call
          back ~ vi: to fail to follow suit when able in a card
          game in violation of the rules -- re.vok.er n [2]revoke
          n (1709): an act or instance of revoking in a card game

   [1]revolt
          [re.volt] vb [MF revolter, fr. OIt rivoltare to overthrow,
          fr. (assumed) VL revolvitare, freq. of L revolvere to
          revolve, roll back] vi (1539) 1: to renounce allegiance
          or subjection (as to a government): rebel 2 a: to experience
          disgust or shock b: to turn away with disgust ~ vt: to
          cause to turn away or shrink with disgust or abhorrence
          -- re.volt.er n [2]revolt n (1560) 1: a renouncing of
          allegiance (as to a government or party); esp: a determined
          armed uprising 2: a movement or expression of vigorous
          dissent syn see rebellion

   revolting
          [re.volt.ing] adj (1806): extremely offensive -- re.volt.ing.ly
          adv

   revolute
          [rev.o.lute] adj [L revolutus, pp. of revolvere] (ca. 1753):
          rolled backward or downward <a leaf with ~ margins>

   revolution
          [rev.o.lu.tion] n [ME revolucioun, fr. MF revolution, fr.
          LL revolution-, revolutio, fr. L revolvere to revolve]
          (14c) 1 a (1): the action by a celestial body of going
          round in an orbit or elliptical course; also: apparent
          movement of such a body round the earth (2): the time
          taken by a celestial body to make a complete round in
          its orbit (3): the rotation of a celestial body on its
          axis b: completion of a course (as of years); also: the
          period made by the regular succession of a measure of
          time or by a succession of similar events c (1): a progressive
          motion of a body round an axis so that any line of the
          body parallel to the axis returns to its initial position
          while remaining parallel to the axis in transit and usu.
          at a constant distance from it (2): motion of any figure
          about a center or axis <~ of a right triangle about one
          of its legs generates a cone> (3): rotation 1b 2 a: a
          sudden, radical, or complete change b: a fundamental
          change in political organization; esp: the overthrow
          or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution
          of another by the governed c: activity or movement designed
          to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation
          d: a fundamental change in the way of thinking about
          or visualizing something: a change of paradigm <the Copernican
          ~> e: a changeover in use or preference esp. in technology
          <the computer ~> <the foreign car ~> syn see rebellion

   [1]revolutionary
          [rev.o.lu.tion.ary] adj (1774) 1 a: of, relating to,
          or constituting a revolution <~ war> b: tending to or promoting
          revolution <a ~ party> c: constituting or bringing about a major
          or fundamental change <~ styling> <a ~ new product> 2 cap:
          of or relating to the American Revolution or to the period in which
          it occurred -- rev.o.lu.tion.ar.i.ly adv -- rev.o.lu.tion.ar.i.ness
          n [2]revolutionary n, pl -ar.ies (1850) 1: one engaged
          in a revolution 2: an advocate or adherent of revolutionary
          doctrines

   revolutionise
          [rev.o.lu.tion.ise] Brit var of revolutionize

   revolutionist
          [rev.o.lu.tion.ist] n (1710): revolutionary -- revolutionist
          adj

   revolutionize
          [rev.o.lu.tion.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1797) 1: to overthrow
          the established government of 2: to imbue with revolutionary
          doctrines 3: to change fundamentally or completely ~
          vi: to engage in revolution -- rev.o.lu.tion.iz.er n

   revolve
          [re.volve] vb re.volved ; re.volv.ing [ME, fr. L revolvere
          to roll back, cause to return, fr. re- + volvere to roll--more
          at voluble] vt (15c) 1: to turn over at length in the
          mind: ponder <~ a scheme> 2 a obs: to cause to go round
          in an orbit b: rotate 1 ~ vi 1: recur 2 a: to ponder
          something b: to remain under consideration <ideas revolved
          in his mind> 3 a: to move in a curved path round a center
          or axis b: to turn or roll round on an axis 4: to come
          to a main or central point: center <the dispute revolved
          around wages> -- re.volv.able adj

   revolver
          [re.volv.er] n (ca. 1835) 1: one that revolves 2: a handgun
          with a cylinder of several chambers brought successively
          into line with the barrel and discharged with the same
          hammer

   revolving
          [revolving] adj (1599) 1: tending to revolve or recur; esp:
          recurrently available 2: turning around on or as if on
          an axis <a ~ platform>

   revolving charge account
          [revolving charge account] n (1967): a charge account under
          which payment is made in monthly installments and includes
          a carrying charge

   revolving credit
          [revolving credit] n (1919): a credit which may be used repeatedly
          up to the limit specified after partial or total repayments have
          been made

   revolving-door
          [revolving-door] adj (1973): characterized by a frequently
          repeated cycle of leaving and returning <~ governments>

   revolving fund
          [revolving fund] n (1920): a fund set up for specified purposes
          with the proviso that repayments to the fund may be used
          again for these purposes

   revue
          [re.vue] n [F, fr. MF reveue review--more at review] (1872):
          a theatrical production consisting typically of brief
          loosely connected often satirical skits, songs, and dances

   revulsed
          [re.vulsed] adj [L revulsus, pp. of revellere + E -ed] (ca.
          1934): affected with or having undergone revulsion

   revulsion
          [re.vul.sion] n [L revulsion-, revulsio act of tearing away,
          fr. revellere to pluck away, fr. re- + vellere to pluck--more
          at vulnerable] (1609) 1: a strong pulling or drawing
          away: withdrawal 2 a: a sudden or strong reaction or
          change b: a sense of utter distaste or repugnance --
          re.vul.sive adj

   revved
          [revved] past and past part of rev

   revving
          [revving] pres part of rev

   rewake
          [re.wake] vb -waked or -woke ; -waked or -wo.ken or -woke
          ; -wak.ing vt (1593): to waken again or anew ~ vi: to
          become awake again

   rewaken
          [re.wak.en] vb (1638): rewake

   [1]reward
          [re.ward] vt [ME, fr. ONF rewarder to regard, reward, fr.
          re- + warder to watch, guard, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OHG warten to watch--more at ward] (14c) 1: to give a
          reward to or for 2: recompense -- re.ward.able adj --
          re.ward.er n [2]reward n (14c) 1: something that is given
          in return for good or evil done or received and esp.
          that is offered or given for some service or attainment
          2: a stimulus administered to an organism following a
          correct or desired response that increases the probability
          of occurrence of the response

   rewarding
          [re.ward.ing] adj (1697) 1: yielding or likely to yield a
          reward: valuable, satisfying <a ~ experience> 2: serving
          as a reward <a ~ smile of thanks> -- re.ward.ing.ly adv

   [1]rewind
          [re.wind] vt -wound ; -wind.ing (1717): to wind again; esp:
          to reverse the winding of (as film) [2]re.wind n (1926)
          1: something that rewinds or is rewound 2: an act of
          rewinding

   reword
          [re.word] vt (1602) 1: to repeat in the same words 2: to
          alter the wording of; also: to restate in other words

   rework
          [re.work] vt (1842): to work again or anew: as a: revise
          b: to reprocess (as used material) for further use

   [1]rewrite
          [re.write] vb -wrote ; -writ.ten ; -writ.ing vt (1567) 1:
          to write in reply 2: to make a revision of (as a story):
          cause to be revised: as a: to put (contributed material)
          into form for publication b: to alter (previously published
          material) for use in another publication ~ vi: to revise
          something previously written -- re.writ.er n [2]re.write
          n (1914) 1: a piece of writing (as a news story) constructed
          by rewriting 2: an act or instance of rewriting

   rewrite man
          [re.write man] n (1901): a newspaperman who specializes in
          rewriting

   rewrite rule
          [re.write rule] n (1961): a rule in a grammar which specifies
          the constituents of a single symbol

   rex
          [rex] n, pl rex.es or rex [modif. of F castorrex, castorex,
          a variety of rabbit, perh. fr. L castor beaver + rex
          king--more at castor, royal] (1920): an animal (as a
          domestic rabbit) showing a genetic recessive variation
          in which the guard hairs are very short or entirely lacking;
          esp: any of the slender domestic cats having a short
          curly undercoat and no guard hairs and belonging to either
          of two breeds

   Reye's syndrome
          [Reye's syndrome] n [R.D.K. Reye d. 1977 Austral. pathologist]
          (1965): an often fatal encephalopathy esp. of childhood
          characterized by fever, vomiting, fatty infiltration
          of the liver, and swelling of the kidneys and brain--called
          also Reye syndrome

   reynard
          [rey.nard] n, often cap [ME Renard, name of the fox who is
          hero of the Fr. beast epic Roman de Renart, fr. MF Renart,
          Renard] (14c): fox

   Reynolds number
          [Rey.nolds number] n [Osborne Reynolds d. 1912 Eng. physicist]
          (1910): a number characteristic of the flow of a fluid
          in a pipe or past an obstruction

   rf...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   rf
          [rf] abbreviation refunding  RF abbreviation radio frequency

   RFD
          [RFD] abbreviation rural free delivery

   RFP
          [RFP] abbreviation request for proposal

   rh...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Rh
          [Rh] adj (1940): of, relating to, or being an Rh factor <~
          antigens> <~ sensitization in pregnancy>

   Rh
          [Rh] abbreviation rhodium  RH abbreviation relative humidity,
          right hand

   rhabdo-
          [rhabdo-] comb form [LGk, fr. Gk rhabdos rod--more at vervain]:
          rodlike structure <rhabdovirus>

   rhabdocoele
          [rhab.do.coele] n [NL Rhabdocoela, fr. rhabdo- + NL -coela
          -coele] (ca. 1909): a turbellarian worm (order Rhabdocoela)
          with an unbranched intestine

   rhabdom
          [rhab.dom] or rhab.dome n [NL, fr. LGk rhabdoma bundle of
          rods, fr. Gk rhabdos rod] (1878): one of the minute rodlike
          structures in the retinulae in the compound eyes of arthropods

   rhabdomancy
          [rhab.do.man.cy] n [LGk rhabdomanteia, fr. Gk rhabdos rod
          + -manteia -mancy] (1646): divination by rods or wands
          -- rhab.do.man.cer n

   rhabdomere
          [rhab.do.mere] n (ca. 1884): a division of a rhabdom

   rhabdomyosarcoma
          [rhab.do.myo.sar.co.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL, fr. rhabdo-
          + my- + sarcoma] (1898): a malignant tumor composed of
          striated muscle fibers

   rhabdovirus
          [rhab.do.vi.rus] n [NL] (1966): any of a group of RNA-containing
          rod- or bullet-shaped viruses found in plants and animals
          and including the causative agents of rabies and vesicular
          stomatitis

   rhadamanthine
          [rhad.a.man.thine] adj, often cap [Rhadamanthus] (1840):
          rigorously strict or just

   Rhadamanthus
          [Rhad.a.man.thus] n: a judge of the underworld in Greek mythology

   Rhaeto-Romance
          [Rhae.to-Ro.mance] also Rhae.to-Ro.man.ic n [L Rhaetus of
          Rhaetia, ancient Roman province] (1867): a group of Romance
          languages spoken in eastern Switzerland and northeastern
          Italy

   rhamnose
          [rham.nose] n [ISV, fr. NL Rhamnus, genus of the buckthorn;
          fr. its being produced from a plant of this genus] (1888):
          a crystalline sugar that occurs usu. in the form of a
          glycoside in many plants and is obtained in the common
          dextrorotatory l form

   rhapsode
          [rhap.sode] n [F, fr. Gk rhapsoidos] (1834): rhapsodist

   rhapsodic
          [rhap.sod.ic] also rhap.sod.i.cal adj (1782) 1: extravagantly
          emotional: rapturous 2: resembling or characteristic
          of a rhapsody -- rhap.sod.i.cal.ly adv

   rhapsodist
          [rhap.so.dist] n (ca. 1656) 1: a professional reciter of
          epic poems 2: one who writes or speaks rhapsodically

   rhapsodize
          [rhap.so.dize] vi -dized ; -diz.ing (1806): to speak or write
          in a rhapsodic manner <~ about a new book>

   rhapsody
          [rhap.so.dy] n, pl -dies [L rhapsodia, fr. Gk rhapsoidia
          recitation of selections from epic poetry, rhapsody,
          fr. rhapsoidos rhapsodist, fr. rhaptein to sew, stitch
          together + aidein to sing--more at ode] (1542) 1: a portion
          of an epic poem adapted for recitation 2 archaic: a miscellaneous
          collection 3 a (1): a highly emotional utterance (2):
          a highly emotional literary work (3): effusively rapturous
          or extravagant discourse b: rapture, ecstasy 4: a musical
          composition of irregular form having an improvisatory
          character

   rhatany
          [rhat.a.ny] n [Sp ratania & Pg ratanhia] (1808) 1: the dried
          root of either of two So. American shrubs (Krameria triandra
          and K. argentea of the family Krameriaceae) used as an
          astringent 2: a plant yielding rhatany

   rhea
          [rhea] n [NL, genus of birds, prob. fr. L Rhea, mother of
          Zeus, fr. Gk] (1797): either of two So. American ratite
          birds (Rhea americana and Pterocnemia pennata of the
          family Rheidae) that resemble but are smaller than the
          African ostrich and that have three toes, a fully feathered
          head and neck, an undeveloped tail, and pale gray to
          brownish feathers that droop over the rump and back

   rhebok
          [rhe.bok] n [Afrik reebok, fr. D, male roe deer, fr. ree
          roe + boc buck] (1834): a brownish gray antelope (Pelea
          capreolus) of southern Africa

   rhenium
          [rhe.ni.um] n [NL, fr. L Rhenus Rhine River] (1925): a rare
          heavy metallic element that resembles manganese, is obtained
          either as a powder or as a silver-white hard metal, and
          is used in catalysts and thermocouples

   rheo-
          [rheo-] comb form [Gk rhein to flow--more at stream]: flow:
          current <rheostat>

   rheology
          [rhe.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1929): a science dealing with the
          deformation and flow of matter; also: the ability to
          flow or be deformed -- rhe.o.log.i.cal adj -- rhe.o.log.i.cal.ly
          adv -- rhe.ol.o.gist n

   rheometer
          [rhe.om.e.ter] n [ISV] (ca. 1859): an instrument for measuring
          flow (as of viscous substances)

   rheostat
          [rheo.stat] n (1843): a resistor for regulating a current
          by means of variable resistances -- rheo.stat.ic adj

   rhesus monkey
          [rhe.sus monkey] n [NL Rhesus, genus of monkeys, fr. L, a
          mythical king of Thrace, fr. Gk Rhesos] (1841): a pale
          brown Asian macaque (Macaca mulatta) often used in medical
          research

   rhet
          [rhet] abbreviation rhetoric

   rhetor
          [rhe.tor] n [ME rethor, fr. L rhetor, fr. Gk rhetor] (14c):
          rhetorician 1

   rhetoric
          [rhet.o.ric] n [ME rethorik, fr. MF rethorique, fr. L rhetorica,
          fr. Gk rhetorike, lit., art of oratory, fr. fem. of rhetorikos
          of an orator, fr. rhetor orator, rhetorician, fr. eirein
          to say, speak--more at word] (14c) 1: the art of speaking
          or writing effectively: as a: the study of principles
          and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient
          times b: the study of writing or speaking as a means
          of communication or persuasion 2 a: skill in the effective
          use of speech b: a type or mode of language or speech;
          also: insincere or grandiloquent language 3: verbal communication:
          discourse

   rhetorical
          [rhe.tor.i.cal] also rhe.tor.ic adj (15c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or concerned with rhetoric b: employed for rhetorical
          effect; esp: asked merely for effect with no answer expected
          <a ~ question> 2 a: given to rhetoric: grandiloquent
          b: verbal -- rhe.tor.i.cal.ly adv

   rhetorician
          [rhet.o.ri.cian] n (15c) 1 a: a master or teacher of rhetoric
          b: orator 2: an eloquent or grandiloquent writer or speaker

   rheum
          [rheum] n [ME reume, fr. MF, fr. L rheuma, fr. Gk, lit.,
          flow, flux, fr. rhein to flow--more at stream] (14c)
          1: a watery discharge from the mucous membranes esp.
          of the eyes or nose 2 archaic: tears -- rheumy adj

   [1]rheumatic
          [rheu.mat.ic] adj [ME rewmatik subject to rheum, fr. L rheumaticus,
          fr. Gk rheumatikos, fr. rheumat-, rheuma] (1711): of, relating to,
          characteristic of, or affected with rheumatism -- rheu.mat.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]rheumatic n (1884): one affected with rheumatism

   rheumatic fever
          [rheumatic fever] n (1782): an acute disease that occurs
          chiefly in children and young adults and is characterized
          by fever, by inflammation and pain in and around the
          joints, and by inflammatory involvement of the pericardium
          and heart valves

   rheumatism
          [rheu.ma.tism] n [L rheumatismus flux, rheum, fr. Gk rheumatismos,
          fr. rheumatizesthai to suffer from a flux, fr. rheumat-, rheuma
          flux] (1677) 1: any of various conditions characterized
          by inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue
          <muscular ~> 2: rheumatoid arthritis

   rheumatiz
          [rheu.ma.tiz] n (1760) chiefly dial: rheumatism

   rheumatoid
          [rheu.ma.toid] adj [ISV, fr. rheumatism] (1871): characteristic
          of or affected with rheumatoid arthritis

   rheumatoid arthritis
          [rheumatoid arthritis] n (1859): a usu. chronic disease of
          unknown cause that is characterized esp. by pain, stiffness,
          inflammation, swelling, and sometimes destruction of
          joints

   rheumatoid factor
          [rheumatoid factor] n (1960): an autoantibody of high molecular
          weight that is usu. present in rheumatoid arthritis

   rheumatology
          [rheu.ma.tol.o.gy] n (ca. 1941): a medical science dealing
          with rheumatic diseases -- rheu.ma.tol.o.gist n

   Rh factor
          [Rh factor] n [rhesus monkey (in which it was first detected)]
          (1942): any of one or more genetically determined antigens
          present in the red blood cells of most persons and of
          higher animals and capable of inducing intense immunogenic
          reactions

   rhin-
          [rhin-] or rhino- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. rhin-, rhis]:
          nose <rhinoplasty>

   rhinal
          [rhi.nal] adj (ca. 1859): of or relating to the nose: nasal

   rhinencephalon
          [rhin.en.ceph.a.lon] n [NL] (1846): the chiefly olfactory
          part of the forebrain -- rhin.en.ce.phal.ic adj

   rhinestone
          [rhine.stone] n [Rhine River] (ca. 1888): a colorless imitation
          stone of high luster made of glass, paste, or gem quartz
          -- rhinestoned adj

   Rhine wine
          [Rhine wine] n (1843) 1: a usu. white wine produced in the
          Rhine valley 2: a wine similar to Rhine wine produced
          elsewhere

   rhinitis
          [rhi.ni.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1884): inflammation of the mucous
          membrane of the nose

   [1]rhino
          [rhi.no] n [origin unknown] (1670): money, cash [2]rhino
          n, pl rhino or rhinos (1884): rhinoceros

   rhinoceros
          [rhi.noc.er.os] n, pl -noc.er.os.es or -noc.er.os or -noc.eri
          [ME rinoceros, fr. L rhinocerot-, rhinoceros, fr. Gk
          rhinokerot-, rhinokeros, fr. rhin- + keras horn--more
          at horn] (14c): any of a family (Rhinocerotidae) of large
          heavyset herbivorous perissodactyl mammals of Africa
          and Asia that have one or two upright keratinous horns
          on the snout and thick gray to brown skin with little
          hair

   rhinoceros beetle
          [rhinoceros beetle] n (1681): any of various large chiefly
          tropical scarab beetles (subfamily Dynastinae) having
          projecting horns on thorax and head

   rhinoplasty
          [rhi.no.plas.ty] n, pl -ties (1842): plastic surgery on the
          nose usu. for cosmetic purposes

   rhinoscopy
          [rhi.nos.co.py] n [ISV] (1861): examination of the nasal
          passages

   rhinovirus
          [rhi.no.vi.rus] n [NL] (1961): any of a group of picornaviruses
          that are related to the enteroviruses and are associated
          with disorders of the upper respiratory tract (as the
          common cold)

   RHIP
          [RHIP] abbreviation rank has its privileges

   rhiz-
          [rhiz-] or rhizo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. rhiza--more
          at root]: root <rhizoplane>

   -rhiza
          [-rhiza] or -rrhiza n comb form, pl -zae or -zas [NL, fr.
          Gk rhiza]: root: part resembling or connected with a
          root <coleorhiza> <mycorrhiza>

   rhizobium
          [rhi.zo.bi.um] n, pl -bia [NL, fr. rhiz- + Gk bios life--more
          at quick] (1921): any of a genus (Rhizobium) of small
          heterotrophic soil bacteria capable of forming symbiotic
          nodules on the roots of leguminous plants and of there
          becoming bacteroids that fix atmospheric nitrogen --
          rhi.zo.bi.al adj

   rhizoctonia
          [rhi.zoc.to.nia] n [NL, fr. rhiz- + Gk -ktonos killing, fr.
          kteinein to kill; akin to Skt ksanoti he wounds] (1897):
          any of a form genus (Rhizoctonia) of imperfect fungi
          that includes major plant pathogens

   rhizoid
          [rhi.zoid] n (1875): a rootlike structure -- rhi.zoi.dal
          adj

   rhizomatous
          [rhi.zo.ma.tous] adj [ISV, fr. NL rhizomat-, rhizoma] (1847):
          having, resembling, or being a rhizome <~ plants>

   rhizome
          [rhi.zome] n [NL rhizomat-, rhizoma, fr. Gk rhizomat-, rhizoma
          mass of roots, fr. rhizoun to cause to take root, fr.
          rhiza root--more at root] (1845): a somewhat elongate
          usu. horizontal subterranean plant stem that is often
          thickened by deposits of reserve food material, produces
          shoots above and roots below, and is distinguished from
          a true root in possessing buds, nodes, and usu. scalelike
          leaves -- rhi.zo.mic adj

   rhizoplane
          [rhi.zo.plane] n (1949): the external surface of roots together
          with closely adhering soil particles and debris

   rhizopod
          [rhi.zo.pod] n [NL Rhizopoda, fr. rhiz- + -poda -pod] (1851):
          any of a superclass (Rhizopoda) of usu. creeping protozoans
          (as an amoeba or a foraminifer) having lobate or rootlike
          pseudopodia

   rhizopus
          [rhi.zo.pus] n [NL, fr. rhiz- + Gk pous foot--more at foot]
          (1887): any of a genus (Rhizopus) of mold fungi including
          some economically valuable forms and some plant or animal
          pathogens (as a bread mold)

   rhizosphere
          [rhi.zo.sphere] n [ISV] (1929): soil that surrounds and is
          influenced by the roots of a plant

   rhizotomy
          [rhi.zot.o.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (1911): the operation of
          cutting the anterior or posterior spinal nerve roots

   Rh-negative
          [Rh-neg.a.tive] adj (1945): lacking Rh factor in the blood

   rho
          [rho] n [Gk rho, of Sem origin; akin to Heb resh resh] (15c):
          the 17th letter of the Greek alphabet

   rhod-
          [rhod-] or rhodo- comb form [NL, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr. rhodon
          rose--more at rose]: rose: red <rhodolite>

   rhodamine
          [rho.da.mine] n, often cap [ISV] (1888): any of a group of
          yellowish red to blue fluorescent dyes; esp: a brilliant
          bluish red dye made by fusing an amino derivative of
          phenol with phthalic anhydride and used esp. in coloring
          paper and as a biological stain

   Rhode Island Red
          [Rhode Island Red] n [Rhode Island, U.S. state] (1896): any
          of an American breed of general-purpose domestic fowls
          having a long heavy body, smooth yellow or reddish legs,
          and rich brownish red plumage

   Rhode Island White
          [Rhode Island White] n (ca. 1923): any of an American breed
          of domestic fowls resembling Rhode Island Reds but having
          pure white plumage

   Rhodes grass
          [Rhodes grass] n [Cecil J. Rhodes] (1915): an African perennial
          grass (Chloris gayana) widely cultivated as a forage
          grass esp. in dry regions

   Rhodesian man
          [Rho.de.sian man] n [Northern Rhodesia, Africa] (1921): an
          extinct African hominid (Homo sapiens rhodesiensis) having
          long bones of modern type, a skull with prominent brow
          ridges and large face but human palate and dentition,
          and a simple but relatively large brain

   Rhodesian Ridgeback
          [Rhodesian Ridge.back] n (1925): any of an African breed
          of powerful long-bodied hunting dogs having a dense harsh
          short tan coat with a characteristic crest of reversed
          hair along the spine

   Rhodes scholar
          [Rhodes scholar] n (1902): a holder of one of numerous scholarships
          founded under the will of Cecil J. Rhodes that can be used
          at Oxford University for two or three years and are open
          to candidates from the Commonwealth and the U.S.

   rhodium
          [rho.di.um] n [NL, fr. Gk rhodon rose] (1804): a white hard
          ductile metallic element that is resistant to acids,
          occurs in platinum ores, and is used in alloys with platinum

   rhodochrosite
          [rho.do.chro.site] n [G Rhodocrosit, fr. Gk rhodochros
          rose-colored, fr. rhod- + chros color--more at chromatic] (1836):
          a rose red mineral consisting essentially of manganese carbonate

   rhododendron
          [rho.do.den.dron] n [NL, fr. L, oleander, fr. Gk, fr. rhod-
          + dendron tree--more at dendr-] (1664): any of a genus
          (Rhododendron) of the heath family of widely cultivated
          shrubs and trees with alternate leaves and showy flowers;
          esp: one with leathery evergreen leaves as distinguished
          from a deciduous azalea

   rhodolite
          [rho.do.lite] n (1897): a pink or purple garnet used as a
          gem

   rhodomontade
          [rho.do.mon.tade] var of rodomontade

   rhodonite
          [rho.do.nite] n [G Rhodonit, fr. Gk rhodon rose] (1823):
          a pale red triclinic mineral that consists essentially
          of manganese silicate and is used as an ornamental stone

   rhodopsin
          [rho.dop.sin] n [ISV rhod- + Gk opsis sight, vision + ISV
          [1]-in--more at optic] (1886): a red photosensitive pigment
          in the retinal rods of marine fishes and most higher
          vertebrates that is important in vision in dim light--called
          also visual purple

   rhodora
          [rho.do.ra] n [NL, alter. of L rodarum, a plant] (ca. 1731):
          an azalea (Rhododendron canadense) of northeastern No.
          America that has spring-flowering pink blossoms

   rhomb
          [rhomb] n, pl rhombs [MF rhombe, fr. L rhombus] (ca. 1578)
          1: rhombus 2: rhombohedron

   rhomb-
          [rhomb-] or rhombo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk rhombos]: rhombus
          <rhombencephalon>

   rhombencephalon
          [rhomb.en.ceph.a.lon] n [NL] (1897): hindbrain 1

   rhombic
          [rhom.bic] adj (1701) 1: having the form of a rhombus 2:
          orthorhombic

   rhombohedron
          [rhom.bo.he.dron] n, pl -drons or -dra [NL] (1836):
          a parallelepiped whose faces are rhombuses -- rhom.bo.he.dral adj

   [1]rhomboid
          [rhom.boid] n [MF rhomboide, fr. L rhomboides, fr. Gk rhomboeides
          resembling a rhombus, fr. rhombos] (1570): a parallelogram
          with no right angles and with adjacent sides of unequal
          length [2]rhom.boid or rhom.boi.dal adj (1693): shaped
          somewhat like a rhombus or rhomboid

   rhomboideus
          [rhom.boi.de.us] n, pl -dei [NL, fr. L rhomboides rhomboid]
          (ca. 1836): either of two muscles that lie beneath the
          trapezius muscle and connect the spinous processes of
          various vertebrae with the medial border of the scapula

   rhombus
          [rhom.bus] n, pl rhom.bus.es or rhom.bi [L, fr. Gk rhombos
          piece of wood whirled on a string, lozenge, fr. rhembein
          to whirl] (ca. 1567): a parallelogram with four equal
          sides and sometimes one with no right angles

   rhonchus
          [rhon.chus] n, pl rhon.chi [LGk, fr. rhenchein to snore,
          wheeze; prob. akin to OIr sreinnid he snores] (1829):
          a whistling or snoring sound heard on auscultation of
          the chest when the air channels are partly obstructed

   Rh-positive
          [Rh-pos.i.tive] adj (1942): containing Rh factor in the red
          blood cells

   rhubarb
          [rhu.barb] n [ME rubarbe, fr. MF reubarbe, fr. ML reubarbarum,
          alter. of rha barbarum, lit., barbarian rhubarb] (15c)
          1: any of a genus (Rheum) of Asian plants of the buckwheat
          family having large leaves with thick succulent petioles
          often used as food 2: the dried rhizome and roots of
          any of several rhubarbs grown in China and Tibet and
          used as a purgative and stomachic 3: a heated dispute
          or controversy

   rhumb
          [rhumb] n, pl rhumbs [Sp rumbo rhumb, rhumb line] (1578)
          1: a line or course on a single bearing 2: any of the
          points of the mariner's compass

   rhumba
          [rhumba] var of rumba

   rhumb line
          [rhumb line] n [Sp rumbo] (ca. 1795): a line on the surface
          of the earth that follows a single compass bearing and
          makes equal oblique angles with all meridians--called
          also loxodrome

   rhus
          [rhus] n, pl rhus.es or rhus [NL, fr. L, sumac, fr. Gk rhous]
          (ca. 1611): any of a genus (Rhus) of shrubs and trees
          (as sumac or poison ivy) of the cashew family that are
          native to temperate and warm regions, have compound trifoliolate
          or pinnate leaves, and sometimes produce substances causing
          dermatitis

   [1]rhyme
          [rhyme] n [ME rime, fr. OF] (13c) 1 a (1): rhyming verse
          (2): poetry b: a composition in verse that rhymes 2 a:
          correspondence in terminal sounds of units of composition
          or utterance (as two or more words or lines of verse)
          b: one of two or more words thus corresponding in sound
          c: correspondence of other than terminal word sounds:
          as (1): alliteration (2): internal rhyme 3: rhythm, measure
          -- rhyme.less adj [2]rhyme vb rhymed ; rhym.ing vt (14c)
          1: to relate or praise in rhyming verse 2 a: to put into
          rhyme b: to compose (verse) in rhyme c: to cause to rhyme:
          use as rhyme ~ vi 1: to make rhymes; also: to compose
          rhyming verse 2 of a word or verse: to end in syllables
          that are rhymes 3: to be in accord: harmonize -- rhym.er
          n

   rhyme or reason
          [rhyme or reason] n (15c): good sense or reason

   rhyme royal
          [rhyme royal] n (ca. 1841): a stanza of seven lines in iambic
          pentameter with a rhyme scheme of ababbcc

   rhyme scheme
          [rhyme scheme] n (1917): the arrangement of rhymes in a stanza
          or a poem

   rhymester
          [rhyme.ster] n (1589): an inferior poet

   rhyming slang
          [rhyming slang] n (1859): slang in which the word intended
          is replaced by a word or phrase that rhymes with it (as
          loaf of bread for head) or the first part of the phrase
          (as loaf for head)

   rhynchocephalian
          [rhyn.cho.ce.pha.lian] n [ultim. fr. Gk rhynchos beak, snout
          + kephale head--more at cephalic] (1886): any of an order
          (Rhynchocephalia) of reptiles resembling lizards that
          includes the tuatara as the only living member -- rhynchocephalian
          adj

   rhyolite
          [rhy.o.lite] n [G Rhyolith, fr. Gk rhyax stream, stream of
          lava (fr. rhein) + G -lith -lite] (1868): a very acid
          volcanic rock that is the lava form of granite -- rhy.o.lit.ic
          adj

   rhythm
          [rhythm] n [MF & L; MF rhythme, fr. L rhythmus, fr. Gk rhythmos,
          prob. fr. rhein to flow--more at stream] (1560) 1 a:
          an ordered recurrent alternation of strong and weak elements
          in the flow of sound and silence in speech b: a particular
          example or form of rhythm <iambic ~> 2 a: the aspect
          of music comprising all the elements (as accent, meter,
          and tempo) that relate to forward movement b: a characteristic
          rhythmic pattern <rumba ~>; also: [1]meter 2 c: the group
          of instruments in a band supplying the rhythm--called
          also rhythm section 3 a: movement or fluctuation marked
          by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related
          elements b: the repetition in a literary work of phrase,
          incident, character type, or symbol 4: a regularly recurrent
          quantitative change in a variable biological process
          <a circadian ~>--compare biorhythm 5: the effect created
          by the elements in a play, movie, or novel that relate
          to the temporal development of the action 6: rhythm method

   rhythm and blues
          [rhythm and blues] n (1949): popular music typically including
          elements of blues and black folk music and marked by
          a strong beat and simple chord structure

   rhythm band
          [rhythm band] n (ca. 1943): a band usu. composed of schoolchildren
          who play simple percussion instruments (as rhythm sticks, sleigh
          bells, or tambourines) to learn fundamentals of coordination and
          music

   rhythmic
          [rhyth.mic] or rhyth.mi.cal adj (1589) 1: marked by or moving
          in pronounced rhythm 2: of, relating to, or involving
          rhythm -- rhyth.mi.cal.ly adv

   rhythmicity
          [rhyth.mic.i.ty] n (1901): the state of being rhythmic or
          of responding rhythmically

   rhythmics
          [rhyth.mics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1859): the
          science or theory of rhythms

   rhythmist
          [rhyth.mist] n (1864): one who studies or has a feeling for
          rhythm

   rhythmize
          [rhyth.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1885): to order or compose
          rhythmically -- rhyth.mi.za.tion n

   rhythm method
          [rhythm method] n (1940): a method of birth control involving
          continence during the period in which ovulation is most
          likely to occur

   rhythm stick
          [rhythm stick] n (1952): one of a pair of plain or notched
          wood sticks that are struck or rubbed together to produce
          various percussive sounds and are used esp. by young
          children in rhythm bands

   rhytidome
          [rhyt.i.dome] n [Gk rhytidoma wrinkle, fr. rhytidoun to wrinkle,
          fr. rhytid-, rhytis wrinkle] (1881): the bark external
          to the last formed periderm

   rhyton
          [rhy.ton] n [Gk, neut. of rhytos flowing, fr. rhein to flow--more
          at stream] (1850): any of various ornate drinking vessels
          of ancient times typically shaped in part like an animal
          or animal's head

   ri...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   RI
          [RI] abbreviation refractive index, Rhode Island

   RIA
          [RIA] abbreviation radioimmunoassay

   [1]rial
          [ri.al] n [Per, fr. Ar riyal riyal] (1932): the basic monetary
          unit of Iran, Oman, and Yemen [2]rial var of riyal

   rialto
          [ri.al.to] n, pl -tos [Rialto, island and district in Venice]
          (1549) 1: exchange, marketplace 2: a theater district

   riant
          [ri.ant] adj [MF, prp. of rire to laugh, fr. L ridere] (1567):
          gay, mirthful -- ri.ant.ly adv

   riata
          [ri.a.ta] n [modif. of AmerSp reata] (1846): lariat

   [1]rib
          [rib] n [ME, fr. OE ribb; akin to OHG rippi rib, OCS rebro,
          and prob. to Gk erephein to roof over] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          any of the paired curved bony or partly cartilaginous
          rods that stiffen the walls of the body of most vertebrates
          and protect the viscera b: a cut of meat including a
          rib--see beef illustration c [fr. the account of Eve's
          creation from Adam's rib in Gen 2:21-22]: wife 2: something
          resembling a rib in shape or function: as a (1): a traverse
          member of the frame of a ship that runs from keel to
          deck (2): a light fore-and-aft member in an airplane's
          wing b: one of the stiff strips supporting an umbrella's
          fabric c: one of the arches in Romanesque and Gothic
          vaulting meeting and crossing one another and dividing
          the whole vaulted space into triangles 3: an elongated
          ridge: as a (1): a vein of an insect's wing (2): one
          of the primary veins of a leaf b: one of the ridges in
          a knitted or woven fabric [2]rib vt ribbed ; rib.bing
          (ca. 1547) 1: to furnish or enclose with ribs 2: to form
          vertical ridges in in knitting -- rib.ber n [3]rib n
          [[4]rib] (1929) 1: joke 2: parody [4]rib vt ribbed ;
          rib.bing [prob. fr. [1]rib; fr. the tickling of the ribs
          to cause laughter] (1930): to poke fun at: kid -- rib.ber
          n

   [1]ribald
          [rib.ald] n [ME, fr. MF ribaut, ribauld wanton, rascal, fr.
          riber to be wanton, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG riban
          to be wanton, lit., to rub] (13c): a ribald person [2]ribald
          adj (1508) 1: crude, offensive <~ language> 2: characterized
          by or using coarse indecent humor syn see coarse

   ribaldry
          [rib.ald.ry] n, pl -ries (14c) 1: a ribald quality or element
          2 a: ribald language or humor b: an instance of ribald
          language or humor

   riband
          [rib.and] n [ME, alter. of riban] (15c): a ribbon used esp.
          as a decoration

   ribavirin
          [ri.ba.vi.rin] n [perh. fr. ribonucleic acid + virus + [1]-in]
          (1976): a synthetic broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside

   ribband
          [rib.band] n [[1]rib + [1]band] (1711): a long narrow strip
          or bar used in shipbuilding; esp: one bent and bolted
          longitudinally to the frames to hold them in position
          during construction

   ribbing
          [rib.bing] n (1564): an arrangement of ribs

   [1]ribbon
          [rib.bon] n [ME riban, fr. MF riban, ruban] (14c) 1 a: a
          flat or tubular narrow closely woven fabric (as of silk
          or rayon) used for trimmings or knitting b: a narrow
          fabric used for tying packages c: a piece of usu. multicolored
          ribbon worn as a military decoration or in place of a
          medal d: a strip of colored satin given for winning a
          place in a competition 2: a strip of inked fabric (as
          in a typewriter) 3 pl: reins for controlling an animal
          4: tatter, shred--usu. used in pl. 5: ribband -- rib.bon.like
          adj [2]ribbon vt (1716) 1 a: to adorn with ribbons b:
          to divide into ribbons c: to cover with or as if with
          ribbons 2: to rip to shreds

   ribbon development
          [ribbon development] n (1927): a system of buildings built
          side by side along a road

   ribbonfish
          [rib.bon.fish] n (ca. 1798): any of a family (Trachipteridae)
          of elongate greatly compressed marine bony fishes (as
          a dealfish)

   ribbon worm
          [ribbon worm] n (1855): nemertean

   ribby
          [rib.by] adj (1849): showing or marked by ribs

   rib cage
          [rib cage] n (1909): the bony enclosing wall of the chest
          consisting chiefly of the ribs and the structures connecting
          them

   ribes
          [ri.bes] n, pl ribes [NL, fr. ML, currant, fr. Ar ribas rhubarb]
          (1543): any of a genus (Ribes) of shrubs (as a currant
          or a gooseberry) of the saxifrage family that have small
          racemose variously colored flowers and pulpy two-seeded
          to many-seeded berries

   rib eye
          [rib eye] n (1926): the large piece of meat that lies along
          the outer side of the rib (as of a steer)

   ribgrass
          [rib.grass] n (ca. 1500): [1]plantain; esp: an Old World
          plantain (Plantago lanceolata) with long narrow ribbed
          leaves

   riblet
          [rib.let] n (1943): one of the rib ends in the strip of breast
          of lamb or veal--see lamb illustration

   ribo-
          [ribo-] comb form [ribose] 1: ribose <riboflavin> 2: ribonucleic
          acid <ribosome>

   riboflavin
          [ri.bo.fla.vin] n [ISV ribo- + L flavus yellow--more at blue]
          (1935): a yellow crystalline compound that is a growth-promoting
          member of the vitamin B complex and occurs both free
          (as in milk) and combined (as in liver)--called also
          vitamin B2, vitamin G

   ribonuclease
          [ri.bo.nu.cle.ase] n (1942): an enzyme that catalyzes the
          hydrolysis of RNA

   ribonucleic acid
          [ri.bo.nu.cle.ic acid] n (1931): rna

   ribonucleoprotein
          [ri.bo.nu.cleo.pro.tein] n (1940): a nucleoprotein that contains
          RNA

   ribonucleoside
          [ri.bo.nu.cle.o.side] n (1931): a nucleoside that contains
          ribose

   ribonucleotide
          [ri.bo.nu.cle.o.tide] n (1929): a nucleotide that contains
          ribose and occurs esp. as a constituent of RNA

   ribose
          [ri.bose] n [ISV, fr. ribonic acid (an acid obtained by oxidation
          of ribose)] (1892): a pentose found esp. in the dextrorotatory
          form and obtained esp. from RNA

   ribosomal RNA
          [ribosomal RNA] n (1961): RNA that is a fundamental structural
          element of ribosomes

   ribosome
          [ri.bo.some] n (1958): any of the RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules
          that are sites of protein synthesis--see cell illustration
          -- ri.bo.som.al adj

   rib roast
          [rib roast] n (ca. 1890): a cut of meat containing the large
          piece that lies along the outer side of the rib--see
          beef illustration

   ribwort
          [rib.wort] n (14c): ribgrass

   rice
          [rice] n [ME rys, fr. OF ris, fr. OIt riso, fr. Gk oryza,
          oryzon, of Iranian origin; akin to Pashto wrize rice;
          akin to Skt vrihi rice] (13c): the starchy seeds of an
          annual cereal grass (Oryza sativa) that are cooked and
          used for food; also: this cereal grass that occurs in
          southeastern Asia and is widely cultivated in warm climates
          for its seeds and by-products

   ricebird
          [rice.bird] n (1731): any of several small birds common in
          rice fields; esp: bobolink

   rice paper
          [rice paper] n [fr. its resemblance to paper made from rice
          straw] (1822): a thin papery material made from the pith
          of a small Asian tree or shrub (Tetrapanax papyriferum)
          of the ginseng family

   rice polishings
          [rice polishings] n pl (ca. 1934): the inner bran layer of
          rice rubbed off in milling

   ricer
          [ric.er] n (1896): a kitchen utensil in which soft foods
          are pressed through a perforated container to produce
          strings

   ricercar
          [ri.cer.car] or ri.cer.ca.re n, pl ricercars or ri.cer.ca.ri
          [It, fr. ricercare to seek again, seek out, fr. ri- re-
          (fr. L re-) + cercare to seek, fr. LL circare to go about--more
          at search] (1789): any of various usu. keyboard musical
          forms esp. of the 16th and 17th centuries in either
          quasi-improvisatory toccata style or strict polyphonic fugal style

   rich
          [rich] adj [ME riche, fr. OE rice; akin to OHG rihhi rich,
          OE rice kingdom, OHG rihhi, n.; all fr. prehistoric Gmc
          words borrowed fr. Celt words akin to OIr ri (gen. rig)
          king--more at royal] (bef. 12c) 1: having abundant possessions
          and esp. material wealth 2 a: having high value or quality
          b: well supplied <a city ~ in traditions> 3: magnificently
          impressive: sumptuous 4 a: vivid and deep in color <a
          ~ red> b: full and mellow in tone and quality <a ~ voice>
          c: having a strong fragrance <~ perfumes> 5: highly productive
          or remunerative <a ~ mine> 6 a: having abundant plant
          nutrients <~ soil> b: highly seasoned, fatty, oily, or
          sweet <~ foods> c: high in the combustible component
          <a ~ fuel mixture> d: high in some component <cholesterol-rich
          foods> 7 a: entertaining; also: laughable b: meaningful,
          significant <~ allusions> c: lush <~ meadows> 8: pure
          or nearly pure <~ lime> -- rich.ness n syn rich, wealthy,
          affluent, opulent mean having goods, property, and money
          in abundance. rich implies having more than enough to
          gratify normal needs or desires <became rich through
          shrewd investing>. wealthy stresses the possession of
          property and intrinsically valuable things <wealthy landowners>.
          affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth
          <an affluent society>. opulent suggests lavish expenditure
          and display of great wealth, more often applying to things
          than people <an opulent mansion>.

   Richard Roe
          [Rich.ard Roe] n (1768): a party to legal proceedings whose
          true name is unknown--compare john doe

   richen
          [rich.en] vt rich.ened ; rich.en.ing (1878): to make rich
          or richer

   riches
          [rich.es] n pl [ME, sing. or pl., fr. richesse, lit., richness,
          fr. OF, fr. riche rich, of Gmc origin; akin to OE rice
          rich] (13c): things that make one rich: wealth

   richly
          [rich.ly] adv [ME richely, fr. OE riclice, fr. rice rich]
          (bef. 12c) 1: in a rich manner 2: in full measure: amply
          <praise ~ deserved>

   Richter scale
          [Rich.ter scale] n [Charles F. Richter] (1938): an open-ended
          logarithmic scale for expressing the magnitude of a seismic
          disturbance (as an earthquake) in terms of the energy
          dissipated in it with 1.5 indicating the smallest earthquake
          that can be felt, 4.5 an earthquake causing slight damage,
          and 8.5 a very devastating earthquake

   ricin
          [ri.cin] n [L ricinus castor-oil plant] (1896): a poisonous
          protein in the castor bean

   ricinoleic acid
          [ri.cin.ole.ic acid] n [L ricinus + E oleic acid] (1848):
          an oily unsaturated hydroxy fatty acid that occurs in
          castor oil as a glyceride and yields esters important
          as plasticizers

   [1]rick
          [rick] n [ME reek, fr. OE hreac; akin to ON hraukr rick]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a stack (as of hay) in the open air 2:
          a pile of material (as cordwood) split from short logs
          [2]rick vt (1623): to pile (as hay) in ricks [3]rick
          vt [perh. fr. ME wrikken to move unsteadily] (1798) chiefly
          Brit: wrench, sprain

   rickets
          [rick.ets] n pl but sing in constr [origin unknown] (1634):
          a deficiency disease that affects the young during the
          period of skeletal growth, is characterized esp. by soft
          and deformed bones, and is caused by failure to assimilate
          and use calcium and phosphorus normally due to inadequate
          sunlight or vitamin D

   rickettsia
          [rick.ett.sia] n, pl -si.as or -si.ae also -sia [NL, genus
          name, fr. Howard T. Ricketts d. 1910 Am. pathologist]
          (1919): any of a family (Rickettsiaceae) of rod-shaped,
          coccoid, or diplococcus-shaped, often pleomorphic bacteria
          that cause various diseases (as typhus) -- rick.ett.si.al
          adj

   rickety
          [rick.ety] adj (1683) 1: affected with rickets 2 a: lacking
          stability or firmness: shaky 2a <a ~ coalition> b: in
          unsound physical condition <~ veterans> <~ stairs>

   rickey
          [rick.ey] n, pl rickeys [prob. fr. the name Rickey] (1895):
          a drink containing liquor, lime juice, sugar, and soda
          water; also: a similar drink without liquor

   rickrack
          [rick.rack] or ric.rac n [redupl. of [4]rack] (1884): a flat
          braid woven to form zigzags and used esp. as trimming
          on clothing

   ricksha
          [rick.sha] or rick.shaw n [alter. of jinrikisha] (1887):
          a small covered 2-wheeled vehicle usu. for one passenger
          that is pulled by one man and that was used orig. in
          Japan

   RICO
          [RICO] abbreviation Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations
          (Act)

   [1]ricochet
          [ric.o.chet] n [F] (1769): a glancing rebound (as of a projectile
          off a flat surface); also: an object that ricochets [2]ricochet
          vi -cheted or -chet.ted ; -chet.ing or -chet.ting (1828):
          to skip with or as if with glancing rebounds

   ricotta
          [ri.cot.ta] n [It, fr. fem. of pp. of ricuocere to cook again,
          fr. L recoquere, fr. re- + coquere to cook--more at cook]
          (1877): a white unripened whey cheese of Italy that resembles
          cottage cheese; also: a similar cheese made in the U.S.
          from whole or skim milk

   rictal
          [ric.tal] adj (1825): of or relating to the rictus

   rictus
          [ric.tus] n [NL, fr. L, open mouth, fr. ringi to open the
          mouth; akin to OCS rogu mockery] (1827) 1: the gape of
          a bird's mouth 2 a: the mouth orifice b: a gaping grin
          or grimace

   rid
          [rid] vt rid also rid.ded ; rid.ding [ME ridden to clear,
          fr. ON rythja; akin to OHG riutan to clear land] (13c)
          1 archaic: save, rescue 2: to make free: relieve, disencumber
          <~ the language of impropriety> <be ~ of worries> <get
          ~ of that junk>

   riddance
          [rid.dance] n (1533) 1: an act of ridding 2: deliverance,
          relief--often used in the phrase good riddance

   ridden
          [rid.den] adj (1653) 1: harassed, oppressed, or obsessed
          by--usu. used in combination <guilt-ridden> <debt-ridden>
          2: excessively full of or supplied with--usu. used in
          combination <slum-ridden>

   [1]riddle
          [rid.dle] n [ME redels, ridel, fr. OE raedelse opinion, conjecture,
          riddle; akin to OE raedan to interpret--more at read] (bef. 12c)
          1: a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed
          as a problem to be solved or guessed: conundrum, enigma
          2: something or someone difficult to understand syn see mystery
          [2]riddle vb rid.dled ; rid.dling vi (1571): to speak
          in or propound riddles ~ vt 1: to find the solution of: explain
          2: to set a riddle for: puzzle -- rid.dler n [3]riddle n [ME
          riddil, fr. OE hriddel; akin to L cribrum sieve, cernere
          to sift--more at certain] (bef. 12c): a coarse sieve [4]riddle
          vt rid.dled ; rid.dling (13c) 1: to separate (as grain from chaff)
          with a riddle: screen 2: to pierce with many holes <riddled the car
          with bullets> 3: to spread through: permeate <a book riddled with
          errors>

   riddling
          [rid.dling] adj (1591): containing or presenting riddles

   [1]ride
          [ride] vb rode or chiefly dial rid ; rid.den or chiefly dial
          rid or rode ; rid.ing [ME, fr. OE ridan; akin to OHG
          ritan to ride, MIr reidid he rides] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          to sit and travel on the back of an animal that one directs
          b: to travel in or on a conveyance 2: to travel as if
          on a conveyance: be borne <rode on a wave of popularity>
          3 a: to lie moored or anchored <a ship ~s at anchor>
          b: sail c: to move like a floating object <the moon rode
          in the sky> 4: to become supported on a point or surface
          5 a: to travel over a surface <the car ~s well> b: to
          move on the body <shorts that ~ up> 6: to continue without
          interference <let it ~> 7 a: to be contingent: depend
          <plans on which the future ~s> b: to become bet <a lot
          of money riding on the favorite> ~ vt 1 a: to travel
          on <~ a bike> <~ the bus> b: to move with like a rider
          <~ the waves> 2 a: to traverse by conveyance <rode 500
          miles> b: to ride a horse in <~ a race> 3: survive, outlast--usu.
          used with out <rode out the gale> 4: to traverse on horseback
          to inspect or maintain <~ fence> 5: to mount in copulation
          6 a: obsess, oppress <ridden by anxiety> b: to harass
          persistently: nag c: tease, rib 7: carry, convey 8: to
          project over: overlap 9: to give with (a punch) to soften
          the impact 10: to keep in partial engagement by resting
          a foot continuously on the pedal <~ the brakes> -- rid.able
          or ride.able adj -- ride circuit : to hold court in the
          various towns of a judicial circuit -- ride for a fall
          : to court disaster -- ride herd on : to keep a check
          on -- ride high : to experience success -- ride shotgun
          : to ride in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle
          [2]ride n (1759) 1: an act of riding; esp: a trip on
          horseback or by vehicle 2: a way (as a road or path)
          suitable for riding 3: any of various mechanical devices
          (as at an amusement park) for riding on 4 a: a trip on
          which gangsters take a victim to murder him b: something
          likened to such a trip <take the taxpayers for a ~> 5:
          a means of transportation 6: the qualities of travel
          comfort in a vehicle

   rider
          [rid.er] n (14c) 1: one that rides 2 a: an addition to a
          document often attached on a separate piece of paper
          b: a clause appended to a legislative bill to secure
          a usu. distinct object 3: something used to overlie another
          or to move along on another piece -- rid.er.less adj

   ridership
          [rid.er.ship] n (1968): the number of persons who ride a
          system of public transportation

   [1]ridge
          [ridge] n [ME rigge, fr. OE hrycg; akin to OHG hrukki ridge,
          back] (bef. 12c) 1: an elevated body part (as along the
          backbone) 2 a: a range of hills or mountains b: an elongate
          elevation on an ocean bottom 3: an elongate crest or
          a linear series of crests 4: a raised strip (as of plowed
          ground) 5: the line of intersection at the top between
          the opposite slopes or sides of a roof -- ridged adj
          [2]ridge vb ridged ; ridg.ing vt (1523): to form into
          a ridge ~ vi: to extend in ridges

   ridgeline
          [ridge.line] n (1833): a line marking or following a ridge
          top

   ridgeling
          [ridge.ling] or ridg.ling n [perh. fr. [1]ridge; fr. the
          supposition that the undescended testis remains near
          the animal's back] (1555) 1: a partially castrated male
          animal 2: a male animal having one or both testes retained
          in the inguinal canal

   ridgepole
          [ridge.pole] n (1788) 1: the horizontal pole at the top of
          a tent 2: the highest horizontal timber in a roof against
          which the upper ends of the rafters are fixed

   ridgy
          [ridgy] adj (1697): having or rising in ridges

   [1]ridicule
          [rid.i.cule] n [F or L; F, fr. L ridiculum jest] (1690):
          the act of exposing to laughter: derision, mockery [2]ridicule
          vt -culed ; -cul.ing (ca. 1700): to make fun of -- rid.i.cul.er
          n syn ridicule, deride, mock, taunt mean to make an object
          of laughter of. ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious
          belittling <consistently ridiculed everything she said>.
          deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule
          <derided their efforts to start their own business>.
          mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry
          or sham deference <youngsters began to mock the helpless
          wino>. taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challege
          <hometown fans taunted the visiting team>.

   ridiculous
          [ri.dic.u.lous] adj [L ridiculosus (fr. ridiculum jest, fr.
          neut. of ridiculus) or ridiculus, lit., laughable, fr.
          ridere to laugh] (1550): arousing or deserving ridicule:
          absurd, preposterous syn see laughable -- ri.dic.u.lous.ly
          adv -- ri.dic.u.lous.ness n

   [1]riding
          [rid.ing] n (14c): the action or state of one that rides
          [2]rid.ing adj (15c) 1: used for or when riding <a ~
          horse> <~ boots> 2: operated by a rider <a ~ mower> [3]ri.ding
          n [ME -redying or trithing, alter. of (assumed) OE thriding,
          fr. ON thrithjungr third part, fr. thrithi third; akin
          to OE thridda third--more at third] (15c) 1: one of the
          three administrative jurisdictions into which Yorkshire,
          England, was formerly divided 2: an administrative jurisdiction
          or electoral district in a British dominion (as Canada)

   ridley
          [rid.ley] n [origin unknown] (1926): either of two sea turtles:
          a: one (Lepidochelys kempii) of the Gulf of Mexico and
          the Atlantic coast of the U.S.--called also Kemp's ridley
          b: one (L. olivacea) of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian
          oceans

   ridotto
          [ri.dot.to] n, pl -tos [It, retreat, place of entertainment,
          redoubt--more at redoubt] (1722): a public entertainment
          consisting of music and dancing often in masquerade popular
          in 18th century England

   riel
          [ri.el] n [origin unknown] (1956): the basic monetary unit
          of Cambodia

   Riemannian geometry
          [Rie.mann.ian geometry] n [G. F. B. Riemann] (1904):
          a non-Euclidean geometry in which straight lines are geodesics and
          in which the parallel postulate is replaced by the postulate that
          every pair of straight lines intersects

   Riemann integral
          [Rie.mann integral] n (1914): a definite integral defined
          as the limit of sums found by partitioning the interval
          comprising the domain of definition into subintervals,
          by finding the sum of products each of which consists
          of the width of a subinterval multiplied by the value
          of the function at some point in it, and by letting the
          maximum width of the subintervals approach zero

   Riesling
          [Ries.ling] n [G] (1833): a white wine that ranges from dry
          to very sweet and is made from a single variety of grape
          orig. grown in Germany; also: the grape

   RIF
          [RIF] abbreviation reduction in force

   rifampin
          [ri.fam.pin] or ri.fam.pi.cin n [ISV, alter. of rifamycin,
          antibiotic derived from Streptomyces mediterranei] (1966):
          a semisynthetic antibiotic that acts against some viruses
          and bacteria esp. by inhibiting RNA synthesis

   rife
          [rife] adj [ME ryfe, fr. OE ryfe; akin to ON rifr abundant]
          (12c) 1: prevalent esp. to an increasing degree <fear
          was ~ in the people> 2: abundant, common 3: copiously
          supplied: abounding--usu. used with with <~ with rumors>
          -- rife adv -- rife.ly adv

   [1]riff
          [riff] n [prob. by shortening & alter. fr. refrain] (1935)
          1: an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting
          a solo improvisation; also: a piece based on such a phrase
          2: a short succint usu. witty comment; also: bit, routine
          [2]riff vi (1950): to perform a riff [3]riff vb [short
          for riffle] (1952): riffle, skim <~ pages> Riff n, pl
          Riffs or Riffi or Riff (1903): a Berber of the Rif Mountains
          in northern Morocco

   Riffian
          [Riff.ian] n (1867): riff

   [1]riffle
          [rif.fle] vb rif.fled ; rif.fling [[2]riffle] vi (1752) 1:
          to form, flow over, or move in riffles 2: to flip cursorily:
          thumb <~ through the catalog> ~ vt 1: to ruffle slightly:
          ripple 2 a: to leaf through hastily; specif: to leaf
          (as a stack of paper) by sliding a thumb along the edge
          of the leaves b: to shuffle (playing cards) by separating
          the deck into two parts and riffling with the thumbs
          so the cards intermix 3: to manipulate (small objects)
          idly between the fingers [2]riffle n [perh. alter. of
          ruffle] (1785) 1 a: a shallow extending across a streambed
          and causing broken water b: a stretch of water flowing
          over a riffle 2: a small wave or succession of small
          waves: ripple 3 a: any of various contrivances (as blocks
          or rails) laid on the bottom of a sluice or launder to
          make a series of grooves or interstices to catch and
          retain a mineral (as gold) b: a groove or interstice
          so formed 4: a cleat or bar fastened to an inclined surface
          in a gold-washing apparatus to catch and hold mineral
          grains 5 [[1]riffle] a: the act or process of shuffling
          (as cards) b: the sound made while doing this

   riffler
          [rif.fler] n [F rifloir, fr. rifler to file, rifle] (ca.
          1797): a small filing or scraping tool

   riffraff
          [riff.raff] n [ME ryffe raffe, fr. rif and raf every single
          one, fr. MF rif et raf completely, fr. rifler to scratch,
          plunder + raffe act of sweeping] (15c) 1 a: disreputable
          persons b: rabble c: one of the riffraff 2: refuse, rubbish
          -- riffraff adj

   [1]rifle
          [ri.fle] vb ri.fled ; ri.fling [ME, fr. MF rifler to scratch,
          file, plunder, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG riffilon to
          saw, obs. D rijffelen to scrape] vt (14c) 1: to ransack
          esp. with the intent to steal 2: to steal and carry away
          ~ vi: to engage in ransacking and stealing -- ri.fler
          n [2]rifle vt ri.fled ; ri.fling [perh. fr. F rifler
          to scratch, file] (1635): to cut spiral grooves into
          the bore of <rifled arms> <rifled pipe> [3]rifle n (1770)
          1 a: a shoulder weapon with a rifled bore b: a rifled
          artillery piece 2 pl: soldiers armed with rifles [4]rifle
          vt ri.fled ; ri.fling [[3]rifle] (1937): to propel (as
          a ball) with great force or speed

   riflebird
          [ri.fle.bird] n (1831): any of several birds of paradise
          (genus Ptiloris)

   rifleman
          [ri.fle.man] n (1775) 1: a soldier armed with a rifle 2:
          one skilled in shooting with a rifle

   riflery
          [ri.fle.ry] n (1935): the practice of shooting at targets
          with a rifle

   rifling
          [ri.fling] n (1797) 1: the act or process of making spiral
          grooves 2: a system of spiral grooves in the surface
          of the bore of a gun causing a projectile when fired
          to rotate about its longer axis

   [1]rift
          [rift] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to Dan & Norw rift fissure,
          ON rifa to rive--more at rive] (14c) 1 a: fissure, crevasse
          b: fault 5 2: a clear space or interval 3: breach, estrangement
          [2]rift vi (14c): to burst open ~ vt 1: cleave, divide
          <hills were ~ed by the earthquake> 2: penetrate

   rift valley
          [rift valley] n (1894): an elongated valley formed by the
          depression of a block of the earth's crust between two
          faults or groups of faults of approximately parallel
          strike

   [1]rig
          [rig] vt rigged ; rig.ging [ME riggen] (15c) 1: to fit out
          (as a ship) with rigging 2: clothe, dress--usu. used
          with out 3: to furnish with special gear: equip 4 a:
          to put in condition or position for use: adjust, arrange
          <a car rigged for manual control> b: construct <~ up
          a temporary shelter> [2]rig n (1822) 1: the distinctive
          shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts of
          a ship 2: equipage; esp: a carriage with its horse 3:
          clothing, dress 4: tackle, equipment, or machinery fitted
          for a specified purpose <an oil-drilling ~> 5: a tractor-trailer
          combination [3]rig vt rigged ; rig.ging [rig, n., a swindle]
          (1851) 1: to manipulate or control usu. by deceptive
          or dishonest means <~ an election> 2: to fix in advance
          for a desired result <~ a quiz program>

   rigadoon
          [rig.a.doon] or ri.gau.don n [F rigaudon] (1691): a lively
          dance of the 17th and 18th centuries; also: the music
          for a rigadoon

   rigamarole
          [rig.a.ma.role] var of rigmarole

   rigatoni
          [rig.a.to.ni] n [It, pl., fr. rigato furrowed, fluted, fr.
          pp. of rigare to furrow, flute, fr. riga line, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG riga line--more at row] (ca. 1923):
          pasta made in short wide fluted tubes

   Rigel
          [Ri.gel] n [Ar Rijl, lit., foot]: a first-magnitude star
          in the left foot of the constellation Orion

   rigger
          [rig.ger] n (1611) 1: one that rigs 2: a long slender pointed
          sable paintbrush

   rigging
          [rig.ging] n (1594) 1 a: lines and chains used aboard a ship
          esp. in working sail and supporting masts and spars b:
          a similar network (as in theater scenery) used for support
          and manipulation 2: clothing

   [1]right
          [right] adj [ME, fr. OE riht; akin to OHG reht right, L rectus
          straight, right, regere to lead straight, direct, rule,
          rogare to ask, Gk oregein to stretch out] (bef. 12c)
          1: righteous, upright 2: being in accordance with what
          is just, good, or proper <~ conduct> 3 a: agreeable to
          a standard b: conforming to facts or truth: correct <the
          ~ answer> 4: suitable, appropriate <the ~ man for the
          job> 5: straight <a ~ line> 6: genuine, real 7 a: of,
          relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body
          which is away from the heart and on which the hand is
          stronger in most people b: located nearer to the right
          hand than to the left c: located to the right of an observer
          facing the object specified or directed as the right
          arm would point when raised out to the side d (1): located
          on the right of an observer facing in the same direction
          as the object specified <stage ~> (2): located on the
          right when facing downstream <the ~ bank of a river>
          8: having the axis perpendicular to the base <~ cone>
          9: of, relating to, or constituting the principal or
          more prominent side of an object <made sure the socks
          were ~ side out> 10: acting or judging in accordance
          with truth or fact <time proved her ~> 11 a: being in
          good physical or mental health or order <not in his ~
          mind> b: being in a correct or proper state <put things
          ~> 12: most favorable or desired: preferable; also: socially
          acceptable <knew all the ~ people> 13 often cap: of,
          adhering to, or constituted by the Right esp. in politics
          syn see correct -- right.ness n [2]right n [ME, fr. OE
          riht, fr. riht, adj.] (bef. 12c) 1: qualities (as adherence
          to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together
          constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral
          approval 2: something to which one has a just claim:
          as a: the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled
          b (1): the interest that one has in a piece of property--often
          used in pl. <mineral ~s> (2) pl: the property interest
          possessed under law or custom and agreement in an intangible
          thing esp. of a literary and artistic nature <film ~s
          of the novel> 3: something that one may properly claim
          as due 4: the cause of truth or justice 5 a: right hand
          1a; also: a blow struck with this hand <gave him a hard
          ~ on the jaw> b: the location or direction of the right
          side <woods on his ~> c: the part on the right side d:
          right field 6 a: the true account or correct interpretation
          b: the quality or state of being factually correct 7
          often cap a: the part of a legislative chamber located
          to the right of the presiding officer b: the members
          of a continental European legislative body occupying
          the right as a result of holding more conservative political
          views than other members 8 a often cap: individuals sometimes
          professing opposition to change in the established order
          and favoring traditional attitudes and practices and
          sometimes advocating the forced establishment of an authoritarian
          order (as in government) b often cap: a conservative
          position 9 a: a privilege given stockholders to subscribe
          pro rata to a new issue of securities generally below
          market price b: the negotiable certificate evidencing
          such privilege--usu. used in pl. -- right.most adj --
          by rights : with reason or justice: properly -- in one's
          own right : by virtue of one's own qualifications or
          properties -- of right 1: as an absolute right 2: legally
          or morally exactable -- to rights : into proper order
          [3]right adv (bef. 12c) 1: according to right <live ~>
          2: in the exact location, position, or moment: precisely
          <~ at his fingertips> <quit ~ then and there> 3: in a
          suitable, proper, or desired manner <knew he wasn't doing
          it ~> 4: in a direct line, course, or manner: directly,
          straight <go ~ home> <came ~ out and said it> 5: according
          to fact or truth: truly <guessed ~> 6 a: all the way
          <windows ~ to the floor> b: in a complete manner <felt
          ~ at home> 7: without delay: immediately <~ after lunch>
          8: to a great degree: very <a ~ pleasant day> 9: on or
          to the right <looked left and ~> [4]right vt (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to do justice to: redress the injuries of <so just
          is God to ~ the innocent --Shak.> b: justify, vindicate
          <felt the need to ~ himself in court> 2: avenge <vows
          to ~ the injustice done to his family> 3 a: to adjust
          or restore to the proper state or condition <~ the economy>
          b: to bring or restore to an upright position <~ a capsized
          boat> ~ vi: to become upright -- right.er n

   right and left
          [right and left] adv (1829): on both or all sides: in every
          direction: everywhere

   right angle
          [right angle] n (15c): the angle bounded by two lines perpendicular
          to each other: an angle of 90 degrees -- right-an.gled
          or right-an.gle adj

   right ascension
          [right ascension] n (15c): the arc of the celestial equator
          between the vernal equinox and the point where the hour
          circle through the given body intersects the equator
          reckoned eastward commonly in terms of the corresponding
          interval of sidereal time in hours, minutes, and seconds

   right away
          [right away] adv (1818): without delay or hesitation: immediately

   right circular cone
          [right circular cone] n (ca. 1889): cone 1a

   right circular cylinder
          [right circular cylinder] n (1877): a cylinder with the bases
          circular and with the axis joining the two centers of
          the bases perpendicular to the planes of the two bases

   righteous
          [righ.teous] adj [alter. of earlier rightuous, alter. of
          ME rightwise, rightwos, fr. OE rihtwis, fr. riht, n.,
          right + wis wise] (1535) 1: acting in accord with divine
          or moral law: free from guilt or sin 2 a: morally right
          or justifiable <a ~ decision> b: arising from an outraged
          sense of justice or morality <~ indignation> 3 slang:
          genuine, good syn see moral -- righ.teous.ly adv -- righ.teous.ness
          n

   right field
          [right field] n (1857) 1: the part of the baseball outfield
          to the right looking out from home plate 2: the position
          of the player defending right field -- right fielder
          n

   rightful
          [right.ful] adj (14c) 1: just, equitable 2 a: having a just
          or legally established claim: legitimate <the ~ owner>
          b: held by right or just claim: legal <~ authority> 3:
          proper, fitting <assured of his ~ place in history --Brian
          Duff> -- right.ful.ly adv -- right.ful.ness n

   right-hand
          [right-hand] adj (1592) 1: situated on the right 2: right-handed
          3: chiefly relied on <~ man>

   right hand
          [right hand] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the hand on a person's right
          side b: an indispensable person 2 a: the right side b:
          a place of honor

   right-handed
          [right-hand.ed] adj (14c) 1: using the right hand habitually
          or more easily than the left; also: swinging from right
          to left <a ~ batter> 2: relating to, designed for, or
          done with the right hand 3 a: having the same direction
          or course as the movement of the hands of a watch viewed
          from in front: clockwise b: having a spiral structure
          or form that ascends or advances to the right <a ~ screw>
          <a ~ double helix of DNA> 4 of a door: opening to the
          right away from one -- right-handed adv -- right-hand.ed.ly
          adv -- right-hand.ed.ness n

   right-hander
          [right-hand.er] n (1857) 1: a blow struck with the right
          hand 2: a right-handed person; esp: a right-handed pitcher

   rightism
          [right.ism] n, often cap (1939) 1: the principles and views
          of the Right 2: advocacy of or adherence to the doctrines
          of the Right -- right.ist n or adj, often cap

   rightly
          [right.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: in accordance with right conduct:
          fairly, justly 2: in the right or proper manner: properly,
          fittingly 3: according to truth or fact: correctly, exactly

   right-minded
          [right-mind.ed] adj (ca. 1586): having a right or honest
          mind <a ~ citizen> -- right-mind.ed.ness n

   right now
          [right now] adv (14c) 1: right away 2: at present

   righto
          [righto] interj (1896)--used to express cheerful concurrence,
          assent, or understanding

   right off
          [right off] adv (1790): right away: at once -- right off
          the bat : right off

   right-of-way
          [right-of-way] n, pl rights-of-way also right-of-ways (1768)
          1: a legal right of passage over another person's ground
          2 a: the area over which a right-of-way exists b: the
          strip of land over which is built a public road c: the
          land occupied by a railroad esp. for its main line d:
          the land used by a public utility (as for a transmission
          line) 3 a: a precedence in passing accorded to one vehicle
          over another by custom, decision, or statute b: the right
          of traffic to take precedence c: the right to take precedence
          over others <gave the bill the ~ in the Senate>

   right on
          [right on] adj (1925) 1: exactly correct--often used
          interjectionally to express agreement 2 usu right-on : attuned
          to the spirit of the times

   Right Reverend
          [Right Reverend] (15c)--used as a title for high ecclesiastical
          officials

   right shoulder arms
          [right shoulder arms] n (1902): a position in the manual
          of arms in which the butt of the rifle is held in the
          right hand with the barrel resting on the right shoulder;
          also: a command to assume this position

   right-to-life
          [right-to-life] adj (1973): opposed to abortion -- right-to-lif.er
          n

   right-to-work
          [right-to-work] adj (1949): opposing or banning the closed
          shop and the union shop

   right triangle
          [right triangle] n (1924): a triangle having a right angle--see
          triangle illustration

   rightward
          [right.ward] adj (1825): being toward or on the right

   right whale
          [right whale] n (1725): any of a family (Balaenidae) of baleen
          whales having very long baleen, a large head on a stocky
          body, a smooth throat, and short broad rounded flippers

   right wing
          [right wing] n (1905) 1: the rightist division of a group
          or party 2: right 8 -- right-wing adj -- right-wing.er
          n

   righty
          [righty] n, pl right.ies (1949): right-hander 2

   rigid
          [rig.id] adj [ME rigide, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L rigidus,
          fr. rigere to be stiff] (15c) 1 a: deficient in or devoid
          of flexibility <~ price controls> <a ~ bar of metal>
          b: appearing stiff and unyielding <his face ~ with pain>
          2 a: inflexibly set in opinion b: strictly observed <adheres
          to a ~ schedule> 3: firmly inflexible rather than lax
          or indulgent <a ~ disciplinarian> 4: precise and accurate
          in procedure <~ control of the manufacturing process>
          5 of an airship: having the outer shape maintained by
          a fixed framework -- rig.id.ly adv -- rig.id.ness n syn
          rigid, rigorous, strict, stringent mean extremely severe
          or stern. rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility
          <rigid rules of conduct>. rigorous implies the imposition
          of hardship and difficulty <the rigorous training of
          recruits>. strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to
          rules, standards, or requirements <strict enforcement
          of the law>. stringent suggests severe, tight restriction
          or limitation <stringent standards of admission>. syn
          see in addition stiff

   rigidify
          [ri.gid.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (1842): to make rigid
          ~ vi: to become rigid -- ri.gid.i.fi.ca.tion n

   rigidity
          [ri.gid.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1624) 1: the quality or state
          of being rigid 2: one that is rigid (as in form or conduct)

   rigmarole
          [rig.ma.role] n [alter. of obs. ragman roll long list, catalog]
          (ca. 1736) 1: confused or meaningless talk 2: a complex
          and ritualistic procedure

   rigor
          [rig.or] n [ME rigour, fr. MF rigueur, fr. L rigor, lit.,
          stiffness, fr. rigere to be stiff] (14c) 1 a (1): harsh
          inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment: severity
          (2): the quality of being unyielding or inflexible: strictness
          (3): severity of life: austerity b: an act or instance
          of strictness, severity, or cruelty 2: a tremor caused
          by a chill 3: a condition that makes life difficult,
          challenging, or uncomfortable; esp: extremity of cold
          4: strict precision: exactness <logical ~> 5 a obs: rigidity,
          stiffness b: rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue
          that prevents response to stimuli

   rigorism
          [rig.or.ism] n (1704): rigidity in principle or practice
          -- rig.or.ist n or adj -- rig.or.is.tic adj

   rigor mortis
          [rig.or mor.tis] n [NL, stiffness of death] (ca. 1847): temporary
          rigidity of muscles occurring after death

   rigorous
          [rig.or.ous] adj (15c) 1: manifesting, exercising, or favoring
          rigor: very strict 2 a: marked by extremes of temperature
          or climate b: harsh, severe 3: scrupulously accurate:
          precise syn see rigid -- rig.or.ous.ly adv -- rig.or.ous.ness
          n

   rigour
          [rig.our] chiefly Brit var of rigor

   rijsttafel
          [rijst.ta.fel] n [D, fr. rijst rice + tafel table] (1889):
          an Indonesian meal consisting of rice and a variety of
          accompanying dishes (as meat, seafood, and vegetables)

   Riksmal
          [Riks.mal] or Riks.maal n [Norw, fr. rik kingdom + mal speech]
          (1913): bokmal

   rile
          [rile] vt riled ; ril.ing [var. of roil] (1825) 1: to make
          agitated and angry: upset 2: roil 1 syn see irritate

   riley
          [ril.ey] adj (1805) 1: turbid 2: angry

   [1]rill
          [rill] n [D ril or LG rille; akin to OE rith rivulet] (1538):
          a very small brook [2]rill vi (1610): to flow like a
          rill [3]rill or rille n [G Rille, lit., channel made
          by a small stream, fr. LG, rill] (1868): any of several
          long narrow valleys on the moon's surface

   rillet
          [rill.et] n (1538): a little rill

   rillettes
          [ril.lettes] n pl [F, pl., dim. of rille, sing., piece of
          pork, fr. MF, dial. var. of reille board, lath, fr. L
          regula straightedge--more at rule] (1889): cooked shredded
          meat (as pork or duck) or fish preserved in fat

   [1]rim
          [rim] n [ME, fr. OE rima; akin to ON rimi strip of land]
          (13c) 1 a: brink b: the outer often curved or circular
          edge or border of something 2 a: the outer part of a
          wheel joined to the hub usu. by spokes b: a removable
          outer metal band on an automobile wheel to which the
          tire is attached 3: frame 4c(1) -- rim.less adj [2]rim
          vb rimmed ; rim.ming vt (1794) 1: to serve as a rim for:
          border <cliffs rimming the camp> 2: to run around the
          rim of <putts that ~ the cup> ~ vi: to form or show a
          rim

   [1]rime
          [rime] n [ME rim, fr. OE hrim; akin to ON hrim frost] (bef.
          12c) 1: frost 1b 2: an accumulation of granular ice tufts
          on the windward sides of exposed objects that is formed
          from supercooled fog or cloud and built out directly
          against the wind 3: crust, incrustation <a ~ of snow>
          [2]rime vt rimed ; rim.ing (ca. 1755): to cover with
          or as if with rime

   [3]rime, rimester
          [rime, rime.ster] var of rhyme, rhymester

   rimfire
          [rim.fire] adj (1868) of a cartridge: having the priming
          distributed in the rim of the shell -- rimfire n

   rimland
          [rim.land] n (1944): a region on the periphery of the heartland

   rimmed
          [rimmed] adj (1729): having a rim--usu. used in combination
          <dark-rimmed glasses> <red-rimmed eyes>

   rimrock
          [rim.rock] n (1860) 1: a top stratum or overlying strata
          of resistant rock of a plateau that outcrops to form
          a vertical face 2: the edge or face of a rimrock outcrop

   rimy
          [rimy] adj rim.i.er ; -est [OE hrimig, fr. hrim] (bef. 12c):
          covered with rime: frosty

   rind
          [rind] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG rinda bark, and prob. to
          OE rendan to rend] (bef. 12c) 1: the bark of a tree 2:
          a usu. hard or tough outer layer: peel, crust <grated
          lemon ~> -- rind.ed adj

   rinderpest
          [rin.der.pest] n [G, fr. Rinder, pl., cattle + Pest pestilence]
          (1865): an acute infectious febrile disease of ruminant
          mammals (as cattle) that is caused by a virus and is
          marked by diarrhea and inflammation of mucous membranes

   [1]ring
          [ring] n [ME, fr. OE hring; akin to OHG hring ring, OCS krogu
          circle] (bef. 12c) 1: a circular band for holding, connecting,
          hanging, pulling, packing, or sealing <a key ~> <a towel
          ~> 2: a circlet usu. of precious metal worn on the finger
          3 a: a circular line, figure, or object <smoke ~> b:
          an encircling arrangement <a ~ of suburbs> c: a circular
          or spiral course--often used in pl. in the phrase run
          rings around 4 a (1): an often circular space esp. for
          exhibitions or competitions; esp: such a space at a circus
          (2): a structure containing such a ring b: a square enclosure
          in which boxers or wrestlers contest 5: a band believed
          to be composed of rocky fragments revolving around a
          planet (as Saturn) 6: annual ring 7 a: an exclusive combination
          of persons for a selfish and often corrupt purpose (as
          to control a market) <a wheat ~> b: gang 8: the field
          of a political contest: race 9: food in the shape of
          a circle 10: an arrangment of atoms represented in formulas
          or models in a cyclic manner--called also cycle 11: a
          set of mathematical elements that is closed under two
          binary operations of which the first forms a commutative
          group with the set and the second is associative over
          the set and is distributive with respect to the first
          operation 12 pl a: a pair of usu. rubber-covered metal
          rings suspended from a ceiling or crossbar to a height
          of approximately eight feet above the floor and used
          for hanging, swinging, and balancing feats in gymnastics
          b: an event in gymnastics competition in which the rings
          are used 13: [2]boxing <ended his ~ career> -- ring.like
          adj [2]ring vb ringed ; ring.ing vt (14c) 1: to provide
          with a ring 2: to place or form a ring around: encircle
          <police ~ed the building> 3: girdle 2 4: to throw a ringer
          over (the peg) in a game (as horseshoes or quoits) ~
          vi 1 a: to move in a ring b: to rise in the air spirally
          2: to form or take the shape of a ring [3]ring vb rang
          ; rung ; ring.ing [ME, fr. OE hringan; akin to ON hringja
          to ring] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to sound resonantly or sonorously
          <the doorbell rang> <cheers rang out> 2 a: to be filled
          with a reverberating sound: resound <the halls rang with
          laughter> b: to have the sensation of being filled with
          a humming sound <his ears rang> 3: to cause something
          to ring <~ for the butler> 4 a: to be filled with talk
          or report <the whole land rang with her fame> b: to have
          great renown c: to sound repetitiously <their praise
          rang in his ears> 5: to have a sound or character expressive
          of some quality <a story that ~s true> 6 chiefly Brit:
          to make a telephone call--usu. used with up ~ vt 1: to
          cause to sound esp. by striking 2: to make (a sound)
          by or as if by ringing a bell 3: to announce by or as
          if by ringing 4: to repeat often, loudly, or earnestly
          5 a: to summon esp. by bell b chiefly Brit: telephone--usu.
          used with up -- ring a bell : to arouse a response <that
          name rings a bell> -- ring down the curtain : to conclude
          a performance or an action -- ring off the hook : to
          ring frequently or constantly with incoming calls <the
          telephone was ringing off the hook> -- ring the changes
          or ring changes : to run through the range of possible
          variations -- ring up the curtain : to begin a performance
          or an action [4]ring n (1549) 1: a set of bells 2: a
          clear resonant sound made by or resembling that made
          by vibrating metal 3: resonant tone: sonority 4: a loud
          sound continued, repeated, or reverberated 5: a sound
          or character expressive of some particular quality <the
          story had a familiar ~> 6 a: the act or an instance of
          ringing b: a telephone call <give me a ~ in the morning>

   ring-a-levio
          [ring-a-le.vio] or ring-a-lie.vo n [alter. of earlier ring
          relievo, fr. [1]ring + relieve] (ca. 1901): a game in
          which players on one team are given time to hide and
          are then sought out by members of the other team who
          try to capture them, keep them in a place of confinement,
          and keep them from being released by their teammates

   ring-around-a-rosy
          [ring-around-a-rosy] or ring-around-the-rosy n (ca. 1886):
          a children's singing game in which players dance around
          in a circle and at a given signal squat--called also
          ring-a-rosy

   ringbark
          [ring.bark] vt (1892): girdle 2

   ring binder
          [ring binder] n (1929): a loose-leaf binder in which split
          metal rings attached to a metal back hold the perforated
          sheets of paper

   ringbolt
          [ring.bolt] n (1599): an eyebolt with a ring through its
          eye

   ringbone
          [ring.bone] n (1523): a bony outgrowth on the pastern bones
          of the horse usu. producing lameness

   ring dance
          [ring dance] n (1600): round dance 1

   ringdove
          [ring.dove] n (1538) 1: a chiefly European pigeon (Columba
          palumbus) with a whitish patch on each side of the neck
          and wings edged with white 2: a small dove (Streptopelia
          risoria) of southeastern Europe and Asia--called also
          ringed turtle dove

   ringed
          [ringed] adj (14c) 1: encircled or marked with or as if with
          rings 2: composed or formed of rings

   [1]ringer
          [ring.er] n (15c) 1: one that sounds esp. by ringing 2 a
          (1): one that enters a competition under false representations
          (2): imposter, fake b: one that strongly resembles another--often
          used with dead <he's a dead ~ for the senator> [2]ringer
          n (1863): one that encircles or puts a ring around (as
          a quoit or horseshoe that lodges so as to surround the
          peg)

   Ringer's solution
          [Ring.er's solution] n [Sidney Ringer d. 1910 Eng. physician]
          (1893): a balanced aqueous solution that contains chloride,
          sodium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, and phosphate
          ions and that is used in physiological experiments to
          provide a medium essentially isotonic to many animal
          tissues--called also Ringer solution

   ring finger
          [ring finger] n (bef. 12c): the third finger esp. of the
          left hand counting the forefinger as the first

   ringgit
          [ring.git] n, pl ringgit or ringgits [Malay, lit., toothed,
          serrated] (1967): the basic monetary unit of Malaysia

   ringing
          [ring.ing] adj (14c) 1: clear and full in tone: resounding
          <a ~ baritone> 2: vigorously unequivocal: decisive <a
          ~ condemnation of immorality> -- ring.ing.ly adv

   ringleader
          [ring.lead.er] n (1503): a leader of a ring of individuals
          engaged esp. in improper or unlawful activities

   ringlet
          [ring.let] n (1555) 1: a small ring or circle 2: curl; esp:
          a long curl of hair

   ringmaster
          [ring.mas.ter] n (1873): one in charge of performances in
          a ring (as of a circus); broadly: a supervisor or moderator
          esp. of a performance or presentation

   ringneck
          [ring.neck] n (1791): a ring-necked animal

   ring-necked
          [ring-necked] or ring-neck adj (1817): having a ring of color
          about the neck

   ring-necked duck
          [ring-necked duck] n (1831): an American scaup duck (Aythya
          collaris) that has a white ring around the bill and in
          the male a faint narrow chestnut ring encircling the
          neck

   ring-necked pheasant
          [ring-necked pheasant] n (1834): a Eurasian pheasant (Phasianus
          colchicus) that has been widely introduced as a game
          bird in No. America and that has a white neck ring and
          an iridescent green and purplish head with red wattles
          around the eyes

   ring off
          [ring off] vi (1882) chiefly Brit: hang up 1

   ring-porous
          [ring-po.rous] adj (1902): having vessels more numerous and
          usu. larger in cross section in the springwood with a
          resulting more or less distinct line between the springwood
          and the last season's wood--compare diffuse-porous

   ring road
          [ring road] n (1928) chiefly Brit: a highway skirting an
          urban area

   [1]ringside
          [ring.side] n (1866) 1: the area just outside a ring esp.
          in which a contest occurs 2: a place from which one may
          have a close view [2]ringside adj (1896): being at the
          ringside <a ~ seat>

   ring spot
          [ring spot] n (1923) 1: a lesion of plant tissue consisting
          of yellowish, purplish, or necrotic, often concentric
          rings 2: a viral disease of plants that is characterized
          by ring spots

   ring stand
          [ring stand] n (ca. 1865): a metal stand consisting of a
          long upright rod attached to a heavy rectangular base
          that is used with rings and clamps for supporting laboratory
          apparatus

   ringstraked
          [ring.straked] adj (1611) archaic: marked with circular stripes

   ringtail
          [ring.tail] n (1844) 1: raccoon 2: a carnivore (Bassariscus
          astutus) of the western U.S. and Mexico that is related
          to and resembles the raccoon--called also cacomistle,
          civet cat, ringtail cat, ringtailed cat 3: capuchin 3

   ring-tailed
          [ring-tailed] adj (1729) 1: having a tail marked with rings
          of differing colors 2: having a tail carried in a form
          approximating a circle <a ~ Afghan hound>

   ringtaw
          [ring.taw] n (1828): a game of marbles in which marbles are
          placed in a circle on the ground and shot at from the
          edge of the circle with the object being to knock them
          out of the circle

   ringtoss
          [ring.toss] n (1871): a game in which the object is to toss
          a ring so that it will fall over an upright stick

   ring up
          [ring up] vt (1937) 1: to total and record esp. by means
          of a cash register 2: achieve <rang up many social triumphs>

   ringworm
          [ring.worm] n (15c): any of several contagious fungal diseases
          of the skin, hair, or nails of humans and domestic animals
          that are characterized by ring-shaped discolored skin
          patches covered with vesicles and scales

   rink
          [rink] n [ME (Sc) rinc area in which a contest takes place,
          fr. MF renc place, row--more at rank] (1787) 1 a: a smooth
          extent of ice marked off for curling or ice hockey b:
          a surface of ice for ice-skating; also: a building containing
          such a rink c: an enclosure for roller-skating 2: an
          alley for lawn bowling 3: a team in bowls or curling

   rinky-dink
          [rinky-dink] adj [origin unknown] (1913) 1: small-time 2:
          old-fashioned

   [1]rinse
          [rinse] vt rinsed ; rins.ing [ME rincen, fr. MF rincer, fr.
          (assumed) VL recentiare, fr. L recent-, recens fresh,
          recent] (14c) 1: to cleanse by flushing with liquid (as
          water)--often used with out <~ out the mouth> 2 a: to
          cleanse (as of soap used in washing) by clear water b:
          to treat (hair) with a rinse 3: to remove (dirt or impurities)
          by washing lightly or in water only -- rins.er n [2]rinse
          n (1837) 1: the act or process of rinsing 2 a: liquid
          used for rinsing b: a solution that temporarily tints
          hair

   rinsing
          [rins.ing] n (1818) 1: dregs, residue--usu. used in pl. 2:
          water that has been used for rinsing--usu. used in pl.

   RIO
          [RIO] abbreviation radar intercept officer

   rioja
          [rio.ja] n, often cap (1907): a wine from the Rioja region
          of Spain; esp: a dry red wine from this region

   [1]riot
          [ri.ot] n [ME, fr. OF, dispute, fr. rioter to quarrel] (13c)
          1 archaic a: profligate behavior: debauchery b: unrestrained
          revelry c: noise, uproar, or disturbance made by revelers
          2 a: public violence, tumult, or disorder b: a violent
          public disorder; specif: a tumultuous disturbance of
          the public peace by three or more persons assembled together
          and acting with a common intent 3: a random or disorderly
          profusion <the woods were a ~ of color> 4: one that is
          wildly amusing <the new comedy is a ~> [2]riot vi (14c)
          1: to indulge in revelry or wantonness 2: to create or
          engage in a riot -- ri.ot.er n

   riot act
          [riot act] n [the Riot Act, English law of 1715 providing
          for the dispersal of riots upon command of legal authority]
          (1819): a vigorous reprimand or warning--used in the
          phrase read the riot act

   riot gun
          [riot gun] n (1916): a small arm used to disperse rioters
          rather than to inflict serious injury or death; esp:
          a short-barreled shotgun

   riotous
          [ri.ot.ous] adj (15c) 1 a: of the nature of a riot: turbulent
          b: participating in riot 2: abundant, exuberant <the
          garden was ~ with flowers> -- ri.ot.ous.ly adv -- ri.ot.ous.ness
          n

   [1]rip
          [rip] vb ripped ; rip.ping [prob. fr. Flem rippen to strip
          off roughly] vt (15c) 1 a: to tear or split apart or
          open b: to saw or split (wood) with the grain 2: to slash
          or slit with or as if with a sharp blade 3: to hit sharply
          <ripped a double to left field> 4: to utter violently:
          spit out <ripped out an oath> 5: criticize, put down
          ~ vi 1: to become ripped: rend 2: to rush headlong <ripped
          past second base> syn see tear -- rip into : to tear
          into: attack [2]rip n (1711) 1: a rent made by ripping:
          tear 2: cut 5b [3]rip n [perh. fr. [2]rip] (1775) 1:
          a body of water made rough by the meeting of opposing
          tides, currents, or winds 2: a current of water roughened
          by passing over an irregular bottom 3: rip current [4]rip
          n [perh. by shortening & alter. fr. reprobate] (1797):
          a dissolute person: libertine

   RIP
          [RIP] [L requiescat in pace] abbreviation may he rest in
          peace, may she rest in peace; [L requiescant in pace]
          may they rest in peace

   riparian
          [ri.par.i.an] adj [L riparius--more at river] (ca. 1841):
          relating to or living or located on the bank of a natural
          watercourse (as a river) or sometimes of a lake or a
          tidewater

   riparian right
          [riparian right] n (ca. 1860): a right (as access to or use
          of the shore, bed, and water) of one owning riparian
          land

   rip cord
          [rip cord] n (1907) 1: a cord by which the gasbag of a balloon
          may be ripped open for a limited distance to release
          the gas quickly and so cause immediate descent 2: a cord
          or wire pulled in making a descent to release the pilot
          parachute which lifts the main parachute out of its container

   rip current
          [rip current] n (1936): a strong usu. narrow surface current
          flowing outward from a shore that results from the return
          flow of waves and wind-driven water

   ripe
          [ripe] adj rip.er ; rip.est [ME, fr. OE ripe; akin to OE
          ripan, reopan to reap] (bef. 12c) 1: fully grown and
          developed: mature 2: having mature knowledge, understanding,
          or judgment 3: of advanced years: late <lived to a ~
          old age> 4 a: suitable, appropriate <the time seemed
          ~ for the experiment> b: fully prepared: ready <the colonies
          were ~ for revolution> 5 a: brought by aging to full
          flavor or the best state: mellow <~ cheese> b: smelly,
          stinking 6: ruddy, plump, or full like ripened fruit
          7: indecent <~ language> -- ripe.ly adv -- ripe.ness
          n

   ripen
          [rip.en] vb rip.ened ; rip.en.ing vi (1561): to grow or become
          ripe ~ vt 1: to make ripe 2 a: to bring to completeness
          or perfection b: to age or cure (cheese) to develop characteristic
          flavor, odor, body, texture, and color c: to improve flavor and
          tenderness of (beef or game) by aging under refrigeration
          -- rip.en.er n

   ripieno
          [ri.pie.no] n, pl -ni or -nos [It, lit., filled up] (ca.
          1930): tutti

   rip off
          [rip off] vt (1967) 1 a: rob; also: cheat, defraud b: steal
          2: to copy or imitate blatantly or unscrupulously 3:
          to perform, achieve, or score quickly or easily <ripped
          off 10 straight points>

   rip-off
          [rip-off] n (1969) 1: an act or instance of stealing: theft;
          also: a financial exploitation 2: a usu. cheap exploitive
          imitation

   riposte
          [ri.poste] n [F, modif. of It risposta, lit., answer, fr.
          rispondere to respond, fr. L respondere] (1707) 1: a
          fencer's quick return thrust following a parry 2: a retaliatory
          verbal sally: retort 3: a retaliatory maneuver or measure
          -- riposte vb

   ripped
          [ripped] adj (1970) slang: being under the influence of alcohol
          or drugs: high, stoned

   ripper
          [rip.per] n (1611) 1: one that rips; esp: a machine used
          to break up solid material (as rock or ore) 2: an excellent
          example or instance of its kind

   ripping
          [rip.ping] adj [prob. fr. prp. of [1]rip] (1846) chiefly
          Brit: excellent, delightful <wrote me some ~ letters>
          <had a ~ time>

   [1]ripple
          [rip.ple] vb rip.pled ; rip.pling [perh. freq. of [1]rip]
          vi (ca. 1671) 1 a: to become lightly ruffled or covered
          with small waves b: to flow in small waves c: to fall
          in soft undulating folds <the scarf rippled to the floor>
          2: to flow with a light rise and fall of sound or inflection
          <laughter rippled over the audience> 3: to move with
          an undulating motion or so as to cause ripples <the canoe
          rippled through the water> 4: to have or produce a ripple
          effect: spread <the news rippled outwards> ~ vt 1: to
          stir up small waves on 2: to impart a wavy motion or
          appearance to <rippling his arm muscles> 3: to utter
          or play with a slight rise and fall of sound -- rip.pler
          n [2]ripple n (1755) 1 a: a shallow stretch of rough
          water in a stream b (1): the ruffling of the surface
          of water (2): a small wave 2 a: ripple mark b: a sound
          like that of rippling water <a ~ of laughter> c: a usu.
          slight noticeable effect or reaction -- rip.ply adj

   ripple effect
          [ripple effect] n (1966): a spreading, pervasive, and usu.
          unintentional effect or influence <the automotive industry
          has a ripple effect on many other industries>--compare
          domino effect

   ripple mark
          [ripple mark] n (1833) 1: one of a series of small ridges
          produced esp. on sand by the action of wind, a current
          of water, or waves 2: a striation across the grain of
          wood esp. on the tangential surface -- rip.ple-marked
          adj

   [1]riprap
          [rip.rap] n [obs. riprap sound of rapping] (1833) 1: a foundation
          or sustaining wall of stones or chunks of concrete thrown
          together without order (as in deep water); also: a layer
          of this or similar material on an embankment slope to
          prevent erosion 2: material used for riprap [2]riprap
          vt (1848) 1: to form a riprap in or upon 2: to strengthen
          or support with a riprap

   rip-roaring
          [rip-roar.ing] adj (1834): noisily excited or exciting

   ripsaw
          [rip.saw] n (1846): a coarse-toothed saw used to cut wood
          in the direction of the grain--compare crosscut saw

   ripsnorter
          [rip.snort.er] n (1840): something extraordinary: humdinger
          <the finale was a ~> -- rip.snort.ing adj

   ripstop
          [rip.stop] adj (1949): of, relating to, or being a fabric
          woven with a double thread at regular intervals so that
          small tears do not spread <~ nylon> -- ripstop n

   riptide
          [rip.tide] n (1862): rip current

   Ripuarian
          [Rip.u.ar.i.an] adj [ML Ripuarius] (1781): of, relating to,
          or constituting a group of Franks settling in the 4th
          century on the Rhine near Cologne

   Rip van Winkle
          [Rip van Win.kle] n: a ne'er-do-well in a story in Washington
          Irving's Sketch Book who sleeps for 20 years

   [1]rise
          [rise] vi rose ; ris.en ; ris.ing [ME, fr. OE risan; akin
          to OHG risan to rise] (bef. 12c) 1 a: to assume an upright
          position esp. from lying, kneeling, or sitting b: to
          get up from sleep or from one's bed 2: to return from
          death 3: to take up arms <~ in rebellion> 4: to respond
          warmly: applaud--usu. used with to <the audience rose
          to her verve and wit> 5 chiefly Brit: to end a session:
          adjourn 6: to appear above the horizon <the sun ~s at
          six> 7 a: to move upward: ascend b: to increase in height,
          size, or volume <the river rose after the heavy rains>
          8: to extend above other objects <mountain peaks rose
          to the west> 9 a: to become heartened or elated <his
          spirits rose> b: to increase in fervor or intensity <my
          anger rose as I thought about the insult> 10 a: to attain
          a higher level or rank <officers who rose from the ranks>
          b: to increase in quantity or number 11 a: to take place:
          happen b: to come into being: originate 12: to follow
          as a consequence: result 13: to exert oneself to meet
          a challenge <~ to the occasion> syn see spring [2]rise
          n (15c) 1 a: a spot higher than surrounding ground: hilltop
          b: an upward slope <a ~ in the road> 2: an act of rising
          or a state of being risen: as a: a movement upward: ascent
          b: emergence (as of the sun) above the horizon c: the
          upward movement of a fish to seize food or bait 3: beginning,
          origin <the river had its ~ in the mountain> 4: the distance
          or elevation of one point above another 5 a: an increase
          esp. in amount, number, or volume b chiefly Brit: raise
          3b c: an increase in price, value, rate, or sum <a ~
          in the cost of living> 6: an angry reaction <got a ~
          out of him> 7: the distance from the crotch to the waistline
          on pants

   riser
          [ris.er] n (15c) 1: one that rises (as from sleep) 2: the
          upright member between two stair treads 3: a stage platform
          on which performers are placed for greater visibility
          4: a vertical pipe (as for water or gas) or a vertical
          portion of an electric wiring system 5: one of the straps
          that connects a parachutist's harness with the shroud
          lines

   risibility
          [ris.i.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1620) 1: laughter 2: the ability
          or inclination to laugh--often used in pl. <our risibilities
          support us as we skim over the surface of a deep issue
          --J. A. Pike>

   risible
          [ris.i.ble] adj [LL risibilis, fr. L risus, pp. of ridere
          to laugh] (1557) 1 a: capable of laughing b: disposed
          to laugh 2: arousing or provoking laughter; esp: laughable
          3: associated with, relating to, or used in laughter
          <~ muscles>

   risibles
          [ris.i.bles] n pl (1785): sense of the ridiculous: sense
          of humor

   [1]rising
          [ris.ing] n (14c): insurrection, uprising [2]rising adv (ca.
          1772): approaching a stated age: nearly <a red cow ~
          four years old --Lancaster (Pa.) Jour.>

   rising diphthong
          [rising diphthong] n (1888): a diphthong in which the second
          element is more sonorous than the first

   rising rhythm
          [rising rhythm] n (1881): rhythm with stress occurring regularly
          on the last syllable of each foot--compare falling rhythm

   [1]risk
          [risk] n [F risque, fr. It risco] (ca. 1661) 1: possibility
          of loss or injury: peril 2: someone or something that
          creates or suggests a hazard 3 a: the chance of loss
          or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract;
          also: the degree of probability of such loss b: a person
          or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer <a
          poor ~ for insurance> c: an insurance hazard from a specified
          cause or source <war ~> -- risk.less adj -- at risk :
          exposed to a usu. specified danger or loss <patients
          at risk of infection> [2]risk vt (ca. 1687) 1: to expose
          to hazard or danger <~ed her life> 2: to incur the risk
          or danger of <~ed breaking his neck> -- risk.er n

   risk capital
          [risk capital] n (1944): venture capital

   risky
          [risky] adj risk.i.er ; -est (1827): attended with risk or
          danger: hazardous syn see dangerous -- risk.i.ness n

   risorgimento
          [ri.sor.gi.men.to] n, pl -tos [It, lit., rising again, fr.
          risorgere to rise again, fr. L resurgere--more at resurrection]
          (1902): a time of renewal or renaissance: revival; specif:
          the 19th century movement for Italian political unity

   risotto
          [ri.sot.to] n, pl -tos [It, fr. riso rice--more at rice]
          (1855): rice cooked in meat stock and seasoned (as with
          Parmesan cheese or saffron)

   risque
          [ris.que] adj [F, fr. pp. of risquer to risk, fr. risque]
          (1867): verging on impropriety or indecency: off-color

   rit
          [rit] abbreviation ritardando

   Ritalin
          [Rit.a.lin] trademark--used for methylphenidate

   ritard
          [ri.tard] n (ca. 1890): ritardando

   [1]ritardando
          [ri.tar.dan.do] adv or adj [It, fr. L retardandum, gerund
          of retardare to retard] (ca. 1811): with a gradual slackening
          in tempo--used as a direction in music [2]ritardando
          n, pl -dos (1889): a ritardando passage

   rite
          [rite] n [ME, fr. L ritus; akin to Gk arithmos number--more
          at arithmetic] (14c) 1 a: a prescribed form or manner
          governing the words or actions for a ceremony b: the
          liturgy of a church or group of churches 2: a ceremonial
          act or action <initiation ~s> 3: a division of the Christian
          church using a distinctive liturgy

   rite de passage
          [rite de pas.sage] n, pl rites de passage [F] (1911): rite
          of passage

   rite of passage
          [rite of passage] (1909): a ritual associated with a crisis
          or a change of status (as marriage, illness, or death)
          for an individual

   ritornello
          [ri.tor.nel.lo] n, pl -nel.li or -nellos [It, dim. of ritorno
          return, fr. ritornare to return, fr. ri- re- + tornare
          to turn, fr. L, to turn on a lathe--more at turn] (1675)
          1 a: a short recurrent instrumental passage in a vocal
          composition b: an instrumental interlude in early opera
          2: a tutti passage in a concerto or rondo refrain

   [1]ritual
          [rit.u.al] adj [L ritualis, fr. ritus rite] (1570) 1: of
          or relating to rites or a ritual: ceremonial <a ~ dance>
          2: according to religious law or social custom <~ purity>
          -- rit.u.al.ly adv [2]ritual n (1649) 1: the established
          form for a ceremony; specif: the order of words prescribed
          for a religious ceremony 2 a: ritual observance; specif:
          a system of rites b: a ceremonial act or action c: a
          customarily repeated often formal act or series of acts

   ritualism
          [rit.u.al.ism] n (1843) 1: the use of ritual 2: excessive
          devotion to ritual -- rit.u.al.ist n -- rit.u.al.is.tic
          adj -- rit.u.al.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   ritualize
          [rit.u.al.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1842): to practice
          ritualism ~ vt 1: to make a ritual of 2: to impose a
          ritual on -- rit.u.al.i.za.tion n

   ritzy
          [ritzy] adj ritz.i.er ; -est [Ritz hotels, noted for their
          opulence] (1920) 1: snobbish 2: ostentatiously smart:
          fashionable, posh -- ritz.i.ness n

   riv
          [riv] abbreviation river

   [1]rival
          [ri.val] n [MF or L; MF, fr. L rivalis one using the same
          stream as another, rival in love, fr. rivalis of a stream,
          fr. rivus stream--more at run] (1577) 1 a: one of two
          or more striving to reach or obtain something that only
          one can possess b: one striving for competitive advantage
          2 obs: companion, associate 3: one that equals another
          in desired qualities: peer [2]rival adj (1590): having
          the same pretensions or claims: competing [3]rival vb
          ri.valed or ri.valled ; ri.val.ing or ri.val.ling vi
          (1605): to act as a rival: compete ~ vt 1: to be in competition
          with 2: to strive to equal or excel: emulate 3: to possess
          qualities or aptitudes that approach or equal (those
          of another)

   rivalrous
          [ri.val.rous] adj (1812): given to rivalry: competitive

   rivalry
          [ri.val.ry] n, pl -ries (1598): the act of rivaling: the
          state of being a rival: competition

   rive
          [rive] vb rived ; riv.en also rived ; riv.ing [ME, fr. ON
          rifa; akin to Gk ereipein to tear down] vt (14c) 1 a:
          to wrench open or tear apart or to pieces: rend b: to
          split with force or violence <lightning rived the tree>
          2 a: to divide into pieces: shatter b: fracture ~ vi:
          to become split: crack syn see tear

   river
          [riv.er] n, often attrib [ME rivere, fr. OF, fr. (assumed)
          VL riparia, fr. L, fem. of riparius riparian, fr. ripa
          bank, shore; perh. akin to Gk ereipein to tear down]
          (14c) 1 a: a natural stream of water of usu. considerable
          volume b: watercourse 2 a: something resembling a river
          <a ~ of lava> b pl: large or overwhelming quantities
          <drank ~s of coffee> -- up the river : to or in prison
          <takes the rap and goes up the river --Nigel Balchin>

   riverbank
          [riv.er.bank] n (1565): the bank of a river

   riverbed
          [riv.er.bed] n (1833): the channel occupied by a river

   river blindness
          [river blindness] n (1953): onchocerciasis

   riverboat
          [riv.er.boat] n (1565): a boat for use on a river

   river duck
          [river duck] n (1837): dabbler b

   riverfront
          [riv.er.front] n (1855): the land or area along a river

   river horse
          [river horse] n (1601): hippopotamus

   riverine
          [riv.er.ine] adj (1860) 1: relating to, formed by, or resembling
          a river 2: living or situated on the banks of a river

   riverside
          [riv.er.side] n (14c): the side or bank of a river

   riverward
          [riv.er.ward] or riv.er.wards adv or adj (1833): toward a
          river

   [1]rivet
          [riv.et] n [ME ryvette, fr. MF rivet, fr. river to attach]
          (15c): a headed pin or bolt of metal used for uniting
          two or more pieces by passing the shank through a hole
          in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain
          end so as to make a second head [2]rivet vt (15c) 1:
          to fasten with or as if with rivets 2: to upset the end
          or point of (as a metallic pin, rod, or bolt) by beating
          or pressing so as to form a head 3: to fasten firmly
          <they ~ these feelings ... tightly together --Michael
          Novak> 4: to attract and hold (as the attention) completely
          -- riv.et.er n

   riveting
          [riv.et.ing] adj (1677): having the power to fix the attention:
          engrossing, fascinating -- riv.et.ing.ly adv

   riviera
          [ri.vi.era] n, often cap [fr. the Riviera, region in southeastern
          France and northwestern Italy] (1766): a coastal region
          frequented as a resort area and usu. marked by a mild
          climate

   riviere
          [ri.vi.ere] n [F, lit., river, fr. OF rivere] (1879): a necklace
          of precious stones (as diamonds)

   rivulet
          [riv.u.let] n [It rivoletto, dim. of rivolo, fr. L rivulus,
          dim. of rivus stream--more at run] (1587): a small stream

   [1]riyal
          [ri.yal] n [Ar riyal, fr. Sp real real] (1928): the basic
          monetary unit of Qatar and Saudi Arabia [2]riyal var
          of rial

   rj...
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   RJ
          [RJ] abbreviation road junction

   rm...
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   rm
          [rm] abbreviation ream, room

   rms
          [rms] abbreviation root-mean-square

   rn...
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   RN
          [RN] n (1903): registered nurse

   Rn
          [Rn] abbreviation radon  RN abbreviation Royal Navy

   RNZAF
          [RNZAF] abbreviation Royal New Zealand Air Force

   RNA
          [RNA] n [ribonucleic acid] (1948): any of various nucleic
          acids that contain ribose and uracil as structural components
          and are associated with the control of cellular chemical
          activities--compare messenger rna, ribosomal rna, transfer
          rna

   RNA polymerase
          [RNA polymerase] n (ca. 1962): any of a group of enzymes
          that promote the synthesis of RNA using DNA or RNA as
          a template

   RNase
          [RN.ase] or RNA.ase n [RNA + -ase] (1957): ribonuclease

   rnd
          [rnd] abbreviation round

   ro...
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   [1]roach
          [roach] n, pl roach also roach.es [ME roche, fr. MF] (13c)
          1: a silver-green European freshwater cyprinid fish (Rutilus
          rutilus); also: any of various related fishes (as some
          shiners) 2: any of several American freshwater sunfishes
          (family Centrarchidae) [2]roach n [origin unknown] (1794)
          1: a curved cut in the edge of a sail to prevent chafing
          or to secure a better fit 2: a roll of hair brushed straight
          back from the forehead or side of the head [3]roach vt
          (1818) 1: to cut (as a horse's mane) so that the remainder
          stands upright 2: to cause to arch; specif: to brush
          (the hair) in a roach--often used with up [4]roach n
          [by shortening] (ca. 1848) 1: cockroach 2: the butt of
          a marijuana cigarette

   roach back
          [roach back] n (1874): an arched back (as of a dog)

   roach clip
          [roach clip] n (1968): a metal clip that resembles tweezers
          and is used by marijuana smokers to hold a roach--called
          also roach holder

   road
          [road] n [ME rode, fr. OE rad ride, journey; akin to OE ridan
          to ride] (14c) 1: roadstead--often used in pl. 2 a: an
          open way for vehicles, persons, and animals; esp: one
          lying outside of an urban district: highway b: roadbed
          2b 3: route, path 4: railway 5: a series of scheduled
          visits or appearances (as games or performances) in several
          locations or the travel necessary to make these visits
          <the team is on the ~> <on tour with the musical's ~
          company> -- road.less adj -- down the road : in or into
          the future

   roadability
          [road.abil.i.ty] n (ca. 1914): the qualities (as steadiness
          and balance) desirable in an automobile on the road

   road agent
          [road agent] n (1863): a highwayman who formerly operated
          esp. on stage routes in unsettled districts

   roadbed
          [road.bed] n (ca. 1840) 1 a: the bed on which the ties, rails,
          and ballast of a railroad rest b: the ballast or the
          upper surface of the ballast on which the ties rest 2
          a: the earth foundation of a road prepared for surfacing
          b: the part of the surface of a road traveled by vehicles

   roadblock
          [road.block] n (1940) 1 a: a barricade often with traps or
          mines for holding up an enemy at a point on a road covered
          by fire b: a road barricade set up esp. by law enforcement
          officers 2: an obstruction in a road 3: something (as
          a fact, condition, or countermeasure) that blocks progress
          or prevents accomplishment of an objective -- roadblock
          vt

   road hog
          [road hog] n (1891): a driver of an automotive vehicle who
          obstructs others esp. by occupying part of another's
          traffic lane

   roadholding
          [road.hold.ing] n (1932) chiefly Brit: the qualities of an
          automobile that tend to make it respond precisely to
          the driver's steering

   roadhouse
          [road.house] n (1857): an inn or tavern usu. outside city
          limits providing liquor and usu. meals, dancing, and
          often gambling

   roadie
          [road.ie] n [road + -ie] (1969): one who works (as by moving
          heavy equipment) for traveling entertainers

   roadkill
          [road.kill] n (1979): an animal that has been killed on a
          road by a motor vehicle -- road-killed adj

   road map
          [road map] n (1883) 1: a map showing roads esp. for automobile
          travel 2 a: a detailed plan to guide progress toward
          a goal b: a detailed explanation

   road metal
          [road metal] n (1818): broken stone or cinders used in making
          and repairing roads or ballasting railroads

   road racing
          [road racing] n (1828): racing over public roads; esp: automobile
          racing over roads or over a closed course designed to
          simulate public roads -- road race n

   road roller
          [road roller] n (ca. 1876): one that rolls roadways; specif:
          a machine with heavy wide smooth rollers for compacting
          roadbeds

   roadrunner
          [road.run.ner] n (1856): a largely terrestrial bird (Geococcyx
          californianus) of the cuckoo family that has a long tail
          and a crest, is a speedy runner, and ranges from the
          southwestern U.S. to Mexico; also: a closely related
          bird (G. velox) of Mexico and Central America

   road show
          [road show] n (1908) 1: a theatrical performance given by
          a troupe on tour 2: a special engagement of a new motion
          picture usu. at increased prices 3: a promotional presentation
          or meeting conducted in a series of locations

   roadside
          [road.side] n (1744): the strip of land along a road: the
          side of a road -- roadside adj

   roadstead
          [road.stead] n (1556): a place less enclosed than a harbor
          where ships may ride at anchor

   roadster
          [road.ster] n (1818) 1 a: a horse for riding or driving on
          roads b: a utility saddle horse of the hackney type 2
          a: a light carriage: buggy b: an automobile with an open
          body that seats two and has a folding fabric top and
          a luggage compartment in the rear

   road test
          [road test] n (1906) 1: a test of a vehicle under practical
          operating conditions on the road 2: a test on the road
          of a person's driving ability as a requirement for a
          driver's license -- road test vt

   roadway
          [road.way] n (1600) 1 a: the strip of land over which a road
          passes b: road; specif: roadbed 2b 2: the part of a bridge
          used by vehicles

   roadwork
          [road.work] n (1869) 1: work done in constructing or repairing
          roads 2: conditioning for an athletic contest (as a boxing
          match) consisting mainly of long runs

   roadworthy
          [road.wor.thy] adj (1819): fit for use on the road
          -- road.wor.thi.ness n

   roam
          [roam] vb [ME romen] vi (14c) 1: to go from place to place
          without purpose or direction: wander 2: to travel purposefully
          unhindered through a wide area <cattle ~ing in search
          of water> ~ vt: to range or wander over syn see wander
          -- roam n -- roam.er n

   [1]roan
          [roan] adj [MF, fr. OSp roano] (1530): having the base color
          (as red, black, or brown) muted and lightened by admixture
          of white hairs <a ~ horse> <a ~ calf> [2]roan n (1580)
          1: an animal (as a horse) with a roan coat--usu. used
          of a red roan when unqualified 2: the color of a roan
          horse--used esp. when the base color is red [3]roan n
          [origin unknown] (1818): sheepskin tanned with sumac
          and colored and finished to imitate morocco

   [1]roar
          [roar] vb [ME roren, fr. OE rarian; akin to OHG reren to
          bleat] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to utter or emit a full loud
          prolonged sound b: to sing or shout with full force 2
          a: to make or emit a loud confused sound (as background
          reverberation or rumbling) b: to laugh loudly 3 a: to
          be boisterous or disorderly b: to proceed or rush with
          great noise or commotion 4: to make a loud noise during
          inhalation (as that of a horse affected with roaring)
          ~ vt 1: to utter or proclaim with a roar 2: to cause
          to roar [2]roar n (14c) 1: the deep cry of a wild animal
          2: a loud deep cry (as of pain or anger) 3: a loud continuous
          confused sound <the ~ of the crowd> 4: a boisterous outcry

   roarer
          [roar.er] n (14c) 1: one that roars 2: a horse subject to
          roaring

   [1]roaring
          [roar.ing] adj (14c) 1: making or characterized by a sound
          resembling a roar: loud <~ applause> 2: marked by prosperity
          esp. of a temporary nature: booming 3: intense, utter
          <in the ~ heat> <a ~ success> -- roar.ing.ly adv [2]roaring
          adv (1697): extremely <was ~ hungry --Herman Wouk> [3]roaring
          n (1823): noisy inhalation in a horse caused by nerve
          paralysis and muscular atrophy and constituting an unsoundness

   roaring boy
          [roaring boy] n (ca. 1590): a noisy street bully esp. of
          Elizabethan and Jacobean England who intimidated passersby

   [1]roast
          [roast] vb [ME rosten, fr. OF rostir, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG rosten to roast] vt (13c) 1 a: to cook by exposing
          to dry heat (as in an oven or before a fire) or by surrounding
          with hot embers, sand, or stones <~ a potato in ashes>
          b: to dry and parch by exposure to heat <~ coffee> 2:
          to heat (inorganic material) with access of air and without
          fusing to effect change (as expulsion of volatile matter,
          oxidation, or removal of sulfur from sulfide ores) 3:
          to heat to excess <~ed by the summer sun> 4: to subject
          to severe criticism or ridicule <films have been ~ed
          by most critics --H. J. Seldes> 5: to honor (a person)
          at a roast ~ vi 1: to cook food by heat 2: to undergo
          being roasted [2]roast n (14c) 1: a piece of meat suitable
          for roasting 2: a gathering at which food is roasted
          before an open fire or in hot ashes or sand 3: an act
          or process of roasting; specif: severe banter or criticism
          4: a banquet honoring a person (as a celebrity) who is
          subjected to humorous tongue-in-cheek ridicule by friends
          [3]roast adj (14c): that has been roasted <~ beef>

   roaster
          [roast.er] n (15c) 1: one that roasts 2: a device for roasting
          3: something adapted to roasting: as a: a suckling pig
          b: a bird fit for roasting; esp: a young chicken of more
          than four pounds (1.8 kilograms) dressed weight

   roasting ear
          [roast.ing ear] n (1650) 1: an ear of young corn roasted
          or suitable for roasting usu. in the husk 2 chiefly Southern
          & Midland: an ear of corn suitable for boiling or steaming

   rob
          [rob] vb robbed ; rob.bing [ME robben, fr. OF rober, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG roubon to rob--more at reave] vt
          (13c) 1 a (1): to take something away from by force:
          steal from (2): to take personal property from by violence
          or threat b (1): to remove valuables without right from
          (a place) (2): to take the contents of (a receptacle)
          c: to take away as loot: steal <~ jewelry> 2 a: to deprive
          of something due, expected, or desired b: to withhold
          unjustly or injuriously ~ vi: to commit robbery -- rob.ber
          n usage Sense vt 1c, in which the direct object is the
          thing stolen, is sometimes considered to be wrong, or
          perhaps archaic. The sense has been in use since the
          13th century and is found in earlier literature <contrive
          to rob the honey and subvert the hive --John Dryden>.
          It is still in use though not as common as other senses
          <then robbed $100 after the clerk fled --Springfield
          (Mass.) Morning Union>.

   robalo
          [ro.ba.lo] n, pl -los or -lo [Sp] (ca. 1890): snook 1

   roband
          [ro.band] n [prob. fr. MD rabant] (1762): a piece of spun
          yarn or marline used to fasten the head of a sail to
          a spar

   robber baron
          [robber baron] n (1878): an American capitalist of the latter
          part of the 19th century who became wealthy through exploitation
          (as of natural resources, governmental influence, or
          low wage scales)

   robber fly
          [robber fly] n (1871): any of a family (Asilidae) of predaceous
          flies including some closely resembling bumblebees

   robbery
          [rob.bery] n, pl -ber.ies (13c): the act or practice of robbing;
          specif: larceny from the person or presence of another
          by violence or threat

   [1]robe
          [robe] n [ME, fr. OF, robe, booty, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OHG roubon to rob] (13c) 1 a: a long flowing outer garment;
          esp: one used for ceremonial occasions or as a symbol
          of office or profession b: a loose garment (as a bathrobe)
          for informal wear esp. at home 2: covering, mantle <peaks
          on the axis of the range in their ~s of snow and light
          --John Muir d.1914> 3: a covering of pelts or fabric
          for the lower body used while driving or at outdoor events
          [2]robe vb robed ; rob.ing vt (14c): to clothe or cover
          with or as if with a robe ~ vi 1: to put on a robe 2:
          dress

   robe de chambre
          [robe de cham.bre] n, pl robes de chambre [F] (1731): dressing
          gown

   robin
          [rob.in] n [short for robin redbreast] (1549) 1 a: a small
          chiefly European thrush (Erithacus rubecula) resembling
          a warbler and having a brownish olive back and orangish
          face and breast b: any of various Old World songbirds
          that are related to or resemble the European robin 2:
          a large No. American thrush (Turdus migratorius) with
          olivaceous to slate gray upperparts, blackish head and
          tail, black and whitish streaked throat, and dull reddish
          breast and underparts

   Robin Goodfellow
          [Rob.in Good.fel.low] n: a mischievous sprite in English
          folklore

   Robin Hood
          [Robin Hood] n [Robin Hood, legendary Eng. outlaw who gave
          to the poor what he stole from the rich] (1597): a person
          or group likened to a heroic outlaw; esp: one that robs
          the rich and gives to the poor

   robin redbreast
          [robin red.breast] n [ME, fr. Robin, nickname for Robert]
          (15c): robin

   Robinson Crusoe
          [Rob.in.son Cru.soe] n: a shipwrecked sailor in Defoe's Robinson
          Crusoe who lives for many years on a desert island

   Robinson projection
          [Rob.in.son projection] n [Arthur H. Robinson b1915 Am. geographer]
          (1978): a compromise map projection showing the poles as lines
          rather than points and more accurately portraying high latitutude
          lands and water to land ratio

   roble
          [ro.ble] n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, oak, fr. L robur] (1864): any
          of several oaks of California and Mexico

   robot
          [ro.bot] n [Czech, fr. robota compulsory labor; akin to OHG
          arabeit trouble, L orbus orphaned--more at orphan] (1923)
          1 a: a machine that looks like a human being and performs
          various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human
          being; also: a similar but fictional machine whose lack
          of capacity for human emotions is often emphasized b:
          an efficient insensitive person who functions automatically
          2: a device that automatically performs complicated often
          repetitive tasks 3: a mechanism guided by automatic controls
          -- ro.bot.ism n

   robotic
          [ro.bot.ic] adj (1941) 1: of or relating to mechanical robots
          2: having the characteristics of a robot <performs with
          ~ consistency> -- ro.bot.i.cal.ly adv

   robotics
          [ro.bot.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1941): technology dealing
          with the design, construction, and operation of robots
          in automation

   robotization
          [ro.bot.i.za.tion] n (ca. 1927) 1: automation 2: the process
          of turning a human being into a robot

   robotize
          [ro.bot.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1927) 1: to make automatic:
          equip with robots 2: to turn (a human being) into a robot

   Rob Roy
          [Rob Roy] n [Rob Roy, nickname of Robert McGregor d. 1734
          Scot. freebooter] (1919): a manhattan made with Scotch
          whisky

   robust
          [ro.bust] adj [L robustus oaken, strong, fr. robor-, robur
          oak, strength] (1549) 1 a: having or exhibiting strength
          or vigorous health b: having or showing vigor, strength,
          or firmness <a ~ debate> <a ~ faith> c: strongly formed
          or constructed: sturdy <a ~ plastic> 2: rough, rude <stories
          ... laden with ~, down-home imagery --Playboy> 3: requiring
          strength or vigor <~ work> 4: full-bodied <~ coffee>;
          also: hearty <a ~ dinner> 5: relating to, resembling,
          or being any of the primitive, relatively large, heavyset
          hominids (genus Australopithecus and esp. A. robustus
          and A. boisei) characterized esp. by heavy molars and
          small incisors adapted to a vegetarian diet--compare
          gracile 3 syn see healthy -- ro.bust.ly adv -- ro.bust.ness
          n

   robusta
          [ro.bus.ta] n, often attrib [NL robusta, specific epithet
          of Coffea robusta, syn. of Coffea canephora] (1909) 1:
          a coffee (Coffea canephora) that is indigenous to central
          Africa but has been introduced elsewhere (as in Java)
          2 a: the seed of robusta coffee b: coffee brewed from
          the seed of robusta coffee

   robustious
          [ro.bus.tious] adj (ca. 1548) 1: robust 2: vigorous in a
          rough or unrefined way: boisterous -- ro.bus.tious.ly
          adv -- ro.bus.tious.ness n

   ROC
          [ROC] abbreviation Republic of China (Taiwan)

   roc
          [roc] n [Ar rukhkh]: a legendary bird of great size and strength
          believed to inhabit the Indian Ocean area

   rocaille
          [ro.caille] n [F, lit., stone debris, fr. MF roquailles,
          pl., rocky terrain, fr. roc rock, alter. of roche, fr.
          (assumed) VL rocca] (1856) 1: a style of ornament developed
          in the 18th century and characterized by sinuous foliate
          forms 2: rococo

   Roche limit
          [Roche limit] n [E. A. Roche d. 1883 Fr. mathematician] (1889):
          the distance between a planet's center and its satellite
          within which the satellite cannot approach without becoming
          disrupted

   Rochelle salt
          [Ro.chelle salt] n [La Rochelle, France] (1753): a crystalline
          salt that is a mild purgative

   roche moutonnee
          [roche mou.ton.nee] n, pl roches mou.ton.nees [F, lit., fleecy
          rock] (1843): an elongate rounded ice-sculptured hillock
          of bedrock

   rochet
          [roch.et] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) OF roc coat,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG roc coat] (13c): a white linen
          vestment resembling a surplice with close-fitting sleeves
          worn esp. by bishops and privileged prelates

   [1]rock
          [rock] vb [ME rokken, fr. OE roccian; akin to OHG rucken
          to cause to move] vt (12c) 1 a: to move back and forth
          in or as if in a cradle b: to wash (placer gravel) in
          a cradle 2 a: to cause to sway back and forth <a boat
          ~ed by the waves> b (1): to cause to shake violently
          (2): to daze with or as if with a vigorous blow <a hard
          right ~ed the contender> (3): to astonish or disturb
          greatly <the scandal ~ed the community> ~ vi 1: to become
          moved backward and forward under often violent impact;
          also: to move gently back and forth 2: to move forward
          at a steady pace; also: to move forward at a high speed
          <the train ~ed through the countryside> 3: to sing, dance
          to, or play rock music syn see shake -- rock the boat
          : to do something that disturbs the equilibrium of a
          situation [2]rock n, often attrib (1823) 1: a rocking
          movement 2: popular music usu. played on electronically
          amplified instruments and characterized by a persistent
          heavily accented beat, much repetition of simple phrases,
          and often country, folk, and blues elements [3]rock n
          [ME roc, fr. MD rocke; akin to OHG rocko distaff] (14c)
          1: distaff 2: the wool or flax on a distaff [4]rock n
          [ME rokke, fr. ONF roque, fr. (assumed) VL rocca] (14c)
          1: a large mass of stone forming a cliff, promontory,
          or peak 2: a concreted mass of stony material; also:
          broken pieces of such masses 3: consolidated or unconsolidated
          solid mineral matter; also: a particular mass of it 4
          a: something like a rock in firmness: (1): foundation,
          support (2): refuge <a ~ of independent thought ... in
          an ocean of parochialism --Thomas Molnar> b: something
          that threatens or causes disaster--often used in pl.
          5 a: a flavored stick candy with color running through
          b: rock candy 1 6 slang a: gem b: diamond 7 a: a small
          crystallized mass of crack cocaine b: crack 9 -- rock
          adj -- rock.like adj -- between a rock and a hard place
          also between the rock and the hard place : in a difficult
          or uncomfortable position with no attractive way out
          -- on the rocks 1: in or into a state of destruction
          or wreckage <their marriage went on the rocks> 2: on
          ice cubes <bourbon on the rocks>

   rockabilly
          [rock.a.bil.ly] n [[2]rock + -a- (as in rock-a-bye, phrase
          used to put a child to sleep) + hillbilly] (1956): pop
          music marked by features of rock and country music

   rock and roll
          [rock and roll] n (1954): [2]rock 2

   rock and roller
          [rock and roller] n (1956): rocker 3

   rockaway
          [rock.a.way] n [perh. fr. Rockaway, New Jersey] (1846): a
          light low four-wheel carriage with a fixed top and open
          sides

   rock bass
          [rock bass] n (1811): a brown spotted sunfish (Ambloplites
          rupestris) found esp. in the upper Mississippi valley
          and Great Lakes region

   rock-bottom
          [rock-bottom] adj (1884): being the very lowest <~ off-season
          rates>; also: fundamental <the ~ question>

   rock bottom
          [rock bottom] n (1890): the lowest or most fundamental part
          or level

   rockbound
          [rock.bound] adj (1840): fringed, surrounded, or covered
          with rocks: rocky

   rock brake
          [rock brake] n (ca. 1850): any of several ferns that grow
          chiefly on or among rocks

   rock candy
          [rock candy] n (1723) 1: boiled sugar crystallized in large
          masses on string 2: [4]rock 5a

   rock climbing
          [rock climbing] n (1892): mountain climbing on rocky cliffs
          -- rock climb vi -- rock climber n

   Rock Cornish
          [Rock Cornish] n (1956): a crossbred domestic fowl produced
          by interbreeding Cornish and white Plymouth Rock fowls
          and used esp. for small roasters

   rock crystal
          [rock crystal] n (1666): crystal 1

   rock dove
          [rock dove] n (1655): a bluish gray dove (Columba livia)
          of Europe and Asia that is the ancestor of many domesticated
          pigeons and of the feral pigeons found in cities and
          towns throughout most of the world--called also rock
          pigeon

   rocker
          [rock.er] n (1760) 1 a: either of two curving pieces of wood
          or metal on which an object (as a cradle) rocks b: any
          of various objects (as a rocking chair or an infant's
          toy having a seat placed between side pieces) that rock
          on rockers c: any of various objects in the form of a
          rocker or with parts resembling a rocker (as a skate
          with a curved blade) d (1): any of the curved stripes
          at the lower part of a chevron worn by a noncommissioned
          officer above the rank of sergeant (2): the curved stripe
          at the upper part of a chevron worn by a chief petty
          officer 2: any of various devices that work with a rocking
          motion 3: a rock performer, song, or enthusiast -- off
          one's rocker : in a state of extreme confusion or insanity
          <went off her rocker, and had to be put away --Mervyn
          Wall>

   rocker arm
          [rocker arm] n (1860): a center-pivoted lever to push an
          automotive engine valve down

   rockery
          [rock.ery] n, pl -er.ies [[4]rock + -ery] (1845) chiefly
          Brit: rock garden

   [1]rocket
          [rock.et] n [MF roquette, fr. OIt rochetta, dim. of ruca
          arugula, fr. L eruca] (1530): any of several plants of
          the mustard family: as a: arugula b: dame's rocket [2]rock.et
          n, often attrib [It rocchetta, lit., small distaff, fr.
          dim. of rocca distaff, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG rocko
          distaff] (1611) 1 a: a firework consisting of a case
          partly filled with a combustible composition fastened
          to a guiding stick and propelled through the air by the
          rearward discharge of the gases liberated by combustion
          b: a similar device used as an incendiary weapon or as
          a propelling unit (as for a lifesaving line) 2: a jet
          engine that operates on the same principle as the firework
          rocket, consists essentially of a combustion chamber
          and an exhaust nozzle, carries either liquid or solid
          propellants which provide the fuel and oxygen needed
          for combustion and thus make the engine independent of
          the oxygen of the air, and is used esp. for the propulsion
          of a missile (as a bomb or shell) or a vehicle (as an
          airplane) 3: a rocket-propelled bomb, missile, or projectile
          [3]rock.et vt (1837): to convey or propel by means of
          or as if by a rocket ~ vi 1: to rise up swiftly, spectacularly,
          and with force 2: to travel rapidly in or as if in a
          rocket

   rocketeer
          [rock.e.teer] n (1832) 1: one who fires, pilots, or rides
          in a rocket 2: a scientist who specializes in rocketry

   rocket plane
          [rocket plane] n (1928): an airplane propelled by rockets

   rocketry
          [rock.et.ry] n (1930): the study of, experimentation with,
          or use of rockets

   rocket ship
          [rocket ship] n (1927): a rocket-propelled spaceship

   rocket sled
          [rocket sled] n (1954): a rocket-propelled vehicle that runs
          usu. on a single rail and that is used esp. in aeronautical
          experimentation

   rockfall
          [rock.fall] n (1924): a mass of falling or fallen rocks

   rockfish
          [rock.fish] n (1598): any of various important market fishes
          that live among rocks or on rocky bottoms: as a: any
          of numerous scorpaenid fishes (esp. genus Sebastes) b:
          striped bass c: any of several groupers

   rock garden
          [rock garden] n (1836): a garden laid out among rocks or
          decorated with rocks and adapted for the growth of particular
          kinds of plants (as alpines)

   rock hind
          [rock hind] n (ca. 1867): a red-spotted tan to olive brown
          grouper (Epinephelus adscensionis) of the Atlantic esp.
          from Massachusetts to southeastern Brazil

   rockhopper
          [rock.hop.per] n (1875): a small penguin (Eudyptes crestatus)
          with a short thick bill and a yellow crest

   rock hound
          [rock hound] n (1915) 1: a specialist in geology 2: an amateur
          rock and mineral collector -- rock.hound.ing n

   rockiness
          [rock.i.ness] n (1611): the quality or state of being rocky

   rocking chair
          [rocking chair] n (1766): a chair mounted on rockers

   rocking horse
          [rocking horse] n (1724): a toy horse mounted on rockers--called
          also hobbyhorse

   rockling
          [rock.ling] n (1602): any of several small rather elongate
          marine bony fishes (esp. genera Enchelyopus and Gaidropsarus)
          of the cod family

   rock lobster
          [rock lobster] n (1884) 1: spiny lobster 2: the flesh of
          a spiny lobster esp. when canned or frozen for use as
          food

   rock maple
          [rock maple] n (1775): sugar maple 1

   rock 'n' roll, rock 'n' roller
          [rock 'n' roll, rock 'n' roller] var of rock and roll, rock
          and roller

   rock oil
          [rock oil] n (1668): petroleum

   rock pigeon
          [rock pigeon] n (1611): rock dove

   rock rabbit
          [rock rabbit] n (1840) 1: hyrax 2: pika

   rock-ribbed
          [rock-ribbed] adj (1776) 1: [1]rocky 1 2: firm and inflexible
          in doctrine or integrity <a ~ conservative community
          --John Hale>

   rockrose
          [rock.rose] n (1731): any of various shrubs or woody herbs
          (family Cistaceae, the rockrose family) with simple entire
          leaves and a capsular fruit

   rock salt
          [rock salt] n (1707): common salt occurring in solid form
          as a mineral; also: salt artificially prepared in large
          crystals or masses

   rockshaft
          [rock.shaft] n (ca. 1864): a shaft that oscillates on its
          journals instead of revolving

   rock tripe
          [rock tripe] n (1854): any of various dark leathery umbilicate
          foliose lichens (as of the genus Umbilicaria) that are
          widely distributed on rocks in boreal and alpine areas
          and are sometimes used as food

   rock wallaby
          [rock wallaby] n (1841): any of various medium-sized kangaroos
          (genus Petrogale)

   rockweed
          [rock.weed] n (1626): any of various coarse brown algae (family
          Fucaceae, esp. genera Fucus and Ascophyllum) growing
          in marine environments attached to rocks

   rock wool
          [rock wool] n (ca. 1909): mineral wool made by blowing a
          jet of steam through molten rock (as limestone or siliceous
          rock) or through slag and used chiefly for heat and sound
          insulation

   [1]rocky
          [rocky] adj rock.i.er ; -est [ME rokky, fr. rokke rock] (15c)
          1: abounding in or consisting of rocks 2: difficult to
          impress or affect: insensitive 3: firmly held: steadfast
          [2]rocky adj rock.i.er ; -est [[1]rock] (1737) 1: unstable,
          wobbly 2: physically upset or mentally confused (as from
          drinking excessively) 3: marked by obstacles: difficult
          <a financially ~ year --Michael Murray>

   Rocky Mountain sheep
          [Rocky Mountain sheep] n [Rocky Mountains, No. America] (1817):
          bighorn

   Rocky Mountain spotted fever
          [Rocky Mountain spotted fever] n (1905): an acute disease
          that is characterized by chills, fever, prostration,
          pains in muscles and joints, and a red to purple eruption
          and that is caused by a rickettsia (Rickettsia rickettii)
          usu. transmitted by an ixodid tick and esp. either the
          American dog tick or a wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni)

   [1]rococo
          [ro.co.co] n (1840): rococo work or style [2]rococo adj [F,
          irreg. fr. rocaille rocaille] (1841) 1 a: of or relating
          to an artistic style esp. of the 18th century characterized
          by fanciful curved asymmetrical forms and elaborate ornamentation
          b: of or relating to an 18th century musical style marked
          by light gay ornamentation and departure from thorough-bass
          and polyphony 2: excessively ornate or intricate

   rod
          [rod] n [ME, fr. OE rodd; akin to ON rudda club] (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): a straight slender stick growing on or cut from
          a tree or bush (2): osier (3): a stick or bundle of twigs
          used to punish; also: punishment (4): a shepherd's cudgel
          (5): a pole with a line and usu. a reel attached for
          fishing b (1): a slender bar (as of wood or metal) (2):
          a bar or staff for measuring (3): scepter; also: a wand
          or staff carried as a badge of office (as of marshal)
          2 a: a unit of length equal to 5.50 yards or 16.5 feet
          b: a square rod 3: any of the long rod-shaped photosensitive
          receptors in the retina responsive to faint light--compare
          cone 3a 4: a rod-shaped bacterium 5 slang: handgun --
          rod.less adj -- rod.like adj

   rode
          [rode] past and chiefly dial past part of ride

   rodent
          [ro.dent] n [ultim. fr. L rodent-, rodens, prp. of rodere
          to gnaw; akin to L radere to scrape, scratch, Skt radati
          he gnaws] (1859) 1: any of an order (Rodentia) of relatively
          small gnawing mammals (as a mouse, a squirrel, or a beaver)
          that have in both jaws a single pair of incisors with
          a chisel-shaped edge 2: a small mammal (as a rabbit or
          a shrew) other than a true rodent -- rodent adj

   rodenticide
          [ro.den.ti.cide] n (ca. 1935): an agent that kills, repels,
          or controls rodents

   rodent ulcer
          [rodent ulcer] n [L rodent-, rodens gnawing] (1853): a chronic
          persisting ulcer of the exposed skin and esp. of the
          face that is destructive locally, spreads slowly, and
          is usu. a carcinoma derived from basal cells--called
          also rodent cancer

   [1]rodeo
          [ro.deo] n, pl ro.de.os [Sp, fr. rodear to surround, fr.
          rueda wheel, fr. L rota--more at roll] (1834) 1: roundup
          2 a: a public performance featuring bronco riding, calf
          roping, steer wrestling, and Brahma bull riding b: a
          contest resembling a rodeo [2]rodeo vi (1951): to participate
          in a rodeo

   rodman
          [rod.man] n (1853): a surveyor's assistant who holds the
          leveling rod

   rodomontade
          [ro.do.mon.tade] n [MF, fr. It Rodomonte, character in Orlando
          Innamorato by Matteo M. Boiardo] (1612) 1: a bragging
          speech 2: vain boasting or bluster: rant -- rodomontade
          adj

   [1]roe
          [roe] n, pl roe or roes [ME ro, fr. OE ra; akin to OHG reh
          roe] (bef. 12c): doe [2]roe n [ME roof, roughe, row;
          akin to ON hrogn roe and prob. to Lith kurkulai frog's
          eggs] (15c) 1: the eggs of a fish esp. when still enclosed
          in the ovarian membrane 2: the eggs or ovaries of an
          invertebrate (as the coral of a lobster)

   roebuck
          [roe.buck] n, pl roebuck or roebucks (14c): roe deer; esp:
          the male roe deer

   roe deer
          [roe deer] n (1575): either of two small European or Asian
          deer (Capreolus capreolus and C. pygarus) that have erect
          cylindrical antlers forked at the summit, are reddish
          brown in summer and grayish in winter, have a white rump
          patch, and are noted for their nimbleness and grace

   [1]roentgen
          [roent.gen] adj [ISV, fr. Wilhelm Rontgen] (1896): of or
          relating to X rays <~ examinations> [2]roentgen n (1922):
          the international unit of x-radiation or gamma radiation
          equal to the amount of radiation that produces in one
          cubic centimeter of dry air at 0 degrees C and standard
          atmospheric pressure ionization of either sign equal
          to one electrostatic unit of charge

   roentgenogram
          [roent.gen.o.gram] n [ISV] (ca. 1904): a photograph made
          with X rays

   roentgenography
          [roent.gen.og.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1905): photography by means
          of X rays -- roent.gen.o.graph.ic adj -- roent.gen.o.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   roentgenology
          [roent.gen.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1905): a branch of radiology
          that deals with the use of X rays for diagnosis or treatment
          of disease -- roent.gen.o.log.ic or roent.gen.o.log.i.cal
          adj -- roent.gen.o.log.i.cal.ly adv -- roent.gen.ol.o.gist
          n

   roentgen ray
          [roentgen ray] n, often cap 1st R (ca. 1890): x ray

   ROG
          [ROG] abbreviation receipt of goods

   rogation
          [ro.ga.tion] n [ME rogacion, fr. LL rogation-, rogatio, fr.
          L, questioning, fr. rogare to ask--more at right] (14c)
          1: litany, supplication 2: the religious observance of
          the Rogation Days--often used in pl.

   Rogation Day
          [Rogation Day] n (15c): any of the days of prayer esp. for
          the harvest observed on the three days before Ascension
          Day and by Roman Catholics also on April 25

   roger
          [rog.er] interj [fr. Roger, former communications code word
          for the letter r] (ca. 1941)--used esp. in radio and
          signaling to indicate that a message has been received
          and understood

   [1]rogue
          [rogue] n [origin unknown] (1561) 1: vagrant, tramp 2: a
          dishonest or worthless person: scoundrel 3: a mischievous
          person: scamp 4: a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave
          5: an individual exhibiting a chance and usu. inferior
          biological variation -- rogu.ish adj -- rogu.ish.ly adv
          -- rogu.ish.ness n [2]rogue vi rogued ; rogu.ing or rogue.ing
          (1766): to weed out inferior, diseased, or nontypical
          individuals from a crop plant or a field [3]rogue adj
          (1872) 1 of an animal: being vicious and destructive
          2: resembling or suggesting a rogue elephant esp. in
          being isolated and dangerous or uncontrollable <capsized
          by a ~ wave>

   rogue elephant
          [rogue elephant] n (1859): a vicious elephant that separates
          from the herd and roams alone

   roguery
          [rogu.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1592) 1: an act or behavior
          characteristic of a rogue 2: mischievous play

   rogues' gallery
          [rogues' gallery] n (1859): a collection of pictures of persons
          arrested as criminals; also: a collection or list likened
          to a rogues' gallery <a rogues' gallery of infectious
          diseases>

   ROI
          [ROI] abbreviation return on investment

   roil
          [roil] vb [origin unknown] vt (1590) 1 a: to make turbid
          by stirring up the sediment or dregs of b: to stir up:
          disturb, disorder 2: rile 1 ~ vi: to move turbulently:
          be in a state of turbulence or agitation

   roily
          [roily] adj (1823) 1: full of sediment or dregs: muddy 2:
          turbulent <~ waters>

   [1]roister
          [rois.ter] n [MF rustre lout, alter. of ruste, fr. ruste,
          adj., rude, rough, fr. L rusticus rural--more at rustic]
          (1551) archaic: one that roisters: roisterer [2]roister
          vi rois.tered ; rois.ter.ing (1582): to engage in noisy
          revelry: carouse -- rois.ter.er n -- rois.ter.ous adj
          -- rois.ter.ous.ly adv

   ROK
          [ROK] abbreviation Republic of Korea (South Korea)

   Roland
          [Ro.land] n [F]: a stalwart defender of the Christians against
          the Saracens in the Charlemagne legends who is killed
          at Roncesvalles

   role
          [role] n [F role, lit., roll, fr. OF rolle] (1606) 1 a (1):
          a character assigned or assumed (2): a socially expected
          behavior pattern usu. determined by an individual's status
          in a particular society b: a part played by an actor
          or singer 2: a function or part performed esp. in a particular
          operation or process <played a major ~ in the negotiations>
          3: an identifier attached to an index term to show functional
          relationships between terms

   role model
          [role model] n (1957): a person whose behavior in a particular
          role is imitated by others

   role-play
          [role-play] vt (1949): act out <students were asked to ~
          the thoughts and feelings of each character --R. G. Lambert>
          ~ vi: to play a role

   rolf
          [rolf] vt, often cap (1970): to practice Rolfing on -- rolf.er
          n, often cap

   Rolfing
          [Rolf.ing] service mark--used for a system of muscle massage
          intended to serve as both physical and emotional therapy

   [1]roll
          [roll] n [ME rolle, fr. OF, fr. L rotulus, dim. of rota wheel;
          akin to OHG rad wheel, W rhod, Skt ratha wagon] (13c)
          1 a (1): a written document that may be rolled up: scroll;
          specif: a document containing an official or formal record
          <the ~s of parliament> (2): a manuscript book b: a list
          of names or related items: catalog c: an official list:
          as (1): muster roll (2): a list of members of a school
          or class or of members of a legislative body 2: something
          that is rolled up into a cylinder or ball or rounded
          as if rolled: as a: a quantity (as of fabric or paper)
          rolled up to form a single package b: a hairdo in which
          some or all of the hair is rolled or curled up or under
          <a pageboy ~> c: any of various food preparations rolled
          up for cooking or serving; esp: a small piece of baked
          yeast dough d: a cylindrical twist of tobacco e: a flexible
          case (as of leather) in which articles may be rolled
          and fastened by straps or clasps f (1): paper money folded
          or rolled into a wad (2) slang: bankroll 3: something
          that performs a rolling action or movement: roller: as
          a: a wheel for making decorative lines on book covers;
          also: a design impressed by such a tool b: a typewriter
          platen [2]roll vb [ME, fr. MF roller, fr. (assumed) VL
          rotulare, fr. L rotulus] vt (14c) 1 a: to impel forward
          by causing to turn over and over on a surface b: to cause
          to revolve by turning over and over on or as if on an
          axis c: to cause to move in a circular manner d: to form
          into a mass by turning over and over e: to impel forward
          with an easy continuous motion 2 a: to put a wrapping
          around: enfold, envelop b: to wrap round on itself: shape
          into a ball or roll; also: to produce by such shaping
          <~ed his own cigarettes> 3 a: to press, spread, or level
          with a rol ler: make smooth, even, or compact <hulled
          and ~ed oats> b: to spread out: extend <~ out the red
          carpet> 4 a: to move on rollers or wheels b: to cause
          to begin operating or moving <~ the cameras> 5 a: to
          sound with a full reverberating tone <~ed out the words>
          b: to make a continuous beating sound upon: sound a roll
          upon <~ed their drums> c: to utter with a trill <~ed
          his r's> d: to play (a chord) in arpeggio style 6: to
          rob (a drunk, sleeping, or unconscious person) usu. by
          going through the pockets ~ vi 1 a: to move along a surface
          by rotation without sliding b (1): to turn over and over
          <the children ~ed in the grass> (2): to luxuriate in
          an abundant supply: wallow <fairly ~ing in money> 2 a:
          to move onward or around as if by completing a revolution:
          elapse, pass <the months ~ on> b: to shift the gaze continually
          <eyes ~ing in terror> c: to revolve on an axis 3: to
          move about: roam, wander 4 a: to go forward in an easy,
          gentle, or undulating manner <the waves ~ed in> b: to
          flow in a continuous stream: pour <money was ~ing in>
          c: to flow as part of a stream of words d: to have an
          undulating contour <~ing prairie> e: to lie extended:
          stretch 5 a: to travel in a vehicle b: to become carried
          on a stream c: to move on wheels 6 a: to make a deep
          reverberating sound <the thunder ~s> b: trill 7 a: to
          swing from side to side <the ship heaved and ~ed> b:
          to walk with a swinging gait: sway c: to move so as to
          lessen the impact of a blow--used with with <~ed with
          the punch> 8 a: to take the form of a cylinder or ball
          b: to respond to rolling in a specified way 9 a: to get
          under way: begin to move or operate b: to move forward
          : to shoot craps [3]roll n (1688) 1 a: a sound produced
          by rapid strokes on a drum b: a sonorous and often rhythmical
          flow of speech c: a heavy reverberatory sound <the ~
          of cannon> d: a chord in arpeggio style e: a trill of
          some birds (as a canary) 2: a rolling movement or an
          action or process involving such movement <a ~ of the
          dice> <an airplane's takeoff ~>: as a: a swaying movement
          of the body b: a side-to-side movement (as of a ship
          or train) c (1): a flight maneuver in which a complete
          revolution about the longitudinal axis of an airplane
          is made with the horizontal direction of flight being
          approximately maintained (2): the motion of an aircraft
          or spacecraft about its longitudinal axis d: somersault
          e: the movement of a curling stone after impact with
          another stone -- on a roll : in the midst of a series
          of successes: on a hot streak--sometimes used with a
          modifier <has been on a brilliant roll>

   rollback
          [roll.back] n (1942): the act or an instance of rolling back
          <a government-ordered ~ of gasoline prices>

   roll back
          [roll back] vt (1942) 1: to reduce (as a commodity price)
          to or toward a previous level on a national scale 2:
          to cause to retreat or withdraw: push back 3: rescind
          <attempted to roll back antipollution standards>

   roll bar
          [roll bar] n (ca. 1952): an overhead metal bar on an automobile
          that is designed to protect the occupant in case of a
          rollover

   roll cage
          [roll cage] n (1966): a protective framework of metal bars
          encasing the driver of a vehicle (as a racing car)

   roll call
          [roll call] n (1775) 1: the act or an instance of calling
          off a list of names (as for checking attendance); also:
          a time for a roll call 2: [6]list 1

   [1]roller
          [roll.er] n (13c) 1 a: a revolving cylinder over or on which
          something is moved or which is used to press, shape,
          spread, or smooth something b: a cylinder or rod on which
          something (as a shade) is rolled up 2 a: a long heavy
          ocean wave b: a tumbler pigeon 3: one that rolls or performs
          a rolling operation 4: a slowly rolling ground ball [2]rol.ler
          n [G, fr. rollen to roll, reverberate, fr. MF roller--more
          at roll] (1678) 1: any of numerous mostly brightly colored
          nonpasserine Old World birds (family Coraciidae) that
          perform rolling aerial dives during courtship displays
          2: a canary having a song in which the notes are soft
          and run together

   roller bearing
          [roller bearing] n (1857): a bearing in which the journal
          rotates in peripheral contact with a number of rollers
          usu. contained in a cage

   roller-coaster
          [roll.er-coast.er] adj (1940): marked by numerous ups and
          downs <an entertainer's ~ career>

   roller coaster
          [roll.er coast.er] n (1888) 1: an elevated railway (as in
          an amusement park) constructed with sharp curves and
          steep inclines on which cars roll 2: something resembling
          a roller coaster; esp: behavior, events, or experiences
          characterized by sudden and extreme changes <an emotional
          roller coaster>

   Roller Derby
          [Roller Derby] service mark--used for an entertainment involving
          two roller-skating teams on an oval track in which each
          team attempts to maneuver a skater into position to score
          points by circling the track and lapping opponents within
          a given time period

   roller rink
          [roller rink] n (1885): rink 1c

   roller skate
          [roller skate] n (1863): a shoe with a set of wheels attached
          for skating over a flat surface; also: a metal frame
          with wheels attached that can be fitted to the sole of
          a shoe -- roller-skate vi -- roller skater n

   roller towel
          [roller towel] n (1845): an endless towel hung from a roller

   Rolle's theorem
          [Rolle's theorem] n [Michel Rolle d. 1719 Fr. mathematician]
          (ca. 1891): a theorem in mathematics: if a curve is continuous,
          crosses the x-axis at two points, and has a tangent at
          every point between the two intercepts, its tangent is
          parallel to the x-axis at some point between the intercepts

   roll film
          [roll film] n (1895): a strip of film for still camera use
          wound on a spool

   rollick
          [rol.lick] vi [origin unknown] (1826): to move or behave
          in a carefree joyous manner: frolic -- rollick n

   rollicking
          [rol.lick.ing] adj (1811): boisterously carefree, joyful,
          or high-spirited <a ~ adventure film>

   rolling hitch
          [rolling hitch] n (ca. 1769): a hitch for fastening a line
          to a spar or to the standing part of another line that
          will not slip when the pull is parallel to the spar or
          line--see knot illustration

   rolling mill
          [rolling mill] n (1787): an establishment where metal is
          rolled into plates and bars

   rolling pin
          [rolling pin] n (ca. 1589): a long cylinder for rolling out
          dough

   rolling stock
          [rolling stock] n (1853): the wheeled vehicles owned and
          used by a railroad or motor carrier

   roll-neck
          [roll-neck] n, often attrib (1943) Brit: turtleneck -- roll-necked
          adj

   roll-off
          [roll-off] n (1947): a play-off match in bowling

   rollout
          [roll.out] n (1952) 1: the public introduction of a new aircraft;
          broadly: the widespread public introduction of a new
          product 2: a football play in which the quarterback rolls
          to the left or right

   roll out
          [roll out] vi (1884): to get out of bed ~ vt: to introduce
          (as a new product) esp. for widespread sale to the public

   rollover
          [roll.over] n (1945) 1: the act or process of rolling over
          2: a motor vehicle accident in which the vehicle overturns

   roll over
          [roll over] vt (1949) 1 a: to defer payment of (an obligation)
          b: to renegotiate the terms of (a financial agreement)
          2: to place (invested funds) in a new investment of the
          same kind: reinvest <roll over IRA funds>

   roll-over arm
          [roll-over arm] n (ca. 1925): a fully upholstered chair or
          sofa arm curving outward from the seat

   rolltop desk
          [roll.top desk] n (1887): a writing desk with a sliding cover
          often of parallel slats fastened to a flexible backing

   roll up
          [roll up] vt (1859): to increase or acquire by successive
          accumulations: accumulate <rolled up a large majority>
          ~ vi 1: to become larger by successive accumulations
          2: to arrive in a vehicle

   [1]roly-poly
          [ro.ly-po.ly] adj [redupl. of roly, fr. [2]roll] (1820):
          being short and pudgy: rotund [2]roly-poly n, pl -lies
          (1836) 1: a roly-poly person or thing 2 Brit: a sweet
          dough spread with a filling, rolled, and baked or steamed--called
          also roly-poly pudding

   Rom
          [Rom] n, pl Rom also Roma [Romany, married man, husband,
          male Gypsy, fr. Skt domba, doma low caste male musician]
          (1841): gypsy 1 ROM n (1966): read-only memory

   Rom
          [Rom] abbreviation Roman, Romance, Romania, Romanian, Romans

   Romaic
          [Ro.ma.ic] n [NGk Rhomaiikos, fr. Gk Rhomaikos Roman, fr.
          Rhome Rome] (1810): the modern Greek vernacular -- Romaic
          adj

   romaine
          [ro.maine] n [F, fr. fem. of romain Roman, fr. L Romanus]
          (1907): a lettuce that belongs to a cultivar of garden
          lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and has long crisp leaves and
          columnar heads--called also cos lettuce

   roman
          [ro.man] n [F, fr. OF romans romance] (1765): a metrical
          romance [1]Ro.man n [partly fr. ME, fr. OE, fr. L Romanus,
          adj. & n., fr. Roma Rome; partly fr. ME Romain, fr. OF,
          fr. L Romanus] (bef. 12c) 1: a native or resident of
          Rome 2: roman catholic--often taken to be offensive 3
          not cap: roman letters or type [2]Roman adj (14c) 1:
          of or relating to Rome or the people of Rome; specif:
          characteristic of the ancient Romans <~ fortitude> 2
          a: latin 1a b: of or relating to the Latin alphabet 3
          not cap: of or relating to a type style with upright
          characters--compare italic 4: of or relating to the see
          of Rome or the Roman Catholic Church 5: having a semicircular
          intrados <~ arch> 6: having a prominent slightly aquiline
          bridge <~ nose>

   roman a clef
          [ro.man a clef] n, pl romans a clef [F, lit., novel with
          a key] (1893): a novel in which real persons or actual
          events figure under disguise

   Roman candle
          [Roman candle] n (1834): a cylindrical firework that discharges
          at intervals balls or stars of fire

   [1]Roman Catholic
          [Roman Catholic] n (1605): a member of the Roman Catholic
          Church [2]Roman Catholic adj (1614): of, relating to,
          or being a Christian church having a hierarchy of priests
          and bishops under the pope, a liturgy centered in the
          Mass, veneration of the Virgin Mary and saints, clerical
          celibacy, and a body of dogma including transubstantiation
          and papal infallibility

   Roman Catholicism
          [Roman Catholicism] n (ca. 1823): the faith, doctrine, or
          polity of the Roman Catholic Church

   [1]romance
          [ro.mance] n [ME romauns, fr. OF romans French, something
          written in French, fr. L romanice in the Roman manner,
          fr. romanicus Roman, fr. Romanus] (14c) 1 a (1): a medieval
          tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or
          the supernatural (2): a prose narrative treating imaginary
          characters involved in events remote in time or place
          and usu. heroic, adventurous, or mysterious (3): a love
          story b: a class of such literature 2: something (as
          an extravagant story or account) that lacks basis in
          fact 3: an emotional attraction or aura belonging to
          an esp. heroic era, adventure, or activity 4: love affair
          5 cap: the Romance languages [2]romance vb ro.manced
          ; ro.manc.ing vi (1671) 1: to exaggerate or invent detail
          or incident 2: to entertain romantic thoughts or ideas
          ~ vt 1: to try to influence or curry favor with esp.
          by lavishing personal attention, gifts, or flattery 2:
          to carry on a love affair with [3]romance n (ca. 1854):
          a short instrumental piece in ballad style Ro.mance adj
          (1690): of, relating to, or being any of several languages
          developed from Latin (as Italian, French, and Spanish)

   romancer
          [ro.manc.er] n (1654) 1: a writer of romance 2: one that
          romances

   Roman collar
          [Roman collar] n (ca. 1890): clerical collar

   Romanesque
          [Ro.man.esque] adj (1819): of or relating to a style
          of architecture developed in Italy and western Europe between the
          Roman and the Gothic styles and characterized in its development
          after 1000 by the use of the round arch and vault, substitution
          of piers for columns, decorative use of arcades, and profuse
          ornament -- Romanesque n

   roman-fleuve
          [ro.man-fleuve] n, pl ro.mans-fleuves [F, lit., river novel]
          (1935): a novel in the form of a long usu. easygoing
          chronicle of a social group (as a family or a community)

   Roman holiday
          [Roman holiday] n (1886) 1: a time of debauchery or of sadistic
          enjoyment 2: a destructive or tumultuous disturbance:
          riot

   Romanian
          [Ro.ma.nian] n (1868) 1: a native or inhabitant of Romania
          2: the Romance language of the Romanians

   Romanic
          [Ro.man.ic] adj (1708): romance -- Romanic n

   romanise
          [ro.man.ise] Brit var of romanize

   Romanism
          [Ro.man.ism] n (1674): roman catholicism--often taken to
          be offensive

   Romanist
          [Ro.man.ist] n (1523) 1: roman catholic--often taken to be
          offensive 2: a specialist in the language, culture, or
          law of ancient Rome -- Romanist or Ro.man.is.tic adj

   romanize
          [ro.man.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1607) 1 often cap: to make
          Roman in character 2: to write or print (as a language)
          in the Latin alphabet <~ Chinese> 3 cap a: to convert
          to Roman Catholicism b: to give a Roman Catholic character
          to -- ro.man.i.za.tion n, often cap

   roman law
          [roman law] n, often cap R (1660): the legal system of the
          ancient Romans that includes written and unwritten law,
          is based on the traditional law and the legislation of
          the city of Rome, and in form comprises legislation of
          the assemblies, resolves of the senate, enactments of
          the emperors, edicts of the praetors, writings of the
          jurisconsults, and the codes of the later emperors

   Roman numeral
          [Roman numeral] n (1735): a numeral in a system of notation
          that is based on the ancient Roman system

   Romano
          [Ro.ma.no] n [It, Roman, fr. L Romanus] (1908): a hard sharp
          cheese of Italian origin that is often served grated

   Romans
          [Ro.mans] n pl but sing in constr: a letter on doctrine written
          by St. Paul to the Christians of Rome and included as
          a book in the New Testament

   Romansh
          [Ro.mansh] or Ro.mansch n [Romansh romonsch] (1663): the
          Rhaeto-Romance dialects spoken in the Grisons, Switzerland

   [1]romantic
          [ro.man.tic] adj [F romantique, fr. obs. romant romance,
          fr. OF romans] (1650) 1: consisting of or resembling
          a romance 2: having no basis in fact: imaginary 3: impractical
          in conception or plan: visionary 4 a: marked by the imaginative
          or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote,
          mysterious, or idealized b often cap: of, relating to,
          or having the characteristics of romanticism c: of or
          relating to music of the 19th century characterized by
          an emphasis on subjective emotional qualities and freedom
          of form; also: of or relating to a composer of this music
          5 a: having an inclination for romance: responsive to
          the appeal of what is idealized, heroic, or adventurous
          b: marked by expressions of love or affection c: conducive
          to or suitable for lovemaking 6: of, relating to, or
          constituting the part of the hero esp. in a light comedy
          -- ro.man.ti.cal.ly adv [2]romantic n (1679) 1: a romantic
          person, trait, or component 2 cap: a romantic writer,
          artist, or composer

   romanticise
          [ro.man.ti.cise] Brit var of romanticize

   romanticism
          [ro.man.ti.cism] n (1823) 1 often cap a (1): a literary,
          artistic, and philosophical movement originating in the
          18th century, characterized chiefly by a reaction against
          neoclassicism and an emphasis on the imagination and
          emotions, and marked esp. in English literature by sensibility
          and the use of autobiographical material, an exaltation
          of the primitive and the common man, an appreciation
          of external nature, an interest in the remote, a predilection
          for melancholy, and the use in poetry of older verse
          forms (2): an aspect of romanticism b: adherence to a
          romantic attitude or style 2: the quality or state of
          being romantic -- ro.man.ti.cist n, often cap

   romanticize
          [ro.man.ti.cize] vb -cized ; -ciz.ing vt (1818): to make
          romantic: treat as idealized or heroic ~ vi 1: to hold
          romantic ideas 2: to present details, incidents, or people
          in a romantic way -- ro.man.ti.ci.za.tion n

   Romany
          [Ro.ma.ny] n, pl Romanies [Romany romani, fem. of romano,
          adj., Gypsy, fr. rom Gypsy man--more at rom] (ca. 1812)
          1: gypsy 1 2: the Indo-Aryan language of the Gypsies
          -- Romany adj

   romaunt
          [ro.maunt] n [ME, fr. MF romant] (1530) archaic: romance
          1a(1)

   romeldale
          [rom.el.dale] n, often cap [blend of Romney (Marsh), Rambouillet,
          and Corriedale] (ca. 1948): any of an American breed
          of utility sheep yielding a heavy fleece of fine wool
          and producing a quickly maturing high-grade market lamb

   [1]Romeo
          [Ro.meo] n, pl Ro.me.os 1: the hero of Shakespeare's Romeo
          and Juliet who dies for love of Juliet 2: a male lover
          [2]Romeo (1952)--a communications code word for the letter
          r

   Romish
          [Rom.ish] adj (1531): roman catholic--usu. used disparagingly
          -- Rom.ish.ly adv -- Rom.ish.ness n

   Romney Marsh
          [Rom.ney Marsh] n [Romney Marsh, pasture tract in England]
          (1832): any of a British breed of hardy long-wooled mutton-type
          sheep esp. adapted to damp or marshy regions--called
          also Romney

   [1]romp
          [romp] n [partly alter. of [2]ramp; partly alter. of ramp
          bold woman] (1706) 1: one that romps; esp: a romping
          girl or woman 2 a: high-spirited, carefree, and boisterous
          play b: something suggestive of such play: as (1): a
          light fast-paced narrative, dramatic, or musical work
          usu. in a comic mood (2): an episode of lovemaking 3:
          an easy winning pace; also: runaway [2]romp vi [alter.
          of [1]ramp] (1709) 1: to run or play in a lively, carefree,
          or boisterous manner 2: to move or proceed in a brisk,
          easy, or playful manner 3: to win a contest easily

   romper
          [romp.er] n (1842) 1: one that romps 2: a one-piece garment
          esp. for children with the lower part shaped like bloomers--usu.
          used in pl.

   Romulus
          [Rom.u.lus] n [L]: a son of Mars and legendary founder of
          Rome

   rondeau
          [ron.deau] n, pl ron.deaux [MF rondel, rondeau] (1525) 1
          a: a fixed form of verse based on two rhyme sounds and
          consisting usu. of 13 lines in three stanzas with the
          opening words of the first line of the first stanza used
          as an independent refrain after the second and third
          stanzas b: a poem in this form 2: a monophonic trouvere
          song with a 2-part refrain

   rondel
          [ron.del] or ron.delle n [ME, fr. OF, lit., small circle--more
          at roundel] (14c) 1 usu rondelle: a circular object;
          esp: a circular jewel or jeweled ring 2 a usu rondel:
          a fixed form of verse based on two rhyme sounds and consisting
          usu. of 14 lines in three stanzas in which the first
          two lines of the first stanza are repeated as the refrain
          of the second and third stanzas b: a poem in this form
          c: rondeau 1

   rondelet
          [ron.de.let] n (15c): a modified rondeau consisting usu.
          of seven lines in which the first line of four syllables
          is repeated as the third line and as the final line or
          refrain and the remaining lines are made up of eight
          syllables each

   rondo
          [ron.do] n, pl rondos [It rondo, fr. MF rondeau] (1797) 1:
          an instrumental composition typically with a refrain
          recurring four times in the tonic and with three couplets
          in contrasting keys 2: the musical form of a rondo used
          esp. for a movement in a concerto or sonata

   rondure
          [ron.dure] n [F rondeur roundness, fr. MF, fr. rond round,
          fr. OF roont--more at round] (ca. 1600) 1: round 1a 2:
          gracefully rounded curvature

   ronyon
          [ron.yon] n [perh. modif. of MF rogne scab] (1598) obs: a
          mangy or scabby creature

   rood
          [rood] n [ME, fr. OE rod rod, rood; akin to OHG ruota rod
          and perh. to ORuss ratiste lance] (bef. 12c) 1: a cross
          or crucifix symbolizing the cross on which Jesus Christ
          died; specif: a large crucifix on a beam or screen at
          the entrance of the chancel of a medieval church 2 a:
          any of various units of land area; esp: a British unit
          equal to 1/4 acre b: any of various units of length;
          esp: a British unit equal to seven or eight yards or
          sometimes a rod

   [1]roof
          [roof] n, pl roofs [ME, fr. OE hrof; akin to ON hrof roof
          of a boathouse and perh. to OCS stropu roof] (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): the cover of a building (2): material used for
          a roof: roofing b: the roof of a dwelling conventionally
          designating the home itself <didn't have a ~ over my
          head> <they share the same ~> 2 a: the highest point:
          summit b: an upper limit: ceiling 3 a: the vaulted upper
          boundary of the mouth b: a covering structure of any
          of various parts of the body <~ of the skull> 4: something
          suggesting a roof: as a: a canopy of leaves and branches
          b: the top over the passenger section of a vehicle --
          roofed adj -- roof.less adj -- roof.like adj [2]roof
          vt (15c) 1 a: to cover with or as if with a roof b: to
          provide with a particular kind of roof or roofing--often
          used in combination <slate-roofed houses> 2: to constitute
          a roof over -- roof.er n

   roof garden
          [roof garden] n (1893): a restaurant or nightclub at the
          top of a building often in connection with or decorated
          to suggest an outdoor garden

   roofing
          [roof.ing] n (15c): material for a roof

   roofline
          [roof.line] n (1857): the profile of a roof (as of a house)

   [1]rooftop
          [roof.top] n (1611): roof; esp: the outer surface of a usu.
          flat roof <sunning themselves on the ~> [2]rooftop adj
          (1935): situated or taking place on a rooftop

   rooftree
          [roof.tree] n (14c): ridgepole

   [1]rook
          [rook] n [ME, fr. OE hroc; akin to OHG hruoch rook] (bef.
          12c): a common Old World gregarious bird (Corvus frugilegus)
          about the size and color of the related American crow
          but having a bare patch of skin at the base of the bill
          [2]rook vt (ca. 1590): to defraud by cheating or swindling
          [3]rook n [ME rok, fr. MF roc, fr. Ar rukhkh, fr. Per
          rukh] (14c): either of two pieces of the same color in
          a set of chessmen having the power to move along the
          ranks or files across any number of unoccupied squares--called
          also castle

   rookery
          [rook.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1725) 1 a: the nests or breeding
          place of a colony of rooks; also: a colony of rooks b:
          a breeding ground or haunt esp. of gregarious birds or
          mammals; also: a colony of such birds or mammals 2: a
          crowded dilapidated tenement or group of dwellings 3:
          a place teeming with like individuals

   rookie
          [rook.ie] n [perh. alter. of recruit] (1892) 1: recruit;
          also: novice 2: a first-year participant in a major professional
          sport

   rooky
          [rooky] adj (1605): full of or containing rooks

   [1]room
          [room] n [ME, fr. OE rum; akin to OHG rum room, L rur-, rus
          open land] (bef. 12c) 1: an extent of space occupied
          by or sufficient or available for something <in the country
          where there is ~ to run and play> 2 a obs: an appropriate
          or designated position, post, or station b: place, stead
          <in whose ~ I am now assuming the pen --Sir Walter Scott>
          3 a: a partitioned part of the inside of a building;
          esp: such a part used as a lodging b: the people in a
          room 4: a suitable or fit occasion or opportunity: chance
          <left no ~ for doubt> -- roomed adj [2]room vi (1817):
          to occupy a room esp. as a lodger ~ vt: to accommodate
          with lodgings

   room and board
          [room and board] n (1955): lodging and food usu. furnished
          for a set price or as part of wages

   roomer
          [room.er] n (ca. 1871): one who occupies a rented room in
          another's house

   roomette
          [room.ette] n (1937): a small private single room on a railroad
          sleeping car

   roomful
          [room.ful] n (1710): as much or as many as a room will hold;
          also: the persons or objects in a room

   rooming house
          [rooming house] n (1893): a house where lodgings are provided
          for rent

   rooming-in
          [rooming-in] n (1943): an arrangement in a hospital whereby
          a newborn infant is kept in a crib at the mother's bedside
          instead of in a nursery

   roommate
          [room.mate] n (1789): one of two or more persons sharing
          the same room or living quarters--called also roomie

   room service
          [room service] n (1930): service provided to hotel guests
          in their rooms; also: the hotel department responsible
          for such service <ordered a meal from room service>

   roomy
          [roomy] adj room.i.er ; -est (1627) 1: having ample room:
          spacious 2 of a female mammal: having a large or well-proportioned
          body suited for breeding -- room.i.ness n

   roorback
          [roor.back] n [fr. an attack on James K. Polk in 1844 purporting
          to quote from an invented book by a Baron von Roorback]
          (1855): a defamatory falsehood published for political
          effect

   roose
          [roose] vt [ME rusen, fr. ON hrosa] (14c) chiefly dial: praise

   [1]roost
          [roost] n [ME, fr. OE hrost; akin to OS hrost attic] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a support on which birds rest b: a place where
          winged animals and esp. birds customarily roost 2: a
          group of birds (as fowl) roosting together [2]roost vi
          (1530) 1: to settle down for rest or sleep: perch 2:
          to settle oneself as if on a roost ~ vt: to supply a
          roost for or put to roost

   rooster
          [roost.er] n (1772) 1 a: an adult male domestic fowl: cock
          b: an adult male of various birds other than the domestic
          fowl 2: a cocky or vain man

   rooster tail
          [rooster tail] n (1946): a high arching spray of water thrown
          up behind a fast-moving motorboat

   [1]root
          [root] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE rot, fr. ON; akin to OE
          wyrt root, L radix, Gk rhiza] (12c) 1 a: the usu. underground
          part of a seed plant body that originates usu. from the
          hypocotyl, functions as an organ of absorption, aeration,
          and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support,
          and differs from a stem esp. in lacking nodes, buds,
          and leaves b: any subterranean plant part (as a true
          root or a bulb, tuber, rootstock, or other modified stem)
          esp. when fleshy and edible 2 a: the part of a tooth
          within the socket; also: any of the processes into which
          this part is often divided--see tooth illustration b:
          the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skin c:
          the proximal end of a nerve d: the part of an organ or
          physical structure by which it is attached to the body
          <the ~ of the tongue> 3 a: something that is an origin
          or source (as of a condition or quality) <the love of
          money is the ~ of all evil --1 Tim 6:10 (AV)> b: one
          or more progenitors of a group of descendants--usu. used
          in pl. c: an underlying support: basis d: the essential
          core: heart--often used in the phrase at root e: close
          relationship with an environment: tie--usu. used in pl.
          4 a: a quantity taken an indicated number of times as
          an equal factor <2 is a fourth ~ of 16> b: a number that
          reduces an equation to an identity when it is substituted
          for one variable 5 a: the lower part: base b: the part
          by which an object is attached to something else 6: the
          simple element inferred as the basis from which a word
          is derived by phonetic change or by extension (as composition
          or the addition of an affix or inflectional ending) 7:
          the tone from whose overtones a chord is composed: the
          lowest tone of a chord in normal position syn see origin
          -- root.ed adj -- root.less adj -- root.less.ness n --
          root.like adj [2]root vt (14c) 1 a: to furnish with or
          enable to develop roots b: to fix or implant by or as
          if by roots 2: to remove altogether by or as if by pulling
          out by the roots--usu. used with out <~ out dissenters>
          ~ vi 1: to grow roots or take root 2: to have an origin
          or base [3]root vb [alter. of wroot, fr. ME wroten, fr.
          OE wrotan; akin to OHG ruozzan to root] vi (1532) 1:
          to turn up or dig in the earth with the snout: grub 2:
          to poke or dig about ~ vt: to turn over, dig up, or discover
          and bring to light--usu. used with out <~ out the cause
          of the problem> [4]root vi [perh. alter. of [2]rout]
          (1889) 1: to noisily applaud or encourage a contestant
          or team: cheer 2: to wish the success of or lend support
          to someone or something -- root.er n

   rootage
          [root.age] n (ca. 1895) 1: a developed system of roots 2:
          root 3a

   root beer
          [root beer] n (1843): a sweetened carbonated beverage flavored
          with extracts of roots (as sarsaparilla) and herbs

   root canal
          [root canal] n (1893): the part of the pulp cavity lying
          in the root of a tooth; also: a dental operation to save
          a tooth by removing the contents of its root canal and
          filling the cavity with a protective substance

   root cap
          [root cap] n (1875): a protective cap of parenchyma cells
          that covers the terminal meristem in most root tips

   root cellar
          [root cellar] n (1822): a pit used for the storage esp. of
          root crops

   root crop
          [root crop] n (1834): a crop (as turnips) grown for its enlarged
          roots

   rootedness
          [root.ed.ness] n (1642): the quality or state of having roots

   root hair
          [root hair] n (1857): a filamentous extension of an epidermal
          cell near the tip of a rootlet that functions in absorption
          of water and minerals

   roothold
          [root.hold] n (1864) 1: the anchorage of a plant to soil
          through the growing and spreading of roots 2: a place
          where plants may obtain a roothold

   root knot
          [root knot] n (1889): a plant disease caused by nematodes
          that produce characteristic enlargements on the roots
          and stunt the growth of the plant

   root-knot nematode
          [root-knot nematode] n (1922): any of several small plant-parasitic
          nematodes (genus Meloidogyne) that cause root knot

   rootlet
          [root.let] n (ca. 1793): a small root

   root-mean-square
          [root-mean-square] n (1895): the square root of the arithmetic
          mean of the squares of a set of numbers

   root pressure
          [root pressure] n (1875): the chiefly osmotic pressure by
          which water rises into the stems of plants from the roots

   root rot
          [root rot] n (1883): any of various plant diseases characterized
          by decay of the roots and caused esp. by fungi

   rootstock
          [root.stock] n (1832) 1: a rhizomatous underground part of
          a plant 2: a stock for grafting consisting of a root
          or a piece of root; broadly: stock 3b

   rooty
          [rooty] adj (15c): full or consisting of roots <~ soil>

   ROP
          [ROP] abbreviation record of production, run-of-paper

   [1]rope
          [rope] n [ME, fr. OE rap; akin to OHG reif hoop] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a large stout cord of strands of fibers or wire
          twisted or braided together b: a long slender strip of
          material used as rope <rawhide ~> c: a hangman's noose
          d: lariat 2: a row or string consisting of things united
          by or as if by braiding, twining, or threading 3 pl:
          special or basic techniques or procedures <show him the
          ~s> 4: line drive -- rope.like adj -- on the ropes :
          in a defensive and often helpless position [2]rope vb
          roped ; rop.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to bind, fasten, or tie
          with a rope or cord b: to partition, separate, or divide
          by a rope <~ off the street> c: lasso 2: to draw as if
          with a rope: lure ~ vi: to take the form of or twist
          in the manner of rope -- rop.er n

   ropedancer
          [rope.danc.er] n (1648): one that dances, walks, or performs
          acrobatic feats on a rope high in the air -- rope.danc.ing
          n

   ropery
          [rop.ery] n [prob. fr. the thought that the perpetrator deserved
          the gallows] (1592) archaic: roguish tricks or banter

   rope tow
          [rope tow] n (1948): ski tow 1

   ropewalk
          [rope.walk] n (1672): a long covered walk, building, or room
          where ropes are manufactured

   ropewalker
          [rope.walk.er] n (1615): an acrobat who walks on a rope high
          in the air

   ropeway
          [rope.way] n (1889) 1: an endless aerial cable moved by a
          stationary engine and used to transport freight (as logs
          and ore) 2: a fixed cable or a pair of fixed cables between
          supporting towers serving as a track for suspended passenger
          or freight carriers

   ropy
          [ropy] also rop.ey adj rop.i.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: capable
          of being drawn into a thread: viscous; also: tending
          to adhere in stringy masses b: having a gelatinous or
          slimy quality from bacterial or fungal contamination
          <~ milk> <~ flour> 2 a: resembling rope b: muscular,
          sinewy 3 usu ropey, slang: extremely unsatisfactory:
          lousy -- rop.i.ness n

   roque
          [roque] n [alter. of croquet] (1899): croquet played on a
          hard-surfaced court with a raised border

   Roquefort
          [Roque.fort] trademark--used for a pungent French blue cheese
          made from sheep's milk

   roquelaure
          [ro.que.laure] n [F, fr. the Duc de Roquelaure d. 1738 Fr.
          marshal] (1716): a knee-length cloak worn esp. in the
          18th and 19th centuries

   ROR
          [ROR] abbreviation release on own recognizance

   rorqual
          [ror.qual] n [F, fr. Norw rorhval, fr. ON reytharhvalr, fr.
          reythr rorqual + hvalr whale] (1827): any of a family
          (Balaenopteridae) of large baleen whales (as a blue whale
          or humpback whale) having the skin of the throat marked
          with deep longitudinal furrows

   Rorschach
          [Ror.schach] adj (1927): of, relating to, used in connection
          with, or resulting from the Rorschach test

   Rorschach test
          [Rorschach test] n [Hermann Rorschach d. 1922 Swiss psychiatrist]
          (1927): a personality and intelligence test in which
          a subject interprets inkblot designs in terms that reveal
          intellectual and emotional factors--called also Rorschach,
          Rorschach inkblot test

   Ros
          [Ros] or Rosc abbreviation Roscommon

   rosaceous
          [ro.sa.ceous] adj [ultim. fr. L rosa] (1731) 1: of or relating
          to the rose family 2: of, relating to, or resembling
          a rose esp. in having a 5-petaled regular corolla

   rosarian
          [ro.sar.i.an] n (1864): a cultivator of roses

   rosary
          [ro.sa.ry] n, pl -ries [ML rosarium, fr. L, rose garden,
          fr. neut. of rosarius of roses, fr. rosa rose] (1547)
          1 often cap: a Roman Catholic devotion consisting of
          meditation on usu. five sacred mysteries during recitation
          of five decades of Hail Marys of which each begins with
          an Our Father and ends with a Gloria Patri 2: a string
          of beads used in counting prayers esp. of the Roman Catholic
          rosary

   rosary pea
          [rosary pea] n (ca. 1866) 1: a tropical leguminous twining
          herb (Abrus precatorius) that bears jequirity beans and
          has a root used as a substitute for licorice--called
          also Indian licorice, jequirity bean 2: jequirity bean
          1

   roscoe
          [ros.coe] n [prob. fr. the name Roscoe] (ca. 1914) slang:
          handgun

   [1]rose
          [rose] past of rise [2]rose n [ME, fr. OE, fr. L rosa; akin
          to Gk rhodon rose, Per gul] (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of a
          genus (Rosa of the family Rosaceae, the rose family)
          of usu. prickly shrubs with pinnate leaves and showy
          flowers having five petals in the wild state but being
          often double or partly double under cultivation b: the
          flower of a rose 2: something resembling a rose in form:
          as a (1): compass card (2): a circular card with radiating
          lines used in other instruments b: a rosette esp. on
          a shoe c: rose cut 3 pl: a comfortable situation or an
          easily accomplished task <it was not all sunshine and
          ~s --Anthony Lewis> 4: a moderate purplish red 5: a plane
          curve which consists of three or more loops meeting at
          the origin, whose equation in polar coordinates is r
          = a sin nA or r = cos nA where r is the radius vector,
          A is the angle, n is an integer greater than zero, and
          a is an arbitrary constant, and which contains n loops
          when n is an odd integer and 2n loops when n is even
          -- rose.like adj -- under the rose : sub rosa [3]rose
          adj (14c) 1 a: containing or used for roses b: of or
          relating to a rose c: flavored, scented, or colored with
          or like roses 2: of the color rose ro.se n [F] (1897):
          a light pink table wine made from red grapes by removing
          the skins after fermentation has begun

   roseate
          [ro.se.ate] adj [L roseus rosy, fr. rosa] (1589) 1: resembling
          a rose esp. in color 2: overly optimistic: viewed favorably
          -- ro.se.ate.ly adv

   roseate spoonbill
          [roseate spoonbill] n (ca. 1785): a spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja)
          that is found from the southern U.S. to Patagonia and
          has chiefly pink plumage

   rosebay
          [rose.bay] n (1760) 1: rhododendron; esp: great laurel 2:
          fireweed b

   rosebay rhododendron
          [rosebay rhododendron] n (ca. 1949): great laurel

   rose-breasted grosbeak
          [rose-breast.ed grosbeak] n (1810): a grosbeak (Pheucticus
          ludovicianus) chiefly of eastern No. America that in
          the male is chiefly black and white with a rose-red breast
          and in the female is grayish brown with a streaked breast

   rosebud
          [rose.bud] n (15c): the bud of a rose

   rosebush
          [rose.bush] n (1587): a shrub that produces roses

   rose chafer
          [rose chafer] n (1704): a common No. American beetle (Macrodactylus
          subspinosus) that feeds on plant roots as a larva and on leaves and
          flowers (as of rose or grapevines) as an adult--called also rose
          bug

   rose-colored
          [rose-col.ored] adj (1526) 1: having a rose color 2: seeing
          or seen in a promising light: optimistic

   rose-colored glasses
          [rose-colored glasses] n pl (1950): favorably disposed opinions:
          optimistic eyes <views the world through rose-colored
          glasses>

   rose cut
          [rose cut] n (ca. 1842): a form in which gems (as diamonds)
          are cut that usu. has a flat circular base and facets
          in two ranges rising to a point -- rose-cut adj

   rose fever
          [rose fever] n (1851): hay fever occurring in the spring
          or early summer--called also rose cold

   rosefish
          [rose.fish] n (1731): redfish

   rose geranium
          [rose geranium] n (1832): any of several pelargoniums grown
          for their fragrant 3- to 5-lobed leaves and small pink
          flowers

   rose hip
          [rose hip] n (1857): the ripened accessory fruit of a rose
          that consists of a fleshy receptacle enclosing numerous
          achenes

   rosemaling
          [ro.se.ma.ling] n [Norw, fr. rose rose + maling painting]
          (1942): painted or sometimes carved decoration (as on
          furniture, walls, or wooden dinnerware) in Scandinavian
          peasant style that consists esp. of floral designs and
          inscriptions

   rose mallow
          [rose mallow] n (1857): any of several hibiscuses with large
          rose-colored flowers; esp: a showy plant (Hibiscus moscheutos)
          of the salt marshes of the eastern U.S.

   rosemary
          [rose.mary] n, pl -mar.ies [ME rosmarine, fr. L rosmarinus,
          fr. ror-, ros dew + marinus of the sea; akin to Skt rasa
          sap, juice--more at marine] (14c): a fragrant shrubby
          mint (Rosmarinus officinalis) of southern Europe and
          Asia Minor; also: its leaves used as a seasoning

   rose of Jericho
          [rose of Jer.i.cho] [ME, fr. Jericho, ancient city in Palestine]
          (15c): an Asian plant (Anastatica hierochuntica) of the
          mustard family that rolls up when dry and expands when
          moistened

   rose of Sharon
          [rose of Shar.on] [Plain of Sharon, Palestine] (ca. 1847):
          a commonly cultivated Asian shrub or small tree (Hibiscus
          syriacus) having showy bell-shaped rose, purple, or white
          flowers

   rose oil
          [rose oil] n (1552): a fragrant essential oil obtained from
          roses and used chiefly in perfumery and in flavoring

   roseola
          [ro.se.o.la] n [NL, fr. L roseus rosy, fr. rosa rose] (ca.
          1818): a rose-colored eruption in spots or a disease
          marked by such an eruption; esp: roseola infantum --
          ro.se.o.lar adj

   roseola infantum
          [roseola in.fan.tum] n [L, infant roseola] (ca. 1935): a
          mild disease of infants and children characterized by
          fever lasting usu. three days followed by an eruption
          of rose-colored spots

   rose pink
          [rose pink] n (ca. 1859): a moderate pink

   rose slug
          [rose slug] n (1877): the slimy green larva of either of
          two sawflies (Claudius isomerus and Endelomyia aethiops)
          that feed on the parenchyma of and skeletonize the leaves
          of roses

   roset
          [ro.set] n [alter. of ME rosin] (14c) chiefly Scot: resin

   Rosetta stone
          [Ro.set.ta stone] n [Rosetta, Egypt] (ca. 1859) 1: a black
          basalt stone found in 1799 that bears an inscription
          in hieroglyphics, demotic characters, and Greek and is
          celebrated for having given the first clue to the decipherment
          of Egyptian hieroglyphics 2: one that gives a clue to
          understanding

   rosette
          [ro.sette] n [F, lit., small rose, fr. OF, fr. rose, fr.
          L rosa] (1790) 1: an ornament usu. made of material gathered
          or pleated so as to resemble a rose and worn as a badge
          of office, as evidence of having won a decoration (as
          the Medal of Honor), or as trimming 2: a disk of foliage
          or a floral design usu. in relief used as a decorative
          motif 3: a structure or color marking on an animal suggestive
          of a rosette; esp: one of the groups of spots on a leopard
          4: a cluster of leaves in crowded circles or spirals
          arising basally from a crown (as in the dandelion) or
          apically from an axis with greatly shortened internodes
          (as in many tropical palms) 5: a food decoration or garnish
          in the shape of a rose <icing ~s> <carrot ~s>

   rose water
          [rose water] n (14c): a watery solution of the odoriferous
          constituents of the rose used as a perfume or a flavoring

   rosewater
          [rose.wa.ter] adj (1840) 1: affectedly nice or delicate 2:
          having the odor of rose water

   rose window
          [rose window] n (1773): a circular window filled with tracery

   rosewood
          [rose.wood] n (1660): any of various tropical trees (esp.
          genus Dalbergia) yielding valuable cabinet woods of a
          dark red or purplish color streaked and variegated with
          black; also: the wood

   Rosh Hashanah
          [Rosh Ha.sha.nah] n [LHeb rosh hashshanah, lit., beginning
          of the year] (1846): the Jewish New Year observed on
          the first and by Orthodox and Conservative Jews also
          on the second of Tishri

   Rosicrucian
          [Ro.si.cru.cian] n [Christian Rosenkreutz (NL Rosae Crucis)
          reputed 15th cent. founder of the movement] (1624) 1:
          an adherent of a 17th and 18th century movement devoted
          to esoteric wisdom with emphasis on psychic and spiritual
          enlightenment 2: a member of one of several organizations
          held to be descended from the Rosicrucians -- Rosicrucian
          adj -- Ro.si.cru.cian.ism n

   rosily
          [ros.i.ly] adv (1809) 1: in an optimistic manner 2: with
          a rosy color or tinge

   [1]rosin
          [ros.in] n [ME, modif. of MF resine resin] (13c): a translucent
          amber-colored to almost black brittle friable resin that
          is obtained by chemical means from the oleoresin or deadwood
          of pine trees or from tall oil and used esp. in making
          varnish, paper size, soap, and soldering flux and in
          rosining violin bows [2]rosin vt ros.ined ; ros.in.ing
          (15c): to rub or treat (as the bow of a violin) with
          rosin

   rosinweed
          [ros.in.weed] n (1831): any of several American plants (as
          the compass plant) having resinous foliage or a resinous
          odor

   rostellum
          [ros.tel.lum] n [NL, fr. L, dim. of rostrum beak] (ca. 1826):
          a small process resembling a beak: a diminutive rostrum:
          as a: an extension of the stigma of an orchid flowe r
          b: an anterior prolongation of the head of a tapeworm
          bearing hooks -- ros.tel.lar adj

   roster
          [ros.ter] n [D rooster, lit., gridiron; fr. the parallel
          lines] (1727) 1 a: a roll or list of personnel b: such
          a list giving the order in which a duty is to be performed
          <duty ~> c: the persons listed on a roster 2: an itemized
          list

   rostral
          [ros.tral] adj [NL rostralis, fr. L rostrum] (1709) 1: of
          or relating to a rostrum 2: situated toward the oral
          or nasal region: as a of a part of the spinal cord: superior
          6a b of a part of the brain: anterior, ventral -- ros.tral.ly
          adv

   rostrate
          [ros.trate] adj (ca. 1819): having a rostrum

   rostrum
          [ros.trum] n, pl ros.tra or rostrums [L, beak, ship's beak,
          fr. rodere to gnaw--more at rodent] (1542) 1 [L Rostra,
          pl., a platform for speakers in the Roman Forum decorated
          with the beaks of captured ships, fr. pl. of rostrum]
          a: an ancient Roman platform for public orators b: a
          stage for public speaking c: a raised platform on a stage
          2: the curved end of a ship's prow; esp: the beak of
          a war galley 3: a bodily part or process suggesting a
          bird's bill: as a: the beak, snout, or proboscis of any
          of various insects or arachnids b: the often spinelike
          anterior median prolongation of the carapace of a crustacean
          (as a crayfish or lobster)

   rosy
          [rosy] adj ros.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: of the color rose b:
          having a pinkish usu. healthy-looking complexion: blooming
          c: marked by blushes 2: characterized by or tending to
          promote optimism -- ros.i.ness n

   [1]rot
          [rot] vb rot.ted ; rot.ting [ME roten, fr. OE rotian; akin
          to OHG rozzen to rot] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to undergo decomposition
          from the action of bacteria or fungi b: to become unsound
          or weak (as from use or chemical action) 2 a: to go to
          ruin: deteriorate b: to become morally corrupt: degenerate
          ~ vt: to cause to decompose or deteriorate with or as
          if with rot syn see decay [2]rot n (14c) 1 a: the process
          of rotting: the state of being rotten: decay b: something
          rotten or rotting 2 a archaic: a wasting putrescent disease
          b: any of several parasitic diseases esp. of sheep marked
          by necrosis and wasting c: plant disease marked by breakdown
          of tissues and caused esp. by fungi or bacteria 3: nonsense--often
          used interjectionally

   rot
          [rot] abbreviation rotating, rotation

   rota
          [ro.ta] n [L, wheel--more at roll] (1673) 1 chiefly Brit
          a: a fixed order of rotation (as of persons or duties)
          b: a roll or list of persons: roster 2 cap [ML, fr. L]:
          a tribunal of the papal curia exercising jurisdiction
          esp. in matrimonial cases appealed from diocesan courts

   rotameter
          [ro.ta.me.ter] n [L rota + E -meter] (1907): a gauge that
          consists of a graduated glass tube containing a free
          float for measuring the flow of a fluid

   Rotarian
          [Ro.tar.i.an] n [Rotary (club)] (1911): a member of a major
          national and international service club

   [1]rotary
          [ro.ta.ry] adj [ML rotarius, fr. L rota wheel] (ca. 1731)
          1 a: turning on an axis like a wheel b: taking place
          about an axis <~ motion> 2: having an important part
          that turns on an axis <~ cutter> 3: characterized by
          rotation 4: of, relating to, or being a press in which
          paper is printed by rotation in contact with a curved
          printing surface attached to a cylinder [2]rotary n,
          pl -ries (ca. 1888) 1: a rotary machine 2: a road junction
          formed around a central circle about which traffic moves
          in one direction only--called also circle, traffic circle

   rotary cultivator
          [rotary cultivator] n (1926): rototiller

   rotary engine
          [rotary engine] n (1837) 1: any of various engines (as a
          turbine) in which power is applied to vanes or similar
          parts constrained to move in a circular path 2: a radial
          engine in which the cylinders revolve about a stationary
          crankshaft

   rotary-wing aircraft
          [rotary-wing aircraft] n (1935): rotorcraft; specif:
          helicopter--usu. used in pl.

   [1]rotate
          [ro.tate] adj [L rota] (1785): having the parts flat and
          spreading or radiating like the spokes of a wheel <~
          blue flowers> [2]ro.tate vb ro.tat.ed ; ro.tat.ing [L
          rotatus, pp. of rotare, fr. rota wheel--more at roll]
          vi (1808) 1: to turn about an axis or a center: revolve;
          esp: to move in such a way that all particles follow
          circles with a common angular velocity about a common
          axis 2 a: to perform an act, function, or operation in
          turn b: to pass or alternate in a series ~ vt 1 a: to
          cause to turn or move about an axis or a center b: to
          cause (a plane region or line) to sweep out a volume
          or surface by moving around an axis so that each of its
          points remains at a constant distance from the axis <generate
          a torus by rotating a circle about an external line>
          2: to cause to grow in rotation <~ crops> 3: to cause
          to pass or act in a series: alternate 4: to exchange
          (individuals or units) with others -- ro.tat.able adj

   rotation
          [ro.ta.tion] n (1555) 1 a (1): the action or process of rotating
          on or as if on an axis or center (2): the act or an instance
          of rotating something b: one complete turn: the angular
          displacement required to return a rotating body or figure
          to its original orientation 2 a: return or succession
          in a series <~ of the seasons> b: the growing of different
          crops in succession in one field usu. in a regular sequence
          3: the turning of a body part about its long axis as
          if on a pivot 4: a game of pool in which all 15 object
          balls are shot in numerical order 5: the series of pitchers
          on a baseball team who regularly start successive games
          in turn -- ro.ta.tion.al adj

   rotative
          [ro.ta.tive] adj (1778) 1: turning like a wheel: rotary 2:
          relating to, occurring in, or characterized by rotation
          -- ro.ta.tive.ly adv

   rotator
          [ro.ta.tor] n (1676): one that rotates or causes rotation;
          esp, pl -tors or -tor.es : a muscle that partially rotates
          a part on its axis

   rotator cuff
          [rotator cuff] n (1961): a supporting and strengthening structure
          of the shoulder joint that is made up of the capsule
          of the shoulder joint blended with tendons and muscles
          as they pass to the capsule or across it to insert on
          the head of the humerus

   rotatory
          [ro.ta.to.ry] adj (1755) 1: of, relating to, or producing
          rotation 2: occurring in rotation

   rotavirus
          [ro.ta.vi.rus] n [NL, fr. L rota wheel + NL virus] (1974):
          a reovirus that has a double-layered capsid and that
          causes diarrhea esp. in infants

   ROTC
          [ROTC] abbreviation Reserve Officers' Training Corps

   [1]rote
          [rote] n [ME, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG hruozza
          crowd] (14c): [3]crowd 1 [2]rote n [ME] (14c) 1: the
          use of memory usu. with little intelligence <learn by
          ~> 2: routine or repetition carried out mechanically
          or unthinkingly <a joyless sense of order, ~, and commercial
          hustle --L. L. King> [3]rote adj (1641) 1: learned or
          memorized by rote 2: mechanical 3a [4]rote n [perh. of
          Scand origin; akin to ON rauta to roar--more at rout]
          (1610): the noise of surf on the shore

   rotenone
          [ro.te.none] n [ISV, fr. Jp roten derris plant] (1924): a
          crystalline insecticide that is obtained from the roots
          of several tropical plants (as a derris) and is of low
          toxicity for warm-blooded animals and is used esp. in
          home gardens

   rotgut
          [rot.gut] n (1633): cheap or inferior liquor

   roti
          [ro.ti] n [Hindi roti bread; akin to Skt rotika, kind of
          bread] (1920): a round soft flat unleavened bread; also:
          such a bread wrapped around a filling and eaten as a
          sandwich

   rotifer
          [ro.ti.fer] n [ultim. fr. L rota + -fer] (1793): any of a
          class (Rotifera of the phylum Aschelminthes) of minute
          usu. microscopic but many-celled chiefly freshwater aquatic
          invertebrates having the anterior end modified into a
          retractile disk bearing circles of strong cilia that
          often give the appearance of rapidly revolving wheels

   rotisserie
          [ro.tis.ser.ie] n [F rotisserie, fr. MF rostisserie, fr.
          rostir to roast--more at roast] (ca. 1920) 1: a restaurant
          specializing in broiled and barbecued meats 2: an appliance
          fitted with a spit on which food is rotated before or
          over a source of heat

   roto
          [ro.to] n, pl rotos (1926): rotogravure

   rotogravure
          [ro.to.gra.vure] n [G Rotogravur, blend of L rota wheel and
          G Photogravur photogravure] (1913) 1: photogravure 2:
          a section of a newspaper devoted to rotogravure pictures

   rotor
          [ro.tor] n [contr. of rotator] (1903) 1: a part that revolves
          in a stationary part; esp: the rotating member of an
          electrical machine 2: a complete system of horizontal
          rotating blades that supplies lift for a rotorcraft

   rotorcraft
          [ro.tor.craft] n, pl rotorcraft (1940): an aircraft (as a
          helicopter) whose lift is derived principally from rotating
          airfoils

   rototill
          [ro.to.till] vt [back-formation fr. rototiller] (1939): to
          till or plow (soil) with a rototiller

   rototiller
          [ro.to.till.er] n [fr. Rototiller, a trademark] (1923): a
          landscaping implement with engine-powered rotating blades
          used to lift and turn over soil

   [1]rotten
          [rot.ten] adj [ME roten, fr. ON rotinn; akin to OE rotian
          to rot] (13c) 1: having rotted: putrid 2: morally corrupt
          3: extremely unpleasant or inferior <a ~ day> <a ~ job>
          4: very uncomfortable <feeling ~> 5: of very poor quality:
          lousy, abominable <a ~ show> <what ~ luck> -- rot.ten.ly
          adv -- rot.ten.ness n [2]rotten adv (1880): to an extreme
          degree <spoiled ~>

   rotten borough
          [rotten borough] n (1812): an election district that has
          many fewer inhabitants than other election districts
          with the same voting power

   rottenstone
          [rot.ten.stone] n (1677): a decomposed siliceous limestone
          used for polishing

   rotter
          [rot.ter] n (1894): a thoroughly objectionable person

   rottweiler
          [rott.wei.ler] n, often cap [G, fr. Rottweil, city in Germany]
          (1907): any of a breed of tall powerful black-and-tan
          short-haired dogs of German origin that are commonly
          used as guard dogs

   rotund
          [ro.tund] adj [L rotundus, prob. alter. of (assumed) OL retundus;
          akin to L rota wheel--more at roll] (1705) 1: marked
          by roundness: rounded 2: marked by fullness of sound
          or cadence: orotund, sonorous <a master of ~ phrase>
          3: notably plump: chubby -- ro.tun.di.ty n -- ro.tund.ly
          adv -- ro.tund.ness n

   rotunda
          [ro.tun.da] n [It rotonda, fr. L rotunda, fem. of rotundus]
          (ca. 1700) 1: a round building; esp: one covered by a
          dome 2 a: a large round room b: a large central area
          (as in a hotel)

   roturier
          [ro.tu.ri.er] n [MF] (1586): a person not of noble birth

   rouble
          [rou.ble] var of ruble

   roue
          [roue] n [F, lit., broken on the wheel, fr. pp. of rouer
          to break on the wheel, fr. ML rotare, fr. L, to rotate;
          fr. the feeling that such a person deserves this punishment]
          (1800): a man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure:
          rake

   [1]rouge
          [rouge] n [F, fr. MF, fr. rouge red, fr. L rubeus reddish--more
          at ruby] (1753) 1: any of various cosmetics for coloring
          the cheeks or lips red 2: a red powder consisting essentially
          of ferric oxide used in polishing glass, metal, or gems
          and as a pigment [2]rouge vb rouged ; roug.ing vt (1777)
          1: to apply rouge to 2: to cause to redden ~ vi: to use
          rouge

   [1]rough
          [rough] adj rough.er ; rough.est [ME, fr. OE ruh; akin to
          OHG ruh rough, Lith raukas wrinkle] (bef. 12c) 1 a: marked
          by inequalities, ridges, or projections on the surface:
          coarse b: covered with or made up of coarse and often
          shaggy hair <rough-coated collie>--compare smooth, wirehaired
          c (1): having a broken, uneven, or bumpy surface <~ terrain>
          (2): difficult to travel through or penetrate: wild <into
          the ~ woods --P. B. Shelley> 2 a: turbulent, tempestuous
          <~ seas> b (1): characterized by harshness, violence,
          or force (2): presenting a challenge: difficult <~ to
          deal with --R. M. McAlmon> 3: coarse or rugged in character
          or appearance: as a: harsh to the ear b: crude in style
          or expression c: indelicate d: marked by a lack of refinement
          or grace: uncouth 4 a: crude, unfinished <~ carpentry>
          b: executed or ventured hastily, tentatively, or imperfectly
          <a ~ draft> <~ estimate>; also: approximate <this gives
          a ~ idea> -- rough.ish adj -- rough.ness n syn rough,
          harsh, uneven, rugged, scabrous mean not smooth or even.
          rough implies points, bristles, ridges, or projections
          on the surface <a rough wooden board>. harsh implies
          a surface or texture distinctly unpleasant to the touch
          <a harsh fabric that chafes the skin>. uneven implies
          a lack of uniformity in height, breadth, or quality <an
          old house with uneven floors>. rugged implies irregularity
          or roughness of land surface and connotes difficulty
          of travel <a rugged landscape>. scabrous implies scaliness
          or prickliness of surface <a scabrous leaf>. syn see
          in addition rude [2]rough adv (14c): roughly 1 [3]rough
          n (15c) 1: uneven ground covered with high grass, brush,
          and stones; specif: such ground bordering a golf fairway
          2: the rugged or disagreeable side or aspect <hiking-camping
          admirers of nature in the ~ --Eleanor Stirling> 3 a:
          something in a crude, unfinished, or preliminary state
          b: broad outline: general terms <the question ... has
          been discussed in ~ --Manchester Guardian Weekly> c:
          a hasty preliminary drawing or layout 4: rowdy [4]rough
          vt (1763) 1: roughen 2 a: to subject to abuse: manhandle,
          beat--usu. used with up b: to subject to unnecessary
          and intentional violence in a sport 3: to calk or otherwise
          roughen (a horse's shoes) to prevent slipping 4 a: to
          shape, make, or dress in a rough or preliminary way b:
          to indicate the chief lines of <~ out the structure of
          a building> -- rough.er n -- rough it : to live under
          harsh or primitive conditions

   roughage
          [rough.age] n (ca. 1900): fiber 1d; also: food containing
          much indigestible material acting as fiber

   rough-and-ready
          [rough-and-ready] adj (1810): crude in nature, method, or
          manner but effective in action or use

   [1]rough-and-tumble
          [rough-and-tum.ble] n (1792): rough disorderly unrestrained
          fighting or struggling; also: infighting [2]rough-and-tumble
          adj (1832) 1: marked by rough-and-tumble <grew up in
          a ~ atmosphere --E. J. Kahn>; also: rough-and-ready 2:
          put together haphazardly: makeshift <a ~ fence>

   rough bluegrass
          [rough bluegrass] n (ca. 1925): a forage grass (Poa trivialis)
          of Eurasia and northern Africa that is naturalized in
          No. America

   rough breathing
          [rough breathing] n (1899) 1: a mark in the form of a reversed
          apostrophe used in Greek over some initial vowels to
          show that they are aspirated or over rho to show that
          it is voiceless 2: the sound indicated by a mark in the
          form of a reversed apostrophe over a Greek vowel or rho

   [1]roughcast
          [rough.cast] vt -cast ; -cast.ing (1565) 1: to plaster (as
          a wall) with roughcast 2: to shape or form roughly [2]rough.cast
          n (1579) 1: a rough model 2: a plaster of lime mixed
          with shells or pebbles used for covering buildings 3:
          a rough surface finish (as of a plaster wall)

   rough cut
          [rough cut] n (1937): a print of an incompletely edited motion
          picture

   [1]rough-dry
          [rough-dry] vt (1837): to dry (laundry) without smoothing
          or ironing [2]rough-dry adj (1856): being dry after laundering
          but not ironed or smoothed over <~ clothes>

   roughen
          [rough.en] vb rough.ened ; rough.en.ing vt (1582): to make
          rough or rougher <her hands were ~ed by work --Ellen
          Glasgow> ~ vi: to become rough

   rough fish
          [rough fish] n (1843): a fish that is neither a sport fish
          nor an important food for sport fishes

   rough-hew
          [rough-hew] vt -hewed ; -hewn ; -hew.ing (1530) 1: to hew
          (as timber) coarsely without smoothing or finishing 2:
          to form crudely

   rough-hewn
          [rough-hewn] adj (1530) 1: being in a rough, unsmoothed,
          or unfinished state: crudely formed <~ beams> 2: lacking
          refinement <he was rather attractive, in a ~ kind of
          way --Jan Speas>

   [1]roughhouse
          [rough.house] n (1887): violence or rough boisterous play
          [2]rough.house vb rough.housed ; rough.hous.ing vt (1902):
          to treat in a boisterously rough manner ~ vi: to engage
          in roughhouse

   roughleg
          [rough.leg] n (1895): rough-legged hawk

   rough-legged hawk
          [rough-legged hawk] n (1811): a large circumpolar arctic
          hawk (Buteo lagopus) that winters southward and typically
          has a white tail with a wide black band or bands at the
          tip

   rough lemon
          [rough lemon] n (1900) 1: a hybrid lemon that forms a large
          spreading thorny tree, bears rough-skinned nearly globular
          acid fruit, and is important chiefly as a rootstock for
          other citrus trees 2: the fruit of a rough lemon

   roughly
          [rough.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a rough manner: as a: with harshness
          or violence <treated the prisoner ~> b: in crude fashion:
          imperfectly <~ dressed lumber> 2: without completeness
          or exactness: approximately <~ 20 percent>

   [1]roughneck
          [rough.neck] n (1836) 1 a: a rough or uncouth person b: rowdy,
          tough 2: a worker of an oil-well-drilling crew other
          than the driller [2]roughneck adj (1916): having the
          characteristics of or suitable for a roughneck

   roughrider
          [rough.ri.der] n (1733) 1: one who is accustomed to riding
          unbroken or little-trained horses 2 usu Rough Rider :
          a member of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry regiment in
          the Spanish-American War commanded by Theodore Roosevelt

   [1]roughshod
          [rough.shod] adj (ca. 1688) 1: shod with calked shoes 2:
          marked by tyrannical force <~ rule> [2]roughshod adv
          (1813): in a roughshod manner <rode ~ over the opposition>

   rough trade
          [rough trade] n (ca. 1935): male homosexuals who are or affect
          to be rugged and potentially violent; also: such a homosexual

   rouille
          [rouille] n [F, lit., rust; fr. its color] (1951): a peppery
          garlic sauce

   roulade
          [rou.lade] n [F, lit., act of rolling] (ca. 1706) 1: a florid
          vocal embellishment sung to one syllable 2: a slice of
          usu. stuffed meat that is rolled, browned, and steamed
          or braised

   rouleau
          [rou.leau] n, pl rou.leaux [F] (1693): a little roll; esp:
          a roll of coins put up in paper

   [1]roulette
          [rou.lette] n [F, lit., small wheel, fr. OF roelete, dim.
          of roele small wheel, fr. LL rotella, dim. of L rota
          wheel--more at roll] (1745) 1: a gambling game in which
          players bet on which compartment of a revolving wheel
          a small ball will come to rest in 2 a: any of various
          toothed wheels or disks (as for producing rows of dots
          on engraved plates or for making short consecutive incisions
          in paper to facilitate subsequent division) b: tiny slits
          between rows of stamps in a sheet that are made by a
          roulette and serve as an aid in separation--compare perforation
          [2]roulette vt rou.lett.ed ; rou.lett.ing (1867): to
          make roulettes in

   Roumanian
          [Rou.ma.nian] var of rumanian

   [1]round
          [round] adj [ME, fr. OF roont, fr. L rotundus--more at rotund]
          (14c) 1 a (1): having every part of the surface or circumference
          equidistant from the center (2): cylindrical <a ~ peg>
          b: approximately round <a ~ face> 2: well filled out:
          plump, shapely 3 a: complete, full <a ~ dozen> <a ~ ton>
          b: approximately correct; esp: exact only to a specific
          decimal or place <use the ~ number 1400 for the exact
          figure 1411> c: substantial in amount: ample <a good
          ~ price --T. B. Costain> 4: direct in utterance: outspoken
          <a ~ oath> 5: moving in or forming a circle 6 a: brought
          to completion or perfection: finished b: presented with
          lifelike fullness or vividness 7: delivered with a swing
          of the arm <a ~ blow> 8 a: having full or unimpeded resonance
          or tone: sonorous b: pronounced with rounded lips: labialized
          9: of or relating to handwriting predominantly curved
          rather than angular -- round.ness n [2]round adv (14c):
          around 1, 2b, 3, 4, 5 [3]round n (14c) 1 a: something
          (as a circle, globe, or ring) that is round b (1): a
          knot of people (2): a circle of things 2: round dance
          1 3: a musical canon sung in unison in which each part
          is continuously repeated 4 a: a rung of a ladder or a
          chair b: a rounded molding 5 a: a circling or circuitous
          path or course b: motion in a circle or a curving path
          6 a: a route or circuit habitually covered (as by a security
          guard or police officer) b: a series of similar or customary
          calls or stops <making the ~s of his friends --Current
          Biog.>; esp: a series of regularly scheduled professional
          calls on hospital patients made by a doctor or nurse--usu.
          used in pl. 7: a drink of liquor apiece served at one
          time to each person in a group <I'll buy the next ~>
          8: a sequence of recurring routine or repetitive actions
          or events <went about my ~ of chores> <t he newest ~
          of talks> 9: a period of time that recurs in a fixed
          pattern <the daily ~> 10 a: one shot fired by a weapon
          or by each man in a military unit b: a unit of ammunition
          consisting of the parts necessary to fire one shot 11
          a: a unit of action in a contest or game which comprises
          a stated period, covers a prescribed distance, includes
          a specified number of plays, or gives each player one
          turn b: a division of a tournament in which each contestant
          plays an opponent 12: a prolonged burst (as of applause)
          13 a: a cut of meat (as beef) esp. between the rump and
          the lower leg--see beef illustration b: a slice of food
          <a ~ of bread> 14: a rounded or curved part -- in the
          round 1: in full sculptured form unattached to a background
          2: with an inclusive or comprehensive view or representation
          3: with a center stage surrounded by an audience <theater
          in the round> [4]round vt (14c) 1 a: to make round b
          (1): to make (the lips) round and protruded (2): to pronounce
          with lip rounding: labialize 2 a: go around b: to pass
          part of the way around 3: encircle, encompass 4: to bring
          to completion or perfection--often used with off or out
          5: to express as a round number--often used with off
          <11.3572 ~ed off to two decimal places becomes 11.36>
          ~ vi 1 a: to become round, plump, or shapely b: to reach
          fullness or completion 2: to follow a winding course:
          bend -- round on : to turn against: assail [5]round prep
          (1602) 1: around 2: all during: throughout <~ the year>
          [6]round vt [alter. of ME rounen, fr. OE runian; akin
          to OE run mystery--more at rune] (ca. 1529) 1 archaic:
          whisper 2 archaic: to speak to in a whisper

   [1]roundabout
          [round.about] adj (1608): circuitous, indirect <had to take
          a ~ course> -- round.about.ness n [2]roundabout n (1755)
          1: a circuitous route: detour 2 Brit: merry-go-round
          3: a short close-fitting jacket worn by men and boys
          esp. in the 19th century 4 Brit: rotary 2

   round angle
          [round angle] n (ca. 1934): an angle of 360 degrees

   round clam
          [round clam] n (ca. 1843): quahog

   round dance
          [round dance] n (1683) 1: a folk dance in which participants
          form a ring and move in a prescribed direction 2: a ballroom
          dance in which couples progress around the room 3: a
          series of movements performed by a bee to indicate that
          a source of food is nearby

   rounded
          [round.ed] adj (1712) 1: made round: flowing rather than
          jagged or angular 2: fully developed -- round.ed.ness
          n

   roundel
          [roun.del] n [ME, fr. OF rondel, fr. roont round--more at
          round] (14c) 1: a round figure or object (as a circular
          panel, window, or niche) 2 a: rondel 2a b: an English
          modified rondeau

   roundelay
          [roun.de.lay] n [ME, modif. of MF rondelet, dim. of rondel]
          (15c) 1: a simple song with a refrain 2: a poem with
          a refrain recurring frequently or at fixed intervals
          as in a rondel

   rounder
          [round.er] n (1828) 1 pl but sing in constr: a game of English
          origin that is played with ball and bat and that somewhat
          resembles baseball 2: a dissolute person: wastrel 3:
          one that rounds by hand or by machine 4: a boxing match
          lasting a specified number of rounds--usu. used in combination
          <a 10-rounder>

   Roundhead
          [Round.head] n [fr. the Puritans' cropping their hair short
          in contrast to the Cavaliers] (1642) 1: a member of the
          parliamentary party in England at the time of Charles
          I and Oliver Cromwell 2: puritan 1

   roundheaded
          [round.head.ed] adj (1729): having a round head; specif:
          brachycephalic -- round.head.ed.ness n

   roundhouse
          [round.house] n (1589) 1 archaic: lockup 2: a circular building
          for housing and repairing locomotives 3: a blow delivered
          with a wide swing

   roundish
          [round.ish] adj (1545): somewhat round

   round lot
          [round lot] n (ca. 1902): the standard unit of trading in
          a security market usu. amounting to 100 shares of stock

   roundly
          [round.ly] adv (15c) 1 a: in a complete or thorough manner:
          thoroughly <~ disliked> <~ satisfying> b: by nearly everyone:
          widely <~ praised> 2: in a plainspoken manner: bluntly
          <told them ~ they would get no help> 3: with vigor or
          asperity <~ attacked the plan>

   round-robin
          [round-rob.in] n [fr. the name Robin] (1730) 1 a: a written
          petition, memorial, or protest to which the signatures
          are affixed in a circle so as not to indicate who signed
          first b: a statement signed by several persons c: something
          (as a letter) sent in turn to the members of a group
          each of whom signs and forwards it sometimes after adding
          comment 2: round table 2 3: a tournament in which every
          contestant meets every other contestant in turn 4: series,
          round

   round-shouldered
          [round-shoul.dered] adj (1586): having the shoulders stooping
          or rounded

   roundsman
          [rounds.man] n (1795) 1: one that makes rounds 2: a supervisory
          police officer of the grade of sergeant or just below

   round steak
          [round steak] n (1876): a steak cut from the round of beef--see
          beef illustration

   round table
          [round ta.ble] n (14c) 1 a cap R&T: the large circular table
          of King Arthur and his knights b: the knights of King
          Arthur 2 usu round.ta.ble : a conference for discussion
          or deliberation by several participants; also: the participants
          in such a conference

   round-the-clock
          [round-the-clock] adj (1937): around-the-clock

   round-trip
          [round-trip] n, often attrib (1860): a trip to a place and
          back usu. over the same route

   roundup
          [round.up] n (1873) 1 a (1): the act or process of collecting
          animals (as cattle) by riding around them and driving
          them in (2): the cowboys and ranch personnel engaged
          in a cattle roundup b: a gathering in of scattered persons
          or things <a ~ of all suspects> 2: a summary of information
          <a ~ of the news>

   round up
          [round up] vt (1844) 1: to collect (as cattle) by means of
          a roundup 2: to gather in or bring together from various
          quarters

   round window
          [round window] n (ca. 1903): fenestra 1b

   roundwood
          [round.wood] n (1910): timber used (as for poles) without
          being squared by sawing or hewing

   roundworm
          [round.worm] n (1565): nematode; also: a related round-bodied
          unsegmented worm (as a spiny-headed worm) as distinguished
          from a flatworm

   roup
          [roup] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1808): trichomoniasis c

   [1]rouse
          [rouse] vb roused ; rous.ing [ME, to shake the feathers]
          vt (1531) 1 archaic: to cause to break from cover 2 a:
          to stir up: excite <was roused to fury> b: to arouse
          from or as if from sleep or repose: awaken ~ vi 1: to
          become aroused: awaken 2: to become stirred -- rouse.ment
          n -- rous.er n [2]rouse n (ca. 1802): an act or instance
          of rousing; esp: an excited stir [3]rouse n [alter. (fr.
          misdivision of to drink carouse) of carouse] (1602) 1
          obs: drink, toast 2 archaic: carousal

   rouseabout
          [rouse.about] n (1861) Austral: an unskilled worker

   rousing
          [rous.ing] adj (1641) 1 a: giving rise to excitement: stirring
          b: brisk, lively 2: exceptional, superlative -- rous.ing.ly
          adv

   Rous sarcoma
          [Rous sarcoma] n [F. Peyton Rous d. 1970 Am. physician] (ca.
          1925): a readily transplantable malignant fibrosarcoma
          of chickens that is caused by a specific carcinogenic
          virus

   Rousseauism
          [Rous.seau.ism] n (1865) 1: the philosophical, educational,
          and political doctrines of Jean Jacques Rousseau 2: the
          return to or glorification of a simpler and more primitive
          way of life -- Rous.seau.ist n -- Rous.seau.is.tic adj

   roust
          [roust] vt [alter. of [1]rouse] (1658): to drive (as from
          bed) roughly or unceremoniously

   roustabout
          [roust.about] n (1868) 1 a: deckhand b: longshoreman 2: an
          unskilled or semiskilled laborer esp. in an oil field
          or refinery 3: a circus worker who erects and dismantles
          tents, cares for the grounds, and handles animals and
          equipment

   rouster
          [roust.er] n (1883) 1: deckhand 2: longshoreman

   [1]rout
          [rout] n [ME route, fr. MF, troop, defeat, fr. (assumed)
          VL rupta, fr. L, fem. of ruptus, pp. of rumpere to break--more
          at reave] (13c) 1: a crowd of people: throng; specif:
          rabble 2b 2 a: disturbance b archaic: fuss 3: a fashionable
          gathering [2]rout vi [ME rowten, fr. ON rauta; akin to
          OE reotan to weep, L rudere to roar] (14c) dial chiefly
          Brit: to low loudly: bellow--used of cattle [3]rout vb
          [alter. of [3]root] vi (ca. 1564) 1: to poke around with
          the snout: root <pigs ~ing in the earth> 2: to search
          haphazardly ~ vt 1 a archaic: to dig up with the snout
          b: to gouge out or make a furrow in (as wood or metal)
          2 a: to force out as if by digging--usu. used with out
          b: to cause to emerge esp. from bed 3: to come up with:
          uncover [4]rout n [MF route troop, defeat] (1598) 1:
          a state of wild confusion or disorderly retreat 2 a:
          a disastrous defeat: debacle b: a precipitate flight
          [5]rout vt (1600) 1 a: to disorganize completely: demoralize
          b: to put to precipitate flight c: to defeat decisively
          or disastrously <the discomfiture of seeing their party
          ~ed at the polls --A. N. Holcombe> 2: to drive out: dispel

   [1]route
          [route] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL rupta (via), lit.,
          broken way, fr. L rupta, fem. of ruptus, pp.] (13c) 1
          a: a traveled way: highway <the main ~ north> b: a means
          of access: channel <the ~ to social mobility --T. F.
          O'Dea> 2: a line of travel: course 3 a: an established
          or selected course of travel or action b: an assigned
          territory to be systematically covered <a newspaper ~>
          [2]route vt rout.ed ; rout.ing (1832) 1: to send by a
          selected route: direct <was routed along the scenic shore
          road> 2: to divert in a specified direction

   routeman
          [route.man] n (1918): one who is responsible for making sales
          or deliveries on an assigned route

   [1]router
          [rout.er] n (1846): one that routs: as a: a routing plane
          b: a machine with a revolving vertical spindle and cutter
          for milling out the surface of wood or metal [2]rout.er
          n (1903): one that routes [3]rout.er n [route (race of
          a mile or more)] (ca. 1951): a horse trained for distance
          races

   route step
          [route step] n (1867): a style of marching in which troops
          maintain prescribed intervals but are not required to
          keep in step or to maintain silence--called also route
          march

   routeway
          [route.way] n (1946) chiefly Brit: route 3a

   routh
          [routh] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1689) chiefly Scot: plenty

   [1]routine
          [rou.tine] n [F, fr. MF, fr. route traveled way] (1676) 1
          a: a regular course of procedure <if resort to legal
          action becomes a campus ~ --J. A. Perkins> b: habitual
          or mechanical performance of an established procedure
          <the ~ of factory work> 2: a reiterated speech or formula
          <the old "After you" ~ --Ray Russell> 3: a worked-out
          part (as of an entertainment or sports contest) that
          may be often repeated <a dance ~> <a gymnastic ~>; esp:
          a theatrical number 4: a sequence of computer instructions
          for performing a particular task [2]rou.tine adj (1817)
          1: of a commonplace or repetitious character: ordinary
          2: of, relating to, or being in accordance with established
          procedure <~ business> -- rou.tine.ly adv

   routinize
          [rou.tin.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1921): to discipline in
          or reduce to a routine -- rou.tin.i.za.tion n

   roux
          [roux] n, pl roux [F, fr. beurre roux brown butter] (1813):
          a cooked mixture of flour and fat used as a thickening
          agent in a soup or a sauce

   [1]rove
          [rove] vb roved ; rov.ing [ME roven to shoot at random, wander]
          vi (1536): to move aimlessly: roam ~ vt: to wander through
          or over syn see wander [2]rove n (1606): an act or instance
          of wandering [3]rove past and past part of reeve [4]rove
          vt roved ; rov.ing [origin unknown] (1789): to join (textile
          fibers) with a slight twist and draw out into roving
          [5]rove n (1789): roving

   rove beetle
          [rove beetle] n [perh. fr. [1]rove] (ca. 1771): any of a
          family (Staphylinidae) of often predatory active beetles
          having a long body and very short wing covers beneath
          which the wings are folded transversely--called also
          staphylinid

   [1]rover
          [ro.ver] n [ME, fr. MD, fr. roven to rob; akin to OE reafian
          to reave--more at reave] (14c): pirate [2]rov.er n [ME,
          fr. roven] (15c) 1: a random or long-distance mark in
          archery--usu. used in pl. 2: wanderer, roamer 3: a player
          who is not assigned to a specific position on a team
          and who plays wherever needed 4: a vehicle for exploring
          the surface of an extraterrestrial body (as the moon
          or Mars)

   [1]roving
          [rov.ing] adj [[1]rove] (1596) 1 a: capable of being shifted
          from place to place: mobile b: not restricted as to location
          or area of concern 2: inclined to ramble or stray <a
          ~ fancy> [2]roving n [[4]rove] (1802): a slightly twisted
          roll or strand of usu. textile fibers

   [1]row
          [row] vb [ME, fr. OE rowan; akin to MHG ruejen to row, L
          remus oar] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to propel a boat by means
          of oars 2: to move by or as if by the propulsion of oars
          ~ vt 1 a: to propel with or as if with oars b: to be
          equipped with (a specified number of oars) c (1): to
          participate in (a rowing match) (2): to compete against
          in rowing (3): to pull (an oar) in a crew 2: to transport
          in an oar-propelled boat -- row.er n [2]row n (1832):
          an act or instance of rowing [3]row n [ME rawe; akin
          to OE raew row, OHG riga line, and perh. to Skt rikhati
          he scratches] (13c) 1: a number of objects arranged in
          a usu. straight line <a ~ of bottles>; also: the line
          along which such objects are arranged <planted the corn
          in parallel ~s> 2 a: way, street b: a street or area
          dominated by a specific kind of enterprise or occupancy
          <doctors' ~> 3: twelve-tone row 4 a: a continuous strip
          usu. running horizontally or parallel to a base line
          b: a horizontal arrangement of items -- in a row : one
          after another: successively [4]row vt (1657): to form
          into rows [5]row n [origin unknown] (1746): a noisy disturbance
          or quarrel [6]row vi (1797): to engage in a row: have
          a quarrel

   rowan
          [row.an] n [of Scand origin; akin to ON reynir rowan; akin
          to OE read red--more at red] (1804) 1 a: a Eurasian mountain
          ash (Sorbus aucuparia) with flat corymbs of white flowers
          followed by small red pomes b: an American mountain ash
          (Sorbus americana) with flat corymbs of white flowers
          followed by small orange red pomes 2: the fruit of a
          rowan

   rowanberry
          [row.an.ber.ry] n (1814): rowan 2

   rowboat
          [row.boat] n (1538): a small boat designed to be rowed

   [1]rowdy
          [row.dy] adj row.di.er ; -est [perh. irreg. fr. [5]row] (1819):
          coarse or boisterous in behavior: rough; also: characterized
          by such behavior <~ local bars> -- row.di.ly adv -- row.di.ness
          n -- row.dy.ish adj [2]rowdy n, pl rowdies (1819): a
          rowdy person: tough

   rowdyism
          [row.dy.ism] n (1842): rowdy character or behavior

   [1]rowel
          [row.el] n [ME rowelle, fr. MF rouelle small wheel, fr. OF
          roele--more at roulette] (15c): a revolving disk with
          sharp marginal points at the end of a spur [2]rowel vt
          -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling (1599) 1: to goad
          with or as if with a rowel 2: vex, trouble

   rowen
          [row.en] n [ME rowein, fr. (assumed) ONF rewain; akin to
          OF regain aftermath, fr. re- + gain aftermath, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG weida pasture, weidanon to hunt for
          food--more at gain] (15c): aftermath 1

   row house
          [row house] n (1936): one of a series of houses connected
          by common sidewalls and forming a continuous group

   rowing
          [row.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: the propelling of a boat by means
          of oars: the action of one that rows 2: the sport of
          racing in shells

   rowing boat
          [rowing boat] n (1820) chiefly Brit: rowboat

   rowing machine
          [rowing machine] n (1848): an exercise machine that simulates
          the action of rowing

   rowlock
          [row.lock] n [prob. by alter.] (ca. 1750) chiefly Brit: oarlock

   [1]royal
          [roy.al] adj [ME roial, fr. MF, fr. L regalis, fr. reg-,
          rex king; akin to OIr ri (gen. rig) king, Skt rajan,
          L regere to rule--more at right] (14c) 1 a: of kingly
          ancestry <the ~ family> b: of, relating to, or subject
          to the crown <the ~ estates> c: being in the crown's
          service <Royal Air Force> 2 a: suitable for royalty:
          magnificent b: requiring no exertion: easy <there is
          no ~ road to logic --Justus Buchler> 3 a: of superior
          size, magnitude, or quality <a patronage of ~ dimensions
          --J. H. Plumb>--often used as an intensive <a ~ pain>
          b: established or chartered by the crown 4: of, relating
          to, or being a part (as a mast, sail, or yard) next above
          the topgallant -- roy.al.ly adv [2]royal n (14c) 1: a
          person of royal blood 2: a small sail on the royal mast
          immediately above the topgallant sail 3: a stag of 8
          years or more having antlers with at least 12 points

   royal blue
          [royal blue] n (1789): a vivid purplish blue

   royal flush
          [royal flush] n (ca. 1868): a straight flush having an ace
          as the highest card--see poker illustration

   royalism
          [roy.al.ism] n (1793): monarchism

   royalist
          [roy.al.ist] n (1643) 1 often cap: an adherent of a king
          or of monarchical government: as a: cavalier 3 b: tory
          4 2: a reactionary business tycoon -- royalist adj

   royal jelly
          [royal jelly] n (1817): a highly nutritious secretion of
          the pharyngeal glands of the honeybee that is fed to
          the very young larvae in a colony and to all queen larvae

   royal palm
          [royal palm] n (1861): any of a genus (Roystonea) of palms
          chiefly of the Caribbean region; esp: a tall graceful
          pinnate-leaved palm (R. regia) native to Cuba that is
          widely planted for ornament

   royal poinciana
          [royal poinciana] n (ca. 1900): a showy tropical tree (Delonix
          regia syn. Poinciana regia) widely planted for its immense
          racemes of scarlet and orange flowers--called also flamboyant,
          peacock flower

   royal purple
          [royal purple] n (1661): a dark reddish purple

   royalty
          [roy.al.ty] n, pl -ties [ME roialte, fr. MF roialte, fr.
          OF, fr. roial] (14c) 1 a: royal status or power: sovereignty
          b: a right or perquisite of a sovereign (as a percentage
          paid to the crown of gold or silver taken from mines)
          2: regal character or bearing: nobility 3 a: persons
          of royal lineage b: a person of royal rank <how to address
          royalties --George Santayana> c: a privileged class 4:
          a right of jurisdiction granted to an individual or corporation
          by a sovereign 5 a: a share of the product or profit
          reserved by the grantor esp. of an oil or mining lease
          b: a payment made to an author or composer for each copy
          of a work sold or to an inventor for each article sold
          under a patent

   royster
          [royster] var of roister

   rozzer
          [roz.zer] n [origin unknown] (1893) slang Brit: police officer

   rp...
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   RP
          [RP] abbreviation Received Pronunciation, relief pitcher,
          reply paid, reprint, reprinting, Republic of the Philippines

   RPG
          [RPG] n [report program generator] (1966): a computer language
          that generates programs from the user's specifications
          esp. to produce business reports

   RPh
          [RPh] abbreviation registered pharmacist

   rpm
          [rpm] abbreviation revolutions per minute

   rps
          [rps] abbreviation revolutions per second

   rpt
          [rpt] abbreviation repeat, report

   RPV
          [RPV] n [remotely piloted vehicle] (1970): an unmanned aircraft
          flown by remote control and used esp. for reconnaissance

   rq...
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   RQ
          [RQ] abbreviation respiratory quotient

   rr...
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   RR
          [RR] abbreviation railroad, rural route

   -rrhagia
          [-rrhagia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. rhegnynai to break,
          burst; prob. akin to Lith rezti to cut]: abnormal or
          excessive discharge or flow <metrorrhagia>

   -rrhea
          [-rrhea] n comb form [ME -ria, fr. LL -rrhoea, fr. Gk -rrhoia,
          fr. rhoia, fr. rhein to flow--more at stream]: flow:
          discharge <logorrhea> <leukorrhea>

   -rrhiza
          [-rrhiza] --see -rhiza

   -rrhoea
          [-rrhoea] chiefly Brit var of -rrhea

   rRNA
          [rRNA] n (ca. 1965): ribosomal rna

   RRT
          [RRT] abbreviation registered record technician

   rs...
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   RS
          [RS] abbreviation Received Standard, recording secretary,
          revised statutes, right side, Royal Society

   RSA
          [RSA] abbreviation Republic of South Africa

   RSFSR
          [RSFSR] [Russ Rossiiskaya Sovetskaya Federativnaya
          Sotsialisticheskaya Respublika] abbreviation Russian Soviet
          Federated Socialist Republic

   RSV
          [RSV] abbreviation Revised Standard Version

   RSVP
          [RSVP] [F repondez s'il vous plait] abbreviation please reply

   RSWC
          [RSWC] abbreviation right side up with care

   rt...
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   rt
          [rt] abbreviation right, route  RT abbreviation radiologic
          technologist, radiotelephone, respiratory therapy, room
          temperature, round-trip

   rte
          [rte] abbreviation route

   rtw
          [rtw] abbreviation ready-to-wear

   ru...
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   Ru
          [Ru] abbreviation ruthenium

   RU 486
          [RU 486] n [Roussel-UCLAF, the drug's Fr. manufacturer +
          486, laboratory serial number] (1983): a drug taken orally
          to induce abortion esp. early in pregnancy by blocking
          the body's use of progesterone

   ruana
          [ru.a.na] n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, woolen fabric] (1903): a woolen
          covering resembling a poncho

   [1]rub
          [rub] vb rubbed ; rub.bing [ME rubben; akin to Icel rubba
          to scrape] vi (14c) 1 a: to move along the surface of
          a body with pressure: grate b (1): to fret or chafe with
          or as if with friction (2): to cause discontent, irritation,
          or anger 2: to continue in a situation usu. with slight
          difficulty <in spite of financial difficulties, he is
          rubbing along> 3: to admit of being rubbed (as for erasure
          or obliteration) ~ vt 1 a: to subject to or as if to
          the action of something moving esp. back and forth with
          pressure and friction b (1): to cause (a body) to move
          with pressure and friction along a surface (2): to treat
          in any of various ways by rubbing c: to bring into reciprocal
          back-and-forth or rotary contact 2: annoy, irritat e
          -- rub elbows or rub shoulders : to associate closely:
          mingle -- rub one's nose in : to bring forcefully or
          repeatedly to one's attention -- rub the wrong way :
          to arouse the antagonism or displeasure of: irritate
          [2]rub n (1586) 1 a: an unevenness of surface (as of
          the ground in lawn bowling) b: obstruction, difficulty
          <the ~ is that so few of the scholars have any sense
          of this truth themselves --Benjamin Farrington> c: something
          grating to the feelings (as a gibe or harsh criticism)
          d: something that mars serenity 2: the application of
          friction with pressure <an alcohol ~>

   Rubaiyat stanza
          [Ru.bai.yat stanza] n [The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, quatrains
          translated by Edward FitzGerald (1859)] (1940): an iambic
          pentameter quatrain with a rhyme scheme aaba

   rubasse
          [ru.basse] n [F rubace, irreg. fr. rubis ruby--more at ruby]
          (ca. 1890): a quartz stained a ruby red

   rubato
          [ru.ba.to] n, pl -tos [It, lit., robbed] (ca. 1883): a fluctuation
          of tempo within a musical phrase often against a rhythmically
          steady accompaniment

   [1]rubber
          [rub.ber] n (1536) 1 a: one that rubs b: an instrument or
          object (as a rubber eraser) used in rubbing, polishing,
          scraping, or cleaning c: something that prevents rubbing
          or chafing 2 [fr. its use in erasers] a: an elastic substance
          that is obtained by coagulating the milky juice of any
          of various tropical plants (as of the genera Hevea and
          Ficus), is essentially a polymer of isoprene, and is
          prepared as sheets and then dried--called also caoutchouc,
          india rubber b: any of various synthetic rubberlike substances
          c: natural or synthetic rubber modified by chemical treatment
          to increase its useful properties (as toughness and resistance
          to wear) and used esp. in tires, electrical insulation,
          and waterproof materials 3: something made of or resembling
          rubber: as a: a rubber overshoe b (1): a rubber tire
          (2): the set of tires on a vehicle c: a rectangular slab
          of white rubber in the middle of a baseball infield on
          which a pitcher stands while pitching d: condom -- rubber
          adj [2]rubber n [origin unknown] (1599) 1: a contest
          consisting of an odd number of games won by the side
          that takes a majority (as two out of three) 2: an odd
          game played to determine the winner of a tie

   rubber band
          [rubber band] n (1886): a continuous band of rubber used
          in various ways (as for holding together a sheaf of papers)

   rubber bridge
          [rubber bridge] n (1936): a form of contract bridge in which
          settlement is made at the end of each rubber

   rubber cement
          [rubber cement] n (1886): an adhesive consisting typically
          of a dispersion of vulcanized rubber in an organic solvent

   rubber check
          [rubber check] n [fr. its coming back like a bouncing rubber
          ball] (1926): a check returned by a bank because of insufficient
          funds in the payer's account

   rubberized
          [rub.ber.ized] adj (1908): coated or saturated with rubber
          or a rubber solution

   rubberlike
          [rub.ber.like] adj (1922): resembling rubber esp. in physical
          properties (as elasticity and toughness)

   [1]rubberneck
          [rub.ber.neck] n (ca. 1896) 1: an overly inquisitive person
          2: tourist; esp: one on a guided tour [2]rubberneck vi
          (1896) 1: to look about, stare, or listen with exaggerated
          curiosity 2: to go on a tour: sightsee -- rub.ber.neck.er
          n

   rubber plant
          [rubber plant] n (1888): a plant that yields rubber; esp:
          a tall tropical Asian tree (Ficus elastica) of the mulberry
          family that is frequently dwarfed as an ornamental

   rubber stamp
          [rubber stamp] n (1881) 1: a stamp of rubber for making imprints
          2 a: a person who echoes or imitates others b: a body
          or person that approves or endorses a program or policy
          with little or no dissent or discussion 3 a: a stereotyped
          copy or expression <the usual rubber stamps of criticism
          --H. L. Mencken> b: a routine endorsement or approval
          -- rubber-stamp adj

   rubber-stamp
          [rubber-stamp] vt (1918) 1: to approve, endorse, or dispose
          of as a matter of routine or at the command of another
          2: to mark with a rubber stamp

   rubber tree
          [rubber tree] n (1847): a tree that yields rubber; esp: a
          So. American tree (Hevea brasiliensis) of the spurge
          family that is cultivated in plantations and is a chief
          source of rubber

   rubbery
          [rub.bery] adj (1907): resembling rubber (as in elasticity,
          consistency, or texture) <~ legs>

   rubbing
          [rub.bing] n (1845): an image of a raised, incised, or textured
          surface obtained by placing paper over it and rubbing
          the paper with a colored substance

   rubbing alcohol
          [rubbing alcohol] n (ca. 1931): a cooling and soothing liquid
          for external application that contains approximately
          70 percent denatured ethyl alcohol or isopropanol

   rubbish
          [rub.bish] n [ME robys] (15c) 1: useless waste or rejected
          matter: trash 2: something that is worthless or nonsensical
          <few real masterpieces are forgotten and not much ~ survives
          --William Bridges-Adams> -- rub.bishy adj

   [1]rubble
          [rub.ble] n [ME robyl] (14c) 1 a: broken fragments (as of
          rock) resulting from the decay or destruction of a building
          <fortifications knocked into ~ --C. S. Forester> b: a
          miscellaneous confused mass or group of usu. broken or
          worthless things <lay in a pile of ~, only this time
          there was more of it, additional gear having hit the
          deck --K. M. Dodson> 2: waterworn or rough broken stones
          or bricks used in coarse masonry or in filling courses
          of walls 3: rough stone as it comes from the quarry [2]rubble
          vt rub.bled ; rub.bling (1926): to reduce to rubble

   rubdown
          [rub.down] n (1896): a brisk rubbing of the body

   rube
          [rube] n [Rube, nickname for Reuben] (1896): an awkward
          unsophisticated person: rustic

   [1]rubefacient
          [ru.be.fa.cient] adj [L rubefacient-, rubefaciens, prp. of
          rubefacere to make red, fr. rubeus reddish + facere to
          make--more at ruby, do] (1804): causing redness (as of
          the skin) [2]rubefacient n (1805): a substance for external
          application that produces redness of the skin

   Rube Goldberg
          [Rube Gold.berg] also Rube Gold.berg.i.an adj [Reuben (Rube)
          L. Goldberg d. 1970 Am. cartoonist] (1931): accomplishing
          by complex means what seemingly could be done simply
          <a kind of Rube Goldberg contraption ... with five hundred
          moving parts --L. T. Grant>; also: characterized by such
          complex means

   rubella
          [ru.bel.la] n [NL, fr. L, fem. of rubellus reddish, fr. ruber
          red--more at red] (1883): german measles

   rubellite
          [ru.bel.lite] n [L rubellus] (ca. 1796): a red tourmaline
          used as a gem

   Rubenesque
          [Ru.ben.esque] adj (1925): of, relating to, or suggestive
          of the painter Rubens or his works; esp: plump or rounded
          usu. in a pleasing or attractive way <a ~ figure>

   rubeola
          [ru.be.o.la] n [NL, fr. neut. pl. of (assumed) NL rubeolus
          reddish, fr. L rubeus] (1803): measles

   Rubicon
          [Ru.bi.con] n [L Rubicon-, Rubico, river of northern Italy
          forming part of the boundary between Cisalpine Gaul and
          Italy whose crossing by Julius Caesar in 49 b.c. was
          regarded by the Senate as an act of war] (1626): a bounding
          or limiting line; esp: one that when crossed commits
          a person irrevocably

   rubicund
          [ru.bi.cund] adj [ME rubicunde, fr. L rubicundus, fr. rubere
          to be red; akin to L rubeus] (15c): ruddy -- ru.bi.cun.di.ty
          n

   rubidium
          [ru.bid.i.um] n [NL, fr. L rubidus red, fr. rubere] (1861):
          a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali metal group
          that reacts violently with water and bursts into flame
          spontaneously in air

   rub in
          [rub in] vt (1851): to harp on (as something unpleasant):
          emphasize

   rubious
          [ru.bi.ous] adj (1601): red, ruby

   ruble
          [ru.ble] n [Russ rubl'] (1554): the basic monetary unit of
          Russia

   rub off
          [rub off] vi (1950): to become transferred <bad habits rubbed
          off on them> <carbon rubs off on your hands> -- rub-off
          n

   rub out
          [rub out] vt (14c) 1: to obliterate or extinguish by or as
          if by rubbing 2: to destroy completely; specif: kill,
          murder <somebody rubbed him out ... with a twenty-two
          --Raymond Chandler> -- rub.out n

   rubric
          [ru.bric] n [ME rubrike red ocher, heading in red letters
          of part of a book, fr. MF rubrique, fr. L rubrica, fr.
          rubr-, ruber red] (14c) 1 a: an authoritative rule; esp:
          a rule for conduct of a liturgical service b (1): name,
          title; specif: the title of a statute (2): something
          under which a thing is classed: category <the sensations
          falling under the general ~, "pressure" --F. A. Geldard>
          c: an explanatory or introductory commentary: gloss;
          specif: an editorial interpolation 2: a heading of a
          part of a book or manuscript done or underlined in a
          color (as red) different from the rest 3: an established
          rule, tradition, or custom -- rubric or ru.bri.cal adj
          -- ru.bri.cal.ly adv

   rubricate
          [ru.bri.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (1570) 1: to write or
          print as a rubric 2: to provide with a rubric -- ru.bri.ca.tion
          n -- ru.bri.ca.tor n

   rub up
          [rub up] vt (1572) 1: to revive or refresh knowledge of:
          recall 2: to improve the keenness of (a mental faculty)

   rubus
          [ru.bus] n, pl rubus [NL, fr. L, blackberry] (ca. 1921):
          any of a genus (Rubus) of plants (as a blackberry or
          a raspberry) of the rose family having 3- to 7-foliolate
          or simple lobed leaves, white or pink flowers, and a
          mass of carpels ripening into an aggregate fruit composed
          of many drupelets

   [1]ruby
          [ru.by] n, pl rubies [ME, fr. MF rubis, rubi, alter. of robin,
          fr. ML rubinus, fr. L rubeus reddish; akin to L ruber
          red--more at red] (14c) 1 a: a precious stone that is
          a red corundum b: something (as a watch bearing) made
          of ruby 2 a: the dark red color of the ruby b: something
          resembling a ruby in color [2]ruby adj (1508): of the
          color ruby

   ruby glass
          [ruby glass] n (1797): glass of a deep red color containing
          selenium, an oxide of copper, or a chloride of gold

   ruby spinel
          [ruby spinel] n (1839): a usu. red spinel used as a gem

   rubythroat
          [ru.by.throat] n (ca. 1783): ruby-throated hummingbird

   ruby-throated hummingbird
          [ru.by-throat.ed hummingbird] n (ca. 1782): a hummingbird
          (Archilochus colubris) of eastern No. America having
          a bright green back, whitish underparts, and in the adult
          male a red throat with metallic reflections

   ruche
          [ruche] or ruch.ing n [F ruche lit., beehive, fr. ML rusca
          bark] (1827): a pleated, fluted, or gathered strip of
          fabric used for trimming -- ruched adj

   [1]ruck
          [ruck] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON hraukr rick--more
          at rick] (15c) 1 a: the usual run of persons or things:
          generality <trying to rise above the ~ --Richard Holt>
          b: an indistinguishable gathering: jumble 2: the persons
          or things following the vanguard <finished the race in
          the ~> [2]ruck vb [ruck, n., wrinkle] (1812): pucker,
          wrinkle

   rucksack
          [ruck.sack] n [G, fr. G dial., fr. Rucken back + Sack sack]
          (1866): knapsack

   ruckus
          [ruck.us] n [prob. blend of ruction and rumpus] (ca. 1890):
          row, disturbance <raise a ~>

   ruction
          [ruc.tion] n [perh. by shortening & alter. fr. insurrection]
          (ca. 1825) 1: a noisy fight 2: disturbance, uproar

   rudbeckia
          [rud.beck.ia] n [NL, fr. Olof Rudbeck d. 1702 Swed. scientist]
          (ca. 1759): any of a genus (Rudbeckia) of No. American
          perennial composite herbs having showy flower heads with
          mostly yellow ray flowers and a conical chaffy receptacle

   rudd
          [rudd] n [prob. fr. rud redness, red ocher, fr. ME rude,
          fr. OE rudu--more at ruddy] (1526): a freshwater European
          cyprinid fish (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) resembling
          the roach

   rudder
          [rud.der] n [ME rother, fr. OE rother paddle; akin to OE
          rowan to row] (14c) 1: a flat piece or structure of wood
          or metal attached upright to the stern of a boat or ship
          so that it can be turned causing the vessel's head to
          turn in the same direction 2: a movable auxiliary airfoil
          on an airplane usu. attached at the rear end that serves
          to control direction of flight in the horizontal plane--see
          airplane illustration 3: a guiding force or strategy
          -- rud.der.less adj

   rudderpost
          [rud.der.post] n (1691) 1: the shaft of a rudder 2: an additional
          sternpost in a ship with a single screw propeller to
          which the rudder is attached

   [1]ruddle
          [rud.dle] n [dim. of rud red ocher] (1538): red ocher [2]ruddle
          vt rud.dled ; rud.dling (1718): to color with or as if
          with red ocher: redden

   ruddock
          [rud.dock] n [ME ruddok, fr. OE rudduc; akin to OE rudu]
          (bef. 12c) archaic: robin 1a

   ruddy
          [rud.dy] adj rud.di.er ; -est [ME rudi, fr. OE rudig, fr.
          rudu redness; akin to OE read red--more at red] (bef.
          12c) 1: having a healthy reddish color 2: red, reddish
          3 Brit--used as an intensive <bellowed like a ~ bull
          when she wanted food --Doreen Tovey> -- rud.di.ly adv
          -- rud.di.ness n

   ruddy duck
          [ruddy duck] n (1814): an American duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
          which has a wedge-shaped tail of stiff sharp feathers,
          a broad bill, and white cheeks and the adult male of
          which has rich brownish red on the upper side and a blue
          bill during breeding season

   rude
          [rude] adj rud.er ; rud.est [ME, fr. MF, fr. L rudis; prob.
          akin to L rudus rubble] (14c) 1 a: being in a rough or
          unfinished state: crude <~ line illustrations> b: natural,
          raw <~ cotton> c: primitive, undeveloped <peasants use
          ~ wooden plows --Jack Raymond> d: simple, elemental <landscape
          done in ~ whites, blacks, deep browns --Richard Harris>
          2: lacking refinement or delicacy: a: ignorant, unlearned
          b: inelegant, uncouth c: offensive in manner or action:
          discourteous d: uncivilized, savage e: coarse, vulgar
          3: marked by or suggestive of lack of training or skill:
          inexperienced <~ workmanship> 4: robust, sturdy <in ~
          health> 5: occurring abruptly and disconcertingly <a
          ~ awakening> -- rude.ly adv syn rude, rough, crude, raw
          mean lacking in social refinement. rude implies ignorance
          of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional
          discourtesy <rude behavior>. rough is likely to stress
          lack of polish and gentleness <rough manners>. crude
          may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross,
          the obvious, or the primitive and ignorant of civilized
          amenities <a crude joke>. raw suggests being untested,
          inexperienced, or unfinished <turning raw youths into
          polished performers>.

   rudeness
          [rude.ness] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being rude
          2: a rude action

   [1]ruderal
          [ru.der.al] adj [NL ruderalis, fr. L ruder-, rudus rubble]
          (ca. 1858): growing where the natural vegetational cover
          has been disturbed by humans <~ weeds of old fields and
          roadsides> [2]ruderal n (ca. 1928): a weedy and commonly
          introduced plant growing where the vegetational cover
          has been interrupted

   rudiment
          [ru.di.ment] n [L rudimentum beginning, fr. rudis raw, rude]
          (1548) 1: a basic principle or element or a fundamental
          skill--usu. used in pl. <teaching themselves the ~s of
          rational government --G. B. Galanti> 2 a: something unformed
          or undeveloped: beginning--usu. used in pl. <the ~s of
          a plan> b (1): a body part so deficient in size or structure
          as to be entirely unable to perform its normal function
          (2): an organ just beginning to develop: anlage -- ru.di.men.tal
          adj

   rudimentary
          [ru.di.men.ta.ry] adj (1839) 1: consisting in first principles:
          fundamental <had only a ~ formal education --D. J. Boorstin>
          2: of a primitive kind <the equipment of these past empire-builders
          was ~ --A. J. Toynbee> 3: very imperfectly developed or represented
          only by a vestige <the ~ tail of a hyrax> -- ru.di.men.tar.i.ly adv
          -- ru.di.men.ta.ri.ness n

   [1]rue
          [rue] n [ME rewe, fr. OE hreow; akin to OHG hriuwa sorrow]
          (bef. 12c): regret, sorrow [2]rue vb rued ; ru.ing vt
          (12c): to feel penitence, remorse, or regret for ~ vi:
          to feel sorrow, remorse, or regret [3]rue n [ME, fr.
          MF, fr. L ruta, fr. Gk rhyte] (13c): a European strong-scented
          perennial woody herb (Ruta graveolens of the family Rutaceae,
          the rue family) that has bitter leaves used medicinally

   rue anemone
          [rue anemone] n (ca. 1818): a delicate vernal No. American
          herb (Anemonella thalictroides) of the buttercup family
          with white flowers resembling those of the wood anemone

   rueful
          [rue.ful] adj (13c) 1: exciting pity or sympathy: pitiable
          <~ squalid poverty ... by every wayside --John Morley>
          2: mournful, regretful <troubled her with a ~ disquiet
          --W. M. Thackeray> -- rue.ful.ly adv -- rue.ful.ness
          n

   rufescent
          [ru.fes.cent] adj [L rufescent-, rufescens, prp. of rufescere
          to become reddish, fr. rufus red--more at red] (1817):
          reddish

   [1]ruff
          [ruff] also ruffe n [ME ruf] (15c): a small freshwater European
          perch (Acerina cernua) [2]ruff n [prob. back-formation
          fr. ruffle] (1555) 1: a large round collar of pleated
          muslin or linen worn by men and women of the late 16th
          and early 17th centuries 2: a fringe or frill of long
          hairs or feathers growing around or on the neck 3: a
          common Eurasian sandpiper (Philomachus pugnax) whose
          male during the breeding season has a large ruff of erectile
          feathers on the neck -- ruffed adj [3]ruff vb [MF roffler]
          vi (1598): to take a trick with a trump ~ vt: to play
          a trump on (a card previously led or played) [4]ruff
          n (ca. 1828): the act of trumping

   ruffed grouse
          [ruffed grouse] n (ca. 1782): a No. American grouse (Bonasa
          umbellus) of heavy forests that has a ruff of erectile
          black feathers in the male that is lighter and less conspicuous
          in the female

   ruffian
          [ruf.fi.an] n [MF rufian] (1531): a brutal person: bully
          -- ruffian adj -- ruf.fi.an.ism n -- ruf.fi.an.ly adj

   [1]ruffle
          [ruf.fle] vb ruf.fled ; ruf.fling [ME ruffelen; akin to LG
          ruffelen to crumple] vt (14c) 1 a: roughen, abrade b:
          trouble, vex <is not ruffled by such barbs --Bruce Anderson>
          2: to erect (as feathers) in or like a ruff 3 a: to flip
          through (as pages) b: shuffle 4: to make into a ruffle
          ~ vi: to become ruffled <their dispositions ~ perceptibly
          --Life> [2]ruffle n (1534) 1: commotion, brawl 2: a state
          or cause of irritation 3 a: a strip of fabric gathered
          or pleated on one edge b: [2]ruff 2 4: an unevenness
          or disturbance of surface: ripple -- ruf.fly adj [3]ruffle
          n [ruff a drumbeat] (ca. 1802): a low vibrating drumbeat
          less loud than a roll

   rufiyaa
          [ru.fi.yaa] n, pl rufiyaa [prob. fr. Divehi (Indo-Aryan language
          of the Maldive Islands), fr. Hindi rupiya, rupaiya rupee]
          (1982)--see money table

   rufous
          [ru.fous] adj [L rufus red--more at red] (1782): reddish

   rug
          [rug] n [(assumed) ME, rag, tuft, of Scand origin; akin to
          ON rogg tuft] (1591) 1: lap robe 2: a piece of thick
          heavy fabric that usu. has a nap or pile and is used
          as a floor covering 3: a floor mat of an animal pelt
          <a bearskin ~> 4 slang: toupee 2 5 Brit: a blanket for
          an animal (as a horse or dog)

   ruga
          [ru.ga] n, pl ru.gae [NL, fr. L, wrinkle--more at corrugate]
          (1775): an anatomical fold or wrinkle esp. of the viscera--usu.
          used in pl.

   rugby
          [rug.by] n, often cap [Rugby School, Rugby, England] (1864):
          a football game in which play is continuous without time-outs
          or substitutions, interference and forward passing are
          not permitted, and kicking, dribbling, lateral passing,
          and tackling are featured

   rugged
          [rug.ged] adj [ME, fr. (assumed) ME rug] (14c) 1 obs: shaggy,
          hairy 2: having a rough uneven surface: jagged <~ mountains>
          3: turbulent, stormy <~ weather> 4 a: seamed with wrinkles
          and furrows: weathered--used of a human face b: showing
          facial signs of strength <~ good looks> 5 a: austere,
          stern b: coarse, rude c: rough and strong in character
          6 a: presenting a severe test of ability, stamina, or
          resolution b: strongly built or constituted: robust <those
          that survive are stalwart, ~ men --L. D. Stamp> syn see
          rough -- rug.ged.ly adv -- rug.ged.ness n

   ruggedize
          [rug.ged.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1950): to strengthen (as
          a machine) for better resistance to wear, stress, and
          abuse <a ruggedized camera> -- rug.ged.i.za.tion n

   rugger
          [rug.ger] n [by alter.] (1893) Brit: rugby; also: a rugby
          player

   rugola
          [ru.go.la] n [prob. fr. It dial.; akin to It dial. ruga arugula,
          It ruca--more at rocket] (1973): arugula

   rugosa rose
          [ru.go.sa rose] n [NL rugosa, specific epithet of Rosa rugosa
          rugose rose] (1892): any of various garden roses descended
          from a rose (Rosa rugosa) introduced from China and Japan--called
          also rugosa

   rugose
          [ru.gose] adj [L rugosus, fr. ruga] (1676) 1: full of wrinkles
          <~ cheeks> 2: having the veinlets sunken and the spaces
          between elevated <~ leaves of the sage> -- ru.gos.i.ty
          n

   rugulose
          [ru.gu.lose] adj [NL rugula, dim. of L ruga] (ca. 1819):
          having small rugae: finely wrinkled

   [1]ruin
          [ru.in] n [ME ruine, fr. MF, fr. L ruina, fr. ruere to rush
          headlong, fall, collapse] (12c) 1 a archaic: a falling
          down: collapse <from age to age ... the crash of ~ fitfully
          resounds --William Wordsworth> b: physical, moral, economic,
          or social collapse 2 a: the state of being ruined--archaic
          except in pl. <the city lay in ~s> b: the remains of
          something destroyed--usu. used in pl. <the ~s of an ancient
          temple> <the ~s of his life> 3: a cause of destruction
          4 a: the action of destroying, laying waste, or wrecking
          b: damage, injury 5: a ruined building, person, or object
          -- ru.in.ate adj -- ruinate vt [2]ruin vt (1585) 1: to
          reduce to ruins: devastate 2 a: to damage irreparably
          b: bankrupt, impoverish <~ed by stock speculation> 3:
          to subject to frustration, failure, or disaster <will
          ~ your chances of promotion> ~ vi: to become ruined --
          ru.in.er n

   ruination
          [ru.in.a.tion] n (1664): ruin, destruction

   ruinous
          [ru.in.ous] adj (14c) 1: dilapidated, ruined 2: causing or
          tending to cause ruin -- ru.in.ous.ly adv -- ru.in.ous.ness
          n

   [1]rule
          [rule] n [ME reule, fr. OF, fr. L regula straightedge, rule,
          fr. regere to direct--more at right] (13c) 1 a: a prescribed
          guide for conduct or action b: the laws or regulations
          prescribed by the founder of a religious order for observance
          by its members c: an accepted procedure, custom, or habit
          d (1): a usu. written order or direction made by a court
          regulating court practice or the action of parties (2):
          a legal precept or doctrine e: a regulation or bylaw
          governing procedure or controlling conduct 2 a (1): a
          usu. valid generalization (2): a generally prevailing
          quality, state, or mode <fair weather was the ~ yesterday
          --N.Y. Times> b: a standard of judgment: criterion c:
          a regulating principle d: a determinate method for performing
          a mathematical operation and obtaining a certain result
          3 a: the exercise of authority or control: dominion b:
          a period during which a specified ruler or government
          exercises control 4 a: a strip of material marked off
          in units used esp. for measuring: ruler 3, tape measure
          b: a metal strip with a type-high face that prints a
          linear design; also: a linear design produced by or as
          if by such a strip syn see law -- as a rule : for the
          most part: generally [2]rule vb ruled ; rul.ing vt (13c)
          1 a: to exert control, direction, or influence on <the
          passions that ~ our minds> b: to exercise control over
          esp. by curbing or restraining <~ a fractious horse>
          <ruled his appetites firmly> 2 a: to exercise authority
          or power over often harshly or arbitrarily <the speaker
          ruled the legislature with an iron hand> b: to be preeminent
          in: dominate 3: to determine and declare authoritatively;
          esp: to command or determine judicially 4 a (1): to mark
          with lines drawn along or as if along the straight edge
          of a ruler (2): to mark (a line) on a paper with a ruler
          b: to arrange in a line ~ vi 1 a: to exercise supreme
          authority b: to be first in importance or prominence:
          predominate <the physical did not ~ in her nature --Sherwood
          Anderson> 2: to exist in a specified state or condition
          3: to lay down a legal rule syn see decide

   ruled surface
          [ruled surface] n (1862): a surface generated by a moving
          straight line with the result that through every point
          on the surface a line can be drawn lying wholly in the
          surface

   ruleless
          [rule.less] adj (15c): not restrained or regulated by law

   rule of the road
          [rule of the road] (1871): a customary practice (as driving
          always on a particular side of the road or yielding the
          right of way) developed in the interest of safety and
          often subsequently reinforced by law; esp: any of the
          rules making up a code governing ships in matters relating
          to mutual safety

   rule of thumb
          [rule of thumb] (1692) 1: a method of procedure based on
          experience and common sense 2: a general principle regarded
          as roughly correct but not intended to be scientifically
          accurate

   rule out
          [rule out] vt (1869) 1: exclude, eliminate 2: to make impossible:
          prevent <heavy rain ruled out the picnic>

   ruler
          [rul.er] n (14c) 1: one that rules; specif: sovereign 2:
          a worker or a machine that rules paper 3: a smooth-edged
          strip (as of wood or metal) that is usu. marked off in
          units (as inches) and is used as a straightedge or for
          measuring -- rul.er.ship n

   [1]ruling
          [rul.ing] n (15c): an official or authoritative decision,
          decree, statement, or interpretation (as by a judge on
          a point of law) [2]ruling adj (1593) 1 a: exerting power
          or authority <the ~ party> b: chief, predominating <a
          ~ passion> 2: generally prevailing

   ruly
          [ruly] adj [back-formation fr. unruly] (15c): obedient, orderly
          <a ~ crowd>

   [1]rum
          [rum] n [prob. short for obs. rumbullion rum] (1654) 1: an
          alcoholic beverage distilled from a fermented cane product
          (as molasses) 2: alcoholic liquor <the demon ~> [2]rum
          adj rum.mer ; rum.mest [origin unknown] (1752) 1 chiefly
          Brit: queer, odd <writing is a ~ trade ... and what is
          all right one day is all wrong the next --Angela Thirkell>
          2 chiefly Brit: difficult, dangerous

   Rum
          [Rum] abbreviation Rumania, Rumanian

   rumaki
          [ru.ma.ki] n [perh. modif. of Jp harumaki, trans. of Chin
          (Beijing) chunjuan spring roll] (1961): a cooked appetizer
          made of pieces of usu. marinated chicken liver wrapped
          together with sliced water chestnuts in bacon slices

   Rumanian
          [Ru.ma.nian] n (1878): romanian -- Rumanian adj

   rumba
          [rum.ba] n [AmerSp] (1922): a ballroom dance of Cuban origin
          in 2/4 or 4/4 time with a basic pattern of step-close-step
          and marked by a delayed transfer of weight and pronounced
          hip movements; also: the music for this dance

   [1]rumble
          [rum.ble] vb rum.bled ; rum.bling [ME; akin to MHG rummeln
          to rumble] vi (14c) 1: to make a low heavy rolling sound
          <thunder rumbling in the distance> 2: to travel with
          a low reverberating sound <wagons rumbled into town>
          3: to speak in a low rolling tone 4: to engage in a rumble
          ~ vt 1: to utter or emit in a low rolling voice 2 Brit:
          to reveal or discover the true character of -- rum.bler
          n [2]rumble n (14c) 1 a: a low heavy continuous reverberating
          often muffled sound (as of thunder) b: low frequency
          noise in phonographic playback caused by the transmission
          of mechanical vibrations by the turntable to the pickup
          2: a seat for servants behind the body of a carriage
          3 a: widespread expression of dissatisfaction or unrest
          b: a street fight esp. among gangs

   rumble seat
          [rumble seat] n (1912): a folding seat in the back of an
          automobile (as a coupe or roadster) not covered by the
          top

   rumbling
          [rum.bling] n (14c) 1: rumble 2: general but unofficial talk
          or opinion often of dissatisfaction--usu. used in pl.
          <~s of political trouble --Anthony Burgess>

   rumbly
          [rum.bly] adj (1874): tending to rumble or rattle

   rumbustious
          [rum.bus.tious] adj [alter. of robustious] (1778) chiefly
          Brit: rambunctious -- rum.bus.tious.ly adv, chiefly Brit
          -- rum.bus.tious.ness n, chiefly Brit

   rumen
          [ru.men] n, pl ru.mi.na or rumens [NL rumin-, rumen, fr.
          L] (ca. 1728): the large first compartment of the stomach
          of a ruminant in which cellulose is broken down by the
          action of symbiotic microorganisms--compare abomasum,
          omasum, reticulum -- ru.mi.nal adj

   [1]ruminant
          [ru.mi.nant] n (1661): a ruminant mammal [2]ruminant adj
          (1691) 1 a (1): chewing the cud (2): characterized by
          chewing again what has been swallowed b: of or relating
          to a suborder (Ruminantia) of even-toed hoofed mammals
          (as sheep, giraffes, deer, and camels) that chew the
          cud and have a complex usu. 4-chambered stomach 2: given
          to or engaged in contemplation: meditative <stood there
          with her hands clasped in this attitude of ~ relish --Thomas
          Wolfe> -- ru.mi.nant.ly adv

   ruminate
          [ru.mi.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L ruminatus, pp. of ruminari
          to chew the cud, muse upon, fr. rumin-, rumen rumen;
          perh. akin to Skt romantha act of chewing the cud] vt
          (1533) 1: to go over in the mind repeatedly and often
          casually or slowly 2: to chew repeatedly for an extended
          period ~ vi 1: to a chew again what has been chewed slightly
          and swallowed: chew the cud 2: to engage in contemplation:
          reflect syn see ponder -- ru.mi.na.tion n -- ru.mi.na.tive
          adj -- ru.mi.na.tive.ly adv -- ru.mi.na.tor n

   [1]rummage
          [rum.mage] vb rum.maged ; rum.mag.ing [[2]rummage] vi (ca.
          1595) 1: to make a thorough search or investigation 2:
          to engage in an undirected or haphazard search ~ vt 1:
          to make a thorough search through: ransack <rummaged
          the attic> 2: to examine minutely and completely 3: to
          discover by searching -- rum.mag.er n [2]rummage n [obs.
          E rummage act of packing cargo, modif. of MF arrimage]
          (1598) 1 a: a confused miscellaneous collection b: items
          for sale at a rummage sale 2: a thorough search esp.
          among a confusion of objects

   rummage sale
          [rummage sale] n (ca. 1858): a usu. informal sale of miscellaneous
          goods; esp: a sale of donated articles conducted by a nonprofit
          organization (as a church or charity) to help support its programs

   rummer
          [rum.mer] n [G or D; G Romer, fr. D roemer] (1654): a large-bowled
          footed drinking glass often elaborately etched or engraved

   [1]rummy
          [rum.my] adj rum.mi.er ; -est [[2]rum] (1828): queer, odd
          <were still feeling a little ~ from our trip up the escalator
          --New Yorker> [2]rummy n, pl rummies [[1]rum] (1851):
          drunkard [3]rummy n [perh. fr. [1]rummy] (1915): any
          of several card games for two or more players in which
          each player tries to assemble groups of three or more
          cards of the same rank or suit and to be the first to
          meld them all

   [1]rumor
          [ru.mor] n [ME rumour, fr. MF, fr. L rumor clamor, gossip;
          akin to OE reon to lament, Skt rauti he roars] (14c)
          1: talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible
          source 2: a statement or report current without known
          authority for its truth 3 archaic: talk or report of
          a notable person or event 4: a soft low indistinct sound:
          murmur [2]rumor vt ru.mored ; ru.mor.ing (1594): to tell
          or spread by rumor

   rumormonger
          [ru.mor.mon.ger] n (1884): a person who spreads rumors --
          ru.mor.mon.ger.ing n

   rumour
          [ru.mour] chiefly Brit var of rumor

   rump
          [rump] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to Icel rumpr rump; akin
          to MHG rumph torso] (15c) 1 a: the upper rounded part
          of the hindquarters of a quadruped mammal b: buttocks
          c: the sacral or dorsal part of the posterior end of
          a bird 2: a cut of meat (as beef) between the loin and
          round--see beef illustration 3: a small or inferior remnant
          or offshoot; esp: a group (as a parliament) carrying
          on in the name of the original body after the departure
          or expulsion of a large number of its members

   [1]rumple
          [rum.ple] n (ca. 1520): fold, wrinkle [2]rumple vb rum.pled
          ; rum.pling [D rompelen; akin to OHG rimpfan to wrinkle]
          vt (1603) 1: wrinkle, crumple 2: to make unkempt: tousle
          ~ vi: to become rumpled

   rumply
          [rum.ply] adj rum.pli.er ; -est (1833): having rumples

   rumpus
          [rum.pus] n [origin unknown] (1764): a usu. noisy commotion

   rumpus room
          [rumpus room] n (1939): a room usu. in the basement of a
          home that is used for games, parties, and recreation

   rumrunner
          [rum.run.ner] n (1920): a person or ship engaged in bringing
          prohibited liquor ashore or across a border -- rum-run.ning
          adj or n

   [1]run
          [run] vb ran also chiefly dial run ; run ; run.ning [ME ronnen,
          alter. of rinnen, v.i. (fr. OE iernan, rinnan & ON rinna)
          & of rennen, v.t., fr. ON renna; akin to OHG rinnan,
          v.i., to run, Skt rinati he causes to flow, and prob.
          to L rivus stream] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to go faster than
          a walk; specif: to go steadily by springing steps so
          that both feet leave the ground for an instant in each
          step b of a horse: to move at a fast gallop c: flee,
          retreat, escape <dropped the gun and ran> d: to utilize
          a running play on offense--used of a football team 2
          a: to go without restraint: move freely about at will
          <let chickens ~ loose> b: to keep company: consort <a
          ram running with ewes> <ran with a wild crowd when he
          was young> c: to sail before the wind in distinction
          from reaching or sailing close-hauled d: roam, rove <running
          about with no overcoat> 3 a: to go rapidly or hurriedly:
          hasten <~ and fetch the doctor> b: to go in urgency or
          distress: resort <~s to mother at every little difficulty>
          c: to make a quick, easy, or casual trip or visit <ran
          over to borrow some sugar> 4 a: to contend in a race
          b: to enter into an election contest 5 a: to move on
          or as if on wheels: glide <file drawers running on ball
          bearings> b: to roll forward rapidly or freely c: to
          pass or slide freely <a rope ~s through the pulley> d:
          to ravel lengthwise <stockings guaranteed not to ~> 6:
          to sing or play a musical passage quickly <~ up the scale>
          7 a: to go back and forth: ply <the train ~s between
          New York and Washington> b of fish: to migrate or move
          in considerable numbers; esp: to move up or down a river
          to spawn 8 a: turn, rotate <a swiftly running grindstone>
          b: function, operate <the engine ~s on gasoline> 9 a
          (1): to continue in force, operation, or production <the
          contract has two more years to ~> <the play ran for six
          months> (2): to have a specified duration, extent, or
          length <the manuscript ~s nearly 500 pages> b: to accompany
          as a valid obligation or right <a right-of-way that ~s
          with the land> c: to continue to accrue or become payable
          <interest on the loan ~s from July 1st> 10: to pass from
          one state to another <~ into debt> 11 a: to flow rapidly
          or under pressure b: melt, fuse c: spread, dissolve <colors
          guaranteed not to ~> d: to discharge pus or serum <a
          running sore> 12 a: to develop rapidly in some speci
          : to meet with or discover by chance -- run a fever or
          run a temperature : to have a fever -- run after 1: pursue,
          chase; esp: to seek the company of 2: to take up with:
          follow <run after new theories> -- run against 1: to
          meet suddenly or unexpectedly 2: to work or take effect
          unfavorably to: disfavor, oppose -- run foul of 1: to
          collide with <ran foul of a hidden reef> 2: to come into
          conflict with <run foul of the law> -- run into 1 a:
          to change or transform into: become b: to merge with
          c: to mount up to <their yearly income often runs into
          six figures> 2 a: to collide with b: to meet by chance
          <ran into an old classmate the other day> -- run low
          on : to approach running out of <running low on options>
          -- run rings around : to show marked superiority over:
          defeat decisively or overwhelmingly -- run riot 1: to
          act wildly or without restraint 2: to occur in profusion
          <daffodils running riot> -- run short : to become insufficient
          -- run short of : to use up: run low on -- run to : to
          mount up to <the book runs to 500 pages> -- run upon
          : to run across: meet with usage The past tense run still
          survives in speech in southern England and in the speech
          esp. of older people in some parts of the U.S. It was
          formerly used in literature, and was a standard variant
          in our dictionaries from 1828 until 1934. Grammarians
          have generally opposed it, and many people consider it
          nonstandard. Just about everybody uses ran in writing
          now. [2]run n (14c) 1 a: an act or the action of running:
          continued rapid movement b: a quickened gallop c: a migration
          of fish (as up or down a river) esp. to spawn; also:
          such fish in the process of migration d: a running race
          <a mile ~> e: a score made in baseball by a runner reaching
          home plate safely f: strength or ability to run g: a
          gain of a usu. specified distance made on a running play
          in football <scored on a 25-yard ~>; also: a running
          play h: a sustained usu. aggressive effort (as to win
          or obtain something) <making a ~ at the championship>
          2 a chiefly Midland: creek 2 b: something that flows
          in the course of an operation or during a particular
          time <the first ~ of sap in sugar maples> 3 a: the stern
          of the underwater body of a ship from where it begins
          to curve or slope upward and inward b: the direction
          in which a vein of ore lies c: a direction of secondary
          or minor cleavage: grain <the ~ of a mass of granite>
          d: a horizontal distance (as that covered by a flight
          of steps) e: general tendency or direction 4: a continuous
          period or series esp. of things of identical or similar
          sort <a ~ of bad luck>: as a: a rapid passage up or down
          a scale in vocal or instrumental music b: a number of
          rapid small dance steps executed in even tempo c: the
          act of making successively a number of successful shots
          or strokes; also: the score thus made <a ~ of 20 in billiards>
          d: an unbroken course of performances or showings e:
          a set of consecutive measurements, readings, or observations
          f: persistent and heavy demands from depositors, creditors,
          or customers <a ~ on a bank> g: sequence 2b 5: the quantity
          of work turned out in a continuous operation <a press
          ~ of 10,000 copies> 6: the usual or normal kind, character,
          type, or group <the average ~ of students> 7 a: the distance
          covered in a period of continuous traveling or sailing
          b: a course or trip esp. if mapped out and traveled with
          regularity c: a news reporter's regular territory: beat
          d: freedom of movement in or access to a place or area
          <has the ~ of the house> 8 a: the period during which
          a machine or plant is in continuous operation b: the
          use of machinery for a single set of processing procedures
          <a computer ~> 9 a: a way, track, or path frequented
          by animals b: an enclosure for domestic animals where
          they may feed or exercise c Austral (1): a large area
          of land used for grazing <a sheep ~> (2): ranch, station
          <run-holder> d: an inclined passageway 10 a: an inclined
          course (as for skiing or bobsledding) b1: in haste: without
          pausing <ate lunch on the run> 2: in r etreat: in flight
          (as from the law) <an escaped convict on the run> [3]run
          adj (1774) 1 a: being in a melted state <~ butter> b:
          made from molten material: cast in a mold <~ metal> 2
          of fish: having made a migration or spawning run <a fresh
          ~ salmon> 3: exhausted or winded from running

   runabout
          [run.about] n (1549) 1: one who wanders about: stray 2: a
          light usu. open wagon, car, or motorboat

   runagate
          [run.a.gate] n [alter. of renegate, fr. ML renegatus--more
          at renegade] (1547) 1: vagabond 2: fugitive, runaway

   run along
          [run along] vi (1902): to go away: be on one's way: depart

   runaround
          [run.around] n (1915) 1: deceptive or delaying action esp.
          in response to a request <tired of getting the ~> 2:
          matter typeset in shortened measure to run around something
          (as a cut)

   run away
          [run away] vi (13c) 1 a: to leave quickly in order to avoid
          or escape something b: to leave home; esp: elope 2: to
          run out of control: stampede, bolt 3: to gain a substantial
          lead: win by a large margin -- run away with 1: to take
          away in haste or secretly; esp: steal 2: to outshine
          the others in (a theatrical performance) 3: to carry
          or drive beyond prudent or reasonable limits <your imagination
          ran away with you>

   [1]runaway
          [run.away] n (1547) 1: one that runs away from danger, duty,
          or restraint: fugitive 2: the act of running away out
          of control; also: something (as a horse) that is running
          out of control 3: a one-sided or overwhelming victory
          [2]runaway adj (1548) 1 a: running away: fugitive b:
          leaving to gain special advantages (as lower wages) or
          avoid disadvantages (as governmental or union restrictions)
          <~ shipping firms> <a ~ shop> 2: accomplished by elopement
          or during flight 3: won by or having a long lead <a ~
          success>; also: extremely successful <a ~ best-seller>
          4: subject to uncontrolled changes <~ inflation> 5: being
          or operating out of control <a ~ oil well> <a ~ nuclear
          reactor>

   runback
          [run.back] n (1929): a run made in football after catching
          an opponent's kick or intercepting a pass

   runcible spoon
          [run.ci.ble spoon] n [coined with an obscure meaning by Edward
          Lear] (1871): a sharp-edged fork with three broad curved
          prongs

   runcinate
          [run.ci.nate] adj [L runcinatus, pp. of runcinare to plane
          off, fr. runcina plane] (1776): pinnately cut with the
          lobes pointing downward <~ leaves of the dandelion>--see
          leaf illustration

   rundle
          [run.dle] n [ME roundel circle--more at roundel] (1565) 1:
          a step of a ladder: rung 2: the drum of a windlass or
          capstan

   rundlet
          [rund.let] or run.let n [ME roundelet, fr. MF rondelet--more
          at roundelay] (14c): a small barrel: keg

   rundown
          [run.down] n (1908) 1: a play in baseball in which a base
          runner who is caught off base is chased by two or more
          opposing players who throw the ball from one to another
          in an attempt to tag the runner out 2: a item-by-item
          report or review: summary

   run-down
          [run-down] adj (1866) 1: worn-out, exhausted 2: completely
          unwound 3: being in poor repair: dilapidated

   run down
          [run down] vt (ca. 1578) 1 a: to collide with and knock down
          b: to run against and cause to sink 2 a: to chase to
          exhaustion or until captured b: to trace the source of
          c: to tag out (a base runner) between bases on a rundown
          3: disparage ~ vi 1: to cease to operate because of the
          exhaustion of motive power <the clock ran down> 2: to
          decline in physical condition or vigor

   rune
          [rune] n [ON & OE run mystery, runic character, writing;
          akin to OHG runa secret discussion, OIr run mystery]
          (1690) 1: any of the characters of any of several alphabets
          used by the Germanic peoples from about the 3d to the
          13th centuries 2: mystery, magic 3a: a Finnish or Old
          Norse poem b: poem, song -- ru.nic adj

   [1]rung
          [rung] past part of ring [2]rung n [ME, fr. OE hrung crossbar;
          akin to Goth hrunga staff and perh. to OE hring ring--more
          at ring] (14c) 1 a: a rounded part placed as a crosspiece
          between the legs of a chair b: one of the crosspieces
          of a ladder 2 Scot: a heavy staff or cudgel 3: a spoke
          of a wheel 4: a level in a hierarchy <rise a few ~s on
          the social scale --H. W. Van Loon>

   run-in
          [run-in] n (1857) 1 Brit: the final part of a race or racetrack
          2: altercation, quarrel 3: something inserted as a substantial
          addition in copy or typeset matter

   run in
          [run in] vt (1817) 1 a: to insert as additional matter b:
          to make (typeset matter) continuous without a paragraph
          or other break 2: to arrest for a usu. minor offense
          3 chiefly Brit: to operate (a new machine) carefully
          until there is efficient running ~ vi: to pay a casual
          visit

   runless
          [run.less] adj (1921): scoring or allowing no runs

   runlet
          [run.let] n (ca. 1755): rivulet, streamlet

   runnel
          [run.nel] n [alter. of ME rinel, fr. OE rynel; akin to OE
          rinnan to run--more at run] (bef. 12c): rivulet, streamlet

   runner
          [run.ner] n (14c) 1 a: one that runs: racer b: base runner
          c: ballcarrier 2 a: messenger b: one that smuggles or
          distributes illicit or contraband goods (as drugs, liquor,
          or guns) 3: any of several large active carangid fishes
          4 a: either of the longitudinal pieces on which a sled
          or sleigh slides b: the part of a skate that slides on
          the ice: blade c: the support of a drawer or a sliding
          door 5 a: a growth produced by a plant in running; esp:
          stolon 1a b: a plant that forms or spreads by means of
          runners c: a twining vine (as a scarlet runner) 6 a:
          a long narrow carpet for a hall or staircase b: a narrow
          decorative cloth cover for a table or dresser top

   runner bean
          [runner bean] n (1882) chiefly Brit: scarlet runner

   runner-up
          [run.ner-up] n, pl run.ners-up also runner-ups (1842): the
          competitor that does not win first place in a contest;
          esp: one that finishes in second place

   [1]running
          [run.ning] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the action of running b: race
          2: physical condition for running 3: management, care
          -- in the running 1: competing in a contest 2: having
          a chance to win a contest -- out of the running 1: not
          competing in a contest 2: having no chance of winning
          a contest [2]running adj (14c) 1: cursive, flowing 2:
          fluid, runny 3 a: incessant, continuous <a ~ battle>
          b: made during the course of a process or activity <a
          ~ commentary on the game> 4: measured in a straight line
          <cost of lumber per ~ foot> 5 a: initiated or performed
          while running or with a running start <~ catch> b: of,
          relating to, or being a football play in which the ball
          is advanced by running rather than by passing <their
          ~ game was off> c: designed for use by runners <a ~ track>
          <~ shoes> 6: fitted or trained for running rather than
          walking, trotting, or jumping <a ~ horse> [3]running
          adv (1719): in succession: consecutively <three days
          ~>

   running back
          [running back] n (1924): a football back (as a halfback or
          fullback) who carries the ball on running plays

   running board
          [running board] n (1817): a footboard esp. at the side of
          an automobile

   running dog
          [running dog] n (1927): one who does someone else's bidding:
          lackey

   running gear
          [running gear] n (1662) 1: the working and carrying parts
          of a machine (as a locomotive) 2: the parts of an automobile
          chassis not used in developing, transmitting, and controlling
          power

   running hand
          [running hand] n (1648): handwriting in which the letters
          are usu. slanted and the words formed without lifting
          the pen

   running head
          [running head] n (1839): a headline repeated on consecutive
          pages (as of a book)--called also running headline

   running knot
          [running knot] n (1648): a knot that slips along the rope
          or line round which it is tied; esp: an overhand slipknot

   running light
          [running light] n (1881): any of the lights carried by a
          vehicle (as a ship) under way at night that indicate
          size, position, and course

   running mate
          [running mate] n (1868) 1: a horse entered in a race to set
          the pace for a horse of the same owner or stable 2: a
          candidate running for a subordinate place on a ticket;
          esp: the candidate for vice-president 3: companion

   running start
          [running start] n (1926): flying start 1

   running stitch
          [running stitch] n (1848): a small even stitch run in and
          out in cloth

   running title
          [running title] n (1668): the title or short title of a volume
          printed at the top of left-hand text pages or sometimes
          of all text pages

   running water
          [running water] n (1912): water distributed through pipes
          and fixtures <a cabin with hot and cold running water>

   runny
          [run.ny] adj (1817): having a tendency to run: as a: extremely
          or excessively soft and liquid <a ~ dough> b: secreting
          a thin flow of mucus <a ~ nose>

   run off
          [run off] vt (1683) 1 a: to recite, compose, or produce rapidly
          b: to cause to be run or played to a finish c: to decide
          (as a race) by a runoff d: carry out 2: to drain off:
          draw off 3 a: to drive off (as trespassers) b: to steal
          (as cattle) by driving away ~ vi: run away 1 -- run off
          with : to carry off: steal

   runoff
          [run.off] n (1873) 1: a final race, contest, or election
          to decide an earlier one that has not resulted in a decision
          in favor of any one competitor 2: the portion of precipitation
          on land that ultimately reaches streams often with dissolved
          or suspended material

   run-of-paper
          [run-of-paper] adj (ca. 1923): to be placed anywhere in a
          newspaper at the option of the editor <~ advertisement>

   run-of-the-mill
          [run-of-the-mill] adj (1930): not outstanding in quality
          or rarity: average, ordinary

   run-of-the-mine
          [run-of-the-mine] or run-of-mine adj (1903) 1: not graded
          <~ coal> 2: run-of-the-mill

   run on
          [run on] vi (15c) 1: to talk or narrate at length 2: to keep
          going: continue ~ vt 1: to continue (matter in type)
          without a break or a new paragraph: run in 2: to place
          or add (as an entry in a dictionary) at the end of a
          paragraphed item

   [1]run-on
          [run-on] adj (1877): continuing without rhetorical pause
          from one line of verse into another [2]run-on n (ca.
          1909): something (as a dictionary entry) that is run
          on

   run-on sentence
          [run-on sentence] n (1914): a sentence containing a comma
          splice

   run out
          [run out] vi (14c) 1 a: to come to an end: expire <time ran
          out> b: to become exhausted or used up <the gasoline
          ran out> 2: to jut out ~ vt 1: to finish out (as a course,
          series, or contest): complete 2 a: to fill out (a typeset
          line) with quads, leaders, or ornaments b: to set (as
          the first line of a paragraph) with a hanging indention
          3: to exhaust (oneself) in running 4: to cause to leave
          by force or coercion: expel -- run out of : to use up
          the available supply of -- run out on : desert

   runover
          [run.over] n (1927): matter for publication that exceeds
          the space allotted

   run over
          [run over] vi (15c) 1: to exceed a limit 2: overflow ~ vt
          1: to go over, examine, repeat, or rehearse quickly 2:
          to collide with, knock down, and often drive over <ran
          over a dog>

   run-over
          [run-over] adj (ca. 1934): extending beyond the allotted
          space

   runt
          [runt] n [origin unknown] (1501) 1 chiefly Scot: a hardened
          stalk or stem of a plant 2: an animal unusually small
          of its kind; esp: the smallest of a litter of pigs 3:
          a person of small stature -- runt.i.ness n -- runt.ish
          adj -- runty adj

   run through
          [run through] vt (15c) 1: pierce 2: to spend or consume wastefully
          and rapidly 3: to read or rehearse without pausing 4 a: carry out,
          do b: to subject to a process

   run-through
          [run-through] n (1923): a usu. cursory reading, summary,
          or rehearsal

   run-up
          [run-up] n (1834) 1: the act of running up something 2: a
          usu. sudden increase in volume or price 3 chiefly Brit:
          a period immediately preceding an action or event

   run up
          [run up] vi (1664): to grow rapidly: shoot up ~ vt 1: to
          increase by bidding: bid up 2: to stitch together quickly
          3: to erect hastily 4: to achieve by accumulating <ran
          up a big lead>

   runway
          [run.way] n (1833) 1 a: a beaten path made by animals b:
          a passageway for animals 2: a paved strip of ground on
          a landing field for the landing and takeoff of airplanes
          3 a: a narrow platform from a stage into an auditorium
          b: a platform along which models walk in a fashion show
          4: run 10b 5: the area or path along which a jumper,
          pole vaulter, or javelin thrower runs

   rupee
          [ru.pee] n [Hindi rupaiya, fr. Skt rupya coined silver] (1610):
          the basic monetary unit of India, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan,
          Seychelles, and Sri Lanka

   rupiah
          [ru.pi.ah] n, pl rupiah or rupiahs [Malay, fr. Hindi rupaiya
          rupee] (1947): the basic monetary unit of Indonesia

   [1]rupture
          [rup.ture] n [ME ruptur, fr. MF or L; MF rupture, fr. L ruptura
          fracture, fr. ruptus, pp. of rumpere to break--more at
          reave] (15c) 1: breach of peace or concord; specif: open
          hostility or war between nations 2 a: the tearing apart
          of a tissue <~ of the heart muscle> <~ of an intervertebral
          disk> b: hernia 3: a breaking apart or the state of being
          broken apart [2]rupture vb rup.tured ; rup.tur.ing vt
          (1739) 1 a: to part by violence: break, burst b: to create
          or induce a breach of 2: to produce a rupture in ~ vi:
          to have or undergo a rupture

   rural
          [ru.ral] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L ruralis, fr. rur-, rus open
          land--more at room] (15c): of or relating to the country,
          country people or life, or agriculture -- ru.ral.i.ty
          n -- ru.ral.ly adv

   rural dean
          [rural dean] n (ca. 1628): dean 1b

   rural free delivery
          [rural free delivery] n (1892): free delivery of mail to
          a rural area--called also rural delivery

   ruralist
          [ru.ral.ist] n (1739): one who lives in a rural area

   rural route
          [rural route] n (1898): a mail-delivery route in a rural
          free delivery area

   rurban
          [rur.ban] adj [blend of rural and urban] (1918): of, relating
          to, or constituting an area which is chiefly residential
          but where some farming is carried on

   Ruritan
          [Ru.ri.tan] n [Ruritan National, a service club] (1968):
          a member of a major national service club

   Ruritanian
          [Ru.ri.ta.ni.an] adj [Ruritania, fictional kingdom in the
          novel Prisoner of Zenda (1894) by Anthony Hope] (1896):
          of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an
          imaginary place of high romance

   ruse
          [ruse] n [F, fr. MF, fr. ruser to dodge, deceive] (1625):
          a wily subterfuge syn see trick

   ruse de guerre
          [ruse de guerre] [F] foreign term : war stratagem

   [1]rush
          [rush] n [ME, fr. OE rysc; akin to MHG rusch rush, Lith regzti
          to knit] (bef. 12c): any of various monocotyledonous
          often tufted marsh plants (as of the genera Juncus and
          Scirpus of the family Juncaceae, the rush family) with
          cylindrical often hollow stems which are used in bottoming
          chairs and plaiting mats -- rushy adj [2]rush vb [ME
          russhen, fr. MF ruser to put to flight, repel, deceive,
          fr. L recusare to refuse--more at recusant] vi (14c)
          1: to move forward, progress, or act with haste or eagerness
          or without preparation 2: to advance a football by running
          plays <~ed for a total of 150 yards> ~ vt 1: to push
          or impel on or forward with speed, impetuosity, or violence
          2: to perform in a short time or at high speed 3: to
          urge to an unnatural or extreme speed <don't ~ me> 4:
          to run toward or against in attack: charge 5 a: to carry
          (a ball) forward in a running play b: to move in quickly
          on (a kicker or passer) to hinder, prevent, or block
          a kick or pass--used esp. of defensive linemen 6 a: to
          lavish attention on: court b: to try to secure a pledge
          of membership (as in a fraternity) from [3]rush n (14c)
          1 a: a violent forward motion b: attack, onset c: a surging
          of emotion 2 a: a burst of activity, productivity, or
          speed b: a sudden insistent demand 3: a thronging of
          people usu. to a new place in search of wealth <gold
          ~> 4 a: the act of carrying a football during a game:
          running play b: the action or an instance of rushing
          a passer or kicker in football <pass ~> 5 a: a round
          of attention usu. involving extensive social activity
          b: a drive by a fraternity or sorority to recruit new
          members 6: a print of a motion-picture scene processed
          directly after the shooting for review by the director
          or producer--usu. used in pl. 7 a: the immediate pleasurable
          feeling produced by a drug (as heroin or amphetamine)--called
          also flash b: a sudden feeling of intense pleasure or
          euphoria: thrill [4]rush adj (1887): requiring or marked
          by special speed or urgency <~ orders> <the ~ season>
          <a ~ job>

   rush candle
          [rush candle] n (1591): rushlight

   rushee
          [rush.ee] n (ca. 1916): a college or university student who
          is being rushed by a fraternity or sorority

   rusher
          [rush.er] n (1654): one that rushes; esp: ballcarrier

   rush hour
          [rush hour] n (1898): a period of the day when the demands
          esp. of traffic or business are at a peak

   rushing
          [rush.ing] n (1883): the act of advancing a football by running
          plays: the use of running plays; also: yardage gained
          by running plays

   rushlight
          [rush.light] n (1710): a candle that consists of the pith
          of a rush dipped in grease

   rus in urbe
          [rus in ur.be] [L] foreign term : country in the city

   rusk
          [rusk] n [modif. of Sp & Pg rosca coil, twisted roll] (1595)
          1: hard crisp bread orig. used as ship's stores 2: a
          sweet or plain bread baked, sliced, and baked again until
          dry and crisp

   Russ
          [Russ] n, pl Russ or Russ.es [ultim. fr. ORuss Rus' the East
          Slavic-speaking lands] (1537): russian -- Russ adj

   Russ
          [Russ] abbreviation Russia, Russian

   [1]russet
          [rus.set] n [ME, fr. OF rousset, fr. rousset, adj., russet,
          fr. rous russet, fr. L russus red; akin to L ruber red--more
          at red] (13c) 1: coarse homespun usu. reddish brown cloth
          2: a strong brown 3: any of various winter apples having
          russet rough skins 4: idaho [2]russet adj (15c): of the
          color russet

   russeting
          [rus.set.ing] also rus.set.ting n (1912): a brownish roughened
          area on the skin of fruit (as apples) caused by injury

   Russia leather
          [Rus.sia leather] n [Russia, Europe] (1658): leather made
          by tanning various skins with willow, birch, or oak and
          then rubbing the flesh side with a phenolic oil distilled
          from a European birch--called also Russia calf

   Russian
          [Rus.sian] n (1538) 1 a: a native or inhabitant of Russia
          b: a member of the dominant Slavic-speaking ethnic group
          of Russia c: a person of Russian descent 2: a Slavic
          language of the Russian people spoken as a second language
          by many non-Russian ethnic groups of the Soviet Union
          and its successor states -- Russian adj -- Rus.sian.ness
          n

   Russian blue
          [Russian blue] n, often cap B (1889): any of a breed of slender
          long-bodied large-eared domestic cats with short silky
          bluish gray fur

   Russian dressing
          [Russian dressing] n (1922): a dressing (as of mayonnaise
          or oil and vinegar) with added chili sauce, chopped pickles,
          or pimientos

   Russianize
          [Rus.sian.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1831): to make Russian
          -- Rus.sian.i.za.tion n

   Russian olive
          [Russian olive] n (1913): a chiefly silvery Eurasian large
          shrub or small tree (Elaeagnus angustifolia of the family
          Elaeagnaceae) cultivated esp. as a shelterbelt plant

   Russian roulette
          [Russian roulette] n (1937) 1: an act of bravado consisting
          of spinning the cylinder of a revolver loaded with one
          cartridge, pointing the muzzle at one's own head, and
          pulling the trigger 2: something resembling Russian roulette
          in its potential for disaster <taking cocaine is playing
          Russian roulette --Jonathan Nicholas>

   Russian thistle
          [Russian thistle] n (1894): a prickly European saltwort (Salsola
          kali) that is a serious pest in No. America--called also
          Russian tumbleweed

   Russian wolfhound
          [Russian wolfhound] n (1872): borzoi

   Russify
          [Rus.si.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1865): russianize --
          Rus.si.fi.ca.tion n

   Russki
          [Russ.ki] or Russ.ky or Russ.kie n, pl Russkies or Russkis
          [Russ russkii, adj. & n., Russian, fr. ORuss, fr. Rus']
          (1858): russian 1

   Russo-
          [Rus.so-] comb form [Russia & Russian]: Russian and <the
          Russo-Japanese war>

   [1]rust
          [rust] n [ME, fr. OE rust; akin to OE read red--more at red]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: the reddish brittle coating formed on
          iron esp. when chemically attacked by moist air and composed
          essentially of hydrated ferric oxide b: a comparable
          coating produced on a metal other than iron by corrosion
          c: something resembling rust: accretion 2: corrosive
          or injurious influence or effect 3: any of numerous destructive
          diseases of plants produced by fungi (order Uredinales)
          and characterized by usu. reddish brown pustular lesions;
          also: a fungus causing this 4: a strong reddish brown
          [2]rust vi (13c) 1: to form rust: become oxidized <iron
          ~s> 2: to degenerate esp. from inaction, lack of use,
          or passage of time <most men would ... have allowed their
          f aculties to ~ --T. B. Macaulay> 3: to become reddish
          brown as if with rust <the leaves slowly ~ed> 4: to be
          affected with a rust fungus ~ vt 1: to cause (a metal)
          to form rust <keep up your bright swords, for the dew
          will ~ them --Shak.> 2: to impair or corrode by or as
          if by time, inactivity, or deleterious use 3: to cause
          to become reddish brown: turn the color of rust

   rust belt
          [rust belt] n, often cap R&B (1983): the northeastern and
          midwestern states of the U.S. in which heavy industry
          has declined

   rust bucket
          [rust bucket] n (1945): an old and dilapidated ship

   [1]rustic
          [rus.tic] also rus.ti.cal adj [ME rustik, fr. MF rustique,
          fr. L rusticus, fr. rus open land--more at room] (15c)
          1: of, relating to, or suitable for the country: rural
          2 a: made of the rough limbs of trees <~ furniture> b:
          finished by rusticating <a ~ joint in masonry> 3 a: characteristic
          of or resembling country people b: lacking in social graces
          or polish 4: appropriate to the country (as in plainness
          or sturdiness) <heavy ~ boots> -- rus.ti.cal.ly adv -- rus.tic.i.ty
          n [2]rustic n (ca. 1550) 1: an inhabitant of a rural area
          2 a: an awkward coarse person b: an unsophisticated rural person

   rusticate
          [rus.ti.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing vi (1660): to go into
          or reside in the country: follow a rustic life ~ vt 1
          chiefly Brit: to suspend from school or college 2: to
          build or face with usu. rough-surfaced masonry blocks
          having beveled or rebated edges producing pronounced
          joints <a rusticated facade> 3 a: to compel to reside
          in the country b: to cause to become rustic: implant
          rustic mannerisms in -- rus.ti.ca.tion n -- rus.ti.ca.tor
          n

   [1]rustle
          [rus.tle] vb rus.tled ; rus.tling [ME rustelen] vi (14c)
          1: to make or cause a rustle 2 a: to act or move with
          energy or speed b: to forage food 3: to steal cattle
          ~ vt 1: to cause to rustle 2 a: to obtain by one's own
          exertions--often used with up <able to ~ up $5,000 bail
          --Jack McCallum> b: forage 3: to steal (as livestock)
          esp. from a farm or ranch -- rus.tler n [2]rustle n (1759):
          a quick succession or confusion of small sounds

   rust mite
          [rust mite] n (1884): any of various small gall mites that
          burrow in the surface of leaves or fruits usu. producing
          brown or reddish patches

   rustproof
          [rust.proof] adj (1691): incapable of rusting

   [1]rusty
          [rusty] adj rust.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: affected by or
          as if by rust; esp: stiff with or as if with rust 2:
          inept and slow through lack of practice or old age 3
          a: of the color rust b: dulled in color or appearance
          by age and use <a ~ old suit of clothes> 4: outmoded
          5: hoarse, grating -- rust.i.ly adv -- rust.i.ness n
          [2]rus.ty adj rus.ti.er ; -est [alter. of restive] (1625)
          chiefly dial: ill-natured, surly

   [1]rut
          [rut] n [ME rutte, fr. MF rut roar, fr. LL rugitus, fr. L
          rugire to roar; akin to MIr rucht roar, OCS ruzati to
          neigh] (15c) 1: an annually recurrent state of sexual
          excitement in the male deer; broadly: sexual excitement
          in a mammal (as estrus in the female) esp. when periodic
          2: the period during which rut normally occurs--often
          used with the [2]rut vi rut.ted ; rut.ting (1625): to
          be in or enter into a state of rut [3]rut n [perh. modif.
          of MF route way, route] (1580) 1 a: a track worn by a
          wheel or by habitual passage b: a groove in which something
          runs c: channel, furrow 2: a usual or fixed practice;
          esp: a monotonous routine <fall easily into a conversational
          ~> [4]rut vt rut.ted ; rut.ting (1607): to make a rut
          in: furrow

   rutabaga
          [ru.ta.ba.ga] n [Sw dial. rotabagge, fr. rot root + bagge
          bag] (1799): a turnip (Brassica napus napobrassica) that
          usu. produces a large yellowish root

   ruth
          [ruth] n [ME ruthe, fr. ruen to rue] (13c) 1: compassion
          for the misery of another 2: sorrow for one's own faults:
          remorse Ruth n [Heb Ruth] 1: a Moabite woman who accompanied
          Naomi to Bethlehem and became the ancestress of David
          2: a short narrative book of canonical Jewish and Christian
          Scriptures

   ruthenium
          [ru.the.ni.um] n [NL, fr. ML Ruthenia Ruthenia] (1848): a
          hard brittle grayish polyvalent rare metallic element
          occurring in platinum ores and used in hardening platinum
          alloys

   rutherfordium
          [ruth.er.ford.ium] n [NL, fr. Ernest Rutherford] (1969):
          unnilquadium

   ruthful
          [ruth.ful] adj (13c) 1: full of ruth: tender 2: full of sorrow:
          woeful 3: causing sorrow -- ruth.ful.ly adv -- ruth.ful.ness
          n

   ruthless
          [ruth.less] adj (14c): having no ruth: merciless, cruel --
          ruth.less.ly adv -- ruth.less.ness n

   rutilant
          [ru.ti.lant] adj [ME rutilaunt, fr. L rutilant-, rutilans,
          pp. of rutilare to glow reddish, fr. rutilus ruddy; prob.
          akin to L ruber red--more at red] (15c): having a reddish
          glow

   rutile
          [ru.tile] n [G Rutil, fr. L rutilus] (1803): a mineral that
          consists of titanium dioxide usu. with a little iron,
          is typically of a reddish brown color but sometimes deep
          red or black, and has a brilliant metallic or adamantine
          luster

   ruttish
          [rut.tish] adj (1601): inclined to rut: lustful -- rut.tish.ly
          adv -- rut.tish.ness n

   rutty
          [rut.ty] adj rut.ti.er ; -est (1596): full of ruts

   rv...
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   RV
          [RV] abbreviation Revised Version

   RV
          [RV] n (1967): recreational vehicle

   rw...
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   RW
          [RW] abbreviation radiological warfare, right worshipful,
          right worthy

   rwy
          [rwy] or ry abbreviation railway

   rx...
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   Rx
          [Rx] n [alter. of the symbol used at the beginning
          of a prescription, abbr. for L recipe, lit., take--more at recipe]
          (1926): a medical prescription

   ry...
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   -ry
          [-ry] n suffix [ME -rie, fr. OF, short for -erie -ery]: -ery
          <wizardry> <citizenry> <ancientry>

   rya
          [rya] n [Rya, village in southwest Sweden] (1945): a Scandinavian
          handwoven rug with a deep resilient comparatively flat
          pile; also: the weave typical of this rug

   [1]rye
          [rye] n [ME, fr. OE ryge; akin to OHG rocko rye, Lith rugys]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a hardy annual grass (Secale cereale) that
          is widely grown for grain and as a cover crop 2: the
          seeds of rye 3: rye bread 4: rye whiskey [2]rye n [Romany
          rai gentleman, master, fr. Skt rajan king--more at royal]
          (1851): a male Gypsy

   rye bread
          [rye bread] n (1579): bread made wholly or in part of rye
          flour; esp: a light bread often with caraway seeds

   ryegrass
          [rye.grass] n (1747): any of several grasses (genus Lolium);
          esp: either of two grasses (L. perenne and L. multiflorum)
          that are used esp. for pasture, a cover crop, or lawn
          grass

   rye whiskey
          [rye whiskey] n (1785): a whiskey distilled from rye or from
          rye and malt

   s...
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   s
          [s] n, pl s's or ss often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 19th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic s 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter s 3: one designated s esp. as the 19th in
          order or class 4 [abbr. for satisfactory] a: a grade
          rating a student's work as satisfactory b: one graded
          or rated with an S 5: something shaped like the letter
          S

   s
          [s] abbreviation sabbath, saint, schilling, scruple, second,
          secondary, section, senate, series, shilling, [L signa]
          label; siemens, signor, sine, singular, small, smooth,
          snow, society, son, sou, south, southern, subject, symmetrical
          S abbreviation satisfactory, short, standard deviation
          of a sample, sulfur, svedberg

   [1]-s
          [-s] n pl suffix [ME -es, -s, fr. OE -as, nom. & acc. pl.
          ending of some masc. nouns; akin to OS -os]--used to
          form the plural of most nouns that do not end in s, z,
          sh, ch, or postconsonantal y <heads> <books> <boys> <beliefs>,
          to form the plural of proper nouns that end in postconsonantal
          y <Marys>, and with or without a preceding apostrophe
          to form the plural of abbreviations, numbers, letters,
          and symbols used as nouns <MCs> <PhD's> <4s> <the 1940's>
          <$s> <B's>--compare [1]-es [2]-s adv suffix [ME -es,
          -s, pl. ending of nouns, fr. -es, gen. sing. ending of
          nouns (functioning adverbially), fr. OE -es]--used to
          form adverbs denoting usual or repeated action or state
          <always at home Sundays> <mornings he stops by the newsstand>
          [3]-s vb suffix [ME (Northern & North Midland dial.)
          -es, fr. OE (Northumbrian dial.) -es, -as, prob. fr.
          OE -es, -as, 2d sing. pres. indic. ending--more at -est]--used
          to form the third person singular present of most verbs
          that do not end in s, z, sh, ch, or postconsonantal y
          <falls> <takes> <plays>--compare [2]-es

   s/he
          [s/he] pron (1973): she or he--used in writing as a pronoun
          of common gender

   S and L
          [S and L] n (1951): savings and loan association

   S and M
          [S and M] abbreviation sadism and masochism, sadist and masochist

   S Aust
          [S Aust] abbreviation South Australia

   S Dak
          [S Dak] abbreviation South Dakota

   s'il vous plait
          [s'il vous plait] [F] foreign term : if you please

   S level
          [S level] n (1951) 1: the highest of three standardized British
          examinations in a secondary school subject used as a
          qualification for university entrance; also: successful
          completion of an S-level examination in a particular
          subject--called also Scholarship level--compare a level,
          o level 2 a: the level of education required to pass
          an S-level examination b: a course leading to an S-level
          examination

   S-M
          [S-M] or S/M abbreviation sadomasochism, sadomasochist

   S phase
          [S phase] n [synthesis] (1945): the period in the cell cycle
          during which DNA replication takes place--compare g1phase,
          g2phase, m phase

   S wave
          [S wave] n [secondary] (1937): a wave (as from an earthquake)
          in which the propagated disturbance is a shear in an
          elastic medium (as the earth)--compare pressure wave

   sa...
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   Sa
          [Sa] abbreviation Saturday  SA abbreviation Salvation Army,
          seaman apprentice, sex appeal, [L sine anno without year]
          without date; South Africa, South America, South Australia,
          subject to approval

   Saanen
          [Saa.nen] n [Saanen, locality in southwest Switzerland] (1906):
          any of a Swiss breed of usu. white and hornless short-haired
          dairy goats

   sabadilla
          [sab.a.dil.la] n [Sp cebadilla] (1812): a Mexican plant
          (Schoenocaulon officinalis) of the lily family; also: its seeds
          that are used as a source of veratrine and in insecticides

   sabayon
          [sa.ba.yon] n [F, modif. of It zabaione] (1906): zabaglione

   sabbat
          [sab.bat] n, often cap [F, lit., sabbath, fr. L sabbatum]
          (1652): a midnight assembly of diabolists (as witches
          and sorcerers) held esp. in medieval and Renaissance
          times to renew allegiance to the devil through mystic
          rites and orgies

   [1]Sabbatarian
          [Sab.ba.tar.i.an] n [L sabbatarius, fr. sabbatum sabbath]
          (1613) 1: one who observes the Sabbath on Saturday in
          conformity with the letter of the fourth commandment
          2: an adherent of Sabbatarianism [2]Sabbatarian adj (ca.
          1631) 1: of or relating to the Sabbath 2: of or relating
          to the Sabbatarians or Sabbatarianism

   Sabbatarianism
          [Sab.ba.tar.i.an.ism] n (ca. 1674): strict and often rigorous
          observance of the Sabbath

   Sabbath
          [Sab.bath] n [ME sabat, fr. OF & OE, fr. L sabbatum, fr.
          Gk sabbaton, fr. Heb shabbath, lit., rest] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: the seventh day of the week observed from Friday
          evening to Saturday evening as a day of rest and worship
          by Jews and some Christians b: Sunday observed among
          Christians as a day of rest and worship 2: a time of
          rest

   [1]sabbatical
          [sab.bat.i.cal] or sab.bat.ic adj [LL sabbaticus, fr. Gk
          sabbatikos, fr. sabbaton] (1645) 1: of or relating to
          the sabbath <~ laws> 2: of or relating to a sabbatical
          year [2]sabbatical n (1903) 1: sabbatical year 2 2: leave
          1b 3: a break or change from a normal routine (as of
          employment)

   sabbatical year
          [sabbatical year] n (1599) 1 often cap S: a year of rest
          for the land observed every seventh year in ancient Judea
          2: a leave often with pay granted usu. every seventh
          year (as to a college professor) for rest, travel, or
          research--called also sabbatical leave

   Sabellian
          [Sa.bel.li.an] n [L Sabellus Sabine] (1601) 1: a member of
          one of a group of early Italian peoples including Sabines
          and Samnites 2: one or all of several little known languages
          or dialects of ancient Italy presumably closely related
          to Oscan and Umbrian -- Sabellian adj

   [1]saber
          [sa.ber] or sa.bre n [F sabre, modif. of G dial. Sabel, fr.
          MHG, prob. of Slav origin; akin to Russ sablya saber]
          (1680) 1: a cavalry sword with a curved blade, thick
          back, and guard 2 a: a light fencing or dueling sword
          having an arched guard that covers the back of the hand
          and a tapering flexible blade with a full cutting edge
          along one side and a partial cutting edge on the back
          at the tip--compare epee, foil b: the sport of fencing
          with the saber [2]saber or sabre vt sa.bered or sa.bred
          ; sa.ber.ing or sa.bring (1790): to strike, cut, or kill
          with a saber

   sabermetrics
          [sa.ber.met.rics] n pl but sing in constr [saber- (fr. Society
          for American Baseball Research) + -metrics (as in econometrics)]
          (1982): the statistical analysis of baseball data --
          sa.ber.me.tri.cian n

   saber rattling
          [saber rattling] n (1922): ostentatious display of military
          power

   saber saw
          [saber saw] n (1953): a light portable electric saw with
          a pointed reciprocating blade

   saber-toothed
          [sa.ber-toothed] adj (1849): having long sharp canine teeth

   saber-toothed tiger
          [saber-toothed tiger] n (1849): any of numerous extinct cats
          (as genus Smilodon) widely distributed from the Oligocene
          through the Pleistocene and characterized by long curving
          upper canines--called also saber-toothed cat

   sabin
          [sa.bin] n [Wallace C. W. Sabine d. 1919 Am. physicist] (1934):
          a unit of acoustic absorption equivalent to the absorption
          by one square foot of a perfect absorber

   Sabine
          [Sa.bine] n [ME Sabin, fr. L Sabinus] (14c) 1: a member of
          an ancient people of the Apennines northeast of Latium
          2: the Italic language of the Sabine people -- Sabine
          adj

   [1]sable
          [sa.ble] n, pl sables [ME, sable or its fur, the heraldic
          color black, black, fr. MF, sable or its fur, the heraldic
          color black, fr. MLG sabel sable or its fur, fr. MHG
          zobel, of Slav origin; akin to Russ sobol' sable or its
          fur] (14c) 1 a: the color black b: black clothing worn
          in mourning--usu. used in pl. 2 a or pl sable (1): a
          carnivorous mammal (Martes zibellina) of the weasel family
          that occurs chiefly in northern Asia (2): any of various
          animals related to the sable b: the fur or pelt of a
          sable 3 a: the usu. dark brown color of the fur of the
          sable b: a grayish yellowish brown [2]sable adj (15c)
          1: of the color black 2: dark, gloomy

   sablefish
          [sa.ble.fish] n (1917): a large spiny-finned gray to blackish
          bony fish (Anoplopoma fimbria of the family Anoplomatidae)
          of the Pacific coast that is an important food fish and
          has a liver rich in vitamins

   sabot
          [sa.bot] n [F] (1607) 1 a: a wooden shoe worn in various
          European countries b (1): a strap across the instep in
          a shoe esp. of the sandal type (2): a shoe having a sabot
          strap 2: a thrust-transmitting carrier that positions
          a missile in a gun barrel or launching tube and that
          prevents the escape of gas ahead of the missile 3: shoe
          6

   [1]sabotage
          [sab.o.tage] n [F, fr. saboter to clatter with sabots, botch,
          sabotage, fr. sabot] (1910) 1: destruction of an employer's
          property (as tools or materials) or the hindering of
          manufacturing by discontented workers 2: destructive
          or obstructive action carried on by a civilian or enemy
          agent to hinder a nation's war effort 3 a: an act or
          process tending to hamper or hurt b: deliberate subversion
          [2]sabotage vt -taged ; -tag.ing (1913): to practice
          sabotage on

   saboteur
          [sab.o.teur] n [F, fr. saboter] (1921): one that practices
          sabotage

   sabra
          [sa.bra] n, often cap [NHeb sabhar, lit., prickly pear] (1945):
          a native-born Israeli

   sac
          [sac] abbreviation sacrifice  SAC abbreviation special agent
          in charge, Strategic Air Command

   sac
          [sac] n [F, lit., bag, fr. L saccus--more at sack] (1741):
          a pouch within an animal or plant often containing a
          fluid <a synovial ~> -- sac.like adj Sac var of sauk

   sacahuiste
          [sa.ca.huis.te] or sa.ca.huis.ta n [MexSp zacahuiscle, fr.
          (assumed) Nahuatl zacahuitztli, fr. Nahuatl zacatl grass,
          hay + huitztli thorn] (1896): a bear grass (Nolina texana)
          that may cause poisoning in livestock

   sacaton
          [sac.a.ton] n [AmerSp zacaton, fr. zacate coarse grass, fr.
          Nahuatl zacatl] (1846): a coarse perennial grass (Sporobolus
          wrightii) of the southwestern U.S. that is used for hay
          in alkaline regions

   saccade
          [sac.cade] n [F, twitch, jerk, fr. MF, fr. saquer to pull,
          draw] (1938): a small rapid jerky movement of the eye
          esp. as it jumps from fixation on one point to another
          (as in reading) -- sac.cad.ic adj

   saccate
          [sac.cate] adj [NL saccatus, fr. L saccus] (1830): having
          the form of a sac or pouch <~ pollen grains>

   sacchar-
          [sacchar-] or sacchari- or saccharo- comb form [L saccharum,
          fr. Gk sakcharon, fr. Prakrit sakkhara, fr. Skt sarkara
          gravel, sugar]: sugar <saccharify> <saccharometer>

   saccharase
          [sac.cha.rase] n [ISV] (1920): invertase

   saccharide
          [sac.cha.ride] n (1895): a simple sugar, combination of sugars,
          or polymerized sugar: carbohydrate

   saccharification
          [sac.char.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1839): the process of breaking
          a complex carbohydrate (as starch or cellulose) into
          simple sugars -- sac.char.i.fy vt

   saccharimeter
          [sac.cha.rim.e.ter] n [ISV] (1874): a device for measuring
          the amount of sugar in a solution; specif: a polarimeter
          so used

   saccharin
          [sac.cha.rin] n [ISV] (1885): a crystalline compound that
          is unrelated to the carbohydrates, is several hundred
          times sweeter than cane sugar, and is used as a calorie-free
          sweetener

   saccharine
          [sac.cha.rine] adj [L saccharum] (ca. 1674) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or resembling that of sugar <~ taste> b: yielding
          or containing sugar <~ vegetables> 2: overly or sickishly
          sweet <~ flavor> 3: ingratiatingly or affectedly agreeable
          or friendly 4: overly sentimental: mawkish -- sac.cha.rin.i.ty
          n

   saccharoidal
          [sac.cha.roi.dal] adj (1838): having or being a fine granular
          texture like that of loaf sugar <~ marble>

   saccharometer
          [sac.cha.rom.e.ter] n (1784): saccharimeter; esp: a hydrometer
          with a special scale

   saccharomyces
          [sac.cha.ro.my.ces] n [NL, fr. sacchar- + -myces fungus,
          fr. Gk mykes--more at myc-] (1873): any of a genus (Saccharomyces
          of the family Saccharomycetaceae) of usu. unicellular
          yeasts (as a brewer's yeast) that are distinguished by
          their sparse or absent mycelium and by their facility
          in reproducing asexually by budding

   saccular
          [sac.cu.lar] adj (ca. 1859): resembling a sac <a ~ aneurysm>

   sacculated
          [sac.cu.lat.ed] also sac.cu.late adj (ca. 1836): having or
          formed of a series of saccular expansions -- sac.cu.la.tion
          n

   saccule
          [sac.cule] n [NL sacculus, fr. L, dim. of saccus bag--more
          at sack] (ca. 1839): a little sac; specif: the smaller
          chamber of the membranous labyrinth of the ear

   sacculus
          [sac.cu.lus] n, pl -li [NL] (1748): saccule

   sacerdotal
          [sac.er.do.tal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L sacerdotalis, fr.
          sacerdot-, sacerdos priest, fr. sacer sacred + -dot-,
          -dos (akin to facere to make)--more at sacred, do] (15c)
          1: of or relating to priests or a priesthood: priestly
          2: of, relating to, or suggesting sacerdotalism -- sac.er.do.tal.ly
          adv

   sacerdotalism
          [sac.er.do.tal.ism] n (1856): religious belief emphasizing
          the powers of priests as essential mediators between
          God and mankind -- sac.er.do.tal.ist n

   sac fungus
          [sac fungus] n (ca. 1929): ascomycete

   sachem
          [sa.chem] n [Narraganset sachim] (1622) 1: a No. American
          Indian chief; esp: the chief of a confederation of the
          Algonquian tribes of the No. Atlantic coast 2: a Tammany
          leader -- sa.chem.ic adj

   Sacher torte
          [Sa.cher torte] n [G Sachertorte, fr. Sacher (name of a family
          of 19th and 20th cent. Austrian restaurant proprietors)
          + G Torte torte] (1906): a rich chocolate torte with
          an apricot jam filling

   sachet
          [sa.chet] n [MF, fr. OF, dim. of sac bag--more at sac] (15c)
          1: a small bag or packet 2: a small bag containing a
          perfumed powder or potpourri used to scent clothes and
          linens -- sa.cheted adj

   [1]sack
          [sack] n [ME sak bag, sackcloth, fr. OE sacc, fr. L saccus
          bag & LL saccus sackcloth, both fr. Gk sakkos bag, sackcloth,
          of Sem origin; akin to Heb saq bag, sackcloth] (bef.
          12c) 1: a usu. rectangular-shaped bag (as of paper, burlap,
          or canvas) 2: the amount contained in a sack; esp: a
          fixed amount of a commodity used as a unit of measure
          3 a: a woman's loose-fitting dress b: a short usu. loose-fitting
          coat for women and children c: sacque 2 4: dismissal
          5 a: hammock, bunk b: bed 6: a base in baseball 7: an
          instance of sacking the quarterback in football -- sack.ful
          n [2]sack vt (14c) 1: to put in or as if in a sack 2:
          to dismiss esp. summarily 3: to tackle (the quarterback)
          behind the line of scrimmage in football -- sack.er n
          [3]sack n [modif. of MF sec dry, fr. L siccus; prob.
          akin to OHG sihan to filter, Skt sincati he pours] (ca.
          1532): any of several white wines imported to England
          from Spain and the Canary Islands during the 16th and
          17th centuries [4]sack vt [[5]sack] (ca. 1547) 1: to
          plunder (as a town) esp. after capture 2: to strip of
          valuables: loot syn see ravage -- sack.er n [5]sack n
          [MF sac, fr. OIt sacco, lit., bag, fr. L saccus] (1549):
          the plundering of a captured town

   sackbut
          [sack.but] n [MF saqueboute, lit., hooked lance, fr. OF,
          fr. saquer to pull + boter to push--more at butt] (1533):
          the medieval and Renaissance trombone

   sackcloth
          [sack.cloth] n [[1]sack] (13c) 1: a coarse cloth of goat
          or camel's hair or of flax, hemp, or cotton 2: a garment
          of sackcloth worn as a sign of mourning or penitence

   sack coat
          [sack coat] n (1847): a man's jacket with a straight back

   sacking
          [sack.ing] n (1707): material for sacks; esp: a coarse fabric
          (as burlap)

   sack out
          [sack out] vi [[1]sack] (1946): to go to bed: go to sleep

   sack race
          [sack race] n (1859): a jumping race in which each contestant's
          legs are enclosed in a sack

   sacque
          [sacque] n [alter. of [1]sack] (1846) 1: sack 3a, b 2: an
          infant's usu. short jacket that fastens at the neck

   [1]sacral
          [sa.cral] adj (1767): of, relating to, or lying near the
          sacrum [2]sa.cral adj [L sacr-, sacer--more at sacred]
          (1882): holy, sacred

   sacrament
          [sac.ra.ment] n [ME sacrement, sacrament, fr. OF & LL; OF,
          fr. LL sacramentum, fr. L, oath of allegiance, obligation,
          fr. sacrare to consecrate] (13c) 1 a: a Christian rite
          (as baptism or the Eucharist) that is believed to have
          been ordained by Christ and that is held to be a means
          of divine grace or to be a sign or symbol of a spiritual
          reality b: a religious rite or observance comparable
          to a Christian sacrament 2 cap a: communion 2a b: blessed
          sacrament 3: something likened to a religious sacrament
          <saw voting as a ~ of democracy>

   [1]sacramental
          [sac.ra.men.tal] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or having
          the character of a sacrament 2: suggesting a sacrament
          (as in sacredness) -- sac.ra.men.tal.ly adv [2]sacramental
          n (15c): an action or object (as the rosary) of ecclesiastical
          origin that serves to express or increase devotion

   sacramentalism
          [sac.ra.men.tal.ism] n (1861): belief in or use of sacramental
          rites, acts, or objects; specif: belief that the sacraments
          are inherently efficacious and necessary for salvation

   sacramentalist
          [sac.ra.men.tal.ist] n (1840) 1: sacramentarian 2: an adherent
          of sacramentalism

   Sacramentarian
          [Sac.ra.men.tar.i.an] n (1535) 1: one who interprets sacraments
          as merely visible symbols 2: sacramentalist -- Sacramentarian
          adj -- Sac.ra.men.tar.i.an.ism n

   sacrarium
          [sa.crar.i.um] n, pl -ia [ML, fr. L, shrine, fr. sacr-, sacer
          sacred] (1727) 1 a: sanctuary 1b b: sacristy c: piscina
          2: an ancient Roman shrine or sanctuary in a temple or
          a home holding sacred objects

   sacred
          [sa.cred] adj [ME, fr. pp. of sacren to consecrate, fr. OF
          sacrer, fr. L sacrare, fr. sacr-, sacer sacred; akin
          to L sancire to make sacred, Hitt saklai- rite] (14c)
          1 a: dedicated or set apart for the service or worship
          of a deity <a tree ~ to the gods> b: devoted exclusively
          to one service or use (as of a person or purpose) <a
          fund ~ to charity> 2 a: worthy of religious veneration:
          holy b: entitled to reverence and respect 3: of or relating
          to religion: not secular or profane <~ music> 4 archaic:
          accursed 5 a: unassailable, inviolable b: highly valued
          and important <a ~ responsibility> -- sa.cred.ly adv
          -- sa.cred.ness n

   sacred baboon
          [sacred baboon] n [fr. its veneration by the ancient Egyptians]
          (ca. 1890): hamadryas baboon

   sacred cow
          [sacred cow] n [fr. the veneration of the cow by Hindus]
          (1910): one that is often unreasonably immune from criticism
          or opposition

   sacred mushroom
          [sacred mushroom] n (1930) 1: any of various New World
          hallucinogenic fungi (genus Psilocybe) used esp. in some Indian
          ceremonies 2: mescal button

   [1]sacrifice
          [sac.ri.fice] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L sacrificium, fr. sacr-,
          sacer + facere to make--more at do] (13c) 1: an act of
          offering to a deity something precious; esp: the killing
          of a victim on an altar 2: something offered in sacrifice
          3 a: destruction or surrender of something for the sake
          of something else b: something given up or lost <the
          ~s made by parents> 4: loss <goods sold at a ~> 5: sacrifice
          hit [2]sacrifice vb -ficed ; -fic.ing vt (14c) 1: to
          offer as a sacrifice 2: to suffer loss of, give up, renounce,
          injure, or destroy esp. for an ideal, belief, or end
          3: to sell at a loss ~ vi 1: to make or perform the rites
          of a sacrifice 2: to make a sacrifice hit in baseball
          -- sac.ri.fic.er n

   sacrifice fly
          [sacrifice fly] n (1944): an outfield fly in baseball caught
          by a fielder after which a runner scores

   sacrifice hit
          [sacrifice hit] n (1880): a bunt in baseball that allows
          a runner to advance one base while the batter is put
          out

   sacrificial
          [sac.ri.fi.cial] adj (1607) 1: of, relating to, of the nature
          of, or involving sacrifice 2: of or relating to a metal
          that serves as the anode and is electrolytically consumed
          instead of another metal that is present -- sac.ri.fi.cial.ly
          adv

   sacrilege
          [sac.ri.lege] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L sacrilegium, fr. sacrilegus
          one who steals sacred things, fr. sacr-, sacer + legere
          to gather, steal--more at legend] (14c) 1: a technical
          and not necessarily intrinsically outrageous violation
          (as improper reception of a sacrament) of what is sacred
          because consecrated to God 2: gross irreverence toward
          a hallowed person, place, or thing -- sac.ri.le.gious
          adj -- sac.ri.le.gious.ly adv -- sac.ri.le.gious.ness
          n

   sacristan
          [sac.ris.tan] n [ME, fr. ML sacristanus, fr. L sacr-, sacer]
          (14c): a person in charge of the sacristy and ceremonial
          equipment; also: sexton

   sacristy
          [sac.ris.ty] n, pl -ties [ME sacristie, fr. ML sacristia,
          fr. sacrista sacristan, fr. L sacr-, sacer] (15c): a
          room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are
          kept and where the clergy vests

   [1]sacroiliac
          [sa.cro.il.i.ac] adj [prob. fr. F sacro-iliaque, fr. NL sacrum
          + F iliaque iliac] (1831): of, relating to, or being
          the region of juncture of the sacrum and ilium [2]sacroiliac
          n (1936): the sacroiliac region; also: its firm fibrous
          cartilage

   sacrosanct
          [sac.ro.sanct] adj [L sacrosanctus, prob. fr. sacro sanctus
          hallowed by a sacred rite] (1601) 1: most sacred or holy:
          inviolable 2: treated as if holy: immune from criticism
          or violation <politically ~ programs> -- sac.ro.sanc.ti.ty
          n

   sacrum
          [sa.crum] n, pl sa.cra [NL, fr. LL os sacrum last bone of
          the spine, lit., holy bone, trans. of Gk hieron osteon]
          (1753): the part of the vertebral column that is directly
          connected with or forms a part of the pelvis and in humans
          consists of five fused vertebrae

   sad
          [sad] adj sad.der ; sad.dest [ME, fr. OE saed sated; akin
          to OHG sat sated, L satis enough] (13c) 1 a: affected
          with or expressive of grief or unhappiness: downcast
          b (1): causing or associated with grief or unhappiness:
          depressing <~ news> (2): regrettable, deplorable <a ~
          relaxation of morals --C. W. Cunnington> c: of little
          worth 2: of a dull somber color -- sad.ly adv -- sad.ness
          n

   SAD
          [SAD] abbreviation seasonal affective disorder

   sadden
          [sad.den] vb sad.dened ; sad.den.ing vt (1628): to make sad
          ~ vi: to become sad

   [1]saddle
          [sad.dle] n, often attrib [ME sadel, fr. OE sadol; akin to
          OHG satul saddle] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a girthed usu.
          padded and leather-covered seat for the rider of an animal
          (as a horse) (2): a part of a driving harness comparable
          to a saddle that is used to keep the breeching in place
          b: a seat to be straddled by the rider of a vehicle (as
          a bicycle) 2: a device mounted as a support and often
          shaped to fit the object held 3 a: a ridge connecting
          two higher elevations b: a pass in a mountain range 4
          a: both sides of the unsplit back of a carcass including
          both loins b: a colored marking on the back of an animal
          c: the rear part of a male fowl's back extending to the
          tail--see duck illustration 5: the central part of the
          backbone of the binding of a book 6: a piece of leather
          across the instep of a shoe -- sad.dle.less adj -- in
          the saddle : in control [2]saddle vb sad.dled ; sad.dling
          vt (bef. 12c) 1: to put a saddle on 2 a: to place under
          a burden or encumbrance b: to place (an onerous responsibility)
          on a person or group ~ vi: to mount a saddled horse

   saddlebag
          [sad.dle.bag] n (1773): one of a pair of covered pouches
          laid across the back of a horse behind the saddle or
          hanging over the rear wheel of a bicycle or motorcycle

   saddle blanket
          [saddle blanket] n (1737): a folded blanket or pad under
          a saddle to prevent galling the horse

   saddlebow
          [sad.dle.bow] n (bef. 12c): the arch in or the pieces forming
          the front of a saddle

   saddlebred
          [sad.dle.bred] n (1948): american saddlebred

   saddlecloth
          [sad.dle.cloth] n (15c): a cloth placed under or over a saddle

   saddled prominent
          [sad.dled prominent] n [fr. the hump or prominence on the
          back of the larva] (1910): a moth (Heterocampa guttivitta)
          whose larva is a serious defoliator of hardwood trees
          in the eastern and midwestern U.S.

   saddle horn
          [saddle horn] n (1856): a hornlike prolongation of the pommel
          of a stock saddle

   saddle horse
          [saddle horse] n (1662): a horse suited for or trained for
          riding

   saddle leather
          [saddle leather] n (1832): leather made of cowhide that is
          vegetable tanned and used esp. for saddlery; also: smooth
          polished leather simulating this

   saddler
          [sad.dler] n (14c): one that makes, repairs, or sells saddles
          and other furnishings for horses

   saddlery
          [sad.dlery] n, pl -dler.ies (15c): the trade, articles of
          trade, or shop of a saddler

   saddle seat
          [saddle seat] n (1895): a slightly concave chair seat (as
          of a Windsor chair) with sometimes a thickened ridge
          at the center front

   saddle shoe
          [saddle shoe] n (1939): an oxford-style shoe having a saddle
          of contrasting color or leather--called also saddle oxford

   saddle soap
          [saddle soap] n (1889): a mild soap used for cleansing and
          conditioning leather

   saddle sore
          [saddle sore] n (1946) 1: a gall or open sore developing
          on the back of a horse at points of pressure from an
          ill-fitting or ill-adjusted saddle 2: an irritation or
          sore on parts of the rider chafed by the saddle

   saddletree
          [sad.dle.tree] n (15c): the frame of a saddle

   Sadducean
          [Sad.du.ce.an] adj (1593): of or relating to the Sadducees

   Sadducee
          [Sad.du.cee] n [ME saducee, fr. OE sadduce, fr. LL sadducaeus,
          fr. Gk saddoukaios, fr. LHeb sadduqi] (bef. 12c): a member
          of a Jewish party of the intertestamental period consisting
          of a traditional ruling class of priests and rejecting
          doctrines not in the Law (as resurrection, retribution
          in a future life, and the existence of angels) -- Sad.du.cee.ism
          n

   sadhe
          [sa.dhe] n [Heb sadhe] (ca. 1899): the 18th letter of the
          Hebrew alphabet

   sadhu
          [sa.dhu] also sad.dhu n [Skt sadhu] (1845): a usu. Hindu
          mendicant ascetic

   sadiron
          [sad.iron] n [sad (compact, heavy) + iron] (1761): a flatiron
          pointed at both ends and having a removable handle

   sadism
          [sa.dism] n [ISV, fr. Marquis de Sade] (1888) 1: a sexual
          perversion in which gratification is obtained by the
          infliction of physical or mental pain on others (as on
          a love object)--compare masochism 2 a: delight in cruelty
          b: excessive cruelty -- sa.dist n -- sa.dis.tic adj --
          sa.dis.ti.cal.ly adv

   sadomasochism
          [sa.do.mas.och.ism] n [ISV sadism + -o- + masochism] (1922):
          the derivation of pleasure from the infliction of physical
          or mental pain either on others or on oneself -- sa.do.mas.och.ist
          n or adj -- sa.do.mas.och.is.tic adj

   sad sack
          [sad sack] n (1943): an inept person; esp: an inept soldier
          -- sad-sack adj

   SAE
          [SAE] abbreviation self-addressed envelope, Society of Automotive
          Engineers, stamped addressed envelope

   saeva indignatio
          [sae.va in.dig.na.tio] [L] foreign term : fierce indignation

   Safar
          [Sa.far] n [Ar safar] (ca. 1771): the 2d month of the Islamic
          year

   safari
          [sa.fa.ri] n [Ar safariy of a trip] (1896) 1: the caravan
          and equipment of a hunting expedition esp. in eastern
          Africa; also: such a hunting expedition 2: journey, expedition
          <an arctic ~> -- safari vi

   safari jacket
          [safari jacket] n (1951): a usu. belted shirt jacket with
          pleated expansible pockets

   safari suit
          [safari suit] n (1967): a safari jacket with matching pants

   [1]safe
          [safe] adj saf.er ; saf.est [ME sauf, fr. OF, fr. L salvus
          safe, healthy; akin to L solidus solid, Gk holos whole,
          safe, Skt sarva entire] (14c) 1: free from harm or risk:
          unhurt 2 a: secure from threat of danger, harm, or loss
          b: successful at getting to a base in baseball without
          being put out 3: affording safety or security from danger,
          risk, or difficulty 4 obs, of mental or moral faculties:
          healthy, sound 5 a: not threatening danger: harmless
          b: unlikely to produce controversy or contradiction 6
          a: not likely to take risks: cautious b: trustworthy,
          reliable -- safe or safe.ly adv -- safe.ness n [2]safe
          n (15c) 1: a place or receptacle to keep articles (as
          valuables) safe 2: condom

   safe-conduct
          [safe-con.duct] n [ME sauf conduit, fr. OF, safe conduct]
          (14c) 1: protection given a person passing through a
          military zone or occupied area 2: a document authorizing
          safe-conduct

   safecracker
          [safe.crack.er] n (ca. 1825): one that breaks open safes
          to steal -- safe.crack.ing n

   safe-deposit box
          [safe-deposit box] n (1882): a box (as in the vault of a
          bank) for safe storage of valuables--called also safety-deposit
          box

   [1]safeguard
          [safe.guard] n [ME saufgarde, fr. MF saufegarde, fr. OF,
          fr. sauve safe + garde guard] (14c) 1 a: pass, safe-conduct
          b: convoy, escort 2 a: a precautionary measure, stipulation,
          or device b: a technical contrivance to prevent accident
          [2]safeguard vt (15c) 1: to provide a safeguard for 2:
          to make safe: protect syn see defend

   safe house
          [safe house] n (1946): a place where one may engage in secret
          activities or take refuge

   safekeeping
          [safe.keep.ing] n (15c) 1: the act or process of preserving
          in safety 2: the state of being preserved in safety

   safelight
          [safe.light] n (1903): a darkroom lamp with a filter to screen
          out rays that are harmful to sensitive film or paper

   safe sex
          [safe sex] n (1985): sexual activity and esp. sexual intercourse
          in which various measures (as the use of latex condoms
          or the practice of monogamy) are taken to avoid disease
          (as AIDS) transmitted by sexual contact

   [1]safety
          [safe.ty] n, pl safeties [ME saufte, fr. MF sauvete, fr.
          OF, fr. sauve, fem. of sauf safe] (14c) 1: the condition
          of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury,
          or loss 2: a device (as on a weapon or a machine) designed
          to prevent inadvertent or hazardous operation 3 a (1):
          a situation in football in which a member of the offensive
          team is tackled behind its own goal line that counts
          two points for the defensive team--compare touchback
          (2): a member of a defensive backfield in football who
          occupies the deepest position in order to receive a kick,
          defend against a forward pass, or stop a ballcarrier
          b: a billiard shot made with no attempt to score or so
          as to leave the balls in an unfavorable position for
          the opponent c: base hit [2]safety vt safe.tied ; safe.ty.ing
          (1940): to protect against failure, breakage, or accident
          <~ a rifle>

   safety belt
          [safety belt] n (ca. 1858): a belt fastening a person to
          an object (as a car seat) to prevent falling or injury

   safety glass
          [safety glass] n (1919): transparent material that is made
          by laminating a sheet of transparent plastic between
          sheets of clear glass and is used esp. for windows (as
          of automobiles) likely to be subjected to shock or impact

   safety lamp
          [safety lamp] n (1816): a miner's lamp constructed to avoid
          explosion in an atmosphere containing flammable gas usu.
          by enclosing the flame in fine wire gauze

   safetyman
          [safe.ty.man] n (1927): safety 3a(2)

   safety match
          [safety match] n (1863): a match capable of being struck
          and ignited only on a specially prepared friction surface

   safety net
          [safety net] n (1950): something that provides security against
          misfortune or difficulty

   safety pin
          [safety pin] n (1857): a pin in the form of a clasp with
          a guard covering its point when fastened

   safety razor
          [safety razor] n (ca. 1875): a razor provided with a guard
          for the blade to prevent deep cuts in the skin

   safety valve
          [safety valve] n (1813) 1: an automatic escape or relief
          valve (as for a steam boiler) 2: an outlet for pent-up
          energy or emotion 3: something that relieves the pressure
          of overcrowding

   safflower
          [saf.flow.er] n [MF saffleur, fr. OIt saffiore, fr. Ar asfar,
          a yellow plant] (1642): a widely cultivated Old World
          composite herb (Carthamus tinctorius) with large orange
          or red flower heads and seeds rich in oil; also: a red
          dyestuff prepared from the flower heads

   safflower oil
          [safflower oil] n (ca. 1857): an edible drying oil obtained
          from the seeds of the safflower

   saffron
          [saf.fron] n [ME, fr. OF safran, fr. ML safranum, fr. Ar
          za'faran] (13c) 1 a: the deep orange aromatic pungent
          dried stigmas of a purple-flowered crocus (Crocus sativus)
          used to color and flavor foods and formerly as a dyestuff
          and in medicine b: the crocus supplying saffron 2: a
          moderate orange to orange yellow

   safranine
          [saf.ra.nine] or saf.ra.nin n [ISV, fr. F or G safran saffron]
          (1868) 1: any of various usu. red synthetic dyes that
          are amino derivatives of bases 2: any of various mixtures
          of safranine salts used in dyeing and as biological stains

   safrole
          [saf.role] n [ISV, fr. sassafras + -ole] (1869): a poisonous
          oily cyclic ether that is the principal component of
          sassafras oil and is used chiefly in perfumery

   [1]sag
          [sag] vb sagged ; sag.ging [ME saggen, prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to Sw sacka to sag] vi (14c) 1: to droop, sink,
          or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
          2 a: to lose firmness, resiliency, or vigor <spirits
          sagging from overwork> b: to decline esp. from a thriving
          state 3: drift 4: to fail to stimulate or retain interest
          ~ vt: to cause to sag: leave slack in [2]sag n (1580)
          1: a tendency to drift (as of a ship to leeward) 2 a:
          a sagging part <the ~ in a rope> b: a drop or depression
          below the surrounding area c: an instance or amount of
          sagging 3: a temporary decline (as in the price of a
          commodity)

   SAG
          [SAG] abbreviation Screen Actors Guild

   saga
          [sa.ga] n [ON--more at saw] (1709) 1: a prose narrative recorded
          in Iceland in the 12th and 13th centuries of historic
          or legendary figures and events of the heroic age of
          Norway and Iceland 2: a modern heroic narrative resembling
          the Icelandic saga 3: a long detailed account <a ~ of
          the Old South>

   sagacious
          [sa.ga.cious] adj [L sagac-, sagax, fr. sagire to perceive
          keenly; akin to L sagus prophetic--more at seek] (1607)
          1 obs: keen in sense perception 2 a: of keen and farsighted
          penetration and judgment: discerning <~ judge of character>
          b: caused by or indicating acute discernment <~ purchase
          of stock> syn see shrewd -- sa.ga.cious.ly adv -- sa.ga.cious.ness
          n

   sagacity
          [sa.gac.i.ty] n (15c): the quality of being sagacious

   sagamore
          [sag.a.more] n [Eastern Abenaki sakema] (1613) 1: a subordinate
          chief of the Algonquian Indians of the No. Atlantic coast
          2: sachem 1

   saga novel
          [saga novel] n (ca. 1938): roman-fleuve

   [1]sage
          [sage] adj sag.er ; sag.est [ME, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL
          sapius, fr. L sapere to taste, have good taste, be wise;
          akin to Oscan sipus knowing, OS ansebbian to perceive]
          (14c) 1 a: wise through reflection and experience b archaic:
          grave, solemn 2: proceeding from or characterized by
          wisdom, prudence, and good judgment <~ advice> syn see
          wise -- sage.ly adv -- sage.ness n [2]sage n (14c) 1:
          one (as a profound philosopher) distinguished for wisdom
          2: a mature or venerable man of sound judgment [3]sage
          n [ME, fr. MF sauge, fr. L salvia, fr. salvus healthy;
          fr. its use as a medicinal herb--more at safe] (14c)
          1: a mint (Salvia officinalis) with grayish green aromatic
          leaves used esp. in flavoring meats; broadly: salvia
          2: sagebrush

   sagebrush
          [sage.brush] n (1850): any of several No. American hoary
          composite subshrubs (genus Artemisia); esp: one (A. tridentata)
          having a bitter juice and an odor resembling sage and
          often covering vast tracts of alkaline plains in the
          western U.S.

   sage cheese
          [sage cheese] n (1699): a cheese similar to mild cheddar
          flecked with green and flavored with sage

   sage grouse
          [sage grouse] n (1876): a large grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
          of the dry sagebrush plains of western No. America that has mottled
          gray and buff plumage with a contrasting black belly

   sagger
          [sag.ger] or sag.gar n [prob. alte r. of safeguard] (1752):
          a box made of fireclay in which delicate ceramic pieces
          are fired

   sagittal
          [sag.it.tal] adj [ME sagittale, fr. ML sagittalis, fr. L
          sagitta arrow] (14c) 1: of or relating to the suture
          between the parietal bones of the skull 2: of, relating
          to, situated in, or being the median plane of the body
          or any plane parallel thereto -- sag.it.tal.ly adv

   Sagittarian
          [Sag.it.tar.i.an] n (1911): sagittarius 2b

   Sagittarius
          [Sag.it.tar.i.us] n [L (gen. Sagittarii), lit., archer, fr.
          sagitta] 1: a southern zodiacal constellation pictured
          as a centaur shooting an arrow and containing the point
          in the sky where the center of the Milky Way galaxy is
          located 2 a: the 9th sign of the zodiac in astrology
          b: one born under the sign of Sagittarius

   sagittate
          [sag.it.tate] adj [L sagitta] (1760): shaped like an arrowhead;
          specif: elongated, triangular, and having the two basal
          lobes prolonged downward <~ leaf>--see leaf illustration

   sago
          [sa.go] n, pl sagos [Malay sagu sago palm] (ca. 1580): a
          dry granulated or powdered starch prepared from the pith
          of a sago palm and used in foods and as textile stiffening

   sago palm
          [sago palm] n (1769): a plant that yields sago; esp: any
          of various lofty pinnate-leaved Indian and Malaysian
          palms (genus Metroxylon)

   saguaro
          [sa.gua.ro] n, pl -ros [MexSp] (1856): an arborescent cactus
          (Carnegiea gigantea) of desert regions of the southwestern
          U.S. and Mexico that has a tall columnar simple or sparsely
          branched trunk of up to 60 feet (18 meters) and bears
          white flowers and edible fruit

   Sahaptian
          [Sa.hap.ti.an] var of shahaptian

   sahib
          [sa.hib] n [Hindi saheb, fr. Ar sahib] (1673): sir, master--used
          esp. among the native inhabitants of colonial India when
          addressing or speaking of a European of some social or
          official status

   [1]said
          [said] past and past part of say [2]said adj [pp. of say]
          (14c): aforementioned

   [1]sail
          [sail] n [ME, fr. OE segl; akin to OHG segal sail] (bef.
          12c) 1 a (1): an extent of fabric (as canvas) by means
          of which wind is used to propel a ship through water
          (2): the sails of a ship b pl usu sail : a ship equipped
          with sails 2: an extent of fabric used in propelling
          a wind-driven vehicle (as an iceboat) 3: something that
          resembles a sail; esp: a streamlined conning tower on
          a submarine 4: a passage by a sailing craft: cruise --
          sailed adj -- under sail : in motion with sails set [2]sail
          vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to travel on water in a ship b: yacht
          2 a: to travel on water by the action of wind upon sails
          or by other means b: to move or proceed easily, gracefully,
          nonchalantly, or without resistance <~s through all sorts
          of contradictions --Vicki Hearne> <the bill ~ed through
          the legislature> 3: to begin a water voyage <~ with the
          tide> ~ vt 1 a: to travel on (water) by means of motive
          power (as sail) b: to glide through 2: to direct or manage
          the motion of (as a ship) -- sail.able adj -- sail into
          : to attack vigorously or sharply <sailed into me for
          being late>

   sailboard
          [sail.board] n (1962): a modified surfboard having a mast
          mounted on a universal joint and sailed by one person
          standing up -- sail.board.ing n

   sailboat
          [sail.boat] n (1798): a boat usu. propelled by sail -- sail.boat.er
          n -- sail.boat.ing n

   sailcloth
          [sail.cloth] n (13c): a heavy canvas used for sails, tents,
          or upholstery; also: a lightweight canvas used for clothing

   sailer
          [sail.er] n (15c): a ship or boat esp. having specified sailing
          qualities

   sailfish
          [sail.fish] n (1879): any of a genus (Istiophorus and esp.
          I. platypterus) of billfishes having a very large dorsal
          fin

   sailing
          [sail.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the technical skill of managing
          a ship: navigation b: the method of determining the course
          to be followed to reach a given point 2 a: the sport
          of handling or riding in a sailboat b: a departure from
          a port

   sailor
          [sail.or] n [alter. of sailer] (ca. 1642) 1 a: one that sails;
          esp: mariner b (1): a member of a ship's crew (2): seaman
          2b 2: a traveler by water 3: a stiff straw hat with a
          low flat crown and straight circular brim

   sailor collar
          [sailor collar] n (1895): a broad collar having a square
          flap across the back and tapering to a V in the front

   sailor's-choice
          [sail.or's-choice] n (1850): any of several small grunts
          of the Western Atlantic: as a: pinfish b: pigfish

   sailplane
          [sail.plane] n (1922): a glider of such design that it is
          able to rise in an upward air current -- sailplane vi
          -- sail.plan.er n

   saimin
          [sai.min] n [prob. fr. Chin (Guangdong) sai mihn fine noodles]
          (1949): a Hawaiian noodle soup

   sain
          [sain] vt [ME, fr. OE segnian, fr. LL signare, fr. L, to
          mark--more at sign] (bef. 12c) 1 dial Brit: to make the
          sign of the cross on (oneself) 2 dial Brit: bless

   sainfoin
          [sain.foin] n [F, fr. MF, fr. sain healthy (fr. L sanus)
          + foin hay, fr. L fenum] (1626): a pink-flowered Eurasian
          perennial leguminous herb (Onobrychis viciaefolia syn.
          O. viciifolia) grown for forage

   [1]saint
          [saint] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL sanctus, fr. L, sacred, fr.
          pp. of sancire to make sacred--more at sacred] (13c)
          1: one officially recognized esp. through canonization
          as preeminent for holiness 2 a: one of the spirits of
          the departed in heaven b: angel 1a 3 a: one of God's
          chosen and usu. Christian people b cap: a member of any
          of various Christian bodies; specif: latter-day saint
          4: one eminent for piety or virtue 5: an illustrious
          predecessor -- saint.dom n -- saint.like adj [2]saint
          vt (13c): to recognize or designate as a saint; specif:
          canonize

   Saint Agnes' Eve
          [Saint Ag.nes' Eve] n [St. Agnes] (1820): the night of January
          20 when a woman is traditionally held to have a revelation
          of her future husband

   Saint Andrew's cross
          [Saint An.drew's cross] n [St. Andrew d. ab a.d. 60, apostle
          who, according to tradition, was crucified on a cross
          of this type] (1615): a figure of a cross that has the
          form of two intersecting oblique bars--see cross illustration

   Saint Anthony's cross
          [Saint An.tho.ny's cross] n [St. Anthony] (1885): tau cross

   Saint Anthony's fire
          [Saint Anthony's fire] n (14c): any of several inflammations
          or gangrenous conditions (as erysipelas or ergotism)
          of the skin

   saint augustine grass
          [saint au.gus.tine grass] n, often cap S&A [prob. fr. St.
          Augustine, Fla.] (1900): a perennial much-branched creeping
          grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) of the southern U.S.
          that is valuable as a sand binder and as sod grass

   Saint Bernard
          [Saint Ber.nard] n [the hospice of Grand St. Bernard, where
          such dogs were first bred] (1839): any of a Swiss alpine
          breed of tall powerful working dogs used esp. formerly
          in aiding lost travelers

   sainted
          [saint.ed] adj (1598) 1: befitting or relating to a saint
          2: saintly, pious 3: entered into heaven: dead 4: much
          admired: idolized

   Saint Elmo's fire
          [Saint El.mo's fire] n [St. Elmo (Erasmus) d. 303 Ital. bishop
          & patron saint of sailors] (1814): a flaming phenomenon
          sometimes seen in stormy weather at prominent points
          on an airplane or ship and on land that is of the nature
          of a brush discharge of electricity--called also Saint
          Elmo's light

   Saint Emilion
          [Saint Emi.lion] n [Saint-Emilion, village in SW France]
          (1833): a red Bordeaux wine

   sainthood
          [saint.hood] n (1550) 1: the quality or state of being a
          saint 2: saints as a group

   Saint John's bread
          [Saint John's bread] n (1591): carob 2

   Saint-John's-wort
          [Saint-John's-wort] n [St. John the Baptist] (15c): any of
          a genus (Hypericum of the family Guttiferae, the Saint-John's-wort
          family) of herbs and shrubs with showy pentamerous yellow flowers

   Saint Louis encephalitis
          [Saint Lou.is encephalitis] n [St. Louis, Mo.] (1934): a
          No. American viral encephalitis that is transmitted by
          several culex mosquitoes

   saintly
          [saint.ly] adj saint.li.er ; -est (1534): relating to, resembling,
          or befitting a saint: holy -- saint.li.ness n

   Saint Martin's summer
          [Saint Mar.tin's summer] n [Saint Martin's Day, November
          11] (1591): Indian summer when occurring in November

   Saint Patrick's Day
          [Saint Pat.rick's Day] n (1844): March 17 observed by the
          Roman Catholic Church in honor of St. Patrick and celebrated
          in Ireland in commemoration of his death

   saint's day
          [saint's day] n (15c): a day in a church calendar on which
          a saint is commemorated

   saintship
          [saint.ship] n (1631): sainthood 1

   Saint Valentine's Day
          [Saint Val.en.tine's Day] n [St. Valentine d. ab270 Ital.
          priest] (14c): February 14 observed in honor of St. Valentine
          and as a time for sending valentines

   Saint Vitus' dance
          [Saint Vi.tus' dance] n [St. Vitus, 3d cent. Christian child
          martyr] (1621): chorea--called also Saint Vitus's dance

   saith
          [saith] archaic pres 3d sing of say

   saithe
          [saithe] n, pl saithe [of Scand origin; akin to ON seithr
          coalfish] (1632): pollack

   Saiva
          [Sai.va] n [Skt Saiva, fr. Siva Siva] (1810): a member of
          a major Hindu sect devoted to the cult of Siva -- Sai.vism
          n

   [1]sake
          [sake] n [ME, dispute, guilt, purpose, fr. OE sacu guilt,
          action at law; akin to OHG sahha action at law, cause,
          OE secan to seek--more at seek] (13c) 1: end, purpose
          <for the ~ of argument> 2 a: the good, advantage, or
          enhancement of some entity (as an ideal) <free to pursue
          learning for its own ~ --M. S. Eisenhower> b: personal
          or social welfare, safety, or benefit [2]sa.ke or sa.ki
          n [Jp sake] (1687): a Japanese alcoholic beverage of
          fermented rice usu. served hot

   saker
          [sa.ker] n [ME sagre, fr. MF sacre, fr. Ar saqr] (15c): an
          Old World falcon (Falco cherrug) used in falconry

   Sakti
          [Sak.ti] , Sak.tism var of shakti, shaktism

   sal
          [sal] abbreviation salary

   sal
          [sal] n [ME, fr. L--more at salt] (14c): salt

   [1]salaam
          [sa.laam] n [Ar salam, lit., peace] (1613) 1: a salutation
          or ceremonial greeting in the East 2: an obeisance performed
          by bowing very low and placing the right palm on the
          forehead [2]salaam vt (1693): to greet or pay homage
          to with a salaam ~ vi: to perform a salaam

   salable
          [sal.able] or sale.able adj (1530): capable of being or fit
          to be sold: marketable -- sal.abil.i.ty n

   salacious
          [sa.la.cious] adj [L salac-, salax, fr. salire to move
          spasmodically, leap--more at sally] (ca. 1645) 1: arousing
          or appealing to sexual desire or imagination: lascivious
          2: lecherous, lustful -- sa.la.cious.ly adv -- sa.la.cious.ness n

   salad
          [sal.ad] n [ME salade, fr. MF, fr. OProv salada, fr. salar
          to salt, fr. sal salt, fr. L] (14c) 1 a: green vegetables
          (as lettuce, endive, or romaine) and often tomatoes,
          cucumbers, or radishes served with dressing b: a dish
          of meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, fruits, or vegetables
          singly or in combination usu. served cold with a dressing
          2: a green vegetable or herb grown for salad; esp: lettuce
          3: a usu. incongruous mixture: hodgepodge

   salad bar
          [salad bar] n (1973): a self-service counter (as in a restaurant)
          featuring an array of salad makings and dressings

   salad days
          [salad days] n pl (1606): time of youthful inexperience or
          indiscretion <my salad days when I was green in judgment
          --Shak.>; also: an early flourishing period: heyday

   salad dressing
          [salad dressing] n (ca. 1839): a dressing either uncooked
          (as French dressing) or cooked (as a boiled dressing)
          that is used for salad

   salad oil
          [salad oil] n (1537): an edible vegetable oil suitable for
          use in salad dressings

   salal
          [sa.lal] n [Chinook Jargon, fr. Lower Chinook salal ] (1825):
          a small shrub (Gaultheria shallon) of the heath family
          found on the Pacific coast of No. America and bearing
          edible grape-sized dark purple berries

   salamander
          [sal.a.man.der] n [ME salamandre, fr. MF, fr. L salamandra,
          fr. Gk] (14c) 1: a mythical animal having the power to
          endure fire without harm 2: an elemental being in the
          theory of Paracelsus inhabiting fire 3: any of numerous
          amphibians (order Caudata) superficially resembling lizards
          but scaleless and covered with a soft moist skin and
          breathing by gills in the larval stage 4: an article
          used in connection with fire: as a: a cooking utensil
          for browning a food (as pastry or pudding) b: a portable
          stove c: a cooking device with an overhead heat source
          like a broiler -- sal.a.man.drine adj

   salami
          [sa.la.mi] n [It, pl. of salame salami, fr. salare to salt,
          fr. sale salt, fr. L sal--more at salt] (1852): a highly
          seasoned sausage of pork and beef either dried or fresh

   sal ammoniac
          [sal ammoniac] n [ME sal armoniak, fr. L sal ammoniacus,
          lit., salt of Ammon] (14c): ammonium chloride

   salariat
          [sa.lar.i.at] n [F, fr. salaire salary (fr. L salarium) +
          -ariat (as in proletariat proletariat)] (1917): the class
          or body of salaried persons usu. as distinguished from
          wage earners

   salary
          [sal.a.ry] n, pl -ries [ME salarie, fr. L salarium pension,
          salary, fr. neut. of salarius of salt, fr. sal salt--more
          at salt] (13c): fixed compensation paid regularly for
          services -- sal.a.ried adj

   salaryman
          [sal.a.ry.man] n [Jp sarari-man, fr. E salary + man] (1962):
          a Japanese white-collar businessman

   sal Atticum
          [sal At.ti.cum] [L] foreign term : Attic salt: wit

   salchow
          [sal.chow] n [Ulrich Salchow d. 1949 Swed. figure skater]
          (1940): a figure-skating jump with a takeoff from the
          back inside edge of one skate followed by a full turn
          in the air and a landing on the back outside edge of
          the opposite skate

   sale
          [sale] n [ME, fr. OE sala, fr. ON--more at sell] (bef. 12c)
          1: the act of selling; specif: the transfer of ownership
          of and title to property from one person to another for
          a price 2 a: opportunity of selling or being sold: demand
          b: distribution by selling 3: public disposal to the
          highest bidder: auction 4: a selling of goods at bargain
          prices 5 pl a: operations and activities involved in
          promoting and selling goods or services <vice-president
          in charge of ~s> b: gross receipts -- for sale : available
          for purchase -- on sale 1: for sale 2: available for
          purchase at a reduced price

   salep
          [sa.lep] n [F or Sp, both fr. Ar dial. sahlab, perh. alter.
          of Ar (khusy ath-)tha'lab, lit., testicles of the fox]
          (1736): the starchy or mucilaginous dried tubers of various
          Old World orchids (esp. genus Orchis) used for food or
          in medicine

   saleratus
          [sal.e.ra.tus] n [NL sal aeratus aerated salt] (1837): a
          leavening agent consisting of potassium or sodium bicarbonate

   saleroom
          [sale.room] chiefly Brit var of salesroom

   sales
          [sales] adj (1913): of, relating to, or used in selling

   salesclerk
          [sales.clerk] n (1926): a salesperson in a store

   salesgirl
          [sales.girl] n (1887): saleswoman

   Salesian
          [Sa.le.sian] n (1884): a member of the Society of St. Francis
          de Sales founded by St. John Bosco in Turin, Italy in
          the 19th century and devoted chiefly to education

   saleslady
          [sales.la.dy] n (1856): saleswoman

   salesman
          [sales.man] n (1523): one who sells either in a given territory
          or in a store

   salesmanship
          [sales.man.ship] n (1880) 1: the skill or art of selling
          2: ability or effectiveness in selling or in presenting
          persuasively <political ~>

   salespeople
          [sales.peo.ple] n pl (1876): persons employed to sell goods
          or services

   salesperson
          [sales.per.son] n (1901): a salesman or saleswoman

   salesroom
          [sales.room] n (1840): a place where goods are displayed
          for sale; esp: an auction room

   sales slip
          [sales slip] n (1926): a receipt for a purchase

   sales tax
          [sales tax] n (1921): a tax levied on the sale of goods and
          services that is usu. calculated as a percentage of the
          purchase price and collected by the seller

   saleswoman
          [sales.wom.an] n (1704): a woman employed to sell merchandise
          esp. in a store

   salic
          [sal.ic] adj [by alter.] (1902): sialic Sa.lic adj [MF or
          ML; MF salique, fr. ML Salicus, fr. LL Salii Salic Franks]
          (ca. 1548): of, relating to, or being a Frankish people
          that settled on the IJssel river early in the 4th century

   salicin
          [sal.i.cin] n [F salicine, fr. L salic-, salix willow--more
          at sallow] (1830): a bitter white crystalline glucoside
          found in the bark and leaves of several willows and poplars
          and used in medicine like salicylic acid

   Salic law
          [Salic law] n (1599) 1: a rule held to derive from the legal
          code of the Salic Franks excluding females from the line
          of succession to a throne 2: the legal code of the Salic
          Franks

   salicylate
          [sa.lic.y.late] n (1842): a salt or ester of salicylic acid

   salicylic acid
          [sal.i.cyl.ic acid] n [ISV, fr. salicyl ] (1840): a crystalline
          phenolic acid used esp. in the form of salts and other
          derivatives as an analgesic and antipyretic

   salience
          [sa.lience] n (1836) 1: the quality or state of being salient
          2: a striking point or feature: highlight

   saliency
          [sa.lien.cy] n, pl -cies (1664): salience

   [1]salient
          [sa.lient] adj [L salient-, saliens, prp. of salire to leap--more
          at sally] (1646) 1: moving by leaps or springs: jumping
          2: jetting upward <a ~ fountain> 3 a: projecting beyond
          a line, surface, or level b: standing out conspicuously:
          prominent; esp: of notable significance <similar to ...
          Prohibition, but there are a couple of ~ differences
          --Tony Gibbs> syn see noticeable -- sa.lient.ly adv [2]salient
          n (1828): something (as a promontory) that projects outward
          or upward from its surroundings; esp: an outwardly projecting
          part of a fortification, trench system, or line of defense

   [1]saline
          [sa.line] adj [ME, fr. L salinus, fr. sal salt--more at salt]
          (15c) 1: consisting of or containing salt <a ~ solution>
          2: of, relating to, or resembling salt: salty <a ~ taste>
          3: consisting of or relating to the salts of the alkali
          metals or of magnesium <a ~ cathartic> -- sa.lin.i.ty
          n [2]saline n (1662) 1: a metallic salt; esp: a salt
          of potassium, sodium, or magnesium with a cathartic action
          2: a saline solution; esp: one isotonic with body fluids

   salinize
          [sa.li.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1926): to treat or impregnate
          with salt -- sa.li.ni.za.tion n

   salinometer
          [sa.li.nom.e.ter] n [ISV saline + -o- + -meter] (1844): an
          instrument (as a hydrometer) for measuring the amount
          of salt in a solution

   Salique
          [Sa.lique] var of salic

   Salisbury steak
          [Salis.bury steak] n [J. H. Salisbury, 19th cent. Eng. physician]
          (1897): ground beef mixed with egg, milk, bread crumbs,
          and seasonings and formed into a large patty and cooked

   Salish
          [Sa.lish] n (1831) 1: a group of American Indian peoples
          of British Columbia and the northwestern U.S. 2: the
          family of languages spoken by the Salish peoples -- Sa.lish.an
          adj or n

   saliva
          [sa.li.va] n [L] (15c): a slightly alkaline secretion of
          water, mucin, protein, salts, and often a starch-splitting
          enzyme (as ptyalin) that is secreted into the mouth by
          salivary glands, lubricates ingested food, and often
          begins the breakdown of starches

   salivary
          [sal.i.vary] adj (1709): of or relating to saliva or the
          glands that secrete it; esp: producing or carrying saliva

   salivate
          [sal.i.vate] vi -vat.ed ; -vat.ing (ca. 1706) 1: to have
          a flow of saliva esp. in excess 2: drool 2 -- sal.i.va.tion
          n -- sal.i.va.tor n

   Salk vaccine
          [Salk vaccine] n [Jonas Salk] (1954): a vaccine consisting
          of poliomyelitis virus inactivated with formaldehyde

   salle a manger
          [salle a man.ger] [F] foreign term : dining room

   sallet
          [sal.let] n [ME, fr. MF sallade] (15c): a light 15th century
          helmet with or without a visor and with a projection
          over the neck

   [1]sallow
          [sal.low] n [ME, fr. OE sealh; akin to OHG salha sallow,
          L salix willow] (bef. 12c): any of several Old World
          broad-leaved willows (as Salix caprea) including important
          sources of charcoal and tanbark [2]sallow adj [ME salowe,
          fr. OE salu; akin to OHG salo murky, Russ solovyi yellowish
          gray] (bef. 12c): of a grayish greenish yellow color
          -- sal.low.ish adj -- sal.low.ness n

   [1]sally
          [sal.ly] n, pl sallies [MF saillie, fr. OF, fr. saillir
          to rush forward, fr. L salire to leap; akin to Gk hallesthai
          to leap] (1560) 1: an action of rushing or bursting forth;
          esp: a sortie of troops from a defensive position to
          attack the enemy 2 a: a brief outbreak: outburst b: a
          witty or imaginative saying: quip 3: a venture or excursion
          usu. off the beaten track: jaunt [2]sally vi sal.lied;
          sal.ly.ing (1560) 1: to leap out or burst forth suddenly
          2: set out, depart--often used with forth

   Sally Lunn
          [Sal.ly Lunn] n [Sally Lunn, 18th cent. Eng. baker] (1780):
          a slightly sweetened yeast-leavened bread

   sally port
          [sally port] n (1649): a gate or passage in a fortified place
          for use by troops making a sortie

   salmagundi
          [sal.ma.gun.di] n [F salmigondis] (ca. 1674) 1: a salad plate
          of chopped meats, anchovies, eggs, and vegetables arranged
          in rows for contrast and dressed with a salad dressing
          2: a heterogeneous mixture: potpourri

   salmi
          [sal.mi] n [F salmis, short for salmigondis] (1759): a ragout
          of partly roasted game stewed in a rich sauce

   salmon
          [salm.on] n, pl salmon also salmons [ME samon, fr. MF, fr.
          L salmon-, salmo] (13c) 1 a: a large anadromous salmonid
          fish (Salmo salar) of the No. Atlantic noted as a game
          and food fish--called also Atlantic salmon b: any of
          various anadromous salmonid fishes other than the salmon;
          esp: pacific salmon c: a fish (as a barramunda) resembling
          a salmon 2: the variable color of salmon's flesh averaging
          a strong yellowish pink

   salmonberry
          [salm.on.ber.ry] n (1844): a showy red-flowered raspberry
          (Rubus spectabilis) of the Pacific coast; also: its edible
          salmon-colored fruit

   salmonella
          [sal.mo.nel.la] n, pl -nel.lae or -nellas or -nella [NL,
          fr. Daniel E. Salmon d. 1914 Am. veterinarian] (1913):
          any of a genus (Salmonella) of usu. motile enterobacteria
          that are pathogenic for humans and other warm-blooded
          animals and cause food poisoning, gastrointestinal inflammation,
          typhoid fever, or septicemia

   salmonellosis
          [sal.mo.nel.lo.sis] n, pl -lo.ses [NL] (ca. 1913): infection
          with or disease caused by salmonellae

   salmonid
          [sal.mo.nid] n [NL Salmonidae, fr. Salmon-, Salmo, genus
          name, fr. L salmo salmon] (1868): any of a family (Salmonidae)
          of elongate bony fishes (as a salmon or trout) that have
          the last three vertebrae upturned -- salmonid adj

   salmonoid
          [salm.on.oid] n (ca. 1842): salmonid; also: a related fish
          -- salmonoid adj

   salmon pink
          [salmon pink] n (1882): a strong yellowish pink

   Salome
          [Sa.lo.me] n [LL, fr. Gk Salome]: a niece of Herod Antipas
          given the head of John the Baptist as a reward for her
          dancing

   salometer
          [sa.lom.e.ter] n [L sal salt + E -o- + -meter] (1860): a
          hydrometer for indicating the percentage of salt in a
          solution

   salon
          [sa.lon] n [F] (1699) 1: an elegant apartment or living room
          (as in a fashionable home) 2: a fashionable assemblage
          of notables (as literary figures, artists, or statesmen)
          held by custom at the home of a prominent person 3 a:
          a hall for exhibition of art b cap: an annual exhibition
          of works of art 4: a stylish business establishment or
          shop <a beauty ~>

   salon des refuses
          [sa.lon des re.fu.ses] [F] foreign term : salon of the refused:
          exhibition of art that has been rejected by an official
          body

   saloon
          [sa.loon] n [F salon, fr. It salone, aug. of sala hall, of
          Gmc origin; akin to OHG sal hall; akin to Lith sala village]
          (1728) 1 a chiefly Brit: salon 1 b chiefly Brit: an often
          elaborately decorated public hall c (1): a usu. large
          public cabin on a ship (as for dining) (2): the living
          area on a yacht d chiefly Brit: salon 4 e: barroom 2:
          salon 2 3 Brit a: parlor car b: sedan 2a--called also
          saloon car

   salp
          [salp] also sal.pa n [NL, fr. L, a kind of deep-sea fish,
          fr. Gk salpe] (1835): any of various transparent barrel-shaped
          or fusiform free-swimming tunicates (class Thaliacea)
          abundant in warm seas

   salpiglossis
          [sal.pi.glos.sis] n [NL, irreg. fr. Gk salpinx trumpet +
          glossa tongue--more at gloss] (1827): any of a small
          genus (Salpiglossis) of Chilean herbs of the nightshade
          family with large funnel-shaped varicolored flowers often
          strikingly marked

   salpingitis
          [sal.pin.gi.tis] n [NL, fr. salping-, salpinx fallopian or
          eustachian tube, fr. Gk, trumpet] (1860): inflammation
          of a fallopian or eustachian tube

   salsa
          [sal.sa] n [Sp, lit., sauce, fr. L, fem. of salsus salted--more
          at sauce] (ca. 1962) 1: a spicy sauce of tomatoes, onions,
          and hot peppers 2: popular music of Latin American origin
          that has absorbed characteristics of rhythm and blues,
          jazz, and rock

   salsify
          [sal.si.fy] n [F salsifis, fr. It salsefica, sassefrica]
          (ca. 1706): a European biennial composite herb (Tragopogon
          porrifolius) with a long fusiform edible root--called
          also oyster plant, vegetable oyster

   sal soda
          [sal soda] n (15c): washing soda

   SALT
          [SALT] abbreviation Strategic Arms Limitation Talks

   [1]salt
          [salt] n [ME, fr. OE sealt; akin to OHG salz salt, Lith saldus
          sweet, L sal salt, Gk hals salt, sea] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          a crystalline compound NaCl that consists of sodium chloride,
          is abundant in nature, and is used esp. to season or
          preserve food or in industry--called also common salt
          b: a substance (as washing soda) resembling common salt
          c pl (1): a mineral or saline mixture (as Epsom salts)
          used as an aperient or cathartic (2): smelling salts
          d: any of numerous compounds that result from replacement
          of part or all of the acid hydrogen of an acid by a metal
          or a group acting like a metal: an ionic crystalline
          compound 2: a container for salt at table--often used
          in the phrases above the salt and below the salt alluding
          to the former custom of seating persons of higher rank
          above and those of lower rank below a saltcellar placed
          in the middle of a long table 3 a: an ingredient that
          gives savor, piquancy, or zest: flavor <a people ...
          full of life, vigor, and the ~ of personality --Clifton
          Fadiman> b: sharpness of wit: pungency c: common sense
          d: reserve, skepticism--usu. used in the phrases with
          a grain of salt and with a pinch of salt e: a dependable
          steadfast person or group of people--usu. used in the
          phrase salt of the earth 4: sailor <a tale worthy of
          an old ~> 5: keep 3--usu. used in the phrase worth one's
          salt -- salt.like adj [2]salt vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to treat,
          provide, or season with common salt b: to preserve (food)
          with salt or in brine c: to supply (as an animal) with
          salt 2: to give flavor or piquancy to (as a story) 3:
          to enrich (as a mine) artificially by secretly placing
          valuable mineral in some of the working places 4: to
          sprinkle with or as if with a salt -- salt.er n [3]salt
          adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: saline, salty b: being or inducing
          the one of the four basic taste sensations that is suggestive
          of seawater--compare bitter, sour, sweet 2: cured or
          seasoned with salt: salted 3: overflowed with salt water
          <a ~ pond> 4: sharp, pungent -- salt.ness n [4]salt adj
          [by shortening & alter. fr. assaut, fr. ME a sawt, fr.
          MF a saut, lit., on the jump] (1598) obs: lustful, lascivious

   salt-and-pepper
          [salt-and-pepper] adj (1915): having black-and-white or dark
          and light color intermingled in small flecks <a ~ suit>

   saltarello
          [sal.ta.rel.lo] n, pl -los [It, fr. saltare to jump, fr.
          L] (ca. 1724): an Italian dance with a lively hop step
          beginning each measure

   saltation
          [sal.ta.tion] n [L saltation-, saltatio, fr. saltare to leap,
          dance, freq. of salire to leap--more at sally] (1646)
          1 a: the action or process of leaping or jumping b: dance
          2 a: the origin of a new species or a higher taxon in
          essentially a single evolutionary step that in some esp.
          former theories is held to be due to a major mutation
          or to unknown causes--compare darwinism, neo-darwinism,
          punctuated equilibrium b: mutation--used esp. of bacteria
          and fungi

   saltatorial
          [sal.ta.to.ri.al] adj (1789): relating to, marked by, or
          adapted for leaping <~ legs of a grasshopper>

   saltatory
          [sal.ta.to.ry] adj (1656) 1 archaic: of or relating to dancing
          2: proceeding by leaps rather than by gradual transitions:
          discontinuous

   salt away
          [salt away] vt (ca. 1890): to lay away (as money) safely:
          save

   saltbox
          [salt.box] n (1876): a frame dwelling with two stories in
          front and one behind and a roof with a long rear slope

   saltbush
          [salt.bush] n (1863): any of various shrubby plants of the
          goosefoot family that thrive in dry alkaline soil; esp:
          any of numerous oraches that are important browse plants
          in dry regions

   saltcellar
          [salt.cel.lar] n [ME salt saler, fr. salt + saler saltcellar,
          fr. MF, fr. L salarius of salt--more at salary] (14c):
          a small container for holding salt at the table

   salt dome
          [salt dome] n (1908): a domical anticline in sedimentary
          rock that has a mass of rock salt as its core

   salt flat
          [salt flat] n (1816): a salt-encrusted flat area resulting
          from evaporation of a former body of water

   salt gland
          [salt gland] n (1950): a gland (as of a marine bird) capable
          of excreting a concentrated salt solution

   salt grass
          [salt grass] n (1704): a grass (esp. Distichlis spicata)
          native to an alkaline habitat (as a salt marsh)

   saltimbocca
          [sal.tim.boc.ca] n [It, fr. saltare to jump + in in + bocca
          mouth] (1937): scallops of veal prepared with sage, slices
          of ham, and sometimes cheese and served with a wine sauce

   saltine
          [sal.tine] n (1907): a thin crisp cracker usu. sprinkled
          with salt

   salting
          [salt.ing] n (1712) chiefly Brit: land flooded regularly
          by tides--usu. used in pl.

   saltire
          [sal.tire] n [ME sautire, fr. MF saultoir X-shaped animal
          barricade that can be jumped over by people, saltire,
          fr. saulter to jump, fr. L saltare--more at saltation]
          (14c): a heraldic charge consisting of a cross formed
          by a bend and a bend sinister crossing in the center

   salt lake
          [salt lake] n (1763): a landlocked body of water that has
          become salty through evaporation

   saltless
          [salt.less] adj (14c) 1: having no salt 2: insipid

   salt lick
          [salt lick] n (1751): lick 3

   salt marsh
          [salt marsh] n (bef. 12c): flat land subject to overflow
          by salt water

   salto mortale
          [sal.to mor.ta.le] [It] foreign term : deadly jump: full
          somersault: dangerous or crucial undertaking

   salt out
          [salt out] vt (1939): to precipitate, coagulate, or separate
          (as a dissolved substance or lyophilic sol) esp. from
          a solution by the addition of salt ~ vi: to become salted
          out

   salt pan
          [salt pan] n (15c): an undrained natural depression in which
          water gathers and leaves a deposit of salt on evaporation

   saltpeter
          [salt.pe.ter] n [ME salt petre, alter. of salpetre, fr. MF,
          fr. ML sal petrae, lit., salt of the rock] (14c) 1: potassium
          nitrate 2: sodium nitrate

   salt pork
          [salt pork] n (1723): fat pork cured in salt or brine

   saltshaker
          [salt.shak.er] n (1895): a container with a perforated top
          for sprinkling salt

   saltwater
          [salt.wa.ter] adj (bef. 12c): relating to, living in, located
          near, or consisting of salt water

   saltworks
          [salt.works] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1565): a plant
          where salt is prepared commercially

   saltwort
          [salt.wort] n (1568) 1: any of a genus (Salsola) of plants
          (as the Russian thistle) of the goosefoot family of which
          some have been used in making soda ash 2: a low-growing
          strong-smelling coastal shrub (Batis maritima of the
          family Bataceae) of warm parts of the New World

   salty
          [salty] adj salt.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: of, seasoned with,
          or containing salt 2: smacking of the sea or nautical
          life 3 a: piquant b: earthy, crude <~ language> -- salt.i.ly
          adv -- salt.i.ness n

   salubrious
          [sa.lu.bri.ous] adj [L salubris; akin to salvus safe, healthy--more
          at safe] (1547): favorable to or promoting health or well-being syn
          see healthful -- sa.lu.bri.ous.ly adv -- sa.lu.bri.ous.ness
          n -- sa.lu.bri.ty n

   saluki
          [sa.lu.ki] n [Ar saluqiy of Saluq, fr. Saluq Saluq, ancient
          city in Arabia] (1809): any of an ancient northern African
          and Asian breed of tall swift slender hunting dogs having
          long narrow heads, long silky ears, and a smooth silky
          coat

   salus populi suprema lex esto
          [sa.lus po.pu.li su.pre.ma lex es.to] [L] foreign term :
          let the welfare of the people be the supreme law--motto
          of Missouri

   salutary
          [sal.u.tary] adj [MF salutaire, fr. L salutaris, fr. salut-,
          salus health] (15c) 1: producing a beneficial effect:
          remedial <~ influences> 2: promoting health: curative
          syn see healthful -- sal.u.tar.i.ly adv -- sal.u.tar.i.ness
          n

   salutation
          [sal.u.ta.tion] n (14c) 1 a: an expression of greeting, goodwill,
          or courtesy by word, gesture, or ceremony b pl: regards
          2: the word or phrase of greeting (as Gentlemen or Dear
          Sir or Madam) that conventionally comes immediately before
          the body of a letter -- sal.u.ta.tion.al adj

   salutatorian
          [sa.lu.ta.to.ri.an] n (ca. 1847): the student usu. having
          the second highest rank in a graduating class who delivers
          the salutatory address at the commencement exercises

   [1]salutatory
          [sa.lu.ta.to.ry] adj (1702): of or relating to a salutation:
          expressing or containing a welcome or greeting [2]salutatory
          n, pl -ries (1779): an address or statement of welcome
          or greeting

   [1]salute
          [sa.lute] vb sa.lut.ed ; sa.lut.ing [ME, fr. L salutare,
          fr. salut-, salus health, safety, greeting, fr. salvus
          safe, healthy--more at safe] vt (14c) 1 a: to address
          with expressions of kind wishes, courtesy, or honor b:
          to give a sign of respect, courtesy, or goodwill to:
          greet 2: to become apparent to (one of the senses) 3
          a: to honor (as a person, nation, or event) by a conventional
          military or naval ceremony b: to show respect and recognition
          to (a military superior) by assuming a prescribed position
          c: to express commendation of: praise ~ vi: to make a
          salute -- sa.lut.er n [2]salute n (14c) 1: greeting,
          salutation 2 a: a sign, token, or ceremony expressing
          goodwill, compliment, or respect <the festival was a
          ~ to the arts> b: the position (as of the hand) or the
          entire attitude of a person saluting a superior 3: firecracker

   salutiferous
          [sal.u.tif.er.ous] adj [L salutifer, fr. salut-, salus +
          -i- + -fer -ferous] (ca. 1540): salutary

   salvable
          [salv.able] adj [LL salvare to save--more at save] (1667):
          capable of being saved or salvaged

   [1]salvage
          [sal.vage] n [F, fr. MF, fr. salver to save--more at save]
          (1645) 1 a: compensation paid for saving a ship or its
          cargo from the perils of the sea or for the lives and
          property rescued in a wreck b: the act of saving or rescuing
          a ship or its cargo c: the act of saving or rescuing
          property in danger (as from fire) 2 a: property saved
          from destruction in a calamity (as a wreck or fire) b:
          something extracted (as from rubbish) as valuable or
          useful [2]salvage vt sal.vaged ; sal.vag.ing (1889):
          to rescue or save esp. from wreckage or ruin -- sal.vage.abil.i.ty
          n -- sal.vage.able adj -- sal.vag.er n

   salvarsan
          [sal.var.san] n [fr. Salvarsan, a trademark] (1909): arsphenamine

   salvation
          [sal.va.tion] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL salvation-, salvatio,
          fr. salvare to save--more at save] (13c) 1 a: deliverance
          from the power and effects of sin b: the agent or means
          that effects salvation c Christian Science: the realization
          of the supremacy of infinite Mind over all bringing with
          it the destruction of the illusion of sin, sickness,
          and death 2: liberation from ignorance or illusion 3
          a: preservation from destruction or failure b: deliverance
          from danger or difficulty -- sal.va.tion.al adj

   Salvation Army
          [Salvation Army] n (1878): an international religious and
          charitable group organized on military lines and founded
          in 1865 by William Booth for evangelizing and social
          betterment (as of the poor)

   salvationism
          [sal.va.tion.ism] n (1883): religious teaching emphasizing
          the saving of the soul

   Salvationist
          [Sal.va.tion.ist] n (1882) 1: a soldier or officer of the
          Salvation Army 2 often not cap: evangelist -- salvationist
          adj, often cap

   [1]salve
          [salve] n [ME, fr. OE sealf; akin to OHG salba salve, Gk
          olpe oil flask] (bef. 12c) 1: an unctuous adhesive substance
          for application to wounds or sores 2: a remedial or soothing
          influence or agency <a ~ to their hurt feelings> [2]salve
          vt salved ; salv.ing (bef. 12c) 1: to remedy (as disease)
          with or as if with a salve 2: quiet, assuage <give him
          a raise in salary to ~ his feelings --Upton Sinclair>
          [3]salve vt salved ; salv.ing [back-formation fr. salvage]
          (ca. 1706): salvage -- sal.vor n

   salver
          [sal.ver] n [modif. of F salve, fr. Sp salva sampling of
          food to detect poison, tray, fr. salvar to save, sample
          food to detect poison, fr. LL salvare to save--more at
          save] (ca. 1661): a tray esp. for serving food or beverages

   salverform
          [sal.ver.form] adj (1821): tubular with a spreading limb--used
          of a gamopetalous corolla

   salvia
          [sal.via] n [NL, fr. L, sage--more at sage] (1601): any of
          a large and widely distributed genus (Salvia) of herbs
          and shrubs of the mint family having a 2-lipped open
          calyx and two anthers; esp: one (S. splendens) with scarlet
          flowers

   salvific
          [sal.vif.ic] adj [LL salvificus, fr. L salvus safe + -ficus
          -fic] (1591): having the intent or power to save or redeem
          <the ~ life and death of Christ --E. A. Walsh>

   [1]salvo
          [sal.vo] n, pl salvos or salvoes [It salva, fr. F salve,
          fr. L, hail], fr. salvus healthy--more at safe] (1591)
          1 a: a simultaneous discharge of two or more guns in
          military action or as a salute b: the release all at
          one time of a rack of bombs or rockets (as from an airplane)
          c: a series of shots by an artillery battery with each
          gun firing one round in turn after a prescribed interval
          d: the bombs or projectiles released in a salvo 2: something
          suggestive of a salvo: as a: a sudden burst <a ~ of cheers>
          b: a spirited attack <the first ~ of a political campaign>
          [2]salvo vt (1839): to release a salvo of ~ vi: to fire
          a salvo [3]salvo n, pl salvos [ML salvo jure with the
          right reserved] (1621) 1: a mental reservation: proviso
          2: a means of safeguarding one's name or honor or allaying
          one's conscience: salve

   sal volatile
          [sal vo.la.ti.le] n [NL, lit., volatile salt] (1654): smelling
          salts

   Sam
          [Sam] or Saml abbreviation Samuel

   SAM
          [SAM] n (1950): a surface-to-air missile

   samara
          [sa.ma.ra] n [NL, fr. L, seed of the elm] (1577): a dry indehiscent
          usu. one-seeded winged fruit (as of an ash or elm tree)--called
          also key

   Samaritan
          [Sa.mar.i.tan] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL samaritanus, n. & adj.,
          fr. Gk samarites inhabitant of Samaria, fr. Samaria]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a native or inhabitant of Samaria 2 [fr.
          the parable of the good Samaritan in Lk 10:30-37]: one
          ready and generous in helping those in distress -- samaritan
          adj, often cap

   samarium
          [sa.mar.i.um] n [NL, fr. F samarskite] (1879): a pale gray
          lustrous metallic element used esp. in alloys that form
          permanent magnets

   samarskite
          [sa.mar.skite] n [G Samarskit, fr. V. E. Samarskii-Bykhovets
          d. 1870 Russ. mining engineer] (1849): a black or brownish
          black orthorhombic mineral that is a complex oxide of
          rare earths, uranium, iron, lead, thorium, niobium, tantalum,
          titanium, and tin

   samba
          [sam.ba] n [Pg] (1885): a Brazilian dance of African origin
          with a basic pattern of step-close-step-close and characterized
          by a dip and spring upward at each beat of the music;
          also: the music for this dance -- samba vi

   sambar
          [sam.bar] or sam.bur n [Hindi sabar, fr. Skt sambara] (1698):
          a large Asian deer (Cervus unicolor) with the male having
          strong 3-pointed antlers and long coarse hair on the
          throat

   sambo
          [sam.bo] n [Russ, fr. samozashchita bez oruzhiya self-defense
          without weapons] (1972): an international style of wrestling
          employing judo techniques

   Sam Browne
          [Sam Browne] n [Sir Samuel James Browne d. 1901 Brit. army
          officer] (1915): a leather belt for a dress uniform supported
          by a light strap passing over the right shoulder

   [1]same
          [same] adj [ME, fr. ON samr; akin to OHG sama same, L simulis
          like, simul together, at the same time, similis like,
          sem- one, Gk homos same, hama together, hen-, heis one]
          (13c) 1 a: resembling in every relevant respect b: conforming
          in every respect--used with as 2 a: being one without
          addition, change, or discontinuance: identical b: being
          the one under discussion or already referred to 3: corresponding
          so closely as to be indistinguishable 4: equal in size,
          shape, value, or importance--usu. used with the or a
          demonstrative (as that, those) in all senses syn same,
          selfsame, very, identical, equivalent, equal mean not
          different or not differing from one another. same may
          imply and selfsame always implies that the things under
          consideration are one thing and not two or more things
          <took the same route> <derived from the selfsame source>.
          very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same,
          may imply likeness in kind <the very point I was trying
          to make>. identical may imply selfsameness or suggest
          absolute agreement in all details <their test answers
          were identical>. equivalent implies amounting to the
          same thing in worth or significance <two houses equivalent
          in market value>. equal implies being identical in value,
          magnitude, or some specified quality <equal shares in
          the business>. [2]same pron (14c) 1: something identical
          with or similar to another 2: something or someone previously
          mentioned or described--often used with the or a demonstrative
          (as that, those) in both senses -- all the same or just
          the same : despite everything: nevertheless [3]same adv
          (1766): in the same manner--used with the or a demonstrative
          (as that, those)

   samekh
          [sa.mekh] n [Heb samekh] (1823): the 15th letter of the Hebrew
          alphabet

   sameness
          [same.ness] n (1581) 1: the quality or state of being the
          same: identity, similarity 2: monotony, uniformity

   samisen
          [sam.i.sen] n [Jp] (1864): a 3-stringed Japanese musical
          instrument resembling a banjo

   samite
          [sa.mite] n [ME samit, fr. MF, fr. ML examitum, samitum,
          fr. MGk hexamiton, fr. Gk, neut. of hexamitos of six
          threads, fr. hexa- + mitos thread of the warp] (13c):
          a rich medieval silk fabric interwoven with gold or silver

   samizdat
          [sa.miz.dat] n [Russ, fr. sam- self- + izdatel'stvo publishing
          house] (1967): a system in the U.S.S.R. and countries
          within its orbit by which government-suppressed literature
          was clandestinely printed and distributed; also: such
          literature

   samlet
          [sam.let] n [irreg. fr. salmon + -let] (1655): parr

   Sammarinese
          [Sam.mar.i.nese] n, pl -ne.si [It sammarinese, fr. San Marino]
          (1938): a native or inhabitant of San Marino

   Samnite
          [Sam.nite] n [Samnium, Italy] (14c): a member of an ancient
          people of central Italy

   Samoan
          [Sa.mo.an] n (1846) 1: the Polynesian language of the Samoans
          2: a native or inhabitant of Samoa -- Samoan adj

   Samoa time
          [Samoa time] n (1983): the time of the 11th time zone west
          of Greenwich that includes American Samoa

   samovar
          [sam.o.var] n [Russ, fr. samo- self + varit' to boil] (1830)
          1: an urn with a spigot at its base used esp. in Russia
          to boil water for tea 2: an urn similar to a Russian
          samovar with a device for heating the contents

   Samoyed
          [Sam.o.yed] also Sam.o.yede n [Russ samoed] (1589) 1: a member
          of any of a group of peoples inhabiting the far north
          of European Russia and parts of northwestern Siberia
          2: the family of Uralic languages spoken by the Samoyed
          people 3: any of a Siberian breed of medium-sized white
          or cream-colored sled dogs -- Samoyed adj -- Sam.o.yed.ic
          adj

   samp
          [samp] n [modif. of Narraganset nasaump corn mush] (1643):
          coarse hominy or a boiled cereal made from it

   sampan
          [sam.pan] n [Chin (Guangdong) saambaan, fr. saam three +
          baan board, plank] (1620): a flat-bottomed Chinese skiff
          usu. propelled by two short oars

   samphire
          [sam.phire] n [alter. of earlier sampiere, fr. MF (herbe
          de) Saint Pierre, lit., St. Peter's herb] (1545) 1: a
          fleshy European seacoast plant (Crithmum maritimum) of
          the carrot family that is sometimes pickled 2: a common
          glasswort (Salicornia europaea) that is sometimes pickled

   [1]sample
          [sam.ple] n [ME, fr. MF essample, fr. L exemplum--more at
          example] (15c) 1: a representative part or a single item
          from a larger whole or group esp. when presented for
          inspection or shown as evidence of quality: specimen
          2: a finite part of a statistical population whose properties
          are studied to gain information about the whole syn see
          instance [2]sample vt sam.pled ; sam.pling (1767): to
          take a sample of or from; esp: to judge the quality of
          by a sample: test <sampled his output for defects> <~
          a wine> [3]sample adj (1820): serving as an illustration
          or example <~ questions>

   [1]sampler
          [sam.pler] n (1523): a decorative piece of needlework typically
          having letters or verses embroidered on it in various
          stitches as an example of skill [2]sam.pler n (1778)
          1: one that collects, prepares, or examines samples 2:
          something containing representative specimens or selections
          <a ~ of nineteen poets --K. E. Judd>; also: assortment

   sample space
          [sample space] n (1951): a set in which all of the possible
          outcomes of a statistical experiment are represented
          as points

   sampling
          [sam.pling] n (1778) 1: the act, process, or technique of
          selecting a suitable sample; specif: the act, process,
          or technique of selecting a representative part of a
          population for the purpose of determining parameters
          or characteristics of the whole population 2: a small
          part selected as a sample for inspection or analysis
          <ask a ~ of people which candidate they favor> 3: the
          introduction or promotion of a product by distributing
          trial packages of it

   samsara
          [sam.sa.ra] n [Skt samsara, lit., passing through] (1886):
          the indefinitely repeated cycles of birth, misery, and
          death caused by karma

   Samson
          [Sam.son] n [LL, fr. Gk Sampson, fr. Heb Shimshon]: a Hebrew
          hero who wreaked havoc among the Philistines by means
          of his great strength

   Samsonian
          [Sam.so.ni.an] adj [Samson] (ca. 1623): of heroic strength
          or proportions: mighty

   Samuel
          [Sam.u.el] n [LL, fr. Gk Samouel, fr. Heb Shemu'el] 1: the
          early Hebrew judge who successively anointed Saul and
          David king 2: either of two narrative and historical
          books of canonical Jewish and Christian Scriptures

   samurai
          [sam.u.rai] n, pl samurai [Jp] (1727) 1: a military retainer
          of a Japanese daimyo practicing the code of conduct of
          Bushido 2: the warrior aristocracy of Japan

   San
          [San] n (1876) 1 pl in constr: bushmen 2: bushman 2

   san
          [san] abbreviation sanatorium

   sanative
          [san.a.tive] adj [ME sanatif, fr. MF, fr. LL sanativus, fr.
          L sanatus, pp. of sanare to cure, fr. sanus healthy]
          (15c): having the power to cure or heal: curative, restorative

   sanatorium
          [san.a.to.ri.um] n, pl -riums or -ria [NL, fr. LL, neut.
          of sanatorius curative, fr. sanare] (1839) 1: an establishment
          that provides therapy combined with a regimen (as of
          diet and exercise) for treatment or rehabilitation 2
          a: an institution for rest and recuperation (as of convalescents)
          b: an establishment for the treatment of the chronically
          ill

   sanbenito
          [san.be.ni.to] n, pl -tos [Sp sambenito, fr. San Benito St.
          Benedict of Nursia] (ca. 1560) 1: a sackcloth coat worn
          by penitents on being reconciled to the church 2: a Spanish
          Inquisition garment resembling a scapular and being either
          yellow with red crosses for the penitent or black with
          painted devils and flames for the impenitent condemned
          to an auto-da-fe

   Sancerre
          [San.cerre] n [Sancerre, village in France] (ca. 1946): a
          dry white wine from the Loire valley of France

   Sancho Panza
          [San.cho Pan.za] n [Sp]: the squire of Don Quixote in Cervantes'
          Don Quixote

   sancta simplicitas
          [sanc.ta sim.pli.ci.tas] [L] foreign term : holy simplicity--often
          used ironically in reference to another's naivete

   sanctification
          [sanc.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (14c) 1: an act of sanctifying 2 a:
          the state of being sanctified b: the state of growing
          in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after
          baptism or conversion

   sanctifier
          [sanc.ti.fi.er] n (1548): one that sanctifies; specif, cap:
          holy spirit

   sanctify
          [sanc.ti.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME sanctifien, fr. MF sanctifier,
          fr. LL sanctificare, fr. L sanctus sacred--more at saint] (14c)
          1: to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use: consecrate
          2: to free from sin: purify 3 a: to impart or impute sacredness,
          inviolability, or respect to b: to give moral or social sanction
          to 4: to make productive of holiness or piety <observe the day
          of the sabbath, to ~ it --Deut 5:12 (DV)>

   sanctimonious
          [sanc.ti.mo.nious] adj (1603) 1: affecting piousness:
          hypocritically devout; also: indicative of affected piousness <the
          king's ~ rebuke --G. B. Shaw> 2 obs: possessing sanctity: holy
          -- sanc.ti.mo.nious.ly adv -- sanc.ti.mo.nious.ness n

   sanctimony
          [sanc.ti.mo.ny] n, pl -nies [MF sanctimonie, fr. L sanctimonia,
          fr. sanctus] (ca. 1541) 1 obs: holiness 2: affected or
          hypocritical holiness

   [1]sanction
          [sanc.tion] n [MF or L; MF, fr. L sanction-, sanctio, fr.
          sancire to make holy--more at sacred] (15c) 1: a formal
          decree; esp: an ecclesiastical decree 2 a obs: a solemn
          agreement: oath b: something that makes an oath binding
          3: the detriment, loss of reward, or coercive intervention
          annexed to a violation of a law as a means of enforcing
          the law 4 a: a consideration, principle, or influence
          (as of conscience) that impels to moral action or determines
          moral judgment b: a mechanism of social control for enforcing
          a society's standards c: explicit or official approval,
          permission, or ratification: approbation 5: an economic
          or military coercive measure adopted usu. by several
          nations in concert for forcing a nation violating international
          law to desist or yield to adjudication [2]sanction vt
          sanc.tioned ; sanc.tion.ing (1778) 1: to make valid or
          binding usu. by a formal procedure (as ratification)
          2: to give effective or authoritative approval or consent
          to syn see approve -- sanc.tion.able adj

   sanctity
          [sanc.ti.ty] n, pl -ties [ME saunctite, fr. MF sainctete,
          fr. L sanctitat-, sanctitas, fr. sanctus sacred] (14c)
          1: holiness of life and character: godliness 2 a: the
          quality or state of being holy or sacred: inviolability
          b pl: sacred objects, obligations, or rights

   sanctuary
          [sanc.tu.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [ME sanctuarie, fr. MF sainctuarie,
          fr. LL sanctuarium, fr. L sanctus] (14c) 1: a consecrated
          place: as a: the ancient Hebrew temple at Jerusalem or
          its holy of holies b (1): the most sacred part of a religious
          building (as the part of a Christian church in which
          the altar is placed) (2): the room in which general worship
          services are held (3): a place (as a church or a temple)
          for worship 2 a (1): a place of refuge and protection
          (2): a refuge for wildlife where predators are controlled
          and hunting is illegal b: the immunity from law attached
          to a sanctuary

   sanctum
          [sanc.tum] n, pl sanctums also sanc.ta [LL, fr. L, neut.
          of sanctus sacred] (1577) 1: a sacred place 2: a place
          where one is free from intrusion <an editor's ~> <the
          inner ~s of research>

   sanctum sanctorum
          [sanc.tum sanc.to.rum] n [LL] (1558) 1: holy of holies 2:
          sanctum 2

   Sanctus
          [Sanc.tus] n [ME, fr. LL Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Holy,
          holy, holy, opening of a hymn sung by the angels in Isa
          6:3] (15c): an ancient Christian hymn of adoration sung
          or said immediately before the prayer of consecration
          in traditional liturgies

   Sanctus bell
          [Sanctus bell] n (15c): a bell rung by the server at several
          points (as at the Sanctus) during the mass

   [1]sand
          [sand] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG sant sand, L sabulum, Gk
          psammos] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a loose granular material that
          results from the disintegration of rocks, consists of
          particles smaller than gravel but coarser than silt,
          and is used in mortar, glass, abrasives, and foundry
          molds b: soil containing 85 percent or more of sand and
          a maximum of 10 percent of clay; broadly: sandy soil
          2 a: a tract of sand: beach b: a sandbank or sandbar
          3: the sand in an hourglass; also: the moments of a lifetime--usu.
          used in pl. <the ~s of this government run out very rapidly --H.
          J. Laski> 4: an oil-producing formation of sandstone
          or unconsolidated sand 5: firm resolution 6: a yellowish gray color
          [2]sand vt (14c) 1: to sprinkle or dust with or as if with sand
          2: to cover or fill with sand 3: to smooth or dress by grinding
          or rubbing with an abrasive (as sandpaper)

   sandal
          [san.dal] n [ME sandalie, fr. L sandalium, fr. Gk sandalion,
          dim. of sandalon sandal] (14c) 1: a shoe consisting of
          a sole strapped to the foot 2: a low-cut shoe that fastens
          by an ankle strap 3: a strap to hold on a slipper or
          low shoe 4: a rubber overshoe cut very low -- san.daled
          adj

   sandalwood
          [san.dal.wood] n [sandal sandalwood (fr. ME, fr. MF, fr.
          ML sandalum, fr. LGk santalon, ultim. fr. Skt candana,
          of Dravidian origin; akin to Tamil cantu sandalwood tree)
          + [2]wood] (ca. 1511) 1: the compact close-grained fragrant
          yellowish heartwood of a parasitic tree (Santalum album
          of the family Santalaceae, the sandalwood family) of
          southern Asia much used in ornamental carving and cabinetwork;
          also: the tree that yields this wood 2: any of various
          trees other than the sandalwood some of which yield dyewoods;
          also: the fragrant wood of such a tree

   sandalwood oil
          [sandalwood oil] n (1851): an essential oil obtained from
          sandalwood: as a: a pale yellow somewhat viscous aromatic
          liquid obtained from a sandalwood (Santalum album) and
          used chiefly in perfumes and soaps b: an oil obtained
          from a sandalwood (Eucarya spicata) of Australia

   sandarac
          [san.da.rac] n [L sandaraca red coloring, fr. Gk sandarake
          realgar, red pigment from realgar] (1543): a brittle
          faintly aromatic translucent resin obtained from a northern
          African tree (Tetraclinis articulata) of the cypress
          family and used chiefly in making varnish and as incense;
          also: a similar resin obtained from any of several Australian
          trees (genus Callitris) of the same family

   [1]sandbag
          [sand.bag] n (1590): a bag filled with sand and used
          in fortifications, as ballast, or as a weapon [2]sandbag vt (1860)
          1: to bank, stop up, or weight with sandbags 2 a: to hit or stun
          with or as if with a sandbag b: to treat unfairly or harshly
          c: to coerce by crude means <are raiding the Treasury and
          sandbagging the government --C. W. Ferguson> d: to conceal
          or misrepresent one's true position, potential, or intent esp.
          in order to take advantage of -- sand.bag.ger n

   sandbank
          [sand.bank] n (15c): a large deposit of sand forming a mound,
          hillside, bar, or shoal

   sandbar
          [sand.bar] n (1766): a ridge of sand built up by currents
          esp. in a river or in coastal waters

   [1]sandblast
          [sand.blast] n (1871): a stream of sand projected by compressed
          air (as for engraving, cutting, or cleaning glass or
          stone) [2]sandblast vt (1888): to affect or treat with
          or as if with a sandblast -- sand.blast.er n

   sand-blind
          [sand-blind] adj [ME, prob. fr. (assumed) ME samblind, fr.
          OE sam- half (akin to OHG sami- half) + blind--more at
          semi-] (15c): having poor eyesight: purblind

   sand bluestem
          [sand bluestem] n (ca. 1946): a tall rhizomatous grass (Andropogon
          hallii) of the western U.S. used for forage and as a soil binder

   sandbox
          [sand.box] n (1688): a box or receptacle containing loose
          sand: as a: a shaker for sprinkling sand on wet ink b:
          a box that contains sand for children to play in

   sandbur
          [sand.bur] n (1830): any of a genus (Cenchrus) of grasses
          producing spikelets enclosed in ovoid spiny involucres
          that form burs; also: one of these burs

   sand-cast
          [sand-cast] vt -cast ; -cast.ing (1928): to make (a casting)
          by pouring metal in a sand mold

   sand casting
          [sand casting] n (1926): a casting made in a mold of sand

   sand crack
          [sand crack] n (1754): a fissure in the wall of a horse's
          hoof often causing lameness

   sand dab
          [sand dab] n (1946): any of several Pacific flounders (genus
          Citharichthys of the family Bothidae); esp: a common
          food fish (C. sordidus)

   sand dollar
          [sand dollar] n (1884): any of numerous flat circular sea
          urchins (order Clypeasteroida) that live chiefly in shallow
          water on sandy bottoms

   sander
          [sand.er] n (1627): one that sands: as a: a device for spreading
          sand on newly surfaced or icy roads; also: the device
          together with the truck that bears it b: a machine or
          device that smooths, polishes, or scours by means of
          abrasive material usu. in the form of a disk or belt--called
          also sanding machine

   sanderling
          [sand.er.ling] n [sand + -erling, perh. fr. OE yrthling,
          kind of bird found in fields, lit., plowman, fr. yrth,
          earth plowing, fr. erian to plow--more at arable] (1602):
          a small widely distributed sandpiper (Calidris alba)
          with pale gray and white plumage in winter

   sand flea
          [sand flea] n (1796) 1: a flea (as a chigoe) found in sandy
          places 2: beach flea

   sand fly
          [sand fly] n (1736): any of various small biting dipteran
          flies (families Psychodidae, Simuliidae, and Ceratopogonidae)

   sandfly fever
          [sand.fly fever] n (1910): a virus disease of brief duration
          that is characterized by fever, headache, pain in the
          eyes, malaise, and leukopenia and is transmitted by the
          bite of a sand fly (Phlebotomus papatasii)--called also
          phlebotomus fever

   sandglass
          [sand.glass] n (1556): an instrument (as an hourglass) for
          measuring time by the running of sand

   sandgrouse
          [sand.grouse] n (1783): any of numerous birds (family Pteroclidae)
          of arid parts of southern Europe, Asia, and Africa that are closely
          related to the pigeons but have precocial downy young

   sandhi
          [san.dhi] n [Skt samdhi, lit., placing together] (1806):
          modification of the sound of a morpheme (as a word or
          affix) conditioned by syntactic context in which it is
          uttered (as pronunciation of -ed as /d/ in glazed and
          as /t/ in paced or occurrence of a in a cow and of an
          in an old cow)

   sandhill crane
          [sand.hill crane] n (1805): a crane (Grus canadensis) of
          No. America and Siberia that has a red crown and is chiefly
          bluish gray tinged with a sandy yellow

   sandhog
          [sand.hog] n (1903): a laborer who works in a caisson in
          driving underwater tunnels

   Sandinista
          [San.di.nis.ta] n [AmerSp, fr. Augusto Cesar Sandino d. 1933
          Nicaraguan rebel leader] (1974): a member of a military
          and political coalition taking power in Nicaragua in
          1979

   sand lance
          [sand lance] n (1776): any of several small elongate marine
          bony fishes (genus Ammodytes of the family Ammodytidae)
          that associate in large schools and remain buried in
          sandy beaches at ebb tide--called also sand eel, sand
          launce

   sand lily
          [sand lily] n (ca. 1900): a western No. American spring herb
          (Leucocrinum montanum) of the lily family with narrow
          linear leaves and fragrant salverform flowers

   sandlot
          [sand.lot] n (1878): a vacant lot esp. when used (as by children)
          for usu. unorganized sports -- sandlot adj -- sand.lot.ter
          n

   sandman
          [sand.man] n: a genie in folklore who makes children sleepy
          by sprinkling sand in their eyes

   sand myrtle
          [sand myrtle] n (1814): a variable low-branching evergreen
          upland shrub (Leiophyllum buxifolium) of the heath family
          found in the southeastern U.S.

   sandpainting
          [sand.paint.ing] n (1900): a Navajo and Pueblo Indian ceremonial
          design made of various materials (as colored sands) on
          a flat surface of sand or buckskin

   [1]sandpaper
          [sand.pa.per] n (1825): paper covered on one side with abrasive
          material (as sand) glued fast and used for smoothing
          and polishing -- sand.pa.pery adj [2]sandpaper vt (1846):
          to rub with or as if with sandpaper

   sandpile
          [sand.pile] n (1901): a pile of sand; esp: sand for children
          to play in

   sandpiper
          [sand.pip.er] n (1674): any of numerous small shorebirds
          (family Scolopacidae) distinguished from the related
          plovers chiefly by the longer and soft-tipped bill

   sandpit
          [sand.pit] n (1898) Brit: sandbox b

   sandshoe
          [sand.shoe] n (1855) chiefly Austral & NewZeal: tennis shoe

   sandsoap
          [sand.soap] n (1854): a gritty soap for all-purpose cleaning

   sandspur
          [sand.spur] n (ca. 1898): sandbur

   sandstone
          [sand.stone] n (1668): a sedimentary rock consisting of usu.
          quartz sand united by some cement (as silica or calcium
          carbonate)

   sandstorm
          [sand.storm] n (1774): a windstorm (as in a desert) driving
          clouds of sand before it

   sand table
          [sand table] n (1812) 1: a table holding sand for children
          to mold 2: a table bearing a relief model of a terrain
          built to scale for study or demonstration esp. of military
          tactics

   sand trap
          [sand trap] n (1922): an artificial hazard on a golf course
          consisting of a depression containing sand

   sand verbena
          [sand verbena] n (1898): any of several western No. American
          herbs (genus Abronia) of the four-o'clock family with
          flowers like the verbena; esp: either of two plants (A.
          latifolia and A. umbellata) of the Pacific coast

   [1]sandwich
          [sand.wich] n [John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich d. 1792
          Eng. diplomat] (1762) 1 a: two or more slices of bread
          or a split roll having a filling in between b: one slice
          of bread covered with food 2: something resembling a
          sandwich; esp: composite structural material consisting
          of layers often of high-strength facings bonded to a
          low strength central core [2]sandwich vt (1861) 1: to
          make into or as if into a sandwich; esp: to insert or
          enclose between usu. two things of another quality or
          character 2: to make a place for--often used with in
          or between

   sandwich board
          [sandwich board] n (1897): two usu. hinged boards designed
          for hanging from the shoulders with one board before
          and one behind and used esp. for advertising or picketing

   sandwich coin
          [sandwich coin] n (1965): a clad coin

   sandwich man
          [sandwich man] n (1864): one who wears a sandwich board

   sandworm
          [sand.worm] n (1776): any of various sand-dwelling polychaete
          worms: as a: any of several large burrowing worms (esp.
          genus Nereis) often used as bait b: lugworm

   sandwort
          [sand.wort] n (1597): any of a genus (Arenaria) of low tufted
          herbs of the pink family growing usu. in dry sandy regions

   sandy
          [sandy] adj sand.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 a: consisting of
          or containing sand: full of sand b: sprinkled with sand
          2: of the color sand -- sand.i.ness n

   sane
          [sane] adj san.er ; san.est [L sanus healthy, sane] (1628)
          1: proceeding from a sound mind: rational 2: mentally
          sound; esp: able to anticipate and appraise the effec
          t of one's actions 3: healthy in body syn see wise --
          sane.ly adv -- sane.ness n

   Sanforized
          [San.for.ized] trademark--used for fabrics that are shrunk
          by a mechanical process before being manufactured into
          articles (as clothing)

   sang
          [sang] past of sing

   sangaree
          [san.ga.ree] n [Sp sangria, lit., act of bleeding, fr. sangre
          blood, fr. L sanguin-, sanguis] (1736) 1: a sweetened
          iced drink of wine or sometimes of ale, beer, or liquor
          garnished with nutmeg 2: sangria

   sangfroid
          [sang.froid] n [F sang-froid, lit., cold blood] (1750):
          self-possession or imperturbability esp. under strain syn see
          equanimity

   Sangreal
          [San.greal] n [ME Sangrayll, fr. MF Saint Graal Holy Grail]:
          grail

   sangria
          [san.gria] n [Sp] (1736): a usu. iced punch made of red wine,
          fruit juice, and soda water

   sanguinaria
          [san.gui.nar.ia] n [NL, fr. L, an herb that stanches blood,
          fr. fem. of sanguinarius sanguinary] (1808) 1: bloodroot
          2: the rhizome and roots of a bloodroot used as an expectorant
          and emetic

   sanguinary
          [san.gui.nary] adj [L sanguinarius, fr. sanguin-, sanguis
          blood] (1623) 1: bloodthirsty, murderous <~ hatred> 2:
          attended by bloodshed: bloody <this bitter and ~ war
          --T. H. D. Mahoney> 3: consisting of blood <a ~ stream>
          syn see bloody -- san.gui.nar.i.ly adv

   [1]sanguine
          [san.guine] adj [ME sanguin, fr. MF, fr. L sanguineus, fr.
          sanguin-, sanguis] (14c) 1: bloodred 2 a: consisting
          of or relating to blood b: bloodthirsty, sanguinary c
          of the complexion: ruddy 3: having blood as the predominating
          bodily humor; also: having the bodily conformation and
          temperament held characteristic of such predominance
          and marked by sturdiness, high color, and cheerfulness
          4: confident, optimistic -- san.guine.ly adv -- san.guine.ness
          n -- san.guin.i.ty n [2]sanguine n (1500): a moderate
          to strong red

   sanguineous
          [san.guin.e.ous] adj [L sanguineus] (ca. 1520) 1: bloodred
          2: of, relating to, or involving bloodshed: bloodthirsty
          3: of, relating to, or containing blood

   Sanhedrin
          [San.he.drin] n [LHeb sanhedhrin (gedholah) (great) Sanhedrin,
          fr. Gk synedrion council, fr. synedros sitting in council,
          fr. syn- + hedra seat--more at sit] (1588): the supreme
          council and tribunal of the Jews during postexilic times
          headed by a High Priest and having religious, civil,
          and criminal jurisdiction

   sanicle
          [san.i.cle] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML sanicula] (14c): any of
          several plants sometimes held to have healing powers;
          esp: a plant (genus Sanicula) of the carrot family with
          a root used in folk medicine as an anodyne or astringent

   sanit
          [sanit] abbreviation sanitary, sanitation

   sanitarian
          [san.i.tar.i.an] n (1859): a specialist in sanitary science
          and public health <milk ~>

   sanitarium
          [san.i.tar.i.um] n, pl -i.ums or -ia [NL, fr. L sanitat-,
          sanitas health] (1851): sanatorium

   sanitary
          [san.i.tary] adj [F sanitaire, fr. L sanitas] (1842) 1: of
          or relating to health <~ measures> 2: of, relating to,
          or used in the disposal esp. of domestic waterborne waste
          <~ sewage> 3: characterized by or readily kept in cleanliness
          <~ packages> -- san.i.tar.i.ly adv

   sanitary landfill
          [sanitary landfill] n (1968): landfill

   sanitary napkin
          [sanitary napkin] n (1917): a disposable absorbent pad used
          postpartum or during menstruation to absorb the uterine
          flow

   sanitary ware
          [sanitary ware] n (1872): ceramic plumbing fixtures (as sinks,
          lavatories, or toilet bowls)

   sanitate
          [san.i.tate] vt -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [back-formation fr. sanitation]
          (1882): to make sanitary esp. by providing with sanitary appliances
          or facilities

   sanitation
          [san.i.ta.tion] n (1848) 1: the act or process of making
          sanitary 2: the promotion of hygiene and prevention of
          disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions

   sanitize
          [san.i.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing [L sanitas] (1836) 1: to
          make sanitary (as by cleaning or sterilizing) 2: to make
          more acceptable by removing unpleasant or undesired features
          <~ a document> -- san.i.ti.za.tion n

   sanitorium
          [san.i.to.ri.um] n, pl -ri.ums or -ria [by alter. (influenced
          by sanitarium)] (1917): sanatorium

   sanity
          [san.i.ty] n [ME sanite, fr. L sanitat-, sanitas health,
          sanity, fr. sanus healthy, sane] (15c): the quality or
          state of being sane; esp: soundness or health of mind

   San Jacinto Day
          [San Ja.cin.to Day] n (1907): April 21 observed as a legal
          holiday in Texas in commemoration of the battle of San
          Jacinto in 1836 by which independence from Mexico was
          won

   San Jose scale
          [San Jo.se scale] n [San Jose, Calif.] (1887): a scale insect
          (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus) prob. of Asian origin that
          is naturalized in the U.S. and is destructive to fruit
          trees

   sank
          [sank] past of sink

   Sankhya
          [San.khya] n [Skt samkhya, lit., based on calculation] (1788):
          an orthodox Hindu philosophy teaching salvation through
          knowledge of the dualism of matter and souls

   sann hemp
          [sann hemp] n [Hindi san] (1939): sunn

   sannup
          [san.nup] n [Eastern Abenaki senape man, male human] (1628):
          a married male American Indian

   sannyasi
          [sann.ya.si] or sann.ya.sin n [Hindi sannyasi, fr. Skt sannyasin]
          (1613): a Hindu mendicant ascetic

   [1]sans
          [sans] prep [ME saun, sans, fr. MF san, sans, modif. of L
          sine without--more at sunder] (14c): without <my love
          to thee is sound, ~ crack or flaw --Shak.> [2]sans n,
          pl sans (ca. 1909): sans serif

   sansculotte
          [sans.cu.lotte] n [F sans-culotte, lit., without breeches]
          (1790) 1: an extreme radical republican in France at
          the time of the Revolution 2: a radical or violent extremist
          in politics -- sans.cu.lott.ic adj -- sans.cu.lott.ish
          adj -- sans.cu.lott.ism n

   sans doute
          [sans doute] [F] foreign term : without doubt

   sansei
          [san.sei] n, pl sansei often cap [Jp san third + sei generation]
          (1940): a son or daughter of nisei parents who is born
          and educated in America and esp. in the U.S.

   sansevieria
          [san.se.vie.ria] n [NL, fr. Raimondo di Sangro, prince of
          San Severo d. 1774 Ital. scholar] (1804): any of a genus
          (Sansevieria) of tropical herbs of the agave family with
          showy mottled sword-shaped leaves usu. yielding a strong
          fiber

   sans gene
          [sans gene] [F] foreign term : without embarrassment or constraint

   Sanskrit
          [San.skrit] n [Skt samskrta, lit., perfected, fr. sam together
          + karoti he makes] (1696) 1: an ancient Indo-Aryan language
          that is the classical language of India and of Hinduism
          2: classical Sanskrit together with the older Vedic and
          various later modifications of classical Sanskrit --
          Sanskrit adj -- San.skrit.ic adj -- San.skrit.ist n

   sans peur et sans reproche
          [sans peur et sans re.proche] [F] foreign term : without
          fear and without reproach

   sans serif
          [sans ser.if] or san.ser.if n [prob. fr. sans + modif. of
          D schreef stroke--more at serif] (1830): a letter or
          typeface with no serifs

   sans souci
          [sans sou.ci] [F] foreign term : without worry

   Santa Ana
          [San.ta Ana] n [Santa Ana Mountains in southern Calif.] (1880):
          a strong hot dry foehn wind from the north, northeast,
          or east in southern California

   Santa Claus
          [San.ta Claus] n [modif. of D Sinterklaas, alter. of Sint
          Nikolaas Saint Nicholas]: a plump white-bearded and red-suited
          old man in modern folklore who delivers presents to good
          children at Christmastime--called also Santa

   Santa Gertrudis
          [San.ta Ger.tru.dis] n [Santa Gertrudis, section of the King
          Ranch, Kingsville, Texas] (1942): any of a breed of red
          beef cattle developed from a Brahman-shorthorn cross
          and valued for their hardiness in hot climates

   Santeria
          [San.te.ria] n [AmerSp santeria, fr. santero practitioner
          of Santeria, fr. santo Yoruba deity, lit., saint's image,
          saint, fr. Sp] (1950): a religion practiced orig. in
          Cuba in which Yoruba deities are identified with Roman
          Catholic saints

   santir
          [san.tir] or san.tour n [Ar santir, santur, fr. Gk psalterion
          psaltery] (1853): a Persian dulcimer

   santo
          [san.to] n, pl santos [Sp, lit., saint, fr. LL sanctus--more
          at saint] (1834): a painted or carved wooden image of
          a saint common esp. in Mexico and the southwestern U.S.

   santolina
          [san.to.li.na] n [NL, alter. of L santonica, an herb, fem.
          of santonicus of the Santoni, fr. Santoni, a people of
          Aquitania] (1578): any of a genus (Santolina) of Mediterranean
          composite subshrubs that have dissected leaves and clustered
          flower heads lacking ray flowers

   santonin
          [san.to.nin] n [ISV, fr. NL santonica, fr. L] (1838): a poisonous
          slightly bitter crystalline compound found esp. in the
          unopened flower heads of several artemisias (esp. Artemisia
          maritima) and used as an anthelmintic

   [1]sap
          [sap] n [ME, fr. OE saep; akin to OHG saf sap] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: the fluid part of a plant; specif: a watery solution
          that circulates through a plant's vascular system b (1):
          a body fluid (as blood) essential to life, health, or
          vigor (2): bodily health and vigor 2: a foolish gullible
          person 3: blackjack, bludgeon -- sap.less adj -- sap.less.ness
          n [2]sap vt sapped ; sap.ping (1725) 1: to drain or deprive
          of sap 2: to knock out with a sap [3]sap vb sapped ;
          sap.ping [MF sapper, fr. OIt zappare, fr. zappa hoe]
          vi (1598): to proceed by digging a sap ~ vt 1: to subvert
          by digging or eroding the substratum or foundation: undermine
          2 a: to gradually diminish the supply or intensity of
          <sapped her strength> b: to weaken or exhaust the energy
          or vitality of 3: to operate against or pierce by a sap
          syn see weaken [4]sap n [MF sape, fr. saper] (1642):
          the extension of a trench to a point beneath an enemy's
          fortifications

   sap green
          [sap green] n (1578): a strong yellow green

   saphead
          [sap.head] n (1798): a weak-minded stupid person: sap --
          sap.head.ed adj

   saphenous
          [sa.phe.nous] adj [saphena saphenous vein, fr. ME, fr. ML,
          fr. Ar safin] (1840): of, relating to, associated with,
          or being either of the two chief superficial veins of
          the leg <~ nerve>

   sapid
          [sap.id] adj [L sapidus tasty, fr. sapere to taste--more
          at sage] (1623) 1: having flavor: flavorful 2 archaic:
          agreeable to the mind -- sa.pid.i.ty n, archaic

   sapience
          [sa.pi.ence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L sapientia, fr. sapient-,
          sapiens, prp.] (14c): wisdom, sagacity

   sapiens
          [sa.pi.ens] adj [NL (specific epithet of Homo sapiens), fr.
          L, prp. of sapere] (1939): of, relating to, or being
          recent humans (Homo sapiens) as distinguished from various
          fossil hominids

   sapient
          [sa.pi.ent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L sapient-, sapiens, fr.
          prp. of sapere to taste, be wise--more at sage] (15c):
          possessing or expressing great sagacity syn see wise
          -- sa.pi.ent.ly adv

   sapling
          [sap.ling] n (14c) 1: a young tree; specif: one not over
          four inches in diameter at breast height 2: youth 2a

   sapodilla
          [sap.o.dil.la] n [Sp zapotillo, dim. of zapote sapodilla,
          fr. Nahuatl tzapotl] (1697): a tropical evergreen tree
          (Manilkara zapota syn. Achras zapota of the family Sapotaceae,
          the sapodilla family) with hard reddish wood, a latex
          that yields chicle, and a rough-skinned brownish edible
          fruit; also: its fruit

   sapogenin
          [sa.po.ge.nin] n [ISV saponin + -genin (compound formed from
          another compound)] (ca. 1862): a nonsugar portion of
          a saponin that is typically obtained by hydrolysis, has
          either a complex terpenoid or a steroidal structure,
          and in the latter case forms a practicable starting point
          in the synthesis of steroid hormones

   saponaceous
          [sap.o.na.ceous] adj [NL saponaceus, fr. L sapon-, sapo soap,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE sape soap] (1710): resembling
          or having the qualities of soap -- sap.o.na.ceous.ness
          n

   saponify
          [sa.pon.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [F saponifier, fr. L sapon-,
          sapo] vt (1821): to convert (as fat) into soap; specif:
          to hydrolyze (a fat) with alkali to form a soap and glycerol
          ~ vi: to undergo saponifying -- sa.pon.i.fi.able adj
          -- sa.pon.i.fi.ca.tion n -- sa.pon.i.fi.er n

   saponin
          [sa.po.nin] n [F saponine, fr. L sapon-, sapo] (1831): any
          of various mostly toxic glucosides that occur in plants
          (as soapwort or soapbark) and are characterized by the
          property of producing a soapy lather; esp: a hygroscopic
          amorphous saponin mixture used esp. as a foaming and
          emulsifying agent and detergent

   saponite
          [sap.o.nite] n [Sw saponit, fr. L sapon-, sapo soap] (ca.
          1849): a hydrous magnesium aluminum silicate occurring
          in soft soapy amorphous masses and filling veins and
          cavities (as in serpentine)

   sapper
          [sap.per] n (1626) 1: a military specialist in field fortification
          work (as sapping) 2: a military demolitions specialist

   [1]sapphic
          [sap.phic] adj (1501) 1 cap: of or relating to the Greek
          lyric poet Sappho 2: of, relating to, or consisting of
          a 4-line strophe made up of chiefly trochaic and dactylic
          feet 3: lesbian 2 [2]sapphic n (1586) 1: a verse having
          the metrical pattern of one of the first three lines
          of a sapphic strophe 2: a sapphic strophe

   sapphire
          [sap.phire] n [ME safir, fr. OF, fr. L sapphirus, fr. Gk
          sappheiros, perh. of Sem origin; akin to Heb sappir sapphire]
          (13c) 1 a: a gem variety of corundum in transparent or
          translucent crystals of a color other than red; esp:
          one of a transparent rich blue b: a gem of such corundum
          2: a deep purplish blue color -- sapphire adj

   sapphirine
          [sap.phi.rine] adj (15c) 1: made of sapphire 2: resembling
          sapphire esp. in color

   sapphism
          [sap.phism] n [Sappho + -ism; fr. the belief that Sappho
          was homosexual] (ca. 1890): lesbianism

   sappiness
          [sap.pi.ness] n (1552) 1: the state of being full of or smelling
          of sap 2: the quality or state of being sappy: foolishness

   sappy
          [sap.py] adj sap.pi.er ; -est (12c) 1: abounding with sap
          2: resembling or consisting largely of sapwood 3 a: overly
          sweet or sentimental b: lacking in good sense: silly

   sapr-
          [sapr-] or sapro- comb form [NL, fr. Gk sapros rotten] 1:
          dead or decaying organic matter <saprophyte> 2: decay:
          putrefaction <saprogenic>

   saprogenic
          [sap.ro.gen.ic] adj (1876): of, causing, or resulting from
          putrefaction -- sap.ro.ge.nic.i.ty n

   saprolite
          [sap.ro.lite] n (1894): disintegrated rock that lies in its
          original place

   saprophagous
          [sa.proph.a.gous] adj [NL saprophagus, fr. sapr- + -phagus
          -phagous] (1819): feeding on decaying matter

   saprophyte
          [sap.ro.phyte] n [ISV] (1875): a saprophytic organism; esp:
          a plant living on dead or decaying organic matter

   saprophytic
          [sap.ro.phyt.ic] adj (1882): obtaining food by absorbing
          dissolved organic material; esp: obtaining nourishment
          osmotically from the products of organic breakdown and
          decay -- sap.ro.phyt.i.cal.ly adv

   saprozoic
          [sap.ro.zo.ic] adj (ca. 1920): saprophytic--used of animals
          (as protozoans)

   sapsago
          [sap.sa.go] n [modif. of G Schabziger] (ca. 1846): a very
          hard green skim-milk cheese flavored with the powdered
          leaves of an aromatic legume (Trigonella coerulea)

   sapsucker
          [sap.suck.er] n (1805): any of a genus (Sphyrapicus) of small
          No. American woodpeckers that drill holes in trees in
          order to obtain sap and insects for food

   sapwood
          [sap.wood] n (1791): the younger softer living or physiologically
          active outer portion of wood that lies between the cambium
          and the heartwood and is more permeable, less durable,
          and usu. lighter in color than the heartwood

   SAR
          [SAR] abbreviation search and rescue

   saraband
          [sar.a.band] or sar.a.bande n [F sarabande, fr. Sp zarabanda]
          (1616) 1: a stately court dance of the 17th and 18th
          centuries resembling the minuet 2: the music for the
          saraband in slow triple time with accent on the second
          beat

   Saracen
          [Sar.a.cen] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL Saracenus, fr. LGk Sarakenos]
          (bef. 12c): a member of a nomadic people of the deserts
          between Syria and Arabia; broadly: arab -- Saracen adj
          -- Sar.a.cen.ic adj

   Sarah
          [Sa.rah] n [Heb Sarah] 1: the wife of Abraham and mother
          of Isaac 2: a kinswoman of Tobias married to him

   saran
          [sa.ran] n [fr. Saran, a trademark] (1940): a tough flexible
          thermoplastic resin

   sarape
          [sarape] var of serape

   Saratoga trunk
          [Sar.a.to.ga trunk] n [Saratoga Springs, N.Y.] (1858): a
          large traveling trunk usu. with a rounded top

   sarc-
          [sarc-] or sarco- comb form [Gk sark-, sarko-, fr. sark-,
          sarx] 1: flesh <sarcoid> 2: striated muscle <sarcolemma>

   sarcasm
          [sar.casm] n [F or LL; F sarcasme, fr. LL sarcasmos, fr.
          Gk sarkasmos, fr. sarkazein to tear flesh, bite the lips
          in rage, sneer, fr. sark-, sarx flesh; prob. akin to
          Av thwares- to cut] (1550) 1: a sharp and often satirical
          or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain <tired
          of continual ~s> 2 a: a mode of satirical wit depending
          for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language
          that is usu. directed against an individual b: the use
          or language of sarcasm <this is no time to indulge in
          ~> syn see wit

   sarcastic
          [sar.cas.tic] adj (1695) 1: having the character of sarcasm
          <~ criticism> 2: given to the use of sarcasm: caustic
          <a ~ critic> -- sar.cas.ti.cal.ly adv syn sarcastic,
          satiric, ironic, sardonic mean marked by bitterness and
          a power or will to cut or sting. sarcastic implies an
          intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting,
          or ridiculing <a critic famous mainly for his sarcastic
          remarks>. satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing
          is censure and reprobation <a satiric look at contemporary
          sexual mores>. ironic implies an attempt to be amusing
          or provocative by saying usu. the opposite of what is
          meant <made the ironic observation that the government
          could always be trusted>. sardonic implies scorn, mockery,
          or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial
          expression <surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile>.

   [1]sarcenet
          [sarce.net] n [ME, fr. AF sarzinett] (15c): a soft thin silk
          in plain or twill weaves; also: a garment made of this
          [2]sarcenet adj (1521) 1 archaic: made of sarcenet 2
          archaic: soft like sarcenet

   sarcoid
          [sar.coid] n (1899) 1: any of various diseases characterized
          esp. by the formation of nodules in the skin 2: a nodule
          characteristic of sarcoid or of sarcoidosis

   sarcoidosis
          [sar.coid.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [NL] (1936): a chronic disease
          of unknown cause that is characterized by the formation
          of nodules esp. in the lymph nodes, lungs, bones, and
          skin

   sarcolemma
          [sar.co.lem.ma] n [NL, fr. sarc- + Gk lemma husk--more at
          lemma] (1840): the thin transparent homogeneous sheath
          enclosing a striated muscle fiber -- sar.co.lem.mal adj

   sarcoma
          [sar.co.ma] n, pl -mas also -ma.ta [NL, fr. Gk sarkomat-,
          sarkoma fleshy growth, fr. sarkoun to grow flesh, fr.
          sark-, sarx] (1804): a malignant neoplasm arising in
          tissue of mesodermal origin (as connective tissue, bone,
          cartilage, or striated muscle) -- sar.co.ma.tous adj

   sarcomatosis
          [sar.co.ma.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL] (ca. 1890): a disease
          characterized by the presence and spread of sarcomas

   sarcomere
          [sar.co.mere] n (1891): any of the repeating structural units
          of striated muscle fibrils

   sarcophagus
          [sar.coph.a.gus] n, pl -gi also -gus.es [L sarcophagus (lapis)
          limestone used for coffins, fr. Gk (lithos) sarkophagos,
          lit., flesh-eating stone, fr. sark- sarc- + phagein to
          eat--more at baksheesh] (1619): a stone coffin; broadly:
          coffin

   sarcoplasm
          [sar.co.plasm] n [NL sarcoplasma] (1899): the cytoplasm of
          a striated muscle fiber -- sar.co.plas.mic adj

   sarcoplasmic reticulum
          [sarcoplasmic reticulum] n (1953): the specialized endoplasmic
          reticulum of cardiac muscle and skeletal striated muscle
          that functions esp. as a storage and release area for
          calcium

   sarcoptic mange
          [sar.cop.tic mange] n [NL Sarcoptes, fr. sarc- + Gk koptein
          to cut--more at capon] (1886): mange caused by mites
          (genus Sarcoptes) burrowing in the skin esp. of the head
          and face

   sarcosome
          [sar.co.some] n [NL sarcosoma, fr. sarc- + -soma -some] (1899):
          a mitochondrion of a striated muscle fiber -- sar.co.som.al
          adj

   sard
          [sard] n [F sarde, fr. L sarda] (14c): a reddish brown variety
          of chalcedony sometimes classified as a variety of carnelian

   sardar
          [sardar] var of sirdar

   sardine
          [sar.dine] n, pl sardines also sardine [ME sardeine, fr.
          MF sardine, fr. L sardina] (14c) 1: any of several small
          or immature clupeid fishes; esp: the young of the European
          pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) when of a size suitable
          for preserving for food 2: any of various small fishes
          (as an anchovy) resembling the true sardines or similarly
          preserved for food

   Sardinian
          [Sar.din.ian] n (1598) 1: a native or inhabitant of Sardinia
          2: the Romance language of central and southern Sardinia
          -- Sardinian adj

   sardonic
          [sar.don.ic] adj [F sardonique, fr. Gk sardonios] (1638):
          disdainfully or skeptically humorous: derisively mocking
          <a ~ comment> <his ~ expression> syn see sarcastic --
          sar.don.i.cal.ly adv

   sardonicism
          [sar.don.i.cism] n (1926): sardonic quality or humor

   sardonyx
          [sar.don.yx] n [ME sardonix, fr. L sardonyx, fr. Gk] (14c):
          an onyx having parallel layers of sard

   sargasso
          [sar.gas.so] n, pl -sos [Pg sargaco] (1598) 1: gulfweed,
          sargassum 2: a mass of floating vegetation and esp. sargassums

   sargassum
          [sar.gas.sum] n [NL, genus name, fr. ISV sargasso] (ca. 1890):
          any of a genus (Sargassum) of brown algae that have a
          branching thallus with lateral outgrowths differentiated
          as leafy segments, air bladders, or spore-bearing structures:
          gulfweed

   sarge
          [sarge] n [by shortening & alter.] (1867): sergeant

   sari
          [sa.ri] also sa.ree n [Hindi sari, fr. Skt sati strip of
          cloth] (1785): a garment of southern Asian women that
          consists of several yards of lightweight cloth draped
          so that one end forms a skirt and the other a head or
          shoulder covering

   sarin
          [sa.rin] n [G] (1951): an extremely toxic chemical warfare
          agent that is a powerful cholinesterase inhibitor

   sark
          [sark] n [ME (Sc) serk, fr. OE serc; akin to ON serkr shirt]
          (bef. 12c) dial chiefly Brit: shirt

   sarod
          [sa.rod] also sa.rode n [Hindi sarod, fr. Per] (1865): a
          lute of northern India -- sa.rod.ist n

   sarong
          [sa.rong] n [Malay] (1830): a loose garment made of a long
          strip of cloth wrapped around the body that is worn as
          a skirt or dress by men and women chiefly of the Malay
          Archipelago and the Pacific islands

   Sarpedon
          [Sar.pe.don] n [L, fr. Gk Sarpedon]: a son of Zeus and Europa
          and king of Lycia killed in the Trojan War

   sarracenia
          [sar.ra.ce.nia] n [NL, fr. Michel Sarrazin d. 1734 Fr. physician
          & naturalist] (1884): any of a genus (Sarracenia of the
          family Sarraceniaceae) that includes the insectivorous
          bog pitcher plants of eastern No. America

   sarsaparilla
          [sar.sa.pa.ril.la] n [Sp zarzaparrilla, fr. zarza bush +
          parrilla, dim. of parra vine] (1577) 1 a: any of various
          tropical American greenbriers b: the dried roots of a
          sarsaparilla used esp. as a flavoring 2: any of various
          plants (as wild sarsaparilla) that resemble or are used
          as a substitute for sarsaparilla 3: a sweetened carbonated
          beverage flavored with sassafras and oil distilled from
          a European birch

   sarsenet
          [sarsenet] var of sarcenet

   sartorial
          [sar.to.ri.al] adj [ML sartor] (1823): of or relating to
          a tailor or tailored clothes; broadly: of or relating
          to clothes -- sar.to.ri.al.ly adv

   sartorius
          [sar.to.ri.us] n, pl -rii [NL, fr. ML sartor tailor, fr.
          L sarcire to mend] (1704): a muscle that crosses the
          front of the thigh obliquely, assists in rotating the
          leg to the cross-legged position in which the knees are
          spread wide apart, and in humans is the longest muscle

   Sarum
          [Sar.um] adj [Sarum, old borough near Salisbury, England]
          (1570): of or relating to the Roman rite as modified
          in Salisbury and used in England, Wales, and Ireland
          before the Reformation

   SASE
          [SASE] abbreviation self-addressed stamped envelope

   [1]sash
          [sash] n [Ar shash muslin] (1681): a band worn about the
          waist or over one shoulder and used as a dress accessory
          or the emblem of an honorary or military order -- sashed
          adj [2]sash n, pl sash also sash.es [prob. modif. of
          F chassis chassis (taken as pl.)] (1681): the framework
          in which panes of glass are set in a window or door;
          also: such a framework together with its panes forming
          a usu. movable part of a window

   [1]sashay
          [sa.shay] vi [alter. of chasse] (1836) 1: to make a chasse
          2 a: walk, glide, go b: to strut or move about in an
          ostentatious or conspicuous manner c: to proceed or move
          in a diagonal or sideways manner [2]sashay n [by alter.]
          (1900) 1: trip, excursion 2: a square-dance figure in
          which partners sidestep in a circle around each other
          with the man moving behind the woman 3: chasse

   sashimi
          [sa.shi.mi] n [Jp] (1880): a Japanese dish consisting of
          thinly sliced raw fish served with a sauce for dipping

   Sask
          [Sask] abbreviation Saskatchewan

   saskatoon
          [sas.ka.toon] n [modif. of Cree misaskwatomin serviceberry
          fruit] (1810): serviceberry

   Sasquatch
          [Sas.quatch] n [Halkomelem (Salishan language of southwestern
          British Columbia) sesqec] (1929): a hairy creature like
          a human being reported to exist in the northwestern U.S.
          and western Canada and said to be a primate between 6
          and 15 feet (1.8 and 4.6 meters) tall--called also bigfoot

   [1]sass
          [sass] n [alter. of [1]sauce] (1835): impudent speech [2]sass
          vt (1856): to talk impudently or disrespectfully to

   sassafras
          [sas.sa.fras] n [Sp sasafras] (1577) 1: an eastern No. American
          tree (Sassafras albidum) of the laurel family having
          both ovate and lobed aromatic leaves 2: the carcinogenic
          dried root bark of the sassafras used formerly as a diaphoretic
          or flavoring agent

   [1]Sassanian
          [Sas.sa.ni.an] or Sa.sa.ni.an adj (1788): of, relating to,
          or having the characteristics of the Sassanid dynasty
          of ancient Persia or its art or architecture [2]Sassanian
          or Sasanian n (1855): sassanid

   Sassanid
          [Sas.sa.nid] or Sa.sa.nid n [NL Sassanidae Sassanids, fr.
          Sassan, founder of the dynasty] (1776): a member of a
          dynasty of Persian kings of the 3d to 7th centuries --
          Sassanid or Sasanid adj

   sassy
          [sassy] adj sass.i.er ; -est [alter. of saucy] (1833) 1:
          impudent, saucy 2: vigorous, lively 3: distinctively
          smart and stylish <a ~ black-and-white bow tie --Jean
          Stafford>

   sat
          [sat] abbreviation saturate, saturated, saturation Sat abbreviation
          Saturday

   sat
          [sat] past and past part of sit

   Satan
          [Sa.tan] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr. Heb satan adversary]
          (bef. 12c): the adversary of God and lord of evil in
          Judaism and Christianity

   satang
          [sa.tang] n, pl satang or satangs [Thai satang] (ca. 1915):
          a monetary unit of Thailand equal to 1/100 baht

   satanic
          [sa.tan.ic] adj (1667) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Satan or satanism <~ pride> <~ rites> 2: characterized
          by extreme cruelty or viciousness -- sa.tan.i.cal.ly
          adv

   satanism
          [sa.tan.ism] n, often cap (1565) 1: innate wickedness: diabolism
          2: obsession with or affinity for evil; specif: the worship
          of Satan marked by the travesty of Christian rites --
          sa.tan.ist n, often cap

   satchel
          [satch.el] n [ME sachel, fr. MF, fr. LL saccellum, dim. of
          L sacculus, dim. of saccus bag--more at sack] (14c):
          a small bag often with a shoulder strap -- satch.el.ful
          n

   satd
          [satd] abbreviation saturated

   [1]sate
          [sate] archaic past of sit [2]sate vt sat.ed ; sat.ing [prob.
          by shortening & alter. fr. satiate] (1602) 1: to cloy
          with overabundance: glut 2: to appease (as a thirst)
          by indulging to the full syn see satiate

   sateen
          [sa.teen] n [alter. of satin] (ca. 1878): a smooth durable
          lustrous fabric usu. made of cotton in satin weave

   satellite
          [sat.el.lite] n [MF, fr. L satellit-, satelles attendant]
          (ca. 1548) 1: a hired agent or obsequious follower: minion,
          sycophant 2 a: a celestial body orbiting another of larger
          size b: a manufactured object or vehicle intended to
          orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body
          3: someone or something attendant, subordinate, or dependent;
          esp: a country politically and economically dominated
          or controlled by another more powerful country 4: a usu.
          independent urban community situated near but not immediately
          adjacent to a large city -- satellite adj

   satellite DNA
          [satellite DNA] n (1969): a fraction of a eukaryotic organism's
          DNA that differs in density from most of its DNA as determined
          by centrifugation, that apparently consists of short
          repetitive nucleotide sequences, that does not undergo
          transcription, and that in some organisms (as the mouse)
          is found esp. in centromeric regions

   satem
          [sa.tem] adj (1901): of, relating to, or constituting an
          Indo-European language group in which the palatal stops
          became in prehistoric times palatal or alveolar fricatives--compare
          centum

   sati
          [sa.ti] var of suttee

   satiable
          [sa.tia.ble] adj (1570): capable of being appeased or satisfied

   [1]satiate
          [sa.tiate] adj (15c): filled to satiety [2]sa.ti.ate vt -at.ed
          ; -at.ing [L satiatus, pp. of satiare, fr. satis enough--more
          at sad] (15c): to satisfy (as a need or desire) fully
          or to excess -- sa.ti.a.tion n syn satiate, sate, surfeit,
          cloy, pall, glut, gorge mean to fill to repletion. satiate
          and sate may sometimes imply only complete satisfaction
          but more often suggest repletion that has destroyed interest
          or desire <years of globe-trotting had satiated their
          interest in travel> <readers were sated with sensationalistic
          stories>. surfeit implies a nauseating repletion <surfeited
          themselves with junk food>. cloy stresses the disgust
          or boredom resulting from such surfeiting <sentimental
          pictures that cloy after a while>. pall emphasizes the
          loss of ability to stimulate interest or appetite <a
          life of leisure eventually begins to pall>. glut implies
          excess in feeding or supplying <a market glutted with
          diet books>. gorge suggests glutting to the point of
          bursting or choking <gorged themselves with chocolate>.

   satiety
          [sa.ti.ety] n [MF satiete, fr. L satietat-, satietas, fr.
          satis] (1533) 1: the quality or state of being fed or
          gratified to or beyond capacity: surfeit, fullness 2:
          the revulsion or disgust caused by overindulgence or
          excess

   [1]satin
          [sat.in] n [ME, fr. MF, prob. fr. Ar zaytuni, lit., of Zaytun,
          seaport in China during the Middle Ages] (14c): a fabric
          (as of silk) in satin weave with lustrous face and dull
          back [2]satin adj (1521) 1: made of or covered with satin
          2: suggestive of satin esp. in smooth lustrous appearance
          or sleekness to touch

   satinet
          [sat.in.et] n (1703) 1: a thin silk satin or imitation satin
          2: a variation of satin weave used in making satinet

   satin stitch
          [satin stitch] n (1684): an embroidery stitch nearly alike
          on both sides and worked so closely as to resemble satin

   satin weave
          [satin weave] n (ca. 1883): a weave in which warp threads
          interlace with filling threads to produce a smooth-faced
          fabric

   satinwood
          [sat.in.wood] n (1792) 1 a: an East Indian tree (Chloroxylon
          swietenia) of the rue family that yields a lustrous yellowish
          brown wood b: a tree (as Zanthoxylum flavum of the rue
          family) with wood resembling true satinwood 2: the wood
          of a satinwood

   satiny
          [sat.iny] adj (1786): having or resembling the soft usu.
          lustrous smoothness of satin

   satire
          [sat.ire] n [MF or L; MF, fr. L satura, satira, perh. fr.
          (lanx) satura dish of mixed ingredients, fr. fem. of
          satur well-fed; akin to L satis enough--more at sad]
          (1501) 1: a literary work holding up human vices and
          follies to ridicule or scorn 2: trenchant wit, irony,
          or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly
          syn see wit

   satiric
          [sa.tir.ic] or sa.tir.i.cal adj (1509) 1: of, relating to,
          or constituting satire <~ writers> 2: manifesting or
          given to satire syn see sarcastic -- sa.tir.i.cal.ly
          adv

   satirise
          [sat.i.rise] Brit var of satirize

   satirist
          [sat.i.rist] n (1589): one that satirizes; esp: a writer
          of satire

   satirize
          [sat.i.rize] vb -rized ; -riz.ing vi (1601): to utter or
          write satire ~ vt: to censure or ridicule by means of
          satire -- sat.i.ri.za.ble adj

   satisfaction
          [sat.is.fac.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL satisfaction-, satisfactio,
          fr. L, reparation, amends, fr. satisfacere to satisfy] (14c)
          1 a: the payment through penance of the temporal punishment
          incurred by a sin b: reparation for sin that meets the demands
          of divine justice 2 a: fulfillment of a need or want b: the quality
          or state of being satisfied: contentment c: a source or means
          of enjoyment: gratification 3 a: compensation for a loss or injury:
          atonement, restitution b: the discharge of a legal obligation
          or claim c: vindication 4: convinced assurance or certainty <proved
          to the ~ of the court>

   satisfactory
          [sat.is.fac.to.ry] adj (15c): giving satisfaction: adequate
          -- sat.is.fac.to.ri.ly adv -- sat.is.fac.to.ri.ness n

   satisfiable
          [sat.is.fi.able] adj (1609): capable of being satisfied

   satisfy
          [sat.is.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME satisfien, fr. MF satisfier,
          modif. of L satisfacere, fr. satis enough + facere to
          do, make--more at sad, do] vt (15c) 1 a: to carry out
          the terms of (as a contract): discharge b: to meet a
          financial obligation to 2: to make reparation to (an
          injured party): indemnify 3 a: to make happy: please
          b: to gratify to the full: appease 4 a: convince b: to
          put an end to (doubt or uncertainty): dispel 5 a: to
          conform to (as specifications): be adequate to (an end
          in view) b: to make true by fulfilling a condition <values
          that ~ an equation> <~ a hypothesis> ~ vi: to be adequate:
          suffice; also: please syn see pay -- sat.is.fy.ing.ly
          adv

   satori
          [sa.to.ri] n [Jp] (1727): a state of intuitive illumination
          sought in Zen Buddhism

   satrap
          [sa.trap] n [ME, fr. L satrapes, fr. Gk satrapes, fr. OPer
          khshathrapavan, lit., protector of the dominion] (14c)
          1: the governor of a province in ancient Persia 2 a:
          ruler b: a subordinate official: henchman

   satrapy
          [sa.tra.py] n, pl -pies (1603): the territory or jurisdiction
          of a satrap

   satsuma
          [sat.su.ma] n [Satsuma, former province in Kyushu, Japan]
          (1882) 1: any of several cultivated mandarin trees that
          bear medium-sized largely seedless fruits with thin smooth
          skin 2: the fruit of a satsuma

   saturable
          [sat.u.ra.ble] adj (1570): capable of being saturated

   saturant
          [sat.u.rant] n (ca. 1775): something that saturates

   [1]saturate
          [sat.u.rate] vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L saturatus, pp. of saturare,
          fr. satur well-fed--more at satire] (1538) 1: to satisfy
          fully: satiate 2: to treat, furnish, or charge with something
          to the point where no more can be absorbed, dissolved,
          or retained <water saturated with salt> 3 a: to fill
          completely with something that permeates or pervades
          <book is saturated with Hollywood, old and new --Newgate
          Callendar> b: to load to capacity 4: to cause to combine
          till there is no further tendency to combine syn see
          soak -- sat.u.ra.tor n [2]sat.u.rate adj (1782): saturated

   saturated
          [sat.u.rat.ed] adj (1728) 1: full of moisture: made thoroughly
          wet 2 a: being a solution that is unable to absorb or
          dissolve any more of a solute at a given temperature
          and pressure b: being an organic compound having no double
          or triple bonds between carbon atoms 3 of a color: having
          high saturation: pure

   saturation
          [sat.u.ra.tion] n (ca. 1554) 1 a: the act of saturating:
          the state of being saturated b: satiety, surfeit 2: conversion
          of an unsaturated to a saturated chemical compound (as
          by hydrogenation) 3: a state of maximum impregnation:
          as a: complete infiltration: permeation b: the presence
          in air of the most water possible under existent pressure
          and temperature c: magnetization to the point beyond
          which a further increase in the intensity of the magnetizing
          force will produce no further magnetization 4 a: chromatic
          purity: freedom from dilution with white b (1): degree
          of difference from the gray having the same lightness--used
          of an object color (2): degree of difference from the
          achromatic light-source color of the same brightness--used
          of a light-source color--compare hue 2c 5: the supplying
          of a market with as much of a product as it will absorb
          6: an overwhelming concentration of military forces or
          firepower

   Saturday
          [Sat.ur.day] n [ME saterday, fr. OE saeterndaeg (akin to
          OFris saterdei), fr. L Saturnus Saturn + OE daeg day]
          (bef. 12c): the seventh day of the week -- Sat.ur.days
          adv

   Saturday night special
          [Saturday night special] n (1968): a cheap easily concealed
          handgun

   Saturn
          [Sat.urn] n [L Saturnus] 1: a Roman god of agriculture and
          father by Ops of Jupiter 2: the planet 6th in order from
          the sun

   saturnalia
          [sat.ur.na.lia] n pl but sing or pl in constr [L, fr. neut.
          pl. of saturnalis of Saturn, fr. Saturnus] (1591) 1 cap:
          the festival of Saturn in ancient Rome beginning on Dec.
          17 2 sing, pl saturnalias also saturnalia a: an unrestrained
          often licentious celebration: orgy b: excess, extravagance
          -- sat.ur.na.lian adj -- sat.ur.na.lian.ly adv

   Saturnian
          [Sa.tur.ni.an] adj (1557) 1: of, relating to, or influenced
          by the planet Saturn 2 archaic: of or relating to the
          god Saturn or the golden age of his reign

   saturniid
          [sa.tur.ni.id] n [NL Saturniidae, fr. Saturnia, genus of
          moths, fr. L, daughter of the god Saturn] (ca. 1909):
          any of a family (Saturniidae) of usu. large stout strong-winged
          moths (as a luna moth or a cecropia moth) with hairy
          bodies -- saturniid adj

   saturnine
          [sat.ur.nine] adj (15c) 1: born under or influenced astrologically
          by the planet Saturn 2 a: cold and steady in mood: slow to act
          or change b: of a gloomy or surly disposition c: having a sardonic
          aspect <a ~ smile> syn see sullen

   saturnism
          [sat.urn.ism] n [saturn lead] (1855): lead poisoning

   satyagraha
          [sa.tya.gra.ha] n [New Skt satyagraha, fr. Skt satya truth
          + agraha persistence] (1920): pressure for social and
          political reform through friendly passive resistance
          practiced by M. K. Gandhi and his followers in India

   satyr
          [sa.tyr] n [ME, fr. L satyrus, fr. Gk satyros] 1 often cap:
          a sylvan deity in Greek mythology having certain characteristics
          of a horse or goat and fond of Dionysian revelry 2 a:
          a lecherous man b: one having satyriasis 3: any of various
          usu. brown and gray satyrid butterflies -- sa.tyr.ic
          adj

   satyriasis
          [sa.ty.ri.a.sis] n [LL, fr. Gk, fr. satyros] (15c): excessive
          or abnormal sexual craving in the male

   satyrid
          [sa.ty.rid] n [NL Satyridae, ultim. fr. Gk satyros] (1901):
          any of a family (Satyridae) of usu. brownish butterflies
          that feed on grasses as larvae and have one or more forewing
          veins swollen basally -- satyrid adj

   satyr play
          [satyr play] n (1929): a comic play of ancient Greece burlesquing
          a mythological subject and having a chorus representing
          satyrs

   [1]sauce
          [sauce] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L salsa, fem. of salsus salted,
          fr. pp. of sallere to salt, fr. sal salt--more at salt]
          (14c) 1: a condiment or relish for food; esp: a fluid
          dressing or topping 2: something that adds zest or piquancy
          3: stewed fruit eaten with other food or as a dessert
          4: pert or impudent language or actions 5 slang: liquor--used
          with the [2]sauce vt sauced ; sauc.ing (15c) 1 a: to
          dress with relish or seasoning b: to cover or serve with
          a sauce 2 a archaic: to modify the harsh or unpleasant
          characteristics of b: to give zest or piquancy to 3:
          to be rude or impudent to

   sauceboat
          [sauce.boat] n (1747): a low boat-shaped pitcher for serving
          sauces and gravies

   saucebox
          [sauce.box] n (1588): a saucy impudent person

   saucepan
          [sauce.pan] n (1686): a small deep cooking pan with a handle

   saucer
          [sau.cer] n [ME, plate containing sauce, fr. MF saussier,
          fr. sausse, sauce] (1607) 1: a small shallow dish in
          which a cup is set at table 2: something resembling a
          saucer esp. in shape; esp: flying saucer -- sau.cer.like
          adj

   saucy
          [saucy] adj sauc.i.er ; -est (1508) 1: served with or having
          the consistency of sauce 2 a: impertinently bold and
          impudent b: amusingly forward and flippant: irrepressible
          3: smart, trim <a ~ little hat> -- sauc.i.ly adv -- sauc.i.ness
          n

   sauerbraten
          [sau.er.bra.ten] n [G, fr. sauer sour + Braten roast meat]
          (1889): oven-roasted or pot-roasted beef marinated before
          cooking in vinegar with peppercorns, garlic, onions,
          and bay leaves

   sauerkraut
          [sau.er.kraut] n [G, fr. sauer sour + Kraut greens] (1617):
          cabbage cut fine and fermented in a brine made of its
          own juice with salt

   sauger
          [sau.ger] n [origin unknown] (1882): a pike perch (Stizostedion
          canadense) similar to but smaller than the walleye

   saugh
          [saugh] or sauch n [ME (Sc) sauch, fr. OE salh, alter. of
          sealh--more at sallow] (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: sallow

   Sauk
          [Sauk] n, pl Sauk or Sauks (1762): a member of an American
          Indian people formerly living in what is now Wisconsin

   Saul
          [Saul] n [LL Saulus, fr. Gk Saulos, fr. Heb Sha'ul] 1: the
          first king of Israel 2: the apostle Paul--called also
          Saul of Tarsus

   sauna
          [sau.na] n [Finn] (1891) 1: a Finnish steam bath in which
          the steam is provided by water thrown on hot stones;
          also: a bathhouse or room used for such a bath 2: a dry
          heat bath; also: a room or cabinet used for such a bath

   saunter
          [saun.ter] vi [prob. fr. ME santren to muse] (ca. 1667):
          to walk about in an idle or leisurely manner: stroll
          -- saunter n -- saun.ter.er n

   saurel
          [sau.rel] n [F, fr. LL saurus horse mackerel, fr. Gk sauros
          horse mackerel, lizard] (1882): jack mackerel

   saurian
          [sau.ri.an] n [NL Sauria, fr. NL saurus lizard, fr. Gk sauros]
          (ca. 1829): any of a suborder (Sauria) of reptiles including
          the lizards and in older classifications the crocodiles
          and various extinct forms (as the dinosaurs and ichthyosaurs)
          that resemble lizards -- saurian adj

   saurischian
          [saur.is.chi.an] n [NL Saurischia, fr. Gk sauros lizard +
          NL ischium ischium] (ca. 1891): any of an order (Saurischia)
          of herbivorous or carnivorous dinosaurs (as a brontosaurus)
          that have a triradiate pelvis with the pubis typically
          pointed forward--compare ornithischian -- saurischian
          adj

   sauropod
          [sau.ro.pod] n [NL Sauropoda, fr. Gk sauros lizard + NL -poda]
          (ca. 1891): any of a suborder (Sauropoda) of quadrupedal
          saurischian dinosaurs comprising herbivorous forms with
          a long neck and tail, small head, and more or less plantigrade
          5-toed limbs -- sauropod adj

   saury
          [sau.ry] n, pl sauries [NL saurus lizard] (ca. 1771) 1: a
          slender long-beaked fish (Scombresox saurus) related
          to the needlefishes and found in temperate parts of the
          Atlantic 2: a widely distributed fish (Cololabris saira)
          of the Pacific similar to the related Atlantic saury

   sausage
          [sau.sage] n [ME sausige, fr. ONF saussiche, fr. LL salsicia,
          fr. L salsus salted--more at sauce] (15c): a highly seasoned
          minced meat (as pork) usu. stuffed in casings of prepared
          animal intestine; also: a link or patty of sausage

   [1]saute
          [sau.te] n [F, fr. pp. of sauter to jump, fr. L saltare--more
          at saltation] (1813): a sauteed dish -- saute  adj [2]saute
          vt sau.teed or sau.ted ; sau.te.ing (1859): to fry in
          a small amount of fat

   sauternes
          [sau.ternes] n, often cap [F, fr. Sauternes, commune in France]
          (1711) 1: a full-bodied sweet white wine from the Bordeaux
          region of France 2 usu sauterne : a semidry to semisweet
          American white wine that is a blend of several grapes

   sauvignon blanc
          [sau.vi.gnon blanc] n [F, white sauvignon (variety of grape)]
          (1941): a dry white wine made from a grape orig. grown
          in Bordeaux and the Loire valley

   [1]savage
          [sav.age] adj [ME sauvage, fr. MF, fr. ML salvaticus, alter.
          of L silvaticus of the woods, wild, fr. silva wood, forest]
          (13c) 1 a: not domesticated or under human control: untamed
          <~ beasts> b: lacking the restraints normal to civilized
          human beings: fierce, ferocious 2: wild, uncultivated
          <seldom have I seen such ~ scenery --Douglas Carruthers>
          3 a: boorish, rude <the ~ bad manners of most motorists
          --M. P. O'Connor> b: malicious 4: lacking complex or
          advanced culture: uncivilized syn see fierce -- sav.age.ly
          adv -- sav.age.ness n [2]savage n (15c) 1: a person belonging
          to a primitive society 2: a brutal person 3: a rude or
          unmannerly person [3]savage vt sav.aged ; sav.ag.ing
          (1880): to attack or treat brutally

   savagery
          [sav.age.ry] n, pl -ries (1595) 1 a: the quality of being
          savage b: an act of cruelty or violence 2: an uncivilized
          state

   savagism
          [sav.ag.ism] n (1796): savagery

   savanna
          [sa.van.na] also sa.van.nah n [Sp zavana, fr. Taino zabana]
          (1555) 1: a treeless plain esp. in Florida 2: a tropical
          or subtropical grassland containing scattered trees and
          drought-resistant undergrowth

   savant
          [sa.vant] n [F, fr. MF, fr. prp. of savoir to know, fr. L
          sapere to be wise--more at sage] (1719) 1: a person of
          learning; esp: one with detailed knowledge in some specialized
          field (as of science or literature) 2: idiot savant 1

   savarin
          [sav.a.rin] n [F, fr. Anthelme Brillat-Savarin d. 1826 Fr.
          politician, writer, and gourmet] (1877): a rich yeast
          cake baked in a ring mold and soaked in a rum or kirsch
          syrup

   savate
          [sa.vate] n [F, lit., old shoe] (1862): a form of boxing
          in which blows are delivered with either the hands or
          the feet

   [1]save
          [save] vb saved ; sav.ing [ME, fr. OF salver, fr. LL salvare,
          fr. L salvus safe--more at safe] vt (13c) 1 a: to deliver
          from sin b: to rescue or deliver from danger or harm
          c: to preserve or guard from injury, destruction, or
          loss 2 a: to put aside as a store or reserve: accumulate
          b: to spend less by <~ 25%> 3 a: to make unnecessary:
          avoid <it ~s an hour's driving> b (1): to keep from being
          lost to an opponent (2): to prevent an opponent from
          scoring or winning 4: maintain, preserve <~ appearances>
          ~ vi 1: to rescue or deliver someone 2 a: to put aside
          money b: to avoid unnecessary waste or expense: economize
          c: to spend less money <buy now and ~> 3: to make a save
          syn see rescue -- sav.able or save.able adj -- sav.er
          n [2]save n (1890) 1: a play that prevents an opponent
          from scoring or winning 2: the action of a relief pitcher
          in baseball in successfully protecting a team's lead
          [3]save prep [ME sauf, fr. MF, fr. sauf, adj., safe--more
          at safe] (14c): other than: but, except <no hope ~ one>
          [4]save conj (14c) 1: except for the fact that: only--used
          with that <of his earlier years little is known, ~ that
          he studied violin --J. N. Burk> 2: but, except--used
          before a word often taken to be the subject of a clause
          <no one knows about it ~ she>

   save-all
          [save-all] n (ca. 1645): something that prevents waste, loss,
          or damage (as a receptacle for catching waste products
          for further utilization)

   saveloy
          [sav.e.loy] n [modif. of F cervelas, fr. MF, fr. OIt cervellata,
          lit., pig's brains, fr. cervello brain, fr. L cerebellum--more
          at cerebellum] (1837) Brit: a ready-cooked highly seasoned
          dry sausage

   savin
          [sav.in] n [ME, fr. MF savine, fr. L (herba) sabina, lit.,
          Sabine plant] (14c) 1: a Eurasian juniper (Juniperus
          sabina) with dark foliage and small yellowish green berries
          2: red cedar 1

   [1]saving
          [sav.ing] n [ME, fr. gerund of saven to save] (14c) 1: preservation
          from danger or destruction: deliverance 2: the act or an instance
          of economizing 3 a pl: money put by b: the excess of income over
          consumption expenditures--often used in pl. c: a usu. specified
          lower cost--often used in pl. <a ~s of 50%> [2]saving prep [ME, fr.
          prp. of saven] (14c) 1: except, save 2: without disrespect
          to [3]saving conj (15c): except, save

   saving grace
          [saving grace] n (1597): a redeeming quality or factor

   savings account
          [savings account] n (1911): an account (as in a bank) on
          which interest is usu. paid and from which withdrawals
          can be made usu. only by presentation of a passbook or
          by written authorization on a prescribed form

   savings and loan association
          [savings and loan association] n (ca. 1924): a cooperative
          association organized to hold savings of members in the
          form of dividend-bearing shares and to invest chiefly
          in home mortgage loans

   savings bank
          [savings bank] n (1817): a bank organized to hold funds of
          individual depositors in interest-bearing accounts and
          to make long-term investments (as in home mortgage loans)

   savings bond
          [savings bond] n (1948): a nontransferable registered U.S.
          bond issued in denominations of $50 to $10,000

   savior
          [sav.ior] or sav.iour n [ME saveour, fr. MF, fr. LL salvator,
          fr. salvare to save] (14c) 1: one that saves from danger
          or destruction 2: one who brings salvation; specif, cap:
          jesus 1

   savoir faire
          [sa.voir faire] n [F savoir-faire, lit., knowing how to do]
          (1815): capacity for appropriate action; esp: a polished
          sureness in social behavior syn see tact

   [1]savor
          [sa.vor] also sa.vour n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L sapor, fr. sapere
          to taste--more at sage] (13c) 1: the taste or smell of
          something 2: a particular flavor or smell 3: a distinctive
          quality -- sa.vor.less adj -- sa.vor.ous adj [2]savor
          also savour vb sa.vored ; sa.vor.ing vi (14c): to have
          a specified smell or quality: smack ~ vt 1: to give flavor
          to: season 2 a: to have experience of: taste b: to taste
          or smell with pleasure: relish c: to delight in: enjoy
          -- sa.vor.er n

   [1]savory
          [sa.vory] also sa.voury adj (13c): having savor: as a: piquantly
          pleasant to the mind <a ~ collection of essays> b: morally
          exemplary: edifying <his reputation was anything but
          ~> c: pleasing to the sense of taste esp. by reason of
          effective seasoning syn see palatable -- sa.vor.i.ly
          adv -- sa.vor.i.ness n [2]savory also savoury n, pl sa.vor.ies
          (1661) Brit: a dish of stimulating flavor served usu.
          at the end of dinner but sometimes as an appetizer [3]sa.vo.ry
          n, pl -ries [ME saverey] (14c): either of two aromatic
          mints: a: summer savory b: winter savory

   Savoyard
          [Sa.voy.ard] n [Savoy Theater, London, built for the presentation
          of Gilbert and Sullivan operas] (1890): a devotee, performer,
          or producer of the comic operas of W. S. Gilbert and
          A. S. Sullivan

   savoy cabbage
          [sa.voy cabbage] n, often cap S [trans. of F chou de Savoie
          cabbage of Savoy] (1707): a cabbage with compact heads
          of wrinkled and curled leaves

   [1]savvy
          [sav.vy] vb sav.vied ; sav.vy.ing [alter. of sabi know (in
          English-based creoles and pidgins), fr. Pg sabe he knows,
          fr. saber to know, fr. L sapere to be wise--more at sage]
          (1785): understand [2]savvy n (ca. 1785): practical know-how
          <political ~> -- savvy adj

   [1]saw
          [saw] past of see [2]saw n [ME sawe, fr. OE sagu; akin to
          OHG sega saw, L secare to cut] (bef. 12c): a hand or
          power tool or a machine used to cut hard material (as
          wood, metal, or bone) and equipped usu. with a toothed
          blade or disk -- saw.like adj [3]saw vb sawed ; sawed
          or sawn ; saw.ing vt (13c) 1: to cut with a saw 2: to
          produce or form by cutting with a saw 3: to slash as
          though with a saw ~ vi 1 a: to use a saw b: to cut with
          or as if with a saw 2: to undergo cutting with a saw
          3: to make motions as though using a saw <~ed at the
          reins> -- saw.er n [4]saw n [ME sawe, fr. OE sagu discourse;
          akin to OHG & ON saga tale, OE secgan to say--more at
          say] (bef. 12c): maxim, proverb

   sawbones
          [saw.bones] n, pl sawbones or saw.bones.es (1837) slang:
          physician, surgeon

   sawbuck
          [saw.buck] n (1850) 1 slang: a 10-dollar bill 2: sawhorse;
          esp: one with X-shaped ends

   sawdust
          [saw.dust] n (1530): fine particles (as of wood) made by
          a saw in cutting

   sawed-off
          [sawed-off] adj (1869) 1: having an end sawed off <a ~ shotgun>
          2: of less than average height

   sawfish
          [saw.fish] n (1664): any of a family (Pristidae) of large
          elongate rays that resemble sharks but have a long flattened
          snout with a row of serrate structures along each edge
          and that live in tropical and subtropical shallow seas
          and in or near the mouths of rivers

   sawfly
          [saw.fly] n (1773): any of numerous hymenopterous insects
          (superfamily Tenthredinoidea) with the female usu. having
          a sawlike ovipositor and with the larva resembling a
          plant-feeding caterpillar

   saw grass
          [saw grass] n (1822): any of various sedges (as of the genus
          Cladium) having the edges of the leaves set with minute
          sharp teeth

   sawhorse
          [saw.horse] n (1778): a frame on which wood is laid for sawing
          by hand; esp: horse 2b

   sawlog
          [saw.log] n (1756): a log of suitable size for sawing into
          lumber

   sawmill
          [saw.mill] n (1553): a mill or machine for sawing logs

   sawney
          [saw.ney] n [perh. fr. sawney Scotsman, fr. Sc, alter. of
          Sandy, short for Alexander] (ca. 1700) chiefly Brit:
          fool, simpleton -- sawney adj

   saw palmetto
          [saw palmetto] n (1797): any of several shrubby palms chiefly
          of the southern U.S. and West Indies that have spiny-toothed
          petioles; esp: a common palm (Serenoa repens) of the
          southeastern U.S. with a usu. creeping stem

   saw set
          [saw set] n (1846): an instrument used to set the teeth of
          saws

   sawtimber
          [saw.tim.ber] n (1901): timber suitable for sawing into lumber

   sawtooth
          [saw.tooth] adj (ca. 1859): having serrations: arranged or
          having parts arranged like the teeth of a saw <a ~ roof>

   saw-toothed
          [saw-toothed] adj (ca. 1857) 1: having teeth like those of
          a saw <a ~ shark> 2: sawtooth

   saw-whet owl
          [saw-whet owl] n [fr. the supposed resemblance of its cry
          to the sound made in filing a saw] (1834): a very small
          harsh-voiced No. American owl (Aegolius acadicus) that
          is largely dark brown above and chestnut streaked with
          white beneath--called also saw-whet

   sawyer
          [saw.yer] n (13c) 1: one that saws 2: any of several large
          longicorn beetles whose larvae bore large holes in timber
          or dead wood 3: a tree fast in the bed of a stream with
          its branches projecting to the surface

   sax
          [sax] n (ca. 1923): saxophone

   saxhorn
          [sax.horn] n [Antoine Sax d. 1894 Belgian instrument maker
          + E horn] (1844): any of a group of valved brass instruments
          ranging from soprano to bass and characterized by a conical
          tube, oval shape, and cup-shaped mouthpiece

   saxicolous
          [sax.ic.o.lous] adj [L saxum rock (akin to L secare to cut)
          + E -colous--more at saw] (1856): inhabiting or growing
          among rocks <~ lichens>

   saxifrage
          [sax.i.frage] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL saxifraga, fr. L, fem.
          of saxifragus breaking rocks, fr. saxum rock + frangere
          to break--more at break] (14c): any of a genus (Saxifraga
          of the family Saxifragaceae, the saxifrage family) of
          chiefly perennial herbs with showy pentamerous flowers
          and often with basal tufted leaves

   saxitoxin
          [sax.i.tox.in] n [saxi- (fr. NL Saxidomus giganteus, species
          of butter clam from which it is isolated) + toxin] (1962):
          a potent nonprotein neurotoxin that originates in dinoflagellates
          (genus Gonyaulax) found in red tides and that sometimes
          occurs in and renders toxic normally edible mollusks
          which feed on them

   Saxon
          [Sax.on] n [ME, fr. LL Saxones Saxons, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE Seaxan Saxons] (13c) 1 a (1): a member of a Germanic
          people that entered and conquered England with the Angles
          and Jutes in the 5th century a.d. and merged with them
          to form the Anglo-Saxon people (2): an Englishman or
          lowlander as distinguished from a Welshman, Irishman,
          or Highlander b: a native or inhabitant of Saxony 2 a:
          the Germanic language or dialect of any of the Saxon
          peoples b: the Germanic element in the English language
          esp. as distinguished from the French and Latin -- Saxon
          adj

   saxony
          [sax.o.ny] n, pl -nies often cap [Saxony, Germany] (1842)
          1 a: a fine soft woolen fabric b: a fine closely twisted
          knitting yarn 2: a Wilton jacquard carpet

   saxophone
          [sax.o.phone] n [F, fr. Antoine Sax d. 1894 Belgian instrument
          maker + F -phone] (1851): one of a group of single-reed
          woodwind instruments ranging from soprano to bass and
          characterized by a conical metal tube and finger keys
          -- sax.o.phon.ic adj -- sax.o.phon.ist n

   saxtuba
          [sax.tu.ba] n [Antoine Sax + E tuba] (1856): a bass saxhorn

   [1]say
          [say] vb said ; say.ing ; says [ME, fr. OE secgan; akin to
          OHG sagen to say, Lith sakyti, Gk ennepein to speak,
          tell] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to express in words: state b:
          to state as opinion or belief: declare 2 a: utter, pronounce
          b: recite, repeat <~ your prayers> 3 a: indicate, show
          <the clock ~s five minutes after twelve> b: to give expression
          to: communicate <a glance that said all that was necessary>
          ~ vi: to express oneself: speak -- say.er n -- say uncle
          : to admit defeat -- that is to say : in other words:
          in effect [2]say n, pl says (1571) 1 archaic: something
          that is said: statement 2: an expression of opinion <had
          my ~> 3: a right or power to influence action or decision;
          esp: the authority to make final decisions [3]say adv
          [fr. imper. of [1]say] (1596) 1: about, approximately
          <the property is worth, ~, four million dollars> 2: for
          example: as <if we compress any gas, ~ oxygen>

   sayable
          [say.able] adj (1856) 1: capable of being said 2: capable
          of being spoken effectively or easily <readings in ~
          Chinese --Linguistic Reporter>

   sayest
          [say.est] archaic 2d person sing of say

   saying
          [say.ing] n (14c): something said; esp: adage

   sayonara
          [sa.yo.na.ra] [Jp] foreign term : good-bye

   say-so
          [say-so] n (1637) 1 a: one's unsupported assertion or assurance
          b: an authoritative pronouncement <left the hospital
          on the ~ of his doctor> 2: a right of final decision
          <has the ultimate ~ on what will be taught>

   sayyid
          [say.yid] n [Ar] (1788) 1: an Islamic chief or leader 2:
          lord, sir--used as a courtesy title for a Muslim of rank
          or lineage

   Sazerac
          [Saz.e.rac] trademark--used for a cocktail with a whiskey
          base

   sb...
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   sb
          [sb] abbreviation substantive  Sb [L stibium] abbreviation
          antimony  SB [NL scientiae baccalaureus] abbreviation
          bachelor of science; simultaneous broadcast, southbound

   SBA
          [SBA] abbreviation Small Business Administration

   SBN
          [SBN] abbreviation Standard Book Number

   sc...
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   sc
          [sc] abbreviation scale, scene, science, scilicet, screw,
          [L sculpsit] he carved it, she carved it, he engraved
          it, she engraved it  Sc abbreviation scandium, Scots,
          stratocumulus  SC abbreviation small capitals, South
          Carolina, supercalendered, supreme court

   [1]scab
          [scab] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to OSw skabbr scab; akin
          to OE sceabb scab, L scabere to scratch--more at shave]
          (13c) 1: scabies of domestic animals 2: a crust of hardened
          blood and serum over a wound 3 a: a contemptible person
          b (1): a worker who refuses to join a labor union (2):
          a union member who refuses to strike or returns to work
          before a strike has ended (3): a worker who accepts employment
          or replaces a union worker during a strike (4): one who
          works for less than union wages or on nonunion terms
          4: any of various bacterial or fungus diseases of plants
          characterized by crustaceous spots; also: one of the
          spots [2]scab vi scabbed ; scab.bing (1683) 1: to become
          covered with a scab 2: to act as a scab

   scabbard
          [scab.bard] n [ME scaubert, fr. AF escaubers] (13c): a sheath
          for a sword, dagger, or bayonet -- scabbard vt

   scabby
          [scab.by] adj scab.bi.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: covered with or
          full of scabs <~ skin> b: diseased with scab <a ~ animal>
          <~ potatoes> 2: mean, contemptible <a ~ trick>

   scabies
          [sca.bies] n, pl scabies [L, fr. scabere to scratch] (1814):
          contagious itch or mange esp. with exudative crusts that
          is caused by parasitic mites (esp. Sarcoptes scabiei)
          -- sca.bi.et.ic adj

   [1]scabious
          [sca.bi.ous] n [ME scabiose, fr. ML scabiosa, fr. L, fem.
          of scabiosus, adj.] (14c): any of a genus (Scabiosa)
          of Old World herbs of the teasel family with terminal
          flower heads subtended by a leafy involucre [2]scabious
          adj [L scabiosus, fr. scabies] (1603) 1: scabby 2: of,
          relating to, or resembling scabies <~ eruptions>

   scabland
          [scab.land] n (1904): a region characterized by elevated
          tracts of rocky land with little or no soil cover and
          traversed or isolated by postglacial dry stream channels--usu.
          used in pl.

   scabrous
          [sca.brous] adj [L scabr-, scaber rough, scurfy; akin to
          L scabere to scratch--more at scab] (1646) 1: difficult,
          knotty <a ~ problem> 2: rough to the touch: as a: having
          small raised dots, scales, or points <a ~ leaf> b: covered
          with raised, roughened, or unwholesome patches <~ paint>
          <yellowed ~ skin> 3: dealing with suggestive, indecent,
          or scandalous themes: salacious; also: squalid syn see
          rough -- sca.brous.ly adv -- sca.brous.ness n

   [1]scad
          [scad] n, pl scad also scads [origin unknown] (1602): any
          of several carangid fishes (esp. of the genus Decapterus)
          [2]scad n [prob. alter. of E dial. scald a multitude]
          (1869): a large number or quantity--usu. used in pl.
          <~s of money>

   scaffold
          [scaf.fold] n [ME, fr. ONF escafaut, modif. of (assumed)
          VL catafalicum, fr. Gk kata- cata- + L fala siege tower]
          (14c) 1 a: a temporary or movable platform for workers
          (as bricklayers, painters, or miners) to stand or sit
          on when working at a height above the floor or ground
          b: a platform on which a criminal is executed (as by
          hanging or beheading) c: a platform at a height above
          ground or floor level 2: a supporting framework

   scaffolding
          [scaf.fold.ing] n (14c): a system of scaffolds; also: material
          for scaffolds

   scag
          [scag] n [origin unknown] (1967) slang: heroin

   scagliola
          [sca.glio.la] n, often attrib [It, lit., little chip] (1747):
          an imitation marble used for floors, columns, and ornamental
          interior work

   scalable
          [scal.able] adj (ca. 1580): capable of being scaled

   scalade
          [sca.lade] or sca.la.do n, pl -lades or -la.dos [obs. It
          scalada, fr. scalare to scale, fr. scala ladder, staircase,
          fr. LL--more at scale] (1591) archaic: escalade

   [1]scalar
          [sca.lar] adj [L scalaris, fr. scalae stairs, ladder--more
          at scale] (ca. 1656) 1: having an uninterrupted series
          of steps: graduated <~ chain of authority> <~ cells>
          2 a: capable of being represented by a point on a scale
          <~ quantity> b: of or relating to a scalar or scalar
          product <~ multiplication> [2]scalar n (1846) 1: a real
          number rather than a vector 2: a quantity (as mass or
          time) that has a magnitude describable by a real number
          and no direction

   scalare
          [sca.la.re] n [NL, specific epithet, fr. L, neut. of scalaris;
          fr. the barred pattern on its body] (1928): a black and
          silver laterally compressed So. American cichlid fish
          (Pterophyllum scalare) popular in aquariums

   scalariform
          [sca.lar.i.form] adj [NL scalariformis, fr. L scalaris +
          -iformis -iform] (1836): resembling a ladder esp. in
          having transverse bars or markings like the rungs of
          a ladder <~ cells in plants> -- sca.lar.i.form.ly adv

   scalar product
          [scalar product] n (1878): a real number that is the product
          of the lengths of two vectors and the cosine of the angle
          between them--called also dot product, inner product

   scalawag
          [scal.a.wag] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1848) 1: scamp, reprobate
          2: a white Southerner acting in support of the reconstruction
          governments after the American Civil War often for private
          gain

   [1]scald
          [scald] vb [ME, fr. ONF escalder, fr. LL excaldare to wash
          in warm water, fr. L ex- + calida, calda warm water,
          fr. fem. of calidus warm, fr. calere to be warm--more
          at lee] vt (13c) 1: to burn with or as if with hot liquid
          or steam 2 a: to subject to the action of boiling water
          or steam b: to bring to a temperature just below the
          boiling point <~ milk> 3: scorch ~ vi 1: to scald something
          2: to become scalded [2]scald n (1601) 1: an injury to
          the body caused by scalding 2: an act or process of scalding
          3: any of various conditions or diseases of plants or
          fruits marked esp. by a usu. brownish discoloration of
          tissue [3]scald adj [scall + [1]-ed] (1561) 1 archaic:
          scabby, scurfy 2 archaic: shabby, contemptible [4]scald
          var of skald [5]scald adj [alter. of scalded] (1791):
          subjected to scalding <coffee ... with ~ cream --Charles
          Kingsley>

   scalding
          [scald.ing] adj (13c) 1: hot enough to scald <~ water> 2
          a: having or producing the feeling of being burned <~
          sun> <~ sand> b: scathing <~ criticism>

   [1]scale
          [scale] n [ME, bowl, scale of a balance, fr. ON skal; akin
          to ON skel shell--more at shell] (14c) 1 a: either pan
          or tray of a balance b: a beam that is supported freely
          in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended
          from its ends--usu. used in pl. 2: an instrument or machine
          for weighing [2]scale vb scaled ; scal.ing vt (1603):
          to weigh in scales ~ vi: to have a specified weight on
          scales [3]scale n [ME, fr. MF escale, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE scealu shell, husk--more at shell] (14c) 1
          a: a small, flattened, rigid, and definitely circumscribed
          plate forming part of the external body covering esp.
          of a fish b: a small thin plate suggesting a fish scale
          <~s of mica> <the ~s on a moth's wing> c: the scaly covering
          of a scaled animal 2: a small thin dry lamina shed (as
          in many skin diseases) from the skin 3: a thin coating,
          layer, or incrustation: a: a usu. black scaly coating
          of oxide forming on the surface of a metal (as iron)
          when it is heated for processing b: a hard incrustation
          usu. rich in sulfate of calcium that is deposited on
          the inside of a vessel (as a boiler) in which water is
          heated 4 a: a modified leaf protecting a seed plant bud
          before expansion b: a thin, membranous, chaffy, or woody
          bract 5 a: any of the small overlapping usu. metal pieces
          forming the outer surface of scale armor b: scale armor
          6 a: scale insect b: infestation with or disease caused
          by scale insects -- scaled adj -- scale.less adj [4]scale
          vb scaled ; scal.ing vt (15c) 1: to remove the scale
          or scales from (as by scraping) <~ a fish> 2: to take
          off in thin layers or scales 3: to form scale on <hard
          water ~s a boiler> 4: to throw (as a thin flat stone)
          so that the edge cuts the air or so that it skips on
          water: skim ~ vi 1: to separate and come off in scales:
          flake 2: to shed scales <scaling skin> 3: to become encrusted
          with scale [5]scale vb scaled ; scal.ing [ME, fr. [6]scale]
          vt (14c) 1 a: to attack with or take by means of scaling
          ladders <~ a castle wall> b: to climb up or reach by
          means of a ladder c: to reach the highest point of: surmount
          2 a: to arrange in a graduated series <~ a test> b (1):
          to measure by or as if by a scale (2): to measure or
          estimate the sound content of (as logs) c: to pattern,
          make, regulate, set, or estimate according to some rate
          or standard: adjust <a production schedule scaled to
          actual need>--often used with down or up <~ down imports>
          ~ vi 1: to climb by or as if by a ladder 2: to rise in
          a graduated series 3: measure [6]scale n [ME, fr. LL
          scala ladder, staircase, fr. L scalae, pl., stairs, rungs,
          ladder; akin to L scandere to climb--more at scan] (15c)
          1 a obs: ladder b archaic: a means of ascent 2: a graduated
          series of musical tones ascending or descending in order
          of pitch according to a specified scheme of their intervals
          3: something graduated esp. when used as a measure or
          rule: as a: a series of marks or points at known intervals
          used to measure distances (as the height of the mercury
          in a thermometer) b: an indication of the relationship
          between the distances on a map and the corresponding
          actual distances c: ruler 3 4 a: a graduated series or
          scheme of rank or order <a ~ of taxation> b: minimum
          wage 2 5 a: a proportion between two sets of dimensions
          (as between those of a drawing and its original) b: a
          distinctive relative size, extent, or degree <projects
          done on a large ~> 6: a graded series of tests or of
          performances used in rating individual intelligence or
          achievement -- scale adj -- to scale : according to the
          proportions of an established scale of measurement <floor
          plans drawn to scale> [7]scale n [[5]scale] (ca. 1587)
          1 obs: escalade 2: an estimate of the amount of sound
          lumber in logs or standing timber

   scale armor
          [scale armor] n (1842): armor of small metallic scales on
          leather or cloth

   scale-down
          [scale-down] n (1931): a reduction according to a fixed ratio
          <a ~ of debts>

   scale insect
          [scale insect] n (1840): any of numerous small but very prolific
          homopterous insects (superfamily Coccoidea) that have
          winged males, wingless scale-covered females attached
          to the host plant, and young that suck the juices of
          plants and some of which are economic pests--compare
          lac

   scalelike
          [scale.like] adj (1883): resembling a scale <~ design>; specif:
          reduced to a minute appressed element resembling a scale

   scalene
          [sca.lene] adj [LL scalenus, fr. Gk skalenos, lit., uneven;
          perh. akin to Gk skolios crooked, skelos leg--more at
          isosceles] (1734) of a triangle: having the three sides
          of unequal length--see triangle illustration

   scaler
          [scal.er] n (1568) 1: one that scales 2: a dental instrument
          for removing tartar from teeth 3: an electronic device
          that operates a recorder or produces an output pulse
          after a specified number of input impulses

   scale-up
          [scale-up] n (1945): an increase according to a fixed ratio

   scall
          [scall] n [ME, fr. ON skalli bald head; akin to Sw skulle
          skull] (14c): a scurf or scabby disorder (as of the scalp)

   scallion
          [scal.lion] n [ME scaloun, fr. AF scalun, fr. (assumed) VL
          escalonia, fr. L ascalonia (caepa) onion of Ascalon,
          fr. fem. of ascalonius of Ascalon, fr. Ascalon-, Ascalo
          Ascalon, seaport in southern Palestine] (14c) 1: shallot
          2: leek 3: an onion forming a thick basal portion without
          a bulb; also: green onion

   [1]scallop
          [scal.lop] n [ME scalop, fr. MF escalope shell, of Gmc origin;
          akin to MD schelpe shell] (15c) 1 a: any of numerous
          marine bivalve lamellibranch mollusks (family Pectinidae)
          that have a radially ribbed shell with the edge undulated
          and that swim by opening and closing the valves b: the
          adductor muscle of a scallop as an article of food 2
          a: a valve or shell of a scallop b: a baking dish shaped
          like a valve of a scallop 3: one of a continuous series
          of circle segments or angular projections forming a border
          4: pattypan 5 [F escalope, prob. fr. MF, shell]: a thin
          slice of boneless meat (as veal) [2]scallop vt (1737)
          1 [fr. the use of a scallop shell as a baking dish]:
          to bake in a sauce usu. covered with seasoned bread or
          cracker crumbs <~ed potatoes> 2 a: to shape, cut, or
          finish in scallops b: to form scallops in ~ vi: to gather
          or dredge scallops

   scalloper
          [scal.lop.er] n (ca. 1881) 1: a person who dredges for or
          gathers scallops 2: a boat equipped and used to dredge
          for scallops

   scallopini
          [scal.lo.pi.ni] or sca.lop.pi.ne n [It scaloppine, ultim.
          fr. F escalope thin slice of meat, prob. fr. MF, shell]
          (1946): thin slices of meat (as veal) sauteed or coated
          with flour and fried

   scallywag
          [scal.ly.wag] var of scalawag

   scalogram
          [sca.lo.gram] n [[6]scale + -o- + -gram] (1944): an arrangement
          of items (as problems on a test or features of speech)
          in ascending order so that the presence or accomplishment
          of an item at one level implies the presence of or the
          capability to accomplish items at all lower levels

   [1]scalp
          [scalp] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON skalpr sheath;
          akin to MD schelpe shell] (14c) 1 a: the part of the
          integument of the human head usu. covered with hair in
          both sexes b: the part of an animal (as a wolf or fox)
          corresponding to the human scalp 2 a: a part of the human
          scalp with attached hair cut or torn from an enemy as
          a token of victory (as by Indian warriors of No. America)
          b: a trophy of victory or accomplishment 3 chiefly Scot:
          a projecting mass of bare ground or rock [2]scalp vt
          (1676) 1 a: to deprive of the scalp b: to remove an upper
          part from 2: to remove a desired constituent from and
          discard the rest 3: to buy and sell so as to make small
          quick profits <~ stocks> <~ grain>; esp: to resell at
          greatly increased prices <~ theater tickets> ~ vi 1:
          to take scalps 2: to profit by slight market fluctuations
          -- scalp.er n

   scalpel
          [scal.pel] n [L scalpellus, scalpellum, dim. of scalper,
          scalprum chisel, knife, fr. scalpere to scratch, carve]
          (1742): a small straight thin-bladed knife used esp.
          in surgery

   scalp lock
          [scalp lock] n (1826): a long tuft of hair on the crown of
          the otherwise shaved head esp. of a warrior of some American
          Indian tribes

   scaly
          [scaly] adj scal.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: covered with, composed
          of, or rich in scale or scales b: flaky 2: of or relating
          to scaly animals 3: despicable, poor 4: infested with
          scale insects <~ fruit> -- scal.i.ness n

   scaly anteater
          [scaly anteater] n (1840): pangolin

   scam
          [scam] n [origin unknown] (1963): a fraudulent or deceptive
          act or operation <an insurance ~>

   scammony
          [scam.mo.ny] n, pl -nies [ME scamonie, fr. OE scammoniam,
          fr. L scammonia, fr. Gk skammonia] (bef. 12c) 1: a twining
          convolvulus (Convolvulus scammonia) of Asia Minor with
          a large thick root 2 a: the dried root of scammony b:
          a cathartic resin obtained from scammony

   [1]scamp
          [scamp] n [obs. scamp to roam about idly] (1808) 1: rascal,
          rogue 2: an impish or playful young person -- scamp.ish
          adj [2]scamp vt [origin unknown] (1837): to perform or
          deal with in a hasty, neglectful, or imperfect manner

   [1]scamper
          [scam.per] vi scam.pered ; scam.per.ing [prob. fr. obs. D
          schampen to flee, fr. MF escamper, fr. It scampare, fr.
          (assumed) VL excampare to decamp, fr. L ex- + campus
          field] (1691): to run nimbly and usu. playfully about
          [2]scamper n (1697): a playful or hurried run or movement

   scampi
          [scam.pi] n, pl scampi [It, pl. of scampo, a European lobster]
          (1925): shrimp; esp: large shrimp prepared with a garlic-flavored
          sauce

   [1]scan
          [scan] vb scanned ; scan.ning [ME scannen, fr. LL scandere,
          fr. L, to climb; akin to MIr sceinnid he springs, Skt
          skandati he leaps] vt (14c) 1: to read or mark so as
          to show metrical structure 2: to examine by point-by-point
          observation or checking: a: to investigate thoroughly
          by checking point by point and often repeatedly <a fire
          lookout scanning the hills with binoculars> b: to glance
          from point to point of often hastily, casually, or in
          search of a particular item <~ the want ads looking for
          a job> 3 a: to examine esp. systematically with a sensing
          device (as a photometer or a beam of radiation) usu.
          to obtain information b: to pass an electron beam over
          and convert (an image) into variations of electrical
          properties (as voltage) that convey information electronically
          c: to pass over in the formation of an image <the electron
          beam ~s the picture tube> ~ vi 1: to scan verse 2: to
          conform to a metrical pattern syn see scrutinize -- scan.na.ble
          adj [2]scan n (1706) 1: the act or process of scanning
          2: a radar or television trace 3 a: a depiction (as a
          photograph) of the distribution of a radioactive material
          in something (as a bodily organ) b: an image of a bodily
          part produced (as by computer) by combining radiographic
          data obtained from several angles or sections

   Scand
          [Scand] abbreviation Scandinavia, Scandinavian

   [1]scandal
          [scan.dal] n [ME, fr. LL scandalum stumbling block, offense,
          fr. Gk skandalon trap, stumbling block, offense; akin
          to L scandere to climb] (13c) 1 a: discredit brought
          upon religion by unseemly conduct in a religious person
          b: conduct that causes or encourages a lapse of faith
          or of religious obedience in another 2: loss of or damage
          to reputation caused by actual or apparent violation
          of morality or propriety: disgrace 3 a: a circumstance
          or action that offends propriety or established moral
          conceptions or disgraces those associated with it b:
          a person whose conduct offends propriety or morality
          4: malicious or defamatory gossip 5: indignation, chagrin,
          or bewilderment brought about by a flagrant violation
          of morality, propriety, or religious opinion syn see
          offense [2]scandal vt (1592) 1 obs: disgrace 2 chiefly
          dial: defame, slander

   scandalise
          [scan.dal.ise] chiefly Brit var of scandalize

   scandalize
          [scan.dal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1566) 1: to speak falsely
          or maliciously of 2 archaic: to bring into reproach 3:
          to offend the moral sense of: shock

   scandalmonger
          [scan.dal.mon.ger] n (1721): a person who circulates scandal
          -- scan.dal.mon.ger.ing n

   scandalous
          [scan.dal.ous] adj (1603) 1: libelous, defamatory 2: offensive
          to propriety or morality: shocking -- scan.dal.ous.ly
          adv -- scan.dal.ous.ness n

   scandal sheet
          [scandal sheet] n (1904): a newspaper or periodical dealing
          to a large extent in scandal and gossip

   scandent
          [scan.dent] adj [L scandent-, scandens, prp. of scandere
          to climb--more at scan] (ca. 1682): characterized by
          a climbing mode of growth <~ stems> <~ vines>

   Scandian
          [Scan.di.an] adj [L Scandia] (1668) 1: scandinavian 2: of
          or relating to the languages of Scandinavia -- Scandian
          n

   Scandinavian
          [Scan.di.na.vian] n (1766) 1: the North Germanic languages
          2 a: a native or inhabitant of Scandinavia b: a person
          of Scandinavian descent -- Scandinavian adj

   scandium
          [scan.di.um] n [NL, fr. L Scandia, ancient name of southern
          Scandinavian peninsula] (1879): a white metallic element
          found in association with rare earth elements

   scanner
          [scan.ner] n (1557): one that scans: as a: a device for sensing
          recorded data b: a device (as a CAT scanner) used for
          scanning something (as the human body)

   scanning electron microscope
          [scanning electron microscope] n (1953): an electron microscope
          in which a beam of focused electrons moves across the
          object with the secondary electrons produced by the object
          and the electrons scattered by the object being collected
          to form a three-dimensional image on a cathode-ray tube--called
          also scanning microscope -- scanning electron microscopy
          n

   scansion
          [scan.sion] n [LL scansion-, scansio, fr. L, act of climbing,
          fr. scandere] (1671): the analysis of verse to show its
          meter

   [1]scant
          [scant] adj [ME, fr. ON skamt, neut. of skammr short] (14c)
          1 dial a: excessively frugal b: not prodigal: chary 2
          a: barely or scarcely sufficient; esp: not quite coming
          up to a stated measure b: lacking in amplitude or quantity
          3: having a small or insufficient supply <he's fat, and
          ~ of breath --Shak.> syn see meager -- scant.ly adv --
          scant.ness n [2]scant adv (15c) dial: scarcely, hardly
          [3]scant vt (ca. 1580) 1: to provide an incomplete supply
          of: withhold 2: to make small, narrow, or meager: skimp
          3: to give scant attention to: slight 4: to provide with
          a meager or inadequate portion or allowance: stint

   scanties
          [scant.ies] n pl [blend of [1]scant and panties] (1929):
          abbreviated panties for women

   scantling
          [scant.ling] n [alter. of ME scantilon, lit., mason's or
          carpenter's gauge, fr. ONF escantillon] (1555) 1 a: the
          dimensions of timber and stone used in building b: the
          dimensions of a frame or strake used in shipbuilding
          2: a small quantity, amount, or proportion: modicum 3:
          a small piece of lumber (as an upright piece in house
          framing)

   scanty
          [scanty] adj scant.i.er ; -est [E dial. scant scanty supply,
          fr. ME, fr. ON skamt, fr. neut. of skammr short] (1660):
          limited or less than sufficient in degree, quantity,
          or extent syn see meager -- scant.i.ly adv -- scant.i.ness
          n

   [1]scape
          [scape] vb scaped ; scap.ing [ME, short for escapen] (13c):
          escape [2]scape n [L scapus shaft, stalk--more at shaft]
          (1601) 1: a peduncle arising at or beneath the surface
          of the ground in an acaulescent plant (as the tulip);
          broadly: a flower stalk 2: the shaft of an animal part
          (as an antenna or feather) [3]scape n [landscape] (1773):
          a view or picture of a scene--usu. used in combination
          <cityscape>

   [1]scapegoat
          [scape.goat] n [[1]scape; intended as trans. of Heb 'azazel
          (prob. name of a demon), as if 'ez 'ozel goat that departs--Lev
          16:8 (AV)] (1530) 1: a goat upon whose head are symbolically
          placed the sins of the people after which he is sent
          into the wilderness in the biblical ceremony for Yom
          Kippur 2 a: one that bears the blame for others b: one
          that is the object of irrational hostility [2]scapegoat
          vt (1943): to make a scapegoat of -- scape.goat.ism n

   scapegrace
          [scape.grace] n [[1]scape] (1809): an incorrigible rascal

   scaphoid
          [scaph.oid] n [NL scaphoides, fr. Gk skaphoeides, fr. skaphos
          boat] (1846): the bone of the thumb side of the carpus
          that is the largest in the proximal row; also: the navicular
          bone of the tarsus -- scaphoid adj

   scapolite
          [scap.o.lite] n [F, fr. L scapus shaft + F -o- + -lite; fr.
          the prismatic shape of its crystals] (1802): any of a
          group of minerals that are essentially complex silicates
          of aluminum, calcium, and sodium and that include some
          used as semiprecious stones

   scapose
          [sca.pose] adj (ca. 1903): bearing, resembling, or consisting
          of a scape <the terminal ~ flowers of a pyrola>

   scapula
          [scap.u.la] n, pl -lae or -las [NL, fr. L, shoulder blade,
          shoulder] (1578): either of a pair of large triangular
          bones lying one in each dorsal lateral part of the thorax,
          being the principal bone of the corresponding half of
          the shoulder girdle, and articulating with the corresponding
          clavicle or coracoid--called also shoulder blade

   [1]scapular
          [scap.u.lar] n [ME scapulare, fr. LL, fr. L scapula shoulder]
          (15c) 1 a: a long wide band of cloth with an opening
          for the head worn front and back over the shoulders as
          part of a monastic habit b: a pair of small cloth squares
          joined by shoulder tapes and worn under the clothing
          on the breast and back as a sacramental and often also
          as a badge of a third order or confraternity 2 a: scapula
          b: one of the feathers covering the base of a bird's
          wing--see bird illustration [2]scapular adj [NL scapularis,
          fr. scapula] (1713): of or relating to the shoulder,
          the scapula, or scapul ars

   scapular medal
          [scapular medal] n (1912): a medal worn in place of a sacramental
          scapular

   [1]scar
          [scar] n [ME skere, fr. ON sker skerry; prob. akin to ON
          skera to cut--more at shear] (14c) 1: an isolated or
          protruding rock 2: a steep rocky eminence: a bare place
          on the side of a mountain [2]scar n [ME escare, scar,
          fr. MF escare scab, fr. LL eschara, fr. Gk, hearth, brazier,
          scab] (14c) 1: a mark left (as in the skin) by the healing
          of injured tissue 2 a: a mark left on a stem or branch
          by a fallen leaf or harvested fruit b: cicatrix 2 3:
          a mark or indentation resulting from damage or wear <the
          ~s of bullets on the ... church door --Kay Boyle> 4:
          a lasting moral or emotional injury <one of his men had
          been killed ... in a manner that left a ~ upon his mind
          --H. G. Wells> -- scar.less adj [3]scar vb scarred ;
          scar.ring vt (1555) 1: to mark with a scar 2: to do lasting
          injury to ~ vi 1: to form a scar 2: to become scarred

   scarab
          [scar.ab] n [MF scarabee, fr. L scarabaeus] (1579) 1: any
          of a family (Scarabaeidae) of stout-bodied beetles (as
          a dung beetle) with lamellate or flabellate antennae
          2: a stone or faience beetle used in ancient Egypt as
          a talisman, ornament, and a symbol of resurrection

   scarabaeus
          [scar.a.bae.us] n [L] (1664): scarab 2

   scaramouch
          [scar.a.mouch] or scar.a.mouche n [F Scaramouche, fr. It
          Scaramuccia, fr. scaramuccia skirmish] (1662) 1 cap:
          a stock character in the Italian commedia dell'arte that
          burlesques the Spanish don and is characterized by boastfulness
          and cowardliness 2 a: a cowardly buffoon b: rascal, scamp

   [1]scarce
          [scarce] adj scarc.er ; scarc.est [ME scars, fr. ONF escars,
          fr. (assumed) VL excarpsus, lit., plucked out, pp. of
          L excerpere to pluck out--more at excerpt] (14c) 1: deficient
          in quantity or number compared with the demand: not plentiful
          or abundant 2: intentionally absent <made himself ~ at
          inspection time> syn see infrequent -- scarce.ness n
          [2]scarce adv (15c): scarcely, hardly

   scarcely
          [scarce.ly] adv (14c) 1 a: by a narrow margin: only just
          <had ~ rung the bell when the door flew open --Agnes
          S. Turnbull> b: almost not <could ~ see for the fog>
          2 a: certainly not <could ~ interfere between another
          man and his own beast --Owen Wister> b: probably not
          <there could ~ have been found a leader better equipped
          --V. L. Parrington>

   scarcity
          [scar.ci.ty] n, pl -ties (14c): the quality or state of being
          scarce; esp: want of provisions for the support of life

   [1]scare
          [scare] vb scared ; scar.ing [ME skerren, fr. ON skirra,
          fr. skjarr shy, timid] vt (13c): to frighten esp. suddenly:
          alarm ~ vi: to become scared -- scar.er n [2]scare n
          (ca. 1548) 1: a sudden fright 2: a widespread state of
          alarm: panic -- scare adj

   scarecrow
          [scare.crow] n (1573) 1 a: an object usu. suggesting a human
          figure that is set up to frighten birds (as crows) away
          from crops b: something frightening but harmless 2: a
          skinny or ragged person

   scared
          [scared] adj (1590): thrown into or being in a state of fear,
          fright, or panic <~ of snakes> <~ to go out>

   scaredy-cat
          [scaredy-cat] n [scared (pp. of scare) + [1]-y + cat] (1948):
          an unduly fearful person

   scarehead
          [scare.head] n (1887): a big, sensational, or alarming newspaper
          headline

   scaremonger
          [scare.mon.ger] n (1888): one inclined to raise or excite
          alarms esp. needlessly

   scare up
          [scare up] vt (1841): to find or get together with considerable
          labor or difficulty: scrape up <managed to scare up the
          money>

   [1]scarf
          [scarf] n, pl scarfs [ME skarf, prob. of Scand origin; akin
          to ON skarfr scarf] (15c) 1: either of the chamfered
          or cutaway ends that fit together to form a scarf joint
          2: a joint made by chamfering, halving, or notching two
          pieces to correspond and lapping and bolting them--called
          also scarf joint [2]scarf also scarph vt (1627) 1: to
          unite by a scarf joint 2: to form a scarf on [3]scarf
          n, pl scarves or scarfs [ONF escarpe sash, sling] (1555)
          1 a: a military or official sash usu. indicative of rank
          b archaic: tippet 3 2: a broad band of cloth worn about
          the shoulders, around the neck, or over the head 3: runner
          6b [4]scarf vt (1598) 1: to wrap, cover, or adorn with
          or as if with a scarf 2: to wrap or throw on (a scarf
          or mantle) loosely [5]scarf vt [by alter.] (ca. 1960):
          [3]scoff 1 <~ed down my sandwich>

   scarfpin
          [scarf.pin] n (1859): tiepin

   scarfskin
          [scarf.skin] n [[3]scarf] (1615): epidermis; esp: that forming
          the cuticle of a nail

   scarification
          [scar.i.fi.ca.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or process of scarifying
          2: a mark or marks made by scarifying

   [1]scarify
          [scar.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME scarifien, fr. MF scarifier,
          fr. LL scarificare, alter. of L scarifare, fr. Gk skariphasthai
          to scratch an outline, sketch--more at scribe] (14c)
          1: to make scratches or small cuts in (as the skin) <~
          an area for vaccination> 2: to lacerate the feelings
          of 3: to break up and loosen the surface of (as a field
          or road) 4: to cut or soften the wall of (a hard seed)
          to hasten germination -- scar.i.fi.er n [2]scarify vt
          -fied ; -fy.ing (1794): scare, frighten -- scar.i.fy.ing.ly
          adv

   scarious
          [scar.i.ous] adj [NL scariosus] (ca. 1806): dry and membranous
          in texture <a ~ bract>

   scarlatina
          [scar.la.ti.na] n [NL, fr. ML scarlata scarlet] (1803): scarlet
          fever -- scar.la.ti.nal adj

   [1]scarlet
          [scar.let] n [ME scarlat, scarlet, fr. OF or ML; OF escarlate,
          fr. ML scarlata, fr. Per saqalat, a kind of rich cloth]
          (13c) 1: scarlet cloth or clothes 2: any of various bright
          reds [2]scarlet adj (14c) 1: of the color scarlet 2 a:
          grossly and glaringly offensive <sinning in flagrant
          and ~ fashion --G. W. Johnson> b [fr. the use of the
          word in Isa 1:18 & Rev 17:1-6 (AV)]: of, characterized
          by, or associated with sexual immorality <a ~ woman>

   scarlet fever
          [scarlet fever] n (1676): an acute contagious febrile disease
          caused by hemolytic streptococci (esp. various strains
          of Streptococcus pyogenes) and characterized by inflammation
          of the nose, throat, and mouth, generalized toxemia,
          and a red rash

   scarlet letter
          [scarlet letter] n [fr. such a letter in the novel The Scarlet
          Letter (1850) by Nathaniel Hawthorne] (1850): a scarlet
          A worn as a punitive mark of adultery

   scarlet pimpernel
          [scarlet pimpernel] n (1855) 1: a common pimpernel (Anagallis
          arvensis) having scarlet, white, or purplish flowers
          that close in cloudy weather 2 [Scarlet Pimpernel, assumed
          name of the hero of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1905), novel
          by Baroness Orczy]: a person who rescues others from
          mortal danger by smuggling them across a border

   scarlet runner
          [scarlet runner] n (1806): a tropical American high-climbing
          bean (Phaseolus coccineus) that has large bright red
          flowers and red-and-black seeds and is grown widely as
          an ornamental and as a food bean--called also scarlet
          runner bean

   scarlet sage
          [scarlet sage] n (ca. 1890): a garden salvia (Salvia splendens)
          of Brazil with long racemes of intense typically scarlet
          flowers

   scarlet tanager
          [scarlet tanager] n (1810): a common American tanager (Piranga
          olivacea) with the male having scarlet plumage and black
          wings during the breeding season and the female having
          chiefly olive plumage

   scarp
          [scarp] n [It scarpa] (1589) 1: the inner side of a ditch
          below the parapet of a fortification 2 a: a line of cliffs
          produced by faulting or erosion--see fault illustration
          b: a low steep slope along a beach caused by wave erosion
          -- scarped adj

   scarper
          [scar.per] vi [prob. ultim. fr. It scappare, fr. (assumed)
          VL excappare--more at escape] (ca. 1846) Brit: flee,
          run away; broadly: leave, depart

   scarry
          [scar.ry] adj [[2]scar] (1653): bearing marks of wounds:
          scarred

   [1]scart
          [scart] vb [ME, alter. of scratten to scratch] (14c) chiefly
          Scot: scratch, scrape [2]scart n (ca. 1585) chiefly Scot:
          scratch, mark; esp: one made in writing

   scar tissue
          [scar tissue] n (1875): the connective tissue forming a scar
          and composed chiefly of fibroblasts in recent scars and
          largely of dense collagenous fibers in old scars

   scary
          [scary] adj scar.i.er ; -est (1582) 1: causing fright: alarming
          <a ~ story> 2: easily scared: timid 3: feeling alarm
          or fright: frightened -- scar.i.ly adv

   [1]scat
          [scat] vi scat.ted ; scat.ting [scat, interj. used to drive
          away a cat] (1838) 1: to go away quickly 2: to move fast:
          scoot [2]scat n [perh. fr. Gk skat-, skor excrement--more
          at scatology] (1927): an animal fecal dropping [3]scat
          n [origin unknown] (1929): jazz singing with nonsense
          syllables [4]scat vi scat.ted ; scat.ting (1935): to
          improvise nonsense syllables usu. to an instrumental
          accompaniment: sing scat

   SCAT
          [SCAT] abbreviation School and College Ability Test, supersonic
          commercial air transport

   scatback
          [scat.back] n [[1]scat + back] (1945): an offensive back
          in football who is an esp. fast and elusive ballcarrier

   [1]scathe
          [scathe] n [ME skathe, fr. ON skathi; akin to OE sceatha
          injury, Gk askethes unharmed] (13c): harm, injury --
          scathe.less adj [2]scathe vt scathed ; scath.ing (13c)
          1: to do harm to; specif: scorch, sear 2: to assail with
          withering denunciation

   scathing
          [scath.ing] adj (1794): bitterly severe <a ~ condemnation>
          syn see caustic -- scath.ing.ly adv

   scatology
          [sca.tol.o.gy] n [Gk skat-, skor excrement; akin to OE scearn
          dung, L muscerdae mouse droppings] (1876) 1: interest
          in or treatment of obscene matters esp. in literature
          2: the biologically oriented study of excrement (as for
          taxonomic purposes or for the determination of diet)
          -- scat.o.log.i.cal adj

   scatt
          [scatt] n [ME scat, fr. ON skattr; akin to OE sceat property,
          money, a small coin, OCS skotu domestic animal] (13c)
          archaic: tax, tribute

   [1]scatter
          [scat.ter] vb [ME scateren] vt (14c) 1 a: to cause to separate
          widely b: to cause to vanish 2 archaic: to fling away
          heedlessly: squander 3: to distribute irregularly 4:
          to sow by casting in all directions: strew 5 a: to reflect
          irregularly and diffusely b: to cause (a beam of radiation)
          to diffuse or disperse 6: to divide into ineffectual
          small portions ~ vi 1: to separate and go in various
          directions: disperse 2: to occur or fall irregularly
          or at random -- scat.ter.er n syn scatter, disperse,
          dissipate, dispel mean to cause to separate or break
          up. scatter implies a force that drives parts or units
          irregularly in many directions <the bowling ball scattered
          the pins>. disperse implies a wider separation and a
          complete breaking up of a mass or group <police dispersed
          the crowd>. dissipate stresses complete disintegration
          or dissolution and final disappearance <the fog was dissipated
          by the morning sun>. dispel stresses a driving away or
          getting rid of as if by scattering <an authoritative
          statement that dispelled all doubt>. [2]scatter n (1642)
          1: the act of scattering 2: a small quantity or number
          irregularly distributed or strewn about: scattering 3:
          the state or extent of being scattered; esp: dispersion

   scatteration
          [scat.ter.ation] n (1776) 1: the act or process of scattering:
          the state of being scattered 2: the movement of people
          and industry away from the city; also: the resulting
          regional urbanization 3: a policy of distributing funds
          and energies in too many ineffectively small units

   scatterbrain
          [scat.ter.brain] n (1790): a giddy heedless person

   scatterbrained
          [scat.ter.brained] adj (1747): having the characteristics
          of a scatterbrain

   scatter diagram
          [scatter diagram] n (1925): a two-dimensional graph in rectangular
          coordinates consisting of points whose coordinates represent values
          of two variables under study

   scattergood
          [scat.ter.good] n (1577): a wasteful person: spendthrift

   scattergram
          [scat.ter.gram] n (1938): scatter diagram

   scattergun
          [scat.ter.gun] n or adj (1836): shotgun

   [1]scattering
          [scat.ter.ing] n (14c) 1: an act or process in which something
          scatters or is scattered 2: something scattered: as a:
          a small number or quantity interspersed here and there
          <a ~ of visitors> b: the random change in direction of
          the particles constituting a beam or wave front due to
          collision with particles of the medium traversed [2]scattering
          adj (15c) 1: going in various directions 2: found or
          placed far apart and in no order 3: divided among many
          or several <~ votes> -- scat.ter.ing.ly adv

   scatter rug
          [scatter rug] n (1926): a rug of such a size that several
          can be used in a room

   scattershot
          [scat.ter.shot] adj (1951): broadly and often randomly inclusive:
          shotgun

   scatty
          [scat.ty] adj scat.ti.er ; -est [prob. fr. scatterbrain +
          [1]-y] (1911) chiefly Brit: crazy

   scaup
          [scaup] n, pl scaup or scaups [short for scaup duck; scaup
          prob. alter. of scalp bed of shellfish] (1797): either
          of two diving ducks (Aythya affinis or A. marila) with
          the male having a glossy purplish or greenish head and
          a black breast and tail

   scavenge
          [scav.enge] vb scav.enged ; scav.eng.ing [back-formation
          fr. scavenger] vt (ca. 1644) 1 a (1): to remove (as dirt
          or refuse) from an area (2): to clean away dirt or refuse
          from: cleanse <~ a street> b: to feed on (carrion or
          refuse) 2 a: to remove (burned gases) from the cylinder
          of an internal combustion engine after a working stroke
          b: to remove (as an undesirable constituent) from a substance
          or region by chemical or physical means c: to clean and
          purify (molten metal) by taking up foreign elements in
          chemical union 3: to salvage from discarded or refuse
          material; also: to salvage usable material from ~ vi:
          to work or act as a scavenger

   scavenger
          [scav.en.ger] n [alter. of earlier scavager, fr. ME skawager
          customs collector, fr. skawage customs, fr. ONF escauwage
          inspection, fr. escauwer to inspect, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE sceawian to look at--more at show] (1530) 1 chiefly
          Brit: a person employed to remove dirt and refuse from
          streets 2: one that scavenges: as a: a garbage collector
          b: a junk collector c: a chemically active substance
          acting to make innocuous or remove an undesirable substance
          3: an organism that feeds habitually on refuse or carrion

   scavenger hunt
          [scavenger hunt] n (1936): a game in which players try to
          acquire without buying specified items within a time
          limit

   ScD
          [ScD] abbreviation doctor of science

   scena
          [sce.na] n [It, lit., scene, fr. L] (1819): an elaborate
          solo vocal composition that consists of a recitative
          usu. followed by one or more aria sections

   scenario
          [sce.nar.io] n, pl -i.os [It, fr. L scaenarium place for
          erecting stages, fr. scaena stage] (1878) 1 a: an outline
          or synopsis of a play; esp: a plot outline used by actors
          of the commedia dell'arte b: the libretto of an opera
          2 a: screenplay b: shooting script 3: a sequence of events
          esp. when imagined; esp: an account or synopsis of a
          possible course of action or events <his ~ for a settlement
          envisages ... reunification --Selig Harrison>

   scenarist
          [sce.nar.ist] n (1920): a writer of scenarios

   scend
          [scend] n [perh. short for ascend] (ca. 1883) 1: the lift
          of a wave: send 2: the upward movement of a pitching
          ship

   scene
          [scene] n [MF, stage, fr. L scena, scaena stage, scene, prob.
          fr. Etruscan, fr. Gk skene shelter, tent, building forming
          the background for a dramatic performance, stage; perh.
          akin to Gk skia shadow--more at shine] (1540) 1: one
          of the subdivisions of a play: as a: a division of an
          act presenting continuous action in one place b: a single
          situation or unit of dialogue in a play <the love ~>
          c: a motion-picture or television episode or sequence
          2 a: a stage setting b: a real or imaginary prospect
          suggesting a stage setting <a sylvan ~> 3: the place
          of an occurrence or action: locale <~ of the crime> 4:
          an exhibition of anger or indecorous behavior <make a
          ~> 5 a: sphere of activity <the drug ~> b: situation
          <a bad ~> -- behind the scenes 1: out of public view;
          also: in secret 2: in a position to see the hidden workings
          <taken behind the scenes and told just how in fact the
          actual government ... has operated --William Clark>

   scene a faire
          [scene a faire] [F] foreign term : obligatory scene

   scenery
          [scen.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1770) 1: the painted scenes or
          hangings and accessories used on a theater stage 2: a
          picturesque view or landscape

   sceneshifter
          [scene.shift.er] n (1752): a worker who moves the scenes
          in a theater

   scene-stealer
          [scene-steal.er] n (1949): an actor who attracts attention
          when another is intended to be the center of attention

   scenic
          [sce.nic] also sce.ni.cal adj (1623) 1: of or relating to
          the stage, a stage setting, or stage representation 2:
          of or relating to natural scenery <a ~ view> 3: representing
          graphically an action, event, or episode <a ~ bas-relief>
          -- sce.ni.cal.ly adv

   scenic railway
          [scenic railway] n (1894) chiefly Brit: a miniature railway
          (as in an amusement park) with artificial scenery along
          the way

   scenography
          [sce.nog.ra.phy] n [Gk skenographia painting of scenery,
          fr. skene + -graphia -graphy] (1645): the art of perspective
          representation esp. as applied to the painting of stage
          scenery (as by the ancient Greeks) -- sce.nog.ra.pher
          n -- sce.no.graph.ic adj

   [1]scent
          [scent] n [ME sent, fr. senten] (14c) 1: effluvia from a
          substance that affect the sense of smell: as a: an odor
          left by an animal on a surface passed over b: a characteristic
          or particular odor; esp: one that is agreeable 2 a: power
          of smelling: sense of smell <a keen ~> b: power of detection:
          nose <a ~ for heresy> 3: a course of pursuit or discovery
          <throw one off the ~> 4: inkling, intimation <a ~ of
          trouble> 5: perfume 2 6: bits of paper dropped in the
          game of hare and hounds 7: a mixture prepared for use
          as a lure in hunting or fishing syn see fragrance, smell
          -- scent.less adj [2]scent vb [ME senten, fr. MF sentir
          to feel, smell, fr. L sentire to perceive, feel--more
          at sense] vt (15c) 1 a: to perceive by the olfactory
          organs: smell b: to get or have an inkling of <~ trouble>
          2: to imbue or fill with odor <~ed the air with perfume>
          ~ vi 1: to yield an odor of some specified kind <this
          ~s of sulfur>; also: to bear indication or suggestions
          2: to use the nose in seeking or tracking prey

   scented
          [scent.ed] adj (1666): having scent: as a: having the sense
          of smell b: having a perfumed smell c: having or exhaling
          an odor

   [1]scepter
          [scep.ter] n [ME sceptre, fr. MF ceptre, fr. L sceptrum,
          fr. Gk skeptron staff, scepter, fr. skeptesthai to prop
          oneself--more at shaft] (14c) 1: a staff or baton borne
          by a sovereign as an emblem of authority 2: royal or
          imperial authority: sovereignty [2]scepter vt scep.tered
          ; scep.ter.ing (1526): to invest with the scepter in
          token of royal authority

   sceptered
          [scep.tered] adj (1513) 1: invested with a scepter or sovereign
          authority 2: of or relating to a sovereign or to royalty

   sceptic, sceptical, scepticism
          [scep.tic, scep.ti.cal, scep.ti.cism] var of skeptic, skeptical,
          skepticism

   sceptre
          [sceptre] Brit var of scepter

   sch
          [sch] abbreviation school

   schadenfreude
          [scha.den.freu.de] n, often cap [G, fr. Schaden damage +
          Freude joy] (1895): enjoyment obtained from the troubles
          of others

   [1]schedule
          [sched.ule] n [alter. of ME cedule, fr. MF, slip of paper,
          note, fr. LL schedula slip of paper, dim. of (assumed)
          L scheda strip of papyrus, prob. back-formation fr. L
          schedium impromptu speech, fr. Gk schedion, fr. neut.
          of schedios casual; akin to Gk schedon near at hand,
          echein to seize, have] (1560) 1 a obs: a written document
          b: a statement of supplementary details appended to a
          legal or legislative document 2: a written or printed
          list, catalog, or inventory; also: timetable 1 3: program;
          esp: a procedural plan that indicates the time and sequence
          of each operation <finished on ~> 4: a body of items
          to be dealt with: agenda 5: a governmental list of drugs
          all subject to the same legal restrictions and controls
          [2]schedule vt sched.uled ; sched.ul.ing (1862) 1 a:
          to place in a schedule b: to make a schedule of 2: to
          appoint, assign, or designate for a fixed time -- sched.ul.er
          n

   scheelite
          [schee.lite] n [G Scheelit, fr. Karl W. Scheele d. 1786 Swed.
          chemist] (ca. 1837): a mineral consisting of the tungstate
          of calcium that is a source of tungsten and its compounds

   Scheherazade
          [Sche.her.a.zade] n [G Scheherezade, fr. Per Shirazad]: the
          fictional wife of an oriental king and the narrator of
          the tales in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments

   sche ma
          [sche .ma] n, pl sche.ma.ta also schemas [Gk schemat-, schema]
          (ca. 1890) 1: a diagrammatic presentation; broadly: a
          structured framework or plan: outline 2: a mental codification
          of experience that includes a particular organized way
          of perceiving cognitively and responding to a complex
          situation or set of stimuli

   [1]schematic
          [sche.mat.ic] adj [NL schematicus, fr. Gk schemat-, schema]
          (1701): of or relating to a scheme or schema -- sche.mat.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]schematic n (1929): a schematic drawing or diagram

   schematism
          [sche.ma.tism] n (1660): the disposition of constituents
          in a pattern or according to a scheme: design; also:
          a particular systematic disposition of parts

   schematize
          [sche.ma.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing [Gk schematizein, fr.
          schemat-, schema] (1828) 1: to form or to form into a
          scheme or systematic arrangement 2: to express or depict
          schematically -- sche.ma.ti.za.tion n

   [1]scheme
          [scheme] n [L schemat-, schema arrangement, figure, fr. Gk
          schemat-, schema, fr. echein to have, hold, be in (such)
          a condition; akin to OE sige victory, Skt sahate he prevails]
          (1610) 1 a archaic (1): a mathematical or astronomical
          diagram (2): a representation of the astrological aspects
          of the planets at a particular time b: a graphic sketch
          or outline 2: a concise statement or table: epitome 3:
          a plan or program of action; esp: a crafty or secret
          one 4: a systematic or organized framework: design syn
          see plan [2]scheme vb schemed ; schem.ing vt (1767):
          to form a scheme for ~ vi: to form plans; also: plot,
          intrigue -- schem.er n

   scheming
          [schem.ing] adj (ca. 1828): given to forming schemes; esp:
          shrewdly devious and intriguing

   [1]scherzando
          [scher.zan.do] adv or adj [It, fr. verbal of scherzare to
          joke, of Gmc origin; akin to MHG scherzen to leap for
          joy, joke; perh. akin to Gk skairein to gambol] (ca.
          1811): in sportive manner: playfully--used as a direction
          in music indicating style and tempo <allegretto ~> [2]scherzando
          n, pl -dos (ca. 1876): a passage or movement in scherzando
          style

   scherzo
          [scher.zo] n, pl scherzos or scher.zi [It, lit., joke, fr.
          scherzare] (1852): a sprightly humorous instrumental
          musical composition or movement commonly in quick triple
          time

   Schick test
          [Schick test] n [Bela Schick] (1916): a serological test
          for susceptibility to diphtheria by cutaneous injection
          of a diluted diphtheria toxin that causes an area of
          reddening and induration in susceptible individuals

   Schiff's reagent
          [Schiff's reagent] n [Hugo Schiff d. 1915 Ger. chemist] (1897):
          a solution of fuchsine decolorized by treatment with
          sulfur dioxide that gives a useful test for aldehydes
          because they restore the dye's color--called also Schiff
          reagent --compare feulgen reaction

   schiller
          [schil.ler] n [G] (1885): a bronzy iridescent luster (as
          of a mineral)

   schilling
          [schil.ling] n [G, fr. OHG skilling, a gold coin--more at
          shilling] (1753): the basic monetary unit of Austria

   schipperke
          [schip.per.ke] n [Flem, dim. of schipper skipper; fr. its
          use as a watchdog on boats--more at skipper] (1887):
          any of a Belgian breed of small stocky black dogs with
          foxy head and heavy coat

   schism
          [schism] n [ME scisme, fr. MF cisme, fr. LL schismat-, schisma,
          fr. Gk, cleft, division, fr. schizein to split--more
          at shed] (14c) 1: division, separation; also: discord,
          disharmony 2 a: formal division in or separation from
          a church or religious body b: the offense of promoting
          schism

   [1]schismatic
          [schis.mat.ic] n (14c): one who creates or takes part in
          schism [2]schismatic also schis.mat.i.cal adj (15c):
          of, relating to, or guilty of schism -- schis.mat.i.cal.ly
          adv

   schismatize
          [schis.ma.tize] vb -tized ; -tiz.ing vi (1601): to take part
          in schism; esp: to make a breach of union (as in the
          church) ~ vt: to induce into schism

   schist
          [schist] n [F schiste, fr. L schistos (lapis), lit., fissile
          stone, fr. Gk schistos that may be split, fr. schizein]
          (ca. 1782): a metamorphic crystalline rock that has a
          closely foliated structure and can be split along approximately
          parallel planes

   schistose
          [schis.tose] adj (1794): of or relating to schist: having
          the character or structure of a schist -- schis.tos.i.ty
          n

   schistosome
          [schis.to.some] n [NL Schistosoma, fr. Gk schistos + soma
          body] (1905): any of a genus (Schistosoma) of elongated
          trematode worms with the sexes separate that parasitize
          the blood vessels of birds and mammals and cause a destructive
          human schistosomiasis; broadly: a worm of the family
          (Schistosomatidae) that includes this genus -- schis.to.som.al
          adj -- schistosome adj

   schistosomiasis
          [schis.to.so.mi.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL, fr. Schistosoma]
          (1906): infestation with or disease caused by schistosomes;
          specif: a severe endemic disease of humans in much of
          Asia, Africa, and So. America marked esp. by blood loss
          and tissue damage

   schiz-
          [schiz-] or schizo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk schizo-, fr. schizein
          to split--more at shed] 1: split: cleft <schizocarp>
          2: characterized by or involving cleavage <schizogony>
          3: schizophrenia <schizoid>

   schizo
          [schizo] n, pl schiz.os (1945): a schizophrenic individual

   schizocarp
          [schizo.carp] n [ISV] (1870): a dry compound fruit that splits
          at maturity into several indehiscent one-seeded carpels

   schizogony
          [schi.zog.o.ny] n [NL schizogonia, fr. schiz- + L -gonia
          -gony] (1887): asexual reproduction by multiple segmentation
          characteristic of sporozoans (as the malaria parasite)
          -- schizo.gon.ic or schi.zog.o.nous adj

   schizoid
          [schiz.oid] adj [ISV] (1924): characterized by, resulting
          from, tending toward, or suggestive of schizophrenia
          -- schizoid n

   schizont
          [schiz.ont] n [ISV] (1900): a multinucleate sporozoan that
          reproduces by schizogony

   schizophrene
          [schizo.phrene] n [ISV, prob. back-formation fr. NL schizophrenia]
          (1925): one affected with schizophrenia: schizophrenic

   schizophrenia
          [schizo.phre.nia] n [NL] (1912) 1: a psychotic disorder
          characterized by loss of contact with the environment,
          by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday
          life, and by disintegration of personality expressed as disorder
          of feeling, thought (as in hallucinations and delusions), and
          conduct--called also dementia praecox 2: contradictory
          or antagonistic qualities or attitudes <both parties ... have
          exhibited ~ over the desired outcome --Elizabeth Drew>
          -- schizo.phren.ic adj or n -- schizo.phren.i.cal.ly adv

   schizy
          [schizy] or schiz.zy adj [by shortening & alter.] (1927):
          schizoid

   schlemiel
          [schle.miel] n [Yiddish shlemil] (1892): an unlucky bungler:
          chump

   schlepp
          [schlepp] or schlep vb [Yiddish shlepn, fr. MHG sleppen,
          fr. MLG slepen] vt (1922): drag, haul ~ vi: to proceed
          or move slowly, tediously, or awkwardly

   schlieren
          [schlie.ren] n pl [G] (1898) 1: small masses or streaks in
          an igneous rock that differ in composition from the main
          body 2: regions of varying refraction in a transparent
          medium often caused by pressure or temperature differences
          and detectable esp. by photographing the passage of a
          beam of light -- schlie.ric adj

   schlock
          [schlock] also schlocky adj [perh. fr. Yiddish shlak evil,
          nuisance, lit., blow, fr. MHG slag, slac, fr. OHG slag,
          fr. slahan to strike--more at slay] (1915): of low quality
          or value -- schlock n

   schm-
          [schm-] or shm- prefix [Yiddish shm-]--used to form a rhyming
          term of derision by replacing the initial consonant or
          consonant cluster of a word or by preceding the initial
          vowel <fancy, schmancy, I prefer plain>
          <Godfather-shmodfather--enough already --Judith Crist>

   schmaltz
          [schmaltz] also schmalz n [Yiddish shmalts, lit., rendered
          fat, fr. MHG smalz; akin to OHG smelzan to melt--more
          at smelt] (1935) 1: sentimental or florid music or art
          2: sentimentality -- schmaltzy adj

   schmear
          [schmear] or schmeer n [Yiddish shmir smear; akin to OHG
          smero grease--more at smear] (1965): an aggregate of
          related things <the whole ~>

   Schmidt camera
          [Schmidt camera] n [B. Schmidt d. 1935 Ger. optical scientist]
          (1936): a photographic telescope with specialized optics
          that correct for spherical aberration and coma--called
          also Schmidt telescope

   schmo
          [schmo] or schmoe n, pl schmoes [origin unknown] (1947) slang:
          jerk 4

   schmooze
          [schmooze] or shmooze vi [Yiddish shmuesn, fr. schmues talk,
          fr. Heb shemu'oth news, rumor] (1897): to converse informally:
          chat

   schmuck
          [schmuck] n [Yiddish shmok, lit., penis] (1892) slang: jerk
          4

   schnapps
          [schnapps] n, pl schnapps [G Schnaps, lit., dram of liquor,
          fr. LG snaps dram, mouthful, fr. snappen to snap] (1818):
          any of various liquors of high alcoholic content; esp:
          strong Holland gin

   schnauzer
          [schnau.zer] n [G, fr. Schnauze snout--more at snout] (1923):
          a dog of any of three breeds that originated in Germany
          and are characterized by a wiry coat, long head, small
          ears, heavy eyebrows, and long hair on the muzzle: a:
          standard schnauzer b: giant schnauzer c: miniature schnauzer

   schnitzel
          [schnit.zel] n [G, lit., shaving, chip, dim. of Schnitz slice,
          fr. MHG snitz; akin to OHG snidan to cut, OE snithan,
          and perh. to Czech snet bough] (1854): a seasoned and
          garnished veal cutlet

   schnook
          [schnook] n [origin unknown] (1940) slang: a stupid or unimportant
          person: dolt

   schnorkel
          [schnor.kel] var of snorkel

   schnorrer
          [schnor.rer] n [Yiddish shnorer] (1892): beggar; esp: one
          who wheedles others into supplying his wants

   schnozzle
          [schnoz.zle] n [prob. modif. of Yiddish shnoitsl, dim. of
          shnoits snout; akin to G Schnauze snout, muzzle--more
          at snout] (1937) slang: nose

   schola cantorum
          [scho.la can.to.rum] n, pl scho.lae can.torum [ML, school
          of singers] (1782) 1: a singing school esp. for church
          choristers; specif: the choir or choir school of a monastery
          or of a cathedral 2: an enclosure designed for a choir
          and located in the center of the nave in early church
          buildings

   scholar
          [schol.ar] n [ME scoler, fr. OE scolere & OF escoler, fr.
          ML scholaris, fr. LL, of a school, fr. L schola school]
          (bef. 12c) 1: one who attends a school or studies under
          a teacher: pupil 2 a: one who has done advanced study
          in a special field b: a learned person 3: a holder of
          a scholarship

   scholarly
          [schol.ar.ly] adj (1638): of, characteristic of, or suitable
          to learned persons: learned, academic

   scholarship
          [schol.ar.ship] n (ca. 1536) 1: a grant-in-aid to a student
          (as by a college or foundation) 2: the character, qualities,
          activity, or attainments of a scholar: learning 3: a
          fund of knowledge and learning <drawing on the ~ of the
          ancients> syn see knowledge

   Scholarship level
          [Scholarship level] n (1947): s level

   [1]scholastic
          [scho.las.tic] adj [ML & L; ML scholasticus of the schoolmen,
          fr. L, of a school, fr. Gk scholastikos, fr. scholazein
          to keep a school, fr. schole school] (1596) 1 a often
          cap: of or relating to Scholasticism <~ theology> <~
          philosophy> b: suggestive or characteristic of a scholastic
          esp. in subtlety or aridity: pedantic <dull ~ reports>
          2: of or relating to schools or scholars; esp: of or
          relating to high school or secondary school -- scho.las.ti.cal.ly
          adv [2]scholastic n (1644) 1 a cap: a Scholastic philosopher
          b: pedant, formalist 2 [NL scholasticus, fr. L scholasticus,
          adj.]: a student in a scholasticate 3: one who adopts
          academic or traditional methods in art

   scholasticate
          [scho.las.ti.cate] n [NL scholasticatus, fr. scholasticus
          student in a scholasticate] (1875): a college-level school
          of general study for those preparing for membership in
          a Roman Catholic religious order

   scholasticism
          [scho.las.ti.cism] n (ca. 1782) 1 cap a: a philosophical
          movement dominant in western Christian civilization from
          the 9th until the 17th century and combining religious
          dogma with the mystical and intuitional tradition of
          patristic philosophy esp. of St. Augustine and later
          with Aristotelianism b: neo-scholasticism 2 a: close
          adherence to the traditional teachings or methods of
          a school or sect b: pedantic adherence to scholarly methods

   scholiast
          [scho.li.ast] n [MGk scholiastes, fr. scholiazein to write
          scholia on, fr. Gk scholion] (1583): a maker of scholia:
          commentator, annotator -- scho.li.as.tic adj

   scholium
          [scho.li.um] n, pl -lia or -li.ums [NL, fr. Gk scholion comment,
          scholium, fr. dim. of schole lecture] (1535) 1: a marginal
          annotation or comment (as on the text of a classic by
          an early grammarian) 2: a remark or observation subjoined
          but not essential to a demonstration or a train of reasoning

   [1]school
          [school] n [ME scole, fr. OE scol, fr. L schola, fr. Gk schole
          leisure, discussion, lecture, school; perh. akin to Gk
          echein to hold--more at scheme] (bef. 12c) 1: an organization
          that provides instruction: as a: an institution for the
          teaching of children b: college, university c (1): a
          group of scholars and teachers pursuing knowledge together
          that with similar groups constituted a medieval university
          (2): one of the four faculties of a medieval university
          (3): an institution for specialized higher education
          often associated with a university <the ~ of engineering>
          d: an establishment offering specialized instruction
          <a secretarial ~> <driving ~s> 2 a (1): the process of
          teaching or learning esp. at a school (2): attendance
          at a school (3): a session of a school b: a school building
          c: the students attending a school; also: its teachers
          and students 3: a source of knowledge <experience was
          his ~> 4 a: persons who hold a common doctrine or follow
          the same teacher (as in philosophy, theology, or medicine)
          <the Aristotelian ~> b: a group of artists under a common
          influence c: persons of similar opinions or behavior
          <other ~s of thought> 5: the regulations governing military
          drill of individuals or units; also: the exercises carried
          out <the ~ of the soldier> [2]school vt (15c) 1 a: to
          teach or drill in a specific knowledge or skill <well
          ~ed in languages> b: to discipline or habituate to something
          <~ oneself in patience> 2: to educate in an institution
          of learning syn see teach [3]school n [ME scole, fr.
          MD schole; akin to OE scolu multitude and prob. to OE
          scylian to separate--more at skill] (15c): a large number
          of fish or aquatic animals of one kind swimming together
          [4]school vi (1597): to swim or feed in a school <bluefish
          are ~ing>

   school-age
          [school-age] adj (1741): old enough to go to school <~ children>

   schoolbag
          [school.bag] n (1895): a bag for carrying schoolbooks and
          school supplies

   school board
          [school board] n (1836): a board in charge of local public
          schools

   schoolbook
          [school.book] n (1745): a school textbook

   [1]schoolboy
          [school.boy] n (1588): a boy attending school [2]schoolboy
          adj (1687) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic of a
          schoolboy <~ pranks> 2: of, relating to, or being a sport
          for high school or prep school boys; also: being one
          who participates in such sports <a former ~ and collegiate
          goalie --D. J. Barr>

   schoolboyish
          [school.boy.ish] adj (1831): schoolboy 1

   school bus
          [school bus] n (1908): a vehicle used for transporting children
          to or from school or on activities connected with school

   schoolchild
          [school.child] n (1840): a child attending school

   school committee
          [school committee] n (1787): school board

   school district
          [school district] n (1809): a unit for administration of
          a public-school system often comprising several towns
          within a state

   schoolfellow
          [school.fel.low] n (15c): schoolmate

   schoolgirl
          [school.girl] n (1777): a girl attending school

   schoolhouse
          [school.house] n (14c): a building used as a school and esp.
          as an elementary school

   schooling
          [school.ing] n (15c) 1 a: instruction in school: education
          b: training, guidance, or discipline derived from experience
          2 archaic: reproof 3: the cost of instruction and maintenance
          at school 4: the training of a horse to service; esp:
          the teaching and exercising of horse and rider in the
          formal techniques of equitation

   schoolkid
          [school.kid] n (1938): a child or teenager attending school

   school-leaver
          [school-leav.er] n (1925) Brit: one who has left school usu.
          after completing a course of study

   schoolman
          [school.man] n (ca. 1540) 1 a: one skilled in academic disputation
          b cap: scholastic 1a 2: educator 1, 2b

   schoolmarm
          [school.marm] or school.ma'am n [school + marm, alter. of
          ma'am] (1831) 1: a woman schoolteacher esp. in a rural
          or small-town school 2: a person who exhibits characteristics
          attributed to schoolteachers (as strict adherence to
          arbitrary rules) -- school.marm.ish adj

   schoolmaster
          [school.mas.ter] n (13c) 1: a man who teaches school 2: one
          that disciplines or directs 3: a reddish brown edible
          snapper (Lutjanus apodus) of the tropical Atlantic and
          the Gulf of Mexico -- school.mas.ter.ish adj -- school.mas.ter.ly
          adj

   schoolmate
          [school.mate] n (1563): a companion at school

   schoolmistress
          [school.mis.tress] n (15c): a woman who teaches school

   schoolroom
          [school.room] n (1773): classroom

   schoolteacher
          [school.teach.er] n (ca. 1847): one who teaches school

   schooltime
          [school.time] n (1740) 1: the time for beginning a session
          of school or during which school is held 2: the period
          of life spent in school or in study

   schoolwork
          [school.work] n (1857): lessons done in class or assigned
          to be done at home

   schooner
          [schoo.ner] n [origin unknown] (1716) 1: a typically 2-masted
          fore-and-aft rigged vessel with a foremast and a mainmast
          stepped nearly amidships 2: a larger-than-usual drinking
          glass (as for beer) 3: prairie schooner

   schooner rig
          [schooner rig] n (1866): fore-and-aft rig -- schoo.ner-rigged
          adj

   schorl
          [schorl] n [G Schorl] (1779): tourmaline; esp: tourmaline
          of the black variety

   schottische
          [schot.tische] n [G, fr. schottisch Scottish, fr. Schotte
          Scotsman; akin to OE Scottas Scots] (1849) 1: a round
          dance resembling a slow polka 2: music for the schottische

   schrod
          [schrod] var of scrod

   Schrodinger equation
          [Schro.ding.er equation] n [Erwin Schrodinger] (1936): an
          equation that describes the wave nature of elementary
          particles and is fundamental to the description of the
          properties of all matter

   schtick
          [schtick] var of shtick

   schuss
          [schuss] vi [schuss, n., fr. G Schuss, lit., shot, fr. OHG
          scuz--more at shot] (1940): to ski directly down a slope
          at high speed -- schuss n

   schussboomer
          [schuss.boom.er] n (1953): a skier who schusses

   schwa
          [schwa] n [G, fr. Heb schewa'] (1895) 1: an unstressed mid-central
          vowel (as the usual sound of the first and last vowels of the
          English word America) 2: the symbol that is in the form
          of an inverted and reversed lowercase e used for the schwa sound
          and less widely for a similarly articulated stressed vowel (as
          in cut)

   Schwann cell
          [Schwann cell] n [Theodor Schwann d. 1882 Ger. naturalist]
          (ca. 1909): the myelin-secreting cell surrounding a myelinated
          nerve fiber between two nodes of Ranvier

   schwarmerei
          [schwar.me.rei] n [G Schwarmerei, fr. schwarmen to be enthusiastic,
          lit., to swarm] (1845): excessive or unwholesome sentiment

   sci
          [sci] abbreviation science, scientific

   sciatic
          [sci.at.ic] adj [MF sciatique, fr. LL sciaticus, alter. of
          L ischiadicus of sciatica, fr. Gk ischiadikos, fr. ischiad-,
          ischias sciatica, fr. ischion ischium] (1586) 1: of,
          relating to, or situated near the hip 2: of, relating
          to, or caused by sciatica <~ pains>

   sciatica
          [sci.at.i.ca] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. LL, fem. of sciaticus] (14c):
          pain along the course of a sciatic nerve esp. in the
          back of the thigh; broadly: pain in the lower back, buttocks,
          hips, or adjacent parts

   sciatic nerve
          [sciatic nerve] n (1741): either of the pair of largest nerves
          in the body that arise one on each side from the nerve
          plexus supplying the posterior limb and pelvic region
          and that pass out of the pelvis and down the back of
          the thigh

   SCID
          [SCID] abbreviation severe combined immune deficiency, severe
          combined immunodeficiency

   science
          [sci.ence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L scientia, fr. scient-, sciens
          having knowledge, fr. prp. of scire to know; prob. akin
          to Skt chyati he cuts off, L scindere to split--more
          at shed] (14c) 1: the state of knowing: knowledge as
          distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding 2 a:
          a department of systematized knowledge as an object of
          study <the ~ of theology> b: something (as a sport or
          technique) that may be studied or learned like systematized
          knowledge <have it down to a ~> 3 a: knowledge or a system
          of knowledge covering general truths or t he operation
          of general laws esp. as obtained and tested through scientific
          method b: such knowledge or such a system of knowledge
          concerned with the physical world and its phenomena:
          natural science 4: a system or method reconciling practical
          ends with scientific laws <culinary ~> 5 cap: christian
          science

   science fiction
          [science fiction] n (1851): fiction dealing principally with
          the impact of actual or imagined science on society or
          individuals or having a scientific factor as an essential
          orienting component

   sciential
          [sci.en.tial] adj (15c) 1: relating to or producing knowledge
          or science 2: having efficient knowledge: capable

   scientific
          [sci.en.tif.ic] adj [ML scientificus producing knowledge,
          fr. L scient-, sciens + -i- + -ficus -fic] (1589): of,
          relating to, or exhibiting the methods or principles
          of science -- sci.en.tif.i.cal.ly adv

   scientific method
          [scientific method] n (1854): principles and procedures for
          the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition
          and formulation of a problem, the collection of data
          through observation and experiment, and the formulation
          and testing of hypotheses

   scientific notation
          [scientific notation] n (ca. 1934): a widely used floating-point
          system in which numbers are expressed as products consisting
          of a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by an appropriate
          power of 10

   scientism
          [sci.en.tism] n (1877) 1: methods and attitudes typical of
          or attributed to the natural scientist 2: an exaggerated
          trust in the efficacy of the methods of natural science
          applied to all areas of investigation (as in philosophy,
          the social sciences, and the humanities)

   scientist
          [sci.en.tist] n [L scientia] (1834) 1: a person learned in
          science and esp. natural science: a scientific investigator
          2 cap: christian scientist

   scientize
          [sci.en.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1917): to treat with
          a scientific approach <the attempt to ~ reality, to name
          it and classify it --John Fowles>

   sci-fi
          [sci-fi] adj [science fiction] (1955): of, relating to, or
          being science fiction <a ~ film> -- sci-fi n

   scil
          [scil] abbreviation scilicet

   scilicet
          [sci.li.cet] adv [ME, fr. L, surely, to wit, fr. scire to
          know + licet it is permitted, fr. licere to be permitted--more
          at license] (14c): to wit, namely

   scilla
          [scil.la] n [NL, fr. L, squill--more at squill] (1824): any
          of a genus (Scilla) of Old World bulbous herbs of the
          lily family with narrow basal leaves and pink, blue,
          or white racemose flowers

   scimitar
          [scim.i.tar] n [It scimitarra] (ca. 1548): a saber having
          a curved blade with the edge on the convex side and used
          chiefly by Arabs and Turks

   scintigraphy
          [scin.tig.ra.phy] n [scintillation + -graphy; fr. the scintillation
          counter used to record radiation on the picture] (1958):
          a diagnostic technique in which a two-dimensional picture
          of a bodily radiation source is obtained by the use
          of radioisotopes -- scin.ti.graph.ic adj

   scintilla
          [scin.til.la] n [L] (1692): spark, trace

   scintillant
          [scin.til.lant] adj (1737): that scintillates: sparkling
          -- scin.til.lant.ly adv

   scintillate
          [scin.til.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L scintillatus, pp.
          of scintillare to sparkle, fr. scintilla spark] vi (ca.
          1623) 1: to emit sparks: spark 2: to emit quick flashes
          as if throwing off sparks: sparkle ~ vt: to throw off
          as a spark or as sparkling flashes <~ witticisms> --
          scin.til.la.tor n

   scintillating
          [scin.til.lat.ing] adj (1883): brilliantly lively, stimulating,
          or witty <~ conversation>

   scintillation
          [scin.til.la.tion] n (ca. 1623) 1: an act or instance of
          scintillating; esp: rapid changes in the brightness of
          a celestial body 2 a: a spark or flash emitted in scintillating
          b: a flash of light produced in a phosphor by an ionizing
          event 3: a brilliant outburst (as of wit) 4: a flash
          of the eye

   scintillation counter
          [scintillation counter] n (1948): a device for detecting
          and registering individual scintillations (as in radioactive
          emission)

   scintillometer
          [scin.til.lom.e.ter] n [L scintilla + ISV -o- + -meter] (1877):
          scintillation counter

   sciolism
          [sci.o.lism] n [LL sciolus smatterer, fr. dim. of L scius
          knowing, fr. scire to know--more at science] (1816):
          a superficial show of learning -- sci.o.list n -- sci.o.lis.tic
          adj

   scion
          [sci.on] n [ME, fr. MF cion, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG chinan
          to sprout, split open, OE cinan to gape] (13c) 1: a detached
          living portion of a plant joined to a stock in grafting
          and usu. supplying solely aerial parts to a graft 2:
          descendant, child

   scire facias
          [sci.re fa.cias] n [ME, fr. ML, you should cause to know]
          (15c) 1: a judicial writ founded on some matter of record
          and requiring the party proceeded against to show cause
          why the record should not be enforced, annulled, or vacated
          2: a legal proceeding instituted by a scire facias

   scirocco
          [sci.roc.co] var of sirocco

   scirrhous
          [scir.rhous] adj [NL scirrhosus, fr. scirrhus scirrhous tumor,
          fr. Gk skiros, skirrhos overgrown land, hardened tumor]
          (1563): of, relating to, or being a hard slow-growing
          malignant tumor having a preponderance of fibrous tissue

   scissile
          [scis.sile] adj [F, fr. L scissilis, fr. scissus, pp. of
          scindere to split--more at shed] (1621): capable of being
          cut smoothly or split easily <a ~ peptide bond>

   scission
          [scis.sion] n [ME scissione, fr. MF scission, fr. LL scission-,
          scissio, fr. L scindere] (15c) 1: a division or split
          in a group or union: schism 2: an action or process of
          cutting, dividing, or splitting: the state of being cut,
          divided, or split

   [1]scissor
          [scis.sor] n [ME sisoure, fr. MF cisoire, fr. LL cisorium
          cutting instrument, irreg. fr. L caedere to cut] (15c):
          scissors [2]scissor vt scis.sored ; scis.sor.ing (1612):
          to cut, cut up, or cut off with scissors or shears

   scissors
          [scis.sors] n pl but sing or pl in constr (14c) 1: a cutting
          instrument having two blades whose cutting edges slide
          past each other 2 a: a gymnastic feat in which the leg
          movements suggest the opening and closing of scissors
          b: scissors hold

   scissors-and-paste
          [scissors-and-paste] adj (1902): being a compilation rather
          than an effort of original and independent investigation

   scissors hold
          [scissors hold] n (1909): a wrestling hold in which the legs
          are locked around the head or body of an opponent

   scissors kick
          [scissors kick] n (ca. 1930): a swimming kick used esp. in
          sidestrokes in which the legs move like scissors

   scissor-tailed flycatcher
          [scis.sor-tailed flycatcher] n (ca. 1909): a flycatcher (Muscivora
          forficata) of the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central America that
          has a deeply forked tail--called also scissortail

   sclaff
          [sclaff] vi [Sc, fr. sclaff, n., lit., blow with the palm;
          prob. of imit. origin] (1893): to scrape the ground instead
          of hitting the ball cleanly on a golf stroke -- sclaff
          n -- sclaff.er n

   SCLC
          [SCLC] abbreviation Southern Christian Leadership Conference

   scler-
          [scler-] or sclero- comb form [NL, fr. Gk skler-, sklero-,
          fr. skleros--more at skeleton] 1: hard <sclerite> <scleroderma>
          2: hardness <sclerometer>

   sclera
          [sclera] n [NL, fr. Gk skleros] (1888): the dense fibrous
          opaque white outer coat enclosing the eyeball except
          the part covered by the cornea--see eye illustration
          -- scler.al adj

   sclereid
          [scler.e.id] n [ISV, irreg. fr. Gk skleros] (ca. 1900): a
          variably shaped sclerenchymatous cell of a higher plant
          that is often nearly isodiametric

   sclerenchyma
          [scle.ren.chy.ma] n [NL] (1875): a protective or supporting
          tissue in higher plants composed of cells with walls
          thickened and often lignified -- scler.en.chy.ma.tous
          adj

   sclerite
          [scler.ite] n [ISV] (1861): a hard chitinous or calcareous
          plate, piece, or spicule (as of the arthropod integument)

   scleroderma
          [sclero.der.ma] n [NL] (ca. 1860): a usu. slowly progressive
          disease marked by the deposition of fibrous connective
          tissue in the skin and often in internal organs

   sclerometer
          [scle.rom.e.ter] n [ISV] (ca. 1879): an instrument for determining
          the relative hardnesses of materials

   scleroprotein
          [sclero.pro.tein] n [ISV] (1907): any of various fibrous
          proteins esp. from connective and skeletal tissues

   sclerosing
          [scle.ros.ing] adj [NL sclerosis + E [1]-ing] (1885): causing
          or characterized by sclerosis <~ agents>

   sclerosis
          [scle.ro.sis] n [ME sclirosis tumor, fr. ML, fr. Gk sklerosis
          hardening, fr. skleroun to harden, fr. skleros] (1846):
          pathological hardening of tissue esp. from overgrowth
          of fibrous tissue or increase in interstitial tissue;
          also: a disease characterized by sclerosis

   [1]sclerotic
          [scle.rot.ic] adj (1543) 1: being or relating to the sclera
          2: of, relating to, or affected with sclerosis 3: grown
          rigid or unresponsive esp. with age <~ institutions>
          [2]sclerotic n [ML sclerotica, fr. (assumed) Gk sklerotos,
          verbal of Gk skleroun to harden] (1690): sclera

   sclerotic coat
          [sclerotic coat] n (1741): sclera

   sclerotin
          [scler.o.tin] n [prob. scler- + -tin (as in chitin)] (1940):
          an insoluble tanned protein permeating and stiffening
          the chitin of the cuticle of arthropods

   sclerotium
          [scle.ro.tium] n, pl -tia [NL, fr. (assumed) Gk sklerotos]
          (1871): a compact mass of hardened mycelium stored with
          reserve food material that in some higher fungi becomes
          detached and remains dormant until a favorable opportunity
          for growth occurs -- scle.ro.tial adj

   sclerotized
          [scler.o.tized] adj [[1]sclerotic + -ize + [1]-ed] (ca. 1890):
          hardened esp. by the formation of sclerotin <~ insect
          cuticle> -- scler.o.ti.za.tion n

   [1]scoff
          [scoff] n [ME scof, prob. of Scand origin; akin to obs. Dan
          skof jest; akin to OFris skof mockery] (14c) 1: an expression
          of scorn, derision, or contempt: gibe 2: an object of
          scorn, mockery, or derision [2]scoff vi (14c): to show
          contempt by derisive acts or language ~ vt: to treat
          or address with derision: mock -- scoff.er n syn scoff,
          jeer, gibe, fleer, sneer, flout mean to show one's contempt
          in derision or mockery. scoff stresses insolence, disrespect,
          or incredulity as motivating the derision <scoffed at
          their concerns>. jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating
          derision <the crowd jeered at the prisoners>. gibe implies
          taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision
          <hooted and gibed at the umpire>. fleer suggests grinning
          or grimacing derisively <the saucy jackanapes fleered
          at my credulity>. sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous
          facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice <sneered
          at anything romantic>. flout stresses contempt shown
          by refusal to heed <flouted the conventions of polite
          society>. [3]scoff vb [alter. of dial. scaff to eat greedily]
          vt (1846) 1: to eat greedily 2: seize--often used with
          up ~ vi: to eat something greedily

   scofflaw
          [scoff.law] n (1924): a contemptuous law violator

   [1]scold
          [scold] n [ME scald, scold, perh. of Scand origin; akin to
          ON skald poet, skald, Icel skalda to make scurrilous
          verse] (12c) 1 a: one who scolds habitually or persistently
          b: a woman who disturbs the public peace by noisy and
          quarrelsome or abusive behavior 2: scolding [2]scold
          vi (14c) 1 obs: to quarrel noisily 2: to find fault noisily
          or angrily ~ vt: to censure severely or angrily: rebuke
          -- scold.er n syn scold, upbraid, berate, rail, revile,
          vituperate mean to reproach angrily and abusively. scold
          implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or
          unjustly <angrily scolding the children>. upbraid implies
          censuring on definite and usu. justifiable grounds <upbraided
          her assistants for poor research>. berate suggests prolonged
          and often abusive scolding <berated continually by an
          overbearing boss>. rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained
          berating <railed loudly at their insolence>. revile implies
          a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred
          <an alleged killer reviled in the press>. vituperate
          suggests a violent reviling <was vituperated for betraying
          his friends>.

   scolding
          [scold.ing] n (1547) 1: the action of one who scolds 2: a
          harsh reproof

   scolecite
          [sco.le.cite] n [G Skolezit, fr. Gk skolek-, skolex worm;
          fr. the motion of some forms when heated] (ca. 1823):
          a zeolite mineral that is a hydrous calcium aluminum
          silicate and occurs in radiating groups of crystals,
          in fibrous masses, and in nodules

   scolex
          [sco.lex] n, pl sco.li.ces also sco.le.ces [NL scolic-, scolex,
          fr. Gk skolek-, skolex worm; akin to Gk skolios crooked,
          skelos leg--more at isosceles] (1855): the head of a
          tapeworm either in the larva or adult stage

   scoliosis
          [sco.li.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [NL, fr. Gk skoliosis crookedness
          of a bodily part, fr. skolios] (ca. 1706): a lateral
          curvature of the spine -- sco.li.ot.ic adj

   scollop
          [scol.lop] var of scallop

   scolopendra
          [scol.o.pen.dra] n [NL, genus of centipedes, fr. L, a kind
          of millipede, fr. Gk skolopendra] (1608): centipede

   scombroid
          [scom.broid] n [ultim. fr. Gk skombros mackerel] (ca. 1842):
          any of a suborder (Scombroidei) of marine bony fishes
          (as mackerels, tunas, albacores, bonitos, and swordfishes)
          of great economic importance as food fishes -- scombroid
          adj

   [1]sconce
          [sconce] n [ME, fr. MF esconse screened lantern, fr. OF,
          fr. fem. of escons, pp. of escondre to hide, fr. L abscondere--more
          at abscond] (15c) 1: a bracket candlestick or group
          of candlesticks; also: an electric light fixture patterned
          on a candle sconce 2: head, skull [2]sconce n [D schans, fr.
          G Schanze] (1571): a detached defensive work

   scone
          [scone] n [perh. fr. D schoonbrood fine white bread, fr.
          schoon pure, clean + brood bread] (1513): a rich quick
          bread cut into usu. triangular shapes and cooked on a
          griddle or baked on a sheet

   [1]scoop
          [scoop] n [ME scope, fr. MD schope; akin to OHG skepfen to
          shape--more at shape] (14c) 1 a: a large ladle b: a deep
          shovel or similar implement for digging, dipping, or
          shoveling c: a usu. hemispherical utensil for dipping
          food d: a small spoon-shaped utensil or instrument for
          cutting or gouging 2: the action of scooping 3 a: a hollow
          place: cavity b: a part forming or surrounding an opening
          for channeling a fluid (as air) into a desired path 4
          a: information esp. of immediate interest b: beat 5b
          5: a rounded and usu. low-cut neckline on a woman's garment--called
          also scoop neck -- scoop.ful n [2]scoop vt (14c) 1 a: to take out
          or up with or as if with a scoop: dip b: to pick up quickly
          or surreptitiously with or as if with a sweep of the hand--often
          used with up 2: to empty by ladling out the contents 3: to make
          hollow: dig out 4: beat 5a(2) -- scoop.er n

   scoot
          [scoot] vi [perh. of Scand origin; akin to ON skjota to shoot--more
          at shoot] (1758) 1: to move swiftly 2: to slide esp. while seated
          <~ over and let me sit down> -- scoot n

   scooter
          [scoot.er] n (1916) 1: a child's foot-operated vehicle consisting
          of a narrow footboard mounted between two wheels tandem
          with an upright steering handle attached to the front
          wheel 2: motor scooter

   scop
          [scop] n [OE; akin to OHG schof poet] (bef. 12c): an Old
          English bard or poet

   -scope
          [-scope] n comb form [NL -scopium, fr. Gk -skopion; akin
          to Gk skeptesthai]: means (as an instrument) for viewing
          or observing <endoscope> <spectroscope>

   [1]scope
          [scope] n [It scopo purpose, goal, fr. Gk skopos; akin to
          Gk skeptesthai to watch, look at--more at spy] (ca. 1555)
          1: intention, object 2: space or opportunity for unhampered
          motion, activity, or thought 3: extent of treatment,
          activity, or influence 4: range of operation: as a: the
          range of a logical operator: a string in predicate calculus
          that is governed by a quantifier b: a grammatical constituent
          that determines the interpretation of a predicate or
          quantifier syn see range [2]scope n [-scope] (1872) 1:
          an instrument (as a telescope or radarscope) for viewing
          2: horoscope [3]scope vt scoped ; scop.ing [perh. fr.
          [2]scope] (1974): to look at esp. for the purpose of
          evaluation--often used with out <scoped her out from
          across the room --Tim Allis>

   scopolamine
          [sco.pol.amine] n [G Scopolamin, fr. NL Scopolia, genus of
          plants + G Amin amine] (1892): a poisonous alkaloid found
          in various plants (as jimsonweed) of the nightshade family
          and used esp. as a truth serum or usu. with morphine
          as a sedative in surgery and obstetrics--called also
          hyoscine

   -scopy
          [-scopy] n comb form [Gk -skopia, fr. skeptesthai]: viewing:
          observation <spectroscopy>

   scorbutic
          [scor.bu.tic] adj [NL scorbuticus, fr. scorbutus scurvy,
          prob. of Gmc origin; akin to OE scurf scurf] (1655):
          of, relating to, producing, or affected with scurvy

   [1]scorch
          [scorch] vb [ME; akin to ME scorcnen, prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to ON skorpna to shrivel up--more at shrimp] vt
          (14c) 1: to burn a surface of so as to change its color
          and texture 2 a: to dry or shrivel with or as if with
          intense heat: parch b: to afflict painfully with censure
          or sarcasm 3: devastate; esp: to destroy (as property
          of possible use to an advancing enemy) before abandoning--used
          in the phrase scorched earth ~ vi 1: to become scorched
          2: to travel at great and usu. excessive speed 3: to
          cause intense heat or mental anguish <~ing sun> <~ing
          fury> -- scorch.ing.ly adv [2]scorch n (15c) 1: a result
          of scorching 2: a browning of plant tissues usu. from
          disease or heat [3]scorch vt [ME, perh. blend of scoren
          to score and scocchen to scotch] (14c) dial Brit: cut,
          slash

   scorched
          [scorched] adj (1590): parched or discolored by scorching

   scorcher
          [scorch.er] n (1842): one that scorches; esp: a very hot
          day

   [1]score
          [score] n, pl scores [ME scor, fr. ON skor notch, tally,
          twenty; akin to OE scieran to cut--more at shear] (14c)
          1 or pl score a: twenty b: a group of 20 things--often
          used in combination with a cardinal number <fourscore>
          c: an indefinitely large number 2 a: a line (as a scratch
          or incision) made with or as if with a sharp instrument
          b (1): a mark used as a starting point or goal (2): a
          mark used for keeping account 3 a: an account or reckoning
          orig. kept by making marks on a tally b: amount due:
          indebtedness 4: grudge <a ~ to settle> 5 a: reason, ground
          b: subject, topic 6 a: the copy of a musical composition
          in written or printed notation b: a musical composition;
          specif: the music for a movie or theatrical production
          c: a complete description of a dance composition in choreographic
          notation 7 a: a number that expresses accomplishment
          (as in a game or test) or excellence (as in quality)
          either absolutely in points gained or by comparison to
          a standard b: an act (as a goal, run, or touchdown) in
          any of various games or contests that gains points 8:
          success in obtaining something (as money or drugs) esp.
          through illegal or irregular means 9: the stark inescapable
          facts of a situation <knows the ~> [2]score vb scored
          ; scor.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to keep a record or account
          of by or as if by notches on a tally: record b: to enter
          in a record c: to mark with significant lines or notches
          (as in keeping account) 2: to mark with lines, grooves,
          scratches, or notches 3: berate, scold; also: denounce
          4 a (1): to make (a score) in a game or contest <scored
          a touchdown> <scored three points> (2): to enable (a
          base runner) to make a score (3): to have as a value
          in a game or contest: count <a touchdown ~s six points>
          b (1): achieve, win <scored a dazzling success> (2):
          acquire <help a traveler ~ local drugs --Poitor Koper>
          5: to determine the merit of: grade 6 a: to write or
          arrange (music) for a specific performance medium b:
          to make an orchestration of c: to compose a score for
          (a movie) ~ vi 1: to keep score in a game or contest
          2: to make a score in a game or contest 3 a: to gain
          or have the advantage b: to be successful: as (1): to
          succeed in having sexual intercourse (2): to manage to
          obtain illicit drugs c: [3]rate -- scor.er n -- score
          points : to gain favor, status, or advantage

   scoreboard
          [score.board] n (1826): a large board for displaying the
          score of a game or match

   scorecard
          [score.card] n (ca. 1877): a card for recording the score
          of a game

   scorekeeper
          [score.keep.er] n (1880): one that keeps score; specif: an
          official who records the score during a game or contest

   scoreless
          [score.less] adj (1885): having no score

   scoria
          [sco.ria] n, pl -ri.ae [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk skoria, fr. skor
          excrement--more at scatology] (14c) 1: the refuse from
          melting of metals or reduction of ores: slag 2: rough
          vesicular cindery lava -- sco.ri.a.ceous adj

   [1]scorn
          [scorn] n [ME, fr. OF escarn, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          scern jest] (13c) 1: open dislike and disrespect or derision
          often mixed with indignation 2: an expression of contempt
          or derision 3: an object of extreme disdain, contempt,
          or derision: something contemptible [2]scorn vt (13c):
          to treat with scorn: reject or dismiss as contemptible
          or unworthy <~ed the traditions of their ancestors> <~ed
          to reply to the charge> ~ vi: to show disdain or derision:
          scoff syn see despise -- scorn .er n

   scornful
          [scorn.ful] adj (14c): full of scorn: contemptuous -- scorn.ful.ly
          adv -- scorn.ful.ness n

   scorpaenid
          [scor.pae.nid] n [ultim. fr. Gk skorpaina, a kind of fish]
          (1885): any of a family (Scorpaenidae) of marine spiny-finned
          fishes that includes the scorpion fishes -- scorpaenid
          adj

   Scorpio
          [Scor.pio] n [L (gen. Scorpionis), fr. Gk Skorpios, lit.,
          scorpion] 1: scorpius 2 a: the 8th sign of the zodiac
          in astrology b: one born under this sign

   scorpion
          [scor.pi.on] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L scorpion-, scorpio, fr.
          Gk skorpios] (12c) 1 a: any of an order (Scorpionida)
          of nocturnal arachnids that have an elongated body and
          a narrow segmented tail bearing a venomous stinger at
          the tip b cap: scorpio 2: a scourge prob. studded with
          metal 3: something that incites to action like the sting
          of an insect

   scorpion fish
          [scorpion fish] n (1661): any of various scorpaenid fishes;
          esp: one (as genus Scorpaena) with a venomous spine on
          the dorsal fin

   scorpion fly
          [scorpion fly] n (1668): any of a family (Panorpidae) of
          insects that have cylindrical bodies, a long beak with
          biting mouthparts, and the male genitalia enlarged into
          a swollen bulb; broadly: an insect of the order (Mecoptera)
          that includes this family

   Scorpius
          [Scor.pi.us] n [L (gen. Scorpii), fr. Gk Skorpios, lit.,
          scorpion]: a southern zodiacal constellation partly in
          the Milky Way and between Libra and Sagittarius

   scot
          [scot] n [ME, fr. ON skot shot, contribution--more at shot]
          (14c): money assessed or paid Scot n [ME Scottes Scots,
          fr. OE Scottas fr. LL Scotus] (bef. 12c) 1: a member
          of a Celtic people of northern Ireland settling in Scotland
          about a.d. 500 2 a: a native or inhabitant of Scotland
          b: a person of Scottish descent

   Scot
          [Scot] abbreviation Scotland, Scottish

   scot and lot
          [scot and lot] n (15c) 1: a parish assessment formerly laid
          on subjects in Great Britain according to their ability
          to pay 2: obligations of all kinds taken as a whole

   [1]scotch
          [scotch] vt [ME scocchen to gash] (15c) 1 archaic: cut, gash,
          score; also: wound <we have ~ed the snake, not killed
          it --Shak.> 2: to put an end to <~ed rumors of a military
          takeover> [2]scotch n (15c): a superficial cut: score
          [3]scotch n [origin unknown] (1639): a chock to prevent
          rolling or slipping [4]scotch vt (1642) 1: to block with
          a chock 2: hinder, thwart [1]Scotch adj [contr. of Scottish]
          (1591) 1: scottish 2: inclined to frugality [2]Scotch
          n (ca. 1700) 1: scots 2 pl in constr: the people of Scotland
          3 often not cap: whiskey distilled in Scotland esp. from
          malted barley--called also Scotch whisky [3]Scotch trademark--used
          for any of numerous adhesive tapes

   Scotch broom
          [Scotch broom] n (ca. 1818): a deciduous broom (Cytisus scoparius)
          of western Europe that is widely cultivated for its bright yellow
          or partly red flowers and that has become a pest in some areas (as
          California)

   Scotch broth
          [Scotch broth] n (1834): a soup made from beef or mutton
          and vegetables and thickened with barley

   Scotch egg
          [Scotch egg] n (1809): a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage
          meat, covered with bread crumbs, and fried

   Scotch-Irish
          [Scotch-Irish] adj (1744): of, relating to, or descended
          from Scottish settlers in northern Ireland

   Scotchman
          [Scotch.man] n (15c): scotsman

   Scotch pine
          [Scotch pine] n (1731): a pine (Pinus sylvestris) of northern
          Europe and Asia with spreading or pendulous branches,
          short rigid twisted needles, and hard yellow wood that
          provides valuable timber

   Scotch terrier
          [Scotch terrier] n (1810): scottish terrier

   Scotch verdict
          [Scotch verdict] n (1912) 1: a verdict of not proven that
          is allowed by Scottish criminal law in some cases instead
          of a verdict of not guilty 2: an inconclusive decision
          or pronouncement

   Scotchwoman
          [Scotch.wom.an] n (1818): scotswoman

   Scotch woodcock
          [Scotch woodcock] n (1879): buttered toast spread with anchovy
          paste and scrambled egg

   scoter
          [sco.ter] n, pl scoters or scoter [origin unknown] (ca. 1674):
          any of a genus (Melanitta) of sea ducks esp. of northern
          coasts of Europe and No. America that have males with
          chiefly black plumage

   scot-free
          [scot-free] adj [scot] (1528): completely free from obligation,
          harm, or penalty

   scotia
          [sco.tia] n [L, fr. Gk skotia, fr. fem. of skotios dark,
          shadowy, fr. skotos darkness--more at shade] (1563):
          a concave molding used esp. in classical architecture
          in the bases of columns--see base illustration

   Scotic
          [Scot.ic] adj (1796): of or relating to the ancient Scots

   Scotism
          [Sco.tism] n (ca. 1871): the doctrines of Duns Scotus --
          Sco.tist n

   Scotland Yard
          [Scot.land Yard] n [Scotland Yard, street in London, formerly
          the headquarters of the metropolitan police] (1864):
          the detective department of the London metropolitan police

   scotoma
          [sco.to.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [NL, fr. ML, dimness of
          vision, fr. Gk skotomat-, skotoma, fr. skotoun to darken,
          fr. skotos] (1875): a blind or dark spot in the visual
          field

   scotopic
          [sco.to.pic] adj [NL scotopia scotopic vision, fr. Gk skotos
          darkness + NL -opia] (1915): relating to or being vision
          in dim light with dark-adapted eyes which involves only
          the retinal rods as light receptors

   [1]Scots
          [Scots] adj [ME Scottis, alter. of Scottish] (14c): scottish--used
          esp. of the people and language and in legal context [2]Scots
          n (1542): the English language of Scotland

   Scotsman
          [Scots.man] n (14c): a native or inhabitant of Scotland

   Scots pine
          [Scots pine] n (1797) chiefly Brit: scotch pine

   Scotswoman
          [Scots.wom.an] n (1820): a woman who is a native or inhabitant
          of Scotland

   Scotticism
          [Scot.ti.cism] n [LL scotticus of the ancient Scots, fr.
          Scotus Scot] (1706): a word, phrase, or expression characteristic
          of Scottish English

   Scottie
          [Scot.tie] n (ca. 1896) 1: scotsman 2: scottish terrier

   [1]Scottish
          [Scot.tish] adj [ME, fr. Scottes Scotsmen] (13c): of, relating
          to, or characteristic of Scotland, Scots, or the Scots
          -- Scot.tish.ness n [2]Scottish n (1759): scots

   Scottish deerhound
          [Scottish deerhound] n (1891): any of an old breed of dogs
          of Scottish origin that have the general form of a greyhound
          but are larger and taller with a rough coat

   Scottish Gaelic
          [Scottish Gaelic] n (1956): the Gaelic language of Scotland

   Scottish rite
          [Scottish rite] n (1903) 1: a ceremonial observed by one
          of the Masonic systems 2: a system or organization that
          observes the Scottish rite and confers the 4th through
          the 33d degrees

   Scottish terrier
          [Scottish terrier] n (1837): any of an old Scottish breed
          of terrier that has short legs, a large head with small
          erect ears and a powerful muzzle, a broad deep chest,
          and a very hard coat of wiry hair

   scoundrel
          [scoun.drel] n [origin unknown] (1589): a disreputable person:
          rascal -- scoundrel adj -- scoun.drel.ly adj

   [1]scour
          [scour] vb [ME, prob. fr. MD schuren, fr. OF escurer, fr.
          LL excurare to clean off, fr. L, to take good care of,
          fr. ex- + curare to care for, fr. cura care] vt (13c)
          1 a: to rub hard esp. with a rough material for cleansing
          b: to remove by rubbing hard and washing 2 archaic: to
          clear (a region) of enemies or outlaws 3: to clean by
          purging: purge 4: to remove dirt and debris from (as
          a pipe or ditch) 5: to free from foreign matter or impurities
          by or as if by washing <~ wool> 6: to clear, dig, or
          remove by or as if by a powerful current of water ~ vi
          1: to perform a process of scouring 2: to suffer from
          diarrhea or dysentery 3: to become clean and bright by
          rubbing -- scour.er n [2]scour n (1681) 1: a place scoured
          by running water 2: scouring action (as of a glacier)
          3: diarrhea, dysentery--usu. used in pl. but sing. or
          pl. in constr. 4: scouring 1; also: damage done by scouring
          action [3]scour vb [ME scuren, prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to Sw skura to rush] vi (14c): to move about quickly
          esp. in search ~ vt: to go through or range over in or
          as if in a search

   [1]scourge
          [scourge] n [ME, fr. AF escorge, fr. (assumed) OF escorgier
          to whip, fr. OF es- ex- + L corrigia whip] (13c) 1: whip;
          esp: one used to inflict pain or punishment 2: an instrument
          of punishment or criticism 3: a cause of widespread or
          great affliction [2]scourge vt scourged ; scourg.ing
          (13c) 1: flog, whip 2 a: to punish severely b: afflict
          c: to drive as if by blows of a whip d: chastise -- scourg.er
          n

   scouring
          [scour.ing] n (1588) 1: material removed by scouring or cleaning
          2: the lowest rank of society--usu. used in pl.

   scouring rush
          [scouring rush] n (ca. 1818): equisetum; esp: one (Equisetum
          hyemale) with strongly siliceous stems formerly used
          for scouring

   scouse
          [scouse] n (1840) 1: lobscouse 2 cap a: scouser b: a dialect
          of English spoken in Liverpool

   Scouser
          [Scous.er] n (1959): a native or inhabitant of Liverpool,
          England

   [1]scout
          [scout] vb [ME, fr. MF escouter to listen, fr. L auscultare--more
          at auscultation] vi (14c) 1: to explore an area to obtain
          information (as about an enemy) 2 a: to make a search
          b: to work as a talent scout ~ vt 1: to observe in order
          to obtain information or evaluate 2: to explore in order
          to obtain information 3: to find by making a search--often
          used with up [2]scout n (1534) 1 a: one sent to obtain
          information; esp: a soldier, ship, or plane sent out
          in war to reconnoiter b: watchman, lookout c: talent
          scout 2 a: the act of scouting b: a scouting expedition:
          reconnaissance 3 often cap: a member of any of various
          scouting movements: as a: boy scout b: girl scout 4:
          individual, person--used chiefly in the phrase good scout
          [3]scout vb [prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON skuti
          taunt; akin to OE sceotan to shoot--more at shoot] vt
          (1605) 1: mock 2: to reject scornfully ~ vi: scoff

   scout car
          [scout car] n (1933) 1: a military reconnaissance vehicle
          2: squad car

   scoutcraft
          [scout.craft] n (1908): the craft, skill, or practice of
          a scout

   scouter
          [scout.er] n (1642) 1: one that scouts 2 often cap: an adult
          leader in the Boy Scouts of America

   scouth
          [scouth] n [origin unknown] (1591) Scot: plenty

   scouting
          [scout.ing] n (1644) 1: the action of one that scouts 2 often
          cap: the activities of various national and worldwide
          organizations for youth directed to developing character,
          citizenship, and individual skills

   scoutmaster
          [scout.mas.ter] n (1579): the leader of a band of scouts;
          specif: the adult leader of a troop of Boy Scouts

   scow
          [scow] n [D schouw; akin to OHG scalta punt pole] (1669):
          a large flat-bottomed boat with broad square ends used
          chiefly for transporting bulk material (as ore, sand,
          or refuse)

   [1]scowl
          [scowl] vb [ME skoulen, prob. of Scand origin; akin to Dan
          skule to scowl] vi (14c) 1: to contract the brow in an
          expression of displeasure 2: to exhibit a threatening
          aspect ~ vt: to express with a scowl -- scowl.er n --
          scowl.ing.ly adv [2]scowl n (1500): a facial expression
          of displeasure: frown

   SCPO
          [SCPO] abbreviation senior chief petty officer

   [1]scrabble
          [scrab.ble] vb scrab.bled ; scrab.bling [D schrabbelen to
          scratch] vi (1537) 1: scrawl, scribble 2: to scratch,
          claw, or grope about clumsily or frantically 3 a: scramble,
          clamber b: to struggle by or as if by scraping or scratching
          <~ for survival> ~ vt 1: scramble 2: scribble -- scrab.bler
          n [2]scrabble n (1842) 1: scribble 2: a repeated scratching
          or clawing 3: scramble

   scrabbly
          [scrab.bly] adj (1945) 1: scratchy, raspy 2: sparse, scrubby

   [1]scrag
          [scrag] n [perh. alter. of [2]crag] (1542) 1: a rawboned
          or scrawny person or animal 2: the lean end of a neck
          of mutton or veal; broadly: neck--called also scrag end
          [2]scrag vt scragged ; scrag.ging (1756) 1 a: to execute
          by hanging or garroting b: to wring the neck of 2 a:
          choke b: manhandle 1 c: kill, murder

   scraggly
          [scrag.gly] adj (1869): irregular in form or growth <~ hills>
          <a ~ beard>; also: unkempt

   [1]scraggy
          [scrag.gy] adj scrag.gi.er ; -est [ME scraggi; akin to E
          dial. scrag tree stump, uneven ground, ME scrogge bush]
          (13c): rough, jagged; also: scraggly [2]scraggy adj scrag.gi.er
          ; -est [[1]scrag] (1611): being lean and long: scrawny

   [1]scram
          [scram] vi scrammed ; scram.ming [short for scramble] (ca.
          1928): to go away at once <~, you're not wanted> [2]scram
          n (1953): a rapid emergency shutdown of a nuclear reactor

   [1]scramble
          [scram.ble] vb scram.bled ; scram.bling [perh. alter. of
          [1]scrabble] vi (ca. 1586) 1 a: to move or climb hastily
          on all fours b: to move with urgency or panic 2 a: to
          struggle eagerly or unceremoniously for possession of
          something <~ for front seats> b: to get or gather something
          with difficulty or in irregular ways <~ for a living>
          3: to spread or grow irregularly: sprawl, straggle 4:
          to take off quickly in response to an alert 5 of a football
          quarterback: to run with the ball after the pass protection
          breaks down ~ vt 1: to collect by scrambling 2 a: to
          toss or mix together: jumble b: to prepare (eggs) by
          stirring during frying 3: to cause or order (a fighter-interceptor
          group) to scramble 4: to disarrange the elements of a transmission
          (as a telephone or television signal) in order to make
          unintelligible to interception -- scram.bler n [2]scramble n (1674)
          1: the act or an instance of scrambling 2: a disordered mass:
          jumble <a ... ~ of patterns and textures --Vogue> 3: a rapid
          emergency takeoff of fighter-interceptor planes

   scrannel
          [scran.nel] adj [origin unknown] (1637): harsh, unmelodious

   [1]scrap
          [scrap] n, often attrib [ME, fr. ON skrap scraps; akin to
          ON skrapa to scrape] (14c) 1 pl: fragments of discarded
          or leftover food 2 a: a small detached piece <a ~ of
          paper> b: a fragment of something written, printed, or
          spoken <~s of conversation> c: the least bit <not a ~
          of evidence> 3 pl: cracklings 4 a: fragments of stock
          removed in manufacturing b: manufactured articles or
          parts rejected or discarded and useful only as material
          for reprocessing; esp: waste and discarded metal [2]scrap
          vt scrapped ; scrap.ping (ca. 1891) 1: to convert into
          scrap 2: to abandon or get rid of as no longer of enough
          worth or effectiveness to retain <~ outworn methods>
          syn see discard [3]scrap n [origin unknown] (ca. 1889):
          fight [4]scrap vi scrapped ; scrap.ping (ca. 1895): quarrel,
          fight

   scrapbook
          [scrap.book] n (1825): a blank book in which miscellaneous
          items (as newspaper clippings or pictures) are collected
          and preserved

   [1]scrape
          [scrape] vb scraped ; scrap.ing [ME, fr. ON skrapa; akin
          to OE scrapian to scrape, L scrobis ditch, Russ skresti
          to scrape] vt (14c) 1 a: to remove from a surface by
          usu. repeated strokes of an edged instrument b: to make
          (a surface) smooth or clean with strokes of an edged
          instrument or an abrasive 2 a: to grate harshly over
          or against b: to damage or injure the surface of by contact
          with a rough surface c: to draw roughly or noisily over
          a surface 3: to collect by or as if by scraping--often
          used with up or together <~ up the price of a ticket>
          ~ vi 1: to move in sliding contact with a rough surface
          2: to accumulate money by small economies 3: to draw
          back the foot along the ground in making a bow 4: to
          make one's way with difficulty or succeed by a narrow
          margin <just scraped by at school> -- scrap.er n -- scrape
          a leg : to make a low bow [2]scrape n (15c) 1 a: the
          act or process of scraping b: a sound made by scraping
          c: damage or injury caused by scraping: abrasion <bumps
          and ~s> 2: a bow made with a drawing back of the foot
          along the ground 3 a: a distressing encounter <a ~ with
          death> b: quarrel, fight

   scrap heap
          [scrap heap] n (ca. 1902) 1: a pile of discarded metal 2:
          the place where useless things are discarded

   scrapie
          [scra.pie] n [[1]scrape] (1910): a usu. fatal disease of
          the nervous system esp. of sheep that is characterized
          by twitching, intense itching, excessive thirst, emaciation,
          weakness, and finally paralysis

   scrappage
          [scrap.page] n (ca. 1909) 1: the scrapping of discarded objects
          (as automobiles) 2: the rate at which objects are scrapped

   scrapper
          [scrap.per] n (1874): fighter, quarreler

   scrappily
          [scrap.pi.ly] adv (1886): in a scrappy manner

   scrappiness
          [scrap.pi.ness] n (1867): the quality or state of being scrappy

   scrapple
          [scrap.ple] n [dim. of [1]scrap] (1855): a seasoned mixture
          of ground meat (as pork) and cornmeal set in a mold and
          served sliced and fried

   [1]scrappy
          [scrap.py] adj scrap.pi.er ; -est [[1]scrap] (1837): consisting
          of scraps <~ meals> [2]scrappy adj scrap.pi.er ; -est
          [[3]scrap] (ca. 1896) 1: quarrelsome 2: having an aggressive
          and determined spirit: feisty

   [1]scratch
          [scratch] vb [ME scracchen, prob. blend of scratten to scratch
          and cracchen to scratch] vt (15c) 1: to scrape or dig
          with the claws or nails 2: to rub and tear or mark the
          surface of with something sharp or jagged 3: to scrape
          or rub lightly (as to relieve itching) 4: to scrape together:
          collect with difficulty or by effort 5: to write or draw
          on a surface 6 a: to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing
          a line through b: to withdraw (an entry) from competition
          7: scribble, scrawl 8: to scrape along a rough surface
          <~ a match> ~ vi 1: to use the claws or nails in digging,
          tearing, or wounding 2: to scrape or rub oneself lightly
          (as to relieve itching) 3: to gather money or get a living
          by hard work and esp. through irregular means and sacrifice
          4: to make a thin grating sound 5: to withdraw from a
          contest or engagement 6: to make a scratch in billiards
          or pool -- scratch.er n -- scratch one's back : to accommodate
          with a favor esp. in expectation of like return -- scratch
          the surface : to make a superficial effort or modest
          start [2]scratch n (ca. 1586) 1: a mark or injury produced
          by scratching; also: a slight wound 2: scrawl, scribble
          3: the sound made by scratching 4 a: the starting line
          in a race b: a point at the beginning of a project at
          which nothing has been done ahead of time <build a school
          system from ~> 5 a: a test of courage b: satisfactory
          condition, level, or performance <not up to ~> 6: a contestant
          whose name is withdrawn 7: poultry feed (as mixed grains)
          scattered on the litter or ground esp. to induce birds
          to exercise--called also scratch feed 8 a: a shot in
          billiards or pool that ends a player's turn; specif:
          a shot in pool in which the cue ball falls into the pocket
          b: a shot that scores by chance: fluke 9 slang: money,
          funds [3]scratch adj (1897) 1: made as or used for a
          tentative effort 2: made or done by chance and not as
          intended <a ~ shot> 3: arranged or put together with
          little selection: haphazard <a ~ team> 4: having no handicap
          or allowance <a ~ golfer> 5: made from scratch: made
          with basic ingredients <a ~ cake>

   scratchboard
          [scratch.board] n (ca. 1908): a black-surfaced cardboard
          having an undercoat of white clay on which an effect
          resembling engraving is achieved by scratching away portions
          of the surface to produce white lines

   scratch hit
          [scratch hit] n (1903): a batted ball not solidly hit yet
          credited to the batter as a base hit

   scratch pad
          [scratch pad] n (1895): a pad of scratch paper

   scratch paper
          [scratch paper] n (1899): paper that may be used for casual
          writing

   scratch sheet
          [scratch sheet] n (1939): a racing publication listing competitors
          scratched from races and giving odds

   scratch test
          [scratch test] n (1937): a test for allergic susceptibility
          made by rubbing an extract of an allergy-producing substance
          into small breaks or scratches in the skin

   scratchy
          [scratchy] adj scratch.i.er ; -est (1827) 1: marked or made
          with scratches <~ drawing> <~ handwriting> 2: likely
          to scratch: prickly <~ undergrowth> 3: making a scratching
          noise 4: uneven in quality: ragged 5: causing tingling
          or itching: irritating <~ wool> -- scratch.i.ly adv --
          scratch.i.ness n

   scrawl
          [scrawl] vb [origin unknown] vt (1612): to write or draw
          awkwardly, hastily, or carelessly ~ vi: to write awkwardly
          or carelessly -- scrawl n -- scrawl.er n -- scrawly adj

   scrawny
          [scraw.ny] adj scraw.ni.er ; -est [origin unknown] (1833):
          exceptionally thin and slight or meager in body <~ scrub
          cattle> syn see lean -- scraw.ni.ness n

   screak
          [screak] vi [of Scand origin; akin to ON skraekja to screech]
          (ca. 1500): to make a harsh shrill noise: screech --
          screak n -- screaky adj

   [1]scream
          [scream] vb [ME scremen; akin to MD schreem scream] vi (12c)
          1 a (1): to v oice a sudden sharp loud cry (2): to produce
          harsh high tones b: to make a noise resembling a scream
          <a ~ing siren> c: to move with great rapidity 2 a: to
          speak or write with intense or hysterical emotion b:
          to protest or complain vehemently c: to laugh hysterically
          3: to produce a vivid startling effect ~ vt: to utter
          with or as if with a scream [2]scream n (1605) 1: a loud
          sharp penetrating cry or noise 2: one that is very funny

   screamer
          [scream.er] n (1712) 1: one that screams 2: any of a small
          family (Anhimidae) of So. American wetland birds having
          a large body, long legs, and spurred wings 3: a sensationally
          startling headline

   screaming
          [scream.ing] adj (1848) 1: so striking or conspicuous as
          to attract notice as if by screaming <~ headlines> <a
          ~ need for reform> <dressed in ~ red> 2: so funny as
          to provoke screams of laughter <a ~ farce> -- scream.ing.ly
          adv

   screaming meemies
          [screaming mee.mies] n pl but sing in constr [origin unknown]
          (1942): nervous hysteria: jitters

   scree
          [scree] n [of Scand origin; akin to ON skritha landslide,
          fr. skritha to creep; akin to OHG scritan to go, Lith
          skriesti to turn] (ca. 1781): an accumulation of loose
          stones or rocky debris lying on a slope or at the base
          of a hill or cliff: talus

   [1]screech
          [screech] n (1560) 1: a high shrill piercing cry usu. expressing
          pain or terror 2: a sound resembling a screech [2]screech
          vb [alter. of earlier scritch, fr. ME scrichen; akin
          to ON skraekja to screech] vi (1577) 1: to utter a high
          shrill piercing cry: make an outcry usu. in terror or
          pain 2: to make a shrill high-pitched sound resembling
          a screech; also: to move with such a sound <the car ~ed
          to a stop> ~ vt: to utter with or as if with a screech
          -- screech.er n

   screech owl
          [screech owl] n (1593) 1: barn owl 2: any of numerous New
          World owls (genus Otus); esp: a small No. American owl
          (O. asio) with a pair of tufts of lengthened feathers
          on the head resembling ears

   screechy
          [screechy] adj (ca. 1830): producing a screech

   screed
          [screed] n [ME screde fragment, alter. of OE screade--more
          at shred] (ca. 1789) 1 a: a lengthy discourse b: an informal
          piece of writing 2: a strip (as of plaster of the thickness
          planned for the coat) laid on as a guide 3: a leveling
          device drawn over freshly poured concrete

   [1]screen
          [screen] n [ME screne, fr. MF escren, fr. MD scherm; akin
          to OHG skirm shield; prob. akin to Skt carman skin, krnati
          he injures--more at shear] (14c) 1: a protective or ornamental
          device (as a movable partition) shielding an area from
          heat or drafts or from view 2: something that shelters,
          protects, or hides: as a: a growth or stand of trees,
          shrubs, or plants b: a protective formation of troops,
          ships, or planes c: something that covers or disguises
          the true nature (as of an activity or feeling) <greets
          strangers with a ~ of excessive friendliness --Tony Schwartz>
          d (1): a maneuver in various sports (as basketball or
          ice hockey) whereby an opponent is legally impeded or
          his view of the play is momentarily blocked (2): screen
          pass 3 a: a perforated plate or cylinder or a meshed
          wire or cloth fabric usu. mounted and used to separate
          coarser from finer parts b: a system for examining and
          separating into different groups c: a piece of apparatus
          designed to prevent agencies in one part from affecting
          other parts <an optical ~> <an electric ~> <a magnetic
          ~> d: a frame holding a usu. metallic netting used esp.
          in a window or door to exclude pests (as insects) 4 a:
          a flat surface on which a picture or series of pictures
          is projected or reflected b: the surface on which the
          image appears in an electronic display (as in a television
          set, radar receiver, or computer terminal) 5: a glass
          plate ruled with crossing opaque lines through which
          an image is photographed in making a halftone 6: the
          motion-picture medium or industry [2]screen vt (15c)
          1: to guard from injury or danger 2 a: to give shelter
          or protection to with or as if with a screen b: to separate
          with or as if with a screen; also: to shield (an opponent)
          from a play or from view of a play 3 a: to pass (as coal,
          gravel, or ashes) through a screen to separate the fine
          part from the coarse; also: to remove by a screen b (1):
          to examine usu. methodically in order to make a separation
          into different groups (2): to select or eliminate by
          a screening process 4: to provide with a screen to keep
          out pests (as insects) 5 a (1): to present (as a motion
          picture) for viewing on a screen (2): to view the presentation
          of (as a motion picture) b: to present in a motion picture
          ~ vi 1: to appear on a motion-picture screen 2: to provide
          a screen in a game or sport syn see hide -- screen.able
          adj -- screen.er n

   screening
          [screen.ing] n (1725) 1: the act or process of one that screens
          2 pl but sing or pl in constr: material (as waste or
          fine coal) separated out by means of a screen 3: metal
          or plastic mesh (as for window screens) 4: a showing
          of a motion picture

   screenland
          [screen.land] n (1925): filmdom

   screen memory
          [screen memory] n (1923): a recollection of early childhood
          that may be falsely recalled or magnified in importance
          and that masks another memory of deep emotional significance

   screen pass
          [screen pass] n (ca. 1949): a forward pass in football to
          a receiver at or behind the line of scrimmage who is
          protected by a screen of blockers

   screenplay
          [screen.play] n (1916): the script and often shooting directions
          of a story prepared for motion-picture production

   screen test
          [screen test] n (1927): a short film sequence for assessing
          the ability or suitability of a person for a motion-picture
          role -- screen-test vt

   screenwriter
          [screen.writ.er] n (1921): a writer of screenplays

   [1]screw
          [screw] n [ME, fr. MF escroe female screw, nut, fr. ML scrofa,
          fr. L, sow] (15c) 1 a: a simple machine of the inclined
          plane type consisting of a spirally grooved solid cylinder
          and a correspondingly grooved hollow cylinder into which
          it fits b: a nail-shaped or rod-shaped piece with a spiral
          groove and a slotted or recessed head designed to be
          inserted into material by rotating (as with a screwdriver)
          and used for fastening pieces of solid material together
          2 a: a screwlike form: spiral b: a turn of a screw; also:
          a twist like the turn of a screw c: a screwlike device
          (as a corkscrew) 3: a worn-out horse 4 chiefly Brit:
          a small packet (as of tobacco) 5: a prison guard 6: one
          who bargains shrewdly; also: skinflint 7: a propeller
          esp. of a ship 8 a: thumbscrew 2 b: pressure or punitive
          measures intended to coerce--used chiefly in the phrase
          put the screws on or put the screws to 9 a: an act of
          sexual intercourse--usu. considered vulgar b: a partner
          in sexual intercourse--usu. considered vulgar -- screw.like
          adj -- have a screw loose : to be mentally unbalanced
          [2]screw vt (1605) 1 a (1): to attach, fasten, or close
          by means of a screw (2): to unite or separate by means
          of a screw or a twisting motion <~ the two pieces together>
          (3): to press tightly in a device (as a vise) operated
          by a screw (4): to operate, tighten, or adjust by means
          of a screw (5): to torture by means of a thumbscrew b:
          to cause to rotate spirally about an axis 2 a (1): to
          twist into strained configurations: contort <~ed up his
          face> (2): squint (3): crumple b: to furnish with a spiral
          groove or ridge: thread 3: to increase the intensity,
          quantity, or capability of <trying to ~ up courage to
          confess --Will Scott> 4 a (1): to mistreat or exploit
          through extortion, trickery, or unfair actions; esp:
          to deprive of or cheat out of something due or expected
          <~ed out of a job> (2): to treat so as to bring about
          injury or loss (as to a person's reputation) <use the
          available Federal machinery to ~ our political enemies
          --J. W. Dean III>--often used as a generalized curse
          <~ you]> b: to extract by pressure or threat 5: to copulate
          with--usu. considered vulgar ~ vi 1: to rotate like or
          as a screw 2: to turn or move with a twisting or writhing
          motion 3: copulate--usu. considered vulgar -- screw.er
          n

   screw around
          [screw around] vi (1939) 1: to waste time with unproductive
          activity: dally 2: to have sexual relations with someone
          outside of a marriage or steady relationship: be sexually
          promiscuous

   [1]screwball
          [screw.ball] n (1928) 1: a baseball pitch that spins and
          breaks in the opposite direction to a curve 2: a whimsical,
          eccentric, or crazy person: zany [2]screwball adj (ca.
          1936): crazily eccentric or whimsical: zany

   screwbean
          [screw.bean] n (1866) 1: a leguminous shrub or small tree
          (Prosopis pubescens) of the southwestern U.S. and northern
          Mexico--called also screwbean mesquite 2: a spirally
          twisted sweet pod that is the fruit of the screwbean

   screwdriver
          [screw.driv.er] n (1779) 1: a tool for turning screws 2:
          vodka and orange juice served with ice

   screw eye
          [screw eye] n (1873): a wood screw with a head in the form
          of a loop

   screw jack
          [screw jack] n (1719): a screw-operated jack for lifting,
          exerting pressure, or adjusting position (as of a machine
          part)

   screw pine
          [screw pine] n (1836): any of a genus (Pandanus of the family
          Pandanaceae, the screw-pine family) of tropical monocotyledonous
          Old World plants with slender palmlike stems, often huge
          prop roots, and terminal crowns of swordlike leaves

   screw propeller
          [screw propeller] n (1839): propeller

   screw thread
          [screw thread] n (ca. 1812) 1: the projecting helical rib
          of a screw 2: one complete turn of a screw thread

   screw up
          [screw up] vt (1680) 1: to tighten, fasten, or lock by or
          as if by a screw 2 a: bungle, botch b: to cause to act
          or function in a crazy or confused way: confound, disturb
          ~ vi: to botch an activity or undertaking

   screwup
          [screw.up] n (ca. 1960) 1: one who screws up 2: botch, blunder

   screwworm
          [screw.worm] n (1879): a blowfly (Cochliomyia hominivorax)
          of the warmer parts of America whose larva develops in
          sores or wounds or in the nostrils of mammals including
          humans with serious or sometimes fatal results; esp:
          its larva 2: any of several flies other than the screwworm
          and esp. their larvae which parasitize the flesh of mammals

   screwy
          [screwy] adj screw.i.er ; -est (1887) 1: crazily absurd,
          eccentric, or unusual 2: crazy, insane -- screw.i.ness
          n

   scribal
          [scrib.al] adj (1857): of, relating to, or due to a scribe

   scribble
          [scrib.ble] vb scrib.bled ; scrib.bling [ME scriblen, fr.
          ML scribillare, fr. L scribere to write] vt (15c) 1:
          to write hastily or carelessly without regard to legibility
          or form 2: to cover with careless or worthless writings
          or drawings ~ vi: to write or draw hastily and carelessly
          -- scribble n

   scribbler
          [scrib.bler] n (ca. 1553) 1: one that scribbles 2: a minor
          or insignificant author

   [1]scribe
          [scribe] n [ME, fr. L scriba official writer, fr. scribere
          to write; akin to Gk skariphasthai to scratch an outline]
          (14c) 1: one of a learned class in ancient Israel through
          New Testament times studying the Scriptures and serving
          as copyists, editors, teachers, and jurists 2 a: an official
          or public secretary or clerk b: a copier of manuscripts
          3: writer; specif: journalist [2]scribe vi scribed ;
          scrib.ing (1782): to work as a scribe: write [3]scribe
          vt scribed ; scrib.ing [prob. short for describe] (1678)
          1: to mark a line on by cutting or scratching with a
          pointed instrument 2: to make by cutting or scratching
          [4]scribe n (1812): scriber

   scriber
          [scrib.er] n (ca. 1836): a sharp-pointed tool for making
          marks and esp. for marking off material (as wood or metal)
          to be cut

   scrieve
          [scrieve] vi [of Scand origin; akin to ON skrefa to stride]
          (1785) Scot: to move along swiftly and smoothly

   scrim
          [scrim] n [origin unknown] (1792) 1: a durable plain-woven
          usu. cotton fabric for use in clothing, curtains, building,
          and industry 2: a theater drop that appears opaque when
          a scene in front is lighted and transparent or translucent
          when a scene in back is lighted 3: something likened
          to a theater scrim

   [1]scrimmage
          [scrim.mage] n [ME scrymmage, alter. of skyrmissh skirmish]
          (15c) 1 a: a minor battle: skirmish b: a confused fight:
          scuffle 2 a: the interplay between two football teams
          that begins with the snap of the ball and continues until
          the ball is dead b: practice play (as in football or
          basketball) between two squads [2]scrimmage vb scrim.maged
          ; scrim.mag.ing vi (ca. 1825): to take part in a scrimmage
          ~ vt: to play a scrimmage against -- scrim.mag.er n

   scrimmage line
          [scrimmage line] n (ca. 1909): line of scrimmage

   scrimp
          [scrimp] vb [perh. of Scand origin; akin to Sw skrympa to
          shrink, MLG schrempen to contract--more at shrimp] vt
          (ca. 1774) 1: to be stingy in providing for 2: to make
          too small, short, or scanty ~ vi: to be frugal or stingy
          -- scrimpy adj

   scrimshander
          [scrim.shan.der] n [origin unknown] (1851): a person who
          creates scrimshaw

   [1]scrimshaw
          [scrim.shaw] vb [origin unknown] vt (ca. 1826): to carve
          or engrave into scrimshaw ~ vi: to produce scrimshaw
          [2]scrimshaw n (ca. 1864) 1: any of various carved or
          engraved articles made orig. by American whalers usu.
          from baleen or whale ivory 2: scrimshawed work 3: the
          art, practice, or technique of producing scrimshaw

   [1]scrip
          [scrip] n [ME scrippe, fr. ML scrippum pilgrim's knapsack]
          (13c) archaic: a small bag or wallet [2]scrip n [alter.
          of script] (1590) 1: a short writing (as a certificate,
          schedule, or list) 2: a small piece 3 a: any of various
          documents used as evidence that the holder or bearer
          is entitled to receive something (as a fractional share
          of stock or an allotment of land) b: paper currency or
          a token issued for temporary use in an emergency

   [1]script
          [script] n [ME, fr. L scriptum thing written, fr. neut. of
          scriptus, pp. of scribere to write--more at scribe] (14c)
          1 a: something written: text b: an original or principal
          instrument or document c (1): manuscript 1 (2): the written
          text of a stage play, screenplay, or broadcast; specif:
          the one used in production or performance 2 a: a style
          of printed letters that resembles handwriting b: written
          characters: handwriting c: alphabet 3: a plan of action
          [2]script vt (1935) 1: to prepare a script for or from
          2: to provide carefully considered details for (as a
          plan of action)

   script
          [script] abbreviation scripture

   scripter
          [script.er] n (1939): scriptwriter

   scriptorium
          [scrip.to.ri.um] n, pl -ria [ML, fr. L scribere] (1774):
          a copying room for the scribes in a medieval monastery

   scriptural
          [scrip.tur.al] adj (1641): of, relating to, contained in,
          or according to a sacred writing; esp: biblical -- scrip.tur.al.ly
          adv

   scripture
          [scrip.ture] n [ME, fr. LL scriptura, fr. L, act or product
          of writing, fr. scriptus] (14c) 1 a (1) cap: the books
          of the Bible--often used in pl. (2) often cap: a passage
          from the Bible b: a body of writings considered sacred
          or authoritative 2: something written <the primitive
          man's awe for any ~ --George Santayana>

   scriptwriter
          [script.writ.er] n (1935): a person who writes scripts

   scrivener
          [scriv.en.er] n [ME scriveiner, alter. of scrivein, fr. MF
          escrivein, fr. (assumed) VL scriban-, scriba, alter.
          of L scriba scribe] (14c) 1: a professional or public
          copyist or writer: scribe 2: notary public

   scrod
          [scrod] n [origin unknown] (1841): a young fish (as a cod
          or haddock); esp: one split and boned for cooking

   scrofula
          [scrof.u.la] n [NL, back-formation fr. LL scrofulae, pl.,
          swellings of the lymph nodes of the neck, fr. pl. of
          scrofula, dim. of L scrofa breeding sow] (1791): tuberculosis
          of lymph nodes esp. in the neck

   scrofulous
          [scrof.u.lous] adj (1612) 1: of, relating to, or affected
          with scrofula 2 a: having a diseased run-down appearance
          b: morally contaminated

   [1]scroll
          [scroll] n [ME scrowle, blend of rolle roll and scrowe scrap,
          scroll (fr. MF escroue, of Gmc origin; akin to OE screade
          shred)] (15c) 1 a: a roll (as of papyrus, leather, or
          parchment) for writing a document b archaic: a written
          message c: roster, list d: a riband with rolled ends
          often inscribed with a motto 2 a: something resembling
          a scroll in shape; esp: a spiral or convoluted form in
          ornamental design derived from the curves of a loosely
          or partly rolled parchment scroll b: the curved head
          of a bowed stringed musical instrument--see violin illustration
          [2]scroll vi (1973): to move text or graphics up or down
          or across a display screen as if by unrolling a scroll
          ~ vt: to cause (text or graphics on a display screen)
          to move in scrolling

   scroll saw
          [scroll saw] n (1851) 1: fretsaw 2: jigsaw 1

   scrollwork
          [scroll.work] n (1739): ornamentation characterized by scrolls;
          esp: fancy designs in wood often made with a scroll saw

   scrooge
          [scrooge] n, often cap [Ebenezer Scrooge, character in the
          story A Christmas Carol (1843) by Charles Dickens] (1899):
          a miserly person

   scrotum
          [scro.tum] n, pl scro.ta or scrotums [L; akin to L scrautum
          quiver] (1597): the external pouch that in most mammals
          contains the testes -- scro.tal adj

   scrouge
          [scrouge] vb scrouged ; scroug.ing [alter. of E dial. scruze
          to squeeze] (1755) chiefly dial: crowd, press

   scrounge
          [scrounge] vb scrounged ; scroung.ing [alter. of E dial.
          scrunge to wander about idly] vt (ca. 1909) 1: steal,
          swipe 2 a: to get as needed by or as if by foraging,
          scavenging, or borrowing b: finagle, wheedle--often used
          with up ~ vi: to search about and turn up something needed
          from whatever source is available; also: to actively
          seek money, work, or sustenance from any available source
          -- scroung.er n

   scroungy
          [scroungy] adj scroung.i.er ; -est (ca. 1960): being shabby,
          dirty, or unkempt

   [1]scrub
          [scrub] n, often attrib [ME, alter. of schrobbe shrub--more
          at shrub] (14c) 1 a: a stunted tree or shrub b: vegetation
          consisting chiefly of scrubs c: a tract covered with
          scrub 2: a domestic animal of mixed or unknown parentage
          and usu. inferior conformation: mongrel 3: a person of
          insignificant size or standing 4: a player not belonging
          to the first string [2]scrub vb scrubbed ; scrub.bing
          [of LG or Scand origin; akin to MLG & MD schrubben to
          scrub, Sw skrubba] vt (ca. 1595) 1 a (1): to clean with
          hard rubbing: scour (2): to remove by scrubbing b: to
          subject to friction: rub 2: wash 6c(2) 3: cancel, eliminate
          ~ vi 1: to use hard rubbing in cleaning 2: to prepare
          for surgery by scrubbing oneself -- scrub.ba.ble adj
          [3]scrub n (1621) 1: an act or instance of scrubbing;
          esp: cancellation 2: one that scrubs

   [1]scrubbed
          [scrubbed] adj [[1]scrub] (1596) archaic: scrubby 1 [2]scrubbed
          adj [fr. pp. of [2]scrub] (1948): giving the impression
          of being clean or wholesome as if from scrubbing <days
          when studios manufactured ~ public images for their stars
          --Sally Helgesen>

   scrubber
          [scrub.ber] n (1839): one that scrubs; esp: an apparatus
          for removing impurities esp. from gases

   scrub brush
          [scrub brush] n (1897): a brush with hard bristles for heavy
          cleaning--called also scrubbing brush

   scrubby
          [scrub.by] adj scrub.bi.er ; -est [[1]scrub] (1591) 1: inferior
          in size or quality: stunted <~ cattle> 2: covered with
          or consisting of scrub 3: shabby, paltry

   scrubland
          [scrub.land] n (1779): land covered with scrub

   scrub nurse
          [scrub nurse] n (1905): a nurse who assists the surgeon in
          an operating room

   scrub oak
          [scrub oak] n (1766): any of various chiefly American oaks
          (as Quercus ilicifolia of the northeastern U.S.) of small
          size and usu. shrubby habit

   scrub pine
          [scrub pine] n (1791): a pine of dwarf, straggly, or scrubby
          growth usu. by reason of environmental conditions; specif:
          a pine tree unsuitable for lumber by reason of inferior
          or defective growth

   scrub typhus
          [scrub typhus] n (1929): tsutsugamushi disease

   scrubwoman
          [scrub.wom.an] n (1873): charwoman

   scruff
          [scruff] n [alter. of earlier scuff, of unknown origin] (1790):
          the back of the neck: nape

   scruffy
          [scruffy] adj scruff.i.er ; -est [E dial. scruff something
          worthless] (1871): unkempt, slovenly, shaggy -- scruff.i.ly
          adv -- scruff.i.ness n

   scrum
          [scrum] n [short for scrummage, alter. of scrimmage] (1857)
          1 or scrum.mage : a rugby play in which the forwards
          of each side come together in a tight formation and struggle
          to gain possession of the ball when it is tossed in among
          them 2 Brit: madhouse 2 -- scrummage vi

   scrumptious
          [scrump.tious] adj [perh. alter. of sumptuous] (1830): delightful,
          excellent; esp: delicious -- scrump.tious.ly adv

   [1]scrunch
          [scrunch] vb [alter. of [1]crunch] vt (ca. 1790) 1: crunch,
          crush 2 a: to draw or squeeze together tightly b: crumple--often
          used with up c: to cause (as one's features) to draw
          together--usu. used with up ~ vi 1: to move with or make
          a crunching sound 2: crouch, hunch; also: squeeze [2]scrunch
          n (1857): a crunching sound

   [1]scruple
          [scru.ple] n [ME scriple, fr. L scrupulus a unit of weight,
          dim. of scrupus sharp stone] (14c) 1: a unit of apothecaries'
          weight equal to 20 grams or 1/3 dram 2: a minute part
          or quantity: iota [2]scruple n [ME scrupul, fr. MF scrupule,
          fr. L scrupulus, dim. of scrupus source of uneasiness,
          lit., sharp stone] (15c) 1: an ethical consideration
          or principle that inhibits action 2: the quality or state
          of being scrupulous 3: mental reservation syn see qualm
          [3]scruple vi scru.pled ; scru.pling (1627) 1: to have
          scruples 2: to show reluctance on grounds of conscience:
          hesitate

   scrupulosity
          [scru.pu.los.i.ty] n (1526) 1: the quality or state of being
          scrupulous 2: [2]scruple 1

   scrupulous
          [scru.pu.lous] adj [ME, fr. L scrupulosus, fr. scrupulus]
          (15c) 1: having moral integrity: acting in strict regard
          for what is considered right or proper 2: punctiliously
          exact: painstaking <working with ~ care> syn see upright,
          careful -- scru.pu.lous.ly adv -- scru.pu.lous.ness n

   scrutable
          [scru.ta.ble] adj [LL scrutabilis searchable, fr. L scrutari]
          (ca. 1600): capable of being deciphered: comprehensible

   scrutineer
          [scru.ti.neer] n (1557) 1: one that examines 2 Brit: one
          who takes or counts votes

   scrutinise
          [scru.ti.nise] Brit var of scrutinize

   scrutinize
          [scru.ti.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vt (1671): to examine
          closely and minutely ~ vi: to make a scrutiny -- scru.ti.niz.er
          n syn scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine mean to look
          at or over. scrutinize stresses close attention to minute
          detail <scrutinized the hospital bill>. scan implies
          a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory
          overall observation <scanned the wine list>. inspect
          implies scrutinizing for errors or defects <inspected
          my credentials>. examine suggests a scrutiny in order
          to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing
          <examined the specimens>.

   scrutiny
          [scru.ti.ny] n, pl -nies [L scrutinium, fr. scrutari to search,
          examine, prob. fr. scruta trash] (1604) 1: a searching
          study, inquiry, or inspection: examination 2: a searching
          look 3: close watch: surveillance

   sct
          [sct] abbreviation scout

   sctd
          [sctd] abbreviation scattered

   scuba
          [scu.ba] n, often attrib [self-contained underwater breathing
          apparatus] (1952): an apparatus utilizing a portable
          supply of compressed gas (as air) supplied at a regulated
          pressure and used for breathing while swimming underwater

   scuba diver
          [scuba diver] n (1958): one who swims underwater with the
          aid of scuba gear -- scuba dive vi

   [1]scud
          [scud] vi scud.ded ; scud.ding [prob. of Scand origin; akin
          to Norw skudda to push] (1532) 1: to move or run swiftly
          esp. as if driven forward 2: to run before a gale [2]scud
          n (1609) 1: the action of scudding: rush 2 a: loose vapory
          clouds driven swiftly by the wind b (1): a slight sudden
          shower (2): mist, rain, snow, or spray driven by the
          wind c: a gust of wind

   scudo
          [scu.do] n, pl scu.di [It, lit., shield, fr. L scutum--more
          at esquire] (1644) 1: a gold or silver coin formerly
          used in Italy 2: a unit of value equivalent to a scudo

   [1]scuff
          [scuff] vb [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Sw skuffa to push]
          vi (1768) 1 a: to walk without lifting the feet: shuffle
          b: to poke or shuffle a foot in exploration or embarrassment
          2: to become scratched, chipped, or roughened by wear
          ~ vt 1: [3]cuff 2 a: to scrape (the feet) along a surface
          while walking or back and forth while standing b: to
          poke at with the toe 3: to scratch, gouge, or wear away
          the surface of [2]scuff n (1899) 1 a: a noise of or as
          if of scuffing b: the act or an instance of scuffing
          c: a mark or injury caused by scuffing 2: a flat-soled
          slipper without quarter or heel strap--compare mule

   scuffle
          [scuf.fle] vi scuf.fled ; scuf.fling [prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to Sw skuffa to push] (1590) 1 a: to struggle at
          close quarters with disorder and confusion b: to struggle
          (as by working odd jobs) to get by 2 a: to move with
          a quick shuffling gait: scurry b: shuffle -- scuffle
          n

   scuffle hoe
          [scuffle hoe] n (1856): a garden hoe that has both edges
          sharpened and can be pushed forward or drawn back

   [1]scull
          [scull] n [ME sculle] (14c) 1 a: an oar used at the stern
          of a boat to propel it forward with a thwartwise motion
          b: either of a pair of oars usu. less than 10 feet (3
          meters) in length and operated by one person 2: a racing
          shell propelled by one or two persons using sculls [2]scull
          vt (1624): to propel (a boat) by sculls or by a large
          oar worked thwartwise ~ vi: to scull a boat -- scull.er
          n

   scullery
          [scul.lery] n, pl -ler.ies [ME, department of household in
          charge of dishes, fr. MF escuelerie, fr. escuelle bowl,
          fr. L scutella drinking bowl--more at scuttle] (15c):
          a room for cleaning and storing dishes and cooking utensils
          and for doing messy kitchen work

   scullion
          [scul.lion] n [ME sculion, fr. MF escouillon dishcloth, alter.
          of escouvillon, fr. escouve broom, fr. L scopae, lit.,
          twigs bound together] (15c): a kitchen helper

   sculpin
          [scul.pin] n, pl sculpins also sculpin [origin unknown] (1672)
          1: any of a family (Cottidae) of spiny large-headed broad-mouthed
          often scaleless bony fishes 2: a scorpion fish (Scorpaena
          guttata) of the southern California coast caught for
          food and sport

   sculpsit
          [sculp.sit] [L] foreign term : he or she carved it

   sculpt
          [sculpt] vb [F sculpter, alter. of obs. sculper, fr. L sculpere]
          (1864): carve, sculpture

   sculptor
          [sculp.tor] n [L, fr. sculpere] (1634): an artist who makes
          sculptures

   sculptress
          [sculp.tress] n (1662): a woman artist who makes sculptures

   sculptural
          [sculp.tur.al] adj (1819) 1: of or relating to sculpture
          2: resembling sculpture: sculpturesque -- sculp.tur.al.ly
          adv

   [1]sculpture
          [sculp.ture] n [ME, fr. L sculptura, fr. sculptus, pp. of
          sculpere to carve, alter. of scalpere to scratch, carve]
          (14c) 1 a: the action or art of processing (as by carving,
          modeling, or welding) plastic or hard materials into
          works of art b (1): work produced by sculpture (2): a
          three-dimensional work of art (as a statue) 2: impressed
          or raised markings or a pattern of such esp. on a plant
          or animal part [2]sculpture vb sculp.tured ; sculp.tur.ing
          vt (1645) 1 a: to form an image or representation of
          from solid material (as wood or stone) b: to form into
          a three-dimensional work of art 2: to change (the form
          of the earth's surface) by natural processes (as erosion
          and deposition) 3: to shape by or as if by carving or
          molding ~ vi: to work as a sculptor

   sculpturesque
          [sculp.tur.esque] adj (1835): done in the manner of or resembling
          sculpture -- sculp.tur.esque.ly adv

   [1]scum
          [scum] n [ME, fr. MD schum; akin to OHG scum foam] (14c)
          1 a: extraneous matter or impurities risen to or formed
          on the surface of a liquid often as a foul filmy covering
          b: the scoria of metals in a molten state: dross c: a
          slimy film on a solid or gelatinous object 2 a: refuse
          b: a low, vile, or worthless person or group of people
          -- scum.my adj [2]scum vi scummed ; scum.ming (1661):
          to become covered with or as if with scum

   scumbag
          [scum.bag] n (1967) slang: a dirty or unpleasant person--used
          as a generalized term of abuse

   [1]scumble
          [scum.ble] vt scum.bled ; scum.bling [perh. freq. of [2]scum]
          (1798) 1 a: to make (as color or a painting) less brilliant
          by covering with a thin coat of opaque or semiopaque
          color b: to apply (a color) in this manner 2: to soften
          the lines or colors of (a drawing) by rubbing lightly
          [2]scumble n (1834) 1: the act or effect of scumbling
          2: a material used for scumbling

   scungilli
          [scun.gil.li] n [It dial. (Neapolitan) scuncigli, pl. of
          scunciglio conch] (1945): conch used as food

   [1]scunner
          [scun.ner] vi [ME (Sc) skunniren] (14c) chiefly Scot: to
          be in a state of disgusted irritation [2]scunner n (ca.
          1520): an unreasonable or extreme dislike or prejudice

   scup
          [scup] n, pl scup also scups [short for scuppaug, modif.
          of Narraganset mishcuppauog] (ca. 1848): a porgy (Stenotomus
          chrysops) occurring along the Atlantic coast of the U.S.
          chiefly from No. Carolina to Maine and used as a panfish

   [1]scupper
          [scup.per] n [ME skopper] (15c) 1: an opening cut through
          the bulwarks of a ship so that water falling on deck
          may flow overboard 2: an opening in the wall of a building
          through which water can drain from a floor or flat roof
          [2]scupper vt [origin unknown] (1899) Brit: to defeat
          or put an end to: do in 1a

   scuppernong
          [scup.per.nong] n [Scuppernong, river and lake in No. Carolina]
          (1811) 1: muscadine; esp: a cultivated muscadine with
          yellowish green plum-flavored fruits 2: a sweet aromatic
          amber-colored wine made from scuppernongs

   scurf
          [scurf] n [ME, fr. OE, of Scand origin; akin to Icel skurfa
          scurf; akin to OHG scorf scurf, OE sceorfan to scarify]
          (bef. 12c) 1: thin dry scales detached from the epidermis
          esp. in an abnormal skin condition; specif: dandruff
          2 a: something like flakes or scales adhering to a surface
          b: the foul remains of something adherent 3 a: a scaly
          deposit or covering on some plant parts; also: a localized
          or general darkening and roughening of a plant surface
          usu. more pronounced than russeting b: a plant disease
          characterized by scurf -- scurfy adj

   scurrile
          [scur.rile] or scur.ril adj [MF scurrile, fr. L scurrilis,
          fr. scurra buffoon] (1567): scurrilous

   scurrility
          [scur.ril.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1508) 1: the quality or state
          of being scurrilous 2 a: scurrilous or abusive language
          b: an offensively rude or abusive remark

   scurrilous
          [scur.ri.lous] adj (1576) 1 a: using or given to coarse language
          b: being vulgar and evil <~ imposters who used a religious
          exterior to rob poor people --Edwin Benson> 2: containing
          obscenities, abuse, or slander <a ... campaign filled
          with ~ charges and countercharges --A. D. Graeff> --
          scur.ri.lous.ly adv -- scur.ri.lous.ness n

   scurry
          [scur.ry] vi scur.ried ; scur.ry.ing [short for hurry-scurry,
          redupl. of hurry] (1810) 1: to move in or as if in a
          brisk pace: scamper 2: to move around in an agitated,
          confused, or fluttering manner -- scurry n

   [1]scurvy
          [scur.vy] n [[2]scurvy] (ca. 1565): a disease marked by spongy
          gums, loosening of the teeth, and a bleeding into the
          skin and mucous membranes and caused by a lack of vitamin
          C [2]scurvy adj [scurf] (1579): disgustingly mean or
          contemptible: despicable <a ~ trick> syn see contemptible
          -- scur.vi.ly adv -- scur.vi.ness n

   scurvy grass
          [scurvy grass] n (1597): a cruciferous herb (as Cochlearia
          officinalis) formerly believed useful in preventing or
          treating scurvy

   scut
          [scut] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1530): a short erect tail
          (as of a hare)

   scutage
          [scu.tage] n [ME, fr. ML scutagium, fr. L scutum shield--more
          at esquire] (15c): a tax levied on a vassal or a knight
          in lieu of military service

   [1]scutch
          [scutch] vt [obs. F escoucher, fr. (assumed) VL excuticare
          to beat out, fr. L excutere, fr. ex- + quatere to shake,
          strike] (1733): to separate the woody fiber from (flax
          or hemp) by beating [2]scutch n (ca. 1791) 1: scutcher
          2: a bricklayer's hammer for cutting, trimming, and dressing
          bricks

   scutcheon
          [scutch.eon] n [ME scochon, fr. MF escuchon] (14c): escutcheon

   scutcher
          [scutch.er] n (1776): an implement or machine for scutching
          flax or cotton

   scute
          [scute] n [NL scutum, fr. L, shield--more at esquire] (1898):
          an external bony or horny plate or large scale

   scutellate
          [scu.tel.late] or scu.tel.lat.ed adj (1785): having or covered
          with scutella

   scutellum
          [scu.tel.lum] n, pl -la [NL, dim. of L scutum shield] (ca.
          1760) 1: a hard plate or scale (as on the thorax of an
          insect or the tarsus of a bird) 2: the shield-shaped
          cotyledon of a monocotyledon (as a grass) -- scu.tel.lar
          adj

   scuto bonae voluntatis tuae coronasti nos
          [scu.to bo.nae vo.lun.ta.tis tu.ae co.ro.nas.ti nos] [L]
          foreign term : Thou hast crowned us with the shield of
          Thy good will--a motto on the Great Seal of Maryland

   scutter
          [scut.ter] vi [alter. of [5]scuttle] (1781): scurry, scamper

   [1]scuttle
          [scut.tle] n [ME scutel, fr. L scutella drinking bowl, tray,
          dim. of scutra platter] (15c) 1: a shallow open basket
          for carrying something (as grain or garden produce) 2:
          a metal pail that usu. has a bail and a sloped lip and
          is used esp. for carrying coal [2]scuttle n [ME skottell]
          (15c) 1: a small opening in a wall or roof furnished
          with a lid: as a: a small opening or hatchway in the
          deck of a ship large enough to admit a person and with
          a lid for covering it b: a small hole in the side or
          bottom of a ship fitted with a covering or glazed 2:
          a covering that closes a scuttle [3]scuttle vt scut.tled
          ; scut.tling (1642) 1: to cut a hole through the bottom,
          deck, or side of (a ship); specif: to sink or attempt
          to sink by making holes through the bottom 2: destroy,
          wreck; also: scrap 2 [4]scuttle n [perh. blend of scud
          and shuttle] (1623) 1: a quick shuffling pace 2: a short
          swift run [5]scuttle vi scut.tled ; scut.tling (1657):
          scurry

   scuttlebutt
          [scut.tle.butt] n [[2]scuttle + [3]butt] (1805) 1 a: a cask
          on shipboard to contain fresh water for a day's use b:
          a drinking fountain on a ship or at a naval or marine
          installation 2: rumor, gossip

   scutum
          [scu.tum] n, pl scu.ta [NL, fr. L, shield--more at esquire]
          (1771): a bony, horny, or chitinous plate: scute

   scut work
          [scut work] n [prob. fr. medical argot scut junior intern]
          (ca. 1962): routine and often menial labor

   scuzzy
          [scuz.zy] adj scuz.zi.er ; -est [origin unknown] (1969) slang:
          dirty, shabby, or foul in condition or character

   Scylla
          [Scyl.la] n [L, fr. Gk Skylle]: a nymph changed into a monster
          in Greek mythology who terrorizes mariners in the Strait
          of Messina -- between Scylla and Charybdis : between
          two equally hazardous alternatives

   scyphistoma
          [scy.phis.to.ma] n, pl -mae also -mas [NL, fr. L scyphus
          cup + Gk stoma mouth--more at stomach] (1878): a sexually
          produced scyphozoan larva that ultimately repeatedly
          constricts transversely to form free-swimming medusae

   scyphozoan
          [scy.pho.zo.an] n [NL Scyphozoa, fr. L scyphus + NL -zoa]
          (ca. 1909): any of a class (Scyphozoa) of coelenterates
          that comprise jellyfishes lacking a true polyp and usu.
          a velum -- scyphozoan adj

   [1]scythe
          [scythe] n [ME sithe, fr. OE sithe; akin to OE sagu saw--more
          at saw] (bef. 12c): an implement used for mowing (as
          grass) and composed of a long curving blade fastened
          at an angle to a long handle [2]scythe vb scythed ; scyth.ing
          vi (ca. 1580): to use a scythe ~ vt: to cut with or as
          if with a scythe

   Scythian
          [Scyth.i.an] n [L Scytha, fr. Gk Skythes] (15c) 1: a member
          of an ancient nomadic people inhabiting Scythia 2: the
          Iranian language of the Scythians -- Scythian adj

   sd...
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   sd
          [sd] abbreviation said, sewed  SD abbreviation sea-damaged,
          sine die, South Dakota, special delivery, stage direction,
          standard deviation

   SDI
          [SDI] abbreviation Strategic Defense Initiative

   SDRs
          [SDRs] abbreviation special drawing rights

   SDS
          [SDS] abbreviation Students for a Democratic Society

   se...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Se
          [Se] abbreviation selenium  SE abbreviation self-explanatory,
          southeast, Standard English, stock exchange, straight
          edge

   sea
          [sea] n [ME see, fr. OE sae; akin to OHG se sea, Goth saiws]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a great body of salty water that covers
          much of the earth; broadly: the waters of the earth as
          distinguished from the land and air b: a body of salt
          water of second rank more or less landlocked <the Mediterranean
          ~> c: ocean d: an inland body of water--used esp. for
          names of such bodies <the Caspian Sea> <the Sea of Galilee>
          2 a: surface motion on a large body of water or its direction;
          also: a large swell or wave--often used in pl. <heavy
          ~s> b: the disturbance of the ocean or other body of
          water due to the wind 3: something likened to the sea
          esp. in vastness <the crowd was a ~ of faces> 4: the
          seafaring life 5: [3]mare -- sea adj -- at sea 1: on
          the sea; specif: on a sea voyage 2: lost, bewildered
          -- to sea : to or on the open waters of the sea

   sea anchor
          [sea anchor] n (1769): a drag typically of canvas thrown
          overboard to retard the drifting of a ship or seaplane
          and to keep its head to the wind

   sea anemone
          [sea anemone] n (1742): any of numerous usu. solitary anthozoan
          polyps (order Actiniaria) whose form, bright and varied
          colors, and cluster of tentacles superficially resemble
          a flower

   seabag
          [sea.bag] n (1919): a cylindrical canvas bag used esp. by
          a sailor for clothes and other gear

   sea bass
          [sea bass] n (1765) 1: any of numerous marine bony fishes
          (family Serranidae) that are usu. smaller and more active
          than the groupers; esp: a food and sport fish (Centropristis
          striata) of the Atlantic coast of the U.S. 2: any of
          numerous croakers or drums including noted sport and
          food fishes

   seabed
          [sea.bed] n (1838): the floor of a sea or ocean

   Seabee
          [Sea.bee] n [alter. of cee + bee; fr. the initials of construction
          battalion] (1942): a member of one of the U.S. Navy construction
          battalions for building naval shore facilities in combat zones

   seabird
          [sea.bird] n (1589): a bird (as a gull or albatross) frequenting
          the open ocean

   sea biscuit
          [sea biscuit] n (ca. 1690): hardtack 1

   seaboard
          [sea.board] n (1788): seacoast; also: the country bordering
          a seacoast -- seaboard adj

   seaboot
          [sea.boot] n (1851): a very high waterproof boot used esp.
          by sailors and fishermen

   seaborne
          [sea.borne] adj (1823) 1: borne over or on the sea <a ~ invasion>
          2: engaged in or carried on by oversea shipping <~ trade>

   sea bream
          [sea bream] n (ca. 1530): any of numerous marine bony fishes
          (as of the family Sparidae)

   sea breeze
          [sea breeze] n (1697): a cooling breeze blowing generally
          in the daytime inland from the sea

   sea captain
          [sea captain] n (1612): the master esp. of a merchant vessel

   sea change
          [sea change] n (1610) 1 archaic: a change brought about by
          the sea 2: a marked change: transformation

   sea chest
          [sea chest] n (1669): a sailor's storage chest for personal
          property

   seacoast
          [sea.coast] n (14c): the shore or border of the land adjacent
          to the sea

   sea cow
          [sea cow] n (1613): sirenian

   seacraft
          [sea.craft] n (1727) 1: skill in navigation 2: seagoing ships

   sea crayfish
          [sea crayfish] n (1601): spiny lobster

   sea cucumber
          [sea cucumber] n (1601): any of a class (Holothurioidea)
          of echinoderms having a tough muscular elongate body
          with tentacles surrounding the mouth--called also holothurian

   sea devil
          [sea devil] n (1634): devilfish 1

   sea dog
          [sea dog] n (1823): a veteran sailor

   sea duck
          [sea duck] n (1753): a diving duck (as a scoter, merganser,
          or eider) that frequents the sea

   sea duty
          [sea duty] n (1946): duty in the U.S. Navy performed with
          a deployable unit (as a ship or aircraft squadron)

   sea eagle
          [sea eagle] n (1668): any of various fish-eating eagles (esp.
          genus Haliaeetus)

   Sea Explorer
          [Sea Explorer] n (1948): an Explorer in a scouting program
          that teaches seamanship

   sea fan
          [sea fan] n (1633): a gorgonian with a fan-shaped skeleton;
          esp: one (Gorgonia flabellum) of Florida and the West
          Indies

   seafarer
          [sea.far.er] n [sea + [1]fare + [2]-er] (1513): mariner

   seafaring
          [sea.far.ing] n (1592): the use of the sea for travel or
          transportation -- seafaring adj

   sea fire
          [sea fire] n (1814): marine bioluminescence

   seafloor
          [sea.floor] n (1855): seabed

   seafood
          [sea.food] n (1836): edible marine fish and shellfish

   seafowl
          [sea.fowl] n (14c): seabird

   seafront
          [sea.front] n (1879): the waterfront of a seaside place

   seagirt
          [sea.girt] adj (1616): surrounded by the sea

   seagoing
          [sea.go.ing] adj (1829): oceangoing

   sea grape
          [sea grape] n (1806): a tree (Coccoloba uvifera) of the buckwheat
          family that inhabits sandy shores from Florida to So.
          America, has rounded leaves, and bears clusters of purple
          to whitish edible berries

   sea grass
          [sea grass] n (1578): any of various grasslike plants that
          inhabit coastal areas; esp: eelgrass 1

   sea green
          [sea green] n (1598) 1: a moderate green or bluish green
          2: a moderate yellow green

   seagull
          [sea.gull] n (1542): a gull frequenting the sea; broadly:
          gull

   sea hare
          [sea hare] n (1593): any of various large opisthobranch mollusks
          (esp. genus Aplysia) that have an arched back and two
          anterior tentacles and have the shell much reduced or
          missing

   sea holly
          [sea holly] n (1548): a European coastal herb (Eryngium maritimum)
          of the carrot family with spiny leaves and pale blue flowers

   sea horse
          [sea horse] n (ca. 1500) 1: walrus 2: a mythical creature
          half horse and half fish 3: any of a genus (Hippocampus
          of the family Syngnathidae) of small bony fishes that
          have the head angled downward toward the body which is
          carried vertically and are equipped with a prehensile
          tail

   sea island cotton
          [sea island cotton] n, often cap S&I [Sea Islands, chain
          of islands off the southeastern U.S. coast] (1805): a
          cotton (Gossypium barbadense) with esp. long silky fiber--called
          also sea island

   sea kale
          [sea kale] n (1699): a succulent Eurasian perennial herb
          (Crambe maritima) of the mustard family used as a potherb

   sea king
          [sea king] n (1819): a Norse pirate chief

   SEAL
          [SEAL] abbreviation sea, air, land (team)

   [1]seal
          [seal] n, pl seals also seal [ME sele, fr. OE seolh; akin
          to OHG selah seal] (bef. 12c) 1: any of numerous carnivorous
          marine mammals (families Phocidae and Otariidae) that
          live chiefly in cold regions and have limbs modified
          into webbed flippers adapted primarily to swimming; esp:
          a fur seal or hair seal as opposed to a sea lion 2 a:
          the pelt of a fur seal b: leather made from the skin
          of a seal 3: a dark brown [2]seal vi (1828): to hunt
          seals [3]seal n [ME seel, fr. OF, fr. L sigillum seal,
          fr. dim. of signum sign, seal--more at sign] (13c) 1
          a: something that confirms, ratifies, or makes secure:
          guarantee, assurance b (1): a device with a cut or raised
          emblem, symbol, or word used esp. to certify a signature
          or authenticate a document (2): a medallion or ring face
          bearing such a device incised so that it can be impressed
          on wax or moist clay; also: a piece of wax or a wafer
          bearing such an impression c: an impression, device,
          or mark given the effect of a common-law seal by statute
          law or by American local custom recognized by judicial
          decision d: a usu. ornamental adhesive stamp that may
          be used to close a letter or package; esp: one given
          in a fund-raising campaign 2 a: something that secures
          (as a wax seal on a document) b: a closure that must
          be broken to be opened and that thus reveals tampering
          c (1): a tight and perfect closure (as against the passage
          of gas or water) (2): a device to prevent the passage
          or return of gas or air into a pipe or container 3: a
          seal that is a symbol or mark of office -- under seal
          : with an authenticating seal affixed [4]seal vt (14c)
          1 a: to confirm or make secure by or as if by a seal
          b: to solemnize for eternity (as a marriage) by a Mormon
          rite 2 a: to set or affix an authenticating seal to;
          also: authenticate, ratify b: to mark with a stamp or
          seal usu. as an evidence of standard exactness, legal
          size, weight, or capacity, or merchantable quality 3
          a: to fasten with or as if with a seal to prevent tampering
          b: to close or make secure against access, leakage, or
          passage by a fastening or coating c: to fix in position
          or close breaks in with a filling (as of plaster) 4:
          to determine irrevocably or indisputably <that answer
          ~ed our fate>

   sea lamprey
          [sea lamprey] n (1879): a large anadromous lamprey (Petromyzon
          marinus) that has a mottled upper surface, is an ectoparasite
          of fish, and is sometimes used as food

   sea-lane
          [sea-lane] n (1927): an established sea route

   sealant
          [seal.ant] n (1944): a sealing agent <radiator ~>

   sea lavender
          [sea lavender] n (1597): any of a genus (Limonium) of chiefly
          perennial herbs of the plumbago family with small flowers
          and basal leaves

   sea lawyer
          [sea lawyer] n (1848): an argumentative captious sailor

   sealed-beam
          [sealed-beam] adj (1939): being an electric lamp with a prefocused
          reflector and lens sealed in the lamp vacuum

   sea legs
          [sea legs] n pl (1712): bodily adjustment to the motion of
          a ship indicated esp. by ability to walk steadily and
          by freedom from seasickness

   [1]sealer
          [seal.er] n (15c) 1: an official who attests or certifies
          conformity to a standard of correctness 2: a coat (as
          of size) applied to prevent subsequent coats of paint
          or varnish from sinking in [2]sealer n (1842): a person
          or a ship engaged in hunting seals

   sea lettuce
          [sea lettuce] n (1668): any of a genus (Ulva) of seaweeds
          with green fronds sometimes eaten as salad

   sea level
          [sea level] n (1806): the level of the surface of the sea
          esp. at its mean position midway between mean high and
          low water

   sea lily
          [sea lily] n (1876): crinoid; esp: a stalked crinoid

   sealing wax
          [sealing wax] n (14c): a resinous composition that is plastic
          when warm and is used for sealing (as letters, dry cells,
          or cans)

   sea lion
          [sea lion] n (1697): any of several Pacific eared seals (as
          genera Eumetopius and Zalophus) that are usu. larger
          than the related fur seals and lack a thick underfur

   seal off
          [seal off] vt (1931): to close tightly

   seal point
          [seal point] n [[1]seal (the color)] (1939): a coat color
          of cats characterized by a cream or fawn body with dark
          brown points; also: a Siamese cat with such coloring

   seal ring
          [seal ring] n (1608): a finger ring engraved with a seal:
          signet ring

   sealskin
          [seal.skin] n (14c) 1: the fur or pelt of a fur seal 2: a
          garment (as a jacket, coat, or cape) of sealskin -- sealskin
          adj

   Sealyham terrier
          [Sea.ly.ham terrier] n [Sealyham, Pembrokeshire, Wales] (1907):
          any of a breed of short-legged long-headed strong-jawed
          heavy-boned chiefly white terriers developed in Wales

   [1]seam
          [seam] n [ME seem, fr. OE seam; akin to OE siwian to sew--more
          at sew] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the joining of two pieces (as
          of cloth or leather) by sewing usu. near the edge b:
          the stitching used in such a joining 2: the space between
          adjacent planks or strakes of a ship 3 a: a line, groove,
          or ridge formed by the abutment of edges b: a thin layer
          or stratum (as of rock) between distinctive layers; also:
          a bed of valuable mineral and esp. coal irrespective
          of thickness c: a line left by a cut or wound; also:
          wrinkle 3: a weak or vulnerable area or gap <found a
          ~ in the zone defense> -- seam.like adj -- at the seams
          : entirely, completely <falling apart at the seams> [2]seam
          vt (1582) 1 a: to join by sewing b: to join as if by
          sewing (as by welding, riveting, or heat-sealing) 2:
          to mark with lines suggesting seams ~ vi: to become fissured
          or ridgy -- seam.er n

   sea-maid
          [sea-maid] or sea-maid.en n (1590): mermaid; also: a goddess
          or nymph of the sea

   seaman
          [sea.man] n (bef. 12c) 1: sailor, mariner 2 a: any of the
          three ranks below petty officer in the navy or coast
          guard b: an enlisted man in the navy or coast guard ranking
          above a seaman apprentice and below a petty officer

   seaman apprentice
          [seaman apprentice] n (1947): an enlisted man in the navy
          or coast guard ranking above a seaman recruit and below
          a seaman

   seamanlike
          [sea.man.like] adj (1796): characteristic of or befitting
          a competent seaman

   seamanly
          [sea.man.ly] adj (1798): seamanlike

   seaman recruit
          [seaman recruit] n (1947): an enlisted man of the lowest
          rank in the navy or coast guard

   seamanship
          [sea.man.ship] n (1766): the art or skill of handling, working,
          and navigating a ship

   seamark
          [sea.mark] n (15c) 1: a line on a coast marking the tidal
          limit 2: an elevated object serving as a beacon to mariners

   sea mew
          [sea mew] n (15c): seagull; esp: a common gull (Larus canus)
          chiefly of Europe and northwestern No. America

   sea mile
          [sea mile] n (1796): nautical mile

   seamless
          [seam.less] adj (15c) 1: having no seams 2: having no awkward
          transitions or indications of disparity: perfectly smooth
          <a ~ fusion of beauty and intelligence --Jack Kroll et
          al.> -- seam.less.ly adv -- seam.less.ness n

   seamount
          [sea.mount] n (1941): a submarine mountain rising above the
          deep-sea floor

   sea mouse
          [sea mouse] n (ca. 1520): any of various large broad marine
          polychaete worms (esp. genus Aphrodite) covered with
          hairlike setae

   seamster
          [seam.ster] n [ME semester, semster, fr. OE seamestre seamstress,
          tailor, fr. seam seam] (bef. 12c): a person employed
          at sewing; esp: tailor

   seamstress
          [seam.stress] n (1644): a woman whose occupation is sewing

   seamy
          [seamy] adj seam.i.er ; -est (1604) 1 archaic: having the
          rough side of the seam showing 2 a: unpleasant b: degraded,
          sordid -- seam.i.ness n

   seance
          [se.ance] n [F, fr. seoir to sit, fr. L sedere--more at sit]
          (1803) 1: session, sitting 2: a spiritualist meeting
          to receive spirit communications

   sea nettle
          [sea nettle] n (1601): a stinging jellyfish; esp: one (Chrysaora
          quinquecirrha) occurring esp. in Atlantic estuaries from
          Cape Cod to the West Indies

   sea oats
          [sea oats] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1894): a tall grass
          (Uniola panicolata) that has panicles resembling those
          of the oat, grows chiefly on the coast of the southern
          U.S., and is useful as a sand binder

   sea onion
          [sea onion] n (14c): squill 1a

   sea otter
          [sea otter] n (1664): a rare marine otter (Enhydra lutris)
          of the northern Pacific coasts that may attain a length
          of six feet (two meters), is chiefly brown but with lighter
          coloration on the back of the head and neck, and feeds
          largely on shellfish

   sea pen
          [sea pen] n (1763): any of numerous anthozoans (order Pennatulacea)
          growing in colonies with a feathery form

   seapiece
          [sea.piece] n (1656): seascape 2

   sea pink
          [sea pink] (1731) 1: thrift 4 2: any of a genus (Sabatia)
          of smooth slender No. American herbs of the gentian family
          typically having pink or white cymose flowers

   seaplane
          [sea.plane] n (1913): an airplane designed to take off from
          and land on the water

   seaport
          [sea.port] n (1596): a port, harbor, or town accessible to
          seagoing ships

   sea power
          [sea power] n (1849) 1: a nation having formidable naval
          strength 2: naval strength

   sea puss
          [sea puss] n [alter. of dial. seapoose tidal stream, fr.
          Unquachog (Algonquian language of Long Island) seepus
          river] (ca. 1891): a swirling or along shore undertow

   seaquake
          [sea.quake] n [sea + earthquake] (1680): a submarine earthquake

   [1]sear
          [sear] var of sere [2]sear vb [ME seren, fr. OE searian to
          become sere, fr. sear sere] vi (bef. 12c): to cause withering
          or drying ~ vt 1: to make withered and dry: parch 2:
          to burn, scorch, or injure with or as if with sudden
          application of intense heat -- sear.ing.ly adv [3]sear
          n (1874): a mark or scar left by searing [4]sear n [prob.
          fr. MF serre grasp, fr. serrer to press, grasp, fr. LL
          serare to bolt, latch, fr. L sera bar for fastening a
          door] (1596): the catch that holds the hammer of a gun's
          lock at cock or half cock

   [1]search
          [search] vb [ME cerchen, fr. MF cerchier to go about, survey,
          search, fr. LL circare to go about, fr. L circum round
          about--more at circum-] vt (14c) 1: to look into or over
          carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover
          something: as a: to examine in seeking something <~ed
          the north field> b: to look through or explore by inspecting
          possible places of concealment or investigating suspicious
          circumstances c: to read thoroughly: check; esp: to examine
          a public record or register for information about <~
          land titles> d: to examine for articles concealed on
          the person e: to look at as if to discover or penetrate
          intention or nature 2: to uncover, find, or come to know
          by inquiry or scrutiny--usu. used with out ~ vi 1: to
          look or inquire carefully <~ed for the papers> 2: to
          make painstaking investigation or examination -- search.able
          adj -- search.er n -- search.ing.ly adv [2]search n (15c)
          1 a: an act of searching <a ~ for food> <go in ~ of help>
          b: an act of boarding and inspecting a ship on the high
          seas in exercise of right of search 2 obs: a party that
          searches 3: power or range of penetrating; also: a penetrating
          effect

   searchless
          [search.less] adj (1605): inscrutable, impenetrable

   searchlight
          [search.light] n (1883): an apparatus for projecting a powerful
          beam of light; also: a beam of light projected by it

   search warrant
          [search warrant] n (1818): a warrant authorizing a search
          (as of a house) for stolen goods or unlawful possessions

   sea robin
          [sea robin] n (1814): any of a family (Triglidae) of marine
          bony fishes typically having a spiny armored head and
          the bottom three rays of the pectoral fin on each side
          free of membrane and modified for use as feelers or in
          crawling--called also gurnard

   sea room
          [sea room] n (ca. 1554): room for maneuver at sea

   sea rover
          [sea rover] n (ca. 1580): one that roves the sea; specif:
          pirate

   sea-run
          [sea-run] adj (1885): anadromous <a ~ salmon>

   seascape
          [sea.scape] n (1799) 1: a view of the sea 2: a picture representing
          a scene at sea

   sea scorpion
          [sea scorpion] n (1896) 1: sculpin 1 2: eurypterid

   Sea Scout
          [Sea Scout] n (1911): sea explorer

   sea serpent
          [sea serpent] n (1774): a large marine animal resembling
          a serpent often reported to have been seen but never
          proved to exist

   seashell
          [sea.shell] n (bef. 12c): the shell of a marine animal and
          esp. a mollusk

   seashore
          [sea.shore] n (1526) 1 a: land adjacent to the sea: seacoast
          b: national seashore 2: all the ground between the ordinary
          high-water and low-water marks: foreshore

   seasick
          [sea.sick] adj (ca. 1566): affected with or suggestive of
          seasickness

   seasickness
          [sea.sick.ness] n (1625): motion sickness experienced on
          the water

   seaside
          [sea.side] n (13c): the district or land bordering the sea:
          country adjacent to the sea: seashore -- seaside adj

   sea slug
          [sea slug] n (1779) 1: holothurian 2: a naked marine gastropod;
          specif: nudibranch

   sea snake
          [sea snake] n (1755) 1: sea serpent 2: any of numerous venomous
          aquatic chiefly viviparous elapid snakes of warm seas

   [1]season
          [sea.son] n [ME, fr. MF saison, fr. OF, fr. L sation-, satio
          action of sowing, fr. serere to sow--more at sow] (14c)
          1 a: a time characterized by a particular circumstance
          or feature <in a ~ of religious awakening --F. A. Christie>
          b: a suitable or natural time or occasion <when my ~
          comes to sit on David's throne --John Milton> c: an indefinite
          period of time: while <sent home again to her father
          for a ~ --Francis Hackett> 2 a: a period of the year
          characterized by or associated with a particular activity
          or phenomenon <hay fever ~>: as (1): a period associated
          with some phase or activity of agriculture (as growth
          or harvesting) (2): a period in which an animal engages
          in some activity (as migrating or mating); also: estrus,
          heat (3): the period normally characterized by a particular
          kind of weather <a long rainy ~> (4): a period marked
          by special activity esp. in some field <the theatrical
          ~> <tourist ~> (5): a period in which a place is most
          frequented b: one of the four quarters into which the
          year is commonly divided c: the time of a major holiday
          3: year <a boy of seven ~s> 4 [ME sesoun, fr. sesounen
          to season]: seasoning 5: the schedule of official games
          played or to be played by a sports team during a playing
          season <try to get through the ~ undefeated> 6: off-season
          <closed for the ~> -- in season 1: at the right time
          2: at the stage of greatest fitness (as for eating) <peaches
          are in season> 3: legally available to be hunted or caught
          -- out of season : not in season [2]season vb sea.soned
          ; sea.son.ing [ME sesounen, fr. MF assaisoner to ripen,
          season, fr. OF, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + saison season] vt
          (14c) 1 a: to give (food) more flavor or zest by adding
          seasoning or savory ingredients b: to give a distinctive
          quality to as if by seasoning; esp: to make more agreeable
          <advice ~ed with wit> c archaic: to qualify by admixture:
          temper 2 a: to treat (as wood or a skillet) so as to
          prepare for use b: to make fit by experience <a ~ed veteran>
          ~ vi: to become seasoned

   seasonable
          [sea.son.able] adj (14c) 1: suitable to the season
          or circumstances: timely <a ~ frost> 2: occurring in good or proper
          time: opportune <a ~ time for discussion> -- sea.son.able.ness
          n -- sea.son.ably adv

   seasonal
          [sea.son.al] adj (1838) 1: of, relating to, or varying in
          occurrence according to the season <~ storms> <~ fruits>
          2: affected or caused by seasonal need or availability
          <~ unemployment> <~ industries> -- sea.son.al.i.ty n
          -- sea.son.al.ly adv

   seasonal affective disorder
          [seasonal affective disorder] n (1985): depression that tends
          to recur as the days grow shorter during the fall and
          winter

   seasoner
          [sea.son.er] n (1598): one that seasons: as a: a user of
          seasonings <a heavy ~> b: seasoning

   seasoning
          [sea.son.ing] n (1580): something that serves to season;
          esp: an ingredient (as a condiment, spice, or herb) added
          to food primarily for the savor that it imparts

   seasonless
          [sea.son.less] adj (1816) 1: exhibiting no seasonal changes
          2: not restricted to a particular season; esp: suitable
          for wearing in any season <~ fabrics>

   season ticket
          [season ticket] n (1820): a ticket (as to all of a club's
          home games or for specified daily transportation) valid
          during a specified time

   sea spider
          [sea spider] n (1666): any of various small long-legged marine
          arthropods (class Pycnogonida) that superficially resemble
          spiders

   sea squirt
          [sea squirt] n (1850): ascidian

   sea star
          [sea star] n (1569): starfish

   sea stores
          [sea stores] n pl (1659): supplies (as of foodstuffs) laid
          in before starting on a sea voyage

   seastrand
          [sea.strand] n (bef. 12c): seashore

   [1]seat
          [seat] n [ME sete, fr. ON saeti; akin to OE gesete seat,
          sittan to sit] (13c) 1 a: a special chair of one in eminence;
          also: the status represented by it b: a chair, stool,
          or bench intended to be sat in or on c: the particular
          part of something on which one rests in sitting <the
          ~ of a chair> <trouser ~> d: buttocks 2 a: a seating
          accommodation <a ~ for the game> <a 200-seat restaurant>
          b: a right of sitting <lost his ~ in Congress> c: membership
          on an exchange 3 a: a place where something specified
          is prevalent: center <a ~ of learning> b: a place from
          which authority is exercised <the county ~> c: a bodily
          part in which some function or condition is centered
          <the brain as the ~ of the mind> 4: posture in or way
          of sitting on horseback 5 a: a part at or forming the
          base of something b: a part (as a socket) or surface
          on or in which another part or surface rests -- by the
          seat of one's pants : using experience and intuition
          rather than mechanical aids or formal theory [2]seat
          vt (1593) 1 a: to install in a seat of dignity or office
          b (1): to cause to sit or assist in finding a seat (2):
          to provide seats for <a theater ~ing 1000 persons> c:
          to put in a sitting position 2: to repair the seat of
          or provide a new seat for 3: to fit to or with a seat
          <~ a valve> ~ vi 1 archaic: to take one's seat or place
          2: to fit correctly on a seat

   seat belt
          [seat belt] n (1932): an arrangement of straps designed to
          hold a person steady in a seat (as in an airplane or
          automobile)

   seater
          [seat.er] n (1693) 1: one that seats 2: one that has a specified
          number of seats--used in combination <a two-seater jet>

   seating
          [seat.ing] n (ca. 1859) 1: the act of providing with seats
          2 a: material for covering or upholstering seats b: a
          seat on or in which something rests <a valve ~>

   seatmate
          [seat.mate] n (1859): one with whom one shares a seat (as
          in a vehicle with double or paired seats)

   SEATO
          [SEATO] abbreviation Southeast Asia Treaty Organization

   seat-of-the-pants
          [seat-of-the-pants] adj (1942): employing or based on personal
          experience, judgment, and effort rather than technological
          aids or formal theory <~ navigation> <a ~ decision>

   seatrain
          [sea.train] n (1932): a seagoing ship equipped for carrying
          a train of railroad cars

   sea trout
          [sea trout] n (1745) 1: any of various trouts or chars that
          as adults inhabit the sea but ascend rivers to spawn
          2: any of various marine fishes resembling trouts: as
          a: weakfish 1 b: spotted sea trout

   sea turtle
          [sea turtle] n (1612): any of two families (Cheloniidae and
          Dermochelyidae) of widely distributed marine turtles
          with the feet modified into paddles that include the
          green turtle, leatherback, hawksbill, loggerhead, and
          ridley

   sea urchin
          [sea urchin] n (1591): any of numerous echinoderms (class
          Echinoidea) that are usu. enclosed in thin brittle globular
          tests covered with movable spines

   seawall
          [sea.wall] n (15c): a wall or embankment to protect the shore
          from erosion or to act as a breakwater

   [1]seaward
          [sea.ward] n (14c): the direction or side away from land
          and toward the open sea [2]seaward also sea.wards adv
          (1517): toward the sea [3]seaward adj (ca. 1621) 1: directed
          or situated toward the sea 2: coming from the sea <a
          ~ wind>

   sea wasp
          [sea wasp] n (1910): any of various scyphozoan jellyfishes
          (order or suborder Cubomedusae) that sting virulently
          and sometimes fatally

   seawater
          [sea.wa.ter] n (bef. 12c): water in or from the sea

   seaway
          [sea.way] n (bef. 12c) 1: the sea as a route for travel;
          also: an ocean traffic lane 2: a moderate or rough sea
          3: a deep inland waterway that admits ocean shipping

   seaweed
          [sea.weed] n (1577) 1: a mass or growth of marine plants
          2: a plant growing in the sea; esp: a marine alga (as
          a kelp)

   sea whip
          [sea whip] n (1775): any of various gorgonian corals with
          elongated flexible unbranched or little-branched skeletons

   seaworthy
          [sea.wor.thy] adj (1807): fit or safe for a sea voyage <a
          ~ ship> -- sea.wor.thi.ness n

   sea wrack
          [sea wrack] n (1551): seaweed; esp: seaweed cast ashore in
          masses

   sebaceous
          [se.ba.ceous] adj [L sebaceus made of tallow, fr. sebum tallow]
          (1728) 1: secreting sebum <~ glands> 2: of, relating
          to, or being fatty material: fatty <a ~ exudate>

   sebacic acid
          [se.ba.cic acid] n [ISV, fr. L sebaceus] (1790): a crystalline
          dicarboxylic acid used esp. in the manufacture of synthetic
          resins

   seborrhea
          [seb.or.rhea] n [NL, fr. L sebum + NL -rrhea] (ca. 1860):
          abnormally increased secretion and discharge of sebum
          -- seb.or.rhe.ic adj

   sebum
          [se.bum] n [L, tallow, grease] (ca. 1860): fatty lubricant
          matter secreted by sebaceous glands of the skin

   sec
          [sec] abbreviation secant, second, secondary, secretary,
          section, [L secundum] according to; security  SEC abbreviation
          Securities and Exchange Commission

   sec
          [sec] adj [F, lit., dry--more at sack] (1863) of champagne:
          moderately dry

   secant
          [se.cant] n [NL sec ant-, secans, fr. L, prp. of secare to
          cut--more at saw] (1593) 1: a straight line cutting a
          curve at two or more points--see circle illustration
          2: a straight line drawn from the center of a circle
          through one end of a circular arc to a tangent drawn
          from the other end of the arc 3 a: a trigonometric function
          that for an acute angle is the ratio of the hypotenuse
          of a right triangle of which the angle is considered
          part and the leg adjacent to the angle b: a trigonometric
          function sec A that is the reciprocal of the cosine for
          all real numbers A for which the cosine is not zero and
          that is exactly equal to the secant of an angle of measure
          A in radians

   secateur
          [sec.a.teur] n [F secateur, fr. L secare to cut] (1881) chiefly
          Brit: pruning shears--usu. used in pl.

   [1]secco
          [sec.co] n [It, fr. secco dry, fr. L siccus--more at sack]
          (1852): the art of painting on dry plaster [2]secco adj
          or adv [It, lit., dry] (ca. 1854) 1: short and very staccato--used
          as a direction in music 2 of a recitative: accompanied only by the
          instruments playing the continuo

   secede
          [se.cede] vi se.ced.ed ; se.ced.ing [L secedere, fr. sed-,
          se- apart (fr. sed, se without) + cedere to go--more
          at suicide] (ca. 1755): to withdraw from an organization
          (as a religious communion or political party or federation)
          -- se.ced.er n

   secern
          [se.cern] vt [L secernere to separate--more at secret] (ca.
          1656): to discriminate in thought: distinguish

   secession
          [se.ces.sion] n [L secession-, secessio, fr. secedere] (1604)
          1: withdrawal into privacy or solitude: retirement 2:
          formal withdrawal from an organization

   secessionist
          [se.ces.sion.ist] n (ca. 1860): one who joins in a secession
          or maintains that secession is a right -- se.ces.sion.ism
          n -- secessionist adj

   seclude
          [se.clude] vt se.clud.ed ; se.clud.ing [ME, to keep away,
          fr. L secludere to separate, seclude, fr. se- apart +
          claudere to close--more at secede, close] (ca. 1533)
          1 obs: to exclude from a privilege, rank, or dignity:
          debar 2: to remove or separate from intercourse or outside
          influence: isolate 3: shut off, screen

   secluded
          [secluded] adj (1604) 1: screened or hidden from view: sequestered
          <a ~ valley> 2: living in seclusion: solitary <~ monks>
          -- se.clud.ed.ly adv -- se.clud.ed.ness n

   seclusion
          [se.clu.sion] n [ML seclusion-, seclusio, fr. L secludere]
          (ca. 1616) 1: the act of secluding: the condition of
          being secluded 2: a secluded or isolated place syn see
          solitude -- se.clu.sive adj -- se.clu.sive.ly adv --
          se.clu.sive.ness n

   secobarbital
          [seco.bar.bi.tal] n [fr. Seconal, a trademark + barbital]
          (1951): a barbiturate that is used chiefly in the form
          of its bitter hygroscopic sodium salt as a hypnotic and
          sedative

   Seconal
          [Sec.o.nal] trademark--used for a preparation of secobarbital

   [1]second
          [sec.ond] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L secundus second, following,
          favorable, fr. sequi to follow--more at sue] (13c) 1
          a: next to the first in place or time <was ~ in line>
          b (1): next to the first in value, excellence, or degree
          <his ~ choice of schools> (2): inferior, subordinate
          <was ~ to none> c: ranking next below the top of a grade
          or degree in authority or precedence <~ mate> d: alternate,
          other <elects a mayor every ~ year> e: resembling or
          suggesting a prototype: another <a ~ Thoreau> f: ingrained
          by discipline, training, or effort: acquired <~ nature>
          g: being the forward gear or speed next higher than first
          in a motor vehicle 2: relating to or having a part typically
          subordinate to and lower in pitch than the first part
          in concerted or ensemble music -- second or sec.ond.ly
          adv [2]second n (14c) 1 a: number two in a countable
          series b: one that is next after the first in rank, position,
          authority, or precedence <the ~ in line> 2: one that
          assists or supports another; esp: the assistant of a
          duelist or boxer 3 a: the musical interval embracing
          two diatonic degrees b: a tone at this interval; specif:
          supertonic c: the harmonic combination of two tones a
          second apart 4 a pl: merchandise that is usu. slightly
          flawed and does not meet the manufacturer's standard
          for firsts or irregulars b: an article of such merchandise
          5: the act or declaration by which a parliamentary motion
          is seconded 6: a place next below the first in a competition,
          examination, or contest 7: second base 8: the second
          forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle 9 pl: a second
          helping of food [3]second n [ME secunde, fr. ML secunda,
          fr. L, fem. of secundus second; fr. its being the second
          sexagesimal division of a unit, as a minute is the first]
          (14c) 1 a: the 60th part of a minute of angular measure
          b: the 60th part of a minute of time: 1/86,400 part of
          the mean solar day; specif: the base unit of time in
          the International System of Units that is equal to the
          duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding
          to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of
          the ground state of the cesium-133 atom 2: an instant
          of time: moment [4]second vt [L secundare, fr. secundus
          second, favorable] (ca. 1586) 1 a: to give support or
          encouragement to: assist b: to support (a fighting person
          or group) in combat: bring up reinforcements for 2 a:
          to support or assist in contention or debate b: to endorse
          (a motion or a nomination) so that debate or voting may
          begin 3 chiefly Brit: to release (as a military officer)
          from a regularly assigned position for temporary duty
          with another unit or organization -- sec.ond.er n

   [1]secondary
          [sec.ond.ary] adj (14c) 1 a: of second rank, importance,
          or value b: of, relating to, or constituting the second
          strongest of the three or four degrees of stress recognized
          by most linguists <the fourth syllable of basketball
          team carries ~ stress> c of a tense: expressive of past
          time 2 a: immediately derived from something original,
          primary, or basic b: of, relating to, or being the induced
          current or its circuit in an induction coil or transformer
          <~ voltage> c: characterized by or resulting from the
          substitution of two atoms or groups in a molecule <a
          ~ salt>; esp: being, characterized by, or attached to
          a carbon atom having bonds to two other carbon atoms
          d (1): not first in order of occurrence or development
          (2): produced by activity of formative tissue and esp.
          cambium other than that at a growing point <~ growth>
          <~ phloem> 3 a: of, relating to, or being the second
          order or stage in a series b: of, relating to, or being
          the second segment of the wing of a bird or the quills
          of this segment c: of or relating to a secondary school
          <~ education> -- sec.ond.ar.i.ly adv -- sec.ond.ar.i.ness
          n [2]secondary n, pl -ar.ies (15c) 1: one occupying a
          subordinate or auxiliary position rather than that of
          a principal 2: a defensive football backfield 3: the
          coil through which the secondary current passes in an
          induction coil or transformer--called also secondary
          coil 4: any of the quill feathers of the forearm of a
          bird--see wing illustration

   secondary cell
          [secondary cell] n (ca. 1909): storage battery

   secondary color
          [secondary color] n (1831): a color formed by mixing primary
          colors in equal or equivalent quantities

   secondary emission
          [secondary emission] n (1931): the emission of electrons
          from a surface that is bombarded by particles (as electrons
          or ions) from a primary source

   secondary radiation
          [secondary radiation] n (1900): radiation emitted by molecules
          or atoms after bombardment by a primary radiation

   secondary road
          [secondary road] n (1903) 1: a road not of primary importance
          2: a feeder road

   secondary root
          [secondary root] n (1861): one of the branches of a primary
          root

   secondary school
          [secondary school] n (1835): a school intermediate between
          elementary school and college and usu. offering general,
          technical, vocational, or college-preparatory courses

   secondary sex characteristic
          [secondary sex characteristic] n (1927): a physical characteristic
          (as the breasts of a female mammal or the breeding plumage
          of a male bird) that appears in members of one sex at puberty
          or in seasonal breeders at the breeding season and is not directly
          concerned with reproduction--called also secondary sexual
          characteristic

   secondary syphilis
          [secondary syphilis] n (1885): the second stage of syphilis
          that appears from 2 to 6 months after primary infection,
          that is marked by lesions esp. in the skin but also in
          organs and tissues, and that lasts from 3 to 12 weeks

   second banana
          [second banana] n (1953): a comedian who plays a supporting
          role to a top banana; broadly: a person in a subservient
          position

   second base
          [second base] n (1845) 1: the base that must be touched second
          by a base runner in baseball 2: the player position for
          defending the area on the first-base side of second base
          -- second baseman n

   second-best
          [sec.ond-best] adj (14c): next to the best

   [1]second best
          [second best] n (1708): one that is below or after the best
          [2]second best adv (1777): in second place

   second blessing
          [second blessing] n (1891): sanctification as a second gift
          of the Holy Spirit that follows an initial experience
          of conversion

   second childhood
          [second childhood] n (1641): dotage

   second-class
          [second-class] adj (ca. 1838) 1: of or relating to a second
          class 2: inferior, mediocre; also: socially, politically,
          or economically deprived <~ citizens>

   second class
          [second class] n (1810) 1: the second and usu. next to highest
          group in a classification 2: cabin class 3: a class of
          U.S. or Canadian mail comprising periodicals sent to
          regular subscribers

   Second Coming
          [Second Coming] n (1644): the coming of Christ as judge on
          the last day

   second-degree burn
          [second-degree burn] n (1937): a burn marked by pain, blistering,
          and superficial destruction of dermis with edema and
          hyperemia of the tissues beneath the burn

   Second Empire
          [Second Empire] adj (1873): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a style (as of furniture) developed in France under
          Napoleon III and marked by heavy ornate modification
          of Empire styles

   second estate
          [second estate] n, often cap S&E (ca. 1935): the second of
          the traditional political classes; specif: nobility

   second fiddle
          [second fiddle] n (1809): one that plays a supporting or
          subservient role

   second growth
          [second growth] n (1829): forest trees that come up naturally
          after removal of the first growth by cutting or by fire

   second-guess
          [sec.ond-guess] vt (1941) 1: to criticize or question actions
          or decisions of (someone) often after the results of
          those actions or decisions are known <meet almost every
          morning and, over coffee, ~ the local coach --Bruce Newman>;
          also: to engage in such criticism of (an action or decision)
          <want to look over their shoulders and ~ their decisions
          --Charles Seabrook> 2: to seek to anticipate or predict
          <lived royally by his ability to ~ the stock market --Time>
          -- sec.ond-guess.er n

   [1]secondhand
          [sec.ond.hand] adj (1654) 1 a: received from or through an
          intermediary: borrowed b: derivative <~ ideas> 2 a: acquired
          after being used by another: not new <~ books> b: dealing
          in secondhand merchandise <a ~ bookstore> [2]secondhand
          adv (1849): at second hand: indirectly

   [1]second hand
          [second hand] n (1588): an intermediate person or means:
          intermediary--usu. used in the phrase at second hand
          [2]second hand n (1759): the hand marking seconds on
          a timepiece

   second lieutenant
          [second lieutenant] n (1702): a commissioned officer of the
          lowest rank in the army, air force, or marine corps

   second mortgage
          [second mortgage] n (1912): a mortgage the lien of which
          is subordinate to that of a first mortgage

   secondo
          [se.con.do] n, pl -di [It, fr. secondo, adj., second, fr.
          L secundus] (1792): the second part in a concerted piece;
          esp: the lower part (as in a piano duet)

   second person
          [second person] n (1672) 1 a: a set of linguistic forms (as
          verb forms, pronouns, and inflectional affixes) referring
          to the person or thing addressed in the utterance in
          which they occur b: a linguistic form belonging to such
          a set 2: reference of a linguistic form to the person
          or thing addressed in the utterance in which it occurs

   second-rate
          [sec.ond-rate] adj (1669): of second or inferior quality
          or value: mediocre -- sec.ond-rate.ness n -- sec.ond-rat.er
          n

   Second Reader
          [Second Reader] n (1895): a member of a Christian Science
          church or society chosen for a term of office to assist
          the First Reader in conducting services by reading aloud
          selections from the Bible

   second reading
          [second reading] n (1647) 1: the stage in the British legislative
          process following the first reading and usu. providing
          for debate on the principal features of a bill before
          its submission to a committee for consideration of details
          2: the stage in the U.S. legislative process that occurs
          when a bill has been reported back from committee and
          that provides an opportunity for full debate and amendment
          before a vote is taken on the question of a third reading

   second sight
          [second sight] n (1616): the capacity to see remote or future
          objects or events: clairvoyance, precognition

   second-story man
          [second-story man] n (1886): a burglar who enters a house
          by an upstairs window

   second-string
          [sec.ond-string] adj [fr. the reserve bowstring carried by
          an archer in case the first breaks] (1922): being a substitute
          as distinguished from a regular (as on a ball team)

   second thought
          [second thought] n (1633): reconsideration or a revised opinion
          of a previous often hurried decision <began to have second
          thoughts>

   second wind
          [second wind] n (1824): renewed energy or endurance

   second world
          [second world] n, often cap S&W [after third world] (1973):
          the Communist nations as a political and economic bloc

   secrecy
          [se.cre.cy] n, pl -cies [alter. of earlier secretie, fr.
          ME secretee, fr. secre secret, fr. MF secre, fr. L secretus]
          (1575) 1: the condition of being hidden or concealed
          2: the habit or practice of keeping secrets or maintaining
          privacy or concealment

   [1]secret
          [se.cret] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L secretus, fr. pp. of secernere
          to separate, distinguish, fr. se- apart + cernere to
          sift--more at secede, certain] (14c) 1 a: kept from knowledge
          or view: hidden b: marked by the habit of discretion:
          closemouthed c: working with hidden aims or methods:
          undercover <a ~ agent> d: not acknowledged: unavowed
          <a ~ bride> e: conducted in secret <a ~ trial> 2: remote
          from human frequentation or notice: secluded 3: revealed
          only to the initiated: esoteric 4: constructed so as
          to elude observation or detection <a ~ panel> 5: containing
          information whose unauthorized disclosure could endanger
          national security--compare confidential, top secret --
          se.cret.ly adv syn secret, covert, stealthy, furtive,
          clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without
          attracting observation. secret implies concealment on
          any grounds for any motive <met at a secret location>.
          covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared
          <covert intelligence operations>. stealthy suggests taking
          pains to avoid being seen or heard esp. in some misdoing
          <the stealthy step of a burglar>. furtive implies a sly
          or cautious stealthiness <lovers exchanging furtive glances>.
          clandestine implies secrecy usu. for an evil, illicit,
          or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear
          of being discovered <a clandestine meeting of conspirators>.
          surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly
          often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation
          of custom, law, or authority <the surreptitious stockpiling
          of weapons>. underhanded stresses fraud or deception
          <an underhanded trick>. [2]secret n (14c) 1 a: something
          kept hidden or unexplained: mystery b: something kept
          from the knowledge of others or shared only confidentially
          with a few c: a method, formula, or process used in an
          art or a manufacturing operation and divulged only to
          those of one's own company or craft d pl: the practices
          or knowledge making up the shared discipline or culture
          of an esoteric society 2: a prayer traditionally said
          inaudibly by the celebrant just before the preface of
          the mass 3: something taken to be a specific or key to
          a desired end <the ~ of longevity> -- in secret : in
          a private place or manner

   secretagogue
          [se.cre.ta.gogue] n [secretion + -agogue] (1919): a substance
          stimulating secretion (as by the stomach or pancreas)

   secretariat
          [sec.re.tar.i.at] n [F secretariat, fr. ML secretariatus,
          fr. secretarius] (1811) 1: the office of secretary 2:
          a secretarial corps; specif: the clerical staff of an
          organization 3: the administrative department of a governmental
          organization

   secretary
          [sec.re.tary] n, pl -tar.ies [ME secretarie, fr. ML secretarius,
          confidential employee, secretary, fr. L secretum secret,
          fr. neut. of secretus] (15c) 1: one employed to handle
          correspondence and manage routine and detail work for
          a superior 2 a: an officer of a business concern who
          may keep records of directors' and stockholders' meetings
          and of stock ownership and transfer and help supervise
          the company's legal interests b: an officer of an organization
          or society responsible for its records and correspondence
          3: an officer of state who superintends a government
          administrative department 4 a: writing desk, escritoire
          b: a writing desk with a top section for books -- sec.re.tar.i.al
          adj -- sec.re.tary.ship n

   secretary bird
          [secretary bird] n [prob. fr. the resemblance of its crest
          to a bunch of quill pens stuck behind the ear] (1824):
          a large long-legged African bird of prey (Sagittarius
          serpentarius of the family Sagittariidae) that feeds
          largely on reptiles

   secretary-general
          [secretary-general] n, pl secretaries-general (1701): a principal
          administrative officer

   secret ballot
          [secret ballot] n (1917): australian ballot

   [1]secrete
          [se.crete] vt se.cret.ed ; se.cret.ing [back-formation fr.
          secretion] (1707): to form and give off (a secretion)
          [2]se.crete vt se.cret.ed ; se.cret.ing [alter. of obs.
          secret, fr. [1]secret] (1741) 1: to deposit or conceal
          in a hiding place 2: to appropriate secretly: abstract
          syn see hide

   secretin
          [se.cre.tin] n [secretion + [1]-in] (1902): an intestinal
          proteinaceous hormone capable of stimulating secretion
          by the pancreas and liver

   secretion
          [se.cre.tion] n [F secretion, fr. L secretion-, secretio
          separation, fr. secernere to separate--more at secret]
          (1646) 1 a: the process of segregating, elaborating,
          and releasing some material either functionally specialized
          (as saliva) or isolated for excretion (as urine) b: a
          product of secretion formed by an animal or plant; esp:
          one performing a specific useful function in the organism
          2 [[2]secrete]: the act of hiding something: concealment
          -- se.cre.tion.ary adj

   secretive
          [se.cre.tive] adj [back-formation fr. secretiveness, part
          trans. of F secretivite] (1853): disposed to secrecy:
          not open or outgoing in speech, activity, or purposes
          syn see silent -- se.cre.tive.ly adv -- se.cre.tive.ness
          n

   secretor
          [se.cre.tor] n (1941): an individual of blood group A, B,
          or AB who secretes the antigens characteristic of these
          blood groups in bodily fluids (as saliva)

   secretory
          [se.cre.to.ry] adj (1692): of, relating to, or promoting
          secretion; also: produced by secretion

   secret partner
          [secret partner] n (ca. 1909): a partner whose membership
          in a partnership is kept secret from the public

   secret police
          [secret police] n (1823): a police organization operating
          for the most part in secrecy and esp. for the political
          purposes of its government often with terroristic methods

   secret service
          [secret service] n (1737) 1: a governmental service of a
          secret nature 2 cap both Ss: a division of the U.S. Treasury
          Department charged chiefly with the suppression of counterfeiting
          and the protection of the president

   secret society
          [secret society] n (1829): any of various oath-bound societies
          often devoted to brotherhood, moral discipline, and mutual
          assistance

   sect
          [sect] abbreviation section, sectional

   sect
          [sect] n [ME secte, fr. MF & LL & L; MF, group, sect, fr.
          LL secta organized ecclesiastical body, fr. L, course
          of action, way of life, prob. fr. sectari to pursue,
          freq. of sequi to follow--more at sue] (14c) 1 a: a dissenting
          or schismatic religious body; esp: one regarded as extreme
          or heretical b: a religious denomination 2 archaic: sex
          1 <so is all her ~ --Shak.> 3 a: a group adhering to
          a distinctive doctrine or to a leader b: party c: faction

   [1]sectarian
          [sec.tar.i.an] adj (1649) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a sect or sectarian 2: limited in character or scope:
          parochial -- sec.tar.i.an.ism n [2]sectarian n (1819)
          1: an adherent of a sect 2: a narrow or bigoted person

   sectarianize
          [sec.tar.i.an.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1842): to act as
          sectarians ~ vt: to make sectarian

   sectary
          [sec.ta.ry] n, pl -ries (1556): a member of a sect

   sectile
          [sec.tile] adj [L sectilis, fr. sectus, pp. of secare] (1805):
          capable of being severed by a knife with a smooth cut
          -- sec.til.i.ty n

   [1]section
          [sec.tion] n [L section-, sectio, fr. secare to cut--more
          at saw] (1559) 1 a: the action or an instance of cutting
          or separating by cutting b: a part set off by or as if
          by cutting 2: a distinct part or portion of something
          written (as a chapter, law, or newspaper) 3 a: the profile
          of something as it would appear if cut through by an
          intersecting plane b: the plane figure resulting from
          the cutting of a solid by a plane 4: a natural subdivision
          of a taxonomic group 5: a character used as a mark for
          the beginning of a section and as a reference mark 6:
          a piece of land one square mile in area forming one of
          the 36 subdivisions of a township 7: a distinct part
          of a territorial or political area, community, or group
          of people 8 a: a part that may be, is, or is viewed as
          separated <chop the stalks into ~s> <the northern ~ of
          the route> b: one segment of a fruit: carpel 9: a basic
          military unit usu. having a special function 10: a very
          thin slice (as of tissue) suitable for microscopic examination
          11 a: one of the classes formed by dividing the students
          taking a course b: one of the discussion groups into
          which a conference or organization is divided 12 a: a
          part of a permanent railroad way under the care of a
          particular crew b: one of two or more vehicles or trains
          which run on the same schedule 13: one of several component
          parts that may be assembled or reassembled <a bookcase
          in ~s> 14: a division of an orchestra composed of one
          class of instruments 15: signature 3b syn see part [2]section
          vb sec.tioned ; sec.tion.ing vt (1819) 1: to cut or separate
          into sections 2: to represent in sections ~ vi: to become
          cut or separated into parts

   [1]sectional
          [sec.tion.al] adj (1806) 1 a: of or relating to a section
          b: local or regional rather than general in character
          <~ interests> 2: consisting of or divided into sections
          <~ furniture> -- sec.tion.al.ly adv [2]sectional n (1901):
          a piece of furniture made up of modular units capable
          of use separately or in various combinations

   sectionalism
          [sec.tion.al.ism] n (1855): an exaggerated devotion to the
          interests of a region

   Section Eight
          [Section Eight] n [Section VIII, Army Regulation 615-360,
          in effect from December 1922 to July 1944] (1943): a
          discharge from the U.S. Army for military inaptitude
          or undesirable habits or traits of character; also: a
          soldier receiving such a discharge

   section gang
          [section gang] n (1890): a crew of track workers employed
          to maintain a railroad section

   section hand
          [section hand] n (1873): a laborer belonging to a section
          gang

   [1]sector
          [sec.tor] n [LL, fr. L, cutter, fr. secare to cut--more at
          saw] (1570) 1 a: a geometric figure bounded by two radii
          and the included arc of a circle b (1): a subdivision
          of a defensive military position (2): a portion of a
          military front or area of operation c: an area or portion
          resembling a sector <bilingual ~ of town --David Kleinberg>
          d: a sociological, economic, or political subdivision
          of society <greater cooperation between the public and
          private ~s --Peter Chapman> 2: a mathematical instrument
          consisting of two rulers connected at one end by a joint
          and marked with several scales 3: a subdivision of a
          track on a computer disk [2]sec.tor vt sec.tored ; sec.tor.ing
          (1884): to divide into or furnish with sectors

   sectorial
          [sec.to.ri.al] adj (1803) 1: of, relating to, or having the
          shape of a sector of a circle 2 of a chimera: having
          a sector of variant growth interposed in an otherwise
          normal body of tissue

   [1]secular
          [sec.u.lar] adj [ME, fr. OF seculer, fr. LL saecularis, fr.
          saeculum the present world, fr. L, generation, age, century,
          world; akin to W hoedl lifetime] (14c) 1 a: of or relating
          to the worldly or temporal <~ concerns> b: not overtly
          or specif. religious <~ music> c: not ecclesiastical
          or clerical <~ courts> <~ landowners> 2: not bound by
          monastic vows or rules; specif: of, relating to, or forming
          clergy not belonging to a religious order or congregation
          <a ~ priest> 3 a: occurring once in an age or a century
          b: existing or continuing through ages or centuries c:
          of or relating to a long term of indefinite duration
          -- sec.u.lar.i.ty n -- sec.u.lar.ly adv [2]secular n,
          pl seculars or secular (14c) 1: a secular ecclesiastic
          (as a diocesan priest) 2: layman

   secular humanism
          [secular humanism] n (1933): humanism 3; esp: humanistic
          philosophy viewed as a nontheistic religion antagonistic
          to traditional religion -- secular humanist n or adj

   secularise
          [sec.u.lar.ise] Brit var of secularize

   secularism
          [sec.u.lar.ism] n (1851): indifference to or rejection or
          exclusion of religion and religious considerations --
          sec.u.lar.ist n -- secularist or sec.u.lar.is.tic adj

   secularize
          [sec.u.lar.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1611) 1: to make secular
          2: to transfer from ecclesiastical to civil or lay use,
          possession, or control 3: to convert to or imbue with
          secularism -- sec.u.lar.i.za.tion n -- sec.u.lar.iz.er
          n

   secund
          [se.cund] adj [L secundus following--more at second] (ca.
          1777): having some part or element arranged on one side
          only: unilateral <~ racemes>

   secundum artem
          [se.cun.dum ar.tem] [L] foreign term : according to the art:
          according to the accepted practice of a profession or
          trade

   secundum naturam
          [secundum na.tu.ram] [L] foreign term : according to nature:
          naturally

   [1]secure
          [se.cure] adj se.cur.er ; -est [L securus safe, secure, fr.
          se without + cura care--more at suicide] (ca. 1533) 1
          a archaic: unwisely free from fear or distrust: overconfident
          b: easy in mind: confident c: assured in opinion or expectation:
          having no doubt 2 a: free from danger b: free from risk
          of loss c: affording safety: inviolable <a ~ hideaway>
          d: trustworthy, dependable <~ foundation> 3: assured,
          certain <~ victory> -- se.cure.ly adv -- se.cure.ness
          n [2]secure vb se.cured ; se.cur.ing vt (1593) 1 a: to
          relieve from exposure to danger: act to make safe against
          adverse contingencies <~ a supply line from enemy raids>
          b: to put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving:
          guarantee <~ the blessings of liberty --U.S. Constitution>
          c: to give pledge of payment to (a creditor) or of (an
          obligation) <~ a note by a pledge of collateral> 2 a:
          to take (a person) into custody: hold fast: pinion b:
          to make fast: seal <~ a door> 3 a: to get secure usu.
          lasting possession or control of <~ a job> b: bring about,
          effect 4: to release (naval personnel) from work or duty
          ~ vi 1 of naval personnel: to stop work: go off duty
          2 of a ship: to tie up: berth syn see ensure -- se.cur.er
          n

   securement
          [se.cure.ment] n (1622) 1 obs: protection 2: the act or process
          of securing

   security
          [se.cu.ri.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: the quality or state of
          being secure: as a: freedom from danger: safety b: freedom
          from fear or anxiety c: freedom from the prospect of
          being laid off <job ~> 2 a: something given, deposited,
          or pledged to make certain the fulfillment of an obligation
          b: surety 3: an evidence of debt or of ownership (as
          a stock certificate or bond) 4 a: something that secures:
          protection b (1): measures taken to guard against espionage
          or sabotage, crime, attack, or escape (2): an organization
          or department whose task is security

   security blanket
          [security blanket] n (1968) 1: a blanket carried by a child
          as a protection against anxiety 2: a usu. familiar object
          whose presence dispels anxiety

   Security Council
          [Security Council] n (1944): a permanent council of the United
          Nations having primary responsibility for the maintenance
          of peace and security

   security interest
          [security interest] n (1951): the rights that a creditor
          has in the personal property of a debtor that secures
          an obligation: lien

   security police
          [security police] n (1920) 1: police engaged in counterespionage
          2: air police

   secy
          [secy] abbreviation secretary

   sed
          [sed] abbreviation sediment, sedimentation

   sedan
          [se.dan] n [origin unknown] (1635) 1: a portable often covered
          chair that is designed to carry one person and that is
          borne on poles by two men 2 a: a 2- or 4-door automobile
          seating 4 or more persons and usu. having a permanent
          top--compare coupe b: a motorboat having one passenger
          compartment

   [1]sedate
          [se.date] adj [L sedatus, fr. pp. of sedare to calm; akin
          to sedere to sit--more at sit] (1663): keeping a quiet
          steady attitude or pace: unruffled syn see serious --
          se.date.ly adv -- se.date.ness n [2]sedate vt se.dat.ed
          ; se.dat.ing [back-formation fr. sedative] (1945): to
          dose with sedatives

   sedation
          [se.da.tion] n (1543) 1: the inducing of a relaxed easy state
          esp. by the use of sedatives 2: a state resulting from
          or as if from sedation

   [1]sedative
          [sed.a.tive] adj [ME, alleviating pain, fr. MF sedatif, fr.
          ML sedativus, fr. L sedatus] (1795): tending to calm,
          moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement [2]sedative
          n (1797): a sedative agent or drug

   se defendendo
          [se de.fen.den.do] [L] foreign term : in self-defense

   sedentary
          [sed.en.tary] adj [MF sedentaire, fr. L sedentarius, fr.
          sedent-, sedens, prp. of sedere to sit--more at sit]
          (1598) 1: not migratory: settled <~ birds> 2: doing or
          requiring much sitting 3: permanently attached <~ barnacles>

   seder
          [se.der] n, often cap [Heb sedher order] (1865): a Jewish
          home or community service including a ceremonial dinner
          held on the first or first and second evenings of the
          Passover in commemoration of the exodus from Egypt

   sederunt
          [se.de.runt] n [L, there (they) sat (fr. sedere to sit),
          word used to introduce list of those attending a session--more
          at sit] (1825): a prolonged sitting (as for discussion)

   sedge
          [sedge] n [ME segge, fr. OE secg; akin to MHG segge sedge,
          OE sagu saw--more at saw] (bef. 12c): any of a family
          (Cyperaceae, the sedge family) of usu. tufted marsh plants
          differing from the related grasses in having achenes
          and solid stems; esp: any of a cosmopolitan genus (Carex)
          -- sedgy adj

   sedilia
          [se.di.lia] n pl [L, pl. of sedile seat, fr. sedere] (1793):
          seats on the south side of the chancel for the celebrant,
          deacon, and subdeacon

   [1]sediment
          [sed.i.ment] n [MF, fr. L sedimentum settling, fr. sedere
          to sit, sink down] (1547) 1: the matter that settles
          to the bottom of a liquid 2: material deposited by water,
          wind, or glaciers [2]sed.i.ment vt (1859): to deposit
          as sediment ~ vi 1: to settle to the bottom in a liquid
          2: to deposit sediment

   sedimentable
          [sed.i.ment.able] adj (1943): capable of being sedimented
          by centrifugation <~ ribosomal particles>

   sedimentary
          [sed.i.men.ta.ry] adj (1830) 1: of, relating to, or containing
          sediment <~ deposits> 2: formed by or from deposits of
          sediment <~ rock>

   sedimentation
          [sed.i.men.ta.tion] n (1874): the action or process of forming
          or depositing sediment: settling

   sedimentology
          [sed.i.men.tol.o.gy] n (1932): a branch of science that deals
          with sedimentary rocks and their inclusions -- sed.i.men.to.log.ic
          or sed.i.men.to.log.i.cal adj -- sed.i.men.to.log.i.cal.ly adv
          -- sed.i.men.tol.o.gist n

   sedition
          [se.di.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L sedition-, seditio, lit.,
          separation, fr. se- apart + ition-, itio act of going,
          fr. ire to go--more at secede, issue] (14c): incitement
          of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority

   seditious
          [se.di.tious] adj (15c) 1: disposed to arouse or take part
          in or guilty of sedition 2: of, relating to, or tending
          toward sedition -- se.di.tious.ly adv -- se.di.tious.ness
          n

   seduce
          [se.duce] vt se.duced ; se.duc.ing [ME, fr. LL seducere,
          fr. L, to lead away, fr. se- apart + ducere to lead--more
          at tow] (15c) 1: to persuade to disobedience or disloyalty
          2: to lead astray usu. by persuasion or false promises
          3: to carry out the physical seduction of: entice to
          sexual intercourse 4: attract syn see lure -- se.duc.er
          n

   seducement
          [se.duce.ment] n (1586) 1: seduction 2: something that serves
          to seduce

   seduction
          [se.duc.tion] n [MF, fr. LL seduction-, seductio, fr. L,
          act of leading aside, fr. seducere] (1526) 1: the act
          of seducing to wrong; esp: the often unlawful enticement
          of a female to sexual intercourse 2: something that seduces:
          temptation 3: something that attracts or charms

   seductive
          [se.duc.tive] adj (1771): tending to seduce: having alluring
          or tempting qualities <a ~, sometimes disingenuous man
          --Thatcher Freund> <a ~ spring morning> -- se.duc.tive.ly
          adv -- se.duc.tive.ness n

   seductress
          [se.duc.tress] n [obs. seductor male seducer, fr. LL, fr.
          seducere to seduce] (1803): a woman who seduces

   sedulity
          [se.du.li.ty] n (1542): sedulous activity: diligence

   sedulous
          [sed.u.lous] adj [L sedulus, fr. sedulo sincerely, diligently,
          fr. se without + dolus guile--more at suicide] (1540)
          1: involving or accomplished with careful perseverance
          <~ craftsmanship> 2: diligent in application or pursuit
          <a ~ student> syn see busy -- sed.u.lous.ly adv -- sed.u.lous.ness
          n

   sedum
          [se.dum] n [NL, fr. L, houseleek] (1760): any of a genus
          (Sedum) of fleshy widely distributed herbs of the orpine
          family--compare stonecrop

   [1]see
          [see] vb saw ; seen ; see.ing [ME seen, fr. OE seon; akin
          to OHG sehan to see and perh. to L sequi to follow--more
          at sue] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to perceive by the eye b:
          to perceive or detect as if by sight 2 a: to have experience
          of: undergo <~ army service> b: to come to know: discover
          c: to be the setting or time of <the last fifty years
          have seen a sweeping revolution in science --Barry Commoner>
          3 a: to form a mental picture of: visualize <can still
          ~ her as she was years ago> b: to perceive the meaning
          or importance of: understand c: to be aware of: recognize
          <~s only our faults> d: to imagine as a possibility:
          suppose <couldn't ~ him as a crook> 4 a: examine, watch
          <want to ~ how she handles the problem> b (1): read (2):
          to read of c: to attend as a spectator <~ a play> 5 a:
          to take care of: provide for <had enough money to ~ us
          through> b: to make sure <~ that order is kept> 6 a:
          to regard as: judge b: to prefer to have <I'll ~ him
          hanged first> <I'll ~ you dead before I accept your terms>
          c: to find acceptable or attractive <can't understand
          what he ~s in her> 7 a: to call on: visit b (1): to keep
          company with esp. in courtship or dating <had been ~ing
          each other for a year> (2): to grant an interview to:
          receive <the president will ~ you now> 8: accompany,
          escort <~ the guests to the door> 9: to meet (a bet)
          in poker or to equal the bet of (a player): call ~ vi
          1 a: to give or pay attention b: to look about 2 a: to
          have the power of sight b: to apprehend objects by sight
          c: to perceive objects as if by sight 3: to grasp something
          mentally 4: to make investigation or inquiry -- see.able
          adj -- see after : to attend to: care for -- see eye
          to eye : to have a common viewpoint: agree -- see things
          : hallucinate -- see through : to grasp the true nature
          of <saw through the scheme> -- see to : to attend to:
          care for [2]see n [ME se, fr. OF, fr. L sedes seat; akin
          to L sedere to sit--more at sit] (14c) 1 a archaic: cathedra
          b: a cathedral town c: a seat of a bishop's office, power,
          or authority 2: the authority or jurisdiction of a bishop

   [1]seed
          [seed] n, pl seed or seeds [ME, fr. OE saed; akin to OHG
          sat seed, OE sawan to sow--more at sow] (bef. 12c) 1
          a (1): the grains or ripened ovules of plants used for
          sowing (2): the fertilized ripened ovule of a flowering
          plant containing an embryo and capable normally of germination
          to produce a new plant; broadly: a propagative plant
          structure (as a spore or small dry fruit) b: a propagative
          animal structure: (1): milt, semen (2): a small egg (as
          of an insect) (3): a developmental form of a lower animal
          suitable for transplanting; specif: spat c: the condition
          or stage of bearing seed <in ~> 2: progeny 3: a source
          of development or growth: germ <sowed the ~s of discord>
          4: something (as a tiny particle or a bubble in glass)
          that resembles a seed in shape or size 5: a competitor
          who has been seeded in a tournament -- seed adj -- seed.ed
          adj -- seed.less adj -- seed.like adj -- go to seed or
          run to seed 1: to develop seed 2: decay [2]seed vi (14c)
          1: to bear or shed seed 2: to sow seed: plant ~ vt 1
          a: to plant seeds in: sow <~ land to grass> b: to furnish
          with something that causes or stimulates growth or development
          c: inoculate d: to supply with nuclei (as of crystallization
          or condensation); esp: to treat (a cloud) with solid
          particles to convert water droplets into ice crystals
          in an attempt to produce precipitation e: to cover or
          permeate by or as if by scattering something <~ed [the]
          sea-lanes with thousands of magnetic mines --Otto Friedrich>
          2: plant 1a 3: to extract the seeds from (as raisins)
          4 a: to schedule (tournament players or teams) so that
          superior ones will not meet in early rounds b: to rank
          (a contestant) relative to others in a tournament on
          the basis of previous record <the top-seeded tennis star>

   seedbed
          [seed.bed] n (1660) 1: soil or a bed of soil prepared for
          planting seed 2: a place or source of growth or development

   seedcake
          [seed.cake] n (1573) 1: a cake or cookie containing aromatic
          seeds (as sesame or caraway) 2: oil cake

   seed coat
          [seed coat] n (1796): an outer protective covering of a seed

   seedeater
          [seed.eat.er] n (ca. 1879): a bird (as a finch) whose diet
          consists basically of seeds

   seeder
          [seed.er] n (1868) 1: an implement for planting or sowing
          seeds 2: a device for seeding fruit 3: one that seeds
          clouds

   seed fern
          [seed fern] n (1927): any of an order (Pteridospermales)
          of extinct cycadophytes with foliage like that of ferns
          and with naked seeds

   seed leaf
          [seed leaf] n (ca. 1693): cotyledon 2

   seedling
          [seed.ling] n (1660) 1: a young plant grown from seed 2 a:
          a young tree before it becomes a sapling b: a nursery
          plant not yet transplanted -- seedling adj

   seed money
          [seed money] n (1943): money used for setting up a new enterprise

   seed oyster
          [seed oyster] n (1885): a young oyster esp. of a size for
          transplantation

   seed pearl
          [seed pearl] n (1553) 1: a very small and often irregular
          pearl 2: minute pearls imbedded in some binding material

   seed plant
          [seed plant] n (1707): a plant that bears seeds; specif:
          spermatophyte

   seedpod
          [seed.pod] n (1718): [2]pod 1

   seedsman
          [seeds.man] n (1601) 1: one who sows seeds 2: a dealer in
          seeds

   seed stock
          [seed stock] n (1926): a supply (as of seed) for planting;
          broadly: a source of new individuals <a seed stock of
          trout in the streams>

   seed tick
          [seed tick] n (1705): the 6-legged larva of a tick

   seedtime
          [seed.time] n (bef. 12c) 1: the season of sowing 2: a period
          of original development

   seedy
          [seedy] adj seed.i.er ; -est (1574) 1: containing or full
          of seeds <a ~ fruit> 2: inferior in condition or quality:
          as a: shabby, run-down <~ clothes> b: somewhat disreputable:
          squalid <a ~ district> <~ entertainment> c: slightly
          unwell: debilitated <felt ~ and went home early> -- seed.i.ly
          adv -- seed.i.ness n

   [1]seeing
          [see.ing] conj (1503): inasmuch as--often used with as or
          that [2]seeing n (1903): the quality of the images of
          celestial bodies observed telescopically

   Seeing Eye
          [Seeing Eye] trademark--used for a guide dog trained to lead
          the blind

   seek
          [seek] vb sought ; seek.ing [ME seken, fr. OE secan; akin
          to OHG suohhen to seek, L sagus prophetic, Gk hegeisthai
          to lead] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to resort to: go to 2 a: to
          go in search of: look for b: to try to discover 3: to
          ask for: request <~s advice> 4: to try to acquire or
          gain: aim at <~ fame> 5: to make an attempt: try--used
          with to and an infinitive <governments ... ~ to keep
          the bulk of their people contented --D. M. Potter> ~
          vi 1: to make a search or inquiry 2 a: to be sought b:
          to be lacking <in critical judgment ... they were sadly
          to ~ --Times Lit. Supp.> -- seek.er n

   seel
          [seel] vt [ME selen, alter. of silen, fr. MF siller, fr.
          ML ciliare, fr. L cilium eyelid] (15c) 1: to close the
          eyes of (as a hawk) by drawing threads through the eyelids
          2 archaic: to close up (one's eyes)

   seely
          [see.ly] adj [ME sely--more at silly] (14c) archaic: pitiable
          esp. because of weak physical or mental condition: frail

   seem
          [seem] vi [ME semen, of Scand origin; akin to ON soema to
          honor, soemr fitting, samr same--more at same] (13c)
          1: to appear to the observation or understanding 2: to
          give the impression of being

   [1]seeming
          [seem.ing] n (15c): external appearance as distinguished
          from true character: look [2]seeming adj (ca. 1557):
          having an often deceptive or delusive appearance on superficial
          examination <their wealth gave them a ~ security> syn
          see apparent -- seem.ing.ly adv

   seemly
          [seem.ly] adj seem.li.er ; -est [ME semely, fr. ON soemiligr,
          fr. soemr fitting] (13c) 1 a: good-looking, handsome
          b: agreeably fashioned: attractive 2: conventionally
          proper: decorous 3: suited to the occasion, purpose,
          or person: fit -- seem.li.ness n -- seemly adv

   seen
          [seen] past part of see

   [1]seep
          [seep] vi [alter. of earlier sipe, fr. ME sipen, fr. OE sipian;
          akin to MLG sipen to seep] (1790) 1: to flow or pass
          slowly through fine pores or small openings: ooze <water
          ~ed in through a crack> 2 a: to enter or penetrate slowly
          <fear of nuclear war had ~ed into the national consciousness
          --Tip O'Neill> b: to become diffused or spread <a sadness
          ~ed through his being --Agnes S. Turnbull> [2]seep n
          (ca. 1825) 1 a: a spot where a fluid (as water, oil,
          or gas) contained in the ground oozes slowly to the surface
          and often forms a pool b: a small spring 2: seepage --
          seepy adj

   seepage
          [seep.age] n (ca. 1825) 1: the process of seeping: oozing
          2: a quantity of fluid that has seeped (as through porous
          material)

   [1]seer
          [seer] n (14c) 1: one that sees 2 a: one that predicts events
          or developments b: a person credited with extraordinary
          moral and spiritual insight 3: one that practices divination
          esp. by concentrating on a glass or crystal globe [2]seer
          n, pl seers or seer [ Hindi ser] (1618): an Indian unit
          of weight equal to 2.057 pounds (0.9330 kilograms)

   seeress
          [seer.ess] n (1845): a woman who predicts events or developments:
          prophetess

   seersucker
          [seer.suck.er] n [Hindi sirsaker, fr. Per shir-o-shakar,
          lit., milk and sugar] (1722): a light fabric of linen,
          cotton, or rayon usu. striped and slightly puckered

   [1]seesaw
          [see.saw] n [prob. fr. redupl. of [3]saw] (1704) 1: an alternating
          up-and-down or backward-and-forward motion or movement; also:
          a contest or struggle in which now one side now the other has the
          lead 2 a: a pastime in which two children or groups of children
          ride on opposite ends of a plank balanced in the middle so that one
          end goes up as the other goes down b: the plank or apparatus
          so used -- seesaw adj [2]seesaw vi (1712) 1 a: to move backward and
          forward or up and down b: to play at seesaw 2: alternate ~ vt:
          to cause to move in seesaw fashion

   [1]seethe
          [seethe] vb seethed ; seeth.ing [ME sethen, fr. OE seothan;
          akin to OHG siodan to seethe] vt (bef. 12c) 1 archaic:
          boil, stew 2: to soak or saturate in a liquid ~ vi 1
          archaic: boil 2 a: to be in a state of rapid agitated
          movement b: to churn or foam as if boiling 3: to suffer
          violent internal excitement [2]seethe n (1816): a state
          of seething: ebullition

   seething
          [seething] adj (14c) 1: intensely hot: boiling <a ~ inferno>
          2: constantly moving or active: agitated

   see-through
          [see-through] adj (1945): transparent 1

   [1]segment
          [seg.ment] n [L segmentum, fr. secare to cut--more at saw]
          (1570) 1 a: a separate piece of something: bit, fragment
          <chop the stalks into short ~s> b: one of the constituent
          parts into which a body, entity, or quantity is divided
          or marked off by or as if by natural boundaries <all
          ~s of the population agree> 2: a portion cut off from
          a geometric figure by one or more points, lines, or planes:
          as a: the part of a circular area bounded by a chord
          and an arc of that circle or so much of the area as is
          cut off by the chord b: the part of a sphere cut off
          by a plane or included between two parallel planes c:
          the finite part of a line between two points in the line
          syn see part -- seg.men.tary adj [2]seg.ment vt (1859):
          to separate into segments: give off as segments

   segmental
          [seg.men.tal] adj (1816) 1: of, relating to, or having the
          form of a segment and esp. the sector of a circle <~
          fanlight> 2: of, relating to, or composed of somites
          or metameres: metameric 3 a: divided into segments <~
          knowledge> b: partial, incomplete c: resulting from segmentation
          -- seg.men.tal.ly adv

   segmentation
          [seg.men.ta.tion] n (1851): the process of dividing into
          segments; esp: the formation of many cells from a single
          cell (as in a developing egg)

   segmentation cavity
          [segmentation cavity] n (1888): blastocoel

   segmented
          [seg.ment.ed] adj (1854): divided into or composed of segments
          or sections <~ worms>

   segno
          [se.gno] n, pl segnos [It, sign, fr. L signum--more at sign]
          (1908): a notational sign; specif: the sign that marks
          the beginning or end of a musical repeat

   sego lily
          [se.go lily] n [sego the bulb of the sego lily, fr. Southern
          Paiute sigo'o] (1913): a mariposa lily (Calochortus nuttallii)
          of western No. America having mostly white or in some
          areas mostly yellow flowers mottled with a darker color

   segregant
          [seg.re.gant] n (1926): a genetic segregate

   [1]segregate
          [seg.re.gate] vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L segregatus, pp. of
          segregare, fr. se- apart + greg-, grex herd--more at
          secede] vt (1542) 1: to separate or set apart from others
          or from the general mass: isolate 2: to cause or force
          the separation of (as from the rest of society) ~ vi
          1: separate, withdraw 2: to practice or enforce a policy
          of segregation 3: to undergo genetic segregation -- seg.re.ga.tive
          adj [2]seg.re.gate n (1871): one that is in some respect
          segregated; esp: one that differs genetically from the parental
          line because of genetic segregation

   segregated
          [segregated] adj (1652) 1 a: set apart or separated from
          others of the same kind or group <a ~ account in a bank>
          b: divided in facilities or administered separately for
          members of different groups or races <~ education> c:
          restricted to members of one group or one race by a policy
          of segregation <~ schools> 2: practicing or maintaining
          segregation esp. of races <~ states>

   segregation
          [seg.re.ga.tion] n (1555) 1: the act or process of segregating:
          the state of being segregated 2 a: the separation or
          isolation of a race, class, or ethnic group by enforced
          or voluntary residence in a restricted area, by barriers
          to social intercourse, by separate educational facilities,
          or by other discriminatory means b: the separation for
          special treatment or observation of individuals or items
          from a larger group <~ of gifted children into accelerated
          classes> 3: the separation of allelic genes that occurs
          typically during meiosis

   segregationist
          [seg.re.ga.tion.ist] n (1913): a person who believes in or
          practices segregation esp. of races -- segregationist
          adj

   [1]segue
          [se.gue] vb imper [It, there follows, fr. seguire to follow,
          fr. L sequi--more at sue] (ca. 1740) 1: proceed to what
          follows without pause--used as a direction in music 2:
          perform the music that follows like that which has preceded--used
          as a direction in music [2]segue vi se.gued ; se.gue.ing
          (ca. 1913) 1: to proceed without pause from one musical
          number or theme to another 2: to make a transition without
          interruption from one activity, topic, scene, or part
          to another [3]segue n (ca. 1937): the act or an instance
          of segueing

   seguidilla
          [se.gui.di.lla] n [Sp, dim. of seguida, a dance, lit., sequence,
          fr. seguido, pp. of seguir to follow, fr. L sequi] (1763)
          1 a: a Spanish dance with many regional variations b:
          the music for such a dance 2: a Spanish stanza of four
          or seven short partly assonant verses

   se habla espanol
          [se ha.bla es.pa.nol] [Sp] foreign term : Spanish spoken

   seicento
          [sei.cen.to] n [It, lit., six-hundred, fr. sei six (fr. L
          sex) + cento hundred--more at six, cinquecento] (ca.
          1902): the 17th century; specif: the 17th century period
          in Italian literature and art

   seiche
          [seiche] n [F] (ca. 1839): an oscillation of the surface
          of a landlocked body of water (as a lake) that varies
          in period from a few minutes to several hours

   seidel
          [sei.del] n [G, fr. MHG sidel, fr. L situla bucket] (1908):
          a large glass for beer

   Seidlitz powders
          [Seid.litz powders] n pl [Sedlitz, (Sedlcany), village in
          Bohemia; fr. the similarity of their effect to that of
          the water of the village] (1815): effervescing salts
          consisting of one powder of sodium bicarbonate and Rochelle
          salt and another of tartaric acid that are mixed in water
          and drunk as a mild cathartic

   seigneur
          [sei.gneur] n, often cap [MF, fr. ML senior, fr. L, adj.,
          elder--more at senior] (1592) 1: a man of rank or authority;
          esp: the feudal lord of a manor 2: a member of the landed
          gentry of Canada

   seigneurial
          [sei.gneur.ial] adj (1656): of, relating to, or befitting
          a seigneur

   seigneury
          [sei.gneury] n, pl -gneur.ies (1683) 1 a: the territory under
          the government of a feudal lord b: a landed estate held
          in Canada by feudal tenure until 1854 2: the manor house
          of a Canadian seigneur

   seignior
          [sei.gnior] n [ME seigniour, fr. MF seigneur] (15c): seigneur
          1

   seigniorage
          [sei.gnior.age] or sei.gnor.age n [ME seigneurage, fr. MF,
          right of the lord (esp. to coin money), fr. seigneur]
          (15c): a government revenue from the manufacture of coins
          calculated as the difference between the face value and
          the metal value of the coins

   seigniory
          [sei.gniory] or sei.gnory n, pl -gnior.ies or -gnor.ies (14c)
          1: lordship, dominion; specif: the power or authority
          of a feudal lord 2: the territory over which a lord holds
          jurisdiction

   seignorial
          [sei.gno.ri.al] adj (1818): of, relating to, or befitting
          a seignior: manorial

   [1]seine
          [seine] n [ME, fr. OE segne, fr. L sagena, fr. Gk sagene]
          (bef. 12c): a large net with sinkers on one edge and
          floats on the other that hangs vertically in the water
          and is used to enclose fish when its ends are pulled
          together or are drawn ashore [2]seine vb seined ; sein.ing
          vi (1836): to fish with or catch fish with a seine ~
          vt: to fish for or in with a seine

   seiner
          [sein.er] n (1602) 1: one who fishes with a seine 2: a boat
          used for seining

   seisin
          [sei.sin] or sei.zin n [ME seisine, fr. OF saisine, fr. saisir
          to seize--more at seize] (14c) 1: the possession of land
          or chattels 2: the possession of a freehold estate in
          land by one having title thereto

   seismic
          [seis.mic] adj [Gk seismos shock, earthquake, fr. seiein
          to shake; prob. akin to Av thwaesho fear] (1858) 1: of,
          subject to, or caused by an earthquake; also: of or relating
          to an earth vibration caused by something else (as an
          explosion or the impact of a meteorite) 2: of or relating
          to a vibration on a celestial body (as the moon) comparable
          to a seismic event on earth 3: having a strong or widespread
          impact: earthshaking <~ social changes> -- seis.mi.cal.ly
          adv

   seismicity
          [seis.mic.i.ty] n (1902): the relative frequency and distribution
          of earthquakes

   seismo-
          [seismo-] comb form [Gk, fr. seismos]: earthquake: vibration
          <seismometer>

   seismogram
          [seis.mo.gram] n [ISV] (ca. 1891): the record of an earth
          tremor by a seismograph

   seismograph
          [seis.mo.graph] n [ISV] (1858): an apparatus to measure and
          record vibrations within the earth and of the ground
          -- seis.mog.ra.pher n -- seis.mo.graph.ic adj -- seis.mog.ra.phy
          n

   seismology
          [seis.mol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1858): a science that deals with
          earthquakes and with artificially produced vibrations
          of the earth -- seis.mo.log.i.cal adj -- seis.mol.o.gist
          n

   seismometer
          [seis.mom.e.ter] n (1841): a seismograph measuring the actual
          movements of the ground (as on the earth or the moon)
          -- seis.mo.met.ric adj

   seismometry
          [seis.mom.e.try] n [ISV] (1858): the scientific study of
          earthquakes

   sei whale
          [sei whale] n [part trans. of Norw seihval, fr. sei coalfish
          + hval whale] (1912): a common and widely distributed
          dark gray rorqual (Balaenoptera borealis) that has a
          ridge on the top of the head and grows to a length of
          nearly 60 feet (18 meters)--called also sei

   seize
          [seize] vb seized ; seiz.ing [ME saisen, fr. OF saisir to
          put in possession of, fr. ML sacire, of Gmc origin; perh.
          akin to OHG sezzen to set--more at set] vt (14c) 1 a
          usu seise : to vest ownership of a freehold estate in
          b often seise : to put in possession of something <the
          biographer will be seized of all pertinent papers> 2
          a: to take possession of: confiscate b: to take possession
          of by legal process 3 a: to possess or take by force:
          capture b: to take prisoner: arrest 4 a: to take hold
          of: clutch b: to possess oneself of: grasp c: to understand
          fully and distinctly: apprehend 5 a: to attack or overwhelm
          physically: afflict <suddenly seized with an acute illness
          --H. G. Armstrong> b: to possess (as one's mind) completely
          or overwhelmingly <seized the popular imagination --Basil
          Davenport> 6: to bind or fasten together with a lashing
          of small stuff (as yarn, marline, or fine wire) ~ vi
          1: to take or lay hold suddenly or forcibly 2 a: to cohere
          to a relatively moving part through excessive pressure,
          temperature, or friction--used esp. of machine parts
          (as bearings, brakes, or pistons) b: to fail to operate
          due to the seizing of a part--used of an engine syn see
          take -- seiz.er n

   seizing
          [seizing] n (14c) 1 a: the cord or lashing used in binding
          or fastening b: the fastening so made--see knot illustration
          2: the operation of fastening together or lashing with
          tarred small stuff

   seizure
          [sei.zure] n (15c) 1 a: the act, action, or process of seizing:
          the state of being seized b: the taking possession of
          person or property by legal process 2: a sudden attack
          (as of disease) <an epileptic ~>

   sejant
          [se.jant] adj [modif. of MF seant, prp. of seoir to sit,
          fr. L sedere--more at sit] (ca. 1500): sitting--used
          of a heraldic animal

   sel
          [sel] chiefly Scot var of self

   sel
          [sel] abbreviation select, selected, selection

   selachian
          [se.la.chi.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk selachos cartilaginous
          phosphorescent fish; akin to Gk selas brightness] (1835): any
          of a variously defined group (Selachii) of cartilaginous fishes
          that includes all the elasmobranchs or all elasmobranchs except the
          chimaeras, the existing sharks and rays or in its most restricted
          use the existing sharks as distinguished from the rays -- selachian
          adj

   selaginella
          [se.lag.i.nel.la] n [NL, fr. L selagin-, selago, a plant
          resembling the savin] (1835): any of a genus (Selaginella)
          of mossy lower tracheophytes that are related to or grouped
          with the club mosses and have branching stems and scalelike
          leaves and produce one-celled sporangia containing both
          megaspores and microspores

   selah
          [se.lah] interj [Heb selah] (1530)--a term of uncertain meaning
          found in the Hebrew text of the Psalms and Habakkuk carried
          over untranslated into some English versions

   selcouth
          [sel.couth] adj [ME, fr. OE seldcuth, fr. seldan seldom +
          cuth known--more at uncouth] (bef. 12c) archaic: unusual,
          strange

   [1]seldom
          [sel.dom] adv [ME, fr. OE seldan; akin to OHG seltan seldom]
          (bef. 12c): in few instances: rarely, infrequently [2]seldom
          adj (13c): rare, infrequent

   [1]select
          [se.lect] adj [L selectus, pp. of seligere to select, fr.
          se- apart (fr. sed, se without) + legere to gather, select--more
          at suicide, legend] (1565) 1: chosen from a number or
          group by fitness or preference 2 a: of special value
          or excellence: superior, choice b: exclusively or fastidiously
          chosen often with regard to social, economic, or cultural
          characteristics 3: judicious or restrictive in choice:
          discriminating <pleased with the ~ appreciation of his
          books --Osbert Sitwell> -- se.lect.able adj -- se.lect.ness
          n -- se.lec.tor n [2]select vt (1567): to choose (as
          by fitness or excellence) from a number or group: pick
          out ~ vi: to make a choice [3]select n (1610): one that
          is select--often used in pl.

   selected
          [se.lect.ed] adj (1590): select; specif: of a higher grade
          or quality than the ordinary

   selectee
          [se.lect.ee] n (1940) 1: one inducted into military service
          under selective service 2: one who is chosen from a group
          by fitness or preference

   selection
          [se.lec.tion] n (ca. 1623) 1: the act or process of selecting:
          the state of being selected 2: one that is selected:
          choice; also: a collection of selected things 3: a natural
          or artificial process that results or tends to result
          in the survival and propagation of some individuals or
          organisms but not of others with the result that the
          inherited traits of the survivors are perpetuated--compare
          darwinism, natural selection syn see choice

   selectionist
          [se.lec.tion.ist] n (1892): one who considers natural selection
          a fundamental factor in evolution -- selectionist adj

   selective
          [se.lec.tive] adj (1625) 1: of, relating to, or characterized
          by selection: selecting or tending to select 2: highly
          specific in activity or effect <~ pesticides> <~ absorption>
          -- se.lec.tive.ly adv -- se.lec.tive.ness n -- se.lec.tiv.i.ty
          n

   selective service
          [selective service] n (1917): a system under which men are
          called up for military service: draft

   selectman
          [se.lect.man] n (1635): one of a board of officials elected
          in towns of all New England states except Rhode Island
          to serve as the chief administrative authority of the
          town

   [1]selen-
          [selen-] or seleno- comb form [L selen-, fr. Gk selen-, fr.
          selene--more at selenium]: moon <selenium> <selenology>
          [2]selen- or seleni- comb form [Sw, fr. NL selenium]:
          selenium <seleniferous>

   selenate
          [sel.e.nate] n [Sw selenat, fr. selen of or containing selenium,
          fr. NL selenium] (1818): a salt containing the doubly
          charged anion consisting of one selenium and four oxygen
          atoms

   Selene
          [Se.le.ne] n: the Greek goddess of the moon

   selenide
          [sel.e.nide] n (1849): a binary compound of selenium with
          a more electropositive element or group

   seleniferous
          [sel.e.nif.er.ous] adj (1823): containing or yielding selenium
          <~ vegetation> <~ soils>

   selenite
          [sel.e.nite] n [ME selinete, fr. L selenites, fr. Gk selenites
          (lithos), lit., stone of the moon, fr. selene; fr. the
          belief that it waxed and waned with the moon] (15c):
          a variety of gypsum occurring in transparent crystals
          or crystalline masses

   selenium
          [se.le.ni.um] n [NL, fr. Gk selene moon, fr. selas brightness]
          (1818): a nonmetallic element that resembles sulfur and
          tellurium chemically, is obtained chiefly as a by-product
          in copper refining, and is a photoconductive semiconductor
          in its crystalline form

   selenium cell
          [selenium cell] n (1880): an insulated strip of selenium
          mounted with electrodes and used as a photoconductive
          element

   selenocentric
          [se.le.no.cen.tric] adj [ISV] (ca. 1852): of or relating
          to the center of the moon; also: referred to or involving
          the moon as a center

   selenology
          [sel.e.nol.o.gy] n (1821): a branch of astronomy that deals
          with the moon -- se.le.no.log.i.cal adj -- sel.e.nol.o.gist
          n

   Seleucid
          [Se.leu.cid] n [NL seleucides, fr. Seleucus I] (1851): a
          member of a Greek dynasty ruling Syria and at various
          times other Asian territories from 312 b.c. to 64 b.c.
          -- Seleucid adj

   self-
          [self-] comb form [ME, fr. OE, fr. self] 1 a: oneself or
          itself <self-supporting> b: of oneself or itself <self-abasement>
          c: by oneself or itself <self-propelled> <self-acting>
          2 a: to, with, for, or toward oneself or itself <self-consistent>
          <self-addressed> <self-love> b: of or in oneself or itself
          inherently <self-evident> c: from or by means of oneself
          or itself <self-fertile>self-abase.ment self-ab.ne.gat.ing
          self-ab.ne.ga.tion self-ac.cel.er.at.ing self-ac.cep.tance
          self-ac.cu.sa.tion self-ac.cu.sa.to.ry self-ac.cus.ing
          self-ac.knowl.edged self-ad.just.ing self-ad.min.is.ter
          self-ad.min.is.tra.tion self-ad.mit.ted self-ad.mit.ted.ly
          self-ad.u.la.to.ry self-ad.vance.ment self-ad.ver.tise.ment
          self-ad.ver.tis.er self-af.fir.ma.tion self-ag.gran.dize.ment
          self-ag.gran.diz.ing self-alien.ation self-anoint.ed
          self-ap.prais.al self-ap.pro.ba.tion self-as.sess.ment
          self-as.sign.ment self-au.then.ti.cat.ing self-avowed
          self-bet.ter.ment self-can.cel self-care self-car.i.ca.ture
          self-cas.ti.gate self-cas.ti.ga.tion self-cen.sor.ship
          self-char.ac.ter.i.za.tion self-clas.si.fi.ca.tion self-clean.ing
          self-com.mand self-com.mun.ing self-com.mu.nion self-com.pla.cen.cy
          self-com.pla.cent self-con.dem.na.tion self-con.demned
          self-con.firm.ing self-con.se.cra.tion self-con.sti.tut.ed
          self-con.sum.ing self-con.tempt self-cre.at.ed self-cre.a.tion
          self-crit.i.cal self-crit.i.cism self-cri.tique self-cul.ti.va.tion
          self-cul.ture self-damn.ing self-de.base.ment self-de.ceit
          self-de.ceive self-de.cep.tion self-de.feat.ing self-de.lud.ed
          self-de.lud.ing self-de.lu.sion self-den.i.grat.ing
          self-den.i.gra.tion self-de.pen.dence self-de.pen.dent
          self-dep.re.cat.ing self-dep.re.cat.ing.ly self-dep.re.ca.tion
          self-dep.re.ca.to.ry self-de.pre.ci.a.tion self-de.scribed
          self-de.scrip.tion self-de.scrip.tive self-de.vel.op.ment
          self-de.vour.ing self-dif.fer.en.ti.a.tion self-di.rect.ed
          self-di.rect.ing self-di.rec.tion self-di.rec.tive self-dis.gust
          self-dis.play self-dis.sat.is.fac.tion self-doubt self-ed.u.cat.ed
          self-ed.u.cat.ing self-ed.u.ca.tion self-ef.face.ment
          self-ef.fac.ing self-eman.ci.pa.tion self-emas.cu.la.tion
          self-en.closed self-en.grossed self-en.hance.ment self-eval.u.ate
          self-eval.u.a.tion self-ex.clu.sion self-ex.cul.pa.tion
          self-ex.hi.bi.tion self-ex.is.tence self-ex.is.tent
          self-ex.plain.ing self-ex.tinc.tion self-fi.nance self-formed
          self-gen.er.ate self-giv.ing self-guid.ed self-hate self-hat.ing
          self-ha.tred self-heal.ing self-help self-hum.bling
          self-hu.mil.i.a.tion self-hyp.no.sis self-idol.a.try self-im.posed
          self-im.prove.ment self-im.prov.er self-in.duced
          self-in.fat.u.at.ed self-in.fla.tion self-in.flict.ed
          self-ini.ti.at.ed self-in.struct.ed self-in.struc.tion
          self-in.struc.tion.al self-in.ter.view self-in.vent.ed
          self-in.ven.tion self-iso.la.tion self-la.beled self-lac.er.at.ing
          self-lac.er.a.tion self-loath.ing self-lock.ing self-lu.bri.cat.ing
          self-lu.mi.nous self-main.te.nance self-man.age.ment self-mas.tery
          self-med.i.ca.tion self-mock.ery self-mock.ing
          self-mor.ti.fi.ca.tion self-mo.ti.vat.ed self-mu.ti.lat.ing
          self-mu.ti.la.tion self-ne.gat.ing self-ob.sessed self-op.er.at.ing
          self-or.dained self-ori.ent.ed self-par.o.dist self-par.o.dy
          self-penned self-per.pet.u.at.ing self-per.pet.u.a.tion
          self-pla.gia.rism self-pleas.ing self-po.lic.ing self-praise
          self-pre.oc.cu.pa.tion self-pre.oc.cu.pied self-pre.serv.ing
          self-pro.claimed self-pro.duced self-pro.fessed self-pro.mot.er
          self-pro.mot.ing self-pro.mo.tion self-pro.tec.tion
          self-pro.tec.tive self-pro.tec.tive.ness self-pun.ish.ing
          self-pun.ish.ment self-raised self-re.crim.i.na.tion
          self-ref.er.en.tial self-re.fer.ring self-re.flex.ive
          self-ref.or.ma.tion self-reg.u.la.tion self-reg.u.la.tive
          self-reg.u.la.to.ry self-re.in.forc.ing self-re.new.al
          self-re.new.ing self-re.nounc.ing self-re.nun.ci.a.tion
          self-re.proach self-re.proach.ful self-re.proof self-re.prov.ing
          self-re.straint self-rid.i.cule self-sat.i.riz.ing self-se.lect.ed
          self-se.lec.tion self-set self-sur.ren.der self-sus.tained
          self-ther.a.py self-tor.ment self-tor.men.tor self-tor.ture
          self-tran.scen.dence self-trans.for.ma.tion self-un.der.stand.ing
          self-val.i.dat.ing self-wor.ship self-wor.ship.er

   [1]self
          [self] pron [ME (intensive pron.), fr. OE; akin to OHG selb,
          intensive pron., and prob. to L suus one's own--more
          at suicide] (bef. 12c): myself, himself, herself <check
          payable to ~> [2]self adj (bef. 12c) 1 obs: identical,
          same 2 obs: belonging to oneself: own 3 a: having a single
          character or quality throughout; specif: having one color
          only <a ~ flower> b: of the same kind (as in color, material,
          or pattern) as something with which it is used <~ trimming>
          [3]self n, pl selves (13c) 1 a: the entire person of
          an individual b: the realization or embodiment of an
          abstraction 2 a (1): an individual's typical character
          or behavior <her true ~ was revealed> (2): an individual's
          temporary behavior or character <his better ~> b: a person
          in prime condition <feel like my old ~ today> 3: the
          union of elements (as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations)
          that constitute the individuality and identity of a person
          4: personal interest or advantage 5: material that is
          part of an individual organism <ability of the immune
          system to distinguish ~ from nonself> [4]self vt (1914)
          1: inbreed 2: to pollinate with pollen from the same
          flower or plant ~ vi: to undergo self-pollination

   self-abandoned
          [self-aban.doned] adj (1791): abandoned by oneself; esp:
          given up to one's impulses

   self-abandonment
          [self-aban.don.ment] n (1818) 1: a surrender of one's selfish
          interests or desires 2: a lack of self-restraint

   self-absorbed
          [self-ab.sorbed] adj (1847): absorbed in one's own thoughts,
          activities, or interests

   self-absorption
          [self-ab.sorp.tion] n (1862): preoccupation with oneself

   self-abuse
          [self-abuse] n (1605) 1: reproach of oneself 2: masturbation
          3: abuse of one's body or health

   self-acting
          [self-act.ing] adj (ca. 1680): acting or capable of acting
          of or by itself: automatic

   self-activity
          [self-ac.tiv.i.ty] n (1644): independent and esp. self-determined
          activity

   self-actualize
          [self-ac.tu.al.ize] vi (1874): to realize fully one's potential
          -- self-ac.tu.al.i.za.tion n

   self-addressed
          [self-ad.dressed] adj (1904): addressed for return to the
          sender <a ~ envelope>

   self-adhesive
          [self-ad.he.sive] adj (1958): having a side coated with an
          adhesive that sticks without wetting <~ labels>

   self-adjustment
          [self-ad.just.ment] n (1848): adjustment to oneself or one's
          environment

   self-admiration
          [self-ad.mi.ra.tion] n (1661): self-conceit

   self-affected
          [self-af.fect.ed] adj (1606): conceited, self-loving

   self-analysis
          [self-anal.y.sis] n (1860): a systematic attempt by an individual
          to understand his or her own personality without the
          aid of another person

   self-analytical
          [self-an.a.lyt.i.cal] also self-an.a.lyt.ic adj (1943): using
          self-analysis

   self-annihilation
          [self-an.ni.hi.la.tion] n (1647): annihilation of the self
          (as in mystical contemplation of God)

   self-applauding
          [self-ap.plaud.ing] adj (1654): marked by self-applause

   self-applause
          [self-ap.plause] n (1678): an expression or feeling of approval
          of oneself

   self-appointed
          [self-ap.point.ed] adj (1799): appointed by oneself: self-styled

   self-assembly
          [self-as.sem.bly] n (1966): the process by which a complex
          macromolecule (as collagen) or a supramolecular system
          (as a virus) spontaneously assembles itself from its
          components -- self-as.sem.ble vi

   self-asserting
          [self-as.sert.ing] adj (1837) 1: asserting oneself or one's
          own rights, claims, or opinions 2 a: self-assured, confident
          b: arrogant -- self-as.sert.ing.ly adv

   self-assertion
          [self-as.ser.tion] n (1806) 1: the act of asserting oneself
          or one's own rights, claims, or opinions 2: the act of
          asserting one's superiority over others

   self-assertive
          [self-as.ser.tive] adj (1865): given to or characterized
          by self-assertion syn see aggressive -- self-as.ser.tive.ly
          adv -- self-as.ser.tive.ness n

   self-assumption
          [self-as.sump.tion] n (1606): self-conceit

   self-assurance
          [self-as.sur.ance] n (1594): self-confidence

   self-assured
          [self-as.sured] adj (1711): sure of oneself: self-confident
          -- self-as.sured.ly adv -- self-as.sured.ness n

   self-aware
          [self-aware] adj (ca. 1934): characterized by self-awareness

   self-awareness
          [self-aware.ness] n (1880): an awareness of one's own personality
          or individuality

   self-belt
          [self-belt] n (1965): a belt made of the same material as
          the garment with which it is worn -- self-belt.ed adj

   self-betrayal
          [self-be.tray.al] n (1857): self-revelation

   self-born
          [self-born] adj (1587) 1: arising within the self <~ sorrows>
          2: springing from a prior self <phoenix rising ~ from
          the fire>

   self-catering
          [self-ca.ter.ing] adj (1970) Brit: provided with lodging
          and cooking facilities but not meals <~ holiday cottages>

   self-centered
          [self-cen.tered] adj (ca. 1764) 1: independent of outside
          force or influence: self-sufficient 2: concerned solely
          with one's own desires, needs, or interests -- self-cen.tered.ly
          adv -- self-cen.tered.ness n

   self-closing
          [self-clos.ing] adj (ca. 1875): closing or shutting automatically
          after being opened

   self-cocking
          [self-cock.ing] adj (1862) of a firearm: cocked by the operation
          of some part of the action <~ on pushing the bolt forward>

   self-collected
          [self-col.lect.ed] adj (ca. 1711): self-possessed

   self-colored
          [self-col.ored] adj (1759): of a single color <a ~ flower>

   self-compatible
          [self-com.pat.i.ble] adj (1922): capable of effective
          self-pollination that results in the production of seeds and fruits
          -- self-com.pat.i.bil.i.ty n

   self-composed
          [self-com.posed] adj (ca. 1934): having control over one's
          emotions: calm -- self-com.pos.ed.ly adv -- self-com.posed.ness
          n

   self-conceit
          [self-con.ceit] n (ca. 1589): an exaggerated opinion of one's
          own qualities or abilities: vanity -- self-con.ceit.ed
          adj

   self-concept
          [self-con.cept] n (1925): the mental image one has of oneself

   self-conception
          [self-con.cep.tion] n (1950): self-concept

   self-concern
          [self-con.cern] n (1681): a selfish or morbid concern for
          oneself -- self-con.cerned adj

   self-confessed
          [self-con.fessed] adj (ca. 1900): openly acknowledged by
          oneself: avowed -- self-con.fess.ed.ly adv

   self-confession
          [self-con.fes.sion] n (ca. 1961): open acknowledgment: avowal

   self-confidence
          [self-con.fi.dence] n (1637): confidence in oneself and in
          one's powers and abilities -- self-con.fi.dent adj --
          self-con.fi.dent.ly adv

   self-confrontation
          [self-con.fron.ta.tion] n (1961): self-analysis

   self-congratulation
          [self-con.grat.u.la.tion] n (1712): congratulation of oneself;
          esp: a complacent acknowledgment of one's own superiority
          or good fortune

   self-congratulatory
          [self-con.grat.u.la.to.ry] adj (1877): expressive of
          self-congratulation <~ memoirs>

   self-conscious
          [self-con.scious] adj (ca. 1680) 1 a: conscious of one's
          own acts or states as belonging to or originating in
          oneself: aware of oneself as an individual b: intensely
          aware of oneself: conscious <a rising and ~ social class>;
          also: produced or done with such awareness <~ art> 2:
          uncomfortably conscious of oneself as an object of the
          observation of others: ill at ease -- self-con.scious.ly
          adv -- self-con.scious.ness n

   self-consequence
          [self-con.se.quence] n (1778): self-importance

   self-consistency
          [self-con.sis.ten.cy] n (1692): the quality or state of being
          self-consistent

   self-consistent
          [self-con.sis.tent] adj (1683): having each part logically
          consistent with the rest

   self-contained
          [self-con.tained] adj (1591) 1 a: complete in itself: independent
          <a ~ machine> <a ~ program of study> b: built-in <a lectern
          with a ~ light fixture> 2 a: showing self-control b:
          formal and reserved in manner -- self-con.tained.ly adv
          -- self-con.tained.ness n -- self-con.tain.ment n

   self-contamination
          [self-con.tam.i.na.tion] n (1955) 1: contamination by oneself
          2: contamination from within

   self-content
          [self-con.tent] n (1654): self-satisfaction

   self-contented
          [self-con.tent.ed] adj (1818): self-satisfied --
          self-con.tent.ed.ly adv -- self-con.tent.ed.ness n

   self-contentment
          [self-con.tent.ment] n (1815): self-satisfaction

   self-contradiction
          [self-con.tra.dic.tion] n (1658) 1: contradiction of oneself
          2: a self-contradictory statement or proposition

   self-contradictory
          [self-con.tra.dic.to.ry] adj (1657): consisting of two
          contradictory members or parts

   self-control
          [self-con.trol] n (1711): restraint exercised over one's
          own impulses, emotions, or desires -- self-con.trolled
          adj

   self-correcting
          [self-cor.rect.ing] adj (1939): correcting or compensating
          for one's own errors or weaknesses

   self-corrective
          [self-cor.rec.tive] adj (ca. 1925): self-correcting

   self-dealing
          [self-deal.ing] n (1940): financial dealing that is not at
          arm's length; esp: borrowing from or lending to a company
          by a controlling individual primarily to the individual's
          own advantage

   self-defense
          [self-de.fense] n (1651) 1: a plea of justification for the
          use of force or for homicide 2: the act of defending
          oneself, one's property, or a close relative

   self-defensive
          [self-de.fen.sive] adj (1828): of, relating to, or given
          to self-defense <a ~ person> <a ~ attitude>

   self-definition
          [self-def.i.ni.tion] n (1957): the evaluation by oneself
          of one's worth as an individual in distinction from one's
          interpersonal or social roles

   self-denial
          [self-de.ni.al] n (1642): a restraint or limitation of one's
          own desires or interests

   self-denying
          [self-de.ny.ing] adj (1632): showing self-denial --
          self-de.ny.ing.ly adv

   self-despair
          [self-de.spair] n (1677): despair of oneself: hopelessness

   self-destroyer
          [self-de.stroy.er] n (1654): one who destroys oneself

   self-destroying
          [self-de.stroy.ing] adj (1645): self-destructive

   self-destruct
          [self-de.struct] vi (1968): to destroy oneself or itself
          -- self-destruct adj

   self-destruction
          [self-de.struc.tion] n (ca. 1586): destruction of oneself;
          esp: suicide

   self-destructive
          [self-de.struc.tive] adj (1654): acting or tending to harm
          or destroy oneself; also: suicidal -- self-de.struc.tive.ness
          n

   self-determination
          [self-de.ter.mi.na.tion] n (ca. 1670) 1: free choice of one's
          own acts or states without external compulsion 2: determination
          by the people of a territorial unit of their own future
          political status

   self-determined
          [self-de.ter.mined] adj (ca. 1670): determined by oneself

   self-determining
          [self-de.ter.min.ing] adj (1662): capable of determining
          one's or its own acts

   self-determinism
          [self-de.ter.min.ism] n (1936): a doctrine that the actions
          of a self are determined by itself

   self-devoted
          [self-de.vot.ed] adj (1713): characterized by total devotion
          of oneself (as to a cause) -- self-de.vot.ed.ness n

   self-discipline
          [self-dis.ci.pline] n (1838): correction or regulation of
          oneself for the sake of improvement

   self-disciplined
          [self-dis.ci.plined] adj (1932): capable of or subject to
          self-discipline

   self-discovery
          [self-dis.cov.ery] n (1924): the act or process of achieving
          self-knowledge

   self-distrust
          [self-dis.trust] n (1789): a lack of confidence in oneself:
          diffidence -- self-dis.trust.ful adj

   self-dramatization
          [self-dra.ma.ti.za.tion] n (1937): the act or an instance
          of dramatizing oneself

   self-dramatizing
          [self-dra.ma.tiz.ing] adj (1938): seeing and presenting oneself
          as an important or dramatic figure

   self-drive
          [self-drive] adj (1929) chiefly Brit: being a rental car

   self-elected
          [self-elect.ed] adj (1818): self-appointed

   self-employed
          [self-em.ployed] adj (1946): earning income directly from
          one's own business, trade, or profession rather than
          as a specified salary or wages from an employer -- self-employed
          n

   self-employment
          [self-em.ploy.ment] n (1745): the state of being self-employed

   self-energizing
          [self-en.er.giz.ing] adj (1931): containing means for augmentation
          of power within itself <a ~ brake>

   self-enforcing
          [self-en.forc.ing] adj (1952): containing in itself the authority
          or means that provide for its enforcement

   self-enrichment
          [self-en.rich.ment] n (1920): the act or process of increasing
          one's intellectual or spiritual resources

   self-esteem
          [self-es.teem] n (1657) 1: a confidence and satisfaction
          in oneself: self-respect 2: self-conceit

   self-evidence
          [self-ev.i.dence] n (1671): the quality or state of being
          self-evident

   self-evident
          [self-ev.i.dent] adj (1671): evident without proof or reasoning
          -- self-ev.i.dent.ly adv

   self-examination
          [self-ex.am.i.na.tion] n (1647) 1: a reflective examination
          (as of one's beliefs or motives): introspection 2: examination
          of one's body esp. for evidence of disease

   self-excited
          [self-ex.cit.ed] adj (ca. 1896): excited by a current produced
          by the generator itself <~ generators>

   self-executing
          [self-ex.e.cut.ing] adj (1868): taking effect immediately
          without implementing legislation <a ~ treaty>

   self-exiled
          [self-ex.iled] adj (1737): exiled by one's own wish or decision

   self-explanatory
          [self-ex.plan.a.to.ry] adj (1898): explaining itself: capable
          of being understood without explanation

   self-exploration
          [self-ex.plo.ra.tion] n (1959): the examination and analysis
          of one's own unrealized spiritual or intellectual capacities

   self-expression
          [self-ex.pres.sion] n (1892): the expression of one's own
          personality: assertion of one's individual traits --
          self-ex.pres.sive adj

   self-feed
          [self-feed] vt -fed ; -feed.ing (ca. 1924): to provide rations
          to (animals) in bulk so as to permit feeding as wanted

   self-feeder
          [self-feed.er] n (1924): a device for providing feed to livestock
          that is equipped with a feed hopper that automatically
          supplies a trough below

   self-feeling
          [self-feel.ing] n (1879): self-centered emotion

   self-fertile
          [self-fer.tile] adj (1865): fertile by means of its own pollen
          or sperm -- self-fer.til.i.ty n

   self-fertilization
          [self-fer.til.i.za.tion] n (1859): fertilization effected
          by union of ova with pollen or sperm from the same individual

   self-fertilized
          [self-fer.til.ized] adj (1871): fertilized by one's own pollen
          or sperm

   self-fertilizing
          [self-fer.til.iz.ing] adj (1859): self-fertilized

   self-flagellation
          [self-flag.el.la.tion] n (1845): extreme criticism of oneself

   self-flattering
          [self-flat.ter.ing] adj (ca. 1586): given to self-flattery

   self-flattery
          [self-flat.tery] n (1680): the glossing over of one's own
          weaknesses or mistakes and the exaggeration of one's
          own good qualities and achievements

   self-forgetful
          [self-for.get.ful] adj (1848): having or showing no thought
          of self or selfish interests -- self-for.get.ful.ly adv
          -- self-for.get.ful.ness n

   self-forgetting
          [self-for.get.ting] adj (1847): self-forgetful --
          self-for.get.ting.ly adv

   self-fruitful
          [self-fruit.ful] adj (1940): capable of setting a crop of
          self-pollinated fruit -- self-fruit.ful.ness n

   self-fulfilling
          [self-ful.fill.ing] adj (1949) 1: marked by or achieving
          self-fulfillment 2: becoming real or true by virtue of
          having been predicted or expected <a ~ prophecy>

   self-fulfillment
          [self-ful.fill.ment] n (ca. 1864): fulfillment of oneself

   self-given
          [self-giv.en] adj (1742) 1: derived from itself <a ~ entity>
          2: given by oneself <~ authority>

   self-glorification
          [self-glo.ri.fi.ca.tion] n (1838): a feeling or expression
          of one's own superiority

   self-glorifying
          [self-glo.ri.fy.ing] adj (1860): given to or marked by boasting:
          boastful

   self-glory
          [self-glo.ry] n (1647): personal vanity: pride

   self-governance
          [self-gov.er.nance] n (1964): self-government 2

   self-governed
          [self-gov.erned] adj (1709) 1: not influenced or controlled
          by others 2: exercising self-control

   self-governing
          [self-gov.ern.ing] adj (1845): having control or rule over
          oneself; specif: having self-government: autonomous

   self-government
          [self-gov.ern.ment] n (1734) 1: self-command, self-control
          2: government under the control and direction of the
          inhabitants of a political unit rather than by an outside
          authority; broadly: control of one's own affairs

   self-gratification
          [self-grat.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1677): the act of pleasing oneself
          or of satisfying one's desires; esp: the satisfying of
          one's own sexual urges

   self-gratulation
          [self-grat.u.la.tion] n (1802): self-congratulation

   self-gratulatory
          [self-grat.u.la.to.ry] adj (1859): self-congratulatory

   self-heal
          [self-heal] n (14c): a blue-flowered Eurasian mint (Prunella
          vulgaris) naturalized throughout No. America and formerly
          considered to have medicinal properties

   selfhood
          [self.hood] n (1649) 1: individuality 2: the quality or state
          of being selfish

   self-identical
          [self-iden.ti.cal] adj (1877): having self-identity

   self-identification
          [self-iden.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (1941): identification with someone
          or something outside oneself

   self-identity
          [self-iden.ti.ty] n (1866) 1: sameness of a thing with itself
          2: individuality <self-understanding is the necessary
          condition of a sense of ~ --J. C. Murray>

   self-ignite
          [self-ig.nite] vi (1943): to become ignited without flame
          or spark (as under high compression)

   self-ignition
          [self-ig.ni.tion] n (1903): ignition without flame or spark

   self-image
          [self-im.age] n (1939): one's conception of oneself or of
          one's role

   self-immolation
          [self-im.mo.la.tion] n (1817): a deliberate and willing sacrifice
          of oneself often by fire -- self-im.mo.late vb

   self-importance
          [self-im.por.tance] n (ca. 1775) 1: an exaggerated estimate
          of one's own importance: self-conceit 2: arrogant or
          pompous behavior

   self-important
          [self-important] adj (ca. 1775): having or showing self-importance
          -- self-im.por.tant.ly adv

   self-inclusive
          [self-in.clu.sive] adj (ca. 1909) 1: enclosing itself 2:
          complete in itself

   self-incompatible
          [self-in.com.pat.i.ble] adj (1922): incapable of effective
          self-pollination -- self-in.com.pat.i.bil.i.ty n

   self-incriminating
          [self-in.crim.i.nat.ing] adj (1931): serving or tending to
          incriminate oneself

   self-incrimination
          [self-in.crim.i.na.tion] n (1911): incrimination of oneself;
          specif: the giving of testimony which will likely subject
          one to criminal prosecution

   self-inductance
          [self-in.duc.tance] n (1865): inductance in which an electromotive
          force is produced by self-induction

   self-induction
          [self-in.duc.tion] n (1873): induction of an electromotive
          force in a circuit by a varying current in the same circuit

   self-indulgence
          [self-in.dul.gence] n (1753): excessive or unrestrained
          gratification of one's own appetites, desires, or whims
          -- self-in.dul.gent adj -- self-in.dul.gent.ly adv

   self-insurance
          [self-in.sur.ance] n (ca. 1897): insurance of oneself or
          of one's own interests by the setting aside of money
          at regular intervals to provide a fund to cover possible
          losses

   self-insure
          [self-insure] vb (1932): to insure oneself; esp: to practice
          self-insurance -- self-insurer n

   self-interest
          [self-in.ter.est] n (1649) 1: a concern for one's own advantage
          and well-being <acted out of ~ and fear> 2: one's own
          interest or advantage <~ requires that we be generous
          in foreign aid> -- self-in.ter.est.ed adj --
          self-in.ter.est.ed.ness n

   self-involved
          [self-in.volved] adj (1842): self-absorbed

   selfish
          [self.ish] adj (1640) 1: concerned excessively or exclusively
          with oneself: seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage,
          pleasure, or well-being without regard for others 2:
          arising from concern with one's own welfare or advantage
          in disregard of others <a ~ act> -- self.is h.ly adv
          -- self.ish.ness n

   self-justification
          [self-jus.ti.fi.ca.tion] n (ca. 1775): the act or an instance
          of making excuses for oneself

   self-justifying
          [self-jus.ti.fy.ing] adj (1740): seeking to justify oneself

   self-knowing
          [self-know.ing] adj (1667): having self-knowledge

   self-knowledge
          [self-knowl.edge] n (ca. 1613): knowledge or understanding
          of one's own capabilities, character, feelings, or motivations

   selfless
          [self.less] adj (1825): having no concern for self: unselfish
          -- self.less.ly adv -- self.less.ness n

   self-limited
          [self-lim.it.ed] adj (1845): limited by one's or its own
          nature; specif: running a definite and limited course
          <a ~ disease>

   self-limiting
          [self-lim.it.ing] adj (1863): limiting oneself or itself;
          esp, of a disease: self-limited

   self-liquidating
          [self-liq.ui.dat.ing] adj (1915) 1: of or relating to a commercial
          transaction in which goods are converted into cash in a short time
          2: generating funds from its own operations to repay the investment
          made to create it <a ~ housing project>

   self-loader
          [self-load.er] n (ca. 1936): a semiautomatic firearm

   self-loading
          [self-load.ing] adj (1899) of a firearm: semiautomatic

   self-love
          [self-love] n (1563): love of self: a: conceit b: regard
          for one's own happiness or advantage -- self-lov.ing
          adj

   self-made
          [self-made] adj (1615): made such by one's own actions; esp:
          having achieved success or prominence by one's own efforts
          <a ~ man>

   self-mailer
          [self-mail.er] n (ca. 1942): a folder that can be sent by
          mail without enclosure in an envelope by use of a gummed
          sticker or a precanceled stamp to hold the leaves together

   self-mailing
          [self-mail.ing] adj (ca. 1948): capable of being mailed without
          being enclosed in an envelope

   self-moved
          [self-moved] adj (ca. 1670): moved by inherent power

   self-murder
          [self-mur.der] n (1563): self-destruction, suicide

   selfness
          [self.ness] n (ca. 1586) 1: egoism, selfishness 2: personality,
          selfhood

   self-observation
          [self-ob.ser.va.tion] n (1832) 1: introspection 2: observation
          of one's own appearance

   self-opinion
          [self-opin.ion] n (ca. 1580): high or exaggerated opinion
          of oneself: self-conceit

   self-opinionated
          [self-opin.ion.at.ed] adj (1671) 1: conceited 2: stubbornly
          holding to one's own opinion: opinionated --
          self-opin.ion.at.ed.ness n

   self-organization
          [self-or.ga.ni.za.tion] n (1898): organization of oneself
          or itself; specif: the act or process of forming or joining
          a labor union

   self-paced
          [self-paced] adj (1962): designed to permit learning at the
          student's own pace <~ math course>

   self-partiality
          [self-par.tial.i.ty] n (1628) 1: an excessive estimate of
          oneself as compared with others 2: a prejudice in favor
          of one's own claims or interests

   self-perception
          [self-per.cep.tion] n (1678): perception of oneself; esp:
          self-concept

   self-pity
          [self-pity] n (1621): pity for oneself; esp: a self-indulgent
          dwelling on one's own sorrows or misfortunes -- self-pity.ing
          adj -- self-pity.ing.ly adv

   self-pleased
          [self-pleased] adj (1748): self-satisfied

   self-poise
          [self-poise] n (1854): the quality or state of being self-poised

   self-poised
          [self-poised] adj (1621): having poise through self-command

   self-pollinate
          [self-pol.li.nate] vt (1890): self 2 ~ vi: to undergo
          self-pollination

   self-pollination
          [self-pol.li.na.tion] n (1872): the transfer of pollen from
          the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower
          or sometimes to that of a genetically identical flower
          (as of the same plant or clone)

   self-portrait
          [self-por.trait] n (1831): a portrait of oneself done by
          oneself

   self-possessed
          [self-pos.sessed] adj (1818): having or showing self-possession:
          composed in mind or manner: calm -- self-pos.sessed.ly
          adv

   self-possession
          [self-pos.ses.sion] n (1745): control of one's emotions or
          reactions esp. when under stress: presence of mind, composure
          syn see confidence

   self-preservation
          [self-pres.er.va.tion] n (ca. 1614) 1: preservation of oneself
          from destruction or harm 2: a natural or instinctive
          tendency to act so as to preserve one's own existence

   self-pride
          [self-pride] n (ca. 1586): pride in oneself or in that which
          relates to oneself

   self-propelled
          [self-pro.pelled] adj (1899) 1: containing within itself
          the means for its own propulsion <a ~ vehicle> 2: mounted
          on or fired from a moving vehicle <a ~ gun>

   self-propelling
          [self-pro.pel.ling] adj (1862): self-propelled 1

   self-propulsion
          [self-pro.pul.sion] n (ca. 1934): propulsion by one's own
          power

   self-published
          [self-pub.lished] adj (1975): published by the author <~
          book>

   self-purification
          [self-pu.ri.fi.ca.tion] n (1919) 1: purification by natural
          process <~ of water> 2: purification of oneself

   self-question
          [self-ques.tion] n (1917): a question asked of oneself by
          oneself

   self-questioning
          [self-ques.tion.ing] n (1856): examination of one's own actions
          and motives

   self-rating
          [self-rat.ing] n (1925): determination of one's own rating
          with reference to a standard scale

   self-realization
          [self-re.al.i.za.tion] n (1874): fulfillment by oneself of
          the possibilities of one's character or personality

   self-realizationism
          [self-re.al.i.za.tion.ism] n (ca. 1874): the ethical theory
          that the highest good for a person consists in realizing
          or fulfilling oneself usu. on the assumption that one
          has certain inborn abilities constituting one's real
          or ideal self -- self-re.al.i.za.tion.ist n

   self-recognition
          [self-rec.og.ni.tion] n (1946) 1: recognition of one's own
          self 2: the process by which the immune system of an
          organism distinguishes between the body's own chemicals,
          cells, and tissues and those of foreign organisms and
          agents

   self-recording
          [self-re.cord.ing] adj (1875): making an automatic record
          <~ instruments>

   self-reflection
          [self-re.flec.tion] n (1652): self-examination 1

   self-reflective
          [self-re.flec.tive] adj (1875): marked by or engaging in
          self-reflection

   self-regard
          [self-re.gard] n (1595): regard for or consideration of oneself
          or one's own interests

   self-regarding
          [self-re.gard.ing] adj (1789): concerned with oneself or
          one's own interests

   self-regulating
          [self-reg.u.lat.ing] adj (1837): regulating oneself or itself;
          esp: automatic <a ~ mechanism>

   self-reliance
          [self-re.li.ance] n (1833): reliance on one's own efforts
          and abilities

   self-reliant
          [self-re.li.ant] adj (1848): having confidence in and exercising
          one's own powers or judgment

   self-replicating
          [self-rep.li.cat.ing] adj (1946): reproducing itself autonomously
          <DNA is a ~ molecule> -- self-rep.li.ca.tion n

   self-respect
          [self-re.spect] n (ca. 1814) 1: a proper respect for oneself
          as a human being 2: regard for one's own standing or
          position

   self-respecting
          [self-re.spect.ing] adj (1786): having or characterized by
          self-respect

   self-revealing
          [self-re.veal.ing] adj (1839): marked by self-revelation

   self-revelation
          [self-rev.e.la.tion] n (1852): revelation of one's own thoughts,
          feelings, and attitudes esp. without deliberate intent

   self-rewarding
          [self-re.ward.ing] adj (1740): containing or producing its
          own reward <virtue is ~>

   self-righteous
          [self-righ.teous] adj (ca. 1680): convinced of one's own
          righteousness esp. in contrast with the actions and beliefs
          of others: narrow-mindedly moralistic -- self-righ.teous.ly
          adv -- self-righ.teous.ness n

   self-rising flour
          [self-ris.ing flour] n (1854): a commercially prepared mixture
          of flour, salt, and a leavening agent

   self-rule
          [self-rule] n (ca. 1855): self-government

   self-ruling
          [self-rul.ing] adj (ca. 1680): self-governing

   self-sacrifice
          [self-sac.ri.fice] n (1805): sacrifice of oneself or one's
          interest for others or for a cause or ideal

   self-sacrificer
          [self-sac.ri.fic.er] n (1668): one that practices self-sacrifice

   self-sacrificing
          [self-sa.cri.fic.ing] adj (1817): sacrificing oneself for
          others -- self-sac.ri.fic.ing.ly adv

   selfsame
          [self.same] adj (15c): being the one mentioned or in question:
          identical <left the ~ day> syn see same -- self.same.ness
          n

   self-satisfaction
          [self-sat.is.fac.tion] n (1739): a usu. smug satisfaction
          with oneself or one's position or achievements

   self-satisfied
          [self-sat.is.fied] adj (1734): feeling or showing self-satisfaction

   self-scrutiny
          [self-scru.ti.ny] n (ca. 1711): self-examination

   self-sealing
          [self-seal.ing] adj (1924) 1: capable of sealing itself (as
          after puncture) <a ~ tire> 2: capable of being sealed
          by pressure without the addition of moisture <~ envelopes>

   self-searching
          [self-search.ing] n (1687): self-questioning

   self-seeker
          [self-seek.er] n (1632): a self-seeking person

   [1]self-seeking
          [self-seek.ing] n (ca. 1586): the act or practice of selfishly
          advancing one's own ends [2]self-seeking adj (ca. 1628):
          seeking only to further one's own interests

   self-serve
          [self-serve] adj (1926): permitting self-service

   self-service
          [self-ser.vice] n (1919): the serving of oneself (as in a
          restaurant or service station) with goods or services
          to be paid for at a cashier's desk or by means of a coin-operated
          mechanism -- self-service adj

   self-serving
          [self-serv.ing] adj (1827): serving one's own interests often
          in disregard of the truth or the interests of others
          -- self-serv.ing.ly adv

   self-slaughter
          [self-slaugh.ter] n (1602): suicide 1a

   self-slaughtered
          [self-slaugh.tered] adj (1593): killed by oneself

   self-sow
          [self-sow] vi -sowed ; -sown or -sowed ; -sow.ing (1608):
          to sow itself by dropping seeds or by natural action
          (as of wind or water)

   self-starter
          [self-start.er] n (1894) 1: starter 3a 2: a person who has
          initiative

   self-starting
          [self-start.ing] adj (1866): capable of starting by oneself
          or itself

   self-sterile
          [self-ster.ile] adj (1876): sterile to its own pollen or
          sperm -- self-ste.ril.i.ty n

   self-stick
          [self-stick] adj (1947): capable of adhering to a surface
          by application of pressure without the addition of moisture

   self-stimulation
          [self-stim.u.la.tion] n (1947): stimulation of oneself as
          a result of one's own activity or behavior <electrical
          ~ of the brain>; esp: masturbation -- self-stim.u.la.to.ry
          adj

   self-study
          [self-study] n (1683): study of oneself; also: a record of
          observations from such study

   self-styled
          [self-styled] adj (1823): called by oneself <~ experts>

   self-subsistent
          [self-sub.sis.tent] adj (1647): subsisting independently
          of anything external to itself -- self-sub.sis.tence
          n

   self-subsisting
          [self-sub.sist.ing] adj (1654): self-subsistent

   self-sufficiency
          [self-suf.fi.cien.cy] n (1623): the quality or state of being
          self-sufficient

   self-sufficient
          [self-suf.fi.cient] adj (1589) 1: able to maintain oneself
          or itself without outside aid: capable of providing for
          one's own needs 2: having an extreme confidence in one's
          own ability or worth: haughty, overbearing

   self-sufficing
          [self-suf.fic.ing] adj (1687): self-sufficient --
          self-suf.fic.ing.ly adv -- self-suf.fic.ing.ness n

   self-suggestion
          [self-sug.ges.tion] n (1892): autosuggestion

   self-support
          [self-sup.port] n (1774): independent support of oneself
          or itself -- self-sup.port.ed adj

   self-supporting
          [self-supporting] adj (1829): characterized by self-support:
          as a: meeting one's needs by one's own efforts or output
          b: supporting itself or its own weight <a ~ wall>

   self-sustaining
          [self-sus.tain.ing] adj (1844) 1: maintaining or able to
          maintain oneself or itself by independent effort 2: maintaining
          or able to maintain itself once commenced <a ~ nuclear
          reaction>

   self-taught
          [self-taught] adj (1725) 1: having knowledge or skills acquired
          by one's own efforts without formal instruction <a ~
          musician> 2: learned by oneself <~ knowledge>

   self-tolerance
          [self-tol.er.ance] n (1964): the physiological state that
          exists in an organism when its immune system has proceeded
          far enough in the process of self-recognition to lose
          the capacity to attack and destroy its own bodily constituents

   self-treatment
          [self-treat.ment] n (1886): medication of oneself or treatment
          of one's own disease or condition without medical supervision
          or prescription

   self-trust
          [self-trust] n (1583): self-confidence

   self-will
          [self-will] n (14c): stubborn or willful adherence to one's
          own desires or ideas: obstinacy

   self-willed
          [self-willed] adj (14c): governed by one's own will: not
          yielding to the wishes of others: obstinate -- self-willed.ly
          adv -- self-willed.ness n

   self-winding
          [self-wind.ing] adj (1825): not needing to be wound by hand
          <a ~ watch>

   self-worth
          [self-worth] n (1944): self-esteem

   Seljuk
          [Sel.juk] or Sel.ju.ki.an adj [Turk Selcuk, eponymous ancestor
          of the dynasties] (1834) 1: of or relating to any of
          several Turkish dynasties ruling over a great part of
          western Asia in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries 2:
          of, relating to, or characteristic of a Turkish people
          ruled over by a Seljuk dynasty -- Seljuk or Seljukian
          n

   [1]sell
          [sell] vb sold ; sell.ing [ME, fr. OE sellan; akin to OHG
          sellen to sell, ON sala sale, Gk helein to take] vt (bef.
          12c) 1: to deliver or give up in violation of duty, trust,
          or loyalty: betray--often used with out 2 a (1): to give
          up (property) to another for something of value (as money)
          (2): to offer for sale b: to give up in return for something
          else esp. foolishly or dishonorably <sold his birthright
          for a mess of pottage> c: to exact a price for <sold
          their lives dearly> 3 a: to deliver into slavery for
          money b: to give into the power of another <sold his
          soul to the devil> c: to deliver the personal services
          of for money 4: to dispose of or manage for profit instead
          of in accordance with conscience, justice, or duty <sold
          their votes> 5 a: to develop a belief in the truth, value,
          or desirability of: gain acceptance for <trying to ~
          a program to the Congress> b: to persuade or influence
          to a course of action or to the acceptance of something
          <~ children on reading> 6: to impose on: cheat 7 a: to
          cause or promote the sale of <using television advertising
          to ~ cereal> b: to make or attempt to make sales to c:
          to influence or induce to make a purchase 8: to achieve
          a sale of <sold a million copies> ~ vi 1: to dispose
          of something by sale 2: to achieve a sale; also: to achieve
          satisfactory sales <hoped that the new line would ~>
          3: to have a specified price -- sell.able adj -- sell
          down the river : to betray the faith of -- sell short
          1: to make a short sale 2: to fail to value properly:
          underestimate [2]sell n (1838) 1: a deliberate deception:
          hoax 2: the act or an instance of selling [3]sell or
          selle n [ME selle, fr. MF, fr. L sella--more at settle]
          (15c) archaic: saddle [4]sell chiefly Scot var of self

   seller
          [sell.er] n (13c) 1: one that offers for sale 2: a product
          offered for sale and selling well, to a specified extent,
          or in a specified manner <a million-copy ~> <a poor ~>

   seller's market
          [seller's market] n (1932): a market in which goods are scarce,
          buyers have a limited range of choice, and prices are
          high--compare buyer's market

   selling climax
          [selling climax] n (ca. 1949): a sharp decline in stock prices
          for a short time on very heavy trading volume followed
          by a rally

   selling-plater
          [sell.ing-plat.er] n (1886): a horse that runs in selling
          races

   selling point
          [selling point] n (1923): an aspect or detail of something
          that is emphasized (as in selling or promoting)

   selling race
          [selling race] n (1898): a claiming race in which the winning
          horse is put up for auction

   sell-off
          [sell-off] n (1937): a usu. sudden sharp decline in security
          prices accompanied by increased volume of trading

   sell off
          [sell off] vi (ca. 1700): to suffer a drop in prices

   sellout
          [sell.out] n (1859) 1: the act or an instance of selling
          out 2: something sold out; esp: something (as a concert
          or contest) for which all tickets are sold 3: one who
          sells out

   sell out
          [sell out] vt (1796) 1: to sell the goods of (a debtor) in
          order to satisfy creditors 2: to sell security or commodity
          holdings of usu. to satisfy an uncovered margin 3 a:
          to sell all the available tickets for b: to sell all
          of <the merchandise was quickly sold out> ~ vi 1: to
          dispose of one's goods by sale; esp: to sell one's business
          2: to betray one's cause or associates 3: to be or achieve
          a sellout

   selsyn
          [sel.syn] n [self-synchronizing] (1926): a system comprising
          a generator and a motor so connected by wire that angular
          rotation or position in the generator is reproduced simultaneously
          in the motor--called also synchro

   seltzer
          [selt.zer] n [modif. of G Selterser (Wasser) water of Selters,
          fr. Nieder Selters, Germany] (1775): artificially carbonated
          water

   selvage
          [sel.vage] or sel.vedge n [ME selvage, prob. fr. MD selvegge,
          selvage, fr. selv self + egge edge; akin to OE self and
          to OE ecg edge--more at edge] (15c) 1 a: the edge on
          either side of a woven or flat-knitted fabric so finished
          as to prevent raveling; specif: a narrow border often
          of different or heavier threads than the fabric and sometimes
          in a different weave b: an edge (as of fabric or paper)
          meant to be cut off and discarded 2: an outer or peripheral
          part: border, edge -- sel.vaged or sel.vedged adj

   selves
          [selves] pl of self

   sem
          [sem] abbreviation semicolon, seminar, seminary  Sem abbreviation
          Semitic

   semantic
          [se.man.tic] also se.man.ti.cal adj [Gk semantikos significant,
          fr. semainein to signify, mean, fr. sema sign, token]
          (1894) 1: of or relating to meaning in language 2: of
          or relating to semantics -- se.man.ti.cal.ly adv

   semanticist
          [se.man.ti.cist] n (1902): a specialist in semantics

   semantics
          [se.man.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1893) 1: the
          study of meanings: a: the historical and psychological
          study and the classification of changes in the signification
          of words or forms viewed as factors in linguistic development
          b (1): semiotic (2): a branch of semiotic dealing with
          the relations between signs and what they refer to and
          including theories of denotation, extension, naming,
          and truth 2: general semantics 3 a: the meaning or relationship
          of meanings of a sign or set of signs; esp: connotative
          meaning b: the language used (as in advertising or political
          propaganda) to achieve a desired effect on an audience
          esp. through the use of words with novel or dual meanings

   [1]semaphore
          [sem.a.phore] n [Gk sema sign, signal + ISV -phore] (1816)
          1: an apparatus for visual signaling (as by the position
          of one or more movable arms) 2: a system of visual signaling
          by two flags held one in each hand [2]semaphore vb -phored
          ; -phor.ing vt (1893): to convey (information) by or
          as if by semaphore ~ vi: to send signals by or as if
          by semaphore

   semasiology
          [se.ma.si.ol.o.gy] n [ISV, fr. Gk semasia meaning, fr. semainein
          to mean] (1857): semantics 1 -- se.ma.si.o.log.i.cal
          adj

   [1]semblable
          [sem.bla.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. sembler to be
          like, seem] (14c) 1: similar 2: suitable 3: apparent,
          seeming -- sem.bla.bly adv [2]semblable n (15c) 1 archaic:
          something similar: like 2: one that is like oneself:
          one's fellow

   semblance
          [sem.blance] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF sembler to be like, seem--more
          at resemble] (14c) 1 a: outward and often specious appearance
          or show: form <wrapped in a ~ of composure --Harry Hervey>
          b: modicum <has been struggling to get some ~ of justice
          for his people --Bayard Rustin> 2: aspect, countenance
          3 a: a phantasmal form: apparition b: image, likeness
          4: actual or apparent resemblance

   seme
          [seme] n [Gk sema sign] (ca. 1866) 1: a linguistic sign 2:
          any of the basic components of the meaning of a morpheme

   semeiology
          [se.mei.ol.o.gy] var of semiology

   semeiotic
          [se.mei.ot.ic] var of semiotic

   Semele
          [Sem.e.le] n [L, fr. Gk Semele]: a daughter of Cadmus consumed
          by flames when visited by Zeus in his divine splendor

   sememe
          [sem.eme] n [ISV, fr. Gk sema + ISV -eme] (1913) 1: the meaning
          of a morpheme 2 a: seme 2 b: a class of related semes
          -- se.me.mic adj

   semen
          [se.men] n [ME, fr. L, seed, semen; akin to OHG samo seed,
          L serere to sow--more at sow] (14c): a viscid whitish
          fluid of the male reproductive tract consisting of spermatozoa
          suspended in secretions of accessory glands

   semester
          [se.mes.ter] n [G, fr. L semestris half-yearly, fr. sex six
          + mensis month--more at six, moon] (1827) 1: either of
          the two usu. 18-week periods of instruction into which
          an academic year is often divided 2: a period of six
          months -- se.mes.tral or se.mes.tri.al adj

   semester hour
          [semester hour] n (1922): a unit of academic credit representing
          an hour of class (as lecture class) or three hours of
          laboratory work each week for an academic semester

   semi-
          [semi-] prefix [ME, fr. L; akin to OHG sami- half, Gk hemi-]
          1 a: precisely half of: (1): forming a bisection of <semidiameter>
          (2): being a usu. vertically bisected form of (a specified
          architectural feature) <semidome> b: half in quantity or value:
          half of or occurring halfway through a specified period of time
          <semiannual> <semimonthly>--compare bi- 2: to some extent: partly:
          incompletely <semicivilized> <semi-independent> <semidry>--compare
          demi-, hemi- 3 a: partial: incomplete <semiconsciousness>
          <semidarkness> b: having some of the characteristics
          of <semiporcelain> c: quasi- <semigovernmental> <semimonastic>

   [1]semi
          [semi] n, pl sem.is [short for semidetached] (1912) chiefly
          Brit: a semidetached house [2]semi n, pl sem.is (1942):
          semitrailer [3]semi n, pl sem.is (1942): semifinal--often
          used in pl.

   semiabstract
          [semi.ab.stract] adj (1871): having subject matter that is
          easily recognizable although the form is stylized <~
          art> -- semi.ab.strac.tion n

   semiannual
          [semi.an.nu.al] adj (1794): occurring every six months or
          twice a year -- semi.an.nu.al.ly adv

   semi-antique
          [semi-an.tique] adj (ca. 1930): being approximately 50 to
          100 years old <a ~ carpet> -- semi-antique n

   semiaquatic
          [semi.aquat.ic] adj (1833): growing equally well in or adjacent
          to water; also: frequenting but not living wholly in
          water

   semiarboreal
          [semi.ar.bo.re.al] adj (1938): often inhabiting and frequenting
          trees but not completely arboreal

   semiarid
          [semi.ar.id] adj (1898): characterized by light rainfall;
          esp: having from about 10 to 20 inches (25 to 51 centimeters)
          of annual precipitation -- semi.arid.i.ty n

   semiautobiographical
          [semi.au.to.bio.graph.i.cal] adj (1939): partly autobiographical
          <a ~ comedy>

   semiautomatic
          [semi.au.to.mat.ic] adj (1890): not fully automatic: as a:
          operated partly automatically and partly by hand b of
          a firearm: employing gas pressure or force of recoil
          and mechanical spring action to eject the empty cartridge
          case after the first shot and load the next cartridge
          from the magazine but requiring release and another pressure
          of the trigger for each successive shot -- semiautomatic
          n -- semi.au.to.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   semiautonomous
          [semi.au.ton.o.mous] adj (1915): largely self-governing within
          a larger political or organizational entity

   semibreve
          [semi.breve] n (15c): whole note

   semicentennial
          [semi.cen.ten.ni.al] n (1859): a 50th anniversary or its
          celebration -- semicentennial adj

   semicircle
          [semi.cir.cle] n [L semicirculus, fr. semi- + circulus circle]
          (1526) 1: a half of a circle 2: an object or arrangement
          of objects in the form of a half circle -- semi.cir.cu.lar
          adj

   semicircular canal
          [semicircular canal] n (1748): any of the loop-shaped tubular
          parts of the labyrinth of the ear that together constitute
          a sensory organ associated with the maintenance of bodily
          equilibrium--see ear illustration

   semicivilized
          [semi.civ.i.lized] adj (1836): partly civilized

   semiclassic
          [semi.clas.sic] n (1843): a semiclassical work (as of music)

   semiclassical
          [semi.clas.si.cal] adj (1904): having some of the characteristics
          of the classical: as a: of, relating to, or being a musical
          composition that acts as a bridge between classical and
          popular music b: of, relating to, or being a classical
          composition that has developed popular appeal

   semicolon
          [semi.co.lon] n (1644): a punctuation mark ; used chiefly
          in a coordinating function between major sentence elements
          (as independent clauses of a compound sentence)

   semicolonial
          [semi.co.lo.nial] adj (1932) 1: nominally independent but
          actually under foreign domination 2: dependent on foreign
          nations as suppliers of manufactured goods and as purchasers
          of raw materials -- semi.co.lo.nial.ism n

   semicolony
          [semi.col.o.ny] n (1945): a semicolonial state

   semicommercial
          [semi.com.mer.cial] adj (1926): of, relating to, adapted
          to, or characterized by limited marketing of an experimental
          product

   semiconducting
          [semi.con.duct.ing] adj (1782): of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of a semiconductor

   semiconductor
          [semi.con.duc.tor] n (1838): any of a class of solids (as
          germanium or silicon) whose electrical conductivity is
          between that of a conductor and that of an insulator
          in being nearly as great as that of a metal at high temperatures
          and nearly absent at low temperatures

   semiconscious
          [semi.con.scious] adj (1839): incompletely conscious: imperfectly
          aware or responsive -- semi.con.scious.ness n

   semiconservative
          [semi.con.ser.va.tive] adj (1957): relating to or being genetic
          replication in which a double-stranded molecule of nucleic
          acid separates into two single strands each of which
          serves as a template for the formation of a complementary
          strand that together with the template forms a complete
          molecule -- semi.con.ser.va.tive.ly adv

   semicrystalline
          [semi.crys.tal.line] adj (1816): incompletely or imperfectly
          crystalline

   semicylindrical
          [semi.cy.lin.dri.cal] adj (ca. 1731): having the shape of
          a longitudinal half of a cylinder

   semidarkness
          [semi.dark.ness] n (1849): partial darkness

   semideify
          [semi.de.ify] vt (1953): to regard as somewhat godlike

   semidesert
          [semi.des.ert] n (1849): an arid area that has some of the
          characteristics of a desert but has greater annual precipitation

   semidetached
          [semi.de.tached] adj (1859): forming one of a pair of residences
          joined into one building by a common sidewall

   semidiameter
          [semi.di.am.e.ter] n (14c): radius; specif: the apparent
          radius of a generally spherical celestial body

   semidiurnal
          [semi.di.ur.nal] adj (1594) 1: relating to or accomplished
          in half a day 2: occurring twice a day 3: occurring approximately
          every half day <the ~ tides>

   semidivine
          [semi.di.vine] adj (1600): more than mortal but not fully
          divine

   semidocumentary
          [semi.doc.u.men.ta.ry] n (1939): a motion picture that uses
          many details taken from actual events or situations in
          presenting a fictional story -- semidocumentary adj

   semidome
          [semi.dome] n (1788): a roof or ceiling covering a semicircular
          or nearly semicircular room or recess -- semi.domed adj

   semidomestication
          [semi.do.mes.ti.ca.tion] n (ca. 1835): a captive state of
          a wild animal in which its living conditions and often
          its breeding are controlled by humans -- semi.do.mes.ti.cat.ed
          adj

   semidominant
          [semi.dom.i.nant] adj (1942): producing an intermediate phenotype
          in the heterozygous condition <a ~ mutant gene>

   semidry
          [semi.dry] adj (1878): moderately dry

   semidrying
          [semi.dry.ing] adj (1905): that dries imperfectly or slowly--used
          of some oils (as cottonseed oil)

   semidwarf
          [semi.dwarf] adj (1959): of or being a plant of a variety
          that is undersized but larger than a dwarf <~ wheats>
          -- semidwarf n

   semiempirical
          [semi.em.pir.i.cal] adj (1935): partly empirical; esp: involving
          assumptions, approximations, or generalizations designed
          to simplify calculation or to yield a result in accord
          with observation

   semierect
          [semi.erect] adj (1822) 1: incompletely upright in bodily
          posture <~ primates> 2: erect for half the length <~
          stems>

   semievergreen
          [semi.ev.er.green] adj (1901) 1: having functional and persistent
          foliage during part of the winter or dry season 2: tending
          to be evergreen in a mild climate but deciduous in a
          rigorous climate

   semifeudal
          [semi.feu.dal] adj (1898): having some characteristics of
          feudalism

   [1]semifinal
          [semi.fi.nal] adj (1884) 1: being next to the last in an
          elimination tournament 2: of or participating in a semifinal
          [2]semi.fi.nal n (1895) 1: a semifinal match 2: a semifinal
          round -- semi.fi.nal.ist n

   semifinished
          [semi.fin.ished] adj (1902): partially finished or processed;
          esp, of steel: rolled from raw ingots into shapes (as
          bars, billets, or plates) suitable for further processing

   semifitted
          [semi.fit.ted] adj (ca. 1950): conforming somewhat to the
          lines of the body

   semiflexible
          [semi.flex.i.ble] adj (1925) 1: somewhat flexible 2 of a
          book cover: having a thin board stiffener under the covering
          material

   semifluid
          [semi.flu.id] adj (ca. 1735): having the qualities of both
          a fluid and a solid: viscous <fluid and ~ lubricants>
          -- semifluid n

   semiformal
          [semi.for.mal] adj (1906): being or suitable for an occasion
          of moderate formality <a ~ dinner> <~ gowns>

   semigloss
          [semi.gloss] adj (1937): having a low luster; specif: producing
          a finish midway between gloss and flat

   semigovernmental
          [semi.gov.ern.men.tal] adj (1919): having some governmental
          functions and powers

   semigroup
          [semi.group] n (1904): a mathematical set that is closed
          under an associative binary operation

   semi-independent
          [semi-in.de.pen.dent] adj (1860): partially independent;
          specif: semiautonomous

   semilegendary
          [semi.leg.end.ary] adj (1878): having historical foundation
          but elaborated in legend

   semilethal
          [semi.le.thal] n (1919): a mutation that in the homozygous
          condition produces more than 50 percent mortality but
          not complete mortality -- semilethal adj

   semiliquid
          [semi.liq.uid] adj (1684): having the qualities of both a
          liquid and a solid: semifluid <~ manure> -- semiliquid
          n

   semiliterate
          [semi.lit.er.ate] adj (1927) 1 a: able to read and write
          on an elementary level b: able to read but unable to
          write 2: having limited knowledge or understanding: not
          well-versed -- semiliterate n

   semilog
          [semi.log] adj (1921): semilogarithmic

   semilogarithmic
          [semi.log.a.rith.mic] adj (1919): having one scale logarithmic
          and the other arithmetic--used of graph paper or of a
          graph on such paper

   semilunar
          [semi.lu.nar] adj [NL semilunaris, fr. L semi- + lunaris
          lunar] (1597): shaped like a crescent

   semilunar valve
          [semilunar valve] n (ca. 1719): any of the crescent-shaped
          cusps that occur as a set of three between the heart
          and the aorta and another of three between the heart
          and the pulmonary artery, are forced apart by pressure
          in the ventricles during systole and pushed together
          by pressure in the arteries during diastole, and prevent
          regurgitation of blood into the ventricles; also: either
          set of three cusps

   semilustrous
          [semi.lus.trous] adj (1953): slightly lustrous

   semimajor axis
          [semi.ma.jor axis] n (1899): one half of the major axis of
          an ellipse (as that formed by the orbit of a planet)

   semimatte
          [semi.matte] also semi.mat or semi.matt adj [semi- + [2]matte]
          (1937): having a slight luster

   semimetal
          [semi.met.al] n (1661): an element (as arsenic) possessing
          metallic properties in an inferior degree and not malleable
          -- semi.me.tal.lic adj

   semimicro
          [semi.mi.cro] adj (1935): of, relating to, or dealing with
          quantities intermediate between those treated as micro
          and macro <~ analysis for chlorine> <a ~ balance>

   semiminor axis
          [semi.mi.nor axis] n (1909): one half of the minor axis of
          an ellipse (as that formed by the orbit of a planet)

   semimoist
          [semi.moist] adj (1903): slightly moist

   semimonastic
          [semi.mo.nas.tic] adj (1911): having some features characteristic
          of a monastic order

   [1]semimonthly
          [semi.month.ly] n (1851): a semimonthly publication [2]semimonthly
          adj (1860): occurring twice a month [3]semimonthly adv (ca. 1890):
          twice a month

   semimystical
          [semi.mys.ti.cal] adj (1890): having some of the qualities
          of mysticism

   seminal
          [sem.i.nal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L seminalis, fr. semin-,
          semen seed--more at semen] (14c) 1: of, relating to,
          or consisting of seed or semen 2: containing or contributing
          the seeds of later development: creative, original <a
          ~ book> <one of the most ~ of the great poets> -- sem.i.nal.ly
          adv

   seminal duct
          [seminal duct] n (ca. 1909): a tube or passage serving esp.
          or exclusively as an efferent duct of the testis and
          in the human male being made up of the tubules of the
          epididymis, the vas deferens, and the ejaculatory duct

   seminal fluid
          [seminal fluid] n (ca. 1929) 1: semen 2: the part of the
          semen that is produced by various accessory glands: semen
          excepting the spermatozoa

   seminal vesicle
          [seminal vesicle] n (ca. 1890): either of a pair of glandular
          pouches that lie one on either side of the male reproductive
          tract and in the human male secrete a sugarand protein-containing
          fluid into the ejaculatory duct

   seminar
          [sem.i.nar] n [G, fr. L seminarium nursery] (1889) 1: a group
          of advanced students studying under a professor with
          each doing original research and all exchanging results
          through reports and discussions 2 a (1): a course of
          study pursued by a seminar (2): an advanced or graduate
          course often featuring informality and discussion b:
          a scheduled meeting of a seminar or a room for such meetings
          3: a meeting for giving and discussing information

   seminarian
          [sem.i.nar.i.an] n (1794): a student in a seminary esp. of
          the Roman Catholic Church

   seminarist
          [sem.i.na.rist] n (1835): seminarian

   seminary
          [sem.i.nary] n, pl -nar.ies [ME, seedbed, nursery, fr. L
          seminarium, fr. semin-, semen seed] (1542) 1: an environment
          in which something originates and from which it is propagated
          <a ~ of vice and crime> 2 a: an institution of secondary
          or higher education b: an institution for the training
          of candidates for the priesthood, ministry, or rabbinate

   seminatural
          [semi.nat.u.ral] adj (ca. 1962): modified by human influence
          but retaining many natural features <a ~ park>

   seminiferous
          [sem.i.nif.er.ous] adj [L semin-, semen seed + E -iferous]
          (1692): producing or bearing seed or semen

   seminiferous tubule
          [seminiferous tubule] n (1860): any of the coiled threadlike
          tubules that make up the bulk of the testis and are lined
          with a layer of epithelial cells from which the spermatozoa
          are produced

   Seminole
          [Sem.i.nole] n, pl Seminoles or Seminole [Creek simanoli
          fugitive, wild, alter. of simaloni, fr. AmerSp cimarron
          wild] (1771): a member of any of the groups of American
          Indians that emigrated to Florida from Georgia and Alabama
          in the 18th century and that are now located in southern
          Florida and Oklahoma

   seminomad
          [semi.no.mad] n (ca. 1934): a member of a people living usu.
          in portable or temporary dwellings and practicing seasonal
          migration but having a base camp at which some crops
          are cultivated -- semi.no.mad.ic adj

   seminude
          [semi.nude] adj (1849): partially nude -- semi.nu.di.ty n

   semiofficial
          [semi.of.fi.cial] adj (1806): having some official authority
          or standing -- semi.of.fi.cial.ly adv

   semiology
          [se.mi.ol.o.gy] n [Gk semeion sign] (ca. 1890): the study
          of signs; esp: semiotic -- se.mi.o.log.i.cal adj --
          se.mi.o.log.i.cal.ly adv -- se.mi.ol.o.gist n

   semiopaque
          [semi.opaque] adj (1691): nearly opaque

   semiosis
          [se.mi.o.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk semeiosis observation of signs,
          fr. semeioun to observe signs, fr. semeion] (ca. 1907):
          a process in which something functions as a sign to an
          organism

   semiotic
          [se.mi.ot.ic] or se.mi.ot.ics n, pl semiotics [Gk semeiotikos
          observant of signs, fr. semeiousthai to interpret signs,
          fr. semeion sign, fr. sema sign] (1880): a general philosophical
          theory of signs and symbols that deals esp. with their
          function in both artificially constructed and natural
          languages and comprises syntactics, semantics, and pragmatics
          -- semiotic adj -- se.mi.o.ti.cian n -- se.mi.ot.i.cist
          n

   semipalmated
          [semi.pal.mat.ed] adj (1785): having the toes joined only
          part way down with a web <a plover with ~ feet>

   semiparasitic
          [semi.par.a.sit.ic] adj (ca. 1880): of, relating to, or being
          a parasitic plant that contains some chlorophyll and
          is capable of photo-synthesis -- semi.par.a.site n

   semipermanent
          [semi.per.ma.nent] adj (ca. 1890): lasting or intended to
          last for a long time but not permanent

   semipermeable
          [semi.per.me.able] adj (1888): partially but not freely or
          wholly permeable; specif: permeable to some usu. small
          molecules but not to other usu. larger particles <a ~
          membrane> -- semi.per.me.abil.i.ty n

   semipolitical
          [semi.po.lit.i.cal] adj (1857): of, relating to, or involving
          some political features or activity

   semipopular
          [semi.pop.u.lar] adj (1860): somewhat popular

   semiporcelain
          [semi.por.ce.lain] n (1880): any of several ceramic wares
          resembling or imitative of porcelain; esp: a relatively
          high-fired and hard-glazed white earthenware widely used
          for tableware

   semipornographic
          [semi.por.no.graph.ic] adj (1964): somewhat pornographic
          -- semi.por.nog.ra.phy n

   semipostal
          [semi.post.al] n (1927): a postage stamp sold at a premium
          over its postal value esp. for a humanitarian purpose

   semiprecious
          [semi.pre.cious] adj (ca. 1890) of a gemstone: of less commercial
          value than a precious stone

   semiprivate
          [semi.pri.vate] adj (1876): of, receiving, or associated
          with hospital service giving a patient more privileges
          than a ward patient but fewer than a private patient

   semipro
          [semi.pro] adj or n (1908): semiprofessional

   [1]semiprofessional
          [semi.pro.fes.sion.al] n (1897): one who engages in an activity
          (as a sport) semiprofessionally [2]semiprofessional adj
          (1900) 1: engaging in an activity for pay or gain but
          not as a full-time occupation 2: engaged in by semiprofessional
          players <~ baseball> -- semi.pro.fes.sion.al.ly adv

   semipublic
          [semi.pub.lic] adj (1804) 1: open to some persons outside
          the regular constituency 2: having some features of a
          public institution; specif: maintained as a public service
          by a private nonprofit organization

   semiquantitative
          [semi.quan.ti.ta.tive] adj (1927): constituting or involving
          less than quantitative precision -- semi.quan.ti.ta.tive.ly
          adv

   semiquaver
          [semi.qua.ver] n (1576): sixteenth note

   semireligious
          [semi.re.li.gious] adj (1864): somewhat religious

   semiretired
          [semi.re.tired] adj (1937): working only part-time esp. because
          of age or ill health

   semiretirement
          [semi.re.tire.ment] n (1923): the state or condition of being
          semiretired

   semirigid
          [semi.rig.id] adj (1908) 1: rigid to some degree or in some
          parts 2 of an airship: having a flexible cylindrical
          gas container with an attached stiffening keel that carries
          the load

   semirural
          [semi.rur.al] adj (1835): somewhat rural

   semisacred
          [semi.sa.cred] adj (1898): semireligious

   semisecret
          [semi.se.cret] adj (1917): not publicly announced but widely
          known nevertheless

   semisedentary
          [semi.sed.en.tary] adj (ca. 1930): sedentary during part
          of the year and nomadic otherwise <~ tribes>

   semishrubby
          [semi.shrub.by] adj (1930): resembling or being a subshrub

   semiskilled
          [semi.skilled] adj (1916): having or requiring less training
          than skilled labor and more than unskilled labor

   semisoft
          [semi.soft] adj (ca. 1903): moderately soft; specif: firm
          but easily cut <~ cheese>

   semisolid
          [semi.sol.id] adj (1834): having the qualities of both a
          solid and a liquid: highly viscous -- semisolid n

   semisubmersible
          [semi.sub.mers.ible] adj (1962): being a floating deepwater
          drilling platform that is towed to a desired location
          and then partially flooded for stabilization and usu.
          anchored -- semisubmersible n

   semisweet
          [semi.sweet] adj (1943): slightly sweetened <~ chocolate>

   semisynthetic
          [semi.syn.thet.ic] adj (1937) 1: produced by chemical alteration
          of a natural starting material <~ penicillins> 2: containing
          both chemically identified and complex natural ingredients
          <a ~ diet>

   Semite
          [Sem.ite] n [F semite, fr. Sem Shem, fr. LL, fr. Gk Sem,
          fr. Heb Shem] (1848) 1 a: a member of any of a number
          of peoples of ancient southwestern Asia including the
          Akkadians, Phoenicians, Hebrews, and Arabs b: a descendant
          of these peoples 2: a member of a modern people speaking
          a Semitic language

   semiterrestrial
          [semi.ter.res.tri.al] adj (1919) 1: growing on boggy ground
          2: frequenting but not living wholly on land

   [1]Semitic
          [Se.mit.ic] adj [G semitisch, fr. Semit, Semite Semite, prob.
          fr. NL Semita, fr. LL Sem Shem] (1813) 1: of, relating
          to, or constituting a subfamily of the Afro-Asiatic language
          family that includes Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, and Amharic
          2: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Semites
          3: jewish [2]Semitic n (1875): any or all of the Semitic
          languages

   Semiticist
          [Se.mit.i.cist] n (1956): semitist

   Semitics
          [Se.mit.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1895): the study of
          the language, literature, and history of Semitic peoples;
          specif: Semitic philology

   Semitism
          [Sem.i.tism] n (1851) 1 a: Semitic character or qualities
          b: a characteristic feature of a Semitic language occurring
          in another language 2: policy favorable to Jews: predisposition
          in favor of Jews

   Semitist
          [Sem.i.tist] n (1885) 1: a scholar of the Semitic languages,
          cultures, or histories 2 often not cap: a person favoring
          or disposed to favor the Jews

   semitonal
          [semi.ton.al] adj (1863): chromatic 3a, semitonic -- semi.ton.al.ly
          adv

   semitone
          [semi.tone] n (15c): the tone at a half step; also: half
          step -- semi.ton.ic adj -- semi.ton.i.cal.ly adv

   semitrailer
          [semi.trail.er] n (1919) 1: a freight trailer that when attached
          is supported at its forward end by the fifth wheel device
          of the truck tractor 2: a trucking rig made up of a tractor
          and a semitrailer

   semitranslucent
          [semi.trans.lu.cent] adj (1832): somewhat translucent

   semitransparent
          [semi.trans.par.ent] adj (ca. 1793): imperfectly transparent

   semitropical
          [semi.trop.i.cal] also semi.trop.ic adj (1853): subtropical

   semitropics
          [semi.trop.ics] n pl (1908): subtropics

   semivowel
          [semi.vow.el] n (1530) 1: a speech sound (as /y/, /w/, or
          /r/) that has the articulation of a vowel but that is
          shorter in duration and is treated as a consonant in
          syllabication 2: a letter representing a semivowel

   [1]semiweekly
          [semi.week.ly] adj (1791): occurring twice a week -- semiweekly
          adv [2]semiweekly n (1833): a semiweekly publication

   semiworks
          [semi.works] n pl, often attrib (1926): a manufacturing plant
          operating on a limited commercial scale to provide final
          tests of a new product or process

   semiyearly
          [semi.year.ly] adj (ca. 1928): occurring twice a year

   semolina
          [sem.o.li.na] n [It semolino, dim. of semola bran, fr. L
          simila wheat flour] (1797): the purified middlings of
          hard wheat (as durum) used esp. for pasta (as macaroni
          or spaghetti)

   semper eadem
          [sem.per ea.dem] [L] foreign term : always the same (fem.)--motto
          of Queen Elizabeth I

   semper fidelis
          [sem.per fi.de.lis] [L] foreign term : always faithful--motto
          of the U.S. Marine Corps

   semper idem
          [sem.per idem] [L] foreign term : always the same (masc.)

   semper paratus
          [sem.per pa.ra.tus] [L] foreign term : always prepared--motto
          of the U.S. Coast Guard

   sempervivum
          [sem.per.vi.vum] n [NL, fr. L, neuter of sempervivus ever-living,
          fr. semper ever + vivus living--more at quick] (1591):
          any of a large genus (Sempervivum) of Old World fleshy
          herbs of the orpine family often grown as ornamentals

   sempiternal
          [sem.pi.ter.nal] adj [ME, fr. LL sempiternalis, fr. L sempiternus,
          fr. semper ever, always, fr. semone, same (akin to ON samr same)
          + per through--more at same, for] (15c): of never-ending duration:
          eternal -- sem.pi.ter.nal.ly adv

   sempiternity
          [sem.pi.ter.ni.ty] n (1599): eternity

   semple
          [sem.ple] adj [alter. of simple] (1759) Scot: of humble birth

   semplice
          [sem.pli.ce] adj or adv [It, fr. L simplic-, simplex--more
          at simple] (ca. 1740): simple--used as a direction in
          music

   sempre
          [sem.pre] adv [It, fr. L semper] (ca. 1801): always--used
          in music directions <~ legato>

   sempstress
          [semp.stress] var of seamstress

   [1]sen
          [sen] n, pl sen [Jp] (1875): a monetary unit of Japan equal
          to 1/100 yen [2]sen n, pl sen [Malay, prob. fr. E cent]
          (1952): a monetary unit equal to 1/100 dollar (Brunei),
          equal to 1/100 ringgit (Malaysia), or equal to 1/100
          rupiah (Indonesia) [3]sen n, pl sen [Khmer sein, prob.
          fr. F cent., abbr. of centime centime] (1964): a monetary
          unit of Cambodia equal to 1/100 riel

   sen
          [sen] abbreviation senate, senator, senior

   senarius
          [se.nar.i.us] n, pl se.nar.ii [L, fr. senarius consisting
          of six each, fr. seni six each, fr. sex six--more at
          six] (1540): a verse consisting of six feet esp. in Latin
          prosody

   senary
          [se.na.ry] adj [L senarius consisting of six] (1661): of,
          based on, or characterized by six: compounded of six
          things or six parts <~ scale> <~ division>

   senate
          [sen.ate] n [ME senat, fr. OF, fr. L senatus, fr. sen-, senex
          old, old man--more at senior] (13c) 1: an assembly or
          council usu. possessing high deliberative and legislative
          functions: as a: the supreme council of the ancient Roman
          republic and empire b: the second chamber in the bicameral
          legislature of a major political unit (as a nation, state,
          or province) 2: the hall or chamber in which a senate
          meets 3: a governing body of some universities charged
          with maintaining academic standards and regulations and
          usu. composed of the principal or representative members
          of the faculty

   senator
          [sen.a.tor] n [ME senatour, fr. OF senateur, fr. L senator,
          fr. senatus] (13c): a member of a senate -- sen.a.tor.ship
          n

   senatorial
          [sen.a.to.ri.al] adj (1740): of, relating to, or befitting
          a senator or a senate <~ office> <~ rank>

   senatorial courtesy
          [senatorial courtesy] n (1884): a custom of the U.S. Senate
          of refusing to confirm a presidential appointment of
          an official in or from a state when the appointment is
          opposed by the senators or senior senator of the president's
          party from that state

   senatorial district
          [senatorial district] n (1785): a territorial division from
          which a senator is elected--compare congressional district

   senatorian
          [sen.a.to.ri.an] adj (1614): senatorial; specif: of or relating
          to the ancient Roman senate

   senatus consultum
          [se.na.tus con.sul.tum] n, pl senatus con.sul.ta [L, decree
          of the senate] (1696): a decree of the ancient Roman
          senate

   [1]send
          [send] vb sent ; send.ing [ME, fr. OE sendan; akin to OHG
          sendan to send, OE sith road, journey, OIr set path,
          way] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to cause to go: as a: to propel
          or throw in a particular direction b: deliver <sent a
          blow to the chin> c: drive <sent the ball between the
          goalposts> 2: to cause to happen <whatever fate may ~>
          3: to dispatch by a means of communication 4 a: to direct,
          order, or request to go b: to permit or enable to attend
          a term or session <~ a daughter to college> c: to direct
          by advice or reference d: to cause or order to depart:
          dismiss 5 a: to force to go: drive away b: to cause to
          assume a specified state <sent them into a rage> 6: to
          cause to issue: as a: to pour out: discharge <clouds
          ~ing forth rain> b: utter <~ forth a cry> c: emit <sent
          out waves of perfume> d: to grow out (parts) in the course
          of development <a plant ~ing forth shoots> 7: to cause
          to be carried to a destination; esp: to consign to death
          or a place of punishment 8: to convey or cause to be
          conveyed or transmitted by an agent <~ a package by mail>
          <sent out invitations> 9: to strike or thrust so as to
          impel violently <sent him sprawling> 10: delight, thrill
          ~ vi 1 a: to dispatch someone to convey a message or
          do an errand--often used with out <~ out for pizza> b:
          to dispatch a request or order--often used with away
          2: scend 3: transmit -- send.er n -- send for : to request
          by message to come: summon -- send packing : to send
          off or dismiss roughly or in disgrace [2]send n (1726):
          the lift of a wave

   send down
          [send down] vt (1853) Brit: to suspend or expel from a university

   send in
          [send in] vt (1715) 1: to cause to be delivered <send in
          a letter of complaint> 2: to give (one's name or card)
          to a servant when making a call 3: to send (a player)
          into an athletic contest

   send-off
          [send-off] n (1872): a demonstration of goodwill and enthusiasm
          for the beginning of a new venture (as a trip)

   send up
          [send up] vt (1852) 1: to sentence to imprisonment: send
          to jail 2: to make fun of: satirize, parody

   send-up
          [send-up] n (1958): parody, takeoff

   sene
          [se.ne] n, pl sene [Samoan, fr. E cent] (1967): a monetary
          unit of Western Samoa equal to 1/100 tala

   Seneca
          [Sen.e.ca] n, pl Seneca or Senecas [D Sennecaas, pl., the
          Iroquois living west of the Mohawks] (ca. 1616) 1: a
          member of an American Indian people of what is now western
          New York 2: the Iroquoian language of the Seneca people

   seneca snakeroot
          [seneca snakeroot] n (1789): a milkwort (Polygala senega)
          of eastern No. America having racemes of small white
          flowers--called also rattlesnake root, senega root--compare
          senega

   senecio
          [se.ne.cio] n, pl -cios [NL, fr. L, old man, groundsel (fr.
          its hoary pappus), fr. sen-, senic-, senex old man] (ca.
          1890): any of a genus (Senecio) of widely distributed
          composite plants that have alternate or basal leaves
          and flower heads usu. with yellow ray flowers

   senectitude
          [se.nec.ti.tude] n [ML senectitudo, alter. of L senectus
          old age, fr. sen-, senic-, senex old, old man--more at
          senior] (1796): the final stage of the normal life span

   senega
          [sen.e.ga] n (1748): the dried root of seneca snakeroot that
          contains an irritating saponin and is used medicinally

   senega root
          [senega root] n [alter. of Seneca root; fr. its use by the
          Seneca as a remedy for snakebite] (ca. 1846) 1: seneca
          snakeroot 2: senega

   senescence
          [se.nes.cence] n [senescent, fr. L senescent-, senescens,
          prp. of senescere to grow old, fr. sen-, senex old] (1695)
          1: the state of being old: the process of becoming old
          2: the growth phase in a plant or plant part (as a leaf)
          from full maturity to death -- se.nes.cent adj

   seneschal
          [sen.e.schal] n [ME, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to Goth
          sineigs old and to OHG scalc servant--more at senior]
          (14c): an agent or steward in charge of a lord's estate
          in feudal times

   senhor
          [se.nhor] n, pl senhors or se.nho.res [Pg, fr. ML senior
          superior, lord, fr. L, adj., elder] (1795): a Portuguese
          or Brazilian man--used as a title equivalent to Mr.

   senhora
          [se.nho.ra] n [Pg, fem. of senhor] (1802): a married Portuguese
          or Brazilian woman--used as a title equivalent to Mrs.

   senhorita
          [se.nho.ri.ta] n [Pg, fr. dim. of senhora] (1874): an unmarried
          Portuguese or Brazilian girl or woman--used as a title
          equivalent to Miss

   senile
          [se.nile] adj [L senilis, fr. sen-, senex old, old man] (1661)
          1: of, relating to, exhibiting, or characteristic of
          old age <~ weakness>; esp: exhibiting a loss of mental
          faculties associated with old age 2: approaching the
          end of a geological cycle of erosion -- se.nile.ly adv

   senile dementia
          [senile dementia] n (ca. 1851): a mental disorder of old
          age esp. of the degenerative type associated with Alzheimer's
          disease

   senility
          [se.nil.i.ty] n (1791): the quality or state of being senile;
          specif: the physical and mental infirmity of old age

   [1]senior
          [se.nior] n [ME, fr. L, fr. senior, adj.] (14c) 1: a person
          older than another <five years my ~> 2 a: a person with
          higher standing or rank b: a senior fellow of a college
          at an English university c: a student in the year preceding
          graduation from a school of secondary or higher level
          3 cap: a member of a program of the Girl Scouts for girls
          in the ninth through twelfth grades in school 4: senior
          citizen [2]senior adj [ME, fr. L, older, elder, compar.
          of sen-, senex old; akin to Goth sineigs old, Gk henos]
          (14c) 1: of prior birth, establishment, or enrollment--often
          used to distinguish a father with the same given name
          as his son 2: higher ranking: superior <~ officers> 3:
          of or relating to seniors <the ~ class> 4: having a claim
          on corporate assets and income prior to other securities

   senior airman
          [senior airman] n (ca. 1977): an enlisted man in the air
          force who ranks above an airman first class but who has
          not been made sergeant

   senior chief petty officer
          [senior chief petty officer] n (ca. 1960): an enlisted man
          in the navy or coast guard ranking above a chief petty
          officer and below a master chief petty officer

   senior citizen
          [senior citizen] n (1938): an elderly person; esp: one who
          has retired

   senior high school
          [senior high school] n (1909): a school usu. including grades
          10 to 12

   seniority
          [se.nior.i.ty] n (15c) 1: the quality or state of being senior:
          priority 2: a privileged status attained by length of
          continuous service (as in a company)

   senior master sergeant
          [senior master sergeant] n (ca. 1962): a noncommissioned
          officer in the air force ranking above a master sergeant
          and below a chief master sergeant

   seniti
          [sen.i.ti] n, pl seniti [Tongan, modif. of E cent] (1967):
          a monetary unit of Tonga equal to 1/100 pa'anga

   senna
          [sen.na] n [NL, fr. Ar sana] (1543) 1: any of a genus (Cassia)
          of leguminous herbs, shrubs, and trees native to warm
          regions; esp: one used medicinally 2: the dried leaflets
          or pods of various sennas (esp. Cassia acutifolia and
          C. angustifolia) used as a purgative

   sennet
          [sen.net] n [prob. alter. of obs. signet signal] (ca. 1590):
          a signal call on a trumpet or cornet for entrance or
          exit on the stage

   sennight
          [sen.night] also se'n.night n [ME, fr. OE seofon nihta seven
          nights] (15c) archaic: the space of seven nights and
          days: week

   sennit
          [sen.nit] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1769) 1: a braided cord
          or fabric (as of plaited rope yarns) 2: a straw or grass
          braid for hats

   se non e vero, e ben trovato
          [se non e ve.ro, e ben tro.va.to] [It] foreign term : even
          if it is not true, it is well conceived

   senor
          [se.nor] n, pl senors [Sp senor, fr. ML senior superior,
          lord, fr. L, adj., elder] (1622): a Spanish or Spanish-speaking
          man--used as a title equivalent to Mr.

   senora
          [se.no.ra] n [Sp senora, fem. of senor] (1579): a married
          Spanish or Spanish-speaking woman--used as a title equivalent
          to Mrs.

   senorita
          [se.no.ri.ta] n [Sp senorita, fr. dim. of senora] (1823):
          an unmarried Spanish or Spanish-speaking girl or woman--used
          as a title equivalent to Miss

   senryu
          [sen.ryu] n, pl senryu [Jp] (1938): a 3-line unrhymed Japanese
          poem structurally similar to haiku but treating human
          nature usu. in an ironic or satiric vein

   sensa
          [sensa] pl of sensum

   sensate
          [sen.sate] adj [ME sensat, fr. ML sensatus, fr. LL, endowed
          with sense, fr. L sensus sense] (15c) 1: relating to
          or apprehending or apprehended through the senses 2:
          preoccupied with things that can be experienced through
          a sense modality -- sen.sate.ly adv

   sensation
          [sen.sa.tion] n [ML sensation-, sensatio, fr. LL, understanding,
          idea, fr. L sensus] (1615) 1 a: a mental process (as
          seeing, hearing, or smelling) due to immediate bodily
          stimulation often as distinguished from awareness of
          the process--compare perception b: awareness (as of heat
          or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ c: a state
          of consciousness of a kind usu. due to physical objects
          or internal bodily changes <a burning ~ in his chest>
          d: an indefinite bodily feeling <a ~ of buoyancy> 2:
          something (as a physical object, sense-datum, pain, or
          afterimage) that causes or is the object of sensation
          3 a: a state of excited interest or feeling <their elopement
          caused a ~> b: a cause of such excitement <the show was
          the musical ~ of the season>; esp: one (as a person)
          in some respect exceptional or outstanding <the rookie
          hitting ~ of the American League>

   sensational
          [sen.sa.tion.al] adj (1840) 1: of or relating to sensation
          or the senses 2: arousing or tending to arouse (as by
          lurid details) a quick, intense, and usu. superficial
          interest, curiosity, or emotional reaction 3: exceedingly
          or unexpectedly excellent or great -- sen.sa.tion.al.ly
          adv

   sensationalise
          [sen.sa.tion.al.ise] Brit var of sensationalize

   sensationalism
          [sen.sa.tion.al.ism] n (1846) 1: empiricism that limits experience
          as a source of knowledge to sensation or sense perceptions 2: the
          use or effect of sensational subject matter or treatment
          -- sen.sa.tion.al.ist adj or n -- sen.sa.tion.al.is.tic adj

   sensationalize
          [sen.sa.tion.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1869): to present
          in a sensational manner

   [1]sense
          [sense] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF sens sensation, feeling, mechanism
          of perception, meaning, fr. L sensus, fr. sentire to
          perceive, feel; perh. akin to OHG sinnan to go, strive,
          OE sith journey--more at send] (14c) 1: a meaning conveyed
          or intended: import, signification; esp: one of a set
          of meanings a word or phrase may bear esp. as segregated
          in a dictionary entry 2 a: the faculty of perceiving
          by means of sense organs b: a specialized animal function
          or mechanism (as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch)
          basically involving a stimulus and a sense organ c: the
          sensory mechanisms constituting a unit distinct from
          other functions (as movement or thought) 3: conscious
          awareness or rationality--usu. used in pl. <finally came
          to his ~s> 4 a: a particular sensation or kind or quality
          of sensation <a good ~ of balance> b: a definite but
          often vague awareness or impression <felt a ~ of insecurity>
          <a ~ of danger> c: a motivating awareness <a ~ of shame>
          d: a discerning awareness and appreciation <her ~ of
          humor> 5: consensus <the ~ of the meeting> 6 a: capacity
          for effective application of the powers of the mind as
          a basis for action or response: intelligence b: sound
          mental capacity and understanding typically marked by
          shrewdness and practicality; also: agreement with or
          satisfaction of such power <this decision makes ~> 7:
          one of two opposite directions esp. of motion (as of
          a point, line, or surface) syn sense, common sense, judgment,
          wisdom mean ability to reach intelligent conclusions.
          sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide
          with soundness, prudence, and intelligence <a choice
          showing good sense>. common sense suggests an average
          degree of such ability without sophistication or special
          knowledge <common sense tells me it's wrong>. judgment
          implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training,
          and maturity <they relied on her judgment for guidance>.
          wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average <a
          leader of rare wisdom>. [2]sense vt sensed ; sens.ing
          (ca. 1531) 1 a: to perceive by the senses b: to be or
          become conscious of <~ danger> 2: grasp, comprehend 3:
          to detect automatically esp. in response to a physical
          stimulus (as light or movement)

   sense-datum
          [sense-datum] n, pl sense-data (1882): an immediate unanalyzable
          private object of sensation

   senseful
          [sense.ful] adj (1591): reasonable, judicious

   senseless
          [sense.less] adj (1557): destitute of, deficient in, or contrary
          to sense: as a: unconscious <knocked ~> b: foolish, stupid
          <it was some ~ practical joke --A. Conan Doyle> c: meaningless,
          purposeless <a ~ murder> -- sense.less.ly adv -- sense.less.ness
          n

   sense organ
          [sense organ] n (1854): a bodily structure that receives
          a stimulus (as heat or sound waves) and is affected in
          such a manner as to initiate a wave of excitation in
          associated sensory nerve fibers which convey specific
          impulses to the central nervous system where they are
          interpreted as corresponding sensations: receptor

   sensibilia
          [sen.si.bil.ia] n pl [LL, fr. neut. pl. of L sensibilis sensible]
          (1856): what may be sensed

   sensibility
          [sen.si.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: ability to receive
          sensations: sensitiveness <tactile ~> 2: peculiar susceptibility
          to a pleasurable or painful impression (as from praise
          or a slight)--often used in pl. 3: awareness of and responsiveness
          toward something (as emotion in another) 4: refined or excessive
          sensitiveness in emotion and taste with especial responsiveness
          to the pathetic

   [1]sensible
          [sen.si.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L sensibilis, fr. sensus,
          pp. of sentire to feel] (14c) 1: of a kind to be felt
          or perceived: as a: perceptible to the senses or to reason
          or understanding <felt a ~ chill> <her distress was ~
          from her manner> b archaic: perceptibly large: considerable
          c (1): perceptible as real or material: substantial <the
          ~ world in which we live> (2): of a kind to arouse emotional
          response <his whipping was a ~ expression of his father's
          anger> 2 a: capable of receiving sensory impressions
          <~ to pain> b: receptive to ex ternal influences: sensitive
          <the most ~ reaches of the spirit> 3 a: perceiving through
          the senses or mind: cognizant <~ of the increasing heat>;
          also: convinced by perceived evidence: satisfied <~ of
          my error> b: emotionally aware and responsive <we are
          ~ of your problems> c: conscious 4: having, containing,
          or indicative of good sense or reason: rational, reasonable
          <~ people> <made a ~ answer> syn see material, perceptible,
          aware, wise -- sen.si.ble.ness n -- sen.si.bly adv [2]sensible
          n (1589): something that can be sensed

   sensillum
          [sen.sil.lum] also sen.sil.la n, pl -sil.la also -sil.lae
          [NL sensillum, dim. of ML sensus sense organ, fr. L,
          sense] (1925): a simple epithelial sense organ of an
          invertebrate (as an insect) usu. in the form of a spine,
          plate, rod, cone, or peg that is composed of one or a
          few cells with a nerve connection

   sensitisation, sensitise
          [sen.si.ti.sa.tion, sen.si.tise] Brit var of sensitization,
          sensitize

   [1]sensitive
          [sen.si.tive] adj [ME, fr. MF sensitif, fr. ML sensitivus,
          prob. alter. of sensativus, fr. sensatus sensate] (15c)
          1: sensory 2 2 a: receptive to sense impressions b: capable
          of being stimulated or excited by external agents (as
          light, gravity, or contact) <a photographic emulsion
          ~ to red light> <~ protoplasm> 3: highly responsive or
          susceptible: as a (1): easily hurt or damaged; esp: easily
          hurt emotionally (2): delicately aware of the attitudes
          and feelings of others b: excessively or abnormally susceptible:
          hypersensitive <~ to egg protein> c: readily fluctuating
          in price or demand <~ commodities> d: capable of indicating
          minute differences: delicate <~ scales> e: readily affected
          or changed by various agents (as light or mechanical
          shock) f: highly radiosensitive 4 a: concerned with highly
          classified government information or involving discretionary
          authority over important policy matters <~ documents>
          b: calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment: touchy
          <a ~ issue like race relations> syn see liable -- sen.si.tive.ly
          adv -- sen.si.tive.ness n [2]sensitive n (1850) 1: a
          person having occult or psychical abilities 2: a sensitive
          person

   sensitive plant
          [sensitive plant] n (1659): any of several mimosas (esp.
          Mimosa pudica) with leaves that fold or droop when touched;
          broadly: a plant responding to touch with movement

   sensitivity
          [sen.si.tiv.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1803): the quality or state
          of being sensitive: as a: the capacity of an organism
          or sense organ to respond to stimulation: irritability
          b: the quality or state of being hypersensitive c: the
          degree to which a radio receiving set responds to incoming
          waves d: the capacity of being easily hurt e: awareness
          of the needs and emotions of others <a book written with
          just the right mix of empathy and ~ --L.C. Brown>

   sensitization
          [sen.si.ti.za.tion] n (1887) 1: the action or process of
          sensitizing 2: the quality or state of being sensitized
          (as to an antigen)

   sensitize
          [sen.si.tize] vb -tized ; -tiz.ing [sensitive + -ize] vt
          (ca. 1859): to make sensitive or hypersensitive ~ vi:
          to become sensitive -- sen.si.tiz.er n

   sensitometer
          [sen.si.tom.e.ter] n [ISV sensitive + -o- + -meter] (1880):
          an instrument for measuring sensitivity of photographic
          material -- sen.si.to.met.ric adj -- sen.si.tom.e.try
          n

   sensor
          [sen.sor] n [L sentire to perceive + E [1]-or--more at sense]
          (ca. 1928): a device that responds to a physical stimulus
          (as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, or a particular
          motion) and transmits a resulting impulse (as for measurement
          or operating a control); also: sense organ

   sensorial
          [sen.so.ri.al] adj (1768): sensory -- sen.so.ri.al.ly adv

   sensorimotor
          [sen.so.ri.mo.tor] adj [sensory + motor] (1855): of, relating
          to, or functioning in both sensory and motor aspects
          of bodily activity

   sensorineural
          [sen.so.ri.neu.ral] adj (ca. 1977): of, relating to, or involving
          the aspects of sense perception mediated by nerves <~
          hearing loss>

   sensorium
          [sen.so.ri.um] n, pl -ri.ums or -ria [LL, sense organ, fr.
          L sentire] (1647): the parts of the brain or the mind
          concerned with the reception and interpretation of sensory
          stimuli; broadly: the entire sensory apparatus

   sensory
          [sen.so.ry] adj (1749) 1: of or relating to sensation or
          to the senses 2: conveying nerve impulses from the sense
          organs to the nerve centers: afferent

   sensory area
          [sensory area] n (1896): an area of the cerebral cortex that
          receives afferent nerve fibers from lower sensory or
          motor areas

   sensual
          [sen.su.al] adj [ME, fr. LL sensualis, fr. L sensus sense]
          (15c) 1: relating to or consisting in the gratification
          of the senses or the indulgence of appetite: fleshly
          2: sensory 3 a: devoted to or preoccupied with the senses
          or appetites b: voluptuous c: deficient in moral, spiritual,
          or intellectual interests: worldly; esp: irreligious
          syn see carnal, sensuous -- sen.su.al.i.ty n -- sen.su.al.ly
          adv

   sensualism
          [sen.su.al.ism] n (1813): persistent or excessive pursuit
          of sensual pleasures and interests -- sen.su.al.ist n
          -- sen.su.al.is.tic adj

   sensualize
          [sen.su.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1687): to make sensual
          -- sen.su.al.i.za.tion n

   sensum
          [sen.sum] n, pl sen.sa [ML, fr. L, neut. of sensus, pp. of
          sentire to feel--more at sense] (1868): sense-datum

   sensuous
          [sen.su.ous] adj [L sensus sense + E -ous] (1640) 1 a: of
          or relating to the senses or sensible objects b: producing
          or characterized by gratification of the senses: having
          strong sensory appeal <~ pleasure> 2: characterized by
          sense impressions or imagery aimed at the senses <~ verse>
          3: highly susceptible to influence through the senses
          -- sen.su.os.i.ty n -- sen.su.ous.ly adv -- sen.su.ous.ness
          n syn sensuous, sensual, luxurious, voluptuous mean relating
          to or providing pleasure through gratification of the
          senses. sensuous implies gratification of the senses
          for the sake of aesthetic pleasure <the sensuous delights
          of great music>. sensual tends to imply the gratification
          of the senses or the indulgence of the physical appetites
          as ends in themselves <a life devoted to sensual pleasures>.
          luxurious suggests the providing of or indulgence of
          sensuous pleasure inducing bodily ease and languor <a
          luxurious hotel>. voluptuous implies more strongly an
          abandonment esp. to sensual pleasure <a voluptuous feast>.

   sensu stricto
          [sen.su stric.to] adv [NL] (1902): in a narrow or strict
          sense

   sent
          [sent] past and past part of send

   sente
          [sen.te] n, pl li.cen.te or li.sen.te [Sesotho, fr. E cent]
          (1966)--see loti at money table

   [1]sentence
          [sen.tence] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L sententia feeling, opinion,
          fr. (assumed) sentent-, sentens, irreg. prp. of sentire
          to feel--more at sense] (14c) 1 obs: opinion; esp: a
          conclusion given on request or reached after deliberation
          2 a: judgment 2a; specif: one formally pronounced by
          a court or judge in a criminal proceeding and specifying
          the punishment to be inflicted upon the convict b: the
          punishment so imposed <serve out a ~> 3 archaic: maxim,
          saw 4 a: a word, clause, or phrase or a group of clauses
          or phrases forming a syntactic unit which expresses an
          assertion, a question, a command, a wish, an exclamation,
          or the performance of an action, that in writing usu.
          begins with a capital letter and concludes with appropriate
          end punctuation, and that in speaking is distinguished
          by characteristic patterns of stress, pitch, and pauses
          b: a mathematical or logical statement (as an equation
          or a proposition) in words or symbols 5: period 2b [2]sentence
          vt sen.tenced ; sen.tenc.ing (1592) 1: to impose a sentence
          on 2: to cause to suffer something <sentenced these most
          primitive cultures to extinction --E. W. Count>

   sentence fragment
          [sentence fragment] n (1947): a word, phrase, or clause that
          usu. has in speech the intonation of a sentence but lacks
          the grammatical structure usu. found in the sentences
          of formal and esp. written composition

   sentence stress
          [sentence stress] n (1884): the manner in which stresses
          are distributed on the syllables of words assembled into
          sentences--called also sentence accent

   sententia
          [sen.ten.tia] n, pl -ti.ae [L, lit., feeling, opinion] (1917):
          aphorism--usu. used in pl.

   sentential
          [sen.ten.tial] adj (1646) 1: of or relating to a sentence
          <a relative clause with a ~ antecedent> 2: of, relating
          to, or involving a proposition in logic <~ connective>

   sentential calculus
          [sentential calculus] n (1937): propositional calculus

   sentential function
          [sentential function] n (1937): an expression that contains
          one or more variables and becomes a declarative sentence
          when constants are substituted for the variables

   sententious
          [sen.ten.tious] adj [ME, full of meaning, fr. L sententiosus,
          fr. sententia sentence, maxim] (1509) 1 a: given to or
          abounding in aphoristic expression b: given to or abounding
          in excessive moralizing 2: terse, aphoristic, or moralistic
          in expression: pithy, epigrammatic -- sen.ten.tious.ly
          adv -- sen.ten.tious.ness n

   sentience
          [sen.tience] n (1839) 1: a sentient quality or state 2: feeling
          or sensation as distinguished from perception and thought

   sentient
          [sen.tient] adj [L sentient-, sentiens, prp. of sentire to
          perceive, feel] (1632) 1: responsive to or conscious
          of sense impressions 2: aware 3: finely sensitive in
          perception or feeling -- sen.tient.ly adv

   sentiment
          [sen.ti.ment] n [F or ML; F, fr. ML sentimentum, fr. L sentire]
          (1639) 1 a: an attitude, thought, or judgment prompted
          by feeling: predilection b: a specific view or notion:
          opinion 2 a: emotion b: refined feeling: delicate sensibility
          esp. as expressed in a work of art c: emotional idealism
          d: a romantic or nostalgic feeling verging on sentimentality
          3 a: an idea colored by emotion b: the emotional significance
          of a passage or expression as distinguished from its
          verbal context syn see feeling, opinion

   sentimental
          [sen.ti.men.tal] adj (1749) 1 a: marked or governed by feeling,
          sensibility, or emotional idealism b: resulting from
          feeling rather than reason or thought 2: having an excess
          of sentiment or sensibility -- sen.ti.men.tal.ly adv

   sentimentalise
          [sen.ti.men.tal.ise] Brit var of sentimentalize

   sentimentalism
          [sen.ti.men.tal.ism] n (1817) 1: the disposition to favor
          or indulge in sentimentality 2: an excessively sentimental
          conception or statement -- sen.ti.men.tal.ist n

   sentimentality
          [sen.ti.men.tal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1770) 1: the quality or
          state of being sentimental esp. to excess or in affectation
          2: a sentimental idea or its expression

   sentimentalize
          [sen.ti.men.tal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1788): to indulge
          in sentiment ~ vt: to look upon or imbue with sentiment
          -- sen.ti.men.tal.i.za.tion n

   sentimo
          [sen.ti.mo] n, pl -mos [Tag, fr. Sp centimo] (1968): a monetary
          unit of the Philippines equal to 1/100 peso

   [1]sentinel
          [sen.ti.nel] n [MF sentinelle, fr. OIt sentinella, fr. sentina
          vigilance, fr. sentire to perceive, fr. L] (1579): sentry
          [2]sentinel vt -neled or -nelled ; -nel.ing or -nel.ling
          (1593) 1: to watch over as a sentinel 2: to furnish with
          a sentinel 3: to post as sentinel

   sentry
          [sen.try] n, pl sentries [perh. fr. obs. sentry sanctuary,
          watchtower] (1632): guard, watch; esp: a soldier standing
          guard at a point of passage (as a gate)

   sentry box
          [sentry box] n (ca. 1728): a shelter for a sentry on his
          post

   sep
          [sep] abbreviation separate, separated  Sep abbreviation
          September  SEP abbreviation simplified employee pension

   sepal
          [se.pal] n [NL sepalum, fr. sep- (irreg. fr. Gk skepe covering)
          + -alum (as in petalum petal)] (1821): one of the modified
          leaves comprising a calyx--see flower illustration

   sepaloid
          [se.pal.oid] adj (1830): resembling or functioning as a sepal

   separable
          [sep.a.ra.ble] adj [ME, fr. L separabilis, fr. separare]
          (14c) 1: capable of being separated or dissociated 2
          obs: causing separation -- sep.a.ra.bil.i.ty n -- sep.a.ra.ble.ness
          n

   [1]separate
          [sep.a.rate] vb -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [ME, fr. L separatus,
          pp. of separare, fr. se- apart + parare to prepare, procure--more
          at secede, pare] vt (15c) 1 a: to set or keep apart:
          disconnect, sever b: to make a distinction between: discriminate,
          distinguish <~ religion from magic> c: sort <~ mail>
          d: to disperse in space or time: scatter <widely separated
          homesteads> 2 archaic: to set aside for a special purpose:
          choose, dedicate 3: to part by a legal separation: a:
          to sever conjugal ties with b: to sever contractual relations
          with: discharge <separated from the army> 4: to block
          off: segregate 5 a: to isolate from a mixture: extract
          <~ cream from milk> b: to divide into constituent parts
          6: to dislocate (as a shoulder) esp. in sports ~ vi 1:
          to become divided or detached 2 a: to sever an association:
          withdraw b: to cease to live together as a married couple
          3: to go in different directions 4: to become isolated
          from a mixture syn separate, part, divide, sever, sunder,
          divorce mean to become or cause to become disunited or
          disjointed. separate may imply any of several causes
          such as dispersion, removal of one from others, or presence
          of an intervening thing <separated her personal life
          from her career>. part implies the separating of things
          or persons in close union or association <vowed never
          to part>. divide implies separating into pieces or sections
          by cutting or breaking <civil war divided the nation>.
          sever implies violence esp. in the removal of a part
          or member <a severed limb>. sunder suggests violent rending
          or wrenching apart <a city sundered by racial conflict>.
          divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact
          and belong together <cannot divorce scientific research
          from moral responsibility>. [2]sep.a.rate adj (15c) 1
          a: set or kept apart: detached b archaic: solitary, secluded
          c: immaterial, disembodied 2 a: not shared with another:
          individual <~ rooms> b often cap: estranged from a parent
          body <~ churches> 3 a: existing by itself: autonomous
          b: dissimilar in nature or identity syn see distinct
          -- sep.a.rate.ly adv -- sep.a.rate.ness n [3]sep.a.rate
          n (1886) 1: offprint 2: an article of dress designed
          to be worn interchangeably with others to form various
          costume combinations--usu. used in pl.

   separation
          [sep.a.ra.tion] n (14c) 1: the act or process of separating:
          the state of being separated 2 a: a point, line, or means
          of division b: an intervening space: gap 3 a: cessation
          of cohabitation between a married couple by mutual agreement
          or judicial decree b: termination of a contractual relationship
          (as employment or military service)

   separationist
          [sep.a.ra.tion.ist] n (1831): separatist

   separatism
          [sep.a.rat.ism] n (1628): a belief in, movement for, or state
          of separation (as schism, secession, or segregation)

   separatist
          [sep.a.rat.ist] n (1608): one that favors separatism: as
          a cap: one of a group of 16th and 17th century English
          Protestants preferring to separate from rather than to
          reform the Church of England b: an advocate of independence
          or autonomy for a part of a political unit (as a nation)
          c: an advocate of racial or cultural separation -- separatist
          adj -- sep.a.ra.tis.tic adj

   separative
          [sep.a.ra.tive] adj (1592): tending toward, causing, or expressing
          separation

   separator
          [sep.a.ra.tor] n (1607): one that separates; esp: a device
          for separating liquids of different specific gravities
          (as cream from milk) or liquids from solids

   sepd
          [sepd] abbreviation separated

   sepg
          [sepg] abbreviation separating

   Sephardi
          [Se.phar.di] n, pl Se.phar.dim [LHeb sepharadhi, fr. sepharadh
          Spain, fr. Heb, region where Jews were once exiled (Obad
          1:20)] (1851): a member of the occidental branch of European
          Jews settling in Spain and Portugal and later in the
          Balkans, the Levant, England, the Netherlands, and the
          Americas; also: one of their descendants--compare ashkenazi
          -- Se.phar.dic adj

   [1]sepia
          [se.pia] n [L, cuttlefish, ink, fr. Gk sepia] (1821) 1 a:
          the inky secretion of a cuttlefish b: a brown melanin-containing
          pigment from the ink of cuttlefishes 2: a print or photograph
          of a brown color resembling sepia 3: a brownish gray
          to dark olive brown color [2]sepia adj (1827) 1: made
          of or done in sepia 2: of the color sepia

   sepiolite
          [se.pi.o.lite] n [G Sepiolith, fr. Gk sepion cuttlebone (fr.
          sepia) + G -lith -lite] (1854): meerschaum 1

   sepn
          [sepn] abbreviation separation

   sepoy
          [se.poy] n [Pg sipai, fr. Hindi sipahi, fr. Per, cavalryman]
          (ca. 1718): a native of India employed as a soldier by
          a European power

   seppuku
          [sep.pu.ku] n [Jp] (1871): hara-kiri 1

   sepsis
          [sep.sis] n, pl sep.ses [NL, fr. Gk sepsis decay, fr. sepein
          to putrefy] (1876): a toxic condition resulting from
          the spread of bacteria or their products from a focus
          of infection; esp: septicemia

   Sept
          [Sept] abbreviation September

   sept
          [sept] n [perh. fr. L septum, saeptum enclosure, fold--more
          at septum] (1517): a branch of a family; esp: clan

   septal
          [sep.tal] adj (ca. 1847): of or relating to a septum

   septate
          [sep.tate] adj (1846): divided by or having a septum

   September
          [Sep.tem.ber] n [ME Septembre, fr. OF & OE, both fr. L September
          (seventh month), fr. septem seven--more at seven] (bef.
          12c): the 9th month of the Gregorian calendar

   septenarius
          [sep.te.nar.i.us] n, pl -nar.ii [L, fr. septenarius of seven,
          fr. septeni seven each, fr. septem seven] (1819): a verse
          consisting of seven feet esp. in Latin prosody

   septendecillion
          [sep.ten.de.cil.lion] n, often attrib [L septendecim seventeen
          (fr. septem seven + decem ten) + E -illion (as in million)--more
          at ten] (ca. 1938): the figure 1 followed by 58 zeroes:
          the figure 1000 followed by 17 groups of three zeroes;
          also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by 102 zeroes: one
          million to the 17th power

   septennial
          [sep.ten.ni.al] adj [LL septennium period of seven years,
          fr. L septem + -ennium (as in biennium)] (1640) 1: occurring
          or being done every seven years 2: consisting of or lasting
          for seven years -- sep.ten.ni.al.ly adv

   septentrion
          [sep.ten.tri.on] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L septentriones, pl.,
          the seven stars of Ursa Major or Ursa Minor, fr. septem
          seven + triones plowing oxen] (14c) obs: the northern
          regions: north

   septentrional
          [sep.ten.tri.o.nal] adj (14c): northern

   septet
          [sep.tet] n [G, fr. L septem] (1828) 1: a musical composition
          for seven instruments or voices 2: a group or set of
          seven; esp: the performers of a septet

   septic
          [sep.tic] adj [L septicus, fr. Gk septikos, fr. sepein to
          putrefy] (1605) 1: of, relating to, or causing putrefaction
          2: relating to, involving, or characteristic of sepsis

   septicemia
          [sep.ti.ce.mia] n [NL, fr. L septicus + NL -emia] (ca. 1860):
          invasion of the bloodstream by virulent microorganisms
          from a local seat of infection accompanied esp. by chills,
          fever, and prostration--called also blood poisoning--compare
          sepsis -- sep.ti.ce.mic adj

   septicidal
          [sep.ti.ci.dal] adj [NL septum + L -cidere to cut, fr. caedere]
          (1819): dehiscent longitudinally at or along a septum
          <a ~ fruit>

   septic sore throat
          [septic sore throat] n (1924): strep throat

   septic tank
          [septic tank] n (ca. 1902): a tank in which the solid matter
          of continuously flowing sewage is disintegrated by bacteria

   septillion
          [sep.til.lion] n, often attrib [F, fr. L septem + F -illion
          (as in million)--more at seven] (1690): the figure 1
          followed by 24 zeroes: the figure 1000 followed by seven
          groups of three zeroes; also, Brit: the figure 1 followed
          by 42 zeroes: one million to the seventh power

   septuagenarian
          [sep.tu.a.ge.nar.i.an] n [LL septuagenarius seventy years
          old, fr. L, of or containing seventy, fr. septuageni
          seventy each, fr. septuaginta] (1805): a person whose
          age is in the seventies -- septuagenarian adj

   Septuagesima
          [Sep.tu.a.ge.si.ma] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. L, fem. of septuagesimus
          seventieth, fr. septuaginta seventy; fr. its being approximately
          seventy days before Easter] (14c): the third Sunday before
          Lent

   Septuagint
          [Sep.tu.a.gint] n [LL Septuaginta, fr. L, seventy, irreg.
          fr. septem seven + -ginta (akin to L viginti twenty);
          fr. the approximate number of its translators--more at
          seven, vigesimal] (1633): a Greek version of the Jewish
          Scriptures redacted in the 3d and 2d centuries b.c. by
          Jewish scholars and adopted by Greek-speaking Christians
          -- Sep.tu.a.gin.tal adj

   septum
          [sep.tum] n, pl sep.ta [NL, fr. L saeptum enclosure, fence,
          wall, fr. saepire to fence in, fr. saepes fence, hedge]
          (1698): a dividing w all or membrane esp. between bodily
          spaces or masses of soft tissue--compare dissepiment

   sepulchral
          [se.pul.chral] adj (1615): suited to or suggestive of a sepulchre:
          funereal, mortuary -- se.pul.chral.ly adv

   [1]sepulchre
          [sep.ul.chre] or sep.ul.cher n [ME sepulcre, fr. OF, fr.
          L sepulcrum, sepulchrum, fr. sepelire to bury; akin to
          Gk hepein to care for, Skt saparyati he honors] (13c)
          1: a place of burial: tomb 2: a receptacle for religious
          relics esp. in an altar [2]sepulchre or sepulcher vt
          -chred or -chered ; -chring or -chering (1591) 1 archaic:
          to place in or as if in a sepulchre: bury 2 archaic:
          to serve as a sepulchre for

   sepulture
          [sep.ul.ture] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L sepultura, fr. sepultus,
          pp. of sepelire] (14c) 1: burial 2: sepulchre

   seq
          [seq] [L sequens, sequentes, sequentia] abbreviation the
          following

   seqq
          [seqq] [L sequentia] abbreviation the following ones

   sequacious
          [se.qua.cious] adj [L sequac-, sequax inclined to follow,
          fr. sequi] (1643) 1 archaic: subservient, tractable 2:
          intellectually servile -- se.qua.cious.ly adv -- se.quac.i.ty
          n

   sequel
          [se.quel] n [ME, fr. MF sequelle, fr. L sequela, fr. sequi
          to follow--more at sue] (15c) 1: consequence, result
          2 a: subsequent development b: the next installment (as
          of a speech or story); esp: a literary or cinematic work
          continuing the course of a story begun in a preceding
          one

   sequela
          [se.quela] n, pl se.quel.ae [NL, fr. L, sequel] (ca. 1793)
          1: an aftereffect of disease or injury 2: a secondary
          result

   [1]sequence
          [se.quence] n [ME, fr. ML sequentia, fr. LL, sequel, lit.,
          act of following, fr. L sequent-, sequens, prp. of sequi]
          (14c) 1: a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual
          and Gospel in masses for special occasions (as Easter)
          2: a continuous or connected series: as a: an extended
          series of poems united by a single theme <a sonnet ~>
          b: three or more playing cards usu. of the same suit
          in consecutive order of rank c: a succession of repetitions
          of a melodic phrase or harmonic pattern each in a new
          position d: a set of elements ordered so that they can
          be labeled with the positive integers e (1): a succession
          of related shots or scenes developing a single subject
          or phase of a film story (2): episode 3 a: order of succession
          b: an arrangement of the tenses of successive verbs in
          a sentence designed to express a coherent relationship
          esp. between main and subordinate parts 4 a: consequence,
          result b: a subsequent development 5: continuity of progression
          [2]sequence vt se.quenced ; se.quenc.ing (1941) 1: to
          arrange in a sequence 2: to determine the sequence of
          chemical constituents (as amino-acid residues) in <sequenced
          biological macromolecules>

   sequencer
          [se.quenc.er] n (1949): one that sequences: as a: a device
          for arranging (as events in the ignition of a rocket)
          in a sequence b: a device for determining the order of
          occurrence of amino acids in a protein

   sequency
          [se.quen.cy] n [LL sequentia] (1818): sequence 3a, 5

   sequent
          [se.quent] adj [L sequent-, sequens, prp.] (1601) 1: consecutive,
          succeeding 2: consequent, resultant

   sequential
          [se.quen.tial] adj (1854) 1: of, relating to, or arranged
          in a sequence: serial <~ file systems> 2: following in
          sequence 3: relating to or based on a method of testing
          a statistical hypothesis that involves examination of
          a sequence of samples for each of which the decision
          is made to accept or reject the hypothesis or to continue
          sampling -- se.quen.tial.ly adv

   [1]sequester
          [se.ques.ter] vt -tered ; -ter.ing [ME sequestren, fr. MF
          sequestrer, fr. L sequestrare to hand over to a trustee,
          fr. sequester third party to whom disputed property is
          entrusted, agent, fr. secus beside, otherwise; akin to
          L sequi to follow] (14c) 1 a: to set apart: segregate
          b: seclude, withdraw 2 a: to seize esp. by a writ of
          sequestration b: to place (property) in custody esp.
          in sequestration 3: to hold (as a metallic ion) in solution
          usu. by inclusion in an appropriate coordination complex
          [2]sequester n (1604) obs: separation, isolation

   sequestrate
          [se.ques.trate] vt -trat.ed ; -trat.ing [L sequestratus,
          pp. of sequestrare] (15c): sequester

   sequestration
          [se.ques.tra.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of sequestering: the
          state of being sequestered 2 a: a legal writ authorizing
          a sheriff or commissioner to take into custody the property
          of a defendant who is in contempt until the orders of
          a court are complied with b: a deposit whereby a neutral
          depositary agrees to hold property in litigation and
          to restore it to the party to whom it is adjudged to
          belong

   sequestrum
          [se.ques.trum] n, pl -trums also -tra [NL, fr. L, legal
          sequestration, fr. sequester] (1831): a fragment of dead bone
          detached from adjoining sound bone

   sequin
          [se.quin] n [F, fr. It zecchino, fr. zecca mint, fr. Ar sikkah
          die, coin] (1617) 1: an old gold coin of Italy and Turkey
          2: a small plate of shining metal or plastic used for
          ornamentation esp. on clothing

   sequined
          [se.quined] or se.quinned adj (1894): ornamented with or
          as if with sequins

   sequitur
          [se.qui.tur] n [L, it follows, 3d pers. sing. pres. indic.
          of sequi to follow--more at sue] (1836): the conclusion
          of an inference: consequence

   sequoia
          [se.quoia] n [NL, genus name, fr. Sequoya (George Guess)]
          (ca. 1866): either of two huge coniferous California
          trees of the bald cypress family that may reach a height
          of over 300 feet (90 meters): a: big tree b: redwood
          3a

   ser
          [ser] abbreviation serial, series, service

   sera
          [sera] pl of serum

   serac
          [se.rac] n [F serac, lit., a kind of white cheese, fr. ML
          seracium whey, fr. L serum whey--more at serum] (1860):
          a pinnacle, sharp ridge, or block of ice among the crevasses
          of a glacier

   seraglio
          [se.ra.glio] n, pl -glios [It serraglio, modif. of Turk saray
          palace] (1581) 1: harem 1a 2: a palace of a sultan

   serai
          [se.rai] n [Turk & Per; Turk saray mansion, palace, fr. Per
          sarai mansion, inn] (1609) 1: caravansary 2: seraglio
          2

   seral
          [ser.al] adj (1916): of, relating to, or constituting an
          ecological sere

   serape
          [se.ra.pe] n [MexSp sarape] (1834): a colorful woolen shawl
          worn over the shoulders esp. by Mexican men

   seraph
          [ser.aph] n, pl ser.a.phim or seraphs [assumed sing. of Heb
          seraphim] (1667): seraphim 2

   seraphim
          [ser.a.phim] n pl [LL seraphim, pl., seraphs, fr. Heb seraphim]
          (12c) 1: an order of angels--see celestial hierarchy
          2 sing, pl seraphim : one of the 6-winged angels standing
          in the presence of God -- se.raph.ic adj -- se.raph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   Serapis
          [Se.ra.pis] n [L, fr. Gk Sarapis]: an Egyptian god combining
          attributes of Osiris and Apis and having a widespread
          cult in Ptolemaic Egypt and ancient Greece

   Serb
          [Serb] n [ultim. fr. Serbo-Croatian srb] (1860) 1: a native
          or inhabitant of Serbia 2: serbian 2 -- Serb adj

   Serb
          [Serb] abbreviation Serbian

   Serbian
          [Ser.bi.an] n (1848) 1: serb 1 2 a: the Serbo-Croatian language
          as spoken in Serbia b: a literary form of Serbo-Croatian
          using the Cyrillic alphabet -- Serbian adj

   Serbo-Croatian
          [Ser.bo-Cro.a.tian] n (1883) 1: a Slavic language spoken
          in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro
          2: a person whose native language is Serbo-Croatian --
          Serbo-Croatian adj

   [1]sere
          [sere] adj [ME, fr. OE sear dry; akin to OHG soren to wither,
          Gk hauos dry, Lith sausas] (bef. 12c) 1: being dried
          and withered 2 archaic: threadbare [2]sere n [L series
          series] (1916): a series of ecological communities formed
          in ecological succession

   [1]serenade
          [ser.e.nade] n [F serenade, fr. It serenata, fr. sereno clear,
          calm (of weather), fr. L serenus serene] (1649) 1 a:
          a complimentary vocal or instrumental performance; esp:
          one given outdoors at night for a woman being courted
          b: a work so performed 2: an instrumental composition
          in several movements, written for a small ensemble, and
          midway between the suite and the symphony in style [2]serenade
          vb -nad.ed ; -nad.ing vi (1668): to play a serenade ~
          vt: to perform a serenade in honor of -- ser.e.nad.er
          n

   serenata
          [ser.e.na.ta] n [It, serenade] (ca. 1724): an 18th century
          secular cantata of a dramatic character usu. composed
          in honor of an individual or event

   serendipitous
          [ser.en.dip.i.tous] adj (1943): obtained or characterized
          by serendipity <~ discoveries> -- ser.en.dip.i.tous.ly
          adv

   serendipity
          [ser.en.dip.i.ty] n [fr. its possession by the heroes of
          the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip]
          (1754): the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable
          or agreeable things not sought for

   [1]serene
          [se.rene] adj [L serenus clear, cloudless, untroubled] (15c)
          1 a: clear and free of storms or unpleasant change <~
          skies> b: shining bright and steady <the moon, ~ in glory
          --Alexander Pope> 2: august--used as part of a title
          <His Serene Highness> 3: marked by or suggestive of utter
          calm and unruffled repose or quietude <a ~ smile> syn
          see calm -- se.rene.ly adv -- se.rene.ness n [2]serene
          n (1644) 1 archaic: a serene condition or expanse (as
          of sky, sea, or light) 2 archaic: serenity, tranquillity

   serenity
          [se.ren.i.ty] n (15c): the quality or state of being serene

   serf
          [serf] n [F, fr. OF, fr. L servus slave] (1611): a member
          of a servile feudal class bound to the soil and subject
          to the will of his lord -- serf.age n -- serf.dom n

   serg
          [serg] or sergt abbreviation sergeant

   serge
          [serge] n [ME sarge, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL sarica, alter.
          of L serica, fem. of sericus silken--more at sericeous]
          (14c): a durable twilled fabric having a smooth clear
          face and a pronounced diagonal rib on the front and the
          back

   sergeancy
          [ser.gean.cy] n (ca. 1670): the function, office, or rank
          of a sergeant

   sergeant
          [ser.geant] n [ME, servant, attendant, sergeant, fr. MF sergent,
          serjant, fr. L servient-, serviens, prp. of servire to
          serve] (13c) 1: sergeant at arms 2 obs: an officer who
          enforces the judgments of a court or the commands of
          one in authority 3: a noncommissioned officer ranking
          in the army and marine corps above a corporal and below
          a staff sergeant and in the air force above an airman
          first class or senior airman and below a staff sergeant;
          broadly: noncommissioned officer 4: an officer in a police
          force ranking in the U.S. just below captain or sometimes
          lieutenant and in England just below inspector

   sergeant at arms
          [sergeant at arms] (14c): an officer of an organization (as
          a legislative body or court of law) who preserves order
          and executes commands

   sergeant first class
          [sergeant first class] n (1948): a noncommissioned officer
          in the army ranking above a staff sergeant and below
          a master sergeant

   sergeant fish
          [sergeant fish] n (1873) 1: cobia 2: snook 1

   sergeant major
          [sergeant major] n, pl sergeants major or sergeant majors
          (1802) 1: a noncommissioned officer in the army, air
          force, or marine corps serving as chief administrative
          assistant in a headquarters 2: a noncommissioned officer
          in the marine corps ranking above a first sergeant 3:
          a bluish green to yellow bony fish (Abudefduf saxatilis
          of the family Pomacentridae) with black vertical stripes
          on the sides that is widely distributed in the western
          tropical Atlantic Ocean

   sergeant major of the army
          [sergeant major of the army] (1966): the ranking noncommissioned
          officer of the army serving as adviser to the chief of
          staff

   sergeant major of the marine corps
          [sergeant major of the marine corps] (ca. 1971): the ranking
          noncommissioned officer of the marine corps serving as
          adviser to the commandant

   sergeanty
          [ser.geanty] n, pl -geant.ies [ME sergeantie, fr. MF sergentie,
          fr. sergent sergeant] (15c): any of numerous feudal services
          of a personal nature by which an estate is held of the
          king or other lord distinct from military tenure and
          from socage tenure

   serging
          [serg.ing] n [serge] (ca. 1909): the process of overcasting
          the raw edges of a piece of fabric (as a carpet) to prevent
          raveling

   [1]serial
          [se.ri.al] adj (1840) 1: of, relating to, consisting of,
          or arranged in a series, rank, or row <~ order> 2: appearing
          in successive parts or numbers <a ~ story> 3: belonging
          to a series maturing periodically rather than on a single
          date <~ bonds> 4: of, relating to, or being music based
          on a series of tones in a chosen pattern without regard
          for traditional tonality 5 a: effecting a series of similar
          acts over a period of time <a ~ killer> b: occurring
          in such a series <a ~ murder> 6: relating to or being
          a connection in a computer system in which the bits of
          a byte are transmitted sequentially over a single wire--compare
          parallel -- se.ri.al.ly adv [2]serial n (1846) 1 a: a
          work appearing (as in a magazine or on television) in
          parts at intervals b: one part of a serial work: installment
          2: a publication (as a newspaper or journal) issued as
          one of a consecutively numbered and indefinitely continued
          series

   serialise
          [se.ri.al.ise] Brit var of serialize

   serialism
          [se.ri.al.ism] n (1958): serial music; also: the theory or
          practice of composing serial music

   serialist
          [se.ri.al.ist] n (1846) 1: a writer of serials 2: a composer
          of serial music

   serialize
          [se.ri.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1857): to arrange or publish
          in serial form -- se.ri.al.i.za.tion n

   serial number
          [serial number] n (1896): a number indicating place in a
          series and used as a means of identification

   [1]seriate
          [se.ri.ate] adj [L series] (1846): arranged in a series or
          succession -- se.ri.ate.ly adv [2]se.ri.ate vt -at.ed
          ; -at.ing (ca. 1899): to arrange in a series

   [1]seriatim
          [se.ri.a.tim] adv [ML, fr. L series] (1680): in a series
          [2]seriatim adj (1871): following seriatim

   sericeous
          [se.ri.ceous] adj [LL sericeus silken, fr. L sericum silk
          garment, silk, fr. neut. of sericus silken, fr. Gk serikos,
          fr. Seres, an eastern Asian people, prob. the Chinese]
          (ca. 1777): covered with fine silky hair <~ leaf>

   sericin
          [ser.i.cin] n [ISV, fr. L sericum silk] (ca. 1868): a gelatinous
          protein that cements the two fibroin filaments in a silk
          fiber

   sericulture
          [seri.cul.ture] n [L sericum silk + E culture] (ca. 1854):
          the production of raw silk by raising silkworms -- seri.cul.tur.al
          adj -- seri.cul.tur.ist n

   series
          [se.ries] n, pl series often attrib [L, fr. serere to join,
          link together; akin to Gk eirein to string together,
          hormos chain, necklace, and perh. to L sort-, sors lot]
          (1611) 1 a: a number of things or events of the same
          class coming one after another in spatial or temporal
          succession <a concert ~> <the hall opened into a ~ of
          small rooms> b: a set of regularly presented television
          programs each of which is complete in itself 2: the indicated
          sum of a usu. infinite sequence of numbers 3 a: the coins
          or currency of a particular country and period b: a group
          of postage stamps in different denominations 4: a succession
          of volumes or issues published with related subjects
          or authors, similar format and price, or continuous numbering
          5: a division of rock formations that is smaller than
          a system and comprises rocks deposited during an epoch
          6: a group of chemical compounds related in composition
          and structure 7: an arrangement of the parts of or elements
          in an electric circuit whereby the whole current passes
          through each part or element without branching--compare
          parallel 8: a set of vowels connected by ablaut (as i,
          a, u in ring, rang, rung) 9: a number of games (as of
          baseball) played usu. on consecutive days between two
          teams <in town for a 3-game ~> 10: a group of successive
          coordinate sentence elements joined together 11: soil
          series 12: three consecutive games in bowling -- in series
          : in a serial arrangement

   serif
          [ser.if] n [prob. fr. D schreef stroke, line, fr. MD, fr.
          schriven to write, fr. L scribere--more at scribe] (1841):
          any of the short lines stemming from and at an angle
          to the upper and lower ends of the strokes of a letter
          -- ser.ifed or ser.iffed adj

   serigraph
          [seri.graph] n [L sericum silk + Gk graphein to write, draw--more
          at carve] (1940): an original silk-screen color print
          -- se.rig.ra.pher n -- se.rig.ra.phy n

   serin
          [se.rin] n [F] (1530): a small yellow and grayish Old World
          finch (Serinus serinus) that is related to the canary

   serine
          [ser.ine] n [ISV sericin + [2]-ine] (1880): a crystalline
          nonessential amino acid that occurs esp. as a structural
          part of many proteins

   seriocomic
          [se.rio.com.ic] adj [serious + -o- + comic] (1783): having
          a mixture of the serious and the comic <a ~ novel> --
          se.rio.com.i.cal.ly adv

   serious
          [se.ri.ous] adj [ME seryows, fr. MF or LL; MF serieux, fr.
          LL seriosus, alter. of L serius weighty, serious; prob.
          akin to OE swaer heavy, sad] (15c) 1: thoughtful or subdued
          in appearance or manner: sober 2 a: requiring much thought
          or work <~ study> b: of or relating to a matter of importance
          <a ~ play> 3 a: not joking or trifling: being in earnest
          b archaic: pious c: deeply interested: devoted <a ~ musician>
          4 a: not easily answered or solved <~ objections> b:
          having important or dangerous possible consequences <a
          ~ injury> 5: excessive or impressive in quantity, extent,
          or degree: considerable <making ~ money> <~ drinking>
          -- se.ri.ous.ness n syn serious, grave, solemn, sedate,
          staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious
          implies a concern for what really matters <a serious
          play about social injustice>. grave implies both seriousness
          and dignity in expression or attitude <read the proclamation
          in a grave voice>. solemn suggests an impressive gravity
          utterly free from levity <a sad and solemn occasion>.
          sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness <remained
          sedate amid the commotion>. staid suggests a settled,
          accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint <a quiet
          and staid community>. sober stresses seriousness of purpose
          and absence of levity or frivolity <a sober look at the
          state of our schools>. earnest suggests sincerity or
          often zealousness of purpose <an earnest reformer>.

   seriously
          [se.ri.ous.ly] adv (1509) 1: in a sincere manner: earnestly
          2: to a serious extent: severely

   serious-minded
          [se.ri.ous-mind.ed] adj (1845): having a serious disposition
          or trend of thought -- se.ri.ous-mind.ed.ly adv --
          se.ri.ous-mind.ed.ness n

   serjeant-at-law
          [ser.jeant-at-law] n, pl ser.jeants-at-law (1503): a member
          of a former class of barristers of the highest rank

   serjeant, serjeanty
          [ser.jeant, ser.jeanty] var of sergeant, sergeanty

   sermon
          [ser.mon] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. ML sermon-, sermo, fr. L, speech,
          conversation, fr. serere to link together--more at series]
          (13c) 1: a religious discourse delivered in public usu.
          by a clergyman as a part of a worship service 2: a speech
          on conduct or duty -- ser.mon.ic adj

   sermonette
          [ser.mon.ette] n (1814): a short sermon

   sermonize
          [ser.mon.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1635) 1: to compose
          or deliver a sermon 2: to speak didactically or dogmatically
          ~ vt: to preach to or on at length -- ser.mon.iz.er n

   Sermon on the Mount
          [Sermon on the Mount] : an ethical discourse delivered by
          Jesus and recorded in Matthew 5-7 and paralleled briefly
          in Luke 6:20-49

   sero-
          [sero-] comb form [L serum]: serum <serology>

   seroconversion
          [se.ro.con.ver.sion] n (1963): the production of antibodies
          in response to an antigen

   serodiagnosis
          [se.ro.di.ag.no.sis] n [NL] (1896): diagnosis by the use
          of serum (as in the Wassermann test) -- se.ro.di.ag.nos.tic
          adj

   serology
          [se.rol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1909): a science dealing with serums
          and esp. their reactions and properties -- se.ro.log.i.cal
          or se.ro.log.ic adj -- se.ro.log.i.cal.ly adv -- se.rol.o.gist
          n

   seronegative
          [se.ro.neg.a.tive] adj (1927): having or being a negative
          serum reaction esp. in a test for the presence of an
          antibody -- se.ro.neg.a.tiv.i.ty n

   seropositive
          [se.ro.pos.i.tive] adj (ca. 1930): having or being a positive
          serum reaction esp. in a test for the presence of an
          antibody -- se.ro.pos.i.tiv.i.ty n

   seropurulent
          [se.ro.pu.ru.lent] adj (ca. 1836): consisting of a mixture
          of serum and pus <a ~ exudate>

   serosa
          [se.ro.sa] n [NL, fr. fem. of serosus serous, fr. L serum]
          (ca. 1890): a usu. enclosing serous membrane -- se.ro.sal
          adj

   serotinal
          [se.ro.ti.nal] adj [L serotinus c oming late] (1898): of
          or relating to the latter and usu. drier part of summer

   serotinous
          [se.rot.i.nous] adj [L serotinus coming late, fr. sero late--more
          at soiree] (ca. 1656): remaining closed on the tree with
          seed dissemination delayed or occurring gradually <~
          cones>

   serotonergic
          [se.ro.to.ner.gic] also se.ro.to.nin.er.gic adj [serotonin
          + -ergic] (1957): liberating, activated by, or involving
          serotonin in the transmission of nerve impulses <~ pathways>

   serotonin
          [se.ro.to.nin] n [sero- + tonic + [1]-in] (1948): a phenolic
          amine neurotransmitter that is a powerful vasoconstrictor
          and is found esp. in the brain, blood serum, and gastric
          mucosa of mammals

   serotype
          [se.ro.type] n (1946): a group of intimately related microorganisms
          distinguished by a common set of antigens; also: the set
          of antigens characteristic of such a group

   serous
          [se.rous] adj [ME, fr. ML serosus, fr. L serum] (15c): of,
          relating to, or resembling serum; esp: of thin watery
          constitution <a ~ exudate>

   serous membrane
          [serous membrane] n (ca. 1852): a thin membrane (as the peritoneum)
          with cells that secrete a serous fluid; esp: serosa

   serow
          [se.row] n [Lepcha sa-ro long-haired Tibetan goat] (1847):
          any of several artiodactyl mammals (genus Capricornis)
          of eastern Asia that are usu. rather dark and heavily
          built and some of which have distinct manes

   serpent
          [ser.pent] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L serpent-, serpens, fr. prp.
          of serpere to creep; akin to Gk herpein to creep, Skt
          sarpati he creeps] (13c) 1 a archaic: a noxious creature
          that creeps, hisses, or stings b: snake 2: devil 1 3:
          a treacherous person

   [1]serpentine
          [ser.pen.tine] adj [ME, fr. MF serpentin, fr. LL serpentinus,
          fr. L serpent-, serpens] (15c) 1: of or resembling a
          serpent (as in form or movement) 2: subtly wily or tempting
          3 a: winding or turning one way and another b: having
          a compound curve whose central curve is convex -- ser.pen.tine.ly
          adv [2]serpentine n (1519): something that winds sinuously
          [3]ser.pen.tine n [ME, fr. ML serpentina, serpentinum,
          fr. LL, fem. & neut. of serpentinus resembling a serpent]
          (15c): a mineral or rock consisting essentially of a
          hydrous magnesium silicate usu. having a dull green color
          and often a mottled appearance

   serpiginous
          [ser.pig.i.nous] adj [ME serpiginose, fr. ML serpiginosus,
          fr. serpigin-, serpigo creeping skin disease, fr. L serpere
          to creep] (15c): creeping, spreading; esp: healing over
          in one portion while continuing to advance in another
          <~ ulcer> -- ser.pig.i.nous.ly adv

   serranid
          [ser.ra.nid] n [ultim. fr. L serra saw] (ca. 1900): any of
          a large family (Serranidae) of carnivorous marine bony
          fishes which have an oblong compressed body covered with
          usu. ctenoid scales and many of which are important food
          and sport fishes (as the sea basses) esp. of warm seas
          -- serranid adj

   serrano
          [ser.ra.no] n, pl -nos [prob. fr. MexSp, fr. Sp serrano,
          adj., montane, highland, fr. sierra mountain range--more
          at sierra] (ca. 1972): a small Mexican hot pepper

   [1]serrate
          [ser.rate] adj [L serratus, fr. serra saw] (1668): notched
          or toothed on the edge; specif: having marginal teeth
          pointing forward or toward the apex <a ~ leaf> [2]ser.rate
          vt ser.rat.ed ; ser.rat.ing [LL serratus, pp. of serrare
          to saw, fr. L serra] (1750): to mark or make with serrations
          <a serrated knife>

   serration
          [ser.ra.tion] n (1842) 1: the condition of being serrate
          2: a formation resembling the toothed edge of a saw 3:
          one of the teeth in a serrate margin

   serried
          [ser.ried] adj (1667) 1: crowded or pressed together: compact
          <the crowd collected in a ~ mass --W. S. Maugham> 2 [by
          alter.]: marked by ridges: serrate <the ~ contours of
          the ... mountains --Amer. Guide Series: Oregon> -- ser.ried.ly
          adv -- ser.ried.ness n

   serry
          [ser.ry] vb ser.ried ; ser.ry.ing [MF serre, pp. of serrer
          to press, crowd--more at sear] vi (1581) archaic: to
          press together esp. in ranks ~ vt: to crowd together

   Sertoli cell
          [Ser.to.li cell] n [Enrico Sertoli d. 1910 Ital. histologist]
          (1888): one of the elongated striated cells lining the
          seminiferous tubules that support and apparently nourish
          the spermatids

   Sertoman
          [Ser.to.man] n [Sertoma (Club)] (1956): a member of a major
          international service club

   serum
          [se.rum] n, pl serums or se.ra [L, whey, wheylike fluid;
          akin to Gk oros whey] (1665) 1: the watery portion of
          an animal fluid remaining after coagulation: a (1): blood
          serum (2): antiserum b: whey c: a normal or pathological
          serous fluid (as in a blister) 2: the watery part of
          a plant fluid

   serum albumin
          [serum albumin] n (1879): a crystallizable albumin or mixture
          of albumins that normally constitutes more than half
          of the protein in blood serum and serves to maintain
          the osmotic pressure of the blood

   serum globulin
          [serum globulin] n (ca. 1890): a globulin or mixture of globulins
          occurring in blood serum and containing most of the antibodies
          of the blood

   serum hepatitis
          [serum hepatitis] n (1932): hepatitis b

   serum sickness
          [serum sickness] n (ca. 1913): an allergic reaction to the
          injection of foreign serum manifested by urticaria, swelling,
          eruption, arthritis, and fever

   serv
          [serv] abbreviation service

   serval
          [ser.val] n [F, fr. Pg lobo cerval lynx, fr. ML lupus cervalis,
          lit., deerlike wolf] (1771): a long-legged African wildcat
          (Felis serval) having large ears and a tawny black-spotted
          coat

   servant
          [ser.vant] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. prp. of servir] (13c): one
          that serves others <a public ~>; esp: one that performs
          duties about the person or home of a master or personal
          employer -- ser.vant.hood n -- ser.vant.less adj

   [1]serve
          [serve] vb served ; serv.ing [ME, fr. MF servir, fr. OF,
          fr. L servire to be a slave, serve, fr. servus slave,
          servant] vi (13c) 1 a: to be a servant b: to do military
          or naval service 2: to assist a celebrant as server at
          mass 3 a: to be of use <in a day when few people could
          write, seals served as signatures --Elizabeth W. King>
          b: to be favorable, opportune, or convenient c: to be
          worthy of reliance or trust <if memory ~s> d: to hold
          an office: discharge a duty or function <~ on a jury>
          4: to prove adequate or satisfactory: suffice 5: to help
          persons to food: as a: to wait at table b: to set out
          portions of food or drink 6: to wait on customers 7:
          to put the ball or shuttlecock in play in various games
          (as tennis, volleyball, or badminton) ~ vt 1 a: to be
          a servant to: attend b: to give the service and respect
          due to (a superior) c: to comply with the commands or
          demands of: gratify d: to give military or naval service
          to e: to perform the duties of (an office or post) 2:
          to act as server at (mass) 3 archaic: to pay a lover's
          or suitor's court to (a lady) <that gentle lady, whom
          I love and ~ --Edmund Spenser> 4 a: to work through (a
          term of service) <served his time as a mate> b: to put
          in (a term of imprisonment) 5 a: to wait on at table
          b: to bring (food) to a diner c: present, provide--usu.
          used with up <the novel served up many laughs> 6 a: to
          furnish or supply with something needed or desired b:
          to wait on (a customer) in a store c: to furnish professional
          service to 7 a: to answer the needs of: avail b: to be
          enough for: suffice c: to contribute or conduce to: promote
          8: to treat or act toward in a specified way: requite
          <he served me ill> 9 a: to bring to notice, deliver,
          or execute as required by law b: to make legal service
          upon (a person named in a process) 10 of a male animal:
          to copulate with 11: to wind yarn or wire tightly around
          (a rope or stay) for protection 12: to provide services
          that benefit or help 13: to put (the ball or shuttlecock)
          in play (as in tennis or badminton) -- serve one right
          : to be deserved [2]serve n (1688): the act or action
          of putting the ball or shuttlecock in play in various
          games (as volleyball, badminton, or tennis); also: a
          turn to serve

   server
          [serv.er] n (15c) 1: one that serves food or drink 2: the
          player who serves (as in tennis) 3: something used in
          serving food or drink 4: one that serves legal processes
          upon another 5: the celebrant's assistant at low mass

   [1]service
          [ser.vice] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L servitium condition of a
          slave, body of slaves, fr. servus slave] (13c) 1 a: the
          occupation or function of serving <in active ~> b: employment
          as a servant <entered his ~> 2 a: the work performed
          by one that serves <good ~> b: help, use, benefit <glad
          to be of ~> c: contribution to the welfare of others
          d: disposal for use <I'm entirely at your ~> 3 a: a form
          followed in worship or in a religious ceremony <the burial
          ~> b: a meeting for worship--often used in pl. <held
          evening ~s> 4: the act of serving: as a: a helpful act
          <did him a ~> b: useful labor that does not produce a
          tangible commodity--usu. used in pl. <charge for professional
          ~s> c: serve 5: a set of articles for a particular use
          <a silver tea ~> 6 a: an administrative division (as
          of a government or business) <the consular ~> b: one
          of a nation's military forces (as the army or navy) 7
          a: a facility supplying some public demand <telephone
          ~> <bus ~> b: a facility providing maintenance and repair
          <television ~> 8: the materials (as spun yarn, small
          lines, or canvas) used for serving a rope 9: the act
          of bringing a legal writ, process, or summons to notice
          as prescribed by law 10: the act of copulating with a
          female animal 11: a branch of a hospital medical staff
          devoted to a particular specialty <obstetrical ~> [2]service
          vt ser.viced ; ser.vic.ing (1528): to perform services
          for: as a: to repair or provide maintenance for b: to
          meet interest and sinking fund payments on (as government
          debt) c: to perform any of the business functions auxiliary
          to production or distribution of d of a male animal:
          serve 10 -- ser.vic.er n [3]service adj (1837) 1: of
          or relating to the armed services 2: used in serving
          or supplying <delivery men use the ~ entrance> 3: intended
          for hard or everyday use 4 a: providing services <the
          ~ trades--from filling stations to universities --John
          Fischer> b: offering repair, maintenance, or incidental
          services [4]ser.vice n [ME serves, pl. of serve fruit
          of the service tree, service tree, fr. OE syrfe, fr.
          (assumed) VL sorbea, fr. L sorbus service tree] (1530):
          an Old World tree (Sorbus domestica) resembling the related
          mountain ashes but having larger flowers and larger edible
          fruit; also: a related Old World tree (S. torminalis)
          with bitter fruits

   serviceable
          [ser.vice.able] adj (14c) 1: helpful, useful 2: fit for use
          <her ~ but not exceptional voice --Irving Kolodin> --
          ser.vice.abil.i.ty n -- ser.vice.able.ness n -- ser.vice.ably
          adv

   serviceberry
          [ser.vice.ber.ry] n [[4]service] (1784) 1: the edible purple
          or red fruit of any of various No. American trees or
          shrubs (genus Amelanchier) of the rose family 2: a tree
          or shrub that produces serviceberries and has showy white
          flowers in the spring--called also Juneberry, shadblow,
          shadbush

   service book
          [service book] n (1580): a book setting forth forms of worship
          used in religious services

   service box
          [service box] n (ca. 1898): the area in which a player stands
          while serving in various court games (as squash or handball)

   service cap
          [service cap] n (ca. 1908): a flat-topped visor cap worn
          as part of a military uniform--compare garrison cap

   service ceiling
          [service ceiling] n (1920): the altitude at which under standard
          air conditions a particular airplane can no longer rise
          at a rate greater than a small designated rate (as 100
          feet per minute)

   service charge
          [service charge] n (1917): a fee charged for a particular
          service often in addition to a standard or basic fee--called
          also service fee

   service club
          [service club] n (1926) 1: a club of business or professional
          men or women organized for their common benefit and active
          in community service 2: a recreation center for enlisted
          personnel provided by one of the armed services

   service court
          [service court] n (ca. 1878): a part of the court into which
          the ball or shuttlecock must be served

   service line
          [service line] n (1875): a line marked on a court in various
          games (as handball or tennis) parallel to the front wall
          or to the net to mark a boundary of the service area
          or service court

   serviceman
          [ser.vice.man] n (1899) 1: a male member of the armed forces
          2: a man employed to repair or maintain equipment 3:
          a service station attendant

   service mark
          [service mark] n (1945): a mark or device used to identify
          a service (as transportation or insurance) offered to
          customers

   service medal
          [service medal] n (ca. 1934): a medal awarded to an individual
          for military service in a specified war or campaign

   service module
          [service module] n (1961): a space vehicle module that contains
          oxygen, water, fuel cells, propellant tanks, and the
          main rocket engine

   service road
          [service road] n (1921): frontage road

   service station
          [service station] n (1916) 1: a retail station for servicing
          motor vehicles esp. with gasoline and oil 2: a place
          at which some service is offered

   service stripe
          [service stripe] n (ca. 1920): a stripe worn on an enlisted
          man's left sleeve to indicate three years of service
          in the army or four years in the navy

   service tree
          [service tree] n (1600): [4]service

   servicewoman
          [ser.vice.wom.an] n (1943): a female member of the armed
          forces

   serviette
          [ser.vi.ette] n [F, fr. MF, fr. servir to serve] (1818) chiefly
          Brit: a table napkin

   servile
          [ser.vile] adj [ME, fr. L servilis, fr. servus slave] (15c)
          1: of or befitting a slave or a menial position 2: meanly
          or cravenly submissive: abject syn see subservient --
          ser.vile.ly adv -- ser.vile.ness n -- ser.vil.i.ty n

   serving
          [serv.ing] n (1864): a helping of food or drink

   Servite
          [Ser.vite] n [ML Servitae, pl., Servites, fr. L servus] (ca.
          1550): a member of the mendicant Order of Servants of
          Mary founded in Florence, Italy, in 1233 -- Servite adj

   servitor
          [ser.vi.tor] n [ME servitour, fr. MF, fr. LL servitor, fr.
          L servire to serve] (14c): a male servant

   servitude
          [ser.vi.tude] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L servitudo slavery, fr.
          servus slave] (15c) 1: a condition in which one lacks
          liberty esp. to determine one's course of action or way
          of life 2: a right by which something (as a piece of
          land) owned by one person is subject to a specified use
          or enjoyment by another

   servo
          [ser.vo] n, pl servos (1947) 1: servomotor 2: servomechanism

   servomechanism
          [ser.vo.mech.a.nism] n [servo- (as in servomotor) + mechanism]
          (1926): an automatic device for controlling large amounts
          of power by means of very small amounts of power and
          automatically correcting the performance of a mechanism

   servomotor
          [ser.vo.mo.tor] n [F servo-moteur, fr. L servus slave, servant
          + F -o- + moteur motor, fr. L motor one that moves--more
          at motor] (1889): a power-driven mechanism that supplements
          a primary control operated by a comparatively feeble
          force (as in a servomechanism)

   SES
          [SES] abbreviation socioeconomic status

   -ses
          [-ses] pl of -sis

   sesame
          [ses.a.me] n [alter. of earlier sesam, sesama, fr. L sesamum,
          sesama, fr. Gk sesamon, sesame, of Sem origin; akin to
          Akkadian samassamu sesame] (1682) 1: a widely cultivated
          chiefly tropical or subtropical annual erect herb (Sesamum
          indicum of the family Pedaliaceae); also: its small seeds
          used esp. as a source of oil and a flavoring agent 2:
          open sesame

   sesame oil
          [sesame oil] n (1870): a pale yellow bland semidrying fatty
          oil obtained from sesame seeds and used chiefly as an
          edible oil, as a vehicle for various pharmaceuticals,
          and in cosmetics and soaps

   sesamoid
          [ses.a.moid] n [Gk sesamoeides, lit., resembling sesame seed,
          fr. sesamon] (ca. 1696): a nodular mass of bone (as the
          patella) or cartilage in a tendon esp. at a joint or
          bony prominence -- sesamoid adj

   Sesotho
          [Se.so.tho] n [Sesotho] (1846): the Bantu language of the
          Basotho people

   sesqui-
          [sesqui-] comb form [L, one and a half, half again, lit.,
          and a half, fr. semis half of an as, one half (prob.
          fr. semi- + as as) + -que (enclitic) and; akin to Gk
          te and, Skt ca, Goth -h, -uh] 1: one and a half times
          <sesquicentennial> 2: containing half again as many atoms
          <sesquiterpene> 3: intermediate: combination <sesquicarbonate>

   sesquicarbonate
          [ses.qui.car.bon.ate] n (1825): a salt that is neither a
          simple normal carbonate nor a simple bicarbonate but
          often a combination of the two

   sesquicentenary
          [ses.qui.cen.te.na.ry] n (1954): sesquicentennial

   sesquicentennial
          [ses.qui.cen.ten.ni.al] n (1880): a 150th anniversary or
          its celebration -- sesquicentennial adj

   sesquipedalian
          [ses.qui.pe.da.lian] adj [L sesquipedalis, lit., a foot and
          a half long, fr. sesqui- + ped-, pes foot--more at foot]
          (1656) 1: having many syllables: long <~ terms> 2: given
          to or characterized by the use of long words <a ~ television
          commentator>

   sesquiterpene
          [ses.qui.ter.pene] n (ca. 1888): any of a class of terpenes
          having 15 carbon atoms per molecule; also: a derivative
          of such a terpene

   sess
          [sess] abbreviation session

   sessile
          [ses.sile] adj [L sessilis of or fit for sitting, low, dwarf
          (of plants), fr. sessus, pp. of sedere] (1753) 1: attached
          directly by the base: not raised upon a stalk or peduncle
          <a ~ leaf> <~ bubbles> 2: permanently attached or established:
          not free to move about <~ polyps>

   session
          [ses.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L session-, sessio, lit., act
          of sitting, fr. sedere to sit--more at sit] (14c) 1:
          a meeting or series of meetings of a body (as a court
          or legislature) for the transaction of business <morning
          ~> 2 pl a (1): a sitting of English justices of peace
          in execution of the powers conferred by their commissions
          (2): an English court holding such sessions b: any of
          various courts similar to the English sessions 3: the
          period between the first meeting of a legislative or
          judicial body and the prorogation or final adjournment
          4: the ruling body of a Presbyterian congregation consisting
          of the elders in active service 5: the period during
          the year or day in which a school conducts classes 6:
          a meeting or period devoted to a particular activity
          <a recording ~> -- ses.sion.al adj

   session man
          [session man] n (1958): a studio musician who backs up a
          performer at a recording session

   sesterce
          [ses.terce] n [L sestertius, fr. sestertius two and a half
          times as great (fr. its being equal orig. to two and
          a half asses), fr. semis half of an as, one half + tertius
          third--more at sesqui-, third] (1598): an ancient Roman
          coin equal to 1/4 denarius

   sestertium
          [ses.ter.tium] n, pl -tia [L, fr. gen. pl. of sestertius
          (in the phrase milia sestertium thousands of sesterces)]
          (ca. 1541): a unit of value in ancient Rome equal to
          1000 sesterces

   sestet
          [ses.tet] n [It sestetto, fr. sesto sixth, fr. L sextus--more
          at sext] (1859): a stanza or a poem of six lines; specif:
          the last six lines of an Italian sonnet

   sestina
          [ses.ti.na] n [It, fr. sesto sixth] (ca. 1586): a lyrical
          fixed form consisting of six 6-line usu. unrhymed stanzas
          in which the end words of the first stanza recur as end
          words of the following five stanzas in a successively
          rotating order and as the middle and end words of the
          three verses of the concluding tercet

   [1]set
          [set] vb set ; set.ting [ME setten, fr. OE settan; akin to
          OHG sezzen to set, OE sittan to sit] vt (bef. 12c) 1:
          to cause to sit: place in or on a seat 2 a: to put (a
          fowl) on eggs to hatch them b: to put (eggs) for hatching
          under a fowl or into an incubator 3: to place (oneself)
          in position to start running in a race 4 a: to place
          with care or deliberate purpose and with relative stability
          <~ a ladder against the wall> <~ a stone on the grave>
          b: transplant 1 <~ seedlings> c (1): to make (as a trap)
          ready to catch prey (2): to fix (a hook) firmly into
          the jaw of a fish d: to put aside (as dough containing
          yeast) for fermenting 5: to direct with fixed attention
          <~ your mind to it> 6 a: to cause to assume a specified
          condition, relation, or occupation <slaves were ~ free>
          <~ the house on fire> b: to cause the start of <~ a fire>
          7 a: to appoint or assign to an office or duty b: post,
          station 8: to cause to assume a specified posture or
          position <~ the door ajar> 9 a: to fix as a distinguishing
          imprint, sign, or appearance <the years have ~ their
          mark on him> b: affix c: apply <~ a match to kindling>
          10: to fix or decide on as a time, limit, or regulation:
          prescribe <~ a wedding day> <~ the rules for the game>
          11 a: to establish as the highest level or best performance
          <~ a record for the half mile> b: to furnish as a pattern
          or model <~ an example of generosity> c: to allot as
          a task <setting lessons for the children to work upon
          at home --Manchester Examiner> 12 a: to adjust (a device
          and esp. a measuring device) to a desired position <~
          the alarm for 7:00> <~ a thermostat at 68>; also: to
          adjust (as a clock) in conformity with a standard b:
          to restore to normal position or connection when dislocated
          or fractured <~ a broken bone> c: to spread to the wind
          <~ the sails> 13 a: to put in order for use <~ a place
          for a guest> b: to make scenically ready for a performance
          <~ the stage> c (1): to arrange (type) for printing <~
          type by hand> (2): to put into type or its equivalent
          (as on film) <~ the first word in italic> 14 a: to put
          a fine edge on by grinding or honing <~ a razor> b: to
          bend slightly the tooth points of (a saw) alternately
          in opposite directions c: to sink (the head of a nail)
          below the surface 15: to fix in a desired position (as
          by heating or stretching) 16: to arrange (hair) in a
          desired style by using implements (as curlers, rollers,
          or clips) and gels or lotions 17 a: to adorn with something
          affixed or infixed: stud, dot <clear sky ~ with stars>
          b: to fix (as a precious stone) in : to begin to do --
          set apart 1: to reserve to a particular use 2: to make
          noticeable or outstanding -- set aside 1: to put to one
          side: discard 2: to reserve for a purpose: save 3: dismiss
          4: annul, overrule -- set at : to mount an attack on:
          assail <would go although ... devils should set at me
          --Charlotte Yonge> -- set eyes on : to catch sight of
          -- set foot in : enter -- set foot on : to step onto
          -- set forth 1: to give an account or statement of 2:
          to start out on a journey -- set forward 1: further 2:
          to start out on a journey -- set in motion : to give
          impulse to <sets the story in motion vividly --Howard
          Thompson> -- set one's hand to : to become engaged in
          -- set one's heart on : resolve vt 5 <she set her heart
          on going to medical school> -- set one's house in order
          : to organize one's affairs -- set one's sights on :
          to determine to pursue -- set one's teeth on edge : irritate,
          annoy -- set one straight : to correct someone by providing
          accurate information -- set sail : to start out on a
          course; esp: to begin a voyage <set sail for Bermuda>
          -- set store by or set store on : to consider valuable,
          trustworthy, or worthwhile -- set the stage : to provide
          the basis or background <this trend will set the stage
          for higher earnings> -- set to music : to provide music
          or instrumental accompaniment for (a text) -- set upon
          : to attack usu. with violence <the dogs set upon the
          trespassers> [2]set n (14c) 1 a: the act or action of
          setting b: the condition of being set 2: a number of
          things of the same kind that belong or are used together
          <an electric train ~> 3 a: mental inclination, tendency,
          or habit: bent <a ~ toward mathematics> b: a state of
          psychological preparedness usu. of limited duration for
          action in response to an anticipated stimulus or situation
          <the influence of mental ~ on the effect experienced
          with marijuana> 4: direction of flow <the ~ of the wind>
          5: form or carriage of the body or of its parts <her
          face took on a cynical ~ --Raymond Kennedy> 6: the manner
          of fitting or of being placed or suspended <in order
          to give the skirt a pretty ~ --Mary J. Howell> 7: amount
          of deflection from a straight line <~ of a saw's teeth>
          8: permanent change of form (as of metal) due to repeated
          or excessive stress 9: the act or result of arranging
          hair by curling or waving 10 also sett a: a young plant
          or rooted cutting ready for transplanting b: a small
          bulb, corm, or tuber or a piece of tuber used for propagation
          <onion ~s> 11 or sett : the burrow of a badger 12: the
          width of the body of a piece of type 13: an artificial
          setting for a scene of a theatrical or film production
          14 also sett : a rectangular paving stone of sandstone
          or granite 15: a division of a tennis match won by the
          side that wins at least six games beating the opponent
          by two games or by winning a tiebreaker 16: a collection
          of books or periodicals forming a unit 17: a clutch of
          eggs 18: the basic formation in a country-dance or square
          dance 19: a session of music (as jazz or dance music)
          usu. followed by an intermission; also: the music played
          at one session 20: a group of persons associated by common
          interests 21: a collection of elements and esp. mathematical
          ones (as numbers or points)--called also class 22: an
          apparatus of electronic components assembled so as to
          function as a unit <a television ~> 23: a usu. offensive
          formation in football or basketball 24: a group of a
          specific number of repetitions of a particular exercise
          [3]set adj [ME sett, fr. OE gesett, pp. of settan] (14c)
          1: intent, determined <~ upon going> 2: intentional,
          premeditated <did it of ~ purpose> 3: fixed by authority
          or appointment: prescribed, specified <~ hours of study>
          4: reluctant to change <~ in their ways> 5 a: immovable,
          rigid <~ frown> b: built-in <a ~ tub> 6: settled, persistent
          <~ defiance> 7: being in readiness: prepared <~ for an
          early morning start>

   seta
          [se.ta] n, pl se.tae [NL, fr. L saeta, seta bristle] (ca.
          1793): a slender usu. rigid or bristly and springy organ
          or part of an animal or plant -- se.tal adj

   setaceous
          [se.ta.ceous] adj [L saeta, seta] (1664) 1: set with or consisting
          of bristles 2: resembling a bristle in form or texture

   set-aside
          [set-aside] n (1943): something (as a portion of receipts
          or production) that is set aside for a specified purpose

   setback
          [set.back] n (1674) 1: a checking of progress 2: defeat,
          reverse 3: [4]pitch 7 4: a placing of the face of a building
          on a line some distance to the rear of the building line
          or of the wall below; also: the rooftop area produced
          by a setback 5: automatic scheduled adjustment to a lower
          temperature setting of a thermostat

   set back
          [set back] vt (1600) 1: to slow the progress of: hinder,
          delay 2: cost <a new suit will set you back $200>

   set by
          [set by] vt (1595): to set apart for future use

   set down
          [set down] vt (15c) 1: to cause to sit down: seat 2: to place
          at rest on a surface or on the ground 3: to suspend (a
          jockey) from racing 4: to cause or allow to get off a
          vehicle: deliver 5: to land (an airplane) on the ground
          or water 6 a: ordain, establish b: to put in writing
          7 a: regard, consider <set him down as a liar> b: attribute

   se tenant
          [se te.nant] adj [F, lit., holding one another] (ca. 1911)
          of postage stamps: joined together as in the original
          sheet but differing in design, overprint, color, or perforation

   Seth
          [Seth] n [Heb Sheth]: a son of Adam and Eve

   [1]set-in
          [set-in] adj (1534) 1: placed, located, or built as a part
          of some other construction <a ~ bookcase> <a ~ washbasin>
          2: cut separately and stitched in <~ sleeves> [2]set-in
          n (1953): insert

   set in
          [set in] vt (15c): insert; esp: to stitch (a small part)
          within a large article <set in a sleeve of a dress> ~
          vi: to become established

   setline
          [set.line] n (1865): a long heavy fishing line to which several
          hooks are attached in series

   setoff
          [set.off] n (1621) 1: something that is set off against another
          thing: a: decoration, ornament b: compensation, counterbalance
          2: the discharge of a debt by setting against it a distinct
          claim in favor of the debtor; also: the claim itself
          3: offset 7a

   set off
          [set off] vt (1596) 1 a: to put in relief: show up by contrast
          b: adorn, embellish c: to set apart: make distinct or
          outstanding 2 a: offset, compensate <more variety in
          the Lancashire weather to set off its most disagreeable
          phases --Geog. Jour.> b: to make a setoff of <the respective
          totals shall be set off against one another --O. R. Hobson>
          3 a: to set in motion: cause to begin b: to cause to
          explode 4: to measure off on a surface ~ vi: to start
          out on a course or a journey <set off for home>

   set on
          [set on] vt (14c) 1: attack 2 a obs: promote b: to urge (as
          a dog) to attack or pursue c: to incite to action: instigate
          d: to set to work ~ vi: go on, advance

   setose
          [se.tose] adj [L saetosus, fr. saeta] (1661): setaceous,
          bristly

   setout
          [set.out] n (1537) 1 a (1): array, display (2): arrangement,
          layout b: buffet, spread c: turnout 5 2: party, entertainment
          3: beginning, outset

   set out
          [set out] vt (14c) 1 a: to arrange and present graphically
          or systematically b: to mark out (as a design): lay out
          the plan of 2: to state, describe, or recite at length
          <distributed copies of a pamphlet setting out his ideas
          in full --S. F. Mason> 3: to begin with a definite purpose:
          intend, undertake ~ vi: to start out on a course, a journey,
          or a career

   set piece
          [set piece] n (ca. 1909) 1: a realistic piece of stage scenery
          standing by itself 2 a: a composition (as in literature,
          art, or music) executed in a fixed or ideal form often
          with studied artistry and brilliant effect b: a scene,
          depiction, speech, or event that is obviously designed
          to have an imposing effect 3: a precisely planned and
          conducted military operation -- set-piece adj

   set point
          [set point] n (1928): a situation (as in tennis) in which
          one player will win the set by winning the next point;
          also: the point won

   setscrew
          [set.screw] n (ca. 1855) 1: a screw screwed through one part
          tightly upon or into another part to prevent relative
          movement 2: a screw for regulating a valve opening or
          a spring tension

   set shot
          [set shot] n (1937): a two-handed shot in basketball taken
          from a stationary position

   sett
          [sett] var of set

   settee
          [set.tee] n [alter. of settle] (1716) 1: a long seat with
          a back 2: a medium-sized sofa with arms and a back

   setter
          [set.ter] n (15c) 1: one that sets 2: a large bird dog of
          a type trained to point on finding game

   set theory
          [set theory] n (1936): a branch of mathematics or of symbolic
          logic that deals with the nature and relations of sets
          -- set theoretic adj

   setting
          [set.ting] n (14c) 1: the manner, position, or direction
          in which something is set 2: the frame or bed in which
          a gem is set; also: style of mounting 3 a: the time,
          place, and circumstances in which something occurs or
          develops b: the time and place of the action of a literary,
          dramatic, or cinematic work c: the scenery used in a
          theatrical or film production 4: the music composed for
          a text (as a poem) 5: the articles of tableware for setting
          a place at table <two ~s of sterling silver> 6: a batch
          of eggs for incubation syn see background

   setting circle
          [setting circle] n (ca. 1891): a graduated scale or wheel
          on the mounting of an equatorial telescope for indicating
          right ascension or declination

   setting-up exercise
          [setting-up exercise] n (ca. 1900): any of a series of gymnastic
          exercises used to give an erect carriage, supple muscles,
          and easy control of the limbs

   [1]settle
          [set.tle] vb set.tled ; set.tling [ME, to seat, bring to
          rest, come to rest, fr. OE setlan, fr. setl seat] vt
          (1515) 1: to place so as to stay 2 a: to establish in
          residence b: to furnish with inhabitants: colonize 3
          a: to cause to pack down b: to clarify by causing dregs
          or impurities to sink 4: to make quiet or orderly 5 a:
          to fix or resolve conclusively <~ the question> b: to
          establish or secure permanently <~ the order of royal
          succession> c: to conclude (a lawsuit) by agreement between
          parties usu. out of court d: to close (as an account)
          by payment often of less than is due 6: to arrange in
          a desired position 7: to make or arrange for final disposition
          of <settled his affairs> 8 of an animal: impregnate ~
          vi 1: to come to rest 2 a: to sink gradually or to the
          bottom b: to become clear by the deposit of sediment
          or scum c: to become compact by sinking 3 a: to become
          fixed, resolved, or established <a cold settled in his
          chest> b: to establish a residence or colony <settled
          in Wisconsin>--often used with down 4 a: to become quiet
          or orderly b: to take up an ordered or stable life--often
          used with down <marry and ~ down> 5 a: to adjust differences
          or accounts b: to come to a decision--used with on or
          upon <~ed on a new plan> c: to conclude a lawsuit by
          agreement out of court 6 of an animal: conceive syn see
          decide -- set.tle.able adj -- settle for : to be content
          with -- settle one's hash : to silence or subdue someone
          by decisive action -- settle the stomach : to remove
          or relieve the distress or nausea of indigestion [2]set.tle
          n [ME, place for sitting, seat, chair, fr. OE setl; akin
          to OHG sezzal seat, L sella seat, chair, OE sittan to
          sit] (1553): a wooden bench with arms, a high solid back,
          and an enclosed foundation which can be used as a chest

   settlement
          [set.tle.ment] n (1648) 1: the act or process of settling
          2 a: an act of bestowing or giving possession under legal
          sanction b: the sum, estate, or income secured to one
          by such a settlement 3 a: occupation by settlers b: a
          place or region newly settled c: a small village 4: settlement
          house 5: an agreement composing differences 6: payment
          or adjustment of an account

   settlement house
          [settlement house] n (1907): an institution providing various
          community services esp. to large city populations

   settler
          [set.tler] n (1696): one that settles (as a new region)

   settling
          [set.tling] n (1594): sediment, dregs--usu. used in pl.

   settlor
          [set.tlor] n (1818): one that makes a settlement or creates
          a trust of property

   set-to
          [set-to] n, pl set-tos (1743): a usu. brief and vigorous
          fight or debate

   set to
          [set to] vi (ca. 1525) 1: to begin actively and earnestly
          2: to begin fighting

   setup
          [set.up] n (1890) 1 a: carriage of the body; esp: erect and
          soldierly bearing b: constitution, makeup 2 a: the assembly
          and arrangement of the tools and apparatus required for
          the performance of an operation b: the preparation and
          adjustment of machines for an assigned task 3 a: a table
          setting b: glass, ice, and mixer served to patrons who
          supply their own liquor 4 a: a camera position from which
          a scene is filmed; also: the footage taken from one camera
          position b: the final arrangement of the scenery and
          properties for a scene of a theatrical or cinematic production
          5 a: a position of the balls in billiards or pool from
          which it is easy to score b: a task or contest purposely
          made easy c: something easy to get or accomplish d: something
          (as a plot) that has been constructed or contrived e:
          the execution of a planned scoring play in sports 6 a:
          the manner in which the elements or components of a machine,
          apparatus, or mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system
          are arranged, designed, or assembled b: the patterns
          within which political, social, or administrative forces
          operate: customary or established practice 7: project,
          plan 8: something done by deceit or trickery in order
          to compromise or frame someone

   set up
          [set up] vt (13c) 1 a: to raise to and place in a high position
          b: to place in view: post c: to put forward (as a plan)
          for acceptance 2 a: to place upright: erect <set up a
          statue> b: to assemble the parts of and erect in position
          <set up a printing press> c: to put (a machine) in readiness
          or adjustment for a tooling operation 3 a: cause, create
          <set up a clamor> b: bring about 4: to place in power
          or in office <set up the general as dictator> 5 a: to
          raise from depression: elate, gratify b: to make proud
          or vain 6 a: to put forward or extol as a model b: to
          claim oneself to be <sets himself up as an authority>
          7: found, inaugurate <set up a home for orphans> 8 a:
          to provide with means of making a living <set him up
          in business> b: to bring or restore to normal health
          c: to cause (one) to take on a soldierly or athletic
          appearance esp. through drill 9: to erect (a perpendicular
          or a figure) on a base in a drawing 10 a: to make taut
          (a stay or hawser) b: to tighten firmly 11: to make carefully
          worked out plans for <set up a bank robbery> 12 a: to
          pay for (drinks) b: to treat (someone) to something 13
          a: to put in a compromising or dangerous position usu.
          by trickery or deceit b: frame 3 14: to execute one or
          more plays in preparation for scoring ~ vi 1: to come
          into active operation or use 2: to begin business 3:
          to make pretensions <has never set up to be a wise man
          --Thomas Rogers> 4: to become firm or consolidated: harden
          -- set up housekeeping : to establish one's living quarters
          -- set up shop : to establish one's business

   seven
          [sev.en] n [ME, fr. seven, adj., fr. OE seofon; akin to OHG
          sibun seven, L septem, Gk hepta] (bef. 12c) 1: one more
          than six 2: the seventh in a set or series <the ~ of
          diamonds> 3: something having seven units or members
          -- seven adj -- seven pron, pl in constr

   sevenfold
          [sev.en.fold] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having seven units or members
          2: being seven times as great or as many -- sevenfold
          adv

   seven seas
          [seven seas] n pl (1872): all the waters or oceans of the
          world

   seventeen
          [sev.en.teen] n [seventeen, adj., fr. ME seventene, fr. OE
          seofontene; akin to OE tien ten] (14c): one more than
          sixteen -- seventeen adj -- seventeen pron, pl in constr
          -- sev.en.teenth adj or n

   seventeen-year locust
          [seventeen-year locust] n (1817): a cicada (Magicicada septendecim)
          of the U.S. that has in the North a life of seventeen years and
          in the South of thirteen years of which most is spent underground
          as a nymph and only a few weeks as a winged adult

   seventh
          [sev.enth] n, pl sevenths (12c) 1: one that is number seven
          in a countable series; also: one of the seven equal parts
          of something 2 a: a musical interval embracing seven
          diatonic degrees b: a tone at this interval; specif:
          leading tone c: the harmonic combination of two tones
          a seventh apart -- seventh adj or adv

   seventh chord
          [seventh chord] n (ca. 1909): a chord comprising a fundamental
          tone with its third, fifth, and seventh

   Seventh-Day
          [Seventh-Day] adj (1684): advocating or practicing observance
          of Saturday as the Sabbath

   seventh heaven
          [seventh heaven] n [fr. the seventh being the highest of
          the seven heavens of Islamic and cabalist doctrine] (1818):
          a state of extreme joy

   seventy
          [sev.en.ty] n, pl -ties [seventy, adj., fr. ME, fr. OE seofontig,
          short for hundseofontig, fr. hundseofontig, n., group
          of seventy, fr. hund hundred + seofon seven + -tig group
          of ten; akin to OE tien ten] (13c) 1: seven times ten
          2 pl: the numbers 70 to 79; specif: the years 70 to 79
          in a lifetime or century 3 cap: a Mormon elder ordained
          for missionary work under the apostles -- sev.en.ti.eth
          adj or n -- seventy adj -- seventy pron, pl in constr

   seventy-eight
          [sev.en.ty-eight] n (ca. 1934) 1: eight more than seventy
          2: a phonograph record designed to be played at 78 revolutions
          per minute--usu. written 78 -- seventy-eight adj -- seventy-eight
          pron, pl in constr

   seven-up
          [sev.en-up] n (1830): an American variety of all fours in
          which a total of seven points constitutes game

   sever
          [sev.er] vb sev.ered ; sev.er.ing [ME, fr. MF severer, fr.
          L separare--more at separate] vt (14c): to put or keep
          apart: divide; esp: to remove (as a part) by or as if
          by cutting ~ vi: to become separated syn see separate

   severable
          [sev.er.able] adj (1548): capable of being severed; esp:
          capable of being divided into legally independent rights
          or obligations -- sev.er.abil.i.ty n

   [1]several
          [sev.er.al] adj [ME, fr. AF, fr. ML separalis, fr. L separ
          separate, back-formation fr. separare to separate] (15c)
          1 a: separate or distinct from one another <federal union
          of the ~ states> b (1): individually owned or controlled:
          exclusive <a ~ fishery>--compare common (2): of or relating
          separately to each individual involved <a ~ judgment>
          c: being separate and distinctive: respective <specialists
          in their ~ fields> 2 a: more than one <~ pleas> b: more
          than two but fewer than many <moved ~ inches> c chiefly
          dial: being a great many [2]several p ron, pl in constr
          (1686): an indefinite number more than two and fewer
          than many <~ of the guests>

   severalfold
          [sev.er.al.fold] adj (1738) 1: having several parts or aspects
          2: being several times as large, as great, or as many
          as some understood size, degree, or amount -- severalfold
          adv

   severally
          [sev.er.al.ly] adv (14c) 1: one at a time: each by itself:
          separately 2: apart from others: independently

   severalty
          [sev.er.al.ty] n [ME severalte, fr. AF severalte, fr. several]
          (15c) 1: the quality or state of being several: distinctness,
          separateness 2 a: a sole, separate, and exclusive possession,
          dominion, or ownership: one's own right without a joint
          interest in any other person <tenants in ~> b: the quality
          or state of being individual or particular 3 a: land
          owned in severalty b: the quality or state of being held
          in severalty

   severance
          [sev.er.ance] n (15c): the act or process of severing: the
          state of being severed

   severance pay
          [severance pay] n (1943): an allowance usu. based on length
          of service that is payable to an employee on termination
          of employment

   severance tax
          [severance tax] n (1928): a tax levied by a state on the
          extractor of oil, gas, or minerals intended for consumption
          in other states--compare royalty 5a

   severe
          [se.vere] adj se.ver.er ; -est [MF or L; MF, fr. L severus]
          (1548) 1 a: strict in judgment, discipline, or government
          b: of a strict or stern bearing or manner: austere 2:
          rigorous in restraint, punishment, or requirement: stringent,
          restrictive 3: strongly critical or condemnatory: censorious
          <a ~ critic> 4 a: maintaining a scrupulously exacting
          standard of behavior or self-discipline b: establishing
          exacting standards of accuracy and integrity in intellectual
          processes <a ~ logician> 5: sober or restrained in decoration
          or manner: plain 6 a: inflicting physical discomfort
          or hardship: harsh <~ winters> b: inflicting pain or
          distress: grievous <a ~ wound> 7: requiring great effort:
          arduous <a ~ test> 8: of a great degree: serious <~ depression>
          -- se.vere.ly adv -- se.vere.ness n -- se.ver.i.ty n
          syn severe, stern, austere, ascetic mean given to or
          marked by strict discipline and firm restraint. severe
          implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity
          and may suggest harshness <severe military discipline>.
          stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper
          or character <stern arbiters of public morality>. austere
          stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may
          apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial
          <living an austere life in the country>. ascetic implies
          abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence
          as spiritual discipline <the ascetic life of the monastic
          orders>.

   severe combined immunodeficiency
          [severe combined immunodeficiency] n (1974): a rare congenital
          disorder of the immune system that is characterized by
          inability to produce a normal complement of antibodies
          and T cells and that usu. results in early death--called
          also severe combined immune deficiency

   seviche
          [se.vi.che] n [AmerSp] (1952): a dish of raw fish marinated
          in lime or lemon juice often with oil, onions, peppers,
          and seasonings and served esp. as an appetizer

   Sevres
          [Sevres] n [Sevres, France] (1786): an often elaborately
          decorated French porcelain

   Sevruga
          [Sev.ru.ga] n [Russ sevryuga, a species of sturgeon] (1591):
          a light to dark gray caviar from a sturgeon (Acipenser
          sevru) of the Caspian Sea that has very small roe; also:
          the fish

   sew
          [sew] vb sewed ; sewn or sewed ; sew.ing [ME, fr. OE siwian;
          akin to OHG siuwen to sew, L suere] vt (bef. 12c) 1:
          to unite or fasten by stitches 2: to close or enclose
          by sewing <~ the money in a bag> ~ vi: to practice or
          engage in sewing -- sew.abil.i.ty n -- sew.able adj

   sewage
          [sew.age] n [[3]sewer] (1834): refuse liquids or waste matter
          carried off by sewers

   [1]sewer
          [sew.er] n [ME, fr. AF asseour, lit., seater, fr. OF asseoir
          to seat--more at assize] (14c): a medieval household
          officer often of high rank in charge of serving the dishes
          at table and sometimes of seating and tasting [2]sew.er
          n (14c): one that sews [3]sew.er n [ME, fr. MF esseweur,
          seweur, fr. essewer to drain, fr. (assumed) VL exaquare,
          fr. L ex- + aqua water--more at island] (15c): an artificial
          usu. subterranean conduit to carry off sewage and sometimes
          surface water (as from rainfall)

   sewerage
          [sew.er.age] n (1834) 1: the removal and disposal of sewage
          and surface water by sewers 2: a system of sewers 3:
          sewage

   sewing
          [sew.ing] n (14c) 1: the act, method, or occupation of one
          that sews 2: material that has been or is to be sewed

   sew up
          [sew up] vt (15c) 1: to mend completely by sewing 2: to get
          exclusive use or control of 3: to make certain of: assure

   [1]sex
          [sex] n [ME, fr. L sexus] (14c) 1: either of the two major
          forms of individuals that occur in many species and that
          are distinguished respectively as female or male 2: the
          sum of the structural, functional, and behavioral characteristics
          of living things that are involved in reproduction by
          two interacting parents and that distinguish males and
          females 3 a: sexually motivated phenomena or behavior
          b: sexual intercourse 4: genitalia [2]sex vt (1884) 1:
          to identify the sex of <~ chicks> 2 a: to increase the
          sexual appeal of--often used with up b: to arouse the
          sexual desires of

   sexagenarian
          [sex.a.ge.nar.i.an] n [L sexagenarius of or containing sixty,
          sixty years old, fr. sexageni sixty each, fr. sexaginta
          sixty, fr. sex six + -ginta (akin to L viginti twenty)--more
          at six, vigesimal] (1738): a person whose age is in the
          sixties -- sexagenarian adj

   [1]sexagesimal
          [sex.a.ges.i.mal] adj [L sexagesimus sixtieth, fr. sexaginta
          sixty] (1685): of, relating to, or based on the number
          60 [2]sexagesimal n (1685): a sexagesimal fraction

   sex appeal
          [sex appeal] n (1924) 1: personal appeal or physical attractiveness
          for members of the opposite sex 2: general attractiveness

   sex cell
          [sex cell] n (1889): gamete; also: its cellular precursor

   sex chromatin
          [sex chromatin] n (1952): barr body

   sex chromosome
          [sex chromosome] n (1906): a chromosome that is inherited
          differently in the two sexes, that is concerned directly
          with the inheritance of sex, and that is the seat of
          factors governing the inheritance of various sex-linked
          and sex-limited characters

   sexdecillion
          [sex.de.cil.lion] n, often attrib [L sedecim, sexdecim sixteen
          (fr. sex six + decem ten) + E -illion (as in million)--more
          at ten] (ca. 1934): the figure 1 followed by 51 zeroes:
          the figure 1,000 followed by 16 groups of three zeroes;
          also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by 96 zeroes: one million
          to the 96th power

   sexed
          [sexed] adj (ca. 1891) 1: having sex or sexual instincts
          2: having sex appeal

   sex gland
          [sex gland] n (1935): gonad

   sex hormone
          [sex hormone] n (1917): a hormone (as from the gonads or
          adrenal cortex) that affects the growth or function of
          the reproductive organs or the development of secondary
          sex characteristics

   sexism
          [sex.ism] n [[1]sex + -ism (as in racism)] (1968) 1: prejudice
          or discrimination based on sex; esp: discrimination against
          women 2: behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster
          stereotypes of social roles based on sex -- sex.ist adj
          or n

   sex kitten
          [sex kitten] n (1958): a young woman with conspicuous sex
          appeal

   sexless
          [sex.less] adj (1598) 1: lacking sex: neuter 2: devoid of
          sexual interest or activity <a ~ relationship> -- sex.less.ly
          adv -- sex.less.ness n

   sex-limited
          [sex-lim.it.ed] adj (1923): expressed in the phenotype of
          only one sex

   sex-linkage
          [sex-link.age] n (1912): the quality or state of being sex-linked

   sex-linked
          [sex-linked] adj (1912) 1: located on a sex chromosome <a
          ~ gene> 2: mediated by a sex-linked gene <a ~ character>

   sex object
          [sex object] n (1911): a person regarded esp. exclusively
          as an object of sexual interest

   sexology
          [sex.ol.o.gy] n (1902): the study of sex or of the interaction
          of the sexes esp. among human beings -- sex.ol.o.gist
          n

   sexploitation
          [sex.ploi.ta.tion] n [blend of sex and exploitation] (ca.
          1942): the exploitation of sex in the media and esp.
          in film

   sexpot
          [sex.pot] n (1948): a conspicuously sexy woman

   sex symbol
          [sex symbol] n (ca. 1911): a usu. renowned person (as an
          entertainer) noted and admired for conspicuous sex appeal

   sext
          [sext] n, often cap [ME sexte, fr. LL sexta, fr. L, sixth
          hour of the day, fr. fem. of sextus sixth, fr. sex six]
          (15c): the fourth of the canonical hours

   Sextans
          [Sex.tans] n [NL (gen. Sextantis), lit., sextant]: a constellation
          on the equator south of Leo

   sextant
          [sex.tant] n [NL sextant-, sextans sixth part of a circle,
          fr. L, sixth part, fr. sextus sixth] (1628): an instrument
          for measuring angular distances used esp. in navigation
          to observe altitudes of celestial bodies (as in ascertaining
          latitude and longitude)

   sextet
          [sex.tet] n [alter. of sestet] (1841) 1: a musical composition
          for six instruments or voices 2: a group or set of six:
          as a: the performers of a sextet b: a hockey team

   sextillion
          [sex.til.lion] n, often attrib [F, irreg. fr. sex- (fr. L
          sex) + -illion (as in million)] (1690): the figure 1
          followed by 21 zeroes: the figure 1000 followed by six
          groups of three zeroes; also, Brit: the figure 1 followed
          by 36 zeroes: one million to the sixth power

   sexto
          [sex.to] n, pl sextos [L sexto, abl. of sextus sixth] (1847):
          sixmo

   sextodecimo
          [sex.to.dec.i.mo] n, pl -mos [L, abl. of sextus decimus sixteenth,
          fr. sextus sixth + decimus tenth--more at dime] (1688): sixteenmo

   sexton
          [sex.ton] n [ME secresteyn, sexteyn, fr. MF secrestain, fr.
          ML sacristanus--more at sacristan] (14c): a church officer
          or employee who takes care of the church property and
          performs related minor duties (as ringing the bell for
          services and digging graves)

   [1]sextuple
          [sex.tu.ple] adj [prob. fr. ML sextuplus, fr. L sextus sixth
          + -plus multiplied by; akin to L -plex -plex--more at
          -fold] (1626) 1: having six units or members 2: being
          six times as great or as many 3: marked by six beats
          per measure of music <~ time> -- sextuple n [2]sextuple
          vb sex.tu.pled ; sex.tu.pling vt (1632): to make six
          times as much or as many ~ vi: to become six times as
          much or as numerous

   sextuplet
          [sex.tu.plet] n (1852) 1: a combination of six of a kind
          2: one of six offspring born at one birth 3: a group
          of six equal musical notes performed in the time ordinarily
          given to four of the same value

   [1]sextuplicate
          [sex.tu.pli.cate] adj [blend of sextuple and -plicate (as
          in duplicate)] (1657) 1: repeated six times 2: sixth
          <file the ~ copy> -- sextuplicate n [2]sex.tu.pli.cate
          vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (ca. 1934) 1: sextuple 2: to provide
          in sextuplicate

   sexual
          [sex.u.al] adj [LL sexualis, fr. L sexus sex] (1651) 1: of,
          relating to, or associated with sex or the sexes
          <~ differentiation> <~ conflict> 2: having or involving sex
          <~ reproduction> -- sex.u.al.ly adv

   sexual generation
          [sexual generation] n (1880): the generation of an organism
          with alternation of generations that reproduces sexually

   sexual intercourse
          [sexual intercourse] n (1799) 1: heterosexual intercourse
          involving penetration of the vagina by the penis: coitus
          2: intercourse involving genital contact between individuals
          other than penetration of the vagina by the penis

   sexuality
          [sex.u.al.i.ty] n (ca. 1800): the quality or state of being
          sexual: a: the condition of having sex b: sexual activity
          c: expression of sexual receptivity or interest esp.
          when excessive

   sexualize
          [sex.u.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1839): to make sexual:
          endow with a sexual character or cast

   sexual relations
          [sexual relations] n pl (1950): coitus

   sexual selection
          [sexual selection] n (1859): natural selection for characters
          that confer success in competition for a mate as distinguished
          from competition with other species; also: the choice
          of a mate based on a preference for certain characteristics
          (as color or bird song)

   sexy
          [sexy] adj sex.i.er ; -est (1925) 1: sexually suggestive
          or stimulating: erotic 2: generally attractive or interesting:
          appealing <big ~ matters of secrecy and national defense
          --Taylor Branch> -- sex.i.ly adv -- sex.i.ness n

   Seyfert galaxy
          [Sey.fert galaxy] n [Carl K. Seyfert d. 1960 Am. astronomer]
          (1959): any of a class of spiral galaxies that have small
          compact bright nuclei characterized by variability in
          light intensity, emission of radio waves, and spectra
          which indicate hot gases in rapid motion--called also
          Seyfert

   sf...
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   sf
          [sf] or sfz abbreviation sforzando  SF abbreviation sacrifice
          fly, science fiction, sinking fund, square feet, square
          foot

   SFC
          [SFC] abbreviation sergeant first class

   sferics
          [sfer.ics] n pl [by shortening & alter.] (1945): atmospherics

   [1]sforzando
          [sfor.zan.do] adj or adv [It, verbal of sforzare to force]
          (ca. 1801): played with prominent stress or accent--used
          as a direction in music [2]sforzando n, pl -dos or -di
          (1890): an accented tone or chord

   sfumato
          [sfu.ma.to] n [It, fr. pp. of sfumare to evaporate] (1909):
          the definition of form without abrupt outline by the
          blending of one tone into another

   sg...
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   SG
          [SG] abbreviation senior grade, sergeant, solicitor general,
          often not cap specific gravity; surgeon general

   sgd
          [sgd] abbreviation signed

   sgraffito
          [sgraf.fi.to] n, pl -ti [It, fr. pp. of sgraffire to scratch,
          produce sgraffito] (ca. 1730) 1: decoration by cutting
          away parts of a surface layer (as of plaster or clay)
          to expose a different colored ground--compare graffito
          2: something (as traditional Pennsylvania Dutch pottery)
          decorated with sgraffito

   Sgt
          [Sgt] abbreviation sergeant

   Sgt Maj
          [Sgt Maj] abbreviation sergeant major

   sh...
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   sh
          [sh] interj (1847)--used often in prolonged or rapidly repeated
          form to urge or command silence or less noise

   sh
          [sh] abbreviation share

   S&H
          [S&H] abbreviation shipping and handling

   Sha'ban
          [Sha'.ban] n [Ar sha'ban] (ca. 1771): the 8th month of the
          Islamic year

   Shabbat
          [Shab.bat] n [Heb shabbath] (ca. 1905): the Jewish Sabbath

   shabby
          [shab.by] adj shab.bi.er ; -est [obs. E shab a low fellow]
          (1669) 1: clothed with worn or seedy garments <a ~ hobo>
          2 a: threadbare and faded from wear <a ~ sofa> b: ill-kept:
          dilapidated <a ~ neighborhood> 3 a: mean, despicable,
          contemptible <must feel ~ ... because of his compromises
          --Nat Hentoff> b: ungenerous, unfair <laments the ~ way
          in which this country often treated a poet --Paul Engle>
          c: inferior in quality: slovenly <~ reasoning> -- shab.bi.ly
          adv -- shab.bi.ness n

   Shabuoth
          [Sha.bu.oth] n [Heb shabhu'oth, lit., weeks] (ca. 1903):
          a Jewish holiday observed on the 6th and 7th of Sivan
          in commemoration of the revelation of the Ten Commandments
          at Mt. Sinai--called also Pentecost

   shack
          [shack] n [prob. back-formation fr. E dial. shackly rickety]
          (1878) 1: hut, shanty 2: a room or similar enclosed structure
          for a particular person or use <a guard ~>

   [1]shackle
          [shack.le] n [ME schakel, fr. OE sceacul; akin to ON skokull
          pole of a cart] (bef. 12c) 1: something (as a manacle
          or fetter) that confines the legs or arms 2: something
          that checks or prevents free action as if by fetters--usu.
          used in pl. 3: a usu. U-shaped fastening device secured
          by a bolt or pin through holes in the end of the two
          arms 4: a length of cable or anchor chain of usu. 15
          fathoms [2]shackle vt shack.led ; shack.ling (15c) 1
          a: to bind with shackles: fetter b: to make fast with
          or as if with a shackle 2: to deprive of freedom esp.
          of action by means of restrictions or handicaps: impede
          syn see hamper -- shack.ler n

   shacklebone
          [shack.le.bone] n (1571) Scot: wrist

   shack up
          [shack up] vi (1935): to sleep or live together as unmarried
          sexual partners

   shad
          [shad] n, pl shad [(assumed) ME, fr. OE sceadd] (bef. 12c):
          any of several clupeid fishes (esp. genus Alosa) that
          differ from the typical herrings in having a relatively
          deep body and in being anadromous and that include some
          important food fishes of Europe and No. America

   shadberry
          [shad.ber.ry] n (1847): serviceberry

   shadblow
          [shad.blow] n (1846): serviceberry 2

   shadbush
          [shad.bush] n (ca. 1818): serviceberry 2

   shaddock
          [shad.dock] n [Captain Shaddock, 17th cent. Eng. ship commander]
          (1696): a very large thick-rinded usu. pear-shaped citrus
          fruit differing from the closely related grapefruit esp.
          in its loose rind and often coarse dry pulp; also: the
          tree (Citrus maxima syn. C. grandis) that bears it

   [1]shade
          [shade] n [ME, fr. OE sceadu; akin to OHG scato shadow, Gk
          skotos darkness] (bef. 12c) 1 a: comparative darkness
          or obscurity owing to interception of the rays of light
          b: relative obscurity or retirement 2 a: shelter (as
          by foliage) from the heat and glare of sunlight b: a
          place sheltered from the sun 3: an evanescent or unreal
          appearance 4 pl a: the shadows that gather as darkness
          comes on b: netherworld, hades 5 a: a disembodied spirit:
          ghost b--used to signal the similarity between a previously
          encountered person or situation and one at hand--usu.
          used in pl. <~s of my childhood> 6: something that intercepts
          or shelters from light, sun, or heat: as a: a device
          partially covering a lamp so as to reduce glare b: a
          flexible screen usu. mounted on a roller for regulating
          the light or the view through a window c pl: sunglasses
          7 a: the reproduction of the effect of shade in painting
          or drawing b: a subdued or somber feature 8 a: a color
          produced by a pigment or dye mixture having some black
          in it b: a color slightly different from the one under
          consideration 9 a: a minute difference or variation:
          nuance b: a minute degree or quantity 10: a facial expression
          of sadness or displeasure -- shade.less adj [2]shade
          vb shad.ed ; shad.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to shelter or screen
          by intercepting radiated light or heat b: to cover with
          a shade 2: to hide partly by or as if by a shadow 3:
          to darken with or as if with a shadow 4: to better or
          exceed by a shade: surpass, eclipse 5 a: to represent
          the effect of shade or shadow on b: to add shading to
          c: to color so that the shades pass gradually from one
          to another 6: to change by gradual transition or qualification
          7: to reduce slightly (as a price) 8: slant, bias ~ vi
          1: to pass by slight changes or imperceptible degrees
          2: to undergo or exhibit minute difference or variation
          -- shad.er n

   shade-grown
          [shade-grown] adj (1922): grown in the shade; specif: grown
          under cloth <~ tobacco>

   shade tree
          [shade tree] n (1806): a tree grown primarily to produce
          shade

   shading
          [shad.ing] n (1663) 1: the use of marking made within outlines
          to suggest three-dimensionality, shadow, or degrees of
          light and dark in a picture or drawing 2: an interpretative
          effect in music gained esp. by subtle changes in dynamics

   shadoof
          [sha.doof] also sha.duf n [Ar shaduf] (1836): a counterbalanced
          sweep used since ancient times esp. in Egypt for raising
          water (as for irrigation)

   [1]shadow
          [shad.ow] n [ME shadwe, fr. OE sceaduw-, sceadu shade] (bef.
          12c) 1: partial darkness or obscurity within a part of
          space from which rays from a source of light are cut
          off by an interposed opaque body 2: a reflected image
          3: shelter from danger or observation 4 a: an imperfect
          and faint representation b: an imitation of something:
          copy 5: the dark figure cast upon a surface by a body
          intercepting the rays from a source of light 6: phantom
          7 pl: dark 1a 8: a shaded or darker portion of a picture
          9: an attenuated form or a vestigial remnant 10 a: an
          inseparable companion or follower b: one (as a spy or
          detective) that shadows 11: a small degree or portion:
          trace 12: a source of gloom or unhappiness 13 a: an area
          near an object: vicinity b: pervasive and dominant influence
          14: a state of ignominy or obscurity -- shad.ow.less
          adj -- shad.ow.like adj [2]shadow vt (bef. 12c) 1 archaic:
          shelter, protect 2: to cast a shadow upon: cloud 3 obs:
          to shelter from the sun 4 obs: conceal 5: to represent
          or indicate obscurely or faintly--often used with forth
          or out 6: to follow esp. secretly: trail 7 archaic: shade
          5 ~ vi 1: to pass gradually or by degrees 2: to become
          overcast with or as if with shadows -- shad.ow.er n [3]shadow
          adj (1906) 1: of, relating to, or resembling a shadow
          cabinet <~ minister of defense> 2 a: having an indistinct
          pattern <~ plaid> b: having darker sections of design
          <~ lace>

   shadow band
          [shadow band] n (1900): one of a series of dark narrow parallel
          bands that appear to rush swiftly across the landscape
          just before or after totality in a solar eclipse

   shadow box
          [shadow box] n (ca. 1909): a shallow enclosing case usu.
          with a glass front in which something is set for protection
          and display

   shadowbox
          [shad.ow.box] vi (1919): to box with an imaginary opponent
          esp. as a form of training

   shadow cabinet
          [shadow cabinet] n (1906): a group of leaders of a parliamentary
          opposition who constitute the probable membership of
          the cabinet when their party is returned to power

   shadow dance
          [shadow dance] n (ca. 1909): a dance shown by throwing the
          shadows of dancers on a screen

   shadowgraph
          [shad.ow.graph] n (1888) 1: shadow play 2: a photographic
          image resembling a shad ow -- shad.ow.graphy n

   shadow mask
          [shadow mask] n (1951): a metal plate in a color television
          tube that contains minute apertures permitting passage
          of electron beams to specific phosphors on the screen
          during a scan

   shadow play
          [shadow play] n (1895): a drama exhibited by throwing shadows
          of puppets or actors on a screen--called also shadow
          show

   shadowy
          [shad.owy] adj (14c) 1 a: of the nature of or resembling
          a shadow: unsubstantial b: faintly perceptible: indistinct,
          vague 2: being in or obscured by shadow <deep ~ interiors>
          3: shady 1, 3 -- shad.ow.i.ly adv -- shad.ow.i.ness n

   shady
          [shady] adj shad.i.er ; -est (1579) 1: producing or affording
          shade 2: sheltered from the sun's rays 3 a: of questionable
          merit: uncertain, unreliable b: disreputable -- shad.i.ly
          adv -- shad.i.ness n

   [1]shaft
          [shaft] n, pl shafts [ME, fr. OE sceaft; akin to OHG scaft
          shaft, L scapus shaft, stalk, Gk skeptesthai to prop
          oneself, lean] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): the long handle of
          a spear or similar weapon (2): spear, lance b or pl shaves
          : pole; specif: either of two long pieces of wood between
          which a horse is hitched to a vehicle c (1): an arrow
          esp. for a longbow (2): the body or stem of an arrow
          extending from the nock to the head 2: a sharply delineated
          beam of light shining through an opening 3: something
          suggestive of the shaft of a spear or arrow esp. in long
          slender cylindrical form: as a: the trunk of a tree b:
          the cylindrical pillar between the capital and the base
          c: the handle of a tool or instrument (as a golf club)
          d: a commonly cylindrical bar used to support rotating
          pieces or to transmit power or motion by rotation e:
          the stem or central axis of a feather f: the upright
          member of a cross esp. below the arms g: a small architectural
          column (as at each side of a doorway) h: a column, obelisk,
          or other spire-shaped or columnar monument i: a vertical
          or inclined opening of uniform and limited cross section
          made for finding or mining ore, raising water, or ventilating
          underground workings (as in a cave) j: a vertical opening
          or passage through the floors of a building 4 a: a projectile
          thrown like a spear or shot like an arrow b: a scornful,
          satirical, or pithily critical remark or attack c: harsh
          or unfair treatment--usu. used with the [2]shaft vt (1611)
          1: to fit with a shaft 2: to treat unfairly or harshly

   shaft horsepower
          [shaft horsepower] n (1908): horsepower transmitted by an
          engine shaft

   shafting
          [shaft.ing] n (1825): shafts or material for shafts

   [1]shag
          [shag] n [(assumed) ME shagge, fr. OE sceacga; akin to ON
          skegg beard, skaga to project] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a shaggy
          tangled mass or covering (as of hair) b: long coarse
          or matted fiber, nap, or pile 2: tobacco cut into fine
          shreds 3: cormorant 1 [2]shag adj (1592): shaggy [3]shag
          vb shagged ; shag.ging vi (1596): to fall or hang in
          shaggy masses ~ vt: to make rough or shaggy [4]shag vt
          shagged ; shag.ging [origin unknown] (1904) 1 a: to chase
          after; esp: to chase after and return (a ball) hit usu.
          out of play b: to catch (a fly) in baseball practice
          2: to chase away [5]shag vi shagged ; shag.ging [perh.
          alter. of shack to lumber along] (1914) 1: to move or
          lope along 2: to dance the shag [6]shag n (1932): a dance
          step executed by hopping livelily on each foot in turn

   shagbark
          [shag.bark] n (1777): shagbark hickory

   shagbark hickory
          [shagbark hickory] n (1751): a hickory (Carya ovata) with
          sweet edible nuts and a gray shaggy outer bark that peels
          off in long strips; also: its wood

   shaggy
          [shag.gy] adj shag.gi.er ; -est (ca. 1590) 1 a: covered with
          or consisting of long, coarse, or matted hair b: covered
          with or consisting of thick, tangled, or unkempt vegetation
          c: having a rough nap, texture, or surface d: having
          hairlike processes 2 a: unkempt b: confused or unclear
          in conception or thinking -- shag.gi.ly adv -- shag.gi.ness
          n

   shaggy-dog story
          [shag.gy-dog story] n (1946): a long-drawn-out circumstantial
          story concerning an inconsequential happening that impresses
          the teller as humorous but the hearer as boring and pointless;
          also: a similar humorous story whose humor lies in the
          pointlessness or irrelevance of the punch line

   shaggymane
          [shag.gy.mane] n (ca. 1909): a common edible mushroom (Coprinus
          comatus) having an elongated shaggy white pileus with
          deliquescing gills and black spores--called also shaggy
          cap

   shagreen
          [sha.green] n [by folk etymology fr. F chagrin, modif. of
          Turk sagri] (1677) 1: an untanned leather covered with
          small round granulations and usu. dyed green 2: the rough
          skin of various sharks and rays when covered with small
          close-set tubercles -- shagreen adj

   shah
          [shah] n, often cap [Per shah king--more at check] (1566):
          a sovereign of Iran -- shah.dom n

   Shahaptian
          [Sha.hap.ti.an] n, pl Shahaptian or Shahaptians (1836) 1:
          a member of a group of American Indian peoples who formerly
          inhabited a large territory along the Columbia River
          and its tributaries 2: the language of the Shahaptian
          people including Nez Perce and Yakima

   shaitan
          [shai.tan] n [Ar shaytan] (1638): an evil spirit; specif:
          an evil jinni

   Shak
          [Shak] abbreviation Shakespeare

   [1]shake
          [shake] vb shook ; shak.en ; shak.ing [ME, fr. OE sceacan;
          akin to ON skaka to shake] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to move irregularly
          to and fro 2: to vibrate esp. as the result of a blow
          or shock 3: to tremble as a result of physical or emotional
          disturbance 4: to experience a state of instability:
          totter 5: to briskly move something to and fro or up
          and down esp. in order to mix 6: to clasp hands 7: [3]trill
          ~ vt 1: to brandish, wave, or flourish often in a threatening
          manner 2: to cause to move in a usu. quick jerky manner
          3: to cause to quake, quiver, or tremble 4 a: to free
          oneself from <~ a habit> <~ off a cold> b: to get away
          from: get rid of <can you ~ your friend? I want to talk
          to you alone --Elmer Davis> 5: to lessen the stability
          of: weaken <~ one's faith> 6: to bring to a specified
          condition by or as if by repeated quick jerky movements
          <shook himself loose from the man's grasp> 7: to dislodge
          or eject by quick jerky movements of the support or container
          <shook the dust from the cloth> 8: to clasp (hands) in
          greeting or farewell or as a sign of goodwill or agreement
          9: to stir the feelings of: upset <shook her up> 10:
          [3]trill -- shak.able or shake.able adj -- shake a leg
          1: dance 2: to hurry up syn shake, agitate, rock, convulse
          mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence.
          shake often carries a further implication of a particular
          purpose <shake well before using>. agitate suggests a
          violent and prolonged tossing or stirring <an ocean agitated
          by storms>. rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion
          resulting from violent impact or upheaval <the whole
          city was rocked by the explosion>. convulse suggests
          a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm
          <spectators were convulsed with laughter>. [2]shake n
          (1581) 1: an act of shaking: as a: an act of shaking
          hands b: an act of shaking oneself 2 a: a blow or shock
          that upsets the equilibrium or disturbs the balance of
          something b: earthquake 3 pl a: a condition of trembling
          or nervousness; specif: delirium tremens b: malaria 2a
          4: something produced by shaking: as a: a fissure separating
          annual rings of growth in timber b (1): milk shake (2):
          a beverage resembling a milk shake but made without milk
          5: a wavering, quivering, or alternating motion caused
          by a blow or shock 6: trill 7: a very brief period of
          time 8 pl: one that is exceptional esp. in importance,
          ability, or merit--usu. used in the phrase no great shakes
          9: a shingle split from a piece of log usu. three or
          four feet (about one meter) long 10: [3]deal 3 <a fair
          ~>

   shake down
          [shake down] vi (ca. 1859) 1 a: to take up temporary quarters
          b: to occupy an improvised or makeshift bed 2 a: to become
          accustomed esp. to new surroundings or duties b: to settle
          down ~ vt 1: to obtain money from in a deceitful or illegal
          manner 2: to make a thorough search of 3: to bring about
          a reduction of 4: to give a shakedown test to

   shakedown
          [shake.down] n (ca. 1730) 1: an improvised bed (as one made
          up on the floor) 2: a boisterous dance 3: an act or instance
          of shaking someone down; esp: extortion 4: a thorough
          search 5: a process or period of adjustment 6: a testing
          under operating conditions of something new (as a ship)
          for possible faults and defects and for familiarizing
          the operators with it

   shakeout
          [shake.out] n (1895) 1: the failure or retrenchment of a
          significant number of firms in the economy or a sector
          or an industry that usu. results in a depressed market
          2: a period or process in which the relatively weak or
          unessential are eliminated

   shaker
          [shak.er] n (15c) 1: one that shakes: as a: a utensil or
          machine used in shaking <cocktail ~> b: one that incites,
          promotes, or directs action <a mover and ~> 2 cap [fr.
          a dance with shaking movements performed as part of worship]:
          a member of a millenarian sect originating in England
          in 1747 and practicing celibacy and an ascetic communal
          life -- Shaker adj -- Shak.er.ism n

   [1]Shakespearean
          [Shake.spear.ean] or Shake.spear.ian also Shak.sper.ean or
          Shak.sper.ian adj (1755) 1: of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of Shakespeare or his writings 2:
          evocative of a theme, setting, or event from a work of
          Shakespeare <~ pageantry> [2]Shakespearean or Shakespearian
          also Shaksperean or Shaksperian n (1837): an authority
          on or devotee of Shakespeare

   Shakespeareana
          [Shake.spear.eana] or Shake.spear.iana n pl (1718): collected
          items by, about, or relating to Shakespeare

   Shakespearean sonnet
          [Shakespearean sonnet] n (1903): english sonnet

   shake-up
          [shake-up] n (1847): an act or instance of shaking up; specif:
          an extensive and often drastic reorganization

   shake up
          [shake up] vt (1538) 1 obs: chide, scold 2: to jar by or
          as if by a physical shock <the collision shook up both
          drivers> 3: to effect an extensive and often drastic
          reorganization of

   shaking palsy
          [shaking palsy] n (1615): parkinson's disease

   shako
          [sha.ko] n, pl shakos or shakoes [F, fr. Hung csako] (1815):
          a stiff military hat with a high crown and plume

   Shakta
          [Shak.ta] n or adj [Skt sakta, fr. Sakti] (1810): an adherent
          of Shaktism

   Shakti
          [Shak.ti] n [Skt Sakti] (1810): the dynamic energy of a Hindu
          god personified as his female consort; broadly: cosmic
          energy as conceived in Hindu thought

   Shaktism
          [Shak.tism] n (1877): a Hindu sect worshiping Shakti under
          various names (as Kali or Durga) in a cult of devotion
          to the female principle often with magical or orgiastic
          rites

   shaky
          [shaky] adj shak.i.er ; -est (1703) 1: characterized by shakes
          <~ timber> 2 a: lacking stability: precarious b: lacking
          in firmness (as of beliefs or principles) c: lacking
          in authority or reliability: questionable 3 a: somewhat
          unsound in health b: characterized by shaking 4: likely
          to give way or break down -- shak.i.ly adv -- shak.i.ness
          n

   shale
          [shale] n [prob. fr. obs. or dial. shale scale, shell, fr.
          ME, fr. OE scealu--more at shell] (1747): a fissile rock
          that is formed by the consolidation of clay, mud, or
          silt, has a finely stratified or laminated structure,
          and is composed of minerals essentially unaltered since
          deposition -- shal.ey adj

   shale oil
          [shale oil] n (1857): a crude dark oil obtained from oil
          shale by heating

   shall
          [shall] vb, past should pres sing & pl shall [ME shal (1st
          & 3d sing. pres. indic.), fr. OE sceal; akin to OHG scal
          (1st & 3d sing. pres. indic.) ought to, must, Lith skola
          debt] verbal auxiliary (bef. 12c) 1 archaic a: will have
          to: must b: will be able to: can 2 a--used to express
          a command or exhortation <you ~ go> b--used in laws,
          regulations, or directives to express what is mandatory
          <it ~ be unlawful to carry firearms> 3 a--used to express
          what is inevitable or seems likely to happen in the future
          <we ~ have to be ready> <we ~ see> b--used to express
          simple futurity <when ~ we expect you> 4--used to express
          determination <they ~ not pass> ~ vi, archaic: will go
          <he to England ~ along with you --Shak.> usage From the
          reams of pronouncements written about the distinction
          between shall and will--dating back as far as the 17th
          century--it is clear that the rules laid down have never
          very accurately reflected actual usage. The nationalistic
          statements of 18th and 19th century British grammarians,
          who commonly cited the misuses of the Irish, the Scots,
          and occas. the Americans, suggest that the traditional
          rules may have come closest to the usage of southern
          England. Some modern commentators believe that English
          usage is still the closest to the traditionally prescribed
          norms. Most modern commentators allow that will is more
          common in nearly all uses. The entries for shall and
          will in this dictionary show current usage.

   shalloon
          [shal.loon] n [Chalons-sur-Marne, France] (1678): a lightweight
          twilled fabric of wool or worsted used chiefly for the
          linings of coats and uniforms

   shallop
          [shal.lop] n [MF chaloupe] (ca. 1578) 1: a usu. 2-masted
          ship with lugsails 2: a small open boat propelled by
          oars or sails and used chiefly in shallow waters

   shallot
          [shal.lot] n [modif. of F echalote, fr. MF eschalotte, alter.
          of eschaloigne, fr. (assumed) VL escalonia--more at scallion]
          (1664) 1: a bulbous perennial herb (Allium cepa aggregatum)
          that resembles an onion and produces small clustered
          bulbs used in seasoning 2: green onion

   [1]shallow
          [shal.low] adj [ME schalowe; prob. akin to OE sceald shallow--more
          at skeleton] (14c) 1: having little depth <~ water> 2: having
          little extension inward or backward <office buildings have taken
          the form of ~ slabs --Lewis Mumford> 3 a: penetrating only the
          easily or quickly perceived <~ generalizations> b: lacking in depth
          of knowledge, thought, or feeling <a ~ demagogue> 4: displacing
          comparatively little air: weak <~ breathing> syn see superficial
          -- shal.low.ly adv -- shal.low.ness n [2]shallow vt (1510): to make
          shallow ~ vi: to become shallow [3]shallow n (1571): a shallow
          place or area in a body of water--usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl.
          in constr.

   shalom
          [sha.lom] interj [Heb shalom peace] (1904)--used as a Jewish
          greeting and farewell

   shalom aleichem
          [sha.lom alei.chem] interj [Heb shalom 'alekhem peace unto
          you] (1881)--used as a traditional Jewish greeting

   shalt
          [shalt] archaic pres 2d sing of shall

   [1]sham
          [sham] n [perh. fr. E dial. sham shame, alter. of E shame]
          (1677) 1: a trick that deludes: hoax 2: cheap falseness:
          hypocrisy 3: an ornamental covering for a pillow 4: an
          imitation or counterfeit purporting to be genuine 5:
          a person who shams syn see imposture [2]sham adj (1681)
          1: not genuine: false, feigned 2: having such poor quality
          as to seem false [3]sham vb shammed ; sham.ming vt (1755):
          to go through the external motions necessary to counterfeit
          ~ vi: to act intentionally so as to give a false impression:
          feign -- sham.mer n syn see assume

   shaman
          [sha.man] n, pl shamans [ultim. fr. Evenki (Tungusic language
          of Siberia)] (1698) 1: a priest or priestess who uses
          magic for the purpose of curing the sick, divining the
          hidden, and controlling events 2: one who resembles a
          shaman; esp: high priest 3 -- sha.man.ic adj

   shamanism
          [sha.man.ism] n (1780): a religion practiced by indigenous
          peoples of far northern Europe and Siberia that is characterized
          by belief in an unseen world of gods, demons, and ancestral
          spirits responsive only to the shamans; also: any similar
          religion -- sha.man.ist n -- sha.man.is.tic adj

   shamble
          [sham.ble] vi sham.bled ; sham.bling [shamble bowed, malformed]
          (1681): to walk awkwardly with dragging feet: shuffle
          -- shamble n

   shambles
          [sham.bles] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME shameles, pl.
          of schamel vendor's table, footstool, fr. OE sceamol
          stool, fr. L scamillum, dim. of scamnum stool, bench;
          perh. akin to Skt skambha pillar] (15c) 1 archaic: a
          meat market 2: slaughterhouse 3 a: a place of mass slaughter
          or bloodshed b: a scene or a state of great destruction:
          wreckage c (1): a scene or a state of great disorder
          or confusion (2): great confusion: mess

   shambling
          [sham.bling] adj (1592): characterized by slow awkward movement

   shambolic
          [sham.bol.ic] adj [prob. fr. shambles] (1970) chiefly Brit:
          obviously disorganized or confused

   [1]shame
          [shame] n [ME, fr. OE scamu; akin to OHG scama shame] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a painful emotion caused by consciousness of
          guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety b: the susceptibility
          to such emotion 2: a condition of humiliating disgrace
          or disrepute: ignominy 3 a: something that brings censure
          or reproach; also: something to be regretted: pity <it's
          a ~ you can't go> b: a cause of feeling shame [2]shame
          vt shamed ; sham.ing (13c) 1: to bring shame to: disgrace
          2: to put to shame by outdoing 3: to cause to feel shame
          4: to force by causing to feel guilty <shamed into confessing>

   shamefaced
          [shame.faced] adj [alter. of shamefast] (1593) 1: showing
          modesty: bashful 2: showing shame: ashamed -- shamefaced.ly
          adv -- shame.faced.ness n

   shamefast
          [shame.fast] adj [ME, fr. OE scamfaest, fr. scamu + faest
          fixed, fast] (bef. 12c) archaic: shamefaced

   shameful
          [shame.ful] adj (13c) 1 a: bringing shame: disgraceful b:
          arousing the feeling of shame 2 archaic: full of the
          feeling of shame: ashamed -- shame.ful.ly adv -- shame.ful.ness
          n

   shameless
          [shame.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having no shame: insensible
          to disgrace 2: showing lack of shame: disgraceful --
          shame.less.ly adv -- shame.less.ness n

   shammes
          [sham.mes] n, pl sham.mo.sim [Yiddish shames, fr. LHeb shammash]
          (1650) 1: the sexton of a synagogue 2: the candle or
          taper used to light the other candles in a Hanukkah menorah

   shammy
          [sham.my] var of chamois

   [1]shampoo
          [sham.poo] vt [Hindi capo, imper. of capna to press, shampoo]
          (1762) 1 archaic: massage 2 a: to wash (as the hair)
          with soap and water or with a special preparation b:
          to wash the hair of -- sham.poo.er n [2]shampoo n, pl
          shampoos (1838) 1: an act or instance of shampooing 2:
          a preparation used in shampooing

   shamrock
          [sham.rock] n [Ir seamrog, dim. of seamar clover] (1577):
          a trifoliolate plant used as a floral emblem by the Irish:
          as a: a yellow-flowered clover (Trifolium dubium) often
          regarded as the true shamrock b: wood sorrel c: white
          clover

   shamus
          [sha.mus] n [perh. fr. Yiddish shames shammes; fr. a jocular
          comparison of the duties of a sexton and those of a store
          detective] (1925) 1 slang: police officer 2 slang: private
          investigator

   Shan
          [Shan] n, pl Shan or Shans (1795) 1: a member of a people
          living primarily in Myanmar and southern China 2: the
          Thai language of the Shan

   shandy
          [shan.dy] n, pl shandies (1888) 1: shandygaff 2: a drink
          consisting of beer and lemonade

   shandygaff
          [shan.dy.gaff] n [origin unknown] (1853): beer diluted with
          a nonalcoholic drink (as ginger beer)

   Shang
          [Shang] n [Chin (Beijing) Shang] (1669): a Chinese dynasty
          traditionally dated 1766-1122 b.c. and known esp. for
          bronze work

   shanghai
          [shang.hai] vt shang.haied ; shang.hai.ing [Shanghai, China;
          fr. the formerly widespread use of this method to secure
          sailors for voyages to the Orient] (1871) 1 a: to put
          aboard a ship by force often with the help of liquor
          or a drug b: to put by force or threat of force into
          or as if into a place of detention 2: to put by trickery
          into an undesirable position -- shang.hai.er n

   Shangri-la
          [Shan.gri-la] n [Shangri-La, imaginary land depicted in the
          novel Lost Horizon (1933) by James Hilton] (1940) 1:
          a remote beautiful imaginary place where life approaches
          perfection: utopia 2: a remote usu. idyllic hideaway

   [1]shank
          [shank] n [ME shanke, fr. OE scanca; akin to ON skakkr crooked,
          Gk skazein to limp] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the part of the leg
          between the knee and the ankle in humans or the corresponding
          part in various other vertebrates b: leg c: a cut of
          beef, veal, mutton, or lamb from the upper or the lower
          part of the leg: shin--see beef illustration 2: a straight
          narrow usu. essential part of an object: as a: the straight
          part of a nail or pin b: a straight part of a plant:
          stem, stalk c: the part of an anchor between the ring
          and the crown--see anchor illustration d: the part of
          a fishhook between the eye and the bend e: the part of
          a key between the handle and the bit f: the stem of a
          tobacco pipe or the part between the stem and the bowl
          g: tang 1 h (1): the narrow part of the sole of a shoe
          beneath the instep (2): shankpiece 3: a part of an object
          by which it can be attached: as a (1): a projection on
          the back of a solid button (2): a short stem of thread
          that holds a sewn button away from the cloth b: the end
          (as of a drill bit) that is gripped in a chuck 4 a: the
          latter part of a period of time b: the early or main
          part of a period of time 5 slang: an often homemade knife
          -- shanked adj [2]shank vt (1927): to hit (a golf ball
          or shot) with the extreme heel of the club so that the
          ball goes off in an unintended direction; also: to kick
          (a football) in an unintended direction

   shankpiece
          [shank.piece] n (1885): a support for the arch of the foot
          inserted in the shank of a shoe

   shank's mare
          [shank's mare] n (ca. 1795): one's own legs <traveling by
          shank's mare>

   shan't
          [shan't] (1664): shall not

   shantung
          [shan.tung] n [Shantung (Shandong), China] (ca. 1882): a
          fabric in plain weave having a slightly irregular surface
          due to uneven slubbed filling yarns

   [1]shanty
          [shan.ty] var of chantey [2]shanty n, pl shanties [prob.
          fr. CanF chantier lumber camp, hut, fr. F, gantry, fr.
          L cantherius rafter, trellis] (1820): a small crudely
          built dwelling or shelter usu. of wood

   shantyman
          [shan.ty.man] n (ca. 1858): one who lives in a shanty

   shantytown
          [shan.ty.town] n (1876): a usu. poor town or section of a
          town consisting mostly of shanties

   shapable
          [shap.able] or shape.able adj (1647) 1: capable of being
          shaped 2: shapely

   [1]shape
          [shape] vb shaped ; shap.ing [ME, alter. of OE scieppan;
          akin to OHG skepfen to shape] vt (bef. 12c) 1: form,
          create; esp: to give a particular form or shape to 2
          obs: ordain, decree 3: to adapt in shape so as to fit
          neatly and closely <a dress shaped to her figure> 4 a:
          devise, plan b: to embody in definite form <shaping a
          folktale into an epic> 5 a: to make fit for (as a particular
          use or purpose): adapt b: to determine or direct the
          course or character of (as life) c: to modify (behavior)
          by rewarding changes that tend toward a desired response
          ~ vi 1: happen, befall 2: to take on or approach a mature
          or definite form--often used with up -- shap.er n [2]shape
          n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the visible makeup characteristic of
          a particular item or kind of item b (1): spatial form
          or contour (2): a standard or universally recognized
          spatial form 2: the appearance of the body as distinguished
          from that of the face: figure 3 a: phantom, apparition
          b: assumed appearance: guise 4: form of embodiment 5:
          a mode of existence or form of being having identifying
          features 6: something having a particular form 7: the
          condition in which someone or something exists at a particular
          time <the car was in fine ~> -- shaped adj -- in shape
          : in an original, normal, or fit condition <exercises
          to keep in shape>

   shapeless
          [shape.less] adj (14c) 1: having no definite shape 2 a: deprived
          of usual or normal shape: misshapen <a ~ old hat> b:
          not shapely -- shape.less.ly adv -- shape.less.ness n

   shapely
          [shape.ly] adj shape.li.er ; -est (14c) 1: having a regular
          or pleasing shape 2: orderly and consistent in arrangement
          or plan -- shape.li.ness n

   shapen
          [shap.en] adj [ME, fr. pp. of shapen to shape] (14c): fashioned
          in or provided with a definite shape--usu. used in combination
          <an ill-shapen body>

   shape note
          [shape note] n (1932): one of a system of seven notes showing
          the musical scale degree by the shape of the note head

   shape-shifter
          [shape-shift.er] n (1887): one that seems able to change
          form at will

   shape-up
          [shape-up] n (1940): a system of hiring workers and esp.
          longshoremen by the day or shift by having applicants
          gather for each day's selection; also: an instance of
          such hiring practice

   shape up
          [shape up] vi (ca. 1920): to improve to a good or acceptable
          condition or standard of behavior ~ vt: to bring to a
          good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior

   shard
          [shard] also sherd n [ME, fr. OE sceard; akin to OE scieran
          to cut--more at shear] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a piece or fragment
          of a brittle substance; broadly: a small piece or part
          b: shell, scale; esp: elytron 2 usu sherd: fragments
          of pottery vessels found on sites and in refuse deposits
          where pottery-making peoples have lived 3: highly angular
          curved glass fragments of tuffaceous sediments

   [1]share
          [share] n [ME schare, fr. OE scear; akin to OHG scaro plowshare,
          OE scieran to cut--more at shear] (bef. 12c): plowshare
          [2]share n [ME, fr. OE scearu cutting, tonsure; akin
          to OE scieran to cut] (14c) 1 a: a portion belonging
          to, due to, or contributed by an individual or group
          b: one's full or fair portion 2 a: the part allotted
          or belonging to one of a number owning together property
          or interest b: any of the equal portions into which property
          or invested capital is divided; specif: any of the equal
          interests or rights into which the entire capital stock
          of a corporation is divided and ownership of which is
          regularly evidenced by one or more certificates c pl,
          chiefly Brit: stock 7c(1) [3]share vb shared ; shar.ing
          vt (1590) 1: to divide and distribute in shares: apportion--usu.
          used with out or with 2 a: to partake of, use, experience,
          occupy, or enjoy with others b: to have in common 3:
          to grant or give a share in ~ vi 1: to have a share--used
          with in 2: to apportion and take shares of something
          -- shar.er n syn share, participate, partake mean to
          have, get, or use in common with another or others. share
          implies that one as the original holder grants to another
          the partial use, enjoyment, or possession of a thing
          though it may merely imply a mutual use or possession
          <shared my toys with the others>. participate implies
          a having or taking part in an undertaking, activity,
          or discussion <participated in sports>. partake implies
          accepting or acquiring a share esp. of food or drink
          <partook freely of the refreshments>.

   shareable
          [share.able] or shar.able adj (1920): capable of being shared
          -- share.abil.i.ty n

   sharecrop
          [share.crop] vb [back-formation fr. sharecropper] vi (ca.
          1930): to farm as a sharecropper ~ vt: to farm (land)
          or produce (a crop) as a sharecropper

   sharecropper
          [share.crop.per] n (1923): a tenant farmer esp. in the southern
          U.S. who is provided with credit for seed, tools, living
          quarters, and food, who works the land, and who receives
          an agreed share of the value of the crop minus charges

   shareholder
          [share.hold.er] n (ca. 1828): one that holds or owns a share
          in property; esp: stockholder

   sharif
          [sha.rif] n [Ar sharif, lit., illustrious] (1599): a descendant
          of the prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima;
          broadly: one of noble ancestry or political preeminence
          in predominantly Islamic countries -- sha.rif.ian adj

   [1]shark
          [shark] n [ME] (15c): any of numerous mostly marine cartilaginous
          fishes of medium to large size that have a fusiform body,
          lateral branchial clefts, and a tough usu. dull gray
          skin roughened by minute tubercles and are typically
          active predators sometimes dangerous to humans -- shark.like
          adj [2]shark n [prob. modif. of G Schurke scoundrel]
          (1599) 1: a rapacious crafty person who preys upon others
          through usury, extortion, or trickery 2: one who excels
          greatly esp. in a particular field [3]shark vt (1602)
          1 archaic: to gather hastily 2 archaic: to obtain by
          some irregular means ~ vi 1 archaic: to practice fraud
          or trickery 2 archaic: sneak

   sharkskin
          [shark.skin] n (1851) 1: the hide of a shark or leather made
          from it 2 a: a smooth durable woolen or worsted suiting
          in twill or basket weave with small woven designs b:
          a smooth crisp fabric with a dull finish made usu. of
          rayon in basket weave

   shark sucker
          [shark sucker] n (ca. 1850): remora 1

   [1]sharp
          [sharp] adj [ME, fr. OE scearp; akin to OHG scarf sharp and
          perh. to OE scrapian to scrape--more at scrape] (bef.
          12c) 1: adapted to cutting or piercing: as a: having
          a thin keen edge or fine point b: briskly or bitingly
          cold: nipping <a ~ wind> 2 a: keen in intellect: quick-witted
          b: keen in perception: acute <~ sight> c: keen in attention:
          vigilant <keep a ~ lookout> d: keen in attention to one's
          own interest sometimes to the point of being unethical
          <a ~ trader> 3: keen in spirit or action: as a: full
          of activity or energy: brisk <~ blows> b: capable of
          acting or reacting strongly; esp: caustic 4: severe,
          harsh: as a: inclined to or marked by irritability or
          anger <a ~ temper> b: causing intense mental or physical
          distress <a ~ pain> c: cutting in language or import
          <a ~ rebuke> 5: affecting the senses or sense organs
          intensely: as a (1): having a strong odor or flavor <~
          cheese> (2): acrid b: having a strong piercing sound
          c: having the effect of or involving a sudden brilliant
          display of light <a ~ flash> 6 a: terminating in a point
          or edge <~ features> b: involving an abrupt or marked
          change esp. in direction <a ~ turn> c: clear in outline
          or detail: distinct <a ~ image> d: set forth with clarity
          and distinctness <~ contrast> 7 a of a tone: raised a
          half step in pitch b: higher than the proper pitch c:
          major, augmented--used of an interval in music 8: stylish,
          dressy -- sharp.ly adv -- sharp.ness n syn sharp, keen,
          acute mean having or showing alert competence and clear
          understanding. sharp implies quick perception, clever
          resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness
          <sharp enough to spot a confidence game>. keen suggests
          quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind <a keen
          observer of the political scene>. acute implies a power
          to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of
          discrimination <an acute sense of style>. [2]sharp adv
          (bef. 12c) 1: in a sharp manner: sharply 2: exactly,
          precisely <4 o'clock ~> [3]sharp n (14c): one that is
          sharp: as a: a sharp edge or point b (1): a musical note
          or tone one half step higher than a note or tone named
          (2): a character on a line or space of the musical staff
          indicating a pitch a half step higher than the degree
          would indicate without it c: a needle with a small eye
          for sewing by hand d: a real or self-styled expert; also:
          sharper [4]sharp vt (1662): to raise (as a musical tone)
          in pitch; esp: to raise in pitch by a half step ~ vi:
          to sing or play above the proper pitch

   shar-pei
          [shar-pei] n, pl shar-peis [Chin (Guangdong) sa sand + pei
          fur] (1975): any of an ancient breed of dogs originating
          in China that have loose wrinkled skin esp. when young,
          a short bristly coat, blue-black tongue, and wide blunt
          muzzle

   sharpen
          [sharp.en] vb sharp.ened ; sharp.en.ing vt (15c): to make
          sharp or sharper; esp: hone ~ vi: to become sharp or
          sharper -- sharp.en.er n

   sharper
          [sharp.er] n (1681): cheat, swindler; esp: a cheating gambler

   sharp-eyed
          [sharp-eyed] adj (1670): having keen sight; also: keen in
          observing or penetrating

   sharpie
          [sharp.ie] or sharpy n, pl sharp.ies (ca. 1859) 1: a long
          narrow shallow-draft boat with flat or slightly V-shaped
          bottom and one or two masts each carrying a triangular
          sail 2 a: sharper b: an exceptionally keen or alert person

   sharp-nosed
          [sharp-nosed] adj (1561) 1: keen in smelling 2: having a
          pointed nose or snout

   sharp practice
          [sharp practice] n (1845): the act of dealing in which advantage
          is taken or sought unscrupulously

   sharp-set
          [sharp-set] adj (1540): eager in appetite or desire

   sharp-shinned hawk
          [sharp-shinned hawk] n (ca. 1812): a common widely distributed
          American accipiter (Accipiter striatus) that is grayish
          above, has a chestnut breast, short rounded wings, and
          a tail with a notched or square tip when folded--called
          also sharp-shin

   sharpshooter
          [sharp.shoot.er] n (1802): a good marksman

   sharpshooting
          [sharp.shoot.ing] n (1806) 1: shooting with great precision
          2: accurate and usu. unexpected attack (as in words)

   sharp-sighted
          [sharp-sight.ed] adj (1571) 1: having acute sight 2: mentally
          keen or alert -- sharp-sight.ed.ly adv -- sharp-sight.ed.ness
          n

   sharp-tongued
          [sharp-tongued] adj (1837): having a sharp tongue: harsh
          or bitter in speech or language

   sharp-witted
          [sharp-wit.ted] adj (ca. 1586): having an acute mind

   shashlik
          [shash.lik] also shash.lick or shas.lik n [Russ shashlyk,
          prob. modif. of Crimean Tatar sislik, fr. sis skewer]
          (1926): kabob

   Shasta daisy
          [Shas.ta daisy] n [Mount Shasta, California] (ca. 1893):
          a large-flowered garden daisy (Chrysanthemum superbum
          syn. C. maximum) that resembles the oxeye daisy

   shat
          [shat] past and past part of shit

   [1]shatter
          [shat.ter] vb [ME schateren] vt (14c) 1: to cause to drop
          or be dispersed 2 a: to break at once into pieces b:
          to damage badly: ruin 3: to cause the disruption or annihilation
          of: demolish ~ vi 1: to break apart: disintegrate 2:
          to drop off parts (as leaves, petals, or fruit) <the
          wheat ~ed in the fields> -- shat.ter.ing.ly adv [2]shatter
          n (ca. 1640) 1: fragment, shred--usu. used in pl. <the
          broken vase lay in ~s> 2: an act of shattering: the state
          of being shattered 3: a result of shattering: shower

   shatter cone
          [shatter cone] n (1933): a conical fragment of rock that
          has striations radiating from the apex and that is formed
          by high pressure (as from volcanism or meteorite impact)

   shatterproof
          [shat.ter.proof] adj (1930): proof against shattering

   [1]shave
          [shave] vb shaved ; shaved or shav.en ; shav.ing [ME, fr.
          OE scafan; akin to Lith skobti to pluck, L scabere to
          scratch, and perh. to Gk koptein to cut--more at capon]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to remove a thin layer from b: to
          cut off in thin layers or shreds: slice c: to cut off
          closely 2 a: to sever the hair from (the head or another
          part of the body) close to the roots b: to cut off (hair
          or beard) close to the skin 3 a: to discount (a note)
          at an exorbitant rate b: deduct, reduce 4: to come close
          to or touch lightly in passing ~ vi 1: to cut off hair
          or beard close to the skin 2: to proceed with difficulty:
          scrape [2]shave n (bef. 12c) 1: shaver 3 2: a thin slice:
          shaving 3: an act or process of shaving

   shaveling
          [shave.ling] n (1529) 1: a tonsured clergyman: priest--usu.
          used disparagingly 2: youth, stripling

   shaver
          [shav.er] n (15c) 1: a person who shaves 2 archaic: one who
          swindles 3: a tool or machine for shaving; esp: an electric
          razor 4: boy, youngster

   shaves
          [shaves] pl of shaft

   shavetail
          [shave.tail] n [fr. the practice of shaving the tails of
          newly broken mules to distinguish them from seasoned
          ones] (1846) 1: a pack mule esp. when newly broken in
          2: second lieutenant--usu. used disparagingly

   Shavian
          [Sha.vi.an] n [NL Shavius, Latinized form of George Bernard
          Shaw] (1905): an admirer or devotee of G. B. Shaw, his
          writings, or his social and political theories -- Shavian
          adj

   shavie
          [shav.ie] n [shave (swindle) + -ie] (1737) Scot: prank

   shaving
          [shav.ing] n (14c) 1: the act of one that shaves 2: something
          shaved off <wood ~s>

   [1]shaw
          [shaw] n [ME, fr. OE sceaga; akin to ON skegg beard--more
          at shag] (bef. 12c) dial: coppice, thicket [2]shaw n
          [prob. alter. of show] (1726) chiefly Brit: the tops
          and stalks of a cultivated crop (as potatoes or turnips)

   [1]shawl
          [shawl] n [Per shal] (1662): a square or oblong usu. fabric
          garment or wrapper used esp. as a covering for the head
          or shoulders [2]shawl vt (1812): to wrap in or as if
          in a shawl

   shawl collar
          [shawl collar] n (ca. 1908): a turned-over collar of a garment
          that combines with lapels forming an unbroken curving
          line

   shawm
          [shawm] n [ME schalme, fr. MF chalemie, fr. OF, alter. of
          chalemel, fr. LL calamellus, dim. of L calamus reed--more
          at calamus] (14c): an early double-reed woodwind instrument

   Shawnee
          [Shaw.nee] n, pl Shawnee or Shawnees [back-formation fr.
          obs. E Shawnese, ultim. fr. Shawnee shawanoki, lit.,
          southerners] (1769) 1: a member of an American Indian
          people orig. of the central Ohio valley 2: the Algonquian
          language of the Shawnee people

   Shawwal
          [Shaw.wal] n [Ar shawwal] (ca. 1771): the 10th month of the
          Islamic year

   shay
          [shay] n [back-formation fr. chaise, taken as pl.] (1717)
          chiefly dial: chaise 1

   shd
          [shd] abbreviation should

   [1]she
          [she] pron [ME, prob. alter. of hye, alter. of OE heo she--more
          at he] (12c) 1: that female one who is neither speaker
          nor the one addressed <~ is my wife>--compare he, her,
          hers, it, they 2--used to refer to one regarded as feminine
          (as by personification) <~ was a fine ship> [2]she n
          (14c): a female person or animal--often used in combination
          <she-cat> <she-cousin>

   shea butter
          [shea butter] n (1847): a pale solid fat from the seeds of
          the shea tree used in food, soap, and candles

   sheaf
          [sheaf] n, pl sheaves [ME sheef, fr. OE sceaf; akin to OHG
          scoub sheaf, Russ chub forelock] (bef. 12c) 1: a quantity
          of the stalks and ears of a cereal grass or sometimes
          other plant material bound together 2: something resembling
          a sheaf of grain <a ~ of papers> -- sheaf.like adj

   shea nut
          [shea nut] n (1919): the seed of the shea tree

   [1]shear
          [shear] vb sheared ; sheared or shorn ; shear.ing [ME sheren,
          fr. OE scieran; akin to ON skera to cut, L curtus shortened,
          Gk keirein to cut, shear, Skt krnati he injures] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to cut off the hair from <with crown shorn>
          b: to cut or clip (as hair or wool) from someone or something;
          also: to cut something from <~ a lawn> c chiefly Scot:
          to reap with a sickle d: to cut or trim with shears or
          a similar instrument 2: to cut with something sharp 3:
          to deprive of something as if by cutting 4 a: to subject
          to a shear force b: to cause (as a rock mass) to move
          along the plane of contact ~ vi 1: to cut through something
          with or as if with a sharp instrument 2 chiefly Scot:
          to reap crops with a sickle 3: to become divided under
          the action of a shear <the bolt may ~ off> -- shear.er
          n [2]shear n (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a cutting implement
          similar or identical to a pair of scissors but typically
          larger--usu. used in pl. (2): one blade of a pair of
          shears b: any of various cutting tools or machines operating
          by the action of opposed cutting edges of metal--usu.
          used in pl. c (1): something resembling a shear or a
          pair of shears (2): a hoisting apparatus consisting of
          two or sometimes more upright spars fastened together
          at their upper ends and having tackle for masting or
          dismasting ships or lifting heavy loads (as guns)--usu.
          used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr. 2 chiefly Brit:
          the action or process or an instance of shearing--used
          in combination to indicate the approximate age of sheep
          in terms of shearings undergone 3 a: internal force tangential
          to the section on which it acts--called also shearing
          force b: an action or stress resulting from applied forces
          that causes or tends to cause two contiguous parts of
          a body to slide relatively to each other in a direction
          parallel to their plane of contact

   sheared
          [sheared] adj (1616): formed or finished by shearing; esp:
          cut to uniform length <a ~ rug>

   shearling
          [shear.ling] (14c): skin from a recently sheared sheep or
          lamb that has been tanned and dressed with the wool left
          on

   shear pin
          [shear pin] n (ca. 1931): an easily replaceable pin inserted
          at a critical point in a machine and designed to break
          when subjected to excess stress

   shearwater
          [shear.wa.ter] n (ca. 1671): any of numerous oceanic birds
          (esp. genus Puffinus) that are related to the petrels
          and usu. skim close to the waves in flight

   sheath
          [sheath] n, pl sheaths [ME shethe, fr. OE sceath; akin to
          OHG sceida sheath and perh. to L scindere to split--more
          at shed] (bef. 12c) 1: a case for a blade (as of a knife)
          2: an investing cover or case of a plant or animal body
          or body part: as a: the tubular fold of skin into which
          the penis of many mammals is retracted b (1): the lower
          part of a leaf (as of a grass) when surrounding the stem
          (2): an ensheathing spathe 3: any of various covering
          or supporting structures that are applied like or resemble
          in appearance or function the sheath of a blade: as a:
          sheathing 2 b: a woman's close-fitting dress usu. worn
          without a belt c Brit: condom

   sheathbill
          [sheath.bill] n (ca. 1781): either of two white shore birds
          (Chionis alba and C. minor of the family Chionididae)
          of colder parts of the southern hemisphere that have
          a horny sheath over the base of the upper mandible and
          suggest the pigeons in general appearance

   sheathe
          [sheathe] also sheath vt sheathed ; sheath.ing [ME shethen,
          fr. shethe sheath] (15c) 1: to put into or furnish with
          a sheath 2: to plunge or bury (as a sword) in flesh 3:
          to withdraw (a claw) into a sheath 4: to case or cover
          with something (as sheets of metal) that protects --
          sheath.er n

   sheathing
          [sheath.ing] n (15c) 1: the action of one that sheathes something
          2: material used to sheathe something; esp: the first
          covering of boards or of waterproof material on the outside
          wall of a frame house or on a timber roof

   sheath knife
          [sheath knife] n (1837): a knife having a fixed blade and
          designed to be carried in a sheath

   shea tree
          [shea tree] n [Bambara si] (1799): a tropical African tree
          (Vitellaria paradoxa syn. Butyrospermum parkii) of the
          sapodilla family with fatty nuts that yield shea butter

   [1]sheave
          [sheave] n [ME sheve; akin to OHG sciba disk] (14c): a grooved
          wheel or pulley (as of a pulley block) [2]sheave vt sheaved
          ; sheav.ing [sheaf] (1598): to gather and bind into a
          sheaf

   shebang
          [she.bang] n [origin unknown] (1869): everything involved
          in what is under consideration--usu. used in the phrase
          the whole shebang

   Shebat
          [She.bat] n [Heb shebhat] (1535): the 5th month of the civil
          year or the 11th month of the ecclesiastical year in
          the Jewish calendar

   shebeen
          [she.been] n [Ir sibin illicit whiskey, shebeen] (ca. 1787)
          chiefly Irish: an unlicensed or illegally operated drinking
          establishment

   Shechinah
          [She.chi.nah] n [Heb shekhinah] (1663): the presence of God
          in the world as conceived in Jewish theology

   she'd
          [she'd] (1609): she had: she would

   [1]shed
          [shed] vb shed ; shed.ding [ME, to divide, separate, fr.
          OE sceadan; akin to OHG skeidan to separate, L scindere
          to split, cleave, Gk schizein to split] vt (bef. 12c)
          1 chiefly dial: to set apart: segregate 2: to cause to
          be dispersed without penetrating <duck's plumage ~s water>
          3 a: to cause (blood) to flow by cutting or wounding
          b: to pour forth in drops <~ tears> c: to give off in
          a stream <fish shedding their eggs in spawning> d: to
          give off or out <~s some light on the subject> 4 a (1):
          to cast off (as a body covering): molt (2): to let fall
          (as leaves) (3): to eject (as seed or spores) from a
          natural receptacle b: to rid oneself of temporarily or
          permanently as superfluous or unwanted <~ her inhibitions>
          <the company ~ 100 jobs> ~ vi 1: to pour out: spill 2:
          to become dispersed: scatter 3: to cast off some natural
          covering (as fur or skin) <the cat is shedding> syn see
          discard -- shed blood : to cause death by violence [2]shed
          n (12c) 1 obs: distinction, difference 2: something (as
          the skin of a snake) that is discarded in shedding 3:
          a divide of land [3]shed n [alter. of earlier shadde,
          prob. fr. ME shade shade] (1557) 1 a: a slight structure
          built for shelter or storage; esp: a single-storied building
          with one or more sides unenclosed b: a building that
          resembles a shed 2 archaic: hut -- shed.like adj [4]shed
          vt shed.ded ; shed.ding (1850): to put or house in a
          shed

   shedder
          [shed.der] n (14c): one that sheds something: as a: a crab
          or lobster about to molt b: a newly molted crab

   shed dormer
          [shed dormer] n (1948): a dormer with a roof sloping in the
          same direction as the roof from which the dormer projects

   [1]sheen
          [sheen] adj [ME shene, fr. OE sciene; akin to OE sceawian
          to look--more at show] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: beautiful
          2 archaic: shining, resplendent [2]sheen vi (14c): to
          be bright: show a sheen [3]sheen n (1602) 1 a: a bright
          or shining condition: brightness b: a subdued glitter
          approaching but short of optical reflection c: a lustrous
          surface imparted to textiles through finishing processes
          or use of shiny yarns 2: a textile exhibiting notable
          sheen -- sheeny adj

   sheep
          [sheep] n, pl sheep often attrib [ME, fr. OE sceap; akin
          to OHG scaf sheep] (bef. 12c) 1: any of various ruminant
          mammals (genus Ovis) related to the goats but stockier
          and lacking a beard in the male; specif: one (O. aries)
          long domesticated esp. for its flesh and wool 2 a: a
          timid defenseless creature b: a timid docile person;
          esp: one easily influenced or led 3: leather prepared
          from the skins of sheep: sheepskin

   sheepberry
          [sheep.ber.ry] n (ca. 1818): an often shrubby No. American
          viburnum (Viburnum lentago) with white flowers in flat
          cymes

   sheepcote
          [sheep.cote] n (15c) chiefly Brit: sheepfold

   sheep-dip
          [sheep-dip] n (1865): a liquid preparation of usu. toxic
          chemicals into which sheep are plunged esp. to destroy
          parasitic arthropods

   sheepdog
          [sheep.dog] n (ca. 1774): a dog (as a Border collie) used
          to tend, drive, or guard sheep

   sheep fescue
          [sheep fescue] n (1945): a hardy fine-foliaged perennial
          grass (Festuca ovina) widely used as a pasture grass--called
          also sheep's fescue

   sheepfold
          [sheep.fold] n (15c): a pen or shelter for sheep

   sheepherder
          [sheep.herd.er] n (1871): a worker in charge of sheep esp.
          on open range

   sheepherding
          [sheep.herd.ing] n (1891): the activities of a worker engaged
          in tending sheep

   sheepish
          [sheep.ish] adj (13c) 1: resembling a sheep in meekness,
          stupidity, or timidity 2: affected by or showing embarrassment
          caused by consciousness of a fault <a ~ grin> -- sheep.ish.ly
          adv -- sheep.ish.ness n

   sheep ked
          [sheep ked] n [sheep + ked sheep ked, of unknown origin]
          (1925): a wingless bloodsucking dipteran fly (Melophagus
          ovinus) that feeds chiefly on sheep and is a vector of
          sheep trypanosomiasis--called also sheep tick

   sheep laurel
          [sheep laurel] n (1810): a dwarf shrub (Kalmia angustifolia)
          of the eastern U.S. that is poisonous to young stock
          and resembles mountain laurel but has narrower leaves
          and smaller bright red flowers--called also lambkill

   sheep's eye
          [sheep's eye] n (ca. 1529): a shy longing usu. amorous glance--usu.
          used in pl.

   sheepshank
          [sheep.shank] n (1627) 1: a knot for shortening a line--see
          knot illustration 2 Scot: something of no worth or importance

   sheepshead
          [sheeps.head] n (1643) 1: a marine bony fish (Archosargus
          probatocephalus of the family Sparidae) of the Atlantic
          and Gulf coasts of the U.S. that has broad incisor teeth
          and is used for food 2: freshwater drum 3: a largely
          red or rose California wrasse (Semicossyphus pulcher)

   sheepshearer
          [sheep.shear.er] n (1539): one that shears sheep

   sheepshearing
          [sheep.shear.ing] n (1586) 1: the act of shearing sheep 2:
          the time or season for shearing sheep

   sheepskin
          [sheep.skin] n (13c) 1 a: the skin of a sheep; also: leather
          prepared from it b: parchment c: a garment made of or
          lined with sheepskin 2: diploma

   sheep sorrel
          [sheep sorrel] n (1806): a small dock (Rumex acetosella)
          of acidic soils

   sheep walk
          [sheep walk] n (1586) chiefly Brit: a pasture or range for
          sheep

   [1]sheer
          [sheer] vb [perh. alter. of [1]shear] vi (1539): to deviate
          from a course: swerve ~ vt: to cause to sheer [2]sheer
          n (1670) 1: a turn, deviation, or change in a course
          (as of a ship) 2: the position of a ship riding to a
          single anchor and heading toward it [3]sheer adj [ME
          schere freed from guilt, prob. alter. of skere, fr. ON
          skaerr pure; akin to OE scinan to shine] (ca. 1568) 1
          obs: bright, shining 2: of very thin or transparent texture:
          diaphanous 3 a: unqualified, utter <~ folly> <~ ignorance>
          b: being free from an adulterant: pure, unmixed c: viewed
          or acting in dissociation from all else <in terms of
          ~ numbers> 4: marked by great and continuous steepness
          syn see steep -- sheer.ly adv -- sheer.ness n [4]sheer
          adv (ca. 1600) 1: in a complete manner: altogether 2:
          straight up or down without a break: perpendicularly
          [5]sheer n (ca. 1920): a sheer fabric; also: an article
          of such a fabric [6]sheer n [perh. alter. of [2]shear]
          (1691): the fore-and-aft curvature from bow to stern
          of a ship's deck as shown in side elevation

   sheerlegs
          [sheer.legs] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1860): shear
          1c(2)

   [1]sheet
          [sheet] n [ME shete, fr. OE scyte; akin to OE sceat edge,
          OHG scoz flap, skirt] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a broad piece of
          cloth; esp: bedsheet b: sail 1a(1) 2 a (1): a usu. rectangular
          piece of paper; esp: one manufactured for printing (2):
          a rectangular piece of heavy paper with a plant specimen
          mounted on it <an herbarium of 100,000 ~s> b: a printed
          signature for a book esp. before it has been folded,
          cut, or bound--usu. used in pl. c: a newspaper, periodical,
          or occasional publication <a gossip ~> d: the unseparated
          postage stamps printed by one impression of a plate on
          a single piece of paper; also: a pane of stamps 3: a
          broad stretch or surface of something <a ~ of ice> 4:
          a suspended or moving expanse (as of fire or rain) 5
          a: a portion of something that is thin in comparison
          to its length and breadth b: a flat baking pan of tinned
          metal <a cookie ~> 6: a surface or part of a surface
          in which it is possible to pass from any one point of
          it to any other without leaving the surface <a hyperboloid
          of two ~s> -- sheet.like adj [2]sheet adj (1582) 1: rolled
          or spread out in a sheet 2: of, relating to, or concerned
          with the making of sheet metal [3]sheet vt (1606) 1:
          to cover with a sheet: shroud 2: to furnish with sheets
          3: to form into sheets ~ vi: to fall, spread, or flow
          in a sheet <the rain ~ed against the windows> -- sheet.er
          n -- sheet home 1: to extend (a sail) and set as flat
          as possible by hauling upon the sheets 2: to fix the
          responsibility for: bring home to one [4]sheet n [ME
          shete, fr. OE sceata lower corner of a sail; akin to
          OE scyte sheet] (13c) 1: a rope or chain that regulates
          the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
          2 pl: the spaces at either end of an open boat not occupied
          by thwarts: foresheets and stern sheets together -- three
          sheets in the wind or three sheets to the wind : drunk
          1a

   sheet anchor
          [sheet anchor] n (15c) 1: a large strong anchor formerly
          carried in the waist of a ship and used as a spare in
          an emergency 2: something that constitutes a main support
          or dependence esp. in danger

   sheet bend
          [sheet bend] n (ca. 1823): a bend or hitch used for temporarily
          fastening a rope to the bight of another rope or to an
          eye--see knot illustration

   sheetfed
          [sheet.fed] adj (1926): of, relating to, being, or printed
          by a press that prints on paper in sheet form

   sheet glass
          [sheet glass] n (1805): glass made in large sheets directly
          from the furnace or by making a cylinder and then flattening
          it

   sheeting
          [sheet.ing] n (1711) 1: material in the form of sheets or
          suitable for forming into sheets 2: a lining (as wood
          or steel) used to support an embankment or the walls
          of an excavation

   sheet lightning
          [sheet lightning] n (1794): lightning in diffused or sheet
          form due to reflection and diffusion by the clouds and
          sky

   sheet metal
          [sheet metal] n (ca. 1909): metal in the form of a sheet

   sheet music
          [sheet music] n (1857): music printed on large unbound sheets
          of paper

   Sheetrock
          [Sheet.rock] trademark--used for plasterboard

   sheikh
          [sheikh] or sheik n [Ar shaykh] (1577) 1: an Arab chief 2
          usu sheik: a man held to be irresistibly attractive to
          romantic young women

   sheikhdom
          [sheikh.dom] or sheik.dom n (1845): a region under the rule
          of a sheikh

   sheila
          [shei.la] n [prob. fr. Sheila, female given name] (ca. 1919)
          Austral & NewZeal: a girl or young woman

   shekel
          [shek.el] n [Heb sheqel] (15c) 1 a: any of various ancient
          units of weight; esp: a Hebrew unit equal to about 252
          grains troy b: a unit of value based on a shekel weight
          of gold or silver 2: a coin weighing one shekel 3 pl:
          money 4: the basic monetary unit of Israel

   Shekinah
          [Shekinah] var of shechinah

   sheldrake
          [shel.drake] n [ME, fr. sheld- (akin to MD schillede parti-colored)
          + drake] (14c) 1: shelduck 2: merganser

   shelduck
          [shel.duck] n [shel- (as in sheldrake) + duck] (1707): any
          of various Old World ducks (genus Tadorna); esp: a common
          mostly black-and-white duck (T. tadorna) slightly larger
          than the mallard

   shelf
          [shelf] n, pl shelves [ME, prob. fr. OE scylfe; akin to ON
          hlithskjalf Odin's seat] (14c) 1 a: a thin flat usu.
          long and narrow piece of material (as wood) fastened
          horizontally (as on a wall) at a distance from the floor
          to hold objects b: one of several similar pieces in a
          closet, bookcase, or similar structure c: the contents
          of a shelf 2: something resembling a shelf in form or
          position: as a: a sandbank or ledge of rocks usu. partially
          submerged b: a flat projecting layer of rock c: the submerged
          gradually sloping border of a continent or island: continental
          shelf -- shelf.ful n -- shelf.like adj -- off the shelf
          : available from stock: not made to order <off the shelf
          equipment> -- on the shelf : in a state of inactivity
          or uselessness

   shelf fungus
          [shelf fungus] n (ca. 1903): bracket fungus

   shelf ice
          [shelf ice] n (1910): an extensive ice sheet originating
          on land but continuing out to sea beyond the depths at
          which it rests on the sea bottom

   shelf life
          [shelf life] n (1927): the period of time during which a
          material may be stored and remain suitable for use; broadly:
          the period of time during which something lasts or remains
          popular

   [1]shell
          [shell] n [ME, fr. OE sciell; akin to OE scealu shell, ON
          skel, Lith skelti to split, Gk skallein to hoe] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a hard rigid usu. largely calcareous covering
          or support of an animal b: the hard or tough often thin
          outer covering of an egg (as of a bird or reptile)--see
          egg illustration 2: the covering or outside part of a
          fruit or seed esp. when hard or fibrous 3: shell material
          (as of mollusks or turtles) or their substance 4: something
          that resembles a shell: as a: a framework or exterior
          structure; esp: a building with an unfinished interior
          b (1): an external case or outside covering <the ~ of
          a ship> (2): a thin usu. spherical layer or surface enclosing
          a space or surrounding an object <an expanding ~ of gas
          around a neutron star> c: a casing without substance
          <mere effigies and ~s of men --Thomas Carlyle> d: an
          edible crust for holding a filling <a pastry ~> e: band
          shell f: a small beer glass g: an unlined article of
          outerwear 5: a shell-bearing mollusk 6: an impersonal
          attitude or manner that conceals the presence or absence
          of feeling <he retreated into his ~> 7: a narrow light
          racing boat propelled by one or more persons pulling
          oars or sculls 8: any of the spaces occupied by the orbits
          of a group of electrons of approximately equal energy
          surrounding the nucleus of an atom 9 a: a projectile
          for cannon containing an explosive bursting charge b:
          a metal or paper case which holds the charge of powder
          and shot or bullet used with breech-loading small arms
          10: a plain usu. sleeveless blouse or sweater 11: a company
          or corporation that exists without assets or independent
          operations as a legal entity through which another company
          or corporation can conduct various dealings -- shell
          adj [2]shell vt (1562) 1 a: to take out of a natural
          enclosing cover (as a shell, husk, pod, or capsule) <~
          peanuts> b: to separate the kernels of (as an ear of
          Indian corn, wheat, or oats) from the cob, ear, or husk
          2: to throw shells at, upon, or into: bombard 3: to score
          heavily against (as an opposing pitcher in baseball)
          ~ vi 1: to fall or scale off in thin pieces 2: to cast
          the shell or exterior covering: fall out of the pod or
          husk <nuts which ~ in falling> 3: to gather shells (as
          from a beach): collect shells

   she'll
          [she'll] (1593): she will: she shall

   [1]shellac
          [shel.lac] n [[1]shell + lac] (1713) 1: purified lac usu.
          prepared in thin orange or yellow flakes by heating and
          filtering and often bleached white 2: a preparation of
          lac dissolved usu. in alcohol and used chiefly as a wood
          filler and finish 3 a: a composition containing shellac
          formerly used for making phonograph records b: an old
          78 rpm phonograph record [2]shellac vt shel.lacked ;
          shel.lack.ing (1876) 1: to coat or otherwise treat with
          shellac or a shellac varnish 2: to defeat decisively

   shellacking
          [shellacking] n (1931): a decisive defeat: drubbing

   shellback
          [shell.back] n (1853) 1: an old or veteran sailor 2: a person
          who has crossed the equator and been initiated in the
          traditional ceremony

   shell bean
          [shell bean] n (1868) 1: a bean grown primarily for its edible
          seeds--compare snap bean 2: the edible seed of a bean

   shellcracker
          [shell.crack.er] n (ca. 1890): redear

   shelled
          [shelled] adj (15c) 1: having a shell esp. of a specified
          kind--often used in combination <pink-shelled> <thick-shelled>
          2 a: having the shell removed <~ oysters> <~ nuts> b:
          removed from the cob <~ corn>

   sheller
          [shell.er] n (1694) 1: one that shells <a peanut ~> 2: a
          person who collects seashells

   shellfish
          [shell.fish] n (bef. 12c): an aquatic invertebrate animal
          with a shell; esp: an edible mollusk or crustacean

   shellfishery
          [shell.fish.ery] n (1885): a commercially exploited population
          of shellfish

   shell game
          [shell game] n (1890) 1: thimblerig played esp. with three
          walnut shells 2: fraud; esp: a swindle involving the
          substitution of something of little or no value for a
          valuable item

   shell jacket
          [shell jacket] n (1840) 1: a short tight military jacket
          worn buttoned up the front 2: mess jacket

   shell out
          [shell out] vb (1801): pay

   shell pink
          [shell pink] n (1887): a light yellowish pink

   shellproof
          [shell.proof] adj (ca. 1859): capable of resisting shells
          or bombs

   shell shock
          [shell shock] n (1915): post-traumatic stress disorder in
          soldiers as a result of combat experience

   shell-shocked
          [shell-shocked] adj (1918) 1: affected with shell shock 2:
          mentally confused, upset, or exhausted as a result of
          excessive stress

   shell steak
          [shell steak] n (ca. 1968): the part of a short loin of beef
          that contains no tenderloin

   shellwork
          [shell.work] n (1611): work adorned with shells or composed
          of a pattern of shells

   shelly
          [shelly] adj shell.i.er ; -est (1555) 1: abounding in or
          covered with shells <a ~ shore> 2: of, relating to, or
          resembling a shell

   [1]shelter
          [shel.ter] n [origin unknown] (1585) 1 a: something that
          covers or affords protection <a bomb ~> b: an establishment
          providing food and shelter (as to the homeless) c: an
          establishment that houses and feeds stray animals 2:
          a position or the state of being covered and protected
          <took ~> -- shel.ter.less adj [2]shelter vb shel.tered
          ; shel.ter.ing vt (1590) 1: to constitute or provide
          a shelter for: protect <has led a ~ed life> 2: to place
          under shelter or protection <~ed himself in a mountain
          cave> 3: to protect (income) from taxation ~ vi: to take
          shelter -- shel.ter.er n

   shelterbelt
          [shel.ter.belt] n (1868): a barrier of trees and shrubs that
          protects (as crops) from wind and storm and lessens erosion

   shelter half
          [shelter half] n (1911): one of the halves of a shelter tent

   shelter tent
          [shelter tent] n (1862): a small tent usu. consisting of
          two interchangeable pieces: pup tent

   sheltie
          [shel.tie] or shel.ty n, pl shelties [prob. fr. ON Hjalti
          Shetlander] (1650) 1: shetland pony 2: shetland sheepdog

   shelve
          [shelve] vb shelved ; shelv.ing [shelf] vt (1598) 1: to furnish
          with shelves 2: to place on a shelf 3 a: to remove from
          active service b: to put off or aside <~ a project> ~
          vi: to slope in a formation like a shelf -- shelv.er
          n

   [1]shelving
          [shelv.ing] n (1687) 1: the state or degree of sloping 2:
          a sloping surface or place [2]shelving n (1817) 1: material
          for shelves 2: shelves

   Shem
          [Shem] n [Heb Shem]: the eldest son of Noah held to be the
          progenitor of the Semitic peoples

   Shema
          [She.ma] n [Heb shema' hear, first word of Deut 6:4] (1706):
          the Jewish confession of faith made up of Deut 6:4-9
          and 11:13-21 and Num 15:37-41

   Shemini Atzereth
          [She.mi.ni Atze.reth] n [LHeb shemini 'asereth, fr. Heb shemini
          eighth + 'asereth assembly] (ca. 1905): a Jewish festival
          following the seventh day of Sukkoth and marked by a
          special prayer for seasonal rain

   Shemite
          [Shem.ite] n [Shem] (1659) archaic: semite -- She.mit.ic
          or Shem.it.ish adj, archaic

   shenanigan
          [she.nan.i.gan] n [origin unknown] (1855) 1: a devious trick
          used esp. for an underhand purpose 2 a: tricky or questionable
          practices or conduct--usu. used in pl. b: high-spirited
          or mischievous activity--usu. used in pl.

   shend
          [shend] vt shent ; shend.ing [ME, fr. OE scendan; akin to
          OE scamu shame--more at shame] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic:
          to put to shame or confusion 2 archaic: reprove, revile
          3 chiefly dial a: injure, mar b: ruin, destroy

   she-oak
          [she-oak] n (1792): any of several casuarinas

   Sheol
          [She.ol] n [Heb She'ol] (1599): the abode of the dead in
          early Hebrew thought

   [1]shepherd
          [shep.herd] n [ME sheepherde, fr. OE sceaphyrde, fr. sceap
          sheep + hierde herdsman; akin to OE heord herd] (bef.
          12c) 1: one who tends sheep 2: pastor 3: german shepherd
          [2]shepherd vt (1790) 1: to tend as a shepherd 2: to
          guide or guard in the manner of a shepherd <~ed the bill
          through Congress>

   shepherd dog
          [shepherd dog] n (15c): sheepdog

   shepherdess
          [shep.herd.ess] n (14c): a woman or girl who tends sheep;
          also: a rural girl or woman

   shepherd's check
          [shepherd's check] n (1896): a pattern of small even
          black-and-white checks; also: a fabric woven in this
          pattern--called also shepherd's plaid

   shepherd's pie
          [shepherd's pie] n (1877): a meat pie with a mashed potato
          crust

   shepherd's purse
          [shepherd's purse] n (15c): a white-flowered weedy annual
          herb (Capsella bursa-pastoris) of the mustard family
          with flat heart-shaped pods

   sheqel
          [sheq.el] n, pl sheq.a.lim var of shekel

   Sheraton
          [Sher.a.ton] adj [Thomas Sheraton] (1883): of, relating to,
          or being a style of furniture that originated in England
          around 1800 and is characterized by straight lines and
          graceful proportions

   sherbet
          [sher.bet] also sher.bert n [Turk & Per; Turk serbet, fr.
          Per sharbat, fr. Ar sharbah drink] (1603) 1: a cold drink
          of sweetened and diluted fruit juice 2: an ice with milk,
          egg white, or gelatin added

   sherd
          [sherd] var of shard

   shergottite
          [sher.got.tite] n [Shergotty (Sherghati), town in India]
          (ca. 1911): any of a class of rare achondritic geologically
          young meteorites that are apparently composed of solidified
          lava from celestial bodies other than earth

   sherif
          [she.rif] var of sharif

   sheriff
          [sher.iff] n [ME shirreve, fr. OE scirgerefa, fr. scir shire
          + gerefa reeve--more at shire, reeve] (bef. 12c): an
          important official of a shire or county charged primarily
          with judicial duties (as executing the processes and
          orders of courts and judges) -- sher.iff.dom n

   sherlock
          [sher.lock] n, often cap [Sherlock Holmes, detective in stories
          by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle] (1903): detective

   Sherpa
          [Sher.pa] n (1847): a member of a Tibetan people living on
          the high southern slopes of the Himalayas in eastern
          Nepal who provide support for foreign trekkers and mountain
          climbers

   sherris
          [sher.ris] archaic var of sherry

   sherry
          [sher.ry] n, pl sherries [alter. of earlier sherris (taken
          as pl.), fr. Xeres (now Jerez), Spain] (1597): a Spanish
          fortified wine with a distinctive nutty flavor; also:
          a similar wine produced elsewhere

   she's
          [she's] (ca. 1592): she is: she has

   Shet
          [Shet] abbreviation Shetland

   Shetland
          [Shet.land] n (1836) 1 a: shetland pony b: shetland sheepdog
          2 often not cap a: a lightweight loosely twisted yarn
          of Shetland wool used for knitting and weaving b: a fabric
          or a garment made from Shetland wool

   Shetland pony
          [Shetland pony] n (1801): any of a breed of small stocky
          hardy ponies that originated in the Shetland Islands

   Shetland sheepdog
          [Shetland sheepdog] n (1909): any of a breed of small heavy-coated
          dogs developed in the Shetland Islands that resemble miniature
          collies

   Shetland wool
          [Shetland wool] n (1790): fine wool from sheep raised in
          the Shetland Islands; also: yarn spun from this

   sheugh
          [sheugh] n [ME sogh swamp; akin to MLG so gutter] (1501)
          chiefly Scot: ditch, trench

   shew
          [shew] Brit var of show

   shewbread
          [shew.bread] n [trans. of G Schaubrot] (1530): consecrated
          unleavened bread ritually placed by the Jewish priests
          of ancient Israel on a table in the sanctuary of the
          Tabernacle on the Sabbath

   SHF
          [SHF] abbreviation superhigh frequency

   Shia
          [Shia] n [Ar shi'ah sect] (1626) 1: the Muslims of the branch
          of Islam comprising sects believing in Ali and the Imams
          as the only rightful successors of Muhammad and in the
          concealment and messianic return of the last recognized
          Imam--compare sunni 2: shiite 3: the branch of Islam
          formed by the Shia

   shiatsu
          [shi.at.su] also shi.at.zu n, often cap [short for
          Jp shiatsu-ryoho, fr. shifinger + -atsu pressure + ryoho treatment]
          (1967): a massage with the fingers applied to those specific areas
          of the body used in acupuncture

   shibboleth
          [shib.bo.leth] n [Heb shibboleth stream; fr. the use of this
          word in Judg 12:6 as a test to distinguish Gileadites
          from Ephraimites, who pronounced it sibboleth] (1638)
          1 a: a word or saying used by adherents of a party, sect,
          or belief and usu. regarded by others as empty of real
          meaning <the old ~s come rolling off their lips --Joseph
          Epstein> b: a widely held belief <today this book publishing
          ~ is a myth --L. A. Wood> c: truism, platitude <some
          truth in the ~ that crime does not pay --Lee Rogow> 2
          a: a use of language regarded as distinctive of a particular
          group <accent was ... a ~ of social class --Vivian Ducat>
          b: a custom or usage regarded as distinguishing one group
          from others <for most of the well-to-do in the town,
          dinner was a ~, its hour dividing mankind --Osbert Sitwell>

   shiel
          [shiel] n [ME (northern dial.) schele] (13c) chiefly Scot:
          shieling

   [1]shield
          [shield] n [ME sheld, fr. OE scield; akin to OHG scilt shield
          and prob. to OE sciell shell] (bef. 12c) 1: a broad piece
          of defensive armor carried on the arm 2: one that protects
          or defends: defense 3: dress shield 4 a: a device or
          part that serves as a protective cover or barrier b:
          a protective structure (as a carapace, scale, or plate)
          of some animals 5: escutcheon; esp: one that is wide
          at the top and rounds to a point at the bottom 6: the
          Precambrian nuclear mass of a continent that is surrounded
          and sometimes covered by sedimentary rocks 7: something
          resembling a shield: as a: apothecium b: a police officer's
          badge c: a decorative or identifying emblem [2]shield
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to protect with or as if with a shield:
          provide with a protective cover or shelter b: to cut
          off from observation: hide 2 obs: forbid syn see defend
          -- shield.er n

   shield law
          [shield law] n (1971): a law that protects journalists from
          forced disclosure of confidential news sources

   shield volcano
          [shield volcano] n (1911): a broad rounded volcano that is
          built up by successive outpourings of very fluid lava

   shieling
          [shiel.ing] n (1568) 1 Brit: a mountain hut used as a shelter
          by shepherds 2 dial Brit: a summer pasture in the mountains

   shier
          [shier] comparative of shy

   shiest
          [shiest] superlative of shy

   [1]shift
          [shift] vb [ME, fr. OE sciftan to divide, arrange; akin to
          ON skipa to arrange, assign] vt (13c) 1: to exchange
          for or replace by another: change 2 a: to change the
          place, position, or direction of: move b: to make a change
          in (place) 3: to change phonetically ~ vi 1 a: to change
          place or position b: to change direction <the wind ~ed>
          c: to change gears d: to depress the shift key (as on
          a typewriter) 2 a: to assume responsibility <had to ~
          for themselves> b: to resort to expedients 3 a: to go
          through a change b: to change one's clothes c: to become
          changed phonetically -- shift.able adj -- shift.er n
          -- shift gears : to make a change [2]shift n (1523) 1
          a: a means or device for effecting an end b (1): a deceitful
          or underhand scheme: dodge (2): an expedient tried in
          difficult circumstances: extremity 2 a chiefly dial:
          a change of clothes b (1) chiefly dial: shirt (2): a
          woman's slip or chemise (3): a usu. loose-fitting or
          semifitted dress 3 a: a change in direction <a ~ in the
          wind> b: a change in emphasis, judgment, or attitude
          4 a: a group of people who work or occupy themselves
          in turn with other groups b (1): a change of one group
          of people (as workers) for another in regular alternation
          (2): a scheduled period of work or duty 5: a change in
          place or position: as a: a change in the position of
          the hand on a fingerboard (as of a violin) b (1): fault
          5 (2): the relative displacement of rock masses on opposite
          sides of a fault or fault zone c (1): a simultaneous
          change of position in football by two or more players
          from one side of the line to the other (2): a change
          of positions made by one or more players in baseball
          to provide better defense against a particular hitter
          d: a change in frequency resulting in a change in position
          of a spectral line or band--compare doppler effect e:
          a movement of bits in a computer register a specified
          number of places to the right or left 6: a removal from
          one person or thing to another: transfer 7: consonant
          shift 8: a bid in bridge in a suit other than the suit
          one's partner has bid--compare jump 9: gearshift syn
          see resource

   shift key
          [shift key] n (1893): a key on a keyboard (as of a typewriter)
          that when pressed enables an alternate set of characters
          to be printed

   shiftless
          [shift.less] adj [shift (resourcefulness)] (1584) 1: lacking
          in resourcefulness: inefficient 2: lacking in ambition
          or incentive: lazy -- shift.less.ly adv -- shift.less.ness
          n

   shifty
          [shifty] adj shift.i.er ; -est (ca. 1570) 1: full of or ready
          with expedients: resourceful 2 a: given to deception,
          evasion, or fraud: tricky b: capable of evasive movement:
          elusive <a ~ boxer> 3: indicative of a tricky nature
          <~ eyes> -- shift.i.ly adv -- shift.i.ness n

   shigella
          [shi.gel.la] n, pl -gel.lae also -gellas [NL, fr. Kiyoshi
          Shiga d. 1957 Jp. bacteriologist] (1937): any of a genus
          (Shigella) of nonmotile rod-shaped bacteria that cause
          dysenteries in animals and esp. humans

   shigellosis
          [shig.el.lo.sis] n, pl -lo.ses [NL] (1944): dysentery caused
          by shigellae

   shih tzu
          [shih tzu] n, pl shih tzus also shih tzu often cap S&T [Chin
          (Beijing) shizi (gou), fr. shizi lion + gou dog] (1921):
          any of a breed of small short-legged dogs of Chinese
          origin that have a short muzzle and a long dense coat

   Shiism
          [Shi.ism] n (ca. 1883): Islam as taught by the Shia

   shiitake
          [shii.ta.ke] n [Jp, fr. shii, the Japanese chinquapin + take
          mushroom] (1877): a dark Oriental mushroom (Lentinus
          edodes of the family Agaricaceae) widely cultivated esp.
          on woods of the beech family for its edible flavorful
          cap

   Shiite
          [Shi.ite] n (1728): a Muslim of the Shia branch of Islam

   [1]shikar
          [shi.kar] n [Hindi shikar, fr. Per] (ca. 1610) India: hunting
          [2]shikar vb shi.karred ; shi.kar.ring (1872) India:
          hunt

   shikari
          [shi.ka.ri] n [Hindi shikari, fr. Per, fr. shikar] (1827)
          India: a big game hunter; esp: a professional hunter
          or guide

   shiksa
          [shik.sa] or shik.se n [Yiddish shikse, fem. of sheygets
          non-Jewish boy, fr. Heb sheqes blemish, abomination]
          (1892) 1: a non-Jewish girl or woman--often used disparagingly
          2: a Jewish girl or woman who does not observe Jewish
          precepts--used esp. by Orthodox Jews

   [1]shill
          [shill] vi [[2]shill] (ca. 1914) 1: to act as a shill 2:
          to act as a spokesperson or promoter <the eminent Shakespearean
          producer, director, actor and star ... is now ~ing for
          a brokerage house --Andy Rooney> [2]shill n [perh. short
          for shillaber, of unknown origin] (ca. 1916) 1: one who
          acts as a decoy (as for a pitchman or gambler); also:
          one who makes a sales pitch 2: pitch 8a

   shillelagh
          [shil.le.lagh] also shil.la.lah n [Shillelagh, town in Ireland]
          (1772): cudgel

   shilling
          [shil.ling] n [ME, fr. OE scilling; akin to OHG skilling,
          a gold coin] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a former monetary unit of
          the United Kingdom equal to 12 pence or 1/20 pound b:
          a former monetary unit equal to 1/20 pound of any of
          various countries in or formerly in the Commonwealth
          2: a coin representing one shilling 3: any of several
          early American coins 4: the basic monetary unit of Kenya,
          Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda

   Shilluk
          [Shil.luk] n, pl Shilluk or Shilluks (1790) 1: a member of
          a Nilotic people of the Sudan dwelling mainly on the
          west bank of the White Nile 2: the language of the Shilluk
          people

   [1]shilly-shally
          [shilly-shally] adv [irreg. redupl. of shall I] (1700): in
          an irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner [2]shilly-shally
          adj (1734): irresolute, vacillating [3]shilly-shally
          n (1755): indecision, irresolution [4]shilly-shally vi
          shilly-shall.ied ; shilly-shally.ing (1782) 1: to show
          hesitation or lack of decisiveness or resolution 2: dawdle

   shilpit
          [shil.pit] adj [origin unknown] (1812) 1 Scot: pinched and
          starved in appearance 2 Scot: weak, insipid--used of
          drink

   [1]shim
          [shim] n [origin unknown] (1860): a thin often tapered piece
          of material (as wood, metal, or stone) used to fill in
          space between things (as for support, leveling, or adjustment
          of fit) [2]shim vt shimmed ; shim.ming (ca. 1890): to
          fill out or level up by the use of a shim

   [1]shimmer
          [shim.mer] vb shim.mered ; shim.mer.ing [ME schimeren, fr.
          OE scimerian; akin to OE scinan to shine--more at shine]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to shine with a soft tremulous or fitful
          light: glimmer 2: to reflect a wavering sometimes distorted
          visual image ~ vt: to cause to shimmer syn see flash
          [2]shimmer n (1821) 1: a light that shimmers: subdued
          sparkle or sheen: glimmer 2: a wavering sometimes distorted
          visual image usu. resulting from heat-induced changes
          in atmospheric refraction -- shim.mery adj

   [1]shimmy
          [shim.my] n, pl shimmies (1837) 1 [by alter.]: chemise 2
          [short for shimmy-shake]: a jazz dance characterized
          by a shaking of the body from the shoulders down 3: an
          abnormal vibration esp. in the front wheels of a motor
          vehicle [2]shimmy vi shim.mied ; shim.my.ing (1919) 1:
          to shake, quiver, or tremble in or as if in dancing a
          shimmy 2: to vibrate abnormally--used esp. of automobiles

   [1]shin
          [shin] n [ME shine, fr. OE scinu; akin to OHG scina shin,
          OE scia shin, leg] (bef. 12c): the front part of the
          vertebrate leg below the knee [2]shin vb shinned ; shin.ning
          vi (1829) 1: to move oneself up or down something vertical
          (as a pole) esp. by alternately hugging it with the arms
          or hands and the legs 2: to move forward rapidly on foot
          ~ vt 1: to kick or strike on the shins 2: to climb by
          shinning [3]shin n [Heb shin] (ca. 1823): the 22d letter
          of the Hebrew alphabet Shin n [Jp, lit., truth] (1877):
          a major Japanese Buddhist sect that emphasizes salvation
          by faith in exclusive worship of Amida Buddha

   Shina
          [Shi.na] n (1854): an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Gilgit
          in northern Kashmir

   shinbone
          [shin.bone] n (bef. 12c): tibia 1

   shindig
          [shin.dig] n [prob. alter. of shindy] (1871) 1 a: a social
          gathering with dancing b: a usu. large or lavish party
          2: shindy 2

   shindy
          [shin.dy] n, pl shindys or shindies [prob. alter. of [1]shinny]
          (1821) 1: shindig 1 2: fracas, uproar

   [1]shine
          [shine] vb shone or shined ; shin.ing [ME, fr. OE scinan;
          akin to OHG skinan to shine and perh. to Gk skia shadow]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to emit rays of light 2: to be bright
          by reflection of light 3: to be eminent, conspicuous,
          or distinguished <~s in math> 4: to have a bright glowing
          appearance <his face shone with enthusiasm> 5: to be
          conspicuously evident or clear ~ vt 1 a: to cause to
          emit light b: to throw or direct the light of 2 past
          & past part shined: to make bright by polishing <shined
          his shoes> [2]shine n (15c) 1: brightness caused by the
          emission of light 2: brightness caused by the reflection
          of light: luster 3: brilliance, splendor 4: fair weather:
          sunshine <rain or ~> 5: trick, caper--usu. used in pl.
          6: liking, fancy <took a ~ to him> 7 a: a polish or gloss
          given to shoes b: a single polishing of a pair of shoes

   shiner
          [shin.er] n (14c) 1: one that shines 2: a silvery fish; esp:
          any of numerous small freshwater American cyprinid fishes
          (esp. genus Notropis)--compare golden shiner 3: black
          eye 1

   [1]shingle
          [shin.gle] n [ME schingel] (13c) 1: a small thin piece of
          building material often with one end thicker than the
          other for laying in overlapping rows as a covering for
          the roof or sides of a building 2: a small signboard
          esp. designating a professional office--used chiefly
          in the phrase hang out one's shingle 3: a woman's haircut
          with the hair trimmed short from the back of the head
          to the nape [2]shingle vt shin.gled ; shin.gling (1562)
          1: to cover with or as if with shingles 2: to bob and
          shape (the hair) in a shingle 3: to lay out or arrange
          so as to overlap -- shin.gler n [3]shingle n [prob. of
          Scand origin; akin to Norw singel coarse gravel] (15c)
          1: coarse rounded detritus or alluvial material esp.
          on the seashore that differs from ordinary gravel only
          in the larger size of the stones 2: a place strewn with
          shingle -- shin.gly adj

   shingles
          [shin.gles] n pl but sing in constr [ME schingles, by folk
          etymology fr. ML cingulus, fr. L cingulum girdle--more
          at cingulum] (14c): herpes zoster

   Shingon
          [Shin.gon] n [Jp] (1727): an esoteric Japanese Buddhist sect
          claiming the achievement of Buddhahood in this life through
          prescribed rituals

   shining
          [shin.ing] adj (bef. 12c) 1: emitting or reflecting light
          2: bright and often splendid in appearance: resplendent
          3: possessing a distinguished quality: illustrious 4:
          full of sunshine

   shinleaf
          [shin.leaf] n, pl shinleafs (ca. 1818): any of several wintergreens
          (esp. Pyrola elliptica) with lustrous evergreen basal leaves and
          racemose white or pinkish flowers

   shinnery
          [shin.nery] n, pl -ner.ies [modif. of LaF cheniere, fr. F
          chene oak] (1901): a dense growth of small trees or an
          area of such growth; esp: one of scrub oak in the West
          and Southwest

   [1]shinny
          [shin.ny] also shin.ney n [perh. fr. [1]shin] (1672): a variation
          of hockey played by children with a curved stick and
          a ball or block of wood; also: the stick used [2]shinny
          vi shin.nied ; shin.ny.ing [alter. of [2]shin] (1851):
          shin 1

   shinplaster
          [shin.plas.ter] n (1824) 1: a piece of privately-issued paper
          currency; esp: one poorly secured and depreciated in
          value 2: a piece of fractional currency

   shinsplints
          [shin.splints] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1930):
          injury to and inflammation of the tibial and toe extensor
          muscles or their fasciae caused by repeated minimal traumas
          (as by running)

   Shinto
          [Shin.to] n [Jp shinto] (1727): the indigenous religion of
          Japan consisting chiefly in the cultic devotion to deities
          of natural forces and veneration of the Emperor as a
          descendant of the sun goddess -- Shinto adj -- Shin.to.ism
          n -- Shin.to.ist n or adj -- Shin.to.is.tic adj

   shiny
          [shiny] adj shin.i.er ; -est (1590) 1 a: bright with the
          rays of the sun: sunshiny b: filled with light 2: bright
          in appearance: polished <~ new shoes> 3: rubbed or worn
          smooth 4: lustrous with natural secretions <a ~ nose>
          -- shin.i.ness n

   [1]ship
          [ship] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE scip; akin to OHG skif
          ship] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a large seagoing vessel b: a sailing
          vessel having a bowsprit and usu. three masts each composed
          of a lower mast, a topmast, and a topgallant mast 2:
          boat; esp: one propelled by power or sail 3: a ship's
          crew 4: fortune 3 <when their ~ comes in they'll be able
          to live in better style> 5: airship, airplane, spacecraft
          [2]ship vb shipped ; ship.ping vt (14c) 1 a: to place
          or receive on board a ship for transportation by water
          b: to cause to be transported <shipped him off to prep
          school> 2 obs: to provide with a ship 3: to put in place
          for use <~ the tiller> 4: to take into a ship or boat
          <~ the gangplank> 5: to engage for service on a ship
          6: to take (as water) over the side--used of a boat or
          a ship ~ vi 1: to embark on a ship 2 a: to go or travel
          by ship--often used with out b: to proceed by ship or
          other means under military orders--often used with out
          3: to engage to serve on shipboard -- ship.pa.ble adj

   -ship
          [-ship] n suffix [ME, fr. OE -scipe; akin to OHG -scaft -ship,
          OE scieppan to shape--more at shape] 1: state: condition:
          quality <friendship> 2: office: dignity: profession <clerkship>
          3: art: skill <horsemanship> 4: something showing, exhibiting,
          or embodying a quality or state <township> 5: one entitled
          to a (specified) rank, title, or appellation <his Lordship>
          6: the body of persons participating in a specified activity
          <readership> <listenership>

   ship biscuit
          [ship biscuit] n (1799): hardtack--called also ship bread

   [1]shipboard
          [ship.board] n (13c) 1: the side of a ship 2: ship <met on
          ~> [2]shipboard adj (1857): existing or taking place
          on board a ship

   shipborne
          [ship.borne] adj (ca. 1835): transported or designed to be
          transported by ship <~ aircraft>

   shipbuilder
          [ship.build.er] n (ca. 1700): one who designs or constructs
          ships -- ship.build.ing n

   shipfitter
          [ship.fit.ter] n (1941) 1: one that fits together the structural
          members of ships and puts them into position for riveting
          or welding 2: a naval enlisted man who works in sheet
          metal and performs the work of a plumber aboard ship

   shiplap
          [ship.lap] n (1895): wooden sheathing in which the boards
          are rabbeted so that the edges of each board lap over
          the edges of adjacent boards to make a flush joint

   shipload
          [ship.load] n (1639) 1: as much or as many as will fill or
          load a ship 2: an indefinitely large amount or number

   shipman
          [ship.man] n (bef. 12c) 1: sailor, seaman 2: shipmaster

   shipmaster
          [ship.mas.ter] n (14c): the master or commander of a ship
          other than a warship

   shipmate
          [ship.mate] n (1748): a fellow sailor

   shipment
          [ship.ment] n (1802) 1: the act or process of shipping 2:
          the goods shipped

   ship of state
          [ship of state] n (1847): the affairs of a state symbolized
          as a ship on a course

   ship of the line
          [ship of the line] (1706): a warship large enough to have
          a place in the line of battle

   shipowner
          [ship.own.er] n (ca. 1530): the owner of a ship or of a share
          in a ship

   shipper
          [ship.per] n (1755): one that sends goods by any form of
          conveyance

   shipping
          [ship.ping] n (14c) 1 a: passage on a ship b: ships c: the
          body of ships in one place or belonging to one port or
          country 2: the act or business of one that ships

   shipping clerk
          [shipping clerk] n (ca. 1858): one who is employed in a shipping
          room to assemble, pack, and send out or receive goods

   shipshape
          [ship.shape] adj [short for earlier shipshapen, fr. ship
          + shapen, archaic pp. of shape] (1644): trim, tidy

   shipside
          [ship.side] n (15c): the area adjacent to a ship; specif:
          a dock at which a ship loads or unloads passengers and
          freight

   ship's papers
          [ship's papers] n pl: the papers a ship is legally required
          to carry for due inspection to show the character of
          the ship and cargo

   shipt
          [shipt] abbreviation shipment

   shipway
          [ship.way] n (1834): the ways on which a ship is built

   shipworm
          [ship.worm] n (ca. 1778): any of various elongated marine
          clams (esp. family Teredinidae) that resemble worms,
          burrow in submerged wood, and damage wharf piles and
          wooden ships

   [1]shipwreck
          [ship.wreck] n [alter. of earlier shipwrack, fr. ME schipwrak,
          fr. OE scipwraec, fr. scip ship + wraec something driven
          by the sea--more at wrack] (12c) 1: a wrecked ship or
          its parts 2: the destruction or loss of a ship 3: an
          irretrievable loss or failure [2]shipwreck vt (1589)
          1 a: to cause to experience shipwreck b: ruin 2: to destroy
          (a ship) by grounding or foundering

   shipwright
          [ship.wright] n (bef. 12c): a carpenter skilled in ship
          construction and repair

   shipyard
          [ship.yard] n (ca. 1700): a yard, place, or enclosure where
          ships are built or repaired

   shire
          [shire] n [ME, fr. OE scir office, shire; akin to OHG scira
          care] (bef. 12c) 1: an administrative subdivision; esp:
          a county in England 2: any of a breed of large heavy
          draft horses of British origin that have heavily feathered
          legs

   shire town
          [shire town] n (15c) 1 Brit: a town that is the seat of the
          government of a shire 2 NewEng: a town where a court
          of superior jurisdiction (as a circuit court or a court
          with a jury) sits

   shirk
          [shirk] vb [origin unknown] vi (1681) 1: to go stealthily:
          sneak 2: to evade the performance of an obligation ~
          vt: avoid, evade <~ one's duty> -- shirk.er n

   shirr
          [shirr] vt [origin unknown] (1891) 1: to draw (as cloth)
          together in a shirring 2: to bake (eggs removed from
          the shell) until set

   shirring
          [shirr.ing] n (ca. 1882): a decorative gathering (as of cloth)
          made by drawing up the material along two or more parallel
          lines of stitching

   shirt
          [shirt] n [ME shirte, fr. OE scyrte; akin to ON skyrta shirt,
          OE scort short] (bef. 12c) 1: a garment for the upper
          part of the body: as a: a cloth garment usu. having a
          collar, sleeves, a front opening, and a tail long enough
          to be tucked inside trousers or a skirt b: undershirt
          2: all or a large part of one's money or resources <lost
          his ~ on that business deal> -- shirt.less adj

   shirtdress
          [shirt.dress] n (1943): a tailored dress patterned after
          a shirt and having buttons down the front

   shirtfront
          [shirt.front] n (1838): the front of a shirt; also: the part
          of a man's shirt not covered by coat or vest

   shirting
          [shirt.ing] n (1604): fabric suitable for shirts

   shirt jacket
          [shirt jacket] n (1879): a jacket designed in the style of
          a shirt--called also shirt-jac

   shirtmaker
          [shirt.mak.er] n (ca. 1858): one that makes shirts

   [1]shirtsleeve
          [shirt.sleeve] n (ca. 1566): the sleeve of a shirt -- in
          shirtsleeves : wearing a shirt but no coat [2]shirtsleeve
          also shirt.sleeves or shirt.sleeved adj (1864) 1 a: being
          without a coat <a ~ spectator> b: calling for the removal
          of coats for the sake of comfort or efficiency <~ weather>
          2: marked by informality and directness <~ diplomacy>

   [1]shirttail
          [shirt.tail] adj (1845) 1: very young: immature <~ boys fishing
          in the creek> 2: distantly and indefinitely related <a
          ~ cousin on her father's side> 3: small, trivial, or
          short typically to the point of inadequacy <has a gullied
          ~ ranch in the hills> [2]shirttail n (1873) 1: the part
          of a shirt that reaches below the waist esp. in the back
          2: something small or inadequate

   shirtwaist
          [shirt.waist] n (1879): a woman's tailored garment (as a
          blouse or dress) with details copied from men's shirts

   shirty
          [shirty] adj (1846) chiefly Brit: angry, irritated

   shish kebab
          [shish ke.bab] n [Turk siskebabi, fr. sis spit + kebap roast
          meat] (1914): kabob cooked on skewers

   [1]shit
          [shit] n [(assumed) ME, fr. OE scite; akin to OE -scitan
          to defecate] (ca. 1585) 1: excrement--usu. considered
          vulgar 2: an act of defecation--usu. considered vulgar
          3: nonsense, crap--usu. considered vulgar 4: any of several
          intoxicating or narcotic drugs; esp: heroin--usu. considered
          vulgar 5: damn 2--usu. considered vulgar 6: a worthless,
          offensive, or detestable person--usu. considered vulgar
          -- shit.ty adj [2]shit vb shit or shat ; shit.ting [alter.
          of earlier shite, fr. ME shiten, fr. OE -scitan; akin
          to OHG scizan to defecate and prob. to OE sceadan to
          separate--more at shed] vi (ca. 1720): defecate--usu.
          considered vulgar ~ vt 1: to defecate in--usu. considered
          vulgar 2: to attempt to deceive: bullshit--usu. considered
          vulgar

   shitake
          [shi.ta.ke] var of shiitake

   shittah
          [shit.tah] n, pl shittahs or shit.tim [Heb shittah] (1611):
          a tree of uncertain identity but prob. an acacia (as
          Acacia seyal) from the wood of which the ark and fittings
          of the Hebrew tabernacle were made

   shittimwood
          [shit.tim.wood] n [Heb shittim (pl. of shittah) + E wood]
          (1588) 1: the wood of the shittah tree 2: any of several
          trees (genus Bumelia, esp. B. lanuginosa) of the sapodilla
          family of the southern U.S.; also: their hard heavy dense
          wood

   shiv
          [shiv] n [alter. of chiv, of unknown origin] (1674) slang:
          knife

   Shiva
          [Shi.va] var of siva

   shivah
          [shi.vah] or shi.va also shi.ve n [Heb shibh'ah seven (days)]
          (1892): a traditional seven-day period of mourning the
          dead that is observed in Jewish homes--often used in
          the phrase sit shivah

   shivaree
          [shiv.a.ree] n [modif. of F charivari--more at charivari]
          (1843): a noisy mock serenade to a newly married couple
          -- shivaree vt

   [1]shiver
          [shiv.er] n [ME; akin to OHG scivaro splinter] (13c): one
          of the small pieces into which a brittle thing is broken
          by sudden violence [2]shiver vb shiv.ered ; shiv.er.ing
          (13c): to break into many small pieces: shatter [3]shiver
          vb shiv.ered ; shiv.er.ing [ME, alter. of chiveren] vi
          (15c) 1: to undergo trembling: quiver 2: to tremble in
          the wind as it strikes first one and then the other side
          (of a sail) ~ vt: to cause (a sail) to shiver by steering
          close to the wind [4]shiver n (1727) 1: an instance of
          shivering: tremble 2: an intense shivery sensation esp.
          of fear--often used in pl. with the <horror movies give
          him the ~s>

   [1]shivery
          [shiv.ery] adj (1683): easily broken into shivers [2]shivery
          adj (1747) 1: characterized by shivers 2: causing shivers

   shlemiehl
          [shle.miehl] var of schlemiel

   shlep, shlepp
          [shlep, shlepp] var of schlepp

   shlock
          [shlock] var of schlock

   shm-
          [shm-] --see schm-

   [1]shoal
          [shoal] adj [alter. of ME shold, fr. OE sceald--more at skeleton]
          (1554): shallow [2]shoal n (1555) 1: shallow 2: a sandbank
          or sandbar that makes the water shallow; specif: an elevation
          which is not rocky and on which there is a depth of water
          of six fathoms (11 meters) or less [3]shoal vi (1574):
          to become shallow ~ vt 1: to come to a shallow or less
          deep part of 2: to cause to become shallow or less deep
          [4]shoal n [(assumed) ME shole, fr. OE scolu multitude--more
          at school] (1579): a large group or number: crowd <a
          ~ of fish> [5]shoal vi (1610): throng, school

   shoat
          [shoat] n [ME shote; akin to Flem schote shoat] (15c): a
          young hog usu. less than one year old

   [1]shock
          [shock] n [ME; akin to MHG schoc heap] (14c): a pile of sheaves
          of grain or stalks of Indian corn set up in a field with
          the butt ends down [2]shock vt (15c): to collect into
          shocks [3]shock n, often attrib [MF choc, fr. choquer
          to strike against, fr. OF choquier, prob. of Gmc origin;
          akin to MD schocken to jolt] (1565) 1: the impact or
          encounter of individuals or groups in combat 2 a: a violent
          shake or jar: concussion b: an effect of such violence
          3 a (1): a disturbance in the equilibrium or permanence
          of something (2): a sudden or violent mental or emotional
          disturbance b: something that causes such disturbance
          c: a state of being so disturbed 4: a state of profound
          depression of the vital processes associated with reduced
          blood volume and pressure and caused usu. by severe esp.
          crushing injuries, hemorrhage, or burns 5: sudden stimulation
          of the nerves and convulsive contraction of the muscles
          caused by the discharge of electricity through the animal
          body 6 a: stroke 5 b: coronary thrombosis 7: shock absorber
          [4]shock vt (1576) 1 a: to strike with surprise, terror,
          horror, or disgust b: to cause to undergo a physical
          or nervous shock c: to subject to the action of an electrical
          discharge 2: to drive by or as if by a shock ~ vi 1:
          to meet with a shock: collide 2: to cause surprise or
          shock -- shock.able adj [5]shock adj [perh. fr. [1]shock]
          (1681): bushy, shaggy [6]shock n (1819): a thick bushy
          mass (as of hair)

   shock absorber
          [shock absorber] n (1906): any of several devices for absorbing
          the energy of sudden impulses or shocks in machinery
          or structures

   shocker
          [shock.er] n (ca. 1824): one that shocks; esp: something
          horrifying or offensive (as a sensational film or work
          of fiction)

   shock front
          [shock front] n (1949): the advancing edge of a shock wave

   shocking
          [shock.ing] adj (1703): extremely startling, distressing,
          or offensive -- shock.ing.ly adv

   shocking pink
          [shocking pink] n (1938): a striking, vivid, bright, or intense
          pink

   shockproof
          [shock.proof] adj (1911) 1: incapable of being shocked 2
          a: resistant to damage by shock b: unlikely to cause
          shock: protectively insulated <a ~ switch>

   shock therapy
          [shock therapy] n (1917): the treatment of mental disorder
          by the artificial induction of coma or convulsions through
          use of drugs or electric current--called also shock treatment

   shock troops
          [shock troops] n pl (1917) 1: troops esp. suited and chosen
          for offensive work because of their high morale, training,
          and discipline 2: a group of people militant in pressing
          for a cause

   shock tube
          [shock tube] n (1949): a usu. enclosed tube in which experimental
          shock waves are produced as a result of the rupturing
          of a diaphragm separating two chambers containing a gas
          or gases at differential pressure

   shock wave
          [shock wave] n (1907) 1: a compressional wave of high amplitude
          caused by a shock (as from an earthquake or explosion)
          to the medium through which the wave travels 2: a violent
          often pulsating disturbance or reaction <shock waves
          of rebellion>

   shod
          [shod] adj [ME, fr. pp. of shoen to shoe, fr. OE scogan,
          fr. scoh shoe--more at shoe] (13c) 1 a: wearing footgear
          (as shoes) b: equipped with tires 2: furnished or equipped
          with a shoe

   [1]shoddy
          [shod.dy] n [origin unknown] (1832) 1 a: a reclaimed wool
          from materials that are not felted that is of better
          quality and longer staple than mungo b: a fabric often
          of inferior quality manufactured wholly or partly from
          reclaimed wool 2 a: inferior, imitative, or pretentious
          articles or matter b: pretentious vulgarity [2]shoddy
          adj shod.di.er ; -est (1847) 1: made wholly or partly
          of shoddy 2 a: cheaply imitative: vulgarly pretentious
          b: hastily or poorly done: inferior c: shabby -- shod.di.ly
          adv -- shod.di.ness n

   [1]shoe
          [shoe] n [ME shoo, fr. OE scoh; akin to OHG scuoh shoe] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: an outer covering for the human foot typically
          having a thick or stiff sole with an attached heel and
          an upper part of lighter material (as leather) b: a metal
          plate or rim for the hoof of an animal 2: something resembling
          a shoe in function or placement 3 pl: another's place,
          function, or viewpoint <steps from assistant stage manager
          into the star's ~s --Steven Fuller> 4: a device that
          retards, stops, or controls the motion of an object;
          esp: the part of a brake that presses on the brake drum
          5 a: any of various devices that are inserted in or run
          along a track or groove to guide a movement, provide
          a contact or friction grip, or protect against wear,
          damage, or slipping b: a device (as a clip or track)
          on a camera that permits attachment of an accessory item
          (as a flash unit) 6: a dealing box designed to hold several
          decks of playing cards -- shoe.less adj [2]shoe vt shod
          also shoed ; shoe.ing (bef. 12c) 1: to furnish with a
          shoe 2: to cover for protection, strength, or ornament

   shoebill
          [shoe.bill] n (1874): a large broad-billed wading bird (Balaeniceps
          rex) of the valley of the White Nile that is related to the storks
          and herons

   shoeblack
          [shoe.black] n (1778): bootblack

   [1]shoehorn
          [shoe.horn] n (1589): a curved piece (as of horn, wood, or
          metal) used in putting on a shoe [2]shoehorn vt (1926):
          to force into a small, narrow, or insufficient space:
          squeeze <~ the past, present, and future into about 500
          pages --Otis Port>

   shoelace
          [shoe.lace] n (ca. 1647): a lace or string for fastening
          a shoe

   shoemaker
          [shoe.mak.er] n (14c): one whose occupation is making or
          repairing shoes

   shoepac
          [shoe.pac] or shoe.pack n [by folk etymology fr. Delaware
          Jargon (Delaware-based pidgin) seppock shoe, fr. Delaware
          (Unami dial.) chipahko shoes] (1755): a waterproof laced
          boot worn esp. over heavy socks in cold weather

   [1]shoestring
          [shoe.string] n (1616) 1: shoelace 2 [fr. shoestrings being
          a typical item sold by itinerant vendors]: a small sum
          of money: capital inadequate or barely adequate to the
          needs of a transaction <started the business on a ~>
          [2]shoestring adj (1878) 1: narrow and long like a shoestring
          <a ~ tie> 2: operating on, accomplished by, or consisting
          of a small amount of money or capital <a ~ budget>

   shoestring catch
          [shoestring catch] n (1926): a catch (as in baseball) made
          very close to the feet

   shoe tree
          [shoe tree] n (1827): a foot-shaped device for inserting
          in a shoe to preserve its shape

   shofar
          [sho.far] n, pl sho.froth [Heb shophar] (1833): a ram's-horn
          trumpet blown by the ancient Hebrews in battle and high
          religious observances and used in synagogues before and
          during Rosh Hashanah and at the conclusion of Yom Kippur

   [1]shog
          [shog] vi shogged ; shog.ging [ME shoggen] (15c) chiefly
          dial: to move along [2]shog n (1611) chiefly dial: shake,
          jolt

   shogun
          [sho.gun] n [Jp shogun general] (1727): one of a line of
          military governors ruling Japan until the revolution
          of 1867-68 -- sho.gun.al adj -- sho.gun.ate n

   shoji
          [sho.ji] n, pl shoji also shojis [Jp shoji] (1880): a paper
          screen serving as a wall, partition, or sliding door

   sholom
          [sho.lom] var of shalom

   Shona
          [Sho.na] n, pl Shona or Shonas (ca. 1895) 1: a member of
          any of a group of Bantu peoples of Zimbabwe and southern
          Mozambique 2: the group of languages spoken by the Shona

   shone
          [shone] past and past part of shine

   [1]shoo
          [shoo] interj [ME schowe] (15c)--used esp. in driving away
          an unwanted animal [2]shoo vt (ca. 1798): to scare, drive,
          or send away by or as if by crying shoo

   shoofly
          [shoo.fly] n [[1]shoo + fly] (1887) 1: a child's rocker having
          the seat built on or usu. between supports representing
          an animal figure 2: any of several plants held to repel
          flies

   shoofly pie
          [shoofly pie] n (1926): a rich pie of Pennsylvania-Dutch
          origin made of molasses or brown sugar sprinkled with
          a crumbly mixture of flour, sugar, and butter

   shoo-in
          [shoo-in] n (1937): one that is a certain and easy winner

   [1]shook
          [shook] past or chiefly dial past part of shake [2]shook
          n [origin unknown] (1796) 1 a: a set of staves and headings
          for one hogshead, cask, or barrel b: a bundle of parts
          (as of boxes) ready to be put together 2: [1]shock

   shook-up
          [shook-up] adj (1897): nervously upset: agitated

   shoon
          [shoon] chiefly dial pl of shoe

   [1]shoot
          [shoot] vb shot ; shoot.ing [ME sheten, shuten, fr. OE sceotan;
          akin to ON skjota to shoot] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): to
          eject or impel or cause to be ejected or impelled by
          a sudden release of tension (as of a bowstring or slingshot
          or by a flick of a finger) <~ an arrow> <~ a spitball>
          <~ a marble> (2): to drive forth or cause to be driven
          forth by an explosion (as of a powder charge in a firearm
          or of ignited fuel in a rocket) (3): to drive forth or
          cause to be driven forth by a sudden release of gas or
          air <~ darts from a blowgun> <a steam catapult ~s planes
          from a carrier> (4): to propel (as a ball or puck) toward
          a goal by striking or pushing with part of the body (as
          the hand or foot) or with an implement; also: to score
          by so doing <~ the winning goal> <~ a basket> (5): to
          throw or cast off or out often with force <~ dice> <the
          horse shot his rider out of the saddle> b: to cause (as
          a gun or bow) to propel a missile c (1): to utter (as
          words or sounds) rapidly or suddenly or with force <~
          out a stream of invective> (2): to emit (as light, flame,
          or fumes) suddenly and rapidly (3): to send forth with
          suddenness or intensity <shot a look of anger at them>
          d: to discharge, dump, or empty esp. by overturning,
          upending, or directing into a slide 2: to affect by shooting:
          as a: to strike with a missile esp. from a bow or gun;
          esp: to wound or kill with a missile discharged from
          a bow or firearm b: to remove or destroy by use of firearms
          <shot out the light>; also: wreck, explode 3 a: to push
          or slide (as the bolt of a door or lock) into or out
          of a fastening b: to push or thrust forward: stick out
          <toads ~ing out their tongues> c: to put forth in growing
          d: to place, send, or bring into position abruptly 4
          a: to engage in (a sport or game or a portion of a game
          that involves shooting): play <~ pool> <~ a round of
          golf> <~ craps> b (1): to place or offer (a bet) on the
          result of casting dice <~ $5> (2): to use up by or as
          if by betting: exhaust <shot his whole wad on a shady
          deal> 5 a: to engage in the hunting and killing of (as
          game) with firearms esp. as a sport <~ woodcock> b: to
          hunt over <~ a tract of woodland> 6 a: to cause to move
          suddenly or swiftly forward <shot the car onto the highway>
          b: to send or carry quickly: dispatch <~ the letter on
          to me as soon as you receive it> 7: to variegate as if
          by sprinkling color in streaks, flecks, or patches 8:
          to pass swiftly by, past, or along <~ing rapids> 9: to
          plane (as the edge of a board) straight or true 10 a:
          set off, detonate, ignite <~ a charge of dynamite> b:
          to effect by blasting 11: to determine t or shoot for
          : to aim at: strive for -- shoot from the hip : to act
          or speak hastily without consideration of the consequences
          -- shoot one's bolt : to exhaust one's capabilities and
          resources -- shoot oneself in the foot : to act against
          one's own best interests -- shoot the breeze : to converse
          idly: gossip -- shoot the works 1: to venture all one's
          capital on one play 2: to put forth all one's efforts
          [2]shoot n (15c) 1: a sending out of new growth or the
          growth sent out: as a: a stem or branch with its leaves
          and appendages esp. when not yet mature b: offshoot 2
          a: an act of shooting (as with a bow or a firearm): (1):
          shot (2): the firing of a missile esp. by artillery b
          (1): a hunting trip or party (2): the right to shoot
          game in a particular area or land over which it is held
          c (1): a shooting match <skeet ~> (2): a round of shots
          in a shooting match d: the action or an instance of shooting
          with a camera: a session or a series of sessions of photographing
          or filming <a movie ~> 3 a: a motion or movement of rapid
          thrusting: as (1): a sudden or rapid advance (2): a momentary
          darting sensation: twinge (3): thrust 2b (4): the pace
          between strokes in rowing b: a bar of rays: beam <a ~
          of sunlight> 4 [prob. by folk etymology fr. F chute--more
          at chute] a: a rush of water down a steep or rapid b:
          a place where a stream runs or descends swiftly [3]shoot
          interj [euphemism for shit] (1876)--used to express annoyance
          or surprise

   shoot down
          [shoot down] vt (1845) 1: to cause to fall by shooting <enemy
          aircraft shot down the helicopter>; esp: to kill in this
          way <was shot down in cold blood> 2: to put an end to:
          defeat 3: deflate, ridicule 4: discredit 2 <shoot down
          a theory>

   shoot-'em-up
          [shoot-'em-up] n (1947): a movie or television show with
          much shooting and bloodshed

   shooter
          [shoot.er] n (13c) 1: one that shoots: as a: a person who
          fires a missile-discharging device (as a rifle or bow)
          b: the person who is shooting or whose turn it is to
          shoot 2: something that is used in shooting: as a: a
          marble shot from the hand b: revolver--usu. used in combination
          <six-shooter> 3: a shot of whiskey or whiskey diluted
          with something (as soda); also: a shot glass containing
          a bit of food (as a raw oyster)

   shooting gallery
          [shooting gallery] n (1836) 1: a usu. covered range equipped
          with targets for practice with firearms 2 slang: a place
          where one can obtain narcotics and shoot up

   shooting iron
          [shooting iron] n (1775): firearm

   shooting script
          [shooting script] n (1929) 1: the final completely detailed
          version of a motion-picture script in which scenes are
          grouped in the order most convenient for shooting 2:
          the final version of a television script used in the
          production of a program

   shooting star
          [shooting star] n (1593) 1: a visual meteor appearing as
          a temporary streak of light in the night sky 2: any of
          several No. American perennial herbs (genus Dodecatheon,
          esp. D. meadia) of the primrose family that have entire
          oblong leaves and showy flowers with reflexed petals

   shooting stick
          [shooting stick] n (1926): a spiked stick with a top that
          opens into a seat

   shoot-out
          [shoot-out] n (1948) 1: a battle fought with handguns or
          rifles 2: something resembling a shoot-out; broadly:
          showdown

   shoot-the-chutes
          [shoot-the-chutes] n pl but sing in constr (1920): an amusement
          ride consisting of a steep incline down which boats slide
          into a pool at the bottom

   shoot up
          [shoot up] vt (1890) 1: to shoot or shoot at esp. indiscriminately
          or recklessly <cowboys shooting up the town> 2: to inject
          (a narcotic drug) into a vein ~ vi: to inject a narcotic into
          a vein -- shoot-up n

   [1]shop
          [shop] n, often attrib [ME shoppe, fr. OE sceoppa booth;
          akin to OHG scopf shed] (14c) 1: a handicraft establishment:
          atelier 2 a: a building or room stocked with merchandise
          for sale: store b or shoppe : a small retail establishment
          or a department in a large one offering a specified line
          of goods or services <a millinery ~> <a sandwich ~> 3:
          a commercial establishment for the making or repair of
          goods or machinery <machine ~> <repair ~> 4 a: a school
          laboratory equipped for manual training b: the art or
          science of working with tools and machinery 5 a: a business
          establishment: office b: shoptalk [2]shop vb shopped
          ; shop.ping vi (1764) 1 a: to examine goods or services
          with intent to buy b: to hunt through a market in search
          of the best buy 2: to make a search: hunt ~ vt: to examine
          the stock or offerings of <~ the stores for Christmas
          gift ideas>

   shopkeeper
          [shop.keep.er] n (1530): storekeeper 2

   shoplift
          [shop.lift] vb [back-formation fr. shoplifter] vi (1820):
          to steal displayed goods from a store ~ vt: to steal
          (displayed goods) from a store

   shoplifter
          [shop.lift.er] n (1680): one who shoplifts

   shopper
          [shop.per] n (1860) 1: one that shops 2: one whose occupation
          is shopping as an agent for customers or for an employer
          3: a usu. free paper carrying advertising and sometimes
          local news

   shopping bag
          [shopping bag] n (1886): a bag (as of strong paper) that
          has handles and is intended for carrying purchases

   shopping center
          [shopping center] n (1898): a group of retail stores and
          service establishments usu. with ample parking facilities
          and usu. designed to serve a community or neighborhood--called
          also shopping plaza

   shopping list
          [shopping list] n (1913): a list of items to be purchased;
          broadly: a list of related items <the biggest possible
          shopping list of budget cuts --Leonard Silk>

   shopping mall
          [shopping mall] n (1959): mall 3

   shop steward
          [shop steward] n (1904): a union member elected as the union
          representative of a shop or department in dealings with
          the management

   shoptalk
          [shop.talk] n (1881): the jargon or subject matter peculiar
          to an occupation or a special area of interest

   shopwindow
          [shop.win.dow] n (15c): a display window of a store

   shopworn
          [shop.worn] adj (1838) 1: faded, soiled, or otherwise impaired
          by remaining too long in a store 2: stale from excessive
          use or familiarity <~ cliches> 3: worn-out <think of
          himself as a ~ Hollywood cynic --A. H. Johnston>

   [1]shore
          [shore] n, often attrib [ME, fr. (assumed) OE scor; akin
          to MLG schor foreland and perh. to OE scieran to cut--more
          at shear] (14c) 1: the land bordering a usu. large body
          of water; specif: coast 2: a boundary or the country
          or place that it bounds <hold him accountable for difficulties
          beyond our ~s that he could do nothing about --Dorothy
          Fosdick> 3: land as distinguished from the sea <shipboard
          and ~ duty> [2]shore vt shored ; shor.ing [ME; akin to
          ON skortha to prop] (14c) 1: to support by a shore: prop
          2: to give support to: brace--usu. used with up [3]shore
          n (14c): a prop for preventing sinking or sagging

   shorebird
          [shore.bird] n (ca. 1672): any of a suborder (Charadrii)
          of birds (as a plover or snipe) that frequent the seashore

   shore dinner
          [shore dinner] n (1892): a dinner consisting chiefly of seafoods

   shorefront
          [shore.front] n (1919): land along a shore; specif: beachfront

   shore leave
          [shore leave] n (1888): a leave of absence to go on shore
          granted to a sailor or naval officer

   shoreline
          [shore.line] n (1852) 1: the line where a body of water and
          the shore meet 2: the strip of land along the shoreline

   shore patrol
          [shore patrol] n (1917) 1: a branch of a navy that exercises
          guard and police functions--compare military police 2:
          petty officers detailed to perform police duty while
          a ship is in port

   shoreside
          [shore.side] adj (1883): situated at or near a shore

   shoreward
          [shore.ward] or shore.wards adv (ca. 1691): toward the shore

   shoring
          [shor.ing] n (15c) 1: the act of supporting with or as if
          with a prop 2: a system or group of shores

   shorn
          [shorn] past part of shear

   [1]short
          [short] adj [ME, fr. OE sceort; akin to OHG scurz short,
          ON skortr lack] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having little length
          b: not tall or high: low 2 a: not extended in time: brief
          <a ~ vacation> b: not retentive <a ~ memory> c: expeditious,
          quick <made ~ work of the problem> d: seeming to pass
          quickly <made great progress in just a few ~ years> 3
          a of a speech sound: having a relatively short duration
          b: being the member of a pair of similarly spelled vowel
          or vowel-containing sounds that is descended from a vowel
          that was short in duration but is no longer so and that
          does not necessarily have duration as its chief distinguishing
          feature <~ i in sin> c of a syllable in prosody (1):
          of relatively brief duration (2): unstressed 4: limited
          in distance <a ~ trip> 5 a: not coming up to a measure
          or requirement: insufficient <in ~ supply> b: not reaching
          far enough <the throw to first was ~> c: enduring privation
          d: insufficiently supplied <~ of cash> <~ on brains>
          6 a: abrupt, curt b: quickly provoked 7: choppy 2 8:
          payable at an early date 9 a: containing or cooked with
          shortening; also: flaky <~ pastry> b of metal: brittle
          under certain conditions 10 a: not lengthy or drawn out
          b: made briefer: abbreviated 11 a: not having goods or
          property that one has sold in anticipation of a fall
          in prices b: consisting of or relating to a sale of securities
          or commodities that the seller does not possess or has
          not contracted for at the time of the sale <~ sale> 12:
          near the end of a tour of duty -- short.ish adj -- in
          short order : with dispatch: quickly [2]short adv (14c)
          1: in a curt manner 2: for or during a brief time <short-lasting>
          3: at a disadvantage: unawares <caught ~> 4: in an abrupt
          manner: suddenly <the car stopped ~> 5: at some point
          or degree before a goal or limit aimed at or under consideration
          <the shells fell ~> <quit a month ~ of graduation> 6:
          clean across <the axle was snapped ~> 7: by or as if
          by a short sale [3]short n (ca. 1586) 1: the sum and
          substance: upshot 2 a: a short syllable b: a short sound
          or signal 3 pl a: a by-product of wheat milling that
          includes the germ, fine bran, and some flour b: refuse,
          clippings, or trimmings discarded in various manufacturing
          processes 4 a: knee-length or less than knee-length trousers--usu.
          used in pl. b pl: short drawers c: a size in clothing for short men
          5 a: one who operates on the short side of the market b pl:
          short-term bonds 6 pl: deficiencies 7: short circuit 8: shortstop
          9 a: short subject b: a brief story or article (as in a newspaper)
          -- for short : as an abbreviation <named Katherine or Kate for
          short> -- in short : by way of summary: briefly [4]short vt (1904)
          1: short-circuit 2: shortchange, cheat

   short account
          [short account] n (ca. 1902): the total of open short sales
          in a given subject of trade or in the market as a whole

   shortage
          [short.age] n (1868): lack, deficit

   short ballot
          [short ballot] n (1909): a ballot limiting the number of
          elective offices to the most important legislative and
          executive posts and leaving minor positions to be filled
          by appointment

   shortbread
          [short.bread] n (1801): a thick cookie made of flour, sugar,
          and a large amount of shortening

   shortcake
          [short.cake] n (1594) 1: a crisp and often unsweetened biscuit
          or cookie 2 a: a dessert made typically of very short
          baking-powder-biscuit dough spread with sweetened fruit
          b: a dish consisting of a rich biscuit split and covered
          with a meat mixture

   shortchange
          [short.change] vt (1903) 1: to give less than the correct
          amount of change to 2: to deprive of or give less than
          something due: cheat -- short.chang.er n

   short circuit
          [short circuit] n (1854): a connection of comparatively low
          resistance accidentally or intentionally made between
          points on a circuit between which the resistance is normally
          much greater

   short-circuit
          [short-cir.cuit] vt (1867) 1: to apply a short circuit to
          or establish a short circuit in 2: bypass 3: frustrate,
          impede

   shortcoming
          [short.com.ing] n (15c): deficiency, defect

   [1]shortcut
          [short.cut] n (1637) 1: a route more direct than the one
          ordinarily taken 2: a method of doing something more
          directly and quickly than and often not so thoroughly
          as by ordinary procedure [2]shortcut vb -cut ; -cut.ting
          vt (1915): to shorten (as a route or procedure) by use
          of a shortcut; also: circumvent ~ vi: to take or use
          a shortcut

   short-day
          [short-day] adj (1920): responding to or relating to a short
          photoperiod--used esp. of a plant--compare day-neutral,
          long-day

   short division
          [short division] n (ca. 1890): mathematical division in which
          the successive steps are performed without writing out
          the remainders

   short-eared owl
          [short-eared owl] n (1766): a medium-sized nearly cosmopolitan
          owl (Asio flammeus) that has very short ear tufts and
          usu. nests on the ground

   shorten
          [short.en] vb short.ened ; short.en.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to
          reduce the length or duration of b: to cause to seem
          short 2 a: to reduce in power or efficiency <is my hand
          ~ed, that it cannot redeem --Isa 50:2 (RSV)> b obs: to
          deprive of effect 3: to add fat to (as pastry dough)
          in order to make tender and flaky ~ vi: to become short
          or shorter -- short.en.er n syn shorten, curtail, abbreviate,
          abridge, retrench mean to reduce in extent. shorten implies
          reduction in length or duration <shorten a speech>. curtail
          adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives
          of completeness or adequacy <ceremonies curtailed because
          of rain>. abbreviate implies a making shorter usu. by
          omitting some part <using an abbreviated title>. abridge
          implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention
          of essential elements and a relative completeness in
          the result <the abridged version of the novel>. retrench
          suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something
          felt to be excessive <declining business forced the company
          to retrench>.

   shortening
          [short.en.ing] n (1538) 1: the action or process of making
          or becoming short; specif: the dropping of the latter
          part of a word so as to produce a new and shorter word
          of the same meaning 2: an edible fat used to shorten
          baked goods

   shortfall
          [short.fall] n (1895): a failure to come up to expectation
          or need; also: the amount of such failure

   short-grass prairie
          [short-grass prairie] n (1844): prairie 2b

   shorthair
          [short.hair] n (1903): a domestic cat with a short thick
          coat; esp: a member of any of several breeds of muscular
          medium- to large-sized cats with a short plushy coat
          -- short.haired adj

   shorthand
          [short.hand] n (1636) 1: a method of writing rapidly
          by substituting characters, abbreviations, or symbols for letters,
          sounds, words, or phrases: stenography 2: a system or instance
          of rapid or abbreviated communication or representation
          -- shorthand adj

   shorthanded
          [short.hand.ed] adj (1794): having, working with, or done
          with fewer than the regular or necessary number of people

   short-haul
          [short-haul] adj (1895): traveling or involving a short distance
          <~ flights>

   shorthorn
          [short.horn] n, often cap (1847): any of a breed of red,
          roan, or white beef cattle originating in the north of
          England and including good milk-producing strains--called
          also Durham

   short-horned grasshopper
          [short-horned grasshopper] n (ca. 1890): any of a family
          (Acrididae) of grasshoppers with short antennae

   short hundredweight
          [short hundredweight] n (1924): hundredweight 1

   shortleaf pine
          [short.leaf pine] n (1796): a pine (Pinus echinata) of the
          southeastern U.S. that has short flexible needles usu.
          in clusters of two and reddish brown bark; also: its
          yellow wood

   short line
          [short line] n (ca. 1917): a transportation system (as a
          railroad) operating over a relatively short distance

   shortlist
          [short.list] n (1927): a list of candidates for final consideration
          (as for a position or a prize) -- short-list vt, chiefly Brit

   short-lived
          [short-lived] adj (1588): not living or lasting long <~ insects>
          <~ joy>

   short loin
          [short loin] n (ca. 1923): a portion of the hindquarter of
          beef immediately behind the ribs that is usu. cut into
          steaks--see beef illustration

   shortly
          [short.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1 a: in a few words: briefly b:
          in an abrupt manner 2 a: in a short time <we will be
          there ~> b: at a short interval <~ after sunset>

   shortness
          [short.ness] n (bef. 12c): the quality or state of being
          short

   short-nosed cattle louse
          [short-nosed cattle louse] n (1942): a large bluish sucking
          louse (Haematopinus eurysternus) that attacks domestic
          cattle

   short-order
          [short-order] adj (1920): preparing or serving food that
          can be cooked quickly to a customer's order <a ~ cook>

   short-range
          [short-range] adj (1869) 1: involving or taking into account
          a short period of time <~ plans> 2: relating to or fit
          for short distances

   short ribs
          [short ribs] n pl (1912): a cut of beef consisting of rib
          ends between the rib roast and the plate--see beef illustration

   short run
          [short run] n (1879): a relatively brief period of time--often
          used in the phrase in the short run -- short-run adj

   short shrift
          [short shrift] n (1594) 1: barely adequate time for confession
          before execution 2 a: little or no attention or consideration
          b: quick work--usu. used in the phrase make short shrift
          of

   short sight
          [short sight] n (ca. 1829): myopia

   shortsighted
          [short.sight.ed] adj (ca. 1649) 1: nearsighted 2: lacking
          foresight -- short.sight.ed.ly adv -- short.sight.ed.ness
          n

   short-spoken
          [short-spo.ken] adj (1865): curt

   shortstop
          [short.stop] n (1857) 1: the player position in baseball
          for defending the infield area on the third-base side
          of second base 2: the player stationed in the shortstop
          position

   short-stop
          [short-stop] n (1936): stop bath

   short story
          [short story] n (1877): an invented prose narrative shorter
          than a novel usu. dealing with a few characters and aiming
          at unity of effect and often concentrating on the creation
          of mood rather than plot

   short subject
          [short subject] n (1944): a brief often documentary or educational
          film

   short-tempered
          [short-tem.pered] adj (1900): having a quick temper

   short-term
          [short-term] adj (1901) 1: occurring over or involving a
          relatively short period of time 2 a: of, relating to,
          or constituting a financial operation or obligation based
          on a brief term and esp. one of less than a year b: generated
          by assets held for less than six months

   short ton
          [short ton] n (1881): a unit equal to 20 short hundredweight
          or 2000 pounds

   shortwave
          [short.wave] n, often attrib (1902) 1: a radio wave having
          a wavelength between 10 and 100 meters 2: a radio transmitter
          using shortwaves 3: electromagnetic radiation having
          a wavelength equal to or less than that of visible light

   short-weight
          [short-weight] vt (1926): to defraud with short weight

   short weight
          [short weight] n (1789): weight less than the stated weight
          or less than one is charged for

   short-winded
          [short-wind.ed] adj (15c) 1: affected with or characterized
          by shortness of breath 2 a: brief b: broken up into short
          units

   shorty
          [shorty] or short.ie n, pl short.ies (1888): one that is
          short

   Shoshone
          [Sho.shone] or Sho.sho.ni n, pl Shoshones or Shoshoni also
          Shoshone or Shoshonis (1805) 1: a member of a group of
          American Indian peoples orig. ranging through California,
          Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming 2: the Uto-Aztecan language
          of the Shoshones

   [1]shot
          [shot] n [ME, fr. OE scot; akin to ON skot shot, OHG scuz,
          OE sceotan to shoot--more at shoot] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an
          action of shooting b: a directed propelling of a missile;
          specif: a directed discharge of a firearm c: a stroke
          or throw in an attempt to score points in a game (as
          tennis, pool, or basketball); also: home run d: blast
          e: a medical or narcotics injection 2 a pl shot : something
          propelled by shooting; esp: small lead or steel pellets
          esp. forming a charge for a shotgun b: a metal sphere
          of iron or brass that is heaved in the shot put 3 a:
          the distance that a missile is or can be thrown b: range,
          reach 4: a charge to be paid: scot 5: one that shoots;
          esp: marksman 6 a: attempt, try b: guess, conjecture
          c: chance d: a single appearance as an entertainer <did
          a guest ~ for the program> 7: an effective remark 8 a:
          a single photographic exposure; esp: snapshot b: a single
          sequence of a motion picture or a television program
          shot by one camera without interruption 9: a charge of
          explosives 10 a: a small measure or serving (as one ounce)
          of undiluted liquor b: a small amount applied at one
          time: dose 11 shot pl: sprinkles, jimmies -- a shot :
          for each one: apiece -- like a shot : very rapidly --
          shot in the arm : stimulus, boost -- shot in the dark
          1: a wild guess 2: an attempt that has little chance
          of success [2]shot past and past part of shoot [3]shot
          adj (1763) 1 a of a fabric: having contrasting and changeable
          color effects: iridescent b: suffused or streaked with
          a color <hair ~ with gray> c: infused or permeated with
          a quality or element <~ through with wit> 2: having the
          form of pellets resembling shot 3: reduced to a state
          of ruin, prostration, or uselessness <his nerves are
          ~>

   [1]shotgun
          [shot.gun] n (1776) 1: a smoothbore shoulder weapon for firing
          shot at short ranges 2: an offensive football formation
          in which the quarterback plays a few yards behind the
          line of scrimmage and the other backs are scattered as
          flankers or slotbacks -- shotgun vt -- shot.gun.ner n
          [2]shotgun adj (1892) 1: of, relating to, or using a
          shotgun 2: involving coercion 3: covering a wide field
          with hit-or-miss effectiveness

   shotgun house
          [shotgun house] n (1940): a house in which all the rooms
          are in direct line with each other usu. front to back--called
          also shotgun cottage--compare railroad flat

   shotgun marriage
          [shotgun marriage] n (1929) 1: a marriage forced or required
          because of pregnancy--called also shotgun wedding 2:
          a forced union <a spate of brokerage mergers ... hastily
          arranged shotgun marriages --John Brooks>

   shot hole
          [shot hole] n (1875) 1: a drilled hole in which a charge
          of dynamite is exploded 2: the dropping out of small
          rounded fragments of leaves that produces a shot-riddled
          appearance and is caused esp. by parasitic action

   shot put
          [shot put] n (1894): a field event in which a shot is heaved
          for distance -- shot-put.ter n

   shotten
          [shot.ten] adj [ME shotyn, fr. pp. of shuten to shoot] (15c):
          having ejected the spawn and so of inferior food value
          <~ herring>

   should
          [should] [ME sholde, fr. OE sceolde owed, was obliged to,
          ought to] past of shall (bef. 12c) 1--used in auxiliary
          function to express condition <if he ~ leave his father,
          his father would die --Gen 44:22 (RSV)> 2--used in auxiliary
          function to express obligation, propriety, or expediency
          <'tis commanded I ~ do so --Shak.> <this is as it ~ be
          --H. L. Savage> <you ~ brush your teeth after each meal>
          3--used in auxiliary function to express futurity from
          a point of view in the past <realized that she ~ have
          to do most of her farm work before sunrise --Ellen Glasgow>
          4--used in auxiliary function to express what is probable
          or expected <with an early start, they ~ be here by noon>
          5--used in auxiliary function to express a request in
          a polite manner or to soften direct statement <I ~ suggest
          that a guide ... is the first essential --L. D. Reddick>

   [1]shoulder
          [shoul.der] n [ME sholder, fr. OE sculdor; akin to OHG scultra
          shoulder] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the laterally projecting part
          of the human body formed of the bones and joints with
          their covering tissue by which the arm is connected with
          the trunk b: the region of the body of nonhuman vertebrates
          that corresponds to the shoulder but is less projecting
          2 a: the two shoulders and the upper part of the back--usu.
          used in pl. b pl: capacity for bearing a task or blame
          <placed the guilt squarely on his ~s> 3: a cut of meat
          including the upper joint of the foreleg and adjacent
          parts--see lamb illustration 4: the part of a garment
          at the wearer's shoulder 5: an area adjacent to or along
          the edge of a higher, more prominent, or more important
          part: as a (1): the part of a hill or mountain near the
          top (2): a lateral protrusion or extension of a hill
          or mountain b: either edge of a roadway; specif: the
          part of a roadway outside of the traveled way 6: a rounded
          or sloping part (as of a stringed instrument or a bottle)
          where the neck joins the body -- shoul.dered adj [2]shoulder
          vb shoul.dered ; shoul.der.ing vt (14c) 1: to push or
          thrust with or as if with the shoulder: jostle <~ed his
          way through the crowd> 2 a: to place or bear on the shoulder
          <~ed her knapsack and took off> b: to assume the burden
          or responsibility of <~ the blame> ~ vi: to push with
          or as if with the shoulders aggressively

   shoulder bag
          [shoulder bag] n (1912): a handbag looped over the shoulder
          by a strap

   shoulder belt
          [shoulder belt] n (1967): an automobile safety belt worn
          across the torso and over the shoulder--called also shoulder
          harness

   shoulder blade
          [shoulder blade] n (14c): scapula

   shoulder board
          [shoulder board] n (1945): one of a pair of broad pieces
          of stiffened cloth worn on the shoulders of a military
          uniform and carrying insignia

   shoulder girdle
          [shoulder girdle] n (1868): pectoral girdle

   shoulder knot
          [shoulder knot] n (1676) 1: an ornamental knot of ribbon
          or lace worn on the shoulder in the 17th and 18th centuries
          2: a detachable ornament of braided wire cord worn on
          ceremonial occasions on the shoulders of a uniform by
          a commissioned officer

   shoulder patch
          [shoulder patch] n (1945): a cloth patch bearing an identifying
          mark and worn on one sleeve of a uniform below the shoulder

   shoulder strap
          [shoulder strap] n (1688): a strap that passes across the
          shoulder and holds up an article or garment

   shouldest
          [should.est] archaic past 2d sing of shall

   shouldn't
          [shouldn't] (1848): should not

   shouldst
          [shouldst] archaic past 2d sing of shall

   [1]shout
          [shout] vb [ME] vi (14c) 1: to utter a sudden loud cry 2:
          to command attention as if by shouting <a quality that
          ~s from good novels --John Gardner> ~ vt 1: to utter
          in a loud voice 2: to cause to be, come, or stop by or
          as if by shouting <~ed himself hoarse> <the proponents
          ~ed down the opposition> -- shout.er n [2]shout n (14c):
          a loud cry or call

   shouting distance
          [shouting distance] n (1930): a short distance: easy reach--usu.
          used with within <lived within shouting distance of her
          cousins>

   shout song
          [shout song] n (1925): a rhythmic song sung at religious
          services esp. by black Americans and characterized by
          responsive singing or shouting between leader and congregation

   [1]shove
          [shove] vb shoved ; shov.ing [ME, fr. OE scufan to thrust
          away; akin to OHG scioban to push and prob. to Lith skubti
          to hurry] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to push along 2: to push or
          put in a rough, careless, or hasty manner: thrust 3:
          to force by other than physical means: compel <~ a bill
          through the legislature> ~ vi 1: to move by forcing a
          way <bargain hunters shoving up to the counter> 2 a:
          to move something by exerting force b: leave--usu. used
          with off <shoved off for home> -- shov.er n [2]shove
          n (14c): an act or instance of shoving: a forcible push

   [1]shovel
          [shov.el] n [ME, fr. OE scofl; akin to OHG scufla shovel,
          OE scufan to thrust away] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a hand implement
          consisting of a broad scoop or a more or less hollowed
          out blade with a handle used to lift and throw material
          b: something that resembles a shovel c: an excavating
          machine; esp: an hydraulic diesel-engine driven power
          shovel 2: shovelful [2]shovel vb -eled or -elled ; -el.ing
          or -el.ling vt (15c) 1: to take up and throw with a shovel
          2: to dig or clean out with a shovel 3: to throw or convey
          roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel <~ed his food
          into his mouth> ~ vi: to use a shovel

   shoveler
          [shov.el.er] or shov.el.ler n (15c) 1: one that shovels 2:
          any of several river ducks (genus Anas) having a large
          and very broad bill

   shovelful
          [shov.el.ful] n, pl shovelfuls also shov.els.ful (1533):
          as much as a shovel will hold

   shovel hat
          [shovel hat] n (1829): a shallow-crowned hat with a wide
          brim curved up at the sides that is worn by some clergymen

   shovelnose
          [shov.el.nose] n (1709): a shovel-nosed animal and esp. a
          fish

   shovel-nosed
          [shov.el-nosed] adj (1707): having a broad flat head, nose,
          or beak

   [1]show
          [show] vb showed ; shown or showed ; show.ing [ME shewen,
          showen, fr. OE sceawian to look, look at, see; akin to
          OHG scouwon to look, look at, and prob. to L cavere to
          be on one's guard] vt (12c) 1: to cause or permit to
          be seen: exhibit <~ed pictures of the baby> 2: to offer
          for sale <stores were ~ing new spring suits> 3: to present
          as a public spectacle: perform 4: to reveal by one's
          condition, nature, or behavior <~ed themselves to be
          cowards> 5: to give indication or record of <an anemometer
          ~s wind speed> 6 a: to point out: direct attention to
          <~ed the view from the terrace> b: conduct, usher <~ed
          me to an aisle seat> 7: accord, bestow <~s them no mercy>
          8 a: to set forth: declare b: allege, plead--used esp.
          in law <~ cause> 9 a: to demonstrate or establish by
          argument or reasoning <~ a plan to be faulty> b: inform,
          instruct <~ed me how to solve the problem> 10: to present
          (an animal) for judging in a show ~ vi 1 a: to be or
          come in view <3:15 ~ed on the clock> b: to put in an
          appearance <failed to ~> 2 a: to appear in a particular
          way <anger ~ed in their faces> b: seem, appear 3 a: to
          give a theatrical performance b: to be staged or presented
          4 a: to appear as a contestant b: to present an animal
          in a show 5: to finish third or at least third (as in
          a horse race) 6: to exhibit one's artistic work -- show.able
          adj -- show one's hand 1: to display one's cards faceup
          2: to declare one's intentions or reveal one's resources
          -- show one the door : to tell someone to get out syn
          show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to
          present so as to invite notice or attention. show implies
          no more than enabling another to see or examine <showed
          her snapshots to the whole group>. exhibit stresses putting
          forward prominently or openly <exhibit paintings at a
          gallery>. display emphasizes putting in a position where
          others may see to advantage <display sale items>. expose
          suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying
          <sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers>.
          parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying
          <parading their piety for all to see>. flaunt suggests
          a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading <nouveaux
          riches flaunting their wealth>. syn show, manifest, evidence,
          evince, demonstrate mean to reveal outwardly or make
          apparent. show is the general term but sometimes implies
          that what is revealed must be gained by inference from
          acts, looks, or words <careful not to show his true feelings>.
          manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation
          <manifested musical ability at an early age>. evidence
          suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence
          of something <a commitment evidenced by years of loyal
          service>. evince implies a showing by outward marks or
          signs <evinced not the slightest fear>. demonstrate implies
          showing by action or by display of feeling <demonstrated
          their approval by loud applause>. [2]show n, often attrib
          (13c) 1: a demonstrative display <a ~ of strength> 2
          a archaic: outward appearance b: a false semblance: pretense
          <made a ~ of friendship> c: a more or less true appearance
          of something: sign d: an impressive display <his role
          as househusband ... was purely for ~ --John Lahr> e:
          ostentation 3: chance <gave him a ~ in spite of his background>
          4: something exhibited esp. for wonder or ridicule: spectacle
          5 a: a large display or exhibition arranged to arouse
          interest or stimulate sales <the national auto ~> b:
          a competitive exhibition of animals (as dogs) to demonstrate
          quality in breeding 6 a: a theatrical presentation b:
          a radio or television program c: entertainment 3a 7:
          enterprise, affair <they ran the whole ~> 8: an indication
          of metal in a mine or of gas or oil in a well 9: third
          place at the finish (as of a horse race)

   show-and-tell
          [show-and-tell] n (1950) 1: a classroom exercise in which
          children display an item and talk about it 2: a public
          display or demonstration

   show bill
          [show bill] n (1801): an advertising poster

   showbiz
          [show.biz] n, often attrib [by shortening & alter.] (1945):
          show business; also: razzle-dazzle 3 -- show.biz.zy adj

   [1]showboat
          [show.boat] n (1869) 1: a river steamship containing a theater
          and carrying a troupe of actors to give plays at river
          communities 2: one who tries to attract attention by
          conspicuous behavior [2]showboat vi (1951): to behave
          in a conspicuous or ostentatious manner: show off

   showbread
          [showbread] var of shewbread

   show business
          [show business] n (1850): the arts, occupations, and businesses
          (as theater, motion pictures, and television) that comprise
          the entertainment industry

   [1]showcase
          [show.case] n (1835) 1: a glazed case, box, or cabinet for
          displaying and protecting wares in a store or articles
          in a museum 2: a setting, occasion, or medium for exhibiting
          something or someone esp. in an attractive or favorable
          aspect [2]showcase vt show.cased ; show.cas.ing (1945):
          to exhibit esp. in an attractive or favorable aspect
          <~ new talent>

   showdown
          [show.down] n (1884) 1: the placing of poker hands faceup
          on the table to determine the winner of a pot 2: a decisive
          confrontation or contest

   [1]shower
          [show.er] n [ME shour, fr. OE scur; akin to OHG scur shower,
          storm, L caurus northwest wind] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a fall
          of rain of short duration b: a similar fall of sleet,
          hail, or snow 2: something resembling a rain shower <a
          ~ of statistics>; esp: a fall of meteors which belong
          to a single group and whose trails appear to originate
          at the same point in space 3: a party given by friends
          who bring gifts often of a particular kind 4: a bath
          in which water is showered on the body; also: the apparatus
          that provides a shower -- show.er.less adj -- show.ery
          adj -- to the showers : out of the ball game [2]shower
          vi (15c) 1: to rain or fall in or as if in a shower <letters
          ~ed on him in praise and protest> 2: to bathe in a shower
          ~ vt 1 a: to wet (as with water) in a spray, fine stream,
          or drops b (1): to cause to fall in a shower <factory
          chimneys ~ed soot on the district> (2): to cause a shower
          to fall on <~ed the newlyweds with rice> 2: to give in
          abundance <~ed the writer with honors> -- show.er.er
          n [3]show.er n (14c): one that shows: exhibitor

   shower bath
          [shower bath] n (1785): shower 4

   showerhead
          [show.er.head] n (1925): a fixture for directing the spray
          of water in a bathroom shower

   showgirl
          [show.girl] n (1836): a chorus girl in a musical comedy or
          nightclub show

   showing
          [show.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: an act or an instance of putting
          something (as an artist's work) on view: display 2: performance,
          record <made a good ~ in competition> 3 a: a statement
          or presentation of a case b: appearance, evidence

   show jumping
          [show jumping] n (1929): the competitive riding of horses
          one at a time over a set course of obstacles in which
          the winner is judged according to ability and speed --
          show jumper n

   showman
          [show.man] n (ca. 1734) 1: the producer of a play or theatrical
          show 2: an individual having a sense or knack for dramatically
          effective presentation -- show.man.ship n

   show-me
          [show-me] adj (1909): insistent on proof or evidence

   show-off
          [show-off] n, often attrib (1843) 1: the act of showing off
          2: one that shows off: exhibitionist -- show-offy adj

   show off
          [show off] vt (ca. 1793): to display proudly <wanted to show
          our new car off> ~ vi: to seek to attract attention by
          conspicuous behavior <boys showing off for the girls>

   showpiece
          [show.piece] n (1885): a prime or outstanding example used
          for exhibition

   showplace
          [show.place] n (1794): a place (as an estate or building)
          that is regarded as an example of beauty or excellence

   showring
          [show.ring] n (1926): a ring (as at a cattle show) where
          animals are displayed

   showroom
          [show.room] n (1616): a room where merchandise is exhibited
          for sale or where samples are displayed

   showstopper
          [show.stop.per] n (1926) 1: an act, song, or performer that
          wins applause so prolonged as to interrupt a performance
          2: something or someone exceptionally arresting or attractive
          <the gold crown was the ~ of the exhibition> -- show.stop.ping
          adj

   show trial
          [show trial] n (1937): a trial (as of political opponents)
          in which the verdict is rigged and a public confession
          is often extracted

   show up
          [show up] vt (1826) 1: to expose or discredit esp. by revealing
          faults <showed them up as frauds> 2: to embarrass or
          cause to look bad esp. by comparison <trying to show
          up the boss> 3: reveal <showed up my ignorance> ~ vi
          1: arrive, appear <showed up late for his own wedding>
          2: to be plainly evident

   show window
          [show window] n (1826) 1: an outside display window in which
          a store exhibits merchandise 2: a sample or setting used
          to exhibit or illustrate something at its best

   showy
          [showy] adj show.i.er ; -est (1712) 1: making an attractive
          show: striking <a ~ orchid> 2: given to or marked by
          a flashy often tasteless display -- show.i.ly adv --
          show.i.ness n syn showy, pretentious, ostentatious mean
          given to excessive outward display. showy implies an
          imposing or striking appearance but usu. suggests cheapness
          or poor taste <the performers' showy costumes>. pretentious
          implies an appearance of importance not justified by
          the thing's value or the person's standing <a pretentious
          parade of hard words>. ostentatious stresses vainglorious
          display or parade <the ostentatious summer homes of the
          rich>.

   shoyu
          [sho.yu] n [Jp shoyu] (1727): soy 1

   shp
          [shp] abbreviation shaft horsepower

   shpt
          [shpt] abbreviation shipment

   shrank
          [shrank] past of shrink

   shrapnel
          [shrap.nel] n, pl shrapnel [Henry Shrapnel d. 1842 Eng. artillery
          officer] (1806) 1: a projectile that consists of a case
          provided with a powder charge and a large number of usu.
          lead balls and that is exploded in flight 2: bomb, mine,
          or shell fragments

   [1]shred
          [shred] n [ME shrede, fr. OE screade; akin to OHG scrot piece
          cut off] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a long narrow strip cut or torn
          off b pl: a shredded, damaged, disrupted, or ruined condition
          <torn to ~s by an air attack> 2: particle, scrap <not
          a ~ of evidence> [2]shred vb shred.ded ; shred.ding vt
          (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: to cut off 2: to cut or tear into
          shreds <shredded the documents> 3: demolish 2 <sharp
          lawyers shredding hapless witnesses --Charles Krauthammer>
          ~ vi: to come apart in or break up into shreds -- shred.der
          n

   shredded wheat
          [shredded wheat] n (1898): a breakfast cereal made from cooked
          partially dried wheat that is shredded and molded into
          biscuits which are then oven-baked and toasted

   [1]shrew
          [shrew] n [ME shrewe evil or scolding person, fr. OE screawa
          shrew (animal)] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a family (Soricidae)
          of small chiefly nocturnal insectivores related to the
          moles and distinguished by a long pointed snout, very
          small eyes, and velvety fur 2: an ill-tempered scolding
          woman -- shrew.like adj [2]shrew vt (14c) obs: curse

   shrewd
          [shrewd] adj [ME shrewed, fr. shrewe + [1]-ed] (13c) 1 archaic:
          mischievous 2 obs: abusive, shrewish 3 obs: ominous,
          dangerous 4 a: severe, hard <a ~ knock> b: sharp, piercing
          <a ~ wind> 5 a: marked by clever discerning awareness
          and hardheaded acumen <~ common sense> b: given to wily
          and artful ways or dealing <a ~ operator> -- shrewd.ly
          adv -- shrewd.ness n syn shrewd, sagacious, perspicacious,
          astute mean acute in perception and sound in judgment.
          shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and
          judgment <a shrewd judge of character>. sagacious suggests
          wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness <sagacious investors
          got in on the ground floor>. perspicacious implies unusual
          power to see through and understand what is puzzling
          or hidden <a perspicacious counselor saw through the
          child's facade>. astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity,
          and diplomatic skill <an astute player of party politics>.

   shrewish
          [shrew.ish] adj (1565): ill-natured, intractable -- shrew.ish.ly
          adv -- shrew.ish.ness n

   shri
          [shri] var of sri

   [1]shriek
          [shriek] vb [ME shreken, prob. irreg. fr. shriken to shriek;
          akin to ON skraekja to shriek] vi (15c) 1: to utter a
          sharp shrill sound 2 a: to cry out in a high-pitched
          voice: screech b: to suggest such a cry (as by vividness
          of expression) <neon colors ~ed for attention --Calvin
          Tomkins> ~ vt 1: to utter with a shriek or sharply and
          shrilly <~ an alarm> 2: to express in a manner suggestive
          of a shriek [2]shriek n (1590) 1: a shrill usu. wild
          or involuntary cry 2: a sound resembling a shriek <the
          ~ of chalk on the blackboard>

   shrieval
          [shrie.val] adj [obs. shrieve sheriff, fr. ME shirreve--more
          at sheriff] (1681) chiefly Brit: of or relating to a
          sheriff

   shrievalty
          [shrie.val.ty] n (1502) chiefly Brit: the office, term of
          office, or jurisdiction of a sheriff

   shrieve
          [shrieve] archaic var of shrive

   shrift
          [shrift] n [ME, fr. OE scrift, fr. scrifan to shrive--more
          at shrive] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic a: a remission of sins
          pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of reconciliation
          b: the act of shriving: confession 2 obs: confessional

   shrike
          [shrike] n [perh. fr. (assumed) ME shrik, fr. OE scric thrush;
          akin to ME shriken to shriek] (1544): any of numerous
          usu. largely gray or brownish oscine birds (family Laniidae)
          that have a hooked bill, feed chiefly on insects, and
          often impale their prey on th orns

   [1]shrill
          [shrill] vb [ME; prob. akin to OE scrallettan to resound
          loudly--more at skirl] vt (13c): scream ~ vi: to utter
          or emit an acute piercing sound [2]shrill adj (14c) 1
          a: having or emitting a sharp high-pitched tone or sound:
          piercing b: accompanied by sharp high-pitched sounds
          or cries <~ gaiety> 2: having a sharp or vivid effect
          on the senses <~ light> 3: strident, intemperate <~ anger>
          <~ criticism> -- shrill adv -- shrill.ness n -- shril.ly
          adv [3]shrill n (1591): a shrill sound <the ~ of the
          ship's whistle>

   [1]shrimp
          [shrimp] n, pl shrimps or shrimp [ME shrimpe; akin to MLG
          schrempen to contract, wrinkle, ON skorpna to shrivel
          up] (14c) 1: any of numerous mostly small and marine
          decapod crustaceans (suborders Dendrobranchiata and Pleocyemata)
          having a slender elongated body, a compressed abdomen,
          and a long spiny rostrum; also: a small crustacean (as
          an amphipod or a branchiopod) resembling the true shrimps
          2: a very small or puny person or thing -- shrimp.like
          adj -- shrimpy adj [2]shrimp vi (ca. 1859): to fish for
          or catch shrimps

   shrimper
          [shrimp.er] n (1851) 1: a shrimp fisherman 2: a boat engaged
          in shrimping

   shrimp pink
          [shrimp pink] n (1882): a deep pink

   [1]shrine
          [shrine] n [ME, fr. OE scrin, fr. L scrinium case, chest]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a case, box, or receptacle; esp: one
          in which sacred relics (as the bones of a saint) are
          deposited b: a place in which devotion is paid to a saint
          or deity: sanctuary c: a niche containing a religious
          image 2: a receptacle (as a tomb) for the dead 3: a place
          or object hallowed by its associations [2]shrine vt shrined
          ; shrin.ing (14c): enshrine

   Shriner
          [Shrin.er] n [Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic
          Shrine] (1886): a member of a secret fraternal society
          that is non-Masonic but admits only Knights Templars
          and 32d-degree Masons to membership

   [1]shrink
          [shrink] vb shrank also shrunk ; shrunk or shrunk.en ; shrink.ing
          [ME, fr. OE scrincan; akin to MD schrinken to draw back]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to contract or curl up the body or part
          of it: huddle, cower 2 a: to contract to less extent
          or compass b: to become smaller or more compacted c:
          to lose substance or weight d: to lessen in value: dwindle
          3: to recoil instinctively (as from something painful
          or horrible) <shrank from the challenge> ~ vt: to cause
          to contract or shrink; specif: to compact (cloth) by
          causing to contract when subjected to washing, boiling,
          steaming, or other processes syn see contract, recoil
          -- shrink.able adj -- shrink.er n [2]shrink n (1590)
          1: the act of shrinking 2: shrinkage 3 [short for headshrinker]:
          a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist <regaling us
          with all the stories he never told his ~ --Rolling Stone>

   shrinkage
          [shrink.age] n (1800) 1: the act or process of shrinking
          2: the loss in weight of livestock during shipment and
          in the process of preparing the meat for consumption
          3: the amount lost by shrinkage

   shrinking violet
          [shrinking violet] n (1915): a bashful or retiring person

   shrink-wrap
          [shrink-wrap] vt (1966): to wrap (as a book or meat) in tough
          clear plastic film that is then shrunk (as by heating)
          to form a tightly fitting package -- shrink-wrap n

   shrive
          [shrive] vb shrived or shrove ; shriv.en or shrived ; shriv.ing
          [ME, fr. OE scrifan to shrive, prescribe (akin to OHG
          scriban to write), fr. L scribere to write--more at scribe]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1: to administer the sacrament of reconciliation
          to 2: to free from guilt ~ vi, archaic: to confess one's
          sins esp. to a priest

   shrivel
          [shriv.el] vb -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling [origin
          unknown] vi (1588) 1: to draw into wrinkles esp. with
          a loss of moisture 2 a: to become reduced to inanition,
          helplessness, or inefficiency b: dwindle ~ vt: to cause
          to shrivel

   shroff
          [shroff] n [Hindi saraf, fr. Ar sarraf] (1618): a banker
          or money changer in the Far East; esp: one who tests
          and evaluates coin

   Shropshire
          [Shrop.shire] n [Shropshire, England] (1803): any of a breed
          of dark-faced hornless sheep of English origin that are
          raised for both mutton and wool

   [1]shroud
          [shroud] n [ME, garment, fr. OE scrud; akin to OE screade
          shred--more at shred] (14c) 1 obs: shelter, protection
          2: something that covers, screens, or guards: as a: one
          of two flanges that give peripheral support to turbine
          or fan bedding b: a usu. fiberglass guard that protects
          a spacecraft from the heat of launching 3: burial garment:
          winding-sheet, cerement 4 a: one of the ropes leading
          usu. in pairs from a ship's mastheads to give lateral
          support to the masts b: one of the cords that suspend
          the harness of a parachute from the canopy [2]shroud
          vt (14c) 1 a archaic: to cover for protection b obs:
          conceal 2 a: to cut off from view: obscure <trees ~ed
          by a heavy fog> b: to veil under another appearance (as
          by obscuring or disguising) <~ed the decision in a series
          of formalities> 3: to dress for burial ~ vi, archaic:
          to seek shelter

   Shrovetide
          [Shrove.tide] n [ME schroftide, fr. schrof- (fr. shriven
          to shrive) + tide] (15c): the period usu. of three days
          immediately preceding Ash Wednesday

   Shrove Tuesday
          [Shrove Tuesday] n [ME schroftewesday, fr. schrof- (as in
          schroftide) + tewesday Tuesday] (15c): the Tuesday before
          Ash Wednesday

   [1]shrub
          [shrub] n [ME schrobbe, fr. OE scrybb brushwood; akin to
          Norw skrubbebaer a cornel of a dwarf species] (bef. 12c):
          a low usu. several-stemmed woody plant [2]shrub n [Ar
          sharab beverage] (1747) 1: an aged blend of fruit juice,
          sugar, and spirits served chilled and diluted with water
          2: a beverage made by adding acidulated fruit juice to
          iced water

   shrubbery
          [shrub.bery] n, pl -ber.ies (1748): a planting or growth
          of shrubs

   shrubby
          [shrub.by] adj shrub.bi.er ; -est (1540) 1: consisting of
          or covered with shrubs 2: resembling a shrub

   [1]shrug
          [shrug] vb shrugged ; shrug.ging [ME schruggen] vi (14c):
          to raise or draw in the shoulders esp. to express aloofness,
          indifference, or uncertainty ~ vt: to lift or contract
          (the shoulders) esp. to express aloofness, indifference,
          or uncertainty [2]shrug n (1594) 1: an act of shrugging
          2: a woman's small waist-length or shorter jacket

   shrug off
          [shrug off] vt (1904) 1: to brush aside: minimize <shrugs
          off the problem> 2: to shake off <shrugging off sleep>
          3: to remove (a garment) by wriggling out

   sht
          [sht] abbreviation sheet

   shtetl
          [shtetl] also shte.tel n, pl shtet.lach also shtetels [Yiddish
          shtetl, fr. MHG stetel, dim. of stat place, town, city,
          fr. OHG, place--more at stead] (1949): a small Jewish
          town or village formerly found in Eastern Europe

   shtg
          [shtg] abbreviation shortage

   shtick
          [shtick] also shtik n [Yiddish shtik pranks, lit., piece,
          fr. MHG stucke, fr. OHG stucki; akin to OE stycce piece,
          OHG stoc stick--more at stock] (1959) 1: a show-business
          routine, gimmick, or gag: bit 2: one's special trait,
          interest, or activity: bag <he's alive and well and now
          doing his ~ out in Hollywood --Robert Daley>

   [1]shuck
          [shuck] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1674) 1: shell, husk: as
          a: the outer covering of a nut or of Indian corn b: the
          shell of an oyster or clam 2: something of little value--usu.
          used in pl. often interjectionally <not worth ~s> <~s,
          it was nothing> [2]shuck vt (1772) 1: to strip of shucks
          2 a: to peel off (as clothing)--often used with off b:
          to lay aside--often used with off <bad habits are being
          ~ed off --A. W. Smith> -- shuck.er n

   [1]shudder
          [shud.der] vi shud.dered ; shud.der.ing [ME shoddren; akin
          to OHG skutten to shake and perh. to Lith kuteti to shake
          up] (13c) 1: to tremble convulsively: shiver 2: quiver
          [2]shudder n (1607): an act of shuddering -- shud.dery
          adj

   [1]shuffle
          [shuf.fle] vb shuf.fled ; shuf.fling [perh. irreg. fr. [1]shove]
          vt (1570) 1: to mix in a mass confusedly: jumble 2: to
          put or thrust aside or under cover <shuffled the whole
          matter out of his mind> 3 a: to rearrange (as playing
          cards, dominoes, or tiles) to produce a random order
          b: to move about, back and forth, or from one place to
          another: shift <~ funds among various accounts> 4 a:
          to move (as the feet) by sliding along or back and forth
          without lifting b: to perform (as a dance) with a dragging,
          sliding step ~ vi 1: to work into or out of trickily
          <shuffled out of the difficulty> 2: to act or speak in
          a shifty or evasive manner 3 a: to move or walk in a
          sliding dragging manner without lifting the feet b: to
          dance in a lazy nonchalant manner with sliding and tapping
          motions of the feet c: to execute in a perfunctory or
          clumsy manner 4: to mix playing cards or counters by
          shuffling -- shuf.fler n [2]shuffle n (1628) 1: an evasion
          of the issue: equivocation 2 a: an act of shuffling (as
          of cards) b: a right or turn to shuffle <was reminded
          that it was his ~> c: jumble <lost in the ~ of papers>
          3 a: a dragging sliding movement; specif: a sliding or
          scraping step in dancing b: a dance characterized by
          such a step

   shuffleboard
          [shuf.fle.board] n [alter. of obs. E shove-board] (1836)
          1: a game in which players use long-handled cues to shove
          disks into scoring areas of a diagram marked on a smooth
          surface 2: a diagram on which shuffleboard is played

   shul
          [shul] n [Yiddish, school, synagogue, fr. MHG schuol school]
          (ca. 1874): synagogue

   shun
          [shun] vt shunned ; shun.ning [ME shunnen, fr. OE scunian]
          (bef. 12c): to avoid deliberately and esp. habitually
          syn see escape -- shun.ner n

   shunpike
          [shun.pike] n (1862): a side road used to avoid the toll
          on or the speed and traffic of a superhighway -- shun.pik.er
          n -- shun.pik.ing n

   [1]shunt
          [shunt] vb [ME, to flinch] vt (13c) 1 a: to turn off to one
          side: shift <was ~ed aside> b: to switch (as a train)
          from one track to another 2: to provide with or divert
          by means of an electrical shunt 3: to divert (blood)
          from one part to another by a surgical shunt 4: shuttle
          <~ed the missiles from shelter to shelter> ~ vi 1: to
          move to the side 2: to travel back and forth <~ed between
          the two towns> -- shunt.er n [2]shunt n (ca. 1859) 1:
          a means or mechanism for turning or thrusting aside:
          as a chiefly Brit: a railroad switch b: a conductor joining
          two points in an electrical circuit so as to form a parallel
          or alternative path through which a portion of the current
          may pass (as for regulating the amount passing in the
          main circuit) c: a surgical passage created between two
          blood vessels to divert blood from one part to another
          2: an accident (as a collision between two cars) esp.
          in auto racing

   shush
          [shush] vt [imit.] (1925): to urge to be quiet: hush -- shush
          n

   [1]shut
          [shut] vb shut ; shut.ting [ME shutten, fr. OE scyttan; akin
          to MD schutten to shut in, OE sceotan to shoot--more
          at shoot] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to move into position to
          close an opening <~ the lid> b: to prevent entrance to
          or passage to or from 2: to confine by or as if by enclosure
          <~ herself in her study> 3: to fasten with a lock or
          bolt 4: to close by bringing enclosing or covering parts
          together <~ the eyes> 5: to cause to cease or suspend
          an operation or activity--often used with down ~ vi 1:
          to close itself or become closed <flowers that ~ at night>
          2: to cease or suspend an operation or activity--often
          used with down [2]shut adj (15c) 1: closed, fastened,
          or folded together 2: rid, clear, free--usu. used with
          of [3]shut n (1667): the act of shutting

   shut down
          [shut down] vi (1779): to settle so as to obscure vision:
          close in <the night shut down early>

   shutdown
          [shut.down] n (1888): the cessation or suspension of an operation
          or activity

   shute
          [shute] var of chute

   shut-eye
          [shut-eye] n (1899): sleep <get some ~>

   [1]shut-in
          [shut-in] n (1903) 1: an invalid confined to home, a room,
          or bed 2: a narrow gorge-shaped part of an otherwise
          wide valley 3: available oil or gas which is not being
          produced from an existing well [2]shut-in adj (1909)
          1: confined to one's home or an institution by illness
          or incapacity 2 a: secretive, brooding <a bitter, ~ face
          --Claudia Cassidy> b: tending to avoid social contact:
          withdrawn <the ~ personality type --S. K. Weinberg>

   shut in
          [shut in] vt (14c) 1: confine, enclose 2: to prevent production
          of (oil or gas) by closing down a well

   shutoff
          [shut.off] n (1869) 1: something (as a valve) that shuts
          off 2: stoppage, interruption

   shut off
          [shut off] vt (1824) 1 a: to cut off (as flow or passage):
          stop <shuts off the oxygen supply> b: to stop the operation
          of (as a machine) <shut the motor off> 2: to close off:
          separate--usu. used with from <shut off from the rest
          of the world> ~ vi: to cease operating: stop <shuts off
          automatically>

   shutout
          [shut.out] n (1889) 1: a game or contest in which one side
          fails to score 2: a preemptive bid in bridge

   shut out
          [shut out] vt (14c) 1: exclude 2: to prevent (an opponent)
          from scoring in a game or contest 3: to forestall the
          bidding of (bridge opponents) by making a high or preemptive
          bid

   [1]shutter
          [shut.ter] n (1542) 1: one that shuts 2: a usu. movable cover
          or screen for a window or door 3: a mechanical device
          that limits the passage of light; esp: a camera attachment
          that exposes the film or plate by opening and closing
          an aperture 4: the movable louvers in a pipe organ by
          which the swell box is opened -- shut.ter.less adj [2]shutter
          vt (1826) 1: to close by or as if by shutters 2: to furnish
          with shutters

   shutterbug
          [shut.ter.bug] n (1940): a photography enthusiast

   [1]shuttle
          [shut.tle] n [ME shittle, prob. fr. OE scytel bar, bolt;
          akin to ON skutill bolt, OE sceotan to shoot--more at
          shoot] (14c) 1 a: a device used in weaving for passing
          the thread of the weft between the threads of the warp
          b: a spindle-shaped device holding the thread in tatting,
          knotting, or netting c: a sliding thread holder for the
          lower thread of a sewing machine that carries the lower
          thread through a loop of the upper thread to make a stitch
          2: shuttlecock 3 a: a going back and forth regularly
          over an often short route by a vehicle b: an established
          route used in a shuttle; also: a vehicle used in a shuttle
          c: space shuttle -- shut.tle.less adj [2]shuttle vb shut.tled
          ; shut.tling vt (1550) 1: to cause to move or travel
          back and forth frequently 2: to transport in, by, or
          as if by a shuttle ~ vi 1: to move or travel back and
          forth frequently 2: to move by or as if by a shuttle

   [1]shuttlecock
          [shut.tle.cock] n (1522): a lightweight conical object with
          a rounded often rubber-covered nose that is used in badminton
          [2]shuttlecock vt (1687): to send or toss to and fro:
          bandy

   shuttle diplomacy
          [shuttle diplomacy] n (1974): negotiations esp. between nations
          carried on by an intermediary who shuttles back and forth
          between the disputants

   shut up
          [shut up] vt (1814): to cause (a person) to stop talking
          ~ vi: to cease writing or speaking

   [1]shy
          [shy] adj shi.er or shy.er ; shi.est or shy.est [ME schey,
          fr. OE sceoh; akin to OHG sciuhen to frighten off] (bef.
          12c) 1: easily frightened: timid 2: disposed to avoid
          a person or thing <publicity ~> <book-shy children> 3:
          hesitant in committing oneself: circumspect 4: sensitively
          diffident or retiring: reserved <a ~ seclusive person>;
          also: expressive of such a state or nature <spoke in
          a ~ voice> 5: secluded, hidden 6: having less than the
          full or specified amount or number: short <just ~ of
          six feet tall> <the stew is a little ~ of seasoning>
          7: disreputable <gambling hells and ~ saloons --Blackwood's>
          -- shy.ly adv -- shy.ness n syn shy, bashful, diffident,
          modest, coy mean not inclined to be forward. shy implies
          a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact
          with others <shy with strangers>. bashful implies a frightened
          or hesitant shyness characteristic of childhood and adolescence
          <a bashful boy out on his first date>. diffident stresses
          a distrust of one's own ability or opinion that causes
          hesitation in acting or speaking <felt diffident about
          raising an objection>. modest suggests absence of undue
          confidence or conceit <very modest about her achievements>.
          coy implies an assumed or affected shyness <put off by
          her coy manner>. [2]shy vi shied ; shy.ing (1650) 1:
          to develop or show a dislike or distaste--usu. used with
          from or away from <an author who shies away from publicity>
          2: to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm [3]shy
          n, pl shies (1791): a sudden start aside (as from fright)
          [4]shy vb shied ; shy.ing [perh. fr. [1]shy] vi (1787):
          to make a sudden throw ~ vt: to throw (an object) with
          a jerk: fling [5]shy n, pl shies (1791) 1: the act of
          shying: toss, throw 2: a verbal fling or attack 3: cockshy

   [1]shylock
          [shy.lock] n 1 cap: the Jewish usurer and antagonist of Antonio
          in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice 2: an extortionate
          creditor: loan shark [2]shylock vi (ca. 1934): to lend
          money at high rates of interest <expose of systematic
          thievery ... ~ing, and murder --Current Biog.>

   shyster
          [shy.ster] n [prob. fr. G Scheisser, lit., defecator] (1844):
          one who is professionally unscrupulous esp. in the practice
          of law or politics: pettifogger

   si...
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   si
          [si] n [It] (1728): [2]ti

   Si
          [Si] abbreviation silicon  SI [F Systeme International d'Unites]
          abbreviation International System of Units

   sialagogue
          [si.al.a.gogue] n [NL sialagogus promoting the expulsion
          of saliva, fr. Gk sialon saliva + NL -agogus -agogue]
          (ca. 1783): an agent that promotes the flow of saliva

   sialic
          [si.al.ic] adj [ISV silicon + aluminum] (1924): of, relating
          to, or being relatively light rock that is rich in silica
          and alumina and is typical of the outer layers of the
          earth

   sialic acid
          [sialic acid] n [Gk sialon saliva] (1952): any of a group
          of reducing amido acids that are essentially carbohydrates
          and are found esp. as components of blood glycoproteins
          and mucoproteins

   siamang
          [si.a.mang] n [Malay] (1822): a black gibbon (Hylobates
          syndactylus) of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula that is the largest
          of the gibbons

   [1]Siamese
          [Si.a.mese] adj [Siam (Thailand); in senses 2 & 3, fr. Siamese
          twin] (1693) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic of
          Thailand, the Thais, or their language 2: exhibiting
          great resemblance: very like 3 not cap: connecting two
          or more pipes or hoses so as to permit discharge in a
          single stream [2]Siamese n, pl Siamese (1693) 1: thai
          2 2: thai 3 3: siamese cat

   Siamese cat
          [Siamese cat] n (1871): any of a breed of slender blue-eyed
          shorthaired domestic cats of oriental origin with pale
          fawn or gray body and darker ears, paws, tail, and face

   Siamese fighting fish
          [Siamese fighting fish] n (1933): a brightly colored betta
          (Betta splendens) that has highly aggressive males and
          is a popular aquarium fish

   Siamese twin
          [Siamese twin] n [fr. Chang d. 1874 and Eng d. 1874 congenitally
          united twins born in Siam] (1829): one of a pair of congenitally
          united twins in humans or other vertebrates

   [1]sib
          [sib] adj [ME, fr. OE sibb, fr. sibb kinship; akin to OHG
          sippa kinship, family, L sodalis comrade, Gk ethos custom,
          character, L suus one's own--more at suicide] (bef. 12c):
          related by blood: akin [2]sib n (bef. 12c) 1 a: kindred,
          relatives b: a blood relation: kinsman 2: a brother or
          sister considered irrespective of sex; broadly: any plant
          or animal of a group sharing a degree of genetic relationship
          corresponding to that of human sibs 3: a group of persons
          unilaterally descended from a real or supposed ancestor

   Siberian husky
          [Si.be.ri.an husky] n (1930): any of a breed of medium-sized
          thick-coated compact dogs that were developed in Siberia
          for use as sled dogs and that have erect ears and a bushy
          tail

   sibilance
          [sib.i.lance] n (1823): a sibilant quality or sound

   [1]sibilant
          [sib.i.lant] adj [L sibilant-, sibilans, prp. of sibilare
          to hiss, whistle, of imit. origin] (1669): having, containing,
          or producing the sound of or a sound resembling that
          of the s or the sh in sash <a ~ affricate> <a ~ snake>
          -- sib.i.lant.ly adv [2]sibilant n (1788): a sibilant
          speech sound (as English /s/, /z/, /sh/, /zh/, /ch(=tsh)/,
          or /j(=dzh)/)

   sibilate
          [sib.i.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L sibilatus, pp. of sibilare]
          vi (ca. 1656) 1: hiss 2: to utter an initial sibilant:
          prefix an /s/-sound ~ vt 1: hiss 2: to pronounce with
          an initial sibilant: prefix an /s/-sound to -- sib.i.la.tion
          n

   sibling
          [sib.ling] n (bef. 12c) 1: sib 2; also: one of two or more
          individuals having one common parent 2: one of two or
          more things related by a common tie or characteristic

   sibling species
          [sibling species] n (1940): one of two or more species that
          are nearly indistinguishable morphologically

   sibyl
          [sib.yl] n, often cap [ME sibile, sybylle, fr. MF & L; MF
          sibile, fr. L sibylla, fr. Gk] (14c) 1: any of several
          prophetesses usu. accepted as 10 in number and credited
          to widely separate parts of the ancient world (as Babylonia,
          Egypt, Greece, and Italy) 2 a: a female prophet b: fortune-teller
          -- si.byl.ic or si.byl.lic adj -- sib.yl.line adj

   [1]sic
          [sic] chiefly Scot var of such [2]sic also sick vt sicced
          also sicked ; sic.cing also sick.ing [alter. of seek]
          (1845) 1: chase, attack--usu. used as a command esp.
          to a dog <~ 'em> 2: to incite or urge to an attack, pursuit,
          or harassment: set [3]sic adv [L, so, thus--more at so]
          (ca. 1859): intentionally so written--used after a printed
          word or passage to indicate that it is intended exactly
          as printed or to indicate that it exactly reproduces
          an original <said he seed [~] it all>

   Sichuan
          [Sichuan] var of szechuan

   sic itur ad astra
          [sic itur ad as.tra] [L] foreign term : thus one goes to
          the stars: such is the way to immortality

   sick
          [sick] adj [ME sek, sik, fr. OE seoc; akin to OHG sioh sick]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): affected with disease or ill health:
          ailing (2): of, relating to, or intended for use in sickness
          <~ pay> <a ~ ward> b: queasy, nauseated <~ to one's stomach>
          <was ~ in the car> c: undergoing menstruation 2: spiritually
          or morally unsound or corrupt 3 a: sickened by strong
          emotion <~ with fear> <worried ~> b: having a strong
          distaste from surfeit: satiated <~ of flattery> c: filled
          with disgust or chagrin <gossip makes me ~> d: depressed
          and longing for something <~ for one's home> 4 a: mentally
          or emotionally unsound or disordered: morbid <~ thoughts>
          b: macabre, sadistic <~ jokes> 5: lacking vigor: sickly:
          as a: badly outclassed <looked ~ in the contest> b: incapable
          of yielding a profitable crop esp. because of buildup
          of disease organisms <clover-sick soils>

   sick and tired
          [sick and tired] adj (1783): thoroughly fatigued or bored;
          also: fed up

   sick bay
          [sick bay] n (1813): a compartment in a ship used as a dispensary
          and hospital; broadly: a place for the care of the sick
          or injured

   sickbed
          [sick.bed] n (14c): the bed on which one lies sick

   sick call
          [sick call] n (1836): a scheduled time at which individuals
          (as soldiers) may report as sick to the medical officer

   sick day
          [sick day] n (1968): a paid day of sick leave

   sicken
          [sick.en] vb sick.ened ; sick.en.ing vi (13c) 1: to become
          sick 2: to become weary or satiated ~ vt 1: to make sick
          2: to cause revulsion in as a result of weariness or
          satiety -- sick.en.er n

   sickening
          [sick.en.ing] adj (1789): causing sickness or disgust <a
          ~ odor> <a ~ display> -- sick.en.ing.ly adv

   sicker
          [sick.er] adj [ME siker, fr. OE sicor, fr. L securus secure]
          (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: secure, safe; also: dependable
          -- sicker adv, chiefly Scot -- sick.er.ly adv, chiefly
          Scot

   sick headache
          [sick headache] n (1778): migraine

   sickie
          [sick.ie] n (1967): a person who is mentally or morally sick

   sickish
          [sick.ish] adj (1581) 1 archaic: somewhat ill: sickly 2:
          somewhat nauseated: queasy 3: somewhat sickening <a ~
          odor> -- sick.ish.ly adv -- sick.ish.ness n

   [1]sickle
          [sick.le] n [ME sikel, fr. OE sicol, fr. L secula sickle,
          fr. secare to cut--more at saw] (bef. 12c) 1: an agricultural
          implement consisting of a curved metal blade with a short
          handle fitted on a tang 2: the cutting mechanism (as
          of a reaper, combine, or mower) consisting of a bar with
          a series of cutting elements [2]sickle adj (1688): having
          the form of a sickle blade: having a curve similar to
          that of a sickle blade <the ~ moon> [3]sickle vb sick.led
          ; sick.ling vt (1922) 1: to mow or reap with a sickle
          2: to change (a red blood cell) into a sickle cell ~
          vi: to change into a sickle cell <the ability of red
          blood cells to ~>

   sick leave
          [sick leave] n (1840) 1: an absence from work permitted because
          of illness 2: the number of days per year for which an
          employer agrees to pay employees who are sick

   sickle cell
          [sickle cell] n (1923): an abnormal red blood cell of crescent
          shape

   sickle-cell anemia
          [sickle-cell anemia] n (1922): a chronic inherited anemia
          in which a large proportion or the majority of the red
          blood cells tend to sickle, which occurs primarily in
          individuals of African, Mediterranean, or southwest Asian
          ancestry, and which results from homozygosity for a semidominant
          gene--called also sickle-cell disease

   sickle-cell trait
          [sickle-cell trait] n (1928): an inherited blood condition
          in which some red blood cells tend to sickle but usu.
          not enough to produce anemia, which occurs primarily
          in individuals of African, Mediterranean, or southwest
          Asian ancestry, and which results from heterozygosity
          for a semidominant gene

   sicklemia
          [sick.le.mia] n [NL, fr. E sickle (cell) + NL -emia] (1932):
          sickle-cell trait

   [1]sickly
          [sick.ly] adj (14c) 1: somewhat unwell; also: habitually
          ailing 2: produced by or associated with sickness <a
          ~ complexion> <a ~ appetite> 3: producing or tending
          to produce disease: unwholesome <a ~ climate> 4 a: appearing
          as if sick b: lacking in vigor: weak <a ~ plant> 5: sickening
          <a ~ odor> <a ~ green> -- sick.li.ness n -- sickly adv
          [2]sickly vt sick.lied ; sick.ly.ing (1763): to make
          sick or sickly

   sickness
          [sick.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: ill health: illness b: a disordered,
          weakened, or unsound condition 2: a specific disease 3: nausea,
          queasiness

   sicko
          [sicko] n, pl sick.os (1963): sickie

   sick-out
          [sick-out] n (1951): an organized absence form work by workers
          on the pretext of sickness

   sick pay
          [sick pay] n (1887): salary or wages paid to an employee
          while on sick leave

   sickroom
          [sick.room] n (1749): a room in which a person is confined
          by sickness

   sic passim
          [sic pas.sim] adv [L] (1921): so throughout--used of a word
          or idea to be found throughout a book or a writer's work

   sic semper tyrannis
          [sic sem.per ty.ran.nis] [L] foreign term : thus ever to
          tyrants--motto of Virginia

   sic transit gloria mundi
          [sic trans.it glo.ria mun.di] [L] foreign term : so passes
          away the glory of the world

   sicut patribus sit Deus nobis
          [sic.ut pa.tri.bus sit De.us no.bis] [L] foreign term : as
          to our fathers may God be to us--motto of Boston

   siddur
          [sid.dur] n, pl sid.du.rim [LHeb siddur, lit., order, arrangement]
          (1864): a Jewish prayer book containing liturgies for daily,
          Sabbath, and holiday observances

   [1]side
          [side] n [ME, fr. OE side; akin to OHG sita side, OE sid
          ample, wide] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the right or left part of
          the wall or trunk of the body <a pain in the ~> b (1):
          one of the halves of the animal body on either side of
          the mesial plane (2): a cut of meat including that about
          the ribs of one half of the body--used chiefly of smoked
          pork products c: one longitudinal half of a hide 2: a
          place, space, or direction with respect to a center or
          to a line of division (as of an aisle, river, or street)
          3 a: one of the longer bounding surfaces or lines of
          an object esp. contrasted with the ends <the ~ of a barn>
          b: a line or surface forming a border or face of an object
          <a die has six ~s> <the back ~ of the moon> c: either
          surface of a thin object <one ~ of a record> <right ~
          of the cloth> d: a bounding line of a geometric figure
          <~ of a triangle> 4 a: the space beside one <stood by
          my ~> b: an area next to something--usu. used in combination
          <a poolside interview> 5: a slope (as of a hill) considered
          as opposed to another slope <the far ~ of the hill> 6
          a: the attitude or activity of one person or group with
          respect to another: part <there was no malice on my ~>
          b: a position that is opposite to or contrasted with
          another <two ~s to every question> <came down on the
          ~ of law and order> c: a body of partisans or contestants
          <victory for neither ~> d: team <11 players on each ~>
          7: a line of descent traced through one's parent <grandfather
          on his mother's ~> 8: an aspect or part of something
          contrasted with some other real or implied aspect or
          part <the better ~ of his nature> <the sales ~ of the
          business> <the seasoning is a bit on the heavy ~> 9 Brit:
          sideways spin imparted to a billiard or snooker ball
          10: a sheet containing the lines and cues for a single
          theatrical role 11: a recording of music 12: a side order
          or dish <a ~ of fries> -- on the side 1: in addition
          to the main portion 2: in addition to a principal occupation
          -- this side of : short of: almost <an attitude just
          this side of scandalous> [2]side adj (14c) 1 a: situated
          on the side <~ window> b: of or relating to the side
          2 a: directed toward or from the side <~ thrust> <~ wind>
          b: incidental, indirect <~ issue> <~ remark> c: made
          on the side <~ payment> d: additional to the main portion
          <~ order of french fries> [3]side vb sid.ed ; sid.ing
          vt (1591) 1: to agree with: support 2: to be side by
          side with 3: to set or put aside: clear away <~ the dishes>
          4: to furnish with sides or siding <~ a house> ~ vi:
          to take sides: join or form sides <sided with the rebels>
          [4]side n [obs. E side proud, boastful] (1878) chiefly
          Brit: swaggering or arrogant manner: pretentiousness

   sidearm
          [side.arm] adj (1908): of, relating to, using, or being a
          baseball pitching style in which the arm is not raised
          above the shoulder and the ball is thrown with a sideways
          sweep of the arm between shoulder and hip <~ delivery>
          -- sidearm adv

   side arm
          [side arm] n (1689): a weapon (as a sword, revolver, or bayonet)
          worn at the side or in the belt

   sideband
          [side.band] n (1922): the band of frequencies (as of radio
          waves) on either side of the carrier frequency produced
          by modulation

   sidebar
          [side.bar] n (1945): a short news story accompanying and
          presenting sidelights of a major story

   side bearing
          [side bearing] n (ca. 1894): the space provided at each side
          of a typeset letter to prevent its touching adjoining
          letters

   sideboard
          [side.board] n (1671): a piece of dining-room furniture having
          compartments and shelves for holding articles of table
          service

   sideburns
          [side.burns] n pl [anagram of burnsides] (1887) 1: side-whiskers
          2: continuations of the hairline in front of the ears
          -- side.burned adj

   side by side
          [side by side] adv (13c) 1: beside one another 2: in the
          same place, time, or circumstance <lived peacefully side
          by side for many years> -- side-by-side adj

   sidecar
          [side.car] n (1904) 1: a car attached to the side of a motorcycle
          for a passenger 2: a cocktail consisting of a liqueur
          with lemon juice and brandy

   side chain
          [side chain] n (1886): a shorter chain or group of atoms
          attached to a principal chain or to a ring in a molecule

   side chair
          [side chair] n (1925): a chair without arms used usu. in
          a dining room

   sided
          [sid.ed] adj (15c): having sides often of a specified number
          or kind <one-sided> <glass-sided> -- sid.ed.ness n

   side dish
          [side dish] n (1725): a food served separately along with
          the main course

   sidedress
          [side.dress] n (1966): side-dressing -- side-dress vt

   side-dressing
          [side-dress.ing] n (1935) 1: plant nutrients placed on or
          in the soil near the roots of a growing crop often by
          means of a cultivator having a fertilizer-distributing
          attachment 2: the act or process of applying side-dressing
          to a crop

   side drum
          [side drum] n (ca. 1800): snare drum

   side effect
          [side effect] n (1884): a secondary and usu. adverse effect
          (as of a drug) <toxic side effects>--called also side
          reaction

   side-glance
          [side-glance] n (1611) 1: a glance directed to the side 2:
          a passing allusion: an indirect or slight reference

   sidehill
          [side.hill] n (1674): hillside -- sidehill adj

   side horse
          [side horse] n (ca. 1934): pommel horse

   sidekick
          [side.kick] n (1916): a person closely associated with another
          as subordinate or partner

   sidelight
          [side.light] n (1610) 1 a: light coming or produced from
          the side b: incidental light or information 2: the red
          light on the port bow or the green light on the starboard
          bow carried by ships under way at night

   [1]sideline
          [side.line] n (1862) 1: a line at right angles to a goal
          line or end line and marking a side of a court or field
          of play for athletic games 2 a: a line of goods sold
          in addition to one's principal line b: a business or
          activity pursued in addition to one's regular occupation
          3 a: the space immediately outside the lines along either
          side of an athletic field or court b: a sphere of little
          or no participation or activity--usu. used in pl. [2]sideline
          vt (1943): to put out of action: put on the sidelines

   sideliner
          [side.lin.er] n (1947): one that remains on the sidelines
          during an activity: one that does not participate

   [1]sideling
          [side.ling] adv [ME sidling, fr. [1]side + [2]-ling] (14c)
          archaic: in a sidelong direction: sideways [2]sideling
          adj (1611) 1 archaic: directed toward one side: oblique
          2 archaic: having an inclination: sloping <~ ground>

   [1]sidelong
          [side.long] adv [alter. of [1]sideling] (14c) 1: sideways,
          obliquely 2 archaic: on the side [2]sidelong adj (1597)
          1: lying or inclining to one side: slanting 2 a: directed
          to one side <~ looks> b: indirect rather than straightforward

   sideman
          [side.man] n (1936): a member of a band or orchestra and
          esp. of a jazz or swing orchestra

   sidepiece
          [side.piece] n (1802): a piece forming or contained in the
          side of something <the ~ of a carriage>

   -sider
          [-sid.er] comb form: one placed or living in a usu. specified
          side (as a section of the city) <an east-sider>

   sider-
          [sider-] or sidero- comb form [MF, fr. L, fr. Gk sider-,
          sidero-, fr. sideros]: iron <hemosiderin> <siderolite>

   sidereal
          [si.de.re.al] adj [L sidereus, fr. sider-, sidus star,
          constellation] (1647): of, relating to, or expressed in relation
          to stars or constellations: astral

   sidereal day
          [sidereal day] n (1794): the interval between two successive
          transits of a point on the celestial sphere (as the vernal
          equinox) over the upper meridian of a place: 23 hours,
          56 minutes, 4.1 seconds of mean time

   sidereal hour
          [sidereal hour] n (ca. 1891): the 24th part of a sidereal
          day

   sidereal minute
          [sidereal minute] n (ca. 1909): the 60th part of a sidereal
          hour

   sidereal month
          [sidereal month] n (1868): the mean time of the moon's revolution
          in its orbit with reference to a star's position: 27
          days, 7 hours, 43 minutes, 11.5 seconds of mean time

   sidereal second
          [sidereal second] n (ca. 1909): the 60th part of a sidereal
          minute

   sidereal time
          [sidereal time] n (1812) 1: time based on the sidereal day
          2: the hour angle of the vernal equinox at a place

   sidereal year
          [sidereal year] n (1681): the time in which the earth completes
          one revolution in its orbit around the sun measured with
          respect to the fixed stars: 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes,
          and 9.5 seconds of mean time

   [1]siderite
          [sid.er.ite] n [G Siderit, fr. Gk sideros iron] (1850): a
          native ferrous carbonate that is a valuable iron ore
          [2]siderite n (1875): a nickel-iron meteorite

   side road
          [side road] n (1854): a smaller road off a main road

   siderolite
          [si.de.ro.lite] n (1863): a stony iron meteorite

   sidesaddle
          [side.sad.dle] n (15c): a saddle for women in which the rider
          sits with both legs on the same side of the horse --
          sidesaddle adv

   side-scan sonar
          [side-scan sonar] n (1967): a sonar that scans the ocean
          floor to the side of a ship's track and is used esp.
          for mapping the ocean bottom

   sideshow
          [side.show] n (1846) 1: a minor show offered in addition
          to a main exhibition (as of a circus) 2: an incidental
          diversion or spectacle

   sideslip
          [side.slip] vi (1887) 1: to skid or slide sideways 2: to
          slide sideways through the air in a downward direction
          in an airplane along an inclined lateral axis -- sideslip
          n

   sidespin
          [side.spin] n (1926): a rotary motion that causes a ball
          to revolve horizontally

   sidesplitting
          [side.split.ting] adj (1856): extremely funny -- side.split.ting.ly
          adv

   side step
          [side step] n (1789) 1: a step aside (as in boxing to avoid
          a blow) 2: a step taken sideways (as when climbing on
          skis)

   sidestep
          [side.step] vi (1901) 1: to take a side step 2: to avoid
          an issue or decision ~ vt 1: to move out of the way of:
          avoid <~ a blow> 2: bypass, evade <~ a question> -- side.step.per
          n

   side-straddle hop
          [side-strad.dle hop] n (1952): jumping jack 2

   sidestream
          [side.stream] adj (1951): relating to or being tobacco smoke
          that is emitted from the lighted end of a cigarette or
          cigar

   side street
          [side street] n (1617): a street joining and often terminated
          by a main thoroughfare

   sidestroke
          [side.stroke] n (1867): a swimming stroke which is executed
          on the side and in which the arms are swept in separate
          strokes towards the feet and downward and the legs do
          a scissors kick

   [1]sideswipe
          [side.swipe] vt (1904): to strike with a glancing blow along
          the side <sideswiped a parked car> [2]sideswipe n (1917)
          1 a: the action of sideswiping b: an instance of sideswiping:
          a glancing blow 2: an incidental deprecatory remark,
          allusion, or reference

   side table
          [side table] n (14c): a table designed to be placed against
          a wall

   [1]sidetrack
          [side.track] n (1835) 1: siding 2 2: a position or condition
          of secondary importance to which one may be diverted
          [2]sidetrack vt (1880) 1: to shunt aside (as to a railroad
          siding) 2 a: to turn aside from a purpose: deflect b:
          to prevent action on by diversionary tactics <~ an issue>

   sidewalk
          [side.walk] n (1739): a usu. paved walk for pedestrians at
          the side of a street

   sidewalk superintendent
          [sidewalk superintendent] n (1940): a spectator at a building
          or demolition job

   sidewall
          [side.wall] n (14c) 1: a wall forming the side of something
          2: the side of an automotive tire between the tread shoulder
          and the rim bead

   sideward
          [side.ward] or side.wards adv (15c): toward a side

   sideway
          [side.way] adv or adj (1612): sideways

   sideways
          [side.ways] adv or adj (1577) 1: from one side 2: with one
          side forward <turn ~> 3 a: in a lateral direction or
          downward to one side <hopped ~> <slump ~> b: askance
          <look ~ at someone>

   side-wheel
          [side-wheel] adj (1857): of or being a steamer having a paddle
          wheel on each side -- side-wheel.er n

   side-whiskers
          [side-whis.kers] n pl (1888): whiskers on the side of the
          face usu. worn long -- side-whis.kered adj

   sidewinder
          [side.wind.er] n (1840) 1: a heavy swinging blow from the
          side 2: a small pale-colored desert rattlesnake (Crotalus
          cerastes) of the southwestern U.S. that moves by thrusting
          its body diagonally forward in a series of flat S-shaped
          curves

   sidewise
          [side.wise] adv (1571): sideways

   siding
          [sid.ing] n (1603) 1 archaic: the taking of sides: partisanship
          2: a short railroad track connected with the main track
          3: material (as boards or metal pieces) forming the exposed
          surface of outside walls of frame buildings

   sidle
          [si.dle] vb si.dled ; si.dling [prob. back-formation fr.
          [2]sideling] vi (1697): to go or move with one side foremost
          esp. in a furtive advance ~ vt: to cause to move or turn
          sideways -- sidle n

   SIDS
          [SIDS] abbreviation sudden infant death syndrome

   siege
          [siege] n [ME sege, fr. OF, seat, blockade, fr. siegier to
          seat, settle, fr. (assumed) VL sedicare, fr. L sedere
          to sit--more at sit] (13c) 1 obs: a seat of distinction:
          throne 2 a: a military blockade of a city or fortified
          place to compel it to surrender b: a persistent or serious
          attack (as of illness) -- siege vt -- lay siege to 1:
          to besiege militarily 2: to pursue diligently or persistently

   siege mentality
          [siege mentality] n (1953): a defensive or overly fearful
          attitude

   Siege Perilous
          [Siege Perilous] n: a seat at King Arthur's Round Table reserved
          for the knight destined to achieve the quest of the Holy
          Grail and fatal to any other occupying it

   Siegfried
          [Sieg.fried] n [G]: a hero in Germanic legend who slays a
          dragon guarding a gold hoard and wakes Brunhild from
          her enchanted sleep

   Siegfried line
          [Siegfried line] n [Siegfried] (1918): a line of German defensive
          fortifications facing the Maginot Line

   siemens
          [sie.mens] n, pl siemens [Werner von Siemens d. 1892 Ger.
          electrical engineer] (ca. 1933): a unit of conductance
          in the meter-kilogram-second system equivalent to one
          ampere per volt

   sienna
          [si.en.na] n [It terra di Siena, lit., Siena earth, fr. Siena,
          Italy] (1787): an earthy substance containing oxides
          of iron and usu. of manganese that is brownish yellow
          when raw and orange red or reddish brown when burnt and
          is used as a pigment

   sierozem
          [si.er.o.zem] n [Russ serozem, fr. seryi gray + zemlya earth;
          akin to L humus earth--more at humble] (1934): any of
          a group of zonal soils brownish gray at the surface and
          lighter below, based in a carbonate or hardpan layer,
          and characteristic of temperate to cool arid regions

   sierra
          [si.er.ra] n [Sp, lit., saw, fr. L serra] (1600) 1 a: a range
          of mountains esp. with a serrated or irregular outline
          b: the country about a sierra 2: any of several large
          fishes (genus Scomberomorus) related to the mackerel
          Sierra (1952)--a communications code word for the letter
          s

   sierran
          [si.er.ran] adj (1873) 1: of or relating to a sierra <~ foothills>
          2 cap: of or relating to the Sierra Nevada Mountains of the western
          U.S. Sierran n (1906): a native or inhabitant of the region around
          the Sierra Nevada Mountains

   siesta
          [si.es.ta] n [Sp, fr. L sexta (hora) noon, lit., sixth hour--more
          at sext] (1655): an afternoon nap or rest

   sieva bean
          [sie.va bean] n [origin unknown] (1888): a bean plant (Phaseolus
          lunatus) of tropical America that is closely related
          to and sometimes classified with the lima bean; also:
          its flat edible seed

   [1]sieve
          [sieve] n [ME sive, fr. OE sife; akin to OHG sib sieve] (bef.
          12c): a device with meshes or perforations through which
          finer particles of a mixture (as of ashes, flour, or
          sand) of various sizes may be passed to separate them
          from coarser ones, through which the liquid may be drained
          from liquid-containing material, or through which soft
          materials may be forced for reduction to fine particles
          [2]sieve vb sieved ; siev.ing (15c): sift

   sieve of Eratosthenes
          [sieve of Er.a.tos.the.nes] (1803): a procedure for finding
          prime numbers that involves writing down the odd numbers
          from 2 up in succession and lining out every third number
          after 3, every fifth after 5 including those already
          lined out, every seventh after 7, and so on with each
          successive number which has not been lined out with every
          number that is not lined out being prime

   sieve plate
          [sieve plate] n (1875): a perforated wall or part of a wall
          at the end of one of the individual cells making up a
          sieve tube

   sieve tube
          [sieve tube] n (1875): a tube consisting of an end-to-end
          series of thin-walled living plant cells characteristic
          of the phloem and held to function chiefly in translocation
          of organic solutes

   sifaka
          [si.faka] n [Malagasy] (1845): any of several diurnal mostly
          black and white lemurs (genus Propithecus) with a long
          tail and silky fur

   sift
          [sift] vb [ME, fr. OE siftan; akin to OE sife sieve] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to put through a sieve <~ flour> b: to separate
          or separate out by or as if by putting through a sieve
          2: to go through esp. to sort out what is useful or valuable
          <~ed the evidence>--often used with through <~ through
          a pile of old letters> 3: to scatter by or as if by sifting
          <~ sugar on a cake> ~ vi 1: to use a sieve 2: to pass
          or fall as if through a sieve -- sift.er n

   sifting
          [sift.ing] n (15c) 1: the act or process of sifting 2 pl:
          sifted material

   sig
          [sig] abbreviation signal, signature, signor  Sig [L signa]
          abbreviation label  SIG abbreviation special interest
          group

   [1]sigh
          [sigh] vb [ME sihen, alter. of sichen, fr. OE sican; akin
          to MD versiken to sigh] vi (13c) 1: to take a deep audible
          breath (as in weariness or relief) 2: to make a sound
          like sighing <wind ~ing in the branches> 3: grieve, yearn
          <~ing for days gone by> ~ vt 1: to express by sighs 2
          archaic: to utter sighs over: mourn -- sigh.er n [2]sigh
          n (14c) 1: an often involuntary act of sighing esp. when
          expressing an emotion or feeling (as weariness or relief)
          2: the sound of gently moving or escaping air <~s of
          the summer breeze>

   [1]sight
          [sight] n [ME, fr. OE gesiht faculty or act of sight, thing
          seen; akin to OHG gisiht sight, OE seon to see] (bef.
          12c) 1: something that is seen: spectacle 2 a: a thing
          regarded as worth seeing--usu. used in pl. <the ~s of
          the city> b: something ludicrous or disorderly in appearance
          <you look a ~> 3 a chiefly dial: a great number or quantity
          b: a good deal: lot <a far ~ better> <not by a damn ~>
          4 a: the process, power, or function of seeing; specif:
          the animal sense of which the end organ is the eye and
          by which the position, shape, and color of objects are
          perceived b: mental or spiritual perception c: mental
          view; specif: judgment 5 a: the act of looking at or
          beholding b: inspection, perusal c: view, glimpse d:
          an observation to determine direction or position (as
          by a navigator) 6 a: a perception of an object by or
          as if by the eye <never lost ~ of the objective> b: the
          range of vision <was nowhere in ~> 7: presentation of
          a note or draft to the maker or draftee: demand 8 a:
          a device that aids the eye in aiming or in finding the
          direction of an object b pl: aspiration <set her ~s on
          a medical career> -- in sight : at or within a reasonable
          distance or time -- on sight : as soon as seen <ordered
          to shoot on sight> -- out of sight 1: beyond comparison
          2: beyond all expectation or reason 3--used as a generalized
          expression of approval -- sight for sore eyes : one whose
          appearance or arrival is an occasion for joy or relief
          [2]sight vt (1602) 1: to get or catch sight of <several
          whales were ~ed> 2: to look at through or as if through
          a sight; esp: to test for straightness 3: to aim by means
          of sights 4 a: to equip with sights b: to adjust the
          sights of ~ vi 1: to take aim 2: to look carefully in
          a particular direction [3]sight adj (1801) 1: based on
          recognition or comprehension without previous study <~
          translation> 2: payable on presentation <a ~ draft>

   sighted
          [sight.ed] adj (1552): having sight <clear-sighted> <a ~
          person>

   sight gag
          [sight gag] n (1949): a comic bit or episode whose effect
          is produced by pantomime or camera shot rather than by
          words

   sightless
          [sight.less] adj (13c) 1: lacking sight: blind 2: invisible
          1 -- sight.less.ly adv -- sight.less.ness n

   sight line
          [sight line] n (1859): a line extending from an observer's
          eye to a viewed object or area (as a stage) <a theater
          with excellent sight lines>

   sightly
          [sight.ly] adj (1534) 1: pleasing to the sight: attractive
          2: affording a fine view -- sight.li.ness n -- sightly
          adv

   sight-read
          [sight-read] vb -read ; -read.ing [back-formation fr. sight
          reader] vt (1903): to read (as a foreign language) or
          perform (music) without previous preparation or study
          ~ vi: to read at sight; esp: to perform music at sight
          -- sight reader n

   sight rhyme
          [sight rhyme] n (ca. 1936): eye rhyme

   sightsee
          [sight.see] vi, past -saw pres part -see.ing [back-formation
          fr. sight-seeing] (1824): to go about seeing sights of
          interest -- sightseer n

   sight-seeing
          [sight-see.ing] adj (1827): devoted to or used for seeing
          sights -- sight-seeing n

   sight unseen
          [sight unseen] adv (1892): without inspection or appraisal

   sigil
          [sig.il] n [ME sigulle, fr. L sigillum--more at seal] (15c)
          1: seal, signet 2: a sign, word, or device held to have
          occult power in astrology or magic

   sigill
          [sigill] [L sigillum] abbreviation seal

   sigma
          [sig.ma] n [Gk] (1607) 1: the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet
          2: standard deviation

   sigmoid
          [sig.moid] also sig.moi.dal adj [Gk sigmoeides, fr. sigma;
          fr. a common form of sigma shaped like the Roman letter
          C] (1670) 1 a: curved like the letter C b: curved in
          two directions like the letter S 2: of, relating to,
          or being the sigmoid flexure of the intestine -- sig.moi.dal.ly
          adv

   sigmoid flexure
          [sigmoid flexure] n (1786): the contracted and crooked part
          of the colon immediately above the rectum--called also
          sigmoid colon

   sigmoidoscopy
          [sig.moid.os.co.py] n (ca. 1900): the process of using a
          long hollow tubular instrument passed through the anus
          for inspection, diagnosis, treatment, and photography
          esp. of the sigmoid flexure

   [1]sign
          [sign] n [ME signe, fr. OF, fr. L signum mark, token, sign,
          image, seal; perh. akin to L secare to cut--more at saw]
          (13c) 1 a: a motion or gesture by which a thought is
          expressed or a command or wish made known b: signal 2a
          c: a fundamental linguistic unit that designates an object
          or relation or has a purely syntactic function d: one
          of a set of gestures used to represent language; also:
          sign language 2: a mark having a conventional meaning
          and used in place of words or to represent a complex
          notion 3: one of the 12 divisions of the zodiac 4 a (1):
          a character (as a flat or sharp) used in musical notation
          (2): segno b: a character indicating a mathematical operation;
          also: one of two characters indicating plus or minus
          that form part of the symbol of a number and characterize
          it as positive or negative 5 a: a display (as a lettered
          board or a configuration of neon tubing) used to identify
          or advertise a place of business or a product b: a posted
          command, warning, or direction c: signboard 6 a: something
          material or external that stands for or signifies something
          spiritual b: something indicating the presence or existence
          of something else <~s of success> <a ~ of the times>
          c: presage, portent <~s of an early spring> d: an objective
          evidence of plant or animal disease 7 pl usu sign : traces
          of a usu. wild animal <red fox ~> -- signed adj syn sign,
          mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication
          of what is not itself directly perceptible. sign applies
          to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the
          reason <encouraging signs for the economy>. mark suggests
          something impressed on or inherently characteristic of
          a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance
          <a mark of a good upbringing>. token applies to something
          that serves as a proof of something intangible <this
          gift is a token of our esteem>. note suggests a distinguishing
          mark or characteristic <a note of irony in her writing>.
          symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal
          change or condition <rampant crime is a symptom of that
          city's decay>. [2]sign vb [ME, fr. MF signer, fr. L signare
          to mark, sign, seal, fr. signum] vt (13c) 1 a: cross
          2 b: to place a sign on c: to represent or indicate by
          a sign 2 a: to affix a signature to: ratify or attest
          by hand or seal <~ a bill into law> <the prisoner ~ed
          a confession> b: to assign or convey formally <~ed over
          his property to his brother> c: to write down (one's
          name) 3: to communicate by making a sign or by sign language
          4: to engage or hire by securing the signature of on
          a contract of employment--often used with up or on ~
          vi 1: to write one's name in token of assent, responsibility,
          or obligation 2 a: to make a sign or signal b: to use
          sign language -- sign.ee n -- sign.er n

   signage
          [sign.age] n (1976): signs (as of identification, warning,
          or direction) or a system of such signs

   [1]signal
          [sig.nal] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML signale, fr. LL, neut. of
          signalis of a sign, fr. L signum] (14c) 1: sign, indication
          2 a: an act, event, or watchword that has been agreed
          on as the occasion of concerted action b: something that
          incites to action 3: something (as a sound, gesture,
          or object) that conveys notice or warning 4 a: an object
          used to transmit or convey information beyond the range
          of human voice b: the sound or image conveyed in telegraphy,
          telephony, radio, radar, or television c: a detectable
          physical quantity or impulse (as a voltage, current,
          or magnetic field strength) by which messages or information
          can be transmitted [2]signal vb sig.naled or sig.nalled
          ; sig.nal.ing or sig.nal.ling vt (1805) 1: to notify
          by a signal <~ the fleet to turn back> 2 a: to communicate
          or indicate by or as if by signals <~ed the end of an
          era> b: to constitute a characteristic feature of (a
          meaningful linguistic form) ~ vi: to make or send a signal
          -- sig.nal.er or sig.nal.ler n [3]signal adj [modif.
          of F signale, pp. of signaler to distinguish, fr. OIt
          segnalare to signal, distinguish, fr. segnale signal,
          fr. ML signale] (1641): distinguished from the ordinary
          <~ achievement>

   signalise
          [sig.nal.ise] Brit var of signalize

   signalize
          [sig.nal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1654) 1: to make conspicuous:
          distinguish 2: to point out carefully or distinctly 3:
          to make signals to: signal; also: indicate 4: to place
          traffic signals at or on -- sig.nal.i.za.tion n

   signally
          [sig.nal.ly] adv (1641): in a signal manner: notably

   signalman
          [sig.nal.man] n (1737): a person who signals or works with
          signals (as on a railway)

   signalment
          [sig.nal.ment] n [F signalement, fr. signaler] (1778): description
          by peculiar, appropriate, or characteristic marks; specif: the
          systematic description of a person for purposes of identification

   signatory
          [sig.na.to.ry] n, pl -ries [L signatorius of sealing, fr.
          signare] (1866): a signer with another or others <signatories
          to a petition>; esp: a government bound with others by
          a signed convention -- signatory adj

   signature
          [sig.na.ture] n [MF or ML; MF, fr. ML signatura, fr. L signatus,
          pp. of signare to sign, seal] (1536) 1 a: the act of
          signing one's name b: the name of a person written with
          his or her own hand 2: a feature in the appearance or
          qualities of a natural object formerly held to indicate
          its utility in medicine 3 a: a letter or figure placed
          usu. at the bottom of the first page on each sheet of
          printed pages (as of a book) as a direction to the binder
          in arranging and gathering the sheets b: a folded sheet
          that is one unit of a book 4 a: key signature b: time
          signature 5: the part of a medical prescription that
          contains the directions to the patient 6: something (as
          a tune, style, or logo) that serves to identify; also:
          a characteristic mark

   signboard
          [sign.board] n (1632): a board bearing a notice or sign

   signed
          [signed] adj (1873): having a sign and esp. a plus or minus
          sign

   [1]signet
          [sig.net] n [ME, fr. MF, dim. of signe sign, seal] (14c)
          1: a seal used officially to give personal authority
          to a document in lieu of signature 2: the impression
          made by or as if by a signet 3: a small intaglio seal
          (as in a finger ring) [2]signet vt (15c): to stamp or
          authenticate with a signet

   signet ring
          [signet ring] n (1681): a finger ring engraved with a signet,
          seal, or monogram: seal ring

   significance
          [sig.nif.i.cance] n (13c) 1 a: something that is conveyed
          as a meaning often obscurely or indirectly b: the quality
          of conveying or implying 2 a: the quality of being important:
          moment b: the quality of being statistically significant
          syn see importance

   significance level
          [significance level] n (1947): level of significance

   significancy
          [sig.nif.i.can.cy] n (ca. 1595): significance

   significant
          [sig.nif.i.cant] adj [L significant-, significans, prp. of
          significare to signify] (1579) 1: having meaning; esp:
          suggestive <a ~ glance> 2 a: having or likely to have
          influence or effect: important <a ~ piece of legislation>;
          also: of a noticeably or measurably large amount <a ~
          number of layoffs> <producing ~ profits> b: probably
          caused by something other than mere chance <statistically
          ~ correlation between vitamin deficiency and disease>

   significant digit
          [significant digit] n (1923): one of the digits of a number
          beginning with the digit farthest to the left that is
          not zero and ending with the last digit farthest to the
          right that is not zero or is a zero considered to be
          exact--called also significant figure

   significantly
          [sig.nif.i.cant.ly] adv (1577) 1: in a significant manner:
          to a significant degree 2: it is significant

   significant other
          [significant other] n (1953): a person who is important to
          one's well-being; esp: a spouse or one in a similar relationship

   signification
          [sig.ni.fi.ca.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act or process of signifying
          by signs or other symbolic means b: a formal notification
          2: purport; esp: the meaning that a term, symbol, or
          character regularly conveys or is intended to convey
          3 chiefly dial: importance, consequence

   significative
          [sig.nif.i.ca.tive] adj (15c) 1: significant, suggestive
          2: indicative <symptoms ~ of malaria>

   significs
          [sig.nif.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [signify] (1896):
          semiotic, semantics

   signified
          [signified] n (1939): a concept or meaning as distinguished
          from the sign through which it is communicated--compare
          signifier 2

   signifier
          [sig.ni.fi.er] n (1532) 1: one that signifies 2: a symbol,
          sound, or image (as a word) that represents an underlying
          concept or meaning--compare signified

   signify
          [sig.ni.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME signifien, fr. OF signifier,
          fr. L significare to indicate, signify, fr. signum sign]
          vt (13c) 1 a: to be a sign of: mean b: imply 2: to show
          esp. by a conventional token (as word, signal, or gesture)
          ~ vi 1: to have significance: matter 2: to engage in
          signifying

   signifying
          [sig.ni.fy.ing] n (1959): a good-natured needling or goading
          esp. among urban blacks by means of indirect gibes and
          clever often preposterous put-downs; also: dozens

   sign in
          [sign in] vi (1930): to make a record of arrival by signing
          a register or punching a time clock ~ vt: to record arrival
          of (a person) or receipt of (an article) by signing

   sign language
          [sign language] n (1847) 1: a formal language employing a
          system of hand gestures for communication (as by the
          deaf) 2: an unsystematic method of communicating chiefly
          by manual gestures used by people speaking different
          languages

   sign of aggregation
          [sign of aggregation] (ca. 1942): any of various conventional
          devices (as braces, brackets, parentheses, or vinculums)
          used in mathematics to indicate that two or more terms
          are to be treated as one quantity

   sign off
          [sign off] vi (1926) 1: to announce the end of something
          (as a message or broadcast) 2: to approve or acknowledge
          something by or as if by a signature <sign off on a memo>
          -- sign-off n

   sign of the cross
          [sign of the cross] (14c): a gesture of the hand forming
          a cross esp. on forehead, breast, and shoulders to profess
          Christian faith or invoke divine protection or blessing

   sign on
          [sign on] vi (1885) 1: to engage oneself by or as if by a
          signature 2: to announce the start of broadcasting for
          the day -- sign-on n

   signor
          [si.gnor] also si.gnior n, pl signors or si.gno.ri also signiors
          [It signore, signor, fr. ML senior superior, lord--more
          at senor] (ca. 1580): an Italian man usu. of rank or
          gentility--used as a title equivalent to Mister

   signora
          [si.gno.ra] n, pl signoras or si.gno.re [It, fem. of signore,
          signor] (1763): a married Italian woman usu. of rank
          or gentility--used as a title equivalent to Mrs.

   signore
          [si.gno.re] n, pl si.gno.ri [It] (1594): signor

   signorina
          [si.gno.ri.na] n, pl -nas or -ne [It, fr. dim. of signora]
          (1820): an unmarried Italian woman--used as a title equivalent
          to Miss

   signory
          [si.gnory] or si.gniory n, pl si.gnor.ies or si.gnior.ies
          [ME signorie, fr. MF seigneurie] (14c): seigniory

   sign out
          [sign out] vi (1948): to indicate departure by signing a
          register ~ vt: to record or approve the release or departure
          of -- sign-out n or adj

   [1]signpost
          [sign.post] n (1620) 1: a post (as at the fork of a road)
          with signs on it to direct travelers 2: guide, beacon
          [2]signpost vt (1895): to provide with signposts or guides

   sign up
          [sign up] vi (1903): to sign one's name (as to a contract)
          in order to obtain, do, or join something <sign up for
          insurance> <sign up for classes> -- sign-up n or adj

   Sigurd
          [Sig.urd] n [ON Sigurthr]: a hero in Norse mythology who
          slays the dragon Fafnir

   si jeunesse savait, si vieillesse pouvait!
          [si jeu.nesse sa.vait, si vieil.lesse pou.vait!] [F] foreign
          term : if youth only knew, if age only could!

   sike
          [sike] n [ME, fr. OE sic; akin to ON sik slow stream, OE
          sicerian to trickle] (bef. 12c) 1 dial chiefly Brit:
          a small stream; esp: one that dries up in summer 2 dial
          chiefly Brit: ditch

   [1]Sikh
          [Sikh] n [Hindi, lit., disciple] (1756): an adherent of a
          monotheistic religion of India founded about 1500 by
          Guru Nanak and marked by rejection of idolatry and caste
          -- Sikh.ism n [2]Sikh adj (1845): of or relating to Sikhs
          or Sikhism

   silage
          [si.lage] n [short for ensilage] (1884): fodder converted
          into succulent feed for livestock through processes of
          anaerobic acid fermentation (as in a silo)

   silane
          [si.lane] n [ISV silicon + methane] (1916): any of various
          compounds of hydrogen and silicon that are analogous
          to alkanes

   Silastic
          [Si.las.tic] trademark--used for a soft pliable plastic

   sild
          [sild] n, pl sild or silds [Norw] (1921): a young herring
          other than a brisling that is canned as a sardine in
          Norway

   [1]silence
          [si.lence] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L silentium, fr. silent-, silens]
          (13c) 1: forbearance from speech or noise: muteness--often
          used interjectionally 2: absence of sound or noise: stillness
          3: absence of mention: a: oblivion, obscurity b: secrecy
          <weapons research was conducted in ~> [2]silence vt si.lenced
          ; si.lenc.ing (1597) 1: to compel or reduce to silence:
          still 2: to restrain from expression: suppress 3: to
          cause to cease hostile firing or criticism

   silencer
          [si.lenc.er] n (1600): one that silences: as a chiefly Brit:
          the muffler of an internal combustion engine b: a silencing
          device for small arms

   [1]silent
          [si.lent] adj [ME sylent, fr. L silent-, silens, fr. prp.
          of silere to be silent; akin to Goth anasilan to cease,
          grow calm] (15c) 1 a: making no utterance: mute, speechless
          b: indisposed to speak: not loquacious 2: free from sound
          or noise: still 3: performed or borne without utterance:
          unspoken <~ prayer> <~ grief> 4 a: making no mention
          <history is ~ about this person> b: not widely or generally
          known or appreciated <the ~ pressures on a person in
          public office> c: making no protest or outcry <the ~
          majority> 5: unpronounced <~ b in doubt> 6: not exhibiting
          the usual signs or symptoms of presence <a ~ infection>
          7 a: made without spoken dialogue <~ movies> b: of or
          relating to silent movies -- si.lent.ly adv -- si.lent.ness
          n syn silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive
          mean showing restraint in speaking. silent implies a
          habit of saying no more than is needed <the strong, silent
          type>. taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination
          to speech and usu. connotes unsociability <taciturn villagers>.
          reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length,
          esp. about one's own affairs <was reticent about his
          plans>. reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining
          influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal
          conversational exchange <greetings were brief, formal,
          and reserved>. secretive, too, implies reticence but
          usu. carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of
          frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal
          <the secretive research and development division>. [2]silent
          n (1929): a motion picture made without spoken dialogue--usu.
          used in pl.

   silent auction
          [silent auction] n (1952): an auction in which sealed bids
          are submitted beforehand

   silent butler
          [silent butler] n (1937): a receptacle with hinged lid for
          collecting table crumbs and the contents of ashtrays

   silent leges inter arma
          [si.lent le.ges in.ter ar.ma] [L] foreign term : the laws
          are silent in the midst of arms

   silent partner
          [silent partner] n (1828) 1: a partner who is known to the
          public but has no voice in the conduct of a firm's business
          2: secret partner

   silent service
          [silent service] n (ca. 1929) 1: navy--used with the 2: the
          submarine service--used with the

   silent treatment
          [silent treatment] n (1947): an act of completely ignoring
          a person or thing by resort to silence esp. as a means
          of expressing contempt or disapproval

   silenus
          [si.le.nus] n, pl -ni often cap [L, fr. Gk silenos, fr. Silenos
          foster father of Dionysus]: a minor woodland deity and
          companion of Dionysus in Greek mythology with a horse's
          ears and tail

   silex
          [si.lex] n [L silic-, silex hard stone, flint] (ca. 1592):
          silica or a siliceous material (as powdered tripoli)
          esp. for use as a filler in paints or wood

   [1]silhouette
          [sil.hou.ette] n [F, fr. Etienne de Silhouette d. 1767 Fr.
          controller general of finances; perh. fr. his ephemeral
          tenure] (1783) 1: a likeness cut from dark material and
          mounted on a light ground or one sketched in outline
          and solidly colored in 2: the outline of a body viewed
          as circumscribing a mass <the ~ of a bird> syn see outline
          [2]silhouette vt -ett.ed ; -ett.ing (1876): to represent
          by a silhouette; also: to project on a background like
          a silhouette -- sil.hou.et.tist n

   silica
          [sil.i.ca] n [NL, fr. L silic-, silex hard stone, flint]
          (ca. 1801): silicon dioxide occurring in crystalline,
          amorphous, and impure forms (as in quartz, opal, and
          sand respectively)

   silica gel
          [silica gel] n (1919): colloidal silica resembling coarse
          white sand in appearance but possessing many fine pores
          and therefore extremely adsorbent

   silicate
          [sil.i.cate] n [silicic (acid)] (1811): a salt or ester derived
          from a silicic acid; esp: any of numerous insoluble often
          complex metal salts that contain silicon and oxygen in
          the anion, constitute the largest class of minerals,
          and are used in building materials (as cement, bricks,
          and glass)

   siliceous
          [si.li.ceous] or si.li.cious adj [L siliceus of flint, fr.
          silic-, silex hard stone, flint] (ca. 1656): of, relating
          to, or containing silica or a silicate <~ limestone>

   silicic
          [si.lic.ic] adj [NL silica & NL silicium silicon (fr. silica)]
          (1817): of, relating to, or derived from silica or silicon

   silicic acid
          [silicic acid] n (1817): any of various weakly acid substances
          obtained as gelatinous masses by treating silicates with
          acids

   silicide
          [sil.i.cide] n [ISV silicon + -ide] (ca. 1868): a binary
          compound of silicon with a more electropositive element
          or group

   silicification
          [si.lic.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1830): the action or process of
          silicifying: the state of being silicified

   silicify
          [si.lic.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (ca. 1828): to convert
          into or impregnate with silica ~ vi: to become silicified

   silicon
          [sil.i.con] n [NL silica + E -on (as in carbon)] (1817):
          a tetravalent nonmetallic element that occurs combined
          as the most abundant element next to oxygen in the earth's
          crust and is used esp. in alloys and electronic devices

   silicon carbide
          [silicon carbide] n (1893): a very hard dark crystalline
          compound SiC of silicon and carbon that is used as an
          abrasive and as a refractory and in electric resistors

   silicone
          [sil.i.cone] n [silicon + -one] (1943): any of various polymeric
          organic silicon compounds obtained as oils, greases,
          or plastics and used esp. for water-resistant and heat-resistant
          lubricants, varnishes, binders, and electric insulators

   silicone rubber
          [silicone rubber] n (1944): rubber made from silicone elastomers
          and noted for its retention of flexibility, resilience,
          and tensile strength over a wide temperature range

   siliconized
          [sil.i.con.ized] adj (1949): treated or coated with a silicone
          <~ glassware>

   silicon nitride
          [silicon nitride] n (1903): any of several compounds of silicon
          and nitrogen; specif: a compound that is a hard ceramic
          used in high-temperature applications and in composites

   silicosis
          [sil.i.co.sis] n [NL, fr. silica + -osis] (1881): pneumoconiosis
          characterized by massive fibrosis of the lungs resulting
          in shortness of breath and caused by prolonged inhalation
          of silica dusts -- sil.i.cot.ic adj or n

   silique
          [si.lique] n [F, fr. NL siliqua, fr. L, pod, husk] (1785):
          a narrow elongated two-valved usu. many-seeded capsule
          that is characteristic of the mustard family, opens by
          sutures at either margin, and has two parietal placentas

   [1]silk
          [silk] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE seolc, prob. ultim. fr.
          Gk serikos silken--more at sericeous] (bef. 12c) 1: a
          fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect
          larvae usu. for cocoons; esp: a lustrous tough elastic
          fiber produced by silkworms and used for textiles 2:
          thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk filaments 3 a:
          a garment of silk b (1): a distinctive silk gown worn
          by a King's or Queen's Counsel (2): a King's or Queen's
          Counsel c pl: the colored cap and blouse of a jockey
          or harness horse driver made in the registered racing
          color of the employing stable 4 a: a filament resembling
          silk; esp: one produced by a spider b: silky material
          <milkweed ~>; esp: the styles of an ear of Indian corn
          5: parachute -- silk.like adj [2]silk vi (1783) of corn:
          to develop the silk

   silkaline
          [silk.a.line] or silk.o.line n [[1]silk + -oline (as in crinoline)]
          (1896): a soft light cotton fabric with a smooth lustrous finish
          like that of silk

   silk cotton
          [silk cotton] n (1697): the silky or cottony covering of
          seeds of various silk-cotton trees; esp: kapok

   silk-cotton tree
          [silk-cotton tree] n (1712): any of various tropical trees
          (family Bombacaceae, the silk-cotton family) with palmate
          leaves and large fruits with the seeds enveloped by silk
          cotton; esp: ceiba 1

   silken
          [silk.en] adj (bef. 12c) 1: made or consisting of silk 2:
          resembling silk: as a: soft, lustrous b (1): agreeably
          smooth: harmonious (2): suave, ingratiating 3 a: dressed
          in silk <~ ankles> b: luxurious 2, 3

   silk gland
          [silk gland] n (1870): a gland that produces a viscid fluid
          which is extruded in filaments and hardens into silk
          on exposure to air: as a: either of a pair of greatly
          enlarged and modified salivary glands of an insect larva
          that produce a compound filament from which a larval
          or pupal cover (as a cocoon) is spun b: any of two or
          more abdominal glands of a spider that open through spinnerets
          and produce a filament used chiefly in the spinning of
          webs

   silk hat
          [silk hat] n (1834): a hat with a tall cylindrical crown
          and a silk-plush finish worn by men as a dress hat

   silk oak
          [silk oak] n (1866): any of various Australian timber trees
          (esp. genus Grevillea) of the protea family that have
          mottled wood used in cabinetmaking and veneering--called
          also silky oak

   silk screen
          [silk screen] n (1930): a stencil process in which coloring
          matter is forced onto the material to be printed through
          the meshes of a silk or organdy screen so prepared as
          to have pervious printing areas and impervious nonprinting
          areas; also: a print made by this process -- silk-screen
          vt

   silk-stocking
          [silk-stock.ing] adj (1798) 1: aristocratic, wealthy <a ~
          district> 2: fashionably dressed <a ~ audience> 3: of
          or relating to the American Federalist party

   silk stocking
          [silk stocking] n (1891) 1: an aristocratic or wealthy person
          2: a fashionably dressed person 3: federalist 2

   silk tree
          [silk tree] n (ca. 1852): a leguminous Asian tree (Albizia
          julibrissin) having pink flowers with long silky stamens--called
          also mimosa

   silkweed
          [silk.weed] n (1784): milkweed

   silkworm
          [silk.worm] n (bef. 12c): a moth whose larva spins a large
          amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon; esp:
          an Asian moth (Bombyx mori of the family Bombycidae)
          whose rough wrinkled hairless yellowish caterpillar produces
          the silk of commerce

   silky
          [silky] adj silk.i.er ; -est (1611) 1: silken 1, 2 2: having
          or covered with fine soft hairs, plumes, or scales --
          silk.i.ly adv -- silk.i.ness n

   silky terrier
          [silky terrier] n (1959): any of a breed of low-set toy terriers
          of Australian origin that have a flat silky glossy coat
          colored blue with tan on the head, chest, and legs--called
          also silky

   sill
          [sill] n [ME sille, fr. OE syll; akin to OHG swelli beam,
          threshold] (bef. 12c) 1: a horizontal piece (as a timber)
          that forms the lowest member or one of the lowest members
          of a framework or supporting structure: as a: the horizontal
          member at the base of a window b: the threshold of a
          door 2: a tabular body of igneous rock injected while
          molten between sedimentary or volcanic beds or along
          foliation planes of metamorphic rocks 3: a submerged
          ridge at relatively shallow depth separating the basins
          of two bodies of water

   sillabub
          [sillabub] var of syllabub

   sillimanite
          [sil.li.man.ite] n [Benjamin Silliman d. 1864 Am. geologist]
          (ca. 1830): a brown, grayish, or pale green mineral that
          consists of an aluminum silicate in orthorhombic crystals
          often occurring in fibrous or columnar forms

   silly
          [sil.ly] adj sil.li.er ; -est [ME sely, silly happy, innocent,
          pitiable, feeble, fr. OE saelig, fr. OE sael happiness;
          akin to OHG salig happy] (14c) 1 archaic: helpless, weak
          2 a: rustic, plain b obs: lowly in station: humble 3
          a: weak in intellect: foolish b: exhibiting or indicative
          of a lack of common sense or sound judgment <a very ~
          mistake> c: trifling, frivolous 4: being stunned or dazed
          <scared ~> <knocked me ~> syn see simple -- sil.li.ly
          adv -- sil.li.ness n -- silly n or adv

   silly season
          [silly season] n (1861) 1: a period (as late summer) when
          newspapers often resort to trivial or frivolous matters
          for lack of major news stories 2: a period marked by
          frivolous, outlandish, or illogical activity or behavior

   silo
          [si.lo] n, pl silos [Sp] (1881) 1: a trench, pit, or esp.
          a tall cylinder (as of wood or concrete) usu. sealed
          to exclude air and used for making and storing silage
          2 a: a deep bin for storing material (as cement or coal)
          b: an underground structure for housing a guided missile

   siloxane
          [si.lox.ane] n [silicon + oxygen + methane] (1917): any of
          various compounds containing alternate silicon and oxygen
          atoms in either a linear or cyclic arrangement usu. with
          one or two organic groups attached to each silicon atom

   [1]silt
          [silt] n [ME cylte, prob. of Scand origin; akin to Dan sylt
          salt marsh; akin to OHG sulza salt marsh, OE sealt salt]
          (15c) 1: loose sedimentary material with rock particles
          usu. 1/20 millimeter or less in diameter; also: soil
          containing 80 percent or more of such silt and less than
          12 percent of clay 2: a deposit of sediment (as by a
          river) -- silty adj [2]silt vi (1799): to become choked
          or obstructed with silt--often used with up <the channel
          ~ed up> ~ vt: to choke, fill, cover, or obstruct with
          silt or mud <the beaver had ~ed the creek --Hugh Fosburgh>
          -- sil.ta.tion n

   siltstone
          [silt.stone] n (ca. 1920): a rock composed chiefly of indurated
          silt

   Silures
          [Sil.u.res] n [L] (ca. 1895): a people of ancient Britain
          described by Tacitus as occupying chiefly southern Wales

   Silurian
          [Si.lu.ri.an] adj [L Silures] (1708) 1: of or relating to
          the Silures or their place of habitation 2: of, relating
          to, or being a period of the Paleozoic era between the
          Ordovician and Devonian or the corresponding system of
          rocks marked by numerous eurypterid crustaceans and the
          appearance of the first land plants--see geologic time
          table -- Silurian n

   silva
          [sil.va] n [NL, fr. L, wood, forest] (ca. 1848): the forest
          trees of a region or country

   silvan
          [silvan] var of sylvan

   [1]silver
          [sil.ver] n [ME, fr. OE seolfor; akin to OHG silbar silver,
          Lith sidabras] (bef. 12c) 1: a white metallic element
          that is sonorous, ductile, very malleable, capable of
          a high degree of polish, and chiefly univalent in compounds,
          and that has the highest thermal and electric conductivity
          of any substance 2: silver as a commodity <the value
          of ~ has risen> 3: coin made of silver 4: articles (as
          hollowware or table flatware) made of or plated with
          silver; also: similar articles and esp. flatware of other
          metals (as stainless steel) 5: a nearly neutral slightly
          brownish medium gray [2]silver adj (bef. 12c) 1: made
          of silver 2: resembling silver: as a: having a white
          lustrous sheen b: giving a soft resonant sound: dulcet
          in tone c: eloquently persuasive 3: consisting of or
          yielding silver 4: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of silver 5: advocating the use of silver as a standard
          of currency 6: of, relating to, or being a 25th anniversary
          or its celebration [3]silver vt sil.vered ; sil.ver.ing
          (14c) 1 a: to cover with silver (as by electroplating)
          b: to coat with a substance (as a metal) resembling silver
          2 a: to give a silvery luster to b: to make white like
          silver -- sil.ver.er n

   silver age
          [silver age] n (1565): an historical period of achievement
          secondary to that of a golden age

   silverback
          [sil.ver.back] n (1963): an older adult usu. dominant male
          gorilla having gray or whitish hair on the back

   silver bell
          [silver bell] n (1785): any of a genus (Halesia) of trees
          and shrubs of the storax family; esp: one (H. carolina)
          of the southeastern U.S. cultivated for its bell-shaped
          white flowers

   silverberry
          [sil.ver.ber.ry] n (1856): a silvery No. American shrub (Elaeagnus
          commutata) of the oleaster family

   silver bromide
          [silver bromide] n (1885): a compound AgBr that is extremely
          sensitive to light and is much used in the preparation
          of sensitive emulsion coatings for photographic materials

   silver bullet
          [silver bullet] n (1935): something that acts as a magical
          weapon; esp: one that instantly solves a long-standing
          problem

   silver certificate
          [silver certificate] n (1882): a certificate formerly issued
          against the deposit of silver coin as legal tender in
          the U.S. and its possessions

   silver chloride
          [silver chloride] n (1885): a compound AgCl sensitive to
          light and used esp. for photographic materials

   silver cord
          [silver cord] n [The Silver Cord (1926), play by Sidney Howard]
          (1942): the emotional tie between mother and child and
          esp. son

   silver fir
          [silver fir] n (1707): any of various firs (genus Abies)
          with leaves that are white or silvery white beneath;
          esp: a valuable European timber tree (A. alba)

   silverfish
          [sil.ver.fish] n (1703) 1: any of various silvery fishes
          (as a tarpon or silversides) 2: any of various small
          wingless insects (order Thysanura); esp: one (Lepisma
          saccharina) found in houses and sometimes injurious esp.
          to sized papers or starched clothes

   silver fox
          [silver fox] n (ca. 1792): a genetically determined color
          phase of the common red fox in which the fur is black
          tipped with white

   silver hake
          [silver hake] n (1884): a common hake (Merluccius bilinearis)
          of the northern Atlantic coast of the U.S. that is an
          important food fish

   silver iodide
          [silver iodide] n (1885): a compound AgI that darkens on
          exposure to light and is used in photography, rainmaking,
          and medicine

   silver lining
          [silver lining] n [fr. the phrase "every cloud has a silver
          lining"] (1871): a consoling or hopeful prospect

   silverly
          [sil.ver.ly] adv (1595): with silvery appearance or sound

   silver maple
          [silver maple] n (1765) 1: a common maple (Acer saccharinum)
          of eastern No. America with deeply cut leaves that are
          light green above and silvery white below 2: the hard
          close-grained but brittle light brown wood of the silver
          maple

   silvern
          [sil.vern] adj (bef. 12c) 1: made of silver 2: resembling
          or characteristic of silver: silvery

   silver nitrate
          [silver nitrate] n (1885): an irritant compound that in contact
          with organic matter turns black and is used as a chemical
          reagent, in photography, and in medicine esp. as an antiseptic
          and caustic

   silver paper
          [silver paper] n (ca. 1875): tin foil

   silver perch
          [silver perch] n (1820): any of various somewhat silvery
          fishes that resemble perch: as a: a drum (Bairdiella
          chrysoura) that occurs esp. along the more southern Atlantic
          coast of the U.S.--called also mademoiselle, yellowtail
          b: white perch 1

   silver plate
          [silver plate] n (1610) 1: domestic flatware and hollowware
          of silver or of a silver-plated base metal 2: a plating
          of silver

   silverpoint
          [sil.ver.point] n (1882): a drawing technique utilizing a
          pencil of silver usu. on specially prepared paper or
          parchment

   silver protein
          [silver protein] n (1928): any of several colloidal light-sensitive
          preparations of silver and protein used in aqueous solution
          on mucous membranes as antiseptics

   silver salmon
          [silver salmon] n (1878): coho

   silver screen
          [silver screen] n (1918) 1: a motion-picture screen 2: motion
          pictures

   silverside
          [sil.ver.side] n (1820): silversides

   silversides
          [sil.ver.sides] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1851): any
          of various small bony fishes (family Atherinidae) with
          a silvery stripe along each side of the body

   silversmith
          [sil.ver.smith] n (bef. 12c): an artisan who makes articles
          of silverware -- sil.ver.smith.ing n

   silver spoon
          [silver spoon] n [fr. the phrase "born with a silver spoon
          in one's mouth" (born wealthy)] (1801): wealth; esp:
          inherited wealth

   silver standard
          [silver standard] n (1860): a monetary standard under which
          the currency unit is defined by a stated quantity of
          silver

   Silver Star Medal
          [Silver Star Medal] n (1932): a U.S. military decoration
          awarded for gallantry in action

   silver-tongued
          [sil.ver-tongued] adj (1592): marked by convincing and eloquent
          expression

   silverware
          [sil.ver.ware] n (1860) 1: silver plate 1 2: flatware

   silverweed
          [sil.ver.weed] n (1578): any of several cinquefoils with
          leaves silvery or white-tomentose beneath; esp: one (Potentilla
          anserina) with silky hairs over the entire plant

   silvery
          [sil.very] adj (14c) 1: having the luster of silver 2: having
          a soft clear musical tone: resonant <a ~ voice> 3: containing
          or consisting of silver -- sil.ver.i.ness n

   silvex
          [sil.vex] n [prob. fr. L silva wood + E exterminator] (1961):
          a selective herbicide esp. effective in controlling woody
          plants but toxic to animals

   silviculture
          [sil.vi.cul.ture] n [F, fr. L silva + cultura culture] (1880):
          a branch of forestry dealing with the development and
          care of forests -- sil.vi.cul.tur.al adj -- sil.vi.cul.tur.al.ly
          adv -- sil.vi.cul.tur.ist n

   simazine
          [si.ma.zine] n [sim- (prob. alter. of sym- symmetrical, prefix
          used in names of organic compounds) + triazine] (1956):
          a selective herbicide used to control weeds esp. among
          crop plants

   Simchas Torah
          [Sim.chas To.rah] n [Heb simhath torah rejoicing of the Torah]
          (1891): a Jewish holiday observed on the 23d of Tishri
          in celebration of the completion of the annual reading
          of the Torah

   Simeon
          [Sim.e.on] n [LL, fr. Gk Symeon, fr. Heb Shim'on] 1: a son
          of Jacob and the traditional eponymous ancestor of one
          of the tribes of Israel 2: a devout man of Jerusalem
          held to have uttered the Nunc Dimittis on seeing the
          infant Jesus in the temple

   [1]simian
          [sim.i.an] adj [L simia ape, fr. simus snub-nosed, fr. Gk
          simos] (1607): of, relating to, or resembling monkeys
          or apes [2]simian n (1880): monkey, ape

   similar
          [sim.i.lar] adj [F similaire, fr. L similis like, similar--more
          at same] (1611) 1: having characteristics in common:
          strictly comparable 2: alike in substance or essentials:
          corresponding <no two animal habitats are exactly ~ --W.
          H. Dowdeswell> 3: not differing in shape but only in
          size or position <~ triangles> <~ polygons> -- sim.i.lar.ly
          adv syn similar, analogous, parallel mean closely resembling
          each other. similar implies the possibility of being
          mistaken for each other <all the houses in the development
          are similar>. analogous applies to things belonging in
          essentially different categor ies but nevertheless having
          many similarities <analogous political systems>. parallel
          suggests a marked likeness in the development of two
          things <the parallel careers of two movie stars>.

   similarity
          [sim.i.lar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1664) 1: the quality or state
          of being similar: resemblance 2: a comparable aspect:
          correspondence syn see likeness

   simile
          [sim.i.le] n [ME, fr. L, comparison, fr. neut. of similis]
          (14c): a figure of speech comparing two unlike things
          that is often introduced by like or as (as in cheeks
          like roses)--compare metaphor

   similia similibus curantur
          [si.mi.lia si.mi.li.bus cu.ran.tur] [L] foreign term : like
          is cured by like

   similis simili gaudet
          [si.mi.lis si.mi.li gau.det] [L] foreign term : like takes
          pleasure in like

   similitude
          [si.mil.i.tude] n [ME, fr. MF, resemblance, likeness, fr.
          L similitudo, fr. similis] (14c) 1 a: counterpart, double
          b: a visible likeness: image 2: an imaginative comparison:
          simile 3 a: correspondence in kind or quality b: a point
          of comparison syn see likeness

   Simmental
          [Sim.men.tal] also Sim.men.thal n [Simmental, valley of the
          Simme River in Switzerland] (1906): any of a breed of
          large buff or dull red and white cattle of Swiss origin
          that are used widely throughout the world for meat and
          milk

   [1]simmer
          [sim.mer] vb sim.mered ; sim.mer.ing [alter. of E dial. simper,
          fr. ME simperen, of imit. origin] vi (1653) 1: to stew
          gently below or just at the boiling point 2 a: to be
          in a state of incipient development: ferment <ideas ~ing
          in the back of my mind> b: to be in inward turmoil: seethe
          ~ vt: to cook slowly in a liquid just below the boiling
          point [2]simmer n (1809): the state of simmering

   simmer down
          [simmer down] vi (1871) 1: to become calm or peaceful 2:
          to become reduced by or as if by simmering

   simnel
          [sim.nel] n [ME simenel, fr. MF, ultim. fr. L simila wheat
          flour] (13c) 1: a bun or bread of fine wheat flour 2
          Brit: a rich fruitcake sometimes coated with almond paste
          and baked for mid-Lent, Easter, and Christmas

   simoleon
          [si.mo.le.on] n [origin unknown] (1896) slang: dollar

   Simon
          [Si.mon] n [Gk Simon, fr. Heb Shim'on] 1: peter--called also
          Simon Peter 2: one of the twelve disciples of Jesus--called
          also Simon the Zealot 3: a kinsman of Jesus 4: a Cyrenian
          constrained to help Jesus bear his cross to his place
          of crucifixion--called also Simon the Cyrenian 5: simon
          magus

   simoniac
          [si.mo.ni.ac] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF simoniaque, fr. ML
          simoniacus, fr. LL simonia simony] (14c): one who practices
          simony -- simoniac or si.mo.ni.a.cal adj -- si.mo.ni.a.cal.ly
          adv

   simonize
          [si.mo.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing [fr. Simoniz, a trademark]
          (1934): to polish with or as if with wax

   Simon Legree
          [Si.mon Le.gree] n: a slave owner who has Tom flogged to
          death in Harriet B. Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin

   Simon Magus
          [Simon Ma.gus] n: a Samaritan sorcerer converted by the apostle
          Philip and severely rebuked by Peter for offering money
          for the gifts of the Holy Ghost

   simon-pure
          [si.mon-pure] adj [fr. the real Simon Pure, alluding to a
          character impersonated by another in the play A Bold
          Stroke for a Wife (1718) by Susannah Centlivre d. 1723
          Eng. dramatist and actress] (1840): of untainted purity
          or integrity; also: pretentiously or hypocritically pure

   si monumentum requiris, circumspice
          [si mo.nu.men.tum re.qui.ris, cir.cum.spi.ce] [L] foreign
          term : if you seek his monument, look around--epitaph
          of Sir Christopher Wren in St. Paul's, London, of which
          he was architect

   simony
          [si.mo.ny] n [ME symonie, fr. LL simonia, fr. Simon Magus,
          Samaritan sorcerer in Acts 8: 9-24] (13c): the buying
          or selling of a church office or ecclesiastical preferment

   simoom
          [si.moom] or si.moon n [Ar samum] (1790): a hot dry violent
          dust-laden wind from Asian and African deserts

   simp
          [simp] n (1903): simpleton

   simpatico
          [sim.pa.ti.co] adj [It simpatico & Sp simpatico, ultim. fr.
          L sympathia sympathy] (1864) 1: agreeable, likable 2:
          being on the same wavelength: congenial, sympathetic

   [1]simper
          [sim.per] vb sim.pered ; sim.per.ing [perh. of Scand origin;
          akin to Dan dial. simper affected, coy] vi (ca. 1563):
          to smile in a silly manner ~ vt: to say with a simper
          <~ed an apology> -- sim.per.er n [2]simper n (1599):
          a silly smile: smirk

   [1]simple
          [sim.ple] adj sim.pler ; sim.plest [ME, fr. OF, plain,
          uncomplicated, artless, fr. L simplus, simplex, lit., single;
          L simplus fr. sem-, simone + -plus multiplied by; L simplic-,
          simplex fr. sem-, sim- + -plic-, -plex -fold--more at same, -fold]
          (13c) 1: free from guile: innocent 2 a: free from vanity: modest
          b: free from ostentation or display 3: of humble origin or modest
          position <a ~ farmer> 4 a: lacking in knowledge or expertise
          <a ~ amateur of the arts> b: stupid; esp: mentally retarded c: not
          socially or culturally sophisticated: naive; also: credulous
          5 a: sheer, unmixed <~ honesty> b: free of secondary complications
          <a ~ vitamin deficiency> c (1): having only one main clause and
          no subordinate clauses <a ~ sentence> (2) of a subject
          or predicate: having no modifiers, complements, or objects
          d: constituting a basic element: fundamental e: not made up of many
          like units <a ~ eye> 6: free from elaboration or figuration
          <~ harmony> 7 a (1): not subdivided into branches or leaflets
          <a ~ stem> <a ~ leaf> (2): consisting of a single carpel (3):
          developing from a single ovary <a ~ fruit> b: controlled
          by a single gene <~ inherited characters> 8: not limited
          or restricted: unconditional <a ~ obligation> 9: readily understood
          or performed <~ directions> <the adjustment was ~ to make>
          10 of a statistical hypothesis: specifying exact values for one
          or more statistical parameters--compare composite 3 -- sim.ple.ness
          n syn simple, foolish, silly, fatuous, asinine mean actually
          or apparently deficient in intelligence. simple implies a degree
          of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex
          or involving mental effort <considered people simple who had
          trouble with computers>. foolish implies the character of being
          or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense
          <foolish stunts>. silly suggests failure to act as a rational being
          esp. by ridiculous behavior <the silly antics of revelers>. fatuous
          implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality <fatuous
          conspiracy theories>. asinine suggests utter and contemptible
          failure to use normal rationality or perception <an asinine plot>.
          syn see in addition easy [2]simple n (14c) 1 a: a person of humble
          birth: commoner <thought very little of anybody, ~s or gentry
          --Virginia Woolf> b (1): a rude or credulous person: ignoramus (2):
          a mentally retarded person 2 a: a medicinal plant b: a vegetable
          drug having only one ingredient 3: one component of a complex;
          specif: an unanalyzable constituent

   simple closed curve
          [simple closed curve] n (1919): a closed plane curve (as
          a circle or an ellipse) that does not intersect itself--called
          also Jordan curve

   simple equation
          [simple equation] n (1798): a linear equation

   simple fraction
          [simple fraction] n (1910): a fraction having whole numbers
          for the numerator and denominator--compare complex fraction

   simple fracture
          [simple fracture] n (1685): a bone fracture that does not
          form an open wound in the skin--compare compound fracture

   simple interest
          [simple interest] n (1798): interest paid or computed on
          the original principal only of a loan or on the amount
          of an account

   simple machine
          [simple machine] n (1704): any of various elementary mechanisms
          formerly considered as the elements of which all machines
          are composed and including the lever, the wheel and axle,
          the pulley, the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw

   simpleminded
          [sim.ple.mind.ed] adj (1744): devoid of subtlety: unsophisticated;
          also: foolish -- sim.ple.mind.ed.ly adv -- sim.ple.mind.ed.ness n

   simple protein
          [simple protein] n (ca. 1909): a protein (as a globulin)
          that yields amino acids as the chief or only products
          of complete hydrolysis--compare conjugated protein

   simple sugar
          [simple sugar] n (1942): monosaccharide

   simpleton
          [sim.ple.ton] n [[1]simple + -ton (as in surnames such as
          Washington)] (1650): a person lacking in common sense

   simple vow
          [simple vow] n (1759): a public vow taken by a religious
          in the Roman Catholic Church under which retention of
          property by the individual is permitted and marriage
          though illicit is valid under canon law

   [1]simplex
          [sim.plex] adj [L simplic-, simplex--more at simple] (1594)
          1: simple, single 2: allowing telecommunication in only
          one direction at a time <~ system> [2]simplex n, pl sim.plex.es
          (1892) 1 or pl sim.pli.ces or sim.pli.cia : a simple
          word 2: a spatial configuration of n dimensions determined
          by n + 1 points in a space of dimension equal to or greater
          than n <a triangle together with its interior determined
          by its three vertices is a two-dimensional ~ in the plane
          or any space of higher dimension>

   simplicial
          [sim.pli.cial] adj (1926): of or relating to simplexes --
          sim.pli.cial.ly adv

   simplicity
          [sim.plic.i.ty] n [ME simplicite, fr. MF simplicite, fr.
          L simplicitat-, simplicitas, fr. simplic-, simplex] (14c)
          1: the state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded
          2 a: lack of subtlety or penetration: innocence, naivete
          b: folly, silliness 3: freedom from pretense or guile:
          candor 4 a: directness of expression: clarity b: restraint
          in ornamentation: austerity

   simplify
          [sim.pli.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [F simplifier, fr. ML simplificare,
          fr. L simplus simple] (1759): to make simple or simpler:
          as a: to reduce to basic essentials b: to diminish in scope
          or complexity: streamline <was urged to ~ management procedures>
          c: to make more intelligible: clarify -- sim.pli.fi.ca.tion
          n -- sim.pli.fi.er n

   simplism
          [sim.plism] n (ca. 1882): the act or an instance
          of oversimplifying; esp: the reduction of a problem to a false
          simplicity by ignoring complicating factors

   simpliste
          [sim.pliste] [F] foreign term : simplistic: overly simple
          or naive

   simplistic
          [sim.plis.tic] adj (ca. 1881) 1: simple 2: of, relating to,
          or characterized by simplism: oversimple <adequate, if
          occasionally ~, historical background --Harlow Robinson>
          -- sim.plis.ti.cal.ly adv

   simply
          [sim.ply] adv (14c) 1 a: without ambiguity: clearly b: without
          embellishment: plainly c: directly, candidly 2 a: solely,
          merely <eats ~ to keep alive> <~ cleaned it up and went
          to bed --Garrison Keillor> b: really, literally <the
          concert was ~ marvelous>--often used as an intensive
          <~ crawling with geniuses --F. Scott Fitzgerald>

   simply connected
          [simply connected] adj (1893): being or characterized by
          a surface that is divided into two separate parts by
          every closed curve it contains

   simply ordered
          [simply ordered] adj (ca. 1909): having any two elements
          connected by a relationship that is reflexive, antisymmetric,
          and transitive

   Simpson's rule
          [Simp.son's rule] n [Thomas Simpson d. 1761 Eng. mathematician]
          (1875): a method for approximating the area under a curve
          over a given interval that involves partitioning the
          interval by an odd number n + 1 of equally spaced ordinates
          and adding the areas of the n/2 figures formed by pairs
          of successive odd-numbered ordinates and the parabolas
          which they determine with their included even-numbered
          ordinates

   simulacre
          [sim.u.la.cre] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L simulacrum] (14c) archaic:
          simulacrum

   simulacrum
          [sim.u.la.crum] n, pl -cra also -crums [ME, fr. L, fr. simulare]
          (15c) 1: image, representation <a reasonable ~ of reality
          --Martin Mayer> 2: an insubstantial form or semblance
          of something: trace

   [1]simular
          [sim.u.lar] n [irreg. fr. L simulare to simulate] (1526)
          archaic: one that simulates: dissembler [2]simular adj
          (1611) archaic: counterfeit, pretended

   simulate
          [sim.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L simulatus, pp. of simulare
          to copy, represent, feign, fr. similis like--more at
          same] (1652) 1: to give or assume the appearance or effect
          of often with the intent to deceive: imitate 2: to make
          a simulation of (as a physical system) syn see assume
          -- sim.u.la.tive adj

   simulated
          [simulated] adj (1622): made to look genuine: fake <~ pearls>

   simulation
          [sim.u.la.tion] n [ME simulacion, fr. MF, fr. L simulation-,
          simulatio, fr. simulare] (14c) 1: the act or process
          of simulating 2: a sham object: counterfeit 3 a: the
          imitative representation of the functioning of one system
          or process by means of the functioning of another <a
          computer ~ of an industrial process> b: examination of
          a problem often not subject to direct experimentation
          by means of a simulating device

   simulator
          [sim.u.la.tor] n (1835): one that simulates; esp: a device
          that enables the operator to reproduce or represent under
          test conditions phenomena likely to occur in actual performance

   simulcast
          [si.mul.cast] vb [simultaneous broadcast] vi (1948): to broadcast
          simultaneously (as by radio and television) ~ vt: to
          broadcast (a program) by simulcasting -- simulcast n

   simultaneous
          [si.mul.ta.neous] adj [L simul at the same time + E -taneous
          (as in instantaneous)--more at same] (ca. 1660) 1: existing
          or occurring at the same time: exactly coincident 2:
          satisfied by the same values of the variables <~ equations>
          syn see contemporary -- si.mul.ta.ne.ity n -- si.mul.ta.neous.ly
          adv -- si.mul.ta.neous.ness n

   [1]sin
          [sin] n [ME sinne, fr. OE synn; akin to OHG sunta sin; prob.
          akin to L sont-, sons guilty, est is--more at is] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: an offense against religious or moral law b:
          an action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible
          <it's a ~ to waste food> c: an often serious shortcoming:
          fault 2 a: transgression of the law of God b: a vitiated
          state of human nature in which the self is estranged
          from God syn see offense [2]sin vi sinned ; sin.ning
          (bef. 12c) 1: to commit a sin 2: to commit an offense
          or fault [3]sin n [Heb sin] (ca. 1823): the 21st letter
          of the Hebrew alphabet

   sin
          [sin] abbreviation sine

   Sinanthropus
          [Sin.an.thro.pus] n [NL, fr. LL Sinae, pl., Chinese + Gk
          anthropos man--more at sino-] (1928): peking man

   Sinbad
          [Sin.bad] or Sind.bad n: a citizen of Baghdad whose adventures
          at sea are told in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments

   [1]since
          [since] adv [ME sins, contr. of sithens, fr. sithen, fr.
          OE siththan, fr. sith tham after that, fr. sith after,
          late + tham, dat. of thaet that; akin to OHG sid later
          and perh. to L setius to a lesser degree] (bef. 12c)
          1: from a definite past time until now <has stayed there
          ever ~> 2: before the present time: ago <long ~ dead>
          3: after a time in the past: subsequently <has ~ become
          rich> [2]since conj (15c) 1: at a time in the past after
          or later than <has held two jobs ~ he graduated>: from
          the time in the past when <ever ~ I was a child> 2 obs:
          when 3: in view of the fact that: because <~ it was raining
          she took an umbrella> [3]since prep (ca. 1530): in the
          period after a specified time in the past: from a specified
          time in the past

   sincere
          [sin.cere] sin.cer.er sin.cer.est adj [MF, fr. L sincerus
          whole, pure, genuine, prob. fr. sem- one + -cerus (akin
          to L crescere to grow)--more at same, crescent] (1533)
          1 a: free of dissimulation: honest <~ interest> b: free
          from adulteration: pure <a ~ doctrine> <~ wine> 2: marked
          by genuineness: true -- sin.cere.ly adv -- sin.cere.ness
          n syn sincere, wholehearted, heartfelt, hearty, unfeigned
          mean genuine in feeling. sincere stresses absence of
          hypocrisy, feigning, or any falsifying embellishment
          or exaggeration <a sincere apology>. wholehearted suggests
          sincerity and earnest devotion without reservation or
          misgiving <promised our wholehearted support>. heartfelt
          suggests depth of genuine feeling outwardly expressed
          <expresses our heartfelt gratitude>. hearty suggests
          honesty, warmth, and exuberance in displaying feeling
          <received a hearty welcome>. unfeigned stresses spontaneity
          and absence of pretense <her unfeigned delight at receiving
          the award>.

   sincerity
          [sin.cer.i.ty] n (15c): the quality or state of being sincere:
          honesty of mind: freedom from hypocrisy

   sincipital
          [sin.cip.i.tal] adj (1653): of or relating to the sinciput

   sinciput
          [sin.ci.put] n, pl sinciputs or sin.cip.i.ta [L sincipit-,
          sinciput, fr. semi- + caput head--more at head] (1578)
          1: forehead 2: the upper half of the skull

   Sindhi
          [Sind.hi] n, pl Sindhi or Sindhis [Ar Sindi] (1815) 1: a
          member of a mostly Muslim people of Sind 2: the Indo-Aryan
          language of the Sindhi people

   sine
          [sine] n [ML sinus, fr. L, curve] (1593) 1: the trigonometric
          function that for an acute angle is the ratio between
          the leg opposite the angle when it is considered part
          of a right triangle and the hypotenuse 2: a trigonometric
          function sin A that for all real numbers A is exactly
          equal to the sine of an angle of measure A in radians
          and that is given by the sum of a series of which the
          first term is A and succeeding terms alternate in sign
          with the kth term being a fraction whose numerator consists
          of A raised to the exponent 2k - 1 and whose denominator
          is the factorial of 2k - 1

   sinecure
          [si.ne.cure] n [ML sine cura without cure (of souls)] (1662)
          1 archaic: an ecclesiastical benefice without cure of
          souls 2: an office or position that requires little or
          no work and that usu. provides an income

   sine curve
          [sine curve] n (1902): the graph in rectangular coordinates
          of the equation y = a sin bx where a and b are constants

   sine die
          [si.ne die] adv [L, without day] (1607): without any future
          date being designated (as for resumption): indefinitely
          <the meeting adjourned sine die>

   sine qua non
          [si.ne qua non] n, pl sine qua nons also sine qui.bus non
          [LL, without which not] (1602): something absolutely
          indispensable or essential

   [1]sinew
          [sin.ew] n [ME sinewe, fr. OE seono; akin to OHG senawa sinew,
          Skt syati he binds] (bef. 12c) 1: tendon; esp: one dressed
          for use as a cord or thread 2 obs: nerve 3 a: solid resilient
          strength: power <astonishing intellectual ~ and clarity
          --Reynolds Price> b: the chief supporting force: mainstay--usu.
          used in pl. <providing the ~s of better living --Sam
          Pollock> [2]sinew vt (ca. 1614): to strengthen as if
          with sinews

   sine wave
          [sine wave] n (1893): a waveform that represents periodic
          oscillations in which the amplitude of displacement at
          each point is proportional to the sine of the phase angle
          of the displacement and that is visualized as a sine
          curve: sine curve; also: a wave so represented

   sinewy
          [sin.ewy] adj (14c) 1: full of sinews: as a: tough, stringy
          <~ meat> b: strong <~ arms> 2: marked by the strength
          of sinews <a demanding ~ intelligence --Helen Dudar>

   sinfonia
          [sin.fo.nia] n, pl -nie [It, fr. L symphonia symphony] (1773)
          1: an orchestral musical composition serving as an introduction
          to choral works (as opera) esp. in the 18th century:
          overture 2: ritornello 1, symphony 2c

   sinfonia concertante
          [sinfonia con.cer.tante] n [It, lit., symphony in concerto
          style] (ca. 1903): a concerto for more than one solo
          instrument

   sinfonietta
          [sin.fo.niet.ta] n [It, dim. of sinfonia] (ca. 1907) 1: a
          symphony of less than standard length or for fewer instruments
          2: a small symphony orchestra; esp: an orchestra of strings
          only

   sinful
          [sin.ful] adj (bef. 12c) 1: tainted with, marked by, or full
          of sin: wicked 2: such as to make one feel guilty <a
          ~ chocolate cake> -- sin.ful.ly adv -- sin.ful.ness n

   sing
          [sing] abbreviation singular

   [1]sing
          [sing] vb sang or sung ; sung ; sing.ing [ME, fr. OE singan;
          akin to OHG singan to sing, Gk omphe voice] vi (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to produce musical tones by means of the voice
          b: to utter words in musical tones and with musical inflections
          and modulations c: to deliver songs as a trained or professional
          singer 2: to make a shrill whining or whistling sound
          3 a: to relate or celebrate something in verse b: to
          compose poetry c: to create in or through words a feeling
          or sense of song <prose that ~s> 4: to produce musical
          or harmonious sounds 5: buzz, ring 6: to make a cry:
          call 7: to give information or evidence ~ vt 1: to utter
          with musical inflections; esp: to interpret in musical
          tones produced by the voice 2: to relate or celebrate
          in verse 3: chant, intone 4: to bring or accompany to
          a place or state by singing <~s the child to sleep> --
          sing.able adj [2]sing n (1850): a session of group singing

   sing-along
          [sing-along] n (1966): songfest; also: a song appropriate
          for a sing-along

   [1]singe
          [singe] vt singed ; singe.ing [ME sengen, fr. OE sengan;
          akin to OHG bisengan to singe, OCS iseknoti to dry up]
          (bef. 12c): to burn superficially or lightly: scorch;
          esp: to remove the hair, down, or fuzz from usu. by passing
          rapidly over a flame [2]singe n (1658): a slight burn:
          scorch

   [1]singer
          [sing.er] n (14c): one that sings [2]sing.er n (ca. 1875):
          one that singes

   singing game
          [singing game] n (1881): a children's game in which the players
          accompany their actions with the singing of a narrative
          song

   [1]single
          [sin.gle] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L singulus one only; akin
          to L sem- one--more at same] (14c) 1 a: not married b:
          of or relating to celibacy 2: unaccompanied by others:
          lone, sole <the ~ survivor of the disaster> 3 a (1):
          consisting of or having only one part, feature, or portion
          <~ consonants> (2): consisting of one as opposed to or
          in contrast with many: uniform <a ~ standard for men
          and women> (3): consisting of only one in number <holds
          to a ~ ideal> b: having but one whorl of petals or ray
          flowers <a ~ rose> 4 a: consisting of a separate unique
          whole: individual <every ~ citizen> b: of, relating to,
          or involving only one person 5 a: frank, honest <a ~
          devotion> b: exclusively attentive <an eye ~ to the truth>
          6: unbroken, undivided 7: having no equal or like: singular
          8: designed for the use of one person only <a ~ room>
          <~ bed> [2]single vb sin.gled ; sin.gling vt (1628) 1:
          to select or distinguish from a number or group--usu.
          used with out 2 a: to advance or score (a base runner)
          by a single b: to bring about the scoring of (a run)
          by a single ~ vi: to make a single in baseball [3]single
          n (1646) 1 a: a separate individual person or thing b:
          an unmarried person and esp. one young and socially active--usu.
          used in pl. c: a recording having one short tune on each
          side 2: a base hit that allows the batter to reach first
          base 3 a pl: a tennis match or similar game with one
          player on each side b: a golf match between two players--usu.
          used in pl. 4: a room (as in a hotel) for one guest--compare
          double 7

   single-action
          [sin.gle-ac.tion] adj (1900) of a revolver: that can be cocked
          only by manually retracting the hammer

   single-blind
          [sin.gle-blind] adj (1963): of, relating to, or being an
          experimental procedure in which the experimenters but
          not the subjects know the makeup of the test and control
          groups during the actual course of the experiments--compare
          double-blind

   single bond
          [single bond] n (1903): a chemical bond in which one pair
          of electrons is shared by two atoms in a molecule esp.
          when the atoms can share more than one pair of electrons--compare
          double bond, triple bond

   single-breasted
          [sin.gle-breast.ed] adj (1796): having a center closing with
          one row of buttons and no lap <a ~ coat>

   single combat
          [single combat] n (1610): combat between two persons

   single cross
          [single cross] n (1940): a first-generation hybrid between
          two selected and usu. inbred lines--compare double cross
          2

   single entry
          [single entry] n (1826): a method of bookkeeping that recognizes
          only one side of a business transaction and usu. consists
          only of a record of cash and personal accounts with debtors
          and creditors

   single file
          [single file] n (1670): [6]file 1 -- single file adv

   [1]single-foot
          [sin.gle-foot] n, pl single-foots (1867): [7]rack b [2]single-foot
          vi (1890) of a horse: to go at a rack -- sin.gle-foot.er n

   [1]single-handed
          [sin.gle-hand.ed] adj (1709) 1: managed or done by one person
          or with one on a side 2: working alone or unassisted
          by others -- sin.gle-hand.ed.ly adv [2]single-handed
          adv (1815): in a single-handed manner

   single-hander
          [sin.gle-hand.er] n (1946): a person who sails single-handed

   single-hearted
          [sin.gle-heart.ed] adj (1577): characterized by sincerity
          and unity of purpose or dedication -- sin.gle-heart.ed.ly
          adv -- sin.gle-heart.ed.ness n

   single knot
          [single knot] n (ca. 1930): overhand knot

   single-lens reflex
          [single-lens reflex] n (1940): a camera having a single lens
          that forms an image which is reflected to the viewfinder
          or recorded on film

   single-minded
          [sin.gle-mind.ed] adj (1860): having one driving purpose
          or resolve: determined, dedicated -- sin.gle-mind.ed.ly
          adv -- sin.gle-mind.ed.ness n

   singleness
          [sin.gle.ness] n (1560): the quality or state of being single

   single-phase
          [sin.gle-phase] adj (1900): of or relating to a circuit energized
          by a single alternating electromotive force

   single-space
          [sin.gle-space] vt (1928): to type or print with no blank
          lines between lines of text

   singlestick
          [sin.gle.stick] n (1771): fighting or fencing with a wooden
          stick or sword held in one hand; also: the weapon used

   singlet
          [sin.glet] n (ca. 1746) 1 [fr. its having only one thickness
          of cloth] chiefly Brit: an athletic jersey: undershirt
          2: an atom or molecule that has no net electronic magnetic
          moment; also: an excited state of an atom or molecule
          that is a singlet

   single tax
          [single tax] n (1853): a tax to be levied on a single item
          (as real estate) as the sole source of public revenue

   singleton
          [sin.gle.ton] n [F, fr. E single] (1876) 1: a card that is
          the only one of its suit orig. dealt to a player 2 a:
          an individual member or thing distinct from others grouped
          with it b: an offspring born singly <~s are more common
          than twins>

   single-track
          [sin.gle-track] adj (1849) 1: having only one track 2: lacking
          intellectual range, receptiveness, or flexibility: one-track

   singletree
          [sin.gle.tree] n (ca. 1841): whiffletree

   single-valued
          [sin.gle-val.ued] adj (1879): having one and only one value
          of the range associated with each value of the domain
          <a ~ function>--compare multiple-valued

   single wing
          [single wing] n (1945): an offensive football formation in
          which one back plays as a flanker and two backs line
          up four or five yards behind the line in position to
          receive a direct snap from center

   singly
          [sin.gly] adv (14c) 1: without the company of others: individually
          2: single-handed

   [1]singsong
          [sing.song] n (1609) 1: verse with marked and regular rhythm
          and rhyme 2: a voice delivery marked by a narrow range
          or monotonous pattern of pitch 3 Brit: songfest -- sing.songy
          adj [2]singsong adj (1734): having a monotonous cadence
          or rhythm

   singspiel
          [sing.spiel] n [G, fr. singen to sing + Spiel play] (1876):
          a musical work popular in Germany esp. in the latter
          part of the 18th century characterized by spoken dialogue
          interspersed with popular or folk songs

   [1]singular
          [sin.gu.lar] adj [ME singuler, fr. MF, fr. L singularis,
          fr. singulus only one--more at single] (14c) 1 a: of
          or relating to a separate person or thing: individual
          b: of, relating to, or being a word form denoting one
          person, thing, or instance c: of or relating to a single
          instance or to something considered by itself 2: distinguished
          by superiority: exceptional <an artist of ~ attainments>
          3: being out of the ordinary: unusual <on the way home
          we had a ~ adventure> 4: departing from general usage
          or expectation: peculiar, odd <the air had a ~ chill>
          5 a of a matrix: having a determinant equal to zero b
          of a linear transformation: having the property that
          the matrix of coefficients of the new variables has a
          determinant equal to zero syn see strange -- sin.gu.lar.ly
          adv [2]singular n (14c) 1: the singular number, the inflectional
          form denoting it, or a word in that form 2: a singular
          term

   singularity
          [sin.gu.lar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: something that is
          singular: as a: a separate unit b: unusual or distinctive
          manner or behavior: peculiarity 2: the quality or state
          of being singular 3: a point at which the derivative
          of a given function of a complex variable does not exist
          but every neighborhood of which contains points for which
          the derivative exists 4: a point or region of infinite
          mass density at which space and time are infinitely distorted
          by gravitational forces and which is held to be the final
          state of matter falling into a black hole

   singularize
          [sin.gu.lar.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1589): to make singular

   singular point
          [singular point] n (ca. 1856): singularity 3

   Sinhala
          [Sin.ha.la] n [Skt Simhala Sri Lanka] (ca. 1954): sinhalese
          2

   Sinhalese
          [Sin.ha.lese] or Sin.gha.lese n, pl Sinhalese or Singhalese
          (1598) 1: a member of a people that inhabit Sri Lanka
          and form a major part of its population 2: the Indo-Aryan
          language of the Sinhalese people -- Sinhalese or Sin.ghalese
          adj

   sinicize
          [si.ni.cize] vt -cized ; -ciz.ing often cap [ML sinicus Chinese,
          fr. LL Sinae, pl., Chinese--more at sino-] (1889): to
          modify by Chinese influence

   sinister
          [sin.is.ter] adj [ME sinistre, fr. L sinistr-, sinister on
          the left side, unlucky, inauspicious] (15c) 1 archaic:
          unfavorable, unlucky 2 archaic: fraudulent 3: singularly
          evil or productive of evil 4 a: of, relating to, or situated
          to the left or on the left side of something; esp: being
          or relating to the side of a heraldic shield at the left
          of the person bearing it b: of ill omen by reason of
          being on the left 5: presaging ill fortune or trouble
          6: accompanied by or leading to disaster -- sin.is.ter.ly
          adv -- sin.is.ter.ness n syn sinister, baleful, malign
          mean seriously threatening evil or disaster. sinister
          suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension
          on the part of the observer <a sinister aura haunts the
          place>. baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness
          to something whether working openly or covertly <exerting
          a corrupt and baleful influence>. malign applies to what
          is inherently evil or harmful <the malign effects of
          racism>.

   sinistral
          [si.nis.tral] adj (1803): of, relating to, or inclined to
          the left: as a: left-handed b of a gastropod shell: having
          the whorls coiling counterclockwise down the spire when
          viewed with the apex toward the observer and having the
          aperture situated on the left of the axis when held with
          the spire uppermost and with the aperture opening toward
          the observer--compare dextral b

   sinistrous
          [si.nis.trous] adj (ca. 1575) archaic: sinister

   Sinitic
          [Si.nit.ic] adj [LL Sinae, pl., Chinese + E -itic (as in
          Semitic)--more at sino-] (ca. 1895): of or relating to
          the Chinese, their language, or their culture

   [1]sink
          [sink] vb sank or sunk ; sunk ; sink.ing [ME, fr. OE sincan;
          akin to OHG sinkan to sink] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to go
          to the bottom: submerge b: to become partly buried (as
          in mud) c: to become engulfed 2 a (1): to fall or drop
          to a lower place or level (2): to flow at a lower depth
          or level (3): to burn with lower intensity (4): to fall
          to a lower pitch or volume <his voice sank to a whisper>
          b: to subside gradually: settle c: to disappear from
          view d: to slope gradually: dip 3 a: to soak or become
          absorbed: penetrate b: to become impressively known or
          felt <the lesson had sunk in> 4: to become deeply absorbed
          <sank into reverie> 5 a: to go downward in quality, state,
          or condition b: to grow less in amount or worth 6 a:
          to fall or drop slowly for lack of strength b: to become
          depressed c: to fail in health or strength ~ vt 1 a:
          to cause to sink <~ a battleship> b: to force down esp.
          below the earth's surface c: to cause (something) to
          penetrate 2: to engage deeply the attention of: immerse
          3 a: to dig or bore (a well or shaft) in the earth: excavate
          b: to form by cutting or excising <~ words in stone>
          4: to cast down or bring to a low condition or state:
          overwhelm, defeat 5: to lower in standing or reputation:
          abase 6 a: to lessen in value or amount b: to lower or
          soften (the voice) in speaking 7: restrain, suppress
          <~s her pride and approaches the despised neighbor --Richard
          Harrison> 8: to pay off (as a debt): liquidate 9: invest
          10: drop 7c <~ a putt> -- sink.able adj [2]sink n (15c)
          1 a: a pool or pit for the deposit of waste or sewage:
          cesspool b: a ditch or tunnel for carrying off sewage:
          sewer c: a stationary basin connected with a drain and
          usu. a water supply for washing and drainage 2: a place
          where vice, corruption, or evil collects 3: sump 3 4
          a: a depression in the land surface; esp: one having
          a saline lake with no outlet b: sinkhole 5: a body or
          process that acts as a storage device or disposal mechanism:
          as a: heat sink; broadly: a device that collects or dissipates
          energy (as radiation) b: a reactant with or absorber
          of a substance

   sinkage
          [sink.age] n (1883) 1: the process or degree of sinking 2:
          depression, indentation 3: the distance from the top
          line of a full page to the first line of sunk matter

   sinker
          [sink.er] n (1708) 1: one that sinks; specif: a weight for
          sinking a fishing line, seine, or sounding line 2: doughnut
          3: a fastball that sinks as it reaches the plate--called
          also sinker ball

   sinkhole
          [sink.hole] n (15c) 1: a hollow place or depression in which
          drainage collects 2: a hollow in a limestone region that
          communicates with a cavern or passage 3: sink 2

   sinking fund
          [sinking fund] n (1724): a fund set up and accumulated by
          usu. regular deposits for paying off the principal of
          a debt when it falls due

   sinless
          [sin.less] adj (bef. 12c): free from sin: impeccable -- sin.less.ly
          adv -- sin.less.ness n

   sinner
          [sin.ner] n (14c) 1: one that sins 2: reprobate, scamp

   Sino-
          [Si.no-] comb form [F, fr. LL Sinae, pl., Chinese, fr. Gk
          Sinai, prob. of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Skt Cina,
          pl., Chinese] 1: Chinese <sinology> 2: Chinese and <Sino-Tibetan>

   sinoatrial
          [si.no.atri.al] adj [NL sinus + atrium] (1913): of, involving,
          or being the sinoatrial node <~ block>

   sinoatrial node
          [sinoatrial node] n (1913): a small mass of tissue that is
          embedded in the musculature of the right atrium of higher
          vertebrates and that originates the impulses stimulating
          the heartbeat

   sinologue
          [si.no.logue] n [F, fr. LL Sinae + F -logue] (1853): a specialist
          in sinology

   sinology
          [si.nol.o.gy] n [prob. fr. F sinologie, fr. sino- + -logie
          -logy] (ca. 1882): the study of the Chinese and esp.
          their language, literature, history, and culture -- si.no.log.i.cal
          adj -- si.nol.o.gist n

   sinopia
          [si.no.pia] n, pl -pi.as or -pie [It, fr. L sinopis, fr.
          Gk sinopis, fr. Sinope Sinop, ancient seaport in Asia
          Minor] (1844) 1: a red to reddish brown earth pigment
          used by the ancients that depends for its color on its
          content of red ferric oxide 2: a preliminary drawing
          for a fresco done in sinopia

   Sino-Tibetan
          [Si.no-Ti.bet.an] n (1920): a language family comprising
          Tibeto-Burman and Chinese

   sinsemilla
          [sin.se.mil.la] n [AmerSp, fr. sin without + semilla seed]
          (1975): highly potent marijuana from female plants that
          are specially tended and kept seedless by preventing
          pollination in order to induce a high resin content;
          also: a female hemp plant grown to produce sinsemilla

   sinsyne
          [sin.syne] adv [ME (Sc) sensyne, fr. sen since (contr. of
          ME sithen) + syne since--more at since, syne] (14c) chiefly
          Scot: since that time

   sin tax
          [sin tax] n (1964): a tax on substances or activities considered
          sinful or harmful (as tobacco, alcohol, or gambling)

   sinter
          [sin.ter] vb [G Sinter slag, cinder, fr. OHG sintar--more
          at cinder] vt (1871): to cause to become a coherent mass
          by heating without melting ~ vi: to undergo sintering
          -- sinter n -- sin.ter.abil.i.ty n

   sinuate
          [sin.u.ate] adj [L sinuatus, pp. of sinuare to bend, fr.
          sinus curve] (1688): having the margin wavy with strong
          indentations <~ leaves>

   sinuosity
          [sin.u.os.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1598) 1: the quality or state
          of being sinuous 2: something that is sinuous

   sinuous
          [sin.u.ous] adj [L sinuosus, fr. sinus] (1578) 1 a: of a
          serpentine or wavy form: winding b: marked by strong
          lithe movements 2: intricate, complex -- sin.u.ous.ly
          adv -- sin.u.ous.ness n

   sinus
          [si.nus] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. L, curve, fold, hollow] (15c):
          cavity, hollow: as a: a narrow elongated tract extending
          from a focus of suppuration and serving for the discharge
          of pus b (1): a cavity in the substance of a bone of
          the skull that usu. communicates with the nostrils and
          contains air (2): a channel for venous blood (3): a dilatation
          in a bodily canal or vessel c: a cleft or indentation
          between adjoining lobes (as of a leaf or corolla)

   sinusitis
          [si.nus.i.tis] n (1896): inflammation of a sinus of the skull

   sinusoid
          [si.nu.soid] n [ML sinus sine] (1823) 1: sine curve, sine
          wave 2 [NL sinus]: a minute endothelium-lined space or
          passage for blood in the tissues of an organ (as the
          liver)

   sinusoidal
          [si.nu.soi.dal] adj (1878): of, relating to, shaped like,
          or varying according to a sine curve or sine wave <~
          motion> <~ alternating current> <~ grooves> -- si.nu.soi.dal.ly
          adv

   sinusoidal projection
          [sinusoidal projection] n (1944): an equal-area map projection
          capable of showing the entire surface of the earth with
          all parallels as straight lines evenly spaced, the central
          meridian as one half the length of the equator, and all
          other meridians as curved lines

   sinus venosus
          [si.nus ve.no.sus] n [NL, venous sinus] (ca. 1839): an enlarged
          pouch that adjoins the heart, is formed by the union
          of the large systemic veins, and is the passage through
          which venous blood enters the heart in lower vertebrates
          and in embryos of higher forms

   Sion
          [Si.on] var of zion

   Siouan
          [Siou.an] n (1889) 1: an American Indian language family
          of central and southeastern No. America 2: a member of
          any of the peoples speaking Siouan languages

   Sioux
          [Sioux] n, pl Sioux [F, short for Nadouessioux, fr. Ojibwa
          natowessiw-] (1712) 1: dakota 2: siouan

   [1]sip
          [sip] vb sipped ; sip.ping [ME sippen; akin to LG sippen
          to sip] vi (14c): to take a sip of something esp. repeatedly
          ~ vt 1: to drink in small quantities 2: to take sips
          from -- sip.per n [2]sip n (15c) 1: a small draft taken
          with the lips 2: the act of sipping

   [1]siphon
          [si.phon] n [F siphon, fr. L siphon-, sipho tube, pipe, siphon,
          fr. Gk siphon] (1659) 1 a: a tube bent to form two legs
          of unequal length by which a liquid can be transferred
          to a lower level over an intermediate elevation by the
          pressure of the atmosphere in forcing the liquid up the
          shorter branch of the tube immersed in it while the excess
          of weight of the liquid in the longer branch when once
          filled causes a continuous flow b usu syphon : a bottle
          for holding aerated water that is driven out through
          a bent tube in its neck by the pressure of the gas when
          a valve in the tube is opened 2: any of various tubular
          organs in animals and esp. mollusks or arthropods that
          are used for drawing in or ejecting fluids--see clam
          illustration [2]siphon vb si.phoned ; si.phon.ing vt
          (1859): to convey, draw off, or empty by or as if by
          a siphon--often used with off ~ vi: to pass by or as
          if by a siphon

   siphonophore
          [si.pho.no.phore] n [ultim. fr. Gk siphon + pherein to carry--more
          at bear] (1883): any of an order (Siphonophora) of compound
          free-swimming or floating pelagic hydrozoans that are mostly
          delicate, transparent, and colored and have specialized zooids

   siphonostele
          [si.pho.no.stele] n [Gk siphon tube, siphon] (1902): a stele
          consisting of vascular tissue surrounding a central core
          of pith parenchyma

   sippet
          [sip.pet] n [alter. of sop] (1530) chiefly Brit: a small
          bit of toast or fried bread esp. for garnishing

   si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice
          [si quae.ris pen.in.su.lam amoe.nam, cir.cum.spi.ce] [L]
          foreign term : if you seek a beautiful peninsula, look
          around--motto of Michigan

   sir
          [sir] n [ME, fr. sire] (13c) 1 a: a man entitled to be addressed
          as sir--used as a title before the given name of a knight
          or baronet and formerly sometimes before the given name
          of a priest b: a man of rank or position 2 a--used as
          a usu. respectful form of address b cap--used as a conventional
          form of address in the salutation of a letter

   Sirach
          [Si.rach] n [Gk Seirach]: a didactic book of the Roman Catholic
          canon of the Old Testament

   sirdar
          [sir.dar] n [Hindi sardar, fr. Per] (1595) 1 a: a person
          of high rank (as an hereditary noble) esp. in India b:
          the commander of the Anglo-Egyptian army 2: one (as a
          foreman) holding a responsible position esp. in India

   [1]sire
          [sire] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L senior older--more at senior]
          (13c) 1 a: father b archaic: male ancestor: forefather
          c: author, originator 2 a archaic: a man of rank or authority;
          esp: lord--used formerly as a form of address and as
          a title b obs: an elderly man: senior 3: the male parent
          of an animal and esp. of a domestic anima l [2]sire vt
          sired ; sir.ing (1611) 1: beget--used esp. of male domestic
          animals 2: to bring into being: originate

   [1]siren
          [si.ren] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF sereine, fr. LL sirena, fr.
          L siren, fr. Gk seiren] (14c) 1 often cap: any of a group
          of female and partly human creatures in Greek mythology
          that lured mariners to destruction by their singing 2
          a: a woman who sings with bewitching sweetness b: temptress
          3 a: an apparatus producing musical tones esp. in acoustical
          studies by the rapid interruption of a current of air,
          steam, or fluid by a perforated rotating disk b: a device
          often electrically operated for producing a penetrating
          warning sound <ambulance ~> <air-raid ~> 4 [NL, fr. L]:
          either of two No. American eel-shaped amphibians that
          constitute a genus (Siren) and have small forelimbs but
          neither hind legs nor pelvis and have permanent external
          gills as well as lungs [2]si.ren adj (1568): resembling
          that of a siren: enticing

   sirenian
          [si.re.ni.an] n [NL Sirenia, fr. L siren] (1883): any of
          an order (Sirenia) of aquatic herbivorous mammals including
          the manatee, dugong, and Steller's sea cow

   siren song
          [siren song] n (1568): an alluring utterance or appeal; esp:
          one that is seductive or deceptive

   Sirius
          [Sir.i.us] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk Seirios]: a star of the
          constellation Canis Major that is the brightest star in the
          heavens--called also Dog Star

   sirloin
          [sir.loin] n [alter. of earlier surloin, modif. of MF surlonge,
          fr. sur over (fr. L super) + loigne, longe loin--more
          at over, loin] (1554): a cut of meat and esp. of beef
          from the part of the hindquarter just in front of the
          round--see beef illustration

   sirocco
          [si.roc.co] n, pl -cos [It scirocco, sirocco, fr. Ar sharq
          east] (1617) 1 a: a hot dust-laden wind from the Libyan
          deserts that blows on the northern Mediterranean coast
          chiefly in Italy, Malta, and Sicily b: a warm moist oppressive
          southeast wind in the same regions 2: a hot or warm wind
          of cyclonic origin from an arid or heated region

   sirrah
          [sir.rah] also sir.ra n [alter. of sir] (1526) obs--used
          as a form of address implying inferiority in the person
          addressed

   sirree
          [sir.ree] also sir.ee n [by alter.] (1823): sir--used as
          an emphatic form usu. after yes or no

   sir-reverence
          [sir-reverence] n [prob. alter. of save-reverence, trans.
          of ML salva reverentia saving (your) reverence] (1575)
          1 obs--used as an expression of apology before a statement
          that might be taken as offensive 2 obs: human feces;
          also: a lump of human feces

   Sir Roger de Coverley
          [Sir Rog.er de Cov.er.ley] n [alter. of roger of coverley,
          prob. fr. Roger, male given name + of + Coverley, a fictitious
          place name] (1804): an English country-dance that resembles
          the Virginia reel

   sirup
          [sirup] var of syrup

   sirvente
          [sir.vente] or sir.ven.tes n, pl sir.ventes [F, fr. Prov
          sirventes, lit., servant's song, fr. sirvent servant,
          fr. L servient-, serviens, prp. of servire to serve]
          (1819): a usu. moral or religious song of the Provencal
          troubadours satirizing social vices

   SIS
          [SIS] abbreviation Secret Intelligence Service (Brit)

   -sis
          [-sis] n suffix, pl -ses [L, fr. Gk, fem. suffix of action]:
          process: action <peristalsis>

   sis
          [sis] n (1656): sister--usu. used in direct address

   sisal
          [si.sal] n [Sisal, port in Yucatan, Mexico] (1843) 1 a: a
          strong durable white fiber used esp. for hard fiber cordage
          and twine--called also sisal hemp b: a widely cultivated
          Mexican agave (Agave sisalana) whose leaves yield sisal
          2: any of several fibers similar to true sisal

   siskin
          [sis.kin] n [G dial. Sisschen, dim. of MHG zise siskin, of
          Slav origin; akin to Czech cizek siskin] (1562): a small
          chiefly greenish and yellowish finch (Carduelis spinus)
          of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa that is related
          to the goldfinch--compare pine siskin, red siskin

   sissified
          [sis.si.fied] adj (ca. 1903): of, relating to, or having
          the characteristics of a sissy

   sissy
          [sis.sy] n, pl sissies [sis] (1891): an effeminate man or
          boy; also: a timid or cowardly person -- sissy adj

   sister
          [sis.ter] n [ME suster, sister, partly fr. OE sweostor and
          partly of Scand origin; akin to ON systir sister; akin
          to L soror sister, Skt svasr] (bef. 12c) 1: a female
          who has one or both parents in common with another 2
          often cap a: a member of a women's religious order (as
          of nuns or deaconesses); esp: one of a Roman Catholic
          congregation under simple vows b: a woman or girl who
          is a member of a Christian church 3: a woman regarded
          as a comrade <my Korean ~s --Alice Walker> 4: one that
          is closely similar to or associated with another <~ schools>
          <~ cities> 5 chiefly Brit: nurse 6 a: girl, woman; esp:
          a girl or woman who is black b: person--usu. used in
          the phrase weak sister 7: a member of a sorority

   sisterhood
          [sis.ter.hood] n (1609) 1 a: the state of being a sister
          b: sisterly relationship 2: a community or society of
          sisters; esp: a society of women religious 3: the solidarity
          of women based on shared conditions, experiences, or
          concerns

   sister-in-law
          [sis.ter-in-law] n, pl sis.ters-in-law (15c) 1: the sister
          of one's spouse 2 a: the wife of one's brother b: the
          wife of one's spouse's brother

   sisterly
          [sis.ter.ly] adj (ca. 1570): of, relating to, or having the
          characteristics of a sister -- sisterly adv

   siste viator
          [sis.te vi.a.tor] [L] foreign term : stop, traveler--used
          on Roman roadside tombs

   Sistine
          [Sis.tine] adj [It sistino, fr. NL sixtinus, fr. Sixtus,
          name of some popes] (ca. 1864) 1: of or relating to any
          of the popes named Sixtus 2: of or relating to the Sistine
          chapel in the Vatican

   Sisyphean
          [Sis.y.phe.an] or Si.syph.i.an adj (1635): of, relating to,
          or suggestive of the labors of Sisyphus

   Sisyphus
          [Sis.y.phus] n [L, fr. Gk Sisyphos]: a legendary king of
          Corinth condemned eternally to repeat the cycle of rolling
          a heavy rock up a hill in Hades only to have it roll
          down again as it nears the top

   [1]sit
          [sit] vb sat ; sit.ting [ME sitten, fr. OE sittan; akin to
          OHG sizzen to sit, L sedere, Gk hezesthai to sit, hedra
          seat] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to rest on the buttocks or haunches
          <~ in a chair>--often used with down b: perch, roost
          2: to occupy a place as a member of an official body
          <~ in Congress> 3: to hold a session: be in session for
          official business 4: to cover eggs for hatching: brood
          5 a: to take a position for having one's portrait painted
          or for being photographed b: to serve as a model 6 archaic:
          to have one's dwelling place: dwell 7 a: to lie or hang
          relative to a wearer <the collar ~s awkwardly> b: to
          affect one with or as if with weight <the food sat heavily
          on his stomach> 8: lie, rest <a kettle sitting on the
          stove> 9 a: to have a location <the house ~s well back
          from the road> b of wind: to blow from a certain direction
          10: to remain inactive or quiescent <the car ~s in the
          garage> 11: to take an examination 12: baby-sit 13: to
          please or agree with one--used with with and an adverb
          <the decision did not ~ well with me> ~ vt 1: to cause
          to be seated: place on or in a seat--often used with
          down 2: to sit on (eggs) 3: to keep one's seat on <~
          a horse> 4: to provide seats or seating room for <the
          car will ~ six people> -- sit on 1: to hold deliberations
          concerning 2: repress, squelch 3: to delay action or
          decision concerning -- sit pretty : to be in a highly
          favorable situation -- sit tight 1: to maintain one's
          position without change 2: to remain quiet in or as if
          in hiding -- sit under : to attend religious service
          under the instruction or ministrations of; also: to attend
          the classes or lectures of [2]sit n (1776) 1: the manner
          in which a garment fits 2: an act or period of sitting

   sitar
          [si.tar] n [Hindi sitar, fr. Per, a three-stringed lute,
          fr. sih three + tar string, thread] (1845): an Indian
          lute with a long neck and a varying number of strings
          -- si.tar.ist n

   sitcom
          [sit.com] n [situation comedy] (1964): situation comedy

   [1]sit-down
          [sit-down] adj (ca. 1837): served to seated diners <a ~ dinner>;
          also: of, relating to, or serving sit-down meals <a ~
          restaurant> [2]sit-down n (1936) 1: a cessation of work
          by employees while maintaining continuous occupation
          of their place of employment as a protest and means toward
          forcing compliance with demands 2: a mass obstruction
          of an activity by sitting down to demonstrate a grievance
          or to get the activity modified or halted

   [1]site
          [site] n [ME, place, position, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L situs,
          fr. sinere to leave, allow] (14c) 1 a: the spatial location
          of an actual or planned structure or set of structures
          (as a building, town, or monuments) b: a space of ground
          occupied or to be occupied by a building 2: the place,
          scene, or point of something [2]site vt sit.ed ; sit.ing
          (15c): to place on a site or in position: locate

   sith
          [sith] or sith.ence or sith.ens archaic var of since

   sit in
          [sit in] vi (1868) 1: to take part in or be present at a
          session of music or discussion as a visitor 2: to participate
          in a sit-in

   sit-in
          [sit-in] n (1937) 1: sit-down 1 2 a: an act of occupying
          seats in a racially segregated establishment in organized
          protest against discrimination b: an act of sitting in
          the seats or on the floor of an establishment as a means
          of organized protest

   Sitka spruce
          [Sit.ka spruce] n [Sitka, Alaska] (1895): a tall spruce (Picea
          sitchensis) of the northern Pacific coast that has thin
          reddish brown bark, flat needles, and cones with slightly
          toothed scales

   sitosterol
          [si.tos.ter.ol] n [Gk sitos grain + E sterol] (1898): any
          of several sterols that are widespread esp. in plant
          products (as wheat germ or soy bean oil) and are used
          as starting materials for the synthesis of steroid hormones

   sit out
          [sit out] vt (1659): to refrain from participating in <sit
          out the next dance>

   sitter
          [sit.ter] n (14c): one that sits; esp: one who baby-sits
          children

   [1]sitting
          [sit.ting] n (13c) 1 a: the act of one that sits b: a single
          occasion of continuous sitting (as for a portrait or
          meal) 2 a: a brooding over eggs for hatching b: setting
          6 3: session <a ~ of the legislature> [2]sitting adj
          (15c) 1: that is setting <a ~ hen> 2: occupying a judicial,
          legislative, or executive seat: being in office 3: easily
          hit or played <a ~ target> 4 a: used in or for sitting
          <a ~ position> b: performed while sitting <a ~ shot>

   sitting duck
          [sitting duck] n (1942): an easy or defenseless target for
          attack or criticism or unscrupulous dealings

   sitting room
          [sitting room] n (1771): living room 1

   [1]situate
          [sit.u.ate] adj [ME, fr. LL situatus, fr. L situs] (15c):
          having a site: located [2]sit.u.ate vt -at.ed ; -at.ing
          (ca. 1532): to place in a site, situation, context, or
          category: locate

   situated
          [situated] adj (15c) 1: having a site, situation, or location:
          located 2: provided with money or possessions <comfortably
          ~>

   situation
          [sit.u.a.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the way in which something is
          placed in relation to its surroundings b: site c archaic:
          locality 2 archaic: state of health 3 a: position or
          place of employment: post, job b: position in life: status
          4: position with respect to conditions and circumstances
          <the military ~ remains obscure> 5 a: relative position
          or combination of circumstances at a certain moment b:
          a critical, trying, or unusual state of affairs: problem
          c: a particular or striking complex of affairs at a stage
          in the action of a narrative or drama

   situational
          [sit.u.a.tion.al] adj (1903) 1: of, relating to, or appropriate
          to a situation 2: of or relating to situation ethics
          -- sit.u.a.tion.al.ly adv

   situation comedy
          [situation comedy] n (1946): a radio or television comedy
          series that involves a continuing cast of characters
          in a succession of episodes

   situation ethics
          [situation ethics] n (1955): a system of ethics by which
          acts are judged within their contexts instead of by categorical
          principles

   sit up
          [sit up] vi (13c) 1 a: to rise from a lying to a sitting
          position b: to sit with the back erect 2: to show interest,
          alertness, or surprise <sit up and take notice> 3: to
          stay up after the usual time for going to bed <sat up
          late to watch the movie>

   sit-up
          [sit-up] n (1938): a conditioning exercise performed from
          a supine position by raising the trunk to a sitting position
          without lifting the feet and returning to the original
          position

   situs
          [si.tus] n [L--more at site] (1701): the place where something
          exists or originates; specif: the place where something
          (as a right) is held to be located in law

   sitz bath
          [sitz bath] n [part trans. of G Sitzbad, fr. Sitz act of
          sitting + Bad bath] (1849): a tub in which one bathes
          in a sitting posture; also: a bath so taken esp. therapeutically

   sitzmark
          [sitz.mark] n [part trans. of G Sitzmarke, fr. Sitz + Marke
          mark] (1935): a depression left in the snow by a skier
          falling backward

   Siva
          [Si.va] n [Skt Siva] (1788): the god of destruction and
          regeneration in the Hindu sacred triad--compare brahma, vishnu

   Sivan
          [Si.van] n [Heb Siwan] (1535): the 9th month of the civil
          year or the 3d month of the ecclesiastical year in the
          Jewish calendar

   si vis pacem, para bellum
          [si vis pa.cem, pa.ra bel.lum] [L] foreign term : if you
          wish peace, prepare for war

   Siwash
          [Si.wash] n [Siwash, fictional college in stories by George
          Fitch d. 1915 Am. author] (1936): a small usu. inland
          college that is notably provincial in outlook <cheer
          for dear old Siwash>

   six
          [six] n [ME, fr. six, adj., fr. OE siex; akin to OHG sehs
          six, L sex, Gk hex] (bef. 12c) 1: one more than five
          2: the sixth in a set or series <the ~ of spades> 3:
          something having six units or members: as a: an ice-hockey
          team b: a 6-cylinder engine or automobile -- six adj
          -- six pron, pl in constr -- at sixes and sevens : being
          in disorder

   sixfold
          [six.fold] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having six units or members
          2: being six times as great or as many -- six.fold adv

   six-gun
          [six-gun] n (1912): a 6-chambered revolver

   sixmo
          [six.mo] n, pl sixmos (1924): the size of a piece of paper
          cut six from a sheet; also: a book, a page, or paper
          of this size

   six-o-six
          [six-o-six] or 606 n [fr. its having been the 606th compound
          tested and introduced by Paul Ehrlich d. 1915] (1910):
          arsphenamine

   six-pack
          [six-pack] n (1952) 1: six bottles or cans (as of beer) packaged
          and purchased as a unit 2: the contents of a six-pack

   sixpence
          [six.pence] n (14c) 1: a former British monetary unit equal
          to six pennies 2 pl sixpence or six.penc.es : a coin
          worth sixpence

   sixpenny
          [six.pen.ny] adj (15c): costing or worth sixpence

   sixpenny bit
          [sixpenny bit] n (ca. 1887): sixpence 2

   sixpenny nail
          [six.pen.ny nail] n (15c): a nail about two inches long

   six-shooter
          [six-shoot.er] n (1844): six-gun

   sixteen
          [six.teen] n [ME sixtene, fr. OE sixtyne, adj., fr. six six
          + -tyne (akin to OE tien ten)--more at ten] (bef. 12c):
          one more than fifteen -- sixteen adj -- sixteen pron,
          pl in constr -- six.teenth adj or n

   sixteenmo
          [six.teen.mo] n, pl -mos (1847): the size of a piece of paper
          cut 16 from a sheet; also: a book, a page, or paper of
          this size

   sixteenth note
          [sixteenth note] n (ca. 1861): a musical note with the time
          value of 1/16 of a whole note--see note illustration

   sixteenth rest
          [sixteenth rest] n (ca. 1890): a musical rest corresponding
          in time value to a sixteenth note--see rest illustration

   sixth
          [sixth] n, pl sixths (12c) 1: number six in a countable series
          2 a: a musical interval embracing six diatonic degrees
          b: a tone at this interval; specif: submediant c: the
          harmonic combination of two tones a sixth apart -- sixth
          adj or adv -- sixth.ly adv

   sixth chord
          [sixth chord] n (ca. 1903): a musical chord consisting of
          a tone with its third and its sixth above and usu. being
          the first inversion of a triad

   sixth sense
          [sixth sense] n (1761): a power of perception like but not
          one of the five senses: a keen intuitive power

   Sixtine
          [Six.tine] var of sistine

   sixty
          [six.ty] n, pl sixties [ME, fr. sixty, adj., fr. OE siextig,
          n., group of sixty, fr. siex six + -tig group of ten;
          akin to OE tien ten] (14c) 1: six times ten 2 pl: the
          numbers 60 to 69; specif: the years 60 to 69 in a lifetime
          or century -- six.ti.eth adj or n -- sixty adj -- sixty
          pron, pl in constr -- six.ty.ish adj

   sixty-fourth note
          [sixty-fourth note] n (ca. 1890): a musical note with the
          time value of 1/64 of a whole note--see note illustration

   sixty-fourth rest
          [sixty-fourth rest] n (ca. 1903): a musical rest corresponding
          in time value to a sixty-fourth note

   sixty-nine
          [six.ty-nine] n (1924) 1: nine more than sixty 2: mutual
          cunnilingus and fellatio: mutual fellatio: mutual cunnilingus

   sizable
          [siz.able] or size.able adj (1613): fairly large: considerable
          -- siz.able.ness n -- siz.ably adv

   sizar
          [siz.ar] also siz.er n [sizar alter. of sizer, fr. [1]size]
          (1588): a student (as in the university of Cambridge)
          who receives an allowance toward college expenses and
          who orig. acted as a servant to other students in return
          for this allowance

   [1]size
          [size] n [ME sise assize, fr. MF, fr. OF, short for assise--more
          at assize] (13c) 1 dial Brit: assize 2a--usu. used in
          pl. 2 obs: a fixed portion of food or drink 3 a: physical
          magnitude, extent, or bulk: relative or proportionate
          dimensions b: relative aggregate amount or number c:
          considerable proportions: bigness 4: one of a series
          of graduated measures esp. of manufactured articles (as
          of clothing) conventionally identified by numbers or
          letters <a ~ 7 hat> 5: character, quality, or status
          of a person or thing esp. with reference to importance,
          relative merit, or correspondence to needs <try this
          idea on for ~> 6: actual state of affairs <that's about
          the ~ of it> [2]size vb sized ; siz.ing vt (1609) 1:
          to make a particular size: bring to proper or suitable
          size 2: to arrange, grade, or classify according to size
          or bulk ~ vi: to equal in size or other particular characteristic:
          compare--usu. used with up and often with to or with [3]size adj
          (1924): sized--usu. used in combination <bite-size> [4]size n [ME
          sise] (15c): any of various glutinous materials (as preparations
          of glue, flour, varnish, or resins) used for filling the pores
          in surfaces (as of paper, textiles, leather, or plaster) or for
          applying color or metal leaf (as to book edges or covers) [5]size
          vt sized ; siz.ing (1667): to cover, stiffen, or glaze with
          or as if with size

   sized
          [sized] adj (1582) 1: having a specified size or bulk--usu.
          used in combination <a small-sized house> 2: arranged
          or adjusted according to size

   size up
          [size up] vt (1884): to form a judgment of

   sizing
          [siz.ing] n (1825): [4]size

   [1]sizzle
          [siz.zle] vb siz.zled ; siz.zling [perh. freq. of siss to
          hiss] vt (1603): to burn up or sear with or as if with
          a hissing sound ~ vi 1: to make a hissing sound in or
          as if in burning or frying 2: to seethe with deep anger
          or resentment [2]sizzle n (ca. 1823): a hissing sound
          (as of something frying over a fire)

   sizzler
          [siz.zler] n (1848): one that sizzles; esp: scorcher

   sj...
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   SJ
          [SJ] abbreviation Society of Jesus

   sk...
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   SK
          [SK] abbreviation Saskatchewan

   ska
          [ska] n [origin unknown] (1969): popular music of Jamaican
          origin that combines elements of traditional Caribbean
          rhythms and jazz

   skag
          [skag] var of scag

   skald
          [skald] n [ON skald] (1780): an ancient Scandinavian poet;
          broadly: bard -- skald.ic adj

   skat
          [skat] n [G, modif. of It scarto discard, fr. scartare to
          discard, fr. s- (fr. L ex-) + carta card--more at card]
          (1864) 1: a three-handed card game played with 32 cards
          in which players bid for the privilege of attempting
          any of several contracts 2: a widow of two cards in skat
          that may be used by the winner of the bid

   [1]skate
          [skate] n, pl skates also skate [ME scate, fr. ON skata]
          (14c): any of a family (Rajidae, esp. genus Raja) of
          rays with the pectoral fins greatly developed giving
          the fish a flat diamond shape [2]skate n [modif. of D
          schaats stilt, skate, fr. ONF escache stilt, prob. of
          Gmc origin; akin to OE sceacan to shake--more at shake]
          (1684) 1 a: a metal frame that can be fitted to the sole
          of a shoe and to which is attached a runner or a set
          of wheels for gliding over ice or a surface other than
          ice b: roller skate c: ice skate 2: a period of skating
          [3]skate vb skat.ed ; skat.ing vi (1696) 1: to glide
          along on skates propelled by the alternate action of
          the legs 2: to slip or glide as if on skates 3: to proceed
          in a superficial or blithe manner ~ vt: to go along or
          through by skating [4]skate n [prob. alter. of E dial.
          skite an offensive person] (1894) 1: a thin awkward-looking
          or decrepit horse: nag 2: fellow 4c

   skateboard
          [skate.board] n (1964): a short board mounted on small wheels
          that is used for coasting and often for performing athletic
          stunts -- skate.board.er n -- skate.board.ing n

   skater
          [skat.er] n (1700) 1: one that skates 2: water strider

   skating
          [skat.ing] n (1723): the act, art, or sport of gliding on
          skates

   skatole
          [ska.tole] also ska.tol n [ISV, fr. Gk skat-, skor excrement--more
          at scatology] (1879): a foul-smelling compound found in the
          intestines and feces, in civet, and in several plants or made
          synthetically and used in perfumes as a fixative

   [1]skean
          [skean] or skeane var of skein [2]skean or skene n [ME skene,
          fr. Ir scian & ScGael sgian, fr. OIr scian; prob. akin
          to Skt chyati he cuts off--more at science] (15c): dagger,
          dirk

   skedaddle
          [ske.dad.dle] vi ske.dad.dled ; ske.dad.dling [origin unknown]
          (1861): run away, scram; esp: to flee in a panic -- ske.dad.dler
          n

   skeet
          [skeet] n [perh. fr. Norw skyte to shoot] (1926): trapshooting
          in which clay targets are thrown in such a way as to
          simulate the angles of flight of birds

   [1]skeeter
          [skee.ter] n [by shortening & alter.] (1839) 1: mosquito
          2: an iceboat 16 feet (5 meters) or more in length equipped
          with a single sail [2]skeet.er n (1926): a skeet shooter

   skeg
          [skeg] also skag n [ME skegge, fr. ON skegg cutwater, lit.,
          beard--more at shag] (13c) 1: the stern of the keel of
          a ship near the sternpost; esp: the part connecting the
          keel with the bottom of the rudderpost in a single-screw
          ship 2: a fin situated on the rear bottom of a surfboard
          that is used for steering and stability

   skeigh
          [skeigh] adj [perh. of Scand origin; akin to Sw skygg shy;
          akin to OE sceoh shy--more at shy] (1508) chiefly Scot:
          proudly spirited: skittish

   [1]skein
          [skein] n [ME skeyne, fr. MF escaigne] (14c) 1 or skean or
          skeane : a loosely coiled length of yarn or thread wound
          on a reel 2: something suggesting the twists or coils
          of a skein: tangle 3: a flock of wildfowl (as geese or
          ducks) in flight [2]skein vt (ca. 1775): to wind into
          skeins <~ yarn>

   skeletal
          [skel.e.tal] adj (1854): of, relating to, forming, attached
          to, or resembling a skeleton -- skel.e.tal.ly adv

   skeletal muscle
          [skeletal muscle] n (1877): striated muscle that is usu.
          attached to the skeleton and is usu. under voluntary
          control

   [1]skeleton
          [skel.e.ton] n [NL, fr. Gk, neut. of skeletos dried up; akin
          to Gk skellein to dry up, skleros hard and perh. to OE
          sceald shallow] (1578) 1: a usu. rigid supportive or
          protective structure or framework of an organism; esp:
          the bony or more or less cartilaginous framework supporting
          the soft tissues and protecting the internal organs of
          a vertebrate 2: something reduced to its minimum form
          or essential parts 3: an emaciated person or animal 4
          a: something forming a structural framework b: the straight
          or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic
          structure of an organic molecule 5: something shameful
          and kept secret (as in a family)--often used in the phrase
          skeleton in the closet -- ske.le.ton.ic adj [2]skeleton
          adj (1778): of, consisting of, or resembling a skeleton

   skeletonise
          [skel.e.ton.ise] Brit var of skeletonize

   skeletonize
          [skel.e.ton.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1644): to produce in
          or reduce to skeleton form <~ a leaf> <~ a news story>
          <~ a regiment>

   skeletonizer
          [skel.e.ton.iz.er] n (ca. 1891): any of various lepidopterous
          larvae that eat the parenchyma of leaves reducing them
          to a skeleton of veins

   skeleton key
          [skeleton key] n (1810): a key with a large part of the bit
          filed away to enable it to open low quality locks as
          a master key

   skellum
          [skel.lum] n [D schelm, fr. LG; akin to OHG skelmo person
          deserving death] (1611) chiefly Scot: scoundrel, rascal

   [1]skelp
          [skelp] vb skelped also skel.pit ; skelp.ing [ME] vt (15c)
          dial Brit: strike, slap, beat ~ vi: to step lively: hustle
          [2]skelp n (15c) dial Brit: a smart blow: slap

   skelter
          [skel.ter] vi skel.tered ; skel.ter.ing [fr. -skelter (in
          helter-skelter)] (1852): scurry

   Skeltonics
          [Skel.ton.ics] n pl [John Skelton] (1898): short verses of
          an irregular meter with two or three stresses sometimes
          in falling and sometimes in rising rhythm and usu. with
          rhymed couplets

   skep
          [skep] n [ME skeppe basket, beehive, fr. OE sceppe basket,
          fr. ON skeppa bushel; akin to OHG sceffil bushel, scaf
          tub] (15c): beehive; esp: a domed hive made of twisted
          straw

   skepsis
          [skep.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk skepsis examination, doubt, skeptical
          philosophy, fr. skeptesthai] (ca. 1864): philosophic
          doubt as to the objective reality of phenomena; broadly:
          a skeptical outlook or attitude

   skeptic
          [skep.tic] n [L or Gk; L scepticus, fr. Gk skeptikos, fr.
          skeptikos thoughtful, fr. skeptesthai to look, consider--more
          at spy] (1587) 1: an adherent or advocate of skepticism
          2: a person disposed to skepticism esp. regarding religion
          or religious principles

   skeptical
          [skep.ti.cal] adj (1639): relating to, characteristic of,
          or marked by skepticism <a ~ listener> -- skep.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   skepticism
          [skep.ti.cism] n (1646) 1: an attitude of doubt or a disposition
          to incredulity either in general or toward a particular
          object 2 a: the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge
          in a particular area is uncertain b: the method of suspended
          judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism characteristic
          of skeptics 3: doubt concerning basic religious principles
          (as immortality, providence, and revelation) syn see
          uncertainty

   skerry
          [sker.ry] n, pl skerries [of Scand origin; akin to ON sker
          skerry and to ON ey island; akin to L aqua water--more
          at scar, island] (1612): a rocky isle: reef

   [1]sketch
          [sketch] n [D schets, fr. It schizzo, lit., splash, fr. schizzare
          to splash, of imit. origin] (1668) 1 a: a rough drawing
          representing the chief features of an object or scene
          and often made as a preliminary study b: a tentative
          draft (as for a literary work) 2: a brief description
          (as of a person) or outline 3 a: a short literary composition
          somewhat resembling the short story and the essay but
          intentionally slight in treatment, discursive in style,
          and familiar in tone b: a short instrumental composition
          usu. for piano c: a slight theatrical piece having a
          single scene; esp: a comic variety act [2]sketch vt (1694):
          to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of ~ vi: to
          draw or paint a sketch -- sketch.er n

   sketchbook
          [sketch.book] n (1820): a book of or for sketches

   sketchy
          [sketchy] adj sketch.i.er ; -est (1805) 1: of the nature
          of a sketch: roughly outlined 2: wanting in completeness,
          clearness, or substance: slight, superficial -- sketch.i.ly
          adv -- sketch.i.ness n

   [1]skew
          [skew] vb [ME, to escape, skew, fr. ONF escuer to shun, of
          Gmc origin; akin to OHG sciuhen to frighten off--more
          at shy] vi (15c) 1: to take an oblique course 2: to look
          askance ~ vt 1: to make, set, or cut on the skew 2: to
          distort esp. from a true value or symmetrical form <~ed
          statistical data> [2]skew adj (1609) 1: set, placed,
          or running obliquely: slanting 2: more developed on one
          side or in one direction than another: not symmetrical
          [3]skew n (1688): a deviation from a straight line: slant

   skewback
          [skew.back] n (1703): a course of masonry, a stone, or an
          iron plate having an inclined face against which the
          voussoirs of an arch abut

   [1]skewbald
          [skew.bald] adj [skewed (skewbald) + bald] (1654) of an animal:
          marked with patches of white and any other color but
          black [2]skewbald n (1863): a skewbald horse

   skew curve
          [skew curve] n (ca. 1889): a curve in three-dimensional space
          that does not lie in a single plane

   skew distribution
          [skew distribution] n (ca. 1931): an unsymmetrical frequency
          distribution having the mode at a different value from
          the mean

   [1]skewer
          [skew.er] n [ME skeuier] (15c) 1: a pin of wood or metal
          for fastening meat to keep it in form while roasting
          or to hold small pieces of meat or vegetables for broiling
          2: any of various things shaped or used like a meat skewer
          [2]skewer vt (1701) 1: to fasten or pierce with or as
          if with a skewer 2: to criticize or ridicule sharply
          and effectively

   skew lines
          [skew lines] n pl (1952): straight lines that do not intersect
          and are not in the same plane

   skewness
          [skew.ness] n (1894): lack of straightness or symmetry: distortion;
          esp: lack of symmetry in a frequency distribution

   [1]ski
          [ski] n, pl skis also ski [Norw, fr. ON skith stick of wood,
          ski; akin to OE scid board, sceadan to divide--more at
          shed] (1755) 1 a: one of a pair of narrow strips of wood,
          metal, or plastic curving upward in front that are used
          esp. for gliding over snow b: water ski 2: a piece of
          material that resembles a ski and is used as a runner
          on a vehicle [2]ski vb skied ; ski.ing vi (ca. 1890):
          to glide on skis in travel or as a sport ~ vt: to travel
          or pass over on skis -- ski.able adj -- ski.er n

   skiagram
          [skia.gram] n [ISV, fr. Gk skia shadow + ISV -gram--more
          at scene] (1801) 1: a figure formed by shading in the
          outline of a shadow 2: radiograph

   skibob
          [ski.bob] n [[1]ski + [7]bob] (1966): a vehicle that resembles
          a bicycle with two short skis in place of wheels and
          that is used for gliding downhill over snow by a rider
          wearing miniature skis for balance -- ski.bob.ber n --
          ski.bob.bing n

   ski boot
          [ski boot] n (1907): a rigid padded shoe that extends just
          above the ankle, is securely fastened to the foot (as
          with laces, buckles, or clasps), and is locked into position
          in a ski binding

   [1]skid
          [skid] n [perh. of Scand origin; akin to ON skith stick of
          wood--more at ski] (ca. 1610) 1: one of a group of objects
          (as planks or logs) used to support or elevate a structure
          or object 2: a wooden fender hung over a ship's side
          to protect it in handling cargo 3: a usu. iron shoe or
          clog attached to a chain and placed under a wheel to
          prevent its turning when descending a steep hill: drag
          4: a timber, bar, rail, pole, or log used in pairs or
          sets to form a slideway (as for an incline from a truck
          to the sidewalk) 5: the act of skidding: slip, sideslip
          6: a runner used as a member of the landing gear of an
          airplane or helicopter 7 a pl: a route to defeat or downfall
          <on the ~s> <his career hit the ~s> b: a losing streak
          <a five-game ~> 8: a low platform mounted (as on wheels)
          on which material is set for handling and moving; also:
          pallet 3 -- skidproof adj [2]skid vb skid.ded ; skid.ding
          vt (1674) 1: to apply a brake or skid to: slow or halt
          by a skid 2 a: to haul (as logs) by dragging <cutting
          and skidding firewood> b: to haul along, slide, hoist,
          or store on skids ~ vi 1: to slide without rotating (as
          a wheel held from turning while a vehicle moves onward)
          2 a: to fail to grip the roadway; esp: to slip sideways
          on the road b of an airplane: to slide sideways away
          from the center of curvature when turning c: slide, slip
          3: to fall rapidly, steeply, or far

   skidder
          [skid.der] n (1870) 1: one that skids or uses a skid 2: a
          tractor used esp. for hauling logs

   skiddoo
          [skid.doo] or ski.doo vi [prob. alter. of skedaddle] (1903):
          to go away: depart

   skiddy
          [skid.dy] adj skid.di.er ; -est (1902): likely to skid or
          cause skidding <a wet ~ road>

   skid road
          [skid road] n (1880) 1: a road along which logs are skidded
          2 a West: the part of a town frequented by loggers b:
          skid row

   skid row
          [skid row] n [alter. of skid road] (ca. 1931): a district
          of cheap saloons and flophouses frequented by vagrants
          and alcoholics

   skiey
          [ski.ey] var of skyey

   skiff
          [skiff] n [ME skif, fr. MF or OIt; MF esquif, fr. OIt schifo,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE scip ship] (15c): any of various
          small boats; esp: a flat-bottomed rowboat

   skiffle
          [skif.fle] n [origin unknown] (1926): American jazz or folk
          music played entirely or in part on nonstandard instruments
          (as jugs, washboards, or Jew's harps); also: a derivative
          form of music formerly popular in Great Britain featuring
          vocals with a simple instrumental accompaniment

   skiing
          [ski.ing] n (1893): the art or sport of sliding and jumping
          on skis

   skijoring
          [ski.jor.ing] n [modif. of Norw skikjoring, fr. ski + kjoring
          driving] (1910): a winter sport in which a person wearing
          skis is drawn over snow or ice (as by a horse or vehicle)

   ski jump
          [ski jump] n (1907): a jump made by a person wearing skis;
          also: a course or track esp. prepared for such jumping
          -- ski jump vi -- ski jumper n

   skilful
          [skil.ful] chiefly Brit var of skillful

   ski lift
          [ski lift] n (1939): a motor-driven conveyor consisting usu.
          of a series of bars or seats suspended from an overhead
          moving cable and used for transporting skiers or sightseers
          up a long slope

   [1]skill
          [skill] vi [ME skilen, fr. ON skilja to separate, divide;
          akin to ON skil distinction] (13c) archaic: to make a
          difference: matter, avail [2]skill n [ME skil, fr. ON,
          distinction, knowledge; prob. akin to OE scylian to separate,
          sciell shell--more at shell] (13c) 1 obs: cause, reason
          2 a: the ability to use one's knowledge effectively and
          readily in execution or performance b: dexterity or coordination
          esp. in the execution of learned physical tasks 3: a
          learned power of doing something competently: a developed
          aptitude or ability <language ~s> syn see art -- skill-less
          or skil.less adj -- skill-less.ness or skil.less.ness
          n

   skilled
          [skilled] adj (1552) 1: having acquired mastery of or skill
          in something (as a technique or a trade) 2: of, relating
          to, or requiring workers or labor with skill and training
          in a particular occupation, craft, or trade syn see proficient

   skillet
          [skil.let] n [ME skelet] (15c) 1 chiefly Brit: a small kettle
          or pot usu. having three or four often long feet and
          used for cooking on the hearth 2: frying pan

   skillful
          [skill.ful] adj (14c) 1: possessed of or displaying skill:
          expert 2: accomplished with skill syn see proficient
          -- skill.ful.ly adv -- skill.ful.ness n

   skilling
          [skil.ling] n [Sw, Norw, & Dan, fr. ON skillingr, a gold
          coin; akin to OE scilling shilling] (1793): any of various
          old Scandinavian units of value or the coins representing
          them

   [1]skim
          [skim] vb skimmed ; skim.ming [ME skymmen] vt (14c) 1 a:
          to clear (a liquid) of scum or floating substance <~
          boiling syrup> b: to remove (as film or scum) from the
          surface of a liquid c: to remove cream from by skimming
          d: to remove the best or most easily obtainable contents
          from 2: to read, study, or examine superficially and
          rapidly; esp: to glance through (as a book) for the chief
          ideas or the plot 3: to throw in a gliding path; esp:
          to throw so as to ricochet along the surface of water
          4: to cover with or as if with a film, scum, or coat
          5: to pass swiftly or lightly over 6: to remove or conceal
          (as a portion of casino profits) to avoid payment of
          taxes ~ vi 1 a: to pass lightly or hastily: glide or
          skip along, above, or near a surface b: to give a cursory
          glance, consideration, or reading 2: to become coated
          with a thin layer of film or scum 3: to put on a finishing
          coat of plaster [2]skim n (14c) 1: a thin layer, coating,
          or film 2: the act of skimming 3: something skimmed;
          specif: skim milk [3]skim adj (1794) 1: having the cream
          removed by skimming 2: made of skim milk <~ cheese>

   ski mask
          [ski mask] n (1966): a knit fabric mask that covers the head,
          has openings for the eyes, mouth, and sometimes the nose,
          and is worn esp. by skiers for protection from the cold

   skimble-skamble
          [skim.ble-skam.ble] adj [redupl. of E dial. scamble to stumble
          along] (1596): rambling and confused: senseless

   skimmer
          [skim.mer] n (14c) 1: one that skims; specif: a flat perforated
          scoop or spoon used for skimming 2: any of a small genus
          (Rynchops) of long-winged marine birds that have the
          lower mandible longer than the upper 3: a usu. straw
          flat-crowned hat with a wide straight brim 4: a fitted
          sleeveless dress with a usu. flaring skirt

   skim milk
          [skim milk] n (1596): milk from which the cream has been
          taken--called also skimmed milk

   skimming
          [skimming] n (15c): that which is skimmed from a liquid

   skimobile
          [ski.mo.bile] n (1944): snowmobile

   [1]skimp
          [skimp] adj [perh. alter. of scrimp] (1775): skimpy [2]skimp
          vt (ca. 1879): to give insufficient or barely sufficient
          attention or effort to or funds for ~ vi: to save by
          or as if by skimping

   skimpy
          [skimpy] adj skimp.i.er ; -est (1842): deficient in supply
          or execution esp. through skimping: scanty syn see meager
          -- skimp.i.ly adv -- skimp.i.ness n

   [1]skin
          [skin] n, often attrib [ME, fr. ON skinn; akin to OE scinn
          skin, MHG schint fruit peel] (13c) 1 a (1): the integument
          of an animal (as a fur-bearing mammal or a bird) separated
          from the body usu. with its hair or feathers (2): a usu.
          unmounted specimen of a vertebrate (as in a museum) b:
          the hide or pelt of a game or domestic animal c (1):
          the pelt of an animal prepared for use as a trimming
          or in a garment--compare [4]hide (2): a sheet of parchment
          or vellum made from a hide (3): bottle 1b 2 a: the external
          limiting tissue layer of an animal body esp. when forming
          a tough but flexible cover relatively impermeable from
          without while intact b: any of various outer or surface
          layers (as a rind, husk, or pellicle) 3: the life or
          physical well-being of a person <saved his own ~> 4:
          a sheathing or casing forming the outside surface of
          a structure (as a ship or airplane) -- skin.less adj
          -- by the skin of one's teeth : by a very narrow margin
          -- under one's skin : so deeply penetrative as to irritate,
          stimulate, provoke thought, or otherwise excite -- under
          the skin : beneath apparent or surface differences: at
          heart [2]skin vb skinned ; skin.ning vt (14c) 1 a: to
          strip, scrape, or rub off an outer covering (as the skin
          or rind) of b: to strip or peel off c: to cut, chip,
          or damage the surface of <fell and skinned my knee> 2
          a: to cover with or as if with skin b: to heal over with
          skin 3 a: to strip of money or property: fleece b: to
          defeat badly c: censure, castigate 4: to urge on and
          direct the course of (as a draft animal) ~ vi 1: to become
          covered with or as if with skin 2 a: shin 1 b: to pass
          or get by with scant room to spare [3]skin adj (ca. 1935):
          involving subjects who are nude <expected to conduct
          ~ searches for weapons --Diane K. Shah>; esp: devoted
          to showing nudes <~ magazines>

   skin-deep
          [skin-deep] adj (1613) 1: as deep as the skin 2: not thorough
          or lasting in impression: superficial

   skin diving
          [skin diving] n (1938): the sport of swimming under water
          with a face mask and flippers and esp. without a portable
          breathing device -- skin-dive vi -- skin diver n

   skin effect
          [skin effect] n (1891): an effect characteristic of current
          distribution in a conductor at high frequencies by virtue
          of which the current density is greater near the surface
          of the conductor than in its interior

   skinflint
          [skin.flint] n (ca. 1700): a person who would save, gain,
          or extort money by any means: miser, niggard

   skinful
          [skin.ful] n (1788) 1: a large or satisfying quantity esp.
          of liquor 2: the contents of a skin bottle

   skin game
          [skin game] n (1868): a swindling game or trick

   skin graft
          [skin graft] n (1871): a piece of skin that is taken from
          a donor area to replace skin in a defective or denuded
          area (as one that has been burned) -- skin grafting n

   skinhead
          [skin.head] n (ca. 1953) 1: a person whose hair is cut very
          short 2: a usu. white male belonging to any of various
          sometimes violent youth gangs whose members have close-shaven
          hair and often espouse white-supremacist beliefs

   [1]skink
          [skink] vt [ME, fr. MD schenken; akin to OE scencan to pour
          out drink and prob. to scanca shank] (15c) chiefly dial:
          to draw, pour out, or serve (drink) [2]skink n [L scincus,
          fr. Gk skinkos] (1590): any of a family (Scincidae) of
          typically small insectivorous lizards with long tapering
          bodies

   skinker
          [skink.er] n (1586): one that serves liquor: bartender

   skinned
          [skinned] adj (15c): having skin esp. of a specified kind--usu.
          used in combination <dark-skinned>

   skinner
          [skin.ner] n (14c) 1 a: one that deals in skins, pelts, or
          hides b: one that removes, cures, or dresses skins 2:
          sharper 3: a driver of draft animals: teamster

   Skinner box
          [Skin.ner box] n [B. F. Skinner] (1940): a laboratory apparatus
          in which an animal is caged for experiments in operant
          conditioning and which typically contains a lever that
          must be pressed by the animal to gain reward or avoid
          punishment

   [1]skinny
          [skin.ny] adj skin.ni.er ; -est (1573) 1: resembling skin:
          membranous 2 a: lacking sufficient flesh: very thin:
          emaciated b: lacking usual or desirable bulk, quantity,
          qualities, or significance syn see lean -- skin.ni.ness
          n [2]skinny n [perh. fr. [1]skin + [4]-y] (1938) slang:
          inside information: dope <the straight ~ on what's going
          on --John Geary>

   skinny-dip
          [skin.ny-dip] vi (1964): to swim in the nude -- skinny-dip
          n -- skin.ny-dip.per n

   skin-pop
          [skin-pop] vi (ca. 1952): to inject a drug subcutaneously
          rather than into a vein ~ vt: to inject (a drug) by skin-popping
          -- skin-pop.per n

   skint
          [skint] adj [alter. of skinned, pp. of [2]skin] (ca. 1925)
          chiefly Brit: penniless

   skin test
          [skin test] n (1925): a test (as a scratch test) performed
          on the skin and used in detecting allergic hypersensitivity

   skintight
          [skin.tight] adj (1885): closely fitted to the figure

   [1]skip
          [skip] vb skipped ; skip.ping [ME skippen, perh. of Scand
          origin; akin to Sw dial. skopa to hop] vi (14c) 1 a:
          to move or proceed with leaps and bounds or with a skip
          b: to bound off one point after another: ricochet 2:
          to leave hurriedly or secretly <skipped out without paying
          their bill> 3 a: to pass over or omit an interval, item,
          or step b: to omit a grade in school in advancing to
          the next c: misfire 1 ~ vt 1 a: to pass over without
          notice or mention: omit b: to pass by or leave out (a
          step in a progression or series) 2 a: to cause to skip
          (a grade in school) b: to cause to bound or skim over
          a surface <~ a stone across a pond> 3: to leap over lightly
          and nimbly 4 a: to depart from quickly and secretly <skipped
          town> b: to fail to attend or participate in <~ the tournament>
          <~ the meeting> -- skip.pa.ble adj -- skip bail : to
          jump bail -- skip rope : to use a jump rope (as for exercise
          or a game) [2]skip n (15c) 1 a: a light bounding step
          b: a gait composed of alternating hops and steps 2: an
          act of omission or the thing omitted [3]skip n [short
          for [2]skipper] (1830) 1: the captain of a side in a
          game (as curling or lawn bowling) who advises the team
          as to the play and controls the action 2: [2]skipper
          [4]skip vt skipped ; skip.ping (1900): to act as skipper
          of

   skip bomb
          [skip bomb] vt (1943): to attack by releasing delayed-action
          bombs from a low-flying airplane so that they skip along
          a land or water surface and strike a target

   skipjack
          [skip.jack] n, pl skipjacks or skipjack (1703) 1: any of
          various fishes (as a ladyfish or bluefish) that jump
          above or are active at the surface of the water; esp:
          skipjack tuna 2: a sailboat with vertical sides and a
          bottom similar to a flat V

   skipjack tuna
          [skipjack tuna] n (1950): a relatively small scombroid food
          and sport fish (Katsuwonus pelamis syn. Euthynnus pelamis)
          that is bluish above and silvery below with oblique dark
          stripes on the sides and belly

   ski pole
          [ski pole] n (1920): one of a pair of lightweight poles used
          in skiing that have a handgrip and usu. a wrist strap
          at one end and an encircling disk set above the point
          at the other end

   [1]skipper
          [skip.per] n (13c) 1: any of various erratically active insects
          (as a click beetle or a water strider) 2: one that skips
          3: saury 4: any of a superfamily (Hesperioidea, esp.
          family Hesperiidae) of stout-bodied lepidopterous insects
          that differ from the typical butterflies esp. in wing
          venation and the form of the antennae [2]skipper n [ME,
          fr. MD schipper, fr. schip ship; akin to OE scip ship--more
          at ship] (14c) 1: the master of a ship; esp: the master
          of a fishing, small trading, or pleasure boat 2: the
          captain or first pilot of an airplane 3: a person in
          a position of leadership; esp: a baseball team's manager
          [3]skip.per vt skip.pered ; skip.per.ing (1893) 1: to
          act as skipper of (as a boat) 2: to act as coach of (as
          a team)

   [1]skirl
          [skirl] vb [ME (Sc) skrillen, skirlen to scream, shriek,
          of Scand origin; akin to OSw skraella to rattle; akin
          to OE scrallettan to resound loudly] vi (ca. 1665) of
          a bagpipe: to emit the high shrill tone of the chanter;
          also: to give forth music ~ vt: to play (music) on the
          bagpipe [2]skirl n (1856): a high shrill sound produced
          by the chanter of a bagpipe

   [1]skirmish
          [skir.mish] n [ME skyrmissh, alter. of skarmish, fr.
          MF escarmouche, fr. OIt scaramuccia] (14c) 1: a minor fight in war
          usu. incidental to larger movements 2 a: a brisk preliminary verbal
          conflict b: a minor dispute or contest between opposing parties
          [2]skirmish vi (14c) 1: to engage in a skirmish 2: to search about
          (as for supplies): scout around -- skir.mish.er n

   [1]skirr
          [skirr] vb [perh. alter. of [3]scour] vi (ca. 1548) 1: to
          leave hastily: flee <birds ~ed off from the bushes --D.
          H. Lawrence> 2: to run, fly, sail, or move along rapidly
          ~ vt 1: to search about in <~ the country round --Shak.>
          2 a: to pass rapidly over: skim b dial: to cause to skim
          [2]skirr n [prob. imit.] (ca. 1870): whir, roar

   [1]skirt
          [skirt] n [ME, fr. ON skyrta shirt, kirtle--more at shirt]
          (14c) 1 a (1): a free-hanging part of an outer garment
          or undergarment extending from the waist down (2): a
          separate free-hanging outer garment or undergarment usu.
          worn by women and girls covering some or all of the body
          from the waist down b: either of two usu. leather flaps
          on a saddle covering the bars on which the stirrups are
          hung c: a cloth facing that hangs loosely and usu. in
          folds or pleats from the bottom edge or across the front
          of a piece of furniture d: the lower branches of a tree
          when near the ground 2 a: the rim, periphery, or environs
          of an area b pl: outlying parts (as of a town or city)
          3: a part or attachment serving as a rim, border, or
          edging 4: a girl or woman -- skirt.ed adj [2]skirt vt
          (1602) 1: to form or run along the border or edge of:
          border 2 a: to provide a skirt for b: to furnish a border
          or shield for 3 a: to go or pass around or about; specif:
          to go around or keep away from in order to avoid danger
          or discovery b: to avoid esp. because of difficulty or
          fear of controversy <~ed the issue> c: to evade or miss
          by a narrow margin <having ~ed disaster --Edith Wharton>
          ~ vi: to be, lie, or move along an edge or border --
          skirt.er n

   skirting
          [skirt.ing] n (1764) 1: something that skirts: as a: border,
          edging b chiefly Brit: baseboard 2: fabric suitable for
          skirts

   skirt steak
          [skirt steak] n (ca. 1909): a boneless strip of beef cut
          from the plate

   ski run
          [ski run] n (1924): a slope or trail suitable for skiing

   skit
          [skit] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1727) 1: a jeering or satirical
          remark: taunt 2 a: a satirical or humorous story or sketch
          b (1): a brief burlesque or comic sketch included in
          a dramatic performance (as a revue) (2): a short serious
          dramatic piece; esp: one done by amateurs

   ski touring
          [ski touring] n (1935): cross-country skiing for pleasure

   ski tow
          [ski tow] n (1935) 1: a motor-driven conveyor that is used
          for pulling skiers up a slope and that consists usu.
          of an endless moving rope which a skier grasps 2: ski
          lift

   skitter
          [skit.ter] vb [prob. freq. of E dial. skite to move quickly]
          vi (1845) 1: to glide or skip lightly or quickly 2: to
          twitch the hook of a fishing line through or along the
          surface of water ~ vt: to cause to skitter

   skittery
          [skit.tery] adj (1941): skittish

   skittish
          [skit.tish] adj [ME] (15c) 1 a: lively or frisky in action:
          capricious b: variable, fluctuating 2: easily frightened:
          restive <a ~ horse> 3 a: coy, bashful b: marked by extreme
          caution: wary -- skit.tish.ly adv -- skit.tish.ness n

   skittle
          [skit.tle] n [perh. of Scand origin; akin to ON skutill bolt--more
          at shuttle] (1634) 1 pl but sing in constr: English ninepins played
          with a wooden disk or ball 2: one of the pins used in skittles

   skive
          [skive] vt skived ; skiv.ing [prob. of Scand origin; akin
          to ON skifa to slice] (ca. 1825): to cut off (as leather
          or rubber) in thin layers or pieces: pare

   skiver
          [skiv.er] n (1800) 1: a thin soft leather made of the grain
          side of a split sheepskin, usu. tanned in sumac and dyed
          2: one that skives something (as leather)

   Skivvies
          [Skiv.vies] trademark--used for men's underwear

   skivvy
          [skiv.vy] n, pl skivvies [origin unknown] (ca. 1902) Brit:
          a female domestic servant

   skiwear
          [ski.wear] n (1961): clothing suitable for wear while skiing

   sklent
          [sklent] vb [ME sclenten to strike obliquely, alter.
          of slenten--more at slant] vi (1805) 1 chiefly Scot: to look
          askance 2 chiefly Scot: to cast aspersions ~ vt, Scot: to direct
          sideways: slant

   skoal
          [skoal] n [Dan skaal, lit., cup; akin to ON skal bowl--more
          at scale] (1600): toast, health--often used interjectionally

   skosh
          [skosh] n [Jp sukoshi] (1952): a small amount: bit, smidgen--used
          adverbially with a <just a ~ bit shook --Josiah Bunting>

   skua
          [skua] n [NL, fr. Faeroese skugvur; akin to ON skufr tassel,
          skua, OE sceaf sheaf--more at sheaf] (1678): either of
          two seabirds related to the jaegers: a: great skua b:
          a bird (Catharacta maccormicki) that resembles but is
          slightly smaller than the great skua and that breeds
          in the Antarctic

   skulduggery
          [skul.dug.gery] or skull.dug.gery n, pl -ger.ies [origin
          unknown] (1867): a devious device or trick; also: underhanded
          or unscrupulous behavior

   [1]skulk
          [skulk] vi [ME, of Scand origin; akin to Dan skulke to shirk,
          play truant] (13c) 1: to move in a stealthy or furtive
          manner 2 a: to hide or conceal something (as oneself)
          often out of cowardice or fear or with sinister intent
          b chiefly Brit: malinger syn see lurk -- skulk.er n [2]skulk
          n (14c) 1: one that skulks 2: a group of foxes

   skull
          [skull] n [ME skulle, of Scand origin; akin to Sw skulle
          skull] (13c) 1: the skeleton of the head of a vertebrate
          forming a bony or cartilaginous case that encloses and
          protects the brain and chief sense organs and supports
          the jaws 2: the seat of understanding or intelligence:
          mind -- skulled adj

   skull and crossbones
          [skull and cross.bones] n, pl skulls and crossbones (1826):
          a representation of a human skull over crossbones usu.
          used as a warning of danger to life

   skullcap
          [skull.cap] n (1682) 1: a close-fitting cap; esp: a light
          cap without brim for indoor wear 2: any of various mints
          (genus Scutellaria) having a calyx that when inverted
          resembles a helmet 3: the upper portion of the skull:
          calvarium

   skull session
          [skull session] n (1937) 1: a strategy class for an athletic
          team 2: a meeting for consultation, discussion, or the
          interchange of ideas or information--called also skull
          practice

   [1]skunk
          [skunk] n, pl skunks also skunk [of Algonquian origin; akin
          to Eastern Abenaki segank8 skunk] (1634) 1 a: any of
          various common omnivorous black-and-white New World mammals
          (esp. genus Mephitis) of the weasel family that have
          a pair of perineal glands from which a secretion of pungent
          and offensive odor is ejected b: the fur of a skunk 2:
          an obnoxious or disliked person [2]skunk vt (1843) 1
          a: defeat b: to shut out in a game 2: to fail to pay;
          also: cheat

   skunk cabbage
          [skunk cabbage] n (1751): either of two No. American perennial
          herbs of the arum family that occur in shaded wet to
          swampy areas and have a fetid odor suggestive of a skunk:
          a: one (Symplocarpus foetidus) of eastern No. America
          that sends up in spring a cowl-shaped brownish purple
          spathe b: one (Lysichitum americana) chiefly of the Pacific
          coast region that has a large yellow spathe

   skunk works
          [skunk works] n pl but sing or pl in constr [fr. the Skonk
          Works, illicit distillery in the comic strip Li'l Abner
          by Al Capp] (ca. 1974): a usu. small and often isolated
          department or facility (as for engineering research and
          development) that functions with minimal supervision
          within a company or corporation

   [1]sky
          [sky] n, pl skies [ME, cloud, sky, fr. ON sky cloud; akin
          to OE sceo cloud] (13c) 1: the upper atmosphere or expanse
          of space that constitutes an apparent great vault or
          arch over the earth 2: heaven 2 3 a: weather in the upper
          atmosphere b: climate <temperate English skies --G. G.
          Coulton> [2]sky vt skied or skyed ; sky.ing (1802) 1
          chiefly Brit: to throw or toss up: flip 2: to hang (as
          a painting) above the line of vision 3: to hit (a ball)
          high into the air

   sky blue
          [sky blue] n (1738): a pale to light blue color

   skyborne
          [sky.borne] adj (1589): airborne <~ troops>

   skybox
          [sky.box] n (1974): a roofed enclosure of private seats situated
          high in a sports stadium and typically featuring luxurious
          amenities

   skycap
          [sky.cap] n [[1]sky + -cap (as in redcap)] (1941): one employed
          to carry hand luggage at an airport--compare redcap

   skydiving
          [sky.div.ing] n (1957): the sport of jumping from an airplane
          at a moderate altitude (as 6000 feet) and executing various
          body maneuvers before pulling the rip cord of a parachute
          -- sky diver n

   Skye terrier
          [Skye terrier] n [Skye, Scotland] (1847): any of a Scottish
          breed of terriers with a long low body and long straight
          coat

   skyey
          [sky.ey] adj (1603): of or resembling the sky: ethereal

   [1]sky-high
          [sky-high] adv (1818) 1 a: high into the air b: to a high
          or exorbitant level or degree 2: in an enthusiastic manner
          3: to bits: apart <blown ~> [2]sky-high adj (1945): excessively
          expensive: exorbitant

   skyhook
          [sky.hook] n (1915): a hook conceived as being suspended
          from the sky

   skyjack
          [sky.jack] vt [[1]sky + -jack (as in hijack)] (1961): to
          commandeer (an airplane in flight) by the threat of violence
          -- sky.jack.er n -- sky.jack.ing n

   [1]skylark
          [sky.lark] n (1686) 1: a common largely brown Old World lark
          (Alauda arvensis) noted for its song esp. as uttered
          in flight 2: any of various birds resembling the skylark
          [2]skylark vi (1809) 1: to run up and down the rigging
          of a ship in sport 2: frolic, sport -- sky.lark.er n

   skylight
          [sky.light] n (1679) 1: the diffused and reflected light
          of the sky 2: an opening in a house roof or ship's deck
          that is covered with translucent or transparent material
          and that is designed to admit light

   skylighted
          [sky.light.ed] also sky.lit adj (1849): having a skylight

   skyline
          [sky.line] n (1824) 1: the apparent juncture of earth and
          sky: horizon 2: an outline (as of buildings or a mountain
          range) against the background of the sky

   sky marshal
          [sky marshal] n (1968): an armed federal plainclothesman
          assigned to prevent skyjackings

   sky pilot
          [sky pilot] n (1883): clergyman; specif: chaplain

   [1]skyrocket
          [sky.rock.et] n (1688): [2]rocket 1a [2]skyrocket vt (1851)
          1: to cause to rise or increase abruptly and rapidly
          2: catapult ~ vi: to shoot up abruptly <prices are ~ing>

   skysail
          [sky.sail] n (1829): the sail above the royal

   skyscraper
          [sky.scrap.er] n (1883): a very tall building

   skywalk
          [sky.walk] n (1953): a usu. enclosed aerial walkway connecting
          two buildings

   skyward
          [sky.ward] adv (1582) 1: toward the sky 2: upward

   sky wave
          [sky wave] n (1928): a radio wave that is propagated by means
          of the ionosphere

   skyway
          [sky.way] n (1919) 1: a route used by airplanes: air lane
          2: an elevated highway 3: skywalk

   skywrite
          [sky.write] vb -wrote ; -writ.ten ; -writ.ing [back-formation
          from skywriting] vt (1926): to letter by skywriting ~
          vi: to do skywriting -- sky.writ.er n

   skywriting
          [sky.writ.ing] n (1922): writing formed in the sky by means
          of a visible substance (as smoke) emitted from an airplane

   sl...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   sl
          [sl] abbreviation slightly, slip, slow  SL abbreviation salvage
          loss, sea level, south latitude

   [1]slab
          [slab] n [ME slabbe] (14c) 1: a thick plate or slice (as
          of stone, wood, or bread): as a: the outside piece cut
          from a log in squaring it b: concrete pavement (as of
          a road); specif: a strip of concrete pavement laid as
          a single unjointed piece c (1): a flat rectangular architectural
          element that is usu. formed of a single piece or mass
          <a concrete foundation ~> (2): a rectangular building
          having little width with respect to its length and usu.
          height 2: something that resembles a slab (as in size)
          <backed up by a solid ~ of reference material --Times
          Lit. Supp.> -- slab.like adj [2]slab vt slabbed ; slab.bing
          (1703) 1 a: to remove an outer slab from (as a log) b:
          to divide or form into slabs 2: to cover or support (as
          a roadbed or roof) with slabs 3: to put on thickly [3]slab
          adj [prob. of Scand origin; akin to obs. Dan slab slippery]
          (1605) dial chiefly Eng: thick, viscous

   [1]slabber
          [slab.ber] vb slab.bered ; slab.ber.ing [prob. fr. D slabberen,
          freq. of slabben to slaver--more at slaver] (1542): slobber,
          drool [2]slabber n (1718): slobber, slaver

   slab-sided
          [slab-sid.ed] adj (1817): having flat sides; also: being
          tall or long and lank

   [1]slack
          [slack] adj [ME slak, fr. OE sleac; akin to OHG slah slack,
          L laxus slack, loose, languere to languish, Gk lagnos
          lustful and perh. to Gk legein to stop] (bef. 12c) 1:
          not using due diligence, care, or dispatch: negligent
          2 a: characterized by slowness, sluggishness, or lack
          of energy <a ~ pace> b: moderate in some quality; esp:
          moderately warm <a ~ oven> c: blowing or flowing at low
          speed <the tide was ~> 3 a: not tight or taut <a ~ rope>
          b: lacking in usual or normal firmness and steadiness:
          weak <~ muscles> <~ supervision> 4: wanting in activity:
          dull <a ~ market> 5: lacking in completeness, finish,
          or perfection <a very ~ piece of work> syn see negligent
          -- slack.ly adv -- slack.ness n [2]slack vi (13c) 1:
          to be or become slack 2: to shirk or evade work or duty
          ~ vt 1 a: to be slack or negligent in performing or doing
          b: lessen, moderate 2: to release tension on: loosen
          3 a: to cause to abate b: slake 3 [3]slack n (1756) 1:
          cessation in movement or flow 2: a part of something
          that hangs loose without strain <take up the ~ of a rope>
          3: trousers esp. for casual wear--usu. used in pl. 4:
          a dull season or period 5 a: a part that is available
          but not used <some ~ in the budget> b: a part that is
          wanted but not supplied: shortfall <take up the ~ in
          supplying oil> [4]slack n [ME slak, fr. ON slakki] (14c)
          dial Eng: a pass between hills [5]slack n [ME sleck]
          (15c): the finest screenings of coal produced at a mine
          unusable as fuel unless cleaned

   slacken
          [slack.en] vb slack.ened ; slack.en.ing vt (15c) 1: to make
          less active: slow up <~ speed at a crossing> 2: to make
          slack (as by lessening tension or firmness) <~ sail>
          ~ vi 1: to become slack or slow or negligent: slow down
          2: to become less active: slack syn see delay

   slacker
          [slack.er] n (1898): a person who shirks work or obligation;
          esp: one who evades military service in time of war

   slack water
          [slack water] n (ca. 1769): the period at the turn of the
          tide when there is little or no horizontal motion of
          tidal water--called also slack tide

   slag
          [slag] n [MLG slagge] (1552): the dross or scoria of a metal

   slain
          [slain] past part of slay

   slake
          [slake] vb slaked ; slak.ing [ME, fr. OE slacian, fr. sleac
          slack] vi (14c) 1 archaic: subside, abate 2: to become
          slaked: crumble <lime may ~ spontaneously in moist air>
          ~ vt 1 archaic: to lessen the force of: moderate 2: satisfy,
          quench <~ your thirst> <will ~ your curiosity> 3: to
          cause (as lime) to heat and crumble by treatment with
          water: hydrate

   [1]slalom
          [sla.lom] n, often attrib [Norw slalam, lit., sloping track]
          (1921) 1: skiing in a zigzag or wavy course between upright
          obstacles (as flags) 2: a timed race (as on skis or in
          an automobile or kayak) over a winding or zigzag course
          past a series of flags or markers; broadly: movement
          over a zigzag route [2]slalom vi (1932): to move over
          a zigzag course in or as if in a slalom

   [1]slam
          [slam] n [origin unknown] (1660) 1: grand slam 2: little
          slam [2]slam n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Icel slaema
          to slam] (1672) 1: a heavy blow or impact 2 a: a noisy
          violent closing b: a banging noise; esp: one made by
          the slam of a door 3: a cutting or violent criticism
          4: slammer [3]slam vb slammed ; slam.ming vt (ca. 1691)
          1: to strike or beat hard: knock 2: to shut forcibly
          and noisily: bang 3 a: to set or slap down violently
          or noisily <slammed down the phone> b: to propel, thrust,
          or produce by or as if by striking hard <~ on the brakes>
          <slammed the car into a wall> 4: to criticize harshly
          ~ vi 1: to make a banging noise 2: to function (as in
          moving) with emphatic and usu. noisy vigor <the hurricane
          slammed into the coast> <slammed out of the room> 3:
          to utter verbal abuse or harsh criticism

   slam-bang
          [slam-bang] adj (ca. 1823) 1: unduly loud or violent <a ~
          clatter> 2: having fast-paced often nonstop action <a
          ~ adventure novel> 3: vigorously enthusiastic <made a
          ~ effort to win>

   slam dunk
          [slam dunk] n (1972): dunk shot -- slam-dunk vb

   slammer
          [slam.mer] n (1952): jail, prison

   SLAN
          [SLAN] [L sine loco, anno, (vel) nomine] abbreviation without
          place, year, or name

   [1]slander
          [slan.der] vt slan.dered ; slan.der.ing (13c): to utter slander
          against: defame syn see malign -- slan.der.er n [2]slander
          n [ME sclaundre, slaundre, fr. OF esclandre, fr. LL scandalum
          stumbling block, offense--more at scandal] (14c) 1: the
          utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which
          defame and damage another's reputation 2: a false and
          defamatory oral statement about a person--compare libel
          -- slan.der.ous adj -- slan.der.ous.ly adv -- slan.der.ous.ness
          n

   [1]slang
          [slang] n [origin unknown] (1756) 1: language peculiar to
          a particular group: as a: argot b: jargon 2 2: an informal
          nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages,
          arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or
          facetious figures of speech -- slang adj -- slang.i.ly
          adv -- slang.i.ness n -- slangy adj [2]slang vi (1828):
          to use slang or vulgar abuse ~ vt: to abuse with harsh
          or coarse language

   slanging match
          [slanging match] n (1896) chiefly Brit: a heated exchange
          of abuse

   slanguage
          [slan.guage] n [blend of slang and language] (1879): slangy
          speech or writing

   [1]slant
          [slant] n (1655) 1: a slanting direction, line, or plane:
          slope 2 a: something that slants b: diagonal 3 c: a football
          running play in which the ballcarrier runs obliquely
          toward the line of scrimmage 3 a: a peculiar or personal
          point of view, attitude, or opinion b: a slanting view:
          glance -- slant adj -- slant.ways adv -- slant.wise adv
          or adj -- slanty adj [2]slant vb [ME slenten to fall
          obliquely, of Scand origin; akin to Sw slinta to slide]
          vi (1692) 1: to take a diagonal course, direction, or
          path 2: to turn or incline from a right line or a level:
          slope ~ vt 1: to give an oblique or sloping direction
          to 2: to interpret or present in line with a special
          interest: angle <stories ~ed toward youth>; esp: to maliciously
          or dishonestly distort or falsify -- slant.ing.ly adv

   slant height
          [slant height] n (1798) 1: the length of an element of a
          right circular cone 2: the altitude of a side of a regular
          pyramid

   [1]slap
          [slap] n [ME slop, fr. MD; akin to MD slippen to slip] (14c)
          dial Brit: opening, breach [2]slap vt slapped ; slap.ping
          [akin to LG slapp, n. blow] (15c) 1 a: to strike sharply
          with or as if with the open hand b: to cause to strike
          with a motion or sound like that of a blow with the open
          hand 2: to put, place, or throw with careless haste or
          force <slapped on a coat of paint> 3: to assail verbally:
          insult 4: to subject to a penalty--usu. used with with
          <slapped him with a $10 fine> [3]slap n (1648) 1 a: a
          blow with the open hand b: a quick sharp blow 2: a noise
          like that of a slap 3: rebuff, insult -- slap on the
          wrist : a gentle usu. ineffectual reprimand [4]slap adv
          [prob. fr. LG slapp, fr. slapp, n.] (1672): directly,
          smack

   slapdash
          [slap.dash] adj (ca. 1792): haphazard, slipshod

   slap down
          [slap down] vt (1842) 1: to prohibit or restrain usu. abruptly
          and with censure from acting in a specified way: squelch
          2: to put an abrupt stop to: suppress

   slaphappy
          [slap.hap.py] adj (1936) 1: punch-drunk 2: buoyantly or recklessly
          carefree or foolish: happy-go-lucky

   slapjack
          [slap.jack] n [[2]slap + -jack (as in flapjack)] (1796) 1:
          pancake 2: a card game in which each player tries to
          be the first to slap a hand on any jack that appears
          faceup

   slap shot
          [slap shot] n (1942): a shot in ice hockey made with a swinging
          stroke

   slapstick
          [slap.stick] n (1896) 1: a device made of two flat pieces
          of wood fastened at one end so as to make a loud noise
          when used by an actor to strike a person 2: comedy stressing
          farce and horseplay; also: activity resembling slapstick
          -- slapstick adj

   slap-up
          [slap-up] adj (ca. 1823) chiefly Brit: first-rate, bang-up

   [1]slash
          [slash] vb [origin unknown] vi (1548): to lash out, cut,
          or thrash about with or as if with an edged blade ~ vt
          1: to cut with or as if with rough sweeping strokes 2:
          cane, lash 3: to cut slits in (as a garment) so as to
          reveal a color beneath 4: to criticize cuttingly 5: to
          reduce sharply: cut -- slash.er n [2]slash n (1576) 1:
          the act of slashing; also: a long cut or stroke made
          by or as if by slashing 2: an ornamental slit in a garment
          3 a: an open tract in a forest strewn with debris (as
          from logging) b: the debris in such a tract 4: diagonal
          3--called also slash mark [3]slash n [origin unknown]
          (1652): a low swampy area often overgrown with brush

   slash-and-burn
          [slash-and-burn] adj (1939): characterized or developed by
          felling and burning trees to clear land esp. for temporary
          agriculture

   [1]slashing
          [slash.ing] adj (1593) 1: incisively satiric or critical
          2: driving, pelting 3: vivid, brilliant -- slash.ing.ly
          adv [2]slashing n (1596) 1: the act or process of slashing
          2: an insert or layer of contrasting color revealed by
          a slash (as in a garment) 3: slash 3

   slash pine
          [slash pine] n [[3]slash] (1882): a pine (Pinus elliottii)
          of the southeastern U.S. that has two or three needles
          in a cluster and is a source of turpentine and lumber

   slash pocket
          [slash pocket] n (1799): a pocket suspended on the wrong
          side of a garment from a finished slit on the right side
          that serves as its opening

   [1]slat
          [slat] vt slat.ted ; slat.ting [prob. of Scand origin; akin
          to ON sletta to slap, throw] (1611) 1: to hurl or throw
          smartly 2: strike, pummel [2]slat n [ME, slate, fr. MF
          esclat splinter, fr. OF, fr. esclater to burst, splinter]
          (1764) 1: a thin narrow flat strip esp. of wood or metal
          2 pl, slang: ribs 3: an auxiliary airfoil at the leading
          edge of the wing of an airplane -- slat adj -- slat.ted
          adj [3]slat vt slat.ted ; slat.ting (1886): to make or
          equip with slats

   [1]slate
          [slate] n [ME, fr. MF esclat splinter] (14c) 1: a piece of
          construction material (as laminated rock) prepared as
          a shingle for roofing and siding 2: a dense fine-grained
          metamorphic rock produced by the compression of various
          sediments (as clay or shale) so as to develop a characteristic
          cleavage 3: a tablet (as of slate) used for writing on
          4 a: a written or unwritten record (as of deeds) <started
          with a clean ~> b: a list of candidates for nomination
          or election 5 a: a dark purplish gray b: any of various
          grays similar in color to common roofing slates -- slate
          adj -- slate.like adj [2]slate vt slat.ed ; slat.ing
          (15c) 1: to cover with slate or a slatelike substance
          <~ a roof> 2: to designate for a specified purpose or
          action: schedule <was slated to direct the play> [3]slate
          vt slat.ed ; slat.ing [prob. alter. of [1]slat] (1825)
          1: to thrash or pummel severely 2 chiefly Brit: to criticize
          or censure severely

   slate black
          [slate black] n (ca. 1890): a nearly neutral slightly purplish
          black

   slate blue
          [slate blue] n (1796): a grayish blue color

   slater
          [slat.er] n (14c) 1: one that slates 2 [[1]slate; fr. its
          color] a: wood louse b: any of various marine isopods

   [1]slather
          [slath.er] n [origin unknown] (1857): a great quantity--often
          used in pl. [2]slather vt slath.ered ; slath.er.ing (1866)
          1: to use or spend in a wasteful or lavish manner: squander
          2 a: to spread thickly or lavishly b: to spread something
          thickly or lavishly on

   slating
          [slat.ing] n (15c): the work of a slater

   [1]slattern
          [slat.tern] n [prob. fr. G schlottern to hang loosely, slouch;
          akin to D slodderen to hang loosely, slodder slut] (ca.
          1639): an untidy slovenly woman; also: slut, prostitute
          [2]slattern adj (1716): slatternly

   slatternly
          [slat.tern.ly] adj (ca. 1680) 1: untidy and dirty through
          habitual neglect; also: careless, disorderly 2: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a slut or prostitute -- slat.tern.li.ness
          n

   slaty
          [slaty] also slat.ey adj (ca. 1529): of, containing,
          or characteristic of slate; also: gray like slate

   [1]slaughter
          [slaugh.ter] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON slatra to
          slaughter; akin to OE sleaht slaughter, slean to slay--more
          at slay] (14c) 1: the act of killing; specif: the butchering
          of livestock for market 2: killing of great numbers of
          human beings (as in battle or a massacre): carnage [2]slaughter
          vt (1535) 1: to kill (animals) for food: butcher 2 a:
          to kill in a bloody or violent manner: slay b: to kill
          in large numbers: massacre 3: to discredit or demolish
          completely -- slaugh.ter.er n

   slaughterhouse
          [slaugh.ter.house] n (14c): an establishment where animals
          are butchered

   slaughterous
          [slaugh.ter.ous] adj (1582): of or relating to slaughter:
          murderous -- slaugh.ter.ous.ly adv

   Slav
          [Slav] n [ME Sclav, fr. ML Sclavus, fr. LGk Sklabos, fr.
          Sklabenoi Slavs, of Slav origin; akin to ORuss Slovene,
          an East Slavic tribe] (14c): a person whose native tongue
          is a Slavic language -- Slav adj

   [1]slave
          [slave] n [ME sclave, fr. OF or ML; OF esclave, fr. ML sclavus,
          fr. Sclavus Slav; fr. the frequent enslavement of Slavs
          in central Europe] (14c) 1: a person held in servitude
          as the chattel of another 2: one that is completely subservient
          to a dominating influence 3: a device (as the printer
          of a computer) that is directly responsive to another
          4: drudge, toiler -- slave adj [2]slave vb slaved ; slav.ing
          vt (1602) 1 archaic: enslave 2: to make directly responsive
          to another mechanism ~ vi 1: to work like a slave: drudge
          2: to traffic in slaves

   slave driver
          [slave driver] n (1807) 1: a supervisor of slaves at work
          2: a harsh taskmaster

   slaveholder
          [slave.hold.er] n (1776): an owner of slaves -- slave.hold.ing
          adj or n

   slave-making ant
          [slave-mak.ing ant] n (1817): an ant that attacks the colonies
          of ants of other species and carries off the larvae and
          pupae to be reared in its own nest as slaves

   [1]slaver
          [sla.ver] vb sla.vered ; sla.ver.ing [ME, of Scand origin;
          akin to ON slafra to slaver; akin to MD slabben to slaver]
          vi (14c): drool, slobber ~ vt, archaic: to smear with
          or as if with saliva [2]slaver n (14c): saliva dribbling
          from the mouth [3]slav.er n [[1]slave] (1827) 1 a: a
          person engaged in the slave trade b: a ship used in the
          slave trade 2: white slaver

   slavery
          [slav.ery] n (1551) 1: drudgery, toil 2: submission to a
          dominating influence 3 a: the state of a person who is
          a chattel of another b: the practice of slaveholding

   slave state
          [slave state] n (1809) 1: a state of the U.S. in which slavery
          was legal until the Civil War 2: a nation subjected to
          totalitarian rule

   slave trade
          [slave trade] n (1734): traffic in slaves; esp: the buying
          and selling of blacks for profit prior to the American
          Civil War

   slavey
          [slav.ey] n, pl slaveys (ca. 1812): drudge; esp: a household
          servant who does general housework

   [1]Slavic
          [Slav.ic] n (1812): a branch of the Indo-European language
          family containing Belorussian, Bulgarian, Czech, Polish,
          Serbo-Croatian, Slovene, Russian, and Ukrainian [2]Slavic
          adj (1813): of, relating to, or characteristic of the
          Slavs or their languages

   Slavicist
          [Slav.i.cist] n (1930): a specialist in the Slavic languages
          or literatures

   slavish
          [slav.ish] adj (1565) 1 a: of or characteristic of a slave;
          esp: basely or abjectly servile b archaic: despicable,
          low 2 archaic: oppressive, tyrannical 3: copying obsequiously
          or without originality: imitative syn see subservient
          -- slav.ish.ly adv -- slav.ish.ness n

   Slavist
          [Slav.ist] n (1863): slavicist

   slavocracy
          [slav.oc.ra.cy] n (1840): a faction of slaveholders and advocates
          of slavery in the South before the Civil War

   [1]Slavonic
          [Sla.von.ic] adj [NL slavonicus, fr. ML Sclavonia, Slavonia,
          the Slavic-speaking countries, fr. Sclavus Slav] (ca.
          1645): slavic [2]Slavonic n (1668) 1: slavic 2: old church
          slavonic

   Slavophile
          [Slav.o.phile] or Slav.o.phil n (1877): an admirer of the
          Slavs: an advocate of Slavophilism

   Slavophilism
          [Slav.oph.i.lism] n (1877): advocacy of Slavic and specif.
          Russian culture over western European culture esp. as
          practiced among some members of the Russian intelligentsia
          in the middle 19th century

   slaw
          [slaw] n (1861): coleslaw

   slay
          [slay] vb slew also esp in sense 2 slayed ; slain ; slay.ing
          [ME slen, fr. OE slean to strike, slay; akin to OHG slahan
          to strike, MIr slachta stricken] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to
          kill violently, wantonly, or in great numbers; broadly:
          to strike down: kill 2: to delight or amuse immensely
          <~ed the audience> ~ vi: kill, murder syn see kill --
          slay.er n

   SLBM
          [SLBM] abbreviation submarine-launched ballistic missile

   sld
          [sld] abbreviation sailed, sealed, sold

   SLE
          [SLE] abbreviation systemic lupus erythematosus

   [1]sleave
          [sleave] n [[2]sleave] (1591) archaic: skein <sleep that
          knits up the raveled ~ of care --Shak.> [2]sleave vt
          [(assumed) ME sleven, fr. OE -slaefan to cut] (ca. 1628)
          obs: to separate (silk thread) into filaments

   sleave silk
          [sleave silk] n (1588) obs: floss silk that is easily separated
          into filaments for embroidery

   sleaze
          [sleaze] n [back-formation fr. sleazy] (1954) 1: sleazy quality,
          appearance, or behavior; also: sleazy material 2: a sleazy
          person

   sleazebag
          [sleaze.bag] n (1983) slang: a sleazy person

   sleazeball
          [sleaze.ball] n (1981) slang: a sleazy person

   sleazo
          [sleazo] adj (1972) slang: sleazy

   sleazy
          [slea.zy] adj slea.zi.er ; -est [origin unknown] (ca. 1645)
          1 a: lacking firmness of texture: flimsy b: carelessly
          made of inferior materials: shoddy 2 a: marked by low
          character or quality <~ tabloids> b: squalid, dilapidated
          <~ bars> -- slea.zi.ly adv -- slea.zi.ness n

   [1]sled
          [sled] n [ME sledde, fr. MD; akin to OE slidan to slide]
          (14c) 1: a vehicle on runners for transportation esp.
          on snow or ice; esp: a small steerable one used esp.
          by children for coasting down snow-covered hills 2: rocket
          sled [2]sled vb sled.ded ; sled.ding vt (1706): sledge
          ~ vi: to ride on a sled or sleigh -- sled.der n

   sledding
          [sledding] n (15c) 1 a: the use of a sled b: the conditions
          under which one may use a sled 2: going 4 <tough ~>

   sled dog
          [sled dog] n (1692): a dog trained to draw a sledge esp.
          in the Arctic regions--called also sledge dog

   [1]sledge
          [sledge] n [ME slegge, fr. OE slecg; akin to ON sleggja
          sledgehammer, OE slean to strike--more at slay] (bef. 12c):
          sledgehammer [2]sledge vb sledged ; sledg.ing (1654): sledgehammer
          [3]sledge n [D dial. sleedse; akin to MD sledde sled] (1617)
          1 Brit: sleigh 2: a strong heavy sled [4]sledge vb sledged
          ; sledg.ing vi (1853) 1: to travel with a sledge 2 Brit: to ride
          in a sleigh ~ vt: to transport on a sledge

   [1]sledgehammer
          [sledge.ham.mer] n (15c): a large heavy hammer that is wielded
          with both hands; also: something that resembles a sledgehammer
          in action [2]sledgehammer vt (1834): to strike with or
          as if with a sledgehammer ~ vi: to strike blows with
          or as if with a sledgehammer [3]sledgehammer adj (1843):
          marked by heavy-handed directness or hard-hitting force
          <trusting in ~ warfare --C. J. Rolo>

   [1]sleek
          [sleek] vb [ME sleken, alter. of sliken--more at slick] vt
          (15c) 1: slick <grooms ~ing cooled horses --Sunset> 2:
          to cover up: gloss over ~ vi: slick [2]sleek adj [alter.
          of [2]slick] (1589) 1 a: smooth and glossy as if polished
          <~ dark hair> b: having a smooth well-groomed look <~
          cattle> c: healthy-looking 2: smooth in speech or manner;
          also: unctuous 3 a: having a prosperous air <a ~ apartment
          building with a pool on the roof> b: having trim graceful
          lines <a ~ car> c: elegant, stylish <~ restaurants> --
          sleek.ly adv -- sleek.ness n syn sleek, slick, glossy
          mean having a smooth bright surface or appearance. sleek
          suggests a smoothness or brightness resulting from attentive
          grooming or physical conditioning <a sleek racehorse>.
          slick suggests extreme smoothness that results in a slippery
          surface <slipped and fell on the slick floor>. glossy
          suggests a highly reflective surface <photographs having
          a glossy finish>.

   sleeken
          [sleek.en] vt sleek.ened ; sleek.en.ing (1621): to make sleek

   sleekit
          [sleek.it] adj [Sc, fr. pp. of [1]sleek] (1513) 1 chiefly
          Scot: sleek, smooth 2 chiefly Scot: crafty, deceitful

   [1]sleep
          [sleep] n [ME slepe, fr. OE slaep; akin to OHG slaf sleep
          and perh. to L labi to slip, slide] (bef. 12c) 1: the
          natural periodic suspension of consciousness during which
          the powers of the body are restored 2: a state resembling
          sleep: as a: a state of torpid inactivity b: death <put
          a pet cat to ~>; also: trance, coma c: the closing of
          leaves or petals esp. at night d: a state marked by a
          diminution of feeling followed by tingling <my foot's
          gone to ~> e: the state of an animal during hibernation
          <the groundhog's winter ~> 3 a: a period spent sleeping
          b: night c: a day's journey -- sleep.like adj [2]sleep
          vb slept ; sleep.ing vi (bef. 12c) 1: to rest in a state
          of sleep 2: to be in a state (as of quiescence or death)
          resembling sleep 3: to have sexual relations--usu. used
          with with ~ vt 1: to be slumbering in <slept the sleep
          of the dead> 2: to get rid of or spend in or by sleep
          <~ away the hours> <~ off a drunk> 3: to provide sleeping
          accommodations for <the boat ~s six>

   sleep around
          [sleep around] vi (1928): to engage in sex promiscuously

   sleeper
          [sleep.er] n (12c) 1: one that sleeps 2: a piece of timber,
          stone, or steel on or near the ground to support a superstructure,
          keep railroad rails in place, or receive floor joists: stringpiece
          3: sleeping car 4: someone or something unpromising or unnoticed
          that suddenly attains prominence or value <the low-budget film
          became the summer's ~> 5: children's pajamas usu. with feet--usu.
          used in pl. 6 chiefly Brit: a small earring or stud worn to keep
          the hole of a pierced ear from closing 7: mole 4

   sleep in
          [sleep in] vi (1827) 1: to sleep where one is employed 2
          a: oversleep b: to sleep late intentionally

   sleep-in
          [sleep-in] adj (1951): that lives at the place of employment
          <a ~ maid>

   sleeping bag
          [sleeping bag] n (1850): a bag that is warmly lined or padded
          for sleeping outdoors or in a camp or tent

   Sleeping Beauty
          [Sleeping Beauty] n: a princess of a fairy tale who is wakened
          from an enchanted sleep by the kiss of a prince

   sleeping car
          [sleeping car] n (1839): a railroad passenger car having
          berths for sleeping

   sleeping partner
          [sleeping partner] n (ca. 1785) chiefly Brit: silent partner

   sleeping pill
          [sleeping pill] n (1664): a drug and esp. a barbiturate that
          is taken as a tablet or capsule to induce sleep--called
          also sleeping tablet

   sleeping porch
          [sleeping porch] n (1915): a porch or room having open sides
          or many windows arranged to permit sleeping in the open
          air

   sleeping sickness
          [sleeping sickness] n (1875) 1: a serious disease that is
          prevalent in much of tropical Africa, is marked by fever,
          protracted lethargy, tremors, and loss of weight, is
          caused by either of two trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei
          gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense), and is transmitted
          by tsetse flies 2: any of various viral encephalitides
          or encephalomyelitides of which lethargy or somnolence
          is a prominent feature

   sleepless
          [sleep.less] adj (15c) 1: not able to sleep: insomniac <lay
          ~ with fever> 2: affording no sleep <~ nights> 3: unceasingly
          active or operative <~ robots> <~ casinos> -- sleep.less.ly
          adv -- sleep.less.ness n

   sleep out
          [sleep out] vi (1908): to sleep outdoors

   sleepwalker
          [sleep.walk.er] n (1747): one that walks while or as if while
          asleep: somnambulist -- sleep.walk vi or n

   sleepwear
          [sleep.wear] n (1935): nightclothes

   sleepy
          [sleepy] adj sleep.i.er ; -est (13c) 1 a: ready to fall asleep
          b: of, relating to, or characteristic of sleep 2: sluggish
          as if from sleep: lethargic; also: having little activity
          <a ~ coastal village> 3: sleep-inducing -- sleep.i.ly
          adv -- sleep.i.ness n

   sleepyhead
          [sleepy.head] n (1577): a sleepy person

   [1]sleet
          [sleet] n [ME slete; akin to MHG sloz hailstone] (13c): frozen
          or partly frozen rain -- sleety adj [2]sleet vi (14c):
          to shower sleet

   sleeve
          [sleeve] n [ME sleve, fr. OE sliefe; perh. akin to OE slefan
          to slip (clothes) on, slupan to slip, OHG sliofan, L
          lubricus slippery] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a part of a garment
          covering an arm b: sleevelet 2 a: a tubular part (as
          a hollow axle or a bushing) designed to fit over another
          part b: an open-ended flat or tubular packaging or cover;
          esp: jacket 3c(2) -- sleeved adj -- sleeve.less adj --
          up one's sleeve : held secretly in reserve

   sleevelet
          [sleeve.let] n (1889): a covering for the forearm to protect
          clothing from wear or dirt

   [1]sleigh
          [sleigh] n [D slee, alter. of slede; akin to MD sledde sled]
          (1703): an open usu. horse-drawn vehicle with runners
          for use on snow or ice [2]sleigh vi (ca. 1729): to drive
          or travel in a sleigh

   sleigh bed
          [sleigh bed] n (1902): a bed common esp. in the first half
          of the 19th century having a solid headboard and footboard
          that roll outward at the top

   sleigh bell
          [sleigh bell] n (1772): any of various bells commonly attached
          to a sleigh or to the harness of a horse drawing a sleigh:
          as a: cascabel 2 b: a hemispherical bell with an attached
          clapper

   sleight
          [sleight] n [ME, fr. ON sloegth, fr. sloegr sly--more at
          sly] (14c) 1: deceitful craftiness; also: stratagem 2:
          dexterity, skill

   sleight of hand
          [sleight of hand] (ca. 1605) 1 a: a conjuring trick requiring
          manual dexterity b: a cleverly executed trick or deception
          2 a: skill and dexterity in conjuring tricks b: adroitness
          in deception

   slender
          [slen.der] adj [ME sclendre, slendre] (14c) 1 a: spare in
          frame or flesh; esp: gracefully slight b: small or narrow
          in circumference or width in proportion to length or
          height 2: limited or inadequate in amount or scope: meager
          <people of ~ means> syn see thin -- slen.der.ly adv --
          slen.der.ness n

   slenderize
          [slen.der.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1923): to make slender

   [1]sleuth
          [sleuth] n [short for sleuthhound] (1872): detective [2]sleuth
          vi (1900): to act as a detective: search for information
          ~ vt: to search for and discover

   sleuthhound
          [sleuth.hound] n [ME sleuth hund, a kind of bloodhound, fr.
          sleuth track of an animal or person (fr. ON sloth) +
          hund hound] (1856): detective

   [1]slew
          [slew] past of slay [2]slew var of slough [3]slew vb [origin
          unknown] vt (ca. 1769) 1: to turn (as a telescope or
          a ship's spar) about a fixed point that is usu. the axis
          2: to cause to skid: veer <~ a car around a turn> ~ vi
          1: to turn, twist, or swing about: pivot 2: skid [4]slew
          n [perh. fr. Ir slua army, host, throng, fr. OIr sluag;
          akin to Lith slaugyti to tend] (1839): a large number
          <a ~ of books>

   [1]slice
          [slice] vb sliced ; slic.ing [ME sklicen, fr. MF esclicier
          to splinter, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG slizan
          to tear apart--more at slit] vt (1551) 1: to cut with
          or as if with a knife 2: to stir or spread with a slice
          3: to hit (a ball) so that a slice results ~ vi 1: to
          slice something 2: to move with a cutting action <the
          ship sliced through the waves> -- slice.able adj -- slic.er
          n [2]slice n [ME sklice, fr. MF esclice splinter, fr.
          OF, fr. esclicier] (1613) 1 a: a thin flat piece cut
          from something b: a wedge-shaped piece (as of pie or
          cake) 2: a spatula for spreading paint or ink 3: a serving
          knife with wedge-shaped blade <a fish ~> 4: a flight
          of a ball that deviates from a straight course in the
          direction of the dominant hand of the player propelling
          it; also: a ball following such a course--compare hook
          5: portion, share <a ~ of the profits>

   slice-of-life
          [slice-of-life] adj (1895): of, relating to, or marked by
          the accurate transcription (as into drama) of a segment
          of actual life experience

   [1]slick
          [slick] vb [ME sliken; akin to OHG slihhan to glide] vt (14c):
          to make sleek or smooth ~ vi: spruce--usu. used with
          up [2]slick adj (14c) 1 a: having a smooth surface: slippery
          <~ wet leaves> b: having surface plausibility or appeal:
          glib, glossy <~ advertising> c: based on stereotype:
          trite <~ stories soon forgotten> 2 archaic: sleek 1 3
          a: characterized by subtlety or nimble wit: clever; esp:
          wily <a reputation as a ~ operator> b: deft, skillful
          <a ~ ballplayer> 4: extremely good: first-rate syn see
          sleek, sly -- slick adv -- slick.ly adv -- slick.ness
          n [3]slick n (1849) 1 a: something that is smooth or
          slippery; esp: a smooth patch of water covered with a
          film of oil b: a film of oil 2: an implement for producing
          a slick surface: as a: a flat paddle usu. of steel for
          smoothing a sample of flour b: a foundry tool for smoothing
          the surface of a sand mold or unbaked core 3: a shrewd
          untrustworthy person 4: a popular magazine printed on
          coated stock and intended to appeal to sophisticated
          readers 5: an automobile tire made without a tread for
          maximum traction (as in drag racing)

   slick-ear
          [slick-ear] n (1914): a range animal lacking an earmark

   slickenside
          [slick.en.side] n [E dial. slicken smooth (alter. of E [2]slick)
          + E side] (1822): a smooth often striated surface produced
          on rock by movement along a fault or a subsidiary fracture--usu.
          used in pl.

   slicker
          [slick.er] n (1881) 1 [[2]slick]: oilskin; broadly: raincoat
          2 [slick to defraud cleverly] a: a clever crook: swindler
          b: a city dweller esp. of natty appearance or sophisticated
          mannerisms

   slickrock
          [slick.rock] n (1925): smooth wind-polished rock

   [1]slide
          [slide] vb slid ; slid.ing [ME, fr. OE slidan; akin to MHG
          sliten to slide] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to move smoothly
          along a surface: slip b: to coast over snow or ice c
          of a base runner in baseball: to fall or dive feetfirst
          or headfirst when approaching a base 2 a: to slip or
          fall by loss of footing b: to change position or become
          dislocated: shift 3 a: to slither along the ground: crawl
          b: to stream along: flow 4 a: to move or pass smoothly
          or easily <slid into the prepared speech> b: to pass
          unnoticed or unremarked <could have responded but let
          it ~> 5 a: to pass unobtrusively: steal b: to pass by
          gradations esp. downward <the economy slid from recession
          to depression> ~ vt 1 a: to cause to glide or slip b:
          to traverse in a sliding manner 2: to put unobtrusively
          or stealthily <slid the bill into his hand> [2]slide
          n (1570) 1 a: an act or instance of sliding b (1): a
          musical grace of two or more small notes (2): portamento
          2: a sliding part or mechanism: as a (1): a U-shaped
          section of tube in the trombone that is pushed out and
          in to produce the tones between the fundamental and its
          harmonics (2): a short U-shaped section of tube in a
          brass instrument that is used to adjust the pitch of
          the instrument or of individual valves b (1): a moving
          piece (as the ram of a punch press) that is guided by
          a part along which it slides (2): a guiding surface (as
          a feeding mechanism) along which something slides c:
          sliding seat 3 a: the descent of a mass of earth, rock,
          or snow down a hill or mountainside b: a dislocation
          in which one rock mass in a mining lode has slid on another:
          fault 4 a (1): a slippery surface for coasting (2): a
          chute with a slippery bed down which children slide in
          play b: a channel or track on which something is slid
          c: a sloping trough down which objects are carried by
          gravity <a log ~> 5 a: a flat piece of glass on which
          an object is mounted for microscopic examination b: a
          photographic transparency on a small plate or film mounted
          for projection 6: bottleneck 3

   slide fastener
          [slide fastener] n (1934): zipper

   slider
          [slid.er] n (1530) 1: one that slides 2: a fast baseball
          pitch that breaks slightly in the same direction as a
          curve

   slide rule
          [slide rule] n (1663): a manual device used for calculation
          that consists in its simple form of a ruler and a movable
          middle piece which are graduated with similar logarithmic
          scales

   slide valve
          [slide valve] n (1802): a valve that opens and closes a passageway
          by sliding over a port; specif: such a valve often used in steam
          engines for admitting steam to the piston and releasing it

   slideway
          [slide.way] n (1856): a way along which something slides

   sliding scale
          [sliding scale] n (1842) 1: a wage scale geared to the selling
          price of the product or to the consumer price index but
          usu. guaranteeing a minimum below which the wage will
          not fall 2 a: a system for raising or lowering tariffs
          in accord with price changes b: a flexible scale (as
          of fees or subsidies) adjusted to the needs or income
          of individuals <the sliding scale of medical fees>

   sliding seat
          [sliding seat] n (1874): a rower's seat (as in a racing shell)
          that slides fore and aft--called also slide

   slier
          [slier] comparative of sly

   sliest
          [sliest] superlative of sly

   [1]slight
          [slight] adj [ME, smooth, slight, prob. fr. MD slicht; akin
          to OHG slihhan to glide--more at slick] (14c) 1 a: having
          a slim or delicate build: not stout or massive in body
          b: lacking in strength or substance: flimsy, frail c:
          deficient in weight, solidity, or importance: trivial
          2: small of its kind or in amount: scanty, meager syn
          see thin -- slight.ly adv -- slight.ness n [2]slight
          vt (1597) 1: to treat as slight or unimportant: make
          light of 2: to treat with disdain or indifference 3:
          to perform or attend to carelessly and inadequately 4:
          [3]slur 3 syn see neglect [3]slight n (1701) 1: an act
          or an instance of slighting 2: an instance of being slighted:
          a humiliating discourtesy

   slighting
          [slight.ing] adj (1632): characterized by disregard or disrespect:
          disparaging <a ~ remark> -- slight.ing.ly adv

   slily
          [sli.ly] var of slyly

   [1]slim
          [slim] adj slim.mer ; slim.mest [D, bad, inferior, fr. MD
          slimp crooked, bad; akin to MHG slimp awry] (1657) 1:
          of small diameter or thickness in proportion to the height
          or length: slender 2 a: mean, worthless b: adroit, crafty
          3 a: inferior in quality or amount: slight b: scanty,
          small <a ~ chance> syn see thin -- slim.ly adv -- slim.ness
          n [2]slim vb slimmed ; slim.ming vt (1862): to make slender:
          decrease the size of ~ vi: to become slender

   [1]slime
          [slime] n [ME, fr. OE slim; akin to MHG slim slime, L limus
          mud--more at lime] (bef. 12c) 1: soft moist earth or
          clay; esp: viscous mud 2: a viscous or glutinous substance:
          as a: a mucous or mucoid secretion of various animals
          (as slugs and catfishes) b: a product of wet crushing
          consisting of ore ground so fine as to pass a 200-mesh
          screen 3: a repulsive or odious person [2]slime vb slimed
          ; slim.ing vt (1628) 1: to smear or cover with slime
          2: to remove slime from (as fish for canning) ~ vi: to
          become slimy

   slimeball
          [slime.ball] n (1986) slang: slime 3

   slime mold
          [slime mold] n (1880): any of a group (Myxomycetes or Mycetozoa)
          of organisms usu. held to be lower fungi but sometimes
          considered protozoans that exist vegetatively as mobile
          plasmodia and reproduce by spores

   slim-jim
          [slim-jim] adj [[1]slim + Jim, nickname for James] (1889):
          notably slender

   slimmer
          [slim.mer] n (1967) chiefly Brit: a person dieting to lose
          weight: dieter

   slimnastics
          [slim.nas.tics] n pl but sing in constr [[1]slim + gymnastics]
          (1967): exercises designed to reduce one's weight

   slimsy
          [slim.sy] or slimp.sy adj [blend of slim and flimsy] (1845):
          flimsy, frail

   slimy
          [slimy] adj slim.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: of, relating to, or
          resembling slime: viscous; also: covered with or yielding
          slime 2: vile, offensive -- slim.i.ly adv -- slim.i.ness
          n

   [1]sling
          [sling] vt slung ; sling.ing [ME, prob. fr. ON slyngva to
          hurl; akin to OE & OHG slingan to worm, twist, Lith slinkti]
          (14c) 1: to cast with a sudden and usu. sweeping or swirling
          motion <slung the sack over my shoulder> 2: to throw
          with or as if with a sling <~ing punches> <~ mud> syn
          see throw -- sling.er n [2]sling n (14c) 1 a: an instrument
          for throwing stones that usu. consists of a short strap
          with strings fastened to its ends and is whirled round
          to discharge its missile by centrifugal force b: slingshot
          1 2 a: a usu. looped line (as of strap, chain, or rope)
          used to hoist, lower, or carry something; esp: a hanging
          bandage suspended from the neck to support an arm or
          hand b: a chain or rope attached to a lower yard at the
          middle and passing around a mast near the masthead to
          support a yard c: a chain hooked at the bow and stern
          of a boat for lowering or hoisting d: a device (as a
          rope net) for enclosing material to be hoisted by a tackle
          or crane 3: a slinging or hurling of or as if of a missile
          [3]sling vt slung ; sling.ing (1522) 1: to place in a
          sling for hoisting or lowering 2: to suspend by or as
          if by a sling [4]sling n [origin unknown] (1768): an
          alcoholic drink that is served hot or cold and that usu.
          consists of liquor, sugar, lemon juice, and plain or
          carbonated water <gin ~> <rum ~>

   slings and arrows
          [slings and arrows] n pl [fr. the phrase "the slings and
          arrows of outrageous fortune" in Shakespeare's Hamlet]
          (1963): pointed often acerbic critical attacks <has suffered
          the slings and arrows of detractors --Roland Gelatt>

   slingshot
          [sling.shot] n (1849) 1: a forked stick with an elastic band
          attached for shooting small stones 2 a: a maneuver in
          auto racing in which a drafting car accelerates past
          the car in front by taking advantage of reserve power
          b: a dragster in which the driver sits behind the rear
          wheels

   [1]slink
          [slink] vb slunk also slinked ; slink.ing [ME, fr. OE slincan
          to creep; akin to OE slingan to worm, twist] vi (14c)
          1: to go or move stealthily or furtively (as in fear
          or shame): steal 2: to move in a sinuous provocative
          manner ~ vt: to give premature birth to--used esp. of
          a domestic animal <a cow that ~s her calf> syn see lurk
          [2]slink n (1607): the young of an animal (as a calf)
          brought forth prematurely; also: the flesh or skin of
          such an animal [3]slink adj (1750): born prematurely
          or abortively <a ~ calf>

   slinky
          [slinky] adj slink.i.er ; -est (1918) 1: characterized by
          slinking: stealthily quiet <~ movements> 2: sleek and
          sinuous in movement or outline; esp: following the lines
          of the figure in a gracefully flowing manner <a ~ evening
          gown> -- slink.i.ly adv -- slink.i.ness n

   [1]slip
          [slip] vb slipped ; slip.ping [ME slippen, fr. MD or MLG;
          akin to MHG slipfen to slide, OHG slifan to smooth, and
          perh. to Gk olibros slippery] vi (14c) 1 a: to move with
          a smooth sliding motion b: to move quietly and cautiously:
          steal c: elapse, pass 2 a (1): to escape from memory
          or consciousness (2): to become uttered through inadvertence
          b: to pass quickly or easily away: become lost <let an
          opportunity ~> 3: to fall into error or fault: lapse
          4 a: to slide out of place or away from a support or
          one's grasp b: to slide on or down a slippery surface
          <~ on the stairs> c: to flow smoothly 5: to get speedily
          into or out of clothing <slipped into his coat> 6: to
          fall off from a standard or accustomed level by degrees:
          decline 7: sideslip ~ vt 1: to cause to move easily and
          smoothly: slide 2 a: to get away from: elude, evade <slipped
          his pursuers> b: to free oneself from <the dog slipped
          its collar> c: to escape from (one's memory or notice)
          <their names ~ my mind> 3: shed, cast <the snake slipped
          its skin> 4: to put on (a garment) quickly--usu. used
          with on <~ on a coat> 5 a: to let loose from a restraining
          leash or grasp b: to cause to slip open: release, undo
          <~ a lock> c: to let go of d: to disengage from (an anchor)
          instead of hauling 6 a: to insert, place, or pass quietly
          or secretly b: to give or pay on the sly 7: slink, abort
          8: dislocate <slipped his shoulder> 9: to transfer (a
          stitch) from one needle to another without working a
          stitch 10: to avoid (a punch) by moving the body or head
          quickly to one side [2]slip n (15c) 1 a: a sloping ramp
          extending out into the water to serve as a place for
          landing or repairing ships b: a ship's or boat's berth
          between two piers 2: the act or an instance of departing
          secretly or hurriedly <gave his pursuer the ~> 3 a: a
          mistake in judgment, policy, or procedure b: an unintentional
          and trivial mistake or fault: lapse <a ~ of the tongue>
          4: a leash so made that it can be quickly slipped 5 a:
          the act or an instance of slipping down or out of a place
          <a ~ on the ice>; also: a sudden mishap b: a movement
          dislocating parts (as of a rock or soil mass); also:
          the result of such movement c: a fall from some level
          or standard: decline <a ~ in stock prices> 6 a: an undergarment
          made in dress length with shoulder straps; also: half-slip
          b: a case into which something is slipped; specif: pillowcase
          7 a: the motion of the center of resistance of the float
          of a paddle wheel or the blade of an oar through the
          water horizontally b: retrograde movement of a belt on
          a pulley c: the amount of leakage past the piston of
          a pump or the impellers of a blower 8: a disposition
          or tendency to slip easily 9: the action of sideslipping:
          an instance of sideslipping syn see error [3]slip n [ME
          slippe, prob. fr. MD or MLG, split, slit, flap] (15c)
          1 a: a small shoot or twig cut for planting or grafting:
          scion b: descendant, offspring 2 a: a long narrow strip
          of material b: a small piece of paper 3: a young and
          slender person <a ~ of a girl> 4: a long seat or narrow
          pew [4]slip vt slipped ; slip.ping (1530): to take cuttings
          from (a plant): divide into slips <~ a geranium> [5]slip
          n [ME slyp slime, fr. OE slypa slime, paste; akin to
          OE slupan to slip--more at sleeve] (1640): a mixture
          of finely divided clay and water used by potters (as
          for casting or decorating wares or in cementing separately
          formed parts)

   slipcase
          [slip.case] n (ca. 1925): a protective container with one
          open end for books -- slip.cased adj

   slipcover
          [slip.cov.er] n (1886): a cover that may be slipped off and
          on; specif: a removable covering for an article of furniture

   slip form
          [slip form] n (1949): a form that is moved slowly as concrete
          is placed during construction (as of a building or pavement)

   slipform
          [slip.form] vt (1962): to construct with the use of a slip
          form

   slipknot
          [slip.knot] n (1659): a knot that slips along the rope or
          line around which it is made; esp: one made by tying
          an overhand knot around the standing part of a rope--see
          knot illustration

   slip noose
          [slip noose] n (1847): a noose with a slipknot

   slip-on
          [slip-on] n (1815): an article of clothing that is easily
          slipped on or off: as a: a glove or shoe without fastenings
          b: a garment (as a girdle) that one steps into and pulls
          up c: pullover

   slipover
          [slip.over] n (1917): a garment or cover that slips on and
          off easily; specif: a pullover sweater

   slippage
          [slip.page] n (1850) 1: an act, instance, or process of slipping
          2: a loss in transmission of power; also: the difference
          between theoretical and actual output (as of power)

   slipped disk
          [slipped disk] n (1942): a protrusion of one of the cartilage
          disks between vertebrae with pressure on spinal nerves
          resulting in low back pain or sciatic pain

   [1]slipper
          [slip.per] adj [ME, fr. OE slipor; akin to MLG slipper slippery,
          slippen to slip] (bef. 12c) chiefly dial: slippery [2]slipper
          n [ME, fr. slippen to slip] (15c): a light low-cut shoe
          that is easily slipped on the foot -- slip.pered adj

   slippery
          [slip.pery] adj slip.per.i.er ; -est [alter. of ME slipper]
          (ca. 1500) 1 a: causing or tending to cause something
          to slide or fall <~ roads> b: tending to slip from the
          grasp 2: not firmly fixed: unstable 3: not to be trusted:
          tricky -- slip.per.i.ness n

   slippery elm
          [slippery elm] n (1748): a large-leaved elm (Ulmus rubra
          syn. U. fulva) of eastern No. America that has hard wood
          and fragrant mucilaginous inner bark; also: the bark

   slippy
          [slip.py] adj slip.pi.er ; -est (1548): slippery

   slip ring
          [slip ring] n [[2]slip] (1898): one of two or more continuous
          conducting rings from which the brushes take or to which
          they deliver current in a generator or motor

   slip sheet
          [slip sheet] n [[1]slip] (1903): a sheet of pape r placed
          between newly printed sheets to prevent offsetting

   slip-sheet
          [slip-sheet] vt (ca. 1909): to insert slip sheets between
          (newly printed sheets)

   slipshod
          [slip.shod] adj [[1]slip] (1580) 1 a: wearing loose shoes
          or slippers b: down at the heel: shabby 2: careless,
          slovenly

   slipslop
          [slip.slop] n [redupl. of [2]slop] (1675) 1 archaic: watery
          food: slops 2 archaic: shallow talk or writing -- slip-slop
          adj

   slipsole
          [slip.sole] n (ca. 1908) 1: a thin insole 2: a half sole
          inserted between the insole or welt and the outsole of
          a shoe to give additional height--called also slip tap

   slip stitch
          [slip stitch] n (ca. 1882) 1: a concealed stitch for sewing
          folded edges (as hems) made by alternately running the
          needle inside the fold and picking up a thread or two
          from the body of the article 2: an unworked stitch; esp:
          a knitting stitch that is shifted from one needle to
          another without knitting it

   [1]slipstream
          [slip.stream] n (1913) 1: a stream of fluid (as air or water)
          driven aft by a propeller 2: an area of reduced air pressure
          and forward suction immediately behind a rapidly moving
          vehicle [2]slipstream vi (1957): to drive in the slipstream
          of a vehicle

   slip up
          [slip up] vi (1909): to make a mistake: blunder

   slipup
          [slip.up] n (1854) 1: mistake 2: mischance

   slipware
          [slip.ware] n (1883): pottery coated with slip to improve
          or decorate the surface

   slipway
          [slip.way] n (1840): an inclined usu. concrete surface for
          a ship being built or repaired

   [1]slit
          [slit] n [ME, fr. slitten] (12c): a long narrow cut or opening
          -- slit adj -- slit.less adj [2]slit vt slit ; slit.ting
          [ME slitten; akin to MHG slitzen to slit, OHG slizan
          to tear apart, OE sciell shell--more at shell] (14c)
          1 a: to make a slit in b: to cut off or away: sever c:
          to form into a slit 2: to cut into long narrow strips
          -- slit.ter n

   slither
          [slith.er] vb [ME slideren, fr. OE slidrian, freq. of slidan
          to slide] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to slide on or as if on a
          loose gravelly surface 2: to slip or slide like a snake
          ~ vt: to cause to slide

   slithery
          [slith.ery] adj (ca. 1825): having a slippery surface, texture,
          or quality

   slit trench
          [slit trench] n (1942): a narrow trench esp. for shelter
          in battle from bomb and shell fragments

   [1]sliver
          [sliv.er] n [ME slivere, fr. sliven to slice off, fr. OE
          -slifan; akin to OE -slaefan to cut] (14c) 1 a: a long
          slender piece cut or torn off: splinter b: a small and
          narrow portion <a ~ of land> c: particle, scrap <not
          a ~ of evidence> 2: an untwisted strand or rope of textile
          fiber produced by a carding or combing machine and ready
          for drawing, roving, or spinning [2]sliv.er vb sliv.ered
          ; sliv.er.ing vt (1605): to cut into slivers: splinter
          ~ vi: to become split into slivers

   slivovitz
          [sliv.o.vitz] n [Serbo-Croatian sljivovica, fr. sljiva, sliva
          plum; akin to Russ sliva plum--more at livid] (1885):
          a dry usu. colorless plum brandy made esp. in the Balkan
          countries

   Slo
          [Slo] abbreviation Sligo

   slob
          [slob] n [Ir slab mud, ooze, slovenly person] (1861): a slovenly
          or boorish person -- slob.bish adj -- slob.by adj

   [1]slobber
          [slob.ber] vb slob.bered ; slob.ber.ing [ME sloberen to eat
          in a slovenly manner; akin to LG slubberen to sip] vi
          (1733) 1: to let saliva dribble from the mouth: drool
          2: to indulge the feelings effusively and without restraint
          ~ vt: to smear with or as if with dribbling saliva or
          food -- slob.ber.er n [2]slobber n (ca. 1755) 1: saliva
          drooled from the mouth 2: driveling, sloppy, or incoherent
          utterance -- slob.bery adj

   sloe
          [sloe] n [ME slo, fr. OE slah; akin to OHG sleha sloe and
          prob. to Russ sliva plum--more at livid] (bef. 12c):
          the small dark globose astringent fruit of the blackthorn;
          also: blackthorn

   sloe-eyed
          [sloe-eyed] adj (1867) 1: having soft dark bluish or purplish
          black eyes 2: having slanted eyes

   sloe gin
          [sloe gin] n (1895): a sweet reddish liqueur consisting of
          grain spirits flavored chiefly with sloes

   [1]slog
          [slog] vb slogged ; slog.ging [origin unknown] vt (1824)
          1: to hit hard: beat 2: to plod (one's way) perseveringly
          esp. against difficulty ~ vi 1: to plod heavily: tramp
          <slogged through the snow> 2: to work hard and steadily:
          plug -- slog.ger n [2]slog n (1888) 1: hard persistent
          work 2: a hard dogged march or tramp

   slogan
          [slo.gan] n [alter. of earlier slogorn, fr. ScGael sluagh-ghairm,
          fr. sluagh army, host + gairm cry] (1513) 1 a: a war
          cry or rallying cry esp. of a Scottish clan b: a word
          or phrase used to express a characteristic position or
          stand or a goal to be achieved 2: a brief attention-getting
          phrase used in advertising or promotion

   sloganeer
          [slo.gan.eer] n (1922): a maker or user of slogans -- sloganeer
          vi

   sloganize
          [slo.gan.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1926): to express as a
          slogan

   sloop
          [sloop] n [D sloep] (1629): a fore-and-aft rigged boat with
          one mast and a single jib

   sloop of war
          [sloop of war] (1704): a small warship with guns on only
          one deck

   [1]slop
          [slop] n [ME sloppe, prob. fr. MD slop; akin to OE oferslop
          surplice] (14c) 1: a loose smock or overall 2 pl: short
          full breeches worn by men in the 16th century 3 pl: articles
          (as clothing) sold to sailors [2]slop n [ME sloppe] (15c)
          1: soft mud: slush 2: thin tasteless drink or liquid
          food--usu. used in pl. 3: liquid spilled or splashed
          4 a: food waste (as garbage) fed to animals: swill 2a
          b: excreted body waste--usu. used in pl. 5: sentimental
          effusiveness in speech or writing: gush [3]slop vb slopped
          ; slop.ping vt (1557) 1 a: to spill from a container
          b: to splash or spill liquid on c: to cause (a liquid)
          to splash 2: to dish out messily 3: to eat or drink greedily
          or noisily 4: to feed slop to <~ the hogs> ~ vi 1: to
          tramp in mud or slush 2: to become spilled or splashed
          3: to be effusive: gush 4: to pass beyond or exceed a
          boundary or limit

   slop basin
          [slop basin] n (1731) Brit: slop bowl

   slop bowl
          [slop bowl] n (1810): a bowl for receiving the leavings of
          tea or coffee cups at table

   slop chest
          [slop chest] n [[1]slop] (1840): a store of clothing and
          personal requisites (as tobacco) carried on merchant
          ships for issue to the crew usu. as a charge against
          their wages

   [1]slope
          [slope] adj [ME slope, adv., obliquely] (1502): that slants:
          sloping--often used in combination <slope-sided> [2]slope
          vb sloped ; slop.ing vi (1591) 1: to take an oblique
          course 2: to lie or fall in a slant: incline 3: go, travel
          <~s off into the night --Wolcott Gibbs> ~ vt: to cause
          to incline or slant -- slop.er n [3]slope n (ca. 1611)
          1: upward or downward slant or inclination or degree
          of slant 2: ground that forms a natural or artificial
          incline 3: the part of a continent draining to a particular
          ocean <Alaska's North Slope> 4 a: the tangent of the
          angle made by a straight line with the x-axis b: the
          slope of the line tangent to a plane curve at a point

   slope-intercept form
          [slope-intercept form] n (ca. 1942): the equation of a straight
          line in the form y = mx plus b where m is the slope of
          the line and b is the point on the y-axis through which
          the line passes

   slo-pitch
          [slo-pitch] n [alter. of slow pitch] (1967): slow-pitch

   slop jar
          [slop jar] n (1855): a large pail used as a chamber pot or
          to receive waste water from a washbowl or the contents
          of chamber pots

   slop pail
          [slop pail] n (1864): a pail for toilet or household slops

   sloppy
          [slop.py] adj slop.pi.er ; -est (1707) 1 a: wet so as to
          spatter easily: slushy <a ~ racetrack> b: wet or smeared
          with or as if with something slopped over 2: slovenly,
          careless <a ~ dresser> <did ~ work> 3: disagreeably effusive
          <~ sentimentalism> -- slop.pi.ly adv -- slop.pi.ness
          n

   sloppy joe
          [sloppy joe] n [prob. fr. the name Joe, nickname for Joseph]
          (1961): ground beef cooked in a thick spicy sauce and
          usu. served on a bun

   slopwork
          [slop.work] n (1849) 1: the manufacture of cheap ready-made
          clothing 2: hasty slovenly work

   [1]slosh
          [slosh] n [prob. blend of slop and slush] (1814) 1: slush
          2: the slap or splash of liquid [2]slosh vi (1844) 1:
          to flounder or splash through water, mud, or slush 2:
          to move with a splashing motion <the water ~ed around
          him --Bill Alcine> ~ vt 1: to splash about in liquid
          2: to splash (a liquid) about or on something 3: to splash
          with liquid

   sloshed
          [sloshed] adj (ca. 1946) slang: drunk, intoxicated

   [1]slot
          [slot] n [ME, the hollow running down the middle of the breast,
          fr. MF esclot] (1523) 1 a: a narrow opening or groove:
          slit, notch <a mail ~ in a door> b: a narrow passage
          or enclosure c: a passage through the wing of an airplane
          or of a missile that is located usu. near the leading
          edge and formed between a main and an auxiliary airfoil
          for improving flow conditions over the wing so as to
          increase lift and delay stalling of the wing 2: a place
          or position in an organization or sequence: niche 3:
          slot machine 4: a gap between an end and a tackle in
          an offensive football line [2]slot vt slot.ted ; slot.ting
          (1747) 1: to cut a slot in 2: to place in or assign to
          a slot [3]slot n, pl slot [MF esclot track] (1575): the
          track of an animal (as a deer)

   slotback
          [slot.back] n (1959): an offensive football halfback who
          lines up just behind the slot between an offensive end
          and tackle

   slot car
          [slot car] n (1966): an electric toy racing car with a pin
          underneath that fits into a groove on a track for guidance

   sloth
          [sloth] n, pl sloths [ME slouthe, fr. slow slow] (12c) 1
          a: disinclination to action or labor: indolence b: spiritual
          apathy and inactivity <the deadly sin of ~> 2: any of
          the slow-moving arboreal edentate mammals that comprise
          two genera (Bradypus and Choloepus), inhabit tropical
          forests of So. and Central America, hang from the branches
          back downward, and feed on leaves, shoots, and fruits--compare
          three-toed sloth, two-toed sloth

   slothful
          [sloth.ful] adj (15c): inclined to sloth: indolent syn see
          lazy -- sloth.ful.ly adv -- sloth.ful.ness n

   slot machine
          [slot machine] n (1891) 1: a machine whose operation is begun
          by dropping a coin into a slot 2: a coin-operated gambling
          machine that pays off according to the matching of symbols
          on wheels spun by a handle--called also one-armed bandit

   slot racing
          [slot racing] n (1965): the racing of slot cars -- slot racer
          n

   [1]slouch
          [slouch] n [origin unknown] (1515) 1 a: an awkward fellow:
          lout b: one that is unimpressive; esp: a lazy or incompetent
          person--used in negative constructions <was no ~ at cooking>
          2: a gait or posture characterized by an ungainly stooping
          of the head and shoulders or excessive relaxation of
          body muscles [2]slouch vi (1754) 1: to walk, stand, or
          sit with a slouch: assume a slouch 2: droop ~ vt: to
          cause to droop <~ed his shoulders> -- slouch.er n

   slouch hat
          [slouch hat] n (1837): a soft usu. felt hat with a wide flexible
          brim

   slouchy
          [slouchy] adj slouch.i.er ; -est (ca. 1693): lacking erectness
          or stiffness (as in form or posture) <a ~ sweater> <~
          figures waiting in line> -- slouch.i.ly adv -- slouch.i.ness
          n

   [1]slough
          [slough] n [ME slogh, fr. OE sloh; akin to MHG slouche ditch]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a place of deep mud or mire b (1): swamp
          (2): an inlet on a river; also: backwater (3): a creek
          in a marsh or tide flat 2: a state of moral degradation
          or spiritual dejection -- sloughy adj [2]slough vt (1846):
          to engulf in a slough ~ vi: to plod through or as if
          through mud: slog [3]slough also sluff n [ME slughe;
          akin to MHG sluch snakeskin] (14c) 1: the cast-off skin
          of a snake 2: a mass of dead tissue separating from an
          ulcer 3: something that may be shed or cast off [4]slough
          also sluff vi (1720) 1 a: to become shed or cast off
          b: to cast off one's skin c: to separate in the form
          of dead tissue from living tissue 2: to crumble slowly
          and fall away ~ vt 1: to cast off 2 a: to get rid of
          or discard as irksome, objectionable, or disadvantageous--usu.
          used with off b: to dispose of (a losing card in bridge)
          by discarding syn see discard

   slough of despond
          [slough of de.spond] [fr. the Slough of Despond, deep bog
          into which Christian falls on the way from the City of
          Destruction and from which Help saves him in the allegory
          Pilgrim's Progress (1678) by John Bunyan] (1776): a state
          of extreme depression

   Slovak
          [Slo.vak] n [Slovak slovak] (1829) 1: a member of a Slavic
          people of Slovakia 2: the Slavic language of the Slovak
          people -- Slovak adj -- Slo.va.ki.an adj or n

   [1]sloven
          [slov.en] n [ME sloveyn rascal, perh. fr. Flem sloovin woman
          of low character] (15c): one habitually negligent of
          neatness or cleanliness esp. in personal appearance [2]sloven
          adj (1815): slovenly

   Slovene
          [Slo.vene] n [G Slowene fr. Slovene Slovenec] (1883) 1: a
          member of a Slavic people living largely in Slovenia
          2: the language of the Slovenes -- Slovene adj -- Slo.ve.nian
          adj or n

   slovenly
          [slov.en.ly] adj (ca. 1568) 1 a: untidy esp. in personal
          appearance b: lazily slipshod <~ in thought> 2: characteristic
          of a sloven <~ habits> -- slo.ven.li.ness n -- slovenly
          adv

   [1]slow
          [slow] adj [ME, fr. OE slaw; akin to OHG sleo dull] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: mentally dull: stupid <a ~ student> b: naturally
          inert or sluggish 2 a: lacking in readiness, promptness,
          or willingness b: not hasty or precipitate <was ~ to
          anger> 3 a: moving, flowing, or proceeding without speed
          or at less than usual speed <traffic was ~> b: exhibiting
          or marked by low speed <he moved with ~ deliberation>
          c: not acute <a ~ disease> d: low, gentle <~ fire> 4:
          requiring a long time: gradual <a ~ recovery> 5: having
          qualities that hinder rapid progress or action <a ~ track>
          6 a: registering behind or below what is correct <the
          clock is ~> b: less than the time indicated by another
          method of reckoning c: that is behind the time at a specified
          time or place 7 a: lacking in life, animation, or gaiety:
          boring b: marked by reduced sales or patronage <business
          was ~> -- slow.ish adj -- slow.ness n [2]slow adv (15c):
          slowly usage Some commentators claim that careful writers
          avoid the adverb slow, in spite of the fact that it has
          had over four centuries of usage <have a continent forbearance
          till the speed of his rage goes slower --Shak.>. In actual
          practice, slow and slowly are not used in quite the same
          way. Slow is almost always used with verbs that denote
          movement or action, and it regularly follows the verb
          it modifies <beans ... are best cooked long and slow
          --Louise Prothro>. Slowly is used before the verb <a
          sense of outrage, which slowly changed to shame --Paul
          Horgan> and with participial adjectives <a slowly dawning
          awareness ... of the problem --Amer. Labor>. Slowly is
          used after verbs where slow might also be used <burn
          slow or slowly> and after verbs where slow would be unidiomatic
          <the leadership turned slowly toward bombing as a means
          of striking back --David Halberstam>. [3]slow vt (1557):
          to make slow or slower: slacken the speed of <~ a car>--often
          used with down or up ~ vi: to go or become slower <production
          of new cars ~ed sharply> syn see delay

   slowdown
          [slow.down] n (1897): a slowing down <a business ~>

   slow-footed
          [slow-foot.ed] adj (1642): moving at a very slow pace: plodding
          <a ~ novel> <a ~ ship> -- slow-foot.ed.ness n

   slowly
          [slow.ly] adv (13c): in a slow manner: not quickly, fast,
          early, rashly, or readily usage see slow

   slow match
          [slow match] n (ca. 1802): a match or fuse made so as to
          burn slowly and evenly and used for firing (as of blasting
          charges)

   slow motion
          [slow motion] n (1924): slow-motion photography

   slow-motion
          [slow-motion] adj (1923): of, relating to, or being motion-picture
          or video photography in which the action that has been photographed
          is made to appear to occur slower than it actually occurred
          <a ~ replay>; also: slowly moving <a ~ dance>

   slow-pitch
          [slow-pitch] n (1967): softball which is played with 10 players
          on each side and in which each pitch must have an arc
          3 to 10 feet high and base stealing is not allowed

   slowpoke
          [slow.poke] n [[1]slow + poke annoyingly stupid person] (1848):
          a very slow person

   slow-twitch
          [slow-twitch] adj (1971): of, relating to, or being muscle
          fiber that contracts slowly esp. during sustained physical
          activity requiring endurance--compare fast-twitch

   slow virus
          [slow virus] n (1954): any of various viruses with a long
          incubation period between infection and development of
          a degenerative disease (as kuru or Creutzfeldt-Jakob
          disease)

   slow-witted
          [slow-wit.ted] adj (1571): mentally slow: dull

   slowworm
          [slow.worm] n [ME sloworm, fr. OE slawyrm, fr. sla- (akin
          to Sw sla earthworm) + wyrm worm] (bef. 12c): a burrowing
          limbless European lizard (Anguis fragilis) with small
          eyes--called also blindworm

   SLR
          [SLR] abbreviation single-lens reflex

   [1]slub
          [slub] vt slubbed ; slub.bing [back-formation fr. slubbing]
          (1834): to draw out and twist (as slivers of wool) slightly
          [2]slub n (1851): a soft thick uneven section in a yarn
          or thread

   slubber
          [slub.ber] vt slub.bered ; slub.ber.ing [prob. fr. obs. D
          slubberen] (1530) 1 dial chiefly Eng: stain, sully 2:
          to perform in a slipshod fashion

   slubbing
          [slub.bing] n [origin unknown] (1786): roving

   sludge
          [sludge] n [ME slugge, perh. alter. of slicche mud, slush;
          akin to OHG slih mire] (15c) 1: mud, mire; esp: a muddy
          deposit (as on a riverbed): ooze 2: a muddy or slushy
          mass, deposit, or sediment: as a: precipitated solid
          matter produced by water and sewage treatment processes
          b: muddy sediment in a steam boiler c: a precipitate
          or settling (as a mixture of impurities and acid) from
          a mineral oil 3: slush 5 -- sludgy adj

   [1]slue
          [slue] var of [1]slough [2]slue var of [3]slew [3]slue n
          [[2]slue] (ca. 1860) 1: position or inclination after
          slewing 2: skid 5

   [1]slug
          [slug] n [ME slugge, of Scand origin; akin to Norw dial.
          slugga to walk sluggishly] (15c) 1: sluggard 2: a lump,
          disk, or cylinder of material (as plastic or metal):
          as a (1): a musket ball (2): bullet b: a piece of metal
          roughly shaped for subsequent processing c: a $50 gold
          piece d: a disk for insertion in a slot machine; esp:
          one used illegally instead of a coin 3: any of numerous
          chiefly terrestrial pulmonate gastropods (order Stylommatophora)
          that are found in most parts of the world where there
          is a reasonable supply of moisture and are closely related
          to the land snails but are long and wormlike and have
          only a rudimentary shell often buried in the mantle or
          entirely absent 4: a smooth soft larva of a sawfly or
          moth that creeps like a mollusk 5 a: a quantity of liquor
          drunk in one swallow b: a detached mass of fluid (as
          water vapor or oil) that causes impact (as in a circulating
          system) 6 a: a strip of metal thicker than a printer's
          lead b: a line of type cast as one piece c: a usu. temporary
          type line serving to instruct or identify 7: the gravitational
          unit of mass in the foot-pound-second system to which
          a pound force can impart an acceleration of one foot
          per second per second and which is equal to the mass
          of an object weighing 32 pounds [2]slug vt slugged ;
          slug.ging (1912) 1: to add a printer's slug to 2: to
          drink in gulps--often used with down [3]slug n [perh.
          fr. slug to load with slugs] (1830): a heavy blow esp.
          with the fist [4]slug vt slugged ; slug.ging (ca. 1861)
          1: to strike heavily with or as if with the fist or a
          bat 2: fight 4b--usu. used in the phrase slug it out

   slugabed
          [slug.abed] n (1592): a person who stays in bed after the
          usual or proper time to get up; broadly: sluggard

   slugfest
          [slug.fest] n (1916): a fight marked by the exchange of heavy
          blows; also: a heated dispute <a vocal ~>

   [1]sluggard
          [slug.gard] n [ME sluggart] (14c): an habitually lazy person
          [2]sluggard adj (1593): sluggardly -- slug.gard.ness
          n

   sluggardly
          [slug.gard.ly] adj (1865): lazily inactive

   slugger
          [slug.ger] n (1877): one that strikes hard or with heavy
          blows: as a: a prizefighter who punches hard but has
          usu. little defensive skill b: a hard-hitting batter
          in baseball

   slugging percentage
          [slugging percentage] n (ca. 1949): the ratio (as a rate
          per thousand) of the total number of bases reached on
          base hits to official times at bat for a baseball player--called
          also slugging average

   sluggish
          [slug.gish] adj (15c) 1: averse to activity or exertion:
          indolent; also: torpid 2: slow to respond (as to stimulation
          or treatment) 3 a: markedly slow in movement, flow, or
          growth b: economically inactive or slow -- sl ug.gish.ly
          adv -- slug.gish.ness n

   [1]sluice
          [sluice] n [ME sluse, alter. of scluse, fr. MF escluse, fr.
          LL exclusa, fr. L, fem. of exclusus, pp. of excludere
          to exclude] (15c) 1 a: an artificial passage for water
          (as in a millstream) fitted with a valve or gate for
          stopping or regulating flow b: a body of water pent up
          behind a floodgate 2: a dock gate: floodgate 3 a: a stream
          flowing through a floodgate b: a channel to drain or
          carry off surplus water 4: a long inclined trough usu.
          on the ground; esp: such a contrivance paved usu. with
          riffles to hold quicksilver for catching gold [2]sluice
          vb sluiced ; sluic.ing vt (1593) 1: to draw off by or
          through a sluice 2 a: to wash with or in water running
          through or from a sluice b: to drench with a sudden flow:
          flush 3: to transport (as logs) in a sluice ~ vi: to
          pour as if from a sluice

   sluiceway
          [sluice.way] n (1779): an artificial channel into which water
          is let by a sluice

   sluicy
          [sluicy] adj (1697): falling copiously or in streams: streaming

   [1]slum
          [slum] n, often attrib [origin unknown] (1825): a densely
          populated usu. urban area marked by crowding, dirty run-down
          housing, poverty, and social disorganization [2]slum
          vi slummed ; slum.ming (1884): to visit slums esp. out
          of curiosity; broadly: to go somewhere or do something
          that might be considered beneath one's station--sometimes
          used with it <slumming it in a cabin without plumbing>
          -- slum.mer n

   [1]slumber
          [slum.ber] vi slum.bered ; slum.ber.ing [ME, freq. of slumen
          to doze, prob. fr. slume slumber, fr. OE sluma; akin
          to MHG slumen to slumber] (13c) 1 a: to sleep lightly:
          doze b: sleep 2 a: to be in a torpid, slothful, or negligent
          state b: to lie dormant or latent -- slum.ber.er n [2]slumber
          n (14c) 1 a: sleep b: a light sleep 2: lethargy, torpor

   slumberous
          [slum.ber.ous] or slum.brous adj (15c) 1: heavy with sleep:
          sleepy 2: inducing slumber: soporific 3: marked by or
          suggestive of a state of sleep or lethargy <a ~ state
          of peace>

   slumber party
          [slumber party] n (1925): an overnight gathering esp. of
          teenage girls usu. at one of their homes

   slumbery
          [slum.bery] adj (14c) archaic: slumberous

   slumgullion
          [slum.gul.lion] n [perh. fr. slum slime + E dial. gullion
          mud, cesspool] (1902): a meat stew

   slumlord
          [slum.lord] n [[1]slum + landlord] (1953): a landlord who
          receives unusually large profits from substandard properties

   slummy
          [slum.my] adj slum.mi.er ; -est (1873): of, relating to,
          or suggestive of a slum <~ streets>

   [1]slump
          [slump] vi [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Norw slumpa to
          fall] (ca. 1677) 1 a: to fall or sink suddenly b: to
          drop or slide down suddenly: collapse <~ed to the floor>
          2: to assume a drooping posture or carriage: slouch 3:
          to go into a slump <sales ~ed> [2]slump n (1887) 1 a:
          a marked or sustained decline esp. in economic activity
          or prices <a post-election ~> b: a period of poor or
          losing play by a team or individual <one spring I was
          in a batting ~ --Ted Williams> 2: a downward slide of
          a mass of rock or land

   slumpflation
          [slump.fla.tion] n [[2]slump + inflation] (1974): a state
          or period of combined economic decline and rising inflation

   slung
          [slung] past and past part of sling

   slungshot
          [slung.shot] n (1842): a striking weapon consisting of a
          small mass of metal or stone fixed on a flexible handle
          or strap

   slunk
          [slunk] past and past part of slink

   [1]slur
          [slur] n [obs. E dial. slur thin mud, fr. ME sloor; akin
          to MHG slier mud] (1609) 1 a: an insulting or disparaging
          remark or innuendo: aspersion b: a shaming or degrading
          effect: stain, stigma 2: a blurred spot in printed matter:
          smudge [2]slur vb slurred ; slur.ring vt (1660) 1: to
          cast aspersions on: disparage 2: to make indistinct:
          obscure ~ vi: to slip so as to cause a slur--used of
          a sheet being printed [3]slur vb slurred ; slur.ring
          [prob. fr. LG slurrn to shuffle; akin to ME sloor mud]
          vt (1660) 1 a: to slide or slip over without due mention,
          consideration, or emphasis <slurred over certain facts>
          b: to perform hurriedly: skimp <let him not ~ his lesson
          --R. W. Emerson> 2: to perform (successive tones of different
          pitch) in a smooth or connected manner 3 a: to reduce,
          make a substitution for, or omit (sounds that would normally
          occur in an utterance) b: to utter with such reduction,
          substitution, or omission of sounds <his speech was slurred>
          ~ vi 1 dial chiefly Eng: slip, slide 2: drag, shuffle
          [4]slur n (ca. 1801) 1 a: a curved line connecting notes
          to be sung to the same syllable or performed without
          a break b: the combination of two or more slurred tones
          2: a slurring manner of speech

   slurp
          [slurp] vb [D slurpen; akin to MLG slorpen to slurp] vi (1648):
          to make a sucking noise while eating or drinking ~ vt:
          to eat or drink noisily or with a sucking sound -- slurp
          n

   [1]slurry
          [slur.ry] n, pl slur.ries [ME slory] (15c): a watery mixture
          of insoluble matter (as mud, lime, or plaster of paris)
          [2]slurry vt slur.ried ; slur.ry.ing (1947): to convert
          into a slurry

   [1]slush
          [slush] n [perh. of Scand origin; akin to Norw slusk slush]
          (1641) 1 a: partly melted or watery snow b: loose ice
          crystals formed during the early stages of freezing of
          salt water 2: soft mud: mire 3: refuse grease and fat
          from cooking esp. on shipboard 4: paper pulp in water
          suspension 5: trashy and usu. cheaply sentimental material
          6: unsolicited writings submitted (as to a magazine)
          for publication [2]slush vt (1807): to wet, splash, or
          paint with slush ~ vi 1: to make one's way through slush
          2: to make a splashing sound

   slush fund
          [slush fund] n (1864) 1: a fund raised from the sale of refuse
          to obtain small luxuries or pleasures for a warship's
          crew 2: a fund for bribing public officials or carrying
          on corruptive propaganda

   slushy
          [slushy] adj slush.i.er ; -est (1791): being, involving,
          or resembling slush: as a: full of or covered with slush
          <~ streets> b: made up of or having the consistency of
          slush <~ snow> <a ~ mixture> c: having a cheaply sentimental
          quality: trashy <a ~ novel> -- slush.i.ness n

   slut
          [slut] n [ME slutte] (15c) 1 chiefly Brit: a slovenly woman
          2 a: a promiscuous woman; esp: prostitute b: a saucy
          girl: minx -- slut.tish adj -- slut.tish.ly adv -- slut.tish.ness
          n -- slut.ty adj

   sly
          [sly] adj sli.er or sly.er ; sli.est or sly.est [ME sli,
          fr. ON sloegr; akin to OE slean to strike--more at slay]
          (13c) 1 chiefly dial a: wise in practical affairs b:
          displaying cleverness: ingenious 2 a: clever in concealing
          one's aims or ends: furtive <the ~ fox> b: lacking in
          straightforwardness and candor: dissembling <a ~ scheme>
          3: lightly mischievous: roguish <a ~ jest> <a ~ smile>
          -- sly.ly adv -- sly.ness n -- on the sly : in a manner
          intended to avoid notice syn sly, cunning, crafty, wily,
          tricky, foxy, artful, slick mean attaining or seeking
          to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means. sly
          implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing
          one's aims and methods <a sly corporate raider>. cunning
          suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence
          in overreaching or circumventing <the cunning fox avoided
          the trap>. crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of
          method <a crafty lefthander>. wily implies skill and
          deception in maneuvering <the wily fugitive escaped the
          posse>. tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and
          unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering
          <a tricky political operative>. foxy implies a shrewd
          and wary craftiness usu. involving devious dealing <a
          foxy publicity man planting stories>. artful implies
          indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication
          or cleverness <elicited the information by artful questioning>.
          slick emphasizes smoothness and guile <slick operators
          selling time-sharing>.

   slyboots
          [sly.boots] n pl but sing in constr (ca. 1700): a sly tricky
          person; esp: one who is cunning or mischievous in an
          engaging way

   sm...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   sm
          [sm] abbreviation small  Sm abbreviation samarium  SM [NL
          scientiae magister] abbreviation master of science; sergeant
          major, service mark, soldier's medal, stage manager,
          station master

   SMA
          [SMA] abbreviation sergeant major of the army

   [1]smack
          [smack] n [ME, fr. OE smaec; akin to OHG smac taste and prob.
          to Lith smaguris sweet tooth] (bef. 12c) 1: characteristic
          taste or flavor; also: a perceptible taste or tincture
          2: a small quantity [2]smack vi (13c) 1: to have a taste
          or flavor 2: to have a trace, vestige, or suggestion
          <a proposal that ~s of treason> [3]smack vb [akin to
          MD smacken to strike] vt (1557) 1: to close and open
          (lips) noisily and in rapid succession esp. in eating
          2 a: to kiss with or as if with a smack b: to strike
          so as to produce a smack ~ vi: to make or give a smack
          [4]smack n (1570) 1: a quick sharp noise made by rapidly
          compressing and opening the lips 2: a loud kiss 3: a
          sharp slap or blow [5]smack adv (1782): squarely and
          sharply: directly <~ in the middle> [6]smack n [D smak
          or LG smack] (1533): a sailing ship (as a sloop or cutter)
          used chiefly in coasting and fishing [7]smack n [perh.
          fr. Yiddish shmek sniff, whiff, pinch (of snuff)] (ca.
          1960) slang: heroin

   smack-dab
          [smack-dab] adv (1892): exactly, squarely

   smacker
          [smack.er] n (1611) 1: one that smacks 2 slang: dollar

   smacking
          [smack.ing] adj (1820): brisk, lively <a ~ breeze>

   SMaj
          [SMaj] abbreviation sergeant major

   [1]small
          [small] adj [ME smal, fr. OE smael; akin to OHG smal small,
          Gk melon small domestic animal] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having
          comparatively little size or slight dimensions b: lowercase
          2 a: minor in influence, power, or rank b: operating
          on a limited scale 3: lacking in strength <a ~ voice>
          4 a: little or close to zero in an objectively measurable
          aspect (as quantity, amount, or value) b: made up of
          few or little units 5 a: of little consequence: trivial,
          insignificant b: humble, modest <a ~ beginning> 6: limited
          in degree 7 a: mean, petty b: reduced to a humiliating
          position -- small.ish adj -- small.ness n syn small,
          little, diminutive, minute, tiny, miniature mean noticeably
          below average in size. small and little are often interchangeable,
          but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity,
          value, number <a relatively small backyard>. little is more
          absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness,
          pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity <your pathetic little
          smile>. diminutive implies abnormal smallness <diminutive bonsai
          plants>. minute implies extreme smallness <a minute amount
          of caffeine in the soda>. tiny is an informal equivalent to minute
          <tiny cracks formed in the painting>. miniature applies
          to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale
          <a dollhouse complete with miniature furnishings>. [2]small adv
          (bef. 12c) 1: in or into small pieces 2: without force or loudness
          <speak as ~ as you will --Shak.> 3: in a small manner [3]small
          n (14c) 1: a part smaller and esp. narrower than the remainder <the
          ~ of the back> 2 a pl: small-sized products b pl, chiefly Brit:
          smallclothes; esp: underwear

   small arm
          [small arm] n (1689): a handheld firearm (as a handgun or
          shoulder arm)--usu. used in pl.

   small beer
          [small beer] n (1568) 1: weak or inferior beer 2: something
          of small importance: trivia -- small-beer adj

   small calorie
          [small calorie] n (ca. 1889): calorie 1a

   small capital
          [small capital] n (1770): a letter having the form of but
          smaller than a capital letter (as in these words)--called
          also small cap

   small change
          [small change] n (1819) 1: coins of low denomination 2: something
          trifling or petty

   small-claims court
          [small-claims court] n (1925): a special court intended to
          simplify and expedite the handling of small claims on
          debts--called also small-debts court

   smallclothes
          [small.clothes] n pl (1796) 1: close-fitting knee breeches
          worn in the 18th century 2: small articles of clothing
          (as underclothing or handkerchiefs)

   smaller European elm bark beetle
          [smaller European elm bark beetle] n (ca. 1945): elm bark
          beetle b

   small-fry
          [small-fry] adj (1817) 1: minor, unimportant <a ~ politician>
          2: of, relating to, or intended for children: childish

   smallholding
          [small.hold.ing] n (1892) chiefly Brit: a small farm
          -- small.hold.er n

   small hours
          [small hours] n pl (ca. 1837): the early morning hours

   small intestine
          [small intestine] n (1767): the part of the intestine that
          lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum,
          jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is
          the chief site of the absorption of digested nutrients

   small-minded
          [small-mind.ed] adj (1847) 1: having narrow interests, sympathies,
          or outlook 2: typical of a small-minded person: marked
          by pettiness, narrowness, or meanness <~ conduct> --
          small-mind.ed.ly adv -- small-mind.ed.ness n

   smallmouth bass
          [small.mouth bass] n (1938): a black bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
          of clear rivers and lakes that is bronzy green above
          and lighter below and has the vertex of the angle of
          the jaw falling below the eye--called also smallmouth,
          smallmouth black bass

   small octave
          [small octave] n (ca. 1890): the musical octave that begins
          on the first C below middle C--see pitch illustration

   small potato
          [small potato] n (1831): one that is of trivial importance
          or worth--usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.

   smallpox
          [small.pox] n (1518): an acute contagious febrile disease
          caused by a poxvirus and characterized by skin eruption
          with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation

   small-scale
          [small-scale] adj (1852) 1: small in scope; esp: small in
          output or operation 2 of a map: having a scale (as one
          inch to 25 miles) that permits plotting of comparatively
          little detail and shows mainly large features

   small screen
          [small screen] n (1956): television

   small stuff
          [small stuff] n (ca. 1857): small rope (as spun yarn or marline)
          usu. identified by the number of threads or yarns which
          it contains

   smallsword
          [small.sword] n (1687): a light tapering sword for thrusting
          used chiefly in dueling and fencing

   small talk
          [small talk] n (1751): light or casual conversation: chitchat

   small-time
          [small-time] adj (1910): insignificant in performance, scope,
          or standing: petty <~ thieves> -- small-tim.er n

   smalt
          [smalt] n [MF, fr. OIt smalto, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          smelzan to melt--more at smelt] (1558): a deep blue pigment
          used esp. as a ceramic color and prepared by fusing together
          silica, potash, and oxide of cobalt and grinding to powder
          the resultant glass

   smaltite
          [smalt.ite] n [alter. of smaltine, fr. F, fr. smalt, fr.
          MF] (1868): a bluish white or gray isometric mineral
          of metallic luster that is essentially an arsenide of
          cobalt and nickel

   smalto
          [smal.to] n, pl smal.ti [It, smalt, smalto] (1705): colored
          glass or enamel or a piece of either used in mosaic work

   smaragd
          [sma.ragd] n [ME smaragde, fr. L smaragdus] (13c): emerald
          -- sma.rag.dine adj

   smaragdite
          [sma.rag.dite] n [F, fr. L smaragdus emerald--more at emerald]
          (1804): a green foliated amphibole

   smarm
          [smarm] n [back-formation fr. smarmy] (1937): smarmy language
          or behavior

   smarmy
          [smarmy] adj [smarm to gush, slobber] (1924) 1: revealing
          or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness
          <a tone of ~ self-satisfaction --New Yorker> 2: of low
          sleazy taste or quality <~ eroticism> -- smarm.i.ly adv
          -- smarm.i.ness n

   [1]smart
          [smart] adj (bef. 12c) 1: making one smart: causing a sharp
          stinging 2: marked by often sharp forceful activity or
          vigorous strength <a ~ pull of the starter cord> 3: brisk,
          spirited 4 a: mentally alert: bright b: knowledgeable
          c: shrewd <a ~ investment> 5 a: witty, clever b: pert,
          saucy <don't get ~ with me> 6 a: neat, trim b: stylish
          or elegant in dress or appearance c (1): sophisticated
          (2): characteristic of or patronized by fashionable society
          7 a: being a guided missile <a laser-guided ~ bomb> b:
          operating by automation <a ~ machine tool> c: intelligent
          3 -- smart.ly adv -- smart.ness n [2]smart vi [ME smerten,
          fr. OE smeortan; akin to OHG smerzan to pain] (13c) 1:
          to cause or be the cause or seat of a sharp poignant
          pain; also: to feel or have such a pain 2 a: to feel
          or endure distress, remorse, or embarrassment <~ing from
          wounded vanity --W. L. Shirer> b: to pay a heavy or stinging
          penalty <would have to ~ for this foolishness> [3]smart
          n (13c) 1: a smarting pain; esp: a stinging local pain
          2: poignant grief or remorse <was not the sort to get
          over ~s --Sir Winston Churchill> 3: an affectedly witty
          or fashionable person 4 pl, slang: intelligence, know-how
          [4]smart adv (13c): in a smart manner: smartly

   smart aleck
          [smart al.eck] also smart al.ec n [Aleck, nickname for Alexander]
          (1865): an obnoxiously conceited and self-assertive person
          with pretensions to smartness or cleverness -- smart-aleck
          adj -- smart-al.ecky adj

   smart-ass
          [smart-ass] n (1964): smart aleck -- smart-ass adj -- smart-assed
          adj

   smarten
          [smart.en] vb smart.ened ; smart.en.ing vt (1815): to make
          smart or smarter; esp: spruce--usu. used with up ~ vi:
          to smarten oneself--used with up

   [1]smart money
          [smart money] n [[3]smart] (1693): punitive damages [2]smart
          money n [[1]smart] (1926) 1: money ventured by one having
          inside information or much experience 2: well-informed
          bettors or speculators

   smartweed
          [smart.weed] n (ca. 1787): any of various polygonums with
          strong acid juice

   smarty
          [smarty] or smart.ie n, pl smart.ies (1861): smart aleck

   smarty-pants
          [smarty-pants] n pl but sing in constr (1941): smart aleck
          -- smarty-pants adj

   [1]smash
          [smash] n [perh. blend of [3]smack and [2]mash] (1725) 1
          a: a smashing blow or attack b: a hard overhand stroke
          (as in tennis or badminton) 2 a: the action or sound
          of smashing; esp: a wreck due to collision: crash b:
          utter collapse: ruin 3: a striking success: hit [2]smash
          vt (1778) 1: to break or crush by violence 2 a: to drive
          or throw violently esp. with a shattering or battering
          effect; also: to effect in this way b: to hit violently:
          batter c (1): to hit (as a tennis ball) with a hard overhand
          stroke (2): to drive (a ball) with a forceful stroke
          3: to destroy utterly: wreck ~ vi 1: to move or become
          propelled with violence or crashing effect <~ed into
          a tree> 2: to become wrecked 3: to go to pieces suddenly
          under collision or pressure -- smash.er n [3]smash adj
          (1923): being a smash: outstanding <a ~ hit>

   smashed
          [smashed] adj (ca. 1959) slang: drunk, intoxicated

   smashing
          [smash.ing] adj (1833) 1: that smashes: crushing <a ~ defeat>
          2: extraordinarily impressive or effective <a ~ performance>
          -- smash.ing.ly adv

   smashup
          [smash.up] n (1856) 1: a collision between vehicles 2: a
          complete collapse

   [1]smatter
          [smat.ter] vb [ME smateren] vi (15c): to talk superficially:
          babble ~ vt 1: to speak with spotty or superficial knowledge
          <~s French> 2: to dabble in -- smat.ter.er n [2]smatter
          n (1668): smattering

   smattering
          [smat.ter.ing] n (1538) 1: superficial piecemeal knowledge
          <a ~ of carpentry, house painting, bricklaying --Alva
          Johnston> 2: a small scattered number or amount <a ~
          of spectators>

   [1]smear
          [smear] n [ME smere, fr. OE smeoru; akin to OHG smero grease
          and prob. to OIr smiur marrow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a viscous
          or sticky substance b: a spot made by or as if by an
          unctuous or adhesive substance 2: material smeared on
          a surface (as of a microscopic slide); also: a preparation
          made by smearing material on a surface <a vaginal ~>
          3: a usu. unsubstantiated charge or accusation against
          a person or organization [2]smear vt (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          to overspread with something unctuous, viscous, or adhesive:
          daub b: to spread over a surface 2 a: to stain, smudge,
          or dirty by or as if by smearing b: sully, besmirch;
          specif: to vilify esp. by secretly and maliciously spreading
          grave charges and imputations 3: to obliterate, obscure,
          blur, blend, wipe out, or defeat by or as if by smearing
          -- smear.er n

   smearcase
          [smear.case] also smier.case n [modif. of G Schmierkase,
          fr. schmieren to smear + Kase cheese] (1829) chiefly
          Midland: cottage cheese

   smeary
          [smeary] adj (ca. 1529) 1: marked by or covered with smears
          2: liable to cause smears <~ lipstick>

   smectic
          [smec.tic] adj [L smecticus cleansing, having the properties
          of soap, fr. Gk smektikos, fr. smechein to clean] (1923):
          of, relating to, or being the phase of a liquid crystal
          characterized by arrangement of molecules in layers with
          the long molecular axes in a given layer being parallel
          to one another and those of other layers and perpendicular
          or slightly inclined to the plane of the layer--compare
          cholesteric, nematic

   smectite
          [smec.tite] n [smectis fuller's earth, modif. of Gk smektris
          kind of fuller's earth, fr. smechein to clean] (1811):
          montmorillonite -- smec.tit.ic adj

   smegma
          [smeg.ma] n [NL, fr. L, detergent, soap, fr. Gk smegma, fr.
          smechein to wash off, clean] (ca. 1819): the secretion
          of a sebaceous gland; specif: the cheesy sebaceous matter
          that collects between the glans penis and the foreskin
          or around the clitoris and labia minora

   [1]smell
          [smell] vb smelled or smelt ; smell.ing [ME] vt (12c) 1:
          to perceive the odor or scent of through stimuli affecting
          the olfactory nerves: get the odor or scent of with the
          nose 2: to detect or become aware of as if by the sense
          of smell 3: to emit the odor of ~ vi 1: to exercise the
          sense of smell 2 a (1): to have an odor or scent (2):
          to have a characteristic aura or atmosphere: smack <the
          accounts ... seemed to me to ~ of truth --R. S. Bourne>;
          also: seem, appear <the story didn't ~ right> b (1):
          to have an offensive odor: stink (2): to be of bad or
          questionable quality <all this from the moral point of
          view ~s --A. F. Wills> -- smell.er n -- smell a rat :
          to have a suspicion of something wrong [2]smell n (12c)
          1: the property of a thing that affects the olfactory
          organs: odor 2 a: the process, function, or power of
          smelling b: the special sense concerned with the perception
          of odor 3 a: a very small amount: trace <add only a ~
          of garlic> b: a pervading or characteristic quality:
          aura <the ~ of affluence, of power --Harry Hervey> 4:
          an act or instance of smelling syn smell, scent, odor,
          aroma mean the quality that makes a thing perceptible
          to the olfactory sense. smell implies solely the sensation
          without suggestion of quality or character <an odd smell
          permeated the room>. scent applies to the characteristic
          smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant
          <the scent of lilacs>. odor may imply a stronger or more
          readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to
          smell <a cheese with a strong odor>. aroma suggests a
          somewhat penetrating usu. pleasant odor <the aroma of
          freshly ground coffee>.

   smelling salts
          [smelling salts] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1840): a
          usu. scented aromatic preparation of ammonium carbonate
          and ammonia water used as a stimulant and restorative

   smelly
          [smelly] adj smell.i.er ; -est (1862): having a smell; esp:
          malodorous

   [1]smelt
          [smelt] n, pl smelts or smelt [ME, fr. OE; akin to Norw smelte
          whiting] (bef. 12c): any of a family (Osmeridae) of small
          salmonoid fishes that closely resemble the trouts in
          general structure, live along coasts and ascend rivers
          to spawn or are landlocked, and have delicate oily flesh
          with a distinctive odor and taste [2]smelt vt [D or LG
          smelten; akin to OHG smelzan to melt, OE meltan--more
          at melt] (1543) 1: to melt or fuse (as ore) often with
          an accompanying chemical change usu. to separate the
          metal 2: refine, reduce

   smelter
          [smelt.er] n (15c): one that smelts: a: a worker who smelts
          ore b: an owner or operator of a smeltery c or smelt.ery
          : an establishment for smelting

   smew
          [smew] n [akin to MHG smiehe smew] (1674): a small Eurasian
          merganser (Mergus albellus) with the male being white,
          gray, and black and the female chiefly gray but with
          a chestnut and white head

   smidgen
          [smid.gen] also smid.geon or smid.gin or smidge n [prob.
          alter. of E dial. smitch soiling mark] (1845): a small
          amount: bit

   smilax
          [smi.lax] n [L, bindweed, yew, fr. Gk] (1601) 1: greenbrier
          2: a tender twining plant (Asparagus asparagoides) of
          the lily family that has ovate bright green cladophylls
          and is often grown in greenhouses

   [1]smile
          [smile] vb smiled ; smil.ing [ME; akin to OE smerian to laugh,
          Skt smayate he smiles] vi (14c) 1: to have, produce,
          or exhibit a smile 2 a: to look or regard with amusement
          or ridicule <smiled at his own folly --Martin Gardner>
          b: to bestow approval <feeling that Heaven smiled on
          his labors --Sheila Rowlands> c: to appear pleasant or
          agreeable ~ vt 1: to affect with or by smiling 2: to
          express by a smile -- smil.er n -- smil.ey adj -- smil.ing.ly
          adv [2]smile n (15c) 1: a facial expression in which
          the eyes brighten and the corners of the mouth curve
          slightly upward and which expresses esp. amusement, pleasure,
          approval, or sometimes scorn 2: a pleasant or encouraging
          appearance -- smile.less adj

   smirch
          [smirch] vt [ME smorchen] (15c) 1 a: to make dirty, stained,
          or discolored: sully b: to smear with something that
          stains or dirties 2: to bring discredit or disgrace on
          -- smirch n

   smirk
          [smirk] vi [ME, fr. OE smearcian to smile; akin to OE smerian
          to laugh] (bef. 12c): to smile in an affected or smug
          manner: simper -- smirk n

   smirky
          [smirky] adj (1728): that smirks: smirking

   smite
          [smite] vb smote ; smit.ten or smote ; smit.ing [ME, fr.
          OE smitan to smear, defile; akin to OHG bismizan to defile]
          vt (12c) 1: to strike sharply or heavily esp. with the
          hand or an implement held in the hand 2 a: to kill or
          severely injure by smiting b: to attack or afflict suddenly
          and injuriously <smitten by disease> 3: to cause to strike
          4: to affect as if by striking <children smitten with
          the fear of hell --V. L. Parrington> 5: captivate, take
          <smitten with her beauty> ~ vi: to deliver or deal a
          blow with or as if with the hand or something held --
          smit.er n

   smith
          [smith] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG smid smith and prob. to
          Gk smile wood-carving knife] (bef. 12c) 1: a worker in
          metals: blacksmith 2: maker--often used in combination
          <gunsmith> <tunesmith>

   smithereens
          [smith.er.eens] n pl [perh. fr. Ir smidirini] (1829): fragments,
          bits <the house was blown to ~ by the explosion>

   smithery
          [smith.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1625) 1: the work, art, or trade
          of a smith 2: smithy 1

   Smithfield ham
          [Smith.field ham] n (1908): a Virginia ham produced in or
          near Smithfield, Va.

   smithsonite
          [smith.son.ite] n [James Smithson] (1856): a mineral that
          is a carbonate of zinc and constitutes an important ore
          of zinc

   smithy
          [smithy] n, pl smith.ies (13c) 1: the workshop of a smith
          2: blacksmith

   [1]smock
          [smock] n [ME smok, fr. OE smoc; akin to OHG smocco adornment]
          (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: a woman's undergarment; esp: chemise
          2: a light loose garment worn esp. for protection of
          clothing while working [2]smock vt (1888): to embroider
          or shirr with smocking

   smock frock
          [smock frock] n (ca. 1800): a loose outer garment worn by
          workmen esp. in Europe

   smocking
          [smock.ing] n (1888): a decorative embroidery or shirring
          made by gathering cloth in regularly spaced round tucks

   smog
          [smog] n [smoke + fog] (1905): a fog made heavier and darker
          by smoke and chemical fumes; also: a photochemical haze
          caused by the action of solar ultraviolet radiation on
          atmosphere polluted with hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen
          from automobile exhaust -- smog.less adj

   smoggy
          [smog.gy] adj smog.gi.er ; -est (1905): characterized by
          or abounding in smog

   smokable
          [smok.able] or smoke.able adj (1839): fit for smoking

   [1]smoke
          [smoke] n [ME, fr. OE smoca; akin to OE smeocan to emit smoke,
          MHG smouch smoke, and prob. to Gk smychein to smolder]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: the gaseous products of burning materials
          esp. of organic origin made visible by the presence of
          small particles of carbon b: a suspension of particles
          in a gas 2 a: a mass or column of smoke b: smudge 3:
          fume or vapor often resulting from the action of heat
          on moisture 4: something of little substance, permanence,
          or value 5: something that obscures 6 a (1): something
          (as a cigarette) to smoke (2): marijuana 2 b: an act
          or spell of smoking tobacco 7 a: a pale blue b: any of
          the colors of smoke 8: pitches that are fastballs <if
          a guy's going to hit you ... he certainly isn't going
          to throw a spitter--he gives you ~ --Tony Conigliaro>
          -- smoke.less adj -- smoke.like adj [2]smoke vb smoked
          ; smok.ing vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to emit or exhale smoke
          b: to emit excessive smoke 2 archaic: to undergo punishment:
          suffer 3: to spread or rise like smoke 4: to inhale and
          exhale the fumes of burning plant material and esp. tobacco;
          esp: to smoke tobacco habitually ~ vt 1 a: fumigate b:
          to drive (as mosquitoes) away by smoke c: to blacken
          or discolor with smoke <smoked glasses> d: to cure by
          exposure to smoke e: to stupefy (as bees) by smoke 2
          archaic: suspect 3: to inhale and exhale the smoke of
          4 archaic: ridicule

   smoke and mirrors
          [smoke and mirrors] n pl (1982): something intended to disguise
          or draw attention away esp. from an embarrassing or unpleasant
          issue--usu. hyphenated when used attributively

   smoke detector
          [smoke detector] n (ca. 1927): an alarm that activates
          automatically when it detects smoke

   smoke-filled room
          [smoke-filled room] n (1920): a room (as in a hotel) in which
          a small group of politicians carry on negotiations

   smokehouse
          [smoke.house] n (1746): a building where meat or fish is
          cured by means of dense smoke

   smokejack
          [smoke.jack] n (1675): a device for turning a spit by a fly
          or wheel moved by rising gases in a chimney

   smoke jumper
          [smoke jumper] n (1927): a forest firefighter who parachutes
          to locations otherwise difficult to reach

   smokeless powder
          [smokeless powder] n (1890): any of a class of explosive
          propellants that produce comparatively little smoke on
          explosion and consist mostly of gelatinized nitrocellulose

   smokeless tobacco
          [smokeless tobacco] n (1981): pulverized or shredded tobacco
          chewed or placed between cheek and gum

   smoke out
          [smoke out] vt (1593) 1: to drive out by or as if by smoke
          2: to cause to be made public

   smoker
          [smok.er] n (1599) 1: one that smokes 2: a railroad car or
          compartment in which smoking is allowed 3: an informal
          social gathering for men

   smoke screen
          [smoke screen] n (1915) 1: a screen of smoke to hinder enemy
          observation of a military force, area, or activity 2:
          something designed to obscure, confuse, or mislead

   [1]smokestack
          [smoke.stack] n (1859): a pipe or funnel through which smoke
          and gases are discharged [2]smokestack adj (1926): of,
          relating to, being, or characterized by manufacturing
          and esp. heavy industry <~ industries>

   smoke tree
          [smoke tree] n (1846): either of two small shrubby trees
          (genus Cotinus) of the cashew family with large panicles
          of minute flowers that suggest a cloud of smoke: a: one
          (C. coggygria) of the Old World that is widely planted
          in the eastern U.S. b: one (C. obovatus) of the southeastern
          U.S. and Texas

   smoking gun
          [smoking gun] n (1974): something that serves as conclusive
          evidence or proof esp. of a crime

   smoking jacket
          [smoking jacket] n (1878): a loose-fitting jacket or short
          robe for wear at home

   smoking lamp
          [smoking lamp] n (ca. 1881): a lamp on a ship kept lighted
          during the hours when smoking is allowed

   smoking room
          [smoking room] n (1689): a room (as in a hotel or club) set
          apart for smokers

   smoky
          [smoky] also smok.ey adj smok.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: emitting
          smoke esp. in large quantities 2 a: having the characteristics
          of or resembling smoke b: suggestive of smoke esp. in
          flavor or odor 3 a: filled with smoke b: made dark or
          black by or as if by smoke -- smok.i.ly adv -- smok.i.ness
          n

   smoky quartz
          [smoky quartz] n (1837): cairngorm

   smoky topaz
          [smoky topaz] n (1797): cairngorm

   smolder
          [smol.der] or smoul.der vi smol.dered or smoul.dered ; smol.der.ing
          or smoul.der.ing [ME smolderen to smother, fr. smolder smoke,
          smudge; akin to MD smolen to smolder] (1529) 1 a: to burn
          sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke
          b: to be consumed by smoldering--often used with out 2: to exist
          in a state of suppressed activity <hostilities ~ed for years>
          3: to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy <eyes ~ing with
          hate>

   smolt
          [smolt] n [ME (Sc)] (15c): a young salmon or sea trout about
          two years old that is at the stage of development when
          it assumes the silvery color of the adult and is ready
          to migrate to the sea

   [1]smooch
          [smooch] n (1578): kiss [2]smooch vi [alter. of smouch to
          kiss loudly] (1588): kiss, pet [3]smooch vt [prob. alter.
          of smutch, vb.] (1631): smudge, smear [4]smooch n (1825):
          smudge, smear -- smoochy adj

   [1]smooth
          [smooth] adj [ME smothe, fr. OE smoth; akin to OS smothi
          smooth] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): having a continuous even
          surface (2) of a curve: being the representation of a
          function with a continuous first derivative (3): having
          or being a short even coat of hair <a ~ collie>--compare
          rough, wirehaired b: being without hair c: glabrous <a
          ~ leaf> d: causing no resistance to sliding 2: free from
          difficulties or impediments <the ~ course of his life>
          3: even and uninterrupted in flow or flight 4: excessively
          and often artfully suave: ingratiating <a ~ operator>
          5 a: serene, equable <a ~ disposition> b: amiable, courteous
          6 a: not sharp or harsh <a ~ sherry> b: free from lumps
          syn see level, easy, suave -- smooth adv -- smooth.ly
          adv -- smooth.ness n [2]smooth vb smoothed ; smooth.ing
          ; smooths also smoothes vt (15c) 1: to make smooth 2
          a: to free from what is harsh or disagreeable: polish
          <~ed out his style> b: soothe 3: to minimize (as a fault)
          esp. in order to allay anger or ill will <his main job
          is to ~ over the friction that so often arises --Brian
          Crozier> 4: to free from obstruction or difficulty 5
          a: to press flat b: to remove expression from (one's
          face): compose 6: to cause to lie evenly and in order:
          preen 7: to free (as a graph or data) from irregularities
          ~ vi: to become smooth -- smooth.er n [3]smooth n (15c)
          1: a smooth part 2: the act of smoothing 3: a smoothing
          implement

   smoothbore
          [smooth.bore] adj (1799) of a firearm: having a barrel with
          an unrifled bore -- smoothbore n

   smooth breathing
          [smooth breathing] n (ca. 1888) 1: a mark ' placed over some
          initial vowels in Greek to show that they are not aspirated
          2: the absence of aspiration indicated by a mark '

   smoothen
          [smooth.en] vb smooth.ened ; smooth.en.ing vt (1635): to
          make smooth ~ vi: to become smooth

   smooth hound
          [smooth hound] n [fr. the absence of a spine in front of
          the dorsal fin] (1603): any of several dogfishes (genus
          Mustelus) closely related to or included with the requiem
          sharks

   smooth muscle
          [smooth muscle] n (ca. 1890): muscle tissue that lacks cross
          striations, that is made up of elongated spindle-shaped
          cells having a central nucleus, and that is found in
          vertebrate visceral structures (as the stomach and bladder)
          as thin sheets performing functions not subject to conscious
          control by the mind and in all or most of the musculature
          of invertebrates other than arthropods--compare striated
          muscle

   smooth-tongued
          [smooth-tongued] adj (1592): ingratiating in speech

   smoothy
          [smoothy] or smooth.ie n, pl smooth.ies (1904) 1: a smooth-tongued
          person 2 a: a person with polished manners b: one who behaves
          or performs with deftness, assurance, and easy competence; esp:
          a man with an ingratiating manner toward women

   smorgasbord
          [smor.gas.bord] n [Sw smorgasbord, fr. smorgas open sandwich
          + bord table] (1893) 1: a luncheon or supper buffet offering
          a variety of foods and dishes (as hors d'oeuvres, hot
          and cold meats, smoked and pickled fish, cheeses, salads,
          and relishes) 2: a heterogeneous mixture: melange

   smote
          [smote] past of smite

   [1]smother
          [smoth.er] n [ME, alter. of smorther, fr. smoren to smother,
          fr. OE smorian to suffocate; akin to MD smoren to suffocate]
          (13c) 1 a: thick stifling smoke or smudge b: a state
          of being stifled or suppressed 2: a dense cloud (as of
          fog, spray, or dust) 3: a confused multitude of things:
          welter -- smoth.ery adj [2]smother vb smoth.ered ; smoth.er.ing
          vi (ca. 1520): to be overcome or killed through or as
          if through lack of air ~ vt 1: to overcome or kill with
          smoke or fumes 2 a: to destroy the life of by depriving
          of air b: to overcome or discomfit through or as if through
          lack of air c: to suppress (a fire) by excluding oxygen
          3 a: to cause to smolder b: to suppress expression or
          knowledge of <~ed his rage> c: to stop or prevent the
          growth or activity of <~ a child with too much care>;
          also: overwhelm d: to cover thickly: blanket <snow ~ed
          the trails> e: to overcome or vanquish quickly or decisively
          4: to cook in a covered pan or pot with little liquid
          over low heat

   SMSA
          [SMSA] abbreviation Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area

   SMSgt
          [SMSgt] abbreviation senior master sergeant

   [1]smudge
          [smudge] vb smudged ; smudg.ing [ME smogen] vt (15c) 1 a:
          to make a smudge on b: to soil as if by smudging 2 a:
          to rub, daub, or wipe in a smeary manner b: to make indistinct:
          blur 3: to smoke or protect by means of a smudge ~ vi
          1: to make a smudge 2: to become smudged [2]smudge n
          (ca. 1774) 1 a: a blurry spot or streak b: an immaterial
          stain <cleanse him of every last ~ of impropriety --Richard
          Hanser> c: an indistinct mass: blur 2: a smoldering mass
          placed on the windward side (as to protect from frost)
          3: a bid of 4 in pitch that if made wins the game --
          smudg.i.ly adv -- smudg.i.ness n -- smudgy adj

   smug
          [smug] adj smug.ger ; smug.gest [prob. modif. of LG smuck
          neat, fr. MLG, fr. smucken to dress; akin to OE smoc
          smock] (1551) 1: trim or smart in dress: spruce 2: scrupulously
          clean, neat, or correct: tidy 3: highly self-satisfied
          -- smug.ly adv -- smug.ness n

   smuggle
          [smug.gle] vb smug.gled ; smug.gling [LG smuggeln & D smokkelen]
          vt (1687) 1: to import or export secretly contrary to
          the law and esp. without paying duties imposed by law
          2: to convey or introduce surreptitiously ~ vi: to import
          or export something in violation of the customs laws
          -- smug.gler n

   [1]smut
          [smut] vb smut.ted ; smut.ting [prob. alter. of earlier smot
          to stain, fr. ME smotten; akin to MHG smutzen to stain]
          vt (1587) 1: to stain or taint with smut 2: to affect
          (a crop or plant) with smut ~ vi: to become affected
          by smut [2]smut n (1664) 1: matter that soils or blackens;
          specif: a particle of soot 2: any of various destructive
          diseases esp. of cereal grasses caused by parasitic fungi
          (order Ustilaginales) and marked by transformation of
          plant organs into dark masses of spores; also: a fungus
          causing a smut 3: obscene language or matter

   smutch
          [smutch] n [akin to ME smogen to smudge] (1530): a dark stain:
          smudge -- smutch vt -- smutchy adj

   smutty
          [smut.ty] adj smut.ti.er ; -est (1597) 1: soiled or tainted
          with smut; esp: affected with smut fungus 2: obscene,
          indecent 3: resembling smut in appearance: sooty -- smut.ti.ly
          adv -- smut.ti.ness n

   SMV
          [SMV] abbreviation slow-moving vehicle

   sn...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Sn
          [Sn] [LL stannum] abbreviation tin  SN abbreviation seaman

   [1]snack
          [snack] n [ME snak bite, fr. snaken to bite, perh. fr. MD
          snacken to snap at--more at snatch] (1757): a light meal:
          food eaten between regular meals; also: food suitable
          for snacking [2]snack vi (1807): to eat a snack

   snack bar
          [snack bar] n (1930): a public eating place where snacks
          are served usu. at a counter

   [1]snaffle
          [snaf.fle] n [origin unknown] (1533): a simple usu. jointed
          bit for a bridle [2]snaffle vt snaf.fled ; snaf.fling
          [origin unknown] (1724): to obtain esp. by devious or
          irregular means

   [1]snafu
          [sna.fu] n [situation normal all fucked up (fouled up)] (ca.
          1941): confusion, muddle [2]snafu adj (1943): snarled
          or stalled in confusion: awry [3]snafu vt (1943): to
          bring into a state of confusion

   [1]snag
          [snag] n [of Scand origin; akin to ON snagi clothes p eg]
          (ca. 1587) 1 a: a tree or branch embedded in a lake or
          stream bed and constituting a hazard to navigation b:
          a standing dead tree 2: a rough sharp or jagged projecting
          part: protuberance: as a: a projecting tooth; also: a
          stump of a tooth b: one of the secondary branches of
          an antler 3: a concealed or unexpected difficulty or
          obstacle 4: a jagged tear made by or as if by catching
          on a snag <a ~ in her stocking> -- snag.gy adj [2]snag
          vt snagged ; snag.ging (1807) 1 a: to catch and usu.
          damage on or as if on a snag b: to halt or impede as
          if by catching on a snag 2: to hew, trim, or cut roughly
          or jaggedly 3: to clear (as a river) of snags 4: to catch
          or obtain by quick action or good fortune

   snaggletooth
          [snag.gle.tooth] n [E dial. snaggle irregularly shaped tooth
          + E tooth] (ca. 1825): an irregular, broken, or projecting
          tooth -- snag.gle.toothed adj

   [1]snail
          [snail] n [ME, fr. OE snaegl; akin to OHG snecko snail, snahhan
          to creep] (bef. 12c) 1: a gastropod mollusk esp. when
          having an external enclosing spiral shell 2: a slow-moving
          or sluggish person or thing -- snail.like adj [2]snail
          vi (1582): to move, act, or go slowly or lazily

   snail darter
          [snail darter] n (1975): a darter (Percina tanasi) of the
          Tennessee River drainage system of eastern Tennessee
          and northern Georgia

   snail fever
          [snail fever] n [fr. the snails which serve as intermediate
          hosts to the schistosomes causing the disease] (1947):
          schistosomiasis

   snail-paced
          [snail-paced] adj (1594): moving very slowly

   snail's pace
          [snail's pace] n (15c): an extremely slow pace

   [1]snake
          [snake] n [ME, fr. OE snaca; akin to ON snakr snake, OHG
          snahhan to crawl] (bef. 12c) 1: any of numerous limbless
          scaled reptiles (suborder Serpentes syn. Ophidia) with
          a long tapering body and with salivary glands often modified
          to produce venom which is injected through grooved or
          tubular fangs 2: a worthless or treacherous fellow 3:
          something (as a plumber's snake) resembling a snake --
          snake.like adj [2]snake vb snaked ; snak.ing vt (1653)
          1: to wind (as one's way) in the manner of a snake 2:
          to move (as logs) by dragging ~ vi: to crawl, move, or
          extend silently, secretly, or sinuously

   snakebird
          [snake.bird] n (1791): anhinga

   snakebit
          [snake.bit] or snake.bit.ten adj (1957): unlucky 1, 3

   snakebite
          [snake.bite] n (1839): the bite of a snake and esp. a venomous
          snake

   snake charmer
          [snake charmer] n (1836): an entertainer who exhibits a professed
          power to charm or fascinate venomous snakes

   snake dance
          [snake dance] n (1772) 1: a ceremonial dance in which snakes
          or their images are handled, invoked, or symbolically
          imitated by individual sinuous actions 2: a group progression
          in a single-file serpentine path (as in celebration of
          an athletic victory)

   snake-dance
          [snake-dance] vi (1922): to engage in a snake dance

   snake doctor
          [snake doctor] n (1862) 1: dragonfly 2: hellgrammite

   snake fence
          [snake fence] n (1805): worm fence

   snake in the grass
          [snake in the grass] (1696): a secretly faithless friend

   snake oil
          [snake oil] n (1927) 1: any of various substances or mixtures
          sold (as by a traveling medicine show) as medicine usu.
          without regard to their medical worth or properties 2:
          poppycock, bunkum

   snake pit
          [snake pit] n (1946) 1: a hospital for mental diseases 2:
          a place or state of chaotic disorder and distress

   snakeroot
          [snake.root] n (1635): any of numerous plants (as seneca
          snakeroot) most of which have roots sometimes believed
          to cure snakebites; also: the root of such a plant

   snakeskin
          [snake.skin] n (1825): leather prepared from the skin of
          a snake

   snakeweed
          [snake.weed] n (1597): any of various plants popularly associated
          with snakes (as in appearance, habitat, or the treatment
          of snakebite); esp: any of an American genus (Gutierrezia)
          of composite herbs or low shrubs with clustered yellow
          flower heads

   snaky
          [snaky] also snak.ey adj (1567) 1: of, formed of, or entwined
          with snakes <the Gorgon with ~ hair --Joseph Addison>
          2: serpentine, snakelike <~ coils> 3: suggestive of a
          snake <the oiliness and ~ insinuation of his demeanor
          --Thomas DeQuincy> 4: abounding in snakes -- snak.i.ly
          adv

   [1]snap
          [snap] vb snapped ; snap.ping [D or LG snappen; akin to MHG
          snappen to snap] vi (1530) 1 a: to make a sudden closing
          of the jaws: seize something sharply with the mouth <fish
          snapping at the bait> b: to grasp at something eagerly:
          make a pounce or snatch <~ at any chance> 2: to utter
          sharp biting words: bark out irritable or peevish retorts
          3 a: to break suddenly with a sharp sound <the twig snapped>
          b: to give way suddenly under strain 4: to make a sharp
          or crackling sound 5: to close or fit in place with an
          abrupt movement or sharp sound <the lock snapped shut>
          6 a: to move briskly or sharply <~s to attention> b:
          to undergo a sudden and rapid change (as from one condition
          to another) <~ out of it> <snapped awake> 7: sparkle,
          flash <eyes snapping with fury> ~ vt 1: to seize with
          or as if with a snap of the jaws 2: to take possession
          or advantage of suddenly or eagerly--usu. used with up
          <shoppers snapping up bargains> 3 a: to retort to or
          interrupt curtly and irritably b: to utter curtly or
          abruptly 4: to break suddenly: break short or in two
          5 a: to cause to make a snapping sound <~ a whip> b:
          to put into or remove from a particular position by a
          sudden movement or with a sharp sound <~ the lock shut>
          6 a: to project with a snap b: to put (a football) in
          play with a snap c (1): to take photographically <snapping
          exclusive news pictures --Current Biog.> (2): to take
          a snapshot of [2]snap n (1555) 1: an abrupt closing (as
          of the mouth in biting or of scissors in cutting) 2 a
          archaic: a share of profits or booty b: something that
          brings quick and easy profit or advantage c: something
          that is easy and presents no problems: cinch 3: a small
          amount: bit 4 a: an act or instance of seizing abruptly:
          a sudden snatching at something b: a quick short movement
          <lithe ~s of its body --Barbara Taylor> c: a sudden sharp
          breaking 5 a: a sound made by snapping something <shut
          the book with a ~> b: a brief sharp and usu. irritable
          speech or retort 6: a sudden spell of weather <a cold
          ~> 7: a catch or fastening that closes or locks with
          a click <the ~ of a bracelet> 8: a flat brittle cookie--compare
          gingersnap 9: snapshot 10 a: the condition of being vigorous
          in body, mind, or spirit: alertness, energy b: a pleasing
          vigorous quality 11: the act of a center's putting the
          football in play from its position on the ground by quickly
          passing it between his legs to a teammate (as a quarterback)
          standing behind him [3]snap adv (1583): with a snap [4]snap
          adj (1739) 1: done, made, or carried through suddenly
          or without deliberation <a ~ judgment> 2: called or taken
          without prior warning <a ~ election> 3: fastening with
          a snap <a ~ lock> 4: unusually easy or simple <a ~ course>

   snapback
          [snap.back] n (1887) 1: a football snap 2: a sudden rebound
          or recovery <a ~ of prices on the stock exchange>

   snap back
          [snap back] vi (1945): to make a quick or vigorous recovery

   snap bean
          [snap bean] n (1770): a bean grown primarily for its pods
          that are usu. broken in pieces and cooked as a vegetable
          while young and tender and before the seeds have become
          enlarged--compare shell bean

   snap-brim
          [snap-brim] n, often attrib (ca. 1908): a usu. felt hat with
          brim turned up in back and down in front and with a dented
          crown

   snapdragon
          [snap.drag.on] n [fr. the fancied resemblance of the flowers
          to the face of a dragon] (1593): any of a genus (Antirrhinum
          and esp. the widely cultivated A. majus of the family
          Scrophulariaceae, the snapdragon family) of herbs having
          showy white, crimson, or yellow bilabiate flowers

   snap-on
          [snap-on] adj (1925): designed to snap into position and
          fit tightly <~ cuffs>

   snap pea
          [snap pea] n (1980): a cultivated pea that has edible usu.
          round pods easily snapped like beans and that is classified
          with the snow pea as a variety (Pisum sativum macrocarpon)--called
          also sugar snap pea

   snapper
          [snap.per] n, pl snappers (ca. 1587) 1: one that snaps: as
          a: something (as a remark) that gives new orientation
          to a situation or utterance b (1): snapping turtle (2):
          click beetle 2 pl also snapper a: any of numerous active
          carnivorous fishes (family Lutjanidae) of warm seas important
          as food and often as sport fishes b: any of several immature
          fishes (as the young of the bluefish) that resemble a
          snapper

   snapper-back
          [snap.per-back] n (1887): a football center

   snapping turtle
          [snapping turtle] n (1784): either of two large American
          aquatic turtles (family Chelydridae) with powerful jaws
          and a strong musky odor: a: one (Chelydra serpentina)
          that has the head covered with smooth skin, has large
          plates in a double row on the underside of the tail,
          and is distributed from eastern Canada to Central America
          b: alligator snapper

   snappish
          [snap.pish] adj (1542) 1 a: given to curt irritable speech
          b: arising from annoyance or irascibility 2: inclined
          to bite <a ~ dog> -- snap.pish.ly adv -- snap.pish.ness
          n

   snappy
          [snap.py] adj snap.pi.er ; -est (1746) 1: snappish 1 2 a:
          quickly made or done b: marked by vigor or liveliness
          c: briskly cold d: stylish, smart <a ~ dresser> -- snap.pi.ly
          adv -- snap.pi.ness n

   snap roll
          [snap roll] n (ca. 1934): an airplane maneuver in which a
          rapid full revolution is completed about the plane's
          longitudinal axis while an approximately level line of
          flight is maintained

   snapshooter
          [snap.shoot.er] n (1896): a person who takes snapshots

   snapshot
          [snap.shot] n (1890) 1: a casual photograph made typically
          by an amateur with a small handheld camera 2: an impression
          or view of something brief or transitory

   [1]snare
          [snare] n [ME, fr. OE sneare, fr. ON snara; akin to OHG snuor
          cord and perh. to Gk narke numbness] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1):
          a contrivance often consisting of a noose for entangling
          birds or mammals (2): trap, gin b (1): something by which
          one is entangled, involved in difficulties, or impeded
          (2): something deceptively attractive 2 [prob. fr. D
          snaar, lit., cord; akin to OHG snuor] a: one of the catgut
          strings or metal spirals of a snare drum b: snare drum
          3: a surgical instrument consisting usu. of a wire loop
          constricted by a mechanism in the handle and used for
          removing tissue masses (as tonsils) [2]snare vt snared
          ; snar.ing (14c) 1 a: to capture by or as if by use of
          a snare b: to win or attain by artful or skillful maneuvers
          2: to entangle or hold as if in a snare <any object that
          snared his eye --Current Biog.> syn see catch -- snar.er
          n

   snare drum
          [snare drum] n (ca. 1859): a small double-headed drum with
          one or more snares stretched across its lower head--see
          drum illustration

   snarky
          [snarky] adj [dial. snark to annoy, perh. alter. of nark
          to irritate] (1906): crotchety, snappish

   [1]snarl
          [snarl] vb [[2]snarl] vt (14c) 1: to cause to become knotted
          and intertwined: tangle 2: to make excessively complicated
          ~ vi: to become snarled -- snarl.er n [2]snarl n [ME
          snarle, prob. dim. of snare] (1609) 1: a tangle esp.
          of hairs or thread: knot 2: a tangled situation <traffic
          ~s> -- snarly adj [3]snarl vb [freq. of obs. E snar to
          growl] vi (1589) 1: to growl with a snapping or gnashing
          of teeth 2: to give vent to anger in surly language ~
          vt: to utter or express with a snarl or by snarling --
          snarl.er n [4]snarl n (1613): a surly angry growl --
          snarly adj

   [1]snatch
          [snatch] vb [ME snacchen to give a sudden snap, seize; akin
          to MD snacken to snap at] vi (13c): to attempt to seize
          something suddenly ~ vt: to take or grasp abruptly or
          hastily; also: to seize or grab suddenly without permission,
          ceremony, or right syn see take -- snatch.er n [2]snatch
          n (1563) 1 a: a brief period <caught ~es of sleep> b:
          a brief, fragmentary, or hurried part: bit <caught ~es
          of the conversation> 2 a: a snatching at or of something
          b slang: an act or instance of kidnapping 3: a lift in
          weight lifting in which the weight is raised from the
          floor directly to an overhead position in a single motion--compare
          clean and jerk, press 4: the female pudenda--usu. considered vulgar

   snatch block
          [snatch block] n (ca. 1625): a block that can be opened on
          one side to receive the bight of a rope

   snath
          [snath] or snathe n [ME snede, fr. OE snaed] (1574): the
          handle of a scythe

   snazzy
          [snaz.zy] adj snaz.zi.er ; -est [origin unknown] (ca. 1932):
          conspicuously or flashily attractive: fancy

   SNCC
          [SNCC] abbreviation Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

   [1]sneak
          [sneak] vb sneaked or snuck ; sneak.ing [akin to OE snican
          to sneak along, ON snikja] vi (1596) 1: to go stealthily
          or furtively: slink 2: to act in or as if in a furtive
          manner 3: to carry the football on a quarterback sneak
          ~ vt: to put, bring, or take in a furtive or artful manner
          <~ a smoke> syn see lurk -- sneak up on : to approach
          or act on stealthily usage From its earliest appearance
          in print in the late 19th century as a dialectal and
          prob. uneducated form, the past and past participle snuck
          has risen to the status of standard and to approximate
          equality with sneaked. Indications are that it is continuing
          to grow in frequency. It is most common in the U.S. and
          Canada, but has also been spotted in British and Australian
          English. [2]sneak n (ca. 1643) 1: a person who acts in
          a stealthy, furtive, or shifty manner 2 a: a stealthy
          or furtive move b: an unobserved departure or escape
          3: sneaker 2 4: quarterback sneak [3]sneak adj (ca. 1859)
          1: carried on secretly: clandestine 2: occurring without
          warning: surprise <a ~ attack>

   sneaker
          [sneak.er] n (1598) 1: one that sneaks 2: a usu. canvas sports
          shoe with a pliable rubber sole -- sneak.ered adj

   sneaking
          [sneak.ing] adj (1582) 1: mean, contemptible 2: characteristic
          of a sneak: furtive, underhanded 3 a: not openly expressed
          or acknowledged <he has a ~ respect for culture --H.
          A. Burton> b: that is a persistent conjecture <a ~ suspicion>
          -- sneak.ing.ly adv

   sneak preview
          [sneak preview] n (ca. 1937): a special advance showing of
          a motion picture usu. announced but not named

   sneak thief
          [sneak thief] n (ca. 1859): a thief who steals whatever is
          readily available without using violence or forcibly
          breaking into buildings

   sneaky
          [sneaky] adj sneak.i.er ; -est (1833): marked by stealth,
          furtiveness, or shiftiness -- sneak.i.ly adv -- sneak.i.ness
          n

   [1]sneap
          [sneap] vt [ME snaipen, prob. of Scand origin; akin to Icel
          sneypa to scold--more at snub] (14c) 1 archaic: to blast
          or blight with cold: nip 2 dial Eng: chide [2]sneap n
          (1597) archaic: rebuke, snub

   sneck
          [sneck] n [ME snekke] (14c) chiefly dial: latch

   [1]sneer
          [sneer] vb [prob. akin to MHG snerren to chatter, gossip--more
          at snore] vi (1680) 1: to smile or laugh with facial
          contortions that express scorn or contempt 2: to speak
          or write in a scornfully jeering manner ~ vt: to utter
          with a sneer syn see scoff -- sneer.er n [2]sneer n (1707):
          the act of sneering; also: a sneering expression or remark

   [1]sneeze
          [sneeze] vi sneezed ; sneez.ing [ME snesen, alter. of fnesen,
          fr. OE fneosan; akin to MHG pfnusen to snort, sneeze,
          Gk pnein to breathe] (14c): to make a sudden violent
          spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose
          and mouth esp. as a reflex act -- sneez.er n -- sneeze
          at : to make light of [2]sneeze n (1646): an act or instance
          of sneezing

   sneezeweed
          [sneeze.weed] n (ca. 1837): any of several composite plants;
          esp: a No. American perennial herb (Helenium autumnale)
          with yellow ray flowers and a darker globose disk

   sneezy
          [sneezy] adj (1839): given to or causing sneezing

   [1]snell
          [snell] adj [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG snel bold, agile] (bef.
          12c) 1 chiefly Scot: quick, acute 2 chiefly Scot: keen,
          piercing <a ~ wind smote us --Scotsman> 3 chiefly Scot:
          grievous, severe [2]snell n [origin unknown] (1846):
          a short line (as of gut) by which a fishhook is attached
          to a longer line

   SNF
          [SNF] abbreviation skilled nursing facility

   SNG
          [SNG] abbreviation substitute natural gas, synthetic natural
          gas

   [1]snick
          [snick] vb [prob. fr. obs. snick or snee to engage
          in cut-and-thrust fighting--more at snickersnee] vt (ca. 1700)
          1 archaic: to cut through 2: to cut slightly: nick ~ vi: to perform
          a light cutting action [2]snick n (ca. 1775): a small cut: nick
          [3]snick vb [imit.] (1828): click [4]snick n (ca. 1886): a slight
          often metallic sound: click

   [1]snicker
          [snick.er] vi snick.ered ; snick.er.ing [origin unknown]
          (1694): to laugh in a covert or partly suppressed manner:
          titter -- snick.er.er n -- snick.ery adj [2]snicker n
          (1835): an act or sound of snickering

   snickersnee
          [snick.er.snee] n [obs. snick or snee to engage in cut-and-thrust
          fighting, alter. of earlier steake or snye, fr. D steken
          of snijden to thrust or cut] (ca. 1775): a large knife

   snide
          [snide] adj [origin unknown] (ca. 1859) 1 a: false, counterfeit
          b: practicing deception: dishonest <a ~ merchant> 2:
          unworthy of esteem: low <a ~ trick> 3: slyly disparaging:
          insinuating <~ remarks> -- snide.ly adv -- snide.ness
          n

   [1]sniff
          [sniff] vb [ME] vi (14c) 1: to draw air audibly up the nose
          esp. for smelling <~ed at the flowers> 2: to show or
          express disdain or scorn ~ vt 1: to smell or take by
          inhalation through the nose 2: to utter contemptuously
          3: to recognize or detect by or as if by smelling <~
          out trouble> [2]sniff n (1767) 1: an act or sound of
          sniffing 2: a quantity that is sniffed

   sniffer
          [sniff.er] n (1864): one that sniffs; esp: one who takes
          drugs illicitly by sniffing

   sniffish
          [sniff.ish] adj (1923): having or expressing a haughty attitude:
          disdainful, supercilious -- sniff.ish.ly adv -- sniff.ish.ness
          n

   [1]sniffle
          [snif.fle] vi snif.fled ; snif.fling [freq. of sniff] (1632)
          1: to sniff repeatedly: snuffle 2: to speak with or as
          if with sniffling -- snif.fler n [2]sniffle n (ca. 1825)
          1 pl: a head cold marked by nasal discharge 2: an act
          or sound of sniffling

   sniffy
          [sniffy] adj sniff.i.er ; -est (1871): sniffish, supercilious
          -- sniff.i.ly adv -- sniff.i.ness n

   snifter
          [snif.ter] n [E dial., sniff, snort, fr. ME, to sniff, snort]
          (1844) 1: a small drink of distilled liquor 2: a short-stemmed
          goblet with a bowl narrowing toward the top

   [1]snigger
          [snig.ger] vi snig.gered ; snig.ger.ing [by alter.] (ca.
          1706): snicker -- snig.ger.er n [2]snigger n (ca. 1823):
          snicker

   sniggle
          [snig.gle] vb snig.gled ; snig.gling [E dial. snig small
          eel, fr. ME snygge] vi (1653): to fish for eels by thrusting
          a baited hook or needle into their hiding places ~ vt:
          to catch (an eel) by sniggling

   [1]snip
          [snip] n [fr. or akin to D & LG snip; akin to MHG snipfen
          to snap the fingers] (1558) 1 a: a small piece that is
          snipped off; also: fragment, bit b: a cut or notch made
          by snipping c: an act or sound of snipping 2: a white
          or light mark; esp: a white spot between the nostrils
          of a horse 3: a presumptuous or impertinent person; esp:
          an impertinent or saucy girl 4 Brit: bargain, buy [2]snip
          vb snipped ; snip.ping vt (1586): to cut or cut off with
          or as if with shears or scissors; specif: to clip suddenly
          or by bits ~ vi: to make a short quick cut with or as
          if with shears or scissors -- snip.per n

   [1]snipe
          [snipe] n, pl snipes [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON snipa
          snipe; akin to OHG snepfa snipe] (14c) 1 or pl snipe
          : any of various usu. slender-billed birds of the same
          family as the sandpipers; esp: any of several game birds
          (esp. genus Gallinago) esp. of marshy areas 2: a contemptible
          person [2]snipe vi sniped ; snip.ing (1832) 1: to shoot
          at exposed individuals (as of an enemy's forces) from
          a usu. concealed point of vantage 2: to aim a carping
          or snide attack -- snip.er n

   sniperscope
          [snip.er.scope] n (1941): an optical device for use esp.
          with a rifle that allows a person to see targets better
          in the dark

   snippersnapper
          [snip.per.snap.per] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1590): whippersnapper

   snippet
          [snip.pet] n [[1]snip] (1664): a small part, piece, or thing;
          esp: a brief quotable passage

   snippety
          [snip.pety] adj (1864) 1: made up of snippets 2 [prob. fr.
          [2]snip + -ety (as in pernickety)]: snippy

   snippy
          [snip.py] adj snip.pi.er ; -est [[2]snip] (ca. 1848)
          1: short-tempered, snappish 2: unduly brief or curt 3: putting
          on airs: sniffy -- snip.pi.ly adv

   snips
          [snips] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1846): hand shears
          used esp. for cutting sheet metal

   snit
          [snit] n [origin unknown] (1939): a state of agitation

   [1]snitch
          [snitch] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1785): one that snitches:
          tattletale [2]snitch vi (1801): inform, tattle -- snitch.er
          n [3]snitch vt [prob. alter. of snatch] (1904): to take
          by stealth: pilfer

   [1]snivel
          [sniv.el] vi -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling [ME, fr.
          (assumed) OE snyflan; akin to D snuffelen to snuffle,
          snuffen to sniff] (14c) 1: to run at the nose 2: to snuff
          mucus up the nose audibly: snuffle 3: to cry or whine
          with snuffling 4: to speak or act in a whining, sniffling,
          tearful, or weakly emotional manner -- sniv.el.er n [2]snivel
          n (1600) 1 pl, dial: head cold 2: an act or instance
          of sniveling

   snob
          [snob] n [origin unknown] (1781) 1 Brit: cobbler 2: one who
          blatantly imitates, fawningly admires, or vulgarly seeks
          association with those regarded as social superiors 3
          a: one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded
          as inferior b: one who has an offensive air of superiority
          in matters of knowledge or taste

   snob appeal
          [snob appeal] n (1933): qualities in a product that appeal
          to the snobbery in a purchaser

   snobbery
          [snob.bery] n, pl -ber.ies (1843) 1: snobbish conduct or
          character: snobbishness 2: an instance of snobbery

   snobbish
          [snob.bish] adj (1840): being, characteristic of, or befitting
          a snob -- snob.bish.ly adv -- snob.bish.ness n

   snobbism
          [snob.bism] n (1845): snobbery

   snobby
          [snob.by] adj snob.bi.er ; -est (1846): characterized by
          snobbery

   sno-cone
          [sno-cone] var of snow cone

   snollygoster
          [snol.ly.gos.ter] n [prob. alter. of snallygaster a mythical
          creature that preys on poultry and children] (ca. 1860):
          a shrewd unprincipled person

   [1]snood
          [snood] n [(assumed) ME, fr. OE snod] (bef. 12c) 1 a Scot:
          a fillet or band for a woman's hair b: a net or fabric
          bag pinned or tied on at the back of a woman's head for
          holding the hair 2: snell [2]snood vt (1714): to secure
          with a snood

   [1]snook
          [snook] n, pl snook or snooks [D snoek pike, snook] (1697)
          1: a large vigorous bony fish (Centropomus undecimalis
          of the family Centropomidae) of warm seas and rivers
          that is a prized food and sport fish 2: any of various
          marine fishes of the same family as the snook [2]snook
          n [origin unknown] (1879): a gesture of derision made
          by thumbing the nose

   [1]snooker
          [snook.er] n [origin unknown] (1889): a variation of pool
          played with 15 red balls and 6 variously colored balls
          [2]snooker vt (1925): to make a dupe of: hoodwink

   [1]snoop
          [snoop] vi [D snoepen to buy or eat on the sly; akin to D
          snappen to snap] (1832): to look or pry esp. in a sneaking
          or meddlesome manner -- snoop.er n [2]snoop n (ca. 1890):
          one that snoops

   snoopy
          [snoopy] adj (ca. 1895): given to snooping esp. for personal
          information about others -- snoop.i.ly adv

   [1]snoot
          [snoot] n [ME snute] (1861) 1 a: snout b: nose 2: a grimace
          expressive of contempt 3: a snooty person: snob [2]snoot
          vt (1928): to treat with disdain: look down one's nose
          at

   snooty
          [snooty] adj snoot.i.er ; -est (1919) 1: looking down the
          nose: showing disdain <~ people who won't speak to their
          neighbors> 2: characterized by snobbery <a ~ store> --
          snoot.i.ly adv -- snoot.i.ness n

   [1]snooze
          [snooze] vi snoozed ; snooz.ing [origin unknown] (1788):
          to take a nap: doze -- snooz.er n [2]snooze n (1793):
          nap

   snoozle
          [snoo.zle] vb snoo.zled ; snoo.zling [perh. blend of snooze
          and nuzzle] (1831) chiefly dial: nuzzle

   [1]snore
          [snore] vb snored ; snor.ing [ME; akin to MLG snorren to
          drone, MHG snerren to chatter] vi (15c): to breathe during
          sleep with a rough hoarse noise due to vibration of the
          soft palate ~ vt: to spend (time) in snoring or sleeping
          -- snor.er n [2]snore n (1605) 1: an act of snoring 2:
          a noise of or as if of snoring

   [1]snorkel
          [snor.kel] n [G Schnorchel] (1944) 1: a tube housing air
          intake and exhaust pipes for a submarine's diesel engine
          that can be extended above the water's surface so that
          the engines can be operated while the submarine is submerged
          2: any of various devices (as for an underwater swimmer)
          resembling a snorkel in function [2]snorkel vi snor.keled
          ; snor.kel.ing (1949): to operate or swim submerged with
          only a snorkel above water -- snor.kel.er n

   [1]snort
          [snort] vb [ME] vi (14c) 1 a: to force air violently through
          the nose with a rough harsh sound b: to express scorn,
          anger, indignation, or surprise by a snort 2: to emit
          explosive sounds resembling snorts 3: to take in a drug
          by inhalation ~ vt 1: to utter with or express by a snort
          2: to expel or emit with or as if with snorts 3: to take
          in (a drug) by inhalation [2]snort n (1808) 1: an act
          or sound of snorting 2: a drink of usu. straight liquor
          taken in one draft

   snorter
          [snort.er] n (1601) 1: one that snorts 2: something that
          is extraordinary or prominent: humdinger 3: snort 2

   snot
          [snot] n [ME, fr. OE gesnot; akin to OHG snuzza nasal mucus]
          (15c) 1: nasal mucus 2: a snotty person

   snotty
          [snot.ty] adj snot.ti.er ; -est (ca. 1570) 1: foul with nasal
          mucus 2: annoyingly or spitefully unpleasant -- snot.ti.ly
          adv -- snot.ti.ness n

   snout
          [snout] n [ME snute; akin to MD snut snout, G Schnauze] (13c)
          1 a (1): a long projecting nose (as of a swine) (2):
          an anterior prolongation of the head of various animals
          (as a weevil): rostrum b: the human nose esp. when large
          or grotesque 2: something resembling an animal's snout
          in position, function, or shape: as a: prow b: nozzle
          c: the terminal face of a glacier -- snout.ed adj --
          snout.ish adj -- snouty adj

   snout beetle
          [snout beetle] n (1862): weevil

   [1]snow
          [snow] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE snaw; akin to OHG sneo
          snow, L niv-, nix, Gk nipha (acc.)] (bef. 12c) 1 a: precipitation
          in the form of small white ice crystals formed directly
          from the water vapor of the air at a temperature of less
          than 32 degrees F (0 degrees C) b (1): a descent or shower
          of snow crystals (2): a mass of fallen snow crystals
          2: something resembling snow: as a: a dessert made of
          stiffly beaten whites of eggs, sugar, and fruit pulp
          <apple ~> b: a usu. white crystalline substance that
          condenses from a fluid phase as snow does <ammonia ~>
          c slang (1): cocaine (2): heroin d: small transient light
          or dark spots on a television screen -- snow.less adj
          [2]snow vi (14c): to fall in or as snow ~ vt 1: to cause
          to fall like or as snow 2 a: to cover, shut in, or imprison
          with or as if with snow b: to deceive, persuade, or charm
          glibly 3: to whiten like snow

   [1]snowball
          [snow.ball] n (15c) 1 a: a round mass of snow pressed or
          rolled together b: shaved ice molded into a ball and
          flavored with a syrup 2: any of several cultivated shrubs
          (genus Viburnum) with clusters of white sterile flowers--called
          also snowball bush [2]snowball vt (1854) 1: to throw
          snowballs at 2: to cause to increase or multiply at a
          rapidly accelerating rate ~ vi 1: to engage in throwing
          snowballs 2: to increase, accumulate, expand, or multiply
          at a rapidly accelerating rate

   snowbank
          [snow.bank] n (1779): a mound or slope of snow

   snowbelt
          [snow.belt] n, often cap (1874): a region that receives an
          appreciable amount of annual snowfall

   snowberry
          [snow.ber.ry] n (1760): any of several white-berried shrubs
          (esp. genus Symphoricarpos of the honeysuckle family);
          esp: a low-growing No. American shrub (S. albus) with
          pink flowers in small axillary clusters

   snowbird
          [snow.bird] n (1674) 1: any of several birds (as a junco
          or fieldfare) seen chiefly in winter 2: one who travels
          to warm climes for the winter

   snow blindness
          [snow blindness] n (1748): inflammation and photophobia caused
          by exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet rays reflected
          from snow or ice -- snow-blind or snow-blind.ed adj

   snowblower
          [snow.blow.er] n (1950): snow thrower

   snowboard
          [snow.board] n (1981): a board like a wide ski ridden in
          a surfing position downhill over snow -- snow.boarder
          n -- snow.board.ing n

   snowbound
          [snow.bound] adj (1814): shut in or blockaded by snow

   snowbrush
          [snow.brush] n (ca. 1923): a spreading white-flowered western
          No. American shrub (Ceanothus velutinus) of the buckthorn
          family with scented leaves and panicles of small flowers

   snowcap
          [snow.cap] n (1871): a covering cap of snow (as on a mountain
          peak) -- snow.capped adj

   snow cone
          [snow cone] n (1964): snowball 1b

   snow crab
          [snow crab] n (1974): either of two crabs (Chionoecetes opilio
          and C. bairdi) of the northern Pacific Ocean and esp.
          Alaska marketed for food

   snowdrift
          [snow.drift] n (14c): a bank of drifted snow

   snowdrop
          [snow.drop] n (1664): a bulbous European herb (Galanthus
          nivalis) of the amaryllis family bearing nodding white
          flowers that often appear while the snow is on the ground

   snowfall
          [snow.fall] n (1821): a fall of snow; specif: the amount
          of snow that falls in a single storm or in a given period

   snow fence
          [snow fence] n (1872): a usu. slatted fence placed across
          the path of prevailing winds to protect (as a building,
          road, or railroad track) from drifting snow by disrupting
          the flow of wind and causing the snow to be deposited
          on the lee side of the fence

   snowfield
          [snow.field] n (1845): a broad level expanse of snow; esp:
          a mass of perennial snow at the head of a glacier

   snowflake
          [snow.flake] n (1734) 1: a flake or crystal of snow 2: any
          of a genus (Leucojum) of bulbous plants of the amaryllis
          family; esp: one (L. vernum) resembling the snowdrop

   snow goose
          [snow goose] n (1771): a wild goose (Anser caerulescens syn.
          Chen caerulescens) that has a pinkish bill and exists
          either as a white form with black primaries or as a grayish
          black form with a white head

   snow job
          [snow job] n (1943): an intensive effort at persuasion or
          deception

   snow leopard
          [snow leopard] n (1866): a large cat (Panthera uncia) of
          upland central Asia with long heavy grayish white fur
          irregularly marked with brownish black spots, rosettes,
          and rings

   snow line
          [snow line] n (ca. 1835): the lower margin of a perennial
          snowfield

   snowmaker
          [snow.mak.er] n (1954): a device for making snow artificially

   snowmaking
          [snow.mak.ing] adj (1953): used for the production of artificial
          snow usu. for ski slopes <~ machines>

   snowman
          [snow.man] n (1827): snow shaped to resemble a human figure

   snowmelt
          [snow.melt] n (ca. 1946): runoff produced by the melting
          of snow

   snowmobile
          [snow.mo.bile] n (1923): any of various automotive vehicles
          for travel on snow; specif: an open vehicle for usu.
          one or two persons with steerable skis on the front and
          an endless belt at the rear

   snowmobiling
          [snow.mo.bil.ing] n (1964): the sport of driving a snowmobile
          -- snow.mo.bil.er also snow.mo.bil.ist n

   snow-on-the-mountain
          [snow-on-the-mountain] n (1873): a spurge (Euphorbia marginata)
          of the central and western U.S. that has showy white-bracted
          flower clusters and is grown as an ornamental

   snowpack
          [snow.pack] n (ca. 1946): a seasonal accumulation of slow-melting
          packed snow

   snow pea
          [snow pea] n (1949): a cultivated pea with flat edible pods
          that is classified with the snap pea as a variety (Pisum
          sativum macrocarpon)

   snow plant
          [snow plant] n (1846): a fleshy bright-red saprophytic chiefly
          California herb (Sarcodes sanguinea) of the wintergreen
          family that grows in high-altitude coniferous woods and
          often appears before the snow melts

   [1]snowplow
          [snow.plow] n (1792) 1: any of various devices used for clearing
          away snow 2: a stemming with both skis used for coming
          to a stop, slowing down, or descending slowly [2]snowplow
          vi (1904): to execute a snowplow <~ed to a stop>

   snow pudding
          [snow pudding] n (1876): a pudding made very fluffy and light
          by the addition of whipped egg whites and gelatin

   snowscape
          [snow.scape] n (1886): a landscape covered with snow

   snowshed
          [snow.shed] n (1868): a shelter against snowslides

   [1]snowshoe
          [snow.shoe] n (1666): a light oval frame that is strengthened
          by two crosspieces, strung with thongs, and attached
          to the foot and that is used to enable a person to walk
          on soft snow without sinking [2]snowshoe vi snow.shoed
          ; snow.shoe.ing (1880): to travel on snowshoes -- snow.sho.er
          n

   snowshoe hare
          [snowshoe hare] n (ca. 1890): a hare (Lepus americanus) of
          northern No. America with heavy fur on the hind feet
          and a coat that in most populations is brown in the summer
          but usu. white in the winter--called also snowshoe rabbit,
          varying hare

   snowslide
          [snow.slide] n (1841): an avalanche of snow

   snowstorm
          [snow.storm] n (1771) 1: a storm of or with snow 2: something
          that resembles a snowstorm

   snowsuit
          [snow.suit] n (1937): a one-piece or two-piece lined garment
          for winter wear by children

   snow thrower
          [snow thrower] n (1954): a machine for removing snow (as
          from a driveway or sidewalk) in which a rotating spiral
          blade picks up and propels the snow aside

   snow tire
          [snow tire] n (1943): an automotive tire with a tread designed
          to give added traction on snow

   snow under
          [snow under] vt (1880) 1: to overwhelm esp. in excess of
          capacity to absorb or deal with something 2: to defeat
          by a large margin

   snow-white
          [snow-white] adj (bef. 12c): white as snow

   snowy
          [snowy] adj snow.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 a: composed of
          snow or melted snow b: marked by or covered with snow
          2 a: whitened by snow b: snow-white -- snow.i.ly adv
          -- snow.i.ness n

   snowy egret
          [snowy egret] n (1869): a white American egret (Egretta thula)
          having a slender black bill, black legs, and yellow feet

   snowy owl
          [snowy owl] n (1781): a large ground-nesting diurnal arctic
          owl (Nyctea scandiaca) that enters the chiefly northern
          parts of the U.S. in winter and has plumage that is sometimes
          nearly pure white but usu. with brownish spots or bars

   Snr
          [Snr] Brit abbreviation senior

   [1]snub
          [snub] vt snubbed ; snub.bing [ME snubben, of Scand origin;
          akin to ON snubba to scold; akin to Icel sneypa to scold]
          (13c) 1: to check or stop with a cutting retort: rebuke
          2 a: to check (as a line) suddenly while running out
          esp. by turning around a fixed object (as a post); also:
          to check the motion of by snubbing a line <~ a horse
          to a tree> b: to restrain the action of: suppress <~
          a vibration> 3: to treat with contempt or neglect 4:
          to extinguish by stubbing <~ out a cigarette> [2]snub
          n (14c): an act or an instance of snubbing; esp: slight
          [3]snub adj (1724) 1 or snubbed : blunt, stubby <a ~
          nose> 2: used in snubbing <~ line> -- snub.ness n

   snubber
          [snub.ber] n (1853) 1: one that snubs 2: shock absorber

   snubby
          [snub.by] adj (1828) 1: snub 2: snub-nosed -- snub.bi.ness
          n

   snub-nosed
          [snub-nosed] adj (1725) 1: having a stubby and usu. slightly
          turned-up nose 2: having a very short barrel <a ~ revolver>

   snuck
          [snuck] past and past part of sneak

   [1]snuff
          [snuff] n [ME snoffe] (14c) 1: the charred part of a candlewick
          2 a obs: umbrage, offense b chiefly Scot: huff [2]snuff
          vt (15c) 1: to crop the snuff of (a candle) by pinching
          or by the use of snuffers so as to brighten the light
          2 a: to extinguish by or as if by the use of a snuffer--often
          used with out b: to make extinct: put an end to--usu.
          used with out <an accident that ~ed out a life> [3]snuff
          adj (1975): characterized by the sensationalistic depiction
          of violence; esp: featuring a real rather than a staged
          murder <~ movies> [4]snuff vb [akin to D snuffen to sniff,
          snuff--more at snivel] vt (1527) 1: to draw forcibly
          through or into the nostrils 2: scent, smell 3: to sniff
          at in order to examine--used of an animal ~ vi 1: to
          inhale through the nose noisily and forcibly; also: to
          sniff or smell inquiringly 2 obs: to sniff loudly in
          or as if in disgust 3: to take snuff [5]snuff n (1570):
          the act of snuffing: sniff [6]snuff n [D snuf, short
          for snuftabak, fr. snuffen to snuff + tabak tobacco]
          (1683) 1: a preparation of pulverized tobacco to be inhaled
          through the nostrils, chewed, or placed against the gums
          2: the amount of snuff taken at one time -- up to snuff
          : of sufficient quality: meeting an applicable standard

   snuffbox
          [snuff.box] n (ca. 1687): a small box for holding snuff usu.
          carried about the person

   [1]snuffer
          [snuff.er] n (15c) 1: a device similar to a pair of scissors
          for cropping and holding the snuff of a candle--usu.
          used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr. 2: a device for
          extinguishing candles [2]snuffer n (ca. 1610): one that
          snuffs or sniffs

   [1]snuffle
          [snuf.fle] vb snuf.fled ; snuf.fling [akin to D snuffelen
          to snuffle--more at snivel] vi (ca. 1600) 1: to snuff
          or sniff usu. audibly and repeatedly 2: to breathe through
          an obstructed nose with a sniffing sound 3: to speak
          through or as if through the nose: whine ~ vt: to seek
          or test by or as if by repeated sniffs -- snuf.fler n
          [2]snuffle n (ca. 1764) 1: the act or sound of snuffling
          2: a nasal twang 3 pl: sniffles

   [1]snuffy
          [snuffy] adj [[4]snuff] (1678) 1: quick to become annoyed
          or take offense 2: marked by snobbery [2]snuffy adj [[6]snuff]
          (1787) 1: resembling snuff 2 a: addicted to the use of
          snuff b: having unpleasant habits 3: soiled with snuff

   [1]snug
          [snug] vb snugged ; snug.ging [[2]snug] vi (1583): snuggle
          ~ vt 1: to cause to fit closely 2: to make snug 3: hide
          4: to secure by fastening or lashing down [2]snug adj
          snug.ger ; snug.gest [perh. of Scand origin; akin to
          Sw snygg tidy] (ca. 1595) 1 a of a ship: manifesting
          seaworthiness: taut b: trim, neat c: fitting closely
          and comfortably <a ~ coat> 2 a: enjoying or affording
          warm secure shelter or cover and opportunity for ease
          and contentment b: marked by cordiality and secure privacy
          3: affording a degree of comfort and ease 4: offering
          safe concealment <a ~ hideout> syn see comfortable --
          snug adv -- snug.ly adv -- snug.ness n [3]snug n [short
          for snuggery] (1860) Brit: a small private room or compartment
          in a pub

   snuggery
          [snug.gery] n, pl -ger.ies (1812) chiefly Brit: a snug cozy
          place; esp: a small room

   snuggle
          [snug.gle] vb snug.gled ; snug.gling [freq. of [1]snug] vi
          (1687): to curl up comfortably or cozily ~ vt 1: to draw
          close esp. for comfort or in affection 2: to make snug
          -- snuggle n

   so...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]so
          [so] adv [ME, fr. OE swa; akin to OHG so so, L sic so, thus,
          si if, Gk hos so, thus, L suus one's own--more at suicide]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: in a manner or way indicated or suggested
          <do you really think ~>--often used as a substitute for
          a preceding clause <are you ready? I think ~> <I didn't
          like it and I told her ~> b: in the same manner or way:
          also <worked hard and ~ did she> c: thus <for ~ the Lord
          said --Isa 18:4 (AV)> d: then, subsequently <and ~ home
          and to bed> 2 a: to an indicated or suggested extent
          or degree <had never been ~ happy> b: to a great extent
          or degree: very, extremely <loves her ~> c: to a definite
          but unspecified extent or degree <can only do ~ much
          in a day> d: most certainly: indeed <you did ~ do it>
          3: therefore, consequently <the witness is biased and
          ~ unreliable> usage The intensive use of so (sense 2b)
          is widely condemned in college handbooks but is nonetheless
          standard <why is American television so shallow? --Anthony
          Lewis> <the cephalopod eye is an example of a remarkable
          evolutionary parallel because it is so like the eye of
          a vertebrate --Sarah F. Robbins> <the kind of sterile
          over-ingenuity which afflicts so many academic efforts
          --Times Lit. Supp.>. There is no stigma attached to its
          use in negative contexts and when qualified by a dependent
          clause <not so long ago> <was so good in mathematics
          that he began to consider engineering --Current Biog.>.
          The denotation in these uses is, of course, slightly
          different (see sense 2a). [2]so conj (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          with the result that <the acoustics are good, ~ every
          note is clear> b: in order that <be quiet ~ he can sleep>
          2 archaic: provided that 3 a: for that reason: therefore
          <don't want to go, ~ I won't> b (1)--used as an introductory
          particle <~ here we are> often to belittle a point under
          discussion <~ what?> (2)--used interjectionally to indicate
          awareness of a discovery <~, that's who did it> or surprised
          dissent usage Although occas. condemned, use of so to
          introduce clauses of result (sense 1a) and purpose (sense
          1b) is standard. In sense 1b so that is more common in
          formal contexts than so alone. [3]so adj (bef. 12c) 1:
          conforming with actual facts: true <said things that
          were not ~> 2: marked by a desired order <his books are
          always just ~> 3--used to replace a pr eceding adjective
          <was witty by adult standards and of course doubly ~
          by mine --Sally Kempton> [4]so pron (bef. 12c) 1: such
          as has been specified or suggested: the same <if you
          have to file a claim, do ~ as soon as possible> 2--used
          in the phrase or so to indicate an estimate, approximation,
          or conjecture <stayed a week or ~> <cost $15 or ~> [5]so
          var of sol

   SO
          [SO] I abbreviation sulfur oxide Copyright (c) 1994
          Merriam-Webster, Inc. All Rights Reserved

   so
          [so] abbreviation south, southern  SO abbreviation seller's
          option, strikeout

   [1]soak
          [soak] vb [ME soken, fr. OE socian; akin to OE sucan to suck]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to lie immersed in liquid (as water):
          become saturated by or as if by immersion 2 a: to enter
          or pass through something by or as if by pores or interstices:
          permeate b: to penetrate or affect the mind or feelings--usu.
          used with in or into 3: to drink alcoholic beverages
          intemperately ~ vt 1: to permeate so as to wet, soften,
          or fill thoroughly 2: to place in a surrounding element
          (as liquid) to wet or permeate thoroughly 3: to extract
          by or as if by steeping <~ the dirt out> 4 a: to draw
          in by or as if by suction or absorption <~ed up the sunshine>
          b: to intoxicate (oneself) by drinking alcoholic beverages
          5: to cause to pay an exorbitant amount -- soak.er n
          syn soak, saturate, drench, steep, impregnate mean to
          permeate or be permeated with a liquid. soak implies
          usu. prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing
          <soak the garment in soapy water>. saturate implies a
          resulting effect of complete absorption until no more
          liquid can be held <a saturated sponge>. drench implies
          a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is
          poured <clothes drenched by a cloudburst>. steep suggests
          either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves)
          by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (as a color)
          to the thing immersed <steep the tea for five minutes>.
          impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one
          thing by another <a cake strongly impregnated with brandy>.
          [2]soak n (15c) 1 a: the act or process of soaking: the
          state of being soaked b: that (as liquid) in which something
          is soaked 2: drunkard 3 slang: [2]pawn 2

   [1]so-and-so
          [so-and-so] n, pl so-and-sos or so-and-so's (1596) 1: an
          unnamed or unspecified person, thing, or action 2: bastard
          3 [2]so-and-so adv (1631) 1: to an unspecified amount
          or degree 2: in an unspecified manner or fashion

   [1]soap
          [soap] n [ME sope, fr. OE sape; akin to OHG seifa soap] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a cleansing and emulsifying agent made usu.
          by action of alkali on fat or fatty acids and consisting
          essentially of sodium or potassium salts of such acids
          b: a salt of a fatty acid and a metal 2: soap opera [2]soap
          vt (1585) 1: to rub soap over or into 2: flatter

   soapbark
          [soap.bark] n (1861): a Chilean tree (Quillaja saponaria)
          of the rose family with glossy leaves and terminal white
          flowers; also: its saponin-rich bark used in cleaning
          and in emulsifying oils

   soapberry
          [soap.ber.ry] n (1693): any of a genus (Sapindus of the family
          Sapindaceae, the soapberry family) of chiefly tropical
          woody plants; also: the fruit of a soapberry and esp.
          of a tree (S. saponaria) that is saponin-rich and used
          as a soap substitute

   soapbox
          [soap.box] n (1907): an improvised platform used by
          a self-appointed, spontaneous, or informal orator; broadly:
          something that provides an outlet for delivering opinions
          -- soapbox adj

   soap bubble
          [soap bubble] n (1800): a hollow iridescent globe formed
          by blowing a film of soapsuds (as from a pipe)

   soaper
          [soap.er] n (1946): soap opera

   soap opera
          [soap opera] n [fr. its sponsorship by soap manufacturers]
          (1939) 1 a: a serial drama performed orig. on a daytime
          radio or television program and chiefly characterized
          by tangled interpersonal situations and melodramatic
          or sentimental treatment b: a series of real-life events
          resembling a soap opera 2: the melodrama and sentimentality
          characteristic of a soap opera <even cops need a little
          soap opera in their lives --Joseph Wambaugh>; also: something
          (as a novel) having such qualities

   soap plant
          [soap plant] n (1844): a plant having a part (as a root or
          fruit) that may be used in place of soap; esp: a California
          plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum) of the lily family

   soapstone
          [soap.stone] n (ca. 1681): a soft stone having a soapy feel
          and composed essentially of talc, chlorite, and often
          some magnetite

   soapsuds
          [soap.suds] n pl (1611): suds 1

   soapwort
          [soap.wort] n (1548): bouncing bet

   soapy
          [soapy] adj soap.i.er ; -est (1610) 1: smeared with soap:
          lathered 2: containing or combined with soap or saponin
          3 a: resembling or having the qualities of soap; esp:
          being smooth and slippery b: unctuous, suave 4: of, relating
          to, or having the characteristics of soap opera -- soap.i.ly
          adv -- soap.i.ness n

   [1]soar
          [soar] vi [ME soren, fr. MF essorer, fr. (assumed) VL exaurare,
          fr. L ex- + aura air--more at aura] (14c) 1 a: to fly
          aloft or about b (1): to sail or hover in the air often
          at a great height: glide (2) of a glider: to fly without
          engine power and without loss of altitude 2: to rise
          or increase dramatically (as in position, value, or price)
          3: to ascend to a higher or more exalted level 4: to
          rise to majestic stature -- soar.er n [2]soar n (1596)
          1: the range, distance, or height attained in soaring
          2: the act of soaring: upward flight

   soaring
          [soar.ing] n (15c): the act or process of soaring; specif:
          the act or sport of flying a heavier-than-air craft without
          power by utilizing ascending air currents

   Soave
          [Soa.ve] n [Soave, village near Verona, Italy] (1935): a
          dry white Italian wine

   [1]sob
          [sob] vb sobbed ; sob.bing [ME sobben] vi (13c) 1 a: to catch
          the breath audibly in a spasmodic contraction of the
          throat b: to cry or weep with convulsive catching of
          the breath 2: to make a sound like that of a sob or sobbing
          ~ vt 1: to bring (as oneself) to a specified state by
          sobbing <sobbed himself to sleep> 2: to utter with sobs
          <sobbed out her grief> [2]sob n (14c) 1: an act of sobbing
          2: a sound like that of a sob SOB n [son of a bitch]
          (1918): bastard 3, son of a bitch

   [1]sober
          [so.ber] adj so.ber.er ; so.ber.est [ME sobre, fr. MF, fr.
          L sobrius; akin to L ebrius drunk] (14c) 1 a: sparing
          in the use of food and drink: abstemious b: not addicted
          to intoxicating drink c: not drunk 2: marked by sedate
          or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor
          3: unhurried, calm 4: marked by temperance, moderation,
          or seriousness 5: subdued in tone or color 6: showing
          no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion,
          or prejudice syn see serious -- so.ber.ly adv -- so.ber.ness
          n [2]sober vb so.bered ; so.ber.ing vt (14c): to make
          sober ~ vi: to become sober--usu. used with up

   sobering
          [so.ber.ing] adj (1816): tending to make one thoughtful or
          sober

   soberize
          [so.ber.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1706) archaic: to make sober

   sobersided
          [so.ber.sid.ed] adj (1847): solemn or serious in nature or
          appearance -- so.ber.sid.ed.ness n

   sobersides
          [so.ber.sides] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1705): a sobersided
          person

   sobriety
          [so.bri.ety] n [ME sobrietie, fr. MF sobriete, fr. L sobrietat-,
          sobrietas, fr. sobrius] (15c): the quality or state of
          being sober

   sobriquet
          [so.bri.quet] n [F] (1646): a descriptive name or epithet:
          nickname

   sob sister
          [sob sister] n (1912) 1: a journalist who specializes in
          writing or editing sob stories or other material of a
          sentimental type 2: a sentimental and often impractical
          person usu. engaged in good works

   sob story
          [sob story] n (1913): a sentimental story or account intended
          chiefly to evoke sympathy or sadness

   soc
          [soc] abbreviation social, society, sociology

   socage
          [so.cage] also soc.cage n [ME, fr. soc soke] (14c): a tenure
          of land by agricultural service fixed in amount and kind
          or by payment of money rent only and not burdened with
          any military service -- so.cag.er n

   so-called
          [so-called] adj (15c) 1: commonly named: popularly so termed
          <the ~ pocket veto> 2: falsely or improperly so named
          <deceived by a ~ friend>

   soccer
          [soc.cer] n [by shortening & alter. fr. association football]
          (1889): a game played on a field between two teams of
          11 players each with the object to propel a round ball
          into the opponent's goal by kicking or by hitting it
          with any part of the body except the hands and arms--called
          also association football

   sociability
          [so.cia.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c): the quality or state
          of being sociable; also: the act or an instance of being
          sociable

   [1]sociable
          [so.cia.ble] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L sociabilis, fr. sociare
          to join, associate, fr. socius] (1553) 1: inclined by
          nature to companionship with others of the same species:
          social 2 a: inclined to seek or enjoy companionship b:
          marked by or conducive to friendliness or pleasant social
          relations syn see gracious -- so.cia.ble.ness n -- so.cia.bly
          adv [2]sociable n (1750): an informal social gathering
          frequently involving a special activity or interest

   [1]social
          [so.cial] adj [ME, fr. L socialis, fr. socius companion,
          ally, associate; akin to OE secg man, companion, L sequi
          to follow--more at sue] (14c) 1: involving allies or
          confederates <the Social War between the Athenians and
          their allies> 2 a: marked by or passed in pleasant companionship
          with one's friends or associates <leads a very full ~
          life> b: sociable c: of, relating to, or designed for
          sociability <a ~ club> 3: of or relating to human society,
          the interaction of the individual and the group, or the
          welfare of human beings as members of society <~ institutions>
          4 a: tending to form cooperative and interdependent relationships
          with others of one's kind: gregarious b: living and breeding
          in more or less organized communities <~ insects> c of
          a plant: tending to grow in groups or masses so as to
          form a pure stand 5 a: of, relating to, or based on rank
          or status in a particular society <a member of our ~
          set> b: of, relating to, or characteristic of the upper
          classes c: formal [2]social n (1870): sociable

   social climber
          [social climber] n (1924): one who attempts to gain a higher
          social position or acceptance in fashionable society
          -- social climbing n

   social contract
          [social contract] n (ca. 1850): an actual or hypothetical
          agreement among individuals forming an organized society
          or between the community and the ruler that defines and
          limits the rights and duties of each

   social Darwinism
          [social Darwinism] n (1887): an extension of Darwinism to
          social phenomena; specif: a theory in sociology: sociocultural
          advance is the product of intergroup conflict and competition
          and the socially elite classes (as those possessing wealth
          and power) possess biological superiority in the struggle
          for existence -- social Darwinist n or adj

   social democracy
          [social democracy] n (1888): a political movement advocating
          a gradual and peaceful transition from capitalism to
          socialism by democratic means -- social democrat n --
          social democratic adj

   social disease
          [social disease] n (1891) 1: venereal disease 2: a disease
          (as tuberculosis) whose incidence is directly related
          to social and economic factors

   social drinker
          [social drinker] n (ca. 1949): a person who drinks alcoholic
          beverages in moderation at social gatherings esp. as
          distinguished from one who drinks habitually or to excess

   social engineering
          [social engineering] n (1925): management of human beings
          in accordance with their place and function in society:
          applied social science -- social engineer n

   social gospel
          [social gospel] n (1890) 1: the application of Christian
          principles to social problems 2 cap S&G: a movement in
          American Protestant Christianity esp. in the first part
          of the 20th century to bring the social order into conformity
          with Christian principles

   social insurance
          [social insurance] n (1909): protection of the individual
          against economic hazards (as unemployment, old age, or
          disability) in which the government participates or enforces
          the participation of employers and affected individuals

   socialise
          [so.cial.ise] Brit var of socialize

   socialism
          [so.cial.ism] n (1837) 1: any of various economic and political
          theories advocating collective or governmental ownership
          and administration of the means of production and distribution
          of goods 2 a: a system of society or group living in
          which there is no private property b: a system or condition
          of society in which the means of production are owned
          and controlled by the state 3: a stage of society in
          Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism
          and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and
          pay according to work done

   socialist
          [so.cial.ist] n (1827) 1: one who advocates or practices
          socialism 2 cap: a member of a party or political group
          advocating socialism -- socialist adj, often cap -- so.cial.is.tic
          adj -- so.cial.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   socialist realism
          [socialist realism] n (1934): a Marxist aesthetic theory
          calling for the didactic use of literature, art, and
          music to develop social consciousness in an evolving
          socialist state -- socialist realist n or adj

   socialite
          [so.cial.ite] n (1928): a socially prominent person

   sociality
          [so.ci.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1649) 1 a: sociability b:
          an instance of social intercourse or sociability 2: the
          tendency to associate in or form social groups

   socialize
          [so.cial.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1828) 1: to make social;
          esp: to fit or train for a social environment 2 a: to
          constitute on a socialistic basis <~ industry> b: to
          adapt to social needs or uses <~ science> 3: to organize
          group participation in <~ a recitation> ~ vi: to participate
          actively in a social group -- so.cial.i.za.tion n --
          so.cial.iz.er n

   socialized medicine
          [socialized medicine] n (1938): medical and hospital services
          for the members of a class or population administered
          by an organized group (as a state agency) and paid for
          from funds obtained usu. by assessments, philanthropy,
          or taxation

   socially
          [so.cial.ly] adv (ca. 1763) 1: in a social manner 2: with
          respect to society 3: by or through society

   social-minded
          [so.cial-mind.ed] adj (1927): having an interest in society;
          specif: actively interested in social welfare or the
          well-being of society as a whole

   social psychology
          [social psychology] n (1891): the study of the manner in
          which the personality, attitudes, motivations, and behavior
          of the individual influence and are influenced by social
          groups -- social psychologist n

   social science
          [social science] n (1811) 1: a branch of science that deals
          with the institutions and functioning of human society
          and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals
          as members of society 2: a science (as economics or political
          science) dealing with a particular phase or aspect of
          human society -- social scientist n

   social secretary
          [social secretary] n (1903): a personal secretary employed
          to handle social correspondence and appointments

   social security
          [social security] n (1908) 1: the principle or practice or
          a program of public provision (as through social insurance
          or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare
          of the individual and his or her family; esp, often cap
          both Ss: a U.S. government program established in 1935
          to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions
          to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance
          2: money paid out through a social security program <began
          collecting social security>

   social service
          [social service] n (1851): an activity designed to promote
          social well-being; specif: organized philanthropic assistance
          of the sick, destitute, or unfortunate: welfare work

   social studies
          [social studies] n pl (1926): a part of a school or college
          curriculum concerned with the study of social relationships
          and the functioning of society and usu. made up of courses
          in history, government, economics, civics, sociology,
          geography, and anthropology

   social welfare
          [social welfare] n (1917): organized public or private social
          services for the assistance of disadvantaged groups;
          specif: social work

   social work
          [social work] n (1890): any of various professional activities
          or methods concretely concerned with providing social
          services and esp. with the investigation, treatment,
          and material aid of the economically underprivileged
          and socially maladjusted -- social worker n

   societal
          [so.ci.e.tal] adj (1898): of or relating to society: social
          <~ forces> -- so.ci.e.tal.ly adv

   [1]society
          [so.ci.e.ty] n, pl -ties [MF societe, fr. L societat-, societas,
          fr. socius companion--more at social] (1531) 1: companionship
          or association with one's fellows: friendly or intimate
          intercourse: company 2: a voluntary association of individuals
          for common ends; esp: an organized group working together
          or periodically meeting because of common interests,
          beliefs, or profession 3 a: an enduring and cooperating
          social group whose members have developed organized patterns
          of relationships through interaction with one another
          b: a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having
          common traditions, institutions, and collective activities
          and interests 4 a: a part of a community that is a unit
          distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living
          or conduct: a social circle or a group of social circles
          having a clearly marked identity <move in polite ~> <literary
          ~> b: a part of the community that sets itself apart
          as a leisure class and that regards itself as the arbiter
          of fashion and manners 5 a: a natural group of plants
          usu. of a single species or habit within an association
          b: the progeny of a pair of insects when constituting
          a social unit (as a hive of bees); broadly: an interdependent
          system of organisms or biological units [2]society adj
          (1693): of, relating to, or characteristic of fashionable
          society

   Socinian
          [So.cin.i.an] n [NL socinianus, fr. Faustus Socinus] (1645):
          an adherent of a 16th and 17th century theological movement
          professing belief in God and adherence to the Christian
          Scriptures but denying the divinity of Christ and consequently
          denying the Trinity -- Socinian adj -- So.cin.i.an.ism
          n

   socio-
          [socio-] comb form [F, fr. L socius companion] 1: society:
          social <sociogram> 2: social and <sociopolitical>

   sociobiology
          [so.cio.bi.ol.o.gy] n (1946): the comparative study of social
          organization in animals including humans esp. with regard
          to its genetic basis and evolutionary history --
          so.cio.bio.log.i.cal adj -- so.cio.bi.ol.o.gist n

   sociocultural
          [so.cio.cul.tur.al] adj (1928): of, relating to, or involving
          a combination of social and cultural factors --
          so.cio.cul.tur.al.ly adv

   socioeconomic
          [so.cio.eco.nom.ic] adj (1883): of, relating to, or involving
          a combination of social and economic factors --
          so.cio.eco.nom.i.cal.ly adv

   sociogram
          [so.cio.gram] n (1933): a sociometric chart plotting the
          structure of interpersonal relations in a group situation

   sociohistorical
          [so.cio.his.tor.i.cal] adj (1949): of, relating to, or involving
          social history or a combination of social and historical
          factors

   sociol
          [sociol] abbreviation sociologist, sociology

   sociolinguist
          [so.cio.lin.guist] n (1960): a linguist specializing
          in sociolinguistics

   sociolinguistic
          [so.cio.lin.guis.tic] adj (1949) 1: of or relating to the
          social aspects of language 2: of or relating to sociolinguistics

   sociolinguistics
          [so.cio.lin.guis.tics] n pl but sing in constr (1938): the
          study of linguistic behavior as determined by sociocultural
          factors

   sociologese
          [so.ci.ol.o.gese] n [sociology + [2]-ese] (1952): a style
          of writing held to be characteristic of sociologists

   sociological
          [so.cio.log.i.cal] also so.cio.log.ic adj (1843) 1: of or
          relating to sociology or to the methodological approach
          of sociology 2: oriented or directed toward social needs
          and problems -- so.cio.log.i.cal.ly adv

   sociology
          [so.ci.ol.o.gy] n [F sociologie, fr. socio- + -logie -logy]
          (1843) 1: the science of society, social institutions,
          and social relationships; specif: the systematic study
          of the development, structure, interaction, and collective
          behavior of organized groups of human beings 2: the scientific
          analysis of a social institution as a functioning whole
          and as it relates to the rest of society 3: synecology
          -- so.ci.ol.o.gist n

   sociometry
          [so.ci.om.e.try] n [ISV] (1908): the study and measurement
          of interpersonal relationships in a group of people --
          so.cio.met.ric adj

   sociopath
          [so.cio.path] n (1930): psychopath

   sociopathic
          [so.cio.path.ic] adj (1930): of, relating to, or characterized
          by asocial or antisocial behavior or a psychopathic personality

   sociopolitical
          [so.cio.po.lit.i.cal] adj (1884): of, relating to, or involving
          a combination of social and political factors

   sociopsychological
          [so.cio.psy.cho.log.i.cal] adj (1899) 1: of, relating to,
          or involving a combination of social and psychological
          factors 2: of or relating to social psychology

   socioreligious
          [so.cio.re.li.gious] adj (1871): involving a combination
          of social and religious factors

   sociosexual
          [so.cio.sex.u.al] adj (1932): of or relating to the interpersonal
          aspects of sexuality

   [1]sock
          [sock] n, pl socks [ME socke, fr. OE socc, fr. L soccus]
          (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: a low shoe or slipper 2 also pl
          sox : a knitted or woven covering for the foot usu. extending
          above the ankle and sometimes to the knee 3 a: a shoe
          worn by actors in Greek and Roman comedy b: comic drama
          -- sock.less adj [2]sock vb [origin unknown] vt (ca.
          1700): to hit, strike, or apply forcefully <~ a home
          run> <an area ~ed by a blizzard> ~ vi: to deliver a blow:
          hit -- sock it to slang: to subject to or as if to a
          vigorous assault <they may let you off the first time
          ... but the second time they'll sock it to you --James
          Jones> [3]sock n (ca. 1700): a vigorous or violent blow;
          also: [2]punch 3

   sock away
          [sock away] vt [fr. the practice of concealing savings in
          the toe of a sock] (ca. 1942): to put away (money) as
          savings or investment

   sockdolager
          [sock.dol.a.ger] or sock.dol.o.ger n [origin unknown] (ca.
          1830) 1: something that settles a matter: a decisive
          blow or answer: finisher 2: something outstanding or
          exceptional

   [1]socket
          [sock.et] n [ME soket, fr. AF, dim. of OF soc plowshare,
          of Celt origin; akin to MIr soc plowshare, snout; akin
          to OE sugu sow--more at sow] (15c): an opening or hollow
          that forms a holder for something <an electric bulb ~>
          <the eye ~> [2]socket vt (1533): to provide with or support
          in or by a socket

   socket wrench
          [socket wrench] n (ca. 1890): a wrench usu. in the form of
          a bar and removable socket made to fit a bolt or nut

   sockeye
          [sock.eye] n [by folk etymology fr. Northern Straits (Salishan
          language of southern Vancouver Island and nearby islands)
          seqey] (1869): a small but commercially important Pacific
          salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) that ascends rivers chiefly
          from the Columbia northward to spawn in late summer or
          fall--called also red salmon

   sock in
          [sock in] vt [(wind) sock] (1944) 1: to close to takeoffs
          or landings by aircraft <an airport socked in by fog>
          2: to restrict from flying

   socko
          [socko] adj [[2]sock] (1938): strikingly impressive, effective,
          or successful: outstanding

   socle
          [so.cle] n [F, fr. It zoccolo sock, socle, fr. L socculus,
          dim. of soccus sock] (ca. 1704): a projecting usu. molded
          member at the foot of a wall or pier or beneath the base
          of a column, pedestal, or superstructure

   [1]Socratic
          [So.crat.ic] adj (1628): of or relating to Socrates, his
          followers, or his philosophical method of systematic
          doubt and questioning of another to elicit a clear expression
          of a truth supposed to be implicitly known by all rational
          beings -- So.crat.i.cal.ly adv [2]Socratic n (1678):
          a follower of Socrates

   Socratic irony
          [Socratic irony] n (ca. 1871): irony 1

   [1]sod
          [sod] n [ME, fr. MD or MLG sode; akin to OFris satha sod]
          (15c) 1: turf 1; also: the grass- and forb-covered surface
          of the ground 2: one's native land [2]sod vt sod.ded
          ; sod.ding (1653): to cover with sod or turfs [3]sod
          n [short for sodomite] (1818) chiefly Brit: bugger <if
          I ever find the ~ I'll kill him --John Le Carre> <he's
          not a bad little ~ taken by and large --Noel Coward>
          [4]sod vt (1904) chiefly Brit: damn 2

   soda
          [so.da] n [It, fr. Ar suwwad, any of several saltworts from
          the ashes of which sodium carbonate is obtained] (1558)
          1 a: sodium carbonate b: sodium bicarbonate c: sodium--used
          in combination <~ alum> 2 a: soda water 2a b: soda pop
          c: a sweet drink consisting of soda water, flavoring,
          and often ice cream 3: the faro card that shows faceup
          in the dealing box before play begins

   soda ash
          [soda ash] n (1839): commercial anhydrous sodium carbonate

   soda biscuit
          [soda biscuit] n (1830) 1: a biscuit leavened with baking
          soda and sour milk or buttermilk 2: soda cracker

   soda bread
          [soda bread] n (1850): a quick bread made esp. with buttermilk
          and leavened with baking soda

   soda cracker
          [soda cracker] n (1830): a cracker leavened with bicarbonate
          of soda and cream of tartar

   soda fountain
          [soda fountain] n (1824) 1: an apparatus with delivery tube
          and faucets for drawing soda water 2: the equipment and
          counter for the preparation and serving of sodas, sundaes,
          and ice cream

   soda jerk
          [soda jerk] n (1922): a person who dispenses carbonated drinks
          and ice cream at a soda fountain--called also soda jerker

   soda lime
          [soda lime] n (1862): a mixture of sodium hydroxide and slaked
          lime used esp. to absorb moisture and gases

   sodalist
          [so.da.list] n (1794): a member of a sodality

   sodalite
          [so.da.lite] n [soda] (1810): a transparent to translucent
          mineral that consists of a silicate of sodium and aluminum
          with some chlorine, has a vitreous or greasy luster,
          and is found in various igneous rocks

   sodality
          [so.dal.i.ty] n, pl -ties [L sodalitat-, sodalitas comradeship,
          club, fr. sodalis comrade--more at sib] (1600) 1: brotherhood,
          community 2: an organized society or fellowship; specif:
          a devotional or charitable association of Roman Catholic
          laity

   soda pop
          [soda pop] n (1863): a beverage consisting of soda water,
          flavoring, and a sweet syrup

   soda water
          [soda water] n (1802) 1: a weak solution of sodium bicarbonate
          with some acid added to cause effervescence 2 a: a beverage
          consisting of water highly charged with carbon dioxide
          b: soda pop

   sodbuster
          [sod.bust.er] n (ca. 1918): one (as a farmer or a plow) that
          breaks the sod

   [1]sodden
          [sod.den] adj [ME soden, fr. pp. of sethen to seethe] (1589)
          1 a: dull or expressionless esp. from continued indulgence
          in alcoholic beverages <~ features> b: torpid, sluggish
          <~ minds> 2 a: heavy with or as if with moisture or water
          <the ~ ground> b: heavy or doughy because of imperfect
          cooking <~ biscuits> -- sod.den.ly adv -- sod.den.ness
          n [2]sodden vb sod.dened ; sod.den.ing vt (1812): to
          make sodden ~ vi: to become soaked or saturated

   sodic
          [so.dic] adj (1859): of, relating to, or containing sodium

   sodium
          [so.di.um] n [NL, fr. E soda] (1807): a silver white soft
          waxy ductile element of the alkali metal group that occurs
          abundantly in nature in combined form and is very active
          chemically

   sodium azide
          [sodium azide] n (ca. 1937): a poisonous crystalline salt
          used esp. to make lead azide

   sodium benzoate
          [sodium benzoate] n (ca. 1900): a crystalline or granular
          salt used chiefly as a food preservative

   sodium bicarbonate
          [sodium bicarbonate] n (1885): a white crystalline weakly
          alkaline salt used esp. in baking powders, fire extinguishers,
          and medicine--called also baking soda, bicarbonate of
          soda

   sodium borohydride
          [sodium bo.ro.hy.dride] n [sodium + boron + hydride] (1946):
          a crystalline compound used in various industrial applications
          and as a reducing agent in organic chemistry

   sodium carbonate
          [sodium carbonate] n (1868): a sodium salt of carbonic acid
          used esp. in making soaps and chemicals, in water softening,
          in cleaning and bleaching, and in photography: as a:
          a hygroscopic crystalline anhydrous strongly alkaline
          salt b: washing soda

   sodium chlorate
          [sodium chlorate] n (1885): a colorless crystalline salt
          sed esp. as an oxidizing agent and weed killer

   sodium chloride
          [sodium chloride] n (1868): an ionic crystalline chemical
          compound consisting of equal numbers of sodium and chlorine
          atoms: salt 1a

   sodium citrate
          [sodium citrate] n (1919): a crystalline salt used chiefly
          as a buffering agent, as an emulsifier, as an alkalizer
          and cathartic in harmaceuticals, and as a blood anticoagulant

   sodium cyanide
          [sodium cyanide] n (1885): a white deliquescent poisonous
          salt used esp. in electroplating, in fumigating, and
          in treating steel

   sodium dichromate
          [sodium dichromate] n (ca. 1903): a red crystalline salt
          used esp. in tanning leather, in cleaning metals, and
          as an oxidizing agent

   sodium fluoride
          [sodium fluoride] n (ca. 1903): a poisonous crystalline salt
          that is used in trace amounts in the fluoridation of
          water, in metallurgy, as a flux, and as a pesticide

   sodium fluoroacetate
          [sodium fluoroacetate] n (1945): a poisonous powdery compound
          --compare 1080

   sodium hydroxide
          [sodium hydroxide] n (1885): a white brittle solid NaOH that
          is a strong caustic base used esp. in making soap, rayon,
          and paper

   sodium hypochlorite
          [sodium hypochlorite] n (1885): an unstable salt NaOCl produced
          usu. in aqueous solution and used as a bleaching and
          disinfecting agent

   sodium metasilicate
          [sodium meta.sil.i.cate] n (ca. 1926): a toxic corrosive
          crystalline salt used esp. as a detergent or as a substitute
          for phosphates in detergent formulations

   sodium nitrate
          [sodium nitrate] n (1885): a deliquescent crystalline salt
          used as a fertilizer and an oxidizing agent and in curing
          meat

   sodium nitrite
          [sodium nitrite] n (ca. 1903): a salt used esp. in dye manufacture
          and as a meat preservative

   sodium pump
          [sodium pump] n (1951): a molecular mechanism by which sodium
          ions are actively transported across a cell membrane;
          esp: the one by which the appropriate internal and external
          concentrations of sodium and potassium ions are maintained
          in a nerve fiber and which involves the active transport
          of sodium ions outward with movement of potassium ions
          to the interior

   sodium salicylate
          [sodium salicylate] n (ca. 1904): a crystalline salt that
          has a sweetish saline taste and is used chiefly as an
          analgesic, antipyretic, and antirheumatic

   sodium sulfate
          [sodium sulfate] n (1885): a bitter salt used esp. in detergents,
          in the manufacture of wood pulp and rayon, in dyeing
          and finishing textiles, and in its hydrated form as a
          cathartic--compare glauber's salt

   sodium thiosulfate
          [sodium thiosulfate] n (1885): a hygroscopic crystalline
          salt used esp. as a photographic fixing agent and a reducing
          or bleaching agent--called also hypo

   sodium tripolyphosphate
          [sodium tri.poly.phos.phate] n (1945): a crystalline salt
          that is used as a food additive and as a component in
          some detergents and is suspected of contributing to water
          pollution

   sodium-vapor lamp
          [sodium-vapor lamp] n (1936): an electric lamp that contains
          sodium vapor and electrodes between which a luminous
          discharge takes place and that is used esp. for lighting
          highways

   sod off
          [sod off] vi [[4]sod] (1960) Brit: scram--usu. used as a
          command

   Sodom
          [Sod.om] n [Sodom, ancient city destroyed by God for its
          wickedness in Gen 19] (1598): a place notorious for vice
          or corruption

   sodomist
          [sod.om.ist] n (1891): sodomite

   sodomite
          [sod.om.ite] n (14c): one who practices sodomy

   sodomize
          [sod.om.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1868): to perform sodomy
          on

   sodomy
          [sod.omy] n [ME, fr. OF sodomie, fr. LL Sodoma Sodom; fr.
          the homosexual proclivities of the men of the city in
          Gen 19:1-11] (13c) 1: copulation with a member of the
          same sex or with an animal 2: noncoital and esp. anal
          or oral copulation with a member of the opposite sex
          -- sod.om.it.ic or sod.om.it.i.cal adj

   soever
          [so.ev.er] adv [-soever (as in howsoever)] (12c) 1: to any
          possible or known extent--used after an adjective preceded
          by how or a superlative preceded by the <how fair ~ she
          may be> <the most selfish ~ in this world> 2: of any
          or every kind that may be specified--used after a noun
          modified esp. by any, no, or what <gives no information
          ~>

   sofa
          [so.fa] n [Ar suffah long bench] (1717): a long upholstered
          seat usu. with arms and a back and often convertible
          into a bed

   sofa bed
          [sofa bed] n (1816): a sofa that can be made to serve as
          a bed by lowering its hinged upholstered back to horizontal
          position or by pulling out a concealed mattress

   sofar
          [so.far] n [sound fixing and ranging] (1946): a system for
          locating an underwater explosion at sea by triangulation
          based on the reception of the sound by three widely separated
          stations

   so far as
          [so far as] conj (1565): insofar as

   soffit
          [sof.fit] n [F soffite, fr. It soffitto, fr. (assumed) VL
          suffictus, pp. of L suffigere to fasten underneath--more
          at suffix] (1592): the underside of a part or member
          of a building (as of an overhang or staircase); esp:
          the intrados of an arch

   [1]soft
          [soft] adj [ME, fr. OE softe, alter. of sefte; akin to OHG
          semfti soft] (bef. 12c) 1 a: pleasing or agreeable to
          the senses: bringing ease, comfort, or quiet <the ~ influences
          of home> b: having a bland or mellow rather than a sharp
          or acid taste c (1): not bright or glaring: subdued (2):
          having or producing little contrast or a relatively short
          range of tones <a ~ photographic print> d: quiet in pitch
          or volume e of the eyes: having a liquid or gentle appearance
          f: smooth or delicate in texture, grain, or fiber <~
          cashmere> <~ fur> g (1): balmy, mild, or clement in weather
          or temperature (2): moving or falling with slight force
          or impact: not violent <~ breezes> 2: demanding little
          work or effort: easy <a ~ job> 3 a: sounding as in ace
          and gem respectively--used of c and g or their sound
          b of a consonant: voiced c: constituting a vowel before
          which there is a /y/ sound or a /y/-like modification
          of a consonant or constituting a consonant in whose articulation
          there is a /y/-like modification or which is followed
          by a /y/ sound (as in Russian) 4 archaic: moving in a
          leisurely manner 5: rising gradually <a ~ slope> 6: having
          curved or rounded outline: not harsh or jagged <~ hills
          against the horizon> 7: marked by a gentleness, kindness,
          or tenderness: as a (1): not harsh or onerous in character
          <a policy of ~ competition> (2): based on negotiation,
          conciliation, or flexibility rather than on force, threats,
          or intransigence <took a ~ line during the crisis> (3):
          tending to take a soft line--usu. used with on <~ on
          dictators> <~ on law and order> b: tending to ingratiate
          or disarm: engaging, kind <a ~ answer turns away wrath
          --Prov 15:1 (RSV)> c: marked by mildness: unassuming,
          low-key 8 a: emotionally suggestible or responsive: impressionable
          b: unduly susceptible to influence: compliant c: lacking firmness
          or strength of character: feeble, unmanly d: amorously attracted
          or emotionally involved--used with on <has been ~ on her for years>
          9 a: lacking robust strength, stamina, or endurance esp. because
          of living in ease or luxury <grown ~ and indolent> b: weak
          or deficient mentally <~ in the head> 10 a: yielding to physical
          pressure b: permitting someone or something to sink in--used of wet
          ground c (1): of a consistency that may be shaped or molded (2):
          capable of being spread d: easily magnetized and demagnetized
          e: lacking relatively or comparatively in hardness <~ iron> 11:
          deficient adj -- soft.ly adv -- soft.ness n [2]soft adv (bef. 12c):
          in a soft or gentle manner: softly [3]soft n (15c): a soft object,
          material, or part <the ~ of the thumb>

   softback
          [soft.back] adj (1958): softcover -- softback n

   softball
          [soft.ball] n (1926): baseball played on a small diamond
          with a ball that is larger than a baseball and that is
          pitched underhand; also: the ball used in this game --
          soft.ball.er n

   soft-boiled
          [soft-boiled] adj (ca. 1902) 1 of an egg: boiled to a soft
          consistency 2: sentimental

   softbound
          [soft.bound] adj (1953): softcover

   soft chancre
          [soft chancre] n (1859): chancroid

   soft coal
          [soft coal] n (1789): bituminous coal

   soft-coated wheaten terrier
          [soft-coated wheaten terrier] n (1948): any of a breed of
          compact medium-sized terriers developed in Ireland and
          having a soft abundant light fawn coat

   soft-core
          [soft-core] adj [[1]soft + hard-core] (1966) of pornography:
          containing descriptions or scenes of sex acts that are
          less explicit than hard-core material

   softcover
          [soft.cov.er] adj (1952): bound in flexible covers: not bound
          in hard covers; specif: paperback <~ books> -- softcover
          n

   soft drink
          [soft drink] n (1880): a usu. carbonated nonalcoholic beverage;
          esp: soda pop

   soften
          [soft.en] vb soft.ened ; soft.en.ing vt (14c) 1: to make
          soft or softer 2 a: to weaken the military resistance
          or the morale of esp. by harassment (as preliminary
          bombardment)--often used with up b: to impair the strength
          or resistance of--often used with up <~ up a sales prospect> ~ vi:
          to become soft or softer -- soft.en.er n

   soft-focus
          [soft-fo.cus] adj (1916) 1 of a photographic image: having
          unsharp outlines 2 of a lens: producing an image having
          unsharp outlines

   soft goods
          [soft goods] n pl (1894): goods that are not durable--used
          esp. of textile products

   soft hail
          [soft hail] n (1894): graupel

   softhead
          [soft.head] n (1650): a silly or feebleminded person

   softheaded
          [soft.head.ed] adj (1667): having or indicative of a weak,
          unrealistic, or uncritical mind -- soft.head.ed.ly adv
          -- soft.head.ed.ness n

   softhearted
          [soft.heart.ed] adj (1593): emotionally responsive: sympathetic
          -- soft.heart.ed.ly adv -- soft.heart.ed.ness n

   soft-land
          [soft-land] vb [back-formation fr. soft landing] vt (1960):
          to cause to make a soft landing on a celestial body (as
          the moon) ~ vi: to make a soft landing -- soft-lander
          n

   soft-line
          [soft-line] adj (1949): advocating or involving a conciliatory
          or flexible course of action -- soft-lin.er n

   soft palate
          [soft palate] n (ca. 1811): the fold at the back of the hard
          palate that partially separates the mouth and pharynx

   soft pedal
          [soft pedal] n (1854) 1: a foot pedal on a piano that reduces
          the volume of sound 2: something that muffles, deadens,
          or reduces effect

   soft-pedal
          [soft-ped.al] vt (1925) 1: play down, de-emphasize <~ the
          issue> 2: to use the soft pedal in playing

   soft rock
          [soft rock] n (1967): rock music that is less driving and
          gentler sounding than hard rock

   soft rot
          [soft rot] n (1901): a mushy, watery, or slimy decay of plants
          or their parts caused by bacteria or fungi

   soft sell
          [soft sell] n (1954): the use of suggestion or gentle persuasion
          in selling rather than aggressive pressure--compare hard
          sell

   softshell
          [soft.shell] n (1771): any of a family (Trionychidae) of
          aquatic turtles that have sharp claws and mandibles and
          a flat shell covered with soft leathery skin instead
          of with horny plates--called also soft-shelled turtle

   soft-shell
          [soft-shell] or soft-shelled adj (1805): having a soft or
          fragile shell esp. as a result of recent shedding <~
          crabs>

   soft-shell clam
          [soft-shell clam] n (1796): an elongated clam (Mya arenaria)
          of the east coast of No. America that has a thin friable
          shell and long siphons and is used esp. for steaming--called
          also soft-shelled clam, steamer

   soft-shoe
          [soft-shoe] adj (1920): of or relating to tap dancing done
          in soft-soled shoes without metal taps

   soft-soap
          [soft-soap] vt (1840): to soothe or persuade with flattery
          or blarney -- soft-soap.er n

   soft soap
          [soft soap] n (1634) 1: a semifluid soap made esp. from potassium
          hydroxide 2: flattery

   soft-spoken
          [soft-spo.ken] adj (1609): having a mild or gentle voice;
          also: suave

   soft spot
          [soft spot] n (1845) 1: a sentimental weakness <has a soft
          spot for him> 2: a vulnerable point <a soft spot in the
          defense system>

   soft touch
          [soft touch] n (1939): one who is easily imposed on or taken
          advantage of

   software
          [soft.ware] n (1960): something used or associated with and
          usu. contrasted with hardware: as a: the entire set of
          programs, procedures, and related documentation associated
          with a system and esp. a computer system; specif: computer
          programs b: materials for use with audiovisual equipment

   soft wheat
          [soft wheat] n (1812): a wheat with soft starchy kernels
          high in starch but usu. low in gluten

   [1]softwood
          [soft.wood] n (1832) 1: the wood of a coniferous tree (as
          a fir or pine) whether hard or soft as distinguished
          from that of an angiospermous tree 2: a tree that yields
          softwood [2]softwood adj (1905): having or made of softwood

   soft-wooded
          [soft-wood.ed] adj (1827) 1: having soft wood that is easy
          to work or finish 2: softwood

   softy
          [softy] or soft.ie n, pl soft.ies [[1]soft] (1863) 1: a weak
          or foolish person 2: a softhearted or sentimental person

   Sogdian
          [Sog.di.an] n [L Sogdiani, pl., fr. Gk Sogdianoi, fr. OPers
          Suguda Sogdiana] (1553) 1: a native or inhabitant of
          Sogdiana 2: an Iranian language of the Sogdians -- Sogdian
          adj

   soggy
          [sog.gy] adj sog.gi.er ; -est [E dial. sog to soak] (1599)
          1: saturated or heavy with water or moisture: as a: waterlogged,
          soaked <a ~ lawn> b: heavy or doughy because of imperfect
          cooking <~ bread> 2: heavily dull: spiritless <~ prose>
          -- sog.gi.ly adv -- sog.gi.ness n

   soi-disant
          [soi-di.sant] adj [F, lit., saying oneself] (1752): self-styled,
          so-called--usu. used disparagingly <a ~ artist>

   soigne
          [soi.gne] or soi.gnee adj [F, fr. pp. of soigner to take
          care of] (1821) 1: well-groomed, sleek 2: elegantly maintained
          or designed <a ~ restaurant> <a ~ black dress>

   [1]soil
          [soil] vb [ME, fr. OF souillier to wallow, soil, fr. soil
          abyss, pigpen, prob. fr. L solium chair, bathtub ; akin
          to L sedere to sit--more at sit] vt (13c) 1: to stain
          or defile morally: corrupt, pollute 2: to make unclean
          esp. superficially: dirty 3: to blacken or besmirch (as
          a person's reputation) by word or deed ~ vi: to become
          soiled or dirty [2]soil n (1501) 1 a: soilage, stain
          <protect a dress from ~> b: moral defilement: corruption
          2: something that spoils or pollutes: as a: refuse b:
          sewage c: dung, excrement [3]soil n [ME, fr. AF, prob.
          fr. L solium chair] (14c) 1: firm land: earth 2 a: the
          upper layer of earth that may be dug or plowed and in
          which plants grow b: the superficial unconsolidated and
          usu. weathered part of the mantle of a planet and esp.
          of the earth 3: country, land <our native ~> 4: the agricultural
          life or calling 5: a medium in which something takes
          hold and develops [4]soil vt [origin unknown] (1605):
          to feed (livestock) in the barn or an enclosure with
          fresh grass or green food; also: to purge (livestock)
          by feeding on green food

   [1]soilage
          [soil.age] n [[1]soil] (1926): the act of soiling: the condition
          of being soiled [2]soilage n [[4]soil] (1928): green
          crops for feeding confined animals

   soil bank
          [soil bank] n (1955): acreage retired from crop cultivation
          and planted with soil-building plants under a plan sponsored
          by the U.S. government that provides subsidies to farmers
          for the retired land

   soilborne
          [soil.borne] adj (1944): transmitted by or in soil <~ fungi>
          <~ diseases>

   soilless
          [soil.less] adj (1938): having, containing, or utilizing
          no soil <~ agriculture>

   soil pipe
          [soil pipe] n (1833): a pipe for carrying off wastes from
          toilets

   soil science
          [soil science] n (1915): a science dealing with soils--called
          also pedology -- soil scientist n

   soil series
          [soil series] n (1905): a group of soils with similar profiles
          developed from similar parent materials under comparable
          climatic and vegetational conditions

   soilure
          [soil.ure] n [ME, fr. OF soilleure, fr. souillier to soil]
          (13c) 1: the act of soiling: the condition of being soiled
          2: stain, smudge

   soiree
          [soi.ree] n [F soiree evening period, evening party, fr.
          MF, fr. soir evening, fr. L sero at a late hour, fr.
          serus late; akin to OIr sir long, lasting and perh. to
          OE sith late--more at since] (1802): a party or reception
          held in the evening

   soixante-neuf
          [soi.xante-neuf] n [F] (1888): sixty-nine 2

   [1]sojourn
          [so.journ] n [ME sojorn, fr. OF, fr. sojorner] (13c): a temporary
          stay <a ~ in the country> [2]sojourn vi [ME sojornen,
          fr. OF sojorner, fr. (assumed) VL subdiurnare, fr. L
          sub under, during + LL diurnum day--more at up, journey]
          (14c): to stay as a temporary resident: stop <~ed for
          a month at a resort> -- so.journ.er n

   soke
          [soke] n [ME soc, soke, fr. OE soka, fr. ML soca, fr. OE
          socn inquiry, jurisdiction; akin to OE secan to seek]
          (12c) 1: the right in Anglo-Saxon and early English law
          to hold court and administer justice with the franchise
          to receive certain fees or fines arising from it: jurisdiction
          over a territory or over people 2: the district included
          in a soke jurisdiction or franchise

   sokeman
          [soke.man] n (1579): a man who is under the soke of another

   [1]sol
          [sol] also so n [ML sol; fr. the syllable sung to this note
          in a medieval hymn to St. John the Baptist] (14c): the
          5th tone of the diatonic scale in solmization [2]sol
          n [MF--more at sou] (1583): an old French coin equal
          to 12 deniers; also: a corresponding unit of value [3]sol
          n, pl so.les [AmerSp, fr. Sp, sun, fr. L] (ca. 1883):
          the basic monetary unit of Peru before 1985 and since
          1990--see money table [4]sol n [-sol (as in hydrosol),
          fr. solution] (1899): a fluid colloidal system; esp:
          one in which the continuous phase is a liquid Sol n [ME,
          fr. L] 1: the Roman god of the sun--compare helios 2:
          sun

   sol
          [sol] abbreviation solicitor, soluble, solution

   sola
          [sola] pl of solum

   [1]solace
          [so.lace] vt so.laced ; so.lac.ing (13c) 1: to give solace
          to: console 2 a: to make cheerful b: amuse 3: allay,
          soothe <~ grief> -- so.lace.ment n -- so.lac.er n [2]solace
          n [ME solas, fr. OF, fr. L solacium, fr. solari to console]
          (14c) 1: alleviation of grief or anxiety 2: a source
          of relief or consolation

   solanaceous
          [so.la.na.ceous] adj [NL Solanaceae, family name, fr. Solanum]
          (1804): of or relating to the nightshade family of plants

   solanine
          [so.la.nine] also so.la.nin n [F solanine, fr. L solanum]
          (1838): a bitter poisonous crystalline alkaloid from
          several plants (as some potatoes or tomatoes) of the
          nightshade family

   solanum
          [so.la.num] n [NL, fr. L, nightshade] (ca. 1652): any of
          a genus (Solanum) chiefly of herbs and shrubs of the
          nightshade family that have often prickly-veined leaves,
          cymose white, purple, or yellow flowers, and a fruit
          that is a berry

   solar
          [so.lar] adj [ME, fr. L solaris, fr. sol sun; akin to OE
          & ON sol sun, Lith saule, Gk helios] (15c) 1: of, derived
          from, or relating to the sun esp. as affecting the earth
          2: measured by the earth's course in relation to the
          sun <~ time> <~ year>; also: relating to or reckoned
          by solar time 3 a: produced or operated by the action
          of the sun's light or heat <~ energy> <~ cooker> b: utilizing
          the sun's rays esp. to produce heat or electricity <a
          ~ house>; also: of or relating to such utilization <~
          design> <~ subsidies>

   solar battery
          [solar battery] n (1954): an array of solar cells

   solar cell
          [solar cell] n (1955): a photovoltaic cell (as one including
          a junction between two types of silicon semiconductors)
          that is able to convert light into electrical energy
          and is used as a power source

   solar collector
          [solar collector] n (1955): any of various devices for the
          absorption of solar radiation for the heating of water
          or buildings or the production of electricity

   solar constant
          [solar constant] n (1869): the quantity of radiant solar
          energy received normally at the outer layer of the earth's
          atmosphere and having a mean value of 1370 watts per
          square meter per second

   solar day
          [solar day] n (1764): the interval between transits of the
          apparent or mean sun across the meridian at any place

   solar eclipse
          [solar eclipse] n (ca. 1890): an eclipse of the sun by the
          moon--see eclipse illustration

   solar flare
          [solar flare] n (1938): a sudden temporary outburst of energy
          from a small area of the sun's surface--called also flare

   solarium
          [so.lar.i.um] n, pl -ia also -ums [L, porch exposed to the
          sun, fr. sol] (ca. 1823): a glass-enclosed porch or room;
          also: a room (as in a hospital) used esp. for sunbathing
          or therapeutic exposure to light

   solarization
          [so.lar.i.za.tion] n (1853) 1: a reversal of gradation in
          a photographic image obtained by intense or continued
          exposure 2: an act or process of solarizing

   solarize
          [so.lar.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1853) 1 a: to affect by
          the action of the sun's rays b: to expose to sunlight
          2: to subject (photographic materials) to solarization

   solar panel
          [solar panel] n (1961): a battery of solar cells (as in a
          spacecraft)

   solar plexus
          [so.lar plexus] n [fr. the radiating nerve fibers] (1771)
          1: a nerve plexus in the abdomen that is situated behind
          the stomach and in front of the aorta and the crura of
          the diaphragm and contains several ganglia distributing
          nerve fibers to the viscera 2: the pit of the stomach

   solar pond
          [solar pond] n (1961): a pool of salt water heated by the
          sun and used either as a direct source of heat or to
          provide power for an electric generator

   solar sail
          [solar sail] n (1958): a propulsive device for a spacecraft
          that consists of a flat material (as aluminized plastic)
          designed to receive thrust from solar radiation pressure

   solar system
          [solar system] n (ca. 1704): the sun together with the group
          of celestial bodies that are held by its attraction and
          revolve around it; also: a similar system centered on
          another star

   solar wind
          [solar wind] n (1958): plasma continuously ejected from the
          sun's surface into and through interplanetary space

   solation
          [sol.ation] n (1915): the process of changing to a sol

   solatium
          [so.la.ti.um] n, pl -tia [LL solacium, solatium, fr. L, solace]
          (1817): a compensation (as money) given as solace for
          suffering, loss, or injured feelings

   sold
          [sold] past and past part of sell

   soldan
          [sol.dan] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. Ar sultan] (14c) archaic: sultan;
          esp: the sultan of Egypt

   [1]solder
          [sol.der] n [ME soudure, fr. MF, fr. souder to solder, fr.
          L solidare to make solid, fr. solidus solid] (14c) 1:
          a metal ejected metallic alloy used when melted to join
          metallic surfaces; esp: an alloy of lead and tin so used
          2: something that unites [2]solder vb sol.dered ; sol.der.ing
          vt (15c) 1: to unite or make whole by solder 2: to bring
          into or restore to firm union <a friendship ~ed by common
          interests> ~ vi 1: to use solder 2: to become united
          or repaired by or as if by solder -- sol.der.abil.i.ty
          n -- sol.der.er n

   soldering iron
          [soldering iron] n (1688): a pointed or wedge-shaped device
          that is usu. electrically heated and that is used for
          soldering

   [1]soldier
          [sol.dier] n [ME soudier, fr. MF, fr. soulde pay, fr. LL
          solidus solidus] (14c) 1 a: one engaged in military service
          and esp. in the army b: an enlisted man or woman c: a
          skilled warrior 2: a militant leader, follower, or worker
          3 a: one of a caste of wingless sterile termites usu.
          differing from workers in larger size and head and long
          jaws b: one of a type of worker ants distinguished by
          exceptionally large head and jaws 4: one who shirks work
          -- sol.dier.ly adj or adv -- sol.dier.ship n [2]soldier
          vi sol.diered ; sol.dier.ing (1647) 1 a: to serve as
          a soldier b: to behave in a soldierly manner c: to push
          doggedly forward--usu. used with on <~ed on to the end>
          2: to make a pretense of working while really loafing

   soldiering
          [soldiering] n (1643): the life, service, or practice of
          one who soldiers

   soldier of fortune
          [soldier of fortune] (1661): one who follows a military career
          wherever there is promise of profit, adventure, or pleasure

   soldiers' home
          [soldiers' home] n (1860): an institution maintained (as
          by the federal or a state government) for the care and
          relief of military veterans

   soldier's medal
          [soldier's medal] n (ca. 1930): a U.S. military decoration
          awarded for heroism not involving combat

   soldiery
          [sol.diery] n (ca. 1570) 1 a: a body of soldiers b: soldiers,
          military 2: the profession or technique of soldiering

   soldo
          [sol.do] n, pl sol.di [It, fr. LL solidus solidus] (1599):
          an old Italian coin worth five centesimi

   sold-out
          [sold-out] adj (1907): having all available tickets
          or accommodations sold completely and esp. in advance

   [1]sole
          [sole] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L solea sandal, a flatfish] (13c):
          any of various flatfishes (family Soleidae) having a
          small mouth, small or rudimentary fins, and small eyes
          placed close together and including superior food fishes
          (as the European Dover sole); also: any of various mostly
          market flatfishes (as lemon sole) of other families (as
          Pleuronectidae) [2]sole n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L solea sandal;
          akin to L solum base, ground, soil] (14c) 1 a: the undersurface
          of a foot b: the part of an item of footwear on which
          the sole rests and upon which the wearer treads 2: the
          usu. flat or flattened bottom or lower part of something
          or the base on which something rests -- soled adj [3]sole
          vt soled ; sol.ing (1570) 1: to furnish with a sole <~
          a shoe> 2: to place the sole of (a golf club) on the
          ground [4]sole adj [ME, alone, fr. MF seul, fr. L solus]
          (14c) 1: not married--used chiefly of women 2 archaic:
          having no companion: solitary 3 a: having no sharer b:
          being the only one <she was her mother's ~ support> 4:
          functioning independently and without assistance or interference
          <let conscience be the ~ judge> 5: belonging exclusively
          or otherwise limited to one usu. specified individual,
          unit, or group -- sole.ness n

   solecism
          [so.le.cism] n [L soloecismus, fr. Gk soloikismos, fr. soloikos
          speaking incorrectly, lit., inhabitant of Soloi, fr.
          Soloi, city in ancient Cilicia where a substandard form
          of Attic was spoken] (ca. 1555) 1: an ungrammatical combination
          of words in a sentence; also: a minor blunder in speech
          2: something deviating from the proper, normal, or accepted
          order 3: a breach of etiquette or decorum -- so.le.cis.tic
          adj

   solely
          [sole.ly] adv (15c) 1: without another: singly <went ~ on
          her way> 2: to the exclusion of all else <done ~ for
          money>

   solemn
          [sol.emn] adj [ME solemne, fr. MF, fr. L sollemnis regularly
          appointed, solemn] (14c) 1: marked by the invocation
          of a religious sanction <a ~ oath> 2: marked by the observance
          of established form or ceremony; specif: celebrated with
          full liturgical ceremony 3 a: awe-inspiring: sublime
          b: marked by grave sedateness and earnest sobriety c:
          somber, gloomy syn see serious -- sol.emn.ly adv -- sol.emn.ness
          n

   solemnify
          [so.lem.ni.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1780): to make solemn

   solemnity
          [so.lem.ni.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: formal or ceremonious
          observance of an occasion or event 2: a solemn event
          or occasion 3: a solemn condition or quality <the ~ of
          his words>

   solemnize
          [sol.em.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vt (14c) 1: to observe
          or honor with solemnity 2: to perform with pomp or ceremony;
          esp: to celebrate (a marriage) with religious rites 3:
          to make solemn: dignify ~ vi: to speak or act with solemnity
          -- sol.em.ni.za.tion n

   solemn mass
          [solemn mass] n (15c): a mass marked by the use of incense
          and by the presence of a deacon and a subdeacon in attendance
          on the celebrant

   solemn vow
          [solemn vow] n (14c): an absolute and irrevocable public
          vow taken by a religious in the Roman Catholic Church
          under which ownership of property by the individual is
          prohibited and marriage is invalid under canon law

   solenoid
          [so.le.noid] n [F solenoide, fr. Gk solenoeides pipe-shaped,
          fr. Gk solen pipe] (1827): a coil of wire usu. in cylindrical
          form that when carrying a current acts like a magnet
          so that a movable core is drawn into the coil when a
          current flows and that is used esp. as a switch or control
          for a mechanical device (as a valve) -- so.le.noi.dal
          adj

   soleplate
          [sole.plate] n (1741) 1: the lower plate of a studded partition
          on which the bases of the studs butt 2: the undersurface
          of a flatiron

   soles
          [soles] pl of sol

   soleus
          [so.le.us] n, pl so.lei [NL, fr. L solea sandal--more at
          sole] (1676): a broad flat muscle of the calf of the
          leg lying immediately below the gastrocnemius

   [1]sol-fa
          [sol-fa] vi (ca. 1529): to sing the sol-fa syllables ~ vt:
          to sing (as a melody) to sol-fa syllables [2]sol-fa n
          (1548) 1: sol-fa syllables 2: solmization; also: an exercise
          thus sung 3: tonic sol-fa -- sol-fa.ist n

   sol-fa syllables
          [sol-fa syllables] n pl (1913): the syllables do, re, mi,
          fa, sol, la, ti, used in singing the tones of the scale

   solfatara
          [sol.fa.ta.ra] n [It, sulfur mine, fr. solfo sulfur, fr.
          L sulfur] (1777): a volcanic area or vent that yields
          only hot vapors and sulfurous gases

   solfege
          [sol.fege] n [F, fr. It solfeggio] (ca. 1903) 1: the application
          of the sol-fa syllables to a musical scale or to a melody
          2: a singing exercise esp. using sol-fa syllables; also:
          practice in sight-reading vocal music using the sol-fa
          syllables

   solfeggio
          [sol.feg.gio] n [It, fr. sol-fa] (1774): solfege

   solgel
          [sol.gel] adj (1915): involving alternation between sol and
          gel states

   soli
          [soli] pl of solo

   solicit
          [so.lic.it] vb [ME, to disturb, take charge of, fr. MF solliciter,
          fr. L sollicitare to disturb, fr. sollicitus anxious, fr. sollus
          whole (fr. Oscan; akin to Gk holos whole) + citus, pp. of ciere
          to move--more at safe, -kinesis] vt (15c) 1 a: to make petition to:
          entreat b: to approach with a request or plea 2: to urge (as one's
          cause) strongly 3 a: to entice or lure esp. into evil
          b: to proposition (someone) esp. as or in the character
          of a prostitute 4: to try to obtain by usu. urgent requests
          or pleas ~ vi 1: to make solicitation: importune 2 of a prostitute:
          to offer to have sexual relations with someone for money syn see
          ask

   solicitant
          [so.lic.i.tant] n (ca. 1812): one who solicits

   solicitation
          [so.lic.i.ta.tion] n (ca. 1520) 1: the practice or act or
          an instance of soliciting; esp: entreaty, importunity
          2: a moving or drawing force: incitement, allurement

   solicitor
          [so.lic.i.tor] n (15c) 1: one that solicits; esp: an agent
          that solicits (as contributions to charity) 2: a British
          lawyer who advises clients, represents them in the lower
          courts, and prepares cases for barristers to try in higher
          courts 3: the chief law officer of a municipality, county,
          or government department -- so.lic.i.tor.ship n

   solicitor general
          [solicitor general] n, pl solicitors general (1647): a law
          officer appointed primarily to assist an attorney general

   solicitous
          [so.lic.i.tous] adj [L sollicitus] (1563) 1: manifesting
          or expressing solicitude <a ~ inquiry about his health>
          2: full of concern or fears: apprehensive <~ about the
          future> 3: meticulously careful <~ in matters of dress>
          4: full of desire: eager -- so.lic.i.tous.ly adv
          -- so.lic.i.tous.ness n

   solicitude
          [so.lic.i.tude] n (15c) 1 a: the state of being solicitous:
          anxiety b: attentive care and protectiveness; also: an
          attitude of solicitous concern or attention 2: a cause
          of care or concern--usu. used in pl.

   [1]solid
          [sol.id] adj [ME solide, fr. MF, fr. L solidus; akin to Gk
          holos whole--more at safe] (14c) 1 a: being without an
          internal cavity <a ~ ball of rubber> b (1): printed with
          minimum space between lines (2): joined without a hyphen
          <a ~ compound> c: not interrupted by a break or opening
          <a ~ wall> 2: having, involving, or dealing with three
          dimensions or with solids <~ configuration> 3 a: of uniformly
          close and coherent texture: not loose or spongy: compact
          b: possessing or characterized by the properties of a
          solid: neither gaseous nor liquid 4: of good substantial
          quality or kind <~ comfort>: as a: sound <~ reasons>
          b: made firmly and well <~ furniture> 5 a: having no
          break or interruption <waited three ~ hours> b: unanimous
          <had the ~ support of the party> c: intimately friendly
          or associated <~ with the boss> 6 a: prudent; also:
          well-established financially b: serious in purpose or character
          7: of one substance or character: as a: entirely of one metal
          or containing the minimum of alloy necessary to impart hardness
          <~ gold> b: of a single color -- sol.id.ly adv -- sol.id.ness
          n [2]solid n (15c) 1: a geometrical figure or element (as a cube
          or sphere) having three dimensions--see volume table
          2 a: a substance that does not flow perceptibly under moderate
          stress, has a definite capacity for resisting forces (as
          compression or tension) which tend to deform it, and under ordinary
          conditions retains a definite size and shape b: the part
          of a solution or suspension that when freed from solvent
          or suspending medium has the qualities of a solid--usu. used in pl.
          <milk ~s> 3: something that is solid: as a: a solid color
          b: a compound word whose members are joined together without
          a hyphen [3]solid adv (1651): in a solid manner; also: unanimously

   solidago
          [sol.i.da.go] n, pl -gos [NL, fr. ML soldago, an herb reputed
          to heal wounds, fr. soldare to make whole, fr. L solidare,
          fr. solidus solid] (ca. 1771): any of a genus (Solidago)
          of chiefly No. American composite herbs including the
          typical goldenrods

   solid angle
          [solid angle] n (ca. 1704): the three-dimensional angular
          spread at the vertex of a cone measured by the area intercepted
          by the cone on a unit sphere whose center is the vertex
          of the cone

   solidarism
          [sol.i.da.rism] n (1906): solidarity -- sol.i.da.rist n --
          sol.i.da.ris.tic adj

   solidarity
          [sol.i.dar.i.ty] n [F solidarite, fr. solidaire characterized
          by solidarity, fr. L solidum whole sum, fr. neut. of
          solidus solid] (1841): unity (as of a group or class)
          that produces or is based on community of interests,
          objectives, and standards

   solid geometry
          [solid geometry] n (1733): a branch of geometry that deals
          with figures of three-dimensional space

   solidify
          [so.lid.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing vt (1799) 1: to make solid,
          compact, or hard 2: to make secure, substantial, or firmly
          fixed <factors that ~ public opinion> ~ vi: to become
          solid, compact, or hard -- so.lid.i.fi.ca.tion n

   solidity
          [so.lid.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the quality or state of
          being solid 2: something solid

   solid-looking
          [sol.id-look.ing] adj (1840): giving an impression of solid
          worth or substance <~ citizens>

   solid of revolution
          [solid of revolution] (1816): a m athematical solid conceived
          as formed by the revolution of a plane figure about an
          axis in its plane

   solid-state
          [solid-state] adj (ca. 1951) 1: relating to the properties,
          structure, or reactivity of solid material; esp: relating
          to the arrangement or behavior of ions, molecules, nucleons,
          electrons, and holes in the crystals of a substance (as
          a semiconductor) or to the effect of crystal imperfections
          on the properties of a solid substance <~ physics> 2
          a: utilizing the electric, magnetic, or optical properties
          of solid materials <~ circuitry> b: using semiconductor
          devices rather than electron tubes <a ~ stereo system>

   solidus
          [sol.i.dus] n, pl -i.di [ME, fr. LL, fr. L, solid] (14c)
          1: an ancient Roman gold coin introduced by Constantine
          and used to the fall of the Byzantine Empire 2 [ML, shilling,
          fr. LL; fr. its use as a symbol for shillings]: diagonal
          3

   solifluction
          [so.li.fluc.tion] n [L solum soil + -i- + fluction-, fluctio
          act of flowing, fr. fluere to flow--more at fluid] (1906):
          the slow creeping of saturated fragmental material (as
          soil) down a slope that usu. occurs in regions of perennial
          frost

   soliloquise
          [so.lil.o.quise] Brit var of soliloquize

   soliloquist
          [so.lil.o.quist] n (1804): one who soliloquizes

   soliloquize
          [so.lil.o.quize] vi -quized ; -quiz.ing (1759): to utter
          a soliloquy: talk to oneself -- so.lil.o.quiz.er n

   soliloquy
          [so.lil.o.quy] n, pl -quies [LL soliloquium, fr. L solus
          alone + loqui to speak] (ca. 1613) 1: the act of talking
          to oneself 2: a dramatic monologue that gives the illusion
          of being a series of unspoken reflections

   solipsism
          [so.lip.sism] n [L solus alone + ipse self] (1874): a theory
          holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications
          and that the self is the only existent thing -- so.lip.sist
          n -- so.lip.sis.tic adj -- so.lip.sis.ti.cal.ly adv

   solitaire
          [sol.i.taire] n [F, fr. solitaire, adj., solitary, fr. L
          solitarius] (ca. 1727) 1: a single gem (as a diamond)
          set alone 2: any of various card games that can be played
          by one person

   [1]solitary
          [sol.i.tary] adj [ME, fr. L solitarius, fr. solitas aloneness,
          fr. solus alone] (14c) 1 a: being, living, or going alone
          or without companions b: saddened by isolation 2: unfrequented,
          desolate 3 a: taken, passed, or performed without companions
          <a ~ ramble> b: keeping a prisoner apart from others
          <~ confinement> 4: being at once single and isolated
          <a ~ example> 5 a: occurring singly and not as part of
          a group or cluster <flowers terminal and ~> b: not gregarious,
          colonial, social, or compound <~ bees> syn see alone
          -- sol.i.tar.i.ly adv -- sol.i.tar.i.ness n [2]solitary
          n, pl -tar.ies (15c) 1: one who lives or seeks to live
          a solitary life: recluse 2: solitary confinement in prison

   soliton
          [sol.i.ton] n [solitary + [2]-on] (1965): a solitary wave
          (as in a gaseous plasma) that propagates with little
          loss of energy and retains its shape and speed after
          colliding with another such wave

   solitude
          [sol.i.tude] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L solitudin-, solitudo, fr.
          solus] (14c) 1: the quality or state of being alone or
          remote from society: seclusion 2: a lonely place (as
          a desert) syn solitude, isolation, seclusion mean the
          state of one who is alone. solitude may imply a condition
          of being apart from all human beings or of being cut
          off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates
          <a few quiet hours of solitude>. isolation stresses detachment
          from others often involuntarily <the isolation of the
          village in winter>. seclusion suggests a shutting away
          or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate
          withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life
          <lived in pastoral seclusion>.

   solitudinarian
          [sol.i.tu.di.nar.i.an] n [L solitudin-, solitudo + E -arian]
          (1691): recluse

   solleret
          [sol.ler.et] n [F] (1826): a flexible steel shoe forming
          part of a medieval suit of armor--see armor illustration

   solmization
          [sol.mi.za.tion] n [F solmisation, fr. solmiser to sol-fa,
          fr. sol (fr. ML) + mi (fr. ML) + -iser -ize] (1730):
          the act, practice, or system of using syllables to denote
          the tones of a musical scale

   soln
          [soln] abbreviation solution

   [1]solo
          [so.lo] n, pl solos [It, fr. solo alone, fr. L solus] (1695)
          1 or pl so.li a: a musical composition for a single voice
          or instrument with or without accompaniment b: the featured
          part of a concerto or similar work 2: a performance in
          which the performer has no partner or associate 3: any
          of several card games in which a player elects to play
          without a partner against the other players [2]solo adv
          (1712): without a companion: alone <fly ~> [3]solo adj
          (1774): of, relating to, or being a solo <a ~ performance>
          [4]solo vi so.loed ; so.lo.ing (1886): to perform by
          oneself; esp: to fly an airplane without one's instructor
          on board

   soloist
          [so.lo.ist] n (1864): one who performs a solo

   Solomon
          [Sol.o.mon] n [LL, fr. Heb Shelomoh]: a son of David and
          10th century b.c. king of Israel proverbial for his wisdom

   Solomonic
          [Sol.o.mon.ic] adj (1857): marked by notable wisdom,
          reasonableness, or discretion esp. under trying circumstances

   Solomon's seal
          [Solomon's seal] n (1543) 1: any of a genus (Polygonatum)
          of perennial herbs of the lily family with tubular flowers
          and gnarled rhizomes--called also Solomonseal 2: an emblem
          consisting of two interlaced triangles forming a 6-pointed
          star and formerly used as an amulet esp. against fever--compare
          hexagram

   solon
          [so.lon] n [Solon] (1625) 1: a wise and skillful lawgiver
          2: a member of a legislative body

   solonchak
          [sol.on.chak] n [Russ, salt marsh] (1925): any of a group
          of intrazonal strongly saline usu. pale soils found esp.
          in poorly drained arid or semiarid areas

   solonetz
          [sol.o.netz] n [Russ solonets salt not extracted by decoction]
          (1924): any of a group of intrazonal dark hard alkaline
          soils evolved by leaching and alkalizing from solonchak
          -- sol.o.netz.ic adj

   so long
          [so long] interj [origin unknown] (1860)--used to express
          farewell

   so long as
          [so long as] conj (14c) 1: during and up to the end of the
          time that: while 2: provided that

   solstice
          [sol.stice] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L solstitium, fr. sol sun
          + -stet-, -stes standing; akin to L stare to stand--more
          at solar, stand] (13c) 1: either of the two points on
          the ecliptic at which its distance from the celestial
          equator is greatest and which is reached by the sun each
          year about June 22d and December 22d 2: the time of the
          sun's passing a solstice which occurs about June 22d
          to begin summer in the northern hemisphere and about
          December 22d to begin winter in the northern hemisphere

   solstitial
          [sol.sti.tial] adj [ME solsticial, fr. OF & L; OF, fr. L
          solstitialis, fr. solstitium] (14c) 1: of, relating to,
          or characteristic of a solstice and esp. the summer solstice
          2: happening or appearing at or associated with a solstice

   solubilise
          [sol.u.bi.lise] Brit var of solubilize

   solubility
          [sol.u.bil.i.ty] n (1661) 1: the quality or state of being
          soluble 2: the amount of a substance that will dissolve
          in a given amount of another substance

   solubilize
          [sol.u.bi.lize] vt -lized ; -liz.ing (ca. 1926): to make
          soluble or increase the solubility of -- sol.u.bi.li.za.tion
          n

   soluble
          [sol.u.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, capable of being loosened or
          dissolved, fr. LL solubilis, fr. L solvere to loosen,
          dissolve--more at solve] (15c) 1: susceptible of being
          dissolved in or as if in a liquid and esp. water 2: subject
          to being solved or explained <~ questions>

   solum
          [so.lum] n, pl so.la or solums [NL, fr. L, ground, soil]
          (1928): the altered layer of soil above the parent material
          that includes the A and B horizons

   solus
          [so.lus] adv or adj [L] (1599): alone--often used in stage
          directions

   solute
          [sol.ute] n [L solutus, pp. of solvere] (1893): a dissolved
          substance

   solution
          [so.lu.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L solution-, solutio, fr.
          solvere to loosen, solve] (14c) 1 a: an action or process
          of solving a problem b: an answer to a problem: explanation;
          specif: a set of values of the variables that satisfies
          an equation 2 a: an act or the process by which a solid,
          liquid, or gaseous substance is homogeneously mixed with
          a liquid or sometimes a gas or solid b: a homogeneous
          mixture formed by this process; esp: a single-phase liquid
          system c: the condition of being dissolved 3: a bringing
          or coming to an end or into a state of discontinuity

   solution set
          [solution set] n (1959): the set of values that satisfy an
          equation; also: truth set

   Solutrean
          [So.lu.tre.an] adj [Solutre, village in France] (1888): of
          or relating to an upper Paleolithic culture characterized
          by leaf-shaped finely flaked stone implements

   solvable
          [solv.able] adj (ca. 1676): susceptible of solution or of
          being solved, resolved, or explained -- solv.abil.i.ty
          n

   [1]solvate
          [sol.vate] n [solvent + [1]-ate] (1904): an aggregate that
          consists of a solute ion or molecule with one or more
          solvent molecules; also: a substance (as a hydrate) containing
          such ions [2]solvate vt sol.vat.ed ; sol.vat.ing (1909):
          to make part of a solvate -- sol.va.tion n

   Solvay process
          [Sol.vay process] n [Ernest Solvay d. 1922 Belg. chemist]
          (1884): a process for making soda from common salt by
          passing carbon dioxide into ammoniacal brine resulting
          in precipitation of sodium bicarbonate which is then
          calcined to carbonate

   solve
          [solve] vb solved ; solv.ing [ME, to loosen, fr. L solvere
          to loosen, solve, dissolve, fr. sed-, se- apart + luere
          to release--more at secede, lose] vt (ca. 1533) 1: to
          find a solution, explanation, or answer for <~ a problem>
          <solved the crime> 2: to pay (as a debt) in full ~ vi:
          to solve something <substitute the known values of the
          constants and ~ for x> -- solv.er n

   solvency
          [sol.ven.cy] n (ca. 1727): the quality or state of being
          solvent

   [1]solvent
          [sol.vent] adj [L solvent-, solvens, prp. of solvere to dissolve,
          pay] (1630) 1: able to pay all legal debts 2: that dissolves
          or can dissolve <~ action of water> -- sol.vent.ly adv
          [2]solvent n (1671) 1: a usu. liquid substance capable
          of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances
          2: something that provides a solution 3: something that
          eliminates or attenuates something esp. unwanted -- sol.vent.less
          adj

   solvitur ambulando
          [sol.vi.tur am.bu.lan.do] [L] foreign term : it is solved
          by walking: the problem is solved by a practical experiment

   solvolysis
          [sol.vol.y.sis] n [NL, fr. E solvent + NL -o- + -lysis] (1916):
          a chemical reaction (as hydrolysis) of a solvent and
          solute that results in the formation of new compounds
          -- sol.vo.lyt.ic adj

   Som
          [Som] abbreviation Somersetshire

   [1]soma
          [so.ma] n [Skt; akin to Av haoma, a Zoroastrian ritual drink,
          Skt sunoti he presses out] (1827): an intoxicating plant
          juice prob. from a leafless vine (Sarcostemma intermedium)
          of the milkweed family used in ancient India as an offering
          to the gods and as a drink of immortality by worshipers
          in Vedic ritual and worshiped as a Vedic god [2]soma
          n, pl so.ma.ta or somas [NL somat-, soma, fr. Gk somat-,
          soma body] (ca. 1885) 1: the body of an organism 2: all
          of an organism except the germ cells 3: cell body

   Somali
          [So.ma.li] n, pl Somali or Somalis (1814) 1: a member of
          a people of Somaliland 2: the Cushitic language of the
          Somali

   so many
          [so many] adj (1533) 1: constituting an unspecified number
          <read so many chapters each night> 2: constituting a
          group or pack <behaved like so many animals>

   somat-
          [somat-] or somato- comb form [NL, fr. Gk somat-, somato-,
          fr. somat-, soma body]: body <somatology>

   somatic
          [so.mat.ic] adj [Gk somatikos, fr. somat-, soma] (ca. 1775)
          1: of, relating to, or affecting the body esp. as distinguished
          from the germ plasm or the psyche 2: of or relating to
          the wall of the body: parietal -- so.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   somatic cell
          [somatic cell] n (1888): one of the cells of the body that
          compose the tissues, organs, and parts of that individual
          other than the germ cells

   somatology
          [so.ma.tol.o.gy] n [NL somatologia, fr. somat- + -logia -logy]
          (ca. 1878): a branch of anthropology primarily concerned
          with the comparative study of human evolution, variation,
          and classification esp. through measurement and observation
          -- so.ma.to.log.i.cal adj

   somatomedin
          [so.mato.me.din] n [somat- + intermediary + [1]-in] (1971):
          any of several endogenous peptides produced esp. in the
          liver that are dependent on and prob. mediate growth
          hormone activity (as in sulfate uptake by epiphyseal
          cartilage)

   somatopleure
          [so.mato.pleure] n [NL somatopleura, fr. somat- + Gk pleura
          side] (1874): a complex fold of tissue in the embryo
          of a craniate vertebrate consisting of an outer layer
          of mesoderm together with the ectoderm that sheathes
          it and giving rise to the amnion and chorion

   somatosensory
          [so.mato.sen.so.ry] adj (1952): of, relating to, or being
          sensory activity having its origin elsewhere than in
          the special sense organs (as eyes and ears) and conveying
          information about the state of the body proper and its
          immediate environment

   somatostatin
          [so.mato.stat.in] n [somat- + L status (pp. of sistere to
          halt, cause to stand) + E [1]-in; akin to L stare to
          stand--more at stand] (1973): a polypeptide neurohormone
          that is found esp. in the hypothalamus and inhibits the
          secretion of several other hormones (as growth hormone,
          insulin, and gastrin)

   somatotropic hormone
          [so.mato.tro.pic hormone] n [somat- + -tropic] (1938): growth
          hormone 1

   somatotropin
          [so.mato.tro.pin] also so.mato.tro.phin n [somatotropic +
          [1]-in] (1941): growth hormone 1

   somatotype
          [so.mato.type] n (1940): body type: physique

   somber
          [som.ber] or som.bre adj [F sombre] (1760) 1: so shaded as
          to be dark and gloomy 2 a: of a serious mien: grave b:
          of a dismal or depressing character: melancholy c: conveying
          gloomy suggestions or ideas 3: of a dull or heavy cast
          or shade: dark colored -- som.ber.ly adv -- som.ber.ness
          n

   sombrero
          [som.bre.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp, fr. sombra shade] (1599): a
          high-crowned hat of felt or straw with a very wide brim
          worn esp. in the Southwest and Mexico

   sombrous
          [som.brous] adj [F sombre] (1730) archaic: somber

   [1]some
          [some] adj [ME som, adj. & pron., fr. OE sum; akin to OHG
          sum some, Gk hame somehow, homos same--more at same]
          (bef. 12c) 1: being an unknown, undetermined, or unspecified
          unit or thing <~ person knocked> 2 a: being one, a part,
          or an unspecified number of something (as a class or
          group) named or implied <~ gems are hard> b: being of
          an unspecified amount or number <give me ~ water> <have
          ~ apples> 3: remarkable, striking <that was ~ party>
          4: being at least one--used to indicate that a logical
          proposition is asserted only of a subclass or certain
          members of the class denoted by the term which it modifies
          [2]some pron, sing or pl in constr (bef. 12c) 1: one
          indeterminate quantity, portion, or number as distinguished
          from the rest 2: an indefinite additional amount <ran
          a mile and then ~> [3]some adv (bef. 12c) 1: about <~
          80 houses> <twenty-some people> 2 a: in some degree:
          somewhat <felt ~ better> b: to some degree or extent:
          a little <the cut bled ~> <I need to work on it ~ more>
          c--used as a mild intensive <that's going ~> usage When
          some is used to modify a number, it is almost always
          a round number <a community of some 150,000 inhabitants>
          but because some is slightly more emphatic than about
          or approximately it is occas. used with a more exact
          number in an intensive function <an expert parachutist,
          he has some 115 jumps to his credit --Current Biog.>.
          When some is used without a number, most commentators
          feel that somewhat is to be preferred. Their advice is
          an oversimplification, however; only when some modifies
          an adjective, usu. a comparative, will somewhat always
          substitute smoothly. When some modifies a verb or adverb,
          and esp. when it follows a verb, substitution of somewhat
          may prove awkward <Italy forced me to grow up some --E.
          W. Brooke> <I'm not a prude; I've been around some in
          my day --Roy Rogers> <here in Newport, both Southern
          Cross and Courageous practiced some more --W. N. Wallace>.

   [1]-some
          [-some] adj suffix [ME -som, fr. OE -sum; akin to OHG -sam
          -some, OE sum some]: characterized by a (specified) thing,
          quality, state, or action <awesome> <burdensome> <cuddlesome>
          [2]-some n suffix [ME (northern dial.) -sum, fr. ME sum,
          pron., one, some]: group of (so many) members and esp.
          persons <foursome> [3]-some n comb form [NL -somat-,
          -soma, fr. Gk somat-, soma] 1: body <chromosome> 2: chromosome
          <monosome>

   [1]somebody
          [some.body] pron (14c): one or some person of unspecified
          or indefinite identity <~ will come in> [2]somebody n
          (ca. 1566): a person of position or importance

   someday
          [some.day] adv (14c): at some future time

   somedeal
          [some.deal] adv (bef. 12c) archaic: somewhat

   somehow
          [some.how] adv (1664): in one way or another not known or
          designated: by some means

   someone
          [some.one] pron (14c): some person: somebody

   someplace
          [some.place] adv (1880): somewhere

   somersault
          [som.er.sault] n [MF sombresaut leap, ultim. fr. L super
          over + saltus leap, fr. salire to jump--more at over,
          sally] (ca. 1530): a leap or roll in which a person turns
          forward or backward in a complete revolution bringing
          the feet over the head and finally landing on the feet;
          also: a falling or tumbling head over heels -- somersault
          vi

   somerset
          [som.er.set] n or vi [by alter.] (1591): somersault

   [1]something
          [some.thing] pron (bef. 12c) 1: some indeterminate or unspecified
          thing 2: a person or thing of consequence 3: one having
          more or less the character, qualities, or nature of something
          different <is ~ of a bore> -- something else : something
          or someone special or extraordinary [2]something adv
          (13c) 1: in some degree: somewhat 2--used as an intensive
          giving adverbial force to an adjective <swears ~ awful>

   [1]sometime
          [some.time] adv (14c) 1 archaic: in the past: formerly 2
          archaic: once in a while: occasionally 3: at some time
          in the future <I'll do it ~> 4: at some not specified
          or definitely known point of time <~ last night> [2]sometime
          adj (14c) 1: having been formerly: former, late 2: being
          so occasionally or in only some respects <a ~ ... father
          who appears and disappears --Evelyn Shelby>

   [1]sometimes
          [some.times] adv (14c): at times: now and then: occasionally
          [2]sometimes adj (1593): sometime

   someway
          [some.way] also some.ways adv (15c): somehow

   [1]somewhat
          [some.what] pron (13c): something [2]somewhat adv (13c):
          in some degree or measure: slightly

   somewhen
          [some.when] adv (1833): sometime

   [1]somewhere
          [some.where] adv (13c) 1: in, at, from, or to a place unknown
          or unspecified <mentions it ~> 2: to a place symbolizing
          positive accomplishment or progress <now we're getting
          ~> 3: in the vicinity of: approximately <~ about nine
          o'clock> [2]somewhere n (1647): an undetermined or unnamed
          place

   somewheres
          [some.wheres] adv (1815): somewhere

   somewhither
          [some.whith.er] adv (1530) archaic: to some place: somewhere

   -somic
          [-somic] adj comb form [ISV [3]-some + -ic]: having or being
          a chromosome complement of which one or more but not
          all members exhibit (such) a degree of reduplication
          of chromosomes or genomes <monosomic>

   somite
          [so.mite] n [ISV, fr. Gk soma body] (1869): one of the longitudinal
          series of segments into which the body of many animals (as
          articulate animals and vertebrates) is divided: metamere

   sommelier
          [som.me.lier] n, pl sommeliers [F, fr. MF, court official
          charged with transportation of supplies, pack animal
          driver, fr. OProv saumalier pack animal driver, fr. sauma
          pack animal, load of a pack animal, fr. LL sagma packsaddle--more
          at sumpter] (1829): a waiter in a restaurant who has
          charge of wines and their service: a wine steward

   somnambul-
          [somnambul-] comb form [NL, fr. somnambulus somnambulist,
          fr. L somnus sleep + -ambulus (as in funambulus funambulist)--more
          at somnolent]: somnambulism: somnambulist <somnambulant>

   somnambulant
          [som.nam.bu.lant] adj (1866): walking or addicted to walking
          while asleep

   somnambulate
          [som.nam.bu.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing (1833): to walk when
          asleep -- som.nam.bu.la.tion n

   somnambulism
          [som.nam.bu.lism] n (1797) 1: an abnormal condition of sleep
          in which motor acts (as walking) are performed 2: actions
          characteristic of somnambulism -- som.nam.bu.list n --
          som.nam.bu.lis.tic adj -- som.nam.bu.lis.ti.cal.ly adv

   somnifacient
          [som.ni.fa.cient] adj [L somnus sleep + E -facient] (ca.
          1890): hypnotic 1 -- somnifacient n

   somniferous
          [som.nif.er.ous] adj [L somnifer somniferous, fr. somnus
          + -fer -ferous] (1602): soporific

   somnolence
          [som.no.lence] n (14c): the quality or state of being drowsy:
          sleepiness

   somnolent
          [som.no.lent] adj [ME sompnolent, fr. MF, fr. L somnolentus,
          fr. somnus sleep; akin to OE swefn sleep, Gk hypnos]
          (15c) 1: of a kind likely to induce sleep <a ~ sermon>
          2 a: inclined to or heavy with sleep: drowsy b: sleepy
          2 <~ rivers> -- som.no.lent.ly adv

   [1]so much
          [so much] adv (13c): by the amount indicated or suggested
          <if they lose their way, so much the better for us> [2]so
          much pron (14c) 1: something (as an amount or price)
          unspecified or undetermined <charge so much a mile> 2:
          all that can be or is to be said or done <so much for
          the history of the case> [3]so much adj (1557)--used
          as an intensive <the house burned like so much paper>
          <sounded like so much nonsense>

   so much as
          [so much as] adv (15c): even 3d

   son-
          [son-] or sono- comb form [L sonus sound]: sound <sonic>
          <sonogram>

   son
          [son] n [ME sone, fr. OE sunu; akin to OHG sun son, Gk hyios]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a male offspring esp. of human beings
          b: a male adopted child c: a male descendant 2 cap: the
          second person of the Trinity 3: a person closely associated
          with or deriving from a formative agent (as a nation,
          school, or race) -- son.hood n

   sonant
          [so.nant] adj [L sonant-, sonans, prp. of sonare to sound--more
          at sound] (1846) 1: voiced 2 2: syllabic 1a -- sonant
          n

   sonar
          [so.nar] n [sound navigation ranging] (1945): a method or
          device for detecting and locating objects esp. underwater
          by means of sound waves sent out to be reflected by the
          objects; also: a device for detecting the presence of
          a vessel (as a submarine) by the sound it emits in water

   sonata
          [so.na.ta] n [It, fr. sonare to sound, fr. L] (1694): an
          instrumental musical composition typically of three or
          four movements in contrasting forms and keys

   sonata form
          [sonata form] n (1873): a musical form that consists basically
          of an exposition, a development, and a recapitulation
          and that is used esp. for the first movement of a sonata

   sonatina
          [son.a.ti.na] n [It, dim. of sonata] (ca. 1801): a short
          usu. simplified sonata

   sonde
          [sonde] n [F, lit., sounding line--more at sound] (1901):
          any of various devices for testing physical conditions
          (as at high altitudes, below the earth's surface, or
          inside the body)

   sone
          [sone] n [ISV, fr. L sonus sound--more at sound] (1948):
          a subjective unit of loudness for an average listener
          equal to the loudness of a 1000-hertz sound that has
          an intensity 40 decibels above the listener's own threshold
          of hearing

   son et lumiere
          [son et lu.miere] n [F, lit., sound and light] (1957): an
          outdoor spectacle at an historic site consisting of recorded
          narration with light and sound effects

   song
          [song] n [ME, fr. OE sang; akin to OE singan to sing] (bef.
          12c) 1: the act or art of singing 2: poetical composition
          3 a: a short musical composition of words and music b:
          a collection of such compositions 4: a distinctive or
          characteristic sound or series of sounds (as of a bird
          or insect) 5 a: a melody for a lyric poem or ballad b:
          a poem easily set to music 6 a: a habitual or characteristic
          manner b: a violent, abusive, or noisy reaction <put
          up quite a ~> 7: a small amount <sold for a ~> -- song.like
          adj

   song and dance
          [song and dance] n (1872) 1: a theatrical performance (as
          a vaudeville performance) combining singing and dancing
          2: a long and often familiar statement or explanation
          that is usu. not true or pertinent

   songbird
          [song.bird] n (1774) 1 a: a bird that utters a succession
          of musical tones b: an oscine bird 2: a female singer

   songbook
          [song.book] n (bef. 12c): a collection of songs; specif:
          a book containing vocal music (as hymns)

   song cycle
          [song cycle] n (1899): a group of related songs designed
          to form a musical entity

   songfest
          [song.fest] n (ca. 1912): an informal session of group singing
          of popular or folk songs

   songful
          [song.ful] adj (14c): given to or suggestive of singing:
          melodious -- song.ful.ly adv -- song.ful.ness n

   songless
          [song.less] adj (ca. 1805): lacking in, incapable of, or
          not given to song -- song.less.ly adv

   Song of Solomon
          [Song of Sol.o.mon] [fr. the opening verse: "The song of
          songs, which is Solomon's"]: a collection of love poems
          forming a book in the Protestant canon of the Old Testament

   Song of Songs
          [Song of Songs] [trans. of Heb shir hashshirim]: a collection
          of love poems forming a book in the canonical Jewish
          Scriptures and in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old
          Testament and corresponding to the Song of Solomon in
          the Protestant canon of the Old Testament

   songsmith
          [song.smith] n (1795): a composer of songs

   song sparrow
          [song sparrow] n (1810): a common No. American sparrow (Melospiza
          melodia) that is brownish above and white below with
          brownish streaks on the breast and that is noted for
          it melodious song

   songster
          [song.ster] n (14c) 1: one that sings with skill 2: songbook

   songstress
          [song.stress] n (1703): a female singer

   song thrush
          [song thrush] n (1668): an Old World thrush (Turdus philomelos)
          that is largely brown above with brown-spotted white
          underparts--called also mavis, throstle

   songwriter
          [song.writ.er] n (1821): a person who composes words or music
          or both esp. for popular songs -- song.writ.ing n

   sonic
          [son.ic] adj (1923) 1: utilizing, produced by, or relating
          to sound waves <~ altimeter>; broadly: of or involving
          sound <~ pollution> 2: having a frequency within the
          audibility range of the human ear--used of waves and
          vibrations 3: of, relating to, or being the speed of
          sound in air or about 761 miles per hour (1224 kilometers
          per hour) at sea level at 59 degrees F (15 degrees C)
          4: capable of uttering sounds -- son.i.cal.ly adv

   sonicate
          [son.i.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [sonic + [4]-ate] (1960):
          to disrupt (as bacteria) by treatment with high-frequency
          sound waves -- son.i.ca.tion n

   sonic barrier
          [sonic barrier] n (1946): sound barrier

   sonic boom
          [sonic boom] n (1952): a sound resembling an explosion produced
          when a shock wave formed at the nose of an aircraft traveling
          at supersonic speed reaches the ground--called also sonic
          bang

   son-in-law
          [son-in-law] n, pl sons-in-law (14c): the husband of one's
          daughter

   sonless
          [son.less] adj (14c): not possessing or never having had
          a son

   sonly
          [son.ly] adj (15c): filial

   sonnet
          [son.net] n [It sonetto, fr. OProv sonet little song, fr.
          son sound, song, fr. L sonus sound] (1557): a fixed verse
          form of Italian origin consisting of fourteen lines that
          are typically five-foot iambics rhyming according to
          a prescribed scheme; also: a poem in this pattern

   sonneteer
          [son.ne.teer] n (1665) 1: a composer of sonnets 2: a minor
          or insignificant poet -- son.ne.teer.ing n

   sonnet sequence
          [sonnet sequence] n (1881): a series of sonnets often having
          a unifying theme

   sonny
          [son.ny] n (1850): a young boy--usu. used in address

   sonobuoy
          [so.no.buoy] n (1945): a buoy equipped for detecting underwater
          sounds and transmitting them by radio

   son of a bitch
          [son of a bitch] n, pl sons of bitch.es (1671): bastard
          3--sometimes considered vulgar--sometimes used interjectionally
          to express surprise or disappointment

   son of a gun
          [son of a gun] n, pl sons of guns (1708)--usu. used as a
          mild or euphemistic alternative to son of a bitch--sometimes
          used interjectionally to express surprise or disappointment

   son of God
          [son of God] (14c) 1 often cap S: a superhuman or divine
          being (as an angel) 2 cap S: messiah 1 3: a person established
          in the love of God by divine promise

   son of man
          [son of man] (14c) 1: a human being 2 often cap S: God's
          messiah destined to preside over the final judgment of
          mankind

   sonogram
          [sono.gram] n (1956): an image produced by ultrasound

   sonography
          [so.nog.ra.phy] n (1977): ultrasound 2

   sonority
          [so.nor.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1623) 1: the quality or state
          of being sonorous: resonance 2: a sonorous tone or speech

   sonorous
          [so.no.rous] adj [L sonorus; akin to L sonus sound] (1611)
          1: producing sound (as when struck) 2: full or loud in
          sound 3: imposing or impressive in effect or style 4:
          having a high or an indicated degree of sonority -- so.no.rous.ly
          adv -- so.no.rous.ness n

   sonship
          [son.ship] n (1587): the relationship of son to father

   sonsy
          [sonsy] or sons.ie adj [Sc sons health] (1725) chiefly dial:
          buxom, comely

   soon
          [soon] adv [ME soone, fr. OE sona; akin to OHG san immediately]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a obs: at once: immediately b: before long:
          without undue time lapse <~ after sunrise> 2: in a prompt
          manner: speedily <as ~ as possible> <the ~er the better>
          3 archaic: before the usual time 4: in agreement with
          one's choice or preference: willingly <I'd just as ~
          walk as drive>

   sooner
          [soon.er] n [sooner, compar. of soon] (1890) 1: a person
          settling on land in the early West before its official
          opening to settlement in order to gain the prior claim
          allowed by law to the first settler after official opening
          2 cap: a native or resident of Oklahoma--used as a nickname

   sooner or later
          [sooner or later] adv (1577): at some uncertain future time:
          sometime

   [1]soot
          [soot] n [ME, fr. OE sot; akin to OIr suide soot, OE sittan
          to sit] (bef. 12c): a black substance formed by combustion
          or separated from fuel during combustion, rising in fine
          particles, and adhering to the sides of the chimney or
          pipe conveying the smoke; esp: the fine powder consisting
          chiefly of carbon that colors smoke [2]soot vt (1602):
          to coat or cover with soot

   [1]sooth
          [sooth] adj [ME, fr. OE soth; akin to OHG sand true, L esse
          to be] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: true 2 archaic: soft, sweet
          [2]sooth n (bef. 12c) 1: truth, reality 2 obs: blandishment

   soothe
          [soothe] vb soothed ; sooth.ing [ME sothen to verify, fr.
          OE sothian, fr. soth] vt (1697) 1: to please by or as
          if by attention or concern: placate 2: relieve, alleviate
          3: to bring comfort, solace, or reassurance to ~ vi:
          to bring peace, composure, or quietude -- sooth.er n

   soothfast
          [sooth.fast] adj (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: true 2 archaic: truthful

   soothing
          [sooth.ing] adj (1749): tending to soothe; also: having a
          sedative effect <~ syrup> -- sooth.ing.ly adv -- sooth.ing.ness
          n

   soothly
          [sooth.ly] adv (bef. 12c) archaic: in truth: truly

   soothsayer
          [sooth.say.er] n (14c): a person who predicts the future
          by magical, intuitive, or more rational means: prognosticator

   soothsaying
          [sooth.say.ing] n (15c) 1: the act of foretelling events
          2: prediction, prophecy -- sooth.say vi

   sooty
          [sooty] adj soot.i.er ; -est (13c) 1 a: of, relating to,
          or producing soot b: soiled with soot 2: of the color
          of soot -- soot.i.ly adv -- soot.i.ness n

   sooty mold
          [sooty mold] n (1901): a dark growth of fungus mycelium growing
          in insect honeydew on plants; also: a fungus producing
          such growth

   sooty tern
          [sooty tern] n (1785): a widely distributed tern (Sterna
          fuscata) of tropical oceans that is blackish above and
          white below--called also wideawake

   [1]sop
          [sop] n [ME soppe, fr. OE sopp; akin to OE supan to swallow--more
          at sup] (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly dial: a piece of food dipped
          or steeped in a liquid 2: a conciliatory or propitiatory
          bribe, gift, or gesture [2]sop vt sopped ; sop.ping (ca.
          1529) 1 a: to steep or dip in or as if in liquid b: to
          wet thoroughly: soak 2: mop a 3: to give a bribe or conciliatory
          gift to

   SOP
          [SOP] abbreviation standard operating procedure, standing
          operating procedure

   sopaipilla
          [so.pai.pil.la] or so.pa.pil.la n [AmerSp sopaipilla, dim.
          of Sp sopaipa fritter soaked in honey, fr. sopa food
          soaked in milk, of Gmc origin; akin to OE supan to swallow]
          (ca. 1940): a square of deep-fried dough often sweetened
          and eaten as dessert

   soph
          [soph] abbreviation sophomore

   sophism
          [soph.ism] n (15c) 1: an argument apparently correct in form
          but actually invalid; esp: such an argument used to deceive
          2: sophistry 1

   sophist
          [soph.ist] n [L sophista, fr. Gk sophistes, lit., expert,
          wise man, fr. sophizesthai to become wise, deceive, fr.
          sophos clever, wise] (1542) 1 cap: any of a class of
          ancient Greek teachers of rhetoric, philosophy, and the
          art of successful living prominent about the middle of
          the 5th century b.c. for their adroit subtle and allegedly
          often specious reasoning 2: philosopher, thinker 3: a
          captious or fallacious reasoner

   sophistic
          [so.phis.tic] or so.phis.ti.cal adj (15c) 1: of or relating
          to sophists, sophistry, or the ancient Sophists <~ rhetoric>
          <~ subtleties> 2: plausible but fallacious <~ reasoning>
          -- so.phis.ti.cal.ly adv

   [1]sophisticate
          [so.phis.ti.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ME, fr. ML sophisticatus,
          pp. of sophisticare, fr. L sophisticus sophistic, fr.
          Gk sophistikos, fr. sophistes sophist] (15c) 1: to alter
          deceptively; esp: adulterate 2: to deprive of genuineness,
          naturalness, or simplicity; esp: to deprive of naivete and make
          worldly-wise: disillusion 3: to make complicated or complex
          [2]so.phis.ti.cate n (1923): a sophisticated person

   sophisticated
          [so.phis.ti.cat.ed] adj [ML sophisticatus] (1601) 1: not
          in a natural, pure, or original state: adulterated <a
          ~ oil> 2: deprived of native or original simplicity:
          as a: highly complicated or developed: complex <~ electronic
          devices> b: having a refined knowledge of the ways of
          the world cultivated esp. through wide experience <a
          ~ lady> 3: devoid of grossness: as a: finely experienced
          and aware <a ~ columnist> b: intellectually appealing
          <a ~ novel> -- so.phis.ti.cat.ed.ly adv syn sophisticated,
          worldly-wise, blase mean experienced in the ways of the
          world. sophisticated often implies refinement, urbanity,
          cleverness, and cultivation <guests at her salon were
          usually rich and sophisticated>. worldly-wise suggests
          a close and practical knowledge of the affairs and manners
          of society and an inclination toward materialism <a worldly-wise
          woman with a philosophy of personal independence>. blase
          implies a lack of responsiveness to common joys as a
          result of a real or affected surfeit of experience and
          cultivation <blase travelers who claimed to have been
          everywhere>.

   sophistication
          [so.phis.ti.ca.tion] n (15c) 1 a: the use of sophistry: sophistic
          reasoning b: sophism, quibble 2: the process of making
          impure or weak: adulteration 3: the process or result
          of becoming cultured, knowledgeable, or disillusioned;
          esp: cultivation, urbanity 4: the process or result of
          becoming more complex, developed, or subtle

   sophistry
          [soph.ist.ry] n (14c) 1: subtly deceptive reasoning
          or argumentation 2: sophism 1

   sophomore
          [soph.o.more] n [perh. fr. Gk sophos wise + moros foolish]
          (1688): a student in the second year at college or a
          4-year secondary school

   sophomoric
          [soph.o.mor.ic] adj (1813) 1: conceited and overconfident
          of knowledge but poorly informed and immature 2: of,
          relating to, or characteristic of a sophomore <a ~ prank>

   Sophonias
          [So.pho.ni.as] n [LL, fr. Gk, fr. Heb Sephanyah]: zephaniah

   -sophy
          [-sophy] n comb form [ME -sophie, fr. OF, fr. L -sophia,
          fr. Gk, fr. sophia wisdom, fr. sophos]: knowledge: wisdom:
          science <anthroposophy>

   sophy
          [so.phy] n [Per Safi] (1534) archaic: a sovereign of Persia

   sopite
          [so.pite] vt so.pit.ed ; so.pit.ing [L sopitus, pp. of sopire
          to put to sleep; akin to L sopor deep sleep] (1542) 1
          archaic: to put to sleep: lull 2 archaic: to put an end
          to (as a claim): settle

   soporiferous
          [sop.o.rif.er.ous] adj [L soporifer soporiferous, fr. sopor
          + -fer -ferous] (1590): soporific -- sop.o.rif.er.ous.ness
          n

   [1]soporific
          [sop.o.rif.ic] adj [prob. fr. F soporifique, fr. L sopor
          deep sleep; akin to L somnus sleep--more at somnolent]
          (1665) 1 a: causing or tending to cause sleep b: tending
          to dull awareness or alertness 2: of, relating to, or
          marked by sleepiness or lethargy [2]soporific n (ca.
          1727): a soporific agent; specif: hypnotic 1

   sopping
          [sop.ping] adj (1877): wet through: soaking

   soppy
          [sop.py] adj sop.pi.er ; -est (1823) 1 a: soaked through:
          saturated b: very wet 2: sentimental, mawkish -- sop.pi.ness
          n

   sopranino
          [so.pra.ni.no] n, pl -nos [It, dim. of soprano] (1905): a
          musical instrument (as a recorder or saxophone) higher
          in pitch than the soprano

   [1]soprano
          [so.pra.no] adj [It, adj. & n., fr. sopra above, fr. L supra--more
          at supra-] (1730): relating to or having the range or part
          of a soprano [2]soprano n, pl -nos (1738) 1: the highest singing
          voice of women, boys, or castrati; also: a person having this voice
          2: the highest voice part in a 4-part chorus 3: a member
          of a family of instruments having the highest range

   sora
          [so.ra] n [origin unknown] (1705): a small short-billed No.
          American rail (Porzana carolina) common in marshes

   sorb
          [sorb] vt [back-formation fr. absorb & adsorb] (1909): to
          take up and hold by either adsorption or absorption --
          sorb.abil.i.ty n -- sorb.able adj Sorb n [G Sorbe, fr.
          Sorbian serbje] (1843) 1: wend 2: wendish -- Sor.bi.an
          adj or n

   sorbate
          [sor.bate] n (ca. 1823): a salt or ester of sorbic acid--compare
          potassium sorbate

   sorbent
          [sor.bent] n [L sorbent-, sorbens, prp. of sorbere to suck
          up--more at absorb] (ca. 1856): a substance that sorbs

   sorbet
          [sor.bet] n [MF, fr. OIt sorbetto, fr. Turk serbet--more
          at sherbet] (1864): a fruit-flavored ice served as a
          dessert or between courses as a palate refresher

   sorbic acid
          [sor.bic acid] n [sorb fruit of the service or related trees,
          fr. F sorbe, fr. L sorbum] (1815): a crystalline acid
          obtained from the unripe fruits of the mountain ash or
          synthesized and used esp. as a fungicide and food preservative

   sorbitol
          [sor.bi.tol] n [sorb fruit of the service or related trees
          + -itol] (1895): a faintly sweet alcohol that occurs
          in some fruits, is made synthetically, and is used esp.
          as a humectant and softener and in making ascorbic acid

   sorcerer
          [sor.cer.er] n (15c): a person who practices sorcery: wizard

   sorceress
          [sor.cer.ess] n (14c): a woman who is a sorcerer

   sorcerous
          [sor.cer.ous] adj (1546): of or relating to sorcery: magical

   sorcery
          [sor.cery] n [ME sorcerie, fr. MF, fr. sorcier sorcerer,
          fr. (assumed) VL sortiarius, fr. L sort-, sors chance,
          lot--more at series] (14c) 1: the use of power gained
          from the assistance or control of evil spirits esp. for
          divining: necromancy 2: magic 2a

   sordid
          [sor.did] adj [L sordidus, fr. sordes dirt--more at swart]
          (1609) 1: marked by baseness or grossness: vile <~ motives>
          2 a: dirty, filthy b: wretched, squalid 3: meanly avaricious:
          covetous 4: of a dull or muddy color syn see mean --
          sor.did.ly adv -- sor.did.ness n

   sordino
          [sor.di.no] n, pl -di.ni [It, fr. sordo silent, fr. L surdus]
          (ca. 1801): mute 3

   [1]sore
          [sore] adj sor.er ; sor.est [ME sor, fr. OE sar; akin to
          OHG ser sore and prob. to OIr saeth distress] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: causing pain or distress b: painfully sensitive:
          tender <~ muscles> c: hurt or inflamed so as to be or
          seem painful <~ runny eyes> <a dog limping on a ~ leg>
          2: attended by difficulties, hardship, or exertion 3:
          angry, irked <a ~ loser> -- sore.ness n [2]sore n (bef.
          12c) 1: a localized sore spot on the body; esp: one (as
          an ulcer) with the tissues ruptured or abraded and usu.
          with infection 2: a source of pain or vexation: affliction
          [3]sore adv (bef. 12c): sorely

   sorehead
          [sore.head] n (1848): a person easily angered or disgruntled
          -- sorehead or sore.head.ed adj

   sorely
          [sore.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: in a sore manner: painfully 2:
          very, extremely <~ needed changes>

   sore throat
          [sore throat] n (1686): pain in the throat due to inflammation
          of the fauces and pharynx

   sorghum
          [sor.ghum] n [NL, fr. It sorgo, fr. (assumed) VL Syricum
          (granum), lit., Syrian grain] (1597) 1: any of an economically
          important genus (Sorghum) of Old World tropical grasses
          similar to Indian corn in habit but with the spikelets
          in pairs on a hairy rachis; esp: any of various cultivars
          (as grain sorghum or sorgo) derived from a wild form
          (S. bicolor syn. S. vulgare) 2: syrup from the juice
          of a sorgo that resembles cane syrup 3: something cloyingly
          sentimental

   sorgo
          [sor.go] n [It] (ca. 1760): a sorghum cultivated primarily
          for the sweet juice in its stems from which sugar and
          syrup are made but also used for fodder and silage--called
          also sweet sorghum

   sorites
          [so.ri.tes] n, pl sorites [L, fr. Gk sorites, fr. soros heap]
          (1551): an argument consisting of propositions so arranged
          that the predicate of any one forms the subject of the
          next and the conclusion unites the subject of the first
          proposition with the predicate of the last

   Soroptimist
          [So.rop.ti.mist] n [Soroptimist (Club)] (1924): a member
          of a service club composed of professional women and
          women business executives

   sororal
          [so.ro.ral] adj [L soror sister--more at sister] (1858):
          of, relating to, or characteristic of a sister: sisterly

   sororate
          [so.ro.rate] n [L soror] (1910): the marriage of one man
          to two or more sisters usu. successively and after the
          first wife has been found to be barren or after her death

   sorority
          [so.ror.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ML sororitas sisterhood, fr. L
          soror sister] (1900): a club of women; specif: a women's
          student organization (as at a college) that is formed
          chiefly for social purposes and has a name consisting
          of Greek letters

   sorption
          [sorp.tion] n [back-formation fr. absorption & adsorption]
          (1909): the process of sorbing: the state of being sorbed
          -- sorp.tive adj

   [1]sorrel
          [sor.rel] n [ME sorelle, fr. MF sorel, n. & adj., fr. sor
          reddish brown] (15c) 1: a sorrel-colored animal; esp:
          a light bright chestnut horse often with white mane and
          tail--compare [1]chestnut 4, [2]bay 1 2: a brownish orange
          to light brown [2]sorrel n [ME sorel, fr. MF surele,
          fr. OF, fr. sur sour, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG sur
          sour--more at sour] (15c): any of various plants or plant
          parts with sour juice: as a: any of various docks (as
          Rumex acetosa and R. acetosella); also: the leaves used
          as a potherb b: wood sorrel

   sorrel tree
          [sorrel tree] n (1687): sourwood

   [1]sorrow
          [sor.row] n [ME sorow, fr. OE sorg; akin to OHG sorga sorrow]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: deep distress, sadness, or regret esp.
          for the loss of someone or something loved b: resultant
          unhappy or unpleasant state <to his ~ he lost his temper>
          2: a cause of grief or sadness 3: a display of grief
          or sadness syn sorrow, grief, anguish, woe, regret mean
          distress of mind. sorrow implies a sense of loss or a
          sense of guilt and remorse <a family united in sorrow
          upon the patriarch's death>. grief implies poignant sorrow
          for an immediate cause <the inexpressible grief of the
          bereaved parents>. anguish suggests torturing grief or
          dread <the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped
          child>. woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery <cries
          of woe echoed throughout the bombed city>. regret implies
          pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing,
          or unavailing remorse <nagging regret for missed opportunities>.
          [2]sorrow vi (bef. 12c): to feel or express sorrow --
          sor.row.er n

   sorrowful
          [sor.row.ful] adj (bef. 12c) 1: full of or marked by sorrow
          2: expressive of or inducing sorrow -- sor.row.ful.ly
          adv -- sor.row.ful.ness n

   sorry
          [sor.ry] adj sor.ri.er ; -est [ME sory, fr. OE sarig, fr.
          sar sore] (bef. 12c) 1: feeling sorrow, regret, or penitence
          2: mournful, sad 3: inspiring sorrow, pity, scorn, or
          ridicule syn see contemptible -- sor.ri.ly adv -- sor.ri.ness
          n

   [1]sort
          [sort] n [ME, fr. MF sorte, prob. fr. ML sort-, sors, fr.
          L, chance, lot--more at series] (14c) 1 a: a group set
          up on the basis of any characteristic in common: class,
          kind b: an instance of a kind <a ~ of black Paul Bunyan,
          towering 6 (feet) 10 (inches)c: person, individual <he's
          not a bad ~> 2 archaic: group, company 3 a: method or
          manner of acting: way, manner b: character, nature <people
          of an evil ~> 4 a: a letter or character that is one
          element of a font b: a character or piece of type that
          is not part of a regular font 5: an instance of sorting
          <a numeric ~ of a data file> syn see type -- after a
          sort : in a rough or haphazard way -- of sorts or of
          a sort : of an inconsequential or mediocre quality <a
          poet of sorts> -- out of sorts 1: somewhat ill 2: grouchy,
          irritable [2]sort vt (14c) 1 a: to put in a certain place
          or rank according to kind, class, or nature <~ apples>
          <~ mail> b: to arrange according to characteristics:
          classify <~ out colors> 2 chiefly Scot: to put to rights:
          put in order 3 a: to examine in order to clarify <~ing
          out his problems> b: to free of confusion: clarify <waited
          until things ~ed themselves out> ~ vi 1: to join or associate
          with others esp. of the same kind <~ with thieves> 2:
          suit, agree -- sort.able adj -- sort.er n

   sortie
          [sor.tie] n [F, fr. MF, fr. sortir to escape] (1778) 1: a
          sudden issuing of troops from a defensive position against
          the enemy 2: one mission or attack by a single plane
          3: foray, raid -- sortie vi

   sortilege
          [sor.ti.lege] n [ME, fr. ML sortilegium, fr. L sortilegus
          foretelling, fr. sort-, sors lot + -i- + legere to gather--more
          at legend] (14c) 1: divination by lots 2: sorcery

   sortition
          [sor.ti.tion] n [L sortition-, sortitio, fr. sortiri to cast
          or draw lots, fr. sort-, sors lot] (1597): the act or
          an instance of casting lots

   sort of
          [sort of] adv (1790): to a moderate degree: rather

   sorus
          [so.rus] n, pl so.ri [NL, fr. Gk soros heap] (1832): a cluster
          of plant reproductive bodies: as a: one of the dots on
          the underside of a fertile fern frond consisting of a
          cluster of sporangia b: a mass of spores bursting through
          the epidermis of the host plant of a parasitic fungus
          c: a cluster of gemmae on the thallus of a lichen

   SOS
          [SOS] n (1910) 1: an internationally recognized signal of
          distress in radio code . . . - - - . . . used esp. by
          ships calling for help 2: a call or request for help
          or rescue

   [1]so-so
          [so-so] adv (ca. 1530): moderately well: tolerably, passably
          [2]so-so adj (1542): neither very good nor very bad:
          middling

   [1]sostenuto
          [so.ste.nu.to] adj or adv [It, fr. pp. of sostenere to sustain,
          fr. L sustinere] (ca. 1724): sustained to or beyond the
          note's full value--used as a direction in music [2]sostenuto
          n (1757): a movement or passage whose notes are markedly
          prolonged

   sot
          [sot] n [ME, fool, fr. OE sott] (1592): a habitual drunkard

   soteriology
          [so.te.ri.ol.o.gy] n [Gk soterion salvation (fr. soter savior,
          preserver) + E -logy--more at creosote] (ca. 1774): theology
          dealing with salvation esp. as effected by Jesus Christ
          -- so.te.ri.o.log.i.cal adj

   so that
          [so that] conj (bef. 12c): that 2a(1)

   Sotho
          [So.tho] n (1928) 1: any one of the Sotho languages and esp.
          Sesotho 2: a group of closely related Bantu languages
          of Lesotho, Botswana, and northern So. Africa

   sotol
          [so.tol] n [AmerSp, fr. Nahuatl zotolin palm tree] (1881):
          any of several plants (genus Dasylirion) of the agave
          family of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that resemble
          a yucca

   sottish
          [sot.tish] adj (1583): resembling a sot: drunken; also: doltish,
          stupid -- sot.tish.ly adv -- sot.tish.ness n

   sotto voce
          [sot.to vo.ce] adv or adj [It sottovoce, lit., under the
          voice] (1737) 1: under the breath: in an undertone; also:
          in a private manner 2: very softly--used as a direction
          in music

   sou
          [sou] n, pl sous [F, fr. OF sol, fr. LL solidus solidus]
          (1814) 1: [2]sol 2: a 5-centime piece

   soubise
          [sou.bise] n [F, fr. Charles de Rohan, Prince de Soubise
          d. 1787 Fr. nobleman] (1822): a garnish or white sauce
          containing onions or onion puree

   soubrette
          [sou.brette] n [F, fr. Prov soubreto, fem. of soubret coy,
          fr. soubra to surmount, exceed, fr. L superare--more
          at insuperable] (1753) 1 a: a coquettish maid or frivolous
          young woman in comedies b: an actress who plays such
          a part 2: a soprano who sings supporting roles in comic
          opera

   soubriquet
          [sou.bri.quet] var of sobriquet

   souchong
          [sou.chong] n [of Chin origin; akin to Chin (Beijing) xiaozhong,
          lit., small sort] (1760): a tea made from the larger
          leaves of the shoot

   [1]souffle
          [souf.fle] n [F, fr. souffle, pp. of souffler to blow, puff
          up, fr. L sufflare, fr. sub- + flare to blow--more at
          blow] (1813): a dish that is made from a sauce, egg yolks,
          beaten egg whites, and a flavoring or puree (as of seafood,
          fruit, or vegetables) and baked until puffed up [2]souffle
          or souf.fleed adj (1888): puffed up by or in cooking

   sough
          [sough] vi [ME swoughen, fr. OE swogan; akin to Goth gaswogjan
          to groan, Lith svageti to sound] (bef. 12c): to make
          a moaning or sighing sound -- sough n

   sought
          [sought] past and past part of seek

   souk
          [souk] n [Ar suq market] (1826): a marketplace in northern
          Africa or the Middle East; also: a stall in such a marketplace

   [1]soul
          [soul] n [ME soule, fr. OE sawol; akin to OHG seula soul]
          (bef. 12c) 1: the immaterial essence, animating principle,
          or actuating cause of an individual life 2 a: the spiritual
          principle embodied in human beings, all rational and
          spiritual beings, or the universe b cap, Christian Science:
          god 1b 3: a person's total self 4 a: an active or essential
          part b: a moving spirit: leader 5 a: the moral and emotional
          nature of human beings b: the quality that arouses emotion
          and sentiment c: spiritual or moral force: fervor 6:
          person 7: exemplification, personification <she is the
          ~ of integrity> 8 a: a strong positive feeling (as of
          intense sensitivity and emotional fervor) conveyed esp.
          by black American performers b: negritude c: soul music
          d: soul food e: soul brother [2]soul adj (1958) 1: of,
          relating to, or characteristic of black Americans or
          their culture 2: designed for or controlled by blacks
          <~ radio stations>

   soul brother
          [soul brother] n (1959): a black male

   souled
          [souled] adj (15c): having a soul: possessing soul and
          feeling--usu. used in combination <whole-souled repentance>

   soul food
          [soul food] n (1964): food (as chitterlings, ham hocks, and
          collard greens) traditionally eaten by southern black
          Americans

   soulful
          [soul.ful] adj (1860): full of or expressing feeling or emotion
          -- soul.ful.ly adv -- soul.ful.ness n

   soul kiss
          [soul kiss] n (ca. 1948): french kiss

   soulless
          [soul.less] adj (15c): having no soul or no greatness or
          warmth of mind or feeling -- soul.less.ly adv -- soul.less.ness
          n

   soul mate
          [soul mate] n (1822): a person temperamentally suited to
          another

   soul music
          [soul music] n (1961): music that originated in black American
          gospel singing, is closely related to rhythm and blues,
          and is characterized by intensity of feeling and earthiness

   soul-searching
          [soul-search.ing] n (1924): examination of one's conscience
          esp. with regard to motives and values

   [1]sound
          [sound] adj [ME, fr. OE gesund; akin to OHG gisunt healthy]
          (13c) 1 a: free from injury or disease: exhibiting normal
          health b: free from flaw, defect, or decay <~ timber>
          2: solid, firm; also: stable 3 a: free from error, fallacy,
          or misapprehension <~ reasoning> b: exhibiting or based
          on thorough knowledge and experience <~ scholarship>
          c: legally valid <a ~ title> d: logically valid and having
          true premises e: agreeing with accepted views: orthodox
          4 a: thorough b: deep and undisturbed <a ~ sleep> c:
          hard, severe <a ~ whipping> 5: showing good judgment
          or sense syn see healthy, valid -- sound.ly adv -- sound.ness
          n [2]sound adv (14c): to the full extent: thoroughly
          <~ asleep> [3]sound n [ME soun, fr. OF son, fr. L sonus,
          fr. sonare to sound; akin to OE swinn melody, Skt svanati
          it sounds] (13c) 1 a: a particular auditory impression:
          tone b: the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing
          c: mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal
          pressure waves in a material medium (as air) and is the
          objective cause of hearing 2 a: a speech sound <a peculiar
          r-sound> b: value in terms of speech sounds <-cher of
          teacher and -ture of creature have the same ~> 3 archaic:
          rumor, fame 4 a: meaningless noise b obs: meaning c:
          the impression conveyed: import 5: hearing distance:
          earshot 6: recorded auditory material 7: a particular
          musical style characteristic of an individual, a group,
          or an area <the Nashville ~> [4]sound vt (13c) 1 a: to
          cause to sound <~ a trumpet> b: pronounce 3a 2: to put
          into words: voice 3 a: to make known: proclaim b: to
          order, signal, or indicate by a sound <~ the alarm> 4:
          to examine by causing to emit sounds <~ the lungs> 5
          chiefly Brit: to convey the impression of: sound like
          <that ~s a logical use of resources --Economist> ~ vi
          1 a: to make a sound b: resound c: to give a summons
          by sound <the bugle ~s to battle> 2: to make or convey
          an impression esp. when heard <it ~s good to me> <you
          ~ just like your mother> -- sound.able adj [5]sound n
          [ME, fr. OE sund swimming, sea & ON sund swimming, strait;
          akin to OE swimman to swim] (14c) 1 a: a long broad inlet
          of the ocean generally parallel to the coast b: a long
          passage of water connecting two larger bodies (as a sea
          with the ocean) or separating a mainland and an island
          2: the air bladder of a fish [6]sound vb [ME, fr. MF
          sonder, fr. sonde sounding line, prob. of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE sundline sounding line, sund sea] vt (15c)
          1: to measure the depth of: fathom 2: to try to find
          out the views or intentions of: probe--often used with
          out 3: to explore or examine (a body cavity) with a sound
          ~ vi 1 a: to ascertain the depth of water esp. with a
          sounding line b: to look into or investigate the possibility
          <sent commissioners ... to ~ for peace --Thomas Jefferson>
          2: to dive down suddenly--used of a fish or whale [7]sound
          n [F sonde, fr. MF, lit., sounding line] (1739): an elongated
          instrument for exploring or sounding body cavities

   soundalike
          [sound.alike] n (1970): one that sounds like another

   sound-and-light show
          [sound-and-light show] n (1967): son et lumiere

   sound barrier
          [sound barrier] n (1939): a sudden large increase in aerodynamic
          drag that occurs as the speed of an aircraft approaches
          the speed of sound

   sound bite
          [sound bite] n (1972): a brief recorded statement (as by
          a public figure) broadcast esp. on a television news
          program; also: a brief catchy comment suitable for use
          as a sound bite

   soundboard
          [sound.board] n (1504) 1: a thin resonant board (as the belly
          of a violin) so placed in an instrument as to reinforce
          its tones by sympathetic vibration--see violin illustration
          2: sounding board 1a

   sound bow
          [sound bow] n (1688): the thick part of a bell against which
          the clapper strikes

   sound box
          [sound box] n (ca. 1875) 1: a device in an early phonograph
          for producing sound from a record by using the vibration
          of a needle to move a diaphragm 2: a hollow chamber in
          a musical instrument for increasing its sonority

   sound effects
          [sound effects] n pl (1909): effects that are imitative of
          sounds called for in the script of a dramatic production
          (as a radio show) and that enhance the production's illusion
          of reality

   sounder
          [sound.er] n (1575): one that sounds; specif: a device for
          making soundings

   sound hole
          [sound hole] n (1611): an opening in the top surface of a
          stringed instrument (as a violin) to enhance vibration
          and resonance--see violin illustration

   [1]sounding
          [sound.ing] adj (14c) 1: resonant, sonorous 2 a: pompous
          b: imposing -- sound.ing.ly adv [2]sounding n (15c) 1
          a: measurement of depth esp. with a sounding line b:
          the depth so ascertained c pl: a place or part of a body
          of water where a hand sounding line will reach bottom
          2: measurement of atmospheric conditions at various heights
          3: a probe, test, or sampling of opinion or intention

   sounding board
          [sounding board] n (1729) 1 a: a structure behind or over
          a pulpit, rostrum, or platform to give distinctness and
          sonority to sound b: a device or agency that helps propagate
          opinions or utterances c: a person or group on whom one
          tries out an idea or opinion as a means of evaluating
          it 2: soundboard 1

   sounding line
          [sounding line] n (14c): a line or wire weighted at one end
          for sounding

   sounding rocket
          [sounding rocket] n (ca. 1945): a rocket used to obtain information
          concerning atmospheric conditions at various altitudes

   [1]soundless
          [sound.less] adj [[6]sound] (1586): incapable of being sounded:
          unfathomable [2]soundless adj [[3]sound] (1601): making
          no sound: silent -- sound.less.ly adv

   soundman
          [sound.man] n (1929): a person who controls the volume and
          tone of sound picked up by a microphone (as in a recording
          studio or on a motion-picture set) for recording

   sound off
          [sound off] vi (1909) 1: to play three chords before and
          after marching up and down a line of troops during a
          ceremonial parade or formal guard mount 2: to count cadence
          while marching 3 a: to speak up in a loud voice b: to
          voice one's opinions freely and vigorously

   sound pressure
          [sound pressure] n (1893): the difference between the actual
          pressure at any point in the field of a sound wave at
          any instant and the average pressure at that point

   [1]soundproof
          [sound.proof] adj (ca. 1878): impervious to sound [2]soundproof
          vt (1919): to insulate so as to obstruct the passage
          of sound

   soundstage
          [sound.stage] n (1931): the part of a motion-picture studio
          in which a production is filmed

   sound track
          [sound track] n (ca. 1929) 1: the area on a motion-picture
          film or television videotape that carries the sound record
          2: the sound recorded on a sound track; esp: the music
          on a sound track

   sound truck
          [sound truck] n (1936): a truck equipped with a loudspeaker

   sound wave
          [sound wave] n (1848) 1: [3]sound 1a 2 pl: longitudinal pressure
          waves in any material medium regardless of whether they
          constitute audible sound <earthquake waves and ultrasonic
          waves are sometimes called sound waves>

   soup
          [soup] n [ME soupe, fr. MF, sop, soup, of Gmc origin; akin
          to ON soppa soup, OE sopp sop--more at sup] (14c) 1:
          a liquid food esp. with a meat, fish, or vegetable stock
          as a base and often containing pieces of solid food 2:
          something (as a heavy fog or nitroglycerine) having or
          suggesting the consistency or nutrient qualities of soup
          3: an unfortunate predicament

   soupcon
          [soup.con] n [F, lit., suspicion, fr. (assumed) VL suspection-,
          suspectio, fr. L suspicere to suspect--more at suspect]
          (1766): a little bit: trace

   soup du jour
          [soup du jour] n [part trans. of F soupe du jour soup of
          the day] (ca. 1945): a soup that is offered by a restaurant
          on a particular day

   soup kitchen
          [soup kitchen] n (1839): an establishment dispensing minimum
          dietary essentials (as soup and bread) to the needy

   soupspoon
          [soup.spoon] n (1705): a spoon with a large or rounded bowl
          for eating soup

   soup up
          [soup up] vt [soup (drug injected into a racehorse to improve
          its performance)] (ca. 1933): to increase the power or
          efficiency of <soup up an engine>

   soupy
          [soupy] adj soup.i.er ; -est (1869) 1: having the consistency
          of soup 2: densely foggy or cloudy 3: overly sentimental

   [1]sour
          [sour] adj [ME, fr. OE sur; akin to OHG sur sour, Lith surus
          salty] (bef. 12c) 1: causing or characterized by the
          one of the four basic taste sensations that is produced
          chiefly by acids <~ pickles>--compare bitter, salt, sweet
          2 a (1): having the acid taste or smell of or as if of
          fermentation: turned <~ milk> (2): of or relating to
          fermentation b: smelling or tasting of decay: rancid,
          rotten <~ breath> c (1): bad, wrong <a project gone ~>
          (2): hostile, disenchanted <went ~ on Marxism> 3 a: unpleasant,
          distast eful b: cross, sullen c: not up to the usual,
          expected, or standard quality or pitch 4: acid in reaction--used
          esp. of soil 5: containing malodorous sulfur compounds--used
          esp. of petroleum products -- sour.ish adj -- sour.ly
          adv -- sour.ness n [2]sour n (bef. 12c) 1 a: something
          sour b: the primary taste sensation produced by acid
          stimuli 2: a cocktail consisting of a liquor (as whiskey),
          lemon or lime juice, sugar, and sometimes ice [3]sour
          vi (14c): to become sour ~ vt: to make sour

   sour ball
          [sour ball] n (ca. 1909): a spherical hard candy having a
          tart flavor

   [1]source
          [source] n [ME sours, fr. MF sors, sourse, fr. OF, fr. pp.
          of sourdre to rise, spring forth, fr. L surgere--more
          at surge] (14c) 1 a: a generative force: cause b (1):
          a point of origin or procurement: beginning (2): one
          that initiates: author; also: prototype, model (3): one
          that supplies information 2 a: the point of origin of
          a stream of water: fountainhead b archaic: spring, fount
          3: a firsthand document or primary reference work 4:
          an electrode in a field-effect transistor that supplies
          the charge carriers for current flow--compare drain,
          gate syn see origin -- source.less adj [2]source vt sourced
          ; sourc.ing (1957) 1: to specify the source of (as quoted
          material) 2: to obtain from a source <metals sourced
          from abroad> [3]source adj (1959): of, relating to, or
          being a computer program in its original programming
          language <~ listing> <~ code>

   sourcebook
          [source.book] n (1899): a fundamental document or record
          (as of history, literature, art, or religion) on which
          subsequent writings, compositions, opinions, beliefs,
          or practices are based; also: a collection of such documents

   source language
          [source language] n (1953): a language which is to be translated
          into another language--compare target language

   sour cherry
          [sour cherry] n (ca. 1884): a widely cultivated cherry (Prunus
          cerasus) that has a round crown and bright red to almost
          black soft-fleshed acid fruits; also: the fruit

   sour cream
          [sour cream] n (1855): a soured cream product produced by
          the action of lactobacilli

   sourdough
          [sour.dough] n (14c) 1: a leaven consisting of dough in which
          fermentation is active 2 [fr. the use of sourdough for
          making bread in prospectors' camps]: a veteran inhabitant
          and esp. an old-time prospector of Alaska or northwestern
          Canada

   sour grapes
          [sour grapes] n pl [fr. the fable ascribed to Aesop of the
          fox who after finding himself unable to reach some grapes
          he had desired disparaged them as sour] (1760): disparagement
          of something that has proven unattainable

   sour gum
          [sour gum] n (1785): black gum

   sour mash
          [sour mash] n (1885): grain mash for brewing or distilling
          whose initial acidity has been adjusted to optimum condition
          for yeast fermentation by mash from a previous run

   sour orange
          [sour orange] n (1748): a citrus tree (Citrus aurantium)
          that is used esp. as a stock in grafting citrus; also:
          its bitter fruit

   sourpuss
          [sour.puss] n [[2]puss] (1937): grouch, killjoy

   soursop
          [sour.sop] n (1667): a small tropical American tree (Annona
          muricata) of the custard-apple family that has spicy
          odoriferous leaves; also: its large edible fruit that
          has fleshy spines and a slightly acid fibrous pulp

   sourwood
          [sour.wood] n (1709): a small U.S. tree (Oxydendrum arboreum)
          of the heath family with white flowers and sour-tasting
          leaves

   sous
          [sous] adj [F, prep., lit., under, fr. L subtus, adv., below,
          under; akin to L sub under--more at up] (1687): being
          an assistant--used chiefly in titles <a sous-chef>

   sousaphone
          [sou.sa.phone] n [John Philip Sousa] (1925): a large circular
          tuba that has a flared adjustable bell--compare helicon

   [1]souse
          [souse] vb soused ; sous.ing [ME, fr. MF souz, souce pickling
          solution, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG sulza brine, OE
          sealt salt] vt (14c) 1: pickle 2 a: to plunge in liquid:
          immerse b: drench, saturate 3: to make drunk: inebriate
          ~ vi: to become immersed or drenched [2]souse n (14c)
          1: something pickled; esp: seasoned and chopped pork
          trimmings, fish, or shellfish 2: an act of sousing: wetting
          3 a: a habitual drunkard b: a drinking spree: binge [3]souse
          vb soused ; sous.ing [ME souce, n., start of a bird's
          flight, alter. of sours, fr. MF sourse source--more at
          source] vi (1583) archaic: to swoop down: plunge ~ vt,
          archaic: to swoop down on

   soutache
          [sou.tache] n [F, fr. Hung sujtas] (ca. 1856): a narrow braid
          with herringbone pattern used as trimming

   soutane
          [sou.tane] n [F, fr. It sottana, lit., undergarment, fr.
          fem. of sottano being underneath, fr. ML subtanus, fr.
          L subtus underneath--more at sous] (1838): cassock

   souter
          [sou.ter] n [ME, fr. OE sutere, fr. L sutor, fr. suere to
          sew--more at sew] (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot: shoemaker

   [1]south
          [south] adv [ME, fr. OE suth; akin to OHG sund- south and
          prob. to OE sunne sun] (bef. 12c) 1: to, toward, or in
          the south 2: into a state of decline or ruin <causes
          the sluggish economy to go ~ --G. F. Will> [2]south adj
          (12c) 1: situated toward or at the south <the ~ entrance>
          2: coming from the south <a ~ wind> [3]south n (13c)
          1 a: the direction of the south terrestrial pole: the
          direction to the right of one facing east b: the compass
          point directly opposite to north 2 cap: regions or countries
          lying to the south of a specified or implied point of
          orientation; esp: the southeastern part of the U.S. 3:
          the right side of a church looking toward the altar from
          the nave 4 often cap a: the one of four positions at
          90-degree intervals that lies to the south or at the
          bottom of a diagram b: a person (as a bridge player)
          occupying this position in the course of a specified
          activity; specif: the declarer in bridge 5 often cap:
          the developing nations of the world: third world 3--compare
          north 2b

   South African
          [South African] n (1806): a native or inhabitant of the Republic
          of South Africa; esp: afrikaner -- South African adj

   southbound
          [south.bound] adj (1885): traveling or heading south

   south by east
          [south by east] (ca. 1771): a compass point that is one point
          east of due south: S11 degrees 15 minutes E

   south by west
          [south by west] (ca. 1743): a compass point that is one point
          west of due south: S11 degrees 15 minutes W

   South Devon
          [South Dev.on] n [Devon, England] (1897): any of a breed
          of large red dual-purpose cattle of English origin

   Southdown
          [South.down] n [South Downs, England] (1787): any of a breed
          of small medium-wooled hornless sheep of English origin

   [1]southeast
          [south.east] adv (bef. 12c): to, toward, or in the southeast
          [2]southeast n (14c) 1 a: the general direction between
          south and east b: the point midway between the south
          and east compass points 2 cap: regions or countries lying
          to the southeast of a specified or implied point of orientation
          [3]southeast adj (14c) 1: coming from the southeast <a
          ~ wind> 2: situated toward or at the southeast <the ~
          corner>

   southeast by east
          [southeast by east] (ca. 1771): a compass point that is one
          point east of due southeast: S56 degrees 15 minutes E

   southeast by south
          [southeast by south] (1682): a compass point that is one
          point south of due southeast: S33 degrees 45 minutes
          E

   southeaster
          [south.east.er] n (1797) 1: a strong southeast wind 2: a
          storm with southeast winds

   southeasterly
          [south.east.er.ly] adv or adj [[2]southeast + -erly (as in
          easterly)] (1708) 1: from the southeast 2: toward the
          southeast

   southeastern
          [south.east.ern] adj [[2]southeast + -ern (as in eastern)]
          (1577) 1 often cap: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a region conventionally designated southeast 2: lying
          toward or coming from the southeast -- south.east.ern.most
          adj

   Southeasterner
          [South.east.ern.er] n (1919): a native or inhabitant of the
          Southeast; esp: a native or resident of the southeastern
          part of the U.S.

   [1]southeastward
          [south.east.ward] adv or adj (1528): toward the southeast
          -- south.east.wards adv [2]southeastward n (1555): southeast

   [1]southerly
          [south.er.ly] adj or adv [[3]south + -erly (as in easterly)]
          (1551) 1: situated toward or belonging to the south <the
          ~ shore of the lake> 2: coming from the south <a ~ wind>
          [2]southerly n, pl -lies (1943): a wind from the south

   southern
          [south.ern] adj [ME southern, southren, fr. OE sutherne;
          akin to OHG sundroni southern, OE suth south] (bef. 12c)
          1 cap: of, relating to, or characteristic of a region
          conventionally designated South 2 a: lying toward the
          south b: coming from the south <a ~ breeze> -- south.ern.most
          adj -- south.ern.ness n, often cap Southern n (1935):
          the dialect of English spoken in most of the Chesapeake
          Bay area, the coastal plain and the greater part of the
          upland plateau in Virginia, No. Carolina, So. Carolina,
          and Georgia, and the Gulf states at least as far west
          as the valley of the Brazos in Texas and sometimes taken
          to include the south Midland area

   Southern blot
          [Southern blot] n [Edwin M. Southern 20th-cent. Brit. biologist]
          (1981): a blot consisting of a nitrocellulose sheet containing
          spots of DNA for identification by a suitable molecular
          probe--compare western blot -- Southern blotting n

   southern corn rootworm
          [southern corn rootworm] n (1918): spotted cucumber beetle

   Southern Cross
          [Southern Cross] n: four bright stars in the southern hemisphere,
          situated as if at the extremities of a Latin cross; also:
          the constellation of which these four stars are the brightest

   Southern Crown
          [Southern Crown] n: corona australis

   Southern English
          [Southern English] n (14c) 1: the English spoken esp. by
          cultivated people native to or educated in the South
          of England 2: southern

   Southerner
          [South.ern.er] n (1828): a native or inhabitant of the South;
          esp: a native or resident of the southern part of the
          U.S.

   southern hemisphere
          [southern hemisphere] n, often cap S&H (ca. 1771): the part
          of the earth that lies south of the equator

   Southernism
          [South.ern.ism] n (1861) 1: an attitude or trait characteristic
          of the South or Southerners esp. in the U.S. 2: a locution
          or pronunciation characteristic of the southern U.S.

   southern lights
          [southern lights] n pl (1775): aurora australis

   southernwood
          [south.ern.wood] n (bef. 12c): a shrubby fragrant European
          wormwood (Artemisia abrotanum) with bitter foliage

   southing
          [south.ing] n (1669) 1: difference in latitude to the south
          from the last preceding point of reckoning 2: southerly
          progress

   southland
          [south.land] n, often cap (bef. 12c): land in the south:
          the south of a country

   southpaw
          [south.paw] n (1891): left-hander; esp: a left-handed baseball
          pitcher -- southpaw adj

   south pole
          [south pole] n (14c) 1 a often cap S&P: the southernmost
          point of the earth b: the zenith of the heavens as viewed
          from the south terrestrial pole 2 of a magnet: the pole
          that points toward the south

   [1]Southron
          [South.ron] adj [ME (Sc)] (15c) chiefly Scot: southern; specif:
          english [2]Southron n (15c): southerner: as a chiefly
          Scot: englishman b chiefly Southern: a native or inhabitant
          of the southern U.S.

   south-seeking pole
          [south-seek.ing pole] n (ca. 1922): south pole 2

   south-southeast
          [south-southeast] n (15c): a compass point that is two points
          east of due south: S22 degrees 30 minutes E

   south-southwest
          [south-southwest] n (1513): a compass point that is two points
          west of due south: S22 degrees 30 minutes W

   [1]southward
          [south.ward] adv or adj (bef. 12c): toward the south -- south.wards
          adv [2]southward n (14c): southward direction or part <sail to the
          ~>

   [1]southwest
          [south.west] adv (bef. 12c): to, toward, or in the southwest
          [2]southwest n (12c) 1 a: the general direction between
          south and west b: the point midway between the south
          and west compass points 2 cap: regions or countries lying
          to the southwest of a specified or implied point of orientation
          [3]southwest adj (14c) 1: coming from the southwest <a
          ~ wind> 2: situated toward or at the southwest <the ~
          corner>

   southwest by south
          [southwest by south] (1725): a compass point that is one
          point south of due southwest: S33 degrees 45 minutes
          W

   southwest by west
          [southwest by west] (ca. 1771): a compass point that is one
          point west of due southwest: S56 degrees 15 minutes W

   southwester
          [south.west.er] n (1833) 1: a strong southwest wind 2: a
          storm with southwest winds

   southwesterly
          [south.west.er.ly] adv or adj [[2]southwest + -erly (as in
          westerly)] (1708) 1: from the southwest 2: toward the
          southwest

   southwestern
          [south.west.ern] adj [ME, fr. OE suth-westerne, fr. suth
          south + westerne western] (bef. 12c) 1: lying toward
          or coming from the southwest 2 often cap: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated
          Southwest -- south.west.ern.most adj

   southwestern corn borer
          [southwestern corn borer] n (1943): a pyralid moth (Diatraea
          grandiosella) whose larva causes serious damage esp.
          to corn crops by boring in the stalks

   Southwesterner
          [South.west.ern.er] n (1860): a native or inhabitant of the
          Southwest; esp: a native or resident of the southwestern
          U.S.

   [1]southwestward
          [south.west.ward] adv or adj (1548): toward the southwest
          -- south.west.wards adv [2]southwestward n (1775): southwest

   souvenir
          [sou.ve.nir] n [F, lit., act of remembering, fr. MF, fr.
          (se) souvenir to remember, fr. L subvenire to come up,
          come to mind--more at subvention] (1782): something that
          serves as a reminder: memento

   souvenir sheet
          [souvenir sheet] n (1940): a block or set of postage stamps
          or a single stamp printed on a single sheet of paper
          often without gum or perforations and with margins containing
          lettering or design that identifies some notable event
          being commemorated

   souvlakia
          [sou.vla.kia] or sou.vla.ki n [NGk soublakia, pl. of soublaki,
          fr. dim. of soubla skewer, fr. MGk, fr. L subula awl,
          fr. suere to sew--more at sew] (1950): shish kebab

   sou'wester
          [sou'.west.er] n (1837) 1: a long oilskin coat worn esp.
          at sea during stormy weather 2: a waterproof hat with
          wide slanting brim longer in back than in front

   [1]sovereign
          [sov.er.eign] also sov.ran n [ME soverain, fr. OF, fr. soverain,
          adj.] (13c) 1 a: one possessing or held to possess sovereignty
          b: one that exercises supreme authority within a limited
          sphere c: an acknowledged leader: arbiter 2: any of various
          gold coins of the United Kingdom [2]sovereign also sovran
          adj [ME soverain, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL superanus,
          fr. L super over, above--more at over] (14c) 1 a: superlative
          in quality: excellent b: of the most exalted kind: supreme
          <~ virtue> c: having generalized curative powers <a ~
          remedy> d: of an unqualified nature: unmitigated <~ contempt>
          e: having undisputed ascendancy: paramount 2 a: possessed
          of supreme power <~ ruler> b: unlimited in extent: absolute
          c: enjoying autonomy: independent <~ state> 3: relating
          to, characteristic of, or befitting a sovereign syn see
          free -- sov.er.eign.ly adv

   sovereignty
          [sov.er.eign.ty] also sov.ran.ty n, pl -ties [ME soverainte,
          fr. MF soverainete, fr. OF, fr. soverain] (14c) 1 obs:
          supreme excellence or an example of it 2 a: supreme power
          esp. over a body politic b: freedom from external control:
          autonomy c: controlling influence 3: one that is sovereign;
          esp: an autonomous state

   soviet
          [so.vi.et] n [Russ sovet council, soviet] (1917) 1: an elected
          governmental council in a Communist country 2 pl, cap
          a: bolsheviks b: the people and esp. the political and
          military leaders of the U.S.S.R. -- soviet adj, often
          cap -- so.vi.et.ism n, often cap

   sovietize
          [so.vi.et.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing often cap (1919) 1: to
          bring under Soviet control 2: to force into conformity
          with Soviet cultural patterns or governmental policies
          -- so.vi.et.i.za.tion n, often cap

   Sovietologist
          [So.vi.et.ol.o.gist] n (1955): one who studies or is knowledgeable
          about the policies and practices of the Soviet government:
          kremlinologist

   sovkhoz
          [sov.khoz] n, pl sov.kho.zy or sov.khoz.es [Russ, short for
          sovetskoe khozyaistvo soviet farm] (1921): a state-owned
          farm of the U.S.S.R. paying wages to the workers

   [1]sow
          [sow] n [ME sowe, fr. OE sugu; akin to OE & OHG su sow, L
          sus pig, swine, hog, Gk hys] (bef. 12c) 1: an adult female
          swine; also: the adult female of various other animals
          (as a bear) 2 a: a channel that conducts molten metal
          to molds b: a mass of metal solidified in such a mold:
          ingot [2]sow vb sowed ; sown or sowed ; sow.ing [ME,
          fr. OE sawan; akin to OHG sawen to sow, L serere, Lith
          seti] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to plant seed for growth esp.
          by scattering 2: to set something in motion: begin an
          enterprise ~ vt 1 a: to scatter (as seed) upon the earth
          for growth; broadly: plant 1a b: to strew with or as
          if with seed c: to introduce into a selected environment:
          implant 2: to set in motion: foment <~ suspicion> 3:
          to spread abroad: disperse -- sow.er n

   sowbelly
          [sow.bel.ly] n (1867): fat salt pork or bacon

   sow bug
          [sow bug] n (1750): wood louse

   sowens
          [sow.ens] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ScGael sughan] (1582):
          porridge from oat husks and siftings

   sow thistle
          [sow thistle] n (13c): any of a genus (Sonchus) of spiny
          weedy European composite herbs widely naturalized in
          No. America

   sox
          [sox] pl of sock

   soy
          [soy] n [Jp shoyu] (1679) 1: a brown liquid sauce made by
          subjecting beans (as soybeans) to long fermentation and
          to digestion in brine 2 also soya : soybean

   soybean
          [soy.bean] also soya bean n (1802): a hairy annual Asian
          legume (Glycine max) widely grown for its oil-rich proteinaceous
          seeds and for forage and soil improvement; also: its
          seed

   soybean oil
          [soybean oil] n (ca. 1916): a pale yellow drying or semidrying
          oil that is obtained from soybeans and is used chiefly
          as a food, in paints, varnishes, linoleum, printing ink,
          and soap, and as a source of phospholipids, fatty acids,
          and sterols--called also soya oil

   sozzled
          [soz.zled] adj [sozzle to splash, intoxicate, alter. of sossle,
          prob. freq. of Brit. dial. soss to mess] (ca. 1880):
          drunk, intoxicated

   sp...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   sp
          [sp] abbreviation special, species, specific, specimen, spelling,
          spirit  Sp abbreviation Spain, Spanish  SP abbreviation
          self-propelled, shore patrol, shore patrolman, shore
          police, [L sine prole] without issue; single pole, specialist

   spa
          [spa] n [Spa, watering place in Belgium] (1610) 1 a: a mineral
          spring b: a resort with mineral springs 2: a fashionable
          resort or hotel 3 NewEng: soda fountain 4: health spa
          5: a hot tub with a whirlpool device

   [1]space
          [space] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF espace, fr. L spatium
          area, room, interval of space or time] (14c) 1: a period
          of time; also: its duration 2 a: a limited extent in
          one, two, or three dimensions: distance, area, volume
          b: an extent set apart or available <parking ~> <floor
          ~> 3: one of the degrees between or above or below the
          lines of a musical staff--compare line 4 a: a boundless
          three-dimensional extent in which objects and events
          occur and have relative position and direction b: physical
          space independent of what occupies it--called also absolute
          space 5: the region beyond the earth's atmosphere or
          beyond the solar system 6 a: a blank area separating
          words or lines b: material used to produce such blank
          area; esp: a piece of type less than one en in width
          7: a set of mathematical elements and esp. of abstractions
          of all the points on a line, in a plane, or in physical
          space; esp: a set of mathematical entities with a set
          of axioms of geometric character--compare metric space,
          topological space, vector space 8: an interval in operation
          during which a telegraph key is not in contact 9 a: linage
          b: broadcast time available esp. to advertisers 10: accommodations
          on a public vehicle 11: the opportunity to assert or experience
          one's identity or needs freely [2]space vb spaced ; spac.ing
          vt (1703): to place at intervals or arrange with space
          between--often used with out ~ vi: to leave one or more blank
          spaces (as in a line of typing) -- spac.er n

   space-age
          [space-age] adj (1946): of, relating to, or befitting the
          age of space exploration; esp: modern <~ technology>

   spaceband
          [space.band] n (1904): a device on a linecaster that provides
          variable but even spacing between words in a justified
          line

   space cadet
          [space cadet] n (1979): a flaky, lightheaded, or forgetful
          person

   space charge
          [space charge] n (1913): an electric charge distributed throughout
          a three-dimensional region

   spacecraft
          [space.craft] n (1930): a vehicle or device designed for
          travel or operation outside the earth's atmosphere

   spaced-out
          [spaced-out] adj (1937) 1 or spaced : dazed or stupefied
          by or as if by a narcotic substance: hi gh 2: of very
          strange character: weird <a ~ fantasy>

   spaceflight
          [space.flight] n (1931): flight beyond the earth's atmosphere

   space frame
          [space frame] n (1912): a usu. open three-dimensional framework
          of struts and braces (as in buildings and racing cars)
          which defines a structure and in which the weight of
          the structure is evenly distributed in all directions

   space heater
          [space heater] n (1925): a usu. portable appliance for heating
          a relatively small area

   space heating
          [space heating] n (1934): heating of spaces esp. for human
          comfort by any means (as fuel, electricity, or solar
          radiation) with the heater either within the space or
          external to it

   space lattice
          [space lattice] n (1895): lattice 2

   spaceless
          [space.less] adj (1606) 1: having no limits: boundless 2:
          occupying no space

   spaceman
          [space.man] n (1938) 1: one who travels outside the earth's
          atmosphere 2: a visitor to earth from outer space

   space mark
          [space mark] n (ca. 1890): the symbol #

   space medicine
          [space medicine] n (1949): a branch of medicine that deals
          with the physiological and biological effects on the
          human body of rocket or jet flight beyond the earth's
          atmosphere

   space opera
          [space opera] n (1949): a futuristic melodramatic fantasy
          involving space travelers and extraterrestrial beings

   spaceport
          [space.port] n (1935): an installation for testing and launching
          spacecraft

   spaceship
          [space.ship] n (1894): a vehicle used for space travel

   space shuttle
          [space shuttle] n (1969): a reusable spacecraft designed
          to transport people and cargo between earth and space

   space station
          [space station] n (1936): a large artificial satellite designed
          to be occupied for long periods and to serve as a base
          (as for scientific observation)--called also space platform

   space suit
          [space suit] n (1929) 1: a suit equipped with life supporting
          provisions to make life in space possible for its wearer
          2: g suit

   space-time
          [space-time] n (1915) 1: a system of one temporal and three
          spatial coordinates by which any physical object or event
          can be located--called also space-time continuum 2: the
          whole or a portion of physical reality determinable by
          a usu. four-dimensional coordinate system; also: the
          properties characteristic of such an order

   space walk
          [space walk] n (1965): a period of activity spent outside
          a spacecraft by an astronaut in space -- space.walk vi
          -- space.walk.er n

   spaceward
          [space.ward] adv (1958): toward space

   spacey
          [spac.ey] also spacy adj spac.i.er ; -est (1970): spaced-out

   spacial
          [spa.cial] var of spatial

   spacing
          [spac.ing] n (1683) 1 a: the act of providing with spaces
          or placing at intervals b: an arrangement in space 2
          a: a limited extent: space b: the distance between any
          two objects in a usu. regularly arranged series

   spacious
          [spa.cious] adj [ME, fr. MF spacieux, fr. L spatiosus, fr.
          spatium space, room] (14c) 1: vast or ample in extent:
          roomy <a ~ residence> 2: large or magnificent in scale:
          expansive <a more ~ and stimulating existence than the
          farm could offer --H. L. Mencken> -- spa.cious.ly adv
          -- spa.cious.ness n syn spacious, commodious, capacious,
          ample mean larger in extent or capacity than the average.
          spacious implies great length and breadth <a spacious
          front lawn>. commodious stresses roominess and comfortableness
          <a commodious and airy penthouse apartment>. capacious
          stresses the ability to hold, contain, or retain more
          than the average <a capacious suitcase>. ample implies
          having a greater size, expanse, or amount than that deemed
          adequate <ample closet space>.

   spackle
          [spack.le] vt spack.led ; spack.ling [Spackle] (1940): to
          apply Spackle paste to Spackle trademark--used for a
          powder mixed with water to form a paste and used as a
          filler for cracks in a surface before painting

   [1]spade
          [spade] n [ME, fr. OE spadu; akin to Gk spathe blade of a
          sword or oar] (bef. 12c) 1: a digging implement adapted
          for being pushed into the ground with the foot 2: a spade-shaped
          instrument -- spade.ful n -- call a spade a spade 1:
          to call a thing by its right name however coarse 2: to
          speak frankly [2]spade vb spad.ed ; spad.ing vt (1647):
          to dig up or out or shape with or as if with a spade
          ~ vi: to use a spade -- spad.er n [3]spade n [It spada
          or Sp espada broadsword; both fr. L spatha, fr. Gk spathe
          blade] (1598) 1 a: a black figure that resembles a stylized
          spearhead on each playing card of one of the four suits;
          also: a card marked with this figure b pl but sing or
          pl in constr: the suit comprising cards marked spades
          2: black 4--usu. taken to be offensive -- in spades :
          to an unusually great degree: in the extreme

   spade beard
          [spade beard] n [[1]spade] (1598) 1: an oblong beard with
          square ends 2: a beard rounded off at the top and pointed
          at the bottom -- spade-beard.ed adj

   spadefish
          [spade.fish] n (1704): a deep-bodied bony fish (Chaetodipterus
          faber of the family Ephippidae) that resembles the angelfishes
          and is found in the warmer parts of the western Atlantic

   spadefoot toad
          [spade.foot toad] n (1867): any of a family (Pelobatidae)
          of burrowing toads having the inner bone of the tarsus
          edged with a strong horny sheath with which they dig

   spadework
          [spade.work] n (1778) 1: work done with a spade 2: the hard
          plain preliminary drudgery in an undertaking

   spadille
          [spa.dille] n [F, fr. Sp espadilla, dim. of espada broadsword,
          spade (in cards)--more at spade] (1728): the highest
          trump in various card games (as ombre)

   spadix
          [spa.dix] n, pl spa.di.ces [NL spadic-, spadix, fr. L, frond
          torn from a palm tree, fr. Gk spadik-, spadix, fr. span
          to draw, pull] (ca. 1760): a floral spike with a fleshy
          or succulent axis usu. enclosed in a spathe

   spae
          [spae] vt spaed ; spae.ing [ME span, fr. ON spa; akin to
          OHG spehon to watch, spy--more at spy] (14c) chiefly
          Scot: foretell

   spaetzle
          [spaetz.le] n, pl spaetzle or spaetzles [G Spatzle, fr. G
          dial., dim. of Spatz sparrow, dumpling] (1933): a small
          dumpling cooked by running batter through a colander
          into boiling water

   spaghetti
          [spa.ghet.ti] n [It, fr. pl. of spaghetto, dim. of spago
          cord, string, fr. LL spacus] (1888) 1: pasta made in
          thin solid strings 2: insulating tubing typically of
          varnished cloth or of plastic for covering bare wire
          or holding insulated wires together -- spa.ghet.ti.like
          adj

   spaghettini
          [spa.ghet.ti.ni] n [It, dim. of spaghetti] (1923): a pasta
          thinner than spaghetti but thicker than vermicelli

   spaghetti squash
          [spaghetti squash] n (1975): an oval winter squash with flesh
          that once cooked is similar in texture to spaghetti

   spaghetti western
          [spaghetti western] n, often cap W (1969): a western motion
          picture produced in Italy

   spahi
          [spa.hi] n [MF, fr. Turk sipahi, fr. Per sipahi cavalryman]
          (1562) 1: one of a former corps of irregular Turkish
          cavalry 2: one of a former corps of Algerian native cavalry
          in the French army

   spake
          [spake] archaic past of speak

   [1]spall
          [spall] n [ME spalle] (15c): a small fragment or chip esp.
          of stone [2]spall vt (1758): to break up or reduce by
          or as if by chipping with a hammer ~ vi 1: to break off
          chips, scales, or slabs: exfoliate 2: to undergo spallation
          -- spall.able adj

   spallation
          [spall.ation] n (1947) 1: a nuclear reaction in which light
          particles are ejected as the result of bombardment (as
          by high-energy protons) 2: the process of spalling

   spalpeen
          [spal.peen] n [Ir spailpin seasonal laborer, rascal] (1815)
          chiefly Irish: rascal

   [1]span
          [span] archaic past of spin [2]span n [ME, fr. OE spann;
          akin to OHG spanna span, MD spannen to stretch, hitch
          up] (bef. 12c) 1: the distance from the end of the thumb
          to the end of the little finger of a spread hand; also:
          an English unit of length equal to 9 inches (22.9 centimeters)
          2: an extent, stretch, reach, or spread between two limits:
          as a: a limited space (as of time); esp: an individual's
          lifetime b: the spread or extent between abutments or
          supports (as of a bridge); also: a portion thus supported
          c: the maximum distance laterally from tip to tip of
          an airplane [3]span vt spanned ; span.ning (1560) 1 a:
          to measure by or as if by the hand with fingers and thumb
          extended b: measure 2 a: to extend across <a career that
          spanned four decades> b: to form an arch over <a small
          bridge spanned the pond> c: to place or construct a span
          over 3: to be capable of expressing any element of under
          given operations <a set of vectors that ~s a vector space>
          [4]span n [D, fr. MD, fr. spannen to hitch up] (1769):
          a pair of animals (as mules) usu. matched in appearance
          and action and driven together

   Span
          [Span] abbreviation Spanish

   spanakopita
          [spa.na.ko.pi.ta] also spa.no.ko.pi.ta n [NGk spanakopeta,
          fr. spanaki spinach + peta, pita pie] (1950): a traditional
          Greek pie of spinach, feta cheese, and seasonings baked
          in phyllo

   spandex
          [span.dex] n [anagram of expands] (1959): any of various
          elastic textile fibers made chiefly of polyurethane;
          also: clothing made of this material

   spandrel
          [span.drel] also span.dril n [ME spandrell, fr. AF spaundre,
          fr. OF espandre to spread out--more at spawn] (15c) 1:
          the sometimes ornamented space between the right or left
          exterior curve of an arch and an enclosing right angle
          2: the triangular space beneath the string of a stair

   spang
          [spang] adv [Sc spang to leap, cast, bang] (1843) 1: to a
          complete degree 2: in an exact or direct manner: squarely

   [1]spangle
          [span.gle] n [ME spangel, dim. of spang shiny ornament, prob.
          of Scand origin; akin to ON spong spangle; akin to OE
          spang buckle, MD spannen to stretch] (15c) 1: a small
          plate of shining metal or plastic used for ornamentation
          esp. on clothing 2: a small glittering object or particle
          [2]spangle vb span.gled ; span.gling vt (1598): to set
          or sprinkle with or as if with spangles ~ vi: to glitter
          as if covered with spangles: sparkle

   Spanglish
          [Span.glish] n [blend of Spanish and English] (1965): Spanish
          marked by numerous borrowings from English; broadly:
          any of various combinations of Spanish and English

   Spaniard
          [Span.iard] n [ME Spaignard, fr. MF Espaignart, fr. Espaigne
          Spain, fr. L Hispania] (15c): a native or inhabitant
          of Spain

   spaniel
          [span.iel] n [ME spaniell, fr. MF espaignol, lit., Spaniard,
          fr. (assumed) VL Hispaniolus, fr. L Hispania Spain] (14c)
          1: a member of any of several breeds of small or medium-sized
          mostly short-legged dogs usu. having long wavy hair,
          feathered legs and tail, and large drooping ears 2: a
          fawning servile person

   Spanish
          [Span.ish] n [Spanish, adj., fr. ME Spainish, fr. Spain]
          (15c) 1: the Romance language of the largest part of
          Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards 2 pl
          in constr: the people of Spain -- Spanish adj -- Span.ish.ness
          n

   Spanish American
          [Spanish American] n (1811) 1: a resident of the U.S. whose
          native language is Spanish and whose culture is of Spanish
          origin 2: a native or inhabitant of one of the countries
          of America in which Spanish is the national language
          -- Spanish-American adj

   Spanish bayonet
          [Spanish bayonet] n (1843): any of several yuccas; esp: one
          (Yucca aloifolia) with a short trunk and rigid spine-tipped
          leaves

   Spanish chestnut
          [Spanish chestnut] n (1699): marron

   Spanish fly
          [Spanish fly] n (1634) 1: a green blister beetle (Lytta
          vesicatoria) of southern Europe 2: cantharis 2

   Spanish mackerel
          [Spanish mackerel] n (1666): a large scombroid food and game
          fish (Scomberomorus maculatus) that is bluish above with
          oval brown spots on the sides and is found off the American
          Atlantic coast from Cape Ann to Brazil

   Spanish moss
          [Spanish moss] n (1823): an epiphytic plant (Tillandsia usneoides)
          of the pineapple family forming pendent tufts of grayish green
          filaments on trees from the southern U.S. to Argentina

   Spanish needles
          [Spanish needles] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1743): any
          of several bur marigolds; esp: an annual (Bidens bipinnata)
          of No. America and Asia having yellow flowers and dissected
          leaves

   Spanish omelet
          [Spanish omelet] n (ca. 1886): an omelet served with a sauce
          containing chopped green pepper, onion, and tomato

   Spanish rice
          [Spanish rice] n (1928): rice cooked with onions, green pepper,
          and tomatoes

   [1]spank
          [spank] vt [imit.] (ca. 1727): to strike esp. on the buttocks
          with the open hand -- spank n [2]spank vi [back-formation
          fr. spanking] (ca. 1810): to move quickly, dashingly,
          or spiritedly <~ing along in his new car>

   spanker
          [span.ker] n [origin unknown] (1794) 1: the fore-and-aft
          sail on the mast nearest the stern of a square-rigged
          ship 2: the sail on the sternmost mast in a schooner
          of four or more masts

   [1]spanking
          [spank.ing] adj [origin unknown] (1666) 1: remarkable of
          its kind 2: being fresh and strong: brisk [2]spanking
          adv (1886): very <a ~ clean floor> <~ new>

   spanner
          [span.ner] n [G, instrument for winding springs, fr. spannen
          to stretch; akin to MD spannen to stretch--more at span]
          (ca. 1790) 1 chiefly Brit: wrench 2: a wrench that has
          a hole, projection, or hook at one or both ends of the
          head for engaging with a corresponding device on the
          object that is to be turned

   span-new
          [span-new] adj [ME, part trans. of ON spannyr, fr. spann
          chip of wood + nyr new] (14c): brand-new

   spanworm
          [span.worm] n [[3]span] (1820): looper 1

   [1]spar
          [spar] n [ME sparre; akin to OE spere spear--more at spear]
          (14c) 1: a stout pole 2 a: a stout rounded wood or metal
          piece (as a mast, boom, gaff, or yard) used to support
          rigging b: any of the main longitudinal members of the
          wing of an airplane that carry the ribs [2]spar vi sparred
          ; spar.ring [prob. alter. of [2]spur] (1537) 1 a: box;
          esp: to gesture without landing a blow to draw one's
          opponent or create an opening b: to engage in a practice
          or exhibition bout of boxing 2: skirmish, wrangle 3:
          to strike or fight with feet or spurs in the manner of
          a gamecock [3]spar n (1814) 1: a movement of offense
          or defense in boxing 2: a sparring match or session [4]spar
          n [LG; akin to OE spaerstan gypsum, spaeren of plaster]
          (1581): any of various nonmetallic usu. cleavable and
          lustrous minerals SPAR n [Semper Paratus, motto of the
          U.S. Coast Guard, fr. NL, always ready] (1942): a member
          of the women's reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard

   [1]spare
          [spare] vb spared ; spar.ing [ME, fr. OE sparian; akin to
          OHG sparon to spare, OE spaer, adj., scant] vt (bef.
          12c) 1: to forbear to destroy, punish, or harm 2: to
          refrain from attacking or reprimanding with necessary
          or salutary severity 3: to relieve of the necessity of
          doing or undergoing something <~ yourself the trouble>
          4: to refrain from: avoid <spared no expense> 5: to use
          or dispense frugally--used chiefly in the negative <don't
          ~ the syrup> 6 a: to give up as not strictly needed <do
          you have any cash to ~> b: to have left over or as margin
          <time to ~> ~ vi 1: to be frugal 2: to refrain from doing
          harm: be lenient -- spare.able adj -- spar.er n [2]spare
          adj spar.er ; spar.est [ME, fr. OE spaer sparing, scant;
          akin to OHG spar spare] (14c) 1: not being used; esp:
          held for emergency use <a ~ tire> 2: being over and above
          what is needed: superfluous <~ time> 3: not liberal or
          profuse: sparing <a ~ prose style> 4: healthily lean
          5: not abundant or plentiful syn see lean, meager --
          spare.ly adv -- spare.ness n [3]spare n (1642) 1 a: a
          spare tire b: a duplicate (as a key or a machine part)
          kept in reserve 2: the knocking down of all 10 pins with
          the first 2 balls in a frame in bowling

   spareribs
          [spare.ribs] n pl [by folk etymology fr. LG ribbesper pickled
          pork ribs roasted on a spit, fr. MLG, fr. ribbe rib +
          sper spear, spit] (1596): a cut of pork ribs separated
          from the bacon strip

   sparge
          [sparge] vt sparged ; sparg.ing [prob. fr. MF espargier,
          fr. L spargere to scatter] (1785) 1: sprinkle, bespatter;
          esp: spray 2: to agitate (a liquid) by means of compressed
          air or gas entering through a pipe -- sparge n -- sparg.er
          n

   sparing
          [spar.ing] adj (14c) 1: marked by or practicing careful restraint
          (as in the use of resources) 2: meager, bare <the map
          is ~ of information> -- spar.ing.ly adv syn sparing,
          frugal, thrifty, economical mean careful in the use of
          one's money or resources. sparing stresses abstention
          and restraint <sparing in the offering of advice>. frugal
          implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle
          <ran a frugal household>. thrifty stresses good management
          and industry <thrifty use of nonrenewable resources>.
          economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness,
          and use of things to their best advantage <an economical
          health care plan>.

   [1]spark
          [spark] n [ME sparke, fr. OE spearca; akin to MD sparke spark
          and perh. to L spargere to scatter] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a
          small particle of a burning substance thrown out by a
          body in combustion or remaining when combustion is nearly
          completed b: a hot glowing particle struck from a larger
          mass; esp: one heated by friction 2 a: a luminous disruptive
          electrical discharge of very short duration between two
          conductors separated by a gas (as air) b: the discharge
          in a spark plug c: the mechanism controlling the discharge
          in a spark plug 3: sparkle, flash 4: something that sets
          off a sudden force <provided the ~ that helped the team
          to rally> 5: a latent particle capable of growth or developing:
          germ <still retains a ~ of decency> 6 pl but sing in
          constr: a radio operator on a ship [2]spark vi (13c)
          1 a: to throw out sparks b: to flash or fall like sparks
          2: to produce sparks; specif: to have the electric ignition
          working 3: to respond with enthusiasm ~ vt 1: to set
          off in a burst of activity: activate <the question ~ed
          a lively discussion> --often used with off 2: to stir
          to activity: incite <~ed her team to victory> -- spark.er
          n [3]spark n [perh. of Scand origin; akin to ON sparkr
          sprightly] (ca. 1600) 1: a foppish young man 2: lover,
          beau -- spark.ish adj [4]spark vb (1787): woo, court
          -- spark.er n

   spark chamber
          [spark chamber] n (1961): a device usu. used to detect the
          path of a high-energy particle that consists of a series
          of charged metal plates or wires separated by a gas (as
          neon) in which observable electric discharges follow
          the path of the particle

   spark coil
          [spark coil] n (1896): an induction coil for producing the
          spark for an internal combustion engine

   spark gap
          [spark gap] n (1889): a space between two high-potential
          terminals (as of an induction coil) through which pass
          discharges of electricity; also: a device having a spark
          gap

   sparking plug
          [sparking plug] n (1902) Brit: spark plug

   [1]sparkle
          [spar.kle] vb spar.kled ; spar.kling [ME, freq. of sparken
          to spark] vi (13c) 1 a: to throw out sparks b: to give
          off or reflect bright moving points of light c: to perform
          brilliantly 2: effervesce <wine that ~s> 3: to become
          lively or animated <the dialogue ~s with wit> <eyes sparkling
          with anger> ~ vt: to cause to glitter or shine syn see
          flash -- spar.kly adj [2]sparkle n [ME, dim. of sparke]
          (14c) 1: a little spark: scintillation 2: the quality
          of sparkling 3 a: animation, liveliness b: the quality
          or state of being effervescent

   sparkler
          [spar.kler] n (1713): one that sparkles: as a: diamond b:
          a firework that throws off brilliant sparks on burning
          c: sparkling wine

   sparkling wine
          [sparkling wine] n (1697): an effervescent table wine

   spark plug
          [spark plug] n (1903) 1: a part that fits into the cylinder
          head of an internal combustion engine and carries two
          electrodes separated by an air gap across which the current
          from the ignition system discharges to form the spark
          for combustion 2: one that initiates or gives impetus
          to an undertaking -- spark.plug vt

   sparky
          [sparky] adj spark.i.er ; -est (ca. 1865): marked by animation:
          lively -- spark.i.ly adv

   sparrow
          [spar.row] n [ME sparow, fr. OE spearwa; akin to OHG sparo
          sparrow] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Passer of the
          family Ploceidae) of small chiefly brownish or grayish
          Old World oscine songbirds that include some which have
          been widely introduced; esp: house sparrow 2: any of
          various finches (as the song sparrow or tree sparrow)
          resembling the true sparrows -- spar.row.like adj

   sparrow hawk
          [sparrow hawk] n (15c): any of various small hawks: as a:
          an Old World accipiter (Accipiter nisus) that is dark
          gray to blackish above with the female having a grayish
          brown barred underside and the male having a chestnut
          barred underside b: kestrel b

   sparse
          [sparse] adj spars.er ; spars.est [L sparsus spread out,
          fr. pp. of spargere to scatter--more at spark] (1753):
          of few and scattered elements; esp: not thickly grown
          or settled syn see meager -- sparse.ly adv -- sparse.ness
          n -- spar.si.ty n

   Spartacist
          [Spar.ta.cist] n [G Spartakist, fr. Spartakusbund, lit.,
          league of Spartakus, a revolutionary organization, fr.
          Spartakus, pen name of Karl Liebknecht, its cofounder]
          (1919): a member of a revolutionary political group organized
          in Germany in 1918 and advocating extreme socialistic
          doctrines

   [1]Spartan
          [Spar.tan] n (15c) 1: a native or inhabitant of ancient Sparta
          2: a person of great courage and self-discipline -- Spar.tan.ism
          n [2]Spartan adj (1582) 1: of or relating to Sparta in
          ancient Greece 2 a often not cap: marked by strict self-discipline
          or self-denial <a ~ athlete> b often not cap: marked by simplicity,
          frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort <a ~ room> c: laconic
          d: undaunted by pain or danger -- Spar.tan.ly adv

   sparteine
          [spar.te.ine] n [L spartum esparto, broom + ISV -eine--more
          at esparto] (1851): a liquid alkaloid extracted from
          the Scotch broom and used in medicine in the form of
          its sulfate

   spar varnish
          [spar varnish] n [[1]spar] (ca. 1909): an exterior waterproof
          varnish

   spasm
          [spasm] n [ME spasme, fr. MF, fr. L spasmus, fr. Gk spasmos,
          fr. span to draw, pull] (14c) 1: an involuntary and abnormal
          muscular contraction 2: a sudden violent and temporary
          effort or emotion <a ~ of creativity>

   spasmodic
          [spas.mod.ic] adj [NL spasmodicus, fr. Gk spasmodes, fr.
          spasmos] (ca. 1681) 1 a: relating to or affected or characterized
          by spasm b: resembling a spasm esp. in sudden violence
          <a ~ jerk> 2: acting or proceeding fitfully: intermittent
          3: subject to outbursts of emotional excitement: excitable
          syn see fitful -- spas.mod.i.cal.ly adv

   spasmolytic
          [spas.mo.lyt.ic] adj [ISV spasmo- (fr. Gk spasmos spasm)
          + -lytic] (ca. 1935): tending or having the power to
          relieve spasms or convulsions -- spasmolytic n

   [1]spastic
          [spas.tic] adj [L spasticus, fr. Gk spastikos drawing in,
          fr. span] (1753) 1: of, relating to, characterized by,
          or affected with spasm <a ~ colon> <a ~ patient> 2: spasmodic
          2 <a ~ influx of data> -- spas.ti.cal.ly adv [2]spastic
          n (1896): one suffering from spastic paralysis

   spasticity
          [spas.tic.i.ty] n (ca. 1827): a spastic state or condition;
          esp: muscular hypertonicity with increased tendon reflexes

   spastic paralysis
          [spastic paralysis] n (1879): paralysis with tonic spasm
          of the affected muscles and with increased tendon reflexes--compare
          cerebral palsy

   [1]spat
          [spat] past and past part of spit [2]spat n, pl spat or spats
          [origin unknown] (1667): a young bivalve (as an oyster)
          [3]spat n [short for spatterdash legging] (ca. 1802):
          a cloth or leather gaiter covering the instep and ankle
          [4]spat n [origin unknown] (1804) 1: a brief petty quarrel
          or angry outburst 2 chiefly dial: slap 3: a sound like
          that of rain falling in large drops [5]spat vb spat.ted
          ; spat.ting vt (ca. 1832) chiefly dial: slap ~ vi 1:
          to quarrel pettily or briefly 2: to strike with a sound
          like that of rain falling in large drops

   spate
          [spate] n [ME] (15c) 1: freshet, flood 2 a: a large number
          or amount <a ~ of books on gardening> b: a sudden or
          strong outburst: rush <a ~ of anger>

   spathe
          [spathe] n [NL spatha, fr. L, broadsword--more at spade]
          (1785): a sheathing bract or pair of bracts partly enclosing
          an inflorescence and esp. a spadix on the same axis <the
          ~ of the calla lily>

   spathulate
          [spath.u.late] adj [LL spathula, spatula spatula] (1821):
          spatulate <~ petals of a flower>

   spatial
          [spa.tial] adj [L spatium space] (1847): relating to, occupying,
          or having the character of space -- spa.ti.al.i.ty n
          -- spa.tial.ly adv

   spatial summation
          [spatial summation] n (1968): sensory summation that involves
          stimulation of several spatially separated neurons at
          the same time

   spatiotemporal
          [spa.tio.tem.po.ral] adj [L spatium + tempor-, tempus time]
          (1900) 1: having both spatial and temporal qualities
          2: of or relating to space-time -- spa.tio.tem.po.ral.ly
          adv

   [1]spatter
          [spat.ter] vb [akin to Flem spetteren to spatter] vi (1600):
          to spurt forth in scattered drops <blood ~ing everywhere>
          ~ vt 1: to splash with or as if with a liquid; also:
          to soil in this way <his coat was ~ed with mud> 2: to
          scatter by or as if by splashing <~ water> 3: to cover
          with or as if with splashes or spots 4: to injure by
          aspersion: defame <~ed my reputation> [2]spatter n (1797)
          1 a: the act or process of spattering: the state of being
          spattered b: the noise of spattering 2 a: a drop or splash
          spattered on something or a spot or stain due to spattering
          b: a small amount or number: sprinkle <a ~ of applause>

   spatterdock
          [spat.ter.dock] n (1813): a common yellow No. American water
          lily (Nuphar advena); also: a congeneric plant

   spatula
          [spat.u.la] n [LL, spoon, spatula--more at epaulet] (1525):
          a flat thin usu. metal implement used esp. for spreading
          or mixing soft substances, scooping, or lifting

   spatulate
          [spat.u.late] adj (1760): shaped like a spatula <a ~ leaf>
          <~ spines of a caterpillar> <a ~ tool>--see leaf illustration

   spatzle
          [spatz.le] var of spaetzle

   spavin
          [spav.in] n [ME spavayne, fr. MF espavain] (15c): swelling;
          esp: a bony enlargement of the hock of a horse associated
          with strain

   spavined
          [spav.ined] adj (15c) 1: affected with spavin 2: old and
          decrepit: over-the-hill

   [1]spawn
          [spawn] vb [ME, fr. AF espaundre, fr. OF espandre to spread
          out, expand, fr. L expandere] vi (15c) 1: to deposit
          spawn 2: to produce young esp. in large numbers ~ vt
          1 a: to produce or deposit (eggs)--used of an aquatic
          animal b: to induce (fish) to spawn c: to plant with
          mushroom spawn 2: bring forth, generate -- spawn.er n
          [2]spawn n (15c) 1: the eggs of aquatic animals (as fishes
          or oysters) that lay many small eggs 2: product, offspring;
          also: numerous issue 3: the seed, germ, or source of
          something 4: mycelium esp. prepared (as in bricks) for
          propagating mushrooms

   spay
          [spay] vt spayed ; spay.ing [ME, fr. MF espeer to cut with
          a sword, fr. OF, fr. espee sword, fr. L spatha sword--more
          at spade] (15c): to remove the ovaries of (a female animal)

   spaz
          [spaz] n, pl spaz.zes [by shortening & alter. fr. spastic]
          (1965) slang: one who is inept: klutz

   SPCA
          [SPCA] abbreviation Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
          to Animals

   SPCC
          [SPCC] abbreviation Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
          to Children

   spd
          [spd] abbreviation speed

   -speak
          [-speak] n comb form [newspeak]--used to form esp. nonce
          words denoting a particular kind of jargon <architectspeak>
          <Californiaspeak>

   speak
          [speak] vb spoke ; spo.ken ; speak.ing [ME speken, fr. OE
          sprecan, specan; akin to OHG sprehhan to speak, Gk spharageisthai
          to crackle] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to utter words or articulate
          sounds with the ordinary voice: talk b (1): to express
          thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally (2): to extend
          a greeting (3): to be on speaking terms <still were not
          ~ing after the dispute> c (1): to express oneself before
          a group (2): to address one's remarks <~ to the issue>
          2 a: to make a written statement <his diaries ... spoke
          ... of his entrancement with death --Sy Kahn> b: to use
          such an expression--often used in the phrase so to speak
          <was at the enemy's gates, so to ~ --C. S. Forester>
          c: to serve as spokesman <spoke for the whole group>
          3 a: to express feelings by other than verbal means <actions
          ~ louder than words> b: signal c: to be interesting or
          attractive: appeal <great music ... ~s directly to the
          emotions --A. N. Whitehead> 4: to make a request: ask
          <spoke for the remaining piece of pie> 5: to make a characteristic
          or natural sound <all at once the thunder spoke --George Meredith>
          6 a: testify b: to be indicative or suggestive <his gold ... spoke
          of riches in the land --Julian Dana> ~ vt 1 a (1): to utter with
          the speaking voice: pronounce (2): to give a recitation of: declaim
          b: to express orally: declare <free to ~ their minds> c: address,
          accost; esp: hail 2: to make known in writing: state 3: to use
          or be able to use in speaking <~s Spanish> 4: to indicate by other
          than verbal means 5 archaic: describe, depict -- speak.able adj
          -- to speak of : worthy of mention or notice--usu. used in negative
          constructions

   speakeasy
          [speak.easy] n, pl -eas.ies (1889): a place where alcoholic
          beverages are illegally sold; specif: such a place during
          the period of prohibition in the U.S.

   speaker
          [speak.er] n (14c) 1 a: one that speaks; esp: one who uses
          a language <native ~s of French> b: one who makes a public
          speech c: one who acts as a spokesman 2: the presiding
          officer of a deliberative assembly <Speaker of the House
          of Representatives> 3: loudspeaker -- speak.er.ship n

   speakerphone
          [speak.er.phone] n (1955): a combination microphone and loudspeaker
          device for two-way communication by telephone lines

   speaking
          [speak.ing] adj (13c) 1 a: that speaks: capable of speech
          b: having a population that speaks a specified language--usu.
          used in combination <English-speaking countries> c: that
          involves talking or giving speeches <a ~ role> <a ~ tour>
          2: highly significant or expressive: eloquent 3: resembling
          a living being or a real object

   speaking tube
          [speaking tube] n (1833): a pipe through which conversation
          may be conducted (as between different parts of a building)

   speak-out
          [speak-out] n (1968): an event in which people publicly share
          their experiences of or views on an issue

   speak out
          [speak out] vi (1530) 1: to speak loud enough to be heard
          2: to speak boldly: express an opinion frankly <spoke
          out on the issues>

   speak up
          [speak up] vi (1705) 1: to express an opinion freely <speak
          up for truth and justice --Clive Bell> 2: to speak loudly
          and distinctly

   spean
          [spean] vt [MD spenen] (1595) chiefly Scot: wean

   [1]spear
          [spear] n [ME spere, fr. OE; akin to OHG sper spear, L sparus
          hunting spear] (bef. 12c) 1: a thrusting or throwing
          weapon with long shaft and sharp head or blade 2: a sharp-pointed
          instrument with barbs used in spearing fish 3: spearman
          [2]spear vt (15c) 1: to pierce, strike, or take with
          or as if with a spear <~ salmon> <~ed a chop from the
          platter> 2: to catch (as a baseball) with a sudden thrust
          of the arm ~ vi: to thrust at or wound something with
          or as if with a spear -- spear.er n [3]spear adj (1861):
          paternal, male <the ~ side of the family>--compare distaff
          [4]spear vi [[5]spear] (1573) of a plant: to thrust a
          spear upward [5]spear n [alter. of [1]spire] (1647):
          a usu. young blade, shoot, or sprout (as of grass)

   spear-carrier
          [spear-car.ri.er] n (1953) 1 a: a member of an opera chorus
          b: a bit actor in a play 2: a person whose actions are
          of little significance or value in an event or organization

   [1]spearfish
          [spear.fish] n (ca. 1882): any of several billfishes (genus
          Tetrapturus) having the anterior part of the first dorsal
          fin about as high as the body is deep [2]spearfish vi
          (ca. 1949): to fish with a spear

   speargun
          [spear.gun] n (1951): a gun that shoots a spear and is used
          in spearfishing

   [1]spearhead
          [spear.head] n (14c) 1: the sharp-pointed head of a spear
          2: a leading element, force, or influence in an undertaking
          or development [2]spearhead vt (1937): to serve as leader
          or leading element of

   spearman
          [spear.man] n (14c): one armed with a spear

   spearmint
          [spear.mint] n (1562): a common mint (Mentha spicata) grown
          for flavoring and esp. for its aromatic oil

   spear-thrower
          [spear-throw.er] n (1871): atlatl

   spearwort
          [spear.wort] n (14c): any of several buttercups (esp. Ranunculus
          flammula) with spear-shaped leaves

   spec
          [spec] abbreviation special, specialist, specifically,
          specification

   spec
          [spec] vt specced or spec'd ; spec.cing [[2]specs] (1965):
          to write specifications for

   [1]special
          [spe.cial] adj [ME, fr. OF or L; OF especial, fr. L specialis
          individual, particular, fr. species species] (13c) 1:
          distinguished by some unusual quality; esp: being in
          some way superior <our ~ blend> 2: held in particular
          esteem <a ~ friend> 3 a: readily distinguishable from
          others of the same category: unique <they set it apart
          as a ~ day of thanksgiving> b: of, relating to, or constituting
          a species: specific 4: being other than the usual: additional,
          extra 5: designed for a particular purpose or occasion
          -- spe.cial.ness n syn special, especial, specific, particular,
          individual mean of or relating to one thing or class.
          special stresses having a quality, character, identity,
          or use of its own <special ingredients>. especial may
          add implications of preeminence or preference <a matter
          of especial importance>. specific implies a quality or
          character distinguishing a kind or a species <children
          with specific nutritional needs>. particular stresses
          the distinctness of something as an individual <a ballet
          step of particular difficulty>. individual implies unequivocal
          reference to one of a class or group <valued each individual
          opinion>. [2]special n (1866) 1: one that is used for
          a special service or occasion <caught the commuter ~
          to work> 2: something (as a television program) that
          is not part of a regular series

   special assessment
          [special assessment] n (1875): a specific tax levied on private
          property to meet the cost of public improvements that
          enhance the value of the property

   special delivery
          [special delivery] n (1886): expedited messenger delivery
          of mail matter for an extra fee

   special district
          [special district] n (1950): a political subdivision of a
          state established to provide a single public service
          (as water supply or sanitation) within a specific geographical
          area

   special drawing rights
          [special drawing rights] n (1967): a means of exchange used
          by governments to settle their international indebtedness

   special education
          [special education] n (1921): classes for students (as the
          handicapped) with special educational needs

   special effects
          [special effects] n pl (1937): visual or sound effects introduced
          into a motion picture or a taped television production

   Special Forces
          [Special Forces] n pl (1962): a branch of the army composed
          of soldiers specially trained in guerrilla warfare

   special handling
          [special handling] n (1928): the handling of parcel-post
          or fourth-class mail as first-class but not as special-delivery
          matter for an extra fee

   special interest
          [special interest] n (1910): a person or group seeking to
          influence legislative or government policy to further
          often narrowly defined interests; esp: lobby

   specialisation, specialise, specialised
          [spe.cial.i.sa.tion, spe.cial.ise, specialised] Brit var
          of specialization, specialize, specialized

   specialism
          [spe.cial.ism] n (1856) 1: specialization in an occupation
          or branch of learning 2: a field of specialization: specialty

   specialist
          [spe.cial.ist] n (1856) 1: one who specializes in a particular
          occupation, practice, or branch of learning 2: any of
          four enlisted ranks in the army corresponding to the
          grades of corporal through sergeant first class -- specialist
          or spe.cial.is.tic adj

   speciality
          [spe.ci.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: a special mark or quality
          2: a special object or class of objects 3 a: a special
          aptitude or skill b: specialty 3

   specialization
          [spe.cial.i.za.tion] n (1843) 1: a making or becoming specialized
          2 a: structural adaptation of a body part to a particular
          function or of an organism for life in a particular environment
          b: a body part or an organism adapted by specialization

   specialize
          [spe.cial.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1613) 1: to make particular
          mention of: particularize 2: to apply or direct to a
          specific end or use <specialized their study> ~ vi 1:
          to concentrate one's efforts in a special activity, field,
          or practice 2: to undergo specialization; esp: to change
          adaptively

   specialized
          [specialized] adj (1853) 1: characterized by or exhibiting
          biological specialization; esp: highly differentiated
          esp. in a particular direction or for a particular end
          2: designed or fitted for one particular purpose or occupation
          <~ personnel>

   specially
          [spe.cial.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a special manner <treated her
          friends ~> 2 a: for a special purpose <dresses made ~
          for the occasion> <wines ~ selected to match each course>
          b: in particular: specifically <made ~ for you> 3: especially
          2 <makes a ~ fine curry> <was ~ pleased with the gift>

   special pleading
          [special pleading] n (1684) 1: the allegation of special
          or new matter to offset the effect of matter pleaded
          by the opposite side and admitted, as distinguished from
          a direct denial of the matter pleaded 2: misleading argument
          that presents one point or phase as if it covered the
          entire question at issue

   special relativity
          [special relativity] n (1941): relativity 3a

   special theory of relativity
          [special theory of relativity] (1920): relativity 3a

   specialty
          [spe.cial.ty] n, pl -ties [ME specialte, fr. MF especialte,
          fr. LL specialitat-, specialitas, fr. L specialis special]
          (15c) 1: a distinctive mark or quality 2 a: a special
          object or class of objects: as (1): a legal agreement
          embodied in a sealed instrument (2): a product of a special
          kind or of special excellence <fried chicken is my ~>
          b: the state of being special, distinctive, or peculiar
          3: something in which one specializes

   speciation
          [spe.ci.a.tion] n (1906): the process of biological species
          formation -- spe.ci.ate vi -- spe.ci.a.tion.al adj

   [1]specie
          [spe.cie] n [fr. in specie, fr. L, in kind] (1617): money
          in coin -- in specie : in the same or like form or kind
          <ready to return insult in specie>; also: in coin [2]specie
          n [back-formation fr. species (taken as a pl.)] (1711)
          nonstand: species

   [1]species
          [spe.cies] n, pl species [ME, fr. L, appearance, kind, species,
          fr. specere to look--more at spy] (14c) 1 a: kind, sort
          b: a class of individuals having common attributes and
          designated by a common name; specif: a logical division
          of a genus or more comprehensive class c: the human race:
          human beings--often used with the <survival of the ~
          in the nuclear age> d (1): a category of biological classification
          ranking immediately below the genus or subgenus, comprising related
          organisms or populations potentially capable of interbreeding, and
          being designated by a binomial that consists of the name of a genus
          followed by a Latin or latinized uncapitalized noun or adjective
          agreeing grammatically with the genus name (2): an individual
          or kind belonging to a biological species e: a particular kind
          of atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, or ion 2: the consecrated
          eucharistic elements of the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox
          Eucharist 3 a: a mental image; also: a sensible object b: an object
          of thought correlative with a natural object [2]species adj (1899):
          belonging to a biological species as distinguished from
          a horticultural variety <a ~ rose>

   speciesism
          [spe.cies.ism] n (1973) 1: prejudice or discrimination based
          on species; esp: discrimination against animals 2: the
          assumption of human superiority on which speciesism is
          based

   specif
          [specif] abbreviation specific, specifically

   [1]specific
          [spe.cif.ic] adj [LL specificus, fr. L species] (ca. 1631)
          1 a: constituting or falling into a specifiable category
          b: sharing or being those properties of something that
          allow it to be referred to a particular category 2 a:
          restricted to a particular individual, situation, relation,
          or effect <a disease ~ to horses> b: exerting a distinctive
          influence (as on a body part or a disease) <~ antibodies>
          3: free from ambiguity: accurate <a ~ statement of faith>
          4: of, relating to, or constituting a species and esp.
          a biologic species 5 a: being any of various arbitrary
          physical constants and esp. one relating a quantitative
          attribute to unit mass, volume, or area b: imposed at
          a fixed rate per unit (as of weight or count) <~ import
          duties>--compare ad valorem syn see special, explicit
          -- spe.cif.i.cal.ly adv [2]specific n (1661) 1 a: something
          peculiarly adapted to a purpose or use b: a drug or remedy
          having a specific mitigating effect on a disease 2 a:
          a characteristic quality or trait b: details, particulars--usu.
          used in pl. <haggling over the legal and financial ~s
          of independence --Time> c pl: specification 2a

   specification
          [spec.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1633) 1: the act or process of specifying
          2 a: a detailed precise presentation of something or
          of a plan or proposal for something--usu. used in pl.
          b: a statement of legal particulars (as of charges or
          of contract terms); also: a single item of such statement
          c: a written description of an invention for which a
          patent is sought

   specific epithet
          [specific epithet] n (1906): the Latin or latinized noun
          or adjective that follows the genus name in a taxonomic
          binomial

   specific gravity
          [specific gravity] n (1666): the ratio of the density of
          a substance to the density of some substance (as pure
          water) taken as a standard when both densities are obtained
          by weighing in air

   specific heat
          [specific heat] n (1832): the heat in calories required to
          raise the temperature of one gram of a substance one
          degree Celsius

   specific impulse
          [specific impulse] n (1947): the thrust produced per unit
          rate of consumption of the propellant that is usu. expressed
          in pounds of thrust per pound of propellant used per
          second and that is a measure of the efficiency of a rocket
          engine

   specificity
          [spec.i.fic.i.ty] n (1876): the quality or condition of being
          specific: as a: the condition of being peculiar to a
          particular individual or group of organisms <host ~ of
          a parasite> b: the condition of participating in or catalyzing
          only one or a few chemical reactions <the ~ of an enzyme>

   specific performance
          [specific performance] n (ca. 1876) 1: the performance of
          a legal contract s trictly or substantially according
          to its terms 2: an equitable remedy enjoining specific
          performance

   specify
          [spec.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME specifien, fr. MF specifier,
          fr. LL specificare, fr. specificus] (14c) 1: to name
          or state explicitly or in detail 2: to include as an
          item in a specification -- spec.i.fi.able adj -- spec.i.fi.er
          n

   specimen
          [spec.i.men] n [L, fr. specere to look at, look--more at
          spy] (1610) 1 a: an individual, item, or part considered
          typical of a group, class, or whole b: a portion or quantity
          of material for use in testing, examination, or study
          <a urine ~> 2 a: something that obviously belongs to
          a particular category but is noticed by reason of an
          individual distinguishing characteristic b: person, individual
          <he's a tough ~> 3: a plant grown for exhibition or in
          the open to display its full development <~ trees> <~
          plantings> syn see instance

   speciosity
          [spe.ci.os.i.ty] n (1608): the quality or state of being
          specious: speciousness

   specious
          [spe.cious] adj [ME, visually pleasing, fr. L speciosus beautiful,
          plausible, fr. species] (1513) 1 obs: showy 2: having deceptive
          attraction or allure 3: having a false look of truth
          or genuineness: sophistic -- spe.cious.ly adv -- spe.cious.ness n

   [1]speck
          [speck] n [ME specke, fr. OE specca] (bef. 12c) 1: a small
          discoloration or spot esp. from stain or decay 2: a very
          small amount: bit 3: something marked or marred with
          specks -- specked adj [2]speck vt (1580): to produce
          specks on or in

   [1]speckle
          [speck.le] n [ME; akin to OE specca] (15c): a little speck
          (as of color) [2]speckle vt speck.led ; speck.ling (ca.
          1570) 1: to mark with speckles 2: to be distributed in
          or on like speckles

   speckled perch
          [speckled perch] n (1877): black crappie

   speckled trout
          [speckled trout] n (1805) 1: brook trout 2: spotted sea trout

   speckle interferometry
          [speckle interferometry] n (1970): a technique for generating
          a clear composite image of a celestial object blurred
          by atmospheric turbulence in which a large number of
          short-exposure photographs are mathematically correlated
          by a computer

   [1]specs
          [specs] n pl [contr. of spectacles] (1807): glasses [2]specs
          n pl [by contr.] (1942): specifications

   spectacle
          [spec.ta.cle] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L spectaculum, fr. spectare
          to watch, freq. of specere to look, look at--more at
          spy] (14c) 1 a: something exhibited to view as unusual,
          notable, or entertaining; esp: an eye-catching or dramatic
          public display b: an object of curiosity or contempt
          <made a ~ of herself> 2 pl: glasses 3: something (as
          natural markings on an animal) suggesting a pair of glasses

   spectacled
          [spec.ta.cled] adj (1607) 1: having or wearing spectacles
          2: having markings suggesting a pair of spectacles <a
          ~ alligator>

   [1]spectacular
          [spec.tac.u.lar] adj [L spectaculum] (1682): of, relating
          to, or being a spectacle: striking, sensational <a ~
          display of fireworks> -- spec.tac.u.lar.ly adv [2]spectacular
          n (1890): something that is spectacular; esp: an elaborate
          film, television, or theatrical production

   spectate
          [spec.tate] vi spec.tat.ed ; spec.tat.ing [back-formation
          fr. spectator] (1858): to be present as a spectator (as
          at a sports event)

   spectator
          [spec.ta.tor] n [L, fr. spectare to watch] (ca. 1586) 1:
          one who looks on or watches 2: a woman's pump usu. having
          contrasting colors with a perforated design at the toe
          and sometimes heel -- spectator adj -- spec.ta.tor.i.al
          adj -- spec.ta.tor.ship n

   specter
          [spec.ter] or spec.tre n [F spectre, fr. L spectrum appearance,
          specter, fr. specere to look, look at--more at spy] (1605)
          1: a visible disembodied spirit: ghost 2: something that
          haunts or perturbs the mind: phantasm <the ~ of hunger>

   spectinomycin
          [spec.ti.no.my.cin] n [spect- (fr. NL spectabilis, specific
          epithet of Streptomyces spectabilis) + actinomycin] (1964):
          a white crystalline broad-spectrum antibiotic produced
          by a bacterium (Streptomyces spectabilis) that is used
          clinically esp. in the form of its hydrochloride to treat
          gonorrhea

   spectral
          [spec.tral] adj (1815) 1: of, relating to, or suggesting
          a specter: ghostly 2: of, relating to, or made by a spectrum
          -- spec.tral.ly adv

   spectral line
          [spectral line] n (1866): one of a series of linear images
          of the narrow slit of a spectrograph or similar instrument
          corresponding to a component of the spectrum of the radiation
          emitted by a particular source

   spectro-
          [spectro-] comb form [NL spectrum]: spectrum <spectroscope>

   spectrofluorometer
          [spec.tro.flu.o.rom.e.ter] also spec.tro.flu.o.rim.e.ter
          n (1957): a device for measuring and recording fluorescence
          spectra -- spec.tro.flu.o.ro.met.ric adj --
          spec.tro.flu.o.rom.e.try n

   spectrogram
          [spec.tro.gram] n [ISV] (1892): a photograph or diagram of
          a spectrum

   spectrograph
          [spec.tro.graph] n [ISV] (1884): an instrument for dispersing
          radiation (as electromagnetic radiation or sound waves)
          into a spectrum and photographing or mapping the spectrum
          -- spec.tro.graph.ic adj -- spec.tro.graph.i.cal.ly adv
          -- spec.trog.ra.phy n

   spectroheliogram
          [spec.tro.he.lio.gram] n (1905): a photograph of the sun
          that is made by monochromatic light and shows the sun's
          faculae and prominences

   spectroheliograph
          [spec.tro.he.lio.graph] n [ISV] (1892): an apparatus for
          making spectroheliograms -- spec.tro.he.li.og.ra.phy n

   spectrohelioscope
          [spec.tro.he.lio.scope] n [ISV] (1906) 1: spectroheliograph
          2: an instrument similar to a spectroheliograph used
          for visual as distinguished from photographic observations

   spectrometer
          [spec.trom.e.ter] n [ISV] (1874) 1: an instrument used for
          measuring wavelengths of light spectra 2: any of various
          analytical instruments in which an emission (as of particles
          or radiation) is dispersed according to some property
          (as mass or energy) of the emission and the amount of
          dispersion is measured <nuclear magnetic resonance ~>
          -- spec.tro.met.ric adj -- spec.trom.e.try n

   spectrophotometer
          [spec.tro.pho.tom.e.ter] n [ISV] (1881): a photometer for
          measuring the relative intensities of the light in different
          parts of a spectrum -- spec.tro.pho.to.met.ric
          also spec.tro.pho.to.met.ri.cal adj --
          spec.tro.pho.to.met.ri.cal.ly adv -- spec.tro.pho.tom.e.try n

   spectroscope
          [spec.tro.scope] n [ISV] (1861): an instrument for forming
          and examining spectra esp. in the visible region of the
          electromagnetic spectrum -- spec.tro.scop.ic adj --
          spec.tro.scop.i.cal.ly adv -- spec.tros.co.pist n

   spectroscopy
          [spec.tros.co.py] n (1870) 1: the production and investigation
          of spectra 2: the process or technique of using a spectroscope
          or spectrometer

   spectrum
          [spec.trum] n, pl spec.tra or spectrums [NL, fr.
          L, appearance--more at specter] (1671) 1 a: a continuum of color
          formed when a beam of white light is dispersed (as by passage
          through a prism) so that its component wavelengths are arranged
          in order b: any of various continua that resemble a spectrum
          in consisting of an ordered arrangement by a particular
          characteristic (as frequency or energy): as (1): electromagnetic
          spectrum (2): radio spectrum (3): the range of frequencies of sound
          waves (4): mass spectrum c: the representation (as a plot)
          of a spectrum 2 a: a continuous sequence or range <a wide
          ~ of interests> b: kinds of organisms associated with a particular
          situation (as an environment) or susceptible to an agent (as
          an antibiotic)

   specular
          [spec.u.lar] adj [L specularis of a mirror, fr. speculum]
          (1661): of, relating to, or having the qualities of a
          mirror -- spec.u.lar.i.ty n -- spec.u.lar.ly adv

   speculate
          [spec.u.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L speculatus, pp. of
          speculari to spy out, examine, fr. specula watchtower,
          fr. specere to look, look at--more at spy] vi (1599)
          1 a: to meditate on or ponder a subject: reflect b: to
          review something idly or casually and often inconclusively
          2: to assume a business risk in hope of gain; esp: to
          buy or sell in expectation of profiting from market fluctuations
          ~ vt 1: to take to be true on the basis of insufficient
          evidence: theorize <speculated that a virus caused the
          disease> 2: to be curious or doubtful about: wonder <~s
          whether it will rain all vacation> syn see think -- spec.u.la.tor
          n

   speculation
          [spec.u.la.tion] n (14c): an act or instance of speculating:
          as a: assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of
          obtaining commensurate gain b: a transaction involving
          such speculation

   speculative
          [spec.u.la.tive] adj (14c) 1: involving, based on, or constituting
          intellectual speculation; also: theoretical rather than
          demonstrable <~ knowledge> 2: marked by questioning curiosity <gave
          him a ~ glance> 3: of, relating to, or being a financial
          speculation <~ stocks> <~ venture> -- spec.u.la.tive.ly adv

   speculum
          [spec.u.lum] n, pl -la also -lums [ME, fr. L, mirror, fr.
          specere] (15c) 1: an instrument inserted into a body
          passage for inspection or medication 2: a drawing or
          table showing the relative positions of all the planets
          (as in an astrological nativity) 3: a patch of color
          on the secondaries of most ducks and some other birds

   speech
          [speech] n [ME speche, fr. OE spraec, spaec; akin to OE sprecan
          to speak--more at speak] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the communication
          or expression of thoughts in spoken words b: exchange
          of spoken words: conversation 2 a: something that is
          spoken: utterance b: a usu. public discourse: address
          3 a: language, dialect b: an individual manner or style
          of speaking 4: the power of expressing or communicating
          thoughts by speaking

   speech community
          [speech community] n (1894): a group of people sharing
          characteristic patterns of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation

   speech form
          [speech form] n (1863): linguistic form

   speechify
          [speech.ify] vi -ified ; -ify.ing (1723): to make a speech

   speechless
          [speech.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1: unable to speak: dumb 2:
          not speaking: silent 3: not capable of being expressed
          in words -- speech.less.ly adv -- speech.less.ness n

   speechwriter
          [speech.writ.er] n (1834): a person who writes speeches (as
          for a politician)

   [1]speed
          [speed] n [ME spede, fr. OE sped; akin to OHG spuot prosperity,
          speed, OE spowan to succeed, L spes hope, L speti to
          be in time] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: prosperity in an undertaking:
          success 2 a: the act or state of moving swiftly: swiftness
          b: rate of motion: as (1): velocity 1, 3a (2): the magnitude
          of a velocity irrespective of direction c: impetus 3:
          swiftness or rate of performance or action 4 a: the sensitivity
          of a photographic film, plate, or paper expressed numerically
          b: the light-gathering power of a lens or optical system
          c: the time during which a camera shutter is open 5:
          a transmission gear in automotive vehicles or bicycles--usu.
          used in combination <a ten-speed bicycle> 6: someone
          or something that appeals to one's taste 7: methamphetamine;
          also: a related stimulant drug and esp. an amphetamine
          syn see haste -- speed.ster n -- at speed chiefly Brit:
          fast, rapidly -- up to speed : operating at full effectiveness
          or potential [2]speed vb sped or speed.ed ; speed.ing
          vi (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: to prosper in an undertaking
          b archaic: get along, fare 2 a: to make haste <sped to
          her bedside> b: to go or drive at excessive or illegal
          speed 3: to move, work, or take place faster: accelerate
          <the heart ~s up> ~ vt 1 a archaic: to cause or help
          to prosper: aid b: to further the success of 2 a: to
          cause to move quickly: hasten b: to wish Godspeed to
          c: to increase the speed of: accelerate <~ed up the engine>
          3: to send out <~ an arrow> -- speed.er n

   [1]speedball
          [speed.ball] n (1909) 1 slang: a dose of cocaine mixed with
          heroin or morphine or an amphetamine and usu. taken by
          injection 2: a game which resembles soccer but in which
          a ball that is caught in the air may be passed with the
          hands and in which scoring is accomplished by kicking
          or heading the ball between the goalposts or by a successful
          forward pass over the goal line 3: one that is outstandingly
          fast [2]speedball vi (1970) slang: to take a speedball
          esp. by injection

   speedboat
          [speed.boat] n (1911): a fast launch or motorboat -- speed.boat.ing
          n

   speed bump
          [speed bump] n (1972): a low raised ridge across a roadway
          (as in a parking lot) to limit vehicle speed

   speed freak
          [speed freak] n (1967): one who habitually misuses amphetamines
          and esp. methamphetamine

   speed limit
          [speed limit] n (1902): the maximum or minimum speed permitted
          by law in a given area under specified circumstances

   speedo
          [speedo] n, pl speed.os [by shortening] (1934) chiefly Brit:
          speedometer

   speedometer
          [speed.om.e.ter] n (1903) 1: an instrument for indicating
          speed: tachometer 2: an instrument for indicating distance
          traversed as well as speed of travel; also: odometer

   speed-reading
          [speed-read.ing] n (1962): a method of reading rapidly by
          skimming -- speed-read vt

   speed shop
          [speed shop] n (1953): a shop that sells custom automotive
          equipment esp. to hot-rodders

   speed skating
          [speed skating] n (1885): the sport of racing on skates --
          speed skater n

   speed trap
          [speed trap] n (1925): a stretch of road policed by often
          concealed officers or devices (as radar) so as to catch
          speeders

   speedup
          [speed.up] n (1921) 1: acceleration 2: an employer's demand
          for accelerated output without increased pay

   speedway
          [speed.way] n (1894) 1: a public road on which fast driving
          is allowed; specif: expressway 2: a racecourse for automobiles
          or motorcycles 3: a sprint race for motorcycles

   speedwell
          [speed.well] n (1578): a perennial European herb (Veronica
          officinalis) of the snapdragon family that is naturalized
          in No. America and has small bluish flowers in axillary
          racemes; also: any plant of the same genus

   speedy
          [speedy] adj speed.i.er ; -est (14c): marked by swiftness
          of motion or action; also: prompt 2 syn see fast -- speed.i.ly
          adv -- speed.i.ness n

   speel
          [speel] vb [origin unknown] (1513) chiefly Scot: climb

   speer
          [speer] or speir vb [ME (Sc) speren, fr. OE spyrian to seek
          after; akin to OE spor spoor] (bef. 12c) chiefly Scot:
          ask, inquire

   speleology
          [spe.le.ol.o.gy] n [L speleum cave (fr. Gk spelaion) + ISV
          -o- + -logy--more at spelunker] (1895): the scientific
          study or exploration of caves -- spe.le.o.log.i.cal adj
          -- spe.le.ol.o.gist n

   [1]spell
          [spell] vb spelled ; spell.ing [ME, fr. MF espeller, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OE spell talk] vt (14c) 1: to read slowly
          and with difficulty--often used with out 2: to find out
          by study: come to understand--often used with out <it
          requires some pains to ~ out those decorations --F. J.
          Mather> 3 a (1): to name the letters of in order; also:
          to write or print the letters of in order (2): to write
          or print the letters of in a particular way <you can
          ~ it either way> <I ~ed it wrong> b: to make up (a word)
          <what word do these letters ~> c: write 1b <catnip is
          ~ed as one word> 4: to add up to: mean <crop failure
          was likely to ~ stark famine --Stringfellow Barr> ~ vi:
          to form words with letters <teach children to ~>; also:
          to spell words in a certain way <~s the way he speaks>
          [2]spell n [ME, talk, tale, fr. OE; akin to OHG spel
          talk, tale] (1579) 1 a: a spoken word or form of words
          held to have magic power: incantation b: a state of enchantment
          2: a strong compelling influence or attraction [3]spell
          vt spelled ; spell.ing (ca. 1623): to put under a spell
          [4]spell n [prob. alter. of ME spale substitute, fr.
          OE spala] (1593) 1 a archaic: a shift of workers b: one's
          turn at work 2 a: a period spent in a job or occupation
          b chiefly Austral: a period of rest from work, activity,
          or use 3 a: an indeterminate period of time <waited a
          ~ before advancing>; also: a continuous period of time
          <did a ~ in prison> b: a stretch of a specified type
          of weather 4: a period of bodily or mental distress or
          disorder <a ~ of coughing> <fainting ~s> [5]spell vb
          spelled ; spell.ing [ME spelen, fr. OE spelian; akin
          to OE spala substitute] vt (1595) 1: to take the place
          of for a time: relieve <he and the other assistant ...
          ~ed each other --Mary McCarthy> 2: rest ~ vi 1: to work
          in turns 2 chiefly Austral: to rest from work or activity
          for a time

   spellbind
          [spell.bind] vt -bound ; -bind.ing [back-formation fr. spellbound]
          (1808): to bind or hold by or as if by a spell or charm: fascinate

   spellbinder
          [spell.bind.er] n (1888): a speaker of compelling eloquence;
          also: one that compels attention

   spellbinding
          [spell.bind.ing] adj (ca. 1934): holding the attention as
          if by a spell -- spell.bind.ing.ly adv

   spellbound
          [spell.bound] adj (1799): held by or as if by a spell

   speller
          [spell.er] n (15c) 1: a person who spells words esp. in a
          certain way <a poor ~> 2: a book with exercises for teaching
          spelling

   spelling
          [spell.ing] n (15c) 1: the forming of words from letters
          according to accepted usage: orthography 2 a: a sequence
          of letters composing a word b: the way in which a word
          is spelled

   spelling bee
          [spelling bee] n (1872): a spelling contest in which contestants
          are eliminated as soon as they misspell a word

   spelling pronunciation
          [spelling pronunciation] n (1901): a pronunciation of a word
          based on its spelling alone

   spell out
          [spell out] vt (1940) 1: to make plain <spelled out the orders
          in detail> 2: to write or print in letters and in full
          <numbers are to be spelled out> <spell those titles out>

   [1]spelt
          [spelt] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. LL spelta, of Gmc origin; perh.
          akin to MHG spelte split piece of wood, OHG spaltan to
          split--more at split] (bef. 12c): a wheat (Triticum aestivum
          spelta) with lax spikes and spikelets containing two
          light red kernels [2]spelt chiefly Brit past and past
          part of spell

   spelter
          [spel.ter] n [prob. alter. of MD speauter] (1661): zinc;
          esp: zinc cast in slabs for commercial use

   spelunker
          [spe.lunk.er] n [L spelunca cave, fr. Gk spelynx; akin to
          Gk spelaion cave] (1944): one who makes a hobby of exploring
          and studying caves

   spelunking
          [spe.lunk.ing] n (1944): the hobby or practice of exploring
          caves

   spence
          [spence] n [ME, fr. MF despense, fr. ML dispensa, fr. L,
          fem. of dispensus, pp. of dispendere to weigh out--more
          at dispense] (14c) chiefly dial Brit: pantry

   [1]spencer
          [spen.cer] n [George John, 2d earl Spencer d. 1834 Eng. politician]
          (1795): a short waist-length jacket [2]spencer n [prob. fr. the
          name Spencer] (1840): a trysail abaft the foremast or mainmast

   Spencerian
          [Spen.ce.ri.an] adj [Platt R. Spencer d. 1864 Am. calligrapher]
          (1863): of or relating to a form of slanting handwriting

   Spencerianism
          [Spen.ce.ri.an.ism] n (1881): the synthetic philosophy of
          Herbert Spencer that has as its central idea the mechanistic
          evolution of the cosmos from relative simplicity to relative
          complexity

   spend
          [spend] vb spent ; spend.ing [ME, fr. OE & OF; OE spendan,
          fr. L expendere to expend; OF despendre, fr. L dispendere
          to weigh out--more at dispense] vt (13c) 1: to use up
          or pay out: expend 2 a: exhaust, wear out <the hurricane
          gradually spent itself> b: to consume wastefully: squander
          <the waters are not ours to ~ --J. R. Ellis> 3: to cause
          or permit to elapse: pass <~ the night> 4: give up, sacrifice
          ~ vi 1: to expend or waste wealth or strength 2: to become
          expended or consumed 3: to have an orgasm -- spend.able
          adj -- spend.er n

   spending money
          [spending money] n (15c): pocket money

   spendthrift
          [spend.thrift] n (1601): a person who spends improvidently
          or wastefully -- spendthrift adj

   Spenglerian
          [Spen.gle.ri.an] adj (1922): of or relating to the theory
          of world history developed by Oswald Spengler which holds
          that all major cultures undergo similar cyclical developments
          from birth to maturity to decay -- Spenglerian n

   Spenserian stanza
          [Spen.se.ri.an stanza] n [Edmund Spenser] (1817): a stanza
          consisting of eight verses of iambic pentameter and an
          alexandrine with a rhyme scheme ababbcbcc

   spent
          [spent] adj [ME, fr. pp. of spenden to spend] (15c) 1 a:
          used up: consumed b: exhausted of active or required
          components or qualities often for a particular purpose
          <~ nuclear fuel> 2: drained of energy or effectiveness:
          exhausted 3: exhausted of spawn or sperm <a ~ salmon>

   sperm
          [sperm] n, pl sperm or sperms [ME, fr. MF esperme, fr. LL
          spermat-, sperma, fr. Gk, lit., seed, fr. speirein to
          sow; prob. akin to Arm p'aratem I dispense] (14c) 1 a:
          the male fecundating fluid: semen b: a male gamete 2:
          a product (as spermaceti or oil) of the sperm whale

   sperm-
          [sperm-] or spermo- or sperma- or spermi- comb form [Gk sperm-,
          spermo-, fr. sperma]: seed: germ: sperm <spermatheca>
          <spermicide>

   spermaceti
          [sper.ma.ce.ti] n [ME sperma cete, fr. ML sperma ceti whale
          sperm] (15c): a waxy solid obtained from the oil of cetaceans
          and esp. sperm whales and used in ointments, cosmetics,
          and candles

   spermagonium
          [sper.ma.go.ni.um] n, pl -nia [NL] (1861): a flask-shaped
          or depressed receptacle in which spermatia are produced
          in some fungi and lichens

   spermary
          [sper.ma.ry] n, pl -ries [NL spermarium, fr. Gk sperma] (ca.
          1859): an organ in which male gametes are developed

   spermat-
          [spermat-] or spermato- comb form [MF, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr.
          spermat-, sperma]: seed: spermatozoon <spermatid> <spermatocyte>

   spermatheca
          [sper.ma.the.ca] n [NL] (1826): a sac for sperm storage in
          the female reproductive tract of various lower animals
          and esp. insects

   spermatic
          [sper.mat.ic] adj (15c) 1: relating to sperm or a spermary
          2: resembling, carrying, or full of sperm

   spermatic cord
          [spermatic cord] n (1797): a cord that suspends the testis
          within the scrotum and contains the vas deferens and
          vessels and nerves of the testis

   spermatid
          [sper.ma.tid] n (1889): one of the haploid cells that are
          formed by division of the secondary spermatocytes and
          that differentiate into spermatozoa

   spermatium
          [sper.ma.ti.um] n, pl -tia [NL, fr. Gk spermation, dim. of
          spermat-, sperma] (1856): a nonmotile cell functioning
          as a male gamete in some lower plants (as red algae)
          -- sper.ma.tial adj

   spermatocyte
          [sper.mato.cyte] n (1886): a cell giving rise to sperm cells;
          esp: a cell that is derived from a spermatogonium and
          ultimately gives rise to four haploid spermatids

   spermatogenesis
          [sper.mato.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1881): the process of male
          gamete formation including formation of a primary spermatocyte
          from a spermatogonium, meiotic division of the spermatocyte,
          and transformation of the four resulting spermatids into
          spermatozoa -- sper.mato.gen.ic adj

   spermatogonium
          [sper.mato.go.ni.um] n, pl -nia [NL] (1861): a primitive
          male germ cell -- sper.mato.go.ni.al adj

   spermatophore
          [sper.mato.phore] n [ISV] (ca. 1849): a capsule, packet,
          or mass enclosing spermatozoa extruded by the male and
          conveyed to the female in the insemination of various
          lower animals (as insects)

   spermatophyte
          [sper.mato.phyte] n [ultim. fr. NL spermat- + Gk phyton plant--more
          at phyt-] (1897): any of a group (Spermatophyta) of higher plants
          comprising those that produce seeds and including the gymnosperms
          and angiosperms -- sper.mato.phyt.ic adj

   spermatozoan
          [sper.ma.to.zo.an] n (ca. 1900): spermatozoon -- spermatozoan
          adj

   spermatozoid
          [sper.ma.to.zo.id] n [ISV, fr. NL spermatozoon] (1857): a
          male gamete of a plant motile by anterior cilia and usu.
          produced in an antheridium

   spermatozoon
          [sper.ma.to.zo.on] n, pl -zoa [NL] (ca. 1839) 1: a motile
          male gamete of an animal usu. with rounded or elongate
          head and a long posterior flagellum 2: spermatozoid --
          sper.ma.to.zo.al adj

   sperm cell
          [sperm cell] n (1851): a male gamete: a male germ cell

   spermicide
          [sper.mi.cide] n (1929): a preparation or substance (as
          nonoxynol-9) used to kill sperm -- sper.mi.cid.al adj

   spermiogenesis
          [sper.mio.gen.e.sis] n [NL, fr. spermium spermatozoon + -o-
          + L genesis] (1916): spermatogenesis; specif: transformation
          of a spermatid into a spermatozoon

   sperm nucleus
          [sperm nucleus] n (1887): either of two nuclei that derive
          from the generative nucleus of a pollen grain and function
          in the fertilization of a seed plant

   sperm oil
          [sperm oil] n (1839): a pale yellow oil from the sperm whale

   spermophile
          [sper.mo.phile] n [ultim. fr. Gk sperma seed + philos loving]
          (1824): ground squirrel

   sperm whale
          [sperm whale] n [short for spermaceti whale] (1834): a large
          toothed whale (Physeter macrocephalus syn. P. catodon)
          with a large closed cavity in the head containing a fluid
          mixture of spermaceti and oil

   -spermy
          [-spermy] n comb form [Gk sperma seed, sperm]: state of exhibiting
          or resulting from (such) a fertilization <agamospermy>

   sperrylite
          [sper.ry.lite] n [Francis L. Sperry, 19th cent. Canad. chemist
          + E -lite] (1889): a mineral consisting of an arsenide
          of platinum that is found near Sudbury, Ontario, and
          occurs in grains and minute isometric crystals of a bluish
          white color

   spessartite
          [spes.sar.tite] or spes.sar.tine n [F, fr. Spessart mountain
          range, Germany] (1868): a manganese aluminum garnet usu.
          containing other elements (as iron and magnesium) in
          minor amounts

   [1]spew
          [spew] vb [ME, fr. OE spiwan; akin to OHG spiwan to spit,
          L spuere, Gk ptyein] vi (bef. 12c) 1: vomit 2: to come
          forth in a flood or gush 3: to ooze out as if under pressure:
          exude ~ vt 1: vomit 2: to send or cast forth with vigor
          or violence or in great quantity--often used with out
          -- spew.er n [2]spew n (15c) 1: matter that is vomited:
          vomit 2: material that exudes or is extruded

   SPF
          [SPF] abbreviation sun protection factor

   sp gr
          [sp gr] abbreviation specific gravity

   sphagnous
          [sphag.nous] adj (ca. 1828): of, relating to, or abounding
          in sphagnum

   sphagnum
          [sphag.num] n [NL, fr. L sphagnos, a moss, fr. Gk] (1741)
          1: any of an order (Sphagnales, containing a single genus
          Sphagnum) of atypical mosses that grow only in wet acid
          areas where their remains become compacted with other
          plant debris to form peat 2: a mass of sphagnum plants

   sphalerite
          [sphal.er.ite] n [G Sphalerit, fr. Gk sphaleros deceitful,
          fr. sphallein to cause to fall; fr. its often being mistaken
          for galena--more at spill] (ca. 1868): a widely distributed
          ore of zinc composed essentially of zinc sulfide

   sphene
          [sphene] n [F sphene, fr. Gk sphen wedge] (1815): a mineral
          that is a silicate of calcium and titanium and often
          contains other elements

   sphenodon
          [sphen.odon] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk sphen wedge + odon,
          odous tooth--more at tooth] (1878): tuatara -- sphen.odont
          adj

   [1]sphenoid
          [sphe.noid] or sphe.noi.dal adj [NL sphenoides, fr. Gk sphenoeides
          wedge-shaped, fr. sphen wedge] (1732) 1: of, relating to, or being
          a winged compound bone of the base of the cranium 2 usu sphenoidal:
          having a wedged shape [2]sphenoid n (1828): a sphenoid bone

   sphenopsid
          [sphe.nop.sid] n [ultim. fr. Gk sphen wedge + NL -opsis]
          (1957): any of a class (Sphenopsida or Sphenophyta) of
          the tracheophytes characterized by jointed ribbed stems,
          small leaves usu. in whorls at distinct stem nodes, and
          sporangia in sporangiophores and made up of the equisetums
          and extinct related forms

   spher-
          [spher-] or sphero- also sphaer- or sphaero- comb form [L
          sphaer-, fr. Gk sphair-, sphairo-, fr. sphaira sphere]:
          sphere <spherule> <spherometer>

   spheral
          [spher.al] adj (1545) 1: spherical 2: of or relating to the
          spheres of ancient astronomy

   [1]sphere
          [sphere] n [ME spere globe, celestial sphere, fr. MF espere,
          fr. L sphaera, fr. Gk sphaira, lit., ball; perh. akin
          to Gk spairein to quiver--more at spurn] (14c) 1 a (1):
          the apparent surface of the heavens of which half forms
          the dome of the visible sky (2): any of the concentric
          and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells
          in which according to ancient astronomy stars, sun, planets,
          and moon are set b: a globe depicting such a sphere;
          broadly: globe a 2 a: a globular body: ball b: planet,
          star c (1): a solid that is bounded by a surface consisting
          of all points at a given distance from a point constituting
          its center (2): the bounding surface of a sphere 3: natural,
          normal, or proper place; esp: social order or rank 4
          a obs: orbit b: an area or range over or within which
          someone or something acts, exists, or has influence or
          significance -- spher.ic adj, archaic -- sphe.ric.i.ty
          n [2]sphere vt sphered ; spher.ing (1607) 1: to place
          in a sphere or among the spheres: ensphere 2: to form
          into a sphere

   sphere of influence
          [sphere of influence] (1885): a territorial area within which
          the political influence or the interests of one nation
          are held to be more or less paramount

   spherical
          [spher.i.cal] adj (15c) 1: having the form of a sphere or
          of one of its segments 2: relating to or dealing with
          a sphere or its properties -- spher.i.cal.ly adv

   spherical aberration
          [spherical aberration] n (1868): aberration that is caused
          by the spherical form of a lens or mirror and that gives
          different foci for central and marginal rays

   spherical angle
          [spherical angle] n (1678): the angle between two intersecting
          arcs of great circles of a sphere measured by the plane
          angle formed by the tangents to the arcs at the point
          of intersection

   spherical coordinate
          [spherical coordinate] n (ca. 1864): one of three coordinates
          that are used to locate a point in space and that comprise
          the radius of the sphere on which the point lies in a
          system of concentric spheres, the angle formed by the
          point, the center, and a given axis of the sphere, and
          the angle between the plane of the first angle and a
          reference plane through the given axis of the sphere

   spherical geometry
          [spherical geometry] n (1728): the geometry of figures on
          a sphere

   spherical polygon
          [spherical polygon] n (ca. 1825): a figure analogous to a
          plane polygon that is formed on a sphere by arcs of great
          circles

   spherical triangle
          [spherical triangle] n (1585): a spherical polygon of three
          sides

   spherical trigonometry
          [spherical trigonometry] n (1728): trigonometry applied to
          spherical triangles and polygons

   spheroid
          [spher.oid] n (1570): a figure resembling a sphere; also:
          an object of approximately spherical shape -- sphe.roi.dal
          also spheroid adj -- sphe.roi.dal.ly adv

   spherometer
          [sphe.rom.e.ter] n [ISV] (ca. 1828): an instrument for measuring
          the curvature of a surface

   spheroplast
          [sphe.ro.plast] n (ca. 1920): a bacterium or yeast cell that
          is modified by nutritional or environmental factors or
          by artificial means (as the use of a lysozyme) and that
          is characterized by partial loss of the cell wall and
          by increased osmotic sensitivity

   spherule
          [spher.ule] n (1665): a little sphere or spherical body

   spherulite
          [spher.u.lite] n (1823): a usu. spherical crystalline body
          of radiating crystal fibers often found in vitreous volcanic
          rocks -- spher.u.lit.ic adj

   sphery
          [sphery] adj (1590) 1: of, relating to, or suggestive of
          the celestial bodies 2: round, spherical

   sphincter
          [sphinc.ter] n [LL, fr. Gk sphinkter, lit., band, fr. sphingein
          to bind tight] (1578): an annular muscle surrounding
          and able to contract or close a bodily opening -- sphinc.ter.ic
          adj

   sphingid
          [sphin.gid] n [ultim. fr. Gk sphing-, sphinx sphinx] (ca.
          1909): hawkmoth

   sphingosine
          [sphin.go.sine] n [Gk sphingos (gen. of sphinx) + E [2]-ine;
          fr. riddles it posed to its first investigators] (1884):
          a long-chain unsaturated amino alcohol found esp. in
          nervous tissue and cell membranes

   sphinx
          [sphinx] n, pl sphinx.es or sphin.ges [L, fr. Gk Sphinx,
          Sphix] 1 a cap: a winged female monster in Greek mythology
          having a woman's head and a lion's body and noted for
          killing anyone unable to answer its riddle b: an enigmatic
          or mysterious person 2: an ancient Egyptian image in
          the form of a recumbent lion having a man's head, a ram's
          head, or a hawk's head 3: hawkmoth -- sphinx.like adj

   sp ht
          [sp ht] abbreviation specific heat

   sphygmograph
          [sphyg.mo.graph] n [Gk sphygmos pulse + ISV -graph] (ca.
          1859): an instrument that records graphically the movements
          or character of the pulse

   sphygmomanometer
          [sphyg.mo.ma.nom.e.ter] n [Gk sphygmos pulse (fr. sphyzein
          to throb) + ISV manometer] (ca. 1891): an instrument
          for measuring blood pressure and esp. arterial blood
          pressure -- sphyg.mo.ma.nom.e.try n

   spica
          [spi.ca] n, pl spi.cae or spicas [L, ear of grain--more at
          spine] (ca. 1731): a bandage that is applied in successive
          V-shaped crossings and is used to immobilize a limb esp.
          at a joint Spi.ca n [L, lit., ear of grain]: a star of
          the first magnitude in the constellation Virgo

   spicate
          [spi.cate] adj [L spicatus, pp. of spicare to arrange in
          the shape of heads of grain, fr. spica] (1668): arranged
          in the form of a spike <a ~ inflorescence>

   [1]spiccato
          [spic.ca.to] adj [It, pp. of spiccare to detach, pick off]
          (ca. 1724): performed with a slight lifting of the bow
          after each note--used as a direction in music [2]spiccato
          n, pl -tos (ca. 1903): a spiccato technique, performance,
          or passage

   [1]spice
          [spice] n [ME, fr. OF espice, fr. LL species spices, fr.
          L, species, fr. specere to look--more at spy] (13c) 1:
          any of various aromatic vegetable products (as pepper
          or nutmeg) used to season or flavor foods 2 a archaic:
          a small portion, quantity, or admixture: dash b: something
          that gives zest or relish <variety's the very ~ of life
          --William Cowper> 3: a pungent or fragrant odor: perfume
          -- spice.less adj [2]spice vt spiced ; spic.ing (14c)
          1: to season with spices 2: to add zest or relish to
          <cynicism spiced with humor --J. W. Dawson>--often used
          with up

   spicebush
          [spice.bush] n (1770): an aromatic shrub (Lindera benzoin)
          of the laurel family that bears dense clusters of small
          yellow flowers followed by scarlet or yellow berries

   spicery
          [spic.ery] n, pl -er.ies (13c) 1: spices 2 archaic: a repository
          of spices 3: a spicy quality

   spick
          [spick] or spic or spik n [by shortening & alter. fr. spiggoty,
          of unknown origin] (1916): spanish american--usu. taken
          to be offensive

   spick-and-span
          [spick-and-span] or spic-and-span adj [short for
          spick-and-span-new, fr. obs. E spick spike + E and + span-new
          brand-new] (1665) 1: fresh, brand-new 2: spotlessly clean

   spicule
          [spic.ule] n [NL spicula & L spiculum; NL spicula, alter.
          of L spiculum head of a spear or arrow, dim. of spicum,
          spica ear of grain] (1785) 1: a slender pointed usu.
          hard body; esp: one of the minute calcareous or siliceous
          bodies that support the tissue of various invertebrates
          (as a sponge) 2: a spikelike short-lived prominence appearing
          close to the chromosphere of the solar atmosphere --
          spic.u.lar adj -- spic.u.la.tion n

   spicy
          [spicy] adj spic.i.er ; -est (1562) 1: having the quality,
          flavor, or fragrance of spice 2: producing or abounding
          in spices 3: lively, spirited 4: piquant, racy; esp:
          somewhat scandalous or salacious <~ gossip> -- spic.i.ly
          adv -- spic.i.ness n

   spider
          [spi.der] n [ME spyder, alter. of spithre; akin to OE spinnan
          to spin] (15c) 1: any of an order (Araneae syn. Araneida)
          of arachnids having the abdomen usu. unsegmented and
          constricted at the base, chelicerae modified into poison
          fangs, and two or more pairs of abdominal spinnerets
          for spinning threads of silk used in making cocoons for
          their eggs, nests for themselves, or webs to catch prey
          2: a cast-iron frying pan orig. made with short feet
          to stand among coals on the hearth 3: any of various
          devices consisting of a frame or skeleton with radiating
          arms or members -- spi.der.ish adj -- spi.der.like adj

   spider crab
          [spider crab] n (ca. 1710): any of a family (Majidae) of
          crabs with extremely long legs and nearly triangular
          bodies which they often cover with kelp

   spider mite
          [spider mite] n (1870): any of several small web-spinning
          mites (family Tetranychidae) that attack forage and crop
          plants--called also red spider

   spider monkey
          [spider monkey] n (1764): any of a genus (Ateles) of New
          World monkeys with long slender limbs, the thumb absent
          or rudimentary, and a very long prehensile tail

   spider plant
          [spider plant] n (1944): a widely grown houseplant (Chlorophytum
          comosum var. variegatum) of the lily family having long
          narrow green leaves usu. striped with white or ivory
          and producing white flowers and tufts of plantlets on
          long hanging stems

   spiderweb
          [spi.der.web] n (ca. 1649) 1: the network of silken thread
          spun by most spiders and used as a resting place and
          as a trap for small prey 2: something that resembles
          or suggests a spiderweb

   spiderwort
          [spi.der.wort] n (1629): any of a genus (Tradescantia of
          the family Commelinaceae, the spiderwort family) of American
          monocotyledonous plants with ephemeral often blue or
          violet flowers

   spidery
          [spi.dery] adj (1837) 1 a: resembling a spider in form or
          manner b: resembling a spiderweb; esp: composed of fine
          threads or lines in a weblike arrangement <~ lace> 2:
          infested with spiders

   spiegeleisen
          [spie.gel.ei.sen] also spie.gel n [G Spiegeleisen, fr. Spiegel
          mirror + Eisen iron] (1868): a composition of iron that
          contains 15 to 30 percent manganese and 4.5 to 6.5 percent
          carbon

   [1]spiel
          [spiel] vb [G spielen to play, fr. OHG spilon; akin to OE
          spilian to revel] vi (1870) 1: to play music 2: to talk
          volubly or extravagantly ~ vt: to utter, express, or
          describe volubly or extravagantly -- spiel.er n [2]spiel
          n (1896): a voluble line of often extravagant talk: pitch

   [1]spier
          [spi.er] n (13c): spy [2]spier chiefly Scot var of speer

   spiff
          [spiff] vb [E dial. spiff dandified] (1877): spruce--usu.
          used with up <~ up your wardrobe> -- spiffed-up adj

   spiffy
          [spiffy] adj spiff.i.er ; -est (1853): fine looking: smart
          <a ~ sports jacket> -- spiff.i.ly adv -- spiff.i.ness
          n

   spigot
          [spig.ot] n [ME] (14c) 1 a: spile 2 b: the plug of a faucet
          or cock c: faucet 2: something resembling a spigot esp.
          in regulating availability or flow (as of money)

   [1]spike
          [spike] n [ME, prob. fr. MD; akin to MHG spicher spike] (13c)
          1: a very large nail 2 a: one of a row of pointed irons
          placed (as on the top of a wall) to prevent passage b
          (1): one of several metal projections set in the sole
          and heel of a shoe to improve traction (2) pl: a pair
          of shoes having spikes attached to the soles or soles
          and heels c: spindle 1e 3: something resembling a spike:
          as a: a young mackerel not over six inches (15.2 centimeters)
          long b: an unbranched antler of a young deer 4 pl: shoes
          with spike heels 5: the act or an instance of spiking
          (as in volleyball) 6 a: a pointed element in a graph
          or tracing b: an unusually high and sharply defined maximum
          (as of amplitude in a wave train) 7 slang: hypodermic
          needle 8: a momentary sharp increase and fall in the
          record of an electric potential; also: action potential
          9: an abrupt sharp increase in prices or rates -- spike.like
          adj [2]spike vt spiked ; spik.ing (1624) 1: to fasten
          or furnish with spikes 2 a: to disable (a muzzle-loading
          cannon) temporarily by driving a spike into the vent
          b: to suppress or block completely <spiked the rumor>
          3 a: to pierce or impale with or on a spike b: to reject
          (as a story) for publication or broadcast for editorial
          reasons 4 a: to add an alcoholic beverage to (a drink)
          b: to add something highly reactive (as a radioactive
          tracer) to c: to add vitality, zest, or spice to: liven
          <spiked the speech with humor> <~ the broth with peppers>
          5: to drive (as a volleyball) sharply downward with a
          hard blow; also: to throw down sharply <spiked the ball
          in the end zone> 6: to undergo a sudden sharp increase
          in (temperature or fever) <the patient spiked a fever
          of 103 degrees> -- spik.er n [3]spike n [ME spik, fr.
          L spica--more at spine] (14c) 1: an ear of grain 2: an
          elongated inflorescence similar to a raceme but having
          the flowers sessile on the main axis--see inflorescence
          illustration

   spiked
          [spiked] adj (1601) 1: having an inflorescence that is a
          spike 2: having a sharp projecting point

   spike heel
          [spike heel] n (1926): a very high tapering heel used on
          women's shoes

   spike lavender
          [spike lavender] n [alter. of E dial. spick lavender] (1607):
          a European mint (Lavandula latifolia) related to true
          lavender

   spikelet
          [spike.let] n (1851): a small or secondary spike; specif:
          one of the small few-flowered bracted spikes that make
          up the compound inflorescence of a grass or sedge

   spikenard
          [spike.nard] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF spicanarde, fr. ML spica
          nardi, lit., spike of nard] (14c) 1 a: a fragrant ointment
          of the ancients b: a Himalayan aromatic plant (Nardostachys
          jatamansi) of the valerian family from which spikenard
          is believed to have been derived 2: an American herb
          (Aralia racemosa) of the ginseng family with aromatic
          root and panicled umbels

   spike-tooth harrow
          [spike-tooth harrow] n (1926): a harrow with straight steel
          teeth set in horizontal bars

   spiky
          [spiky] also spikey adj spik.i.er ; -est (1720) 1: of, relating
          to, or characterized by spikes 2: sharply irritating
          or acerbic (as in temper or manner) 3 [fr. the alleged
          harshness of such views] Brit: strongly favoring Anglo-Catholic
          teaching or practice -- spik.i.ly adv -- spik.i.ness
          n

   [1]spile
          [spile] n [prob. fr. D spijl stake] (1513) 1: [1]pile 1 2:
          a small plug used to stop the vent of a cask: bung 3:
          a spout inserted in a tree to draw off sap [2]spile vt
          spiled ; spil.ing (1691) 1: to plug with a spile 2: to
          supply with a spile

   [1]spill
          [spill] vb spilled also spilt ; spill.ing [ME, fr. OE spillan;
          akin to OE spildan to destroy and perh. to L spolium
          animal skin, Gk sphallein to cause to fall] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a archaic: kill, destroy b: to cause (blood) to
          flow 2: to cause or allow esp. accidentally or unintentionally
          to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted
          3 a: to relieve (a sail) from the pressure of the wind
          so as to reef or furl it b: to relieve the pressure of
          (wind) on a sail by coming about or by adjusting the
          sail with lines 4: to throw off or out <a horse ~ed him>
          5: to let out: divulge <~ a secret> ~ vi 1 a: to flow,
          run, or fall out, over, or off and become wasted, scattered,
          or lost b: to cause or allow something to spill 2: to
          spread profusely or beyond bounds <crowds ~ed into the
          streets> 3: to fall from one's place (as on a horse)
          -- spill.able adj -- spill.er n -- spill the beans :
          to divulge secret or hidden information [2]spill n (ca.
          1845) 1: the act or an instance of spilling; esp: a fall
          from a horse or vehicle or an erect position 2: something
          spilled [3]spill n [ME spille] (14c) 1: a wooden splinter
          2: a slender piece: as a: a metallic rod or pin b (1):
          a small roll or twist of paper or slip of wood for lighting
          a fire (2): a roll or cone of paper serving as a container
          c: a peg or pin for plugging a hole: spile

   spillage
          [spill.age] n (1924) 1: the act or process of spilling 2:
          the quantity that spills: material lost or scattered
          by spilling

   spillikin
          [spil.li.kin] n [prob. alter. of obs. D spelleken small peg]
          (1734) 1: jackstraw 2 2 pl: jackstraw 1

   spillover
          [spill.over] n, often attrib (1920) 1: the act or an instance
          of spilling over 2: a quantity that spills over 3: an
          extension of something esp. when due to an excess

   spillway
          [spill.way] n (1889): a passage for surplus water to run
          over or around an obstruction (as a dam)

   spilth
          [spilth] n (1607) 1: the act or an instance of spilling 2
          a: something spilled b: refuse, rubbish

   [1]spin
          [spin] vb spun ; spin.ning [ME spinnen, fr. OE spinnan; akin
          to OHG spinnan to spin and perh. to Lith spesti to set
          (a trap)] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to draw out and twist fiber
          into yarn or thread 2: to form a thread by extruding
          a viscous rapidly hardening fluid--used esp. of a spider
          or insect 3 a: to revolve rapidly: gyrate b: to feel
          as if in a whirl: reel <my head is spinning> 4: to move
          swiftly esp. on or as if on wheels or in a vehicle 5:
          to fish with spinning bait: troll 6 a of an airplane:
          to fall in a spin b: to plunge helplessly and out of
          control ~ vt 1 a: to draw out and twist into yarns or
          threads b: to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous
          material 2: to form (as a web or cocoon) by spinning
          3 a: to stretch out or extend (as a story) lengthily:
          protract--usu. used with out b: to evolve, express, or
          fabricate by processes of mind or imagination <~ a yarn>
          4: to cause to whirl: impart spin to <~ a top> 5: to
          shape into threadlike form in manufacture; also: to manufacture
          by a whirling process [2]spin n (1831) 1 a: the act of
          spinning or twirling something; also: an instance of
          spinning or of spinning something <doing axels and ~s>
          <an assortment of ~s and lobs> b: the whirling motion
          imparted (as to a ball or top) by spinning c: an excursion
          or ride in a vehicle esp. on wheels <go for a ~> 2 a:
          an aerial maneuver or flight condition consisting of
          a combination of roll and yaw with the longitudinal axis
          of the airplane inclined steeply downward b: a plunging
          descent or downward spiral c: a state of mental confusion
          <in a ~> 3 a: a quantum characteristic of an elementary
          particle that is visualized as the rotation of the particle
          on its axis and that is responsible for measurable angular
          momentum and magnetic moment b: the angular momentum
          associated with such rotation whose magnitude is quantized
          and which may assume either of two possible directions;
          also: the angular momentum of a system of such particles
          derived from the spins and orbital motions of the particles
          4: a special point of view, emphasis, or interpretation
          <put the most favorable ~ on the findings> -- spin.less
          adj

   spina bifida
          [spi.na bi.fi.da] n [NL, lit., spine split in two] (1720):
          a congenital cleft of the vertebral column with hernial
          protrusion of the meninges and sometimes the spinal cord

   spinach
          [spin.ach] n [ME spynache, fr. MF espinache, espinage, fr.
          OSp espinaca, fr. Ar isfanakh, fr. Per] (15c) 1: an Asian
          herb (Spinacia oleracea) of the goosefoot family cultivated
          for its edible leaves which form in a dense basal rosette
          2 a: something unwanted, pretentious, or spurious b:
          an untidy overgrowth -- spin.ach.like adj -- spin.achy
          adj

   [1]spinal
          [spi.nal] adj (1578) 1: of, relating to, or situated near
          the backbone 2 a: of, relating to, or affecting the spinal
          cord <~ reflexes> b: having the spinal cord functionally
          isolated (as by surgical section) from the brain <experiments
          on ~ animals> 3: of, relating to, or resembling a spine
          [2]spinal n (1944): a spinal anesthetic

   spinal canal
          [spinal canal] n (1845): vertebral canal

   spinal column
          [spinal column] n (1836): the axial skeleton of the trunk
          and tail of a vertebrate consisting of an articulated
          series of vertebrae and protecting the spinal cord--called
          also backbone

   spinal cord
          [spinal cord] n (1836): the cord of nervous tissue that extends
          from the brain lengthwise along the back in the vertebral
          canal, gives off the pairs of spinal nerves, carries
          impulses to and from the brain, and serves as a center
          for initiating and coordinating many reflex acts--see
          brain illustration

   spinal ganglion
          [spinal ganglion] n (ca. 1860): a ganglion on the dorsal
          root of each spinal nerve that is one of a series of
          ganglia lodging cell bodies of sensory neurons

   spinally
          [spi.nal.ly] adv (1885): with respect to or along the spine

   spinal nerve
          [spinal nerve] n (ca. 1793): any of the paired nerves which
          leave the spinal cord of a craniate vertebrate, supply
          muscles of the trunk and limbs, and connect with the
          nerves of the sympathetic nervous system, which arise
          by a short motor ventral root and a short sensory dorsal
          root, and of which there are 31 pairs in humans classified
          according to the part of the spinal cord from which they
          arise into 8 cervical pairs, 12 thoracic pairs, 5 lumbar
          pairs, 5 sacral pairs, and one coccygeal pair

   [1]spindle
          [spin.dle] n [ME spindel, fr. OE spinel; akin to OE spinnan
          to spin] (12c) 1 a: a round stick with tapered ends used
          to form and twist the yarn in hand spinning b: the long
          slender pin by which the thread is twisted in a spinning
          wheel c: any of various rods or pins holding a bobbin
          in a textile machine (as a spinning frame) d: the pin
          in a loom shuttle e: a device usu. consisting of a long
          upright pin in a base on which papers can be stuck for
          filing--called also spindle file 2: something shaped
          like a spindle: as a: a spindle-shaped network of chiefly
          microtubular fibers along which the chromosomes are distributed
          during mitosis and meiosis b: muscle spindle 3 a: the
          bar or shaft usu. of square section that carries the
          knobs and actuates the latch or bolt of a lock b (1):
          a turned often decorative piece (as in a baluster) (2):
          newel c (1): a revolving piece esp. when thinner than
          a shaft (2): a horizontal or vertical axle revolving
          on pin or pivot ends d: the part of an axle on which
          a vehicle wheel turns [2]spindle vb spin.dled ; spin.dling
          vi (1577) 1: to shoot or grow into a long slender stalk
          2: to grow to stalk or stem rather than to flower or
          fruit ~ vt 1: to impale, thrust, or perforate on the
          spike of a spindle file 2: to make or equip (as a piece
          of furniture) with spindles -- spin.dler n

   spindle cell
          [spindle cell] n (1878): a fusiform cell (as in some tumors)

   spindle-legged
          [spin.dle-legged] adj (1710): having long slender legs

   spindle-shanked
          [spin.dle-shanked] adj (ca. 1600): spindle-legged

   spindle tree
          [spindle tree] n (1548): any of various often evergreen shrubs,
          small trees, or vines (genus Euonymus) of the staff-tree
          family

   spindling
          [spin.dling] adj (1750): spindly

   spindly
          [spin.dly] adj spin.dli.er ; -est (1651) 1: of a disproportionately
          tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical
          weakness <~ legs> 2: frail or flimsy in appearance or structure

   spin doctor
          [spin doctor] n (1984): a person (as a political aide) responsible
          for ensuring that others interpret an event from a particular point
          of view

   spindrift
          [spin.drift] n [alter. of Sc speendrift, fr. speen to drive
          before a strong wind + E drift] (1823) 1: sea spray;
          esp: spray blown from waves during a gale 2: fine wind-borne
          snow or sand

   spine
          [spine] n [ME, thorn, spinal column, fr. L spina; perh. akin
          to L spica ear of grain] (15c) 1 a: spinal column b:
          something resembling a spinal column or constituting
          a central axis or chief support c: the part of a book
          to which the pages are attached and on the cover of which
          usu. appear the title and author's and publisher's names
          2: a stiff pointed plant process; esp: one that is a
          modified leaf or leaf part 3: a sharp rigid process on
          an animal: as a: spicule b: a stiff unsegmented fin ray
          of a fish c: a pointed prominence on a bone -- spined
          adj -- spine.like adj

   spine-chilling
          [spine-chill.ing] adj (1946): alarmingly or eerily frightening

   spinel
          [spi.nel] or spi.nelle n [It spinella, dim. of spina thorn,
          fr. L] (1528) 1: a hard crystalline mineral consisting
          of an oxide of magnesium and aluminum that varies from
          colorless to ruby-red to black and is used as a gem 2:
          any of a group of minerals that are essentially oxides
          of magnesium, ferrous iron, zinc, or manganese

   spineless
          [spine.less] adj (1827) 1: free from spines, thorns, or prickles
          2 a: having no spinal column: invertebrate b: lacking
          strength of character -- spine.less.ly adv -- spine.less.ness
          n

   spinet
          [spin.et] n [It spinetta, perh. fr. dim. of spina thorn,
          fr. L; fr. the manner of plucking its strings] (1664)
          1: an early harpsichord having a single keyboard and
          only one string for each note 2 a: a compactly built
          small upright piano b: a small electronic organ

   spin fishing
          [spin fishing] n (1950): spinning

   spinifex
          [spi.ni.fex] n [NL, fr. L spina + facere to make--more at
          do] (1846): any of several Australian grasses (genera
          Spinifex and Triodia) with spiny seeds or stiff sharp
          leaves

   spinnaker
          [spin.na.ker] n [origin unknown] (1866): a large triangular
          sail set on a long light pole and used when running before
          the wind

   spinner
          [spin.ner] n (13c) 1: one that spins 2: a fisherman's lure
          consisting of a spoon, blade, or set of wings that revolves
          when drawn through the water 3: a conical sheet metal
          fairing that is attached to an airplane propeller boss
          and revolves with it 4: a movable arrow that is spun
          on its dial to indicate the number or kind of moves a
          player may make in a board game

   spinneret
          [spin.ner.et] n (1826) 1: an organ (as of a spider or caterpillar)
          for producing threads of silk from the secretion of silk glands
          2 or spin.ner.ette : a small metal plate, thimble, or cap with fine
          holes through which a chemical solution (as of cellulose) is forced
          in the spinning of man-made filaments (as of rayon or nylon)

   spinney
          [spin.ney] n, pl spinneys [MF espinaye thorny thicket, fr.
          espine thorn, fr. L spina] (1597) chiefly Brit: a small
          wood with undergrowth

   spinning
          [spin.ning] n (1855): a method of fishing in which a lure
          is cast by use of a light flexible rod, a spinning reel,
          and a light line

   spinning frame
          [spinning frame] n (1825): a machine that draws, twists,
          and winds yarn

   spinning jenny
          [spinning jen.ny] n [Jenny, nickname for Jane] (1783): an
          early multiple-spindle machine for spinning wool or cotton

   spinning reel
          [spinning reel] n (1950): a fishing reel with a nonmoving
          spool on which the line is wound by means of a revolving
          arm which can be disengaged to allow the line to spiral
          freely off the spool during casting

   spinning rod
          [spinning rod] n (1870): a light flexible fishing rod used
          with a spinning reel

   spinning wheel
          [spinning wheel] n (15c): a small domestic hand-driven or
          foot-driven machine for spinning yarn or thread

   spin off
          [spin off] (1950) vt: to establish or produce as a spin-off
          <the company spun off its computer division> <spin off
          a new TV series> ~ vi: to establish or become a spin-off

   spin-off
          [spin-off] n (1950) 1: the distribution by a business to
          its stockholders of particular assets and esp. of stock
          of another company; also: the new company created by
          such a distribution 2: a collateral or derived product
          or effect: by-product; also: a number of such products
          <the ~ from the space program> 3: something that is imitative
          or derivative of an earlier work; esp: a television show
          starring a character popular in a secondary role of an
          earlier show

   spinor
          [spin.or] n [ISV spin + -or (as in vector)] (1931): a vector
          whose components are complex numbers in a two-dimensional
          or four-dimensional space and which is used esp. in the
          mathematics of the theory of relativity

   spinose
          [spi.nose] adj (1660): spiny 1 <a fly with black ~ legs>
          -- spi.nos.i.ty n

   spinous
          [spi.nous] adj (15c) 1: spiny 1, 3 <~ appendages> <a ~ larva>
          2: difficult or unpleasant to handle or meet: thorny

   spin out
          [spin out] vi (1951): to make a rotational skid in an automobile

   spinout
          [spin.out] n (1955): a rotational skid by an automobile that
          usu. causes it to leave the roadway

   Spinozism
          [Spi.no.zism] n (1728): the philosophy of Baruch Spinoza
          who taught that reality is one substance with an infinite
          number of attributes of which only thought and extension
          are capable of being apprehended by the human mind --
          Spi.no.zist n -- Spi.no.zis.tic adj

   spinster
          [spin.ster] n (14c) 1: a woman whose occupation is to spin
          2 a archaic: an unmarried woman of gentle family b: an
          unmarried woman and esp. one past the common age for
          marrying 3: a woman who seems unlikely to marry -- spin.ster.hood
          n -- spin.ster.ish adj -- spin.ster.ly adj

   spinthariscope
          [spin.thar.i.scope] n [Gk spintharis spark + E -scope] (1903):
          an instrument for visual detection of alpha particles
          that consists of a fluorescent screen and a magnifying
          lens system

   spin the bottle
          [spin the bottle] n (1955): a kissing game in which one has
          as a partner the person a bottle points to when it stops
          spinning

   spinto
          [spin.to] n, pl spin.tos [It, lit., pushed, fr. pp. of spingere
          to push, fr. (assumed) VL expingere, fr. L ex- + pangere
          to fasten--more at pact] (1944): a singing voice having
          both lyric and dramatic qualities -- spinto adj

   spinule
          [spi.nule] n [L spinula, dim. of spina thorn--more at spine]
          (1752): a minute spine -- spi.nu.lose adj

   spiny
          [spiny] adj spin.i.er ; -est (1586) 1: covered or armed with
          spines; broadly: bearing spines, prickles, or thorns
          2: abounding with difficulties, obstacles, or annoyances:
          thorny <~ problems> 3: slender and pointed like a spine
          -- spin.i.ness n

   spiny anteater
          [spiny anteater] n (1827): echidna

   spiny-headed worm
          [spiny-head.ed worm] n (1946): any of a small phylum
          (Acanthocephala) of unsegmented parasitic worms that have
          a proboscis bearing hooks by which attachment is made to the
          intestinal wall of the host

   spiny lobster
          [spiny lobster] n (1819): any of several edible crustaceans
          (family Palinuridae and esp. genus Panulirus) distinguished
          from the true lobsters by the simple unenlarged first
          pair of legs and claws and the spiny carapace

   spiracle
          [spi.ra.cle] n [ME, fr. L spiraculum, fr. spirare to breathe]
          (15c) 1: a breathing hole: vent 2: a breathing orifice:
          as a: blowhole 2 b: an external tracheal aperture of
          a terrestrial arthropod that in an insect is usu. one
          of a series of small apertures located along each side
          of the thorax and abdomen--see insect illustration --
          spi.rac.u.lar adj

   [1]spiral
          [spi.ral] adj [ML spiralis, fr. L spira coil--more at spire]
          (1551) 1 a: winding around a center or pole and gradually
          receding from or approaching it <the ~ curve of a watch
          spring> b: helical c: spiral-bound <a ~ notebook> 2:
          of or relating to the advancement to higher levels through
          a series of cyclical movements -- spi.ral.ly adv [2]spiral
          n (1656) 1 a: the path of a point in a plane moving around
          a central point while continuously receding from or approaching
          it b: a three-dimensional curve (as a helix) with one
          or more turns about an axis 2: a single turn or coil
          in a spiral object 3 a: something having a spiral form
          b (1): a spiral flight (2): a kick or pass in which a
          football rotates on its long axis while moving through
          the air 4: a continuously spreading and accelerating
          increase or decrease <wage ~s> [3]spiral vb -raled or
          -ralled ; -ral.ing or -ral.ling vi (1834): to go and
          esp. to rise or fall in a spiral course <costs ~ed upward>
          ~ vt 1: to form into a spiral 2: to cause to spiral

   spiral binding
          [spiral binding] n (1944): a book or notebook binding in
          which a continuous spiral wire or plastic strip is passed
          through holes along one edge

   spiral-bound
          [spi.ral-bound] adj (1941): having a spiral binding

   spiral cleavage
          [spiral cleavage] n (1892): holoblastic cleavage that is
          typical of protostomes and that is characterized by arrangement
          of the blastomeres of each upper tier over the cell junctions
          of the next lower tier so that the blastomeres spiral
          around the pole to pole axis of the embryo--compare radial
          cleavage

   spiral galaxy
          [spiral galaxy] n (1913): a galaxy exhibiting a central nucleus
          or barred structure from which extend concentrations
          of matter forming curved arms--called also spiral nebula

   spiral of Archimedes
          [spiral of Ar.chi.me.des] [Archimedes] (ca. 1856): a plane
          curve that is generated by a point moving away from or
          toward a fixed point at a constant rate while the radius
          vector from the fixed point rotates at a constant rate
          and that has the equation r = aA where r is the radius
          vector and A is the angle in polar coordinates and a
          is a constant

   spiral spring
          [spiral spring] n (1690): a spring consisting of a wire coiled
          usu. in a flat spiral or in a helix

   spirant
          [spi.rant] n [ISV, fr. L spirant-, spirans, prp. of spirare
          to breathe] (1862): a consonant (as /f/, /s/, /sh/) uttered
          with friction of the breath against some part of the
          oral passage: fricative -- spirant adj

   [1]spire
          [spire] n [ME, fr. OE spir; akin to MD spier blade of grass]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a slender tapering blade or stalk (as of
          grass) 2: the upper tapering part of something (as a
          tree or antler): pinnacle 3 a: a tapering roof or analogous
          pyramidal construction surmounting a tower b: steeple
          [2]spire vi spired ; spir.ing (14c): to rise like a spire
          [3]spire n [L spira coil, fr. Gk speira; perh. akin to
          Gk sparton rope, esparto] (1545) 1 a: spiral b: coil
          2: the inner or upper part of a spiral gastropod shell
          consisting of all the whorls except the whorl in contact
          with the body [4]spire vi spired ; spir.ing (1591): to
          rise in or as if in a spiral

   spirea
          [spi.rea] or spi.raea n [NL Spiraea, fr. L, a plant, fr.
          Gk speiraia] (1669) 1: any of a genus (Spiraea) of shrubs
          of the rose family with small perfect usu. white or pink
          flowers in dense racemes, corymbs, cymes, or panicles
          2: any of several garden plants resembling spireas; esp:
          a shrub (Astilbe japonica) of the saxifrage family

   spired
          [spired] adj (1610) 1: having a spire <a ~ church> 2: tapering
          usu. to a sharp point <~ cedars>

   spirillum
          [spi.ril.lum] n, pl -ril.la [NL, fr. dim. of L spira coil]
          (ca. 1875): any of a genus (Spirillum) of long curved
          bacteria having tufts of flagella; broadly: a spiral
          filamentous bacterium (as a spirochete)

   [1]spirit
          [spir.it] n [ME, fr. OF or L; OF, fr. L spiritus, lit., breath,
          fr. spirare to blow, breathe] (13c) 1: an animating or
          vital principle held to give life to physical organisms
          2: a supernatural being or essence: as a cap: holy spirit
          b: soul 2a c: an often malevolent being that is bodiless
          but can become visible; specif: ghost 2 d: a malevolen
          t being that enters and possesses a human being 3: temper
          or disposition of mind or outlook esp. when vigorous
          or animated <in high ~s> 4: the immaterial intelligent
          or sentient part of a person 5 a: the activating or essential
          principle influencing a person <acted in a ~ of helpfulness>
          b: an inclination, impulse, or tendency of a specified
          kind: mood 6 a: a special attitude or frame of mind <the
          money-making ~ was for a time driven back --J. A. Froude>
          b: the feeling, quality, or disposition characterizing
          something <undertaken in a ~ of fun> 7: a lively or brisk
          quality in a person or a person's actions 8: a person
          having a character or disposition of a specified nature
          9: a mental disposition characterized by firmness or
          assertiveness <denied the charge with ~> 10 a: distillate
          1: as (1): the liquid containing ethyl alcohol and water
          that is distilled from an alcoholic liquid or mash--often
          used in pl. (2): any of various volatile liquids obtained
          by distillation or cracking (as of petroleum, shale,
          or wood)--often used in pl. b: a usu. volatile organic
          solvent (as an alcohol, ester, or hydrocarbon) 11 a:
          prevailing tone or tendency <~ of the age> b: general
          intent or real meaning <~ of the law> 12: an alcoholic
          solution of a volatile substance <~ of camphor> 13: enthusiastic
          loyalty <school ~> 14 cap, Christian Science: god 1b
          syn see courage [2]spirit vt (1608) 1: to infuse with
          spirit; esp: animate <hope and apprehension of feasibleness
          ~s all industry --John Goodman> 2: to carry off usu.
          secretly or mysteriously <was hustled into a ... motorcar
          and ~ed off to the country --W. L. Shirer>

   spirited
          [spir.it.ed] adj (1592): full of energy, animation, or courage
          <a ~ discussion> -- spir.it.ed.ly adv -- spir.it.ed.ness
          n

   spirit gum
          [spirit gum] n (1886): a solution (as of gum arabic in ether)
          used esp. for attaching false hair to the skin

   spiritism
          [spir.it.ism] n (1856): spiritualism 2a -- spir.it.ist n
          -- spir.it.is.tic adj

   spiritless
          [spir.it.less] adj (1597): lacking animation, cheerfulness,
          or courage -- spir.it.less.ly adv -- spir.it.less.ness
          n

   spirit level
          [spirit level] n (1768): level 1

   spirit of hartshorn
          [spirit of hartshorn] (ca. 1684): ammonia water

   spirit of wine
          [spirit of wine] (1753): alcohol 1c

   spiritoso
          [spir.i.to.so] adj [It, fr. spirito spirit, fr. L spiritus]
          (ca. 1724): animated--used as a direction in music

   spiritous
          [spir.it.ous] adj (1605) 1 archaic: pure, refined 2: spirituous

   spirit rapping
          [spirit rapping] n (1852): communication by raps held to
          be from the spirits of the dead

   spirits of hartshorn
          [spirits of hartshorn] (ca. 1909): ammonia water

   spirits of turpentine
          [spirits of turpentine] (ca. 1792): turpentine 2a

   spirits of wine
          [spirits of wine] (1710): rectified spirit: alcohol 1c

   [1]spiritual
          [spir.i.tu.al] adj [ME, fr. MF & LL; MF spirituel, fr. LL
          spiritualis, fr. L, of breathing, of wind, fr. spiritus]
          (14c) 1: of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting
          the spirit: incorporeal <man's ~ needs> 2 a: of or relating
          to sacred matters <~ songs> b: ecclesiastical rather
          than lay or temporal <~ authority> <lords ~> 3: concerned
          with religious values 4: related or joined in spirit
          <our ~ home> <his ~ heir> 5 a: of or relating to supernatural
          beings or phenomena b: of, relating to, or involving
          spiritualism: spiritualistic -- spir.i.tu.al.ly adv --
          spir.i.tu.al.ness n [2]spiritual n (1582) 1 pl: things
          of a spiritual, ecclesiastical, or religious nature 2:
          a religious song usu. of a deeply emotional character
          that was developed esp. among blacks in the southern
          U.S. 3 cap: any of a party of 13th and 14th century Franciscans
          advocating strict observance of a rule of poverty for
          their order

   spiritual bouquet
          [spiritual bouquet] n (1926): a card notifying the recipient
          of a number of devotional acts performed by a Roman Catholic
          on behalf of a person on special occasions (as name days
          or anniversaries) or for the soul of someone recently
          deceased esp. as an expression of sympathy

   spiritualism
          [spir.i.tu.al.ism] n (1796) 1: the view that spirit is a
          prime element of reality 2 a: a belief that spirits of
          the dead communicate with the living usu. through a medium
          b cap: a movement comprising religious organizations
          emphasizing spiritualism -- spir.i.tu.al.ist n, often
          cap -- spir.i.tu.al.is.tic adj

   spirituality
          [spir.i.tu.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: something that in
          ecclesiastical law belongs to the church or to a cleric
          as such 2: clergy 3: sensitivity or attachment to religious
          values 4: the quality or state of being spiritual

   spiritualize
          [spir.i.tu.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1631) 1: to make spiritual;
          esp: to purify from the corrupting influences of the world
          2: to give a spiritual meaning to or understand in a spiritual
          sense -- spir.i.tu.al.i.za.tion n

   spiritualty
          [spir.i.tu.al.ty] n [ME spiritualte, fr. MF spiritualte,
          fr. ML spiritualitat-, spiritualitas, fr. LL spiritualis
          spiritual] (14c) 1: spirituality 1 2: clergy

   spirituel
          [spi.ri.tu.el] or spi.ri.tu.elle adj [spirituel fr. F, lit.,
          spiritual; spirituelle fr. F, fem. of spirituel] (1673):
          having or marked by a refined and esp. sprightly or witty
          nature

   spirituous
          [spir.i.tu.ous] adj [prob. fr. F spiritueux, fr. L spiritus
          spirit] (1681): containing or impregnated with alcohol
          obtained by distillation <~ liquors>

   spirit varnish
          [spirit varnish] n (1850): a varnish in which a volatile
          liquid (as alcohol) is the solvent

   spirit writing
          [spirit writing] n (1864): automatic writing held to be produced
          under the influence of spirits

   spirochetal
          [spi.ro.chet.al] adj (1915): caused by spirochetes

   spirochete
          [spi.ro.chete] also spi.ro.chaete n [NL Spirochaeta, genus
          of bacteria, fr. L spira coil + Gk chaite long hair--more
          at spire] (ca. 1877): any of an order (Spirochaetales)
          of slender spirally undulating bacteria including those
          causing syphilis and relapsing fever

   spirochetosis
          [spi.ro.chet.osis] n, pl -oses [NL] (1906): infection with
          or a disease caused by spirochetes

   spirogyra
          [spi.ro.gy.ra] n [NL, fr. L spira + Gk gyros ring, circle]
          (1875): any of a genus (Spirogyra) of freshwater green
          algae with spiral chloroplasts

   spirometer
          [spi.rom.e.ter] n [ISV spiro- (fr. L spirare to breathe)
          + -meter] (1846): an instrument for measuring the air
          entering and leaving the lungs -- spi.ro.met.ric adj
          -- spi.rom.e.try n

   spirt
          [spirt] var of spurt

   spiry
          [spiry] adj (1602): resembling a spire; esp: being tall,
          slender, and tapering <~ trees>

   [1]spit
          [spit] n [ME, fr. OE spitu; akin to OHG spiz spit, spizzi
          pointed] (bef. 12c) 1: a slender pointed rod for holding
          meat over a fire 2: a small point of land esp. of sand
          or gravel running into a body of water [2]spit vt spit.ted
          ; spit.ting (13c): to fix on or as if on a spit: impale
          [3]spit vb spit or spat ; spit.ting [ME spitten, fr.
          OE spittan; akin to MHG spiutzen to spit] vt (bef. 12c)
          1 a: to eject (as saliva) from the mouth: expectorate
          b (1): to express (unpleasant or malicious feelings)
          by or as if by spitting (2): to utter with a spitting
          sound or scornful expression <spat out his words> c:
          to emit as if by spitting; esp: to emit (precipitation)
          in driving particles or in flurries <~ rain> 2: to set
          to burning <~ a fuse> ~ vi 1 a (1): to eject saliva as
          an expression of aversion or contempt (2): to exhibit
          contempt b: to eject matter (as saliva) from the mouth:
          expectorate 2: to rain or snow slightly or in flurries
          3: to make a noise suggesting expectoration: sputter
          -- spit it out : to say what is in the mind without further
          delay [4]spit n (14c) 1 a (1): spittle, saliva (2): the
          act or an instance of spitting b (1): a frothy secretion
          exuded by spittlebugs (2): spittlebug 2: perfect likeness
          3: a sprinkle of rain or flurry of snow

   spital
          [spit.al] n [ME spitel, modif. of ML hospitale--more at hospital]
          (14c) archaic: lazaretto, hospital

   spit and polish
          [spit and polish] n [fr. the practice of polishing objects
          such as shoes by spitting on them and then rubbing them
          with a cloth] (1895): extreme attention to cleanliness,
          orderliness, smartness of appearance, and ceremony often
          at the expense of operational efficiency -- spit-and-polish
          adj

   spitball
          [spit.ball] n (1846) 1: paper chewed and rolled into a ball
          to be thrown or shot as a missile 2: a baseball pitch
          delivered after the ball has been moistened with saliva
          or sweat

   spit curl
          [spit curl] n [prob. fr. its being sometimes plastered down
          with saliva] (1831): a spiral curl that is usu. plastered
          on the forehead, temple, or cheek

   [1]spite
          [spite] n [ME, short for despite] (14c) 1: petty ill will
          or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or
          thwart 2: an instance of spite syn see malice -- in spite
          of : in defiance or contempt of: without being prevented
          by [2]spite vt spit.ed ; spit.ing (ca. 1555) 1 a: annoy,
          offend b: to fill with spite 2: to treat maliciously
          (as by shaming or thwarting)

   spiteful
          [spite.ful] adj (15c): filled with or showing spite: malicious
          -- spite.ful.ly adv -- spite.ful.ness n

   spitfire
          [spit.fire] n (1680): a quick-tempered or highly emotional
          person

   [1]spitter
          [spit.ter] n (14c): one that spits [2]spitter n (1908): spitball
          2

   spitting cobra
          [spitting cobra] n (1910): either of two African cobras (Naja
          nigricollis and Hemachatus haemachatus) that in defense
          typically eject their venom toward the victim without
          striking

   spitting image
          [spitting image] n [alter. of spit and image] (1901): image
          3b

   spittle
          [spit.tle] n [ME spetil, fr. OE spaetl; akin to OE spittan
          to spit] (bef. 12c) 1: saliva 2: [4]spit 1b(1)

   spittlebug
          [spit.tle.bug] n (1882): any of a family (Cercopidae) of
          leaping homopterous insects whose larvae secrete froth--called
          also froghopper

   spittle insect
          [spittle insect] n (1891): spittlebug

   spittoon
          [spit.toon] n [[4]spit + -oon (as in balloon)] (1823): a
          receptacle for spit--called also cuspidor

   spit up
          [spit up] vb (1779): regurgitate, vomit

   spitz
          [spitz] n [G, fr. spitz pointed, fr. OHG spizzi; fr. the
          shape of its ears and muzzle--more at spit] (1842): a
          member of any of several breeds of stocky heavy-coated
          dogs of northern origin with erect ears and usu. a heavily
          furred tail carried over the back

   spiv
          [spiv] n [alter. of E dial. spiff flashy dresser, fr. spiff
          dandified] (ca. 1934) 1 Brit: one who lives by his wits
          without regular employment 2 Brit: slacker

   splanchnic
          [splanch.nic] adj [NL splanchnicus, fr. Gk splanchnikos,
          fr. splanchna, pl., viscera; akin to Gk splen spleen]
          (1681): of or relating to the viscera: visceral

   [1]splash
          [splash] vb [alter. of plash] vt (ca. 1727) 1 a (1): to dash
          a liquid or thinly viscous substance upon or against
          (2): to soil or stain with splashed liquid b: to mark
          or overlay with patches of contrasting color or texture
          c: to display prominently 2 a: to cause (a liquid or
          thinly viscous substance) to spatter about esp. with
          force b: to scatter in the manner of a splashed liquid
          ~ vi 1 a: to strike and dash about a liquid or semiliquid
          substance b: to move in or into a liquid or semiliquid
          substance and cause it to spatter 2 a (1): to become
          spattered about (2): to spread or scatter in the manner
          of splashed liquid b: to fall, strike, or move with a
          splashing sound <a brook ~ing over rocks> -- splash.er
          n [2]splash n (1736) 1 a (1): splashed liquid or semiliquid
          substance; also: impounded water released suddenly (2):
          a spot or daub from or as if from splashed liquid <a
          mud ~ on the fender> b: a colored patch 2 a: the action
          of splashing b: a short plunge 3: a sound produced by
          or as if by a liquid falling, moving, being hurled, or
          oscillating 4 a: a vivid impression created esp. by ostentatious
          activity or appearance b: ostentatious display 5: a small
          amount: sprinkling

   splashboard
          [splash.board] n (1826) 1: dashboard 1 2: a panel to protect
          against splashes

   splashdown
          [splash.down] n (1959): the landing of a manned spacecraft
          in the ocean -- splash down vi

   splash guard
          [splash guard] n (1926): a flap suspended behind a rear wheel
          to prevent tire splash from muddying windshields of following
          vehicles

   splashy
          [splashy] adj splash.i.er ; -est (1856) 1: that can be easily
          splashed about 2: moving or being moved with a splash
          or splashing sounds 3: tending to or exhibiting ostentatious
          display 4: consisting of, being, or covered with colored
          splashes -- splash.i.ly adv -- splash.i.ness n

   [1]splat
          [splat] n [obs. splat to spread flat] (1833): a single flat
          thin often ornamental member of a back of a chair [2]splat
          n [imit.] (1897): a splattering or slapping sound

   [1]splatter
          [splat.ter] vb [prob. blend of splash and spatter] vt (1785):
          spatter ~ vi: to scatter or fall in or as if in drops
          [2]splatter n (1819): spatter, splash

   [1]splay
          [splay] vb [ME, short for displayen--more at display] vt
          (15c) 1: to cause to spread outward 2: to make oblique:
          bevel ~ vi 1: to extend apart or outward esp. in an awkward
          manner 2: slope, slant [2]splay n (ca. 1508) 1: a slope
          or bevel esp. of the sides of a door or window 2: spread,
          expansion [3]splay adj (1767) 1: turned outward <~ knees>
          2: awkward, ungainly

   splayfoot
          [splay.foot] n (1548): a foot abnormally flattened and spread
          out; specif: flatfoot -- splay.foot.ed adj

   spleen
          [spleen] n [ME splen, fr. MF or L; MF esplen, fr. L splen,
          fr. Gk splen; akin to L lien spleen, Skt plihan] (14c)
          1: a highly vascular ductless organ that is located in
          the left abdominal region near the stomach or intestine
          of most vertebrates and is concerned with final destruction
          of red blood cells, filtration and storage of blood,
          and production of lymphocytes 2 obs: the seat of emotions
          or passions 3 archaic: melancholy 4: feelings of anger
          or ill will often suppressed 5 obs: a sudden impulse
          or whim: caprice syn see malice

   spleenful
          [spleen.ful] adj (1588): full of or affected with spleen:
          splenetic

   spleenwort
          [spleen.wort] n [fr. the belief in its power to cure disorders
          of the spleen] (1578): any of a large genus (Asplenium)
          of chiefly evergreen ferns having linear or oblong sori

   spleeny
          [spleeny] adj (1604) 1: full of or displaying spleen 2 NewEng:
          peevish and irritable with hypochondriac inclinations

   splen-
          [splen-] or spleno- comb form [L, fr. Gk splen-, spleno-,
          fr. splen]: spleen <splenectomy> <splenomegaly>

   splendent
          [splen.dent] adj [ME, fr. LL splendent-, splendens, fr. L,
          prp. of splendere] (15c) 1: shining, glossy <~ luster>
          2: illustrious, brilliant <~ genius>

   splendid
          [splen.did] adj [L splendidus, fr. splendere to shine; perh.
          akin to MIr lainn bright] (1634) 1: possessing or displaying
          splendor: as a: shining, brilliant b: marked by showy
          magnificence 2: illustrious, grand 3 a: excellent <a
          ~ opportunity> b: being out of the ordinary: singular
          -- splen.did.ly adv -- splen.did.ness n syn splendid,
          resplendent, gorgeous, glorious, sublime, superb mean
          extraordinarily or transcendently impressive. splendid
          implies outshining the usual or customary <the wedding
          was a splendid occasion>. resplendent suggests a glowing
          or blazing splendor <resplendent in her jewelry>. gorgeous
          implies a rich splendor esp. in display of color <a gorgeous
          red dress>. glorious suggests radiance that heightens
          beauty or distinction <a glorious sunset>. sublime implies
          an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension
          <a vision of sublime beauty>. superb suggests a magnificence
          or excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree
          <her singing was superb>.

   splendide mendax
          [splen.di.de men.dax] [L] foreign term : nobly untruthful

   splendiferous
          [splen.dif.er.ous] adj [splendor + -i- + -ferous] (1843):
          extraordinarily or showily impressive -- splen.dif.er.ous.ly
          adv -- splen.dif.er.ous.ness n

   splendor
          [splen.dor] n [ME splendure, fr. AF splendur, fr. L splendor,
          fr. splendere] (15c) 1 a: great brightness or luster:
          brilliancy b: magnificence, pomp 2: something splendid
          -- splen.dor.ous also splen.drous adj

   splendour
          [splen.dour] chiefly Brit var of splendor

   splenectomy
          [sple.nec.to.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (ca. 1859): surgical removal
          of the spleen -- sple.nec.to.mize vt

   splenetic
          [sple.net.ic] adj [LL spleneticus, fr. L splen spleen] (1697)
          1 archaic: given to melancholy 2: marked by bad temper,
          malevolence, or spite -- splenetic n -- sple.net.i.cal.ly
          adv

   splenic
          [splen.ic] adj [L splenicus, fr. Gk splenikos, fr. splen
          spleen] (1619): of, relating to, or located in the spleen
          <~ blood flow>

   splenius
          [sple.ni.us] n, pl -nii [NL, fr. L splenium plaster, compress,
          fr. Gk splenion, fr. splen] (1732): either of two flat
          oblique muscles on each side of the back of the neck
          and upper thoracic region

   splenomegaly
          [spleno.meg.a.ly] n, pl -lies [ISV] (ca. 1900): enlargement
          of the spleen

   spleuchan
          [spleu.chan] n [ScGael spliucan & Ir spliuchan] (1785) Scot
          & Irish: a pouch esp. for tobacco or money

   [1]splice
          [splice] vt spliced ; splic.ing [obs. D splissen; akin to
          MD splitten to split] (ca. 1525) 1 a: to unite (as two
          ropes) by interweaving the strands b: to unite (as lengths
          of magnetic tape) by lapping two ends together or by
          applying a piece that laps upon two ends and making fast
          2: to unite, link, or insert as if by splicing 3: to
          combine (genetic material) from either the same organism
          or different organisms <use enzymes to cut and ~ genes>
          -- splic.er n [2]splice n (1627) 1: a joining or joint
          made by splicing something 2: marriage, wedding

   spliff
          [spliff] n [origin unknown] (1936): joint 4

   spline
          [spline] n [origin unknown] (1756) 1: a thin wood or metal
          strip used in building construction 2: a key that is
          fixed to one of two connected mechanical parts and fits
          into a keyway in the other; also: a keyway for such a
          key 3: a function that is defined on an interval, is
          used to approximate a given function, and is composed
          of pieces of simple functions defined on subintervals
          and joined at their endpoints with a suitable degree
          of smoothness

   [1]splint
          [splint] also splent n [ME, fr. MLG splinte, splente; prob.
          akin to MD splitten to split] (14c) 1: a small plate
          or strip of metal used in making armor 2 a: a thin strip
          of wood suitable for interweaving (as into baskets) b:
          splinter c: material or a device used to protect and
          immobilize a body part (as a broken arm) 3: a bony enlargement
          on the upper part of the cannon bone of a horse usu.
          on the inside of the leg [2]splint vt (15c) 1: to support
          and immobilize (as a broken bone) with a splint 2: to
          brace with or as if with splints

   splint bone
          [splint bone] n (1704): one of the slender rudimentary metacarpal
          or metatarsal bones on either side of the cannon bone
          in the limbs of the horse and related animals

   [1]splinter
          [splin.ter] n [ME, fr. MD; akin to MLG splinte splint] (14c)
          1 a: a thin piece split or broken off lengthwise: sliver
          b: a small needlelike particle 2: a group or faction
          broken away from a parent body -- splinter adj -- splin.tery
          adj [2]splinter vb splin.tered ; splin.ter.ing vt (1582)
          1: to split or rend into long thin pieces: shiver 2:
          to split into fragments, parts, or factions ~ vi: to
          become splintered

   [1]split
          [split] vb split ; split.ting [D splitten, fr. MD; akin to
          MHG splizen to split and prob. to OHG spaltan to split]
          vt (1593) 1 a: to divide lengthwise usu. along a grain
          or seam or by layers b: to affect as if by cleaving or
          forcing apart <the river ~s the town in two> 2 a (1):
          to tear or rend apart: burst (2): to subject (an atom
          or atomic nucleus) to artificial disintegration by fission
          b: to affect as if by breaking up or tearing apart: shatter
          <a roar that ~ the air> 3: to divide into parts or portions:
          as a: to divide between persons: share b: to divide into
          factions, parties, or groups c: to mark (a ballot) or
          cast or register (a vote) so as to vote for candidates
          of different parties d (1): to divide or break down (a
          chemical compound) into constituents <~ a fat into glycerol
          and fatty acids> (2): to remove by such separation <~
          off carbon dioxide> e: to divide (stock) by issuing a
          larger number of shares to existing shareholders usu.
          without increase in total par value 4: to separate (the
          parts of a whole) by interposing something <~ an infinitive>
          5: leave <~ the party> <~ town> ~ vi 1 a: to become split
          lengthwise or into layers b: to break apart: burst 2
          a: to become divided up or s eparated off <~ into factions>
          b: to sever relations or connections c: leave; esp: to
          leave without delay 3 Brit: to betray confidence: act
          as an informer--usu. used with on 4: to apportion shares
          syn see tear -- split hairs : to make oversubtle or trivial
          distinctions -- split one's sides : to laugh heartily
          [2]split n (1597) 1 a: a narrow break made by or as if
          by splitting b: an arrangement of bowling pins left standing
          with space for pins between them 2: a piece split off
          or made thin by splitting 3 a: a division into or between
          divergent or antagonistic elements or forces b: a faction
          formed in this way 4 a: the act or process of splitting
          (as the stock of a corporation) b: the act of lowering
          oneself to the floor or leaping into the air with legs
          extended at right angles to the trunk 5: a product of
          division by or as if by splitting 6: a wine bottle holding
          one quarter the usual amount or about .1875 liters (6
          to 6.5 ounces); also: the quantity held by a split 7:
          an ice cream sundae served over slices of fruit (as banana)
          8: the recorded time at or for a specific part of a race
          [3]split adj (1648) 1: divided, fractured 2: prepared
          for use by splitting <~ bamboo> <~ hides> 3: heterozygous--used
          esp. by breeders of cage birds sometimes with for 4:
          widely spaced

   split-brain
          [split-brain] adj (1958): having the optic chiasma and corpus
          callosum severed <behavior in ~ animals>

   split decision
          [split decision] n (1952): a decision in a boxing match reflecting
          a division of opinion among the referee and judges

   split end
          [split end] n (1955): an offensive football end who lines
          up usu. several yards to the side of the formation

   split-fingered fastball
          [split-fingered fastball] n (1979): a fast baseball pitch
          thrown with the ball gripped as for a forkball

   split infinitive
          [split infinitive] n (1897): an infinitive with to having
          a modifier between the to and the verbal (as in "to really
          start") usage The split infinitive was discovered and
          named in the 19th century. 19th century writers seem
          to have made greater use of this construction than earlier
          writers; the frequency of occurrence attracted the disapproving
          attention of grammarians, many of whom thought it to
          be a modern corruption. The construction had in fact
          been in occasional use since the 14th century; only its
          frequency had changed. Even though there has never been
          a rational basis for objecting to the split infinitive,
          the subject has become a fixture of folk belief about
          grammar. You can hardly publish a sentence containing
          one without hearing about it from somebody. Modern commentators
          know the split infinitive is not a vice, but they are
          loath to drop such a popular subject. They usu. say it's
          all right to split an infinitive in the interest of clarity.
          Since clarity is the usual reason for splitting, this
          advice means merely that you can split them whenever
          you need to.

   split-level
          [split-lev.el] adj (1946): divided vertically so that the
          floor level of rooms in one part is approximately midway
          between the levels of two successive stories in an adjoining
          part <a ~ house> -- split-lev.el n

   split pea
          [split pea] n (1736): a dried hulled pea in which the cotyledons
          usu. split apart

   split personality
          [split personality] n (1927): schizophrenia; also: multiple
          personality

   split rail
          [split rail] n (1826): a fence rail split from a log

   split screen
          [split screen] n (1944): a film or video technique in which
          the frame is divided into discrete nonoverlapping images;
          also: the visual composition based on this technique

   split second
          [split second] n (1912): a fractional part of a second: flash

   split shift
          [split shift] n (1943): a shift of working hours divided
          into two or more working periods at times (as morning
          and evening) separated by more than normal periods of
          time off (as for lunch or rest)

   splitter
          [split.ter] n (1648) 1: one that splits 2: one who classifies
          organisms into numerous named groups based on relatively
          minor variations or characters--compare lumper 3: split-fingered
          fastball

   split ticket
          [split ticket] n (1836): a ballot cast by a voter who votes
          for candidates of more than one party

   splitting
          [split.ting] adj (1593): that splits or causes to split:
          as a: causing a piercing sensation <a ~ headache> b:
          very fast or quick c: sidesplitting <a ~ laugh>

   splore
          [splore] n [origin unknown] (1785) 1 Scot: frolic, carousal
          2 Scot: commotion

   [1]splotch
          [splotch] n [perh. blend of spot and blotch] (1601): spot,
          blotch -- splotchy adj [2]splotch vt (1654): to mark
          with a splotch: cover with splotches

   [1]splurge
          [splurge] n [perh. blend of splash and surge] (1830): an
          ostentatious effort, display, or expenditure [2]splurge
          vb splurged ; splurg.ing vi (1843) 1: to make a splurge
          2: to indulge oneself extravagantly--often used with
          on <~ on a new dress> ~ vt: to spend extravagantly or
          ostentatiously

   [1]splutter
          [splut.ter] n [prob. alter. of sputter] (1677) 1: a confused
          noise (as of hasty speaking) 2: a splashing or sputtering
          sound [2]splutter vi (1818) 1: to make a noise as if
          spitting 2: to speak hastily and confusedly ~ vt: to
          utter hastily or confusedly: stammer -- splut.ter.er
          n

   spluttery
          [splut.tery] adj (1866): marked by spluttering

   Spode
          [Spode] n (1869): ceramic ware (as bone china, stone china,
          or Parian ware) made at the works established by Josiah
          Spode in 1770 at Stoke in Staffordshire, England

   spodumene
          [spod.u.mene] n [prob. fr. F spodumene, fr. G Spodumen, fr.
          Gk spodoumenos, prp. of spodousthai to be burnt to ashes,
          fr. spodos ashes] (1893): a white to yellowish, purplish,
          or emerald-green monoclinic mineral that is a silicate
          of lithium and aluminum and occurs in prismatic crystals
          often of great size

   [1]spoil
          [spoil] n [ME spoile, fr. MF espoille, fr. L spolia, pl.
          of spolium animal skin--more at spill] (14c) 1 a: plunder
          taken from an enemy in war or a victim in robbery: loot
          b: public offices made the property of a successful party--usu.
          used in pl. c: something valuable or desirable gained
          through special effort or opportunism or in return for
          a favor--usu. used in pl. 2 a: spoliation, plundering
          b: the act of damaging: harm, impairment 3: an object
          of plundering: prey 4: earth and rock excavated or dredged
          5: an object damaged or flawed in the making syn spoil,
          plunder, booty, prize, loot mean something taken from
          another by force or craft. spoil, more commonly spoils,
          applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor
          in war or political contest <the spoils of political
          victory>. plunder applies to what is taken not only in
          war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling
          <a bootlegger's plunder>. booty implies plunder to be
          shared among confederates <thieves dividing up their
          booty>. prize applies to spoils captured on the high
          seas or territorial waters of the enemy <the wartime
          right of seizing prizes at sea>. loot applies esp. to
          what is taken from victims of a catastrophe <picked through
          the ruins for loot>. [2]spoil vb spoiled also spoilt
          ; spoil.ing [ME, fr. MF espoillier, fr. L spoliare, fr.
          spolium] vt (14c) 1 a archaic: despoil, strip b: pillage,
          rob 2 archaic: to seize by force 3 a: to damage seriously:
          ruin b: to impair the quality or effect of <a quarrel
          ~ed the celebration> 4 a: to impair the disposition or
          character of by overindulgence or excessive praise b:
          to pamper excessively: coddle ~ vi 1: to practice plunder
          and robbery 2: to lose valuable or useful qualities usu.
          as a result of decay 3: to have an eager desire <~ing
          for a fight> syn see decay, indulge -- spoil.able adj

   spoilage
          [spoil.age] n (1597) 1: the act or process of spoiling; esp:
          the process of decay in foodstuffs 2: something spoiled
          or wasted 3: loss by spoilage

   spoiler
          [spoil.er] n (15c) 1 a: one that spoils b: one (as a political
          candidate) having little or no chance of winning but
          capable of depriving a rival of success 2 a: a long narrow
          plate along the upper surface of an airplane wing that
          may be raised for reducing lift and increasing drag--see
          airplane illustration b: an air deflector on an automobile
          to reduce the tendency to lift off the road at high speeds

   spoilsman
          [spoils.man] n (1846): one who serves a party for a share
          of the spoils; also: one who sanctions such practice

   spoilsport
          [spoil.sport] n (1821): one who spoils the sport or pleasure
          of others

   spoils system
          [spoils system] n (1838): a practice of regarding public
          offices and their emoluments as plunder to be distributed
          to members of the victorious party

   [1]spoke
          [spoke] past & archaic past part of speak [2]spoke n [ME,
          fr. OE spaca; akin to MD spike spike--more at spike]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of the small radiating bars inserted
          in the hub of a wheel to support the rim b: something
          resembling the spoke of a wheel 2: any of the projecting
          handles of a steering wheel of a boat [3]spoke vt spoked
          ; spok.ing (bef. 12c): to furnish with or as if with
          spokes

   spoken
          [spo.ken] adj [pp. of speak] (1595) 1: delivered by word
          of mouth: oral 2: characterized by speaking in (such)
          a manner--used in combination <soft-spoken> <plainspoken>

   spokeshave
          [spoke.shave] n [[2]spoke] (1510): a drawknife or small transverse
          plane with end handles for planing convex or concave surfaces

   spokesman
          [spokes.man] n [prob. irreg. fr. spoke, obs. pp. of speak]
          (1537): a person who speaks as the representative of
          another or others often in a professional capacity --
          spokes.man.ship n

   spokespeople
          [spokes.peo.ple] n pl (1972): people serving as spokesmen
          or spokeswomen

   spokesperson
          [spokes.per.son] n (1972): spokesman

   spokeswoman
          [spokes.wom.an] n (1654): a woman who speaks as the representative
          of another or others often in a professional capacity

   spolia opima
          [spo.lia opi.ma] [L] foreign term : rich spoils: the arms
          taken by the victorious from the vanquished general

   spoliate
          [spo.li.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L spoliatus, pp. of spoliare]
          (ca. 1727): despoil -- spo.li.a.tor n

   spoliation
          [spo.li.a.tion] n [ME, fr. L spoliation-, spoliatio, fr.
          spoliare to plunder--more at spoil] (15c) 1 a: the act
          of plundering b: the state of having been plundered esp.
          in war 2: the act of injuring esp. beyond reclaim

   spondee
          [spon.dee] n [ME sponde, fr. MF or L; MF spondee, fr. L spondeum,
          fr. Gk spondeios, fr. spondeios of a libation, fr. sponde
          libation, fr. spendein to make a libation; fr. its use
          in music accompanying libations--more at spouse] (14c):
          a metrical foot consisting of two long or stressed syllables
          -- spon.da.ic adj or n

   spondylitis
          [spon.dy.li.tis] n [NL, fr. Gk sphondylos, spondylos vertebra]
          (ca. 1849): inflammation of the vertebrae

   [1]sponge
          [sponge] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. L spongia, fr. Gk] (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny
          fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine
          animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to
          absorb water (2): a piece of sponge (as for scrubbing
          and cleaning) (3): a porous rubber or cellulose product
          used similarly to a sponge b: any of a phylum (Porifera)
          of aquatic chiefly marine lower invertebrate animals
          that are essentially double-walled cell colonies that
          are permanently attached as adults 2: a pad (as of folded
          gauze) used in surgery and medicine (as to remove discharge
          or apply medication) 3: one who lives on others: sponger
          4 a: raised dough (as for yeast bread) b: a whipped dessert
          usu. containing whites of eggs or gelatin c: a metal
          (as platinum) obtained in porous form usu. by reduction
          without fusion <titanium ~> d: the egg mass of a crab
          5: an absorbent contraceptive device that is impregnated
          with spermicide and inserted into the vagina before sexual
          intercourse to cover the cervix syn see parasite [2]sponge
          vb sponged ; spong.ing vt (14c) 1: to cleanse, wipe,
          or moisten with or as if with a sponge 2: to erase or
          destroy with or as if with a sponge--often used with
          out 3: to get by sponging on another 4: to absorb with
          or as if with or in the manner of a sponge ~ vi 1: to
          absorb, soak up, or imbibe like a sponge 2: to get something
          from or live on another by imposing on hospitality or
          good nature 3: to dive or dredge for sponges -- spong.er
          n

   sponge cake
          [sponge cake] n (1805): a light cake made without shortening

   sponge cloth
          [sponge cloth] n (1862): any of various soft porous fabrics
          esp. in a loose honeycomb weave

   sponge rubber
          [sponge rubber] n (1886): cellular rubber resembling a natural
          sponge in structure used esp. for cushions, vibration
          dampeners, weather stripping, and gaskets

   spongeware
          [sponge.ware] n (1943): a typically 19th century earthenware
          with background color spattered or dabbed (as with a
          sponge) and usu. a freehand central design

   spongin
          [spon.gin] n [G, fr. L spongia sponge] (ca. 1868): a scleroprotein
          that is the chief constituent of flexible fibers in sponge
          skeletons

   spongy
          [spongy] adj spong.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: resembling a sponge:
          a: soft and full of cavities <~ ice> b: elastic, porous,
          and absorbent 2 a: not firm or solid b: being in the
          form of a metallic sponge <~ iron> 3: moist and soft
          like a sponge full of water <a ~ moor> -- spong.i.ness
          n

   spongy parenchyma
          [spongy parenchyma] n (1884): a spongy layer of irregular
          chlorophyll-bearing cells interspersed with air spaces
          that fills the interior part of a leaf below the palisade
          layer--called also spongy layer, spongy tissue

   sponson
          [spon.son] n [perh. by shortening & alter. fr. expansion]
          (1835) 1 a: a projection (as a gun platform) from the
          side of a ship or a tank b: an air chamber along a canoe
          to increase stability and buoyancy 2: a light air-filled
          structure or a winglike part protruding from the hull
          of a seaplane to steady it on water

   [1]sponsor
          [spon.sor] n [LL, fr. L, guarantor, surety, fr. spondere
          to promise--more at spouse] (1651) 1: one who presents
          a candidate for baptism or confirmation and undertakes
          responsibility for the person's religious education or
          spiritual welfare 2: one who assumes responsibility for
          some other person or thing 3: a person or an organization
          that pays for or plans and carries out a project or activity;
          esp: one that pays the cost of a radio or television
          program usu. in return for advertising time during its
          course -- spon.so.ri.al adj -- spon.sor.ship n [2]sponsor
          vt spon.sored ; spon.sor.ing (1884): to be or stand sponsor
          for

   spontaneity
          [spon.ta.ne.i.ty] n (1651) 1: the quality or state of being
          spontaneous 2: voluntary or undetermined action or movement;
          also: its source

   spontaneous
          [spon.ta.ne.ous] adj [LL spontaneus, fr. L sponte of one's
          free will, voluntarily] (1656) 1: proceeding from natural
          feeling or native tendency without external constraint
          2: arising from a momentary impulse 3: controlled and
          directed internally: self-acting <~ movement characteristic
          of living things> 4: produced without being planted or
          without human labor: indigenous 5: developing without
          apparent external influence, force, cause, or treatment
          6: not apparently contrived or manipulated: natural --
          spon.ta.ne.ous.ly adv -- spon.ta.ne.ous.ness n syn spontaneous,
          impulsive, instinctive, automatic, mechanical mean acting
          or activated without deliberation. spontaneous implies
          lack of prompting and connotes naturalness <a spontaneous
          burst of applause>. impulsive implies acting under stress
          of emotion or spirit of the moment <impulsive acts of
          violence>. instinctive stresses spontaneous action involving
          neither judgment nor will <blinking is an instinctive
          reaction>. automatic implies action engaging neither
          the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable
          response <his denial was automatic>. mechanical stresses
          the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response
          <a mechanical teaching method>.

   spontaneous combustion
          [spontaneous combustion] n (1795): self-ignition of combustible
          material through chemical action (as oxidation) of its
          constituents--called also spontaneous ignition

   spontaneous generation
          [spontaneous generation] n (1665): abiogenesis

   spontaneous recovery
          [spontaneous recovery] n (1943): reappearance of an extinguished
          conditioned response without positive reinforcement

   spontoon
          [spon.toon] n [F sponton, fr. It spuntone, fr. punta sharp
          point, fr. (assumed) VL puncta--more at point] (1598):
          a short pike formerly borne by subordinate officers of
          infantry

   [1]spoof
          [spoof] vt [Spoof, a hoaxing game invented by Arthur Roberts
          d. 1933 Eng. comedian] (1889) 1: deceive, hoax 2: to
          make good-natured fun of [2]spoof n (1889) 1: hoax, deception
          2: a light humorous parody -- spoof.ery n -- spoofy adj

   [1]spook
          [spook] n [D; akin to MLG spok ghost] (1801) 1: ghost, specter
          2: an undercover agent: spy -- spook.ish adj [2]spook
          vt (1883) 1: haunt 3 2: to make frightened or frantic:
          scare; esp: to startle into violent activity (as stampeding)
          ~ vi: to become spooked <cattle ~ing at shadows>

   spookery
          [spook.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1893): the quality of being spooky;
          also: something (as a story) that involves spooks

   spooky
          [spooky] adj spook.i.er ; -est (1854) 1: relating to, resembling,
          or suggesting spooks 2: nervous, skittish <a ~ horse>
          -- spook.i.ly adv -- spook.i.ness n

   [1]spool
          [spool] n [ME spole, fr. MF or MD; MF espole, fr. MD spoele;
          akin to OHG spuola spool] (14c) 1: a cylindrical device
          which has a rim or ridge at each end and an axial hole
          for a pin or spindle and on which material (as thread,
          wire, or tape) is wound 2: material or the amount of
          material wound on a spool [2]spool vt (1603) 1: to wind
          on a spool 2: wind <~ the thread off the bobbin> ~ vi
          1: to wind itself on a spool 2: wind

   [1]spoon
          [spoon] n [ME, fr. OE spon splinter, chip; akin to OHG span
          splinter, chip] (14c) 1: an eating or cooking implement
          consisting of a small shallow bowl with a relatively
          long handle 2: something (as a tool or fishing lure)
          that resembles a spoon in shape [2]spoon vt (1715): to
          take up and usu. transfer in a spoon ~ vi [perh. fr.
          the Welsh custom of an engaged man's presenting his fiancee
          with an elaborately carved wooden spoon]: to make love
          by caressing, kissing, and talking amorously: neck

   spoonbill
          [spoon.bill] n (ca. 1678) 1: any of several wading birds
          (family Threskiornithidae) related to the ibises that
          have an expanded bill that is flattened and rounded at
          the tip 2: any of several broad-billed ducks (as the
          shoveler)

   spoonbill cat
          [spoonbill cat] n (ca. 1882): a paddlefish (Polyodon spathula)

   spoon-billed
          [spoon-billed] adj (1668): having the bill or snout expanded
          and spatulate at the end

   spoon bread
          [spoon bread] n (1916): soft bread made of cornmeal mixed
          with milk, eggs, and shortening and served with a spoon

   spoonerism
          [spoo.ner.ism] n [William A. Spooner d. 1930 Eng. clergyman
          & educator] (1900): a transposition of usu. initial sounds
          of two or more words (as in tons of soil for sons of
          toil)

   spoon-feed
          [spoon-feed] vt -fed ; -feed.ing (1615) 1: to feed by means
          of a spoon 2 a: to present (information) so completely
          as to preclude independent thought <~ material to students>
          b: to present information to in this manner

   spoonful
          [spoon.ful] n, pl spoonfuls also spoons.ful (14c): as much
          as a spoon will hold; specif: teaspoonful

   spoony
          [spoony] or spoon.ey adj spoon.i.er ; -est [E slang spoon
          simpleton] (ca. 1812) 1: silly, foolish; esp: unduly
          sentimental 2: being sentimentally in love

   [1]spoor
          [spoor] n, pl spoor or spoors [Afrik, fr. D; akin to OE spor
          footprint, spoor, spurnan to kick--more at spurn] (1823)
          1: a track, a trail, a scent, or droppings esp. of a
          wild animal 2: a trace by which the progress of someone
          or something may be followed [2]spoor vt (1850): to track
          by a spoor ~ vi: to track something by its spoor

   spor-
          [spor-] or spori- or sporo- comb form [NL spora]: seed: spore
          <sporocyst> <sporangium> <sporicidal>

   sporadic
          [spo.rad.ic] adj [ML sporadicus, fr. Gk sporadikos, fr. sporaden
          here and there, fr. sporad-, sporas scattered; akin to
          Gk speirein to sow--more at sperm] (ca. 1689): occurring
          occasionally, singly, or in scattered instances syn see
          infrequent -- spo.rad.i.cal.ly adv

   sporadic E layer
          [sporadic E layer] n (1949): a layer of ionization occurring
          irregularly within the E region of the ionosphere

   sporangiophore
          [spo.ran.gio.phore] n (1875): a stalk or similar structure
          bearing sporangia

   sporangium
          [spo.ran.gi.um] n, pl -gia [NL, fr. spor- + Gk angeion vessel--more
          at angi-] (1821): a structure within which spores are produced
          -- spo.ran.gial adj

   [1]spore
          [spore] n [NL spora seed, spore, fr. Gk, act of sowing, seed,
          fr. speirein to sow--more at sperm] (1836): a primitive
          usu. unicellular often environmentally resistant dormant
          or reproductive body produced by plants and some microorganisms
          and capable of development into a new individual either
          directly or after fusion with another spore -- spored
          adj [2]spore vi spored ; spor.ing (1903): to produce
          or reproduce by spores

   spore case
          [spore case] n (1836): a case containing spores: sporangium

   sporicidal
          [spo.ri.cid.al] adj (1939): tending to kill spores -- spo.ri.cide
          n

   sporocarp
          [spo.ro.carp] n [ISV] (1849): a structure (as in red algae,
          fungi, or mosses) in or on which spores are produced

   sporocyst
          [spo.ro.cyst] n [ISV] (1861) 1: a case or cyst secreted by
          some sporozoans preliminary to sporogony; also: a sporozoan
          encysted in such a case 2: a saccular body that is the
          first asexual reproductive form of a digenetic trematode,
          develops from a miracidium, and buds off cells from its
          inner surface which develop into rediae

   sporogenesis
          [spo.ro.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1890) 1: reproduction by spores
          2: spore formation -- spo.rog.e.nous also spo.ro.gen.ic
          adj

   sporogonium
          [spo.ro.go.ni.um] n, pl -nia [NL, fr. spor- + -gonium (as
          in archegonium)] (1875): the sporophyte of a moss or
          liverwort consisting typically of a stalk bearing a spore-producing
          capsule which remains permanently attached to the gametophyte

   sporogony
          [spo.rog.o.ny] n [ISV] (1888): reproduction by spores; specif:
          formation of spores typically containing sporozoites
          that is characteristic of some sporozoans and that results
          from the encystment and subsequent division of a zygote
          -- spo.ro.gon.ic adj

   sporophore
          [spo.ro.phore] n [ISV] (1849): the spore-producing organ
          of a fungus or slime mold

   sporophyll
          [spo.ro.phyll] n [ISV] (1888): a spore-bearing and usu. greatly
          modified leaf

   sporophyte
          [spo.ro.phyte] n [ISV] (1886): the individual or generation
          of a plant exhibiting alternation of generations that
          bears asexual spores--compare gametophyte -- spo.ro.phyt.ic
          adj

   sporopollenin
          [spo.ro.pol.len.in] n [ISV spor- + pollen + [1]-in] (1931):
          a relatively chemically inert polymer that makes up the
          outer layer of pollen grains and some spores

   sporotrichosis
          [spo.ro.tri.cho.sis] n [NL, fr. Sporotrich-, Sporothrix,
          genus name, fr. spor- + Gk trich-, thrix hair] (1908):
          infection with or disease caused by a fungus (Sporothrix
          schenckii) that is characterized by nodules and abscesses
          in the superficial lymph nodes, skin, and subcutaneous
          tissues and that is usu. transmitted by entry of the
          fungus through a skin abrasion or wound

   -sporous
          [-sporous] adj comb form [NL spora spore]: having (such or
          so many) spores <homosporous>

   sporozoan
          [spo.ro.zo.an] n [NL Sporozoa, fr. spor- + -zoa] (1888):
          any of a large class (Sporozoa) of strictly parasitic
          protozoans that have a complicated life cycle usu. involving
          both asexual and sexual generations often in different
          hosts and include important pathogens (as malaria parasites
          and babesias) -- sporozoan adj

   sporozoite
          [spo.ro.zo.ite] n [NL Sporozoa + ISV -ite] (1888): a usu.
          motile infective form of some sporozoans that is a product
          of sporogony and initiates an asexual cycle in the new
          host

   sporran
          [spor.ran] n [ScGael sporan purse] (1752): a pouch usu. of
          skin with the hair or fur on that is worn in front of
          the kilt with Scots Highland dress

   [1]sport
          [sport] vb [ME, to divert, disport, short for disporten]
          vi (15c) 1 a: to amuse oneself: frolic <lambs ~ing in
          the meadow> b: to engage in a sport 2 a: to mock or ridicule
          something b: to speak or act in jest: trifle 3 [[2]sport]:
          to deviate or vary abruptly from type (as by bud variation):
          mutate ~ vt 1: to display or wear usu. ostentatiously:
          boast 2 [[2]sport]: to put forth as a sport or bud variation
          [2]sport n (15c) 1 a: a source of diversion: recreation
          b: sexual play c (1): physical activity engaged in for
          pleasure (2): a particular activity (as an athletic game)
          so engaged in 2 a: pleasantry, jest b: often mean-spirited
          jesting: mockery, derision 3 a: something tossed or driven
          about in or as if in play b: laughingstock 4 a: sportsman
          b: a person considered with respect to living up to the
          ideals of sportsmanship <a good ~> <a poor ~> c: a companionable
          person 5: an individual exhibiting a sudden deviation
          from type beyond the normal limits of individual variation
          usu. as a result of mutation esp. of somatic tissue syn
          see fun [3]sport or sports adj (1582): of, relating to,
          or suitable for sports; esp: styled in a manner suitable
          for casual or informal wear <~ coats>

   sport fish
          [sport fish] n (1944): a fish important for the sport it
          affords anglers

   sportfisherman
          [sport.fish.er.man] n (1954): a motorboat equipped for sportfishing

   sportfishing
          [sport.fish.ing] n (1910): fishing done with a rod and reel
          for sport or recreation

   sportful
          [sport.ful] adj (15c) 1 a: productive of sport or amusement:
          entertaining, diverting b: playful, frolicsome 2: done
          in sport -- sport.ful.ly adv -- sport.ful.ness n

   sportif
          [spor.tif] adj [F, sporting, of sports, fr. sport sport,
          fr. E] (1920): sporty

   sporting
          [sport.ing] adj (1799) 1 a: of, relating to, used, or suitable
          for sport b: marked by or calling for sportsmanship c:
          involving such risk as a sports contender may expect
          to take or encounter <a ~ chance> 2: of or relating to
          dissipation and esp. gambling 3: tending to mutate freely
          -- sport.ing.ly adv

   sporting house
          [sporting house] n (1894): bordello

   sportive
          [sport.ive] adj (1590) 1 a: frolicsome, playful b: ardent,
          wanton 2: of or relating to sports and esp. field sports
          -- sport.ive.ly adv -- sport.ive.ness n

   sports car
          [sports car] n (1928): a low small usu. 2-passenger automobile
          designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and
          high-speed driving

   sportscast
          [sports.cast] n [sport + broadcast] (1941): a radio or television
          broadcast of a sports event or of information about sports
          -- sports.cast.er n

   sportsman
          [sports.man] n (ca. 1707) 1: a person who engages in sports
          (as in hunting or fishing) 2: a person who shows sportsmanship
          -- sports.man.like adj -- sports.man.ly adj

   sportsmanship
          [sports.man.ship] n (1745): conduct (as fairness, respect
          for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing)
          becoming to one participating in a sport

   sportswear
          [sports.wear] n (1912): clothing suitable for recreation;
          broadly: clothing designed for casual or informal wear

   sportswoman
          [sports.wom.an] n (1754): a woman who engages in sports

   sportswriter
          [sports.writ.er] n (1927): one who writes about sports esp.
          for a newspaper -- sports.writ.ing n

   sporty
          [sporty] adj sport.i.er ; -est (1889) 1: of, relating to,
          or typical of sports, sportsmen, sportswomen, or sportswear
          <a ~ life> <clothes of a ~ cut> 2 of an automobile: resembling
          a sports car in styling or performance -- sport.i.ly
          adv -- sport.i.ness n

   sporulate
          [spor.u.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [back-formation fr.
          sporulation] (ca. 1891): to undergo sporulation

   sporulation
          [spor.u.la.tion] n [ISV, fr. NL sporula, dim. of spora spore]
          (1876): the formation of spores; esp: division into many
          small spores (as after encystment) -- spor.u.la.tive
          adj

   -spory
          [-spory] n comb form [-sporous + [2]-y]: quality or state
          of having (such) spores <homospory>

   [1]spot
          [spot] n [ME; akin to MD spotte stain, speck, ON spotti small
          piece] (13c) 1: a taint on character or reputation: fault
          <the only ~ on the family name> 2 a: a small area visibly
          different (as in color, finish, or material) from the
          surrounding area b (1): an area marred or marked (as
          by dirt) (2): a circumscribed surface lesion of disease
          (as measles) or decay <~s of rot> <rust ~s on a leaf>
          c: a conventionalized design used on playing cards to
          distinguish the suits and indicate values 3: an object
          having a specified number of spots or a specified numeral
          on its surface 4: a small quantity or amount: bit 5 a:
          a particular place, area, or part b: a small extent of
          space 6 pl usu spot : a small croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus)
          of the Atlantic coast with a black spot behind the opercula
          7 a: a particular position (as in an organization or
          a hierarchy) b: a place or appearance on an entertainment
          program 8: spotlight 9: a position usu. of difficulty
          or embarrassment 10: a brief announcement or advertisement
          broadcast between scheduled radio or television programs
          11: a brief segment or report on a broadcast esp. of
          news -- on the spot 1: at once: immediately 2: at the
          place of action 3 a: in a responsible or accountable
          position b: in a difficult or trying situation [2]spot
          vb spot.ted ; spot.ting vt (14c) 1: to stain the character
          or reputation of: disgrace 2: to mark in or with a spot:
          stain 3: to locate or identify by a spot 4 a: to single
          out: identify; esp: to note as a known criminal or a
          suspicious person b: detect, notice <~ a mistake> c (1):
          to locate accurately <~ an enemy position> (2): to cause
          to strike accurately <~ the battery's fire> 5 a: to lie
          at intervals in or over: stud b: to place at intervals
          or in a desired spot <~ field telephones> c: to fix in
          or as if in the beam of a spotlight d: to schedule in
          a particular spot or at a particular time 6: to remove
          a spot from 7: to allow as a handicap ~ vi 1: to become
          stained or discolored in spots 2: to cause a spot 3:
          to act as a spotter; esp: to locate targets 4: to experience
          abnormal and sporadic bleeding in small amounts from
          the uterus -- spot.ta.ble adj [3]spot adj (1881) 1 a:
          being, originating, or done on the spot or in or for
          a particular spot <~ coverage of the news> b: available
          for immediate delivery after sale <~ commodities> c (1):
          paid out upon delivery <~ cash> (2): involving immediate
          cash payment <~ transaction> d (1): broadcast between
          scheduled programs <~ announcements> (2): originating
          in a local station for a national advertiser e: performing
          occasionally when needed <chance of making the ... varsity
          as a ~ starter and relief pitcher --N. Y. Times> 2: made
          at random or restricted to a few places or instances
          <a ~ check>; also: selected at random or as a sample

   SPOT
          [SPOT] abbreviation satellite positioning and tracking

   spot-check
          [spot-check] vt (1943): to sample or investigate quickly
          or at random ~ vi: to make a spot check

   spotless
          [spot.less] adj (14c): having no spot: a: free from impurity:
          immaculate <~ kitchens> b: pure, unblemished <~ reputation>
          -- spot.less.ly adv -- spot.less.ness n

   [1]spotlight
          [spot.light] n (1904) 1 a: a projected spot of light used
          to illuminate brilliantly a person, object, or group
          on a stage b: conspicuous public notice <held the political
          ~> 2 a: a light designed to direct a narrow intense beam
          of light on a small area b: something that illuminates
          brilliantly [2]spotlight vt -light.ed or -lit ; -light.ing
          (1922): to illuminate with or as if with a spotlight

   spot pass
          [spot pass] n (1948): a pass (as in football or basketball)
          made to a predetermined spot on the field or court rather
          than directly to a player

   spotted
          [spot.ted] adj (13c) 1: marked with spots 2: being sullied:
          tarnished 3: characterized by the appearance of spots

   spotted alfalfa aphid
          [spotted alfalfa aphid] n (1958): a highly destructive Old
          World aphid (Therioaphis maculata) that is established
          in the U.S. in warmer areas and causes yellowing and
          stunting of affected plants

   spotted cucumber beetle
          [spotted cucumber beetle] n (1923): a rather slender greenish
          yellow beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) that
          feeds as an adult on various ornamental and crop plants
          and is a vector of wilt disease esp. of cucumbers and
          melons

   spotted fever
          [spotted fever] n (1650): any of various eruptive fevers:
          as a: typhus b: rocky mountain spotted fever

   spotted owl
          [spotted owl] n (1910): a rare large dark brown dark-eyed
          owl (Strix occidentalis) that has barred and spotted
          underparts and is found in humid old growth forests and
          thickly wooded canyons from British Columbia to southern
          California and central Mexico

   spotted salamander
          [spotted salamander] n (1922): a common salamander (Ambystoma
          maculatum) of eastern No. America with glossy black skin
          spotted with yellow or orange on the back

   spotted sea trout
          [spotted sea trout] n (1902): a weakfish (Cynoscion nebulosus)
          that is a valuable food and sport fish of the southern
          Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S.--called also sea
          trout, speckled trout, spotted weakfish

   spotted turtle
          [spotted turtle] n (ca. 1909): a freshwater turtle (Clemmys
          guttata) of the eastern U.S. that has a blackish carapace
          with round yellow spots

   spotter
          [spot.ter] n (1611) 1: one that makes or applies a spot (as
          for identification) 2: one that looks or keeps watch:
          as a: one that locates enemy targets b: a civilian who
          watches for approaching airplanes 3: one that removes
          spots 4: one that places something on or in a desired
          spot

   spot test
          [spot test] n (1922) 1: a test limited to a few key or sample
          points or a relatively small percentage of random spots
          2: a test conducted on the spot to yield immediate results

   spotty
          [spot.ty] adj spot.ti.er ; -est (14c) 1: marked with spots:
          spotted 2: lacking uniformity esp. in quality <the performance
          was ~>; also: irregularly or sparsely distributed <~
          attendance> <~ data> -- spot.ti.ly adv -- spot.ti.ness
          n

   spousal
          [spou.sal] n [ME spousaille, fr. MF espousailles espousal]
          (14c): nuptials--usu. used in pl.

   [1]spouse
          [spouse] n [ME, fr. OF espous (masc.) & espouse (fem.), fr.
          L sponsus betrothed man, groom & sponsa betrothed woman,
          bride, both fr. sponsus, pp. of spondere to promise,
          betroth; akin to Gk spendein to pour a libation, Hitt
          sipant-] (13c): married person: husband, wife -- spou.sal
          adj [2]spouse vt spoused ; spous.ing (13c) archaic: wed

   [1]spout
          [spout] vb [ME; akin to MD spoiten to spout, OE spiwan to
          spew] vt (14c) 1: to eject (as liquid) in a stream <wells
          ~ing oil> 2 a: to speak or utter readily, volubly, and
          at length b: to speak or utter in a pompous or oratorical
          manner: declaim ~ vi 1: to issue with force or in a jet:
          spurt 2: to eject material (as liquid) in a jet 3: declaim
          -- spout.er n [2]spout n (14c) 1: a pipe or conductor
          through which a liquid is discharged or conveyed in a
          stream: as a: a pipe for carrying rainwater from a roof
          b: a projecting tube or lip from which a liquid (as water)
          issues 2: a discharge or jet of liquid from or as if
          from a pipe; esp: waterspout 3 archaic: pawnshop -- spout.ed
          adj

   spp
          [spp] pl abbreviation species

   SPQR
          [SPQR] [L senatus populusque Romanus] abbreviation the senate
          and the people of Rome; small profits, quick returns

   sprachgefuhl
          [sprach.ge.fuhl] n [G, fr. Sprache language + Gefuhl feeling]
          (1894) 1: the character of a language 2: an intuitive
          sense of what is linguistically appropriate

   spraddle
          [sprad.dle] vb sprad.dled ; sprad.dling [perh. blend of straddle
          and sprawl] vi (1632) 1: sprawl 2: to go or walk with
          a straddling gait: straddle ~ vt 1: sprawl 2: to spread
          (the legs) in walking: straddle

   sprag
          [sprag] n [origin unknown] (1878): a pointed stake or steel
          bar let down from a halted vehicle (as a wagon) to prevent
          it from rolling

   [1]sprain
          [sprain] n [origin unknown] (1601) 1: a sudden or violent
          twist or wrench of a joint with stretching or tearing
          of ligaments 2: a sprained condition [2]sprain vt (1622):
          to injure by a sudden or severe twist

   [1]sprang
          [sprang] past of spring [2]sprang n [prob. fr. Norw, a kind
          of embroidery] (1951): a weaving technique in which threads
          or cords are intertwined and twisted over one another
          to form an openwork mesh

   sprat
          [sprat] n [alter. of ME sprot, fr. OE sprott] (1537) 1 a:
          a small European herring (Sprattus sprattus) related
          to the common herring--called also brisling b: a small
          or young herring or similar fish (as an anchovy) 2: a
          young, small, or insignificant person

   sprawl
          [sprawl] vb [ME, fr. OE spreawlian] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic:
          to lie thrashing or tossing about b: to creep or clamber
          awkwardly 2: to lie or sit with arms and legs spread
          out 3: to spread or develop irregularly ~ vt: to cause
          to spread out carelessly or awkwardly -- sprawl n

   [1]spray
          [spray] n [ME] (13c) 1: a usu. flowering branch or shoot
          2: a decorative flat arrangement of flowers and foliage
          (as on a coffin) 3: something (as a jeweled pin) resembling
          a spray [2]spray n [obs. E spray to sprinkle, fr. MD
          sprayen] (1621) 1: water flying in small drops or particles
          blown from waves or thrown up by a waterfall 2 a: a jet
          of vapor or finely divided liquid b: a device (as an
          atomizer or sprayer) by which a spray is dispersed or
          applied c (1): an application of a spray or by spraying
          (2): a substance (as paint) so applied [3]spray vt (1829)
          1: to disperse or apply as a spray 2: to project spray
          on or into ~ vi 1: to break up into spray 2: to disperse
          or apply a spray 3: to emit a stream or spray of urine
          <a cat may ~ to mark its territory> -- spray.er n

   spray can
          [spray can] n (1958): a pressurized container from which
          aerosols are dispensed

   spray gun
          [spray gun] n (1920): an apparatus resembling a gun for applying
          a substance (as paint or insecticide) in the form of
          a spray

   [1]spread
          [spread] vb spread ; spread.ing [ME spreden, fr. OE -spraedan;
          akin to OHG spreiten to spread] vt (13c) 1 a: to open
          or expand over a larger area <~ out the map> b: to stretch
          out: extend <~ its wings for flight> 2 a: to distribute
          over an area <~ fertilizer> b: to distribute over a period
          or among a group <~ the work over a few weeks> c: to
          apply on a surface <~ butter on bread> d (1): to cover
          or overlay something with <~ the cloth on the table>
          (2) archaic: to cover completely e (1): to prepare or
          furnish for dining: set <~ the table> (2): serve <~ the
          afternoon tea> 3 a: to make widely known <~ the news>
          b: to extend the range or incidence of <~ a disease>
          c: diffuse, emit <flowers ~ing their fragrance> 4: to
          push apart by weight or force ~ vi 1 a: to become dispersed,
          distributed, or scattered b: to become known or disseminated
          <panic ~ rapidly> 2: to grow in length or breadth: expand
          3: to move apart (as from pressure or weight): separate
          -- spread.abil.i.ty n -- spread.able adj [2]spread n
          (1626) 1 a: the act or process of spreading b: extent
          of spreading 2: something spread out: as a: a surface
          area: expanse b West (1): ranch (2): a herd of animals
          c (1): a prominent display in a periodical (2): two facing
          pages (as of a newspaper) usu. with matter running across
          the fold; also: the matter occupying these pages 3: something
          spread on or over a surface: as a: a food to be spread
          (as on bread or crackers) <a cheese ~> b: a sumptuous
          meal: feast c: a cloth cover for a table or bed 4: distance
          between two points: gap 5: a commodities market transaction
          in which a participant hedges with simultaneous long
          and short options in different commodities or different
          delivery dates in the same commodity

   [1]spread-eagle
          [spread-ea.gle] vb -ea.gled ; -ea.gling vi (1826) 1: to execute
          a spread eagle (as in skating) 2: to stand or move with
          arms and legs stretched out: sprawl ~ vt 1: to stretch
          out into the position of a spread eagle 2: to spread
          over [2]spread-eagle adj [fr. the spread eagle on the
          Great Seal of the U.S.] (1858): marked by bombast and
          boastful exaggeration esp. of the greatness of the U.S.
          <~ oratory>

   spread eagle
          [spread eagle] n (1570) 1: a representation of an eagle with
          wings raised and legs extended 2: something resembling
          or suggestive of a spread eagle; specif: a skating figure
          executed with the skates heel to heel in a straight line

   spreader
          [spread.er] n (15c): one that spreads: as a: an implement
          for scattering material b: a small knife for spreading
          butter c: a device (as a bar) holding two linear elements
          (as lines, guys, rails) apart and usu. taut

   spread formation
          [spread formation] n (ca. 1949): an offensive football formation
          in which the pass receivers are spread out across the
          field

   spreading factor
          [spreading factor] n (1932): hyaluronidase

   spreadsheet
          [spread.sheet] n (1982): an accounting program for a computer;
          also: the ledger layout modeled by such a program

   spree
          [spree] n [origin unknown] (1804): an unrestrained indulgence
          in or outburst of an activity <went on a buying ~>; esp:
          binge, carousal

   sprent
          [sprent] adj [ME spreynt, fr. pp. of sprengen to sprinkle]
          (14c) archaic: sprinkled over

   sprier
          [sprier] comparative of spry

   spriest
          [spriest] superlative of spry

   [1]sprig
          [sprig] n [ME sprigge] (14c) 1 a: a small shoot: twig <a
          ~ of parsley> b: a small division of grass used for propagation
          2 a: heir b: youth c: a small specimen 3: an ornament
          resembling a sprig, stemmed flower, or leaf 4: a small
          headless nail: brad [2]sprig vt sprigged ; sprig.ging
          (1713) 1: to drive sprigs or brads into 2: to mark or
          adorn with the representation of plant sprigs 3: to propagate
          (a grass) by means of stolons or small divisions

   sprightful
          [spright.ful] adj [obs. spright] (1595) archaic: full of
          life or spirit: sprightly -- spright.ful.ly adv -- spright.ful.ness
          n

   sprightl y
          [spright.l y] adj spright.li.er ; -est [obs. spright (sprite),
          alter. of sprite] (1596): marked by a gay lightness and
          vivacity: spirited syn see lively -- spright.li.ness
          n -- sprightly adv

   [1]spring
          [spring] vb sprang or sprung ; sprung ; spring.ing [ME, fr.
          OE springan; akin to OHG springan to jump and perh. to
          Gk sperchesthai to hasten] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): dart,
          shoot (2): to be resilient or elastic; also: to move
          by elastic force <the lid sprang shut> b: to become warped
          2: to issue with speed and force or as a stream 3 a:
          to grow as a plant b: to issue by birth or descent c:
          to come into being: arise <towns sprang up across the
          plains> d archaic: dawn e: to begin to blow--used with
          up <a breeze quickly sprang up> 4 a: to make a leap or
          series of leaps b: to leap or jump up suddenly 5: to
          stretch out in height: rise 6: pay--used with for <I'll
          ~ for the drinks> ~ vt 1: to cause to spring 2 a: to
          undergo or bring about the splitting or cracking of <wind
          sprang the mast> b: to undergo the opening of (a leak)
          3 a: to cause to operate suddenly <~ a trap> b: to apply
          or insert by bending c: to bend by force 4: to leap over
          5: to produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly 6:
          to make lame 7: to release or cause to be released from
          confinement or custody syn spring, arise, rise, originate,
          derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come
          up or out of something into existence. spring implies
          rapid or sudden emerging <an idea that springs to mind>.
          arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into
          existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth
          or ascent <new questions have arisen> <slowly rose to
          prominence>. originate implies a definite source or starting
          point <the fire originated in the basement>. derive implies
          a prior existence in another form <the holiday derives
          from an ancient Roman feast>. flow adds to spring a suggestion
          of abundance or ease of inception <words flowed easily
          from her pen>. issue suggests emerging from confinement
          through an outlet <blood issued from the cut>. emanate
          applies to the coming of something immaterial (as a thought)
          from a source <reports emanating from the capital>. proceed
          stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical
          cause <advice that proceeds from the best of intentions>.
          stem implies originating by dividing or branching off
          from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development
          <industr [2]spring n, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1 a: a
          source of supply; esp: a source of water issuing from
          the ground b: an ultimate source esp. of action or motion
          2: spring tide 3: a time or season of growth or development;
          specif: the season between winter and summer comprising
          in the northern hemisphere usu. the months of March,
          April, and May or as reckoned astronomically extending
          from the March equinox to the June solstice 4: an elastic
          body or device that recovers its original shape when
          released after being distorted 5 a: the act or an instance
          of leaping up or forward: bound b (1): capacity for springing:
          resilience (2): energy, bounce 6: the point or plane
          at which an arch or vault curve springs from its impost
          -- spring.like adj [3]spring vt sprung ; spring.ing (1884):
          to fit with springs

   springald
          [spring.ald] or spring.al n [prob. fr. ME, a kind of catapult,
          fr. MF espringale] (1501): a young man: stripling

   spring beauty
          [spring beauty] n (1821): any of a genus (Claytonia) of herbs
          of the purslane family; esp: one (C. virginica) that
          sends up in early spring a 2-leaved stem bearing delicate
          pink flowers

   springboard
          [spring.board] n (1799) 1: a flexible board usu. secured
          at one end and used for gymnastic stunts or diving 2:
          a point of departure: jumping-off place

   springbok
          [spring.bok] n, pl springbok or springboks [Afrik, fr. spring
          to jump + bok male goat] (1775): a swift and graceful
          southern African gazelle (Antidorcas marsupialis) noted
          for its habit of springing lightly and suddenly into
          the air

   spring bolt
          [spring bolt] n (1634): a bolt retracted by pressure and
          shot by a spring when the pressure is released

   spring chicken
          [spring chicken] n (1879): a young person <is no spring chicken>

   spring-cleaning
          [spring-clean.ing] n [[2]spring] (1857): the act or process
          of doing a thorough cleaning of a place

   springe
          [springe] n [ME sprenge, springe; akin to OE springan to
          spring] (13c) 1: a noose fastened to an elastic body
          to catch small game 2: snare, trap

   springer
          [spring.er] n (1611) 1: a stone or other solid laid at the
          impost of an arch--see arch illustration 2: one that
          springs 3: springer spaniel 4: a cow nearly ready to
          calve

   springer spaniel
          [springer spaniel] n (1885): a medium-sized sporting dog
          of either of two breeds that is often used for finding
          and flushing small game: a: english springer spaniel
          b: welsh springer spaniel

   spring fever
          [spring fever] n (1843): a lazy or restless feeling often
          associated with the onset of spring

   Springfield rifle
          [Spring.field rifle] n [Springfield, Mass.] (1888): a .30
          caliber bolt-action rifle used by U.S. troops esp. in
          World War I

   springform pan
          [spring.form pan] n (1927): a pan or mold with an upright
          detachable rim fastened to the bottom of the pan with
          a clamp or spring

   springhead
          [spring.head] n (1561): fountainhead

   springhouse
          [spring.house] n (1755): a small building situated over a
          spring and used for cool storage (as of dairy products
          or meat)

   springing
          [spring.ing] n (1590) 1: spring 5 2: a point where an arch
          rises from its support

   spring-load
          [spring-load] vt (1944): to load or secure by means of spring
          tension or compression

   spring peeper
          [spring peeper] n (1906): a small brown tree frog (Hyla crucifer)
          of the eastern U.S. and Canada that has a shrill piping
          call and breeds in ponds and streams in the spring

   spring roll
          [spring roll] n (1943): egg roll; also: any of various similar
          appetizers in oriental cuisine

   springtail
          [spring.tail] n (ca. 1797): any of an order (Collembola)
          of small primitive wingless insects usu. with a forked
          structure on the fourth or fifth abdominal segment that
          is used for jumping--called also collembolan

   springtide
          [spring.tide] n (1530): springtime

   spring tide
          [spring tide] n (1548): a tide of greater-than-average range
          around the times of new and full moon

   springtime
          [spring.time] n (15c) 1: the season of spring 2: youth 1a
          3: an early or flourishing stage of development

   spring wagon
          [spring wagon] n (1794): a light farm wagon equipped with
          springs

   springwater
          [spring.wa.ter] n (15c): water from a spring

   springwood
          [spring.wood] n (1884): the softer more porous portion of
          an annual ring of wood that develops early in the growing
          season--compare summerwood

   springy
          [springy] adj spring.i.er ; -est (1641) 1: having an elastic
          quality: resilient 2: having or showing a lively and
          energetic movement <walks with a ~ step> syn see elastic
          -- spring.i.ly adv -- spring.i.ness n

   [1]sprinkle
          [sprin.kle] vb sprin.kled ; sprin.kling [ME sprenklen, sprinclen;
          akin to MHG spreckel, sprenkel spot] vt (14c) 1: to scatter
          in drops or particles 2 a: to scatter over b: to scatter
          at intervals in or among: dot <sprinkled the speech with
          quips> c: to wet lightly ~ vi 1: to scatter a liquid
          in fine drops 2: to rain lightly in scattered drops --
          sprin.kler n [2]sprinkle n (1641) 1: the act or an instance
          of sprinkling; esp: a light rain 2: sprinkling 3 pl:
          small particles of candy used as a topping (as on ice
          cream): jimmies

   sprinklered
          [sprin.klered] adj (1927): having a sprinkler system

   sprinkler system
          [sprinkler system] n (ca. 1909): a system for protecting
          a building against fire by means of overhead pipes which
          convey an extinguishing fluid (as water) to heat-activated
          outlets

   sprinkling
          [sprin.kling] n (1594) 1: a limited quantity or amount: modicum
          2: a small quantity falling in scattered drops or particles
          3: a small number distributed at random: scattering

   [1]sprint
          [sprint] vi [of Scand origin; akin to Sw dial. sprinta to
          jump, hop; akin to OHG sprinzan to jump up] (ca. 1864):
          to run or go at top speed esp. for a short distance --
          sprint.er n [2]sprint n (ca. 1865) 1: the act or an instance
          of sprinting 2 a: dash 6b b: a burst of speed

   sprint car
          [sprint car] n (ca. 1965): a rugged racing automobile that
          is midway in size between midget racers and ordinary
          racers, has about the same horsepower as the larger racers,
          and is usu. raced on a dirt track

   sprit
          [sprit] n [ME spret, sprit, fr. OE spreot pole, spear; akin
          to OE -sprutan to sprout] (14c): a spar that crosses
          a fore-and-aft sail diagonally

   sprite
          [sprite] n [ME sprit, fr. MF esprit, fr. L spiritus spirit--more
          at spirit] (14c) 1 a archaic: soul b: a disembodied spirit:
          ghost 2 a: elf, fairy b: an elfish person

   spritsail
          [sprit.sail] n (15c) 1: a sail extended by a sprit 2: a sail
          formerly set on a yard beneath the bowsprit

   spritz
          [spritz] vb [G spritzen to squirt, spray] vt (1902): spray
          ~ vi: to disperse or apply a spray -- spritz n

   spritzer
          [spritz.er] n [G, fr. spritzen] (1945): a beverage of usu.
          white wine and soda water

   sprocket
          [sprock.et] n [origin unknown] (1750) 1: a toothed wheel
          whose teeth engage the links of a chain 2: a cylinder
          with teeth around the circumference at either end that
          project through perforations in something (as motion-picture
          film) to move it through a mechanism (as a projector)

   [1]sprout
          [sprout] vb [ME spruten, fr. OE -sprutan; akin to OHG spriozan
          to sprout, Lith sprausti to squeeze, thrust] vi (13c)
          1: to grow, spring up, or come forth as or as if a sprout
          2: to send out new growth ~ vt: to send forth or up:
          cause to develop: grow [2]sprout n (13c) 1 a: shoot 1a;
          esp: a young shoot (as from a seed or root) b pl (1)
          chiefly Brit: brussels sprout 2 (2): edible sprouts esp.
          from recently germinated seeds (as of alfalfa or mung
          beans) 2: something resembling a sprout: as a: a young
          person b: scion

   sprouting broccoli
          [sprouting broccoli] n (1852): broccoli 2a(2)

   [1]spruce
          [spruce] vb spruced ; spruc.ing vt (1594): to make spruce--often
          used with up ~ vi: to make oneself spruce <~ up a bit>
          [2]spruce adj spruc.er ; spruc.est [perh. fr. obs. E
          Spruce leather leather imported from Prussia] (1599):
          neat or smart in appearance: trim -- spruce.ly adv --
          spruce.ness n [3]spruce n [obs. Spruce Prussia, fr. ME,
          alter. of Pruce, fr. OF] (1670) 1 a: any of a genus (Picea)
          of evergreen trees of the pine family with a conical
          head of dense foliage and soft light wood b: any of several
          coniferous trees (as Douglas fir) of similar habit 2:
          the wood of a spruce

   spruce beer
          [spruce beer] n (1500): a beverage flavored with spruce;
          esp: one made from spruce twigs and leaves boiled with
          molasses or sugar and fermented with yeast

   spruce budworm
          [spruce budworm] n (1884): a tortricid moth (Choristoneura
          fumiferana) whose larva feeds on evergreen trees (as
          spruce and balsam fir) in the northern U.S. and Canada

   spruce pine
          [spruce pine] n (1684): an American tree (as some pines and
          spruces or the common eastern hemlock) of the pine family
          with light, soft, or weak wood

   sprucy
          [sprucy] adj spruc.i.er ; -est (1774): spruce

   [1]sprue
          [sprue] n [origin unknown] (1880) 1: the hole through which
          metal or plastic is poured into the gate and thence into
          a mold 2: the waste piece cast in a sprue [2]sprue n
          [D spruw; akin to MLG spruwe, a kind of tumor] (1888)
          1: celiac disease 2: a disease of tropical regions that
          is of unknown cause and is characterized by fatty diarrhea
          and malabsorption of nutrients--called also tropical
          sprue

   sprung
          [sprung] past and past part of spring

   sprung rhythm
          [sprung rhythm] n (1877): a poetic rhythm designed to approximate
          the natural rhythm of speech and characterized by the
          frequent juxtaposition of single accented syllables and
          the occurrence of mixed types of feet

   spry
          [spry] adj spri.er or spry.er ; spri.est or spry.est [perh.
          of Scand origin; akin to Sw dial. sprygg spry] (1746):
          nimble 1 <a ~ 75-year-old> -- spry.ly adv -- spry.ness
          n

   sps
          [sps] [L sine prole superstite] abbreviation without surviving
          issue

   [1]spud
          [spud] vb spud.ded ; spud.ding vt (1652) 1: to dig with a
          spud 2: to begin to drill (an oil well) ~ vi: to use
          a spud [2]spud n [ME spudde dagger] (1667) 1: a tool
          or device (as for digging, lifting, or cutting) having
          the characteristics of a spade and a chisel 2: potato

   [1]spume
          [spume] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L spuma--more at foam] (14c):
          frothy matter on liquids: foam, scum -- spu.mous adj
          -- spumy adj [2]spume vi spumed ; spum.ing (14c): froth,
          foam

   spumoni
          [spu.mo.ni] or spu.mo.ne n [It spumone, aug. of spuma foam,
          fr. L] (1924): ice cream in layers of different colors,
          flavors, and textures often with candied fruits and nuts

   spun
          [spun] past and past part of spin

   spunbonded
          [spun.bond.ed] adj (1961): of or relating to a nonwoven polymeric
          material that resembles cloth or fabric

   spun glass
          [spun glass] n (1779) 1: blown glass that has slender threads
          of glass incorporated in it 2: fiberglass

   [1]spunk
          [spunk] n [ScGael spong sponge, tinder, fr. L spongia sponge]
          (1582) 1 a: a woody tinder: punk b: any of various fungi
          used to make tinder 2: mettle, pluck 3: spirit, liveliness
          [2]spunk vi (1840) dial: to show spirit--usu. used with
          up

   spunkie
          [spunk.ie] n (1727) Scot: ignis fatuus 1

   spunky
          [spunky] adj spunk.i.er ; -est (1786): full of spunk: spirited
          -- spunk.i.ly adv -- spunk.i.ness n

   spun sugar
          [spun sugar] n (1846): sugar boiled to long threads and gathered
          up and shaped or heaped on a stick as a candy

   spun yarn
          [spun yarn] n (14c) 1: a textile yarn spun from staple-length
          fiber 2: a small rope or stuff formed of two or more
          rope yarns loosely twisted and used for seizings esp.
          on board ship

   [1]spur
          [spur] n [ME spure, fr. OE spura; akin to OE spurnan to kick--more
          at spurn] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a pointed device secured to a rider's
          heel and used to urge on the horse b pl [fr. the acquisition
          of spurs by a person achieving knighthood]: recognition and reward
          for achievement <won his academic ~s as the holder of a chair
          in a university --James Mountford> 2: a goad to action: stimulus
          3: something projecting like or suggesting a spur:
          as a: a projecting root or branch of a tree, shrub, or vine b (1):
          a stiff sharp spine (as on the wings or legs of a bird or insect);
          esp: one on a cock's leg (2): a gaff for a gamecock c: a hollow
          projecting appendage of a corolla or calyx (as in larkspur
          or columbine) d: a bony outgrowth (as on the heel of the foot)
          e: climbing iron 4 a: an angular projection, offshoot, or branch
          extending out beyond or away from a main body or formation; esp:
          a ridge or lesser elevation that extends laterally from a mountain
          or mountain range b: a railroad track that branches off from a main
          line 5: a reinforcing buttress of masonry in a fortification syn
          see motive -- on the spur of the moment : on impulse: suddenly
          [2]spur vb spurred ; spur.ring vt (13c) 1: to urge (a horse)
          on with spurs 2: to incite to action or accelerated growth
          or development: stimulate 3: to put spurs on ~ vi: to spur one's
          horse on

   spurge
          [spurge] n [ME, fr. MF, purge, spurge, fr. espurgier to purge,
          fr. L expurgare--more at expurgate] (14c): any of a genus
          (Euphorbia of the family Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family)
          of chiefly herbs and shrubs with a bitter milky juice

   spur gear
          [spur gear] n (1823): a gear wheel with radial teeth parallel
          to its axis--called also spur wheel

   spurge laurel
          [spurge laurel] n (1597): a low Eurasian shrub (Daphne laureola)
          with oblong evergreen leaves and axillary racemes of
          yellowish flowers

   spurious
          [spu.ri.ous] adj [LL & L; LL spurius false, fr. L, of illegitimate
          birth, fr. spurius, n., bastard] (1598) 1: of illegitimate birth:
          bastard 2: outwardly similar or corresponding to something without
          having its genuine qualities: false 3 a: of falsified
          or erroneously attributed origin: forged b: of a deceitful nature
          or quality -- spu.ri.ous.ly adv -- spu.ri.ous.ness n

   [1]spurn
          [spurn] vb [ME, fr. OE spurnan; akin to OHG spurnan to kick,
          L spernere to spurn, Gk spairein to quiver] vi (bef.
          12c) 1 obs a: stumble b: kick 2 archaic: to reject something
          disdainfully ~ vt 1: to tread sharply or heavily upon:
          trample 2: to reject with disdain or contempt: scorn
          syn see decline -- spurn.er n [2]spurn n (14c) 1 a: kick
          b obs: stumble 2 a: disdainful rejection b: contemptuous
          treatment

   spur-of-the-moment
          [spur-of-the-moment] adj (1948): occurring or developing
          without premeditation: hastily extemporized <a ~ decision>

   spurred
          [spurred] adj (15c) 1: wearing spurs 2: having one or more
          spurs <a ~ violet>

   spurrey
          [spur.rey] or spur.ry n, pl spurreys or spurries [D spurrie,
          fr. ML spergula] (1577): a small white-flowered European
          weed (Spergula arvensis) of the pink family with whorled
          filiform leaves; also: any of several related and similar
          herbs

   [1]spurt
          [spurt] vb [perh. akin to MHG spurzen to spit, OE -sprutan
          to sprout--more at sprout] vi (1570): to gush forth:
          spout ~ vt: to expel in a stream or jet: squirt [2]spurt
          n (ca. 1775): a sudden gush: jet [3]spurt n [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1591) 1: a short period of time: moment 2 a: a sudden
          brief burst of effort or activity b: a sharp or sudden
          increase in business activity [4]spurt vi (1664): to
          make a spurt

   spurtle
          [spur.tle] n [origin unknown] (1756) chiefly Scot: a wooden
          stick for stirring porridge

   sputnik
          [sput.nik] n [Russ, lit., traveling companion, fr. s, so
          with + put' path] (1957): satellite 2b

   [1]sputter
          [sput.ter] vb [akin to D sputteren to sputter] vt (1598)
          1: to spit or squirt from the mouth with explosive sounds
          2: to utter hastily or explosively in confusion or excitement
          3: to dislodge (atoms) from the surface of a material
          by collision with high energy particles; also: to deposit
          (a metallic film) by such a process ~ vi 1: to spit or
          squirt particles of food or saliva noisily from the mouth
          2: to speak explosively or confusedly in anger or excitement
          3: to make explosive popping sounds -- sput.ter.er n
          [2]sputter n (1673) 1: confused and excited speech or
          discussion 2: the act or sound of sputtering

   sputum
          [spu.tum] n, pl spu.ta [L, fr. neut. of sputus, pp. of spuere
          to spit--more at spew] (ca. 1693): expectorated matter
          made up of saliva and often discharges from the respiratory
          passages

   [1]spy
          [spy] vb spied ; spy.ing [ME spien, fr. OF espier, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG spehon to spy; akin to L specere
          to look, look at, Gk skeptesthai & skopein to watch,
          look at, consider] vt (13c) 1: to watch secretly usu.
          for hostile purposes 2: to catch sight of: see 3: to
          search or look for intensively ~ vi 1: to observe or
          search for something: look 2: to watch secretly as a
          spy [2]spy n, pl spies (13c) 1: one that spies: a: one
          who keeps secret watch on a person or thing to obtain
          information b: a person employed by one nation to secretly
          convey classified information of strategic importance
          to another nation; also: a person who conveys the trade
          secrets of one company to another 2: an act of spying

   spyglass
          [spy.glass] n (1706): a small telescope

   spymaster
          [spy.mas.ter] n (1938): the head of a ring of spies: a director
          of intelligence

   sq...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   sq
          [sq] abbreviation squadron, square

   squab
          [squab] n, pl squabs [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Sw dial.
          skvabb anything soft and thick] (1664) 1 a: couch b:
          a cushion for a chair or couch 2 or pl squab : a fledgling
          bird; specif: a fledgling pigeon about four weeks old
          3: a short fat person -- squab adj

   [1]squabble
          [squab.ble] n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Sw dial. skvabbel
          dispute] (1602): a noisy altercation or quarrel usu.
          over trifles [2]squabble vi squab.bled ; squab.bling
          (1604): to quarrel noisily and usu. over trifles -- squab.bler
          n

   [1]squad
          [squad] n [MF esquade, fr. OSp & OIt; OSp escuadra & OIt
          squadra, ultim. fr. (assumed) VL exquadrare to make square--more
          at square] (1649) 1: a small organized group of military
          personnel; esp: a tactical unit that can be easily directed
          in the field 2: a small group engaged in a common effort
          or occupation [2]squad vt squad.ded ; squad.ding (ca.
          1802): to arrange in squads

   squad car
          [squad car] n (1938): a police automobile connected by a
          two-way radio with headquarters--called also cruiser,
          prowl car

   squadron
          [squad.ron] n [It squadrone, aug. of squadra squad, fr. OIt]
          (1562): a unit of military organization: a: a cavalry
          unit higher than a troop and lower than a regiment b:
          a naval unit consisting of two or more divisions and
          sometimes additional vessels c (1): a unit of the U.S.
          Air Force higher than a flight and lower than a group
          (2): a military flight formation

   squadron leader
          [squadron leader] n (1919): a commissioned officer in the
          British air force who ranks with a major in the army

   squad room
          [squad room] n (1943) 1: a room in a barracks used to billet
          soldiers 2: a room in a police station where members
          of the force assemble

   squalene
          [squa.lene] n [ISV, fr. L squalus, a sea fish--more at whale]
          (1916): an acyclic hydrocarbon that is widely distributed
          in nature (as a major component of sebum and in shark-liver
          oils) and is a precursor of sterols (as cholesterol)

   squalid
          [squal.id] adj [L squalidus rough, dirty, fr. squalere to
          be covered with scales or dirt, fr. squalus dirty; perh.
          akin to squama scale] (1596) 1: marked by filthiness
          and degradation from neglect or poverty 2: sordid syn
          see dirty -- squal.id.ly adv -- squal.id.ness n

   [1]squall
          [squall] vb [prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON skval useless
          chatter] vi (ca. 1631): to cry out raucously: scream
          ~ vt: to utter in a strident voice -- squall.er n [2]squall
          n (1709): a raucous cry [3]squall n [prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to Sw skval rushing water] (1699) 1: a sudden violent
          wind often with rain or snow 2: a short-lived commotion
          [4]squall vi (ca. 1890): to blow a squall

   squally
          [squally] adj squall.i.er ; -est (1719) 1: marked by squalls
          2: gusty

   squalor
          [squa.lor] n [L, fr. squalere] (1621): the quality or state
          of being squalid

   squama
          [squa.ma] n, pl squa.mae [L] (ca. 1706): scale; also: a structure
          resembling a scale

   squamate
          [squa.mate] adj (1826): scaly <~ reptiles>

   squamation
          [squa.ma.tion] n (1881) 1: the state of being scaly 2: the
          arrangement of scales on an animal

   [1]squamosal
          [squa.mo.sal] n (1848): a squamosal bone [2]squamosal adj
          (ca. 1852) 1: squamous 2: of, relating to, or being a
          bone of the skull of many vertebrates corresponding to
          the squamous portion of the temporal bone of most mammals
          including humans

   squamous
          [squa.mous] adj [ME, fr. L squamosus, fr. squama scale] (15c)
          1 a: covered with or consisting of scales: scaly b: of,
          relating to, or being a stratified epithelium that consists
          at least in its outer layers of small scalelike cells
          2: of, relating to, or being the anterior upper portion
          of the temporal bone of most mammals including humans

   squamous cell
          [squamous cell] n (ca. 1947): a cell of or derived from squamous
          epithelium

   squamulose
          [squa.mu.lose] adj [L squamula, dim. of squama] (1846): being
          or having a thallus made up of small leafy lobes <a ~
          lichen>

   [1]squander
          [squan.der] vb squan.dered ; squan.der.ing [origin unknown]
          vt (1536) 1: to spend extravagantly or foolishly: dissipate
          2: to cause to disperse: scatter 3: to lose (as an advantage
          or opportunity) through negligence or inaction ~ vi:
          disperse, scatter -- squan.der.er n [2]squander n (1709):
          an act of squandering

   [1]square
          [square] n [ME, fr. MF esquarre, fr. (assumed) VL exquadra,
          fr. exquadrare to square, fr. L ex- + quadrare to square--more
          at quadrate] (13c) 1: an instrument having at least one
          right angle and two straight edges used esp. to lay out
          or test right angles 2: a rectangle with all four sides
          equal 3: any of the quadrilateral spaces marked out on
          a board for playing games 4: the product of a number
          multiplied by itself 5 a: an open place or area formed
          at the meeting of two or more streets b: block 6a 6:
          a solid object or piece approximating a cube or having
          a square as its largest face 7: an unopened cotton flower
          with its enclosing bracts 8: a person who is conventional
          or conservative in taste or way of life -- on the square
          1: at right angles 2: in a fair open manner: honestly
          -- out of square : not at an exact right angle [2]square
          adj squar.er ; squar.est (14c) 1 a: having four equal
          sides and four right angles b: forming a right angle
          <~ corner> c: having a square base <a ~ pyramid> 2: raised
          to the second power 3 a: being approximately a cube <~
          cabinet> b: having a shape that is broad for the height
          and rectangular rather than curving in outline <~ shoulders>
          <a ~, thick, hard-working man --Maria Edgeworth> c: rectangular
          and equilateral in section <~ tower> 4 a: being or converted
          to a unit of area equal in measure to a square each side
          of which measures one unit of a specified unit of length
          <a ~ foot> b: being of a specified length in each of
          two equal dimensions <10 feet ~> 5 a: exactly adjusted:
          precisely constructed or aligned b: just, fair <a ~ deal>
          <~ in all his dealings> c: leaving no balance: settled
          d: even, tied e: substantial, satisfying <~ meal> f:
          being unsophisticated, conservative, or conventional
          6: set at right angles with the mast and keel--used of
          the yards of a square-rigged ship -- square.ness n [3]square
          vb squared ; squar.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to make square or
          rectangular <~ a building stone> b: to test for deviation
          from a right angle, straight line, or plane surface 2:
          to bring approximately to a right angle <squared his
          shoulders> 3 a: to multiply (a number) by itself: raise
          to the second power b: to find a square equal in area
          to <~ a circle> 4: to regulate or adjust by or to some
          standard or principle <~ our actions by the opinions
          of others --John Milton> 5 a: balance, settle <~ an account>
          b: to even the score of 6: to mark off into squares 7
          a: to set right: bring into agreement b: bribe, fix ~
          vi 1: to agree precisely: correspond <your actions should
          ~ with your words> 2: to settle matters; esp: to pay
          the bill -- squar.er n [4]square adv (ca. 1582) 1: in
          a straightforward or honest manner 2 a: so as to face
          or be face to face b: at right angles 3: with nothing
          intervening: directly <ran ~ into it> 4: in a firm manner
          <looked her ~ in the eye> 5: in a square shape

   square away
          [square away] vi (1849) 1: to square the yards so as to sail
          before the wind 2: to put everything in order or in readiness
          3: to take up a fighting stance ~ vt: to put in order
          or in readiness

   square bracket
          [square bracket] n (ca. 1888): bracket 3a

   square dance
          [square dance] n (1870): a dance for four couples who form
          the sides of a square -- square-dance vi -- square dancer
          n -- square dancing n

   square knot
          [square knot] n (ca. 1867): a knot made of two reverse half-knots
          and typically used to join the ends of two cords--see
          knot illustration

   squarely
          [square.ly] adv (1564) 1: in a straightforward or honest
          manner <we must ~ face the issue> 2 a: exactly, precisely
          <~ in the middle> b: so as to make solid contact <hit
          the ball ~> <feet ~ planted> 3: in a square form or manner:
          so as to be square <a ~ cut dress> 4: in a plain or unequivocal
          manner <the responsibility lies ~ with us> <align ourselves
          ~ with our allies>

   square matrix
          [square matrix] n (1858): a mathematical matrix with the
          same number of rows and columns

   square measure
          [square measure] n (1728): a unit or system of units for
          measuring area

   square off
          [square off] vi (1837): to take a fighting stance: prepare
          to fight; also: fight

   square of opposition
          [square of opposition] (1864): a square figure on which may
          be demonstrated the logical relationships of contraries,
          contradictories, subcontraries, and subalterns and superalterns

   square one
          [square one] n [fr. the use of numbered squares in some board
          games] (1960): the initial stage or starting point <the
          failure set us back to square one>

   square rig
          [square rig] n (ca. 1875): a sailing-ship rig in which the
          principal sails are extended on yards fastened to the
          masts horizontally and at their center

   square-rigged
          [square-rigged] adj (1769): having or equipped with a square
          rig

   square-rigger
          [square-rig.ger] n (1855): a square-rigged craft

   square root
          [square root] n (1557): a factor of a number that when squared
          gives the number

   square sail
          [square sail] n (1600): a 4-sided sail extended on a yard
          suspended at the middle from a mast

   square shooter
          [square shooter] n (ca. 1914): a just or honest person

   square-shouldered
          [square-shoul.dered] adj (1825): having shoulders of a rectangular
          outline that are straight across the back

   square-toed
          [square-toed] adj (1785) 1: having a toe that is square 2:
          old-fashioned, conservative

   square wave
          [square wave] n (1932): the rectangular waveform of a quantity
          that varies periodically and abruptly from one to the
          other of two uniform values

   squarish
          [squar.ish] adj (1742): somewhat square in form or appearance
          -- squar.ish.ly adv -- squar.ish.ness n

   [1]squash
          [squash] vb [MF esquasser, fr. (assumed) VL exquassare, fr.
          L ex- + quassare to shake--more at quash] vt (1565) 1:
          to press or beat into a pulp or a flat mass: crush 2:
          put down, suppress <~ a revolt> ~ vi 1: to flatten out
          under pressure or impact 2: to proceed with a splashing
          or squelching sound 3: squeeze, press -- squash.er n
          [2]squash n (1590) 1 obs: something soft and easily crushed;
          specif: an unripe pod of peas 2: the sudden fall of a
          heavy soft body or the sound of such a fall 3: a squelching
          sound made by walking on oozy ground or in water-soaked
          boots 4: a crushed mass 5 Brit: sweetened citrus fruit
          juice often served with added soda water 6: a singles
          or doubles game played in a 4-wall court with a long-handled
          racket and a rubber ball that can be hit off any number
          of walls [3]squash adv (1766): with a squash or a squashing
          sound [4]squash n, pl squash.es or squash [by shortening
          & alter. fr. earlier isquoutersquash, fr. Narraganset
          askutasquash] (1634): any of various fruits of plants
          (genus Cucurbita) of the gourd family widely cultivated
          as vegetables; also: a plant and esp. a vine that bears
          squashes--compare summer squash, winter squash

   squash bug
          [squash bug] n (ca. 1846): a large black American bug (Anasa
          tristis of the family Coreidae) injurious to plants of
          the gourd family

   squash racquets
          [squash racquets] n pl but sing in constr (1886): squash
          6

   squash tennis
          [squash tennis] n (1901): a singles racket game resembling
          squash played with an inflated ball the size of a tennis
          ball

   squashy
          [squashy] adj squash.i.er ; -est (1698) 1: easily squashed:
          very soft <~ cushions> 2: softly wet: boggy 3: soft because
          overripe <~ melons> -- squash.i.ly adv -- squash.i.ness
          n

   [1]squat
          [squat] vb squat.ted ; squat.ting [ME squatten, fr. MF esquatir,
          fr. es- ex- (fr. L ex-) + quatir to press, fr. (assumed)
          VL coactire to press together, fr. L coactus, pp. of
          cogere to drive together--more at cogent] vt (15c) 1:
          to cause (oneself) to crouch or sit on the ground 2:
          to occupy as a squatter ~ vi 1: to crouch close to the
          ground as if to escape observation <a hare squatting
          in the grass> 2: to assume or maintain a position in
          which the body is supported on the feet and the knees
          are bent so that the buttocks rest on or near the heels
          3: to be or become a squatter [2]squat adj squat.ter
          ; squat.test (15c) 1: sitting with the haunches close
          above the heels 2 a: low to the ground b: marked
          by disproportionate shortness or thickness -- squat.ly adv
          -- squat.ness n [3]squat n (1580) 1 a: the act of squatting b: the
          posture of one that squats 2 a: a place where one squats b: the
          lair of a small animal <~ of a hare> 3: a lift in weight lifting
          in which the lifter performs a knee bend while holding a barbell
          on the shoulders; also: a competitive event involving this lift
          4 chiefly Brit: an empty house or building that is occupied
          by squatters 5 slang: diddly-squat

   [1]squatter
          [squat.ter] vi [imit.] (1785): to go along through or as
          if through water [2]squatter n (1788): one that squats:
          as a: one that settles on property without right or title
          or payment of rent b: one that settles on public land
          under government regulation with the purpose of acquiring
          title

   squatter sovereignty
          [squatter sovereignty] n (1854): popular sovereignty 2

   squatty
          [squat.ty] adj squat.ti.er ; -est (1881) 1: low to the ground
          2: dumpy, thickset

   squaw
          [squaw] n [Massachuset squa, ussqua woman] (1634) 1: an American
          Indian woman 2: woman, wife--usu. used disparagingly

   squawfish
          [squaw.fish] n (1881): any of several large cyprinid fishes
          (genus Ptychocheilus) of western No. America

   [1]squawk
          [squawk] vi [prob. blend of squall and squeak] (1821) 1:
          to utter a harsh abrupt scream 2: to complain or protest
          loudly or vehemently -- squawk.er n [2]squawk n (1850)
          1: a harsh abrupt scream 2: a noisy complaint

   squawk box
          [squawk box] n (1945): an intercom speaker

   squaw man
          [squaw man] n (1866): a white man married to an Indian woman
          and usu. living as one of her tribe

   squawroot
          [squaw.root] n (ca. 1848): a No. American scaly herb (Conopholis
          americana) of the broomrape family parasitic on oak and
          hemlock roots

   [1]squeak
          [squeak] vb [ME squeken] vi (14c) 1: to utter or make a short
          shrill cry or noise 2: squeal 2a 3: to pass, succeed,
          or win by a narrow margin <just ~ed by in the election>
          ~ vt: to utter in a shrill piping tone [2]squeak n (1700)
          1: a sharp shrill cry or sound 2: escape <a close ~>
          -- squeaky adj

   squeaker
          [squeak.er] n (1671) 1: one that squeaks 2: a contest (as
          a game or an election) won by a small margin

   squeaky-clean
          [squeaky-clean] adj (1968) 1: completely clean <~ hair> 2:
          completely free from moral taint of any kind <a ~ reputation>

   [1]squeal
          [squeal] vb [ME squelen] vi (14c) 1: to make a shrill cry
          or noise 2 a: to turn informer b: complain, protest ~
          vt 1: to utter or express with or as if with a squeal
          2: to cause to make a loud shrill noise <~ing the tires>
          -- squeal.er n [2]squeal n (1747): a shrill sharp cry
          or noise

   squeamish
          [squea.mish] adj [ME squaymisch, modif. of AF escoymous]
          (15c) 1 a: easily nauseated: queasy b: affected with
          nausea 2 a: excessively fastidious or scrupulous in conduct
          or belief b: easily offended or disgusted -- squea.mish.ly
          adv -- squea.mish.ness n

   [1]squeegee
          [squee.gee] n [origin unknown] (1844): a blade of leather
          or rubber set on a handle and used for spreading, pushing,
          or wiping liquid material on, across, or off a surface
          (as a window); also: a smaller similar device or a small
          rubber roller with handle used by a photographer or lithographer
          [2]squeegee vt squee.geed ; squee.gee.ing (1883): to
          smooth, wipe, or treat with a squeegee

   [1]squeeze
          [squeeze] vb squeezed ; squeez.ing [alter. of obs. E quease,
          fr. ME queysen, fr. OE cwysan; akin to Icel kveisa stomach
          cramps] vt (ca. 1601) 1 a: to exert pressure esp. on
          opposite sides of: compress b: to extract or emit under
          pressure c: to force or thrust by compression 2 a (1):
          to get by extortion (2): to deprive by extortion b: to
          cause economic hardship to c: to reduce the amount of
          <~s profits> 3: to crowd into a limited area 4: to gain
          or win by a narrow margin 5: to force (another player)
          to discard in bridge so as to unguard a suit 6: to score
          by means of a squeeze play ~ vi 1: to give way before
          pressure 2: to exert pressure; also: to practice extortion
          or oppression 3: to force one's way <~ through a door>
          4: to pass, win, or get by narrowly -- squeez.abil.i.ty
          n -- squeez.able adj -- squeez.er n [2]squeeze n (1611)
          1 a: an act or instance of squeezing: compression b:
          handclasp; also: embrace 2 a: a quantity squeezed out
          from something <a ~ of lemon> b: a group crowded together:
          crowd 3: a profit taken by a middleman on goods or transactions
          4: a financial pressure caused by narrowing margins or
          by shortages 5: a forced discard in bridge 6: squeeze
          play 7 slang: main squeeze

   squeeze bottle
          [squeeze bottle] n (1950): a bottle of flexible plastic that
          dispenses its contents when it is squeezed

   squeeze off
          [squeeze off] vt (ca. 1949): to fire (a round) by squeezing
          the trigger ~ vi: to fire a weapon by squeezing the trigger

   squeeze play
          [squeeze play] n (1905) 1: a baseball play in which a runner
          on third base starts for home plate as the ball is being
          pitched and the batter attempts to bunt to give the runner
          a chance to score 2: the exertion of pressure in order
          to extort a concession or gain a goal

   [1]squelch
          [squelch] vb [origin unknown] vt (1624) 1 a: to fall or stamp
          on so as to crush b (1): to completely suppress: quell
          (2): silence 2: to emit or move with a sucking sound
          ~ vi 1: to emit a sucking sound 2: to splash through
          water, slush, or mire -- squelch.er n [2]squelch n (1895)
          1: a sound of or as if of semiliquid matter under suction
          <the ~ of mud> 2: the act of suppressing; esp: a retort
          that silences an opponent -- squelchy adj

   squeteague
          [sque.teague] n, pl squeteague [of Algonquian origin; akin
          to Mohegan cheegut weakfish] (1803): any of several weakfishes
          (esp. Cynoscion regalis)

   [1]squib
          [squib] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1525) 1 a: a short humorous
          or satiric writing or speech b: a short news item; esp:
          filler 2 a: a small firecracker b: a broken firecracker
          in which the powder burns with a fizz 3: a small electric
          or pyrotechnic device used to ignite a charge [2]squib
          vb squibbed ; squib.bing vi (ca. 1580) 1: to speak, write,
          or publish squibs 2: to fire a squib ~ vt 1 a: to utter
          in an offhand manner b: to make squibs against: lampoon
          2: to shoot off: fire 3: to kick (a football) just far
          enough on a kickoff to be legally recoverable by the
          kicking team

   squib kick
          [squib kick] n (ca. 1956): onside kick

   [1]squid
          [squid] n, pl squid or squids [origin unknown] (1613): any
          of an order (Teuthoidea) of cephalopods having eight
          short arms and two usu. longer tentacles, a long tapered
          body, a caudal fin on each side, and usu. a slender internal
          chitinous support [2]squid vi squid.ded ; squid.ding
          (ca. 1859): to fish with or for squid SQUID n [superconducting
          quantum interference device] (1967): an instrument for
          detecting and measuring very weak magnetic fields

   squiffed
          [squiffed] or squif.fy adj [origin unknown] (ca. 1855):
          intoxicated, drunk

   [1]squiggle
          [squig.gle] vb squig.gled ; squig.gling [blend of squirm
          and wriggle] vi (ca. 1816) 1: squirm, wriggle 2: to write
          or paint hastily: scribble ~ vt 1: scribble 2: to form
          or cause to form in squiggles [2]squiggle n (1900): a
          short wavy twist or line: curlicue; esp: an illegible
          scrawl -- squig.gly adj

   squilgee
          [squil.gee] var of squeegee

   squill
          [squill] n [ME, fr. L squilla, scilla, fr. Gk skilla] (14c)
          1 a: a Mediterranean bulbous herb (Urginea maritima)
          of the lily family--called also sea onion--compare red
          squill 1 b (1): the dried sliced bulb scales of a squill
          used as an expectorant, cardiac stimulant, and diuretic
          (2): red squill 2 2: scilla

   squilla
          [squil.la] n, pl squillas or squil.lae [NL, fr. L, shrimp,
          crayfish] (1658): any of various stomatopod crustaceans
          (esp. genus Squilla) that burrow in mud or beneath stones
          in shallow water along the seashore

   [1]squinch
          [squinch] vb [prob. blend of squint and pinch] vt (1835)
          1: to screw up (the eyes or face): squint 2 a: to make
          more compact b: to cause to crouch down or draw together
          ~ vi 1: flinch 2: to crouch down or draw together 3:
          squint [2]squinch n [alter. of earlier scunch back part
          of the side of an opening] (ca. 1840): a support (as
          an arch, lintel, or corbeling) carried across the corner
          of a room under a superimposed mass

   [1]squinny
          [squin.ny] vb squin.nied ; squin.ny.ing [prob. fr. obs. E
          squin asquint, fr. ME skuin] (1605): squint [2]squinny
          n (ca. 1881): squint -- squinny adj

   [1]squint
          [squint] adj [ME asquint] (1579) 1 of an eye: looking or
          tending to look obliquely or askance (as with envy or
          disdain) 2 of the eyes: not having the visual axes parallel:
          crossed [2]squint vi (1599) 1 a: to have an indirect
          bearing, reference, or aim b: to deviate from a true
          line 2 a: to look in a squint-eyed manner b: to be cross-eyed
          c: to look or peer with eyes partly closed ~ vt: to cause
          (an eye) to squint -- squint.er n -- squint.ing.ly adv
          [3]squint n (ca. 1652) 1: strabismus 2: an instance of
          squinting 3: hagioscope -- squinty adj

   squint-eyed
          [squint-eyed] adj (1589) 1: having eyes that squint; specif:
          affected with cross-eye 2: looking askance (as in envy)

   squinting modifier
          [squinting modifier] n (1924): a modifier (as often in "getting
          dressed often is a nuisance") so placed in a sentence
          that it can be interpreted as modifying either what precedes
          or what follows

   [1]squire
          [squire] n [ME squier, fr. OF esquier--more at esquire] (13c)
          1: a shield bearer or armor bearer of a knight 2 a: a
          male attendant esp. on a great personage b: a man who
          devotedly attends a lady: gallant 3 a: a member of the
          British gentry ranking below a knight and above a gentleman
          b: an owner of a country estate; esp: the principal landowner
          in a village or district c (1): justice of the peace
          (2): lawyer (3): judge -- squir.ish adj [2]squire vt
          squired ; squir.ing (14c): to attend as a squire: escort

   squirearchy
          [squire.ar.chy] also squir.ar.chy n, pl -chies (1796): the
          class of landed gentry or landed proprietors

   squirm
          [squirm] vi [origin unknown] (ca. 1691): to twist about like
          a worm: fidget -- squirm n -- squirmy adj

   [1]squirrel
          [squir.rel] n, pl squirrels also squirrel [ME squirel, fr.
          MF esquireul, fr. (assumed) VL scuriolus, dim. of scurius,
          alter. of L sciurus, fr. Gk skiouros, prob. fr. skia
          shadow + oura tail--more at shine, ass] (14c) 1: any
          of various small or medium-sized rodents (family Sciuridae,
          the squirrel family): as a: any of numerous New or Old
          World arboreal forms having a long bushy tail and strong
          hind legs b: ground squirrel 2: the fur of a squirrel
          [2]squirrel vt -reled or -relled ; -rel.ing or -rel.ling
          [fr. the squirrel's habit of storing up gathered nuts
          and seeds for winter use] (1925): to store up for future
          use--often used with away

   squirrel cage
          [squirrel cage] n (1821) 1: a cage for a small animal (as
          a squirrel) that contains a rotatable cylinder for exercising
          2: something resembling the working of a squirrel cage
          in repetitiveness or endlessness

   squirrel corn
          [squirrel corn] n (1843): a No. American herb (Dicentra canadensis)
          of the fumitory family with much-divided leaves and a scapose
          raceme of cream-colored flowers

   squirrelly
          [squir.rel.ly] adj (1928): nutty 3

   squirrel monkey
          [squirrel monkey] n (1773): a small soft-haired So. American
          monkey (Saimiri sciureus) that has a long tail not used
          for grasping and is colored chiefly yellowish gray with
          a white face and black muzzle

   squirrel rifle
          [squirrel rifle] n [fr. its being suitable only for small
          game] (1834): a small-caliber rifle--called also squirrel
          gun

   [1]squirt
          [squirt] vb [ME; akin to LG swirtjen to squirt] vi (15c):
          to come forth in a sudden rapid stream from a narrow
          opening: spurt ~ vt: to cause to squirt -- squirt.er
          n [2]squirt n (15c) 1 a: an instrument (as a syringe)
          for squirting a liquid b: a small quick stream: jet c:
          the action or an instance of squirting 2 a: an impudent
          youngster b: kid

   squirt gun
          [squirt gun] n (1803): water pistol

   squirting cucumber
          [squirting cucumber] n (1802): a Mediterranean plant (Ecballium
          elaterium) of the gourd family with oblong fruit that
          bursts from the peduncle when ripe and forcibly ejects
          the seeds

   squish
          [squish] vb [alter. of squash] vt (ca. 1647) 1: squash 2:
          squelch, suck ~ vi: squelch, suck <their wet tennis shoes
          ~ed --Frank Noel> -- squish n

   squishy
          [squishy] adj squish.i.er ; -est (ca. 1847): being soft,
          yielding, and damp -- squish.i.ness n

   squoosh
          [squoosh] vb [by alter.] (1942): squash

   squush
          [squush] vb [by alter.] (1837): squash

   sr...
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   Sr
          [Sr] abbreviation senior, senor, senor, sister, strontium
          SR abbreviation seaman recruit, sedimentation rate,
          shipping receipt

   Sra
          [Sra] abbreviation senora, senora

   Sranan
          [Sra.nan] n [Sranan, short for Sranan Tongo, lit., Suriname
          tongue] (1953): an English-based creole widely spoken
          in Suriname

   sri
          [sri] n [Skt sri, lit., beauty, majesty; akin to Gk kreion
          ruler, master] (1799)--used as a conventional title of
          respect when addressing or speaking of a distinguished
          Indian

   sRNA
          [sRNA] n [soluble RNA] (1957): transfer rna

   SRO
          [SRO] abbreviation standing room only

   SRO
          [SRO] n [single-room occupancy] (1941): a house, apartment
          building, or residential hotel in which low-income or
          welfare tenants live in single rooms

   Srta
          [Srta] abbreviation senorita, senorita

   ss...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   SS
          [SS] n [G, abbr. for Schutzstaffel, lit., protection echelon]
          (1932): a unit of Nazis created to serve as bodyguard
          to Hitler and later expanded to take charge of intelligence,
          central security, policing action, and the mass extermination
          of those they considered inferior or undesirable

   ss
          [ss] abbreviation scilicit--used in legal documents, [L semis]
          one half  SS abbreviation saints, same size, Social Security,
          steamship, sworn statement

   SSA
          [SSA] abbreviation Social Security Administration

   SSE
          [SSE] abbreviation south-southeast

   SSG
          [SSG] or SSgt abbreviation staff sergeant

   SSI
          [SSI] abbreviation supplemental security income

   SSM
          [SSM] abbreviation staff sergeant major

   SSN
          [SSN] abbreviation Social Security number

   ssp
          [ssp] abbreviation subspecies

   SSPE
          [SSPE] abbreviation subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

   SSR
          [SSR] abbreviation Soviet Socialist Republic

   SSS
          [SSS] abbreviation Selective Service System

   SST
          [SST] n [supersonic transport] (1961): supersonic transport

   SSW
          [SSW] abbreviation south-southwest

   st...
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   [1]-st
          [-st] --see -est [2]-st symbol--used after the figure 1 to
          indicate the ordinal number first <1st> <91st>

   st
          [st] abbreviation stanza, state, stitch, stone, street  St
          abbreviation saint, stratus  ST abbreviation short ton,
          single throw, standard time

   sta
          [sta] abbreviation station, stationary

   [1]stab
          [stab] n [ME stabbe] (15c) 1: a wound produced by a pointed
          weapon 2 a: a thrust of a pointed weapon b: a jerky thrust
          3: effort, try [2]stab vb stabbed ; stab.bing vt (1530)
          1: to wound or pierce by the thrust of a pointed weapon
          2: thrust, drive ~ vi: to thrust or give a wound with
          or as if with a pointed weapon -- stab.ber n

   Stabat Mater
          [Sta.bat Ma.ter] [L] foreign term : the mother was standing--title
          of a Latin hymn

   [1]stabile
          [sta.bile] adj [L stabilis--more at stable] (1896): stationary,
          stable [2]sta.bile n [prob. fr. F, fr. L stabilis, adj.]
          (1937): an abstract sculpture or construction similar
          in appearance to a mobile but made to be stationary

   stability
          [sta.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the quality, state, or
          degree of being stable: as a: the strength to stand or
          endure: firmness b: the property of a body that causes
          it when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or
          steady motion to develop forces or moments that restore
          the original condition c: resistance to chemical change
          or to physical disintegration 2: residence for life in
          one monastery

   stabilize
          [sta.bi.lize] vb -lized ; -liz.ing vt (1861) 1: to make stable,
          steadfast, or firm 2: to hold steady: as a: to maintain
          the stability of (as an airplane) by means of a stabilizer
          b: to limit fluctuations of (as prices) c: to establish
          a minimum price for ~ vi: to become stable, firm, or
          steadfast -- sta.bi.li.za.tion n

   stabilizer
          [sta.bi.liz.er] n (ca. 1909): one that stabilizes something:
          as a: a substance added to another substance (as an explosive
          or plastic) or to a system (as an emulsion) to prevent
          or retard an unwanted alteration of physical state b:
          a gyroscope device to keep ships steady in a heavy sea
          c: an airfoil providing stability for an airplane; specif:
          the fixed horizontal member of the tail assembly--see
          airplane illustration

   [1]stable
          [sta.ble] n [ME, fr. OF estable, fr. L stabulum, fr. stare
          to stand--more at stand] (13c) 1: a building in which
          domestic animals are sheltered and fed; esp: such a building
          having stalls or compartments <horse ~> 2 a: the racehorses
          of one owner b: a group of athletes (as boxers) or performers
          under one management c: the racing cars of one owner
          d: group, collection -- sta.ble.man n [2]stable vb sta.bled
          ; sta.bling vt (14c): to put or keep in a stable ~ vi:
          to dwell in or as if in a stable [3]stable adj sta.bler
          ; sta.blest [ME, fr. MF estable, fr. L stabilis, fr.
          stare to stand] (13c) 1 a: firmly established: fixed,
          steadfast b: not changing or fluctuating: unvarying c:
          permanent, enduring 2 a: steady in purpose: firm in resolution
          b: not subject to insecurity or emotional illness: sane,
          rational <a ~ personality> 3 a (1): placed so as to resist
          forces tending to cause motion or change of motion (2):
          designed so as to develop forces that restore the original
          condition when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium
          or steady motion b (1): not readily altering in chemical
          makeup or physical state <~ emulsions> (2): not spontaneously
          radioactive syn see lasting -- sta.ble.ness n -- sta.bly
          adv

   stable fly
          [stable fly] n (1862): a biting dipteran fly (Stomoxys calcitrans)
          that resembles the common housefly and is abundant about stables

   stablemate
          [sta.ble.mate] n (1926) 1: an animal stabled with another
          2: a member of a stable

   stabler
          [sta.bler] n (15c): one who keeps a stable

   stabling
          [sta.bling] n (15c): accommodation for animals in a building;
          also: the building for this

   stablish
          [stab.lish] vb [ME, short for establissen] (14c) archaic:
          establish -- stab.lish.ment n, archaic

   staccato
          [stac.ca.to] adj [It, fr. pp. of staccare to detach, fr.
          s- ex- (fr. L ex-) + attaccare to attack, attach, perh.
          fr. OF estachier--more at attach] (ca. 1724) 1 a: cut
          short or apart in performing: disconnected <~ notes>
          b: marked by short clear-cut playing or singing of tones
          or chords <a ~ style> 2: abrupt, disjointed -- staccato
          adv -- staccato n

   staccato mark
          [staccato mark] n (ca. 1903): a pointed vertical stroke or
          a dot placed over or under a musical note to be produced
          staccato

   [1]stack
          [stack] n [ME stak, fr. ON stakkr; akin to Russ stog stack
          and prob. to OE staca stake] (14c) 1: a large usu. conical
          pile (as of hay, straw, or grain in the sheaf) left standing
          in the field for storage 2 a: an orderly pile or heap
          b: a large quantity or number 3: an English unit of measure
          esp. for firewood that is equal to 108 cubic feet 4 a:
          a number of flues embodied in one structure rising above
          a roof b: a vertical pipe (as to carry off smoke) c:
          the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine 5:
          a structure of bookshelves for compact storage of books--usu.
          used in pl. 6: a pile of chips sold to or won by a poker
          player 7 a: a memory or a section of memory in a computer
          for temporary storage in which the last item stored is
          the first retrieved; also: a data structure that simulates
          a stack <a push-down ~> b: a computer memory consisting
          of arrays of memory elements stacked one on top of another
          [2]stack vt (14c) 1 a: to arrange in a stack: pile b:
          to pile in or on <~ed the table with books> <~ the dishwasher>
          2 a: to arrange secretly for cheating <~ a deck of cards>
          b: to arrange or fix so as to make a particular result
          likely <the odds are ~ed against us> <will ~ juries to
          suit themselves --Patrice Horn> 3 a: to assign (an airplane)
          by radio to a particular altitude and position within
          a group circling before landing b: to put into a waiting
          line <another dozen rigs are ~ed up and waiting --P.
          H. Hutchins, Jr.> 4: compare--used with against <such
          a crime is nothing when ~ed against a murder --Pete Censky>
          ~ vi: to form a stack -- stack.er n

   stackable
          [stack.able] adj (1958): easily arranged in a stack

   stacked
          [stacked] adj (1942) of a woman: being shapely and having
          large breasts

   stack up
          [stack up] vi (1896) 1: to add up: total 2: measure up,
          compare--usu. used with against

   stacte
          [stac.te] n [ME stacten, fr. L stacte, fr. Gk stakte, fr.
          fem. of staktos oozing out in drops, fr. stazein to drip]
          (1535): a sweet spice used by the ancient Jews in preparing
          incense

   staddle
          [stad.dle] n [ME stathel base, support, bottom of a stack,
          fr. OE statho base; akin to OHG stan to stand--more at
          stand] (15c): a base (as of piling) for a stack of hay
          or straw

   stade
          [stade] n [MF estade, fr. L stadium] (1537): stadium 1a

   stadia
          [sta.dia] n [It, prob. fr. L, pl. of stadium] (1865): a surveying
          method for determination of distances and differences
          of elevation by means of a telescopic instrument having
          two horizontal lines through which the marks on a graduated
          rod are observed; also: the instrument or rod

   stadium
          [sta.di.um] n, pl -dia or -di.ums [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk stadion]
          (14c) 1 a: any of various ancient Greek units of length
          ranging in value from 607 to 738 feet (about 185 to 225
          meters) b: an ancient Roman unit of length equal to 607
          feet (185 meters) 2 a: a course for footraces in ancient
          Greece orig. one stadium in length b: a tiered structure
          with seats for spectators surrounding an ancient Greek
          running track c: a large usu. unroofed building with
          tiers of seats for spectators at sports events 3 [NL,
          fr. L]: a stage in a life history; esp: one between successive
          molts

   stadtholder
          [stadt.hold.er] n [part trans. of D stadhouder, fr. stad
          place + houder holder] (1668) 1: a viceroy in a province
          of the Netherlands 2: a chief executive officer of the
          provinces that formed a union leading to establishment
          of the Netherlands -- stadt.hold.er.ate n -- stadt.hold.er.ship
          n

   [1]staff
          [staff] n, pl staffs or staves [ME staf, fr. OE staef; akin
          to OHG stab staff, Skt stabhnati he supports] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a long stick carried in the hand for support in
          walking b: a supporting rod: as (1) archaic: shaft 1a(1)
          (2): a crosspiece in a ladder or chair: rung (3): flagstaff
          (4): a pivoted arbor c: club, cudgel 2 a: crosier b:
          a rod carried as a symbol of office or authority 3: the
          horizontal lines with their spaces on which music is
          written--called also stave 4: any of various graduated
          sticks or rules used for measuring: rod 5 pl staffs a:
          the officers chiefly responsible for the internal operations
          of an institution or business b: a group of officers
          appointed to assist a civil executive or commanding officer
          c: military or naval officers not eligible for operational
          command d: the personnel who assist a director in carrying
          out an assigned task e pl staff : a member of a staff
          -- staff adj [2]staff vt (1859) 1: to supply with a staff
          or with workers 2: to serve as a staff member of [3]staff
          n [prob. fr. G staffieren to trim] (1892): a building
          material having a plaster of Paris base and used in exterior
          wall coverings of temporary buildings

   staffer
          [staff.er] n (1941): a member of a staff (as of a newspaper)

   staff officer
          [staff officer] n (1777): a commissioned officer assigned
          to a military commander's staff--compare line officer

   staff of life
          [staff of life] (1638): a staple of diet; esp: bread

   Staffordshire bull terrier
          [Staf.ford.shire bull terrier] n [Staffordshire, England]
          (1901): any of a breed of compact muscular terriers that
          have a short stiff glossy coat

   Staffs
          [Staffs] abbreviation Staffordshire

   staff sergeant
          [staff sergeant] n (1851): a noncommissioned officer ranking
          in the army above a sergeant and below a platoon sergeant
          or sergeant first class, in the air force above a sergeant
          and below a technical sergeant, and in the marine corps
          above a sergeant and below a gunnery sergeant

   staff sergeant major
          [staff sergeant major] n (1967): a noncommissioned officer
          in the army ranking above a master sergeant

   staff tree
          [staff tree] n (ca. 1633): any of a genus (Celastrus of the
          family Celastraceae, the staff-tree family) of mostly
          twining shrubby plants including the common bittersweet

   [1]stag
          [stag] n, pl stags [ME stagge, fr. OE stagga; akin to ON
          andarsteggi drake] (12c) 1 or pl stag : an adult male
          red deer; also: the male of various other deer (esp.
          genus Cervus) 2 chiefly Scot: a young horse; esp: a young
          unbroken stallion 3: a male animal castrated after
          maturity--compare steer 1 4: a young adult male domestic fowl
          5 a: a social gathering of men only b: one who attends a dance
          or party without a companion [2]stag vb stagged ; stag.ging [stag
          (informer)] vt (ca. 1823) Brit: to spy on ~ vi: to attend a dance
          or party without a companion [3]stag adj (1843) 1 a: restricted
          to men <a ~ party> b: intended or suitable for a gathering of men
          only; esp: pornographic <~ movies> 2: unaccompanied by someone
          of the opposite sex <~ women> -- stag adv

   stag beetle
          [stag beetle] n (1681): any of a family (Lucanidae) of mostly
          large lamellicorn beetles having males with long and
          often branched mandibles suggesting the antlers of a
          stag

   [1]stage
          [stage] n [ME, fr. MF estage, fr. (assumed) VL staticum,
          fr. L stare to stand--more at stand] (14c) 1 a: one of
          a series of positions or stations one above the other:
          step b: the height of the surface of a river above an
          arbitrary zero point <flood ~> 2 a (1): a raised platform
          (2): the part of a theater on which the acting takes
          place and which often includes the wings (3): the acting
          profession: the theater as an occupation or activity
          (4): soundstage b: a center of attention or scene of
          action 3 a: a scaffold for workmen b: the small platform
          of a microscope on which an object is placed for examination
          4 a: a place of rest formerly provided for those traveling
          by stagecoach: station b: the distance between two stopping
          places on a road c: stagecoach 5 a: a period or step
          in a progress, activity, or development; esp: one of
          the distinguishable periods of growth and development
          of a plant or animal <the larval ~ of an insect> b: one
          passing through a (specified) stage 6: an element or
          part of an electronic device (as an amplifier) 7: one
          of two or more sections of a rocket that have their own
          fuel and engine -- stage.ful n -- stage.like adj -- on
          the stage : in or into the acting profession [2]stage
          vt staged ; stag.ing (1879) 1: to produce (as a play)
          on a stage 2: to produce or cause to happen for public
          view or public effect <~ a track meet> <~ a hunger strike>
          -- stage.able adj [3]stage adj (1824): intended to represent
          a type or stereotype <a ~ Irishman> <a ~ French accent>

   stage business
          [stage business] n (1825): business 6

   stagecoach
          [stage.coach] n (1658): a horse-drawn passenger and mail
          coach running on a regular schedule between established
          stops

   stagecraft
          [stage.craft] n (1882): the effective management of theatrical
          devices or techniques

   stage direction
          [stage direction] n (1790): a description (as of a character
          or setting) or direction (as to indicate stage business)
          provided in the text of a play

   stage director
          [stage director] n (1782) 1: director c 2: stage manager

   stage fright
          [stage fright] n (1878): nervousness felt at appearing before
          an audience

   stagehand
          [stage.hand] n (ca. 1902): a stage worker who handles scenery,
          properties, or lights

   stage left
          [stage left] n (1931): the left part of a stage from the
          viewpoint of one who faces the audience

   stage-manage
          [stage-man.age] vt [back-formation fr. stage manager] (1879)
          1 a: to arrange or exhibit so as to achieve a desired
          effect b: to arrange or direct from behind the scenes
          2: to act as stage manager for -- stage management n

   stage manager
          [stage manager] n (1805): one who supervises the physical
          aspects of a stage production, assists the director during
          rehearsals, and is in charge of the stage during a performance

   stager
          [stag.er] n (1570): an experienced person: veteran

   stage right
          [stage right] n (1931): the right part of a stage from the
          viewpoint of one who faces the audience

   stage set
          [stage set] n (1861): scenery and properties designed and
          arranged for a particular scene in a play

   stagestruck
          [stage.struck] adj (1813): fascinated by the stage; esp:
          having an ardent desire to become an actor

   stage whisper
          [stage whisper] n (ca. 1865) 1: a loud whisper by an actor
          that is audible to the spectators but is supposed for
          dramatic effect not to be heard by one or more of the
          actors 2: an audible whisper -- stage-whisper vb

   stagflation
          [stag.fla.tion] n [blend of stagnation and inflation] (1965):
          persistent inflation combined with stagnant consumer
          demand and relatively high unemployment -- stag.fla.tion.ary
          adj

   [1]stagger
          [stag.ger] vb stag.gered ; stag.ger.ing [alter. of earlier
          stacker, fr. ME stakeren, fr. ON stakra, freq. of staka
          to push; perh. akin to OE staca stake--more at stake]
          vi (15c) 1 a: to reel from side to side: totter b: to
          move on unsteadily 2: to waver in purpose or action:
          hesitate 3: to rock violently <the ship ~ed> ~ vt 1:
          to cause to doubt or hesitate: perplex 2: to cause to
          reel or totter 3: to arrange in any of various zigzags,
          alternations, or overlappings of position or time <~
          work shifts> <~ teeth on a cutter> -- stag.ger.er n [2]stagger
          n (1577) 1 pl but sing or pl in constr: an abnormal condition
          of domestic mammals and birds associated with damage
          to the central nervous system and marked by incoordination
          and a reeling unsteady gait 2: a reeling or unsteady
          gait or stance 3: an arrangement in which the leading
          edge of the upper wing of a biplane is advanced over
          that of the lower [3]stagger adj (1875): marked by an
          alternating or overlapping pattern

   staggerbush
          [stag.ger.bush] n (1847): a shrubby heath (Lyonia mariana)
          of the eastern U.S. that is poisonous to livestock

   staggering
          [staggering] adj (1530): so great as to cause one to stagger:
          astonishing, overwhelming <a ~ feat> <~ medical bills>
          -- stag.ger.ing.ly adv

   staggery
          [stag.gery] adj (1778): unsteady

   staggy
          [stag.gy] adj (1918): having the appearance of a mature male--used
          of female or castrated male domestic animals

   staghorn coral
          [stag.horn coral] n (1884): any of several large branching
          corals (genus Acropora and esp. A. cervicornis) that
          somewhat resemble antlers

   staghorn sumac
          [staghorn sumac] n (ca. 1868): a sumac (Rhus typhina) of
          eastern No. America that is a shrub or small tree with
          velvety-pubescent branches and flower stalks, leaves
          turning brilliant red in fall, and dense panicles of
          greenish yellow flowers followed by hairy crimson fruits

   staghound
          [stag.hound] n (1707): a hound formerly used in hunting the
          stag and other large animals; specif: a large heavy hound
          resembling the English foxhound

   staging
          [stag.ing] n (14c) 1: scaffolding 2 a: the business of running
          stagecoaches b: the act of journeying in stagecoaches
          3: the putting of a play on the stage 4 a: the moving
          of troops or materiel forward in several stages b: the
          assembling of troops or materiel in transit in a particular
          place

   staging area
          [staging area] n (1943): an area in which participants in
          a new operation or mission are assembled and readied

   Stagirite
          [Stag.i.rite] n [Gk Stagirites, fr. Stagira, city in ancient
          Macedonia] (ca. 1620): a native or resident of Stagira
          <Aristotle the ~>

   stagnant
          [stag.nant] adj (1666) 1 a: not flowing in a current or stream
          <~ water> b: stale <long disuse had made the air ~ and
          foul --Bram Stoker> 2: not advancing or developing --
          stag.nan.cy n -- stag.nant.ly adv

   stagnate
          [stag.nate] vi stag.nat.ed ; stag.nat.ing [L stagnatus, pp.
          of stagnare, fr. stagnum body of standing water] (1669):
          to become or remain stagnant -- stag.na.tion n

   stagy
          [stagy] or stag.ey adj stag.i.er ; -est (1860): of
          or characteristic of the stage; esp: marked by pretense
          or artificiality: theatrical -- stag.i.ly adv -- stag.i.ness n

   [1]staid
          [staid] adj [fr. pp. of [3]stay] (1557): marked by settled
          sedateness and often prim self-restraint: sober, grave
          syn see serious -- staid.ly adv -- staid.ness n [2]staid
          past and past part of stay

   [1]stain
          [stain] vb [ME steynen, partly fr. MF desteindre to discolor
          & partly of Scand origin; akin to ON steina to paint--more
          at distain] vt (14c) 1: to suffuse with color 2: discolor,
          soil 3 a: to taint with guilt, vice, or corruption b:
          to bring reproach on 4: to color (as wood, glass, or
          cloth) by processes affecting chemically or otherwise
          the material itself ~ vi: to receive a stain -- stain.able
          adj -- stain.er n [2]stain n (1583) 1 a: a soiled or
          discolored spot b: a natural spot of color contrasting
          with the ground 2: a taint of guilt: stigma 3 a: a preparation
          (as of dye or pigment) used in staining; esp: one capable
          of penetrating the pores of wood b: a dye or mixture
          of dyes used in microscopy to make visible minute and
          transparent structures, to differentiate tissue elements,
          or to produce specific chemical reactions -- stain.proof
          adj

   stainability
          [stain.abil.i.ty] n (1890): the capacity of cells and cell
          parts to stain specifically and consistently with particular
          dyes and stains

   stained glass
          [stained glass] n (1791): glass colored or stained (as by
          fusing metallic oxides into it) for decorative applications
          (as in windows)

   [1]stainless
          [stain.less] adj (1586) 1 a: free from stain or stigma b:
          highly resistant to stain or corrosion 2: made from materials
          resistant to stain -- stain.less.ly adv [2]stainless
          n (1945): tableware made of stainless steel

   stainless steel
          [stainless steel] n (1920): an alloy of steel with chromium
          and sometimes another element (as nickel or molybdenum)
          that is practically immune to rusting and ordinary corrosion

   stair
          [stair] n [ME steir, fr. OE staeger; akin to OE & OHG stigan
          to rise, Gk steichein to walk] (bef. 12c) 1: a series
          of steps or flights of steps for passing from one level
          to another--often used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.
          <a narrow private ~s --Lewis Mumford> 2: a single step
          of a stairway

   staircase
          [stair.case] n (1624) 1: the structure containing a stairway
          2: a flight of stairs with the supporting framework,
          casing, and balusters

   stairway
          [stair.way] n (1767): one or more flights of stairs usu.
          with landings to pass from one level to another

   stairwell
          [stair.well] n (1920): a vertical shaft in which stairs are
          located

   [1]stake
          [stake] n [ME, fr. OE staca; akin to MLG stake stake and
          perh. to L tignum beam] (bef. 12c) 1: a pointed piece
          of wood or other material driven or to be driven into
          the ground as a marker or support 2 a: a post to which
          a person is bound for execution by burning b: execution
          by burning at a stake 3 a: something that is staked for
          gain or loss b: the prize in a contest c: an interest
          or share in an undertaking (as a commercial venture)
          4: a Mormon territorial jurisdiction comprising a group
          of wards 5: an upright stick at the side or end of a
          vehicle to retain the load 6: grubstake -- at stake :
          at issue: in jeopardy [2]stake vt staked ; stak.ing (14c)
          1: to mark the limits of by or as if by stakes 2: to
          tether to a stake 3: bet, wager 4: to fasten up or support
          (as plants) with stakes 5: to back financially 6: grubstake
          -- stake a claim : to assert a title or right to something
          by or as if by placing stakes to satisfy a legal requirement

   stake body
          [stake body] n (1907): an open motortruck body consisting
          of a platform with stakes inserted along the outside
          edges to retain a load

   stakeholder
          [stake.hold.er] n (1708): a person entrusted with the stakes
          of bettors

   stake out
          [stake out] vt (1951) 1: to assign (as a police officer)
          to an area usu. to conduct a surveillance 2: to maintain
          a stakeout of

   stakeout
          [stake.out] n (ca. 1942): a surveillance maintained by the
          police of an area or a person suspected of criminal activity

   stake race
          [stake race] n (1896): a horse race in which the prize offered
          is made up at least in part of money (as entry fees)
          put up by the owners of the horses entered

   stake truck
          [stake truck] n (1907): a truck having a stake body

   Stakhanovite
          [Sta.kha.nov.ite] n [trans. of Russ stakhanovets, fr. Alexei
          G. Stakhanov d. 1977 Russ. miner] (1935): a Soviet industrial
          worker awarded recognition and special privileges for
          output beyond production norms -- Sta.kha.nov.ism n

   stalactite
          [sta.lac.tite] n [NL stalactites, fr. Gk stalaktos dripping,
          fr. stalassein to let drip] (1677): a deposit of calcium
          carbonate (as calcite) resembling an icicle hanging from
          the roof or sides of a cavern -- sta.lac.tit.ic adj

   stalag
          [sta.lag] n [G, short for Stammlager base camp, fr. Stamm
          base + Lager camp] (1940): a German prison camp for noncommissioned
          officers or enlisted men; broadly: prison camp 2

   stalagmite
          [sta.lag.mite] n [NL stalagmites, fr. Gk stalagma drop or
          stalagmos dripping, fr. stalassein to let drip] (1681):
          a deposit of calcium carbonate like an inverted stalactite
          formed on the floor of a cave by the drip of calcareous
          water -- sta.lag.mit.ic adj

   [1]stale
          [stale] adj stal.er ; stal.est [ME, aged (of ale), not fresh;
          akin to MD stel stale] (15c) 1: tasteless or unpalatable
          from age 2: tedious from familiarity 3: impaired in legal
          force or effect by reason of being allowed to rest without
          timely use, action, or demand <a ~ affidavit> <a ~ debt>
          4: impaired in vigor or effectiveness -- stale.ly adv
          -- stale.ness n [2]stale vb staled ; stal.ing vt (1599)
          1: to make stale 2 archaic: to make common: cheapen ~
          vi: to become stale [3]stale vi staled ; stal.ing [ME;
          akin to MLG stallen to urinate, stal urine of horses]
          (15c): urinate--used chiefly of camels and horses [4]stale
          n (1548): urine of a domestic animal (as a horse)

   [1]stalemate
          [stale.mate] n [obs. E stale stalemate + E [1]mate] (1765)
          1: a drawing position in chess in which only the king
          can move and although not in check can move only into
          check 2: a drawn contest: deadlock; also: the state of
          being stalemated [2]stalemate vt (1765): to bring into
          a stalemate

   Stalinism
          [Sta.lin.ism] n (1927): the political, economic, and social
          principles and policies associated with Stalin; esp:
          the theory and practice of communism developed by Stalin
          from Marxism-Leninism and marked esp. by rigid authoritarianism,
          widespread use of terror, and often emphasis on Russian
          nationalism -- Sta.lin.ist n or adj -- Sta.lin.ize vt
          -- Sta.lin.oid n or adj

   [1]stalk
          [stalk] n [ME stalke; akin to OE stela stalk, support] (14c)
          1: a slender upright object or supporting or connecting
          part; esp: peduncle <the ~ of a crinoid> 2 a: the main
          stem of an herbaceous plant often with its dependent
          parts b: a part of a plant (as a petiole, stipe, or peduncle)
          that supports another -- stalked adj -- stalk.less adj
          -- stalky adj [2]stalk vb [ME, fr. OE bestealcian; akin
          to OE stelan to steal--more at steal] vi (14c) 1: to
          pursue quarry or prey stealthily 2: to walk stiffly or
          haughtily ~ vt 1: to pursue by stalking 2: to go through
          (an area) in search of prey or quarry <~ the woods for
          deer> -- stalk.er n [3]stalk n (14c) 1: the act of stalking
          2: a stalking gait

   stalking-horse
          [stalk.ing-horse] n (1519) 1: a horse or a figure like a
          horse behind which a hunter stalks game 2: something
          used to mask a purpose 3: a candidate put forward to
          divide the opposition or to conceal someone's real candidacy

   [1]stall
          [stall] n [ME, fr. OE steall; akin to OHG stal place, stall
          and perh. to L locus (OL stlocus) place] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: a compartment for a domestic animal in a stable or
          barn b: a space marked off for parking a motor vehicle
          2 a: a seat in the chancel of a church with back and
          sides wholly or partly enclosed b: a church pew c chiefly
          Brit: a front orchestra seat in a theater--usu. used
          in pl. 3: a booth, stand, or counter at which articles
          are displayed for sale 4: a protective sheath for a finger
          or toe 5: a small compartment <a shower ~> [2]stall vt
          (14c) 1: to put into or keep in a stall 2 obs: to install
          in office 3 a: to bring to a standstill: block; esp:
          mire b: to cause (an engine) to stop usu. inadvertently
          c: to cause (an aircraft or airfoil) to go into a stall
          ~ vi 1: to come to a standstill (as from mired wheels
          or engine failure) 2: to experience a stall in flying
          [3]stall n (1916): the condition of an airfoil or aircraft
          in which excessive angle of attack causes disruption
          of airflow with attendant loss of lift [4]stall n [alter.
          of stale lure] (1903): a ruse to deceive or delay [5]stall
          vi (1903): to play for time: delay ~ vt: to hold off,
          divert, or delay by evasion or deception

   stall-feed
          [stall-feed] vt -fed ; -feed.ing (1554): to feed in a stall
          esp. so as to fatten <~ an ox>

   stallholder
          [stall.hold.er] n (1881) chiefly Brit: one who manages a
          stall at which articles are sold

   stallion
          [stal.lion] n [ME stalion, fr. MF estalon, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG stal stall] (14c): an uncastrated male horse:
          a male horse kept for breeding; also: a male animal (as
          a dog or a sheep) kept primarily as a stud

   [1]stalwart
          [stal.wart] adj [ME, alter. of stalworth, fr. OE staelwierthe
          serviceable] (15c): marked by outstanding strength and
          vigor of body, mind, or spirit <~ common sense> syn see
          strong -- stal.wart.ly adv -- stal.wart.ness n [2]stalwart
          n (15c) 1: a stalwart person 2: an unwavering partisan

   stalworth
          [stal.worth] archaic var of stalwart

   stamen
          [sta.men] n, pl stamens also sta.mi.na [L, warp, thread,
          fr. stare to stand--more at stand] (1668): a microsporophyll
          of a seed plant; specif: the pollen-producing male organ
          of a flower that consists of an anther and a filament--see
          flower illustration

   stamin-
          [stamin-] comb form [L stamin-, stamen]: stamen <staminodium>

   stamina
          [stam.i.na] n [L, pl. of stamen warp, thread of life spun
          by the Fates] (1726): staying power, endurance

   staminate
          [sta.mi.nate] adj (ca. 1850) 1: having or producing stamens
          2 of a diclinous flower: having stamens but no pistils

   staminodium
          [sta.mi.no.di.um] n, pl -dia [NL, fr. stamin- + -odium thing
          resembling, fr. Gk -odes like] (ca. 1821): an abortive
          or sterile stamen

   stammel
          [stam.mel] n [prob. fr. stamin a woolen fabric] (1530) 1
          obs: a coarse woolen clothing fabric usu. dyed red and
          used sometimes for undershirts of penitents 2 archaic:
          the bright red color of stammel

   stammer
          [stam.mer] vb stam.mered ; stam.mer.ing [ME stameren, fr.
          OE stamerian; akin to OHG stamalon to stammer, ON stemma
          to hinder, damn up--more at stem] vi (bef. 12c): to make
          involuntary stops and repetitions in speaking: halt--compare
          stutter ~ vt: to utter with involuntary stops or repetitions
          -- stammer n -- stam.mer.er n

   [1]stamp
          [stamp] vb [ME; akin to OHG stampfon to stamp and perh. to
          Gk stembein to shake up] vt (13c) 1: to pound or crush
          with a pestle or a heavy instrument 2 a (1): to strike
          or beat forcibly with the bottom of the foot (2): to
          bring down (the foot) forcibly b: to extinguish or destroy
          by or as if by stamping with the foot--usu. used with
          out <~ out cancer> 3 a: impress, imprint <~ "paid" on
          the bill> b: to attach a stamp to 4: to cut out, bend,
          or form with a stamp or die 5 a: to provide with a distinctive
          character <~ed with a dreary, institutionalized look
          --Bernard Taper> b: characterize ~ vi 1: pound 1 2: to
          strike or thrust the foot forcibly or noisily downward
          [2]stamp n (15c) 1: a device or instrument for stamping
          2: the impression or mark made by stamping or imprinting
          3 a: a distinctive character, indication, or mark b:
          a lasting imprint 4: the act of stamping 5: a stamped
          or printed paper affixed in evidence that a tax has been
          paid; also: postage stamp -- stamp.less adj

   [1]stampede
          [stam.pede] n [AmerSp estampida, fr. Sp, crash, fr. estampar
          to stamp, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG stampfon to stamp]
          (1828) 1: a wild headlong rush or flight of frightened
          animals 2: a mass movement of people at a common impulse
          3: an extended festival combining a rodeo with exhibitions,
          contests, and social events [2]stampede vb stam.ped.ed
          ; stam.ped.ing vt (1838) 1: to cause to run away in headlong
          panic 2: to cause (as a group of people) to act on sudden
          or rash impulse ~ vi 1: to flee headlong in panic 2:
          to act on mass impulse -- stam.ped.er n

   stamper
          [stamp.er] n (14c): one that stamps: as a: a worker who performs
          an industrial stamping operation b: an implement for
          pounding or stamping c: any of various stamping machines

   stamping ground
          [stamping ground] n (1786): a favorite or habitual resort;
          also: familiar territory

   stamping mill
          [stamp.ing mill] n (1552): stamp mill

   stamp mill
          [stamp mill] n (1749): a mill in which ore is crushed with
          stamps; also: a machine for stamping ore

   stamp tax
          [stamp tax] n (1797): a tax collected by means of a stamp
          purchased and affixed (as to a deck of playing cards);
          specif: such a tax on a document (as a deed or promissory
          note)--called also stamp duty

   stance
          [stance] n [MF estance position, posture, stay, fr. (assumed)
          VL stantia, fr. L stant-, stans, prp. of stare to stand]
          (14c) 1 chiefly Scot a: station b: site 2 a: a way of
          standing or being placed: posture b: intellectual or
          emotional attitude <took an antiwar ~> 3 a: the position
          of the feet of a golfer or batter preparatory to making
          a swing b: the position of both body and feet from which
          an athlete starts or operates

   [1]stanch
          [stanch] vt [ME staunchen, fr. MF estancher, perh. fr. (assumed)
          VL stanticare, fr. L stant-, stans, prp.] (14c) 1: to
          check or stop the flowing of <~ed her tears>; also: to
          stop the flow of blood from (a wound) 2 archaic: allay,
          extinguish 3 a: to stop or check in its course <trying
          to ~ the crime wave> b: to make watertight: stop up --
          stanch.er n [2]stanch var of staunch

   stanchion
          [stan.chion] n [ME stanchon, fr. MF estanchon, fr. OF, dim.
          of estance stay, prop] (15c) 1: an upright bar, post,
          or support (as for a roof) 2: a device that fits loosely
          around the neck of an animal (as a cow) and limits forward
          and backward motion (as in a stall) -- stan.chioned adj

   [1]stand
          [stand] vb stood ; stand.ing [ME, fr. OE standan; akin to
          OHG stantan, stan to stand, L stare, Gk histanai to cause
          to stand, set, histasthai to stand, be standing] vi (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to support oneself on the feet in an erect
          position b: to be a specified height when fully erect
          <~s six feet two> c: to rise to an erect position 2 a:
          to take up or maintain a specified position or posture
          <~ aside> <can you ~ on your head> b: to maintain one's
          position <~ firm> 3: to be in a particular state or situation
          <~s accused> 4: to hold a course at sea 5 obs: hesitate
          6 a: to have or maintain a relative position in or as
          if in a graded scale <~s first in the class> b: to be
          in a position to gain or lose because of an action taken
          or a commitment made <~s to make quite a profit> 7 chiefly
          Brit: to be a candidate: run 8 a: to rest or remain upright
          on a base or lower end <a clock stood on the mantle>
          b: to occupy a place or location <the house ~s on a knoll>
          9 a: to remain stationary or inactive <the car stood
          in the garage for a week> b: to gather slowly and remain
          <tears ~ing in her eyes> 10: agree, accord--used chiefly
          in the expression it stands to reason 11 a: to exist
          in a definite written or printed form <copy a passage
          exactly as it ~s> b: to remain valid or efficacious <the
          order given last week still ~s> 12 of a male animal:
          to be available as a sire--used esp. of horses ~ vt 1
          a: to endure or undergo successfully <this book will
          ~ the test of time> b: to tolerate without flinching:
          bear courageously <~s pain well> c: to endure the presence
          or personality of <can't ~ the boss> d: to derive benefit
          or enjoyment from <you look like you could ~ a drink>
          2: to remain firm in the face of <~ a siege> 3: to submit
          to <~ trial> 4 a: to perform the duty of <~ guard> b:
          to participate in (a military formation) 5: to pay the
          cost of (a treat): pay for <I'll ~ you a dinner> <~ drinks>
          6: to cause to stand: set upright 7: to make available
          for breeding <~ a stallion> syn see bear -- stand.er
          n -- stand a chance : to have a chance -- stand for 1:
          to be a symbol for: represent 2: to put up with: permit
          -- stand on 1: to depend on 2: to insist on <never stands
          on ceremony> -- stand one's ground : to maintain one's
          position -- stand on one's own feet : to think or act
          independently -- stand treat : to pay the cost of food,
          drink, or entertainment for others in a group [2]stand
          n (1592) 1: an act of stopping or staying in one place
          2 a: a halt for defense or resistance b: an often defensive
          effort of some duration or degree of success <a goal-line
          ~> c (1): a stop made to give a performance <a 6-game
          ~ at home> (2): a town where such a stop is made 3 a:
          a place or post where one stands b: a strongly or aggressively
          held position esp. on a debatable issue 4 a: the place
          taken by a witness for testifying in court b pl (1):
          a section of the tiered seats for spectators of a sport
          or spectacle (2): the occupants of such seats c: a raised
          platform (as for a speaker) serving as a point of vantage
          5 a: a small often open-air structure for a small retail
          business <a vegetable ~> <a hot dog ~> b: a site fit
          for business opportunity 6: a place where a passenger
          vehicle stops or parks <a taxi ~> 7: hive 2 8: a frame
          on or in which something may be placed for support 9:
          a group of plants growing in a continuous area 10: a
          standing posture

   stand-alone
          [stand-alone] adj (1966): self-contained; esp: operating
          or capable of operating independently of a computer system
          <a ~ word processor>

   [1]standard
          [stan.dard] n [ME, fr. OF estandard rallying point, standard,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE standan to stand and to OE
          ord point--more at odd] (12c) 1: a conspicuous object
          (as a banner) formerly carried at the top of a pole and
          used to mark a rallying point esp. in battle or to serve
          as an emblem 2 a: a long narrow tapering flag that is
          personal to an individual or corporation and bears heraldic
          devices b: the personal flag of the head of a state or
          of a member of a royal family c: an organization flag
          carried by a mounted or motorized military unit d: banner
          3: something established by authority, custom, or general
          consent as a model or example: criterion 4: something
          set up and established by authority as a rule for the
          measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality
          5 a: the fineness and legally fixed weight of the metal
          used in coins b: the basis of value in a monetary system
          6: a structure built for or serving as a base or support
          7 a: a shrub or herb grown with an erect main stem so
          that it forms or resembles a tree b: a fruit tree grafted
          on a stock that does not induce dwarfing 8 a: the large
          odd upper petal of a papilionaceous flower (as the pea)
          b: one of the three inner usu. erect and incurved petals
          of an iris 9: a musical composition (as a song) that
          has become a part of the standard repertoire -- stan.dard.less
          adj syn standard, criterion, gauge, yardstick, touchstone
          mean a means of determining what a thing should be. standard
          applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established
          by authority <standards of behavior>. criterion may apply
          to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated
          as a rule or principle or not <questioned the critic's
          criteria for excellence>. gauge applies to a means of
          testing a particular dimension (as thickness, depth,
          diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect
          <polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction>. yardstick
          is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests
          quantity more often than quality <housing construction
          as a yardstick of economic growth>. touchstone suggests
          a simple test of the authenticit y or value of something
          intangible <fine service is one touchstone of a first-class
          restaurant>. [2]standard adj (1622) 1 a: constituting
          or conforming to a standard esp. as established by law
          or custom <~ weight> b: sound and usable but not of top
          quality <~ beef> 2 a: regularly and widely used, available,
          or supplied <~ automobile equipment> b: well-established
          and very familiar <the ~ opera> 3: having recognized
          and permanent value <a ~ reference work> 4: substantially
          uniform and well established by usage in the speech and
          writing of the educated and widely recognized as acceptable
          <~ pronunciation is subject to regional variations> --
          stan.dard.ly adv

   standard-bearer
          [stan.dard-bear.er] n (15c) 1: one that bears a standard
          or banner 2: the leader of an organization, movement,
          or party

   standardbred
          [stan.dard.bred] n, often cap (1921): any of a breed of trotting
          and pacing horses developed in the U.S., noted for speed
          and stamina, and used esp. in harness racing

   standard candle
          [standard candle] n (1879): candela

   standard deviation
          [standard deviation] n (1894) 1: a measure of the dispersion
          of a frequency distribution that is the square root of
          the arithmetic mean of the squares of the deviation of
          each of the class frequencies from the arithmetic mean
          of the frequency distribution; also: a similar quantity
          found by dividing by one less than the number of squares
          in the sum of squares instead of taking the arithmetic
          mean 2: a parameter that indicates the way in which a
          probability function or a probability density function
          is centered around its mean and that is equal to the
          square root of the moment in which the deviation from
          the mean is squared

   Standard English
          [Standard English] n (1836): the English that with respect
          to spelling, grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary is
          substantially uniform though not devoid of regional differences,
          that is well established by usage in the formal and informal
          speech and writing of the educated, and that is widely
          recognized as acceptable wherever English is spoken and
          understood

   standard error
          [standard error] n (1897): the standard deviation of the
          probability function or probability density function
          of a random variable and esp. of a statistic; specif:
          the standard error of the mean of a sample from a population
          with a normal distribution that is equal to the standard
          deviation of the normal distribution divided by the square
          root of the sample size

   standard gauge
          [standard gauge] n (1871): a railroad gauge of 4 feet 8 1/2
          inches

   standardise
          [stan.dard.ise] Brit var of standardize

   standardize
          [stan.dard.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1873) 1: to compare with
          a standard 2: to bring into conformity with a standard
          -- stan.dard.i.za.tion n

   standard of living
          [standard of living] (1902) 1: the necessities, comforts,
          and luxuries enjoyed or aspired to by an individual or
          group 2: a minimum of necessities, comforts, or luxuries
          held essential to maintaining a person or group in customary
          or proper status or circumstances

   standard operating procedure
          [standard operating procedure] n (1952): established or prescribed
          methods to be followed routinely for the performance of designated
          operations or in designated situations--called also standing
          operating procedure

   standard position
          [standard position] n (1950): the position of an angle with
          its vertex at the origin of a rectangular-coordinate
          system and its initial side coinciding with the positive
          x-axis

   standard schnauzer
          [standard schnauzer] n (ca. 1934): any of a breed of medium-sized
          schnauzers that attain a height at the highest point
          of the shoulder blades of 18 to 20 inches (46 to 51 centimeters)
          and have a pepper-and-salt or black coat

   standard score
          [standard score] n (1928): an individual test score expressed
          as the deviation from the mean score of the group in
          units of standard deviation

   standard time
          [standard time] n (1879): the time of a region or country
          that is established by law or general usage as civil
          time; specif: the mean solar time of a meridian that
          is a multiple of 15 arbitrarily applied to a local area
          or to one of the 24 time zones and designated as a number
          of hours earlier or later than Greenwich time

   standaway
          [stand.away] adj (1948): standing out from the body <a ~
          skirt>

   [1]standby
          [stand.by] n, pl stand.bys (1796) 1 a: one to be relied on
          esp. in emergencies b: a favorite or reliable choice
          or resource 2: one that is held in reserve ready for
          use: substitute -- on standby : ready or available for
          immediate action or use [2]standby adj (1882) 1: held
          near at hand and ready for use <a ~ power plant> <~ equipment>
          2: relating to the act or condition of standing by <~
          duty> <a ~ period> 3: of, relating to, or traveling by
          an airline service in which the passenger must wait for
          an available unreserved seat <~ passengers> <a ~ ticket>
          [3]standby adv (1971): on a standby basis <fly ~>

   stand by
          [stand by] vi (13c) 1: to be present; also: to remain apart
          or aloof 2: to be or to get ready to act ~ vt: to remain
          loyal or faithful to: defend

   stand-down
          [stand-down] n (ca. 1919): a relaxation of status of a military
          unit or force from an alert or operational posture

   stand down
          [stand down] vi (1681) 1: to leave the witness stand 2 chiefly
          Brit a: to go off duty b: to withdraw from a contest
          or from a position of leadership

   standee
          [stand.ee] n (1856): one who occupies standing room

   stand-in
          [stand-in] n (ca. 1928) 1: someone employed to occupy an
          actor's place while lights and camera are readied 2:
          substitute

   stand in
          [stand in] vi (1904): to act as a stand-in -- stand in with
          : to be in a specially favored position with

   [1]standing
          [stand.ing] adj (14c) 1 a: not yet cut or harvested <~ timber>
          <~ grain> b: upright on the feet or base: erect <the
          ~ audience> 2 a: not being used or operated <a ~ factory>
          b: not flowing: stagnant <~ water> 3 a: remaining at
          the same level, degree, or amount for an indeterminate
          period <a ~ offer> b: continuing in existence or use
          indefinitely 4: established by law or custom 5: not movable
          6: done from a standing position <a ~ jump> <a ~ ovation>
          [2]standing n (15c) 1 a: a place to stand in: location
          b: a position from which one may assert or enforce legal
          rights and duties 2 a: length of service or experience
          esp. as determining rank, pay, or privilege b: position
          or condition in society or in a profession; esp: good
          reputation c: position relative to a standard of achievement
          or to achievements of competitors 3: maintenance of position
          or condition: duration <a custom of long ~>

   standing army
          [standing army] n (1603): a permanent army of paid soldiers

   standing committee
          [standing committee] n (ca. 1636): a permanent committee
          esp. of a legislative body

   standing crop
          [standing crop] n (1861): the total amount or number of living
          things or of one kind of living thing (as an uncut farm
          crop, the fish in a pond, or organisms in an ecosystem)
          in a particular situation at any given time

   standing O
          [standing O] n [ovation] (1975): a standing ovation

   standing order
          [standing order] n (1737): an instruction or prescribed procedure
          in force permanently or until changed or canceled; esp:
          any of the rules for the guidance and government of parliamentary
          procedure which endure through successive sessions until
          vacated or repealed

   standing room
          [standing room] n (1603): space for standing; esp: accommodation
          available for spectators or passengers after all seats
          are filled

   standing wave
          [standing wave] n (1896): a single-frequency mode of vibration
          of a body or physical system in which the amplitude varies
          from place to place, is constantly zero at fixed points,
          and has maxima at other points

   standish
          [stan.dish] n [ME standyshe] (14c): a stand for writing materials:
          inkstand

   [1]standoff
          [stand.off] adj (1837) 1: standoffish 2: used for holding
          something at a distance from a surface <a ~ insulator>
          [2]standoff n (1843) 1 a: tie, deadlock <the two teams
          played to a ~> b: a counterbalancing effect 2: the act
          of standing off

   stand off
          [stand off] vi (1601) 1: to stay at a distance from something
          2: to sail away from the shore ~ vt 1: to keep from advancing:
          repel 2: put off, stall

   standoffish
          [stand.off.ish] adj (1860): somewhat cold and reserved --
          stand.off.ish.ly adv -- stand.off.ish.ness n

   stand oil
          [stand oil] n (1908): a thickened drying oil; esp: linseed
          oil heated to about 600 degrees F (315 degrees C)

   standout
          [stand.out] n, often attrib (1928): one that is prominent
          or conspicuous esp. because of excellence

   stand out
          [stand out] vi (15c) 1 a: to appear as if in relief: project
          b: to be prominent or conspicuous 2: to steer away from
          shore 3: to be stubborn in resolution or resistance

   standpat
          [stand.pat] adj (1904): stubbornly conservative: resisting
          or opposing change

   stand pat
          [stand pat] vi [[4]pat] (1882) 1: to play one's hand as dealt
          in draw poker without drawing 2: to oppose or resist
          change -- stand.pat.ter n -- stand.pat.tism n

   standpipe
          [stand.pipe] n (ca. 1850): a high vertical pipe or reservoir
          that is used to secure a uniform pressure in a water-supply
          system

   standpoint
          [stand.point] n (1829): a position from which objects or
          principles are viewed and according to which they are
          compared and judged

   standstill
          [stand.still] n (1702): a state characterized by absence
          of motion or of progress: stop

   [1]stand-up
          [stand-up] adj (1812) 1 a: erect, upright b: stiffened to
          stay upright without folding over <a ~ collar> 2: performed
          in, performing in, or requiring a standing position <a
          ~ bar>; esp: of, relating to, performing, or being a
          monologue of jokes, gags, or satirical comments delivered
          usu. while standing alone on a stage or in front of a
          camera <~ comedy> <a ~ comedian> [2]stand-up n (1971):
          stand-up comedy

   stand up
          [stand up] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to rise to a standing position
          2: to remain sound and intact under stress, attack, or
          close scrutiny ~ vt: to fail to keep an appointment with
          -- stand up for : to defend against attack or criticism
          -- stand up to 1: to meet fairly and fully 2: to face
          boldly -- stand up with : to be best man or maid of honor
          for at a wedding ceremony

   stand-upper
          [stand-up.per] n (1973): a television news report or interview
          by an on-camera reporter standing usu. at the scene of
          an occurrence

   stane
          [stane] Scot var of stone

   Stanford-Binet test
          [Stan.ford-Bi.net test] n [Stanford University + Alfred Binet
          d. 1911 Fr. psychologist] (1918): an intelligence test
          prepared at Stanford University as a revision of the
          Binet-Simon scale and commonly used with children--called
          also Stanford-Binet

   [1]stang
          [stang] vt [ME, fr. ON stanga to prick; akin to ON stinga
          to sting] (14c) chiefly Scot: sting [2]stang n (1513)
          chiefly Scot: pang [3]stang var of satang

   stanhope
          [stan.hope] n [Fitzroy Stanhope d. 1864 Brit. clergyman]
          (1825): a gig, buggy, or phaeton typically having a high
          seat and closed back

   stanine
          [sta.nine] n [standard (score) + nine] (1944): any of the
          nine classes into which a set of normalized standard
          scores arranged according to rank in educational testing
          are divided, which include the bottom 4% and the top
          4% of the scores in the first and ninth classes and the
          middle 20% in the fifth, and which have a standard deviation
          of 2 and a mean of 5

   Stanislavski method
          [Sta.ni.slav.ski method] n [Konstantin Stanislavsky] (1941):
          a technique in acting by which an actor strives to empathize
          with the character being portrayed so as to effect a
          realistic interpretation

   [1]stank
          [stank] past of stink [2]stank n [ME, fr. MF estanc, fr.
          estancher to dam up, stanch--more at stanch] (14c) 1
          dial Brit a: pond, pool b: a ditch containing water 2
          Brit: a small dam: weir

   stannary
          [stan.na.ry] n, pl -ries [ME stannarie, fr. ML stannaria
          tin mine, fr. LL stannum tin] (15c): any of the regions
          in England containing establishments for the working
          of tin--usu. used in pl.

   stannic
          [stan.nic] adj [prob. fr. F stannique, fr. LL stannum tin,
          fr. L stagnum, an alloy of silver and lead] (1790): of,
          relating to, or containing tin esp. with a valence of
          four

   stannite
          [stan.nite] n [LL stannum] (1868): a mineral that is a steel-gray
          or iron-black sulfide of copper, iron, and tin with a
          metallic luster and occurs in granular masses

   stannous
          [stan.nous] adj [ISV, fr. LL stannum] (1849): of, relating
          to, or containing tin esp. with a valence of two

   stanza
          [stan.za] n [It, stay, abode, room, stanza, fr. (assumed)
          VL stantia stay--more at stance] (1588): a division of
          a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together
          in a usu. recurring pattern of meter and rhyme: strophe
          -- stan.za.ic adj

   stapedectomy
          [sta.pe.dec.to.my] n, pl -mies [ISV, fr. NL staped-, stapes]
          (1894): surgical removal and prosthetic replacement of
          part or all of the stapes to relieve deafness

   stapedial
          [sta.pe.di.al] adj (ca. 1859): of, relating to, or located
          near the stapes

   stapelia
          [sta.pe.lia] n [NL, fr. J. B. van Stapel d. 1636 Du. botanist]
          (ca. 1785): any of a genus (Stapelia) of African perennial
          herbs of the milkweed family with succulent typically
          leafless toothed stems like cactus joints and showy but
          usu. putrid-smelling flowers

   stapes
          [sta.pes] n, pl stapes or sta.pe.des [NL staped-, stapes,
          fr. ML, stirrup, alter. of LL stapia] (1670): the innermost
          ossicle of the ear of mammals--called also stirrup--see
          ear illustration

   staph
          [staph] n (ca. 1933): staphylococcus

   staphylinid
          [staph.y.li.nid] n [NL Staphylinidae, ultim. fr. Gk staphyle
          bunch of grapes] (ca. 1891): rove beetle -- staphylinid
          adj

   staphylococcal
          [staph.y.lo.coc.cal] also staph.y.lo.coc.cic adj (1900):
          of, relating to, caused by, or being a staphylococcus

   staphylococcus
          [staph.y.lo.coc.cus] n, pl -coc.ci [NL, fr. Gk staphyle bunch
          of grapes + NL -coccus] (1887): any of various nonmotile
          gram-positive spherical bacteria (esp. genus Staphylococcus)
          that occur singly, in pairs or tetrads, or in irregular
          clusters and include pathogens which infect skin and
          mucous membranes

   [1]staple
          [sta.ple] n [ME stapel post, staple, fr. OE stapol post;
          akin to MD stapel step, heap, emporium, OE steppan to
          step] (13c) 1: a U-shaped metal loop both ends of which
          are driven into a surface to hold the hook, hasp, or
          bolt of a lock, secure a rope, or fix a wire in place
          2: a small U-shaped wire both ends of which are driven
          through layers of thin and easily penetrable material
          (as paper) and usu. clinched to hold the layers together
          [2]staple vt sta.pled ; sta.pling (14c): to provide with
          or secure by staples [3]staple n [ME, fr. MF estaple,
          fr. MD stapel emporium] (14c) 1: a town used as a center
          for the sale or exportation of commodities in bulk 2:
          a place of supply: source 3: a chief commodity or production
          of a place 4 a: a commodity for which the demand is constant
          b: something having widespread and constant use or appeal
          c: the sustaining or principal element: substance 5:
          raw material 6 a: textile fiber (as wool and rayon) of
          relatively short length that when spun and twisted forms
          a yarn rather than a filament b: the length of a piece
          of such textile fiber [4]staple adj (1615) 1: used, needed,
          or enjoyed constantly usu. by many individuals 2: produced
          regularly or in large quantities <~ crops such as wheat
          and rice> 3: principal, chief

   [1]stapler
          [sta.pler] n (ca. 1513): one that deals in staple goods or
          in staple fiber [2]stapler n (ca. 1909): one that inserts
          staples; esp: a small usu. hand-operated device for inserting
          wire staples

   [1]star
          [star] n, often attrib [ME sterre, fr. OE steorra; akin to
          OHG sterno star, L stella, Gk aster, astron] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a natural luminous body visible in the sky esp.
          at night b: a self-luminous gaseous celestial body of
          great mass which produces energy by means of nuclear
          fusion reactions, whose shape is usu. spheroidal, and
          whose size may be as small as the earth or larger than
          the earth's orbit 2 a (1): a planet or a configuration
          of the planets that is held in astrology to influence
          one's destiny or fortune--usu. used in pl. (2): a waxing
          or waning fortune or fame <her ~ was rising> b obs: destiny
          3 a: a conventional figure with five or more points that
          represents a star; esp: asterisk b: an often star-shaped
          ornament or medal worn as a badge of honor, authority,
          or rank or as the insignia of an order c: one of a group
          of conventional stars used to place something in a scale
          of value 4: something resembling a star <was hit on the
          head and saw ~s> 5 a: the principal member of a theatrical
          or operatic company who usu. plays the chief roles b:
          a highly publicized theatrical or motion-picture performer
          c: an outstandingly talented performer <a track ~> d:
          a person who is preeminent in a particular field -- star.less
          adj -- star.like adj [2]star vb starred ; star.ring vt
          (1718) 1: to sprinkle or adorn with stars 2 a: to mark
          with a star as being preeminent b: to mark with an asterisk
          3: to advertise or display prominently: feature <the
          movie ~s a famous stage personality> ~ vi 1: to play
          the most prominent or important role 2: to perform outstandingly
          [3]star adj (1832) 1: of, relating to, or being a star
          <received ~ billing> 2: of outstanding excellence: preeminent
          <a ~ athlete>

   star apple
          [star apple] n (1683): a tropical American tree (Chrysophyllum
          cainito) of the sapodilla family grown in warm regions
          for ornament or fruit; also: its usu. green to purple
          apple-shaped edible fruit

   [1]starboard
          [star.board] n [ME sterbord, fr. OE steorbord, fr. steor-
          steering oar + bord ship's side--more at steer, board]
          (bef. 12c): the right side of a ship or aircraft looking
          forward--compare port [2]starboard adj (15c): of, relating
          to, or situated to starboard [3]starboard vt (1598):
          to turn or put (a helm or rudder) to the right

   [1]starch
          [starch] vt [ME sterchen, prob. fr. (assumed) OE stercan
          to stiffen; akin to OE stearc stiff--more at stark] (15c):
          to stiffen with or as if with starch [2]starch n (15c)
          1: a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex
          carbohydrate that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate
          in plants, is an important foodstuff, and is used also
          in adhesives and sizes, in laundering, and in pharmacy
          and medicine 2: a stiff formal manner: formality 3: resolute
          vigor

   star-chamber
          [star-cham.ber] adj [Star Chamber, a court existing in England
          from the 15th century until 1641] (1800): characterized
          by secrecy and often being irresponsibly arbitrary and
          oppressive

   starchy
          [starchy] adj starch.i.er ; -est (1802) 1: containing, consisting
          of, or resembling starch 2: consisting of or marked by
          formality or stiffness -- starch.i.ly adv -- starch.i.ness
          n

   star-crossed
          [star-crossed] adj (1592): not favored by the stars: ill-fated
          <a pair of ~ lovers take their life --Shak.>

   stardom
          [star.dom] n (1865): the status or position of a star

   stardust
          [star.dust] n (1927): a feeling or impression of romance,
          magic, or ethereality

   [1]stare
          [stare] vb stared ; star.ing [ME, fr. OE starian; akin to
          OHG staren to stare, Gk stereos solid, Lith starinti
          to stiffen] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to look fixedly often with
          wide-open eyes 2: to show oneself conspicuously <the
          error stared from the page> 3 of hair: to stand on end:
          bristle; also: to appear rough and lusterless ~ vt 1:
          to have an effect on by staring 2: to look at with a
          searching or earnest gaze -- star.er n -- stare one in
          the face : to be undeniably and forcefully evident or
          apparent [2]stare n (15c): the act or an instance of
          staring <a blank ~>

   stare decisis
          [sta.re de.ci.sis] n [L, to stand by decided matters] (1782):
          a doctrine or policy of following rules or principles
          laid down in previous judicial decisions unless they
          contravene the ordinary principles of justice

   stare down
          [stare down] vt (1925): to cause to waver or submit by or
          as if by staring

   starets
          [sta.rets] n, pl star.tsy [Russ, fr. staryi old--more at
          stour] (1917): a spiritual director or religious teacher
          in the Eastern Orthodox Church; specif: a spiritual adviser
          who is not necessarily a priest, who is recognized for
          his piety, and who is turned to by monks or laymen for
          spiritual guidance

   star facet
          [star facet] n (1751): one of the eight small triangular
          facets which abut on the table in the bezel of a brilliant

   starfish
          [star.fish] n (1538): any of a class (Asteroidea) of echinoderms
          having a body of usu. five radially disposed arms about
          a central disk and feeding largely on mollusks (as oysters)--called
          also sea star

   starflower
          [star.flow.er] n (1629): any of several plants having star-shaped
          pentamerous flowers; esp: any of a genus (Trientalis,
          esp. T. borealis) of perennial herbs of the primrose
          family

   star fruit
          [star fruit] n (1974): carambola 1

   stargaze
          [star.gaze] vi [back-formation fr. stargazer] (1626) 1: to
          gaze at stars 2: to gaze raptly or contemplatively

   stargazer
          [star.gaz.er] n (1560) 1: one who gazes at the stars: as
          a: astrologer b: astronomer 2: any of various marine
          bony fishes (families Uranoscopidae and Dactyloscopidae)
          with the eyes on top of a blocky or conical head

   stargazing
          [star.gaz.ing] n (1576) 1: the act or practice of a stargazer
          2 a: absorption in chimerical or impractical ideas: woolgathering
          b: the quality or state of being absentminded

   star grass
          [star grass] n (1687): any of various grassy plants with
          stellate flowers or arrangement of leaves: as a: any
          of a genus (Hypoxis) of herbs of the amaryllis family
          b: either of two colicroots (Aletris farinosa and A.
          aurea)

   [1]stark
          [stark] adj [ME, stiff, strong, fr. OE stearc; akin to OHG
          starc strong, Lith starinti to stiffen--more at stare]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: rigid in or as if in death b: rigidly
          conforming (as to a pattern or doctrine): absolute <~
          discipline> 2 archaic: strong, robust 3: utter, sheer
          <~ nonsense> 4 a: barren, desolate b (1): having few
          or no ornaments: bare <a ~ white room> (2): harsh, blunt
          <the ~ realities of death> 5: sharply delineated <a ~
          contrast> -- stark.ly adv -- stark.ness n [2]stark adv
          (13c) 1: in a stark manner 2: to an absolute or complete
          degree: wholly <~ naked> <~ mad>

   starkers
          [stark.ers] adj [alter. of [1]stark] (ca. 1923) chiefly Brit:
          completely unclothed: naked

   starlet
          [star.let] n (1920): a young movie actress being coached
          and publicized for starring roles

   starlight
          [star.light] n (14c): the light given by the stars

   starling
          [star.ling] n [ME, fr. OE staerlinc, fr. staer starling +
          -ling, -linc -ling; akin to OHG stara starling, L sturnus]
          (bef. 12c): any of a family (Sturnidae, esp. genus Sturnus)
          of usu. dark gregarious oscine birds; esp: a dark brown
          or in summer glossy greenish black European bird (S.
          vulgaris) naturalized nearly worldwide and often considered
          a pest

   starlit
          [star.lit] adj (ca. 1835): lighted by the stars

   star-nosed mole
          [star-nosed mole] n (1826): a common black long-tailed semiaquatic
          mole (Condylura cristata) of the northeastern U.S. and adjacent
          Canada that has a series of pink fleshy projections surrounding the
          nostrils

   star-of-Bethlehem
          [star-of-Beth.le.hem] n (1573): any of various Old World
          bulbous herbs (genus Ornithogalum) of the lily family
          with basal leaves resembling grass; esp: one (O. umbellatum)
          with white flowers that is naturalized in the eastern
          U.S.

   star of Bethlehem
          [star of Bethlehem] : a star which according to Christian
          tradition guided the Magi to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem

   Star of David
          [Star of Da.vid] (ca. 1936): magen david

   star route
          [star route] n [so called fr. the asterisk used to designate
          such routes in postal publications] (1880): a mail-delivery
          route in a rural or thinly populated area served by a
          private carrier under contract who takes mail from one
          post office to another or from a railroad station to
          a post office and usu. also delivers mail to private
          mailboxes along the route

   starry
          [star.ry] adj star.ri.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: adorned with stars;
          esp: star-studded b: of, relating to, or consisting of
          stars: stellar c: shining like stars: sparkling d: having
          parts arranged like the rays of a star: stellate 2: as
          high as or seemingly as high as the stars <~ speculations>
          3: starry-eyed

   starry-eyed
          [star.ry-eyed] adj (1904): regarding an object or a prospect
          in an overly favorable light; specif: characterized by
          dreamy, impracticable, or utopian thinking: visionary

   Stars and Bars
          [Stars and Bars] n pl but sing in constr (1861): the first
          flag of the Confederate States of America having three
          bars of red, white, and red respectively and a blue union
          with white stars in a circle representing the seceded
          states

   Stars and Stripes
          [Stars and Stripes] n pl but sing in constr (1777): the flag
          of the United States having 13 alternately red and white
          horizontal stripes and a blue union with white stars
          representing the states

   star sapphire
          [star sapphire] n (ca. 1817): a sapphire that when cut with
          a convex surface and polished exhibits asterism

   star shell
          [star shell] n (ca. 1876) 1: a shell that on bursting releases
          a shower of brilliant stars and is used for signaling
          2: a shell with an illuminating projectile

   starship
          [star.ship] n (1934): a spacecraft designed for interstellar
          travel

   star-spangled
          [star-span.gled] adj (1591): star-studded

   starstruck
          [star.struck] adj (1968): particularly taken with celebrities
          (as movie stars)

   star-studded
          [star-stud.ded] adj (1955): abounding in or covered with
          stars <a ~ cast> <a ~ uniform>

   star system
          [star system] n (1902): the practice of casting famous performers
          in principal roles (as in motion pictures or the theater)
          esp. in order to capitalize on their popular appeal

   [1]start
          [start] vb [ME sterten; akin to MHG sterzen to stand up stiffly,
          move quickly] vi (14c) 1 a: to move suddenly and violently:
          spring <~ed angrily to his feet> b: to react with a sudden
          brief involuntary movement <~ed when a shot rang out>
          2 a: to issue with sudden force <blood ~ing from the
          wound> b: to come into being, activity, or operation
          <when does the movie ~> <the rain ~ed up again> 3: to
          protrude or seem to protrude <eyes ~ing from their sockets>
          4: to become loosened or forced out of place <one of
          the planks has ~ed> 5 a: to begin a course or journey
          <~ed toward the door> <just ~ing out> b: to range from
          a specified initial point <the rates ~ at $10> 6: to
          begin an activity or undertaking; esp: to begin work
          7: to be a participant in a game or contest; esp: to
          be in the starting lineup ~ vt 1: to cause to leave a
          place of concealment: flush <~ a rabbit> 2 archaic: startle,
          alarm 3: to bring up for consideration or discussion
          4: to bring into being <~ a rumor> 5: to cause to become
          loosened or displaced 6: to begin the use of <~ a fresh
          loaf of bread> 7 a: to cause to move, act, or operate
          <~ the motor> b: to cause to enter a game or contest;
          esp: to put in the starting lineup c: to care for or
          train during the early stages of growth and development
          <~ed plants> <a well-started coonhound> 8: to do or experience
          the first stages or actions of <~ed studying music at
          the age of five> syn see begin -- start something also
          start anything : to make trouble <always trying to start
          something> <don't start anything> -- to start with 1:
          at the beginning: initially 2: in any event [2]start
          n (14c) 1 a: a sudden involuntary bodily movement or
          reaction <woke with a ~> b: a brief and sudden action
          or movement c: a sudden capricious impulse or outburst
          2: a beginning of movement, activity, or development
          <a false ~> <housing ~s> 3: head start 4: a place of
          beginning 5: the act or an instance of being a competitor
          in a race or a member of a starting lineup in a game
          <undefeated in six ~s --Current Biog.>

   START
          [START] abbreviation strategic arms limitation talks

   starter
          [start.er] n (1622) 1: a person who initiates or sets going:
          as a: an official who gives the signal to begin a race
          b: one who dispatches vehicles 2 a: one that engages
          in a competition; esp: a member of a starting lineup
          b: one that begins to engage in an activity or process
          3: one that causes something to begin operating: as a:
          a device for starting an engine; esp: an electric motor
          used to start an internal combustion engine b: material
          containing microorganisms used to induce a desired fermentation
          4: something that is the beginning of a process, activity,
          or series; esp: appetizer -- for starters : to begin
          with

   star thistle
          [star thistle] n (1578) 1: a widely naturalized spiny European
          knapweed (Centaurea calcitrapa) with purple flowers--called
          also caltrops 2: any of various knapweeds related to
          the star thistle

   starting block
          [starting block] n (1937): a device that consists of two
          blocks mounted on either side of an adjustable frame
          which is usu. anchored to the ground and that provides
          a runner with a rigid surface against which to brace
          the feet at the start of a race

   starting gate
          [starting gate] n (1898) 1: a mechanically operated barrier
          used as a starting device for a race 2: a barrier that
          when knocked aside by a competitor (as a skier) starts
          an electronic timing device

   [1]startle
          [star.tle] vb star.tled ; star.tling [ME stertlen, freq.
          of sterten to start] vi (1530): to move or jump suddenly
          (as in surprise or alarm) <the baby ~s easily> ~ vt:
          to frighten or surprise suddenly and usu. not seriously
          -- star.tle.ment n [2]startle n (1714): a sudden mild
          shock (as of surprise or alarm)

   startling
          [star.tling] adj (1714): causing momentary fright, surprise,
          or astonishment -- star.tling.ly adv

   start-up
          [start-up] n, often attrib (1845) 1: the act or an instance
          of setting in operation or motion 2: a fledgling business
          enterprise

   star turn
          [star turn] n (1898) chiefly Brit: the featured skit or number
          in a theatrical production; broadly: the most widely
          publicized person or item in a group

   starvation
          [star.va.tion] n (1778) 1: the act or an instance of starving
          2: the state of being starved

   starvation wages
          [starvation wages] n (1898): wages insufficient to provide
          the ordinary necessities of life

   starve
          [starve] vb starved ; starv.ing [ME sterven to die, starve,
          fr. OE steorfan to die; akin to OHG sterban to die, Lith
          starinti to stiffen--more at stare] vi (15c) 1 a: to
          perish from lack of food b: to suffer extreme hunger
          2 a archaic: to die of cold b Brit: to suffer greatly
          from cold 3: to suffer or perish from deprivation <starved
          for affection> ~ vt 1 a: to kill with hunger b: to deprive
          of nourishment c: to cause to capitulate by or as if
          by depriving of nourishment 2: to destroy by or cause
          to suffer from deprivation 3 archaic: to kill with cold

   [1]starveling
          [starve.ling] n (1546): one that is thin from or as if from
          lack of food [2]starveling adj (1597): being a starveling;
          also: marked by poverty or inadequacy <~ wages>

   [1]stash
          [stash] vt [origin unknown] (1785): to store in a usu. secret
          place for future use--often used with away [2]stash n
          (ca. 1914) 1: hiding place: cache 2: something stored
          or hidden away <a ~ of narcotics>

   -stasis
          [-stasis] n comb form, pl -stases [NL, fr. Gk stasis] 1:
          stoppage: slowing <hemostasis> <bacteriostasis> 2: stable
          state <homeostasis>

   stasis
          [sta.sis] n, pl sta.ses [NL, fr. Gk, act or condition of
          standing, stopping, fr. histasthai to stand--more at
          stand] (1745) 1: a slowing or stoppage of the normal
          flow of a bodily fluid or semifluid: as a: slowing of
          the current of circulating blood b: reduced motility
          of the intestines with retention of feces 2: a state
          of static balance or equilibrium: stagnation

   -stat
          [-stat] n comb form [NL -stata, fr. Gk -states one that stops
          or steadies, fr. histanai to cause to stand--more at
          stand] 1: stabilizing agent or device <thermostat> 2:
          instrument for reflecting (something specified) constantly
          in one direction <heliostat> 3: agent causing inhibition
          of growth without destruction <bacteriostat>

   stat
          [stat] [L statim] abbreviation immediately; statute

   stat
          [stat] n (ca. 1961): statistic

   statant
          [sta.tant] adj [L status, pp. + E -ant] (ca. 1500): standing
          in profile with all feet on the ground--used of a heraldic
          animal

   [1]state
          [state] n, often attrib [ME stat, fr. OF & L; OF estat, fr.
          L status, fr. stare to stand--more at stand] (13c) 1
          a: mode or condition of being <a ~ of readiness> b (1):
          condition of mind or temperament <in a highly nervous
          ~> (2): a condition of abnormal tension or excitement
          2 a: a condition or stage in the physical being of something
          <insects in the larval ~> <the gaseous ~ of water> b:
          any of various conditions characterized by definite quantities
          (as of energy, angular momentum, or magnetic moment)
          in which an atomic system may exist 3 a: social position;
          esp: high rank b (1): elaborate or luxurious style of
          living (2): formal dignity: pomp--usu. used with in 4
          a: a body of persons constituting a special class in
          a society: estate 3 b pl: the members or representatives
          of the governing classes assembled in a legislative body
          c obs: a person of high rank (as a noble) 5 a: a politically
          organized body of people usu. occupying a definite territory;
          esp: one that is sovereign b: the political organization
          of such a body of people c: a government or politically
          organized society having a particular character <a police
          ~> <the welfare ~> 6: the operations or concerns of the
          government of a country 7 a: one of the constituent units
          of a nation having a federal government <the fifty ~s>
          b pl, cap: The United States of America 8: the territory
          of a state [2]state vt stat.ed ; stat.ing (1647) 1: to
          set by regulation or authority 2: to express the particulars
          of esp. in words: report; broadly: to express in words
          -- stat.able or state.able adj

   state aid
          [state aid] n (1856): public monies appropriated by a state
          government for the partial support or improvement of
          a public local institution

   state bank
          [state bank] n (1815) 1: central bank 2: a bank chartered
          by and operating under the laws of a state of the U.S.

   state bird
          [state bird] n (1910): a bird selected (as by the legislature)
          as an emblem of a state of the U.S.

   state capitalism
          [state capitalism] n (1903): an economic system in which
          private capitalism is modified by a varying degree of
          government ownership and control

   state church
          [state church] n, often cap S&C (1726): established church

   state college
          [state college] n (1831): a college that is financially supported
          by a state government, often specializes in a branch
          of technical or professional education, and often forms
          part of the state university

   statecraft
          [state.craft] n (1642): the art of conducting state affairs

   stated
          [stat.ed] adj (ca. 1641) 1: fixed, regular <the president
          shall, at ~ times, receive ... a compensation --U.S.
          Constitution> 2: set down explicitly: declared <our ~
          intention> -- stat.ed.ly adv

   stated clerk
          [stated clerk] n (ca. 1909): an executive officer of a Presbyterian
          general assembly, synod, or presbytery ranking below the moderator

   state flower
          [state flower] n (1898): a flowering plant selected (as by
          the legislature) as an emblem of a state of the U.S.

   statehood
          [state.hood] n (1868): the condition of being a state; esp:
          the status of being one of the states of the U.S.

   statehouse
          [state.house] n (1638): the building in which a state legislature
          sits

   stateless
          [state.less] adj (1609) 1: having no state 2: lacking the
          status of a national <a ~ refugee> -- state.less.ness
          n

   stately
          [state.ly] adj state.li.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: marked by lofty
          or imposing dignity b: haughty, unapproachable 2: impressive
          in size or proportions syn see grand -- state.li.ness
          n -- stately adv

   statement
          [state.ment] n (ca. 1775) 1: something stated: as a: a single
          declaration or remark: assertion b: a report of facts
          or opinions 2: the act or process of stating or presenting
          orally or on paper 3: proposition 2a 4: the presentation
          of a theme in a musical composition 5: a summary of a
          financial account showing the balance due 6: an opinion,
          comment, or message conveyed indirectly usu. by nonverbal
          means <monuments are ~s in form and space --O. B. Hardison,
          Jr.> 7: an instruction in a computer program

   state of the art
          [state of the art] (1910): the level of development (as of
          a device, procedure, process, technique, or science)
          reached at any particular time usu. as a result of modern
          methods -- state-of-the-art adj

   state of war
          [state of war] (1880) 1 a: a state of actual armed hostilities
          regardless of a formal declaration of war b: a legal
          state created and ended by official declaration regardless
          of actual armed hostilities and usu. characterized by
          operation of the rules of war 2: the period of time during
          which a state of war is in effect

   stater
          [sta.ter] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk stater, lit., a unit of weight,
          fr. histanai to cause to stand, weigh--more at stand]
          (14c): an ancient gold or silver coin of the Greek city-states

   stateroom
          [state.room] n (1660) 1: cabin 1a(1) 2: a private room on
          a railroad car with one or more berths and a toilet

   state's attorney
          [state's attorney] n (1809): a legal officer (as a district
          attorney) appointed or elected to represent a state in
          court proceedings within a district--called also state
          attorney

   state's evidence
          [state's evidence] n, often cap S (1827): a participant in
          a crime or an accomplice who gives evidence for the prosecution
          esp. in return for a reduced sentence; also: the evidence
          given--used chiefly in the phrase turn state's evidence

   States General
          [States General] n pl (1585) 1: the assembly of the three
          orders of clergy, nobility, and third estate in France
          before the Revolution 2: the legislature of the Netherlands
          from the 15th century to 1796

   [1]stateside
          [state.side] adj, often cap [(United) States + side] (1944):
          being in, going to, coming from, or characteristic of
          the 48 conterminous states of the U.S. <transferred from
          Europe to ~ duty> [2]stateside adv, often cap (1945):
          in or to the continental U.S.

   statesman
          [states.man] n (1592) 1: one versed in the principles or
          art of government; esp: one actively engaged in conducting
          the business of a government or in shaping its policies
          2: one who exercises political leadership wisely and
          without narrow partisanship -- states.man.like adj --
          states.man.ly adj -- states.man.ship n

   state socialism
          [state socialism] n (1879): an economic system with limited
          socialist characteristics introduced by usu. gradual
          political action

   states' righter
          [states' right.er] n (1945): one who advocates strict
          interpretation of the U.S. constitutional guarantee of states'
          rights

   states' rights
          [states' rights] n pl (1858): all rights not vested by the
          Constitution of the U.S. in the federal government nor
          forbidden by it to the separate states

   state tree
          [state tree] n (1917): a tree selected (as by the legislature)
          as an emblem of a state of the U.S.

   state university
          [state university] n (1831): a university maintained and
          administered by one of the states of the U.S. as part
          of the state public educational system

   [1]statewide
          [state.wide] adj (1911): affecting or extending throughout
          all parts of a state [2]statewide adv (ca. 1934): throughout
          the state

   -static
          [-static] adj comb form [NL -staticus, fr. staticus] 1: of
          or relating to a position or state <orthostatic> 2: inhibiting
          the growth of <fungistatic>

   [1]static
          [stat.ic] adj [NL staticus, fr. Gk statikos causing to stand,
          skilled in weighing, fr. histanai to cause to stand,
          weigh--more at stand] (1638) 1: exerting force by reason
          of weight alone without motion 2: of or relating to bodies
          at rest or forces in equilibrium 3: showing little change
          <a ~ population> 4 a: characterized by a lack of movement,
          animation, or progression b: producing an effect of repose
          or quiescence <a ~ design> 5 a: standing or fixed in
          one place: stationary b of water: stored in a tank but
          not under pressure 6: of, relating to, or producing stationary
          charges of electricity: electrostatic 7: of, relating
          to, or caused by radio static -- stat.i.cal adj -- stat.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]static n [static electricity] (1913) 1: noise
          produced in a radio or television receiver by atmospheric
          or various natural or man-made electrical disturbances;
          also: the electrical disturbances producing this noise
          2: heated opposition or criticism -- stat.icky adj

   statice
          [stat.i.ce] n [NL, genus of herbs, fr. L, an astringent plant,
          fr. Gk statike, fr. fem. of statikos causing to stand,
          astringent] (1745): sea lavender

   static electricity
          [static electricity] n (1876): electricity that consists
          of isolated motionless charges (as those produced by
          friction)

   static line
          [static line] n (1930): a cord attached to a parachute pack
          and to an airplane to open the parachute after a jumper
          clears the plane

   statics
          [stat.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1837): mechanics
          dealing with the relations of forces that produce equilibrium
          among material bodies

   static tube
          [static tube] n (1923): a tube used for indicating static
          as distinct from impact pressure in a stream of fluid

   [1]station
          [sta.tion] n [ME stacioun, fr. MF station, fr. L station-,
          statio, fr. stare to stand--more at stand] (14c) 1 a:
          the place or position in which something or someone stands
          or is assigned to stand or remain b: any of the places
          in a manufacturing operation at which one part of the
          work is done c: equipment used usu. by one person for
          performing a particular job 2: the act or manner of standing:
          posture 3: a stopping place: as a (1): a regular stopping
          place in a transportation route (2): the building connected
          with such a stopping place: depot 3 b: one of the stations
          of the cross 4 a: a post or sphere of duty or occupation
          b: a stock farm or ranch esp. of Australia or New Zealand
          5: standing, rank <a woman of high ~> 6: a place for
          specialized observation and study of scientific phenomena
          <a seismological ~> <a marine biological ~> 7: a place
          established to provide a public service: as a (1): fire
          station (2): police station b: a branch post office 8:
          service station 1 9 a: a complete assemblage of radio
          or television equipment for transmitting or receiving
          b: the place in which such a station is located [2]station
          vt sta.tioned ; sta.tion.ing (1748): to assign to or
          set in a station or position: post

   stational
          [sta.tion.al] adj (1902): of, relating to, or being a mass
          formerly celebrated by the pope at designated churches
          in Rome on appointed holy days

   stationary
          [sta.tion.ary] adj (1626) 1: fixed in a station, course,
          or mode: immobile 2: unchanging in condition

   stationary bicycle
          [stationary bicycle] n (1962): an exercise apparatus that
          can be pedaled like a bicycle--called also stationary
          bike

   stationary front
          [stationary front] n (ca. 1940): the boundary between two
          air masses neither of which is replacing the other

   stationary wave
          [stationary wave] n (1856): standing wave

   station break
          [station break] n (1937): a pause in a radio or television
          broadcast for announcement of the identity of the network
          or station; also: an announcement or advertisement during
          this pause

   stationer
          [sta.tio.ner] n [ME staciouner, fr. ML stationarius, fr.
          station-, statio shop, fr. L, station] (14c) 1 archaic
          a: bookseller b: publisher 2: one that sells stationery

   stationery
          [sta.tio.nery] n [stationer] (ca. 1688) 1: materials (as
          paper, pens, and ink) for writing or typing 2: letter
          paper usu. accompanied with matching envelopes

   station house
          [station house] n (1833): a house at a post or station; esp:
          police station

   stationmaster
          [sta.tion.mas.ter] n (1856): an official in charge of the
          operation of a railroad station

   stations of the cross
          [stations of the cross] often cap S&C (ca. 1890) 1: a series
          of usu. 14 images or pictures esp. in a church that represent
          the stages of Christ's passion and death 2: a devotion
          involving commemorative meditation before the stations
          of the cross

   station wagon
          [station wagon] n (1904): an automobile that has a passenger
          compartment which extends to the back of the vehicle,
          that has no trunk, that has one or more rear seats which
          can be folded down to make space for light cargo, and
          that has a tailgate or liftgate

   statism
          [stat.ism] n (1880): concentration of economic controls and
          planning in the hands of a highly centralized government

   statist
          [stat.ist] n (1946): an advocate of statism -- statist adj

   statistic
          [sta.tis.tic] n [sing. of statistics] (1880) 1: a single
          term or datum in a collection of statistics 2 a: a quantity
          (as the mean of a sample) that is computed from a sample;
          specif: estimate 3b b: a random variable that takes on
          the possible values of a statistic

   statistical
          [sta.tis.ti.cal] adj (1787): of, relating to, based on, or
          employing the principles of statistics -- sta.tis.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   statistical mechanics
          [statistical mechanics] n pl but usu sing in constr (1885):
          a branch of mechanics dealing with the application of
          the principles of statistics to the mechanics of a system
          consisting of a large number of parts having motions
          that differ by small steps over a large range

   statistician
          [stat.is.ti.cian] n (1825): one versed in or engaged in compiling
          statistics

   statistics
          [sta.tis.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [G Statistik
          study of political facts and figures, fr. NL statisticus
          of politics, fr. L status state] (1770) 1: a branch of
          mathematics dealing with the collection, analysis, interpretation,
          and presentation of masses of numerical data 2: a collection
          of quantitative data

   stative
          [sta.tive] adj (1874): expressing a state, condition, or
          relation--compare active 3b

   stato-
          [stato-] comb form [ISV, fr. Gk statos stationary, fr. histasthai
          to stand--more at stand] 1: resting <statoblast> 2: equilibrium
          <statocyst>

   statoblast
          [stato.blast] n [ISV] (1855) 1: a bud in a freshwater bryozoan
          that overwinters in a chitinous envelope and develops
          into a new individual in spring 2: gemmule b

   statocyst
          [stato.cyst] n [ISV] (1902): an organ of equilibrium occurring
          esp. among invertebrate animals and consisting usu. of
          a fluid-filled vesicle in which are suspended statoliths

   statolith
          [stato.lith] n [ISV] (1900) 1: any of the usu. calcareous
          bodies suspended in a statocyst 2: any of various starch
          grains or other solid bodies in the plant cytoplasm that
          are held to be responsible by changes in their position
          for changes in orientation of a part or organ

   stator
          [sta.tor] n [NL, fr. L, one that stands, fr. stare to stand--more
          at stand] (1902): a stationary part in a machine in or
          about which a rotor revolves

   statoscope
          [stato.scope] n [ISV] (ca. 1900): a sensitive aneroid barometer
          for recording small changes in atmospheric pressure;
          esp: one used for indicating small changes in the altitude
          of an aircraft

   [1]statuary
          [stat.u.ary] n, pl -ar.ies (1542) 1: sculptor 2 a: the art
          of making statues b: a collection of statues: statues
          [2]statuary adj (1627): of, relating to, or suitable
          for statues

   statue
          [stat.ue] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L statua, fr. statuere to set
          up--more at statute] (14c): a three-dimensional representation
          usu. of a person, animal, or mythical being that is produced
          by sculpturing, modeling, or casting

   Statue of Liberty
          [Statue of Liberty] (ca. 1900) 1: a large copper statue of
          a woman holding a torch aloft in her right hand located
          on Liberty Island in New York harbor 2: a trick played
          in football in which the ballcarrier takes the ball from
          the raised hand of a teammate who is faking a pass

   statuesque
          [stat.u.esque] adj (1834): resembling a statue esp. in dignity,
          shapeliness, or stillness; esp: tall and shapely -- stat.uesque.ly
          adv

   statuette
          [stat.u.ette] n (1843): a small statue

   stature
          [stat.ure] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L statura, fr. status, pp.
          of stare to stand--more at stand] (14c) 1: natural height
          (as of a person) in an upright position 2: quality or
          status gained by growth, development, or achievement

   status
          [sta.tus] n, pl sta.tus.es often attrib [L--more at state]
          (1791) 1: the condition of a person or thing in the eyes
          of the law 2 a: position or rank in relation to others
          <the ~ of a father> b: relative rank in a hierarchy of
          prestige; esp: high prestige 3: state of affairs

   status in quo
          [sta.tus in quo] [L] foreign term : state in which: the existing
          state

   status offender
          [status offender] n (ca. 1976): a young offender (as a runaway
          or a truant) who is under the jurisdiction of a court
          for repeated offenses that are not crimes

   status quo
          [status quo] n [L, state in which] (1833): the existing state
          of affairs <seeks to preserve the status quo>

   status quo ante
          [status quo an.te] n [L, state in which previously] (1877):
          the state of affairs that existed previously

   status quo ante bellum
          [sta.tus quo an.te bel.lum] [L] foreign term : the state
          existing before the war

   statusy
          [sta.tusy] adj (1962): having, showing, or conferring prestige

   statutable
          [stat.ut.able] adj (1636): made, regulated, or imposed by
          or in conformity to statute: statutory <~ tonnage>

   statute
          [stat.ute] n [ME, fr. OF statut, fr. LL statutum law, regulation,
          fr. L, neut. of statutus, pp. of statuere to set up,
          station, fr. status position, state] (14c) 1: a law enacted
          by the legislative branch of a government 2: an act of
          a corporation or of its founder intended as a permanent
          rule 3: an international instrument setting up an agency
          and regulating its scope or authority syn see law

   statute book
          [statute book] n (1593): the whole body of legislation of
          a given jurisdiction whether or not published as a whole--usu.
          used in pl.

   statute mile
          [statute mile] n (1862): mile 1a

   statute of limitations
          [statute of limitations] (1768): a statute assigning a certain
          time after which rights cannot be enforced by legal action
          or offenses cannot be punished

   statutory
          [stat.u.to.ry] adj (1766) 1: of or relating to statutes 2:
          enacted, created, or regulated by statute <a ~ age limit>
          -- stat.u.to.ri.ly adv

   statutory rape
          [statutory rape] n (1898): sexual intercourse with a person
          who is below the statutory age of consent

   [1]staunch
          [staunch] var of stanch [2]staunch adj [ME, fr. MF estanche,
          fem. of estanc, fr. OF, fr. estancher to stanch--more
          at stanch] (15c) 1 a: watertight, sound b: strongly built:
          substantial 2: steadfast in loyalty or principle syn
          see faithful -- staunch.ly adv -- staunch.ness n

   staurolite
          [stau.ro.lite] n [F, fr. Gk stauros cross + F -lite--more
          at steer] (ca. 1815): a mineral consisting of a basic
          silicate of iron and aluminum in prismatic orthorhombic
          crystals often twinned so as to resemble a cross -- stau.ro.lit.ic
          adj

   [1]stave
          [stave] n [ME, back-formation fr. staves, pl. of staf staff]
          (13c) 1: [1]staff 1, 2 2: any of the narrow strips of
          wood or narrow iron plates placed edge to edge to form
          the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel (as a barrel)
          or structure 3: stanza 4: [1]staff 3 [2]stave vb staved
          or stove ; stav.ing vt (ca. 1595) 1: to break in the
          staves of (a cask) 2: to smash a hole in <stove in the
          boat>; also: to crush or break inward <staved in several
          ribs> 3: to drive or thrust away ~ vi 1 archaic: to become
          stove in--used of a boat or ship 2: to walk or move rapidly

   stave off
          [stave off] vt (1624) 1: to fend off <staving off creditors>
          2: to ward off (as something adverse): forestall <trying
          to stave off disaster>

   staves
          [staves] pl of staff

   stavesacre
          [staves.acre] n [by folk etymology fr. ME staphisagre, fr.
          ML staphis agria, fr. Gk, lit., wild raisin] (15c): a
          Eurasian delphinium (Delphinium staphisagria); also:
          its violently emetic and cathartic seeds

   [1]stay
          [stay] n [ME, fr. OE staeg; akin to ON stag stay, OE stele
          steel] (bef. 12c) 1: a large strong rope usu. of wire
          used to support a mast 2: [1]guy [2]stay vt (1627) 1:
          to secure upright with or as if with stays 2: to incline
          (a mast) forward, aft, or to one side by the stays ~
          vi: to go about: tack [3]stay vb stayed also staid ;
          stay.ing [ME, fr. MF ester to stand, stay, fr. L stare--more
          at stand] vi (15c) 1: to stop going forward: pause 2:
          to stop doing something: cease 3: to continue in a place
          or condition: remain <~ed up all night> <went for a short
          vacation but ~ed on for weeks> <~ put till I come back>
          4: to stand firm 5: to take up residence: lodge 6: to
          keep even in a contest or rivalry <~ with the leaders>
          7: to call a poker bet without raising 8 obs: to be in
          waiting or attendance ~ vt 1: to wait for: await 2: to
          stick or remain with (as a race or trial of endurance)
          to the end--usu. used in the phrase stay the course 3:
          to remain during <~ed the whole time> 4 a: to stop or
          delay the proceeding or advance of by or as if by interposing
          an obstacle: halt <~ an execution> b: to check the course
          of (as a disease) c: allay, pacify <~ed tempers> d: to
          quiet the hunger of temporarily syn see defer [4]stay
          n (1536) 1 a: the action of halting: the state of being
          stopped b: a stopping or suspension of procedure or execution
          by judicial or executive order 2 obs: self-control, moderation
          3: a residence or sojourn in a place 4: capacity for
          endurance [5]stay n [MF estaie, of Gmc origin; akin to
          OHG stan to stand--more at stand] (1515) 1: one that
          serves as a prop: support 2: a corset stiffened with
          bones--usu. used in pl. [6]stay vt (1548) 1: to provide
          physical or moral support for: sustain 2: to fix on something
          as a foundation

   stay-at-home
          [stay-at-home] adj (1806): remaining habitually in one's
          residence, locality, or country -- stay-at-home n

   stayer
          [stay.er] n (ca. 1580): one that stays; esp: one that upholds
          or supports

   staying power
          [staying power] n (1859): capacity for endurance: stamina

   staysail
          [stay.sail] n (1669): a fore-and-aft sail hoisted on a stay--see
          sail illustration

   STB
          [STB] [NL sacrae theologiae baccalaureus] abbreviation bachelor
          of sacred theology; [NL scientiae theologicae baccalaureus]
          bachelor of theology

   stbd
          [stbd] abbreviation starboard

   STD
          [STD] n [sexually transmitted disease] (1976): any of various
          diseases transmitted by direct sexual contact that include
          the classic venereal diseases (as syphilis, gonorrhea,
          and chancroid) and other diseases (as hepatitis A, hepatitis
          B, giardiasis, and AIDS) that are often or sometimes
          contracted by other than sexual means

   std
          [std] abbreviation standard  STD [NL sacrae theologiae doctor]
          abbreviation doctor of sacred theology

   Ste
          [Ste] [F sainte] abbreviation saint (female)

   [1]stead
          [stead] n [ME stede, fr. OE; akin to OHG stat place, OE standan
          to stand--more at stand] (bef. 12c) 1 obs: locality,
          place 2: advantage--used chiefly in the phrase to stand
          one in good stead 3: the office, place, or function ordinarily
          occupied or carried out by someone or something else
          <acted in his brother's ~> [2]stead vt (13c): to be of
          avail to: help

   steadfast
          [stead.fast] adj [ME stedefast, fr. OE stedefaest, fr. stede
          + faest fixed, fast] (bef. 12c) 1 a: firmly fixed in
          place: immovable b: not subject to change <the ~ doctrine
          of original sin --Ellen Glasgow> 2: firm in belief, determination,
          or adherence: loyal syn see faithful -- stead.fast.ly adv
          -- stead.fast.ness n

   steading
          [stead.ing] n [ME steding, fr. stede place, farm] (15c) 1:
          a small farm 2 chiefly Scot: the service buildings or
          area of a farm

   [1]steady
          [steady] adj steadi.er ; -est [ME stedy, fr. stede] (14c)
          1 a: direct or sure in movement: unfaltering b: firm
          in position: fixed c: keeping nearly upright in a seaway
          <a ~ ship> 2: showing little variation or fluctuation:
          stable, uniform <a ~ breeze> <~ prices> 3 a: not easily
          disturbed or upset <~ nerves> b (1): constant in feeling,
          principle, purpose, or attachment (2): dependable c:
          not given to dissipation: sober -- steadi.ly adv -- steadi.ness
          n syn steady, even, equable mean not varying throughout
          a course or extent. steady implies lack of fluctuation
          or interruption of movement <steady progress>. even suggests
          a lack of variation in quality or character <an even
          distribution>. equable implies lack of extremes or of
          sudden sharp changes <maintain an equable temper>. [2]steady
          vb stead.ied ; steady.ing vt (1530): to make or keep
          steady ~ vi: to become steady -- steadi.er n [3]steady
          adv (ca. 1605) 1: in a steady manner: steadily 2: on
          the course set--used as a direction to the helmsman of
          a ship [4]steady n, pl stead.ies (1792): one that is
          steady; specif: a boyfriend or girlfriend with whom one
          goes steady

   steady state
          [steady state] n (1885): a state or condition of a system
          or process (as one of the energy states of an atom) that
          does not change in time; broadly: a condition that changes
          only negligibly over a specified time

   steady state theory
          [steady state theory] n (1948): a theory in astronomy: the
          universe has always existed and has always been expanding
          with hydrogen being created continuously--compare big
          bang theory

   steak
          [steak] n [ME steke, fr. ON steik; akin to ON steikja to
          roast on a stake, stik stick, stake--more at stick] (15c)
          1 a: a slice of meat cut from a fleshy part of a beef
          carcass b: a similar slice of a specified meat other
          than beef <ham ~> c: a cross-section slice of a large
          fish <swordfish ~> 2: ground beef prepared for cooking
          or for serving in the manner of a steak <hamburger ~>

   steak house
          [steak house] n (1762): a restaurant whose specialty is beefsteak

   steak knife
          [steak knife] n (1895): a table knife with a sharp often
          serrated blade

   steak tartare
          [steak tar.tare] n [F tartare Tartar] (1911): highly seasoned
          ground beef eaten raw

   [1]steal
          [steal] vb stole ; sto.len ; steal.ing [ME stelen, fr. OE
          stelan; akin to OHG stelan to steal] vi (bef. 12c) 1:
          to take the property of another wrongfully and esp. as
          an habitual or regular practice 2: to come or go secretly,
          unobtrusively, gradually, or unexpectedly 3: to steal
          or attempt to steal a base ~ vt 1 a: to take or appropriate
          without right or leave and with intent to keep or make
          use of wrongfully <stole a car> b: to take away by force
          or unjust means <they've stolen our liberty> c: to take
          surreptitiously or without permission <~ a kiss> d: to
          appropriate to oneself or beyond one's proper share:
          make oneself the focus of <~ the show> 2 a: to move,
          convey, or introduce secretly: smuggle b: to accomplish
          in a concealed or unobserved manner <~ a visit> 3 a:
          to seize, gain, or win by trickery, skill, or daring
          <a basketball player adept at ~ing the ball> <stole the
          election> b of a base runner: to reach (a base) safely
          solely by running and usu. catching the opposing team
          off guard -- steal.able adj -- steal.er n -- steal a
          march on : to gain an advantage on unobserved -- steal
          one's thunder : to grab attention from another esp. by
          anticipating an idea, plan, or presentation; also: to
          claim credit for another's idea syn steal, pilfer, filch,
          purloin mean to take from another without right or without
          detection. steal may apply to any surreptitious taking
          of something and differs from the other terms by commonly
          applying to intangibles as well as material things <steal
          jewels> <stole a look at the gifts>. pilfer implies stealing
          repeatedly in small amounts <pilfered from his employer>.
          filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously
          <filched an apple from the tray>. purloin stresses removing
          or carrying off for one's own use or purposes <printed
          a purloined document>. [2]steal n (ca. 1825) 1: the act
          or an instance of stealing 2: a fraudulent or questionable
          political deal 3: bargain 2 <it's a ~ at that price>

   stealth
          [stealth] n [ME stelthe; akin to OE stelan to steal] (13c)
          1 a archaic: theft b obs: something stolen 2: the act
          or action of proceeding furtively, secretly, or imperceptibly
          <the state moves by ~ to gather information --Nat Hentoff>
          3: the state of being furtive or unobtrusive 4: an aircraft-design
          characteristic consisting of oblique angular construction and
          avoidance of vertical surfaces that is intended to produce a very
          weak radar return

   stealthy
          [stealthy] adj stealth.i.er ; -est (1605) 1: slow, deliberate,
          and secret in action or character 2: intended to escape
          observation: furtive syn see secret -- stealth.i.ly adv
          -- stealth.i.ness n

   [1]steam
          [steam] n [ME stem, fr. OE steam; akin to D stoom steam]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a vapor arising from a heated substance
          2 a: the invisible vapor into which water is converted
          when heated to the boiling point b: the mist formed by
          the condensation on cooling of water vapor 3 a: water
          vapor kept under pressure so as to supply energy for
          heating, cooking, or mechanical work; also: the power
          so generated b: active force: power, momentum <got there
          under his own ~> <sales began to pick up ~>; also: normal
          force <at full ~> c: pent-up emotional tension <needed
          to let off a little ~> 4 a: steamer 2a b: travel by or
          a trip in a steamer [2]steam vt (15c) 1: to give out
          as fumes: exhale 2: to apply steam to; esp: to expose
          to the action of steam (as for softening or cooking)
          ~ vi 1: to rise or pass off as vapor 2: to give off steam
          or vapor 3 a: to move or travel by the agency of steam
          b: to move or proceed with energy or force 4: to be angry:
          boil <~ing over the insult>

   steamboat
          [steam.boat] n (1785): a boat driven by steam power; specif:
          a shallow-draft vessel used on inland waterways

   steamboat Gothic
          [steamboat Gothic] n [fr. its use in homes of retired steamboat
          captains in imitation of the style of river steamboats]
          (1941): an elaborately ornamented architectural style
          used in homes built in the middle 19th century in the
          Ohio and Mississippi river valleys

   steam boiler
          [steam boiler] n (1805): a boiler for producing steam

   steam chest
          [steam chest] n (1797): the chamber from which steam is distributed
          to a cylinder of a steam engine

   steamed
          [steamed] adj (1802) 1: cooked by steam 2: angry 1--often
          used with up

   steam engine
          [steam engine] n (1751): an engine driven or worked by steam;
          specif: a reciprocating engine having a piston driven
          in a closed cylinder by steam

   steamer
          [steam.er] n (1814) 1: a vessel in which articles are subjected
          to steam 2 a: a ship propelled by steam b: an engine,
          machine, or vehicle operated or propelled by steam 3:
          one that steams 4: soft-shell clam

   steamer rug
          [steamer rug] n (1890): a warm covering for the lap and feet
          esp. of a person sitting on a ship's deck

   steamer trunk
          [steamer trunk] n (1886): a trunk suitable for use in a stateroom
          of a steamer; esp: a shallow trunk that may be stowed
          beneath a berth

   steamfitter
          [steam.fit.ter] n (ca. 1890): one that installs or repairs
          equipment (as steam pipes) for heating, ventilating,
          or refrigerating systems -- steam fitting n

   steam iron
          [steam iron] n (ca. 1943): a pressing iron with a compartment
          holding water that is converted to steam by the iron's
          heat and emitted through the soleplate onto the fabric
          being pressed

   [1]steamroller
          [steam.roll.er] n (1866) 1: a steam-driven road roller; broadly:
          road roller 2: a crushing force esp. when ruthlessly
          applied to overcome opposition [2]steamroller or steam.roll
          vt (1879) 1: to overwhelm usu. by greatly superior force
          <~ the opposition> 2: to bring or advance by overwhelming
          force or pressure <~ed the bill through the legislature>
          ~ vi: to move or proceed with irresistible force

   steamship
          [steam.ship] n (1790): steamer 2a

   steamship round
          [steamship round] n (1964): a large beef roast consisting
          of the whole round with rump and heel

   steam shovel
          [steam shovel] n (1879): a power shovel operated by steam;
          broadly: power shovel

   steam table
          [steam table] n (1861): a table having openings to hold containers
          of cooked food over steam or hot water circulating beneath them

   steam turbine
          [steam turbine] n (1900): a turbine that is driven by the
          pressure of steam discharged at high velocity against
          the turbine vanes

   steam up
          [steam up] vt (1860): to make angry or excited: arouse

   steamy
          [steamy] adj steam.i.er ; -est (1644) 1: consisting of,
          characterized by, or full of steam 2: intensely or uncomfortably
          hot: as a: hot and humid <a ~ afternoon> b: sensually hot: erotic
          <a ~ love scene> -- steam.i.ly adv -- steam.i.ness n

   steapsin
          [ste.ap.sin] n [Gk stear hard fat + E -psin (as in pepsin)]
          (1896): the lipase in pancreatic juice

   stearate
          [stea.rate] n (1841): a salt or ester of stearic acid

   stearic acid
          [stea.ric acid] n (1831): a white crystalline fatty acid
          obtained by saponifying tallow or other hard fats containing
          stearin; also: a commercial mixture of stearic and palmitic
          acids

   stearin
          [stea.rin] n [F stearine, fr. Gk stear] (1817): an ester
          of glycerol and stearic acid

   steatite
          [ste.a.tite] n [L steatitis, a precious stone, fr. Gk, fr.
          steat-, stear] (1758) 1: a massive talc having a grayish
          green or brown color: soapstone 2: an electrically insulating
          porcelain composed largely of steatite -- ste.a.tit.ic
          adj

   steato-
          [steato-] comb form [Gk, fr. steat-, stear; perh. akin to
          Skt styayate it hardens]: fat <steatorrhea>

   steatopygia
          [ste.a.to.py.gia] n [NL, fr. steat-, stear + Gk pyge buttocks]
          (1879): an excessive development of fat on the buttocks
          that occurs esp. among women of the Hottentots and some
          black peoples -- ste.a.to.py.gous or ste.a.to.py.gic
          adj

   steatorrhea
          [ste.at.or.rhea] n [NL] (ca. 1859): an excess of fat in the
          stools

   stedfast
          [stedfast] var of steadfast

   steed
          [steed] n [ME stede, fr. OE steda stallion; akin to OE stod
          stud--more at stud] (bef. 12c): horse; esp: a spirited
          horse (as for war)

   steek
          [steek] vb [ME steken to pierce, fix, enclose; akin to OE
          stician to pierce--more at stick] (13c) chiefly Scot:
          shut, close

   [1]steel
          [steel] n [ME stele, fr. OE style, stele; akin to OHG stahal
          steel and perh. to Skt stakati he resists] (bef. 12c)
          1: commercial iron that contains carbon in any amount
          up to about 1.7 percent as an essential alloying constituent,
          is malleable when under suitable conditions, and is distinguished
          from cast iron by its malleability and lower carbon content
          2: an instrument or implement of or characteristically
          of steel: as a: a thrusting or cutting weapon b: an instrument
          (as a fluted round rod with a handle) for sharpening
          knives c: a piece of steel for striking sparks from flint
          3: a quality (as hardness of mind or spirit) that suggests
          steel <nerves of ~> 4 a: the steel manufacturing industry
          b pl: shares of stock in steel companies [2]steel vt
          (13c) 1: to overlay, point, or edge with steel 2 a: to
          cause to resemble steel (as in looks or hardness) b:
          to fill with resolution or determination [3]steel adj
          (13c) 1: made of steel 2: of or relating to the production
          of steel 3: resembling steel

   steel band
          [steel band] n (1949): a band of steel drums

   steel blue
          [steel blue] n (1817) 1: a grayish blue 2: any of the blue
          colors assumed by steel at various temperatures in tempering

   steel drum
          [steel drum] n (1952): a musical instrument orig. developed
          in Trinidad that is played by hammering raised and tuned
          portions of the bottom of an oil drum

   steel engraving
          [steel engraving] n (1824) 1: the art or process of engraving
          on steel 2: an impression taken from an engraved steel
          plate

   steel guitar
          [steel guitar] n (1925) 1: hawaiian guitar 2: pedal steel
          -- steel guitarist n

   steelhead
          [steel.head] n, pl steelhead also steelheads (ca. 1882):
          an anadromous rainbow trout

   steelie
          [steel.ie] also steely n, pl steel.ies (1922): a steel playing
          marble

   steelmaker
          [steel.mak.er] n (1839): a manufacturer of steel -- steel.mak.ing
          n

   steel-trap
          [steel-trap] adj (1945): quick, incisive <a ~ mind>

   steel wool
          [steel wool] n (1896): an abrasive material composed of long
          fine steel shavings and used esp. for scouring and burnishing

   steelwork
          [steel.work] n (1681) 1: work in steel 2 pl but sing or pl
          in constr: an establishment where steel is made

   steelworker
          [steel.work.er] n (1884): one who works in steel and esp.
          in the manufacturing of it

   steely
          [steely] adj steel.i.er ; -est (1509) 1: resembling or suggesting
          steel (as in hardness, color, strength, or coldness)
          <~ determination> <~ blue> 2: made of steel -- steel.i.ness
          n

   steelyard
          [steel.yard] n [prob. fr. [3]steel + [4]yard (rod)] (1639):
          a balance in which an object to be weighed is suspended
          from the shorter arm of a lever and the weight determined
          by moving a counterpoise along a graduated scale on the
          longer arm until equilibrium is attained

   steenbok
          [steen.bok] or stein.bok n [Afrik steenbok; akin to OE stanbucca
          ibex, stan stone, bucca buck] (1775): a small slender
          antelope (Raphicerus campestris) with long legs that
          inhabits chiefly grasslands of eastern and southern Africa

   [1]steep
          [steep] adj [ME stepe, fr. OE steap high, steep, deep; akin
          to MHG stief steep] (bef. 12c) 1: lofty, high--used chiefly
          of a sea 2: making a large angle with the plane of the
          horizon 3 a: mounting or falling precipitously <the stairs
          were very ~> b: being or characterized by a rapid and
          intensive decline or increase 4: extremely or excessively
          high <~ prices> -- steep.ish adj -- steep.ly adv -- steep.ness
          n syn steep, abrupt, precipitous, sheer mean having an
          incline approaching the perpendicular. steep implies
          such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very
          difficult <a steep hill> <a steep dive>. abrupt implies
          a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level <a beach
          with an abrupt drop-off>. precipitous applies to an incline
          approaching the vertical <the river winds through a precipitous
          gorge>. sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse
          <sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers>. [2]steep n
          (1555): a precipitous place [3]steep vb [ME stepen; akin
          to Sw stopa to steep] vt (14c) 1: to soak in a liquid
          at a temperature under the boiling point (as for softening,
          bleaching, or extracting an essence) 2: to cover with
          or plunge into a liquid (as in bathing, rinsing, or soaking)
          3: to saturate with or subject thoroughly to (some strong
          or pervading influence) <practices ~ed in tradition>
          ~ vi: to undergo the process of soaking in a liquid syn
          see soak -- steep.er n [4]steep n (15c) 1: the state
          or process of being steeped 2: a bath or solution in
          which something is steeped

   steepen
          [steep.en] vb steep.ened ; steep.en.ing vi (1847): to become
          steeper ~ vt: to make steeper

   steeple
          [stee.ple] n [ME stepel, fr. OE stepel tower; akin to OE
          steap steep] (bef. 12c): a tall structure usu. having
          a small spire at the top and surmounting a church tower;
          broadly: a whole church tower -- stee.pled adj

   steeplebush
          [stee.ple.bush] n (ca. 1818): hardhack

   steeplechase
          [stee.ple.chase] n [fr. the use of church steeples as landmarks
          to guide the riders] (1793) 1 a: a horse race across
          country b: a horse race over a closed course with obstacles
          (as hedges and walls) 2: a footrace of usu. 3000 meters
          over hurdles and a water jump -- stee.ple.chas.er n --
          stee.ple.chas.ing n

   steeplejack
          [stee.ple.jack] n (1881): one whose work is building smokestacks,
          towers, or steeples or climbing up the outside of such
          structures to paint and make repairs

   [1]steer
          [steer] n [ME, fr. OE steor young ox; akin to OHG stior young
          ox] (bef. 12c) 1: a male bovine animal castrated before
          sexual maturity--compare stag 3 2: an ox less than four
          years old [2]steer vb [ME steren, fr. OE stieran; akin
          to OE steor- steering oar, Gk stauros stake, cross, stylos
          pillar, Skt sthavira, sthura stout, thick] vt (12c) 1:
          to control the course of: direct; esp: to guide by mechanical
          means (as a rudder) 2: to set and hold to (a course)
          ~ vi 1: to direct the course (as of a ship or automobile)
          2: to pursue a course of action 3: to be subject to guidance
          or direction <an automobile that ~s well> syn see guide
          -- steer.able adj -- steer.er n -- steer clear : to keep
          entirely away--often used with of <trying to steer clear
          of controversy> [3]steer n (1894): a hint as to procedure:
          tip [4]steer dial Brit var of stir

   steerage
          [steer.age] n (15c) 1: the act or practice of steering; broadly:
          direction 2 [fr. its orig. being located near the rudder]:
          a section of inferior accommodations in a passenger ship
          for passengers paying the lowest fares

   steerageway
          [steer.age.way] n (1769): a rate of motion sufficient to
          make a ship or boat respond to movements of the rudder

   steering column
          [steering column] n (1903): the column that encloses the
          connections to the steering gear of a vehicle (as an
          automobile)

   steering committee
          [steering committee] n (1887): a managing or directing committee;
          specif: a committee that determines the order in which
          business will be taken up in a U.S. legislative body

   steering gear
          [steering gear] n (1869): a mechanism by which something
          is steered

   steering wheel
          [steering wheel] n (1750): a handwheel by means of which
          one steers

   steersman
          [steers.man] n (bef. 12c): one who steers: helmsman

   [1]steeve
          [steeve] vt steeved ; steev.ing [ME steven, prob. fr. Sp
          estibar or Pg estivar to pack tightly, fr. L stipare
          to press together--more at stiff] (15c) archaic: to stow
          esp. in a ship's hold [2]steeve vb steeved ; steev.ing
          [origin unknown] vi (ca. 1644) of a bowsprit: to incline
          upward at an angle with the horizon or the line of the
          keel ~ vt: to set (a bowsprit) at an upward inclination

   stegosaur
          [stego.saur] n [NL Stegosauria, fr. Stegosaurus] (1901):
          any of a suborder (Stegosauria) of quadrupedal ornithischian
          dinosaurs with strongly developed dorsal plates and spikes

   stegosaurus
          [stego.sau.rus] n [NL, fr. Gk stegos roof + sauros lizard--more
          at thatch] (1892): any of a genus (Stegosaurus) of stegosaurs
          known from the Upper Jurassic rocks esp. of Colorado
          and Wyoming

   stein
          [stein] n [prob. fr. G Steingut stoneware, fr. Stein stone
          + Gut goods] (1855): a large mug (as of earthenware)
          used esp. for beer; also: the quantity of beer that a
          stein holds

   stela
          [ste.la] or ste.le n, pl ste.lae [L & Gk; L stela, fr. Gk
          stele; akin to OHG stollo pillar, Gk stellein to set
          up] (1776): a usu. carved or inscribed stone slab or
          pillar used for commemorative purposes

   stelar
          [ste.lar] adj (1901): of, relating to, or constituting a
          stele

   stele
          [stele] n [NL, fr. Gk stele stela, pillar] (1895): the usu.
          cylindrical central vascular portion of the axis of a
          vascular plant

   stella
          [stel.la] n [L, star; fr. the star on the reverse] (1879):
          an experimental international coin based on the metric
          system that was issued by the U.S. in 1879 and 1880 and
          was worth about four dollars

   stellar
          [stel.lar] adj [LL stellaris, fr. L stella star--more at
          star] (ca. 1656) 1 a: of or relating to the stars: astral
          b: composed of stars 2: of or relating to a theatrical
          or film star <~ names> 3 a: principal, leading <a ~ role>
          b: outstanding <a ~ student> <a ~ performance>

   stellar wind
          [stellar wind] n (1965): plasma continuously ejected from
          a star's surface into surrounding space

   stellate
          [stel.late] adj [L stella] (1661): resembling a star (as
          in shape) <a ~ leaf>

   Steller's jay
          [Stel.ler's jay] n [Georg W. Steller d. 1746 Ger. naturalist]
          (1828): a jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) of western No. America
          with a high crest and black and dark blue plumage

   Steller's sea cow
          [Steller's sea cow] n (1814): an extinct very large aquatic
          sirenian (Hydrodamalis gigas) formerly common near the
          Asian coast of the Bering Sea

   [1]stem
          [stem] n [ME, fr. OE stefn, stemn stem of a plant or ship;
          akin to OHG stam plant stem and prob. to Gk stamnos wine
          jar, histanai to set--more at stand] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          the main trunk of a plant; specif: a primary plant axis
          that develops buds and shoots instead of roots b: a plant
          part (as a branch, petiole, or stipe) that supports another
          (as a leaf or fruit) c: the complete fruiting stalk of
          a banana plant with its bananas 2 a: the main upright
          member at the bow of a ship b: the bow or prow of a ship--compare
          stern 3: a line of ancestry: stock; esp: a fundamental
          line from which others have arisen 4: the part of an
          inflected word that remains unchanged except by phonetic
          changes or variations throughout an inflection 5: something
          held to resemble a plant stem: as a: a main or heavy
          stroke of a letter b: the short perpendicular line extending
          from the head of a musical note c: the part of a tobacco
          pipe from the bowl outward d: the cylindrical support
          of a piece of stemware (as a goblet) e: a shaft of a
          watch used for winding -- from stem to stern : throughout,
          thoroughly [2]stem vt stemmed ; stem.ming [ME (Sc) stemmen
          to keep a course, fr. [1]stem (of a ship)] (1593) 1:
          to make headway against (as an adverse tide, current,
          or wind) 2: to check or go counter to (something adverse)
          -- stem.mer n [3]stem vb stemmed ; stem.ming [[1]stem
          (of a plant)] vt (1724) 1: to remove the stem from 2:
          to make stems for (as artificial flowers) ~ vi: to occur
          or develop as a consequence: have or trace an origin
          <her success ~s from hard work> syn see spring -- stem.mer
          n [4]stem vb stemmed ; stem.ming [ME stemmen to dam up,
          fr. ON stemma; akin to MHG stemmen to dam up and prob.
          to Lith stumti to shove] vt (14c) 1 a: to stop or dam
          up (as a river) b: to stop or check by or as if by damming;
          esp: stanch <~ a flow of blood> 2: to turn (a ski) in
          stemming ~ vi 1: to restrain or check oneself; also:
          to become checked or stanched 2: to slide the heel of
          one ski or of both skis outward usu. in making or preparing
          to make a turn [5]stem n (ca. 1700) 1: check, dam 2:
          an act or instance of stemming on skis

   stem cell
          [stem cell] n (1885): an unspecialized cell that gives rise
          to differentiated cells <hematopoietic stem cells in
          bone marrow>

   stem christie
          [stem christie] n, often cap C (1936): a turn in skiing begun
          by stemming a ski and completed by bringing the skis
          parallel into a christie

   stemless
          [stem.less] adj (1796): having no stem: acaulescent

   stemma
          [stem.ma] n, pl stem.ma.ta [L, wreath, pedigree (fr. the
          wreaths placed on ancestral images), fr. Gk, wreath,
          fr. stephein to crown, enwreathe] (1826) 1: a simple
          eye present in some insects 2: a scroll (as among the
          ancient Romans) containing a genealogical list 3: a tree
          showing the relationships of the manuscripts of a literary
          work -- stem.mat.ic adj

   stemmed
          [stemmed] adj (1576): having a stem--usu. used in combination
          <long-stemmed roses>

   stemmy
          [stem.my] adj stem.mi.er ; -est (1863): abounding in stems

   stem rust
          [stem rust] n (1899) 1: a rust attacking the stem of a plant;
          esp: a destructive disease esp. of wheat caused by a
          rust fungus (Puccinia graminis) which produces reddish
          brown lesions in the uredospore stage and black lesions
          in the teliospore stage and has any of several plants
          of the barberry family as an intermediate host 2: the
          fungus causing stem rust

   stem turn
          [stem turn] n (1922): a skiing turn executed by stemming
          an outside ski

   stemware
          [stem.ware] n (1926): glass hollowware mounted on a stem

   stem-winder
          [stem-wind.er] n (1875) 1: a stem-winding watch 2 [fr. the
          superiority of the stem-winding watch over the older
          key-wound watch]: one that is first-rate of its kind;
          esp: a stirring speech

   stem-winding
          [stem-wind.ing] adj (1867): wound by an inside mechanism
          turned by the knurled knob at the outside end of the
          stem <a ~ watch>

   sten-
          [sten-] or steno- comb form [Gk, fr. stenos]: close: narrow:
          little <stenobathic>

   Sten
          [Sten] n [R. V. Sheppard, 20th cent. Eng. army officer +
          H. J. Turpin, 20th cent. Eng. civil servant + England]
          (1942): a light simple 9-millimeter British submachine
          gun

   stench
          [stench] n [ME, fr. OE stenc; akin to OE stincan to emit
          a smell--more at stink] (bef. 12c): stink -- stench.ful
          adj -- stenchy adj

   [1]stencil
          [sten.cil] n [ME stanselen to ornament with sparkling colors,
          fr. MF estanceler, fr. estancele spark, fr. (assumed)
          VL stincilla, alter. of L scintilla] (1707) 1: an impervious
          material (as a sheet of paper, thin wax, or woven fabric)
          perforated with lettering or a design through which a
          substance (as ink, paint, or metallic powder) is forced
          onto a surface to be printed 2: something (as a pattern,
          design, or print) that is produced by means of a stencil
          3: a printing process that uses a stencil [2]stencil
          vt sten.ciled or sten.cilled ; sten.cil.ing or sten.cil.ling
          (ca. 1828) 1: to mark or paint with a stencil 2: to produce
          by stencil -- sten.cil.er or sten.cil.ler n

   steno
          [steno] n, pl sten.os (1913) 1: stenographer 2: stenography

   stenobathic
          [steno.bath.ic] adj [sten- + Gk bathos depth] (1902) of a
          pelagic organism: living within narrow limits of depth

   stenographer
          [ste.nog.ra.pher] n (1809) 1: a writer of shorthand 2: a
          person employed chiefly to take and transcribe dictation

   stenography
          [ste.nog.ra.phy] n (1602) 1: the art or process of writing
          in shorthand 2: shorthand esp. written from dictation
          or oral discourse 3: the making of shorthand notes and
          subsequent transcription of them -- steno.graph.ic adj
          -- steno.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   stenohaline
          [steno.ha.line] adj [ISV sten- + Gk halinos of salt, fr.
          hals salt--more at salt] (ca. 1920) of an aquatic organism:
          unable to withstand wide variation in salinity of the
          surrounding water

   stenosed
          [ste.nosed] adj [fr. pp. of stenose to affect with stenosis]
          (1897): affected with stenosis

   stenosis
          [ste.no.sis] n, pl -no.ses [NL, fr. Gk stenosis act of narrowing,
          fr. stenoun to narrow, fr. stenos narrow] (ca. 1860):
          a narrowing or constriction of the diameter of a bodily
          passage or orifice -- ste.not.ic adj

   stenothermal
          [steno.ther.mal] adj (1881): capable of surviving over only
          a narrow range of temperatures <~ fish> -- steno.therm
          n

   stenotopic
          [steno.top.ic] adj [prob. fr. G stenotop stenotopic, fr.
          sten- + Gk topos place] (1945): having a narrow range
          of adaptability to changes in environmental conditions

   stenotype
          [steno.type] n [steno- (as in stenography) + type] (1922):
          a small machine somewhat like a typewriter used to record
          speech by means of phonograms -- stenotype vt -- steno.typ.ist
          n -- ste.no.ty.py n

   stentor
          [sten.tor] n [L, fr. Gk Stentor Stentor, a Greek herald in
          the Trojan War noted for his loud voice] (1609) 1: a
          person having a loud voice 2: any of a widely distributed
          genus (Stentor) of ciliate protozoans having a trumpet-shaped
          body with the mouth at the broad end and with the narrow
          end often attached to the substrate

   stentorian
          [sten.to.ri.an] adj (1605): extremely loud syn see loud

   [1]step
          [step] n [ME, fr. OE staepe; akin to OHG stapfo step, stampfon
          to stamp] (bef. 12c) 1: a rest for the foot in ascending
          or descending: as a: one of a series of structures consisting
          of a riser and a tread b: a ladder rung 2 a (1): an advance
          or movement made by raising the foot and bringing it
          down elsewhere (2): a combination of foot or foot and
          body movements constituting a unit or a repeated pattern
          <a dance ~> (3): manner of walking: stride b: footprint
          1 c: the sound of a footstep <heard ~s in the hall> 3
          a: the space passed over in one step b: a short distance
          <just a ~ away from the bank> c: the height of one stair
          4 pl: course, way <directed his ~s toward the river>
          5 a: a degree, grade, or rank in a scale b: a stage in
          a process <was guided through every ~ of my career> 6:
          a frame on a ship designed to receive an upright shaft;
          esp: a block supporting the heel of a mast 7: an action,
          proceeding, or measure often occurring as one in a series
          <taking ~s to improve the situation> 8: a steplike offset
          or part usu. occurring in a series 9: an interval in
          a musical scale -- step.like adj -- stepped adj -- in
          step 1: with each foot moving to the same time as the
          corresponding foot of others or in time to music 2: in
          harmony or agreement -- out of step : not in step <out
          of step with the times> [2]step vb stepped ; step.ping
          vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to move by raising the foot and bringing
          it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession
          b: dance 2 a: to go on foot: walk b obs: advance, proceed
          c: to be on one's way: leave--often used with along d:
          to move briskly <kept us stepping> 3: to press down with
          the foot <~ on the brake> 4: to come as if at a single
          step <stepped into a good job> ~ vt 1: to take by moving
          the feet in succession <~ three paces> 2 a: to move (the
          foot) in any direction: set <the first man to ~ foot
          on the moon> b: to traverse on foot 3: to go through
          the steps of: perform <~ a minuet> 4: to make erect by
          fixing the lower end in a step <~ the mast> 5: to measure
          by steps <~ off 50 yards> 6 a: to provide with steps
          b: to make steps in <~ a key> 7: to construct or arrange
          in or as if in steps <craggy peaks with terraces stepped
          up the sides --Time> -- step on it : to increase one's
          speed: hurry up

   step-
          [step-] comb form [ME, fr. OE steop-; akin to OHG stiof-
          step-, OE astepan to deprive, bereave]: related by virtue
          of a remarriage (as of a parent) and not by blood <stepparent>
          <stepsister>

   stepbrother
          [step.broth.er] n (15c): a son of one's stepparent by a former
          marriage

   step-by-step
          [step-by-step] adj or adv (1701): marked by successive degrees
          usu. of limited extent: gradual

   stepchild
          [step.child] n (bef. 12c) 1: a child of one's wife or husband
          by a former marriage 2: one that fails to receive proper
          care or attention <is no longer a ~ in the family of
          nations --F. R. Smith>

   step dance
          [step dance] n (1887): a dance in which steps are emphasized
          rather than gesture or posture

   stepdaughter
          [step.daugh.ter] n (bef. 12c): a daughter of one's wife or
          husband by a former marriage

   step-down
          [step-down] n (1922): a decrease or reduction in size or
          amount <a ~ in dosage>

   step down
          [step down] vi (1890): retire, resign ~ vt 1: to lower (a
          voltage) by means of a transformer 2: to decrease or
          reduce esp. by one or more steps -- step-down adj

   stepfamily
          [step.fam.i.ly] n (1966): a family in which there is a stepparent

   stepfather
          [step.fa.ther] n (bef. 12c): the husband of one's mother
          by a subsequent marriage

   step function
          [step function] n (ca. 1929): a mathematical function of
          a single real variable that remains constant within each
          of a series of adjacent intervals but changes in value
          from one interval to the next

   stephanotis
          [steph.a.no.tis] n [NL, fr. Gk stephanotis fit for a crown,
          fr. stephanos crown, fr. stephein to crown] (1843): any
          of a genus (Stephanotis and esp. S. floribunda) of Old
          World tropical woody vines of the milkweed family with
          fragrant white flowers the corolla of which has a cylindrical
          dilated tube and spreading limb

   step-in
          [step-in] n (1921): an article of clothing put on by being
          stepped into: as a: a shoe resembling but usu. having
          a higher vamp than a pump and concealed elastic to adjust
          the fit b: short panties for women--usu. used in pl.
          -- step-in adj

   step in
          [step in] vi (15c) 1: to intervene in an affair or dispute
          2: to make a brief informal visit

   stepladder
          [step.lad.der] n (1751): a ladder that has broad flat steps
          and two pairs of legs connected by a hinge at the top
          and that opens at the bottom to become freestanding

   stepmother
          [step.moth.er] n (bef. 12c): the wife of one's father by
          a subsequent marriage

   step out
          [step out] vi (ca. 1533) 1: to go away from a place usu.
          for a short distance and for a short time 2: to go or
          march at a vigorous or increased pace 3: die 4: to lead
          an active social life 5: to be unfaithful--usu. used
          with on

   stepparent
          [step.par.ent] n (ca. 1890): the spouse of one's mother or
          father by a subsequent marriage

   stepparenting
          [step.par.ent.ing] n (1979): the raising of a child by a
          stepparent

   steppe
          [steppe] n [Russ step'] (1671) 1: one of the vast usu. level
          and treeless tracts in southeastern Europe or Asia 2:
          arid land with xerophilous vegetation found usu. in regions
          of extreme temperature range and loess soil

   stepped-up
          [stepped-up] adj (1902): increased in intensity: accelerated,
          intensified <~ security>

   stepper
          [step.per] n (1835): one (as a fast horse or a dancer) that
          steps

   stepper motor
          [stepper motor] n (1961): a motor whose driveshaft rotates
          in small steps rather than continuously--called also
          stepping motor

   stepping-stone
          [step.ping-stone] n (14c) 1: a stone on which to step (as
          in crossing a stream) 2: a means of progress or advancement

   stepsister
          [step.sis.ter] n (15c): a daughter of one's stepparent by
          a former marriage

   stepson
          [step.son] n (bef. 12c): a son of one's husband or wife by
          a former marriage

   step stool
          [step stool] n (1946): a stool with one or two steps that
          often fold away beneath the seat

   step turn
          [step turn] n (1941): a skiing turn executed in a downhill
          traverse by lifting the upper ski from the ground, placing
          it in the desired direction, weighting it, and bringing
          the other ski parallel

   step up
          [step up] vt (1902) 1: to increase (a voltage) by means of
          a transformer 2: to increase, augment, or advance esp.
          by one or more steps <step up production> ~ vi 1: to
          come forward 2: to undergo an increase <business is stepping
          up> 3: to receive a promotion -- step-up adj

   step-up
          [step-up] n (1922): an increase or advance in size or amount

   stepwise
          [step.wise] adj (1902) 1: marked by or proceeding in steps
          2: moving by step to adjacent musical tones

   ster
          [ster] or stg abbreviation sterling

   -ster
          [-ster] n comb form [ME, fr. OE -estre female agent; akin
          to MD -ster] 1: one that does or handles or operates
          <spinster> <tapster> <teamster> 2: one that makes or
          uses <songster> <punster> 3: one that is associated with
          or participates in <gamester> <gangster> 4: one that
          is <youngster>

   stercoraceous
          [ster.co.ra.ceous] adj [L stercor-, stercus excrement] (1731):
          relating to, being, or containing feces

   sterculia gum
          [ster.cu.lia gum] n [NL Sterculia, genus of trees] (ca. 1943):
          karaya gum

   stere-
          [stere-] or stereocomb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. stereos solid--more
          at stare] 1: solid: solid body <stereogram> 2 a: stereoscopic
          <stereopsis> b: having or dealing with three dimensions of space
          <stereochemistry>

   [1]stereo
          [ste.reo] n, pl ste.re.os (ca. 1823) 1: stereotype 2 [by
          shortening] a: stereophonic reproduction b: a stereophonic
          sound system [2]stereo adj (1876) 1 a: stereoscopic b:
          produced by or as if by means of a stereotype 2: stereophonic

   stereochemistry
          [ste.reo.chem.is.try] n [ISV] (1890) 1: a branch of chemistry
          that deals with the spatial arrangement of atoms and
          groups in molecules 2: the spatial arrangement of atoms
          and groups in a compound and its relation to the properties
          of the compound -- ste.reo.chem.i.cal adj

   stereogram
          [ste.reo.gram] n [ISV] (1868) 1: a diagram or picture representing
          objects with an impression of solidity or relief 2: stereograph

   stereograph
          [ste.reo.graph] n [ISV] (1859): a pair of stereoscopic pictures
          or a picture composed of two superposed stereoscopic
          images that gives a three-dimensional effect when viewed
          with a stereoscope or special spectacles -- stereograph
          vt

   stereographic
          [ste.reo.graph.ic] adj (1704): of, relating to, or being
          a delineation of the form of a solid body (as the earth)
          on a plane <~ projection> -- ste.re.og.ra.phy n

   stereoisomer
          [ste.reo.iso.mer] n [ISV] (1894): any of a group of isomers
          in which atoms are linked in the same order but differ
          in their spatial arrangement -- ste.reo.iso.mer.ic adj
          -- ste.reo.isom.er.ism n

   stereology
          [ste.re.ol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1963): a branch of science concerned
          with inferring the three-dimensional properties of objects
          or matter ordinarily observed two-dimensionally --
          ste.reo.log.i.cal adj -- ste.reo.log.i.cal.ly adv

   stereomicroscope
          [ste.reo.mi.cro.scope] n (1948): a microscope having a set
          of optics for each eye to make an object appear in three
          dimensions -- ste.reo.mi.cro.scop.ic adj --
          ste.reo.mi.cro.scop.i.cal.ly adv

   stereophonic
          [ste.reo.phon.ic] adj [ISV] (1927): of, relating to,
          or constituting sound reproduction involving the use of separated
          microphones and two transmission channels to achieve the sound
          separation of a live hearing -- ste.reo.phon.i.cal.ly adv
          -- ste.reo.pho.ny n

   stereophotography
          [ste.reo.pho.tog.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1903): stereoscopic photography
          -- ste.reo.pho.to.graph.ic adj

   stereopsis
          [ste.re.op.sis] n [NL, fr. stere- + Gk opsis vision,
          appearance--more at optic] (ca. 1911): stereoscopic vision

   stereopticon
          [ste.re.op.ti.con] n [NL, fr. stere- + Gk optikon, neut.
          of optikos optic] (1863) 1: a projector for transparent
          slides often made double so as to produce dissolving
          views 2: stereoscope

   stereoregular
          [ste.reo.reg.u.lar] adj (1958): of, relating to, or involving
          stereochemical regularity in the repeating units of a
          polymeric structure -- ste.reo.reg.u.lar.i.ty n

   stereoscope
          [ste.reo.scope] n (1838): an optical instrument with two
          eyeglasses for helping the observer to combine the images
          of two pictures taken from points of view a little way
          apart and thus to get the effect of solidity or depth

   stereoscopic
          [ste.reo.scop.ic] adj (1855) 1: of or relating to stereoscopy
          or the stereoscope 2: characterized by stereoscopy <~
          vision> -- ste.reo.scop.i.cal.ly adv

   stereoscopy
          [ste.re.os.co.py] n [ISV] (ca. 1859) 1: a science that deals
          with stereoscopic effects and methods 2: the seeing of
          objects in three dimensions

   stereospecific
          [ste.reo.spe.cif.ic] adj (1949): being, produced by, or involved
          in a stereochemically specific process <many enzymes
          act as ~ catalysts> <~ plastics> -- ste.reo.spe.cif.i.cal.ly
          adv -- ste.reo.spec.i.fic.i.ty n

   stereotactic
          [ste.reo.tac.tic] adj (1950): stereotaxic

   stereotaxic
          [ste.reo.tax.ic] adj [NL stereotaxis stereotaxic technique,
          fr. stere- + -taxis] (1908): of, relating to, or being
          a technique or apparatus used in neurological research
          or surgery for directing the tip of a delicate instrument
          (as a needle or an electrode) in three planes in attempting
          to reach a specific locus in the brain -- ste.reo.tax.i.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]stereotype
          [ste.reo.type] vt (1804) 1: to make a stereotype from 2 a:
          to repeat without variation: make hackneyed b: to develop
          a mental stereotype about -- ste.reo.typ.er n [2]stereotype
          n [F stereotype, fr. stere- stere- + type] (1817) 1:
          a plate cast from a printing surface 2: something conforming
          to a fixed or general pattern; esp: a standardized mental
          picture that is held in common by members of a group
          and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced
          attitude, or uncritical judgment -- ste.reo.typ.i.cal
          also ste.reo.typ.ic adj -- ste.reo.typ.i.cal.ly adv

   stereotyped
          [ste.reo.typed] adj (1849): lacking originality or individuality
          syn see trite

   stereotypy
          [ste.reo.ty.py] n, pl -pies (ca. 1889): frequent almost mechanical
          repetition of the same posture, movement, or form of speech (as
          in schizophrenia)

   steric
          [ste.ric] adj [ISV stere- + [1]-ic] (1898): relating to or
          involving the arrangement of atoms in space: spatial
          -- ste.ri.cal.ly adv

   sterigma
          [ste.rig.ma] n, pl -ma.ta also -mas [NL, fr. Gk sterigma
          support, fr. sterizein to prop; perh. akin to Gk stereos
          solid--more at stare] (ca. 1866): one of the slender
          stalks at the top of the basidium of some fungi from
          the tips of which the basidiospores are formed; broadly:
          a stalk or filament that bears conidia or spermatia

   sterilant
          [ster.il.ant] n (1941): a sterilizing agent

   sterile
          [ster.ile] adj [ME steryle, fr. L sterilis; akin to Goth
          stairo barren animal, Skt stari sterile cow] (15c) 1
          a: failing to bear or incapable of producing fruit or
          spores b: failing to produce or incapable of producing
          offspring <a ~ hybrid> c: incapable of germinating <~
          spores> d of a flower: neither perfect nor pistillate
          2 a: unproductive of vegetation <a ~ arid region> b:
          free from living organisms and esp. microorganisms c:
          lacking in stimulating emotional or intellectual quality:
          lifeless <a ~ work of art> -- ster.ile.ly adv -- ste.ril.i.ty
          n

   sterilize
          [ster.il.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1695): to make sterile:
          as a: to cause (land) to become unfruitful b (1): to
          deprive of the power of reproducing (2): to make incapable
          of germination c: to make powerless or useless usu. by
          restraining from a normal function, relation, or participation
          d: to free from living microorganisms -- ster.il.i.za.tion
          n -- ster.il.iz.er n

   [1]sterling
          [ster.ling] n [ME, silver penny, prob. fr. (assumed) OE steorling,
          fr. OE steorra star + [1]-ling--more at star] (14c) 1: British
          money 2: sterling silver or articles of it [2]sterling adj (15c)
          1 a: of, relating to, or calculated in terms of British sterling
          b: payable in sterling 2 a of silver: having a fixed standard
          of purity usu. defined legally as represented by an alloy of 925
          parts of silver with 75 parts of copper b: made of sterling silver
          3: conforming to the highest standard <~ character> -- ster.ling.ly
          adv -- ster.ling.ness n

   sterling area
          [sterling area] n (1932): a former group of countries with
          currencies tied to the British pound sterling

   [1]stern
          [stern] adj [ME sterne, fr. OE styrne; akin to OE starian
          to stare--more at stare] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having a definite
          hardness or severity of nature or manner: austere b:
          expressive of severe displeasure: harsh 2: forbidding
          or gloomy in appearance 3: inexorable <~ necessity> 4:
          sturdy, stout <a ~ resolve> syn see severe -- stern.ly
          adv -- stern.ness n [2]stern n [ME, rudder, prob. of
          Scand origin; akin to ON stjorn act of steering; akin
          to OE stieran to steer--more at steer] (14c) 1: the rear
          end of a boat 2: a hinder or rear part: the last or latter
          part

   sternal
          [ster.nal] adj (1756): of or relating to the sternum

   stern chase
          [stern chase] n [[2]stern] (1627): a chase in which a pursuing
          ship follows in the path of another

   stern chaser
          [stern chaser] n (1815): a gun so placed as to be able to
          fire astern at a pursuing ship

   sternforemost
          [stern.fore.most] adv (1840): with the stern in advance:
          backward

   sternite
          [ster.nite] n [ISV, fr. Gk sternon chest] (1868): the ventral
          part or shield of a somite of an arthropod; esp: the
          chitinous plate that forms the ventral surface of an
          abdominal or occas. a thoracic segment of an insect

   sternmost
          [stern.most] adj (1622): farthest astern

   sternocostal
          [ster.no.cos.tal] adj [NL sternum + E -o- + costal] (1785):
          of, relating to, or situated between the sternum and
          ribs

   sternpost
          [stern.post] n (15c): the principal member at the stern of
          a ship extending from keel to deck

   stern sheets
          [stern sheets] n pl (15c): the space in the stern of an open
          boat not occupied by the thwarts

   sternum
          [ster.num] n, pl sternums or ster.na [NL, fr. Gk sternon
          chest, breastbone; akin to OHG stirna forehead, L sternere
          to spread out--more at strew] (1667): a compound ventral
          bone or cartilage of most vertebrates other than fishes
          that connects the ribs or the shoulder girdle or both
          and in humans consists of the manubrium, gladiolus, and
          xiphoid process--called also breastbone

   sternutation
          [ster.nu.ta.tion] n [ME sternutacion, fr. L sternutation-,
          sternutatio, fr. sternutare to sneeze, freq. of sternuere
          to sneeze; akin to Gk ptarnysthai to sneeze] (15c): the
          act, fact, or noise of sneezing

   sternutator
          [ster.nu.ta.tor] n (1922): an agent that induces sneezing
          and often lacrimation and vomiting

   sternward
          [stern.ward] or stern.wards adv (1832): aft

   sternway
          [stern.way] n (1769): movement of a ship backward or with
          stern foremost

   stern-wheeler
          [stern-wheel.er] n (1855): a steamboat driven by a single
          paddle wheel at the stern

   steroid
          [ste.roid] n [ISV sterol + -oid] (1926): any of numerous
          compounds containing a 17-carbon 4-ring system and including
          the sterols and various hormones and glycosides -- steroid
          or ste.roi.dal adj

   steroidogenesis
          [ste.roido.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1951): synthesis of steroids
          -- ste.roido.gen.ic adj

   sterol
          [ste.rol] n [ISV, fr. -sterol (as in cholesterol)] (1913):
          any of various solid steroid alcohols (as cholesterol)
          widely distributed in animal and plant lipids

   -sterone
          [-sterone] comb form [sterol + -one]: steroid hormone
          <androsterone>

   stertor
          [ster.tor] n [NL, fr. L stertere to snore; akin to sternuere
          to sneeze] (1804): the act or fact of producing a snoring
          sound: snoring

   stertorous
          [ster.to.rous] adj (1802): characterized by a harsh snoring
          or gasping sound -- ster.to.rous.ly adv

   stet
          [stet] vt stet.ted ; stet.ting [L, let it stand, fr. stare
          to stand--more at stand] (1755): to direct retention
          of (a word or passage previously ordered to be deleted
          or omitted from a manuscript or printer's proof) by annotating
          usu. with the word stet

   stethoscope
          [stetho.scope] n [F stethoscope, fr. Gk stethos chest + F
          -scope] (1820): an instrument used to detect and study
          sounds produced in the body -- stetho.scop.ic adj

   Stetson
          [Stet.son] trademark--used for a broad-brimmed high-crowned
          felt hat

   [1]stevedore
          [ste.ve.dore] n [Sp estibador, fr. estibar to pack, fr. L
          stipare to press together--more at stiff] (1788): one
          who works at or is responsible for loading and unloading
          ships in port [2]stevedore vb -dored ; -dor.ing vt (1862):
          to handle (cargo) as a stevedore; also: to load or unload
          the cargo of (a ship) in port ~ vi: to work as a stevedore

   stevedore knot
          [stevedore knot] n (ca. 1863): a stopper knot similar to
          a figure eight knot but with one or more extra turns--called
          also stevedore's knot--see knot illustration

   Stevengraph
          [Ste.ven.graph] or Ste.vens.graph n [Thomas Stevens, 19th
          cent. Am. weaver] (1879): a woven silk picture

   [1]stew
          [stew] n [ME stewe heated room for a steam bath, fr. MF estuve,
          fr. (assumed) VL extufa--more at stove] (13c) 1 obs:
          a utensil used for boiling 2: a hot bath 3 a: whorehouse
          b: a district of bordellos--usu. used in pl. 4 a: fish
          or meat usu. with vegetables prepared by stewing b (1):
          a heterogeneous mixture (2): a state of heat and congestion
          5: a state of excitement, worry, or confusion [2]stew
          vt (14c): to boil slowly or with simmering heat ~ vi
          1: to become cooked by stewing 2: to swelter esp. from
          confinement in a hot or stuffy atmosphere 3: to be in
          a state of suppressed agitation, worry, or resentment
          [3]stew n [short for stewardess] (1970): flight attendant

   [1]steward
          [stew.ard] n [ME, fr. OE stiweard, fr. sti, stig hall, sty
          + weard ward--more at sty, ward] (bef. 12c) 1: one employed
          in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns
          (as the supervision of servants, collection of rents,
          and keeping of accounts) 2: shop steward 3: a fiscal
          agent 4 a: an employee on a ship, airplane, bus, or train
          who manages the provisioning of food and attends passengers
          b: one appointed to supervise the provision and distribution
          of food and drink in an institution 5: one who actively
          directs affairs: manager [2]steward vt (1621): to act
          as a steward for: manage ~ vi: to perform the duties
          of a steward

   stewardess
          [stew.ard.ess] n (1631): a woman who performs the duties
          of a steward; esp: one who attends passengers (as on
          an airplane)

   stewardship
          [stew.ard.ship] n (15c) 1: the office, duties, and obligations
          of a steward 2: the conducting, supervising, or managing
          of something; esp: the careful and responsible management
          of something entrusted to one's care <~ of our natural
          resources>

   stewed
          [stewed] adj (ca. 1737): drunk 1a

   stewpan
          [stew.pan] n (1651): a pan used for stewing

   stge
          [stge] abbreviation storage

   stibnite
          [stib.nite] n [alter. of obs. E stibine stibnite, fr. F,
          fr. L stibium antimony, fr. Gk stibi, fr. Egypt stm]
          (ca. 1854): a mineral that consists of the trisulfide
          of antimony and occurs in orthorhombic lead-gray crystals
          of metallic luster or in massive form

   stichomythia
          [sticho.myth.ia] also sti.chom.y.thy n [Gk stichomythia,
          fr. stichomythein to speak dialogue in alternate lines,
          fr. stichos row, verse + mythos speech, myth; akin to
          Gk steichein to walk, go--more at stair] (1861): dialogue
          esp. of altercation or dispute delivered by two actors
          in alternating lines (as in classical Greek drama) --
          sticho.myth.ic adj

   [1]stick
          [stick] n [ME stik, fr. OE sticca; akin to ON stik stick,
          OE stician to stick] (bef. 12c) 1: a woody piece or part
          of a tree or shrub: as a: a usu. dry or dead severed
          shoot, twig, or slender branch b: a cut or broken branch
          or piece of wood gathered for fuel or construction material
          2 a: a long slender piece of wood or metal: as (1): a
          club or staff used as a weapon (2): walking stick b:
          an implement used for striking or propelling an object
          in a game c: something used to force compliance d: a
          baton symbolizing an office or dignity; also: a person
          entitled to bear such a baton 3: a piece of the materials
          composing something (as a building) 4 a: any of various
          implements rese mbling a stick in shape, origin, or use:
          as (1): composing stick (2): an airplane lever operating
          the elevators and ailerons (3): the gearshift lever of
          an automobile b: stickful 5: something prepared (as by
          cutting, molding, or rolling) in a relatively long and
          slender often cylindrical form <a ~ of candy> <a ~ of
          butter> 6 a: person, chap b: a dull, inert, stiff, or
          spiritless person 7 pl: remote usu. rural districts regarded
          esp. as backward, dull, or unsophisticated: boondocks
          8: an herbaceous stalk resembling a woody stick <celery
          ~s> 9: [1]mast 1; also: [1]yard 4 10: a piece of furniture
          11 a: a number of bombs arranged for release from a bombing
          plane in a series across a target b: a number of parachutists
          dropping together 12 slang: a marijuana cigarette 13
          a: punishment or the threat of punishment used to force
          compliance or cooperation <choosing between the carrot
          and the ~> b Brit: criticism, abuse -- stick.like adj
          [2]stick vt (1573) 1: to arrange (lumber) in stacks 2:
          to provide a stick as a support for [3]stick vb stuck
          ; stick.ing [ME stikken, fr. OE stician; akin to OHG
          sticken to prick, L instigare to urge on, goad, Gk stizein
          to tattoo] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to pierce with something
          pointed: stab b: to kill by piercing 2: to push or thrust
          so as or as if to pierce 3 a: to fasten by thrusting
          in b: impale c: push, thrust 4: to put or set in a specified
          place or position 5: to furnish with things fastened
          on by or as if by piercing 6: to attach by or as if by
          causing to adhere to a surface 7 a: to compel to pay
          esp. by trickery <got stuck with the bar bill> b: overcharge
          8 a: to halt the movement or action of b: baffle, stump
          9 a: cheat, defraud b: to saddle with something disadvantageous
          or disagreeable <is still stuck with that lousy car>
          ~ vi 1: to hold to something firmly by or as if by adhesion:
          a: to become fixed in place by means of a pointed end
          b: to become fast by or as if by miring or by gluing
          or plastering <stuck in the mud> 2 a: to remain in a
          place, situation, or environment b: to hold fast or adhere
          resolutely: cling c: to remain effective d: to keep close
          in a chase or competition 3: to become blocked, wedged,
          or jammed 4 a: balk, scruple b: to find oneself baffled
          c: to be unable to proceed 5: project, protrude -- stick
          in one's craw : to irritate, nag at, or obsess one --
          stick it to : to treat harshly or unfairly -- stick one's
          neck out : to make oneself vulnerable by taking a risk
          -- stick to one's guns : to maintain one's position esp.
          in face of opposition -- stuck on : infatuated with syn
          stick, adhere, cohere, cling, cleave mean to become closely
          attached. stick implies attachment by affixing or by
          being glued together <couldn't get the label to stick>.
          adhere is often interchangeable with stick but sometimes
          implies a growing together <antibodies adhering to a
          virus>. cohere suggests a sticking together of parts
          so that they form a unified mass <eggs will make the
          mixture cohere>. cling implies attachment by hanging
          on with arms or tendrils <clinging to a capsized boat>.
          cleave stresses strength of attachment <the wet shirt
          cleaved to his back>. [4]stick n (1633) 1: a thrust with
          a pointed instrument: stab 2 a: delay, stop b: impediment
          3: adhesive quality or substance

   stick around
          [stick around] vi (ca. 1912): to stay or wait about: linger

   stickball
          [stick.ball] n (1934): baseball adapted for play in streets
          or small areas and using a broomstick and a lightweight
          ball

   sticker
          [stick.er] n (15c) 1: one that pierces with a point 2 a:
          one that adheres or causes adhesion b: a slip of paper
          with adhesive back that can be fastened to a surface

   sticker price
          [sticker price] n (1969): a manufacturer's suggested retail
          price that is printed on a sticker and affixed to a new
          automobile

   stick figure
          [stick figure] n (1949) 1: a drawing showing the head of
          a human being or animal as a circle and all other parts
          as straight lines 2: a fictional character lacking depth
          and believability

   stickful
          [stick.ful] n (1683): as much set type as fills a composing
          stick

   stickhandle
          [stick.han.dle] vi (1929): to maneuver a puck (as in hockey)
          or a ball (as in lacrosse) with a stick -- stick.han.dler
          n

   sticking plaster
          [sticking plaster] n (1655) chiefly Brit: an adhesive plaster
          esp. for closing superficial wounds

   sticking point
          [sticking point] n (1946): an item (as in negotiations) resulting
          or likely to result in an impasse

   stick insect
          [stick insect] n (1854): any of various usu. wingless insects
          (esp. family Phasmatidae) with a long cylindrical body
          resembling a stick

   stick-in-the-mud
          [stick-in-the-mud] n (1733): one who is slow, old-fashioned,
          or unprogressive; esp: an old fogy

   stickit
          [stick.it] adj [Sc, fr. pp. of E [3]stick] (1787) 1 Scot:
          unfinished 2 chiefly Scot: having failed esp. in an intended
          profession

   stickle
          [stick.le] vi stick.led ; stick.ling [alter. of ME stightlen,
          freq. of stighten to arrange, fr. OE stihtan; akin to
          ON stetta to found, support] (1642) 1: to contend esp.
          stubbornly and usu. on insufficient grounds 2: to feel
          scruples: scruple

   stickleback
          [stick.le.back] n [ME stykylbak, fr. OE sticel goad + ME
          bak back; akin to OE stician to stick] (15c): any of
          a family (Gasterosteidae) of small scaleless bony fishes
          having two or more free spines in front of the dorsal
          fin and including marine, anadromous, and freshwater
          forms

   stickler
          [stick.ler] n (1644) 1: one who insists on exactness
          or completeness in the observance of something <a ~ for the rules>
          2: something that baffles or puzzles: poser, sticker

   stickman
          [stick.man] n (ca. 1931): one who handles a stick: as a:
          one who supervises the play at a dice table, calls the
          decisions, and retrieves the dice b: a player in any
          of various games (as hockey or lacrosse) played with
          a stick

   stick out
          [stick out] vi (1567) 1 a: to jut out: project b: to be prominent
          or conspicuous 2: to be persistent (as in a demand or
          an opinion) ~ vt: endure, last--often used with it <stuck
          it out to the end>

   stickpin
          [stick.pin] n (1895): an ornamental pin; esp: one worn in
          a necktie

   stickseed
          [stick.seed] n (1843): any of various weedy herbs (genera
          Lappula and Hackelia) of the borage family with bristly
          adhesive fruit

   stick shift
          [stick shift] n (1959): a manually operated gearshift for
          a motor vehicle usu. mounted on the floor

   sticktight
          [stick.tight] n (ca. 1884): bur marigold

   stick-to-itiveness
          [stick-to-it.ive.ness] n [fr. the phrase stick to it] (1867):
          dogged perseverance: tenacity

   stickum
          [stick.um] n [[3]stick + -um (prob. alter. of 'em them)]
          (ca. 1909): a substance that adheres or causes adhesion

   stickup
          [stick.up] n (1904): a robbery at gunpoint: holdup

   stick up
          [stick up] vi (15c): to stand upright or on end: protrude
          ~ vt: to rob at gunpoint -- stick up for : to speak or
          act in defense of: support

   stickweed
          [stick.weed] n (1743): any of several plants (as a beggar's-lice)
          with adhesive seeds

   stickwork
          [stick.work] n (1903): the use of one's stick in offensive
          and defensive techniques (as in hockey)

   sticky
          [sticky] adj stick.i.er ; -est (ca. 1735) 1 a: adhesive b
          (1): viscous, gluey (2): coated with a sticky substance
          2: humid, muggy; also: clammy 3: tending to stick 4 a:
          disagreeable, unpleasant b: awkward, stiff c: difficult,
          problematic 5: excessively sentimental: cloying -- stick.i.ly
          adv -- stick.i.ness n

   sticky wicket
          [sticky wicket] n (1926): a difficult or delicate problem
          or situation

   stiction
          [stic.tion] n [static + friction] (1946): the force required
          to cause one body in contact with another to begin to
          move

   [1]stiff
          [stiff] adj [ME stif, fr. OE stif; akin to MD stijf stiff,
          L stipare to press together, Gk steibein to tread on]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: not easily bent: rigid b: lacking in
          suppleness or responsiveness <~ muscles> c: impeded in
          movement--used of a mechanism d: drunk 1a 2 a: firm,
          resolute b: stubborn, unyielding c: proud d (1): marked
          by reserve or decorum (2): lacking in ease or grace:
          stilted 3: hard fought: pugnacious, sharp 4 a (1): exerting
          great force <a ~ wind> (2): forceful, vigorous b: potent
          <a ~ dose> 5: of a dense or glutinous consistency: thick
          6 a: harsh, severe <a ~ penalty> b: arduous, rugged <~
          terrain> 7: not easily heeled over by an external force
          (as the wind) <a ~ ship> 8: expensive, steep <paid a
          ~ price> -- stiff.ish adj -- stiff.ly adv -- stiff.ness
          n syn stiff, rigid, inflexible mean difficult to bend.
          stiff may apply to any degree of this condition <stretching
          will prevent your muscles from becoming stiff>. rigid
          applies to something so stiff that it cannot be bent
          without breaking <a rigid surfboard>. inflexible stresses
          lack of suppleness or pliability <ski boots with inflexible
          soles>. [2]stiff adv (13c) 1: in a stiff manner: stiffly
          2: to an extreme degree: severely <scared ~> <bored ~>
          [3]stiff n (ca. 1859) 1: corpse 2 a: tramp, bum b: hand,
          laborer c: person <a lucky ~> 3: flop, failure [4]stiff
          vt (1950) 1 a: to refuse to pay or tip <~ed the doctor
          for the fee> <~ed the waiter> b: cheat <~ed him in a
          business deal> c: stick 7a <~ed us with the bar bill>
          2: snub 3 <~ed sportswriters after the game>

   stiff-arm
          [stiff-arm] vb or n (1909): straight-arm

   stiffen
          [stiff.en] vb stiff.ened ; stiff.en.ing vt (15c): to make
          stiff or stiffer ~ vi: to become stiff or stiffer --
          stiff.en.er n

   stiff-necked
          [stiff-necked] adj (1526) 1: haughty, stubborn 2: stilted

   stiff upper lip
          [stiff upper lip] n [fr. the phrase keep a stiff upper lip]
          (1815): a steady and determined attitude or manner in
          the face of trouble -- stiff-upper-lip adj

   [1]stifle
          [sti.fle] n [ME] (14c): the joint next above the hock in
          the hind leg of a quadruped (as a horse or dog) corresponding
          to the human knee--see horse illustration [2]stifle vb
          sti.fled ; sti.fling [alter. of ME stuflen] vt (1513)
          1 a: to kill by depriving of oxygen: suffocate b (1):
          smother (2): muffle 2 a: to cut off (as the voice or
          breath) b: to withhold from circulation or expression:
          repress <~ed our anger> c: deter, discourage ~ vi: to
          become suffocated by or as if by lack of oxygen: smother
          -- sti.fler n -- sti.fling.ly adv

   stigma
          [stig.ma] n, pl stig.ma.ta or stig.mas [L stigmat-, stigma
          mark, brand, fr. Gk, fr. stizein to tattoo--more at stick]
          (ca. 1593) 1 a archaic: a scar left by a hot iron: brand
          b: a mark of shame or discredit: stain c: an identifying
          mark or characteristic; specif: a specific diagnostic
          sign of a disease 2 a stigmata pl: bodily marks or pains
          resembling the wounds of the crucified Christ and sometimes
          accompanying religious ecstasy b: petechia 3 a: a small
          spot, scar, or opening on a plant or animal b: the usu.
          apical part of the pistil of a flower which receives
          the pollen grains and on which they germinate--see flower
          illustration -- stig.mal adj

   stigmasterol
          [stig.mas.ter.ol] n [NL Physostigma (genus including the
          Calabar bean) + ISV sterol] (1907): a crystalline sterol
          obtained esp. from the oils of Calabar beans and soybeans

   [1]stigmatic
          [stig.mat.ic] n (1594): one marked with stigmata [2]stigmatic
          adj (1607) 1: having or conveying a social stigma 2:
          of or relating to supernatural stigmata 3: anastigmatic--used
          esp. of a bundle of light rays intersecting at a single
          point -- stig.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   stigmatist
          [stig.ma.tist] n (1607): stigmatic

   stigmatize
          [stig.ma.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1585) 1 a archaic: brand
          b: to describe or identify in opprobrious terms 2: to
          mark with stigmata -- stig.ma.ti.za.tion n

   stilbene
          [stil.bene] n [ISV, fr. Gk stilbein to glitter] (ca. 1868):
          an aromatic hydrocarbon used as a phosphor and in making
          dyes; also: a compound derived from stilbene

   stilbestrol
          [stil.bes.trol] n [stilbene + estrus + [1]-ol] (1938) 1:
          a crystalline synthetic derivative of stilbene that differs
          from the related diethylstilbestrol in lack of the ethyl
          groups and in possession of but slight estrogenic activity
          2: diethylstilbestrol

   stilbite
          [stil.bite] n [F, fr. Gk stilbein] (1815): a mineral consisting
          of a hydrous silicate of aluminum, calcium, and sodium
          and often occurring in sheaflike aggregations of crystals

   [1]stile
          [stile] n [ME, fr. OE stigel; akin to OE staeger stair--more
          at stair] (bef. 12c): a step or set of steps for passing
          over a fence or wall; also: turnstile [2]stile n [prob.
          fr. D stijl post] (1678): one of the vertical members
          in a frame or panel into which the secondary members
          are fitted

   stiletto
          [sti.let.to] n, pl -tos or -toes [It, dim. of stilo stylus,
          dagger, fr. L stilus stylus--more at style] (1611) 1:
          a slender dagger with a blade thick in proportion to
          its breadth 2: a pointed instrument for piercing holes
          for eyelets or embroidery 3: stiletto heel

   stiletto heel
          [stiletto heel] n (1953): a high thin heel on women's shoes
          that is narrower than a spike heel

   [1]still
          [still] adj [ME stille, fr. OE; akin to OHG stilli still
          and perh. to OE steall stall--more at stall] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: devoid of or abstaining from motion b archaic: sedentary
          c: not effervescent <~ wine> d (1): of, relating to,
          or being a static photograph as contrasted with a motion
          picture (2): designed for taking still photographs <a
          ~ camera> (3): engaged in taking still photographs <a
          ~ photographer> 2 a: uttering no sound: quiet b: subdued,
          muted 3 a: calm, tranquil b: free from noise or turbulence
          -- still.ness n [2]still vi (bef. 12c): to become motionless
          or silent: quiet ~ vt 1 a: allay, calm b: to put an end
          to: settle 2: to arrest the motion of 3: silence [3]still
          adv (bef. 12c) 1: without motion <sit ~> 2 archaic a:
          always, continually b: in a progressive manner: increasingly
          3--used as a function word to indicate the continuance
          of an action or condition <~ lives there> <drink it while
          it's ~ hot> 4: in spite of that: nevertheless <those
          who take the greatest care ~ make mistakes> 5 a: even
          2c <a ~ more difficult problem> b: yet 1a [4]still n
          (13c) 1: quiet, silence 2: a static photograph; specif:
          a photograph of actors or scenes of a motion picture
          for publicity or documentary purposes [5]still vb [ME
          stillen, short for distillen to distill] (13c): distill
          [6]still n (1533) 1: distillery 2: apparatus used in
          distillation comprising either the chamber in which the
          vaporization is carried out or the entire equipment

   still alarm
          [still alarm] n (1875): a fire alarm transmitted (as by telephone
          call) without sounding the signal apparatus

   still and all
          [still and all] adv (1829): nevertheless, still

   stillbirth
          [still.birth] n (1785): the birth of a dead fetus

   stillborn
          [still.born] adj (1593) 1: dead at birth 2: failing from
          the start: abortive <a ~ venture> -- still.born n

   still hunt
          [still hunt] n (1828): a quiet pursuing or ambushing of game

   still-hunt
          [still-hunt] vi (1858): to ambush or stalk a quarry; esp:
          to pursue game noiselessly usu. without a dog ~ vt: to
          lie in wait for: approach by stealth

   still life
          [still life] n, pl still lifes (1695) 1: a picture consisting
          predominantly of inanimate objects 2: the category of
          graphic arts concerned with inanimate subject matter

   stillman
          [still.man] n (ca. 1864): one who owns or operates a still

   stillroom
          [still.room] n [[6]still] (ca. 1710) Brit: a room connected
          with the kitchen where liqueurs, preserves, and cakes
          are kept and beverages (as tea) are prepared

   still water
          [still water] n (1832): a part of a stream where no current
          is visible

   [1]stilly
          [stil.ly] adv (bef. 12c): in a calm manner: quietly [2]stilly
          adj [[4]still + [1]-y] (1776): still, quiet

   [1]stilt
          [stilt] n [ME stilte; akin to OHG stelza stilt] (15c) 1 a:
          one of two poles each with a rest or strap for the foot
          used to elevate the wearer above the ground in walking
          b: a pile or post serving as one of the supports of a
          structure above ground or water level 2 pl also stilt
          : any of various notably long-legged 3-toed shorebirds
          (genera Himantopus and Cladorhynchus) that are related
          to the avocets, frequent inland ponds and marshes, and
          nest in small colonies [2]stilt vt (1649): to raise on
          or as if on stilts

   stilted
          [stilt.ed] adj (1820) 1 a: pompous, lofty b: formal, stiff
          2: having the curve beginning at some distance above
          the impost <a ~ arch> -- stilt.ed.ly adv -- stilt.ed.ness
          n

   Stilton
          [Stil.ton] n [Stilton, Huntingdonshire, England] (1826):
          a blue-veined cheese with wrinkled rind made of whole
          cows' milk enriched with cream

   stime
          [stime] n [ME (northern dial.)] (14c) chiefly Scot & Irish:
          glimmer; also: glimpse

   Stimmung
          [Stim.mung] [G] foreign term : tone: mood: atmosphere

   stimulant
          [stim.u.lant] n (ca. 1728) 1: an agent (as a drug) that produces
          a temporary increase of the functional activity or efficiency
          of an organism or any of its parts 2: stimulus 3: an
          alcoholic beverage--not used technically -- stimulant
          adj

   stimulate
          [stim.u.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L stimulatus, pp. of
          stimulare, fr. stimulus goad; perh. akin to L stilus
          stem, stylus--more at style] vt (1619) 1: to excite to
          activity or growth or to greater activity: animate, arouse
          2 a: to function as a physiological stimulus to b: to
          arouse or affect by a stimulant (as a drug) ~ vi: to
          act as a stimulant or stimulus syn see provoke -- stim.u.la.tion
          n -- stim.u.la.tive adj -- stim.u.la.tor n -- stim.u.la.to.ry
          adj

   stimulus
          [stim.u.lus] n, pl -li [L] (1684): something that rouses
          or incites to activity: as a: incentive b: stimulant
          1 c: an agent (as an environmental change) that directly
          influences the activity of a living organism or one of
          its parts (as by exciting a sensory organ or evoking
          muscular contraction or glandular secretion)

   [1]sting
          [sting] vb stung ; sting.ing [ME, fr. OE stingan; akin to
          ON stinga to sting and prob. to Gk stachys spike of grain,
          stochos target, aim] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to prick painfully:
          as a: to pierce or wound with a poisonous or irritating
          process b: to affect with sharp quick pain or smart <hail
          stung their faces> 2: to cause to suffer acutely <stung
          with remorse> 3: overcharge, cheat ~ vi 1: to wound one
          with or as if with a sting 2: to feel a keen burning
          pain or smart; also: to cause such pain -- sting.ing.ly
          adv [2]sting n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the act of stinging; specif:
          the thrust of a stinger into the flesh b: a wound or
          pain caused by or as if by stinging 2: stinger 2 3: a
          sharp or stinging element, force, or quality 4: an elaborate
          confidence game; specif: such a game worked by undercover
          police in order to trap criminals

   stingaree
          [sting.a.ree] n [by alter.] (1836): stingray

   stinger
          [sting.er] n (ca. 1552) 1: one that stings; specif: a sharp
          blow or remark 2: a sharp organ (as of a bee, scorpion,
          or stingray) that is usu. connected with a poison gland
          or otherwise adapted to wound by piercing and injecting
          a poison 3: a cocktail usu. consisting of brandy and
          white creme de menthe

   stinging nettle
          [stinging nettle] n (1525): nettle 1; esp: one (Urtica dioica)
          established in No. America that has broad coarsely toothed
          leaves

   stingless
          [sting.less] adj (1554): having no sting or stinger

   stingray
          [sting.ray] n (1624): any of numerous rays (as of the family
          Dasyatidae) with one or more large sharp barbed dorsal
          spines near the base of the whiplike tail capable of
          inflicting severe wounds

   stingy
          [stin.gy] adj stin.gi.er ; -est [perh. fr. (assumed) E dial.
          stinge, n., sting; akin to OE stingan to sting] (1659)
          1: not generous or liberal: sparing or scant in giving
          or spending 2: meanly scanty or small -- stin.gi.ly adv
          -- stin.gi.ness n syn stingy, close, niggardly, parsimonious,
          penurious, miserly mean being unwilling or showing unwillingness
          to share with others. stingy implies a marked lack of
          generosity <a stingy child, not given to sharing>. close
          suggests keeping a tight grip on one's money and possessions
          <folks who are very close when charity calls>. niggardly
          implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible
          <the niggardly amount budgeted for the town library>.
          parsimonious suggests a frugality so extreme as to lead
          to stinginess <a parsimonious life-style notably lacking
          in luxuries>. penurious implies niggardliness that gives
          an appearance of actual poverty <the penuriou s eccentric
          bequeathed a fortune>. miserly suggests a sordid avariciousness
          and a morbid pleasure in hoarding <a miserly couple devoid
          of social conscience>.

   [1]stink
          [stink] vi stank or stunk ; stunk ; stink.ing [ME, fr. OE
          stincan; akin to OHG stinkan to emit a smell] (bef. 12c)
          1: to emit a strong offensive odor 2: to be offensive;
          also: to be in bad repute 3: to possess something to
          an offensive degree <~ing with wealth> 4: to be extremely
          bad in quality -- stinky adj [2]stink n (13c) 1: a strong
          offensive odor: stench 2: a public outcry against something

   stinkard
          [stink.ard] n (ca. 1600): a mean or contemptible person

   stink bomb
          [stink bomb] n (1915): a small bomb charged usu. with chemicals
          that gives off a foul odor on bursting

   stinkbug
          [stink.bug] n (1877): any of various hemipterous bugs (esp.
          family Pentatomidae) that emit a disagreeable odor

   stinker
          [stink.er] n (1607) 1 a: one that stinks b: an offensive
          or contemptible person c: something of very poor quality
          2: any of several large petrels that have an offensive
          odor 3 slang: something extremely difficult <the examination
          was a real ~>

   stinkhorn
          [stink.horn] n (1724): any of various fetid basidiomycetous
          fungi (order Phallales, esp. Phallus impudicus) having
          spores dispersed by insects

   [1]stinking
          [stink.ing] adj (bef. 12c) 1: strong and offensive to the
          sense of smell 2 slang: offensively drunk syn see malodorous
          -- stink.ing.ly adv [2]stinking adv (1887): to an extreme
          degree <got ~ drunk>

   stinking smut
          [stinking smut] n (ca. 1891): [4]bunt

   stinkpot
          [stink.pot] n (1669) 1: an earthen jar filled with fetid
          material and formerly sometimes thrown as a stink bomb
          on an enemy's deck 2: musk turtle 3: stinker 1 4 slang:
          motorboat

   stink up
          [stink up] vt (1941): to cause to stink or be filled with
          a stench

   stinkweed
          [stink.weed] n (1753): any of various strong-scented or fetid
          plants; esp: pennycress

   stinkwood
          [stink.wood] n (1731) 1: any of several trees with a wood
          of unpleasant odor; esp: a southern African tree (Ocotea
          bullata) of the laurel family yielding a valued cabinet
          wood 2: the wood of a stinkwood

   [1]stint
          [stint] vb [ME, fr. OE styntan to blunt, dull; akin to ON
          stuttr scant] vi (13c) 1 archaic: stop, desist 2: to
          be sparing or frugal ~ vt 1 archaic: to put an end to:
          stop 2 a: to restrain within certain limits: confine
          b: to restrict with respect to a share or allowance 3:
          to assign a task to (a person) -- stint.er n [2]stint
          n (ca. 1530) 1 a: a definite quantity of work assigned
          b: a period of time spent at a particular activity <served
          a brief ~ as a waiter> 2: restraint, limitation syn see
          task [3]stint n, pl stints also stint [ME stynte] (15c):
          any of several small sandpipers

   stipe
          [stipe] n [NL stipes, fr. L, tree trunk; akin to L stipare
          to press together--more at stiff] (1785): a usu. short
          plant stalk: as a: the stem supporting the cap of a fungus
          b: a part that is similar to a stipe and connects the
          holdfast and blade of a frondose alga c: the petiole
          of a fern frond d: a prolongation of the receptacle beneath
          the ovary of a seed plant -- stiped adj

   stipend
          [sti.pend] n [ME, alter. of stipendy, fr. L stipendium, fr.
          stip-, stips gift + pendere to weigh, pay] (15c): a fixed
          sum of money paid periodically for services or to defray
          expenses

   [1]stipendiary
          [sti.pen.di.ary] n, pl -ar.ies (15c): one who receives a
          stipend [2]stipendiary adj (ca. 1545) 1: receiving or
          compensated by wages or salary <a ~ curate> 2: of or
          relating to a stipend

   stipes
          [sti.pes] n, pl stip.i.tes [NL stipit-, stipes, fr. L, tree
          trunk] (1760): peduncle; esp: the second basal segment
          of a maxilla of an insect or crustacean

   [1]stipple
          [stip.ple] vt stip.pled ; stip.pling [D stippelen to spot,
          dot] (ca. 1762) 1: to engrave by means of dots and flicks
          2 a: to make by small short touches (as of paint or ink)
          that together produce an even or softly graded shadow
          b: to apply (as paint) by repeated small touches 3: speckle,
          fleck -- stip.pler n [2]stipple n (1837): production
          of gradation of light and shade in graphic art by stippling
          small points, larger dots, or longer strokes; also: an
          effect produced in this way

   stipular
          [stip.u.lar] adj (1793): of, resembling, or provided with
          stipules <~ glands>

   [1]stipulate
          [stip.u.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L stipulatus, pp. of
          stipulari to demand some term in an agreement] vi (ca.
          1624) 1: to make an agreement or covenant to do or forbear
          something: contract 2: to demand an express term in an
          agreement--used with for ~ vt 1: to specify as a condition
          or requirement of an agreement or offer 2: to give a
          guarantee of -- stip.u.la.tor n [2]stip.u.late adj [NL
          stipula] (1776): having stipules

   stipulation
          [stip.u.la.tion] n (ca. 1552) 1: an act of stipulating 2:
          something stipulated; esp: a condition, requirement,
          or item specified in a legal instrument -- stip.u.la.to.ry
          adj

   stipule
          [stip.ule] n [NL stipula, fr. L, stalk; akin to L stipes
          tree trunk] (1793): either of a pair of appendages borne
          at the base of the leaf in many plants

   [1]stir
          [stir] vb stirred ; stir.ring [ME, fr. OE styrian; akin to
          OHG storen to scatter] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to cause an
          esp. slight movement or change of position of b: to disturb
          the quiet of: agitate 2 a: to disturb the relative position
          of the particles or parts of esp. by a continued circular
          movement b: to mix by or as if by stirring 3: bestir,
          exert 4: to bring into notice or debate: raise 5 a: to
          rouse to activity: evoke strong feelings in b: to call
          forth (as a memory): evoke c: provoke ~ vi 1 a: to make
          a slight movement b: to begin to move (as in rousing)
          2: to begin to be active 3: to be active or busy 4: to
          pass an implement through a substance with a circular
          movement 5: to be able to be stirred -- stir.rer n [2]stir
          n (14c) 1 a: a state of disturbance, agitation, or brisk
          activity b: widespread notice and discussion: impression
          <the book caused quite a ~> 2: a slight movement 3: a
          stirring movement [3]stir n [origin unknown] (1851) slang:
          prison

   stirabout
          [stir.about] n (1682): a porridge of Irish origin consisting
          of oatmeal or cornmeal boiled in water or milk and stirred

   stir-crazy
          [stir-cra.zy] adj [[3]stir] (ca. 1908) slang: distraught
          because of prolonged confinement

   [1]stir-fry
          [stir-fry] vt (1958): to fry quickly over high heat in a
          lightly oiled pan (as a wok) while stirring continuously
          [2]stir-fry n (1959): a dish of something stir-fried

   stirk
          [stirk] n [ME, fr. OE stirc; akin to MLG sterke young cow
          and perh. to Goth stairo sterile animal--more at sterile]
          (bef. 12c) Brit: a young bull or cow esp. between one
          and two years old

   Stirling engine
          [Stir.ling engine] n [Robert Stirling d. 1878 Scot. engineer]
          (1896): an external combustion engine having an enclosed
          working fluid (as helium) that is alternately compressed
          and expanded to operate a piston

   Stirling's formula
          [Stir.ling's formula] n [James Stirling d. 1770 Scot.
          mathematician] (1926): a formula that approximates the value of the
          factorial of a very large number n and that consists of the product
          of three terms of which the first consists of n raised to the
          exponent n, the second consists of the transcendental number
          e raised to the negative exponent n, and the third consists of the
          square root of the product of 2n times the transcendental number pi

   stirp
          [stirp] n [L stirp-, stirps] (1502): a line descending from
          a common ancestor: stock, lineage

   stirps
          [stirps] n, pl stir.pes [L, lit., stem, stock] (1681) 1:
          a branch of a family; also: the person from whom it is
          descended 2 a: a group of animals equivalent to a superfamily
          b: a race or fixed variety of plants

   stirring
          [stir.ring] adj (bef. 12c) 1: active, bustling 2: rousing,
          inspiring <a ~ speech>

   stirrup
          [stir.rup] n [ME stirop, fr. OE stigrap, fr. stig- (akin
          to OHG stigan to go up) + rap rope--more at stair, rope]
          (bef. 12c) 1: either of a pair of small light frames
          or rings for receiving the foot of a rider that are attached
          by a strap to a saddle and used to aid in mounting and
          as a support while riding 2: a piece resembling a stirrup
          (as a support or clamp in carpentry and machinery) 3:
          a rope secured to a yard and attached to a thimble in
          its lower end for supporting a footrope 4: stapes

   stirrup cup
          [stirrup cup] n (1681) 1: a small serving of drink (as wine)
          taken by a rider about to depart; also: the vessel in
          which it is served 2: a farewell cup

   stirrup leather
          [stirrup leather] n (14c): the looped strap suspending a
          stirrup

   stirrup pump
          [stirrup pump] n (1939): a portable hand pump held in position
          by a foot bracket and used for throwing a jet or spray
          of liquid

   [1]stitch
          [stitch] n [ME stiche, fr. OE stice; akin to OE stician to
          stick] (bef. 12c) 1: a local sharp and sudden pain esp.
          in the side 2 a: one in-and-out movement of a threaded
          needle in sewing, embroidering, or suturing b: a portion
          of thread left in the material or suture left in the
          tissue after one stitch 3: a least part esp. of clothing
          4: a single loop of thread or yarn around an implement
          (as a knitting needle or crochet hook) 5: a stitch or
          series of stitches formed in a particular way <a basting
          ~> -- in stitches : in a state of uncontrollable laughter
          [2]stitch vt (13c) 1 a: to fasten, join, or close with
          or as if with stitches b: to make, mend, or decorate
          with or as if with stitches 2: to unite by means of staples
          ~ vi: sew -- stitch.er n

   stitchery
          [stitch.ery] n (1607): needlework

   stitchwort
          [stitch.wort] n (13c): any of several chickweeds (genus Stellaria)

   stithy
          [stithy] n, pl stith.ies [ME, fr. ON stethi; akin to OE stede
          stead] (13c) 1 archaic: anvil 2 archaic: smithy 1

   stiver
          [sti.ver] n [D stuiver] (1502) 1: a unit of value and coin
          of the Netherlands equal to 1/20 gulden 2: something
          of little value

   stk
          [stk] abbreviation stock

   STL
          [STL] [NL sacrae theologiae licentiatus] abbreviation licentiate
          of sacred theology

   STM
          [STM] [NL sacrae theologiae magister] abbreviation master
          of sacred theology

   stoa
          [stoa] n [Gk; akin to Gk stylos pillar--more at steer] (1603):
          an ancient Greek portico usu. walled at the back with
          a front colonnade designed to afford a sheltered promenade

   stoat
          [stoat] n, pl stoats also stoat [ME stote] (15c): the common
          Holarctic ermine (Mustela erminea) esp. in its brown
          summer coat

   stob
          [stob] n [ME, stump; akin to ME stubb stub] (15c) chiefly
          dial: stake, post

   stoccado
          [stoc.ca.do] n, pl -dos [It stoccata] (1582) archaic: a thrust
          with a rapier

   stochastic
          [sto.chas.tic] adj [Gk stochastikos skillful in aiming, fr.
          stochazesthai to aim at, guess at, fr. stochos target,
          aim, guess--more at sting] (1923) 1: random; specif:
          involving a random variable <a ~ process> 2: involving
          chance or probability: probabilistic <a ~ model of
          radiation-induced mutation> -- sto.chas.ti.cal.ly adv

   [1]stock
          [stock] n [ME stok, fr. OE stocc; akin to OHG stoc stick]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: stump b archaic: a log or block
          of wood c (1) archaic: something without life or consciousness
          (2): a dull, stupid, or lifeless person 2: a supporting
          framework or structure: as a pl: the frame or timbers
          holding a ship during construction b pl: a device for
          publicly punishing offenders consisting of a wooden frame
          with holes in which the feet or feet and hands can be
          locked c (1): the wooden part by which a shoulder arm
          is held during firing (2): the butt of an implement (as
          a whip or fishing rod) (3): bitstock, brace d: a long
          beam on a field gun forming the third support point in
          firing 3 a: the main stem of a plant: trunk b (1): a
          plant or plant part united with a scion in grafting and
          supplying mostly underground parts to a graft (2): a
          plant from which slips or cuttings are taken 4: the crosspiece
          of an anchor--see anchor illustration 5 a: the original
          (as a person, race, or language) from which others derive:
          source b (1): the descendants of one individual: family,
          lineage (2): a compound organism--compare clone c: an
          infraspecific group usu. having unity of descent d (1):
          a related group of languages (2): a language family 6
          a (1): the equipment, materials, or supplies of an establishment
          (2): livestock b: a store or supply accumulated; esp:
          the inventory of goods of a merchant or manufacturer
          7 a archaic: a supply of capital: funds; esp: money or
          capital invested or available for investment or trading
          b (1): the part of a tally formerly given to the creditor
          in a transaction (2): a debt or fund due (as from a government)
          for money loaned at interest; also, Brit: capital or
          a debt or fund bearing interest in perpetuity and not
          ordinarily redeemable as to principal c (1): the proprietorship
          element in a corporation usu. divided into shares and
          represented by transferable certificates (2): a portion
          of such stock of one or more companies (3): stock certificate
          8: any of a genus (Matthiola) of Old World herbs or subshrubs
          of the mustard family with racemes of usu. sweet-scented
          flowers 9: a wide band or scarf worn about the neck esp.
          by some clergymen 10 a: liquid in which meat, fish, or
          vegetables have been simmered that is used as a basis
          for soup, gravy, or sauce b (1): raw material from which
          something is manufactured (2): paper used for printing
          c: the portion of a pack of cards not distributed to
          the players at the beginning of a game 11 a (1): an estimate
          or evaluation of somet : on hand: in the store and ready
          for delivery -- out of stock : having no more on hand:
          completely sold out [2]stock vt (15c) 1: to make (a domestic
          animal) pregnant 2: to fit to or with a stock 3: to provide
          with stock or a stock: supply <~ a stream with trout>
          4: to procure or keep a stock of 5: to graze (livestock)
          on land ~ vi 1: to send out new shoots 2: to put in stock
          or supplies <~ up on canned goods> [3]stock adj (1625)
          1 a: kept regularly in stock <comes in ~ sizes> <a ~
          model> b: commonly used or brought forward: standard
          <the ~ answer> 2 a: kept for breeding purposes: brood
          <a ~ mare> b: devoted to the breeding and rearing of
          livestock <a ~ farm> c: used or intended for livestock
          <a ~ train> d: used in herding livestock <a ~ horse>
          <a ~ dog> 3: of or relating to a stock company 4: employed
          in handling, checking, or taking care of the stock of
          merchandise on hand <a ~ clerk>

   [1]stockade
          [stock.ade] n [Sp estacada, fr. estaca stake, pale, of Gmc
          origin; akin to OE staca stake] (1614) 1: a line of stout
          posts set firmly to form a defense 2 a: an enclosure
          or pen made with posts and stakes b: an enclosure in
          which prisoners are kept [2]stockade vt stock.ad.ed ;
          stock.ad.ing (1677): to fortify or surround with a stockade

   stockade fence
          [stockade fence] (1985): a solid fence of half-round boards
          pointed at the top

   stockbreeder
          [stock.breed.er] n (1815): a person engaged in the breeding
          and care of livestock for the market, for show purposes,
          or for racing

   stockbroker
          [stock.bro.ker] n (ca. 1706): a broker who executes orders
          to buy and sell securities and often also acts as a security
          dealer -- stock.bro.ker.age n -- stock.brok.ing n

   stock car
          [stock car] n (1858) 1: a latticed railroad boxcar for carrying
          livestock 2: a racing car having the basic chassis of
          a commercially produced assembly-line model

   stock certificate
          [stock certificate] n (1863): an instrument evidencing ownership
          of one or more shares of the capital stock of a corporation

   stock company
          [stock company] n (1827) 1: a corporation or joint-stock
          company of which the capital is represented by stock
          2: a theatrical company attached to a repertory theater;
          esp: one without outstanding stars

   stock dividend
          [stock dividend] n (ca. 1902) 1: the payment by a corporation
          of a dividend in the form of shares usu. of its own stock
          without change in par value--compare stock split 2: the
          stock distributed in a stock dividend

   stocker
          [stock.er] n (1881) 1: a young animal (as a steer or heifer)
          suitable for being fed and fattened for market 2: an
          animal (as a heifer) suitable for use in a breeding establishment
          3: stock car 2

   stock exchange
          [stock exchange] n (1773) 1: a place where security trading
          is conducted on an organized system 2: an association
          of people organized to provide an auction market among
          themselves for the purchase and sale of securities

   stockfish
          [stock.fish] n [ME stokfish, fr. MD stocvisch, fr. stoc stick
          + visch fish] (13c): fish (as cod, haddock, or hake)
          dried hard in the open air without salt

   stockholder
          [stock.hold.er] n (ca. 1776): an owner of corporate stock

   stockinette
          [stock.i.nette] or stock.i.net n [alter. of earlier stocking
          net] (1784): a soft elastic usu. cotton fabric used esp.
          for bandages and infants' wear

   stocking
          [stock.ing] n [obs. stock to cover with a stocking] (1583)
          1 a: a usu. knit close-fitting covering for the foot
          and leg b: sock 2: something resembling a stocking; esp:
          a ring of distinctive color on the lower part of the
          leg of an animal -- stock.inged adj -- in one's stocking
          feet : having on stockings but no shoes

   stocking cap
          [stocking cap] n (ca. 1897): a long knitted cone-shaped cap
          with a tassel or pom-pom worn esp. for winter sports
          or play

   stocking stuffer
          [stocking stuffer] n (1948): a small gift suitable for placing
          in a Christmas stocking

   stock-in-trade
          [stock-in-trade] n (ca. 1771) 1: the equipment, merchandise,
          or materials necessary to or used in a trade or business
          2: something that resembles the standard equipment of
          a tradesman or business <humor was her ~ as a writer>

   stockish
          [stock.ish] adj (1596): like a stock: stupid

   stockist
          [stock.ist] n (1910) Brit: one (as a retailer) that stocks
          goods

   stockjobber
          [stock.job.ber] n (ca. 1626): one who deals in stocks: as
          a: a member of the London Stock Exchange who deals speculatively
          with brokers or other jobbers and usu. specializes in
          one class of securities--called also jobber b: stockbroker--usu.
          used disparagingly

   stockjobbing
          [stock.job.bing] n (1692): speculative exchange dealings

   stockkeeper
          [stock.keep.er] n (ca. 1786) 1: one (as a herdsman or shepherd)
          having the charge or care of livestock 2: one that keeps
          and records stock (as in a warehouse): one that keeps
          an inventory of goods on hand, shipped, or received

   stockman
          [stock.man] n (1806): one occupied as an owner or worker
          in the raising of livestock (as cattle or sheep)

   stock market
          [stock market] n (1809) 1: stock exchange 1 2 a: a market
          for particular stocks b: the market for stocks throughout
          a country

   stock option
          [stock option] n (1945) 1: an option contract involving stock
          2: a right granted by a corporation to officers or employees
          as a form of compensation that allows purchase of corporate
          stock at a fixed price at a specified time with reimbursement
          derived from the difference between purchase and market
          prices

   [1]stockpile
          [stock.pile] n (1872): a storage pile: as a: a reserve supply
          of something essential accumulated within a country for
          use during a shortage b: a gradually accumulated reserve
          of something <avert ~s of unsold cars --Bert Pierce>
          [2]stockpile vt (1921) 1: to place or store in or on
          a stockpile 2: to accumulate a stockpile of <~ war materials
          in Europe --A. O. Wolfers> -- stock.pil.er n

   stockpot
          [stock.pot] n (1853) 1: a pot in which soup stock is prepared
          2: an abundant supply: repository

   stockroom
          [stock.room] n (1825): a storage place for supplies or goods
          used in a business

   stock saddle
          [stock saddle] n (1886): western saddle

   stock split
          [stock split] n (1950): a division of corporate stock by
          the issuance to existing shareholders of a specified
          number of new shares with a corresponding lowering of
          par value for each outstanding share--compare stock dividend

   stock-still
          [stock-still] adj (15c): very still: motionless <stood ~>

   stocktaking
          [stock.tak.ing] n (ca. 1858) 1: inventory 3 2: the action
          of estimating a situation at a given moment

   stocky
          [stocky] adj stock.i.er ; -est (1622): compact, sturdy, and
          relatively thick in build -- stock.i.ly adv -- stock.i.ness
          n

   stockyard
          [stock.yard] n (1802): a yard for stock; specif: one in which
          transient cattle, sheep, swine, or horses are kept temporarily
          for slaughter, market, or shipping

   [1]stodge
          [stodge] vt stodged ; stodg.ing [origin unknown] (1674) Brit:
          to stuff full esp. with food [2]stodge n (1825) Brit:
          something or someone stodgy

   stodgy
          [stodgy] adj stodg.i.er ; -est (1858) 1: having a rich filling
          quality: heavy <~ bread> 2: moving in a slow plodding
          way esp. as a result of physical bulkiness 3: boring,
          dull <out on a peaceful rather ~ Sunday boat trip --Edna
          Ferber> 4: extremel y old-fashioned: hidebound <received
          a pompously Victorian letter from his ~ father --E. E.
          S. Montagu> 5 a: drab b: dowdy -- stodg.i.ly adv -- stodg.i.ness
          n

   stogie
          [sto.gie] or sto.gy n, pl stogies [Conestoga, Pa.] (1853)
          1: a stout coarse shoe: brogan 2: an inexpensive slender
          cylindrical cigar; broadly: cigar

   [1]stoic
          [sto.ic] n [ME, fr. L stoicus, fr. Gk stoikos, lit., of the
          portico, fr. Stoa (Poikile) the Painted Portico, portico
          at Athens where Zeno taught] (14c) 1 cap: a member of
          a school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium about
          300 b.c. holding that the wise man should be free from
          passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submissive to natural
          law 2: one apparently or professedly indifferent to pleasure
          or pain [2]stoic or sto.i.cal adj (15c) 1 cap: of, relating
          to, or resembling the Stoics or their doctrines <Stoic
          logic> 2: not affected by or showing passion or feeling;
          esp: firmly restraining response to pain or distress
          <a ~ indifference to cold> syn see impassive -- sto.ical.ly
          adv

   stoichiometric
          [stoi.chio.met.ric] adj (1892): of, relating to, used in,
          or marked by stoichiometry -- stoi.chio.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv

   stoichiometry
          [stoi.chi.om.e.try] n [Gk stoicheion element (fr. stoichos
          row) + E -metry; akin to Gk steichein to walk, go--more
          at stair] (1807) 1: a branch of chemistry that deals
          with the application of the laws of definite proportions
          and of the conservation of mass and energy to chemical
          activity 2 a: the quantitative relationship between constituents
          in a chemical substance b: the quantitative relationship
          between two or more substances esp. in processes involving
          physical or chemical change

   stoicism
          [sto.i.cism] n (1626) 1 cap: the philosophy of the Stoics
          2: indifference to pleasure or pain: impassiveness

   stoke
          [stoke] vb stoked ; stok.ing [D stoken; akin to MD stuken
          to push] vt (1683) 1: to poke or stir up (as a fire):
          supply with fuel 2: to feed abundantly ~ vi: to stir
          up or tend a fire (as in a furnace): supply a furnace
          with fuel

   stoked
          [stoked] adj (1965) slang: being in an enthusiastic or exhilarated
          state

   stokehold
          [stoke.hold] n (1887): the boiler room of a ship

   stoker
          [stok.er] n (1660) 1: one employed to tend a furnace and
          supply it with fuel; specif: one that tends a marine
          steam boiler 2: a machine for feeding a fire

   Stokes' aster
          [Stokes' aster] n [Jonathan Stokes d. 1831 Eng. botanist]
          (ca. 1890): a perennial composite herb (Stokesia laevis)
          of the southern U.S. often grown for its large showy
          heads of usu. blue flowers--called also stokesia

   STOL
          [STOL] abbreviation short takeoff and landing

   [1]stole
          [stole] past of steal [2]stole n [ME, fr. OE, fr. L stola,
          fr. Gk stole equipment, robe, fr. stellein to set up,
          make ready] (bef. 12c) 1: a long loose garment: robe
          2: an ecclesiastical vestment consisting of a long usu.
          silk band worn traditionally around the neck by bishops
          and priests and over the left shoulder by deacons 3:
          a long wide scarf or similar covering worn by women usu.
          across the shoulders

   stolen
          [stolen] past part of steal

   stolid
          [stol.id] adj [L stolidus dull, stupid] (ca. 1600): having
          or expressing little or no sensibility: unemotional syn
          see impassive -- sto.lid.i.ty n -- stol.id.ly adv

   stollen
          [stol.len] n, pl stollen or stollens [G, lit., post, support,
          fr. OHG stollo--more at stela] (1906): a sweet yeast
          bread of German origin containing fruit and nuts

   stolon
          [sto.lon] n [NL stolon-, stolo, fr. L, branch, sucker; akin
          to OE stela stalk, Arm steln branch] (1601) 1 a: a horizontal
          branch from the base of a plant that produces new plants
          from buds at its tip or nodes (as in the strawberry)--called
          also runner b: a hypha (as of rhizopus) produced on the
          surface and connecting a group of conidiophores 2: an
          extension of the body wall (as of a hydrozoan or bryozoan)
          that develops buds giving rise to new zooids which usu.
          remain united by the stolon

   stoloniferous
          [sto.lon.if.er.ous] adj (ca. 1777): bearing or developing
          stolons

   stoma
          [sto.ma] n, pl sto.ma.ta also stomas [NL, fr. Gk stomat-,
          stoma mouth] (ca. 1684) 1: any of various small simple
          bodily openings esp. in a lower animal 2: one of the
          minute openings in the epidermis of a plant organ (as
          a leaf) through which gaseous interchange takes place;
          also: the opening with its associated cellular structures
          3: an artificial permanent opening esp. in the abdominal
          wall made in surgical procedures

   [1]stomach
          [stom.ach] n [ME stomak, fr. MF estomac, fr. L stomachus
          gullet, esophagus, stomach, fr. Gk stomachos, fr. stoma
          mouth; akin to MBret staffn mouth, Av staman-] (14c)
          1 a (1): a dilatation of the alimentary canal of a vertebrate
          communicating anteriorly with the esophagus and posteriorly
          with the duodenum (2): one of the compartments of a ruminant
          stomach <the abomasum is the fourth ~ of a ruminant>
          b: a cavity in an invertebrate animal that is analogous
          to a stomach c: the part of the body that contains the
          stomach: belly, abdomen 2 a: desire for food caused by
          hunger: appetite b: inclination, desire <had no ~ for
          an argument>; also: courage, guts 3 obs a: spirit, valor
          b: pride c: spleen, resentment [2]stomach vt (1523) 1
          archaic: to take offense at 2: to bear without overt
          reaction or resentment: put up with <couldn't ~ office
          politics>

   stomachache
          [stom.ach.ache] n (1763): pain in or in the region of the
          stomach

   stomacher
          [stom.ach.er] n (15c): the center front section of a waist
          or underwaist or a usu. heavily embroidered or jeweled
          separate piece for the center front of a bodice worn
          by men and women in the 15th and 16th centuries and later
          by women only

   [1]stomachic
          [sto.mach.ic] adj (ca. 1656): of or relating to the stomach
          <~ vessels> [2]stomachic n (1735): a stimulant or tonic
          for the stomach

   stomachy
          [stom.achy] adj (ca. 1825) 1 dial Brit: irascible, irritable
          2: having a large stomach

   stomal
          [sto.mal] adj (ca. 1941): of, relating to, or situated near
          a surgical stoma <a ~ ulcer>

   stomat-
          [stomat-] or stomato- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. stomat-,
          stoma]: mouth: stoma <stomatitis>

   stomatal
          [sto.ma.tal] adj (1861): of, relating to, or constituting
          plant stomata <~ openings> <~ transpiration>

   stomate
          [sto.mate] n [irreg. fr. NL stomat-, stoma] (1835): stoma
          2

   stomatitis
          [sto.ma.ti.tis] n, pl -tit.i.des or -ti.tis.es [NL] (1859):
          any of numerous inflammatory diseases of the mouth

   stomatopod
          [sto.mato.pod] n [NL Stomatopoda, fr. stomat- + Gk pod-,
          pous foot--more at foot] (1877): any of an order (Stomatopoda)
          of marine crustaceans (as a squilla) that have gills
          on the abdominal appendages -- stomatopod adj

   stomodeum
          [sto.mo.de.um] or sto.mo.dae.um n, pl -dea or -daea also
          -deums or -daeums [NL, fr. Gk stoma mouth + hodaion,
          neut. of hodaios being on the way, fr. hodos way] (1876):
          the embryonic anterior ectodermal part of the alimentary
          canal or tract -- sto.mo.de.al or sto.mo.dae.al adj

   [1]stomp
          [stomp] vb [by alter.] (1803): stamp 1, 2 [2]stomp n (ca.
          1899) 1: stamp 4 2: a jazz dance marked by heavy stamping

   stomping ground
          [stomping ground] n (1854): stamping ground

   -stomy
          [-stomy] n comb form [ISV, fr. Gk stoma mouth, opening]:
          surgical operation establishing a usu. permanent opening
          into (such) a part <enterostomy>

   [1]stone
          [stone] n (bef. 12c) 1: a concretion of earthy or mineral
          matter: a (1): such a concretion of indeterminate size
          or shape (2): rock b: a piece of rock for a specified
          function: as (1): a building block (2): a paving block
          (3): a precious stone: gem (4): gravestone (5): grindstone
          (6): whetstone (7): a surface upon which a drawing, text,
          or design to be lithographed is drawn or transferred
          2: something resembling a small stone: as a: calculus
          3a b: the hard central portion of a drupaceous fruit
          (as a peach) c: a hard stony seed (as of a date) 3 pl
          usu stone : any of various units of weight; esp: an official
          British unit equal to 14 pounds (6.3 kilograms) 4 a:
          curling stone b: a round playing piece used in various
          games (as backgammon or go) 5: a stand or table with
          a smooth flat top on which to impose or set type [2]stone
          vt stoned ; ston.ing (13c) 1: to hurl stones at; esp:
          to kill by pelting with stones 2 archaic: to make hard
          or insensitive to feeling 3: to face, pave, or fortify
          with stones 4: to remove the stones or seeds of (a fruit)
          5 a: to rub, scour, or polish with a stone b: to sharpen
          with a whetstone -- ston.er n [3]stone adv (13c): entirely,
          utterly--used as an intensive--often used in combination
          <stone-broke> <stone-cold soup> <stone-dead> [4]stone
          adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or made of stone 2: absolute,
          utter <pure ~ craziness --Edwin Shrake>

   Stone Age
          [Stone Age] n (1864): the first known period of prehistoric
          human culture characterized by the use of stone tools

   stone-blind
          [stone-blind] adj (14c): totally blind

   stoneboat
          [stone.boat] n (1859): a flat sledge or drag for transporting
          heavy articles (as stones)

   stone canal
          [stone canal] n (1887): a tube in many echinoderms that contains
          calcareous deposits and leads from the madreporite to
          the ring of the water-vascular system surrounding the
          mouth

   stone cell
          [stone cell] n (1875): sclereid

   stonechat
          [stone.chat] n [[2]chat] (ca. 1783): an Old World oscine
          songbird (Saxicola torquata) related to the thrushes;
          also: any of various related birds (genus Saxicola)

   stone china
          [stone china] n (1823): a hard dense opaque feldspathic pottery
          developed in England; broadly: ironstone china

   stone-cold
          [stone-cold] adv (1592): absolutely <~ sober>

   stone crab
          [stone crab] n (1709): a large brownish edible crab (Menippe
          mercenaria) found on the southern coast of the U.S. and
          in the Caribbean area

   stonecrop
          [stone.crop] n (bef. 12c) 1: sedum; esp: an Old World creeping
          evergreen sedum (Sedum acre) with pungent fleshy leaves
          and yellow flowers 2: any of various plants of the orpine
          family related to the sedums

   stonecutter
          [stone.cut.ter] n (1540) 1: one that cuts, carves, or dresses
          stone 2: a machine for dressing stone -- stone.cut.ting
          n

   stoned
          [stoned] adj (1952) 1: drunk 1a 2: being under the influence
          of a drug (as marijuana) taken esp. for pleasure: high

   stone-deaf
          [stone-deaf] adj (1837): totally deaf

   stone-faced
          [stone-faced] adj (1932): showing no emotion: expressionless

   stonefish
          [stone.fish] n (1896): any of several small spiny venomous
          scorpion fishes (esp. genus Synanceja) common about coral
          reefs of the tropical Indo-Pacific

   stone fly
          [stone fly] n (15c): any of an order (Plecoptera) of insects
          with an aquatic carnivorous nymph having gills and an
          adult having long antennae, two pairs of membranous wings,
          and usu. long cerci

   stone fruit
          [stone fruit] n (ca. 1534): a fruit with a stony endocarp:
          drupe

   stone-ground
          [stone-ground] adj (1905): ground in a buhrstone mill <~
          flour>

   stonemason
          [stone.ma.son] n (1758): a mason who builds with stone --
          stone.ma.son.ry n

   stone roller
          [stone roller] n (1878) 1: hog sucker 2: a common cyprinid
          fish (Campostoma anomalum) found esp. in clear streams
          of the central U.S.

   stone's throw
          [stone's throw] n (1581): a short distance <lives within
          a stone's throw of town>

   stone wall
          [stone wall] n (bef. 12c) 1: a fence made of stones; esp:
          one built of rough stones without mortar to enclose a
          field 2: an immovable block or obstruction (as in public
          affairs)

   stonewall
          [stone.wall] vi (1880) 1 chiefly Brit: to engage in obstructive
          parliamentary debate or delaying tactics 2: to be uncooperative,
          obstructive, or evasive ~ vt: to refuse to comply or
          cooperate with -- stone.wall.er n

   stoneware
          [stone.ware] n (1683): a strong opaque ceramic ware that
          is high-fired, well vitrified, and nonporous

   stonewashed
          [stone.washed] adj (1982): subjected to a washing process
          during manufacture that includes the use of abrasive
          stones esp. to create a softer fabric <~ denim jeans>

   stonework
          [stone.work] n (bef. 12c) 1: a structure or part built of
          stone: masonry 2: the shaping, preparation, or setting
          of stone

   stonewort
          [stone.wort] n (1816): any of various freshwater green algae
          (order Charales) that have a thallus differentiated into
          rhizoids and stems with whorls of branchlets and that
          are often encrusted with calcareous deposits

   stony
          [stony] also ston.ey adj ston.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: abounding
          in or having the nature of stone: rocky 2 a: insensitive
          to pity or human feeling: obdurate b: manifesting no
          movement or reaction: dumb, expressionless c: fearfully
          gripping: petrifying 3 archaic: consisting of or made
          of stones 4 Brit: stone-broke -- ston.i.ly adv -- ston.i.ness
          n

   stonyhearted
          [stony.heart.ed] adj (1569): unfeeling, cruel

   stood
          [stood] past and past part of stand

   [1]stooge
          [stooge] n [origin unknown] (1913) 1 a: one who plays a subordinate
          or compliant role to a principal b: puppet 3 2: straight man
          3: stool pigeon [2]stooge vi stooged ; stoog.ing (1939): to act
          as a stooge <congressmen who ~ for the oil and mineral interests
          --New Republic>

   stook
          [stook] n [ME stouk; akin to OE stocc stock--more at stock]
          (15c) chiefly Brit: [1]shock -- stook vt, chiefly Brit

   [1]stool
          [stool] n [ME, fr. OE stol; akin to OHG stuol chair, OCS
          stolu seat, throne] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a seat usu. without
          back or arms supported by three or four legs or by a
          central pedestal b: a low bench or portable support for
          the feet or knees: footstool 2: a seat used as a symbol
          of office or authority; also: the rank, dignity, office,
          or rule of a chieftain 3 a: a seat used while defecating
          or urinating b: a discharge of fecal matter 4 a: a stump
          or group of stumps of a tree esp. when producing suckers
          b: a plant crown from which shoots grow out c: a shoot
          or growth from a stool 5: stool pigeon [2]stool vi (1770):
          to throw out shoots in the manner of a stool

   stoolie
          [stool.ie] n (1924): stool pigeon 2

   stool pigeon
          [stool pigeon] n [prob. fr. the early practice of fastening
          the decoy bird to a stool] (1836) 1: a pigeon used as
          a decoy to draw others within a net 2: a person acting
          as a decoy or informer; esp: a spy sent into a group
          to report (as to the police) on its activities

   [1]stoop
          [stoop] vb [ME stoupen, fr. OE stupian; akin to OE steap
          steep, deep--more at steep] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to bend
          the body or a part of the body forward and downward sometimes
          simultaneously bending the knees b: to stand or walk
          with a forward inclination of the head, body, or shoulders
          2: yield, submit 3 a: to descend from a superior rank,
          dignity, or status b: to lower oneself morally 4 a archaic:
          to move down from a height: alight b: to fly or dive
          down swiftly usu. to attack prey ~ vt 1: debase, degrade
          2: to bend (a part of the body) forward and downward
          [2]stoop n (1571) 1 a: an act of bending the body forward
          b: a temporary or habitual forward bend of the back and
          shoulders 2: the descent of a bird esp. on its prey 3:
          a lowering of oneself [3]stoop n [D stoep; akin to OE
          staepe step--more at step] (1755): a porch, platform,
          entrance stairway, or small veranda at a house door

   stoopball
          [stoop.ball] n (1941): a variation of baseball in which a
          player throws a ball against a stoop or building and
          runs to base while other players attempt to retrieve
          the rebound and put the runner out

   stoop labor
          [stoop labor] n (1949): the hard labor done or required to
          plant, cultivate, and harvest a crop and esp. a crop
          of vegetables

   [1]stop
          [stop] vb stopped ; stop.ping [ME stoppen, fr. OE -stoppian,
          fr. (assumed) VL stuppare to stop with tow, fr. L stuppa
          tow, fr. Gk styppe] vt (13c) 1 a: to close by filling
          or obstructing b: to hinder or prevent the passage of
          c: to get in the way of: be wounded or killed by <easy
          to ~ a bullet along a lonely ... road --Harvey Fergusson>
          2 a: to close up or block off (an opening): plug b: to
          make impassable: choke, obstruct c: to cover over or
          fill in (a hole or crevice) 3 a: to cause to give up
          or change a course of action b: to keep from carrying
          out a proposed action: restrain, prevent 4 a: to cause
          to cease: check, suppress b: discontinue 5 a: to deduct
          or withhold (a sum due) b: to instruct one's bank to
          refuse (payment) or refuse payment of (as a check) 6
          a: to arrest the progress or motion of: cause to halt
          <stopped the car> b: parry c: to check by means of a
          weapon: bring down, kill d: to beat in a boxing match
          by a knockout; broadly: defeat e: baffle, nonplus 7:
          to change the pitch of (as a violin string) by pressing
          with the finger or (as a wind instrument) by closing
          one or more finger holes or by thrusting the hand or
          a mute into the bell 8: to hold an honor card and enough
          protecting cards to be able to block (a bridge suit)
          before an opponent can run many tricks ~ vi 1 a: to cease
          activity or operation b: to come to an end esp. suddenly:
          close, finish 2 a: to cease to move on: halt b: pause,
          hesitate 3 a: to break one's journey: stay b chiefly
          Brit: remain c: to make a brief call: drop in 4: to become
          choked: clog -- stop.pa.ble adj syn stop, cease, quit,
          discontinue, desist mean to suspend or cause to suspend
          activity. stop applies to action or progress or to what
          is operating or progressing and may imply suddenness
          or definiteness <stopped at the red light>. cease applies
          to states, conditions, or existence and may add a suggestion
          of gradualness and a degree of finality <by nightfall
          the fighting had ceased>. quit may stress either finality
          or abruptness in stopping or ceasing <the engine faltered,
          sputtered, then quit altogether>. discontinue applies
          to the stopping of an accustomed activity or practice
          <we have discontinued the manufacture of that item>.
          desist implies forbearance or restraint as a motive for
          stopping or ceasing <desisted from further efforts to
          persuade them>. [2]stop n (15c) 1 a: cessation, end b:
          a pause or breaking off in speech 2 a (1): a graduated
          set of organ pipes of similar design and tone quality
          (2): a corresponding set of vibrators or reeds of a reed
          organ (3): stop knob--often used figuratively in phrases
          like pull out all the stops to suggest holding nothing
          back b: a means of regulating the pitch of a musical
          instrument 3 a: something that impedes, obstructs, or
          brings to a halt: impediment, obstacle b: the aperture
          of a camera lens; also: a marking of a series (as of
          f-numbers) on a camera for indicating settings of the
          diaphragm c: a drain plug: stopper 4: a device for arresting
          or limiting motion 5: the act of stopping: the state
          of being stopped: check 6 a: a halt in a journey: stay
          <made a brief ~ to refuel> b: a stopping place <a bus
          ~> 7 a chiefly Brit: any of several punctuation marks
          b--used in telegrams and cables to indicate a period
          c: a pause or break in a verse that marks the end of
          a grammatical unit 8 a: an order stopping payment (as
          of a check or note) by a bank b: stop order 9: a consonant
          characterized by complete closure of the breath passage
          in the course of articulation--compare continuant 10:
          a depression in the face of an animal at the junction
          of forehead and muzzle [3]stop adj (1594): serving to
          stop: designed to stop <~ line> <~ signal>

   stop-and-go
          [stop-and-go] adj (1925): of, relating to, or involving frequent
          stops; esp: controlled or regulated by traffic lights
          <~ driving>

   stop bath
          [stop bath] n (1898): an acid bath used to check photographic
          development of a negative or print

   stopcock
          [stop.cock] n (1584): a cock for stopping or regulating flow
          (as through a pipe)

   stop down
          [stop down] vt (ca. 1891): to reduce the effective aperture
          of (a lens) by means of a diaphragm

   stope
          [stope] n [prob. fr. LG stope, lit., step; akin to OE staepe
          step--more at step] (1747): a usu. steplike excavation
          underground for the removal of ore that is formed as
          the ore is mined in successive layers

   stopgap
          [stop.gap] n, often attrib (1684): something that serves
          as a temporary expedient: makeshift <~ measures> syn
          see resource

   stop knob
          [stop knob] n (1887): one of the handles by which an organist
          draws or shuts off a particular stop

   stoplight
          [stop.light] n (1926) 1: a light on the rear of a motor vehicle
          that is illuminated when the driver presses the brake
          pedal 2: traffic signal

   stop order
          [stop order] n (ca. 1891): an order to a broker to buy or
          sell respectively at the market when the price of a security
          advances or declines to a designated level

   stop out
          [stop out] vi [after drop out] (1973): to withdraw temporarily
          from enrollment at a college or university -- stop-out
          n

   stopover
          [stop.over] n (1885) 1: a stop at an intermediate point in
          one's journey 2: a stopping place on a journey

   stoppage
          [stop.page] n (15c): the act of stopping: the state of being
          stopped: halt, obstruction

   stop payment
          [stop payment] n (ca. 1919): a depositor's order to a bank
          to refuse to honor a specified check drawn by him or
          her

   [1]stopper
          [stop.per] n (15c) 1: one that brings to a halt or causes
          to stop operating or functioning: check: as a: a playing
          card that will stop the running of a suit b: a baseball
          pitcher depended on to win important games or to stop
          a losing streak; also: an effective relief pitcher 2:
          one that closes, shuts, or fills up; specif: something
          (as a bung or cork) used to plug an opening [2]stopper
          vt stop.pered ; stop.per.ing (ca. 1769): to close or
          secure with or as if with a stopper

   stopper knot
          [stopper knot] n (1860): a knot used to prevent a rope from
          passing through a hole or opening

   [1]stopple
          [stop.ple] n [ME stoppell, fr. stoppen to stop] (14c): something
          that closes an aperture: stopper, plug [2]stopple vt
          stop.pled ; stop.pling (1795): stopper

   stopwatch
          [stop.watch] n (1737): a watch with a hand or a digital display
          that can be started and stopped at will for exact timing
          (as of a race)

   stor
          [stor] abbreviation storage

   storage
          [stor.age] n (ca. 1613) 1 a: space or a place for storing
          b: an amount stored c: memory 4 2 a: the act of storing:
          the state of being stored; esp: the safekeeping of goods
          in a depository (as a warehouse) b: the price charged
          for keeping goods in a storehouse 3: the production by
          means of electric energy of chemical reactions that when
          allowed to reverse themselves generate electricity again
          without serious loss

   storage battery
          [storage battery] n (1881): a cell or connected group of
          cells that converts chemical energy into electrical energy
          by reversible chemical reactions and that may be recharged
          by passing a current through it in the direction opposite
          to that of its discharge--called also storage cell

   storax
          [sto.rax] n [ME, fr. LL, alter. of L styrax, fr. Gk] (14c)
          1 a: a fragrant balsam obtained from the bark of an Asian
          tree (Liquidambar orientalis) of the witch-hazel family
          that is used as an expectorant and sometimes in perfumery--called
          also Levant storax b: a balsam from the sweet gum that
          is similar to storax 2: any of a genus (Styrax of the
          family Styracaceae, the storax family) of trees or shrubs
          with usu. hairy leaves and white flowers in drooping
          racemes--compare benzoin

   [1]store
          [store] vt stored ; stor.ing [ME, fr. OF estorer to construct,
          restore, store, fr. L instaurare to renew, restore] (13c)
          1: lay away, accumulate <~ vegetables for winter use>
          <an organism that absorbs and ~s DDT> 2: furnish, supply;
          esp: to stock against a future time <~ a ship with provisions>
          3: to place or leave in a location (as a warehouse, library,
          or computer memory) for preservation or later use or
          disposal 4: to provide storage room for: hold <elevators
          for storing surplus wheat> -- stor.able adj [2]store
          n (13c) 1 a: something that is stored or kept for future
          use b pl: articles (as of food) accumulated for some
          specific object and drawn upon as needed: stock, supplies
          c: something that is accumulated d: a source from which
          things may be drawn as needed: a reserve fund 2: storage--usu.
          used with in <when placing eggs in ~ --Dublin Sunday
          Independent> 3: value, importance <set great ~ by a partner's
          opinion> 4: a large quantity, supply, or number: abundance
          5 a: storehouse, warehouse b chiefly Brit: memory 4 6:
          a business establishment where usu. diversified goods
          are kept for retail sale <grocery ~>--compare shop --
          in store : in readiness: in preparation <there's a surprise
          in store for you> [3]store adj (1602) 1 or stores : of,
          relating to, kept in, or used for a store 2: purchased
          from a store as opposed to being natural or homemade:
          manufactured, ready-made <~ clothes> <~ bread>

   store-bought
          [store-bought] adj (1905): store 2

   store cheese
          [store cheese] n [fr. its being a staple article stocked
          in grocery stores] (1863): cheddar

   [1]storefront
          [store.front] n (1880) 1: the front side of a store or store
          building facing a street 2: a building, room, or suite
          of rooms having a storefront [2]storefront adj (1937)
          1: of, relating to, or characteristic of a storefront
          church <a ~ evangelist> 2: occupying a room or suite
          of rooms in a store building at street level and immediately
          behind a storefront <a ~ school> 3: of, relating to,
          or being outreach professional services <~ lawyers> <a
          ~ clinic>

   storefront church
          [storefront church] n (1937): a city church that utilizes
          storefront quarters as a meeting place

   storehouse
          [store.house] n (14c) 1: a building for storing goods (as
          provisions): magazine, warehouse 2: an abundant supply
          or source: repository

   storekeeper
          [store.keep.er] n (1618) 1: one that has charge of supplies
          (as military stores) 2: one that operates a retail store

   storeroom
          [store.room] n (1746) 1: a room or space for the storing
          of goods or supplies 2: storehouse 2

   storeship
          [store.ship] n (1693): a ship used to carry supplies

   storewide
          [store.wide] adj (ca. 1937): including all or most merchandise
          in a store <a ~ sale>

   [1]storied
          [sto.ried] adj (14c) 1: decorated with designs representing
          scenes from story or history <a ~ tapestry> 2: having
          an interesting history: celebrated in story or history
          <a ~ institution> [2]storied or sto.reyed adj (1624):
          having stories--used in combination <a two-storied house>

   stork
          [stork] n [ME, fr. OE storc; akin to OHG storah stork and
          prob. to OE stearc stiff--more at stark] (bef. 12c):
          any of various large mostly Old World wading birds (family
          Ciconiidae) that have long stout bills and are related
          to the ibises and herons

   storksbill
          [storks.bill] n (1562): any of several plants of the geranium
          family with elongate beaked fruits: a: pelargonium b:
          alfilaria; also: any of several related plants (genus
          Erodium)

   [1]storm
          [storm] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG sturm storm,
          OE styrian to stir] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a disturbance of
          the atmosphere marked by wind and usu. by rain, snow,
          hail, sleet, or thunder and lightning b: a heavy fall
          of rain, snow, or hail c (1): wind having a speed of
          64 to 72 miles (103 to 116 kilometers) per hour (2):
          whole gale d: a serious disturbance of any element of
          nature 2: a disturbed or agitated state: a sudden or
          violent commotion 3: a heavy discharge of objects (as
          missiles) 4: a tumultuous outburst 5 a: paroxysm, crisis
          b: a sudden heavy influx or onset 6: a violent assault
          on a defended position 7 pl: storm window -- by storm
          : by or as if by employing a bold swift frontal movement
          esp. with the intent of defeating or winning over quickly
          <took the literary world by storm> -- up a storm : in
          a remarkable or energetic fashion--used as an intensifier
          <dancing up a storm> <can write up a storm> [2]storm
          vi (15c) 1 a: to blow with violence b: to rain, hail,
          snow, or sleet vigorously 2: to attack by storm <~ed
          ashore at zero hour> 3: to be in or to exhibit a violent
          passion: rage <~ing at the unusual delay> 4: to rush
          about or move impetuously, violently, or angrily <the
          mob ~ed through the streets> ~ vt: to attack, take, or
          win over by storm <~ a fort> syn see attack

   storm and stress
          [storm and stress] n, often cap both Ss (1855): sturm und
          drang

   stormbound
          [storm.bound] adj (1830): cut off from outside communication
          by a storm or its effects: stopped or delayed by storms

   storm cellar
          [storm cellar] n (ca. 1902): a cellar or covered excavation
          designed for protection from dangerous windstorms (as
          tornadoes)

   storm door
          [storm door] n (1878): an additional door placed outside
          an ordinary outside door for protection against severe
          weather

   storm petrel
          [storm petrel] n (ca. 1833): any of various small petrels
          (family Hydrobatidae); esp: a small sooty black white-marked
          petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) frequenting the north Atlantic
          and Mediterranean

   storm trooper
          [storm trooper] n (1933) 1: a member of a private Nazi army
          notorious for aggressiveness, violence, and brutality
          2: one that resembles a Nazi storm trooper

   storm window
          [storm window] n (ca. 1888): a sash placed outside an ordinary
          window as a protection against severe weather--called
          also storm sash

   stormy
          [stormy] adj storm.i.er ; -est (12c) 1: relating to, characterized
          by, or indicative of a storm <a ~ day> <a ~ autumn> 2: marked
          by turmoil or fury <a ~ life> <a ~ conference> -- storm.i.ly adv
          -- storm.i.ness n

   stormy petrel
          [stormy petrel] n (ca. 1776) 1: storm petrel 2 a: one fond
          of strife b: a harbinger of trouble

   [1]story
          [sto.ry] n, pl stories [ME storie, fr. OF estorie, fr. L
          historia--more at history] (13c) 1 archaic: history 1,
          3 2 a: an account of incidents or events b: a statement
          regarding the facts pertinent to a situation in question
          c: anecdote; esp: an amusing one 3 a: a fictional narrative
          shorter than a novel; specif: short story b: the intrigue
          or plot of a narrative or dramatic work 4: a widely circulated
          rumor 5: lie, falsehood 6: legend, romance 7: a news
          article or broadcast 8: matter, situation [2]story vt
          sto.ried ; sto.ry.ing (15c) 1 archaic: to narrate or
          describe in story 2: to adorn with a story or a scene
          from history [3]story also sto.rey n, pl stories also
          storeys [ME storie, fr. ML historia picture, story of
          a building, fr. L, history, tale; prob. fr. pictures
          adorning the windows of medieval buildings] (14c) 1 a:
          the space in a building between two adjacent floor levels
          or between a floor and the roof b: a set of rooms in
          such a space c: a unit of measure equal to the height
          of the story of a building <one ~ high> 2: a horizontal
          division of a building's exterior not necessarily corresponding
          exactly with the stories within

   storyboard
          [sto.ry.board] n (1942): a panel or series of panels on which
          a set of sketches is arranged depicting consecutively
          the important changes of scene and action in a series
          of shots (as for a film, television show, or commercial)
          -- storyboard vt

   [1]storybook
          [sto.ry.book] n (1711): a book of stories <~s for children>
          [2]storybook adj (1844): fairy-tale

   story line
          [story line] n (1941): the plot of a story or drama

   storyteller
          [sto.ry.tell.er] n (1709): a teller of stories: as a: a relater
          of anecdotes b: a reciter of tales (as in a children's
          library) c: liar, fibber d: a writer of stories -- sto.ry.tell.ing
          n

   stoss
          [stoss] adj [G stoss-, fr. stossen to push, fr. OHG stozen;
          akin to Goth stautan to strike--more at contusion] (1878):
          facing toward the direction from which an overriding
          glacier impinges <the ~ slope of a hill>

   stotinka
          [sto.tin.ka] n, pl -tin.ki [Bulg] (ca. 1892): a monetary
          unit of Bulgaria equal to 1/100 lev

   stound
          [stound] n [ME, fr. OE stund; akin to OHG stunta time, hour]
          (bef. 12c) archaic: time, while

   stoup
          [stoup] n [ME stowp, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON staup
          cup] (14c) 1 a: a beverage container (as a glass or tankard)
          b: flagon 2: a basin for holy water at the entrance of
          a church

   [1]stour
          [stour] adj [ME stor, fr. OE stor; akin to OHG stuori large,
          Russ staryi old, OE standan to stand] (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly
          Scot: strong, hardy 2 chiefly Scot: stern, harsh [2]stour
          n [ME, fr. MF estour, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG sturm
          storm, battle--more at storm] (14c) 1 a archaic: battle,
          conflict b dial Brit: tumult, uproar 2 chiefly Scot:
          dust, powder

   [1]stout
          [stout] adj [ME, fr. MF estout, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          stolz proud; perh. akin to OHG stelza stilt--more at
          stilt] (14c) 1: strong of character: as a: brave, bold
          b: firm, determined; also: obstinate, uncompromising
          2: physically or materially strong: a: sturdy, vigorous
          b: staunch, enduring c: sturdily constructed: substantial
          3: forceful <a ~ attack>; also: violent <a ~ wind> 4:
          bulky in body: fat syn see strong -- stout.ish adj --
          stout.ly adv -- stout.ness n [2]stout n (1677) 1: a very
          dark full-bodied ale with a distinctive malty flavor
          2 a: a fat person b: a clothing size designed for the
          large figure

   stouten
          [stout.en] vb stout.ened ; stout.en.ing vt (1834): to make
          stout <~ a resolve> ~ vi: to become stout

   stouthearted
          [stout.heart.ed] adj (1552): having a stout heart or spirit:
          a: courageous b: stubborn -- stout.heart.ed.ly adv --
          stout.heart.ed.ness n

   [1]stove
          [stove] n [ME, heated room, steam room, fr. MD or MLG, fr.
          (assumed) VL extufa, ultim. fr. L ex- + Gk typhein to
          smoke--more at deaf] (1591) 1 a: a portable or fixed
          apparatus that burns fuel or uses electricity to provide
          heat (as for cooking or heating) b: a device that generates
          heat for special purposes (as for heating tools or heating
          air for a hot blast) c: kiln 2 chiefly Brit: a hothouse
          esp. for the cultivation of tropical exotics; broadly:
          greenhouse [2]stove past and past part of stave

   stovepipe
          [stove.pipe] n (1699) 1: pipe of large diameter usu. of sheet
          steel used as a stove chimney or to connect a stove with
          a flue 2: silk hat

   stover
          [sto.ver] n [ME, modif. of AF estovers necessary supplies,
          fr. OF estoveir to be necessary, ultim. fr. L est opus
          there is need] (14c) 1 chiefly dial Eng: fodder 2: mature
          cured stalks of grain with the ears removed that are
          used as feed for livestock

   stow
          [stow] vt [ME, to place, fr. stowe place, fr. OE stow; akin
          to OFris sto place, Gk stylos pillar--more at steer]
          (14c) 1: house, lodge 2 a: to put away for future use:
          store b obs: to lock up for safekeeping: confine 3 a:
          to dispose in an orderly fashion: arrange, pack b: load
          4 slang: to put aside: stop 5 a archaic: crowd b: to
          eat or drink up: consume--usu. used with away <~ed away
          a huge dinner>

   stowage
          [stow.age] n (14c) 1 a: an act or process of stowing b: goods
          in storage or to be stowed 2 a: storage capacity b: a
          place or receptacle for storage 3: the state of being
          stored

   stow away
          [stow away] vi (1879): to secrete oneself aboard a vehicle
          as a means of obtaining transportation

   stowaway
          [stow.away] n (1850): one that stows away

   STP
          [STP] n [prob. fr. STP, a trademark for a motor fuel additive]
          (1967): a psychedelic drug chemically related to mescaline
          and amphetamine

   STP
          [STP] abbreviation standard temperature and pressure

   str
          [str] abbreviation steamer, strophe

   strabismus
          [stra.bis.mus] n [NL, fr. Gk strabismos condition of squinting,
          fr. strabizein to squint, fr. strabos squint-eyed; akin
          to Gk strephein to twist] (ca. 1684): inability of one
          eye to attain binocular vision with the other because
          of imbalance of the muscles of the eyeball--called also
          squint -- stra.bis.mic adj

   [1]straddle
          [strad.dle] vb strad.dled ; strad.dling [irreg. fr. stride]
          vi (1565) 1: to stand, sit, or walk with the legs wide
          apart; esp: to sit astride 2: to spread out irregularly:
          sprawl 3: to favor or seem to favor two apparently opposite
          sides 4: to execute a commodities market spread ~ vt
          1: to stand, sit, or be astride of <~ a horse> 2: to
          be noncommittal in regard to <~ an issue> -- strad.dler
          n -- straddle the fence : to be in a position of neutrality
          or indecision [2]straddle n (1611) 1: the act or position
          of one who straddles 2: a noncommittal or equivocal position
          3: spread 5

   Stradivari
          [Stra.di.va.ri] n (ca. 1903): stradivarius

   Stradivarius
          [Strad.i.var.i.us] n, pl -var.ii [Latinized form of Stradivari]
          (1833): a stringed instrument (as a violin) made by Antonio
          Stradivari of Cremona

   strafe
          [strafe] vt strafed ; straf.ing [G Gott strafe England God
          punish England, German propaganda slogan during World
          War I] (1915): to rake (as ground troops) with fire at
          close range and esp. with machine-gun fire from low-flying
          aircraft -- strafe n -- straf.er n

   [1]straggle
          [strag.gle] vi strag.gled ; strag.gling [ME straglen] (15c)
          1: to wander from the direct course or way: rove, stray
          2: to trail off from others of its kind <little cabins
          straggling off into the woods> -- strag.gler n [2]straggle
          n (1865): a straggling group (as of persons or objects)

   straggly
          [strag.gly] adj strag.gli.er ; -est (1862): spread out or
          scattered irregularly <a ~ beard>

   [1]straight
          [straight] adj [ME streght, straight, fr. pp. of strecchen
          to stretch--more at stretch] (14c) 1 a: free from curves,
          bends, angles, or irregularities <~ hair> <~ timber>
          b: generated by a point moving continuously in the same
          direction and expressed by a linear equation <a ~ line>
          <the ~ segment of a curve> 2 a: lying along or holding
          to a direct or proper course or method <a ~ thinker>
          b: candid, frank <a ~ answer> c: coming directly from
          a trustworthy source <a ~ tip on the horses> d (1): having
          the elements in an order <the ~ sequence of events> (2):
          consecutive <12 ~ days> e: having the cylinders arranged
          in a single straight line <a ~ 8-cylinder engine> f:
          plumb, vertical <the picture isn't quite ~> 3 a: exhibiting
          honesty and fairness <~ dealing> b: properly ordered
          or arranged <set the kitchen ~> <set us ~ on that issue>;
          also: correct <get the facts ~> c: free from extraneous
          matter: unmixed <~ whiskey> d: marked by no exceptions
          or deviations in support of a principle or party <votes
          a ~ Democratic ticket> e: having a fixed price for each
          regardless of the number sold f: not deviating from an
          indicated pattern <writes ~ humor> <a straight-A student>
          g (1): exhibiting no deviation from what is established
          or accepted as usual, normal, or proper: conventional;
          also: square 5f (2): not using or under the influence
          of drugs or alcohol h: heterosexual 4: being the only
          form of remuneration <on ~ commission> -- straight.ish
          adj -- straight.ly adv -- straight.ness n [2]straight
          adv (14c): in a straight manner [3]straight vt (15c)
          chiefly Scot: straighten [4]straight n (1645) 1: something
          that is straight: as a: a straight line or arrangement
          b: straightaway; esp: homestretch c: a true or honest
          report or course 2 a: a sequence (as of shots, strokes,
          or moves) resulting in a perfect score in a game or contest
          b: first place at the finish of a horse race: win 3:
          a poker hand containing five cards in sequence but not
          of the same suit--see poker illustration 4: a person
          who adheres to conventional attitudes and mores

   straight-ahead
          [straight-ahead] adj (1836): relating to or being music performed
          in an unembellished manner typical of a given idiom or
          performer; broadly: straightforward

   straight and narrow
          [straight and narrow] n [prob. alter. of strait and narrow;
          fr. the admonition of Mt 7:14 (AV), "strait is the gate
          and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life"] (1930):
          the way of propriety and rectitude--used with the

   straight angle
          [straight angle] n (1601): an angle whose sides lie in opposite
          directions from the vertex in the same straight line
          and which equals two right angles

   straight-arm
          [straight-arm] n (1903): an act or instance of warding off
          a football tackler with the arm fully extended from the
          shoulder, elbow locked, and the palm of the hand placed
          firmly against any part of his body--called also stiff-arm
          -- straight-arm vb

   straight-arrow
          [straight-arrow] adj [fr. the expression straight as an arrow]
          (ca. 1969): rigidly proper and conventional

   [1]straightaway
          [straight.away] adv (1662): without hesitation or delay
          [2]straight.away adj (1874) 1: proceeding in a straight line:
          continuous in direction 2: immediate [3]straight.away n (1878):
          a straight course: as a: the straight part of a closed racecourse:
          stretch b: a straight and unimpeded stretch of road or way

   straightbred
          [straight.bred] adj (1898): produced by breeding a single
          breed, strain, or type <~ cattle> -- straight.bred n

   straight chain
          [straight chain] n (1890): an open chain of atoms having
          no side chains--usu. hyphenated when used attributively

   straightedge
          [straight.edge] n (1812): a bar or piece of material (as
          of wood, metal, or plastic) with a straight edge for
          testing straight lines and surfaces or drawing straight
          lines

   straighten
          [straight.en] vb straight.ened ; straight.en.ing vt (1542):
          to make straight--usu. used with up or out ~ vi: to become
          straight--usu. used with up or out -- straight.en.er
          n

   straight face
          [straight face] n (ca. 1890): a face giving no evidence of
          emotion and esp. of merriment -- straight-faced adj --
          straight-faced.ly adv

   straight flush
          [straight flush] n (1864): a poker hand containing five cards
          of the same suit in sequence--see poker illustration

   [1]straightforward
          [straight.for.ward] adj (1806) 1 a: free from evasiveness
          or obscurity: exact, candid <a ~ account> b: clear-cut,
          precise 2: proceeding in a straight course or manner:
          direct, undeviating -- straight.for.ward.ly adv --
          straight.for.ward.ness n
          [2]straightforward also straight.for.wards adv (1809):
          in a straightforward manner

   straight-line
          [straight-line] adj (1843) 1: being a mechanical linkage
          or equivalent device designed to produce or copy motion
          in a straight line 2: having the principal parts arranged
          in a straight line 3: marked by a uniform spread and
          esp. in equal segments over a given term <~ amortization>
          <~ depreciation> 4: occurring, measured, or made in or
          along a straight line <~ motion> <~ extrapolation>

   straight man
          [straight man] n (1923): a member of a comedy team who feeds
          lines to his partner who in turn replies with usu. humorous
          quips

   straight off
          [straight off] adv (1873): at once: immediately

   straight-out
          [straight-out] adj (1848) 1: forthright, blunt <gave him
          a ~ answer> 2: outright, thoroughgoing -- straight-out
          adv

   straight poker
          [straight poker] n (1864): poker in which the players bet
          on the five cards dealt to them and then have a showdown
          without drawing--compare draw poker, stud poker

   straight razor
          [straight razor] n (1938): a razor with a rigid steel cutting
          blade hinged to a case that forms a handle when the razor
          is open for use

   straightway
          [straight.way] adv (15c) 1: in a direct course: directly
          <fell ~ down the stairs> 2: right away, immediately,
          straightaway <~ the clouds began to part>

   [1]strain
          [strain] n [ME streen progeny, lineage, fr. OE streon gain,
          acquisition; akin to OHG gistriuni gain, L struere to
          heap up--more at strew] (13c) 1 a: lineage, ancestry
          b: a group of presumed common ancestry with clear-cut
          physiological but usu. not morphological distinctions
          <a high-yielding ~ of winter wheat>; broadly: a specified
          infraspecific group (as a stock, line, or ecotype) c:
          kind, sort <discussions of a lofty ~> 2 a: inherited
          or inherent character, quality, or disposition <a ~ of
          madness in the family> b: trace, streak <a ~ of fanaticism>
          3 a: tune, air b: a passage of verbal or musical expression
          c: a stream or outburst of forceful or impassioned speech
          4 a: the tenor, pervading note, burden, or tone of an
          utterance or of a course of action or conduct b: mood,
          temper [2]strain vb [ME, fr. MF estraindre, fr. L stringere
          to bind or draw tight, press together; akin to Gk strang-,
          stranx drop squeezed out, strangale halter] vt (14c)
          1 a: to draw tight: cause to fit firmly <~ the bandage
          over the wound> b: to stretch to maximum extension and
          tautness <~ a canvas over a frame> 2 a: to exert (as
          oneself) to the utmost b: to injure by overuse, misuse,
          or excessive pressure <~ed his back> c: to cause a change
          of form or size in (a body) by application of external
          force 3: to squeeze or clasp tightly: as a: hug b: to
          compress painfully: constrict 4 a: to cause to pass through
          a strainer: filter b: to remove by straining <~ lumps
          out of the gravy> 5: to stretch beyond a proper limit
          <that story ~s my credulity> 6 obs: to squeeze out: extort
          ~ vi 1 a: to make violent efforts: strive <has to ~ to
          reach the high notes> b: to pull against resistance <a
          dog ~ing at its leash> c: to contract the muscles forcefully
          in attempting to defecate--often used in the phrase strain
          at stool 2: to pass through or as if through a strainer
          <the liquid ~s readily> 3: to make great difficulty or
          resistance: balk -- strain a point : to go beyond a usual,
          accepted, or proper limit or rule [3]strain n (1558)
          1: an act of straining or the condition of being strained:
          as a: bodily injury from excessive tension, effort, or
          use <heart ~>; esp: one resulting from a wrench or twist
          and involving undue stretching of muscles or ligaments
          <back ~ > b: excessive or difficult exertion or labor
          c: excessive physical or mental tension; also: a force,
          influence, or factor causing such tension <her responsibilities
          were a constant ~> d: deformation of a material body
          under the action of applied forces 2: an unusual reach,
          degree, or intensity: pitch 3 archaic: a strained interpretation
          of something said or written

   strained
          [strained] adj (ca. 1542) 1: done or produced with excessive
          effort 2: pushed by antagonism near to open conflict
          <~ relations>

   strainer
          [strain.er] n (14c): one that strains: as a: a device (as
          a sieve) to retain solid pieces while a liquid passes
          through b: any of various devices for stretching or tightening
          something

   strain gauge
          [strain gauge] n (1910): extensometer

   [1]strait
          [strait] adj [ME, fr. OF estreit, fr. L strictus strait,
          strict, fr. pp. of stringere] (13c) 1 archaic: strict,
          rigorous 2 archaic a: narrow b: limited in space or time
          c: closely fitting: constricted, tight 3 a: causing distress:
          difficult b: limited as to means or resources -- strait.ly
          adv -- strait.ness n [2]strait adv (13c) obs: in a close
          or tight manner [3]strait n (14c) 1 a archaic: a narrow
          space or passage b: a comparatively narrow passageway
          connecting two large bodies of water--often used in pl.
          but sing. in constr. c: isthmus 2: a situation of perplexity
          or distress--often used in pl. <in dire ~s> syn see juncture

   straiten
          [strait.en] vt strait.ened ; strait.en.ing (ca. 1552) 1 a:
          to make strait or narrow b: to hem in: confine 2 archaic:
          to restrict in freedom or scope: hamper 3: to subject
          to distress, privation, or deficiency <in ~ed circumstances>

   [1]straitjacket
          [strait.jack.et] also straight.jack.et n (1814) 1: a cover
          or overgarment of strong material (as canvas) used to
          bind the body and esp. the arms closely in restraining
          a violent prisoner or patient 2: something that restricts
          or confines like a straitjacket [2]straitjacket also
          straightjacket vt (1863): to confine in or as if in a
          straitjacket

   straitlaced
          [strait.laced] or straight.laced adj (1554) 1: excessively
          strict in manners, morals, or opinion 2: wearing or having
          a bodice or stays tightly laced -- strait.laced.ly adv
          -- strait.laced.ness n

   Straits dollar
          [Straits dollar] n [Straits Settlements, former British crown
          colony] (1908): a dollar formerly issued by British Malaya
          and used in much of southern and eastern Asia and the
          East Indies

   strake
          [strake] n [ME; akin to OE streccan to stretch--more at stretch]
          (14c) 1: a continuous band of hull planking or plates
          on a ship; also: the width of such a band 2: streak,
          stripe

   stramash
          [stra.mash] n [origin unknown] (1803) chiefly Scot 1: disturbance,
          racket 2: crash, smashup

   stramonium
          [stra.mo.ni.um] n [NL] (1663) 1: the dried leaves of the
          jimsonweed or of a related plant (genus Datura) that
          contain toxic alkaloids (as atropine) and are used in
          medicine similarly to belladonna 2: jimsonweed

   [1]strand
          [strand] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to ON strond shore] (bef. 12c):
          the land bordering a body of water: shore, beach [2]strand
          vt (1621) 1: to run, drive, or cause to drift onto a
          strand: run aground 2: to leave in a strange or an unfavorable
          place esp. without funds or means to depart 3: to leave
          (a base runner) on base at the end of an inning in baseball
          ~ vi: to become stranded [3]strand n [ME stronde, strande]
          (13c) 1 Scot & dial Eng: stream 2 Scot & dial Eng: sea
          [4]strand n [ME strond] (15c) 1 a: fibers or filaments
          twisted, plaited, or laid parallel to form a unit for
          further twisting or plaiting into yarn, thread, rope,
          or cordage b: one of the wires twisted together or laid
          parallel to form a wire rope or cable c: something (as
          a molecular chain) resembling a strand 2: an element
          (as a yarn or thread) of a woven or plaited material
          3: an elongated or twisted and plaited body resembling
          a rope <a ~ of pearls> 4: one of the elements interwoven
          in a complex whole [5]strand vt (1841) 1: to break a
          strand of (a rope) accidentally 2 a: to form (as a rope)
          from strands b: to play out, twist, or arrange in a strand

   stranded
          [strand.ed] adj (1875): having a strand or strands esp. of
          a specified kind or number--usu. used in combination
          <the double-stranded molecule of DNA> -- strand.ed.ness
          n

   strandline
          [strand.line] n (1903): shoreline; esp: a shoreline above
          the present water level

   strange
          [strange] adj strang.er ; strang.est [ME, fr. OF estrange,
          fr. L extraneus, lit., external, fr. extra outside--more
          at extra-] (13c) 1 a archaic: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of another country: foreign b: not native to or naturally
          belonging in a place: of external origin, kind, or character
          2 a: not before known, heard, or seen: unfamiliar b:
          exciting wonder or awe: extraordinary 3 a: discouraging
          familiarities: reserved, distant b: ill at ease 4: unaccustomed
          2 <she was ~ to his ways> 5: having the quantum characteristic
          of strangeness <~ quark> <~ particle> -- strange.ly adv
          syn strange, singular, unique, peculiar, eccentric, erratic,
          odd, queer, quaint, outlandish mean departing from what
          is ordinary, usual, or to be expected. strange stresses
          unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural,
          the unaccountable <a journey filled with strange sights>.
          singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness
          <a singular feeling of impending disaster>. unique implies
          singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel
          <a career unique in the annals of science>. peculiar
          implies a marked distinctiveness <the peculiar status
          of America's first lady>. eccentric suggests a wide divergence
          from the usual or normal esp. in behavior <the eccentric
          eating habits of preschoolers>. erratic stresses a capricious
          and unpredictable wandering or deviating <a friend's
          suddenly erratic behavior>. odd applies to a departure
          from the regular or expected <an odd sense of humor>.
          queer suggests a dubious sometimes sinister oddness <queer
          happenings offering no ready explanation>. quaint suggests
          an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness <a quaint fishing
          village>. outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre,
          or barbaric <the outlandish getups of heavy metal bands>.

   strangeness
          [strange.ness] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being strange
          2: a quantum characteristic of subatomic particles that
          accounts for the relatively long lifetime of certain
          particles, is conserved in interactions involving electromagnetism
          or the strong force, and has a value of zero for most known
          particles

   [1]stranger
          [strang.er] n [ME, fr. MF estrangier foreign, foreigner,
          fr. estrange] (14c) 1: one who is strange: as a (1):
          foreigner (2): a resident alien b: one in the house of
          another as a guest, visitor, or intruder c: a person
          or thing that is unknown or with whom one is unacquainted
          d: one who does not belong to or is kept from the activities
          of a group e: one not privy or party to an act, contract,
          or title: one that interferes without right 2: one ignorant
          of or unacquainted with someone or something [2]stranger
          adj (15c): of, relating to, or being a stranger: foreign
          [3]stranger vt (1605) obs: estrange, alienate

   strange woman
          [strange woman] n [fr. the expression frequently used in
          Prov (AV)] (1535): prostitute

   strangle
          [stran.gle] vb stran.gled ; stran.gling [ME, fr. MF estrangler,
          fr. L strangulare, fr. Gk strangalan, fr. strangale halter--more
          at strain] vt (14c) 1 a: to choke to death by compressing
          the throat with something (as a hand or rope): throttle
          b: to obstruct seriously or fatally the normal breathing
          of c: stifle 2: to suppress or hinder the rise, expression,
          or growth of ~ vi 1: to become strangled 2: to die from
          or as if from interference with breathing -- stran.gler
          n

   stranglehold
          [stran.gle.hold] n (1893) 1: an illegal wrestling hold by
          which one's opponent is choked 2: a force or influence
          that chokes or suppresses freedom of movement or expression

   strangler fig
          [strangler fig] n (1933): any of various vines and trees
          esp. of the mulberry family (as Ficus aurea of the southeastern
          U.S.) and Saint-John's-wort family (as Clusia rosea of
          tropical America) that start as epiphytes but send down
          roots to the ground around the host tree

   strangles
          [stran.gles] n pl but sing or pl in constr [pl. of obs. strangle
          act of strangling] (ca. 1706): an infectious febrile
          disease of horses caused by a bacterium (Streptococcus
          equi) and marked by inflammation and congestion of mucous
          membranes

   strangulate
          [stran.gu.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L strangulatus, pp.
          of strangulare] vt (1665): strangle, constrict ~ vi:
          to become constricted so as to stop circulation <the
          hernia will ~>

   strangulation
          [stran.gu.la.tion] n (1542) 1: the action or process of strangling
          or strangulating 2: the state of being strangled or strangulated;
          esp: excessive or pathological constriction or compression
          of a bodily tube (as a blood vessel or a loop of intestine) that
          interrupts its ability to act as a passage

   strangury
          [stran.gu.ry] n, pl -ries [ME, fr. L stranguria, fr.
          Gk strangouria, fr. strang-, stranx drop squeezed out + ourein
          to urinate, fr. ouron urine--more at strain, urine] (14c): a slow
          and painful spasmodic discharge of urine drop by drop

   [1]strap
          [strap] n [alter. of strop, fr. ME, band or loop of leather
          or rope, fr. OE, thong for securing an oar, fr. L struppus
          band, strap, fr. Gk strophos twisted band, fr. strephein
          to twist] (1601) 1 a: a narrow usu. flat strip or thong
          of a flexible material and esp. leather used for securing,
          holding together, or wrapping b: something made of a
          strap forming a loop <a boot ~> c: a strip of leather
          used for flogging d: strop 2: a band, plate, or loop
          of metal for binding objects together or for clamping
          an object in position 3: a shoe fastened with a usu.
          buckled strap 4 Irish: trollop 2 [2]strap vt strapped
          ; strap.ping (1711) 1 a (1): to secure with or attach
          by means of a strap (2): to support (as a sprained joint)
          with overlapping strips of adhesive plaster b: bind,
          constrict 2: to beat or punish with a strap 3: strop
          4: to cause to suffer from an extreme scarcity <is often
          strapped for cash>

   straphanger
          [strap.hang.er] n (1905): a standing passenger in a subway,
          streetcar, bus, or train who clings for support to one
          of the short straps or similar devices placed along the
          aisle -- strap.hang vi

   strapless
          [strap.less] adj (1846): having no strap; specif: made or
          worn without shoulder straps <a ~ evening gown> -- strapless
          n

   strappado
          [strap.pa.do] n [modif. of It strappata, lit., sharp pull]
          (1560): a punishment or torture in which the subject
          is hoisted by rope and allowed to fall its full length;
          also: a machine used to inflict this torture

   strapper
          [strap.per] n (1675): one that is unusually large or robust

   [1]strapping
          [strap.ping] adj (1657): having a vigorously sturdy constitution
          [2]strapping n (1818) 1: material for a strap 2: straps

   strass
          [strass] n [F stras, strass] (1820): paste 3

   stratagem
          [strat.a.gem] n [It stratagemma, fr. L strategema, fr. Gk
          strategema, fr. strategein to be a general, maneuver,
          fr. strategos general, fr. stratos camp, army (akin to
          L stratus, pp., spread out) + agein to lead--more at
          stratum, agent] (15c) 1 a: an artifice or trick in war
          for deceiving and outwitting the enemy b: a cleverly
          contrived trick or scheme for gaining an end 2: skill
          in ruses or trickery syn see trick

   strategic
          [stra.te.gic] adj (1825) 1: of, relating to, or marked by
          strategy <a ~ retreat> 2 a: necessary to or important
          in the initiation, conduct, or completion of a strategic
          plan b: required for the conduct of war and not available
          in adequate quantities domestically <~ materials> c:
          of great importance within an integrated whole or to
          a planned effect <emphasized ~ points> 3: designed or
          trained to strike an enemy at the sources of his military,
          economic, or political power <a ~ bomber> -- stra.te.gi.cal
          adj -- stra.te.gi.cal.ly adv

   strategist
          [strat.e.gist] n (1838): one skilled in strategy

   strategize
          [strat.e.gize] vi -gized ; -giz.ing (1921): to devise a strategy
          or course of action

   strategy
          [strat.e.gy] n, pl -gies [Gk strategia generalship, fr. strategos]
          (1810) 1 a (1): the science and art of employing the political,
          economic, psychological, and military forces of a nation or group
          of nations to afford the maximum support to adopted policies
          in peace or war (2): the science and art of military command
          exercised to meet the enemy in combat under advantageous conditions
          b: a variety of or instance of the use of strategy 2 a: a careful
          plan or method: a clever stratagem b: the art of devising
          or employing plans or stratagems toward a goal 3: an adaptation
          or complex of adaptations (as of behavior, metabolism,
          or structure) that serves or appears to serve an important function
          in achieving evolutionary success <foraging strategies of insects>

   strath
          [strath] n [ScGael srath] (1540): a flat wide river valley
          or the low-lying grassland along it

   strathspey
          [strath.spey] n, pl strathspeys [Strath Spey, district of
          Scotland] (ca. 1653): a Scottish dance that is similar
          to but slower than the reel; also: the music for this
          dance

   strati-
          [strati-] comb form [NL stratum]: stratum <stratiform>

   stratification
          [strat.i.fi.ca.tion] n (ca. 1617) 1 a: the act or process
          of stratifying b: the state of being stratified 2: a
          stratified formation

   stratificational grammar
          [strat.i.fi.ca.tion.al grammar] n (1962): a grammar based
          on the theory that language consists of a series of hierarchically
          related strata linked together by representational rules

   stratified charge engine
          [stratified charge engine] n (1962): an internal-combustion
          engine in whose cylinders the combustion of fuel in a
          layer of rich fuel-air mixture promotes ignition in a
          greater volume of lean mixture

   stratiform
          [strat.i.form] adj (1805): having a stratified formation

   stratify
          [strat.i.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [NL stratificare, fr. stratum
          + L -ificare -ify] vt (1661) 1: to form, deposit, or
          arrange in strata 2 a: to divide or arrange into classes,
          castes, or social strata b: to divide into a series of
          graded statuses ~ vi: to become arranged in strata

   stratigraphic
          [strati.graph.ic] adj (1877): of, relating to, or determined
          by stratigraphy

   stratigraphy
          [stra.tig.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1865) 1: geology that deals with
          the origin, composition, distribution, and succession
          of strata 2: the arrangement of strata

   strato-
          [strato-] comb form [NL stratus]: stratus and <stratocumulus>

   stratocracy
          [stra.toc.ra.cy] n, pl -cies [Gk stratos army--more at stratagem]
          (1652): a military government

   stratocumulus
          [stra.to.cu.mu.lus] n [NL] (ca. 1891): stratified cumulus
          consisting of large balls or rolls of dark cloud which
          often cover the whole sky esp. in winter--see cloud illustration

   stratosphere
          [strato.sphere] n [F stratosphere, fr. NL stratum + -o- +
          F sphere sphere, fr. L sphaera] (1909) 1: the part of
          the earth's atmosphere which extends from about 7 miles
          (11 kilometers) above the surface to 31 miles (50 kilometers)
          and in which temperature increases gradually to about
          32 degrees F (0 degrees C) and clouds rarely form 2:
          a very high or the highest region on or as if on a graded
          scale <construction costs in the ~> <the celebrity ~>
          -- strato.spher.ic adj

   stratovolcano
          [stra.to.vol.ca.no] n [NL stratum + E -o- + volcano] (1937):
          a volcano composed of explosively erupted cinders and
          ash with occasional lava flows

   stratum
          [stra.tum] n, pl stra.ta [NL, fr. L, spread, bed, fr. neut.
          of stratus, pp. of sternere to spread out--more at strew]
          (1599) 1: a bed or layer artificially made 2 a: a sheetlike
          mass of sedimentary rock or earth of one kind lying between
          beds of other kinds b: a region of the sea or atmosphere
          that is analogous to a stratum of the earth c: a layer
          of tissue <deep ~ of the skin> d: a layer in which archaeological
          material (as artifacts, skeletons, and dwelling remains)
          is found on excavation 3 a: a part of a historical or
          sociological series representing a period or a stage
          of development b: a socioeconomic level of society comprising
          persons of the same or similar status esp. with regard
          to education or culture 4: one of a series of layers,
          levels, or gradations in an ordered system <strata of
          thought> 5: a statistical subpopulation usage The plural
          strata has occas. been used as a singular since the 18th
          century and is sometimes given the plural stratas <there
          was a strata of Paris which mere criticism of books fails
          to get hold of --Ezra Pound> <a Roman burial ground suggests
          stratas of corruption and decay --Connie Fletcher, Booklist>.
          Current evidence shows senses 2, 3b, and 4 so used, with
          3b the most common. Singular strata is persistent but
          not frequent. It may someday establish itself as a singular
          like agenda, but its current status is something less
          than established.

   stratus
          [stra.tus] n, pl stra.ti [NL, fr. L, pp. of sternere] (ca.
          1803): a cloud form extending over a large area at altitudes
          of usu. 2000 to 7000 feet (600 to 2100 meters)--see cloud
          illustration

   stravage
          [stra.vage] or stra.vaig vi [prob. by shortening & alter.
          fr. extravagate] (1773) chiefly Scot: roam

   [1]straw
          [straw] n [ME, fr. OE streaw; akin to OHG stro straw, OE
          strewian to strew] (bef. 12c) 1 a: stalks of grain after
          threshing; broadly: dry stalky plant residue used like
          grain straw (as for bedding or packing) b: a natural
          or artificial heavy fiber used for weaving, plaiting,
          or braiding 2: a dry coarse stem esp. of a cereal grass
          3 a (1): something of small worth or significance (2):
          something too insubstantial to provide support or help
          in a desperate situation <clutching at ~s> b: chaff 2
          4 a: something (as a hat) made of straw b: a tube (as
          of paper, plastic, or glass) for sucking up a beverage
          -- strawy adj -- straw in the wind : a slight fact that
          is an indication of a coming event [2]straw adj (15c)
          1: made of straw <a ~ rug> 2: of, relating to, or used
          for straw <a ~ barn> 3: of the color of straw <~ hair>
          4: of little or no value: worthless 5: of, relating to,
          resembling, or being a straw man 6: of, relating to,
          or concerned with the discovery of preferences by means
          of a straw vote

   strawberry
          [straw.ber.ry] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE streawberige,
          fr. streaw straw + berige berry; perh. fr. the appearance
          of the achenes on the surface] (bef. 12c): the juicy
          edible usu. red fruit of any of several low-growing temperate
          herbs (genus Fragaria) of the rose family that is technically
          an enlarged pulpy receptacle bearing numerous achenes;
          also: a plant whose fruits are strawberries

   strawberry bush
          [strawberry bush] n (ca. 1856) 1: a shrubby No. American
          spindle tree (Euonymus americanus) with crimson pods
          and seeds with a scarlet aril 2: [2]wahoo

   strawberry mark
          [strawberry mark] n (1847): a tumor of the skin filled with
          small blood vessels and appearing usu. as a red and elevated
          birthmark

   strawberry roan
          [strawberry roan] n (1955): a roan horse with a light red
          ground color

   strawberry shrub
          [strawberry shrub] n (ca. 1890): any of a genus (Calycanthus
          of the family Calycanthaceae, the strawberry-shrub family)
          of shrubs with fragrant brownish red flowers

   strawberry tomato
          [strawberry tomato] n (ca. 1847): ground-cherry; esp: a stout
          hairy annual herb (Physalis pruinosa) of eastern No.
          America with sweet globular yellow fruits

   strawberry tree
          [strawberry tree] n (15c): a small European evergreen tree
          (Arbutus unedo) of the heath family with racemose white
          flowers and fruits like strawberries

   straw boss
          [straw boss] n (1894) 1: an assistant to a foreman in charge
          of supervising and expediting the work of a small gang
          of workers 2: a member of a group of workers who supervises
          the work of the others in addition to doing his or her
          own job

   strawflower
          [straw.flow.er] n (ca. 1922): any of several everlasting
          flowers; esp: an Australian perennial composite herb
          (Helichrysum bracteatum) that is widely cultivated for
          its heads of chaffy brightly colored long-keeping flowers

   strawhat
          [straw.hat] adj [fr. the former fashion of wearing straw
          hats in summer] (1935): of, relating to, or being summer
          theater

   straw man
          [straw man] n (1896) 1: a weak or imaginary opposition (as
          an argument or adversary) set up only to be easily confuted
          2: a person set up to serve as a cover for a usu. questionable
          transaction

   straw vote
          [straw vote] n (1866): an unofficial vote taken (as at a
          chance gathering) to indicate the relative strength of
          opposing candidates or issues--called also straw poll

   straw wine
          [straw wine] n (1824): a sweet wine produced by partially
          drying the grapes on beds of straw prior to vinification

   straw yellow
          [straw yellow] n (ca. 1796): a pale yellow

   [1]stray
          [stray] n [ME, fr. OF estraie, pp. of estraier] (13c) 1 a:
          a domestic animal that is wandering at large or is lost
          b: a person or thing that strays 2 [ME, fr. straien to
          stray] archaic: the act of going astray [2]stray vi [ME
          straien, fr. MF estraier, fr. (assumed) VL extravagare,
          fr. L extra- outside + vagari to wander--more at extra-]
          (14c): wander: as a: to wander from company, restraint,
          or proper limits b: to roam about without fixed direction
          or purpose c: to move in a winding course: meander d:
          to move without conscious or intentional effort <eyes
          ~ing absently around the room> e: to become distracted
          from an argument or chain of thought <~ed from the point>
          f: to wander accidentally from a fixed or chosen route
          g: err, sin -- stray.er n [3]stray adj (1607) 1: having
          strayed or escaped from a proper or intended place <a
          ~ cow> <hit by a ~ bullet> <fixed a few ~ hairs> 2: occurring
          at random or sporadically <a few ~ thoughts> 3: not serving
          any useful purpose: unwanted <~ light>

   [1]streak
          [streak] n [ME streke, fr. OE strica; akin to OHG strich
          line, L striga row--more at strike] (bef. 12c) 1: a line
          or mark of a different color or texture from the ground:
          stripe 2 a: the color of the fine powder of a mineral
          obtained by scratching or rubbing against a hard white
          surface and constituting an important distinguishing
          character b: inoculum implanted in a line on a solid
          medium c: any of several virus diseases of plants (as
          the potato, tomato, or raspberry) resembling mosaic but
          usu. producing at least some linear markings 3 a: a narrow
          band of light b: a lightning bolt 4 a: a slight admixture:
          trace <had a mean ~ in him> b: a brief run (as of luck)
          c: a consecutive series <was on a winning ~> 5: a narrow
          layer (as of ore) 6: an act or instance of streaking
          [2]streak vt (1595): to make streaks on or in <tears
          ~ing her face> ~ vi 1: to move swiftly: rush <a jet ~ing
          across the sky> 2: to have a streak (as of winning or
          outstanding performances) 3: to run naked through a public
          place -- streak.er n

   streak camera
          [streak camera] n (1959): a camera for recording very fast
          or short-lived phenomena (as fluorescence or shock waves)

   streaked
          [streaked] adj (1596) 1: marked with stripes or linear
          discolorations 2: physically or mentally disturbed: upset

   streaking
          [streak.ing] n (ca. 1964): the lightening (as by chemicals)
          of a few long strands of hair to produce a streaked effect

   streaky
          [streaky] adj streak.i.er ; -est (1745) 1: marked with streaks
          <~ bacon> 2: apprehensive <nervous and ~> 3: apt to vary
          (as in effectiveness): unreliable -- streak.i.ness n

   [1]stream
          [stream] n [ME streme, fr. OE stream; akin to OHG stroum
          stream, Gk rhein to flow] (bef. 12c) 1: a body of running
          water (as a river or brook) flowing on the earth; also:
          any body of flowing fluid (as water or gas) 2 a: a steady
          succession (as of words or events) <kept up an endless
          ~ of chatter> b: a constantly renewed supply c: a continuous
          moving procession <a ~ of traffic> 3: an unbroken flow
          (as of gas or particles of matter) 4: a ray of light
          5 a: a prevailing attitude or group <has always run against
          the ~ of current fashion> b: a dominant influence or
          line of development 6 Brit: track 3c [2]stream vi (13c)
          1 a: to flow in or as if in a stream b: to leave a bright
          trail <a meteor ~ed through the sky> 2 a: to exude a
          bodily fluid profusely <her eyes were ~ing> b: to become
          wet with a discharge of bodily fluid <~ing with perspiration>
          3: to trail out at full length <her hair ~ing back as
          she ran> 4: to pour in large numbers <complaints came
          ~ing in> ~ vt 1: to emit freely or in a stream <his eyes
          ~ed tears> 2: to display (as a flag) by waving

   streambed
          [stream.bed] n (1857): the channel occupied or formerly occupied
          by a stream

   streamer
          [stream.er] n (13c) 1 a: a flag that streams in the wind;
          esp: pennant b: any long narrow wavy strip resembling
          or suggesting a banner floating in the wind c: banner
          2 2 a: a long extension of the solar corona visible only
          during a total solar eclipse b pl: aurora borealis

   streaming
          [stream.ing] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of flowing; specif:
          cyclosis 2 Brit: tracking

   streamlet
          [stream.let] n (ca. 1552): a small stream

   [1]streamline
          [stream.line] n (1868) 1: the path of a particle in a fluid
          relative to a solid body past which the fluid is moving
          in smooth flow without turbulence 2 a: a contour designed
          to minimize resistance to motion through a fluid (as
          air) b: a smooth or flowing line designed as if for decreasing
          air resistance [2]streamline vt (1913) 1: to design or
          construct with a streamline 2: to bring up to date: modernize
          3 a: to put in order: organize b: to make simpler or
          more efficient

   streamlined
          [stream.lined] adj (1913) 1 a: contoured to reduce resistance
          to motion through a fluid (as air) b: stripped of nonessentials:
          compact c: effectively integrated: organized 2: having
          flowing lines 3: brought up to date: modernized 4: of
          or relating to streamline flow

   streamline flow
          [streamline flow] n (ca. 1918): an uninterrupted flow (as
          of air) past a solid body in which the direction at every
          point remains unchanged with the passage of time

   streamliner
          [stream.lin.er] n (1934): one that is streamlined; esp: a
          streamlined train

   stream of consciousness
          [stream of consciousness] (1855) 1: the continuous unedited
          chronological flow of conscious experience through the
          mind 2: interior monologue

   streamside
          [stream.side] n (1844): the land bordering on a stream

   streek
          [streek] vt [ME (northern dial.) streken; akin to OE streccan
          to stretch] (13c) 1 chiefly Scot: stretch, extend 2 chiefly
          Scot: to lay out (a dead body)

   [1]streel
          [streel] vi [Ir straoill-, sraoill- to tear apart, trail,
          trudge, fr. OIr sroiglid he scourges, fr. sroigell scourge,
          fr. L flagellum--more at flagellate] (1805) 1 chiefly
          Irish: to saunter idly and aimlessly 2 chiefly Irish:
          to trail or float in the manner of a streamer [2]streel
          n [Ir straoill, sraoill, fr. straoill-, v.] (1842) chiefly
          Irish: an untidy slovenly person

   [1]street
          [street] n [ME strete, fr. OE straet, fr. LL strata paved
          road, fr. L, fem. of stratus, pp.--more at stratum] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a thoroughfare esp. in a city, town, or village
          that is wider than an alley or lane and that usu. includes
          sidewalks b: the part of a street reserved for vehicles
          c: a thoroughfare with abutting property <lives on a
          fashionable ~> 2: the people occupying property on a
          street <the whole ~ knew about the accident> 3: a promising
          line of development or a channeling of effort 4 cap:
          a district (as Wall Street or Fleet Street) identified
          with a particular profession 5: an environment (as in
          a depressed neighborhood or section of a city) of prostitution,
          poverty, dereliction, or crime -- on the street or in
          the street 1: idle, homeless, or out of a job 2: out
          of prison: at liberty -- up one's street or down one's
          street : suited to one's abilities or taste [2]street
          adj (15c): of or relating to the streets: as a: adjoining
          or giving access to a street <the ~ door> b: carried
          on or taking place in the street <~ fighting> c: living
          or working on the streets <a ~ peddler> <~ people> d:
          located in, used for, or serving as a guide to the streets
          <a ~ map> e: performing in or heard on the street <a
          ~ band> f (1): suitable for wear or use on the street
          <~ clothes> (2): not touching the ground--used of a woman's
          dress in lengths reaching the knee, calf, or ankle g:
          of or relating to the street environment <~ drugs>

   street arab
          [street arab] n, often cap A (1859): a homeless vagabond
          and esp. an outcast boy or girl in the streets of a city:
          gamin

   streetcar
          [street.car] n (1862): a vehicle on rails used primarily
          for transporting passengers and typically operating on
          city streets

   streetlight
          [street.light] n (1906): a light usu. mounted on a pole and
          constituting one of a series spaced at intervals along
          a public street or highway--called also streetlamp

   street railway
          [street railway] n (1861): a line operating streetcars or
          buses

   streets
          [streets] adv (1898) chiefly Brit: by a considerable margin
          <a nice woman, ~ above these other callers --Katherine
          Mansfield>

   streetscape
          [street.scape] n (1924) 1: the appearance or view of a street
          2: a work of art depicting a view of a street

   street-smart
          [street-smart] adj (1974): streetwise

   street smarts
          [street smarts] n pl (1972): the quality of being streetwise

   street theater
          [street theater] n (1967): drama dealing with controversial
          social and political issues that is usu. performed outdoors

   street virus
          [street virus] n (ca. 1911): a naturally occurring rabies
          virus as distinguished from virus attenuated in the laboratory

   streetwalker
          [street.walk.er] n (1592): prostitute; esp: one who solicits
          in the streets--compare call girl -- street.walk.ing
          n

   streetwise
          [street.wise] adj (1965): possessing the skills and attitudes
          necessary to survive in an often violent urban environment

   strength
          [strength] n, pl strengths [ME strengthe, fr. OE strengthu;
          akin to OHG strengi strong--more at strong] (bef. 12c)
          1: the quality or state of being strong: capacity for
          exertion or endurance 2: power to resist force: solidity,
          toughness 3: power of resisting attack: impregnability
          4 a: legal, logical, or moral force b: a strong attribute
          or inherent asset <the ~s and the weaknesses of the book
          are evident> 5 a: degree of potency of effect or of concentration
          b: intensity of light, color, sound, or odor c: vigor
          of expression 6: force as measured in numbers: effective
          numbers of any body or organization <an army at full
          ~> 7: one regarded as embodying or affording force or
          firmness: support 8: maintenance of or a rising tendency
          in a price level: firmness of prices 9: basis--used in
          the phrase on the strength of syn see power -- from strength
          to strength : vigorously forward: from one high point
          to the next

   strengthen
          [strength.en] vb strength.ened ; strength.en.ing vt (15c):
          to make stronger ~ vi: to become stronger -- strength.en.er
          n

   strenuous
          [stren.u.ous] adj [L strenuus] (1599) 1 a: vigorously active:
          energetic b: fervent, zealous 2: marked by or calling
          for energy or stamina: arduous syn see vigorous -- stren.u.os.i.ty
          n -- stren.u.ous.ly adv -- stren.u.ous.ness n

   strep
          [strep] n, often attrib (1927): streptococcus

   strep throat
          [strep throat] n (ca. 1927): an inflammatory sore throat
          caused by hemolytic streptococci and marked by fever,
          prostration, and toxemia--called also septic sore throat

   strepto-
          [strepto-] comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. streptos twisted, fr.
          strephein to twist] 1: twisted: twisted chain <streptococcus>
          2: streptococcus <streptokinase>

   streptobacillus
          [strep.to.ba.cil.lus] n [NL] (1897): any of a genus
          (Streptobacillus) of nonmotile gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria
          in which the individual cells are often joined in a chain; esp: one
          (S. moniliformis) that is the causative agent of one form
          of rat-bite fever

   streptococcal
          [strep.to.coc.cal] also strep.to.coc.cic adj (1877): of,
          relating to, caused by, or being streptococci <a ~ sore
          throat> <~ organisms>

   streptococcus
          [strep.to.coc.cus] n, pl -coc.ci [NL] (1877): any of a genus
          (Streptococcus) of spherical or ovoid chiefly nonmotile
          and parasitic gram-positive bacteria that divide only
          in one plane, occur in pairs or chains, and include important
          pathogens of humans and domestic animals; broadly: a
          coccus occurring in chains

   streptokinase
          [strep.to.ki.nase] n (1944): a proteolytic enzyme from hemolytic
          streptococci active in promoting dissolution of blood
          clots

   streptolysin
          [strep.to.ly.sin] n (1904): an antigenic hemolysin produced
          by streptococci

   streptomyces
          [strep.to.my.ces] n, pl streptomyces [NL, fr. strepto- +
          Gk mykes fungus--more at myc-] (1951): any of a genus
          (Streptomyces) of mostly soil streptomycetes including
          some that form antibiotics as by-products of their metabolism

   streptomycete
          [strep.to.my.cete] n [NL Streptomycet-, Streptomyces, genus
          name] (1948): any of a family (Streptomycetaceae) of
          actinomycetes (as a streptomyces) that form vegetative
          mycelia which rarely break up into bacillary forms, have
          conidia borne on sporophores, and are typically aerobic
          soil saprophytes but include a few parasites of plants
          and animals

   streptomycin
          [strep.to.my.cin] n (1944): an antibiotic organic base produced
          by a soil actinomycete (Streptomyces griseus), active
          against many bacteria, and used esp. in the treatment
          of infections (as tuberculosis) by gram-negative bacteria

   streptothricin
          [strep.to.thri.cin] n [NL Streptothric-, Streptothrix, genus
          of bacteria, fr. strepto- + Gk trich-, thrix hair] (1926):
          any of a group of related basic antibiotics produced
          by a soil actinomycete (Streptomyces lavendulae) and
          active against bacteria and to some degree against fungi

   [1]stress
          [stress] n [ME stresse stress, distress, short for destresse--more
          at distress] (14c) 1: constraining force or influence:
          as a: a force exerted when one body or body part presses on, pulls
          on, pushes against, or tends to compress or twist another body
          or body part; esp: the intensity of this mutual force commonly
          expressed in pounds per square inch b: the deformation caused
          in a body by such a force c: a physical, chemical, or emotional
          factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor
          in disease causation d: a state resulting from a stress; esp: one
          of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend
          to alter an existent equilibrium e: strain, pressure <the
          environment is under ~ to the point of collapse --Joseph Shoben>
          2: emphasis, weight <lay ~ on a point> 3 archaic: intense effort
          or exertion 4: intensity of utterance given to a speech sound,
          syllable, or word producing relative loudness 5 a: relative force
          or prominence of sound in verse b: a syllable having relative force
          or prominence 6: accent 6a [2]stress vt (1545) 1: to subject
          to physical or psychological stress 2: to subject to phonetic
          stress: accent 3: to lay stress on: emphasize

   stressed-out
          [stressed-out] adj (1983): suffering from high levels of
          physical or esp. psychological stress

   stress fracture
          [stress fracture] n (1952): a usu. hairline fracture of a
          bone that has been subjected to repeated stress

   stressful
          [stress.ful] adj (1853): full of or tending to induce stress
          -- stress.ful.ly adv

   stressless
          [stress.less] adj (1885): having no stress; specif: having
          no accent <a ~ syllable> -- stress.less.ness n

   stress mark
          [stress mark] n (1888): a mark used with (as before, after,
          or over) a written syllable in the respelling of a word
          to show that this syllable is to be stressed when spoken:
          accent mark

   stressor
          [stress.or] n (1950): a stimulus that causes stress

   stress test
          [stress test] n (1975): an electrocardiographic test of heart
          function before, during, and after a controlled period
          of increasingly strenuous exercise (as on a treadmill)

   [1]stretch
          [stretch] vb [ME strecchen, fr. OE streccan; akin to OHG
          strecchan to stretch, OE straec firm, severe] vt (bef.
          12c) 1: to extend (as one's limbs or body) in a reclining
          position 2: to reach out: extend <~ed out her arms> 3:
          to extend in length <~ed his neck to see what was going
          on> 4: to fell with or as if with a blow 5: to cause
          the limbs of (a person) to be pulled esp. in torture
          6: to draw up (one's body) from a cramped, stooping,
          or relaxed position 7: to pull taut <canvas ~ed on a
          frame> 8 a: to enlarge or distend esp. by force b: to
          extend or expand as if by physical force <~ one's mind
          with a good book> c: strain <~ed his already thin patience>
          9: to cause to reach or continue (as from one point to
          another or across a space) <~ a wire between two posts>
          10 a: to amplify or enlarge beyond natural or proper
          limits <the rules can be ~ed this once> b: to expand
          (as by improvisation) to fulfill a larger function <~ing
          a dollar> 11: to extend (a hit) to an extra base usu.
          by fast or daring running <~ a single into a double>
          ~ vi 1 a: to become extended in length or breadth or
          both: spread <broad plains ~ing to the sea> b: to extend
          over a continuous period 2: to become extended without
          breaking 3 a: to extend one's body or limbs b: to lie
          down at full length -- stretch.abil.i.ty n -- stretch.able
          adj -- stretchy adj -- stretch a point : to go beyond
          what is strictly warranted in making a claim or concession
          -- stretch one's legs 1: to extend the legs 2: to take
          a walk in order to relieve stiffness caused by prolonged
          sitting [2]stretch n (1541) 1 a: an exercise of something
          (as the understanding or the imagination) beyond ordinary
          or normal limits b: an extension of the scope or application
          of something <a ~ of language> 2: the extent to which
          something may be stretched 3: the act of stretching:
          the state of being stretched 4 a: an extent in length
          or area <a ~ of woods> b: a continuous period of time
          <can write for eight hours at a ~> 5: a walk to relieve
          fatigue 6: a term of imprisonment 7 a: either of the
          straight sides of a racecourse; esp: homestretch b: a
          final stage 8: the capacity for being stretched: elasticity
          9: stretch limo [3]stretch adj (1954): easily stretched:
          elastic <a ~ wig>

   stretcher
          [stretch.er] n (15c) 1 a: one that stretches; esp: a device
          or machine for stretching or expanding something b: an
          exaggerated story: a tall tale 2 a: a brick or stone
          laid with its length parallel to the face of the wall
          b: a timber or rod used esp. when horizontal as a tie
          in framed work 3: a device for carrying a sick, injured,
          or dead person 4: a rod or bar extending between two
          legs of a chair or table

   stretch limo
          [stretch limo] n (1971): a long limousine that is luxuriously
          furnished (as with a TV or bar)--called also stretch
          limousine

   stretch marks
          [stretch marks] n pl (1956): striae on the skin (as of the
          hips, abdomen, and breasts) from excessive stretching
          and rupture of elastic fibers esp. due to pregnancy or
          obesity

   stretch-out
          [stretch-out] n (1930) 1: a system of industrial operation
          in which workers are required to do extra work with slight
          or with no additional pay 2: the act of stretching out:
          the state of being stretched out 3: an economizing measure
          that spreads a limited quantity over a larger field than
          orig. intended: as a: a slackening of production schedules
          so that a quantity of goods will be produced over a longer
          period than initially planned b: a restructuring of a
          loan repayment schedule over an extended period of time

   stretch receptor
          [stretch receptor] n (1936): muscle spindle

   stretch runner
          [stretch runner] n (1922): a racehorse that makes a strong
          bid in the homestretch

   stretto
          [stret.to] also stret.ta n, pl stret.ti or strettos [stretto
          fr. It, fr. stretto narrow, close, fr. L strictus, pp.;
          stretta fr. It, fr. fem. of stretto--more at strict]
          (ca. 1740) 1 a: the overlapping of answer with subject
          in a musical fugue b: the part of a fugue characterized
          by this overlapping 2: a concluding passage performed
          in a quicker tempo

   streusel
          [streu.sel] n [G, lit., something strewn, fr. MHG strousel,
          fr. strouwen to strew, fr. OHG strewen] (1909): a crumbly
          mixture of fat, sugar, and flour and sometimes nuts and
          spices that is used as topping or filling for cake

   strew
          [strew] vt strewed ; strewed or strewn ; strew.ing [ME strewen,
          strowen, fr. OE strewian, streowian; akin to OHG strewen
          to strew, L struere to heap up, sternere to spread out,
          Gk stornynai] (bef. 12c) 1: to spread by scattering 2:
          to cover by or as if by scattering something <~ing the
          highways with litter> 3: to become dispersed over as
          if scattered 4: to spread abroad: disseminate

   strewment
          [strew.ment] n (1602) archaic: something (as flowers) strewed
          or designed for strewing

   stria
          [stria] n, pl stri.ae [L, furrow, channel--more at strike]
          (1563) 1: striation 2 2: a stripe or line (as in the
          skin) distinguished from the surrounding area by color,
          texture, or elevation--compare stretch marks

   [1]striate
          [stri.ate] adj (1670): striated [2]stri.ate vt stri.at.ed
          ; stri.at.ing (1709): to mark with striations or striae

   striated
          [stri.at.ed] adj (1646) 1: marked with striations or striae
          2: of, relating to, or being striated muscle

   striated muscle
          [striated muscle] n (1866): muscle tissue that is marked
          by transverse dark and light bands, that is made up of
          elongated multinuclear fibers, and that includes skeletal
          muscle, cardiac muscle, and most muscle of arthropods--compare
          smooth muscle, voluntary muscle

   striation
          [stri.a.tion] n (ca. 1847) 1 a: the fact or state of being
          striated b: arrangement of striations or striae 2: a
          minute groove, scratch, or channel esp. when one of a
          parallel series 3: any of the alternate dark and light
          cross bands of a myofibril of striated muscle

   strick
          [strick] n [ME stric, strik, prob. of LG or D origin; akin
          to MLG strik rope, MD stric] (14c): a bunch of hackled
          flax, jute, or hemp

   stricken
          [strick.en] adj [ME striken, fr. pp. of striken to strike]
          (14c) 1 a: afflicted or overwhelmed by or as if by disease,
          misfortune, or sorrow b: made incapable or unfit 2: hit
          or wounded by or as if by a missile

   strickle
          [strick.le] n [ME strikell a piece of wood for leveling a
          measure of grain; akin to OE strican to stroke--more
          at strike] (1688): a foundry tool for smoothing the surface
          of a core or mold -- strickle vt

   strict
          [strict] adj [ME stricte, fr. L strictus, fr. pp. of stringere
          to bind tight--more at strain] (15c) 1 archaic a: tight,
          close; also: intimate b: narrow 2 a: stringent in requirement
          or control <under ~ orders> b: severe in discipline <a
          ~ teacher> 3 a: inflexibly maintained or adhered to <~
          secrecy> b: rigorously conforming to principle or a norm
          or condition 4: exact, precise <in the ~ sense of the
          word> 5: of narrow erect habit of growth <a ~ inflorescence>
          syn see rigid -- strict.ly adv -- strict.ness n

   strict liability
          [strict liability] n (1896): liability imposed without regard
          to fault

   stricture
          [stric.ture] n [ME, fr. LL strictura, fr. L strictus, pp.]
          (14c) 1 a: an abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage;
          also: the narrowed part b: a constriction of the breath
          passage in the production of a speech sound 2: something
          that closely restrains or limits: restriction <moral
          ~s> 3: an adverse criticism: censure

   [1]stride
          [stride] vb strode ; strid.den ; strid.ing [ME, fr. OE stridan;
          akin to MLG striden to straddle, OHG stritan to quarrel]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to stand astride 2: to move with or
          as if with long steps 3: to take a very long step ~ vt
          1: bestride, straddle 2: to step over 3: to move over
          or along with or as if with long measured steps -- strid.er
          n [2]stride n (bef. 12c) 1 a: a cycle of locomotor movements
          (as of a horse) completed when the feet regain the initial
          relative positions; also: the distance traversed in a
          stride b: the most effective natural pace: maximum competence
          or capability--often used in the phrase hit one's stride
          2: a long step 3: an act of striding 4: a stage of progress:
          advance 5: a manner of striding 6: stride piano -- in
          stride 1: without interference with regular activities
          2: without emotional reaction <took the news in stride>

   stridence
          [stri.dence] n (1890): stridency

   stridency
          [stri.den.cy] n (1865): the quality or state of being strident

   strident
          [stri.dent] adj [L strident-, stridens, prp. of stridere,
          stridere to make a harsh noise] (ca. 1656): characterized
          by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound <a ~ voice>;
          also: commanding attention by a loud or obtrusive quality
          <~ slogans> syn see loud, vociferous -- stri.dent.ly
          adv

   stride piano
          [stride piano] n [fr. stride bass left hand part consisting
          of large skips] (1952): a style of jazz piano playing
          in which the right hand plays the melody while the left
          hand alternates between a single note and a chord played
          an octave or more higher

   stridor
          [stri.dor] n [L, fr. stridere, stridere] (1632) 1: a harsh,
          shrill, or creaking noise 2: a harsh vibrating sound
          heard during respiration in cases of obstruction of the
          air passages

   stridulate
          [strid.u.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [back-formation fr.
          stridulation, fr. F, high-pitched sound, fr. L stridulus
          shrill] (1838): to make a shrill creaking noise by rubbing
          together special bodily structures--used esp. of male
          insects (as crickets or grasshoppers) -- strid.u.la.tion
          n -- strid.u.la.to.ry adj

   stridulous
          [strid.u.lous] adj [L stridulus, fr. stridere, stridere]
          (1611): making a shrill creaking sound -- strid.u.lous.ly
          adv

   strife
          [strife] n [ME strif, fr. OF estrif, prob. fr. estriver to
          struggle--more at strive] (13c) 1 a: bitter sometimes
          violent conflict or dissension <political ~> b: an act
          of contention: fight, struggle 2: exertion or contention
          for superiority 3 archaic: earnest endeavor syn see discord
          -- strife.less adj

   strigil
          [strig.il] n [L strigilis; akin to L stringere to touch lightly]
          (1581): an instrument used by ancient Greeks and Romans
          for scraping moisture off the skin after bathing or exercising

   strigose
          [stri.gose] adj [NL strigosus, fr. striga row of bristles,
          fr. L, furrow] (1793): having appressed bristles or scales
          <a ~ leaf>

   [1]strike
          [strike] vb struck ; struck also strick.en ; strik.ing [ME,
          fr. OE strican to stroke, go; akin to OHG strihhan to
          stroke, L stringere to touch lightly, striga, stria furrow]
          vi (bef. 12c) 1: to take a course: go <struck off through
          the brush> 2 a: to aim and usu. deliver a blow, stroke,
          or thrust (as with the hand, a weapon, or a tool) b:
          to arrive with detrimental effect <disaster struck> c:
          to attempt to undermine or harm something as if by a
          blow <struck at ... cherished notions --R. P. Warren>
          3: to come into contact forcefully <two ships struck
          in mid channel> 4: to delete something 5: to lower a
          flag usu. in surrender 6 a: to become indicated by a
          clock, bell, or chime <the hour had just struck> b: to
          make known the time by sounding <the clock struck as
          they entered> 7: pierce, penetrate <the wind seemed to
          ~ through our clothes> 8 a: to engage in battle b: to
          make a military attack 9: to become ignited 10: to discover
          something <struck on a new plan of attack> 11 a: to pull
          on a fishing rod in order to set the hook b of a fish:
          to seize the bait 12: dart, shoot 13 a of a plant cutting:
          to take root b of a seed: germinate 14: to make an impression
          15: to stop work in order to force an employer to comply
          with demands 16: to make a beginning <the need to ~ vigorously
          for success> 17: to thrust oneself forward <he struck
          into the midst of the argument> 18: to work diligently:
          strive ~ vt 1 a: to strike at: hit b: to drive or remove
          by or as if by a blow c: to attack or seize with a sharp
          blow (as of fangs or claws) <struck by a snake> d: inflict
          <~ a blow> e: to produce by or as if by a blow or stroke
          <Moses struck water from the rock> f: to separate by
          a sharp blow <~ off flints> 2 a: to haul down: lower
          <~ the sails> b: to dismantle and take away c: to strike
          the tents of (a camp) 3: to afflict suddenly <stricken
          by a heart attack> 4 a: to engage in (a battle): fight
          b: to make a military attack on 5: delete, cancel <~
          the last paragraph> 6 a: to penetrate painfully: pierce
          b: to cause to penetrate c: to send down or out <trees
          struck roots deep into the soil> 7 a: to level (as a
          measure of grain) by scraping off what is above the rim
          b: to smooth or form with a strickle 8: to become rich
          usu. suddenly [2]strike n (15c) 1: strickle 2: an act
          or instance of striking 3 a: a work stoppage by a body
          of workers to enforce compliance with demands made on
          an employer b: a temporary stoppage of activities in
          protest against an act or condition 4: the direction
          of the line of intersection of a horizontal plane with
          an uptilted geological stratum 5 a: a pull on a fishing
          rod to strike a fish b: a pull on a line by a fish in
          striking 6: a stroke of good luck; esp: a discovery of
          a valuable mineral deposit 7 a: a pitched ball that is
          in the strike zone or is swung at and is not hit fair
          b: a perfectly thrown ball or pass 8: disadvantage, handicap
          9: an act or instance of knocking down all the bowling
          pins with the first bowl 10: establishment of roots and
          plant growth 11: cutaneous myiasis (as of sheep) 12 a:
          a military attack; esp: an air attack on a single objective
          b: a group of airplanes taking part in such an attack

   strikebound
          [strike.bound] adj (1943): subjected to a strike

   strikebreaker
          [strike.break.er] n (1904): a person hired to replace a striking
          worker

   strikebreaking
          [strike.break.ing] n (1905): action designed to break up
          a strike

   strike force
          [strike force] n (1968): a team of federal agents assigned
          to investigate organized crime in a specific area

   strike off
          [strike off] vt (1821) 1: to produce in an effortless manner
          2: to depict clearly and exactly

   strikeout
          [strike.out] n (1887): an out in baseball resulting from
          a batter's being charged with three strikes

   strike out
          [strike out] vi (1712) 1: to enter upon a course of action
          2: to set out vigorously 3: to make an out in baseball
          by a strikeout 4: to finish bowling a string with consecutive
          strikes; specif: to bowl three strikes in the last frame
          5: fail 2c ~ vt, of a baseball pitcher: to retire (as
          a batter) by a strikeout

   strikeover
          [strike.over] n (1938): an act or instance of striking a
          typewriter character on a spot occupied by another character

   striker
          [strik.er] n (1581) 1: one that strikes: as a: a player in
          any of several games who is striking or attempting to
          strike a ball b: the hammer of the striking mechanism
          of a clock or watch c: a blacksmith's helper who swings
          the sledgehammer d: a worker on strike 2: a junior enlisted
          man in the U.S. Navy who has declared an occupational
          specialty

   strike up
          [strike up] vi (ca. 1562): to begin to sing or play or to
          be sung or played ~ vt 1: to cause to begin singing or
          playing <strike up the band> 2: to cause to begin <strike
          up a conversation>

   strike zone
          [strike zone] n (1948): the area over home plate through
          which a pitched baseball must pass to be called a strike

   striking
          [strik.ing] adj (1752): attracting attention or notice through
          unusual or conspicuous qualities <a place of ~ beauty>
          syn see noticeable -- strik.ing.ly adv

   striking distance
          [striking distance] n (1751): a distance from which something
          can be easily reached or attained <almost within striking
          distance of their goal>

   striking price
          [striking price] n (1961): an agreed-upon price at which
          an option contract can be exercised--called also strike
          price

   [1]string
          [string] n [ME, fr. OE streng; akin to OHG strang rope, L
          stringere to bind tight--more at strain] (bef. 12c) 1:
          a small cord used to bind, fasten, or tie 2 a archaic:
          a cord (as a tendon or ligament) of an animal body b:
          a plant fiber (as a leaf vein) 3 a: the gut, wire, or
          nylon cord of a musical instrument b pl (1): the stringed
          instruments of an orchestra (2): the players of such
          instruments 4 a: a group of objects threaded on a string
          <a ~ of fish> <a ~ of pearls> b (1): a series of things
          arranged in or as if in a line <a ~ of cars> <a ~ of
          names> (2): a sequence of like items (as bits, characters,
          or words) c: a group of business properties scattered
          geographically <a ~ of newspapers> d: the animals and
          esp. horses belonging to or used by one individual 5
          a: a means of recourse: expedient b: a group of players
          ranked according to skill or proficiency 6: succession
          3a <a ~ of successes> 7 a: one of the inclined sides
          of a stair supporting the treads and risers b: stringcourse
          8 a: balkline 1 b: the action of lagging for break in
          billiards 9: line 13 10 pl a: contingent conditions or
          obligations b: control, domination 11: a scanty bikini--called
          also string bikini 12: a hypothetical one-dimensional
          object that is infinitely thin but has a length of 1E-33
          centimeters, that vibrates as it moves through space,
          and whose mode of vibration manifests itself as a subatomic
          particle -- string.less adj -- on the string : subject
          to one's influences [2]string vb strung ; string.ing
          vt (15c) 1 a: to equip with strings b: to tune the strings
          of 2: to make tense: key up 3 a: to thread on or as if
          on a string b: to thread with objects c: to tie, hang,
          or fasten with string d: to put together (as words or
          ideas) like objects threaded on a string 4: to hang by
          the neck--used with up 5: to remove the strings of <~
          beans> 6 a: to extend or stretch like a string <~ wires
          from tree to tree> b: to set out in a line or series--often
          used with out 7: fool, hoax <cowboys ~ing tenderfeet
          with tall tales --Carl Van Doren>--often used with along
          ~ vi 1: to move, progress, or lie in a string 2: to form
          into strings 3: lag 3 [3]string adj (1712): of or relating
          to stringed musical instruments <the ~ section>

   string along
          [string along] vt (1914): to keep waiting ~ vi: go along,
          agree

   string bass
          [string bass] n (ca. 1927): double bass

   string bean
          [string bean] n (1759) 1: a bean of one of the older varieties
          of kidney bean that have stringy fibers on the lines
          of separation of the pods; broadly: snap bean 2: a very
          tall thin person

   stringcourse
          [string.course] n (1825): a horizontal band (as of bricks)
          in a building forming a part of the design

   stringed
          [stringed] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having strings <~ instruments>
          2: produced by strings

   stringency
          [strin.gen.cy] n (1844): the quality or state of being stringent

   stringendo
          [strin.gen.do] adv [It, verbal of stringere to press, fr.
          L, to bind tight--more at strain] (1853): with quickening
          of tempo (as to a climax)--used as a direction in music

   stringent
          [strin.gent] adj [L stringent-, stringens, prp. of stringere]
          (1736) 1: tight, constricted 2: marked by rigor, strictness,
          or severity esp. with regard to rule or standard 3: marked
          by money scarcity and credit strictness syn see rigid
          -- strin.gent.ly adv

   stringer
          [string.er] n (14c) 1: one that strings 2: a string, wire,
          or chain often with snaps on which fish are strung by
          a fisherman 3: a narrow vein or irregular filament of
          mineral traversing a rock mass of different material
          4 a: a long horizontal timber to connect uprights in
          a frame or to support a floor b: string 7a c: a tie in
          a truss 5 a: a longitudinal member extending from bent
          to bent of a railroad bridge and carrying the track b:
          a longitudinal member (as in an airplane fuselage or
          wing) to reinforce the skin 6 a: a news correspondent
          who is paid space rates b: a reporter who works for a
          publication or news agency on a part-time basis; broadly:
          correspondent 7: one estimated to be of specified excellence
          or efficiency--used in combination <first-stringer>
          <second-stringer>

   stringhalt
          [string.halt] n (ca. 1534): a condition of lameness in a
          horse's hind legs caused by muscular spasms -- string.halt.ed
          adj

   stringing
          [string.ing] n (1812) 1: lines of inlay in furniture decoration
          2: the material with which a racket is strung

   string line
          [string line] n (1867): balkline 1

   stringpiece
          [string.piece] n (1769): the heavy squared timber lying along
          the top of the piles forming a dock front or timber pier

   string quartet
          [string quartet] n (1875) 1: a composition for string quartet
          2: a quartet of performers on stringed instruments usu.
          including a first and second violin, a viola, and a cello

   string tie
          [string tie] n (1895): a narrow necktie

   stringy
          [stringy] adj string.i.er ; -est (1669) 1 a: containing,
          consisting of, or resembling fibrous matter or string
          <~ hair> b: lean and sinewy in build: wiry 2: capable
          of being drawn out to form a string: ropy <a ~ precipitate>
          -- string.i.ness n

   stringybark
          [stringy.bark] n (1799) 1: any of several Australian eucalypti
          with fibrous inner bark 2: the bark of a stringybark

   [1]strip
          [strip] vb stripped also stript ; strip.ping [ME strippen,
          fr. OE -striepan; akin to OHG stroufen to strip] vt (13c)
          1 a: to remove clothing, covering, or surface matter
          from b: to deprive of possessions c: to divest of honors,
          privileges, or functions 2 a: to remove extraneous or
          superficial matter from <a prose style stripped to the
          bones> b: to remove furniture, equipment, or accessories
          from <~ a ship for action> 3: to make bare or clear (as
          by cutting or grazing) 4: to finish a milking of by pressing
          the last available milk from the teats <~ a cow> 5 a:
          to remove cured leaves from the stalks of (tobacco) b:
          to remove the midrib from (tobacco leaves) 6: to tear
          or damage the thread of (a separable part or fitting)
          7: to separate (components) from a mixture or solution
          8: to press eggs or milt out of (a fish) ~ vi 1 a: to
          take off clothes b: to perform a striptease 2: peel 1
          -- strip.pa.ble adj [2]strip n [ME, perh. fr. MLG strippe
          strap] (15c) 1 a: a long narrow piece of a material b:
          a long narrow area of land or water 2: airstrip 3: a
          commercially developed area esp. along a highway 4: comic
          strip 5: striptease

   strip-chart recorder
          [strip-chart recorder] n (1950): a device used for the continuous
          graphic recording of time-dependent data -- strip-chart
          recording n

   strip-cropping
          [strip-crop.ping] n (1936): the growing of a cultivated crop
          (as corn) in strips alternating with strips of a sod-forming
          crop (as hay) arranged to follow an approximate contour
          of the land and minimize erosion -- strip-crop vb

   [1]stripe
          [stripe] n [ME; akin to MD stripe strip, stripe] (15c): a
          stroke or blow with a rod or lash [2]stripe vt striped
          ; strip.ing [prob. fr. MD; akin to MHG strife stripe]
          (15c): to make stripes on or variegate with stripes [3]stripe
          n (1626) 1 a: a line or long narrow section differing
          in color or texture from parts adjoining b (1): a textile
          design consisting of lines or bands against a plain background
          (2): a fabric with a striped design 2: a narrow strip
          of braid or embroidery usu. in the shape of a bar, arc,
          or chevron that is worn (as on the sleeve of a military
          uniform) to indicate rank or length of service 3: a distinct
          variety or sort: type <persons of the same political
          ~> -- stripe.less adj

   striped
          [striped] adj (1616): having stripes or streaks

   striped bass
          [striped bass] n (1818): a large anadromous food and sport
          fish (Morone saxatilis of the family Percichthyidae)
          that occurs along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. and
          has been introduced along the Pacific coast--called also
          rockfish

   striped skunk
          [striped skunk] n (1882): a common No. American skunk (Mephitis
          mephitis) usu. with white on the top of the head that
          extends posteriorly in two narrowly separated stripes

   striper
          [strip.er] n (1937): striped bass

   striping
          [strip.ing] n (1677) 1 a: the stripes marked or painted on
          something b: a design of stripes 2: the act or process
          of marking with stripes

   stripling
          [strip.ling] n [ME] (14c): youth 2a

   strip mine
          [strip mine] n (1926): a mine that is worked from the earth's
          surface by the stripping of overburden; esp: a coal mine
          situated along the outcrop of a flat dipping bed -- strip-mine
          vb -- strip miner n

   stripped-down
          [stripped-down] adj (1928): lacking any extra features: simple
          2b

   stripper
          [strip.per] n (1581) 1: one that strips 2: stripteaser 3:
          a machine that separates a desired part of an agricultural
          crop 4: an oil well that produces 10 barrels or less
          per day

   strip poker
          [strip poker] n (1919): a poker game in which players pay
          their losses by removing articles of clothing

   strip search
          [strip search] n (1947): a search for something concealed
          on a person made after removal of the person's clothing
          -- strip-search vb

   striptease
          [strip.tease] n (1936): a burlesque act in which a performer
          removes clothing piece by piece

   stripteaser
          [strip.teas.er] n (1930): one who performs a striptease

   stripy
          [stripy] adj strip.i.er ; -est (1513): marked by stripes
          or streaks

   strive
          [strive] vi strove also strived ; striv.en or strived ; striv.ing
          [ME, fr. OF estriver, of Gmc origin; akin to MHG streben
          to endeavor] (13c) 1: to devote serious effort or energy:
          endeavor 2: to struggle in opposition: contend syn see
          attempt -- striv.er n

   strobe
          [strobe] n [by shortening & alter.] (1942) 1: stroboscope
          2: a device that utilizes a flashtube for high-speed
          illumination (as in photography) 3: strobotron

   strobe light
          [strobe light] n (1947): strobe

   strobila
          [stro.bi.la] n, pl -lae [NL, fr. Gk strobile plug of lint
          shaped like a pinecone, fr. strobilos pinecone] (1864):
          a linear series of similar animal structures (as the
          proglottids of a tapeworm) produced by budding

   strobilation
          [stro.bi.la.tion] n [NL strobila] (1878): asexual reproduction
          (as in various coelenterates and tapeworms) by transverse
          division of the body into segments which develop into
          separate individuals, zooids, or proglottids

   strobilus
          [stro.bi.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. LL, pinecone, fr. Gk strobilos
          twisted object, top, pinecone, fr. strobos action of
          whirling; akin to strephein to twist] (ca. 1753) 1: an
          aggregation of sporophylls resembling a cone (as in the
          club mosses and horsetails) 2: the cone of a gymnosperm

   stroboscope
          [stro.bo.scope] n [Gk strobos whirling + ISV -scope] (1896):
          an instrument for determining the speed of cyclic motion
          (as rotation or vibration) that causes the motion to
          appear slowed or stopped: as a: a revolving disk with
          holes around the edge through which an object is viewed
          b: a device that uses a flashtube to intermittently illuminate
          a moving object c: a cardboard disk with marks to be
          viewed under intermittent light

   stroboscopic
          [stro.bo.scop.ic] adj (ca. 1846): of, utilizing, or relating
          to a stroboscope or a strobe -- stro.bo.scop.i.cal.ly
          adv

   strobotron
          [stro.bo.tron] n [stroboscope + -tron] (1937): a gas-filled
          electron tube used esp. as a source of bright flashes
          of light for a stroboscope

   strode
          [strode] past of stride

   [1]stroke
          [stroke] vt stroked ; strok.ing [ME, fr. OE stracian; akin
          to OHG strihhan to stroke--more at strike] (bef. 12c)
          1: to rub gently in one direction; also: caress 2: to
          flatter or pay attention to in a manner designed to reassure
          or persuade -- strok.er n [2]stroke n [ME; akin to OE
          strican to stroke--more at strike] (13c) 1: the act of
          striking; esp: a blow with a weapon or implement 2: a
          single unbroken movement; esp: one of a series of repeated
          or to-and-fro movements 3 a: a controlled swing intended
          to hit a ball or shuttlecock; also: a striking of the
          ball b: such a stroke charged to a player as a unit of
          scoring in golf 4 a: a sudden action or process producing
          an impact <~ of lightning> b: an unexpected result <~
          of luck> 5: sudden diminution or loss of consciousness,
          sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or
          obstruction (as by a clot) of an artery of the brain--called
          also apoplexy 6 a: one of a series of propelling beats
          or movements against a resisting medium <a ~ of the oar>
          b: a rower who sets the pace for a crew 7 a: a vigorous
          or energetic effort <a ~ of genius> b: a delicate or
          clever touch in a narrative, description, or construction
          8: heartbeat 9: the movement or the distance of the movement
          in either direction of a mechanical part (as a piston)
          having a reciprocating motion 10: the sound of a bell
          being struck <at the ~ of twelve> 11 [[1]stroke]: an
          act of stroking or caressing 12 a: a mark or dash made
          by a single movement of an implement b: one of the lines
          of a letter of the alphabet [3]stroke vb stroked ; strok.ing
          vt (1597) 1 a: to mark with a short line <~ the t's>
          b: to cancel by drawing a line through <stroked out his
          name> 2: to set the stroke for (a rowing crew); also:
          to set the stroke for the crew of (a rowing boat) 3:
          hit; esp: to propel (a ball) with a controlled swinging
          blow ~ vi 1: to execute a stroke 2: to row at a certain
          number of strokes a minute

   stroke play
          [stroke play] n (1905): golf competition scored by total
          number of strokes

   stroll
          [stroll] vb [prob. fr. G dial. strollen] vi (1680) 1: to
          walk in a leisurely or idle manner: ramble 2: to go from
          place to place in search of work or profit <~ing players>
          <~ing musicians> ~ vt: to walk at leisure along or about
          -- stroll n

   stroller
          [stroll.er] n (1608) 1 a: an itinerant actor b: vagrant,
          tramp 2: one that strolls 3: a collapsible carriage designed
          as a chair in which a small child may be pushed

   stroma
          [stro.ma] n, pl stro.ma.ta [NL stromat-, stroma, fr. L, bed
          covering, fr. Gk stromat-, stroma, fr. stornynai to spread
          out--more at strew] (1832) 1 a: a compact mass of fungal
          hyphae producing perithecia or pycnidia b: the colorless
          proteinaceous matrix of a chloroplast in which the
          chlorophyll-containing lamellae are embedded
          2 a: the supporting framework of an animal organ
          typically consisting of connective tissue
          b: the spongy protoplasmic framework of some cells (as
          a red blood cell) -- stro.mal adj

   stromatolite
          [stro.mat.o.lite] n [L stromat-, stroma bed covering + E
          -o- + -lite] (1930): a laminated sedimentary fossil formed
          from layers of blue-green algae -- stro.mat.o.lit.ic
          adj

   strong
          [strong] adj stron.ger ; stron.gest [ME, fr. OE strang; akin
          to OHG strengi strong, L stringere to bind tight--more
          at strain] (bef. 12c) 1: having or marked by great physical
          power 2: having moral or intellectual power 3: having
          great resources (as of wealth or talent) 4: of a specified
          number <an army ten thousand ~> 5 a: striking or superior
          of its kind <a ~ resemblance> b: effective or efficient
          esp. in a specified direction <~ on watching other people
          work --A. Alvarez> 6: forceful, cogent <~ evidence> <~
          talk> 7: not mild or weak: extreme, intense: as a: rich
          in some active agent <~ beer> b of a color: high in chroma
          c: ionizing freely in solution <~ acids and bases> d:
          magnifying by refracting greatly <~ lens> 8 obs: flagrant
          9: moving with rapidity or force <~ wind> 10: ardent,
          zealous <a ~ supporter> 11 a: not easily injured or disturbed:
          solid b: not easily subdued or taken <a ~ fort> 12: well
          established: firm <~ beliefs> 13: not easily upset or
          nauseated <a ~ stomach> 14: having an offensive or intense
          odor or flavor: rank 15: tending to steady or higher
          prices <a ~ market> 16: of, relating to, or being a verb
          that is inflected by a change in the root vowel (as strive,
          strove, striven) rather than by regular affixation --
          strong adv -- strong.ish adj -- strong.ly adv syn strong,
          stout, sturdy, stalwart, tough, tenacious mean showing
          power to resist or to endure. strong may imply power
          derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness,
          intellectual or spiritual resources <strong arms> <the
          defense has a strong case>. stout suggests an ability
          to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way
          <stout hiking boots>. sturdy implies strength derived
          from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity
          of construction <a sturdy table> <people of sturdy independence>.
          stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability <stalwart
          environmentalists>. tough implies great firmness and
          resiliency <a tough political opponent>. tenacious suggests
          strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding
          together <tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way
          of life>.

   strong anthropic principle
          [strong anthropic principle] n (1985): anthropic principle
          b

   [1]strong-arm
          [strong-arm] adj (1897): having or using undue force [2]strong-arm
          vt (1903) 1 a: to use force on: assault b: bully, intimidate
          2: to rob by force

   strongbox
          [strong.box] n (1684): a strongly made chest or case for
          money or valuables

   strong breeze
          [strong breeze] n (1867): wind having a speed of 25 to 31
          miles (40 to 50 kilometers) per hour--see beaufort scale
          table

   strong drink
          [strong drink] n (14c): intoxicating liquor

   strong force
          [strong force] n (1969): a fundamental physical force that
          acts on hadrons and is responsible for the binding together
          of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus and for
          processes of particle creation in high-energy collisions
          and that is the strongest known fundamental physical
          force but acts only over distances comparable to those
          between nucleons in an atomic nucleus--called also strong
          interaction, strong nuclear force--compare electromagnetism
          2a, gravity 3a(2), weak force

   strong gale
          [strong gale] n (ca. 1867): wind having a speed of 47 to
          54 miles (76 to 87 kilometers) per hour--see beaufort
          scale table

   stronghold
          [strong.hold] n (15c) 1: a fortified place 2 a: a place of
          security or survival <one of the last ~s of the ancient
          Gaelic language --George Holmes> b: a place dominated
          by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic
          <a Republican ~> <~s of snobbery --Lionel Trilling>

   strongman
          [strong.man] n (1859): one who leads or controls by force
          of will and character or by military methods

   strong-minded
          [strong-mind.ed] adj (1791): having a vigorous mind; esp:
          marked by independence of thought and judgment -- strong-mind.ed.ly
          adv -- strong-mind.ed.ness n

   strong room
          [strong room] n (1761): a room for money or valuables specially
          constructed to be fireproof and burglarproof

   strong safety
          [strong safety] n (1970): a safety in football who plays
          opposite the strong side of an offensive formation

   strong side
          [strong side] n (ca. 1951): the side of a football formation
          having the greater number of players; specif: the side
          on which the tight end plays

   strong suit
          [strong suit] n (1857) 1: a long suit containing high cards
          2: something in which one excels: forte <details of legislation
          have never been my strong suit --Tip O'Neill>

   strongyle
          [stron.gyle] n [NL Strongylus, genus of worms, fr. Gk strongylos
          round, compact; akin to Gk stranx drop squeezed out--more
          at strain] (1847): any of various nematode worms (family
          Strongylidae) related to the hookworms and parasitic
          esp. in the alimentary tract and tissues of horses

   strongyloidiasis
          [stron.gy.loi.di.a.sis] also stron.gy.loi.do.sis n [NL, fr.
          Strongyloides, genus name, fr. Strongylus] (1905): infestation
          with or disease caused by any of a genus (Strongyloides)
          of strongyles that sometimes parasitize the intestines
          of vertebrates including humans

   strontianite
          [stron.tian.ite] n (1794): a mineral consisting of a carbonate
          of strontium and occurring in various forms and colors

   strontium
          [stron.tium] n [NL, fr. strontia strontium oxide, fr. obs.
          E strontian, fr. Strontian, village in Scotland] (1808):
          a soft malleable ductile metallic element of the alkaline-earth
          group occurring only in combination and used esp. in
          color TV tubes, in crimson fireworks, and in the production
          of some ferrites

   strontium 90
          [strontium 90] n (1952): a heavy radioactive isotope of strontium
          of mass number 90 that has a half-life of 29 years and
          that is present in the fallout from nuclear explosions
          and is hazardous because like calcium it can be assimilated
          in biological processes and deposited in the bones of
          human beings and animals--called also radiostrontium

   [1]strop
          [strop] n [ME--more at strap] (bef. 12c): strap: a: a short
          rope with its ends spliced to form a circle b: a usu.
          leather band for sharpening a razor [2]strop vt stropped
          ; strop.ping (1841): to sharpen (a razor) on a strop

   strophanthin
          [stro.phan.thin] n [ISV, fr. NL Strophanthus, fr. Gk strophos
          twisted band (fr. strephein to twist) + anthos flower--more
          at anthology] (1873): any of several glycosides (as ouabain)
          or mixtures of glycosides from African plants (genera
          Strophanthus and Acokanthera) of the dogbane family;
          esp: a bitter toxic glycoside from a woody vine (Strophanthus
          kombe) used similarly to digitalis

   strophe
          [stro.phe] n [Gk strophe, lit., act of turning, fr. strephein
          to turn, twist] (1603) 1 a: a rhythmic system composed
          of two or more lines repeated as a unit; esp: such a
          unit recurring in a series of strophic units b: stanza
          2 a: the movement of the classical Greek chorus while
          turning from one side to the other of the orchestra b:
          the part of a Greek choral ode sung during the strophe
          of the dance

   strophic
          [stro.phic] adj (1848) 1: relating to, containing, or consisting
          of strophes 2 of a song: using the same music for successive
          stanzas--compare through-composed

   stroppy
          [strop.py] adj [perh. by shortening & alter. fr. obstreperous]
          (1951) Brit: touchy, belligerent

   stroud
          [stroud] n [prob. fr. Stroud, town in England] (1683) 1 also
          stroud.ing : a coarse woolen cloth formerly used in trade
          with No. American Indians 2: a blanket or garment of
          stroud

   strove
          [strove] past & chiefly dial past part of strive

   strow
          [strow] vt strowed ; strown or strowed ; strow.ing [ME--more
          at strew] (14c) archaic: scatter

   stroy
          [stroy] vb [ME stroyen, short for destroyen] (13c) obs: destroy

   [1]struck
          [struck] past and past part of strike [2]struck adj (1894):
          closed by or subjected to a labor strike <a ~ factory>
          <a ~ employer>

   structural
          [struc.tur.al] adj (1835) 1: of or relating to the physical
          makeup of a plant or animal body 2 a: of, relating to,
          or affecting structure <~ stability> b: used in building
          structures <~ clay> c: involved in or caused by structure
          esp. of the economy <~ unemployment> 3: of, relating
          to, or resulting from the effects of folding or faulting
          of the earth's crust: tectonic 4: concerned with or relating
          to structure rather than history or comparison <~ linguistics>
          -- struc.tur.al.ly adv

   structural formula
          [structural formula] n (1872): an expanded molecular formula
          showing the arrangement within the molecule of atoms
          and of bonds

   structural gene
          [structural gene] n (1959): a gene that codes for the amino
          acid sequence of a protein (as an enzyme) or for a ribosomal
          RNA or transfer RNA

   structuralism
          [struc.tur.al.ism] n (1907) 1: psychology concerned esp.
          with resolution of the mind into structural elements
          2: structural linguistics 3: an anthropological movement
          associated esp. with Claude Levi-Strauss that seeks to
          analyze social relationships in terms of highly abstract
          relational structures often expressed in a logical symbolism
          4: a method of analysis (as of a literary text or a political
          system) that is related to cultural anthropology and
          that focuses on recurring patterns of thought and behavior
          -- struc.tur.al.ist n or adj

   structural isomer
          [structural isomer] n (1926): one of two or more compounds
          that contain the same number and kinds of atoms but that
          differ significantly in their geometric arrangement

   structuralize
          [struc.tur.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1931): to organize
          or incorporate into a structure -- struc.tur.al.i.za.tion
          n

   structural steel
          [structural steel] n (1895) 1: rolled steel in structural
          shapes 2: steel suitable for structural shapes

   structuration
          [struc.tur.a.tion] n (1925): the interrelation of parts in
          an organized whole

   [1]structure
          [struc.ture] n [ME, fr. L structura, fr. structus, pp. of
          struere to heap up, build--more at strew] (15c) 1: the
          action of building: construction 2 a: something (as a
          building) that is constructed b: something arranged in
          a definite pattern of organization <a rigid totalitarian
          ~ --J. L. Hess> <leaves and other plant ~s> 3: manner
          of construction: makeup <Gothic in ~> 4 a: the arrangement
          of particles or parts in a substance or body <soil ~>
          <molecular ~> b: organization of parts as dominated by
          the general character of the whole <economic ~> <personality
          ~> 5: the aggregate of elements of an entity in their
          relationships to each other -- struc.ture.less adj --
          struc.ture.less.ness n [2]structure vt struc.tured ;
          struc.tur.ing (ca. 1693) 1: to form into or according
          to a structure 2: construct

   structured
          [struc.tured] adj (1966): of, relating to, or being a method
          of computer programming in which each step of the solution
          to a problem is contained in a separate subprogram

   strudel
          [stru.del] n [G, lit., whirlpool] (ca. 1893): a pastry made
          from a thin sheet of dough rolled up with filling and
          baked <apple ~>

   [1]struggle
          [strug.gle] vi strug.gled ; strug.gling [ME struglen] (14c)
          1: to make strenuous or violent efforts against opposition:
          contend 2: to proceed with difficulty or with great effort
          <struggled through the high grass> <struggling to make
          a living> -- strug.gler n [2]struggle n (1692) 1: contest,
          strife <armed ~> <a power ~> 2: a violent effort or exertion:
          an act of strongly motivated striving

   struggle for existence
          [struggle for existence] (1832): the automatic competition
          (as for food, space, or light) of members of a natural
          population that tends to eliminate less efficient individuals
          and thereby increase the chance of the more efficient
          to pass on inherited adaptive traits

   [1]strum
          [strum] vb strummed ; strum.ming [imit.] vt (1777) 1 a: to
          brush the fingers over the strings of (a musical instrument)
          in playing <~ a guitar>; also: [3]thrum 1 b: to play
          (music) on a stringed instrument <~ a tune> 2: to cause
          to sound vibrantly <winds strummed the rigging --H. A.
          Chippendale> ~ vi 1: to strum a stringed instrument 2:
          to sound vibrantly -- strum.mer n [2]strum n (ca. 1793):
          an act, instance, or sound of strumming

   struma
          [stru.ma] n, pl stru.mae or strumas [L, swelling of the lymph
          glands] (1565): goiter

   strumpet
          [strum.pet] n [ME] (14c): prostitute 1a

   strung
          [strung] past and past part of string

   strung out
          [strung out] adj (ca. 1959) 1: physically debilitated (as
          from long-term drug addiction) 2: addicted to a drug
          3: intoxicated or stupefied from drug use

   strunt
          [strunt] vi [by alter.] (1786) Scot: strut

   [1]strut
          [strut] vb strut.ted ; strut.ting [ME strouten, fr. OE strutian
          to exert oneself; akin to MHG strozzen to be swollen]
          vi (13c) 1: to become turgid: swell 2 a: to walk with
          a proud gait b: to walk with a pompous and affected air
          ~ vt: to parade (as clothes) with a show of pride --
          strut.ter n -- strut one's stuff : to display one's best
          work: show off [2]strut n (1587) 1: a structural piece
          designed to resist pressure in the direction of its length
          2: a pompous step or walk 3: arrogant behavior: swagger
          [3]strut vt strut.ted ; strut.ting (ca. 1828): to provide,
          stiffen, support, or hold apart with or as if with a
          strut

   struthious
          [stru.thi.ous] adj [LL struthio ostrich, irreg. fr. Gk strouthos]
          (1773): of or relating to the ostriches and related birds

   strychnine
          [strych.nine] n [F, fr. NL Strychnos, fr. L, nightshade,
          fr. Gk] (1819): a bitter poisonous alkaloid that is obtained
          from nux vomica and related plants (genus Strychnos)
          and is used as a poison (as for rodents) and medicinally
          as a stimulant to the central nervous system

   Stuart
          [Stu.art] adj [Robert Stewart (Robert II of Scotland) d.
          1390] (1873): of or relating to the Scottish royal house
          to which belonged the rulers of Scotland from 1371 to
          1603 and of Great Britain from 1603 to 1649 and from
          1660 to 1714 -- Stuart n

   [1]stub
          [stub] n [ME stubb, fr. OE stybb; akin to ON stufr stump,
          Gk stypos stem, typtein to beat--more at type] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: stump 2 b: a short piece remaining on a stem
          or trunk where a branch has been lost 2: something made
          or worn to a short or blunt shape; esp: a pen with a
          short blunt nib 3: a short blunt part left after a larger
          part has been broken off or used u p <pencil ~> 4: something
          cut short or stunted 5 a: a small part of a leaf (as
          of a checkbook) attached to the backbone for memoranda
          of the contents of the part torn away b: the part of
          a ticket returned to the user [2]stub vt stubbed ; stub.bing
          (15c) 1 a: to grub up by the roots b: to clear (land)
          by grubbing out rooted growth c: to hew or cut down (a
          tree) close to the ground 2: to extinguish (as a cigarette)
          by crushing 3: to strike (one's foot or toe) against
          an object

   stubble
          [stub.ble] n, often attrib [ME stuble, fr. OF estuble, fr.
          L stupula stalk, straw, alter. of stipula--more at stipule]
          (14c) 1: the basal part of herbaceous plants and esp.
          cereal grasses remaining attached to the soil after harvest
          2: a rough surface or growth resembling stubble; esp:
          a short growth of beard -- stub.bled adj -- stub.bly
          adj

   stubble mulch
          [stubble mulch] n (1942): a lightly tilled mulch of plant
          residue used to prevent erosion, conserve moisture, and
          add organic matter to the soil

   stubborn
          [stub.born] adj [ME stuborn] (14c) 1 a (1): unreasonably
          or perversely unyielding: mulish (2): justifiably unyielding:
          resolute b: suggestive or typical of a strong stubborn
          nature <a ~ jaw> 2: performed or carried on in an unyielding,
          obstinate, or persistent manner <~ effort> 3: difficult
          to handle, manage, or treat <a ~ cold> 4: lasting <~
          facts> syn see obstinate -- stub.born.ly adv -- stub.born.ness
          n

   stubby
          [stub.by] adj stub.bi.er ; -est (15c) 1: abounding with stubs
          2 a: resembling a stub: being short and thick <~ fingers>
          b: being short and thickset: squat c: being short, broad,
          or blunt (as from use or wear)

   stucco
          [stuc.co] n, pl stuccos or stuccoes [It, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG stucki piece, crust, OE stocc stock--more at stock]
          (1598) 1 a: a fine plaster used in decoration and ornamentation
          (as of interior walls) b: a material usu. made of portland
          cement, sand, and a small percentage of lime and applied
          in a plastic state to form a hard covering for exterior
          walls 2: stuccowork -- stuc.coed adj

   stuccowork
          [stuc.co.work] n (1686): work done in stucco

   stuck
          [stuck] past and past part of stick

   stuck-up
          [stuck-up] adj (1829): superciliously self-important: conceited

   stud
          [stud] abbreviation student

   [1]stud
          [stud] n, often attrib [ME stod, fr. OE stod; akin to OCS
          stado flock and prob. to OHG stan to stand--more at stand]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a group of animals and esp. horses kept
          primarily for breeding b: a place (as a farm) where a
          stud is kept 2: studhorse; broadly: a male animal kept
          for breeding 3 a: a young man: guy; esp: one who is virile
          and promiscuous b: a tough person c: hunk 2 -- at stud
          : for breeding as a stud <retired racehorses at stud>
          [2]stud n [ME stode, fr. OE studu; akin to MHG stud prop,
          OE stow place--more at stow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: one of the
          smaller uprights in the framing of the walls of a building
          to which sheathing, paneling, or laths are fastened:
          scantling b: height from floor to ceiling 2 a: a boss,
          rivet, or nail with a large head used (as on a shield
          or belt) for ornament or protection b: a solid button
          with a shank or eye on the back inserted (as through
          an eyelet in a garment) as a fastener or ornament c:
          a small often round earring made for a pierced ear 3
          a: any of various infixed pieces (as a rod or pin) projecting
          from a machine and serving chiefly as a support or axis
          b: one of the metal cleats inserted in a snow tire to
          increase traction [3]stud vt stud.ded ; stud.ding (ca.
          1506) 1: to furnish (as a building or wall) with studs
          2: to adorn, cover, or protect with studs 3: to set,
          mark, or decorate conspicuously often at intervals <a
          sky studded with stars> <a career studded with honors>

   studbook
          [stud.book] n (1803): an official record (as in a book) of
          the pedigree of purebred animals (as horses or dogs)

   studding
          [stud.ding] n (1588): the studs of a building or wall

   studding sail
          [stud.ding sail] n [origin unknown] (1549): a light sail
          set at the side of a principal square sail of a ship
          in free winds

   student
          [stu.dent] n, often attrib [ME, fr. L student-, studens,
          fr. prp. of studere to study--more at study] (14c) 1:
          scholar, learner; esp: one who attends a school 2: one
          who studies: an attentive and systematic observer

   student body
          [student body] n (1906): the students at an educational institution

   student government
          [student government] n (1948): the organization and management
          of student life by various student organizations

   student lamp
          [student lamp] n (1873): a desk reading lamp with a tubular
          shaft, one or two arms for a shaded light, and orig.
          an oil reservoir

   studentship
          [stu.dent.ship] n (ca. 1782) 1 Brit: a grant for university
          study 2: the state of being a student

   student's t distribution
          [stu.dent's t distribution] n, often cap S [Student, pen
          name of W. S. Gossett d. 1937 Brit. statistician] (1929):
          t distribution

   Student's t-test
          [Student's t-test] n (1935): t-test

   student teacher
          [student teacher] n (1909): a student who is engaged in practice
          teaching

   student teaching
          [student teaching] n (1929): practice teaching

   student union
          [student union] n (1949): a building on a college campus
          that is devoted to student activities and that usu. contains
          lounges, auditoriums, offices, and game rooms

   studhorse
          [stud.horse] n (bef. 12c): a stallion kept esp. for breeding

   studied
          [stud.ied] adj (15c) 1: carefully considered or prepared:
          thoughtful 2: knowledgeable, learned 3: produced or marked
          by conscious design or premeditation: calculated <~ indifference>
          -- stud.ied.ly adv -- stud.ied.ness n

   studio
          [stu.dio] n, pl -dios [It, lit., study, fr. L studium] (1819)
          1 a: the working place of a painter, sculptor, or photographer
          b: a place for the study of an art (as dancing, singing,
          or acting) 2: a place where motion pictures are made
          3: a place maintained and equipped for the transmission
          of radio or television programs 4: a place where audio
          recordings are made 5: studio apartment

   studio apartment
          [studio apartment] n (1903): a small apartment consisting
          typically of a main room, kitchenette, and bathroom

   studio couch
          [studio couch] n (1931): an upholstered usu. backless couch
          that can be made to serve as a double bed by sliding
          from underneath it the frame of a single cot

   studious
          [stu.di.ous] adj (14c) 1: assiduous in the pursuit of learning
          2 a: of, relating to, or concerned with study b: favorable
          to study <a ~ environment> 3 a: diligent or earnest in
          intent <made a ~ effort> b: marked by or suggesting purposefulness
          or diligence <a ~ expression on his face> c: deliberately
          or consciously planned <spoke with a ~ accent> -- stu.di.ous.ly adv
          -- stu.di.ous.ness n

   studly
          [stud.ly] adj [[1]stud] (1972) slang: hunky

   stud poker
          [stud poker] n [[1]stud] (1864): poker in which each player
          is dealt the first card facedown and the other four cards
          faceup with a round of betting taking place after each
          of the last four rounds of dealing

   [1]study
          [study] n, pl stud.ies [ME studie, fr. OF estudie, fr. L
          studium, fr. studere to devote oneself, study; prob.
          akin to L tundere to beat--more at contusion] (14c) 1:
          a state of contemplation: reverie 2 a: application of
          the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge
          <years of ~> b: such application in a particular field
          or to a specific subject <the ~ of Latin> c: careful
          or extended consideration <the proposal is under ~> d
          (1): a careful examination or analysis of a phenomenon,
          development, or question (2): the published report of
          such a study 3: a building or room devoted to study or
          literary pursuits 4: purpose, intent 5 a: a branch or
          department of learning: subject b: the activity or work
          of a student <returning to her studies after vacation>
          c: an object of study or deliberation <every gesture
          a careful ~ --Marcia Davenport> d: something attracting
          close attention or examination 6: a person who learns
          or memorizes something (as a part in a play)--usu. used
          with a qualifying adjective <he's a fast ~> 7: a literary
          or artistic production intended as a preliminary outline,
          an experimental interpretation, or an exploratory analysis
          of specific features or characteristics 8: a musical
          composition for the practice of a point of technique
          [2]study vb stud.ied ; study.ing vi (14c) 1 a: to engage
          in study b: to undertake formal study of a subject 2
          dial: meditate, reflect 3: endeavor, try ~ vt 1: to read
          in detail esp. with the intention of learning 2: to engage
          in the study of <~ biology> 3: plot, design 4: to consider
          attentively or in detail syn see consider -- studi.er
          n

   study hall
          [study hall] n (1846) 1: a room in a school set aside for
          study 2: a period in a student's day set aside for study
          and homework

   [1]stuff
          [stuff] n [ME, fr. MF estoffe, fr. OF, fr. estoffer to equip,
          stock, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG stopfon to stop up,
          fr. (assumed) VL stuppare--more at stop] (14c) 1: materials,
          supplies, or equipment used in various activities: as
          a obs: military baggage b: personal property 2: material
          to be manufactured, wrought, or used in construction
          <clear half-inch pine ~ --Emily Holt> 3: a finished textile
          suitable for clothing; esp: wool or worsted material
          4 a: literary or artistic production b: writing, discourse,
          talk, or ideas of little value: trash 5 a: an unspecified
          material substance or aggregate of matter <volcanic rock
          is curious ~> b: something (as a drug or food) consumed
          or introduced into the body by humans c: a matter to
          be considered <the truth was heady ~> <long-term policy
          ~> d: a group or scattering of miscellaneous objects
          or articles <pick that ~ up off the floor>; also: nonphysical
          miscellaneous material 6 a: fundamental material: substance
          <~ of greatness> b: subject matter <a teacher who knows
          her ~> 7: special knowledge or capability <showing their
          ~> 8 a: spin imparted to a thrown or hit ball to make
          it curve or change course b: the movement of a baseball
          pitch out of its apparent line of flight: the liveliness
          of a pitch <greatest pitcher of my time ... had tremendous
          ~ --Ted Williams> 9: dunk shot -- stuff.less adj [2]stuff
          vt (15c) 1 a: to fill by packing things in: cram <the
          boy ~ed his pockets with candy> b: to fill to satiety:
          surfeit <~ed themselves with turkey> c: to prepare (meat
          or vegetables) by filling or lining with a stuffing d:
          to fill (as a cushion) with a soft material e: to fill
          out the skin of (an animal) for mounting 2 a: to fill
          by intellectual effort <~ing their heads with facts>
          b: to pack full of something immaterial <a book ~ed with
          information> 3: to fill or block up (as nasal passages)
          4 a: to cause to enter or fill: thrust <~ed a lot of
          clothing into a laundry bag> b: to put (as a ball or
          puck) into a goal forcefully from close range 5--used
          in the imperative to express contempt <if they didn't
          like it, ~ 'em --Eric Clapton>--often used in the phrases
          stuff it and get stuffed 6: to stop abruptly in a football
          game <~ the run>

   stuffed shirt
          [stuffed shirt] n (1913): a smug, conceited, and usu. pompous
          person often with an inflexibly conservative or reactionary
          attitude

   stuffer
          [stuff.er] n (1611) 1: one that stuffs 2: an enclosure (as
          a leaflet) inserted in an envelope in addition to a bill,
          statement, or notice 3: a series of extra threads or
          yarn running lengthwise in a fabric to add weight and
          bulk and to form a backing esp. for carpets

   stuffing
          [stuff.ing] n (15c): material used to stuff; esp: a seasoned
          mixture used to stuff food (as meat, vegetables, or eggs)

   stuffing box
          [stuffing box] n (1798): a device that prevents leakage along
          a moving part (as a connecting rod) passing through a
          hole in a vessel (as a cylinder) containing steam, water,
          or oil and that consists of a box or chamber made by
          enlarging the hole and a gland to compress the contained
          packing

   stuffy
          [stuffy] adj stuff.i.er ; -est (1813) 1: lacking in vitality
          or interest: stodgy, dull 2: ill-natured, ill-humored
          3 a: oppressive to the breathing: close b: stuffed up
          <a ~ nose> 4: narrowly inflexible in standards of conduct:
          self-righteous -- stuff.i.ly adv -- stuff.i.ness n

   stultify
          [stul.ti.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [LL stultificare to make
          foolish, fr. L stultus foolish; akin to L stolidus stolid]
          (1766) 1: to allege or prove to be of unsound mind and
          hence not responsible 2: to cause to appear or be stupid,
          foolish, or absurdly illogical 3 a: to impair, invalidate,
          or make ineffective: negate b: to have a dulling or inhibiting
          effect on -- stul.ti.fi.ca.tion n

   [1]stumble
          [stum.ble] vb stum.bled ; stum.bling [ME, prob. of Scand
          origin; akin to Norw dial. stumle to stumble; akin to
          ON stemma to hinder--more at stem] vi (14c) 1 a: to fall
          into sin or waywardness b: to make an error: blunder
          c: to come to an obstacle to belief 2: to trip in walking
          or running 3 a: to walk unsteadily or clumsily b: to
          speak or act in a hesitant or faltering manner 4 a: to
          come unexpectedly or by chance <~ onto the truth> b:
          to fall or move carelessly ~ vt 1: to cause to stumble:
          trip 2: bewilder, confound -- stum.bler n -- stum.bling.ly
          adv [2]stumble n (1547): an act or instance of stumbling

   stumblebum
          [stum.ble.bum] n (1932): a clumsy or inept person; esp: an
          inept boxer

   stumbling block
          [stum.bling block] n (1588) 1: an obstacle to progress 2:
          an impediment to belief or understanding: perplexity

   [1]stump
          [stump] n [ME stumpe; akin to OHG stumpf stump and perh.
          to ME stampen to stamp] (14c) 1 a: the basal portion
          of a bodily part remaining after the rest is removed
          b: a rudimentary or vestigial bodily part 2: the part
          of a plant and esp. a tree remaining attached to the
          root after the trunk is cut 3: a remaining part: stub
          4: one of the pointed rods stuck in the ground to form
          a cricket wicket 5: a place or occasion for public speaking
          (as for a cause or candidate); also: the circuit followed
          by a maker of such speeches--used esp. in the phrase
          on the stump [2]stump vt (1596) 1: to reduce to a stump:
          trim 2 a: dare, challenge b: to frustrate the progress
          or efforts of: baffle 3: to clear (land) of stumps 4:
          to travel over (a region) making political speeches or
          supporting a cause 5 a: to walk over heavily or clumsily
          b: stub 3 ~ vi 1: to walk heavily or clumsily 2: to go
          about making political speeches or supporting a cause
          -- stump.er n [3]stump n [F or Flem; F estompe, fr. Flem
          stomp, lit., stub, fr. MD; akin to OHG stumpf stump]
          (1778): a short thick roll of leather, felt, or paper
          usu. pointed at both ends and used for shading or blending
          a drawing in crayon, pencil, charcoal, pastel, or chalk
          [4]stump vt (1807): to tone or treat (a drawing) with
          a stump

   stumpage
          [stump.age] n (1835) 1: the value of standing timber 2: uncut
          marketable timber; also: the right to cut it

   stump-tailed macaque
          [stump-tailed macaque] n (1938): a dark reddish brown naked-faced
          short-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides syn. M. speciosa)
          that is found in eastern Asia--called also stump-tailed
          monkey

   stump work
          [stump work] n (1904): embroidery with intricate padded designs
          or scenes in high relief popular esp. in the 17th century

   stumpy
          [stumpy] adj (1600) 1: being short and thick: stubby 2: full
          of stumps

   [1]stun
          [stun] vt stunned ; stun.ning [ME, modif. of MF estoner--more
          at astonish] (14c) 1: to make senseless, groggy, or dizzy
          by or as if by a blow: daze 2: to shock with noise 3:
          to overcome esp. with paralyzing astonishment or disbelief
          [2]stun n (1727): the effect of something that stuns:
          shock

   stung
          [stung] past and past part of sting

   stun gun
          [stun gun] n (1967): a weapon designed to stun or immobilize
          (as by electric shock) rather than kill or injure the
          one affected

   stunk
          [stunk] past and past part of stink

   stunner
          [stun.ner] n (1829): one that stuns or is stunning

   stunning
          [stun.ning] adj (1667) 1: causing astonishment or disbelief
          2: strikingly impressive esp. in beauty or excellence
          -- stun.ning.ly adv

   [1]stunt
          [stunt] vt [E dial. stunt stubborn, stunted, abrupt, prob.
          of Scand origin; akin to ON stuttr scant--more at stint]
          (1659): to hinder the normal growth, development, or
          progress of -- stunt.ed.ness n [2]stunt n (1725) 1: one
          (as an animal) that is stunted 2: a check in growth 3:
          a plant disease in which dwarfing occurs [3]stunt n [origin
          unknown] (1878) 1: an unusual or difficult feat requiring
          great skill or daring; esp: one performed or undertaken
          chiefly to gain attention or publicity 2: a shifting
          or switching of the positions by defensive players at
          the line of scrimmage in football to disrupt the opponent's
          blocking efforts [4]stunt vi (1917): to perform or engage
          in a stunt

   stuntman
          [stunt.man] n (1927): a man who performs stunts; esp: one
          who doubles for an actor during the filming of stunts
          and dangerous scenes

   stuntwoman
          [stunt.wom.an] n (1948): a woman who doubles for an actress
          during the filming of stunts and dangerous scenes

   stupa
          [stu.pa] n [Skt stupa] (1876): a usu. dome-shaped structure
          (as a mound) serving as a Buddhist shrine

   [1]stupe
          [stupe] n [ME, fr. L stuppa coarse part of flax, tow, fr.
          Gk styppe] (14c): a hot wet often medicated cloth applied
          externally (as to stimulate circulation) [2]stupe n [short
          for stupid] (1762): a stupid person: dolt

   stupefaction
          [stu.pe.fac.tion] n [ME stupefaccioun, fr. ML stupefaction-,
          stupefactio, fr. L stupefacere] (15c): the act of stupefying:
          the state of being stupefied

   stupefy
          [stu.pe.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME stupifien, fr. MF stupefier,
          modif. of L stupefacere, fr. stupere to be astonished
          + facere to make, do--more at do] (15c) 1: to make stupid,
          groggy, or insensible 2: astonish, astound -- stu.pe.fy.ing.ly
          adv

   stupendous
          [stu.pen.dous] adj [L stupendus, gerundive of stupere] (1666)
          1: causing astonishment or wonder: awesome, marvelous
          2: of amazing size or greatness: tremendous syn see monstrous
          -- stu.pen.dous.ly adv -- stu.pen.dous.ness n

   [1]stupid
          [stu.pid] adj [MF stupide, fr. L stupidus, fr. stupere to
          be numb, be astonished--more at type] (1541) 1 a: slow
          of mind: obtuse b: given to unintelligent decisions or
          acts: acting in an unintelligent or careless manner c:
          lacking intelligence or reason: brutish 2: dulled in
          feeling or sensation: torpid <still ~ from the sedative>
          3: marked by or resulting from unreasoned thinking or
          acting: senseless 4 a: lacking interest or point b: vexatious,
          exasperating <this ~ flashlight won't work> -- stu.pid.ly
          adv -- stu.pid.ness n syn stupid, dull, dense, crass,
          dumb mean lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions.
          stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that
          may be either congenital or temporary <stupid students
          just keeping the seats warm> <stupid with drink>. dull
          suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from
          disease, depression, or shock <monotonous work that leaves
          the mind dull>. dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness
          to ideas <too dense to take a hint>. crass suggests a
          grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy
          <a crass, materialistic people>. dumb applies to an exasperating
          obtuseness or lack of comprehension <too dumb to figure
          out what's going on>. [2]stupid n (1712): a stupid person

   stupidity
          [stu.pid.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1541) 1: the quality or state
          of being stupid 2: a stupid idea or act

   stupor
          [stu.por] n [ME, fr. L, fr. stupere] (14c) 1: a condition
          of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility
          <drunken ~> 2: a state of extreme apathy or torpor resulting
          often from stress or shock: daze syn see lethargy

   stuporous
          [stu.por.ous] adj (1892): marked or affected by or as if
          by stupor

   sturdy
          [stur.dy] adj stur.di.er ; -est [ME, brave, stubborn, fr.
          MF estourdi stunned, fr. pp. of estourdir to stun, fr.
          (assumed) VL exturdire, fr. L ex- + (assumed) VL turdus
          simpleton, fr. L, thrush--more at thrush] (14c) 1 a:
          firmly built or constituted: stout b: hardy c: sound
          in design or execution: substantial 2 a: marked by or
          reflecting physical strength or vigor b: firm, resolute
          c: rugged, stable syn see strong -- stur.di.ly adv --
          stur.di.ness n

   sturgeon
          [stur.geon] n [ME, fr. MF estourjon, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OE styria sturgeon] (13c): any of a family (Acipenseridae)
          of usu. large elongate anadromous or freshwater bony
          fishes which are widely distributed in the north temperate
          zone and whose roe is made into caviar

   Sturm und Drang
          [Sturm und Drang] n [G, lit., storm and stress, fr. Sturm
          und Drang (1776), drama by Friedrich von Klinger d. 1831
          Ger. novelist and dramatist] (1845) 1: a late 18th century
          German literary movement characterized by w orks containing
          rousing action and high emotionalism that often deal
          with the individual's revolt against society 2: turmoil

   sturt
          [sturt] n [ME, contention, alter. of strut; akin to OE strutian
          to exert oneself--more at strut] (14c) chiefly Scot:
          contention

   [1]stutter
          [stut.ter] vb [freq. of E dial. stut to stutter, fr. ME stutten;
          akin to D stotteren to stutter, Goth stautan to strike--more
          at contusion] vi (ca. 1570) 1: to speak with involuntary
          disruption or blocking of speech (as by spasmodic repetition
          or prolongation of vocal sounds) 2: to move or act in
          a halting or spasmodic manner <the old jalopy bucks and
          ~s uphill --William Cleary> ~ vt: to say, speak, or sound
          with or as if with a stutter -- stut.ter.er n [2]stutter
          n (ca. 1847) 1: an act or instance of stuttering 2: a
          speech disorder involving stuttering accompanied by fear
          and anxiety

   STV
          [STV] abbreviation subscription television

   [1]sty
          [sty] n, pl sties also styes [ME, fr. OE stig; akin to ON
          -sti sty] (bef. 12c) 1: a pen or enclosed housing for
          swine 2: an unkempt filthy place <this house is a ~>
          [2]sty vb stied or styed ; sty.ing vt (bef. 12c): to
          lodge or keep in a sty ~ vi: to live in a sty [3]sty
          or stye n, pl sties or styes [short for obs. E styan,
          fr. (assumed) ME, alter. of OE stigend, fr. stigan to
          go up, rise--more at stair] (1617): an inflamed swelling
          of a sebaceous gland at the margin of an eyelid

   stygian
          [sty.gian] adj, often cap [L stygius, fr. Gk stygios, fr.
          Styg-, Styx Styx] (1566) 1: of or relating to the river
          Styx 2: extremely dark, gloomy, or forbidding

   styl-
          [styl-] or styli- or stylo- comb form [L stilus spike, stem--more
          at style]: style: styloid process <stylopodium> <stylography>

   stylar
          [sty.lar] adj [[1]style] (ca. 1928): of or relating to the
          style of a plant ovary

   -style
          [-style] adj or adv comb form: being in the style
          of <a Beaujolais-style wine>

   [1]style
          [style] n [ME stile, style, fr. L stilus spike, stem, stylus,
          style of writing; perh. akin to L instigare to goad--more
          at stick] (14c) 1: designation, title 2 a: a distinctive
          manner of expression (as in writing or speech) <writes
          with more attention to ~ than to content> <the flowery
          ~ of 18th century prose> b: a distinctive manner or custom
          of behaving or conducting oneself <the formal ~ of the
          court> <his ~ is abrasive>; also: a particular mode of
          living <in high ~> c: a particular manner or technique
          by which something is done, created, or performed <a
          unique ~ of horseback riding> <the classical ~ of dance>
          3 a: stylus b: gnomon 1b c: a filiform prolongation of
          a plant ovary bearing a stigma at its apex--see flower
          illustration d: a slender elongated process (as a bristle)
          on an animal 4: a distinctive quality, form, or type
          of something <a new dress ~> <the Greek ~ of architecture>
          5 a: the state of being popular: fashion <clothes that
          are always in ~> b: fashionable elegance c: beauty, grace,
          or ease of manner or technique <an awkward moment she
          handled with ~> 6: a convention with respect to spelling,
          punctuation, capitalization, and typographic arrangement
          and display followed in writing or printing syn see fashion
          -- style.less adj -- style.less.ness n [2]style vt styled
          ; styl.ing (ca. 1580) 1: to call or designate by an identifying
          term: name 2 a: to give a particular style to b: to design,
          make, or arrange in accord with the prevailing mode --
          styl.er n

   stylebook
          [style.book] n (1708): a book explaining, describing, or
          illustrating a prevailing, accepted, or authorized style

   stylet
          [sty.let] n [F, fr. MF stilet stiletto, fr. OIt stiletto--more
          at stiletto] (1697) 1 a: a slender surgical probe b:
          a thin wire inserted into a catheter to maintain rigidity
          or into a hollow needle to maintain patency c: a pointed
          instrument (as for graving) 2: a relatively rigid elongated
          organ or appendage (as a piercing mouthpart) of an animal
          3: stiletto

   styliform
          [sty.li.form] adj [NL stiliformis, fr. L stilus + -formis
          -form] (1578): resembling a style: bristle-shaped <a
          ~ copulatory organ>

   styling
          [styl.ing] n (1928): the way in which something is styled

   stylise
          [styl.ise] Brit var of stylize

   stylish
          [styl.ish] adj (1785): having style; specif: conforming to
          current fashion -- styl.ish.ly adv -- styl.ish.ness n

   stylist
          [styl.ist] n (1795) 1 a: a master or model of style; esp:
          a writer or speaker in matters of style b: one (as a
          writer or singer) noted for a distinctive style 2 a:
          one who develops, designs, or advises on styles b: hairstylist

   stylistic
          [sty.lis.tic] adj (1860): of or relating esp. to literary
          or artistic style -- sty.lis.ti.cal.ly adv

   stylistics
          [sty.lis.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (ca. 1883) 1:
          an aspect of literary study that emphasizes the analysis
          of various elements of style (as metaphor and diction)
          2: the study of the devices in a language that produce
          expressive value

   stylite
          [sty.lite] n [LGk stylites, fr. Gk stylos pillar--more at
          steer] (ca. 1638): a Christian ascetic living atop a
          pillar -- sty.lit.ic adj

   stylize
          [styl.ize] vt styl.ized ; styl.iz.ing (1898): to conform
          to a conventional style; specif: to represent or design
          according to a style or stylistic pattern rather than
          according to nature or tradition -- styl.i.za.tion n

   stylobate
          [sty.lo.bate] n [L stylobates, fr. Gk, stylobates, fr. stylos
          pillar + bainein to walk, go--more at come] (1694): a
          continuous flat coping or pavement supporting a row of
          architectural columns

   stylography
          [sty.log.ra.phy] n (ca. 1840): a mode of writing or tracing
          lines by means of a style or similar instrument

   styloid
          [sty.loid] adj (1709): resembling a style: styliform--used
          esp. of slender pointed skeletal processes (as on the
          ulna)

   stylopodium
          [sty.lo.po.di.um] n, pl -dia [NL, fr. styl- + Gk podion small
          foot, base--more at pew] (ca. 1832): a disk-shaped or
          conical expansion at the base of the style in plants
          of the carrot family

   stylus
          [sty.lus] n, pl sty.li also sty.lus.es [L stylus, stilus
          spike, stylus--more at style] (1807): an instrument for
          writing, marking, or incising: as a: an instrument used
          by the ancients in writing on clay or waxed tablets b:
          a hard-pointed pen-shaped instrument for marking on stencils
          used in a reproducing machine c (1): needle 3c (2): a
          cutting tool used to produce an original record groove
          during disc recording d: a pen-shaped pointing device
          used for entering positional information (as from a graphics
          tablet) into a computer

   stymie
          [sty.mie] vt sty.mied ; sty.mie.ing [Sc stimie, stymie to
          obstruct a golf shot by interposition of the opponent's
          ball] (1902): to present an obstacle to: stand in the
          way of

   styptic
          [styp.tic] adj [ME stiptik, fr. L stypticus, fr. Gk styptikos,
          fr. styphein to contract] (14c): tending to contract
          or bind: astringent; esp: tending to check bleeding --
          styptic n

   styptic pencil
          [styptic pencil] n (1908): a stick of a medicated styptic
          substance for use esp. in shaving to stop the bleeding
          from small cuts

   styrax
          [sty.rax] n [L--more at storax] (1558): storax

   styrene
          [sty.rene] n [ISV, fr. L styrax] (1885): a fragrant liquid
          unsaturated hydrocarbon used chiefly in making synthetic
          rubber, resins, and plastics and in improving drying
          oils; also: any of various synthetic plastics made from
          styrene by polymerization or copolymerization

   Styrofoam
          [Sty.ro.foam] trademark--used for an expanded rigid polystyrene
          plastic

   Styx
          [Styx] n [L Styg-, Styx, fr. Gk]: the principal river of
          the underworld in Greek mythology

   su...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Su
          [Su] abbreviation Sunday

   suable
          [su.able] adj (ca. 1623): liable to be sued in court
          -- su.abil.i.ty n -- su.ably adv

   suasion
          [sua.sion] n [ME, fr. L suasion-, suasio, fr. suadere to
          urge, persuade--more at sweet] (14c): the act of influencing
          or persuading -- sua.sive adj -- sua.sive.ly adv -- sua.sive.ness
          n

   suave
          [suave] adj suav.er ; -est [MF, pleasant, sweet, fr. L suavis--more
          at sweet] (1847) 1: smoothly though often superficially gracious
          and sophisticated 2: smooth in texture, performance, or style
          -- suave.ly adv -- suave.ness n -- sua.vi.ty n syn suave, urbane,
          diplomatic, bland, smooth, politic mean pleasantly tactful and
          well-mannered. suave suggests a specific ability to deal with
          others easily and without friction <a suave public relations
          coordinator>. urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from
          wide social experience <an urbane traveler>. diplomatic stresses
          an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully <a diplomatic
          negotiator>. bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence
          of irritating qualities <a bland master of ceremonies>. smooth
          suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity <a smooth salesman>.
          politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling
          of people <a cunningly politic manager>.

   suaviter in modo, fortiter in re
          [sua.vi.ter in mo.do, for.ti.ter in re] [L] foreign term
          : gently in manner, strongly in deed

   sub-
          [sub-] prefix [ME, fr. L, under, below, secretly, from below,
          up, near, fr. sub under, close to--more at up] 1: under:
          beneath: below <subsoil> <subaqueous> 2 a: subordinate:
          secondary: next lower than or inferior to <substation>
          <subeditor> b: subordinate portion of: subdivision of
          <subcommittee> <subspecies> c: with repetition (as of
          a process) so as to form, stress, or deal with subordinate
          parts or relations <sublet> <subcontract> 3: less than
          completely, perfectly, or normally: somewhat <subacute>
          <subclinical> 4 a: almost: nearly <suberect> b: falling
          nearly in the category of and often adjoining: bordering
          on <subarctic>sub.ad.o.les.cent sub.agen.cy sub.agent
          sub.al.lo.ca.tion sub.ar.ea sub.au.di.ble sub.av.er.age
          sub.base.ment sub.ba.sin sub.block sub.branch sub.caste
          sub.cat.e.go.ri.za.tion sub.cat.e.go.rize sub.cat.e.go.ry
          sub.ceil.ing sub.cel.lar sub.chap.ter sub.chief sub.clan
          sub.clus.ter sub.code sub.col.lec.tion sub.col.lege
          sub.col.le.giate sub.col.o.ny sub.com.mis.sion sub.com.po.nent
          sub.cor.date sub.co.ri.a.ceous sub.coun.ty sub.cult sub.cu.ra.tive
          sub.dean sub.de.ci.sion sub.de.part.ment sub.de.vel.op.ment
          sub.di.a.lect sub.di.rec.tor sub.dis.ci.pline sub.dis.trict
          sub.econ.o.my sub.erect sub.file sub.frame sub.gen.er.a.tion
          sub.genre sub.goal sub.gov.ern.ment sub.hu.mid sub.in.dus.try
          sub.in.hib.i.to.ry sub.lan.guage sub.lev.el sub.li.brar.i.an
          sub.li.cense sub.lit.er.a.cy sub.lit.er.ate sub.lot sub.man.ag.er
          sub.mar.ket sub.max.i.mal sub.menu sub.min.i.mal sub.min.is.ter
          sub.na.tion.al sub.net.work sub.niche sub.op.ti.mal
          sub.op.ti.mi.za.tion sub.op.ti.mize sub.op.ti.mum sub.or.bic.u.lar
          sub.or.ga.ni.za.tion sub.pan.el sub.par sub.para.graph
          sub.par.al.lel sub.part sub.pe.ri.od sub.phase sub.pri.mate
          sub.pro.cess sub.prod.uct sub.proj.ect sub.pro.le.tar.i.at
          sub.ra.tio.nal sub.sat.u.rat.ed sub.sat.u.ra.tion sub.scale
          sub.science sub.sea sub.sec.re.tary sub.sec.tor sub.seg.ment
          sub.sei.zure sub.sense sub.sen.tence sub.se.ries sub.site sub.skill
          sub.so.ci.ety sub.spe.cial.ist sub.spe.cial.ize sub.spe.cial.ty
          sub.state sub.sys.tem sub.task sub.tax.on sub.test sub.theme
          sub.ther.a.peu.tic sub.top.ic sub.trea.sury sub.trend sub.tribe
          sub.type sub.unit sub.va.ri.ety sub.vas.sal sub.vis.i.ble
          sub.vi.su.al sub.world sub.writ.er sub.ze.ro sub.zone

   [1]sub
          [sub] n (1830): substitute [2]sub vb subbed ; sub.bing vi
          (1853): to act as a substitute ~ vt 1 Brit: to read and
          edit as a copy editor: subedit 2: subcontract 1 [3]sub
          n (1916): submarine

   sub
          [sub] abbreviation subaltern, subscription, subtract, suburb

   subacid
          [sub.ac.id] adj [L subacidus, fr. sub- + acidus acid] (1765):
          somewhat acrimonious: cutting <~ comments> -- sub.ac.id.ly
          adv -- sub.ac.id.ness n

   subacute
          [sub.acute] adj (1822) 1: having a tapered but not sharply
          pointed form <~ leaves> 2 a: falling between acute and
          chronic in character esp. when closer to acute <~ endocarditis>
          b: less marked in severity or duration than a corresponding
          acute state <~ pain> -- sub.acute.ly adv

   subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
          [subacute sclerosing pan.en.ceph.a.li.tis] n [panencephalitis
          fr. NL, fr. pan- + encephalitis] (1950): a central nervous
          system disease of children and young adults caused by
          infection of the brain by measles virus or a closely
          related virus and marked by intellectual deterioration,
          convulsions, and paralysis

   subadult
          [sub.adult] n (1923): an individual that has passed through
          the juvenile period but not yet attained typical adult
          characteristics -- subadult adj

   subaerial
          [sub.aer.i.al] adj (1833): situated, formed, or occurring
          on or immediately adjacent to the surface of the earth
          <~ erosion> <~ roots> -- sub.aer.i.al.ly adv

   subahdar
          [su.bah.dar] or su.ba.dar n [Per subadar] (1698) 1: a governor
          of a province 2: the chief Indian officer of a company
          of Indian troops in the British army of India

   subalpine
          [sub.al.pine] adj (ca. 1656) 1: of or relating to the region
          about the foot and lower slopes of the Alps 2: of, relating
          to, or inhabiting high upland slopes and esp. the zone
          just below the timberline

   [1]subaltern
          [sub.al.tern] adj [LL subalternus, fr. L sub- + alternus
          alternate, fr. alter other (of two)--more at alter] (1570)
          1: particular with reference to a related universal proposition
          <"some S is P" is a ~ proposition to "all S is P"> 2:
          subordinate [2]subaltern n (1605) 1: a person holding
          a subordinate position; specif: a junior officer (as
          in the British army) 2: a particular proposition that
          follows immediately from a universal

   subantarctic
          [sub.ant.arc.tic] adj (1875): of, relating to, characteristic
          of, or being a region just outside the antarctic circle

   subapical
          [sub.api.cal] adj (1846): situated below or near an apex

   subaquatic
          [sub.aquat.ic] adj [ISV] (1844): somewhat aquatic <a marginal
          ~ flora>

   subaqueous
          [sub.aque.ous] adj (1677): existing, formed, or taking place
          in or under water

   subarachnoid
          [sub.arach.noid] also sub.arach.noid.al adj (1843): of, relating
          to, occurring, or situated under the arachnoid membrane
          <~ hemorrhage>

   subarctic
          [sub.arc.tic] adj [ISV] (1854): of, relating to, characteristic
          of, or being regions immediately outside of the arctic
          circle or regions similar to these in climate or conditions
          of life -- subarctic n

   subassembly
          [sub.as.sem.bly] n (1919): an assembled unit designed to
          be incorporated with other units in a finished product

   subatmospheric
          [sub.at.mo.spher.ic] adj (1941): less or lower than that
          of the atmosphere <~ pressure>

   subatomic
          [sub.atom.ic] adj (1903) 1: of or relating to the inside
          of the atom 2: of, relating to, or being particles smaller
          than atoms

   subaudition
          [sub.au.di.tion] n [LL subaudition-, subauditio, fr. subaudire
          to understand, fr. L sub- + audire to hear--more at audible]
          (1798): the act of understanding or supplying something
          not expressed: a reading between the lines

   subbase
          [sub.base] n (1826): underlying support placed below what
          is normally construed as a base: as a: the lowest member
          horizontally of an architectural base or of a baseboard
          or pedestal b: pervious fill (as crushed stone) placed
          under a roadbed

   subbituminous
          [sub.bi.tu.mi.nous] adj (1908): of, relating to, or being
          coal of lower rank than bituminous coal but higher than
          lignite

   subcabinet
          [sub.cab.i.net] adj (1954): of, relating to, or being a high
          administrative position in the U.S. government that ranks
          below the cabinet level

   subcapsular
          [sub.cap.su.lar] adj (1889): situated or occurring beneath
          or within a capsule <~ cataracts>

   subcellular
          [sub.cel.lu.lar] adj (1948): of less than cellular scope
          or level of organization <~ particles> <~ studies>

   subcenter
          [sub.cen.ter] n (ca. 1925): a secondary center; esp: a center
          (as for shopping) located outside the main business area
          of a city

   subcentral
          [sub.cen.tral] adj (1822) 1: nearly but not quite central
          2: located under a center -- sub.cen.tral.ly adv

   subchaser
          [sub.chas.er] n (ca. 1918): a small maneuverable patrol or
          escort vessel used for antisubmarine warfare

   subclass
          [sub.class] n (1819): a primary division of a class: as a:
          a category in biological classification ranking below
          a class and above an order b: subset

   subclassification
          [sub.clas.si.fi.ca.tion] n (1873) 1: a primary division of
          a classification 2: arrangement into or assignment to
          subclassifications -- sub.clas.si.fy vt

   [1]subclavian
          [sub.cla.vi.an] adj [NL subclavius, fr. sub- + clavicula
          clavicle] (1646): of, relating to, being, or performed
          on a part (as an artery, vein, or nerve) located under
          the clavicle <~ angioplasty> [2]subclavian n (1719):
          a subclavian part (as an artery, vein, or nerve)

   subclavian artery
          [subclavian artery] n (1688): the proximal part of the main
          artery of the arm or forelimb

   subclavian vein
          [subclavian vein] n (1770): the proximal part of the main
          vein of the arm or forelimb

   subclimax
          [sub.cli.max] n (1916): a stage or community in an ecological
          succession immediately preceding a climax; esp: one held
          in relative stability throughout edaphic or biotic influences
          or by fire

   subclinical
          [sub.clin.i.cal] adj (ca. 1935): not detectable or producing
          effects that are not detectable by the usual clinical
          tests <a ~ infection> <~ cancer> -- sub.clin.i.cal.ly
          adv

   subcommittee
          [sub.com.mit.tee] n (ca. 1607): a subdivision of a committee
          usu. organized for a specific purpose

   subcommunity
          [sub.com.mu.ni.ty] n (1966): a distinct grouping within a
          community

   subcompact
          [sub.com.pact] n (1967): an automobile smaller than a compact

   [1]subconscious
          [sub.con.scious] adj (ca. 1834): existing in the mind but
          not immediately available to consciousness <a ~ motive>
          -- sub.con.scious.ly adv -- sub.con.scious.ness n [2]subconscious
          n (1886): the mental activities just below the threshold
          of consciousness

   subcontinent
          [sub.con.ti.nent] n (1863): a large landmass smaller than
          a continent; esp: a major subdivision of a continent
          <the Indian ~> -- sub.con.ti.nen.tal adj

   [1]subcontract
          [sub.con.tract] n (1817): a contract between a party to an
          original contract and a third party; esp: one to provide
          all or a specified part of the work or materials required
          in the original contract [2]sub.con.tract vi (1842):
          to let out or undertake work under a subcontract ~ vt
          1: to engage a third party to perform under a subcontract
          all or part of (work included in an original contract)--sometimes
          used with out 2: to undertake (work) under a subcontract

   subcontractor
          [sub.con.trac.tor] n (1842): an individual or business firm
          contracting to perform part or all of another's contract

   subcontraoctave
          [sub.con.tra.oc.tave] n (ca. 1901): the musical octave that
          begins on the fourth C below middle C--see pitch illustration

   subcontrary
          [sub.con.trary] n (1685): a proposition so related to another
          that though both may be true they cannot both be false
          -- subcontrary adj

   subcool
          [sub.cool] vt (1916): supercool

   subcortical
          [sub.cor.ti.cal] adj (1887): of, relating to, involving,
          or being nerve centers below the cerebral cortex <~ lesions>

   subcritical
          [sub.crit.i.cal] adj (1930) 1: less or lower than critical
          in respect to a specified factor 2 a: of insufficient
          size to sustain a chain reaction <a ~ mass of fissionable
          material> b: designed for use with fissionable material
          of subcritical mass <a ~ reactor>

   subcrustal
          [sub.crust.al] adj (1897): situated or occurring below a
          crust and esp. the crust of the earth

   subculture
          [sub.cul.ture] n (1886) 1 a: a culture (as of bacteria) derived
          from another culture b: an act or instance of producing
          a subculture 2: an ethnic, regional, economic, or social
          group exhibiting characteristic patterns of behavior
          sufficient to distinguish it from others within an embracing
          culture or society <a criminal ~> -- sub.cul.tur.al adj
          -- sub.cul.tur.al.ly adv -- subculture vt

   subcutaneous
          [sub.cu.ta.ne.ous] adj [LL subcutaneus, fr. L sub- + cutis
          skin--more at hide] (1651): being, living, used, or made
          under the skin <~ parasites> -- sub.cu.ta.ne.ous.ly adv

   subcutis
          [sub.cu.tis] n [NL, fr. LL, beneath the skin, fr. L sub-
          + cutis] (1900): the deeper part of the dermis

   subdeacon
          [sub.dea.con] n [ME subdecon, fr. LL subdiaconus, fr. L sub-
          + LL diaconus deacon--more at deacon] (14c): a cleric
          ranking below a deacon: as a: a cleric in the lowest
          of the former major orders of the Roman Catholic Church
          b: an Eastern Orthodox or Armenian cleric in minor orders
          c: a clergyman performing the liturgical duties of a
          subdeacon

   subdeb
          [sub.deb] n (1917): subdebutante

   subdebutante
          [sub.deb.u.tante] n (1919): a young girl who is about to
          become a debutante; broadly: a girl in her middle teens

   subdermal
          [sub.der.mal] adj (1887): subcutaneous -- sub.der.mal.ly
          adv

   subdivide
          [sub.di.vide] vb [ME, fr. LL subdividere, fr. L sub- + dividere
          to divide] vt (15c) 1: to divide the parts of into more
          parts 2: to divide into several parts; esp: to divide
          (a tract of land) into building lots ~ vi: to separate
          or become separated into subdivisions -- sub.di.vid.able
          adj -- sub.di.vid.er n

   subdivision
          [sub.di.vi.sion] n (15c) 1: an act or instance of subdividing
          2: something produced by subdividing; esp: a tract of
          land surveyed and divided into lots for purposes of sale
          3: a category in botanical classification ranking below
          a division and above a class

   subdominant
          [sub.dom.i.nant] n (1793) 1: the fourth tone of a diatonic
          scale 2: something partly but incompletely dominant;
          esp: an ecologically important life form subordinate
          in influence to the dominants of a community -- subdominant
          adj

   subduction
          [sub.duc.tion] n [LL subduction-, subductio withdrawal, fr.
          L subducere to withdraw, fr. sub- + ducere to draw--more
          at tow] (1970): the action or process of the edge of
          one crustal plate descending below the edge of another
          -- sub.duct vb

   subdue
          [sub.due] vt sub.dued ; sub.du.ing [ME sodewen, subduen (influenced
          in form and meaning by L subdere to subject), fr. MF soduire
          to seduce (influenced in meaning by L seducere to seduce), fr.
          L subducere] (14c) 1: to conquer and bring into subjection:
          vanquish 2: to bring under control esp. by an exertion of the will:
          curb <subdued my foolish fears> 3: to bring under cultivation
          4: to reduce the intensity or degree of: tone down syn see conquer
          -- sub.du.er n

   subdued
          [sub.dued] adj (1591): lacking in vitality, intensity, or
          strength <~ colors> -- sub.dued.ly adv

   subdural
          [sub.dur.al] adj [sub- + dura (mater)] (1875): situated or
          occurring beneath the dura mater or between the dura
          mater and the arachnoid membrane <~ space> <~ hematomas>

   subeditor
          [sub.ed.i.tor] n (1835) chiefly Brit: copy editor -- sub.ed.it
          vt, chiefly Brit -- sub.ed.i.to.ri.al adj, chiefly Brit

   subemployed
          [sub.em.ployed] adj (1967): underemployed

   subemployment
          [sub.em.ploy.ment] n (1967): a condition of inadequate employment
          in a labor force including unemployment and underemployment

   subentry
          [sub.en.try] n (ca. 1891): an entry (as in a catalog or an
          account) made under a more general entry

   subepidermal
          [sub.epi.der.mal] adj (1853): lying beneath or constituting
          the innermost part of the epidermis

   suberin
          [su.ber.in] n [F suberine, fr. L suber cork tree, cork] (1830):
          a complex fatty substance found esp. in the cell walls
          of cork

   suberization
          [su.ber.i.za.tion] n (1882): conversion of the cell walls
          into corky tissue by infiltration with suberin -- su.ber.ized
          adj

   subfamily
          [sub.fam.i.ly] n [ISV] (1833) 1: a category in biological
          classification ranking below a family and above a genus
          2: a subgroup of languages within a language family

   subfield
          [sub.field] n (ca. 1949) 1: a subset of a mathematical field
          that is itself a field 2: a subdivision of a field (as
          of study)

   subfloor
          [sub.floor] n (1893): a rough floor laid as a base for a
          finished floor

   subfossil
          [sub.fos.sil] adj [ISV] (1832): of less than typical fossil
          age but partially fossilized -- subfossil n

   subfreezing
          [sub.freez.ing] adj (1949): being or marked by temperature
          below the freezing point (as of water) <~ weather>

   subfusc
          [sub.fusc] adj [L subfuscus brownish, dusky, fr. sub- + fuscus
          dark brown--more at dusk] (1710) chiefly Brit: drab,
          dusky

   subgenus
          [sub.ge.nus] n [NL] (1813): a category in biological classification
          ranking below a genus and above a species

   subglacial
          [sub.gla.cial] adj (1820): of or relating to the bottom of
          a glacier or the area immediately underlying a glacier
          -- sub.gla.cial.ly adv

   subgrade
          [sub.grade] n (1898): a surface of earth or rock leveled
          off to receive a foundation (as of a road)

   subgraph
          [sub.graph] n (1963): a graph all of whose points and lines
          are contained in a larger graph

   subgroup
          [sub.group] n (1845) 1: a subordinate group whose members
          usu. share some common differential quality 2: a subset
          of a mathematical group that is itself a group

   subgum
          [sub.gum] n [Chin (Guangdong) sahp-gam, lit., assorted, mixed]
          (1938): a dish of Chinese origin prepared with a mixture
          of vegetables (as peppers, water chestnuts, and mushrooms)

   subhead
          [sub.head] n (1673) 1: a heading of a subdivision (as in
          an outline) 2: a subordinate caption, title, or headline

   subheading
          [sub.head.ing] n (1889): subhead

   [1]subhuman
          [sub.hu.man] adj (1793): less than human: as a: failing to
          attain the level (as of morality or intelligence) associated
          with normal human beings b: unsuitable to or unfit for
          human beings <~ living conditions> c: of or relating
          to an infrahuman taxonomic group <the ~ primates> [2]subhuman
          n (1937): a subhuman being

   subindex
          [sub.in.dex] n (1923): an index to a division of a main
          classification

   subinfeudation
          [sub.in.feu.da.tion] n [sub- + infeudation enfeoffment] (ca.
          1730): the subdivision of a feudal estate by a vassal
          who in turn becomes feudal lord over his tenants -- sub.in.feu.date
          vt

   subinterval
          [sub.in.ter.val] n (1927): an interval that is a subdivision
          or a subset of an interval

   subirrigation
          [sub.ir.ri.ga.tion] n (1880): irrigation below the surface
          (as by a periodic rise of the water table or by a system
          of underground porous pipes) -- sub.ir.ri.gate vt

   subito
          [su.bi.to] adv [It, fr. L, suddenly, fr. subitus sudden--more
          at sudden] (ca. 1724): immediately, suddenly--used as
          a direction in music

   subj
          [subj] abbreviation subject, subjunctive

   subjacency
          [sub.ja.cen.cy] n (ca. 1891): the quality or state of being
          subjacent

   subjacent
          [sub.ja.cent] adj [L subjacent-, subjacens, prp. of subjacere
          to lie under, fr. sub- + jacere to lie--more at adjacent]
          (1597): lying under or below; also: lower than though
          not directly below <hills and ~ valleys> -- sub.ja.cent.ly
          adv

   [1]subject
          [sub.ject] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L subjectus one under authority
          & subjectum subject of a proposition, fr. masc. & neut.
          respectively of subjectus, pp. of subicere to subject,
          lit., to throw under, fr. sub- + jacere to throw--more
          at jet] (14c) 1: one that is placed under authority or
          control: as a: vassal b (1): one subject to a monarch
          and governed by the monarch's law (2): one who lives
          in the territory of, enjoys the protection of, and owes
          allegiance to a sovereign power or state 2 a: that of
          which a quality, attribute, or relation may be affirmed
          or in which it may inhere b: substratum; esp: material
          or essential substance c: the mind, ego, or agent of
          whatever sort that sustains or assumes the form of thought
          or consciousness 3 a: a department of knowledge or learning
          b: motive, cause c (1): one that is acted on <the helpless
          ~ of their cruelty> (2): an individual whose reactions
          or responses are studied (3): a dead body for anatomical
          study and dissection d (1): something concerning which
          something is said or done <the ~ of the essay> (2): something
          represented or indicated in a work of art e (1): the
          term of a logical proposition that denotes the entity
          of which something is affirmed or denied; also: the entity
          denoted (2): a word or word group denoting that of which
          something is predicated f: the principal melodic phrase
          on which a musical composition or movement is based syn
          see citizen -- sub.ject.less adj [2]subject adj (14c)
          1: owing obedience or allegiance to the power or dominion
          of another 2 a: suffering a particular liability or exposure
          <~ to temptation> b: having a tendency or inclination:
          prone <~ to colds> 3: contingent on or under the influence
          of some later action <the plan is ~ to discussion> syn
          see liable [3]sub.ject vt (14c) 1 a: to bring under control
          or dominion: subjugate b: to make (as oneself) amenable
          to the discipline and control of a superior 2: to make
          liable: predispose 3: to cause or force to undergo or
          endure (something unpleasant, inconvenient, or trying)
          <was ~ed to constant verbal abuse> -- sub.jec.tion n

   [1]subjective
          [sub.jec.tive] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          a subject: as a obs: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of one that is a subject esp. in lack of freedom of action
          or in submissiveness b: being or relating to a grammatical
          subject; esp: nominative 2: of or relating to the essential
          being of that which has substance, qualities, attributes,
          or relations 3 a: characteristic of or belonging to reality
          as perceived rather than as independent of mind:
          phenomenal--compare objective 1b b: relating to or being experience
          or knowledge as conditioned by personal mental characteristics
          or states 4 a (1): peculiar to a particular individual: personal
          <~ judgments> (2): modified or affected by personal views,
          experience, or background <a ~ account of the incident> b: arising
          from conditions within the brain or sense organs and not directly
          caused by external stimuli <~ sensations> c: arising out
          of or identified by means of one's perception of one's own states
          and processes <a ~ symptom of disease>--compare objective
          1c 5: lacking in reality or substance: illusory -- sub.jec.tive.ly
          adv -- sub.jec.tive.ness n -- sub.jec.tiv.i.ty n [2]subjective
          n (1817): something that is subjective; also: nominative

   subjective complement
          [subjective complement] n (1923): a grammatical complement
          relating to the subject of an intransitive verb (as sick
          in "he had fallen sick")

   subjectivise
          [sub.jec.tiv.ise] Brit var of subjectivize

   subjectivism
          [sub.jec.tiv.ism] n (ca. 1857) 1 a: a theory that limits
          knowledge to subjective experience b: a theory that stresses
          the subjective elements in experience 2 a: a doctrine
          that the supreme good is the realization of a subjective
          experience or feeling (as pleasure) b: a doctrine that
          individual feeling or apprehension is the ultimate criterion
          of the good and the right -- sub.jec.tiv.ist n
          -- sub.jec.tiv.is.tic adj

   subjectivize
          [sub.jec.tiv.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1868): to make subjective
          -- sub.jec.tiv.i.za.tion n

   subject matter
          [subject matter] n (1598): matter presented for consideration
          in discussion, thought, or study

   subjoin
          [sub.join] vt [MF subjoindre, fr. L subjungere to join beneath,
          add, fr. sub- + jungere to join--more at yoke] (1573):
          annex, append <~ed a statement of expenses to her report>

   sub judice
          [sub ju.di.ce] adv [L] (1613): before a judge or court: not
          yet judicially decided

   subjugate
          [sub.ju.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [ME, fr. L subjugatus,
          pp. of subjugare, fr. sub- + jugum yoke--more at yoke]
          (15c) 1: to bring under control and governance as a subject:
          conquer 2: to make submissive: subdue -- sub.ju.ga.tion
          n -- sub.ju.ga.tor n

   subjunction
          [sub.junc.tion] n (1633) 1: an act of subjoining or the state
          of being subjoined 2: something subjoined

   [1]subjunctive
          [sub.junc.tive] adj [LL subjunctivus, fr. L subjunctus, pp.
          of subjungere to join beneath, subordinate] (1530): of,
          relating to, or constituting a verb form or set of verb
          forms that represents a denoted act or state not as fact
          but as contingent or possible or viewed emotionally (as
          with doubt or desire) <the ~ mood> [2]subjunctive n (1622)
          1: the subjunctive mood of a language 2: a form of verb
          or verbal in the subjective mood

   subkingdom
          [sub.king.dom] n (1825): a category in biological classification
          ranking below a kingdom and above a phylum

   sublate
          [sub.late] vt sub.lat.ed ; sub.lat.ing [L sublatus (pp. of
          tollere to take away, lift up), fr. sub- up + latus,
          pp. of ferre to carry--more at sub-, tolerate, bear]
          (1838) 1: negate, deny 2: to negate or eliminate (as
          an element in a dialectic process) but preserve as a
          partial element in a synthesis -- sub.la.tion n

   [1]sublease
          [sub.lease] n (1826): a lease by a tenant or lessee of part
          or all of leased premises to another person but with
          the original tenant retaining some right or interest
          under the original lease [2]sublease vt (ca. 1843): to
          make or obtain a sublease of

   [1]sublet
          [sub.let] vb -let ; -let.ting vt (1766) 1: sublease 2: subcontract
          1 ~ vi: to lease or rent all or part of a leased or rented property
          [2]sub.let n (1906): property and esp. housing obtained
          by or available through a sublease

   sublethal
          [sub.le.thal] adj (1895): less than but usu. only slightly
          less than lethal <a ~ dose> -- sub.le.thal.ly adv

   sublieutenant
          [sub.lieu.ten.ant] n (1804): a commissioned officer in the
          British navy ranking immediately below lieutenant

   [1]sublimate
          [sub.li.mate] vt -mat.ed ; -mat.ing [ME, fr. ML sublimatus,
          pp. of sublimare] (15c) 1 a: sublime 1 b archaic: to
          improve or refine as if by subliming 2: to divert the
          expression of (an instinctual desire or impulse) from
          its primitive form to one that is considered more socially
          or culturally acceptable -- sub.li.ma.tion n [2]sub.li.mate
          n (ca. 1626): a chemical product obtained by sublimation

   [1]sublime
          [sub.lime] vb sub.limed ; sub.lim.ing [ME, fr. MF sublimer,
          fr. ML sublimare to refine, sublime, fr. L, to elevate,
          fr. sublimis] vt (14c) 1: to cause to pass directly from
          the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid
          form 2 [F sublimer, fr. L sublimare] a (1): to elevate
          or exalt esp. in dignity or honor (2): to render finer
          (as in purity or excellence) b: to convert (something
          inferior) into something of higher worth ~ vi: to pass
          directly from the solid to the vapor state -- sub.lim.able
          adj -- sub.lim.er n [2]sublime adj sub.lim.er ; -est
          [L sublimis, lit., high, elevated] (1586) 1 a: lofty,
          grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner b:
          of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth
          c: tending to inspire awe usu. because of elevated quality
          (as of beauty, nobility, or grandeur) or transcendent
          excellence 2 a archaic: high in place b obs: lofty of
          mien: haughty c cap: supreme--used in a style of address
          d: complete, utter <~ ignorance> syn see splendid --
          sub.lime.ly adv -- sub.lime.ness n

   subliminal
          [sub.lim.i.nal] adj [sub- + L limin-, limen threshold] (1886)
          1: inadequate to produce a sensation or a perception
          2: existing or functioning below the threshold of consciousness
          <the ~ mind> <~ advertising> -- sub.lim.i.nal.ly adv

   sublimity
          [sub.lim.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: the quality or state
          of being sublime 2: something sublime or exalted

   subline
          [sub.line] n (1942): an inbred or selectively cultured line
          (as of cells) within a strain

   sublingual
          [sub.lin.gual] adj [NL sublingualis, fr. L sub- + lingua
          tongue--more at tongue] (1661): situated or administered
          under the tongue <~ tablets> <~ glands>

   subliterary
          [sub.lit.er.ary] adj (1936): relating to or being subliterature

   subliterature
          [sub.lit.er.a.ture] n (1952): popular writing (as mystery
          or adventure stories) considered inferior to standard
          literature

   [1]sublittoral
          [sub.lit.to.ral] adj (1846) 1: situated, occurring, or formed
          on the aquatic side of a shoreline or littoral zone 2:
          constituting the sublittoral [2]sublittoral n (ca. 1935):
          the deeper part of the littoral portion of a body of
          water: a: the region in a lake between the deepest-growing
          rooted vegetation and the part of the lake below the
          thermocline b: the region in an ocean between the lowest
          point exposed by a low tide and the margin of the continental
          shelf

   sublunary
          [sub.lu.na.ry] also sub.lu.nar adj [modif. of LL sublunaris,
          fr. L sub- + luna moon--more at lunar] (1592): of, relating
          to, or characteristic of the terrestrial world <dull
          ~ lovers --John Donne>

   subluxation
          [sub.lux.a.tion] n (ca. 1688): partial dislocation (as of
          one of the bones in a joint)

   submachine gun
          [sub.ma.chine gun] n (1920): a portable automatic firearm
          that uses pistol-type ammunition and is fired from the
          shoulder or hip

   [1]submandibular
          [sub.man.dib.u.lar] adj (1875) 1: of, relating to, situated
          in, or performed in the region below the lower jaw 2:
          of, relating to, or associated with the salivary glands
          inside of and near the lower edge of the mandible on
          each side [2]submandibular n (1974): a submandibular
          part (as an artery or bone)

   submarginal
          [sub.mar.gin.al] adj (1829) 1: adjacent to a margin or a
          marginal part or structure <~ spots on an insect wing>
          2: falling below a necessary minimum <~ economic conditions>

   [1]submarine
          [sub.ma.rine] adj (1648): underwater; esp: undersea <~ plants>
          <~ minerals> [2]submarine n (1703) 1: something that
          functions or operates underwater; specif: a naval vessel
          designed to operate underwater 2: a large sandwich on
          a long split roll with any of a variety of fillings (as
          meatballs or cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, and tomato)--called
          also grinder, hero, hoagie, Italian sandwich, poor boy,
          sub, torpedo [3]submarine vb -rined ; -rin.ing vt (1914):
          to attack by or as if by a submarine: attack from beneath
          ~ vi: to dive or slide under something

   submariner
          [sub.ma.ri.ner] n (1914): a member of a submarine crew

   submaxillary
          [sub.max.il.lary] adj or n (1787): submandibular

   submediant
          [sub.me.di.ant] n (1806): the sixth tone of a diatonic scale

   submerge
          [sub.merge] vb sub.merged ; sub.merg.ing [L submergere, fr.
          sub- + mergere to plunge--more at merge] vt (1611) 1:
          to put under water 2: to cover or overflow with water
          3: to make obscure or subordinate: suppress <personal
          lives submerged by professional responsibilities> ~ vi:
          to go under water -- sub.mer.gence n -- sub.merg.ible
          adj

   submerged
          [submerged] adj (1799) 1: covered with water 2: submersed
          b 3: sunk in poverty and misery <the ~ masses> <the ~
          tenth of the population> 4: hidden, suppressed <~ emotions>

   submerse
          [sub.merse] vt sub.mersed ; sub.mers.ing [L submersus, pp.
          of submergere] (1837): submerge -- sub.mer.sion n

   submersed
          [submersed] adj (ca. 1727): submerged: as a: covered with
          water b: growing or adapted to grow underwater <~ weeds>

   [1]submersible
          [sub.mers.ible] adj (1866): capable of being submerged
          [2]submersible n (1900): something that is submersible; esp: a usu.
          small underwater craft used esp. for deep-sea research

   submetacentric
          [sub.meta.cen.tric] adj (1962): having the centromere situated
          so that one chromosome is somewhat shorter than the other
          -- submetacentric n

   submicrogram
          [sub.mi.cro.gram] adj (1946): relating to or having a mass
          of less than one microgram <~ quantities of a chemical>

   submicron
          [sub.mi.cron] adj (1948) 1: being less than a micron in a
          (specified) measurement and esp. in diameter <a ~ particle>
          2: having or consisting of submicron particles <a ~ metal
          powder>

   submicroscopic
          [sub.mi.cro.scop.ic] adj [ISV] (1912) 1: too small to be
          seen in an ordinary light microscope 2: of, relating
          to, or dealing with the very minute <the ~ world> --
          sub.mi.cro.scop.i.cal.ly adv

   submillimeter
          [sub.mil.li.me.ter] adj (1955): being less than a millimeter
          in diameter or wavelength <a ~ particle> <a ~ radio wave>

   subminiature
          [sub.min.i.a.ture] adj [ISV] (1947): very small--used esp.
          of a very compact assembly of electronic equipment

   submiss
          [sub.miss] adj [L submissus, fr. pp. of submittere] (1570)
          archaic: submissive, humble

   submission
          [sub.mis.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L submission-, submissio
          act of lowering, fr. submittere] (14c) 1 a: a legal agreement
          to submit to the decision of arbitrators b: an act of
          submitting something (as for consideration or inspection);
          also: something submitted (as a manuscript) 2: the condition
          of being submissive, humble, or compliant 3: an act of
          submitting to the authority or control of another

   submissive
          [sub.mis.sive] adj (ca. 1586): submitting to others
          -- sub.mis.sive.ly adv -- sub.mis.sive.ness n

   submit
          [sub.mit] vb sub.mit.ted ; sub.mit.ting [ME submitten, fr.
          L submittere to lower, submit, fr. sub- + mittere to
          send] vt (14c) 1 a: to yield to governance or authority
          b: to subject to a condition, treatment, or operation
          <the metal was submitted to analysis> 2: to present or
          propose to another for review, consideration, or decision
          <~ a question to the court> <~ a bid on a contract> <~
          a report>; also: to deliver formally <submitted my resignation>
          3: to put forward as an opinion or contention <we ~ that
          the charge is not proved> ~ vi 1 a: to yield oneself
          to the authority or will of another: surrender b: to
          permit oneself to be subjected to something <had to ~
          to surgery> 2: to defer to or consent to abide by the
          opinion or authority of another syn see yield -- sub.mit.tal
          n

   submitochondrial
          [sub.mi.to.chon.dri.al] adj (1963): relating to, composed
          of, or being parts and esp. fragments of mitochondria
          <~ membranes> <~ particles>

   submucosa
          [sub.mu.co.sa] n [NL] (1885): a supporting layer of loose
          connective tissue directly under a mucous membrane --
          sub.mu.co.sal adj

   submultiple
          [sub.mul.ti.ple] n (1758): an exact divisor of a number <8
          is a ~ of 72>

   submunition
          [sub.mu.ni.tion] n (1975): any of a group of smaller weapons
          carried as a warhead by a missile or projectile and expelled
          as the carrier approaches its target

   subnormal
          [sub.nor.mal] adj [ISV] (ca. 1890) 1: lower or smaller than
          normal 2: having less of something and esp. of intelligence
          than is normal -- sub.nor.mal.i.ty n -- sub.nor.mal.ly
          adv

   subnuclear
          [sub.nu.cle.ar] adj (1937): of, relating to, or being a particle
          smaller than the atomic nucleus

   suboceanic
          [sub.oce.an.ic] adj (1858): situated, taking place, or formed
          beneath the ocean or its bottom <~ oil resources>

   suborbital
          [sub.or.bit.al] adj (ca. 1827) 1: situated beneath the eye
          or the orbit of the eye 2: being or involving less than
          one orbit (as of the earth or moon) <a spacecraft's ~
          flight>; also: intended for suborbital flight <a ~ rocket>

   suborder
          [sub.or.der] n (1826): a subdivision of an order <a soil
          ~>; esp: a taxonomic category ranking between an order
          and a family

   [1]subordinate
          [sub.or.di.nate] adj [ME subordinat, fr. ML subordinatus,
          pp. of subordinare to subordinate, fr. L sub- + ordinare
          to order--more at ordain] (15c) 1: placed in or occupying
          a lower class, rank, or position: inferior 2: submissive
          to or controlled by authority 3 a: of, relating to, or
          constituting a clause that functions as a noun, adjective,
          or adverb b: subordinating -- sub.or.di.nate.ly adv --
          sub.or.di.nate.ness n [2]subordinate n (1640): one that
          is subordinate [3]sub.or.di.nate vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing
          [ML subordinatus] (1597) 1: to make subject or subservient
          2: to treat as of less value or importance <stylist ...
          whose crystalline prose ~s content to form --Susan Heath>
          -- sub.or.di.na.tion n -- sub.or.di.na.tive adj

   subordinating
          [subordinating] adj (1857): introducing and linking a subordinate
          clause to a main clause <~ conjunction>

   subordinator
          [sub.or.di.na.tor] n (1959): one that subordinates; esp:
          a subordinating conjunction

   suborn
          [sub.orn] vt [MF suborner, fr. L subornare, fr. sub- secretly
          + ornare to furnish, equip--more at ornate] (1534) 1:
          to induce secretly to do an unlawful thing 2: to induce
          to commit perjury; also: to obtain (perjured testimony)
          from a witness -- sub.or.na.tion n -- sub.orn.er n

   subphylum
          [sub.phy.lum] n [NL] (ca. 1934): a category in biological
          classification ranking below a phylum and above a class

   subplot
          [sub.plot] n (1916) 1: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
          2: a subdivision of an experimental plot of land

   [1]subpoena
          [sub.poe.na] n [ME suppena, fr. L sub poena under penalty]
          (15c): a writ commanding a person designated in it to
          appear in court under a penalty for failure [2]subpoena
          vt -naed ; -na.ing (1640): to serve or summon with a
          writ of subpoena

   subpoena ad testificandum
          [subpoena ad tes.ti.fi.can.dum] n [NL, under penalty to give
          testimony] (ca. 1769): a writ commanding a person to
          appear in court to testify as a witness

   subpoena duces tecum
          [subpoena du.ces te.cum] n [NL, under penalty you shall bring
          with you] (1768): a writ commanding a person to produce
          in court certain designated documents or evidence

   subpolar
          [sub.po.lar] adj (1826): subantarctic, subarctic

   subpopulation
          [sub.pop.u.la.tion] n (1944): an identifiable fraction or
          subdivision of a population

   subpotent
          [sub.po.tent] adj (ca. 1909): less potent than normal <~
          drugs> -- sub.po.ten.cy n

   subprincipal
          [sub.prin.ci.pal] n (1597) 1: an assistant principal (as
          of a school) 2: a secondary or bracing rafter

   subproblem
          [sub.prob.lem] n (1906): a problem that is contingent on
          or forms a part of another more inclusive problem

   subprofessional
          [sub.pro.fes.sion.al] adj (1941): functioning or qualified
          to function below the professional level but distinctly
          above the clerical or labor level and usu. under the
          supervision of a professionally trained person -- subprofessional
          n

   subprogram
          [sub.pro.gram] n (1947): a semi-independent portion of a
          program (as for a computer)

   subregion
          [sub.re.gion] n [ISV] (1864) 1: a subdivision of a region
          2: one of the primary divisions of a biogeographic region
          -- sub.re.gion.al adj

   subreption
          [sub.rep.tion] n [LL subreption-, subreptio, fr. L, act of
          stealing, fr. subripere, surripere to take away secretly--more
          at surreptitious] (1600): a deliberate misrepresentation;
          also: an inference drawn from it -- sub.rep.ti.tious
          adj -- sub.rep.ti.tious.ly adv

   subring
          [sub.ring] n (1937): a subset of a mathematical ring which
          is itself a ring

   subrogate
          [sub.ro.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [ME, fr. L subrogatus,
          pp. of subrogare, surrogare--more at surrogate] (15c):
          to put in the place of another; esp: to substitute (as
          a second creditor) for another with regard to a legal
          right or claim

   subrogation
          [sub.ro.ga.tion] n (15c): the act of subrogating; specif:
          the assumption by a third party (as a second creditor
          or an insurance company) of another's legal right to
          collect a debt or damages

   sub-rosa
          [sub-rosa] adj (1654): secretive, private

   sub rosa
          [sub ro.sa] adv [NL, lit., under the rose; fr. the ancient
          association of the rose with secrecy] (1923): in confidence:
          secretly

   subroutine
          [sub.rou.tine] n [ISV] (ca. 1946): a subordinate routine;
          specif: a sequence of computer instructions for performing
          a specified task that can be used repeatedly

   sub-Saharan
          [sub-Sa.ha.ran] adj (1955): of, relating to, or being the
          part of Africa south of the Sahara

   [1]subsample
          [sub.sam.ple] vt (ca. 1899): to draw samples from (a previously
          selected group or population): sample a sample of [2]subsample
          n (ca. 1899): a sample or specimen obtained by subsampling

   subsatellite
          [sub.sat.el.lite] n (1956): an object carried into orbit
          in and subsequently released from a satellite or spacecraft

   subscribe
          [sub.scribe] vb sub.scribed ; sub.scrib.ing [ME, fr. L subscribere,
          lit., to write beneath, fr. sub- + scribere to write--more
          at scribe] vt (15c) 1: to write (one's name) underneath: sign
          2 a: to sign (as a document) with one's own hand in token
          of consent or obligation b: to attest by signing c: to pledge
          (a gift or contribution) by writing one's name with the amount
          3: to assent to: support ~ vi 1: to sign one's name to a document
          2 a: to give consent or approval to something written by signing
          <unwilling to ~ to the agreement> b: to set one's name to a paper
          in token of promise to give something (as a sum of money); also:
          to give something in accordance with such a promise c: to enter
          one's name for a publication or service; also: to receive
          a periodical or service regularly on order d: to agree to purchase
          and pay for securities esp. of a new offering <subscribed for 1000
          shares> 3: to feel favorably disposed <I ~ to your sentiments> syn
          see assent -- sub.scrib.er n

   subscript
          [sub.script] n [L subscriptus, pp. of subscribere] (1895):
          a distinguishing symbol (as a letter or numeral) written
          immediately below or below and to the right or left of
          another character -- subscript adj

   subscription
          [sub.scrip.tion] n [ME subscripcioun signature, fr. L
          subscription-, subscriptio, fr. subscribere] (15c) 1 a: the act
          of signing one's name (as in attesting or witnessing a document)
          b: the acceptance (as of ecclesiastical articles of faith) attested
          by the signing of one's name 2: something that is subscribed:
          as a: an autograph signature; also: a paper to which a signature
          is attached b: a sum subscribed or pledged 3: an arrangement for
          providing, receiving, or making use of something of a continuing
          or periodic nature on a prepayment plan: as a: a purchase
          by prepayment for a certain number of issues (as of a periodical)
          b: application to purchase securities of a new issue c: a method
          of offering or presenting a series of public performances d Brit:
          membership dues

   subscription TV
          [subscription TV] n (1953): pay-TV that broadcasts programs
          directly over the air to customers provided with a special
          receiver--called also subscription television--compare
          pay-cable, pay-tv

   subsection
          [sub.sec.tion] n (1621) 1: a subdivision or a subordinate
          division of a section 2: a subordinate part or branch

   [1]subsequence
          [sub.se.quence] n (ca. 1500): the quality or state of being
          subsequent; also: a subsequent event [2]sub.se.quence
          n (1908): a mathematical sequence that is part of another
          sequence

   subsequent
          [sub.se.quent] adj [ME, fr. L subsequent-, subsequens, prp.
          of subsequi to follow close, fr. sub- near + sequi to
          follow--more at sub-, sue] (15c): following in time,
          order, or place -- subsequent n -- sub.se.quent.ly adv

   subsequent to
          [subsequent to] prep (1647): at a time later or more recent
          than: since

   subserve
          [sub.serve] vt [L subservire to serve, be subservient, fr.
          sub- + servire to serve] (1661) 1: to promote the welfare
          or purposes of 2: to serve as an instrument or means
          in carrying out

   subservience
          [sub.ser.vi.ence] n (ca. 1676) 1: a subservient or subordinate
          place or function 2: obsequious servility

   subserviency
          [sub.ser.vi.en.cy] n (1651): subservience

   subservient
          [sub.ser.vi.ent] adj [L subservient-, subserviens, prp. of
          subservire] (1632) 1: serving to promote some end 2:
          useful in an inferior capacity: subordinate 3: obsequiously
          submissive: truckling -- sub.ser.vi.ent.ly adv syn subservient,
          servile, slavish, obsequious mean showing or characterized
          by extreme compliance or abject obedience. subservient
          implies the cringing manner of one very conscious of
          a subordinate position <domestic help was expected to
          be properly subservient>. servile suggests the mean or
          fawning behavior of a slave <a political boss and his
          entourage of servile hangers-on>. slavish suggests abject
          or debased servility <the slavish status of migrant farm
          workers>. obsequious implies fawning or sycophantic compliance
          and exaggerated deference of manner <waiters who are
          obsequious in the presence of celebrities>.

   subset
          [sub.set] n (1902): a set each of whose elements is an element
          of an inclusive set

   subshrub
          [sub.shrub] n (1851): a perennial plant having woody stems
          except for the terminal part of the new growth which
          is killed back annually; also: a low shrub

   subside
          [sub.side] vi sub.sid.ed ; sub.sid.ing [L subsidere, fr.
          sub- + sidere to sit down, sink; akin to L sedere to
          sit--more at sit] (1607) 1: to sink or fall to the bottom:
          settle 2: to tend downward: descend; esp: to flatten
          out so as to form a depression 3: to let oneself settle
          down: sink <subsided into a chair> 4: to become quiet
          or less <as the fever ~s> <my anger subsided> syn see
          abate -- sub.si.dence n

   subsidiarity
          [sub.sid.i.ar.i.ty] n (1936) 1: the quality or state of being
          subsidiary 2: a principle in social organization: functions
          which subordinate or local organizations perform effectively
          belong more properly to them than to a dominant central
          organization

   [1]subsidiary
          [sub.sid.i.ary] adj [L subsidiarius, fr. subsidium reserve
          troops] (1543) 1 a: furnishing aid or support: auxiliary
          <~ details> b: of secondary importance <a ~ stream> 2:
          of, relating to, or constituting a subsidy <a ~ payment
          to an ally> -- sub.sid.i.ari.ly adv [2]subsidiary n,
          pl -ar.ies (1603): one that is subsidiary; esp: a company
          wholly controlled by another

   subsidise
          [sub.si.dise] Brit var of subsidize

   subsidize
          [sub.si.dize] vt -dized ; -diz.ing (1795): to furnish with
          a subsidy: as a: to purchase the assistance of by payment
          of a subsidy b: to aid or promote (as a private enterprise)
          with public money <~ soybean farmers> <~ public transportation>
          -- sub.si.di.za.tion n -- sub.si.diz.er n

   subsidy
          [sub.si.dy] n, pl -dies [ME, fr. L subsidium reserve troops,
          support, assistance, fr. sub- near + sedere to sit--more
          at sub-, sit] (14c): a grant or gift of money: as a:
          a sum of money formerly granted by the British Parliament
          to the crown and raised by special taxation b: money
          granted by one state to another c: a grant by a government
          to a private person or company to assist an enterprise
          deemed advantageous to the public

   subsist
          [sub.sist] vb [LL subsistere to exist, fr. L, to come to
          a halt, remain, fr. sub- + sistere to come to a stand;
          akin to L stare to stand--more at stand] vi (1549) 1
          a: to have existence: be b: persist, continue 2: to have
          or acquire the necessities of life (as food and clothing);
          esp: to nourish oneself <~ing on roots, berries and grubs>
          3 a: to hold true b: to be logically conceivable as the
          subject of true statements ~ vt: to support with provisions

   subsistence
          [sub.sis.tence] n [ME, fr. LL subsistentia, fr. subsistent-,
          subsistens, prp. of subsistere] (15c) 1 a (1): real being:
          existence (2): the condition of remaining in existence:
          continuation, persistence b: an essential characteristic
          quality of something that exists c: the character possessed
          by whatever is logically conceivable 2: means of subsisting:
          as a: the minimum (as of food and shelter) necessary
          to support life b: a source or means of obtaining the
          necessities of life -- sub.sis.tent adj

   subsistence farming
          [subsistence farming] n (1939) 1: farming or a system of
          farming that provides all or almost all the goods required
          by the farm family usu. without any significant surplus
          for sale 2: farming or a system of farming that produces
          a minimum and often inadequate return to the farmer--called
          also subsistence agriculture -- subsistence farmer n

   subsocial
          [sub.so.cial] adj (ca. 1909): incompletely social; esp: tending
          to associate gregariously but lacking fixed or complex
          social organization <~ insects>

   [1]subsoil
          [sub.soil] n (1799): the stratum of weathered material that
          underlies the surface soil [2]subsoil vt (1840): to turn,
          break, or stir the subsoil of -- sub.soil.er n

   subsolar point
          [sub.so.lar point] n (ca. 1908): the point on the surface
          of the earth or a planet at which the sun is at the zenith

   subsonic
          [sub.son.ic] adj [ISV] (1937) 1: of, relating to, or being
          a speed less than that of sound in air 2: moving, capable
          of moving, or utilizing air currents moving at a subsonic
          speed 3: infrasonic 1 -- sub.son.i.cal.ly adv

   subspace
          [sub.space] n (1927): a subset of a space; esp: one that
          has the essential properties (as those of a vector space
          or topological space) of the including space

   sub specie aeternitatis
          [sub spe.cie ae.ter.ni.ta.tis] adv [NL, lit., under the aspect
          of eternity] (1895): in its essential or universal form
          or nature

   subspecies
          [sub.spe.cies] n [NL] (1699): a subdivision of a species:
          as a: a category in biological classification that ranks
          immediately below a species and designates a population
          of a particular geographical region genetically distinguishable
          from other such populations of the same species and capable
          of interbreeding successfully with them where its range
          overlaps theirs b: a named subdivision (as a race or
          variety) of a taxonomic species c: subgroup 1 <~ of economy
          fares --Michael DiPaola> -- sub.spe.cif.ic adj

   substage
          [sub.stage] n (1888): an attachment to a microscope by means
          of which accessories (as mirrors, diaphragms, or condensers)
          are held in place beneath the stage of the instrument

   substance
          [sub.stance] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L substantia, fr. substant-,
          substans, prp. of substare to stand under, fr. sub- +
          stare to stand--more at stand] (14c) 1 a: essential nature:
          essence b: a fundamental or characteristic part or quality
          c Christian Science: god 1b 2 a: ultimate reality that
          underlies all outward manifestations and change b: practical
          importance: meaning, usefulness <the ... bill--which
          will be without ~ in the sense that it will authorize
          nothing more than a set of ideas --Richard Reeves> 3
          a: physical material from which something is made or
          which has discrete existence b: matter of particular
          or definite chemical constitution c: something (as drugs
          or alcoholic beverages) deemed harmful and usu. subject
          to legal restriction <possession of a controlled ~> <has
          a ~ problem> 4: material possessions: property <a family
          of ~> -- sub.stance.less adj -- in substance : in respect
          to essentials: fundamentally

   substance abuse
          [substance abuse] n (1982): excessive use of a drug (as alcohol,
          narcotics, or cocaine): use of a drug without medical
          justification -- substance abuser n

   substance P
          [substance P] n (1934): a neuropeptide that consists of 11
          amino-acid residues, that is widely distributed in the
          brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, and
          that acts across nerve synapses to produce prolonged
          postsynaptic excitation

   substandard
          [sub.stan.dard] adj (1897): deviating from or falling short
          of a standard or norm: as a: of a quality lower than
          that prescribed by law b: conforming to a pattern of
          linguistic usage existing within a speech community but
          not that of the prestige group in that community c: constituting
          a greater than normal risk to an insurer

   substantial
          [sub.stan.tial] adj (14c) 1 a: consisting of or relating
          to substance b: not imaginary or illusory: real, true
          c: important, essential 2: ample to satisfy and nourish:
          full <a ~ meal> 3 a: possessed of means: well-to-do b:
          considerable in quantity: significantly great <earned
          a ~ wage> 4: firmly constructed: sturdy 5: being largely
          but not wholly that which is specified <a ~ lie> -- substantial
          n -- sub.stan.ti.al.i.ty n -- sub.stan.tial.ly adv --
          sub.stan.tial.ness n

   substantia nigra
          [sub.stan.tia ni.gra] n, pl sub.stan.ti.ae ni.grae [NL, lit.,
          black substance] (1882): a layer of deeply pigmented
          gray matter situated in the midbrain and containing the
          cell bodies of a tract of dopamine-producing nerve cells
          whose secretion tends to be deficient in Parkinson's
          disease

   substantiate
          [sub.stan.ti.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1657) 1: to give substance
          or form to: embody 2: to establish by proof or competent
          evidence: verify <~ a charge> syn see confirm -- sub.stan.ti.a.tion
          n -- sub.stan.ti.a.tive adj

   substantival
          [sub.stan.ti.val] adj (ca. 1832): of, relating to, or serving
          as a substantive -- sub.stan.ti.val.ly adv

   [1]substantive
          [sub.stan.tive] n [ME substantif, fr. MF, fr. substantif,
          adj., having or expressing substance, fr. LL substantivus]
          (14c): noun; broadly: a word or word group functioning
          syntactically as a noun -- sub.stan.tiv.ize vt [2]sub.stan.tive
          adj [ME, fr. LL substantivus having substance, fr. L
          substantia] (14c) 1: being a totally independent entity
          2 a: real rather than apparent: firm; also: permanent,
          enduring b: belonging to the substance of a thing: essential
          c: expressing existence <the ~ verb is the verb to be>
          d: requiring or involving no mordant <a ~ dyeing process>
          3 a: having the nature or function of a grammatical substant
          ive <a ~ phrase> b: relating to or having the character
          of a noun or pronominal term in logic 4: considerable
          in amount or numbers: substantial 5: creating and defining
          rights and duties <~ law>--compare procedural 6: having
          substance: involving matters of major or practical importance
          to all concerned <~ discussions among world leaders>
          -- sub.stan.tive.ly adv -- sub.stan.tive.ness n

   substantive due process
          [substantive due process] n (1954): due process 2

   substantive right
          [substantive right] n (1939): a right (as of life, liberty,
          property, or reputation) held to exist for its own sake
          and to constitute part of the normal legal order of society

   substation
          [sub.sta.tion] n (1881): a subordinate or subsidiary station:
          as a: a branch post office b: a subsidiary station in
          which electric current is transformed c: a police station
          serving a particular area

   substituent
          [sub.stit.u.ent] n [L substituent-, substituens, prp. of
          substituere] (ca. 1896): an atom or group that replaces
          another atom or group in a molecule -- substituent adj

   substitutable
          [sub.sti.tut.able] adj (1805): capable of being substituted
          -- sub.sti.tut.abil.i.ty n

   [1]substitute
          [sub.sti.tute] n [ME, fr. L substitutus, pp. of substituere
          to put in place of, fr. sub- + statuere to set up, place--more
          at statute] (15c): a person or thing that takes the place
          or function of another -- substitute adj [2]substitute
          vb -tut.ed ; -tut.ing vt (1588) 1 a: to put or use in
          the place of another b: to introduce (an atom or group)
          as a substituent; also: to alter (as a compound) by introduction
          of a substituent <a substituted benzene ring> 2: to take
          the place of: replace ~ vi: to serve as a substitute

   substitution
          [sub.sti.tu.tion] n [ME substitucion, fr. MF substitution,
          fr. LL substitution-, substitutio, fr. substituere] (14c)
          1 a: the act, process, or result of substituting one
          thing for another b: replacement of one mathematical
          entity by another of equal value 2: one that is substituted
          for another -- sub.sti.tu.tion.al adj -- sub.sti.tu.tion.al.ly
          adv -- sub.sti.tu.tion.ary adj

   substitution cipher
          [substitution cipher] n (1936): a cipher in which the letters
          of the plaintext are systematically replaced by substitute
          letters--compare transposition cipher

   substitutive
          [sub.sti.tu.tive] adj (1668): serving or suitable as a substitute
          -- sub.sti.tu.tive.ly adv

   substrate
          [sub.strate] n [ML substratum] (1807) 1: substratum 2: the
          base on which an organism lives <the soil is the ~ of
          most seed plants> 3: a substance acted upon (as by an
          enzyme)

   substratum
          [sub.stra.tum] n, pl -stra.ta [ML, fr. L, neut. of substratus,
          pp. of substernere to spread under, fr. sub- + sternere
          to spread--more at strew] (1631): an underlying support:
          foundation: as a: substance that is a permanent subject
          of qualities or phenomena b: the material of which something
          is made and from which it derives its special qualities
          c: a layer beneath the surface soil; specif: subsoil
          d: substrate 2

   substructure
          [sub.struc.ture] n (1726): an underlying or supporting part
          of a structure -- sub.struc.tur.al adj

   subsume
          [sub.sume] vt sub.sumed ; sub.sum.ing [NL subsumere, fr.
          L sub- + sumere to take up--more at consume] (1825):
          to include or place within something larger or more comprehensive:
          encompass as a subordinate or component element <red, green, and
          yellow are subsumed under the term "color"> -- sub.sum.able adj

   subsumption
          [sub.sump.tion] n [NL subsumption-, subsumptio, fr. subsumere]
          (1651): the act or process of subsuming

   [1]subsurface
          [sub.sur.face] n (1778): earth material (as rock) near but
          not exposed at the surface of the ground [2]sub.sur.face
          adj (1875): of, relating to, or being something located
          beneath a surface and esp. underground

   subteen
          [sub.teen] n (1951): a preadolescent child

   subtemperate
          [sub.tem.per.ate] adj (1852): of or occurring in the colder
          parts of the temperate zones

   subtenancy
          [sub.ten.an.cy] n (ca. 1861): the state of being a subtenant

   subtenant
          [sub.ten.ant] n (15c): one who rents from a tenant

   subtend
          [sub.tend] vt [L subtendere to stretch beneath, fr. sub-
          + tendere to stretch--more at thin] (1570) 1 a: to be
          opposite to and extend from one side to the other of
          <a hypotenuse ~s a right angle> b: to fix the angular
          extent of with respect to a fixed point or object taken
          as the vertex <the angle ~ed at the eye by an object
          of given width and a fixed distance away> <a central
          angle ~ed by an arc> c: to determine the measure of by
          marking off the endpoints of <a chord ~s an arc> 2 a:
          to underlie so as to include b: to occupy an adjacent
          and usu. lower position to and often so as to embrace
          or enclose <a bract that ~s a flower>

   subterfuge
          [sub.ter.fuge] n [LL subterfugium, fr. L subterfugere to
          escape, evade, fr. subter- secretly (fr. subter underneath;
          akin to L sub under) + fugere to flee--more at up, fugitive]
          (1573) 1: deception by artifice or stratagem in order
          to conceal, escape, or evade 2: a deceptive device or
          stratagem syn see deception

   subterminal
          [sub.ter.mi.nal] adj (1828): situated or occurring near but
          not precisely at an end <a ~ band of color on the tail
          feathers>

   subterranean
          [sub.ter.ra.nean] also sub.ter.ra.neous adj [L subterraneus,
          fr. sub- + terra earth--more at thirst] (1603) 1: being,
          lying, or operating under the surface of the earth 2:
          existing or working in secret: hidden -- sub.ter.ra.nean.ly
          also sub.ter.ra.neous.ly adv

   subtext
          [sub.text] n (1950): the implicit or metaphorical meaning
          (as of a literary text) -- sub.tex.tu.al adj

   subthreshold
          [sub.thresh.old] adj (1942): inadequate to produce a response
          <~ dosage> <a ~ stimulus>

   subtile
          [sub.tile] adj sub.til.er ; sub.til.est [ME, fr. L subtilis]
          (14c) 1: subtle, elusive <a ~ aroma> 2 a: cunning, crafty
          b: sagacious, discerning -- sub.tile.ly adv -- sub.tile.ness
          n

   subtilisin
          [sub.til.i.sin] n [NL subtilis, specific epithet of Bacillus
          subtilis, species to which Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
          was once thought to belong] (1953): an extracellular
          protease produced by a soil bacillus (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens)

   subtilize
          [sub.til.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1592): to act or think
          subtly ~ vt: to make subtile -- sub.til.i.za.tion n

   subtilty
          [sub.til.ty] n, pl -ties (14c): subtlety

   [1]subtitle
          [sub.ti.tle] n (1825) 1: a secondary or explanatory title
          2: a printed statement or fragment of dialogue appearing
          on the screen between the scenes of a silent motion picture
          or appearing as a translation at the bottom of the screen
          during the scenes of a motion picture or television show
          in a foreign language [2]subtitle vt (1891): to give
          a subtitle to

   subtle
          [sub.tle] adj sub.tler ; sub.tlest [ME sutil, sotil, fr.
          MF soutil, fr. L subtilis, lit., finely textured, fr.
          sub- + tela cloth on a loom; akin to L texere to weave--more
          at technical] (14c) 1 a: delicate, elusive <a ~ fragrance>
          b: difficult to understand or perceive: obscure <~ differences
          in sound> 2 a: perceptive, refined <a writer's sharp
          and ~ moral sense> b: having or marked by keen insight
          and ability to penetrate deeply and thoroughly <a ~ scholar>
          3 a: highly skillful: expert <a ~ craftsman> b: cunningly
          made or contrived: ingenious 4: artful, crafty <a ~ rogue>
          5: operating insidiously <~ poisons> -- sub.tle.ness
          n -- sub.tly adv

   subtlety
          [sub.tle.ty] n, pl -ties [ME sutilte, fr. MF sutilte, fr.
          L subtilitat-, subtilitas, fr. subtilis] (14c) 1: the
          quality or state of being subtle 2: something subtle

   subtonic
          [sub.ton.ic] n [fr. its being a half tone below the upper
          tonic] (ca. 1854): leading tone

   [1]subtotal
          [sub.to.tal] n (1906): the sum of part of a series of figures
          [2]sub.to.tal adj (1908): somewhat less than complete:
          nearly total <~ thyroidectomy> -- sub.to.tal.ly adv

   subtract
          [sub.tract] vb [L subtractus, pp. of subtrahere to draw from
          beneath, withdraw, fr. sub- + trahere to draw] vt (1557):
          to take away by or as if by deducting <~ 5 from 9> <~
          funds from the project> ~ vi: to perform a subtraction
          -- sub.tract.er n

   subtraction
          [sub.trac.tion] n [ME subtraccion, fr. LL subtraction-, subtractio,
          fr. L subtrahere] (15c): an act, operation, or instance
          of subtracting: as a: the withdrawing or withholding of a right
          to which an individual is entitled b: the operation of deducting
          one number from another

   subtractive
          [sub.trac.tive] adj (1690) 1: tending to subtract 2: constituting
          or involving subtraction

   subtrahend
          [sub.tra.hend] n [L subtrahendus, gerundive of subtrahere]
          (1674): a number that is to be subtracted from a minuend

   subtropical
          [sub.trop.i.cal] also sub.trop.ic adj [ISV] (1842): of, relating
          to, or being the regions bordering on the tropical zone
          <~ environment> <~ grasses>

   subtropics
          [sub.trop.ics] n pl (1886): subtropical regions

   subulate
          [su.bu.late] adj [NL subulatus, fr. L subula awl, fr. suere
          to sew--more at sew] (ca. 1760): linear and tapering
          to a fine point <a ~ leaf>

   subumbrella
          [sub.um.brel.la] n (1878): the concave undersurface of a
          jellyfish

   suburb
          [sub.urb] n [ME, fr. L suburbium, fr. sub- near + urbs city--more
          at sub-] (14c) 1 a: an outlying part of a city or town
          b: a smaller community adjacent to or within commuting
          distance of a city c pl: the residential area on the
          outskirts of a city or large town 2 pl: the near vicinity:
          environs -- sub.ur.ban adj or n -- sub.ur.ban.ite n

   suburbanise
          [sub.ur.ban.ise] Brit var of suburbanize

   suburbanize
          [sub.ur.ban.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1893): to make suburban:
          give a suburban character to -- sub.ur.ban.i.za.tion
          n

   suburbia
          [sub.ur.bia] n [NL, fr. E suburb] (1895) 1: the suburbs of
          a city 2: people who live in the suburbs 3: suburban
          life

   subvention
          [sub.ven.tion] n [ME subvencion, fr. OF & LL; OF subvencion,
          fr. LL subvention-, subventio assistance, fr. L subvenire
          to come up, come to the rescue, fr. sub- up + venire
          to come--more at sub-, come] (15c): the provision of
          assistance or financial support: as a: endowment b: a
          subsidy from a government or foundation -- sub.ven.tion.ary
          adj

   sub verbo
          [sub ver.bo] or sub vo.ce [L] foreign term : under the
          word--introducing a cross-reference in a dictionary or index

   subversion
          [sub.ver.sion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL subversion-, subversio,
          fr. L subvertere] (14c) 1: the act of subverting: the
          state of being subverted; esp: a systematic attempt to
          overthrow or undermine a government or political system
          by persons working secretly from within 2 obs: a cause
          of overthrow or destruction -- sub.ver.sion.ary adj --
          sub.ver.sive adj or n -- sub.ver.sive.ly adv -- sub.ver.sive.ness
          n

   subvert
          [sub.vert] vt [ME, fr. MF subvertir, fr. L subvertere, lit.,
          to turn from beneath, fr. sub- + vertere to turn--more
          at worth] (14c) 1: to overturn or overthrow from the
          foundation: ruin 2: to pervert or corrupt by an undermining
          of morals, allegiance, or faith -- sub.vert.er n

   subviral
          [sub.vi.ral] adj (1963): relating to, being, or caused by
          a piece or a structural part (as a protein) of a virus
          <~ infection>

   subvocal
          [sub.vo.cal] adj (1924): characterized by the occurrence
          in the mind of words in speech order with or without
          inaudible articulation of the speech organs -- sub.vo.cal.ly
          adv

   subvocalization
          [sub.vo.cal.i.za.tion] n (1947): the act or process of inaudibly
          articulating speech with the speech organs -- sub.vo.cal.ize
          vb

   subway
          [sub.way] n (1825): an underground way: as a: a passage under
          a street (as for pedestrians, power cables, or water
          or gas mains) b: a usu. electric underground railway
          c: underpass -- subway vi

   succedaneum
          [suc.ce.da.ne.um] n, pl -ne.ums or -nea [NL, fr. L, neut.
          of succedaneus substituted, fr. succedere to follow after]
          (1641): substitute -- suc.ce.da.ne.ous adj

   succedent
          [suc.ce.dent] adj [ME, fr. L succedent-, succedens, prp.
          of succedere] (15c): coming next: succeeding, subsequent

   succeed
          [suc.ceed] vb [ME succeden, fr. L succedere to go up, follow
          after, succeed, fr. sub- near + cedere to go--more at
          sub-] vi (14c) 1 a: to come next after another in office
          or position or in possession of an estate; esp: to inherit
          sovereignty, rank, or title b: to follow after another
          in order 2 a: to turn out well b: to attain a desired
          object or end 3 obs: to pass to a person by inheritance
          ~ vt 1: to follow in sequence and esp. immediately 2:
          to come after as heir or successor syn see follow --
          suc.ceed.er n

   succes de scandale
          [suc.ces de scan.dale] n [F, lit., success of scandal] (1896):
          something (as a work of art) that wins popularity or
          notoriety because of its scandalous nature; also: the
          reception accorded such a piece

   succes d'estime
          [succes d'es.time] n [F, lit., success of esteem] (1859):
          something (as a work of art) that wins critical respect
          but not popular success; also: the reception accorded
          such a piece

   succes fou
          [succes fou] n [F, lit., mad success] (1878): an extraordinary
          success

   success
          [suc.cess] n [L successus, fr. succedere] (1537) 1 obs: outcome,
          result 2 a: degree or measure of succeeding b: favorable
          or desired outcome; also: the attainment of wealth, favor,
          or eminence 3: one that succeeds

   successful
          [suc.cess.ful] adj (1588) 1: resulting or terminating in
          success 2: gaining or having gained success -- suc.cess.ful.ly
          adv -- suc.cess.ful.ness n

   succession
          [suc.ces.sion] n [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L succession-,
          successio, fr. succedere] (14c) 1 a: the order in which
          or the conditions under which one person after another
          succeeds to a property, dignity, title, or throne b:
          the right of a person or line to succeed c: the line
          having such a right 2 a: the act or process of following
          in order: sequence b (1): the act or process of one person's
          taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability
          for rights or duties or both (2): the act or process
          of a person's becoming beneficially entitled to a property
          or property interest of a deceased person c: the continuance
          of corporate personality d: unidirectional change in
          the composition of an ecosystem as the available competing
          organisms and esp. the plants respond to and modify the
          environment 3 a: a number of persons or things that follow
          each other in sequence b: a group, type, or series that
          succeeds or displaces another -- suc.ces.sion.al adj
          -- suc.ces.sion.al.ly adv

   succession duty
          [succession duty] n (1853) chiefly Brit: inheritance tax

   successive
          [suc.ces.sive] adj (15c) 1: following in order: following
          each other without interruption 2: characterized by or
          produced in succession -- suc.ces.sive.ly adv -- suc.ces.sive.ness
          n

   successor
          [suc.ces.sor] n [ME successour, fr. OF, fr. L successor,
          fr. succedere] (14c): one that follows; esp: one who
          succeeds to a throne, title, estate, or office

   succinate
          [suc.ci.nate] n (1790): a salt or ester of succinic acid

   succinate dehydrogenase
          [succinate dehydrogenase] n (1962): an iron-containing flavoprotein
          enzyme that catalyzes often reversibly the dehydrogenation
          of succinic acid to fumaric acid in the Krebs cycle and that
          is widely distributed esp. in animal tissues, bacteria, and
          yeast--called also succinic dehydrogenase

   succinct
          [suc.cinct] adj [ME, fr. L succinctus, pp. of succingere
          to gird from below, tuck up, fr. sub- + cingere to gird--more
          at cincture] (15c) 1 archaic a: being girded b: close-fitting
          2: marked by compact precise expression without wasted
          words syn see concise -- suc.cinct.ly adv -- suc.cinct.ness
          n

   succinic acid
          [suc.cin.ic acid] n [F succinique, fr. L succinum amber]
          (ca. 1790): a crystalline dicarboxylic acid found widely
          in nature and active in energy-yielding metabolic reactions

   succinyl
          [suc.ci.nyl] n [ISV] (ca. 1868): either of two groups derived
          from succinic acid: a: a bivalent group obtained by removal
          of both terminal hydroxyl groups from succinic acid b:
          a univalent group obtained by removal of only one terminal
          hydroxyl group from succinic acid

   succinylcholine
          [suc.ci.nyl.cho.line] n (1950): a basic compound that is
          used intravenously chiefly in the form of a hydrated
          chloride as a muscle relaxant in surgery

   [1]succor
          [suc.cor] n [ME succur, fr. earlier sucurs, taken as pl.,
          fr. OF sucors, fr. ML succursus, fr. L succurrere to
          run up, run to help, fr. sub- up + currere to run--more
          at car] (13c) 1: relief; also: aid, help 2: something
          that furnishes relief [2]succor vt suc.cored ; suc.cor.ing
          (13c): to go to the aid of: relieve -- suc.cor.er n

   succory
          [suc.co.ry] n [alter. of ME cicoree] (1533): chicory

   succotash
          [suc.co.tash] n [Narraganset msickquatash boiled corn kernels]
          (1751): lima or shell beans and green corn cooked together

   succour
          [suc.cour] chiefly Brit var of succor

   succuba
          [suc.cu.ba] n, pl -bae [L, paramour] (1559): succubus

   succubus
          [suc.cu.bus] n, pl -bi [ME, fr. ML, alter. of L succuba paramour,
          fr. succubare to lie under, fr. sub- + cubare to lie,
          recline] (14c): a demon assuming female form to have
          sexual intercourse with men in their sleep--compare incubus

   succulence
          [suc.cu.lence] n (1787) 1: the state of being succulent 2:
          succulent feed <wild game subsisting on ~>

   [1]succulent
          [suc.cu.lent] adj [L suculentus, fr. sucus juice, sap; perh.
          akin to L sugere to suck--more at suck] (1601) 1 a: full
          of juice: juicy b: moist and tasty: toothsome c of a
          plant: having fleshy tissues that conserve moisture 2:
          rich in interest -- suc.cu.lent.ly adv [2]succulent n
          (1825): a succulent plant (as a cactus)

   succumb
          [suc.cumb] vi [F & L; F succomber, fr. L succumbere, fr.
          sub- + -cumbere to lie down; akin to L cubare to lie]
          (1604) 1: to yield to superior strength or force or overpowering
          appeal or desire 2: to be brought to an end (as death)
          by the effect of destructive or disruptive forces syn
          see yield

   [1]such
          [such] adj [ME, fr. OE swilc; akin to OHG sulih such, OE
          swa so, gelik like--more at so, like] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          of a kind or character to be indicated or suggested <a
          bag ~ as a doctor carries> b: having a quality to a degree
          to be indicated <his excitement was ~ that he shouted>
          2: of the character, quality, or extent previously indicated
          or implied <in the past few years many ~ women have shifted
          to full-time jobs> 3: of so extreme a degree or quality
          <never heard ~ a hubbub> 4: of the same class, type,
          or sort <other ~ clinics throughout the state> 5: not
          specified [2]such pron (bef. 12c) 1: such a person or
          thing 2: someone or something stated, implied, or exemplified
          <~ was the result> 3: someone or something similar: similar
          persons or things <tin and glass and ~> -- as such :
          intrinsically considered: in itself <as such the gift
          was worth little> usage For reasons that are hard to
          understand, commentators on usage disapprove of such
          used as a pronoun. Dictionaries, however, recognize it
          as standard; all of the citations upon which our definitions
          of this word are based are clearly standard. [3]such
          adv (bef. 12c) 1 a: to such a degree: so <~ tall buildings>
          <~ a fine person> b: very, especially <hasn't been in
          ~ good spirits lately> 2: in such a way <related ~ that
          each excludes the other>

   [1]such and such
          [such and such] adj (13c): not named or specified [2]such
          and such pron (15c): something not specified

   [1]suchlike
          [such.like] adj (15c): of like kind: similar [2]suchlike
          pron (15c): such 3

   [1]suck
          [suck] vb [ME suken, fr. OE sucan; akin to OHG sugan to suck,
          L sugere] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to draw (as liquid) into
          the mouth through a suction force produced by movements
          of the lips and tongue <~ed milk from his mother's breast>
          b: to draw something from or consume by such movements
          <~ an orange> <~ a lollipop> c: to apply the mouth to
          in order to or as if to suck out a liquid <~ed his burned
          finger> 2 a: to draw by or as if by suction <when a receding
          wave ~s th e sand from under your feet --Kenneth Brower>
          <inadvertently ~ed into the ... intrigue --Martin Levin>
          b: to take in and consume by or as if by suction <a vacuum
          cleaner ~ing up dirt> <~ up a few beers> <opponents say
          that malls ~ the life out of downtown areas --Michael
          Knight> ~ vi 1: to draw something in by or as if by exerting
          a suction force; esp: to draw milk from a breast or udder
          with the mouth 2: to make a sound or motion associated
          with or caused by suction <his pipe ~ed wetly> <flanks
          ~ed in and out, the long nose resting on his paws --Virginia
          Woolf> 3: to act in an obsequious manner <when they want
          votes ... the candidates come ~ing around --W. G. Hardy>
          <~ed up to the boss> 4 slang: to be objectionable or
          inadequate <our lifestyle ~s --Playboy> <people who went
          said it ~ed --H. S. Thompson> [2]suck n (13c) 1: a sucking
          movement or force 2: the act of sucking

   [1]sucker
          [suck.er] n (14c) 1 a: one that sucks esp. a breast or udder:
          suckling b: a device for creating or regulating suction
          (as a piston or valve in a pump) c: a pipe or tube through
          which something is drawn by suction d (1): an organ in
          various animals for adhering or holding (2): a mouth
          (as of a leech) adapted for sucking or adhering 2: a
          shoot from the roots or lower part of the stem of a plant
          3: any of numerous chiefly No. American freshwater bony
          fishes (family Catostomidae) closely related to the carps
          but distinguished from them esp. by the structure of
          the mouth which usu. has thick soft lips 4: lollipop
          1 5 a: a person easily cheated or deceived b: a person
          irresistibly attracted by something specified <a ~ for
          ghost stories> c--used as generalized term of reference
          <see if you can get that ~ working again> [2]sucker vb
          suck.ered ; suck.er.ing vt (ca. 1661) 1: to remove suckers
          from <~ tobacco> 2: hoodwink ~ vi: to send out suckers

   sucker punch
          [sucker punch] vt (1964): to punch (a person) suddenly without
          warning and often without apparent provocation -- sucker
          punch n

   suck in
          [suck in] vt (1840) 1: dupe, hoodwink 2: to contract, flatten,
          and tighten (the abdomen) esp. by inhaling deeply

   sucking
          [suck.ing] adj (bef. 12c): not yet weaned; broadly: very
          young

   sucking louse
          [sucking louse] n (ca. 1907): any of an order (Anoplura)
          of wingless insects comprising the true lice with mouthparts
          adapted to sucking body fluids

   suckle
          [suck.le] vb suck.led ; suck.ling [ME suklen, prob. back-formation
          fr. suklyng] vt (14c) 1 a: to give milk to from the breast or udder
          <a mother suckling her child> b: to nurture as if by giving milk
          from the breast <was suckled on pulp magazines> 2: to draw milk
          from the breast or udder of <lambs suckling the ewes> ~ vi: to draw
          milk from the breast or udder

   suckling
          [suck.ling] n [ME suklyng, fr. suken to suck] (13c): a young
          unweaned animal

   sucrase
          [su.crase] n [ISV, fr. F sucre sugar, fr. MF--more at sugar]
          (ca. 1900): invertase

   sucre
          [su.cre] n [Sp, fr. Antonio Jose de Sucre] (1886): the basic
          monetary unit of Ecuador

   sucrose
          [su.crose] n [ISV, fr. F sucre sugar] (1857): a sweet crystalline
          dextrorotatory disaccharide sugar that occurs naturally
          in most plants and is obtained commercially esp. from
          sugarcane or sugar beets

   [1]suction
          [suc.tion] n [LL suction-, suctio, fr. L sugere to suck--more
          at suck] (1626) 1: the act or process of sucking 2 a:
          the act or process of exerting a force upon a solid,
          liquid, or gaseous body by reason of reduced air pressure
          over part of its surface b: force so exerted 3: a device
          (as a pipe or fitting) used in a machine that operates
          by suction -- suc.tion.al adj [2]suction vt (1954): to
          remove (as from a body cavity or passage) by suction

   suction cup
          [suction cup] n (1942): a cup-shaped device in which a partial
          vacuum can be produced when applied to a surface

   suction pump
          [suction pump] n (1825): a common pump in which the liquid
          to be raised is pushed by atmospheric pressure into the
          partial vacuum under a retreating valved piston on the
          upstroke and reflux is prevented by a check valve in
          the pipe

   suction stop
          [suction stop] n (1887): a voice stop in the formation of
          which air behind the articulation is rarefied with consequent
          inrush of air when articulation is broken

   suctorial
          [suc.to.ri.al] adj [NL suctorius, fr. L sugere] (1833): adapted
          for sucking; esp: serving to draw up fluid or to adhere
          by suction <~ mouths>

   suctorian
          [suc.to.ri.an] n [NL Suctoria, fr. neut. pl. of suctorius
          suctorial] (ca. 1842): any of a class or subclass (Suctoria)
          of complex protozoans which are ciliated only early in
          development and in which the mature form is fixed to
          the substrate, lacks locomotor organelles or a mouth,
          and obtains food through specialized suctorial tentacles

   Sudan grass
          [Su.dan grass] n [the Sudan, region in Africa] (1911): a
          vigorous tall-growing annual sorghum grass (Sorghum bicolor
          sudanese) widely grown for hay and fodder

   Sudanic
          [Su.dan.ic] n [the Sudan region] (1912): a group of languages
          neither Bantu nor Afro-Asiatic spoken in central and
          western Africa that were formerly considered a residual
          category and are now divided among the Niger-Congo and
          other families -- Sudanic adj

   sudatorium
          [su.da.to.ri.um] n [L, fr. sudare to sweat--more at sweat]
          (ca. 1757): a sweat room in a bath

   sudatory
          [su.da.to.ry] n, pl -ries (1615): sudatorium

   sudd
          [sudd] n [Ar, lit., obstruction] (1874): floating vegetable
          matter that forms obstructive masses esp. in the upper
          White Nile

   [1]sudden
          [sud.den] adj [ME sodain, fr. MF, fr. L subitaneus, fr. subitus
          sudden, fr. pp. of subire to come up, fr. sub- up + ire
          to go--more at sub-, issue] (14c) 1 a: happening or coming
          unexpectedly <a ~ shower> b: changing angle or character
          all at once 2: marked by or manifesting abruptness or
          haste 3: made or brought about in a short time: prompt
          syn see precipitate -- sud.den.ly adv -- sud.den.ness
          n [2]sudden n (1559) obs: an unexpected occurrence: emergency
          -- all of a sudden or on a sudden : sooner than was expected:
          at once

   sudden death
          [sudden death] n (14c) 1: unexpected death that is instantaneous
          or occurs within minutes from any cause other than violence
          <sudden death following coronary occlusion> 2: extra
          play to break a tie in a sports contest in which the
          first to go ahead wins

   sudden infant death syndrome
          [sudden infant death syndrome] n (1970): death of an apparently
          healthy infant usu. before one year of age that is of
          unknown cause and occurs esp. during sleep--called also
          crib death--abbr. SIDS

   sudoriferous
          [su.do.rif.er.ous] adj [LL sudorifer, fr. L sudor sweat (fr.
          sudare to sweat) + -ifer -iferous--more at sweat] (1597):
          producing or conveying sweat <~ glands> <a ~ duct>

   sudorific
          [su.do.rif.ic] adj [NL sudorificus, fr. L sudor] (1626):
          causing or inducing sweat: diaphoretic <~ herbs> -- sudorific
          n

   Sudra
          [Su.dra] n [Skt sudra] (1630): a Hindu of a lower caste
          traditionally assigned to menial occupations -- Sudra adj

   [1]suds
          [suds] n pl but sing or pl in constr [prob. fr. MD sudse
          marsh; akin to OE seothan to seethe--more at seethe]
          (1581) 1: water impregnated with soap or a synthetic
          detergent compound and worked up into froth; also: the
          lather or froth on such water 2 a: foam, froth b: beer
          -- suds.less adj [2]suds vt (1834): to wash in suds ~
          vi: to form suds

   sudser
          [suds.er] n (1967): soap opera

   sudsy
          [sudsy] adj suds.i.er ; -est (1866) 1: full of suds: frothy,
          foamy 2: soapy 4

   sue
          [sue] vb sued ; su.ing [ME, fr. MF suivre, fr. (assumed)
          VL sequere, fr. L sequi to follow, come or go after;
          akin to Gk hepesthai to follow, Skt sacate he accompanies]
          vt (14c) 1 obs: to make petition to or for 2 archaic:
          to pay court or suit to: woo 3 a: to seek justice or
          right from (a person) by legal process; specif: to bring
          an action against b: to proceed with and follow up (a
          legal action) to proper termination ~ vi 1: to make a
          request or application: plead--usu. used with for or
          to 2: to pay court: woo 3: to take legal proceedings
          in court -- su.er n

   [1]suede
          [suede] n [F gants de Suede Swedish gloves] (1884) 1: leather
          with a napped surface 2: a fabric finished with a nap
          to simulate suede [2]suede vb sued.ed ; sued.ing vt (1921):
          to give a suede finish or nap to (a fabric or leather)
          ~ vi: to give cloth or leather a suede finish

   suet
          [su.et] n [ME sewet, fr. (assumed) AF, dim. of AF sue, fr.
          L sebum tallow] (14c): the hard fat about the kidneys
          and loins in beef and mutton that yields tallow

   suff
          [suff] abbreviation sufficient, suffix  Suff abbreviation
          Suffolk

   suffer
          [suf.fer] vb suf.fered ; suf.fer.ing [ME suffren, fr. OF
          souffrir, fr. (assumed) VL sufferire, fr. L sufferre,
          fr. sub- up + ferre to bear--more at sub-, bear] vt (13c)
          1 a: to submit to or be forced to endure <~ martyrdom>
          b: to feel keenly: labor under <~ thirst> 2: undergo,
          experience 3: to put up with esp. as inevitable or unavoidable
          4: to allow esp. by reason of indifference <the eagle
          ~s little birds to sing --Shak.> ~ vi 1: to endure death,
          pain, or distress 2: to sustain loss or damage 3: to
          be subject to disability or handicap syn see bear --
          suf.fer.able adj -- suf.fer.able.ness n -- suf.fer.ably
          adv -- suf.fer.er n

   sufferance
          [suf.fer.ance] n (14c) 1: patient endurance: long-suffering
          2: pain, misery 3: consent or sanction implied by a lack
          of interference or failure to enforce a prohibition 4:
          power or ability to withstand: endurance

   suffering
          [suffering] n (14c) 1: the state or experience of one that
          suffers 2: pain syn see distress

   suffice
          [suf.fice] vb suf.ficed ; suf.fic.ing [ME, fr. MF suffis-,
          stem of suffire, fr. L sufficere to provide, be adequate,
          fr. sub- + facere to make, do--more at do] vi (14c) 1:
          to meet or satisfy a need: be sufficient <a brief note
          will ~>--often used with an impersonal it <~ it to say
          that they are dedicated, serious personalities --Cheryl
          Aldridge> 2: to be competent or capable ~ vt: to be enough
          for -- suf.fic.er n

   sufficiency
          [suf.fi.cien.cy] n (15c) 1: sufficient means to meet one's
          needs: competency; also: a modest but adequate scale
          of living 2: the quality or state of being sufficient:
          adequacy

   sufficient
          [suf.fi.cient] adj [ME, fr. L sufficient-, sufficiens, fr.
          prp. of sufficere] (14c) 1 a: enough to meet the needs
          of a situation or a proposed end <~ provisions for a
          month> b: being a sufficient condition 2 archaic: qualified,
          competent -- suf.fi.cient.ly adv syn sufficient, enough,
          adequate, competent mean being what is necessary or desirable.
          sufficient suggests a close meeting of a need <sufficient
          savings>. enough is less exact in suggestion than sufficient
          <do you have enough food?>. adequate may imply barely
          meeting a requirement <the service was adequate>. competent
          suggests measuring up to all requirements without question
          or being adequately adapted to an end <had no competent
          notion of what was going on>.

   sufficient condition
          [sufficient condition] n (1914) 1: a proposition whose truth
          assures the truth of another proposition 2: a state of
          affairs whose existence assures the existence of another
          state of affairs

   [1]suffix
          [suf.fix] n [NL suffixum, fr. L, neut. of suffixus, pp. of
          suffigere to fasten underneath, fr. sub- + figere to
          fasten--more at fix] (1778): an affix occurring at the
          end of a word, base, or phrase--compare prefix -- suf.fix.al
          adj [2]suf.fix vt (1778): to attach as a suffix -- suf.fix.a.tion
          n

   suffocate
          [suf.fo.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ME, fr. L suffocatus,
          pp. of suffocare to choke, stifle, fr. sub- + fauces
          throat] vt (15c) 1 a: to stop the respiration of (as
          by strangling or asphyxiation) b: to deprive of oxygen
          c: to make uncomfortable by want of cool fresh air 2:
          to impede or stop the development of ~ vi 1: to become
          suffocated: a: to die from being unable to breathe b:
          to be uncomfortable through lack of air 2: to become
          checked in development -- suf.fo.cat.ing.ly adv -- suf.fo.ca.tion
          n -- suf.fo.ca.tive adj

   Suffolk
          [Suf.folk] n [Suffolk, England] (1831) 1: any of a breed
          of chestnut-colored draft horses of English origin--called
          also Suffolk punch 2: any of a breed of large hornless
          black-faced sheep of English origin raised chiefly for
          mutton

   [1]suffragan
          [suf.fra.gan] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML suffraganeus, fr. suffragium
          support, prayer] (14c) 1: a diocesan bishop (as in the
          Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England) subordinate
          to a metropolitan 2: an Anglican or Episcopal bishop
          assisting a diocesan bishop and not having the right
          of succession [2]suffragan adj (15c) 1: of or being a
          suffragan 2: subordinate to a metropolitan or archiepiscopal
          see

   suffrage
          [suf.frage] n [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. MF, fr. ML suffragium,
          fr. L, vote, political support, fr. suffragari to support
          with one's vote; in other senses, fr. L suffragium] (14c)
          1: a short intercessory prayer usu. in a series 2: a
          vote given in deciding a controverted question or in
          the choice of a person for an office or trust 3: the
          right of voting: franchise; also: the exercise of such
          right

   suffragette
          [suf.frag.ette] n (1906): a woman who advocates suffrage
          for women

   suffragist
          [suf.frag.ist] n (1822): one who advocates extension of suffrage
          esp. to women

   suffuse
          [suf.fuse] vt suf.fused ; suf.fus.ing [L suffusus, pp. of
          suffundere, lit., to pour beneath, fr. sub- + fundere
          to pour--more at found] (1590): to spread over or through
          in the manner of fluid or light: flush, fill syn see
          infuse -- suf.fu.sion n -- suf.fu.sive adj

   Sufi
          [Su.fi] n [Ar sufiy, perh. fr. suf wool] (1653): a Muslim
          mystic -- Sufi adj -- Su.fic adj -- Su.fism n

   [1]sugar
          [sug.ar] n [ME sugre, sucre, fr. MF sucre, fr. ML zuccarum,
          fr. OIt zucchero, fr. Ar sukkar, fr. Per shakar, fr.
          Skt sarkara; akin to Skt sarkara pebble--more at crocodile]
          (14c) 1 a: a sweet crystallizable material that consists
          wholly or essentially of sucrose, is colorless or white
          when pure tending to brown when less refined, is obtained
          commercially from sugarcane or sugar beet and less extensively
          from sorghum, maples, and palms, and is important as
          a source of dietary carbohydrate and as a sweetener and
          preservative of other foods b: any of various water-soluble
          compounds that vary widely in sweetness and include the
          oligosaccharides (as sucrose) 2: a unit (as a spoonful,
          cube, or lump) of sugar 3: a sugar bowl -- sug.ar.less
          adj [2]sugar vb sug.ared ; sug.ar.ing vt (15c) 1: to
          make palatable or attractive: sweeten 2: to sprinkle
          or mix with sugar ~ vi 1: to form or be converted into
          sugar 2: to become granular: granulate 3: to make maple
          syrup or maple sugar

   sugar apple
          [sugar apple] n (1738): a tropical American tree (Annona
          squamosa) of the custard apple family; also: its edible
          sweet pulpy fruit with thick green scaly rind and shining
          black seeds

   sugar beet
          [sugar beet] n (1817): a white-rooted beet grown for the
          sugar in its roots

   sugarberry
          [sug.ar.ber.ry] n (ca. 1818): any of several hackberries
          (esp. Celtis laevigata and C. occidentalis) with sweet
          edible fruits

   sugar bush
          [sugar bush] n (1823): a woods in which sugar maples predominate

   sugarcane
          [sug.ar.cane] n (15c): a stout tall perennial grass (Saccharum
          officinarum) that has a large terminal panicle and is
          widely grown in warm regions as a source of sugar

   sugarcoat
          [sug.ar.coat] vt [back-formation fr. sugarcoated] (1870)
          1: to coat with sugar 2: to make superficially attractive
          or palatable <tried to ~ an unpleasant truth>

   sugar daddy
          [sugar daddy] n (1926) 1: a well-to-do usu. older man who
          supports or spends lavishly on a mistress or girlfriend
          2: a generous benefactor of a cause

   sugarhouse
          [sug.ar.house] n (1600): a building where sugar is made or
          refined; specif: one where maple sap is boiled and maple
          syrup and maple sugar are made

   sugaring off
          [sugaring off] n (1836) 1: the act or process of converting
          maple syrup into sugar 2: a party held at the time of
          sugaring off

   sugarloaf
          [sug.ar.loaf] n (15c) 1: refined sugar molded into a cone
          2: a hill or mountain shaped like a sugarloaf -- sugar-loaf
          adj

   sugar maple
          [sugar maple] n (1731) 1: a maple (Acer saccharum) of eastern
          No. America with 3- to 5-lobed leaves, hard close-grained
          wood much used for cabinetwork, and sap that is the chief
          source of maple syrup and maple sugar--called also rock
          maple, hard maple 2: any of several maples (esp. Acer
          nigrum and A. grandidentatum) sometimes considered subspecies
          of the sugar maple

   sugar off
          [sugar off] vi (1836) 1: to complete the process of boiling
          down the syrup in making maple sugar until it is thick
          enough to crystallize 2: to approach or reach the state
          of granulation

   sugar orchard
          [sugar orchard] n (1833) chiefly NewEng: sugar bush

   sugar pea
          [sugar pea] n (1707): snow pea

   sugar pine
          [sugar pine] n (1846): a very tall pine (Pinus lambertiana)
          found from Oregon to Baja California and having needles
          in clusters of five, cones up to 18 inches (46 cm) long,
          and soft reddish brown wood; also: its wood

   sugarplum
          [sug.ar.plum] n (ca. 1668): a small candy in the shape of
          a ball or disk: sweetmeat

   sugar snap pea
          [sugar snap pea] n (1979): snap pea

   sugary
          [sug.ary] adj (1591) 1 a: exaggeratedly sweet: honeyed <his
          ~ deprecating voice --D. H. Lawrence> b: cloyingly sweet:
          sentimental 2: containing, resembling, or tasting of
          sugar

   suggest
          [sug.gest] vt [L suggestus, pp. of suggerere to pile up,
          furnish, suggest, fr. sub- + gerere to carry] (1526)
          1 a obs: to seek to influence: seduce b: to call forth:
          evoke c: to mention or imply as a possibility <~ed that
          he might bring his family> d: to propose as desirable
          or fitting <~ a stroll> e: to offer for consideration
          or as a hypothesis <~ a solution to a problem> 2 a: to
          call to mind by thought or association <the explosion
          ... ~ed sabotage --F. L. Paxson> b: to serve as a motive
          or inspiration for <a play ~ed by a historic incident>
          -- sug.gest.er n syn suggest, imply, hint, intimate,
          insinuate mean to convey an idea indirectly. suggest
          may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas,
          awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought
          <a film title that suggests its subject matter>. imply
          is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite
          or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed
          <measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent>. hint
          implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a
          minimum of overt statement <hinted that she might have
          a job lined up>. intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion
          without connoting any lack of candor <intimates that
          there is more to the situation than meets the eye>. insinuate
          applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea
          in a sly underhanded manner <insinuated that there were
          shady dealings>.

   suggestible
          [sug.gest.ible] adj (1890): easily influenced by suggestion
          -- sug.gest.ibil.i.ty n

   suggestion
          [sug.ges.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act or process of suggesting
          b: something suggested 2 a: the process by which a physical
          or mental state is influenced by a thought or idea <the
          power of ~> b: the process by which one thought leads
          to another esp. through association of ideas 3: a slight
          indication: trace <a ~ of a smile>

   suggestive
          [sug.ges.tive] adj (1631) 1 a: giving a suggestion: indicative
          <~ of a past era> b: full of suggestions: stimulating
          thought <provided a ~ ... commentary on the era --Lloyd
          Morris> c: stirring mental associations: evocative 2:
          suggesting or tending to suggest something improper or
          indecent: risque -- sug.ges.tive.ly adv -- sug.ges.tive.ness
          n

   suicidal
          [sui.cid.al] adj (1777) 1 a: dangerous esp. to life b: destructive
          to one's own interests 2: relating to or of the nature of suicide
          3: marked by an impulse to commit suicide -- sui.cid.al.ly adv

   [1]suicide
          [sui.cide] n [L sui (gen.) of oneself + E -cide; akin to
          OE & OHG sin his, L suus one's own, sed, se without,
          Skt sva oneself, one's own] (1643) 1 a: the act or an
          instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally
          esp. by a person of years of discretion and of sound
          mind b: ruin of one's own interests <political ~> 2:
          one that commits or attempts suicide [2]suicide vb sui.cid.ed
          ; sui.cid.ing vi (1841): to commit suicide ~ vt: to put
          (oneself) to death

   suicide squad
          [suicide squad] n [fr. the fact that kickoffs are more dangerous
          than other plays] (ca. 1966): a special squad used on
          kickoffs in football

   suicide squeeze
          [suicide squeeze] n (1955): a squeeze play in which the runner
          runs all out at the pitch without knowing whether the
          batter will contact the ball

   sui generis
          [sui ge.ner.is] adj [L, of its own kind] (1787): constituting
          a class alone: unique, peculiar

   sui juris
          [sui ju.ris] adj [L, of one's own right] (1675): having full
          legal rights or capacity

   suint
          [su.int] n [F, fr. MF, fr. suer to sweat, fr. L sudare--more
          at sweat] (1791): dried perspiration of sheep deposited
          in the wool and rich in potassium salts

   [1]suit
          [suit] n [ME siute act of following, retinue, sequence, set,
          fr. OF, act of following, retinue, fr. (assumed) VL sequita,
          fr. fem. of sequitus, pp. of sequere to follow--more
          at sue] (14c) 1 archaic: suite 1 2 a: recourse or appeal
          to a feudal superior for justice or redress b: an action
          or process in a court for the recovery of a right or
          claim 3: an act or instance of suing or seeking by entreaty:
          appeal; specif: courtship 4: suite 2--used chiefly of
          armor, sails, and counters in games 5: a set of garments:
          as a: an outer costume of two or more pieces b: a costume
          to be worn for a special purpose or under particular
          conditions <gym ~> 6 a: all the playing cards in a pack
          bearing the same symbol b: all the dominoes bearing the
          same number c: all the cards or counters in a particular
          suit held by one player <a 5-card ~> d: the suit led
          <follow ~> [2]suit vt (14c) 1 a: to be becoming to b:
          to be proper for: befit 2: to outfit with clothes: dress
          3: accommodate, adapt <~ the action to the word> 4: to
          meet the needs or desires of: please <~s me fine> ~ vi
          1: to be in accordance: agree <the position ~s with your
          abilities> 2: to be appropriate or satisfactory <these
          prices don't ~> 3: to put on specially required clothing
          (as a uniform or protective garb)--usu. used with up

   suitable
          [suit.able] adj (1582) 1 obs: similar, matching 2 a: adapted
          to a use or purpose b: satisfying propriety: proper c:
          able, qualified syn see fit -- suit.abil.i.ty n -- suit.able.ness
          n -- suit.ably adv

   suitcase
          [suit.case] n (1897): a bag or case carried by hand and designed
          to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles

   suite
          [suite] n [F, alter. of OF siute--more at suit] (1673) 1:
          retinue; esp: the personal staff accompanying a ruler,
          diplomat, or dignitary on official business 2: a group
          of things forming a unit or constituting a collection:
          set: as a: a group of rooms occupied as a unit b (1):
          a 17th and 18th century instrumental musical form consisting
          of a series of dances in the same or related keys (2):
          a modern instrumental composition in several movements
          of different character (3): a long orchestral concert
          arrangement in suite form of material drawn from a longer
          work (as a ballet) c: a collection of minerals or rocks
          having some characteristic in common (as type or origin)
          d: a set of matched furniture

   suiter
          [suit.er] n (1952): a suitcase for holding a specified number
          of suits--usu. used in combination <a two-suiter>

   suiting
          [suit.ing] n (1883) 1: fabric for suits 2: a suit of clothes

   suitor
          [suit.or] n [ME, follower, pleader, fr. AF, fr. L secutor
          follower, fr. sequi to follow--more at sue] (15c) 1:
          one that petitions or entreats: petitioner 2: a party
          to a suit at law 3: one who courts a woman or seeks to
          marry her 4: one who seeks to take over a business

   sukiyaki
          [su.ki.ya.ki] n [Jp, fr. suki- slice + yaki broil] (1920):
          a dish consisting of thin slices of meat, bean curd,
          and vegetables cooked in soy sauce and sugar

   sukkah
          [suk.kah] n [Heb sukkah] (1875): a booth or shelter with
          a roof of branches and leaves that is used esp. for meals
          during the Sukkoth

   Sukkoth
          [Suk.koth] or Suk.kot n [Heb sukkoth, pl. of sukkah] (1882):
          a Jewish harvest festival beginning on the 15th of Tishri
          and commemorating the temporary shelters used by the
          Jews during their wandering in the wilderness

   sulcate
          [sul.cate] adj [L sulcatus, pp. of sulcare to furrow, fr.
          sulcus] (1760): scored with usu. longitudinal furrows
          <a ~ seedpod>

   sulcus
          [sul.cus] n, pl sul.ci [L; akin to OE sulh plow, Gk holkos
          furrow, helkein to pull] (1662): furrow, groove; esp:
          a shallow furrow on the surface of the brain separating
          adjacent convolutions

   sulf-
          [sulf-] or sulfo- comb form [F sulf-, sulfo-, fr. L sulfur]:
          sulfur: containing sulfur <sulfide>

   sulfa
          [sul.fa] adj [short for sulfanilamide] (1940) 1: related
          chemically to sulfanilamide 2: of, relating to, or containing
          sulfa drugs

   sulfadiazine
          [sul.fa.di.a.zine] n [sulfa + diazine ] (1940): a sulfa drug
          that is used esp. in the treatment of meningitis, pneumonia,
          and intestinal infections

   sulfa drug
          [sulfa drug] n (1940): any of various synthetic organic
          bacteria-inhibiting drugs that are sulfonamides closely related
          chemically to sulfanilamide

   sulfanilamide
          [sul.fa.nil.amide] n [sulfanilic + amide] (1937): a crystalline
          sulfonamide that is the amide of sulfanilic acid and
          the parent compound of most of the sulfa drugs

   sulfanilic acid
          [sul.fa.nil.ic acid] n [ISV sulf- + aniline + -ic] (1856):
          a crystalline acid obtained from aniline

   sulfatase
          [sul.fa.tase] n [[1]sulfate] (1924): any of various esterases
          that accelerate the hydrolysis of sulfuric esters and
          that are found in animal tissues and in microorganisms

   [1]sulfate
          [sul.fate] n [F, fr. L sulfur] (1790) 1: a salt or ester
          of sulfuric acid 2: a bivalent group or anion characteristic
          of sulfuric acid and the sulfates [2]sulfate vt sul.fat.ed
          ; sul.fat.ing (1802): to treat or combine with sulfuric
          acid or a sulfate

   sulfhydryl
          [sulf.hy.dryl] n [ISV] (ca. 1901): thiol 2--used chiefly
          in molecular biology

   sulfide
          [sul.fide] n (1836) 1: any of various organic compounds
          characterized by a sulfur atom attached to two carbon atoms
          2: a binary compound of sulfur usu. with a more electropositive
          element or group: a salt of hydrogen sulfide

   sulfinpyrazone
          [sul.fin.py.ra.zone] n [sulfinic acid + pyr- + azole + -one]
          (1958): a uricosuric drug used in long-term treatment
          of chronic gout

   sulfite
          [sul.fite] n [F sulfite, alter. of sulfate] (1790): a salt
          or ester of sulfurous acid -- sul.fit.ic adj

   sulfon-
          [sulfon-] comb form [ISV sulfonic]: sulfonic <sulfonamide>

   sulfonamide
          [sul.fon.amide] n (1881): any of various amides (as sulfanilamide)
          of a sulfonic acid; also: sulfa drug

   [1]sulfonate
          [sul.fo.nate] n (1876): a salt or ester of a sulfonic acid
          [2]sulfonate vt -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1882): to introduce
          the sulfonic acid group into; broadly: to treat (an organic
          substance) with sulfuric acid -- sul.fo.na.tion n

   sulfone
          [sul.fone] n (1872): any of various compounds containing
          the sulfonyl group with its sulfur atom having two bonds
          with carbon

   sulfonic
          [sul.fon.ic] adj (ca. 1891): of, relating to, being, or derived
          from the univalent acid group consisting of a sulfur
          atom, three oxygen atoms and a hydrogen atom

   sulfonic acid
          [sulfonic acid] n (1873): any of numerous acids that may
          be derived from sulfuric acid by replacement of a hydroxyl
          group by either an inorganic anion or a univalent organic
          group

   sulfonium
          [sul.fo.ni.um] n [NL, fr. sulf- + -onium] (1885): a univalent
          group or cation consisting of a sulfur atom joined to
          three hydrogen atoms; also: a substituted derivative
          of this group

   sulfonyl
          [sul.fo.nyl] n (1920): the bivalent group consisting of a
          sulfur atom joined to two oxygen atoms

   sulfonylurea
          [sul.fo.nyl.urea] n [NL, fr. ISV sulfonyl + NL urea] (1956):
          any of several hypoglycemic compounds related to the
          sulfonamides and used in the oral treatment of diabetes

   sulfoxide
          [sulf.ox.ide] n [ISV] (ca. 1894): any of a class of organic
          compounds characterized by an SO group with its sulfur
          atom having two bonds with carbon

   sulfur
          [sul.fur] also sul.phur n [ME sulphur brimstone, fr. L sulpur,
          sulphur, sulfur] (14c) 1: a nonmetallic element that
          occurs either free or combined esp. in sulfides and sulfates,
          is a constituent of proteins, exists in several allotropic
          forms including yellow orthorhombic crystals, resembles
          oxygen chemically but is less active and more acidic,
          and is used esp. in the chemical and paper industries,
          in rubber vulcanization, and in medicine for treating
          skin diseases 2: something (as scathing language) that
          suggests sulfur -- sul.fury or sul.phury adj usage The
          spelling sulfur predominates in U.S. technical usage,
          while both sulfur and sulphur are common in general usage.
          British usage tends to favor sulphur for all applications.
          The same pattern is seen in most of the words derived
          from sulfur.

   sulfur bacterium
          [sulfur bacterium] n (1891): any of various bacteria (esp.
          genus Thiobacillus) capable of metabolizing sulfur compounds

   sulfur dioxide
          [sulfur dioxide] n (1869): a heavy pungent toxic gas that
          is easily condensed to a colorless liquid, is used esp.
          in making sulfuric acid, in bleaching, as a preservative,
          and as a refrigerant, and is a major air pollutant esp.
          in industrial areas

   sulfuric
          [sul.fu.ric] adj (1790): of, relating to, or containing sulfur
          esp. with a higher valence than sulfurous compounds <~
          esters>

   sulfuric acid
          [sulfuric acid] or sulphuric acid n (1790): a heavy corrosive
          oily dibasic strong acid that is colorless when pure
          and is a vigorous oxidizing and dehydrating agent usage
          see sulfur

   sulfurize
          [sul.fu.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing (1794): to treat with
          sulfur or a sulfur compound

   sulfurous
          [sul.fu.rous] also sul.phu.rous adj (15c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or containing sulfur esp. with a lower valence than
          sulfuric compounds <~ esters> b: resembling or emanating
          from sulfur and esp. burning sulfur 2 a: of, relating
          to, or dealing with the fire of hell: infernal b: scathing,
          virulent <~ denunciations> c: profane, blasphemous <~
          language> usage see sulfur -- sul.fu.rous.ly adv --
          sul.fu.rous.ness n

   sulfurous acid
          [sulfurous acid] n (1790): a weak unstable dibasic acid known
          in solution and through its salts and used as a reducing
          and bleaching agent

   sulfuryl
          [sul.fu.ryl] n [ISV] (1867): sulfonyl--used esp. in names
          of inorganic compounds

   [1]sulk
          [sulk] vi [back-formation fr. sulky] (1781): to be moodily
          silent [2]sulk n (1804) 1: the state of one sulking--often
          used in pl. <had a case of the ~s> 2: a sulky mood or
          spell <in a ~>

   [1]sulky
          [sulky] adj [prob. alter. of obs. sulke sluggish] (1744)
          1 a: sulking or given to spells of sulking b: relating
          to or indicating a sulk <a ~ expression> 2 [[2]sulky]:
          having wheels and usu. a seat for the driver <a ~ plow>
          syn see sullen -- sulk.i.ly adv -- sulk.i.ness n [2]sulky
          n, pl sulkies [prob. fr. [1]sulky; fr. its having room
          for only one person] (1756): a light 2-wheeled vehicle
          (as for harness racing) having a seat for the driver
          only and usu. no body

   sullage
          [sul.lage] n [prob. fr. MF soiller, souiller to soil--more
          at soil] (1553): refuse, sewage

   sullen
          [sul.len] adj [ME solain solitary, prob. fr. (assumed) AF
          solein, alter. of OF soltain, fr. LL solitaneus private,
          ultim. fr. L solus alone] (14c) 1 a: gloomily or resentfully
          silent or repressed b: suggesting a sullen state: lowering
          2: dull or somber in sound or color 3: dismal, gloomy
          4: moving sluggishly -- sul.len.ly adv -- sul.len.ness
          n syn sullen, glum, morose, surly, sulky, crabbed, saturnine,
          gloomy mean showing a forbidding or disagreeable mood.
          sullen implies a silent ill humor and a refusal to be
          sociable <remained sullen amid the festivities>. glum
          suggests a silent dispiritedness <a glum candidate left
          to ponder a stunning defeat>. morose adds to glum an
          element of bitterness or misanthropy <morose job seekers
          who are inured to rejection>. surly implies gruffness
          and sullenness of speech or manner <a typical surly teenager>.
          sulky suggests childish resentment expressed in peevish
          sullenness <grew sulky after every spat>. crabbed applies
          to a forbidding morose harshness of manner <the school's
          notoriously crabbed headmaster>. saturnine describes
          a heavy forbidding aspect or suggests a bitter disposition
          <a saturnine cynic always finding fault>. gloomy implies
          a depression in mood making for seeming sullenness or
          glumness <a gloomy mood ushered in by bad news>.

   [1]sully
          [sul.ly] vt sul.lied ; sul.ly.ing [ME sollyen, prob. fr.
          MF soiller to soil] (15c): to make soiled or tarnished:
          defile [2]sully n, pl sullies (1602) archaic: soil, stain

   sulph-
          [sulph-] or sulpho- chiefly Brit var of sulf-

   sulphate, sulphide
          [sul.phate, sul.phide] chiefly Brit var of sulfate, sulfide

   sulphur butterfly
          [sulphur butterfly] n (1879): any of numerous butterflies
          (esp. Colias and related genera of the family Pieridae)
          having the wings usu. yellow or orange with a black border--called
          also sulphur

   sulphureous
          [sul.phu.re.ous] adj (ca. 1552): sulfurous

   sulphurise
          [sul.phu.rise] Brit var of sulfurize

   sulphur yellow
          [sulphur yellow] n (1816): a brilliant greenish yellow

   Sulpician
          [Sul.pi.cian] n [F sulpicien, fr. Compagnie de Saint-Sulpice
          Society of St. Sulpice] (1786): a member of the Society
          of Priests of St. Sulpice founded by Jean Jacques Olier
          in Paris, France, in 1642 and dedicated to the teaching
          of seminarians

   sultan
          [sul.tan] n [MF, fr. Ar sultan] (1555): a king or sovereign
          esp. of a Muslim state -- sul.tan.ic adj

   sultana
          [sul.ta.na] n [It, fem. of sultano sultan, fr. Ar sultan]
          (1585) 1: a female member of a sultan's family; esp:
          a sultan's wife 2 a: a pale yellow seedless grape grown
          for raisins and wine b: the raisin of a sultana

   sultanate
          [sul.tan.ate] n (1822) 1: a state or country governed by
          a sultan 2: the office, dignity, or power of a sultan

   sultaness
          [sul.tan.ess] n (1611) archaic: sultana 1

   sultry
          [sul.try] adj sul.tri.er ; -est [obs. E sulter to swelter,
          alter. of E swelter] (1594) 1 a: very hot and humid:
          sweltering <a ~ day> b: burning hot: torrid 2 a: hot
          with passion or anger b: exciting or capable of exciting
          strong sexual desire <~ glances> -- sul.tri.ly adv --
          sul.tri.ness n

   [1]sum
          [sum] n [ME summe, fr. OF, fr. L summa, fr. fem. of summus
          highest; akin to L super over--more at over] (14c) 1:
          an indefinite or specified amount of money 2: the whole
          amount: aggregate 3: the utmost degree: summit <reached
          the ~ of human happiness> 4 a: a summary of the chief
          points or thoughts: summation <the ~ of this criticism
          follows --C. W. Hendel> b: gist <the ~ and substance
          of an argument> 5 a (1): the result of adding numbers
          <~ of 5 and 7 is 12> (2): the limit of the sum of the
          first n terms of an infinite series as n increases indefinitely
          b: numbers to be added; broadly: a problem in arithmetic
          c (1): disjunction 2 (2): union 2d -- sum.ma.bil.i.ty
          n -- sum.ma.ble adj -- in sum : in short: briefly [2]sum
          vb summed ; sum.ming vt (14c) 1: to calculate the sum
          of: total 2: summarize ~ vi: to reach a sum: amount

   sumac
          [su.mac] also su.mach n [ME sumac, fr. MF, fr. Ar summaq]
          (14c) 1: a material used in tanning and dyeing that consists
          of dried powdered leaves and flowers of various sumacs
          2: any of a genus (Rhus) of trees, shrubs, and woody
          vines of the cashew family that have pinnately compound
          leaves turning to brilliant colors in the autumn, dioecious
          flowers, spikes or loose clusters of red or whitish berries,
          and in some cases foliage poisonous to the touch--compare
          poison ivy, poison oak

   Sumerian
          [Su.me.ri.an] n (1878) 1: a native of Sumer 2: the language
          of the Sumerians that has no known linguistic affinities
          -- Sumerian adj

   Sumerology
          [Su.me.rol.o.gy] n (1897): the study of Sumerian culture,
          language, and history -- Su.me.rol.o.gist n

   summa
          [sum.ma] n, pl sum.mae [ML, fr. L, sum] (1725): a comprehensive
          treatise; esp: one by a scholastic philosopher

   summa cum laude
          [sum.ma cum lau.de] adv or adj [L, with highest praise] (1900):
          with highest distinction <graduated summa cum laude>--compare
          cum laude, magna cum laude

   summand
          [sum.mand] n [ML summandus, gerund of summare to sum, fr.
          summa] (1893): a term in a summation: addend

   summarise
          [sum.ma.rise] Brit var of summarize

   summarization
          [sum.ma.ri.za.tion] n (1865) 1: the act of summarizing 2:
          summary

   summarize
          [sum.ma.rize] vb -rized ; -riz.ing vt (1871): to tell in
          or reduce to a summary ~ vi: to make a summary -- sum.ma.riz.able
          adj -- sum.ma.riz.er n

   [1]summary
          [sum.ma.ry] adj [ME, fr. ML summarius, fr. L summa sum] (15c)
          1: comprehensive; esp: covering the main points succinctly
          2 a: done without delay or formality: quickly executed
          <a ~ dismissal> b: of, relating to, or using a summary
          proceeding <a ~ trial> syn see concise -- sum.mar.i.ly
          adv [2]sum.ma.ry n, pl -ries (1509): an abstract, abridgment,
          or compendium esp. of a preceding discourse

   summate
          [sum.mate] vb sum.mat.ed ; sum.mat.ing [back-formation fr.
          summation] vt (1900): to add together: sum up ~ vi: to
          form a sum or cumulative effect

   summation
          [sum.ma.tion] n (1760) 1: the act or process of forming a
          sum: addition 2: sum, total 3: cumulative action or effect;
          esp: the process by which a sequence of stimuli that
          are individually inadequate to produce a response are
          cumulatively able to induce a nerve impulse 4: a final
          part of an argument reviewing points made and expressing
          conclusions -- sum.ma.tion.al adj

   summative
          [sum.ma.tive] adj (1881): additive, cumulative

   [1]summer
          [sum.mer] n [ME sumer, fr. OE sumor; akin to OHG & ON sumer
          summer, Skt sama year, season] (bef. 12c) 1: the season
          between spring and autumn comprising in the northern
          hemisphere usu. the months of June, July, and August
          or as reckoned astronomically extending from the June
          solstice to the September equinox 2: the warmer half
          of the year 3: year <a girl of seventeen ~s> 4: a period
          of maturing powers -- sum.mer.like adj [2]summer adj
          (14c) 1: of, relating to, or suitable for summer <~ vacation>
          <a ~ home> 2: sown in the spring and harvested in the
          same year as sown <~ wheat>--compare winter [3]summer
          vb sum.mered ; sum.mer.ing vi (15c): to pass the summer
          ~ vt: to keep or carry through the summer; esp: to provide
          (as cattle or sheep) with pasture during the summer

   summer cypress
          [summer cypress] n (1767): a densely branched Eurasian herb
          (Kochia scoparia) of the goosefoot family grown for its
          foliage which turns red in autumn

   summerhouse
          [sum.mer.house] n (bef. 12c) 1: a country house for summer
          residence 2: a covered structure in a garden or park
          designed to provide a shady resting place in summer

   summer kitchen
          [summer kitchen] n (1874): a small building or shed that
          is usu. adjacent to a house and is used as a kitchen
          in warm weather

   summerlong
          [sum.mer.long] adj (1960): lasting through the summer

   summers
          [sum.mers] adv (1907): during the summers <worked ~ as a
          waiter>

   summersault
          [sum.mer.sault] var of somersault

   summer savory
          [summer savory] n (ca. 1573): an annual European mint (Satureja
          hortensis) used in cookery--compare winter savory

   summer school
          [summer school] n (1860): a school or school session conducted
          in summer enabling students to accelerate progress toward
          a degree, to make up credits lost through absence or
          failure, or to round out professional education

   summer squash
          [summer squash] n (1815): any of various garden squashes
          derived from a variety (Cucurbita pepo var. melopepo)
          and used as a vegetable while immature and before hardening
          of the seeds and rind

   summer stock
          [summer stock] n (1927): theatrical productions of stock
          companies presented during the summer

   summer theater
          [summer theater] n (1801): a theater that presents several
          different plays or musicals during the summer

   summertime
          [sum.mer.time] n (14c): the summer season or a period like
          summer

   summer time
          [summer time] n (1916) chiefly Brit: daylight saving time

   summerwood
          [sum.mer.wood] n (1902): the harder less porous portion of
          an annual ring of wood that develops late in the growing
          season--compare springwood

   summery
          [sum.mery] adj (1824): of, resembling, or fit for summer

   summing-up
          [sum.ming-up] n, pl sum.mings-up (1790): the act or statement
          of one who sums up

   [1]summit
          [sum.mit] n [ME somete, fr. MF, fr. OF, dim. of sum top,
          fr. L summum, neut. of summus highest--more at sum] (15c)
          1: top, apex; esp: the highest point: peak 2: the topmost
          level attainable <the ~ of human fame> 3 a: the highest
          level of offici als; esp: the diplomatic level of heads
          of government b: a conference of highest-level officials
          (as heads of government) <an economic ~> syn summit,
          peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean
          the highest point attained or attainable. summit implies
          the topmost level attainable <at the summit of the Victorian
          social scene>. peak suggests the highest among other
          high points <an artist working at the peak of her powers>.
          pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height
          <the pinnacle of worldly success>. climax implies the
          highest point in an ascending series <the war was the
          climax to a series of hostile actions>. apex implies
          the point where all ascending lines converge <the apex
          of Dutch culture>. acme implies a level of quality representing
          the perfection of a thing <a statue that was once deemed
          the acme of beauty>. culmination suggests the outcome
          of a growth or development representing an attained objective
          <the culmination of years of effort>. [2]summit vi (1972):
          to participate in a summit conference

   summiteer
          [sum.mit.eer] n (1957): one who takes part in a summit

   summitry
          [sum.mit.ry] n (1958): the use of a summit conference for
          international negotiation

   summon
          [sum.mon] vt sum.moned ; sum.mon.ing [ME somonen, fr. OF
          somondre, fr. (assumed) VL summonere, alter. of L summonere
          to remind secretly, fr. sub- secretly + monere to warn--more
          at sub-, mind] (13c) 1: to issue a call to convene: convoke
          2: to command by service of a summons to appear in court
          3: to call upon for specified action 4: to bid to come:
          send for <~ a physician> 5: to call forth: evoke--often
          used with up -- sum.mon.able adj -- sum.mon.er n syn
          summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to
          demand the presence of. summon implies the exercise of
          authority <was summoned to answer charges>. call may
          be used less formally for summon <called the legislature
          into special session>. cite implies a summoning to court
          usu. to answer a charge <cited for drunken driving>.
          convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative
          or legislative purposes <convoked a Vatican council>.
          convene is somewhat less formal than convoke <convened
          the students>. muster suggests a calling up of a number
          of things that form a group in order that they may be
          exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole <mustered
          the troops>.

   [1]summons
          [sum.mons] n, pl sum.mons.es [ME somouns, fr. OF somonse,
          fr. pp. of somondre] (13c) 1: the act of summoning; esp:
          a call by authority to appear at a place named or to
          attend to a duty 2: a warning or citation to appear in
          court: as a: a written notification to be served on a
          person as a warning to appear in court at a day specified
          to answer to the plaintiff b: a subpoena to appear as
          a witness 3: something (as a call) that summons [2]summons
          vt (1683): summon 2

   summum bonum
          [sum.mum bo.num] n [L] (1563): the supreme good from which
          all others are derived

   sumo
          [su.mo] n [Jp sumo] (1880): a Japanese form of wrestling
          in which a contestant loses if he is forced out of the
          ring or if any part of his body except the soles of his
          feet touches the ground

   sump
          [sump] n [ME sompe swamp--more at swamp] (1653) 1: a pit
          or reservoir serving as a drain or receptacle for liquids:
          as a: cesspool b: a pit at the lowest point in a circulating
          or drainage system (as the oil-circulating system of
          an internal combustion engine) c chiefly Brit: oil pan
          2 Brit: crankcase 3 [G Sumpf, lit., marsh, fr. MHG--more
          at swamp] a: the lowest part of a mine shaft into which
          water drains b: an excavation ahead of regular work in
          driving a mine tunnel or sinking a mine shaft 4: something
          resembling a sump: sink 2

   sump pump
          [sump pump] n (ca. 1899): a pump (as in a basement) to remove
          accumulations of liquid from a sump pit

   sumpter
          [sump.ter] n [ME, short for sumpter horse, fr. sumpter driver
          of a packhorse, fr. MF sometier, fr. (assumed) VL sagmatarius,
          fr. LL sagmat-, sagma packsaddle, fr. Gk; akin to Gk
          sattein to pack, stuff] (15c): a pack animal

   sumptuary
          [sump.tu.ary] adj [L sumptuarius, fr. sumptus expense, fr.
          sumere to take, spend--more at consume] (1600) 1: relating
          to personal expenditures and esp. to prevent extravagance
          and luxury <conservative ~ tastes --John Cheever> 2:
          designed to regulate extravagant expenditures or habits
          esp. on moral or religious grounds <~ laws> <~ tax>

   sumptuous
          [sump.tu.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF sumptueux, fr. L sumptuosus,
          fr. sumptus] (15c): extremely costly, rich, luxurious,
          or magnificent <~ banquets> <a ~ residence>; also: magnificent
          4 -- sump.tu.ous.ly adv -- sump.tu.ous.ness n

   sum total
          [sum total] n (14c) 1: a total arrived at through the counting
          of sums 2: total result: totality

   sum-up
          [sum-up] n (1894): summary

   sum up
          [sum up] vt (15c) 1: to be the sum of: bring to a total <10
          victories summed up his record> 2 a: to present or show
          succinctly: summarize <sum up the evidence presented>
          b: to assess and then describe briefly: size up ~ vi:
          to present a summary or recapitulation

   [1]sun
          [sun] n [ME sunne, fr. OE; akin to OHG sunna sun, L sol--more
          at solar] (bef. 12c) 1 a often cap: the luminous celestial
          body around which the earth and other planets revolve,
          from which they receive heat and light, and which has
          a mean distance from earth of 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000
          kilometers), a linear diameter of 864,000 miles (1,390,000
          kilometers), a mass 332,000 times greater than earth,
          and a mean density about one fourth that of earth b:
          a celestial body like the sun 2: the heat or light radiated
          from the sun 3: one resembling the sun (as in warmth
          or brilliance) 4: the rising or setting of the sun <from
          ~ to ~> 5: glory, splendor -- in the sun : in the public
          eye -- under the sun : in the world: on earth [2]sun
          vb sunned ; sun.ning vt (15c): to expose to or as if
          to the rays of the sun ~ vi: to sun oneself

   Sun
          [Sun] abbreviation Sunday

   sunbaked
          [sun.baked] adj (1628) 1: heated, parched, or compacted esp.
          by excessive sunlight 2: baked by exposure to sunshine

   sunbath
          [sun.bath] n (1866): an exposure to sunlight or a sunlamp

   sunbathe
          [sun.bathe] vi [back-formation fr. sunbather] (1600): to
          take a sunbath -- sun.bath.er n

   sunbeam
          [sun.beam] n (bef. 12c): a ray of sunlight

   sun bear
          [sun bear] n (1842): a small forest-dwelling bear (Ursus
          malayanus syn. Helarctos malayanus) that is found from
          Myanmar to Borneo and has short glossy black fur with
          a lighter muzzle and often an orange or white breast
          mark

   sunbird
          [sun.bird] n (1826): any of numerous small brilliantly colored
          oscine birds (family Nectariniidae) of the tropical Old
          World somewhat resembling hummingbirds

   sunblock
          [sun.block] n (1972): a preparation designed to block out
          more of the sun's rays than a sunscreen; also: its active
          ingredient (as para-aminobenzoic acid)

   sunbonnet
          [sun.bon.net] n (1824): a woman's bonnet with a wide brim
          framing the face and usu. having a ruffle at the back
          to protect the neck from the sun

   sunbow
          [sun.bow] n (1816): an arch resembling a rainbow made by
          the sun shining through vapor or mist

   [1]sunburn
          [sun.burn] vb -burned or -burnt ; -burn.ing [back-formation
          fr. sunburned, fr. sun + burned] vt (1530): to burn or
          discolor by the sun ~ vi: to become sunburned [2]sunburn
          n (1652): inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure
          to sunlight

   sunburst
          [sun.burst] n, often attrib (1816) 1: a flash of sunlight
          esp. through a break in clouds 2 a: a jeweled brooch
          representing a sun surrounded by rays b: a design in
          the form of rays diverging from a central point

   sunchoke
          [sun.choke] n (1980): jerusalem artichoke

   sundae
          [sun.dae] n [prob. alter. of Sunday] (1897): ice cream served
          with topping (as crushed fruit, syrup, nuts, or whipped
          cream)

   sun dance
          [sun dance] n, often cap S&D (1849): a solo or group solstice
          rite of American Indians

   [1]Sunday
          [Sun.day] n [ME, fr. OE sunnandaeg (akin to OHG sunnuntag),
          fr. sunne sun + daeg day] (bef. 12c): the first day of
          the week: the Christian analogue of the Jewish Sabbath
          -- Sun.days adv [2]Sunday adj (14c) 1: of, relating to,
          or associated with Sunday 2 [fr. the practice of wearing
          one's best clothes on Sunday to attend church]: best
          <~ suit> 3: amateur <~ painters>

   Sunday-go-to-meeting
          [Sun.day-go-to-meet.ing] adj (1831): appropriate for Sunday
          churchgoing

   Sunday punch
          [Sunday punch] n (1929) 1: a powerful or devastating blow;
          esp: a knockout punch 2: something capable of delivering
          a powerful or devastating blow to the opposition <saving
          his Sunday punch for the end of the campaign --Newsweek>

   Sunday school
          [Sunday school] n (1783): a school held on Sunday for religious
          education; also: the teachers and pupils of such a school

   sundeck
          [sun.deck] n (1897) 1: the usu. upper deck of a ship that
          is exposed to the most sun 2: a roof, deck, or terrace
          for sunning

   sunder
          [sun.der] vb sun.dered ; sun.der.ing [ME, fr. OE gesundrian,
          syndrian; akin to OHG suntaron to sunder, OE sundor apart,
          L sine without, Skt sanutar away] vt (bef. 12c): to break
          apart or in two: separate by or as if by violence or
          by intervening time or space ~ vi: to become parted,
          disunited, or severed syn see separate

   sundew
          [sun.dew] n (1578): any of a genus (Drosera of the family
          Droseraceae, the sundew family) of bog-inhabiting insectivorous
          herbs having viscid glands on the leaves

   sundial
          [sun.di.al] n (1599): an instrument to show the time of day
          by the shadow of a gnomon on a usu. horizontal plate
          or on a cylindrical surface

   sun disk
          [sun disk] n (1877): an ancient Near Eastern symbol consisting
          of a disk with conventionalized wings emblematic of the
          sun-god (as Ra in Egypt)

   sun dog
          [sun dog] n (1635) 1: parhelion 2: a small nearly round halo
          on the parhelic circle most frequently just outside the
          halo of 22 degrees

   sundown
          [sun.down] n (1620): sunset 2

   sundowner
          [sun.down.er] n (1868) 1 [fr. his habit of arriving at a
          place where he hopes to obtain food and lodging too late
          to do any work] Austral: hobo, tramp 2 chiefly Brit:
          a drink taken at sundown

   sundress
          [sun.dress] n (1942): a dress with an abbreviated bodice
          usu. exposing the shoulders, arms, and back

   sundries
          [sun.dries] n pl [[1]sundry] (1755): miscellaneous small
          articles, details, or items

   sundrops
          [sun.drops] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1784): any of
          several day-flowering herbs (genus Oenothera) of the
          evening-primrose family

   [1]sundry
          [sun.dry] adj [ME, different for each, fr. OE syndrig, fr.
          sundor apart--more at sunder] (13c): miscellaneous, various
          <~ articles> [2]sundry pron, pl in constr (15c): an indeterminate
          number <recommended for reading by all and ~ --Edward
          Huberman>

   sunfish
          [sun.fish] n (1629) 1: ocean sunfish 2: any of numerous American
          freshwater bony fishes (family Centrarchidae, esp. genus
          Lepomis) usu. with a deep compressed body and metallic
          luster Sunfish trademark--used for a light sailboat that
          has one sail and is designed for use by no more than
          two people

   sunflower
          [sun.flow.er] n (1597): any of a genus (Helianthus) of New
          World composite plants with large yellow-rayed flower
          heads bearing edible seeds that yield an edible oil

   sung
          [sung] past and past part of sing Sung n [Chin (Beijing)
          Song] (1673): a Chinese dynasty dated a.d. 960-1280 and
          marked by cultural refinement and achievements in philosophy,
          literature, and art -- Sung adj

   sunglass
          [sun.glass] n (1804) 1: a convex lens for converging the
          sun's rays 2 pl: glasses to protect the eyes from the
          sun

   sung mass
          [sung mass] n (1931): high mass

   sun god
          [sun god] n, often cap (1592): a god that represents or personifies
          the sun in various religions

   sun goddess
          [sun goddess] n, often cap (1861): a goddess that represents
          or personifies the sun in various religions

   sun-grebe
          [sun-grebe] n (ca. 1889): any of a small family (Heliornithidae)
          of African, Asian, and American tropical birds related
          to the rails

   [1]sunk
          [sunk] past and past part of sink [2]sunk adj (1719) 1: depressed
          in spirits 2: done for, ruined

   sunken
          [sunk.en] adj [ME sonkyn, pp. of sinken to sink] (14c) 1:
          submerged; esp: lying at the bottom of a body of water
          2 a: hollow, recessed <~ cheeks> b: lying in a depression
          <a ~ garden> c: settled below the normal level d: constructed
          below the normal floor level <a ~ living room>

   sunk fence
          [sunk fence] n (ca. 1771): a ditch with a retaining wall
          used to divide lands without defacing a landscape--called
          also ha-ha

   sunlamp
          [sun.lamp] n (1885): an electric lamp designed to emit radiation
          of wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared

   sunless
          [sun.less] adj (1589): lacking sunshine: dark, cheerless

   sunlight
          [sun.light] n (13c): the light of the sun: sunshine

   sunlit
          [sun.lit] adj (1822): lighted by or as if by the sun

   sunn
          [sunn] n [Hindi san, fr. Skt sana] (1774): an East Indian
          leguminous plant (Crotalaria juncea) with slender branches,
          simple leaves, and yellow flowers; also: its valuable
          fiber resembling hemp that is lighter and stronger than
          jute

   sunna
          [sun.na] also sun.nah n, often cap [Ar sunnah] (1728): the
          body of Islamic custom and practice based on Muhammad's
          words and deeds

   sunn hemp
          [sunn hemp] n (1849): sunn

   Sunni
          [Sun.ni] n [Ar sunniy, fr. sunnah] (1595) 1: the Muslims
          of the branch of Islam that adheres to the orthodox tradition
          and acknowledges the first four caliphs as rightful successors
          of Muhammad--compare shia 2: a Sunni Muslim -- Sunni
          adj

   Sunnism
          [Sun.nism] n (1892): the religious system or distinctive
          tenets of the Sunni

   Sunnite
          [Sun.nite] n (1718): sunni 2 -- Sun.nite adj

   sunny
          [sun.ny] adj sun.ni.er ; -est (14c) 1: marked by brilliant
          sunlight: full of sunshine 2: cheerful, optimistic <a
          ~ disposition> 3: exposed to, brightened, or warmed by
          the sun <a ~ room> -- sun.ni.ly adv -- sun.ni.ness n

   sunny-side up
          [sun.ny-side up] adj (ca. 1901) of an egg: fried on one side
          only

   sunporch
          [sun.porch] n (1918): a screened-in or glassed-in porch with
          a sunny exposure

   sunrise
          [sun.rise] n (15c) 1: the apparent rising of the sun above
          the horizon; also: the accompanying atmospheric effects
          2: the time when the upper limb of the sun appears above
          the horizon as a result of the diurnal rotation of the
          earth

   sunroof
          [sun.roof] n (1952): a panel in an automobile roof that can
          be opened

   sunroom
          [sun.room] n (1917): a glass-enclosed porch or living room
          with a sunny exposure--called also sun parlor

   sunscald
          [sun.scald] n (1855): an injury of woody plants (as fruit
          or forest trees) characterized by localized death of
          the tissues and sometimes by cankers and caused when
          it occurs in the summer by the combined action of both
          the heat and light of the sun and in the winter by the
          combined action of sun and low temperature to produce
          freezing of bark and underlying tissues

   sunscreen
          [sun.screen] n (1738): a screen to protect against sun; esp:
          a substance (as para-aminobenzoic acid) used in suntan
          preparations to protect the skin from excessive ultraviolet
          radiation -- sun.screen.ing adj

   sunseeker
          [sun.seek.er] n (1954): a person who travels to an area of
          warmth and sun esp. in winter

   [1]sunset
          [sun.set] n (14c) 1: the apparent descent of the sun below
          the horizon; also: the accompanying atmospheric effects
          2: the time when the upper limb of the sun disappears
          below the horizon as a result of the diurnal rotation
          of the earth 3: a period of decline; esp: old age [2]sunset
          adj (1976): stipulating the periodic review of government
          agencies and programs in order to continue their existence
          <~ law>

   sunshade
          [sun.shade] n (1842): something used as a protection from
          the sun's rays: as a: parasol b: awning

   [1]sunshine
          [sun.shine] n (13c) 1 a: the sun's light or direct rays b:
          the warmth and light given by the sun's rays c: a spot
          or surface on which the sun's light shines 2: something
          (as a person, condition, or influence) that radiates
          warmth, cheer, or happiness -- sun.shiny adj [2]sunshine
          adj (1972): forbidding or restricting closed meetings
          of legislative or executive bodies and sometimes providing
          for public access to records <~ law>

   sunspot
          [sun.spot] n (1868): any of the dark spots that appear from
          time to time on the sun's surface and are usu. visible
          only through a telescope

   sunstroke
          [sun.stroke] n (1851): heatstroke caused by direct exposure
          to the sun

   sunstruck
          [sun.struck] adj (1794): affected or touched by the sun

   sunsuit
          [sun.suit] n (1929): an outfit worn usu. for sunbathing and
          play

   suntan
          [sun.tan] n (1904) 1: a browning of the skin from exposure
          to the rays of the sun 2 pl: a tan-colored summer uniform
          -- sun.tanned adj

   sunt lacrimae rerum
          [sunt la.cri.mae re.rum] [L] foreign term : there are tears
          for things: tears attend trials

   sunup
          [sun.up] n (1712): sunrise

   [1]sunward
          [sun.ward] or sun.wards adv (1611): toward the sun [2]sunward
          adj (1769): facing the sun

   sunwise
          [sun.wise] adv (ca. 1864): clockwise

   suo jure
          [suo ju.re] [L] foreign term : in his (or her) own right

   suo loco
          [suo lo.co] [L] foreign term : in its proper place

   suo Marte
          [suo Mar.te] [L] foreign term : by one's own exertions

   sup
          [sup] abbreviation superior, supplement, supplementary, supply,
          supra

   [1]sup
          [sup] vb supped ; sup.ping [ME suppen, fr. OE supan, suppan;
          akin to OHG sufan to drink, sip, OE sopp sop] vt (bef.
          12c): to take or drink in swallows or gulps ~ vi, chiefly
          dial: to take food and esp. liquid food into the mouth
          a little at a time [2]sup n (ca. 1570): a mouthful esp.
          of liquor or broth: sip; also: a small quantity of liquid
          <pour me just a ~ of tea> [3]sup vi supped ; sup.ping
          [ME soupen, suppen, fr. OF souper, fr. soupe sop, soup--more
          at soup] (14c) 1: to eat the evening meal 2: to make
          one's supper--used with on or off <~ on roast beef>

   [1]super
          [su.per] adj [super-] (1837) 1 a--used as a generalized term
          of approval <a ~ cook> b: of high grade or quality 2:
          very large or powerful <a ~ atomic bomb> 3: exhibiting
          the characteristics of its type to an extreme or excessive
          degree <~ secrecy> [2]super n (1838) 1 [by shortening]
          a: supernumerary; esp: a supernumerary actor b: superintendent,
          supervisor; esp: the superintendent of an apartment building
          2 [short for obs. superhive]: a removable upper story
          of a beehive 3 [[1] super]: a superfine grade or extra
          large size 4 [origin unknown]: a thin loosely woven open-meshed
          starched cotton fabric used esp. for reinforcing books
          [3]super adv [super-] (1946) 1: very, extremely <a ~
          fast car> 2: to an excessive degree

   super-
          [super-] prefix [L, over, above, in addition, fr. super over,
          above, on top of--more at over] 1 a (1): over and above:
          higher in quantity, quality, or degree than: more than
          <superhuman> (2): in addition: extra <supertax> b (1):
          exceeding or so as to exceed a norm <superheat> (2):
          in or to an extreme or excessive degree or intensity
          <supersubtle> c: surpassing all or most others of its
          kind <superhighway> 2 a: situated or placed above, on,
          or at the top of <superlunary>; specif: situated on the
          dorsal side of b: next above or higher <supertonic> 3:
          having the (specified) ingredient present in a large
          or unusually large proportion <superphosphate> 4: constituting
          a more inclusive category than that specified <superfamily>
          5: superior in status, title, or position
          <superpower>su.per.ab.sor.bent
          su.per.achiev.er su.per.ac.tiv.i.ty su.per.ad.di.tion
          su.per.ad.min.is.tra.tor su.per.agent su.per.am.bi.tious
          su.per.ath.lete su.per.bad su.per.bank su.per.bil.lion.aire
          su.per.bitch su.per.board su.per.bomb su.per.bomb.er
          su.per.bright su.per.bu.reau.crat su.per.cab.i.net su.per.car
          su.per.car.ri.er su.per.cau.tious su.per.cen.ter su.per.chic
          su.per.church su.per.civ.i.li.za.tion su.per.civ.i.lized
          su.per.clean su.per.club su.per.co.los.sal su.per.com.fort.able
          su.per.com.pet.i.tive su.per.con.fi.dent su.per.con.glom.er.ate
          su.per.con.ser.va.tive su.per.con.ve.nient su.per.cop
          su.per.cor.po.ra.tion su.per.crim.i.nal su.per.cute su.per.de.luxe
          su.per.dip.lo.mat su.per.ef.fec.tive su.per.ef.fi.cien.cy
          su.per.ef.fi.cient su.per.ego.ist su.per.elite su.per.em.i.nence
          su.per.em.i.nent su.per.em.i.nent.ly su.per.ex.pen.sive
          su.per.ex.press su.per.fan su.per.farm su.per.fast su.per.firm
          su.per.flack su.per.fund su.per.good su.per.gov.ern.ment
          su.per.growth su.per.hard.en su.per.heavy su.per.her.o.ine
          su.per.hit su.per.hot su.per.hype su.per.in.su.lat.ed
          su.per.in.tel.lec.tu.al su.per.in.tel.li.gence
          su.per.in.tel.li.gent su.per.in.ten.si.ty su.per.jock su.per.jum.bo
          su.per.large su.per.law.yer su.per.light su.per.lob.by.ist
          su.per.loy.al.ist su.per.lux.u.ri.ous su.per.lux.u.ry su.per.ma.cho
          su.per.ma.jor.i.ty su.per.male su.per.mas.cu.line su.per.mas.sive
          su.per.mil.i.tant su.per.mil.lion.aire su.per.mind
          su.per.min.is.ter su.per.mod.el su.per.mod.ern su.per.mom
          su.per.na.tion su.per.na.tion.al su.per.nu.tri.tion
          su.per.or.gan.ic su.per.or.gasm su.per.pa.tri.ot
          su.per.pa.tri.ot.ic su.per.pa.tri.o.tism su.per.per.son
          su.per.per.son.al su.per.phe.nom.e.non su.per.pimp su.per.plane
          su.per.play.er su.per.po.lite su.per.port su.per.pow.er.ful
          su.per.pre.mi.um su.per.pro su.per.prof.it su.per.qual.i.ty
          su.per.race su.per.real su.per.re.al.ism su.per.re.gion.al
          su.per.rich su.per.road su.per.ro.man.tic su.per.ro.man.ti.cism
          su.per.safe su.per.sale su.per.sales.man su.per.scale su.per.school
          su.per.scout su.per.se.cre.cy su.per.se.cret su.per.sell
          su.per.sell.er su.per.sex.u.al.i.ty su.per.sharp su.per.show
          su.per.sing.er su.per.size su.per.sized su.per.sleuth su.per.slick
          su.per.smart su.per.smooth su.per.soft su.per.so.phis.ti.cat.ed
          su.per.spe.cial su.per.spe.cial.ist su.per.spe.cial.i.za.tion
          su.per.spe.cial.ized su.per.spec.ta.cle su.per.spec.tac.u.lar
          su.per.spec.u.la.tion su.per.spy su.per.state su.per.sta.tion
          su.per.stim.u.late su.per.stock su.per.stra.tum su.per.strength
          su.per.strike su.per.strong su.per.stud su.per.sub.tle
          su.per.sub.tle.ty su.per.sur.geon su.per.sweet su.per.tank.er
          su.per.ter.rif.ic su.per.thick su.per.thin su.per.thril.ler
          su.per.tight su.per.vir.ile su.per.vir.tu.o.so su.per.wave
          su.per.weap.on su.per.wide su.per.wife

   superable
          [su.per.a.ble] adj [L superabilis, fr. superare to surmount--more
          at insuperable] (1 629): capable of being overcome or
          conquered -- su.per.a.ble.ness n -- su.per.a.bly adv

   superabound
          [su.per.abound] vi [ME, fr. LL superabundare, fr. L super-
          + abundare to abound] (14c): to abound or prevail in
          greater measure or to excess

   superabundant
          [su.per.abun.dant] adj [ME, fr. LL superabundant-, superabundans,
          fr. prp. of superabundare] (15c): more than ample: excessive
          -- su.per.abun.dance n -- su.per.abun.dant.ly adv

   superadd
          [su.per.add] vt [ME, fr. L superaddere, fr. super- + addere
          to add] (15c): to add esp. in a way that compounds an
          effect <the loss of his job was ~ed to the loss of his
          house>

   superagency
          [su.per.agen.cy] n (1943): a large complex governmental agency
          esp. when set up to supervise other agencies

   superalloy
          [su.per.al.loy] n (1948): any of various high-strength often
          complex alloys resistant to high temperature

   superaltern
          [su.per.al.tern] n [super- + subaltern] (1921): a universal
          proposition in traditional logic that is a ground for
          the immediate inference of a corresponding subaltern

   superannuate
          [su.per.an.nu.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [back-formation fr.
          superannuated] vt (1649) 1: to make, declare, or prove
          obsolete or out-of-date 2: to retire and pension because
          of age or infirmity ~ vi 1: to become retired 2: to become
          antiquated -- su.per.an.nu.a.tion n

   superannuated
          [superannuated] adj [ML superannuatus, pp. of superannuari
          to be too old, fr. L super- + annus year--more at annual]
          (1740): incapacitated or disqualified for active duty
          by advanced age

   superb
          [su.perb] adj [L superbus excellent, proud, fr. super above
          + -bus (akin to OE beon to be)--more at over, be] (1549):
          marked to the highest degree by grandeur, excellence,
          brilliance, or competence syn see splendid -- su.perb.ly
          adv -- su.perb.ness n

   Superball
          [Su.per.ball] trademark--used for a toy rubber ball with
          a high bounce

   superblock
          [su.per.block] n (1928): a very large commercial or residential
          block barred to through traffic, crossed by pedestrian
          walks and sometimes access roads, and often spotted with
          grassed malls

   Super Bowl
          [Super Bowl] n [fr. the Super Bowl, annual championship game
          of the National Football League] (1969): a contest or
          event that is the most important or prestigious of its
          kind <the 2,500-mile, 24-day Super Bowl of bicycle racing
          --John Krakauer>

   [1]supercalender
          [su.per.cal.en.der] vt (1888): to process (paper) in
          a supercalender [2]supercalender n (1894): a stack of highly
          polished calender rolls used to give an extra finish to paper

   supercargo
          [su.per.car.go] n [Sp sobrecargo, fr. sobre- over (fr. L
          super-) + cargo cargo] (1697): an officer on a merchant
          ship in charge of the commercial concerns of the voyage

   supercede
          [supercede] var of supersede

   supercharge
          [su.per.charge] vt (1876) 1: to charge greatly or excessively
          (as with vigor or tension) 2: to supply a charge to the
          intake of (as an engine) at a pressure higher than that
          of the surrounding atmosphere 3: pressurize 1 -- supercharge
          n

   supercharger
          [su.per.charg.er] n (1921): a device (as a blower or compressor)
          for pressurizing the cabin of an airplane or for increasing
          the volume air charge of an internal combustion engine
          over that which would normally be drawn in through the
          pumping action of the pistons

   superciliary
          [su.per.cil.i.ary] adj [NL superciliaris, fr. L supercilium]
          (1732): of, relating to, or adjoining the eyebrow: supraorbital

   supercilious
          [su.per.cil.ious] adj [L superciliosus, fr. supercilium eyebrow,
          haughtiness, fr. super- + -cilium eyelid (akin to celare
          to hide)--more at hell] (1598): coolly and patronizingly
          haughty syn see proud -- su.per.cil.ious.ly adv --
          su.per.cil.ious.ness n

   supercity
          [su.per.city] n (1925): megalopolis

   superclass
          [su.per.class] n (ca. 1891): a category in biological
          classification ranking below a phylum or division and above a class

   supercluster
          [su.per.clu.ster] n (1926): a group of gravitationally associated
          clusters of galaxies

   supercoil
          [su.per.coil] n (1965): superhelix -- supercoil vb

   supercollider
          [su.per.col.lid.er] n (1984): a very large collider capable
          of accelerating particles to very high energies

   supercomputer
          [su.per.com.put.er] n (1968): a large very fast mainframe
          used esp. for scientific computations

   superconduct
          [su.per.con.duct] vi (1952): to exhibit superconductivity
          -- su.per.con.duc.tive adj

   superconductivity
          [su.per.con.duc.tiv.i.ty] n (1913): a complete disappearance
          of electrical resistance in a substance esp. at very
          low temperatures -- su.per.con.duc.tor n

   supercontinent
          [su.per.con.ti.nent] n (1960): a former large continent from
          which other continents are held to have broken off and
          drifted away

   supercool
          [su.per.cool] vt (1906): to cool below the freezing point
          without solidification or crystallization ~ vi: to become
          supercooled

   supercritical
          [su.per.crit.i.cal] adj (1934): being or having a temperature
          above a critical temperature <~ fluid>

   supercurrent
          [su.per.cur.rent] n (1940): a current of electricity flowing
          in a superconductor

   super-duper
          [su.per-du.per] adj [redupl. of [1]super] (1940): of the
          greatest excellence, size, effectiveness, or impressiveness

   superego
          [su.per.ego] n [NL, trans. of G Uber-ich, fr. uber over +
          ich I] (1919): the one of the three divisions of the
          psyche in psychoanalytic theory that is only partly conscious,
          represents internalization of parental conscience and
          the rules of society, and functions to reward and punish
          through a system of moral attitudes, conscience, and
          a sense of guilt--compare ego, id

   superelevate
          [su.per.el.e.vate] vt (ca. 1945): bank 1c

   superelevation
          [su.per.el.e.va.tion] n (1889) 1: the vertical distance between
          the heights of inner and outer edges of highway pavement
          or railroad rails 2: additional elevation

   supererogation
          [su.per.er.o.ga.tion] n [ML supererogation-, supererogatio,
          fr. supererogare to perform beyond the call of duty,
          fr. LL, to expend in addition, fr. L super- + erogare
          to expend public funds after asking the consent of the
          people, fr. e- + rogare to ask--more at right] (1526):
          the act of performing more than is required by duty,
          obligation, or need

   supererogatory
          [su.per.erog.a.to.ry] adj (1593) 1: observed or performed
          to an extent not enjoined or required 2: exceeding what
          is needed: superfluous

   superfamily
          [su.per.fam.i.ly] n (ca. 1890): a category of biological
          classification ranking below an order and above a family

   superfatted
          [su.per.fat.ted] adj (1891): containing extra oil or fat
          <~ soap>

   superfecundation
          [su.per.fe.cun.da.tion] n (ca. 1855) 1: successive fertilization
          of two or more ova from the same ovulation esp. by different
          sires 2: fertilization at one time of a number of ova
          excessive for the species

   superfetation
          [su.per.fe.ta.tion] n [ML superfetation-, superfetatio, fr.
          L superfetare to conceive while already pregnant, fr.
          super- + fetus act of bearing young, offspring--more
          at fetus] (1603): a progressive accumulation or accretion
          reaching an extreme or excessive degree

   superficial
          [su.per.fi.cial] adj [ME, fr. LL superficialis, fr. L superficies]
          (15c) 1 a (1): of or relating to a surface (2): lying on, not
          penetrating below, or affecting only the surface <~ wounds> b Brit,
          of a unit of measure: square <~ foot> 2 a: concerned only with the
          obvious or apparent: shallow b: lying on the surface: external
          c: presenting only an appearance without substance or significance
          -- su.per.fi.cial.ly adv syn superficial, shallow, cursory mean
          lacking in depth or solidity. superficial implies a concern only
          with surface aspects or obvious features <a superficial analysis
          of the problem>. shallow is more generally derogatory in implying
          lack of depth in knowledge, reasoning, emotions, or character
          <a light, shallow, and frivolous review>. cursory suggests a lack
          of thoroughness or a neglect of details <gave the letter only
          a cursory reading>.

   superficial fascia
          [superficial fascia] n (1876): the thin layer of loose fatty
          connective tissue underlying the skin and binding it
          to the parts beneath--called also hypodermis

   superficiality
          [su.per.fi.ci.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1530) 1: the quality
          or state of being superficial 2: something superficial

   superficies
          [su.per.fi.cies] n, pl superficies [L, surface, fr. super-
          + facies face, aspect--more at face] (1530) 1: a surface
          of a body or a region of space 2: the external aspects
          or appearance of a thing

   superfine
          [su.per.fine] adj (1575) 1: overly refined or nice 2: of
          extremely fine size or texture <~ toothbrush bristles>
          <~ sugar> 3: of high quality or grade--used esp. of merchandise

   superfix
          [su.per.fix] n [super- + -fix (as in prefix)] (ca. 1948):
          a morpheme consisting of a pattern of stress, intonation,
          or juncture features that are associated with the syllables
          of a word or phrase (as the distinctive stress patterns
          of the noun subject and the verb subject)

   superfluid
          [su.per.flu.id] n (1938): an unusual state of matter noted
          only in liquid helium cooled to near absolute zero and
          characterized by apparently frictionless flow (as through
          fine holes) -- superfluid adj -- su.per.flu.id.i.ty n

   superfluity
          [su.per.flu.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME superfluitee, fr. MF superfluite,
          fr. LL superfluitat-, superfluitas, fr. L superfluus] (14c)
          1 a: excess, oversupply b: something unnecessary or superfluous
          2: immoderate and esp. luxurious living, habits, or desires

   superfluous
          [su.per.flu.ous] adj [ME, fr. L superfluus, lit., running
          over, fr. superfluere to overflow, fr. super- + fluere
          to flow--more at fluid] (15c) 1 a: exceeding what is
          sufficient or necessary: extra b: not needed: unnecessary
          2 obs: marked by wastefulness: extravagant -- su.per.flu.ous.ly
          adv -- su.per.flu.ous.ness n

   supergene
          [su.per.gene] n (ca. 1949): a group of linked genes acting
          as an allelic unit esp. when due to the suppression of
          crossing-over

   supergiant
          [su.per.gi.ant] n (1926): something that is extremely large;
          esp: a star of very great intrinsic luminosity and enormous
          size -- supergiant adj

   superglue
          [su.per.glue] n (1946): a very strong glue; specif: a glue
          whose chief ingredient is a cyanoacrylate that becomes
          adhesive through polymerization rather than evaporation
          of a solvent

   supergraphics
          [su.per.graph.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1969):
          billboard-sized graphic shapes usu. of bright color and
          simple design

   supergravity
          [su.per.grav.i.ty] n (1976): any of various theories in physics
          that are based on supersymmetry and attempt to unify
          general relativity and quantum theory and that state
          that the principle transmitter of gravity is the graviton

   supergroup
          [su.per.group] n (1968): a rock group made up of prominent
          former members of other rock groups; also: an extremely
          successful rock group

   [1]superheat
          [su.per.heat] vt (1859) 1: to heat (a vapor not in contact
          with its own liquid) so as to cause to remain free from
          suspended liquid droplets <~ed steam> 2: to heat (a liquid)
          above the boiling point without converting into vapor
          -- su.per.heat.er n [2]su.per.heat n (1884): the extra
          heat imparted to a vapor in superheating it from a dry
          and saturated condition; also: the corresponding rise
          of temperature

   superheated
          [su.per.heat.ed] adj (1857): very hot; also: exceedingly
          emotional or intense

   superheavyweight
          [su.per.hea.vy.weight] n (1971): an athlete (as an Olympic
          weightlifter, boxer, or wrestler) who competes in the
          heaviest class or division

   superhelix
          [su.per.he.lix] n (1964): a helix (as of DNA) which has its
          axis arranged in a helical coil -- su.per.he.li.cal adj

   superhero
          [su.per.hero] n (1917): a fictional hero having extraordinary
          or superhuman powers; also: an exceptionally skillful
          or successful person

   superheterodyne
          [su.per.het.ero.dyne] adj [supersonic + heterodyne] (1922):
          used in or being a radio receiver in which an incoming
          signal is mixed with a locally generated frequency to
          produce an ultrasonic signal at a fixed frequency that
          is then rectified, amplified, and rectified again to
          reproduce the sound -- superheterodyne n

   superhigh frequency
          [su.per.high frequency] n (ca. 1945): a radio frequency in
          the next to the highest range of the radio spectrum

   superhighway
          [su.per.high.way] n (1925): a multilane highway (as an expressway
          or turnpike) designed for high-speed traffic

   superhuman
          [su.per.hu.man] adj (1633) 1: being above the human: divine
          <~ beings> 2: exceeding normal human power, size, or
          capability: herculean <a ~ effort>; also: having such
          power, size, or capability -- su.per.hu.man.i.ty n --
          su.per.hu.man.ly adv -- su.per.hu.man.ness n

   superimpose
          [su.per.im.pose] vt (1794): to place or lay over or above
          something <superimposed images> <superimposed a formula
          on the stories> -- su.per.im.pos.able adj -- su.per.im.po.si.tion
          n

   superincumbent
          [su.per.in.cum.bent] adj [L superincumbent-, superincumbens,
          prp. of superincumbere to lie on top of, fr. super- +
          incumbere to lie down on--more at incumbent] (1664):
          lying or resting and usu. exerting pressure on something
          else -- su.per.in.cum.bent.ly adv

   superindividual
          [su.per.in.di.vid.u.al] adj (1916): of, relating to, or being
          an organism, entity, or complex of more than individual
          complexity or nature

   superinduce
          [su.per.in.duce] vt [L superinducere, fr. super- + inducere
          to lead in--more at induce] (ca. 1555) 1: to introduce
          as an addition over or above something already existing
          2: bring on, induce -- su.per.in.duc.tion n

   superinfection
          [su.per.in.fec.tion] n (ca. 1922): reinfection or a second
          infection with a microbial agent (as a bacterium, fungus,
          or virus) -- su.per.in.fect vt

   superintend
          [su.per.in.tend] vt [LL superintendere, fr. L super- + intendere
          to stretch out, direct--more at intend] (ca. 1615): to
          have or exercise the charge and oversight of: direct

   superintendence
          [su.per.in.ten.dence] n (1603): the act or function
          of superintending or directing: supervision

   superintendency
          [su.per.in.ten.den.cy] n, pl -cies (1598): the office, post,
          or jurisdiction of a superintendent; also: superintendence

   superintendent
          [su.per.in.ten.dent] n [ML superintendent-, superintendens,
          fr. LL, prp. of superintendere] (1554): one who has executive
          oversight and charge -- superintendent adj

   [1]superior
          [su.pe.ri.or] adj [ME, fr. MF superieur, fr. L superior,
          compar. of superus upper, fr. super over, above--more
          at over] (14c) 1: situated higher up: upper 2: of higher
          rank, quality, or importance 3: courageously or serenely
          indifferent (as to something painful or disheartening)
          4 a: greater in quantity or numbers <escaped by ~ speed>
          b: excellent of its kind: better <her ~ memory> 5: being
          a superscript 6 a of an animal structure: situated above
          or anterior or dorsal to another and esp. a corresponding
          part <a ~ artery> b of a plant structure: situated above
          or near the top of another part: as (1) of a calyx: attached
          to and apparently arising from the ovary (2) of an ovary:
          free from the calyx or other floral envelope 7: more
          comprehensive <a genus is ~ to a species> 8: affecting
          or assuming an air of superiority: supercilious -- su.pe.ri.or.ly
          adv [2]superior n (15c) 1: one who is above another in
          rank, station, or office; esp: the head of a religious
          house or order 2: one that surpasses another in quality
          or merit 3: superscript

   superior conjunction
          [superior conjunction] n (1833): a conjunction in which the
          primary of an orbiting celestial body is aligned between
          the celestial body and an observer

   superior court
          [superior court] n (1686) 1: a court of general jurisdiction
          intermediate between the inferior courts (as a justice
          of the peace court) and the higher appellate courts 2:
          a court with juries having original jurisdiction

   superior general
          [superior general] n, pl superiors general (1775): the superior
          of a religious order or congregation

   superiority
          [su.pe.ri.or.i.ty] n, pl -ties (15c): the quality or state
          of being superior; also: a superior characteristic

   superiority complex
          [superiority complex] n (ca. 1924): an exaggerated opinion
          of oneself

   superior planet
          [superior planet] n (1583): a planet whose orbit lies outside
          that of the earth

   superior vena cava
          [superior vena cava] n (1901): the branch of the vena cava
          of a vertebrate that brings blood back from the head
          and anterior part of the body to the heart

   superjacent
          [su.per.ja.cent] adj [L superjacent-, superjacens, prp. of
          superjacere to lie over or upon, fr. super- + jacere
          to lie; akin to L jacere to throw--more at jet] (1610):
          lying above or upon: overlying <~ rocks>

   superjet
          [su.per.jet] n (1958): a very large jet airplane

   [1]superlative
          [su.per.la.tive] adj [ME superlatif, fr. MF, fr. LL superlativus,
          fr. L superlatus (pp. of superferre to carry over, raise
          high), fr. super- + latus, pp. of ferre to carry--more
          at tolerate, bear] (14c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          the degree of grammatical comparison that denotes an
          extreme or unsurpassed level or extent 2 a: surpassing
          all others: supreme b: of very high quality: excellent
          3: excessive, exaggerated -- su.per.la.tive.ly adv --
          su.per.la.tive.ness n [2]superlative n (15c) 1 a: the
          superlative degree of comparison in a language b: a superlative
          form of an adjective or adverb 2: the superlative or
          utmost degree of something: acme 3: a superlative person
          or thing 4: an admiring sometimes exaggerated expression
          esp. of praise

   superliner
          [su.per.lin.er] n (1919): a fast luxurious passenger liner
          of great size

   superlunary
          [su.per.lu.na.ry] or su.per.lu.nar adj [L super- + luna moon--more
          at lunar] (1614) archaic: being above the moon: celestial

   superman
          [su.per.man] n [trans. of G Ubermensch, fr. uber over, super-
          + Mensch man] (1903) 1: a superior man that according
          to Nietzsche has learned to forgo fleeting pleasures
          and attain happiness and dominance through the exercise
          of creative power 2: a person of extraordinary or superhuman
          power or achievements

   supermarket
          [su.per.mar.ket] n, often attrib (1933) 1: a self-service
          retail market selling esp. foods and household merchandise
          2: something resembling a supermarket esp. in the variety
          or volume of its goods or services

   supermicro
          [su.per.mi.cro] n (1982): a very fast and powerful microcomputer

   superminicomputer
          [su.per.mini.com.put.er] n (1980): a very fast and powerful
          minicomputer--called also supermini

   supernal
          [su.per.nal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L supernus, fr. super over,
          above--more at over] (15c) 1 a: being or coming from
          on high b: heavenly, ethereal <~ melodies> c: superlatively
          good <~ trumpet playing> 2: located in or belonging to
          the sky -- su.per.nal.ly adv

   supernatant
          [su.per.na.tant] n [L supernatant-, supernatans, prp. of
          supernatare to float, fr. super- + natare to swim--more
          at natant] (1922): the usu. clear liquid overlying material
          deposited by settling, precipitation, or centrifugation
          -- supernatant adj

   supernatural
          [su.per.nat.u.ral] adj [ML supernaturalis, fr. L super- +
          natura nature] (15c) 1: of or relating to an order of
          existence beyond the visible observable universe; esp:
          of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil
          2 a: departing from what is usual or normal esp. so as
          to appear to transcend the laws of nature b: attributed
          to an invisible agent (as a ghost or spirit) -- supernatural
          n -- su.per.nat.u.ral.ly adv -- su.per.nat.u.ral.ness
          n

   supernaturalism
          [su.per.nat.u.ral.ism] n (1799) 1: the quality or state of
          being supernatural 2: belief in a supernatural power
          and order of existence -- su.per.nat.u.ral.ist n or adj
          -- su.per.nat.u.ral.is.tic adj

   supernature
          [su.per.na.ture] n [back-formation fr. supernatural] (1844):
          the realm of the supernatural

   supernormal
          [su.per.nor.mal] adj (1868) 1: exceeding the normal or average
          2: being beyond normal human powers: paranormal --
          su.per.nor.mal.i.ty n -- su.per.nor.mal.ly adv

   supernova
          [su.per.no.va] n [NL] (1926) 1: the explosion of a very large
          star in which the star may reach a maximum intrinsic
          luminosity one billion times that of the sun 2: one that
          explodes into prominence or popularity; also: superstar

   [1]supernumerary
          [su.per.nu.mer.ary] adj [LL supernumerarius, fr. L super-
          + numerus number] (1605) 1 a: exceeding the usual, stated,
          or prescribed number <a ~ tooth> b: not enumerated among
          the regular components of a group and esp. of a military
          organization 2: exceeding what is necessary, required,
          or desired 3: mor e numerous [2]supernumerary n, pl -ar.ies
          (1639) 1: a supernumerary person or thing 2: an actor
          employed to play a walk-on

   superorder
          [su.per.or.der] n (ca. 1890): a category of biological
          classification ranking below a class and above an order

   superordinate
          [su.per.or.di.nate] adj [super- + subordinate] (1620): superior
          in rank, class, or status

   superorganism
          [su.per.or.gan.ism] n (ca. 1899): an organized society (as
          of a social insect) that functions as an organic whole

   superovulation
          [su.per.ovu.la.tion] n (1927): production of exceptional
          numbers of ova at one time -- su.per.ovu.late vb

   superoxide
          [su.per.ox.ide] n (ca. 1847): a univalent anion consisting
          of two oxygen atoms or a compound containing this anion

   superoxide dismutase
          [superoxide dis.mut.ase] n [dismutation (simultaneous oxidation
          and reduction) + -ase] (1969): a metal-containing enzyme
          that reduces potentially harmful free radicals of oxygen
          formed during normal metabolic cell processes to oxygen
          and hydrogen peroxide

   superparasitism
          [su.per.par.a.sit.ism] n (ca. 1899): parasitization of a
          host by more than one parasitic individual usu. of one
          kind--used esp. of parasitic insects

   superphosphate
          [su.per.phos.phate] n (1797) 1: an acid phosphate 2: a soluble
          mixture of phosphates used as fertilizer and made from
          insoluble mineral phosphates by treatment with sulfuric
          acid

   superphysical
          [su.per.phys.i.cal] adj (ca. 1603): being above or beyond
          the physical world or explanation on physical principles

   superplastic
          [su.per.plas.tic] adj (1947) 1: capable of plastic deformation
          under low stress at an elevated temperature--used of
          metals and alloys 2: of or relating to superplastic materials
          <~ forming> -- su.per.plas.tic.i.ty n

   superpose
          [su.per.pose] vt -posed ; -pos.ing [prob. fr. F superposer,
          back-formation fr. superposition, fr. LL superposition-,
          superpositio, fr. L superponere to superpose, fr. super-
          + ponere to place--more at position] (1823) 1: to place
          or lay over or above whether in or not in contact: superimpose
          2: to lay (as a geometric figure) upon another so as
          to make all like parts coincide -- su.per.pos.able adj
          -- su.per.po.si.tion n

   superposed
          [su.per.posed] adj (1823): situated vertically over another
          layer or part

   superpower
          [su.per.pow.er] n (1922) 1: excessive or superior power 2
          a: an extremely powerful nation; specif: one of a very
          few dominant states in an era when the world is divided
          politically into these states and their satellites b:
          an international governing body able to enforce its will
          upon the most powerful states -- su.per.pow.ered adj

   supersaturate
          [su.per.sat.u.rate] vt (1788): to add to (a solution) beyond
          saturation

   supersaturated
          [su.per.sat.u.rat.ed] adj (1854): containing an amount of
          a substance greater than that required for saturation
          as a result of having been cooled from a higher temperature
          to a temperature below that at which saturation occurs
          <a ~ solution> <air ~ with water vapor>

   supersaturation
          [su.per.sat.u.ra.tion] n (1836): the state of being supersaturated

   superscribe
          [su.per.scribe] vt -scribed ; -scrib.ing [ME, fr. L superscribere,
          fr. super- + scribere to write--more at scribe] (15c) 1: to write
          (as a name or address) on the outside or cover of: address
          2: to write or engrave on the top or outside

   superscript
          [su.per.script] n [L superscriptus, pp. of superscribere]
          (1901): a distinguishing symbol (as a numeral or letter)
          written immediately above or above and to the right or
          left of another character -- superscript adj

   superscription
          [su.per.scrip.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL superscription-,
          superscriptio, fr. L superscribere] (14c) 1: something
          written or engraved on the surface of, outside, or above
          something else: inscription; also: address 2: the act
          of superscribing

   supersede
          [su.per.sede] vt -sed.ed ; -sed.ing [ME superceden, fr. MF
          superseder to refrain from, fr. L supersedere to be superior
          to, refrain from, fr. super- + sedere to sit--more at
          sit] (15c) 1 a: to cause to be set aside b: to force
          out of use as inferior 2: to take the place, room, or
          position of 3: to displace in favor of another: supplant
          syn see replace -- su.per.sed.er n

   supersedeas
          [su.per.se.de.as] n, pl supersedeas [ME, fr. L, you shall
          refrain, fr. supersedere] (14c) 1: a common-law writ
          commanding a stay of legal proceedings that is issued
          under various conditions and esp. to stay an officer
          from proceeding under another writ 2: an order staying
          proceedings of an inferior court

   supersedure
          [su.per.se.dure] n (1788): the act or process of superseding;
          esp: the replacement of an old or inferior queen bee
          by a young or superior queen

   supersensible
          [su.per.sen.si.ble] adj (1798): being above or beyond that
          which is apparent to the senses: spiritual

   supersensitive
          [su.per.sen.si.tive] adj (1839): hypersensitive <a ~ palate>
          -- su.per.sen.si.tive.ly adv -- su.per.sen.si.tiv.i.ty
          n

   supersensory
          [su.per.sen.so.ry] adj (1883): supersensible

   superserviceable
          [su.per.ser.vice.able] adj (1605): offering unwanted services:
          officious

   supersession
          [su.per.ses.sion] n [ML supersession-, supersessio, fr. L
          supersedere] (1790): the act of superseding: the state
          of being superseded

   [1]supersonic
          [su.per.son.ic] adj [L super- + sonus sound--more at sound]
          (1919) 1: ultrasonic 2: of, being, or relating to speeds
          from one to five times the speed of sound in air--compare
          sonic 3: moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air
          currents moving at supersonic speed 4: relating to supersonic
          airplanes or missiles <the ~ age> -- su.per.son.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]supersonic n (ca. 1924) 1: a supersonic wave or
          frequency 2: a supersonic airplane

   supersonics
          [su.per.son.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1925): the science
          of supersonic phenomena

   supersonic transport
          [supersonic transport] n (1961): a supersonic transport airplane

   superstar
          [su.per.star] n (1924) 1: a star (as in sports or the movies)
          who is considered extremely talented, has great public
          appeal, and can usu. command a high salary 2: one that
          is very prominent or is a prime attraction -- su.per.star.dom
          n

   superstition
          [su.per.sti.tion] n [ME supersticion, fr. MF, fr. L superstition-,
          superstitio, fr. superstit-, superstes standing over (as witness
          or survivor), fr. super- + stare to stand--more at stand] (13c)
          1 a: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the
          unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception
          of causation b: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the
          supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition
          2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

   superstitious
          [su.per.sti.tious] adj [ME supersticious, fr. MF supersticieux,
          fr. L superstitiosus, fr. superstitio] (14c): of, relating
          to, or swayed by superstition -- su.per.sti.tious.ly
          adv

   superstore
          [su.per.store] n (1943): a very large store offering a wide
          variety of merchandise for sale

   superstring
          [su.per.string] n (1983): a hypothetical string obeying the
          rules of supersymmetry whose vibrations manifest themselves
          as particles existing in ten dimensions of which only
          four are evident

   superstructure
          [su.per.struc.ture] n (1641) 1 a: an entity, concept, or
          complex based on a more fundamental one b: social institutions
          (as the law or politics) that are in Marxist theory erected
          upon the economic base 2: a structure built as a vertical
          extension of something else: as a: all of a building
          above the basement b: the structural part of a ship above
          the main deck -- su.per.struc.tur.al adj

   supersubstantial
          [su.per.sub.stan.tial] adj [LL supersubstantialis, fr. L
          super- + substantia substance] (1534): being above material
          substance: of a transcending substance

   supersymmetry
          [su.per.symmetry] n (1974): the correspondence between fermions
          and bosons of identical mass that is postulated to have
          existed during the opening moments of the big bang and
          that relates gravity to the other forces of nature --
          su.per.sym.met.ric adj

   supersystem
          [su.per.sys.tem] n (ca. 1928): a system that is made up of
          systems

   supertax
          [su.per.tax] n (1906): surtax

   supertonic
          [su.per.ton.ic] n (1806): the second tone of a diatonic scale

   supervene
          [su.per.vene] vi -vened ; -ven.ing [L supervenire, fr. super-
          + venire to come--more at come] (ca. 1648): to follow
          or result as an additional, adventitious, or unlooked-for
          development syn see follow -- su.per.ven.tion n

   supervenient
          [su.per.ve.nient] adj [L supervenient-, superveniens, prp.
          of supervenire] (1594): coming or occurring as something
          additional, extraneous, or unexpected

   supervise
          [su.per.vise] vt -vised ; -vis.ing [ML supervisus, pp. of
          supervidere, fr. L super- + videre to see--more at wit]
          (1588): superintend, oversee

   supervision
          [su.per.vi.sion] n (1640): the action, process, or occupation
          of supervising; esp: a critical watching and directing
          (as of activities or a course of action)

   supervisor
          [su.per.vi.sor] n (15c): one that supervises; esp:
          an administrative officer in charge of a business, government,
          or school unit or operation -- su.per.vi.so.ry adj

   superwoman
          [su.per.wom.an] n (1906): an exceptional woman; esp: a woman
          who succeeds in having a career and raising a family

   supinate
          [su.pi.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L supinatus, pp. of supinare
          to lay backward or on the back, fr. supinus] vt (1831):
          to cause to undergo supination ~ vi: to undergo supination

   supination
          [su.pi.na.tion] n (1666) 1: rotation of the forearm and hand
          so that the palm faces forward or upward and the radius
          lies parallel to the ulna; also: a corresponding movement
          of the foot and leg 2: the position resulting from supination

   supinator
          [su.pi.na.tor] n [NL, fr. L supinare] (1615): a muscle that
          produces the motion of supination

   [1]supine
          [su.pine] n [ME supyn, fr. LL supinum, fr. L, neut. of supinus,
          adj.] (15c) 1: a Latin verbal noun having an accusative
          of purpose in -um and an ablative of specification in
          -u 2: an English infinitive with to [2]su.pine adj [ME
          suppyne, fr. L supinus; akin to L sub under, up to--more
          at up] (15c) 1 a: lying on the back or with the face
          upward b: marked by supination 2: exhibiting indolent
          or apathetic inertia or passivity; esp: mentally or morally
          slack 3 archaic: leaning or sloping backward syn see
          prone, inactive -- su.pine.ly adv -- su.pine.ness n

   supp
          [supp] or suppl abbreviation supplement, supplementary

   supper
          [sup.per] n [ME, fr. OF souper, fr. souper to sup--more at
          sup] (13c) 1 a: the evening meal esp. when dinner is
          taken at midday b: a social affair featuring a supper;
          esp: an evening social esp. for raising funds <a church
          ~> 2: the food served as a supper <eat your ~> 3: a light
          meal served late in the evening

   supper club
          [supper club] n (1925): nightclub

   supplant
          [sup.plant] vt [ME, fr. MF supplanter, fr. L supplantare
          to overthrow by tripping up, fr. sub- + planta sole of
          the foot--more at place] (14c) 1: to supersede (another)
          esp. by force or treachery 2 a (1) obs: uproot (2): to
          eradicate and supply a substitute for <efforts to ~ the
          vernacular> b: to take the place of and serve as a substitute
          for esp. by reason of superior excellence or power syn
          see replace -- sup.plan.ta.tion n -- sup.plant.er n

   [1]supple
          [sup.ple] adj sup.pler ; sup.plest [ME souple, fr. MF, fr.
          L supplic-, supplex entreating for mercy, suppliant,
          perh. fr. sub- + -plic- (akin to plicare to fold)--more
          at ply] (14c) 1 a: compliant often to the point of obsequiousness
          b: readily adaptable or responsive to new situations
          2 a: capable of being bent or folded without creases,
          cracks, or breaks: pliant <~ leather> b: able to perform
          bending or twisting movements with ease and grace: limber
          <~ legs of a dancer> c: easy and fluent without stiffness
          or awkwardness <sang with a lively, ~ voice --Douglas
          Watt> syn see elastic -- sup.ple.ly or sup.ply adv --
          sup.ple.ness n [2]supple vb sup.pled ; sup.pling vt (14c)
          1: to make pacific or complaisant <~ the tempers of your
          race --Laurence Sterne> 2: to alleviate with a salve
          3: to make flexible or pliant ~ vi: to become soft and
          pliant

   supplejack
          [sup.ple.jack] n (ca. 1725): any of various woody climbers
          having tough pliant stems; esp: a southern U.S. vine
          (Berchemia scandens) of the buckthorn family

   [1]supplement
          [sup.ple.ment] n [ME, fr. L supplementum, fr. supplere to
          fill up, complete--more at supply] (14c) 1: something
          that completes or makes an addition <dietary ~s> 2: a
          part added to or issued as a continuation of a book or
          periodical to correct errors or make additions 3: an
          angle or arc that when added to a given angle or arc
          equals 180 degrees [2]sup.ple.ment vt (1829): to add
          or serve as a supplement to <does odd jobs to ~ his income>
          -- sup.ple.men.ta.tion n -- sup.ple.ment.er n

   supplemental
          [sup.ple.men.tal] adj (1605) 1: serving to supplement 2:
          nonscheduled <a ~ airline> -- supplemental n

   supplementary
          [sup.ple.men.ta.ry] adj (1667) 1: added or serving as a supplement:
          additional <~ reading> 2: being or relating to a supplement
          or a supplementary angle

   supplementary angle
          [supplementary angle] n (ca. 1924): one of two angles or
          arcs whose sum is 180 degrees --usu. used in pl.

   suppletion
          [sup.ple.tion] n [ML suppletion-, suppletio act of supplementing,
          fr. L supplere] (1914): the occurrence of phonemically
          unrelated allomorphs of the same morpheme (as went as
          the past tense of go or better as the comparative form
          of good) -- sup.ple.tive adj

   suppletory
          [sup.ple.to.ry] adj [L supplere] (1628): supplying deficiencies:
          supplementary

   suppliance
          [sup.pli.ance] n (ca. 1611): entreaty, supplication

   [1]suppliant
          [sup.pli.ant] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. prp. of supplier to supplicate,
          fr. L supplicare] (15c): one who supplicates [2]suppliant
          adj [MF, prp.] (ca. 1586) 1: humbly imploring: entreating
          <a ~ sinner seeking forgiveness --O. J. Baab> 2: expressing
          supplication <upraised to the heavens ... ~ arms --William
          Styron> -- sup.pli.ant.ly adv

   [1]supplicant
          [sup.pli.cant] adj (1597): suppliant [2]supplicant n (1597):
          suppliant

   supplicate
          [sup.pli.cate] vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ME, fr. L supplicatus,
          pp. of supplicare, fr. supplic-, supplex suppliant--more
          at supple] vi (15c): to make a humble entreaty; esp:
          to pray to God ~ vt 1: to ask humbly and earnestly of
          2: to ask for earnestly and humbly syn see beg -- sup.pli.ca.tion
          n

   supplicatory
          [sup.pli.ca.to.ry] adj (15c): expressing supplication: suppliant
          <a ~ prayer>

   [1]supply
          [sup.ply] vb sup.plied ; sup.ply.ing [ME supplien, fr. MF
          soupleier, fr. L supplere to fill up, supplement, supply,
          fr. sub- up + plere to fill--more at sub-, full] vt (14c)
          1: to add as a supplement 2 a: to provide for: satisfy
          <laws by which the material wants of men are supplied
          --Bull. of Bates Coll.> b: to make available for use:
          provide <supplied the necessary funds> c: to satisfy
          the needs or wishes of d: to furnish (organs, tissues,
          or cells) with a vital element (as blood or nerve fibers)
          3: to substitute for another in; specif: to serve as
          a supply in (a church or pulpit) ~ vi: to serve as a
          supply or substitute -- sup.pli.er n [2]supply n, pl
          supplies (15c) 1 obs: assistance, succor 2 a obs:
          reinforcements--often used in pl. b: a clergyman filling a vacant
          pulpit temporarily c: the quantity or amount (as of a commodity)
          needed or available <beer was in short ~ in that hot weather
          --Nevil Shute> d: provisions, stores--usu. used in pl. 3: the act
          or process of filling a want or need <engaged in the ~ of raw
          materials to industry> 4: the quantities of goods or services
          offered for sale at a particular time or at one price 5: something
          that maintains or constitutes a supply

   supply-side
          [sup.ply-side] adj (1976): of, relating to, or being an economic
          theory that reduction of tax rates encourages more earnings,
          savings, and investment and thereby expands economic
          activity and the total taxable national income -- sup.ply-sid.er
          n

   [1]support
          [sup.port] vt [ME, fr. MF supporter, fr. LL supportare, fr.
          L, to carry, fr. sub- + portare to carry--more at fare]
          (14c) 1: to endure bravely or quietly: bear 2 a (1):
          to promote the interests or cause of (2): to uphold or
          defend as valid or right: advocate (3): to argue or vote
          for b (1): assist, help (2): to act with (a star actor)
          (3): to bid in bridge so as to show support for c: to
          provide with substantiation: corroborate <~ an alibi>
          3 a: to pay the costs of: maintain b: to provide a basis
          for the existence or subsistence of <the island could
          probably ~ three --A. B. C. Whipple> 4 a: to hold up
          or serve as a foundation or prop for b: to maintain (a
          price) at a desired level by purchases or loans; also:
          to maintain the price of by purchases or loans 5: to
          keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage: comfort
          6: to keep (something) going -- sup.port.abil.i.ty n
          -- sup.port.able adj -- sup.port.ive adj -- sup.port.ive.ness
          n syn support, uphold, advocate, back, champion mean
          to favor actively one that meets opposition. support
          is least explicit about the nature of the assistance
          given <supports waterfront development>. uphold implies
          extended support given to something attacked <upheld
          the legitimacy of the military action>. advocate stresses
          urging or pleading <advocated prison reform>. back suggests
          supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling
          <refusing to back the call for sanctions>. champion suggests
          publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak
          to advocate his or her own cause <championed the rights
          of children>. [2]support n (14c) 1: the act or process
          of supporting: the condition of being supported 2: one
          that supports 3: sufficient strength in a suit bid by
          one's partner in bridge to justify raising the suit

   supporter
          [sup.port.er] n (15c): one that supports or acts as a support:
          as a: adherent, partisan b: one of two figures (as of
          men or animals) placed one on each side of an escutcheon
          and exterior to it c: garter 1 d: athletic supporter

   support group
          [support group] n (1969): a group of people with common experiences
          and concerns who provide emotional and moral support for one
          another

   support hose
          [support hose] n (1963): elastic stockings

   support level
          [support level] n (1953): a price level on a declining market
          at which a security resists further decline due to increased
          attractiveness to traders and investors--called also
          support area

   support system
          [support system] n (1980): a network of people who provide
          an individual with practical or emotional support

   supposable
          [sup.pos.able] adj (1643): capable of being supposed: conceivable
          -- sup.pos.ably adv

   supposal
          [sup.pos.al] n (14c) 1: the act or process of supposing 2:
          something supposed: hypothesis, supposition

   suppose
          [sup.pose] vb sup.posed ; sup.pos.ing [ME, fr. MF supposer,
          fr. ML supponere (perf. indic. supposui), fr. L, to put
          under, substitute, fr. sub- + ponere to put--more at
          position] vt (14c) 1 a: to lay down tentatively as a
          hypothesis, assumption, or proposal <~ a fire broke out>
          <~ you bring the salad> b (1): to hold as an opinion:
          believe <they supposed they were early> (2): to think
          probable or in keeping with the facts <seems reasonable
          to ~ that he would profit> 2 a: conceive, imagine b:
          to have a suspicion of 3: presuppose ~ vi: conjecture,
          opine

   supposed
          [sup.posed] adj (1566) 1 a: pretended <twelve hours are ~
          to elapse between Acts I and II --A. S. Sullivan> b:
          alleged <trusted my ~ friends> 2 a: held as an opinion:
          believed; also: mistakenly believed: imagined <the sight
          which makes ~ terror true --Shak.> b: considered probable
          or certain: expected <it was not ~ that everybody could
          master the technical aspects --J. C. Murray> c: understood
          <you will be ~ to refer to my grandaunt --G. B. Shaw>
          3: made or fashioned by intent or design <what's that
          button ~ to do> 4 a: required by or as if by authority
          <soldiers are ~ to obey their commanding officers> b:
          given permission: permitted <was not ~ to have visitors>
          -- sup.pos.ed.ly adv

   supposing
          [sup.pos.ing] conj (ca. 1843): if by way of hypothesis: on
          the assumption that

   supposition
          [sup.po.si.tion] n [ME, fr. LL supposition-, suppositio,
          fr. L, act of placing beneath, fr. supponere] (15c) 1:
          something that is sup posed: hypothesis 2: the act of
          supposing -- sup.po.si.tion.al adj

   suppositious
          [sup.po.si.tious] adj [by contr.] (1624): supposititious

   supposititious
          [sup.pos.i.ti.tious] adj [L suppositicius, fr. suppositus,
          pp. of supponere to substitute] (1611) 1 a: fraudulently
          substituted: spurious b of a child (1): falsely presented
          as a genuine heir (2): illegitimate 2 [influenced in
          meaning by supposition] a: imaginary b: of the nature
          of or based on a supposition: hypothetical -- sup.pos.i.ti.tious.ly
          adv

   suppository
          [sup.pos.i.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ME, fr. ML suppositorium,
          fr. LL, neut. of suppositorius placed beneath, fr. L
          supponere to put under] (14c): a solid but readily meltable
          cone or cylinder of usu. medicated material for insertion
          into a bodily passage or cavity (as the rectum)

   suppress
          [sup.press] vt [ME, fr. L suppressus, pp. of supprimere,
          fr. sub- + premere to press--more at press] (14c) 1:
          to put down by authority or force: subdue 2: to keep
          from public knowledge: as a: to keep secret b: to stop
          or prohibit the publication or revelation of 3 a: to
          exclude from consciousness b: to keep from giving vent
          to: check 4 obs: to press down 5 a: to restrain from
          a usual course or action: arrest <~ a cough> b: to inhibit
          the growth or development of: stunt 6: to inhibit the
          genetic expression of <~ a mutation> -- sup.press.ibil.i.ty
          n -- sup.press.ible adj -- sup.pres.sive adj -- sup.pres.sive.ness
          n

   suppressant
          [sup.pres.sant] n (1942): an agent (as a drug) that tends
          to suppress or reduce in intensity rather than eliminate
          something (as appetite)

   suppression
          [sup.pres.sion] n (15c) 1: an act or instance of suppressing:
          the state of being suppressed 2: the conscious intentional
          exclusion from consciousness of a thought or feeling

   suppressor
          [sup.pres.sor] n (1560): one that suppresses; esp: a mutant
          gene that suppresses the expression of another nonallelic
          mutant gene when both are present

   suppressor T cell
          [suppressor T cell] n (1972): a T cell that suppresses the
          immune response of B cells and other T cells to an antigen--called
          also suppressor cell

   suppurate
          [sup.pu.rate] vi -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [L suppuratus, pp. of
          suppurare, fr. sub- + pur-, pus pus--more at foul] (1656):
          to form or discharge pus -- sup.pu.ra.tion n -- sup.pu.ra.tive
          adj

   supr
          [supr] abbreviation supreme

   supra-
          [supra-] prefix [L, fr. supra above, beyond, earlier; akin
          to L super over--more at over] 1: super- 2a <supraorbital>
          2: transcending <supramolecular>

   supra
          [su.pra] adv [L] (1526): earlier in this writing: above

   supraliminal
          [su.pra.lim.i.nal] adj [supra- + L limin-, limen threshold]
          (1892) 1: existing above the threshold of consciousness
          2: adequate to evoke a response or induce a sensation
          <~ stimulus>

   supramolecular
          [su.pra.mo.lec.u.lar] adj (ca. 1909): more complex than a
          molecule; also: composed of many molecules

   supranational
          [su.pra.na.tion.al] adj (1908): transcending national boundaries,
          authority, or interests <a ~ authority, regulating ocean
          usage --N. H. Jacoby> -- su.pra.na.tion.al.ism n --
          su.pra.na.tion.al.ist n -- su.pra.na.tion.al.i.ty n

   supraoptic
          [su.pra.op.tic] adj (1921): situated above the optic chiasma;
          also: being a small nucleus of closely packed neurons
          overlying the optic chiasma and intimately connected
          with the neurohypophysis

   supraorbital
          [su.pra.or.bit.al] adj [NL supraorbitalis, fr. L supra- +
          ML orbita orbit] (1828): situated or occurring above
          the orbit of the eye

   suprarational
          [su.pra.ra.tio.nal] adj (1894): transcending the rational:
          based on or involving factors not to be comprehended
          by reason alone <the stars inspire ~ dreams --R. J. Dubos>

   [1]suprarenal
          [su.pra.re.nal] adj [NL suprarenalis, fr. L supra- + renes
          kidneys] (1828): situated above or anterior to the kidneys
          [2]suprarenal n (1841): a suprarenal part; esp: adrenal
          gland

   suprarenal gland
          [suprarenal gland] n (1876): adrenal gland

   suprasegmental
          [su.pra.seg.men.tal] adj (1941): of or relating to significant
          features (as stress, pitch, or juncture) that occur simultaneously
          with vowels and consonants in an utterance

   supraventricular
          [sup.ra.ven.tric.u.lar] adj (1951): relating to or being
          a rhythmic abnormality of the heart caused by impulses
          originating above the ventricles <~ tachycardia>

   supravital
          [su.pra.vi.tal] adj [ISV] (1919): constituting or relating
          to the staining of living tissues or cells surviving
          after removal from a living body by dyes that penetrate
          living substance but induce more or less rapid degenerative
          changes--compare intravital 2 -- su.pra.vi.tal.ly adv

   supremacist
          [su.prem.a.cist] n (1949) 1: an advocate or adherent of group
          supremacy 2: white supremacist

   supremacy
          [su.prem.a.cy] n, pl -cies [supreme + -acy (as in primacy)]
          (1537): the quality or state of being supreme; also:
          supreme authority or power

   suprematism
          [su.prem.a.tism] n, often cap [Russ suprematizm, fr. F suprematie
          supremacy + Russ -izm -ism] (1933): an early 20th-century
          art movement in Russia producing abstract works featuring
          flat geometric forms -- su.prem.a.tist adj or n, often
          cap

   supreme
          [su.preme] adj [L supremus, superl. of superus upper--more
          at superior] (ca. 1533) 1: highest in rank or authority
          <the ~ commander> 2: highest in degree or quality <~
          endurance in war and in labour --R. W. Emerson> 3: ultimate,
          final <the ~ sacrifice> -- su.preme.ly adv -- su.preme.ness
          n

   Supreme Being
          [Supreme Being] n (1699): god 1

   supreme court
          [supreme court] n, often cap S&C (1709) 1: the highest judicial
          tribunal in a political unit (as a nation or state) 2:
          a court of original jurisdiction in New York state subordinate
          to a final court of appeals

   Supreme Soviet
          [Supreme Soviet] n (1936): the highest legislative body of
          a nation (as Russia or the former Soviet Union)

   supremo
          [su.pre.mo] n, pl -mos [Sp & It, fr. supremo, adj., supreme,
          fr. L supremus] (1937) Brit: one who is highest in rank
          or authority

   supt
          [supt] abbreviation superintendent

   supvr
          [supvr] abbreviation supervisor

   suq
          [suq] var of souk

   sur-
          [sur-] prefix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L super-] 1: over: super-
          <surprint> <surtax> 2: above: up <surbase>

   sur
          [sur] abbreviation surface

   sura
          [su.ra] n [Ar surah, lit., row] (1661): a chapter of the
          Koran

   surah
          [su.rah] n [prob. alter. of surat, a cotton produced in Surat,
          India] (1873): a soft twilled fabric of silk or rayon

   surbase
          [sur.base] n (1678): a molding just above the base of a wall,
          pedestal, or podium

   [1]surcease
          [sur.cease] vb sur.ceased ; sur.ceas.ing [ME sursesen, surcesen,
          fr. MF sursis, pp. of surseoir, fr. L supersedere--more
          at supersede] vi (15c): to desist from action; also:
          to come to an end: cease ~ vt: to put an end to: discontinue
          [2]sur.cease n (1586): cessation; esp: a temporary respite
          or end <to borrow from my books ~ of sorrow --E. A. Poe>

   [1]surcharge
          [sur.charge] vt [ME, fr. MF surchargier, fr. sur- + chargier
          to charge, fr. OF--more at charge] (15c) 1 a: overcharge
          b: to charge an extra fee c: to show an omission in (an
          account) for which credit ought to have been given 2
          Brit: overstock 3: to fill or load to excess <the atmosphere
          ... was surcharged with war hysteria --H. A. Chippendale>
          4 a: to mark a surcharge on (a stamp) b: overprint <~
          a banknote> [2]surcharge n (15c) 1 a: an additional tax,
          cost, or impost b: an extra fare <a sleeping car ~> c:
          an instance of surcharging an account 2: an excessive
          load or burden 3: the action of surcharging: the state
          of being surcharged 4 a (1): an overprint on a stamp;
          specif: one that alters the denomination (2): a stamp
          bearing such an overprint b: an overprint on a currency
          note

   surcingle
          [sur.cin.gle] n [ME sursengle, fr. MF surcengle, fr. sur-
          + cengle girdle, fr. L cingulum--more at cingulum] (14c)
          1: a belt, band, or girth passing around the body of
          a horse to bind a saddle or pack fast to the horse's
          back 2 archaic: the cincture of a cassock

   surcoat
          [sur.coat] n [ME surcote, fr. MF, fr. sur- + cote coat] (13c):
          an outer coat or cloak; specif: a tunic worn over armor

   [1]surd
          [surd] adj [L surdus deaf, silent, stupid] (1551) 1: lacking
          sense: irrational <the ~ mystery and the strange forces
          of existence --D. C. Williams> 2: voiceless--used of
          speech sounds [2]surd n (1557) 1 a: an irrational root
          b: irrational number 2: a surd speech sound

   [1]sure
          [sure] adj sur.er ; sur.est [ME, fr. MF sur, fr. L securus
          secure] (13c) 1 obs: safe from danger or harm 2: firmly
          established: steadfast <a ~ hold> 3: reliable, trustworthy
          4: marked by or given to feelings of confident certainty
          <I'm ~ I'm right> 5: admitting of no doubt: indisputable
          <spoke from ~ knowledge> 6 a: bound to happen: inevitable
          <~ disaster> b: bound, destined <is ~ to win> 7: careful
          to remember, attend to, or find out something <be ~ to
          lock the door> -- sure.ness n -- for sure : without doubt
          or question: certainly -- to be sure : it must be acknowledged:
          admittedly syn sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean
          having no doubt or uncertainty. sure usu. stresses the
          subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance <felt sure
          that I had forgotten something>. certain may apply to
          a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds
          or indubitable evidence <police are certain about the
          cause of the fire>. positive intensifies sureness or
          certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful
          expression of it <I'm positive that's the person I saw>.
          cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness
          <you're always so cocksure about everything>. [2]sure
          adv (14c): surely usage Most commentators consider the
          adverb sure to be something less than completely standard;
          surely is usu. recommended as a substitute. Our current
          evidence shows, however, that sure and surely have become
          differentiated in use. Sure is used in much more informal
          contexts than surely. It is used as a simple intensive
          <I can never know how much I bored her, but, be certain,
          she sure amused me --Norman Mailer> and, because it connotes
          strong affirmation, it is used when the speaker or writer
          expects to be agreed with <it's a moot point whether
          politicians are less venal than in Twain's day. But they're
          sure as the devil more intrusive --Alan Abelson> <he
          sure gets them to play --D. S. Looney>. Surely, like
          sure, is used as a simple intensive <I surely don't want
          to leave the impression that I had an unhappy childhood
          --E. C. Welsh> but it occurs in more formal contexts
          than sure. Unlike sure it may be used neutrally--the
          reader or hearer may or may not agree <it would surely
          be possible, within a few years, to program a computer
          to construct a grammar --Noam Chomsky> and it is often
          used when the writer is trying to persuade <surely a
          book on the avant-garde cannot be so conventional --Karl
          Shapiro>.

   sure-enough
          [sure-enough] adj (ca. 1846): actual, genuine, real

   sure enough
          [sure enough] adv (ca. 1545): as one might expect: certainly

   surefire
          [sure.fire] adj (ca. 1909): certain to get successful or
          expected results <a ~ recipe>

   surefooted
          [sure.foot.ed] adj (1633): not liable to stumble, fall, or
          err -- sure.foot.ed.ly adv -- sure.foot.ed.ness n

   sure-handed
          [sure-hand.ed] adj (1930): proficient and confident in performance
          esp. using the hands -- sure-hand.ed.ness n

   surely
          [sure.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a sure manner: a archaic: without
          danger or risk of injury or loss: safely b (1): with
          assurance: confidently <answered quickly and ~> (2):
          without doubt: certainly <they will ~ be heard from in
          the future --R. J. Lifton> 2: indeed, really--often used
          as an intensive <you ~ don't believe that> usage see
          [2]sure

   sure thing
          [sure thing] n (1836): one that is certain to succeed: a
          sure bet

   surety
          [sure.ty] n, pl -ties [ME surte, fr. MF surte, fr. L securitat-,
          securitas security, fr. securus] (14c) 1: the state of
          being sure: as a: sure knowledge: certainty b: confidence
          in manner or behavior: assurance 2 a: a formal engagement
          (as a pledge) given for the fulfillment of an undertaking:
          guarantee b: ground of confidence or security 3: one
          who has become legally liable for the debt, default,
          or failure in duty of another -- sure.ty.ship n

   surety bond
          [surety bond] n (1911): a bond guaranteeing performance of
          a contract or obligation

   [1]surf
          [surf] n [origin unknown] (1685) 1: the swell of the sea
          that breaks upon the shore 2: the foam, splash, and sound
          of breaking waves [2]surf vi (1926): to ride the surf
          (as on a surfboard) -- surf.er n

   [1]surface
          [sur.face] n [F, fr. sur- + face face, fr. OF--more at face]
          (ca. 1604) 1: the exterior or upper boundary of an object
          or body 2: a plane or curved two-dimensional locus of
          points (as the boundary of a three-dimensional region)
          <plane ~> <~ of a sphere> 3 a: the external or superficial
          aspect of something b: an external part or layer -- on
          the surface : to all outward appearances [2]surface adj
          (1664) 1 a: of, located on, or designed for use at the
          surface of something b: situated, transported, or employed
          on the surface of the earth <~ mail> <~ vehicles> 2:
          appearing to be such on the surface only: superficial
          <~ friendships> [3]surface vb sur.faced ; sur.fac.ing
          vt (1778) 1: to give a surface to: as a: to plane or
          make smooth b: to apply the surface layer to <~ a highway>
          2: to bring to the surface ~ vi 1: to work on or at the
          surface 2: to come to the surface 3: to come into public
          view: show up -- sur.fac.er n

   surface-active
          [surface-active] adj (1920): altering the properties and
          esp. lowering the tension at the surface of contact between
          phases <soaps and wetting agents are typical ~ substances>

   surface of revolution
          [surface of revolution] (1840): a surface formed by the revolution
          of a plane curve about a line in its plane

   surface-ripened
          [sur.face-rip.ened] adj (1945) of cheese: ripened by the
          action of microorganisms (as molds) on the surface

   surface structure
          [surface structure] n (1964): a formal representation of
          the phonetic form of a sentence; also: the structure
          which such a representation describes

   surface tension
          [surface tension] n (1876): the attractive force exerted
          upon the surface molecules of a liquid by the molecules
          beneath that tends to draw the surface molecules into
          the bulk of the liquid and makes the liquid assume the
          shape having the least surface area

   surface-to-air
          [surface-to-air] adj (1949): launched from the ground against
          a target in the air

   surfacing
          [surfacing] n (1882): material forming or used to form a
          surface

   surfactant
          [sur.fac.tant] n [surface-active + -ant] (1950): a surface-active
          substance (as a detergent) -- surfactant adj

   surf and turf
          [surf and turf] n (1973): seafood and steak served as a single
          course

   surfbird
          [surf.bird] n (1839): a shorebird (Aphriza virgata) of the
          Pacific coasts of America that has a black-tipped white
          tail

   surfboard
          [surf.board] n (ca. 1826): a long narrow buoyant board (as
          of lightweight wood or fiberglass-covered foam) used
          in the sport of surfing -- surfboard vi -- surf.board.er
          n

   surfboat
          [surf.boat] n (1856): a boat for use in heavy surf

   surf casting
          [surf casting] n (1928): a method of fishing in which artificial
          or natural bait is cast into the open ocean or in a bay
          where waves break on a beach -- surf caster n

   surf clam
          [surf clam] n (1884): any of various typically rather large
          surf-dwelling edible clams (family Mactridae); esp: a
          common clam (Spisula solidissima) of the Atlantic coast
          chiefly from Nova Scotia to So. Carolina

   [1]surfeit
          [sur.feit] n [ME surfait, fr. MF, fr. surfaire to overdo,
          fr. sur- + faire to do, fr. L facere--more at do] (14c)
          1: an overabundant supply: excess 2: an intemperate or
          immoderate indulgence in something (as food or drink)
          3: disgust caused by excess [2]surfeit vt (14c): to feed,
          supply, or give to surfeit ~ vi, archaic: to indulge
          to satiety in a gratification (as indulgence of the appetite
          or senses) syn see satiate -- sur.feit.er n

   surf fish
          [surf fish] n (1882): surfperch

   surficial
          [sur.fi.cial] adj [surface + -icial (as in superficial)]
          (1892): of or relating to a surface <~ geologic processes>

   surfing
          [surf.ing] n (1926): the sport of riding the surf esp. on
          a surfboard

   surfperch
          [surf.perch] n (1885): any of a family (Embiotocidae) of
          small or medium-sized viviparous bony fishes chiefly
          of shallow water along the Pacific coast of No. America
          that resemble the perches

   surg
          [surg] abbreviation surgeon, surgery, surgical

   [1]surge
          [surge] vb surged ; surg.ing [MF sourge-, stem of sourdre
          to rise, surge, fr. L surgere to go straight up, rise,
          fr. sub- up + regere to lead straight--more at sub-,
          right] vi (1511) 1: to rise and fall actively: toss <a
          ship surging in heavy seas> 2: to rise and move in waves
          or billows: swell 3: to slip around a windlass, capstan,
          or bitts--used esp. of a rope 4: to rise suddenly to
          an excessive or abnormal value <the stock market ~ed
          to a record high> 5: to move with a surge or in surges
          <felt the blood surging into his face --Harry Hervey>
          ~ vt: to let go or slacken gradually (as a rope) <~ a
          hawser to prevent its parting> [2]surge n (1520) 1: a
          swelling, rolling, or sweeping forward like that of a
          wave or series of waves <a ~ of interest> 2 a: a large
          wave or billow: swell b (1): a series of such swells
          or billows (2): the resulting elevation of water level
          3: the tapered part of a windlass barrel or a capstan
          4 a: a movement (as a slipping or slackening) of a rope
          or cable b: a sudden jerk or strain caused by such a
          movement 5: a transient sudden rise of current or voltage
          in an electrical circuit

   surgeon
          [sur.geon] n [ME surgien, fr. AF, fr. OF cirurgien, fr. cirurgie
          surgery] (14c): a medical specialist who practices surgery

   surgeonfish
          [sur.geon.fish] n (1871): any of a family (Acanthuridae)
          of tropical bony fishes that have toxic flesh and typically
          a movable spine on each side of the body near the base
          of the tail capable of inflicting a painful wound

   surgeon general
          [surgeon general] n, pl surgeons general (1706): the chief
          medical officer of a branch of the armed services or
          of a federal or state public health service

   surgeon's knot
          [surgeon's knot] n (1733): any of several knots used in tying
          ligatures or surgical stitches; esp: a reef knot in which
          the first knot has two turns--see knot illustration

   surgery
          [sur.gery] n, pl -ger.ies [ME surgerie, fr. MF cirurgie,
          surgerie, fr. L chirurgia, fr. Gk cheirourgia, fr. cheirourgos
          surgeon, fr. cheirourgos doing by hand, fr. cheir hand
          + ergon work--more at chir-, work] (14c) 1: a branch
          of medicine concerned with diseases and conditions requiring
          or amenable to operative or manual procedures 2: alterations
          made as if by surgery <literary ~> 3 a Brit: a physician's
          or dentist's office b: a room or area where surgery is
          performed 4 a: the work done by a surgeon b: operation

   surgical
          [sur.gi.cal] adj [surgeon + -ical] (1770) 1 a: of or relating
          to surgeons or surgery <~ skills> b: used in or in connection
          with surgery c: characteristic of or resembling surgery
          or a surgeon esp. in control or incisiveness <~ precision>
          2: following or resulting from surgery <~ fevers> --
          sur.gi.cal.ly adv

   surjection
          [sur.jec.tion] n [prob. fr. sur- + -jection (as in projection)]
          (1964): a mathematical function that is an onto mapping--compare
          bijection, injection 3

   surjective
          [sur.jec.tive] adj (1964): onto <a set of ~ functions>

   surly
          [sur.ly] adj sur.li.er ; -est [alter. of ME sirly lordly,
          imperious, fr. sir] (ca. 1572) 1 obs: arrogant, imperious
          2: irritably sullen and churlish in mood or manner: crabbed
          3: menacing or threatening in appearance <~ weather>
          syn see sullen -- sur.li.ly adv -- sur.li.ness n -- surly
          adv

   [1]surmise
          [sur.mise] n (1569): a thought or idea based on scanty evidence:
          conjecture [2]sur.mise vt sur.mised ; sur.mis.ing [ME,
          to accuse, fr. MF surmis, pp. of surmetre, fr. L supermittere
          to throw on, fr. super- + mittere to send] (1700): to
          imagine or infer on slight grounds

   surmount
          [sur.mount] vt [ME, fr. MF surmonter, fr. sur- + monter to
          mount] (14c) 1 obs: to surpass in quality or attainment:
          excel 2: to prevail over: overcome <~ an obstacle> 3:
          to get to the top of: climb 4: to stand or lie at the
          top of -- sur.mount.able adj

   [1]surname
          [sur.name] n (14c) 1: an added name derived from occupation
          or other circumstance: nickname 1 2: the name borne in
          common by members of a family [2]surname vt (15c): to
          give a surna me to

   surpass
          [sur.pass] vt [MF surpasser, fr. sur- + passer to pass] (1555)
          1: to become better, greater, or stronger than: exceed
          2: to go beyond: overstep 3: to transcend the reach,
          capacity, or powers of syn see exceed -- sur.pass.able
          adj

   surpassing
          [sur.pass.ing] adj (ca. 1580): greatly exceeding others:
          of a very high degree -- sur.pass.ing.ly adv

   sur place
          [sur place] [F] foreign term : in place: on the spot

   [1]surplice
          [sur.plice] n [ME surplis, fr. OF surpliz, fr. ML superpellicium,
          fr. super- + pellicium coat of skins, fr. L, neut. of
          pellicius made of skins, fr. pellis skin--more at fell]
          (13c): a loose white outer ecclesiastical vestment usu.
          of knee length with large open sleeves [2]surplice adj
          (1845): having a diagonally overlapping neckline or closing
          <a ~ collar> <~ sweaters>

   surplus
          [sur.plus] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML superplus, fr. L super-
          + plus more--more at plus] (14c) 1 a: the amount that
          remains when use or need is satisfied b: an excess of
          receipts over disbursements 2: the excess of a corporation's
          net worth over the par or stated value of its capital
          stock -- surplus adj

   surplusage
          [sur.plus.age] n (15c) 1: surplus 1a 2 a: excessive or nonessential
          matter b: matter introduced in legal pleading which is not
          necessary or relevant to the case

   surplus value
          [surplus value] n (1887): the difference in Marxist theory
          between the value of work done or of commodities produced
          by labor and the usu. subsistence wages paid by the employer

   surprint
          [sur.print] vt or n (1917): overprint

   surprisal
          [sur.pris.al] n (1591): the action of surprising: the state
          of being surprised

   [1]surprise
          [sur.prise] also sur.prize n [ME, fr. MF, fr. fem. of surpris,
          pp. of surprendre to take over, surprise, fr. sur- +
          prendre to take--more at prize] (15c) 1 a: an attack
          made without warning b: a taking unawares 2: something
          that surprises 3: the state of being surprised: astonishment
          [2]surprise also surprize vb sur.prised ; sur.pris.ing
          vt (15c) 1: to attack unexpectedly; also: to capture
          by an unexpected attack 2 a: to take unawares b: to detect
          or elicit by a taking unawares 3: to strike with wonder
          or amazement esp. because unexpected ~ vi: to cause astonishment
          or surprise <her success didn't ~> -- sur.pris.er n syn
          surprise, astonish, astound, amaze, flabbergast mean
          to impress forcibly through unexpectedness. surprise
          stresses causing an effect through being unexpected at
          a particular time or place rather than by being essentially
          unusual or novel <surprised to find them at home>. astonish
          implies surprising so greatly as to seem incredible <a
          discovery that astonished the world>. astound stresses
          the shock of astonishment <too astounded to respond>.
          amaze suggests an effect of bewilderment <amazed by the
          immense size of the place>. flabbergast may suggest thorough
          astonishment and bewilderment or dismay <flabbergasted
          by his angry refusal>.

   surprising
          [sur.pris.ing] adj (1645): of a nature that excites surprise

   surprisingly
          [sur.pris.ing.ly] adv (1661) 1: in a surprising manner: to
          a surprising degree <a ~ fast runner> 2: it is surprising
          that <~, voter turnout was high>

   surra
          [sur.ra] n [Marathi sura wheezing sound] (1883): a severe
          Old World febrile and hemorrhagic disease of domestic
          animals that is caused by a flagellate protozoan (Trypanosoma
          evansi) and is transmitted by biting insects

   surreal
          [sur.re.al] adj [back-formation fr. surrealism] (1937) 1:
          having the intense irrational reality of a dream 2: surrealistic
          -- sur.re.al.ly adv

   surrealism
          [sur.re.al.ism] n [F surrealisme, fr. sur- + realisme realism]
          (1925): the principles, ideals, or practice of producing
          fantastic or incongruous imagery or effects in art, literature,
          film, or theater by means of unnatural juxtapositions
          and combinations -- sur.re.al.ist n or adj

   surrealistic
          [sur.re.al.is.tic] adj (1925) 1: of or relating to surrealism
          2: having a strange dreamlike atmosphere or quality like
          that of a surrealist painting -- sur.re.al.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   surrebutter
          [sur.re.but.ter] n (ca. 1601): the reply in common law pleading
          of a plaintiff to a defendant's rebutter

   surrejoinder
          [sur.re.join.der] n (ca. 1543): the reply in common law pleading
          of a plaintiff to a defendant's rejoinder

   [1]surrender
          [sur.ren.der] vb -dered ; -der.ing [ME, fr. MF surrendre,
          fr. sur- + rendre to give back, yield--more at render]
          vt (15c) 1 a: to yield to the power, control, or possession
          of another upon compulsion or demand <~ed the fort> b:
          to give up completely or agree to forgo esp. in favor
          of another 2 a: to give (oneself) up into the power of
          another esp. as a prisoner b: to give (oneself) over
          to something (as an influence) ~ vi: to give oneself
          up into the power of another: yield syn see relinquish
          [2]surrender n (15c) 1 a: the action of yielding one's
          person or giving up the possession of something esp.
          into the power of another b: the relinquishment by a
          patentee of rights or claims under a patent c: the delivery
          of a principal into lawful custody by bail--called also
          surrender by bail d: the voluntary cancellation of the
          legal liability of an insurance company by the insured
          and beneficiary for a consideration e: the delivery of
          a fugitive from justice by one government to another
          2: an instance of surrendering

   surreptitious
          [sur.rep.ti.tious] adj [ME, fr. L surrepticius, fr. surreptus,
          pp. of surripere to snatch secretly, fr. sub- + rapere
          to seize--more at rapid] (15c) 1: done, made, or acquired
          by stealth: clandestine 2: acting or doing something
          clandestinely: stealthy syn see secret -- sur.rep.ti.tious.ly
          adv

   surrey
          [sur.rey] n, pl surreys [Surrey, England] (ca. 1891): a four-wheel
          two-seated horse-drawn pleasure carriage

   surrogacy
          [sur.ro.ga.cy] n (1984): the practice of serving as a surrogate
          mother

   [1]surrogate
          [sur.ro.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L surrogatus, pp. of
          surrogare to choose in place of another, substitute,
          fr. sub- + rogare to ask--more at right] (1533): to put
          in the place of another: a: to appoint as successor,
          deputy, or substitute for oneself b: substitute [2]sur.ro.gate
          n, often attrib (1603) 1 a: one appointed to act in place
          of another: deputy b: a local judicial officer in some
          states (as New York) who has jurisdiction over the probate
          of wills, the settlement of estates, and the appointment
          and supervision of guardians 2: one that serves as a
          substitute 3: surrogate mother

   surrogate mother
          [surrogate mother] n (1978): a woman who becomes pregnant
          usu. by artificial insemination or surgical implantation
          of a fertilized egg for the purpose of carrying the fetus
          to term for another woman -- surrogate motherhood n

   [1]surround
          [sur.round] vt [ME, to overflow, fr. MF suronder, fr. LL
          superundare, fr. L super- + unda wave; influenced in
          meaning by [5]round--more at water] (ca. 1616) 1 a (1):
          to enclose on all sides: envelop <the crowd ~ed her>
          (2): to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat:
          invest b: to form or be a member of the entourage of
          <flatterers who ~ the king> c: to constitute part of
          the environment of <~ed by poverty> d: to extend around
          the margin or edge of: encircle <a wall ~s the old city>
          2: to cause to be surrounded by something <~ed himself
          with friends> [2]surround n (1825): something (as a border
          or ambient environment) that surrounds <from urban centre
          to rural ~ --Emrys Jones>

   surroundings
          [sur.round.ings] n pl (1861): the circumstances, conditions,
          or objects by which one is surrounded: environment

   surroyal
          [sur.roy.al] n [ME surryal, fr. sur- + ryall royal antler]
          (15c): one of the terminal tines above the royal antler
          of a large deer (as a stag) usu. grown by four years
          of age

   sursum corda
          [sur.sum cor.da] n [LL, (lift) up (your) hearts; fr. the
          opening words] (1537) 1 often cap S&C: a versicle that
          in traditional eucharistic liturgies exhorts the faithful
          to enthusiastic worship 2: something inspiriting

   surtax
          [sur.tax] n (1881) 1: an extra tax or charge 2: a graduated
          income tax in addition to the normal income tax imposed
          on the amount by which one's net income exceeds a specified
          sum

   surtout
          [sur.tout] n [F, fr. sur over (fr. L super) + tout all, fr.
          L totus whole--more at over] (1686): a man's long close-fitting
          overcoat

   surv
          [surv] abbreviation survey, surveying, surveyor

   surveil
          [sur.veil] vt sur.veilled ; sur.veil.ling [back-formation
          fr. surveillance] (1949): to subject to surveillance

   surveillance
          [sur.veil.lance] n [F, fr. surveiller to watch over, fr.
          sur- + veiller to watch, fr. L vigilare, fr. vigil watchful--more
          at vigil] (1802): close watch kept over someone or something
          (as by a detective); also: supervision

   surveillant
          [sur.veil.lant] n (1819): one that exercises surveillance

   [1]survey
          [sur.vey] vb sur.veyed ; sur.vey.ing [ME, fr. MF surveeir
          to look over, fr. sur- + veeir to see--more at view]
          vt (15c) 1 a: to examine as to condition, situation,
          or value: appraise b: to query (someone) in order to
          collect data for the analysis of some aspect of a group
          or area 2: to determine and delineate the form, extent,
          and position of (as a tract of land) by taking linear
          and angular measurements and by applying the principles
          of geometry and trigonometry 3: to view or consider comprehensively
          4: inspect, scrutinize <he ~ed us in a lordly way --Alan
          Harrington> ~ vi: to make a survey [2]sur.vey n, pl surveys (1548)
          1: the act or an instance of surveying: as a: a broad treatment
          of a subject b: poll 5a 2: something that is surveyed

   survey course
          [survey course] n (1916): a course treating briefly the chief
          topics of a broad field of knowledge

   surveying
          [sur.vey.ing] n (1682): a branch of applied mathematics that
          teaches the art of determining the area of any portion
          of the earth's surface, the lengths and directions of
          the bounding lines, and the contour of the surface and
          of accurately delineating the whole on paper

   surveyor
          [sur.vey.or] n (15c): one that surveys; esp: one whose occupation
          is surveying land

   survivable
          [sur.viv.able] adj (1955): resulting in or permitting survival
          -- sur.viv.abil.i.ty n

   survival
          [sur.viv.al] n, often attrib (1598) 1 a: a living or continuing
          longer than another person or thing b: the continuation
          of life or existence <problems of ~ in arctic conditions>
          2: one that survives

   survivalist
          [sur.viv.al.ist] n (1970): one who views survival as a primary
          objective; esp: one who has prepared to survive in the
          anarchy of an anticipated breakdown of society -- survivalist
          adj

   survival of the fittest
          [survival of the fittest] (1864): natural selection

   survivance
          [sur.viv.ance] n (ca. 1623): survival

   survive
          [sur.vive] vb sur.vived ; sur.viv.ing [ME, fr. MF survivre
          to outlive, fr. L supervivere, fr. super- + vivere to
          live--more at quick] vi (15c) 1: to remain alive or in
          existence: live on 2: to continue to function or prosper
          ~ vt 1: to remain alive after the death of <he is survived
          by his wife> 2: to continue to exist or live after <survived
          the earthquake> 3: to continue to function or prosper
          despite: withstand -- sur.vi.vor n

   surviver
          [sur.viv.er] n (1602) archaic: one that survives: survivor

   survivorship
          [sur.vi.vor.ship] n (ca. 1625) 1: the legal right of the
          survivor of persons having joint interests in property
          to take the interest of the person who has died 2: the
          state of being a survivor 3: the probability of surviving
          to a particular age; also: the number or proportion of
          survivors (as of an age group)

   Susan B Anthony Day
          [Su.san B. An.tho.ny Day] n (ca. 1951): February 15 observed
          to commemorate the birth of Susan B. Anthony

   susceptibility
          [sus.cep.ti.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1644) 1: the quality or
          state of being susceptible; esp: lack of ability to resist
          some extraneous agent (as a pathogen or drug): sensitivity
          2 a: a susceptible temperament or constitution b pl:
          feelings, sensibilities 3 a: the ratio of the magnetization
          in a substance to the corresponding magnetizing force
          b: the ratio of the electric polarization to the electric
          intensity in a polarized dielectric

   susceptible
          [sus.cep.ti.ble] adj [LL susceptibilis, fr. L susceptus,
          pp. of suscipere to take up, admit, fr. sub-, sus- up
          + capere to take--more at sub-, heave] (1605) 1: capable
          of submitting to an action, process, or operation <a
          theory ~ to proof> 2: open, subject, or unresistant to
          some stimulus, influence, or agency 3: impressionable,
          responsive syn see liable -- sus.cep.ti.ble.ness n --
          sus.cep.ti.bly adv

   susceptive
          [sus.cep.tive] adj (15c) 1: receptive 2: susceptible --
          sus.cep.tive.ness n -- sus.cep.tiv.i.ty n

   sushi
          [su.shi] n [Jp] (1893): cold rice dressed with vinegar, formed
          into any of various shapes, and garnished esp. with bits
          of raw fish or shellfish

   suslik
          [su.slik] n [Russ] (1774) 1: any of several rather large
          short-tailed ground squirrels (genus Citellus) of eastern
          Europe or northern Asia 2: the mottled grayish black
          fur of a suslik

   [1]suspect
          [sus.pect] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L suspectus, fr. pp. of suspicere]
          (14c) 1: regarded or deserving to be regarded with suspicion:
          suspected <investigates ~ employees> 2: doubtful, questionable
          <whose skills are ~ --Peter Vecsey> [2]sus.pect n (1591): one who
          is suspected; esp: one suspected of a crime [3]sus.pect vb [ME, fr.
          L suspectare, freq. of suspicere to look up at, regard with awe,
          suspect, fr. sub-, susup, secretly + specere to look at--more
          at sub-, spy] vt (15c) 1: to imagine (one) to be guilty or culpable
          on slight evidence or without proof <~ him of giving false
          information> 2: to have doubts of: distrust 3: to imagine to exist
          or be true, likely, or probable ~ vi: to imagine something
          to be true or likely

   suspend
          [sus.pend] vb [ME, fr. OF suspendre to hang up, interrupt,
          fr. L suspendere, fr. sub-, sus- up + pendere to cause
          to hang, weigh] vt (14c) 1: to debar temporarily from
          a privilege, office, or function <~ a student from school>
          2 a: to cause to stop temporarily <~ bus service> b:
          to set aside or make temporarily inoperative <~ the rules>
          3: to defer to a later time on specified conditions <~
          sentence> 4: to hold in an undetermined or undecided
          state awaiting further information <~ judgment> <~ disbelief>
          5 a: hang; esp: to hang so as to be free on all sides
          except at the point of support <~ a ball by a thread>
          b: to keep from falling or sinking by some invisible
          support (as buoyancy) <dust ~ed in the air> 6 a: to keep
          fixed or lost (as in wonder or contemplation) b: to keep
          waiting in suspense or indecision 7: to hold (a musical
          note) over into the following chord ~ vi 1: to cease
          operation temporarily 2: to stop payment or fail to meet
          obligations 3: hang syn see defer

   suspended animation
          [suspended animation] n (1795): temporary suspension of the
          vital functions (as in persons nearly drowned)

   suspender
          [sus.pend.er] n (1524) 1: one that suspends 2: a device by
          which something may be suspended: as a: one of two supporting
          bands worn across the shoulders to support trousers,
          skirt, or belt--usu. used in pl. and often with pair
          b Brit: a fastener attached to a garment or garter to
          hold up a stocking or sock; also: a device consisting
          of garter and fastener -- sus.pend.ered adj

   suspense
          [sus.pense] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. suspendre] (15c) 1: the state
          of being suspended: suspension 2 a: mental uncertainty:
          anxiety b: pleasant excitement as to a decision or outcome
          <a novel of ~> 3: the state or character of being undecided
          or doubtful: indecisiveness -- sus.pense.ful adj --
          sus.pense.ful.ly adv -- sus.pense.ful.ness n -- sus.pense.less adj

   suspense account
          [suspense account] n (1869): an account for the temporary
          entry of charges or credits or esp. of doubtful accounts
          receivable pending determination of their ultimate disposition

   suspenser
          [sus.pens.er] n (ca. 1960): a suspenseful film

   suspension
          [sus.pen.sion] n [ME suspensyon, fr. MF suspension, fr. LL
          suspension-, suspensio, fr. L suspendere] (15c) 1: the
          act of suspending: the state or period of being suspended:
          as a: temporary removal from office or privileges b:
          temporary withholding (as of belief or decision) c: temporary
          abrogation of a law or rule d (1): the holding over of
          one or more musical tones of a chord into the following
          chord producing a momentary discord and suspending the
          concord which the ear expects; specif: such a dissonance
          which resolves downward--compare anticipation, retardation
          (2): the tone thus held over e: stoppage of payment of
          business obligations: failure--used esp. of a business
          or a bank f: a rhetorical device whereby the principal
          idea is deferred to the end of a sentence or longer unit
          2 a: the act of hanging: the state of being hung b (1):
          the state of a substance when its particles are mixed
          with but undissolved in a fluid or solid (2): a substance
          in this state (3): a system consisting of a solid dispersed
          in a solid, liquid, or gas usu. in particles of larger
          than colloidal size--compare emulsion 3: something suspended
          4 a: a device by which something (as a magnetic needle)
          is suspended b: the system of devices (as springs) supporting
          the upper part of a vehicle on the axles c: the act,
          process, or manner in which the pendulum of a timepiece
          is suspended

   suspension bridge
          [suspension bridge] n (1821): a bridge that has its roadway
          suspended from two or more cables usu. passing over towers
          and securely anchored at the ends--see bridge illustration

   suspension points
          [suspension points] n pl (1919): usu. three spaced periods
          used to show the omission of a word or word group from
          a written context

   suspensive
          [sus.pen.sive] adj (15c) 1: stopping temporarily: suspending
          <a ~ veto> 2: characterized by suspense, suspended judgment,
          or indecisiveness 3: characterized by suspension -- sus.pen.sive.ly
          adv

   suspensor
          [sus.pen.sor] n [NL, fr. L suspendere] (1832): a suspending
          part or structure: as a: a group or chain of cells that
          is produced from the zygote of a heterosporous plant
          and serves to push the embryo which arises at its extremity
          deeper into the embryo sac and into contact with the
          food supply of the megaspore b: either of a pair
          of gametangia-bearing hyphal outgrowths in fungi (order Mucorales)
          that extend from two sexually compatible hyphae and support the
          resulting zygospore

   [1]suspensory
          [sus.pen.so.ry] adj (15c) 1: held in suspension; also: fitted
          or serving to suspend 2: temporarily leaving undetermined:
          suspensive 1 [2]suspensory n, pl -ries (15c): something
          that suspends or holds up; esp: a fabric supporter for
          the scrotum

   suspensory ligament
          [suspensory ligament] n (1831): a ligament or fibrous membrane
          suspending an organ or part; esp: a ringlike fibrous
          membrane connecting the ciliary body and the lens of
          the eye and holding the lens in place--see eye illustration

   [1]suspicion
          [sus.pi.cion] n [ME, fr. L suspicion-, suspicio, fr. suspicere
          to suspect--more at suspect] (14c) 1 a: the act or an
          instance of suspecting something wrong without proof
          or on slight evidence: mistrust b: a state of mental
          uneasiness and uncertainty: doubt 2: a barely detectable
          amount: trace <just a ~ of garlic> syn see uncertainty
          [2]suspicion vt sus.pi.cioned ; sus.pi.cion.ing (ca.
          1637) chiefly dial: suspect

   suspicious
          [sus.pi.cious] adj (14c) 1: tending to arouse suspicion:
          questionable 2: disposed to suspect: distrustful <~ of
          strangers> 3: expressing or indicative of suspicion <a
          ~ glance> -- sus.pi.cious.ly adv -- sus.pi.cious.ness
          n

   suspiration
          [sus.pi.ra.tion] n (15c): a long deep breath: sigh

   suspire
          [sus.pire] vi sus.pired ; sus.pir.ing [ME, fr. L suspirare,
          fr. sub- + spirare to breathe] (15c): to draw a long
          deep breath: sigh

   Suss
          [Suss] abbreviation Sussex

   suss
          [suss] vt [by shortening & alter. fr. suspect] (1966) 1 chiefly
          Brit: to inspect or investigate so as to gain more knowledge--usu.
          used with out 2 chiefly Brit: figure out--usu. used with out

   Sussex spaniel
          [Sus.sex spaniel] n [Sussex, England] (1856): any of a breed
          of short-legged short-necked long-bodied spaniels of
          English origin with a flat or slightly wavy golden liver-colored
          coat

   sustain
          [sus.tain] vt [ME sustenen, fr. OF sustenir, fr. L sustinere
          to hold up, sustain, fr. sub-, sus- up + tenere to hold--more
          at sub-, thin] (13c) 1: to give support or relief to
          2: to supply with sustenance: nourish 3: keep up, prolong
          4: to support the weight of: prop; also: to carry or
          withstand (a weight or pressure) 5: to buoy up <~ed by
          hope> 6 a: to bear up under b: suffer, undergo <~ed heavy
          losses> 7 a: to support as true, legal, or just b: to
          allow or admit as valid <the court ~ed the motion> 8:
          to support by adequate proof: confirm <testimony that
          ~s our contention> -- sus.tained.ly adv -- sus.tain.er
          n

   sustainable
          [sus.tain.able] adj (ca. 1727) 1: capable of being sustained
          2 a: of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting
          or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted
          or permanently damaged <~ techniques> <~ agriculture>
          b: of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of
          sustainable methods <~ society> -- sus.tain.abil.i.ty
          n

   sustained yield
          [sustained yield] n (ca. 1905): production of a biological
          resource (as timber or fish) under management procedures
          which insure replacement of the part harvested by regrowth
          or reproduction before another harvest occurs -- sustained-yield
          adj

   sustaining
          [sus.tain.ing] adj (1605) 1: serving to sustain 2: aidi ng
          in the support of an organization through a special fee
          <a ~ member>

   sustenance
          [sus.te.nance] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. sustenir] (14c) 1 a: means
          of support, maintenance, or subsistence: living b: food,
          provisions; also: nourishment 2 a: the act of sustaining:
          the state of being sustained b: a supplying or being
          supplied with the necessaries of life 3: something that
          gives support, endurance, or strength

   sustentacular cell
          [sus.ten.tac.u.lar cell] n [NL sustentaculum supporting part,
          fr. L, prop, fr. sustentare] (1901): a supporting epithelial
          cell (as a Sertoli cell or a cell of the olfactory epithelium)
          that lacks a specialized function (as nerve-impulse conduction)

   sustentation
          [sus.ten.ta.tion] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L sustentation-, sustentatio
          act of holding up, fr. sustentare to hold up, freq. of
          sustinere to sustain] (14c) 1: the act of sustaining:
          the state of being sustained: as a: maintenance, upkeep
          b: preservation, conservation c: maintenance of life,
          growth, or morale d: provision with sustenance 2: something
          that sustains: support -- sus.ten.ta.tive adj

   Susu
          [Su.su] n, pl Susu or Susus (1786) 1: a member of a West
          African people of Mali, Guinea, and the area along the
          northern border of Sierra Leone 2: the Mande language
          of the Susu people

   susurration
          [su.sur.ra.tion] n (14c): a whispering sound: murmur

   susurrous
          [su.sur.rous] adj (1859): full of whispering sounds

   susurrus
          [su.sur.rus] n [L, hum, whisper--more at swarm] (1826): a
          whispering or rustling sound -- su.sur.rant adj

   sutler
          [sut.ler] n [obs. D soeteler, fr. LG suteler sloppy worker,
          camp cook] (1599): a civilian provisioner to an army
          post often with a shop on the post

   sutra
          [su.tra] n [Skt sutra precept, lit., thread; akin to L suere
          to sew--more at sew] (1801) 1: a precept summarizing
          Vedic teaching; also: a collection of these precepts
          2: a discourse of the Buddha

   suttee
          [sut.tee] n [Skt sati wife who performs suttee, lit., devoted
          woman, fr. fem. of sat true, good; akin to OE soth true--more
          at sooth] (1786): the act or custom of a Hindu widow
          willingly being cremated on the funeral pyre of her husband
          as an indication of her devotion to him; also: a woman
          cremated in this way

   [1]suture
          [su.ture] n [MF & L; MF, fr. L sutura seam, suture, fr. sutus,
          pp. of suere to sew--more at sew] (1541) 1 a: a strand
          or fiber used to sew parts of the living body; also:
          a stitch made with a suture b: the act or process of
          sewing with sutures 2 a: a uniting of parts b: the seam
          or seamlike line along which two things or parts are
          sewed or united 3 a: the line of union in an immovable
          articulation (as between the bones of the skull); also:
          such an articulation b: a furrow at the junction of adjacent
          bodily parts; esp: a line of dehiscence (as on a fruit)
          -- su.tur.al adj -- su.tur.al.ly adv [2]suture vt su.tured
          ; su.tur.ing (1777): to unite, close, or secure with
          sutures <~ a wound>

   suum cuique
          [su.um cui.que] [L] foreign term : to each his own

   suzerain
          [su.zer.ain] n [F, fr. (assumed) MF suserain, fr. MF sus
          up (fr. L sursum, fr. sub- up + versum -ward, fr. neut.
          of versus, pp. of vertere to turn) + -erain (as in soverain
          sovereign)--more at sub-, worth] (1807) 1: a superior
          feudal lord to whom fealty is due: overlord 2: a dominant
          state controlling the foreign relations of a vassal state
          but allowing it sovereign authority in its internal affairs

   suzerainty
          [su.zer.ain.ty] n [F suzerainete, fr. MF suserenete, fr.
          (assumed) MF suserain] (1823): the dominion of a suzerain:
          overlordship

   sv...
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   sv
          [sv] abbreviation sailing vessel, saves, [L sub verbo or
          sub voce] under the word

   svc
          [svc] or svce abbreviation service

   svedberg
          [svedberg] n [The Svedberg] (1939): a unit of time amounting
          to 1E-13 second that is used to measure the sedimentation
          velocity of a colloidal solution (as of a protein) in
          an ultracentrifuge and to determine molecular weight
          by substitution in an equation--called also svedberg
          unit

   svelte
          [svelte] adj [F, fr. It svelto, fr. pp. of svellere to pluck
          out, modif. of L evellere, fr. e- + vellere to pluck--more
          at vulnerable] (ca. 1817) 1 a: slender, lithe b: having
          clean lines: sleek 2: urbane, suave -- svelte.ly adv
          -- svelte.ness n

   Svengali
          [Sven.ga.li] n [Svengali, maleficent hypnotist in the novel
          Trilby (1894) by George du Maurier] (1919): one who attempts
          usu. with evil intentions to persuade or force another
          to do his bidding

   svgs
          [svgs] abbreviation savings

   sw...
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   sw
          [sw] abbreviation switch  Sw abbreviation Sweden  SW abbreviation
          seawater, shipper's weight, shortwave, southwest

   [1]swab
          [swab] n [prob. fr. obs. D swabbe; akin to LG swabber mop]
          (1653) 1 a: mop; esp: a yarn mop b (1): a wad of absorbent
          material usu. wound around one end of a small stick and
          used for applying medication or for removing material
          from an area (2): a specimen taken with a swab c: a sponge
          or cloth patch attached to a long handle and used to
          clean the bore of a firearm 2 a: a useless or contemptible
          person b: sailor, gob [2]swab vt swabbed ; swab.bing
          [back-formation fr. swabber] (1719) 1: to clean with
          or as if with a swab 2: to apply medication to with a
          swab <swabbed the wound with iodine>

   swabber
          [swab.ber] n [akin to LG swabber mop, ME swabben to sway]
          (1592) 1: one that swabs 2: swab 2a

   swabbie
          [swab.bie] also swab.by n, pl swabbies (1944) slang: swab
          2b

   swaddle
          [swad.dle] vt swad.dled ; swad.dling [ME swadelen, swathelen,
          prob. alter. of swedelen, swethelen, fr. swethel swaddling
          band, fr. OE; akin to OE swathian to swathe] (14c) 1
          a: to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes b: envelop,
          swathe <swaddled ourselves in sleeping bags> 2: restrain,
          restrict <marriage ... swaddled him in a domesticity
          he came to loathe --Nina Auerbach>

   swaddling clothes
          [swaddling clothes] n pl (1535) 1: narrow strips of cloth
          wrapped around an infant to restrict movement 2: limitations
          or restrictions imposed on the immature or inexperienced

   [1]swag
          [swag] vb swagged ; swag.ging [prob. of Scand origin; akin
          to ON sveggja to cause to sway; akin to OHG swingan to
          swing] vi (1530) 1: sway, lurch 2: sag ~ vt 1: to adorn
          with swags 2: to arrange (as drapery) in swags [2]swag
          n (1660) 1: sway 2 a: something (as a decoration) hanging
          in a curve between two points: festoon b: a suspended
          cluster (as of evergreen branches) 3 a: goods acquired
          by unlawful means: loot b: spoils, profits 4: a depression
          in the earth 5 chiefly Austral: a pack of personal belongings

   [1]swage
          [swage] n [ME, ornamental border, fr. MF souage] (ca. 1812):
          a tool used by metalworkers for shaping their work by
          holding it on the work or the work on it and striking
          with a hammer or sledge [2]swage vt swaged ; swag.ing
          (1831): to shape by or as if by means of a swage

   swage block
          [swage block] n (1843): a perforated cast-iron or steel block
          with grooved sides that is used in heading bolts and
          swaging bars by hand

   [1]swagger
          [swag.ger] vb swag.gered ; swag.ger.ing [prob. fr. [1]swag
          + -er (as in chatter)] vi (1590) 1: to conduct oneself
          in an arrogant or superciliously pompous manner; esp:
          to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence 2:
          boast, brag ~ vt: to force by argument or threat: bully
          -- swag.ger.er n -- swag.ger.ing.ly adv [2]swagger n
          (1725) 1 a: an act or instance of swaggering b: arrogant
          or conceitedly self-assured behavior c: ostentatious
          display or bravado 2: a self-confident outlook: cockiness
          [3]swagger adj (1879): marked by elegance or showiness:
          posh

   swagger stick
          [swagger stick] n (1887): a short light stick usu. covered
          with leather and tipped with metal at each end and intended
          for carrying in the hand (as by military officers)

   swaggie
          [swag.gie] n [by shortening & alter.] (1891) chiefly Austral:
          swagman

   swagman
          [swag.man] n (1851) chiefly Austral: drifter; esp: one who
          carries a swag when traveling

   Swahili
          [Swa.hi.li] n, pl Swahili or Swahilis [Ar sawahil, pl. of
          sahil coast] (1814) 1: a member of a Bantu-speaking people
          of Zanzibar and the adjacent coast 2: a Bantu language
          that is a trade and governmental language over much of
          East Africa and in the Congo region

   swain
          [swain] n [ME swein boy, servant, fr. ON sveinn; akin to
          OE swan swain, L suus one's own--more at suicide] (14c)
          1: rustic, peasant; specif: shepherd 2: a male admirer
          or suitor -- swain.ish adj -- swain.ish.ness n

   Swainson's hawk
          [Swain.son's hawk] n [William Swainson d. 1855 Eng. naturalist]
          (1895): a buteo (Buteo swainsonii) chiefly of western
          No. America and So. America having pointed wings and
          usu. a dark breast

   SWAK
          [SWAK] abbreviation sealed with a kiss

   swale
          [swale] n [origin unknown] (1584): a low-lying or depressed
          and often wet stretch of land; also: a shallow depression
          on a golf fairway or green

   [1]swallow
          [swal.low] n [ME swalowe, fr. OE swealwe; akin to OHG swalawa
          swallow] (bef. 12c) 1: any of numerous small widely distributed
          oscine birds (family Hirundinidae) that have a short
          bill, long pointed wings, and often a deeply forked tail
          and that feed on insects caught on the wing 2: any of
          several swifts that superficially resemble swallows [2]swallow
          vb [ME swalowen, fr. OE swelgan; akin to OHG swelgan
          to swallow] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to take through the mouth
          and esophagus into the stomach 2: to envelop or take
          in as if by swallowing: absorb 3: to accept without question,
          protest, or resentment <~ an insult> <a hard story to
          ~> 4: take back, retract <had to ~ my words> 5: to keep
          from expressing or showing: repress <~ed my anger> 6:
          to utter (as words) indistinctly ~ vi 1: to receive something
          into the body through the mouth and esophagus 2: to perform
          the action characteristic of swallowing something esp.
          under emotional stress -- swal.low.able adj -- swal.low.er
          n [3]swallow n (14c) 1: the passage connecting the mouth
          to the stomach 2: a capacity for swallowing 3 a: an act
          of swallowing b: an amount that can be swallowed at one
          time 4: an aperture in a block on a ship between the
          sheave and frame through which the rope reeves

   swallowtail
          [swal.low.tail] n (1703) 1: a deeply forked and tapering
          tail (as of a swallow) 2: tailcoat 3: any of various
          large butterflies (family Papilionidae and esp. genus
          Papilio) with each hind wing usu. having an elongated
          process -- swal.low-tailed adj

   swam
          [swam] past of swim

   swami
          [swa.mi] n [Hindi svami, fr. Skt svamin owner, lord, fr.
          sva one's own--more at suicide] (1895) 1: a Hindu ascetic
          or religious teacher; specif: a senior member of a religious
          order--used as a title 2: one that resembles or emulates
          a swami: pundit, seer

   [1]swamp
          [swamp] n [perh. alter. of ME sompe, fr. MD somp morass;
          akin to MHG sumpf marsh, Gk somphos spongy] (1624) 1:
          a wetland often partially or intermittently covered with
          water; esp: one dominated by woody vegetation 2: a tract
          of swamp 3: a difficult or troublesome situation or subject
          -- swamp adj [2]swamp vt (1784) 1 a: to fill with or
          as if with water: inundate, submerge b: to overwhelm
          numerically or by an excess of something: flood <~ed
          with work> 2: to open by removing underbrush and debris
          ~ vi: to become submerged

   swamp buggy
          [swamp buggy] n (1941): a vehicle designed to travel over
          swampy terrain; esp: a four-wheel motor vehicle with
          oversize tires

   swamper
          [swamp.er] n (1775) 1 a: an inhabitant of swamps or lowlands
          b: one familiar with swampy terrain 2: a general assistant:
          handyman, helper

   swampland
          [swamp.land] n (1662): swamp 1

   swampy
          [swampy] adj swamp.i.er ; -est (1649): consisting of, suggestive
          of, or resembling swamp: marshy -- swamp.i.ness n

   [1]swan
          [swan] n, pl swans [ME, fr. OE; akin to MHG swan and perh.
          to L sonus sound--more at sound] (bef. 12c) 1 pl also
          swan : any of various large heavy-bodied long-necked
          mostly pure white aquatic birds (family Anatidae and
          esp. genus Cygnus) that are related to but larger than
          the geese 2: one that resembles or is likened to a swan
          3 cap: the constellation Cygnus [2]swan vi swanned ;
          swan.ning (1942): to wander aimlessly or idly: dally
          [3]swan vi swanned ; swan.ning [perh. euphemism for swear]
          (1784) dial: declare, swear

   swan boat
          [swan boat] n (1953): a small boat usu. for children or sightseers
          pedaled by an operator who sits aft in a large model of a swan

   swan dive
          [swan dive] n (1898): a front dive executed with the head
          back, back arched, and arms spread sideways and then
          brought together above the head to form a straight line
          with the body as the diver enters the water

   [1]swank
          [swank] adj [MLG or MD swanc supple; akin to OHG swingan
          to swing] (1773) Scot: full of life or energy: active
          [2]swank vi [perh. akin to MHG swanken to sway; akin
          to MD swanc supple] (ca. 1809): show off, swagger; also:
          boast 1 [3]swank or swanky adj swank.er or swank.i.er
          ; -est (ca. 1842) 1: characterized by showy display:
          ostentatious <a ~ limousine> 2: fashionably elegant:
          smart <a ~ restaurant> -- swank.i.ly adv -- swank.i.ness
          n [4]swank n (ca. 1854) 1: arrogance or ostentation of
          dress or manner: pretentiousness, swagger 2: elegance,
          fashionableness

   swannery
          [swan.nery] n, pl -ner.ies (1754): a place where swans are
          bred or kept

   swansdown
          [swans.down] n (1606) 1: the soft downy feathers of the swan
          often used as trimming on articles of dress 2: a heavy
          cotton flannel that has a thick nap on the face and is
          made with sateen weave

   swanskin
          [swan.skin] n (1610) 1: the skin of a swan with the down
          or feathers on it 2: fabric resembling flannel and having
          a soft nap or surface

   swan song
          [swan song] n (1831) 1: a song of great sweetness said to
          be sung by a dying swan 2: a farewell appearance or final
          act or pronouncement

   [1]swap
          [swap] vb swapped ; swap.ping [ME swappen to strike; fr.
          the practice of striking hands in closing a business
          deal] vt (14c) 1 a: to give in trade: barter b: exchange
          2 2: to take turns in telling <~ stories> ~ vi: to make
          an exchange -- swap.per n [2]swap n (1625): an act, instance,
          or process of exchanging one thing for another

   swap meet
          [swap meet] n (1965): a gathering for the sale or barter
          of usu. secondhand objects

   swaraj
          [swa.raj] n [Hindi svaraj, fr. Skt sva own + Hindi raj rule--more
          at suicide, raj] (1908): national or local self-government
          in India -- swa.raj.ist n

   sward
          [sward] n [ME, fr. OE sweard, swearth skin, rind; akin to
          MHG swart skin, hide] (15c) 1: a portion of ground covered
          with grass 2: the grassy surface of land -- sward.ed
          adj

   swarf
          [swarf] n [of Scand origin; akin to ON svarf file dust; akin
          to OE sweorfan to file away--more at swerve] (1587):
          material (as metallic particles and abrasive fragments)
          removed by a cutting or grinding tool

   [1]swarm
          [swarm] n [ME, fr. OE swearm; akin to OHG swaram swarm and
          prob. to L susurrus hum] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a great
          number of honeybees emigrating together from a hive in
          company with a queen to start a new colony elsewhere
          (2): a colony of honeybees settled in a hive b: an aggregation
          of free-floating or free-swimming unicellular organisms--usu.
          used of zoospores 2 a: a large number of animate or inanimate
          things massed together and usu. in motion: throng <~s
          of sightseers> <a ~ of locusts> <a ~ of meteors> b: a
          number of similar geological features or phenomena close
          together in space or time <a ~ of dikes> <an earthquake
          ~> [2]swarm vi (14c) 1: to form and depart from a hive
          in a swarm 2 a: to move or assemble in a crowd: throng
          b: to hover about in the manner of a bee in a swarm 3:
          to contain a swarm: teem ~ vt 1: to fill with a swarm
          2: to beset or surround in a swarm <players ~ing the
          quarterback> -- swarm.er n [3]swarm vb [origin unknown]
          vi (14c): to climb with the hands and feet; specif: shin
          <~ up a pole> ~ vt: to climb up: mount

   swarm spore
          [swarm spore] n (1859): any of various minute motile sexual
          or asexual spores; esp: zoospore

   swart
          [swart] adj [ME, fr. OE sweart; akin to OHG swarz black,
          L sordes dirt] (bef. 12c) 1 a: swarthy b archaic: producing
          a swarthy complexion 2: baneful, malignant -- swart.ness
          n

   swarthy
          [swar.thy] adj swar.thi.er ; -est [alter. of obs. swarty,
          fr. swart] (1587): of a dark color, complexion, or cast
          -- swar.thi.ness n

   [1]swash
          [swash] vb [prob. imit.] vi (1556) 1: bluster, swagger 2:
          to make violent noisy movements 3: to move with a splashing
          sound ~ vt: to cause to splash [2]swash n (1593) 1: swagger
          2: a narrow channel of water lying within a sandbank
          or between a sandbank and the shore 3: a dashing of water
          against or on something; esp: the rush of water up a
          beach from a breaking wave [3]swash n [obs. E swash slanting]
          (1683): an extended flourish on a printed character [4]swash
          adj (1683): having one or more swashes <~ capitals>

   swashbuckle
          [swash.buck.le] vi -led ; -ling [back-formation fr. swashbuckler]
          (1897): to act the part of a swashbuckler

   swashbuckler
          [swash.buck.ler] n [[1]swash + buckler] (1560) 1: a swaggering
          or daring soldier or adventurer 2: a novel or drama dealing
          with a swashbuckler

   swashbuckling
          [swash.buck.ling] adj [swashbuckler] (ca. 1693) 1: acting
          in the manner of a swashbuckler 2: characteristic of,
          marked by, or done by swashbucklers

   swasher
          [swash.er] n (1589): swashbuckler

   swastika
          [swas.ti.ka] n [Skt svastika, fr. svasti well-being, fr.
          su- well + as- to be; akin to Skt asti he is, OE is;
          fr. its being regarded as a good luck symbol] (1871)
          1: a symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross
          with the ends of the arms extended at right angles all
          in the same rotary direction 2: a swastika used as a
          symbol of anti-Semitism or of Nazism

   SWAT
          [SWAT] abbreviation Special Weapons and Tactics

   [1]swat
          [swat] vt swat.ted ; swat.ting [E dial., to squat, alter.
          of E squat] (ca. 1796): to hit with a sharp slapping
          blow usu. with an instrument (as a bat or swatter) [2]swat
          n (ca. 1800) 1: a powerful or crushing blow 2: a long
          hit in baseball; esp: home run

   swatch
          [swatch] n [origin unknown] (1647) 1 a: a sample piece (as
          of fabric) or a collection of samples b: a characteristic
          specimen 2: patch 3: a small collection 4: swath 2

   swath
          [swath] or swathe n [ME, fr. OE swaeth footstep, trace; akin
          to MHG swade swath] (14c) 1 a: a row of cut grain or
          grass left by a scythe or mowing machine b: the sweep
          of a scythe or a machine in mowing or the path cut in
          one course 2: a long broad strip or belt 3: a stroke
          of or as if of a scythe 4: a space devastated as if by
          a scythe

   [1]swathe
          [swathe] or swath n [ME, fr. (assumed) OE swaeth; akin to
          OE swathian to swathe] (bef. 12c) 1: a band used in swathing
          2: an enveloping medium [2]swathe vt swathed ; swath.ing
          [ME, fr. OE swathian] (12c) 1: to bind, wrap, or swaddle
          with or as if with a bandage 2: envelop

   swather
          [swath.er] n (ca. 1875): a harvesting machine that cuts and
          windrows grain and seed crops; also: a mower attachment
          that windrows the swath

   swathing clothes
          [swathing clothes] n pl [ME] (14c) obs: swaddling clothes

   swats
          [swats] n pl [prob. fr. OE swatan, pl., beer] (1508) Scot:
          drink; esp: new ale

   swatter
          [swat.ter] n (1912): one that swats; esp: flyswatter

   [1]sway
          [sway] n (14c) 1: the action or an instance of swaying or
          of being swayed: an oscillating, fluctuating, or sweeping
          motion 2: an inclination or deflection caused by or as
          if by swaying 3 a: a controlling influence b: sovereign
          power: dominion c: the ability to exercise influence
          or authority: dominance syn see power [2]sway vb [alter.
          of earlier swey to fall, swoon, fr. ME sweyen, prob.
          of Scand origin; akin to ON sveigja to sway; akin to
          Lith svaigti to become dizzy] vi (ca. 1500) 1 a: to swing
          slowly and rhythmically back and forth from a base or
          pivot b: to move gently from an upright to a leaning
          position 2: to hold sway: act as ruler or governor 3:
          to fluctuate or veer between one point, position, or
          opinion and another ~ vt 1 a: to cause to sway: set to
          swinging, rocking, or oscillating b: to cause to bend
          downward to one side c: to cause to turn aside: deflect,
          divert 2 archaic a: wie ld b: govern, rule 3 a: to cause
          to vacillate b: to exert a guiding or controlling influence
          on 4: to hoist in place <~ up a mast> syn see swing,
          affect -- sway.er n

   swaybacked
          [sway.backed] also sway.back adj (1680): having an abnormally
          hollow or sagging back <a ~ mare> -- sway.back n

   sway bar
          [sway bar] n (1949): a bar that torsionally couples the right
          and left front-wheel suspensions of an automobile to
          reduce roll and sway

   Swazi
          [Swa.zi] n, pl Swazi or Swazis (1878) 1: a member of a Bantu
          people of southeastern Africa 2: a Bantu language of
          the Swazi people

   [1]swear
          [swear] vb swore ; sworn ; swear.ing [ME sweren, fr. OE swerian;
          akin to OHG swerien to swear and perh. to OCS svaru quarrel]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1: to utter or take solemnly (an oath)
          2 a: to assert as true or promise under oath <a sworn
          affidavit> b: to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly
          <swore to uphold the Constitution> 3 a: to put to an
          oath: administer an oath to b: to bind by an oath <swore
          them to secrecy> 4 obs: to invoke the name of (a sacred
          being) in an oath 5: to bring into a specified state
          by swearing <swore his life away> ~ vi 1: to take an
          oath 2: to use profane or obscene language: curse --
          swear.er n -- swear by : to place great confidence in
          -- swear for : to give assurance for: guarantee -- swear
          off : to vow to abstain from: renounce <swear off smoking>
          [2]swear n (14c): oath, swearword

   swear in
          [swear in] vt (1536): to induct into office by administration
          of an oath

   swear out
          [swear out] vt (1895): to procure (a warrant for arrest)
          by making a sworn accusation

   swearword
          [swear.word] n (1883): a profane or obscene oath or word

   [1]sweat
          [sweat] vb sweat or sweat.ed ; sweat.ing [ME sweten, fr.
          OE swaetan, fr. swat sweat; akin to OHG sweiz sweat,
          L sudare to sweat, Gk hidros sweat] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          to excrete moisture in visible quantities through the
          openings of the sweat glands: perspire b: to labor or
          exert oneself so as to cause perspiration 2 a: to emit
          or exude moisture <cheese ~s in ripening> b: to gather
          surface moisture in beads as a result of condensation
          <stones ~ at night> c (1): ferment (2): putrefy 3: to
          undergo anxiety or mental or emotional distress 4: to
          become exuded through pores or a porous surface: ooze
          ~ vt 1: to emit or seem to emit from pores: exude 2:
          to manipulate or produce by hard work or drudgery 3:
          to get rid of or lose (weight) by or as if by sweating
          or being sweated 4: to make wet with perspiration 5 a:
          to cause to excrete moisture from the skin b: to drive
          hard: overwork c: to exact work from at low wages and
          under unfair or unhealthful conditions d slang: to give
          the third degree to 6: to cause to exude or lose moisture;
          esp: to subject (as tobacco leaves) to fermentation 7
          a: to extract something valuable from by unfair or dishonest
          means: fleece b: to remove particles of metal from (a
          coin) by abrasion 8 a: to heat (as solder) so as to melt
          and cause to run esp. between surfaces to unite them;
          also: to unite by such means <~ a pipe joint> b: to heat
          so as to extract an easily fusible constituent <~ bismuth
          ore> c: to saute in a covered vessel until natural juices
          are exuded 9 slang: to worry about <doesn't ~ the small
          stuff --Barry McDermott> -- sweat blood : to work or
          worry intensely <in preparing speeches each sweats blood
          in his own way --Stewart Cockburn> [2]sweat n (13c) 1:
          hard work: drudgery 2: the fluid excreted from the sweat
          glands of the skin: perspiration 3: moisture issuing
          from or gathering in drops on a surface 4 a: the condition
          of one sweating or sweated b: a spell of sweating 5:
          a state of anxiety or impatience 6 pl a: sweat suit b:
          sweatpants -- no sweat slang: with little or no difficulty:
          easily; also: easy--often used interjectionally

   sweatband
          [sweat.band] n (1891) 1: a usu. leather band lining the inner
          edge of a hat or cap to prevent sweat damage 2: a band
          of material worn around the head or wrist to absorb sweat

   sweat bee
          [sweat bee] n (1894): any of various small black or brownish
          bees (family Halictidae) that are attracted to perspiration

   sweatbox
          [sweat.box] n (1864) 1: a place in which one is made to sweat;
          esp: a narrow box or cell in which a prisoner is placed
          for punishment 2: a device for sweating something (as
          hides in tanning or dried figs)

   sweated
          [sweat.ed] adj (1882): of, subjected to, or produced under
          sweatshop conditions <~ labor> <~ goods>

   sweat equity
          [sweat equity] n (1966): equity in a property resulting from
          labor invested in improvements that increase its value;
          also: the labor so invested

   sweater
          [sweat.er] n (15c) 1: one that sweats or causes sweating
          2: a knitted or crocheted jacket or pullover

   sweaterdress
          [sweat.er.dress] n (1952): a knitted or crocheted dress

   sweater girl
          [sweater girl] n (1940): a woman with a shapely bust

   sweater-vest
          [sweat.er-vest] n (1952): a sleeveless pullover or buttoned
          sweater

   sweat gland
          [sweat gland] n (1845): a simple tubular gland of the skin
          that secretes perspiration, is widely distributed in
          nearly all parts of the human skin, and consists typically
          of an epithelial tube extending spirally from a minute
          pore on the surface of the skin into the dermis or subcutaneous
          tissues where it ends in a convoluted tuft

   sweat lodge
          [sweat lodge] n (1850): a hut, lodge, or cavern heated by
          steam from water poured on hot stones and used esp. by
          American Indians for ritual or therapeutic sweating

   sweat out
          [sweat out] vt (1589) 1: to work one's way painfully through
          or to 2: to endure or wait through the course of

   sweatpants
          [sweat.pants] n pl (1925): pants having a drawstring or elastic
          waist and elastic cuffs at the ankle that are worn esp.
          by athletes in warming up

   sweatshirt
          [sweat.shirt] n (1925): a loose collarless pullover usu.
          of heavy cotton jersey

   sweatshop
          [sweat.shop] n (1892): a shop or factory in which workers
          are employed for long hours at low wages and under unhealthy
          conditions

   sweat suit
          [sweat suit] n (1930): a suit worn usu. for exercise that
          consists of a sweatshirt and sweatpants

   sweat test
          [sweat test] n (1978): a test for cystic fibrosis that involves
          measuring the subject's sweat for abnormally high sodium
          chloride content

   sweaty
          [sweaty] adj sweat.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: causing sweat <a
          ~ day> <~ work> 2: wet or stained with or smelling of
          sweat -- sweat.i.ly adv -- sweat.i.ness n

   Swed
          [Swed] abbreviation Sweden

   swede
          [swede] n [LG or obs. D] (1589) 1 cap a: a native or inhabitant
          of Sweden b: a person of Swedish descent 2 chiefly Brit:
          rutabaga

   Swedenborgian
          [Swe.den.bor.gian] adj (1807): of or relating to the teachings
          of Emanuel Swedenborg or the Church of the New Jerusalem
          based on his teachings -- Swedenborgian n -- Swe.den.bor.gian.ism
          n

   Swedish
          [Swed.ish] n (1605) 1: the North Germanic language spoken
          in Sweden and a part of Finland 2 pl in constr: the people
          of Sweden -- Swedish adj

   Swedish massage
          [Swedish massage] n (1911): massage involving a system of
          active and passive exercise of muscles and joints

   [1]sweep
          [sweep] vb swept ; sweep.ing [ME swepen; akin to OE swapan
          to sweep, OHG sweifen to wander] vt (14c) 1 a: to remove
          from a surface with or as if with a broom or brush <swept
          the crumbs from the table> b: to destroy completely:
          wipe out--usu. used with away <everything she cherished,
          might be swept away overnight --Louis Bromfield> c: to
          remove or take with a single continuous forceful action
          <swept the books off the desk> d: to remove from sight
          or consideration <the problem can't be swept under the
          rug> e: to drive or carry along with irresistible force
          <a wave of protest that swept the opposition into office>
          2 a: to clean with or as if with a broom or brush b:
          to clear by repeated and forcible action c: to move across
          or along swiftly, violently, or overwhelmingly <fire
          swept the business district --Amer. Guide Series: Md.>
          d: to win an overwhelming victory in or on <~ the elections>
          e: to win all the games or contests of <~ a double-header>
          <~ a series> 3: to touch in passing with a swift continuous
          movement 4: to trace or describe the locus or extent
          of (as a line, circle, or angle) 5: to cover the entire
          range of <his eyes swept the horizon> ~ vi 1 a: to clean
          a surface with or as if with a broom b: to move swiftly,
          forcefully, or devastatingly <the wind swept through
          the treetops> 2: to go with stately or sweeping movements
          <proudly swept into the room> 3: to move or extend in
          a wide curve or range -- sweep one off one's feet : to
          gain immediate and unquestioning support, approval, or
          acceptance by a person -- sweep the board or sweep the
          table 1: to win all the bets on the table 2: to win everything:
          beat all competitors [2]sweep n (1548) 1: something that
          sweeps or works with a sweeping motion: as a: a long
          pole or timber pivoted on a tall post and used to raise
          and lower a bucket in a well b: a triangular cultivator
          blade that cuts off weeds under the soil surface c: a
          windmill sail 2 a: an instance of sweeping; esp: a clearing
          out or away with or as if with a broom b: the removal
          from the table in one play in casino of all the cards
          by pairing or combining c: an overwhelming victory d:
          a winning of all the contests or prizes in a competition
          e: a wide-ranging search of an area (as by police) 3
          a: a movement of great range and force b: a curving or
          circular course or line c: the compass of a sweeping
          movement: scope d: a broad unbroken area or extent e:
          an end run in football in which one or more linemen pull
          back and run interference for the ballcarrier 4: chimney
          sweep 5: sweepstakes 6: obliquity with respect to a reference
          line <~ of an airplane wing>; esp: sweepback 7 pl: a
          television ratings period during which surveys are taken
          to determine advertising rates syn see range

   sweepback
          [sweep.back] n (1914): the backward slant of an airplane
          wing in which the outer portion of the wing is downstream
          from the inner portion

   sweeper
          [sweep.er] n (15c) 1: one that sweeps 2: a lone back in soccer
          who plays between the line of the defenders and the goal

   sweep hand
          [sweep hand] n (1943): sweep-second hand

   [1]sweeping
          [sweep.ing] n (14c) 1: the act or action of one that sweeps
          <gave the room a good ~> 2 pl: things collected by sweeping:
          refuse [2]sweeping adj (1610) 1 a: moving or extending
          in a wide curve or over a wide area b: having a curving
          line or form 2 a: extensive <~ reforms> b: marked by
          wholesale and indiscriminate inclusion <~ generalities>
          -- sweep.ing.ly adv -- sweep.ing.ness n

   sweep-second hand
          [sweep-sec.ond hand] n (ca. 1940): a hand marking seconds
          on a timepiece mounted concentrically with the other
          hands and read from the same dial as the minute hand

   sweepstakes
          [sweep.stakes] n pl but sing or pl in constr, also sweep-stake
          [ME swepestake one who wins all the stakes in a game,
          fr. swepen to sweep + stake] (1785) 1 a: a race or contest
          in which the entire prize may be awarded to the winner;
          specif: stake race b: contest, competition 2: any of
          various lotteries

   sweepy
          [sweepy] adj sweep.i.er ; -est (1697): sweeping in motion,
          line, or force

   [1]sweet
          [sweet] adj [ME swete, fr. OE swete; akin to OHG suozi sweet,
          L suadere to urge, suavis sweet, Gk hedys] (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): pleasing to the taste (2): being or inducing
          the one of the four basic taste sensations that is typically
          induced by disaccharides and is mediated esp. by receptors
          in taste buds at the front of the tongue--compare bitter,
          salt, sour b (1) of a beverage: containing a sweetening
          ingredient: not dry (2) of wine: retaining a portion
          of natural sugar 2 a: pleasing to the mind or feelings:
          agreeable, gratifying--often used as a generalized term
          of approval <how ~ it is> b: marked by gentle good humor
          or kindliness c: fragrant d (1): delicately pleasing
          to the ear or eye (2): played in a straightforward melodic
          style <~ jazz> e: saccharine, cloying 3: much loved:
          dear 4 a: not sour, rancid, decaying, or stale: wholesome
          <~ milk> b: not salt or salted: fresh <~ butter> c of
          land: free from excessive acidity d: free from noxious
          gases and odors e: free from excess of acid, sulfur,
          or corrosive salts <~ crude oil> 5: skillful, proficient
          <a ~ golf swing> 6--used as an intensive <take your own
          ~ time> -- sweet.ly adv -- sweet.ness n -- sweet on :
          having a crush on [2]sweet adv (13c): in a sweet manner
          [3]sweet n (14c) 1: something that is sweet to the taste:
          as a: a food (as a candy or preserve) having a high sugar
          content <fill up on ~s> b Brit: dessert c Brit: hard
          candy 2: a sweet taste sensation 3: a pleasant or gratifying
          experience, possession, or state 4: darling, sweetheart
          5 a archaic: fragrance b pl, archaic: things having a
          sweet smell

   sweet alyssum
          [sweet alyssum] n (1822): a widely cultivated perennial European
          herb (Lobularia maritima) of the mustard family having
          narrow leaves and clusters of small fragrant usu. white
          or pink flowers

   sweet-and-sour
          [sweet-and-sour] adj (1928): seasoned with a sauce containing
          sugar and vinegar or lemon juice <~ shrimp>

   sweet basil
          [sweet basil] n (ca. 1647): a basil (Ocimum basilicum) with
          whitish or purple flowers that includes several cultivars
          (as bush basil)

   sweet bay
          [sweet bay] n (1716) 1: laurel 1 2: a magnolia (Magnolia
          virginiana) of the eastern U.S. that has fragrant white
          flowers and leaves with glaucous undersides

   sweet birch
          [sweet birch] n (1785): a common birch (Betula lenta) of
          the eastern U.S. that has spicy brown bark when young,
          hard dark-colored wood, and a volatile oil in its bark
          resembling wintergreen--called also black birch

   sweetbread
          [sweet.bread] n (1565): the thymus or pancreas of a young
          animal (as a calf) used for food

   sweetbrier
          [sweet.bri.er] also sweet.bri.ar n (1538): an Old World rose
          (esp. Rosa eleganteria) with stout recurved prickles
          and white to deep rosy pink single flowers--called also
          eglantine

   sweet cherry
          [sweet cherry] n (ca. 1901): a white-flowered Eurasian cherry
          (Prunus avium) widely grown for its large sweet-flavored
          fruits; also: its fruit

   sweet chocolate
          [sweet chocolate] n (1897): chocolate that contains added
          sugar

   sweet cicely
          [sweet cic.e.ly] n [cicely fr. L seselis, fr. Gk] (1668):
          any of a genus (Osmorhiza) of American and eastern Asian
          herbs of the carrot family that typically have thick
          fleshy roots and grow in moist woodlands

   sweet clover
          [sweet clover] n (1868): any of a genus (Melilotus) of Old
          World legumes that have trifoliolate leaves and are widely
          grown for soil improvement or hay

   sweet corn
          [sweet corn] n (1646): an Indian corn (esp. Zea mays rugosa)
          with kernels containing a high percentage of sugar and
          adapted for table use when the kernels are unripe

   sweeten
          [sweet.en] vb sweet.ened ; sweet.en.ing vt (ca. 1552) 1:
          to make sweet 2: to soften the mood or attitude of 3:
          to make less painful or trying 4: to free from a harmful
          or undesirable quality or substance; esp: to remove sulfur
          compounds from <~ natural gas> 5: to make more valuable
          or attractive: as a: to increase (a pot not won on the
          previous deal) by anteing prior to another deal b: to
          place additional securities as collateral for (a loan)
          ~ vi: to become sweet -- sweet.en.er n

   sweetening
          [sweetening] n (1819): something that sweetens

   sweet fern
          [sweet fern] n (1654): a small No. American shrub (Comptonia
          peregrina) of the wax-myrtle family with aromatic leaves

   sweet flag
          [sweet flag] n (1784): a perennial marsh herb (Acorus calamus)
          of the arum family with long narrow leaves and an aromatic
          rootstock--called also calamus

   sweet gum
          [sweet gum] n (1700) 1: a No. American tree (Liquidambar
          styraciflua) of the witch-hazel family with palmately
          lobed leaves, corky branches, and hard wood 2: heartwood
          of the sweet gum or reddish brown lumber sawed from it

   [1]sweetheart
          [sweet.heart] n (14c) 1: darling 2: one who is loved 3: a
          generally likable person 4: a remarkable one of its kind
          [2]sweetheart adj (1942): of or relating to an agreement
          between an employer and a labor union official arranged
          privately for their benefit usu. at the expense of the
          workers <a ~ contract>; broadly: arranged in private
          for the benefit of a few at the expense of many <a ~
          deal>

   sweetheart neckline
          [sweetheart neckline] n (1941): a neckline for women's clothing
          that is high in back and low in front where it is scalloped
          to resemble the top of a heart

   sweetie
          [sweet.ie] n (1705) 1 pl, Brit: sweet 1a 2: sweetheart

   sweetie pie
          [sweetie pie] n (1928): sweetheart

   sweeting
          [sweet.ing] n (13c) 1 archaic: sweetheart 2: a sweet apple

   sweetish
          [sweet.ish] adj (1580) 1: somewhat sweet 2: unpleasantly
          sweet -- sweet.ish.ly adv

   sweet marjoram
          [sweet marjoram] n (1565): a perennial marjoram (Origanum
          majorana syn. Majorana hortensis) with dense spikelike
          flower clusters

   sweetmeat
          [sweet.meat] n (14c): a food rich in sugar: as a: a candied
          or crystallized fruit b: candy, confection

   sweetness and light
          [sweetness and light] n (1704) 1: a harmonious combination
          of beauty and enlightenment viewed as a hallmark of culture
          2 a: amiable reasonableness of disposition <they were
          all sweetness and light> b: an untroubled or harmonious
          state or condition <but all was not sweetness and light>

   sweet orange
          [sweet orange] n (1538) 1 a: an orange (Citrus sinensis)
          that is prob. native to southeastern Asia, has a fruit
          with a pithy central axis, and is the source of the widely
          cultivated oranges of commerce b: a cultivated orange
          derived from the sweet orange and usu. having fruit with
          a relatively thin skin and sweet juicy edible pulp 2:
          the fruit of a sweet orange

   sweet pea
          [sweet pea] n (1732) 1: a widely cultivated Italian legume
          (Lathyrus odoratus) having slender usu. climbing stems,
          ovate leaves, and large fragrant flowers 2: the flower
          of a sweet pea

   sweet pepper
          [sweet pepper] n (1814): a large mild thick-walled capsicum
          fruit; also: a pepper plant bearing this fruit

   sweet potato
          [sweet potato] n (1750) 1: a tropical vine (Ipomoea batatas)
          related to the morning glory with variously shaped leaves
          and purplish flowers; also: its large thick sweet and
          nutritious tuberous root that is cooked and eaten as
          a vegetable--compare yam 2 2: ocarina

   sweetshop
          [sweet.shop] n (1879) chiefly Brit: a candy store

   sweetsop
          [sweet.sop] n (1696): sugar apple

   sweet sorghum
          [sweet sorghum] n (1867): sorgo

   sweet spot
          [sweet spot] n (ca. 1949): the area around the center of
          mass of a bat, racket, or head of a club that is the
          most effective part with which to hit a ball

   sweet-talk
          [sweet-talk] vt (1928): cajole, coax ~ vi: to use flattery

   sweet talk
          [sweet talk] n (1926): flattery

   sweet tooth
          [sweet tooth] n (14c): a craving or fondness for sweet food

   sweet william
          [sweet wil.liam] n, often cap W [fr. the name William] (1573):
          a widely cultivated Old World pink (Dianthus barbatus)
          with small white to deep red or purple flowers often
          showily spotted, banded, or mottled and borne in flat
          bracteate heads on erect stalks

   [1]swell
          [swell] vb swelled ; swelled or swol.len ; swell.ing [ME,
          fr. OE swellan; akin to OHG swellan to swell] vi (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers)
          gradually beyond a normal or original limit <the population
          ~ed> b: to become distended or puffed up <her ankle is
          badly swollen> c: to form a bulge or rounded elevation
          2 a: to become filled with pride and arrogance b: to
          behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important
          manner c: to play the swell 3: to become distended with
          emotion ~ vt 1: to affect with a powerful or expansive
          emotion 2: to increase the size, number, or intensity
          of syn see expand [2]swell n (1606) 1: a long often massive
          and crestless wave or succession of waves often continuing
          beyond or after its cause (as a gale) 2 a: the condition
          of being protuberant b: a rounded elevation 3 a: the
          act or process of swelling b (1): a gradual increase
          and decrease of the loudness of a musical sound; also:
          a sign indicating a swell (2): a device used in an organ
          for governing loudness 4 a archaic: an impressive, pompous,
          or fashionable air or display b: a person dressed in
          the height of fashion c: a person of high social position
          or outstanding competence [3]swell adj (1785) 1 a: stylish
          b: socially prominent 2: excellent--used as a generalized
          term of enthusiasm

   swell box
          [swell box] n (ca. 1801): a chamber in an organ containing
          a set of pipes and having shutters that open or shut
          to regulate the volume of tone

   swelled head
          [swelled head] n (1891): an exaggerated opinion of oneself:
          self-conceit -- swelled-head.ed adj -- swelled-head.ed.ness
          n

   swellfish
          [swell.fish] n (1807): puffer 2a

   swell-front
          [swell-front] adj (1914): bowfront 1

   swellhead
          [swell.head] n (1845): one who has a swelled head -- swell.head.ed
          adj -- swell.head.ed.ness n

   swelling
          [swell.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: something that is swollen; specif:
          an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
          2: the condition of being swollen

   [1]swelter
          [swel.ter] vb swel.tered ; swel.ter.ing [ME sweltren, freq.
          of swelten to die, be overcome by heat, fr. OE sweltan
          to die; akin to Goth swiltan to die] vi (14c) 1: to suffer,
          sweat, or be faint from heat 2: to become exceedingly
          hot <in summer, the place ~s> ~ vt 1: to oppress with
          heat 2 archaic: exude <~ed venom --Shak.> [2]swelter
          n (1851) 1: a state of oppressive heat 2: welter 3: an
          excited or overwrought state of mind: sweat <in a ~>

   sweltering
          [swel.ter.ing] adj (1586): oppressively hot -- swel.ter.ing.ly
          adv

   swept
          [swept] adj [swept, pp. of sweep] (1903): slanted backward

   swept-back
          [swept-back] adj (1914): possessing sweepback

   swerve
          [swerve] vb swerved ; swerv.ing [ME, fr. OE sweorfan to wipe,
          file away; akin to OHG swerban to wipe off, W chwerfu
          to whirl] vi (14c): to turn aside abruptly from a straight
          line or course: deviate ~ vt: to cause to turn aside
          or deviate -- swerve n syn swerve, veer, deviate, depart,
          digress, diverge mean to turn aside from a straight course.
          swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning
          away from a given course, often with abruptness <swerved
          to avoid hitting the dog>. veer implies a major change
          in direction <at that point the path veers to the right>.
          deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed
          course <never deviated from her daily routine>. depart
          suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional
          course or type <occasionally departs from his own guidelines>.
          digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's
          discourse <a professor prone to digress>. diverge may
          equal depart but usu. suggests a branching of a main
          path into two or more leading in different directions
          <after school their paths diverged>.

   sweven
          [swev.en] n [ME, fr. OE swefn sleep, dream, vision--more
          at somnolent] (bef. 12c) archaic: dream, vision

   SWG
          [SWG] abbreviation standard wire gauge

   swidden
          [swid.den] n, often attrib [E dial., burned clearing, prob.
          fr. ON svithinn, pp. of svitha to burn, singe] (ca. 1868):
          a temporary agricultural plot produced by cutting back
          and burning off vegetative cover

   [1]swift
          [swift] adj [ME, fr. OE; akin to OE swifan to revolve--more
          at swivel] (bef. 12c) 1: moving or capable of moving
          with great speed 2: occurring suddenly or within a very
          short time 3: quick to respond: ready syn see fast [2]swift
          adv (14c): swiftly <swift-flowing> [3]swift n (15c) 1:
          any of several lizards (esp. of the genus Sceloporus)
          that run swiftly 2: a reel for winding yarn or thread
          3: any of numerous small plainly colored birds (family
          Apodidae) that are related to the hummingbirds but superficially
          much resemble swallows

   swift fox
          [swift fox] n (1869): a small fox (Vulpes velox) with large
          ears that occurs on the plains of western No. America

   swiftlet
          [swift.let] n (ca. 1890): any of various cave-dwelling swifts
          (genus Collocalia) of Asia including one (C. unicolor)
          that produces the nest used in bird's nest soup

   swiftly
          [swift.ly] adv (bef. 12c): in a swift manner: with speed:
          quickly

   swiftness
          [swift.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1: the quality or state of being
          swift: celerity 2: the fact of being swift

   [1]swig
          [swig] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1623): a quantity drunk at
          one time [2]swig vb swigged ; swig.ging vt (ca. 1650):
          to drink in long drafts <~ cider> ~ vi: to take a swig:
          drink -- swig.ger n

   [1]swill
          [swill] vb [ME swilen, fr. OE swillan] vt (bef. 12c) 1: wash,
          drench 2: to drink great drafts of: guzzle 3: to feed
          (as a pig) with swill ~ vi 1: to drink or eat freely,
          greedily, or to excess 2: swash -- swill.er n [2]swill
          n (1553) 1: something suggestive of slop or garbage:
          refuse 2 a: a semiliquid food for animals (as swine)
          composed of edible refuse mixed with water or skimmed
          or sour milk b: garbage

   [1]swim
          [swim] vb swam ; swum ; swim.ming [ME swimmen, fr. OE swimman;
          akin to OHG swimman to swim] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to propel
          oneself in water by natural means (as movements of the
          limbs, fins, or tail) b: to play in the water (as at
          a beach or swimming pool) 2: to move with a motion like
          that of swimming: glide <a cloud swam slowly across the
          moon> 3 a: to float on a liquid: not sink b: to surmount
          difficulties: not go under <sink or ~, live or die, survive
          or perish --Daniel Webster> 4: to become immersed in
          or flooded with or as if with a liquid <potatoes swimming
          in gravy> 5: to have a floating or reeling appearance
          or sensation ~ vt 1 a: to cross by propelling oneself
          through water <~ a stream> b: to execute in swimming
          2: to cause to swim or float -- swim.mer n [2]swim n
          (1599) 1: a smooth gliding motion 2: an act or period
          of swimming 3: a temporary dizziness or unconsciousness
          4 a: an area frequented by fish b: the main current of
          activity <in the ~> [3]swim adj (1924): of, relating
          to, or used in or for swimming <a ~ meet>

   swim bladder
          [swim bladder] n (1837): the air bladder of a fish

   swim fin
          [swim fin] n (1947): flipper 1b

   swimmable
          [swim.ma.ble] adj (1852): that can be swum

   swimmeret
          [swim.mer.et] n (1840): one of a series of small unspecialized
          appendages under the abdomen of many crustaceans that
          are best developed in some decapods (as a lobster) and
          usu. function in locomotion or reproduction

   swimmer's itch
          [swimmer's itch] n (1928): a severe urticarial reaction to
          the presence in the skin of larval schistosomes that
          are not normally human parasites

   [1]swimming
          [swimming] adj (bef. 12c) 1 [prp. of swim]: that swims <a
          ~ bird> 2 [gerund of swim]: adapted to or used in or
          for swimming [2]swimming n (14c): the act, art, or sport
          of one that swims and dives

   swimmingly
          [swim.ming.ly] adv (1622): very well: splendidly

   swimming pool
          [swimming pool] n (1899): a pool suitable for swimming; esp:
          a tank (as of concrete or plastic) made for swimming

   swimmy
          [swim.my] adj swim.mi.er ; -est (1836) 1: verging on, causing,
          or affected by dizziness or giddiness 2 of vision: unsteady,
          blurred -- swim.mi.ly adv

   swimsuit
          [swim.suit] n (1926): a suit for swimming or bathing

   swimwear
          [swim.wear] n (1935): clothing suitable for wear while swimming
          or bathing

   [1]swindle
          [swin.dle] vb swin.dled ; swin.dling [back-formation fr.
          swindler, fr. G Schwindler giddy person, fr. schwindeln
          to be dizzy, fr. OHG swintilon, freq. of swintan to diminish,
          vanish; akin to OE swindan to vanish] vi (ca. 1782):
          to obtain money or property by fraud or deceit ~ vt:
          to take money or property from by fraud or deceit syn
          see cheat -- swin.dler n [2]swindle n (1833): an act
          or instance of swindling: fraud

   swine
          [swine] n, pl swine [ME, fr. OE swin; akin to OHG swin swine,
          L sus--more at sow] (bef. 12c) 1: any of various stout-bodied
          short-legged omnivorous mammals (family Suidae) with
          a thick bristly skin and a long mobile snout; esp: a
          domesticated member of the species (Sus scrofa) that
          includes the European wild boar 2: a contemptible person

   swineherd
          [swine.herd] n (bef. 12c): one who tends swine

   [1]swing
          [swing] vb swung ; swing.ing [ME, to beat, fling, hurl, rush,
          fr. OE swingan to beat, fling oneself, rush; akin to
          OHG swingan to fling, rush] vt (13c) 1 a: to cause to
          move vigorously through a wide arc or circle <~ an ax>
          b: to cause to sway to and fro c (1): to cause to turn
          on an axis (2): to cause to face or move in another direction
          <~ the car into a side road> 2: to suspend so as to permit
          swaying or turning 3: to convey by suspension <cranes
          ~ing cargo into the ship's hold> 4 a (1): to influence
          decisively <~ a lot of votes> (2): to bring around by
          influence b: to handle successfully: manage <wasn't able
          to ~ a new car on his income> <~ a deal> 5: to play or
          sing (as a melody) in the style of swing music ~ vi 1:
          to move freely to and fro esp. in suspension from an
          overhead support 2 a: to die by hanging b: to hang freely
          from a support 3: to move in or describe a circle or
          arc: a: to turn on a hinge or pivot b: to turn in place
          c: to convey oneself by grasping a fixed support <~ aboard
          the train> 4 a: to have a steady pulsing rhythm b: to
          play or sing with a lively compelling rhythm; specif:
          to play swing music 5: to shift or fluctuate from one
          condition, form, position, or object of attention or
          favor to another <~ constantly from optimism to pessimism
          and back --Sinclair Lewis> 6 a: to move along rhythmically
          b: to start up in a smooth vigorous manner <ready to
          ~ into action> 7: to hit or aim at something with a sweeping
          arm movement 8 a: to be lively and up-to-date b: to engage
          freely in sex syn swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash
          mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down.
          swing implies regular or uniform movement <swing the
          rope back and forth>. wave usu. implies smooth or continuous
          motion <waving the flag>. flourish suggests vigorous,
          ostentatious, graceful movement <flourished the winning
          lottery ticket>. brandish implies threatening or menacing
          motion <brandishing a knife>. thrash suggests vigorous,
          abrupt, violent movement <an infant thrashing his arms
          about>. syn swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate,
          waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its
          opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached
          at one end or one side <the door suddenly swung open>.
          sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees
          swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usu. regular
          alternation of direction <an osc [2]swing n (14c) 1:
          an act or instance of swinging: swinging movement: as
          a (1): a stroke or blow delivered with a sweeping arm
          movement <a batter with a powerful ~> (2): a sweeping
          or rhythmic movement of the body or a bodily part (3):
          a dance figure in which two dancers revolve with joined
          arms or hands (4): jazz dancing in moderate tempo with
          a lilting syncopation b (1): the regular movement of
          a freely suspended object (as a pendulum) along an arc
          and back (2): back and forth sweep <the ~ of the tides>
          c (1): steady pulsing rhythm (as in poetry or music)
          (2): a steady vigorous movement characterizing an activity
          or creative work d (1): a trend toward a high or low
          point in a fluctuating cycle (as of business activity)
          (2): an often periodic shift from one condition, form,
          position, or object of attention or favor to another
          2 a: liberty of action b (1): the driving power of something
          swung or hurled (2): steady vigorous advance: driving
          speed <a train approaching at full ~> 3: the progression
          of an activity, process, or phase of existence <the work
          is in full ~> 4: the arc or range through which something
          swings 5: something that swings freely from or on a support;
          esp: a seat suspended by a rope or chains for swinging
          to and fro on for pleasure 6 a: a curving course or outline
          b: a course from and back to a point: a circular tour
          7: jazz played usu. by a large dance band and characterized
          by a steady lively rhythm, simple harmony, and a basic
          melody often submerged in improvisation 8: a short pass
          in football thrown to a back running to the outside [3]swing
          adj (1934) 1: of or relating to musical swing <a ~ band>
          <~ music> 2: that may swing often decisively either way
          on an issue or in an election <~ voters> <a ~ state>

   [1]swinge
          [swinge] vt swinged ; swinge.ing [ME swengen to shake, fr.
          OE swengan; akin to OE swingan] (12c) chiefly dial: beat,
          scourge [2]swinge vt swinged ; swinge.ing [alter. of
          singe] (1590) dial: singe, scorch

   [1]swingeing
          [swinge.ing] also swing.ing adj [fr. prp. of [1]swinge] (ca.
          1590) chiefly Brit: very large, high, or severe <~ fines>
          <~ taxes> [2]swingeing or swinging adv (1690) chiefly
          Brit: very, superlatively

   [1]swinger
          [swing.er] n (1543): one that swings: as a: a lively up-to-date
          person who indulges in what is considered fashionable
          b: one who engages freely in sex [2]swing.er n [[1]swinge]
          (1599): whopper 1

   swinging
          [swing.ing] adj [prp. of [1]swing] (1956): being lively and
          up-to-date; also: abounding in swingers and swinging
          entertainment <a ~ coffeehouse>

   [1]swingingly
          [swing.ing.ly] adv (1672) chiefly Brit: very, extremely
          [2]swing.ing.ly adv (1882): in a swinging manner: with a swinging
          movement

   swingletree
          [swin.gle.tree] n [ME swyngyll tre, fr. swyngyll rod for
          beating flax (fr. MD swengel) + tre tree] (15c): whiffletree

   swingman
          [swing.man] n (1965): a player capable of playing effectively
          in two different positions and esp. of playing both guard
          and forward on a basketball team

   swing shift
          [swing shift] n (1940) 1: the work shift between the day
          and night shifts (as from 4 p.m. to midnight) 2: a group
          of workers in a factory operating seven days a week that
          work as needed to permit the regular shift workers to
          have one or more free days per week

   swingy
          [swingy] adj swing.i.er ; -est (1915): marked by swing

   swinish
          [swin.ish] adj (13c): of, suggesting, or characteristic of
          swine: beastly -- swin.ish.ly adv -- swin.ish.ness n

   [1]swink
          [swink] vi [ME, fr. OE swincan; akin to OHG swingan to rush--more
          at swing] (bef. 12c) archaic: toil, slave [2]swink n
          (12c) archaic: labor, drudgery

   [1]swipe
          [swipe] n [prob. alter. of sweep] (1739) 1: a strong sweeping
          blow 2: a sharp often critical remark <took a parting
          ~ at management> [2]swipe vb swiped ; swip.ing vi (ca.
          1825): to strike or move with a sweeping motion ~ vt
          1: to strike or wipe with a sweeping motion 2: steal,
          pilfer

   swipes
          [swipes] n pl [origin unknown] (ca. 1796) Brit: poor, thin,
          or spoiled beer; also: beer

   [1]swirl
          [swirl] vb [ME] vi (14c) 1 a: to move with an eddying or
          whirling motion b: to pass in whirling confusion 2: to
          have a twist or convolution ~ vt: to cause to swirl --
          swirl.ing.ly adv [2]swirl n (15c) 1 a: a whirling mass
          or motion: eddy b: whirling confusion <a ~ of events>
          2: a twisting shape, mark, or pattern 3: an act or instance
          of swirling

   swirly
          [swirly] adj swirl.i.er ; -est (1785) 1 Scot: knotted, twisted
          2: that swirls: swirling <the ~ water of the rapids>

   [1]swish
          [swish] vb [imit.] vi (1756): to move, pass, swing, or whirl
          with the sound of a swish ~ vt 1: to move, cut, or strike
          with a swish <the horse ~ed its tail> 2: to make (a basketball
          shot) so that the ball falls through the rim without
          touching it <~ed a three-point jumper> -- swish.er n
          -- swish.ing.ly adv [2]swish n (1820) 1 a: a prolonged
          hissing sound (as of a whip cutting the air) b: a light
          sweeping or brushing sound (as of a full silk skirt in
          motion) 2: a swishing movement 3: an effeminate homosexual--usu.
          used disparagingly [3]swish adj [origin unknown] (1879):
          smart, fashionable

   swishy
          [swishy] adj swish.i.er ; -est (1828) 1: producing a swishing
          sound 2: characterized by effeminate behavior

   [1]Swiss
          [Swiss] n [MF Suisse, fr. MHG Swizer, fr. Swiz Switzerland]
          (1515) 1 pl Swiss a: a native or inhabitant of Switzerland
          b: one that is of Swiss descent 2 often not cap: any
          of various fine sheer fabrics of cotton orig. made in
          Switzerland; esp: dotted swiss 3: swiss cheese [2]Swiss
          adj (1530): of, relating to, or characteristic of Switzerland
          or the Swiss

   Swiss chard
          [Swiss chard] n (1832): a beet (Beta vulgaris cicla) having
          large leaves and succulent stalks often cooked as
          a vegetable--called also chard

   Swiss cheese
          [Swiss cheese] n (1822): a hard cheese characterized by elastic
          texture, mild nutlike flavor, and large holes that form
          during ripening

   Swiss steak
          [Swiss steak] n (1924): a slice of steak pounded with flour
          and braised usu. with vegetables and seasonings

   [1]switch
          [switch] n [perh. fr. MD swijch twig] (1592) 1: a slender
          flexible whip, rod, or twig <a riding ~> 2: an act of
          switching: as a: a blow with a switch b: a shift from
          one to another c: a change from the usual 3: a tuft of
          long hairs at the end of the tail of an animal (as a
          cow)--see cow illustration 4 a: a device made usu. of
          two movable rails and necessary connections and designed
          to turn a locomotive or train from one track to another
          b: a railroad siding 5: a device for making, breaking,
          or changing the connections in an electrical circuit
          6: a heavy strand of hair used in addition to a person's
          own hair for some coiffures [2]switch vt (ca. 1611) 1:
          to strike or beat with or as if with a switch 2: whisk,
          lash <a cat ~ing its tail> 3 a (1): to turn from one
          railroad track to another: shunt (2): to move (cars)
          to different positions on the same track within terminal
          areas b: to make a shift in or exchange of <~ seats>
          4 a: to shift to another electrical circuit by means
          of a switch b: to operate an electrical switch so as
          to turn (as a light) off or on ~ vi 1: to lash from side
          to side 2: to make a shift or exchange -- switch.able
          adj -- switch.er n

   [1]switchback
          [switch.back] n (1863): a zigzag road, trail, or section
          of railroad tracks for climbing a steep hill [2]switchback
          adj (1887): resembling a switchback (as in taking a zigzag
          course) <a ~ career> [3]switchback vi (1903): to follow
          a zigzag course esp. in ascending or descending

   switchblade
          [switch.blade] n (1932): a pocketknife having the blade
          spring-operated so that pressure on a release catch causes
          it to fly open--called also switchblade knife

   switchboard
          [switch.board] n (1873): an apparatus (as in a telephone
          exchange) consisting of a panel on which are mounted
          electric switches so arranged that a number of circuits
          may be connected, combined, and controlled

   switch engine
          [switch engine] n (1867): a railroad engine used in switching
          cars

   switcheroo
          [switch.er.oo] n, pl -oos [alter. of switch] (1933) slang:
          a surprising variation: reversal

   switchgrass
          [switch.grass] n (1840): a panic grass (Panicum virgatum)
          of the western U.S. that is used for hay

   switch-hit
          [switch-hit] vi -hit ; -hit.ting [back-formation fr. switch-hitter]
          (1938): to bat right-handed against a left-hander and left-handed
          against a right-hander in baseball

   switch-hitter
          [switch-hit.ter] n (1948) 1: a baseball player who switch-hits
          2 slang: bisexual

   switch knife
          [switch knife] n (1950): switchblade

   switchman
          [switch.man] n (1843): one who attends a switch (as in a
          railroad yard)

   switchyard
          [switch.yard] n (1943): a usu. enclosed area for the switching
          facilities of a power station

   swith
          [swith] adv [ME, strongly, quickly, fr. OE swithe strongly,
          fr. swith strong; akin to Goth swinths strong, OE gesund
          sound--more at sound] (13c) chiefly dial: instantly,
          quickly

   swither
          [swith.er] vi [origin unknown] (1501) dial chiefly Brit:
          doubt, waver -- swither n, dial chiefly Brit

   Switz
          [Switz] abbreviation Switzerland

   Switzer
          [Swit.zer] n [MHG Swizer] (1549): swiss

   [1]swivel
          [swiv.el] n, often attrib [ME; akin to OE swifan to revolve,
          OHG swebon to roll, heave] (14c): a device joining two
          parts so that one or both can pivot freely (as on a bolt
          or pin) [2]swivel vb -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling
          vt (1794): to turn on or as if on a swivel <~ed his eyes
          in various directions> ~ vi: to swing or turn on or as
          if on a swivel

   swivel chair
          [swivel chair] n (1860): a chair that swivels on its base

   swivel-hipped
          [swiv.el-hipped] adj (1947): moving with or characterized
          by movement with a twisting motion of the hips

   swivet
          [swiv.et] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1892): a state of extreme
          agitation

   [1]swizzle
          [swiz.zle] n [origin unknown] (1813): an iced whiskey sour
          churned with a swizzle stick until the glass or pitcher
          becomes frosted [2]swizzle vb swiz.zled ; swiz.zling
          vi (ca. 1847): to drink esp. to excess: guzzle ~ vt:
          to mix or stir with or as if with a swizzle stick --
          swiz.zler n

   swizzle stick
          [swizzle stick] n (1879): a stick used to stir mixed drinks

   swob
          [swob] archaic var of swab

   swollen
          [swollen] past part of swell

   [1]swoon
          [swoon] vi [ME swounen] (13c) 1 a: faint b: to become enraptured
          <~ing with joy> 2: droop, fade -- swoon.er n -- swoon.ing.ly
          adv [2]swoon n (13c) 1 a: a partial or total loss of
          consciousness b: a state of bewilderment or ecstasy:
          daze, rapture 2: a state of suspended animation: torpor

   [1]swoop
          [swoop] vb [alter. of ME swopen to sweep, fr. OE swapan--more
          at sweep] vi (1566): to move with a sweep <the eagle
          ~ed down on its prey> ~ vt: to gain or carry off in or
          as if in a swoop--usu. used with up -- swoop.er n [2]swoop
          n (1605): an act or instance of swooping

   swoopstake
          [swoop.stake] adv [fr. alter. of sweepstake] (1602) obs:
          in an indiscriminate manner

   [1]swoosh
          [swoosh] vb [imit.] vi (1867) 1: to make or move with a rushing
          sound <a car ~ed by> 2: gush, swirl ~ vt: to discharge
          or transport with a rushing sound [2]swoosh n (1885):
          an act or instance of swooshing

   swop
          [swop] chiefly Brit var of swap

   sword
          [sword] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE sweord; akin to OHG swert
          sword] (bef. 12c) 1: a weapon (as a cutlass or rapier)
          with a long blade for cutting or thrusting that is often
          used as a symbol of honor or authority 2 a: an agency
          or instrument of destruction or combat b: the use of
          force <the pen is mightier than the ~ --E. G. Bulwer
          -Lytton> 3: coercive power 4: something that resembles
          a sword -- sword.like adj -- at swords' points : mutually
          antagonistic: ready to fight

   sword cane
          [sword cane] n (1837): a cane in which a sword blade is concealed

   sword dance
          [sword dance] n (1604) 1: a dance performed by men in a circle
          holding a sword in the right hand and grasping the tip
          of a neighbor's sword in the left hand 2: a dance performed
          over or around swords -- sword dancer n

   sword fern
          [sword fern] n (ca. 1829): any of several ferns with long
          narrow more or less sword-shaped fronds: as a: a tropical
          fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) from which the Boston fern
          has been developed b: a fern (Polystichum munitum) of
          western No. America with a large fleshy rhizome

   swordfish
          [sword.fish] n (15c): a very large oceanic bony fish (Xiphias
          gladius of the family Xiphiidae) that has a long swordlike
          beak formed by the bones of the upper jaw and is an important
          food and game fish

   sword grass
          [sword grass] n (1598): any of various grasses or sedges
          having leaves with a sharp or toothed edge

   sword knot
          [sword knot] n (1694): an ornamental cord or tassel tied
          to the hilt of a sword

   sword of Damocles
          [sword of Dam.o.cles] often cap S (1820): an impending disaster

   swordplay
          [sword.play] n (1627) 1: the art or skill of wielding a sword
          esp. in fencing 2: an exhibition of swordplay -- sword.play.er
          n

   swordsman
          [swords.man] n (ca. 1680) 1: one skilled in swordplay; esp:
          a saber fencer 2 archaic: a soldier armed with a sword

   swordsmanship
          [swords.man.ship] n (ca. 1852): swordplay

   swordtail
          [sword.tail] n (ca. 1928): a small brightly marked Central
          American live-bearer (Xiphophorus helleri of the family
          Poeciliidae) often kept in tropical aquariums and bred
          in many colors

   swore
          [swore] past of swear

   sworn
          [sworn] past part of swear

   [1]swot
          [swot] n [E dial., sweat, fr. ME swot, fr. OE swat--more
          at sweat] (1850) Brit: grind 2b [2]swot vi swot.ted ;
          swot.ting (ca. 1860) Brit: grind 4

   [1]swound
          [swound] n [ME, alter. of swoun swoon, fr. swounen to swoon]
          (15c) archaic: swoon 1a [2]swound vi (1530) archaic:
          swoon

   swum
          [swum] past part of swim

   swung
          [swung] past and past part of swing

   swung dash
          [swung dash] n (1951): a character ~ used in printing to
          conserve space by representing part or all of a previously
          spelled-out word

   sy...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   sybarite
          [syb.a.rite] n (ca. 1555) 1 [fr. the notorious luxury of
          the Sybarites]: voluptuary, sensualist 2 cap: a native
          or resident of the ancient city of Sybaris -- syb.a.rit.ic
          adj -- syb.a.rit.i.cal.ly adv -- syb.a.rit.ism n

   sycamine
          [syc.a.mine] n [L sycaminus, fr. Gk sykaminos, of Sem origin;
          akin to Heb shiqmah mulberry tree, sycamore] (1526):
          a tree of the Bible that is usu. considered a mulberry
          (Morus nigra)

   sycamore
          [syc.a.more] n [ME sicamour, fr. MF sicamor, fr. L sycomorus,
          fr. Gk sykomoros, prob. modif. of a Sem word akin to
          Heb shiqmah sycamore] (14c) 1 also syc.o.more : a fig
          tree (Ficus sycomorus) of Africa and the Middle East
          that is the sycamore of Scripture and has sweet and edible
          fruit similar but inferior to the common fig 2: a Eurasian
          maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) with long racemes of showy
          yellowish green flowers that is widely planted as a shade
          tree 3: [2]plane; esp: a very large spreading tree (Platanus
          occidentalis) of eastern and central No. America with
          3- to 5-lobed broadly ovate leaves

   syce
          [syce] n [Hindi sais, fr. Ar sa'is] (1653): an attendant
          (as a groom) esp. in India

   sycee
          [sy.cee] n [Chin (Guangdong) sai-si, lit., fine silk] (1711):
          silver money made in the form of ingots and formerly
          used in China

   syconium
          [sy.co.ni.um] n, pl -nia [NL, fr. Gk sykon fig + NL -ium]
          (ca. 1856): the multiple fleshy fruit of a fig in which
          the ovaries are borne within an enlarged succulent concave
          or hollow receptacle

   sycophancy
          [sy.co.phan.cy] n (1672): obsequious flattery; also: the
          character or behavior of a sycophant

   sycophant
          [sy.co.phant] n [L sycophanta slanderer, swindler, fr. Gk
          sykophantes slanderer, fr. sykon fig + phainein to show--more
          at fancy] (1575): a servile self-seeking flatterer syn
          see parasite -- sycophant adj

   sycophantic
          [sy.co.phan.tic] adj (1676): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a sycophant: fawning, obsequious -- sy.co.phan.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   sycophantish
          [sy.co.phant.ish] adj (1794): sycophantic -- sy.co.phant.ish.ly
          adv

   sycophantism
          [sy.co.phant.ism] n (1821): sycophancy

   sycophantly
          [sy.co.phant.ly] adv (1672): in a sycophantic manner

   sycosis
          [sy.co.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk sykosis, fr. sykon fig] (ca. 1827):
          a chronic inflammatory disorder of the hair follicles
          marked by papules, pustules, and tubercles with crusting

   syenite
          [sy.e.nite] n [L Syenites (lapis) stone of Syene, fr. Syene,
          ancient city in Egypt] (ca. 1796): an igneous rock composed
          chiefly of feldspar -- sy.e.nit.ic adj

   syl
          [syl] or syll abbreviation syllable

   syli
          [sy.li] n, pl sylis [Susu sili, lit., elephant] (1974): the
          monetary unit of Guinea from 1972 to 1986

   syllabary
          [syl.la.bary] n, pl -bar.ies [NL syllabarium, fr. L syllaba
          syllable] (1586): a table or listing of syllables; specif:
          a series or set of written characters each one of which
          is used to represent a syllable

   [1]syllabic
          [syl.lab.ic] adj [LL syllabicus, fr. Gk syllabikos, fr. syllabe
          syllable] (1728) 1: constituting a syllable or the nucleus
          of a syllable: a: not accompanied in the same syllable
          by a vowel <a ~ consonant> b: having vowel quality more
          prominent than that of another vowel in the syllable
          2: of, relating to, or denoting syllables <~ accent>
          3: characterized by distinct enunciation or separation
          of syllables 4: of, relating to, or constituting a type
          of verse distinguished primarily by count of syllables
          rather than by rhythmical arrangement of accents or quantities
          -- syl.lab.i.cal.ly adv [2]syllabic n (1880): a syllabic
          character or sound

   syllabicate
          [syl.lab.i.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (ca. 1654): syllabify

   syllabication
          [syl.lab.i.ca.tion] n (15c): the act, process, or method
          of forming or dividing words into syllables

   syllabicity
          [syl.la.bic.i.ty] n (1933): the state of being or the power
          of forming a syllable

   syllabification
          [syl.lab.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1838): syllabication

   syllabify
          [syl.lab.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [L syllaba syllable] (ca.
          1859): to form or divide into syllables

   [1]syllable
          [syl.la.ble] n [ME, fr. MF sillabe, fr. L syllaba, fr. Gk
          syllabe, fr. syllambanein to gather together, fr. syn-
          + lambanein to take--more at latch] (14c) 1: a unit of
          spoken language that is next bigger than a speech sound
          and consists of one or more vowel sounds alone or of
          a syllabic consonant alone or of either with one or more
          consonant sounds preceding or following 2: one or more
          letters (as syl, la, and ble) in a word (as syllable)
          usu. set off from the rest of the word by a centered
          dot or a hyphen and roughly corresponding to the syllables
          of spoken language and treated as helps to pronunciation
          or as guides to placing hyphens at the end of a line
          3: the smallest conceivable expression or unit of something:
          jot 4: sol-fa syllables [2]syllable vt syl.la.bled ;
          syl.la.bling (15c) 1: to give a number or arrangement
          of syllables to (a word or verse) 2: to express or utter
          in or as if in syllables

   syllabub
          [syl.la.bub] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1537) 1: a drink made
          by curdling milk or cream with an acid beverage (as wine
          or cider) 2: a sweetened drink or topping made of milk
          or cream beaten with wine or liquor and sometimes further
          thickened with gelatin and served as a dessert

   syllabus
          [syl.la.bus] n, pl -bi or -bus.es [LL, alter. of L sillybus
          label for a book, fr. Gk sillybos] (ca. 1656) 1: a summary
          outline of a discourse, treatise, or course of study
          or of examination requirements 2: headnote 2

   syllepsis
          [syl.lep.sis] n, pl -lep.ses [L, fr. Gk syllepsis, fr.
          syllambanein] (ca. 1550) 1: the use of a word to modify or govern
          syntactically two or sometimes more words with only one of which
          it formally agrees in gender, number, or case 2: the use of a word
          in the same grammatical relation to two adjacent words in the
          context with one literal and the other metaphorical in sense
          -- syl.lep.tic adj

   syllogism
          [syl.lo.gism] n [ME silogisme, fr. MF, fr. L syllogismus,
          fr. Gk syllogismos, fr. syllogizesthai to syllogize,
          fr. syn- + logizesthai to calculate, fr. logos reckoning,
          word--more at legend] (14c) 1: a deductive scheme of
          a formal argument consisting of a major and a minor premise
          and a conclusion (as in "every virtue is laudable; kindness
          is a virtue; therefore kindness is laudable") 2: a subtle,
          specious, or crafty argument 3: deductive reasoning --
          syl.lo.gis.tic adj -- syl.lo.gis.ti.cal.ly adv

   syllogist
          [syl.lo.gist] n (1799): one who applies or is skilled in
          syllogistic reasoning

   syllogize
          [syl.lo.gize] vb -gized ; -giz.ing [ME sylogysen, fr. LL
          syllogizare, fr. Gk syllogizesthai] vi (15c): to reason
          by means of syllogisms ~ vt: to deduce by syllogism <~s
          moral laws>

   sylph
          [sylph] n [NL sylphus] (1657) 1: an elemental being in the
          theory of Paracelsus that inhabits air 2: a slender graceful
          woman or girl -- sylph.like adj

   sylphid
          [sylph.id] n (1680): a young or diminutive sylph

   [1]sylvan
          [syl.van] n (1565): one that frequents groves or woods [2]sylvan
          adj [ML silvanus, sylvanus, fr. L silva, sylva wood]
          (ca. 1583) 1 a: living or located in the woods or forest
          b: of, relating to, or characteristic of the woods or
          forest 2 a: made, shaped, or formed of woods or trees
          b: abounding in woods, groves, or trees: wooded

   sylvanite
          [syl.va.nite] n [F sylvanite, fr. NL sylvanium tellurium,
          fr. Transylvania, region in Romania] (1796): a mineral
          that is a gold silver telluride and often occurs in crystals
          resembling written characters

   sylva, sylviculture
          [sylva, sylviculture] var of silva, silviculture

   sylvatic
          [syl.vat.ic] adj [L silvaticus of the woods, wild--more at
          savage] (1661) 1: sylvan <~ rodents> 2: occurring in
          or affecting wild animals <~ diseases>

   sylvite
          [syl.vite] also syl.vine n [alter. of sylvine, fr. F, fr.
          NL sal digestivus Sylvii digestive salt of Sylvius, fr.
          Sylvius latinized name of Jacques Dubois d. 1555 Fr.
          physician] (1868): a mineral that is a natural potassium
          chloride and occurs in colorless cubes or crystalline
          masses

   sym
          [sym] abbreviation symbol, symmetrical

   sym-
          [sym-] --see syn-

   symbiont
          [sym.bi.ont] n [prob. fr. G, modif. of Gk symbiount-, symbion,
          prp. of symbioun] (1887): an organism living in symbiosis;
          esp: the smaller member of a symbiotic pair

   symbiosis
          [sym.bi.o.sis] n, pl -bi.o.ses [NL, fr. G Symbiose, fr. Gk
          symbiosis state of living together, fr. symbioun to live
          together, fr. symbios living together, fr. sym- + bios
          life--more at quick] (1622) 1: the living together in
          more or less intimate association or close union of two
          dissimilar organisms 2: the intimate living together
          of two dissimilar organisms in a mutually beneficial
          relationship; esp: mutualism 3: a cooperative relationship
          (as between two persons or groups) <the ~ ... between
          the resident population and the immigrants --John Geipel>
          -- sym.bi.ot.ic adj -- sym.bi.ot.i.cal.ly adv

   symbiote
          [sym.bi.ote] n [F, fr. Gk symbiotes companion, fr. symbioun
          to live together] (ca. 1909): symbiont

   [1]symbol
          [sym.bol] n [in sense 1, fr. LL symbolum, fr. LGk symbolon,
          fr. Gk, token, sign; in other senses fr. L symbolum token,
          sign, symbol, fr. Gk symbolon, lit., token of identity
          verified by comparing its other half, fr. symballein
          to throw together, compare, fr. syn- + ballein to throw--more
          at devil] (15c) 1: an authoritative summary of faith
          or doctrine: creed 2: something that stands for or suggests
          something else by reason of relationship, association,
          convention, or accidental resemblance; esp: a visible
          sign of something invisible <the lion is a ~ of courage>
          3: an arbitrary or conventional sign used in writing
          or printing relating to a particular field to represent
          operations, quantities, elements, relations, or qualities
          4: an object or act representing something in the unconscious
          mind that has been repressed <phallic ~s> 5: an act,
          sound, or object having cultural significance and the
          capacity to excite or objectify a response [2]symbol
          vb -boled or -bolled ; -bol.ing or -bol.ling (1832):
          symbolize

   symbolic
          [sym.bol.ic] also sym.bol.i.cal adj (1610) 1 a: using, employing,
          or exhibiting a symbol b: consisting of or proceeding
          by means of symbols 2: of, relating to, or constituting
          a symbol 3: characterized by or terminating in symbols
          <~ thinking> 4: characterized by symbolism <a ~ dance>
          -- sym.bol.i.cal.ly adv

   symbolic logic
          [symbolic logic] n (1856): a science of developing and representing
          logical principles by means of a formalized system consisting
          of primitive symbols, combinations of these symbols, axioms, and
          rules of inference

   symbolise
          [sym.bol.ise] Brit var of symbolize

   symbolism
          [sym.bol.ism] n (1654) 1: the art or practice of using symbols
          esp. by investing things with a symbolic meaning or by
          expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible
          or sensuous representations: as a: artistic imitation
          or invention that is a method of revealing or suggesting
          immaterial, ideal, or otherwise intangible truth or states
          b: the use of conventional or traditional signs in the
          representation of divine beings and spirits 2: a system
          of symbols or representations

   symbolist
          [sym.bol.ist] n (1812) 1: one who employs symbols or symbolism
          2: one skilled in the interpretation or explication of
          symbols 3: one of a group of writers and artists in France
          after 1880 reacting against realism, concerning themselves
          with general truths instead of actualities, exalting
          the metaphysical and the mysterious, and aiming to unify
          and blend the arts and the functions of the senses --
          symbolist adj

   symbolistic
          [sym.bol.is.tic] adj (ca. 1864): symbolic

   symbolization
          [sym.bol.i.za.tion] n (1603) 1: an act or instance of symbolizing
          2: the human capacity to develop a system of meaningful
          symbols

   symbolize
          [sym.bol.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1603) 1: to serve as
          a symbol of 2: to represent, express, or identify by
          a symbol ~ vi: to use symbols or symbolism -- sym.bol.iz.er
          n

   symbology
          [sym.bol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [symbol + -logy] (1840) 1: the
          art of expression by symbols 2: the study or interpretation
          of symbols 3: a system of symbols

   symmetallism
          [sym.met.al.lism] n [syn- + -metallism (as in bimetallism)]
          (ca. 1895): a system of coinage in which the unit of
          currency consists of a particular weight of an alloy
          of two or more metals

   symmetrical
          [sym.met.ri.cal] or sym.met.ric adj (1751) 1: having, involving,
          or exhibiting symmetry 2: having corresponding points
          whose connecting lines are bisected by a given point
          or perpendicularly bisected by a given line or plane
          <~ curves> 3 symmetric: being such that the terms or
          variables may be interchanged without altering the value,
          character, or truth <symmetric equations> <R is a symmetric
          relation if aRb implies bRa> 4 a: capable of division
          by a longitudinal plane into similar halves <~ plant
          parts> b: having the same number of members in each whorl
          of floral leaves <~ flowers> 5: affecting corresponding
          parts simultaneously and similarly <~ rash> 6: exhibiting
          symmetry in a structural formula; esp: being a derivative
          with groups substituted symmetrically in the molecule
          -- sym.met.ri.cal.ly adv -- sym.met.ri.cal.ness n

   symmetric group
          [symmetric group] n (1897): a permutation group that is composed
          of all of the permutations of n things

   symmetric matrix
          [symmetric matrix] n (ca. 1949): a matrix that is its own
          transpose

   symmetrize
          [sym.me.trize] vt -trized ; -triz.ing (1796): to make symmetrical
          -- sym.me.tri.za.tion n

   symmetry
          [sym.me.try] n, pl -tries [L symmetria, fr. Gk, fr. symmetros
          symmetrical, fr. syn- + metron measure--more at measure]
          (1541) 1: balanced proportions; also: beauty of form
          arising from balanced proportions 2: the property of
          being symmetrical; esp: correspondence in size, shape,
          and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a
          dividing line or median plane or about a center or axis--compare
          bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry 3: a rigid motion
          of a geometric figure that determines a one-to-one mapping
          onto itself 4: the property of remaining invariant under
          certain changes (as of orientation in space, of the sign
          of the electric charge, of parity, or of the direction
          of time flow)--used of physical phenomena and of equations
          describing them

   sympath-
          [sympath-] or sympatho- comb form [ISV, fr. sympathetic]:
          sympathetic nerve <sympatholytic>

   sympathectomy
          [sym.pa.thec.to.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (1900): surgical interruption
          of sympathetic nerve pathways -- sym.pa.thec.to.mized adj

   [1]sympathetic
          [sym.pa.thet.ic] adj [NL sympatheticus, fr. L sympathia sympathy]
          (1644) 1: existing or operating through an affinity,
          interdependence, or mutual association 2 a: not discordant
          or antagonistic b: appropriate to one's mood, inclinations,
          or disposition c: marked by kindly or pleased appreciation
          3: given to, marked by, or arising from sympathy, compassion,
          friendliness, and sensitivity to others' emotions <a
          ~ gesture> 4: favorably inclined: approving <not ~ to
          the idea> 5 a: showing empathy b: arousing sympathy or
          compassion <a ~ role in the play> 6 a: of or relating
          to the sympathetic nervous system b: mediated by or acting
          on the sympathetic nerves 7: relating to musical tones
          produced by sympathetic vibration or to strings so tuned
          as to sound by sympathetic vibration -- sym.pa.thet.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]sympathetic n (1808): a sympathetic structure;
          esp: sympathetic nervous system

   sympathetic magic
          [sympathetic magic] n (1905): magic based on the assumption
          that a person or thing can be supernaturally affected
          through its name or an object representing it

   sympathetic nervous system
          [sympathetic nervous system] n (ca. 1891): the part of the
          autonomic nervous system that contains chiefly adrenergic
          fibers and tends to depress secretion, decrease the tone
          and contractility of smooth muscle, and increase heart
          rate--compare parasympathetic nervous system

   sympathetic strike
          [sympathetic strike] n (1895): sympathy strike

   sympathetic vibration
          [sympathetic vibration] n (1898): a vibration produced in
          one body by the vibrations of exactly the same period
          in a neighboring body

   sympathin
          [sym.pa.thin] n [ISV] (1931): a substance (as norepinephrine)
          that is secreted by sympathetic nerve endings and acts
          as a chemical mediator

   sympathise
          [sym.pa.thise] chiefly Brit var of sympathize

   sympathize
          [sym.pa.thize] vi -thized ; -thiz.ing (1591) 1: to be in
          keeping, accord, or harmony 2: to react or respond in
          sympathy 3: to share in suffering or grief: commiserate
          <~ with a friend in trouble>; also: to express such sympathy
          4: to be in sympathy intellectually <~ with a proposal>
          -- sym.pa.thiz.er n

   sympatholytic
          [sym.pa.tho.lyt.ic] adj [ISV] (1943): tending to oppose the
          physiological results of sympathetic nervous activity
          or of sympathomimetic drugs -- sympatholytic n

   sympathomimetic
          [sym.pa.tho.mi.met.ic] adj [ISV] (1910): simulating sympathetic
          nervous action in physiological effect -- sympathomimetic
          n

   sympathy
          [sym.pa.thy] n, pl -thies [L sympathia, fr. Gk sympatheia,
          fr. sympathes having common feelings, sympathetic, fr.
          syn- + pathos feelings, emotion, experience--more at
          pathos] (1579) 1 a: an affinity, association, or relationship
          between persons or things wherein whatever affects one
          similarly affects the other b: mutual or parallel susceptibility
          or a condition brought about by it c: unity or harmony
          in action or effect 2 a: inclination to think or feel
          alike: emotional or intellectual accord b: feeling of
          loyalty: tendency to favor or support <republican sympathies>
          3 a: the act or capacity of entering into or sharing
          the feelings or interests of another b: the feeling or
          mental state brought about by such sensitivity <have
          ~ for the poor> 4: the correlation existing between bodies
          capable of communicating their vibrational energy to
          one another through some medium syn see attraction, pity

   sympathy strike
          [sympathy strike] n (1912): a strike in which the strikers
          have no direct grievance against their own employer but
          attempt to support or aid usu. another group of workers
          on strike

   sympatric
          [sym.pat.ric] adj [syn- + Gk patra fatherland, fr. pater
          father--more at father] (ca. 1904): occurring in the
          same area; specif: occupying the same range without loss
          of identity from interbreeding <~ species>--compare allopatric
          -- sym.pat.ri.cal.ly adv -- sym.pat.ry n

   sympetalous
          [sym.pet.al.ous] adj (ca. 1877): gamopetalous -- sym.pet.aly
          n

   symphonic
          [sym.phon.ic] adj (1856) 1: harmonious, symphonious 2: relating
          to or having the form or character of a symphony <~ music>
          3: suggestive of a symphony esp. in form, interweaving
          of themes, or harmonious arrangement <a ~ drama>
          -- sym.phon.i.cal.ly adv

   symphonic poem
          [symphonic poem] n (1873): an extended programmatic composition
          for symphony orchestra usu. freer in form than a symphony

   symphonious
          [sym.pho.ni.ous] adj (1652): agreeing esp. in sound: harmonious
          -- sym.pho.ni.ous.ly adv

   symphonist
          [sym.pho.nist] n (1767) 1: a member of a symphony orchestra
          2: a composer of symphonies

   symphony
          [sym.pho.ny] n, pl -nies [ME symphonie, fr. MF, fr. L symphonia,
          fr. Gk symphonia, fr. symphonos concordant in sound,
          fr. syn- + phone voice, sound--more at ban] (15c) 1:
          consonance of sounds 2 a: ritornello 1 b: sinfonia 1
          c (1): a usu. long and complex sonata for symphony orchestra
          (2): a musical composition (as for organ) resembling
          such a symphony in complexity or variety 3: consonance
          or harmony of color (as in a painting) 4 a: symphony
          orchestra b: a symphony orchestra concert 5: something
          that in its harmonious complexity or variety suggests
          a symphonic composition

   symphony orchestra
          [symphony orchestra] n (ca. 1881): a large orchestra of winds,
          strings, and percussion that plays symphonic works

   symphyseal
          [sym.phy.se.al] also sym.phys.i.al adj [Gk symphyse-, symphysis
          symphysis] (ca. 1836): of, relating to, or constituting
          a symphysis

   symphysis
          [sym.phy.sis] n, pl -phy.ses [NL, fr. Gk, state of growing
          together, fr. symphyesthai to grow together, fr. syn-
          + phyein to make grow, bring forth--more at be] (ca.
          1578) 1: an immovable or more or less movable articulation
          of various bones in the median plane of the body 2: an
          articulation in which the bony surfaces are connected
          by pads of fibrous cartilage without a synovial membrane

   sympodial
          [sym.po.di.al] adj [NL sympodium apparent main axis formed
          from secondary axes, fr. Gk syn- + podion base--more
          at -podium] (1875): having or involving the formation
          of an apparent main axis from successive secondary axes
          <~ branching of a cyme>

   symposiarch
          [sym.po.si.arch] n [Gk symposiarchos, fr. symposion symposium
          + -archos -arch] (1603): one who presides over a symposium

   symposiast
          [sym.po.si.ast] n [Gk symposiazein to take part in a symposium,
          fr. symposion] (ca. 1656): a contributor to a symposium

   symposium
          [sym.po.sium] n, pl -sia or -siums [L, fr. Gk symposion,
          fr. sympinein to drink together, fr. syn- + pinein to
          drink--more at potable] (1711) 1 a: a convivial party
          (as after a banquet in ancient Greece) with music and
          conversation b: a social gathering at which there is
          free interchange of ideas 2 a: a formal meeting at which
          several specialists deliver short addresses on a topic
          or on related topics--compare colloquium b: a collection
          of opinions on a subject; esp: one published by a periodical
          c: discussion

   symptom
          [symp.tom] n [LL symptomat-, symptoma, fr. Gk symptomat-,
          symptoma happening, attribute, symptom, fr. sympiptein
          to happen, fr. syn- + piptein to fall--more at feather]
          (1541) 1 a: subjective evidence of disease or physical
          disturbance; broadly: something that indicates the presence
          of bodily disorder b: an evident reaction by a plant
          to a pathogen 2 a: something that indicates the existence
          of something else <~s of the time> b: a slight indication:
          trace syn see sign -- symp.tom.less adj

   symptomatic
          [symp.tom.at.ic] adj (1698) 1 a: being a symptom of a disease
          b: having the characteristics of a particular disease
          but arising from another cause 2: concerned with or affecting
          symptoms 3: characteristic, indicative <his behavior
          was ~ of his character> -- symp.tom.at.i.cal.ly adv

   symptomatology
          [symp.tom.atol.o.gy] n (1798) 1: the symptom complex of a
          disease 2: a branch of medical science concerned with
          symptoms of diseases -- symp.tom.at.o.log.i.cal or
          symp.tom.at.o.log.ic adj -- symp.tom.at.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   syn
          [syn] abbreviation synonym, synonymous, synonymy

   syn-
          [syn-] or sym- prefix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L, fr. Gk, fr. syn
          with, together with] 1: with: along with: together <synclinal>
          <sympetalous> 2: at the same time <synesthesia>

   synaeresis
          [syn.ae.re.sis] var of syneresis

   synaesthesia
          [syn.aes.the.sia] var of synesthesia

   synaesthesis
          [syn.aes.the.sis] n [Gk synaisthesis joint perception, fr.
          synaisthanesthai to perceive simultaneously, fr. syn-
          + aisthanesthai to perceive--more at audible] (1922):
          harmony of different or opposing impulses produced by
          a work of art

   synagogue
          [syn.a.gogue] or syn.a.gog n [ME synagoge, fr. OF, fr. LL
          synagoga, fr. Gk synagoge assembly, synagogue, fr. synagein
          to bring together, fr. syn- + agein to lead--more at
          agent] (13c) 1: a Jewish congregation 2: the house of
          worship and communal center of a Jewish congregation
          -- syn.a.gog.al adj

   synaloepha
          [syn.a.loe.pha] or syn.a.le.pha n [NL, fr. Gk synaloiphe,
          fr. synaleiphein to clog up, coalesce, unite two syllables
          into one, fr. syn- + aleiphein to anoint--more at aliphatic]
          (1540): the reduction to one syllable of two vowels of
          adjacent syllables (as in th' army for the army)

   [1]synapse
          [syn.apse] n [NL synapsis, fr. Gk, juncture, fr. synaptein
          to fasten together, fr. syn- + haptein to fasten] (1899):
          the point at which a nervous impulse passes from one
          neuron to another [2]synapse vi syn.apsed ; syn.aps.ing
          (1910) 1: to form a synapse 2: to come together in synapsis

   synapsid
          [syn.ap.sid] n [NL Synapsida, fr. Gk syn- + apsid-, apsis
          arch, vault--more at apsis] (1956): any of a subclass
          (Synapsida) of extinct reptiles existing during the Pennsylvanian,
          Permian, and Jurassic, having a single pair of lateral temporal
          openings in the skull, and usu. held to be ancestral to mammals
          -- synapsid adj

   synapsis
          [syn.ap.sis] n, pl -ap.ses [NL] (ca. 1892): the association
          of homologous chromosomes that is characteristic of the
          first meiotic prophase

   synaptic
          [syn.ap.tic] adj [NL synapsis] (1895) 1: of or relating to
          a synapsis 2: of or relating to a synapse -- syn.ap.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   synaptonemal complex
          [syn.ap.to.ne.mal complex] n [synaptic + -o- or -i- + Gk
          nema thread--more at nemat-] (1958): a complex tripartite
          protein structure that spans the region between synapsed
          chromosomes in meiotic prophase--called also synaptinemal
          complex

   synaptosome
          [syn.ap.to.some] n [synaptic + -o- + [3]-some] (1964): a
          nerve ending that is isolated from homogenized nerve
          tissue -- syn.ap.to.som.al adj

   synarthrodial
          [syn.ar.thro.di.al] adj [NL synarthrodia synarthrosis] (1830):
          of, relating to, or being a synarthrosis

   synarthrosis
          [syn.ar.thro.sis] n, pl -thro.ses [Gk synarthrosis, fr. syn-
          + arthrosis arthrosis] (1578): an immovable articulation
          in which the bones are united by intervening fibrous
          connective tissues

   [1]sync
          [sync] also synch vt synced also synched ; sync.ing also
          synch.ing (1929): synchronize [2]sync also synch n (1937):
          synchronization, synchronism -- sync adj

   syncarpous
          [syn.car.pous] adj (ca. 1830): having the carpels of the
          gynoecium united in a compound ovary -- syn.car.py n

   syncategorematic
          [syn.cat.e.gor.e.mat.ic] adj [LL syncategoremat-, syncategorema
          syncategorematic term, fr. Gk synkategorema, fr. synkategorein
          to predicate jointly, fr. syn- + kategorein to predicate--more
          at category] (1827): forming a meaningful expression
          only in conjunction with a denotative expression (as
          a content word) <logical operators and function words
          are ~> -- syn.cat.e.gor.e.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   [1]synchro
          [syn.chro] n, pl synchros [synchronous] (1943): selsyn [2]synchro
          adj [synchro-] (1947): adapted to synchronization

   synchro-
          [synchro-] comb form [synchronized & synchronous]: synchronized:
          synchronous <synchromesh>

   synchrocyclotron
          [syn.chro.cy.clo.tron] n (1947): a modified cyclotron that
          achieves greater energies for the charged particles by
          compensating for the variation in mass that the particles
          experience with increasing velocity

   synchromesh
          [syn.chro.mesh] adj (1928): designed for effecting synchronized
          shifting of gears -- synchromesh n

   synchronal
          [syn.chro.nal] adj (1660): synchronous

   synchroneity
          [syn.chro.ne.ity] n [synchronous + -eity (as in spontaneity)]
          (ca. 1909): the state of being synchronous

   synchronic
          [syn.chron.ic] adj (1833) 1: synchronous 2 a: descriptive
          4 <~ linguistics> b: concerned with events existing in
          a limited time period and ignoring historical antecedents
          -- syn.chron.i.cal adj -- syn.chron.i.cal.ly adv

   synchronicity
          [syn.chro.nic.i.ty] n (ca. 1889) 1: the quality or fact of
          being synchronous 2: the coincidental occurrence of events
          and esp. psychic events (as similar thoughts in widely
          separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected
          event before it happens) that seem related but are not
          explained by conventional mechanisms of causality--used
          esp. in the psychology of C. G. Jung

   synchronisation, synchronise
          [syn.chro.ni.sa.tion, syn.chro.nise] Brit var of synchronization,
          synchronize

   synchronism
          [syn.chro.nism] n (1588) 1: the quality or state of being
          synchronous: simultaneousness 2: chronological arrangement
          of historical events and personages so as to indicate
          coincidence or coexistence; also: a table showing such
          concurrences -- syn.chro.nis.tic adj

   synchronization
          [syn.chro.ni.za.tion] n (1828) 1: the act or result
          of synchronizing 2: the state of being synchronous

   synchronize
          [syn.chro.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vi (ca. 1624): to happen
          at the same time ~ vt 1: to represent or arrange (events)
          to indicate coincidence or coexistence 2: to make synchronous
          in operation 3: to make (motion picture sound) exactly
          simultaneous with the action -- syn.chro.niz.er n

   synchronized swimming
          [synchronized swimming] n (1950): swimming in which the movements
          of one or more swimmers are synchronized with a musical
          accompaniment so as to form changing patterns

   synchronous
          [syn.chro.nous] adj [LL synchronos, fr. Gk, fr. syn- + chronos
          time] (1669) 1: happening, existing, or arising at precisely
          the same time 2: recurring or operating at exactly the
          same periods 3: involving or indicating synchronism 4
          a: having the same period; also: having the same period
          and phase b: geostationary 5: of, used in, or being digital
          communication (as between computers) in which a common
          timing signal is established that dictates when individual
          bits can be transmitted, in which characters are not
          individually delimited, and which allows for very high
          rates of data transfer syn see contemporary -- syn.chro.nous.ly
          adv -- syn.chro.nous.ness n

   synchronous motor
          [synchronous motor] n (1897): an electric motor having a
          speed strictly proportional to the frequency of the operating
          current

   synchrony
          [syn.chro.ny] n, pl -nies (1848): synchronistic occurrence,
          arrangement, or treatment

   synchroscope
          [syn.chro.scope] n (1907): any of several devices for showing
          whether two associated machines or moving parts are operating
          in synchronism with each other

   synchrotron
          [syn.chro.tron] n (1945) 1: an apparatus for imparting very
          high speeds to charged particles by means of a combination
          of a high-frequency electric field and a low-frequency
          magnetic field 2: synchrotron radiation

   synchrotron radiation
          [synchrotron radiation] n [fr. its having been first observed
          in a synchrotron] (1956): radiation emitted by high-energy
          charged relativistic particles (as electrons) when they
          are accelerated by a magnetic field (as in a nebula)

   synclinal
          [syn.cli.nal] adj [Gk syn- + klinein to lean--more at lean]
          (1833) 1: inclined down from opposite directions so as
          to meet 2: having or relating to a folded rock structure
          in which the sides dip toward a common line or plane

   syncline
          [syn.cline] n [back-formation fr. synclinal] (1873): a trough
          of stratified rock in which the beds dip toward each
          other from either side--compare anticline

   syncopate
          [syn.co.pate] vt -pat.ed ; -pat.ing (1605) 1 a: to shorten
          or produce by syncope <~ suppose to s'pose> b: to cut
          short: clip, abbreviate 2: to modify or affect (musical
          rhythm) by syncopation -- syn.co.pa.tor n

   syncopated
          [syncopated] adj (1665) 1: cut short: abbreviated 2: marked
          by or exhibiting syncopation <~ rhythm>

   syncopation
          [syn.co.pa.tion] n (1597) 1: a temporary displacement of
          the regular metrical accent in music caused typically
          by stressing the weak beat 2: a syncopated rhythm, passage,
          or dance step -- syn.co.pa.tive adj

   syncope
          [syn.co.pe] n [LL, fr. Gk synkope, lit., cutting short, fr.
          synkoptein to cut short, fr. syn- + koptein to cut--more
          at capon] (ca. 1550) 1: loss of consciousness resulting
          from insufficient blood flow to the brain: faint 2: the
          loss of one or more sounds or letters in the interior
          of a word (as in fo'c'sle for forecastle) -- syn.co.pal
          adj

   syncretic
          [syn.cret.ic] adj (1840): characterized or brought about
          by syncretism: syncretistic

   syncretise
          [syn.cre.tise] Brit var of syncretize

   syncretism
          [syn.cre.tism] n [NL syncretismus, fr. Gk synkretismos federation
          of Cretan cities, fr. syn- + Kret-, Kres Cretan] (1618)
          1: the combination of different forms of belief or practice
          2: the fusion of two or more orig. different inflectional
          forms -- syn.cre.tist n or adj -- syn.cre.tis.tic adj

   syncretize
          [syn.cre.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (ca. 1891): to attempt
          to unite and harmonize esp. without critical examination
          or logical unity

   syncytium
          [syn.cy.tium] n, pl -tia [NL, fr. syn- + cyt-] (1877) 1:
          a multinucleate mass of protoplasm (as in the plasmodium
          of a slime mold) resulting from fusion of cells 2: coenocyte
          1 -- syn.cy.tial adj

   syndactylism
          [syn.dac.ty.lism] n (1889): syndactyly

   syndactyly
          [syn.dac.ty.ly] n [NL syndactylia, fr. syn- + Gk daktylos
          finger] (1864): a union of two or more digits that is
          normal in some animals (as various marsupials) and occurs
          as a human hereditary disorder marked by webbing of two
          or more fingers or toes

   syndesmosis
          [syn.des.mo.sis] n, pl -mo.ses [NL, fr. Gk syndesmos fastening,
          ligament, fr. syndein] (1726): an articulation in which
          the contiguous surfaces of the bones are rough and are
          bound together by a ligament

   syndetic
          [syn.det.ic] adj [Gk syndetikos, fr. syndein to bind together--more
          at asyndeton] (1621): connective, connecting <~ pronoun>; also:
          marked by a conjunctive <~ relative clause> -- syn.det.i.cal.ly adv

   syndic
          [syn.dic] n [F, fr. LL syndicus representative of a corporation,
          fr. Gk syndikos assistant at law, advocate, representative
          of a state, fr. syn- + dike judgment, case at law--more
          at diction] (1601) 1: a municipal magistrate in some
          countries 2: an agent of a university or corporation

   syndical
          [syn.di.cal] adj (1864) 1: of or relating to a syndic or
          to a committee that assumes the powers of a syndic 2:
          of or relating to syndicalism

   syndicalism
          [syn.di.cal.ism] n [F syndicalisme, fr. chambre syndicale
          trade union] (1907) 1: a revolutionary doctrine by which
          workers seize control of the economy and the government
          by direct means (as a general strike) 2: a system of
          economic organization in which industries are owned and
          managed by the workers 3: a theory of government based
          on functional rather than territorial representation
          -- syn.di.cal.ist adj or n

   [1]syndicate
          [syn.di.cate] n [F syndicat, fr. syndic] (1624) 1 a: a council
          or body of syndics b: the office or jurisdiction of a
          syndic 2: an association of persons officially authorized
          to undertake a duty or negotiate business 3 a: a group
          of persons or concerns who combine to carry out a particular
          transaction b: cartel 2 c: a loose association of racketeers
          in control of organized crime 4: a business concern that
          sells materials for publication in a number of newspapers
          or periodicals simultaneously 5: a group of newspapers
          under one management [2]syn.di.cate vb -cat.ed ; -cat.ing
          vt (1882) 1: to subject to or manage as a syndicate 2
          a: to sell (as a cartoon) to a syndicate or for publication
          in many newspapers or periodicals at once b: to sell
          (as a series of television programs) directly to local
          stations ~ vi: to unite to form a syndicate -- syn.di.ca.tion
          n -- syn.di.ca.tor n

   syndrome
          [syn.drome] n [NL, fr. Gk syndrome combination, syndrome,
          fr. syn- + dramein to run--more at dromedary] (1541)
          1: a group of signs and symptoms that occur together
          and characterize a particular abnormality 2: a set of
          concurrent things (as emotions or actions) that usu.
          form an identifiable pattern

   [1]syne
          [syne] adv [ME (northern), prob. fr. ON sithan; akin to OE
          siththan since--more at since] (14c) chiefly Scot: since
          then: ago [2]syne conj or prep (14c) Scot: since

   synecdoche
          [syn.ec.do.che] n [L, fr. Gk synekdoche, fr. syn- + ekdoche
          sense, interpretation, fr. ekdechesthai to receive, understand,
          fr. ex from + dechesthai to receive; akin to Gk dokein
          to seem good--more at ex-, decent] (15c): a figure of
          speech by which a part is put for the whole (as fifty
          sail for fifty ships), the whole for a part (as society
          for high society), the species for the genus (as cutthroat
          for assassin), the genus for the species (as a creature
          for a man), or the name of the material for the thing
          made (as boards for stage) -- syn.ec.doch.ic adj
          -- syn.ec.doch.i.cal adj -- syn.ec.doch.i.cal.ly adv

   synecology
          [syn.ecol.o.gy] n [G Synokologie, fr. syn- syn- + Okologie
          ecology] (1910): a branch of ecology that deals with
          the structure, development, and distribution of ecological
          communities -- syn.eco.log.i.cal adj

   syneresis
          [syn.er.e.sis] n [LL synaeresis, fr. Gk synairesis, fr. synairein
          to contract, fr. syn- + hairein to take] (ca. 1577) 1:
          synizesis 2: the separation of liquid from a gel caused
          by contraction

   synergetic
          [syn.er.get.ic] adj [Gk synergetikos, fr. synergein to work
          with, cooperate, fr. synergos working together, fr. syn-
          + ergon work--more at work] (ca. 1836): synergic

   synergic
          [syn.er.gic] adj (ca. 1859): working together: cooperating
          -- syn.er.gi.cal.ly adv

   synergid
          [syn.er.gid] n [NL synergida, fr. Gk synergos working together]
          (1898): one of two small cells lying near the micropyle
          of the embryo sac of an angiosperm

   synergism
          [syn.er.gism] n [NL synergismus, fr. Gk synergos] (1910):
          interaction of discrete agencies (as industrial firms),
          agents (as drugs), or conditions such that the total
          effect is greater than the sum of the individual effects

   synergist
          [syn.er.gist] n (1876): something (as a chemical or a muscle)
          that enhances the effectiveness of an active agent; broadly:
          either member of a synergistic pair

   synergistic
          [syn.er.gis.tic] adj (ca. 1847) 1: having the capacity to
          act in synergism <~ drugs> 2: of, relating to, or resembling
          synergism <a ~ reaction> -- syn.er.gis.ti.cal.ly adv

   synergy
          [syn.er.gy] n [NL synergia, fr. Gk synergos working together]
          (1660): synergism; broadly: combined action or operation

   synesis
          [syn.e.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk, understanding, sense, fr. synienai
          to bring together, understand, fr. syn- + hienai to send--more
          at jet] (ca. 1891): a grammatical construction in which
          agreement or reference is according to sense rather than
          strict syntax (as anyone and them in "if anyone calls,
          tell them I am out")

   synesthesia
          [syn.es.the.sia] n [NL, fr. syn- + -esthesia (as in anesthesia)]
          (ca. 1891): a concomitant sensation; esp: a subjective
          sensation or image of a sense (as of color) other than
          the one (as of sound) being stimulated -- syn.es.thet.ic
          adj

   synfuel
          [syn.fu.el] n [synthetic + fuel] (1976): a liquid or gaseous
          fuel derived esp. from a fossil fuel that is a solid
          (as coal) or part of a solid (as tar sand or oil shale)

   syngamy
          [syn.ga.my] n [ISV] (1904): sexual reproduction by union
          of gametes

   syngas
          [syn.gas] n (1975): synthesis gas

   syngeneic
          [syn.ge.ne.ic] adj [syn- + -geneic (as in isogeneic)] (1961):
          genetically identical or similar esp. with respect to
          antigens or immunological reactions <~ tumor cells> <grafts
          between ~ mice>--compare allogeneic, x enogeneic

   synizesis
          [syn.i.ze.sis] n [LL, fr. Gk synizesis, fr. synizein to sit
          down together, collapse, blend, fr. syn- + hizein to
          sit down; akin to L sidere to sit down--more at subside]
          (1846): contraction of two syllables into one by uniting
          in pronunciation two adjacent vowels

   synkaryon
          [syn.kary.on] n [NL, fr. Gk syn- + karyon nut--more at careen]
          (1905): a cell nucleus formed by the fusion of two preexisting
          nuclei

   synod
          [syn.od] n [ME sinod, fr. LL synodus, fr. LGk synodos, fr.
          Gk, meeting, assembly, fr. syn- + hodos way, journey]
          (14c) 1: an ecclesiastical governing or advisory council:
          as a: the governing assembly of an Episcopal province
          b: a Presbyterian governing body ranking between the
          presbytery and the general assembly c: a regional or
          national organization of Lutheran congregations 2: the
          ecclesiastical district governed by a synod -- syn.od.al
          adj

   synodic
          [syn.od.ic] or syn.od.i.cal adj (1561) 1: of or relating
          to a synod: synodal 2 usu synodic [Gk synodikos, fr.
          synodos meeting, conjunction]: relating to conjunction;
          esp: relating to the period between two successive conjunctions
          of the same celestial bodies (as the moon and the sun)

   synodic month
          [synodic month] n (1654): a lunar month

   synonym
          [syn.o.nym] n [ME sinonyme, fr. L synonymum, fr. Gk synonymon,
          fr. neut. of synonymos synonymous, fr. syn- + onyma name--more
          at name] (15c) 1: one of two or more words or expressions
          of the same language that have the same or nearly the
          same meaning in some or all senses 2: a symbolic or figurative
          name: metonym 3: a taxonomic name rejected as being incorrectly
          applied or incorrect in form--compare homonym -- syn.o.nym.ic
          also syn.o.nym.i.cal adj -- syn.o.nym.i.ty n

   synonymist
          [syn.on.y.mist] n (ca. 1753): one who lists, studies, or
          discriminates synonyms

   synonymize
          [syn.on.y.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (ca. 1595) 1 a: to give
          or analyze the synonyms of (a word) b: to provide (as
          a dictionary) with synonymies 2: to demonstrate (a taxonomic
          name) to be a synonym

   synonymous
          [syn.on.y.mous] adj (1610) 1: having the character of a synonym;
          also: alike in meaning or significance 2: having the
          same connotations, implications, or reference <to runners,
          Boston is ~ with marathon --Runners World> -- syn.on.y.mous.ly
          adv

   synonymy
          [syn.on.y.my] n, pl -mies (1683) 1 a: a list or collection
          of synonyms often defined and discriminated from each
          other b: the study or discrimination of synonyms 2: the
          scientific names that have been used in different publications
          to designate a taxonomic group (as a species); also:
          a list of these 3: the quality or state of being synonymous

   synopsis
          [syn.op.sis] n, pl -op.ses [LL, fr. Gk, lit., comprehensive
          view, fr. synopsesthai to be going to see together, fr.
          syn- + opsesthai to be going to see--more at optic] (1611)
          1: a condensed statement or outline (as of a narrative
          or treatise): abstract 2: the abbreviated conjugation
          of a verb in one person only

   synopsize
          [syn.op.size] vt -sized ; -siz.ing (1882) 1: epitomize 2:
          to make a synopsis of (as a novel)

   synoptic
          [syn.op.tic] also syn.op.ti.cal adj [Gk synoptikos, fr.
          synopsesthai] (1763) 1: affording a general view of a whole
          2: manifesting or characterized by comprehensiveness or breadth
          of view 3: presenting or taking the same or common view; specif,
          often cap: of or relating to the first three Gospels of the New
          Testament 4: relating to or displaying conditions (as of the
          atmosphere or weather) as they exist simultaneously over a broad
          area -- syn.op.ti.cal.ly adv

   synostosis
          [syn.os.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL] (ca. 1848): union of two
          or more separate bones to form a single bone

   synovia
          [sy.no.via] n [NL] (1726): a transparent viscid lubricating
          fluid secreted by a membrane of an articulation, bursa,
          or tendon sheath

   synovial
          [sy.no.vi.al] adj (1756): of, relating to, secreting, or
          being synovia <~ membranes> <~ fluid>

   synovitis
          [sy.no.vi.tis] n (ca. 1836): inflammation of a synovial membrane

   syntactic
          [syn.tac.tic] or syn.tac.ti.cal adj [NL syntacticus, fr.
          Gk syntaktikos arranging together, fr. syntassein] (1577):
          of, relating to, or according to the rules of syntax
          or syntactics -- syn.tac.ti.cal.ly adv

   syntactics
          [syn.tac.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1937): a branch
          of semiotic that deals with the formal relations between
          signs or expressions in abstraction from their signification
          and their interpreters

   syntagma
          [syn.tag.ma] n, pl -mas or -ma.ta [Gk, fr. syntassein] (1937):
          a syntactic element -- syn.tag.mat.ic adj

   syntax
          [syn.tax] n [F or LL; F syntaxe, fr. LL syntaxis, fr. Gk,
          fr. syntassein to arrange together, fr. syn- + tassein
          to arrange] (1574) 1 a: the way in which linguistic elements
          (as words) are put together to form constituents (as
          phrases or clauses) b: the part of grammar dealing with
          this 2: a connected or orderly system: harmonious arrangement
          of parts or elements 3: syntactics esp. as dealing with
          the formal properties of languages or calculi

   synth
          [synth] n, often attrib (1976): synthesizer 2

   synthesis
          [syn.the.sis] n, pl -the.ses [Gk, fr. syntithenai to put
          together, fr. syn- + tithenai to put, place--more at
          do] (1589) 1 a: the composition or combination of parts
          or elements so as to form a whole b: the production of
          a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups,
          or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex
          compound c: the combining of often diverse conceptions
          into a coherent whole; also: the complex so formed 2
          a: deductive reasoning b: the dialectic combination of
          thesis and antithesis into a higher stage of truth 3:
          the frequent and systematic use of inflected forms as
          a characteristic device of a language -- syn.the.sist
          n

   synthesis gas
          [synthesis gas] n (ca. 1941): a mixture of carbon monoxide
          and hydrogen used esp. in chemical synthesis

   synthesize
          [syn.the.size] vb -sized ; -siz.ing vt (1830) 1: to combine
          or produce by synthesis 2: to make a synthesis of ~ vi:
          to make a synthesis

   synthesizer
          [syn.the.siz.er] n (1869) 1: one that synthesizes <an expert
          ~ of diverse views> 2: a usu. computerized electronic
          apparatus for the production and control of sound (as
          for producing music)

   synthetase
          [syn.the.tase] n [synthetic + -ase] (1947): an enzyme that
          catalyzes the linking together of two molecules usu.
          using the energy derived from the concurrent splitting
          off of a pyrophosphate group from a triphosphate (as
          ATP)--called also ligase

   [1]synthetic
          [syn.thet.ic] adj [Gk synthetikos of composition, component,
          fr. syntithenai to put together] (1697) 1: relating to
          or involving synthesis: not analytic 2: attributing to
          a subject something determined by observation rather
          than analysis of the nature of the subject and not resulting
          in self-contradiction if negated--compare analytic 3:
          characterized by frequent and systematic use of inflected
          forms to express grammatical relationships 4 a (1): of,
          relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis;
          esp: produced artificially <~ drugs> <~ silk> (2): of
          or relating to a synfuel b: devised, arranged, or fabricated
          for special situations to imitate or replace usual realities
          c: factitious, bogus -- syn.thet.i.cal.ly adv [2]synthetic
          n (1946): something resulting from synthesis rather than
          occurring naturally; esp: a product (as a drug or plastic)
          of chemical synthesis

   synthetic division
          [synthetic division] n (1904): a simplified method for dividing
          a polynomial by another polynomial of the first degree
          by writing down only the coefficients of the several
          powers of the variable and changing the sign of the constant
          term in the divisor so as to replace the usual subtractions
          by additions

   synthetic geometry
          [synthetic geometry] n (1889): elementary euclidean geometry
          or projective geometry as distinguished from analytic
          geometry

   synthetic resin
          [synthetic resin] n (1907): resin 2

   syph
          [syph] n (ca. 1914) slang: syphilis

   syphilis
          [syph.i.lis] n [NL, fr. Syphilus, hero of the poem Syphilis
          sive Morbus Gallicus (Syphilis or the French disease)
          (1530) by Girolamo Fracastoro d. 1553 Ital. poet, physician,
          and astronomer] (1718): a chronic contagious usu. venereal
          and often congenital disease caused by a spirochete (Treponema
          pallidum) and if left untreated producing chancres, rashes,
          and systemic lesions in a clinical course with three
          stages continued over many years--compare primary syphilis,
          secondary syphilis, tertiary syphilis -- syph.i.lit.ic
          adj or n

   syphon
          [sy.phon] var of siphon

   Syrette
          [Sy.rette] trademark--used for a small collapsible tube fitted
          with a hypodermic needle for injecting a single dose
          of a medicinal agent

   Syriac
          [Syr.i.ac] n [L syriacus Syrian, fr. Gk syriakos, fr. Syria,
          ancient country in Asia] (1605) 1: a literary language
          based on an eastern Aramaic dialect and used as the literary
          and liturgical language by several eastern Christian
          churches 2: Aramaic spoken by Christian communities --
          Syriac adj

   Syrian hamster
          [Syr.i.an hamster] n [Syria, Asia] (ca. 1949): golden hamster

   syringa
          [sy.rin.ga] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk syring-, syrinx panpipe]
          (1664): mock orange 1

   [1]syringe
          [sy.ringe] n [ME syring, fr. ML syringa, fr. LL, injection,
          fr. Gk syring-, syrinx panpipe, tube] (14c): a device
          used to inject fluids into or withdraw them from something
          (as the body or its cavities): as a: a device that consists
          of a nozzle of varying length and a compressible rubber
          bulb and is used for injection or irrigation b: an instrument
          (as for the injection of medicine or the withdrawal of
          bodily fluids) that consists of a hollow barrel fitted
          with a plunger and a hollow needle c: a gravity device
          consisting of a reservoir fitted with a long rubber tube
          ending with an exchangeable nozzle that is used for irrigation
          of the vagina or bowel [2]syringe vt sy.ringed ; sy.ring.ing
          (1610): to irrigate or spray with or as if with a syringe

   syringomyelia
          [sy.rin.go.my.e.lia] n [NL, fr. Gk syring-, syrinx tube,
          fistula + NL myel- + -ia] (1897): a chronic progressive
          disease of the spinal cord associated with sensory disturbances,
          muscle atrophy, and spasticity -- sy.rin.go.my.el.ic
          adj

   syrinx
          [syr.inx] n, pl sy.rin.ges or syr.inx.es (1606) 1 [LL, fr.
          Gk]: panpipe 2 [NL, fr. Gk]: the vocal organ of birds
          that is a special modification of the lower part of the
          trachea or of the bronchi or of both

   syrphid fly
          [syr.phid fly] n [NL Syrphidae, fr. Syrphus, genus of flies,
          fr. Gk syrphos gnat] (ca. 1891): any of a family (Syrphidae)
          of dipteran flies which frequent flowers and some of
          whose larvae prey on plant lice--called also syrphid
          -- syrphid adj

   syrup
          [syr.up] n [ME sirup, fr. MF sirop, fr. ML syrupus, fr. Ar
          sharab] (14c) 1 a: a thick sticky solution of sugar and
          water often flavored or medicated b: the concentrated
          juice of a fruit or plant 2: cloying sweetness or sentimentality
          -- syr.upy adj

   sysop
          [sys.op] n [system operator] (1983): the administrator of
          a computer bulletin board

   syst
          [syst] abbreviation system

   systaltic
          [sys.tal.tic] adj [LL systalticus, fr. Gk systaltikos, fr.
          systellein to contract--more at systole] (1676): marked
          by regular contraction and dilatation: pulsing

   system
          [sys.tem] n [LL systemat-, systema, fr. Gk systemat-, systema,
          fr. synistanai to combine, fr. syn- + histanai to cause
          to stand--more at stand] (1603) 1: a regularly interacting
          or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole
          <a number ~>: as a (1): a group of interacting bodies
          under the influence of related forces <a gravitational
          ~> (2): an assemblage of substances that is in or tends
          to equilibrium <a thermodynamic ~> b (1): a group of
          body organs that together perform one or more vital functions
          <the digestive ~> (2): the body considered as a functional
          unit c: a group of related natural objects or forces
          <a river ~> d: a group of devices or artificial objects
          or an organization forming a network esp. for distributing
          something or serving a common purpose <a telephone ~>
          <a heating ~> <a highway ~> <a data processing ~> e:
          a major division of rocks usu. larger than a series and
          including all formed during a period or era f: a form
          of social, economic, or political organization or practice
          <the capitalist ~> 2: an organized set of doctrines,
          ideas, or principles usu. intended to explain the arrangement
          or working of a systematic whole <the Newtonian ~ of
          mechanics> 3 a: an organized or established procedure
          <the touch ~ of typing> b: a manner of classifying, symbolizing,
          or schematizing <a taxonomic ~> <the decimal ~> 4: harmonious
          arrangement or pattern: order <bring ~ out of confusion
          --Ellen Glasgow> 5: an organized society or social situation
          regarded as stultifying: establishment 2--usu. used with
          the syn see method -- sys.tem.less adj

   systematic
          [sys.tem.at.ic] adj [LL systematicus, fr. Gk systematikos,
          fr. systemat-, systema] (ca. 1680) 1: relating to or
          consisting of a system 2: presented or formulated as
          a coherent body of ideas or principles <~ thought> 3
          a: methodical in procedure or plan <a ~ approach> <a
          ~ scholar> b: marked by thoroughness and regularity <~
          efforts> 4: of, relating to, or concerned with classification;
          specif: taxonomic -- sys.tem.at.i.cal.ly adv -- sys.tem.at.ic.ness
          n

   systematic error
          [systematic error] n (1891): an error that is not determined
          by chance but is introduced by an inaccuracy (as of observation
          or measurement) inherent in the system

   systematics
          [sys.tem.at.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1888) 1: the science
          of classification 2 a: a system of classification b:
          the classification and study of organisms with regard
          to their natural relationships: taxonomy

   systematic theology
          [systematic theology] n (1836): a branch of theology concerned
          with summarizing the doctrinal traditions of a religion
          (as Christianity) esp. with a view to relating the traditions
          convincingly to the religion's present-day setting

   systematise
          [sys.tem.a.tise] Brit var of systematize

   systematism
          [sys.tem.a.tism] n (1846): the practice of forming intellectual
          systems

   systematist
          [sys.tem.a.tist] n (1700) 1: a maker or follower of a system
          2: a specialist in taxonomy: taxonomist

   systematize
          [sys.tem.a.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (ca. 1767): to arrange
          in accord with a definite plan or scheme: order systematically
          <the need to ~ their work> syn see order -- sys.tem.a.ti.za.tion
          n -- sys.tem.a.tiz.er n

   [1]systemic
          [sys.tem.ic] adj (1803): of, relating to, or common to a
          system: as a: affecting the body generally b: supplying
          those parts of the body that receive blood through the
          aorta rather than through the pulmonary artery c: of,
          relating to, or being a pesticide that as used is harmless
          to the plant or higher animal but when absorbed into
          its sap or bloodstream makes the entire organism toxic
          to pests (as an insect or fungus) -- sys.tem.i.cal.ly
          adv [2]systemic n (1951): a systemic pesticide

   systemic lupus erythematosus
          [systemic lupus er.y.the.ma.to.sus] n (1951): an inflammatory
          connective tissue disease of unknown cause that occurs
          chiefly in women, is characterized esp. by fever, skin
          rash, and arthritis, often by acute hemolytic anemia,
          by small hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes,
          by inflammation of the pericardium, and in serious cases
          by involvement of the kidneys and central nervous system

   systemize
          [sys.tem.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1778): systematize --
          sys.tem.i.za.tion n

   systems analysis
          [systems analysis] n (1950): the act, process, or profession
          of studying an activity (as a procedure, a business,
          or a physiological function) typically by mathematical
          means in order to define its goals or purposes and to
          discover operations and procedures for accomplishing
          them most efficiently -- systems analyst n

   systole
          [sys.to.le] n [Gk systole, fr. systellein to contract, fr.
          syn- + stellein to send] (1578): a rhythmically recurrent
          contraction; esp: the contraction of the heart by which
          the blood is forced onward and the circulation kept up
          -- sys.tol.ic adj

   syzygy
          [syz.y.gy] n, pl -gies [LL syzygia conjunction, fr. Gk, fr.
          syzygos yoked together, fr. syn- + zygon yoke--more at
          yoke] (ca. 1847): the nearly straight-line configuration
          of three celestial bodies (as the sun, moon, and earth
          during a solar or lunar eclipse) in a gravitational system

   sz...
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   Szechuan
          [Szech.uan] or Szech.wan adj [Szechwan or Szechuan (Sichuan),
          province in China] (1956): of, relating to, or being
          a style of Chinese cooking that is spicy, oily, and esp.
          peppery

   t...
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   t
          [t] n, pl t's or ts often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 20th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic t 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter t 3: one designated t esp. as the 20th in
          order or class 4: something shaped like the letter T
          5: t formation 6: technical foul -- to a T [short for
          to a tittle]: to perfection

   t
          [t] abbreviation metric ton, tablespoon, target, teaspoon,
          technical, temperature, [L tempore] in the time of; tense,
          tension, tertiary, time, ton, township, transitive, troy,
          true  T abbreviation tera-, tesla, thymine, toddler,
          tritium, T-shirt

   T3
          [T3] also T-3 n [T, abbr. for thyronine + 3, number of iodine
          atoms attached to the thyronine nucleus] (1956): triiodothyronine

   T4 cell
          [T4 cell] n [T cell + CD4] (1983): any of the T cells (as
          a helper T cell) that bear the CD4 molecular marker and
          become severely depleted in AIDS--called also T4 lymphocyte

   T-ball
          [T-ball] n [[2]tee] (1976): baseball modified for youngsters
          in which the ball is batted from a tee rather than being
          pitched

   T-bar
          [T-bar] n (1948): a ski lift having a series of T-shaped
          bars each of which pulls two skiers--called also T-bar
          lift

   T-bill
          [T-bill] n [Treasury] (1973): a U.S. treasury note

   T-bone
          [T-bone] n (ca. 1916): a small steak from the thin end of
          the short loin containing a T-shaped bone and a small
          piece of tenderloin; also: this bone--see beef illustration

   T cell
          [T cell] n [thymus-derived cell] (1970): any of several lymphocytes
          (as a helper T cell) that differentiate in the thymus, possess
          highly specific cell-surface antigen receptors, and include some
          that control the initiation or suppression of cell-mediated and
          humoral immunity (as by the regulation of T and B cell maturation
          and proliferation) and others that lyse antigen-bearing
          cells--called also T lymphocyte--compare b cell

   t distribution
          [t distribution] n (ca. 1957): a probability density function
          that is used esp. in testing hypotheses concerning means
          of normal distributions whose standard deviations are
          unknown and that is the distribution of a random variable
          equated to a fraction whose numerator is u times the
          square root of n and whose denominator is v where u and
          v are themselves independent random variables and u has
          a normal distribution with mean 0 and a standard deviation
          of 1 and the square of v has a chi-square distribution
          with n degrees of freedom--called also student's t distribution

   T formation
          [T formation] n (1930): an offensive football formation in
          which the fullback lines up behind the center and quarterback
          with one halfback stationed on each side of the fullback

   T-group
          [T-group] n [training group] (1950): a group of people under
          the leadership of a trainer who seek to develop self-awareness
          and sensitivity to others by verbalizing feelings uninhibitedly
          at group sessions--compare encounter group

   T-helper cell
          [T-help.er cell] n (1980): helper t cell

   T lymphocyte
          [T lymphocyte] n [thymus-derived] (1972): t cell

   T-man
          [T-man] n [Treasury man] (1937): a special agent of the U.S.
          Treasury Department

   T-shirt
          [T-shirt] n (1920): a collarless short-sleeved or sleeveless
          usu. cotton undershirt; also: an outer shirt of similar
          design -- T-shirt.ed adj

   T square
          [T square] n (1785): a ruler with a crosspiece or head at
          one end used in making parallel lines

   t-test
          [t-test] n (1932): a statistical test involving confidence
          limits for the random variable t of a t distribution
          and used esp. in testing hypotheses about means of normal
          distributions when the standard deviations are unknown

   ta...
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   ta
          [ta] n [baby talk] (1772) Brit: thanks

   Ta
          [Ta] abbreviation tantalum  TA abbreviation teaching assistant,
          transactional analysis

   Taal
          [Taal] n [Afrik, fr. D, language; akin to OE talu talk--more
          at tale] (1896): afrikaans--usu. used with the

   [1]tab
          [tab] n, often attrib [origin unknown] (1607) 1 a: a short
          projecting device: as (1): a small flap or loop by which
          something may be grasped or pulled (2): a projection
          from a card used as an aid in filing b: a small insert,
          addition, or remnant c: appendage, extension; esp: one
          of a series of small pendants forming a decorative border
          or edge of a garment d: a small auxiliary airfoil hinged
          to a control surface (as a trailing edge) to help stabilize
          an airplane in flight--see airplane illustration 2 [partly
          short for [1]table; partly fr. sense 1] a: close surveillance:
          watch <keep ~s on trends> b: a creditor's statement:
          bill, check c: cost <the ~ for the new program> 3 [by
          shortening] a: tabloid b: tablet 4 [short for tabulator]:
          a device (as on a typewriter) for arranging data in columns
          [2]tab vt tabbed ; tab.bing (1872) 1: to furnish or ornament
          with tabs 2: to single out: designate 3: tabulate

   tabanid
          [ta.ba.nid] n [ultim. fr. L tabanus horsefly] (ca. 1891):
          horsefly

   tabard
          [tab.ard] n [ME, fr. MF tabart] (14c): a short loose-fitting
          sleeveless or short-sleeved coat or cape: as a: a tunic
          worn by a knight over his armor and emblazoned with his
          arms b: a herald's official cape or coat emblazoned with
          his lord's arms c: a woman's sleeveless outer garment
          often with side slits

   Tabasco
          [Ta.bas.co] trademark--used for a pungent condiment sauce
          made from hot peppers

   tabbouleh
          [tab.bou.leh] n [Ar tabbula] (1955): a salad of Lebanese
          origin consisting chiefly of cracked wheat, tomatoes,
          parsley, mint, onions, lemon juice, and olive oil

   [1]tabby
          [tab.by] n, pl tabbies [F tabis, fr. ML attabi, fr. Ar 'attabi,
          fr. Al-'Attabiya, quarter in Baghdad] (1638) 1 a archaic:
          a plain silk taffeta esp. with moire finish b: a plain-woven
          fabric 2 [[2]tabby] a: a domestic cat with a striped
          and mottled coat b: a domestic cat; esp: a female cat
          [2]tabby adj (1661) 1: of, relating to, or made of tabby
          2: striped and mottled with darker color: brindled <a
          ~ cat> [3]tabby n [Gullah tabi, ultim. fr. Sp tapia adobe
          wall] (1775): a cement made of lime, sand or gravel,
          and oyster shells and used chiefly along the coast of
          Georgia and So. Carolina in the 17th and 18th centuries

   [1]tabernacle
          [tab.er.na.cle] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL tabernaculum, fr. L,
          tent, fr. taberna hut] (13c) 1 a often cap: a tent sanctuary
          used by the Israelites during the Exodus b archaic: a
          dwelling place c archaic: a temporary shelter: tent 2:
          a receptacle for the consecrated elements of the Eucharist;
          esp: an ornamental locked box used for reserving the
          Communion hosts 3: a house of worship; specif: a large
          building or tent used for evangelistic services -- tab.er.nac.u.lar
          adj [2]tabernacle vi tab.er.na.cled ; tab.er.na.cling (1653):
          to take up temporary residence; esp: to inhabit a physical body

   tabes
          [ta.bes] n, pl tabes [L, wasting disease, decay, fr. tabere
          to decay--more at thaw] (1651): wasting accompanying
          a chronic disease -- ta.bet.ic adj or n

   tabes dorsalis
          [tabes dor.sa.lis] n [NL, dorsal tabes] (ca. 1681): a syphilitic
          disorder of the nervous system marked by wasting, pain,
          lack of coordination of voluntary movements and reflexes,
          and disorders of sensation, nutrition, and vision--called
          also locomotor ataxia

   tabla
          [ta.bla] n [Hindi tabla, fr. Ar tabla] (1865): a pair of
          small different-sized hand drums used esp. in music of
          India

   tablature
          [tab.la.ture] n [MF, fr. ML tabulatus tablet, fr. L tabula]
          (1574): an instrumental notation indicating the string,
          fret, key, or finger to be used instead of the tone to
          be sounded

   [1]table
          [ta.ble] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE tabule & OF table; both
          fr. L tabula board, tablet, list] (bef. 12c) 1: tablet
          1a 2 a pl: backgammon b: one of the two leaves of a backgammon
          board or either half of a leaf 3 a: a piece of furniture
          consisting of a smooth flat slab fixed on legs b (1):
          a supply or source of food (2): an act or instance of
          assembling to eat: meal <sit down to ~> c (1): a group
          of people assembled at or as if at a table (2): a legislative
          or negotiating session <the bargaining ~> 4: stringcourse
          5 a: a systematic arrangement of data usu. in rows and
          columns for ready reference b: a condensed enumeration:
          list <a ~ of contents> 6: something that resembles a
          table esp. in having a plane surface: as a: the upper
          flat surface of a cut precious stone--see brilliant illustration
          b (1): tableland (2): a horizontal stratum <water ~>
          -- under the table 1: into a stupor <can drink you under
          the table> 2: in a covert manner <took money under the
          table> [2]table vt ta.bled ; ta.bling (15c) 1: to enter
          in a table 2 a Brit: to place on the agenda b: to remove
          (as a parliamentary motion) from consideration indefinitely
          c: to put on a table [3]table adj (1547) 1: suitable
          for a table or for use at a table <a ~ lamp> 2: suitable
          for serving at a table <~ grapes> 3: proper for conduct
          at a table <~ manners>

   tableau
          [tab.leau] n, pl tab.leaux also tableaus [F, fr. MF tablel,
          dim. of table, fr. OF] (1699) 1: a graphic description
          or representation: picture <winsome tableaux of old-fashioned
          literary days --J. D. Hart> 2: a striking or artistic
          grouping 3 [short for tableau vivant (fr. F, lit., living
          picture)]: a depiction of a scene usu. presented on a
          stage by silent and motionless costumed participants

   tableau curtain
          [tableau curtain] n (1881): a stage curtain that opens in
          the center and has its sections drawn upward as well
          as to the side

   tablecloth
          [ta.ble.cloth] n (15c): a covering spread over a dining table
          before the tableware is set

   table d'hote
          [ta.ble d'hote] n [F, lit., host's table] (1617) 1: a meal
          served to all guests at a stated hour and fixed price
          2: a complete meal of several courses offered at a fixed
          price

   tableful
          [ta.ble.ful] n (1535): as much or as many as a table can
          hold or accommodate

   table-hop
          [ta.ble-hop] vi (1942): to move from table to table (as in
          a restaurant) in order to chat with friends -- ta.ble-hop.per
          n

   tableland
          [ta.ble.land] n (1697): a broad level elevated area: plateau

   table linen
          [table linen] n (1680): linen (as tablecloths and napkins)
          for the table

   tablemate
          [ta.ble.mate] n (1624): a dining companion

   table of organization
          [table of organization] (ca. 1918): a table listing the number
          and duties of personnel and the major items of equipment
          authorized for a military unit

   table salt
          [table salt] n (1878): salt suitable for use at the table
          and in cooking

   tablespoon
          [ta.ble.spoon] n (1763) 1: a large spoon used for serving
          2: a unit of measure used esp. in cookery equal to 1/2
          fluid ounce (15 milliliters)

   tablespoonful
          [ta.ble.spoon.ful] n, pl tablespoonfuls also ta.ble.spoons.ful
          (1772) 1: enough to fill a tablespoon 2: tablespoon 2

   table sugar
          [table sugar] n (1958): sugar 1a; esp: granulated white sugar

   tablet
          [tab.let] n [ME tablett, fr. MF tablete, dim. of table table]
          (14c) 1 a: a flat slab or plaque suited for or bearing
          an inscription b: a thin slab or one of a set of portable
          sheets used for writing c: pad 4 2 a: a compressed or
          molded block of a solid material b: a small mass of medicated
          material <an aspirin ~> 3: graphics tablet

   table talk
          [table talk] n (1569): informal conversation at or as if
          at a dining table; esp: the social talk of a celebrity
          recorded for publication

   table tennis
          [table tennis] n (1901): a game resembling tennis that is
          played on a tabletop with wooden paddles and a small
          hollow plastic ball

   tabletop
          [ta.ble.top] n (1807) 1: the top of a table 2: a photograph
          of small objects or a miniature scene arranged on a table
          -- table.top adj

   tableware
          [ta.ble.ware] n (1832): utensils (as of china, glass, or
          silver) for table use

   table wine
          [table wine] n (ca. 1827): an unfortified wine averaging
          12 percent alcohol by volume and usu. suitable for serving
          with food

   [1]tabloid
          [tab.loid] adj [fr. Tabloid, a trademark] (1901) 1: compressed
          or condensed into small scope <~ criticism> 2: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of tabloids; esp: featuring stories
          of violence, crime, or scandal presented in a sensational
          manner [2]tabloid n (1906) 1: digest, summary 2: a newspaper
          that is about half the page size of an ordinary newspaper
          and that contains news in condensed form and much photographic
          matter

   [1]taboo
          [ta.boo] also ta.bu adj [Tongan tabu] (1777) 1: forbidden
          to profane use or contact because of what are held to
          be dangerous supernatural powers 2 a: banned on grounds
          of morality or taste <the subject is ~> b: banned as
          constituting a risk <the area beyond is ~, still alive
          with explosives --Robert Leckie> [2]taboo also tabu n,
          pl taboos also tabus (1777) 1: a prohibition against
          touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate
          harm from a supernatural force 2: a prohibition imposed
          by social custom or as a protective measure 3: belief
          in taboos [3]taboo also tabu vt (1777) 1: to set apart
          as taboo esp. by marking with a ritualistic symbol 2:
          to avoid or ban as taboo

   tabor
          [ta.bor] also ta.bour n [ME, fr. OF] (14c): a small drum
          with one head of soft calfskin used to accompany a pipe
          or fife played by the same person

   taborer
          [ta.bor.er] also ta.bour.er n (15c): one that plays on the
          tabor

   taboret
          [tab.o.ret] or tab.ou.ret n [F tabouret, lit., small drum,
          fr. MF, dim. of tabor, tabour drum] (ca. 1656) 1: a cylindrical
          seat or stool without arms or back 2: a small portable
          stand or cabinet

   tabouli
          [ta.bou.li] var of tabbouleh

   Tabriz
          [Ta.briz] n, pl Tabriz [Tabriz, Iran] (1904): a Persian rug
          usu. having a cotton warp, firm wool pile, and a medallion
          design

   tabular
          [tab.u.lar] adj [L tabularis of boards, fr. tabula board,
          tablet] (ca. 1656) 1: having a flat surface: laminar
          <a ~ crystal> 2 a: of, relating to, or arranged in a
          table; specif: set up in rows and columns b: computed
          by means of a table

   tabula rasa
          [ta.bu.la ra.sa] n, pl ta.bu.lae ra.sae [L, smoothed or erased
          tablet] (1607) 1: the mind in its hypothetical primary
          blank or empty state before receiving outside impressions
          2: something existing in its original pristine state

   tabulate
          [tab.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L tabula tablet] (1734)
          1: to put into tabular form 2: to count, record, or list
          systematically -- tab.u.la.tion n -- tab.u.la.tor n

   tabun
          [ta.bun] n [G] (1948): a liquid organophosphate that acts
          as a nerve gas

   TAC
          [TAC] abbreviation Tactical Air Command

   tacamahac
          [tac.a.ma.hac] n [Sp tacamahaca, fr. Nahuatl tecamac] (1739):
          balsam poplar

   TACAN
          [TACAN] n, often attrib [tactical air navigation] (1955):
          a system of navigation that uses ultrahigh frequency
          signals to determine the distance and bearing of an aircraft
          from a transmitting station

   tacet
          [ta.cet] [L, lit., (it) is silent, fr. tacere to be silent--more
          at tacit] (ca. 1724)--used as a direction in music to
          indicate that an instrument is not to play during a movement
          or long section

   tach
          [tach] n (ca. 1930): tachometer

   tachinid
          [tach.i.nid] n [NL Tachinidae, fr. Tachina, genus of flies,
          fr. Gk tachinos fleet, fr. tachys swift] (1888): any
          of a family (Tachinidae) of bristly usu. grayish or black
          dipteran flies whose parasitic larvae are often used
          in the biological control of insect pests -- tachinid
          adj

   tachism
          [tach.ism] n, often cap [F tachisme, fr. tache stain, spot,
          blob, fr. MF teche, tache, of Gmc origin; akin to OS
          tekan sign, OHG zeihhan--more at token] (1955): action
          painting -- tach.ist also ta.chiste adj or n, often cap

   tachistoscope
          [ta.chis.to.scope] n [Gk tachistos (superl. of tachys swift)
          + ISV -scope] (ca. 1890): an apparatus for the brief
          exposure of visual stimuli that is used in the study
          of learning, attention, and perception -- ta.chis.to.scop.ic
          adj -- ta.chis.to.scop.i.cal.ly adv

   tachometer
          [ta.chom.e.ter] n [Gk tachos speed + E -meter] (1810): a
          device for indicating speed of rotation

   tachy-
          [tachy-] comb form [Gk, fr. tachys]: rapid: accelerated
          <tachycardia>

   tachyarrhythmia
          [tachy.ar.rhyth.mia] n [NL] (1926): arrhythmia characterized
          by a rapid irregular heartbeat

   tachycardia
          [tachy.car.dia] n [NL] (1889): relatively rapid heart action
          whether physiological (as after exercise) or pathological--compare
          bradycardia

   tachyon
          [tachy.on] n [tachy- + [2]-on] (1967): a hypothetical particle
          held to travel only faster than light

   tacit
          [tac.it] adj [F or L; F tacite, fr. L tacitus silent, fr.
          pp. of tacere to be silent; akin to OHG dagen to be silent]
          (ca. 1604) 1: expressed or carried on without words or
          speech 2 a: implied or indicated but not actually expressed
          <~ consent> b (1): arising without express contract or
          agreement (2): arising by operation of law <~ mortgage>
          -- tac.it.ly adv -- tac.it.ness n

   taciturn
          [tac.i.turn] adj [F or L; F taciturne, fr. L taciturnus,
          fr. tacitus] (1771): temperamentally disinclined to talk
          syn see silent -- tac.i.tur.ni.ty n

   [1]tack
          [tack] vb [ME takken, fr. tak] vt (14c) 1: attach; esp: to
          fasten or affix with tacks 2: to join in a slight or
          hasty manner 3 a: to add as a supplement b: to add (a
          rider) to a parliamentary bill 4: to change the direction
          of (a sailing ship) when sailing close-hauled by turning
          the bow to the wind and shifting the sails so as to fall
          off on the other side at about the same angle as before
          ~ vi 1 a: to tack a sailing ship b of a ship: to change
          to an opposite tack by turning the bow to the wind c:
          to follow a course against the wind by a series of tacks
          2 a: to follow a zigzag course b: to modify one's policy
          or attitude abruptly -- tack.er n [2]tack n [ME tak something
          that attaches; akin to MD tac sharp point] (1574) 1:
          a small short sharp-pointed nail usu. having a broad
          flat head 2 a: the direction of a ship with respect to
          the trim of her sails <starboard ~> b: the run of a sailing
          ship on one tack c: a change when close-hauled from the
          starboard to the port tack or vice versa d: a zigzag
          movement on land e: a course or method of action; esp:
          one sharply divergent from that previously followed 3:
          any of various usu. temporary stitches 4: the lower forward
          corner of a fore-and-aft sail 5: a sticky or adhesive
          quality or condition [3]tack n [origin unknown] (1841):
          hardtack 1 [4]tack n [perh. short for tackle] (1924):
          stable gear; esp: articles of harness (as saddle and
          bridle) for use on a saddle horse

   tackboard
          [tack.board] n (ca. 1927): a board (as of cork) for tacking
          up notices and display materials

   tack claw
          [tack claw] n (ca. 1876): a small hand tool for removing
          tacks

   tackify
          [tack.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1942): to make (as a resin
          adhesive) tacky or more tacky -- tack.i.fi.er n

   tackily
          [tack.i.ly] adv (1903): in a tacky manner: so as to be tacky

   tackiness
          [tack.i.ness] n (1883): the quality or state of being tacky

   [1]tackle
          [tack.le] n [ME takel; akin to MD takel ship's rigging] (13c)
          1: a set of the equipment used in a particular activity:
          gear <fishing ~> 2 a: a ship's rigging b: an assemblage
          of ropes and pulleys arranged to gain mechanical advantage
          for hoisting and pulling 3 a: the act or an instance
          of tackling b (1): either of two offensive football players
          positioned on each side of the center and between guard
          and end (2): either of two football players positioned
          on the inside of a defensive line [2]tackle vb tack.led
          ; tack.ling vt (1714) 1: to attach or secure with or
          as if with tackle 2 a: to seize, take hold of, or grapple
          with esp. with the intention of stopping or subduing
          b: to seize and throw down or stop (an opposing player
          with the ball) in football 3: to set about dealing with
          <~ the problem> ~ vi: to tackle an opposing player in
          football -- tack.ler n

   tackling
          [tack.ling] n (15c): tackle, gear

   [1]tacky
          [tacky] adj tack.i.er ; -est [[2]tack] (1788): somewhat sticky
          to the touch <~ varnish>; also: characterized by tack:
          adhesive [2]tacky adj tacki.er ; -est [tacky a low-class
          person] (1862) 1 a: characterized by lack of good breeding:
          common <couldn't run around downtown ... in a bikini,
          which was ~ --Cyra McFadden> b: shabby, seedy <a ~ town
          whose citrus groves were blighted by smoke --Bryce Nelson>
          2: not having or exhibiting good taste <hopelessly ~
          bric-a-brac --T. C. Boyle>: as a: marked by lack of style:
          dowdy b: marked by cheap showiness: gaudy

   taco
          [ta.co] n, pl tacos [MexSp] (1934): a usu. fried tortilla
          that is folded or rolled and stuffed with a mixture (as
          of seasoned meat, cheese, and lettuce)

   taconite
          [tac.o.nite] n [Taconic Range, mountains in U.S.] (1892):
          a flintlike rock high enough in iron content to constitute
          a low-grade iron ore

   tact
          [tact] n [F, sense of touch, fr. L tactus, fr. tangere to
          touch--more at tangent] (1797) 1: sensitive mental or
          aesthetic perception <converted the novel into a play
          with remarkable skill and ~> 2: a keen sense of what
          to do or say in order to maintain good relations with
          others or avoid offense syn tact, address, poise, savoir
          faire mean skill and grace in dealing with others. tact
          implies delicate and considerate perception of what is
          appropriate <questions showing a lack of tact>. address
          stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and
          trying situations and may imply success in attaining
          one's ends <brought it off with remarkable address>.
          poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession
          and ease in meeting difficult situations <answered the accusations
          with unruffled poise>. savoir faire is likely to stress worldly
          experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient <the
          savoir faire of a seasoned traveler>.

   tactful
          [tact.ful] adj (1864): having or showing tact -- tact.ful.ly
          adv -- tact.ful.ness n

   [1]tactic
          [tac.tic] n [NL tactica, fr. Gk taktike, fr. fem. of taktikos]
          (1640) 1: a device for accomplishing an end 2: a method
          of employing forces in combat [2]tactic adj [NL tacticus,
          fr. Gk taktikos] (1871): of or relating to arrangement
          or order

   -tactic
          [-tactic] adj comb form [Gk taktikos] 1: of, relating to,
          or having (such) an arrangement or pattern <paratactic>
          2: showing orientation or movement directed by a (specified)
          force or agent <geotactic>

   tactical
          [tac.ti.cal] adj (1570) 1: of or relating to combat tactics:
          as a (1): of or occurring at the battlefront <~ defense>
          <~ first strike> (2): using or being weapons or forces
          employed at the battlefront <~ missiles> b of an air
          force: of, relating to, or designed for air attack in
          close support of friendly ground forces 2 a: of or relating
          to tactics: as (1): of or relating to small-scale actions
          serving a larger purpose (2): made or carried out with
          only a limited or immediate end in view b: adroit in
          planning or maneuvering to accomplish a purpose -- tac.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   tactician
          [tac.ti.cian] n (1798): one versed in tactics

   tactics
          [tac.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr [NL tactica, pl.,
          fr. Gk taktika, fr. neut. pl. of taktikos of order, of
          tactics, fit for arranging, fr. tassein to arrange, place
          in battle formation] (1626) 1 a: the science and art
          of disposing and maneuvering forces in combat b: the
          art or skill of employing available means to accomplish
          an end 2: a system or mode of procedure 3: the study
          of the grammatical relations within a language including
          morphology and syntax

   tactile
          [tac.tile] adj [F or L; F, fr. L tactilis, fr. tangere to
          touch--more at tangent] (1615) 1: perceptible by touch:
          tangible 2: of or relating to the sense of touch -- tac.tile.ly
          adv

   tactile corpuscle
          [tactile corpuscle] n (1873): an end organ of touch

   tactility
          [tac.til.i.ty] n (1659) 1: the capability of being felt or
          touched 2: responsiveness to stimulation of the sense
          of touch

   taction
          [tac.tion] n [L taction-, tactio, fr. tangere] (ca. 1623):
          touch

   tactless
          [tact.less] adj (ca. 1847): marked by lack of tact -- tact.less.ly
          adv -- tact.less.ness n

   tactual
          [tac.tu.al] adj [L tactus sense of touch--more at tact] (1642):
          tactile 2 -- tac.tu.al.ly adv

   tad
          [tad] n [prob. fr. E dial., toad, fr. ME tode--more at toad]
          (ca. 1877) 1: a small child; esp: boy 2: a small or insignificant
          amount or degree: bit <might give him some water and
          a ~ to eat --C. T. Walker> -- a tad : somewhat, rather
          <looked a tad bigger than me --Larry Hodgson>

   tadpole
          [tad.pole] n [ME taddepol, fr. tode toad + polle head] (15c):
          a larval amphibian; specif: a frog or toad larva that
          has a rounded body with a long tail bordered by fins
          and external gills soon replaced by internal gills and
          that undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult

   Tadzhik
          [Ta.dzhik] var of tajik

   taedium vitae
          [tae.di.um vi.tae] n [L] (1759): weariness or loathing of
          life

   tae kwon do
          [tae kwon do] n, often cap T&K&D [Korean t'aekwondo, fr.
          t'ae- to trample + kwon fist + to way] (1967): a Korean
          martial art resembling karate

   tael
          [tael] n [Pg, fr. Malay tahil] (1588) 1: any of various Chinese
          units of value based on the value of a tael weight of
          silver 2: any of various units of weight of eastern Asia

   taenia
          [tae.nia] n, pl -ni.ae or -nias [L, ribbon, fillet, fr. Gk
          tainia; akin to Gk teinein to stretch--more at thin]
          (1563) 1: a band on a Doric order separating the frieze
          from the architrave 2: tapeworm 3: an ancient Greek fillet
          4 [NL, fr. L, fillet, band]: a band of nervous tissue
          or muscle

   taeniasis
          [tae.ni.a.sis] n [NL, fr. L taenia tapeworm] (ca. 1890):
          infestation with or disease caused by tapeworms

   taffeta
          [taf.fe.ta] n [ME, fr. MF taffetas, fr. OIt taffetta, fr.
          Turk tafta, fr. Per taftah woven] (14c): a crisp plain-woven
          lustrous fabric of various fibers used esp. for women's
          clothing

   taffetized
          [taf.fe.tized] adj (1949) of cloth: having a crisp finish

   taffrail
          [taff.rail] n [modif. of D tafereel, fr. MD, panel, fr. OF
          tablel--more at tableau] (ca. 1704) 1: the upper part
          of the stern of a wooden ship 2: a rail around the stern
          of a ship

   taffy
          [taf.fy] n, pl taffies [origin unknown] (ca. 1817) 1: a boiled
          candy usu. of molasses or brown sugar that is pulled
          until porous and light-colored 2: insincere flattery

   [1]tag
          [tag] n [ME tagge, prob. of Scand origin; akin to Sw tagg
          barb] (15c) 1: a loose hanging piece of cloth: tatter
          2: a metal or plastic binding on an end of a shoelace
          3: a piece of hanging or attached material; specif: a
          loop, knot, or tassel on a garment 4 a: a brief quotation
          used for rhetorical emphasis or sententious effect b:
          a recurrent or characteristic verbal expression c: tag
          line 1 5 a: a cardboard, plastic, or metal marker used
          for identification or classification <license ~s> b:
          a descriptive or identifying epithet c: something used
          for identification or location: flag d: label 3d e: price
          tag 6: a detached fragmentary piece: bit [2]tag vb tagged
          ; tag.ging vt (15c) 1: to provide or mark with or as
          if with a tag: as a: to supply with an identifying marker
          or price <tagged every item in the store> <was tagged
          at $4.95> b: to provide with a name or epithet: label,
          brand <tagged him a has-been> c: to put a ticket on (a
          motor vehicle) for a traffic violation 2: to attach as
          an addition: append 3: to follow closely and persistently
          4: to hold to account; esp: to charge with violating
          the law <was tagged for ... assault --Burt Woolis> 5:
          label 2 ~ vi: to keep close <tagging at their heels --Corey
          Ford> [3]tag n [origin unknown] (1738) 1: a game in which
          the player who is it chases others and tries to touch
          one of them who then becomes it 2: an act or instance
          of tagging a runner in baseball [4]tag vt tagged ; tag.ging
          (1878) 1 a: to touch in or as if in a game of tag b:
          to put out (a runner) in baseball by a touch with the
          ball or the gloved hand containing the ball 2: to hit
          solidly 3: to choose usu. for a special purpose: select
          4: to make a hit or run off (a pitcher) in baseball

   TAG
          [TAG] abbreviation the adjutant general

   Tagalog
          [Ta.ga.log] n, pl Tagalog or Tagalogs [Tag] (ca. 1808) 1:
          a membe r of a people of central Luzon 2: an Austronesian
          language of the Tagalog people--compare pilipino

   tag along
          [tag along] vi (1900): to follow another's lead esp. in going
          from one place to another

   tagalong
          [tag.along] n (1935): one that persistently and often annoyingly
          follows the lead of another

   tagboard
          [tag.board] n (1904): strong cardboard used esp. for making
          shipping tags

   tag end
          [tag end] n (1807) 1: the last part 2: a miscellaneous or
          random bit

   tagliatelle
          [ta.glia.tel.le] n [It, fr. tagliare to cut, fr. LL taliare--more
          at tailor] (1899): fettuccine

   tag line
          [tag line] n (1926) 1: a final line (as in a play or joke);
          esp: one that serves to clarify a point or create a dramatic
          effect 2: a reiterated phrase identified with an individual,
          group, or product: slogan

   tag question
          [tag question] n (1933): a question (as isn't it in "it's
          fine, isn't it?") added to a statement or command (as
          to gain the assent of or challenge the person addressed);
          also: a sentence ending in a tag question

   tag, rag, and bobtail
          [tag, rag, and bobtail] or tagrag and bobtail n (1645): rabble

   tag sale
          [tag sale] n [fr. the price tag on each item] (1955): garage
          sale

   tag team
          [tag team] n [[4]tag] (1952): a team of two or more professional
          wrestlers who spell each other during a match

   tag up
          [tag up] vi (1942): to touch a base before running in baseball
          after a fly ball is caught

   tahini
          [ta.hi.ni] n [Ar dial. tahina, fr. tahana to grind] (1950):
          a smooth paste of sesame seeds

   Tahitian
          [Ta.hi.tian] n (1825) 1: a native or inhabitant of Tahiti
          2: the Polynesian language of the Tahitians -- Tahitian
          adj

   tahr
          [tahr] n [Nepali thar] (1835): any of a genus (Hemitragus)
          of wild Asian goats; esp: one (H. jemlahicus) of the
          Himalayas having a reddish brown to dark brown coat and
          a long shaggy mane

   tahsil
          [tah.sil] n [Urdu tahsil, fr. Ar, collection of revenue]
          (1846): a district administration or revenue subdivision
          in India

   Tai
          [Tai] n, pl Tai (1693): a widespread group of peoples in
          southeast Asia associated ethnically with valley paddy-rice
          culture

   tai chi chuan
          [tai chi chuan] or t'ai chi ch'uan n, often cap T & both
          Cs [Chin (Beijing) taijiquan, fr. taiji the Absolute
          in Chinese cosmology + quan fist, boxing] (1954): an
          ancient Chinese discipline of meditative movements practiced
          as a system of exercises--called also tai chi, t'ai chi

   taiga
          [tai.ga] n [Russ taiga] (1888): a moist subarctic forest
          dominated by conifers (as spruce and fir) that begins
          where the tundra ends

   [1]tail
          [tail] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE taegel; akin to OHG zagal
          tail, MIr dual lock of hair] (bef. 12c) 1: the rear end
          or a process or prolongation of the rear end of the body
          of an animal 2: something resembling an animal's tail
          in shape or position: as a: the luminous train of a comet
          b: the rear part of an airplane consisting usu. of horizontal
          and vertical stabilizing surfaces with attached control
          surfaces 3: retinue 4 pl a: tailcoat b: full evening
          dress for men 5 a: buttocks, butt b: a female sexual
          partner--usu. considered vulgar 6: the back, last, lower,
          or inferior part of something 7: tailing 1--usu. used
          in pl. 8: the reverse of a coin--usu. used in pl. <~s,
          I win> 9: one (as a detective) who follows or keeps watch
          on someone 10: the blank space at the bottom of a page
          11: a location immediately or not far behind <had a posse
          on his ~> -- tailed adj -- tail.less adj -- tail.like
          adj [2]tail vt (1523) 1: to connect end to end 2 a: to
          remove the tail of (an animal): dock b: to remove the
          stem or bottom part of <topping and ~ing gooseberries>
          3 a: to make or furnish with a tail b: to follow or be
          drawn behind like a tail 4: to follow for purposes of
          surveillance ~ vi 1: to form or move in a straggling
          line 2: to grow progressively smaller, fainter, or more
          scattered: abate--usu. used with off <productivity is
          ~ing off --Tom Nicholson> 3: to swing or lie with the
          stern in a named direction--used of a ship at anchor
          4: [2]tag -- tail.er n [3]tail n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF,
          fr. taillier] (14c): entail 1a [4]tail adj [ME taille,
          fr. AF tayle, fr. OF taillie, pp. of taillier to cut,
          limit--more at tailor] (15c): limited as to tenure: entailed

   tailback
          [tail.back] n (1930): the offensive football back farthest
          from the line of scrimmage

   tailboard
          [tail.board] n (1805) chiefly Brit: tailgate 1

   tailbone
          [tail.bone] n (ca. 1577) 1: a caudal vertebra 2: coccyx

   tailcoat
          [tail.coat] n (1847): a coat with tails; esp: a man's full-dress
          coat with two long tapering skirts at the back -- tail.coat.ed
          adj

   tail covert
          [tail covert] n (1815): one of the coverts of the tail quills

   tail end
          [tail end] n (14c) 1: buttocks, rump 2: the hindmost end
          3: the concluding period <the tail end of the session>

   tailender
          [tail.end.er] n (1885): one positioned at the end or in last
          place <the ~s in a race>

   tail fin
          [tail fin] n (1681) 1: the terminal fin of a fish or cetacean
          2: fin 2b

   [1]tailgate
          [tail.gate] n (1868) 1: a board or gate at the rear of a
          vehicle that can be removed or let down (as for loading)
          2 [fr. the custom of seating trombonists at the rear
          of trucks carrying jazz bands in parades]: a jazz trombone
          style marked by much use of slides to and from long sustained
          tones [2]tailgate vb tail.gat.ed ; tail.gat.ing vi (1949)
          1: to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle
          2: to hold a tailgate picnic ~ vt: to drive dangerously
          close behind -- tail.gat.er n [3]tailgate adj (1965):
          relating to or being a picnic set up on the tailgate
          esp. of a station wagon

   tailing
          [tail.ing] n (1764) 1: residue separated in the preparation
          of various products (as grain or ores)--usu. used in
          pl. 2: the part of a projecting stone or brick inserted
          in a wall

   taille
          [taille] n [MF, fr. OF, fr. taillier to cut, tax] (ca. 1533):
          a tax formerly levied by a French king or seigneur on
          his subjects or on lands held of him

   taillight
          [tail.light] n (1844): a usu. red warning light mounted at
          the rear of a vehicle--called also taillamp

   [1]tailor
          [tai.lor] n [ME taillour, fr. OF tailleur, fr. taillier to
          cut, fr. LL taliare, fr. L talea twig, cutting] (14c):
          a person whose occupation is making or altering outer
          garments [2]tailor vi (1719): to do the work of a tailor
          ~ vt 1 a: to make or fashion as the work of a tailor
          b: to make or adapt to suit a special need or purpose
          2: to fit with clothes 3: to style with trim straight
          lines and finished handwork

   tailorbird
          [tai.lor.bird] n (1769): any of a genus (Orthotomus of the
          family Sylviidae) of chiefly Asian warblers that stitch
          leaves together to support and hide their nests

   tailored
          [tai.lored] adj (1862) 1: fashioned or fitted to resemble
          a tailor's work 2: custom-made 3: having the look of
          one fitted by a custom tailor

   tailoring
          [tai.lor.ing] n (1662) 1 a: the business or occupation of
          a tailor b: the work or workmanship of a tailor 2: the
          making or adapting of something to suit a particular
          purpose

   [1]tailor-made
          [tai.lor-made] adj (1832) 1: made by a tailor or with a tailor's
          care and style 2: made or fitted esp. to a particular
          use or purpose 3: factory made rather than hand-rolled
          <~ cigarettes> [2]tailor-made n (1892): one that is tailor-made;
          specif: a woman's garment styled for a trim fit and with
          stiff straight lines

   tailpiece
          [tail.piece] n (1601) 1: a piece added at the end 2: a device
          from which the strings of a stringed instrument are stretched
          to the pegs--see violin illustration 3: an ornament placed
          below the text matter of a page

   tailpipe
          [tail.pipe] n (1922): an outlet by which the exhaust gases
          are removed from an engine (as of an automobile or jet
          aircraft)

   tailplane
          [tail.plane] n (1909): the horizontal tail surfaces of an
          airplane including the stabilizer and the elevator

   tailrace
          [tail.race] n (1776): a race for conveying water away from
          a point of industrial application (as a waterwheel or
          turbine) after use

   tailslide
          [tail.slide] n (1916): an aerobatic maneuver in which an
          aircraft that has been pulled into a steep climb stalls
          and then loses altitude by dropping backward

   tailspin
          [tail.spin] n (ca. 1917) 1: spin 2a 2: a mental or emotional
          letdown or collapse 3: a sustained and usu. severe decline
          or downturn <stock prices in a ~>

   tailwater
          [tail.wa.ter] n (1759) 1: water below a dam or waterpower
          development 2: excess surface water draining esp. from
          a field under cultivation

   tailwind
          [tail.wind] n (1897): a wind having the same general direction
          as a course of movement (as of an aircraft)

   Taino
          [Tai.no] n, pl Taino or Tainos [Sp] (ca. 1895) 1: a member
          of an aboriginal Arawakan people of the Greater Antilles
          and the Bahamas 2: the extinct language of the Taino
          people

   [1]taint
          [taint] vb [ME tainten to color & taynten to attaint; ME
          tainten, fr. AF teinter, fr. MF teint, pp. of teindre,
          fr. L tingere; ME taynten, fr. MF ataint, pp. of ataindre--more
          at tinge, attain] vt (1573) 1: to contaminate morally:
          corrupt <scholarship ~ed by envy> 2: to affect with putrefaction:
          spoil 3: to touch or affect slightly with something bad
          <persons ~ed with prejudice> ~ vi 1 obs: to become weak
          2: to become affected with putrefaction: spoil syn see
          contaminate [2]taint n (1601): a contaminating mark or
          influence -- taint.less adj

   [1]taipan
          [tai.pan] n [Chin (Guangdong) daaih-baan, fr. daaih big +
          baan class] (1834): a powerful businessman and esp. formerly
          a foreigner living and operating in Hong Kong or China
          [2]tai.pan n [Wik Munkan (Australian aboriginal language
          of northern Queensland) dhayban] (1933): an exceedingly
          venomous elapid snake (Oxyuranus scutellatus) of northern
          Australia and New Guinea

   Tajik
          [Ta.jik] n (1815) 1: a member of a Persian-speaking ethnic
          group living in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and adjacent
          areas of central Asia 2: the form of Persian spoken by
          the Tajiks

   taka
          [ta.ka] n [Bengali taka rupee, taka, fr. Skt tanka stamped
          coin] (1972): the basic monetary unit of Bangladesh

   takahe
          [ta.ka.he] n [Maori] (1851): a flightless bird (Notornis
          mantelli syn. Porphyrio mantelli) of New Zealand that
          is related to the gallinules

   [1]take
          [take] vb took ; tak.en ; tak.ing [ME, fr. OE tacan, fr.
          ON taka; akin to MD taken to take] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to
          get into one's hands or into one's possession, power,
          or control: as a: to seize or capture physically <took
          them as prisoners> b: to get possession of (as fish or
          game) by killing or capturing c (1): to move against
          (as an opponent's piece in chess) and remove from play
          (2): to win in a card game <able to ~ 12 tricks> d: to
          acquire by eminent domain 2: grasp, grip <~ the ax by
          the handle> 3 a: to catch or attack through the effect
          of a sudden force or influence <taken with a fit of laughing>
          <taken ill> b: to catch or come upon in a particular
          situation or action <was taken unawares> c: to gain the
          approval or liking of: captivate, delight <was quite
          taken with her at their first meeting> 4 a: to receive
          into one's body (as by swallowing, drinking, or inhaling)
          <~ a pill> b: to expose oneself to (as sun or air) for
          pleasure or physical benefit c: to partake of: eat <~s
          dinner about seven> 5 a: to bring or receive into a relation
          or connection <~s just four students a year> <it's time
          he took a wife> b: to copulate with 6: to transfer into
          one's own keeping: a: appropriate b: to obtain or secure
          for use (as by lease, subscription, or purchase) <~ a
          cottage for the summer> <I'll ~ the red one> <took an
          ad in the paper> 7 a: assume <gods often took the likeness
          of a human being> <when the college took its present
          form> b (1): to enter into or undertake the duties of
          <~ a job> <~ office> <took command of the fleet> (2):
          to move onto or into: move into position on <the home
          team took the field> c (1): to bind oneself by <~ the
          oath of office> (2): to make (a decision) esp. with finality
          or authority d: to impose upon oneself <~ the trouble
          to do good work> e (1): to adopt as one's own <~ a stand
          on the issue> <~ an interest> (2): to align or ally oneself
          with <mother took his side> f: to assume as if rightfully
          one's own or as if granted <~ the credit> g: to have
          or assume as a proper part of or accompaniment to itself
          <transitive verbs ~ an object> 8 a: to secure by winning
          in competition <took first place> b: defeat 9: to pick
          out: choose, select 10: to adopt, choose, or avail oneself
          of for use: as a: to have recourse to as an instrument
          for doing something <~ a scythe to the weeds> b: to use
          as a means of transportation or progression <~ the bus>n
          -- take a back seat : to have or assume a secondary position
          or status -- take a bath : to suffer a heavy financial
          loss -- take account of : to take into account -- take
          advantage of 1: to use to advantage: profit by 2: to
          impose on: exploit -- take after : to resemble in features,
          build, character, or disposition -- take apart 1: to
          disconnect the pieces of: disassemble 2: to treat roughly
          or harshly: tear into -- take a powder : to leave hurriedly
          -- take care : to be careful or watchful: exercise caution
          or prudence -- take care of : to attend to or provide
          for the needs, operation, or treatment of -- take charge
          : to assume care, custody, command, or control -- take
          effect 1: to become operative 2: to be effective -- take
          exception : object <took exception to the remark> --
          take five or take ten : to take a break esp. from work
          -- take for : to suppose to be; esp: to suppose mistakenly
          to be -- take for granted 1: to assume as true, real,
          or expected 2: to value too lightly -- take heart : to
          gain courage or confidence -- take hold 1: grasp, grip,
          seize 2: to become attached or established: take effect
          -- take into account : to make allowance for -- take
          in vain : to use (a name) profanely or without proper
          respect -- take issue : disagree -- take it on the chin
          : to suffer from the results of a situation -- take kindly
          to : to show an inclination to accept or approve -- take
          notice of : to observe or treat with special attention
          -- take one's time : to be leisurely about doing something
          -- take part : join, participate, share -- take place
          : happen, occur -- take root 1: to become rooted 2: to
          become fixed or established -- take shape : to assume
          a definite or distinctive form -- take stock : to make
          an assessment -- take the cake : to carry off the prize:
          rank first -- take the count 1 of a boxer: to be counted
          out 2: to go down in defeat -- take the floor : to rise
          (as in a meeting or a legislative assembly) to make a
          formal address -- take to 1: to go to or into <take to
          the woods> 2: to apply or devote oneself to (as a practice,
          habit, or occupation) <take to begging> 3: to adapt oneself
          to: respond to <takes to water like a duck> 4: to conceive
          a liking for -- take to task : to call to account for
          a shortcoming: criticize -- take turns : alternate syn
          take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab mean to get
          hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand. take
          is a general term applicable to any manner of getting
          something into one's possession or control <take some
          salad from the bowl>. seize implies a sudden and forcible
          movement in getting hold of something tangible or an
          apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible
          <seized the suspect>. grasp stresses a laying hold so
          as to have firmly in possession <grasp the handle and
          pull>. clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing
          or grasping and may imply less success in holding <clutching
          her purse>. snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness
          but less force than seize <snatched a doughnut and ran>.
          grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch <grabbed
          roughly by the arm>. [2]take n (1654) 1: something that
          is taken: a: the amount of money received: proceeds,
          receipts, income b: share, cut <wanted a bigger ~> c:
          the number or quantity (as of animals, fish, or pelts)
          taken at one time: catch, haul d: a section or installment
          done as a unit or at one time e (1): a scene filmed or
          televised at one time without stopping the camera (2):
          a sound recording made during a single recording period;
          esp: a trial recording 2: an act or the action of taking:
          as a: the action of killing, capturing, or catching (as
          game or fish) b (1): the uninterrupted photographing
          or televising of a scene (2): the making of a sound recording
          3 a: a local or systemic reaction indicative of successful
          vaccination (as against smallpox) b: a successful union
          (as of a graft) 4: a visible response or reaction (as
          to something unexpected) <a delayed ~> 5: a distinct
          or personal point of view, outlook, or assessment <was
          asked for her ~ on recent developments>; also: a distinct
          treatment or variation <a new ~ on an old style> -- on
          the take : illegally paid for favors

   take-away
          [take-away] adj (1964) Brit: take-out -- take-away n

   take back
          [take back] vt (1775): to make a retraction of: withdraw

   take-charge
          [take-charge] adj (1954): having the qualities of a forceful
          leader <a ~ executive>

   take down
          [take down] vt (15c) 1: to lower without removing <took down
          his pants> 2 a: to pull to pieces <take down a building>
          b: disassemble <take a rifle down> 3: to low er the spirit
          or vanity of 4 a: to write down b: to record by mechanical
          means ~ vi: to become seized or attacked esp. by illness

   [1]takedown
          [take.down] n (1893) 1: the action or an act of taking down
          2: something (as a rifle) having takedown construction
          [2]take.down adj (1907): constructed so as to be readily
          taken apart <a ~ rifle>

   take-home pay
          [take-home pay] n (1943): income remaining from salary or
          wages after deductions (as for income-tax withholding)

   take-in
          [take-in] n (1778): an act of taking in esp. by deceiving

   take in
          [take in] vt (ca. 1515) 1: to draw into a smaller compass
          <take in the slack of a line>: a: furl b: to make (a
          garment) smaller by enlarging seams or tucks 2 a: to
          receive as a guest or lodger b: to give shelter to c:
          to take to a police station as a prisoner 3: to receive
          as payment or proceeds 4: to receive (work) into one's
          house to be done for pay <take in washing> 5: to encompass
          within its limits 6 a: to include in an itinerary b:
          attend <take in a movie> 7: to receive into the mind:
          perceive 8: deceive, dupe

   taken
          [taken] past part of take

   takeoff
          [take.off] n (1846) 1: an imitation esp. in the way of caricature
          2 a: a spot at which one takes off b: a starting point:
          point of departure 3 a: a rise or leap from a surface
          in making a jump or flight or an ascent in an aircraft
          or in the launching of a rocket b: an action of starting
          out c: a rapid rise in activity, growth, or popularity
          <an economic ~> 4: an action of removing something 5:
          a mechanism for transmission of the power of an engine
          or vehicle to operate some other mechanism

   take off
          [take off] vt (14c) 1: remove <take your shoes off> 2 a:
          release <take the brake off> b: discontinue, withdraw
          <took off the morning train> c: to take or allow as a
          discount: deduct <took 10 percent off> d: to spend (a
          period of time) away from a usual occupation or activity
          <took two weeks off> 3 slang: rob ~ vi 1: to take away:
          detract 2 a: to start off or away: set out, depart b
          (1): to branch off (as from a main stream or stem) (2):
          to take a point of origin c: to begin a leap or spring
          d: to leave the surface: begin flight e: to embark on
          rapid activity, development, or growth f: to spring into
          wide use or popularity

   take on
          [take on] vt (15c) 1 a: to begin to perform or deal with:
          undertake <took on new responsibilities> b: to contend
          with as an opponent <took on the neighborhood bully>
          2: engage, hire 3 a: to assume or acquire as or as if
          one's own <the city's plaza takes on a carnival air --W.
          T. LeViness> b: to have as a mathematical domain or range
          <what values does the function take on> ~ vi: to show
          one's feelings esp. of grief or anger in a demonstrative
          way <they cried and took on something terrible --Bob
          Hope>

   takeout
          [take.out] n (ca. 1917) 1: the action or an act of taking
          out 2 a: something taken out or prepared to be taken
          out b (1): an article (as in a newspaper) printed on
          consecutive pages so as to be conveniently removed (2):
          an intensive study or report 3: carryout 1

   take-out
          [take-out] adj (1965): of, relating to, selling, or being
          food not to be consumed on the premises <~ counter> <a
          ~ supper>

   take out
          [take out] vt (13c) 1 a (1): deduct, separate (2): exclude,
          omit (3): withdraw, withhold b: to find release for:
          vent <take out their resentments on one another --J.
          W. Aldridge> c (1): eliminate (2): kill, destroy (3):
          knock out 2: to take as an equivalent in another form
          <took the debt out in trade> 3 a: to obtain from the
          proper authority <take out a charter> b: to arrange for
          (insurance) 4: to overcall (a bridge partner) in a different
          suit ~ vi: to start on a course: set out -- take it out
          on : to expend anger, vexation, or frustration in harassment
          of

   takeout double
          [take.out double] n (ca. 1944): a double made in bridge to
          convey information to and request a bid from one's partner

   takeover
          [take.over] n (ca. 1917): the action or an act of taking
          over

   take over
          [take over] vt (1884): to assume control or possession of
          or responsibility for <military leaders took over the
          government> ~ vi 1: to assume control or possession 2:
          to become dominant

   take-up
          [take-up] n (1838): the action of taking up

   take up
          [take up] vt (14c) 1: pick up, lift 2 a: to begin to occupy
          (land) b: to gather from a number of sources <took up
          a collection> 3 a: to accept or adopt for the purpose
          of assisting b: to accept or adopt as one's own <took
          up the life of a farmer> <took up Irish citizenship>
          c: to absorb or incorporate into itself <plants taking
          up nutrients> 4 a: to enter upon (as a business, hobby,
          or subject of study) <take up skiing> <took up the trumpet>
          <had taken up Marxism> b: to proceed to consider or deal
          with <take up one problem at a time> 5: to establish
          oneself in <took up residence in town> 6: to occupy entirely
          or exclusively: fill up <the meeting was taken up with
          old business> 7: to make tighter or shorter <take up
          the slack> 8: to respond favorably to (as a person offering
          a bet, challenge, or proposal) <took me up on it> 9:
          to begin again or take over from another <we must take
          the good work up again> ~ vi 1: to make a beginning where
          another has left off 2: to become shortened: draw together:
          shrink -- take up the cudgels : to engage vigorously
          in a defense or dispute -- take up with 1: to become
          interested or absorbed in 2: to begin to associate or
          consort with

   takin
          [ta.kin] n [Mishmi (Tibeto-Burman language of northeast India)]
          (1850): a large heavily built ruminant (Budorcas taxicolor)
          of Tibet and adjacent areas of Asia that is related to
          the goats but in some respects resembles the antelopes

   takings
          [tak.ings] n pl (1632) chiefly Brit: receipts esp. of money

   [1]tala
          [ta.la] n [Skt tala, lit., hand-clapping] (1891): one of
          the ancient traditional rhythmic patterns of Indian music--compare
          raga [2]ta.la n, pl tala [Samoan, fr. E dollar] (1967): the basic
          monetary unit of Western Samoa

   Talbot
          [Tal.bot] n [prob. fr. Talbot, name of a Norman family in
          England] (1562): a large heavy mostly white hound with
          pendulous ears and drooping flews held to be ancestral
          to the bloodhound

   talc
          [talc] n [MF talc mica, fr. ML talk, fr. Ar talq] (1610)
          1: a very soft mineral that is a basic silicate of magnesium,
          has a soapy feel, and is used esp. in making talcum powder
          2: talcum powder -- talc.ose adj

   talcum powder
          [tal.cum powder] n [ML talcum mica, alter. of earlier talk]
          (ca. 1890) 1: powdered talc 2: a toilet powder composed
          of perfumed talc or talc and a mild antiseptic

   tale
          [tale] n [ME, fr. OE talu; akin to ON tala talk] (bef. 12c)
          1 obs: discourse, talk 2 a: a series of events or facts
          told or presented: account b (1): a report of a private
          or confidential matter <dead men tell no ~s> (2): a libelous
          report or piece of gossip 3 a: a usu. imaginative narrative
          of an event: story b: an intentionally untrue report:
          falsehood <always preferred the ~ to the truth --Sir
          Winston Churchill> 4 a: count, tally b: total

   talebearer
          [tale.bear.er] n (15c): one that spreads gossip or rumors;
          also: tattletale -- tale.bear.ing adj or n

   talent
          [tal.ent] n [ME, fr. OE talente, fr. L talenta, pl. of talentum
          unit of weight or money, fr. Gk talanton pan of a scale,
          weight; akin to Gk tlenai to bear; in senses 2-5, fr.
          the parable of the talents in Mt 25:14-30--more at tolerate]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of several ancient units of weight
          b: a unit of value equal to the value of a talent of
          gold or silver 2 archaic: a characteristic feature, aptitude,
          or disposition of a person or animal 3: the natural endowments
          of a person 4 a: a special often creative or artistic
          aptitude b: general intelligence or mental power: ability
          5: a person of talent or a group of persons of talent
          in a field or activity syn see gift -- tal.ent.ed adj
          -- tal.ent.less adj

   talent scout
          [talent scout] n (1936): a person engaged in discovering
          and recruiting people of talent for a specialized field
          or activity

   talent show
          [talent show] n (1953): a show consisting of a series of
          individual performances (as singing) by amateurs who
          may be selected for special recognition as performing
          talent

   taler
          [ta.ler] n [G--more at dollar] (ca. 1905): any of numerous
          silver coins issued by various German states from the
          15th to the 19th centuries

   talesman
          [tales.man] n [ME tales talesmen, fr. ML tales de circumstantibus
          such (persons) of the bystanders; fr. the wording of
          the writ summoning them] (1679) 1: a person added to
          a jury usu. from among bystanders to make up a deficiency
          in the available number of jurors 2: a member of a large
          pool of persons called for jury duty from which jurors
          are selected

   tale-teller
          [tale-tell.er] n (14c) 1: one who tells tales or stories
          2: talebearer -- tale-tell.ing adj or n

   tali
          [tali] pl of talus

   talipes
          [tali.pes] n [NL, fr. L talus ankle + pes foot--more at foot]
          (ca. 1841): clubfoot

   talisman
          [tal.is.man] n, pl -mans [F talisman or Sp talisman or It
          talismano; all fr. Ar tilsam, fr. MGk telesma, fr. Gk,
          consecration, fr. telein to initiate into the mysteries,
          complete, fr. telos end--more at telos] (1638) 1: an
          object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring
          good fortune 2: something producing apparently magical
          or miraculous effects -- tal.is.man.ic adj -- tal.is.man.i.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]talk
          [talk] vb [ME; akin to OE talu tale] vt (13c) 1: to deliver
          or express in speech: utter 2: to make the subject of
          conversation or discourse: discuss <~ business> 3: to
          influence, affect, or cause by talking <~ed them into
          going> 4: to use (a language) for conversing or communicating:
          speak ~ vi 1 a: to express or exchange ideas by means
          of spoken words b: to convey information or communicate
          in any way (as with signs or sounds) <can make a trumpet
          ~> 2: to use speech: speak 3 a: to speak idly: prate
          b: gossip c: to reveal secret or confidential information
          4: to give a talk: lecture -- talk.er n -- talk back
          : to answer impertinently -- talk sense : to voice rational,
          logical, or sensible thoughts -- talk through one's hat
          : to voice irrational, illogical, or erroneous ideas
          -- talk turkey : to speak frankly or bluntly [2]talk
          n (15c) 1: the act or an instance of talking: speech
          2: a way of speaking: language 3: pointless or fruitless
          discussion: verbiage 4: a formal discussion, negotiation,
          or exchange of views--often used in pl. 5 a: mention,
          report b: rumor, gossip 6: the topic of interested comment,
          conversation, or gossip <it's the ~ of the town> 7 a:
          address, lecture b: written analysis or discussion presented
          in an informal or conversational manner 8: communicative
          sounds or signs resembling or functioning as talk <bird
          ~>

   talkathon
          [talk.a.thon] n (1934): a long session of discussion
          or speech-making

   talkative
          [talk.a.tive] adj (15c): given to talking; also: full of
          talk -- talk.a.tive.ly adv -- talk.a.tive.ness n syn
          talkative, loquacious, garrulous, voluble mean given
          to talk or talking. talkative may imply a readiness to
          engage in talk or a disposition to enjoy conversation
          <a talkative neighbor>. loquacious suggests the power
          of expressing oneself articulately, fluently, or glibly
          <a loquacious spokesperson>. garrulous implies prosy,
          rambling, or tedious loquacity <garrulous traveling companions>.
          voluble suggests a free, easy, and unending loquacity
          <a voluble raconteur>.

   talk down
          [talk down] vi (1901): to speak in a condescending
          or oversimplified fashion ~ vt: to disparage or belittle by talking

   talkie
          [talk.ie] n (1913): a motion picture with a synchronized
          sound track

   talking book
          [talking book] n (1932): a phonograph or tape recording of
          a reading of a book or magazine designed chiefly for
          the use of the blind

   talking head
          [talking head] n (1968): the televised head and shoulders
          shot of a person talking; also: a television personality
          who appears in such shots

   talking machine
          [talking machine] n (1890): an early phonograph

   talking point
          [talking point] n (ca. 1914): something that lends support
          to an argument; also: a subject of discussion

   talking-to
          [talk.ing-to] n (1884): reprimand, lecture

   talk out
          [talk out] vt (1954): to clarify or settle by oral discussion

   talk over
          [talk over] vt (1734): to review or consider in conversation:
          discuss

   talk show
          [talk show] n (1965): a radio or television program in which
          usu. well-known persons engage in discussions or are
          interviewed

   talk up
          [talk up] vt (1722): to discuss favorably: advocate, promote
          ~ vi: to speak up plainly or directly

   talky
          [talky] adj talk.i.er ; -est (1815) 1: talkative 2: containing
          too much talk -- talk.i.ness n

   tall
          [tall] adj [ME, prob. fr. OE getael quick, ready; akin to
          OHG gizal quick] (15c) 1 obs: brave, courageous 2 a:
          high in stature b: of a specified height <five feet ~>
          3 a: of considerable height <~ trees> b: long from bottom
          to top <a ~ book> c: of a higher growing variety or species
          of plant 4 a: large or formidable in amount, extent,
          or degree <a ~ order to fill> b: pompous, high-flown
          <~ talk about the vast mysteries of life --W. A. White>
          c: highly exaggerated: incredible, improbable <a ~ story>
          syn see high -- tall adv -- tall.ish adj -- tall.ness
          n

   tallage
          [tal.lage] n [ME taillage, tallage, fr. OF taillage, fr.
          taillier to cut, limit, tax--more at tailor] (14c): an
          impost or due levied by a lord upon his tenants

   tallboy
          [tall.boy] n (1769) 1 a: highboy b: a double chest of drawers
          usu. with the upper section slightly smaller than the
          lower 2 Brit: clothespress

   tall fescue
          [tall fescue] n (ca. 1762): a European fescue (Festuca elatior)
          with erect smooth stems 3 to 4 feet (about 1 meter) high
          that has been introduced into No. America--called also
          tall fescue grass--compare fescue foot

   tallgrass prairie
          [tall.grass prairie] n (1920): prairie 2a

   tallith
          [tal.lith] or tal.lis n [Heb tallith cover, cloak] (1613):
          a shawl with fringed corners worn over the head or shoulders
          by Jewish men esp. during morning prayers

   tall oil
          [tall oil] n [part trans. of G Tallol, part trans. of Sw
          tallolja, fr. tall pine + olja oil] (ca. 1926): a resinous
          by-product from the manufacture of chemical wood pulp
          used esp. in making soaps, coatings, and oils

   [1]tallow
          [tal.low] n [ME talgh, talow; akin to MD talch tallow] (14c):
          the white nearly tasteless solid rendered fat of cattle
          and sheep used chiefly in soap, candles, and lubricants
          -- tal.lowy adj [2]tallow vt (15c): to grease or smear
          with tallow

   tall ship
          [tall ship] n (ca. 1548): a sailing vessel with at least
          two masts; esp: square-rigger

   [1]tally
          [tal.ly] n, pl tallies [ME talye, fr. ML talea, tallia, fr.
          L talea twig, cutting] (15c) 1: a device (as a notched
          rod or mechanical counter) for visibly recording or accounting
          esp. business transactions 2 a: a recorded reckoning
          or account (as of items or charges) <keep a daily ~ of
          accidents> b: a score or point made (as in a game) 3
          a: a part that corresponds to an opposite or companion
          member: complement b: a state of correspondence or agreement
          [2]tally vb tal.lied ; tal.ly.ing vt (15c) 1 a: to record
          on or as if on a tally: tabulate b: to list or check
          off (as a cargo) by items c: to register (as a score)
          in a contest 2: to make a count of: reckon 3: to cause
          to correspond ~ vi 1 a: to make a tally by or as if by
          tabulating b: to register a point in a contest: score
          2: correspond, match

   tallyho
          [tal.ly.ho] n, pl -hos [prob. fr. F taiaut, a cry used to
          excite hounds in deer hunting] (1772) 1: a call of a
          huntsman at sight of the fox 2 [Tally-ho, name of a coach
          formerly plying between London and Birmingham]: a four-in-hand
          coach

   tallyman
          [tal.ly.man] n (1654) 1 Brit: one who sells goods on the
          installment plan 2: one who tallies, checks, or keeps
          an account or record (as of receipt of goods)

   Talmud
          [Tal.mud] n [LHeb talmudh, lit., instruction] (1532): the
          authoritative body of Jewish tradition comprising the
          Mishnah and Gemara -- Tal.mu.dic adj -- tal.mud.ism n,
          often cap

   Talmudist
          [Tal.mud.ist] n (1569): a specialist in Talmudic studies

   talon
          [tal.on] n [ME, fr. MF, heel, spur, fr. (assumed) VL talon-,
          talo, fr. L talus ankle, anklebone] (15c) 1 a: the claw
          of an animal and esp. of a bird of prey b: a finger or
          hand of a human being 2: a part or object shaped like
          or suggestive of a heel or claw: as a: an ogee molding
          b: the shoulder of the bolt of a lock on which the key
          acts to shoot the bolt 3 a: cards laid aside in a pile
          in solitaire b: stock 10c -- tal.oned adj

   [1]talus
          [ta.lus] n [F, fr. L talutium slope indicating presence of
          gold under the soil] (1645) 1: a slope formed esp. by
          an accumulation of rock debris 2: rock debris at the
          base of a cliff [2]ta.lus n, pl ta.li [NL, fr. L] (ca.
          1693) 1: the human tarsal bone that bears the weight
          of the body and that together with the tibia and fibula
          forms the ankle joint 2: the entire ankle

   tam
          [tam] n (1895): tam-o'-shanter

   tamale
          [ta.ma.le] n [MexSp tamales, pl. of tamal tamale, fr. Nahuatl
          tamalli steamed cornmeal dough] (1854): ground meat seasoned
          usu. with chili, rolled in cornmeal dough, wrapped in
          corn husks, and steamed

   tamandua
          [ta.man.dua] n [Pg tamandua, fr. Tupi] (1834): either of
          two arboreal anteaters (Tamandua mexicana and T. tetradactyla)
          of Central and So. America having a nearly hairless tail

   tamarack
          [tam.a.rack] n [origin unknown] (1805) 1: any of several
          American larches; esp: a larch (Larix laricina) of northern
          No. America that inhabits usu. moist or wet areas 2:
          the wood of a tamarack

   tamarau
          [tam.a.rau] n [Tag tamaraw] (1898): a small dark sturdily
          built buffalo (Bubalus mindorensis) native to Mindoro

   tamari
          [ta.ma.ri] n [Jp] (1965): an aged soy sauce prepared with
          little or no added wheat

   tamarillo
          [tam.a.ril.lo] n [alter. of tomatillo] (1966): the reddish
          edible fruit of an arborescent shrub (Cyphomandra betacea)
          of the nightshade family that is native to So. America
          but is grown commercially elsewhere; also: the shrub
          itself

   tamarin
          [tam.a.rin] n [F, fr. Carib] (1780): any of numerous small
          chiefly So. American monkeys (genera Saguinus and Leontopithecus)
          that are related to the marmosets and have silky fur,
          a long tail, and lower canine teeth that are longer than
          the incisors

   tamarind
          [tam.a.rind] n [Sp & Pg tamarindo, fr. Ar tamr hindi, lit.,
          Indian date] (1533): a tropical Old World leguminous
          tree (Tamarindus indica) with hard yellowish wood, pinnate
          leaves, and red-striped yellow flowers; also: its fruit
          which has an acid pulp often used for preserves or in
          a cooling laxative drink

   tamarisk
          [tam.a.risk] n [ME tamarisc, fr. LL tamariscus, fr. L tamaric-,
          tamarix] (14c): any of a genus (Tamarix of the family
          Tamaricaceae, the tamarisk family) of chiefly Old World
          desert shrubs and trees having tiny narrow leaves and
          masses of minute flowers with five stamens and a one-celled
          ovary

   tambala
          [tam.ba.la] n, pl -la or -las [Nyanja (Bantu language of
          Malawi), lit., cockerel] (1970): a monetary unit of Malawi
          equal to 1/100 kwacha

   [1]tambour
          [tam.bour] n [MF, drum, fr. Ar tanbur, modif. of Per tabir]
          (15c) 1: [1]drum 1 2 a: an embroidery frame; esp: a set
          of two interlocking hoops between which cloth is stretched
          before stitching b: embroidery made on a tambour frame
          3: a shallow metallic cup or drum with a thin elastic
          membrane supporting a writing lever used to transmit
          and register slight motions (as arterial pulsations)
          4: a rolling top or front (as of a rolltop desk) of narrow
          strips of wood glued on canvas [2]tambour vt (1774):
          to embroider (cloth) with tambour ~ vi: to work at a
          tambour frame -- tam.bour.er n

   tamboura
          [tam.bou.ra] or tam.bu.ra n [Per tambura] (1585): an Asian
          musical instrument resembling a lute in construction
          but without frets and used to produce a drone accompaniment
          to singing

   tambourine
          [tam.bou.rine] n [MF tambourin, dim. of tambour] (1579):
          a small drum; esp: a shallow one-headed drum with loose
          metallic disks at the sides played esp. by shaking or
          striking with the hand

   [1]tame
          [tame] adj tam.er ; tam.est [ME, fr. OE tam; akin to OHG
          zam tame, L domare to tame, Gk damnanai] (bef. 12c) 1:
          reduced from a state of native wildness esp. so as to
          be tractable and useful to humans: domesticated <~ animals>
          2: made docile and submissive: subdued 3: lacking spirit,
          zest, interest, or the capacity to excite: insipid <a
          ~ campaign> -- tame.ly adv -- tame.ness n [2]tame vb
          tamed ; tam.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to reduce from a wild to
          a domestic state b: to subject to cultivation c: to bring
          under control: harness 2: to deprive of spirit: humble,
          subdue <the once revolutionary ... party, long since
          tamed --Times Lit. Supp.> 3: to tone down: soften <tamed
          the language in the play> ~ vi: to become tame -- tam.able
          or tame.able adj -- tam.er n

   tameless
          [tame.less] adj (ca. 1598): not tamed or not capable of being
          tamed

   Tamil
          [Tam.il] n (1734) 1: a Dravidian language of Tamil Nadu state,
          India, and of northern and eastern Sri Lanka 2: a Tamil-speaking
          person or a descendant of Tamil-speaking ancestors

   Tammany
          [Tam.ma.ny] adj [Tammany Hall, headquarters of the Tammany
          Society, political organization in New York City] (1872):
          of, relating to, or constituting a group or organization
          exercising or seeking municipal political control by
          methods often associated with corruption and bossism
          -- Tam.ma.ny.ism n

   Tammuz
          [Tam.muz] n [Heb Tammuz] (1614): the 10th month of the civil
          year or the 4th month of the ecclesiastical year in the
          Jewish calendar

   Tam o' Shanter
          [Tam o' Shan.ter] n 1: the hero of Burns's poem Tam o' Shanter
          2 usu tam-o'-shanter : a woolen cap of Scottish origin
          with a tight headband, wide flat circular crown, and
          usu. a pompon in the center

   tamoxifen
          [ta.mox.i.fen] n [perh. fr. trans- + amine + oxi- (alter.
          of oxy) + -fen (alter. of phenyl)] (1972): an estrogen
          antagonist used esp. to treat postmenopausal breast cancer

   [1]tamp
          [tamp] vt [prob. back-formation fr. obs. tampion, tampin
          plug, fr. ME, fr. MF tapon, tampon, fr. (assumed) OF
          taper to plug, of Gmc origin; akin to OE taeppa tap]
          (1834) 1: to drive in or down by a succession of light
          or medium blows <~ wet concrete> 2: to put a check on:
          reduce, lessen -- tamp.er n [2]tamp n (1920): a tool
          for tamping

   tamper
          [tam.per] vi tam.pered ; tam.per.ing [prob. fr. MF temprer
          to temper, mix, meddle--more at temper] (1567) 1: to
          carry on underhand or improper negotiations (as by bribery)
          2 a: to interfere so as to weaken or change for the worse--used
          with with b: to try foolish or dangerous experiments--used
          with with -- tam.per.er n -- tam.per.proof adj

   tampion
          [tam.pi.on] n [obs. tampion, tampin plug--more at tamp] (ca.
          1625): a wooden plug or a metal or canvas cover for the
          muzzle of a gun

   [1]tampon
          [tam.pon] n [F, lit., plug, fr. MF--more at tamp] (1848):
          a plug (as of cotton) introduced into a body cavity usu.
          to absorb secretions (as from menstruation) or to arrest
          hemorrhaging [2]tampon vt (1860): to plug with a tampon

   tam-tam
          [tam-tam] n [Hindi tamtam] (1782) 1: tom-tom 2: gong; esp:
          one of a tuned set in a gamelan orchestra

   Tamworth
          [Tam.worth] n [Tamworth, borough in Staffordshire, England]
          (1860): any of a breed of large long-bodied red swine
          developed in England esp. for the production of bacon

   [1]tan
          [tan] vb tanned ; tan.ning [ME tannen, fr. MF tanner, fr.
          ML tannare, fr. tanum, tannum tanbark] vt (14c) 1 a:
          to convert (hide) into leather by treatment with an infusion
          of tannin-rich bark or other agent of similar effect
          b: to convert (protein) to leather or a similar substance
          2: to make (skin) tan esp. by exposure to the sun 3:
          thrash, whip ~ vi: to get or become tanned [2]tan adj
          tan.ner ; tan.nest (1586) 1: of, relating to, or used
          for tan or tanning 2: of the color tan [3]tan n [F, tanbark,
          fr. OF, fr. ML tanum] (1674) 1: a tanning material or
          its active agent (as tannin) 2: a brown color imparted
          to the skin by exposure to the sun or wind 3: a light
          yellowish brown 4 pl: tan-colored articles of clothing

   tan
          [tan] abbreviation tangent

   tanager
          [tan.a.ger] n [NL tanagra, fr. Pg tangara, fr. Tupi] (1688):
          any of numerous chiefly tropical American oscine birds
          (family Thraupidae) that are often brightly colored and
          usu. unmusical and inhabit mostly woodlands

   tanbark
          [tan.bark] n (1799) 1: a bark rich in tannin bruised or cut
          into small pieces and used in tanning 2: a surface (as
          a circus ring) covered with spent tanbark

   [1]tandem
          [tan.dem] n [L, at last, at length (taken to mean "lengthwise"),
          fr. tam so; akin to OE thaet that] (ca. 1785) 1 a (1):
          a 2-seated carriage drawn by horses harnessed one before
          the other (2): a team so harnessed b: tandem bicycle
          c: a vehicle (as a motortruck) having close-coupled pairs
          of axles 2: a group of two or more arranged one behind
          the other or used or acting in conjunction -- in tandem
          1: in a tandem arrangement 2: in partnership or conjunction
          [2]tandem adv (ca. 1795): one after or behind another
          <ride ~> [3]tandem adj (1801) 1: consisting of things
          or having parts arranged one behind the other 2: working
          or occurring in conjunction with each other

   tandem bicycle
          [tandem bicycle] n (ca. 1890): a bicycle for usu. two persons
          sitting tandem

   tandoor
          [tan.door] n [Hindi tandur, tannur, fr. Per tanur, fr. Ar
          tannur] (1840): a cylindrical clay oven in which food
          is cooked over charcoal

   tandoori
          [tan.doori] adj [Hindi tanduri, fr. tandur] (ca. 1968): cooked
          in a tandoor <~ chicken> -- tandoori n

   [1]tang
          [tang] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON tangi point of
          land, tang] (15c) 1: a projecting shank, prong, fang,
          or tongue (as on a knife, file, or sword) to connect
          with the handle 2 a: a sharp distinctive often lingering
          flavor b: a pungent odor c: something having the effect
          of a tang (as in stimulation of the senses) 3 a: a faint
          suggestion: trace b: a distinguishing characteristic
          that sets apart or gives a special individuality -- tanged
          adj [2]tang vt (1566) 1: to furnish with a tang 2: to
          affect with a tang [3]tang vb [imit.] (1556): clang,
          ring [4]tang n (ca. 1625): a sharp twanging sound Tang
          or T'ang n [Chin (Beijing) Tang] (1669): a Chinese dynasty
          dated a.d. 618-907 and marked by wide contacts with other
          cultures and by the development of printing and the flourishing
          of poetry and art

   tangelo
          [tan.ge.lo] n, pl -los [tangerine + pomelo] (1904): the fruit
          of a hybrid (Citrus tangelo) between a tangerine or mandarin
          orange and a grapefruit; also: the tree

   tangency
          [tan.gen.cy] n (1819): the quality or state of being tangent

   [1]tangent
          [tan.gent] adj [L tangent-, tangens, prp. of tangere to touch;
          perh. akin to OE thaccian to touch gently, stroke] (1594)
          1 a: meeting a curve or surface in a single point if
          a sufficiently small interval is considered <straight
          line ~ to a curve> b (1): having a common tangent line
          at a point <~ curves> (2): having a common tangent plane
          at a point <~ surfaces> 2: diverging from an original
          purpose of course: irrelevant <~ remarks> [2]tangent
          n [NL tangent-, tangens, fr. linea tangens tangent line]
          (1594) 1 a: the trigonometric function that for an acute
          angle is the ratio between the leg opposite to the angle
          when it is considered part of a right triangle and the
          leg adjacent b: a trigonometric function that is equal
          to the sine divided by the cosine for all real numbers
          A for which the cosine is not equal to zero and is exactly
          equal to the tangent of an angle of measure A in radians
          2: a line that is tangent; specif: a straight line that
          is the limiting position of a secant of a curve through
          a fixed point and a variable point on the curve as the
          variable point approaches the fixed point--see circle
          illustration 3: an abrupt change of course: digression
          <the speaker went off on a ~> 4: a small upright flat-ended
          metal pin at the inner end of a clavichord key that strikes
          the string to produce the tone

   tangential
          [tan.gen.tial] adj (1630) 1: of, relating to, or of the nature
          of a tangent 2: acting along or lying in a tangent <~
          forces> 3 a: divergent, digressive b: touching lightly:
          incidental, peripheral <~ involvement> -- tan.gen.tial.ly
          adv

   tangent plane
          [tangent plane] n (1856): the plane through a point of a
          surface that contains the tangent lines to all the curves
          on the surface through the same point

   tangerine
          [tan.ger.ine] n [F Tanger Tangier, Morocco] (1842) 1 a: any
          of various mandarins that have usu. deep orange skin
          and pulp; broadly: mandarin 3b b: a tree producing tangerines
          2: a moderate to strong reddish orange

   [1]tangible
          [tan.gi.ble] adj [LL tangibilis, fr. L tangere to touch]
          (1589) 1 a: capable of being perceived esp. by the sense
          of touch: palpable b: substantially real: material 2:
          capable of being precisely identified or realized by
          the mind <her grief was ~> 3: capable of being appraised
          at an actual or approximate value <~ assets> syn see
          perceptible -- tan.gi.bil.i.ty n -- tan.gi.ble.ness n
          -- tan.gi.bly adv [2]tangible n (1890): something tangible;
          esp: a tangible asset

   [1]tangle
          [tan.gle] vb tan.gled ; tan.gling [ME tangilen, prob. of
          Scand origin; akin to Sw dial. taggla to tangle] vt (14c)
          1: to involve so as to hamper, obstruct, or embarrass
          2: to seize and hold in or as if in a snare: entrap 3:
          to unite or knit together in intricate confusion ~ vi
          1: to interact in a contentious or conflicting way 2:
          to become entangled [2]tangle n (1615) 1: a tangled twisted
          mass: snarl 2 a: a complicated or confused state or condition
          b: a state of perplexity or complete bewilderment 3:
          a serious altercation: dispute [3]tangle n [of Scand
          origin; akin to ON thongull tangle, thang kelp] (1536):
          a large seaweed

   tangled
          [tan.gled] adj (1590) 1: existing in or giving the appearance
          of a state of utter disorder 2: very involved: exceedingly
          complex

   tanglement
          [tan.gle.ment] n (1831): entanglement

   tangly
          [tan.gly] adj (1813): full of tangles or knots: intricate

   [1]tango
          [tan.go] n, pl tangos [AmerSp] (1913): a ballroom dance of
          Latin-American origin in 2/4 time with a basic pattern
          of step-step-step-step-close and characterized by long
          pauses and stylized body positions; also: the music for
          this dance [2]tango vi (1913): to dance the tango Tan.go
          (1952)--a communications code word for the letter t

   tangram
          [tan.gram] n [perh. fr. Chin (Beijing) tang Chinese + E -gram]
          (ca. 1864): a Chinese puzzle made by cutting a square
          of thin material into five triangles, a square, and a
          rhomboid which are capable of being recombined in many
          different figures

   tangy
          [tangy] adj tang.i.er ; -est (1875): having or suggestive
          of a tang

   [1]tank
          [tank] n [Pg tanque, alter. of estanque, fr. estancar to
          stanch, perh. fr. (assumed) VL stanticare--more at stanch]
          (ca. 1616) 1 dial: pond, pool; esp: one built as a water
          supply 2: a usu. large receptacle for holding, transporting,
          or storing liquids (as water or fuel) 3: an enclosed
          heavily armed and armored combat vehicle that moves on
          tracks 4: a prison cell or enclosure used esp. for receiving
          prisoners 5: tank top -- tank.ful n -- tank.like adj
          [2]tank vt (1863) 1: to place, store, or treat in a tank
          2: to make no effort to win: lose intentionally <~ed
          the match> ~ vi: to lose intentionally: give up in competition

   tanka
          [tan.ka] n [Jp] (ca. 1877): an unrhymed Japanese verse form
          of five lines containing 5, 7, 5, 7, and 7 syllables
          respectively; also: a poem in this form--compare haiku

   tankage
          [tank.age] n (1866) 1 a: the aggregate of tanks required
          for a purpose b: the capacity or contents of a tank 2:
          dried animal residues usu. freed from the fat and gelatin
          and used as fertilizer and feedstuff 3: the act or process
          of putting or storing in tanks

   tankard
          [tan.kard] n [ME] (15c): a tall one-handled drinking vessel;
          esp: a silver or pewter mug with a lid

   tank destroyer
          [tank destroyer] n (1941): a highly mobile lightly armored
          vehicle usu. on a half-track or a tank chassis and mounting
          a cannon

   tanked
          [tanked] adj (1893) slang: drunk 1a--often used with up

   tanker
          [tank.er] n (1900) 1 a: a cargo ship fitted with tanks for
          carrying liquid in bulk b: a vehicle on which a tank
          is mounted to carry fluids; also: a cargo airplane for
          transporting fuel 2: a member of a military tank crew

   tank suit
          [tank suit] n (1940): a one-piece bathing suit with usu.
          wide shoulder straps

   tank top
          [tank top] n (1950): a sleeveless collarless shirt with usu.
          wide shoulder straps and no front opening

   tank town
          [tank town] n [fr. the fact that formerly trains stopped
          at such towns only to take on water] (1906): a small
          town

   tannage
          [tan.nage] n (1662): the act, process, or result of tanning

   tannate
          [tan.nate] n [F, fr. tannin] (1802): a compound of a tannin

   [1]tanner
          [tan.ner] n (bef. 12c) 1: one that tans hides 2: one who
          acquires or seeks to acquire a suntan [2]tanner n [origin
          unknown] (ca. 1811) Brit: sixpence

   tanner crab
          [tanner crab] n [prob. fr. NL tanneri, specific epithet of
          Chionoecetes tanneri, fr. Zera L. Tanner d. 1906 Am.
          naval officer] (1947): any of several spider crabs (genus
          Chionoecetes); esp: snow crab

   tannery
          [tan.nery] n, pl -ner.ies (1736): a place where tanning is
          carried on

   tannic
          [tan.nic] adj [F tannique, fr. tannin] (ca. 1859) 1: of,
          resembling, or derived from tan or a tannin 2 of wine:
          containing an abundance of tannins: markedly astringent

   tannic acid
          [tannic acid] n (1836): tannin 1

   tannin
          [tan.nin] n [F, fr. tanner to tan] (1802) 1: any of various
          soluble astringent complex phenolic substances of plant
          origin used esp. in tanning, dyeing, the making of ink,
          and in medicine 2: a substance that has a tanning effect

   tanning
          [tan.ning] n (15c) 1: the art or process by which a skin
          is tanned 2: a browning of the skin esp. by exposure
          to sun 3: a sound spanking 4: a natural darkening and
          hardening of the cuticle of an insect immediately after
          molting

   tannish
          [tan.nish] adj (1935): somewhat tan

   tan oak
          [tan oak] n (ca. 1925): a U.S. Pacific coast evergreen tree
          (Lithocarpus densiflora) of the beech family that has
          erect staminate catkins and is rich in tannins

   Tanoan
          [Ta.no.an] n [Tano, a group of former pueblos in New Mexico]
          (1891): a family of American Indian languages spoken
          in New Mexico and Arizona -- Tanoan adj

   tansy
          [tan.sy] n, pl tansies [ME tanesey, fr. MF tanesie, fr. ML
          athanasia, fr. Gk, immortality, fr. athanatos immortal,
          fr. a- + thanatos death--more at thanatos] (15c): a common
          aromatic Old World composite herb (Tanacetum vulgare)
          that is naturalized in No. America and has bitter-tasting
          finely divided leaves; broadly: a plant of the same genus

   tansy ragwort
          [tansy ragwort] n (ca. 1900): an Old World yellow-flowered
          senecio (Senecio jacobaea) that is naturalized in No.
          America and is toxic to livestock

   tantalate
          [tan.ta.late] n (1849): a salt containing tantalum in combination
          with oxygen

   tantalise
          [tan.ta.lise] Brit var of tantalize

   tantalite
          [tan.ta.lite] n (1805): a mineral consisting of a heavy dark
          lustrous oxide of tantalum and usu. other metals (as
          iron or manganese)

   tantalize
          [tan.ta.lize] vb -lized ; -liz.ing [Tantalus] vt (1597):
          to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something
          desirable to the view but continually keeping it out
          of reach ~ vi: to cause one to be tantalized -- tan.ta.liz.er
          n

   tantalizing
          [tantalizing] adj (ca. 1683): possessing a quality that arouses
          or stimulates desire or interest; also: mockingly or
          teasingly out of reach -- tan.ta.liz.ing.ly adv

   tantalum
          [tan.ta.lum] n [NL, fr. L Tantalus; fr. its inability to
          absorb acid] (1802): a hard ductile gray-white acid-resisting
          metallic element of the vanadium family found combined
          in rare minerals (as tantalite and columbite)

   Tantalus
          [Tan.ta.lus] n [L, fr. Gk Tantalos] 1: a legendary king of
          Lydia condemned to stand up to the chin in a pool of
          water in Hades and beneath fruit-laden boughs only to
          have the water or fruit recede at each attempt to drink
          or eat 2 not cap: a locked cellarette with contents visible
          but not obtainable without a key

   tantamount
          [tan.ta.mount] adj [obs. tantamount, n., equivalent, fr.
          AF tant amunter to amount to as much] (1641): equivalent
          in value, significance, or effect

   tantara
          [tan.ta.ra] n [L taratantara, of imit. origin] (1584): the
          blare of a trumpet or horn

   [1]tantivy
          [tan.tivy] adv [origin unknown] (1641): at a gallop [2]tantivy
          n, pl -tiv.ies (ca. 1658) 1: a rapid gallop or ride 2:
          tantara

   tant mieux
          [tant mieux] [F] foreign term : so much the better

   tant pis
          [tant pis] [F] foreign term : so much the worse: too bad

   tantra
          [tan.tra] n, often cap [Skt, lit., warp, fr. tanoti he stretches,
          weaves; akin to Gk teinein to stretch--more at thin]
          (1799): one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures
          dealing esp. with techniques and rituals including meditative
          and sexual practices; also: the rituals or practices
          outlined in the tantra -- tan.tric adj, often cap --
          Tan.trism n -- Tan.trist n

   tantrum
          [tan.trum] n [origin unknown] (1714): a fit of bad temper

   tanuki
          [ta.nu.ki] n [Jp, raccoon dog] (ca. 1929): the fur of a raccoon
          dog; also: raccoon dog

   tanyard
          [tan.yard] n (1666): the section or part of a tannery housing
          tanning vats

   tanzanite
          [tan.za.nite] n [Tanzania, Africa] (1968): a mineral that
          is a deep blue variety of zoisite and is used as a gemstone

   Tao
          [Tao] n [Chin (Beijing) dao, lit., way] (1736) 1 a: the
          unconditional and unknowable source and guiding principle of all
          reality as conceived by Taoists b: the process of nature by which
          all things change and which is to be followed for a life of harmony
          2 often not cap: the path of virtuous conduct as conceived
          by Confucians 3 often not cap: the art or skill of doing something
          in harmony with the essential nature of the thing <the
          ~ of archery>

   Taoism
          [Tao.ism] n [Tao] (1838) 1: a Chinese mystical philosophy
          traditionally founded by Lao-tzu in the 6th century b.c.
          that teaches conformity to the Tao by unassertive action
          and simplicity 2: a religion developed from Taoist philosophy
          and folk and Buddhist religion and concerned with obtaining
          long life and good fortune often by magical means --
          Tao.ist adj or n -- Tao.is.tic adj

   [1]tap
          [tap] n [ME tappe, fr. OE taeppa; akin to OHG zapho tap]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a plug for a hole (as in a cask): spigot
          b: a device consisting of a spout and valve attached
          to the end of a pipe to control the flow of a fluid:
          faucet 2 a: a liquor drawn through a tap b: the procedure
          of removing fluid (as from a body cavity) 3: a tool for
          forming an internal screw thread 4: an intermediate point
          in an electric circuit where a connection may be made
          5: wiretap -- on tap 1: ready to be drawn from a large
          container (as a cask or keg) <ale on tap> 2: broached
          or furnished with a tap 3: on hand: available <services
          instantly on tap --Hugh Dwan> 4: coming up <other matches
          on tap --H. W. Wind> [2]tap vt tapped ; tap.ping (15c)
          1: to let out or cause to flow by piercing or by drawing
          a plug from the containing vessel <~ wine from a cask>
          2 a: to pierce so as to let out or draw off a fluid <~
          maple trees> b: to draw out, from, or upon <~ new sources
          of revenue> 3 a: to cut in on (a telephone or telegraph
          wire) to get information b: to cut in (an electrical
          circuit) on another circuit 4: to form an internal screw
          thread in by means of a tap 5: to get money from as a
          loan or gift 6: to connect (a street gas or water main)
          with a local supply -- tap.per n -- tap into : to make
          a usu. advantageous connection with <clothing that ...
          taps into the currents of popular culture --John Duka>
          [3]tap vb tapped ; tap.ping [ME tappen, fr. MF taper
          to strike with the flat of the hand, of Gmc origin; akin
          to MHG tape paw, blow dealt with the paw] vt (13c) 1:
          to strike lightly esp. with a slight sound 2: to give
          a light blow with <~ a pencil on the table> 3: to bring
          about by repeated light blows <~ out a story on the typewriter>
          4: to repair by putting a tap on 5: select, designate
          <was tapped for police commissioner>; specif: to elect
          to membership (as in a fraternity) ~ vi 1: to strike
          a light audible blow: rap 2: to walk with light audible
          steps 3: tap-dance -- tap.per n [4]tap n (14c) 1 a: a
          light usu. audible blow; also: its sound b: one of several
          usu. rapid drumbeats on a snare drum 2: half sole 3:
          a small metal plate for the sole or heel of a shoe 4:
          tap dance 1 5: flap 7

   [1]tapa
          [ta.pa] n [Marquesan & Tahitian] (1823): a coarse cloth made
          in the Pacific islands from the pounded bark esp. of
          the paper mulberry and usu. decorated with geometric
          patterns [2]tapa n [Sp, lit., cover, lid, prob. of Gmc
          origin; akin to OE taeppa tap] (1953): an hors d'oeuvre
          served with drinks in Spanish bars--usu. used in pl.

   tap dance
          [tap dance] n (1928) 1: a step dance tapped out audibly by
          means of shoes with hard soles or soles and heels to
          which taps have been added 2: something suggesting a
          tap dance; esp: an action or discourse intended to rationalize
          or distract <does a clever tap dance to explain --Campbell
          Geeslin> -- tap-dance vi -- tap dancer n -- tap dancing
          n

   [1]tape
          [tape] n [ME, fr. OE taeppe] (bef. 12c) 1: a narrow woven
          fabric 2: a string or ribbon stretched breast-high above
          the finish line of a race 3: a narrow flexible strip
          or band: as a: adhesive tape b: magnetic tape 4: tape
          recording [2]tape vb taped ; tap.ing vt (1609) 1: to
          fasten, tie, bind, cover, or support with tape 2: to
          record on tape and esp. magnetic tape <~ an interview>
          ~ vi: to record something on tape and esp. magnetic tape
          [3]tape adj (1947) 1: recorded on tape <~ music> 2: intended
          for use with recording (as magnetic) tape <a ~ cartridge>

   tape deck
          [tape deck] n (1949): a device used to play back and often
          to record on magnetic tape that usu. has to be connected
          to an audio system

   tape grass
          [tape grass] n (ca. 1818): any of several submerged aquatic
          monocotyledonous plants (genus Vallisneria of the family
          Hydrocharitaceae) with long ribbonlike leaves--called
          also eelgrass, wild celery

   tape measure
          [tape measure] n (1845): a narrow strip (as of a limp cloth
          or steel tape) marked off in units (as inches or centimeters)
          for measuring

   [1]taper
          [ta.per] n [ME, fr. OE tapor candle, wick, perh. modif. of
          L papyrus papyrus] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a slender candle b:
          a long waxed wick used esp. for lighting candles, lamps,
          pipes, or fires c: a feeble light 2 a: a tapering form
          or figure b: gradual diminution of thickness, diameter,
          or width in an elongated object c: a gradual decrease
          [2]taper adj (15c) 1: progressively narrowed toward one
          end 2: furnished with or adjusted to a scale: graduated
          <~ freight rates> [3]taper vb ta.pered ; ta.per.ing vi
          (1610) 1: to become progressively smaller toward one
          end 2: to diminish gradually ~ vt: to cause to taper
          [4]tap.er n [[1]tape] (ca. 1920): one that applies or
          dispenses tape

   tape-record
          [tape-re.cord] vt [back-formation fr. tape recording] (1950):
          to make a recording of on magnetic tape

   tape recorder
          [tape recorder] n (1932): a device for recording on and playing
          back magnetic tape

   tape recording
          [tape recording] n (1940): magnetic recording on magnetic
          tape; also: a recording made by this process

   taperer
          [ta.per.er] n (15c): one who bears a taper in a religious
          procession

   taper off
          [taper off] vb (1848): taper <business growth had tapered
          off seriously while the unemployment rate had climbed
          --Current Biog.>

   taperstick
          [ta.per.stick] n (1546): a candlestick that holds tapers

   tapestried
          [tap.es.tried] adj (1769) 1: covered or decorated with or
          as if with tapestry 2: woven or depicted in tapestry

   tapestry
          [tap.es.try] n, pl -tries [ME tapistry, modif. of MF tapisserie,
          fr. tapisser to carpet, cover with tapestry, fr. OF tapis
          carpet, fr. Gk tapet-, tapes rug, carpet] (15c) 1 a:
          a heavy handwoven reversible textile used for hangings,
          curtains, and upholstery and characterized by complicated
          pictorial designs b: a nonreversible imitation of tapestry
          used chiefly for upholstery c: embroidery on canvas resembling
          woven tapestry <needlepoint ~> 2: something resembling
          tapestry (as in complexity or richness of design)

   tapestry carpet
          [tapestry carpet] n (1852): a carpet in which the designs
          are printed in colors on the threads before the fabric
          is woven

   tapetum
          [ta.pe.tum] n, pl ta.pe.ta [NL, fr. L tapete carpet, tapestry,
          fr. Gk tapet-, tapes rug, carpet] (1713) 1: any of various
          membranous layers or areas esp. of the choroid coat and
          retina of the eye 2: a layer of nutritive cells that
          invests the sporogenous tissue in the sporangium of higher
          plants

   tapeworm
          [tape.worm] n [fr. its shape] (1752): any of a class (Cestoda)
          of platyhelminthic worms parasitic esp. in the intestines
          of vertebrates--called also cestode

   taphole
          [tap.hole] n (1594): a hole for a tap; specif: a hole at
          or near the bottom of a furnace or ladle through which
          molten metal, matte, or slag can be tapped

   taphonomy
          [ta.phon.o.my] n [Gk taphe burial + E -nomy] (1940): the
          study of the processes (as burial, decay, and preservation)
          that affect animal and plant remains as they become fossilized
          -- taph.o.nom.ic adj -- ta.phon.o.mist n

   tap-in
          [tap-in] n (1948) 1: tip-in 2: a short putt in golf

   tapioca
          [tap.i.o.ca] n [Sp & Pg, fr. Tupi tipioka] (1707) 1: a usu.
          granular preparation of cassava starch used esp. in puddings
          and as a thickening in liquid food; also: a dish (as
          pudding) containing tapioca 2: cassava

   tapir
          [ta.pir] n, pl tapir or tapirs [Pg tapira, fr. Tupi tapiira]
          (1774): any of a genus (Tapirus) of chiefly nocturnal
          perissodactyl ungulates of tropical America and Myanmar
          to Sumatra that have the snout and upper lip prolonged
          into a short flexible proboscis

   tapis
          [tap.is] n [ME, fr. MF--more at tapestry] (15c) archaic:
          a small tapestry used for hangings and floor and table
          coverings -- on the tapis : under consideration

   tap-off
          [tap-off] n (ca. 1932): [2]tip-off

   tap out
          [tap out] vi (1939): to run out of money by betting

   tap pants
          [tap pants] n pl (1977): a loose-fitting woman's undergarment
          of a style similar to shorts formerly worn for tap dancing

   tapped out
          [tapped out] adj (1950): out of money: broke

   tappet
          [tap.pet] n [irreg. fr. [3]tap] (1745): a lever or projection
          moved by some other piece (as a cam) or intended to tap
          or touch something else to cause a particular motion

   tapping
          [tapping] n (1597): the act, process, or means by which something
          is tapped

   tappit hen
          [tap.pit hen] n [Sc tappit, alter. of E topped] (1721) Scot:
          a drinking vessel with a knob on the lid

   taproom
          [tap.room] n (1807): barroom

   taproot
          [tap.root] n [[1]tap] (1601) 1: a primary root that grows
          vertically downward and gives off small lateral roots
          2: the central element or position in a line of growth
          or development

   taps
          [taps] n pl but sing or pl in constr [prob. alter. of earlier
          taptoo tattoo--more at tattoo] (1824): the last bugle
          call at night blown as a signal that lights are to be
          put out; also: a similar call blown at military funerals
          and memorial services

   tapsal-teerie
          [tap.sal-tee.rie] adv [by alter.] (1784) Scot: topsy-turvy

   tapster
          [tap.ster] n (bef. 12c): bartender

   tap water
          [tap water] n (1881): water as it comes from a tap (as in
          a home)

   [1]tar
          [tar] n [ME terr, tarr, fr. OE teoru; akin to OE treow tree--more
          at tree] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a dark brown or black bituminous
          usu. odorous viscous liquid obtained by destructive distillation
          of organic material (as wood, coal, or peat) b: a substance
          in some respects resembling tar; esp: a condensable residue
          present in smoke from burning tobacco that contains combustion
          by-products (as resins, acids, phenols, and essential
          oils) 2 [short for tarpaulin]: sailor [2]tar vt tarred
          ; tar.ring (13c) 1: to cover with tar 2: to defile as
          if with tar <least tarred by the scandal --Newsweek>
          -- tar and feather : to smear (a person) with tar and
          cover with feathers as a punishment or indignity -- tar
          with the same brush : to mark or stain with the same
          fault or characteristic [3]tar or tarre vt tarred ; tar.ring
          ; tars or tarres [ME terren, tarren, fr. OE tyrwan] (bef.
          12c): to urge to action--usu. used with on

   taradiddle
          [tar.a.did.dle] or tar.ra.did.dle n [origin unknown] (ca.
          1796) 1: fib 2: pretentious nonsense

   Tarahumara
          [Tar.a.hu.ma.ra] n, pl Tarahumara or Tarahumaras [Sp] (1874)
          1: a member of an American Indian people living in the
          state of Chihuahua, Mexico 2: the Uto-Aztecan language
          of the Tarahumara people

   tarantella
          [tar.an.tel.la] n [It, fr. Taranto, Italy] (1782): a lively
          folk dance of southern Italy in 6/8 time

   tarantism
          [tar.an.tism] n [NL tarantismus, fr. Taranto, Italy] (ca.
          1656): a dancing mania or malady of late medieval Europe

   tarantula
          [ta.ran.tu.la] n, pl ta.ran.tu.las also ta.ran.tu.lae [ML,
          fr. OIt tarantola, fr. Taranto] (1561) 1: a European
          wolf spider (Lycosa tarentula) popularly held to be the
          cause of tarantism 2: any of a family (Theraphosidae)
          of large hairy American spiders that are typically rather
          sluggish and capable of biting sharply though most forms
          are not significantly poisonous to humans

   Tarascan
          [Ta.ras.can] n [Sp tarasco] (1922) 1: a member of an American
          Indian people of the state of Michoacan, Mexico 2: the
          language of the Tarascan people

   tar baby
          [tar baby] n [fr. the tar baby that trapped Brer Rabbit in
          an Uncle Remus story by Joel Chandler Harris] (1924):
          something from which it is nearly impossible to extricate
          oneself

   tarboosh
          [tar.boosh] also tar.bush n [Ar tarbush] (1702): a red hat
          similar to the fez worn esp. by Muslim men

   tardigrade
          [tar.di.grade] n [ultim. fr. L tardigradus slow-moving, fr.
          tardus slow + gradi to step, go--more at grade] (1860):
          any of a phylum (Tardigrada) of microscopic arthropods
          with four pairs of stout legs that live usu. in water
          or damp moss--called also water bear

   tardily
          [tar.di.ly] adv (1597) 1: at a slow pace 2: late

   tardive dyskinesia
          [tar.dive dyskinesia] n [tardive tending toward late development
          (fr. F, fem. of tardif, fr. MF) + dyskinesia] (1964):
          a central nervous system disorder characterized by twitching
          of the face and tongue and involuntary motor movements
          of the trunk and limbs and occurring esp. as a side effect
          of prolonged use of antipsychotic drugs (as phenothiazine)

   tardo
          [tar.do] adj [It, fr. L tardus] (ca. 1843): slow--used as
          a direction in music

   [1]tardy
          [tar.dy] adj tar.di.er ; -est [alter. of earlier tardif,
          fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL tardivus, fr. L tardus] (15c)
          1: moving slowly: sluggish 2: delayed beyond the expected
          or proper time: late -- tar.di.ness n [2]tardy n, pl
          tardies (1960): an instance of being tardy (as to a class)

   [1]tare
          [tare] n [ME; prob. akin to MD tarwe wheat] (14c) 1 a: the
          seed of a vetch b: any of several vetches (esp. Vicia
          sativa and V. hirsuta) 2: a weed of grainfields usu.
          held to be the darnel 3 pl: an undesirable element [2]tare
          n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OIt tara, fr. Ar tarha, lit., that
          which is removed] (15c) 1: a deduction from the gross
          weight of a substance and its container made in allowance
          for the weight of the container; also: the weight of
          the container 2: counterweight [3]tare vt tared ; tar.ing
          (1812): to ascertain or mark the tare of; esp: to weigh
          so as to determine the tare

   targe
          [targe] n [ME, fr. OF] (14c): a light shield used esp. by
          the Scots

   [1]target
          [tar.get] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF targette, dim. of targe
          light shield, of Gmc origin; akin to ON targa shield]
          (15c) 1: a small round shield 2 a: a mark to shoot at
          b: a target marked by shots fired at it c: something
          or someone fired at or marked for attack d: a goal to
          be achieved 3 a: an object of ridicule or criticism b:
          something or someone to be affected by an action or development
          4 a: a railroad day signal that is attached to a switch
          stand and indicates whether the switch is open or closed
          b: a sliding sight on a surveyor's leveling rod 5 a:
          the metallic surface (as of platinum or tungsten) upon
          which the stream of electrons within an X-ray tube is
          focused and from which the X rays are emitted b: a body,
          surface, or material bombarded with nuclear particles
          or electrons; esp: fluorescent material on which desired
          visual effects are produced in electronic devices (as
          in radar) -- off target : not valid: inaccurate -- on
          target : precisely correct or valid esp. in interpreting
          or addressing a problem or vital issue [2]target vt (1837)
          1: to make a target of; esp: to set as a goal 2: to direct
          or use toward a target

   targetable
          [tar.get.able] adj (1964): capable of being aimed at a target
          <missiles with ~ warheads>

   target date
          [target date] n (1945): the date set for an event or for
          the completion of a project, goal, or quota

   target language
          [target language] n (1953) 1: a language into which another
          language is to be translated--compare source language
          2: a language other than one's native language that is
          being learned

   Targum
          [Tar.gum] n [LHeb targum, fr. Aram, translation] (1587):
          an Aramaic translation or paraphrase of a portion of
          the Old Testament

   Tarheel
          [Tar.heel] n (1864): a native or resident of North Carolina--used
          as a nickname

   [1]tariff
          [tar.iff] n [It tariffa, fr. Ar ta'rif notification] (1592)
          1 a: a schedule of duties imposed by a government on
          imported or in some countries exported goods b: a duty
          or rate of duty imposed in such a schedule 2: a schedule
          of rates or charges of a business or a public utility
          3: price, charge [2]tariff vt (ca. 1828): to subject
          to a tariff

   tarlatan
          [tar.la.tan] n [F tarlatane] (ca. 1741): a sheer cotton fabric
          in open plain weave usu. heavily sized for stiffness

   tarmac
          [tar.mac] n [fr. Tarmac, a trademark] (1919): a tarmacadam
          road, apron, or runway Tarmac trademark--used for a bituminous
          binder for roads

   tarmacadam
          [tar.mac.ad.am] n (1882) 1: a pavement constructed by spraying
          or pouring a tar binder over layers of crushed stone
          and then rolling 2: a material of tar and aggregates
          mixed in a plant and shaped on the roadway

   tarn
          [tarn] n [ME tarne, of Scand origin; akin to ON tjorn small
          lake] (14c): a small steep-banked mountain lake or pool

   tarnation
          [tar.na.tion] n [alter. of darnation, euphemism for damnation]
          (1790): damnation--often used as an interjection or
          intensive--often used with in <~ strike me --James Joyce> <where
          in ~ you from? --Jessamyn West>

   [1]tarnish
          [tar.nish] vb [MF terniss-, stem of ternir, prob. of Gmc
          origin; akin to OHG ternen to hide] vt (1598) 1: to dull
          or destroy the luster of by or as if by air, dust, or
          dirt: soil, stain 2 a: to detract from the good quality
          of: vitiate <his fine dreams now slightly ~ed> b: to
          bring disgrace on: sully ~ vi: to become tarnished --
          tar.nish.able adj [2]tarnish n (1713): something that
          tarnishes; esp: a film of chemically altered material
          on the surface of a metal (as silver)

   tarnished plant bug
          [tarnished plant bug] n (ca. 1890): a common hemipterous
          bug (Lygus lineolaris) of eastern No. America that causes
          injury to plants by sucking sap from buds, leaves, and
          fruits and that carries plant diseases

   taro
          [ta.ro] n, pl taros [Tahitian & Maori] (1769): a plant (Colocasia
          esculenta) of the arum family grown throughout the tropics
          for its edible starchy tuberous rootstocks and in temperate
          regions for ornament; also: its rootstock

   tarok
          [tar.ok] n [It tarocchi tarots] (1739): an old card game
          popular in central Europe and played with a pack containing
          40, 52, or 56 cards equivalent to modern playing cards
          plus the 22 tarots

   tarot
          [tar.ot] n [MF, fr. It tarocchi (pl.)] (ca. 1623): any of
          a set of usu. 78 playing cards including 22 pictorial
          cards used for fortune-telling; also: the 22 pictorial
          cards serving as trumps in tarok

   tarp
          [tarp] n (1906): tarpaulin

   tar paper
          [tar paper] n (1891): a heavy paper coated or impregnated
          with tar for use esp. in building

   tarpaulin
          [tar.pau.lin] n [prob. fr. [1]tar + -palling, -pauling (fr.
          pall)] (1605) 1: a piece of material (as durable plastic)
          used for protecting exposed objects or areas 2: sailor

   tar pit
          [tar pit] n (1839): an area in which natural bitumens collect
          and are exposed at the earth's surface and which tends
          to trap animals and preserve their hard parts (as bones
          or teeth)

   tarpon
          [tar.pon] n, pl tarpon or tarpons [origin unknown] (1685):
          a large silvery elongate anadromous bony fish (Megalops
          atlanticus of the family Elopidae) that occurs esp. in
          the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and warm coastal waters
          of the Atlantic, reaches a length of about six feet (two
          meters), and is often caught for sport

   tarragon
          [tar.ra.gon] n [MF targon, fr. ML tarchon, fr. Ar tarkhun]
          (1538): a small widely cultivated perennial artemisia
          (Artemisia dracunculus) having pungent narrow usu. entire
          leaves; also: its leaves used as a flavoring

   tarre
          [tarre] var of tar

   tarriance
          [tar.ri.ance] n (15c): the act or an instance of tarrying

   [1]tarry
          [tar.ry] vi tar.ried ; tar.ry.ing [ME tarien] (14c) 1 a:
          to delay or be tardy in acting or doing b: to linger
          in expectation: wait 2: to abide or stay in or at a place
          [2]tarry n, pl tarries (14c): stay, sojourn [3]tar.ry
          adj (1552): of, resembling, or covered with tar

   [1]tarsal
          [tar.sal] adj (1817) 1: of or relating to the tarsus 2: being
          or relating to plates of dense connective tissue that
          serve to stiffen the eyelids [2]tarsal n (1881): a tarsal
          part (as a bone or cartilage)

   tar sand
          [tar sand] n (1899): a natural impregnation of sand or sandstone
          with petroleum from which the lighter portions have escaped

   tarsier
          [tar.si.er] n [F, fr. tarse tarsus, fr. NL tarsus] (1774):
          any of a family (Tarsiidae) of small chiefly nocturnal
          and arboreal carnivorous primates of the Malay Archipelago
          that have large round eyes, long legs, and a long nearly
          hairless tail

   tarsometatarsus
          [tar.so.meta.tar.sus] n [NL, fr. tarsus + -o- + metatarsus]
          (1854): the large compound bone of the tarsus of a bird;
          also: the segment of the limb it supports

   tarsus
          [tar.sus] n, pl tar.si [NL, fr. Gk tarsos wickerwork mat,
          flat of the foot, ankle, edge of the eyelid; akin to
          Gk tersesthai to become dry--more at thirst] (1676) 1:
          the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus
          and the leg; also: the small bones that support this
          part of the limb 2: the tarsal plate of the eyelid 3:
          the distal part of the limb of an arthropod 4: tarsometatarsus

   [1]tart
          [tart] adj [ME, fr. OE teart sharp, severe; akin to MHG traz
          spite] (14c) 1: agreeably sharp or acid to the taste
          2: marked by a biting, acrimonious, or cutting quality
          -- tart.ish adj -- tart.ly adv -- tart.ness n [2]tart
          n [ME tarte, fr. MF] (15c) 1: a dish baked in a pastry
          shell: pie: as a: a small pie or pastry shell without
          a top containing jelly, custard, or fruit b: a small
          pie made of pastry folded over a filling 2: prostitute

   tartan
          [tar.tan] n [prob. fr. MF tiretaine linsey-woolsey] (ca.
          1500) 1: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin consisting
          of stripes of varying width and color usu. patterned
          to designate a distinctive clan 2 a: a twilled woolen
          fabric with tartan design b: a fabric with tartan design
          3: a garment of tartan design

   [1]tartar
          [tar.tar] n [ME, fr. ML tartarum] (14c) 1: a substance consisting
          essentially of cream of tartar that is derived from the
          juice of grapes and deposited in wine casks together
          with yeast and other suspended matters as a pale or dark
          reddish crust or sediment; esp: a recrystallized product
          yielding cream of tartar on further purification 2: an
          incrustation on the teeth consisting of salivary secretion,
          food residue, and various salts (as calcium carbonate)
          [2]tartar n [ME Tartre, fr. MF Tartare, prob. fr. ML
          Tartarus, modif. of Per Tatar--more at tatar] (14c) 1
          cap: a native or inhabitant of Tatary 2 cap: tatar 2
          3 often cap: a person of irritable or violent temper
          4: one that proves to be unexpectedly formidable -- Tartar
          adj -- Tar.tar.i.an adj

   Tartarean
          [Tar.tar.e.an] adj [L tartareus, fr. Gk tartareios, fr. Tartaros
          Tartarus] (ca. 1623): of, relating to, or resembling
          Tartarus: infernal

   tartar emetic
          [tartar emetic] n (1704): a poisonous efflorescent crystalline
          salt of sweetish metallic taste that is used in dyeing
          as a mordant and in medicine esp. in the treatment of
          amebiasis

   tartaric acid
          [tar.tar.ic acid] n (1810): a strong dicarboxylic acid of
          plant origin that occurs in three optically isomeric
          forms, is usu. obtained from tartar, and is used esp.
          in food and medicines, in photography, and in making
          salts and esters

   tartar sauce
          [tar.tar sauce] or tar.tare sauce n [F sauce tartare] (1855):
          a sauce made principally of mayonnaise and chopped pickles

   Tartarus
          [Tar.ta.rus] n [L, fr. Gk Tartaros]: a section of Hades reserved
          for punishment of the wicked

   tartlet
          [tart.let] n (15c): a small tart

   tartrate
          [tar.trate] n [ISV, fr. F tartre tartar, fr. ML tartarum]
          (1794): a salt or ester of tartaric acid

   Tartuffe
          [Tar.tuffe] n [F Tartufe]: a religious hypocrite and protagonist
          in Moliere's play Tartuffe

   tart up
          [tart up] vt (1938): dress up, fancy up <tarted up pubs and
          restaurants for the spenders --Arnold Ehrlich>

   tarty
          [tarty] adj [[2]tart] (1918): resembling or suggestive of
          a prostitute (as in clothing or manner)

   Tarzan
          [Tar.zan] n [Tarzan, hero of adventure stories by Edgar Rice
          Burroughs] (1921): a well-built, agile, and very strong
          man

   [1]task
          [task] n [ME taske, fr. ONF tasque, fr. ML tasca tax or service
          imposed by a feudal superior, fr. taxare to tax] (14c)
          1 a: a usu. assigned piece of work often to be finished
          within a c ertain time b: something hard or unpleasant
          that has to be done c: duty, function 2: subjection to
          adverse criticism: reprimand--used in the expressions
          to take, call, or bring to task syn task, duty, job,
          chore, stint, assignment mean a piece of work to be done.
          task implies work imposed by a person in authority or
          an employer or by circumstance <charged with a variety
          of tasks>. duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility
          for performance <the duties of a lifeguard>. job applies to a piece
          of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty
          or importance <the job of turning the company around>. chore
          implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining
          a household or farm <every child was assigned chores>. stint
          implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work
          or service <a two-month stint as a reporter>. assignment implies
          a definite limited task assigned by one in authority <a reporter's
          assignment>. [2]task vt (15c) 1 obs: to impose a tax
          on 2: to assign a task to 3: to oppress with great labor <~s his
          mind with petty details>

   task force
          [task force] n (1941): a temporary grouping under one leader
          for the purpose of accomplishing a definite objective

   taskmaster
          [task.mas.ter] n (1530): one that imposes a task or burdens
          another with labor

   taskmistress
          [task.mis.tress] n (1603): a woman who is a taskmaster

   Tasmanian devil
          [Tas.ma.nian devil] n (1867): a powerful heavily built carnivorous
          terrestrial Tasmanian marsupial (Sarcophilus harrisii) that
          is about the size of a badger and has a chiefly black coat marked
          with white on the chest

   Tasmanian wolf
          [Tasmanian wolf] n (ca. 1890): a somewhat doglike carnivorous
          marsupial (Thylacinus cynocephalus) that formerly inhabited
          Tasmania but is now considered extinct--called also Tasmanian
          tiger

   tasse
          [tasse] n [perh. fr. MF tasse purse, pouch] (ca. 1548): one
          of a series of overlapping metal plates in a suit of
          armor that form a short skirt over the body below the
          waist--see armor illustration

   [1]tassel
          [tas.sel] n [ME, clasp, tassel, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL
          tassellus, alter. of L taxillus small die; akin to L
          talus anklebone, die] (14c) 1: a dangling ornament made
          by laying parallel a bunch of cords or threads of even
          length and fastening them at one end 2: something resembling
          a tassel; esp: the terminal male inflorescence of some
          plants and esp. Indian corn [2]tassel vb -seled or -selled
          ; -sel.ing or -sel.ling vt (14c): to adorn with tassels
          ~ vi: to put forth tassel inflorescences

   [1]taste
          [taste] vb tast.ed ; tast.ing [ME, to touch, test, taste,
          fr. MF taster, fr. (assumed) VL taxitare, freq. of L
          taxare to touch, feel--more at tax] vt (14c) 1: to become
          acquainted with by experience <has tasted the frustration
          of defeat> 2: to ascertain the flavor of by taking a
          little into the mouth 3: to eat or drink esp. in small
          quantities 4: to perceive or recognize as if by the sense
          of taste 5 archaic: appreciate, enjoy ~ vi 1: to eat
          or drink a little 2: to test the flavor of something
          by taking a small part into the mouth 3: to have perception,
          experience, or enjoyment: partake--often used with of
          4: to have a specific flavor <the apple ~s sour> [2]taste
          n (14c) 1 obs: test 2 a obs: the act of tasting b: a
          small amount tasted c: a small amount: bit; esp: a sample
          of experience <first ~ of success> 3: the one of the
          special senses that perceives and distinguishes the sweet,
          sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance
          and is mediated by taste buds on the tongue 4: the objective
          sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved
          substance as perceived by the sense of taste 5 a: a sensation
          obtained from a substance in the mouth that is typically
          produced by the stimulation of the sense of taste combined
          with those of touch and smell: flavor b: the distinctive
          quality of an experience <that gruesome scene left a
          bad ~ in my mouth> 6: individual preference: inclination
          7 a: critical judgment, discernment, or appreciation
          b: manner or aesthetic quality indicative of such discernment
          or appreciation

   taste bud
          [taste bud] n (1879): an end organ mediating the sensation
          of taste and lying chiefly in the epithelium of the tongue

   tasteful
          [taste.ful] adj (1611) 1: tasty 1a 2: having, exhibiting,
          or conforming to good taste -- taste.ful.ly adv -- taste.ful.ness
          n

   tasteless
          [taste.less] adj (1603) 1 a: having no taste: insipid <~
          vegetables> b: arousing no interest: dull 2: not having
          or exhibiting good taste -- taste.less.ly adv -- taste.less.ness
          n

   tastemaker
          [taste.mak.er] n (1954): one who sets the standards of what
          is currently popular or fashionable

   taster
          [tast.er] n (15c) 1: one that tastes: as a: one that tests
          (as tea) for quality by tasting b: a person who is able
          to taste the chemical phenylthiocarbamide 2: a device
          for tasting or sampling

   tasty
          [tasty] adj tast.i.er ; -est (1617) 1 a: having a marked
          and appetizing flavor b: strikingly attractive or interesting
          <a ~ bit of gossip> 2: tasteful syn see palatable --
          tast.i.ly adv -- tast.i.ness n

   tat
          [tat] vb tat.ted ; tat.ting [back-formation fr. tatting]
          vi (1882): to work at tatting ~ vt: to make by tatting

   TAT
          [TAT] abbreviation thematic apperception test

   tatami
          [ta.ta.mi] n, pl -mi or -mis [Jp] (1614): straw matting used
          as a floor covering in a Japanese home

   Tatar
          [Ta.tar] n [Per Tatar, of Turkic origin; akin to Turk Tatar
          Tatar] (1811) 1: a member of any of a group of Turkic
          peoples found mainly in the Tatar Republic of Russia
          and parts of Siberia and central Asia 2: any of the Turkic
          languages spoken by the Tatar peoples

   tater
          [ta.ter] n [by shortening & alter.] (1759) dial: potato

   [1]tatter
          [tat.ter] vt (14c): to make ragged ~ vi: to become ragged
          [2]tatter n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON toturr tatter;
          akin to OE taetteca rag, OHG zotta matted hair, tuft]
          (15c) 1: a part torn and left hanging: shred 2 pl: tattered
          clothing: rags

   [1]tatterdemalion
          [tat.ter.de.ma.lion] n [origin unknown] (1611): a person
          dressed in ragged clothing: ragamuffin [2]tatterdemalion
          adj (1614) 1 a: ragged or disreputable in appearance
          b: being in a decayed state or condition: dilapidated
          2: beggarly, disreputable

   tattered
          [tat.tered] adj (14c) 1: wearing ragged clothes <a ~ barefoot
          boy> 2: torn into shreds: ragged 3 a: broken down: dilapidated
          b: being in a shattered condition: disrupted

   tattersall
          [tat.ter.sall] n [Tattersall's horse market, London, England]
          (1891) 1: a pattern of colored lines forming squares
          of solid background 2: a fabric woven or printed in a
          tattersall pattern

   tattie
          [tat.tie] n [by shortening & alter.] (1788) Scot: potato

   tatting
          [tat.ting] n [origin unknown] (1842) 1: a delicate handmade
          lace formed usu. by looping and knotting with a single
          cotton thread and a small shuttle 2: the act or process
          of making tatting

   [1]tattle
          [tat.tle] n (ca. 1529) 1: idle talk: chatter 2: gossip [2]tattle
          vb tat.tled ; tat.tling [MD tatelen; akin to ME tateren
          to tattle] vi (1547) 1: chatter, prate 2: to tell secrets:
          blab ~ vt: to utter or disclose in gossip or chatter

   tattler
          [tat.tler] n (1550) 1: tattletale 2: any of various slender
          long-legged shorebirds (as the willet, yellowlegs, and
          redshank) with a loud and frequent call

   tattletale
          [tat.tle.tale] n (1888): one that tattles: informer

   [1]tattoo
          [tat.too] n, pl tattoos [alter. of earlier taptoo, fr. D
          taptoe, fr. the phrase tap toe] taps shut]] (ca. 1627)
          1: a rapid rhythmic rapping 2 a: a call sounded shortly
          before taps as notice to go to quarters b: outdoor military
          exercise given by troops as evening entertainment [2]tattoo
          vt (1780): to beat or rap rhythmically on: drum on ~
          vi: to give a series of rhythmic taps [3]tattoo vt [Tahitian
          tatau, n., tattoo] (1769) 1: to mark or color (the skin)
          with tattoos 2: to mark the skin with (a tattoo) <~ed
          a flag on his chest> -- tat.too.er n -- tat.too.ist n
          [4]tattoo n, pl tattoos (1777) 1: the act of tattooing:
          the fact of being tattooed 2: an indelible mark or figure
          fixed upon the body by insertion of pigment under the
          skin or by production of scars

   tatty
          [tat.ty] adj tat.ti.er ; -est [perh. akin to OE taetteca
          rag--more at tatter] (1513): rather worn, frayed, or
          dilapidated: shabby -- tat.ti.ness n

   tau
          [tau] n [ME taw, fr. L tau, fr. Gk, of Sem origin; akin to
          Heb taw taw] (14c) 1: the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet
          2: a short-lived elementary particle of the lepton family
          that exists in positive and negative charge states and
          has a mass about 3500 times heavier than an electron--called
          also tau particle

   tau cross
          [tau cross] n (15c): a T-shaped cross sometimes having expanded
          ends and foot--see cross illustration

   taught
          [taught] past and past part of teach

   [1]taunt
          [taunt] n (ca. 1529): a sarcastic challenge or insult [2]taunt
          vt [perh. fr. MF tenter to try, tempt--more at tempt]
          (1539): to reproach or challenge in a mocking or insulting
          manner: jeer at syn see ridicule -- taunt.er n -- taunt.ing.ly
          adv

   taupe
          [taupe] n [F, lit., mole, fr. L talpa] (ca. 1909): a brownish
          gray

   Taurean
          [Tau.re.an] n (1911): taurus 2b

   [1]taurine
          [tau.rine] adj [L taurinus, fr. taurus bull; akin to Gk tauros
          bull, MIr tarb] (1613): of or relating to a bull: bovine
          [2]tau.rine n [ISV, fr. L taurus; fr. its having been
          discovered in ox bile] (1845): a colorless crystalline
          cysteine derivative of neutral reaction found in the
          juices of muscle esp. in invertebrates, nerve tissue,
          and bile

   taurocholic acid
          [tau.ro.cho.lic acid] n [L taurus + ISV -o- + cholic (acid)]
          (1857): a deliquescent acid occurring as the sodium salt
          in the bile of the ox, humans, and various carnivores

   Taurus
          [Tau.rus] n [ME, fr. L (gen. Tauri), lit., bull] 1: a zodiacal
          constellation that contains the Pleiades and Hyades and
          is represented pictorially by a bull's forequarters 2
          a: the 2d sign of the zodiac in astrology b: one born
          under the sign of Taurus

   [1]taut
          [taut] adj [ME tought] (14c) 1 a: having no give or slack:
          tightly drawn b: high-strung, tense <~ nerves> 2 a: kept
          in proper order or condition <a ~ ship> b (1): not loose
          or flabby (2): marked by economy of structure and detail
          <a ~ story> -- taut.ly adv -- taut.ness n [2]taut vt
          [origin unknown] (1721) Scot: mat, tangle

   taut-
          [taut-] or tauto- comb form [LL, fr. Gk, fr. tauto the same,
          contr. of to auto]: same <tautomerism> <tautonym>

   tauten
          [taut.en] vb taut.ened ; taut.en.ing vt (ca. 1814): to make
          taut ~ vi: to become taut

   tautog
          [tau.tog] n [Narraganset tautauog, pl.] (1643): an edible
          fish (Tautoga onitis) of the wrasse family found along
          the Atlantic coast of the U.S. and adjacent Canada--called
          also blackfish

   tautological
          [tau.to.log.i.cal] adj (1620): tautologous -- tau.to.log.i.cal.ly
          adv

   tautologous
          [tau.tol.o.gous] adj [Gk tautologos, fr. taut- + legein to
          say--more at legend] (1714) 1: involving or containing
          rhetorical tautology: redundant 2: true by virtue of
          its logical form alone -- tau.tol.o.gous.ly adv

   tautology
          [tau.tol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [LL tautologia, fr. Gk, fr. tautologos]
          (1574) 1 a: needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word
          b: an instance of tautology 2: a tautologous statement

   tautomer
          [tau.to.mer] n [ISV, fr. tautomeric] (1903): any of the forms
          of a tautomeric compound

   tautomeric
          [tau.to.mer.ic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1890): of, relating to, or
          marked by tautomerism

   tautomerism
          [tau.tom.er.ism] n (ca. 1890): isomerism in which the isomers
          change into one another with great ease so that they
          ordinarily exist together in equilibrium

   tautonym
          [taut.o.nym] n (1899): a taxonomic binomial in which the
          generic name and specific epithet are alike and which
          is common in zoology esp. to designate a typical form
          but is forbidden to botany under the International Code
          of Botanical Nomenclature -- tau.ton.y.my n

   tavern
          [tav.ern] n [ME taverne, fr. OF, fr. L taberna hut, shop]
          (14c) 1: an establishment where alcoholic beverages are
          sold to be drunk on the premises 2: inn

   taverna
          [ta.ver.na] n [NGk taberna, prob. fr. LGk, drinking establishment,
          fr. L taberna] (1914): a cafe in Greece

   taverner
          [tav.ern.er] n (14c): one who keeps a tavern

   [1]taw
          [taw] vt [ME, to prepare for use, fr. OE tawian; akin to
          OHG zawjan to hasten, Goth taujan to do, make] (bef.
          12c): to dress (skins) usu. by a dry process (as with
          alum or salt) [2]taw n [Heb taw, lit., mark, cross] (1701):
          the 23d letter of the Hebrew alphabet [3]taw n [origin
          unknown] (1709) 1 a: a marble used as a shooter b: ringtaw
          2: the line from which players shoot at marbles 3: a
          square-dance partner [4]taw vi (1863): to shoot a marble

   [1]tawdry
          [taw.dry] adj taw.dri.er ; -est [tawdry lace a tie of lace
          for the neck, fr. St. Audrey (St. Etheldreda) d. 679
          queen of Northumbria] (1676): cheap and gaudy in appearance
          or quality; also: ignoble syn see gaudy -- taw.dri.ly
          adv -- taw.dri.ness n [2]tawdry n (ca. 1680): cheap showy
          finery

   [1]tawny
          [taw.ny] adj taw.ni.er ; -est [ME, fr. MF tanne, pp. of tanner
          to tan] (14c) 1: of the color tawny 2: of a warm sandy
          color like that of well-tanned skin <the lion's ~ coat>
          -- taw.ni.ness n [2]tawny n, pl tawnies (15c): a brownish
          orange to light brown color

   tawpie
          [taw.pie] n [of Scand origin; akin to Norw tape simpleton]
          (1728) chiefly Scot: a foolish or awkward young person

   tawse
          [tawse] also taws n pl but sing or pl in constr [prob. fr.
          pl. of obs. taw tawed leather] (ca. 1585) Brit: a leather
          strap slit into strips at the end and used esp. for disciplining
          children

   tax-
          [tax-] or taxo- also taxi- comb form [Gk taxi-, fr. taxis]:
          arrangement <taxeme> <taxidermy>

   [1]tax
          [tax] vt [ME, to estimate, assess, tax, fr. OF taxer, fr.
          ML taxare, fr. L, to feel, estimate, censure, freq. of
          tangere to touch--more at tangent] (14c) 1: to assess
          or determine judicially the amount of (costs in a court
          action) 2: to levy a tax on 3 obs: to enter (a name)
          in a list <there went out a decree ... that all the world
          should be ~ed --Lk 2:1 (AV)> 4: charge, accuse <~ed him
          with neglect of duty>; also: censure 5: to make onerous
          and rigorous demands on <the job ~ed her strength> --
          tax.able adj -- tax.er n [2]tax n, often attrib (14c)
          1 a: a charge usu. of money imposed by authority on persons
          or property for public purposes b: a sum levied on members
          of an organization to defray expenses 2: a heavy demand

   taxa
          [taxa] pl of taxon

   taxation
          [tax.a.tion] n (14c) 1: the action of taxing; esp: the imposition
          of taxes 2: revenue obtained from taxes 3: the amount
          assessed as a tax

   tax base
          [tax base] n (ca. 1943): the wealth (as real estate or income)
          within a jurisdiction that is liable to taxation

   taxeme
          [tax.eme] n [tax-] (1933): a minimum grammatical feature
          of selection, order, stress, pitch, or phonetic modification
          -- tax.e.mic adj

   tax-exempt
          [tax-ex.empt] adj (1923) 1: exempted from a tax 2: bearing
          interest that is free from federal or state income tax

   [1]taxi
          [taxi] n, pl tax.is also tax.ies (ca. 1907): taxicab; also:
          a similarly operated boat or aircraft [2]taxi vb tax.ied
          ; taxi.ing or taxy.ing ; tax.is or tax.ies vi (1916)
          1 a of an aircraft: to go at low speed along the surface
          of the ground or water b: to operate an aircraft on the
          ground under its own power 2: to ride in a taxicab ~
          vt 1: to transport by or as if by taxi 2: to cause (an
          aircraft) to taxi

   taxicab
          [taxi.cab] n [taximeter cab] (ca. 1907): an automobile that
          carries passengers for a fare usu. determined by the
          distance traveled

   taxi dancer
          [taxi dancer] n (ca. 1927): a girl employed by a dance hall,
          cafe, or cabaret to dance with patrons who pay a certain
          amount for each dance

   taxidermy
          [taxi.der.my] n [tax- + derm- + [2]-y] (1820): the art of
          preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals
          and esp. vertebrates -- taxi.der.mic adj -- taxi.der.mist
          n

   taximan
          [taxi.man] n (1909) chiefly Brit: the operator of a taxi

   taximeter
          [taxi.me.ter] n [F taximetre, modif. of G Taxameter, fr.
          ML taxa tax, charge (fr. taxare to tax) + G -meter] (1894):
          an instrument for use in a hired vehicle (as a taxicab)
          for automatically showing the fare due

   taxing
          [tax.ing] adj (1841): onerous, wearing <a ~ operatic role>
          -- tax.ing.ly adv

   taxis
          [tax.is] n, pl tax.es [Gk, lit., arrangement, order, fr.
          tassein to arrange] (1758) 1: reflex translational or
          orientational movement by a freely motile and usu. simple
          organism in relation to a source of stimulation (as a
          light or a temperature or chemical gradient) 2: a reflex
          reaction involving a taxis

   -taxis
          [-taxis] n comb form, pl -taxes [NL, fr. Gk, fr. taxis] 1:
          arrangement: ordering <thermotaxis> 2: physiological
          taxis <chemotaxis>

   taxi stand
          [taxi stand] n (1922): a place where taxis may park while
          awaiting hire

   taxiway
          [taxi.way] n (ca. 1933): a usu. paved strip for taxiing (as
          from the terminal to a runway) at an airport

   taxon
          [tax.on] n, pl taxa also tax.ons [NL, fr. ISV taxonomy] (1929)
          1: a taxonomic group or entity 2: the name applied to
          a taxonomic group in a formal system of nomenclature

   taxon
          [taxon] abbreviation taxonomic, taxonomy

   taxonomy
          [tax.on.o.my] n [F taxonomie, fr. tax- + -nomie -nomy] (ca.
          1828) 1: the study of the general principles of scientific
          classification: systematics 2: classification; esp: orderly
          classification of plants and animals according to their
          presumed natural relationships -- tax.o.nom.ic adj --
          tax.o.nom.i.cal.ly adv -- tax.on.o.mist n

   taxpayer
          [tax.pay.er] n (1816): one that pays or is liable for a tax

   taxpaying
          [tax.pay.ing] adj (1832): of, relating to, or subject to
          the paying of a tax

   tax selling
          [tax selling] n (1963): concerted selling of securities late
          in the year to establish gains and losses for income-tax
          purposes

   tax shelter
          [tax shelter] n (1952): a strategy, investment, or tax code
          provision that reduces tax liability -- tax-shel.tered
          adj

   tax stamp
          [tax stamp] n (ca. 1929): a stamp marked on or affixed to
          a taxable item as evidence that the tax has been paid

   taxus
          [tax.us] n, pl tax.us [NL, genus comprising the yews, fr.
          L, yew] (ca. 1945): yew 1a

   -taxy
          [-taxy] n comb form [Gk -taxia, fr. taktos, verbal of tassein
          to arrange]: -taxis <epitaxy>

   Tay
          [Tay] abbreviation Tayside

   Taylor's series
          [Tay.lor's series] n [Brook Taylor d. 1731 Eng. mathematician]
          (1842): a power series that gives the expansion of a
          function f (x) in the neighborhood of a point a provided
          that in the neighborhood the function is continuous,
          all its derivatives exist, and the series converges to
          the function in which case the first term of the series
          is f(a) and the (n + 1)st term consists of the factor
          (x - a) raised to the exponent n and multiplied by a
          coefficient consisting of a fraction whose numerator
          is the derivative of nth order of f(x) evaluated at a
          and whose denominator is n! --called also Taylor series

   Tay-Sachs disease
          [Tay-Sachs disease] n [Warren Tay d. 1927 Brit. physician
          & Bernard P. Sachs d. 1944 Am. neurologist] (1907): a
          hereditary disorder of lipid metabolism typically affecting
          individuals of eastern European Jewish ancestry that
          is characterized by the accumulation of lipids esp. in
          nervous tissue due to a deficiency of hexosaminidase
          and causes death in early childhood--called also Tay-Sachs

   tazza
          [taz.za] n [It, cup, fr. Ar tassah] (1824): a shallow cup
          or vase on a pedestal

   tb...
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   tb
          [tb] abbreviation tablespoon, tablespoonful  Tb abbreviation
          terbium  TB abbreviation thoroughbred, trial balance,
          tubercle bacillus

   TB
          [TB] n [TB (abbr. for tubercle bacillus)] (1912): tuberculosis

   TBA
          [TBA] often not cap abbreviation to be announced

   TBD
          [TBD] abbreviation to be determined

   tbs
          [tbs] or tbsp abbreviation tablespoon, tablespoonful  TBS
          abbreviation talk between ships

   tc...
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   tc
          [tc] abbreviation tierce  Tc abbreviation technetium  TC
          abbreviation teachers college, terra-cotta, till countermanded

   TCDD
          [TCDD] n [tetra- + chlor- + dibenzo- (containing two benzene
          rings) + dioxin] (1971): a carcinogenic dioxin found
          esp. as a contaminant in 2,4,5-T

   TCE
          [TCE] abbreviation trichloroethylene

   tchotchke
          [tchotch.ke] n [Yiddish tshatshke trinket, fr. obs. Pol czaczko]
          (1971): knickknack, trinket

   tchr
          [tchr] abbreviation teacher

   td...
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   TD
          [TD] abbreviation tank destroyer, touchdown, Treasury Department

   TDY
          [TDY] abbreviation temporary duty

   TDD
          [TDD] abbreviation telecommunications device for the deaf

   TDN
          [TDN] abbreviation total digestible nutrients

   te...
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   Te
          [Te] abbreviation tellurium

   tea
          [tea] n [Chin (Xiamen) t'e] (ca. 1655) 1 a: a shrub (Camellia
          sinensis of the family Theaceae, the tea family) cultivated
          esp. in China, Japan, and the East Indies b: the leaves,
          leaf buds, and internodes of the tea plant prepared and
          cured for the market, classed according to method of
          manufacture into one set of types (as green tea, black
          tea, or oolong), and graded according to leaf size into
          another (as orange pekoe, pekoe, or souchong) 2: an aromatic
          beverage prepared from tea leaves by infusion with boiling
          water 3: any of various plants somewhat resembling tea
          in properties; also: an infusion of their leaves used
          medicinally or as a beverage 4 a: refreshments usu. including
          tea with sandwiches, crackers, or cookies served in late
          afternoon b: a reception at which tea is served 5 slang:
          marijuana -- tea.like adj

   tea bag
          [tea bag] n (1935): a bag usu. of filter paper holding enough
          tea for an individual serving

   tea ball
          [tea ball] n (1895): a perforated metal ball that holds tea
          leaves and is used in brewing tea in a pot or cup

   teaberry
          [tea.ber.ry] n [fr. the use of its leaves as a substitute
          for tea] (1818): checkerberry

   tea caddy
          [tea caddy] n (1790): caddy

   tea cake
          [tea cake] n (1832) 1: a small flat cake usu. made with raisins
          2: cookie

   tea cart
          [tea cart] n (1926): tea wagon

   teach
          [teach] vb taught ; teach.ing [ME techen to show, instruct,
          fr. OE taecan; akin to OE tacn sign--more at token] vt
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: to cause to know something <taught them
          a trade> b: to cause to know how <is ~ing me to drive>
          c: to accustom to some action or attitude <~ students
          to think for themselves> d: to cause to know the disagreeable
          consequences of some action <I'll ~ you to come home
          late> 2: to guide the studies of 3: to impart the knowledge
          of <~ algebra> 4 a: to instruct by precept, example,
          or experience b: to make known and accepted <experience
          ~es us our limitations> 5: to conduct instruction regularly
          in <~ school> ~ vi: to provide instruction: act as a
          teacher usage see learn syn teach, instruct, educate,
          train, discipline, school mean to cause to acquire knowledge
          or skill. teach applies to any manner of imparting information
          or skill so that others may learn <taught us a lot about
          our planet>. instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching
          <instructs raw recruits in military drill>. educate implies
          development of the mind <more things than formal schooling
          serve to educate a person>. train stresses instruction
          and drill with a specific end in view <trained foreign
          pilots to operate the new aircraft>. discipline implies
          training in habits of order and precision <a disciplined
          mind>. school implies training or disciplining esp. in
          what is hard to master <schooled the horse in five gaits>.

   teachable
          [teach.able] adj (15c) 1 a: capable of being taught b: apt
          and willing to learn 2: favorable to teaching -- teach.able.ness
          n -- teach.ably adv

   teacher
          [teach.er] n (14c) 1: one that teaches; esp: one whose occupation
          is to instruct 2: a Mormon ranking above a deacon in
          the Aaronic priesthood

   teacherly
          [teach.er.ly] adj (ca. 1683): resembling, characteristic
          of, or befitting a teacher

   teachers college
          [teachers college] n (ca. 1911): a college for the training
          of teachers usu. offering a full 4-year course and granting
          a bachelor's degree

   teacher's pet
          [teacher's pet] n (1914) 1: a pupil who has won his teacher's
          special favor 2: one who has ingratiated himself with
          an authority

   teach-in
          [teach-in] n (1965): an extended meeting usu. held on a college
          campus for lectures, debates, and discussions to raise
          awareness of or express a position on a social or political
          issue

   [1]teaching
          [teaching] n (13c) 1: the act, practice, or profession of
          a teacher 2: something taught; esp: doctrine <the ~s
          of Confucius> [2]teaching adj (1642): of, relating to,
          used for, or engaged in teaching <a ~ aid> <the ~ profession>
          <a ~ assistant>

   teaching hospital
          [teaching hospital] n (ca. 1951): a hospital that is affiliated
          with a medical school and provides means for medical
          education

   teacup
          [tea.cup] n (1700): a small cup usu. with a handle used with
          a saucer for hot beverages -- teacupful n

   tea dance
          [tea dance] n (1885): a dance held in the late afternoon

   tea garden
          [tea garden] n (1802) 1: a public garden where tea and light
          refreshments are served 2: a tea plantation

   tea gown
          [tea gown] n (1878): a semiformal gown of fine materials
          in graceful flowing lines worn esp. for afternoon entertaining
          at home

   teahouse
          [tea.house] n (1689): a public house or restaurant where
          tea and light refreshments are sold

   teak
          [teak] n [Pg teca, fr. Malayalam tekka] (1698) 1: a tall
          East Indian timber tree (Tectona grandis) of the vervain
          family 2: the hard yellowish brown wood of teak used
          esp. for furniture and shipbuilding

   teakettle
          [tea.ket.tle] n (1705): a covered kettle with a handle and
          spout for boiling water

   teakwood
          [teak.wood] n (1783): teak 2

   teal
          [teal] n, pl teal or teals [ME tele; akin to MD teling teal]
          (14c) 1: any of various widely distributed small short-necked
          dabblers (genus Anas)--compare green-winged teal 2: teal
          blue

   teal blue
          [teal blue] n (1938): a dark greenish blue

   [1]team
          [team] n [ME teme, fr. OE team offspring, lineage, group
          of draft animals; akin to OHG zoum rein, OE teon to draw,
          pull--more at tow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: two or more draft
          animals harnessed to the same vehicle or implement; also:
          these with their harness and attached vehicle b: a draft
          animal often with harness and vehicle 2 obs: lineage,
          race 3: a group of animals: as a: a brood esp. of young
          pigs or ducks b: a matched group of animals for exhibition
          4: a number of persons associated together in work or
          activity: as a: a group on one side (as in football or
          a debate) b: crew, gang [2]team vt (1552) 1: to yoke
          or join in a team; also: to put together in a coordinated
          ensemble 2: to convey or haul with a team ~ vi 1: to
          drive a team or motortruck 2: to form a team or association:
          collaborate <~ed up to write a book> [3]team adj (1886):
          of or performed by a team <a ~ effort>; also: marked
          by devotion to teamwork rather than individual achievement
          <a ~ player>

   team foul
          [team foul] n (1966): one of a designated number of personal
          fouls the players on a basketball team may commit during
          a given period of play before the opposing team begins
          receiving bonus free throws

   team handball
          [team handball] n (1970): a game developed from soccer which
          is played between two teams of seven players each and
          in which the ball is thrown, caught, and dribbled with
          the hands

   teammate
          [team.mate] n (1915): a fellow member of a team

   teamster
          [team.ster] n (1777): one who drives a team or motortruck
          esp. as an occupation

   teamwork
          [team.work] n (ca. 1828): work done by several associates
          with each doing a part but all subordinating personal
          prominence to the efficiency of the whole

   tea party
          [tea party] n (1778) 1: an afternoon social gathering at
          which tea is served 2 [fr. the Boston Tea Party, name
          applied to the occasion in 1773 when a shipment of tea
          was thrown into Boston harbor in protest against the
          tax on imports]: an exciting disturbance or proceeding

   teapot
          [tea.pot] n (1705): a vessel with a spout and a handle in
          which tea is brewed and from which it is served

   teapoy
          [tea.poy] n [Hindi tipai] (1828) 1: a 3-legged ornamental
          stand 2 [influenced by tea]: a stand or table containing
          a tea chest or caddy and used for supporting a tea set;
          also: tea caddy

   [1]tear
          [tear] n [ME, fr. OE taehher, tear; akin to OHG zahar tear,
          Gk dakry] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a drop of clear saline fluid
          secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the
          eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their
          motion b pl: a secretion of profuse tears that overflow
          the eyelids and dampen the face 2: a transparent drop
          of fluid or hardened fluid matter (as resin) 3 pl: an
          act of weeping or grieving <broke into ~s> -- tear.less
          adj [2]tear vi (bef. 12c): to fill with tears: shed tears
          <eyes ~ing in the November wind --Saul Bellow> [3]tear
          vb tore ; torn ; tear.ing [ME teren, fr. OE teran; akin
          to OHG zeran to destroy, Gk derein to skin, Skt drnati
          he bursts, tears] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to separate parts
          of or pull apart by force: rend b: to wound by or as
          if by tearing: lacerate <~ the skin> 2: to divide or
          disrupt by the pull of contrary forces <a mind torn with
          doubts> 3 a: to remove by force: wrench--often used with
          off <~ a cover off a box> b: to remove as if by wrenching
          <~ your thoughts away from the scene> 4: to make or effect
          by or as if by tearing <~ a hole in the wall> ~ vi 1:
          to separate on being pulled: rend <this cloth ~s easily>
          2 a: to move or act with violence, haste, or force <went
          ~ing down the street> b: to smash or penetrate something
          with violent force <the bullet tore through his leg>
          -- tear.able adj -- tear.er n -- tear at : to cause anguish
          to: distress <her grief tore at his heart> -- tear into
          : to attack without restraint or caution -- tear it :
          to cause frustration, defeat, or an end to plans or hopes
          <that tears it> -- tear one's hair : to pull one's hair
          as an expression of grief, rage, frustration, desperation,
          or anxiety syn tear, rip, rend, split, cleave, rive mean
          to separate forcibly. tear implies pulling apart by force
          and leaving jagged edges <tear up the letter>. rip implies
          a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often
          along a line or joint <ripped the shirt on a nail>. rend
          implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering
          <an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes>. split implies
          a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight,
          and usu. lengthwise direction or in the direction of
          grain or layers <split logs for firewood>. cleave implies
          very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow <a bolt
          of lightning cleaved the giant oak>. rive occurs most
          often in figurative use <a political party riven by conflict>.
          [4]tear n (1611) 1 a: damage from being torn; esp: a
          hole or flaw made by tearing b: the act of tearing 2
          a: a tearing pace: hurry b: spree <go on a ~> c: a run
          of unusual success <the team was on a ~>

   tear away
          [tear away] vt (ca. 1699): to remove (as oneself) reluctantly

   tearaway
          [tear.away] n (1950) Brit: a rebellious and unruly or reckless
          young person

   teardown
          [tear.down] n (1926): the act or process of disassembling

   tear down
          [tear down] vt (1614) 1 a: to cause to decompose or disintegrate
          b: vilify, denigrate 2: to take apart: disassemble

   teardrop
          [tear.drop] n (1789) 1: [1]tear 1a 2: something shaped like
          a dropping tear; specif: a pendent gem (as on an earring)

   tearful
          [tear.ful] adj (ca. 1586) 1: flowing with or accompanied
          by tears <~ entreaties> 2: causing tears: teary -- tear.ful.ly
          adv -- tear.ful.ness n

   teargas
          [tear.gas] vt (1946): to use tear gas on

   tear gas
          [tear gas] n (1917): a solid, liquid, or gaseous substance
          that on dispersion in the atmosphere blinds the eyes
          with tears and is used chiefly in dispelling mobs

   tearing
          [tear.ing] adj (1606) 1: causing continued or repeated pain
          or distress 2: hasty, violent 3 chiefly Brit: splendid

   tearjerker
          [tear.jerk.er] n (1921): an extravagantly pathetic story,
          song, play, film, or broadcast -- tear-jerk.ing adj

   tearoom
          [tea.room] n (1778): a small restaurant or cafe with service
          and decor designed primarily for a female clientele

   tea rose
          [tea rose] n (1850): a garden bush rose (Rosa odorata) of
          Chinese origin that includes several cultivars and is
          valued esp. for its abundant large usu. tea-scented
          blossoms--compare hybrid tea rose

   tear sheet
          [tear sheet] n (ca. 1924): a sheet torn from a publication

   tearstain
          [tear.stain] n (1922): a spot or streak left by tears --
          tear.stained adj

   tear up
          [tear up] vt (1699): to damage, remove, or effect an opening
          in <tore up the street to lay a new water main>

   teary
          [teary] adj tear.i.er ; -est (14c) 1 a: wet or stained with
          tears: tearful b: consisting of tears or drops resembling
          tears 2: causing tears: pathetic <a ~ story>

   [1]tease
          [tease] vt teased ; teas.ing [ME tesen, fr. OE taesan; akin
          to OHG zeisan to tease] (bef. 12c) 1 a: to disentangle
          and lay parallel by combing or carding <~ wool> b: teasel
          2: to tear in pieces; esp: to shred (a tissue or specimen)
          for microscopic examination 3 a: to disturb or annoy
          by persistent irritating or provoking esp. in a petty
          or mischievous way b: to annoy with petty persistent
          requests: pester; also: to obtain by repeated coaxing
          c: to persuade to acquiesce esp. by persistent small
          efforts: coax d: to manipulate or influence as if by
          teasing 4: to comb (hair) by taking hold of a strand
          and pushing the short hairs toward the scalp with the
          comb 5: to tantalize esp. by arousing desire or curiosity
          without intending to satisfy it syn see worry -- teas.ing.ly
          adv [2]tease n (1693) 1: the act of teasing: the state
          of being teased 2: one that teases

   [1]teasel
          [tea.sel] n [ME tesel, fr. OE taesel; akin to OE taesan to
          tease] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an Old World prickly herb (Dipsacus
          fullonum of the family Dipsacaceae, the teasel family)
          with flower heads that are covered with stiff hooked
          bracts and are used in the woolen industry--called also
          fuller's teasel b: a plant of the same genus as the teasel
          2 a: a flower head of the fuller's teasel used when dried
          to raise a nap on woolen cloth b: a wire substitute for
          the teasel [2]teasel vt tea.seled or tea.selled ; tea.sel.ing
          or tea.sel.ling (1543): to nap (cloth) with teasels

   tease out
          [tease out] vt (1828): to obtain by or as if by disentangling
          or freeing with a pointed instrument

   teaser
          [teas.er] n (1659) 1: one that teases 2: an advertising or
          promotional device intended to arouse interest or curiosity
          esp. in something to follow

   tea service
          [tea service] n (ca. 1858): tea set

   tea set
          [tea set] n (1849): a matching set of metalware or china
          (as a teapot, sugar bowl, creamer, and often plates,
          cups, and saucers) for serving tea and sometimes coffee
          at table

   tea shop
          [tea shop] n (1856) chiefly Brit: a small restaurant or cafe
          : tearoom

   teaspoon
          [tea.spoon] n (1686) 1: a small spoon that is used esp. for
          eating soft foods and stirring beverages and that holds
          one third of a tablespoon 2: a unit of measure esp. in
          cookery equal to 1/6 fluid ounces or 1/3 tablespoon (5
          milliliters)

   teaspoonful
          [tea.spoon.ful] n, pl teaspoonfuls also tea.spoons.ful (1731)
          1: as much as a teaspoon can hold 2: teaspoon 2

   teat
          [teat] n [ME tete, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OE tit
          teat, MHG zitze] (13c) 1: the protuberance through which
          milk is drawn from an udder or breast: nipple 2: a small
          projection or a nib (as on a mechanical part) -- teat.ed
          adj

   tea table
          [tea table] n (1688): a table used or spread for tea; specif:
          a small table for serving afternoon tea

   teatime
          [tea.time] n (1756): the customary time for tea: late afternoon
          or early evening

   tea towel
          [tea towel] n (1871): a cloth for drying dishes

   tea tray
          [tea tray] n (1773): a tray that accommodates a tea set

   tea wagon
          [tea wagon] n (1921): a small table on wheels used in serving
          tea

   Tebet
          [Te.bet] n [Heb Tebheth] (14c): the 4th month of the civil
          year or the 10th month of the ecclesiastical year in
          the Jewish calendar

   tec
          [tec] abbreviation technical, technician

   tech
          [tech] abbreviation technical, technically, technician,
          technological, technology

   teched
          [teched] adj [alter. of touched] (1921): mentally unbalanced

   techie
          [tech.ie] n [by shortening & alter.] (1982): technician 1

   technetium
          [tech.ne.tium] n [NL, fr. Gk technetos artificial, fr. technasthai
          to devise by art, fr. techne] (ca. 1946): a metallic element
          obtained by bombarding molybdenum with deuterons or neutrons and
          in the fission of uranium

   technetronic
          [tech.ne.tron.ic] adj [technological + electronic] (1967):
          shaped or influenced by the changes wrought by advances
          in technology and communications <our modern ~ society>

   technic
          [tech.nic] n (1855) 1: technique 1 2 pl but sing or pl in
          constr: technology 1a

   technical
          [tech.ni.cal] adj [Gk technikos of art, skillful, fr. techne
          art, craft, skill; akin to Gk tekton builder, carpenter,
          L texere to weave, Skt taksati he fashions] (1617) 1
          a: having special and usu. practical knowledge esp. of
          a mechanical or scientific subject <a ~ consultant> b:
          marked by or characteristic of specialization <~ language>
          2 a: of or relating to a particular subject b: of or
          relating to a practical subject organized on scientific
          principles <a ~ school> c: technological 1 3 a: based
          on or marked by a strict or legal interpretation b: legal
          6 4: of or relating to technique 5: of, relating to,
          or produced by ordinary commercial processes without
          being subjected to special purification <~ sulfuric acid>
          6: relating to or caused by the functioning of the market
          as a discrete mechanism not influenced by macroeconomic
          factors <~ rally> <~ analysis> -- tech.ni.cal.ly adv

   technical foul
          [technical foul] n (ca. 1929): a foul (as in basketball)
          that involves no physical contact with an opponent and
          that usu. is incurred by unsportsmanlike conduct--called
          also technical--compare personal foul

   technicality
          [tech.ni.cal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1814) 1: something technical;
          esp: a detail meaningful only to a specialist <a legal
          ~> 2: the quality or state of being technical

   technicalize
          [tech.ni.cal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1852): to give a technical
          slant to -- tech.ni.cal.i.za.tion n

   technical knockout
          [technical knockout] n (1921): the termination of a boxing
          match when a boxer is unable or is declared by the referee
          to be unable (as because of injuries) to continue the
          fight

   technical sergeant
          [technical sergeant] n (ca. 1956): a noncommissioned officer
          in the air force ranking above a staff sergeant and below
          a master sergeant

   technician
          [tech.ni.cian] n (1833) 1: a specialist in the technical
          details of a subject or occupation <a computer ~> 2:
          one who has acquired the technique of an art or other
          area of specialization <a superb ~ and a musician of
          integrity --Irving Kolodin>

   Technicolor
          [Tech.ni.col.or] trademark--used for a process of color
          cinematography

   technique
          [tech.nique] n [F, fr. technique technical, fr. Gk technikos]
          (1817) 1: the manner in which technical details are treated
          (as by a writer) or basic physical movements are used
          (as by a dancer); also: ability to treat such details
          or use such movements <good piano ~> 2 a: a body of technical
          methods (as in a craft or in scientific research) b:
          a method of accomplishing a desired aim

   techno-
          [techno-] comb form [technology]: technical: technological
          <technocracy>

   technobabble
          [tech.no.bab.ble] n (1981): technical jargon

   technocracy
          [tech.noc.ra.cy] n (ca. 1919): government by technicians;
          specif: management of society by technical experts

   technocrat
          [tech.no.crat] n (1932) 1: an adherent of technocracy 2:
          a technical expert; esp: one exercising managerial authority

   technocratic
          [tech.no.crat.ic] adj (1932): of, relating to, or suggestive
          of a technocrat or a technocracy

   technol
          [technol] abbreviation technological, technology

   technological
          [tech.no.log.i.cal] also tech.no.log.ic adj (1800) 1: of,
          relating to, or characterized by technology <~ advances>
          2: resulting from improvements in technical processes
          that increase productivity of machines and eliminates
          manual operations or operations done by older machines
          <~ unemployment> -- tech.no.log.i.cal.ly adv

   technologize
          [tech.nol.o.gize] vt -gized ; -giz.ing (1954): to affect
          or alter by technology

   technology
          [tech.nol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [Gk technologia systematic treatment
          of an art, fr. techne art, skill + -o- + -logia -logy]
          (1859) 1 a: the practical application of knowledge esp.
          in a particular area: engineering 2 <medical ~> <semiconductor
          ~> b: a capability given by the practical application
          of knowledge <an automobile's fuel-saving ~> 2: a manner
          of accomplishing a task esp. using technical processes,
          methods, or knowledge <new technologies for information
          storage> 3: the specialized aspects of a particular field
          of endeavor <educational ~> -- tech.nol.o.gist n

   technophile
          [tech.no.phile] n (1968): an enthusiast of technology

   technophobia
          [tech.no.pho.bia] n (1965): fear or dislike of advanced technology
          or complex devices and esp. computers -- tech.no.phobe
          n -- tech.no.pho.bic adj

   techno-pop
          [tech.no-pop] n (1980): pop music featuring extensive use
          of synthesizers

   technostructure
          [tech.no.struc.ture] n (1967): the network of professionally
          skilled managers (as scientists, engineers, and administrators)
          that tends to control the economy both within and beyond
          individual corporate groups

   techy
          [techy] var of tetchy

   tectonic
          [tec.ton.ic] adj [LL tectonicus, fr. Gk tektonikos of a builder,
          fr. tekton builder--more at technical] (1894): of or
          relating to tectonics -- tec.ton.i.cal.ly adv

   tectonics
          [tec.ton.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1899) 1: geological
          structural features as a whole 2 a: a branch of geology
          concerned with the structure of the crust of a planet
          (as earth) or moon and esp. with the formation of folds
          and faults in it b: diastrophism

   tectonism
          [tec.to.nism] n [ISV] (1948): diastrophism

   tectum
          [tec.tum] n, pl tec.ta [NL, fr. L, roof, dwelling, fr. neut.
          of tectus, pp. of tegere to cover--more at thatch] (ca.
          1905): a bodily structure resembling or serving as a
          roof; esp: the dorsal part of the midbrain -- tec.tal
          adj

   ted
          [ted] vt ted.ded ; ted.ding [(assumed) ME tedden, prob. fr.
          ON tethja to manure; akin to ON tath spread dung, OHG
          zetten to spread] (15c): to spread or turn from the swath
          and scatter (as new-mown grass) for drying

   tedder
          [ted.der] n (15c): one that teds; specif: a machine for stirring
          and spreading hay to hasten drying and curing

   teddy
          [ted.dy] n, pl teddies [origin unknown] (1924): chemise 1

   teddy bear
          [ted.dy bear] n [Teddy, nickname of Theodore Roosevelt fr.
          a cartoon depicting the president sparing the life of
          a bear cub while hunting] (1906): a stuffed toy bear

   teddy boy
          [teddy boy] n [Teddy, nickname for Edward] (1954): a young
          British hoodlum affecting Edwardian dress

   Te Deum
          [Te De.um] n, pl Te Deums [ME, fr. LL te deum laudamus thee,
          God, we praise; fr. the opening words of the hymn] (bef.
          12c): a liturgical Christian hymn of praise to God

   tedious
          [te.dious] adj [ME, fr. LL taediosus, fr. L taedium] (15c):
          tiresome because of length or dullness: boring <a ~ public
          ceremony> -- te.dious.ly adv -- te.dious.ness n

   tedium
          [te.di.um] n [L taedium disgust, irksomeness, fr. taedere
          to disgust, weary] (1662) 1: the quality or state of
          being tedious: tediousness; also: boredom 2: a tedious
          period of time <long ~s of strained anxiety --H. G. Wells>

   [1]tee
          [tee] n [ME] (15c) 1: the letter t 2: something shaped like
          a capital T 3: a mark aimed at in various games (as curling)
          -- to a tee : exactly, precisely [2]tee n [origin unknown]
          (1673) 1 a: a small mound or a peg on which a golf ball
          is placed before being struck at the beginning of play
          on a hole b: a device for holding a football in position
          for kicking 2: the area from which a golf ball is struck
          at the beginning of play on a hole [3]tee vt teed ; tee.ing
          (1673): to place (a ball) on a tee--often used with up

   teed off
          [teed off] adj [prob. fr. tee off (on)] (1951): angry, annoyed

   [1]teem
          [teem] vb [ME temen, fr. OE timan, taeman; akin to OE team
          offspring--more at team] vt (bef. 12c) archaic: bring
          forth: give birth to: produce ~ vi 1 obs: to become pregnant:
          conceive 2 a: to become filled to overflowing: abound
          <lakes ~ with fish> b: to be present in large quantity
          -- teem.ing.ly adv -- teem.ing.ness n [2]teem vt [ME
          temen, fr. ON toema; akin to OE tom empty] (14c): empty,
          pour <~ molten metal into a mold>

   [1]teen
          [teen] n [ME tene, fr. OE teona injury, grief; akin to ON
          tjon loss, damage] (14c) archaic: misery, affliction
          [2]teen n (1818): teenager -- teen adj

   teenage
          [teen.age] or teen.aged adj (1921): of, being, or relating
          to people in their teens -- teen.ag.er n

   teener
          [teen.er] n (1894): a teenage person

   teens
          [teens] n pl [-teen (as in thirteen)] (1604): the numbers
          13 to 19 inclusive; specif: the years 13 to 19 in a lifetime
          or century

   teensy
          [teen.sy] adj teen.si.er ; -est [baby-talk alter. of teeny]
          (1899): tiny

   teensy-weensy
          [teen.sy-ween.sy] adj [baby-talk alter. of teeny-weeny] (ca.
          1906): tiny

   teeny
          [tee.ny] adj tee.ni.er ; -est [by alter.] (1825): tiny

   teenybop
          [teeny.bop] adj [back-formation fr. teenybopper] (1967):
          of, relating to, or being a teenybopper

   teenybopper
          [teeny.bop.per] n [teeny teenager + -bopper, perh. fr. [4]bop]
          (1966) 1: a teenage girl 2: a young teenager who
          is enthusiastically devoted to pop music and to current fads

   teeny-weeny
          [tee.ny-wee.ny] adj [teeny + weeny] (ca. 1879): tiny

   tee off
          [tee off] vi (1895) 1: to drive from a tee 2: begin, start
          3: to hit hard 4: to make an angry denunciation--often
          used with on

   teepee
          [tee.pee] var of tepee

   tee shirt
          [tee shirt] var of t-shirt

   [1]teeter
          [tee.ter] vi [ME titeren to totter, reel; akin to OHG zittaron
          to shiver] (1844) 1 a: to move unsteadily: wobble b:
          waver, vacillate <a passive type who ~s between conformity
          and revolt --R. N. Denney> 2: seesaw [2]teeter n (1863):
          seesaw 2b

   teeterboard
          [tee.ter.board] n (1855) 1: seesaw 2b 2: a board placed on
          a raised support so that a person standing on one end
          of the board is thrown into the air if another jumps
          on the opposite end

   teeter-totter
          [tee.ter-tot.ter] n (ca. 1905): seesaw 2b

   teeth
          [teeth] pl of tooth

   teethe
          [teethe] vi teethed ; teeth.ing [back-formation fr. teething]
          (15c): to cut one's teeth: grow teeth

   teether
          [teeth.er] n (1946): an object (as a teething ring) designed
          for a baby to bite on during teething

   teething
          [teeth.ing] n [teeth] (1732) 1: the first growth of teeth
          2: the phenomena accompanying growth of teeth through
          the gums

   teething ring
          [teething ring] n (1872): a usu. rubber or plastic ring for
          a teething infant to bite on

   teethridge
          [teeth.ridge] n (1928): the inner surface of the gums of
          the upper front teeth

   teetotal
          [tee.to.tal] adj [total + total (abstinence)] (1834) 1: of,
          relating to, or practicing teetotalism 2: total, complete
          -- tee.to.tal.ly adv

   teetotaler
          [tee.to.tal.er] or tee.to.tal.ler n (1834): one who practices
          or advocates teetotalism

   teetotalism
          [tee.to.tal.ism] n (1834): the principle or practice of complete
          abstinence from alcoholic drinks -- tee.to.tal.ist n

   teetotum
          [tee.to.tum] n [[1]tee + L totum all, fr. neut. of totus
          whole; fr. the letter T inscribed on one side as an abbr.
          of totum (take) all] (1720): a small top usu. inscribed
          with letters and used in put-and-take

   teff
          [teff] n [Amharic tef] (1790): an economically important
          African cereal grass (Eragrostis tef syn. E. abyssinica)
          that is grown for its grain which yields a white flour
          and as a forage and hay crop

   tefillin
          [te.fil.lin] n pl but sometimes sing in constr [LHeb tephilin,
          fr. Aram, attachments] (1613): the phylacteries worn
          by Jews

   TEFL
          [TEFL] abbreviation teaching English as a foreign language

   Teflon
          [Tef.lon] trademark--used for synthetic fluorine-containing
          resins used esp. for molding articles and for coatings
          to prevent sticking (as of food in cookware)

   tegmen
          [teg.men] n, pl teg.mi.na [NL tegmin-, tegmen, fr. L, covering,
          fr. tegere to cover--more at thatch] (1807): a superficial
          layer or cover usu. of a plant or animal part

   tegmental
          [teg.men.tal] adj (ca. 1890): of, relating to, or associated
          with an integument or a tegmentum

   tegmentum
          [teg.men.tum] n, pl -men.ta [NL, fr. L tegumentum, tegmentum,
          covering, fr. tegere] (1832): an anatomical covering:
          tegmen; esp: the part of the ventral midbrain above the
          substantia nigra formed of longitudinal white fibers
          with arched transverse fibers and gray matter

   tegument
          [teg.u.ment] n [ME, fr. L tegumentum] (15c): integument

   teiid
          [te.iid] n [NL Teiidae, fr. Teius, genus of lizards, fr.
          Pg teiu, a lizard, fr. Tupi teju] (1956): any of a family
          (Teiidae) of mostly tropical American lizards (as the
          race runner) with a flat elongate scaly forked tongue
          -- teiid adj

   tektite
          [tek.tite] n [ISV, fr. Gk tektos molten, fr. tekein to melt--more
          at thaw] (1909): a glassy body of probably meteoritic
          origin and of rounded but indefinite shape -- tek.tit.ic
          adj

   tel-
          [tel-] or telo- comb form [ISV, fr. Gk telos--more at telos]:
          end <telangiectasia>

   tel
          [tel] abbreviation telegram, telegraph, telephone

   telamon
          [tel.a.mon] n, pl tel.a.mo.nes [L, fr. Gk telamon bearer,
          supporter; akin to Gk tlenai to bear--more at tolerate]
          (ca. 1706): atlas 5

   telangiectasia
          [tel.an.gi.ec.ta.sia] or tel.an.gi.ec.ta.sis n, pl -ta.sias
          or -ta.ses [NL, fr. tel- + angi- + ectasia, ectasis (as
          in atelectasis)] (1831): an abnormal dilatation of capillary
          vessels and arterioles that often forms an angioma --
          tel.an.gi.ec.tat.ic adj

   tele-
          [tele-] or tel- comb form [NL, fr. Gk tele-, tel-, fr. tele
          far off--more at pale-] 1: distant: at a distance: over
          a distance <telegram> 2 a: telegraph <teletypewriter>
          b: television <telecast> c: telecommunication <telemarketing>

   tele
          [tele] n (1936) Brit: television

   telecast
          [tele.cast] vb -cast also -cast.ed ; -cast.ing [tele- + broadcast]
          vt (1937): to broadcast by television ~ vi: to broadcast
          a television program -- telecast n -- tele.cast.er n

   telecommunication
          [tele.com.mu.ni.ca.tion] n [ISV] (1932) 1: communication
          at a distance (as by telephone) 2: a science that deals
          with telecommunication--usu. used in pl.

   telecommute
          [tele.com.mute] vi (1974): to work at home by the use of
          an electronic linkup with a central office -- tele.com.mut.er
          n

   teleconferencing
          [tele.con.fer.enc.ing] n (1974): the holding of a conference
          among people remote from one another by means of telecommunication
          devices (as telephones or computer terminals) -- tele.con.fer.ence
          n

   Telecopier
          [Tele.copi.er] trademark--used for transmitting and receiving
          equipment for producing facsimile copies of documents

   telecourse
          [tele.course] n (1950): a course of study conducted over
          television; esp: such a course taken at home for academic
          credit

   telefacsimile
          [tele.fac.sim.i.le] n (1952): facsimile 2

   telefilm
          [tele.film] n (1939): a motion picture made to be telecast

   teleg
          [teleg] abbreviation telegraphy

   telegenic
          [tele.ge.nic] adj (1939): well-suited to the medium of television;
          esp: having an appearance and manner that are markedly attractive
          to television viewers

   [1]telegram
          [tele.gram] n (ca. 1852): a telegraphic dispatch [2]tele.gram
          vt -grammed ; -gram.ming (1864): telegraph

   [1]telegraph
          [tele.graph] n [F telegraphe, fr. tele- tele- (fr. Gk tele-)
          + -graphe -graph] (1794) 1: an apparatus for communication
          at a distance by coded signals; esp: an apparatus, system,
          or process for communication at a distance by electric
          transmission over wire 2: telegram [2]telegraph vt (1805)
          1 a: to send or communicate by or as if by telegraph
          b: to send a telegram to c: to send by means of a telegraphic
          order <~ flowers to a sick friend> 2: to make known by
          signs esp. unknowingly and in advance <~ a punch> --
          te.leg.ra.pher n -- te.leg.ra.phist n

   telegraphese
          [tele.graph.ese] n (1885): language characterized by the
          terseness and ellipses that are common in telegrams

   telegraphic
          [tele.graph.ic] adj (1794) 1: of or relating to the telegraph
          2: concise, terse <with ~ economy of words --F. S. Mitchell>
          -- tele.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   telegraphy
          [te.leg.ra.phy] n (1795): the use or operation of a telegraph
          apparatus or system for communication

   telekinesis
          [tele.ki.ne.sis] n [NL] (1890): the production of motion
          in objects (as by a spiritualistic medium) without contact
          or other physical means -- tele.ki.net.ic adj --
          tele.ki.net.i.cal.ly adv

   Telemachus
          [Te.lem.a.chus] n [L, fr. Gk Telemachos]: the son of Odysseus
          and Penelope who contrives with his father to slay his
          mother's suitors

   telemark
          [tel.e.mark] n, often cap [Norw, fr. Telemark, region in
          Norway] (1904): a turn in skiing in which the outside
          ski is advanced considerably ahead of the other ski and
          then turned inward at a steadily widening angle until
          the turn is completed

   telemarketing
          [tele.mar.ket.ing] n (1980): the marketing of goods or services
          by telephone -- tele.mar.ket.er n

   [1]telemeter
          [tele.me.ter] n [ISV] (1860) 1: an instrument for measuring
          the distance of an object from an observer 2: an electrical
          apparatus for measuring a quantity (as pressure, speed,
          or temperature), transmitting the result esp. by radio
          to a distant station, and there indicating or recording
          the quantity measured [2]telemeter vt (1925): to transmit
          (as the measurement of a quantity) by telemeter ~ vi:
          to telemeter the measurement of a quantity

   telemetry
          [te.lem.e.try] n (1885) 1: the science or process of telemetering
          data 2: data transmitted by telemetry 3: biotelemetry
          -- tele.met.ric adj -- tele.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   telencephalon
          [tel.en.ceph.a.lon] n [NL] (1897): the anterior subdivision
          of the embryonic forebrain or the corresponding part
          of the adult forebrain that includes the cerebral hemispheres
          and associated structures -- tel.en.ce.phal.ic adj

   teleological
          [tel.e.o.log.i.cal] also tel.e.o.log.ic adj (1798): exhibiting
          or relating to design or purpose esp. in nature
          -- tel.e.o.log.i.cal.ly adv

   teleology
          [tel.e.ol.o.gy] n [NL teleologia, fr. Gk tele-, telos end,
          purpose + -logia -logy--more at wheel] (1740) 1 a: the
          study of evidences of design in nature b: a doctrine
          (as in vitalism) that ends are immanent in nature c:
          a doctrine explaining phenomena by final causes 2: the
          fact or character attributed to nature or natural processes
          of being directed toward an end or shaped by a purpose
          3: the use of design or purpose as an explanation of
          natural phenomena -- tel.e.ol.o.gist n

   teleonomy
          [tel.e.on.o.my] n [teleo- (as in teleology) + -nomy] (1958):
          the quality of apparent purposefulness in living organisms
          that derives from their evolutionary adaptation -- tel.e.o.nom.ic
          adj

   teleost
          [tel.e.ost] n [ultim. fr. Gk teleios complete, perfect (fr.
          telos end) + osteon bone--more at osseous] (1862): bony
          fish -- teleost adj -- tel.e.os.te.an adj

   telepath
          [tele.path] n (1904): one who is able to communicate by telepathy

   telepathy
          [te.lep.a.thy] n (1882): communication from one mind to another
          by extrasensory means -- tele.path.ic adj -- tele.path.i.cal.ly
          adv

   [1]telephone
          [tele.phone] n, often attrib (1849): an instrument for reproducing
          sounds at a distance; specif: one in which sound is converted into
          electrical impulses for transmission by wire [2]telephone
          vb -phoned ; -phon.ing vt (1877) 1: to speak to or attempt to reach
          by telephone 2: to send by telephone ~ vi: to communicate
          by telephone -- tele.phon.er n

   telephone book
          [telephone book] n (1915): a book listing the names, addresses,
          and telephone numbers of telephone customers

   telephone booth
          [telephone booth] n (ca. 1895): an enclosure within which
          one may stand or sit while making a telephone call

   telephone box
          [telephone box] n (1904) Brit: a public telephone booth

   telephone directory
          [telephone directory] n (1907): telephone book

   telephone number
          [telephone number] n (1885): a number assigned to a telephone
          line for a specific location that is used to call that
          location

   telephonic
          [tele.phon.ic] adj (1877): of, relating to, or conveyed by
          a telephone -- tele.phon.i.cal.ly adv

   telephonist
          [te.le.pho.nist] n (1880) Brit: a telephone switchboard operator

   telephony
          [te.le.pho.ny] n (1835): the use or operation of an apparatus
          for transmission of sounds between widely removed points
          with or without connecting wires

   [1]telephoto
          [tele.pho.to] adj (ca. 1895): being a camera lens system
          designed to give a large image of a distant object; also:
          relating to or being photography in which a telephoto
          lens is used [2]telephoto n, pl -tos (1904) 1: a telephoto
          lens 2: a photograph taken with a camera having a telephoto
          lens Telephoto trademark--used for an apparatus for transmitting
          photographs electrically or for a photograph so transmitted

   telephotography
          [tele.pho.tog.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1892): the photography of
          distant objects (as by a camera provided with a telephoto
          lens)

   teleplay
          [tele.play] n (1952): a play written for television

   teleport
          [tele.port] vt [back-formation fr. teleportation] (1947):
          to transfer by teleportation

   teleportation
          [tele.por.ta.tion] n [tele- + transportation] (1931): the
          act or process of moving an object or person by psychokinesis

   teleprinter
          [tele.print.er] n (1929): a device capable of producing hard
          copy from signals received over a communications circuit;
          esp: teletypewriter

   teleprocessing
          [tele.pro.cess.ing] n (1962): computer processing via remote
          terminals

   TelePrompTer
          [Tele.Promp.Ter] trademark--used for a device for unrolling
          a magnified script in front of a speaker on television

   [1]telescope
          [tele.scope] n, often attrib [NL telescopium, fr. Gk teleskopos
          farseeing, fr. tele- tele- + skopos watcher; akin to
          Gk skopein to look--more at spy] (1648) 1: a usu. tubular
          optical instrument for viewing distant objects by means
          of the refraction of light rays through a lens or the
          reflection of light rays by a concave mirror--compare
          reflector, refractor 2: any of various tubular magnifying
          optical instruments 3: radio telescope [2]telescope vb
          -scoped ; -scop.ing vi (1867) 1: to become forced together
          lengthwise with one part entering another as the result
          of collision 2: to slide or pass one within another like
          the cylindrical sections of a collapsible hand telescope
          3: to become compressed or condensed ~ vt 1: to cause
          to telesco pe 2: compress, condense <the book arbitrarily
          ~s time and space, and as arbitrarily extends them --Phoebe
          Adams>

   telescopic
          [tele.scop.ic] adj (1705) 1 a: of, relating to, or performed
          with a telescope b: suitable for seeing or magnifying
          distant objects 2: seen or discoverable only by a telescope
          <~ stars> 3: able to discern objects at a distance 4:
          having parts that telescope -- tele.scop.i.cal.ly adv

   telesis
          [tel.e.sis] n, pl -e.ses [NL, fr. Gk, fulfillment, fr. telein
          to complete, fr. telos end--more at telos] (1896): progress
          that is intelligently planned and directed: the attainment
          of desired ends by the application of intelligent human
          effort to the means

   teletext
          [tele.text] n (1974): a system for broadcasting text over
          an unused portion of a television signal and displaying
          it on a decoder-equipped television set--compare videotex

   telethon
          [tele.thon] n [tele- + -thon] (1949): a long television program
          usu. to solicit funds esp. for a charity

   Teletype
          [Tele.type] trademark--used for a teletypewriter

   Teletypesetter
          [Tele.type.set.ter] trademark--used for a telegraphic apparatus
          for the automatic operation of a keyboard typesetting
          machine

   teletypewriter
          [tele.type.writ.er] n (1903): a printing device resembling
          a typewriter that is used to send and receive telephonic
          signals

   teleutospore
          [te.leu.to.spore] n [Gk teleute end (akin to Gk telos end)
          + ISV spore--more at telos] (1874): teliospore

   televangelist
          [tel.evan.ge.list] n (1973): an evangelist who conducts regularly
          televised religious programs -- tel.evan.ge.lism n

   teleview
          [tele.view] vi (1935): to observe or watch by means of a
          television receiver -- tele.view.er n

   televise
          [tele.vise] vb -vised ; -vis.ing [back-formation fr. television]
          vt (1927): to broadcast (as a baseball game) by television
          ~ vi: to broadcast by television

   television
          [tele.vi.sion] n, often attrib [F television, fr. tele- tele-
          + vision vision] (1907) 1: an electronic system of transmitting
          transient images of fixed or moving objects together
          with sound over a wire or through space by apparatus
          that converts light and sound into electrical waves and
          reconverts them into visible light rays and audible sound
          2: a television receiving set 3 a: the television broadcasting
          industry b: television as a medium of communication

   television tube
          [television tube] n (1937): picture tube

   televisual
          [tele.vi.su.al] adj (1926) chiefly Brit: of, relating to,
          or suitable for broadcast by television

   [1]telex
          [tel.ex] n [teleprinter + exchange] (1932) 1: a communication
          service involving teletypewriters connected by wire through
          automatic exchanges; also: a teletypewriter used in telex
          2: a message sent by telex [2]telex vt (1960) 1: to send
          (as a message) by telex 2: to communicate with by telex

   telic
          [te.lic] adj [Gk telikos, fr. telos end--more at telos] (1889):
          tending toward an end -- te.li.cal.ly adv

   teliospore
          [te.lio.spore] n [Gk teleios complete (fr. telos end) + E
          spore] (1905): a chlamydospore that is the final stage
          in the life cycle of a rust fungus and that after nuclear
          fusion gives rise to the basidium

   telium
          [te.li.um] n, pl te.lia [NL, fr. Gk teleios complete] (ca.
          1905): a teliospore-producing sorus or pustule on the
          host plant of a rust fungus -- te.li.al adj

   [1]tell
          [tell] vb told ; tell.ing [ME, fr. OE tellan; akin to OHG
          zellen to count, tell, OE talu tale] vt (bef. 12c) 1:
          count, enumerate 2 a: to relate in detail: narrate b:
          to give utterance to: say <who dares think one thing,
          and another ~ --Alexander Pope> 3 a: to make known: divulge,
          reveal b: to express in words <she never told her love
          --Shak.> 4 a: to report to: inform b: to assure emphatically
          <they did not do it, I ~ you> 5: order, direct <told
          me to wait> 6: to find out by observing: recognize <you
          can ~ it's a masterpiece> ~ vi 1: to give an account
          2: to act as an informer--often used with on <I'll get
          even with you if you ever ~ on me --Inside Detective>
          3: to have a marked effect 4: to serve as evidence or
          indication syn see reveal [2]tell n [Ar tall] (1864):
          hill, mound; specif: an ancient mound in the Middle East
          composed of remains of successive settlements

   tell-all
          [tell-all] n (1954): a written account (as a biography) that
          contains revealing and often scandalous information --
          tell-all adj

   teller
          [tell.er] n (14c) 1: one that relates or communicates <a
          ~ of stories> 2: one that reckons or counts: as a: one
          appointed to count votes b: a member of a bank's staff
          concerned with the direct handling of money received
          or paid out

   telling
          [tell.ing] adj (1851): carrying great weight and producing
          a marked effect: effective, expressive <the most ~ evidence>
          syn see valid -- tell.ing.ly adv

   tell off
          [tell off] vt (1804) 1: to number and set apart; esp: to
          assign to a special duty <told off a detail and put them
          to opening a trench --J. F. Dobie> 2: reprimand, excoriate
          <told him off for his arrogance>

   telltale
          [tell.tale] n (ca. 1548) 1 a: talebearer, informer b: an
          outward sign: indication 2: a device for indicating or
          recording something: as a: a wind-direction indicator
          often in the form of a ribbon b: a strip of metal on
          the front wall of a racquets or squash court above which
          the ball must be hit -- telltale adj

   tellur-
          [tellur-] or telluro- comb form [L tellur-, tellus--more
          at thill] 1: earth <telluric> 2 [NL tellurium]: tellurium
          <telluride>

   telluric
          [tel.lu.ric] adj (1836) 1: of or relating to the earth: terrestrial
          2: being or relating to a usu. natural electric current flowing
          near the earth's surface

   telluride
          [tel.lu.ride] n [ISV] (1849): a binary compound of tellurium
          with a more electropositive element or group

   tellurium
          [tel.lu.ri.um] n [NL, fr. L tellur-, tellus earth] (1800):
          a semimetallic element related to selenium and sulfur
          that occurs in a silvery white brittle crystalline form
          of metallic luster, in a dark amorphous form, or combined
          with metals and that is used esp. in alloys

   tellurometer
          [tel.lu.rom.e.ter] n (1957): a device that measures distance
          by means of microwaves

   telly
          [tel.ly] n, pl tellys also tellies [by shortening & alter.]
          (1939) chiefly Brit: television

   telo-
          [telo-] --see tel-

   telocentric
          [telo.cen.tric] adj [ISV tel- + centromere + -ic] (1939):
          having the centromere terminally situated so that there
          is only one chromosomal arm <a ~ chromosome> -- telocentric
          n

   telome
          [te.lome] n [ISV tel- + -ome] (1935): a hypothetical plant
          structure in a theory of the evolution of leaves and
          sporophylls in vascular plants that consists of one of
          the vegetative or reproductive terminal branchlets of
          a dichotomously branched axis

   telomere
          [telo.mere] n [ISV] (1940): the natural end of a eukaryotic
          chromosome

   telophase
          [telo.phase] n [ISV] (1895) 1: the final stage of mitosis
          and of the second division of meiosis in which the spindle
          disappears and the nuclear envelope reforms around each
          set of chromosomes 2: the final stage in the first division
          of meiosis that may be missing in some organisms and
          is characterized by the gathering at opposite poles of
          the cell of half the original number of chromosomes including
          one from each homologous pair

   telos
          [te.los] n [Gk; prob. akin to Gk tellein to accomplish, tlenai
          to bear--more at tolerate] (1904): an ultimate end

   telotaxis
          [telo.tax.is] n [NL] (1934): a taxis in which an organism
          orients itself in respect to a stimulus (as a light source)
          as though that were the only stimulus acting on it

   telson
          [tel.son] n [NL, fr. Gk, end of a plowed field; perh. akin
          to Gk telos end] (1855): the terminal segment of the
          body of an arthropod or segmented worm; esp: that of
          a crustacean forming the middle lobe of the tail

   Telugu
          [Tel.u.gu] n, pl Telugu or Telugus (1789) 1: a member of
          the largest group of people in Andhra Pradesh, India
          2: the Dravidian language of the Telugu people

   temblor
          [tem.blor] n [Sp, lit., trembling, fr. temblar to tremble,
          fr. ML tremulare--more at tremble] (1876): earthquake

   temerarious
          [tem.er.ar.i.ous] adj [L temerarius, fr. temere] (1532):
          marked by temerity: rashly or presumptuously daring --
          tem.er.ar.i.ous.ly adv -- tem.er.ar.i.ous.ness n

   temerity
          [te.mer.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME temeryte, fr. L temeritas,
          fr. temere blindly, recklessly; akin to OHG demar darkness,
          L tenebrae, Skt tamas] (15c) 1: unreasonable or foolhardy
          contempt of danger or opposition: rashness, recklessness
          2: an act or instance of temerity syn temerity, audacity,
          hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall, chutzpah mean
          conspicuous or flagrant boldness. temerity suggests boldness
          arising from rashness and contempt of danger <had the
          temerity to refuse>. audacity implies a disregard of
          restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence
          <an entrepreneur with audacity and vision>. hardihood
          suggests firmness in daring and defiance <admired for
          her hardihood>. effrontery implies shameless, insolent
          disregard of propriety or courtesy <outraged at his effrontery>.
          nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents
          for effrontery <the nerve of that guy> <has the cheek
          to call herself a singer> <had the gall to demand proof>
          <the chutzpah needed for a career in show business>.

   [1]temp
          [temp] n (1886) 1: temperature 2a, c 2: a temporary worker
          [2]temp vi (1973): to work as a temp

   temp
          [temp] abbreviation temperance, template, temporal, temporary,
          [L tempore] in the time of

   tempeh
          [tem.peh] n [Jav tempe] (1961): an Asian food prepared by
          fermenting soybeans with a rhizopus

   [1]temper
          [tem.per] vt tem.pered ; tem.per.ing [ME, fr. OE & OF; OE
          temprian & OF temprer, fr. L temperare to moderate, mix,
          temper; prob. akin to L tempor-, tempus time] (bef. 12c)
          1: to dilute, qualify, or soften by the addition or influence
          of something else: moderate <~ justice with mercy> 2
          archaic a: to exercise control over: govern, restrain
          b: to cause to be well disposed: mollify <~ed and reconciled
          them both --Richard Steele> 3: to bring to a suitable
          state by mixing in or adding a usu. liquid ingredient:
          as a: to mix (clay) with water or a modifier (as grog)
          and knead to a uniform texture b: to mix oil with (colors)
          in making paint ready for use 4 a (1): to soften (as
          hardened steel or cast iron) by reheating at a lower
          temperature (2): to harden (as steel) by reheating and
          cooling in oil b: to anneal or toughen (glass) by a process
          of gradually heating and cooling 5: to make stronger
          and more resilient through hardship: toughen <troops
          ~ed in battle> 6 a: to put in tune with something: attune
          b: to adjust the pitch of (a note, chord, or instrument)
          to a temperament -- tem.per.able adj -- tem.per.er n
          [2]temper n (14c) 1 a archaic: a suitable proportion
          or balance of qualities: a middle state between extremes:
          mean, medium <virtue is ... a just ~ between propensities
          --T. B. Macaulay> b archaic: character, quality <the
          ~ of the land you design to sow --John Mortimer> c: characteristic
          tone: trend, tendency <the ~ of the times> d: high quality of mind
          or spirit: courage, mettle 2 a: the state of a substance with
          respect to certain desired qualities (as hardness, elasticity,
          or workability); esp: the degree of hardness or resiliency given
          steel by tempering b: the feel and relative solidity of leather
          3 a: a characteristic cast of mind or state of feeling: disposition
          b: calmness of mind: composure, equanimity c: state of feeling
          or frame of mind at a particular time usu. dominated by a single
          strong emotion d: heat of mind or emotion: proneness to anger:
          passion 4: a substance (as a metal) added to or mixed with
          something else (as another metal) to modify the properties of the
          latter syn see disposition

   tempera
          [tem.pera] n [It tempera, lit., temper, fr. temperare to
          temper, fr. L] (1832) 1: a process of painting in which
          an albuminous or colloidal medium (as egg yolk) is employed
          as a vehicle instead of oil; also: a painting done in
          tempera 2: poster color

   temperament
          [tem.per.a.ment] n [ME, fr. L temperamentum, fr. temperare
          to mix, temper] (15c) 1 obs a: constitution of a substance,
          body, or organism with respect to the mixture or balance
          of its elements, qualities, or parts: makeup b: complexion
          1 2 obs a: climate b: temperature 2 3 a: the peculiar
          or distinguishing mental or physical character determined
          by the relative proportions of the humors according to
          medieval physiology b: characteristic or habitual inclination
          or mode of emotional response <a nervous ~> c: extremely
          high sensibility; esp: excessive sensitiveness or irritability
          4 a: the act or process of tempering or modifying: adjustment,
          compromise b: middle course: mean 5: the process of slightly
          modifying the musical intervals of the pure scale to
          produce a set of 12 equally spaced tones to the octave
          which enables a keyboard instrument to play in all keys
          syn see disposition

   temperamental
          [tem.per.a.men.tal] adj (1646) 1: of, relating to, or arising
          from temperament: constitutional <~ peculiarities> 2
          a: marked by excessive sensitivity and impulsive changes
          of mood <a ~ child> b: unpredictable in behavior or performance
          -- tem.per.a.men.tal.ly adv

   temperance
          [tem.per.ance] n [ME, fr. L temperantia, fr. temperant-,
          temperans, prp. of temperare to moderate, be moderate]
          (14c) 1: moderation in action, thought, or feeling: restraint
          2 a: habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites
          or passions b: moderation in or abstinence from the use
          of intoxicating drink

   temperate
          [tem.per.ate] adj [ME temperat, fr. L temperatus, fr. pp.
          of temperare] (14c) 1: marked by moderation: as a: keeping
          or held within limits: not extreme or excessive: mild
          b: moderate in indulgence of appetite or desire c: moderate
          in the use of intoxicating liquors d: marked by an absence
          or avoidance of extravagance, violence, or extreme partisanship:
          restrained 2 a: having a moderate climate b: found in
          or associated with a moderate climate <~ insects> 3:
          existing as a prophage in infected cells and rarely causing
          lysis <~ bacteriophages> -- tem.per.ate.ly adv -- tem.per.ate.ness
          n

   temperate rain forest
          [temperate rain forest] n (ca. 1930): woodland of a usu.
          rather mild climatic area within the temperate zone that
          receives heavy rainfall, usu. includes numerous kinds
          of trees, and is distinguished from a tropical rain forest
          by the presence of a dominant tree

   temperate zone
          [temperate zone] n, often cap T&Z (1551): the area or region
          between the tropic of Cancer and the arctic circle or
          between the tropic of Capricorn and the antarctic circle

   temperature
          [tem.per.a.ture] n [L temperatura mixture, moderation, fr.
          temperatus, pp. of temperare] (1533) 1 archaic a: complexion
          1 b: temperament 3b 2 a: degree of hotness or coldness
          measured on a definite scale--compare thermometer b:
          the degree of heat that is natural to the body of a living
          being c: abnormally high body heat d: relative state
          of emotional warmth <aware of a change in the ~ of our
          friendship --Christopher Isherwood>

   temperature inversion
          [temperature inversion] n (1921): inversion 6

   tempered
          [tem.pered] adj (14c) 1 a: having the elements mixed in satisfying
          proportions: temperate b: qualified, lessened, or diluted by the
          mixture or influence of an additional ingredient: moderated <a pale
          gleam of ~ sunlight fell through the leaves --W. H. Hudson d.1922>
          2: treated by tempering; esp, of glass: treated so as to impart
          increased strength and the property of shattering into pellets when
          broken 3: having a specified temper--used in combination
          <short-tempered> 4: conforming to adjustment by temperament--used
          of a musical interval, intonation, semitone, or scale

   [1]tempest
          [tem.pest] n [ME, fr. OF tempeste, fr. (assumed) VL tempesta,
          alter. of L tempestas season, weather, storm, fr. tempus
          time] (13c) 1: a violent storm 2: tumult, uproar [2]tempest
          vt (14c): to raise a tempest in or around

   tempestuous
          [tem.pes.tu.ous] adj [LL tempestuosus, fr. OL tempestus season,
          weather, storm, fr. tempus] (1509): of, relating to,
          or resembling a tempest: turbulent, stormy <~ weather>
          <a ~ relationship> -- tem.pes.tu.ous.ly adv -- tem.pes.tu.ous.ness
          n

   Templar
          [Tem.plar] n [ME templer, fr. OF templier, fr. ML templarius,
          fr. L templum temple] (13c) 1: a knight of a religious
          military order established in the early 12th century
          in Jerusalem for the protection of pilgrims and the Holy
          Sepulcher 2 not cap: a barrister or student of law in
          London 3: knight templar 2

   template
          [tem.plate] also tem.plet n [prob. fr. F templet, dim. of
          temple, part of a loom, prob. fr. L templum] (1677) 1:
          a short piece or block placed horizontally in a wall
          under a beam to distribute its weight or pressure (as
          over a door) 2 a (1): a gauge, pattern, or mold (as a
          thin plate or board) used as a guide to the form of a
          piece being made (2): a molecule (as of DNA) that serves
          as a pattern for the generation of another macromolecule
          (as messenger RNA) b: overlay c 3: something that establishes
          or serves as a pattern

   [1]temple
          [tem.ple] n [ME, fr. OE & OF; OE tempel & OF temple, both
          fr. L templum space marked out for observation of auguries,
          temple, small timber; prob. akin to Gk temenos sacred
          precinct, temnein to cut--more at tome] (bef. 12c) 1:
          an edifice for religious exercises: as a often cap: one
          of three successive national sanctuaries in ancient Jerusalem
          b: a building for Mormon sacred ordinances c: a Reform
          or Conservative synagogue 2: a local lodge of any of
          various fraternal orders; also: the building housing
          it 3: a place devoted to a special purpose -- tem.pled
          adj [2]temple n [ME, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL tempula,
          alter. of L tempora (pl.) temples] (14c) 1: the flattened
          space on each side of the forehead of some mammals including
          humans 2: one of the side supports of a pair of glasses
          jointed to the bows and passing on each side of the head

   tempo
          [tem.po] n, pl tem.pi or tempos [It, lit., time, fr. L tempus]
          (ca. 1724) 1: the rate of speed of a musical piece or
          passage indicated by one of a series of directions (as
          largo, presto, or allegro) and often by an exact metronome
          marking 2: rate of motion or activity: pace

   [1]temporal
          [tem.po.ral] adj [ME, fr. L temporalis, fr. tempor-, tempus
          time] (14c) 1 a: of or relating to time as opposed to
          eternity b: of or relating to earthly life c: lay or
          secular rather than clerical or sacred: civil <lords
          ~> 2: of or relating to grammatical tense or a distinction
          of time 3 a: of or relating to time as distinguished
          from space b: of or relating to the sequence of time
          or to a particular time: chronological -- tem.po.ral.ly
          adv [2]temporal n [MF, fr. temporal, adj.] (1541): a
          temporal part (as a bone or muscle) [3]temporal adj [MF,
          fr. LL temporalis, fr. L tempora temples] (1597): of
          or relating to the temples or the sides of the skull
          behind the orbits

   temporal bone
          [temporal bone] n (1771): a compound bone of the side of
          the skull of some mammals including humans

   temporality
          [tem.po.ral.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1 a: civil or political
          as distinguished from spiritual or ecclesiastical power
          or authority b: an ecclesiastical property or revenue--often
          used in pl. 2: the quality or state of being temporal

   temporalize
          [tem.po.ral.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1828) 1: secularize
          2: to place or define in time relations

   temporal lobe
          [temporal lobe] n (ca. 1891): a large lobe of each cerebral
          hemisphere that is situated in front of the occipital
          lobe and contains a sensory area associated with the
          organ of hearing

   temporal summation
          [temporal summation] n (1950): sensory summation that involves
          the addition of single stimuli over a short period of
          time

   tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis
          [tem.po.ra mu.tan.tur, nos et mu.ta.mur in il.lis] [L] foreign
          term : the times are changing, and we are changing with
          them

   temporarily
          [tem.po.rar.i.ly] adv (1534): during a limited time

   [1]temporary
          [tem.po.rary] adj [L temporarius, fr. tempor-, tempus time]
          (ca. 1564): lasting for a limited time -- tem.po.rar.i.ness
          n [2]temporary n, pl -rar.ies (1848): one serving for
          a limited time <adding several temporaries as typists
          during the summer>

   temporary duty
          [temporary duty] n (1945): temporary military service away
          from one's permanent duty station

   temporise
          [tem.po.rise] Brit var of temporize

   temporize
          [tem.po.rize] vi -rized ; -riz.ing [MF temporiser, fr. ML
          temporizare to pass the time, fr. L tempor-, tempus]
          (1579) 1: to act to suit the time or occasion: yield
          to current or dominant opinion: compromise 2: to draw
          out discussions or negotiations so as to gain time <you'd
          have to ~ until you found out how she wanted to be advised
          --Mary Austin> -- tem.po.ri.za.tion n -- tem.po.riz.er
          n

   temporomandibular
          [tem.po.ro.man.dib.u.lar] adj [[3]temporal + -o- + mandibular]
          (1889): of, relating to, being, or affecting the joint
          between the temporal bone and the mandible <~ dysfunction>

   tempt
          [tempt] vt [ME, fr. OF tempter, tenter, fr. L temptare, tentare
          to feel, try] (13c) 1: to entice to do wrong by promise
          of pleasure or gain 2 a obs: to make trial of: test b:
          to try presumptuously: provoke c: to risk the dangers
          of 3 a: to induce to do something b: to cause to be strongly
          inclined <was ~ed to call it quits> syn see lure -- tempt.able
          adj

   temptation
          [temp.ta.tion] n (13c) 1: the act of tempting or the state
          of being tempted esp. to evil: enticement 2: something
          tempting: a cause or occasion of enticement

   tempter
          [tempt.er] n (14c): one that tempts or entices

   tempting
          [tempt.ing] adj (1596): having an appeal: enticing <a ~ offer>
          -- tempt.ing.ly adv

   temptress
          [tempt.ress] n (1594): a woman who tempts or entices

   tempura
          [tem.pu.ra] n [Jp tenpura] (1920): seafood or vegetables
          dipped in batter and fried in deep fat

   tempus edax rerum
          [tem.pus edax re.rum] [L] foreign term : time, that devours
          all things

   tempus fugit
          [tem.pus fu.git] [L] foreign term : time flies

   ten
          [ten] n [ME, fr. OE tiene, fr. tien, adj., ten; akin to OHG
          zehan ten, L decem, Gk deka] (bef. 12c) 1: one more than
          nine 2: the 10th in a set or series <wears a ~> 3: something
          having 10 units or members 4: a 10-dollar bill -- ten
          adj -- ten pron, pl in constr

   tenable
          [ten.a.ble] adj [MF, fr. OF, fr. tenir to hold, fr. L tenere--more
          at thin] (1579): capable of being held, maintained, or defended:
          defensible, reasonable -- ten.a.bil.i.ty n -- ten.a.ble.ness
          n -- ten.a.bly adv

   tenace
          [ten.ace] n [modif. of Sp tenaza, lit., forceps, prob. fr.
          L tenacia, neut. pl. of tenax] (1655): a combination
          of two high or relatively high cards (as ace and queen)
          of the same suit in one hand with one ranking two degrees
          below the other

   tenacious
          [te.na.cious] adj [L tenac-, tenax tending to hold fast,
          fr. tenere to hold] (1607) 1 a: not easily pulled apart:
          cohesive, tough <a ~ metal> b: tending to adhere or cling
          esp. to another substance: sticky <~ burs> <~ clay> 2
          a: persistent in maintaining or adhering to something
          valued or habitual <a man very ~ of his rights> b: retentive
          <a ~ memory> syn see strong -- te.na.ci.ous.ly adv --
          te.na.cious.ness n

   tenacity
          [te.nac.i.ty] n (1526): the quality or state of being tenacious
          syn see courage

   tenaculum
          [te.nac.u.lum] n, pl -la or -lums [NL, fr. LL, instrument
          for holding, fr. L tenere] (ca. 1693) 1: a slender sharp-pointed
          hook attached to a handle and used mainly in surgery
          for seizing and holding parts (as arteries) 2: an adhesive
          animal structure

   tenancy
          [ten.an.cy] n, pl -cies (1590): a holding of an estate or
          a mode of holding an estate: the temporary possession
          or occupancy of something (as a house) that belongs to
          another; also: the period of a tenant's occupancy or
          possession

   [1]tenant
          [ten.ant] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. prp. of tenir to hold] (14c)
          1 a: one who holds or possesses real estate or sometimes
          personal property (as an annuity) by any kind of right
          b: one who has the occupation or temporary possession
          of lands or tenements of another; specif: one who rents
          or leases (as a house) from a landlord 2: occupant, dweller
          -- ten.ant.less adj [2]tenant vt (1634): to hold or occupy
          as a tenant: inhabit -- ten.ant.able adj

   tenant farmer
          [tenant farmer] n (1748): a farmer who works land owned by
          another and pays rent either in cash or in shares of
          produce

   tenantry
          [ten.ant.ry] n, pl -ries (14c) 1: tenancy 2: a body of tenants

   ten-cent store
          [ten-cent store] n (1901): five-and-ten

   tench
          [tench] n, pl tench or tench.es [ME, fr. MF tenche, fr. LL
          tinca] (14c): a cyprinid fish (Tinca tinca) native to
          Eurasia but introduced in the U.S. and noted for its
          ability to survive outside water

   Ten Commandments
          [Ten Commandments] n pl (13c): the ethical commandments of
          God given according to biblical accounts to Moses by
          voice and by writing on stone tablets on Mount Sinai

   [1]tend
          [tend] vb [ME, short for attenden to attend] vi (14c) 1 archaic:
          listen 2: to pay attention: apply oneself <~ to your
          own affairs> 3: to act as an attendant: serve 4 obs:
          await ~ vt 1 archaic: to attend as a servant 2 a: to
          apply oneself to the care of: watch over b: to have or
          take charge of as a caretaker or overseer c: cultivate,
          foster d: to manage the operations of: mind <~ the store>
          3: to stand by (as a rope) in readiness to prevent mischance
          (as fouling) [2]tend vi [ME, fr. MF tendre to stretch,
          fr. L tendere--more at thin] (14c) 1: to move, direct,
          or develop one's course in a particular direction <cannot
          tell where society is ~ing> 2: to exhibit an inclination
          or tendency: conduce <~s to be optimistic>

   tendance
          [ten.dance] n [short for attendance] (1573) 1: watchful care
          2 archaic: persons in attendance: retinue

   tendencious
          [ten.den.cious] chiefly Brit var of tendentious

   tendency
          [ten.den.cy] n, pl -cies [ML tendentia, fr. L tendent-, tendens,
          prp. of tendere] (1628) 1 a: direction or approach toward
          a place, object, effect, or limit b: a proneness to a
          particular kind of thought or action 2 a: the purposeful
          trend of something written or said: aim b: deliberate
          but indirect advocacy syn tendency, trend, drift, tenor,
          current mean movement in a particular direction. tendency
          implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling
          force <a general tendency toward inflation>. trend applies
          to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular
          course <the long-term trend of the stock market is upward>.
          drift may apply to a tendency determined by external
          forces <the drift of the population away from large cities>
          or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of
          meaning or discourse <got the drift of her argument>.
          tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a
          continuous, undeviating course <the tenor of the times>.
          current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily
          unalterable course <an encounter that changed the current
          of my life>.

   tendentious
          [ten.den.tious] adj (1900): marked by a tendency in favor
          of a particular point of view: biased -- ten.den.tious.ly
          adv -- ten.den.tious.ness n

   [1]tender
          [ten.der] adj [ME, fr. OF tendre, fr. L tener; perh. akin
          to L tenuis thin, slight--more at thin] (13c) 1 a: having
          a soft or yielding texture: easily broken, cut, or damaged:
          delicate, fragile <~ feet> b: easily chewed: succulent
          2 a: physically weak: not able to endure hardship b:
          immature, young <children of ~ years> c: incapable of
          resisting cold: not hardy 3: marked by, responding to,
          or expressing the softer emotions: fond, loving <a ~
          lover> 4 a: showing care: considerate, solicitous <~
          regard> b: highly susceptible to impressions or emotions:
          impressionable <a ~ conscience> 5 a: appropriate or conducive
          to a delicate or sensitive constitution or character:
          gentle, mild <~ breeding> <~ irony> b: delicate or soft
          in quality or tone <never before heard the piano sound
          so ~ --Elva S. Daniels> 6 obs: dear, precious 7 a: sensitive
          to touch or palpation <the bruise was still ~> b: sensitive
          to injury or insult: touchy <~ pride> c: demanding careful
          and sensitive handling: ticklish <a ~ situation> d of
          a ship: [5]crank -- ten.der.ly adv -- ten.der.ness n
          [2]tender vb ten.dered ; ten.der.ing vt (14c) 1: to make
          tender: soften, weaken 2 archaic: to regard or treat
          with tenderness ~ vi: to become tender [3]tender vb ten.dered
          ; ten.der.ing [MF tendre to stretch, stretch out, offer--more
          at tend] vt (1535) 1: to make a tender of 2: to present
          for acceptance: offer <~ed my resignation> ~ vi: to make
          a bid or tender <~ for a building contract> <~ed for
          6% of the stock> [4]tender n, often attrib (ca. 1543)
          1: an unconditional offer of money or service in satisfaction
          of a debt or obligation made to save a penalty or forfeiture
          for nonpayment or nonperformance 2: an offer or proposal
          made for acceptance: as a: an offer of a bid for a contract
          b: a public expression of willingness to buy not less
          than a specified number of shares of a stock at a fixed
          price from stockholders usu. in an attempt to gain control
          of the issuing company 3: something that may be offered
          in payment; specif: money [5]tender n [[1]tender] (1596)
          obs: consideration, regard [6]tend.er n (1675): one that
          tends: as a (1): a ship employed to attend other ships
          (as to supply provisions) (2): a boat for communication
          between shore and a larger ship (3): a warship that provides
          logistic support b: a car attached to a steam locomotive
          for carrying a supply of fuel and water

   tenderfoot
          [ten.der.foot] n, pl ten.der.feet also ten.der.foots (1849)
          1: a newcomer in a comparatively rough or newly settled
          region; esp: one not hardened to frontier or outdoor
          life 2: an inexperienced beginner: novice <a political
          ~>

   tenderhearted
          [ten.der.heart.ed] adj (15c): easily moved to love, pity,
          or sorrow: compassionate, impressionable -- ten.der.heart.ed.ly
          adv -- ten.der.heart.ed.ness n

   tenderize
          [ten.der.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1930): to make (meat or
          meat products) tender by applying a process or substance
          that breaks down connective tissue -- ten.der.i.za.tion
          n -- ten.der.iz.er n

   tenderloin
          [ten.der.loin] n (ca. 1828) 1: a strip of tender meat consisting
          of a large internal muscle of the loin on each side of
          the vertebral column 2 [fr. its making possible a luxurious
          diet for a corrupt police officer]: a district of a city
          largely devoted to vice

   tender-minded
          [ten.der-mind.ed] adj (1605): marked by idealism, optimism,
          and dogmatism

   tenderometer
          [ten.der.om.e.ter] n (1938): a device for determining the
          maturity and tenderness of samples of fruits and vegetables

   tendinitis
          [ten.di.ni.tis] or ten.don.itis n [tendinitis fr. NL, fr.
          tendin, tendo + -itis; tendonitis fr. tendon + -itis]
          (ca. 1900): inflammation of a tendon

   tendinous
          [ten.di.nous] adj [NL tendinosus, fr. tendin-, tendo tendon,
          alter. of ML tendon-, tendo] (1658) 1: consisting of
          tendons: sinewy <~ tissue> 2: of, relating to, or resembling
          a tendon

   tendon
          [ten.don] n [ML tendon-, tendo, fr. L tendere to stretch--more
          at thin] (1541): a tough cord or band of dense white
          fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some
          other part (as a bone) and transmits the force which
          the muscle exerts

   tendon of Achilles
          [tendon of Achil.les] (ca. 1885): achilles tendon

   tendresse
          [ten.dresse] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. tendre tender] (14c): fondness

   tendril
          [ten.dril] n [prob. modif. of MF tendron, tendrum bud, cartilage,
          fr. (assumed) VL tenerumen, fr. L tener tender--more
          at tender] (1538) 1: a leaf, stipule, or stem modified
          into a slender spirally coiling sensitive organ serving
          to attach a climbing plant to its support 2: something
          suggestive of a tendril <hair hanging in ~s> <creeping
          ~s of fog> -- ten.driled or ten.drilled adj -- ten.dril.ous
          adj

   [1]-tene
          [-tene] adj comb form [F -tene, fr. L taenia ribbon, band--more
          at taenia]: having (such or so many) chromosomal filaments
          <polytene> <pachytene> [2]-tene n comb form: stage of
          meiotic prophase characterized by (such) chromosomal
          filaments <diplotene> <pachytene>

   Tenebrae
          [Ten.e.brae] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ML, fr.
          L, darkness--more at temerity] (1651): a church service observed
          during the final part of Holy Week commemorating the sufferings and
          death of Christ

   tenebrific
          [ten.e.brif.ic] adj [L tenebrae darkness] (1785) 1: gloomy
          2: causing gloom or darkness

   tenebrionid
          [te.ne.bri.o.nid] n [NL Tenebrionidae, fr. Tenebrion-, Tenebrio,
          type genus, fr. L, one that shuns the light, fr. tenebrae
          darkness--more at temerity] (1902): any of a family (Tenebrionidae)
          of firm-bodied mostly dark-colored vegetable-feeding beetles which
          often have vestigial and functionless wings and whose larvae are
          usu. hard cylindrical worms (as a mealworm)--called also darkling
          beetle -- tenebrionid adj

   tenebrious
          [te.neb.ri.ous] adj [by alter.] (1594): tenebrous

   tenebrism
          [ten.e.brism] n, often cap [L tenebrae darkness] (1954):
          a style of painting esp. associated with the Italian
          painter Caravaggio and his followers in which most of
          the figures are engulfed in shadow but some are dramatically
          illuminated by a concentrated beam of light usu. from
          an identifiable source -- ten.e.brist n or adj, often
          cap

   tenebrous
          [ten.e.brous] adj [ME, fr. MF tenebreus, fr. L tenebrosus,
          fr. tenebrae] (15c) 1: shut off from the light: dark,
          murky 2: hard to understand: obscure 3: causing gloom

   tenement
          [ten.e.ment] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML tenementum, fr. L tenere
          to hold--more at thin] (14c) 1: any of various forms
          of corporeal property (as land) or incorporeal property
          that is held by one person from another 2: dwelling 3
          a: a house used as a dwelling: residence b: apartment,
          flat c: tenement house

   tenement house
          [tenement house] n (1858): apartment house; esp: one meeting
          minimum standards of sanitation, safety, and comfort
          and usu. located in a city

   tenesmus
          [te.nes.mus] n [L, fr. Gk teinesmos, fr. teinein to stretch,
          strain--more at thin] (1527): a distressing but ineffectual
          urge to evacuate the rectum or bladder

   tenet
          [te.net] n [L, he holds, fr. tenere to hold] (ca. 1600):
          a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be
          true; esp: one held in common by members of an organization,
          movement, or profession

   tenfold
          [ten.fold] adj (bef. 12c) 1: being 10 times as great or as
          many 2: having 10 units or members -- ten.fold adv

   ten-gallon hat
          [ten-gallon hat] n (1927): cowboy hat

   tenia, teniasis
          [te.nia, te.ni.a.sis] var of taenia, taeniasis

   Tenn
          [Tenn] abbreviation Tennessee

   tenner
          [ten.ner] n (1845) 1: a 10-pound note 2: a 10-dollar bill

   Tennessee walking horse
          [Ten.nes.see walking horse] n [Tennessee, state of U.S.]
          (1938): any of an American breed of large easy-gaited
          saddle horses largely of standardbred and Morgan ancestry--called
          also Tennessee walker

   tennies
          [ten.nies] n pl [by shortening & alter.] (1951): tennis shoes,
          sneakers

   tennis
          [ten.nis] n, often attrib [ME tenetz, tenys, prob. fr. AF
          tenetz, 2d pers. pl. imper. of tenir to hold--more at
          tenable] (15c) 1: court tennis 2: an indoor or outdoor
          game that is played with rackets and a light elastic
          ball by two players or pairs of players on a level court
          (as of clay or grass) divided by a low net

   tennis elbow
          [tennis elbow] n (1883): inflammation and pain over the outer
          side of the elbow usu. resulting from excessive strain
          on and twisting of the forearm

   tennis shoe
          [tennis shoe] n (1886): a lightweight usu. low-cut sneaker

   tennist
          [ten.nist] n [blend of tennis and -ist] (1932): a tennis
          player

   [1]tenon
          [ten.on] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. tenir to hold--more at tenable]
          (15c): a projecting member in a piece of wood or other
          material for insertion into a mortise to make a joint--see
          dovetail illustration [2]tenon vt (1596) 1: to unite
          by a tenon 2: to cut or fit for insertion in a mortise

   [1]tenor
          [ten.or] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L tenor uninterrupted course,
          fr. tenere to hold--more at thin] (14c) 1 a: the drift
          of something spoken or written: purport b: an exact copy
          of a writing: transcript c: the concept, object, or person
          meant in a metaphor 2 a: the melodic line usu. forming
          the cantus firmus in medieval music b: the voice part
          next to the lowest in a 4-part chorus c: the highest
          natural adult male singing voice; also: a person having
          this voice d: a member of a family of instruments having
          a range next lower than that of the alto 3: a continuance
          in a course, movement, or activity 4: habitual condition:
          character syn see tendency [2]tenor adj (1522): relating
          to or having the range or part of a tenor

   tenorist
          [ten.or.ist] n (1865): one who sings tenor or plays a tenor
          instrument

   tenosynovitis
          [te.no.syn.o.vi.tis] n [NL, fr. Gk tenon tendon (akin to
          Gk teinein to stretch) + NL synovitis--more at thin]
          (ca. 1860): inflammation of a tendon sheath

   tenour
          [ten.our] chiefly Brit var of tenor

   tenpenny
          [ten.pen.ny] adj (1592): amounting to, worth, or costing
          10 pennies

   tenpenny nail
          [tenpenny nail] n [fr. its original price per hundred] (15c):
          a nail three inches (7.6 centimeters) long

   tenpin
          [ten.pin] n (1807) 1: a bottle-shaped bowling pin 15 inches
          high 2 pl but sing in constr: a bowling game using 10
          tenpins and a large ball 27 inches in circumference and
          allowing each player to bowl 2 balls in each of 10 frames

   tenpounder
          [ten.pound.er] n (1699): ladyfish 2

   tenrec
          [ten.rec] n [F, fr. Malagasy tandraka] (1785): any of numerous
          small often spiny mammalian insectivores (family Tenrecidae)
          chiefly of Madagascar

   [1]tense
          [tense] n [ME tens time, tense, fr. MF, fr. L tempus] (14c)
          1: a distinction of form in a verb to express distinctions
          of time or duration of the action or state it denotes
          2 a: a set of inflectional forms of a verb that express
          distinctions of time b: an inflectional form of a verb
          expressing a specific time distinction [2]tense adj tens.er
          ; tens.est [L tensus, fr. pp. of tendere to stretch--more
          at thin] (1670) 1: stretched tight: made taut: rigid
          2 a: feeling or showing nervous tension b: marked by
          strain or suspense 3: produced with the muscles involved
          in a relatively tense state -- tense.ly adv -- tense.ness
          n [3]tense vb tensed ; tens.ing vt (1676): to make tense
          ~ vi: to become tense

   tensile
          [ten.sile] adj [NL tensilis, fr. L tensus, pp.] (1626) 1:
          capable of tension: ductile 2: of, relating to, or involving
          tension <~ stress> -- ten.sil.i.ty n

   tensile strength
          [tensile strength] n (ca. 1864): the greatest longitudinal
          stress a substance can bear without tearing apart

   tensiometer
          [ten.si.om.e.ter] n [tension] (1912) 1: a device for measuring
          tension (as of structural material) 2: an instrument
          for determining the moisture content of soil 3: an instrument
          for measuring the surface tension of liquids -- ten.sio.met.ric
          adj -- ten.si.om.e.try n

   [1]tension
          [ten.sion] n [MF or L; MF, fr. L tension-, tensio, fr. tendere]
          (1533) 1 a: the act or action of stretching or the condition
          or degree of being stretched to stiffness: tautness b:
          stress 1b 2 a: either of two balancing forces causing
          or tending to cause extension b: the stress resulting
          from the elongation of an elastic body 3 a: inner striving,
          unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication
          of emotion b: a state of latent hostility or opposition
          between individuals or groups c: a balance maintained
          in an artistic work between opposing forces or elements
          4: a device to produce a desired tension (as in a loom)
          -- ten.sion.al adj -- ten.sion.less adj [2]tension vt
          ten.sioned ; ten.sion.ing (1891): to subject to tension;
          esp: to tighten to a desired or appropriate degree --
          ten.sion.er n

   tensity
          [ten.si.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1658): the quality or state
          of being tense: tenseness

   tensive
          [ten.sive] adj (1702): of, relating to, or causing tension

   tensor
          [ten.sor] n [NL, fr. L tendere] (ca. 1704) 1: a muscle that
          stretches a part 2: a generalized vector with more than
          three components each of which is a function of the coordinates
          of an arbitrary point in space of an appropriate number
          of dimensions

   ten-speed
          [ten-speed] n (1971): a bicycle with 10 gear combinations

   tens place
          [tens place] n (1937): the place two to the left of the decimal
          point in a number expressed in the Arabic system of writing
          numbers

   ten-strike
          [ten-strike] n (1840) 1: a strike in tenpins 2: a highly
          successful stroke or achievement

   [1]tent
          [tent] n [ME tente, fr. OF, fr. L tenta, fem. of tentus,
          pp. of tendere to stretch--more at thin] (14c) 1: a collapsible
          shelter of fabric (as nylon or canvas) stretched and
          sustained by poles and used for camping outdoors or as
          a temporary building 2: dwelling 3 a: something that
          resembles a tent or that serves as a shelter; esp: a
          canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders
          to retain vapors or oxygen during medical administration
          b: the web of a tent caterpillar -- tent.less adj --
          tent.like adj [2]tent vi (1607) 1: to reside for the
          time being: lodge 2: to live in a tent ~ vt 1: to cover
          with or as if with a tent 2: to lodge in tents [3]tent
          vt [ME, fr. tent attention, short for attent, fr. OF
          attente, fr. atendre to attend] (14c) chiefly Scot: to
          attend to

   tentacle
          [ten.ta.cle] n [NL tentaculum, fr. L tentare to feel, touch--more
          at tempt] (1762) 1: any of various elongate flexible
          usu. tactile or prehensile processes borne by animals
          and esp. invertebrates chi efly on the head or about
          the mouth 2 a: something that resembles a tentacle esp.
          in or as if in grasping or feeling out b: a sensitive
          hair or emergence on a plant (as the sundew) -- ten.ta.cled
          adj

   tentacular
          [ten.tac.u.lar] adj [NL tentaculum] (1828) 1: of, relating
          to, or resembling tentacles 2: equipped with tentacles

   tentage
          [tent.age] n (1603): a collection of tents: tent equipment

   tentative
          [ten.ta.tive] adj [ML tentativus, fr. L tentatus, pp. of
          tentare, temptare to feel, try] (1626) 1: not fully worked
          out or developed <~ plans> 2: hesitant, uncertain <a
          ~ smile> -- tentative n -- ten.ta.tive.ly adv -- ten.ta.tive.ness
          n

   tent caterpillar
          [tent caterpillar] n (1854): any of several destructive gregarious
          caterpillars (genus Malacosoma and esp. M. americanum of the family
          Lasiocampidae) that construct large silken webs on trees

   tented
          [tent.ed] adj (1604) 1: covered with a tent or tents 2: shaped
          like a tent

   [1]tenter
          [ten.ter] n [ME teyntur, tentowre] (14c) 1: a frame or endless
          track with hooks or clips along two sides that is used
          for drying and stretching cloth 2 archaic: tenterhook
          [2]tenter n (1846): one who lives in or occupies a tent

   tenterhook
          [ten.ter.hook] n (15c): a sharp hooked nail used esp. for
          fastening cloth on a tenter -- on tenterhooks : in a
          state of uneasiness, strain, or suspense

   tenth
          [tenth] n, pl tenths (15c) 1: one that is number ten in a
          countable series;also: one of the ten equal parts of
          something 2 a: a musical interval embracing an octave
          and a third b: the tone at this interval -- tenth adj
          or adv

   tenth-rate
          [tenth-rate] adj (1834): of the lowest character or quality

   tent stitch
          [tent stitch] n (1639): a short stitch slanting to the right
          that is used in embroidery to form even lines of solid
          background

   tenty
          [tenty] also tent.ie adj [[3]tent] (ca. 1555) Scot: attentive,
          watchful

   tenuis
          [ten.u.is] n, pl -u.es [ML, fr. L, thin, slight] (1650):
          an unaspirated voiceless stop

   tenuity
          [te.nu.ity] n [L tenuitas, fr. tenuis thin, tenuous] (ca.
          1536) 1: lack of substance or strength 2: lack of thickness:
          slenderness, thinness 3: lack of density: rarefied quality
          or state

   tenuous
          [ten.u.ous] adj [L tenuis thin, slight, tenuous--more at
          thin] (1597) 1: not dense: rare <a ~ fluid> 2: not thick:
          slender <a ~ rope> 3 a: having little substance or strength:
          flimsy, weak <~ influences> b: shaky 2a <~ reasons> <on
          grounds that were ~> syn see thin -- ten.u.ous.ly adv
          -- ten.u.ous.ness n

   tenure
          [ten.ure] n [ME, fr. MF teneure, tenure, fr. ML tenitura,
          fr. (assumed) VL tenitus, pp. of L tenere to hold--more
          at thin] (15c) 1: the act, right, manner, or term of
          holding something (as a landed property, a position,
          or an office); esp: a status granted after a trial period
          to a teacher that gives protection from summary dismissal
          2: grasp, hold -- ten.ur.able adj -- te.nur.ial adj --
          te.nur.ial.ly adv

   tenured
          [ten.ured] adj (1965): having tenure <~ faculty members>

   tenure-track
          [ten.ure-track] adj (1976): relating to or being a teaching
          position that may lead to a grant of tenure

   tenuto
          [te.nu.to] adv or adj [It, fr. pp. of tenere to hold, fr.
          L tenere] (1762): in a manner so as to hold a tone or
          chord to its full value--used as a direction in music

   teocalli
          [te.o.cal.li] n [Nahuatl teocalli, fr. teotl god + calli
          house] (1613): an ancient temple of Mexico or Central
          America usu. built upon the summit of a truncated pyramidal
          mound; also: the mound itself

   teosinte
          [te.o.sin.te] n [MexSp, fr. Nahuatl teocintli, fr. teotl
          god + cintli dried ears of maize] (ca. 1877): a tall
          annual grass (Zea mexicana syn. Euchlaena mexicana) of
          Mexico and Central America that is closely related to
          and sometimes considered ancestral to maize

   tepa
          [te.pa] n [tri- + ethylene + phosphor- + amide] (1953): a
          soluble crystalline compound that is used esp. as a chemical
          sterilizing agent of insects, a palliative in some kinds
          of cancer, and in finishing and flame-proofing textiles

   tepary bean
          [te.pa.ry bean] n [origin unknown] (1912): an annual twining
          bean (Phaseolus acutifolius var. latifolius) that is
          native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico and is cultivated
          for its roundish white, yellow, brown, or bluish black
          edible seeds; also: the seed

   tepee
          [te.pee] n [Dakota thipi, fr. thi- to dwell] (1743): a conical
          tent usu. consisting of skins and used esp. by American
          Indians of the Plains

   tephra
          [teph.ra] n [NL, fr. Gk, ashes; akin to Skt dahati it burns--more
          at foment] (1944): solid material ejected into the air
          during a volcanic eruption; esp: [2]ash 2b

   tepid
          [tep.id] adj [ME teped, fr. L tepidus, fr. tepere to be moderately
          warm; akin to Skt tapati it heats, OIr tess heat] (14c)
          1: moderately warm: lukewarm <a ~ bath> 2 a: lacking in passion,
          force, or zest <a ~ joke> b: marked by an absence of enthusiasm
          or conviction <a ~ interest> -- te.pid.i.ty n -- tep.id.ly adv
          -- tep.id.ness n

   TEPP
          [TEPP] n [tetra- + ethyl + pyrophosphate] (1948): a mobile
          hygroscopic corrosive liquid organophosphate that is
          a powerful anticholinesterase and is used esp. as an
          insecticide

   tequila
          [te.qui.la] n [Sp, fr. Tequila, town in Jalisco state, Mexico]
          (1849): a Mexican liquor distilled from pulque

   tequila sunrise
          [tequila sunrise] n (1965): a cocktail consisting of tequila,
          orange juice, and grenadine

   ter
          [ter] abbreviation terrace, territory

   ter-
          [ter-] comb form [L, fr. ter; akin to Gk & Skt tris three
          times, L tres three--more at three]: three times: threefold:
          three <tercentenary>

   tera-
          [tera-] comb form [ISV, fr. Gk terat-, teras monster]: trillion
          <terawatt>

   terai
          [te.rai] n [Tarai, lowland belt of India] (1888): a wide-brimmed
          double felt sun hat worn esp. in subtropical regions

   teraph
          [ter.aph] n, pl ter.a.phim [Heb teraphim (pl. in form but
          sing. in meaning)] (14c): an image of a Semitic household
          god

   terat-
          [terat-] or terato- comb form [Gk, fr. terat-, teras marvel,
          portent, monster]: developmental malformation <teratogenic>

   teratocarcinoma
          [te.rato.car.ci.no.ma] n (1946): a malignant teratoma; esp:
          one involving germinal cells of the testis

   teratogen
          [te.rato.gen] n (1959): a teratogenic agent

   teratogenesis
          [ter.a.to.gen.e.sis] n [NL] (1901): production of developmental
          malformations

   teratogenic
          [ter.a.to.gen.ic] adj (1879): of, relating to, or causing
          developmental malformations <~ substances> <~ effects>
          -- ter.a.to.ge.nic.i.ty n

   teratological
          [ter.a.to.log.i.cal] or ter.a.to.log.ic adj (1857) 1: abnormal
          in growth or structure 2: of or relating to teratology

   teratology
          [ter.a.tol.o.gy] n (ca. 1842): the study of malformations
          or serious deviations from the normal type in organisms
          -- ter.a.tol.o.gist n

   teratoma
          [ter.a.to.ma] n [NL] (1879): a tumor made up of a heterogeneous
          mixture of tissues

   terawatt
          [tera.watt] n (1970): a unit of power equal to one trillion
          watts

   terbium
          [ter.bi.um] n [NL, fr. Ytterby, Sweden] (1843): a usu. trivalent
          metallic element of the rare-earth group

   terce
          [terce] n, often cap [ME, third, terce--more at tierce] (14c):
          the third of the canonical hours

   tercel
          [ter.cel] var of tiercel

   tercentenary
          [ter.cen.te.na.ry] n, pl -ries (1855): a 300th anniversary
          or its celebration -- tercentenary adj

   tercentennial
          [ter.cen.ten.ni.al] adj or n (1872): tercentenary

   tercet
          [ter.cet] n [It terzetto, fr. dim. of terzo third, fr. L
          tertius--more at third] (1598): a unit or group of three
          lines of verse: a: one of the 3-line stanzas in terza
          rima b: one of the two groups of three lines forming
          the sestet in an Italian sonnet

   terebinth
          [ter.e.binth] n [ME terebynt, fr. MF terebinthe, fr.
          L terebinthus--more at turpentine] (14c): a small European tree
          (Pistacia terebinthus) of the cashew family yielding turpentine

   teredo
          [te.re.do] n, pl teredos or te.red.i.nes [ME, fr. L teredin-,
          teredo, fr. Gk teredon; akin to Gk tetrainein to bore--more
          at throw] (14c): shipworm

   terephthalate
          [tere.phthal.ate] n (1868): a salt or ester of terephthalic
          acid; esp: a dimethyl-ester that is a major starting
          material for polyester fibers and coatings

   terephthalic acid
          [tere.phthal.ic acid] n [ISV terebene, mixture of terpenes
          from distilled turpentine + phthalic acid] (1857): a
          p-dicarboxylic acid that is obtained esp. by oxidation
          of xylene and is used chiefly in the synthesis of polyesters

   terete
          [te.rete] adj [L teret-, teres well turned, rounded; akin
          to L terere to rub--more at throw] (ca. 1619): approximately
          cylindrical but usu. tapering at both ends <a ~ seedpod>

   Tereus
          [Te.reus] n [L, fr. Gk Tereus]: the husband of Procne who
          rapes his sister-in-law Philomela

   tergite
          [ter.gite] n [NL tergum] (1885): the dorsal plate or dorsal
          portion of the covering of a metameric segment of an
          arthropod; esp: one on the abdomen

   tergiversate
          [ter.gi.ver.sate] vi -sat.ed ; -sat.ing [L tergiversatus,
          pp. of tergiversari to show reluctance, fr. tergum back
          + versare to turn, freq. of vertere to turn--more at
          worth] (1654): to engage in tergiversation -- ter.gi.ver.sa.tor
          n

   tergiversation
          [ter.gi.ver.sa.tion] n (1570) 1: evasion of straightforward
          action or clear-cut statement: equivocation 2: desertion
          of a cause, position, party, or faith

   tergum
          [ter.gum] n, pl ter.ga [NL, fr. L, back] (ca. 1826): the
          dorsal part or plate of a segment of an arthropod: tergite,
          notum -- ter.gal adj

   teriyaki
          [ter.i.ya.ki] n [Jp, fr. teri glaze + yaki broil] (1962):
          a Japanese dish of meat or fish that is grilled or broiled
          after being soaked in a seasoned soy sauce marinade

   [1]term
          [term] n [ME terme boundary, end, fr. OF, fr. L terminus;
          akin to Gk termon boundary, end, Skt tarman top of a
          post] (13c) 1 a: end, termination; also: a point in time
          assigned to something (as a payment) b: the time at which
          a pregnancy of normal length terminates <had her baby
          at full ~> 2 a: a limited or definite extent of time;
          esp: the time for which something lasts: duration, tenure
          <~ of office> <lost money in the short ~> b: the whole
          period for which an estate is granted; also: the estate
          or interest held by one for a term c: the time during
          which a court is in session 3 pl: provisions that determine
          the nature and scope of an agreement: conditions <~s
          of sale> <liberal credit ~s> 4 a: a word or expression
          that has a precise meaning in some uses or is peculiar
          to a science, art, profession, or subject <legal ~s>
          b pl: expression of a specified kind <described in glowing
          ~s> 5 a: a unitary or compound expression connected with
          another by a plus or minus sign b: an element of a fraction
          or proportion or of a series or sequence 6 pl a: mutual
          relationship: footing <on good ~s> b: agreement, concord
          <come to ~s> 7: any of the three substantive elements
          of a syllogism 8: a quadrangular pillar often tapering
          downward and adorned on the top with the figure of a
          head or the upper part of the body 9: division in a school
          year during which instruction is regularly given to students
          -- in terms of : with respect to or in relation to <thinks
          of everything in terms of money> -- on one's own terms
          : in accordance with one's wishes: in one's own way <prefers
          to live on his own terms> [2]term vt (ca. 1557): to apply
          a term to: call, name

   [1]termagant
          [ter.ma.gant] n [ME] 1 cap: a deity erroneously ascribed
          to Islam by medieval European Christians and represented
          in early English drama as a violent character 2: an overbearing
          or nagging woman: shrew [2]termagant adj (1596): overbearing,
          shrewish

   termer
          [term.er] n (1634): a person serving for a specified term
          (as in a political office or in prison) <a first ~>

   terminable
          [ter.mi.na.ble] adj [ME, fr. terminen to terminate, fr. MF
          terminer, fr. L terminare] (15c): capable of being terminated
          -- ter.mi.na.ble.ness n -- ter.mi.na.bly adv

   [1]terminal
          [ter.mi.nal] adj [L terminalis, fr. terminus] (1744) 1 a:
          of or relating to an end, extremity, boundary, or terminus
          <a ~ pillar> b: growing at the end of a branch or stem
          <a ~ bud> 2 a: of, relating to, or occurring in a term
          or each term <~ payments> b: leading ultimately to death:
          fatal <~ cancer> c: approaching or close to death: being
          in the final stages of a fatal disease <a ~ patient>
          d: extremely or hopelessly severe <~ boredom> 3 a: occurring
          at or constituting the end of a period or series: concluding
          <the ~ moments of life> b: not intended as preparation
          for further academic work <a ~ curriculum> syn see last
          -- ter.mi.nal.ly adv [2]terminal n (1831) 1: a part that
          forms the end: extremity, termination 2: a terminating
          usu. ornamental detail: finial 3: a device attached to
          the end of a wire or cable or to an electrical apparatus
          for convenience in making connections 4 a: either end
          of a carrier line having facilities for the handling
          of freight and passengers b: a freight or passenger station
          that is central to a considerable area or serves as a
          junction at any point with other lines c: a town or city
          at the end of a carrier line: terminus 5: a combination
          of a keyboard and output device (as a video display unit)
          by which data can be entered into or output from a computer
          or electronic communications system

   terminal leave
          [terminal leave] n (1944): a final leave consisting of accumulated
          unused leave granted to a member of the armed forces just prior
          to separation or discharge from service

   terminal side
          [terminal side] n (1927): a straight line that has been rotated
          around a point on another line to form an angle measured
          in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction--compare
          initial side

   [1]terminate
          [ter.mi.nate] adj [ME, fr. L terminatus, pp. of terminare,
          fr. terminus] (15c): coming to an end or capable of ending
          [2]ter.mi.nate vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing vi (1610) 1: to
          extend only to a limit (as a point or line); esp: to
          reach a terminus 2: to form an ending 3: to come to an
          end in time ~ vt 1 a: to bring to an end: close <~ a
          marriage by divorce> <~ a transmission line> b: to form
          the conclusion of <review questions ~ each chapter> c:
          to discontinue the employment of <workers terminated
          because of slow business> 2: to serve as an ending, limit,
          or boundary of syn see close

   terminating decimal
          [terminating decimal] n (ca. 1909): a decimal which can be
          expressed in a finite number of figures or for which
          all figures to the right of some place are zero--compare
          repeating decimal

   termination
          [ter.mi.na.tion] n (ca. 1500) 1: end in time or existence:
          conclusion <the ~ of life> 2: the last part of a word;
          esp: an inflectional ending 3: the act of terminating
          4: a limit in space or extent: bound 5: outcome, result
          -- ter.mi.na.tion.al adj

   terminative
          [ter.mi.na.tive] adj (15c): tending or serving to terminate:
          ending -- ter.mi.na.tive.ly adv

   terminator
          [ter.mi.na.tor] n (1770) 1: the dividing line between the
          illuminated and the unilluminated part of the moon's
          or a planet's disk 2: one that terminates

   terminology
          [ter.mi.nol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [ML terminus term, expression
          (fr. L, boundary, limit) + E -o- + -logy] (1801) 1: the
          technical or special terms used in a business, art, science,
          or special subject 2: nomenclature as a field of study
          -- ter.mi.no.log.i.cal adj -- ter.mi.no.log.i.cal.ly
          adv

   term insurance
          [term insurance] n (1897): insurance for a specified period
          that provides for no payment to the insured except on
          losses during the period and that becomes void upon its
          expiration

   terminus
          [ter.mi.nus] n, pl -ni or -nus.es [L, boundary, end--more
          at term] (ca. 1617) 1: a final goal: a finishing point
          2: a post or stone marking a boundary 3: either end of
          a transportation line or travel route; also: the station,
          town, or city at such a place: terminal 4: an extreme
          point or element: tip <the ~ of a glacier>

   terminus ad quem
          [terminus ad quem] n [NL, lit., limit to which] (ca. 1555)
          1: a goal, object, or course of action: destination,
          purpose 2: a final limiting point in time

   terminus a quo
          [terminus a quo] n [NL, lit., limit from which] (ca. 1555)
          1: a point of origin 2: a first limiting point in time

   termitarium
          [ter.mi.tar.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL] (1863): a termites' nest

   termitary
          [ter.mi.tary] n, pl -tar.ies (1826): termitarium

   termite
          [ter.mite] n [NL Termit-, Termes, genus of termites, fr.
          LL, a worm that eats wood, alter. of L tarmit-, tarmes;
          akin to Gk tetrainein to bore--more at throw] (1781):
          any of numerous pale-colored soft-bodied social insects
          (order Isoptera) that live in colonies consisting usu.
          of winged sexual forms, wingless sterile workers, and
          soldiers, feed on wood, and include some which are very
          destructive to wooden structures and trees--called also
          white ant

   termless
          [term.less] adj (ca. 1541) 1: having no term or end: boundless,
          unending 2: unconditioned, unconditional

   term paper
          [term paper] n (1926): a major written assignment in a school
          or college course representative of a student's achievement
          during a term

   tern
          [tern] n [of Scand origin; akin to Dan terne tern] (1678):
          any of various chiefly marine birds (subfamily Sterninae
          of the family Laridae and esp. genus Sterna) that differ
          from the related gulls in usu. smaller size, a more slender
          build, a sharply pointed bill, narrower wings, and an
          often forked tail

   ternary
          [ter.na.ry] adj [ME, fr. L ternarius, fr. terni three each;
          akin to L tres three--more at three] (15c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, or proceeding by threes b: having three elements,
          parts, or divisions: threefold c: arranged in threes
          <~ petals> 2: using three as the base <a ~ logarithm>
          3 a: being or consisting of an alloy of three elements
          b: of, relating to, or containing three different elements,
          atoms, radicals, or groups <sulfuric acid is a ~ acid>
          4: third in order or rank

   ternate
          [ter.nate] adj [NL ternatus, fr. ML, pp. of ternare to treble,
          fr. L terni] (1760): arranged in threes or in subdivisions
          so arranged <a ~ leaf> -- ter.nate.ly adv

   terne
          [terne] n [terneplate] (1891) 1: an alloy of lead and tin
          typically in a ratio of four to one that is used as a
          coating in producing terneplate 2: terneplate

   terneplate
          [terne.plate] n [prob. fr. F terne dull (fr. MF, fr. ternir
          to tarnish) + E plate] (ca. 1858): sheet iron or steel
          coated with an alloy of about four parts lead to one
          part tin

   terpene
          [ter.pene] n [ISV terp- (fr. G Terpentin turpentine, fr.
          ML terbentina) + -ene--more at turpentine] (1873): any
          of various isomeric hydrocarbons found present in essential
          oils (as from conifers) and used esp. as solvents and
          in organic synthesis; broadly: any of numerous hydrocarbons
          found esp. in essential oils, resins, and balsams --
          ter.pene.less adj -- ter.pe.noid adj or n

   terpineol
          [ter.pin.e.ol] n [ISV, fr. terpine ] (1894): any of three
          fragrant isomeric alcohols found in essential oils or
          made artificially and used esp. in perfume or as solvents

   terpolymer
          [ter.poly.mer] n (1947): a polymer (as a complex resin) that
          results from copolymerization of three discrete monomers

   Terpsichore
          [Terp.sich.o.re] n [L, fr. Gk Terpsichore]: the Greek Muse
          of dancing and choral song

   terpsichorean
          [terp.si.cho.re.an] adj (1825): of or relating to dancing

   terr
          [terr] abbreviation territory

   terra
          [ter.ra] n, pl ter.rae [NL, fr. L, land] (1946): any of the
          relatively light-colored highland areas on the surface
          of the moon or a planet

   [1]terrace
          [ter.race] n [MF, pile of earth, platform, terrace, fr. OProv
          terrassa, fr. terra earth, fr. L, earth, land; akin to
          L torrere to parch--more at thirst] (1515) 1 a: a colonnaded
          porch or promenade b: a flat roof or open platform c:
          a relatively level paved or planted area adjoining a
          building 2 a: a raised embankment with the top leveled
          b: one of usu. a series of horizontal ridges made in
          a hillside to increase cultivatable land, conserve moisture,
          or minimize erosion 3: a level ordinarily narrow plain
          usu. with steep front bordering a river, lake, or sea;
          also: a similar undersea feature 4 a: a row of houses
          or apartments on raised ground or a sloping site b: a
          group of row houses c: a strip of park in the middle
          of a street often planted with trees or shrubs d: street
          5: a section of a British soccer stadium set aside for
          standing spectators [2]terrace vt ter.raced ; ter.rac.ing
          (1615) 1: to provide (as a building or hillside) with
          a terrace 2: to make into a terrace

   terra-cotta
          [ter.ra-cot.ta] n, often attrib [It terra cotta, lit., baked
          earth] (1722) 1: a glazed or unglazed fired clay used
          esp. for statuettes and vases and architectural purposes
          (as roofing, facing, and relief ornamentation) 2: a brownish
          orange

   terra firma
          [terra fir.ma] n [NL, lit., solid land] (1693): dry land:
          solid ground

   terrain
          [ter.rain] n [F, land, ground, fr. (assumed) VL terranum,
          alter. of L terrenum, fr. neut. of terrenus of earth--more
          at terrene] (1766) 1 a (1): a geographical area (2):
          a piece of land: ground b: the physical features of a
          tract of land 2: terrane 1 3 a: a field of knowledge
          or interest: territory b: environment, milieu

   terra incognita
          [ter.ra in.cog.ni.ta] n, pl ter.rae in.cog.ni.tae [L] (1616):
          unknown territory: an unexplored country or field of
          knowledge

   Terramycin
          [Ter.ra.my.cin] trademark--used for oxytetracycline

   terrane
          [ter.rane] n [alter. of terrain] (1864) 1: the area or surface
          over which a particular rock or group of rocks is prevalent
          2: terrain 1a

   terrapin
          [ter.ra.pin] n [of Algonquian origin; akin to Delaware (dial.
          of New York) tolpew, a kind of turtle] (1613): any of
          various aquatic turtles (family Emydidae); esp: diamondback
          terrapin

   terraqueous
          [terr.aque.ous] adj [L terra land + E aqueous] (ca. 1658):
          consisting of land and water

   terrarium
          [ter.rar.i.um] n, pl -ia or -i.ums [NL, fr. L terra + -arium
          (as in vivarium)] (1890): a usu. transparent enclosure
          for keeping or raising plants or usu. small animals (as
          turtles) indoors

   terrazzo
          [ter.raz.zo] n [It, lit., terrace, perh. fr. OProv terrassa]
          (1897): a mosaic flooring consisting of small pieces
          of marble or granite set in mortar and given a high polish

   [1]terrene
          [ter.rene] adj [ME, fr. L terrenus of earth, fr. terra earth]
          (14c): mundane, earthly [2]terrene n (1667): a land area:
          earth, terrain

   terreplein
          [ter.re.plein] n [MF, fr. OIt terrapieno, fr. ML terraplenum,
          fr. terra plenus filled with earth] (1591): the level
          space behind a parapet of a rampart where guns are mounted

   terrestrial
          [ter.res.tri.al] adj [ME, fr. L terrestris, fr. terra earth--more
          at terrace] (15c) 1 a: of or relating to the earth or
          its inhabitants <~ magnetism> b: mundane in scope or
          character: prosaic 2 a: of or relating to land as distinct
          from air or water <~ transportation> b (1): living on
          or in or growing from land <~ plants> (2): of or relating
          to terrestrial organisms <~ habits> 3: belonging to the
          class of planets that are like the earth (as in density
          and silicate composition) <the ~ planets Mercury, Venus,
          and Mars> -- terrestrial n -- ter.res.tri.al.ly adv

   terret
          [ter.ret] n [ME turette, alter. of toret, fr. MF, fr. OF,
          dim. of tour circuit, ring--more at turn] (15c): one
          of the rings on the top of a harness pad through which
          the reins pass

   terrible
          [ter.ri.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L terribilis, fr. terrere
          to frighten--more at terror] (15c) 1 a: exciting extreme
          alarm or intense fear: terrifying b: formidable in nature:
          awesome <a ~ responsibility> c: difficult <in a ~ bind>
          2: extreme, great <a ~ disappointment> 3: extremely bad:
          as a: strongly repulsive: obnoxious <a ~ smell> b: notably
          unattractive or objectionable c: of very poor quality
          <a ~ movie> -- ter.ri.ble.ness n -- ter.ri.bly adv

   terricolous
          [ter.ric.o.lous] adj [L terricola earth dweller, fr. terra
          earth + colere to inhabit--more at wheel] (ca. 1836):
          living on or in the ground

   terrier
          [ter.ri.er] n [ME, fr. MF (chien) terrier, lit., earth dog,
          fr. terrier of earth, fr. ML terrarius, fr. L terra]
          (15c): any of various usu. small dogs orig. used by hunters
          to dig for small furred game and engage the quarry underground
          or drive it out

   terrific
          [ter.rif.ic] adj [L terrificus, fr. terrere to frighten]
          (1667) 1 a: very bad: frightful b: exciting or fit to
          excite fear or awe 2: extraordinary <~ speed> 3: unusually
          fine: magnificent <~ weather> -- ter.rif.i.cal.ly adv

   terrify
          [ter.ri.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [L terrificare, fr. terrificus]
          (1575) 1 a: to drive or impel by menacing: scare b: deter,
          intimidate 2: to fill with terror

   terrifying
          [ter.ri.fy.ing] adj (ca. 1586) 1: causing terror or apprehension
          2: of a formidable nature -- ter.ri.fy.ing.ly adv

   terrigenous
          [ter.rig.e.nous] adj [L terrigena earthborn, fr. terra earth
          + gignere to beget--more at kin] (1882): being or relating
          to oceanic sediment derived directly from the destruction
          of rocks on the earth's surface

   terrine
          [ter.rine] n [F--more at tureen] (ca. 1706) 1 a: tureen 1
          b: a usu. earthenware dish in which foods are cooked
          and served 2: a mixture of chopped meat, fish, or vegetables
          cooked and served in a terrine

   [1]territorial
          [ter.ri.to.ri.al] adj (1625) 1 a: nearby, local b: serving
          outlying areas: regional 2 a: of or relating to a territory
          <~ government> b: of or relating to or organized chiefly
          for home defense <a ~ army> c: of or relating to private
          property 3 a: of or relating to an assigned or preempted
          area <~ commanders> b: exhibiting territoriality <~ birds>
          -- ter.ri.to.ri.al.ly adv [2]territorial n (1907): a
          member of a territorial military unit

   territorial court
          [territorial court] n (1857): a court in a U.S. territory
          that has jurisdiction over local and federal cases

   territorialism
          [ter.ri.to.ri.al.ism] n (1881) 1: landlordism 2: the principle
          established in 1555 requiring the inhabitants of a territory
          of the Holy Roman Empire to conform to the religion of
          their ruler or to emigrate -- ter.ri.to.ri.al.ist n

   territoriality
          [ter.ri.to.ri.al.i.ty] n (1894) 1: territorial status 2 a:
          persistent attachment to a specific territory b: the
          pattern of behavior associated with the defense of a
          territory

   territorialize
          [ter.ri.to.ri.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1818): to organize
          on a territorial basis -- ter.ri.to.ri.al.i.za.tion n

   territorial waters
          [territorial waters] n pl (1841): the waters under the sovereign
          jurisdiction of a nation or state including both marginal
          sea and inland waters

   territory
          [ter.ri.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ME, fr. L territorium, lit.,
          land around a town, fr. terra land--more at terrace]
          (15c) 1 a: a geographical area belonging to or under
          the jurisdiction of a governmental authority b: an administrative
          subdivision of a country c: a part of the U.S. not included
          within any state but organized with a separate legislature
          d: a geographical area (as a colonial possession) dependent
          on an external government but having some degree of autonomy
          2 a: an indeterminate geographical area b: a field of
          knowledge or interest 3 a: an assigned area; esp: one
          in which a sales representative or distributor operates
          b: an area often including a nesting or denning site
          and a variable foraging range that is occupied and defended
          by an animal or group of animals -- go with the territory
          or come with the territory : to be a natural or unavoidable
          aspect or accompaniment of a particular situation, position,
          or field <criticism goes with the territory in this job>

   terror
          [ter.ror] n [ME, fr. MF terreur, fr. L terror, fr. terrere
          to frighten; akin to Gk trein to be afraid, flee, tremein
          to tremble--more at tremble] (14c) 1: a state of intense
          fear 2 a: one that inspires fear: scourge b: a frightening
          aspect <the ~s of invasion> c: a cause of anxiety: worry
          d: an appalling person or thing; esp: brat 3: reign of
          terror 4: violence (as bombing) committed by groups in
          order to intimidate a population or government into granting
          their demands <insurrection and revolutionary ~> syn
          see fear -- ter.ror.less adj

   terrorise
          [ter.ror.ise] chiefly Brit var of terrorize

   terrorism
          [ter.ror.ism] n (1795): the systematic use of terror esp.
          as a means of coercion -- ter.ror.ist adj or n -- ter.ror.is.tic
          adj

   terrorize
          [ter.ror.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1823) 1: to fill with terror
          or anxiety: scare 2: to coerce by threat or violence
          -- ter.ror.i.za.tion n

   terry
          [ter.ry] n, pl terries [perh. modif. of F tire, pp. of tirer
          to draw] (1784) 1: the loop forming the pile in uncut
          pile fabrics 2: an absorbent fabric with such loops--called
          also terry cloth

   terse
          [terse] adj ters.er ; ters.est [L tersus clean, neat, fr.
          pp. of tergere to wipe off] (1601) 1: smoothly elegant:
          polished 2: devoid of superfluity <a ~ summary>; also:
          short, brusque <dismissed me with a ~ "no"> syn see concise
          -- terse.ly adv -- terse.ness n

   [1]tertian
          [ter.tian] adj [ME tercian, fr. L tertianus, lit., of the
          third, fr. tertius third--more at third] (14c): recurring
          at approximately 48-hour intervals--used of malaria [2]tertian
          n (14c): a tertian fever (as vivax malaria)

   [1]tertiary
          [ter.tia.ry] n, pl -ries (ca. 1550) 1 [ML tertiarius, fr.
          L, of a third]: a member of a monastic third order esp.
          of lay people 2 cap: the Tertiary period or system of
          rocks [2]tertiary adj [L tertiarius of or containing
          a third, fr. tertius third] (ca. 1656) 1 a: of third
          rank, importance, or value b chiefly Brit: of, relating
          to, or being higher education c: of, relating to, or
          constituting the third strongest of the three or four
          degrees of stress recognized by most linguists (as the
          stress of the third syllable of basketball team) 2 cap:
          of, relating to, or being the first period of the Cenozoic
          era or the corresponding system of rocks marked by the
          formation of high mountains (as the Alps, Caucasus, and
          Himalayas) and the dominance of mammals on land--see
          geologic time table 3 a: involving or resulting from
          the substitution of three atoms or groups <a ~ salt>
          <~ amine> b: being or containing a carbon atom having
          bonds to three other carbon atoms <an acid containing
          a ~ carbon> <~ alcohols> 4: occurring in or being a third
          stage: as a: being or relating to the recovery of oil
          and gas from old wells by means of the underground application
          of heat and chemicals b: being or relating to the purification
          of wastewater by removal of fine particles, nitrates,
          and phosphates

   tertiary color
          [tertiary color] n (ca. 1864) 1: a color produced by mixing
          two secondary colors 2: a color produced by an equal
          mixture of a primary color with a secondary color adjacent
          to it on the color wheel

   tertiary syphilis
          [tertiary syphilis] n (1875): the third stage of syphilis
          that develops after the disappearance of the secondary
          symptoms and is marked by ulcers in and gummas under
          the skin and commonly by involvement of the skeletel,
          cardiovascular, and nervous systems

   tertium quid
          [ter.ti.um quid] n [LL, lit., third something; fr. its failing
          to fit into a dichotomy] (ca. 1724) 1: a middle course
          or an intermediate component <where there are two systems
          of law and two orders of courts, there must ... be some
          tertium quid to deal with conflicts of law and jurisdiction
          --Ernest Baker> 2: a third party of ambiguous status
          <there was a man and his wife and a tertium quid --Rudyard
          Kipling>

   tervalent
          [ter.va.lent] adj (ca. 1903): trivalent

   terza rima
          [ter.za ri.ma] n [It, lit., third rhyme] (1819): a verse
          form consisting of tercets usu. in iambic pentameter
          in English poetry with an interlaced rhyme scheme (as
          aba, bcb, cdc)

   TESL
          [TESL] abbreviation teaching English as a second language

   tesla
          [tes.la] n [Nikola Tesla] (1958): a unit of magnetic flux
          density in the meter-kilogram-second system equivalent
          to one weber per square meter

   TESOL
          [TESOL] abbreviation Teachers of English to Speakers of Other
          Languages

   tessellate
          [tes.sel.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [LL tessellatus, pp.
          of tessellare to pave with tesserae, fr. L tessella,
          dim. of tessera] (1789): to form into or adorn with mosaic

   tessellated
          [tes.sel.lat.ed] adj (1695): having a checkered appearance

   tessellation
          [tes.sel.la.tion] n (1660) 1: mosaic; esp: a covering of
          an infinite geometric plane without gaps or overlaps
          by congruent plane figures of one type or a few types
          2: an act of tessellating: the state of being tessellated

   tessera
          [tes.sera] n, pl -ser.ae [L, prob. ultim. fr. Gk tessares
          four; fr. its having four corners--more at four] (ca.
          1656) 1: a small tablet (as of wood, bone, or ivory)
          used by the ancient Romans as a ticket, tally, voucher,
          or means of identification 2: a small piece (as of marble,
          glass, or tile) used in mosaic work

   tesseract
          [tes.ser.act] n [Gk tessares four + aktis ray--more at actin-]
          (1888): the four-dimensional analogue of a cube

   tessitura
          [tes.si.tu.ra] n [It, lit., texture, fr. L textura] (ca.
          1891): the general range of a melody or voice part; specif:
          the part of the register in which most of the tones of
          a melody or voice part lie

   Test
          [Test] abbreviation Testament

   [1]test
          [test] n [ME, vessel in which metals were assayed, cupel,
          fr. MF, fr. L testum earthen vessel; akin to L testa
          earthen pot, shell] (14c) 1 a chiefly Brit: cupel b (1):
          a critical examination, observation, or evaluation: trial;
          specif: the procedure of submitting a statement to such
          conditions or operations as will lead to its proof or
          disproof or to its acceptance or rejection <a ~ of a
          statistical hypothesis> (2): a basis for evaluation:
          criterion c: an ordeal or oath required as proof of conformity
          with a set of beliefs 2 a: a means of testing: as (1):
          a procedure, reaction, or reagent used to identify or
          characterize a substance or constituent (2): something
          (as a series of questions or exercises) for measuring
          the skill, knowledge, intelligence, capacities, or aptitudes
          of an individual or group b: a positive result in such
          a test 3: a result or value determined by testing 4:
          test match [2]test vt (1689) 1: to put to test or proof:
          try 2: to require a doctrinal oath of ~ vi 1 a: to undergo
          a test b: to be assigned a standing or evaluation on
          the basis of tests <~ed positive for cocaine> <the cake
          ~ed done> 2: to apply a test as a means of analysis or
          diagnosis--used with for <~ for mechanical aptitude>
          -- test.abil.i.ty n -- test.able adj -- test the waters
          also test the water : to make a preliminary test or survey
          (as of reaction or interest) before embarking on a course
          of action [3]test n [L testa shell] (ca. 1842): an external
          hard or firm covering (as a shell) of many invertebrates
          (as a foraminifer or a mollusk)

   testa
          [tes.ta] n, pl tes.tae [NL, fr. L, shell] (1796): the hard
          external coating or integument of a seed

   testaceous
          [tes.ta.ceous] adj [L testaceus, fr. testa shell, earthen
          pot, brick] (1646) 1: having a shell <a ~ protozoan>
          2: of any of the several light colors of bricks

   testacy
          [tes.ta.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1864): the state of being testate

   testament
          [tes.ta.ment] n [ME, fr. LL & L; LL testamentum covenant
          with God, holy scripture, fr. L, last will, fr. testari
          to be a witness, call to witness, make a will, fr. testis
          witness; akin to L tres three & to L stare to stand;
          fr. the witness's standing by as a third party
          in a litigation--more at three, stand] (14c) 1 a archaic:
          a covenant between God and the human race b cap: either of two main
          divisions of the Bible 2 a: a tangible proof or tribute
          b: an expression of conviction: credo 3 a: an act by which a person
          determines the disposition of his or her property after death
          b: will -- tes.ta.men.ta.ry adj

   testate
          [tes.tate] adj [ME, fr. L testatus, pp. of testari to make
          a will] (15c): having left a valid will <she died ~>

   testator
          [tes.ta.tor] n [ME testatour, fr. AF, fr. LL testator, fr.
          L testari] (15c): a person who dies leaving a will or
          testament in force

   testatrix
          [tes.ta.trix] n [LL, fem. of testator] (1591): a female testator

   test ban
          [test ban] n (1958): a self-imposed partial or complete ban
          on the testing of nuclear weapons that is mutually agreed
          to by countries possessing such weapons

   test bed
          [test bed] n (1914): a vehicle (as an airplane) used for
          testing new equipment (as engines or weapons systems)

   test case
          [test case] n (1894) 1: a representative case whose outcome
          is likely to serve as a precedent 2: a proceeding brought
          by agreement or on an understanding of the parties to
          obtain a decision as to the constitutionality of a statute

   testcross
          [test.cross] n (1934): a genetic cross between a homozygous
          recessive individual and a corresponding suspected heterozygote
          to determine the genotype of the latter -- testcross
          vt

   test-drive
          [test-drive] vt -drove ; -driv.en ; -driv.ing (1950): to
          drive (a motor vehicle) in order to evaluate performance
          -- test-drive n

   tested
          [test.ed] adj (1748): subjected to or qualified through
          testing--often used in combination <time-tested principles>

   testee
          [test.ee] n (1930): one who takes an examination

   [1]tester
          [tes.ter] n [ME, fr. MF testiere headpiece, head covering,
          fr. teste head, fr. LL testa skull, fr. L, shell] (14c):
          the canopy over a bed, pulpit, or altar [2]tes.ter n
          [modif. of MF testart, fr. teston] (1546): teston a [3]test.er
          n (1661): one that tests or is used for testing

   test-fly
          [test-fly] vt -flew ; -flown ; -fly.ing (1936): to subject
          to a flight test <~ an experimental plane>

   testicle
          [tes.ti.cle] n [ME testicule, fr. L testiculus, dim. of testis]
          (15c): testis; esp: one of a higher mammal usu. with
          its enclosing structures -- tes.tic.u.lar adj

   testify
          [tes.ti.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME testifien, fr. L testificari,
          fr. testis witness] vi (14c) 1 a: to make a statement
          based on personal knowledge or belief: bear witness b:
          to serve as evidence or proof 2: to express a personal
          conviction 3: to make a solemn declaration under oath
          for the purpose of establishing a fact (as in a court)
          ~ vt 1 a: to bear witness to: attest b: to serve as evidence
          of: prove 2 archaic a: to make known (a personal conviction)
          b: to give evidence of: show 3: to declare under oath
          before a tribunal or officially constituted public body
          -- tes.ti.fi.er n

   [1]testimonial
          [tes.ti.mo.ni.al] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or constituting
          testimony 2: expressive of appreciation or esteem <a
          ~ dinner> [2]testimonial n (15c) 1: evidence, testimony
          2 a: a statement testifying to benefits received b: a
          character reference: letter of recommendation 3: an expression
          of appreciation: tribute

   testimony
          [tes.ti.mo.ny] n, pl -nies [ME, fr. LL & L; LL testimonium
          Decalogue, fr. L, evidence, witness, fr. testis witness--more
          at testament] (14c) 1 a (1): the tablets inscribed with
          the Mosaic law (2): the ark containing the tablets b:
          a divine decree attested in the Scriptures 2 a: firsthand
          authentication of a fact: evidence b: an outward sign
          c: a solemn declaration usu. made orally by a witness
          under oath in response to interrogation by a lawyer or
          authorized public official 3 a: an open acknowledgment
          b: a public profession of religious experience

   testing
          [test.ing] adj (1878): requiring maximum effort or ability
          <a most difficult and ~ problem --Ernest Bevin>

   testis
          [tes.tis] n, pl tes.tes [L, witness, testis] (ca. 1704):
          a typically paired male reproductive gland that produces
          sperm and that in most mammals is contained within the
          scrotum at sexual maturity

   test-market
          [test-mar.ket] vt (1953): to subject (a product) to trial
          in a limited market

   test match
          [test match] n (1862) 1: any of a series of championship
          cricket matches played between teams representing Australia
          and England 2: a championship game or series (as of cricket)
          played between teams representing different countries

   teston
          [tes.ton] or tes.toon n [MF, fr. OIt testone, aug. of testa
          head, fr. LL, skull--more at tester] (1536): any of several
          old European coins: as a: a shilling of Henry VIII of
          England decreasing in value to ninepence and then to
          sixpence in Shakespeare's time b: a French silver coin
          of the 16th century worth between 10 and 14 1/2 sous

   testosterone
          [tes.tos.ter.one] n [test is + -o- + -sterone] (1935): a
          hormone that is a hydroxy steroid ketone produced esp.
          by the testes or made synthetically and that is responsible
          for inducing and maintaining male secondary sex characters

   test pattern
          [test pattern] n (ca. 1946): a fixed picture broadcast by
          a television station to assist viewers in adjusting their
          receivers

   test pilot
          [test pilot] n (1917): a pilot who specializes in putting
          new or experimental airplanes through maneuvers designed
          to test them (as for strength) by producing strains in
          excess of normal

   test-tube
          [test-tube] adj (1935): produced by fertilization in laboratory
          apparatus and implantation in the uterus, by fertilization
          and growth in laboratory apparatus, or sometimes by artificial
          insemination <~ babies>

   test tube
          [test tube] n (1846): a plain or lipped tube usu. of thin
          glass closed at one end and used esp. in chemistry and
          biology

   testudo
          [tes.tu.do] n, pl -dos [L testudin-, testudo, lit., tortoise,
          tortoise shell; akin to L testa shell] (1609): a cover
          of overlapping shields or a shed wheeled up to a wall
          used by the ancient Romans to protect an attacking force

   testy
          [tes.ty] adj tes.ti.er ; -est [ME testif, fr. AF, headstrong,
          fr. OF teste head--more at tester] (1526) 1: easily annoyed:
          irritable 2: marked by impatience or ill humor <~ remarks>
          -- tes.ti.ly adv -- tes.ti.ness n

   Tet
          [Tet] n [Vietnamese tet] (1885): the Vietnamese New Year
          observed for three days beginning at the first new moon
          after January 20

   tetanal
          [tet.a.nal] adj (1939): of, relating to, or derived from
          tetanus <~ toxin>

   tetanic
          [te.tan.ic] adj (ca. 1727): of, relating to, being, or tending
          to produce tetany or tetanus -- te.tan.i.cal.ly adv

   tetanize
          [tet.a.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1849): to induce tetanus
          in <~ a muscle> -- tet.a.ni.za.tion n

   tetanus
          [tet.a.nus] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk tetanos, fr. tetanos stretched,
          rigid; akin to Gk teinein to stretch--more at thin] (14c)
          1 a: an acute infectious disease characterized by tonic
          spasm of voluntary muscles esp. of the jaw and caused
          by the specific toxin of a bacterium (Clostridium tetani)
          which is usu. introduced through a wound--compare lockjaw
          b: the bacterium that causes tetanus 2: prolonged contraction
          of a muscle resulting from rapidly repeated motor impulses

   tetany
          [tet.a.ny] n [ISV, fr. L tetanus] (ca. 1885): a condition
          of physiologic calcium imbalance marked by tonic spasm
          of muscles and often associated with deficient parathyroid
          secretion

   tetartohedral
          [te.tar.to.he.dral] adj [Gk tetartos fourth; akin to Gk tettares
          four--more at four] (ca. 1858) of a crystal: having one
          fourth the number of planes required by complete symmetry--compare
          hemihedral, holohedral

   tetched
          [tetched] var of teched

   tetchy
          [tetchy] adj tetch.i.er ; -est [perh. fr. obs. tetch habit]
          (1592): irritably or peevishly sensitive: touchy <the
          ~ manner of two women living in the same house --Elizabeth
          Taylor d. 1975> -- tetch.i.ly adv -- tetch.i.ness n

   [1]tete-a-tete
          [tete-a-tete] n [F, lit., head to head] (1697) 1: a private
          conversation between two persons 2: a short piece of
          furniture (as a sofa) intended to seat two persons esp.
          facing each other [2]tete-a-tete adv (1700): in private
          [3]tete-a-tete adj (1728): face-to-face, private

   tete-beche
          [tete-beche] adj [F, n., pair of inverted stamps, fr. tete
          head + -beche, alter. of MF bechevet head against foot]
          (ca. 1913): of or relating to a pair of stamps inverted
          in relation to one another either through a printing
          error or intentionally

   teth
          [teth] n [Heb teth] (ca. 1823): the 9th letter of the Hebrew
          alphabet

   [1]tether
          [teth.er] n [ME tethir, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON
          tjothr tether; akin to OHG zeotar pole of a wagon] (14c)
          1: something (as a rope or chain) by which an animal
          is fastened so that it can range only within a set radius
          2: the limit of one's strength or resources <at the end
          of my ~> [2]tether vt teth.ered ; teth.er.ing (15c):
          to fasten or restrain by or as if by a tether

   tetherball
          [teth.er.ball] n (ca. 1900): a game played with a ball suspended
          by a string from an upright pole in which the object
          for each contestant is to wrap the string around the
          pole by striking the ball in a direction opposite to
          that of the other contestant; also: the ball used in
          this game

   Tethys
          [Te.thys] n [L, fr. Gk Tethys]: a Titaness and wife of Oceanus

   tetra-
          [tetra-] or tetr- comb form [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk; akin to Gk
          tettares four--more at four] 1: four: having four: having
          four parts <tetravalent> 2: containing four atoms or
          groups (of a specified kind) <tetrachloride>

   tetra
          [tet.ra] n [by shortening fr. NL Tetragonopterus, former
          genus name, fr. LL tetragonum quadrangle + Gk pteron
          wing--more at tetragonal, feather] (1931): any of numerous
          small often brightly colored So. American characin fishes
          often bred in tropical aquariums

   tetracaine
          [tet.ra.caine] n [tetra- + -caine] (ca. 1935): a crystalline
          basic ester that is closely related chemically to procaine
          and is used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride
          as a local anesthetic

   tetrachloride
          [tet.ra.chlo.ride] n (1866): a chloride containing four atoms
          of chlorine

   tetrachord
          [tet.ra.chord] n [Gk tetrachordon, fr. neut. of tetrachordos
          of four strings, fr. tetra- + chorde string--more at
          yarn] (1603): a diatonic series of four tones with an
          interval of a perfect fourth between the first and last

   tetracycline
          [tet.ra.cy.cline] n [ISV tetracyclic having four fused hydrocarbon
          rings + [2]-ine] (1952): a yellow crystalline broad-spectrum
          antibiotic produced by streptomyces or synthetically

   tetrad
          [tet.rad] n [Gk tetrad-, tetras, fr. tetra-] (1653): a group
          or arrangement of four: as a: a group of four cells produced
          by the successive divisions of a mother cell <a ~ of
          spores> b: a group of four synapsed chromatids that become
          visibly evident in the pachytene stage of meiotic prophase
          -- te.trad.ic adj

   tetradrachm
          [tet.ra.drachm] n [Gk tetradrachmon, fr. tetra- + drachme
          drachma] (ca. 1580): an ancient Greek silver coin worth
          four drachmas

   tetradynamous
          [tet.ra.dy.na.mous] adj [ISV tetra- + Gk dynamis power--more
          at dynamic] (1830): having six stamens four of which
          are longer than the others <~ plants of the mustard family>

   tetraethyl lead
          [tet.ra.eth.yl lead] n (1923): a heavy oily poisonous liquid
          used as an antiknock agent

   tetrafluoride
          [tet.ra.flu.o.ride] n (ca. 1909): a fluoride containing four
          atoms of fluorine

   tetragonal
          [te.trag.o.nal] adj [LL tetragonalis having four angles and
          four sides, fr. tetragonum quadrangle, fr. Gk tetragonon,
          fr. neut. of tetragonos tetragonal, fr. tetra- + gonia
          angle--more at -gon] (1868): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the tetragonal system -- te.trag.o.nal.ly adv

   tetragonal system
          [tetragonal system] n (1879): a crystal system characterized
          by three axes at right angles of which only the two lateral
          axes are equal

   tetragrammaton
          [tet.ra.gram.ma.ton] n [ME, fr. Gk, fr. neut. of tetragrammatos
          having four letters, fr. tetra- + grammat-, gramma letter--more
          at gram] (15c): the four Hebrew letters usu. transliterated
          YHWH or JHVH that form a biblical proper name of God--compare
          yahweh

   tetrahedral
          [tet.ra.he.dral] adj (1794) 1: being a polyhedral angle with
          four faces 2: relating to, forming, or having the form
          of a tetrahedron -- tet.ra.he.dral.ly adv

   tetrahedrite
          [tet.ra.he.drite] n [G Tetraedrit, fr. LGk tetraedros having
          four faces] (1868): a fine-grained gray mineral that
          consists of a sulfide of copper, iron, and antimony,
          often contains other elements (as silver), and occurs
          in tetrahedral crystals or in massive form

   tetrahedron
          [tet.ra.he.dron] n, pl -drons or -dra [NL, fr. LGk tetraedron,
          neut. of tetraedros having four faces, fr. Gk tetra-
          + hedra seat, face--more at sit] (1570): a polyhedron
          that has four faces

   tetrahydrocannabinol
          [tet.ra.hy.dro.can.nab.i.nol] n [tetrahydro- (combined with
          four atoms of hydrogen) + cannabin + [1]-ol] (1940):
          thc

   tetrahydrofuran
          [tet.ra.hy.dro.fu.ran] n [tetrahydro- + furan] (ca. 1943):
          a flammable liquid heterocyclic ether that is derived
          from furan and used as a solvent and as an intermediate
          in organic synthesis

   tetrahymena
          [tet.ra.hy.me.na] n [NL, fr. tetra- + Gk hymen membrane]
          (1962): any of a genus (Tetrahymena) of ciliate protozoans

   tetralogy
          [te.tral.o.gy] n, pl -gies [Gk tetralogia, fr. tetra- + -logia
          -logy] (1656) 1: a group of four dramatic pieces presented
          consecutively on the Attic stage at the Dionysiac festival
          2: a series of four connected works (as operas or novels)

   tetramer
          [tet.ra.mer] n (1929): a molecule (as an enzyme or a polymer)
          that consists of four structural subunits (as peptide
          chains or condensed monomers) -- tet.ra.mer.ic adj

   tetramerous
          [te.tram.er.ous] adj [NL tetramerus, fr. Gk tetrameres, fr.
          tetra- + meros part--more at merit] (1826): having or
          characterized by the presence of four parts or of parts
          arranged in sets or multiples of four <~ flowers>

   tetrameter
          [te.tram.e.ter] n [Gk tetrametron, fr. neut. of tetrametros
          having four measures, fr. tetra- + metron measure--more
          at measure] (1612): a line of verse consisting either
          of four dipodies (as in classical iambic, trochaic, and
          anapestic verse) or four metrical feet (as in modern
          English verse)

   tetramethyllead
          [tet.ra.meth.yl.lead] n (1964): a volatile poisonous liquid
          used as an antiknock agent

   [1]tetraploid
          [tet.ra.ploid] adj [ISV] (1912): having or being a chromosome
          number four times the monoploid number <a ~ cell> --
          tet.ra.ploi.dy n [2]tetraploid n (1921): a tetraploid
          individual

   tetrapod
          [tet.ra.pod] n [NL tetrapodus, fr. Gk tetrapod-, tetrapous
          four-footed, fr. tetra- + pod-, pous foot--more at foot]
          (ca. 1891): a vertebrate (as a frog, bird, or cat) with
          two pairs of limbs

   tetrapyrrole
          [tet.ra.pyr.role] n (ca. 1928): a chemical group consisting
          of four pyrrole rings joined either in a straight chain
          or in a ring (as in chlorophyll)

   tetrarch
          [te.trarch] n [ME, fr. L tetrarcha, fr. Gk tetrarches, fr.
          tetra- + -arches -arch] (14c) 1: a governor of the fourth
          part of a province 2: a subordinate prince -- te.trar.chic
          adj

   tetrarchy
          [te.trar.chy] n, pl -chies (ca. 1630): government by four
          persons ruling jointly

   tetraspore
          [tet.ra.spore] n [ISV] (1857): one of the haploid asexual
          spores developed meiotically in the red algae usu. in
          groups of four -- tet.ra.spor.ic adj

   tetravalent
          [tet.ra.va.lent] adj [ISV] (1868): having a valence of four

   tetrazolium
          [tet.ra.zo.li.um] n [NL, fr. ISV tetrazole ] (1895): a univalent
          cation or group containing a methyl group and four nitrogen
          atoms that is analogous to ammonium; also: any of several
          of its derivatives used esp. as electron acceptors to
          test for metabolic activity in living cells

   tetrazzini
          [te.traz.zi.ni] adj, often cap [Luisa Tetrazzini d. 1940
          Ital. opera singer] (1951): prepared with pasta and a
          white sauce seasoned with sherry and served au gratin
          <chicken ~>

   tetrode
          [tet.rode] n (1902): a vacuum tube with a cathode, an anode,
          a control grid, and an additional grid or other electrode

   tetrodotoxin
          [te.tro.do.tox.in] n [ISV tetrodo- (fr. NL Tetrodon, genus
          of tropical marine fishes) + toxin] (1911): a neurotoxin
          found esp. in puffer fish that blocks nerve conduction
          by suppressing permeability of the nerve fiber to sodium
          ions

   tetroxide
          [te.trox.ide] n [ISV] (1866): a compound of an element or
          group with four atoms of oxygen

   tetryl
          [tet.ryl] n [ISV] (1909): a pale yellow crystalline explosive
          used esp. as a detonator

   tetter
          [tet.ter] n [ME teter, fr. OE; akin to OHG zittaroh tetter,
          Skt dadru leprosy, drnati he tears--more at tear] (bef.
          12c): any of various vesicular skin diseases (as ringworm,
          eczema, and herpes)

   Teuton
          [Teu.ton] n [L Teutoni, pl.] (ca. 1741) 1: a member of an
          ancient prob. Germanic or Celtic people 2: a member of
          a people speaking a language of the Germanic branch of
          the Indo-European language family; esp: german

   [1]Teutonic
          [Teu.ton.ic] n (1612): germanic [2]Teutonic adj (1618): of,
          relating to, or characteristic of the Teutons -- Teu.ton.i.cal.ly
          adv

   Teutonism
          [Teu.ton.ism] n (1854): germanism

   Teutonist
          [Teu.ton.ist] n (1882): germanist

   teutonize
          [teu.ton.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing often cap (1845): germanize

   Tex
          [Tex] abbreviation Texas

   texas
          [tex.as] n [Texas, state of U.S.; fr. the naming of cabins
          on Mississippi steamboats after states, the officers'
          cabins being the largest] (1857): a structure on the
          awning deck of a steamer that contains the officers'
          cabins and has the pilothouse in front or on top

   Texas fever
          [Texas fever] n (1866): an infectious disease of cattle transmitted
          by the cattle tick and caused by a protozoan (Babesia bigemina)
          that multiplies in the blood and destroys the red blood cells

   Texas Independence Day
          [Texas Independence Day] n (ca. 1928): March 2 observed as
          the anniversary of the declaration of independence of
          Texas from Mexico in 1836 and also as the birthday of
          Sam Houston

   Texas leaguer
          [Texas leaguer] n [Texas League, a baseball minor league]
          (1905): a fly in baseball that falls too far out to be
          caught by an infielder and too close in to be caught
          by an outfielder

   Texas longhorn
          [Texas longhorn] n (1908) 1: longhorn 1a 2: any of a breed
          of relatively small cattle developed in the U.S. from
          descendants of the original longhorns and typically having
          a 40 inch (one meter) horn spread and a highly variable
          color pattern

   Texas Ranger
          [Texas Ranger] n (1846): a member of a formerly mounted police
          force in Texas

   Tex-Mex
          [Tex-Mex] adj [Texas + Mexico] (1949): of, relating to, or
          being the Mexican-American culture or cuisine existing
          or originating in esp. southern Texas <~ cooking> <~
          music>

   text
          [text] n [ME, fr. MF texte, fr. ML textus, fr. L, texture,
          context, fr. texere to weave--more at technical] (14c)
          1 a (1): the original words and form of a written or
          printed work (2): an edited or emended copy of an original
          work b: a work containing such text 2 a: the main body
          of printed or written matter on a page b: the principal
          part of a book exclusive of front and back matter c:
          the printed score of a musical composition 3 a (1): a
          verse or passage of Scripture chosen esp. for the subject
          of a sermon or for authoritative support (as for a doctrine)
          (2): a passage from an authoritative source providing
          an introduction or basis (as for a speech) b: a source
          of information or authority 4: theme, topic 5 a: the
          words of something (as a poem) set to music b: matter
          chiefly in the form of words that is treated as data
          for processing by computerized equipment <a text-editing
          typewriter> 6: a type suitable for printing running text
          7: textbook 8 a: something written or spoken considered
          as an object to be examined, explicated, or deconstructed
          b: something likened to a text <the surfaces of daily
          life are ~s to be explicated --Michiko Kakutani> <he
          ceased to be a teacher as he became a ~ --D. J. Boorstin>

   [1]textbook
          [text.book] n (1779): a book used in the study of a subject:
          as a: one containing a presentation of the principles
          of a subject b: a literary work relevant to the study
          of a subject [2]textbook adj (1905): of, suggesting,
          or suitable to a textbook; esp: classic <a ~ example
          of bureaucratic waste>

   textbookish
          [text.book.ish] adj (1914): of, relating to, or having the
          characteristics of a textbook <the style is heavy and
          ~ --Nation>

   text edition
          [text edition] n (1895): an edition of a book prepared for
          use esp. in schools and colleges--compare trade edition

   textile
          [tex.tile] n [L, fr. neut. of textilis woven, fr. texere]
          (1626) 1: cloth 1a; esp: a woven or knit cloth 2: a fiber,
          filament, or yarn used in making cloth

   textual
          [tex.tu.al] adj [ME, fr. ML textus text] (15c): of, relating
          to, or based on a text -- tex.tu.al.ly adv

   textual critic
          [textual critic] n (1938): a practitioner of textual criticism

   textual criticism
          [textual criticism] n (1859) 1: the study of a literary work
          that aims to establish the original text 2: a critical
          study of literature emphasizing a close reading and analysis
          of the text

   [1]textuary
          [tex.tu.ary] n, pl -ar.ies [ML textus] (1608): one who is
          well informed in the Bible or in biblical scholarship
          [2]textuary adj (1646): textual

   [1]texture
          [tex.ture] n [L textura, fr. textus, pp. of texere to weave--more
          at technical] (1578) 1 a: something composed of closely
          interwoven elements; specif: a woven cloth b: the structure
          formed by the threads of a fabric 2 a: essential part:
          substance b: identifying quality: character 3 a: the
          disposition or manner of union of the particles of a
          body or substance b: the visual or tactile surface characteristics
          and appearance of something <the ~ of an oil painting>
          4 a: a composite of the elements of prose or poetry <all these
          words ... meet violently to form a ~ impressive and exciting --John
          Berryman> b: a pattern of musical sound created by tones or lines
          played or sung together 5 a: basic scheme or structure b: overall
          structure -- tex.tur.al adj -- tex.tur.al.ly adv -- tex.tured adj
          -- tex.ture.less adj [2]texture vt tex.tured ; tex.tur.ing (1694):
          to give a particular texture to

   texturize
          [tex.tur.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1950): texture <~ a
          polyester yarn>

   textus receptus
          [tex.tus re.cep.tus] n [NL, lit., received text] (1856):
          the generally accepted text of a literary work (as the
          Greek New Testament)

   tf...
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   TF
          [TF] abbreviation task force, territorial force

   tfr
          [tfr] abbreviation transfer  TFR abbreviation total fertility
          rate

   tg...
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   TG
          [TG] abbreviation transformational grammar, type genus

   TGIF
          [TGIF] abbreviation thank God it's Friday

   tgt
          [tgt] abbreviation target

   TGV
          [TGV] [F train a grande vitesse] abbreviation high-speed
          train

   th...
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   [1]-th
          [-th] --see -eth [2]-th or -eth adj suffix [ME -the, -te,
          fr. OE -tha, -ta; akin to OHG -do -th, L -tus, Gk -tos,
          Skt -tha]--used in forming ordinal numbers <hundredth>
          <fortieth> [3]-th n suffix [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG -ida,
          suffix forming abstract nouns, L -ta, Gk -te, Skt -ta]
          1: act or process <spilth> 2: state or condition <dearth>
          [4]-th symbol [[2]-th]--used with the figures 4, 5, 6,
          7, 8, 9, and 0 and related Roman numerals to indicate
          an ordinal number <25th> <50th wedding anniversary> <XXVth
          Olympiad>

   Th
          [Th] abbreviation thorium, Thursday  TH abbreviation true
          heading

   Thai
          [Thai] abbreviation Thailand

   [1]Thai
          [Thai] n, pl Thai or Thais (1808) 1: a family of languages
          including Thai and Shan spoken in southeast Asia and
          China 2 a: a native or inhabitant of Thailand b: one
          who is descended from a Thai 3: the official language
          of Thailand [2]Thai adj (1808): of or relating to Thailand,
          its people, or their language or culture

   thalamus
          [thal.a.mus] n, pl -mi [NL, fr. Gk thalamos chamber] (1756):
          the largest subdivision of the diencephalon that consists
          chiefly of an ovoid mass of nuclei in each lateral wall
          of the third ventricle and functions in the integration
          of sensory information--see brain illustration -- tha.lam.ic
          adj

   thalassaemia
          [thal.as.sae.mia] chiefly Brit var of thalassemia

   thalassemia
          [thal.as.se.mia] n [NL, fr. Gk thalassa sea + NL -emia] (1932):
          any of a group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin synthesis
          affecting the globin chain that are characterized usu.
          by mild to severe hemolytic anemia, are caused by a series
          of allelic genes, and tend to occur esp. in individuals
          of Mediterranean, black, or southeast Asian ancestry;
          esp: cooley's anemia -- thal.as.se.mic adj or n

   thalassemia major
          [thalassemia major] n [NL, greater thalassemia] (1944): cooley's
          anemia

   thalassemia minor
          [thalassemia minor] n [NL, lesser thalassemia] (1944): a
          mild form of thalassemia associated with the heterozygous
          condition for the gene involved

   thalassic
          [tha.las.sic] adj [F thalassique, fr. Gk thalassa sea] (1883):
          of, relating to, or situated or developed about inland
          seas <~ civilizations of the Aegean>

   thalassocracy
          [thal.as.soc.ra.cy] n [Gk thalassokratia, fr. thalassa +
          -kratia -cracy] (1846): maritime supremacy

   thalassocrat
          [tha.las.so.crat] n (1846): one who has maritime supremacy

   thaler
          [tha.ler] var of taler

   Thalia
          [Tha.lia] n [L, fr. Gk Thaleia] 1: the Greek Muse of comedy
          2: one of the three Grac es

   thalidomide
          [tha.lid.o.mide] n [phthalic acid + -id- (fr. imide) + -o-
          + imide] (1958): a sedative and hypnotic drug that has
          been the cause of malformation of infants born to mothers
          using it during pregnancy

   thallium
          [thal.li.um] n [NL, fr. Gk thallos green shoot; fr. the bright
          green line in its spectrum] (1861): a sparsely but widely
          distributed poisonous metallic element that resembles
          lead in physical properties and is used chiefly in the
          form of compounds in photoelectric cells or as a pesticide

   thalloid
          [thal.loid] adj (1857): of, relating to, resembling, or consisting
          of a thallus <~ liverworts>

   thallophyte
          [thal.lo.phyte] n [ultim. fr. Gk thallos + phyton plant--more
          at phyt-] (1854): any of a primary division (Thallophyta)
          of the plant kingdom comprising plants with single-celled
          sex organs or with many-celled sex organs of which all
          cells give rise to gametes, including the algae, fungi,
          and lichens, and usu. held to be a heterogeneous assemblage
          -- thal.lo.phyt.ic adj

   thallus
          [thal.lus] n, pl thal.li or thal.lus.es [NL, fr. Gk thallos,
          fr. thallein to sprout; akin to Arm dalar green, fresh,
          Alb dal I come forth] (1829): a plant body that is characteristic
          of thallophytes, lacks differentiation into distinct
          members (as stem, leaves, and roots), and does not grow
          from an apical point

   [1]than
          [than] conj [ME than, then then, than--more at then] (bef.
          12c) 1 a--used as a function word to indicate the second
          member or the member taken as the point of departure
          in a comparison expressive of inequality--used with comparative
          adjectives and comparative adverbs <older ~ I am> <easier
          said ~ done> b--used as a function word to indicate difference
          of kind, manner, or identity--used esp. with some adjectives
          and adverbs that express diversity <anywhere else ~ at
          home> 2: rather than--usu. used only after prefer, preferable,
          and preferably 3: other than 4: when--used esp. after
          scarcely and hardly [2]than prep (1560): in comparison
          with <you are older ~ me> usage After about 200 years
          of innocent if occasional use, the preposition than was
          called into question by 18th century grammarians. Some
          200 years of elaborate and sometimes tortuous reasoning
          have led to these present-day inconsistent conclusions:
          than whom is standard but clumsy <Beelzebub ... than
          whom, Satan except, none higher sat --John Milton> <T.
          S. Eliot, than whom nobody could have been more insularly
          English --Anthony Burgess>; than me may be acceptable
          in speech <a man no mightier than thyself or me --Shak.>
          <why should a man be better than me because he's richer
          than me --William Faulkner, in a talk to students>; than
          followed by a third-person objective pronoun (her, him,
          them) is usu. frowned upon. Surveyed opinion tends to
          agree with these conclusions. Our evidence shows that
          the conjunction is more common than the preposition,
          that than whom is chiefly limited to writing, and that
          me is more common after the preposition than the third-person
          objective pronouns. You have the same choice Shakespeare
          had: you can use than either as a conjunction or as a
          preposition.

   thanatology
          [than.a.tol.o.gy] n [Gk thanatos + E -logy] (ca. 1842): the
          description or study of the phenomena of death and of
          psychological mechanisms for coping with them --
          than.a.to.log.i.cal adj -- than.a.tol.o.gist n

   Thanatos
          [Than.a.tos] n [Gk, death; akin to Skt adhvanit it vanished]
          (1935): death instinct

   thane
          [thane] n [ME theyn, fr. OE thegn; akin to OHG thegan thane
          and perh. to Gk tiktein to bear, beget] (bef. 12c) 1:
          a free retainer of an Anglo-Saxon lord; esp: one resembling
          a feudal baron by holding lands of and performing military
          service for the king 2: a Scottish feudal lord -- thane.ship
          n

   thank
          [thank] vt [ME, fr. OE thancian; akin to OE thanc gratitude--more
          at thanks] (bef. 12c) 1: to express gratitude to <~ed
          her for the present>--used in the phrase thank you usu.
          without a subject to politely express gratitude <~ you
          for your consideration>--used in such phrases as thank
          God, thank goodness usu. without a subject to express
          gratitude or more often only the speaker's or writer's
          pleasure or satisfaction in something 2: to hold responsible
          <had only himself to ~ for his loss> -- thank.er n

   thankful
          [thank.ful] adj (bef. 12c) 1: conscious of benefit received
          <for what we are about to receive make us truly ~> 2:
          expressive of thanks <~ service> 3: well pleased: glad
          <was ~ that it didn't rain> -- thank.ful.ness n

   thankfully
          [thank.ful.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1: in a thankful manner <spoke
          ~> 2: as makes one thankful <graceless stadiums ... ~
          going out of fashion --R. G. Echevarria> <~, those opinions
          are advanced with graceful prose --Ken Auletta>

   thankless
          [thank.less] adj (1536) 1: not expressing or feeling gratitude:
          ungrateful <how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
          to have a ~ child --Shak.> 2: not likely to obtain thanks:
          unappreciated <a ~ task> -- thank.less.ly adv -- thank.less.ness
          n

   thanks
          [thanks] n pl [pl. of ME thank, fr. OE thanc thought, gratitude;
          akin to OHG dank gratitude, L tongere to know] (bef.
          12c) 1: kindly or grateful thoughts: gratitude 2: an
          expression of gratitude <return ~ before the meal>--often
          used in an utterance containing no verb and serving as
          a courteous and somewhat informal expression of gratitude
          <many ~> -- no thanks to : not as a result of any benefit
          conferred by <he feels better now, no thanks to you>
          -- thanks to : with the help of: owing to <arrived early,
          thanks to good weather>

   thanksgiving
          [thanks.giv.ing] n (1533) 1: the act of giving thanks 2:
          a prayer expressing gratitude 3 a: a public acknowledgment
          or celebration of divine goodness b cap: thanksgiving
          day

   Thanksgiving Day
          [Thanksgiving Day] n (1674): a day appointed for giving thanks
          for divine goodness: as a: the fourth Thursday in November
          observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. b: the second
          Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in Canada

   thankworthy
          [thank.wor.thy] adj (14c): worthy of thanks or gratitude:
          meritorious

   thank-you
          [thank-you] n [fr. the phrase thank you used in expressing
          gratitude] (1792): a polite expression of one's gratitude

   thank-you-ma'am
          [thank-you-ma'am] n [prob. fr. its causing a nodding of the
          head] (1849): a bump or depression in a road; esp: a
          ridge or hollow made across a road on a hillside to cause
          water to run off

   [1]that
          [that] pron, pl those [ME, fr. OE thaet, neut. demonstrative
          pron. & definite article; akin to OHG daz, neuter demonstrative
          pron. & definite article, Gk to, L istud, neut. demonstrative
          pron.] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the person, thing, or idea indicated,
          mentioned, or understood from the situation <~ is my
          father> b: the time, action, or event specified <after
          ~ I went to bed> c: the kind or thing specified as follows
          <the purest water is ~ produced by distillation> d: one
          or a group of the indicated kind <~'s a cat -- quick
          and agile> 2 a: the one farther away or less immediately
          under observation or discussion <those are maples and
          these are elms> b: the former one 3 a--used as a function
          word after and to indicate emphatic repetition of the
          idea expressed by a previous word or phrase <he was helpful,
          and ~ to an unusual degree> b--used as a function word
          immediately before or after a word group consisting of
          a verbal auxiliary or a form of the verb be preceded
          by there or a personal pronoun subject to indicate emphatic
          repetition of the idea expressed by a previous verb or
          predicate noun or predicate adjective <is she capable?
          She is ~> 4 a: the one: the thing: the kind: something,
          anything <the truth of ~ which is true> <the senses are
          ~ whereby we experience the world> <what's ~ you say>
          b pl: some persons <those who think the time has come>
          -- all that : everything of the kind indicated <tact,
          discretion, and all that> -- at that 1: in spite of what
          has been said or implied 2: in addition: [2]besides [2]that
          conj (bef. 12c) 1 a (1)--used as a function word to introduce
          a noun clause that is usu. the subject or object of a
          verb or a predicate nominative <said ~ he was afraid>
          (2)--used as a function word to introduce a subordinate
          clause that is anticipated by the expletive it occurring
          as subject of the verb <it is unlikely ~ he'll be in>
          (3)--used as a function word to introduce a subordinate
          clause that is joined as complement to a noun or adjective
          <we are certain ~ this is true> <the fact ~ you are here>
          (4)--used as a function word to introduce a subordinate
          clause modifying an adverb or adverbial expression <will
          go anywhere ~ he is invited> b--used as a function word
          to introduce an exclamatory clause expressing a strong
          emotion esp. of surprise, sorrow, or indignation <~ it
          should come to this]> 2 a (1)--used as a function word
          to introduce a subordinate clause expressing purpose
          or desired result <cutting down expenses ~ her son might
          inherit an unencumbered estate --W. B. Yeats> (2)--used
          as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause
          expressing a reason or cause <rejoice ~ you are lightened
          of a load --Robert Browning> (3)--used as a function
          word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing consequence,
          result, or effect <are of sufficient importance ~ they
          cannot be neglected --Hannah Wormington> b--used as a
          function word to introduce an exclamatory clause expressing
          a wish <oh, ~ he would come> 3--used as a function word
          after a subordinating conjunction without modifying its
          meaning <if ~ thy bent of love be honorable --Shak.>
          [3]that adj, pl those (13c) 1 a: being the person, thing,
          or idea specified, mentioned, or understood b: being
          the one specified--usu. used for emphasis <~ rarity among
          leaders> <~ brother of yours> c: so great a: such 2:
          the farther away or less immediately under observation
          or discussion <this chair or ~ one> [4]that pron [ME,
          fr. OE thaet, neut. rel. pron., fr. thaet, neut. demonstrative
          pron.] (bef. 12c) 1--used as a function word to introduce
          a restrictive relative clause and to serve as a substitute
          within that clause for the substantive modified by the
          clause <the house ~ Jack built> <I'll make a ghost of
          him ~ lets me --Shak.> 2 a: at which: in which: on which:
          by which: with which: to which <each year ~ the lectures
          are given> b: according to what: to the extent of what--used
          after a negative <has never been here ~ I know of> 3
          a archaic: that which b obs: the person who usage That,
          which, who: In current usage that refers to persons or
          things, which chiefly to things and rarely to subhuman
          entities, who chiefly to persons and sometimes to animals.
          The notion that that should not be used to refer to persons
          is without foundation; such use is entirely standard.
          Because that has no genitive form or construction, of
          which or whose must be substituted for it in contexts
          that call for the genitive. usage That, which: Although
          some handbooks say otherwise, that and which are both
          regularly used to introduce restrictive clauses in edited
          prose. Which is also used to introduce nonrestrictive
          clauses. That was formerly used to introduce nonrestrictive
          clauses; such use is virtually nonexistent in present-day
          edited prose, though it may occas. be found in poetry.
          [5]that adv (15c) 1: to such an extent <a nail about
          ~ long> 2: very, extremely--usu. used with the negative
          <did not take the festival ~ seriously --Eric Goldman>

   thataway
          [that.away] adv [alter. of that way] (1839): in that direction

   [1]thatch
          [thatch] vt [ME thecchen, fr. OE theccan to cover; akin to
          OHG decchen to cover, L tegere, Gk stegein to cover,
          stegos roof, Skt sthagati he covers] (14c): to cover
          with or as if with thatch -- thatch.er n [2]thatch n
          (14c) 1 a: a plant material (as straw) used as a sheltering
          cover esp. of a house b: a sheltering cover (as a house
          roof) made of such material c: a mat of undecomposed
          plant material (as grass clippings) accumulated next
          to the soil in a grassy area (as a lawn) 2: something
          likened to the thatch of a house; esp: the hair of one's
          head

   thaumaturge
          [thau.ma.turge] n [F, fr. NL thaumaturgus, fr. Gk thaumatourgos
          working miracles, fr. thaumat-, thauma miracle + ergon
          work--more at theater, work] (1715): thaumaturgist

   thaumaturgic
          [thau.ma.tur.gic] adj (1680) 1: performing miracles 2: of,
          relating to, or dependent on thaumaturgy

   thaumaturgist
          [thau.ma.tur.gist] n (1829): a performer of miracles; esp:
          magician

   thaumaturgy
          [thau.ma.tur.gy] n (ca. 1727): the performance of miracles;
          specif: magic

   [1]thaw
          [thaw] vb [ME, fr. OE thawian; akin to OHG douwen to thaw,
          Gk tekein to melt, L tabere to waste away] vt (bef. 12c):
          to cause to thaw ~ vi 1 a: to go from a frozen to a liquid
          state: melt b: to become free of the effect (as stiffness,
          numbness, or hardness) of cold as a result of exposure
          to warmth 2: to be warm enough to melt ice and snow--used
          with it in reference to the weather 3: to abandon aloofness,
          reserve, or hostility: unbend 4: to become mobile, active,
          or susceptible to change [2]thaw n (15c) 1: the action,
          fact, or process of thawing 2: a period of weather warm
          enough to thaw ice <the January ~> 3: the action or process
          of becoming less aloof, less hostile, or more genial
          <a ~ in international relations>

   THC
          [THC] n [tetrahydrocannabinol] (1967): a physiologically
          active chemical from hemp plant resin that is the chief
          intoxicant in marijuana--called also tetrahydrocannabinol

   ThD
          [ThD] [NL theologiae doctor] abbreviation doctor of theology

   [1]the
          [the] definite article [ME, fr. OE the, masc. demonstrative
          pron. & definite article, alter. (influenced by oblique
          cases -- as thaes, gen. -- & neut., thaet) of se; akin
          to Gk ho, masc. demonstrative pron. & definite article--more
          at that] (bef. 12c) 1 a--used as a function word to indicate
          that a following noun or noun equivalent is definite
          or has been previously specified by context or by circumstance
          <put ~ cat out> b--used as a function word to indicate
          that a following noun or noun equivalent is a unique
          or a particular member of its class <~ President> <~
          Lord> c--used as a function word before nouns that designate
          natural phenomena or points of the compass <~ night is
          cold> d--used as a function word before a noun denoting
          time to indicate reference to what is present or immediate
          or is under consideration <in ~ future> e--used as a
          function word before names of some parts of the body
          or of the clothing as an equivalent of a possessive adjective
          <how's ~ arm today> f--used as a function word before
          the name of a branch of human endeavor or proficiency
          <~ law> g--used as a function word in prepositional phrases
          to indicate that the noun in the phrase serves as a basis
          for computation <sold by ~ dozen> h--used as a function
          word before a proper name (as of a ship or a well-known
          building) <~ Mayflower> i--used as a function word before
          the plural form of a numeral that is a multiple of ten
          to denote a particular decade of a century or of a person's
          life <life in ~ twenties> j--used as a function word
          before the name of a commodity or any familiar appurtenance
          of daily life to indicate reference to the individual
          thing, part, or supply thought of as at hand <talked
          on ~ telephone> k--used as a function word to designate
          one of a class as the best, most typical, best known,
          or most worth singling out <this is ~ life> <~ Pill>--sometimes
          used before a personal name to denote the most prominent
          bearer of that name 2 a (1)--used as a function word
          with a noun modified by an adjective or by an attributive
          noun to limit the application of the modified noun to
          that specified by the adjective or by the attributive
          noun <~ right answer> <Peter ~ Great> (2)--used as a
          function word before an absolute adjective or an ordinal
          number <nothing but ~ best> <due on ~ first> b (1)--used
          as a function word before a noun to limit its application
          to that specified by a succeeding element in the sentence
          <~ poet Wordsworth> <~ days of our youth> <didn't have
          ~ time to write> (2)--used as a function word after a
          person's name to indicate a characteristic trait or notorious
          activity specified by the succeeding noun <Jack ~ Ripper>
          3 a--used as a function word before a singular noun to
          indicate that the noun is to be understood generically
          <~ dog is a domestic animal> b--used as a function word
          before a singular substantivized adjective to indicate
          an abstract idea <an essay on ~ sublime> 4--used as a
          function word before a noun or a substantivized adjective
          to indicate reference to a group as a whole <~ elite>
          [2]the adv [ME, fr. OE thy by that, instrumental of thaet
          that] (bef. 12c) 1: than before: than otherwise--used
          before a comparative <none ~ wiser for attending> 2 a:
          to what extent <~ sooner the better> b: to that extent
          <the sooner ~ better> 3: beyond all others <likes this
          ~ best> [3]the prep [[1]the] (15c): per 2 <a dollar ~
          dozen>

   the-
          [the-] or theo- comb form [ME theo-, fr. L, fr. Gk the-,
          theo-, fr. theos]: god: God <theism> <theocentric>

   theat
          [theat] abbreviation theater, theatrical

   [1]theater
          [the.ater] or the.atre n [ME theatre, fr. MF, fr. L theatrum,
          fr. Gk theatron, fr. theasthai to view, fr. thea act
          of seeing; akin to Gk thauma miracle] (14c) 1 a: an outdoor
          structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in
          ancient Greece and Rome b: a building for dramatic performances
          c: a building or area for showing motion pictures 2:
          a place or sphere of enactment of usu. significant events
          or action <the ~ of public life> 3 a: a place rising
          by steps or gradations <a woody ~ of stateliest view
          --John Milton> b: a room often with rising tiers of seats
          for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)
          4 a: dramatic literature: plays b: dramatic representation
          as an art or profession: drama 5 a: dramatic or theatrical
          quality or effectiveness b: spectacle 1a [2]theater adj
          (1977): of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a
          theater of operations <~ nuclear weapons>

   theatergoer
          [the.ater.go.er] n (1870): a person who frequently goes to
          the theater -- the.ater.go.ing n or adj

   theater-in-the-round
          [theater-in-the-round] n, pl theaters-in-the-round (1948):
          a theater in which the stage is located in the center
          of the auditorium--called also arena theater

   theater of operations
          [theater of operations] (ca. 1879): the part of a theater
          of war in which active combat operations are conducted

   theater of the absurd
          [theater of the absurd] (1961): theater that seeks to represent
          the absurdity of human existence in a meaningless universe
          by bizarre or fantastic means

   theater of war
          [theater of war] (ca. 1890): the entire land, sea, and air
          area that is or may become involved directly in war operations

   Theatine
          [The.a.tine] n [NL Theatinus, fr. L Teatinus inhabitant of
          Chieti, fr. Teate Chieti, Italy] (ca. 1598): a priest
          of the Order of Clerks Regular founded in 1524 in Italy
          by St. Cajetan and Gian Pietro Caraffa to reform Catholic
          morality and combat Lutheranism -- Theatine adj

   [1]theatrical
          [the.at.ri.cal] also the.at.ric adj (1558) 1: of or relating
          to the theater or the presentation of plays <a ~ costume>
          2: marked by pretense or artificiality of emotion 3 a:
          histrionic <a ~ gesture> b: marked by extravagant display
          or exhibitionism syn see dramatic -- the.at.ri.cal.ism
          n -- the.at.ri.cal.i.ty n -- the.at.ri.cal.ly adv [2]theatrical
          n (ca. 1683) 1 pl a: the performance of plays b: dramatics
          2 Brit: a professional actor 3 pl: showy or extravagant
          gestures

   theatricalize
          [the.at.ri.cal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1778) 1: to adapt
          to the theater: dramatize 2: to display in showy fashion
          -- the.at.ri.cal.i.za.tion n

   theatrics
          [the.at.rics] n pl (1807) 1: theatrical 1 2: staged or contrived
          effects

   thebe
          [the.be] n, pl thebe [Tswana, lit., shield] (1967): a monetary
          unit of Botswana equal to 1/100 pula

   theca
          [the.ca] n, pl the.cae [NL, fr. Gk theke case--more at tick]
          (ca. 1666): an enveloping sheath or case of an animal
          or animal part -- the.cal adj

   -thecium
          [-thecium] n comb form, pl -thecia [NL, fr. Gk thekion, dim.
          of theke case]: small containing structure <endothecium>

   [1]thecodont
          [the.co.dont] adj [ISV thec- (fr. NL theca) + -odont] (1840):
          having the teeth inserted in sockets [2]thecodont n (1840):
          any of an order (Thecodontia) of Triassic diapsid thecodont
          reptiles that were presumably on the common ancestral
          line of the dinosaurs, birds, and crocodiles

   the dansant
          [the dan.sant] n, pl thes dansants [F] (ca. 1845): tea dance

   thee
          [thee] pron, archaic objective case of thou 1 a--used esp.
          in ecclesiastical or literary language and by Friends
          esp. among themselves in contexts where the objective
          case form would be expected b--used by Friends esp. among
          themselves in contexts where the subjective case form
          would be expected 2: thyself

   theelin
          [thee.lin] n [irreg. fr. Gk thelys female; akin to Gk thele
          nipple--more at feminine] (1930): estrone

   theft
          [theft] n [ME thiefthe, fr. OE thiefth; akin to OE theof
          thief] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the act of stealing; specif: the
          felonious taking and removing of personal property with
          intent to deprive the rightful owner of it b: an unlawful
          taking (as by embezzlement or burglary) of property 2
          obs: something stolen 3: a stolen base in baseball

   thegn
          [thegn] n [OE--more at thane] (1848): thane 1

   thegnly
          [thegn.ly] adj (1876): of, relating to, or befitting a thegn

   their
          [their] adj [ME, fr. their, pron., fr. ON theirra, gen. pl.
          demonstrative & personal pron.; akin to OE thaet that]
          (13c) 1: of or relating to them or themselves esp. as
          possessors, agents, or objects of an action <~ furniture>
          <~ verses> <~ being seen> 2: his or her: his, her, its--used
          with an indefinite third person singular antecedent <anyone
          in ~ senses --W. H. Auden> usage see they

   theirs
          [theirs] pron, sing or pl in constr (14c) 1: that which belongs
          to them--used without a following noun as a pronoun equivalent
          in meaning to the adjective their 2: his or hers: his,
          hers--used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent
          <I will do my part if everybody else will do ~>

   theirselves
          [their.selves] pron pl (14c) chiefly dial: themselves

   theism
          [the.ism] n (1678): belief in the existence of a god or gods;
          specif: belief in the existence of one God viewed as
          the creative source of man and the world who transcends
          yet is immanent in the world -- the.ist n or adj -- the.is.tic
          also the.is.t i.cal adj -- the.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   [1]them
          [them] pron objective case of they [2]them adj (1594) nonstand:
          those--used chiefly in the speech of less educated people
          and in the familiar speech of educated people esp. when
          they are being humorous

   thematic
          [the.mat.ic] adj [Gk thematikos, fr. themat-, thema theme]
          (1861) 1 a: of or relating to the stem of a word b of
          a vowel: being the last part of a word stem before an
          inflectional ending 2: of, relating to, or constituting
          a theme -- the.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   thematic apperception test
          [thematic apperception test] n (1941): a projective technique
          that is widely used in clinical psychology to make personality,
          psychodynamic, and diagnostic assessments based on the
          subject's verbal responses to a series of black and white
          pictures

   theme
          [theme] n [ME teme, theme, fr. MF & L; MF teme, fr. L thema,
          fr. Gk, lit., something laid down, fr. tithenai to place--more
          at do] (14c) 1 a: a subject or topic of discourse or
          of artistic representation b: a specific and distinctive
          quality, characteristic, or concern <the campaign has
          lacked a ~> 2: stem 4 3: a written exercise: composition
          <a research ~> 4: a melodic subject of a musical composition
          or movement -- themed adj

   theme park
          [theme park] n (1960): an amusement park in which the structures
          and settings are based on a central theme

   theme song
          [theme song] n (1929) 1: a melody recurring so often in a
          musical play that it characterizes the production or
          one of its characters 2: a song used as a signature

   themselves
          [them.selves] pron pl (14c) 1 a: those identical ones that
          are they--compare they 1a--used reflexively, for emphasis,
          or in absolute constructions <nations that govern ~>
          <they ~ were present> <~ busy, they disliked idleness
          in others> b: himself or herself: himself, herself--used
          with an indefinite third person singular antecedent <nobody
          can call ~ oppressed --Leonard Wibberley> 2: their normal,
          healthy, or sane condition <were ~ again after a night's
          rest> usage see they

   [1]then
          [then] adv [ME than, then then, than, fr. OE thonne, thaenne;
          akin to OHG denne then, than, OE thaet that] (bef. 12c)
          1: at that time 2 a: soon after that: next in order of
          time <walked to the door, ~ turned> b: following next
          after in order of position, narration, or enumeration:
          being next in a series <first came the clowns, ~ came
          the elephants> c: in addition: besides <~ there is the
          interest to be paid> 3 a (1): in that case <take it,
          ~, if you want it so much> (2)--used after but to qualify
          or offset a preceding statement <she lost the race, but
          ~ she never really expected to win> b: according to that:
          as may be inferred <your mind is made up, ~> c: as it
          appears: by way of summing up <the cause of the accident,
          ~, is established> d: as a necessary consequence <if
          the angles are equal, ~ the complements are equal> --
          and then some : with much more in addition <would require
          all his strength and then some> [2]then n (14c): that
          time <since ~, he's been more cautious> [3]then adj (1584):
          existing or acting at or belonging to the time mentioned
          <the ~ secretary of state>

   then and there
          [then and there] adv (15c): on the spot: immediately <wanted
          the money right then and there>

   thenar
          [the.nar] adj [NL, palm of the hand, fr. Gk; akin to OHG
          tenar palm of the hand] (ca. 1857): of, relating to,
          involving, or constituting the ball of the thumb or the
          intrinsic musculature of the thumb <~ muscles>

   thence
          [thence] adv [ME thannes, fr. thanne from that place, fr.
          OE thanon; akin to OHG thanan from that place, OE thaenne
          then--more at then] (14c) 1: from that place 2 archaic:
          from that time: thenceforth 3: from that fact or circumstance:
          therefrom -- from thence : from that place

   thenceforth
          [thence.forth] adv (14c): from that time forward

   thenceforward
          [thence.for.ward] also thence.for.wards adv (15c): onward
          from that place or time

   theo-
          [theo-] --see the-

   theobromine
          [theo.bro.mine] n [NL Theobroma, genus that includes the
          cacao, fr. the- + Gk broma food, fr. bibroskein to devour--more
          at voracious] (1842): a bitter alkaloid closely related
          to caffeine that occurs esp. in cacao beans and has stimulant
          and diuretic properties

   theocentric
          [theo.cen.tric] adj (1886): having God as the central interest
          and ultimate concern <a ~ culture> -- theo.cen.tric.i.ty
          n -- theo.cen.trism n

   theocracy
          [the.oc.ra.cy] n, pl -cies [Gk theokratia, fr. the- + -kratia
          -cracy] (1622) 1: government of a state by immediate
          divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely
          guided 2: a state governed by a theocracy

   theocrat
          [theo.crat] n (1827) 1: one who rules in or lives under a
          theocratic form of government 2: one who favors a theocratic
          form of government

   theocratic
          [theo.crat.ic] also theo.crat.i.cal adj (1690): of, relating
          to, or being a theocracy -- theo.crat.i.cal.ly adv

   theodicy
          [the.od.i.cy] n, pl -cies [modif. of F theodicee, fr. theo-
          the- (fr. L theo-) + Gk dike judgment, right--more at
          diction] (1797): defense of God's goodness and omnipotence
          in view of the existence of evil

   theodolite
          [the.od.o.lite] n [NL theodelitus] (1571): a surveyor's instrument
          for measuring horizontal and usu. also vertical angles

   theogony
          [the.og.o.ny] n, pl -nies [Gk theogonia, fr. the- + -gonia
          -gony] (1612): an account of the origin and descent of
          the gods -- theo.gon.ic adj

   theol
          [theol] abbreviation theological, theology

   theologian
          [theo.lo.gian] n (15c): a specialist in theology

   theological
          [theo.log.i.cal] also theo.log.ic adj (15c) 1: of or relating
          to theology 2: preparing for a religious vocation <a
          ~ student> -- theo.log.i.cal.ly adv

   theological virtue
          [theological virtue] n (1526): one of the three spiritual
          graces faith, hope, and charity drawing the soul to God
          according to scholastic theology

   theologise
          [the.ol.o.gise] Brit var of theologize

   theologize
          [the.ol.o.gize] vb -gized ; -giz.ing vt (1649): to make
          theological: give a religious significance to ~ vi: to theorize
          theologically -- the.ol.o.giz.er n

   theologue
          [theo.logue] also theo.log n [L theologus theologian, fr.
          Gk theologos, fr. the- + legein to speak--more at legend]
          (1663): a theological student or specialist

   theology
          [the.ol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [ME theologie, fr. L theologia,
          fr. Gk, fr. the- + -logia -logy] (14c) 1: the study of
          religious faith, practice, and experience; esp: the study
          of God and of God's relation to the world 2 a: a theological
          theory or system <Thomist ~> <a ~ of atonement> b: a
          distinctive body of theological opinion <Catholic ~>
          3: a usu. 4-year course of specialized religious training
          in a Roman Catholic major seminary

   theonomous
          [the.on.o.mous] adj [the- + -nomous (as in autonomous)] (1947):
          governed by God: subject to God's authority

   theonomy
          [the.on.o.my] n [G theonomie, fr. theo- the- (fr. L) + -nomie
          -nomy] (1890): the state of being theonomous: government
          by God

   theophany
          [the.oph.a.ny] n, pl -nies [ML theophania, fr. LGk theophaneia,
          fr. Gk the- + -phaneia (as in epiphaneia appearance)--more
          at epiphany] (ca. 1633): a visible manifestation of a
          deity -- theo.phan.ic adj

   theophylline
          [the.oph.yl.line] n [ISV theo- (fr. NL thea tea) + phyll-
          + [2]-ine] (ca. 1894): a feebly basic bitter crystalline
          compound from tea leaves that is isomeric with theobromine
          and is used in medicine esp. as a bronchodilator

   theorbo
          [the.or.bo] n, pl -bos [modif. of It tiorba, teorba] (1605):
          a stringed instrument of the 17th century resembling
          a large lute but having an extra set of long bass strings

   theorem
          [the.o.rem] n [LL theorema, fr. Gk theorema, fr. theorein
          to look at, fr. theoros spectator, fr. thea act of seeing--more
          at theater] (1551) 1: a formula, proposition, or statement
          in mathematics or logic deduced or to be deduced from
          other formulas or propositions 2: an idea accepted or
          proposed as a demonstrable truth often as a part of a
          general theory: proposition <the ~ that the best defense
          is offense> 3: stencil 4: a painting produced esp. on
          velvet by the use of stencils for each color -- the.o.rem.at.ic
          adj

   theoretical
          [the.o.ret.i.cal] also the.o.ret.ic adj [LL theoreticus,
          fr. Gk theoretikos, fr. theorein to look at] (1601) 1
          a: relating to or having the character of theory: abstract
          b: confined to theory or speculation often in contrast
          to practical applications: speculative <~ physics> 2:
          given to or skilled in theorizing <a brilliant ~ physicist>
          3: existing only in theory: hypothetical <gave as an
          example a ~ situation>

   theoretically
          [the.o.ret.i.cal.ly] adv (1701) 1: in a theoretical way 2:
          according to an ideal or assumed set of facts or principles:
          in theory

   theoretician
          [the.o.re.ti.cian] n (1886): theorist

   theorise
          [the.o.rise] Brit var of theorize

   theorist
          [the.o.rist] n (1646): a person who theorizes

   theorize
          [the.o.rize] vb -rized ; -riz.ing vi (1638): to form a theory:
          speculate ~ vt 1: to form a theory about 2: to propose
          as a theory -- the.o.ri.za.tion n -- the.o.riz.er n

   theory
          [the.o.ry] n, pl -ries [LL theoria, fr. Gk theoria, fr. theorein]
          (1592) 1: the analysis of a set of facts in their relation
          to one another 2: abstract thought: speculation 3: the
          general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science,
          or an art <music ~> 4 a: a belief, policy, or procedure
          proposed or followed as the basis of action <her method
          is based on the ~ that all children want to learn> b:
          an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or
          circumstances--often used in the phrase in theory <in
          ~, we have always advocated freedom for all> 5: a plausible
          or scientifically acceptable general principle or body
          of principles offered to explain phenomena <wave ~ of
          light> 6 a: a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument
          or investigation b: an unproved assumption: conjecture
          c: a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic
          view of a subject <~ of equations> syn see hypothesis

   theory of games
          [theory of games] (1951): game theory

   theory of numbers
          [theory of numbers] (1811): number theory

   theosophist
          [the.os.o.phist] n (1656) 1: an adherent of theosophy 2 cap:
          a member of a theosophical society

   theosophy
          [the.os.o.phy] n [ML theosophia, fr. LGk, fr. Gk the- + sophia
          wisdom--more at -sophy] (1650) 1: teaching about God
          and the world based on mystical insight 2 often cap:
          the teachings of a modern movement originating in the
          U.S. in 1875 and following chiefly Buddhist and Brahmanic
          theories esp. of pantheistic evolution and reincarnation
          -- theo.soph.i.cal adj -- theo.soph.i.cal.ly adv

   Theotokos
          [Theo.to.kos] n [LGk, fr. Gk the- + tokos childbirth; akin
          to Gk tiktein to beget--more at thane]: virgin mary

   therapeusis
          [ther.a.peu.sis] n [NL, fr. Gk, treatment, fr. therapeuein]
          (ca. 1857): therapeutics

   therapeutic
          [ther.a.peu.tic] adj [Gk therapeutikos, fr. therapeuein to
          attend, treat, fr. theraps attendant] (1646) 1: of or
          relating to the treatment of disease or disorders by
          remedial agents or methods <a ~ rather than a diagnostic
          specialty> 2: providing or assisting in a cure: curative,
          medicinal <~ diets> <a ~ investigation of government
          waste> -- ther.a.peu.ti.cal.ly adv

   therapeutic index
          [therapeutic index] n (1926): a measure of the relative
          desirability of a drug for the attaining of a particular medical
          end that is usu. expressed as the ratio of the largest dose
          producing no toxic symptoms to the smallest dose routinely
          producing cures

   therapeutics
          [ther.a.peu.tics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1671): a
          branch of medical science dealing with the application
          of remedies to diseases

   therapist
          [ther.a.pist] n (1886): one specializing in therapy; esp:
          a person trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation
          other than the use of drugs or surgery <a speech ~>

   therapsid
          [the.rap.sid] n [NL Therapsida, fr. ther- mammal (fr. Gk
          ther wild animal) + apsid-, apsis arch, vault--more at
          fierce, apsis] (1912): any of an order (Therapsida) of
          Permian and Triassic reptiles that are considered ancestors
          of the mammals -- therapsid adj

   therapy
          [ther.a.py] n, pl -pies [NL therapia, fr. Gk therapeia, fr.
          therapeuein] (ca. 1846): therapeutic treatment esp. of
          bodily, mental, or behavioral disorder

   Theravada
          [Ther.a.va.da] n [Pali theravada, lit., doctrine of the elders]
          (1882): a conservative branch of Buddhism comprising
          sects chiefly in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos,
          and Cambodia and adhering to the original Pali scriptures
          alone and to the nontheistic ideal of nirvana for a limited
          select number--compare mahayana

   [1]there
          [there] adv [ME, fr. OE thaer; akin to OHG dar there, OE
          thaet that] (bef. 12c) 1: in or at that place <stand
          over ~>--often used interjectionally 2: to or into that
          place: thither <went ~ after church> 3: at that point
          or stage <stop right ~ before you say something you'll
          regret> 4: in that matter, respect, or relation <~ is
          where I disagree with you> 5--used interjectionally to
          express satisfaction, approval, encouragement or sympathy,
          or defiance <~, it's finished> [2]there pron (bef. 12c)
          1--used as a function word to introduce a sentence or
          clause <~ shall come a time> 2--used as an indefinite
          substitute for a name <hi ~> [3]there n (1588) 1: that
          place or position <there is no here and no ~ ... in pure
          space --James Ward> 2: that point <you take it from ~>
          [4]there adj (1590) 1--used for emphasis esp. after a
          demonstrative pronoun or a noun modified by a demonstrative
          adjective <those men ~ can tell you> 2 nonstand--used
          for emphasis after a demonstrative adjective but before
          the noun modified <I bet I cussed that ~ blamed mule
          five hundred times --Elizabeth M. Roberts> 3: capable
          of being relied on for support or aid <she is always
          ~ for him> 4: fully conscious, rational, or aware <not
          all ~>

   thereabouts
          [there.abouts] also there.about adv (bef. 12c) 1: near that
          place or time 2: near that number, degree, or quantity
          <a boy of 18 or ~>

   thereafter
          [there.af.ter] adv (bef. 12c) 1: after that 2 archaic: according
          to that: accordingly

   thereat
          [there.at] adv (bef. 12c) 1: at that place 2: at that occurrence

   thereby
          [there.by] adv (bef. 12c) 1: by that: by that means <~ lost
          her chance to win> 2: connected with or with reference
          to that <~ hangs a tale --Shak.>

   therefor
          [there.for] adv (12c): for or in return for that <ordered
          a change and gave his reasons ~>

   therefore
          [there.fore] adv (14c) 1 a: for that reason: consequently
          b: because of that c: on that ground 2: to that end

   therefrom
          [there.from] adv (13c): from that or it

   therein
          [there.in] adv (bef. 12c) 1: in or into that place, time,
          or thing 2: in that particular or respect <~ lies the
          problem>

   thereinafter
          [there.in.af.ter] adv (1818): in the following part of that
          matter (as writing, document, or speech)

   thereinto
          [there.in.to] adv (14c) archaic: into that or it

   theremin
          [the.re.min] n [Lev Theremin b1896 Russ. engineer & inventor]
          (1927): a purely melodic electronic musical instrument
          typically played by moving a hand between two projecting
          electrodes

   thereof
          [there.of] adv (bef. 12c) 1: of that or it 2: from that cause
          or particular: therefrom

   thereon
          [there.on] adv (bef. 12c) 1: on that <a text with a commentary
          ~> 2 archaic: thereupon

   thereto
          [there.to] adv (bef. 12c): to that <a text and the notes
          ~>

   theretofore
          [there.to.fore] adv (14c): up to that time <a ~ unknown author>

   thereunder
          [there.un.der] adv (bef. 12c): under that

   thereunto
          [there.un.to] adv (14c) archaic: thereto

   thereupon
          [there.up.on] adv (13c) 1: on that matter 2: therefore 3:
          immediately after that

   therewith
          [there.with] adv (bef. 12c) 1: with that 2 archaic: thereupon,
          forthwith

   therewithal
          [there.with.al] adv (14c) 1 archaic: besides 2: therewith

   theriac
          [the.ri.ac] n [NL theriaca] (1568) 1: theriaca 2: cure-all

   theriaca
          [the.ri.a.ca] n [NL, fr. L, antidote against poison--more
          at treacle] (1562): a mixture of many drugs and honey
          formerly held to be an antidote to poison -- the.ri.a.cal
          adj

   theriomorphic
          [the.rio.mor.phic] adj [Gk theriomorphos, fr. therion beast
          + morphe form--more at treacle] (1882): having an animal
          form <~ gods>

   therm
          [therm] abbreviation thermometer

   -therm
          [-therm] n comb form [Gk therme heat]: animal having a (specified)
          body temperature <ectotherm>

   therm
          [therm] n [Gk therme heat, fr. thermos hot; akin to L formus
          warm, Skt gharma heat] (1888): a unit used to measure
          quantity of heat that equals 100,000 British thermal
          units

   therm-
          [therm-] or thermocomb form [Gk, fr. therme] 1: heat <thermostat>
          2: thermoelectric <thermopile>

   [1]thermal
          [ther.mal] adj [Gk therme] (1756) 1 [L thermae public baths,
          fr. Gk thermai, pl. of therme]: of, relating to, or marked
          by the presence of hot springs <~ waters> 2 a: of, relating
          to, or caused by heat <~ stress> <~ insulation> b: being
          or involving a state of matter dependent upon temperature
          <~ conductivity> <~ agitation of molecular structure>
          3: designed (as with insulating air spaces) to prevent
          the dissipation of body heat <~ underwear> 4: having
          energies of the order of those due to thermal agitation
          <~ neutrons> -- ther.mal.ly adv [2]thermal n (1933):
          a rising body of warm air

   thermalize
          [ther.mal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1948): to change the effective
          speed of (a particle) to a thermal value <~ a neutron>
          -- ther.mal.i.za.tion n

   thermal pollution
          [thermal pollution] n (1966): the discharge of heated liquid
          (as wastewater from a factory) into natural waters at
          a temperature harmful to the environment

   thermal printer
          [thermal printer] n (1966): a dot matrix printer (as for
          a computer) in which heat is applied to the pins of the
          matrix to form dots on usu. heat-sensitive paper

   thermic
          [ther.mic] adj (1842): [1]thermal 2 <~ energy> -- ther.mi.cal.ly
          adv

   thermionic
          [therm.ion.ic] adj [thermion charged particle from an incandescent
          source, fr. therm- + ion] (1909): relating to, using, or being the
          emission of charged particles (as electrons) by an incandescent
          material

   thermionics
          [therm.ion.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1909): physics dealing
          with thermionic phenomena

   thermistor
          [therm.is.tor] n [thermal resistor] (1940): an electrical
          resistor making use of a semiconductor whose resistance
          varies sharply in a known manner with the temperature

   Thermit
          [Ther.mit] trademark--used for thermite

   thermite
          [ther.mite] n [therm- + [1]-ite] (1900): a mixutre of aluminum
          powder and a metal oxide (as iron oxide) that when ignited
          evolves a great deal of heat and is used in welding and
          in incendiary bombs

   thermochemistry
          [ther.mo.chem.is.try] n (1844): a branch of chemistry that
          deals with the interrelation of heat with chemical reaction
          or physical change of state -- ther.mo.chem.i.cal adj
          -- ther.mo.chem.ist n

   thermocline
          [ther.mo.cline] n (1898): the region in a thermally stratified
          body of water which separates warmer oxygen-rich surface
          water from cold oxygen-poor deep water and in which temperature
          decreases rapidly with depth

   thermocouple
          [ther.mo.cou.ple] n (1890): a device for measuring temperature
          in which a pair of wires of dissimilar metals (as copper
          and iron) are joined and the free ends of the wires are
          connected to an instrument (as a voltmeter) that measures
          the difference in potential created at the junction of
          the two metals

   thermoduric
          [ther.mo.du.ric] adj [therm- + L durare to last--more at
          during] (1927): able to survive high temperatures; specif:
          able to survive pasteurization--used of microorganisms

   thermodynamic
          [ther.mo.dy.nam.ic] also ther.mo.dy.nam.i.cal adj (1849)
          1: of or relating to thermodynamics 2: being or relating
          to a system of atoms, molecules, colloidal particles,
          or larger bodies considered as an isolated group in the
          study of thermodynamic processes -- ther.mo.dy.nam.i.cal.ly
          adv

   thermodynamics
          [ther.mo.dy.nam.ics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1854)
          1: physics that deals with the mechanical action or relations
          of heat 2: thermodynamic processes and phenomena --
          ther.mo.dy.nam.i.cist n

   thermoelectric
          [ther.mo.elec.tric] adj (1823): of, relating to, or dependent
          on phenomena that involve relations between the temperature
          and the electrical condition in a metal or in contacting
          metals

   thermoelectricity
          [ther.mo.elec.tric.i.ty] n (1823): electricity produced by
          the direct action of heat (as by the unequal heating
          of a circuit composed of two dissimilar metals)

   thermoelement
          [ther.mo.el.e.ment] n (ca. 1888): a device for measuring
          small currents consisting of a wire heating element and
          a thermocouple in electrical contact with it

   thermoform
          [ther.mo.form] vt (1956): to give a final shape to (as a
          plastic) with the aid of heat and usu. pressure
          -- ther.mo.form.able adj

   thermogram
          [ther.mo.gram] n (1883) 1: the record made by a thermograph
          2: a photographic record made by thermography

   thermograph
          [ther.mo.graph] n [ISV] (1843) 1: thermogram 2: a self-recording
          thermometer 3: the apparatus used in thermography

   thermography
          [ther.mog.ra.phy] n (1840) 1: a process of writing or printing
          involving the use of heat; esp: a raised-printing process
          in which matter printed by letterpress is dusted with
          powder and heated to make the lettering rise 2: a technique
          for detecting and measuring variations in the heat emitted
          by various regions of the body and transforming them
          into visible signals that can be recorded photographically
          (as for diagnosing abnormal or diseased underlying conditions);
          also: a similar technique used elsewhere (as on buildings)
          -- ther.mo.graph.ic adj -- ther.mo.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   thermohaline
          [ther.mo.ha.line] adj [therm- + Gk hal-, hals salt--more
          at salt] (1942): involving or dependent upon the conjoint
          effect of temperature and salinity <~ circulation in
          the eastern Pacific>

   thermojunction
          [ther.mo.junc.tion] n (1889): a junction of two dissimilar
          conductors used to produce a thermoelectric current

   thermolabile
          [ther.mo.la.bile] adj [ISV] (1904): unstable when heated;
          specif: subject to loss of characteristic properties
          on being heated to or above 55 degrees C <many immune
          bodies, enzymes, and vitamins are ~> -- ther.mo.la.bil.i.ty
          n

   thermoluminescence
          [ther.mo.lu.mi.nes.cence] n [ISV] (1897) 1: phosphorescence
          developed in a previously excited substance upon gentle
          heating 2: the determination of the age of old material
          (as pottery) by the amount of thermoluminescence it
          produces--called also thermoluminescence dating --
          ther.mo.lu.mi.nes.cent adj

   thermomagnetic
          [ther.mo.mag.net.ic] adj (1823): of or relating to the effects
          of heat upon the magnetic properties of substances or
          to the effects of a magnetic field upon thermal conduction

   thermometer
          [ther.mom.e.ter] n [F thermometre, fr. Gk therme heat + F
          -o- + -metre -meter--more at therm] (1633): an instrument
          for determining temperature consisting typically of a
          glass bulb attached to a fine tube of glass with a numbered
          scale and containing a liquid (as mercury or colored
          alcohol) that is sealed in and rises and falls with changes
          of temperature -- ther.mo.met.ric adj -- ther.mo.met.ri.cal.ly
          adv

   thermometry
          [ther.mom.e.try] n [ISV] (1858): the measurement of temperature

   thermonuclear
          [ther.mo.nu.cle.ar] adj [ISV] (1938) 1: of or relating to
          the transformations in the nucleus of atoms of low atomic
          weight (as hydrogen) that require a very high temperature
          for their inception (as in the hydrogen bomb or in the
          sun) <~ reaction> <~ weapon> 2: of, utilizing, or relating
          to a thermonuclear bomb <~ war> <~ attack>

   thermoperiodicity
          [ther.mo.pe.ri.od.ic.i.ty] n (1944): thermoperiodism

   thermoperiodism
          [ther.mo.pe.ri.od.ism] n (1937): the sum of the responses
          of an organism and esp. a plant to appropriately fluctuating
          temperatures

   thermophilic
          [ther.mo.phil.ic] also ther.moph.i.lous or ther.mo.phile
          adj (1894): of, relating to, or being an organism growing
          at a high temperature <~ fermentation> <~ bacteria> --
          thermophile n

   thermopile
          [ther.mo.pile] n [[4]pile] (1849): an apparatus that consists
          of a number of thermocouples combined so as to multiply
          the effect and is used for generating electric currents
          or for determining intensities of radiation

   thermoplastic
          [ther.mo.plas.tic] adj (1883): capable of softening or fusing
          when heated and of hardening again when cooled <~ synthetic
          resins>--compare thermosetting -- thermoplastic n --
          ther.mo.plas.tic.i.ty n

   thermoreceptor
          [ther.mo.re.cep.tor] n (1937): a sensory end organ that is
          stimulated by heat or cold

   thermoregulation
          [ther.mo.reg.u.la.tion] n [ISV] (1927): the maintenance or
          regulation of temperature; specif: the maintenance of
          a particular temperature of the living body -- ther.mo.reg.u.late
          vb

   thermoregulator
          [ther.mo.reg.u.la.tor] n [ISV] (1875): a device (as a thermostat)
          for the regulation of temperature

   thermoregulatory
          [ther.mo.reg.u.la.to.ry] adj (1941): tending to maintain
          a body at a particular temperature whatever its environmental
          temperature <~ adjustments>

   thermoremanent
          [ther.mo.rem.a.nent] adj (1951): being or relating to magnetic
          remanence (as in a rock cooled from a molten state or
          in a baked clay object containing magnetic minerals)
          that indicates the strength and direction of the earth's
          magnetic field at a former time -- ther.mo.rem.a.nence
          n

   thermos
          [ther.mos] n [fr. Thermos, a trademark] (1907): a container
          (as a bottle or jar) with a vacuum between an inner and
          outer wall used to keep material and esp. liquids either
          hot or cold for considerable periods

   thermoscope
          [ther.mo.scope] n [NL thermoscopium, fr. therm- + -scopium
          -scope] (1804): an instrument for indicating changes
          of temperature by accompanying changes in volume (as
          of a gas)

   thermoset
          [ther.mo.set] n (1947): a thermosetting resin or plastic

   thermosetting
          [ther.mo.set.ting] adj (ca. 1931): capable of becoming permanently
          rigid when heated or cured <a ~ resin>--compare thermoplastic

   thermosphere
          [ther.mo.sphere] n [ISV] (1950): the part of the earth's
          atmosphere that begins at about 50 miles (80 kilometers)
          above the earth's surface, extends to outer space, and
          is characterized by steadily increasing temperature with
          height -- ther.mo.spher.ic adj

   thermostable
          [ther.mo.sta.ble] adj (1904): stable when heated; specif:
          retaining characteristic properties on being moderately
          heated <a ~ bacterial protease> -- ther.mo.sta.bil.i.ty
          n

   [1]thermostat
          [ther.mo.stat] n (1831): an automatic device for regulating
          temperature (as by controlling the supply of gas or electricity
          to a heating apparatus); also: a similar device for actuating
          fire alarms or for controlling automatic sprinklers --
          ther.mo.stat.ic adj -- ther.mo.stat.i.cal.ly adv [2]thermostat
          vt -stat.ed also -stat.ted ; -stat.ing also -stat.ting
          (1924): to provide with or control the temperature of
          by a thermostat

   thermotactic
          [ther.mo.tac.tic] adj (1839): of, relating to, or exhibiting
          thermotaxis

   thermotaxis
          [ther.mo.tax.is] n [NL] (ca. 1891) 1: the regulation of body
          temperature 2: a taxis in which a temperature gradient
          constitutes the directive factor

   thermotropic
          [ther.mo.trop.ic] adj [ISV] (1885): of, relating to, or exhibiting
          thermotropism

   thermotropism
          [ther.mot.ro.pism] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): a tropism in which
          a temperature gradient determines the orientation

   -thermy
          [-thermy] n comb form [NL -thermia, fr. Gk therme heat--more
          at therm] 1: state of heat <endothermy> 2: generation
          of heat <diathermy>

   theropod
          [the.ro.pod] n [NL Theropoda, fr. Gk ther wild animal + pod-,
          pous foot--more at fierce, foot] (ca. 1891): any of a
          suborder (Theropoda) of carnivorous bipedal saurischian
          dinosaurs (as a tyrannosaur or allosaurus) usu. having
          small forelimbs

   Thersites
          [Ther.si.tes] n [L, fr. Gk Thersites]: a Greek warrior at
          Troy known as a carping critic and slain by Achilles
          for mocking him

   thesaurus
          [the.sau.rus] n, pl -sau.ri or -sau.rus.es [NL, fr. L, treasure,
          collection, fr. Gk thesauros] (ca. 1823) 1: treasury,
          storehouse 2 a: a book of words or of information about
          a particular field or set of concepts; esp: a book of
          words and their synonyms b: a list of subject headings
          or descriptors usu. with a cross-reference system for
          use in the organization of a collection of documents
          for reference and retrieval -- the.sau.ral adj

   these
          [these] pl of this

   Theseus
          [The.seus] n [L, fr. Gk Theseus]: a king of Athens in Greek
          mythology who kills Procrustes and the Minotaur before
          defeating the Amazons and marrying their queen

   thesis
          [the.sis] n, pl the.ses [in sense 1, ME, fr. LL & Gk; LL,
          lowering of the voice, fr. Gk, downbeat, more important
          part of a foot, lit., act of laying down; in other senses,
          L, fr. Gk, lit., act of laying down, fr. tithenai to
          put, lay down--more at do] (14c) 1 a (1): the unstressed
          part of a poetic foot esp. in accentual verse (2): the
          longer part of a poetic foot esp. in quantitative verse
          b: the accented part of a musical measure: downbeat--compare
          arsis 2 a: a position or proposition that a person (as
          a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and offers
          to maintain by argument b: a proposition to be proved
          or one advanced without proof: hypothesis 3: the first
          and least adequate stage of dialectic--compare synthesis
          4: a dissertation embodying results of original research
          and esp. substantiating a specific view; esp: one written
          by a candidate for an academic degree

   [1]thespian
          [thes.pi.an] adj (1675) 1 cap: of or relating to Thespis
          2 often cap [fr. the tradition that Thespis was the originator
          of the actor's role]: relating to the drama: dramatic
          [2]thespian n (1827): actor

   Thess
          [Thess] abbreviation Thessalonians

   Thessalonians
          [Thes.sa.lo.nians] n pl but sing in constr [Thessalonian
          inhabitant of ancient Thessalonica, irreg. fr. Thessalonica]:
          either of two letters written by St. Paul to the Christians
          of Thessalonica and included as books in the New Testament

   theta
          [the.ta] n [Gk theta, of Sem origin; akin to Heb teth teth]
          (1603) 1: the 8th letter of the Greek alphabet 2: theta
          rhythm

   theta rhythm
          [theta rhythm] n (1944): a relatively high amplitude brain
          wave pattern between approximately 4 and 9 hertz that
          is characteristic esp. of the hippocampus but occurs
          in many regions of the brain including the cortex--called
          also theta wave

   thetic
          [thet.ic] adj [Gk thetikos of a proposition, fr. tithenai
          to lay down--more at do] (1815): constituting or beginning
          with a poetic thesis <a ~ syllable> -- thet.i.cal.ly
          adv

   Thetis
          [The.tis] n [L, fr. Gk]: a sea goddess who marries Peleus
          and becomes the mother of Achilles

   theurgist
          [the.ur.gist] n (1652): wonder-worker, magician

   theurgy
          [the.ur.gy] n [LL theurgia, fr. LGk theourgia, fr. theourgos
          miracle worker, fr. Gk the- + ergon work--more at work]
          (1569): the art or technique of compelling or persuading
          a god or beneficent or supernatural power to do or refrain
          from doing something -- the.ur.gic or the.ur.gi.cal adj

   thew
          [thew] n [ME, personal quality, virtue, fr. OE theaw; akin
          to OHG thau custom] (15c) 1 a: muscular power or development
          b: strength, vitality 2: muscle, sinew--usu. used in
          pl.

   they
          [they] pron, pl in constr [ME, fr. ON their, masc. pl.
          demonstrative & personal pron.; akin to OE thaet that] (13c)
          1 a: those ones--used as third person pronoun serving as the plural
          of he, she, or it or referring to a group of two or more
          individuals not all of the same sex <~ dance well> b: [1]he
          2--often used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent
          <everyone knew where ~ stood --E. L. Doctorow> <nobody has
          to go to school if ~ don't want to --N. Y. Times> 2: people 2--used
          in a generic sense <as lazy as ~ come> usage They used
          as an indefinite subject (sense 2) is sometimes objected to on the
          grounds that it does not have an antecedent. Not every pronoun
          requires an antecedent, however. The indefinite they is used in all
          varieties of contexts and is standard. usage They, their, them,
          themselves: English lacks a common-gender third person singular
          pronoun that can be used to refer to indefinite pronouns (as
          everyone, anyone, someone). Writers and speakers have supplied this
          lack by using the plural pronouns <and every one to rest themselves
          betake --Shak.> <I would have everybody marry if they can
          do it properly --Jane Austen> <it is too hideous for anyone
          in their senses to buy --W. H. Auden>. The plural pronouns have
          also been put to use as pronouns of indefinite number to refer
          to singular nouns that stand for many persons <'tis meet that some
          more audience than a mother, since nature makes them partial,
          should o'erhear the speech --Shak.> <a person can't help their
          birth --W. M. Thackeray> <no man goes to battle to be killed.
          -- But they do get killed --G. B. Shaw>. The use of they, their,
          them, and themselves as pronouns of indefinite gender and
          indefinite number is well established in speech and writing, even
          in literary and formal contexts. This gives you the option of using
          the plural pronouns where you think they sound best, and of using
          the singular pronouns (as he, she, he or she, and their inflected
          forms) where you think they sound best.

   they'd
          [they'd] (1676): they had: they would

   they'll
          [they'll] (1607): they will: they shall

   they're
          [they're] (ca. 1594): they are

   they've
          [they've] (1611): they have

   thi-
          [thi-] or thio- comb form [ISV, fr. Gk thei-, theio- sulfur,
          fr. theion]: containing sulfur <thiamine> <thiocyanate>

   thiabendazole
          [thia.ben.da.zole] n [thiazole + benz- + imide + azole] (1961):
          a drug used in the control of parasitic nematode worms,
          in the treatment of fungus infections, and as an agricultural
          fungicide

   thiaminase
          [thi.ami.nase] n [ISV] (1938): an enzyme that catalyzes the
          breakdown of thiamine

   thiamine
          [thi.a.mine] also thi.a.min n [thiamine alter. of thiamin,
          fr. thi- + -amin (as in vitamin)] (1937): a vitamin of
          the B complex that is essential to normal metabolism
          and nerve function and is widespread in plants and animals--called
          also vitamin B1

   thiazide
          [thi.a.zide] n [thi- + diazine + dioxide] (1959): any of
          a group of drugs used as oral diuretics esp. in the control
          of high blood pressure

   thiazine
          [thi.a.zine] n [ISV] (1900): any of various compounds that
          are characterized by a ring composed of four carbon atoms,
          one sulfur atom, and one nitrogen atom and include some
          important as dyes and others as tranquilizers--compare
          phenothiazine

   thiazole
          [thi.a.zole] n [ISV] (1888) 1: a colorless basic liquid consisting
          of a 5-membered ring and having an odor like pyridine 2: any
          of various thiazole derivatives including some used in medicine and
          others important as chemical accelerators

   [1]thick
          [thick] adj [ME thikke, fr. OE thicce; akin to OHG dicki
          thick, OIr tiug] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having or being of relatively
          great depth or extent from one surface to its opposite
          <a ~ plank> b: heavily built: thickset 2 a: close-packed
          with units or individuals <the air was ~ with snow> b:
          occurring in large numbers: numerous c: viscous in consistency
          <~ syrup> d: sultry, stuffy e: marked by haze, fog, or
          mist <~ weather> f: impenetrable to the eye: profound
          <~ darkness> g: extremely intense <~ silence> 3: measuring
          in thickness <12 inches ~> 4 a: imperfectly articulated:
          indistinct <~ speech> b: plainly apparent: decided <a
          ~ French accent> c: producing inarticulate speech <a
          ~ tongue> 5: obtuse, stupid 6: associated on close terms:
          intimate <was quite ~ with his pastor> 7: exceeding bounds
          of propriety or fitness: excessive <called it a bit ~
          to be fired without warning> -- thick.ish adj -- thick.ly
          adv [2]thick adv (bef. 12c): in a thick manner: thickly
          [3]thick n (13c) 1: the most crowded or active part <in
          the ~ of the battle> 2: the part of greatest thickness
          <the ~ of the thumb>

   thick and thin
          [thick and thin] n (14c): every difficulty and obstacle--used
          esp. in the phrase through thick and thin

   thicken
          [thick.en] vb thick.ened ; thick.en.ing vt (15c) 1 a: to
          make thick, dense, or viscous in consistency <~ gravy
          with flour> b: to make close or compact 2: to increase
          the depth or diameter of 3: to make inarticulate: blur
          <alcohol ~ed his speech> ~ vi 1 a: to become dense <the
          mist ~ed> b: to become concentrated in numbers, mass,
          or frequency 2: to grow blurred or obscure 3: to grow
          broader or bulkier 4: to grow complicated or keen <the
          plot ~s> -- thick.en.er n

   thickening
          [thickening] n (ca. 1580) 1: the act of making or becoming
          thick 2: a thickened part or place 3: something used
          to thicken

   thicket
          [thick.et] n [(assumed) ME thikket, fr. OE thiccet, fr. thicce
          thick] (bef. 12c) 1: a dense growth of shrubbery or small
          trees: coppice 2: something resembling a thicket in density
          or impenetrability: tangle -- thick.ety adj

   thicketed
          [thick.et.ed] adj (ca. 1624): dotted or covered with thickets

   thickhead
          [thick.head] n (1824): a stupid person: blockhead

   thickheaded
          [thick.head.ed] adj (1707) 1: having a thick head 2: sluggish
          and obtuse of mind

   thickness
          [thick.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1: the smallest of three dimensions
          <length, width, and ~> 2: the quality or state of being
          thick 3 a: viscous consistency <boiled to the ~ of honey>
          b: the condition of being smoky, foul, or foggy 4: the
          thick part of something 5: concentration, density 6:
          stupidity, dullness 7: layer, ply, sheet <a single ~
          of canvas>

   thickset
          [thick.set] adj (14c) 1: closely placed; also: growing thickly
          <a ~ wood> 2: having a thick body: burly

   thick-skinned
          [thick-skinned] adj (1545) 1: having a thick skin: pachydermatous
          2 a: callous, insensitive b: impervious to criticism

   thick-witted
          [thick-wit.ted] adj (1634): dull or slow of mind: stupid

   thief
          [thief] n, pl thieves [ME theef, fr. OE theof; akin to OHG
          diob thief] (bef. 12c): one that steals esp. stealthily
          or secretly; also: one who commits theft or larceny

   thieve
          [thieve] vb thieved ; thiev.ing (bef. 12c): steal, rob

   thievery
          [thiev.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1568): the act or practice or
          an instance of stealing: theft

   thievish
          [thiev.ish] adj (1538) 1: given to stealing 2: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a thief -- thiev.ish.ly adv
          -- thiev.ish.ness n

   thigh
          [thigh] n [ME, fr. OE theoh; akin to OHG dioh thigh, Lith
          taukai, pl., fat] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the proximal segment
          of the vertebrate hind limb extending from the hip to
          the knee and supported by a single large bone b: the
          segment of the leg immediately distal to the thigh in
          a bird or in a quadruped in which the true thigh is obscured
          c: the femur of an insect 2: something resembling or
          covering a thigh -- thighed adj

   thighbone
          [thigh.bone] n (15c): femur 1

   thigmotaxis
          [thig.mo.tax.is] n [NL, fr. Gk thigma touch (fr. thinganein
          to touch) + NL -taxis; akin to L fingere to shape--more
          at dough] (1903): a taxis in which contact esp. with
          a solid body is the directive factor

   thigmotropism
          [thig.mot.ro.pism] n [Gk thigma + ISV -o- + -tropism] (ca.
          1900): a tropism in which contact esp. with a solid or
          a rigid surface is the orienting factor

   thill
          [thill] n [ME thille, perh. fr. OE, plank; akin to OE thel
          board, OHG dili, and prob. to L tellus earth] (14c):
          a shaft of a vehicle

   thimble
          [thim.ble] n [ME thymbyl, prob. alter. of OE thymel covering
          for the thumb, fr. thuma thumb] (15c) 1: a pitted cap
          or cover worn on the finger to push the needle in sewing
          2 a: a grooved ring of thin metal used to fit in a spliced
          loop in a rope as protection from chafing b: a lining
          (as of metal) for an opening (as in a roof or wall) through
          which a stovepipe or chimney passes

   thimbleberry
          [thim.ble.ber.ry] n (1788): any of several American raspberries
          or blackberries (esp. Rubus occidentalis, R. parviflorus,
          and R. odoratus) having thimble-shaped fruit

   thimbleful
          [thim.ble.ful] n (1607) 1: as much as a thimble will hold
          2: a very small quantity

   [1]thimblerig
          [thim.ble.rig] n (1826) 1: a swindling trick in which a small
          ball or pea is quickly shifted from under one to another
          of three small cups to fool the spectator guessing its
          location 2: one who manipulates the cup in thimblerig:
          thimblerigger [2]thimblerig vt (1839) 1: to cheat by
          trickery 2: to swindle by thimblerig -- thim.ble.rig.ger
          n

   thimbleweed
          [thim.ble.weed] n (1833): any of various anemones (as Anemone
          virginiana and A. cylindrica)

   thimerosal
          [thi.mer.o.sal] n [prob. fr. thi- + mercury + -o- + salicylate]
          (1949): a crystalline organic mercurial antiseptic used
          esp. for its antifungal and bacteriostatic properties

   [1]thin
          [thin] adj thin.ner ; thin.nest [ME thinne, fr. OE thynne;
          akin to OHG dunni thin, L tenuis thin, tenere to hold,
          tendere to stretch, Gk teinein] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having
          little extent from one surface to its opposite <~ paper>
          b: measuring little in cross section or diameter <~ rope>
          2: not dense in arrangement or distribution <~ hair>
          3: not well fleshed: lean 4 a: more fluid or rarefied
          than normal <~ air> b: having less than the usual number:
          scanty <~ attendance> c: few in number: scarce d: scantily
          supplied e: characterized by a paucity of bids or offerings
          <a ~ market> 5 a: lacking substance or strength <~ broth>
          <a ~ plot> b of a soil: infertile, poor 6 a: flimsy,
          unconvincing <a ~ disguise> b: disappointingly poor or
          hard <had a ~ time of it> 7: somewhat feeble, shrill,
          and lacking in resonance <a ~ voice> 8: lacking in intensity
          or brilliance <~ light> 9: lacking sufficient photographic
          density or contrast -- thin.ly adv -- thin.ness n --
          thin.nish adj syn thin, slender, slim, slight, tenuous
          mean not thick, broad, abundant, or dense. thin implies
          comparatively little extension between surfaces or in
          diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness,
          or abundance <thin wire> <a thin soup>. slender implies
          leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion
          <the slender legs of a Sheraton chair>. slim applies
          to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness
          <a slim volume of poetry> <a slim chance>. slight implies
          smallness as well as thinness <a slight build>. tenuous
          implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance
          and firmness <a tenuous thread>. [2]thin vb thinned ;
          thin.ning vt (bef. 12c): to make thin or thinner: a:
          to reduce in thickness or depth: attenuate b: to make
          less dense or viscous c: dilute, weaken d: to cause to
          lose flesh <thinned by weeks of privation> e: to reduce
          in number or bulk ~ vi 1: to become thin or thinner 2:
          to become weak [3]thin adv thin.ner ; thin.nest (13c):
          in a thin manner: thinly--used esp. in combinations <thin-clad>
          <thin-flowing>

   [1]thine
          [thine] adj [ME thin, fr. OE thin] (bef. 12c) archaic: thy--used
          esp. before a word beginning with a vowel or h [2]thine
          pron, sing or pl in constr [ME thin, fr. OE thin, fr.
          thin thy--more at thy] (bef. 12c) archaic: that which
          belongs to thee--used without a following noun as a pronoun
          equivalent in meaning to the adjective thy--used esp.
          in ecclesiastical or literary language and still surviving
          in the speech of Friends esp. among themselves

   thin film
          [thin film] n (1944): a very thin layer of a substance on
          a supporting material; esp: a coating (as of a semiconductor)
          that is deposited in a layer one atom or one molecule
          thick

   thing
          [thing] n [ME, fr. OE, thing, assembly; akin to OHG ding
          thing, assembly, Goth theihs time] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a
          matter of concern: affair <many ~s to do> b pl: state
          of affairs in general or within a specified or implied
          sphere <~s are improving> c: a particular state of affairs:
          situation <look at this ~ another way> d: event, circumstance
          <that shooting was a terrible ~> 2 a: deed, act, accomplishment
          <do great ~s> b: a product of work or activity <likes
          to build ~s> c: the aim of effort or activity <the ~
          is to get well> 3 a: a separate and distinct individual
          quality, fact, idea, or usu. entity b: the concrete entity
          as distinguished from its appearances c: a spatial entity
          d: an inanimate object distinguished from a living being
          4 a pl: possessions, effects <pack your ~s> b: whatever
          may be possessed or owned or be the object of a right
          c: an article of clothing <not a ~ to wear> d pl: equipment
          or utensils esp. for a particular purpose <bring the
          tea ~s> 5: an object or entity not precisely designated
          or capable of being designated <use this ~> 6 a: detail,
          point <checks every little ~> b: a material or substance
          of a specified kind <avoid fatty ~s> 7 a: a spoken or
          written observation or point b: idea, notion <says the
          first ~ he thinks of> c: a piece of news or information
          <couldn't get a ~ out of him> 8: individual <not a living
          ~ in sight> 9: the proper or fashionable way of behaving,
          talking, or dressing--used with the 10 a: a mild obsession
          or phobia <has a ~ about driving>; also: the object of
          such an obsession or phobia b: something (as an activity)
          that makes a strong appeal to the individual: forte,
          specialty <letting students do their own ~ --Newsweek>
          <I think travelling is very much a novelist's ~ --Philip
          Larkin>

   thingamabob
          [thing.am.a.bob] n (1832): thingamajig

   thingamajig
          [thing.am.a.jig] or thing.um.a.jig n [alter. of earlier thingum,
          fr. thing] (1828): something that is hard to classify
          or whose name is unknown or forgotten

   thing-in-itself
          [thing-in-itself] n, pl things-in-themselves [trans. of G
          Ding an sich] (1798): noumenon

   thingness
          [thing.ness] n (1896): the quality or state of objective
          existence or reality

   thingummy
          [thing.um.my] n, pl -mies [alter. of earlier thingum] (1796):
          thingamajig

   [1]think
          [think] vb thought ; think.ing [ME thenken, fr. OE thencan;
          akin to OHG denken to think, L tongere to know--more
          at thanks] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to form or have in the mind
          2: to have as an intention <thought to return early>
          3 a: to have as an opinion <~ it's so> b: to regard as:
          consider <~ the rule unfair> 4 a: to reflect on: ponder
          <~ the matter over> b: to determine by reflecting <~
          what to do next> 5: to call to mind: remember <he never
          ~s to ask how we do> 6: to devise by thinking--usu. used
          with up <thought up a plan to escape> 7: to have as an
          expectation: anticipate <we didn't ~ we'd have any trouble>
          8 a: to center one's thoughts on <talks and ~s business>
          b: to form a mental picture of 9: to subject to the processes
          of logical thought <~ things out> ~ vi 1 a: to exercise
          the powers of judgment, conception, or inference: reason
          b: to have in the mind or call to mind a thought 2 a:
          to have the mind engaged in reflection: meditate b: to
          consider the suitability <thought of her for president>
          3: to have a view or opinion <~s of himself as a poet>
          4: to have concern--usu. used with of <a man must ~ first
          of his family> 5: to consider something likely: suspect
          <may happen sooner than you ~> -- think.er n -- think
          better of : to reconsider and make a wiser decision --
          think much of : to view with satisfaction: approve--usu.
          used in negative constructions <I didn't think much of
          the new car> syn think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize,
          envisage, envision mean to form an idea of. think implies
          the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without
          deliberate consideration or reflection <I just thought
          of a good joke>. conceive suggests the forming and bringing
          forth and usu. developing of an idea, plan, or design
          <conceived of a new marketing approach>. imagine stresses
          a visualization <imagine you're at the beach>. fancy
          suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but
          spurred by desires <fancied himself a super athlete>.
          realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what
          is conceived or imagined <realized the enormity of the
          task ahead>. envisage and envision imply a conceiving
          or imagining that is esp. clear or detailed <envisaged
          a totally computerized operation> <envisioned a cure
          for the disease>. syn think, cogitate, reflect, reason,
          speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception,
          judgment, or inference. think is general and may apply
          to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests
          attainment of clear ideas or conclusions <teaches students
          how to think>. cogitate implies deep or intent thinking
          <cogitated on the mysteries of nature>. reflect suggests
          unhurried consideration of something recalled to the
          mind <reflecting on fifty years of married life>. reason
          stresses consecutive logical thinking <able to reason
          brilliantly in debate>. speculate implies reasoning about
          things theoretical or problematic <speculated on the
          fate of the lost explorers>. deliberate suggests slow
          or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching
          a conclusion or decision <the jury deliberated for five
          hours>. [2]think n (1834): an act of thinking <has another
          ~ coming> [3]think adj (1906): relating to, requiring,
          or stimulating thinking

   thinkable
          [think.able] adj (1854) 1: capable of being comprehended
          or reasoned about <the ultimate nature of Deity is scarcely
          ~> 2: conceivably possible -- think.able.ness n -- think.ably
          adv

   [1]thinking
          [thinking] n (14c) 1: the action of using one's mind to produce
          thoughts 2 a: opinion, judgment <I'd like to know your
          ~ on this> b: thought that is characteristic (as of a
          period, group, or person) <the current student ~ on fraternities>
          [2]thinking adj (1681): marked by use of the intellect:
          rational <~ citizens> -- think.ing.ly adv -- think.ing.ness
          n

   thinking cap
          [thinking cap] n (1874): a state or mood in which one thinks--usu.
          used in the phrase put one's thinking cap on

   think piece
          [think piece] n (1941): a piece of writing meant
          to be thought-provoking and speculative that consists chiefly
          of background material and personal opinion and analysis

   think tank
          [think tank] n (1959): an institute, corporation, or group
          organized for interdisciplinary research (as in technological
          and social problems)--called also think factory

   thin-layer chromatography
          [thin-layer chromatography] n (1957): chromatography in which
          the stationary phase is an absorbent medium (as alumina
          or silica gel) arranged as a thin layer on a rigid support
          (as a glass plate)

   thinner
          [thin.ner] n (1832): one that thins; specif: a volatile liquid
          (as turpentine) used esp. to thin paint

   thin-skinned
          [thin-skinned] adj (1598) 1: having a thin skin or rind 2:
          unduly susceptible to criticism or insult: touchy

   thio-
          [thio-] --see thi-

   thio acid
          [thio acid] n [ISV, fr. thi-] (ca. 1891): an acid in which
          oxygen is partly or wholly replaced by sulfur

   thiocyanate
          [thio.cy.a.nate] n [ISV] (1877): a compound that consists
          of the chemical group SCN bonded by the sulfur atom to
          a group or an atom other than a hydrogen atom

   thiol
          [thi.ol] n [ISV thi- + [1]-ol] (ca. 1890) 1: any of various
          compounds having the general formula RSH which are analogous
          to alcohols but in which sulfur replaces the oxygen of
          the hydroxyl group and which have disagreeable odors
          2: the functional group -SH characteristic of thiols
          -- thi.o.lic adj

   thion-
          [thion-] comb form [ISV, fr. Gk theion]: sulfur <methionine>

   thiopental
          [thio.pen.tal] n [thi- + pentobarbital] (1947): a barbiturate
          used in the form of its sodium salt esp. as an intravenous
          anesthetic--compare pentothal

   thiophene
          [thio.phene] n [ISV thi- + phene benzene] (1883): a heterocyclic
          liquid from coal tar that resembles benzene

   thioridazine
          [thi.o.rid.a.zine] n [thi- + piperidine + phenothiazine]
          (1959): a phenothiazine tranquilizer used for relief
          of anxiety states and in the treatment of schizophrenia

   thiosulfate
          [thio.sul.fate] n [ISV] (1873): a salt containing the doubly
          charged anion consisting of two sulfur and three oxygen
          atoms

   thiotepa
          [thio.te.pa] n (1953): a sulfur analogue of tepa that is
          used esp. as an antineoplastic agent

   thiouracil
          [thio.ura.cil] n [ISV] (1905): a bitter crystalline compound
          that depresses the function of the thyroid gland

   thiourea
          [thio.urea] n [NL] (1894): a colorless crystalline bitter
          compound analogous to and resembling urea that is used
          esp. as a photographic and organic chemical reagent;
          also: a substituted derivative of this compound

   thir
          [thir] pron or adj [ME (northern), perh. irreg. fr. ME this]
          (14c) dial Brit: these

   thiram
          [thi.ram] n [prob. by alter. fr. thiuram ] (1949): a compound
          used as a fungicide and seed disinfectant

   [1]third
          [third] adj [ME thridde, thirde, fr. OE thridda, thirdda;
          akin to L tertius third, Gk tritos, treis three--more
          at three] (bef. 12c) 1 a: being next after the second
          in place or time <the ~ taxi in line> b: ranking next
          after the second of a grade or degree in authority or
          precedence <~ mate> c: being the forward speed or gear
          next higher than second esp. in a motor vehicle 2 a:
          being one of three equal parts into which something is
          divisible b: being the last in each group of three in
          a series <take out every ~ card> -- third or third.ly
          adv [2]third n (14c) 1: one of three equal parts of something
          2 a: one that is number three in a countable series b:
          one that is next after second in rank, position, authority,
          or precedence <the ~ in line> 3 a: the musical interval
          embracing three diatonic degrees b: a tone at this interval;
          specif: mediant c: the harmonic combination of two tones
          a third apart 4 pl: merchandise whose quality falls below
          the manufacturer's standard for seconds 5: third base
          6: the third forward gear or speed esp. of a motor vehicle

   third base
          [third base] n (1845) 1: the base that must be touched third
          by a base runner in baseball 2: the player position for
          defending the area around third base -- third baseman
          n

   third class
          [third class] n (1844) 1: the third and usu. next below second
          class in a classification 2: the least expensive class
          of accommodations (as on a passenger ship) 3 a: a class
          of U.S. mail comprising printed matter exclusive of regularly
          issued periodicals and merchandise less than 16 ounces
          (454 grams) in weight that is not sealed against inspection
          b: a similar class of Canadian mail with different weight
          limits

   third-class
          [third-class] adj (1839): of or relating to a class, rank,
          or grade next below the second -- third-class adv

   third degree
          [third degree] n (1900): the subjection of a prisoner to
          mental or physical torture to extract a confession

   third-degree burn
          [third-degree burn] n (1930): a severe burn characterized
          by destruction of the skin through its deeper layers
          and possibly into underlying tissues, loss of fluid,
          and sometimes shock

   third dimension
          [third dimension] n (1858) 1: thickness, depth; also: a dimension
          that adds the effect of solidity to a two-dimensional
          system 2: a quality that confers reality or lifelikeness
          <night sounds that stick in the mind and give a third
          dimension to the memory --Adie Suehsdorf> -- third-dimensional
          adj

   third estate
          [third estate] n, often cap T&E (1604): the third of the
          traditional political orders; specif: the commons

   third force
          [third force] n [trans. of F troisieme force] (1936): a grouping
          (as of political parties or international powers) intermediate
          between two opposing political forces

   thirdhand
          [third.hand] adj (1599) 1: received from or through two
          intermediaries <~ information> 2 a: acquired after being used
          by two previous owners b: dealing in thirdhand merchandise

   third house
          [third house] n (1849): a legislative lobby

   third market
          [third market] n (1964): the over-the-counter market in listed
          securities

   third order
          [third order] n, often cap T&O (1629) 1: an organization
          composed of lay people living in secular society under
          a religious rule and directed by a religious order 2:
          a congregation esp. of teaching or nursing sisters affiliated
          with a religious order

   third party
          [third party] n (1801) 1 a: a major political party operating
          over a limited period of time in addition to two other
          major parties in a nation or state normally characterized
          by a two-party system b: minor party 2: a person other
          than the principals <a third party to a divorce proceeding>

   third person
          [third person] n (ca. 1586) 1 a: a set of linguistic forms
          (as verb forms, pronouns, and inflectional affixes) referring
          to one that is neither the speaker or writer of the utterance
          in which they occur nor the one to whom that utterance
          is addressed b: a linguistic form belonging to such a
          set 2: reference of a linguistic form to one that is
          neither the speaker or writer of the utterance in which
          it occurs nor the one to whom that utterance is addressed

   third rail
          [third rail] n (1890): a metal rail through which electric
          current is led to the motors of an electric vehicle (as
          a subway car)

   third-rate
          [third-rate] adj (1814): of third quality or value; specif:
          worse than second-rate -- third-rat.er n

   third reading
          [third reading] n (ca. 1571): the final stage of the consideration
          of a legislative bill before a vote on its final disposition

   third-stream
          [third-stream] adj (1962): of, relating to, or being music
          that incorporates elements of classical music and jazz

   third ventricle
          [third ventricle] n (ca. 1860): the median unpaired ventricle
          of the brain bounded by parts of the telencephalon and
          diencephalon

   third world
          [third world] n, often cap T&W [trans. of F tiers monde]
          (1963) 1: a group of nations esp. in Africa and Asia
          not aligned with either the Communist or the non-Communist
          blocs 2: an aggregate of minority groups within a larger
          predominant culture 3: the aggregate of the underdeveloped
          nations of the world -- third world.er n, often cap T&W

   [1]thirl
          [thirl] n [ME, fr. OE thyrel, fr. thurh through--more at
          through] (bef. 12c) dial: hole, perforation, opening
          [2]thirl vt (bef. 12c) dial Brit: pierce, perforate

   [1]thirst
          [thirst] n [ME, fr. OE thurst; akin to OHG durst thirst,
          L torrere to dry, parch, Gk tersesthai to become dry]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a sensation of dryness in the mouth and
          throat associated with a desire for liquids; also: the
          bodily condition (as of dehydration) that induces this
          sensation b: a desire or need to drink 2: an ardent desire:
          craving, longing [2]thirst vi (bef. 12c) 1: to feel thirsty:
          suffer thirst 2: to crave vehemently and urgently syn
          see long -- thirst.er n

   thirstily
          [thirst.i.ly] adv (1549): with or on account of thirst

   thirsty
          [thirsty] adj thirst.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 a: feeling
          thirst b: deficient in moisture: parched <~ land> c:
          highly absorbent <~ towels> 2: having a strong desire:
          avid <~ for knowledge> -- thirst.i.ness n

   thirteen
          [thir.teen] n [ME thrittene, fr. thrittene, adj., fr. OE
          threotine; akin to OE tien ten--more at ten] (14c): one
          more than twelve -- thirteen adj -- thirteen pron, pl
          in constr -- thir.teenth adj or n

   thirty
          [thir.ty] n, pl thirties [ME thritty, fr. thritty, adj.,
          fr. OE thritig, fr. thritig group of 30, fr. thrie three
          + -tig group of ten; akin to OE tien ten] (bef. 12c)
          1: three times ten 2 pl: the numbers 30 to 39; specif:
          the years 30 to 39 in a lifetime or century 3: a sign
          of completion: end--usu. written 30 <wrote ~ on the last
          page of the story> 4: the second point scored by a side
          in a game of tennis -- thir.ti.eth adj or n -- thirty
          adj -- thirty pron, pl in constr -- thir.ty.ish adj

   thirty-eight
          [thir.ty-eight] n (ca. 1934) 1: eight more than thirty 2:
          a handgun nominally of .38 caliber--usu. written .38
          -- thirty-eight adj -- thirty-eight pron, pl in constr

   thirty-second note
          [thir.ty-sec.ond note] n (ca. 1890): a musical note with
          the time value of 1/32 of a whole note--see note illustration

   thirty-second rest
          [thirty-second rest] n (ca. 1903): a musical rest corresponding
          in time value to a thirty-second note

   thirty-thirty
          [thir.ty-thir.ty] n (1929): a rifle that fires a .30 caliber
          cartridge having a 30 grain powder charge--usu. written
          .30-30

   thirty-three
          [thir.ty-three] n (1902) 1: three more than thirty 2: a microgroove
          phonograph record designed to be played at 33 1/3 revolutions per
          minute--usu. written 33 -- thirty-three adj -- thirty-three pron,
          pl in constr

   thirty-two
          [thir.ty-two] n (1904) 1: two more than thirty 2: a .32 caliber
          handgun--usu. written .32 -- thirty-two adj -- thirty-two
          pron, pl in constr

   thirty-twomo
          [thir.ty-two.mo] n, pl -mos (ca. 1841): the size of a piece
          of paper cut 32 from a sheet; also: a book, a page, or
          paper of this size

   [1]this
          [this] pron, pl these [ME, pron. & adj., fr. OE thes (masc.),
          this (neut.); akin to OHG dese this, OE thaet that] (bef.
          12c) 1 a (1): the person, thing, or idea that is present
          or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been
          mentioned <these are my hands> (2): what is stated in
          the following phrase, clause, or discourse <I can only
          say ~: it wasn't here yesterday> b: this time or place
          <expected to return before ~> 2 a: the one nearer or
          more immediately under observation or discussion <~ is
          iron and that is tin> b: the one more recently referred
          to [2]this adj, pl these (bef. 12c) 1 a: being the person,
          thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time,
          or thought or that has just been mentioned <~ book is
          mine> <early ~ morning> b: constituting the immediately
          following part of the present discourse c: constituting
          the immediate past or future <friends all these years>
          d: being one not previously mentioned--used esp. in narrative
          to give a sense of immediacy or vividness <then ~ guy
          runs in> 2: being the nearer at hand or more immediately
          under observation or discussion <~ car or that one> [3]this
          adv (15c): to the degree or extent indicated by something
          in the immediate context or situation <didn't expect
          to wait ~ long>

   Thisbe
          [This.be] n [L, fr. Gk Thisbe]: a legendary young woman of
          Babylon who dies for love of Pyramus

   thistle
          [this.tle] n [ME thistel, fr. OE; akin to OHG distill thistle]
          (bef. 12c): any of various prickly composite plants (esp.
          genera Carduus, Cirsium, and Onopordum) with often showy
          heads of mostly tubular flowers; also: any of various
          other prickly plants -- this.tly adj

   thistledown
          [this.tle.down] n (1561): the typically plumose pappus from
          the ripe flower head of a thistle

   thistle tube
          [thistle tube] n (ca. 1891): a funnel tube usu. of glass
          with a bulging top and flaring mouth

   this-worldliness
          [this-world.li.ness] n (1887): interest in, concern with,
          or devotion to things of this world esp. as opposed to
          a future stage of existence (as after death)

   this-worldly
          [this-world.ly] adj (1883): characterized by or manifesting
          this-worldliness

   [1]thither
          [thith.er] adv [ME, fr. OE thider; akin to ON thathra there,
          OE thaet that] (bef. 12c): to that place: there [2]thither
          adj (1830): being on the other and farther side: more
          remote

   thitherto
          [thith.er.to] adv (15c): until that time

   thitherward
          [thith.er.ward] also thith.er.wards adv (bef. 12c): toward
          that place: thither

   thixotropy
          [thix.ot.ro.py] n [ISV thixo- (fr. Gk thixis act of touching,
          fr. thinganein to touch) + -tropy--more at thigmotaxis]
          (1927): the property of various gels of becoming fluid
          when disturbed (as by shaking) -- thixo.tro.pic adj

   ThM
          [ThM] [NL theologiae magister] abbreviation master of theology

   tho
          [tho] var of though

   [1]thole
          [thole] vb tholed ; thol.ing [ME, fr. OE tholian--more at
          tolerate] (bef. 12c) chiefly dial: endure [2]thole n
          [ME tholle, fr. OE thol; akin to ON thollr fir tree,
          peg, Gk tylos knob, callus] (bef. 12c) 1: either of a
          pair of pins set in the gunwale of a boat to hold an
          oar in place 2: peg, pin

   tholeiite
          [tho.lei.ite] n [G Tholeiit, fr. Tholey, village in Saarland,
          Germany + G -it -ite] (1866): a basaltic rock that is
          rich in aluminum and low in potassium, is found typically
          in the ocean floor, and is prob. derived from the earth's
          mantle -- tho.lei.it.ic adj

   tholepin
          [thole.pin] n (1598): thole 1

   Thomas
          [Thom.as] n [Gk Thomas, fr. Heb t'om twin]: an apostle who
          demanded proof of Christ's resurrection

   Thomas Jefferson's Birthday
          [Thom.as Jef.fer.son's Birthday] n (ca. 1928): April 13 observed
          as a legal holiday in Alabama

   Thomism
          [Tho.mism] n [NL Thomista Thomist, fr. St. Thomas Aquinas]
          (ca. 1731): the scholastic philosophical and theological
          system of St. Thomas Aquinas -- Tho.mist n or adj --
          Tho.mis.tic adj

   Thompson submachine gun
          [Thomp.son submachine gun] n [John T. Thompson d. 1940 Am.
          army officer] (1920): a .45 caliber submachine gun with
          a drum or stick magazine, a pistol grip, and a detachable
          buttstock

   Thomson's gazelle
          [Thom.son's gazelle] n [Joseph Thomson d. 1895 Scot. explorer]
          (1897): a small gazelle (Gazella thomsoni) of eastern
          Africa that is tan above and white below with a broad
          black stripe on each side

   thong
          [thong] n [ME, fr. OE thwong; akin ON thvengr thong] (bef.
          12c) 1: a strip esp. of leather or hide 2: a sandal held
          on the foot by a thong fitting between the toes and connected
          to a strap across the top or around the sides of the
          foot -- thonged adj

   Thor
          [Thor] n [ON Thorr]: the Norse god of thunder, weather, and
          crops

   thoracic
          [tho.rac.ic] adj (ca. 1658): of, relating to, located within,
          or involving the thorax -- tho.rac.i.cal.ly adv

   thoracic duct
          [thoracic duct] n (ca. 1741): the main trunk of the system
          of lymphatic vessels that lies along the front of the
          spinal column and opens into the left subclavian vein

   thoracotomy
          [tho.ra.cot.o.my] n, pl -mies [L thorac-, thorax + ISV -tomy]
          (ca. 1857): surgical incision of the chest wall

   thorax
          [tho.rax] n, pl tho.rax.es or tho.ra.ces [ME, fr. L thorac-,
          thorax breastplate, thorax, fr. Gk thorak-, thorax] (15c)
          1: the part of the mammalian body between the neck and
          the abdomen; also: its cavity in which the heart and
          lungs lie 2: the middle of the three chief divisions
          of the body of an insect; also: the corresponding part
          of a crustacean or an arachnid

   Thorazine
          [Tho.ra.zine] trademark--used for chlorpromazine

   thoria
          [tho.ria] n [NL, fr. thorium + -a] (ca. 1841): a powdery
          white oxide of thorium used esp. as a catalyst and in
          crucibles and refractories and optical glass

   thorianite
          [tho.ri.a.nite] n [irreg. fr. thoria] (1904): a strongly
          radioactive mineral that is an oxide of thorium and often
          contains rare-earth metals

   thorite
          [tho.rite] n [Sw thorit, fr. NL thorium] (1832): a rare mineral
          that is a brown to black or sometimes orange-yellow silicate
          of thorium resembling zircon

   thorium
          [tho.ri.um] n [NL, fr. ON Thorr Thor] (1832): a radioactive
          metallic element that occurs combined in minerals and
          is usu. associated with rare earths

   thorn
          [thorn] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG dorn thorn,
          Skt trna grass, blade of grass] (bef. 12c) 1: a woody
          plant bearing sharp impeding processes (as briers, prickles,
          or spines); esp: hawthorn 2 a: a sharp rigid process
          on a plant; specif: a short, indurated, sharp-pointed,
          and leafless modified branch b: any of various sharp
          spinose structures on an animal 3: the runic letter used
          in Old English, Middle English, and Icelandic to represent
          the /th/ fricatives 4: something that causes distress
          or irritation--often used in the phrase thorn in one's
          side -- thorned adj -- thorn.less adj -- thorn.like adj

   thorn apple
          [thorn apple] n (1578) 1: jimsonweed; also: any plant of
          the same genus 2: the fruit of a hawthorn; also: hawthorn

   thornback
          [thorn.back] n (14c): any of various rays having spines on
          the back

   thornbush
          [thorn.bush] n (1535) 1: any of various spiny or thorny shrubs
          or small trees 2: a low growth of thorny shrubs esp.
          of dry tropical regions

   thorny
          [thorny] adj thorn.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1: full of thorns
          2: full of difficulties or controversial points: ticklish
          <a ~ problem> -- thorn.i.ness n

   thoro
          [thoro] nonstand var of thorough

   [1]thorough
          [thor.ough] prep [ME thorow, fr. OE thurh, thuruh, prep.
          & adv.] (bef. 12c) archaic: through [2]thorough adv (bef.
          12c) archaic: through [3]thorough adj (15c) 1: carried
          through to completion: exhaustive <a ~ search> 2 a: marked
          by full detail <a ~ description> b: careful about detail:
          painstaking <a ~ scholar> c: complete in all respects
          <~ pleasure> d: having full mastery (as of an art) <a
          ~ musician> 3: passing through -- thor.ough.ly adv --
          thor.ough.ness n

   thoroughbass
          [thor.ough.bass] n (1662): continuo

   thoroughbrace
          [thor.ough.brace] n (1837): any of several leather straps
          supporting the body of a carriage and serving as springs

   [1]thoroughbred
          [thor.ough.bred] adj (1701) 1: thoroughly trained or skilled
          2: bred from the best blood through a long line: purebred
          <~ dogs> 3 a cap: of, relating to, or being a member
          of the Thoroughbred breed of horses b: having characteristics
          resembling those of a Thoroughbred [2]thoroughbred n
          (1842) 1 cap: any of an English breed of light speedy
          horses kept chiefly for racing that originated from crosses
          between English mares of uncertain ancestry and Arabian
          stallions 2: a purebred or pedigreed animal 3: one that
          has characteristics resembling those of a Thoroughbred

   thoroughfare
          [thor.ough.fare] n (14c) 1: a way or place for passage: as
          a: a street open at both ends b: a main road 2 a: passage,
          transit b: the conditions necessary for passing through

   thoroughgoing
          [thor.ough.go.ing] adj (1800): marked by thoroughness or
          zeal: thorough, complete

   thorough-paced
          [thor.ough-paced] adj (1646) 1: thorough, complete 2: thoroughly
          trained: accomplished

   thoroughpin
          [thor.ough.pin] n (1789): a synovial swelling just above
          the hock of a horse on both sides of the leg and slightly
          anterior to the hamstring tendon that is often associated
          with lameness

   thoroughwort
          [thor.ough.wort] n (1814): boneset

   thorp
          [thorp] n [ME, fr. OE, perh. fr. ON; akin to OHG dorf village,
          L trabs beam, roof] (bef. 12c) archaic: village, hamlet

   those
          [those] [ME, fr. those these, fr. OE thas, pl. of thes this--more
          at this] pl of that

   [1]thou
          [thou] pron [ME, fr. OE thu; akin to OHG du thou, L tu, Gk
          sy] (bef. 12c) archaic: the one addressed <~ shalt have
          no other gods before me --Exod 20:3 (AV)>--used esp.
          in ecclesiastical or literary language and by Friends
          as the universal form of address to one person--compare
          thee, thine, thy, ye, you [2]thou vt (15c): to address
          as thou [3]thou n, pl thou [short for thousand] (1867):
          a thousand of something (as dollars)

   [1]though
          [though] conj [ME, adv. & conj., of Scand origin; akin to
          ON tho nevertheless; akin to OE theah nevertheless, OHG
          doh] (bef. 12c) 1: in spite of the fact that: while <~
          they know the war is lost, they continue to fight --Bruce
          Bliven d.1977> 2: in spite of the possibility that: even
          if <~ I may fail, I will try> [2]though adv (13c): however,
          nevertheless <It's hard work. I enjoy it ~>

   [1]thought
          [thought] past and past part of think [2]thought n [ME, fr.
          OE thoht; akin to OE thencan to think--more at think]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: the action or process of thinking: cogitation
          b: serious consideration: regard c archaic: recollection,
          remembrance 2 a: reasoning power b: the power to imagine:
          conception 3: something that is thought: as a: an individual
          act or product of thinking b: a developed intention or
          plan <had no ~ of leaving home> c: something (as an opinion
          or belief) in the mind <he spoke his ~s freely> d: the
          intellectual product or the organized views and principles
          of a period, place, group, or individual <contemporary
          Western ~> syn see idea -- a thought : a little: somewhat
          <a thought too much vinegar in the dressing>

   thought experiment
          [thought experiment] n (1945): gedankenexperiment

   thoughtful
          [thought.ful] adj (13c) 1 a: absorbed in thought: meditative
          b: characterized by careful reasoned thinking 2 a: having
          thoughts: heedful <became ~ about religion> b: given
          to or chosen or made with heedful anticipation of the
          needs and wants of others -- thought.ful.ly adv -- thought.ful.ness
          n

   thoughtless
          [thought.less] adj (1592) 1 a: insufficiently alert: careless
          b: reckless, rash 2: devoid of thought: insensate 3:
          lacking concern for others: inconsiderate -- thought.less.ly
          adv -- thought.less.ness n

   thought-out
          [thought-out] adj (1870): produced or arrived at through
          mental effort and esp. through careful and thorough consideration

   thoughtway
          [thought.way] n (ca. 1944): a way of thinking that
          is characteristic of a particular group, time, or culture

   thousand
          [thou.sand] n, pl thousands or thousand [ME, fr. OE thusend;
          akin to OHG dusunt thousand, Lith tukstantis, and prob.
          to Skt tavas strong, L tumere to swell--more at thumb]
          (bef. 12c) 1: ten times one hundred 2: a very large number
          <~s of ants> -- thousand adj -- thou.sand.fold adj or
          adv -- thou.sandth adj or n

   Thousand Island dressing
          [Thousand Island dressing] n [Thousand Islands, islands in
          the St. Lawrence River] (1924): mayonnaise with chili
          sauce and seasonings (as chopped pimientos, green peppers,
          and onion)

   thousand-legger
          [thousand-leg.ger] n (1914): millipede

   thousands place
          [thousands place] n (1937): the place four to the left of
          the decimal point in a number expressed in the Arabic
          system of writing numbers

   Thracian
          [Thra.cian] n (1569) 1: a native or inhabitant of Thrace
          2: the Indo-European language of the ancient Thracians
          -- Thracian adj

   [1]thrall
          [thrall] n [ME thral, fr. OE thrael, fr. ON thraell] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a servant slave: bondman; also: serf b: a person
          in moral or mental servitude 2 a: a state of servitude
          or submission <in ~ to his emotions> b: a state of complete
          absorption <mountains could hold me in ~ with a subtle
          attraction of their own --Elyne Mitchell> -- thrall adj
          -- thrall.dom or thral.dom n [2]thrall vt (13c) archaic:
          enthrall, enslave

   [1]thrash
          [thrash] vb [alter. of thresh] vt (1588) 1: to separate the
          seeds of from the husks and straw by beating: thresh
          1 2 a: to beat soundly with or as if with a stick or
          whip: flog b: to defeat decisively or severely <~ed the
          visiting team> 3: to swing, beat, or strike in the manner
          of a rapidly moving flail <~ing his arms> 4 a: to go
          over again and again <~ the matter over inconclusively>
          b: to hammer out: forge <~ out a plan> ~ vi 1: thresh
          1 2: to deal blows or strokes like one using a flail
          or whip 3: to move or stir about violently: toss about
          <~ in bed with a fever> syn see swing [2]thrash n (1840):
          an act of thrashing

   [1]thrasher
          [thrash.er] n (1632): one that thrashes or threshes [2]thrasher
          n [perh. alter. of dial. thresher thrush] (ca. 1814):
          any of various American oscine birds (family Mimidae
          and esp. genus Toxostoma) related to the mockingbird
          that resemble thrushes but have a curved bill and long
          tail

   thrasonical
          [thra.son.i.cal] adj [L Thrason-, Thraso Thraso, braggart
          soldier in the comedy Eunuchus by Terence] (1564): of,
          relating to, resembling, or characteristic of Thraso:
          bragging, boastful -- thra.son.i.cal.ly adv

   [1]thraw
          [thraw] vb [ME--more at throw] vt (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly Scot:
          to cause to twist or turn 2 chiefly Scot: cross, thwart
          ~ vi 1 chiefly Scot: twist, turn 2 chiefly Scot: to be
          in disagreement [2]thraw n (ca. 1585) 1 chiefly Scot:
          twist, turn 2 chiefly Scot: ill humor

   thrawart
          [thra.wart] adj [ME (Sc), alter. of ME fraward, froward froward]
          (15c) 1 chiefly Scot: stubborn 2 Scot: crooked

   thrawn
          [thrawn] adj [ME (Sc) thrawin, fr. pp. of ME thrawen to twist]
          (15c) chiefly Scot: lacking in pleasing or attractive
          qualities: as a: perverse, recalcitrant b: crooked, misshapen
          -- thrawn.ly adv, chiefly Scot

   [1]thread
          [thread] n [ME thred, fr. OE thraed; akin to OHG drat wire,
          OE thrawan to cause to twist or turn--more at throw]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a filament, a group of filaments twisted
          together, or a filamentous length formed by spinning
          and twisting short textile fibers into a continuous strand
          b: a piece of thread 2 a: any of various natural filaments
          <the ~s of a spiderweb> b: a slender stream (as of water)
          c: a streak of light or color d: a projecting helical
          rib (as in a fitting or on a pipe) by which parts can
          be screwed together: screw thread 3: something continuous
          or drawn out: as a: a train of thought b: a continuing
          element <a ~ of melancholy marked all his writing> 4:
          a tenuous or feeble support 5 pl: clothing -- thread.less
          adj -- thread.like adj [2]thread vt (14c) 1 a: to pass
          a thread through the eye of (a needle) b: to arrange
          a thread, yarn, or lead-in piece in working position
          for use in (a machine) 2 a (1): to pass something through
          in the manner of a thread <~ a pipe with wire> (2): to
          pass (as a tape, line, or film) into or through something
          <~ed a fresh film into the camera> b: to make one's way
          through or between <~ing narrow alleys>; also: to make
          (one's way) usu. cautiously through a hazardous situation
          3: to put together on or as if on a thread: string <~
          beads> 4: to interweave with or as if with threads: intersperse
          <dark hair ~ed with silver> 5: to form a screw thread
          on or in ~ vi 1: to make one's way 2: to form a thread
          -- thread.er n

   threadbare
          [thread.bare] adj (14c) 1: having the nap worn off so that
          the thread shows: shabby 2: exhausted of interest or
          freshness syn see trite -- thread.bare.ness n

   threadfin
          [thread.fin] n (ca. 1890): any of various bony fishes (family
          Polynemidae and esp. genus Polydactylus) having filamentous
          rays on the lower part of the pectoral fin

   threadworm
          [thread.worm] n (1802): a long slender nematode worm

   thready
          [thready] adj (1597) 1: consisting of or bearing fibers or
          filaments <a ~ bark> 2 a: resembling a thread: filamentous
          b: tending to form or draw out into strands: ropy 3:
          lacking in fullness, body, or vigor: thin <a ~ voice>
          -- thread.i.ness n

   threap
          [threap] vt [ME threpen, fr. OE threapian] (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly
          Scot: scold, chide 2 chiefly Scot: to maintain persistently

   [1]threat
          [threat] n [ME thret coercion, threat, fr. OE threat coercion;
          akin to MHG droz annoyance, L trudere to push, thrust]
          (bef. 12c) 1: an expression of intention to inflict evil,
          injury, or damage 2: one that threatens 3: an indication
          of something impending <the sky held a ~ of rain> [2]threat
          vb (bef. 12c) archaic: threaten

   threaten
          [threat.en] vb threat.ened ; threat.en.ing vt (13c) 1: to
          utter threats against 2 a: to give signs or warning of:
          portend <the clouds ~ed rain> b: to hang over dangerously:
          menace 3: to announce as intended or possible <the workers
          ~ed a strike> ~ vi 1: to utter threats 2: to portend
          evil -- threat.en.er n -- threat.en.ing.ly adv

   threatened
          [threatened] adj (1960): having an uncertain chance of continued
          survival <a ~ species of owls>; specif: likely to become
          an endangered species

   three
          [three] n [ME, fr. three, adj., fr. OE thrie (masc.), threo
          (fem. & neut.); akin to OHG dri three, L tres, Gk treis]
          (bef. 12c) 1: one more than two 2: the third in a set
          or series <the ~ of hearts> 3: something having three
          units or members -- three adj -- three pron, pl in constr

   three-bagger
          [three-bag.ger] n (1881): triple

   three-ball
          [three-ball] adj (ca. 1890): relating to or being a golf
          match in which three players compete against one another
          with each playing a single ball

   three-card monte
          [three-card monte] n (1854): a gambling game in which the
          dealer shows three cards, shuffles them, places them
          face down, and invites spectators to bet they can identify
          the location of a particular card

   three-color
          [three-col.or] adj (1893): being or relating to a printing
          or photographic process wherein three primary colors
          are used to reproduce all the colors of the subject

   three-decker
          [three-deck.er] n (1795) 1: a wooden warship carrying guns
          on three decks 2: triple-decker

   three-dimensional
          [three-dimensional] adj (ca. 1891) 1: of or relating to three
          dimensions 2: giving the illusion of depth or varying
          distances--used of an image or a pictorial representation
          esp. when this illusion is enhanced by stereoscopic means
          3: describing or being described in well-rounded completeness
          <a ~ analysis of multiple historical processes --L. L.
          Snyder> 4: true to life: lifelike

   threefold
          [three.fold] adj (bef. 12c) 1: having three units or members:
          triple 2: being three times as great or as many -- three.fold
          adv

   three-gaited
          [three-gait.ed] adj (1948) of a horse: trained to use the
          walk, trot, and canter

   three-handed
          [three-hand.ed] adj (1719): played by three players <~ bridge>

   Three Hours
          [Three Hours] n (ca. 1891): a service of devotion between
          noon and three o'clock on Good Friday

   three-legged
          [three-legged] adj (1596): having three legs <a ~ stool>

   three-legged race
          [three-legged race] n (1903): a race between pairs of competitors
          with each pair having their adjacent legs bound together

   three-line octave
          [three-line octave] n (ca. 1931): the musical octave that
          begins on the second C above middle C--see pitch illustration

   three-mile limit
          [three-mile limit] n (ca. 1891): the limit of the marginal
          sea of three miles included in the territorial waters
          of a state

   three of a kind
          [three of a kind] (ca. 1897): three cards of the same rank
          in one hand--see poker illustration

   threepence
          [three.pence] n (1589) 1 pl threepence or three.penc.es :
          a coin worth threepence 2: the sum of three British pennies

   threepenny
          [three.pen.ny] adj (15c) 1: costing or worth threepence 2:
          poor

   three-phase
          [three-phase] adj (ca. 1900): of, relating to, or operating
          by means of a combination of three circuits energized
          by alternating electromotive forces that differ in phase
          by one third of a cycle

   three-piece
          [three-piece] adj (ca. 1909): consisting of or made in three
          pieces <a ~ suit>

   three-point landing
          [three-point landing] n (1918): an airplane landing in which
          the two main wheels of the landing gear and the tail
          wheel or skid or nose wheel touch the ground simultaneously

   three-quarter
          [three-quarter] adj (1677): extending to three-quarters of
          the normal full length <a ~ sleeve>

   three-quarter-bound
          [three-quarter-bound] adj (ca. 1951) of a book: bound like
          a half-bound book but having the material on the spine
          extended to cover about one third of the boards -- three-quarter
          binding n

   three-ring circus
          [three-ring circus] n (1898) 1: something wild, confusing,
          engrossing, or entertaining 2: a circus with simultaneous
          performances in three rings

   three R's
          [three R's] n pl [fr. the facetiously used phrase reading,
          'riting, and 'rithmetic] (1828) 1: the fundamentals taught
          in elementary school; esp: reading, writing, and arithmetic
          2: the fundamental skills in a field of endeavor

   threescore
          [three.score] adj (14c): being three times twenty: sixty

   threesome
          [three.some] n (14c) 1: a group of three persons or things:
          trio 2: a golf match in which one person plays his ball
          against the ball of two others playing each stroke alternately

   three-spined stickleback
          [three-spined stickleback] n (1769): a stickleback (Gasterosteus
          aculeatus) chiefly of fresh and brackish waters that
          typically has three dorsal spines

   three-toed sloth
          [three-toed sloth] n (1879): any of a genus (Bradypus) of
          sloths having three clawed digits on each foot and nine
          vertebrae in the neck--compare two-toed sloth

   three-wheeler
          [three-wheel.er] n (1886): any of various vehicles having
          three wheels

   threnode
          [thre.node] n (1858): threnody -- thre.nod.ic adj -- thren.o.dist
          n

   threnody
          [thren.o.dy] n, pl -dies [Gk threnoidia, fr. threnos dirge
          + aeidein to sing--more at drone, ode] (1634): a song
          of lamentation for the dead: elegy

   threonine
          [thre.o.nine] n [prob. fr. threonic acid ] (1936): a colorless
          crystalline essential amino acid

   thresh
          [thresh] vb [ME thresshen, fr. OE threscan; akin to OHG dreskan
          to thresh] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to separate seed from (a
          harvested plant) mechanically; also: to separate (seed)
          in this way 2: thrash 4 3: to strike repeatedly ~ vi
          1: to thresh grain 2: thrash 2, 3

   thresher
          [thresh.er] n (14c) 1: one that threshes; esp: threshing
          machine 2: thresher shark

   thresher shark
          [thresher shark] n (1888): a large nearly cosmopolitan shark
          (Alopias vulpinus) having a greatly elongated curved
          upper lobe of its tail with which it is said to thresh
          the water to round up the fish on which it feeds--see
          shark illustration

   threshing machine
          [threshing machine] n (1775): a machine for separating grain
          crops into grain or seeds and straw

   threshold
          [thresh.old] n [ME thresshold, fr. OE threscwald; akin to
          ON threskjoldr threshold, OE threscan to thresh] (bef.
          12c) 1: the plank, stone, or piece of timber that lies
          under a door: sill 2 a: gate, door b (1): end, boundary;
          specif: the end of a runway (2): the place or point of
          entering or beginning: outset <on the ~ of a new age>
          3 a: the point at which a physiological or psychological
          effect begins to be produced b: a level, point, or value
          above which something is true or will take place and
          below which it is not or will not

   threw
          [threw] past of throw

   thrice
          [thrice] adv [ME thrie, thries, fr. OE thriga; akin to OFris
          thria three times, OE thrie three] (13c) 1: three times
          2 a: in a threefold manner or degree b: to a high degree

   thrift
          [thrift] n [ME, fr. ON, prosperity, fr. thrifask to thrive]
          (13c) 1: healthy and vigorous growth 2: careful management
          esp. of money 3 chiefly Scot: gainful occupation 4: any
          of a genus (Armeria) of the plumbago family of perennial
          evergreen acaulescent herbs; esp: a scapose herb (A.
          maritima) with pink or white flower heads 5: a savings
          bank or savings and loan association--called also thrift
          institution

   thriftless
          [thrift.less] adj (1568) 1: lacking usefulness or worth 2:
          careless, wasteful, or incompetent in handling money
          or resources: improvident -- thrift.less.ly adv -- thrift.less.ness
          n

   thrift shop
          [thrift shop] n (1944): a shop that sells secondhand articles
          and esp. clothes and is often run for charitable purposes

   thrifty
          [thrifty] adj thrift.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: thriving by industry
          and frugality: prosperous 2: growing vigorously 3: given
          to or marked by economy and good management syn see sparing
          -- thrift.i.ly adv -- thrift.i.ness n

   thrill
          [thrill] vb [ME thirlen, thrillen to pierce, fr. OE thyrlian,
          fr. thyrel hole, fr. thurh through--more at through]
          vt (1592) 1 a: to cause to experience a sudden sharp
          feeling of excitement b: to cause to have a shivering
          or tingling sensation 2: to cause to vibrate or tremble
          perceptibly ~ vi 1: to move or pass so as to cause a
          sudden wave of emotion 2: to become thrilled: a: to experience
          a sudden sharp excitement b: tingle, throb 3: tremble,
          vibrate -- thrill n -- thrill.ing.ly adv

   thriller
          [thril.ler] n (1889): one that thrills; esp: a work of fiction
          or drama designed to hold the interest by the use of
          a high degree of intrigue, adventure, or suspense

   thrips
          [thrips] n, pl thrips [L, woodworm, fr. Gk] (1795): any of
          an order (Thysanoptera) of small to minute sucking insects
          most of which feed often destructively on plant juices

   thrive
          [thrive] vi throve or thrived ; thriv.en also thrived ; thriv.ing
          [ME, fr. ON thrifask, prob. reflexive of thrifa to grasp]
          (13c) 1: to grow vigorously: flourish 2: to gain in wealth
          or possessions: prosper 3: to progress toward or realize
          a goal -- thriv.er n

   thriving
          [thriving] adj (1607): characterized by success or prosperity
          -- thriv.ing.ly adv

   thro
          [thro] prep (15c) archaic: through

   [1]throat
          [throat] n [ME throte, fr. OE; akin to OHG drozza throat]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): the part of the neck in front of
          the spinal column (2): the passage through the neck to
          the stomach and lungs b (1): voice (2): the seat of the
          voice 2: something resembling the throat esp. in being
          an entrance, a passageway, a constriction, or a narrowed
          part: as a: the orifice of a tubular organ esp. of a
          plant b: the opening in the vamp of a shoe at the instep
          c: the part of a tennis racket that connects the head
          with the shaft 3: the curved part of an anchor's arm
          where it joins the shank--see anchor illustration --
          at each other's throats : in open and aggressive conflict
          [2]throat vt (ca. 1611) 1: to utter in the throat: mutter
          2: to sing or enunciate in a throaty voice

   throated
          [throat.ed] adj (ca. 1530): having a throat esp. of a specified
          kind--usu. used in combination <white-throated>

   throatlatch
          [throat.latch] n (1794) 1: a strap of a bridle or halter
          passing under a horse's throat 2: the part of a horse's
          throat around which the throatlatch passes--see horse
          illustration

   throaty
          [throaty] adj throat.i.er ; -est (ca. 1645) 1: uttered or
          produced from low in the throat <a ~ voice> 2: heavy,
          thick, and deep as if from the throat <~ notes of a horn>
          -- throat.i.ly adv -- throat.i.ness n

   [1]throb
          [throb] vi throbbed ; throb.bing [ME throbben] (14c) 1: to
          pulsate or pound with abnormal force or rapidity 2: to
          beat or vibrate rhythmically -- throb.ber n [2]throb
          n (1579): beat, pulse

   throe
          [throe] n [ME thrawe, throwe, fr. OE thrawu, threa threat,
          pang; akin to OHG drawa threat] (13c) 1: pang, spasm
          <death ~s> <~s of childbirth> 2 pl: a hard or painful
          struggle <the ~s of revolutionary social change --M.
          D. Geismar>

   thromb-
          [thromb-] or thrombo- comb form [Gk thrombos clot]: blood
          clot: clotting of blood <thrombin> <thromboplastic>

   thrombin
          [throm.bin] n [ISV] (1898): a proteolytic enzyme that is
          formed from prothrombin and facilitates the clotting
          of blood by catalyzing conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin

   thrombocyte
          [throm.bo.cyte] n [ISV] (1893): blood platelet; also: an
          invertebrate cell with similar function -- throm.bo.cyt.ic
          adj

   thrombocytopenia
          [throm.bo.cy.to.pe.nia] n [NL, fr. ISV thrombocyte + NL -o-
          + -penia] (1923): persistent decrease in the number of
          blood platelets that is often associated with hemorrhagic
          conditions -- throm.bo.cy.to.pe.nic adj

   thromboembolism
          [throm.bo.em.bo.lism] n (1907): the blocking of a blood vessel
          by a particle that has broken away from a blood clot
          at its site of formation -- throm.bo.em.bol.ic adj

   thrombokinase
          [throm.bo.ki.nase] n [ISV] (1908): thromboplastin

   thrombolytic
          [throm.bo.lyt.ic] adj (1929): destroying or breaking up a
          thrombus <a ~ agent> <~ therapy>

   thrombophlebitis
          [throm.bo.phle.bi.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1890): inflammation of
          a vein with formation of a thrombus

   thromboplastic
          [throm.bo.plas.tic] adj [ISV] (1911): initiating or accelerating
          the clotting of blood

   thromboplastin
          [throm.bo.plas.tin] n [ISV, fr. thromboplastic] (1911): a
          complex enzyme found esp. in blood platelets that functions
          in the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin in the
          clotting of blood

   thrombosis
          [throm.bo.sis] n, pl -bo.ses [NL, fr. Gk thrombosis clotting,
          fr. thrombousthai to become clotted, fr. thrombos clot]
          (1866): the formation or presence of a blood clot within
          a blood vessel -- throm.bot.ic adj

   thromboxane
          [throm.box.ane] n [thromb- + ox- + -ane] (1975): any of several
          substances that are formed from endoperoxides, cause
          constriction of vascular and bronchial smooth muscle,
          and promote blood coagulation

   thrombus
          [throm.bus] n, pl throm.bi [NL, fr. Gk thrombos clot] (ca.
          1693): a clot of blood formed within a blood vessel and
          remaining attached to its place of origin--compare embolus

   [1]throne
          [throne] n [ME trone, throne, fr. OF trone, fr. L thronus,
          fr. Gk thronos--more at firm] (13c) 1 a: the chair of
          state of a sovereign or high dignitary (as a bishop)
          b: the seat of a deity 2: royal power and dignity: sovereignty
          3 pl: an order of angels--see celestial hierarchy [2]throne
          vb throned ; thron.ing vt (14c) 1: to seat on a throne
          2: to invest with kingly rank or power ~ vi 1: to sit
          on a throne 2: to hold kingly power

   throne room
          [throne room] n (1864): a formal audience room containing
          the throne of a sovereign

   [1]throng
          [throng] n [ME thrang, throng, fr. OE thrang, gethrang; akin
          to OE thringan to press, crowd, OHG dringan, Lith trenkti
          to jolt] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a multitude of assembled persons
          b: a large number: host 2 a: a crowding together of many
          persons b: pressure <this ~ of business --S. R. Crockett>
          syn see crowd [2]throng vb thronged ; throng.ing vt (1534)
          1: to crowd upon: press 2: to crowd into: pack <shoppers
          ~ing the streets> ~ vi: to crowd together in great numbers

   throstle
          [thros.tle] n [ME, fr. OE--more at thrush] (bef. 12c): [1]thrush
          1; specif: song thrush

   [1]throttle
          [throt.tle] vb throt.tled ; throt.tling [ME throtlen, fr.
          throte throat] vt (15c) 1 a (1): to compress the throat
          of: choke (2): to kill by such action b: to prevent or
          check expression or activity of: suppress 2 a: to decrease
          the flow of (as steam or fuel to an engine) by a valve
          b: to regulate and esp. to reduce the speed of (as an
          engine) by such means c: to vary the thrust of (a rocket
          engine) during flight ~ vi: to throttle something (as
          an engine)--usu. used with back or down <the pilot throttled
          back> -- throt.tler n [2]throttle n [perh. fr. (assumed)
          ME, dim. of ME throte throat] (ca. 1547) 1 a: throat
          1a b: trachea 1 2 a: a valve for regulating the supply
          of a fluid (as steam) to an engine; esp: the valve controlling
          the volume of vaporized fuel charge delivered to the
          cylinders of an internal combustion engine b: the lever
          controlling this valve c: the condition of being throttled
          -- at full throttle : at full speed

   throttleable
          [throt.tle.able] adj (1960): capable of having the thrust
          varied--used of a rocket engine

   throttlehold
          [throt.tle.hold] n (1935): a vicious, strangling, or stultifying
          control

   [1]through
          [through] prep [ME thurh, thruh, through, fr. OE thurh; akin
          to OHG durh through, L trans across, beyond, Skt tarati
          he crosses over] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1)--used as a function
          word to indicate movement into at one side or point and
          out at another and esp. the opposite side of <drove a
          nail ~ the board> (2): by way of <left ~ the door> (3)--used
          as a function word to indicate passage from one end or
          boundary to another <a highway ~ the forest> <a road
          ~ the desert> (4): without stopping for: past <drove
          ~ a red light> b--used as a function word to indicate
          passage into and out of a treatment, handling, or process
          <the matter has already passed ~ her hands> 2--used as
          a function word to indicate means, agency, or intermediacy:
          as a: by means of: by the agency of b: because of <failed
          ~ ignorance> c: by common descent from or relationship
          with <related ~ their grandfather> 3 a: over the whole
          surface or extent of: throughout <homes scattered ~ the
          valley> b--used as a function word to indicate movement
          within a large expanse <flew ~ the air> c--used as a
          function word to indicate exposure to a specified set
          of conditions <put him ~ hell> 4--used as a function
          word to indicate a period of time: as a: during the entire
          period of <all ~ her life> b: from the beginning to the
          end of <the tower stood ~ the earthquake> c: to and including
          <Monday ~ Friday> 5 a--used as a function word to indicate
          completion or exhaustion <got ~ the book> <went ~ the
          money in a year> b--used as a function word to indicate
          acceptance or approval esp. by an official body <got
          the bill ~ the legislature> [2]through adv (bef. 12c)
          1: from one end or side to the other 2 a: from beginning
          to end b: to completion, conclusion, or accomplishment
          <see it ~> 3: to the core: completely <soaked ~> 4: into
          the open: out <break ~> [3]through adj (1523) 1 a: extending
          from one surface to another <a ~ mortise> b: admitting
          free or continuous passage: direct <a ~ road> 2 a (1):
          going from point of origin to destination without change
          or reshipment <a ~ train> (2): of or relating to such
          movement <a ~ ticket> b: initiated at and destined for
          points outside a local zone <~ traffic> 3 a: arrived
          at completion or accomplishment <is ~ with the job> b:
          washed-up, finished

   through and through
          [through and through] adv (15c): in every way: thoroughly

   through-composed
          [through-com.posed] adj [trans. of G durchkomponiert] of
          a song (1884): having new music provided for each stanza--compare
          strophic

   throughither
          [through.ith.er] or through.oth.er adv [[1]through + other]
          (1596) chiefly Scot: in confusion: promiscuously

   throughly
          [through.ly] adv (15c) archaic: in a thorough manner

   [1]throughout
          [through.out] adv (13c) 1: in or to every part: everywhere
          <of one color ~> 2: during the whole time or action:
          from beginning to end <remained loyal ~> [2]throughout
          prep (13c) 1: all the way from one end to the other of:
          in or to every part of <cities ~ the United States> 2:
          during the whole course or period of <troubled her ~
          her life>

   throughput
          [through.put] n (ca. 1915): output, production <the ~ of
          a computer>

   through street
          [through street] n (1930): a street on which the through
          movement of traffic is given preference

   throve
          [throve] past of thrive

   [1]throw
          [throw] vb threw ; thrown ; throw.ing [ME thrawen, throwen
          to cause to twist, throw, fr. OE thrawan to cause to
          twist or turn; akin to OHG draen to turn, L terere to
          rub, Gk tribein to rub, tetrainein to bore, pierce] vt
          (14c) 1 a: to propel through the air by a forward motion
          of the hand and arm <~ a baseball> b: to propel through
          the air in any manner <a rifle that can ~ a bullet a
          mile> 2 a: to cause to fall <threw his opponent> b: to
          cause to fall off: unseat <the horse threw its rider>
          c: to get the better of: overcome <the problem didn't
          ~ her> 3 a: to fling (oneself) precipitately <threw herself
          down on the sofa> b: to drive or impel violently: dash
          <the ship was thrown on a reef> 4 a (1): to put in a
          particular position or condition <threw her arms around
          him> (2): to put on or off hastily or carelessly <threw
          on a coat> b: to bring to bear: exert <threw all his
          efforts into the boy's defense> c: build, construct <threw
          a pontoon bridge over the river> 5: to form or shape
          on a potter's wheel 6: to deliver (a blow) in or as if
          in boxing 7: to twist two or more filaments of into a
          thread or yarn 8 a: to make a cast of (dice or a specified
          number on dice) b: roll 1a <~ a bowling ball> 9: to give
          up: abandon 10: to send forth: project <the setting sun
          threw long shadows> 11: to make (oneself) dependent:
          commit (oneself) for help, support, or protection <threw
          himself on the mercy of the court> 12: to indulge in:
          give way to <threw a temper tantrum> 13: to bring forth:
          give birth to: sire, produce <~s a good crop> <threw
          large litters> 14: to lose intentionally <~ a game> 15:
          to move (a lever) so as to connect or disconnect parts
          of a clutch or switch; also: to make or break (a connection)
          with a lever 16: to give by way of entertainment <~ a
          party> ~ vi: cast, hurl -- throw.er n -- throw one's
          weight around or throw one's weight about : to exercise
          influence or authority esp. to an excessive degree or
          in an objectionable manner -- throw together 1: to put
          together in a hurried and usu. careless manner <a bookshelf
          hastily thrown together> 2: to bring into casual association
          <different kinds of people are thrown together --Richard
          Sennett> syn throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling
          mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive
          movement or a propelling force. throw is general and
          interchangeable with the other terms but may specif.
          imply a distinctive motion with bent arm <can throw a
          fastball and a curve>. cast usu. implies lightness in
          the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering <cast it
          to the winds>. toss suggests a light or careless or aimless
          throwing and may imply an upward motion <tossed the coat
          on the bed>. fling stresses a violent throwing <flung
          the ring back in his face>. hurl implies power as in
          throwing a massive weight <hurled himself at the intruder>.
          pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target <pitch
          horseshoes>. sling stresses either the use of whirling
          momentum in throwing or directness of aim <slung the
          bag over his shoulder>. [2]throw n (1530) 1 a: an act
          of throwing, hurling, or flinging b (1): an act of throwing
          dice (2): the number thrown with a cast of dice c: a
          method of throwing an opponent in wrestling or judo 2:
          the distance a missile may be thrown or light rays may
          be projected 3: an undertaking involving chance or danger:
          risk, venture 4: the amount of vertical displacement
          produced by a geological fault 5 a: the extreme movement
          given to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam, crank,
          or eccentric: stroke b: the length of the radius of a
          crank or the virtual crank radius of an eccentric or
          cam 6 a: a light coverlet (as for a bed) b: a woman's
          scarf or light wrap -- a throw : for each one: apiece
          <copies are to be sold at $5 a throw --Harvey Breit>

   [1]throwaway
          [throw.away] n (1903) 1: one that is or is designed to be
          thrown away: as a: a free handbill or circular b: a line
          of dialogue (as in a play) de-emphasized by casual delivery;
          esp: a joke or witticism delivered casually 2: something
          made or done without care or interest [2]throwaway adj
          (1928) 1: designed to be thrown away: disposable <~ containers>
          2: written or spoken (as in a play) in a low-key or unemphatic
          manner <~ lines> 3: nonchalant, casual

   throw away
          [throw away] vt (1530) 1 a: to get rid of as worthless or
          unnecessary b: discard 2b 2 a: to use in a foolish or
          wasteful manner: squander b: to fail to take advantage
          of: waste 3: to make (as a line in a play) unemphatic
          by casual delivery

   throwback
          [throw.back] n (1888) 1 a: reversion to an earlier type or
          phase: atavism b: an instance or product of atavistic
          reversion 2: one that is suggestive of or suited to an
          earlier time or style <his manners were a ~ to a more
          polite era>

   throw back
          [throw back] vt (1840) 1: to delay the progress or advance
          of: check 2: to cause to rely: make dependent <they are
          thrown back upon ... native intelligence --Michael Novak>
          3: reflect ~ vi: to revert to an earlier type or phase

   throw down
          [throw down] vt (14c) 1: to cause to fall: overthrow 2: precipitate
          3: to cast off: discard

   throw in
          [throw in] vt (1678) 1: to add as a gratuity or supplement
          2: to introduce or interject in the course of something:
          contribute <they throw in some ... sound effects on several
          songs --Tom Phillips> 3: distribute 3b 4: engage <throw
          in the clutch> ~ vi: to enter into association or partnership:
          join <agrees to throw in with a crooked ex-cop --Newsweek>
          -- throw in the towel also throw in the sponge : to abandon
          a struggle or contest: acknowledge defeat: give up

   throw-in
          [throw-in] n (1881): an act or instance of throwing a ball
          in: as a: a throw made from the touchline in soccer to
          put the ball back in play after it has gone into touch
          b: a throw from an outfielder to the infield in baseball
          c: an inbounds pass in basketball

   throw off
          [throw off] vt (1618) 1 a: to free oneself from: get rid
          of <threw off his inhibitions> b: to cast off often in
          a hurried or vigorous manner: abandon <threw off all
          restraint> c: distract, divert <dogs thrown off by a
          false scent> 2: emit, give off <stacks throwing off plumes
          of smoke> 3: to produce in an offhand manner: execute
          with speed or facility <some little ... tune that the
          composer had thrown off --James Hilton> 4 a: to cause
          to depart from an expected or desired course <mistakes
          threw his calculations off a bit> b: to cause to make
          a mistake: mislead ~ vi 1: to begin hunting 2: to make
          derogatory comments

   throw out
          [throw out] vt (1526) 1 a: to remove from a place, office,
          or employment usu. in a sudden or unexpected manner b:
          to get rid of as worthless or unnecessary 2: to give
          expression to: utter <threw out a remark ... that utterly
          confounded him --Jean Stafford> 3: to dismiss from acceptance
          or consideration: reject <the testimony was thrown out>
          4: to make visible or manifest: display <the signal was
          thrown out for the ... fleet to prepare for action --Archibald
          Duncan> 5: to leave behind: outdistance 6: to give forth
          from within: emit 7 a: to send out b: to cause to project:
          extend 8: confuse, disconcert <automobiles in line blocking
          the road ... threw the whole schedule out --F. D. Roosevelt>
          9: to cause to stand out: make prominent 10: to make
          a throw that enables a teammate to put out (a base runner)

   throw over
          [throw over] vt (1835) 1: to forsake despite bonds of attachment
          or duty 2: to refuse to accept: reject

   throw pillow
          [throw pillow] n (1956): a small pillow used esp. as a decorative
          accessory

   throw rug
          [throw rug] n (1928): scatter rug

   throwster
          [throw.ster] n (15c): one who throws textile filaments

   throw up
          [throw up] vt (15c) 1: to raise quickly 2: give up, quit
          <the urge ... to throw up all intellectual work --Norman
          Mailer> 3: to build hurriedly <new houses thrown up almost
          overnight> 4: vomit 5: to bring forth: produce 6: to
          make distinct esp. by contrast: cause to stand out 7:
          to mention repeatedly by way of reproach ~ vi: vomit
          -- throw up one's hands : to admit defeat <in the end
          throws up his hands in despair --Frank Conroy>

   throw weight
          [throw weight] n (1969): the maximum payload of an ICBM

   thru
          [thru] var of through

   [1]thrum
          [thrum] n [ME, fr. OE -thrum (in tungethrum ligament of the
          tongue); akin to OHG drum fragment] (14c) 1 a (1): a
          fringe of warp threads left on the loom after the cloth
          has been removed (2): one of these warp threads b: a
          tuft or short piece of rope yarn used in thrumming canvas--usu.
          used in pl. c: bit, particle 2: a hair, fiber, or threadlike
          leaf on a plant; also: a tuft or fringe of such structures
          -- thrum adj [2]thrum vt thrummed ; thrum.ming (15c)
          1: to furnish with thrums: fringe 2: to insert short
          pieces of rope yarn or spun yarn in (a piece of canvas)
          to make a rough surface or a mat which can be wrapped
          about rigging to prevent chafing [3]thrum vb thrummed
          ; thrum.ming [imit.] vi (1592) 1: to play or pluck a
          stringed instrument idly: strum 2: to sound with a monotonous
          hum ~ vt 1: to play (as a stringed instrument) in an
          idle or relaxed manner 2: to recite tiresomely or monotonously
          [4]thrum n (1798): the monotonous sound of thrumming

   [1]thrush
          [thrush] n [ME thrusche, fr. OE thrysce; akin to OE throstle
          thrush, OHG droscala, L turdus] (bef. 12c) 1: any of
          numerous small or medium-sized oscine birds (families
          Turdidae and Muscicapidae) which are mostly of a plain
          color often with spotted underparts and many of which
          are excellent singers 2: a bird held to resemble a thrush
          [2]thrush n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Dan & Norw
          troske thrush] (1665) 1: a disease that is caused by
          a fungus (Candida albicans), occurs esp. in infants and
          children, and is marked by white patches in the oral
          cavity; broadly: candidiasis <vaginal ~> 2: a suppurative
          disorder of the feet in various animals (as a horse)

   [1]thrust
          [thrust] vb thrust ; thrust.ing [ME thrusten, thristen, fr.
          ON thrysta; prob. akin to ON thrjota to tire, OE threat
          coercion--more at threat] vt (13c) 1: to push or drive
          with force: shove 2: to cause to enter or pierce something
          by or as if by pushing <~ a dagger into his heart> 3:
          extend, spread 4: stab, pierce 5 a: to put (as an unwilling
          person) forcibly into a course of action or position
          <was thrust into the job> b: to introduce often improperly
          into a position: interpolate 6: to press, force, or impose
          the acceptance of upon someone <~ new responsibilities
          upon her> ~ vi 1 a: to force an entrance or passage b:
          to push forward: press onward c: to push upward: project
          2: to make a thrust, stab, or lunge with or as if with
          a pointed weapon <~ at them with a knife> [2]thrust n
          (ca. 1586) 1 a: a push or lunge with a pointed weapon
          b (1): a verbal attack (2): a military assault 2 a: a
          strong continued pressure b: the sideways force or pressure
          of one part of a structure against another part (as of
          an arch against an abutment) c: the force produced by
          a propeller or by a jet or rocket engine that drives
          a vehicle (as an aircraft) forward d: a nearly horizontal
          geological fault 3 a: a forward or upward push b: a movement
          (as by a group of people) in a specified direction 4
          a: salient or essential element or meaning b: principal
          concern or objective

   thruster
          [thrust.er] also thrust.or n (1597): one that thrusts; esp:
          an engine (as a jet engine) that develops thrust by expelling
          a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

   thrustful
          [thrust.ful] adj (1909) Brit: characterized by thrust: aggressive
          <~ young man on the make --Current Literature>

   thrust stage
          [thrust stage] n [thrust, pp. of [1]thrust] (1965): a stage
          that projects beyond the proscenium so that the audience
          sits around the projection; also: a forestage that is
          extended into the auditorium to increase the stage area

   thruway
          [thru.way] n (1930): expressway

   [1]thud
          [thud] n [imit.] (1787) 1: blow 2: a dull sound: thump [2]thud
          vi thud.ded ; thud.ding (1796): to move or strike so
          as to make a thud

   thug
          [thug] n [Hindi thag, lit., thief] (1810): a brutal ruffian
          or assassin: gangster, killer -- thug.gery n -- thug.gish
          adj

   thuja
          [thu.ja] n [NL Thuja, fr. ML thuia, a cedar, fr. Gk thyia,
          fr. thyein to sacrifice--more at thyme] (ca. 1760): any
          of a genus (Thuja) of evergreen shrubs and trees (as
          an arborvitae) of the cypress family having scalelike
          closely imbricated or compressed leaves

   [1]Thule
          [Thu.le] n [ME Tyle, fr. OE, fr. L Thule, Thyle, fr. Gk Thoule,
          Thyle] (bef. 12c): the northernmost part of the habitable
          ancient world [2]Thu.le adj [Thule, Greenland] (1925):
          of, relating to, or being the culture existing in the
          arctic lands from Alaska to Greenland from about 500
          a.d. to 1400 a.d.

   thulium
          [thu.li.um] n [NL, fr. L Thule] (1879): a trivalent metallic
          element of the rare-earth group

   [1]thumb
          [thumb] n [ME thoume, thoumbe, fr. OE thuma; akin to OHG
          thumo thumb, L tumere to swell] (bef. 12c) 1: the short
          thick digit of the human hand that is analogous in position
          to the big toe and differs from the other fingers in
          having only two phalanges, allowing greater freedom of
          movement, and being opposable to each of them; also:
          a corresponding digit in lower animals 2: the part of
          a glove or mitten that covers the thumb 3: a convex molding:
          ovolo -- all thumbs : extremely awkward or clumsy --
          under one's thumb or under the thumb : under control:
          in a state of subservience <her father did not have her
          that much under his thumb --Hamilton Basso> [2]thumb
          vt (ca. 1647) 1 a: to leaf through (pages) with the thumb:
          turn b: to soil or wear by or as if by repeated thumbing
          <a badly ~ed book> 2: to request or obtain (a ride) in
          a passing automobile by signaling with the thumb ~ vi
          1: to turn over pages <~ through a book> 2: to travel
          by thumbing rides: hitchhike <~ed across the country>
          -- thumb one's nose 1: to place the thumb at one's nose
          and extend the fingers as a gesture of scorn or defiance
          2: to express disdain or defiance <thumb their nose at
          opulence --Sales Management>

   thumbhole
          [thumb.hole] n (1859) 1: an opening in which to insert the
          thumb 2: a hole in a wind musical instrument opened or
          closed by the thumb

   thumb index
          [thumb index] n (1903): a series of notches cut in the fore
          edge of a book to facilitate reference

   [1]thumbnail
          [thumb.nail] n (1604): the nail of the thumb [2]thumbnail
          adj (1852): concise, brief <a ~ sketch>

   thumb piano
          [thumb piano] n (1949): mbira

   thumbprint
          [thumb.print] n (1900): an impression made by the thumb;
          esp: a print made by the inside of the first joint

   thumbscrew
          [thumb.screw] n (1794) 1: a screw having a flat-sided or
          knurled head so that it may be turned by the thumb and
          forefinger 2: an instrument of torture for compressing
          the thumb by a screw

   thumbs-down
          [thumbs-down] n (1889): an instance or gesture of rejection,
          disapproval, or condemnation

   thumbs-up
          [thumbs-up] n (ca. 1917): an instance or gesture of approval
          or encouragement

   [1]thumbtack
          [thumb.tack] n (1884): a tack with a broad flat head for
          pressing into a surface with the thumb [2]thumbtack vt
          (1914): to fasten with a thumbtack

   thumbwheel
          [thumb.wheel] n (1903): a control for various devices consisting
          of a partially exposed wheel that can be turned by moving
          the exposed edge with a finger

   [1]thump
          [thump] vb [imit.] vt (1548) 1: to strike or beat with or
          as if with something thick or heavy so as to cause a
          dull sound 2: pound, knock 3: whip, thrash 4: to produce
          (music) mechanically or in a mechanical manner--usu.
          used with out <~ed out a tune on the piano> ~ vi 1 a:
          to inflict a thump b: to make or move with a thumping
          sound 2: to make a vigorous endorsement <got a couple
          of ... senators to ~ for him --N.Y. Herald Tribune> --
          thump.er n [2]thump n (1552): a blow or knock with or
          as if with something blunt or heavy; also: the sound
          made by such a blow

   thumping
          [thump.ing] adj [thumping, prp. of [1]thump] (1576): impressively
          large, great, or excellent <a ~ majority>

   [1]thunder
          [thun.der] n [ME thoner, thunder, fr. OE thunor; akin to
          OHG thonar thunder, L tonare to thunder] (bef. 12c) 1:
          the sound that follows a flash of lightning and is caused
          by sudden expansion of the air in the path of the electrical
          discharge 2: a loud utterance or threat 3: bang, rumble
          <the ~ of big guns> [2]thunder vb thun.dered ; thun.der.ing
          vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to produce thunder--usu. used impersonally
          <it ~ed> b: to give forth a sound that resembles thunder
          <horses ~ed down the road> 2: roar, shout ~ vt 1: to
          utter loudly: roar 2: to strike with a sound likened
          to thunder -- thun.der.er n

   thunderbird
          [thun.der.bird] n (1871): a bird that causes lightning and
          thunder in American Indian myth

   thunderbolt
          [thun.der.bolt] n (15c) 1 a: a single discharge of lightning
          with the accompanying thunder b: an imaginary elongated
          mass cast as a missile to earth in the lightning flash
          2 a: a person or thing that resembles lightning in suddenness,
          effectiveness, or destructive power b: a vehement threat
          or censure

   thunderclap
          [thun.der.clap] n (14c) 1: a clap of thunder 2: something
          sharp, loud, or sudden like a clap of thunder

   thundercloud
          [thun.der.cloud] n (1697): a cloud charged with electricity
          and producing lightning and thunder

   thunder egg
          [thunder egg] n (1941): chalcedony in rounded concretionary
          nodules

   thunderhead
          [thun.der.head] n (1853): a rounded mass of cumulus cloud
          often appearing before a thunderstorm

   thundering
          [thun.der.ing] adj [thundering, prp. of [2]thunder] (1543):
          awesomely great, intense, or unusual -- thun.der.ing.ly
          adv

   thunder lizard
          [thunder lizard] n [trans. of NL Brontosaurus] (1960): brontosaurus

   thunderous
          [thun.der.ous] adj (1582) 1 a: producing thunder b: making
          or accompanied by a noise like thunder <~ applause> 2:
          thundering -- thun.der.ous.ly adv

   thundershower
          [thun.der.show.er] n (1699): a shower accompanied by lightning
          and thunder

   thunderstone
          [thun.der.stone] n (1598) 1 archaic: thunderbolt 1b 2: any
          of various stones (as a meteorite or an ancient artifact)
          that are the probable source of the imaginary thunderbolt

   thunderstorm
          [thun.der.storm] n (1652): a storm accompanied by lightning
          and thunder

   thunderstrike
          [thun.der.strike] vt -struck ; -struck also -strick.en ;
          -strik.ing (ca. 1586) 1: to strike dumb: astonish <was
          thunderstruck at the news> 2 archaic: to strike by or
          as if by lightning

   thunderstroke
          [thun.der.stroke] n (1587): a stroke of or as if of lightning
          with the attendant thunder

   [1]thunk
          [thunk] dial past and past part of think [2]thunk n [imit.]
          (1947): a flat hollow sound

   thurible
          [thu.ri.ble] n [ME turrible, fr. MF thurible, fr. L thuribulum,
          fr. thur-, thus incense, fr. Gk thyos incense, sacrifice,
          fr. thyein to sacrifice--more at thyme] (15c): censer

   thurifer
          [thu.ri.fer] n [NL, fr. L thurifer, adj., incense-bearing,
          fr. thur-, thus + -ifer -iferous] (1853): one who carries
          a censer in a liturgical service

   Thuringer
          [Thu.rin.ger] n [G Thuringerwurst, fr. Thuringer Thuringian
          + Wurst sausage] (ca. 1923): a mildly seasoned fresh
          or smoked sausage

   Thuringian
          [Thu.rin.gian] n (1618) 1: a member of an ancient Germanic
          people whose kingdom was overthrown by the Franks in
          the 6th century 2: a native or inhabitant of Thuringia
          -- Thuringian adj

   thurl
          [thurl] n [perh. fr. E dial., gaunt]: the hip joint in cattle--see
          cow illustration

   Thurs
          [Thurs] or Thu abbreviation Thursday

   Thursday
          [Thurs.day] n [ME, fr. OE thursdaeg, fr. ON thorsdagr; akin
          to OE thunresdaeg Thursday, ON Thorr Thor, OE thunor
          thunder--more at thunder] (bef. 12c): the fifth day of
          the week -- Thurs.days adv

   thus
          [thus] adv [ME, fr. OE; akin to OS thus thus] (bef. 12c)
          1: in this or that manner or way 2: to this degree or
          extent: so 3: because of this or that: hence, consequently
          4: as an example

   thusly
          [thus.ly] adv (1865): in this manner: thus

   [1]thwack
          [thwack] vt [imit.] (ca. 1530): to strike with or as if with
          something flat or heavy: whack [2]thwack n (1587): a
          heavy blow: whack; also: the sound of or as if of such
          a blow

   [1]thwart
          [thwart] vt [ME thwerten, fr. thwert, adv.] (13c) 1 a: to
          run counter to so as to effectively oppose or baffle:
          contravene b: to oppose successfully: defeat the hopes
          or aspirations of 2: to pass through or across syn see
          frustrate -- thwart.er n [2]thwart adv [ME thwert, fr.
          ON thvert, fr. neut. of thverr transverse, oblique; akin
          to OHG dwerah transverse, oblique] (14c): athwart [3]thwart
          adj (15c): situated or placed across something else:
          transverse -- thwart.ly adv [4]thwart n [alter. of obs.
          thought, thoft, fr. ME thoft, fr. OE thofte; akin to
          OHG dofta rower's seat] (ca. 1736): a rower's seat extending
          athwart a boat

   thwartwise
          [thwart.wise] adv or adj (1589): crosswise

   thy
          [thy] adj [ME thin, thy, fr. OE thin, gen. of thu thou--more
          at thou] (12c) archaic: of or relating to thee or thyself
          esp. as possessor or agent or as object of an action--used
          esp. in ecclesiastical or literary language and sometimes
          by Friends esp. among themselves

   Thyestean
          [Thy.es.te.an] adj [Thyestes, brother of Atreus who unwittingly
          ate the flesh of his children] (1667): of or relating
          to the eating of human flesh: cannibal

   thylacine
          [thy.la.cine] n [NL Thylacinus, genus of marsupials, fr.
          Gk thylakos sack, pouch] (1838): tasmanian wolf

   thylakoid
          [thy.la.koid] n [ISV thylak- (fr. Gk thylakos sack) + -oid]
          (1966): any of the membranous disks of lamellae within
          plant chloroplasts that are composed of protein and lipid
          and are the sites of the photochemical reactions of photosynthesis

   thym-
          [thym-] or thymo- comb form [NL thymus]: thymus <thymic>
          <thymocyte>

   thyme
          [thyme] n [ME, fr. MF thym, fr. L thymum, fr. Gk thymon,
          prob. fr. thyein to make a burnt offering, sacrifice;
          akin to L fumus smoke--more at fume] (14c) 1: any of
          a genus (Thymus) of Eurasian mints with small pungent
          aromatic leaves; esp: a garden herb (T. vulgaris) 2:
          thyme leaves used as a seasoning

   thymectomy
          [thy.mec.to.my] n, pl -mies (ca. 1905): excision of the thymus
          -- thy.mec.to.mize vt

   -thymia
          [-thymia] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. thymos mind]: condition
          of mind and will <cyclothymia>

   thymic
          [thy.mic] adj (ca. 1656): of or relating to the thymus

   thymidine
          [thy.mi.dine] n [thymine + -idine] (1912): a nucleoside that
          is composed of thymine and deoxyribose and occurs as
          a structural part of DNA

   thymine
          [thy.mine] n [ISV, fr. NL thymus] (1894): a pyrimidine base
          that is one of the four bases coding genetic information
          in the polynucleotide chain of DNA--compare adenine,
          cytosine, guanine, uracil

   thymocyte
          [thy.mo.cyte] n [ISV] (ca. 1923): a cell of the thymus; esp:
          a thymic lymphocyte

   thymol
          [thy.mol] n [ISV, fr. L thymum thyme] (1857): a crystalline
          phenol of aromatic odor and antiseptic properties found
          esp. in thyme oil or made synthetically and used chiefly
          as a fungicide and preservative

   thymosin
          [thy.mo.sin] n [Gk thymos thymus + E [1]-in] (1966): a mixture
          of polypeptides isolated from the thymus; also: any of
          these

   thymus
          [thy.mus] n [NL, fr. Gk thymos warty excrescence, thymus]
          (ca. 1693): a glandular structure of largely lymphoid
          tissue that functions esp. in the development of the
          body's immune system, is present in the young of most
          vertebrates typically in the upper anterior chest or
          at the base of the neck, and tends to atrophy in the
          adult

   thymy
          [thymy] or thym.ey adj (1727): abounding in or fragrant with
          thyme

   thyr-
          [thyr-] or thyro- comb form [thyroid]: thyroid <thyrotoxicosis>
          <thyroxine>

   thyratron
          [thy.ra.tron] n [fr. Thyratron, a trademark] (1929): a gas-filled
          hot-cathode electron tube in which the grid controls
          only the start of a continuous current thus giving the
          tube a trigger effect

   thyristor
          [thy.ris.tor] n [thyratron + transistor] (1958): any of several
          semiconductor devices that act as switches, rectifiers,
          or voltage regulators

   thyrocalcitonin
          [thy.ro.cal.ci.to.nin] n (1963): calcitonin

   thyroglobulin
          [thy.ro.glob.u.lin] n [ISV] (ca. 1905): an iodine-containing
          protein of the thyroid gland that is the precursor of
          thyroxine and triiodothyronine

   [1]thyroid
          [thy.roid] also thy.roi.dal adj [NL thyroides, fr. Gk thyreoeides
          shield-shaped, thyroid, fr. thyreos shield shaped like
          a door, fr. thyra door--more at door] (ca. 1741) 1 a:
          of, relating to, or being a large bilobed endocrine gland
          of craniate vertebrates lying at the base of the neck
          and producing esp. the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine
          b: suggestive of a disordered thyroid <a ~ personality>
          2: of, relating to, or being the chief cartilage of the
          larynx [2]thyroid n (1840) 1: a thyroid gland or cartilage;
          also: a part (as an artery or nerve) associated with
          either of these 2: a preparation of mammalian thyroid
          gland used in treating thyroid disorders

   thyroidectomy
          [thy.roid.ec.to.my] n, pl -mies (1889): surgical removal
          of thyroid gland tissue -- thy.roid.ec.to.mized adj

   thyroiditis
          [thy.roid.itis] n [NL] (ca. 1885): inflammation of the thyroid
          gland

   thyroid-stimulating hormone
          [thyroid-stimulating hormone] n (1941): thyrotropin

   thyrotoxicosis
          [thy.ro.tox.i.co.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1911): hyperthyroidism

   thyrotropic
          [thy.ro.tro.pic] also thy.ro.tro.phic adj (ca. 1923): exerting
          or characterized by a direct influence on the secretory
          activity of the thyroid gland <~ functions>

   thyrotropin
          [thy.ro.tro.pin] also thy.ro.tro.phin n [thyrotropic, thyrotrophic]
          (1939): a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that
          stimulates the thyroid gland--called also thyroid-stimulating
          hormone, thyrotropic hormone

   thyrotropin-releasing hormone
          [thyrotropin-releasing hormone] n (1968): a tripeptide hormone
          synthesized in the hypothalamus that stimulates secretion
          of thyrotropin by the anterior lobe of the pituitary
          gland--called also thyrotropin-releasing factor

   thyroxine
          [thy.rox.ine] or thy.rox.in n [ISV] (1918): an iodine-containing
          hormone that is an amino acid produced by the thyroid
          gland as a product of the cleavage of thyroglobulin,
          increases metabolic rate, and is used to treat thyroid
          disorders

   thyrse
          [thyrse] n [NL thyrsus, fr. L, thyrsus] (1744): an inflorescence
          (as in the lilac and horse chestnut) in which the main
          axis is racemose and the secondary and later axes are
          cymose

   thyrsus
          [thyr.sus] n, pl thyr.si [L, fr. Gk thyrsos] (1591): a staff
          surmounted by a pinecone or by a bunch of vine or ivy
          leaves with grapes or berries that is carried by Bacchus
          and by satyrs and others engaging in bacchic rites

   thysanuran
          [thy.sa.nu.ran] n [ultim fr. Gk thysanos tassel + oura tail--more
          at ass] (1835): bristletail -- thysanuran adj

   thyself
          [thy.self] pron (bef. 12c) archaic: yourself--used esp. in
          ecclesiastical or literary language and sometimes by
          Friends esp. among themselves

   ti...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]ti
          [ti] n [Tahitian, Marquesan, Samoan, & Maori] (1832): any
          of several Asian and Pacific trees or shrubs (genus Cordyline)
          of the agave family with leaves in terminal tufts [2]ti
          n [alter. of si] (1839): the seventh tone of the diatonic
          scale in solmization

   Ti
          [Ti] abbreviation titanium

   TIA
          [TIA] abbreviation transient ischemic attack

   tiara
          [ti.ara] n [L, royal Persian headdress, fr. Gk] (1616) 1:
          a 3-tiered crown worn by the pope 2: a decorative jeweled
          or flowered headband or semicircle for formal wear by
          women

   Tibetan
          [Ti.bet.an] n (1747) 1 a: a member of the predominant people
          of Tibet and adjacent areas of Asia b: a native or inhabitant
          of Tibet 2: the Tibeto-Burman language of the Tibetan
          people -- Tibetan adj

   Tibetan terrier
          [Tibetan terrier] n (1905): any of a breed of terriers resembling
          Old English sheepdogs but having a curled well-feathered
          tail

   Tibeto-Burman
          [Ti.beto-Bur.man] n (1901) 1: a language family that includes
          Tibetan, Burmese, and related languages of southern and
          eastern Asia 2: a member of a people speaking a Tibeto-Burman
          language

   tibia
          [tib.ia] n, pl -i.ae also -i.as [L] (ca. 1706) 1: the inner
          and usu. larger of the two bones of the vertebrate hind
          limb between the knee and ankle 2: the fourth joint of
          the leg of an insect between the femur and tarsus --
          tib.i.al adj

   tibiofibula
          [tib.io.fib.u.la] n [NL] (ca. 1909): a bone esp. in frogs
          and toads that is formed by fusion of the tibia and fibula

   tic
          [tic] n [F] (ca. 1834) 1: local and habitual spasmodic motion
          of particular muscles esp. of the face: twitching 2:
          a frequent usu. unconscious quirk of behavior or speech
          <"you know" is a verbal ~>

   tical
          [ti.cal] n, pl ticals or tical [Thai, fr. Pg, fr. Malay tikal,
          a monetary unit] (1662): baht

   tic douloureux
          [tic dou.lou.reux] n [F, painful twitch] (1800): trigeminal
          neuralgia

   [1]tick
          [tick] n [ME tyke, teke; akin to MHG zeche tick, Arm tiz]
          (14c) 1: any of a superfamily (Ixodoidea of the order
          Acarina) of bloodsucking arachnids that are larger than
          the related mites, attach themselves to warm-blooded
          vertebrates to feed, and include important vectors of
          infectious diseases 2: any of various usu. wingless parasitic
          dipteran flies--compare sheep ked [2]tick n [ME tike,
          prob. fr. MD (akin to OHG ziahha tick), fr. L theca cover,
          fr. Gk theke case; akin to Gk tithenai to place--more
          at do] (15c) 1: the fabric case of a mattress, pillow,
          or bolster; also: a mattress consisting of a tick and
          its filling 2: ticking [3]tick n [ME tek pat, light stroke;
          akin to MHG zic light push] (1680) 1 a: a light rhythmic
          audible tap or beat; also: a series of such ticks b chiefly
          Brit: the time taken by the tick of a clock: moment 2:
          a small spot or mark; esp: one used to direct attention
          to something, to check an item on a list, or to represent
          a point on a scale [4]tick vi (1721) 1: to make the sound
          of a tick or a series of ticks 2: to operate as a functioning
          mechanism: run <tried to understand what made him ~>
          <the motor was ~ing over quietly> ~ vt 1: to mark with
          a written tick: check--usu. used with off <~ed off each
          item in the list> 2: to mark, count, or announce by or
          as if by ticking beats <a meter ~ing off the cab fare>
          3: to touch with a momentary glancing blow <~ed the ball>
          [5]tick n [short for [1]ticket] (1642) chiefly Brit:
          credit, trust; also: a credit account

   tick-borne
          [tick-borne] adj (1921): capable of being transmitted by
          the bites of ticks <~ encephalitis>

   [1]ticked
          [ticked] adj (ca. 1688) 1: marked with ticks: flecked 2:
          having or made of hair banded with two or more colors
          <a ~ cat> <a ~ coat> [2]ticked adj [tick off] (ca. 1959):
          angry, upset

   ticker
          [tick.er] n (1828): something that ticks or produces a ticking
          sound: as a: watch b: a telegraphic receiving instrument
          that automatically prints off information (as stock quotations
          or news) on a paper ribbon c slang: heart

   ticker tape
          [ticker tape] n (1902): the paper ribbon on which a telegraphic
          ticker prints off its information

   [1]ticket
          [tick.et] n [MF etiquet, estiquette notice attached to something,
          fr. estiquier to attach, fr. MD steken to stick; akin
          to OHG sticken to prick--more at stick] (1529) 1 a: a
          document that serves as a certificate, license, or permit;
          esp: a mariner's or airman's certificate b: tag, label
          2 a: a certificate or token showing that a fare or admission
          fee has been paid b: a means of access or passage <education
          is the ~ to a good job> 3: a list of candidates for nomination
          or election: slate 4: the correct or desirable thing
          <cooperation, that's the ~ --K. E. Trombley> 5: a slip
          or card recording a transaction or undertaking or giving
          instructions <a savings deposit ~> 6: a summons or warning
          issued to a traffic-law violator -- tick.et.less adj
          [2]ticket vt (1611) 1: to attach a ticket to: label;
          also: designate 2: to furnish or serve with a ticket
          <~ed for illegal parking>

   ticket agency
          [ticket agency] n (1923): an agency selling transportation
          or theater and entertainment tickets

   ticket agent
          [ticket agent] n (1861): one who sells transportation or
          theater and entertainment tickets

   ticket office
          [ticket office] n (ca. 1667): an office of a transportation
          company, theatrical or entertainment enterprise, or ticket
          agency where tickets are sold and reservations made

   ticket-of-leave
          [tick.et-of-leave] n, pl tickets-of-leave (1732): a license
          or permit formerly given in the United Kingdom and the
          Commonwealth to a convict under imprisonment to go at
          large and to get work subject to certain specific conditions

   tick fever
          [tick fever] n (ca. 1897) 1: texas fever 2: a febrile disease
          (as Rocky Mountain spotted fever) transmitted by the
          bites of ticks

   [1]ticking
          [tick.ing] n [[2]tick] (1649): a strong linen or cotton fabric
          used in upholstering and as a covering for a mattress
          or pillow [2]ticking n [[3]tick] (1885): ticked marking
          on a bird or mammal or on individual hairs

   [1]tickle
          [tick.le] vb tick.led ; tick.ling [ME tikelen; akin to OE
          tinclian to tickle] vt (14c) 1 a: to excite or stir up
          agreeably: please <music ... does more than ~ our sense
          of rhythm --Edward Sapir> b: to provoke to laughter or
          merriment: amuse <were tickled by the clown's antics>
          2: to touch (as a body part) lightly so as to excite
          the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or
          spasmodic movements ~ vi 1: to have a tingling or prickling
          sensation <my back ~s> 2: to excite the surface nerves
          to prickle [2]tickle n (1801) 1: the act of tickling
          2: a tickling sensation 3: something that tickles

   tickler
          [tick.ler] n (1680) 1: a person or device that tickles 2:
          a device for jogging the memory; specif: a file that
          serves as a reminder and is arranged to bring matters
          to timely attention

   ticklish
          [tick.lish] adj (1581) 1 a: touchy, oversensitive <~ about
          his baldness> b: easily overturned <a canoe is a ~ craft>
          2: requiring delicate handling <a ~ subject> 3: sensitive
          to tickling -- tick.lish.ly adv -- tick.lish.ness n

   tick off
          [tick off] vt [[4]tick] (ca. 1919) 1: reprimand, rebuke <his
          father ticked him off for his impudence> 2: to make angry
          or indignant <the cancellation really ticked me off>

   tickseed
          [tick.seed] n [[1]tick] (ca. 1562): coreopsis

   ticktack
          [tick.tack] or tic.tac n [redupl. of tick] (1549) 1: a ticking
          or tapping beat like that of a clock or watch 2: a contrivance
          used by children to tap on a window from a distance

   ticktacktoe
          [tick.tack.toe] also tic-tac-toe n [tic-tac-toe, former game
          in which players with eyes shut brought a pencil down
          on a slate marked with numbers and scored the number
          hit] (ca. 1866): a game in which two players alternately
          put Xs and Os in compartments of a figure formed by two
          vertical lines crossing two horizontal lines and each
          tries to get a row of three Xs or three Os before the
          opponent does

   ticktock
          [tick.tock] n [imit.] (1848): the ticking sound of a clock

   tick trefoil
          [tick trefoil] n [[1]tick] (1857): any of various leguminous
          plants (genus Desmodium) with trifoliolate leaves and
          rough sticky loments

   [1]ticky-tacky
          [ticky-tacky] also ticky-tack n, pl ticky-tackies also ticky-tacks
          [redupl. of tacky] (1962): sleazy or shoddy material used esp.
          in the construction of look-alike tract houses; also: something
          built of ticky-tacky [2]ticky-tacky also ticky-tack adj (1964)
          1: of an uninspired or monotonous sameness 2: tacky 3: built
          of ticky-tacky

   tid
          [tid] [L ter in die] abbreviation three times a day

   tidal
          [tid.al] adj (1807) 1 a: of, relating to, caused by, or having
          tides <~ cycles> <~ erosion> b: periodically rising and
          falling or flowing and ebbing <~ waters> 2: dependent
          (as to the time of arrival or departure) upon the state
          of the tide <a ~ steamer> -- tid.al.ly adv

   tidal wave
          [tidal wave] n (1830) 1 a: an unusually high sea wave that
          sometimes follows an earthquake b: an unusual rise of
          water alongshore due to strong winds 2: something overwhelming
          esp. in quantity or volume <a tidal wave of tourists>

   tidbit
          [tid.bit] n [perh. fr. tit- (as in titmouse) + bit] (ca.
          1640) 1: a choice morsel of food 2: a choice or pleasing
          bit (as of information)

   tiddledywinks
          [tid.dle.dy.winks] or tid.dly.winks n pl but sing in constr
          [prob. fr. E dial. tiddly little, alter. of little] (1898):
          a game whose object is to snap small disks from a flat
          surface into a small container

   tiddler
          [tid.dler] n [prob. fr. E dial. tiddly little] (1885) Brit:
          a small fish (as a stickleback or minnow)

   tiddly
          [tid.dly] adj [tiddly an alcoholic drink, prob. fr. E dial.
          tiddly] (1905) chiefly Brit: slightly drunk

   [1]tide
          [tide] n [ME, time, fr. OE tid; akin to OHG zit time and
          perh. to Gk daiesthai to divide] (bef. 12c) 1 a obs:
          a space of time: period b: a fit or opportune time: opportunity
          c: an ecclesiastical anniversary or festival; also: its
          season--usu. used in combination <Eastertide> 2 a (1):
          the alternate rising and falling of the surface of the
          ocean and of water bodies (as gulfs and bays) connected
          with the ocean that occurs usu. twice a day and is caused
          by the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon occurring
          unequally on different parts of the earth (2): a less
          marked rising and falling of an inland body of water
          (3): a periodic movement in the earth's crust caused
          by the same forces that produce ocean tides (4): a tidal
          distortion on one celestial body caused by the gravitational
          attraction of another (5): one of the tidal movements
          of the atmosphere resembling those of the ocean and produced
          by gravitation or diurnal temperature changes b: flood
          tide 1 3 a: something that fluctuates like the tides
          of the sea <the ~ of public opinion> b: a surging movement
          of a group <a ~ of opportunists> 4 a: a flowing stream:
          current b: the waters of the ocean c: the overflow of
          a flooding stream -- tide.less adj [2]tide vb tid.ed
          ; tid.ing vi (1593): to flow as or in a tide: surge ~
          vt: to cause to float with or as if with the tide [3]tide
          vi tid.ed ; tid.ing [ME, fr. OE tidan; akin to MD tiden
          to go, come, OE tid time] (bef. 12c) archaic: betide,
          befall

   tideland
          [tide.land] n (1802) 1: land overflowed during flood tide
          2: land underlying the ocean and lying beyond the low-water
          limit of the tide but being within the territorial waters
          of a nation--often used in pl.

   tidemark
          [tide.mark] n (1799) 1 a: a high-water or sometimes low-water
          mark left by tidal water or a flood b: a mark placed
          to indicate this point 2: the point to which something
          has attained or below which it has receded <the ~ of
          tolerance has risen --New Republic>

   tide over
          [tide over] vt [[2]tide] (1821): to enable to surmount or
          endure a difficulty <money to tide us over the emergency>

   tide table
          [tide table] n (1594): a table that indicates the height
          of the tide at one place at different times of day throughout
          one year

   tidewater
          [tide.wa.ter] n (1772) 1: water overflowing land at flood
          tide; also: water affected by the ebb and flow of the
          tide 2: low-lying coastal land

   tideway
          [tide.way] n (1798): a channel in which the tide runs

   tiding
          [tid.ing] n [ME, fr. OE tidung, fr. tidan to betide] (12c):
          a piece of news--usu. used in pl. <good ~s>

   [1]tidy
          [ti.dy] adj ti.di.er ; -est [ME, timely, in good condition,
          fr. tide time] (13c) 1: properly filled out: plump 2:
          adequately satisfactory: acceptable, fair <a ~ solution
          to their problem> 3 a: neat and orderly in appearance
          or habits: well ordered and cared for b: methodical,
          precise <a ~ mind> 4: large, substantial <a ~ profit>
          -- ti.di.ly adv -- ti.di.ness n [2]tidy vb ti.died ;
          ti.dy.ing vt (1821): to put in order <~ up a room> ~
          vi: to make things tidy <~ing up after supper> -- ti.di.er
          n [3]tidy n, pl tidies (ca. 1828) 1: a usu. compartmentalized
          receptacle for various small objects 2: a piece of fancywork
          used to protect the back, arms, or headrest of a chair
          or sofa from wear or soil

   tidytips
          [ti.dy.tips] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1888): an annual
          California composite herb (Layia platyglossa) having
          yellow-rayed flower heads often tipped with white

   [1]tie
          [tie] n [ME teg, tye, fr. OE teag; akin to ON taug rope,
          OE teon to pull--more at tow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a line,
          ribbon, or cord used for fastening, uniting, or drawing
          something closed; esp: shoelace b (1): a structural element
          (as a rod or angle iron) holding two pieces together:
          a tension member in a construction (2): any of the transverse
          supports to which railroad rails are fastened to keep
          them in line 2: something that serves as a connecting
          link: as a: a moral or legal obligation to someone or
          something typically constituting a restraining power,
          influence, or duty b: a bond of kinship or affection
          3: a curved line that joins two musical notes of the
          same pitch to denote a single tone sustained through
          the time value of the two 4 a: an equality in number
          (as of votes or scores) b: equality in a contest; also:
          a contest that ends in a draw 5: a method or style of
          tying or knotting 6: something that is knotted or is
          to be knotted when worn: as a: necktie b: a low laced
          shoe: oxford -- tie.less adj [2]tie vb tied ; ty.ing
          or tie.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to fasten, attach, or close
          by means of a tie b: to form a knot or bow in <~ your
          scarf> c: to make by tying constituent elements <tied
          a wreath> <~ a fishing fly> 2 a: to place or establish
          in relationship: connect b: to unite in marriage c: to
          unite (musical notes) by a tie d: to join (power systems)
          electrically 3: to restrain from independence or freedom
          of action or choice: constrain by or as if by authority,
          influence, agreement, or obligation 4 a (1): to make
          or have an equal score with in a contest (2): to equalize
          (the score) in a game or contest (3): to equalize the
          score of (a game) b: to provide or offer something equal
          to: equal ~ vi: to make a tie: as a: to make a bond or
          connection b: to make an equal score c: to become attached
          d: to close by means of a tie -- tie into : to attack
          with vigor -- tie one on slang: to get drunk -- tie the
          knot : to perform a marriage ceremony; also: to get married

   tie-and-dye
          [tie-and-dye] n (1928): tie-dyeing

   tieback
          [tie.back] n (1926) 1: a decorative strip or device of cloth,
          cord, or metal for draping a curtain to the side of a
          window 2: a curtain with a tieback--usu. used in pl.

   tiebreaker
          [tie.break.er] n (ca. 1932): a contest used to select a winner
          from among contestants with tied scores at the end of
          a previous contest

   tied cottage
          [tied cottage] n (1899) Brit: a cottage or house owned by
          an employer (as a farmer) and reserved for occupancy
          by an employee

   tie-down
          [tie-down] n (ca. 1942): a fitting or a system of lines and
          fittings used to secure something (as an aircraft or
          cargo)

   tie-dye
          [tie-dye] n (ca. 1939) 1: tie-dyeing 2: a tie-dyed garment
          or fabric

   tie-dyed
          [tie-dyed] adj (1904): having patterns produced by tie-dyeing
          <~ shirts>

   tie-dyeing
          [tie-dye.ing] n (1904): a hand method of producing patterns
          in textiles by tying portions of the fabric or yarn so
          that they will not absorb the dye

   tie in
          [tie in] vt (1793): to bring into connection with something
          relevant: as a: to make the final connection of <tied
          in the new branch pipeline> b: to coordinate in such
          a manner as to produce balance and unity <the illustrations
          were tied in with the text> c: to use as a tie-in esp.
          in advertising ~ vi: to become tied in

   tie-in
          [tie-in] n (1925) 1: something that ties in, relates, or
          connects esp. in a promotional campaign 2: a book that
          inspired or was inspired by a motion picture or television
          program

   tie-line
          [tie-line] n (1923): a telephone line that directly connects
          two or more private branch exchanges

   tiemannite
          [tie.mann.ite] n [G Tiemannit, fr. W. Tiemann d. 1899 Ger.
          scientist] (1868): a mineral that consists of mercuric
          selenide and occurs in dark gray or nearly black masses
          of metallic luster

   tiepin
          [tie.pin] n (1780): an ornamental straight pin that has usu.
          a sheath for the point and is used to hold the ends of
          a necktie in place

   [1]tier
          [tier] n [MF tire rank, fr. OF--more at attire] (1569) 1
          a: a row, rank, or layer of articles; esp: one of two
          or more rows, levels, or ranks arranged one above another
          b: a group of political or geographical divisions that
          form a row across the map <the southern ~ of states>
          2: class, category [2]tier vt (ca. 1889): to place or
          arrange in tiers ~ vi: to rise in tiers [3]ti.er n (1633):
          one that ties

   [1]tierce
          [tierce] var of terce [2]tierce n [ME terce, tierce, fr.
          MF, fr. fem. of terz, adj., third, fr. L tertius--more
          at third] (15c) 1 obs: third 2 2: a sequence of three
          playing cards of the same suit

   tiercel
          [tier.cel] n [ME tercel, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL tertiolus,
          fr. dim. of L tertius third] (14c): a male hawk

   tiered
          [tiered] adj (1807): having or arranged in tiers, rows, or
          layers--often used in combination <triple-tiered>

   tie-rod
          [tie-rod] n (1839): a rod (as of steel) used as a connecting
          member or brace

   tie silk
          [tie silk] n (ca. 1915): a silk fabric of firm resilient
          pliable texture used for neckties and for blouses and
          accessories

   tie tack
          [tie tack] or tie tac n (1954): an ornamented pin with a
          receiving button or clasp that is used to attach the
          two parts of a necktie together or to attach a necktie
          to a shirt

   tie-up
          [tie-up] n (1851) 1 a: a cow stable; also: a space for a
          single cow in a stable b: a mooring place for a boat
          2: a slowdown or stoppage of traffic, business, or operation
          (as by a mechanical breakdown) 3: connection, association
          <helpful financial ~s>

   tie up
          [tie up] vt (1530) 1: to attach, fasten, or bind securely;
          also: to wrap up and fasten 2 a: to connect closely:
          join <tie up the loose ends> b: to cause to be linked
          so as to depend on or relate to something 3 a: to place
          or invest in such a manner as to make unavailable for
          other purposes <their money was tied up in stocks> b:
          to restrain from normal movement, operation, or progress
          <traffic was tied up for miles> 4 a: to keep busy <was
          tied up in conference all day> b: to preempt the use
          of <tied up the phone for an hour> ~ vi 1: dock <the
          ferry ties up at the south slip> 2: to assume a definite
          relationship <this ties up with what I told you before>

   [1]tiff
          [tiff] vi [origin unknown] (1700): to have a petty quarrel
          [2]tiff n (1754): a petty quarrel

   tiffany
          [tif.fa.ny] n, pl -nies [perh. fr. obs. F tiphanie Epiphany,
          fr. LL theophania, fr. LGk, ultim. fr. Gk theos god +
          phainein to show] (1601) 1: a sheer silk gauze formerly
          used for clothing and trimmings 2: a plain-woven open-mesh
          cotton fabric (as cheesecloth) Tif.fa.ny adj (1936):
          being glass or an article of glass made by or in the
          manner of Louis C. Tiffany; esp: made of pieces of stained
          glass <a Tiffany-style lamp> <a ~ window>

   tiffin
          [tif.fin] n [prob. alter. of tiffing, gerund of obs. E tiff
          to eat between meals] (1800) chiefly Brit: a light midday
          meal: luncheon

   tiger
          [ti.ger] n, pl tigers [ME tigre, fr. OE tiger & OF tigre,
          both fr. L tigris, fr. Gk, prob. of Iranian origin; akin
          to Av tighra- pointed; akin to Gk stizein to tattoo--more
          at stick] (bef. 12c) 1 pl also tiger a: a large Asian
          carnivorous mammal (Panthera tigris) of the cat family
          having a usu. tawny coat transversely striped with black
          b: any of several large wildcats (as the jaguar or cougar)
          c: a domestic cat with striped pattern d Austral: tasmanian
          wolf 2 a: a fierce, daring, or aggressive person or quality
          <aroused the ~ in him> <a ~ for work> b: one (as a situation)
          that is formidable or impossible to control <how the
          ~ of inflation can be tamed --J. A. Davenport>--often
          used in the phrases ride a tiger and have a tiger by
          the tail 3 Brit: a groom in livery -- ti.ger.ish adj
          -- ti.ger.ish.ly adv -- ti.ger.ish.ness n -- ti.ger.like
          adj

   tiger beetle
          [tiger beetle] n (1826): any of numerous active carnivorous
          beetles (family Cicindelidae) having larvae that tunnel
          in the soil

   tiger cat
          [tiger cat] n (1699) 1: any of various wildcats (as the serval,
          ocelot, or margay) of moderate size and variegated coloration
          2: a striped or sometimes blotched tabby cat

   tigereye
          [ti.ger.eye] or ti.ger's-eye n (ca. 1891): a usu. yellowish
          to grayish brown chatoyant stone that is much used for
          ornament and is a silicified crocidolite

   tiger lily
          [tiger lily] n (1824): a common Asian garden lily (Lilium
          lancifolium syn. L. tigrinum) having nodding orange-colored
          flowers densely spotted with black; also: any of various
          lilies with similar flowers

   tiger maple
          [tiger maple] n (1952): maple lumber having a distinct irregularly
          striped pattern and much used for furniture

   tiger moth
          [tiger moth] n (1816): any of a family (Arctiidae) of stout-bodied
          moths usu. with broad striped or spotted wings

   tiger salamander
          [tiger salamander] n (ca. 1909): a large widely distributed
          No. American salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) that is
          variably colored with contrasting blotches, spots, or
          bars

   tiger shark
          [tiger shark] n (ca. 1785): a large gray or brown stocky-bodied
          requiem shark (Galeocerdo cuvieri) that is nearly cosmopolitan
          esp. in warm seas and can be dangerous to humans--see
          shark illustration

   tiger shrimp
          [tiger shrimp] n (1979): a large shrimp (Penaeus monodon)
          of the Indian and Pacific oceans that is often farmed
          and widely sold as food

   tiger swallowtail
          [tiger swallowtail] n (ca. 1890): a large widely distributed
          swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) of eastern No. America
          that in the male is largely yellow with black margins
          and black stripes on the wings and in the female is usu.
          similarly marked in the north but is very often all or
          mostly black in the south; also: any of several closely
          related black and yellow swallowtails (as P. rutulus
          of western No. America)

   [1]tight
          [tight] adj [alter. of earlier thight close set, dense, of
          Scand origin; akin to ON thettr tight; akin to MHG dihte
          thick, Skt tanakti it causes to coagulate] (1507) 1 a:
          so close in structure as to prevent passage or escape
          (as of liquid, gas, or light) <a ~ ship> <a ~ seal>--compare
          lightproof, watertight b: fitting very close to the body
          <~ jeans>; also: too snug <~ shoes> c (1): closely packed:
          very full <a ~ bale of hay> (2): barely allowing time
          for completion <a ~ schedule> <~ deadlines> d: having
          elements close together <a ~ formation> <a ~ line of
          type> e: allowing little or no room for free motion or
          movement <a ~ connection> <a ~ crawl space>; also: having
          a small radius <a ~ turn> 2 a: strongly fixed or held:
          secure <a ~ jar lid> <a ~ grip on the ladder> b (1):
          not slack or loose: taut <kept the reins ~> <a ~ knot>
          <a ~ drumhead>; also: marked by firmness and muscle tone
          <a ~ stomach> (2): marked by unusual tension (as in the
          face or body) <lips ~ with anger> <a family ~ with fear>
          3 chiefly dial a: capable, competent b: having a graceful
          or shapely form: comely 4 a: difficult to cope with <in
          a ~ spot financially> b: relatively difficult to obtain
          <money is ~ just now>; also: characterized by such difficulty
          <a ~ job market> c: not liberal in giving: stingy <~
          with a penny> 5: characterized by little difference in
          the relative positions of contestants with respect to
          final outcome: close <a ~ race for mayor> 6: somewhat
          drunk 7 a: characterized by firmness or strictness in
          control or application or in attention to details <~
          zoning codes> <~ security> <ran a ~ newsroom> <keeps
          a ~ hand on her investments> b: marked by control or
          discipline in expression or style: having little or no
          extraneous matter <~ writing> c: characterized by a polished
          style and precise arrangements in music performance 8:
          having a close personal or working relationship: intimate
          <in ~ with the boss> 9: being such that the subject fills
          the frame <filming a ~ close-up> -- tight.ly adv -- tight.ness
          n [2]tight adv (1680) 1: fast, tightly, firmly <the door
          was shut ~> 2: in a sound manner: soundly <sleep ~>

   tighten
          [tight.en] vb tight.ened ; tight.en.ing vt (ca. 1727): to
          make tight or tighter ~ vi: to become tight or tighter
          -- tight.en.er n -- tighten one's belt : to practice
          strict economy

   tight end
          [tight end] n (1962): an offensive football end who lines
          up within two yards of the tackle

   tightfisted
          [tight.fist.ed] adj (1844): reluctant to part with money
          -- tight.fist.ed.ness n

   tight-knit
          [tight-knit] adj (1946): closely integrated and bound in
          love or friendship <a ~ family>

   tight-lipped
          [tight-lipped] adj (1876) 1: having the lips closed tight
          (as in determination) 2: reluctant to speak: taciturn

   tight-mouthed
          [tight-mouthed] adj (1926): closemouthed

   tightrope
          [tight.rope] n (1801) 1: a rope or wire stretched taut for
          acrobats to perform on 2: a dangerously precarious situation--usu.
          used in the phrase walk a tightrope

   tights
          [tights] n pl (ca. 1837): a skintight garment covering the
          body from the neck down or from the waist down; also,
          Brit: panty hose

   tightwad
          [tight.wad] n (1906): a close or miserly person

   tightwire
          [tight.wire] n (1928): a tightrope made of wire

   tiglon
          [ti.glon] n [tiger + lion] (1942): a hybrid between a male
          tiger and a female lion

   tigon
          [ti.gon] n [tiger + lion] (1926): tiglon

   Tigre
          [Ti.gre] n (1878): a Semitic language of northern Ethiopia

   tigress
          [ti.gress] n (1611): a female tiger; also: a tigerish woman

   Tigrinya
          [Ti.gri.nya] n (1878): a Semitic language of northern Ethiopia

   tike
          [tike] var of tyke

   tiki
          [ti.ki] n [Maori & Marquesan, fr. Tiki, first man or creator
          of first man] (1777): a wood or stone image of a Polynesian
          supernatural power

   til
          [til] n [Hindi, fr. Skt tila] (1840): sesame

   tilapia
          [ti.la.pia] n [NL, genus name] (1849): any of a genus (Tilapia)
          of African freshwater cichlid fishes often raised for
          food

   tilbury
          [til.bury] n, pl -bur.ies [Tilbury, 19th cent. Eng. coach
          builder] (1814): a light 2-wheeled carriage

   tilde
          [til.de] n [Sp, fr. ML titulus tittle] (ca. 1864) 1: a mark
          placed esp. over the letter n  to denote a /ny/ sound
          or over vowels to indicate nasality 2: the mark ~ used
          to indicate negation in logic and the geometric relation
          "is similar to" in mathematics

   [1]tile
          [tile] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE tigele, fr. L tegula tile;
          akin to L tegere to cover--more at thatch] (bef. 12c)
          1 pl tiles or tile a: a flat or curved piece of fired
          clay, stone, or concrete used esp. for roofs, floors,
          or walls and often for ornamental work b: a hollow or
          a semicircular and open earthenware or concrete piece
          used in constructing a drain c: a hollow building unit
          made of fired clay or of shale or gypsum 2: tiling 3:
          hat; esp: a high silk hat 4: a thin piece of resilient
          material (as cork, linoleum, or rubber) used esp. for
          covering floors or walls 5: a thin piece resembling a
          ceramic tile that usu. bears a mark or letter and is
          used as a playing piece in a board game (as mah-jongg)
          -- on the tiles Brit: engaged in late-night carousing
          [2]tile vt tiled ; til.ing (14c) 1: to cover with tiles
          2: to install drainage tile in -- til.er n

   tilefish
          [tile.fish] n [tile- modif. of NL Lopholatilus] (1881): any
          of various marine bony fishes (family Malacanthidae)
          used as food; esp: a large fish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps)
          of deep waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico with
          a fleshy appendage on the head and yellow spots on the
          upper body and some of its fins

   tiling
          [til.ing] n (15c) 1: the action or work of one who tiles
          2 a: tiles b: a surface of tiles

   [1]till
          [till] prep [ME, fr. OE til; akin to ON til to, till, OE
          til good] (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly Scot: to 2: until [2]till
          conj (12c): until [3]till vt [ME tilien, tillen, fr.
          OE tilian; akin to OE til good, suitable, OHG zil goal]
          (13c): to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops:
          cultivate -- till.able adj [4]till n [AF tylle] (15c)
          1 a: a box, drawer, or tray in a receptacle (as a cabinet
          or chest) used esp. for valuables b: a money drawer in
          a store or bank; also: cash register 2 a: the money contained
          in a till b: a supply of esp. ready money [5]till n [origin
          unknown] (1842): unstratified glacial drift consisting
          of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders intermingled

   tillage
          [till.age] n (15c) 1: the operation of tilling land 2: cultivated
          land

   tillandsia
          [til.land.sia] n [NL, fr. Elias Tillands d. 1693 Finn. botanist]
          (1759): any of a large genus (Tillandsia) of chiefly
          epiphytic plants of the pineapple family native to tropical
          and subtropical America

   [1]tiller
          [til.ler] n [fr. (assumed) ME, fr. OE telgor, telgra twig,
          shoot; akin to OHG zelga twig, OIr dlongaid he splits]
          (bef. 12c): stalk, sprout; esp: one from the base of
          a plant or from the axils of its lower leaves [2]til.ler
          vi til.lered ; til.ler.ing (1677) of a plant: to put
          forth tillers [3]till.er n (13c): one that tills: cultivator
          [4]til.ler n [ME tiler stock of a crossbow, fr. MF telier,
          lit., beam of a loom, fr. ML telarium, fr. L tela web--more
          at toil] (ca. 1625): a lever used to turn the rudder
          of a boat from side to side; broadly: a device or system
          that plays a part in steering something

   tillerman
          [til.ler.man] n (ca. 1934): one in charge of a tiller: steersman

   Tilsit
          [Til.sit] also Til.sit.er n [G Tilsiter, fr. Tilsit (now
          Sovetsk, Russia] (ca. 1932): a semisoft porous light
          yellow cheese with a flavor that ranges from mild to
          sharp

   [1]tilt
          [tilt] n [ME teld, telte tent, canopy, fr. OE teld; akin
          to OHG zelt tent] (15c): a canopy for a wagon, boat,
          or stall [2]tilt vt (15c): to cover or provide with a
          tilt [3]tilt n [[4]tilt] (1511) 1 a: a contest on horseback
          in which two combatants charging with lances or similar
          weapons try to unhorse each other: joust b: a tournament
          of tilts 2 a: dispute, contention b: speed--used in the
          phrase full tilt 3 a: the act of tilting: the state or
          position of being tilted b: a sloping surface c: slant,
          bias <a ~ toward military involvement> 4: any of various
          contests resembling or suggesting tilting with lances
          -- tilt adj [4]tilt vb [ME tulten, tilten to cause to
          fall; akin to Sw tulta to waddle] vt (1594) 1: to cause
          to have an inclination 2 a: to point or thrust in or
          as if in a tilt <~ a lance> b: to charge against <~ an
          adversary> ~ vi 1 a: to move or shift so as to lean or
          incline: slant b: to incline, tend, or become drawn toward
          an opinion, course of action, or one side of a controversy
          2 a: to engage in a combat with lances: joust b: to make
          an impetuous attack <~ at social evils> -- tilt.able
          adj -- tilt.er n

   tilth
          [tilth] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. tilian to till] (bef. 12c) 1:
          cultivated land: tillage 2: the state of aggregation
          of a soil esp. in relation to its suitability for crop
          growth

   tiltmeter
          [tilt.me.ter] n (1932): an instrument to measure the tilting
          of the earth's surface

   tilt-rotor
          [tilt-ro.tor] n (1980): an aircraft that has rotors at the
          end of each wing which can be oriented vertically for
          vertical takeoffs and landings, horizontally for forward
          flight, or to any position in between

   tiltyard
          [tilt.yard] n (1528): a yard or place for tilting contests

   Tim
          [Tim] abbreviation Timothy

   timbal
          [tim.bal] n [F timbale, fr. MF, alter. of tamballe, modif.
          of OSp atabal, fr. Ar at-tabl the drum] (1680): kettledrum

   timbale
          [tim.bale] n [F, lit., kettledrum] (1824) 1: a creamy mixture
          (as of meat or vegetables) baked in a mold; also: the
          mold in which it is baked 2: a small pastry shell filled
          with a cooked timbale mixture

   [1]timber
          [tim.ber] n [ME, fr. OE, building, wood; akin to OHG zimbar
          wood, room, Gk demein to build, domos course of stones
          or bricks] (bef. 12c) 1 a: growing trees or their wood
          b--used interjectionally to warn of a falling tree 2:
          wood suitable for building or for carpentry 3: material,
          stuff; esp: personal qualification for a particular position
          or status 4 a: a large squared or dressed piece of wood
          ready for use or forming part of a structure b Brit:
          lumber 2a c: a curving frame branching outward from the
          keel of a ship and bending upward in a vertical direction
          that is usu. composed of several pieces united: rib --
          timber adj [2]timber vt tim.bered ; tim.ber.ing (bef.
          12c): to frame, cover, or support with timbers

   timberdoodle
          [tim.ber.doo.dle] n [[1]timber + doodle cock] (1856): the
          American woodcock

   timbered
          [tim.bered] adj (15c) 1: having walls framed by exposed timbers
          2: having a specified structure or constitution 3: covered
          with growing timber: wooded

   timberhead
          [tim.ber.head] n (1794) 1: the top end of a ship's timber
          used above the gunwale (as for belaying ropes) 2: a bollard
          bolted to the deck where the end of a timber would come

   timber hitch
          [timber hitch] n (ca. 1815): a knot used to secure a line
          to a log or spar--see knot illustration

   timbering
          [tim.ber.ing] n (15c): a set or arrangement of timbers

   timberland
          [tim.ber.land] n (1654): wooded land esp. with marketable
          timber

   timberline
          [tim.ber.line] n (1867): the upper limit of arboreal growth
          in mountains or high latitudes--called also tree line

   timberman
          [tim.ber.man] n (1889): lumberman

   timber rattlesnake
          [timber rattlesnake] n (1895): a widely distributed rattlesnake
          (Crotalus horridus) of the eastern U.S.

   timber wolf
          [timber wolf] n (1860): gray wolf

   timberwork
          [tim.ber.work] n (14c): timber construction

   timbre
          [tim.bre] also tim.ber n [F, fr. MF, bell struck by a hammer,
          fr. OF, drum, fr. MGk tymbanon kettledrum, fr. Gk tympanon--more
          at tympanum] (1849): the quality given to a sound by
          its overtones: as a: the resonance by which the ear recognizes
          and identifies a voiced speech sound b: the quality of
          tone distinctive of a particular singing voice or musical
          instrument -- tim.bral adj

   timbrel
          [tim.brel] n [dim. of obs. E timbre tambourine, fr. ME, fr.
          OF, drum] (ca. 1520): a small hand drum or tambourine
          -- tim.brelled adj

   [1]time
          [time] n [ME, fr. OE tima; akin to ON timi time, OE tid--more
          at tide] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the measured or measurable period
          during which an action, process, or condition exists
          or continues: duration b: a nonspatial continuum that
          is measured in terms of events which succeed one another
          from past through present to future c: leisure <~ for
          reading> 2: the point or period when something occurs:
          occasion 3 a: an appointed, fixed, or customary moment
          or hour for something to happen, begin, or end <arrived
          ahead of ~> b: an opportune or suitable moment <decided
          it was ~ to retire>--often used in the phrase about time
          <about ~ for a change> 4 a: an historical period: age
          b: a division of geologic chronology c: conditions at
          present or at some specified period--usu. used in pl.
          <~s are hard> <move with the ~s> d: the present time
          <issues of the ~> 5 a: lifetime b: a period of apprenticeship
          c: a term of military service d: a prison sentence 6:
          season <very hot for this ~ of year> 7 a: rate of speed:
          tempo b: the grouping of the beats of music: rhythm 8
          a: a moment, hour, day, or year as indicated by a clock
          or calendar <what ~ is it> b: any of various systems
          (as sidereal or solar) of reckoning time 9 a: one of
          a series of recurring instances or repeated actions <you've
          been told many ~s> b pl (1): added or accumulated quantities
          or instances <five ~s greater> (2): equal fractional
          parts of which an indicated number equal a comparatively
          greater quantity <seven ~s smaller> <three ~s closer>
          c: turn <three ~s at bat> 10: finite as contrasted with
          infinite duration 11: a person's experience during a
          specified period or on a particular occasion <a good
          ~> <a hard ~> 12 a: the hours or days required to be
          occupied by one's work <make up ~> <on company ~> b:
          an hourly pay rate <straight ~> c: wages paid at discharge
          or resignation <pick up your ~ and get out> 13 a: the
          playing time of a game b: time-out 14: a period during
          which something is used or available for use <computer
          ~> -- at the same time : nevertheless, yet <slick and
          at the same time strangely unprofessional --Gerald Weaks>
          -- at times : at intervals: occasionally -- for the time
          being : for the present -- from time to time : once in
          a while: occasionally -- in no time : very quickly or
          soon -- in time 1: sufficiently early 2: eventually 3:
          in correct tempo <learn to play in time> -- on time 1
          a: at the appointed time b: on schedule 2: on the installment
          plan -- time and again : frequently, repeatedly [2]time
          vb timed ; tim.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to arrange or set the
          time of: schedule b: to regulate (a watch) to keep correct
          time 2: to set the tempo, speed, or duration of <timed
          his leap perfectly --Neil Amdur> 3: to cause to keep
          time with something 4: to determine or record the time,
          duration, or rate of <~ a horse> 5: to dispose (as a
          mechanical part) so that an action occurs at a desired
          instant or in a desired way ~ vi: to keep or beat time
          [3]time adj (ca. 1711) 1 a: of or relating to time b:
          recording time 2: timed to ignite or explode at a specific
          moment <a ~ bomb> 3 a: payable on a specified future
          day or a certain length of time after presentation for
          acceptance <a ~ draft> <~ deposits> b: based on installment
          payments <a ~ sale>

   time and a half
          [time and a half] n (1888): payment for work (as overtime
          or holiday work) at one and a half times the worker's
          regular wage rate

   time bomb
          [time bomb] n (1893) 1: a bomb so made as to explode at a
          predetermined time 2: something with a potentially dangerous
          or detrimental delayed reaction

   time capsule
          [time capsule] n (1938) 1: a container holding historical
          records or objects representative of current culture
          that is deposited (as in a cornerstone) for preservation
          until discovery by some future age 2: something resembling
          a time capsule <sunken vessels are archaeological time
          capsules --Philip Trupp>

   time card
          [time card] n (ca. 1891): a card used with a time clock to
          record an employee's starting and quitting times each
          day or on each job

   time chart
          [time chart] n (ca. 1830) 1: a chart showing the standard
          times in various parts of the world with reference to
          a specified time at a specified place 2: time line 1

   time clock
          [time clock] n (1887): a clock that stamps starting and quitting
          times on an employee's time card

   time-consuming
          [time-con.sum.ing] adj (1890) 1: using or taking up a great
          deal of time <~ chores> 2: wasteful of time <~ tactics>

   timed
          [timed] adj (ca. 1760) 1: made to occur at or in a set time
          <a ~ explosion> 2: done or taking place at a time of
          a specified sort <an ill-timed arrival>

   time dilation
          [time dilation] n (1934): a slowing of time in accordance
          with the theory of relativity that occurs in a system
          in motion relative to an outside observer and that becomes
          apparent esp. as the speed of the system approaches that
          of light--called also time dilatation

   timed-release
          [timed-re.lease] or time-re.lease adj (1966): consisting
          of or containing a drug that is released in small amounts
          over time (as by dissolution of a coating) usu. in the
          gastrointestinal tract <~ capsules>

   time exposure
          [time exposure] n (1893): exposure of a photographic film
          for a definite time usu. of more than one half second;
          also: a photograph taken by such exposure

   time frame
          [time frame] n (1964): a period of time esp. with respect
          to some action or project

   time-honored
          [time-hon.ored] adj (1593): honored because of age or long
          usage <~ traditions>

   time immemorial
          [time immemorial] n (1602) 1: a time antedating a period
          legally fixed as the basis for a custom or right 2: time
          so long past as to be indefinite in history or tradition--called
          also time out of mind

   timekeeper
          [time.keep.er] n (1686) 1: timepiece 2: a clerk who keeps
          records of the time worked by employees 3: a person appointed
          to mark and announce the time in an athletic game or
          contest -- time.keep.ing n

   time killer
          [time killer] n (1751) 1: a person with free time 2: something
          that passes the time: diversion

   time lag
          [time lag] n (1892): an interval of time between two related
          phenomena (as a cause and its effect)

   time-lapse
          [time-lapse] adj (1927): of, relating to, or constituting
          a motion picture made so that when projected a slow action
          (as the opening of a flower bud) appears to be speeded
          up

   timeless
          [time.less] adj (ca. 1560) 1 archaic: premature, untimely
          2 a: having no beginning or end: eternal b: not restricted
          to a particular time or date <the ~ themes of love, solitude,
          joy, and nature --Writer> 3: not affected by time: ageless
          -- time.less.ly adv -- time.less.ness n

   time line
          [time line] n (1951) 1: a table listing important events
          for successive years within a particular historical period
          2 usu time.line : a schedule of events and procedures:
          timetable 2

   time lock
          [time lock] n (ca. 1871): a lock controlled by clockwork
          to prevent its being opened before a set time

   [1]timely
          [time.ly] adv (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: early, soon 2: in time:
          opportunely <the question was not ... ~ raised in the
          state court --W. O. Douglas> [2]timely adj time.li.er
          ; -est (13c) 1: coming early or at the right time: opportune
          2: appropriate or adapted to the times or the occasion
          <a ~ book> -- time.li.ness n

   time machine
          [time machine] n (1895): a hypothetical device that permits
          travel into the past and future

   timeo Danaos et dona ferentes
          [ti.meo Da.na.os et do.na fe.ren.tes] [L] foreign term :
          I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts

   time-of-flight
          [time-of-flight] adj (1945): of, relating to, being, or done
          with an instrument (as a mass spectrometer) that separates
          particles (as ions) according to the time required for
          them to traverse a tube of a certain length

   timeous
          [time.ous] adj (ca. 1520) chiefly Brit: timely -- time.ous.ly
          adv

   time-out
          [time-out] n (1926): a brief suspension of activity: break;
          esp: a suspension of play in an athletic game

   time out of mind
          [time out of mind] (15c): time immemorial 2

   timepiece
          [time.piece] n (1765): a device (as a clock or watch) to
          measure or show progress of time; esp: one that does
          not chime

   timepleaser
          [time.pleas.er] n (1601) obs: timeserver

   timer
          [tim.er] n (1841): one that times: as a: timepiece; esp:
          a stopwatch for timing races b: timekeeper c: a device
          (as a clock) that indicates by a sound the end of an
          interval of time or that starts or stops a device at
          predetermined times

   time reversal
          [time reversal] n (1955): a formal operation in mathematical
          physics that reverses the order in which a sequence of
          events occurs

   times
          [times] prep (14c): multiplied by <two ~ two is four>

   timesaving
          [time.sav.ing] adj (1865): intended or serving to expedite
          something <~ kitchen appliances> -- time-sav.er n

   timescale
          [time.scale] n (1890): an arrangement of events used as a
          measure of the relative or absolute duration or antiquity
          of a period of history or geologic or cosmic time

   time series
          [time series] n (1919): a set of data collected sequentially
          usu. at fixed intervals of time

   timeserver
          [time.serv.er] n (1584): a person whose behavior is adjusted
          to the pattern of the times or to please superiors: temporizer

   [1]timeserving
          [time.serv.ing] n (1621): the behavior or practice of a timeserver
          [2]timeserving adj (1630): marked by or revealing a lack
          of independence or integrity <a mean, ~ little man, grovelling
          odiously before the wealthy people --Peter Forster>

   time-sharing
          [time-shar.ing] n (1953) 1: simultaneous use of a central
          computer by many users at remote locations 2 or time-share
          : joint ownership or rental of a vacation lodging (as
          a condominium) by several persons with each occupying
          the premises in turn for short periods -- time-share
          vt

   time sheet
          [time sheet] n (ca. 1909) 1: a sheet for recording the time
          of arrival and departure of workers and for recording
          the amount of time spent on each job 2: a sheet for summarizing
          hours worked by each worker during a pay period

   time signature
          [time signature] n (1875): a sign used in music to indicate
          meter and usu. written as a fraction with the bottom
          number indicating the kind of note used as a unit of
          time and the top number indicating the number of units
          in each measure

   times sign
          [times sign] n (1948): a symbol used to indicate multiplication

   time stamp
          [time stamp] n (1892): a device for recording the date and
          time of day that letters or papers are received or sent
          out -- time-stamp vt

   timetable
          [time.ta.ble] n (1838) 1: a table of departure and arrival
          times of trains, buses, or airplanes 2 a: a schedule
          showing a planned order or sequence b: program 3 -- time-table
          vt

   time-tested
          [time-test.ed] adj (1930): having effectiveness that has
          been proved over a long period of time <~ methods>

   time trial
          [time trial] n (ca. 1949): a competitive event (as in auto
          racing) in which individuals are successively timed over
          a set course or distance

   time warp
          [time warp] n (1954): an anomaly, discontinuity, or suspension
          held to occur in the progress of time

   timework
          [time.work] n (1829): work paid for at a standard rate for
          the hour or the day -- time.work.er n

   timeworn
          [time.worn] adj (1729) 1: worn or impaired by time <~ mansions>
          2 a: age-old, ancient <~ procedures> b: hackneyed, stale
          <a ~ joke>

   time zone
          [time zone] n (1892): a geographical region within which
          the same standard time is used

   timid
          [tim.id] adj [L timidus, fr. timere to fear] (1549) 1: lacking
          in courage or self-confidence <a ~ person> 2: lacking
          in boldness or determination <a ~ policy> -- ti.mid.i.ty
          n -- tim.id.ly adv -- tim.id.ness n

   timing
          [tim.ing] n (1597) 1: selection or the ability to select
          for maximum effect of the precise moment for beginning
          or doing something <haven't got my ~ down> 2: observation
          and recording (as by a stopwatch) of the elapsed time
          of an act, action, or process

   timocracy
          [ti.moc.ra.cy] n [MF tymocracie, fr. ML timocratia, fr. Gk
          timokratia, fr. time price, value, honor + -kratia -cracy;
          akin to Gk tiein to honor, Skt cayati he respects] (1586)
          1: government in which a certain amount of property is
          necessary for office 2: government in which love of honor
          is the ruling principle -- ti.mo.crat.ic or ti.mo.crat.i.cal
          adj

   timolol
          [ti.mo.lol] n [tim- (of unknown origin) + -olol (as
          in propranolol)] (1973): a beta-blocker used in the form of its
          maleate salt to treat glaucoma and to reduce the risk of second
          heart attacks

   timorous
          [tim.o.rous] adj [ME, fr. MF timoureus, fr. ML timorosus,
          fr. L timor fear, fr. timere to fear] (15c) 1: of a timid
          disposition: fearful 2: expressing or suggesting timidity
          <proceed with doubtful and ~ steps --Edward Gibbon> --
          tim.o.rous.ly adv -- tim.o.rous.ness n

   timothy
          [tim.o.thy] n [prob. after Timothy Hanson, 18th cent. Am.
          farmer said to have introduced it from New England to
          the southern states] (1747): a European grass (Phleum
          pratense) that has long cylindrical spikes and is widely
          grown for hay Tim.o.thy n [L Timotheus, fr. Gk Timotheos]
          1: a disciple of the apostle Paul 2: either of two letters
          written with regard to pastoral care in the early Church
          and included as books in the New Testament

   timpani
          [tim.pa.ni] n pl but sing or pl in constr [It, pl. of timpano
          kettledrum, fr. L tympanum drum--more at tympanum] (ca.
          1854): a set of two or more kettledrums played by one
          performer in an orchestra or band

   timpanist
          [tim.pa.nist] n (1906): one who plays the timpani

   [1]tin
          [tin] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG zin tin] (bef. 12c) 1: a
          soft faintly bluish white lustrous low-melting crystalline
          metallic element that is malleable and ductile at ordinary
          temperatures and that is used as a protective coating,
          in tinfoil, and in soft solders and alloys 2 a: a box,
          can, pan, vessel, or a sheet made of tinplate; broadly:
          such a container of any metal (as aluminum) b: a metal
          container and its contents <a ~ of tomatoes> -- tin adj
          -- tin.ful n [2]tin vt tinned ; tin.ning (14c) 1: to
          cover or plate with tin or a tin alloy 2: to put up or
          pack in tins: can

   TIN
          [TIN] abbreviation taxpayer identification number

   tinamou
          [tin.a.mou] n [F, fr. Carib tinamu] (ca. 1783): any of a
          family (Tinamidae) of So. and Central American game birds
          that have a deeply keeled sternum and a rudimentary tail
          and that produce eggs with a surface resembling enamel

   tinc
          [tinc] abbreviation tincture

   tin can
          [tin can] n (1770) 1: a can made of tinplate; broadly: can
          1c 2 slang: destroyer 2

   [1]tinct
          [tinct] adj [L tinctus, pp.] (1579): colored, tinged [2]tinct
          n (1602): tincture, tinge

   tinctorial
          [tinc.to.ri.al] adj [L tinctorius, fr. tingere to tinge]
          (1655): of or relating to colors or to dyeing or staining;
          also: imparting color -- tinc.to.ri.al.ly adv

   [1]tincture
          [tinc.ture] n [ME, fr. L tinctura act of dyeing, fr. tinctus,
          pp. of tingere to tinge] (14c) 1 a archaic: a substance
          that colors, dyes, or stains b: color, tint 2 a: a characteristic
          quality: cast b: a slight admixture: trace 3 obs: an
          active principle or extract 4: a heraldic metal, color,
          or fur 5: a solution of a medicinal substance in an alcoholic
          menstruum [2]tincture vt tinc.tured ; tinc.tur.ing (1616)
          1: to tint or stain with a color: tinge 2 a: to infuse
          or instill with a property or entity: impregnate b: to
          imbue with a quality: affect <writing tinctured with
          wit and wisdom>

   tinder
          [tin.der] n [ME, fr. OE tynder; akin to OHG zuntra tinder,
          OE tendan to kindle] (bef. 12c) 1: a very flammable substance
          adaptable for use as kindling 2: something that serves
          to incite or inflame

   tinderbox
          [tin.der.box] n (1530) 1 a: a metal box for holding tinder
          and usu. a flint and steel for striking a spark b: a
          highly inflammable object or place 2: a potentially explosive
          place or situation

   [1]tine
          [tine] n [ME tind, fr. OE; akin to OHG zint point, tine]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a slender pointed projecting part: prong
          2: a pointed branch of an antler -- tined adj [2]tine
          vb tined or tint ; tin.ing [ME, of Scand origin; akin
          to ON tyna to lose, destroy, tjon injury, loss--more
          at teen] vt (13c) dial Brit: lose ~ vi, dial Brit: to
          become lost

   tinea
          [tin.ea] n [ME, fr. ML, fr. L, worm, moth] (14c): any of
          several fungal diseases of the skin; esp: ringworm --
          tin.e.al adj

   tinea cruris
          [tinea cru.ris] n [NL, lit., tinea of the leg] (ca. 1923):
          a fungal infection involving esp. the groin and perineum

   tin ear
          [tin ear] n (1935): a deafened or insensitive ear

   tinfoil
          [tin.foil] n (15c): a paper-thin metal sheeting usu. of aluminum
          or tin-lead alloy

   ting
          [ting] n [ting, vb., fr. ME tingen, of imit. origin] (1602):
          a high-pitched sound like that made by a light stroke
          on a crystal goblet -- ting vi

   [1]tinge
          [tinge] vt tinged ; tinge.ing or ting.ing [ME, fr. L tingere
          to dip, moisten, tinge; akin to Gk tengein to moisten
          and prob. to OHG dunkon to dip] (15c) 1 a: to color with
          a slight shade or stain: tint b: to affect or modify
          with a slight odor or taste 2: to affect or modify in
          character [2]tinge n (1752) 1: a slight staining or suffusing
          shade or color 2: an affective or modifying property
          or influence: touch

   tingle
          [tin.gle] vi tin.gled ; tin.gling [ME, alter. of tinklen
          to tinkle, tingle] (14c) 1 a: to feel a ringing, stinging,
          prickling, or thrilling sensation b: to cause such a
          sensation 2: tinkle -- tingle n -- tin.gling.ly adv --
          tin.gly adj

   tin hat
          [tin hat] n (1903): a metal helmet

   tinhorn
          [tin.horn] n (1885): one (as a gambler) who pretends to have
          money, ability, or influence

   [1]tinker
          [tin.ker] n [ME tinkere] (14c) 1 a: a usu. itinerant mender
          of household utensils b: an unskillful mender: bungler
          2 chiefly Irish: gypsy [2]tinker vb tin.kered ; tin.ker.ing
          vi (1592): to work in the manner of a tinker; esp: to
          repair, adjust, or work with something in an unskilled
          or experimental manner: fiddle ~ vt: to repair, adjust,
          or experiment with -- tin.ker.er n

   tinker's damn
          [tinker's damn] also tinker's dam n [prob. fr. the tinkers'
          reputation for blasphemy] (1839): a minimum amount or
          degree (as of care) <didn't give a tinker's damn about
          poetry --James Blish>

   Tinkertoy
          [Tin.ker.toy] trademark--used for a construction toy of fitting
          parts

   [1]tinkle
          [tin.kle] vb tin.kled ; tin.kling [ME, freq. of tinken to
          tinkle, of imit. origin] vi (15c) 1: to make or emit
          a tinkle or a sound suggestive of a tinkle 2: urinate
          ~ vt 1: to sound or make known (the time) by a tinkle
          2 a: to cause to make a tinkle b: to produce by tinkling
          <~ a tune> [2]tinkle n (1725) 1: a jingling effect in
          verse or prose 2: a series of short high ringing or clinking
          sounds

   tinkly
          [tin.kly] adj (1892): that tinkles: tinkling

   tin lizzie
          [tin liz.zie] n [fr. Tin Lizzie, nickname for the Model T
          Ford automobile] (1915): a small inexpensive early automobile

   tinner
          [tin.ner] n (1512) 1: a tin miner 2: tinsmith

   tinnitus
          [tin.ni.tus] n [L, ringing, tinnitus, fr. tinnire to ring,
          of imit. origin] (1843): a sensation of noise (as a ringing
          or roaring) that is caused by a bodily condition (as
          a disturbance of the auditory nerve or wax in the ear)
          and can usu. be heard only by the one affected

   tinny
          [tin.ny] adj tin.ni.er ; -est (1552) 1: of, abounding in,
          or yielding tin 2 a: resembling tin b: light, cheap 3:
          thin in tone <a ~ voice> -- tin.ni.ly adv -- tin.ni.ness
          n

   Tin Pan Alley
          [Tin Pan Alley] n (1908): a district that is a center for
          composers and publishers of popular music; also: the
          body of such composers and publishers

   tinplate
          [tin.plate] n (1677): thin sheet iron or steel coated with
          tin

   tin-plate
          [tin-plate] vt (1890): to plate or coat (as a metal sheet)
          with tin

   tin-pot
          [tin-pot] adj (1838): small-time

   [1]tinsel
          [tin.sel] n [MF estincelle, estancele, etincelle spark, glitter,
          spangle--more at stencil] (1538) 1: a thread, strip,
          or sheet of metal, paper, or plastic used to produce
          a glittering and sparkling appearance in fabrics, yarns,
          or decorations 2: something superficially attractive
          or glamorous but of little real worth <disfigured by
          no gaudy ~ of rhetoric or declamation --Thomas Jefferson>
          [2]tinsel adj (1575) 1: made of or covered with tinsel
          2 a: cheaply gaudy: tawdry b: specious <~ promises> [3]tinsel
          vt tin.seled or tin.selled ; tin.sel.ing or tin.sel.ling
          (1594) 1: to interweave, overlay, or adorn with or as
          if with tinsel 2: to impart a specious brightness to

   tinselly
          [tin.sel.ly] adj (1811): tinsel

   tinsmith
          [tin.smith] n (1812): a worker who makes or repairs things
          of sheet metal (as tinplate) -- tin.smith.ing n

   tinstone
          [tin.stone] n (1602): cassiterite

   [1]tint
          [tint] n [alter. of earlier tinct, fr. L tinctus act of dyeing,
          fr. tingere to tinge] (1717) 1 a: a usu. slight or pale
          coloration: hue b: any of various lighter or darker shades
          of a color: tinge 2: a variation of a color produced
          by adding white to it and characterized by a low saturation
          with relatively high lightness 3: a usu. slight modifying
          quality or characteristic: touch 4: a shaded effect in
          engraving produced by fine parallel lines close together
          5: a panel of light color serving as background 6: dye
          for the hair -- tint.er n [2]tint vt (1791): to impart
          or apply a tint to: color

   tinting
          [tint.ing] n (ca. 1841) 1: the act or process of one that
          tints 2: the engraved or colored tint produced by tinting

   tintinnabulary
          [tin.tin.nab.u.lary] adj [L tintinnabulum bell] (1787): of,
          relating to, or characterized by bells or their sounds

   tintinnabulation
          [tin.tin.nab.u.la.tion] n [L tintinnabulum bell, fr. tintinnare
          to ring, jingle, fr. tinnire] (1831) 1: the ringing or
          sounding of bells 2: a jingling or tinkling sound as
          if of bells

   tintless
          [tint.less] adj (1789) archaic: having no tints: lacking
          color

   tintype
          [tin.type] n (1864): ferrotype 1

   tinware
          [tin.ware] n (1758): articles and esp. utensils made of tinplate

   tinwork
          [tin.work] n (ca. 1934): work in tin

   tiny
          [ti.ny] adj ti.ni.er ; -est [alter. of ME tine] (1598): very
          small or diminutive: minute syn see small -- ti.ni.ly
          adv -- ti.ni.ness n

   [1]tip
          [tip] vb tipped ; tip.ping [ME] vt (14c) 1: overturn, upset--usu.
          used with over 2 a: cant, tilt b: to raise and tilt forward
          in salute <tipped his hat> ~ vi 1: to become tipped:
          topple 2: lean, slant -- tip the scales 1: to register
          weight <tips the scales at 285 pounds> 2: to shift the
          balance of power or influence <tipped the scales in favor
          of a declaration of war --S. F. Bemis> [2]tip n (1673)
          1: the act or an instance of tipping: tilt 2 chiefly
          Brit: a place for depositing something (as rubbish) by
          dumping [3]tip vt tipped ; tip.ping [ME tipped having
          a tip, fr. [4]tip] (14c) 1 a: to furnish with a tip b
          (1): to cover or adorn the tip of (2): to blend (furs)
          for improved appearance by brushing the tips of the hair
          with dye 2: to affix (an insert) in a book--often used
          with in 3: to remove the ends of <~ raspberries> [4]tip
          n [ME; akin to MHG zipf tip, OE taeppa tap--more at tap]
          (15c) 1: the usu. pointed end of something 2: a small
          piece or part serving as an end, cap, or point -- tipped
          adj -- on the tip of one's tongue 1: about to be uttered
          <it was on the tip of my tongue to tell him exactly what
          I thought> 2: just eluding recall [5]tip n [ME tippe;
          akin to LG tippen to tap] (15c): a light touch or blow
          [6]tip vb tipped ; tip.ping vt (1567) 1: to strike lightly:
          tap 2: to give (a baseball) a glancing blow ~ vi: tiptoe
          [7]tip n [origin unknown] (1567) 1: a piece of advice
          or expert or authoritative information 2: a piece of
          advance or confidential information given by one thought
          to have access to special or inside sources [8]tip vt
          tipped ; tip.ping (1883) 1: to impart a piece of information
          or advice about or to--often used with off 2 chiefly
          Brit: to mention as a likely candidate, prospective winner,
          or profitable investment: tout 4 -- tip one's hand also
          tip one's mitt : to declare one's intentions or reveal
          one's opinions or resources <the Justice Department wouldn't
          tip its hand by saying what its next move ... would be
          --Newsweek> [9]tip vb tipped ; tip.ping [perh. fr. [6]tip]
          vt (ca. 1610) 1: give, present 2: to give a gratuity
          to ~ vi: to bestow a gratuity [1][0]tip n (1755): a gift
          or a sum of money tendered for a service performed or
          anticipated: gratuity

   Tip
          [Tip] abbreviation Tipperary

   tipcart
          [tip.cart] n (ca. 1877): a cart whose body can be tipped
          on the frame to empty its contents

   tipcat
          [tip.cat] n [[6]tip] (1676): a game in which one player using
          a bat strikes lightly a tapered wooden peg and as it
          flies up strikes it again to drive it as far as possible
          while fielders try to recover it; also: the peg used
          in this game

   tipi
          [ti.pi] var of tepee

   tip-in
          [tip-in] n [[6]tip] (1948): a goal in basketball made by
          deflecting a rebound into the basket with the fingertips

   [1]tip-off
          [tip-off] n [[8]tip] (1901) 1: warning, tip 2: a telltale
          sign [2]tip-off n [[6]tip] (1922): the act or an instance
          of putting the ball in play in basketball by a jump ball

   tip of the iceberg
          [tip of the iceberg] [fr. an iceberg being mostly submerged]
          (1969): the earliest, most obvious, or most superficial
          manifestation of some phenomenon

   tipper
          [tip.per] n (1819): one that tips

   tippet
          [tip.pet] n [ME tipet] (14c) 1: a long hanging end of cloth
          attached to a sleeve, cap, or hood 2: a shoulder cape
          of fur or cloth often with hanging ends 3: a long black
          scarf worn over the robe by Anglican clergymen during
          morning and evening prayer

   [1]tipple
          [tip.ple] vb tip.pled ; tip.pling [back-formation fr. obs.
          tippler barkeeper] vi (1560): to drink liquor esp. by
          habit or to excess ~ vt: to drink (liquor) esp. continuously
          in small amounts -- tip.pler n [2]tipple n (1581): drink
          1, 2 [3]tipple n [E dial. tipple to tip over, freq. of
          E [1]tip] (1880) 1: a place where or an apparatus by
          which cars (as for coal) are loaded or emptied 2: a coal-screening
          plant

   tippy
          [tip.py] adj tip.pi.er ; -est (1886): liable to tip <a ~
          boat>

   tipstaff
          [tip.staff] n, pl tip.staves [obs. tipstaff staff tipped
          with metal] (1535): an officer (as a constable or bailiff)
          who bears a staff

   tipster
          [tip.ster] n (1862): one who gives or sells tips esp. for
          gambling or spec ulation

   tipsy
          [tip.sy] adj tip.si.er ; -est [[1]tip + -sy (as in tricksy)]
          (1577) 1: unsteady, staggering, or foolish from the effects
          of liquor: fuddled 2: unsteady, askew <a ~ angle> --
          tip.si.ly adv -- tip.si.ness n

   [1]tiptoe
          [tip.toe] n (14c): the position of being balanced on the
          balls of the feet and toes with the heels raised--usu.
          used with on; also: the ends of the toes -- on tiptoe
          : alert, aroused <the contest of skill that puts one
          on tiptoe to win --Deerfield (Wisc.) Independent> [2]tiptoe
          adv (1592): on or as if on tiptoe [3]tiptoe adj (1593)
          1: standing or walking on or as if on tiptoe 2: cautious,
          stealthy [4]tiptoe vi tip.toed ; tip.toe.ing (ca. 1661)
          1: to stand or raise oneself on tiptoe 2: to walk or
          proceed quietly or cautiously on or as if on tiptoe

   [1]tip-top
          [tip-top] n [[4]tip + top] (1702): the highest point [2]tip-top
          adj (1722): excellent, first-rate <~ working conditions>
          [3]tip-top adv (1882): very well

   tirade
          [ti.rade] n [F, shot, tirade, fr. MF, fr. OIt tirata, fr.
          tirare to draw, shoot] (1802): a protracted speech usu.
          marked by intemperate, vituperative, or harshly censorious
          language

   tiramisu
          [tir.a.mi.su] n [It tiramisu, fr. tirami su], lit., pull
          me up]] (1982): a dessert made with ladyfingers, mascarpone,
          chocolate, and espresso

   [1]tire
          [tire] vb tired ; tir.ing [ME tyren, fr. OE teorian, tyrian]
          vi (bef. 12c): to become weary ~ vt 1: to exhaust or
          greatly decrease the physical strength of: fatigue 2:
          to wear out the patience of: bore syn tire, weary, fatigue,
          exhaust, jade, fag mean to make or become unable or unwilling
          to continue. tire implies a draining of one's strength
          or patience <the long ride tired us out>. weary stresses
          tiring until one is unable to endure more of the same
          thing <wearied of the constant arguing>. fatigue suggests
          causing great lassitude through excessive strain or undue
          effort <fatigued by the day's chores>. exhaust implies
          complete draining of strength by hard exertion <shoveling
          snow exhausted him>. jade suggests the loss of all freshness
          and eagerness <jaded by overindulgence>. fag implies
          a drooping with fatigue <shoppers all fagged out by the
          Christmas rush>. [2]tire n [ME, short for attire] (14c)
          1 obs: attire 2 archaic: a woman's headband or hair ornament
          [3]tire vt tired ; tir.ing (14c) 1 obs: attire 2 archaic:
          to adorn (the hair) with an ornament [4]tire n, often
          attrib [ME, prob. fr. [2]tire] (15c) 1: a metal hoop
          forming the tread of a wheel 2: a rubber cushion that
          fits around a wheel (as of an automobile) and usu. contains
          compressed air

   tired
          [tired] adj (15c) 1: drained of strength and energy: fatigued
          often to the point of exhaustion 2: obviously worn by
          hard use: run-down 3: trite, hackneyed -- tired.ly adv
          -- tired.ness n

   tireless
          [tire.less] adj (1591): seemingly incapable of tiring:
          indefatigable -- tire.less.ly adv -- tire.less.ness n

   Tiresias
          [Ti.re.si.as] n [L, fr. Gk Teiresias]: a blind seer of Thebes
          who in one Greek myth is changed into a woman for several
          years and then changed back to a man

   tiresome
          [tire.some] adj (ca. 1520): wearisome, tedious -- tire.some.ly
          adv -- tire.some.ness n

   tiring-house
          [tir.ing-house] n [[3]tire] (1590): a section of a theater
          reserved for the actors and used esp. for dressing for
          stage entrances

   tiring-room
          [tir.ing-room] n [[3]tire] (1623): a dressing room esp. in
          a theater

   tirl
          [tirl] vb [alter. of [1]trill] vi (ca. 1550) chiefly Scot:
          to make a rattling sound (as with a door latch) ~ vt,
          chiefly Scot: twirl

   tiro
          [tiro] chiefly Brit var of tyro

   tisane
          [ti.sane] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L ptisana, fr. Gk ptisane, lit.,
          crushed barley, fr. ptissein to crush--more at pestle]
          (14c): an infusion (as of dried herbs) used as a beverage
          or for medicinal effects

   Tishah-b'Ab
          [Tish.ah-b'Ab] n [Heb tish'ah be Abh ninth in Ab] (ca. 1902):
          a Jewish holiday observed with fasting on the 9th of
          Ab in commemoration of the destruction of the temples
          at Jerusalem

   Tishri
          [Tish.ri] n [Heb tishri] (ca. 1771): the 1st month of the
          civil year or the 7th month of the ecclesiastical year
          in the Jewish calendar

   tissue
          [tis.sue] n [ME tissu, a rich fabric, fr. OF, fr. pp. of
          tistre to weave, fr. L texere--more at technical] (1563)
          1 a: a fine lightweight often sheer fabric b: mesh, network,
          web <a ~ of lies> 2: a piece of soft absorbent tissue
          paper used esp. as a handkerchief or for removing cosmetics
          3: an aggregate of cells usu. of a particular kind together
          with their intercellular substance that form one of the
          structural materials of a plant or an animal -- tis.su.ey
          adj

   tissue culture
          [tissue culture] n (1912): the process or technique of making
          body tissue grow in a culture medium outside the organism;
          also: a culture of tissue (as epithelium)

   tissue fluid
          [tissue fluid] n (1900): a fluid that permeates the spaces
          between individual cells, that is in osmotic contact
          with the blood and lymph, and that serves in interstitial
          transport of nutrients and waste

   tissue paper
          [tissue paper] n (1777): a thin gauzy paper used esp. for
          protecting something (as by covering or wrapping)

   tissue plasminogen activator
          [tissue plasminogen activator] n (1981): a clot-dissolving
          enzyme with an affinity for fibrin that is produced naturally
          in blood vessel linings and is used in a genetically
          engineered form to prevent damage to heart muscle following
          a heart attack--abbr. TPA

   tissular
          [tis.su.lar] adj [tissue + -lar (as in cellular)] (ca. 1935):
          of, relating to, or affecting organismic tissue <~ grafts>
          <~ lesions>

   [1]tit
          [tit] n [ME, fr. OE--more at teat] (bef. 12c) 1: teat 2:
          breast--usu. used in pl.--usu. considered vulgar [2]tit
          n (ca. 1706): titmouse; broadly: any of various small
          plump often long-tailed birds

   tit
          [tit] abbreviation title  Tit abbreviation Titus

   titan
          [ti.tan] n [Gk] (ca. 1741) 1 cap: any of a family of giants
          born of Uranus and Gaea and ruling the earth until overthrown
          by the Olympian gods 2: one that is gigantic in size
          or power: one that stands out for greatness of achievement

   titan-
          [titan-] or titani- comb form [NL titanium]: titanium <titanate>

   titanate
          [ti.ta.nate] n (1839) 1: any of various multiple oxides of
          titanium dioxide with other metallic oxides 2: a titanium
          ester having a titanium atom linked through four oxygen
          atoms to four organic groups

   titaness
          [ti.tan.ess] n, often cap (1596): a female titan

   titania
          [ti.ta.nia] n [NL] (1922): titanium dioxide Ti.ta.nia n:
          the wife of Oberon and queen of the fairies in Shakespeare's
          A Midsummer Night's Dream

   titanic
          [ti.tan.ic] adj [Gk titanikos of the Titans] (1709): having
          great magnitude, force, or power: colossal -- ti.tan.i.cal.ly
          adv

   titaniferous
          [ti.ta.nif.er.ous] adj (ca. 1828): containing or yielding
          titanium <~ minerals>

   titanism
          [ti.tan.ism] n, often cap [fr. the Titans' rebellion against
          their father Uranus] (1867): defiance of and revolt against
          social or artistic conventions

   titanium
          [ti.ta.ni.um] n [NL, fr. Gk Titan] (ca. 1796): a silvery
          gray light strong metallic element found combined in
          ilmenite and rutile and used esp. in alloys (as steel)
          and combined in refractory materials and in coatings

   titanium dioxide
          [titanium dioxide] n (1877): an oxide of titanium that occurs
          in rutile, anatase, or ilmenite and is used esp. as a
          pigment

   titanium white
          [titanium white] n (1920): titanium dioxide; also: a brilliant
          white lead-free pigment consisting of titanium dioxide
          often together with barium sulfate and zinc oxide

   titbit
          [tit.bit] var of tidbit

   titer
          [ti.ter] n [F titre title, proportion of gold or silver in
          a coin, fr. OF title inscription, title] (1888): the
          strength of a solution or the concentration of a substance
          (as an antibody) in solution as determined by titration

   titfer
          [tit.fer] n [by shortening & alter. fr. tit for tat, rhyming
          slang for hat] (ca. 1930) Brit: hat

   tit for tat
          [tit for tat] [alter. of earlier tip for tap, fr. tip (blow)
          + for + tap] (1556): an equivalent given in return (as
          for an injury): retaliation in kind -- tit-for-tat adj

   tithable
          [tith.able] adj (15c): subject or liable to payment of tithes

   [1]tithe
          [tithe] vb tithed ; tith.ing [ME, fr. OE teogothian, fr.
          teogotha tenth] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to pay or give a tenth
          part of esp. for the support of the church 2: to levy
          a tithe on ~ vi: to give a tenth of one's income as a
          tithe [2]tithe n [ME, fr. OE teogotha tenth; akin to
          MLG tegede tenth, OE tien ten--more at ten] (bef. 12c)
          1: a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution
          or as a tax esp. for the support of a religious establishment
          2: the obligation represented by individual tithes 3:
          tenth; broadly: a small part 4: a small tax or levy

   tither
          [tith.er] n (14c) 1: one that pays tithes 2: one that collects
          or advocates the payment of tithes

   tithing
          [tith.ing] n [ME, fr. OE teothung, fr. teogothian, teothian
          to tithe, take one tenth] (bef. 12c): a small administrative
          division preserved in parts of England apparently orig.
          made up of ten men with their families

   tithonia
          [ti.tho.nia] n [NL, prob. fr. L Tithonia, poetical name of
          Aurora] (1940): any of a genus (Tithonia) of tall composite
          herbs or shrubs of Mexico and Central America that have
          flower heads resembling sunflowers and that are sometimes
          grown as ornamentals

   [1]titi
          [ti.ti] n [origin unknown] (1827) 1: a tree (Cliftonia monophylla
          of the family Cyrillaceae) of the southeastern U.S. with
          leathery leaves and racemes of fragrant white flowers
          2: leatherwood 2 [2]ti.ti n [AmerSp titi] (1832): any
          of a genus (Callicebus) of small So. American monkeys
          having long thick variably colored fur and a tail that
          is not prehensile

   titian
          [ti.tian] adj, often cap [Titian (Tiziano Vecellio)] (1896):
          of a brownish orange color

   titillate
          [tit.il.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L titillatus, pp. of
          titillare] vt (1620) 1: to excite pleasurably: arouse
          by stimulation 2: tickle ~ vi: to act as a stimulant
          to pleasurable excitement -- tit.il.la.tion n -- tit.il.la.tive
          adj

   titillating
          [tit.il.lat.ing] adj (ca. 1714): pleasantly stimulating or
          exciting <~ reading>; also: erotic -- tit.il.lat.ing.ly
          adv

   titivate
          [tit.i.vate] or tit.ti.vate vb -vat.ed ; -vat.ing [perh.
          fr. [1]tidy + renovate] vt (1824): to make smart or spruce
          ~ vi: smarten, spruce -- tit.i.va.tion n

   titlark
          [tit.lark] n [tit- (as in titmouse) + lark] (1688): pipit

   [1]title
          [ti.tle] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L titulus inscription, title]
          (14c) 1 a obs: inscription b: written material introduced
          into a motion picture or television program to give credits,
          explain an action, or represent dialogue--usu. used in
          pl. 2 a: all the elements constituting legal ownership
          b: a legally just cause of exclusive possession c: the
          instrument (as a deed) that is evidence of a right 3
          a: something that justifies or substantiates a claim
          b: an alleged or recognized right 4 a: a descriptive
          or general heading (as of a chapter in a book) b: the
          heading which names an act or statute c: the heading
          of a legal action or proceeding 5 a: the distinguishing
          name of a written, printed, or filmed production b: a
          similar distinguishing name of a musical composition
          or a work of art 6: a descriptive name: appellation 7:
          a division of an instrument, book, or bill; esp: one
          larger than a section or article 8 a: an appellation
          of dignity, honor, distinction, or preeminence attached
          to a person or family by virtue of rank, office, precedent,
          privilege, attainment, or lands b: a person holding a
          title esp. of nobility 9: a written work as distinguished
          from a particular copy <published 25 ~s last year> 10:
          championship 1 <won the batting ~> [2]title vt ti.tled
          ; ti.tling (14c) 1: to provide a title for 2: to designate
          or call by a title: term, style [3]title adj (1886):
          of or relating to a title: as a: having the same name
          as the title of a production <did the ~ role in Hamlet>
          b: having the same title as or providing the title for
          the collection or production of which it forms a part
          <the ~ song> c: of, relating to, or involving a championship
          <a ~ match> d: of, relating to, or used with the titles
          that introduce a motion picture or television program
          <~ music>

   titled
          [ti.tled] adj (1593): having a title esp. of nobility

   title deed
          [title deed] n (ca. 1768): the deed constituting the evidence
          of a person's legal ownership

   titleholder
          [ti.tle.hold.er] n (1904): one that holds a title; specif:
          champion

   title page
          [title page] n (1594): a page of a book bearing the title
          and usu. the names of the author and publisher and the
          place and sometimes date of publication

   titlist
          [ti.tlist] n (1924): titleholder

   titmouse
          [tit.mouse] n, pl tit.mice [by folk etymology fr. ME titmose,
          fr. (assumed) ME tit any small object or creature + ME
          mose titmouse, fr. OE mase; akin to OHG meisa titmouse]
          (14c): any of numerous small widely distributed insectivorous
          oscine birds (family Paridae and esp. genus Parus) that
          are related to the chickadees and have small bills and
          relatively long tails

   Titoism
          [Ti.to.ism] n (1949): the political, economic, and social
          policies associated with Tito; specif: nationalistic
          policies and practices followed by a communist state
          or group independently of and often in opposition to
          the U.S.S.R. -- Ti.to.ist n or adj

   titrant
          [ti.trant] n (1939): a substance (as a reagent solution of
          precisely known concentration) that is added in titration

   titrate
          [ti.trate] vb ti.trat.ed ; ti.trat.ing [titer] vt (ca. 1859):
          to subject to titration ~ vi: to perform titration --
          ti.trat.able adj -- ti.tra.tor n

   titration
          [ti.tra.tion] n (ca. 1859): a method or the process of determining
          the concentration of a dissolved substance in terms of the smallest
          amount of a reagent of known concentration required to bring about
          a given effect in reaction with a known volume of the test solution

   titre
          [ti.tre] var of titer

   titrimetric
          [ti.tri.met.ric] adj [titration + -i- + -metric] (1902):
          employing or determined by titration

   tit-tat-toe
          [tit-tat-toe] var of ticktacktoe

   titter
          [tit.ter] vi [imit.] (ca. 1619): to laugh in a nervous, affected,
          or partly suppressed manner: giggle, snicker -- titter
          n

   tittie
          [tit.tie] n [prob. baby talk alter. of sister] (ca. 1700)
          chiefly Scot: sister

   tittle
          [tit.tle] n [ME titel, fr. ML titulus, fr. L, title] (14c)
          1: a point or small sign used as a diacritical mark in
          writing or printing 2: a very small part

   tittle-tattle
          [tit.tle-tat.tle] n [redupl. of [1]tattle] (ca. 1529): gossip,
          prattle -- tittle-tattle vi

   [1]tittup
          [tit.tup] n [imit. of the sound of a horse's hooves] (1703):
          lively, gay, or restless behavior [2]tittup vi -tupped
          or -tuped ; -tup.ping or -tup.ing (1785): to move in
          a lively manner often with an exaggerated or affected
          action

   [1]titular
          [tit.u.lar] adj [L titulus title] (1611) 1 a: existing in
          title only; esp: bearing a title derived from a defunct
          ecclesiastical jurisdiction (as an episcopal see) <a
          ~ bishop> b: having the title and usu. the honors belonging
          to an office or dignity without the duties, functions,
          or responsibilities <the ~ head of a political party>
          2: bearing a title: titled 3: of, relating to, or constituting
          a title <the ~ hero of the play> -- tit.u.lar.ly adv
          [2]titular n (1613): a person holding a title

   Titus
          [Ti.tus] n [LL, fr. Gk Titos] 1: an early Christian convert
          who assisted Paul in his missionary work 2: a letter
          written on the subject of pastoral care in the early
          Church and included as a book in the New Testament

   Tiu
          [Tiu] n [OE Tiw--more at deity]: an ancient Germanic god
          of war identified with Tyr

   tizzy
          [tiz.zy] n, pl tizzies [origin unknown] (1935): a highly
          excited and distracted state of mind

   tk...
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   tk
          [tk] abbreviation tank, truck

   TKO
          [TKO] n [technical knockout] (1941): technical knockout

   tkt
          [tkt] abbreviation ticket

   tl...
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   Tl
          [Tl] abbreviation thallium  TL abbreviation total loss, truckload

   TLC
          [TLC] abbreviation tender loving care, thin-layer chromatography

   Tlingit
          [Tlin.git] n, pl Tlingit or Tlingits (1865) 1: a member of
          a group of American Indian peoples of the islands and
          coast of southern Alaska 2: the language of the Tlingit
          peoples -- Tlingit adj

   TLO
          [TLO] abbreviation total loss only

   tlr
          [tlr] abbreviation tailor, trailer

   tm...
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   Tm
          [Tm] abbreviation thulium TM abbreviation trademark, transcendental
          meditation

   tmesis
          [tme.sis] n [LL, fr. Gk tmesis act of cutting, fr. temnein
          to cut--more at tome] (1550): separation of parts of
          a compound word by the intervention of one or more words
          (as what place soever for whatsoever place)

   TMJ
          [TMJ] abbreviation temporomandibular joint

   TMO
          [TMO] abbreviation telegraph money order

   tn...
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   tn
          [tn] abbreviation ton, town, train  TN abbreviation Tennessee,
          true north

   TNF
          [TNF] abbreviation tumor necrosis factor

   tng
          [tng] abbreviation training

   tnpk
          [tnpk] abbreviation turnpike

   TNT
          [TNT] n [trinitrotoluene] (1915): a flammable toxic compound
          used as a high explosive and in chemical synthesis

   to...
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   [1]to
          [to] prep [ME, fr. OE to; akin to OHG zuo to, L donec as
          long as, until] (bef. 12c) 1 a--used as a function word
          to indicate movement or an action or condition suggestive
          of movement toward a place, person, or thing reached
          <drove ~ the city> <went back ~ the original idea> b--used
          as a function word to indicate direction <a mile ~ the
          south> <turned his back ~ the door> <a tendency ~ silliness>
          c--used as a function word to indicate contact or proximity
          <applied polish ~ the table> <put her hand ~ her heart>
          d (1)--used as a function word to indicate the place
          or point that is the far limit <100 miles ~ the nearest
          town> (2)--used as a function word to indicate the limit
          of extent <stripped ~ the waist> e--used as a function
          word to indicate relative position <perpendicular ~ the
          floor> 2 a--used as a function word to indicate purpose,
          intention, tendency, result, or end <came ~ our aid>
          <drink ~ his health> b--used as a function word to indicate
          the result of an action or a process <broken all ~ pieces>
          <go ~ seed> <~ their surprise, the train left on time>
          3--used as a function word to indicate position or relation
          in time: as a: before <five minutes ~ five> b: till <from
          eight ~ five> <up ~ now> 4--used as a function word to
          indicate addition, attachment, connection, belonging,
          possession, accompaniment, or response <the key ~ the
          door> <danced ~ live music> <comes ~ her call> 5--used
          as a function word (1) to indicate the extent or degree
          (as of completeness or accuracy) <loyal ~ a man> <generous
          ~ a fault> or the extent and result (as of an action
          or a condition) <beaten ~ death> (2) to indicate the
          last or an intermediate point of a series <moderate ~
          cool temperatures> 6 a--used as a function word (1) to
          indicate a relation to one that serves as a standard
          <inferior ~ her earlier works> (2) to indicate similarity,
          correspondence, dissimilarity, or proportion <compared
          him ~ a god> b--used as a function word to indicate agreement
          or conformity <add salt ~ taste> <~ my knowledge> c--used
          as a function word to indicate a proportion in terms
          of numbers or quantities <400 ~ the box> <odds of ten
          ~ one> 7 a--used as a function word (1) to indicate the
          application of an adjective or a noun <agreeable ~ everyone>
          <attitude ~ friends> <title ~ the property> (2) to indicate
          the relation of a verb to its complement or to a complementary
          element <refers ~ the traditions> <refers us ~ the traditions>
          (3) to indicate the receiver of an action or the one
          for which something is done or exists <spoke ~ his mother>
          <gives a dollar ~ the man> and often used with a reflexive
          pronoun to indicate exclusiveness (as of possession)
          or separateness <had the house ~ themselves> <thought
          ~ herself> b--used as a function word to indicate agency
          <falls ~ his opponent's blows> 8--used as a function
          word to indicate that the following verb is an infinitive
          <wants ~ go> and often used by itself at the end of a
          clause in place of an infinitive suggested by the preceding
          context <knows more than she seems ~> [2]to adv (bef.
          12c) 1 a--used as a function word to indicate direction
          toward <feathers wrong end ~> <run ~ and fro> b: close
          to the wind <the gale having gone over, we came ~ --R.
          H. Dana> 2 a: into contact esp. with the frame--used
          of a door or a window <the door snapped ~> b--used as
          a function word to indicate physical application or attachment
          <he ... hath set ~ his seal --Jn 3:33 (AV)> 3--used as
          a function word to indicate application or attention
          <will stand ~ --Shak.> 4: to a state of consciousness
          or awareness <brings her ~ with smelling salts> 5: at
          hand: by <get to see 'em close ~ --Richard Llewellyn>

   TO
          [TO] abbreviation table of organization, telegraph office,
          traditional orthography, turn over

   toad
          [toad] n [ME tode, fr. OE tade, tadige] (bef. 12c) 1: any
          of numerous anuran amphibians (esp. family Bufonidae)
          that as compared with the related frogs are generally
          more terrestrial in habit though returning to water to
          lay their eggs, squatter and shorter in build and with
          weaker hind limbs, and rough, dry, and warty rather than
          smooth and moist of skin 2: a contemptible person or
          thing

   toadeater
          [toad.eat.er] n (ca. 1572) archaic: toady

   toadfish
          [toad.fish] n (1704): any of a family (Batrachoididae) of
          chiefly marine bony fishes with jugular pelvic fins,
          a large thick head, a wide mouth, and usu. scaleless
          slimy skin

   toadflax
          [toad.flax] n (1578): butter-and-eggs; also: any of several
          related plants (esp. genus Linaria) of the snapdragon
          family

   toadstone
          [toad.stone] n (1558): a stone or similar object held to
          have formed in the head or body of a toad and formerly
          often worn as a charm or antidote to poison

   toadstool
          [toad.stool] n (14c): a fungus having an umbrella-shaped
          pileus: mushroom; esp: a poisonous or inedible one as
          distinguished from an edible mushroom

   [1]toady
          [toady] n, pl toad.ies [by shortening & alter. fr. toadeater]
          (1826): one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors:
          sycophant syn see parasite [2]toady vi toad.ied ; toady.ing
          (ca. 1859): to behave as a toady: engage in sycophancy
          syn see fawn -- toady.ism n

   to and fro
          [to and fro] adv (14c): from one place to another

   [1]to-and-fro
          [to-and-fro] adj (1749): forward and backward <~ motion>
          [2]to-and-fro n (1847): activity involving alternating
          movement in opposite directions <the busy ~ of the holiday
          shoppers>

   [1]toast
          [toast] vb [ME tosten, fr. MF toster, fr. LL tostare to roast,
          fr. L tostus, pp. of torrere to dry, parch--more at thirst]
          vt (14c) 1: to warm thoroughly 2: to make (as bread)
          crisp, hot, and brown by heat ~ vi: to become toasted;
          esp: to warm thoroughly [2]toast n (15c) 1 a: sliced
          bread browned on both sides by heat b: food prepared
          with toasted bread 2 [fr. the use of pieces of spiced
          toast to flavor drinks] a: someone or something in honor
          of which persons usu. drink b: one that is highly admired
          <she's the ~ of society> 3 [[3]toast]: an act of proposing
          or of drinking in honor of a toast 4: a rhyming narrative
          poem existing in oral tradition among black Americans
          [3]toast vt (1640): to propose or drink to as a toast

   toaster
          [toast.er] n (1582): one that toasts; esp: an electrical
          appliance for toasting

   toaster oven
          [toaster oven] n (1961): a portable electrical appliance
          that can function as an oven or a toaster

   toastmaster
          [toast.mas.ter] n (1749): one who presides at a banquet and
          introduces the after-dinner speakers

   toastmistress
          [toast.mis.tress] n (1921): a woman who acts as toastmaster

   toasty
          [toasty] adj toast.i.er ; -est (1953): pleasantly or comfortably
          warm <felt snug and ~ by the fire>

   Tob
          [Tob] abbreviation Tobit

   tobacco
          [to.bac.co] n, pl -cos [Sp tabaco, prob. fr. Taino, roll
          of tobacco leaves] (ca. 1565) 1: any of a genus (Nicotiana)
          of chiefly American plants of the nightshade family with
          viscid foliage and tubular flowers; esp: a tall erect
          annual tropical American herb (N. tabacum) cultivated
          for its leaves 2: the leaves of cultivated tobacco prepared
          for use in smoking or chewing or as snuff 3: manufactured
          products of tobacco (as cigars or cigarettes); also:
          smoking as a practice <has sworn off ~>

   tobacco budworm
          [tobacco budworm] n (1918): a noctuid moth (Heliothis virescens
          syn. Helicoverpa virescens) whose small rusty often green-striped
          caterpillar feeds on buds and young leaves esp. of tobacco
          and cotton

   tobacco hornworm
          [tobacco hornworm] n (ca. 1909): a hawkmoth (Manduca sexta)
          whose large usu. green larva is a hornworm that feeds
          on plants of the nightshade family

   tobacco juice
          [tobacco juice] n (1833): saliva colored brown by tobacco
          or snuff

   tobacco mosaic
          [tobacco mosaic] n (1914): any of a complex of virus diseases
          of plants of the nightshade family and esp. of tobacco

   tobacconist
          [to.bac.co.nist] n [irreg. fr. tobacco + -ist] (1657): a
          dealer in tobacco esp. at retail

   tobacco road
          [tobacco road] n, often cap T&R [fr. Tobacco Road, novel
          (1932) by Erskine Caldwell and play (1933) by Jack Kirkland
          d. 1969 Am. playwright] (1937): a squalid poverty-stricken
          rural area or community

   to-be
          [to-be] adj (ca. 1600): that is to be: future--usu. used
          postpositively and often in combination <a bride-to-be>

   Tobias
          [To.bi.as] n [Gk Tobias] 1: a Jewish hero who with divine
          aid marries his kinswoman Sarah in spite of a jealous
          evil spirit and restores his father Tobit's sight 2:
          tobit 2

   Tobit
          [To.bit] n [Gk Tobit] 1: the elderly father of Tobias 2:
          a book of Scripture included in the Roman Catholic canon
          of the Old Testament and in the Protestant Apocrypha

   [1]toboggan
          [to.bog.gan] n [CanF tobogan, of Algonquian origin; akin
          to Micmac tobagun drag made of skin] (ca. 1820) 1: a
          long flat-bottomed light sled made usu. of thin boards
          curved up at one end with usu. low handrails at the sides
          2: a downward course or a sharp decline [2]toboggan vi
          (1846) 1: to coast on or as if on a toboggan 2: to decline
          suddenly and sharply -- to.bog.gan.er n -- to.bog.gan.ist
          n

   tobogganing
          [to.bog.gan.ing] n (1849): the act, art, or sport of riding
          a toboggan

   toby jug
          [to.by jug] n, often cap [Toby, nickname fr. the name Tobias]
          (1840): a small jug, pitcher, or mug shaped somewhat
          like a stout man with a cocked hat for the brim--called
          also toby

   toccata
          [toc.ca.ta] n [It, fr. toccare to touch, fr. (assumed) VL--more
          at touch] (ca. 1724): a musical composition usu. for
          organ or harpsichord in a free style and characterized
          by full chords, rapid runs, and high harmonies

   Tocharian
          [To.char.i.an] n [Gk Tocharoi] (ca. 1926) 1 a: a language
          of central Asia known from documents from the sixth to
          eighth centuries a.d. b: a branch of the Indo-European
          language family containing Tocharian 2: a member of a
          people of presumably European origin dwelling in central
          Asia during the first millennium of the Christian era

   Tocharian A
          [Tocharian A] n (1926): the eastern dialect of Tocharian

   Tocharian B
          [Tocharian B] n (1926): the western dialect of Tocharian

   tocher
          [toch.er] n [ME (Sc) tochir, fr. ScGael tochar] (15c) chiefly
          Scot: dowry 2, 3

   tocopherol
          [to.coph.er.ol] n [ISV, ultim. fr. Gk tokos childbirth, offspring
          (akin to Gk tiktein to beget) + pherein to carry, bear--more
          at thane, bear] (1936): any of several fat-soluble oily
          phenolic compounds with varying degrees of antioxidant
          vitamin E activity; esp: one of high vitamin E potency
          obtained from germ oils or by synthesis

   tocsin
          [toc.sin] n [MF toquassen, fr. OProv tocasenh, fr. tocar
          to touch, ring a bell (fr. assumed VL toccare) + senh
          sign, bell, fr. ML & L signum; ML, bell, fr. LL, ringing
          of a bell, fr. L, mark, sign--more at touch, sign] (1586)
          1: an alarm bell or the ringing of it 2: a warning signal

   [1]tod
          [tod] n [ME] (12c) chiefly Scot: fox [2]tod n [ME todd, todde;
          prob. akin to OHG zotta tuft of hair] (15c) 1 archaic:
          any of various units of weight for wool; esp: one equal
          to 28 pounds (13 kilograms) 2 Brit: a bushy clump (as
          of ivy)

   [1]today
          [to.day] adv (bef. 12c) 1: on or for this day 2: at the present
          time [2]today n (1535): the present day, time, or age
          <~'s youth> [3]today adj (1966): of or characteristic
          of today: now

   toddle
          [tod.dle] vi tod.dled ; tod.dling [origin unknown] (ca. 1600)
          1: to walk with short tottering steps in the manner of
          a young child 2: to take a stroll: saunter -- toddle
          n

   toddler
          [tod.dler] n (1793): one that toddles; esp: a young child
          -- tod.dler.hood n

   toddy
          [tod.dy] n, pl toddies [Hindi tari juice of the palmyra palm,
          fr. tar palmyra palm, fr. Skt tala] (ca. 1610) 1: the
          fresh or fermented sap of various chiefly East Indian
          palms 2: a usu. hot drink consisting of liquor (as rum),
          water, sugar, and spices

   to-do
          [to-do] n, pl to-dos (ca. 1576): bustle, stir, fuss

   [1]toe
          [toe] n [ME to, fr. OE ta; akin to OHG zeha toe] (bef. 12c)
          1 a (1): one of the terminal members of a vertebrate's
          foot (2): the fore end of a foot or hoof b: a terminal
          segment of a limb of an invertebrate c: the forepart
          of something worn on the foot <the ~ of a boot> 2: a
          part that by its position or form is felt to resemble
          a toe <the ~ of Italy>: as a: a lateral projection at
          one end or between the ends of a piece (as a rod or bolt)
          b: the lowest part (as of an embankment, dam, or cliff)
          3: toe dance -- toe.less adj -- on one's toes : alert
          1 -- toe to toe : facing one another [2]toe vb toed ;
          toe.ing vt (1607) 1: to furnish with a toe <~ a sock>
          2: to touch, reach, or drive with the toe <~ a football>
          3: to drive (as a nail) obliquely; also: to clinch or
          fasten by or with nails or rods so driven ~ vi 1: tiptoe
          2: to stand, walk, or be placed so that the toes assume
          an indicated position or direction <~ in> -- toe the
          line or toe the mark : to conform rigorously to a rule
          or standard

   toea
          [toea] n, pl toea [Hiri Motu (pidgin of Papua New Guinea
          based on Motu, an Austronesian language), a kind of shell]
          (1975): a monetary unit of Papua New Guinea equal to
          1/100 kina

   toe cap
          [toe cap] n (1797): a piece of leather covering the toe of
          a shoe and reinforcing or decorating it

   toed
          [toed] adj [[1]toe] (1611) 1: having a toe or toes esp. of
          a specified kind or number--usu. used in combination
          <five-toed> <round-toed shoes> 2 [fr. pp. of [2]toe]:
          driven obliquely <a ~ nail>; also: secured by diagonal
          or oblique nailing

   toe dance
          [toe dance] n (1898): a dance executed on the tips of the
          toes by means of a ballet slipper with a reinforced toe
          -- toe-dance vi -- toe dancer n -- toe dancing n

   TOEFL
          [TOEFL] abbreviation Test of English as a Foreign Language

   toehold
          [toe.hold] n (1880) 1 a: a hold or place of support for the
          toes (as in climbing) b (1): a means of progressing (as
          in surmounting barriers) (2): a slight footing <used
          his money to get a ~, then a foothold, then a near stranglehold
          on the political economy --R. W. Armstrong> 2: a wrestling
          hold in which the aggressor bends or twists his opponent's
          foot

   toe-in
          [toe-in] n (1928) 1: camber 3 2: adjustment of the front
          wheels of an automotive vehicle so that they are closer
          together at the front than at the back

   [1]toenail
          [toe.nail] n (1841): a nail of a toe [2]toenail vt (1900):
          to fasten by toed nails: toe

   toepiece
          [toe.piece] n (1879): a piece designed to form a toe (as
          of a shoe) or cover the toes of the foot

   toeplate
          [toe.plate] n (1894): a tab attached to the toe of a shoe
          (as to prevent wear due to heavy use)

   toe-to-toe
          [toe-to-toe] adj or adv (ca. 1942): slugging it out at or
          as if at close range <a ~ confrontation over the new
          policy>

   toff
          [toff] n [prob. alter. of tuft titled college student] (1851)
          chiefly Brit: dandy, swell

   toffee
          [tof.fee] or tof.fy n, pl toffees or toffies [alter. of taffy]
          (ca. 1825): candy of brittle but tender texture made
          by boiling sugar and butter together

   toffee-nosed
          [tof.fee-nosed] adj (ca. 1925) chiefly Brit: stuck-up

   toft
          [toft] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. ON topt; prob. akin to Gk dapedon
          floor, demein to build, pedon ground--more at timber,
          ped] (bef. 12c) Brit: a site for a dwelling and its outbuildings;
          also: an entire holding comprising a homestead and additional
          land

   tofu
          [to.fu] n [Jp tofu] (1771): bean curd

   tog
          [tog] vt togged ; tog.ging [togs] (ca. 1785): to dress esp.
          in fine clothing--usu. used with up or out

   toga
          [to.ga] n [L; akin to L tegere to cover--more at thatch]
          (1600): the loose outer garment worn in public by citizens
          of ancient Rome; also: a similar loose wrap or a professional,
          official, or academic gown -- to.gaed adj

   toga virilis
          [to.ga vi.ri.lis] n, pl to.gae vi.ri.les [L, men's toga]
          (1600): the white toga of manhood assumed by boys of
          ancient Rome at age 15

   [1]together
          [to.geth.er] adv [ME togedere, fr. OE togaedere, fr. to to
          + gaedere together; akin to MHG gater together, OE gaderian
          to gather] (bef. 12c) 1 a: in or into one place, mass,
          collection, or group <the men get ~ every Thursday for
          poker> b: in a body: as a group <students and faculty
          ~ presented the petition> 2 a: in or into contact (as
          connection, collision, or union) <mix these ingredients
          ~> b: in or into association or relationship <colors
          that go well ~> <went to school ~> 3 a: at one time:
          simultaneously <events that happened ~> b: in succession:
          without intermission <was depressed for days ~> 4 a:
          by combined action: jointly <~ we forced the door> b:
          in or into agreement or harmony <the soloist and the
          orchestra weren't quite ~> c: in or into a unified or
          coherent structure or an integrated whole <can't even
          put a simple sentence ~> <pull yourself ~> 5 a: with
          each other--used as an intensive after certain verbs
          <join ~> <add ~> b: as a unit: in the aggregate <these
          arguments taken ~ make a convincing case> c: considered
          as a whole: counted or summed up <all ~, there were 21
          entries> -- to.geth.er.ness n -- together with : in addition
          to: in association with [2]together adj (1963) 1: appropriately
          prepared, organized, or balanced 2: composed in mind
          or manner: self-possessed <a warm, sensitive, reasonably
          ~ girl --East Village Other>

   Toggenburg
          [Tog.gen.burg] n [Toggenburg, district in northeastern Switzerland]
          (1886): any of a breed of brown hornless dairy goats of Swiss
          origin with white stripes on the face

   toggery
          [tog.gery] n [togs] (ca. 1811): clothing

   [1]toggle
          [tog.gle] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1775) 1: a piece or device
          for holding or securing: as a: a pin inserted in a nautical
          knot to make it more secure or easier to slip b: a crosspiece
          attached to the end of or to a loop in something (as
          a chain, rope, line, strap, or belt) usu. to prevent
          slipping, to serve in twisting or tightening, or to hold
          something attached 2: a device consisting of two bars
          jointed together end to end but not in line so that when
          a force is applied to the joint tending to straighten
          it pressure will be exerted on the parts adjacent or
          fixed to the outer ends of the bars; also: a device with
          a joint using a toggle [2]toggle vt tog.gled ; tog.gling
          (1836) 1: to fasten with or as if with a toggle 2: to
          furnish with a toggle

   toggle bolt
          [toggle bolt] n (1906): a bolt that has a nut with wings
          which close for passage through a small hole and spring
          open after passing through the hole to keep the bolt
          from slipping back through

   toggle switch
          [toggle switch] n (ca. 1924): an electric switch operated
          by pushing a projecting lever through a small arc

   togs
          [togs] n pl [pl. of E slang tog coat, short for obs. E cant
          togeman, togman] (1779): clothing; esp: a set of clothes
          and accessories for a specified use <riding ~>

   togue
          [togue] n [CanF] (1839): lake trout

   [1]toil
          [toil] n [ME toile, fr. AF toyl, fr. OF toeil battle, confusion,
          fr. toeillier] (14c) 1 archaic a: struggle, battle b:
          laborious effort 2: long strenuous fatiguing labor syn
          see work -- toil.ful adj -- toil.ful.ly adv [2]toil vb
          [ME, to argue, struggle, fr. AF toiller, fr. OF toeillier
          to stir, disturb, dispute, fr. L tudiculare to crush,
          grind, fr. tudicula machine for crushing olives, dim.
          of tudes hammer; akin to L tundere to beat--more at contusion]
          vi (14c) 1: to work hard and long: labor 2: to proceed
          with laborious effort: plod <~ing wearily up the hill>
          ~ vt 1 archaic: overwork 2 archaic: to get or accomplish
          with great effort -- toil.er n [3]toil n [MF toile cloth,
          net, fr. L tela cloth on a loom--more at subtle] (ca.
          1529) 1: a net to trap game 2: something by which one
          is held fast or inextricably involved: snare, trap--usu.
          used in pl. <caught in the ~s of the law>

   toile
          [toile] n [F, cloth, linen, fr. MF] (1794) 1: any of many
          plain or simple twill weave fabrics; esp: linen 2: a
          mock-up model of a garment

   toile de Jouy
          [toile de Jouy] n [F, lit., cloth of Jouy, fr. Jouy-en-Josas,
          France] (ca. 1920): an 18th century French scenic pattern
          usu. printed on cotton, linen, or silk in one color on
          a light ground; broadly: a similar printed fabric

   [1]toilet
          [toi.let] n [MF toilette cloth put over the shoulders while
          dressing the hair or shaving, dim. of toile cloth] (ca.
          1695) 1 archaic: dressing table 2: the act or process
          of dressing and grooming oneself 3 a (1): bathroom, lavatory
          2 (2): privy b: a fixture that consists usu. of a water-flushed
          bowl and seat and is used for defecation and urination
          4: cleansing in preparation for or in association with
          a medical or surgical procedure <a pharyngeal ~> [2]toilet
          vi (1840) 1: to dress and groom oneself 2: to use the
          toilet--usu. used of a child ~ vt 1: dress, garb 2: to
          help (as a child or sick person) use the toilet

   toilet paper
          [toilet paper] n (1884): a thin sanitary absorbent paper
          for bathroom use chiefly after defecation and urination

   toilet powder
          [toilet powder] n (1840): a fine powder usu. with soothing
          or antiseptic ingredients for sprinkling or rubbing (as
          after bathing) over the skin

   toiletry
          [toi.let.ry] n, pl -ries (1892): an article or preparation
          (as toothpaste, shaving cream, or cologne) used in making
          one's toilet--usu. used in pl.

   toilet soap
          [toilet soap] n (1839): a mild soap that is often perfumed
          and colored and stabilized with preservatives

   toilette
          [toi.lette] n [F, fr. MF] (1681) 1: toilet 2 2 a: formal
          or fashionable attire or style of dressing b: a particular
          costume or outfit

   toilet training
          [toilet training] n (1940): the process of training a child
          to control bladder and bowel movements and to use the
          toilet -- toilet train vt

   toilet water
          [toilet water] n (1855): a perfumed liquid containing a high
          percentage of alcohol for use in or after a bath or as
          a skin freshener

   toilsome
          [toil.some] adj (1581): marked by or full of toil or fatigue:
          laborious -- toil.some.ly adv -- toil.some.ness n

   toilworn
          [toil.worn] adj (1751): showing the effects of or worn out
          with toil <~ hands>

   to-ing and fro-ing
          [to-ing and fro-ing] n, pl to-ings and fro-ings [to and fro]
          (1847): a passing back and forth

   tokamak
          [to.ka.mak] also to.ko.mak n [Russ, fr. toroidal'naya kamera
          s aksial'nym magnitnym polem (toroidal chamber with an
          axial magnetic field)] (1965): a toroidal device for
          producing controlled nuclear fusion that involves the
          confining and heating of a gaseous plasma by means of
          an electric current and magnetic field

   Tokay
          [To.kay] n (1710) 1: a naturally sweet wine from the area
          around Tokaj, Hungary 2: a blend of Angelica, port, and
          sherry made in California

   toke
          [toke] n [AmerSp toque, fr. Sp, touch, test, fr. tocar to
          touch, fr. VL toccare--more at touch] (1968) slang: a
          puff on a marijuana cigarette or pipe -- toke vi, slang

   [1]token
          [to.ken] n [ME, fr. OE tacen, tacn sign, token; akin to OHG
          zeihhan sign, Gk deiknynai to show--more at diction]
          (bef. 12c) 1: an outward sign or expression <his tears
          were ~s of his grief> 2 a: symbol, emblem <a white flag
          is a ~ of surrender> b: an instance of a linguistic expression
          3: a distinguishing feature: characteristic 4 a: souvenir,
          keepsake b: a small part representing the whole: indication
          <this is only a ~ of what we hope to accomplish> c: something
          given or shown as a guarantee (as of authority, right,
          or identity) 5 a: a piece resembling a coin issued as
          money by some person or body other than a de jure government
          b: a piece resembling a coin issued for use (as for fare
          on a bus) by a particular group on specified terms 6:
          a member of a group (as a minority) that is included
          within a larger group through tokenism; esp: a token
          employee syn see sign -- by the same token : for the
          same reason [2]token adj (1547) 1: done or given as a
          token esp. in partial fulfillment of an obligation or
          engagement <a ~ payment> 2 a: representing no more than
          a symbolic effort: minimal, perfunctory <~ resistance>
          <~ integration> b: serving or intended to show absence
          of discrimination <a ~ female employee>

   tokenism
          [to.ken.ism] n (1961): the policy or practice of making only
          a symbolic effort (as to desegregate)

   token money
          [token money] n (1889): money of regular government issue
          (as paper currency or coins) having a greater face value
          than intrinsic value

   Tokharian
          [To.khar.i.an] var of tocharian

   tokonoma
          [to.ko.no.ma] n [Jp] (1871): a niche or alcove in the wall
          of a Japanese house for the display of a decorative object

   Tok Pisin
          [Tok Pis.in] n [Tok Pisin, lit., pidgin talk] (1974): an
          English-based creole that is a national language of Papua
          New Guinea

   tol
          [tol] abbreviation tolerance

   tol-
          [tol-] or tolu- comb form [ISV, fr. toluene]: toluene <tolyl>

   tola
          [to.la] n [Hindi tola, fr. Skt tula weight; akin to L tollere
          to lift up] (1614): a unit of weight of India equal to
          180 grains troy or 0.4114 ounce (11.7 grams)

   tolbooth
          [tol.booth] n [ME tolbothe, tollbothe tollbooth, town hall,
          jail] (15c) 1 Scot: a town or market hall 2 Scot: jail,
          prison

   tolbutamide
          [tol.bu.ta.mide] n [tol- + butyric + amide] (1956): a sulfonylurea
          used in the treatment of diabetes

   told
          [told] past and past part of tell

   tole
          [tole] n, often attrib [F tole, fr. MF dial. taule, fr. L
          tabula board, tablet] (1927): sheet metal and esp. tinplate
          for use in domestic and ornamental wares in which it
          is usu. japanned or painted and often elaborately decorated;
          also: objects made of tole

   Toledo
          [To.le.do] n, pl -dos (1596): a finely tempered sword of
          a kind made in Toledo, Spain

   tolerable
          [tol.er.a.ble] adj (15c) 1: capable of being borne or endured
          <~ pain> 2: moderately good or agreeable: passable <a
          ~ singing voice> -- tol.er.a.bil.i.ty n -- tol.er.a.bly
          adv

   tolerance
          [tol.er.ance] n (15c) 1: capacity to endure pain or hardship:
          endurance, fortitude, stamina 2 a: sympathy or indulgence
          for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting
          with one's own b: the act of allowing something: toleration
          3: the allowable deviation from a standard; esp: the
          range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified
          dimension in machining a piece 4 a (1): the capacity
          of the body to endure or become less responsive to a
          substance (as a drug) or a physiological insult with
          repeated use or exposure <immunological ~ to a virus>
          <an addict's increasing ~ for a drug> (2): relative capacity
          of an organism to grow or thrive when subjected to an
          unfavorable environmental factor b: the maximum amount
          of a pesticide residue that may lawfully remain on or
          in food

   tolerant
          [tol.er.ant] adj (1784) 1: inclined to tolerate; esp: marked
          by forbearance or endurance 2: exhibiting tolerance (as
          for a drug or an environmental factor) -- tol.er.ant.ly
          adv

   tolerate
          [tol.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L toleratus, pp. of tolerare
          to endure, put up with; akin to OE tholian to bear, L
          tollere to lift up, latus carried (suppletive pp. of
          ferre), Gk tlenai to bear] (1531) 1: to exhibit physiological
          tolerance for (as a drug) 2 a: to suffer to be or to
          be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction
          b: to put up with syn see bear -- tol.er.a.tive adj --
          tol.er.a.tor n

   toleration
          [tol.er.a.tion] n (1531) 1 a: the act or practice of tolerating
          something b: a government policy of permitting forms
          of religious belief and worship not officially established
          2: tolerance 4a(1)

   tolidine
          [tol.i.dine] n [ISV tol- + -idine] (1879): any of several
          isomeric aromatic diamines that are homologues of benzidine
          and used esp. as dye intermediates

   [1]toll
          [toll] n [ME, fr. OE, fr. (assumed) VL tolonium, alter. of
          LL telonium customhouse, fr. Gk tolonion, fr. telones
          collector of tolls, fr. telos tax, toll; perh. akin to
          Gk tlenai to bear] (bef. 12c) 1: a tax or fee paid for
          some liberty or privilege (as of passing over a highway
          or bridge) 2: compensation for services rendered: as
          a: a charge for transportation b: a charge for a long-distance
          telephone call 3: a grievous or ruinous price <inflation
          has taken its ~>; esp: cost in life or health <the death
          ~ from the hurricane> [2]toll vi (14c): to take or levy
          toll ~ vt 1 a: to exact part of as a toll b: to take
          as toll 2: to exact a toll from (someone) [3]toll or
          tole vt tolled or toled ; toll.ing or tol.ing [ME tollen,
          tolen; akin to OE fortyllan to seduce] (13c) 1: allure,
          entice 2 a: to entice (game) to approach b: to attract
          (fish) with scattered bait c: to lead or attract (domestic
          animals) to a desired point [4]toll vb [ME, perh. fr.
          tollen to entice] vt (15c) 1: to sound (a bell) by pulling
          the rope 2 a: to give signal or announcement of <the
          clock ~ed each hour> b: to announce by tolling <church
          bells ~ed the death of the bishop> c: to call to or from
          a place or occasion <bells ~ed the congregation to church>
          ~ vi: to sound with slow measured strokes <the bell ~s
          solemnly> [5]toll n (15c): the sound of a tolling bell

   tollbooth
          [toll.booth] n [ME tolbothe, tollbothe tollbooth, town hall,
          jail, fr. tol, toll toll + bothe booth] (14c): a booth
          (as on a highway or bridge) where tolls are paid

   toll call
          [toll call] n (1928): a long-distance telephone call at charges
          above a local rate

   tollgate
          [toll.gate] n (1773): a point where the driver of a vehicle
          must pay a toll

   Toll House
          [Toll House] trademark--used for cookies containing chocolate
          morsels

   tollhouse
          [toll.house] n (15c): a house or booth where tolls are taken

   tollway
          [toll.way] n (1949): turnpike 2a(1)

   Toltec
          [Tol.tec] n [Sp tolteca, fr. Nahuatl toltecah, pl. of toltecatl,
          lit., person from Tollan (now Tula de Allende, Mexico)]
          (1787): a member of a people that dominated central and
          southern Mexico prior to the Aztecs -- Tol.tec.an adj

   toluene
          [tol.u.ene] n [F toluene, fr. tolu balsam from the tropical
          American tree Myroxylon balsamum, fr. Sp tolu, fr. Santiago
          de Tolu, Colombia] (1871): a liquid aromatic hydrocarbon
          that resembles benzene but is less volatile, flammable,
          and toxic and is used as a solvent, in organic synthesis,
          and as an antiknock agent for gasoline

   toluidine
          [to.lu.i.dine] n [ISV] (1850): any of three isomeric amino
          derivatives of toluene that are analogous to aniline
          and are used as dye intermediates

   toluidine blue
          [toluidine blue] n (1898): a basic thiazine dye that is related
          to methylene blue and is used as a biological stain

   toluol
          [tol.u.ol] n (ca. 1848): toluene esp. of commercial grade

   tolyl
          [tol.yl] n [ISV] (ca. 1868): any of three univalent groups
          derived from toluene by removal of a hydrogen atom from
          toluene's benzene ring

   tom
          [tom] n [Tom, nickname for Thomas] (1762) 1: the male of
          various animals: as a: tomcat b: a male turkey 2 cap:
          uncle tom 2

   [1]tomahawk
          [tom.a.hawk] n [Virginia Algonquian tomahack] (ca. 1612):
          a light ax used as a missile and as a hand weapon esp.
          by No. American Indians [2]tomahawk vt (ca. 1650): to
          cut, strike, or kill with a tomahawk

   tomalley
          [to.mal.ley] n, pl -leys [Carib tumali sauce of lobster livers]
          (ca. 1666): the liver of the lobster

   Tom and Jerry
          [Tom and Jer.ry] n [Corinthian Tom & Jerry Hawthorne, characters
          in Life in London (1821) by Pierce Egan d. 1849 Eng.
          sportswriter] (1845): a hot drink that is a combination
          of a toddy and an eggnog

   tomatillo
          [to.ma.til.lo] n, pl -los [Sp, dim. of tomate] (ca. 1913):
          the small round pale green or yellow or purplish edible
          viscid fruit of a Mexican ground-cherry (Physalis ixocarpa);
          also: the plant

   tomato
          [to.ma.to] n, pl -toes [alter. of earlier tomate, fr. Sp,
          fr. Nahuatl tomatl] (1604) 1: the usu. large rounded
          typically red or yellow pulpy berry of a tomato 2: any
          of a genus (Lycopersicon) of So. American herbs of the
          nightshade family; esp: one (L. lycopersicum syn. L.
          esculentum) that is more or less perennial in its native
          habitat but is widely cultivated as an annual for its
          edible fruit

   tomatoey
          [to.ma.to.ey] adj (1972) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a tomato 2: richly flavored with tomatoes

   tomato fruitworm
          [tomato fruitworm] n (ca. 1891): corn earworm

   tomato hornworm
          [tomato hornworm] n (1921): a hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata)
          whose larva is a hornworm feeding on plants of the nightshade
          family and esp. tobacco and tomato

   [1]tomb
          [tomb] n [ME tombe, fr. AF tumbe, fr. LL tumba sepulchral
          mound, fr. Gk tymbos; perh. akin to L tumere to be swollen--more
          at thumb] (13c) 1 a: an excavation in which a corpse
          is buried: grave b: a place of interment 2: a house,
          chamber, or vault for the dead 3: a building or structure
          resembling a tomb (as in appearance) -- tomb.less adj
          [2]tomb vt (14c): bury, entomb

   tombac
          [tom.bac] n [F, fr. D tombak, fr. Malay tembaga copper] (1602):
          an alloy essentially of copper and zinc and sometimes
          tin or arsenic that is used esp. for cheap jewelry and
          gilding

   tombolo
          [tom.bo.lo] n, pl -los [It, fr. L tumulus mound, tumulus]
          (1899): a sand or gravel bar connecting an island with
          the mainland or another island

   tomboy
          [tom.boy] n (1592): a girl who behaves in a manner usu. considered
          boyish: hoyden -- tom.boy.ish adj -- tom.boy.ish.ness n

   tombstone
          [tomb.stone] n (1565): gravestone

   tomcat
          [tom.cat] n (1789): a male domestic cat

   tomcod
          [tom.cod] n (1722): either of two small fishes (Microgadus
          tomcod of the Atlantic and M. proximus of the Pacific)
          of the cod family

   Tom Collins
          [Tom Col.lins] n [fr. the name Tom Collins] (ca. 1909): a
          collins with a base of gin

   Tom, Dick, and Harry
          [Tom, Dick, and Har.ry] n, pl Toms, Dicks, and Harrys (1815):
          the common man: anyone--often used with every <helps
          every Tom, Dick, and Harry in need>

   -tome
          [-tome] n comb form [Gk tomos] 1: part: segment <myotome>
          2: cutting instrument <microtome>

   tome
          [tome] n [MF or L; MF, fr. L tomus, fr. Gk tomos section,
          roll of papyrus, tome, fr. temnein to cut; akin to MIr
          tamnaid he lops, Pol ciac to cut, and perh. to L tondere
          to shear] (1519) 1: a volume forming part of a larger
          work 2: book; esp: a large or scholarly book

   tomentose
          [to.men.tose] adj [NL tomentosus, fr. tomentum] (1698): covered
          with densely matted hairs <a ~ leaf>

   tomentum
          [to.men.tum] n, pl -ta [NL, fr. L, cushion stuffing] (1699):
          pubescence composed of densely matted woolly hairs

   [1]tomfool
          [tom.fool] n (ca. 1709): a great fool: blockhead [2]tomfool
          adj (1819): extremely foolish, stupid, or doltish

   tomfoolery
          [tom.fool.ery] n (1812): playful or foolish behavior

   Tommy
          [Tom.my] n, pl Tommies [Thomas Atkins, name used as model
          in official army forms] (1892): a British soldier

   Tommy Atkins
          [Tommy At.kins] n (1883): tommy

   tommy-gun
          [tom.my-gun] vt (1942): to shoot with a tommy gun

   tommy gun
          [tommy gun] n [by shortening & alter.] (1929): thompson submachine
          gun; broadly: submachine gun

   tommyrot
          [tom.my.rot] n [E dial. tommy fool + E rot] (1884): utter
          foolishness or nonsense

   tomogram
          [to.mo.gram] n (1936): a roentgenogram made by tomography

   tomography
          [to.mog.ra.phy] n [Gk tomos section + ISV -graphy--more at
          tome] (1935): a method of producing a three-dimensional
          image of the internal structures of a solid object (as
          the human body or the earth) by the observation and recording
          of the differences in the effects on the passage of waves
          of energy impinging on those structures--compare computed
          tomography -- to.mo.graph.ic adj

   [1]tomorrow
          [to.mor.row] adv [ME to morgen, fr. OE to morgen, fr. to
          to + morgen morrow, morning--more at morn] (13c): on
          or for the day after today <will do it ~> [2]tomorrow
          n (14c) 1: the day after the present <the court will
          recess until ~> 2: future 1a <the world of ~>

   tompion
          [tom.pi.on] var of tampion

   Tom Thumb
          [Tom Thumb] n 1: a legendary English dwarf 2: a dwarf type,
          race, or individual

   tomtit
          [tom.tit] n [prob. short for tomtitmouse, fr. the name Tom
          + titmouse] (1700): any of various small active birds

   tom-tom
          [tom-tom] n [Hindi tamtam] (1693) 1: a usu. long and narrow
          small-headed drum commonly beaten with the hands 2: a
          monotonous beating, rhythm, or rhythmical sound

   -tomy
          [-tomy] n comb form [NL -tomia, fr. Gk, fr. -tomos that cuts,
          fr. temnein to cut--more at tome]: incision: section
          <laparotomy>

   [1]ton
          [ton] n, pl tons also ton [ME tunne unit of weight
          or capacity--more at tun] (14c) 1 a: a unit of internal capacity
          for ships equal to 100 cubic feet--called also register ton
          b: a unit approximately equal to the volume of a long ton weight
          of seawater used in reckoning the displacement of ships and equal
          to 35 cubic feet c: a unit of volume for cargo freight usu.
          reckoned at 40 cubic feet--called also measurement ton 2 a: any
          of various units of weight: (1): long ton (2): short ton b: metric
          ton 3: a great quantity: lot--often used in pl. <ate
          ~s of hamburgers> <has ~s of money> [2]ton n [F, lit., tone, fr.
          L tonus] (1765) 1: the prevailing fashion: vogue 2: the quality
          or state of being smart or fashionable

   tonal
          [ton.al] adj (1776) 1: of or relating to tone, tonality,
          or tonicity 2: having tonality -- ton.al.ly adv

   tonality
          [to.nal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1838) 1: tonal quality 2 a: key
          7 b: the organization of all the tones and harmonies
          of a piece of music in relation to a tonic 3: the arrangement
          or interrelation of the tones of a work of visual art

   tondo
          [ton.do] n, pl ton.di [It, fr. tondo round, short for rotondo,
          fr. L rotundus--more at rotund] (1890) 1: a circular
          painting 2: a sculptured medallion

   [1]tone
          [tone] n [ME, fr. L tonus tension, tone, fr. Gk tonos, lit.,
          act of stretching; akin to Gk teinein to stretch--more
          at thin] (14c) 1: vocal or musical sound of a specific
          quality <spoke in low ~s> <masculine ~s>; esp: musical
          sound with respect to timbre and manner of expression
          2 a: a sound of definite pitch and vibration b: whole
          step 3: accent or inflection expressive of a mood or
          emotion 4: the pitch of a word often used to express
          differences of meaning 5: a particular pitch or change
          of pitch constituting an element in the intonation of
          a phrase or sentence <high ~> <low ~> <mid ~> <low-rising
          ~> <falling ~> 6: style or manner of expression in speaking
          or writing <seemed wise to adopt a conciliatory ~> 7
          a (1): color quality or value (2): a tint or shade of
          color b: the color that appreciably modifies a hue or
          white or black <gray walls of greenish ~> 8: the effect
          in painting of light and shade together with color 9
          a: the state of a living body or of any of its organs
          or parts in which the functions are healthy and performed
          with due vigor b: normal tension or responsiveness to
          stimuli; specif: muscular tonus 10 a: healthy elasticity:
          resiliency b: general character, quality, or trend <a
          city's upbeat ~> c: frame of mind: mood [2]tone vb toned
          ; ton.ing vt (1660) 1: intone 2: to give a particular
          intonation or inflection to 3 a: to impart tone to: strengthen
          <medicine to ~ up the system> b: to soften or reduce
          in intensity, color, appearance, or sound: mellow--often
          used with down c: to change the normal silver image of
          (as a photographic print) into a colored image ~ vi 1:
          to assume a pleasing color quality or tint 2: to blend
          or harmonize in color

   tonearm
          [tone.arm] n (1913): the movable part of a phonograph or
          record player that carries the pickup and permits the
          needle to follow the record groove

   tone color
          [tone color] n (1881): timbre

   toned
          [toned] adj (15c) 1: having tone or a specified tone: characterized
          or distinguished by a tone 2 of paper: having a slight tint

   tone-deaf
          [tone-deaf] adj (1894): relatively insensitive to differences
          in musical pitch -- tone deafness n

   tone language
          [tone language] n (ca. 1909): a language (as Chinese or Zulu)
          in which variations in tone distinguish words or phrases
          of different meaning that otherwise would sound alike

   toneless
          [tone.less] adj (1773): lacking in tone, modulation, or expression
          -- tone.less.ly adv -- tone.less.ness n

   toneme
          [to.neme] n (1923): an intonation phoneme in a tone language
          -- to.ne.mic adj

   tone poem
          [tone poem] n (1902): symphonic poem -- tone poet n

   toner
          [ton.er] n (1888): one that tones or is a source of tones:
          as a: a solution used to impart color to a silver photographic
          image b: a substance used to develop a latent xerographic
          image c: a liquid cosmetic for cleansing the skin and
          contracting the pores

   tone row
          [tone row] n (1936): the chosen sequence of tones that serves
          as the basis for a work of serial music; specif: twelve-tone
          row

   tonetic
          [to.net.ic] adj (1922) 1: relating to linguistic tones or
          to tone languages 2: of or relating to intonation <~
          notation> -- to.net.i.cal.ly adv

   tonetics
          [to.net.ics] n pl but sing in constr (1921): the use or study
          of linguistic tones

   tonette
          [to.nette] n [[1]tone + -ette] (1939): a simple fipple flute
          with a range somewhat larger than an octave that is often
          used in elementary music education

   toney
          [ton.ey] var of tony

   [1]tong
          [tong] n [Chin (Guangdong) tohng, lit., hall] (1883): a secret
          society or fraternal organization esp. of Chinese in
          the U.S. formerly notorious for gang warfare [2]tong
          vb [tongs] vt (1901): to take, gather, hold, or handle
          with tongs <~ oysters> ~ vi: to use tongs esp. in taking
          or gathering something -- tong.er n

   tonga
          [ton.ga] n [Hindi tanga] (1874): a light 2-wheeled vehicle
          for two or four persons drawn by one horse and common
          in India

   Tongan
          [Ton.gan] n (1853) 1: a member of a Polynesian people of
          Tonga 2: the Polynesian language of the Tongans -- Tongan
          adj

   tongs
          [tongs] n pl but sing or pl in constr [ME tonges, pl. of
          tonge, fr. OE tang; akin to OHG zanga tongs and perh.
          to Gk daknein to bite] (bef. 12c): any of numerous grasping
          devices consisting commonly of two pieces joined at one
          end by a pivot or hinged like scissors

   [1]tongue
          [tongue] n [ME tunge, fr. OE; akin to OHG zunga tongue, L
          lingua] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a fleshy movable process of the
          floor of the mouths of most vertebrates that bears sensory
          end organs and small glands and functions esp. in taking
          and swallowing food and in humans as a speech organ b:
          a part of various invertebrate animals that is analogous
          to the tongue 2: the flesh of a tongue (as of the ox
          or sheep) used as food 3: the power of communication
          through speech 4 a: language; esp: a spoken language
          b: manner or quality of utterance with respect to tone
          or sound, the sense of what is expressed, or the intention
          of the speaker <she has a clever ~> <a sharp ~> c: ecstatic
          usu. unintelligible utterance accompanying religious
          excitation--usu. used in pl. d: the cry of or as if of
          a hound pursuing or in sight of game--used esp. in the
          phrase to give tongue 5: a tapering flame <~s of fire>
          6: a long narrow strip of land projecting into a body
          of water 7: something resembling an animal's tongue in
          being elongated and fastened at one end only: as a: a
          movable pin in a buckle b: a metal ball suspended inside
          a bell so as to strike against the sides as the bell
          is swung c: the pole of a vehicle d: the flap under the
          lacing or buckles of a shoe at the throat of the vamp
          8 a: the rib on one edge of a board that fits into a
          corresponding groove in an edge of another board to make
          a flush joint b: feather 4 -- tongue.like adj [2]tongue
          vb tongued ; tongu.ing vt (14c) 1 archaic: scold 2: to
          touch or lick with or as if with the tongue 3 a: to cut
          a tongue on <~ a board> b: to join (as boards) by means
          of a tongue and groove <~ flooring together> 4: to articulate
          (notes) by tonguing ~ vi 1: to project in a tongue 2:
          to articulate notes on a wind instrument by successively
          interrupting the stream of wind with the action of the
          tongue

   tongue and groove
          [tongue and groove] n (ca. 1876): a joint made by a tongue
          on one edge of a board fitting into a corresponding groove
          on the edge of another board -- tongue-and-groove adj

   tongued
          [tongued] adj (14c): having a tongue esp. of a specified
          kind--often used in combination <sharp-tongued>

   tongue in cheek
          [tongue in cheek] adv (ca. 1934): with insincerity, irony,
          or whimsical exaggeration

   tongue-in-cheek
          [tongue-in-cheek] adj (1933): characterized by insincerity,
          irony, or whimsical exaggeration

   tongue-lash
          [tongue-lash] vb [back-formation fr. tongue-lashing] (1881):
          chide, scold -- tongue-lash.ing n

   tongueless
          [tongue.less] adj (14c) 1: having no tongue 2: lacking power
          of speech: mute

   [1]tongue-tie
          [tongue-tie] vt [back-formation fr. tongue-tied] (1555):
          to deprive of speech or the power of distinct articulation
          [2]tongue-tie n (ca. 1852): limited mobility of the tongue
          due to shortness of its frenulum

   tongue-tied
          [tongue-tied] adj (1529) 1: unable or disinclined to speak
          freely (as from shyness) 2: affected with tongue-tie

   tongue twister
          [tongue twister] n (1904): a word, phrase, or sentence difficult
          to articulate because of a succession of similar consonantal
          sounds (as in "twin-screw steel cruiser")

   -tonia
          [-tonia] n comb form [NL, fr. tonus]: condition or degree
          of tonus <myotonia>

   [1]tonic
          [ton.ic] adj [Gk tonikos, fr. tonos tension, tone] (1649)
          1 a: characterized by tonus <~ contraction of muscle>;
          also: marked by prolonged muscular contraction <~ convulsions>
          b: producing or adapted to produce healthy muscular condition
          and reaction of organs (as muscles) 2 a: increasing or
          restoring physical or mental tone: refreshing b: yielding
          a tonic substance 3: relating to or based o n the first
          tone of a scale <~ harmony> 4 of a syllable: bearing
          a principal stress or accent 5: of or relating to speech
          tones or to languages using them to distinguish words
          otherwise identical -- ton.i.cal.ly adv [2]tonic n (1799)
          1 a: an agent (as a drug) that increases body tone b:
          one that invigorates, restores, refreshes, or stimulates
          <a day in the country was a ~ for him> c: a liquid preparation
          for the scalp or hair d chiefly NewEng: a carbonated
          flavored beverage e: tonic water 2: the first tone of
          a diatonic scale: keynote 3: a voiced sound

   tonic accent
          [tonic accent] n (1867) 1: relative phonetic prominence (as
          from greater stress or higher pitch) of a spoken syllable
          or word 2: accent depending on pitch rather than stress

   tonicity
          [to.nic.i.ty] n (1824) 1: the property of possessing tone;
          esp: healthy vigor of body or mind 2: muscular tonus

   tonic sol-fa
          [tonic sol-fa] n (1852): a system of solmization based on
          key relationships that replaces the normal notation with
          sol-fa syllables or their initials

   tonic water
          [tonic water] n (1926): a carbonated beverage flavored with
          a small amount of quinine, lemon, and lime

   [1]tonight
          [to.night] adv (bef. 12c): on this present night or the night
          following this present day <will do it ~> [2]tonight
          n (14c): the present night or the night following this
          present day

   tonka bean
          [ton.ka bean] n [prob. fr. Tupi tonka] (1796): the
          coumarin-containing seed of any of several tropical American
          leguminous trees (genus Dipteryx) that is used in perfumes and
          as an artificial vanilla flavoring; also: a tree bearing tonka
          beans

   tonn
          [tonn] abbreviation tonnage

   tonnage
          [ton.nage] n [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. MF, fr. tonne tun;
          in other senses, fr. [1]ton--more at tunnel] (15c) 1:
          a duty formerly levied on every tun of wine imported
          into England 2 a: a duty or impost on vessels based on
          cargo capacity b: a duty on goods per ton transported
          3: ships in terms of the total number of tons registered
          or carried or of their carrying capacity 4 a: the cubical
          content of a merchant ship in units of 100 cubic feet
          b: the displacement of a warship 5 a: total weight in
          tons shipped, carried, or produced b: impressively large
          amount or weight

   tonne
          [tonne] n [F, fr. tonne tun, fr. OF--more at tunnel] (1877):
          metric ton

   tonneau
          [ton.neau] n, pl tonneaus [F, lit., tun, fr. OF tonel--more
          at tunnel] (1901) 1: the rear seating compartment of
          an automobile; also: the entire seating compartment 2:
          a shape of watch case or dial resembling a barrel in
          profile

   tonner
          [ton.ner] n (1851): an object (as a ship) having a specified
          tonnage--used in combination <a thousand-tonner>

   tonometer
          [to.nom.e.ter] n [Gk tonos tone + E -meter] (1725) 1: an
          instrument or device for determining the exact pitch
          or the vibration rate of tones 2: an instrument for measuring
          tension or pressure and esp. intraocular pressure --
          to.nom.e.try n

   tonoplast
          [to.no.plast] n [ISV tono- (fr. Gk tonos tension) + -plast--more
          at tone] (ca. 1888): a semipermeable membrane surrounding
          a plant-cell vacuole

   tonsil
          [ton.sil] n [L tonsillae, pl., tonsils] (1601) 1: either
          of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that
          lie one on each side of the throat between the anterior
          and posterior pillars of the fauces 2: any of various
          masses of lymphoid tissue that are similar to tonsils
          -- ton.sil.lar adj

   tonsill-
          [tonsill-] comb form [L tonsillae]: tonsil <tonsillectomy>

   tonsillectomy
          [ton.sil.lec.to.my] n, pl -mies (1899): the surgical removal
          of the tonsils

   tonsillitis
          [ton.sil.li.tis] n [NL] (1801): inflammation of the tonsils

   tonsorial
          [ton.so.ri.al] adj [L tonsorius, fr. tondere] (1813): of
          or relating to a barber or the work of a barber

   [1]tonsure
          [ton.sure] n [ME, fr. ML tonsura, fr. L, act of shearing,
          fr. tonsus, pp. of tondere to shear--more at tome] (14c)
          1: the Roman Catholic or Eastern rite of admission to
          the clerical state by the clipping or shaving of a portion
          of the head 2: the shaven crown or patch worn by monks
          and other clerics 3: a bald spot resembling a tonsure
          [2]tonsure vt ton.sured ; ton.sur.ing (1706): to shave
          the head of; esp: to confer the tonsure upon

   tontine
          [ton.tine] n [F, fr. Lorenzo Tonti d. 1695 Ital. banker]
          (1765): a joint financial arrangement whereby the participants
          usu. contribute equally to a prize that is awarded entirely
          to the participant who survives all the others

   tonus
          [to.nus] n [NL, fr. L, tension, tone] (1876): tone 9a; esp:
          a state of partial contraction characteristic of normal
          muscle

   tony
          [tony] adj ton.i.er ; -est (1877): marked by an aristocratic
          or high-toned manner or style <~ private schools> To.ny
          n, pl Tonys [Tony, nickname of Antoinette Perry d. 1946
          Am. actress & producer] (1947): a medallion awarded annually
          by a professional organization for notable achievement
          in the theater

   too
          [too] adv [ME, fr. OE to to, too--more at to] (bef. 12c)
          1: besides, also <sell the house and furniture ~> 2 a:
          to an excessive degree: excessively <~ large a house
          for us> b: to such a degree as to be regrettable <this
          time he has gone ~ far> c: very <didn't seem ~ interested>
          3: so 2d <"I didn't do it." "You did ~.">

   took
          [took] past of take

   [1]tool
          [tool] n [ME, fr. OE tol; akin to OE tawian to prepare for
          use--more at taw] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a handheld device that
          aids in accomplishing a task b (1): the cutting or shaping
          part in a machine or machine tool (2): a machine for
          shaping metal: machine tool 2 a: something (as an instrument
          or apparatus) used in performing an operation or necessary
          in the practice of a vocation or profession <a scholar's
          books are his ~s> b: a means to an end <a book's cover
          can be a marketing ~> c: penis--often considered vulgar
          3: one that is used or manipulated by another 4 pl: natural
          ability <has all the ~s> syn see implement [2]tool vt
          (1812) 1 a: to cause (a vehicle) to go: drive b: to convey
          in a vehicle 2: to shape, form, or finish with a tool;
          esp: to letter or ornament (as leather or gold) by means
          of hand tools 3: to equip (as a plant or industry) with
          tools, machines, and instruments for production ~ vi
          1: drive, ride 2: to equip a plant or industry with the
          means (as machines, machine tools, and instruments) of
          production--often used with up [3]tool n (1881): a design
          (as on the binding of a book) made by tooling

   toolbox
          [tool.box] n (1832): a chest for tools

   toolholder
          [tool.hold.er] n (ca. 1876): a short steel bar having a shank
          at one end by which it is clamped to a machine and a
          clamp at the other end to hold small interchangeable
          cutting bits

   toolhouse
          [tool.house] n (1818): toolshed

   toolmaker
          [tool.mak.er] n (1844): one that makes tools; esp: a machinist
          who specializes in the construction, repair, maintenance,
          and calibration of the tools, jigs, fixtures, and instruments
          of a machine shop

   toolmaking
          [tool.mak.ing] n (1893): the action, process, or art of making
          tools; also: the trade of a toolmaker

   toolroom
          [tool.room] n (1878): a room where tools are kept; esp: a
          room in a machine shop in which tools are made, stored,
          and issued for use by workers

   toolshed
          [tool.shed] n (1840): an outbuilding for storing tools

   tools of ignorance
          [tools of ignorance] [fr. the notion that a smart athlete
          would not play such a grueling position] (1939): a baseball
          catcher's equipment

   tool subject
          [tool subject] n (1925): a subject studied to gain competence
          in a skill used in other subjects

   toom
          [toom] adj [ME, fr. OE tom--more at teem] (bef. 12c) chiefly
          Scot: empty

   toon
          [toon] n [Hindi tun, fr. Skt tunna] (1810): a southeast Asian
          and Australian tree (Cedrela toona) of the mahogany family
          with fragrant dark red wood and flowers that yield a
          dye; also: its wood

   [1]toot
          [toot] vb [prob. imit.] vi (ca. 1510) 1 a: to sound a short
          blast <the horn ~ed> b: to sound a note or call suggesting
          the short blast of a wind instrument 2: to blow or sound
          an instrument (as a horn) esp. so as to produce short
          blasts ~ vt: to cause to sound <~ a whistle> -- toot.er
          n [2]toot n (1641): a short blast (as on a horn); also:
          a sound resembling such a blast [3]toot n [Sc toot to
          drink heavily] (ca. 1790): a drinking bout: spree

   tooth
          [tooth] n, pl teeth [ME, fr. OE toth; akin to OHG zand tooth,
          L dent-, dens, Gk odont-, odous] (bef. 12c) 1 a: one
          of the hard bony appendages that are borne on the jaws
          or in many of the lower vertebrates on other bones in
          the walls of the mouth or pharynx and serve esp. for
          the prehension and mastication of food and as weapons
          of offense and defense b: any of various usu. hard and
          sharp processes esp. about the mouth of an invertebrate
          2: taste, liking 3: a projection resembling or suggesting
          the tooth of an animal in shape, arrangement, or action
          <a saw ~>: as a: any of the regular projections on the
          circumference or sometimes the face of a wheel that engage
          with corresponding projections on another wheel esp.
          to transmit force: cog b: a small sharp-pointed marginal
          lobe or process on a plant 4 a: something that injures,
          tortures, devours, or destroys b pl: effective means
          of enforcement 5: a roughness of surface produced by
          mechanical or artificial means -- tooth.like adj -- in
          the teeth of 1: in or into direct contact or collision
          with <found themselves sailing in the teeth of a hurricane
          --Current Biog.> 2: in direct opposition to <rule had
          ... been imposed by conquest in the teeth of obstinate
          resistance --A. J. Toynbee> -- to the teeth : fully,
          completely <armed to the teeth>

   toothache
          [tooth.ache] n (14c): pain in or about a tooth

   tooth and nail
          [tooth and nail] adv (1550): with every available means:
          all out <fight tooth and nail>

   toothbrush
          [tooth.brush] n (1690): a brush for cleaning the teeth

   toothbrushing
          [tooth.brush.ing] n (1920): the action of using a toothbrush
          to clean teeth

   toothed
          [toothed] adj (14c): having teeth esp. of a specified kind
          or number--often used in combination <bucktoothed>

   toothed whale
          [toothed whale] n (1843): any of a suborder (Odontoceti)
          of cetaceans (as a dolphin, porpoise, or killer whale)
          bearing usu. numerous simple conical teeth--compare baleen
          whale

   tooth fairy
          [tooth fairy] n (1962): a fairy believed by children to leave
          money while they sleep in exchange for a tooth that has
          come out

   toothless
          [tooth.less] adj (14c) 1: having no teeth 2 a: lacking in
          sharpness or bite <spoke in ~ generalities --Arthur Hepner>
          b: lacking in means of enforcement or coercion: ineffectual

   toothpaste
          [tooth.paste] n (1832): a paste for cleaning the teeth

   toothpick
          [tooth.pick] n (15c): a pointed instrument (as a slender
          tapering piece of wood) for removing food particles lodged
          between the teeth

   tooth powder
          [tooth powder] n (1542): a powder for cleaning the teeth

   tooth shell
          [tooth shell] n (ca. 1711): any of a class (Scaphopoda) of
          burrowing marine mollusks with a tapering tubular shell;
          also: this shell

   toothsome
          [tooth.some] adj (1551) 1 a: agreeable, attractive b: sexually
          attractive <a ~ blonde> 2: of palatable flavor and pleasing
          texture: delicious <crisp ~ fried chicken> syn see palatable
          -- tooth.some.ly adv -- tooth.some.ness n

   toothwort
          [tooth.wort] n (1597) 1: a European parasitic plant (Lathraea
          squamaria) of the broomrape family having a rootstock
          covered with tooth-shaped scales 2: any of various cresses
          (genus Dentaria) including several cultivated for their
          showy flowers

   toothy
          [toothy] adj tooth.i.er ; -est (1530) 1: having or showing
          prominent teeth <~ grin> 2: toothsome 2 -- tooth.i.ly
          adv

   tootle
          [too.tle] vb too.tled ; too.tling [freq. of [1]toot] vi (1820)
          1: to toot gently, repeatedly, or continuously 2: to
          drive or move along in a leisurely manner ~ vt: to toot
          continuously on -- tootle n -- too.tler n

   too-too
          [too-too] adj (1881) 1: going beyond the bounds of convention,
          good taste, or common sense: extreme 2: la-di-da

   tootsie
          [toot.sie] n [origin unknown] (1905) 1: dear, sweetheart
          2: prostitute

   tootsy
          [toot.sy] also toot.sie n, pl tootsies [baby-talk alter.
          of foot] (1854): foot

   [1]top
          [top] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG zopf tip, tuft of hair]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): the highest point, level, or part
          of something: summit, crown (2): the head or top of the
          head--used esp. in the phrase top to toe (3): the head
          of a plant and esp. one with edible roots <beet ~s> (4):
          a garment worn on the upper body b (1): the highest or
          uppermost region or part (2): the upper end, edge, or
          surface 2: a fitted, integral, or attached part or unit
          serving as an upper piece, lid, or covering 3 a: a platform
          surrounding the head of a lower mast that serves to spread
          the topmast rigging, strengthen the mast, and furnish
          a standing place for men aloft b: a comparable part of
          the superstructure; esp: such a part on a warship used
          as a fire-control station or antiaircraft gun platform
          4 a: the highest degree or pitch conceivable or attained:
          acme, pinnacle b: the loudest or highest range of a sound
          5 a: the part that is nearest in space or time to the
          source or beginning b: the first half of an inning in
          baseball 6 a (1): the highest position (as in rank or
          achievement) (2): a person or thing at the top b pl:
          aces and kings in a hand or the three highest honors
          in a suit 7: the choicest part: cream, pick 8: a forward
          spin given to a ball (as in golf or billiards) by striking
          it on or near the top or above the center; also: the
          stroke so given -- topped adj -- off the top of one's
          head : in an impromptu manner <sat down and wrote the
          ... story off the top of his head --Jerome Beatty, Jr.>
          -- on top of 1 a: in control of <acted like a man on
          top of his job --Newsweek> b: informed about <tried to
          keep on top of new developments> 2: in sudden and unexpected
          proximity to <the deadline was on top of them> 3: in
          addition to -- on top of the world : in a position of
          eminent success, happiness, or fame [2]top vb topped
          ; top.ping vt (1509) 1: to remove or cut the top of:
          as a: to shorten or remove the top of (a plant): pinch
          1b b: to remove the most volatile parts from (as crude
          petroleum) 2 a: to cover with a top or on the top: provide,
          form, or serve as a top for b: to supply with a decorative
          or protective finish or final touch c: to resupply or
          refill to capacity--usu. used with off <topped off the
          tank> d: to complete the basic structure of (as a high-rise
          building) by putting on a cap or uppermost section--usu.
          used with out or off e: to bring to an end or climax--usu.
          used with off <the event was topped off with a relay
          race --Paula Rodenas> 3 a: to be or become higher than:
          overtop <~s the previous record> b: to be superior to:
          excel, surpass c: to gain ascendancy over: dominate 4
          a: to rise to, reach, or be at the top of b: to go over
          the top of: clear, surmount 5: to strike (a ball) above
          the center thereby imparting topspin ~ vi 1: to make
          an end, finish, or conclusion 2: to reach a summit or
          crest--usu. used with off or out [3]top adj (1593) 1:
          of, relating to, or being at the top: uppermost 2: chief,
          leading <one of the world's ~ journalists> 3: of the
          highest quality, amount, or degree <~ value> <~ form>
          4: having a quantum characteristic whose existence was
          postulated on the basis of the discovery of the bottom
          quark <~ quark> [4]top n [ME, fr. OE, plaything] (14c):
          a commonly cylindrical or conoidal device that has a
          tapering usu. steel-shod point on which it is made to
          spin and that is used esp. as a toy

   top-
          [top-] or topo- comb form [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr. topos]:
          place: locality <topology> <toponymy>

   [1]Top 40
          [Top 40] n pl (1966): the forty best-selling phonograph records
          for a given period [2]Top 40 adj (1966): constituting,
          playing, listing, or relating to the Top 40 <Top 40 hits>
          <Top 40 stations> <Top 40 charts>

   topaz
          [to.paz] n [ME topace, fr. OF, fr. L topazus, fr. Gk topazos]
          (13c) 1 a: a mineral that is essentially a silicate of
          aluminum and usu. occurs in orthorhombic translucent
          or transparent crystals or in white translucent masses
          b: a usu. yellow to brownish yellow transparent mineral
          topaz used as a gem c: a yellow sapphire d: a yellow
          quartz 2: either of two large brilliantly colored So.
          American hummingbirds (Topaza pella and T. pyra)

   top banana
          [top banana] n [fr. a burlesque routine involving three comedians
          in which the one that gets the punch line also gets a
          banana] (1952): the leading comedian in a burlesque show;
          broadly: kingpin 2

   top billing
          [top billing] n (1945) 1: prominent emphasis, featuring,
          or advertising 2: the position at the top of a theatrical
          bill usu. featuring the star's name

   top boot
          [top boot] n (1768): a high boot often with light-colored
          leather bands around the upper part

   topcoat
          [top.coat] n (1804) 1: a lightweight overcoat 2: overcoat
          2

   topcross
          [top.cross] n (1890): a cross between a superior or purebred
          male and inferior female stock to improve the average
          quality of the progeny; also: the product of such a cross

   top dog
          [top dog] n (1900): a person or group in a position of authority
          esp. through victory in a hard-fought competition

   top dollar
          [top dollar] n (1970): the highest amount being paid for
          a commodity or service <willing to pay top dollar to
          get them --Dean Failey>

   top-down
          [top-down] adj [fr. the phrase from the top down] (1941)
          1: controlled, directed, or instituted from the top level
          <a ~ corporate structure> 2: proceeding by breaking large
          general aspects (as of a problem) into smaller more detailed
          constituents: working from the general to the specific
          <~ programming> <~ design>

   top drawer
          [top drawer] n (1905): the highest level of society, authority,
          or excellence -- top-draw.er adj

   top-dress
          [top-dress] vt (1733): to apply material to (as land or a
          road) without working it in; esp: to scatter fertilizer
          over (land)

   topdressing
          [top.dress.ing] n (1744): a material used to top-dress soil

   [1]tope
          [tope] vi toped ; top.ing [obs. E tope, interj. used to wish
          good health before drinking] (1667): to drink liquor
          to excess [2]tope n [origin unknown] (1686): a small
          cosmopolitan shark (Galeorhinus galeus) with a liver
          very rich in vitamin A [3]tope n [perh. fr. Panjabi top
          hat] (1815): stupa

   topee
          [to.pee] or to.pi n [Hindi topi] (1835): a lightweight
          helmet-shaped hat made of pith or cork

   toper
          [top.er] n (1673): one that topes; esp: drunkard

   topflight
          [top.flight] adj (1931): of, relating to, or being the highest
          level of achievement, excellence, or eminence -- top
          flight n

   topful
          [top.ful] or top.full adj (1553): brimful

   [1]topgallant
          [top.gal.lant] adj [[1]top + [2]gallant] (1514): of, relating
          to, or being a part next above the topmast and below
          the royal mast <~ sails> <the ~ mast> [2]topgallant n
          (1581) 1 archaic: the topmost point: summit <the high
          ~ of my joy --Shak.> 2: a topgallant mast or sail

   top gun
          [top gun] n (1976): one who is at the top (as in ability,
          rank, or prestige)

   top-hamper
          [top-ham.per] n (1791) 1: matter or weight (as spars or rigging)
          in the upper part of a ship 2: unnecessary cumbersome
          matter

   top hat
          [top hat] n (1881): a tall-crowned hat usu. of beaver or
          silk

   top-heavy
          [top-heavy] adj (ca. 1533) 1: having the top part too heavy
          for the lower part 2: having too high a proportion of
          administrators <a ~ bureaucracy> 3: oversupplied with
          one element at the expense of others: lacking balance
          <a novel ~ with description>

   Tophet
          [To.phet] n [ME, shrine south of ancient Jerusalem where
          human sacrifices were performed to Moloch in Jer 7:31,
          Gehenna, fr. LL Topheth, fr. Heb topheth] (14c): hell,
          gehenna

   top-hole
          [top-hole] adj (1908) chiefly Brit: excellent, first-class

   tophus
          [to.phus] n, pl to.phi [L, tufa] (1607): a deposit of urates
          in tissues (as cartilage) characteristic of gout

   topi
          [to.pi] n, pl topi or topis [perh. fr. Swahili] (1894): a
          sub-Saharan antelope (Damaliscis lunatus syn. D. korrigum)
          having a glossy reddish brown coat with purplish black
          and yellowish markings

   [1]topiary
          [to.pi.ary] adj [L topiarius, fr. topia ornamental gardening,
          irreg. fr. Gk topos place] (1592): of, relating to, or
          being the practice or art of training, cutting, and trimming
          trees or shrubs into odd or ornamental shapes; also:
          characterized by such work [2]topiary n, pl -ar.ies (1908)
          1: topiary art or gardening; also: a topiary garden 2
          a: a plant shaped by topiary art b: topiary plants

   topic
          [top.ic] n [L Topica Topics (work by Aristotle), fr. Gk Topika,
          fr. topika, neut. pl. of topikos of a place, of a topos,
          fr. topos place, topos] (1603) 1 a: one of the general
          forms of argument employed in probable reasoning b: argument,
          reason 2 a: a heading in an outlined argument or exposition
          b : the subject of a discourse or of a section of a discourse

   topical
          [top.i.cal] adj (1588) 1: designed for or involving local
          application and action (as on the body) <a ~ anesthetic>
          <a ~ remedy> 2 a: of, relating to, or arranged by topics
          <set down in ~ form> b: referring to the topics of the
          day or place: of local or temporary interest <a ~ novel>
          <~ references> -- top.i.cal.ly adv

   topicality
          [top.i.cal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1904) 1: the quality or state
          of being topical 2: an item of topical interest

   topic sentence
          [topic sentence] n (1885): a sentence that states the main
          thought of a paragraph or of a larger unit of discourse
          and is usu. placed at or near the beginning

   topkick
          [top.kick] n (1918): first sergeant 1

   topknot
          [top.knot] n (ca. 1688) 1: an ornament (as a knot of ribbons
          or a pompom) forming a headdress or worn as part of a
          coiffure 2: a crest of feathers or tuft of hair on the
          top of the head

   topless
          [top.less] adj (1589) 1 archaic: so high as to reach up beyond
          sight <and burnt the ~ towers of Ilium --Christopher
          Marlowe> 2: being without a top 3 a: wearing no clothing
          on the upper body b: featuring topless waitresses or
          entertainers <~ bars> c: being a place where topless
          women are permitted <a ~ beach> -- top.less.ness n

   topline
          [top.line] n (ca. 1909): the outline of the top of the body
          of an animal (as a dog or horse)

   toplofty
          [top.lofty] also top.loft.i.cal adj [prob. fr. the phrase
          top loft] (1823): very superior in air or attitude --
          top.loft.i.ly adv -- top.loft.i.ness n

   topmast
          [top.mast] n (15c): the mast that is next above the lower
          mast and is topmost in a fore-and-aft rig

   top milk
          [top milk] n (1891): the upper layer of milk in a container
          enriched by whatever cream has risen

   topminnow
          [top.min.now] n (1884): any of several live-bearers (family
          Poeciliidae) or killifish (family Cyprinodontidae)

   topmost
          [top.most] adj (1697): highest of all: uppermost

   top-notch
          [top-notch] adj (1900): of the highest quality: first-rate
          -- top.notch.er n

   topo
          [topo] abbreviation topographic, topographical

   topocentric
          [to.po.cen.tric] adj (ca. 1942): relating to, measured from,
          or as if observed from a particular point on the earth's
          surface: having or relating to such a point as origin
          <~ coordinates>--compare geocentric

   topog
          [topog] abbreviation topography

   topographer
          [to.pog.ra.pher] n (1603): one skilled in topography

   topographic
          [to.po.graph.ic] adj (1632): of, relating to, or concerned
          with topography <~ maps>

   topographical
          [to.po.graph.i.cal] adj (ca. 1576) 1: topographic 2: of,
          relating to, or concerned with the artistic representation
          of a particular locality <a ~ poem> <~ painting>
          -- to.po.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   topography
          [to.pog.ra.phy] n [ME topographie, fr. LL topographia, fr.
          Gk, fr. topographein to describe a place, fr. topos place
          + graphein to write--more at carve] (15c) 1 a: the art
          or practice of graphic delineation in detail usu. on
          maps or charts of natural and man-made features of a
          place or region esp. in a way to show their relative
          positions and elevations b: topographical surveying 2
          a: the configuration of a surface including its relief
          and the position of its natural and man-made features
          b: the physical or natural features of an object or entity
          and their structural relationships

   topological
          [to.po.log.i.cal] adj (1715) 1: of or relating to topology
          2: being or involving properties unaltered under a homeomorphism
          <continuity and connectedness are ~ properties> --
          to.po.log.i.cal.ly adv

   topological group
          [topological group] n (1946): a mathematical group which
          is also a topological space, whose multiplicative operation
          is continuous such that given any neighborhood of a product
          there exist neighborhoods of the elements composing the
          product with the property that any pair of elements representing
          each of these neighborhoods form a product belonging
          to the given neighborhood, and whose operation of taking
          inverses is continuous such that for any neighborhood
          of the inverse of an element there exists a neighborhood
          of the element itself in which every element has its
          inverse in the other neighborhood

   topologically equivalent
          [topologically equivalent] adj (1915): related by a homeomorphism

   topological space
          [topological space] n (1926): a set with a collection of
          subsets satisfying the conditions that both the empty
          set and the set itself belong to the collection, the
          union of any number of the subsets is also an element
          of the collection, and the intersection of any finite
          number of the subsets is an element of the collection

   topological transformation
          [topological transformation] n (1946): homeomorphism

   topology
          [to.pol.o.gy] n, pl -gies [ISV] (1850) 1: topographic study
          of a particular place; specif: the history of a region
          as indicated by its topography 2 a (1): a branch of mathematics
          concerned with those properties of geometric configurations
          (as point sets) which are unaltered by elastic deformations
          (as a stretching or a twisting) that are homeomorphisms
          (2): the set of all open subsets of a topological space
          b: configuration <~ of a molecule> <~ of a magnetic field>
          -- to.pol.o.gist n

   toponym
          [top.o.nym] n [ISV, back-formation fr. toponymy] (1899):
          place-name

   toponymic
          [top.o.nym.ic] adj (1896): of or relating to toponyms or
          toponymy -- top.o.nym.i.cal adj

   toponymy
          [to.pon.y.my] n [ISV, fr. top- + Gk onyma, onoma name--more
          at name] (1876): the place-names of a region or language
          or esp. the etymological study of them -- to.pon.y.mist
          n

   topos
          [to.pos] n, pl to.poi [Gk, short for koinos topos, lit.,
          common place] (1936): a traditional or conventional literary
          or rhetorical theme or topic

   topper
          [top.per] n (1688) 1: one that puts on or takes off tops
          2: one that is at or on the top 3 a: silk hat b: opera
          hat 4: something (as a joke) that caps everything preceding
          5: a woman's usu. short and loose-fitting lightweight
          outer coat

   [1]topping
          [top.ping] n (14c) 1: something that forms a top; esp: a
          garnish (as a sauce, bread crumbs, or whipped cream)
          placed on top of a food for flavor or decoration 2: the
          action of one that tops 3: something removed by topping
          [2]topping adj (ca. 1685) 1: highest in rank or eminence
          2 NewEng: proud, arrogant 3 chiefly Brit: excellent

   topple
          [top.ple] vb top.pled ; top.pling [freq. of [2]top] vi (1590):
          to fall from or as if from being top-heavy ~ vt 1: to
          cause to topple 2 a: overthrow 2 b: defeat 3

   top round
          [top round] n (1903): meat from the inner part of a round
          of beef

   [1]tops
          [tops] adj [pl. of [1]top] (1935): topmost in quality, ability,
          popularity, or importance--used predicatively <is ~ in
          his field> [2]tops adv (1956): at the very most <will
          cost $50, ~>

   topsail
          [top.sail] also top.s'l n (14c) 1: the sail next above the
          lowermost sail on a mast in a square-rigged ship 2: the
          sail set above and sometimes on the gaff in a fore-and-aft
          rigged ship

   top secret
          [top secret] adj (1944) 1: protected by a high degree of
          secrecy <a top secret weapon> <a top secret meeting>
          2 a: containing or being information whose unauthorized
          disclosure could result in exceptionally grave danger
          to the nation <top secret messages>--compare confidential,
          secret b: of or relating to top secret documents <a top
          secret clearance>

   top sergeant
          [top sergeant] n (1898): first sergeant 1

   top-shelf
          [top-shelf] adj (ca. 1892): of the best quality

   [1]topside
          [top.side] n (1815) 1 pl: the top portion of the outer surface
          of a ship on each side above the waterline 2: the highest
          level of authority 3: the upper portion of the ionosphere
          [2]topside adv or adj (1873) 1: to or on the top or surface
          2: in a position of authority 3: on deck

   Top-Sider
          [Top-Sid.er] trademark--used for a low casual shoe having
          a rubber sole

   topsoil
          [top.soil] n (1836): surface soil usu. including the organic
          layer in which plants have most of their roots and which
          the farmer turns over in plowing

   topspin
          [top.spin] n [[1]top] (1902): a rotary motion imparted to
          a ball that causes it to rotate forward in the direction
          it is traveling

   topstitch
          [top.stitch] vt (1934): to make a line of stitching on the
          outside of (a garment) close to a seam

   topsy-turviness
          [top.sy-tur.vi.ness] n (1842): the quality or state of being
          topsy-turvy

   [1]topsy-turvy
          [top.sy-tur.vy] adv [prob. ultim. fr. tops (pl. of [1]top)
          + obs. E terve to turn upside down] (1528) 1: in utter
          confusion or disorder 2: with the top or head downward:
          upside down [2]topsy-turvy adj (1612): turned topsy-turvy:
          totally disordered -- top.sy-tur.vi.ly adv -- top.sy-tur.vy.dom
          n [3]topsy-turvy n (1655): topsy-turviness

   top up
          [top up] vt (1937) Brit: to make up to the full quantity,
          capacity, or amount ~ vi, Brit: to replenish a supply
          -- top-up n, Brit

   topwork
          [top.work] vt (1882): to graft scions of another variety
          on the main branches of (as fruit trees) usu. to obtain
          more desirable fruit

   toque
          [toque] n [MF, soft hat with a narrow brim worn esp. in the
          16th cent., fr. OSp toca headdress] (1505) 1: a woman's
          small hat without a brim made in any of various soft
          close-fitting shapes 2: tuque 3: a tall brimless hat
          worn by a chef--called also toque blanche

   tor
          [tor] n [ME, fr. OE torr] (bef. 12c): a high craggy hill

   Torah
          [To.rah] n [Heb torah] (1577) 1: the five books of Moses
          constituting the Pentateuch 2: the body of wisdom and
          law contained in Jewish Scripture and other sacred literature
          and oral tradition 3: a leather or parchment scroll of
          the Pentateuch used in a synagogue for liturgical purposes

   [1]torch
          [torch] n, often attrib [ME torche, fr. OF, bundle of twisted
          straw or tow, torch, fr. (assumed) VL torca; akin to
          L torquere to twist--more at torture] (14c) 1: a burning
          stick of resinous wood or twist of tow used to give light
          and usu. carried in the hand: flambeau 2: something (as
          tradition, wisdom, or knowledge) likened to a torch as
          giving light or guidance 3: any of various portable devices
          for emitting an unusually hot flame--compare blowtorch
          4 chiefly Brit: flashlight 2 5: incendiary 1a [2]torch
          vt (1901): to set fire to with or as if with a torch

   torchbearer
          [torch.bear.er] n (1538) 1: one that carries a torch 2: someone
          in the forefront of a campaign, crusade, or movement

   torchere
          [tor.chere] n [F, fr. torche torch] (1904) 1: a tall ornamental
          stand for a candlestick or candelabra 2: an electric
          floor lamp giving indirect light

   torchlight
          [torch.light] n (15c) 1: light given by torches 2: torch

   torchon
          [tor.chon] n [F, duster, fr. OF, bundle of twisted straw,
          fr. torche] (1865): a coarse bobbin or machine-made lace
          made with fan-shaped designs forming a scalloped edge

   torch singer
          [torch singer] n (ca. 1932): a singer of torch songs

   torch song
          [torch song] n [fr. the phrase to carry a torch for (to be
          in love)] (1930): a popular sentimental song of unrequited
          love

   torchwood
          [torch.wood] n (1833) 1: any of a genus (Amyris) of tropical
          American trees and shrubs of the rue family with hard
          heavy fragrant resinous streaky yellowish brown wood
          2: the wood of a torchwood

   torchy
          [torchy] adj torch.i.er ; -est (1941): of, relating to, or
          characteristic of a torch song or torch singer

   tore
          [tore] past of tear

   toreador
          [to.re.a.dor] n [Sp, fr. torear to fight bulls, fr. toro
          bull, fr. L taurus--more at taurine] (1618): torero,
          bullfighter

   torero
          [to.re.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp, fr. L taurarius bullfighter, fr.
          L taurus bull] (1728): a matador or a member of the attending
          cuadrilla

   toreutics
          [to.reu.tics] n pl but sing in constr [toreutic, adj., fr.
          Gk toreutikos, fr. toreuein to bore through, chase, fr.
          toreus boring tool; akin to Gk tetrainein to bore--more
          at throw] (1847): the art or process of working in metal
          esp. by embossing or chasing -- to.reu.tic adj

   tori
          [tori] pl of torus

   toric
          [to.ric] adj (ca. 1898): of, relating to, or shaped like
          a torus or segment of a torus <a ~ lens>

   torii
          [to.rii] n, pl torii [Jp] (1727): a Japanese gateway of light
          construction commonly built at the approach to a Shinto
          shrine

   [1]torment
          [tor.ment] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L tormentum torture; akin to
          torquere to twist--more at torture] (14c) 1: the infliction
          of torture (as by rack or wheel) 2: extreme pain or anguish
          of body or mind: agony 3: a source of vexation or pain
          [2]tor.ment vt (14c) 1: to cause severe usu. persistent
          or recurrent distress of body or mind to <cattle ~ed
          by flies> 2: distort, twist syn see afflict

   tormentil
          [tor.men.til] n [ME turmentill, fr. ML tormentilla, fr. L
          tormentum; fr. its use in allaying pain] (15c): a yellow-flowered
          Eurasian cinquefoil (Potentilla erecta syn. P. tormentilla)
          with a root sometimes used in tanning and dyeing

   tormentor
          [tor.men.tor] also tor.ment.er n (14c) 1: one that torments
          2: a fixed curtain or flat on each side of a theater
          stage that prevents the audience from seeing into the
          wings

   torn
          [torn] past part of tear

   tornadic
          [tor.na.dic] adj (1884): relating to, characteristic of,
          or constituting a tornado

   tornado
          [tor.na.do] n, pl -does or -dos [modif. of Sp tronada thunderstorm,
          fr. tronar to thunder, fr. L tonare--more at thunder] (1556)
          1 archaic: a tropical thunderstorm 2 a: a squall accompanying
          a thunderstorm in Africa b: a violent destructive whirling wind
          accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow
          path over the land 3: a violent windstorm: whirlwind

   tornillo
          [tor.nil.lo] n, pl -los [Sp, lit., small lathe, screw, dim.
          of torno lathe, fr. L tornus--more at turn] (ca. 1844):
          screwbean 1

   toroid
          [to.roid] n [NL torus] (ca. 1900) 1: a surface generated
          by a plane closed curve rotated about a line that lies
          in the same plane as the curve but does not intersect
          it 2: a body whose surface has the form of a toroid

   toroidal
          [to.roi.dal] adj (ca. 1889): of, relating to, or shaped like
          a torus or toroid: doughnut-shaped <a ~ resistance coil>
          -- to.roi.dal.ly adv

   [1]torpedo
          [tor.pe.do] n, pl -does [L, lit., stiffness, numbness, fr.
          torpere to be sluggish or numb--more at torpid] (ca.
          1520) 1: electric ray 2: a weapon for destroying ships
          by rupturing their hulls below the waterline: as a: a
          submarine mine b: a thin cylindrical self-propelled underwater
          projectile 3: a small firework that explodes when thrown
          against a hard object 4: a professional gunman or assassin
          5: submarine 2 [2]torpedo vt tor.pe.doed ; tor.pe.do.ing
          (ca. 1879) 1: to hit or sink (a ship) with a naval torpedo:
          strike or destroy by torpedo 2: to destroy or nullify
          altogether: wreck <~ a plan>

   torpedo boat
          [torpedo boat] n (1810): a boat designed for launching torpedoes;
          specif: a small very fast boat with one or more torpedo
          tubes

   torpedo bomber
          [torpedo bomber] n (1930): a military airplane designed to
          carry torpedoes--called also torpedo plane

   torpedo tube
          [torpedo tube] n (ca. 1891): a tube from which torpedoes
          are fired

   torpid
          [tor.pid] adj [L torpidus, fr. torpere to be sluggish or
          numb; akin to Lith tirpti to become numb] (1613) 1 a:
          having lost motion or the power of exertion or feeling:
          dormant, numb b: sluggish in functioning or acting <a
          ~ frog> <a ~ mind> 2: lacking in energy or vigor: apathetic,
          dull -- tor.pid.i.ty n

   torpor
          [tor.por] n [L, fr. torpere] (1607) 1: apathy, dullness 2:
          a state of mental and motor inactivity with partial or
          total insensibility: extreme sluggishness or stagnation
          of function syn see lethargy

   [1]torque
          [torque] n [F, fr. L torques, fr. torquere to twist--more
          at torture] (1695): a usu. metal collar or neck chain
          worn by the ancient Gauls, Germans, and Britons [2]torque
          n [L torquere to twist] (ca. 1884) 1: a force that produces
          or tends to produce rotation or torsion <an automobile
          engine delivers ~ to the drive shaft>; also: a measure
          of the effectiveness of such a force that consists of
          the product of the force and the perpendicular distance
          from the line of action of the force to the axis of rotation
          2: a turning or twisting force [3]torque vt torqued ;
          torqu.ing (1959): to impart torque to: cause to twist
          (as about an axis) -- torqu.er n

   torque converter
          [torque converter] n (1927): a device for transmitting and
          amplifying torque esp. by hydraulic means

   torr
          [torr] n, pl torr [Evangelista Torricelli] (1949): a unit
          of pressure equal to 1/760 of an atmosphere (about 133.3
          pascals)

   [1]torrent
          [tor.rent] n [MF, fr. L torrent-, torrens, fr. torrent-,
          torrens, adj., burning, seething, rushing, fr. prp. of
          torrere to parch, burn--more at thirst] (1582) 1: a tumultuous
          outpouring: rush 2: a violent stream of a liquid (as
          water or lava) 3: a channel of a mountain stream [2]torrent
          adj (1667): torrential

   torrential
          [tor.ren.tial] adj (1849) 1 a: relating to or having the
          character of a torrent <~ rains> b: caused by or resulting
          from action of rapid streams <~ gravel> 2: resembling
          a torrent in violence or rapidity of flow -- tor.ren.tial.ly
          adv

   torrid
          [tor.rid] adj [L torridus, fr. torrere] (1545) 1 a: parched
          with heat esp. of the sun: hot <~ sands> b: giving off
          intense heat: scorching 2: ardent, passionate <~ love
          letters> -- tor.rid.i.ty n -- tor.rid.ly adv -- tor.rid.ness
          n

   torrid zone
          [torrid zone] n, often cap T&Z (1586): the region of the
          earth between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of
          Capricorn

   torsade
          [tor.sade] n [F, fr. obs. F tors twisted, fr. (assumed) VL
          torsus, alter. of L tortus, pp. of torquere to twist]
          (1882): a twisted cord or ribbon used esp. as a hat ornament

   torsion
          [tor.sion] n [LL torsion-, torsio torment, alter. of L tortio,
          fr. torquere to twist] (1543) 1: the twisting or wrenching
          of a body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one
          end or part about a longitudinal axis while the other
          is held fast or turned in the opposite direction; also:
          the state of being twisted 2: the twisting of a bodily
          organ or part on its own axis 3: the reactive torque
          that an elastic solid exerts by reason of being under
          torsion -- tor.sion.al adj -- tor.sion.al.ly adv

   torsion bar
          [torsion bar] n (1948): a long metal element in an automobile
          suspension that has one end held rigidly to the frame
          end and the other twisted and connected to the axle and
          that acts as a spring

   torso
          [tor.so] n, pl torsos or tor.si [It, lit., stalk, fr. L thyrsus
          stalk, thyrsus] (1722) 1: a sculptured representation
          of the trunk of a human body 2: something (as a piece
          of writing) that is mutilated or left unfinished 3: the
          human trunk

   tort
          [tort] n [ME, injury, fr. MF, fr. ML tortum, fr. L, neut.
          of tortus twisted, fr. pp. of torquere] (1586): a wrongful
          act other than a breach of contract for which relief
          may be obtained in the form of damages or an injunction

   torte
          [torte] n, pl tor.ten or tortes [G, prob. fr. It torta cake,
          fr. LL, round loaf of bread] (1555): a cake made with
          many eggs and often grated nuts or dry bread crumbs and
          usu. covered with a rich frosting

   tortellini
          [tor.tel.li.ni] n [It, pl. of tortellino pasta round, dim.
          of tortello, fr. torta cake] (ca. 1911): pasta cut in
          rounds, folded around a filling (as of meat or cheese),
          formed into rings, and boiled

   torticollis
          [tor.ti.col.lis] n [NL, fr. L tortus twisted + -i- + collum
          neck--more at collar] (ca. 1811): a twisting of the neck
          to one side that results in abnormal carriage of the
          head and is usu. caused by muscle spasms--called also
          wryneck

   tortilla
          [tor.ti.lla] n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, dim. of torta cake, fr. LL,
          round loaf of bread] (ca. 1699): a round thin cake of
          unleavened cornmeal or wheat flour bread usu. eaten hot
          with a topping or filling (as of ground meat or cheese)

   tortious
          [tor.tious] adj (1544): implying or involving tort -- tor.tious.ly
          adv

   tortoise
          [tor.toise] n [ME tortu, tortuce, fr. MF tortue--more at
          turtle] (14c) 1: any of a family (Testudinidae) of terrestrial
          turtles; broadly: turtle 2: someone or something regarded
          as slow or laggard

   tortoise beetle
          [tortoise beetle] n (ca. 1711): any of various chrysomelid
          beetles (subfamily Cassidinae) with leaf-eating larvae

   [1]tortoiseshell
          [tor.toise.shell] n (1632) 1: the mottled horny substance
          of the shell of some turtles (as the hawksbill turtle)
          used in inlaying and in making various ornamental articles
          2: any of several showy nymphalid butterflies (genus
          Nymphalis) [2]tortoiseshell adj (1651) 1: made of or
          resembling tortoiseshell esp. in mottled brown and yellow
          coloring 2: of, relating to, or being a color pattern
          of the domestic cat consisting of p atches of black,
          orange, and cream

   tortoni
          [tor.to.ni] n [prob. fr. Tortoni 19th cent. Ital. restaurateur
          in Paris] (1922): ice cream made of heavy cream often
          with minced almonds and chopped maraschino cherries and
          often flavored with rum

   tortricid
          [tor.tri.cid] n [NL Tortricidae, fr. Tortric-, Tortrix] (ca.
          1891): any of a family (Tortricidae) of small stout-bodied
          moths many of whose larvae feed in fruits -- tortricid
          adj

   tortrix
          [tor.trix] n [NL Tortric-, Tortrix, genus of moths, fr. L
          tortus, pp. of torquere to twist; fr. the habit of twisting
          or rolling leaves to make a nest] (ca. 1797): a tortricid
          moth

   tortuosity
          [tor.tu.os.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1603) 1: the quality or state
          of being tortuous 2: something winding or twisted: bend

   tortuous
          [tor.tu.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF tortueux, fr. L tortuosus, fr.
          tortus twist, fr. torquere to twist] (15c) 1: marked
          by repeated twists, bends, or turns: winding <a ~ path>
          2 a: marked by devious or indirect tactics: crooked,
          tricky <a ~ conspiracy> b: circuitous, involved <the
          ~ jargon of legal forms> -- tor.tu.ous.ly adv -- tor.tu.ous.ness
          n

   [1]torture
          [tor.ture] n [F, fr. LL tortura, fr. L tortus, pp. of torquere
          to twist; prob. akin to OHG drahsil turner, Gk atraktos
          spindle] (1540) 1 a: anguish of body or mind: agony b:
          something that causes agony or pain 2: the infliction
          of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding)
          to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure 3: distortion
          or overrefinement of a meaning or an argument: straining
          [2]torture vt tor.tured ; tor.tur.ing (1588) 1: to cause
          intense suffering to: torment 2: to punish or coerce
          by inflicting excruciating pain 3: to twist or wrench
          out of shape: distort, warp syn see afflict -- tor.tur.er
          n

   torturous
          [tor.tur.ous] adj (15c) 1 a: causing torture <~ inquisitions>
          b: very unpleasant or painful <a ~ day> <~ self-doubts>
          2: painfully difficult or slow <the ~ course of the negotiations>
          -- tor.tur.ous.ly adv

   torula
          [tor.u.la] n, pl -lae also -las [NL, fr. L torus protuberance]
          (1861): any of various fungi and esp. yeasts that lack
          sexual spores, do not produce alcoholic fermentations,
          and are typically acid formers--called also torula yeast

   torus
          [to.rus] n, pl to.ri [NL, fr. L, protuberance, bulge, torus
          molding] (1563) 1: a large molding of convex profile
          commonly occurring as the lowest molding in the base
          of a column--see base illustration 2: the thickening
          of a membrane closing a wood-cell pit (as of gymnosperm
          tracheids) having the secondary cell wall arched over
          the pit cavity 3: a doughnut-shaped surface generated
          by a circle rotated about an axis in its plane that does
          not intersect the circle; broadly: toroid 4: a smooth
          rounded anatomical protuberance (as a bony ridge on the
          skull)

   Tory
          [To.ry] n, pl Tories [Ir toraidhe outlaw, robber, fr. MIr
          toir pursuit] (1646) 1: a dispossessed Irishman subsisting
          as an outlaw chiefly in the 17th century 2 obs: bandit,
          outlaw 3 a: a member or supporter of a major British
          political group of the 18th and early 19th centuries
          favoring at first the Stuarts and later royal authority
          and the established church and seeking to preserve the
          traditional political structure and defeat parliamentary
          reform--compare whig b: conservative 1b 4: an American
          upholding the cause of the British Crown against the
          supporters of colonial independence during the American
          Revolution: loyalist 5 often not cap: an extreme conservative
          esp. in political and economic principles -- Tory adj

   Tory Democracy
          [Tory Democracy] n (1879): a political philosophy advocating
          preservation of established institutions and traditional
          principles combined with political democracy and a social
          and economic program designed to benefit the common man

   Toryism
          [To.ry.ism] n (1682) 1: the principles and practices of or
          associated with Tories 2: the British Tory party or its
          members

   tosh
          [tosh] n [origin unknown] (1528): sheer nonsense: bosh, twaddle

   [1]toss
          [toss] vb [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Sw dial. tossa
          to spread, scatter] vt (1506) 1 a: to fling or heave
          continuously about, to and fro, or up and down <a ship
          ~ed by waves> b: bandy 2b, c, d c: to mix lightly until
          well coated with a dressing or until the elements are
          thoroughly combined <~ a salad> 2: to make uneasy: stir
          up: disturb 3 a: to throw with a quick, light, or careless
          motion or with a sudden jerk <~ a ball around> b: to
          throw up in the air <~ed by a bull> c: match 5a d: to
          send as if by throwing <~ed in jail> <~ed out of the
          game> e: to get rid of: throw away 4 a: to fling or lift
          with a sudden motion <~es her head angrily> b: to tilt
          suddenly so as to empty by drinking <~ed his glass>;
          also: to consume by drinking <~ down a drink> 5: to accomplish,
          provide, or produce readily or easily <~ off a few verses>
          6: throw 16 <~ a party> 7: vomit 1--often used in the
          phrase toss one's cookies ~ vi 1 a: to move restlessly
          or turbulently; esp: to twist and turn repeatedly <~ed
          sleeplessly all night> b: to move with a quick or spirited
          gesture 2: to decide an issue by flipping a coin syn
          see throw -- toss.er n [2]toss n (1634) 1: the state
          or fact of being tossed 2: an act or instance of tossing:
          as a: an abrupt tilting or upward fling b: a deciding
          by chance and esp. by flipping a coin c: throw, pitch

   tosspot
          [toss.pot] n (1568): drunkard, sot

   toss-up
          [toss-up] n (1812) 1: toss 2b 2: an even chance 3: something
          that offers no clear basis for choice

   tostada
          [tos.ta.da] also tos.ta.do n [MexSp tostada, fr. Sp, fem.
          of tostado, pp. of tostar to toast, roast, fr. LL tostare--more
          at toast] (1939): a tortilla fried in deep fat

   tot
          [tot] abbreviation total  TOT abbreviation time on target

   [1]tot
          [tot] n [origin unknown] (1725) 1: a small child: toddler
          2: a small drink or allowance of liquor: shot [2]tot
          vb tot.ted ; tot.ting [tot., abbr. of total] vt (ca.
          1772): to add together: total--usu. used with up <~s
          up the score> ~ vi: add

   [1]total
          [to.tal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML totalis, fr. L totus whole,
          entire] (15c) 1: comprising or constituting a whole:
          entire <the ~ amount> 2: absolute, utter <a ~ failure>
          3: involving a complete and unified effort esp. to achieve
          a desired effect <~ war> <~ theater> syn see whole [2]total
          n (1557) 1: a product of addition: sum 2: an entire quantity:
          amount [3]total adv (1601): totally [4]total vt to.taled
          or to.talled ; to.tal.ing or to.tal.ling (1716) 1: to
          add up: compute 2: to amount to: number 3: to make a
          total wreck of: demolish <~ed the car>

   total depravity
          [total depravity] n (1794): a state of corruption due to
          original sin held in Calvinism to infect every part of
          man's nature and to make the natural man unable to know
          or obey God

   total eclipse
          [total eclipse] n (1671): an eclipse in which one celestial
          body is completely obscured by the shadow or body of
          another

   totalism
          [to.tal.ism] n (1941): totalitarianism -- to.tal.is.tic adj

   [1]totalitarian
          [to.tal.i.tar.i.an] adj [It totalitario, fr. totalita totality]
          (1926) 1 a: of or relating to centralized control by
          an autocratic leader or hierarchy: authoritarian, dictatorial;
          esp: despotic b: of or relating to a political regime
          based on subordination of the individual to the state
          and strict control of all aspects of the life and productive
          capacity of the nation esp. by coercive measures (as
          censorship and terrorism) 2 a: advocating or characteristic
          of totalitarianism b: completely regulated by the state
          esp. as an aid to national mobilization in an emergency
          c: exercising autocratic powers: tending toward monopoly
          [2]totalitarian n (ca. 1934): an advocate or practitioner
          of totalitarianism

   totalitarianism
          [to.tal.i.tar.i.an.ism] n (1926) 1: centralized control by
          an autocratic authority 2: the political concept that
          the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute
          state authority

   totalitarianize
          [to.tal.i.tar.i.an.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1935): to make
          totalitarian <a society totalitarianized by the military-industrial
          complex --W. F. Buckley b1925>

   totality
          [to.tal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1598) 1: an aggregate amount:
          sum, whole 2 a: the quality or state of being total:
          wholeness b: the phase of an eclipse during which it
          is total: state of total eclipse

   totalizator
          [to.tal.iza.tor] or to.tal.isa.tor n (1879): pari-mutuel
          2

   totalize
          [to.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1818) 1: to add up: total
          2: to express as a whole

   totalizer
          [to.tal.iz.er] n (1887): one that totalizes: as a: pari-mutuel
          2 b: a device (as a meter) that records a remaining total
          (as of fuel)

   totally
          [to.tal.ly] adv (1509): in a total manner: to a total or
          complete degree: wholly, entirely

   total recall
          [total recall] n (1926): the faculty of remembering with
          complete clarity and in complete detail

   [1]tote
          [tote] vt tot.ed ; tot.ing [perh. fr. an English-based creole;
          akin to Gullah & Krio tot to carry] (1677) 1: to carry
          by hand: bear on the person: lug, pack 2: haul, convey
          -- tot.er n [2]tote n (ca. 1772) 1: burden, load 2: tote
          bag [3]tote vt tot.ed ; tot.ing [E dial. tote, n., total]
          (1888): add, total--usu. used with up <toted up his accomplishments
          --G. P. Morrill> [4]tote n [short for totalizator] (1891):
          pari-mutuel 2

   tote bag
          [tote bag] n (1900): a large 2-handled open-topped bag (as
          of canvas)

   tote board
          [tote board] n [[4]tote] (ca. 1949): an electrically operated
          board (as at a racetrack) on which pertinent information
          (as betting odds and race results) is posted

   totem
          [to.tem] n [Ojibwa ototeman his totem] (ca. 1776) 1 a: an
          object (as an animal or plant) serving as the emblem
          of a family or clan and often as a reminder of its ancestry;
          also: a usu. carved or painted representation of such
          an object b: a family or clan identified by a common
          totemic object 2: something that serves as an emblem
          or revered symbol

   totemic
          [to.tem.ic] adj (1846) 1: of, relating to, suggestive of,
          or characteristic of a totem or totemism <a ~ animal>
          2: based on or practicing totemism <~ clan structure>

   totemism
          [to.tem.ism] n (1791) 1: belief in kinship with or a mystical
          relationship between a group or an individual and a totem
          2: a system of social organization based on totemic affiliations

   totemistic
          [to.tem.is.tic] adj (1873): totemic

   totem pole
          [totem pole] n (1897) 1: a pole or pillar carved and painted
          with a series of totemic symbols representing family
          lineage and often mythical or historical incidents and
          erected before the houses of Indian tribes of the northwest
          coast of No. America 2: an order of rank: hierarchy

   tother
          [toth.er] or t'oth.er pron or adj [ME tother, alter. (resulting
          from misdivision of thet other the other, fr. thet the--
          fr. OE thaet -- + other) of other--more at that] (13c)
          chiefly dial: the other

   totidem verbis
          [to.ti.dem ver.bis] [L] foreign term : in so many words

   totipotency
          [to.ti.po.ten.cy] n (1909): ability to generate or regenerate
          a whole organism from a part

   totipotent
          [to.ti.po.tent] adj [L totus whole, entire + E -i- + potent]
          (ca. 1899): capable of developing into a complete organism
          or differentiating into any of its cells or tissues <~
          blastomeres>

   totis viribus
          [to.tis vi.ri.bus] [L] foreign term : with all one's might

   toto caelo
          [to.to cae.lo] or toto coe.lo [L] foreign term : by the whole
          extent of the heavens: diametrically

   [1]totter
          [tot.ter] vi [ME toteren] (15c) 1 a: to tremble or rock as
          if about to fall: sway b: to become unstable: threaten
          to collapse 2: to move unsteadily: stagger, wobble [2]totter
          n (1747): an unsteady gait: wobble

   tottering
          [tot.ter.ing] adj (1534) 1 a: being in an unstable condition
          <a ~ building> b: walking unsteadily 2: lacking firmness
          or stability: insecure <a ~ regime> -- tot.ter.ing.ly
          adv

   tottery
          [tot.tery] adj (ca. 1755): of an infirm or precarious nature

   Touareg
          [Toua.reg] var of tuareg

   toucan
          [tou.can] n [F, fr. Pg tucano, fr. Tupi tukana] (1568): any
          of a family (Ramphastidae) of fruit-eating birds of tropical
          America with brilliant coloring and a very large but
          light and thin-walled beak

   [1]touch
          [touch] vb [ME, fr. OF tuchier, fr. (assumed) VL toccare
          to knock, strike a bell, touch, prob. of imit. origin]
          vt (14c) 1: to bring a bodily part into contact with
          esp. so as to perceive through the tactile sense: handle
          or feel gently usu. with the intent to understand or
          appreciate <loved to ~ the soft silk> 2: to strike or
          push lightly esp. with the hand or foot or an implement
          3: to lay hands upon (one afflicted with scrofula) with
          intent to heal 4 archaic a: to play on (a stringed instrument)
          b: to perform (a melody) by playing or singing 5 a: to
          take into the hands or mouth <never ~es alcohol> b: to
          put hands upon in any way or degree <don't ~ anything
          before the police come>; esp: to commit violence upon
          <swears he never ~ed the child> 6: to deal with: become
          involved with <a sticky situation and I wouldn't ~ it
          with a 10-foot pole> 7: to induce to give or lend <~ed
          him for ten dollars> 8: to cause to be briefly in contact
          or conjunction with something <~ed her spurs to the horse>
          <~ed his hand to his hat> 9 a (1): to meet without overlapping
          or penetrating: adjoin (2): to get to: reach <the speedometer
          needle ~ed 80> b: to be tangent to c: to rival in quality
          or value <nothing can ~ that cloth for durability> 10:
          to speak or tell of esp. in passing <barely ~ed the incident
          in the speech> 11 a: to relate to: concern b: to have
          an influence on: affect 12 a: to leave a mark or impression
          on <few reagents will ~ gold>; also: tinge b: to harm
          slightly by or as if by contact: taint, blemish <fruit
          ~ed by frost> c: to give a delicate tint, line, or expression
          to <a smile ~ed her lips> 13: to draw or delineate with
          light strokes 14 a: to hurt the feelings of: wound b:
          to move to sympathetic feeling ~ vi 1 a: to feel something
          with a body part (as the hand or foot) b: to lay hand
          or finger on a person to cure disease (as scrofula) 2:
          to be in contact 3: to come close: verge <your actions
          ~ on treason> 4: to have a bearing: relate--used with
          on or upon 5 a: to make a brief or incidental stop on
          shore during a trip by water <~ed at several ports> b:
          to treat a topic in a brief or casual manner--used with
          on or upon <~ed upon many points> syn see affect -- touch.able
          adj -- touch.er n -- touch base : to come in contact
          or communication <coming in from the cold to touch base
          with civilization --Carla Hunt> [2]touch n (14c) 1: a
          light stroke, tap, or push 2: the act or fact of touching
          3: the special sense by which pressure or traction exerted
          on the skin or mucous membrane is perceived 4: mental
          or moral sensitiveness, responsiveness, or tact <has
          a wonderful ~ with children> 5: a specified sensation
          that arises in response to stimulation of the tactile
          receptors: feel <the velvety ~ of velour> 6 a: the act
          of rubbing gold or silver on a touchstone to test its
          quality b: test, trial--used chiefly in the phrase put
          to the touch 7 a: a visible effect: mark <a ~ of the
          tropical sun> b: weakness, defect 8: something slight
          of its kind: as a: a light attack <a ~ of fever> b: a
          small quantity or indication: hint <a ~ of spring in
          the air> c: a transient emotion <a momentary ~ of compunction>
          d: a near approach: close call <beaten in the championships
          by a mere ~> 9 a archaic: the playing of an instrument
          (as a lute or piano) with the fingers; also: musical
          notes or strains so produced b: particular action of
          a keyboard with reference to the resistance of its keys
          to pressure <piano with a stiff ~> 10: control of the
          hands: as a: a manner or method of touching or striking
          esp. the keys of a keyboard instrument b: ability to
          control the distance something (as a ball) is propelled
          <developed his putting ~> 11: a set of changes in change
          ringing that is less than a peal 12 a: an effective and
          subtle detail <applies the finishing ~es to the story>
          b: distinctive and often effective manner or method <the
          ~ of a master> c: a characteristic or distinguishing
          trait or quality 13 slang: an act of soliciting or getting
          a gift or loan 14: the state or fact of being in contact
          or communication or of having awareness <lost ~ with
          her cousin> <let's keep in ~> <out of ~ with modern times>
          15: the area outside of the touchlines in soccer or outside
          of and including the touchlines in rugby -- a touch :
          somewhat, rather <aimed a touch too low and missed>

   touch-and-go
          [touch-and-go] n (1953): an airplane landing followed immediately
          by application of power and a takeoff and usu. executed
          as one of a series for practice at landings

   touch and go
          [touch and go] adj (1815): unpredictable as to outcome: uncertain
          <it was touch and go there for a while>

   touchback
          [touch.back] n (ca. 1890): a situation in football in which
          the ball is down behind the goal line after a kick or
          intercepted forward pass after which it is put in play
          by the team defending the goal on its own 20-yard line--compare
          safety

   touchdown
          [touch.down] n (1876) 1: the act of touching a football to
          the ground behind an opponent's goal; specif: the act
          of scoring six points in American football by being lawfully
          in possession of the ball on, above, or behind an opponent's
          goal line when the ball is declared dead 2: the act or
          moment of touching down (as with an airplane or spacecraft)

   touch down
          [touch down] vt (1864): to place (the ball in rugby) by hand
          on the ground on or over an opponent's goal line in scoring
          a try or behind one's own goal line as a defensive measure
          ~ vi: to reach the ground: land

   touche
          [tou.che] interj [F, fr. pp. of toucher to touch, fr. OF
          tuchier] (1904)--used to acknowledge a hit in fencing
          or the success or appropriateness of an argument, an
          accusation, or a witty point

   touched
          [touched] adj (14c) 1: emotionally stirred (as with gratitude)
          2: slightly unbalanced mentally

   touch football
          [touch football] n (1933): football played informally and
          chiefly characterized by the substitution of touching
          for tackling

   touchhole
          [touch.hole] n (1501): the vent in muzzle-loading guns through
          which the charge is ignited

   [1]touching
          [touch.ing] prep (14c): in reference to: concerning [2]touching
          adj (1601): capable of arousing emotions of tenderness
          or compassion syn see moving -- touch.ing.ly adv

   touchline
          [touch.line] n (1868): either of the lines that bound the
          long sides of the field of play in rugby and soccer

   touchmark
          [touch.mark] n (1904): an identifying maker's mark impressed
          on pewter

   touch-me-not
          [touch-me-not] n [fr. the bursting of the ripe pods and scattering
          of their seeds when touched] (1659): either of two No. American
          impatiens growing in moist areas: as a: one (Impatiens capensis)
          typically having crimson-spotted orange flowers b: one (I. pallida)
          having yellow to white flowers sometimes spotted with brownish red

   touch off
          [touch off] vt (ca. 1765) 1: to describe or characterize
          with precision 2 a: to cause to explode by or as if by
          touching with fire b: to provoke or initiate with sudden
          intensity <the verdict touched off local riots>

   touch pad
          [touch pad] n (1979): a keypad for an electronic device (as
          a microwave oven) that consists of a flat surface divided
          into several differently marked areas which are touched
          to choose options

   touch screen
          [touch screen] n (1974): a display screen on which the user
          selects options (as from a menu) by touching the screen

   touchstone
          [touch.stone] n (1530) 1: a black siliceous stone related
          to flint and formerly used to test the purity of gold
          and silver by the streak left on the stone when rubbed
          by the metal 2: a test or criterion for determining the
          quality or genuineness of a thing 3: a fundamental or
          quintessential part or feature syn see standard

   touch system
          [touch system] n (1918): a method of typing that assigns
          a particular finger to each key and makes it possible
          to type without looking at the keyboard

   Touch-Tone
          [Touch-Tone] trademark--used for a telephone having push
          buttons that produce tones corresponding to numbers

   touch-type
          [touch-type] vi (1943): to type by the touch system -- touch
          typist n

   touch-up
          [touch-up] n (1885): an act or instance of touching up

   touch up
          [touch up] vt (1715) 1: to improve or perfect by small additional
          strokes or alterations: fix the minor and usu. visible
          defects or damages of 2: to stimulate by or as if by
          a flick of a whip

   touchwood
          [touch.wood] n (1579): [3]punk

   touchy
          [touchy] adj touch.i.er ; -est (1605) 1: marked by readiness
          to take offense on slight provocation 2 a of a body part:
          acutely sensitive or irritable b of a chemical: highly
          explosive or inflammable 3: calling for tact, care, or
          caution in treatment <a ~ subject> -- touch.i.ly adv
          -- touch.i.ness n

   touchy-feely
          [touchy-feely] adj (1968): characterized by or encouraging
          interpersonal touching esp. in the free expression of
          emotions <~ therapy>; also: openly or excessively emotional
          and personal <~ management>

   [1]tough
          [tough] adj [ME, fr. OE toh; akin to OHG zahi tough] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: strong or firm in texture but flexible and
          not brittle b: not easily chewed 2: glutinous, sticky
          3: characterized by severity or uncompromising determination
          4: capable of enduring strain, hardship, or severe labor
          5: very hard to influence: stubborn 6: difficult to accomplish,
          resolve, endure, or deal with <a ~ question> <~ luck>
          7: stubbornly fought <a ~ contest> 8: unruly, rowdyish
          9: marked by absence of softness or sentimentality syn
          see strong -- tough.ly adv -- tough.ness n [2]tough adv
          (14c): in a tough manner <talks ~ and insensitively --A.
          E. Stevenson d.1965> [3]tough vt (1830): to bear unflinchingly:
          endure--usu. used with out esp. in the phrase tough it
          out [4]tough n (1866): a tough person: rowdy

   toughen
          [tough.en] vb tough.ened ; tough.en.ing vt (1582): to make
          tough ~ vi: to become tough

   toughie
          [tough.ie] also toughy n, pl tough.ies (1921): one that is
          tough: as a: a loud rough rowdy person b: a difficult
          problem or question

   tough-minded
          [tough-mind.ed] adj (1909): realistic or unsentimental in
          temper or outlook -- tough-mind.ed.ness n

   toujours perdrix
          [tou.jours per.drix] [F] foreign term : always partridge:
          too much of a good thing

   toupee
          [tou.pee] n [F toupet forelock, fr. OF, dim. of top, toup,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG zopf tuft of hair--more at
          top] (1728) 1: a curl or lock of hair made into a topknot
          on a periwig or natural coiffure; also: a periwig with
          such a topknot 2: a wig or section of hair worn to cover
          a bald spot

   [1]tour
          [tour] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF tourn, tour lathe, circuit,
          turn--more at turn] (14c) 1 a: one's turn in an orderly
          schedule: shift b: a period during which an individual
          or unit is on a specific duty or at one place <a ~ of
          duty> 2 a: a journey for business, pleasure, or education
          often involving a series of stops and ending at the starting
          point; also: something resembling such a tour <a ~ of
          the history of philosophy> b: a brief turn: round c:
          a series of professional tournaments (as in golf or tennis)
          [2]tour vi (1789): to make a tour ~ vt 1: to make a tour
          of 2: to present (as a theatrical production) on a tour

   touraco
          [tou.ra.co] n, pl -cos [origin unknown] (ca. 1743): any of
          a family (Musophagidae) of African birds that are related
          to the cuckoos and have a long tail, a short stout often
          colored bill, and red wing feathers

   tourbillion
          [tour.bil.lion] or tour.bil.lon n [ME, fr. MF tourbillon,
          fr. L turbin-, turbo--more at turbine] (15c) 1: whirlwind
          2: a vortex esp. of a whirlwind or whirlpool

   tour de force
          [tour de force] n, pl tours de force [F] (1802): a feat of
          strength, skill, or ingenuity

   tour d'horizon
          [tour d'ho.ri.zon] [F] foreign term : circuit of the horizon:
          general survey

   tourer
          [tour.er] n (1926) 1: touring car 2: one that tours

   Tourette's syndrome
          [Tou.rette's syndrome] n [Georges Gille de la Tourette d.
          1904 Fr. physician] (1970): a rare disease characterized
          by involuntary tics and by uncontrollable verbalization
          involving esp. echolalia and the use of obscene language--called
          also Tourette syndrome

   touring
          [tour.ing] n (1794) 1: participation in a tour 2: cross-country
          skiing for pleasure

   touring car
          [touring car] n (1903): an automobile suitable for distance
          driving: as a: a vintage automobile with two cross seats,
          usu. four doors, and a folding top: phaeton 2 b: a modern
          usu. 2-door sedan as distinguished from a sports car

   tourism
          [tour.ism] n (1811) 1: the practice of traveling for recreation
          2: the guidance or management of tourists 3 a: the promotion
          or encouragement of touring b: the accommodation of tourists

   tourist
          [tour.ist] n (1780) 1: one that makes a tour for pleasure
          or culture 2: tourist class -- tourist adj or adv

   tourist card
          [tourist card] n (1948): a citizenship identity card issued
          to a tourist usu. for a stated period of time in lieu
          of a passport or a visa

   tourist class
          [tourist class] n (1935): economy accommodations (as on a
          ship)

   tourist court
          [tourist court] n (1937): motel

   touristic
          [tour.is.tic] adj (1848): of or relating to a tour, tourism,
          or tourists -- tour.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   tourist trap
          [tourist trap] n (1939): a place that attracts and exploits
          tourists

   touristy
          [tour.isty] adj (1906): of or relating to tourists: as a:
          patronized by tourists b: of a type appealing to tourists

   tourmaline
          [tour.ma.line] n [Sinhalese toramalli carnelian] (1759):
          a mineral of variable color that consists of a complex
          borosilicate and makes a striking gem when transparent
          and cut

   tournament
          [tour.na.ment] n [ME tornement, fr. OF torneiement, fr. torneier]
          (14c) 1 a: a knightly sport of the middle ages between
          mounted combatants armed with blunted lances or swords
          and divided into two parties contesting for a prize or
          favor bestowed by the lady of the tournament b: the whole
          series of knightly sports, jousts, and tilts occurring
          at one time and place 2: a series of games or contests
          that make up a single unit of competition (as on the
          professional golf tour), the championship play-offs of
          a league or conference, or an invitational event

   tournedos
          [tour.ne.dos] n, pl tour.ne.dos [F, fr. tourner to turn +
          dos back] (1877): a small fillet of beef usu. cut from
          the tip of the tenderloin

   [1]tourney
          [tour.ney] vi tour.neyed ; tour.ney.ing [ME, fr. MF torneier,
          fr. OF, fr. torn, tourn lathe, circuit] (14c): to perform
          in a tournament [2]tourney n, pl tourneys (14c): tournament

   tourniquet
          [tour.ni.quet] n [F, turnstile, tourniquet, fr. tourner to
          turn, fr. OF--more at turn] (1695): a device (as a bandage
          twisted tight with a stick) to check bleeding or blood
          flow

   [1]touse
          [touse] vt toused ; tous.ing [ME -tousen; akin to OHG zirzuson
          to pull to pieces] (1598): rumple, tousle [2]touse n
          (1795): a noisy disturbance

   tous frais faits
          [tous frais faits] [F] foreign term : all expenses defrayed

   [1]tousle
          [tou.sle] vt tou.sled ; tou.sling [ME touselen, freq. of
          -tousen] (15c): dishevel, rumple [2]tou.sle n (1788)
          1 Scot: rough dalliance: tussle 2: a tangled mass (as
          of hair)

   [1]tout
          [tout] vb [ME tuten to peer; prob. akin to OE totian to stick
          out, Norw tyte] vt (ca. 1700) 1: to spy on: watch 2 a
          Brit: to spy out information about (as a racing stable
          or horse) b: to give a tip or solicit bets on (a racehorse)
          3: to solicit, peddle, or persuade importunately <not
          meant to ~ you off the movie --Russell Baker> 4: to praise
          or publicize loudly or extravagantly <~ed as the ...
          most elaborate suburban shopping development --Wall Street
          Jour.> ~ vi 1: to solicit patronage 2 a chiefly Brit:
          to spy on racehorses in training to gain information
          for betting b: to give a tip or solicit bets on a racehorse
          [2]tout n (1853): one who touts: as a: one who solicits
          patronage b chiefly Brit: one who spies out racing information
          for betting purposes c: one who gives tips or solicits
          bets on a racehorse

   tout a fait
          [tout a fait] [F] foreign term : altogether: quite

   tout au contraire
          [tout au con.traire] [F] foreign term : quite the contrary

   tout a vous
          [tout a vous] [F] foreign term : wholly yours: at your service

   tout bien ou rien
          [tout bien ou rien] [F] foreign term : everything well (done)
          or nothing (attempted)

   tout comprendre c'est tout pardonner
          [tout com.pren.dre c'est tout par.don.ner] [F] foreign term
          : to understand all is to forgive all

   tout court
          [tout court] [F] foreign term : quite short: and nothing
          more: simply: just; also: brusquely

   tout de meme
          [tout de meme] [F] foreign term : all the same: nevertheless

   tout de suite
          [tout de suite] [F] foreign term : immediately; also: all
          at once: consecutively

   tout ensemble
          [tout en.sem.ble] [F] foreign term : all together: general
          effect

   touter
          [tout.er] n (ca. 1754): one that touts

   tout est perdu fors l'honneur
          [tout est per.du fors l'hon.neur] or tout est perdu hors
          l'honneur [F] foreign term : all is lost save honor

   tout le monde
          [tout le monde] [F] foreign term : all the world: everybody

   tovarich
          [to.va.rich] or to.va.rish n [Russ tovarishch] (ca. 1917):
          comrade

   [1]tow
          [tow] vb [ME, fr. OE togian; akin to OE teon to draw, pull,
          OHG ziohan to draw, pull, L ducere to draw, lead] vt
          (bef. 12c): to draw or pull along behind: haul ~ vi:
          to move in tow <trailers that ~ behind the family auto
          --Bob Munger> [2]tow n (1600) 1: a rope or chain for
          towing 2 a: the act or an instance of towing b: the fact
          or state of being towed 3 a: something towed (as a boat
          or car) b: a group of barges lashed together and usu.
          pushed 4 a: something (as a tugboat) that tows b: ski
          tow -- in tow 1: under guidance or protection <taken
          in tow by a friendly native> 2: in the position of a
          dependent or devoted follower or admirer [3]tow n [ME,
          fr. OE tow- spinning; akin to ON to tuft of wool for
          spinning, OE tawian to prepare for use--more at taw]
          (14c) 1: short or broken fiber (as of flax, hemp, or
          synthetic material) that is used esp. for yarn, twine,
          or stuffing 2 a: yarn or cloth made of tow b: a loose
          essentially untwisted strand of synthetic fibers [4]tow
          n [ME (Sc), prob. fr. OE toh- (in tohline towline); akin
          to OE togian to tow] (15c) chiefly Scot & dial Eng: rope

   towage
          [tow.age] n (14c) 1: the act of towing 2: a charge for towing

   [1]toward
          [to.ward] adj [ME toward, fr. OE toweard facing, imminent,
          fr. to, prep., to + -weard -ward] (bef. 12c) 1 also to.wards
          a: coming soon: imminent b: happening at the moment:
          afoot 2 a obs: quick to learn: apt b: propitious, favoring
          <a ~ breeze> [2]to.ward or to.wards prep (bef. 12c) 1:
          in the direction of <driving ~ town> 2 a: along a course
          leading to <a long stride ~ disarmament> b: in relation
          to <an attitude ~ life> 3 a: at a point in the direction
          of: near <a cottage somewhere up ~ the lake> b: in such
          a position as to be in the direction of <your back was
          ~ me> 4: not long before <~ the end of the afternoon>
          5 a: in the way of help or assistance in <did all he
          could ~ raising campaign funds> b: for the partial payment
          of <proceeds go ~ the establishment of a scholarship>

   towardliness
          [to.ward.li.ness] n (1566) archaic: the quality or state
          of being toward or towardly

   towardly
          [to.ward.ly] adj (1513) archaic 1: pleasant, affable 2: favorable,
          propitious 3: developing favorably: promising -- towardly adv

   towboat
          [tow.boat] n (1815) 1: tugboat 2: a compact shallow-draft
          boat with a squared bow designed and fitted for pushing
          tows of barges on inland waterways

   [1]towel
          [tow.el] n [ME towaille, fr. OF toaille, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG dwahila towel; akin to OHG dwahan to wash] (13c):
          an absorbent cloth or paper for wiping or drying [2]towel
          vb -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling vt (ca. 1839):
          to rub or dry (as the body) with a towel ~ vi: to use
          a towel to dry oneself

   towelette
          [tow.el.ette] n (1902): a small usu. premoistened piece of
          material used for personal cleansing (as of the hands)

   toweling
          [tow.el.ing] or tow.el.ling n (1583): a cotton or linen fabric
          often used for making towels

   [1]tower
          [tow.er] n [ME tour, tor, fr. OE torr & OF tor, tur, both
          fr. L turris, fr. Gk tyrris, tyrsis] (bef. 12c) 1: a
          building or structure typically higher than its diameter
          and high relative to its surroundings that may stand
          apart (as a campanile), or be attached (as a church belfry)
          to a larger structure, and that may be fully walled in
          or of skeleton framework (as an observation or transmission
          tower) 2: a towering citadel: fortress 3: one that provides
          support or protection: bulwark <a ~ of strength> -- tow.ered
          adj -- tow.er.like adj [2]tower vi (1582) 1: to reach
          or rise to a great height 2: to exhibit superior qualities:
          surpass <her intellect ~ed over the others'>

   tower block
          [tower block] n (1966) chiefly Brit: a tall building (as
          a high-rise apartment building)

   tower house
          [tower house] n (1687): a medieval fortified castle (as in
          Scotland)

   towering
          [tow.er.ing] adj (1592) 1: impressively high or great: imposing
          <~ pines> 2: reaching a high point of intensity: overwhelming
          <a ~ rage> 3: going beyond proper bounds: excessive <~
          ambitions> -- tow.er.ing.ly adv

   Tower of Babel
          [Tower of Babel] (ca. 1887): babel 2

   towhead
          [tow.head] n (1829) 1: a low alluvial island or shoal in
          a river: sandbar 2: a head of hair resembling tow esp.
          in being flaxen or tousled; also: a person having such
          a head of hair -- tow.head.ed adj

   towhee
          [to.whee] n [imit.] (ca. 1729) 1: a common finch (Pipilo
          erythrophthalmus) of eastern No. America having the male
          black, white, and rufous--called also chewink 2: any
          of the No. American finches belonging to the same genus
          (Pipilo) as the towhee

   to wit
          [to wit] adv [ME to witen, lit., to know--more at wit] (14c):
          that is to say: namely

   towline
          [tow.line] n (1719): towrope

   towmond
          [tow.mond] n [ME towlmonyth, fr. OE twelf monath, fr. twelf
          twelve + monath month] (15c) Scot: year, twelvemonth

   town
          [town] n [ME, fr. OE tun enclosure, village, town; akin to
          OHG zun enclosure, OIr dun fortress] (bef. 12c) 1 dial
          Eng: a cluster or aggregation of houses recognized as
          a distinct place with a place-name: hamlet 2 a: a compactly
          settled area as distinguished from surrounding rural
          territory b: a compactly settled area usu. larger than
          a village but smaller than a city c: a large densely
          populated urban area: city d: an English village having
          a periodic fair or market 3: a neighboring city, capital
          city, or metropolis 4: the city or urban life as contrasted
          with the country 5: the inhabitants of a city or town
          6: a New England territorial and political unit usu.
          containing both rural and unincorporated urban areas
          under a single town government; also: a New England community
          governed by a town meeting 7: a group of prairie dog
          burrows -- town adj -- on the town : in usu. carefree
          pursuit of entertainment or amusement (as city nightlife)
          esp. as a relief from routine

   town car
          [town car] n (1907): a 4-door automobile with a usu. open
          driver's compartment and a separate enclosed passenger
          compartment

   town clerk
          [town clerk] n (14c): a public officer charged with recording
          the official proceedings and vital statistics of a town

   town crier
          [town crier] n (1602): a town officer who makes public
          proclamations

   townee
          [town.ee] n (1897) chiefly Brit: townie

   town hall
          [town hall] n (15c): a public building used for town-government
          offices and meetings

   town house
          [town house] n (1803) 1: a house in town; specif: the city
          residence of one having a countryseat or having a chief
          residence elsewhere <stayed at their town house during
          the social season> 2: a usu. single-family house of two
          or sometimes three stories that is usu. connected to
          a similar house by a common sidewall; also: row house

   townie
          [town.ie] or towny n, pl townies (1852): townsman; esp: a
          permanent inhabitant of a town as distinguished from
          a member of another group (as the academic community)

   townlet
          [town.let] n (ca. 1552): a very small town

   town manager
          [town manager] n (1922): an official appointed to direct
          the administration of a town government

   town meeting
          [town meeting] n (1636): a meeting of inhabitants or taxpayers
          constituting the legislative authority of a town

   townscape
          [town.scape] n (1880) 1: a representation of an urban scene
          2: a town or city viewed as a scene

   townsfolk
          [towns.folk] n pl (1737): townspeople

   township
          [town.ship] n (15c) 1: an ancient unit of administration
          in England identical in area with or a division of a
          parish 2 a: town 6 b: a unit of local government in some
          northeastern and north central states usu. having a chief
          administrative officer or board c: an unorganized subdivision
          of the county in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont d:
          an electoral and administrative district of the county
          in the southern U.S. 3: a division of territory in surveys
          of U.S. public land containing 36 sections or 36 square
          miles 4: an area in the Republic of South Africa segregated
          for occupation by persons of non-European descent

   townsman
          [towns.man] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: a native or resident of a town
          or city b: an urban or urbane person 2: a fellow citizen
          of a town

   townspeople
          [towns.peo.ple] n pl (1648) 1: the inhabitants of a town
          or city: townsmen 2: town-dwelling or town-bred persons

   townswoman
          [towns.wom.an] n (1684) 1: a woman who is a native or resident
          of a town or city 2: a woman born or residing in the
          same town or city as another

   towpath
          [tow.path] n (1788): a path (as along a canal) traveled esp.
          by draft animals towing boats--called also towing path

   towrope
          [tow.rope] n (1743): a line used in towing something (as
          a boat)

   tow sack
          [tow sack] n [[3]tow] (1926) Midland & Southern: gunnysack

   tow truck
          [tow truck] n (1944): a truck with winches and hoist mechanisms
          for freeing stuck vehicles and towing wrecked or disabled
          vehicles

   tox-
          [tox-] or toxi- or toxo- comb form [LL, fr. L toxicum poison]:
          poisonous: poison <toxemia>

   toxaphene
          [tox.a.phene] n [fr. Toxaphene, a trademark] (1947): an insecticide
          that is a complex mixture of chlorinated compounds

   toxemia
          [tox.e.mia] n [NL] (ca. 1860): an abnormal condition associated
          with the presence of toxic substances in the blood --
          tox.e.mic adj

   [1]toxic
          [tox.ic] adj [LL toxicus, fr. L toxicum poison, fr. Gk toxikon
          arrow poison, fr. neut. of toxikos of a bow, fr. toxon
          bow, arrow] (1664) 1: of, relating to, or caused by a
          poison or toxin 2: affected by a poison or toxin <~ pregnant
          women> 3: poisonous -- tox.ic.i.ty n [2]toxic n (1890):
          a toxic substance

   toxic-
          [toxic-] or toxico- comb form [NL, fr. L toxicum]: poison
          <toxicology>

   toxicant
          [tox.i.cant] n [ML toxicant-, toxicans, prp. of toxicare
          to poison, fr. L toxicum] (ca. 1882): a toxic agent;
          esp: pesticide

   toxicological
          [tox.i.co.log.i.cal] or tox.i.co.log.ic adj (1839): of or
          relating to toxicology or toxins -- tox.i.co.log.i.cal.ly
          adv

   toxicology
          [tox.i.col.o.gy] n (ca. 1799): a science that deals with
          poisons and their effect and with the problems involved
          (as clinical, industrial, or legal) -- tox.i.col.o.gist
          n

   toxicosis
          [tox.i.co.sis] n, pl -co.ses [NL] (ca. 1857): a pathological
          condition caused by the action of a poison or toxin

   toxic shock syndrome
          [toxic shock syndrome] n (1978): an acute disease that is
          characterized by fever, diarrhea, nausea, diffuse erythema,
          and shock, that is associated esp. with the presence
          of a bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), and that occurs
          esp. in menstruating females using tampons--called also
          toxic shock

   toxigenic
          [toxi.gen.ic] adj (ca. 1923): producing toxin <~ bacteria
          and fungi> -- toxi.ge.nic.i.ty n

   toxin
          [tox.in] n [ISV] (1886): a poisonous substance that is a
          specific product of the metabolic activities of a living
          organism and is usu. very unstable, notably toxic when
          introduced into the tissues, and typically capable of
          inducing antibody formation

   toxin-antitoxin
          [tox.in-an.ti.tox.in] n (1904): a mixture of toxin and antitoxin
          used esp. formerly in immunizing against a disease (as
          diphtheria) for which they are specific

   toxoid
          [tox.oid] n [ISV] (ca. 1894): a toxin of a pathogenic organism
          treated so as to destroy its toxicity but leave it capable
          of inducing the formation of antibodies on injection

   toxophilite
          [tox.oph.i.lite] n [Gk toxon bow, arrow + philos dear, loving]
          (1794): a person fond of or expert at archery -- toxophilite
          adj -- tox.oph.i.ly n

   toxoplasma
          [toxo.plas.ma] n [NL] (1926): any of a genus (Toxoplasma)
          of sporozoans that are typically serious pathogens of
          vertebrates -- toxo.plas.mic adj

   toxoplasmosis
          [toxo.plas.mo.sis] n, pl -mo.ses [NL] (1926): infection of
          humans, other mammals, or birds with disease caused by
          a toxoplasma (Toxoplasma gondii) that invades the tissues
          and may seriously damage the central nervous system esp.
          of infants

   [1]toy
          [toy] n [ME toye] (15c) 1 obs a: flirtatious or seductive
          behavior b: pastime; also: a sportive or amusing act:
          antic 2 a: something (as a preoccupation) that is paltry
          or trifling b: a literary or musical trifle or diversion
          c: trinket, bauble 3: something for a child to play with
          4: something diminutive; esp: a diminutive animal (as
          of a small breed or variety) 5: something that can be
          toyed with 6 Scot: a headdress of linen or woolen hanging
          down over the shoulders and formerly worn by old women
          of the lower classes -- toy.like adj [2]toy vi (ca. 1529)
          1: to act or deal with something lightly or without vigor
          or purpose 2: to engage in flirtation 3: to amuse oneself
          as if with a toy: play syn see trifle -- toy.er n [3]toy
          adj (1801) 1: resembling a toy esp. in diminutive size
          2: designed or made for use as a toy <a ~ stove>

   toy Manchester terrier
          [toy Man.ches.ter terrier] n (1935): any of a breed of toy
          dogs developed from the Manchester terrier that have
          erect ears of moderate size and weigh not more than 12
          pounds (5.4 kilograms)--called also toy Manchester

   toyon
          [toy.on] n [AmerSp tollon] (1848): a chiefly Californian
          ornamental evergreen shrub (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
          of the rose family having white flowers succeeded by
          persistent usu. bright red berries

   toy poodle
          [toy poodle] n (1935): any of a breed of toy dogs developed
          from the standard poodle that are not more than 10 inches
          (25 centimeters) high at the withers

   tp...
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   tp
          [tp] abbreviation title page, township  TP abbreviation triple
          play

   TPA
          [TPA] abbreviation tissue plasminogen activator

   tpk
          [tpk] or tpke abbreviation turnpike

   TPN
          [TPN] n [triphosphopyridine nucleotide] (1938): nadp

   tps
          [tps] abbreviation townships, troops

   tr...
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   tr
          [tr] abbreviation translated, translation, translator, transpose,
          troop, trustee

   trabeated
          [tra.be.at.ed] also tra.be.ate adj [L trabs, trabes beam--more
          at thorp] (1843): designed or constructed with horizontal
          beams or lintels -- tra.be.a.tion n

   trabecula
          [tra.bec.u.la] n, pl -lae also -las [NL, fr. L, little beam,
          dim. of trabs, trabes beam] (ca. 1866) 1: a small bar,
          rod, bundle of fibers, or septal membrane in the framework
          of a body organ or part 2: a fold, ridge, or bar projecting
          into or ex tending from a plant part; esp: a row of cells
          bridging an intercellular space -- tra.bec.u.lar adj
          -- tra.bec.u.late adj

   [1]trace
          [trace] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. tracier to trace] (14c) 1 archaic:
          a course or path that one follows 2 a: a mark or line
          left by something that has passed; also: footprint b:
          a path, trail, or road made by the passage of animals,
          people, or vehicles 3 a: a sign or evidence of some past
          thing: vestige b: engram 4: something (as a line) traced
          or drawn: as a: the marking made by a recording instrument
          (as a seismograph or kymograph) b: the ground plan of
          a military installation or position either on a map or
          on the ground 5 a: the intersection of a line or plane
          with a plane b: the usu. bright line or spot that moves
          across the screen of a cathode-ray tube; also: the path
          taken by such a line or spot 6 a: a minute and often
          barely detectable amount or indication <a ~ of a smile>
          b: an amount of a chemical constituent not always quantitatively
          determinable because of minuteness -- trace.less adj
          syn trace, vestige, track mean a perceptible sign made
          by something that has passed. trace may suggest any line,
          mark, or discernible effect <a snowfield pockmarked with
          the traces of caribou>. vestige applies to a tangible
          reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past
          and gone <boulders that are vestiges of the last ice
          age>. track implies a continuous line that can be followed
          <the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs>. [2]trace vb traced
          ; trac.ing [ME, fr. MF tracier, fr. (assumed) VL tractiare
          to drag, fr. L tractus, pp. of trahere to pull] vt (14c)
          1 a: delineate, sketch b: to form (as letters or figures)
          carefully or painstakingly c: to copy (as a drawing)
          by following the lines or letters as seen through a transparent
          superimposed sheet d: to impress or imprint (as a design
          or pattern) with a tracer e: to record a tracing of in
          the form of a curved, wavy, or broken line <~ the heart
          action> f: to adorn with linear ornamentation (as tracery
          or chasing) 2 archaic: to travel over: traverse 3 a:
          to follow the footprints, track, or trail of b: to follow
          or study out in detail or step by step <~ the history
          of the labor movement> c: to discover by going backward
          over the evidence step by step <~ your ancestry> d: to
          discover signs, evidence, or remains of 4: to lay out
          the trace of (a military installation) ~ vi 1: to make
          one's way; esp: to follow a track or trail 2: to be traceable
          historically -- trace.abil.i.ty n -- trace.able adj [3]trace
          n [ME trais, pl., traces, fr. MF, pl. of trait pull,
          draft, trace--more at trait] (14c) 1: either of two straps,
          chains, or lines of a harness for attaching a draft animal
          to something (as a vehicle) to be drawn 2: leader 1e(2)
          3: one or more vascular bundles supplying a leaf or twig
          4: a connecting bar or rod pivoted at each end to another
          piece and used for transmitting motion

   trace element
          [trace element] n (1932): a chemical element present in minute
          quantities; esp: one used by organisms and held essential
          to their physiology

   tracer
          [trac.er] n (ca. 1552) 1: one that traces, tracks down, or
          searches out: as a: a person who traces missing persons
          or property and esp. goods lost in transit b: an inquiry
          sent out in tracing a shipment lost in transit 2: one
          who traces designs, patterns, or markings 3: a device
          (as a stylus) used in tracing 4 a: ammunition containing
          a chemical composition to mark the flight of projectiles
          by a trail of smoke or fire b: a substance used to trace
          the course of a chemical or biological process; esp:
          label 3d

   tracery
          [trac.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1669) 1: architectural ornamental
          work with branching lines; esp: decorative openwork in
          the head of a Gothic window 2: a decorative interlacing
          of lines suggestive of Gothic tracery -- trac.er.ied
          adj

   trache-
          [trache-] or tracheo- comb form [NL, fr. ML trachea] 1: trachea
          <tracheitis> <tracheotomy> 2: tracheal and <tracheobronchial>

   trachea
          [tra.chea] n, pl -che.ae also -che.as [ME, fr. ML, fr. LL
          trachia, fr. Gk tracheia (arteria) rough (artery), fr.
          fem. of trachys rough] (14c) 1: the main trunk of the
          system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs
          in vertebrates 2 [NL, fr. ML]: vessel 3b; also: one of
          its constituent cellular elements 3 [NL]: one of the
          air-conveying tubules forming the respiratory system
          of most insects and many other arthropods -- tra.che.al
          adj

   tracheary
          [tra.che.ary] adj (1885): of, relating to, or being plant
          tracheae <~ elements>

   tracheate
          [tra.che.ate] or tra.che.at.ed adj (1877): having tracheae
          as breathing organs

   tracheid
          [tra.cheid] n [ISV] (1875): a long tubular pitted cell that
          is peculiar to xylem, functions in conduction and support,
          and has tapering closed ends and thickened lignified
          walls

   tracheitis
          [tra.che.i.tis] n [NL] (1859): inflammation of the trachea

   tracheobronchial
          [tra.cheo.bron.chi.al] adj (1896): of or relating to both
          trachea and bronchi <~ lesions>

   tracheole
          [tra.che.ole] n [NL tracheola, dim. of trachea] (1901): one
          of the minute delicate endings of a branched trachea
          of an insect -- tra.che.o.lar adj

   tracheophyte
          [tra.cheo.phyte] n [NL Tracheophyta, fr. trache- + Gk phyton
          plant; akin to Gk phyein to bring forth--more at be]
          (1937): any of a division (Tracheophyta) comprising green
          plants (as ferns and seed plants) with a vascular system
          that contains tracheids or tracheary elements

   tracheostomy
          [tra.che.os.to.my] n, pl -mies (ca. 1923): the surgical formation
          of an opening into the trachea through the neck esp.
          to allow the passage of air

   tracheotomy
          [tra.che.ot.o.my] n, pl -mies (ca. 1726): the surgical operation
          of cutting into the trachea esp. through the skin

   trachoma
          [tra.cho.ma] n [NL, fr. Gk trachoma, fr. trachys rough] (ca.
          1693): a chronic contagious bacterial conjunctivitis
          marked by inflammatory granulations on the conjunctival
          surfaces, caused by a chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis),
          and commonly resulting in blindness if left untreated

   trachyte
          [tra.chyte] n [F, fr. Gk trachys rough] (1821): a usu.
          light-colored volcanic rock consisting chiefly of potash feldspar

   trachytic
          [tra.chyt.ic] adj (1827): of or relating to a texture of
          igneous rocks in which lath-shaped feldspar crystals
          are in almost parallel lines

   tracing
          [trac.ing] n (15c) 1: the act of one that traces 2: something
          that is traced: as a: a copy made on a superimposed transparent
          sheet b: a graphic record made by an instrument (as a
          seismograph) that registers some movement

   tracing paper
          [tracing paper] n (1824): a semitransparent paper for tracing
          drawings; also: a thin paper containing a clothing pattern
          to be transferred to fabric (as through carbon paper)
          by tracing

   tracing wheel
          [tracing wheel] n (ca. 1891): a usu. toothed wheel with a
          handle that is used on tracing paper to trace a pattern

   [1]track
          [track] n [ME trak, fr. MF trac, perh. of Gmc origin; akin
          to MD tracken, trecken to pull, haul--more at trek] (15c)
          1 a: detectable evidence (as the wake of a ship, a line
          of footprints, or a wheel rut) that something has passed
          b: a path made by repeated footfalls: trail c: a course
          laid out esp. for racing d: the parallel rails of a railroad
          e (1): one of a series of parallel or concentric paths
          along which material (as music or information) is recorded
          (as on a phonograph record or magnetic tape) (2): a group
          of grooves on a phonograph record containing recorded
          sound (3): material recorded esp. on a track f: a usu.
          metal way (as a groove) serving as a guide (as for a
          movable lighting fixture) 2: a footprint whether recent
          or fossil <the huge ~ of a dinosaur> 3 a: the course
          along which something moves b: a way of life, conduct,
          or action c: one of several curricula of study to which
          students are assigned according to their needs or levels
          of ability d: the projection on the earth's surface of
          the path along which something (as a missile or an airplane)
          has flown 4 a: a sequence of events: a train of ideas:
          succession b: an awareness of a fact, progression, or
          condition <keep ~ of the costs> <lose ~ of the time>
          5 a: the width of a wheeled vehicle from wheel to wheel
          and usu. from the outside of the rims b: the tread of
          an automobile tire c: either of two endless metal belts
          on which a tracklaying vehicle travels 6: track-and-field
          sports; esp: those performed on a running track syn see
          trace -- track.less adj -- in one's tracks : where one
          stands or is at the moment: on the spot <was stopped
          in his tracks> [2]track vt (1565) 1 a: to follow the
          tracks or traces of: trail b: to search for by following
          evidence until found <~ down the source> 2 a: to follow
          by vestiges: trace b: to observe or plot the moving path
          of (as a spacecraft or missile) instrumentally 3: to
          travel over: traverse <~ a desert> 4 a: to make tracks
          upon b: to carry (as mud) on the feet and deposit 5:
          to keep track of (as a trend): follow ~ vi 1: travel
          <comet ~s eastward> 2 a of a phonograph needle: to follow
          the groove undulations of a recording b of a pair of
          wheels (1): to maintain a constant distance apart on
          the straightaway (2): to fit a track or rails c of a
          rear wheel of a vehicle: to follow accurately the corresponding
          fore wheel on a straightaway 3: to leave tracks (as on
          a floor) -- track.er n

   trackage
          [track.age] n (1880) 1: lines of railway track 2 a: a right
          to use the tracks of another railroad line b: the charge
          for such right

   track-and-field
          [track-and-field] adj (1905): of, relating to, or being any
          of various competitive athletic events (as running, jumping,
          and weight throwing) performed on a running track and
          on the adjacent field

   trackball
          [track.ball] n (1967): a ball that is mounted usu. in a computer
          console so as to be only partially exposed and is rotated
          to control the movement of a cursor on a display

   tracked
          [tracked] adj (1926) 1: traveling on endless metal belts
          instead of wheels 2: moving along a rail <a ~ air-cushion
          vehicle>

   tracking
          [track.ing] n (ca. 1929): the assigning of students to a
          curricular track

   tracking shot
          [tracking shot] n (ca. 1940): a scene photographed from a
          moving dolly

   tracklayer
          [track.lay.er] n (ca. 1861) 1: a worker engaged in tracklaying
          2: a tracklaying vehicle

   [1]tracklaying
          [track.lay.ing] n (1857): the laying of tracks on a railway
          line [2]tracklaying adj (1884): of, relating to, or being
          a vehicle that travels on two or more endless usu. metal
          belts

   trackless trolley
          [trackless trolley] n (1921): trolleybus

   track lighting
          [track lighting] n (1972): adjustable lamps mounted along
          an electrified metal track

   trackman
          [track.man] n (1922): a runner on a track team

   track record
          [track record] n [[1]track (track-and-field sports)] (1952):
          a record of past performance often taken as an indicator
          of likely future performance

   trackside
          [track.side] adj (1886): of, relating to, or situated in
          the area immediately adjacent to a track -- trackside
          n

   tracksuit
          [track.suit] n (1922): a suit of clothing consisting usu.
          of a jacket and pants that is often worn by athletes
          when working out

   trackwalker
          [track.walk.er] n (1872): a worker employed to walk over
          and inspect a section of railroad tracks

   trackway
          [track.way] n (1818) 1: a beaten or trodden path 2: a series
          of fossil footprints of a dinosaur

   [1]tract
          [tract] n, often cap [ME tracte, fr. ML tractus, fr. L, action
          of drawing, extension; perh. fr. its being sung without
          a break by one voice] (14c): verses of Scripture (as
          from the Psalms) used between the gradual and the Gospel
          at some masses (as during penitential seasons) [2]tract
          n [ME tracte, fr. L tractus action of drawing, extension,
          fr. trahere to pull, draw] (15c) 1: extent or lapse of
          time 2: an area either large or small: as a: an indefinite
          stretch of land b: a defined area of land 3 a: a system
          of body parts or organs that act together to perform
          some function <the digestive ~> b: a bundle of nerve
          fibers having a common origin, termination, and function
          [3]tract n [ME, treatise, modif. of L tractatus tractate]
          (1760): a pamphlet or leaflet of political or religious
          propaganda; also: a piece of writing that is suggestive
          of such a tract

   tractable
          [trac.ta.ble] adj [L tractabilis, fr. tractare to handle,
          treat] (1502) 1: capable of being easily led, taught,
          or controlled: docile <a ~ horse> 2: easily handled,
          managed, or wrought: malleable syn see obedient -- trac.ta.bil.i.ty
          n -- trac.ta.ble.ness n -- trac.ta.bly adv

   Tractarian
          [Trac.tar.i.an] n [fr. Tracts for the Times, series of pamphlets
          expounding the Oxford movement] (ca. 1839): a promoter
          or supporter of the Oxford movement

   Tractarianism
          [Trac.tar.i.an.ism] n (1840): a system of High Church principles
          set forth in a series of tracts at Oxford (1833-41)

   tractate
          [trac.tate] n [L tractatus, fr. tractare to draw out, handle,
          treat--more at treat] (15c): treatise, dissertation

   tract house
          [tract house] n (1956): any of many similarly designed houses
          built on a tract of land

   traction
          [trac.tion] n [ML traction-, tractio, fr. L trahere] (1615)
          1: the act of drawing: the state of being drawn; also:
          the force exerted in drawing 2: the drawing of a vehicle
          by motive power; also: the motive power employed 3 a:
          the adhesive friction of a body on a surface on which
          it moves <the ~ of a wheel on a rail> b: a pulling force
          exerted on a skeletal structure (as in a fracture) by
          means of a special device <a ~ splint>; also: a state
          of tension created by such a pulling force <a leg in
          ~> -- trac.tion.al adj

   tractive
          [trac.tive] adj [L tractus, pp.] (1615) 1: serving to draw
          2: of or relating to traction: tractional

   tractor
          [trac.tor] n [NL, fr. L trahere] (1900) 1 a: a 4-wheeled
          or tracklaying automotive vehicle used esp. for drawing
          farm equipment b: a smaller 2-wheeled apparatus controlled
          through handlebars by a walking operator c: [3]truck
          3f 2: an airplane having the propeller forward of the
          main supporting surfaces

   trad
          [trad] adj (1958) chiefly Brit: traditional

   [1]trade
          [trade] n [ME, fr. MLG; akin to OHG trata track, course,
          OE tredan to tread] (14c) 1 a obs: a path traversed:
          way b archaic: a track or trail left by a person or animal:
          tread 1 2: a customary course of action: practice <thy
          sin's not accidental, but a ~ --Shak.> 3 a: the business
          or work in which one engages regularly: occupation b:
          an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill: craft
          c: the persons engaged in an occupation, business, or
          industry 4 a obs: dealings between persons or groups
          b (1): the business of buying and selling or bartering
          commodities: commerce (2): business, market <novelties
          for the tourist ~> <did a good ~ in small appliances>
          5 a: an act or instance of trading: transaction; also:
          an exchange of property usu. without use of money b:
          a firm's customers: clientele c: the group of firms engaged
          in a business or industry 6: trade wind--usu. used in
          pl. 7: a publication intended for persons in the entertainment
          business--usu. used in pl. syn see business [2]trade
          vb trad.ed ; trad.ing vi (1553) 1 obs: to have dealings:
          negotiate 2 a: to engage in the exchange, purchase, or
          sale of goods b: to make one's purchases: shop <~s at
          his store> 3: to give one thing in exchange for another
          4: sell 3 ~ vt 1 archaic: to do business with 2 a: to
          give in exchange for another commodity: barter; also:
          to make an exchange of <traded places> b: to engage in
          frequent buying and selling of (as stocks or commodities)
          usu. in search of quick profits -- trad.able also trade.able
          adj -- trade on : to take often unscrupulous advantage
          of: exploit <traded on their influence ... in securing
          special favors --T. C. Pease> [3]trade adj (1633) 1:
          of, relating to, or used in trade 2 a: intended for or
          limited to persons in a business or industry <a ~ publication>
          <~ sales> b: serving others in the same business rather
          than the ultimate user or consumer <a ~ printing house>
          3 also trades : of, composed of, or representing the
          trades or trade unions <a ~ committee> 4: of a larger
          softcover format than mass-market paperbacks and usu.
          sold only in bookstores <~ paperbacks>; also: of or relating
          to the publishing of such books

   trade acceptance
          [trade acceptance] n (1916): a time draft or bill of exchange
          for the amount of a specific purchase drawn by the seller
          on the buyer, bearing the buyer's acceptance, and often
          noting the place of payment (as a bank)

   trade agreement
          [trade agreement] n (ca. 1921) 1: an international agreement
          on conditions of trade in goods and services 2: an agreement
          resulting from collective bargaining

   trade book
          [trade book] n (ca. 1945) 1: a book intended for general
          readership 2: trade edition

   tradecraft
          [trade.craft] n (1961): the techniques and procedures of
          espionage

   trade discount
          [trade discount] n (1901): a deduction from the list price
          of goods allowed by a manufacturer or wholesaler to a
          retailer

   trade dollar
          [trade dollar] n (1873): a U.S. silver dollar weighing 420
          grains .900 fine issued 1873-85 for use in oriental trade

   trade down
          [trade down] vi (1942) 1: to trade something in (as an automobile)
          for something less expensive or valuable of its kind 2: to stock
          or purchase lower-priced items: economize

   trade edition
          [trade edition] n (1930): an edition of a book intended for
          general distribution--compare text edition

   trade in
          [trade in] vt (1923) 1: to turn in as payment or part payment
          for a purchase or bill <trade the old car in on a new
          one> 2: exchange 2

   trade-in
          [trade-in] n (1917): an item of merchandise (as an automobile
          or refrigerator) taken as payment or part payment for
          a purchase

   trade language
          [trade language] n (1662): a restructured language (as a
          lingua franca or pidgin) used esp. in commercial communication

   trade-last
          [trade-last] n (1891): a complimentary remark by a third
          person that a hearer offers to repeat to the person complimented
          if he or she will first report a compliment made about
          the hearer

   [1]trademark
          [trade.mark] n (1838) 1: a device (as a word) pointing distinctly
          to the origin or ownership of merchandise to which it
          is applied and legally reserved to the exclusive use
          of the owner as maker or seller 2: a distinguishing characteristic
          or feature firmly associated with a person or thing <derringers ...
          became almost a ~ of gamblers --Elmer Keith> <wearing his ~ bow tie
          and derby hat> [2]trademark vt (1906): to secure trademark rights
          for: register the trademark of

   [1]trade name
          [trade name] n (1861) 1 a: the name used for an article among
          traders b: an arbitrarily adopted name that is given
          by a manufacturer or merchant to an article or service
          to distinguish it as produced or sold by him and that
          may be used and protected as a trademark 2: the name
          or style under which a concern does business [2]trade
          name vt (1945): to designate with a trade name

   trade-off
          [trade-off] n (1961) 1: a balancing of factors all of which
          are not attainable at the same time <the education versus
          experience ~ which governs personnel practices --H. S.
          White> 2: a giving up of one thing in return for another:
          exchange -- trade off vt

   trader
          [trad.er] n (1585) 1: a person whose business is buying and
          selling or barter: as a: merchant b: a person who buys
          and sells (as stocks or commodities futures) in search
          of short-term profits 2: a ship engaged in the coastal
          or foreign trade

   trade route
          [trade route] n (1876) 1: a route followed by traders (as
          in caravans) 2: one of the sea-lanes ordinarily used
          by merchant ships

   tradescantia
          [trad.es.can.tia] n [NL, genus name, fr. John Tradescant
          d. 1638 Eng. traveler & gardener] (ca. 1909): spiderwort

   trade school
          [trade school] n (1889): a secondary school teaching the
          skilled trades

   trade secret
          [trade secret] n (1895): a formula, process, or device used
          in a business that is not published or divulged and that
          thereby gives an advantage over competitors

   tradesman
          [trades.man] n (1597) 1: a worker in a skilled trade: craftsman
          2: one who runs a retail store: shopkeeper

   tradespeople
          [trades.peo.ple] n pl (1728): people engaged in trade

   trade union
          [trade union] also trades union n (1835): labor union --
          trade unionism n -- trade unionist n

   trade up
          [trade up] vi (1926) 1: to trade something in (as an automobile)
          for something more expensive or valuable of its kind
          2: to stock or purchase higher-priced items

   trade wind
          [trade wind] n (1650): a wind blowing almost constantly in
          one direction; esp: a wind blowing almost continually
          toward the equator from the northeast in the belt between
          the northern horse latitudes and the doldrums and from
          the southeast in the belt between the southern horse
          latitudes and the doldrums--usu. used in pl.

   trading post
          [trading post] n (1796) 1: a station of a trader or trading
          company established in a sparsely settled region where
          trade in products of local origin (as furs) is carried
          on 2: [6]post 3b

   trading stamp
          [trading stamp] n (1897): a printed stamp of value given
          as a premium to a retail customer to be redeemed in merchandise
          when accumulated in numbers

   tradition
          [tra.di.tion] n [ME tradicioun, fr. MF & L; MF tradition,
          fr. L tradition-, traditio action of handing over, tradition--more
          at treason] (14c) 1: an inherited, established, or customary
          pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice
          or a social custom) 2: the handing down of information, beliefs,
          and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation
          to another without written instruction 3: cultural continuity
          in social attitudes, customs, and institutions 4: characteristic
          manner, method, or style -- tra.di.tion.al adj -- tra.di.tion.al.ly
          adv -- tra.di.tion.less adj

   traditionalism
          [tra.di.tion.al.ism] n (ca. 1859) 1: adherence to the doctrines
          or practices of a tradition 2: the beliefs of those opposed
          to modernism, liberalism, or radicalism -- tra.di.tion.al.ist
          n or adj -- tra.di.tion.al.is.tic adj

   traditionalize
          [tra.di.tion.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1882): to make
          traditional: imbue with traditions or traditionalism

   traditionary
          [tra.di.tion.ary] adj (1661): traditional

   traduce
          [tra.duce] vt tra.duced ; tra.duc.ing [L traducere to lead
          across, transfer, degrade, fr. tra-, trans- trans- +
          ducere to lead--more at tow] (1592) 1: to expose to shame
          or blame by means of falsehood and misrepresentation
          2: violate, betray <~ a principle of law> syn see malign
          -- tra.duce.ment n -- tra.duc.er n

   [1]traffic
          [traf.fic] n, often attrib [MF trafique, fr. OIt traffico,
          fr. trafficare to traffic] (1506) 1 a: import and export
          trade b: the business of bartering or buying and selling
          c: illegal or disreputable usu. commercial activity <the
          drug ~> 2 a: communication or dealings esp. between individuals
          or groups b: exchange <a lively ~ in ideas --F. L. Allen>
          3 archaic: wares, goods 4 a: the movement (as of vehicles
          or pedestrians) through an area or along a route b: the
          vehicles, pedestrians, ships, or planes moving along
          a route c: the information or signals transmitted over
          a communications system: messages 5 a: the passengers
          or cargo carried by a transportation system b: the business
          of transporting passengers or freight 6: the volume of
          customers visiting a business establishment syn see business
          -- the traffic will bear : existing conditions will allow
          or permit <charge what the traffic will bear> [2]traffic
          vb traf.ficked ; traf.fick.ing vi (1540): to carry on
          traffic ~ vt 1: to travel over <heavily trafficked highways>
          2: trade, barter -- traf.fick.er n

   trafficability
          [traf.fic.abil.i.ty] n (1899): the quality of a terrain that
          permits passage (as of vehicles and troops) -- traf.fic.able
          adj

   traffic circle
          [traffic circle] n (1942): rotary 2

   traffic cone
          [traffic cone] n (1953): a conical marker used on a road
          or highway (as for indicating an area under repair)

   traffic court
          [traffic court] n (1919): a minor court for disposition of
          petty prosecutions for violations of statutes, ordinances,
          and local regulations governing the use of highways and
          motor vehicles

   traffic engineering
          [traffic engineering] n (1931): engineering dealing with
          the design of streets and control of traffic -- traffic
          engineer n

   traffic island
          [traffic island] n (1931): island 2a

   traffic light
          [traffic light] n (1912): an electrically operated visual
          signal (as a system of colored lights) for controlling
          traffic

   traffic manager
          [traffic manager] n (1862) 1: a supervisor of the traffic
          functions of a commercial or industrial organization
          2: the director of a large telegraph office

   traffic signal
          [traffic signal] n (1917): a signal (as a traffic light)
          for controlling traffic

   trag
          [trag] abbreviation tragedy, tragic

   tragacanth
          [trag.a.canth] n [MF tragacanthe, fr. L tragacantha, fr.
          Gk tragakantha, fr. tragos goat + akantha thorn] (1573):
          a gum obtained from various Asian or East European leguminous
          plants (genus Astragalus and esp. A. gummifer) that swells
          in water and is used chiefly as an emulsifying, suspending,
          or thickening agent

   tragedian
          [tra.ge.di.an] n [ME tragedien, fr. MF, fr. tragedie] (14c)
          1: a writer of tragedies 2: an actor specializing in
          tragic roles

   tragedienne
          [tra.ge.di.enne] n [F tragedienne, fr. MF, fr. tragedie]
          (1851): an actress who plays tragic roles

   tragedy
          [trag.e.dy] n, pl -dies [ME tragedie, fr. MF, fr. L tragoedia,
          fr. Gk tragoidia, fr. tragos goat (akin to Gk trogein
          to gnaw) + aeidein to sing--more at troglodyte, ode]
          (14c) 1 a: a medieval narrative poem or tale typically
          describing the downfall of a great man b: a serious drama
          typically describing a conflict between the protagonist
          and a superior force (as destiny) and having a sorrowful
          or disastrous conclusion that excites pity or terror
          c: the literary genre of tragic dramas 2 a: a disastrous
          event: calamity b: misfortune 3: tragic quality or element

   tragic
          [trag.ic] also trag.i.cal adj [ME, fr. L tragicus, fr. Gk
          tragikos, irreg. fr. tragoidia tragedy] (15c) 1: of,
          marked by, or expressive of tragedy <the ~ significance
          of the atomic bomb --H. S. Truman> 2 a: dealing with
          or treated in tragedy <the ~ hero> b: appropriate to
          or typical of tragedy 3 a: regrettably serious or unpleasant:
          deplorable, lamentable <a ~ mistake> b: marked by a sense
          of tragedy -- trag.i.cal.ly adv

   tragic flaw
          [tragic flaw] n (1913): a flaw in character that brings about
          the downfall of the hero of a tragedy

   tragic irony
          [tragic irony] n (1833): irony 3b

   tragicomedy
          [tragi.com.e.dy] n [MF tragicomedie, fr. OIt tragicomedia,
          fr. OSp, fr. L tragicomoedia, fr. tragicus + comoedia
          comedy] (ca. 1580): a drama or a situation blending tragic
          and comic elements -- tragi.com.ic also tragi.com.i.cal
          adj

   tragus
          [tra.gus] n, pl tra.gi [NL, fr. Gk tragos, a part of the
          ear, lit., goat] (ca. 1693): the prominence in front
          of the external opening of the ear

   trahison des clercs
          [tra.hi.son des clercs] [F] foreign term : treason of the
          intellectuals

   [1]trail
          [trail] vb [ME, fr. MF trailler to tow, fr. (assumed) VL
          tragulare, fr. L tragula sledge, dragnet; akin to L trahere
          to pull] vi (14c) 1 a: to hang down so as to drag along
          or sweep the ground b: to extend over a surface in a
          loose or straggling manner <a vine that ~s over the ground>
          c: to grow to such length as to droop over toward the
          ground <~ing branches of a weeping birch> 2 a: to walk
          or proceed draggingly, heavily, or wearily: plod, trudge
          b: to lag behind: do poorly in relation to others 3:
          to move, flow, or extend slowly in thin streams <smoke
          ~ing from chimneys> 4 a: to extend in an erratic or uneven
          course or line: straggle b: dwindle <voice ~ing off>
          5: to follow a trail: track game ~ vt 1 a: to draw or
          drag loosely along a surface: allow to sweep the ground
          b: haul, tow 2 a: to drag (as a limb or the body) heavily
          or wearily b: to carry or bring along as an addition,
          burden, or encumbrance c: to draw along in one's wake
          3 a: to follow upon the scent or trace of: track b: to
          follow in the footsteps of: pursue c: to follow along
          behind d: to lag behind (as a competitor) syn see chase
          [2]trail n (14c) 1: something that trails or is trailed:
          as a: a trailing plant b: the train of a gown c: a trailing
          arrangement (as of flowers): spray d: the part of a gun
          carriage that rests on the ground when the piece is unlimbered
          2 a: something that follows or moves along as if being
          drawn along: train <a ~ of admirers> b (1): the streak
          produced by a meteor (2): a continuous line produced
          photographically by permitting the image of a celestial
          body (as a star) to move over the plate c: a chain of
          consequences: aftermath <the ... movement left a ~ of
          bitterness and prejudice behind it --Paul Blanshard>
          3 a: a trace or mark left by something that has passed
          or been drawn along: scent, track <a ~ of blood> b (1):
          a track made by passage esp. through a wilderness (2):
          a marked or established path or route esp. through a
          forest or mountainous region c: a course followed or
          to be followed <hit the campaign ~> -- trail.less adj

   trail bike
          [trail bike] n (1966): a small motorcycle designed for off-road
          use

   trailblazer
          [trail.blaz.er] n (1908) 1: one that blazes a trail to guide
          others: pathfinder 2: pioneer 2 <a ~ in astrophysics>

   trailblazing
          [trail.blaz.ing] adj (1951): making or pointing a new way
          <~ legislation>

   trailbreaker
          [trail.break.er] n (1925): trailblazer

   [1]trailer
          [trail.er] n (1590) 1: one that trails 2: a trailing plant
          3: a nonautomotive vehicle designed to be hauled by road:
          as a: a vehicle for transporting something <a boat ~>;
          esp: semitrailer 1 b: a vehicle designed to serve wherever
          parked as a temporary dwelling or place of business c:
          mobile home 4 a: preview 2 b: a short blank strip of
          film attached to the end of a reel [2]trailer vi (1938)
          1: to live or travel in or with a trailer 2: to be transportable
          by trailer <a light boat that ~s easily> ~ vt: to transport
          (as a boat) by means of a trailer -- trail.er.able adj
          -- trail.er.ing n

   trailerist
          [trail.er.ist] n (1950) 1: a person traveling or vacationing
          with a trailer 2: trailerite 1

   trailerite
          [trail.er.ite] n (1936) 1: a person living in a mobile home
          2: trailerist 1

   trailer park
          [trailer park] n (1942): an area equipped to accommodate
          mobile homes--called also trailer camp, trailer court

   trailhead
          [trail.head] n (1948): the point at which a trail begins

   trailing arbutus
          [trailing arbutus] n (1785): arbutus 2

   trailing edge
          [trailing edge] n (1909): the rearmost edge of an object
          that moves and esp. of an airfoil

   trail mix
          [trail mix] n (1979): a mixture of seeds, nuts, and dried
          fruits eaten as a snack esp. by hikers

   trailside
          [trail.side] adj (1923): of, relating to, or situated in
          the area immediately adjacent to a trail

   [1]train
          [train] n [ME traine, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. trair to betray,
          fr. L tradere--more at traitor] (14c) obs: scheme, trick
          [2]train n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. trainer to draw,
          drag] (15c) 1: a part of a gown that trails behind the
          wearer 2 a: retinue, suite b: a moving file of persons,
          vehicles, or animals 3: the vehicles, personnel, and
          sometimes animals that furnish supply, maintenance, and
          evacuation services to a combat unit 4 a: order of occurrence
          leading to some result--often used in the phrase in train
          <this humiliating process had been in ~ for decades --Paul
          Fussell> b: an orderly succession <a ~ of thought> c:
          accompanying or resultant circumstances: aftermath <consequences
          the discovery will bring in its ~> 5: a line of combustible
          material laid to lead fire to a charge 6: a series of
          moving mechanical parts (as gears) that transmit and
          modify motion 7 a: a connected line of railroad cars
          with or without a locomotive b: an automotive tractor
          with one or more trailer units 8: a series of parts or
          elements that together constitute a system for producing
          a result and esp. for carrying on a process (as of manufacture)
          automatically -- train.ful n [3]train vb [ME, fr. MF
          trainer, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL traginare; akin to
          L trahere to draw] vt (15c) 1: trail, drag 2: to direct
          the growth of (a plant) usu. by bending, pruning, and
          tying 3 a: to form by instruction, discipline, or drill
          b: to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient
          4: to make prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill
          5: to aim at an object or objective: direct <~ed his
          camera on the deer> <~ing every effort toward success>
          ~ vi 1: to undergo instruction, discipline, or drill
          2: to go by train syn see teach -- train.abil.i.ty n
          -- train.able adj

   trainband
          [train.band] n [alter. of trained band] (1630): a 17th or
          18th century militia company in England or America

   trainbearer
          [train.bear.er] n (1722): an attendant who holds up (as on
          a ceremonial occasion) the train of a robe or gown

   train case
          [train case] n (1948): a small boxlike piece of luggage used
          esp. for toilet articles

   train dispatcher
          [train dispatcher] n (1857): a railroad employee who directs
          the movement of trains within a division and coordinates
          their movement from one division to another

   trainee
          [train.ee] n (1841): one that is being trained esp. for a
          job -- train.ee.ship n

   trainer
          [train.er] n (1598) 1: one that trains 2: one (as a machine
          or vehicle) used in training 3: a person who treats the
          ailments and minor injuries of the members of an athletic
          team

   training
          [train.ing] n (1548) 1 a: the act, process, or method of
          one that trains b: the skill, knowledge, or experience
          acquired by one that trains 2: the state of being trained

   training college
          [training college] n (ca. 1829) Brit: teachers college

   training school
          [training school] n (1829) 1: a school preparing students
          for a particular occupation 2: a correctional institution
          for the custody and reeducation of juvenile delinquents

   training table
          [training table] n (1893): a table where athletes under a
          training regimen eat meals planned to help in their conditioning

   training wheels
          [training wheels] n pl (1964): a pair of small wheels connected
          to the rear axle of a bicycle to help a beginning bicyclist
          maintain balance

   trainload
          [train.load] n (1876): the full freight or passenger capacity
          of a railroad train; also: a load that fills a train

   trainman
          [train.man] n (1877): a member of a train crew supervised
          by a conductor

   train oil
          [train oil] n [obs. train train oil, fr. ME trane, fr. MD
          trane or MLG tran; akin to OHG trahan tear] (ca. 1553):
          oil from a marine animal (as a whale)

   traipse
          [traipse] vb traipsed ; traips.ing [origin unknown] vi (1647):
          to go on foot: walk <traipsed over to the restaurant>
          <children traipsing at her heels>; also: to walk or travel
          about without apparent plan but with or without a purpose
          <a week traipsing through the Ozarks> <traipsing from
          office to office> ~ vt: tramp, walk syn see wander --
          traipse n

   trait
          [trait] n [MF, lit., act of drawing, fr. L tractus--more
          at tract] (1589) 1 a: a stroke of or as if of a pencil
          b: touch, trace 2 a: a distinguishing quality (as of
          personal character): peculiarity b: an inherited characteristic

   traitor
          [trai.tor] n [ME traitre, fr. OF, fr. L traditor, fr. tradere
          to hand over, deliver, betray, fr. trans-, tra- trans-
          + dare to give--more at date] (13c) 1: one who betrays
          another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty
          2: one who commits treason

   traitorous
          [trai.tor.ous] adj (14c) 1: guilty or capable of treason
          2: constituting treason <~ activities> syn see faithless
          -- trai.tor.ous.ly adv

   traitress
          [trai.tress] or trai.tor.ess n (14c): a female traitor

   traject
          [tra.ject] vt [L trajectus, pp. of traicere] (1657): transmit
          -- tra.jec.tion n

   trajectory
          [tra.jec.to.ry] n, pl -ries [NL trajectoria, fr. fem. of
          trajectorius of passing, fr. L traicere to cause to cross,
          cross, fr. trans-, tra- trans- + jacere to throw--more
          at jet] (1696) 1: the curve that a body (as a planet
          or comet in its orbit or a rocket) describes in space
          2: a path, progression, or line of development resembling
          a physical trajectory

   Trakehner
          [Tra.keh.ner] n [G, fr. Trakehnen, site of the Prussian royal
          stud in East Prussia] (1926): any of a breed of large
          powerful saddle horses that originated in East Prussia
          and excel in dressage and jumping

   [1]tram
          [tram] n [E dial., shaft of a wheelbarrow, prob. fr. LG traam,
          lit., beam] (ca. 1517) 1: any of various vehicles: as
          a: a boxlike wagon running on rails (as in a mine) b
          chiefly Brit: streetcar c: a carrier that travels on
          an overhead cable or rails 2 pl, chiefly Brit: a streetcar
          line [2]tram vt trammed ; tram.ming (1874): to haul in
          a tram or over a tramway

   tramcar
          [tram.car] n (1873) 1 chiefly Brit: streetcar 2: tram 1a

   tramline
          [tram.line] n (1886) Brit: a streetcar line

   [1]trammel
          [tram.mel] n [ME tramayle, a kind of net, fr. MF tremail,
          fr. LL tremaculum, fr. L tres three + macula mesh, spot--more
          at three] (15c) 1: a net for catching birds or fish;
          esp: one having three layers with the middle one finer-meshed
          and slack so that fish passing through carry some of
          the center net through the coarser opposite net and are
          trapped 2: an adjustable pothook for a fireplace crane
          3: a shackle used for making a horse amble 4: something
          impeding activity, progress, or freedom: restraint--usu.
          used in pl. 5 a: an instrument for drawing ellipses b:
          a compass for drawing large circles that consists of
          a beam with two sliding parts--usu. used in pl. c: any
          of various gauges used for aligning or adjusting machine
          parts [2]trammel vt -meled or -melled ; -mel.ing or -mel.ling
          (1605) 1: to catch or hold in or as if in a net: enmesh
          2: to prevent or impede the free play of: confine syn
          see hamper

   [1]tramontane
          [tra.mon.tane] n (1593): one dwelling in a tramontane region;
          broadly: foreigner [2]tramontane adj [It tramontano,
          fr. L transmontanus, fr. trans- + mont-, mons mountain--more
          at mount] (1596) 1: transalpine 2: lying on or coming
          from the other side of a mountain range

   [1]tramp
          [tramp] vb [ME; akin to MLG trampen to stamp] vi (14c) 1:
          to walk, tread, or step esp. heavily 2 a: to travel about
          on foot: hike b: to journey as a tramp ~ vt 1: to tread
          on forcibly and repeatedly 2: to travel or wander through
          or over on foot <have ~ed all the woods on their property>
          -- tramp.er n [2]tramp n (1664) 1 a: a foot traveler
          b: a begging or thieving vagrant c: a woman of loose
          morals; specif: prostitute 2: a walking trip: hike 3:
          the succession of sounds made by the beating of feet
          on a surface (as a road, pavement, or floor) 4: an iron
          plate to protect the sole of a shoe 5: a ship not making
          regular trips but taking cargo when and where it offers
          and to any port--called also tramp steamer [3]tramp adj
          (1873): having no fixed abode, connection, or destination
          <a ~ dog>

   tramp art
          [tramp art] n (1974): a style of wood carving flourishing
          in the U.S. from about 1875 to 1930 that is characterized
          by ornate layered whittling often of cigar boxes or fruit
          crates; also: an object carved in this style

   trample
          [tram.ple] vb tram.pled ; tram.pling [ME, freq. of trampen
          to tramp] vi (14c) 1: tramp; esp: to tread heavily so
          as to bruise, crush, or injure 2: to inflict injury or
          destruction esp. contemptuously or ruthlessly--usu. used
          with on, over, or upon <trampling on the rights of others>
          ~ vt: to crush, injure, or destroy by or as if by treading
          -- trample n -- tram.pler n

   trampoline
          [tram.po.line] n [It trampolino springboard, fr. trampoli
          stilts, of Gmc origin; akin to MLG trampen to stamp]
          (1928): a resilient sheet or web (as of nylon) supported
          by springs in a metal frame and used as a springboard
          and landing area in tumbling -- tram.po.lin.er n -- tram.po.lin.ist
          n

   trampolining
          [tram.po.lin.ing] n (1949): the sport of jumping and tumbling
          on a trampoline

   tramway
          [tram.way] n (1825) 1 a: a railway for trams b Brit: a streetcar
          line 2: an overhead cable for trams

   [1]trance
          [trance] n [ME, fr. MF transe, fr. transir to pass away,
          swoon, fr. L transire to pass, pass away--more at transient]
          (14c) 1: a state of partly suspended animation or inability
          to function 2: a somnolent state (as of deep hypnosis)
          3: a state of profound abstraction or absorption -- trance.like
          adj [2]trance vt tranced ; tranc.ing (ca. 1598): entrance,
          enrapture

   tranche
          [tranche] n [F, lit., slice, fr. OF, fr. trenchier, trancher
          to cut--more at trench] (1930): a bond series issued
          for sale in a foreign country

   tranche de vie
          [tranche de vie] [F] foreign term : slice of life

   trangam
          [tran.gam] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1658) archaic: trinket,
          gimcrack

   tranquil
          [tran.quil] adj [L tranquillus] (1604) 1 a: free from agitation
          of mind or spirit <a ~ self-assurance> b: free from disturbance
          or turmoil <a ~ scene> 2: unvarying in aspect: steady,
          stable syn see calm -- tran.quil.ly adv -- tran.quil.ness
          n

   tranquilize
          [tran.quil.ize] also tran.quil.lize vb -ized also -lized
          ; -iz.ing also -liz.ing vt (1623): to make tranquil or
          calm: pacify; esp: to relieve of mental tension and anxiety
          by means of drugs ~ vi 1: to become tranquil: relax 1
          2: to make one tranquil

   tranquilizer
          [tran.quil.iz.er] also tran.quil.liz.er n (1800) 1: one that
          tranquilizes 2: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance
          (as anxiety and tension)

   tranquillity
          [tran.quil.li.ty] or tran.quil.i.ty n (14c): the quality
          or state of being tranquil

   trans-
          [trans-] prefix [L trans-, tra- across, beyond, through,
          so as to change, fr. trans across, beyond--more at through]
          1: on or to the other side of: across: beyond <transatlantic>
          2 a: beyond (a specified chemical element) in the periodic
          table <transuranium> b usu ital: trans
          <trans-dichloro-ethylene>--compare cis- 2
          3: through <transcutaneous>
          4: so or such as to change or transfer <transliterate>
          <translocation> <transamination> <transship>

   trans
          [trans] adj (1892): characterized by having certain groups
          of atoms on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of
          a double bond or of the plane of a ring in a molecule

   trans
          [trans] abbreviation transaction, transitive, translated,
          translation, translator, transmission, transportation,
          transverse

   transact
          [trans.act] vb [L transactus, pp. of transigere to drive
          through, complete, transact, fr. trans- + agere to drive,
          do--more at agent] vi (ca. 1585): to carry on business
          ~ vt 1: to carry to completion <~ a sale> 2: to carry
          on the operation or management of: do <~ business> --
          trans.ac.tor n

   transactinide
          [trans.ac.ti.nide] adj (1969): of, relating to, or being
          actual or hypothetical elements with atomic weights higher
          than those of the actinide series <~ chemistry>

   transaction
          [trans.ac.tion] n (1647) 1 a: something transacted; esp:
          an exchange or transfer of goods, services, or funds
          <electronic ~s> b pl: the often published record of the
          meeting of a society or association 2 a: an act, process,
          or instance of transacting b: a communicative action
          or activity involving two parties or things that reciprocally
          affect or influence each other -- trans.ac.tion.al adj

   transactional analysis
          [transactional analysis] n (1961): a system of psychotherapy
          involving analysis of individual episodes of social interaction
          for insight that will aid communication

   transalpine
          [trans.al.pine] adj [L transalpinus, fr. trans- + Alpes the
          Alps] (1590): situated on the north side of the Alps
          <Transalpine Gaul>--compare cisalpine

   transaminase
          [trans.am.i.nase] n (1940): an enzyme promoting
          transamination--called also aminotransferase

   transamination
          [trans.am.i.na.tion] n (1939): a reversible oxidation-reduction
          reaction in which an amino group is transferred typically
          from an alpha-amino acid to the carbonyl carbon atom
          of an alpha-keto acid

   transatlantic
          [trans.at.lan.tic] adj (1779) 1 a: crossing or extending
          across the Atlantic Ocean <a ~ cable> b: relating to
          or involving crossing the Atlantic Ocean <~ air fares>
          2 a: situated or originating from beyond the Atlantic
          Ocean b: of, relating to, or involving countries on both
          sides of the Atlantic Ocean and esp. the U.S. and Great
          Britain <~ cooperation>

   transaxle
          [trans.ax.le] n [transmission + axle] (1958): a unit that
          consists of a combination of transmission and front axle
          used in front-wheel-drive automobiles

   transceiver
          [trans.ceiv.er] n [transmitter + receiver] (1934): a radio
          transmitter-receiver that uses many of the same components
          for both transmission and reception

   transcend
          [tran.scend] vb [ME, fr. L transcendere to climb across,
          transcend, fr. trans- + scandere to climb--more at scan]
          vt (14c) 1 a: to rise above or go beyond the limits of
          b: to triumph over the negative or restrictive aspects
          of: overcome c: to be prior to, beyond, and above (the
          universe or material existence) 2: to outstrip or outdo
          in some attribute, quality, or power ~ vi: to rise above
          or extend notably beyond ordinary limits syn see exceed

   transcendence
          [tran.scen.dence] n (1601): the quality or state of being
          transcendent

   transcendency
          [tran.scen.den.cy] n (1615): transcendence

   transcendent
          [tran.scen.dent] adj [L transcendent-, transcendens, prp.
          of transcendere] (1598) 1 a: exceeding usual limits:
          surpassing b: extending or lying beyond the limits of
          ordinary experience c in Kantian philosophy: being beyond
          the limits of all possible experience and knowledge 2:
          being beyond comprehension 3: transcending the universe
          or material existence -- tran.scen.dent.ly adv

   transcendental
          [tran.scen.den.tal] adj (1624) 1 a: transcendent 1b b: supernatural
          c: abstruse, abstract d: of or relating to transcendentalism
          2 a: incapable of being the root of an algebraic equation with
          rational coefficients <pi is a ~ number> b: being, involving,
          or representing a function (as sin x, log x, or e to the exponent
          x) that cannot be expressed by a finite number of algebraic
          operations <~ curves> 3 in Kantian philosophy a: of or relating
          to experience as determined by the mind's makeup b: transcending
          experience but not human knowledge 4: transcendent
          1a -- tran.scen.den.tal.ly adv

   transcendentalism
          [tran.scen.den.tal.ism] n (1803) 1: a philosophy that emphasizes
          the a priori conditions of knowledge and experience or
          the unknowable character of ultimate reality or that
          emphasizes the transcendent as the fundamental reality
          2: a philosophy that asserts the primacy of the spiritual
          and transcendental over the material and empirical 3:
          the quality or state of being transcendental; esp: visionary
          idealism -- tran.scen.den.tal.ist adj or n

   transcendental meditation
          [transcendental meditation] n (1966): a technique of meditation
          in which a mantra is chanted in order to foster calm,
          creativity, and spiritual well-being

   transcontinental
          [trans.con.ti.nen.tal] adj (1853): extending or going across
          a continent <a ~ railroad>

   transcribe
          [tran.scribe] vt tran.scribed ; tran.scrib.ing [L transcribere,
          fr. trans- + scribere to write--more at scribe] (1552)
          1 a: to make a written copy of b: to make a copy of (dictated
          or recorded matter) in longhand or on a machine (as a
          typewriter) c: to paraphrase or summarize in writing
          d: write down, record 2 a: to represent (speech sounds)
          by means of phonetic symbols b: translate 2a c: to transfer
          (data) from one recording form to another d: to record
          (as on magnetic tape) for later broadcast 3: to make
          a musical transcription of 4: to cause (as DNA) to undergo
          genetic transcription -- tran.scrib.er n

   transcript
          [tran.script] n [ME, fr. ML transcriptum, fr. L, neut. of
          transcriptus, pp. of transcribere] (14c) 1 a: a written,
          printed, or typed copy; esp: a usu. typewritten copy
          of dictated or recorded material b: an official or legal
          and often published copy <a court reporter's ~>; esp:
          an official copy of a student's educational record 2:
          a representation (as of experience) in an art form 3:
          a sequence of RNA produced by transcription from a DNA
          template

   transcriptase
          [tran.scrip.tase] n [transcription + -ase] (1963): rna polymerase;
          also: reverse transcriptase

   transcription
          [tran.scrip.tion] n (1598) 1: an act, process, or instance
          of transcribing 2: copy, transcript: as a: an arrangement
          of a musical composition for some instrument or voice
          other than the original b: a recording (as on magnetic
          tape) made esp. for use in radiobroadcasting 3: the process
          of constructing a messenger RNA molecule using a DNA
          molecule as a template with resulting transfer of genetic
          information to the messenger RNA--compare translation
          2, reverse transcription -- tran.scrip.tion.al adj --
          tran.scrip.tion.al.ly adv

   transcriptionist
          [tran.scrip.tion.ist] n (1963): one that transcribes; esp:
          a typist who transcribes dictated medical reports

   transcultural
          [trans.cul.tur.al] adj (1951): involving, encompassing, or
          extending across two or more cultures <~ problems>

   transcutaneous
          [trans.cu.ta.ne.ous] adj (ca. 1941): passing, entering, or
          made by penetration through the skin <~ infection> <~
          inoculation>

   transdermal
          [trans.der.mal] adj (1944): relating to, being, or supplying
          a medication in a form for absorption through the skin
          into the bloodstream <~ drug delivery> <~ nitroglycerin>
          <~ nicotine patch>

   transdisciplinary
          [trans.dis.ci.plin.ary] adj (1948): interdisciplinary

   transduce
          [trans.duce] vt trans.duced ; trans.duc.ing [L transducere
          to lead across, transfer, fr. trans- + ducere to lead--more
          at tow] (1947) 1: to convert (as energy or a message)
          into another form <essentially sense organs ~ physical
          energy into a nervous signal> 2: to bring about the transfer
          of (as a gene) from one microorganism to another by means
          of a viral agent

   transducer
          [trans.duc.er] n (1924): a device that is actuated by power
          from one system and supplies power usu. in another form
          to a second system <a loudspeaker is a ~ that transforms
          electrical signals into sound energy>

   transduction
          [trans.duc.tion] n [L transducere] (1947): the action or
          process of transducing; esp: the transfer of genetic
          determinants from one microorganism to another by a viral
          agent (as a bacteriophage) -- trans.duc.tant n -- trans.duc.tion.al
          adj

   [1]transect
          [tran.sect] vt [trans- + intersect] (1634): to cut transversely
          -- tran.sec.tion n [2]tran.sect n (1905): a sample area
          (as of vegetation) usu. in the form of a long continuous
          strip

   transept
          [tran.sept] n [NL transeptum, fr. L trans- + septum, saeptum
          enclosure, wall] (ca. 1542): the part of a cruciform
          church that crosses at right angles to the greatest length
          between the nave and the apse or choir; also: either
          of the projecting ends of a transept -- tran.sep.tal
          adj

   transf
          [transf] abbreviation transfer, transferred

   transfection
          [trans.fec.tion] n [trans- + infection] (1964): infection
          of a cell with isolated viral nucleic acid followed by
          production of the complete virus in the cell; also: the
          incorporation of exogenous DNA into a cell -- trans.fect
          vt

   [1]transfer
          [trans.fer] vb trans.ferred ; trans.fer.ring [ME transferren,
          fr. L transferre, fr. trans- + ferre to carry--more at
          bear] vt (14c) 1 a: to convey from one person, place,
          or situation to another: transport b: to cause to pass
          from one to another: transmit c: transform, change 2:
          to make over the possession or control of: convey 3:
          to print or otherwise copy from one surface to another
          by contact ~ vi 1: to move to a different place, region,
          or situation; esp: to withdraw from one educational institution
          to enroll at another 2: to change from one vehicle or
          transportation line to another -- trans.fer.abil.i.ty
          n -- trans.fer.able also trans.fer.ra.ble adj -- trans.fer.al
          n -- trans.fer.rer n [2]trans.fer n (1674) 1 a: conveyance
          of right, title, or interest in real or personal property
          from one person to another b: removal or acquisition
          of property by mere delivery with intent to transfer
          title 2 a: an act, process, or instance of transferring:
          transference 2 b: the carryover or generalization of
          learned responses from one type of situation to another
          3: one that transfers or is transferred; esp: a graphic
          image transferred by contact from one surface to another
          4: a place where a transfer is made (as of trains to
          ferries or as where one form of power is changed to another)
          5: a ticket entitling a passenger on a public conveyance
          to continue the trip on another route

   transferase
          [trans.fer.ase] n (1948): an enzyme that promotes transfer
          of a group from one molecule to another

   transferee
          [trans.fer.ee] n (ca. 1736) 1: a person to whom a conveyance
          is made 2: one who is transferred

   transference
          [trans.fer.ence] n (1681) 1: an act, process, or instance
          of transferring: conveyance, transfer 2: the redirection
          of feelings and desires and esp. of those unconsciously
          retained from childhood toward a new object (as a psychoanalyst
          conducting therapy) -- trans.fer.en.tial adj

   transfer factor
          [transfer factor] n (1956): a substance that is produced
          and secreted by a lymphocyte functioning in cell-mediated
          immunity and that upon incorporation into a lymphocyte
          which has not been sensitized confers on it the same
          immunological specificity as the sensitized cell

   transferor
          [trans.fer.or] n (1875): one that conveys a title, right,
          or property

   transfer payment
          [transfer payment] n (ca. 1945) 1: a public expenditure made
          for a purpose (as unemployment compensation) other than
          procuring goods or services--usu. used in pl. 2 pl: money
          (as welfare payments) that is received by individuals
          and that is neither compensation for goods or services
          currently supplied nor income from investments

   transferrin
          [trans.fer.rin] n [trans- + L ferrum iron] (1947): a beta
          globulin in blood plasma capable of combining with ferric
          ions and transporting iron in the body

   transfer RNA
          [transfer RNA] n (1961): a relatively small RNA that transfers
          a particular amino acid to a growing polypeptide chain
          at the ribosomal site of protein synthesis during
          translation--compare messenger rna

   transfiguration
          [trans.fig.u.ra.tion] n (14c) 1 a: a change in form or appearance:
          metamorphosis b: an exalting, glorifying, or spiritual change
          2 cap: August 6 observed as a Christian feast in commemoration
          of the transfiguration of Christ on a mountaintop in the presence
          of three disciples

   transfigure
          [trans.fig.ure] vt -ured ; -ur.ing [ME, fr. L transfigurare,
          fr. trans- + figurare to shape, fashion, fr. figura figure]
          (14c): to give a new and typically exalted or spiritual
          appearance to: transform outwardly and usu. for the better
          syn see transform

   transfinite
          [trans.fi.nite] adj [G transfinit, fr. trans- (fr. L) + finit
          finite, fr. L finitus] (1902) 1: going beyond or surpassing
          any finite number, group, or magnitude 2: being or relating
          to cardinal and ordinal numbers of sets with an infinite
          number of elements

   transfix
          [trans.fix] vt [L transfixus, pp. of transfigere, fr. trans-
          + figere to fasten, pierce--more at fix] (1590) 1: to
          pierce through with or as if with a pointed weapon: impale
          2: to hold motionless by or as if by piercing -- trans.fix.ion
          n

   [1]transform
          [trans.form] vb [ME, fr. L transformare, fr. trans- + formare
          to form, fr. forma form] vt (14c) 1 a: to change in composition
          or structure b: to change the outward form or appearance
          of c: to change in character or condition: convert 2:
          to subject to mathematical transformation 3: to cause
          (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation ~ vi: to become
          transformed: change -- trans.form.able adj -- trans.for.ma.tive
          adj syn transform, metamorphose, transmute, convert,
          transmogrify, transfigure mean to change a thing into
          a different thing. transform implies a major change in
          form, nature, or function <transformed a small company
          into a corporate giant>. metamorphose suggests an abrupt
          or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a
          supernatural power <awkward girls metamorphosed into
          graceful ballerinas>. transmute implies transforming
          into a higher element or thing <attempted to transmute
          lead into gold>. convert implies a change fitting something
          for a new or different use or function <converted the
          study into a nursery>. transmogrify suggests a strange
          or preposterous metamorphosis <a story in which a frog
          is transmogrified into a prince>. transfigure implies
          a change that exalts or glorifies <joy transfigured her
          face>. [2]trans.form n (1853) 1: a mathematical element
          obtained from another by transformation 2: transformation
          3a(1), (2) 3: a linguistic structure (as a sentence)
          produced by means of a transformation <"the duckling
          is killed by the farmer" is a ~ of "the farmer kills
          the duckling">

   transformation
          [trans.for.ma.tion] n (15c) 1: an act, process, or instance
          of transforming or being transformed 2: false hair worn
          esp. by a woman to replace or supplement natural hair
          3 a (1): the operation of changing (as by rotation or
          mapping) one configuration or expression into another
          in accordance with a mathematical rule; esp: a change
          of variables or coordinates in which a function of new
          variables or coordinates is substituted for each original
          variable or coordinate (2): the formula that effects
          a transformation b: function 5a c: an operation that
          converts (as by insertion, deletion, or permutation)
          one grammatical string (as a sentence) into another;
          also: a formal statement of such an operation 4 a: genetic
          modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free
          DNA from another ruptured bacterial cell--compare transduction
          b: genetic modification of a cell by the uptake and incorporation
          of exogenous DNA

   transformational
          [trans.for.ma.tion.al] adj (1894): of, relating to, characterized
          by, or concerned with transformation and esp. linguistic
          transformation -- trans.for.ma.tion.al.ly adv

   transformational grammar
          [transformational grammar] n (1961): a grammar that generates
          the deep structures of a language and converts these
          to the surface structures by means of transformations

   transformationalist
          [trans.for.ma.tion.al.ist] n (1964): an exponent of
          transformational grammar

   transformer
          [trans.form.er] n (1596): one that transforms; specif: a
          device employing the principle of mutual induction to
          convert variations of current in a primary circuit into
          variations of voltage and current in a secondary circuit

   transfuse
          [trans.fuse] vt trans.fused ; trans.fus.ing [ME, fr. L transfusus,
          pp. of transfundere, fr. trans- + fundere to pour--more at found]
          (15c) 1 a: to cause to pass from one to another: transmit
          b: to diffuse into or through: permeate <sunlight ~s the bay>
          2 a: to transfer (as blood) into a vein of a person or animal
          b: to subject (a patient) to transfusion -- trans.fus.ible
          or trans.fus.able adj

   transfusion
          [trans.fu.sion] n (1578) 1: an act, process, or instance
          of transfusing; esp: the process of transfusing fluid
          into a vein or artery 2: something transfused -- trans.fu.sion.al
          adj

   transgenic
          [trans.gen.ic] adj (1982): having chromosomes into which
          one or more heterologous genes have been incorporated
          either artificially or naturally <~ mice>

   transgress
          [trans.gress] vb [MF transgresser, fr. L transgressus, pp.
          of transgredi to step beyond or across, fr. trans- +
          gradi to step--more at grade] vt (1526) 1: to go beyond
          limits set or prescribed by: violate <~ divine law> 2:
          to pass beyond or go over (a limit or boundary) ~ vi
          1: to violate a command or law: sin 2: to go beyond a
          boundary or limit -- trans.gres.sive adj -- trans.gres.sor
          n

   transgression
          [trans.gres.sion] n (15c): an act, process, or instance of
          transgressing: as a: infringement or violation of a law,
          command, or duty b: the spread of the sea over land areas
          and the consequent unconformable deposit of sediments
          on older rocks

   tranship
          [tran.ship] var of transship

   transhistorical
          [trans.his.tor.i.cal] adj (1909): transcending historical
          bounds

   transhumance
          [trans.hu.mance] n [F, fr. transhumer to practice transhumance,
          fr. Sp trashumar, fr. tras- trans- (fr. L trans-) + L
          humus earth--more at humble] (ca. 1901): seasonal movement
          of livestock and esp. sheep between mountain and lowland
          pastures either under the care of herders or in company
          with the owners -- trans.hu.mant adj or n

   transience
          [tran.sience] n (1745): the quality or state of being transient

   transiency
          [tran.sien.cy] n (1652): transience

   [1]transient
          [tran.sient] adj [L transeunt-, transiens, prp. of transire
          to go across, pass, fr. trans- + ire to go--more at issue]
          (1599) 1 a: passing esp. quickly into and out of existence:
          transitory b: passing through or by a place with only
          a brief stay or sojourn 2: affecting something or producing
          results beyond itself -- tran.sient.ly adv syn transient,
          transitory, ephemeral, momentary, fugitive, fleeting,
          evanescent mean lasting or staying only a short time.
          transient applies to what is actually short in its duration
          or stay <a hotel catering primarily to transient guests>.
          transitory applies to what is by its nature or essence
          bound to change, pass, or come to an end <fame in the
          movies is transitory>. ephemeral implies striking brevity
          of life or duration <many slang words are ephemeral>.
          momentary suggests coming and going quickly and therefore
          being merely a brief interruption of a more enduring
          state <my feelings of guilt were only momentary>. fugitive
          and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending
          difficult <let a fugitive smile flit across his face>
          <fleeting moments of joy>. evanescent suggests a quick
          vanishing and an airy or fragile quality <the story has
          an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation>.
          [2]transient n (1652) 1: one that is transient: as a:
          a transient guest b: a person traveling about usu. in
          search of work 2 a: a temporary oscillation that occurs
          in a circuit because of a sudden change of voltage or
          of load b: a transient current or voltage

   transient ischemic attack
          [transient ischemic attack] n (1966): a brief episode of
          cerebral ischemia that is usu. characterized by temporary
          blurring of vision, slurring of speech, numbness, paralysis,
          or syncope and that is often predictive of more serious
          cerebral accidents--abbr. TIA

   transilluminate
          [trans.il.lu.mi.nate] vt (1900): to cause light to pass through;
          esp: to pass light through (a body part) for medical
          examination -- trans.il.lu.mi.na.tion n -- trans.il.lu.mi.na.tor
          n

   transistor
          [tran.sis.tor] n [[1]transfer + resistor; fr. its transferring
          an electrical signal across a resistor] (1948) 1: a solid-state
          electronic device that is used to control the flow of
          electricity in electronic equipment and consists of a
          small block of a semiconductor (as germanium) with at
          least three electrodes 2: a transistorized radio

   transistorise
          [tran.sis.tor.ise] Brit var of transistorize

   transistorize
          [tran.sis.tor.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (ca. 1952): to equip
          (a device) with transistors -- tran.sis.tor.i.za.tion
          n

   [1]transit
          [tran.sit] n [ME transite, fr. L transitus, fr. transire
          to go across, pass] (15c) 1 a: an act, process, or instance
          of passing through or over: passage b: change, transition
          c (1): conveyance of persons or things from one place
          to another (2): usu. local transportation esp. of people
          by public conveyance; also: vehicles or a system engaged
          in such transportation 2 a: passage of a celestial body
          over the meridian of a place or through the field of
          a telescope b: passage of a smaller body (as Venus) across
          the disk of a larger (as the sun) 3: a theodolite with
          the telescope mounted so that it can be transited [2]transit
          vi (15c): to make a transit ~ vt 1 a : to pass over or
          through: traverse b: to cause to pass over or through
          2: to pass across (a meridian, a celestial body, or the
          field of view of a telescope) 3: to turn (a telescope)
          over about the horizontal transverse axis in surveying

   transition
          [tran.si.tion] n [L transition-, transitio, fr. transire]
          (1551) 1 a: passage from one state, stage, subject, or
          place to another: change b: a movement, development,
          or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another
          2 a: a musical modulation b: a musical passage leading
          from one section of a piece to another 3: an abrupt change
          in energy state or level (as of an atomic nucleus or
          a molecule) usu. accompanied by loss or gain of a single
          quantum of energy -- tran.si.tion.al adj -- tran.si.tion.al.ly
          adv

   transition metal
          [transition metal] n [fr. their being transitional between
          the more highly electropositive and the less highly electropositive
          elements] (1940): any of various metallic elements (as chromium,
          iron, and nickel) that have valence electrons in two shells instead
          of only one--called also transition element

   transitive
          [tran.si.tive] adj [LL transitivus, fr. L transitus, pp.
          of transire] (1590) 1: characterized by having or containing
          a direct object <a ~ verb> <a ~ construction> 2: being
          or relating to a relation with the property that if the
          relation holds between a first element and a second and
          between the second element and a third, it holds between
          the first and third elements <equality is a ~ relation>
          3: of, relating to, or characterized by transition --
          tran.si.tive.ly adv -- tran.si.tive.ness n -- tran.si.tiv.i.ty
          n

   transitory
          [tran.si.to.ry] adj [ME transitorie, fr. MF transitoire,
          fr. LL transitorius, fr. L, of or allowing passage, fr.
          transire] (14c) 1: tending to pass away: not persistent
          2: of brief duration: temporary <the ~ nature of earthly
          joy> syn see transient -- tran.si.to.ri.ly adv --
          tran.si.to.ri.ness n

   transl
          [transl] abbreviation translated, translation

   translate
          [trans.late] vb trans.lat.ed ; trans.lat.ing [ME, fr. L translatus
          (pp. of transferre to transfer, translate), fr. trans- + latus, pp.
          of ferre to carry--more at tolerate, bear] vt (14c) 1 a: to bear,
          remove, or change from one place, state, form, or appearance
          to another: transfer, transform <a country boy translated to the
          city> <~ ideas into action> b: to convey to heaven
          or to a nontemporal condition without death c: to transfer
          (a bishop) from one see to another 2 a: to turn into one's own
          or another language b: to transfer or turn from one set of symbols
          into another: transcribe c (1): to express in different terms and
          esp. different words: paraphrase (2): to express in more
          comprehensible terms: explain, interpret 3: enrapture 4: to subject
          to mathematical translation 5: to subject (as genetic information)
          to translation in protein synthesis ~ vi 1: to practice translation
          or make a translation; also: to admit of or be adaptable
          to translation <a word that doesn't ~ easily> 2: to undergo
          a translation 3: lead, result--usu. used with into <tax cuts ~ into
          bigger savings> -- trans.lat.abil.i.ty n -- trans.lat.able adj
          -- trans.la.tor n

   translation
          [trans.la.tion] n (14c) 1: an act, process, or instance of
          translating: as a: a rendering from one language into
          another; also: the product of such a rendering b: a change
          to a different substance, form, or appearance: conversion
          c (1): a transformation of coordinates in which the new
          axes are parallel to the old ones (2): uniform motion
          of a body in a straight line 2: the process of forming
          a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis
          from information contained in messenger RNA--compare
          transcription 3 -- trans.la.tion.al adj

   translative
          [trans.la.tive] adj (ca. 1682) 1: of, relating to, or involving
          removal or transference from one person or place to another
          2: of, relating to, or serving to translate from one
          language or system into another

   translatory
          [trans.la.to.ry] adj (1849): of, relating to, or involving
          uniform motion in one direction

   transliterate
          [trans.lit.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [trans- + L littera
          letter] (1861): to represent or spell in the characters
          of another alphabet -- trans.lit.er.a.tion n

   translocation
          [trans.lo.ca.tion] n (1624): a change of location: displacement:
          as a: the conduction of soluble material (as metabolic
          products) from one part of a plant to another b: transfer
          of part of a chromosome to a different position esp.
          on a nonhomologous chromosome; esp: the exchange of parts
          between nonhomologous chromosomes -- trans.lo.cate vb

   translucence
          [trans.lu.cence] n (1755): the quality or state of being
          translucent

   translucency
          [trans.lu.cen.cy] n, pl -cies (ca. 1610) 1: translucence
          2: something that is translucent

   translucent
          [trans.lu.cent] adj [L translucent-, translucens, prp. of
          translucere to shine through, fr. trans- + lucere to
          shine--more at light] (1607) 1: permitting the passage
          of light: a: clear, transparent <~ water> b: transmitting
          and diffusing light so that objects beyond cannot be
          seen clearly 2: free from disguise or falseness <his
          ~ patriotism --Newsweek> syn see clear -- trans.lu.cent.ly
          adv

   transmarine
          [trans.ma.rine] adj [L transmarinus, fr. trans- + mare sea--more
          at marine] (1583) 1: being or coming from beyond or across
          the sea <a ~ people> 2: passing over or extending across
          the sea

   transmembrane
          [trans.mem.brane] adj (1944): taking place or existing across
          a membrane <a ~ potential>

   transmigrate
          [trans.mi.grate] vb [L transmigratus, pp. of transmigrare
          to migrate to another place, fr. trans- + migrare to
          migrate] vt (ca. 1559): to cause to go from one state
          of existence or place to another ~ vi 1 of the soul:
          to pass at death from one body or being to another 2:
          migrate -- trans.mi.gra.tion n -- trans.mi.gra.tor n
          -- trans.mi.gra.to.ry adj

   transmissible
          [trans.mis.si.ble] adj (1644): capable of being transmitted
          <~ diseases> -- trans.mis.si.bil.i.ty n

   transmission
          [trans.mis.sion] n [L transmission-, transmissio, fr. transmittere
          to transmit] (1611) 1: an act, process, or instance of transmitting
          <~ of a nerve impulse across a synapse> 2: the passage of radio
          waves in the space between transmitting and receiving stations;
          also: the act or process of transmitting by radio or television
          3: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the
          propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from
          an automobile engine to a live axle; also: the speed-changing gears
          in such an assembly 4: something that is transmitted: message
          -- trans.mis.sive adj -- trans.mis.siv.i.ty n

   transmissometer
          [trans.mis.som.e.ter] n (ca. 1931): an instrument for measuring
          the transmission of light through a fluid (as the atmosphere)

   transmit
          [trans.mit] vb trans.mit.ted ; trans.mit.ting [ME transmitten,
          fr. L transmittere, fr. trans- + mittere to send] vt
          (15c) 1 a: to send or convey from one person or place
          to another: forward b: to cause or allow to spread: as
          (1): to convey by or as if by inheritance or heredity:
          hand down (2): to convey (infection) abroad or to another
          2 a (1): to cause (as light or force) to pass or be conveyed
          through space or a medium (2): to admit the passage of:
          conduct <glass ~s light> b: to send out (a signal) either
          by radio waves or over a wire ~ vi: to send out a signal
          either by radio waves or over a wire -- trans.mit.ta.ble
          adj -- trans.mit.tal n

   transmittance
          [trans.mit.tance] n (ca. 1855) 1: transmission 2: the fraction
          of radiant energy that having entered a layer of absorbing
          matter reaches its farther boundary

   transmitter
          [trans.mit.ter] n (1727): one that transmits: as a: an apparatus
          for transmitting radio or television signals b: neurotransmitter

   transmogrify
          [trans.mog.ri.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [origin unknown] vt
          (1656): to change or alter greatly and often with grotesque
          or humorous effect ~ vi: to become transmogrified syn
          see transform -- trans.mog.ri.fi.ca.tion n

   transmontane
          [trans.mon.tane] adj [L transmontanus] (1727): tramontane

   transmountain
          [trans.moun.tain] adj (1929): crossing or extending over
          or through a mountain <a ~ road> <a ~ tunnel>

   transmutation
          [trans.mu.ta.tion] n [ME transmutacioun, fr. MF or L; MF
          transmutation, fr. L transmutation-, transmutatio, fr.
          transmutare] (14c): an act or instance of transmuting
          or being transmuted: as a: the conversion of base metals
          into gold or silver b: the conversion of one element
          or nuclide into another either naturally or artificially
          -- trans.mut.a.tive adj

   transmute
          [trans.mute] vb trans.muted ; trans.mut.ing [ME, fr. L transmutare,
          fr. trans- + mutare to change--more at mutable] vt (15c)
          1: to change or alter in form, appearance, or nature and esp.
          to a higher form 2: to subject (as an element) to transmutation
          ~ vi: to undergo transmutation syn see transform -- trans.mut.able
          adj

   transnational
          [trans.na.tion.al] adj (1921): extending or going beyond
          national boundaries <~ corporations> -- trans.na.tion.al.ism
          n

   transnatural
          [trans.nat.u.ral] adj (1569): being above or beyond nature

   transoceanic
          [trans.oce.an.ic] adj (1827) 1: lying or dwelling beyond
          the ocean 2: crossing or extending across the ocean <a
          ~ telephone cable>

   transom
          [tran.som] n [ME traunsom, transyn, prob. alter. of traversayn,
          fr. MF traversin, fr. traverse traverse] (15c) 1: a transverse
          piece in a structure: crosspiece: as a: lintel b: a horizontal
          crossbar in a window, over a door, or between a door
          and a window or fanlight above it c: the horizontal bar
          or member of a cross or gallows d: any of several transverse
          timbers or beams secured to the sternpost of a boat;
          also: the planking forming the stern of a square-ended
          boat 2: a window above a door or other window built on
          and commonly hinged to a transom -- over the transom
          : without solicitation or prior arrangement <the manuscript
          arrived over the transom>

   transonic
          [tran.son.ic] also trans.son.ic adj [trans- + supersonic]
          (1945) 1: being or relating to speeds near that of sound
          in air or about 741 miles (1185 kilometers) per hour
          at sea level and esp. to speeds slightly below the speed
          of sound at which the speed of airflow varies from subsonic
          to supersonic at different points along the surface of
          a body in motion relative to the surrounding air 2: moving,
          capable of moving, or utilizing air currents moving at
          a transonic speed

   transp
          [transp] abbreviation transportation

   transpacific
          [trans.pa.cif.ic] adj (1891) 1 a: crossing or extending across
          the Pacific Ocean <~ airlines> b: relating to or involving
          crossing the Pacific Ocean <~ airfares> 2 a: situated
          or occurring beyond the Pacific Ocean b: of, relating
          to, or involving countries on both sides of the Pacific
          Ocean <the ~ economy>

   transparence
          [trans.par.ence] n (1594): transparency 1

   transparency
          [trans.par.en.cy] n, pl -cies (1615) 1: the quality or state
          of being transparent 2: something transparent; esp: a
          picture (as on film) viewed by light shining through
          it or by projection

   transparent
          [trans.par.ent] adj [ME, fr. ML transparent-, transparens,
          prp. of transparere to show through, fr. L trans- + parere
          to show oneself] (15c) 1 a (1): having the property of
          transmitting light without appreciable scattering so
          that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly: pellucid (2):
          allowing the passage of a specified form of radiation
          (as X rays or ultraviolet light) b: fine or sheer enough
          to be seen through: diaphanous 2 a: free from pretense
          or deceit: frank b: easily detected or seen through:
          obvious c: readily understood syn see clear -- trans.par.ent.ly
          adv -- trans.par.ent.ness n

   transparentize
          [trans.par.ent.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1925): to make transparent
          or more nearly transparent <~ tracing paper>

   transpersonal
          [trans.per.son.al] adj (ca. 1906) 1: extending or going beyond
          the personal or individual 2: of, relating to, or being
          psychology concerned esp. with esoteric mental experience
          (as mysticism and altered states of consciousness) beyond
          the usual limits of ego and personality

   transpicuous
          [tran.spic.u.ous] adj [NL transpicuus, fr. L transpicere
          to look through, fr. trans- + specere to look, see--more
          at spy] (1638): clearly seen through or understood

   transpierce
          [trans.pierce] vt [MF transpercer, fr. OF, fr. trans- (fr.
          L) + percer to pierce] (1592): to pierce through: penetrate

   transpiration
          [tran.spi.ra.tion] n (1551): the act or process or an instance
          of transpiring; esp: the passage of watery vapor from
          a living body through a membrane or pores -- tran.spi.ra.tion.al
          adj

   transpire
          [tran.spire] vb tran.spired ; tran.spir.ing [MF transpirer,
          fr. L trans- + spirare to breathe] vt (1597): to pass
          off or give passage to (a fluid) through pores or interstices;
          esp: to excrete (as water) in the form of a vapor through
          a living membrane (as the skin) ~ vi 1: to give off vaporous
          material; specif: to give off or exude watery vapor esp.
          from the surfaces of leaves 2: to pass in the form of
          a vapor from a living body 3 a: to be revealed: come
          to light b: to become known or apparent: develop 4: to
          take place: go on, occur usage Sense 4 of transpire is
          the frequent whipping boy of those who suppose sense
          3 to be the only meaning of the word. Sense 4 appears
          to have developed in the late 18th century; it was well
          enough known to have been used by Abigail Adams in a
          letter to her husband in 1775 <there is nothing new transpired
          since I wrote you last --Abigail Adams>. Noah Webster
          recognized the new sense in his dictionary of 1828. Transpire
          was evidently a popular word with 19th century journalists;
          sense 4 turns up in such pretentiously worded statements
          as "The police drill will transpire under shelter to-day
          in consequence of the moist atmosphere prevailing." Around
          1870 the sense began to be attacked as a misuse on the
          grounds of etymology, and modern critics echo the damnation
          of 1870. Sense 4 has been in existence for about two
          centuries; it is firmly established as standard; it occurs
          now primarily in serious prose, not the ostentatiously
          flamboyant prose typical of 19th century journalism.

   transplacental
          [trans.pla.cen.tal] adj [ISV] (ca. 1929): passing through
          or occurring by way of the placenta <~ immunization>
          -- trans.pla.cen.tal.ly adv

   [1]transplant
          [trans.plant] vb [ME transplaunten, fr. LL transplantare,
          fr. L trans- + plantare to plant] vt (15c) 1: to lift
          and reset (a plant) in another soil or situation 2: to
          remove from one place or context and settle or introduce
          elsewhere: relocate 3: to transfer (an organ or tissue)
          from one part or individual to another ~ vi: to admit
          of being transplanted -- trans.plant.abil.i.ty n --
          trans.plant.able adj -- trans.plan.ta.tion n -- trans.plant.er
          n [2]trans.plant n (1756) 1: a person or thing that is transplanted
          2: the act or process of transplanting

   transpolar
          [trans.po.lar] adj (1850): crossing or extending across either
          of the polar regions

   transponder
          [tran.spon.der] n [transmitter + responder] (ca. 1944): a
          radio or radar set that upon receiving a designated signal
          emits a radio signal of its own and that is used esp.
          for the detection, identification, and location of objects

   transpontine
          [trans.pon.tine] adj [trans- + L pont-, pons bridge--more
          at find] (1844) 1: situated on the farther side of a
          bridge 2 Brit: situated on the south side of the Thames

   [1]transport
          [trans.port] vt [ME, fr. MF or L; MF transporter, fr.
          L transportare, fr. trans- + portare to carry--more at fare] (14c)
          1: to transfer or convey from one place to another <~ing ions
          across a living membrane> 2: to carry away with strong and often
          intensely pleasant emotion 3: to send to a penal colony overseas
          syn see banish -- trans.port.abil.i.ty n -- trans.port.able adj
          [2]trans.port n (1611) 1: an act or process of transporting:
          transportation 2: strong or intensely pleasurable emotion <~s
          of joy> 3 a: a ship for carrying soldiers or military equipment
          b: a vehicle (as a truck or airplane) used to transport persons
          or goods c: transportation 3 4: a transported convict
          5: a mechanism for moving magnetic tape past a recording head syn
          see ecstasy

   transportation
          [trans.por.ta.tion] n (1540) 1: an act, process, or instance
          of transporting or being transported 2: banishment to
          a penal colony 3 a: means of conveyance or travel from
          one place to another b: public conveyance of passengers
          or goods esp. as a commercial enterprise -- trans.por.ta.tion.al
          adj

   transport cafe
          [transport cafe] n (1938) Brit: a roadside restaurant frequented
          chiefly by truck drivers

   transporter
          [trans.port.er] n (1535): one that transports; esp: a vehicle
          for transporting large or heavy loads

   transposable element
          [transposable element] n (1979): a segment of genetic material
          that is capable of changing its location in the genome
          or in some bacteria of undergoing transfer between an
          extrachromosomal plasmid and a chromosome

   [1]transpose
          [trans.pose] vt trans.posed ; trans.pos.ing [ME, fr. MF transposer,
          fr. L transponere (perf. indic. transposui) to change the position
          of, fr. trans- + ponere to put, place--more at position] (14c)
          1: to change in form or nature: transform 2: to render into another
          language, style, or manner of expression: translate 3: to transfer
          from one place or period to another: shift 4: to change the
          relative place or normal order of: alter the sequence of <~ letters
          to change the spelling> 5: to write or perform (a musical
          composition) in a different key 6: to bring (a term) from one side
          of an algebraic equation to the other with change of sign syn see
          reverse -- trans.pos.able adj [2]trans.pose n (1937): a matrix
          formed from another matrix by interchanging the rows and columns

   transposition
          [trans.po.si.tion] n [ML transposition-, transpositio, fr.
          L transponere to transpose] (1538) 1: an act, process,
          or instance of transposing or being transposed 2 a: the
          transfer of any term of an equation from one side over
          to the other side with a corresponding change of the
          sign b: a mathematical permutation or interchange of
          two letters or symbols -- trans.po.si.tion.al adj

   transposition cipher
          [transposition cipher] n (1939): a cipher in which the letters
          of the plaintext are systematically rearranged into another
          sequence--compare substitution cipher

   transposon
          [trans.po.son] n [transpose + [2]-on] (1974): a transposable
          element esp. when it contains genetic material controlling
          functions other than those related to its relocation

   transsexual
          [trans.sex.u.al] n (1957): a person with a psychological
          urge to belong to the opposite sex that may be carried
          to the point of undergoing surgery to modify the sex
          organs to mimic the opposite sex -- trans.sex.u.al.ism
          n -- trans.sex.u.al.i.ty n

   transshape
          [trans.shape] vt (1575) archaic: to change into another shape:
          transform

   transship
          [trans.ship] vt (1792): to transfer for further transportation
          from one ship or conveyance to another ~ vi: to change
          from one ship or conveyance to another -- trans.ship.ment
          n

   transthoracic
          [trans.tho.rac.ic] adj (1905): done or made by way of the
          thoracic cavity -- trans.tho.rac.i.cal.ly adv

   transubstantial
          [tran.sub.stan.tial] adj (1567): changed or capable of being
          changed from one substance to another

   transubstantiate
          [tran.sub.stan.ti.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [ML transubstantiatus,
          pp. of transubstantiare, fr. L trans- + substantia substance]
          vt (1533) 1: to change into another substance: transmute
          2: to effect transubstantiation in (sacramental bread
          and wine) ~ vi: to undergo transubstantiation

   transubstantiation
          [tran.sub.stan.ti.a.tion] n (14c) 1: an act or instance of
          transubstantiating or being transubstantiated 2: the
          miraculous change by which according to Roman Catholic
          and Eastern Orthodox dogma the eucharistic elements at
          their consecration become the body and blood of Christ
          while keeping only the appearances of bread and wine

   transudate
          [tran.su.date] n (1876): a transuded substance

   transudation
          [tran.su.da.tion] n (1617) 1: the act or process of transuding
          or being transuded 2: transudate

   transude
          [tran.sude] vb tran.sud.ed ; tran.sud.ing [NL transudare,
          fr. L trans- + sudare to sweat--more at sweat] vi (1664):
          to pass through a membrane or permeable substance: exude
          ~ vt: to permit passage of

   [1]transuranic
          [trans.ura.nic] or trans.ura.ni.um adj (1935): of, relating
          to, or being an element with an atomic number greater
          than that of uranium [2]transuranic n (1950): a transuranic
          element

   transvaluate
          [trans.val.u.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [back-formation fr.
          transvaluation] (1912): transvalue

   transvaluation
          [trans.val.u.a.tion] n (1898): the act or process of transvaluing

   transvalue
          [trans.val.ue] vt -val.ued ; -valu.ing (1911): to reevaluate
          esp. on a basis that repudiates accepted standards

   transversal
          [trans.ver.sal] n [transversal, adj., transverse, fr. ME,
          fr. ML transversalis, fr. L transversus] (ca. 1847):
          a line that intersects a system of lines

   [1]transverse
          [trans.verse] adj [L transversus, fr. trans- + -versus (as
          in adversus adverse)] (1621) 1: acting, lying, or being
          across: set crosswise 2: made at right angles to the
          anterior-posterior axis of the body <a ~ section> --
          trans.verse.ly adv [2]trans.verse n (ca. 1633): something
          (as a piece, section, or part) that is transverse

   transverse colon
          [transverse colon] n (ca. 1860): the middle portion of the
          colon that extends across the abdominal cavity

   transverse process
          [transverse process] n (1696): a lateral process of a vertebra

   transverse wave
          [transverse wave] n (1922): a wave in which the vibrating
          element moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction
          of advance of the wave

   transvestite
          [trans.ves.tite] n [G Transvestit, fr. L trans- + vestire
          to clothe--more at vest] (ca. 1922): a person and esp.
          a male who adopts the dress and often the behavior typical
          of the opposite sex esp. for purposes of emotional or
          sexual gratification -- trans.ves.tism n -- transvestite
          adj

   [1]trap
          [trap] n [ME, fr. OE treppe & OF trape (of Gmc origin); akin
          to MD trappe trap, stair, OE treppan to tread] (bef.
          12c) 1: a device for taking game or other animals; esp:
          one that holds by springing shut suddenly 2 a: something
          by which one is caught or stopped unawares; also: a position
          or situation from which it is difficult or impossible
          to escape b: a football play in which a defensive player
          is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then is
          blocked from the side while the ballcarrier advances
          through the spot vacated by the defensive player 3 a:
          a device for hurling clay pigeons into the air b: sand
          trap c: a piece of leather or section of interwoven leather
          straps between the thumb and forefinger of a baseball
          glove that forms an extension of the pocket 4 slang:
          mouth 5: a light usu. one-horse carriage with springs
          6: any of various devices for preventing passage of something
          often while allowing other matter to proceed; esp: a
          device for drains or sewers consisting of a bend or partitioned
          chamber in which the liquid forms a seal to prevent the
          passage of sewer gas 7 pl: a group of percussion instruments
          (as a bass drum, snare drums, and cymbals) used esp.
          in a dance or jazz band 8: an arrangement of rock strata
          that favors the accumulation of oil and gas 9 pl [speed
          trap]: a measured stretch of a course over which electronic
          timing devices measure the speed of a vehicle (as a racing
          car or dragster) [2]trap vb trapped ; trap.ping vt (14c)
          1 a: to catch or take in or as if in a trap: entrap b:
          to place in a restricted position: confine <trapped in
          the burning wreck> 2: to provide or set (a place) with
          traps 3 a: stop, hold <these mountains ~ rains and fogs
          generated over the ocean --Amer. Guide Series: Calif.>
          b: to separate out (as water from steam) 4 a: to catch
          (as a baseball) immediately after a bounce b: to block
          out (a defensive football player) by means of a trap
          ~ vi: to engage in trapping animals (as for furs) syn
          see catch -- trap.per n [3]trap vt trapped ; trap.ping
          [ME trappen, fr. trappe cloth, perh. modif. of MF drap--more
          at drab] (14c): to adorn with or as if with trappings
          [4]trap n [Sw trapp, fr. trappa stair, fr. MLG trappe;
          akin to MD trappe stair] (1794): traprock

   trapdoor
          [trap.door] n (14c): a lifting or sliding door covering an
          opening (as in a roof, ceiling, or floor)

   trap-door spider
          [trap-door spider] n (1826): any of various often large burrowing
          spiders (esp. family Ctenizidae) that construct a tubular
          subterranean silk-lined nest topped with a hinged lid

   trapeze
          [tra.peze] n [F trapeze, fr. NL trapezium] (1861): a gymnastic
          or acrobatic apparatus consisting of a short horizontal
          bar suspended by two parallel ropes

   trapezist
          [tra.pez.ist] n (1875): a performer on the trapeze--called
          also trapeze artist

   trapezium
          [tra.pe.zi.um] n, pl -zi.ums or -zia [NL, fr. Gk trapezion,
          lit., small table, dim. of trapeza table, fr. tra- four
          (akin to tettares four) + peza foot; akin to Gk pod-,
          pous foot--more at four, foot] (1570) 1 a: a quadrilateral
          having no two sides parallel b Brit: trapezoid 1b 2:
          a bone in the wrist at the base of the thumb

   trapezius
          [tra.pe.zi.us] n [NL, fr. trapezium; fr. the pair on the
          back forming together the figure of a trapezium] (ca.
          1704): a large flat triangular superficial muscle of
          each side of the upper back

   trapezohedron
          [tra.pe.zo.he.dron] n, pl -drons or -dra [NL, fr. trapezium
          + -o- + -hedron] (1822): a crystalline form whose faces
          are trapeziums

   trapezoid
          [trap.e.zoid] n [NL trapezoides, fr. Gk trapezoeides
          trapezium-shaped, fr. trapeza table] (ca. 1706) 1 a Brit: trapezium
          1a b: a quadrilateral having only two sides parallel 2: a bone
          in the wrist at the base of the forefinger -- trap.e.zoi.dal adj

   trapline
          [trap.line] n (1920): a line or series of traps; also: the
          route along which such a line of traps is set

   trapping
          [trap.ping] n [ME, fr. gerund of trappen to adorn] (14c)
          1: caparison 1--usu. used in pl. 2 pl: outward decoration
          or dress: ornamental equipment; also: outward signs <conventional
          men with all the ~s ... of banality --Robert Plank>

   Trappist
          [Trap.pist] n [F trappiste, fr. La Trappe, France] (1814):
          a member of a reformed branch of the Roman Catholic Cistercian
          Order established by the Abbot de Rance in 1664 at the
          monastery of La Trappe in Normandy -- Trappist adj

   traprock
          [trap.rock] n [[4]trap] (1813): any of various dark-colored
          fine-grained igneous rocks (as basalt) used esp. in road
          making

   traps
          [traps] n pl [ME trappe cloth--more at trap] (1813): personal
          belongings: luggage

   trapshooter
          [trap.shoot.er] n (1875): a person who engages in trapshooting

   trapshooting
          [trap.shoot.ing] n (1875): shooting at clay pigeons sprung
          from a trap into the air away from the shooter

   trapunto
          [tra.pun.to] n, pl -tos [It, fr. pp. of trapungere to embroider,
          fr. tra- across (fr. L trans-) + pungere to prick, fr.
          L--more at trans-, pungent] (ca. 1924): a decorative
          quilted design in high relief worked through at least
          two layers of cloth by outlining the design in running
          stitch and padding it from the underside

   [1]trash
          [trash] n [of Scand origin; akin to Norw trask trash; akin
          to ON tros fallen leaves and twigs, OE trus] (ca. 1518)
          1: something worth little or nothing: as a: junk, rubbish
          b (1): empty talk: nonsense (2): inferior or worthless
          writing or artistic matter; also: such material intended
          purely for entertainment 2: something in a crumbled or
          broken condition or mass; esp: debris from pruning or
          processing plant material 3: a worthless person; also:
          such persons as a group: riffraff [2]trash vt (ca. 1859)
          1: vandalize, destroy 2: attack, assault 3: spoil, ruin
          <~ing the environment> 4: to subject to criticism or
          invective; esp: to disparage strongly <a film ~ed by
          the critics> 5: throw away 1 <standards of reality and
          truth were ~ed --Edwin Diamond> ~ vi: to trash something
          or someone

   trash fish
          [trash fish] n (1944) 1: rough fish 2: any of various sea
          fishes that have no market value as human food but are
          sometimes processed for use in animal feed, fertilizers,
          and paints

   trashman
          [trash.man] n (1951): a worker who collects and hauls away
          trash

   trashy
          [trashy] adj trash.i.er ; -est (ca. 1620): resembling or
          containing trash: of inferior quality -- trash.i.ness
          n

   trattoria
          [trat.to.ria] n, pl -ri.as or -rie [It, fr. trattore restaurateur,
          fr. F traiteur, fr. traiter to treat, fr. OF traitier--more
          at treat] (1832): restaurant; specif: a usu. small modest Italian
          restaurant

   trauma
          [trau.ma] n, pl traumas also trau.ma.ta [Gk traumat-, trauma
          wound, alter. of troma; akin to Gk titroskein to wound,
          tetrainein to pierce--more at throw] (ca. 1693) 1 a:
          an injury (as a wound) to living tissue caused by an
          extrinsic agent <surgical ~> b: a disordered psychic
          or behavioral state resulting from mental or emotional
          stress or physical injury 2: an agent, force, or mechanism
          that causes trauma -- trau.mat.ic adj -- trau.mat.i.cal.ly
          adv

   traumatise
          [trau.ma.tise] Brit var of traumatize

   traumatism
          [trau.ma.tism] n (1857): the development or occurrence of
          trauma; also: trauma

   traumatize
          [trau.ma.tize] vt -tized ; -tiz.ing (1903): to inflict a
          trauma upon -- trau.ma.ti.za.tion n

   trav
          [trav] abbreviation travel, traveler, travels

   [1]travail
          [tra.vail] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. travaillier to torture, labor,
          fr. (assumed) VL trepaliare to torture, fr. LL trepalium
          instrument of torture, fr. L tripalis having three stakes,
          fr. tri- + palus stake--more at pole] (13c) 1 a: work
          esp. of a painful or laborious nature: toil b: a physical
          or mental exertion or piece of work: task, effort c:
          agony, torment 2: labor, parturition syn see work [2]travail
          vi [ME, fr. OF travaillier] (13c) 1: to labor hard: toil
          2: labor 3

   [1]travel
          [trav.el] vb -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling [ME travailen
          to labor, journey, fr. OF travaillier to labor] vi (14c)
          1 a: to go on or as if on a trip or tour: journey b (1):
          to go as if by traveling: pass <the news ~ed fast> (2):
          associate <~s with a sophisticated crowd> c: to go from
          place to place as a sales representative or business
          agent 2 a: to move or undergo transmission from one place
          to another <goods ~ing by plane> b: to move in a given
          direction or path or through a given distance <the stylus
          ~s in a groove> c: to move rapidly <a car that can really
          ~> 3: to walk or run with a basketball in violation of
          the rules ~ vt 1 a: to journey through or over b: to
          follow (a course or path) as if by traveling 2: to traverse
          (a specified distance) 3: to cover (a place or region)
          as a commercial traveler -- travel light : to travel
          with a minimum of equipment or baggage [2]travel n (14c)
          1 a: the act of traveling: passage b: a journey esp.
          to a distant or unfamiliar place: tour, trip--often used
          in pl. 2 pl: an account of one's travels 3: the number
          traveling: traffic 4 a: movement, progression <the ~
          of satellites around the earth> b: the motion of a piece
          of machinery; esp: reciprocating motion

   travel agency
          [travel agency] n (1927): an agency engaged in selling and
          arranging personal transportation and accommodations
          for travelers--called also travel bureau

   travel agent
          [travel agent] n (1925): a person engaged in selling and
          arranging transportation, tours, or trips for travelers

   traveled
          [trav.eled] or trav.elled adj (15c) 1: experienced in travel
          <a widely ~ journalist> 2: used by travelers <a well-traveled
          highway>

   traveler
          [trav.el.er] or trav.el.ler n (14c) 1: one that travels:
          as a: one that goes on a trip or journey b: traveling
          salesman 2 a: an iron ring sliding along a rope, bar,
          or rod of a ship b: a rod on the deck on which such a
          ring slides 3: any of various devices for handling something
          that is being transported laterally

   traveler's check
          [traveler's check] n (1891): a draft purchased from a bank
          or express company and signed by the purchaser at the
          time of purchase and again at the time of cashing as
          a precaution against forgery

   traveling
          [trav.el.ing] or trav.el.ling adj (14c) 1: that travels <a
          ~ opera company> <a ~ executive> 2: carried, used by,
          or accompanying a traveler <a ~ alarm clock> <a ~ companion>

   traveling bag
          [traveling bag] n (1838): suitcase

   traveling case
          [traveling case] n (1744): a usu. rigid and box-shaped suitcase

   traveling fellowship
          [traveling fellowship] n (1789): a fellowship whose terms
          permit or direct the holder to travel or go abroad for
          study or research

   traveling salesman
          [traveling salesman] n (1885): a traveling representative
          of a business concern who solicits orders usu. in an
          assigned territory

   travelogue
          [trav.el.ogue] or trav.el.og n [travel + -logue] (1903) 1:
          a talk or lecture on travel usu. accompanied by a film
          or slides 2: a narrated motion picture about travel 3:
          a piece of writing about travel

   travel trailer
          [travel trailer] n (1961): a trailer drawn esp. by a passenger
          automobile and equipped for use (as while traveling)
          as a dwelling

   traversal
          [tra.vers.al] n (1897): the act or an instance of traversing

   [1]traverse
          [tra.verse] n [ME travers, fr. MF traverse, fr. traverser
          to cross, fr. LL transversare, fr. L transversus transverse--more
          at transverse] (14c) 1: something that crosses or lies
          across 2: obstacle, adversity 3: a formal denial of a
          matter of fact alleged by the opposite party in a legal
          pleading 4 a: a compartment or recess formed by a partition,
          curtain, or screen b: a gallery or loft of communication
          from side to side in a large building 5: a route or way
          across or over: as a: a zigzag course of a sailing ship
          with contrary winds b: a curving or zigzag way up a steep
          grade c: the course followed in traversing 6: the act
          or an instance of traversing: crossing 7: a protective
          projecting wall or bank of earth in a trench 8 a: a lateral
          movement (as of the saddle of a lathe carriage); also:
          a device for imparting such movement b: the lateral movement
          of a gun about a pivot or on a carriage to change direction
          of fire 9: a line surveyed across a plot of ground [2]tra.verse
          vb tra.versed ; tra.vers.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to go against
          or act in opposition to: oppose, thwart b: to deny (as
          an allegation of fact or an indictment) formally at law
          2 a: to go or travel across or over b: to move or pass
          along or through <light rays traversing a crystal> 3:
          to make a study of: examine 4: to lie or extend across:
          cross <the bridge ~s a brook> 5 a: to move to and fro
          over or along b: to ascend, descend, or cross (a slope
          or gap) at an angle c: to move (a gun) to right or left
          on a pivot 6: to make or carry out a survey of by using
          traverses ~ vi 1: to move back and forth or from side
          to side 2: to move or turn laterally: swivel 3 a: to
          climb at an angle or in a zigzag course b: to ski across
          rather than straight down a hill 4: to make a survey
          by using traverses -- tra.vers.able adj -- tra.vers.er
          n [3]tra.verse adj (15c): lying across: transverse

   traverse jury
          [trav.erse jury] n (1823): petit jury

   traverse rod
          [traverse rod] n (1948): a metal rod or track with a pulley
          mechanism for drawing curtains

   travertine
          [trav.er.tine] n [F travertin, fr. It travertino, trevertino,
          fr. L tiburtinus, adj., of travertine, lit., of Tibur
          (Tivoli)] (1797): a mineral consisting of a massive usu.
          layered calcium carbonate (as aragonite or calcite) formed
          by deposition from spring waters or esp. from hot springs

   [1]travesty
          [trav.es.ty] vt -tied ; -ty.ing (1673): to make a travesty
          of: parody [2]travesty n, pl -ties [obs. E travesty,
          disguised, parodied, fr. F travesti, pp. of travestir
          to disguise, fr. It travestire, fr. tra- across (fr.
          L trans-) + vestire to dress, fr. L--more at vest] (1674)
          1: a burlesque translation or literary or artistic imitation
          usu. grotesquely incongruous in style, treatment, or
          subject matter 2: a debased, distorted, or grossly inferior
          imitation <a ~ of justice> syn see caricature

   travois
          [tra.vois] n, pl tra.vois also tra.voises [AmerF travail,
          fr. CanF, shaft of a cart, fr. MF traveil catafalque,
          prop, fr. LL trepalium instrument of torture--more at
          travail] (1847): a simple vehicle used by Plains Indians
          consisting of two trailing poles serving as shafts and
          bearing a platform or net for the load

   [1]trawl
          [trawl] vb [prob. fr. obs. D tragelen] vi (1561) 1: to fish
          with a trawl 2: troll 2 ~ vt: to catch (fish) with a
          trawl [2]trawl n (1759) 1: a large conical net dragged
          along the sea bottom in gathering fish or other marine
          life 2: setline

   trawler
          [trawl.er] n (1630) 1: a person who fishes by trawling 2:
          a boat used in trawling

   trawlerman
          [trawl.er.man] n (1633): a fisherman who trawls or one who
          mans a trawler

   tray
          [tray] n [ME, fr. OE trig, treg; akin to OSw tro wooden grain
          measure and prob. to OE treow tree--more at tree] (bef.
          12c): an open receptacle with a flat bottom and a low
          rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles --
          tray.ful n

   treacherous
          [treach.er.ous] adj (14c) 1: characterized by or manifesting
          treachery: perfidious 2 a: likely to betray trust: unreliable
          <a ~ memory> b: providing insecure footing or support
          <~ quicksand> c: marked by hidden dangers, hazards, or
          perils syn see faithless -- treach.er.ous.ly adv --
          treach.er.ous.ness n

   treachery
          [treach.ery] n, pl -er.ies [ME trecherie, fr. OF, fr. trechier,
          trichier to deceive, fr. (assumed) VL triccare--more
          at trick] (13c) 1: violation of allegiance or of faith
          and confidence: treason 2: an act of perfidy or treason

   treacle
          [trea.cle] n [ME triacle, fr. MF, fr. L theriaca, fr. Gk
          theriake antidote against a poisonous bite, fr. fem.
          of theriakos of a wild animal, fr. therion wild animal,
          dim. of ther wild animal--more at fierce] (14c) 1: a
          medicinal compound formerly in wide use as a remedy against
          poison 2 chiefly Brit a: molasses b: a blend of molasses,
          invert sugar, and corn syrup used as syrup at the table--called
          also golden syrup 3: something (as a tone of voice) heavily
          sweet and cloying

   treacly
          [trea.cly] adj (1733): resembling treacle (as in quality
          or appearance) <~ sentimentality>

   [1]tread
          [tread] vb trod also tread.ed ; trod.den or trod ; tread.ing
          [ME treden, fr. OE tredan; akin to OHG tretan to tread]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to step or walk on or over b: to walk
          along: follow 2 a: to beat or press with the feet: trample
          b: to subdue or repress as if by trampling: crush 3:
          to copulate with--used of a male bird 4 a: to form by
          treading: beat <~ a path> b: to execute by stepping or
          dancing <~ a measure> ~ vi 1: to move on foot: walk 2
          a: to set foot b: to put one's foot: step 3: copulate
          -- tread.er n -- tread on one's toes : to give offense
          (as by encroaching on one's rights or feelings) -- tread
          water : to keep the body nearly upright in the water
          and the head above water by a treading motion of the
          feet usu. aided by the hands [2]tread n (13c) 1: a mark
          (as a footprint or the imprint of a tire) made by or
          as if by treading 2 a (1): the action of treading (2):
          an act or instance of treading: step b: manner of stepping
          c: the sound of treading 3 a: the part of a shoe or boot
          sole that touches the ground; also: the pattern on the
          bottom of a sole b (1): the part of a wheel or tire that
          makes contact with a road or rail (2): the pattern of
          ridges or grooves made or cut in the face of a tire 4:
          the distance between the points of contact with the ground
          of the two front wheels or the two rear wheels of a vehicle
          5 a: the upper horizontal part of a step b: the width
          of such a tread -- tread.less adj

   [1]treadle
          [trea.dle] n [ME tredel step of a stair, fr. OE, fr. tredan]
          (15c): a swiveling or lever device pressed by the foot
          to drive a machine [2]treadle vb trea.dled ; trea.dling
          vi (1891): to operate a treadle ~ vt: to operate (as
          a machine) by a treadle

   treadmill
          [tread.mill] n (1822) 1 a: a mill worked by persons treading
          on steps on the periphery of a wide wheel having a horizontal
          axis and used formerly in prison punishment b: a mill
          worked by an animal treading an endless belt c: a device
          having an endless belt on which an individual walks or
          runs in place for exercise or physiological testing 2:
          a wearisome or monotonous routine resembling continued
          activity on a treadmill

   treas
          [treas] abbreviation treasurer, treasury

   treason
          [trea.son] n [ME tresoun, fr. OF traison, fr. L tradition-,
          traditio act of handing over, fr. tradere to hand over,
          betray--more at traitor] (13c) 1: the betrayal of a trust:
          treachery 2: the offense of attempting by overt acts
          to overthrow the government of the state to which the
          offender owes allegiance or to kill or personally injure
          the sovereign or the sovereign's family

   treasonable
          [trea.son.able] adj (14c): relating to, consisting of, or
          involving treason -- trea.son.ably adv

   treasonous
          [trea.son.ous] adj (1593): treasonable

   treasurable
          [trea.sur.able] adj (1607): worthy of being treasured: precious

   [1]treasure
          [trea.sure] n [ME tresor, fr. OF, fr. L thesaurus--more at
          thesaurus] (12c) 1 a (1): wealth (as money, jewels, or
          precious metals) stored up or hoarded <buried ~> (2):
          wealth of any kind or in any form: riches b: a store
          of money in reserve 2: something of great worth or value;
          also: a person esteemed as rare or precious 3: a collection
          of precious things [2]treasure vt trea.sured ; trea.sur.ing
          (14c) 1: to collect and store up (something of value)
          for future use: hoard 2: to hold or keep as precious:
          cherish, prize <she treasured those memories> syn see
          appreciate

   treasure-house
          [trea.sure-house] n (15c) 1: a building where treasure is
          kept: treasury 2: a place or source (as a collection)
          where many things of value can be found

   treasurer
          [trea.sur.er] n (14c) 1: a guardian of a collection of treasures:
          curator 2: an officer entrusted with the receipt, care,
          and disbursement of funds: as a: a governmental officer
          charged with receiving, keeping, and disbursing public
          revenues b: the executive financial officer of a club,
          society, or business corporation -- trea.sur.er.ship
          n

   treasure trove
          [treasure trove] n [AF tresor trove, lit., found treasure]
          (1523) 1: treasure that anyone finds; specif: gold or
          silver in the form of money, plate, or bullion which
          is found hidden and whose ownership is not known 2: a
          valuable discovery, resource, or collection

   treasury
          [trea.sury] n, pl -sur.ies [ME tresorie, fr. OF, fr. tresor
          treasure] (14c) 1 a: a place in which stores of wealth
          are kept b: the place of deposit and disbursement of
          collected funds; esp: one where public revenues are deposited,
          kept, and disbursed c: funds kept in such a depository
          2 obs: treasure 3 cap a: a governmental department in
          charge of finances and esp. the collection, management,
          and expenditure of public revenues b: the building in
          which the business of such a governmental department
          is transacted 4 cap: a government security (as a note
          or bill) issued by the Treasury 5: a repository for treasures
          <a ~ of poems>

   treasury note
          [treasury note] n (1890) 1: a currency note issued by the
          U.S. Treasury in payment for silver bullion purchased
          under the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 2: a U.S.
          government bond usu. with a maturity of not less than
          one year or more than seven years

   treasury of merits
          [treasury of merits] (1884): the superabundant satisfaction
          of Christ for human sins and the excess of merit of the
          saints which according to Roman Catholic theology is
          effective for salvation of others and is available for
          dispensation through indulgences

   treasury stock
          [treasury stock] n (1903): issued stock reacquired by a corporation
          and held as an asset

   [1]treat
          [treat] vb [ME treten, fr. OF traitier, fr. L tractare to
          drag about, handle, deal with, freq. of trahere to drag,
          pull] vi (14c) 1: to discuss terms of accommodation or
          settlement: negotiate 2: to deal with a matter esp. in
          writing: discourse--usu. used with of <a book ~ing of
          conservation> 3: to pay another's expenses (as for a
          meal or drink) esp. as a compliment or as an expression
          of regard or friendship ~ vt 1 a: to deal with in speech
          or writing: expound b: to present or represent artistically
          c: to deal with: handle <food is plentiful and ~ed with
          imagination --Cecil Beaton> 2 a: to bear oneself toward:
          use <~ a horse cruelly> b: to regard and deal with in
          a specified manner--usu. used with as 3 a: to provide
          with free food, drink, or entertainment b: to provide
          with enjoyment or gratification 4: to care for or deal
          with medically or surgically <~ a disease> 5: to act
          upon with some agent esp. to improve or alter <~ a metal
          with acid> -- treat.er n [2]treat n (1651) 1: an entertainment
          given without expense to those invited 2: an esp. unexpected
          source of joy, delight, or amusement

   treatable
          [treat.able] adj (14c): capable of being treated: yielding
          or responsive to treatment <a ~ disease> -- treat.abil.i.ty
          n

   treatise
          [trea.tise] n [ME tretis, fr. AF tretiz, fr. OF traitier
          to treat] (14c) 1: a systematic exposition or argument
          in writing including a methodical discussion of the facts
          and principles involved and conclusions reached <a ~
          on higher education> 2 obs: account, tale

   treatment
          [treat.ment] n (ca. 1560) 1 a: the act or manner or an instance
          of treating someone or something: handling, usage b:
          the techniques or actions customarily applied in a specified
          situation 2 a: a substance or technique used in treating
          b: an experimental condition

   treaty
          [trea.ty] n, pl treaties [ME tretee, fr. MF traite, fr. ML
          tractatus, fr. L, handling, treatment, fr. tractare to
          treat, handle] (14c) 1: the action of treating and esp.
          of negotiating 2 a: an agreement or arrangement made
          by negotiation: (1): private treaty (2): a contract in
          writing between two or more political authorities (as
          states or sovereigns) formally signed by representatives
          duly authorized and usu. ratified by the lawmaking authority
          of the state b: a document in which such a contract is
          set down

   treaty port
          [treaty port] n (1863): any of numerous ports and inland
          cities in China, Japan, and Korea formerly open by treaty
          to foreign commerce

   [1]treble
          [tre.ble] n [ME, perh. fr. MF, trio, fr. treble, adj.] (14c)
          1 a: the highest voice part in harmonic music: soprano
          b: one that performs a treble part; also: a member of
          a family of instruments having the highest range c: a
          high-pitched or shrill voice, tone, or sound d: the upper
          half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range--compare
          bass e: the higher portion of the audio frequency range
          in sound recording and broadcasting 2: something treble
          in construction, uses, amount, number, or value [2]treble
          adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L triplus--more at triple] (14c)
          1 a: having three parts or uses: threefold b: triple
          in number or amount 2 a: relating to or having the range
          or part of a treble b: high-pitched, shrill c: of, relating
          to, or having the range of treble in sound recording
          and broadcasting <~ frequencies> -- tre.bly adv [3]treble
          vb tre.bled ; tre.bling vt (14c): to increase threefold
          ~ vi 1: to sing treble 2: to grow to three times the
          size, amount, or number

   treble clef
          [treble clef] n [[1]treble; fr. its use for the notation
          of treble parts] (ca. 1854) 1: a clef that places G above
          middle C on the second line of the staff 2: treble staff

   treble staff
          [treble staff] n (ca. 1854): the musical staff carrying the
          treble clef

   trebuchet
          [treb.u.chet] or treb.uc.ket n [ME trebochet, fr. MF trebuchet]
          (15c): a medieval military engine for hurling heavy missiles
          (as rocks)

   trecento
          [tre.cen.to] n [It, lit., three hundred, fr. L tres three
          + centum hundred--more at three, hundred] (1841): the
          14th century; specif: the 14th century in Italian literature
          and art

   tredecillion
          [tre.de.cil.lion] n, often attrib [L tredecim thirteen (fr.
          tres three + decem ten) + E -illion (as in million)--more
          at three, ten] (ca. 1934): the figure 1 followed by 42
          zeroes: the figure 1,000 followed by 13 groups of three
          zeroes; also, Brit}: the figure 1 followed by 78 zeroes:
          one million to the 13th power

   [1]tree
          [tree] n [ME, fr. OE treow; akin to ON tre tree, Gk drys,
          Skt daru wood] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a woody perennial plant
          having a single usu. elongate main stem generally with
          few or no branches on its lower part b: a shrub or herb
          of arborescent form <rose ~s> <a banana ~> 2 a (1): a
          piece of wood (as a post or pole) usu. adapted to a particular
          use or forming part of a structure or implement (2) archaic:
          the cross on which Jesus was crucified b archaic: gallows
          3: something in the form of or resembling a tree: as
          a: a diagram or graph that branches usu. from a simple
          stem without forming loops or polygons <genealogical
          ~> b: a much-branched system of channels esp. in an animal
          body <the vascular ~> 4: saddletree -- tree.less adj
          -- tree.like adj [2]tree vt treed ; tree.ing (1575) 1
          a: to drive to or up a tree <treed by a bull> <dogs ~ing
          game> b: to put into a position of extreme disadvantage:
          corner; esp: to bring to bay 2: to furnish or fit (as
          a shoe) with a tree

   treed
          [treed] adj (1860): planted or grown with trees: wooded

   tree ear
          [tree ear] n (1967): any of several brown ear-shaped
          basidiomycetous fungi (genus Auricularia); esp: one (A. polytricha)
          used esp. in Chinese cooking

   tree farm
          [tree farm] n (1941): an area of forest land managed to ensure
          continuous commercial production

   tree fern
          [tree fern] n (1832): any of various ferns (esp. families
          Cyatheaceae and Marattiaceae) of arborescent habit with
          a woody stem

   tree frog
          [tree frog] n (1738): any of numerous small anuran amphibians
          (esp. family Hylidae) of usu. arboreal habits that typically
          have adhesive suckers on the toes

   treehopper
          [tree.hop.per] n (ca. 1839): any of a family (Membracidae)
          of small leaping homopterous insects that feed on the
          sap esp. of shrubs and trees

   tree house
          [tree house] n (ca. 1899): a structure (as a playhouse) built
          among the branches of a tree

   tree line
          [tree line] n (1893): timberline

   treen
          [treen] n, sing or pl in constr [treen wooden, fr. ME, fr.
          OE treowen, fr. treow tree, wood] (1927): small woodenware--called
          also treenware

   treenail
          [tree.nail] also tre.nail n (13c): a wooden peg made usu.
          of dry compressed timber so as to swell in its hole when
          moistened

   tree of heaven
          [tree of heaven] (1845): a Chinese ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima
          syn. A. glandulosa) that has foliage similar to that
          of the sumacs, has ill-scented staminate flowers, and
          is grown as a shade and ornamental tree

   tree of life
          [tree of life] (1880): a conventionalized and often ornate
          representation of a tree used as a decorative motif

   tree peony
          [tree peony] n (ca. 1891): a shrubby Chinese peony (Paeonia
          suffruticosa) that has large showy flowers and is the
          source of many horticultural varieties

   tree ring
          [tree ring] n (1919): annual ring

   tree shrew
          [tree shrew] n (ca. 1893): any of an order (Scandentia) of
          arboreal insectivorous mammals of southeastern Asia often
          classified as true insectivores or sometimes as primitive
          primates

   tree sparrow
          [tree sparrow] n (ca. 1770) 1: a European sparrow (Passer
          montanus) that has a black spot on the ear coverts 2:
          a No. American sparrow (Spizella arborea) that has a
          single dark spot on the breast and breeds in northern
          No. America and winters in the U.S.

   tree surgeon
          [tree surgeon] n (1908): a specialist in tree surgery--compare
          arborist

   tree surgery
          [tree surgery] n (1902): operative treatment of diseased
          trees esp. for control of decay; broadly: practices forming
          part of the professional care of specimen or shade trees

   tree swallow
          [tree swallow] n (1873): an American swallow (Tachycineta
          bicolor syn. Iridoprocne bicolor) with iridescent greenish
          blue upperparts and white underparts

   tree toad
          [tree toad] n (1778): tree frog

   tree tomato
          [tree tomato] n (ca. 1881): tamarillo

   treetop
          [tree.top] n (1530) 1: the topmost part of a tree 2 pl: the
          height or line marked by the tops of a group of trees

   trefoil
          [tre.foil] n [ME, fr. MF trefeuil, fr. L trifolium, fr. tri-
          + folium leaf--more at blade] (15c) 1 a: clover; broadly:
          any of several trifoliolate leguminous herbs b: a trifoliolate
          leaf 2: an ornament or symbol in the form of a stylized
          trifoliolate leaf

   trehalose
          [tre.ha.lose] n [ISV trehala (a sweet substance constituting
          the pupal covering of a beetle) + [2]-ose] (1862): a
          crystalline disaccharide stored instead of starch by
          many fungi and found in the blood of many insects

   treillage
          [treil.lage] n [F, fr. MF, fr. treille vine arbor, fr. L
          trichila] (1698): latticework for vines: trellis 1

   [1]trek
          [trek] vi trekked ; trek.king [Afrik, fr. D trecken to pull,
          haul, migrate; akin to OHG trechan to pull] (1821) 1
          chiefly SoAfr a: to travel by ox wagon b: to migrate
          by ox wagon or in a train of such 2: to make one's way
          arduously; broadly: to go on a journey -- trek.ker n
          [2]trek n [Afrik, fr. D treck pull, haul, fr. trecken]
          (1835) 1 chiefly SoAfr: a journey by ox wagon; esp: an
          organized migration by a group of settlers 2: a trip
          or movement esp. when involving difficulties or complex
          organization

   [1]trellis
          [trel.lis] n [ME trelis, fr. MF treliz fabric of coarse weave,
          trellis, fr. (assumed) VL trilicius woven with triple
          thread, fr. L tri- + licium thread] (15c) 1: a frame
          of latticework used as a screen or as a support for climbing
          plants 2: a construction (as a summerhouse) chiefly of
          latticework 3: an arrangement that forms or gives the
          effect of a lattice <a ~ of interlacing streams> -- trel.lised
          adj [2]trellis vt (15c) 1: to provide with a trellis;
          esp: to train (as a vine) on a trellis 2: to cross or
          interlace on or through: interweave

   trelliswork
          [trel.lis.work] n (1712): latticework

   trematode
          [trem.a.tode] n [ultim. fr. Gk trematodes pierced with holes,
          fr. tremat-, trema hole, fr. tetrainein to bore--more
          at throw] (ca. 1859): any of a class (Trematoda) of parasitic
          platyhelminthic flatworms including the flukes -- trematode
          adj

   [1]tremble
          [trem.ble] vi trem.bled ; trem.bling [ME, fr. MF trembler,
          fr. ML tremulare, fr. L tremulus tremulous, fr. tremere
          to tremble; akin to Gk tremein to tremble] (14c) 1: to
          shake involuntarily (as with fear or cold): shiver 2:
          to move, sound, pass, or come to pass as if shaken or
          tremulous <the building trembled from the blast> 3: to
          be affected with fear or doubt <~ for the safety of another>
          -- trem.bler n [2]tremble n (1609) 1: an act or instance
          of trembling; esp: a fit or spell of involuntary shaking
          or quivering 2 pl but sing in constr: severe poisoning
          of livestock and esp. cattle by a toxic alcohol present
          in a snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) and rayless goldenrod
          that is characterized by muscular tremors, weakness,
          and constipation

   trembly
          [trem.bly] adj (1848): marked by trembling: tremulous

   tremendous
          [tre.men.dous] adj [L tremendus, fr. gerundive of tremere]
          (1632) 1: being such as may excite trembling or arouse
          dread, awe, or terror 2 a: notable by reason of extreme
          size, power, greatness, or excellence--often used as
          a generalized term of approval b: unusually large: huge
          syn see monstrous -- tre.men.dous.ly adv -- tre.men.dous.ness
          n

   tremolite
          [trem.o.lite] n [F tremolite, fr. Tremola, valley in Switzerland]
          (1799): a white or gray mineral of the amphibole group
          that is a silicate of calcium and magnesium -- trem.o.lit.ic
          adj

   tremolo
          [trem.o.lo] n, pl -los [It, fr. tremolo tremulous, fr. L
          tremulus] (ca. 1801) 1 a: the rapid reiteration of a
          musical tone or of alternating tones to produce a tremulous
          effect b: vocal vibrato esp. when prominent or excessive
          2: a mechanical device in an organ for causing a tremulous
          effect

   tremor
          [trem.or] n [ME tremour terror, fr. MF, fr. L tremor trembling,
          fr. tremere] (1615) 1: a trembling or shaking usu. from
          physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease 2: a
          quivering or vibratory motion; esp: a discrete small
          movement following or preceding a major seismic event
          3 a: a feeling of uncertainty or insecurity b: a cause
          of such a feeling

   tremulant
          [trem.u.lant] adj [ML tremulant-, tremulans, prp. of
          tremulare--more at tremble] (1837): tremulous, trembling

   tremulous
          [trem.u.lous] adj [L tremulus--more at tremble] (1611) 1:
          characterized by or affected with trembling or tremors
          2: affected with timidity: timorous 3: such as is or
          might be caused by nervousness or shakiness <a ~ smile>
          <~ handwriting> 4: exceedingly sensitive: easily shaken
          or disordered -- trem.u.lous.ly adv -- trem.u.lous.ness
          n

   [1]trench
          [trench] n [ME trenche track cut through a wood, fr. MF,
          act of cutting, fr. trenchier to cut, prob. fr. (assumed)
          VL trinicare to cut in three, fr. L trini three each--more
          at trine] (15c) 1 a: a long cut in the ground: ditch;
          esp: one used for military defense often with the excavated
          dirt thrown up in front b pl: a place, position, or level
          at which an activity is carried on in a manner likened
          to trench warfare--often used in the phrase in the trenches
          2: a long, narrow, and usu. steep-sided depression in
          the ocean floor--compare trough 3: trench coat [2]trench
          vt (15c) 1: to make a cut in: carve 2 a: to protect with
          or as if with a trench b: to cut a trench in: ditch ~
          vi 1 a: entrench, encroach <~ing on other domains which
          were more vital --Sir Winston Churchill> b: to come close:
          verge 2: to dig a trench

   trenchancy
          [tren.chan.cy] n (1866): the quality or state of being trenchant

   trenchant
          [tren.chant] adj [ME, fr. MF, prp. of trenchier] (14c) 1:
          keen, sharp 2: vigorously effective and articulate <a
          ~ analysis>; also: caustic <~ remarks> 3 a: sharply perceptive:
          penetrating b: clear-cut, distinct <the ~ divisions between
          right and wrong --Edith Wharton> -- tren.chant.ly adv

   trench coat
          [trench coat] n (1916) 1: a waterproof overcoat with a removable
          lining designed for wear in trenches 2: a usu. double-breasted
          raincoat with deep pockets, wide belt, and often straps
          on the shoulders

   trenched
          [trenched] adj (1541) 1: furrowed or drained by trenches
          2: provided with protective trenches

   [1]trencher
          [tren.cher] n [ME, fr. MF trencheoir, fr. trenchier to cut]
          (14c): a wooden platter for serving food [2]trencher
          adj (15c) 1: of or relating to a trencher or to meals
          2 archaic: having the nature of a parasite: sycophantic
          [3]trench.er n [[2]trench] (ca. 1864): one that digs
          trenches; specif: a usu. self-propelled excavating machine
          typically employing a bucket conveyor and used to dig
          trenches esp. for pipelines and cables

   trencherman
          [tren.cher.man] n (1590) 1: a hearty eater 2 archaic: hanger-on,
          sponger

   trench fever
          [trench fever] n (1915): a disease that is marked by fever
          and pain in muscles, bones, and joints and that is caused
          by a bacterium (Rochalimaea quintana) transmitted by
          the human body louse (Pediculus humanus)

   trench foot
          [trench foot] n (1915): a painful foot disorder resembling
          frostbite and resulting from exposure to cold and wet

   trench mouth
          [trench mouth] n (1918) 1: vincent's angina 2: vincent's
          infection

   trench warfare
          [trench warfare] n (1917): warfare in which the opposing
          forces attack and counterattack from a relatively permanent
          system of trenches protected by barbed-wire entanglements

   [1]trend
          [trend] vi [ME, to turn, revolve, fr. OE trendan; akin to
          MHG trendel disk, spinning top] (1598) 1 a: to extend
          in a general direction: follow a general course <mountain
          ranges ~ing north and south> b: to veer in a new direction:
          bend <coastline that ~s westward> 2 a: to show a tendency:
          incline <prices ~ing upward> b: to become deflected:
          shift <opinions ~ing toward conservatism> [2]trend n
          (1777) 1: a line of general direction or movement <the
          ~ of the coast turned toward the west> 2 a: a prevailing
          tendency or inclination: drift b: a general movement:
          swing <the ~ toward suburban living> c: a current style
          or preference: vogue <new fashion ~s> d: a line of development:
          approach 3: the general movement in the course of time
          of a statistically detectable change; also: a statistical
          curve reflecting such a change syn see tendency

   trendsetter
          [trend.set.ter] n (1960): one that sets a trend

   trendsetting
          [trend.set.ting] adj (1960): that sets a trend <a ~ fashion
          look>

   trendy
          [trendy] adj trend.i.er ; -est (1962) 1: very fashionable:
          up-to-date <he's a ~ dresser --Sunday Mirror> 2: marked
          by ephemeral, superficial, or faddish appeal or taste
          <a newspaper of ~ triviality --J.H. Plumb> -- trend.i.ly
          adv -- trend.i.ness n -- trendy n

   [1]trepan
          [tre.pan] vt tre.panned ; tre.pan.ning [ME, fr. trepane trephine]
          (15c) 1: to use a trephine on (the skull) 2: to remove
          a disk or cylindrical core (as from metal for testing)
          -- trep.a.na.tion n [2]tre.pan n [ME trepane trephine,
          fr. ML trepanum, fr. Gk trypanon auger, fr. trypan to
          bore] (ca. 1877): a heavy tool used in boring mine shafts
          [3]tre.pan n [origin unknown] (1641) 1 archaic: trickster
          2 archaic: a deceptive device: snare [4]tre.pan vt tre.panned
          ; tre.pan.ning (ca. 1656) archaic: entrap, lure

   trepang
          [tre.pang] n [Malay teripang] (1783): any of several large
          sea cucumbers (esp. genera Actinopyga and Holothuria)
          that are taken mostly in the southwestern Pacific and
          are boiled, dried, and used esp. by the Chinese for making
          soup--called also beche-de-mer

   trephination
          [treph.i.na.tion] n (1874): an act or instance of perforating
          the skull with a surgical instrument

   trephine
          [tre.phine] n [F trephine, fr. obs. E trefine, trafine, fr.
          L tres fines three ends, fr. tres three + fines, pl.
          of finis end--more at three] (1628): a surgical instrument
          for cutting out circular sections (as of bone or corneal
          tissue) -- trephine vt

   trepid
          [trep.id] adj [L trepidus] (1650): timorous, fearful

   trepidant
          [trep.i.dant] adj [L trepidant-, trepidans, prp. of trepidare]
          (1892): timid, trembling

   trepidation
          [trep.i.da.tion] n [L trepidation-, trepidatio, fr. trepidare
          to tremble, fr. trepidus agitated; prob. akin to OE thrafian
          to urge, push, Gk trapein to press grapes] (1605) 1 archaic:
          a tremulous motion: tremor 2: timorous uncertain agitation:
          apprehension syn see fear

   treponema
          [trep.o.ne.ma] n, pl -ma.ta or -mas [NL Treponemat-, Treponema,
          fr. Gk trepein to turn + nema thread, fr. nen to spin--more
          at needle] (ca. 1908): any of a genus (Treponema) of
          spirochetes that are pathogenic in humans and other warm-blooded
          animals and include organisms causing syphilis and yaws
          -- trep.o.ne.mal adj

   treponematosis
          [trep.o.ne.ma.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL] (1927): infection
          with or disease caused by treponemata

   treponeme
          [trep.o.neme] n (1919): treponema

   [1]trespass
          [tres.pass] n [ME trespas, fr. OF, crossing, trespass, fr.
          trespasser to go across] (14c) 1 a: a violation of moral
          or social ethics: transgression; esp: sin b: an unwarranted
          infringement 2 a: an unlawful act committed on the person,
          property, or rights of another; esp: a wrongful entry
          on real property b: the legal action for injuries resulting
          from trespass [2]trespass vb [ME, fr. MF trespasser,
          fr. OF, lit., to go across, fr. tres across (fr. L trans)
          + passer to pass--more at through, pass] vi (14c) 1 a:
          err, sin b: to make an unwarranted or uninvited incursion
          2: to commit a trespass; esp: to enter unlawfully upon
          the land of another ~ vt: violate <~ the bounds of good
          taste> -- tres.pass.er n syn trespass, encroach, infringe,
          invade mean to make inroads upon the property, territory,
          or rights of another. trespass implies an unwarranted,
          unlawful, or offensive intrusion <hunters trespassing
          on farmland>. encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance
          upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights
          or possessions <the encroaching settlers gradually displaced
          the native peoples>. infringe implies an encroachment
          clearly violating a right or prerogative <a product that
          infringes an existing patent>. invade implies a hostile
          and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another
          <accused of invading their privacy>.

   tress
          [tress] n [ME tresse, fr. MF trece] (14c) 1: a long lock
          of hair; esp: the long unbound hair of a woman--usu.
          used in pl. 2 archaic: a plait of hair: braid

   tressed
          [tressed] adj (14c) 1 obs: being braided: plaited 2: having
          tresses--usu. used in combination <golden-tressed>

   trestle
          [tres.tle] also tres.sel n [ME trestel, fr. MF, fr. (assumed)
          VL transtellum, fr. L transtillum, dim. of transtrum
          traverse beam, fr. trans across--more at through] (14c)
          1: horse 2b 2: a braced frame serving as a support 3:
          a braced framework of timbers, piles, or steelwork for
          carrying a road or railroad over a depression

   trestle table
          [trestle table] n (ca. 1891): a table supported on trestles

   trestlework
          [tres.tle.work] n (1848): a system of connected trestles
          supporting a structure (as a railroad bridge)

   tretinoin
          [tre.tin.o.in] n [perh. fr. trans- + retinoic acid] (1980):
          retinoic acid

   trews
          [trews] n pl [ScGael triubhas] (ca. 1568) 1 chiefly Brit:
          [3]pant 1; esp: tight-fitting trousers usu. of tartan
          2: close-cut tartan shorts worn under the kilt in Highland
          dress

   trey
          [trey] n, pl treys [ME treye, treis, fr. MF treie, treis,
          fr. L tres three] (14c) 1: the side of a die or domino
          that has three spots 2: a card numbered three or having
          three main pips

   tri-
          [tri-] comb form [ME, fr. L (fr. tri-, tres) & Gk, fr. tri-,
          treis--more at three] 1: three: having three elements
          or parts <trigraph> 2: into three <trisect> 3: thrice
          <triweekly>: every third <trimonthly>

   triable
          [tri.able] adj (15c): liable or subject to judicial
          or quasi-judicial examination or trial

   triacetate
          [tri.ac.e.tate] n [ISV] (1885) 1: an acetate containing three
          organic groups each consisting of a carbon atom linked
          to a methyl group and two oxygen atoms 2: a textile fiber
          or fabric consisting of cellulose that is completely
          or almost completely acetylated

   triad
          [tri.ad] n [L triad-, trias, fr. Gk, fr. treis three] (1546)
          1: a union or group of three: trinity 2: a chord of three
          tones consisting of a root with its third and fifth and
          constituting the harmonic basis of tonal music -- tri.ad.ic
          adj -- tri.ad.i.cal.ly adv

   triage
          [tri.age] n [F, sorting, sifting, fr. trier to sort, fr.
          OF--more at try] (1918): the sorting of and allocation
          of treatment to patients and esp. battle and disaster
          victims according to a system of priorities designed
          to maximize the number of survivors; broadly: the assigning
          of priority order to projects on the basis of where funds
          and resources can be best used or are most needed --
          triage vt

   tria juncta in uno
          [tria junc.ta in uno] [L] foreign term : three joined in
          one--motto of the Order of the Bath

   [1]trial
          [tri.al] n [AF, fr. trier to try] (15c) 1 a: the action or
          process of trying or putting to the proof: test b: a
          preliminary contest (as in a sport) 2: the formal examination
          before a competent tribunal of the matter in issue in
          a civil or criminal cause in order to determine such
          issue 3: a test of faith, patience, or stamina through
          subjection to suffering or temptation; broadly: a source
          of vexation or annoyance 4 a: a tryout or experiment
          to test quality, value, or usefulness b: one of a number
          of repetitions of an experiment 5: attempt [2]trial adj
          (1555) 1: of, relating to, or used in a trial 2: made
          or done as a test or experiment 3: used or tried out
          in a test or experiment

   trial and error
          [trial and error] n (1806): a finding out of the best way
          to reach a desired result or a correct solution by trying
          out one or more ways or means and by noting and eliminating
          errors or causes of failure; also: the trying of one
          thing or another until something succeeds

   trial balance
          [trial balance] n (1838): a list of the debit and credit
          balances of accounts in a double-entry ledger at a given
          date prepared primarily to test their equality

   trial balloon
          [trial balloon] n (1935): a project or scheme tentatively
          announced in order to test public opinion

   trial court
          [trial court] n (1890): the court before which issues of
          fact and law are first determined as distinguished from
          an appellate court

   trial examiner
          [trial examiner] n (1949): a person appointed to hold hearings
          and to investigate and report facts sometimes with recommendations
          to an administrative or quasi-judicial agency or tribunal

   trial horse
          [trial horse] n (1901): one set up as an opponent for a champion
          in trial competitions or workouts

   trial jury
          [trial jury] n (1884): a jury impaneled to try a cause: petit
          jury

   trial lawyer
          [trial lawyer] n (ca. 1914): a lawyer who engages chiefly
          in the trial of cases before courts of original jurisdiction

   trialogue
          [tri.a.logue] n [tri- + -alogue (as in dialogue)] (1532):
          a scene, discourse, or colloquy in which three persons
          share

   trial run
          [trial run] n (1903): a testing exercise: experiment

   triamcinolone
          [tri.am.cin.o.lone] n [tri- + amyl + cinene (a terpene) +
          prednisolone] (1957): a glucocorticoid drug used esp.
          in treating psoriasis and allergic skin and respiratory
          disorders

   triangle
          [tri.an.gle] n [ME, fr. L triangulum, fr. neut. of triangulus
          triangular, fr. tri- + angulus angle] (14c) 1: a polygon
          having three sides--compare spherical triangle 2 a: a
          percussion instrument consisting of a rod of steel bent
          into the form of a triangle open at one angle and sounded
          by striking with a small metal rod b: a drafting instrument
          consisting of a thin flat right-angled triangle of wood
          or plastic with acute angles of 45 degrees or of 30 degrees
          and 60 degrees 3: a situation in which one member of
          a couple is involved in a love affair with a third person

   triangle inequality
          [triangle inequality] n [fr. its application to the distances
          between three points in a coordinate system] (1941):
          an inequality stating that the absolute value of a sum
          is less than or equal to the sum of the absolute value
          of the terms

   triangular
          [tri.an.gu.lar] adj [LL triangularis, fr. L triangulum] (1541)
          1 a: of, relating to, or having the form of a triangle
          <a ~ plot of land> b: having a triangular base or principal
          surface <a ~ table> <a ~ pyramid> 2 a (1): of, relating
          to, or involving three elements <the ~ mother-father-child
          relationship> (2) of a military group: based primarily
          on three units <~ division> b: of or relating to a love
          triangle <a ~ love affair> -- tri.an.gu.lar.i.ty n --
          tri.an.gu.lar.ly adv

   triangular number
          [triangular number] n (1796): any of the numbers (as 1, 3,
          6, 10, 15) that represent the number of dots in the figures
          formed starting with one dot and adding rows one after
          another to form triangles each row of which has one more
          dot than the one before

   [1]triangulate
          [tri.an.gu.late] adj [ML triangulatus, pp. of triangulare
          to make triangles, fr. L triangulum] (1766): consisting
          of or marked with triangles [2]tri.an.gu.late vt -lat.ed
          ; -lat.ing (1833) 1: to survey, map, or determine by
          triangulation 2 a: to divide into triangles b: to give
          triangular form to

   triangulation
          [tri.an.gu.la.tion] n (1818): the measurement of the elements
          necessary to determine the network of triangles into
          which any part of the earth's surface is divided in surveying;
          broadly: any similar trigonometric operation for finding
          a position or location by means of bearings from two
          fixed points a known distance apart

   triarchy
          [tri.ar.chy] n, pl -chies [Gk triarchia, fr. tri- + -archia
          -archy] (ca. 1656) 1: government by three persons: triumvirate
          2: a country under three rulers

   Triassic
          [Tri.as.sic] adj [ISV, fr. L trias triad; fr. the three
          subdivisions of the European Triassic--more at triad] (1841): of,
          relating to, or being the earliest period of the Mesozoic era
          or the corresponding system of rocks marked by the first appearance
          of the dinosaurs--see geologic time table -- Triassic n

   triathlete
          [tri.ath.lete] n (1982): an athlete who competes in a triathlon

   triathlon
          [tri.ath.lon] n [tri- + -athlon (as in decathlon)] (1978):
          an athletic contest that is a long-distance race consisting
          of three phases (as swimming, bicycling, and running)

   triatomic
          [tri.atom.ic] adj [ISV] (1862): having three atoms in the
          molecule <ozone is ~ oxygen>

   triaxial
          [tri.ax.i.al] adj [ISV] (1886): having or involving three
          axes -- tri.ax.i.al.i.ty n

   triazine
          [tri.azine] n [ISV] (1894): any of three compounds containing
          a ring composed of three carbon and three nitrogen atoms;
          also: any of various derivatives of these including several
          used as herbicides

   trib
          [trib] abbreviation tributary

   tribal
          [trib.al] adj (1632): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a tribe <~ customs> -- trib.al.ly adv

   tribalism
          [trib.al.ism] n (1886) 1: tribal consciousness and loyalty;
          esp: exaltation of the tribe above other groups 2: strong
          in-group loyalty

   tribasic
          [tri.ba.sic] adj (1837): having three replaceable hydrogen
          atoms--used of acids

   tribe
          [tribe] n [ME, fr. L tribus, a division of the Roman people,
          tribe] (13c) 1 a: a social group comprising numerous
          families, clans, or generations together with slaves,
          dependents, or adopted strangers b: a political division
          of the Roman people orig. representing one of the three
          original tribes of ancient Rome c: phyle 2: a group of
          persons having a common character, occupation, or interest
          3: a category of taxonomic classification ranking below
          a subfamily; also: a natural group irrespective of taxonomic
          rank <the cat ~> <rose ~>

   tribesman
          [tribes.man] n (1798): a member of a tribe

   tribespeople
          [tribes.peo.ple] n pl (1888): members of a tribe

   tribo-
          [tribo-] comb form [F, fr. Gk tribein to rub; prob. akin
          to L terere to rub--more at throw]: friction <triboluminescence>

   triboelectricity
          [tri.bo.elec.tric.i.ty] n (ca. 1917): a charge of electricity
          generated by friction (as by rubbing glass with silk)
          -- tri.bo.elec.tric adj

   tribology
          [tri.bol.o.gy] n (1966): a study that deals with the design,
          friction, wear, and lubrication of interacting surfaces
          in relative motion (as in bearings or gears) -- tri.bo.log.i.cal
          adj -- tri.bol.o.gist n

   triboluminescence
          [tri.bo.lu.mi.nes.cence] n [ISV] (1889): luminescence due
          to friction -- tri.bo.lu.mi.nes.cent adj

   tribrach
          [tri.brach] n [L tribrachys, fr. Gk, having three short syllables,
          fr. tri- + brachys short--more at brief] (1589): a metrical foot
          of three short syllables of which two belong to the thesis and one
          to the arsis -- tri.brach.ic adj

   tribulate
          [trib.u.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [LL tribulatus, pp. of
          tribulare] (ca. 1637): to cause to endure tribulation

   tribulation
          [trib.u.la.tion] n [ME tribulacion, fr. OF, fr. L tribulation-,
          tribulatio, fr. tribulare to press, oppress, fr. tribulum
          drag used in threshing, fr. terere to rub--more at throw]
          (13c): distress or suffering resulting from oppression
          or persecution; also: a trying experience

   tribunal
          [tri.bu.nal] n [L, platform for magistrates, fr. tribunus
          tribune] (1526) 1: [2]tribune 2: a court or forum of
          justice 3: something that decides or determines <the
          ~ of public opinion>

   tribunate
          [tri.bu.nate] n (1546): the office, function, or term of
          office of a tribune

   [1]tribune
          [tri.bune] n [ME, fr. L tribunus, fr. tribus tribe] (14c)
          1: a Roman official under the monarchy and the republic
          with the function of protecting the plebeian citizen
          from arbitrary action by the patrician magistrates 2:
          an unofficial defender of the rights of the individual
          -- tri.bune.ship n [2]tribune n [F, fr. It tribuna, fr.
          L tribunal] (ca. 1771): a dais or platform from which
          an assembly is addressed

   [1]tributary
          [trib.u.tary] adj (14c) 1: paying tribute to another to acknowledge
          submission, to obtain protection, or to purchase peace: subject
          2: paid or owed as tribute 3: channeling material or supplies into
          something more inclusive: contributory [2]tributary n, pl -tar.ies
          (15c) 1: a ruler or state that pays tribute to a conqueror
          2: a stream feeding a larger stream or a lake

   tribute
          [trib.ute] n [ME tribut, fr. L tributum, fr. neut. of tributus,
          pp. of tribuere to allot, bestow, grant, pay, fr. tribus
          tribe] (14c) 1 a: a payment by one ruler or nation to
          another in acknowledgment of submission or as the price
          of protection; also: the tax levied for such a payment
          b (1): an excessive tax, rental, or tariff imposed by
          a government, sovereign, lord, or landlord (2): an exorbitant
          charge levied by a person or group having the power of
          coercion c: the liability to pay tribute 2 a: something
          given or contributed voluntarily as due or deserved;
          esp: a gift or service showing respect, gratitude, or
          affection <floral ~> b: something (as material evidence
          or a formal attestation) that indicates the worth, virtue,
          or effectiveness of the one in question <the product
          is a ~ to their ingenuity> syn see encomium

   tricarboxylic
          [tri.car.box.yl.ic] adj (1894): containing three carboxyl
          groups in the molecule <~ acid>

   tricarboxylic acid cycle
          [tricarboxylic acid cycle] n (1945): krebs cycle

   [1]trice
          [trice] vt triced ; tric.ing [ME trisen, tricen to pull,
          trice, fr. MD trisen to hoist, fr. trise windlass] (15c):
          to haul up or in and lash or secure (as a sail) with
          a small rope [2]trice n [ME trise, lit., pull, fr. trisen]
          (15c): a brief space of time: instant--used chiefly in
          the phrase in a trice

   triceps
          [tri.ceps] n, pl triceps [NL tricipit-, triceps, fr.
          L, three-headed, fr. tri- + capit-, caput head--more at head] (ca.
          1704): a muscle that arises from three heads; esp: the great
          extensor muscle along the back of the upper arm

   triceratops
          [tri.cer.a.tops] n, pl -tops also -tops.es [NL, fr. tri-
          + Gk kerat-, keras horn + ops face--more at horn, eye]
          (1892): any of a genus (Triceratops) of large herbivorous
          Cretaceous dinosaurs with three horns, a bony hood or
          crest on the neck, and hoofed toes

   -trices
          [-trices] pl of -trix

   trich-
          [trich-] or tricho- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. trich-, thrix
          hair]: hair: filament <trichogyne>

   trichiasis
          [tri.chi.a.sis] n [LL, fr. Gk, fr. trich- + -iasis] (1661):
          a turning inward of the eyelashes often causing irritation
          of the eyeball

   trichina
          [tri.chi.na] n, pl -nae also -nas [NL, fr. Gk trichinos made
          of hair, fr. trich-, thrix hair] (1857): a small slender
          nematode worm (Trichinella spiralis) that in the larval
          state is parasitic in the voluntary muscles of flesh-eating
          mammals (as humans and swine) -- tri.chi.nal adj

   trichinize
          [trich.i.nize] vt -nized ; -niz.ing (1864): to infest with
          trichinae <trichinized pork>

   trichinosis
          [trich.i.no.sis] n [NL] (1866): infestation with or disease
          caused by trichinae and marked esp. by muscular pain,
          dyspnea, fever, and edema

   trichinous
          [tri.chi.nous] adj [ISV] (1857) 1: infested with trichinae
          <~ meat> 2: of, relating to, or involving trichinae or
          trichinosis <~ infection>

   trichlorfon
          [tri.chlor.fon] also tri.chlor.phon n [tri- + chlor- + -fon
          (irreg. fr. phosphonate -- a salt derived from phosphine)]
          (1960): a crystalline compound used esp. as an insecticide

   trichloroacetic acid
          [tri.chlo.ro.ace.tic acid] n [ISV] (1885): a strong vesicant
          pungent acid used in weed control and in medicine as
          a caustic and astringent

   trichloroethylene
          [tri.chlo.ro.eth.y.lene] n (ca. 1919): a nonflammable liquid
          used esp. as a solvent and in dry cleaning and for the
          removal of grease from metal

   trichocyst
          [tricho.cyst] n (1859): any of the minute lassoing or stinging
          organelles of protozoans and esp. of many ciliates

   trichogyne
          [tricho.gyne] n [ISV] (ca. 1875): a slender terminal prolongation
          of the ascogonium of a fungus or lichen that may serve
          as a fertilization tube; also: a similar reproductive
          structure in a red alga

   trichologist
          [tri.chol.o.gist] n (1887): a person who cares for and dresses
          hair: hairdresser -- tri.chol.o.gy n

   trichome
          [tri.chome] n [G Trichom, fr. Gk trichoma growth of hair,
          fr. trichoun to cover with hair, fr. trich-, thrix hair]
          (1875): a filamentous outgrowth; esp: an epidermal hair
          structure on a plant

   trichomonacide
          [tricho.mo.na.cide] n [trichomonad + -cide] (1949): an agent
          used to destroy trichomonads -- tricho.mo.na.cid.al adj

   trichomonad
          [tricho.mo.nad] n [NL Trichomonad-, Trichomonas, fr. trich-
          + LL monad-, monas monad] (1861): any of a genus (Trichomonas)
          of flagellated protozoans parasitic in many animals --
          trichomonad or tricho.mo.nal adj

   trichomoniasis
          [tricho.mo.ni.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL, fr. Trichomonas +
          -iasis] (1915): infection with or disease caused by trichomonads:
          as a: a human sexually transmitted disease occurring
          esp. as vaginitis with a persistent discharge and caused
          by a trichomonad (Trichomonas vaginalis) that may also
          invade the male urethra and bladder b: a venereal disease
          of domestic cattle marked by abortion and sterility c:
          one or more diseases of various birds resembling blackhead--called
          also roup

   trichopteran
          [tri.chop.ter.an] n [ultim. fr. Gk trich-, thrix hair + pteron
          wing--more at feather] (ca. 1842): caddis fly -- trichopteran
          adj

   trichothecene
          [tricho.the.cene] n [NL Trichothecium (fr. trich- + -thecium)
          + E -ene] (1971): any of several mycotoxins that are
          produced by imperfect fungi (genera Fusarium and Trichothecium)
          and that include some contaminants of livestock feed
          and some held to be found in yellow rain

   trichotomous
          [tri.chot.o.mous] adj [LGk trichotomein to trisect, fr. Gk
          tricha in three (akin to treis three) + -tomein (akin
          to temnein to cut)--more at three, tome] (1800): divided
          or dividing into three parts or into threes <~ branching>
          -- tri.chot.o.mous.ly adv

   trichotomy
          [tri.chot.o.my] n, pl -mies (1610): division into three parts,
          elements, or classes

   trichromat
          [tri.chro.mat] n [back-formation fr. trichromatic] (1929):
          a person with trichromatism

   trichromatic
          [tri.chro.mat.ic] adj (ca. 1890) 1: of, relating to, or consisting
          of three colors <~ light> 2 a: relating to or being the theory that
          human color vision involves three types of retinal sensory
          receptors b: characterized by trichromatism <~ vision>

   trichromatism
          [tri.chro.ma.tism] n (ca. 1895): color vision based on the
          perception of three primary colors and esp. red, green,
          and blue

   [1]trick
          [trick] n [ME trik, fr. ONF trique, fr. trikier to deceive,
          cheat, fr. (assumed) VL triccare, alter. of L tricari
          to behave evasively, shuffle, fr. tricae complications,
          trifles] (15c) 1 a: a crafty procedure or practice meant
          to deceive or defraud b: a mischievous act: prank c:
          an indiscreet or childish action d: a deceptive, dexterous,
          or ingenious feat; esp: one designed to puzzle or amuse
          <a juggler's ~s> 2 a: a habitual peculiarity of behavior
          or manner <a horse with the ~ of shying> b: a characteristic
          and identifying feature <a ~ of speech> c: a delusive
          appearance esp. when caused by art or legerdemain: an
          optical illusion <a mere ~ of the light> 3 a: a quick
          or artful way of getting a result: knack b: a technical
          device (as of an art or craft) <the ~s of stage technique>
          4: the cards played in one round of a card game often
          used as a scoring unit 5 a: a turn of duty at the helm
          usu. lasting for two hours b: shift 4b(1) c: a trip taken
          as part of one's employment d: a sexual act performed
          by a prostitute; also: john 2 6: an attractive child
          or woman <a cute little ~> syn trick, ruse, stratagem,
          maneuver, artifice, wile, feint mean an indirect means
          to gain an end. trick may imply deception, roguishness,
          illusion, and either an evil or harmless end <the tricks
          of the trade>. ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by
          a false impression <the ruses of smugglers>. stratagem
          implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or
          surprise an opponent or enemy <the stratagem-filled game>.
          maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty
          <last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy>. artifice
          implies ingenious contrivance or invention <the clever
          artifices of the stage>. wile suggests an attempt to
          entrap or deceive with false allurements <used all of
          his wiles to ingratiate himself>. feint implies a diversion
          or distraction of attention away from one's real intent
          <a feint toward the enemy's left flank>. [2]trick vt
          (ca. 1500) 1: to dress or adorn fancifully or ornately:
          ornament <~ed out in a gaudy uniform> 2: to deceive by
          cunning or artifice: cheat syn see dupe [3]trick adj
          (ca. 1530) 1: trig 2 a: of or relating to or involving
          tricks or trickery <~ photography> <~ dice> b: skilled
          in or used for tricks <a ~ horse> 3 a: somewhat defective
          and unreliable <a ~ lock> b: inclined to give way unexpectedly
          <a ~ knee>

   tricker
          [trick.er] n (ca. 1553): one that tricks: trickster

   trickery
          [trick.ery] n (1800): the practice of crafty underhanded
          ingenuity to deceive or cheat syn see deception

   trickish
          [trick.ish] adj (1705): given to or characterized by tricks
          or trickery: tricky -- trick.ish.ly adv -- trick.ish.ness
          n

   [1]trickle
          [trick.le] vi trick.led ; trick.ling [ME, of imit. origin]
          (14c) 1 a: to issue or fall in drops b: to flow in a
          thin gentle stream 2 a: to move or go one by one or little
          by little b: to dissipate slowly <his enthusiasm trickled
          away> [2]trickle n (1580): a thin, slow, or intermittent
          stream or movement

   trickle-down
          [trickle-down] adj (1944) 1: relating to or working on the
          principle of trickle-down theory 2: relating to or being
          an effect caused gradually by remote or indirect influences

   trickle-down theory
          [trickle-down theory] n (1954): a theory that financial benefits
          given to big business will in turn pass down to smaller
          businesses and consumers

   trick or treat
          [trick or treat] n (ca. 1941): a children's Halloween practice
          of asking for treats from door to door under threat of
          playing tricks on householders who refuse -- trick-or-treat
          vi -- trick-or-treater n

   trickster
          [trick.ster] n (1711): one who tricks: as a: a dishonest
          person who defrauds others by trickery b: a person (as
          a stage magician) skilled in the use of tricks and illusion
          c: a deceptive character appearing in various forms in
          the folklore of many cultures

   tricksy
          [tricksy] adj tricks.i.er ; -est [tricks, pl. of trick] (1552)
          1 archaic: smartly attired: spruce 2: full of tricks:
          prankish 3 a archaic: having the craftiness of a trickster
          b: difficult to cope with or handle: trying <a ~ job>
          -- tricks.i.ness n

   tricky
          [tricky] adj trick.i.er ; -est (1786) 1: inclined to or marked
          by trickery 2 a: giving a deceptive impression of easiness,
          simplicity, or order: ticklish <a ~ path through the
          swamp> b: trick 3 3: requiring skill, knack, or caution
          (as in doing or handling): difficult; also: ingenious
          <a ~ rhythm> syn see sly -- trick.i.ly adv -- trick.i.ness
          n

   triclad
          [tri.clad] n [NL Tricladida, fr. tri- + Gk klados branch--more
          at clad-] (1888): any of an order (Tricladida) of turbellarian
          flatworms (as a planarian) that have the intestine composed
          of a median anterior division and two lateral posterior
          divisions with side branches -- triclad adj

   triclinic
          [tri.clin.ic] adj [ISV] (1854): having three unequal axes
          intersecting at oblique angles--used esp. of a crystal

   triclinium
          [tri.clin.i.um] n, pl -ia [L, fr. Gk triklinion, fr. tri-
          + klinein to lean, recline--more at lean] (1646) 1: a
          couch extending round three sides of a table used by
          the ancient Romans for reclining at meals 2: a dining
          room furnished with a triclinium

   tricolette
          [tric.o.lette] n [tricot + -lette (as in flannelette)] (1919):
          a usu. silk or rayon knitted fabric used esp. for women's
          clothing

   [1]tricolor
          [tri.col.or] adj [F tricolore three-colored, fr. LL tricolor,
          fr. L tri- + color color] (1795) 1 a or tri.col.ored
          : having, using, or marked with three colors b of a dog:
          having a coat of black, tan, and white 2: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a tricolor or a nation whose
          flag is a tricolor; esp: french [2]tricolor n (1797)
          1: a flag of three colors arranged in equal horizontal
          or vertical bands <the French ~> 2: a tricolor animal;
          esp: a tricolor dog

   tricorn
          [tri.corn] adj [L tricornis] (ca. 1844): having three horns
          or corners

   tricorne
          [tri.corne] or tri.corn n [F tricorne, fr. tricorne three-cornered,
          fr. L tricornis, fr. tri- + cornu horn--more at horn] (1876):
          cocked hat 1

   tricornered
          [tri.cor.nered] adj (1819): having three corners

   tricot
          [tri.cot] n [F, fr. tricoter to knit, fr. MF, to agitate,
          hop, ultim. fr. OF estriquier to stroke, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE strican to stroke--more at strike] (1872)
          1: a plain warp-knitted fabric (as of nylon, wool, rayon,
          silk, or cotton) with a close inelastic knit and used
          esp. in clothing (as underwear) 2: a twilled clothing
          fabric of wool with fine warp ribs or of wool and cotton
          with fine weft ribs

   tricotine
          [tri.co.tine] n [F, fr. tricot] (ca. 1899): a sturdy suiting
          woven of tightly twisted yarns in a double twill

   trictrac
          [tric.trac] n [F, of imit. origin] (1687): an old form of
          backgammon played with pegs

   [1]tricuspid
          [tri.cus.pid] adj [L tricuspid-, tricuspis, fr. tri- + cuspid-,
          cuspis point] (1834): having three cusps <a ~ molar>
          [2]tricuspid n (ca. 1860): a tricuspid anatomical structure;
          esp: a tooth having three cusps

   tricuspid valve
          [tricuspid valve] n (1670): a valve of three flaps that prevents
          reflux of blood from the right ventricle to the right
          atrium

   tricycle
          [tri.cy.cle] n [F, fr. tri- + Gk kyklos wheel--more at wheel]
          (1868): a 3-wheeled vehicle propelled by pedals or a
          motor

   tricyclic
          [tri.cy.clic] adj [tri- + cyclic] (1891): being a chemical
          with three usu. fused rings in the molecular structure
          and esp. a tricyclic antidepressant

   tricyclic antidepressant
          [tricyclic antidepressant] n (1966): any of a group
          of antidepressant drugs (as imipramine, amitriptyline, desipramine,
          and nortriptyline) that potentiate the action of catecholamines and
          do not inhibit the action of monoamine oxidase--called also
          tricyclic

   [1]trident
          [tri.dent] adj [L trident-, tridens] (1589): having three
          teeth, processes, or points [2]trident n [L trident-,
          tridens, fr. trident-, tridens having three teeth, fr.
          tri- + dent-, dens tooth--more at tooth] (1599) 1: a
          3-pronged spear serving in classical mythology as the
          attribute of a sea god (as Neptune) 2: a 3-pronged spear
          (as for fishing)

   Tridentine
          [Tri.den.tine] adj [NL Tridentinus, fr. L Tridentum Trent,
          Italy] (1561): of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church
          council held at Trent from 1545 to 1563

   tridimensional
          [tri.di.men.sion.al] adj [ISV] (1858): of, relating to, or
          concerned with three dimensions <~ space> --
          tri.di.men.sion.al.i.ty n

   triduum
          [trid.u.um] n [L, space of three days, fr. tri- + -duum (akin
          to dies day)--more at deity] (1873): a period of three
          days of prayer usu. preceding a Roman Catholic feast

   tried
          [tried] adj [ME, fr. pp. of trien to try, test] (15c) 1:
          found good, faithful, or trustworthy through experience
          or testing <a ~ recipe> 2: subjected to trials or distress
          <a kind but much-tried father>

   tried-and-true
          [tried-and-true] adj (1935): proved good, desirable, or feasible:
          shown or known to be worthy <a ~ sales technique>

   triene
          [tri.ene] n (1917): a chemical compound containing three
          double bonds

   triennial
          [tri.en.ni.al] adj (1562) 1: occurring or being done every
          three years <the ~ convention> 2: consisting of or lasting
          for three years <a ~ contract> -- triennial n -- tri.en.ni.al.ly
          adv

   triennium
          [tri.en.ni.um] n, pl -ni.ums or -nia [L, fr. tri- + annus
          year--more at annual] (1847): a period of three years

   trier
          [tri.er] n (14c) 1: someone or something that tries 2: an
          implement (as a tapered hollow tube) used in obtaining
          samples of bulk material for examination and testing

   trierarch
          [tri.er.arch] n [L trierarchus, fr. Gk trierarchos, fr. trieres
          trireme (fr. tri- + -eres -- akin to L remus oar) + -archos
          -arch--more at row] (ca. 1656) 1: the commander of a
          trireme 2: an Athenian citizen who had to fit out a trieme
          for the public service

   trierarchy
          [tri.er.ar.chy] n (1837): the ancient Athenian plan whereby
          individual citizens furnished and maintained triremes
          as a civic duty

   triethyl
          [tri.eth.yl] adj [ISV] (1858): containing three ethyl groups
          in the molecule

   trifecta
          [tri.fec.ta] n [tri- + perfecta] (1974): a variation of the
          perfecta in which a bettor wins by selecting the first
          three finishers of a race in the correct order of finish

   trifid
          [tri.fid] adj [L trifidus split into three, fr. tri- + findere
          to split--more at bite] (1753): being deeply and narrowly
          cleft into three teeth, processes, or points <a spoon
          with a ~ top>

   [1]trifle
          [tri.fle] n [ME trufle, trifle, fr. OF trufe, trufle mockery]
          (13c) 1: something of little value, substance, or importance
          2: a dessert of many varieties typically including plain
          or sponge cake, sherry, rum, or brandy, jam or jelly,
          fruit, custard, and whipped cream -- a trifle : to some
          small degree: slightly <a trifle annoyed> [2]trifle vb
          tri.fled ; tri.fling [ME truflen, triflen, fr. OF trufer,
          trufler to mock, trick] vi (14c) 1 a: to talk in a jesting
          or mocking manner or with intent to delude or mislead
          b: to treat someone or something as unimportant 2: to
          handle something idly ~ vt: to spend or waste in trifling
          or on trifles -- tri.fler n syn trifle, toy, dally, flirt,
          coquet mean to deal with or act toward without serious
          purpose. trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent
          contempt <to trifle with a lover's feelings>. toy implies
          acting without full attention or serious exertion of
          one's powers <a political novice toying with great issues>.
          dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely
          as an amusement <dallying with the idea of building a
          boat someday>. flirt implies an interest or attention
          that soon passes to another object <flirted with one
          fashionable ism after another>. coquet implies attracting
          interest or admiration without serious intention <companies
          that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations>.

   trifling
          [tri.fling] adj (1535): lacking in significance or solid
          worth: as a: frivolous <~ talk> b: trivial <a ~ gift>
          c chiefly dial: lazy, shiftless <a ~ fellow>

   trifluoperazine
          [tri.fluo.per.a.zine] n [tri- + fluor- + piperazine] (ca.
          1957): a phenothiazine tranquilizer used to treat psychotic
          conditions and esp. schizophrenia

   trifluralin
          [tri.flu.ra.lin] n [tri- + fluor- + aniline] (ca. 1961):
          an herbicide used in the control of weeds

   [1]trifocal
          [tri.fo.cal] adj (1826): having three focal lengths [2]trifocal
          n (1899) 1 pl: eyeglasses with trifocal lenses 2: a trifocal
          glass or lens

   trifoliate
          [tri.fo.li.ate] adj [tri- + L folium leaf--more at blade]
          (1753) 1: having three leaves <a ~ plant> 2: trifoliolate

   trifoliate orange
          [trifoliate orange] n (ca. 1900): a Chinese citrus (Poncirus
          trifoliata) with trifoliolate leaves that is widely grown
          for ornament and esp. as a stock for budding oranges

   trifoliolate
          [tri.fo.li.o.late] adj [ISV tri- + LL foliolum leaflet, dim.
          of L folium leaf] (ca. 1828): having three leaflets <a
          ~ leaf>--see leaf illustration

   trifolium
          [tri.fo.li.um] n [NL, fr. L, trefoil--more at trefoil] (1541):
          clover 1

   triforium
          [tri.fo.ri.um] n, pl -ria [ML] (1703): a gallery forming
          an upper story to the aisle of a church and typically
          an arcaded story between the nave arches and clerestory

   triform
          [tri.form] adj [ME triforme, fr. L triformis, fr. tri- +
          forma form] (15c): having a triple form or nature

   trifurcate
          [tri.fur.cate] adj [L trifurcus, fr. tri- + furca fork] (ca.
          1831): having three branches or forks: trichotomous --
          tri.fur.cate vi -- tri.fur.ca.tion n

   [1]trig
          [trig] adj [ME, trusty, nimble, of Scand origin; akin to
          ON tryggr faithful; akin to OE treowe faithful--more
          at true] (1513) 1: stylishly or jauntily trim 2: extremely
          precise: prim 3 dial chiefly Brit: firm, vigorous [2]trig
          n [by shortening] (ca. 1895): trigonometry

   trigeminal
          [tri.gem.i.nal] adj [NL trigeminus trigeminal nerve, fr.
          L, threefold, fr. tri- + geminus twin] (1872): of or
          relating to the trigeminal nerve

   trigeminal nerve
          [trigeminal nerve] n (1830): either of a pair or large mixed
          nerves that are the 5th cranial nerves and supply motor
          and sensory fibers mostly to the face--called also trigeminal

   trigeminal neuralgia
          [trigeminal neuralgia] n (1874): an intense paroxysmal neuralgia
          involving one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve

   [1]trigger
          [trig.ger] n [alter. of earlier tricker, fr. D trekker, fr.
          MD trecker one that pulls, fr. trecken to pull--more
          at trek] (1621) 1 a: a piece (as a lever) connected with
          a catch or detent as a means of releasing it; esp: the
          part of the action moved by the finger to fire a gun
          b: a similar movable part by which a mechanism is actuated
          <~ of a spray gun> 2: something that acts like a mechanical
          trigger in initiating a process or reaction -- trigger
          adj -- trig.gered adj [2]trigger vb trig.gered ; trig.ger.ing
          vt (1916) 1 a: to release or activate by means of a trigger;
          esp: to fire by pulling a mechanical trigger <~ a rifle>
          b: to cause the explosion of <~ a missile with a proximity
          fuze> 2: to initiate, actuate, or set off by a trigger
          <an indiscreet remark that ~ed a fight> <a stimulus that
          ~ed a reflex> ~ vi: to release a mechanical trigger

   triggerfish
          [trig.ger.fish] n (1849): any of various deep-bodied bony
          fishes (family Balistidae, esp. genus Balistes) of warm
          seas having an anterior dorsal fin with two or three
          stout erectile spines

   trigger-happy
          [trig.ger-hap.py] adj (1943) 1: irresponsible in the use
          of firearms; esp: inclined to shoot before clearly identifying
          the target 2 a: inclined to be irresponsible in matters
          that might precipitate war b: aggressively belligerent
          in attitude

   triggerman
          [trig.ger.man] n (ca. 1930): a gunman who shoots the victim
          (as in a gangland murder)

   triglyceride
          [tri.glyc.er.ide] n [ISV] (ca. 1860): an ester formed from
          glycerol by reacting all three of its alcohol hydroxy
          groups with fatty acids

   triglyph
          [tri.glyph] n [L triglyphus, fr. Gk triglyphos, fr. tri-
          + glyphein to carve--more at cleave] (1563): a slightly
          projecting rectangular tablet in a Doric frieze with
          two vertical channels of V section and two corresponding
          chamfers or half channels on the vertical sides -- tri.glyph.ic
          or tri.glyph.i.cal adj

   trigon
          [tri.gon] n [L trigonum, fr. Gk trigonon, fr. neut. of trigonos
          triangular, fr. tri- + gonia angle--more at -gon] (1563):
          triplicity 1

   trigonal
          [tri.go.nal] adj (1878): of, relating to, or being the division
          of the hexagonal crystal system or the forms belonging
          to it characterized by a vertical axis of threefold symmetry
          -- tri.go.nal.ly adv

   trigonometric
          [trig.o.no.met.ric] also trig.o.no.met.ri.cal adj (1690):
          of, relating to, or being in accordance with trigonometry
          -- trig.o.no.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   trigonometric function
          [trigonometric function] n (1909) 1: a function (as the sine,
          cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, or cosecant) of an
          arc or angle most simply expressed in terms of the ratios
          of pairs of sides of a right-angled triangle--called
          also circular function 2: the inverse (as the arcsine,
          arccosine, or arctangent) of a trigonometric function

   trigonometry
          [trig.o.nom.e.try] n [NL trigonometria, fr. Gk trigonon +
          -metria -metry] (1614): the study of the properties of
          triangles and trigonometric functions and of their applications

   trigram
          [tri.gram] n (1606) 1: trigraph 2 2: any of the eight possible
          combinations of three whole or broken lines used esp.
          in Chinese divination

   trigraph
          [tri.graph] n (ca. 1836) 1: three letters spelling a single
          consonant, vowel, or diphthong <eau of beau is a ~> 2:
          a cluster of three successive letters <the, ion, and
          ing are high frequency ~s> -- tri.graph.ic adj

   trihalomethane
          [tri.halo.meth.ane] n (1969): any of various derivatives
          of methane (as chloroform) that have three halogen atoms
          per molecule and are formed esp. during the chlorination
          of drinking water

   trihedral
          [tri.he.dral] adj (1789) 1: having three faces <~ angle>
          2: of or relating to a trihedral angle -- trihedral n

   trihybrid
          [tri.hy.brid] n (1903): an individual or strain that
          is heterozygous for three pairs of genes -- trihybrid adj

   trihydroxy
          [tri.hy.droxy] adj [ISV] (1903): containing three hydroxyl
          groups in the molecule

   triiodothyronine
          [tri.io.do.thy.ro.nine] n [tri- + iod- + thyronine (an amino
          acid of which thyroxine is a derivative)] (1952): an
          iodine-containing hormone that is an amino acid derived
          from thyroxine

   trijet
          [tri.jet] n (1967): an aircraft powered with three jet engines

   trike
          [trike] n [by shortening & alter.] (1884): tricycle

   trilateral
          [tri.lat.er.al] adj [L trilaterus, fr. tri- + later-, latus
          side] (1660): having three sides or parties <~ business
          ventures> <~ discussions>

   trilby
          [tril.by] n, pl trilbies [fr. the fact that such a hat was
          worn in the London stage version of the novel Trilby
          (1894) by George du Maurier] (1897) chiefly Brit: a soft
          felt hat with indented crown

   trilinear
          [tri.lin.e.ar] adj (1715): of, relating to, or involving
          three lines <~ coordinates>

   trilingual
          [tri.lin.gual] adj (1834): consisting of, having, or expressed
          in three languages; also: familiar with or able to use
          three languages -- tri.lin.gual.ly adv

   [1]triliteral
          [tri.lit.er.al] adj [tri- + L littera letter] (1751): consisting
          of three letters and esp. of three consonants <~ roots
          in Semitic languages> -- tri.lit.er.al.ism n [2]triliteral
          n (ca. 1828): a root or word that is triliteral

   [1]trill
          [trill] vb [ME, prob. of Scand origin; akin to Sw trilla
          to roll; akin to MD trillen to vibrate] vi (14c) 1: to
          flow in a small stream or in drops: trickle 2: twirl,
          revolve ~ vt: to cause to flow in a small stream [2]trill
          n [It trillo prob. of imit. origin] (1649) 1 a: the alternation
          of two musical tones a diatonic second apart--called
          also shake b: vibrato c: a rapid reiteration of the same
          tone esp. on a percussion instrument 2: a sound resembling
          a musical trill: warble 3 a: the rapid vibration of one
          speech organ against another (as of the tip of the tongue
          against the teethridge) b: a speech sound made by a trill
          [3]trill vi (ca. 1667): to play or sing with a trill:
          quaver ~ vt: to utter as or with or as if with a trill
          <~ the r> -- trill.er n

   trillion
          [tril.lion] n [F, fr. tri- + -illion (as in million)] (ca.
          1690) 1: a thousand billions; also, Brit: a million millions
          2: a very large number -- trillion adj -- tril.lionth
          adj or n

   trillium
          [tril.li.um] n [NL, fr. Sw trilling triplet; fr. its three
          leaves] (ca. 1760): any of a genus (Trillium) of herbs
          of the lily family with an erect stem bearing a whorl
          of three leaves and a large solitary typically spring-blooming
          flower

   trilobate
          [tri.lo.bate] adj (1785): trilobed

   trilobed
          [tri.lobed] adj (1826): having three lobes <a ~ leaf>

   trilobite
          [tri.lo.bite] n [ultim. fr. Gk trilobos three-lobed, fr.
          tri- + lobos lobe] (1832): any of numerous extinct Paleozoic
          marine arthropods (group Trilobita) having the segments
          of the body divided by furrows on the dorsal surface
          into three lobes

   trilogy
          [tril.o.gy] n, pl -gies [Gk trilogia, fr. tri- + -logia -logy]
          (ca. 1661): a series of three dramas or literary works
          or sometimes three musical compositions that are closely
          related and develop a single theme

   [1]trim
          [trim] vb trimmed ; trim.ming [prob. fr. (assumed) ME trimmen
          to prepare, put in order, fr. OE trymian, trymman to
          strengthen, arrange, fr. trum strong, firm; prob. akin
          to OE treo tree, wood--more at tree] vt (ca. 1521) 1:
          to embellish with or as if with ribbons, lace, or ornaments
          <~ the Christmas tree> <the coat was trimmed with fur>
          2 a: to administer a beating to: thrash b: defeat <trimmed
          me at chess> 3 a: to make trim and neat esp. by cutting
          or clipping <~ the hedges> b: to free of excess or extraneous
          matter by or as if by cutting <~ a budget> <~ down the
          inventory> c: to remove by or as if by cutting <trimmed
          thousands from federal payrolls --Grit> 4 a (1): to cause
          (as a ship) to assume a desirable position in the water
          by arrangement of ballast, cargo, or passengers (2):
          to adjust (as an airplane or submarine) for horizontal
          movement or for motion upward or downward b: to adjust
          (as cargo or a sail) to a desired position 5: to adjust
          (as one's opinions) for reasons of expediency--often
          used in the phrase trim one's sails ~ vi 1 a: to maintain
          neutrality between opposing parties or to favor each
          equally b: to change one's views for reasons of expediency
          2: to assume or cause a boat to assume a desired position
          in the water <a boat that ~s badly> -- trim one's sails
          : to adjust oneself or one's actions to prevailing conditions
          [2]trim adj trim.mer ; trim.mest (ca. 1521) 1 obs: excellent,
          fine 2: ready for service or use; also: in good physical
          condition <keeps ~ by jogging> 3: exhibiting neatness,
          good order, or compactness of line or structure <~ houses>
          -- trim.ly adv -- trim.ness n [3]trim adv (1529): in
          a trim manner: trimly--used chiefly in combination <the
          trim-cut forest vistas --W. M. Thackeray> [4]trim n (1590)
          1: suitable or excellent condition <tries to keep in
          ~> 2 a: one's clothing or appearance b: material used
          for ornament or trimming c: the lighter woodwork in the
          finish of a building esp. around openings d: the interior
          furnishings of an automobile 3 a: the position of a ship
          or boat esp. with reference to the horizontal; also:
          the difference between the draft of a ship forward and
          that aft b: the relation between the plane of a sail
          and the direction of the ship c: the buoyancy status
          of a submarine d: the attitude of a lighter-than-air
          craft relative to a fore-and-aft horizontal plane e:
          the attitude with respect to wind axes at which an airplane
          will continue in level flight with free controls 4: something
          that is trimmed off or cut out 5: a haircut that neatens
          a previous haircut

   trimaran
          [tri.ma.ran] n [tri- + catamaran] (1949): a fast pleasure
          sailboat with three hulls side by side

   trimer
          [tri.mer] n [ISV] (ca. 1930): a polymer formed from three
          molecules of a monomer -- tri.mer.ic adj

   trimerous
          [trim.er.ous] adj [NL trimerus, fr. Gk tri- + meros part--more
          at merit] (1826): having the parts in threes--used of
          a flower and often written 3-merous

   trimester
          [tri.mes.ter] n [F trimestre, fr. L trimestris of three months,
          fr. tri- + mensis month--more at moon] (1821) 1: a period
          of three or about three months; esp: any of three periods
          of approximately three months each into which a human
          pregnancy is divided 2: one of three terms into which
          the academic year is sometimes divided

   trimeter
          [trim.e.ter] n [L trimetrus, fr. Gk trimetros having three
          measures, fr. tri- + metron measure--more at measure]
          (1567): a line of verse consisting of three dipodies
          or three metrical feet

   trimethoprim
          [tri.meth.o.prim] n [tri- + meth- + -prim (by shortening
          & alter. fr. pyrimidine)] (1964): a synthetic antibacterial
          and antimalarial drug often used with a sulfa drug

   trimetrogon
          [tri.met.ro.gon] n [tri- + Gk metron measure + E -gon] (1943):
          a system of aerial mapping involving the use of sets
          of one vertical and two oblique aerial photographs taken
          simultaneously over the area being mapped

   trimmer
          [trim.mer] n (1555) 1 a (1): one that trims articles (2):
          one that stows coal or freight on a ship so as to distribute
          the weight properly b: an instrument or machine with
          which trimming is done c: a circuit element (as a capacitor)
          used to tune a circuit to a desired frequency 2: a beam
          that receives the end of a header in floor framing 3:
          a person who modifies a policy, position, or opinion
          esp. out of expediency

   trimming
          [trim.ming] n (ca. 1518) 1: defeat, beating 2: the act of
          one who trims 3 a: a decorative accessory or additional
          item <~s for a hat> b: an additional garnishing <turkey
          and all the ~s>

   trimonthly
          [tri.month.ly] adj (1856): occurring every three months

   trimorphic
          [tri.mor.phic] adj [Gk trimorphos having three forms, fr.
          tri- + -morphos -morphous] (1866): occurring in or having
          three distinct forms

   trimotor
          [tri.mo.tor] n (1923): an airplane powered by three engines

   trim size
          [trim size] n (ca. 1929): the actual size (as of a book page)
          after excess material required in production has been
          cut off

   Trimurti
          [Tri.mur.ti] n [Skt -trimurti, fr. trimurti having three
          forms, fr. tri- tri- + murti body, form] (1810): the
          great triad of Hindu gods comprising Brahma, Vishnu,
          and Siva

   trinal
          [tri.nal] adj [LL trinalis, fr. L trini three each] (1590):
          threefold

   [1]trine
          [trine] adj [ME, fr. MF trin, fr. L trinus, fr. trini three
          each; akin to L tres three--more at three] (14c) 1: threefold,
          triple 2: of, relating to, or being the favorable astrological
          aspect of two celestial bodies 120 degrees apart [2]trine
          n (1552) 1: a group of three: triad 2: the trine astrological
          aspect of two celestial bodies

   trine immersion
          [trine immersion] n (1637): the practice of immersing a candidate
          for baptism three times in the names of the members of
          the Trinity

   trinitarian
          [trin.i.tar.i.an] adj (1628) 1 cap: of or relating to the
          Trinity, the doctrine of the Trinity, or adherents to
          that doctrine 2: having three parts or aspects: threefold
          Trinitarian n (1628) 1: a member of a religious teaching
          and nursing order for men founded in France in 1198 by
          John of Matha and Philip of Valois 2: one who subscribes
          to the doctrine of the Trinity -- Trin.i.tar.i.an.ism
          n

   trinitrotoluene
          [tri.ni.tro.tol.u.ene] n [ISV] (ca. 1900): tnt

   Trinity
          [Trin.i.ty] n [ME trinite, fr. OF trinite, fr. LL trinitat-,
          trinitas state of being threefold, fr. L trinus threefold]
          (13c) 1: the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as
          three persons in one Godhead according to Christian dogma
          2 not cap: a group of three closely related persons or
          things 3: the Sunday after Whitsunday observed as a feast
          in honor of the Trinity

   Trinitytide
          [Trin.i.ty.tide] n (1511): the season of the church year
          between Trinity Sunday and Advent

   [1]trinket
          [trin.ket] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1533) 1: a small ornament
          (as a jewel or ring) 2: a small article of equipment
          3: a thing of little value: trifle [2]trinket vi [perh.
          fr. [1]trinket] (1646): to deal clandestinely: intrigue
          -- trin.ket.er n

   trinketry
          [trin.ket.ry] n (1810): small items of personal ornament

   trinocular
          [trin.oc.u.lar] adj [tri- + binocular] (1960): relating to
          or being a binocular microscope equipped with a lens
          for photographic recording during direct visual observation

   [1]trinomial
          [tri.no.mi.al] n [tri- + -nomial (as in binomial)] (1674)
          1: a polynomial of three terms 2: a biological taxonomic
          name of three terms of which the first designates the
          genus, the second the species, and the third the subspecies
          or variety [2]trinomial adj (ca. 1704) 1: consisting
          of three mathematical terms 2: of, relating to, or being
          a biological trinomial

   trinucleotide
          [tri.nu.cle.o.tide] n (1918): a nucleotide consisting of
          three mononucleotides in combination: codon

   trio
          [trio] n, pl tri.os [F, fr. It, fr. tri- (fr. L)] (ca. 1724)
          1 a: a musical composition for three voice parts or three
          instruments b: the secondary or episodic division of
          a minuet or scherzo, a march, or of various dance forms
          2: the performers of a musical or dance trio 3: a group
          or set of three

   triode
          [tri.ode] n (1922): an electron tube with an anode, a cathode,
          and a controlling grid

   triol
          [tri.ol] n (1936): a chemical compound containing three hydroxyl
          groups

   triolet
          [tri.o.let] n [F, fr. MF, lit., clover leaf, clover, ultim.
          fr. Gk triphyllon, fr. tri- tri- + phyllon leaf--more
          at blade] (1651): a poem or stanza of eight lines in
          which the first line is repeated as the fourth and seventh
          and the second line as the eighth with a rhyme scheme
          of ABaAabAB

   triose
          [tri.ose] n [ISV] (1894): either of two simple sugars containing
          three carbon atoms

   trioxide
          [tri.ox.ide] n [ISV] (ca. 1868): an oxide containing three
          atoms of oxygen

   [1]trip
          [trip] vb tripped ; trip.ping [ME trippen, fr. MF triper,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE treppan to tread--more at trap]
          vi (14c) 1 a: to dance, skip, or caper with light quick
          steps b: to walk with light quick steps 2: to catch the
          foot against something so as to stumble 3: to make a
          mistake or false step (as in morality or accuracy) 4:
          to stumble in articulation when speaking 5: to make a
          journey 6: to run past the pallet of an escapement without
          previously locking--used of a tooth of the escapement
          wheel of a watch 7 a: to actuate a mechanism b: to become
          operative 8: to get high on a psychedelic drug (as LSD):
          turn on--often used with out ~ vt 1 a: to cause to stumble--often
          used with up b: to cause to fail: obstruct--often used
          with up 2: to detect in a misstep, fault, or blunder;
          also: expose--usu. used with up 3 archaic: to perform
          (as a dance) lightly or nimbly 4: to raise (an anchor)
          from the bottom so as to hang free 5 a: to pull (a yard)
          into a perpendicular position for lowering b: to hoist
          (a topmast) far enough to enable the fid to be withdrawn
          preparatory to housing or lowering 6: to release or operate
          (a mechanism) esp. by releasing a catch or detent --
          trip the light fantastic : dance [2]trip n (15c) 1: a
          stroke or catch by which a wrestler is made to lose footing
          2 a: voyage, journey b: a single round or tour on a business
          errand 3: error, misstep 4: a quick light step 5: a faltering
          step caused by stumbling 6 a: the action of tripping
          mechanically b (1): a device for tripping a mechanism
          (as a catch or detent) (2): tup 2 7: an intense visionary
          experience undergone by a person who has taken a psychedelic
          drug (as LSD) 8: absorption in or obsession with an interest,
          attitude, or state of mind <a guilt ~> <on a nostalgia
          ~> 9: scene, lifestyle

   tripack
          [tri.pack] n (1911): a combination of three superposed films
          or emulsions each sensitive to a different primary color
          for simultaneous exposure in one camera

   tripartite
          [tri.par.tite] adj [ME, fr. L tripartitus, fr. tri- + partitus
          divided--more at partite] (15c) 1: divided into or composed
          of three parts 2: having three corresponding parts or
          copies 3: made between or involving three parties <a
          ~ treaty>

   tripe
          [tripe] n [ME, fr. MF] (14c) 1: stomach tissue of a ruminant
          and esp. of the ox used as food 2: something poor, worthless,
          or offensive

   [1]trip-hammer
          [trip-ham.mer] n (1781): a massive power hammer having a
          head that is tripped and allowed to fall by cam or lever
          action [2]trip-hammer adj (ca. 1864): suggesting a trip-hammer
          in loud pounding or persistent action

   triphenylmethane
          [tri.phe.nyl.meth.ane] n [ISV] (ca. 1885): a crystalline
          hydrocarbon that is the parent compound of many dyes

   triphosphate
          [tri.phos.phate] n (ca. 1826): a salt or acid that contains
          three phosphate groups--compare atp, gtp

   triphosphopyridine nucleotide
          [tri.phos.pho.pyr.i.dine nucleotide] n (1937): nadp

   triphthong
          [triph.thong] n [tri- + -phthong (as in diphthong)] (ca.
          1599) 1: a phonological unit consisting of three successive
          vocalic sounds in one syllable 2: trigraph -- triph.thon.gal
          adj

   tripinnate
          [tri.pin.nate] adj (ca. 1760): bipinnate with each division
          pinnate -- tri.pin.nate.ly adv

   triplane
          [tri.plane] n (1909): an airplane with three main supporting
          surfaces superposed

   [1]triple
          [tri.ple] vb tri.pled ; tri.pling [ME, fr. LL triplare, fr.
          L triplus, adj.] vt (14c) 1: to make three times as great
          or as many 2 a: to score (a base runner) by a triple
          b: to bring about the scoring of (a run) by a triple
          ~ vi 1: to become three times as great or as numerous
          2: to make a triple in baseball [2]triple n [ME, fr.
          L triplus, adj.] (15c) 1 a: a triple sum, quantity, or
          number b: a combination, group, or series of three 2:
          a base hit that allows the batter to reach third base
          safely 3: trifecta [3]triple adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L
          triplus, fr. tri- + -plus multiplied by--more at -fold]
          (1550) 1: being three times as great or as many 2: having
          three units or members 3: having a threefold relation
          or character <worked as a double or even ~ agent --Time>
          4: three times repeated: treble 5: marked by three beats
          per musical measure <~ meter> 6 a: having units of three
          components <~ feet> b of rhyme: involving correspondence
          of three syllables (as in unfortunate-importunate)

   triple bond
          [triple bond] n (1889): a chemical bond in which three pairs
          of electrons are shared by two atoms in a molecule--compare
          double bond, single bond

   triple counterpoint
          [triple counterpoint] n (ca. 1869): three-part musical counterpoint
          so written that any part may be transposed above or below any other

   Triple Crown
          [Triple Crown] n (ca. 1897) 1: an unofficial title in horse
          racing representing the championship achieved by a horse
          that wins the three classic races for a designated category
          2: the unofficial title signifying the achievement of
          a baseball player who at the end of a season leads the
          league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted
          in

   triple-decker
          [tri.ple-deck.er] n, often attrib (1938): something having
          three basic components or levels: as a: trilogy b: a
          sandwich consisting of three pieces of bread and two
          layers of filling c: a 3-story dwelling with an apartment
          on each floor

   triple-header
          [tri.ple-head.er] n (ca. 1949): a program consisting of three
          consecutive games, contests, or events

   triple jump
          [triple jump] n (1964): a jump for distance in track-and-field
          athletics usu. from a running start and combining a hop,
          a stride, and a jump in succession -- triple jumper n

   triple play
          [triple play] n (1869): a play in baseball by which three
          players are put out

   triple point
          [triple point] n (1872): the condition of temperature and
          pressure under which the gaseous, liquid, and solid phases
          of a substance can exist in equilibrium

   triple sec
          [triple sec] n [fr. Triple Sec, a trademark] (1943): a colorless
          orange-flavored liqueur

   triple-space
          [tri.ple-space] vt (ca. 1939): to type (text) leaving two
          blank lines between lines of copy ~ vi: to type on every
          third line

   triplet
          [trip.let] n [[2]triple] (1656) 1: a unit of three lines
          of verse 2 a: a combination, set, or group of three b:
          a group of three elementary particles (as positive, negative,
          and neutral pions) with different charge states but otherwise
          similar properties c: an atom or molecule with an even
          number of electrons that have a net magnetic moment d:
          codon 3: one of three children or offspring born at one
          birth 4: a group of three musical notes or tones performed
          in the time of two of the same value

   tripletail
          [tri.ple.tail] n (ca. 1803): a large marine bony fish (Lobotes
          surinamensis of the family Lobotidae) of warm and tropical
          waters that has long dorsal and anal fins which extend
          backward and together with the caudal fin appear like
          a 3-lobed tail

   triple threat
          [triple threat] n (1924) 1: a football player adept at running,
          kicking, and passing 2: a person adept in three different
          fields of activity -- triple-threat adj

   triple-tongue
          [tri.ple-tongue] vi (1879): to articulate the notes of triplets
          in fast tempo on a wind instrument by using the tongue
          positions esp. for t, k, t for the notes of each successive
          triplet

   [1]triplex
          [tri.plex] n (1601): something (as an apartment) that is
          triplex [2]triplex adj [L, fr. tri- + -plex -fold--more
          at -fold] (1655) 1: threefold, triple <~ windows> 2:
          having three apartments, floors, or sections <~ buildings>
          <~ apartments> <a ~ theater>

   [1]triplicate
          [trip.li.cate] adj [ME, fr. L triplicatus, pp. of triplicare
          to triple, fr. triplic-, triplex threefold] (15c): consisting
          of or existing in three corresponding or identical parts
          or examples <~ invoices> [2]trip.li.cate vt -cat.ed ;
          -cat.ing (ca. 1623) 1: to make triple or threefold 2:
          to prepare in triplicate -- trip.li.ca.tion n [3]trip.li.cate
          n (1810): three copies all alike--used with in <typed
          in ~>

   triplicity
          [tri.plic.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME triplicite, fr. LL triplicitas
          condition of being threefold, fr. L triplic-, triplex]
          (14c) 1: one of the groups of three signs each distant
          120 degrees from the other two into which the signs of
          the zodiac are divided--called also trigon 2: the quality
          or state of being triple or threefold

   triploblastic
          [trip.lo.blas.tic] adj [L triplus + E -o- + -blastic] (ca.
          1888): having three primary germ layers

   triploid
          [trip.loid] adj [ISV, fr. L triplus triple] (1911): having
          or being a chromosome number three times the monoploid
          number -- trip.loid n -- trip.loi.dy n

   triply
          [tri.ply] adv (1660): in a triple degree, amount, or manner

   tripod
          [tri.pod] n [L tripod-, tripus, fr. Gk tripod-, tripous,
          fr. tripod-, tripous, adj., three-footed, fr. tri- +
          pod-, pous foot--more at foot] (1603) 1: a vessel (as
          a cauldron) resting on three legs 2: a stool, table,
          or altar with three legs 3: a three-legged stand (as
          for a camera) -- tripod or tri.po.dal adj

   tripoli
          [trip.o.li] n [F, fr. Tripoli, region of Africa] (ca. 1601)
          1: an earth consisting of very friable soft schistose
          deposits of silica and including diatomite and kieselguhr
          2: an earth consisting of friable dustlike silica not
          of diatomaceous origin

   tripos
          [tri.pos] n [modif. of L tripus] (1589) 1 archaic: tripod
          2 [fr. the three-legged stool occupied by a participant
          in a disputation at the degree ceremonies]: a final honors
          examination at Cambridge university orig. in mathematics

   tripper
          [trip.per] n (1813) 1 chiefly Brit: one that takes a trip:
          tourist 2: a tripping device (as for operating a railroad
          signal)

   trippingly
          [trip.ping.ly] adv (1590): in a nimble or lively manner <the
          new name ... may not roll ~ off the tongue --Paul B.
          Carroll>

   trippy
          [trip.py] adj (1968): of, relating to, or suggesting a trip
          on psychedelic drugs or the culture associated with such
          drugs

   triptych
          [trip.tych] n [Gk triptychos having three folds, fr. tri-
          + ptyche fold] (1731) 1: an ancient Roman writing tablet
          with three waxed leaves hinged together 2 a: a picture
          (as an altarpiece) or carving in three panels side by
          side b: something composed or presented in three parts
          or sections; esp: trilogy

   trip wire
          [trip wire] n (1916) 1: a low-placed concealed wire used
          esp. in warfare to trip an enemy or trespasser and usu.
          to trigger an alarm or explosive device when moved 2:
          something (as a small military force) intended to function
          like a trip wire (as to set a larger military force in
          motion)

   triquetrous
          [tri.que.trous] adj [L triquetrus three-cornered, fr. tri-
          + -quetrus; prob. akin to OHG waz sharp--more at whet]
          (ca. 1879): having three acute angles <~ stems>

   triradiate
          [tri.ra.di.ate] adj (1846): having three rays or radiating
          branches <a ~ sponge spicule>

   trireme
          [tri.reme] n [L triremis, fr. tri- + remus oar--more at row]
          (1601): an ancient galley having three banks of oars

   trisaccharide
          [tri.sac.cha.ride] n [ISV] (ca. 1899): a sugar that yields
          on complete hydrolysis three monosaccharide molecules

   trisect
          [tri.sect] vt [tri- + intersect] (1695): to divide into three
          usu. equal parts -- tri.sec.tion n -- tri.sec.tor n

   trishaw
          [tri.shaw] n [tri- + rickshaw] (1946): pedicab

   triskaidekaphobia
          [tris.kai.deka.pho.bia] n [NL, fr. Gk treiskaideka thirteen
          (fr. treis three + kai and + deka ten) + NL phobia--more
          at three, ten] (ca. 1911): fear of the number 13

   triskelion
          [tri.skel.i.on] or tri.skele n [triskelion fr. NL, fr. Gk
          triskeles three-legged, fr. tri- + skelos leg; triskele
          fr. Gk triskeles--more at isosceles] (1857): a figure
          composed of three usu. curved or bent branches radiating
          from a center

   trismus
          [tris.mus] n [NL, fr. Gk trismos gnashing (of teeth), fr.
          trizein to squeak, gnash; akin to L stridere to creak--more
          at strident] (ca. 1693): spasm of the muscles of mastication:
          lockjaw

   trisoctahedron
          [tris.oc.ta.he.dron] n [Gk tris thrice + E octahedron--more
          at ter-] (ca. 1847): a solid (as a crystal) having 24
          congruent faces meeting on the edges of a regular octahedron

   trisodium phosphate
          [tri.so.di.um phosphate] n (1923): a crystalline compound
          that is used esp. in cleaning compositions

   trisomy
          [tri.so.my] n, pl -mies [tri- + [3]-some + [2]-y] (1930):
          the condition (as in Down's syndrome) of having one or
          a few chromosomes triploid in an otherwise diploid set
          -- tri.so.mic adj or n

   Tristan
          [Tris.tan] n: tristram

   tristate
          [tri.state] adj (1900): of, relating to, or consisting of
          three adjoining states <the ~ area>

   triste
          [triste] adj [F, fr. L tristis] (1756): sad, mournful; also:
          wistful

   tristearin
          [tri.stea.rin] n [ISV] (ca. 1856): the crystallizable triglyceride
          of stearic acid that is found esp. in hard fats

   tristesse
          [trist.esse] [F] foreign term : melancholy

   tristeza
          [tris.te.za] n [Pg, lit., sadness, fr. L tristitia, fr. tristis
          sad] (ca. 1902): a highly infectious virus disease of
          citrus trees grafted on sour orange rootstocks that is
          characterized by rotting of the rootlets and eventually
          causes the death of the trees

   tristful
          [trist.ful] adj [ME trist sad, fr. MF triste] (15c): sad,
          melancholy -- trist.ful.ly adv -- trist.ful.ness n

   tristimulus
          [tri.stim.u.lus] adj (1933): of or relating to values giving
          the amounts of the three colored lights red, green, and
          blue that when combined additively produce a match for
          the color being considered

   Tristram
          [Tris.tram] n [ME Tristrem, fr. AF Tristan, fr. OW Trystan]:
          the lover of Isolde of Ireland and husband of Isolde
          of Brittany in medieval legend

   trisubstituted
          [tri.sub.sti.tut.ed] adj (ca. 1899): having three substituent
          atoms or groups in the molecule

   trisulfide
          [tri.sul.fide] n (1866): a compound of an element or radical
          with three atoms of sulfur

   trisyllabic
          [tri.syl.lab.ic] adj [L trisyllabus, fr. Gk trisyllabos,
          fr. tri- + syllabe syllable] (1637): having three syllables
          <a ~ word>

   trisyllable
          [tri.syl.la.ble] n (1589): a word of three syllables

   trit
          [trit] abbreviation triturate

   trite
          [trite] adj trit.er ; trit.est [L tritus, fr. pp. of terere
          to rub, wear away--more at throw] (1548): hackneyed or
          boring from much use: not fresh or original -- trite.ly
          adv -- trite.ness n syn trite, hackneyed, stereotyped,
          threadbare mean lacking the freshness that evokes attention
          or interest. trite applies to a once effective phrase
          or idea spoiled from long familiarity <"you win some,
          you lose some" is a trite expression>. hackneyed stresses
          being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless
          <all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed>.
          stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same
          pattern or form <views of minorities that are stereotyped
          and out-of-date>. threadbare applies to what has been
          used until its possibilities of interest have been totally
          exhausted <a mystery novel with a threadbare plot>.

   tritheism
          [tri.the.ism] n (1678): the doctrine that the Father, Son,
          and Holy Spirit are three distinct Gods -- tri.the.ist
          n or adj -- tri.the.is.tic or tri.the.is.ti.cal adj

   trithing
          [tri.thing] n [ME, alter. of (assumed) OE thrithing, thriding]
          (13c) archaic: [3]riding 1

   tritiated
          [tri.ti.at.ed] adj (1953): containing and esp. labeled with
          tritium

   triticale
          [trit.i.ca.le] n [NL, blend of Triticum, genus of wheat,
          and Secale, genus of rye] (1952): an amphidiploid hybrid
          between wheat and rye that has a high yield and rich
          protein content

   tritium
          [tri.ti.um] n [NL, fr. Gk tritos third--more at third] (1933):
          a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with atoms of three
          times the mass of ordinary light hydrogen atoms

   tritoma
          [trit.o.ma] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk tritomos thrice cut,
          fr. tri- + temnein to cut; fr. their trimerous flowers--more
          at tome] (1804): any of a genus (Khiphofia) of African
          herbs of the lily family that are often grown for their
          spikes of showy red or yellow flowers

   [1]triton
          [tri.ton] n [L, fr. Gk Triton] 1 cap: a son of Poseidon described
          as a demigod of the sea with the lower part of his body
          like that of a fish 2 [NL, genus name, fr. L Triton]:
          any of various large marine gastropod mollusks (esp.
          family Ranellidae) with a heavy elongated conical shell;
          also: the shell [2]tri.ton n [tritium + [2]-on] (1934):
          the nucleus of tritium

   tritone
          [tri.tone] n [Gk tritonon, fr. tri- + tonos tone] (1609):
          a musical interval of three whole steps

   [1]triturate
          [trit.u.rate] vt -rat.ed ; -rat.ing [LL trituratus, pp. of
          triturare to thresh, fr. L tritura act of rubbing, threshing,
          fr. tritus, pp.--more at trite] (ca. 1755) 1: crush,
          grind 2: to pulverize and comminute thoroughly by rubbing
          or grinding -- trit.u.ra.ble adj -- trit.u.ra.tor n [2]trit.u.rate
          n (ca. 1891): a triturated substance: trituration 2

   trituration
          [trit.u.ra.tion] n (1646) 1: the act or process of triturating:
          the state of being triturated: comminution 2: a triturated
          medicinal powder made by triturating a substance with
          a diluent

   [1]triumph
          [tri.umph] n, pl tri.umphs [ME triumphe, fr. MF, fr. L triumphus]
          (14c) 1: a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by
          a general who had won a decisive victory over a foreign
          enemy--compare ovation 1 2: the joy or exultation of
          victory or success 3 a: a victory or conquest by or as
          if by military force b: a notable success -- tri.um.phal
          adj [2]triumph vi (1508) 1: to obtain victory: prevail
          2 a: to receive the honor of a triumph b: to celebrate
          victory or success boastfully or exultingly

   triumphalism
          [tri.um.phal.ism] n (1964): the doctrine, attitude, or belief
          that one religious creed is superior to all others --
          tri.um.phal.ist n or adj

   triumphant
          [tri.um.phant] adj (15c) 1: victorious, conquering 2 archaic:
          of or relating to a triumph 3: rejoicing for or celebrating
          victory 4: notably successful -- tri.um.phant.ly adv

   triumvir
          [tri.um.vir] n, pl -virs also -vi.ri [L, back-formation fr.
          triumviri, pl., commission of three men, fr. trium virum
          of three men] (ca. 1580): one of a commission or ruling
          body of three

   triumvirate
          [tri.um.vi.rate] n (1584) 1: a body of triumvirs 2: the office
          or government of triumvirs 3: a group or association
          of three

   [1]triune
          [tri.une] n, often cap [L tri- + unus one--more at one] (1605):
          trinity 1 [2]triune adj (1635): three in one: a often
          cap: of or relating to the Trinity <the ~ God> b: consisting
          of three parts, members, or aspects

   trivalent
          [tri.va.lent] adj [ISV] (1868) 1: having a chemical valence
          of three 2: reacting immunologically with three different
          combining sites (as of antigens or antibodies) <~ oral
          polio vaccine>

   trivet
          [triv.et] n [ME trevet, fr. OE trefet, prob. modif. of LL
          triped-, tripes, fr. L, three-footed, fr. tri- + ped-,
          pes foot--more at foot] (bef. 12c) 1: a three-legged
          stand: tripod 2: a usu. metal stand with short feet for
          use under a hot dish at table

   trivia
          [triv.ia] n pl but sing or pl in constr [(assumed) NL,
          back-formation fr. L trivialis] (1920): unimportant matters:
          trivial facts or details; also, sing in constr: a quizzing game
          involving obscure facts

   trivial
          [triv.i.al] adj [L trivialis found everywhere, commonplace,
          fr. trivium crossroads, fr. tri- + via way--more at way]
          (1589) 1: commonplace, ordinary 2 a: of little worth
          or importance b: relating to or being the mathematically
          simplest case; specif: characterized by having all variables
          equal to zero <a ~ solution to a linear equation> 3:
          specific 4 -- triv.i.al.ist n -- triv.i.al.ly adv

   trivialise
          [triv.i.al.ise] Brit var of trivialize

   triviality
          [triv.i.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1598) 1: the quality or state
          of being trivial 2: something trivial: trifle

   trivialize
          [triv.i.al.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1846): to make trivial:
          reduce to triviality -- triv.i.al.i.za.tion n

   trivial name
          [trivial name] n (1759) 1: specific epithet 2: a common or
          vernacular name of an organism or chemical

   trivium
          [triv.i.um] n, pl triv.ia [ML, fr. L, meeting of three ways,
          crossroads] (1804): a group of studies consisting of
          grammar, rhetoric, and logic and forming the lower division
          of the seven liberal arts in medieval universities--compare
          quadrivium

   [1]triweekly
          [tri.week.ly] adj (1832) 1: occurring or appearing three
          times a week 2: occurring or appearing every three weeks
          -- triweekly adv [2]triweekly n, pl -lies (1851): a triweekly
          publication

   -trix
          [-trix] n suffix, pl -trices or -trixes [ME, fr. L, fem.
          of -tor, suffix denoting an agent] 1: female that does
          or is associated with a (specified) thing <aviatrix>
          2: geometric line, point, or surface <generatrix>

   tRNA
          [tRNA] n (1962): transfer rna

   trocar
          [tro.car] also tro.char n [F trocart, fr. trois three (fr.
          L tres) + carre side of a sword blade, fr. carrer to
          make square, fr. L quadrare--more at three, quadrate]
          (ca. 1706): a sharp-pointed surgical instrument fitted
          with a cannula and used esp. to insert the cannula into
          a body cavity as a drainage outlet

   trochaic
          [tro.cha.ic] adj [MF trochaique, fr. L trochaicus, fr. Gk
          trochaikos, fr. trochaios trochee] (1589): of, relating
          to, or consisting of trochees -- trochaic n

   trochanter
          [tro.chan.ter] n [Gk trochanter; akin to Gk trechein to run]
          (1615) 1: a rough prominence at the upper part of the
          femur of many vertebrates 2: the second segment counting
          from the base of the leg of an insect -- tro.chan.ter.al
          adj -- tro.chan.ter.ic adj

   troche
          [tro.che] n [alter. of earlier trochisk, fr. LL trochiscus,
          fr. Gk trochiskos, fr. dim. of trochos wheel] (1597):
          a usu. circular medicinal tablet or lozenge for slow
          dissolution in the mouth; esp: one used as a demulcent

   trochee
          [tro.chee] n [prob. fr. MF trochee, fr. L trochaeus, fr.
          Gk trochaios, fr. trochaios running, fr. troche run,
          course, fr. trechein to run; akin to Gk trochos wheel,
          OIr droch] (1589): a metrical foot consisting of one
          long syllable followed by one short syllable or of one
          stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable
          (as in apple)

   trochlea
          [troch.lea] n [NL, fr. L, block of pulleys, fr. Gk trochileia,
          fr. trochilos sheave, fr. trochos wheel] (ca. 1693):
          an anatomical structure that is held to resemble a pulley;
          esp: the articular surface on the medial condyle of the
          humerus that articulates with the ulna

   trochlear
          [troch.le.ar] adj (ca. 1681) 1: of, relating to, or being
          a trochlea 2: of, relating to, or being a trochlear nerve

   trochlear nerve
          [trochlear nerve] n (ca. 1890): either of the 4th pair of
          cranial nerves that supply some of the eye muscles with
          motor fibers--called also trochlear

   trochoid
          [tro.choid] n [Gk trochoeides like a wheel, fr. trochos wheel]
          (ca. 1704): the curve generated by a point on the radius
          of a circle or the radius extended as the circle rolls
          on a fixed straight line -- tro.choi.dal adj

   trochophore
          [trocho.phore] n [ultim. fr. Gk trochos wheel + pherein to
          carry--more at bear] (1892): a free-swimming ciliate
          larva occurring in several invertebrate groups (as the
          polychaete worms and mollusks)

   trod
          [trod] past and past part of tread

   trodden
          [trodden] past part of tread

   troffer
          [trof.fer] n [blend of trough and coffer] (1942): an inverted
          trough serving as a support and reflector usu. for a
          fluorescent lighting unit

   troglodyte
          [trog.lo.dyte] n [L troglodytae, pl., fr. Gk troglodytai,
          fr. trogle hole, cave (akin to Gk trogein to gnaw, Arm
          aracem I lead to pasture, graze) + dyein to enter] (1558)
          1: a member of a primitive people dwelling in caves 2:
          a person resembling a troglodyte (as in reclusive habits
          or outmoded or reactionary attitudes) -- trog.lo.dyt.ic
          adj

   trogon
          [tro.gon] n [NL, genus name, fr. Gk trogon, prp. of trogein
          to gnaw] (1792): any of numerous nonpasserine tropical
          birds (family Trogonidae) with brilliant often iridescent
          plumage

   troika
          [troi.ka] n [Russ troika, fr. troe three; akin to OE thrie
          three] (1842) 1: a Russian vehicle drawn by three horses
          abreast; also: a team for such a vehicle 2: a group of
          three; esp: an administrative or ruling body of three

   troilite
          [troi.lite] n [G Troilit, fr. Domenico Troili, 18th cent.
          Ital. scientist + G -it -ite] (ca. 1868): a mineral that
          is a variety of pyrrhotite and that is widely but sparsely
          distributed (as on earth, in meteorites, and in lunar
          soil samples)

   Troilus
          [Troi.lus] n [ME, fr. L, fr. Gk Troilos]: a son of Priam
          who in medieval legend loved Cressida and lost her to
          Diomedes

   [1]Trojan
          [Tro.jan] n [ME, fr. L trojanus of Troy, fr. Troia, Troja
          Troy, fr. Gk Troia] (14c) 1: a native or inhabitant of
          Troy 2: one who shows qualities (as pluck, endurance,
          or determined energy) attributed to the defenders of
          ancient Troy 3: a gay, irresponsible, or disreputable
          companion [2]Trojan adj (14c) 1: of, relating to, or
          resembling ancient Troy or its inhabitants 2: of, relating
          to, or constituting a Trojan horse

   Trojan horse
          [Trojan horse] n [fr. the large hollow wooden horse filled
          with Greek soldiers and introduced within the walls of
          Troy by a stratagem] (1837) 1: someone or something intended
          to defeat or subvert from within 2: a seemingly useful
          computer program that contains concealed instructions
          which when activated perform an illicit or malicious
          action (as destroying data files); also: the concealed
          instructions of such a program--compare virus

   Trojan War
          [Trojan War] n: a 10-year war between the Greeks and Trojans
          brought on by the abduction of Helen by Paris and ended
          with the destruction of Troy

   [1]troll
          [troll] vb [ME] vt (15c) 1: to cause to move round and round:
          roll 2 a: to sing the parts of (as a round or catch)
          in succession b: to sing loudly c: to celebrate in song
          3 a: to fish for by trolling b: to fish by trolling in
          <~ lakes> c: to pull through the water in trolling <~
          a lure> ~ vi 1: to move around: ramble 2: to fish by
          trailing a lure or baited hook from a moving boat 3:
          to sing or play in a jovial manner 4: to speak rapidly
          -- troll.er n [2]troll n (1869): a lure or a line with
          its lure and hook used in trolling [3]troll n [Norw troll
          & Dan trold, fr. ON troll giant, demon; prob. akin to
          MHG trolle lout] (1616): a dwarf or giant in Scandinavian
          folklore inhabiting caves or hills

   [1]trolley
          [trol.ley] also trol.ly n, pl trolleys also trollies [prob.
          fr. [1]troll] (1823) 1 dial Eng: a cart of any of various
          kinds 2 a: a device that carries electric current from
          an overhead wire to an electrically driven vehicle b:
          a streetcar powered electrically through a trolley--called
          also trolley car 3: a wheeled carriage running on an
          overhead rail or track 4 chiefly Brit: a cart or wheeled
          stand used for conveying something (as food or books)
          [2]trolley also trolly vb trol.leyed also trol.lied ;
          trol.ley.ing also trol.ly.ing vt (1882): to convey by
          a trolley ~ vi: to ride on a trolley

   trolleybus
          [trol.ley.bus] n (1921): a bus powered electrically from
          two overhead wires

   trollop
          [trol.lop] n [perh. irreg. fr. trull] (1621): a vulgar or
          disreputable woman; esp: one who engages in sex promiscuously
          or for money

   Trombe wall
          [Trombe wall] n [Felix Trombe 20th cent. Fr. designer] (1978):
          a masonry wall that is usu. separated from the outdoors
          by a glass wall and is designed to absorb solar heat
          and release it into the interior of a building

   trombone
          [trom.bone] n [It, aug. of tromba trumpet, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG trumba, trumpa trumpet] (ca. 1724): a brass
          instrument consisting of a long cylindrical metal tube
          with two turns and having a movable slide or valves for
          varying the tone and a usual range one octave lower than
          that of the trumpet -- trom.bon.ist n

   trommel
          [trom.mel] n [G, drum, fr. MHG trummel, dim. of trumme drum--more
          at drum] (ca. 1877): a usu. cylindrical or conical revolving
          screen used esp. for screening or sizing rock, ore, or
          coal

   tromp
          [tromp] vb [by alter.] vi (1883) 1: tramp 1 <a lot of knocking
          on doors, ~ing from room to room --Sara Davidson> 2:
          to step hard: stamp <~ed on the brake> ~ vt 1: tramp
          2: stamp <~s the accelerator to the floor --Jim Becker>
          3 a: to give a physical beating to b: to defeat decisively

   trompe l'oeil
          [trompe l'oeil] n, often attrib [F trompe-l'oeil, lit., deceive
          the eye] (1889) 1: a style of painting in which objects
          are depicted with photographically realistic detail;
          also: the use of similar technique in interior decorating
          2: a trompe l'oeil painting or effect

   -tron
          [-tron] n suffix [Gk, suffix denoting an instrument; akin
          to OE -thor, suffix denoting an instrument, L -trum]
          1: vacuum tube <magnetron> 2: device for the manipulation
          of subatomic particles <cyclotron>

   trona
          [tro.na] n [Sw, prob. fr. Ar natrun natron--more at natron]
          (1799): a gray-white or yellowish white monoclinic mineral
          consisting of a hydrous acid sodium carbonate

   [1]troop
          [troop] n [MF trope, troupe company, herd, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OE thorp, throp village--more at thorp] (1545)
          1 a: a group of soldiers b: a cavalry unit corresponding
          to an infantry company c pl: armed forces, soldiers 2:
          a collection of people or things: crew 2 3: a flock of
          mammals or birds 4: the basic organizational unit of
          Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts under an adult leader [2]troop
          vi (1565) 1: to move or gather in crowds 2: to go one's
          way: walk 3: to spend time together: associate 4: to
          move in large numbers

   trooper
          [troop.er] n (1640) 1 a (1): an enlisted cavalryman (2):
          the horse of a cavalryman b: paratrooper c: soldier 2
          a: a mounted police officer b: a state police officer
          3: trouper 2

   troopship
          [troop.ship] n (1862): a ship for carrying troops: transport

   trop-
          [trop-] or tropo- comb form [ISV, fr. Gk tropos] 1: turn:
          turning: change <troposphere> 2: tropism <tropic>

   trop
          [trop] abbreviation tropic, tropical

   trope
          [trope] n [L tropus, fr. Gk tropos turn, way, manner, style,
          trope, fr. trepein to turn] (1533) 1: the use of a word
          or expression in a figurative sense: figure of speech
          2: a phrase or verse added as an embellishment or interpolation
          to the sung parts of the Mass in the medieval period

   troph-
          [troph-] or trophocomb form [F, fr. Gk, fr. trophe nourishment]:
          nutritive <trophoblast>

   trophallaxis
          [troph.al.lax.is] n [NL, fr. troph- + Gk allaxis exchange,
          fr. allassein to change, exchange, fr. allos other--more
          at else] (1918): exchange of food (as from special glands)
          between social insects (as ants or termites)

   -trophic
          [-trophic] adj comb form [NL -trophia -trophy] 1 a: of, relating
          to, or characterized by (such) nutrition <ectotrophic>
          b: requiring or utilizing (such) a kind of nutrition
          <heterotrophic> 2: -tropic 2 <gonadotrophic>

   trop hic
          [tro.p hic] adj [F trophique, fr. Gk trophikos, fr. trophe
          nourishment, fr. trephein to nourish] (1873) 1: of or
          relating to nutrition: nutritional <~ disorders> 2: [3]tropic
          -- tro.phi.cal.ly adv

   trophic level
          [trophic level] n (1942): one of the hierarchical strata
          of a food web characterized by organisms which are the
          same number of steps removed from the primary producers

   trophoblast
          [tro.pho.blast] n [ISV] (1889): a thin layer of ectoderm
          that forms the wall of many mammalian blastulas and functions
          in the nutrition and implantation of the embryo -- tro.pho.blas.tic
          adj

   trophozoite
          [tro.pho.zo.ite] n [troph- + zo- + [1]-ite] (ca. 1909): a
          protozoan of a vegetative form as distinguished from
          one of a reproductive or resting form

   trophy
          [tro.phy] n, pl trophies [MF trophee, fr. L tropaeum, trophaeum,
          fr. Gk tropaion, fr. neut. of tropaios of a turning,
          of a rout, fr. trope turn, rout, fr. trepein to turn]
          (15c) 1: something gained or given in victory or conquest
          esp. when preserved or mounted as a memorial 2 a: a memorial
          of an ancient Greek or Roman victory raised on the field
          of battle or in case of a naval victory on the nearest
          land b: a representation of such a memorial (as on a
          medal); also: an architectural ornament representing
          a group of military weapons 3: a game animal or fish
          suitable for mounting as a trophy--usu. used attributively
          -- trophy vt

   -trophy
          [-trophy] n comb form [NL -trophia, fr. Gk, fr. -trophos
          nourishing, fr. trephein]: nutrition: nurture: growth
          <dystrophy>

   -tropic
          [-tropic] adj comb form [F -tropique, fr. Gk -tropos -tropous]
          1: turning, changing, or tending to turn or change in
          a (specified) manner or in response to a (specified)
          stimulus <geotropic> 2: attracted to or acting upon (something
          specified) <neurotropic>

   [1]tropic
          [trop.ic] n [ME tropik, fr. L tropicus of the solstice, fr.
          Gk tropikos, fr. trope turn] (1527) 1: either of the
          two parallels of terrestrial latitude at a distance of
          about 23 1/2 degrees north or south of the equator where
          the sun is directly overhead when it reaches its most
          northerly or southerly point in the sky--compare tropic
          of cancer, tropic of capricorn 2 pl, often cap: the region
          lying between the tropics [2]tropic adj (1551): of, relating
          to, or occurring in the tropics: tropical [3]tro.pic
          adj [trop-] (1903) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of tropism or of a tropism 2 of a hormone: influencing
          the activity of a specified gland

   tropical
          [trop.i.cal] adj (1527) 1 a: of, relating to, occurring in,
          or suitable for use in the tropics b: of, being, or characteristic
          of a region or climate that is frost-free with temperatures high
          enough to support year-round plant growth given sufficient moisture
          <~ Florida> 2 [L tropicus, fr. Gk tropikos, fr. tropos trope]:
          figurative 2 -- trop.i.cal.ly adv

   tropical aquarium
          [tropical aquarium] n (ca. 1948): an aquarium kept at a uniform
          warmth and used esp. for tropical fish

   tropical cyclone
          [tropical cyclone] n (1920): a cyclone in the tropics characterized
          by winds rotating at the rate of 74 miles (119 kilometers) an hour
          or more

   tropical fish
          [tropical fish] n (1931): any of various small usu. showy
          fishes of tropical origin often kept in the tropical
          aquarium

   tropicalize
          [trop.i.cal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1885) 1: to make tropical
          (as in character, conditions, or appearance) 2: to fit
          or adapt for use in a tropical climate esp. by measures
          designed to combat the effects of fungi and moisture

   tropical oil
          [tropical oil] n (1988): any of several oils (as coconut
          oil and palm oil) that are high in saturated fatty acids

   tropical rain forest
          [tropical rain forest] n (1926): rain forest 1

   tropical sprue
          [tropical sprue] n (ca. 1955): sprue 2

   tropical storm
          [tropical storm] n (ca. 1945): a tropical cyclone with strong
          winds of less than hurricane intensity

   tropic bird
          [tropic bird] n (ca. 1681): any of a genus (Phaethon of the
          family Phaethontidae) of web-footed birds that are related
          to the pelicans, are found chiefly in tropical seas often
          far from land, and have mostly white satiny plumage marked
          with a little black, a greatly elongated central pair
          of tail feathers, and a bright-colored bill

   tropic of Cancer
          [tropic of Cancer] [fr. the sign of the zodiac which its
          celestial projection intersects] (1555): the parallel
          of latitude that is approximately 23 1/2 degrees north
          of the equator and that is the northernmost latitude
          reached by the overhead sun

   tropic of Capricorn
          [tropic of Capricorn] [fr. the sign of the zodiac which its
          celestial projection intersects] (1545): the parallel
          of latitude that is approximately 23 1/2 degrees south
          of the equator and that is the southernmost latitude
          reached by the overhead sun

   -tropin
          [-tropin] or -trophin n comb form [-tropin, alter. of -trophin,
          fr. -trophic + [1]-in]: hormone <gonadotropin> <somato

   -tropism
          [-tropism] n comb form [ISV, fr. trop-]: tropism <heliotropism>

   tropism
          [tro.pism] n [ISV -tropism] (1899) 1 a: involuntary orientation
          by an organism or one of its parts that involves turning
          or curving by movement or by differential growth and
          is a positive or negative response to a source of stimulation
          b: a reflex reaction involving a tropism 2: an innate
          tendency to react in a definite manner to stimuli; broadly:
          a natural inclination: propensity -- tro.pis.tic adj

   tropo-
          [tropo-] --see trop-

   tropocollagen
          [tro.po.col.la.gen] n (1954): a subunit of collagen fibrils
          consisting of three polypeptide strands arranged in a
          helix

   tropological
          [tro.po.log.i.cal] also tro.po.log.ic adj (14c) 1: of, relating
          to, or involving biblical interpretation stressing moral
          metaphor; also: moral 2: characterized or varied by tropes:
          figurative -- tro.po.log.i.cal.ly adv

   tropomyosin
          [tropo.my.o.sin] n (1946): a protein of muscle that forms
          a complex with troponin regulating the interaction of
          actin and myosin in muscular contraction

   troponin
          [tro.po.nin] n [by shortening & alter. fr. tropomyosin] (1966):
          a protein of muscle that together with tropomyosin forms
          a regulatory protein complex controlling the interaction
          of actin and myosin and that when combined with calcium
          ions permits muscular contraction

   tropopause
          [tro.po.pause] n [ISV troposphere + pause] (1918): the region
          at the top of the troposphere; also: a comparable layer
          of a celestial body

   troposphere
          [tro.po.sphere] n [ISV] (1909): the lowest densest part of
          the earth's atmosphere in which most weather changes
          occur and temperature generally decreases rapidly with
          altitude and which extends from the surface to the bottom
          of the stratosphere -- tro.po.spher.ic adj

   tropotaxis
          [tro.po.tax.is] n [NL] (1934): a taxis in which an organism
          orients itself by the simultaneous comparison of stimuli
          of different intensity acting on separate end organs

   -tropous
          [-tropous] adj comb form [Gk -tropos, fr. trepein to turn]:
          turning or curving in (such) a way: exhibiting (such)
          a tropism <anatropous>

   -tropy
          [-tropy] n comb form [F -tropie, fr. Gk -tropia, fr. -tropos]
          1: condition of exhibiting (such) a behavior <allotropy>
          2: change in a (specified) way or in response to a (specified)
          stimulus <thixotropy>

   [1]trot
          [trot] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. troter to trot, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG trotton to tread, OE tredan] (14c) 1 a (1):
          a moderately fast gait of a quadruped (as a horse) in
          which the legs move in diagonal pairs (2): a jogging
          gait of a human that falls between a walk and a run b:
          a ride on horseback 2: an old woman 3: a literal translation
          of a foreign text 4 pl: diarrhea [2]trot vb trot.ted
          ; trot.ting vi (14c) 1: to ride, drive, or proceed at
          a trot <the fox trotted over the knoll> 2: to proceed
          briskly: hurry ~ vt 1: to cause to go at a trot 2: to
          traverse at a trot [3]trot n (1883): trotline; also:
          one of the short lines with hooks that are attached to
          it at intervals

   [1]troth
          [troth] n [ME trouth, fr. OE treowth--more at truth] (13c)
          1: loyal or pledged faithfulness: fidelity 2: one's pledged
          word; also: betrothal [2]troth vt (15c): pledge, betroth

   [1]trothplight
          [troth.plight] vt (15c): betroth [2]trothplight n (1513):
          betrothal

   trotline
          [trot.line] n [prob. fr. [2]trot] (1826): setline; esp: a
          comparatively short setline used near shore or along
          streams

   trot out
          [trot out] vt (1838) 1: to lead out and show the paces of
          (as a horse) 2: to bring forward for display <always
          trots out some new excuse>

   Trotskyism
          [Trots.ky.ism] n (1925): the political, economic, and social
          principles advocated by Trotsky; esp: the theory and
          practice of communism developed by or associated with
          Trotsky and usu. including adherence to the concept of
          worldwide revolution as opposed to socialism in one country
          -- Trots.ky.ist n or adj -- Trots.ky.ite n or adj

   trotter
          [trot.ter] n (14c) 1: one that trots; specif: a standardbred
          horse trained for harness racing 2: a pig's foot used
          as food

   troubadour
          [trou.ba.dour] n [F, fr. OProv trobador, fr. trobar to compose,
          prob. fr. (assumed) VL tropare, fr. L tropus trope] (ca.
          1741): one of a class of lyric poets and poet-musicians
          often of knightly rank who flourished from the 11th to
          the end of the 13th century chiefly in the south of France
          and the north of Italy and whose major theme was courtly
          love--compare trouvere

   [1]trouble
          [trou.ble] vb trou.bled ; trou.bling [ME, fr. OF tourbler,
          troubler, fr. (assumed) VL turbulare, fr. turbulus agitated,
          alter. of L turbulentus--more at turbulent] vt (13c)
          1 a: to agitate mentally or spiritually: worry, disturb
          b (1) archaic: mistreat, oppress (2): to produce physical
          disorder in: afflict <troubled by a cold> c: to put to
          exertion or inconvenience 2: to put into confused motion
          <the wind troubled the sea> ~ vi 1: to become mentally
          agitated: worry <refused to ~ over trifles> 2: to make
          an effort: be at pains <did not ~ to come> -- trou.bler
          n [2]trouble n (13c) 1: the quality or state of being
          troubled esp. mentally 2: public unrest or disturbance
          <there's ~ brewing downtown> 3: an instance of trouble
          <used to disguise her frustrations and despair by making
          light of her ~s --Current Biog.> 4: a state or condition
          of distress, annoyance, or difficulty <in ~ with the
          law> <heading for ~> <got into financial ~>: as a: a
          condition of physical distress or ill health: ailment
          <back ~> <heart ~> b: a condition of mechanical malfunction
          <engine ~> c: a condition of doing something badly or
          only with great difficulty <has ~ reading> <has ~ breathing>
          d: pregnancy out of wedlock <got a girl in ~> 5: an effort
          made: pains <took the ~ to do it right> 6 a: a cause
          of distress, annoyance, or inconvenience <don't mean
          to be any ~> <what's the ~?> b: a negative feature: drawback
          <the ~ with you is you're too honest> <the main ~ with
          electronic systems is the overreliance on them --John
          Perham> c: the unhappy or sad fact <the ~ is, I need
          the money>

   troubled
          [trou.bled] adj (14c) 1 a: concerned, worried <~ feelings
          about the decision> b: emotionally or mentally disturbed
          <a home for ~ children> 2: characterized by or indicative
          of trouble <our ~ cities> <a gray and ~ sky>

   troublemaker
          [trou.ble.mak.er] n (ca. 1914): a person who consciously
          or unconsciously causes trouble -- trou.ble.mak.ing adj
          or n

   troubleshoot
          [trou.ble.shoot] vb -shot ; -shoot.ing [back-formation fr.
          troubleshooter] vi (1918): to operate or serve as a troubleshooter
          <is ~ing for an electronics firm> ~ vt: to investigate or deal with
          in the role of troubleshooter <~s TV receivers>

   troubleshooter
          [trou.ble.shoot.er] n (1905) 1: a skilled worker employed
          to locate trouble and make repairs in machinery and technical
          equipment 2: an expert in resolving diplomatic or political
          disputes: a mediator of disputes that are at an impasse
          3: a person skilled at solving or anticipating problems
          or difficulties

   troublesome
          [trou.ble.some] adj (1542) 1: difficult, burdensome 2: giving
          trouble or anxiety: vexatious -- trou.ble.some.ly adv
          -- trou.ble.some.ness n

   troublous
          [trou.blous] adj (15c) 1: full of trouble: stormy <these
          ~ times> 2: causing trouble: troublesome <inflation is
          a ~ matter> -- trou.blous.ly adv -- trou.blous.ness n

   trough
          [trough] n, pl troughs [ME, fr. OE trog; akin to OHG trog
          trough, OE treow tree, wood--more at tree] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: a long shallow often V-shaped receptacle for the
          drinking water or feed of domestic animals b: any of
          various domestic or industrial containers 2 a: a conduit,
          drain, or channel for water; esp: a gutter along the
          eaves of a building b: a long and narrow or shallow channel
          or depression (as between waves or hills); esp: a long
          but shallow depression in the bed of the sea--compare
          trench 3: the minimum point of a complete cycle of a
          periodic function: as a: an elongated area of low barometric
          pressure b: the low point in a business cycle

   trounce
          [trounce] vt trounced ; trounc.ing [origin unknown] (1868):
          to thrash or punish severely; esp: to defeat decisively

   [1]troupe
          [troupe] n [F, fr. MF--more at troop] (1825): company, troop;
          esp: a group of theatrical performers [2]troupe vi trouped
          ; troup.ing (1900): to travel in a troupe; also: to perform
          as a member of a theatrical troupe

   trouper
          [troup.er] n (1890) 1: a member of a troupe; esp: actor 2:
          a person who deals with and persists through difficulty
          or hardship without complaint <you're a real ~ to wait
          so long>

   troupial
          [trou.pi.al] n [F troupiale, fr. troupe; fr. its living in
          flocks] (1825): a large showy oriole (Icterus icterus)
          of Central and So. America; also: any of various related
          birds (family Icteridae)

   [1]trouser
          [trou.ser] n [alter. of earlier trouse, fr. ScGael triubhas]
          (1613): [3]pant 1--usu. used in pl. [2]trouser adj (ca.
          1771) 1: of, relating to, or designed for trousers <~
          pockets> 2: of or relating to a male dramatic role played
          by a woman

   trouser suit
          [trouser suit] n (1939) chiefly Brit: pantsuit

   trousseau
          [trous.seau] n, pl trous.seaux or trous.seaus [F, fr. OF,
          dim. of trousse bundle, fr. trousser to truss] (1833):
          the personal possessions of a bride usu. including clothes,
          accessories, and household linens and wares

   trout
          [trout] n, pl trout also trouts [ME, fr. OE truht, fr. LL
          trocta, tructa, a fish with sharp teeth, fr. Gk troktes,
          lit., gnawer, fr. trogein to gnaw--more at troglodyte]
          (bef. 12c) 1: any of various salmonid food and sport
          fishes that are mostly smaller than the typical salmons
          and are anadromous or restricted to cool clear fresh
          waters: a: any of various Old or New World fishes (genera
          Salmo and Oncorhynchus)--compare brown trout, rainbow
          trout b: [1]char 2: any of various fishes (as the largemouth
          bass) held to resemble the true trouts

   trout lily
          [trout lily] n [prob. fr. its speckled leaves] (ca. 1898):
          dogtooth violet

   trout-perch
          [trout-perch] n (1883): a small freshwater fish (Percopsis
          omiscomaycus of the family Percopsidae) chiefly of northern
          No. America having a scaleless head and large eyes

   trouty
          [trouty] adj trout.i.er ; -est (1676): containing or likely
          to contain abundant trout

   trouvere
          [trou.vere] n [F, fr. OF troveor, troverre, fr. trover to
          compose, find, fr. (assumed) VL tropare--more at troubadour]
          (1795): one of a school of poets who flourished from
          the 11th to the 14th centuries and who composed mostly
          narrative works (as chansons de geste and fabliaux)--compare
          troubadour

   trove
          [trove] n [short for treasure trove] (1888) 1: discovery,
          find 2: a valuable collection: treasure; also: haul,
          collection

   trover
          [tro.ver] n [MF trover to find, fr. OF] (1594): a common
          law action to recover the value of goods wrongfully converted
          to another's own use

   trow
          [trow] vb [ME, fr. OE treowan; akin to OE treowe faithful,
          true--more at true] (bef. 12c) 1 obs: believe 2 archaic:
          think

   [1]trowel
          [trow.el] n [ME truel, fr. MF truelle, fr. LL truella, fr.
          L trulla ladle] (14c): any of various hand tools used
          to apply, spread, shape, or smooth loose or plastic material;
          also: a scoop-shaped or flat-bladed garden tool for taking
          up and setting small plants [2]trowel vt -eled or -elled
          ; -el.ing or -el.ling (ca. 1670): to smooth, mix, or
          apply with or as if with a trowel -- trow.el.er n

   troy
          [troy] adj [ME troye, fr. Troyes, France] (15c): expressed
          in troy weight

   troy weight
          [troy weight] n (15c): a series of units of weight based
          on a pound of 12 ounces and an ounce of 480 grains

   truancy
          [tru.an.cy] n, pl -cies (1784): an act or instance of playing
          truant: the state of being truant

   [1]truant
          [tru.ant] n [ME, vagabond, idler, fr. OF, vagrant, of Celt
          origin; akin to OIr trogan wretch, truag wretched] (15c):
          one who shirks duty; esp: one who stays out of school
          without permission [2]truant adj (1561) 1: shirking responsibility
          2: being, resembling or characteristic of a truant [3]truant
          vi (1580): to idle away time esp. while playing truant

   truant officer
          [truant officer] n (1872): attendance officer

   truantry
          [tru.ant.ry] n, pl -ries (15c): truancy

   [1]truce
          [truce] n [ME trewes, pl. of trewe agreement, fr. OE treow
          fidelity; akin to OE treowe faithful--more at true] (13c)
          1: a suspension of fighting esp. of considerable duration
          by agreement of opposing forces: armistice, cease-fire
          2: a respite esp. from a disagreeable or painful state
          or action [2]truce vb truced ; truc.ing vi (1569): to
          make a truce ~ vt: to end with a truce

   [1]truck
          [truck] vb [ME trukken, fr. OF troquer] vt (13c) 1: to give
          in exchange: swap 2: to barter or dispose of by barter
          ~ vi 1: to exchange commodities: barter 2: to negotiate
          or traffic esp. in an underhanded way: have dealings
          [2]truck n (1553) 1: barter 2: commodities appropriate
          for barter or for small trade 3: close association or
          connection <will have no ~ with crooks> 4: payment of
          wages in goods instead of cash 5: vegetables grown for
          market 6: heterogeneous small articles often of little
          value; also: rubbish [3]truck n [prob. back-formation
          fr. truckle small wheel--more at truckle bed] (1611)
          1: a small wheel; specif: a small strong wheel for a
          gun carriage 2: a small wooden cap at the top of a flagstaff
          or masthead usu. having holes for reeving flag or signal
          halyards 3: a wheeled vehicle for moving heavy articles:
          as a: a strong horse-drawn or automotive vehicle for
          hauling b: a small barrow consisting of a rectangular
          frame having at one end a pair of handles and at the
          other end a pair of small heavy wheels and a projecting
          edge to slide under a load--called also hand truck c:
          a small heavy rectangular frame supported on four wheels
          for moving heavy objects d: a small flat-topped car pushed
          or pulled by hand e: a shelved stand mounted on casters
          f: an automotive vehicle with a short chassis equipped
          with a swivel for attaching a trailer and used esp. for
          the highway hauling of freight; also: a truck with attached
          trailer 4 a Brit: an open railroad freight car b: a swiveling
          carriage consisting of a frame with one or more pairs
          of wheels and springs to carry and guide one end (as
          of a railroad car) in turning sharp curves -- truck.ful
          n [4]truck vt (1748): to load or transport on a truck
          ~ vi 1: to transport goods by truck 2: to be employed
          in driving a truck 3: to roll along esp. in an easy untroubled
          way

   truckage
          [truck.age] n (1830) 1: conveyance by truck 2: money paid
          for conveyance on a truck

   [1]trucker
          [truck.er] n [[1]truck] (1598) 1: one that barters 2 Scot:
          peddler [2]trucker n [[4]truck] (1878) 1: one whose business
          is transporting goods by truck 2: a truck driver

   truck farm
          [truck farm] n [[2]truck] (1866): a farm devoted to the production
          of vegetables for the market -- truck farmer n

   trucking
          [truck.ing] n (1809): the process or business of transporting
          goods on trucks

   truckle
          [truck.le] vi truck.led ; truck.ling [fr. the lower position
          of the truckle bed] (1667): to act in a subservient manner:
          submit syn see fawn -- truck.ler n

   truckle bed
          [truckle bed] n [truckle small wheel, pulley, fr. ME trocle,
          fr. L trochlea block of pulleys--more at trochlea] (15c):
          trundle bed

   truckline
          [truck.line] n (1924): a transportation line using trucks

   truckload
          [truck.load] n (1862) 1: a load or amount that fills or could
          fill a truck 2: the minimum weight required for shipping
          at truckload rates

   truckman
          [truck.man] n (1787) 1: [2]trucker 2: a member of a fire
          department unit that operates a hook and ladder truck

   truckmaster
          [truck.mas.ter] n (1637) archaic: an officer in charge of
          trade with Indians esp. among the early settlers

   truck stop
          [truck stop] n (ca. 1951): a facility esp. for truckers that
          is usu. by a highway and that includes a diner, fuel
          pumps, and a garage

   truck system
          [truck system] n (1830): the system of paying wages in goods
          instead of cash

   truculence
          [tru.cu.lence] n (ca. 1727): the quality or state of being
          truculent

   truculency
          [tru.cu.len.cy] n (1569): truculence

   truculent
          [tru.cu.lent] adj [L truculentus, fr. truc-, trux savage;
          perh. akin to MIr tru doomed person] (ca. 1540) 1: feeling
          or displaying ferocity: cruel, savage 2: deadly, destructive
          3: scathingly harsh: vitriolic 4: aggressively self-assertive:
          belligerent -- tru.cu.lent.ly adv

   [1]trudge
          [trudge] vb trudged ; trudg.ing [origin unknown] vi (1547):
          to walk or march steadily and usu. laboriously <trudged
          through deep snow> ~ vt: to trudge along or over -- trudg.er
          n [2]trudge n (1835): a long tiring walk: tramp

   trudgen stroke
          [trud.gen stroke] n [John Trudgen d. 1902 Eng. swimmer] (1893):
          a swimming stroke consisting of alternating overarm strokes
          and a scissors kick

   truditur dies die
          [tru.di.tur di.es die] [L] foreign term : day is pushed forth
          by day: one day hurries on another

   [1]true
          [true] adj tru.er ; tru.est [ME trewe, fr. OE treowe faithful;
          akin to OHG gitriuwi faithful, OIr derb sure, and prob.
          to Skt daruna hard, daru wood--more at tree] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: steadfast, loyal b: honest, just c archaic: truthful
          2 a (1): being in accordance with the actual state of
          affairs <~ description> (2): conformable to an essential
          reality (3): fully realized or fulfilled <dreams come
          ~> b: ideal, essential c: being that which is the case
          rather than what is manifest or assumed <the ~ dimension
          of the problem> d: consistent <~ to character> 3 a: properly
          so called <~ love> <the ~ faith> <the ~ stomach of ruminant
          mammals> b (1): possessing the basic characters of and
          belonging to the same natural group as <a whale is a
          ~ but not a typical mammal> (2): typical <the ~ cats>
          4: legitimate, rightful <our ~ and lawful king> 5 a:
          that is fitted or formed or that functions accurately
          b: conformable to a standard or pattern: accurate 6:
          determined with reference to the earth's axis rather
          than the magnetic poles <~ north> 7: logically necessary
          8: narrow, strict <in the truest sense> 9: corrected
          for error -- true.ness n [2]true adv (14c) 1: in accordance
          with fact or reality 2 a: without deviation <the bullet
          flew straight and ~> b: without variation from type <breed
          ~> [3]true n (1812) 1: truth, reality--usu. used with
          the 2: the quality or state of being accurate (as in
          alignment or adjustment)--used in the phrases in true
          and out of true [4]true vt trued ; true.ing also tru.ing
          (1841): to make level, square, balanced, or concentric:
          bring or restore to a desired mechanical accuracy or
          form <~ up a board> <~ up an engine cylinder>

   true believer
          [true believer] n (ca. 1820) 1: one who professes absolute
          belief in something 2: a zealous supporter of a particular
          cause

   true bill
          [true bill] n (1769): a bill of indictment endorsed by a
          grand jury as warranting prosecution of the accused

   true blue
          [true blue] n [fr. the association of blue with constancy]
          (1762): one who is true-blue

   true-blue
          [true-blue] adj (1674) 1: marked by unswerving loyalty (as
          to a party) 2: genuine <a ~ romantic>

   trueborn
          [true.born] adj (1591): genuinely such by birth <a ~ Englishman
          --Shak.>

   true bug
          [true bug] n (1895): bug 1c

   true-false test
          [true-false test] n (1924): a test consisting of a series
          of statements to be marked as true or false

   truehearted
          [true.heart.ed] adj (15c): faithful, loyal -- true.heart.ed.ness
          n

   true-life
          [true-life] adj (1926): true to life <a ~ story>

   truelove
          [true.love] n (14c): one truly beloved or loving: sweetheart

   true lover's knot
          [true lover's knot] n (1615): a complicated ornamental knot
          not readily untied and symbolic of mutual love--called
          also truelove knot--see knot illustration

   truepenny
          [true.pen.ny] n (1595): an honest or trusty person

   true rib
          [true rib] n (1741): any of the ribs having costal cartilages
          connected directly with the sternum and in humans constituting
          the first seven pairs

   true seal
          [true seal] n (1923): hair seal

   truffle
          [truf.fle] n [modif. of MF truffe, fr. OProv trufa, fr. (assumed)
          VL tufera; akin to L tuber swelling, truffle--more at
          tuber] (1591) 1: the usu. dark and rugose edible subterranean
          fruiting body of several European ascomycetous fungi
          (esp. genus Tuber); also: one of these fungi 2: a candy
          made of chocolate, butter, sugar, and sometimes liqueur
          shaped into balls and often coated with cocoa

   truffled
          [truf.fled] adj (1837): cooked, stuffed, or garnished with
          truffles

   trug
          [trug] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1864) chiefly Brit: a shallow
          rectangular gardening basket

   truism
          [tru.ism] n (1708): an undoubted or self-evident truth; esp:
          one too obvious for mention -- tru.is.tic adj

   trull
          [trull] n [G Trulle, fr. MHG; akin to MHG trolle lout--more
          at troll] (1519): prostitute, strumpet

   truly
          [tru.ly] adv (13c) 1 a: indeed--often used as an intensive
          <~, she is fair> or interjectionally to express astonishment
          or doubt b: without feigning, falsity, or inaccuracy
          in truth or fact 2: in all sincerity: sincerely--often
          used with yours as a complimentary close 3: in agreement
          with fact: truthfully 4: with exactness of construction
          or operation 5: in a proper or suitable manner

   [1]trump
          [trump] n [ME trompe, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG
          trumba, trumpa trumpet] (14c) 1 a: trumpet b chiefly
          Scot: jew's harp 2: a sound of or as if of trumpeting
          <the ~ of doom> [2]trump n [alter. of [1]triumph] (1529)
          1 a: a card of a suit any of whose cards will win over
          a card that is not of this suit b: the suit whose cards
          are trumps for a particular hand--often used in pl. 2:
          a decisive overriding factor or final resource 3: a dependable
          and exemplary person [3]trump vt (1586) 1: to get the
          better of: outdo 2: to play a trump on (a card or trick)
          when another suit was led ~ vi: to play a trump when
          another suit was led

   trump card
          [trump card] n (1822): [2]trump 1a, 2

   trumped-up
          [trumped-up] adj (1728): fraudulently concocted: spurious
          <~ charges>

   trumpery
          [trum.pery] n [ME tromperie deceit, fr. MF, fr. tromper to
          deceive] (15c) 1 a: worthless nonsense b: trivial or
          useless articles: junk <a wagon loaded with household
          ~ --Washington Irving> 2 archaic: tawdry finery -- trumpery
          adj

   [1]trumpet
          [trum.pet] n [ME trompette, fr. MF, fr. OF trompe trump]
          (14c) 1 a: a wind instrument consisting of a conical
          or cylindrical usu. metal tube, a cup-shaped mouthpiece,
          and a flared bell; specif: a valved brass instrument
          having a cylindrical tube with two turns and a usual
          range from F sharp below middle C upward for 2 1/2 octaves
          b: a musical instrument (as a cornet) resembling a trumpet
          2: a trumpet player 3: something that resembles a trumpet
          or its tonal quality: as a: a funnel-shaped instrument
          (as a megaphone) for collecting, directing, or intensifying
          sound b (1): a stentorian voice (2): a penetrating cry
          (as of an elephant) -- trum.pet.like adj [2]trumpet vi
          (1530) 1: to blow a trumpet 2: to make a sound suggestive
          of that of a trumpet ~ vt: to sound or proclaim on or
          as if on a trumpet

   trumpet creeper
          [trumpet creeper] n (1818): a No. American woody vine (Campsis
          radicans of the family Bignoniaceae, the trumpet-creeper
          family) having pinnate leaves and large typically red
          trumpet-shaped flowers

   trumpeter
          [trum.pet.er] n (15c) 1 a: a trumpet player; specif: one
          that gives signals with a trumpet b: one that praises
          or advocates: eulogist, spokesman 2 a: any of a genus
          (Psophia of the family Psophiidae) of several large gregarious
          long-legged long-necked So. American birds related to
          the cranes b: any of an Asian breed of pigeons with a
          rounded crest and heavily feathered feet

   trumpeter swan
          [trumpeter swan] n (1834): a rare pure white No. American
          wild swan (Cygnus buccinator) that is noted for its sonorous
          voice and is sometimes considered a subspecies (C. cygnus
          buccinator) of the whooper swan

   trumpet flower
          [trumpet flower] n (ca. 1731) 1: any of various plants (as
          a trumpet creeper or a datura) with trumpet-shaped flowers
          2: the flower of a trumpet flower

   trumpet honeysuckle
          [trumpet honeysuckle] n (1731): a No. American honeysuckle
          (Lonicera sempervirens) with coral-red or orange flowers
          having a trumpet-shaped corolla

   trumpet vine
          [trumpet vine] n (1709): trumpet creeper

   trump up
          [trump up] vt (1695) 1: to concoct esp. with intent to deceive:
          fabricate, invent 2 archaic: to cite as support for an
          action or claim

   [1]truncate
          [trun.cate] adj [L truncatus, pp. of truncare to shorten,
          fr. truncus trunk] (1716): having the end square or even
          <the ~ leaves of the tulip tree> [2]truncate vt trun.cat.ed
          ; trun.cat.ing (ca. 1727) 1: to shorten by or as if by
          cutting off 2: to replace (an edge or corner of a crystal)
          by a plane -- trun.ca.tion n

   truncated
          [trun.cat.ed] adj (ca. 1704) 1: having the apex replaced
          by a plane section and esp. by one parallel to the base
          <~ cone> 2 a: cut short: curtailed b: lacking an expected
          or normal element (as a syllable) at the beginning or
          end: catalectic

   [1]truncheon
          [trun.cheon] n [ME tronchoun, fr. MF tronchon, fr. (assumed)
          VL truncion-, truncio, fr. L truncus trunk] (14c) 1:
          a shattered spear or lance 2 a obs: club, bludgeon b:
          baton 2 c: a police officer's billy club [2]truncheon
          vt (1597) archaic: to beat with a truncheon

   [1]trundle
          [trun.dle] vb trun.dled ; trun.dling [[2]trundle] vt (1598)
          1 a: to propel by causing to rotate: roll b archaic:
          to cause to revolve: spin 2: to transport in or as if
          in a wheeled vehicle: haul, wheel ~ vi 1: to progress
          by revolving 2: to move on or as if on wheels: roll --
          trun.dler n [2]trundle n [fr. trundle small wheel, alter.
          of earlier trendle, fr. ME, circle, ring, wheel, fr.
          OE trendel; akin to OE trendan to revolve--more at trend]
          (1851) 1: trundle bed 2: the motion or sound of something
          rolling 3: a round or oval wooden tub

   trundle bed
          [trundle bed] n (1542): a low bed usu. on casters that can
          be rolled or slid under a higher bed when not in use--called
          also truckle bed

   trundle-tail
          [trun.dle-tail] n (15c) archaic: a curly-tailed dog

   trunk
          [trunk] n [ME tronke box, trunk, fr. MF tronc, fr. L truncus
          trunk, torso] (15c) 1 a: the main stem of a tree apart
          from limbs and roots--called also bole b (1): the human
          or animal body apart from the head and appendages: torso
          (2): the thorax of an insect c: the central part of anything;
          specif: the shaft of a column or pilaster 2 a (1): a
          large rigid piece of luggage used usu. for transporting
          clothing and personal effects (2): the luggage compartment
          of an automobile b (1): a superstructure over a ship's
          hatches usu. level with the poop deck (2): the part of
          the cabin of a boat projecting above the deck (3): the
          housing for a centerboard or rudder 3: proboscis; esp:
          the long muscular proboscis of the elephant 4 pl: men's
          shorts worn chiefly for sports 5 a: a usu. major channel
          or passage (as a chute or shaft) b: a circuit between
          two telephone exchanges for making connections between
          subscribers; broadly: a usu. electronic path over which
          information is transmitted (as between computer memories)
          6 a: the principal channel of a tributary system <an
          arterial ~> <~ of a river> b: trunk line -- trunk.ful
          n

   trunked
          [trunked] adj (1640): having a trunk esp. of a specified
          kind--usu. used in combination <a gray-trunked tree>

   trunkfish
          [trunk.fish] n (ca. 1804): any of numerous small often
          bright-colored bony fishes (family Ostraciidae) of tropical seas
          with the body and head enclosed in a bony carapace

   trunk hose
          [trunk hose] n pl [prob. fr. obs. E trunk to truncate] (1637):
          short full breeches reaching about halfway down the thigh
          that were worn chiefly in the late 16th and early 17th
          centuries

   trunk line
          [trunk line] n (1843) 1: a transportation system (as an airline,
          railroad, or highway) handling long-distance through
          traffic 2 a: a main supply channel (as for gas or oil)
          b: trunk 5b

   trunnel
          [trun.nel] var of treenail

   trunnion
          [trun.nion] n [F trognon core, stump] (ca. 1625): a pin or
          pivot on which something can be rotated or tilted; esp:
          either of two opposite gudgeons on which a cannon is
          swiveled

   [1]truss
          [truss] vt [ME, fr. OF trousser, tourser to bundle, pack,
          fr. (assumed) VL torsare, fr. torsus twisted--more at
          torsade] (13c) 1 a: to secure tightly: bind b: to arrange
          for cooking by binding close the wings or legs of (a
          fowl) 2: to support, strengthen, or stiffen by or as
          if by a truss -- truss.er n [2]truss n (13c) 1: an iron
          band around a lower mast with an attachment by which
          a yard is secured to the mast 2 a: bracket 1 b: an assemblage
          of members (as beams) forming a rigid framework 3: a
          device worn to reduce a hernia by pressure 4: a compact
          flower or fruit cluster

   truss bridge
          [truss bridge] n (1840): a bridge supported mainly by trusses--see
          bridge illustration

   trussing
          [truss.ing] n (1840) 1: the members forming a truss 2: the
          trusses and framework of a structure

   [1]trust
          [trust] n [ME, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON traust trust;
          akin to OE treowe faithful--more at true] (13c) 1 a:
          assured reliance on the character, ability, strength,
          or truth of someone or something b: one in which confidence
          is placed 2 a: dependence on something future or contingent:
          hope b: reliance on future payment for property (as merchandise)
          delivered: credit 3 a: a property interest held by one
          person for the benefit of another b: a combination of
          firms or corporations formed by a legal agreement; esp:
          one that reduces or threatens to reduce competition 4
          archaic: trustworthiness 5 a (1): a charge or duty imposed
          in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship
          (2): something committed or entrusted to one to be used
          or cared for in the interest of another b: responsible
          charge or office c: care, custody <the child committed
          to her ~> -- in trust : in the care or possession of
          a trustee [2]trust vi (13c) 1 a: to place confidence:
          depend <~ in God> <~ to luck> b: to be confident: hope
          2: to sell or deliver on credit ~ vt 1 a: to commit or
          place in one's care or keeping: entrust b: to permit
          to stay or go or to do something without fear or misgiving
          2 a: to rely on the truthfulness or accuracy of: believe
          b: to place confidence in: rely on c: to hope or expect
          confidently 3: to extend credit to -- trust.abil.i.ty
          n -- trust.able adj -- trust.er n -- trust.ing.ly adv
          -- trust.ing.ness n

   trustbuster
          [trust.bust.er] n (1903): one who seeks to break up business
          trusts; specif: a federal official who prosecutes trusts
          under the antitrust laws -- trust-bust.ing n

   trust company
          [trust company] n (1834): an incorporated trustee; broadly:
          a corporation that functions as a corporate and personal
          trustee and usu. also engages in the normal activities
          of a commercial bank

   [1]trustee
          [trust.ee] n (1647) 1 a: one to whom something is entrusted
          b: a country charged with the supervision of a trust
          territory 2 a: a natural or legal person to whom property
          is legally committed to be administered for the benefit
          of a beneficiary (as a person or a charitable organization)
          b: one (as a corporate director) occupying a position
          of trust and performing functions comparable to those
          of a trustee [2]trustee vb trust.eed ; trust.ee.ing vt
          (1818): to commit to the care of a trustee ~ vi: to serve
          as trustee

   trusteeship
          [trust.ee.ship] n (ca. 1736) 1: the office or function of
          a trustee 2: supervisory control by one or more countries
          over a trust territory

   trustful
          [trust.ful] adj (1834): full of trust: confiding -- trust.ful.ly
          adv -- trust.ful.ness n

   trust fund
          [trust fund] n (1780): property (as money or securities)
          settled or held in trust

   trustless
          [trust.less] adj (ca. 1530) 1: not deserving of trust: faithless
          2: distrustful

   trust territory
          [trust territory] n (1945): a non-self-governing territory
          placed under an administrative authority by the Trusteeship
          Council of the United Nations

   trustworthy
          [trust.wor.thy] adj (1829): worthy of confidence: dependable
          -- trust.wor.thi.ly adv -- trust.wor.thi.ness n

   [1]trusty
          [trusty] adj trust.i.er ; -est (14c): trustworthy, dependable
          -- trust.i.ness n [2]trusty n, pl trust.ies (1573): a
          trusty or trusted person; specif: a convict considered
          trustworthy and allowed special privileges

   truth
          [truth] n, pl truths [ME trewthe, fr. OE treowth fidelity;
          akin to OE treowe faithful--more at true] (bef. 12c)
          1 a archaic: fidelity, constancy b: sincerity in action,
          character, and utterance 2 a (1): the state of being
          the case: fact (2): the body of real things, events,
          and facts: actuality (3) often cap: a transcendent fundamental
          or spiritual reality b: a judgment, proposition, or idea
          that is true or accepted as true <~s of thermodynamics>
          c: the body of true statements and propositions 3 a:
          the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with
          fact or reality b chiefly Brit: true 2 c: fidelity to
          an original or to a standard 4 cap, Christian Science:
          god -- in truth : in accordance with fact: actually

   truthful
          [truth.ful] adj (1596): telling or disposed to tell the truth
          -- truth.ful.ly adv -- truth.ful.ness n

   truth serum
          [truth serum] n (1925): a hypnotic or anesthetic held to
          induce a subject under questioning to talk freely

   truth set
          [truth set] n (1940): a mathematical or logical set containing
          all the elements that make a given statement of relationships
          true when substituted in it

   truth table
          [truth table] n (1921): a table that shows the truth-value
          of a compound statement for every truth-value of its
          component statements; also: a similar table (as for a
          computer logic circuit) showing the value of the output
          for each value of each input

   truth-value
          [truth-value] n (1903): the truth or falsity of a proposition
          or statement

   [1]try
          [try] vb tried ; try.ing [ME trien, fr. AF trier, fr. OF,
          to pick out, sift, prob. fr. LL tritare to grind, freq.
          of L terere to rub--more at throw] vt (14c) 1 a: to examine
          or investigate judicially b (1): to conduct the trial
          of (2): to participate as counsel in the judicial examination
          of 2 a: to put to test or trial <~ one's luck>--often
          used with out b: to subject to something (as undue strain
          or excessive hardship or provocation) that tests the
          powers of endurance c: demonstrate, prove 3 a obs: purify,
          refine b: to melt down and procure in a pure state: render
          <~ out whale oil from blubber> 4: to fit or finish with
          accuracy 5: to make an attempt at--often used with an
          infinitive ~ vi: to make an attempt syn see afflict,
          attempt -- try one's hand : to attempt something for
          the first time [2]try n, pl tries (1607) 1: an experimental
          trial: attempt 2: a play in rugby that is similar to
          a touchdown in football, scores usu. four points, and
          entitles the scoring side to attempt a placekick at the
          goal for additional points; also: the score made on a
          try

   try for point
          [try for point] (1929): an attempt made after scoring a touchdown
          in football to score one or two additional points by
          kicking the ball over the crossbar or again carrying
          it into the opponents' end zone

   trying
          [try.ing] adj (1718): severely straining the powers of endurance
          -- try.ing.ly adv

   try on
          [try on] vt (1693) 1: to put on (a garment) in order to test
          the fit 2: to use or test experimentally -- try-on n

   try out
          [try out] vi (1909): to compete for a position esp. on an
          athletic team or for a part in a play

   tryout
          [try.out] n (1903): an experimental performance or demonstration:
          as a: a test of the ability (as of an athlete or actor)
          to fill a part or meet standards b: a performance of
          a play prior to its official opening to determine response
          and discover weaknesses

   trypanosome
          [try.pano.some] n [NL Trypanosoma, fr. Gk trypanon auger
          + NL -soma -some--more at trepan] (1903): any of a genus
          (Trypanosoma) of parasitic flagellate protozoans that
          infest the blood of various vertebrates including humans,
          are usu. transmitted by the bite of an insect, and include
          some that cause serious disease (as sleeping sickness)

   trypanosomiasis
          [try.pano.so.mi.a.sis] n, pl -a.ses [NL] (1902): infection
          with or disease caused by trypanosomes

   try-pot
          [try-pot] n (1795): a metallic pot used on a whaler or on
          shore to render whale oil from blubber

   trypsin
          [tryp.sin] n [perh. fr. Gk tryein to wear down + E pepsin;
          ak in to L terere to rub--more at throw] (1876): a proteolytic
          enzyme from pancreatic juice active in an alkaline medium--compare
          chymotrypsin

   trypsinogen
          [tryp.sin.o.gen] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): the inactive substance
          released by the pancreas into the duodenum to form trypsin

   tryptamine
          [trypt.amine] n [tryptophan + amine] (1929): a crystalline
          amine derived from tryptophan

   tryptic
          [tryp.tic] adj [ISV, fr. trypsin] (1888): of, relating to,
          or produced by trypsin or its action

   tryptophan
          [tryp.to.phan] also tryp.to.phane n [ISV tryptic + -o- +
          -phane] (1890): a crystalline essential amino acid that
          is widely distributed in proteins

   trysail
          [try.sail] n [obs. at try lying to] (1769): a fore-and-aft
          sail bent to a gaff and hoisted on a lower mast or a
          small mast close abaft

   try square
          [try square] n (ca. 1877): an instrument consisting of two
          straightedges fixed at right angles to each other and
          used for laying off right angles and testing whether
          work is square

   [1]tryst
          [tryst] n [ME, fr. MF triste watch post, prob. of Scand origin;
          akin to ON traust trust] (14c) 1: an agreement (as between
          lovers) to meet 2: an appointed meeting or meeting place
          [2]tryst vi (14c): to make or keep a tryst -- tryst.er
          n

   tryworks
          [try.works] n pl (1792): a brick furnace in which try-pots
          are placed; also: the furnace with the pots

   ts...
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   ts
          [ts] abbreviation tensile strength

   tsade
          [tsa.de] var of sadhe

   tsar
          [tsar] var of czar

   tsetse fly
          [tset.se fly] n [Afrik, fr. Tswana tsetse fly] (1865): any
          of several dipteran flies (genus Glossina) that occur
          in Africa south of the Sahara and include vectors of
          human and animal trypanosomes--called also tsetse--compare
          sleeping sickness

   TSgt
          [TSgt] abbreviation technical sergeant

   TSH
          [TSH] abbreviation thyroid-stimulating hormone

   Tshi
          [Tshi] var of twi

   Tshiluba
          [Tshi.lu.ba] n (ca. 1961): a Bantu language used as a lingua
          franca in southeastern Zaire

   tsp
          [tsp] abbreviation teaspoon, teaspoonful

   TSS
          [TSS] abbreviation toxic shock syndrome

   tsunami
          [tsu.na.mi] n, pl tsunamis also tsunami [Jp, fr. tsu harbor
          + nami wave] (1897): a great sea wave produced by submarine
          earth movement or volcanic eruption: tidal wave -- tsu.na.mic
          adj

   tsutsugamushi disease
          [tsu.tsu.ga.mu.shi disease] n [Jp tsutsugamushi scrub typhus
          mite, fr. tsutsuga sickness + mushi insect] (1906): an
          acute febrile bacterial disease that is caused by a rickettsia
          (Rickettsia tsutsugamushi) transmitted by mite larvae,
          resembles louse-borne typhus, and is widespread in the
          western Pacific area--called also scrub typhus, tsutsugamushi

   Tswana
          [Tswa.na] n, pl Tswana or Tswanas (1937) 1: the language
          of the Tswana people 2: a member of a Bantu-speaking
          people of Botswana and the Republic of South Africa

   tt...
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   TT
          [TT] abbreviation telegraphic transfer, teletypewriter, Trust
          Territories

   TTY
          [TTY] abbreviation teletypewriter

   tu...
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   Tu
          [Tu] abbreviation Tuesday TU abbreviation trade union, transmission
          unit

   Tuareg
          [Tua.reg] n, pl Tuareg or Tuaregs [Ar Tawariq] (1821): a
          member of a nomadic people of the central and western
          Sahara and along the middle Niger from Tombouctou to
          Nigeria

   tuatara
          [tu.a.ta.ra] n [Maori tuatara] (1890): a large spiny quadrupedal
          reptile (Sphenodon punctatum) of islands off the coast
          of New Zealand that has a vestigial third eye in the
          middle of the forehead representing the pineal gland
          and that is the only surviving rhynchocephalian

   [1]tub
          [tub] n [ME tubbe, fr. MD; akin to MLG tubbe tub] (14c) 1
          a: a wide low vessel orig. formed with wooden staves,
          round bottom, and hoops b: a small round container in
          which a product is sold <a ~ of oleo> 2: an old or slow
          boat 3: bathtub; also: bath 4: the amount that a tub
          will hold -- tub.ful n -- tub.like adj [2]tub vb tubbed
          ; tub.bing vt (1610) 1: to wash or bathe in a tub 2:
          to put or store in a tub ~ vi 1: bathe 2: to undergo
          washing -- tub.ba.ble adj -- tub.ber n

   tuba
          [tu.ba] n [It, fr. L, trumpet] (1852): a large low-pitched
          brass instrument usu. oval in shape and having a conical
          tube, a cup-shaped mouthpiece, and a usual range an octave
          lower than that of the euphonium -- tu.ba.ist or tub.ist
          n

   tubal
          [tub.al] adj (ca. 1736): of, relating to, or involving a
          tube and esp. a fallopian tube <~ infection>

   tubal ligation
          [tubal ligation] n (1948): ligation of the fallopian tubes
          to prevent passage of ova from the ovaries to the uterus
          used as a method of female sterilization

   tubby
          [tub.by] adj tub.bi.er ; -est (ca. 1807) 1: sounding dull
          and without proper resonance or freedom of sound <a ~
          violin> 2: pudgy, fat

   tube
          [tube] n [F, fr. L tubus; akin to L tuba trumpet] (1651)
          1: any of various usu. cylindrical structures or devices:
          as a: a hollow elongated cylinder; esp: one to convey
          fluids b: a soft tubular container whose contents (as
          toothpaste) can be removed by squeezing c (1): tunnel
          (2) Brit: subway b d: the basically cylindrical section
          between the mouthpiece and bell that is the fundamental
          part of a wind instrument 2 a: a slender channel within
          a plant or animal body: duct--compare fallopian tube
          b: the narrow basal portion of a gamopetalous corolla
          or a calyx with united sepals 3: inner tube 4 a: electron
          tube; esp: vacuum tube b: cathode-ray tube; esp: a television
          picture tube c: television 5: an article of clothing
          shaped like a tube <~ top> <~ socks> -- tubed adj --
          tube.like adj -- down the tube or down the tubes : into
          a state of collapse, deterioration, or ruin

   tube foot
          [tube foot] n (1888): one of the small flexible tubular processes
          of most echinoderms that are extensions of the water-vascular
          system and are used esp. in locomotion and grasping

   tubeless
          [tube.less] adj (1855): lacking a tube; specif: being a pneumatic
          tire that does not depend on an inner tube for airtightness

   tube nucleus
          [tube nucleus] n (1939): the one of the two nuclei formed
          by mitotic division of a microspore during the formation
          of a pollen grain that is held to control subsequent
          growth of the pollen tube and that does not divide again--compare
          generative nucleus

   tube pan
          [tube pan] n (1926): a round cake pan having a hollow tube
          in the center

   tuber
          [tu.ber] n [L, swelling, truffle; perh. akin to L tumere
          to swell--more at thumb] (1668) 1 a: a short fleshy usu.
          underground stem bearing minute scale leaves each of
          which bears a bud in its axil and is potentially able
          to produce a new plant--compare bulb, corm b: a fleshy
          root or rhizome resembling a tuber 2: an anatomical prominence:
          tuberosity

   tubercle
          [tu.ber.cle] n [L tuberculum, dim. of tuber] (1578) 1: a
          small knobby prominence or excrescence esp. on a plant
          or animal: nodule: as a: a protuberance near the head
          of a rib that articulates with the transverse process
          of a vertebra b: any of several prominences in the central
          nervous system c: nodule b 2: a small abnormal discrete
          lump in the substance of an organ or in the skin; esp:
          the specific lesion of tuberculosis

   tubercle bacillus
          [tubercle bacillus] n (ca. 1890): a bacterium (Mycobacterium
          tuberculosis) that is a major cause of tuberculosis

   tubercul-
          [tubercul-] comb form [NL, fr. L tuberculum] 1: tubercle
          <tubercular> 2: tubercle bacillus <tuberculin> 3: tuberculosis
          <tuberculoid>

   [1]tubercular
          [tu.ber.cu.lar] adj (1799) 1 a: of, relating to, or affected
          with tuberculosis: tuberculous b: caused by the tubercle
          bacillus <~ meningitis> 2: characterized by lesions that
          are or resemble tubercles <~ leprosy> 3: relating to,
          resembling, or constituting a tubercle: tuberculated
          [2]tubercular n (1925): a person with tuberculosis

   tuberculated
          [tu.ber.cu.lat.ed] also tu.ber.cu.late adj (1771): having
          tubercles: characterized by or beset with tubercles

   tuberculin
          [tu.ber.cu.lin] n [ISV] (ca. 1890): a sterile liquid containing
          the growth products of or specific substances extracted
          from the tubercle bacillus and used in the diagnosis
          of tuberculosis esp. in children and cattle

   tuberculin test
          [tuberculin test] n (ca. 1900): a test for hypersensitivity
          to tuberculin as an indication of past or present tubercular
          infection

   tuberculoid
          [tu.ber.cu.loid] adj [ISV] (ca. 1923): resembling tuberculosis
          esp. in the presence of tubercles <~ leprosy>

   tuberculosis
          [tu.ber.cu.lo.sis] n, pl -lo.ses [NL] (1860): a highly variable
          communicable disease of humans and some other vertebrates
          caused by the tubercle bacillus and rarely in the U.S.
          by a related mycobacterium (Mycobacterium bovis) and
          characterized by toxic symptoms or allergic manifestations
          which in humans primarily affect the lungs

   tuberculous
          [tu.ber.cu.lous] adj (1891) 1: constituting or affected with
          tuberculosis <a ~ process> 2: caused by or resulting
          from the presence or products of the tubercle bacillus
          <~ peritonitis>

   tuberose
          [tube.rose] n [NL tuberosa, specific epithet, fr. L, fem.
          of tuberosus tuberous, fr. tuber tuber] (1664): a Mexican
          bulbous herb (Polianthes tuberosa) of the agave family
          cultivated for its spike of fragrant white single or
          double flowers

   tuberosity
          [tu.ber.os.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1611): a rounded prominence;
          esp: a large prominence on a bone usu. serving for the
          attachment of muscles or ligaments

   tuberous
          [tu.ber.ous] adj (1650) 1: consisting of, bearing, or resembling
          a tuber 2: of, relating to, or being a plant tuber or
          tuberous root of a plant

   tuberous root
          [tuberous root] n (ca. 1668): a thick fleshy storage root
          like a tuber but lacking buds or scale leaves -- tuberous-rooted
          adj

   tube worm
          [tube worm] n (ca. 1819): a worm that lives in a tube: as
          a: any of various polychaetes or oligochaetes b: a pogonophoran
          and esp. an extremely large one that is found near deep-ocean
          hydrothermal vents

   tubifex
          [tu.bi.fex] n [NL Tubific-, Tubifex, fr. L tubus tube + facere
          to make--more at do] (1948): any of a genus (Tubifex)
          of slender reddish oligochaete worms that live in tubes
          in fresh or brackish water and are widely used as food
          for aquarium fish

   tubificid
          [tu.bi.fi.cid] n [NL Tubificidae, fr. Tubific-, Tubifex]
          (1950): any of a family (Tubificidae) of aquatic oligochaetes
          including the tubifex worms -- tubificid adj

   tubing
          [tub.ing] n (1845) 1: material in the form of a tube; also:
          a length or piece of tube 2: a series or system of tubes

   tubocurarine
          [tu.bo.cu.ra.rine] n [ISV tubo- (fr. L tubus tube) + curare
          + -ine; fr. its being shipped in sections of hollow bamboo]
          (1898): a toxic alkaloid or its crystalline hydrated
          hydrochloride salt that is obtained chiefly from the
          bark and stems of a So. American vine (Chondrodendron
          tomentosum of the family Menispermaceae) and in its dextrorotatory
          form constitutes the chief active constituent of curare and is used
          esp. as a skeletal muscle relaxant

   tub-thumper
          [tub-thump.er] n (1662): a vociferous supporter (as of a
          cause) -- tub-thump vb

   tubular
          [tu.bu.lar] adj (1673) 1 a: having the form of or consisting
          of a tube <a ~ calyx> b: made or provided with tubes
          2: of, relating to, or sounding as if produced through
          tubes

   tubule
          [tu.bule] n [L tubulus, dim. of tubus] (1677): a small tube;
          esp: a slender elongated anatomical channel

   tubulin
          [tu.bu.lin] n [tubule + [1]-in] (1968): a globular protein
          that polymerizes to form microtubules

   TUC
          [TUC] abbreviation Trades Union Congress

   tuchun
          [tu.chun] n [Chin (Beijing) dujun] (1917) 1: a Chinese military
          governor (as of a province) 2: a Chinese warlord

   [1]tuck
          [tuck] vb [ME tuken to pull up sharply, scold, fr. OE tucian
          to ill-treat; akin to OHG zuhhen to jerk, OE togian to
          pull--more at tow] vt (15c) 1 a: to pull up into a fold
          b: to make a tuck in 2: to put into a snug often concealing
          or isolating place <cottage ~ed away in the hill> 3 a:
          to push in the loose end of so as to hold tightly <~
          in your shirt> b: to cover by tucking in bedclothes--usu.
          used with in 4: eat--usu. used with away or in <~ed away
          a big lunch> 5: to put into a tuck position ~ vi 1: to
          draw together into tucks or folds 2: to eat or drink
          heartily--usu. used with into <~ed into their beer and
          pretzels> 3: to fit snugly [2]tuck n (1532) 1: a fold
          stitched into cloth to shorten, decorate, or control
          fullness 2: the part of a vessel where the ends of the
          lower planks meet under the stern 3 a: an act or instance
          of tucking b: something tucked or to be tucked in 4 a:
          a body position (as in diving) in which the knees are
          bent, the thighs drawn tightly to the chest, and the
          hands clasped around the shins b: a skiing position in
          which the skier squats forward and holds the ski poles
          under the arms and parallel to the ground 5: a cosmetic
          surgical operation for the removal of excess skin or
          fat from a body part <a tummy ~> [3]tuck n [ME (Sc) tuicke
          beat, stroke] (15c): a sound of or as if of a drumbeat
          [4]tuck n [MF estoc, fr. OF, tree trunk, sword point,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OE stocc stump of a tree--more
          at stock] (1508) archaic: rapier [5]tuck n [prob. fr.
          [2]tuck] (1878): vigor, energy <seemed to kind of take
          the ~ all out of me --Mark Twain>

   tuckahoe
          [tuck.a.hoe] n [Virginia Algonquian tockawhoughe] (1612)
          1: either of two arums (Peltandra virginica and Orontium
          aquaticum) of the U.S. with rootstocks used as food by
          American Indians 2: the large edible sclerotium of a
          subterranean fungus (Poria cocos)

   [1]tucker
          [tuck.er] n (1688) 1: a piece of lace or cloth in the neckline
          of a dress 2: one that tucks 3 chiefly Austral: food
          [2]tucker vt tuck.ered ; tuck.er.ing [obs. E tuck to
          reproach + -er (as in [1]batter)] (1833): exhaust--often
          used with out

   tucker-bag
          [tuck.er-bag] n (1885) chiefly Austral: a bag used esp. by
          travelers in the bush to hold food

   tucket
          [tuck.et] n [prob. fr. obs. E tuk to beat the drum, sound
          the trumpet] (1593): a fanfare on a trumpet

   tuck-point
          [tuck-point] vt (1881): to finish (the mortar joints between
          bricks or stones) with a narrow ridge of putty or fine
          lime mortar

   tuckshop
          [tuckshop] n [Brit tuck food, confectionery] (1857) Brit:
          a confectioner's shop: confectionery

   Tudor
          [Tu.dor] adj [Henry Tudor (Henry VII of England)] (1779)
          1: of or relating to the English royal house that ruled
          from 1485 to 1603 2: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the Tudor period -- Tudor n

   Tudor arch
          [Tudor arch] n (1815): a low elliptical 3-, 4-, or 5-centered
          arch; esp: a 4-centered pointed arch--see arch illustration

   tuebor
          [tu.e.bor] [L] foreign term : I will defend--a motto on the
          Great Seal of Michigan

   Tues
          [Tues] or Tue abbreviation Tuesday

   Tuesday
          [Tues.day] n [ME tiwesday, fr. OE tiwesdaeg (akin to OHG
          ziostag Tuesday), fr. OE Tiw Tiu + daeg day--more at
          deity] (bef. 12c): the third day of the week -- Tues.days
          adv

   tufa
          [tu.fa] n [It tufo, fr. L tofus] (1770) 1: tuff 2: a porous
          rock formed as a deposit from springs or streams -- tu.fa.ceous
          adj

   tuff
          [tuff] n [MF tuf, fr. OIt tufo] (1815): a rock composed of
          the finer kinds of volcanic detritus usu. fused together
          by heat -- tuff.a.ceous adj

   tuffet
          [tuf.fet] n [alter. of [1]tuft] (1553) 1: tuft 1a 2: a low
          seat

   [1]tuft
          [tuft] n [ME, modif. of MF tufe] (14c) 1 a: a small cluster
          of elongated flexible outgrowths attached or close together
          at the base and free at the opposite ends; esp: a growing
          bunch of grasses or close-set plants b: a bunch of soft
          fluffy threads cut off short and used as ornament 2:
          clump, cluster 3: mound 4: any of the projections of
          yarns drawn through a fabric or making up a fabric so
          as to produce a surface of raised loops or cut pile --
          tuft.ed adj -- tufty adj [2]tuft vt (1535) 1 a: to provide
          or adorn with a tuft b: to make (a fabric) of or with
          tufts 2: to make (as a mattress) firm by stitching at
          intervals and sewing on tufts ~ vi: to form into or grow
          in tufts -- tuft.er n

   [1]tug
          [tug] vb tugged ; tug.ging [ME tuggen; akin to OE togian
          to pull--more at tow] vi (14c) 1: to pull hard 2: to
          struggle in opposition: contend 3: to exert oneself laboriously:
          labor ~ vt 1: to pull or strain hard at 2 a: to move
          by pulling hard: haul b: to carry with difficulty: lug
          3: to tow with a tugboat -- tug.ger n [2]tug n (15c)
          1 a: [3]trace 1 b: a short leather strap or loop c: a
          rope or chain used for pulling 2 a: an act or instance
          of tugging: pull b: a strong pulling force 3 a: a straining
          effort b: a struggle between two people or opposite forces
          4: tugboat

   tugboat
          [tug.boat] n (1830): a strongly built powerful boat used
          for towing and pushing--called also towboat

   tug-of-war
          [tug-of-war] n, pl tugs-of-war (1677) 1: a struggle for supremacy
          or control usu. involving two antagonists 2: a contest
          in which two teams pull against each other at opposite
          ends of a rope with the object of pulling the middle
          of the rope over a mark on the ground

   tugrik
          [tu.grik] or tu.ghrik n [Mongolian togrig, lit., circle,
          wheel] (1927): the basic monetary unit of Mongolia

   tuille
          [tuille] n [ME toile, fr. MF tuille tile, fr. L tegula--more
          at tile] (15c): one of the hinged plates before the thigh
          in plate armor--see armor illustration

   tuition
          [tu.ition] n [ME tuicioun protection, fr. OF tuicion, fr.
          L tuition-, tuitio, fr. tueri to look at, look after]
          (15c) 1 archaic: custody, guardianship 2: the act or
          profession of teaching: instruction <pursued his studies
          under private ~> 3: the price of or payment for instruction
          -- tu.ition.al adj

   tularemia
          [tu.la.re.mia] n [NL, fr. Tulare County, Calif.] (1921):
          an infectious disease esp. of wild rabbits, rodents,
          humans, and some domestic animals that is caused by a
          bacterium (Francisella tularensis), is transmitted esp.
          by the bites of insects, and in humans is marked by symptoms
          (as fever) of toxemia -- tu.la.re.mic adj

   tule
          [tu.le] n [Sp, fr. Nahuatl tollin] (1837): either of two
          large New World bulrushes (Scirpus californicus and S.
          acutus)

   tulip
          [tu.lip] n [NL tulipa, fr. Turk tulbent turban--more at turban]
          (1578): any of a genus (Tulipa) of Eurasian bulbous herbs
          of the lily family that have linear or broadly lanceolate
          leaves and are widely grown for their showy flowers;
          also: the flower or bulb of a tulip

   tulip tree
          [tulip tree] n (1705) 1: a tall No. American timber tree
          (Liriodendron tulipifera) of the magnolia family having
          large greenish yellow tulip-shaped flowers and soft white
          wood used esp. for cabinetwork and woodenware--called
          also tulip poplar, yellow poplar 2: any of various trees
          other than the tulip tree with tulip-shaped flowers

   tulipwood
          [tu.lip.wood] n (1843) 1: wood of the No. American tulip
          tree 2 a: any of several showily striped or variegated
          woods; esp: the rose-colored wood of a Brazilian tree
          (Physocalymma scabberimum of the family Lythraceae) that
          is much used by cabinetmakers for inlaying b: a tree
          that yields tulipwood

   tulle
          [tulle] n [F, fr. Tulle, France] (ca. 1818): a sheer often
          stiffened silk, rayon, or nylon net used chiefly for
          veils or ballet costumes

   [1]tumble
          [tum.ble] vb tum.bled ; tum.bling [ME, freq. of tumben to
          dance, fr. OE tumbian; akin to OHG tumon to reel] vi
          (14c) 1 a: to fall suddenly and helplessly b: to suffer
          a sudden downfall, overthrow, or defeat c: to decline
          suddenly and sharply (as in price): drop <the stock market
          tumbled> d: to fall into ruin: collapse 2 a: to perform
          gymnastic feats in tumbling b: to turn end over end in
          falling or flight 3: to roll over and over, to and fro,
          or end over end: toss 4: to issue forth hurriedly and
          confusedly 5: to come by chance: stumble 6: to come to
          understand: catch on <didn't ~ to the seriousness of
          the problem> ~ vt 1: to cause to tumble (as by pushing
          or toppling) 2 a: to throw together in a confused mass
          b: rumple, disorder 3: to whirl in a tumbling barrel
          [2]tumble n (1634) 1 a: a disordered mass of objects
          or material b: a disorderly state 2: an act or instance
          of tumbling

   tumblebug
          [tum.ble.bug] n (1805): any of various scarabaeid beetles
          (esp. genera Scarabaeus, Canthon, Copris, or Phanaeus)
          that roll dung into small balls, bury them in the ground,
          and lay eggs in them

   tumbledown
          [tum.ble.down] adj (1818): dilapidated, ramshackle <a ~ house
          at the edge of town --Sherwood Anderson>

   tumble dry
          [tumble dry] vt (1962): to dry (as clothes) by tumbling in
          a dryer -- tumble dryer n -- tumble drying n

   tumbler
          [tum.bler] n (14c) 1: one that tumbles: as a: one that performs
          tumbling feats: acrobat b: any of various domestic pigeons
          that tumble or somersault backward in flight or on the
          ground 2: a drinking glass without foot or stem and orig.
          with pointed or convex base 3 a: a movable obstruction
          in a lock (as a lever, latch, wheel, slide, or pin) that
          must be adjusted to a particular position (as by a key)
          before the bolt can be thrown b: a piece on which the
          mainspring acts in a gun's lock 4: a device or mechanism
          for tumbling (as a revolving cage in which clothes are
          dried) 5: a worker that operates a tumbler -- tum.bler.ful
          n

   tumbleweed
          [tum.ble.weed] n (1887): a plant (as Russian thistle or any
          of several amaranths) that breaks away from its roots
          in the autumn and is driven about by the wind as a light
          rolling mass

   [1]tumbling
          [tum.bling] n (1604): the skill, practice, or sport of executing
          gymnastic feats (as somersaults and handsprings) without
          the use of apparatus [2]tumbling adj (ca. 1916): tipped
          or slanted out of the vertical--used esp. of a cattle
          brand

   tumbling barrel
          [tumbling barrel] n (ca. 1890): a revolving cask in which
          objects or materials undergo a process (as drying or
          polishing) by being whirled about

   tumbling verse
          [tumbling verse] n (1585): an early modern English type of
          verse having four stresses but no prevailing type of
          foot and no regular number of syllables

   tumbrel
          [tum.brel] or tum.bril n [ME tombrel, fr. OF tumberel tipcart,
          fr. tomber to tumble, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG tumon
          to reel--more at tumble] (15c) 1: a farm tipcart 2: a
          vehicle carrying condemned persons (as political prisoners
          during the French Revolution) to a place of execution

   tumefaction
          [tu.me.fac.tion] n [MF, fr. L tumefacere to cause to swell,
          fr. tumere to swell + facere to make, do--more at thumb,
          do] (1597) 1: an action or process of swelling or becoming
          tumorous 2: swelling

   tumescence
          [tu.mes.cence] n (1859): the quality or state of being tumescent;
          esp: readiness for sexual activity marked esp. by vascular
          congestion of the sex organs

   tumescent
          [tu.mes.cent] adj [L tumescent-, tumescens, prp. of tumescere
          to swell up, incho. of tumere to swell] (1882): somewhat
          swollen <~ tissue>

   tumid
          [tu.mid] adj [L tumidus, fr. tumere] (1541) 1: marked by
          swelling: swollen, enlarged <a badly infected ~ leg>
          2: protuberant, bulging <sails ~ in the breeze> 3: bombastic,
          turgid

   tummy
          [tum.my] n, pl tummies [baby-talk alter. of stomach] (1867):
          stomach 1c

   tumor
          [tu.mor] n [L tumor, fr. tumere] (1597) 1: a swollen or distended
          part 2: an abnormal benign or malignant mass of tissue
          that is not inflammatory, arises without obvious cause
          from cells of preexistent tissue, and possesses no physiologic
          function -- tu.mor.al adj -- tu.mor.like adj

   tumorigenic
          [tu.mor.i.gen.ic] adj (1941): producing or tending to produce
          tumors; also: carcinogenic -- tu.mor.i.gen.e.sis n --
          tu.mor.i.ge.nic.i.ty n

   tumor necrosis factor
          [tumor necrosis factor] n (1975): a protein that is produced
          by monocytes and macrophages in response esp. to endotoxins
          and that activates leukocytes and has antitumor activity

   tumorous
          [tu.mor.ous] adj (1547): of, relating to, or resembling a
          tumor

   tumour
          [tu.mour] chiefly Brit var of tumor

   [1]tump
          [tump] n [origin unknown] (1589) 1 chiefly dial Eng: mound,
          hummock 2: a clump of vegetation [2]tump vb [perh. akin
          to Brit. dial. tumpoke to fall head over heels] vi (1967)
          chiefly Southern: to tip or turn over esp. accidentally--usu.
          used with over <sooner or later everybody ~s over. Nothing
          to worry about if you don't get caught under the canoe
          --Don Kennard> ~ vt, chiefly Southern: to cause to tip
          over: overturn, upset--usu. used with over

   tumpline
          [tump.line] n [tump, of Algonquian origin; akin to Eastern
          Abenaki madumbi pack strap] (1796): a sling formed by
          a strap slung over the forehead or chest and used for
          carrying or helping to support a pack on the back or
          in hauling loads

   tumult
          [tu.mult] n [ME tumulte, fr. MF, fr. L tumultus; perh. akin
          to Skt tumula noisy] (15c) 1 a: disorderly agitation
          or milling about of a crowd usu. with uproar and confusion
          of voices: commotion b: a turbulent uprising: riot 2:
          hubbub, din 3 a: violent agitation of mind or feelings
          b: a violent outburst

   tumultuary
          [tu.mul.tu.ary] adj (1590): attended or marked by tumult,
          riot, lawlessness, confusion, or impetuosity

   tumultuous
          [tu.mul.tu.ous] adj (ca. 1548) 1: marked by tumult 2: tending
          or disposed to cause or incite a tumult 3: marked by
          violent or overwhelming turbulence or upheaval -- tu.mul.tu.ous.ly
          adv -- tu.mul.tu.ous.ness n

   tumulus
          [tu.mu.lus] n, pl -li [L; akin to L tumere to swell--more
          at thumb] (1686): an artificial hillock or mound (as
          over a grave); esp: an ancient grave: barrow

   tun
          [tun] n [ME tunne, fr. OE, fr. ML tunna] (bef. 12c) 1: a
          large cask esp. for wine 2: any of various units of liquid
          capacity; esp: one equal to 252 gallons

   [1]tuna
          [tu.na] n [Sp, fr. Taino] (ca. 1555) 1: any of various flat-jointed
          prickly pears (genus Opuntia); esp: one (O. tuna) of tropical
          America 2: the edible fruit of a tuna [2]tu.na n, pl tuna or tunas
          [AmerSp, alter. of Sp atun, modif. of Ar tun, fr. L thunnus, fr.
          Gk thynnos] (1881) 1: any of numerous large vigorous scombroid food
          and sport fishes (as an albacore or a bluefin tuna) 2: the flesh
          of a tuna esp. when canned for use as food--called also tuna fish

   tunable
          [tun.able] adj (ca. 1500) 1 archaic a: tuneful b: sounding
          in tune: concordant 2: capable of being tuned -- tun.abil.i.ty
          n -- tun.able.ness n -- tun.ably adv

   tundish
          [tun.dish] n [ME, funnel for filling a tun] (14c) 1: funnel
          1a 2: a reservoir in the top part of a mold into which
          molten metal is poured

   tundra
          [tun.dra] n [Russ, of Lappish origin; akin to Kola Lappish
          tundar hill] (ca. 1841): a level or rolling treeless
          plain that is characteristic of arctic and subarctic
          regions, consists of black mucky soil with a permanently
          frozen subsoil, and has a dominant vegetation of mosses,
          lichens, herbs, and dwarf shrubs; also: a similar region
          confined to mountainous areas above timberline

   [1]tune
          [tune] n [ME, alter. of tone] (14c) 1 a archaic: quality
          of sound: tone b: manner of utterance: intonation; specif:
          phonetic modulation 2 a: a succession of pleasing musical
          tones: melody b: a dominant theme 3: correct musical
          pitch or consonance--used chiefly in the phrases in tune
          and out of tune 4 a archaic: a frame of mind: mood b:
          agreement, harmony <in ~ with the times> c: general attitude:
          approach <changed his ~ when the going got rough> 5:
          amount, extent <custom-made to the ~ of $40 to $50 apiece
          --Amer. Fabrics> [2]tune vb tuned ; tun.ing vt (15c)
          1: to adjust in musical pitch or cause to be in tune
          <tuned her guitar> 2 a: to bring into harmony: attune
          b: to adjust for precise functioning--often used with
          up <~ up an engine> c: to make more precise, intense,
          or effective 3: to adjust with respect to resonance at
          a particular frequency: as a: to adjust (a radio or television
          receiver) to respond to waves of a particular frequency--often
          used with in b: to establish radio contact with <~ in
          a directional beacon> 4: to adjust the frequency of the
          output of (a device) to a chosen frequency or range of
          frequencies; also: to alter the frequency of (radiation)
          ~ vi 1: to become attuned 2: to adjust a radio or television
          receiver to respond to waves of a particular frequency

   tuned-in
          [tuned-in] adj (1963): turned-on

   tuneful
          [tune.ful] adj (1591): melodious, musical -- tune.ful.ly
          adv -- tune.ful.ness n

   tune in
          [tune in] vt (1913): to listen to or view a broadcast of
          <tuned in the weather report> ~ vi: to listen to or view
          a broadcast <tune in next week for the conclusion>

   tuneless
          [tune.less] adj (1591) 1: not tuneful 2: not producing music
          -- tune.less.ly adv

   tune out
          [tune out] vt (1910): to become unresponsive to: ignore ~
          vi: to dissociate oneself from what is happening or one's
          surroundings

   tuner
          [tun.er] n (ca. 1801) 1: one that tunes <a piano ~> 2: something
          used for tuning; specif: the part of a receiving set
          that converts radio signals into audio or video signals

   tunesmith
          [tune.smith] n (1926): a composer esp. of popular songs

   tune-up
          [tune-up] n (1933) 1: a general adjustment to insure operation
          at peak efficiency 2: a preliminary trial: warm-up

   tung
          [tung] n (1914): tung tree

   tung oil
          [tung oil] n [part trans. of Chin (Beijing) tongyou] (1881):
          a pale yellow pungent drying oil obtained from the seeds
          of tung trees and used chiefly in quick-drying varnishes
          and paints and as a waterproofing agent

   tungstate
          [tung.state] n (1800): a salt or ester of a tungstic acid

   tungsten
          [tung.sten] n [Sw, fr. tung heavy + sten stone] (1796): a
          gray-white heavy high-melting ductile hard polyvalent
          metallic element that resembles chromium and molybdenum
          in many of its properties and is used esp. for electrical
          purposes and in hardening alloys (as steel)--called also
          wolfram

   tungstic acid
          [tung.stic acid] n [tungsten] (1796): a yellow crystalline
          powder that is the trioxide of tungsten; also: an acid
          derived from this

   tung tree
          [tung tree] n [Chin (Beijing) tong] (1895): any of several
          trees (genus Aleurites) of the spurge family whose seeds
          yield tung oil; esp: an Asian tree (A. fordii) widely
          grown in warm regions

   Tungus
          [Tun.gus] n, pl Tungus or Tun.gus.es [Russ] (1674) 1: a member
          of an indigenous people of central and southeastern Siberia
          2: the Tungusic language of the Tungus people

   Tungusic
          [Tun.gu.sic] n (ca. 1867): a family of Altaic languages spoken
          in Manchuria and northward -- Tungusic adj

   tunic
          [tu.nic] n [L tunica, of Sem origin; akin to Heb kuttoneth
          coat] (ca. 1609) 1 a: a simple slip-on garment made with
          or without sleeves and usu. knee-length or longer, belted
          at the waist, and worn as an under or outer garment by
          men and women of ancient Greece and Rome b: surcoat 2:
          an enclosing or covering membrane or tissue <the ~ of
          a seed> 3: a long usu. plain close-fitting jacket with
          high collar worn esp. as part of a uniform 4: tunicle
          5 a: a short overskirt b: a hip-length or longer blouse
          or jacket

   tunica
          [tu.ni.ca] n, pl tu.ni.cae [L, tunic, membrane] (ca. 1828):
          an enveloping membrane or layer of body tissue

   [1]tunicate
          [tu.ni.cate] also tu.ni.cat.ed adj [L tunicatus, fr. tunica]
          (ca. 1623) 1 a: having or covered with a tunic or tunica
          b: having, arranged in, or made up of concentric layers
          <a ~ bulb> 2: of or relating to the tunicates [2]tu.ni.cate
          n [NL Tunicata, fr. neut. pl. of L tunicatus] (1889):
          any of a subphylum (Urochordata syn. Tunicata) of marine
          chordate animals that have a thick secreted covering
          layer, a greatly reduced nervous system, a heart able
          to reverse the direction of blood flow, and only in the
          larval stage a notochord

   tunicle
          [tu.ni.cle] n [ME, fr. L tunicula, dim. of tunica] (15c):
          a short vestment worn by a subdeacon over the alb during
          mass and by a bishop under the dalmatic at pontifical
          ceremonies

   tuning fork
          [tuning fork] n (1799): a 2-pronged metal implement that
          gives a fixed tone when struck and is useful for tuning
          musical instruments and ascertaining standard pitch

   tuning pipe
          [tuning pipe] n (1897): pitch pipe; specif: one of a set
          of pitch pipes used esp. for tuning stringed musical
          instruments

   [1]tunnel
          [tun.nel] n [ME tonel tube-shaped net, fr. MF, tun, fr. OF,
          fr. tonne tun, fr. ML tunna] (1548) 1: a hollow conduit
          or recess: tube, well 2 a: a covered passageway; specif:
          a horizontal passageway through or under an obstruction
          b: a subterranean gallery (as in a mine) c: burrow --
          tun.nel.like adj [2]tunnel vb -neled or -nelled ; -nel.ing
          or -nel.ling vi (1795) 1: to make or use a tunnel 2 physics:
          to pass through a potential barrier <electrons ~ing through
          an insulator between semiconductors> ~ vt: to make a
          tunnel or similar opening through or under; also: to
          make (one's way) by or as if by making a tunnel -- tun.nel.er
          n

   tunnel vision
          [tunnel vision] n (ca. 1942) 1: constriction of the visual
          field resulting in loss of peripheral vision 2: extreme
          narrowness of viewpoint: narrowmindedness; also: single-minded
          concentration on one objective -- tun.nel-vi.sioned adj

   tunny
          [tun.ny] n, pl tunnies also tunny [modif. of MF thon or OIt
          tonno; both fr. OProv ton, fr. L thunnus--more at tuna]
          (ca. 1530): tuna

   [1]tup
          [tup] n [ME tupe] (14c) 1 chiefly Brit: ram 1a 2: a heavy
          metal body (as the weight of a pendulum) [2]tup vt tupped
          ; tup.ping (1604) chiefly Brit: to copulate with (a ewe)

   tupelo
          [tu.pe.lo] n, pl -los [perh. fr. Creek ito opilwa swamp tree]
          (ca. 1730) 1: any of a genus (Nyssa of the family Nyssaceae)
          of No. American and Asian deciduous trees that have simple
          alternate leaves, small greenish dioecious stalked flowers,
          and a rounded drupe; esp: black gum 2: the pale soft
          wood of a tupelo

   Tupi
          [Tu.pi] n, pl Tupi or Tupis (1842) 1: the language of the
          Tupi people 2: a member of a group of Tupi-Guaranian
          peoples of Brazil living esp. in the Amazon valley

   Tupian
          [Tu.pi.an] adj (1902): of, relating to, or constituting the
          Tupi or other Tupi-Guaranian peoples or their languages

   Tupi-Guarani
          [Tu.pi-Gua.ra.ni] n (1850) 1: a member of a group of So.
          American Indian peoples spread over an area from eastern
          Brazil to the Peruvian Andes and from the Guianas to
          Uruguay 2: tupi-guaranian

   Tupi-Guaranian
          [Tupi-Gua.ra.ni.an] n (ca. 1902): a language family widely
          distributed in tropical So. America

   -tuple
          [-tu.ple] n comb form [quintuple, sextuple]: set of (so many)
          elements--usu. used of sets with ordered elements <the
          ordered 2-tuple (a, b)>

   tuppence
          [tup.pence] var of twopence

   tuque
          [tuque] n [CanF, fr. F toque--more at toque] (1871): a warm
          knitted usu. pointed stocking cap

   tu quoque
          [tu quo.que] n [L, you too] (1614): a retort charging an
          adversary with being or doing what he criticizes in others

   turaco
          [tu.ra.co] n, pl -cos [origin unknown] (1743): any of a family
          (Musophagidae) of African birds that are related to the
          cuckoos and have a long tail, a short stout often colored
          bill, and red wing feathers

   Turanian
          [Tu.ra.ni.an] n [Per Turan Turkestan, the region north of
          the Amu Darya] (ca. 1777) 1: a member of any of various
          peoples speaking Ural-Altaic languages 2: ural-altaic
          -- Turanian adj

   turban
          [tur.ban] n [MF turbant, fr. It turbante, fr. Turk tulbent,
          fr. Per dulband] (1588) 1: a headdress worn chiefly in
          countries of the eastern Mediterranean and southern Asia
          esp. by Muslims and made of a cap around which is wound
          a long cloth 2: a headdress resembling a turban; specif:
          a woman's close-fitting hat without a brim 3: a rolled
          stuffed fillet of fish <~ of sole> -- tur.baned or tur.banned
          adj

   turbellarian
          [tur.bel.lar.i.an] n [ultim. fr. L turbellae (pl.) bustle,
          stir, dim. of turba confusion, crowd; fr. the tiny eddies
          created in water by the cilia] (1883): any of a class
          (Turbellaria) of mostly aquatic and free-living flatworms
          (as a planarian) -- turbellarian adj

   turbid
          [tur.bid] adj [L turbidus confused, turbid, fr. turba confusion,
          crowd, prob. fr. Gk tyrbe confusion] (1626) 1 a: thick
          or opaque with or as if with roiled sediment <a ~ stream>
          b: heavy with smoke or mist 2 a: deficient in clarity
          or purity: foul, muddy <~ depths of degradation and misery
          --C. I. Glicksberg> b: characterized by or producing
          obscurity (as of mind or emotions) <an emotionally ~
          response> -- tur.bid.i.ty n -- tur.bid.ly adv -- tur.bid.ness
          n

   turbidimeter
          [tur.bi.dim.e.ter] n [ISV turbidity + -meter] (1905) 1: an
          instrument for measuring and comparing the turbidity
          of liquids by viewing light through them and determining
          how much light is cut off 2: nephelometer -- tur.bi.di.met.ric
          adj -- tur.bi.di.met.ri.cal.ly adv -- tur.bi.dim.e.try
          n

   turbidite
          [tur.bi.dite] n [turbidity current (a current flowing down
          a slope and spreading out on the ocean floor) + [1]-ite]
          (1957): a sedimentary deposit consisting of material
          that has moved down the steep slope at the edge of a
          continental shelf; also: a rock formed from this deposit

   [1]turbinate
          [tur.bi.nate] also tur.bi.nat.ed adj [L turbinatus, fr. turbin-,
          turbo] (1661) 1: shaped like a top or an inverted cone
          <~ seed capsule> 2: relating to or being a turbinate
          [2]turbinate n (ca. 1803): one of usu. several thin plicated
          membrane-covered bony or cartilaginous plates on the
          walls of the nasal chambers

   turbine
          [tur.bine] n [F, fr. L turbin-, turbo top, whirlwind, whirl,
          fr. turba confusion--more at turbid] (1842): a rotary
          engine actuated by the reaction or impulse or both of
          a current of fluid (as water, steam, or air) subject
          to pressure and usu. made with a series of curved vanes
          on a central rotating spindle

   turbo-
          [turbo-] comb form [turbine] 1: coupled directly to a driving
          turbine <turbofan> 2: consisting of or incorporating
          a turbine <turbojet engine>

   turbo
          [tur.bo] n, pl turbos [turbo-] (1904) 1: turbine 2 [by shortening]:
          turbocharger

   turbocar
          [tur.bo.car] n (1950): an automotive vehicle propelled by
          a gas turbine

   turbocharged
          [tur.bo.charged] adj (1945): equipped with a turbocharger

   turbocharger
          [tur.bo.charg.er] n (1934): a centrifugal blower driven by
          exhaust gas turbines and used to supercharge an engine

   turboelectric
          [tur.bo.elec.tric] adj (1904): using or being a turbine generator
          that produces electricity usu. for motive power

   turbofan
          [tur.bo.fan] n (1911) 1: a fan that is directly connected
          to and driven by a turbine and is used to supply air
          for cooling, ventilation, or combustion 2: a jet engine
          having a turbofan

   turbogenerator
          [tur.bo.gen.er.a.tor] n (1898): an electric generator driven
          by a turbine

   turbojet
          [tur.bo.jet] n (1945) 1: an airplane powered by turbojet
          engines 2: turbojet engine

   turbojet engine
          [turbojet engine] n (1944): a jet engine in which a turbine
          drives a compressor that supplies air to a burner and
          hot gases from the burner drive the turbine before being
          discharged rearward

   turbomachinery
          [tur.bo.ma.chin.ery] n (1948): machinery consisting of,
          incorporating, or constituting a turbine

   turboprop
          [tur.bo.prop] n (1945) 1: turboprop engine 2: an airplane
          powered by turboprop engines

   turboprop engine
          [turboprop engine] n (1947): a jet engine designed to produce
          thrust principally by means of a propeller driven by
          a turbine with additional thrust usu. obtained by the
          rearward discharge of hot exhaust gases

   turboshaft
          [tur.bo.shaft] n (1958): a gas turbine engine that is similar
          in operation to a turboprop engine but instead of being
          used to power a propeller is used through a transmission
          system for powering other devices (as helicopter rotors
          and pumps)

   turbot
          [tur.bot] n, pl turbot also turbots [ME, fr. OF tourbot]
          (14c) 1: a large European flatfish (Psetta maxima) that
          is a popular food fish and has a brownish upper surface
          marked with scattered tubercles and a white undersurface
          2: any of various flatfishes resembling the turbot

   turbulence
          [tur.bu.lence] n (1598): the quality or state of being turbulent:
          as a: wild commotion b: irregular atmospheric motion
          esp. when characterized by up-and-down currents c: departure
          in a fluid from a smooth flow

   turbulency
          [tur.bu.len.cy] n, pl -cies (1607) archaic: turbulence

   turbulent
          [tur.bu.lent] adj [L turbulentus, fr. turba confusion, crowd--more
          at turbid] (1538) 1: causing unrest, violence, or disturbance
          2 a: characterized by agitation or tumult: tempestuous
          b: exhibiting physical turbulence -- tur.bu.lent.ly adv

   turbulent flow
          [turbulent flow] n (1895): a fluid flow in which the velocity
          at a given point varies erratically in magnitude and
          direction--compare laminar flow

   Turco-
          [Tur.co-] or Tur.ko- comb form [Turco- fr. ML Turcus Turk;
          Turko- fr. Turk] 1: Turkic: Turkish: Turk <Turcophil>
          2: Turkish and <Turco-Greek>

   turd
          [turd] n [ME tord, turd, fr. OE tord; akin to MD tort dung
          and prob. to OE teran to tear--more at tear] (bef. 12c)
          1: a piece of excrement--sometimes considered vulgar
          2: a contemptible person--usu. considered vulgar

   tureen
          [tu.reen] n [F terrine, fr. MF, fr. fem. of terrin of earth,
          fr. (assumed) VL terrinus, fr. L terra earth--more at
          terrace] (ca. 1706) 1: a deep and usu. covered bowl from
          which foods (as soup) are served 2: casserole 1

   [1]turf
          [turf] n, pl turfs also turves [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG zurba
          turf, Skt darbha tuft of grass] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the upper
          stratum of soil bound by grass and plant roots into a
          thick mat; also: a piece of this b: an artificial substitute
          for this (as on a playing field) 2 a: peat 2 b: a piece
          of peat dried for fuel 3 a: a track or course for horse
          racing b: the sport or business of horse racing 4 a:
          territory considered by a teenage gang to be under its
          control b: territory 2 <have to play two of the last
          three games on hostile ~ --Joe Klein> <points toward
          the biographer's ~, not the critic's --Hugh Kenner>;
          also: a sphere of activity or influence <people who could
          hurt him on his own foreign-policy ~ --Wall Street Jour.>
          -- turfy adj [2]turf vt (15c) 1: to cover with turf 2
          chiefly Brit: to eject forcibly: kick--usu. used with
          out

   turf accountant
          [turf accountant] n (1915) Brit: bookmaker 2

   turfman
          [turf.man] n (1818): a devotee of horse racing; esp: a person
          who owns and races horses

   turfski
          [turf.ski] n (1967): a short ski with rollers on the bottom
          that can be used to ski down a grassy slope -- turf.ski.ing
          n

   turgescent
          [tur.ges.cent] adj [L turgescent-, turgescens, prp. of turgescere
          to swell, incho. of turgere to be swollen] (ca. 1727):
          becoming turgid, distended, or inflated: swelling --
          tur.ges.cence n

   turgid
          [tur.gid] adj [L turgidus, fr. turgere to be swollen] (1620)
          1: being in a state of distension: swollen, tumid <~
          limbs>; esp: exhibiting turgor 2: excessively embellished
          in style or language: bombastic, pompous -- tur.gid.i.ty
          n -- tur.gid.ly adv -- tur.gid.ness n

   turgor
          [tur.gor] n [LL, turgidity, swelling, fr. L turgere] (1876):
          the normal state of turgidity and tension in living cells;
          esp: the distension of the protoplasmic layer and wall
          of a plant cell by the fluid contents

   Turing machine
          [Tu.ring machine] n [A. M. Turing d. 1954 Eng. mathematician]
          (1937): a hypothetical computing machine that has an
          unlimited amount of information storage

   turista
          [tu.ris.ta] n [Sp, tourist] (1962): intestinal sickness and
          diarrhea commonly affecting a tourist in a foreign country;
          esp: montezuma's revenge

   Turk
          [Turk] n [ME, fr. MF or Turk; MF Turc, fr. ML or Turk; ML
          Turcus, fr. Turk Turk] (14c) 1: a member of any of numerous
          Asian peoples speaking Turkic languages who live in a
          region extending from the Balkans to eastern Siberia
          and western China 2: a native or inhabitant of Turkey
          3 archaic: one who is cruel or tyrannical 4: muslim;
          specif: a Muslim subject of the Turkish sultan 5: a Turkish
          horse; specif: a Turkish strain of Arab and crossbred
          horses 6 often not cap: a usu. young dynamic person eager
          for change; esp: young turk

   Turk
          [Turk] abbreviation Turkey, Turkish

   turkey
          [tur.key] n, pl turkeys [Turkey, country in western Asia
          and southeastern Europe; fr. confusion with the guinea
          fowl, supposed to be imported from Turkish territory]
          (1555) 1 pl also turkey : a large No. American gallinaceous
          bird (Meleagris gallopavo) that is domesticated in most
          parts of the world 2: failure, flop; esp: a theatrical
          production that has failed 3: three successive strikes
          in bowling 4: a stupid, foolish, or inept person

   turkey-cock
          [tur.key-cock] n (1578) 1: gobbler 2: a strutting pompous
          person

   turkey oak
          [turkey oak] n (1709): a small oak (Quercus laevis syn. Q.
          catesbaei) of the southeastern U.S.; also: a Eurasian
          oak (Q. cerris)

   Turkey red
          [Tur.key red] n [Turkey] (1789): a brilliant durable red
          produced on cotton by means of alizarin in connection
          with an aluminum mordant and fatty matter

   turkey shoot
          [tur.key shoot] n (1845): a marksmanship contest using a
          moving target with a turkey offered as a prize

   turkey trot
          [turkey trot] n (1908): a ragtime dance danced with the feet
          well apart and with a characteristic rise on the ball
          of the foot followed by a drop upon the heel

   turkey vulture
          [turkey vulture] n (1823): an American vulture (Cathartes
          aura) with a red head and whitish bill--called also turkey
          buzzard

   Turkic
          [Turk.ic] adj (1859) 1 a: of, relating to, or constituting
          a family of Altaic languages including Turkish b: of
          or relating to the peoples speaking Turkic 2: turkish
          1 -- Turkic n

   [1]Turkish
          [Turk.ish] adj (1545) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of Turkey, the Turks, or Turkish 2: turkic 1a [2]Turkish
          n (1718): the Turkic language of the Republic of Turkey

   Turkish bath
          [Turkish bath] n (1644): a bath in which the bather passes
          through a series of steam rooms of increasing temperature
          and then receives a rubdown, massage, and cold shower

   Turkish coffee
          [Turkish coffee] n (1854): a sweetened decoction of pulverized
          coffee

   Turkish delight
          [Turkish delight] n (1877): a jellylike or gummy confection
          usu. cut in cubes and dusted with sugar--called also
          Turkish paste

   Turkish towel
          [Turkish towel] n (1862): a towel made of cotton terry cloth

   Turkism
          [Turk.ism] n (1595): the customs, beliefs, institutions,
          and principles of the Turks

   Turkoman
          [Tur.ko.man] or Tur.co.man n, pl Turkomans or Turcomans [ML
          Turcomannus, fr. Per Turkman, fr. turkman resembling
          a Turk, fr. Turk] (ca. 1595): a member of a Turkic-speaking
          traditionally nomadic people living chiefly in Turkmenistan,
          Afghanistan, and Iran -- Turkoman or Turcoman adj

   Turk's head
          [Turk's head] n (1833): a turban-shaped knot worked on a
          rope with a piece of small line--see knot illustration

   turmeric
          [tur.mer.ic] n [modif. of MF terre merite saffron, fr. ML
          terra merita, lit., deserving or deserved earth] (1545)
          1: an East Indian perennial herb (Curcuma domestica syn.
          C. longa) of the ginger family with a large aromatic
          yellow rhizome 2: the cleaned, boiled, dried, and usu.
          pulverized rhizome of the turmeric plant used as a coloring
          agent, a flavoring, or a stimulant 3: a yellow to reddish
          brown dyestuff obtained from turmeric

   turmoil
          [tur.moil] n [origin unknown] (1526): a state or condition
          of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion

   [1]turn
          [turn] vb [ME; partly fr. OE tyrnan & turnian to turn, fr.
          ML tornare, fr. L, to turn on a lathe, fr. tornus lathe,
          fr. Gk tornos; partly fr. OF torner, tourner to turn,
          fr. ML tornare; akin to L terere to rub--more at throw]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to cause to move around an axis or
          a center: make rotate or revolve <~ a wheel> <~ a crank>
          b (1): to cause to move around so as to effect a desired
          end (as of locking, opening, or shutting) <~ed the knob
          till the door opened> (2): to affect or alter the functioning
          of (as a mechanical device) by such movement <~ed the
          oven to a higher temperature> c: to execute or perform
          by rotating or revolving <~ handsprings> d: to twist
          out of line or shape: wrench <had ~ed his ankle> 2 a
          (1): to cause to change position by moving through an
          arc of a circle <~ed her chair to the fire> (2): to cause
          to move around a center so as to show another side of
          <~ the page> (3): to cause (as a scale) to move so as
          to register weight b: to revolve mentally: think over:
          ponder 3 a: to reverse the sides or surfaces of: invert
          <~ pancakes> <~ the shirt inside out>: as (1): to dig
          or plow so as to bring the lower soil to the surface
          (2): to make (as a garment) over by reversing the material
          and resewing <~ a collar> (3): to invert feet up and
          face down (as a character, rule, or slug) in setting
          type b: to reverse or upset the order or disposition
          of <everything was ~ed topsy-turvy> c: to disturb or
          upset the mental balance of: derange, unsettle <a mind
          ~ed by grief> d: to set in another esp. contrary direction
          4 a: to bend or change the course of: divert b: to cause
          to retreat <used fire hoses to ~ the mob> c: to alter
          the drift, tendency, or expected result of d: to bend
          a course around or about: round <~ed the corner at full
          speed> 5 a (1): to direct or point (as the face) in a
          specified way or direction (2): to present by a change
          in direction or position <~ing his back to his guests>
          b: to bring to bear (as by aiming, pointing, or focusing):
          train <~ed the light into the dark doorway> <~ed a questioning
          eye toward her> c: to direct (as the attention or mind)
          toward or away from something d: to direct the employment
          of: apply, devote <~ed his skills to the service of mankind>
          e (1): to cause to rebound or recoil <~s their argument
          against them> (2): to make antagonistic: prejudice <~
          a child against its mother> f (1): to cause to go in
          a particular direction <~ed our steps homeward> (2):
          drive, send <~ cows to pasture> <~ing hunters off his
          land> (3): to convey or direct into or out of a receptacle
          adj -- turn a blind eye : to refuse to see: be oblivious
          <might turn a blind eye to the use of violence --Arthur
          Krock> -- turn a deaf ear : to refuse to listen -- turn
          a hair : to give a sign of distress or disturbance <did
          not turn a hair when told of the savage murder --Times
          Lit. Supp.> -- turn color 1: to become of a different
          color 2 a: blush, flush b: to grow pale -- turn loose
          1 a: to set free <turned loose the captured animal> b:
          to free from all restraints <turned them loose with a
          pile of theme paper to write whatever they liked --Elizabeth
          P. Schafer> 2: to fire off: discharge 3: to open fire
          -- turn one's back on 1: reject, deny <would be turning
          one's back on history --Pius Walsh> 2: forsake <turned
          his back on his obligations> -- turn one's hand or turn
          a hand : to set to work: apply oneself -- turn one's
          head : to cause to become infatuated or conceited <success
          had not turned his head> -- turn one's stomach : to disgust
          completely: sicken, nauseate <the foul smell turned his
          stomach> -- turn tail : to turn away so as to flee <turned
          tail and ran> -- turn the other cheek : to respond to
          injury or unkindness with patience: forgo retaliation
          -- turn the tables : to bring about a reversal of the
          relative conditions or fortunes of two contending parties
          -- turn the trick : to bring about the desired result
          or effect -- turn turtle : capsize, overturn [2]turn
          n [ME; partly fr. OF tourn, tour lathe, circuit, turn
          (partly fr. L tornus lathe; partly fr. OF torner, tourner
          to turn); partly fr. ME turnen to turn] (13c) 1 a: the
          action or an act of turning about a center or axis: revolution,
          rotation b: any of various rotating or pivoting movements
          in dancing or gymnastics 2 a: the action or an act of
          giving or taking a different direction: change of course
          or posture <illegal left ~>: as (1): a drill maneuver
          in which troops in mass formation change direction without
          preserving alignment (2): any of various shifts of direction
          in skiing (3): an interruption of a curve in figure skating
          b: deflection, deviation c: the action or an act of turning
          so as to face in the opposite direction: reversal of
          posture or course <an about ~> <~ of the tide> d: a change
          effected by turning over to another side <~ of the cards>
          e: a place at which something turns, turns off, or turns
          back: bend, curve 3: a short trip out and back or round
          about <took a ~ through the park> 4: an act or deed affecting
          another esp. when incidental or unexpected <one good
          ~ deserves another> 5 a: a period of action or activity:
          go, spell b: a place, time, or opportunity accorded an
          individual or unit of a series in simple succession or
          in a scheduled order <waiting her ~ in line> c: a period
          or tour of duty: shift d: a short act or piece (as for
          a variety show); also: performance 3 e (1): an event
          in any gambling game after which bets are settled (2):
          the order of the last three cards in faro--used in the
          phrase call the turn 6: something that revolves around
          a center: as a (1): lathe (2): a catch or latch for a
          cupboard or cabinet door operated by turning a handle
          b: a musical ornament consisting of a group of four or
          more notes that wind about the principal note by including
          the notes next above and next below 7: a special purpose
          or requirement--used chiefly in the phrase serve one's
          turn 8 a: an act of changing: alteration, modification
          <a nasty ~ in the weather> b: a change in tendency, trend,
          or drift <hoped for a ~ in his luck> <a ~ for the better>
          c: the beginning of a new period of time <the ~ of the
          century> 9 a: distinctive quality or character b (1):
          a skillful fashioning of language or arrangement of words
          (2): a particular form of expression or peculiarity of
          phrasing c: the shape or mold in which something is fashioned:
          cast 10 a: the state or manner of being coiled or twisted
          b: a single round (as of rope passed about an object
          or of wire wound on a core) 11: natural or special ability
          or aptitude:  : on every occasion: continually <they
          opposed her at every turn> -- by turns 1: one after another
          in regular succession 2: variously, alternately <a book
          that is by turns pedantic, delightful, and infuriating>
          -- in turn : in due order of succession -- on the turn
          : at the point of turning <tide is on the turn> -- out
          of turn 1: not in due order of succession <play out of
          turn> 2: at a wrong time or place and usu. imprudently
          <talking out of turn> -- to a turn : to perfection

   turnabout
          [turn.about] n (1789) 1: merry-go-round 2 a: a change or
          reversal of direction, trend, policy, role, or character
          b: a changing from one allegiance to another c: turncoat,
          renegade d: an act or instance of retaliating <~ is fair
          play>

   turn around
          [turn around] vi (1949) 1: to act in an abrupt, different,
          or surprising manner--used with and <after three years
          he just turned around and left school> 2: to become changed
          for the better ~ vt: to change for the better <turned
          her life around>

   turnaround
          [turn.around] n (1926) 1 a: the process of readying a vehicle
          for departure after its arrival esp. without any intervening
          delays; also: the time spent in this process b: the action
          of receiving, processing, and returning something 2:
          a space permitting the turning around of a vehicle 3:
          turnabout 2a, b

   turn away
          [turn away] vt (13c) 1: deflect, avert 2 a: to send away:
          reject, dismiss b: repel c: to refuse admittance or acceptance
          to ~ vi: to start to go away: depart

   turn back
          [turn back] vi (1535) 1 a: to go in the reverse direction
          b: to stop going forward 2: to refer to an earlier time
          or place ~ vt 1: to drive back or away 2: to stop the
          advance of 3: to fold back 4: give back, return -- turn
          back the clock : to revert to or remind of a condition
          existing in the past

   turnbuckle
          [turn.buck.le] n (ca. 1877): a device that usu. consists
          of a link with screw threads at both ends, that is turned
          to bring the ends closer together, and that is used for
          tightening a rod or stay

   turncoat
          [turn.coat] n (1557): one who switches to an opposing side
          or party; specif: traitor

   [1]turndown
          [turn.down] adj (1840): capable of being turned down; esp:
          worn turned down <~ collar> [2]turn.down n (1849) 1:
          something turned down; also: an instance of turning something
          (as a bed sheet) down <hotel ~ service> 2: rejection
          3: downturn

   turn down
          [turn down] vt (1601) 1: to fold or double down 2: to turn
          (a card) face downward 3: to reduce the height or intensity
          of by turning a control <turn down the radio> 4: to decline
          to accept: reject <turned down the offer> ~ vi: to be
          capable of being folded or doubled down <the collar turns
          down>

   turned-on
          [turned-on] adj (1966): keenly aware of and responsive to
          what is new and fashionable: hip

   [1]turner
          [turn.er] n (15c): one that turns or is used for turning
          <a pancake ~>; esp: a person who forms articles with
          a lathe [2]tur.ner n [G, fr. turnen to perform gymnastic
          exercises, fr. OHG turnen to turn, fr. ML tornare--more
          at turn] (1854): a member of a turnverein: gymnast

   Turner's syndrome
          [Tur.ner's syndrome] n [Henry Hubert Turner d. 1970 Am. physician]
          (1942): a genetically determined condition that is associated with
          the presence of only one complete X chromosome and no Y chromosome
          and that is characterized by a female phenotype with underdeveloped
          and infertile ovaries

   turnery
          [turn.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1644): the work, products, or shop
          of a turner

   turn-in
          [turn-in] n (1902): something that turns in or is turned
          in

   turn in
          [turn in] vi (1535) 1: to make an entrance by turning from
          a road or path 2: to go to bed <turned in early> ~ vt
          1: to deliver up: hand over <turned in his badge and
          quit> 2 a: to inform on: betray b: to deliver to an authority
          <urged the wanted man to turn himself in> 3: to acquit
          oneself of: put on, produce <turned in a good performance>

   turning
          [turn.ing] n (14c) 1: the act or course of one that turns
          2: a place of a change in direction 3 a: a forming by
          use of a lathe; broadly: turnery b pl: waste produced
          in turning

   turning chisel
          [turning chisel] n (ca. 1877): a chisel used for shaping
          or finishing work in a lathe

   turning point
          [turning point] n (1851): a point at which a significant
          change occurs

   turnip
          [tur.nip] n [prob. fr. [1]turn + neep; fr. the well-rounded
          root] (1533) 1 a: either of two biennial herbs of the
          mustard family with thick edible roots: (1): one (Brassica
          rapa rapifera) with usu. flattened roots and leaves that
          are cooked as a vegetable (2): rutabaga b: the root of
          a turnip 2: a large pocket watch

   [1]turnkey
          [turn.key] n, pl turnkeys (1654): one who has charge of a
          prison's keys [2]turnkey adj (1927): built, supplied,
          or installed complete and ready to operate <a ~ nuclear
          plant> <a ~ computer system>; also: of or relating to
          a turnkey building or installation <a ~ contract> <~
          vendors>

   turnoff
          [turn.off] n (ca. 1852) 1: a turning off 2: a place where
          one turns off; esp: exit 4 3: one that causes loss of
          interest or enthusiasm <the music was a ~>

   turn off
          [turn off] vt (1564) 1 a: dismiss, discharge b: to dispose
          of: sell 2: deflect, evade 3: produce, accomplish 4:
          to stop the flow of or shut off by or as if by turning
          a control <turn the water off> 5: hang 1b 6 a: to remove
          (material) by the process of turning b: to shape or produce
          by turning 7: to cause to lose interest: bore <economics
          turns me off>; also: to evoke a negative feeling in ~
          vi 1: to deviate from a straight course or from a main
          road <turn off into a side road> 2 a Brit: to turn bad:
          spoil b: to change to a specified state: become 3: to
          lose interest: withdraw

   turn on
          [turn on] vt (1833) 1: to activate or cause to flow, operate,
          or function by or as if by turning a control <turn the
          water on full> <turn on the power> 2 a: to cause to undergo
          an intense often visionary experience by taking a drug;
          broadly: to cause to get high b: to move pleasurably
          <rock music turns her on>; also: to excite sexually c:
          to cause to gain knowledge or appreciation of something
          specified <turned her on to ballet> ~ vi: to become turned
          on -- turn-on n

   turnout
          [turn.out] n (1688) 1: an act of turning out 2 chiefly Brit
          a: strike 3a b: striker 1d 3: the number of people who
          participate in or attend an event <a heavy voter ~> 4
          a: a place where something (as a road) turns out or branches
          off b: a space adjacent to a highway in which vehicles
          may park or pull into to enable others to pass c: a railroad
          siding 5: a clearing out and cleaning 6 a: a coach or
          carriage together with the horses, harness, and attendants
          b: equipment, rig c: manner of dress: getup 7: net quantity
          of produce yielded

   turn out
          [turn out] vt (1546) 1 a: expel, evict b: to put (as a horse)
          to pasture 2 a: to turn inside out <turning out his pockets>
          b: to empty the contents of esp. for cleaning or rearranging;
          also: clean 3: to produce often rapidly or regularly
          by or as if by machine <a writer turning out stories>
          4: to equip, dress, or finish in a careful or elaborate
          way 5: to put out by turning a switch <turn out the lights>
          6: to call (as the guard or a company) out from rest
          or shelter and into formation ~ vi 1 a: to come or go
          out from home in or as if in answer to a summons <voters
          turned out in droves> b: to get out of bed 2 a: to prove
          to be in the result or end <the play turned out to be
          a flop> <it turned out that we were both wrong> b: to
          become in maturity <nobody thought he'd turn out like
          this> c: end <stories that turn out happily>

   [1]turnover
          [turn.over] n (14c) 1: an act or result of turning over:
          upset 2: a turning from one side, place, or direction
          to its opposite: shift, reversal 3: a reorganization
          with a view to a shift in personnel: shake-up 4: something
          that is turned over 5: a filled pastry made by folding
          half of the crust over the other half 6: the amount of
          business done; esp: the volume of shares traded on a
          stock exchange 7 a: movement (as of goods or people)
          into, through, and out of a place b: a cycle of purchase,
          sale, and replacement of a stock of goods; also: the
          ratio of sales for a stated period to average inventory
          c: the number of persons hired within a period to replace
          those leaving or dropped from a workforce; also: the
          ratio of this number to the number in the average force
          maintained 8: the act or an instance of a team's losing
          possession of a ball through error or a minor violation
          of the rules (as in basketball or football) [2]turnover
          adj (ca. 1849): capable of being turned over

   turn over
          [turn over] vt (14c) 1 a: to turn from an upright position:
          overturn b: rotate <turn over a stiff valve with a wrench>;
          also: to cause (an internal combustion engine) to begin
          firing 2: to search (as clothes or papers) by lifting
          or moving one by one 3: to read or examine (as a book)
          slowly or idly 4: deliver, surrender <I'm turning the
          job over to you>; also: to lose possession of <turned
          the ball over three times> 5 a: to receive and dispose
          of (a stock of merchandise) b: to do business to the
          amount of <turning over $1000 a week> ~ vi 1: upset,
          capsize 2 a: rotate b of an engine: to have crankshaft
          rotation esp. by external means (as by a starter) <the
          engine turned over but didn't start> 3 a of one's stomach:
          to heave with nausea b of one's heart: to seem to leap
          or lurch convulsively with sudden fright -- turn over
          a new leaf : to make a change for the better esp. in
          one's way of living

   turnpike
          [turn.pike] n [ME turnepike revolving frame bearing spikes
          and serving as a barrier, fr. turnen to turn + pike]
          (1533) 1: tollgate 2 a (1): a road (as an expressway)
          for the use of which tolls are collected (2): a road
          formerly maintained as a turnpike b: a main road; esp:
          a paved highway with crowned surface

   turnsole
          [turn.sole] n [ME turnesole, fr. MF tournesol, fr. OIt tornasole,
          fr. tornare to turn (fr. ML) + sole sun, fr. L sol--more
          at turn, solar] (14c) 1: a European herb (Chrozophora
          tinctoria) of the spurge family with juice that is turned
          blue by ammonia; also: a purple dye obtained from it
          2: heliotrope 1

   turnspit
          [turn.spit] n (1570) 1 a: one that turns a spit; specif:
          a small dog formerly used in a treadmill to turn a spit
          b: a roasting jack 2: a rotatable spit

   turnstile
          [turn.stile] n (1643): a post with arms pivoted on the top
          set in a passageway so that persons can pass through
          only on foot one by one

   turnstone
          [turn.stone] n [fr. a habit of turning over stones to find
          food] (ca. 1674): either of two shorebirds (genus Arenaria)
          that resemble the related plovers and sandpipers: a:
          a bird (A. interpres) of worldwide distribution that
          has black and chestnut upperparts and a black breast
          b: a No. American bird (A. melanocephala) with black
          upperparts and breast

   turntable
          [turn.ta.ble] n (1835): a revolvable platform: as a: a platform
          with a track for turning wheeled vehicles b: lazy susan
          c: a rotating platform that carries a phonograph record

   turn to
          [turn to] vi (1813): to apply oneself to work: act vigorously

   [1]turnup
          [turn.up] adj (1685) 1: turned up <a ~ nose> 2: made or fitted
          to be turned up <a ~ collar> [2]turn.up n (1688): something
          that is turned up

   turn up
          [turn up] vt (1563) 1: find, discover 2: to raise or increase
          by or as if by turning a control <turn up the volume
          on the radio> 3 Brit a: to look up (as a word or fact)
          in a book b: to refer to or consult (a book) 4: to turn
          (a card) face upward ~ vi 1: to appear or come to light
          unexpectedly or after being lost <new evidence has turned
          up> 2 a (1): to turn out to be <he turned up missing
          at roll call> (2): appear 4 <her name is always turning
          up in the newspapers> b: to arrive or show up at an appointed
          or expected time or place <turned up half an hour late>
          3: to happen or occur unexpectedly <something always
          turned up to prevent their meeting> 4 of a ship: tack
          1b -- turn up one's nose : to show scorn or disdain

   turnverein
          [turn.ver.ein] n [G, fr. turnen to perform gymnastic exercises
          + Verein club] (1852): an athletic club

   turophile
          [tu.ro.phile] n [irreg. fr. Gk tyros cheese + E -phile--more
          at butter] (1938): a connoisseur of cheese: a cheese
          fancier

   [1]turpentine
          [tur.pen.tine] n [ME terbentyne, turpentyne, fr. MF & ML;
          MF terbentine, tourbentine, fr. ML terbentina, fr. L
          terebinthina, fem. of terebinthinus of terebinth, fr.
          terebinthus terebinth, fr. Gk terebinthos] (14c) 1 a:
          a yellow to brown semifluid oleoresin obtained as an
          exudate from the terebinth b: an oleoresin obtained from
          various conifers (as some pines and firs) 2 a: an essential
          oil obtained from turpentines by distillation and used
          esp. as a solvent and thinner--called also gum turpentine
          b: a similar oil obtained by distillation or carbonization
          of pinewood--called also wood turpentine [2]turpentine
          vt -tined ; -tin.ing (1759) 1: to apply turpentine to
          2: to extract turpentine from; esp: to tap (pine trees)
          in order to obtain turpentine

   turpitude
          [tur.pi.tude] n [MF, fr. L turpitudo, fr. turpis vile, base]
          (15c): inherent baseness: depravity <moral ~>; also:
          a base act

   turps
          [turps] n pl but sing in constr [by shortening & alter.]
          (ca. 1823): turpentine

   turquoise
          [tur.quoise] also tur.quois n [ME turkeis, turcas, fr. MF
          turquoyse, fr. fem. of turquoys Turkish, fr. OF, fr.
          Turc Turk] (14c) 1: a mineral that is a blue, bluish
          green, or greenish gray hydrous basic phosphate of copper
          and aluminum, takes a high polish, and is valued as a
          gem when skyblue 2: a light greenish blue

   turquoise blue
          [turquoise blue] n (1799): a light greenish blue that is
          paler and slightly bluer than average turquoise

   turquoise green
          [turquoise green] n (1886): a light bluish green

   turret
          [tur.ret] n [ME touret, fr. MF torete, tourete, fr. OF, dim.
          of tor, tur tower--more at tower] (14c) 1: a little tower;
          specif: an ornamental structure at an angle of a larger
          structure 2 a: a pivoted and revolvable holder in a machine
          tool b: a device (as on a microscope or a television
          camera) holding several lenses 3 a: a tall building usu.
          moved on wheels and formerly used for carrying soldiers
          and equipment for breaching or scaling a wall b (1):
          a gunner's fixed or movable enclosure in an airplane
          (2): a revolving armored structure on a warship that
          protects one or more guns mounted within it (3): a similar
          upper structure usu. for one gun on a tank

   turreted
          [tur.ret.ed] adj (1550): furnished with or as if with turrets

   [1]turtle
          [tur.tle] n [ME, fr. OE turtla, fr. L turtur] (bef. 12c)
          archaic: turtledove [2]turtle n, pl turtles also turtle
          often attrib [modif. of F tortue, fr. LL tartarucha,
          fem. of tartaruchus of Tartarus, fr. Gk tartarouchos,
          fr. Tartaros Tartarus] (1657): any of an order (Testudines)
          of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine reptiles that
          have a toothless horny beak and a shell of bony dermal
          plates usu. covered with horny shields enclosing the
          trunk and into which the head, limbs, and tail usu. may
          be withdrawn [3]turtle n (1952): turtleneck

   turtleback
          [tur.tle.back] n (1881): a raised convex surface -- turtleback
          or tur.tle-backed adj

   turtledove
          [tur.tle.dove] n (14c): any of several small wild pigeons
          (genus Streptopelia and esp. S. turtur) noted for plaintive
          cooing

   turtlehead
          [tur.tle.head] n (1857): any of a genus (Chelone) of perennial
          herbs of the snapdragon family with spikes of showy white
          or purple flowers

   turtleneck
          [tur.tle.neck] n (1897) 1: a high close-fitting turnover
          collar used esp. for sweaters 2: a sweater with a turtleneck
          -- tur.tle.necked adj

   turtling
          [tur.tling] n (1726): the action or process of catching turtles

   turves
          [turves] pl of turf

   [1]Tuscan
          [Tus.can] adj [L tuscanus Etruscan, fr. Tusci Etruscans]
          (1563) 1: of or relating to one of the five classical
          orders of architecture that is of Roman origin and plain
          in style 2: of, relating to, or characteristic of Tuscany,
          the Tuscans, or Tuscan [2]Tuscan n (1568) 1 a: the Italian
          language as spoken in Tuscany b: the standard literary
          dialect of Italian 2: a native or inhabitant of Tuscany

   Tuscarora
          [Tus.ca.ro.ra] n, pl Tuscarora or Tuscaroras [Tuscarora skarore']
          (1650) 1: a member of an American Indian people orig.
          of No. Carolina and later of New York and Ontario 2:
          the Iroquoian language of the Tuscarora people

   tusche
          [tu.sche] n [G, fr. tuschen to lay on color, fr. F toucher,
          lit., to touch, fr. OF tuchier--more at touch] (1885):
          a black liquid used in lithography for drawing and painting
          and in etching and the silk-screen process as a resist

   [1]tush
          [tush] n [ME tusch, fr. OE tusc; akin to OFris tusk tooth,
          OE toth tooth] (bef. 12c): a long pointed tooth; esp:
          a horse's canine [2]tush interj [ME tussch] (15c)--used
          to express disdain or reproach [3]tush n [perh. modif.
          of Yiddish tokhes, fr. Heb tahath under, beneath] (1962)
          slang: buttocks

   [1]tusk
          [tusk] n [ME, alter. of tux, fr. OE tux; akin to OE tusc
          tush] (bef. 12c) 1: an elongated greatly enlarged tooth
          (as of an elephant or walrus) that projects when the
          mouth is closed and serves for digging food or as a weapon;
          broadly: a long protruding tooth 2: one of the small
          projections on a tusk tenon -- tusked adj -- tusk.like
          adj [2]tusk vt (1629): to dig up with a tusk; also: to
          gash with a tusk

   tusker
          [tusk.er] n (1859): an animal with tusks; esp: a male elephant
          with two normally developed tusks

   tusk tenon
          [tusk tenon] n (ca. 1825): a tenon strengthened by one or
          more smaller tenons underneath forming a steplike outline

   tussah
          [tus.sah] or tus.sore n [Hindi tasar] (1590): silk or silk
          fabric from the brownish fiber produced by larvae of
          some saturniid moths (as Antheraea paphia)

   tussive
          [tus.sive] adj [L tussis cough] (ca. 1857): of, relating
          to, or involved in coughing

   [1]tussle
          [tus.sle] n (1629) 1: a physical contest or struggle: scuffle
          2: an intense argument, controversy, or struggle [2]tussle
          vi tus.sled ; tus.sling [ME tussillen, freq. of ME -tusen,
          -tousen to tousle--more at touse] (1638): to struggle
          roughly: scuffle

   tussock
          [tus.sock] n [origin unknown] (1580): a compact tuft esp.
          of grass or sedge; also: an area of raised solid ground
          in a marsh or bog that is bound together by roots of
          low vegetation -- tus.socky adj

   tussock grass
          [tussock grass] n (1842): a grass or sedge that typically
          grows in tussocks

   tussock moth
          [tussock moth] n (1826): any of numerous dull-colored moths
          (family Lymantriidae) that usu. have wingless females
          and larvae with long tufts of hair

   tut
          [tut] interj (ca. 1529)--used to express disapproval or disbelief

   tutee
          [tu.tee] n [tutor + -ee] (ca. 1927): one who is being tutored

   tutelage
          [tu.te.lage] n [L tutela protection, guardian (fr. tutari
          to protect, freq. of tueri to look at, guard) + E -age]
          (1605) 1 a: an act or process of serving as guardian
          or protector: guardianship b: hegemony over a foreign
          territory: trusteeship 2 2: the state of being under
          a guardian or tutor 3 a: instruction esp. of an individual
          b: a guiding influence

   tutelar
          [tu.te.lar] adj or n (1600): tutelary

   [1]tutelary
          [tu.te.lary] adj (1611) 1: having the guardianship of a person
          or a thing <a ~ goddess> 2: of or relating to a guardian
          [2]tutelary n, pl -lar.ies (1652): a tutelary power (as
          a deity)

   [1]tutor
          [tu.tor] n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF tuteur, fr. L tutor, fr. tueri]
          (14c): a person charged with the instruction and guidance
          of another: as a: a private teacher b: a teacher in a
          British university who gives individual instruction to
          undergraduates [2]tutor vt (1592) 1: to have the guardianship,
          tutelage, or care of 2: to teach or guide usu. individually
          in a special subject or for a particular purpose: coach
          ~ vi 1: to do the work of a tutor 2: to receive instruction
          esp. privately

   tutorage
          [tu.tor.age] n (1617): the function or work of a tutor

   tutoress
          [tu.tor.ess] n (1614): a woman or girl who is a tutor

   [1]tutorial
          [tu.to.ri.al] adj (1822): of, relating to, or involving a
          tutor [2]tutorial n (1923) 1: a class conducted by a
          tutor for one student or a small number of students 2:
          a paper, book, film, or computer program that provides
          practical information about a specific subject

   tutorship
          [tu.tor.ship] n (1581) 1: the office, function, or work of
          a tutor 2: tutelage 3

   tutoyer
          [tu.toy.er] vt [F, to address with the familiar pronoun tu
          thou, fr. MF, fr. tu thou (fr. L) + toi thee, fr. L te
          (acc. of tu)--more at thou] (1697): to address familiarly

   Tutsi
          [Tut.si] n, pl Tutsi or Tutsis (1950): a member of a Nilotic
          people of Rwanda and Burundi

   [1]tutti
          [tut.ti] adj or adv [It, masc. pl. of tutto all, fr. (assumed)
          VL tottus, alter. of L totus] (ca. 1724): with all voices
          or instruments performing together--used as a direction
          in music [2]tutti n (1816): a passage or section performed
          by all the performers

   tutti-frutti
          [tut.ti-frut.ti] n [It tutti frutti all fruits] (1834): a
          confection or ice cream containing chopped usu. candied
          fruits

   [1]tut-tut
          [tut-tut] interj (1591): tut [2]tut-tut vi tut-tut.ted ;
          tut-tut.ting (1873): to express disapproval or disbelief
          by or as if by uttering tut <the civilian press corps
          tut-tutted over the officers' equivocation, ignorance
          and bigotry --M. B. Duberman>

   tutu
          [tu.tu] n [F, fr. (baby talk) tutu backside] (1913): a short
          projecting skirt worn by a ballerina

   tu-whit tu-whoo
          [tu-whit tu-whoo] n [imit.] (1588): the cry of an owl

   tux
          [tux] n (1922): tuxedo

   tuxedo
          [tux.e.do] n, pl -dos or -does [Tuxedo Park, N.Y.] (1889)
          1: a single-breasted or double-breasted usu. black or
          blackish blue jacket 2: semiformal evening clothes for
          men -- tux.e.doed adj

   tuyere
          [tu.yere] n [F tuyere, fr. MF, fr. tuyau pipe] (1781): a
          nozzle through which an air blast is delivered to a forge
          or blast furnace

   tv...
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   TV
          [TV] n [television] (1947): television

   TV
          [TV] abbreviation terminal velocity, transvestite

   TVA
          [TVA] abbreviation Tennessee Valley Authority

   TV dinner
          [TV dinner] n [fr. its saving the television viewer from
          having to interrupt viewing to prepare and serve a meal]
          (1954): a quick-frozen packaged dinner (as of meat, potatoes,
          and a vegetable) that requires only heating before it
          is served

   tw...
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   TWX
          [TWX] abbreviation teletypewriter exchange

   twa
          [twa] or twae Scot var of two

   [1]twaddle
          [twad.dle] n [prob. alter. of E dial. twattle idle talk]
          (1782) 1: silly idle talk: drivel 2: one that twaddles:
          twaddler [2]twaddle vb twad.dled ; twad.dling (1826):
          prate, babble -- twad.dler n

   [1]twain
          [twain] adj [ME, fr. OE twegen--more at two] (bef. 12c) archaic:
          two [2]twain pron (bef. 12c): two; esp: two fathoms <mark
          ~> [3]twain n (14c) 1: two 2: couple, pair

   [1]twang
          [twang] n [imit.] (ca. 1553) 1: a harsh quick ringing sound
          like that of a plucked banjo string 2 a: nasal speech
          or resonance b: the characteristic speech of a region,
          locality, or group of people 3 a: an act of plucking
          b: pang, twinge -- twangy adj [2]twang vb twanged ; twang.ing
          vi (1567) 1: to sound with a twang <the couch ~ed when
          he sat down> 2: to speak or sound with a nasal intonation
          3: to throb or twitch with pain or tension ~ vt 1: to
          cause to sound with a twang 2: to utter or pronounce
          with a nasal twang 3: to pluck the string of -- twang.er
          n [3]twang n [alter. of tang] (1611) 1: a persisting
          flavor, taste, or odor: tang 2: suggestion, trace

   twat
          [twat] n [origin unknown] (1656): vulva--usu. considered
          vulgar

   twayblade
          [tway.blade] n [E dial. tway two] (1578): any of various
          orchids (genera Listera and Liparis) often having two
          leaves

   [1]tweak
          [tweak] vb [prob. alter. of ME twikken to pull sharply, fr.
          OE twiccian to pluck--more at twitch] vt (1601) 1: to
          pinch and pull with a sudden jerk and twist: twitch <~ed
          a bud from the stem> 2: to pinch (a person or a body
          part) lightly or playfully <~ed the baby's ear affectionately>
          3: to make small adjustments in or to <~ the controls>;
          esp: fine-tune ~ vi: pull 1a, pluck [2]tweak n (1609):
          an act of tweaking: pinch

   twee
          [twee] adj [baby-talk alter. of sweet] (1905) chiefly Brit:
          affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or
          quaint <such a theme might sound ~ or corny --Times Lit.
          Supp.>

   tweed
          [tweed] n [prob. short for Sc tweedling, twidling twilled
          cloth] (1841) 1: a rough woolen fabric made usu. in twill
          weaves and used esp. for suits and coats 2 pl: tweed
          clothing; specif: a tweed suit

   Tweedledum and Tweedledee
          [Twee.dle.dum and Twee.dle.dee] n [E tweedle to chirp + dum
          (imit. of a low musical note) & dee (imit. of a high
          musical note)] (1725): two individuals or groups that
          are practically indistinguishable

   tweedy
          [tweedy] adj tweed.i.er ; -est (1912) 1: of or resembling
          tweed 2 a: given to wearing tweeds b: informal or suggestive
          of the outdoors in taste or habits -- tweed.i.ness n

   tween
          [tween] prep [ME twene, short for betwene] (14c): between

   tweet
          [tweet] n [imit.] (1845): a chirping note -- tweet vi

   tweeter
          [tweet.er] n (1934): a small loudspeaker responsive only
          to the higher acoustic frequencies and reproducing sounds
          of high pitch--compare woofer

   tweeze
          [tweeze] vt tweezed ; tweez.ing [back-formation fr. tweezers]
          (1932): to pluck, remove, or handle with tweezers

   tweezer
          [twee.zer] n (1904): tweezers

   tweezers
          [twee.zers] n pl but sing or pl in constr [obs. E tweeze,
          n., etui, short for obs. E etweese, fr. pl. of obs. E
          etwee, fr. F etui] (1654): any of various small metal
          instruments that are usu. held between the thumb and
          forefinger, are used for plucking, holding, or manipulating,
          and consist of two legs joined at one end

   Twelfth Day
          [Twelfth Day] n [fr. its being the 12th day after Christmas]
          (bef. 12c): epiphany 1

   Twelfth Night
          [Twelfth Night] n (bef. 12c): the evening or sometimes the
          eve of Epiphany

   twelve
          [twelve] n [ME, fr. OE twelf; akin to OHG zwelif twelve,
          OE twa two, -leofan (as in endleofan eleven)--more at
          two, eleven] (bef. 12c) 1: one more than eleven 2 cap
          a: the twelve original disciples of Jesus b: the books
          of the Minor Prophets in the Jewish Scriptures 3: the
          12th in a set or series 4: something having 12 units
          or members 5 pl: twelvemo -- twelfth adj or n -- twelve
          adj -- twelve pron, pl in constr

   twelvemo
          [twelve.mo] n, pl -mos (1819): the size of a piece of paper
          cut 12 from a sheet; also: a book, a page, or paper of
          this size

   twelvemonth
          [twelve.month] n (13c): year

   twelve-tone
          [twelve-tone] adj (1926): of, relating to, or being serial
          music utilizing the 12 chromatic tones

   twelve-tone row
          [twelve-tone row] n (1941): the 12 chromatic tones of the
          octave placed in a chosen fixed order and constituting
          with some permitted permutations and derivations the
          melodic and harmonic material of a serial musical piece

   twenty
          [twen.ty] n, pl twenties [ME, fr. twenty, adj., fr. OE twentig,
          n., group of 20, fr. twen- (akin to OE twa two) + -tig
          group of 10; akin to OE tien ten--more at two, ten] (15c)
          1: two times ten 2 pl: the numbers 20 to 29; specif:
          the years 20 to 29 in a lifetime or century 3: a 20-dollar
          bill -- twen.ti.eth adj or n -- twenty adj -- twenty
          pron, pl in constr

   twenty-fourmo
          [twen.ty-four.mo] n, pl -mos (ca. 1841): the size of a piece
          of paper cut 24 from a sheet; also: a book, a page, or
          paper of this size

   twenty-one
          [twen.ty-one] n (1611) 1: one more than twenty 2 [trans.
          of F vingt-et-un]: blackjack -- twenty-one adj -- twenty-one
          pron, pl in constr

   twenty-twenty
          [twen.ty-twen.ty] or 20/20 adj [fr. the testing of vision
          by reading letters at a distance of 20 feet] (1875) of
          the human eye: meeting a standard of normal visual acuity
          <~ vision>

   twenty-two
          [twen.ty-two] n (1526) 1: two more than twenty 2: a .22-caliber
          firearm; esp: one firing rimfire cartridges--usu. written
          .22 -- twenty-two adj -- twenty-two pron, pl in constr

   twerp
          [twerp] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1923): a silly, insignificant,
          or contemptible person

   twi-
          [twi-] prefix [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG zwi- twi-, L bi-,
          Gk di-, OE twa two]: two: double: doubly: twice <twi-headed>

   Twi
          [Twi] n (1874) 1: a dialect of Akan 2: a literary language
          based on the Twi dialect and used by the Akan-speaking
          peoples (as the Ashanti)

   twice
          [twice] adv [ME twiges, twies, fr. OE twiga; akin to OE twi-]
          (12c) 1: on two occasions <~ absent> 2: two times: in
          doubled quantity or degree <~ two is four> <~ as much>

   twice-born
          [twice-born] adj (15c) 1: born a second time 2: having undergone
          a definite experience of fundamental moral and spiritual
          renewal: regenerate 3: of or forming one of the three
          upper Hindu caste groups in which boys undergo an initiation
          symbolizing spiritual birth

   twice-laid
          [twice-laid] adj (ca. 1593): made from the ends of rope and
          strands of used rope <~ rope>

   twice-told
          [twice-told] adj (1595): well known from repeated telling--used
          chiefly in the phrase a twice-told tale

   [1]twiddle
          [twid.dle] vb twid.dled ; twid.dling [origin unknown] vi
          (ca. 1540) 1: to play negligently with something: fiddle
          2: to turn or jounce lightly <~s round and round in the
          water --J. B. S. Haldane> ~ vt: to rotate lightly or
          idly <twiddled his cigar --James Lord> -- twiddle one's
          thumbs : to spend time idly: do nothing [2]twiddle n
          (1774): turn, twist

   [1]twig
          [twig] n [ME twigge, fr. OE; akin to OHG zwig twig, OE twa
          two] (bef. 12c) 1: a small shoot or branch usu. without
          its leaves 2: a minute branch of a nerve or artery --
          twigged adj -- twig.gy adj [2]twig vb twigged ; twig.ging
          [perh. fr. Ir & ScGael tuig- understand] vt (1764) 1:
          notice, observe 2: to understand the meaning of: comprehend
          ~ vi: to gain a grasp: understand <twigged instinctively
          about things --H. E. Bates> [3]twig n [origin unknown]
          (ca. 1811) Brit: fashion, style

   twilight
          [twi.light] n, often attrib (15c) 1: the light from the sky
          between full night and sunrise or between sunset and
          full night produced by diffusion of sunlight through
          the atmosphere and its dust 2 a: an intermediate state
          that is not clearly defined <lived in the ~ of neutrality
          --Newsweek> b: a period of decline <the ~ of a great
          career>

   twilight glow
          [twilight glow] n (1819): airglow seen at twilight

   Twilight of the Gods
          [Twilight of the Gods] : ragnarok

   twilight zone
          [twilight zone] n (1949) 1 a: twilight 2a b: an area just
          beyond ordinary legal and ethical limits 2: a world of
          fantasy, illusion, or unreality

   twilit
          [twi.lit] adj [twilight + lit] (1869): lighted by or as if
          by twilight

   twill
          [twill] n [ME twyll, twylle, fr. OE twilic having a double
          thread, part trans. of L bilic-, bilix, fr. bi- + licium
          thread] (14c) 1: a fabric with a twill weave 2: a textile
          weave in which the filling threads pass over one and
          under two or more warp threads to give an appearance
          of diagonal lines

   twilled
          [twilled] adj (15c): made with a twill weave

   twilling
          [twill.ing] n (ca. 1859): twilled fabric; also: the process
          of making it

   [1]twin
          [twin] n [ME, fr. twin twofold] (14c) 1 a: either of two
          offspring produced at a birth b pl, cap: gemini 2: one
          of two persons or things closely related to or resembling
          each other 3: a compound crystal composed of two adjoining
          crystals or parts of crystals of the same kind that share
          a common plane of atoms -- twin.ship n [2]twin vb twinned
          ; twin.ning vt (14c) 1: to bring together in close association:
          couple 2: duplicate, match ~ vi 1: to bring forth twins
          2: to grow as a twin crystal [3]twin adj [ME, twofold,
          double, fr. OE twinn; akin to ON tvinnr two by two, OE
          twa two] (1590) 1: born with one other or as a pair at
          one birth <~ brother> <~ girls> 2 a: made up of two similar,
          related, or connected members or parts: double b: paired
          in a close or necessary relationship: matching c: having
          or consisting of two identical units d: being one of
          a pair

   twin bed
          [twin bed] n (1919): one of a pair of matching single beds

   twinberry
          [twin.ber.ry] n [fr. the occurrence of the berries in pairs]
          (1821) 1: a shrubby No. American honeysuckle (Lonicera
          involucrata) with yellowish involucrate flowers 2: partridgeberry

   twin bill
          [twin bill] n (ca. 1939): doubleheader

   twinborn
          [twin.born] adj (1598): born at the same birth

   twin double
          [twin double] n (1960): a system of betting (as on horse
          races) in which the bettor must pick the winners of four
          stipulated races in order to win--compare daily double

   [1]twine
          [twine] n [ME twin, fr. OE twin; akin to MD twijn twine,
          OE twa two] (bef. 12c) 1: a strong string of two or more
          strands twisted together 2: a twined or interlaced part
          or object 3: an act of twining, interlacing, or embracing
          -- twiny adj [2]twine vb twined ; twin.ing vt (13c) 1
          a: to twist together b: to form by twisting: weave 2
          a: interlace <the girl twined her hands --John Buchan>
          b: to cause to encircle or enfold something c: to cause
          to be encircled ~ vi 1: to coil about a support 2: to
          stretch or move in a sinuous manner: meander <the river
          ~s through the valley> -- twin.er n [3]twine vb twined
          ; twin.ing [alter. of Sc twin, fr. ME twinnen, fr. twin
          double] vt (1722) chiefly Scot: to cause (one) to lose
          possession: deprive <twined him of his nose --J. C. Ransom>
          ~ vi, chiefly Scot: part <you and me must ~ --R. L. Stevenson>

   twinflower
          [twin.flow.er] n (ca. 1818): a low prostrate subshrub (Linnaea
          borealis) of the honeysuckle family that is found in
          cool regions of the northern hemisphere and has fragrant
          usu. pink flowers

   [1]twinge
          [twinge] vb twinged ; twing.ing or twinge.ing [ME twengen,
          fr. OE twengan; akin to OHG zwengen to pinch] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 dial: pluck, tweak 2: to affect with a sharp pain
          or pang ~ vi: to feel a sudden sharp local pain [2]twinge
          n (1608) 1: a sudden sharp stab of pain 2: a moral or
          emotional pang <a ~ of conscience>

   twi-night
          [twi-night] adj [twilight + night] (1946): of, relating to,
          or being a baseball doubleheader in which the first game
          is played in the late afternoon and the second continues
          into the evening

   [1]twinkle
          [twin.kle] vb twin.kled ; twin.kling [ME, fr. OE twinclian;
          akin to MHG zwinken to blink] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to shine
          with a flickering or sparkling light: scintillate 2 a:
          to flutter the eyelids b: to appear bright esp. with
          merriment <his eyes twinkled> 3: to flutter or flit rapidly
          ~ vt 1: to cause to shine with fluctuating light 2: to
          flicker or flirt rapidly <twinkled the straight, red-lacquered
          toes --Glenway Wescott> -- twin.kler n [2]twinkle n (1548)
          1: a wink of the eyelids 2: the instant's duration of
          a wink: twinkling 3: an intermittent radiance: flicker,
          sparkle 4: a rapid flashing motion: flit -- twin.kly
          adj

   twinkling
          [twin.kling] n (14c): the time required for a wink: instant
          <the kettle will boil in a ~ --Punch>

   twinset
          [twin.set] n (1937): a combination of a matching pullover
          and cardigan worn together

   twin-size
          [twin-size] adj [twin bed] (1926): having the dimensions
          39 inches by 75 inches (about 99 centimeters by 191
          centimeters)--used of a bed--compare full-size, king-size,
          queen-size

   [1]twirl
          [twirl] vb [perh. of Scand origin; akin to Norw dial. tvirla
          to twirl; akin to OHG dweran to stir] vi (1598) 1: to
          revolve rapidly 2: to pitch in a baseball game ~ vt 1:
          to cause to rotate rapidly 2: pitch 2a -- twirl.er n
          [2]twirl n (1598) 1: an act of twirling 2: coil, whorl
          -- twirly adj

   twirp
          [twirp] var of twerp

   [1]twist
          [twist] vb [ME, fr. OE -twist rope; akin to MD twist quarrel,
          twine, OE twa two] vt (15c) 1 a: to unite by winding
          <~ing strands together> b: to make by twisting strands
          together <~ thread from yarn> c: to mingle by interlacing
          2: twine, coil 3 a: to wring or wrench so as to dislocate
          or distort; esp: sprain <~ed my ankle> b: to alter the
          meaning of: distort, pervert <~ed the facts> c: contort
          <~ed his face into a grin> d: to pull off, turn, or break
          by torsion e: to cause to move with a turning motion
          f: to form into a spiral shape g: to cause to take on
          moral, mental, or emotional deformity h: to make (one's
          way) in a winding or devious manner to a destination
          or objective ~ vi 1: to follow a winding course: snake
          2 a: to turn or change shape under torsion b: to assume
          a spiral shape c: squirm, writhe d: to dance the twist
          3 of a ball: to rotate while taking a curving path or
          direction 4: turn 3a <~ed around to see behind him> --
          twist one's arm : to bring strong pressure to bear on
          one [2]twist n (1555) 1: something formed by twisting
          or winding: as a: a thread, yarn, or cord formed by twisting
          two or more strands together b: a strong tightly twisted
          sewing silk c: a baked piece of twisted dough d: tobacco
          leaves twisted into a thick roll e: a strip of citrus
          peel used to flavor a drink 2 a: an act of twisting:
          the state of being twisted b: a dance performed with
          strenuous gyrations esp. of the hips c: the spin given
          the ball in any of various games d: a spiral turn or
          curve e (1): torque or torsional stress applied to a
          body (as a rod or shaft) (2): torsional strain (3): the
          angle through which a thing is twisted 3 a: a turning
          off a straight course b: eccentricity, idiosyncrasy c:
          a distortion of meaning or sense 4 a: an unexpected turn
          or development <weird ~s of fate --W. L. Shirer> b: a
          clever device: trick <questions demanding special ~s
          of thinking --New Yorker> c: a variant approach or method:
          gimmick <a kind of ~ on the old triangle theme --Dave
          Fedo> 5: a front or back dive in which the diver twists
          sideways a half or full turn before entering the water
          -- twisty adj

   twist drill
          [twist drill] n (ca. 1875): a drill having deep helical grooves
          extending from the point to the smooth portion of the
          shank

   twisted
          [twist.ed] adj (ca. 1890): mentally or emotionally unsound
          or disturbed: sick

   twister
          [twist.er] n (1579) 1: one that twists; esp: a ball with
          a forward and spinning motion 2: a tornado, waterspout,
          or dust devil in which the rotatory ascending movement
          of a column of air is esp. apparent

   twisting
          [twist.ing] n (ca. 1905): the use of misrepresentation or
          trickery to get someone to lapse a life insurance policy
          and buy another usu. in another company

   [1]twit
          [twit] n (1528) 1: an act of twitting: taunt 2: a silly annoying
          person: fool [2]twit vt twit.ted ; twit.ting [ME atwiten
          to reproach, fr. OE aetwitan, fr. aet at + witan to reproach;
          akin to OHG wizan to punish, OE witan to know] (1530)
          1: to subject to light ridicule or reproach: rally 2:
          to make fun of as a fault

   [1]twitch
          [twitch] vb [ME twicchen; akin to OE twiccian to pluck, OHG
          gizwickan to pinch] vt (14c): to move or pull with a
          sudden motion: jerk ~ vi 1: pull 1a, pluck <~ed at my
          sleeve> 2: to move jerkily: quiver -- twitch.er n [2]twitch
          n (1523) 1: an act of twitching; esp: a short sudden
          pull or jerk 2: a physical or mental pang 3: a loop of
          rope or strap that is tightened over a horse's lip as
          a restraining device 4 a: a short spastic contraction
          of the muscle fibers b: a slight jerk of a body part
          -- twitch.i.ly adv -- twitchy adj [3]twitch n [alter.
          of quitch] (1598): quack grass

   [1]twitter
          [twit.ter] vb [ME twiteren; akin to OHG zwizziron to twitter]
          vi (14c) 1: to utter successive chirping noises 2 a:
          to talk in a chattering fashion b: giggle, titter 3:
          to tremble with agitation: flutter ~ vt 1: to utter in
          chirps or twitters <the robin ~ed its morning song> 2:
          to shake rapidly back and forth: flutter [2]twitter n
          (1678) 1: a trembling agitation: quiver 2: a small tremulous
          intermittent sound (as of birds) 3 a: a light chattering
          b: a light silly laugh: giggle -- twit.tery adj

   twixt
          [twixt] or 'twixt prep [ME twix, short for betwix, betwixt]
          (14c): between

   [1]two
          [two] adj [ME twa, two, fr. OE twa (fem. & neut.); akin to
          OE twegen two (masc.), tu (neut.), OHG zwene, L duo,
          Gk dyo] (bef. 12c) 1: being one more than one in number
          2: being the second--used postpositively <section ~ of
          the instructions> [2]two pron, pl in constr (bef. 12c)
          1: two countable individuals not specified <only ~ were
          found> 2: a small approximate number of indicated things
          <only a shot or ~ were fired> [3]two n, pl twos (ca.
          1585) 1: one more than one 2: the second in a set or
          series <the ~ of spades> 3: a 2-dollar bill 4: something
          having two units or members

   two-bagger
          [two-bag.ger] n (1880): double 1b

   two-bit
          [two-bit] adj (1802) 1: of the value of two bits 2: cheap
          or trivial of its kind: petty, small-time

   two bits
          [two bits] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1730) 1: the value
          of a quarter of a dollar 2: something of small worth
          or importance

   [1]two-by-four
          [two-by-four] n (1884): a piece of lumber approximately 2
          by 4 inches as sawed and usu. 1 5/8 by 3 5/8 inches if
          dressed [2]two-by-four adj (1897) 1: measuring two units
          (as inches) by four 2: small or petty of its kind <this
          house and its ~ garden --Philip Barry>

   two cents
          [two cents] n (1947) 1: a sum or object of very small value:
          practically nothing <said angrily that for two cents
          he'd punch your nose> 2 or two cents worth : an opinion
          offered on a topic under discussion <each speaker ...
          is getting in his two cents worth --Dwight Macdonald>

   two-cycle
          [two-cycle] adj (1902) of an internal combustion engine:
          having a 2-stroke cycle

   two-dimensional
          [two-dimensional] adj (1883) 1: having two dimensions 2:
          lacking depth of characterization <~ characters> --
          two-dimensionality n

   two-edged sword
          [two-edged sword] n (1526): double-edged sword

   two-faced
          [two-faced] adj (1609) 1: double-dealing, false 2: having
          two faces -- two-faced.ness n

   twofer
          [two.fer] n [alter. of two for (one)] (1890) 1: a cheap item
          of merchandise; esp: a cigar selling at two for a nickel
          2: a free coupon entitling the bearer to purchase two
          tickets to a specified theatrical production for the
          price of one 3: two articles available for the price
          of one or about the price of one

   two-fisted
          [two-fist.ed] adj (1774): marked by vigorous often virile
          energy: hard-hitting

   twofold
          [two.fold] adj (1559) 1: having two parts or aspects 2: being
          twice as great or as many -- twofold adv

   two-handed
          [two-hand.ed] adj (15c) 1: used with both hands <a ~ sword>
          2: requiring two persons <a ~ saw> 3 archaic: stout,
          strong 4 a: having two hands b: efficient with either
          hand

   two-line octave
          [two-line octave] n (ca. 1931): the musical octave that begins
          on the first C above middle C--see pitch illustration

   two-party
          [two-party] adj (1925): characterized by two major political
          parties of comparable strength

   twopence
          [two.pence] n (15c) 1: the sum of two British pennies 2 pl
          twopence or two.pen.ces : a coin worth twopence

   twopenny
          [two.pen.ny] adj (1532): costing or worth twopence

   two-phase
          [two-phase] adj (ca. 1896): diphasic

   [1]two-piece
          [two-piece] adj (1910): forming a clothing ensemble with
          matching top and bottom parts [2]two-piece n (1930):
          a garment (as a bathing suit) that is two-piece

   two-piecer
          [two-piec.er] n (1943): two-piece

   two-ply
          [two-ply] adj (ca. 1847) 1: consisting of two thicknesses
          2 a: woven with two sets of warp thread and two of filling
          <a ~ carpet> b: consisting of two strands <~ yarn>

   two-sided
          [two-sid.ed] adj (1884): having two sides: bilateral

   twosome
          [two.some] n (14c) 1: a group of two persons or things: couple
          2: a golf singles match

   two-spotted spider mite
          [two-spot.ted spider mite] n (1947): a widely distributed
          mite (Tetranychus urticae) that feeds on soft plant parts
          and is a serious pest in greenhouses and gardens

   two-step
          [two-step] n (1895) 1: a ballroom dance in 2/4 or 4/4 time
          having a basic pattern of step-close-step 2: a piece
          of music for the two-step -- two-step vi

   two-suiter
          [two-suit.er] n (1948): a man's suitcase designed to hold
          two suits and accessories

   two-tailed
          [two-tailed] also two-tail adj (1945): being a statistical
          test for which the critical region consists of all values
          of the test statistic greater than a given value plus
          the values less than another given value--compare one-tailed

   two-time
          [two-time] vt (1924) 1: double-cross 2: to betray (a spouse
          or lover) by secret lovemaking with another -- two-tim.er
          n

   two-toed sloth
          [two-toed sloth] n (1781): any of a genus (Choloepus) of
          sloths having two clawed digits on each forefoot, three
          clawed digits on each hind foot, and usu. six or seven
          vertebrae in the neck--compare three-toed sloth

   two-tone
          [two-tone] adj (1906): colored in two colors or in two shades
          of one color <~ shoes>

   two-toned
          [two-toned] adj (1897): two-tone

   two-way
          [two-way] adj (1571) 1: being a cock or valve that will connect
          a pipe or channel with either of two others 2: moving
          or allowing movement in either direction <a ~ bridge>
          3 a: involving or allowing an exchange between two individuals
          or groups <there must be good ~ communication --Jerrold
          Orne>; esp: designed for both sending and receiving messages
          <~ radio> b: involving mutual responsibility or reciprocal
          relationships <political alliance is a ~ thing --T. H.
          White d. 1986> 4: involving two participants <a ~ race>
          5: usable in either of two manners <a ~ lamp>

   two-way street
          [two-way street] n (1948): a situation or relationship requiring
          give-and-take <marriage is a two-way street>

   two-wheeler
          [two-wheel.er] n (1861): a 2-wheeled vehicle (as a bicycle)

   two-winged fly
          [two-winged fly] n (1753): [4]fly 2a

   twp
          [twp] abbreviation township

   ty...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   -ty
          [-ty] n suffix [ME -te, fr. OF -te, fr. L -tat-, -tas--more
          at -ity]: quality: condition: degree <apriority>

   tycoon
          [ty.coon] n [Jp taikun] (1857) 1: shogun 2 a: a top leader
          (as in politics) b: a businessman of exceptional wealth
          and power: magnate

   tyer
          [ty.er] var of [3]tier

   tying
          [tying] pres part of tie

   tyke
          [tyke] n [ME tyke, fr. ON tik bitch; akin to MLG tike bitch]
          (15c) 1: dog; esp: an inferior or mongrel dog 2 a chiefly
          Brit: a clumsy, churlish, or eccentric person b: a small
          child

   tymbal
          [tym.bal] n [alter. of timbal] (1929): the vibrating membrane
          in the shrilling organ of a cicada

   tympan
          [tym.pan] n [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. OE timpana, fr. L tympanum;
          in other senses, fr. ML & L tympanum] (bef. 12c) 1: drum
          2: a sheet (as of paper or cloth) placed between the
          impression surface of a press and the paper to be printed
          3: tympanum 2

   tympanic
          [tym.pan.ic] adj [L & NL tympanum] (1808): of, relating to,
          or being a tympanum

   tympanic membrane
          [tympanic membrane] n (1860): a thin membrane that closes
          externally the cavity of the middle ear and functions
          in the mechanical reception of sound waves and in their
          transmission to the site of sensory reception--called
          also eardrum--see ear illustration

   tympanites
          [tym.pa.ni.tes] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk tympanites, fr. tympanon]
          (14c): a distension of the abdomen caused by accumulation
          of gas in the intestinal tract or peritoneal cavity --
          tym.pa.nit.ic adj

   tympani, tympanist
          [tym.pa.ni, tym.pa.nist] var of timpani, timpanist

   tympanum
          [tym.pa.num] n, pl -na also -nums [ML & L; ML, eardrum, fr.
          L, drum, architectural panel, fr. Gk tympanon drum, kettledrum;
          perh. akin to Gk typtein to beat] (1619) 1 a (1): tympanic
          membrane (2): middle ear b: a thin tense membrane covering
          an organ of hearing of an insect--see insect illustration
          c: a membranous resonator in a sound-producing organ
          2 a: the recessed usu. triangular face of a pediment
          within the frame made by the upper and lower cornices
          b: the space within an arch and above a lintel or a subordinate
          arch

   tympany
          [tym.pa.ny] n, pl -nies [ML tympanias, fr. Gk, fr. tympanon]
          (1528) 1: tympanites 2: bombast, turgidity

   Tyndareus
          [Tyn.dar.e.us] n [L, fr. Gk]: a king of Sparta and husband
          of Leda in Greek mythology

   tyne
          [tyne] var of tine

   typal
          [typ.al] adj (1853) 1: serving as a type: typical 2: of or
          relating to a type

   [1]type
          [type] n, often attrib [ME, fr. LL typus, fr. L & Gk; L typus
          image, fr. Gk typos blow, impression, model, fr. typtein
          to strike, beat; akin to Skt tupati he injures and prob.
          to L stupere to be benumbed] (15c) 1 a: a person or thing
          (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another
          (as in the New Testament) b: one having qualities of
          a higher category: model c: a lower taxonomic category
          selected as a standard of reference for a higher category;
          also: a specimen or series of specimens on which a taxonomic
          species or subspecies is actually based 2: a distinctive
          mark or sign 3 a (1): a rectangular block usu. of metal
          bearing a relief character from which an inked print
          can be made (2): a collection of such blocks <a font
          of ~> (3): alphanumeric characters for printing <the
          ~ for this book has been photoset> b: typeface <italic
          ~> c: printed letters d: matter set in type 4 a: qualities
          common to a number of individuals that distinguish them
          as an identifiable class: as (1): the morphological,
          physiological, or ecological characters by which relationship
          between organisms may be recognized (2): the form common
          to all instances of a linguistic element b: a typical
          and often superior specimen c: a member of an indicated
          class or variety of people <the guests were mostly urban
          ~s --Lucy Cook> d: a particular kind, class, or group
          <oranges of the seedless ~> <leaders of the new ~ ...
          did England yeoman's service --G. M. Trevelyan> e: something
          distinguishable as a variety: sort <what ~ of food do
          you like?> syn type, kind, sort, nature, description,
          character mean a number of individuals thought of as
          a group because of a common quality or qualities. type
          may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout
          the items included so that each is typical of the group
          <one of three basic body types>. kind may suggest natural
          grouping <a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind>.
          sort often suggests some disparagement <the sort of newspaper
          dealing in sensational stories>. nature may imply inherent,
          essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial
          likenesses <two problems of a similar nature>. description
          implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging
          to a type as described or defined <not all acts of that
          description are actually illegal>. character implies
          a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to
          the type <research on the subject so far has been of
          an elementary character>. [2]type vb typed ; typ.ing
          vt (1596) 1: to represent beforehand as a type: prefigure
          2 a: to produce a copy of b: to represent in terms of
          typical characteristics: typify 3: to produce (as a character
          or document) on a typewriter; also: keyboard 4: to identify
          as belonging to a type: as a: to determine the natural
          type of (as a blood sample) b: typecast ~ vi: to write
          something on a typewriter or enter data into a computer
          by way of a keyboard -- type.able adj

   type A
          [type A] adj (1970): relating to, characteristic of, having,
          or being a personality that is marked by impatience,
          aggressiveness, and competitiveness and that is held
          to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular
          disease <type A behavior>

   typecast
          [type.cast] vt -cast ; -cast.ing (1927) 1: to cast (an actor
          or actress) in a part calling for the same characteristics
          as those possessed by the performer 2: to cast (an actor
          or actress) repeatedly in the same type of role 3: stereotype
          <~ as the grubby, unbeautiful place which is full of
          life --Miles Kington>

   typeface
          [type.face] n (1887) 1: the face of printing type 2: all
          type of a single design

   typefounder
          [type.found.er] n (1797): one engaged in the design and production
          of metal printing type for hand composition -- type.found.ing n

   type genus
          [type genus] n (1840): the genus of a taxonomic family or
          subfamily from which the name of the family or subfamily
          is formed

   type I error
          [type I error] n (1947): rejection of the null hypothesis
          in statistical testing when it is true

   type II error
          [type II error] n (1947): acceptance of the null hypothesis
          in statistical testing when it is false

   typescript
          [type.script] n [type + manuscript] (1893): a typewritten
          manuscript; esp: one intended for use as printer's copy

   typeset
          [type.set] vt -set ; -set.ting (1945): to set in type: compose

   typesetter
          [type.set.ter] n (1883): one that sets type

   typesetting
          [type.set.ting] n (1846): the process of setting material
          in type or into a form to be used in printing; also:
          the process of producing graphic matter (as through a
          computer system)

   type species
          [type species] n (1840): the species of a genus with which
          the generic name is permanently associated

   type specimen
          [type specimen] n (ca. 1891): a specimen or individual designated
          as type of a species or lesser group and serving as the
          final criterion of the characteristics of that group

   typestyle
          [type.style] n (1954): typeface

   typewrite
          [type.write] vb -wrote ; -writ.ten [back-formation fr. typewriter]
          vt (1887): type 3 ~ vi: type

   typewriter
          [type.writ.er] n (1868) 1: a machine for writing in characters
          similar to those produced by printer's type by means
          of keyboard-operated types striking a ribbon to transfer
          ink or carbon impressions onto the paper 2: typist

   typewriting
          [type.writ.ing] n (1867) 1: the act or study of or skill
          in using a typewriter 2: writing produced with a typewriter

   typey
          [typ.ey] also typy adj typ.i.er ; -est [[1]type] (1923):
          characterized by strict conformance to type; also: exhibiting
          superior bodily conformation <a sound ~ heifer>

   typhlosole
          [typh.lo.sole] n [Gk typhlos blind + solen pipe, channel--more
          at deaf] (1859): a longitudinal fold of the intestinal
          wall that projects into the cavity esp. in bivalve mollusks,
          annelids, and starfishes

   Typhoeus
          [Ty.pho.eus] n [L, fr. Gk Typhoeus]: typhon -- Ty.phoe.an
          adj

   [1]typhoid
          [ty.phoid] adj [NL typhus] (1800) 1: of, relating to, or
          suggestive of typhus 2 [[2]typhoid]: of, relating to,
          or constituting typhoid [2]typhoid n (1861) 1: typhoid
          fever 2: a disease of domestic animals resembling human
          typhus or typhoid

   typhoid fever
          [typhoid fever] n (1845): a communicable disease marked esp.
          by fever, diarrhea, prostration, headache, and intestinal
          inflammation and caused by a bacterium (Salmonella typhi)

   Typhoid Mary
          [Typhoid Mary] n, pl Typhoid Marys [Typhoid Mary, nickname
          of Mary Mallon d. 1938 Irish cook in U.S. who was found
          to be a typhoid carrier] (1931): one that is by force
          of circumstances a center from which something undesirable
          spreads

   Typhon
          [Ty.phon] n [L, fr. Gk Typhon]: a monster with a tremendous
          voice who according to classical mythology was father
          of Cerberus, the Chimera, and the Sphinx

   typhoon
          [ty.phoon] n [alter. (influenced by Chin -- Guangdong --
          daaih-fung, fr. daaih big + fung wind) of earlier touffon,
          fr. Ar tufan hurricane, fr. Gk typhon violent storm]
          (1771) 1: a tropical cyclone occurring in the region
          of the Philippines or the China sea 2: whirlwind 2a <a
          veritable ~ of interest and corporate investment --Norman
          Sklarewitz>

   typhus
          [ty.phus] n [NL, fr. Gk typhos fever; akin to Gk typhein
          to smoke--more at deaf] (1785): any of various bacterial
          diseases caused by rickettsias: as a: a severe human
          febrile disease that is caused by one (Rickettsia prowazekii)
          transmitted esp. by body lice and is marked by high fever,
          stupor alternating with delirium, intense headache, and
          a dark red rash b: murine typhus c: tsutsugamushi disease

   typic
          [typ.ic] adj (1610): typical 1

   typical
          [typ.i.cal] adj [LL typicalis, fr. typicus, fr. Gk typikos,
          fr. typos model--more at type] (1612) 1: constituting
          or having the nature of a type: symbolic 2 a: combining
          or exhibiting the essential characteristics of a group
          <~ suburban houses> b: conforming to a type <a specimen
          ~ of the species> syn see regular -- typ.i.cal.i.ty n
          -- typ.i.cal.ness n

   typically
          [typ.i.cal.ly] adv (1605) 1: in a typical manner <~ American>
          2: on a typical occasion: in typical circumstances <~,
          members of our staff receive little ... recognition --Brendan
          Gill>

   typify
          [typ.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1634) 1: to represent in typical
          fashion: to constitute a typical mark or instance of
          <realism ... that typified his earlier work --Current
          Biog.> 2: to embody the essential or salient characteristics
          of: be the type of -- typ.i.fi.ca.tion n

   typist
          [typ.ist] n (1885): one who types or enters data into a computer
          esp. as a job

   typo
          [ty.po] n, pl typos [short for typographical (error)] (1892):
          an error (as of spelling) in typed or typeset material

   typograph
          [ty.po.graph] vt (ca. 1933): to produce (stamps) by letterpress

   typographer
          [ty.pog.ra.pher] n (1643): a person (as a compositor, printer,
          or designer) who specializes in the design, choice, and
          arrangement of type matter

   typographic
          [ty.po.graph.ic] or ty.po.graph.i.cal adj (1593): of, relating
          to, or occurring or used in typography or typeset matter
          <a ~ character> <a typographical error> -- ty.po.graph.i.cal.ly
          adv

   typography
          [ty.pog.ra.phy] n [ML typographia, fr. Gk typos impression,
          cast + -graphia -graphy--more at type] (1610) 1: letterpress
          printing 2: the style, arrangement, or appearance of
          typeset matter

   typological
          [ty.po.log.i.cal] adj (1845): of or relating to typology
          or types -- ty.po.log.i.cal.ly adv

   typology
          [ty.pol.o.gy] n, pl -gies (1845) 1: a doctrine of theological
          types; esp: one holding that things in Christian belief
          are prefigured or symbolized by things in the Old Testament
          2: study of or analysis or classification based on types
          or categories -- ty.pol.o.gist n

   Tyr
          [Tyr] abbreviation Tyrone

   Tyr
          [Tyr] n [ON Tyr; akin to OE Tiw Tiu--more at deity]: a god
          of war in Norse mythology

   tyramine
          [ty.ra.mine] n [ISV tyrosine + amine] (1910): a phenolic
          amine found in various foods and beverages (as cheese
          and red wine) that has a sympathomimetic action and is
          derived from tyrosine

   tyrannical
          [ty.ran.ni.cal] also ty.ran.nic adj [L tyrannicus, fr. Gk
          tyrannikos, fr. tyrannos tyrant] (15c): being or characteristic
          of a tyrant or tyranny: despotic <~ rule> <a ~ ruler>
          -- ty.ran.ni.cal.ly adv -- ty.ran.ni.cal.ness n

   tyrannicide
          [ty.ran.ni.cide] n [in sense 1, fr. F, fr. L tyrannicidium,
          fr. tyrannus + -i- + -cidium -cide (killing); in sense
          2, fr. F, fr. L tyrannicida, fr. tyrannus + -i- + -cida
          -cide (killer)] (1650) 1: the act of killing a tyrant
          2: the killer of a tyrant

   tyrannise
          [tyr.an.nise] Brit var of tyrannize

   tyrannize
          [tyr.an.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vi (15c): to exercise
          arbitrary oppressive power or severity <some ways the
          living ~ over the dying --Thomas Powers> ~ vt: to treat
          tyrannically: oppress -- tyr.an.niz.er n

   tyrannosaur
          [ty.ran.no.saur] n [NL Tyrannosaurus, genus name, fr. Gk
          tyrannos tyrant + sauros lizard] (1924): a very large
          bipedal carnivorous dinosaur (Tyrannosaurus rex) with
          small forelegs that occurs in the Upper Cretaceous of
          No. America

   tyrannosaurus
          [ty.ran.no.sau.rus] n [NL] (1905): tyrannosaur

   tyrannous
          [tyr.an.nous] adj (15c): marked by tyranny; esp: unjustly
          severe -- tyr.an.nous.ly adv

   tyranny
          [tyr.an.ny] n, pl -nies [ME tyrannie, fr. MF, fr. ML tyrannia,
          fr. L tyrannus tyrant] (14c) 1: oppressive power <every
          form of ~ over the mind of man --Thomas Jefferson>; esp:
          oppressive power exerted by government <the ~ of a police
          state> 2 a: a government in which absolute power is vested
          in a single ruler; esp: one characteristic of an ancient
          Greek city-state b: the office, authority, and administration
          of a tyrant 3: a rigorous condition imposed by some outside
          agency or force <living under the ~ of the clock --Dixon
          Wecter> 4: a tyrannical act

   tyrant
          [ty.rant] n [ME tirant, fr. OF tyran, tyrant, fr. L tyrannus,
          fr. Gk tyrannos] (14c) 1 a: an absolute ruler unrestrained
          by law or constitution b: a usurper of sovereignty 2
          a: a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively
          or brutally b: one resembling an oppressive ruler in
          the harsh use of authority or power

   tyrant flycatcher
          [tyrant flycatcher] n (ca. 1783): any of various large American
          flycatchers (family Tyrannidae) that are usu. strictly
          insectivorous and have a flattened bill often hooked
          at the tip and usu. bristly at the gape

   tyre
          [tyre] chiefly Brit var of tire

   Tyrian purple
          [Tyr.i.an purple] n [Tyre, maritime city of ancient Phoenicia]
          (ca. 1586): a crimson or purple dye that is related to
          indigo, obtained by the ancient Greeks and Romans from
          gastropod mollusks, and now made synthetically

   tyro
          [ty.ro] n, pl tyros often attrib [ML, fr. L tiro young soldier,
          tyro] (1611): a beginner in learning: novice syn see
          amateur

   tyrocidine
          [ty.ro.ci.dine] also ty.ro.ci.din n [tyrothricin + gramicidin]
          (1940): a basic polypeptide antibiotic produced by a
          soil bacillus (Bacillus brevis)

   Tyrolean
          [Ty.ro.le.an] also Ty.ro.li.an adj (1805) 1: of or relating
          to the Tirol 2 of a hat: of a style originating in the
          Tirol and marked by soft often green felt, a narrow brim
          and pointed crown, and an ornamental feather

   tyrosinase
          [ty.ros.i.nase] n (1896): a copper-containing enzyme that
          promotes the oxidation of phenols (as tyrosine) and is
          widespread in plants and animals

   tyrosine
          [ty.ro.sine] n [ISV, irreg. fr. Gk tyros cheese--more at
          butter] (1857): a phenolic amino acid that is a precursor
          of several important substances (as epinephrine and melanin)

   tyrothricin
          [ty.ro.thri.cin] n [NL Tyrothoric-, Tyrothrix, genus name
          formerly applied to various bacteria including Bacillus
          brevis] (1940): an antibiotic mixture that consists chiefly
          of tyrocidine and gramicidin, is usu. extracted from
          a soil bacillus (Bacillus brevis) as a gray to brown
          powder, and is used for local applications esp. for infection
          caused by gram-positive bacteria

   tz...
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   tzaddik
          [tzaddik] n, pl tzaddikim var of zaddik

   tzar
          [tzar] var of czar

   tzigane
          [tzi.gane] n [F, fr. Hung cigany] (1763) 1: gypsy 1 2: romany
          2

   tzimmes
          [tzim.mes] n [Yiddish tsimes, fr. MHG z, zuo at, too + imbiz
          light meal] (1892): a sweetened combination of vegetables
          (as carrots and potatoes) or of meat and carrots often
          with dried fruits (as prunes) that is stewed or baked
          in a casserole

   tzitzis, tzitzit
          [tzi.tzis, tzi.tzit] var of zizith

   u...
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   u
          [u] n, pl u's or us often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 21st letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic u 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter u 3: one designated u esp. as the 21st in
          order or class 4 [abbr. for unsatisfactory] a: a grade
          rating a student's work as unsatisfactory b: one graded
          or rated with a U 5: something shaped like the letter
          U U adj [upper class] (1954): characteristic of the upper
          classes

   u
          [u] abbreviation uncle, unit, unsymmetrical, upper  U [Union
          of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations] abbreviation kosher
          certification--often enclosed in a circle; university,
          unsatisfactory, uracil, uranium

   U-boat
          [U-boat] n [trans. of G U-boot, short for Unterseeboot, lit.,
          undersea boat] (1916): a German submarine

   U-turn
          [U-turn] n (1930) 1: a turn resembling the letter U; esp:
          a 180-degree turn made by a vehicle in a road 2: something
          (as a reversal of policy) resembling a U-turn

   U-value
          [U-val.ue] n [unit] (1949): a measure of the heat transmission
          through a building part (as a wall or window) or a given
          thickness of a material (as insulation) with lower numbers
          indicating better insulating properties--compare r-value

   ua...
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   UAE
          [UAE] abbreviation United Arab Emirates

   ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono
          [ua mau ke ea o ka ai.na i ka po.no] [Hawaiian] foreign term
          : the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness--motto
          of Hawaii

   UAR
          [UAR] abbreviation United Arab Republic

   UAW
          [UAW] abbreviation United Automobile Workers

   ub...
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   Ubangi
          [Uban.gi] n [Ubangi-Shari, Africa] (1942): a woman of the
          district of Kyabe village in Chad with lips pierced and
          distended to unusual dimensions with wooden disks--not
          used technically

   uber alles
          [uber al.les] [G] foreign term : above everything else

   ubiquinone
          [ubi.qui.none] n [blend of L ubique everywhere and E quinone;
          fr. its widespread occurrence in nature] (1958): any
          of a group of lipid-soluble quinones that contain a long
          isoprenoid side chain and that function in the part of
          cellular respiration comprising oxidative phosphorylation
          as electron-carrying coenzymes in the transport of electrons
          from organic substrates to oxygen esp. along the chain
          of reactions leading from the Krebs cycle

   ubiquitous
          [ubiq.ui.tous] adj (1837): existing or being everywhere at
          the same time: constantly encountered: widespread --
          ubiq.ui.tous.ly adv -- ubiq.ui.tous.ness n

   ubiquity
          [ubiq.ui.ty] n [L ubique everywhere, fr. ubi where + -que,
          enclitic generalizing particle; akin to L quis who and
          to L -que and--more at who, sesqui-] (1597): presence
          everywhere or in many places esp. simultaneously: omnipresence

   uc...
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   UC
          [UC] abbreviation undercharge, uppercase

   ud...
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   udder
          [ud.der] n [ME, fr. OE uder; akin to OHG utar udder, L uber,
          Gk outhar, Skt udhar] (bef. 12c) 1: a large pendulous
          organ consisting of two or more mammary glands enclosed
          in a common envelope and each provided with a single
          nipple--see cow illustration 2: mammary gland

   ue...
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   uebermensch
          [ue.ber.mensch] [G] foreign term : superman

   uf...
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   UFO
          [UFO] n, pl UFO's or UFOs [unidentified flying object] (1953):
          an unidentified flying object; esp: flying saucer

   ufology
          [ufol.o.gy] n, often cap UFO [UFO + -logy] (1959): the study
          of unidentified flying objects -- ufo.log.i.cal adj,
          often cap UFO -- ufol.o.gist n, often cap UFO

   ug...
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   [1]Ugaritic
          [Uga.rit.ic] n (1936): the Semitic language of ancient Ugarit
          closely related to Phoenician and Hebrew [2]Ugaritic
          adj (1938): of, relating to, or characteristic of the
          ancient city of Ugarit, its inhabitants, or Ugaritic

   ugh
          [ugh] interj (1837)--used to indicate the sound of a cough
          or grunt or to express disgust or horror

   Ugli
          [Ug.li] trademark--used for a tangelo

   uglify
          [ug.li.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1576): to make ugly
          -- ug.li.fi.ca.tion n

   ugliness
          [ug.li.ness] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being ugly
          2: something that is ugly

   [1]ugly
          [ug.ly] adj ug.li.er ; -est [ME, fr. ON uggligr, fr. uggr
          fear; akin to ON ugga to fear] (13c) 1: frightful, dire
          2 a: offensive to the sight: hideous b: offensive or
          unpleasant to any sense 3: morally offensive or objectionable
          <corruption--the ugliest stain of all> 4 a: likely to
          cause inconvenience or discomfort <the ~ truth> b: surly,
          quarrelsome <an ~ disposition> <the crowd got ~> -- ug.li.ly
          adv [2]ugly adv (14c): in an ugly manner <was acting
          ~>

   Ugly American
          [Ugly American] n [The Ugly American (1958), collection of
          stories by Eugene Burdick d. 1965 and William J. Lederer
          b1912 Am. authors] (1965): an American in a foreign country
          whose behavior is offensive to the people of that country

   ugly duckling
          [ugly duckling] n [The Ugly Duckling, story by Hans Christian
          Andersen] (1883): one that appears very unpromising but
          often has great potential

   Ugrian
          [Ugri.an] n [ORuss Ugre Hungarians] (1841): a member of a
          division of the Finno-Ugric peoples that includes the
          Hungarians and two peoples of western Siberia -- Ugrian
          adj

   Ugric
          [Ugric] adj (1854): of, relating to, or characteristic of
          the languages of the Ugrians

   ugsome
          [ug.some] adj [ME, fr. uggen to fear, inspire fear, fr. ON
          ugga to fear] (15c) archaic: frightful, loathsome

   ugt
          [ugt] abbreviation urgent

   uh...
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   UHF
          [UHF] abbreviation ultrahigh frequency

   uh-huh
          [uh-huh] interj (1899)--used to indicate affirmation, agreement,
          or gratification

   uhlan
          [uh.lan] n [G, fr. Pol ulan, fr. Turk oglan boy, servant]
          (1753): any of a body of Prussian light cavalry orig.
          modeled on Tatar lancers

   uh-oh
          [uh-oh] interj (1971)--used to indicate dismay or concern

   uh-uh
          [uh-uh] interj (ca. 1924)--used to indicate negation

   ui...
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   UI
          [UI] abbreviation unemployment insurance

   Uighur
          [Ui.ghur] also Ui.gur n [Uighur Uighur] (1747) 1: a member
          of a Turkic people powerful in Mongolia and eastern Turkestan
          between the 8th and 12th centuries a.d. who constitute
          a majority of the population of Chinese Turkestan 2:
          the Turkic language of the Uighurs -- Uighur also Uigur
          adj

   uilleann pipes
          [uil.leann pipes] n pl, often cap [uilleann fr. Ir, gen.
          sing. of uillinn elbow, fr. OIr uilen; akin to OE eln
          ell--more at ell] (1906): an Irish bagpipe with air supplied
          by a bellows held under and worked by the elbow

   uintaite
          [uin.ta.ite] also uin.tah.ite n [Uinta, Uintah, mountains
          in Utah] (1888): a black lustrous asphalt occurring esp.
          in Utah

   Uitlander
          [Uit.land.er] n [Afrik, fr. MD utelander foreigner, fr. utelant
          foreign territory, fr. ute out + lant land] (1892): foreigner;
          esp: a British resident in the former republics of the
          Transvaal and Orange Free State

   uk...
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   UK
          [UK] abbreviation United Kingdom

   ukase
          [ukase] n [F & Russ; F, fr. Russ ukaz, fr. ukazat' to show,
          order; akin to OCS u- away, L au-, Skt ava- and to OCS
          kazati to show] (1729) 1: a proclamation by a Russian
          emperor or government having the force of law 2: edict

   uke
          [uke] n (1921): ukulele

   ukiyo-e
          [uki.yo-e] also uki.yo-ye n [Jp ukiyo-e genre picture, fr.
          ukiyo world, life + e picture] (1879): a Japanese art
          movement that flourished from the 17th to the 19th century
          and produced paintings and prints depicting the everyday
          life and interests of the common people; also: the paintings
          and prints themselves

   Ukrainian
          [Ukrai.ni.an] n (1823) 1: a native or inhabitant of Ukraine
          2: the Slavic language of the Ukrainian people -- Ukrainian
          adj

   ukulele
          [uku.le.le] also uke.le.le n [Hawaiian 'ukulele, fr. 'uku
          flea + lele jumping] (1896): a small guitar of Portuguese
          origin popularized in Hawaii in the 1880s and strung
          typically with four strings

   ul...
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   -ular
          [-ular] adj suffix [L -ularis, fr. -ulus, -ula, -ulum -ule
          + -aris -ar]: of, relating to, or resembling <valvular>

   ulcer
          [ul.cer] n [ME, fr. L ulcer-, ulcus; akin to Gk helkos wound]
          (14c) 1: a break in skin or mucous membrane with loss
          of surface tissue, disintegration and necrosis of epithelial
          tissue, and often pus 2: something that festers and corrupts
          like an open sore -- ulcer vb

   ulcerate
          [ul.cer.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vi (15c): to become affected
          with or as if with an ulcer ~ vt: to affect with or as
          if with an ulcer

   ulceration
          [ul.cer.a.tion] n (14c) 1: the process of becoming ulcerated:
          the state of being ulcerated 2: ulcer -- ul.cer.a.tive
          adj

   ulcerative colitis
          [ulcerative colitis] n (ca. 1928): a nonspecific inflammatory
          disease of the colon of unknown cause characterized by
          diarrhea with discharge of mucus and blood, cramping
          abdominal pain, and inflammation and edema of the mucous
          membrane with patches of ulceration

   ulcerogenic
          [ul.cero.gen.ic] adj (1950): tending to produce or develop
          into ulcers or ulceration

   ulcerous
          [ul.cer.ous] adj (1577) 1: being or marked by an ulceration
          <~ lesions> 2: affected with or as if with an ulcer:
          ulcerated

   -ule
          [-ule] n suffix [F & L; F, fr. L -ulus, masc. dim. suffix,
          -ula, fem. dim. suffix, -ulum, neut. dim. suffix]: little
          one <ductule>

   ulema
          [ule.ma] or ula.ma n [Ar, Turk, & Per; Turk & Per 'ulema,
          fr. Ar 'ulama] (1688) 1 pl in constr: the body of mullahs
          2: mullah

   -ulent
          [-ulent] adj suffix [L -ulentus]: that abounds in (a specified
          thing) <flocculent>

   ulexite
          [ulex.ite] n [George L. Ulex d. 1883 Ger. chemist] (1867):
          a mineral consisting of a hydrous borate of sodium and
          calcium and usu. occurring in loosely packed white fibers
          that transmit light lengthwise with nearly undiminished
          intensity

   ullage
          [ul.lage] n [ME ulage, fr. MF eullage act of filling a cask,
          fr. eullier to fill a cask, fr. OF ouil eye, bunghole,
          fr. L oculus eye--more at eye] (15c): the amount that
          a container (as a tank or cask) lacks of being full

   ulna
          [ul.na] n [NL, fr. L, elbow--more at ell] (1541): the bone
          on the little-finger side of the human forearm; also:
          a corresponding part of the forelimb of vertebrates above
          fishes -- ul.nar adj

   ulster
          [ul.ster] n [Ulster, Ireland] (1876): a long loose overcoat
          of Irish origin made of heavy material (as frieze)

   ult
          [ult] abbreviation ultimate, ultimo

   ulterior
          [ul.te.ri.or] adj [L, farther, further, compar. of (assumed)
          L ulter situated beyond, fr. uls beyond; akin to L ollus,
          ille, that one, OIr indoll beyond] (1646) 1 a: further,
          future b: more distant: remoter c: situated on the farther
          side: thither 2: going beyond what is openly said or
          shown and esp. what is proper <~ motives> -- ul.te.ri.or.ly
          adv

   ultima
          [ul.ti.ma] n [L, fem. of ultimus last] (ca. 1864): the last
          syllable of a word

   ultimacy
          [ul.ti.ma.cy] n, pl -cies (1842) 1: the quality or state
          of being ultimate 2: ultimate 1

   ultima ratio
          [ul.ti.ma ra.tio] n [NL] (1780): the final argument; also:
          the last resort (as force)

   ultima ratio regum
          [ul.ti.ma ra.tio re.gum] [L] foreign term : the final argument
          of kings, i.e., war

   [1]ultimate
          [ul.ti.mate] adj [ML ultimatus last, final, fr. LL, pp. of
          ultimare to come to an end, be last, fr. L ultimus farthest,
          last, final, superl. of (assumed) L ulter situated beyond]
          (1654) 1 a: most remote in space or time: farthest b:
          last in a progression or series <their ~ destination
          was Paris> c: eventual <they hoped for ~ success> d:
          the best or most extreme of its kind: utmost <the ~ sacrifice>
          2: arrived at as the last result <the ~ question> 3 a:
          basic, fundamental <the ~ nature of things --A. N. Whitehead>
          b: original <the ~ source> c: incapable of further analysis,
          division, or separation 4: maximum syn see last -- ul.ti.mate.ness
          n [2]ultimate n (1681) 1: something ultimate; esp: fundamental
          2: acme [3]ul.ti.mate vb -mat.ed ; -mat.ing (ca. 1834): end

   ultimately
          [ul.ti.mate.ly] adv (1652) 1: in the end: finally, fundamentally
          2: eventually

   ultima Thule
          [ul.ti.ma Thu.le] n [L, farthest Thule] (1665): thule

   ultimatum
          [ul.ti.ma.tum] n, pl -tums or -ta [NL, fr. ML, neut. of ultimatus
          final] (1731): a final proposition, condition, or demand;
          esp: one whose rejection will end negotiations and cause
          a resort to force or other direct action

   ultimo
          [ul.ti.mo] adj [L ultimo mense in the last month] (1616):
          of or occurring in the month preceding the present

   ultimogeniture
          [ul.ti.mo.gen.i.ture] n [L ultimus last + E primogeniture]
          (1882): a system of inheritance by which the youngest
          child succeeds to the estate

   ultra-
          [ultra-] prefix [L, fr. ultra beyond, adv. & prep., fr. (assumed)
          L ulter situated beyond--more at ulterior] 1: beyond
          in space: on the other side: trans- <ultraviolet> 2:
          beyond the range or limits of: transcending: super-
          <ultramicroscopic> 3: beyond what is ordinary, proper, or moderate:
          excessively: extremely <ultramodern>ul.tra.care.ful ul.tra.ca.su.al
          ul.tra.cau.tious ul.tra.chic ul.tra.civ.i.lized ul.tra.clean
          ul.tra.cold ul.tra.com.mer.cial ul.tra.com.pact ul.tra.com.pe.tent
          ul.tra.con.ser.va.tism ul.tra.con.ser.va.tive
          ul.tra.con.tem.po.rary ul.tra.con.ve.nient ul.tra.cool
          ul.tra.crit.i.cal ul.tra.dem.o.crat.ic ul.tra.dense
          ul.tra.dis.tance ul.tra.dis.tant ul.tra.dry ul.tra.ef.fi.cient
          ul.tra.en.er.get.ic ul.tra.ex.clu.sive ul.tra.fa.mil.iar
          ul.tra.fast ul.tra.fas.tid.i.ous ul.tra.fem.i.nine ul.tra.fine
          ul.tra.glam.or.ous ul.tra.haz.ard.ous ul.tra.heat ul.tra.heavy
          ul.tra.high ul.tra.hip ul.tra.hot ul.tra.hu.man ul.tra.left
          ul.tra.left.ism ul.tra.left.ist ul.tra.lib.er.al
          ul.tra.lib.er.al.ism ul.tra.light.weight ul.tra.low
          ul.tra.mas.cu.line ul.tra.mil.i.tant ul.tra.min.i.a.tur.ized
          ul.tra.mod.ern ul.tra.mod.ern.ist ul.tra.na.tion.al.ism
          ul.tra.na.tion.al.ist ul.tra.na.tion.al.is.tic ul.tra.or.tho.dox
          ul.tra.par.a.dox.i.cal ul.tra.pa.tri.ot.ic ul.tra.phys.i.cal
          ul.tra.pow.er.ful ul.tra.prac.ti.cal ul.tra.pre.cise
          ul.tra.pre.ci.sion ul.tra.pro.fes.sion.al ul.tra.pro.gres.sive
          ul.tra.pure ul.tra.qui.et ul.tra.rad.i.cal ul.tra.rap.id
          ul.tra.rare ul.tra.rar.e.fied ul.tra.ra.tio.nal ul.tra.re.al.ism
          ul.tra.re.al.ist ul.tra.re.al.is.tic ul.tra.re.fined
          ul.tra.re.li.able ul.tra.re.spect.able ul.tra.rev.o.lu.tion.ary
          ul.tra.rich ul.tra.right ul.tra.right.ist ul.tra.ro.man.tic
          ul.tra.roy.al.ist ul.tra.safe ul.tra.se.cret
          ul.tra.seg.re.ga.tion.ist ul.tra.sen.si.tive ul.tra.se.ri.ous
          ul.tra.sharp ul.tra.sim.ple ul.tra.slick ul.tra.slow ul.tra.small
          ul.tra.smart ul.tra.smooth ul.tra.soft ul.tra.so.phis.ti.cat.ed
          ul.tra.thin ul.tra.vac.u.um ul.tra.vi.o.lence ul.tra.vi.o.lent
          ul.tra.vir.ile ul.tra.vi.ril.i.ty ul.tra.wide

   [1]ultra
          [ul.tra] adj [ultra-] (1818): going beyond others or beyond
          due limit: extreme [2]ultra n [ultra-] (1819): one that
          is ultra: extremist

   ultrabasic
          [ul.tra.ba.sic] adj [ISV] (1881): extremely basic; specif:
          very low in silica and rich in iron and magnesium minerals
          -- ultrabasic n

   ultracentrifugal
          [ul.tra.cen.trif.u.gal] adj (1930): of, relating to, or obtained
          by means of an ultracentrifuge -- ul.tra.cen.trif.u.gal.ly
          adv

   [1]ultracentrifuge
          [ul.tra.cen.tri.fuge] n (1924): a high-speed centrifuge able
          to sediment colloidal and other small particles and used
          esp. in determining sizes of such particles and molecular
          weights of large molecules [2]ultracentrifuge vt (1930):
          to subject to an ultracentrifuge -- ul.tra.cen.tri.fu.ga.tion
          n

   ultrafiche
          [ul.tra.fiche] n (1969): a microfiche whose microimages are
          of printed matter reduced 90 or more times

   ultrafiltration
          [ul.tra.fil.tra.tion] n (1908): filtration through a medium
          (as a semipermeable capillary wall) which allows small
          molecules (as of water) to pass but holds back larger
          ones (as of protein) -- ul.tra.fil.trate n

   ultrahigh frequency
          [ultrahigh frequency] n (1932): a radio frequency between
          superhigh frequency and very high frequency

   ultraism
          [ul.tra.ism] n (1821) 1: the principles of those who advocate
          extreme measures (as radicalism) 2: an instance or example
          of radicalism -- ul.tra.ist adj or n -- ul.tra.is.tic
          adj

   [1]ultralight
          [ul.tra.light] adj (1974): extremely light in mass or weight
          <an ~ alloy> <an ~ pullover> [2]ultralight n (1980):
          a very light recreational aircraft typically for one
          person that is powered by a small gasoline engine

   ultramafic
          [ul.tra.maf.ic] adj (1933): ultrabasic

   ultramarathon
          [ul.tra.mar.a.thon] n (1977): a footrace longer than a marathon
          -- ul.tra.mar.a.thon.er n

   [1]ultramarine
          [ul.tra.ma.rine] n [ML ultramarinus coming from beyond the
          sea, fr. L ultra- + mare sea--more at marine] (1598)
          1 a (1): a blue pigment prepared by powdering lapis lazuli
          (2): a similar pigment prepared from kaolin, soda ash,
          sulfur, and charcoal b: any of several related pigments
          2: a vivid blue [2]ultramarine adj (1652): situated beyond
          the sea

   ultramicro
          [ul.tra.mi.cro] adj (1937): being or dealing with something
          smaller than micro

   ultramicroscope
          [ul.tra.mi.cro.scope] n [back-formation fr. ultramicroscopic]
          (1906): an apparatus for making visible by scattered
          light particles too small to be perceived by an ordinary
          microscope

   ultramicroscopic
          [ul.tra.mi.cro.scop.ic] also ul.tra.mi.cro.scop.i.cal adj
          [ISV] (1870) 1: too small to be seen with an ordinary
          microscope 2: of or relating to an ultramicroscope --
          ul.tra.mi.cro.scop.i.cal.ly adv

   ultramicrotome
          [ul.tra.mi.cro.tome] n (1946): a microtome for cutting extremely
          thin sections for electron microscopy -- ul.tra.mi.crot.o.my
          n

   ultraminiature
          [ul.tra.min.i.a.ture] adj (1942): subminiature

   ultramontane
          [ul.tra.mon.tane] adj [ML ultramontanus, fr. L ultra- + mont-,
          mons mountain--more at mount] (ca. 1618) 1: of or relating
          to countries or peoples beyond the mountains (as the
          Alps) 2: favoring greater or absolute supremacy of papal
          over national or diocesan authority in the Roman Catholic
          Church -- ultramontane n, often cap -- ul.tra.mon.tan.ism
          n

   ultrashort
          [ul.tra.short] adj (1926) 1: having a wavelength below 10
          meters <~ radiation> 2: very short in duration <an ~
          pulse of light>

   ultrasonic
          [ul.tra.son.ic] adj (1923) 1: having a frequency above the
          human ear's audibility limit of about 20,000 hertz--used
          of waves and vibrations 2: utilizing, produced by, or
          relating to ultrasonic waves or vibrations <~ testing
          of metal> -- ul.tra.son.i.cal.ly adv

   ultrasonics
          [ul.tra.son.ics] n pl (1924) 1: ultrasonic vibrations or
          compressional waves 2 sing in constr: the study of ultrasonic
          vibrations and their associated phenomena 3: ultrasonic
          devices

   ultrasonography
          [ul.tra.so.nog.ra.phy] n [ultrasonic + -o- + -graphy] (1951):
          ultrasound 2 -- ul.tra.so.nog.ra.pher n -- ul.tra.so.no.graph.ic
          adj

   ultrasound
          [ul.tra.sound] n (1923) 1: vibrations of the same physical
          nature as sound but with frequencies above the range
          of human hearing 2: the diagnostic or therapeutic use
          of ultrasound and esp. a technique involving the formation
          of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and
          measurement of internal body structures and the detection
          of bodily abnormalities--called also sonography 3: a
          diagnostic examination using ultrasound

   ultrastructure
          [ul.tra.struc.ture] n (1939): biological structure and esp.
          fine structure (as of a cell) not visible through an
          ordinary microscope -- ul.tra.struc.tur.al adj --
          ul.tra.struc.tur.al.ly adv

   ultraviolet
          [ul.tra.vi.o.let] adj (1840) 1: situated beyond the visible
          spectrum at its violet end--used of radiation having
          a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light
          and longer than those of X rays 2: relating to, producing,
          or employing ultraviolet radiation -- ultraviolet n

   ultra vires
          [ul.tra vi.res] adv or adj [NL, lit., beyond power] (1793):
          beyond the scope or in excess of legal power or authority

   ululant
          [ul.u.lant] adj (1868): having a howling sound: wailing <dark
          wasteland ... ~ with bitter wind --Rudi Blesh>

   ululate
          [ul.u.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L ululatus, pp. of ululare,
          of imit. origin] (1623): howl, wail -- ul.u.la.tion n

   ulva
          [ul.va] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, sedge] (1706): sea lettuce

   Ulysses
          [Ulys.ses] n [L Ulysses, Ulixes, fr. Gk Oulixes, Olysseus,
          Odysseus]: odysseus

   um...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   umbel
          [um.bel] n [NL umbella, fr. L, umbrella--more at umbrella]
          (1597): a racemose inflorescence typical of the carrot
          family in which the axis is very much contracted so that
          the pedicels appear to spring from the same point to
          form a flat or rounded flower cluster--see inflorescence
          illustration

   umbellate
          [um.bel.late] adj (1760) 1: bearing, consisting of, or arranged
          in umbels 2: resembling an umbel in form

   umbellifer
          [um.bel.li.fer] n [NL Umbelliferae, group name, fem. pl.
          of umbellifer bearing umbels] (1718): a plant of the
          carrot family

   umbelliferous
          [um.bel.lif.er.ous] adj (1662): of or relating to the carrot
          family <~ flower heads>

   [1]umber
          [um.ber] n [prob. fr. obs. E, shade, color, fr. ME umbre
          shade, shadow, fr. MF, fr. L umbra--more at umbrage]
          (1568) 1: a brown earth that is darker in color than
          ocher and sienna because of its content of manganese
          and iron oxides and is highly valued as a permanent pigment
          either in the raw or burnt state 2 a: a moderate to dark
          yellowish brown b: a moderate brown [2]umber vt um.bered
          ; um.ber.ing (1610): to darken with or as if with umber
          [3]umber adj (1802): of, relating to, or having the characteristics
          of umber; specif: of the color of umber

   [1]umbilical
          [um.bil.i.cal] adj (1541) 1: of, relating to, or used at
          the navel 2: of or relating to the central region of
          the abdomen [2]umbilical n (1774): umbilical cord 2

   umbilical cord
          [umbilical cord] n (1753) 1: a cord arising from the navel
          that connects the fetus with the placenta; also: yolk
          stalk 2: a tethering or supply line (as for an astronaut
          outside a spacecraft or a diver underwater)

   umbilicate
          [um.bil.i.cate] or um.bil.i.cat.ed adj (1698) 1: depressed
          like a navel 2: having an umbilicus -- um.bil.i.ca.tion
          n

   umbilicus
          [um.bi.li.cus] n, pl um.bi.li.ci or um.bi.li.cus.es [L--more
          at navel] (ca. 1615) 1 a: navel 1 b: any of several morphological
          depressions; esp: hilum 1 2: a central point: core, heart

   umbles
          [um.bles] n pl [ME, alter. of nombles, fr. MF, pl. of nomble
          fillet of beef, pork loin, modif. of L lumbulus, dim.
          of lumbus loin--more at loin] (15c): the edible viscera
          of an animal and esp. of a deer or hog

   umbo
          [um.bo] n, pl um.bo.nes or umbos [L; akin to L umbilicus--more
          at navel] (1721) 1: the boss of a shield 2: a rounded
          elevation: as a: an inward projection of the tympanic
          membrane of the ear b: one of the lateral prominences
          just above the hinge of a bivalve shell -- um.bo.nal
          adj -- um.bo.nate adj

   umbra
          [um.bra] n, pl umbras or um.brae [L] (1638) 1: a shaded area
          2 a: a conical shadow excluding all light from a given
          source; specif: the conical part of the shadow of a celestial
          body excluding all light from the primary source b: the
          central dark part of a sunspot -- um.bral adj

   umbrage
          [um.brage] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L umbraticum, neut. of umbraticus
          of shade, fr. umbratus, pp. of umbrare to shade, fr.
          umbra shade, shadow; akin to Lith unksme shadow] (15c)
          1: shade, shadow 2: shady branches: foliage 3 a: an indistinct
          indication: vague suggestion: hint b: a reason for doubt:
          suspicion 4: a feeling of pique or resentment at some
          often fancied slight or insult <took ~ at the speaker's
          remarks> syn see offense

   umbrageous
          [um.bra.geous] adj (1587) 1 a: affording shade b: spotted
          with shadows 2: inclined to take offense easily -- um.bra.geous.ly
          adv -- um.bra.geous.ness n

   [1]umbrella
          [um.brel.la] n [It ombrella, modif. of L umbella, dim. of
          umbra] (1611) 1: a collapsible shade for protection against
          weather consisting of fabric stretched over hinged ribs
          radiating from a central pole; esp: a small one for carrying
          in the hand 2: the bell-shaped or saucer-shaped largely
          gelatinous structure that forms the chief part of the
          body of most jellyfishes 3: something which provides
          protection: as a: defensive air cover (as over a battlefront)
          b: a heavy barrage 4: something which covers or embraces
          a broad range of elements or factors <decided to expand
          ... by building new colleges under a federation ~ --Diane
          Ravitch> [2]umbrella vt -laed ; -la.ing (ca. 1800): to
          protect, cover, or provide with an umbrella

   umbrella plant
          [umbrella plant] n (1874): an African sedge (Cyperus alternifolius)
          that has large terminal whorls of slender leaves and is often grown
          as an ornamental

   umbrella tree
          [umbrella tree] n (1738) 1: a magnolia (Magnolia tripetala)
          of the eastern U.S. having large leaves clustered at
          the ends of the branches 2: any of various trees or shrubs
          resembling an umbrella esp. in the arrangement of leaves
          or the shape of the crown

   Umbrian
          [Um.bri.an] n (1601) 1: a native or inhabitant of Umbria
          2: the Italic language of ancient Umbria -- Umbrian adj

   Umbundu
          [Um.bun.du] n (ca. 1895): a Bantu language of central Angola

   umiak
          [umi.ak] n [Inuit umiaq] (1769): an open Eskimo boat made
          of a wooden frame covered with hide

   [1]umlaut
          [um.laut] n [G, fr. um- around, transformation + Laut sound]
          (1852) 1 a: the change of a vowel that is caused by partial
          assimilation to a succeeding sound or that occurs as
          a reflex of the former presence of a succeeding sound
          which has been lost or altered (as to mark pluralization
          in goose, geese or mouse, mice) b: a vowel resulting
          from such partial assimilation 2: a diacritical mark
          placed over a vowel to indicate a more central or front
          articulation--compare diaeresis [2]umlaut vt (1879) 1:
          to produce by umlaut 2: to write or print an umlaut over

   [1]ump
          [ump] n (1912): umpire 2 [2]ump vi (1928): to act as umpire

   [1]umpire
          [um.pire] n [ME oumpere, alter. (fr. misdivision of a noumpere)
          of noumpere, fr. MF nomper not equal, not paired, fr.
          non- + per equal, fr. L par] (15c) 1: one having authority
          to decide finally a controversy or question between parties:
          as a: one appointed to decide between arbitrators who
          have disagreed b: an impartial third party chosen to
          arbitrate disputes arising under the terms of a labor
          agreement 2: an official in a sport who rules on plays
          3: a military officer who evaluates maneuvers [2]umpire
          vb um.pired ; um.pir.ing vt (1609): to supervise or decide
          as umpire ~ vi: to act as umpire

   umpteen
          [ump.teen] adj [blend of umpty (such and such) and -teen
          (as in thirteen)] (1918): very many: indefinitely numerous
          -- ump.teenth adj

   UMWA
          [UMWA] abbreviation United Mine Workers of America

   un...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]un-
          [un-] prefix [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG un- un-, L in-, Gk
          a-, an-, OE ne not--more at no] 1: not: in-, non---in
          adjectives formed from adjectives <unambitious> <unskilled>
          or participles <undressed>, in nouns formed from nouns
          <unavailability>, and rarely in verbs formed from verbs
          <unbe>--sometimes in words that have a meaning that merely
          negates that of the base word and are thereby distinguished
          from words that prefix in- or a variant of it (as im-)
          to the same base word and have a meaning positively opposite
          to that of the base word <unartistic> <unmoral> 2: opposite
          of: contrary to--in adjectives formed from adjectives
          <unconstitutional> <ungraceful> <unmannered> or participles
          <unbelieving> and in nouns formed from nouns <unrest>
          [2]un- prefix [ME, fr. OE un-, on-, alter. of and- against--more
          at ante-] 1: do the opposite of: reverse (a specified
          action): de- 1a,  dis- 1a--in verbs formed from verbs
          <unbend> <undress> <unfold> 2 a: deprive of: remove (a
          specified thing) from: remove--in verbs formed from nouns
          <unfrock> <unsex> b: release from: free from--in verbs
          formed from nouns <unhand> c: remove from: extract from:
          bring out of--in verbs formed from nouns <unbosom> d:
          cause to cease to be--in verbs formed from nouns <unman>
          3: completely <unloose>un.abrad.ed un.ab.sorbed un.ab.sor.bent
          un.ac.a.dem.ic un.ac.a.dem.i.cal.ly un.ac.cent.ed un.ac.cept.ed
          un.ac.cli.mat.ed un.ac.cli.ma.tized un.ac.com.mo.dat.ed
          un.ac.com.mo.dat.ing un.ac.cred.it.ed un.ac.cul.tur.at.ed
          un.achieved un.ac.knowl.edged un.ac.quaint.ed un.act.able
          un.act.ed un.ac.tor.ish un.adapt.able un.adapt.ed un.ad.dressed
          un.ad.ju.di.cat.ed un.ad.just.ed un.ad.mired un.ad.mit.ted
          un.adopt.able un.adult un.ad.ven.tur.ous un.ad.ver.tised
          un.aes.thet.ic un.af.fect.ing un.af.fec.tion.ate
          un.af.fec.tion.ate.ly un.af.fil.i.at.ed un.af.flu.ent
          un.af.ford.able un.afraid un.ag.gres.sive un.aid.ed
          un.air-con.di.tioned un.akin un.alien.at.ed un.alike
          un.al.le.vi.at.ed un.al.lo.cat.ed un.al.lur.ing un.al.tered
          un.am.bi.tious un.ame.na.ble un.amend.ed un.ami.a.ble
          un.am.or.tized un.am.pli.fied un.amus.ing un.an.a.lyz.able
          un.an.a.lyzed un.an.no.tat.ed un.an.nounced un.apol.o.giz.ing
          un.ap.par.ent un.ap.peased un.ap.pre.ci.at.ed un.ap.pre.cia.tive
          un.ap.pro.pri.at.ed un.ap.proved un.ar.gu.able un.ar.gu.ably
          un.ar.mored un.ar.ro.gant un.ar.tis.tic un.as.pi.rat.ed
          un.as.sailed un.as.sem.bled un.as.signed un.as.sim.i.la.ble
          un.as.sim.i.lat.ed un.as.so.ci.at.ed un.as.suaged un.ath.let.ic
          un.at.tain.able un.at.tend.ed un.at.ten.u.at.ed un.at.test.ed
          un.at.trib.ut.able un.at.trib.ut.ed un.at.tuned un.au.dit.ed
          un.au.then.tic un.au.tho.rized un.au.to.mat.ed un.avail.abil.i.ty
          un.avail.able un.avowed un.awak.ened un.award.ed un.awe.some un.ban
          un.bap.tized un.barbed un.bar.ri.cad.ed un.be.hold.en
          un.bel.lig.er.ent un.be.loved un.be.mused un.billed un.bit.ten
          un.bit.ter un.bleached un.blem.ished un.blend.ed un.blood.ed
          un.book.ish un.bought un.bowd.ler.ized un.brack.et.ed un.brake
          un.breach.able un.break.able un.bridge.able un.bridged un.briefed
          un.bright un.bril.liant un.bruised un.brushed un.bud.get.ed
          un.buf.fered un.build.able un.bulky un.bu.reau.crat.ic un.bur.ied
          un.burn.able un.burned un.burnt un.busi.ness.like un.busy
          un.but.tered un.cal.ci.fied un.cal.cined un.cal.i.brat.ed un.called
          un.cal.loused un.can.celed un.can.did un.can.did.ly un.ca.non.i.cal
          un.cap un.cap.i.tal.ized un.cap.tioned un.cap.tur.able un.cared-for
          un.car.ing un.car.pet.ed un.case un.cas.trat.ed un.cat.a.loged
          un.catch.able un.catchy un.cat.e.go.riz.able un.caught un.cen.sored
          un.cen.so.ri.ous un.cen.sured un.cer.ti.fied un.chal.lenge.able
          un.chal.lenged un.chal.leng.ing un.changed un.chan.neled
          un.chap.er.oned un.char.is.mat.ic un.charm.ing un.chart.ered
          un.chau.vin.is.tic un.check.able un.checked un.chew.able un.chewed
          un.chic un.child.like un.chlo.ri.nat.ed un.cho.reo.graphed
          un.chris.tened un.chron.i.cled un.chro.no.log.i.cal un.church.ly
          un.cil.i.at.ed un.cin.e.mat.ic un.clad un.claimed un.clar.i.fied
          un.clas.si.fi.able un.cleaned un.clear un.cli.ched un.clip
          un.cloy.ing un.co.alesce un.coat.ed un.coat.ing un.cod.ed
          un.cod.i.fied un.co.erced un.co.er.cive un.co.er.cive.ly
          un.col.lect.ed un.col.lect.ible un.co.lored un.com.bat.ive
          un.combed un.com.bined un.come.ly un.com.ic un.com.mer.cial.ized
          un.com.pas.sion.ate un.com.pel.ling un.com.pen.sat.ed
          un.com.pla.cent un.com.plet.ed un.com.pound.ed un.com.pre.hend.ed
          un.com.pu.ter.ized un.con.cealed un.con.fessed un.con.fined
          un.con.firmed un.con.found.ed un.con.fuse un.con.ju.gat.ed
          un.con.nect.ed un.con.quered un.con.se.crat.ed un.con.strained
          un.con.strict.ed un.con.struc.tive un.con.sumed un.con.sum.mat.ed
          un.con.tain.able un.con.tam.i.nat.ed un.con.tem.plat.ed
          un.con.tem.po.rary un.con.ten.tious un.con.test.ed un.con.tract.ed
          un.con.tra.dict.ed un.con.trived un.con.trolled un.con.tro.ver.sial
          un.con.tro.ver.sial.ly un.con.vert.ed un.con.vinced un.con.voyed
          un.cooked un.cooled un.co.op.er.a.tive un.co.or.di.nat.ed
          un.copy.right.able un.cor.rect.able un.cor.rect.ed un.cor.re.lat.ed
          un.cor.rob.o.rat.ed un.cor.rupt un.count.able un.cou.ra.geous
          un.cov.e.nant.ed un.coy un.cracked un.crate un.cra.zy un.cre.a.tive
          un.cre.den.tialed un.cred.it.ed un.crip.pled un.cropped
          un.cross.able un.crowd.ed un.crush.able un.cuff un.cul.ti.va.ble
          un.cul.ti.vat.ed un.cul.tured un.cured un.cu.ri.ous un.cur.rent
          un.cur.tained un.cus.tom.ar.i.ly un.cus.tom.ary un.cute
          un.cyn.i.cal un.cyn.i.cal.ly un.dam.aged un.damped un.dance.able
          un.dat.ed un.dec.a.dent un.de.cid.abil.i.ty un.de.cid.able
          un.de.cid.ed un.de.ci.pher.able un.de.ci.phered un.de.clared
          un.de.com.posed un.dec.o.rat.ed un.ded.i.cat.ed un.de.feat.ed
          un.de.fend.ed un.de.filed un.de.fin.able un.de.fined
          un.de.fo.li.at.ed un.de.formed un.del.e.gat.ed un.de.liv.er.able
          un.de.liv.ered un.de.lud.ed un.de.mand.ing un.de.nom.i.na.tion.al
          un.de.pend.able un.de.scrib.able un.de.served un.de.serv.ing
          un.des.ig.nat.ed un.de.sired un.de.tect.able un.de.tect.ed
          un.de.ter.min.able un.de.ter.mined un.de.terred un.de.vel.oped
          un.di.ag.nos.able un.di.ag.nosed un.di.a.lec.ti.cal un.di.dac.tic
          un.dif.fer.en.ti.at.ed un.di.gest.ed un.di.gest.ible un.dig.ni.fied
          un.di.lut.ed un.di.min.ished un.dimmed un.dis.charged
          un.dis.ci.plined un.dis.closed un.dis.cour.aged un.dis.cov.er.able
          un.dis.cov.ered un.dis.crim.i.nat.ing un.dis.cussed un.dis.mayed
          un.dis.pu.ta.ble un.dis.put.ed un.dis.solved un.dis.tin.guished
          un.dis.tort.ed un.dis.tract.ed un.dis.trib.ut.ed un.dis.turbed
          un.di.vid.ed un.do.able un.doc.ile un.doc.tored un.doc.tri.naire
          un.doc.u.ment.ed un.do.mes.tic un.do.mes.ti.cat.ed un.dot.ted
          un.doubt.able un.doubt.ing un.drained un.dra.ma.tized un.drilled
          un.dubbed un.dulled un.du.pli.cat.ed un.dyed un.dy.nam.ic un.ea.ger
          un.ear.marked un.eat.able un.eat.en un.ec.cen.tric un.eco.log.i.cal
          un.ed.i.fy.ing un.ed.u.ca.ble un.ed.u.cat.ed un.elab.o.rate
          un.elect.able un.elect.ed un.elec.tri.fied un.em.bar.rassed
          un.em.bel.lished un.em.bit.tered un.em.phat.ic un.em.phat.i.cal.ly
          un.em.pir.i.cal un.en.chant.ed un.en.closed un.en.cour.ag.ing
          un.en.dear.ing un.en.dur.able un.en.dur.able.ness un.en.dur.ably
          un.en.force.able un.en.forced un.en.larged un.en.light.ened
          un.en.light.en.ing un.en.riched un.en.ter.pris.ing
          un.en.thu.si.as.tic un.en.thu.si.as.ti.cal.ly un.en.vi.able
          un.en.vi.ous un.erot.ic un.es.cap.able un.es.tab.lished
          un.eth.i.cal un.eval.u.at.ed un.ex.am.ined un.ex.celled
          un.ex.cit.able un.ex.cit.ed un.ex.cit.ing un.ex.cused un.ex.ot.ic
          un.ex.pend.ed un.ex.pired un.ex.plain.able un.ex.plained
          un.ex.plod.ed un.ex.plored un.ex.posed un.ex.pressed
          un.ex.pur.gat.ed un.ex.traor.di.nary un.faked un.fa.mous un.fan.cy
          un.fas.tid.i.ous un.fea.si.ble un.felt un.fem.i.nine un.fenced
          un.fer.ment.ed un.fer.tile un.fer.til.ized un.filled un.fired
          un.flam.boy.ant un.flashy un.fly.able un.fond un.forced
          un.fore.see.able un.fore.seen un.for.est.ed un.for.giv.able
          un.forked un.for.mu.lat.ed un.forth.com.ing un.for.ti.fied
          un.fos.sil.if.er.ous un.framed un.free un.free.dom un.friv.o.lous
          un.ful.fill.able un.ful.filled un.fun.ny un.fur.nished un.fused
          un.gal.lant un.gal.lant.ly un.gar.nished un.ge.nial un.gen.teel
          un.gen.tle un.gen.tle.man.ly un.gen.tri.fied un.ger.mi.nat.ed
          un.gift.ed un.gim.micky un.glam.or.ized un.glam.or.ous un.glazed
          un.grace.ful un.grace.ful.ly un.grad.ed un.grasp.able un.ground
          un.grouped un.guess.able un.guid.ed un.hack.neyed un.ham.pered
          un.harmed un.har.ness un.har.vest.ed un.hatched un.healed
          un.health.ful un.heat.ed un.hedged un.heed.ed un.heed.ing
          un.help.ful un.help.ful.ly un.her.ald.ed un.he.ro.ic un.hin.dered
          un.hip un.his.tor.i.cal un.ho.mog.e.nized un.hon.ored un.hope.ful
          un.housed un.hu.mor.ous un.hurt un.hy.dro.lyzed un.hy.gien.ic
          un.hy.phen.at.ed un.hys.ter.i.cal un.hys.ter.i.cal.ly
          un.iden.ti.fi.able un.iden.ti.fied un.ideo.log.i.cal
          un.id.i.om.at.ic un.ig.nor.able un.il.lu.mi.nat.ing
          un.imag.i.na.tive un.imag.i.na.tive.ly un.im.mu.nized un.im.paired
          un.im.pas.sioned un.im.ped.ed un.im.por.tant un.im.pos.ing
          un.im.pressed un.im.pres.sive un.in.cor.po.rat.ed un.in.dexed
          un.in.dict.ed un.in.dus.tri.al.ized un.in.fect.ed un.in.flat.ed
          un.in.flect.ed un.in.flu.enced un.in.for.ma.tive
          un.in.for.ma.tive.ly un.in.formed un.in.gra.ti.at.ing
          un.in.hab.it.able un.in.hab.it.ed un.ini.ti.at.ed un.in.jured
          un.in.oc.u.lat.ed un.in.spect.ed un.in.spired un.in.spir.ing
          un.in.struct.ed un.in.struc.tive un.in.su.lat.ed un.in.sur.able
          un.in.sured un.in.te.grat.ed un.in.tel.lec.tu.al un.in.tel.li.gent
          un.in.tel.li.gent.ly un.in.tel.li.gi.bil.i.ty un.in.tel.li.gi.ble
          un.in.tel.li.gi.ble.ness un.in.tel.li.gi.bly un.in.tend.ed
          un.in.ten.tion.al un.in.ten.tion.al.ly un.in.ter.est.ing
          un.in.ter.rupt.ed un.in.ter.rupt.ed.ly un.in.tim.i.dat.ed
          un.in.ven.tive un.in.vit.ed un.in.vit.ing un.in.volved
          un.iron.i.cal.ly un.ir.ra.di.at.ed un.ir.ri.gat.ed un.is.sued
          un.jad.ed un.joint.ed un.jus.ti.fi.able un.jus.ti.fi.ably
          un.jus.ti.fied un.kept un.knot un.knowl.edge.able un.ko.sher
          un.la.beled un.la.dy.like un.la.ment.ed un.laun.dered un.learn.able
          un.leav.ened un.lib.er.at.ed un.li.censed un.lik.able un.lined
          un.lis.ten.able un.lit un.lit.er.ary un.liv.able un.lo.cal.ized
          un.lov.able un.loved un.lov.ing un.lyr.i.cal un.ma.cho
          un.mag.ni.fied un.ma.li.cious un.ma.li.cious.ly un.man.age.able
          un.man.age.ably un.man.aged un.ma.nip.u.lat.ed un.mapped un.marked
          un.mar.ket.able un.marred un.mas.cu.line un.match.able un.matched
          un.meant un.mea.sur.able un.mea.sured un.mech.a.nized
          un.med.i.cat.ed un.me.lo.di.ous un.me.lo.di.ous.ness
          un.mem.o.ra.ble un.mem.o.ra.bly un.mer.it.ed un.mer.ry un.met
          un.me.tab.o.lized un.mil.i.tary un.milled un.mined un.mix
          un.mix.able un.mixed un.mod.ern.ized un.mod.i.fied un.mod.ish
          un.mo.lest.ed un.mon.i.tored un.mo.ti.vat.ed un.mount.ed
          un.mov.able un.moved un.mu.si.cal un.name.able un.named un.need.ed
          un.ne.go.tia.ble un.neu.rot.ic un.news.wor.thy un.no.tice.able
          un.no.ticed un.nour.ish.ing un.ob.jec.tion.able un.ob.serv.able
          un.ob.served un.ob.struct.ed un.ob.tain.able un.of.fi.cial
          un.of.fi.cial.ly un.open.able un.opened un.op.posed un.or.dered
          un.orig.i.nal un.or.na.ment.ed un.os.ten.ta.tious
          un.os.ten.ta.tious.ly un.owned un.ox.y.gen.at.ed un.paint.ed
          un.par.a.sit.ized un.par.don.able un.pass.able un.pas.teur.ized
          un.pas.to.ral un.pat.ent.able un.pa.tri.ot.ic un.paved
          un.pe.dan.tic un.peeled un.per.ceived un.per.cep.tive
          un.per.form.able un.per.formed un.per.suad.ed un.per.sua.sive
          un.per.turbed un.pic.tur.esque un.planned un.plau.si.ble
          un.play.able un.pleased un.pleas.ing un.plowed un.po.et.ic
          un.po.liced un.pol.ished un.pol.lut.ed un.posed un.prac.ti.cal
          un.pre.dict.abil.i.ty un.pre.dict.able un.pre.dict.ably
          un.prej.u.diced un.pre.med.i.tat.ed un.pre.pared un.pre.pared.ness
          un.pre.pos.sess.ing un.pressed un.pres.sured un.pres.sur.ized
          un.pret.ty un.priv.i.leged un.prob.lem.at.ic un.pro.cessed
          un.pro.duced un.pro.duc.tive un.pro.fes.sion.al un.pro.gram.ma.ble
          un.pro.grammed un.pro.gres.sive un.prompt.ed un.pro.nounce.able
          un.pro.pi.tious un.pros.per.ous un.pro.tect.ed un.prov.able
          un.proved un.prov.en un.pro.voked un.pruned un.pub.li.cized
          un.pub.lished un.punc.tu.al un.punc.tu.al.i.ty un.punc.tu.at.ed
          un.pun.ished un.quan.ti.fi.able un.quench.able un.ques.tioned
          un.raised un.ranked un.rat.ed un.rav.ished un.reach.able un.reached
          un.read.able un.read.i.ness un.ready un.re.al.iz.able un.re.al.ized
          un.re.cep.tive un.re.claim.able un.re.claimed un.rec.og.niz.able
          un.rec.og.niz.ably un.rec.og.nized un.rec.on.cil.able
          un.rec.on.ciled un.re.cord.ed un.re.cov.er.able un.re.cov.ered
          un.re.cy.cla.ble un.re.deem.able un.re.deemed un.re.dressed
          un.re.fined un.re.flec.tive un.re.formed un.re.frig.er.at.ed
          un.reg.is.tered un.reg.u.lat.ed un.re.hearsed un.re.in.forced
          un.re.lat.ed un.re.laxed un.re.li.abil.i.ty un.re.li.able
          un.re.lieved un.re.liev.ed.ly un.re.luc.tant un.re.mark.able
          un.re.mark.ably un.re.mem.bered un.rem.i.nis.cent un.re.mov.able
          un.re.peat.able un.re.pen.tant un.re.pen.tant.ly un.re.port.ed
          un.rep.re.sen.ta.tive un.rep.re.sen.ta.tive.ness un.rep.re.sent.ed
          un.re.pressed un.re.sis.tant un.re.solv.able un.re.solved
          un.re.spect.able un.re.spon.sive un.re.spon.sive.ly
          un.re.spon.sive.ness un.rest.ful un.re.stored un.re.strict.ed
          un.re.touched un.re.turn.able un.re.vealed un.re.view.able
          un.re.viewed un.re.vised un.rev.o.lu.tion.ary un.re.ward.ed
          un.re.ward.ing un.rhe.tor.i.cal un.rhymed un.rhyth.mic un.rid.able
          un.ri.fled un.rip.ened un.ro.man.tic un.ro.man.ti.cal.ly
          un.ro.man.ti.cized un.roofed un.rushed un.safe un.sal.able
          un.sal.a.ried un.salt.ed un.sal.vage.able un.sanc.tioned
          un.san.i.tary un.sat.is.fied un.scal.able un.scarred un.scent.ed
          un.sched.uled un.schol.ar.ly un.screened un.scrip.tur.al
          un.sea.soned un.sea.wor.thy un.se.cured un.seed.ed un.seg.ment.ed
          un.self-con.scious un.self-con.scious.ly un.self-con.scious.ness
          un.sell.able un.sen.sa.tion.al un.sen.si.tized un.sent
          un.sen.ti.men.tal un.sep.a.rat.ed un.se.ri.ous un.se.ri.ous.ness
          un.served un.ser.vice.able un.sex.u.al un.sexy un.shad.ed
          un.shak.able un.shak.ably un.shak.en un.shape.ly un.shared un.sharp
          un.shav.en un.shelled un.shock.able un.shorn un.showy un.signed
          un.sink.able un.size un.slaked un.smart un.smil.ing un.smoothed
          un.soiled un.sol.dier.ly un.so.lic.it.ed un.solv.able un.solved
          un.sort.ed un.sound.ed un.sown un.spe.cial.ized un.spec.i.fi.able
          un.spe.cif.ic un.spec.i.fied un.spec.tac.u.lar un.spent
          un.spir.i.tu.al un.split un.spoiled un.spoilt un.spo.ken un.sprayed
          un.stained un.stan.dard.ized un.star.tling un.stat.ed un.stayed
          un.ster.ile un.ster.il.ized un.stint.ed un.stitch un.stop.per
          un.strained un.strat.i.fied un.stuffy un.styl.ish un.sub.dued
          un.sub.si.dized un.sub.stan.ti.at.ed un.sub.tle un.sub.tly
          un.suit.abil.ity un.suit.able un.suit.ably un.suit.ed un.sul.lied
          un.su.per.vised un.sup.port.able un.sup.port.ed un.sure
          un.sur.pass.able un.sur.passed un.sur.prised un.sus.cep.ti.ble
          un.sus.pect.ed un.sus.pect.ing un.sus.pi.cious un.sus.tain.able
          un.sweet.ened un.sym.pa.thet.ic un.sym.pa.thet.i.cal.ly
          un.syn.chro.nized un.sys.tem.at.ic un.sys.tem.at.i.cal.ly
          un.sys.tem.a.tized un.tact.ful un.tagged un.taint.ed un.tal.ent.ed
          un.tam.able un.tamed un.tanned un.tar.nished un.taxed un.teach.able
          un.tech.ni.cal un.tem.pered un.ten.ant.ed un.tend.ed un.ten.ured
          un.test.able un.test.ed un.the.o.ret.i.cal un.threat.en.ing
          un.thrifty un.till.able un.tilled un.to.geth.er un.trace.able
          un.tra.di.tion.al un.tra.di.tion.al.ly un.trained un.tram.meled
          un.trans.formed un.trans.lat.abil.i.ty un.trans.lat.able
          un.trans.lat.ed un.trav.eled un.tra.versed un.treat.ed un.trendy
          un.trimmed un.trust.ing un.trust.wor.thy un.tuck un.tuft.ed
          un.typ.i.cal un.typ.i.cal.ly un.un.der.stand.able un.us.able
          un.uti.lized un.vac.ci.nat.ed un.var.ied un.vary.ing
          un.ven.ti.lat.ed un.ver.bal.ized un.ver.i.fi.able un.versed
          un.vi.a.ble un.vis.it.ed un.want.ed un.war.like un.war.rant.ed
          un.wa.ver.ing un.wa.ver.ing.ly un.waxed un.weaned un.wear.able
          un.weath.ered un.wed un.weight.ed un.wel.come un.white un.willed
          un.win.na.ble un.wom.an.ly un.won un.work.abil.i.ty un.work.able
          un.worked un.wor.ried un.wound.ed un.wo.ven un.young

   UN
          [UN] abbreviation United Nations

   unabashed
          [un.abashed] adj (1571): not abashed: undisguised, unapologetic
          -- un.abash.ed.ly adv

   unabated
          [un.abat.ed] adj (ca. 1611): not abated: being at full strength
          or force -- un.abat.ed.ly adv

   unable
          [un.able] adj (14c): not able: incapable: as a: unqualified,
          incompetent b: impotent, helpless

   unabridged
          [un.abridged] adj (1599) 1: not abridged: complete <an ~
          reprint of a novel> 2: being the most complete of its
          class: not based on one larger <an ~ dictionary>

   unacceptable
          [un.ac.cept.able] adj (15c): not acceptable: not pleasing
          or welcome -- un.ac.cept.abil.i.ty n -- un.ac.cept.ably
          adv

   unaccompanied
          [un.ac.com.pa.nied] adj (1545): not accompanied; esp: being
          without instrumental accompaniment

   unaccountable
          [un.ac.count.able] adj (1643) 1: not to be accounted for:
          inexplicable, strange 2: not to be called to account:
          not responsible -- un.ac.count.abil.i.ty n

   unaccountably
          [un.ac.count.ably] adv (1694) 1: in an unaccountable manner
          <looking ~ upset> <heat was ~ disappearing> 2: for reasons
          that are hard to understand <~, he stayed right there>

   unaccounted
          [un.ac.count.ed] adj (1689): not accounted: unexplained--often
          used with for

   unaccustomed
          [un.ac.cus.tomed] adj (1526) 1: not customary: not usual
          or common 2: not habituated--usu. used with to --
          un.ac.cus.tomed.ly adv

   una corda
          [una cor.da] adv or adj [It, lit., one string] (ca. 1849):
          with soft pedal depressed--used as a direction in piano
          music

   unadorned
          [un.adorned] adj (1634): not adorned: lacking embellishment
          or decoration: plain, simple

   unadulterated
          [un.adul.ter.at.ed] adj (ca. 1719) 1: not adulterated: pure
          <~ food> 2: complete, unqualified <an ~ fool> --
          un.adul.ter.at.ed.ly adv

   unadvised
          [un.ad.vised] adj (14c) 1: done without due consideration:
          rash <~ and dangerous dealings with the terrorists> 2:
          not prudent: ill-advised <done with ~ haste> -- un.ad.vis.ed.ly
          adv

   unaffected
          [un.af.fect.ed] adj (ca. 1586) 1: not influenced or changed
          mentally, physically, or chemically 2: free from affectation:
          genuine -- un.af.fect.ed.ly adv -- un.af.fect.ed.ness
          n

   unaging
          [un.ag.ing] or un.age.ing adj (1860): ageless

   unakite
          [una.kite] n [Unaka Mountains, Tenn. & N.C. + [1]-ite] (1874):
          an altered igneous rock that is usu. opaque with green,
          black, pink, and white flecks and is usu. used as a gemstone

   unalienable
          [un.alien.able] adj (1611): inalienable

   unaligned
          [un.aligned] adj (ca. 1934): nonaligned

   unalloyed
          [un.al.loyed] adj (1667): not alloyed: unmixed, unqualified,
          pure <~ metals> <~ happiness>

   unalterable
          [un.al.ter.able] adj (1611): not capable of being altered
          or changed <an ~ resolve> <~ hatred> -- un.al.ter.abil.i.ty
          n -- un.al.ter.able.ness n -- un.al.ter.ably adv

   unambiguous
          [un.am.big.u.ous] adj (1751): not ambiguous: clear, precise
          -- un.am.big.u.ous.ly adv

   unambivalent
          [un.am.biv.a.lent] adj (1945): not ambivalent: clear-cut,
          definite -- un.am.biv.a.lent.ly adv

   un-American
          [un-Amer.i.can] adj (1818): not American: not characteristic
          of or consistent with American customs, principles, or
          traditions

   unan
          [unan] abbreviation unanimous

   unanchored
          [un.an.chored] adj (1651) 1: not anchored: not at anchor
          2: not having a firm basis or foundation

   unaneled
          [un.aneled] adj [un- + aneled, pp. of anele to anoint, fr.
          ME, fr. an on + elen to anoint, fr. ele oil, fr. OE,
          fr. L oleum--more at oil] (1602) archaic: not having
          received extreme unction

   unanesthetized
          [un.anes.the.tized] adj (1950): not having been subjected
          to an anesthetic

   unanimity
          [una.nim.i.ty] n (15c): the quality or state of being unanimous

   unanimous
          [unan.i.mous] adj [L unanimus, fr. unus one + animus mind--more
          at one, animate] (1624) 1: being of one mind: agreeing
          2: formed with or indicating unanimity: having the agreement
          and consent of all -- unan.i.mous.ly adv

   unanswerable
          [un.an.swer.able] adj (1613): not capable of being answered;
          also: irrefutable -- un.an.swer.abil.i.ty n -- un.an.swer.ably
          adv

   unanswered
          [un.an.swered] adj (14c) 1: not answered <~ letters> 2: scored
          in succession during a period in which an opponent fails
          to score <scored 20 ~ points in the last quarter>

   unanticipated
          [un.an.tic.i.pat.ed] adj (ca. 1779): not anticipated: unexpected,
          unforeseen -- un.an.tic.i.pat.ed.ly adv

   unapologetic
          [un.apol.o.get.ic] adj (1834): not apologetic: offered, put
          forward, or being such without apology or qualification
          <an ~ liberal> -- un.apol.o.get.i.cal.ly adv

   unappealable
          [un.ap.peal.able] adj (1635): not appealable: not subject
          to appeal

   unappealing
          [un.ap.peal.ing] adj (ca. 1846): not appealing: unattractive
          -- un.ap.peal.ing.ly adv

   unappeasable
          [un.ap.peas.able] adj (1561): not to be appeased: implacable
          -- un.ap.peas.ably adv

   unappetizing
          [un.ap.pe.tiz.ing] adj (1884): not appetizing: insipid,
          unattractive -- un.ap.pe.tiz.ing.ly adv

   unappreciation
          [un.ap.pre.ci.a.tion] n (1886): failure to appreciate something

   unapproachable
          [un.ap.proach.able] adj (1581) 1: not approachable: physically
          inaccessible 2: discouraging intimacies: reserved --
          un.ap.proach.abil.i.ty n -- un.ap.proach.ably adv

   unapt
          [un.apt] adj (ca. 1513) 1: inappropriate, unsuitable <an
          ~ quote> 2: not accustomed and not likely <a teacher
          ~ to tolerate carelessness> 3: dull, backward <~ scholars>
          -- un.apt.ly adv -- un.apt.ness n

   unarm
          [un.arm] vt (1560): disarm

   unarmed
          [un.armed] adj (14c) 1: not armed or armored 2: having no
          hard and sharp projections (as spines, spurs, or claws)

   unarticulated
          [un.ar.tic.u.lat.ed] adj (ca. 1700): not articulated; esp:
          not carefully reasoned or analyzed

   unary
          [una.ry] adj [L unus one + E -ary] (1576): having, consisting
          of, or acting on a single element, item, or component:
          monadic

   unashamed
          [un.ashamed] adj (1600): not ashamed: being without guilt,
          self-consciousness, or doubt -- un.asham.ed.ly adv

   unasked
          [un.asked] adj (13c) 1: not being asked: uninvited 2: not
          asked <~ questions> 3: not asked for <~ advice>

   unassailable
          [un.as.sail.able] adj (1596): not assailable: not liable
          to doubt, attack, or question -- un.as.sail.abil.i.ty
          n -- un.as.sail.able.ness n -- un.as.sail.ably adv

   unassertive
          [un.as.ser.tive] adj (1861): not assertive: modest, shy --
          un.as.ser.tive.ly adv

   unassisted
          [un.as.sist.ed] adj (1614) 1: not assisted: lacking help
          2: made or performed without an assist <an ~ double play>

   unassuageable
          [un.as.suage.able] adj (ca. 1611): not capable of being assuaged

   unassuming
          [un.as.sum.ing] adj (1726): not assuming: not arrogant or
          presuming: modest, retiring -- un.as.sum.ing.ness n

   unattached
          [un.at.tached] adj (1796) 1 a: not assigned or committed
          (as to a particular task, organization, or person); esp:
          not married or engaged b: not seized as security for
          a legal judgment 2: not joined or united <~ buildings>

   unattractive
          [un.at.trac.tive] adj (ca. 1775): not attractive: plain,
          dull -- un.at.trac.tive.ly adv -- un.at.trac.tive.ness
          n

   unavailing
          [un.avail.ing] adj (1670): not availing: futile, useless
          -- un.avail.ing.ly adv -- un.avail.ing.ness n

   unaverage
          [un.av.er.age] adj (1962): not average: unusual, outstanding

   unavoidable
          [un.avoid.able] adj (1577): not avoidable: inevitable --
          un.avoid.ably adv

   [1]unaware
          [un.aware] adv (1592): unawares [2]unaware adj (1704): not
          aware: ignorant -- un.aware.ly adv -- un.aware.ness n

   unawares
          [un.awares] adv [un- + aware + -s, adv. suffix, fr. ME, fr.
          -s, gen. sing. ending of nouns--more at -s] (1535) 1:
          without design, attention, preparation, or premeditation
          2: without warning: suddenly, unexpectedly

   unbacked
          [un.backed] adj (1609): lacking support or aid

   [1]unbalance
          [un.bal.ance] vt (1856): to put out of balance; esp: to derange
          mentally [2]unbalance n (1887): lack of balance: imbalance

   unbalanced
          [un.bal.anced] adj (1650): not balanced: as a: not in equilibrium
          b: mentally disordered or deranged c: not adjusted so
          as to make credits equal to debits <an ~ account>

   unballasted
          [un.bal.last.ed] adj (1657): not furnished with or steadied
          by ballast: unsteady

   unbandage
          [un.ban.dage] vt (1840): to remove a bandage from

   unbar
          [un.bar] vt (14c): to remove a bar from: unbolt, open

   unbarbered
          [un.bar.bered] adj (1845): having long and esp. unkempt hair

   unbarred
          [un.barred] adj (1603) 1: not secured by a bar: unlocked
          2: not marked with bars

   unbated
          [un.bat.ed] adj (1596) 1: unabated 2 archaic: not blunted

   unbe
          [un.be] vi (15c) archaic: to lack or cease to have being

   unbearable
          [un.bear.able] adj (15c): not bearable: unendurable -- un.bear.ably
          adv

   unbeatable
          [un.beat.able] adj (1897) 1: not capable of being defeated
          2: possessing unsurpassable qualities -- un.beat.ably
          adv

   unbeaten
          [un.beat.en] adj (13c) 1: not pounded or beaten: not whipped
          2: not traversed: untrod 3: not defeated

   unbeautiful
          [un.beau.ti.ful] adj (15c): not beautiful: unattractive --
          un.beau.ti.ful.ly adv

   unbecoming
          [un.be.com.ing] adj (1598): not becoming <an ~ dress>; esp:
          not according with the standards appropriate to one's
          position or condition of life <~ conduct> syn see indecorous
          -- un.be.com.ing.ly adv -- un.be.com.ing.ness n

   unbeknownst
          [un.be.knownst] also un.be.known adj [[1]un- + obs. E beknown
          known; unbeknownst, irreg. fr. unbeknown] (1636): happening
          without one's knowledge: unknown--usu. used with to

   unbelief
          [un.be.lief] n (12c): incredulity or skepticism esp. in matters
          of religious faith

   unbelievable
          [un.be.liev.able] adj (1548): too improbable for belief <the
          plot is unreal and ~>; also: of such a superlative degree
          as to be hard to believe <the destruction was ~> <made
          an ~ catch in center field> -- un.be.liev.ably adv

   unbeliever
          [un.be.liev.er] n (1526) 1: one that does not believe: an
          incredulous person: doubter, skeptic 2: one that does
          not believe in a particular religious faith

   unbelieving
          [un.be.liev.ing] adj (14c): marked by unbelief: incredulous,
          skeptical -- un.be.liev.ing.ly adv

   unbelted
          [un.belt.ed] adj (1814): not furnished with a belt

   unbend
          [un.bend] vb -bent ; -bend.ing vt (13c) 1: to free from flexure:
          make or allow to become straight <~ a bow> 2: to cause
          (as the mind) to relax 3 a: to unfasten (as a sail) from
          a spar or stay b: to cast loose (as a rope): untie ~
          vi 1: to relax one's severity, stiffness, or austerity
          2: to cease to be bent: become straight

   unbendable
          [un.bend.able] adj (ca. 1775): single-minded, firm

   unbending
          [un.bend.ing] adj [[1]un-] (ca. 1688) 1: not bending: unyielding,
          inflexible <an ~ will> 2: aloof or unsocial in manner:
          reserved

   unbeseeming
          [un.be.seem.ing] adj (1583): not befitting: unbecoming

   unbiased
          [un.bi.ased] adj (1647) 1: free from bias; esp: free from
          all prejudice and favoritism: eminently fair 2: having
          an expected value equal to a population parameter being
          estimated <an ~ estimate of the population mean> syn
          see fair -- un.bi.ased.ness n

   unbiblical
          [un.bib.li.cal] adj (1828): contrary to or unsanctioned by
          the Bible

   unbidden
          [un.bid.den] also un.bid adj [ME unbiden, unbeden, fr. OE
          unbeden, fr. un- + beden, pp. of biddan to entreat--more
          at bid] (bef. 12c): not bidden: unasked, uninvited

   unbind
          [un.bind] vt -bound ; -bind.ing (bef. 12c) 1: to remove a
          band from: free from fastenings: untie, unfasten 2: to
          set free: release

   unbitted
          [un.bit.ted] adj [[2]bit] (ca. 1586): unbridled, uncontrolled

   unblenched
          [un.blenched] adj (1634): not disconcerted: undaunted

   unblessed
          [un.blessed] also un.blest adj (14c) 1: not blessed 2: evil,
          accursed

   unblinded
          [un.blind.ed] adj (ca. 1611): not blinded; esp: free from
          illusion

   unblinking
          [un.blink.ing] adj (ca. 1909) 1: not blinking 2: not showing
          signs of emotion, doubt, or confusion -- un.blink.ing.ly
          adv

   unblock
          [un.block] vt (1611): to free from being blocked

   unblushing
          [un.blush.ing] adj (1595) 1: not blushing 2: shameless, unabashed
          -- un.blush.ing.ly adv

   unbodied
          [un.bod.ied] adj (1532) 1: having no body: incorporeal; also:
          freed from the body <~ souls> 2: formless

   unbolt
          [un.bolt] vt (ca. 1598): to open or unfasten by withdrawing
          a bolt

   [1]unbolted
          [un.bolt.ed] adj [[2]bolt] (ca. 1580): not fastened by bolts
          [2]unbolted adj [[4]bolt] (1598): not sifted <~ flour>

   unbonneted
          [un.bon.net.ed] adj (1604): bareheaded

   unborn
          [un.born] adj (bef. 12c) 1: not born: not brought into life
          2: still to appear: future 3: existing without birth

   unbosom
          [un.bos.om] vt (1588) 1: to give expression to: disclose,
          reveal 2: to disclose the thoughts or feelings of (oneself)
          ~ vi: to unbosom oneself

   unbound
          [un.bound] adj (bef. 12c): not bound: as a (1): not fastened
          (2): not confined b: not having the leaves fastened together
          <an ~ book> c: not bound together with other issues <~
          periodicals> d: not held in chemical or physical combination

   unbounded
          [un.bound.ed] adj (1593) 1: having no limit 2: unrestrained,
          uncontrolled -- un.bound.ed.ness n

   unbowed
          [un.bowed] adj (14c) 1: not bowed down 2: not subdued <bloodied
          but ~>

   unbox
          [un.box] vt (1611): to remove from a box

   unbrace
          [un.brace] vt (1593) 1: to free or detach by or as if by
          untying or removing a brace or bond 2: enfeeble, weaken

   unbraid
          [un.braid] vt (ca. 1828): to separate the strands of: unravel

   unbranched
          [un.branched] adj (1665) 1: having no branches <a straight
          ~ trunk> 2: not divided into branches <a leaf with ~
          veins>

   unbranded
          [un.brand.ed] adj (1886) 1: not marked with the owner's name
          or mark <~ cattle> 2: not sold under a brand name

   unbreathable
          [un.breath.able] adj (1846): not fit for being breathed

   unbred
          [un.bred] adj (1662) 1 obs: ill-bred 2: not taught: untrained
          3: not bred: never having been bred <an ~ heifer>

   unbridle
          [un.bri.dle] vt (15c): to free or loose from a bridle; broadly:
          to set loose: free from restraint

   unbridled
          [un.bri.dled] adj (14c) 1: unrestrained <~ enthusiasm> 2:
          not confined by a bridle

   unbroke
          [un.broke] adj (14c): unbroken

   unbroken
          [un.bro.ken] adj (14c): not broken: as a: not violated b:
          whole, intact c: not subdued: untamed; esp: not trained
          for service or use <~ colts> d: continuous <miles of
          ~ forest> e: not plowed f: not disorganized <advanced
          in ~ ranks>

   unbuckle
          [un.buck.le] vt (14c): to loose the buckle of: unfasten ~
          vi 1: to loosen buckles 2: relax

   unbudgeable
          [un.budge.able] adj (1929): not able to be budged or changed:
          inflexible -- un.budge.ably adv

   unbudging
          [un.budg.ing] adj (ca. 1934): not budging: resisting movement
          or change -- un.budg.ing.ly adv

   unbuild
          [un.build] vb -built ; -build.ing vt (1607): to pull down:
          demolish, raze ~ vi: to destroy something

   unbuilt
          [un.built] adj (15c) 1: not built: not yet constructed 2:
          not built on <an ~ plot>

   unbundle
          [un.bun.dle] vi (1969): to give separate prices for equipment
          and supporting services ~ vt: to price separately

   unburden
          [un.bur.den] vt (1538) 1: to free or relieve from a burden
          2: to relieve oneself of (as cares, fears, or worries):
          cast off

   unburdened
          [un.bur.dened] adj (1548): not burdened: having no weight
          or load

   unbutton
          [un.but.ton] vt (14c) 1: to loose the buttons of 2: to open
          by or as if by loosing buttons ~ vi: to undo buttons

   unbuttoned
          [un.but.toned] adj (1583) 1 a: not buttoned b: not provided
          with buttons 2: not under constraint: free and unrestricted
          in action and expression

   Unc
          [Unc] abbreviation uncirculated

   uncage
          [un.cage] vt (1620): to release from or as if from a cage:
          free from restraint

   uncalculated
          [un.cal.cu.lat.ed] adj (ca. 1828): not planned or thought
          out beforehand: spontaneous

   uncalculating
          [un.cal.cu.lat.ing] adj (ca. 1828): not based on or marked
          by calculation

   uncalled-for
          [un.called-for] adj (ca. 1656) 1: not called for or needed:
          unnecessary 2: being or offered without provocation or
          justification <an ~ display of temper> <~ insults>

   uncanny
          [un.can.ny] adj (1843) 1 a: seeming to have a supernatural
          character or origin: eerie, mysterious b: being beyond
          what is normal or expected: suggesting superhuman or
          supernatural powers <an ~ sense of direction> 2 chiefly
          Scot: severe, punishing syn see weird -- un.can.ni.ly
          adv -- un.can.ni.ness n

   uncaused
          [un.caused] adj (ca. 1628): having no antecedent cause

   unceasing
          [un.ceas.ing] adj (14c): never ceasing: continuous, incessant
          -- un.ceas.ing.ly adv

   uncelebrated
          [un.cel.e.brat.ed] adj (1660) 1: not formally honored or
          commemorated 2: not famous: obscure

   unceremonious
          [un.cer.e.mo.ni.ous] adj (1598) 1: not ceremonious: informal
          2: abrupt, rude <an ~ dismissal> -- un.cer.e.mo.ni.ous.ly
          adv -- un.cer.e.mo.ni.ous.ness n

   uncertain
          [un.cer.tain] adj (14c) 1: indefinite, indeterminate <the
          time of departure is ~> 2: not certain to occur: problematical
          3: not reliable: untrustworthy 4 a: not known beyond
          doubt: dubious b: not having certain knowledge: doubtful
          c: not clearly identified or defined 5: not constant:
          variable, fitful -- un.cer.tain.ly adv -- un.cer.tain.ness
          n

   uncertainty
          [un.cer.tain.ty] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being
          uncertain: doubt 2: something that is uncertain syn uncertainty,
          doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, mistrust mean
          lack of sureness about someone or something. uncertainty
          may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost
          complete lack of conviction or knowledge esp. about an
          outcome or result <assumed the role of manager without
          hesitation or uncertainty>. doubt suggests both uncertainty
          and inability to make a decision <plagued by doubts as
          to what to do>. dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions
          <felt some dubiety about its practicality>. skepticism
          implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence
          <an economic forecast greeted with skepticism>. suspicion
          stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness,
          or reliability of something or someone <regarded the
          stranger with suspicion>. mistrust implies a genuine
          doubt based upon suspicion <had a great mistrust of doctors>.

   uncertainty principle
          [uncertainty principle] n (1929): a principle in quantum
          mechanics: it is impossible to discern simultaneously
          and with high accuracy both the position and the momentum
          of a particle (as an electron)--called also Heisenberg
          uncertainty principle

   UNCF
          [UNCF] abbreviation United Negro College Fund

   unchain
          [un.chain] vt (1582): to free by or as if by removing a chain:
          set loose

   unchancy
          [un.chancy] adj (1533) 1 chiefly Scot: ill-fated 2 chiefly
          Scot: dangerous

   unchangeable
          [un.change.able]  adj (14c): not changing or to be changed:
          immutable -- un.change.abil.i.ty n -- un.change.able.ness
          n -- un.chan.ge.ably adv

   unchanging
          [un.chang.ing] adj (1593): constant, invariable -- un.chang.ing.ly
          adv -- un.chang.ing.ness n

   uncharacteristic
          [un.char.ac.ter.is.tic] adj (1753): not characteristic: not
          typical or distinctive -- un.char.ac.ter.is.ti.cal.ly
          adv

   uncharge
          [un.charge] vt (1602) obs: acquit

   uncharged
          [un.charged] adj (1815): not charged; specif: having no electric
          charge

   uncharitable
          [un.char.i.ta.ble] adj (15c): lacking in charity: severe
          in judging: harsh -- un.char.i.ta.ble.ness n -- un.char.i.ta.bly
          adv

   uncharted
          [un.chart.ed] adj (ca. 1847): not recorded or plotted on
          a map, chart, or plan; broadly: unknown <~ territory>

   unchaste
          [un.chaste] adj (14c): not chaste: lacking in chastity --
          un.chaste.ly adv -- un.chaste.ness n

   unchastity
          [un.chas.ti.ty] n (14c): the quality or state of being unchaste

   unchivalrous
          [un.chiv.al.rous] adj (ca. 1846): not chivalrous: lacking
          in chivalry -- un.chiv.al.rous.ly adv

   unchoke
          [un.choke] vt (1588): to clear of obstruction

   unchristian
          [un.chris.tian] adj (1555) 1: not of the Christian faith
          2 a: contrary to the Christian spirit or character b:
          uncivilized, barbarous

   unchurch
          [un.church] vt (ca. 1620) 1: to expel from a church: excommunicate
          2: to deprive of a church or of status as a church

   unchurched
          [un.churched] adj (1681): not belonging to or connected with
          a church

   unci
          [unci] pl of uncus

   [1]uncial
          [un.cial] adj [LL unciales (litterae) uncial (letters), fr.
          L, pl. of uncialis weighing an ounce, fr. uncia twelfth
          part, ounce--more at ounce] (1712): written in the style
          or size of uncials -- un.cial.ly adv [2]uncial n (ca.
          1775) 1: a handwriting used esp. in Greek and Latin manuscripts
          of the 4th to the 8th centuries a.d. and made with somewhat
          rounded separated majuscules but having cursive forms
          for some letters 2: an uncial letter 3: a manuscript
          written in uncial

   unciform
          [un.ci.form] adj [NL unciformis, fr. L uncus hook + -formis
          -form--more at angle] (ca. 1734): hook-shaped: uncinate

   uncinariasis
          [un.ci.na.ri.a.sis] n [NL, fr. Uncinaria, genus that includes
          hookworms, fr. L uncinus hook] (1903): ancylostomiasis

   uncinate
          [un.ci.nate] adj [L uncinatus, fr. uncinus hook, fr. uncus]
          (ca. 1760): bent at the tip like a hook: hooked <an ~
          achene>

   uncirculated
          [un.cir.cu.lat.ed] adj (1917): issued for use as money but
          kept out of circulation (as for preservation in a collection)

   uncircumcised
          [un.cir.cum.cised] adj (14c) 1: not circumcised 2: spiritually
          impure: heathen -- un.cir.cum.ci.sion n

   uncivil
          [un.civ.il] adj (1553) 1: not civilized: barbarous 2: lacking
          in courtesy: ill-mannered, impolite 3: not conducive
          to civic harmony and welfare -- un.civ.il.ly adv

   uncivilized
          [un.civ.i.lized] adj (1607) 1: not civilized: barbarous 2:
          remote from settled areas: wild

   unclamp
          [un.clamp] vt (1809): to loosen the clamp of: to free from
          a clamp

   unclarity
          [un.clar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1923): lack of clarity: ambiguity,
          obscurity

   unclasp
          [un.clasp] vt (1530) 1: to open the clasp of 2: to open or
          cause to be opened (as a clenched hand) ~ vi: to loosen
          a hold

   unclassical
          [un.clas.si.cal] adj (1725): not classical; esp: unconcerned
          with the classics

   unclassified
          [un.clas.si.fied] adj (1865) 1: not placed or belonging in
          a class 2: not subject to a security classification

   uncle
          [un.cle] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L avunculus mother's brother;
          akin to OE eam uncle, W ewythr uncle, L avus grandfather]
          (14c) 1 a: the brother of one's father or mother b: the
          husband of one's aunt 2: one who helps, advises, or encourages
          3--used as a cry of surrender <was forced to cry ~> 4
          cap: uncle sam

   unclean
          [un.clean] adj (bef. 12c) 1: morally or spiritually impure
          2: infected with a harmful supernatural contagion; also:
          prohibited by ritual law for use or contact 3: dirty,
          filthy 4: lacking in clarity and precision of conception
          or execution -- un.clean.ness n

   [1]uncleanly
          [un.clean.ly] adj (bef. 12c): morally or physically unclean
          -- un.clean.li.ness n [2]un.clean.ly adv (bef. 12c):
          in an unclean manner

   unclench
          [un.clench] vt (1699) 1: to open from a clenched position
          2: to release from a grip ~ vi: to become unclasped or
          relaxed

   Uncle Sam
          [Un.cle Sam] n [expansion of U.S., abbr. of United States]
          (1813) 1: the U.S. government 2: the American nation
          or people

   [1]Uncle Tom
          [Uncle Tom] n [Uncle Tom, pious and faithful black slave
          in Uncle Tom's Cabin (1851-52) by Harriet Beecher Stowe]
          (1922) 1: a black who is overeager to win the approval
          of whites (as by obsequious behavior or uncritical acceptance
          of white values and goals) 2: a member of a low-status
          group who is overly subservient to or cooperative with
          authority <the worst floor managers and supervisors by
          far are women ... Some of them are regular Uncle Toms
          --Jane Fonda> -- Uncle Tom.ism n [2]Uncle Tom vi Uncle
          Tommed ; Uncle Tom.ming (1947): to behave like an Uncle
          Tom

   unclimbable
          [un.climb.able] adj (1553): not able to be climbed
          -- un.climb.able.ness n

   unclinch
          [un.clinch] vt (1598): unclench

   uncloak
          [un.cloak] vt (1598) 1: to remove a cloak or cover from 2:
          reveal, unmask ~ vi: to take off a cloak

   unclog
          [un.clog] vt (1607): to free from a difficulty or obstruction

   unclose
          [un.close] vt (14c) 1: open 2: disclose, reveal ~ vi: to
          become opened

   unclosed
          [un.closed] adj (15c): not closed or settled: not concluded

   unclothe
          [un.clothe] vt (14c) 1: to strip of clothes 2: divest, uncover

   unclothed
          [un.clothed] adj (15c): not clothed

   unclouded
          [un.cloud.ed] adj (1594): not covered by clouds: not darkened
          or obscured: clear -- un.cloud.ed.ly adv

   unclubbable
          [un.club.ba.ble] adj (ca. 1764): unsociable 1

   unclutter
          [un.clut.ter] vt (1930): to remove clutter from: make neat
          and orderly

   uncluttered
          [un.clut.tered] adj (1925): not cluttered

   [1]unco
          [un.co] adj [ME (Sc) unkow, alter. of ME uncouth] (15c) 1
          chiefly Scot a: strange, unknown b: uncanny, weird 2
          chiefly Scot: extraordinary [2]unco adv (1724): extremely,
          remarkably, uncommonly [3]unco n, pl uncos (1785) 1 pl,
          chiefly Scot: news, tidings 2 chiefly Scot: stranger

   uncock
          [un.cock] vt (ca. 1775): to remove the hammer of (a firearm)
          from a cocked position

   uncoffin
          [un.cof.fin] vt (1836): to remove from or as if from a coffin

   uncoffined
          [un.cof.fined] adj (1648): not placed in a coffin

   uncoil
          [un.coil] vt (1713): to release from a coiled state: unwind
          ~ vi: to become uncoiled

   uncoiled
          [un.coiled] adj (1713): not coiled

   uncoined
          [un.coined] adj (15c) 1: not minted <~ metal> 2: not fabricated:
          natural

   uncomfortable
          [un.com.fort.able] adj (1592) 1: causing discomfort or annoyance
          <an ~ chair> <an ~ performance> 2: feeling discomfort:
          uneasy <was ~ with them> -- un.com.fort.ably adv

   uncommercial
          [un.com.mer.cial] adj (1768) 1: not engaged in or related
          to commerce 2: not based on commercial principles 3:
          not likely to result in financial success <an ~ book>

   uncommitted
          [un.com.mit.ted] adj (1598): not committed; specif: not pledged
          to a particular belief, allegiance, or program

   uncommon
          [un.com.mon] adj (1611) 1: not ordinarily encountered: unusual
          2: remarkable, exceptional syn see infrequent -- un.com.mon.ly
          adv -- un.com.mon.ness n

   uncommunicable
          [un.com.mu.ni.ca.ble] adj (14c): incommunicable

   uncommunicative
          [un.com.mu.ni.ca.tive] adj (1691): not disposed to talk or
          impart information: reserved

   uncompetitive
          [un.com.pet.i.tive] adj (1885): not competitive: unable to
          compete -- un.com.pet.i.tive.ness n

   uncomplaining
          [un.com.plain.ing] adj (1744): not complaining: patient --
          un.com.plain.ing.ly adv

   uncomplicated
          [un.com.pli.cat.ed] adj (ca. 1775) 1 a: not complicated by
          something outside itself b: not involving medical complications
          <an ~ peptic ulcer> 2: not complex: simple <~ machinery>

   uncomplimentary
          [un.com.pli.men.ta.ry] adj (1842): not complimentary: derogatory

   uncomprehending
          [un.com.pre.hend.ing] adj (1838): not comprehending: lacking
          understanding -- un.com.pre.hend.ing.ly adv

   uncompromisable
          [un.com.pro.mis.able] adj (1958): not able to be compromised

   uncompromising
          [un.com.pro.mis.ing] adj (ca. 1828): not making or accepting
          a compromise: making no concessions: inflexible, unyielding
          -- un.com.pro.mis.ing.ly adv -- un.com.pro.mis.ing.ness
          n

   unconceivable
          [un.con.ceiv.able] adj (ca. 1607): inconceivable

   unconcern
          [un.con.cern] n (1711) 1: lack of care or interest: indifference
          2: freedom from excessive concern or anxiety

   unconcerned
          [un.con.cerned] adj (ca. 1635) 1: not involved: not having
          any part or interest 2: not anxious or upset: free of
          worry syn see indifferent -- un.con.cerned.ly adv --
          un.con.cerned.ness n

   unconditional
          [un.con.di.tion.al] adj (1666) 1: not conditional or limited:
          absolute, unqualified <~ surrender> 2: unconditioned
          2 -- un.con.di.tion.al.ly adv

   unconditioned
          [un.con.di.tioned] adj (ca. 1631) 1: not subject to conditions
          or limitations 2 a: not dependent on or subjected to
          conditioning or learning: natural <~ responses> b: producing
          an unconditioned response <~ stimuli>

   unconformable
          [un.con.form.able] adj (1594) 1: not conforming 2: exhibiting
          geological unconformity -- un.con.form.ably adv

   unconformity
          [un.con.for.mi.ty] n (ca. 1600) 1 archaic: lack of conformity
          2 a: lack of continuity in deposition between rock strata
          in contact corresponding to a period of nondeposition,
          weathering, or erosion b: the surface of contact between
          unconformable strata

   uncongenial
          [un.con.ge.nial] adj (ca. 1775) 1: not sympathetic or compatible
          <~ roommates> 2 a: not fitted: unsuitable <a soil ~ to
          most crops> b: not to one's taste: disagreeable <an ~
          task> -- un.con.ge.nial.i.ty n

   unconquerable
          [un.con.quer.able] adj (1598) 1: incapable of being conquered:
          indomitable <an ~ will> 2: incapable of being surmounted
          <~ difficulties> -- un.con.quer.ably adv

   unconscionable
          [un.con.scio.na.ble] adj (1570) 1: not guided or controlled
          by conscience: unscrupulous <an ~ villain> 2 a: excessive,
          unreasonable <found an ~ number of defects in the car>
          b: shockingly unfair or unjust <~ sales practices> --
          un.con.scio.na.bil.i.ty n -- un.con.scio.na.ble.ness
          n -- un.con.scio.na.bly adv

   [1]unconscious
          [un.con.scious] adj (1712) 1 a: not knowing or perceiving:
          not aware b: free from self-awareness 2 a: not possessing
          mind or consciousness <~ matter> b (1): not marked by
          conscious thought, sensation, or feeling <~ motivation>
          (2): of or relating to the unconscious c: having lost
          consciousness <was ~ for three days> 3: not consciously
          held or deliberately planned or carried out <~ bias>
          -- un.con.scious.ly adv -- un.con.scious.ness n [2]unconscious
          n (1912): the part of the psychic apparatus that does
          not ordinarily enter the individual's awareness and that
          is manifested esp. by slips of the tongue or dissociated
          acts or in dreams

   unconsidered
          [un.con.sid.ered] adj (1587) 1: not considered or worth
          consideration 2: not resulting from consideration

   unconsolidated
          [un.con.sol.i.dat.ed] adj (ca. 1775): loosely arranged <~
          subsidiaries>; esp: not stratified <~ soil>

   unconstitutional
          [un.con.sti.tu.tion.al] adj (1734): not according or consistent
          with the constitution of a body politic (as a nation)
          -- un.con.sti.tu.tion.al.i.ty n -- un.con.sti.tu.tion.al.ly
          adv

   unconstraint
          [un.con.straint] n (1711): freedom from constraint: ease

   unconstructed
          [un.con.struct.ed] adj (1970) of clothing: manufactured without
          added material for padding, stiffening, or shape retention

   uncontrollable
          [un.con.trol.la.ble] adj (1593) 1 archaic: free from control
          by a superior power: absolute 2: incapable of being controlled:
          ungovernable -- un.con.trol.la.bil.i.ty n -- un.con.trol.la.bly
          adv

   unconventional
          [un.con.ven.tion.al] adj (1839): not conventional: not bound
          by or in accordance with convention: being out of the
          ordinary -- un.con.ven.tion.al.i.ty n -- un.con.ven.tion.al.ly
          adv

   unconvincing
          [un.con.vinc.ing] adj (1653): not convincing: implausible
          -- un.con.vinc.ing.ly adv -- un.con.vinc.ing.ness n

   uncool
          [un.cool] adj (1953) 1: lacking in assurance 2: failing to
          accord with the current styles (as of dress or behavior)
          of a particular group

   uncork
          [un.cork] vt (1727) 1: to draw a cork from 2 a: to release
          from a sealed or pent-up state <~ a surprise> b: to let
          go: release <~ a wild pitch>

   uncorked
          [un.corked] adj (1791): not provided with a cork

   uncorseted
          [un.cor.set.ed] adj (1856) 1: not wearing a corset 2: not
          controlled or inhibited <~ freedom>

   uncounted
          [un.count.ed] adj (15c) 1: not counted 2: innumerable

   uncouple
          [un.cou.ple] vt (14c) 1: to release (dogs) from a couple
          2: detach, disconnect <~ railroad cars> -- un.cou.pler
          n

   uncouth
          [un.couth] adj [ME, fr. OE uncuth, fr. un- + cuth familiar,
          known; akin to OHG kund known, OE can know--more at can]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: not known or not familiar to
          one: seldom experienced: uncommon, rare b obs: mysterious,
          uncanny 2 a: strange or clumsy in shape or appearance:
          outlandish b: lacking in polish and grace: rugged <~
          verse> c: awkward and uncultivated in appearance, manner,
          or behavior -- un.couth.ly adv -- un.couth.ness n

   uncover
          [un.cov.er] vt (14c) 1: to make known: bring to light: disclose,
          reveal 2: to expose to view by removing some covering
          3 a: to take the cover from b: to remove the hat from
          4: to deprive of protection ~ vi 1: to remove a cover
          or covering 2: to take off the hat as a token of respect

   uncovered
          [un.cov.ered] adj (15c): not covered: as a: not supplied
          with a covering b: not covered by insurance or included
          in a social insurance or welfare program c: not covered
          by collateral <an ~ note>

   uncreated
          [un.cre.at.ed] adj (ca. 1549) 1: not existing by creation:
          eternal, self-existent 2: not yet created

   uncritical
          [un.crit.i.cal] adj (1659) 1: not critical: lacking
          in discrimination 2: showing lack or improper use of critical
          standards or procedures -- un.crit.i.cal.ly adv

   uncross
          [un.cross] vt (1599): to change from a crossed position

   uncrown
          [un.crown] vt (14c): to take the crown from: depose, dethrone

   uncrumple
          [un.crum.ple] vt (1611): to restore to an original smooth
          condition

   uncrystallized
          [un.crys.tal.lized] adj (1759): not crystallized; also: not
          finally or definitely formed

   unction
          [unc.tion] n [ME unctioun, fr. L unction-, unctio, fr. unguere
          to anoint--more at ointment] (14c) 1: the act of anointing
          as a rite of consecration or healing 2: something used
          for anointing: ointment, unguent 3 a: religious or spiritual
          fervor or the expression of such fervor b: exaggerated,
          assumed, or superficial earnestness of language or manner:
          unctuousness

   unctuous
          [unc.tu.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF unctueux, fr. ML unctuosus,
          fr. L unctus act of anointing, fr. unguere to anoint] (14c)
          1 a: fatty, oily b: smooth and greasy in texture or appearance
          2: plastic <fine ~ clay> 3: full of unction; esp: revealing
          or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness
          or spirituality -- unc.tu.ous.ly adv -- unc.tu.ous.ness n

   uncurl
          [un.curl] vi (1588): to become straightened out from a curled
          or coiled position ~ vt: to straighten the curls of:
          unroll

   uncus
          [un.cus] n, pl un.ci [NL, fr. L, hook--more at angle] (1826):
          a hooked anatomical part or process

   uncut
          [un.cut] adj (1548) 1: not cut down or cut into 2: not shaped
          by cutting <an ~ diamond> 3 of a book: not having the
          folds of the leaves slit 4: not abridged, curtailed,
          or expurgated <the ~ version of the film> 5: not diluted
          or adulterated <~ vinegar> <~ heroin>

   undauntable
          [un.daunt.able] adj (1587): incapable of being daunted: fearless

   undaunted
          [un.daunt.ed] adj (1587): courageously resolute esp. in the
          face of danger or difficulty: not discouraged -- un.daunt.ed.ly
          adv

   undead
          [un.dead] n, pl undead (1897) 1: vampire 1 2: zombie 1b

   undebatable
          [un.de.bat.able] adj (1869): not subject to debate: indisputable
          -- un.de.bat.ably adv

   undeceive
          [un.de.ceive] vt (1598): to free from deception, illusion,
          or error

   undecillion
          [un.de.cil.lion] n, often attrib [L undecim eleven (fr. unus
          one + decem ten) + E -illion (as in million)--more at
          one, ten] (1931): the figure 1 followed by 36 zeroes:
          the figure 1,000 followed by 11 groups of three zeroes;
          also, Brit: the figure 1 followed by 66 zeroes: one million
          to the 11th power

   undecylenic acid
          [un.dec.y.le.nic acid] n [undecylene ] (1879): an acid found
          in perspiration, obtained commercially from castor oil,
          and used in the treatment of fungal infections (as ringworm)
          of the skin

   undemocratic
          [un.dem.o.crat.ic] adj (1839): not democratic: not agreeing
          with democratic practice or ideals -- un.dem.o.crat.i.cal.ly
          adv

   undemonstrative
          [un.de.mon.stra.tive] adj (1846): restrained in expression
          of feeling: reserved -- un.de.mon.stra.tive.ly adv --
          un.de.mon.stra.tive.ness n

   undeniable
          [un.de.ni.able] adj (1547) 1: plainly true: incontestable
          2: unquestionably excellent or genuine <an applicant
          with ~ references> -- un.de.ni.able.ness n -- un.de.ni.ably
          adv

   [1]under
          [un.der] adv [ME, adv. & prep., fr. OE; akin to OHG untar
          under, L inferus situated beneath, lower, infra below,
          Skt adha] (bef. 12c) 1: in or into a position below or
          beneath something 2: below or short of some quantity,
          level, or limit <$10 or ~>--often used in combination
          <understaffed> 3: in or into a condition of subjection,
          subordination, or unconsciousness 4: down to defeat,
          ruin, or death 5: so as to be covered [2]under prep (bef.
          12c) 1: below or beneath so as to be overhung, surmounted,
          covered, protected, or concealed by <~ sunny skies> <a
          soft heart ~ a stern exterior> <~ cover of darkness>
          2 a: subject to the authority, control, guidance, or
          instruction of <served ~ the general> <~ the terms of
          the contract> b: receiving or undergoing the action or
          effect of <~ pressure> <courage ~ fire> <~ the influence
          of alcohol> <the image of a point ~ a mapping> 3: within
          the group or designation of <~ this heading> 4: less
          or lower than (as in size, amount, or rank); esp: falling
          short of a standard or required degree <~ the legal age>
          <~ par> [3]under adj (14c) 1 a: lying or placed below,
          beneath, or on the ventral side--often used in combination
          <underlip> b: facing or protruding downward 2: lower
          in rank or authority: subordinate 3: lower than usual,
          proper, or desired in amount, quality, or degree <an
          ~ dose of medicine>

   underachiever
          [un.der.achiev.er] n (1952): a person and esp. a student
          who fails to attain a predicted level of achievement
          or does not do as well as expected -- un.der.achieve
          vi -- un.der.achieve.ment n

   underact
          [un.der.act] vt (ca. 1623): to perform (a dramatic part)
          with restraint for effect: underplay ~ vi: to perform
          feebly or with restraint

   underactive
          [un.der.ac.tive] adj (1959): characterized by an abnormally
          low level of activity <an ~ thyroid gland> -- un.der.ac.tiv.i.ty
          n

   underage
          [un.der.age] adj (1594) 1: of less than mature or legal age
          2: done by or involving underage persons <~ drinking>

   underappreciated
          [un.der.ap.pre.ci.at.ed] adj (1968): not duly appreciated

   [1]underarm
          [un.der.arm] adj (1816) 1: underhand 4 2: placed under or
          on the underside of the arm <~ seams> [2]un.der.arm adv
          (ca. 1909): underhand [3]un.der.arm n (1923) 1: armpit
          1 2: the part of a garment that covers the underside
          of the arm

   underbelly
          [un.der.bel.ly] n (1607) 1: the underside of a body or mass
          2: a vulnerable area

   underbid
          [un.der.bid] vb -bid ; -bid.ding vt (ca. 1677) 1: to bid
          less than (a competing bidder) 2: to bid (a hand of cards)
          at less than the strength of the hand warrants ~ vi:
          to bid too low -- un.der.bid.der n

   underbody
          [un.der.body] n (1879): the lower part of something: as a:
          the lower part of an animal's body: underparts b: the
          lower parts of the body of a vehicle

   underboss
          [un.der.boss] n (1942): a boss ranking next below the head
          of a branch of a crime syndicate

   underbred
          [un.der.bred] adj (1650): marked by lack of good breeding:
          ill-bred

   underbrim
          [un.der.brim] n (1886): a facing on the underside of a hat
          brim

   underbrush
          [un.der.brush] n (1775) 1: shrubs, bushes, or small trees
          growing beneath large trees in a wood or forest: brush
          2: a tangled, obstructing, or impeding mass

   underbudgeted
          [un.der.bud.get.ed] adj (1965): provided with an inadequate
          budget

   undercapitalized
          [un.der.cap.i.tal.ized] adj (1967): having too little capital
          for efficient operation

   undercard
          [un.der.card] n (1948): a program (as of boxing matches)
          supporting the featured match

   undercarriage
          [un.der.car.riage] n (ca. 1796) 1: a supporting framework
          (as of an automobile) 2 chiefly Brit: the landing gear
          of an airplane

   undercharge
          [un.der.charge] vt (1633): to charge (as a person) too little
          -- undercharge n

   underclass
          [un.der.class] n (1918): the lowest social stratum usu. made
          up of disadvantaged minority groups

   underclassman
          [un.der.class.man] n (1871): a member of the freshman or
          sophomore class in a school or college

   underclothes
          [un.der.clothes] n pl (ca. 1859): underwear

   underclothing
          [un.der.cloth.ing] n (1835): underwear

   undercoat
          [un.der.coat] n (1648) 1: a coat or jacket worn under another
          2: a growth of short hair or fur partly concealed by
          the longer and usu. coarser guard hairs of a mammal 3
          a: a coat (as of paint) applied as a base for another
          coat b: undercoating 4 dial: petticoat

   undercoating
          [un.der.coat.ing] n (1922): a usu. asphalt-based waterproof
          coating applied to the underside of a vehicle

   undercool
          [un.der.cool] vt (1902): supercool

   undercount
          [un.der.count] vt (1951): to count fewer than the actual
          number of -- undercount n

   undercover
          [un.der.cov.er] adj (1920): acting or executed in secret;
          specif: employed or engaged in spying or secret investigation
          <an ~ agent>

   undercroft
          [un.der.croft] n [ME, fr. under + crofte crypt, fr. MD, fr.
          ML crupta, fr. L crypta--more at crypt] (14c): a subterranean
          room; esp: a vaulted chamber under a church

   undercurrent
          [un.der.cur.rent] n (1683) 1: a current below the upper currents
          or surface 2: a hidden opinion, feeling, or tendency
          often contrary to the one publicly shown -- undercurrent
          adj

   [1]undercut
          [un.der.cut] vb -cut ; -cut.ting vt (1598) 1: to cut away
          the underpart of <~ a vein of ore> 2: to cut away material
          from the underside of (an object) so as to leave an overhanging
          portion in relief 3: to offer to sell at lower prices
          than or to work for lower wages than (a competitor) 4:
          to cut obliquely into (a tree) below the main cut and
          on the side toward which the tree will fall 5: to strike
          (a ball) with a downward glancing blow so as to give
          a backspin or elevation to the shot 6: to undermine or
          destroy the force, value, or effectiveness of <inflation
          ~s consumer buying power> ~ vi: to perform the action
          of cutting away beneath [2]un.der.cut n (1859) 1 Brit:
          tenderloin 1 2: the action or result of cutting away
          from the underside or lower part of something 3: a notch
          cut in the base of a tree before felling to determine
          the direction of falling and to prevent splitting

   underdeveloped
          [un.der.de.vel.oped] adj (1892) 1: not normally or adequately
          developed <~ muscles> <an ~ film> 2: having a relatively
          low economic level of industrial production and standard
          of living (as from lack of capital) <~ nations>
          -- un.der.de.vel.op.ment n

   underdog
          [un.der.dog] n (1887) 1: a loser or predicted loser in a
          struggle or contest 2: a victim of injustice or persecution

   underdone
          [un.der.done] adj (1683): not thoroughly cooked: rare

   underdrawers
          [un.der.draw.ers] n pl (1894): an article of underwear for
          the lower body

   undereducated
          [un.der.ed.u.cat.ed] adj (1856): poorly educated

   underemphasis
          [un.der.em.pha.sis] n (1964): less emphasis than is possible
          or desirable

   underemphasize
          [un.der.em.pha.size] vt (1967): to fail to emphasize adequately

   underemployed
          [un.der.em.ployed] adj (1908): having less than full-time,
          regular, or adequate employment

   underemployment
          [un.der.em.ploy.ment] n (1910) 1: the condition in which
          people in a labor force are employed at less than full-time
          or regular jobs or at jobs inadequate with respect to
          their training or economic needs 2: the condition of
          being underemployed

   underestimate
          [un.der.es.ti.mate] vt (1812) 1: to estimate as being less
          than the actual size, quantity, or number 2: to place
          too low a value on: underrate -- un.der.es.ti.mate n
          -- un.der.es.ti.ma.tion n

   underexpose
          [un.der.ex.pose] vt (1861): to expose insufficiently; esp:
          to expose (as film) to insufficient radiation (as light)
          -- un.der.ex.po.sure n

   underfeed
          [un.der.feed] vt -fed ; -feed.ing (1659): to feed with too
          little food

   underfinanced
          [un.der.fi.nanced] adj (1922): inadequately financed

   underfoot
          [un.der.foot] adv (13c) 1: under the foot esp. against the
          ground <trampled the flowers ~> 2: below, at, or before
          one's feet <warm sand ~> 3: in the way <children always
          getting ~>

   underfund
          [un.der.fund] vt (1968): to provide insufficient funds for

   underfur
          [un.der.fur] n (1877): an undercoat of fur esp. when thick
          and soft

   undergarment
          [un.der.gar.ment] n (1530): a garment to be worn under another

   undergird
          [un.der.gird] vt (1526) 1 archaic: to make secure underneath
          <took measures to ~ the ship --Acts 27:17 (RSV)> 2: to
          form the basis or foundation of: strengthen, support
          <facts and statistics subtly ~ his commentary --Susan
          Q. Stranahan>

   underglaze
          [un.der.glaze] adj (1879): applied or suitable for applying
          before the glaze is put on <~ decorations> <~ colors>
          -- underglaze n

   undergo
          [un.der.go] vt -went ; -gone ; -go.ing (14c) 1: to submit
          to: endure 2: to go through: experience 3 obs: undertake
          4 obs: to partake of

   undergrad
          [un.der.grad] n (1827): undergraduate

   undergraduate
          [un.der.grad.u.ate] n (1630): a student at a college or university
          who has not taken a first and esp. a bachelor's degree
          -- undergraduate adj

   [1]underground
          [un.der.ground] adv (1571) 1: beneath the surface of the
          earth 2: in or into hiding or secret operation [2]underground
          n (1594) 1: a subterranean space or channel 2: an underground
          city railway system 3 a: a movement or group organized
          in strict secrecy among citizens esp. in an occupied
          country for maintaining communications, popular solidarity,
          and concerted resistive action pending liberation b:
          a clandestine conspiratorial organization set up for
          revolutionary or other disruptive purposes esp. against
          a civil order c: an unofficial, unsanctioned, or illegal
          but informal movement or group; esp: a usu. avant-garde
          group or movement that functions outside the establishment
          [3]un.der.ground adj (1610) 1: being, growing, operating,
          or situated below the surface of the ground 2: conducted
          by secret means 3 a: existing outside the establishment
          <an ~ literary reputation> b: existing outside the purview
          of tax collectors or statisticians <the ~ economy> 4
          a: produced or published outside the establishment esp.
          by the avant-garde <~ movies> <~ newspapers> b: of or
          relating to the avant-garde underground <an ~ moviemaker>
          <an ~ theater>

   undergrounder
          [un.der.ground.er] n (1882): a member of the underground

   Underground Railroad
          [Underground Railroad] n (1842): a system of cooperation
          among active antislavery people in the U.S. before 1863
          by which fugitive slaves were secretly helped to reach
          the North or Canada--called also Underground Railway

   undergrowth
          [un.der.growth] n (1600): low growth on the floor of a forest
          including seedlings and saplings, shrubs, and herbs

   [1]underhand
          [un.der.hand] adv (1538) 1 a: in a clandestine manner b archaic:
          in a quiet or unobtrusive manner 2: with the target seen
          below the hand holding the bow 3: with an underhand motion
          <bowl ~> <pitch ~> [2]underhand adj (1545) 1: aimed so
          that the target is seen below the hand holding the bow
          <~ shooting at long range> 2: underhanded 3: done so
          as to evade notice 4: made with the hand brought forward
          and up from below the shoulder level

   [1]underhanded
          [un.der.hand.ed] adv (ca. 1822): underhand [2]underhanded
          adj (1853): marked by secrecy, chicanery, and deception:
          not honest and aboveboard: sly syn see secret -- un.der.hand.ed.ly
          adv -- un.der.hand.ed.ness n

   underinflated
          [un.der.in.flat.ed] adj (1928): not sufficiently inflated
          <~ tires> -- un.der.in.fla.tion n

   underinsured
          [un.der.in.sured] adj (1893): not sufficiently insured

   underinvestment
          [un.der.in.vest.ment] n (1940): an insufficient amount of
          investment

   underlaid
          [un.der.laid] adj (bef. 12c) 1: laid or placed underneath
          2: having something laid or lying underneath

   [1]underlay
          [un.der.lay] vt -laid ; -lay.ing (bef. 12c) 1: to cover,
          line, or traverse the bottom of: give support to on the
          underside or below 2: to raise or support by something
          laid under [2]un.der.lay n (1612): something that is
          or is designed to be laid under

   underlayment
          [un.der.lay.ment] n (1949): underlay

   underlet
          [un.der.let] vt -let ; -let.ting (1677) 1: to let below the
          real value 2: sublet

   underlie
          [un.der.lie] vt -lay ; -lain ; -ly.ing (bef. 12c) 1 archaic:
          to be subject or amenable to 2: to lie or be situated
          under 3: to be at the basis of: form the foundation of:
          support <ideas underlying the revolution> 4: to exist
          as a claim or security superior and prior to (another)

   [1]underline
          [un.der.line] vt (1721) 1: to mark (as a word) with a line
          underneath 2: to put emphasis on: stress 3: to show clearly
          or emphatically [2]un.der.line n (1886) 1: the outline
          of a quadruped's underbody; also: the ventral surface
          of a quadruped's body 2: a horizontal line placed underneath
          something

   underling
          [un.der.ling] n (12c): one who is under the orders of another:
          subordinate, inferior

   underlip
          [un.der.lip] n (1669): the lower lip

   underlying
          [un.der.ly.ing] adj (1611) 1 a: lying beneath or below <the
          ~ rock is shale> b: basic, fundamental <an investigation
          of the ~ issues> 2: evident only on close inspection:
          implicit 3: anterior and prior in claim <~ mortgage>
          4: of or being present in deep structure <~ word order>

   underlyingly
          [un.der.ly.ing.ly] adv (1973): in deep structure

   undermanned
          [un.der.manned] adj (ca. 1867): inadequately staffed

   undermine
          [un.der.mine] vt (14c) 1: to excavate the earth beneath:
          form a mine under: sap 2: to wash away supporting material
          from under 3: to subvert or weaken insidiously or secretly
          4: to weaken or ruin by degrees syn see weaken

   undermost
          [un.der.most] adj (1555): lowest in relative position --
          undermost adv

   [1]underneath
          [un.der.neath] prep [ME undernethe, prep. & adv., fr. OE
          underneothan, fr. under + neothan below--more at beneath]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: directly beneath <write the date ~ the
          address> b: close under esp. so as to be hidden <treachery
          lying ~ a mask of friendliness> <wore a swimsuit ~ his
          slacks> 2: under subjection to [2]underneath adv (bef.
          12c) 1: under or below an object or a surface: beneath
          2: on the lower side -- underneath adj

   undernourished
          [un.der.nour.ished] adj (1910) 1: supplied with less than
          the minimum amount of the foods essential for sound health
          and growth 2: poorly supplied with vital elements or
          qualities <~ independent libraries> -- un.der.nour.ish.ment
          n

   undernutrition
          [un.der.nu.tri.tion] n (ca. 1889): deficient bodily nutrition
          due to inadequate food intake or faulty assimilation

   underpainting
          [un.der.paint.ing] n (1866): preliminary painting; esp: such
          painting done on a canvas or panel and covered completely
          or partially by the final layers of paint

   underpants
          [un.der.pants] n pl (1925): a usu. short undergarment for
          the lower trunk: drawers

   underpart
          [un.der.part] n (1662) 1: a part lying on the lower side
          esp. of a bird or mammal 2: a subordinate or auxiliary
          part or role

   underpass
          [un.der.pass] n (1903): a crossing of a highway and another
          way (as a road or railroad) at different levels; also:
          the lower level of such a crossing

   underpay
          [un.der.pay] vt -paid ; -pay.ing (1817): to pay less than
          what is normal or required <~ taxes> -- un.der.pay.ment
          n

   underpin
          [un.der.pin] vt (1522) 1: support, substantiate <~ a thesis
          with evidence> 2: to form part of, strengthen, or replace
          the foundation of <~ a structure> <~ a sagging building>

   underpinning
          [un.der.pin.ning] n (1538) 1: the material and construction
          (as a foundation) used for support of a structure 2:
          something that serves as a foundation: basis, support--often
          used in pl. <the philosophical ~s of educational methods>
          3: underwear--usu. used in pl. 4: a person's legs--usu.
          used in pl.

   underplay
          [un.der.play] vi (1896): to play a role with subdued force
          ~ vt 1: to act or present (as a role or a scene) with
          restraint: play down 2: to play a card lower than (a
          held high card)

   underplot
          [un.der.plot] n (1668): subplot 1

   underpopulated
          [un.der.pop.u.lat.ed] adj (1884): having a lower density
          of population than is normal or desirable

   underpowered
          [un.der.pow.ered] adj (1905) 1: driven by an engine of insufficient
          power 2: having or supplied with insufficient power

   underprepared
          [un.der.pre.pared] adj (1964): inadequately prepared

   underprice
          [un.der.price] vt (1756) 1: to price below what is normal
          or below the real value 2: to undercut (a competitor)
          in prices

   underprivileged
          [un.der.priv.i.leged] adj (1896) 1: deprived through social
          or economic condition of some of the fundamental rights
          of all members of a civilized society 2: of or relating
          to underprivileged people <~ areas of the city>

   underproduction
          [un.der.pro.duc.tion] n (1887): the production of less than
          enough to satisfy the demand or of less than the usual
          amount

   underproof
          [un.der.proof] adj (1857): containing less alcohol than proof
          spirit

   underpublicized
          [un.der.pub.li.cized] adj (1966): insufficiently publicized

   underrate
          [un.der.rate] vt (1650): to rate too low: undervalue

   underreact
          [un.der.re.act] vi (1965): to react with less than appropriate
          force or intensity

   underreport
          [un.der.re.port] vt (1949): to report to be less than is
          actually the case: understate <~s his income> <the number
          of cases has been ~ed>

   underrepresented
          [un.der.rep.re.sent.ed] adj (1884): inadequately represented
          -- un.der.rep.re.sen.ta.tion n

   [1]underrun
          [un.der.run] vt -ran ; -run ; -run.ning (1547) 1: to pass
          along under in order to examine (a cable) 2: to pass
          or extend under [2]un.der.run n (1926): the amount by
          which something produced (as a cut of lumber) falls below
          an estimate

   undersaturated
          [un.der.sat.u.rat.ed] adj (ca. 1828): less than normally
          or adequately saturated

   [1]underscore
          [un.der.score] vt (1771) 1: to draw a line under: underline
          2: to make evident: emphasize, stress 3: to provide (action
          on film) with accompanying music [2]underscore n (1901)
          1: a line drawn under a word or line esp. for emphasis
          or to indicate intent to italicize 2: music accompanying
          the action and dialogue of a film

   [1]undersea
          [un.der.sea] adj (1613) 1: being or carried on under the
          sea or under the surface of the sea <~ oil deposits>
          <~ fighting> 2: designed for use under the surface of
          the sea <an ~ fleet> [2]undersea or un.der.seas adv (1684):
          under the sea: beneath the surface of the sea <photographs
          taken ~>

   undersecretary
          [un.der.sec.re.tary] n (1687): a secretary immediately subordinate
          to a principal secretary <~ of health>

   undersell
          [un.der.sell] vt -sold ; -sell.ing (1622) 1: to sell articles
          cheaper than <~ a competitor> <we will not be undersold>
          2: to sell cheaper than <imported cars that ~ domestic
          ones>

   underserved
          [un.der.served] adj (1710): provided with inadequate service

   undersexed
          [un.der.sexed] adj (1931): deficient in sexual desire

   undershirt
          [un.der.shirt] n (1648): a collarless undergarment with or
          without sleeves -- un.der.shirt.ed adj

   undershoot
          [un.der.shoot] vt -shot ; -shoot.ing (ca. 1661) 1: to shoot
          short of or below (a target) 2: to fall short of (a runway)
          in landing an airplane

   undershorts
          [un.der.shorts] n pl (1949): short 4b

   undershot
          [un.der.shot] adj (1610) 1: moved by water passing beneath
          <an ~ wheel> 2: having the lower incisor teeth or lower
          jaw projecting beyond the upper when the mouth is closed

   undershrub
          [un.der.shrub] n (1598): subshrub

   underside
          [un.der.side] n (1680) 1: the side or surface lying underneath
          2: a side usu. hidden from sight; specif: the more unpleasant
          or reprehensible side <the ~ of politics>

   undersigned
          [un.der.signed] n, pl undersigned (1643): one whose name
          is signed at the end of a document <the ~ all agree>

   undersized
          [un.der.sized] also un.der.size adj (1706): of a size less
          than is common, proper, normal, or average <~ trout>

   underskirt
          [un.der.skirt] n (1861): a skirt worn under an outer skirt;
          esp: petticoat

   underslung
          [un.der.slung] adj (1903) 1 of a vehicle frame: suspended
          below the axles 2: having a low center of gravity

   underspin
          [un.der.spin] n (1901): backspin

   understaffed
          [un.der.staffed] adj (1891): inadequately staffed --
          un.der.staff.ing n

   understand
          [un.der.stand] vb -stood ; -stand.ing [ME, fr. OE understandan,
          fr. under + standan to stand] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to grasp
          the meaning of <~ Russian> b: to grasp the reasonableness
          of <his behavior is hard to ~> c: to have thorough or
          technical acquaintance with or expertness in the practice
          of <~ finance> d: to be thoroughly familiar with the
          character and propensities of <~s children> 2: to accept
          as a fact or truth or regard as plausible without utter
          certainty <we ~ that he is returning from abroad> 3:
          to interpret in one of a number of possible ways 4: to
          supply in thought as though expressed <"to be married"
          is commonly understood after the word engaged> ~ vi 1:
          to have understanding: have the power of comprehension
          2: to achieve a grasp of the nature, significance, or
          explanation of something 3: to believe or infer something
          to be the case 4: to show a sympathetic or tolerant attitude
          toward something -- un.der.stand.abil.i.ty n -- un.der.stand.able
          adj syn understand, comprehend, appreciate mean to have
          a clear or complete idea of. understand and comprehend
          are very often interchangeable. understand may, however,
          stress the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp
          of something <orders that were fully understood and promptly
          obeyed>. comprehend may stress the process of coming
          to grips with something intellectually <I have trouble
          comprehending your reasons for doing this>. appreciate
          implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value
          or nature <failed to appreciate the risks involved>.

   understandably
          [un.der.stand.ably] adv (ca. 1921): as can be easily understood:
          for understandable reasons <is ~ nervous>

   [1]understanding
          [un.der.stand.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: a mental grasp: comprehension
          2 a: the power of comprehending; esp: the capacity to
          apprehend general relations of particulars b: the power
          to make experience intelligible by applying concepts
          and categories 3 a: friendly or harmonious relationship
          b: an agreement of opinion or feeling: adjustment of
          differences c: a mutual agreement not formally entered
          into but in some degree binding on each side 4: explanation,
          interpretation 5: sympathy 3a [2]understanding adj (13c)
          1 archaic: knowing, intelligent 2: endowed with understanding:
          tolerant, sympathetic -- un.der.stand.ing.ly adv

   understate
          [un.der.state] vt (1824) 1: to represent as less than is
          the case 2: to state or present with restraint esp. for
          effect -- un.der.state.ment n

   understated
          [un.der.stat.ed] adj (ca. 1909): avoiding obvious emphasis
          or embellishment -- un.der.stat.ed.ly adv

   understeer
          [un.der.steer] n (1936): the tendency of an automobile to
          turn less sharply than the driver intends -- un.der.steer
          vi

   understood
          [un.der.stood] adj (1605) 1: fully apprehended 2: agreed
          upon 3: implicit

   understory
          [un.der.sto.ry] n (1902) 1: an underlying layer of vegetation;
          specif: the vegetative layer and esp. the trees and shrubs
          between the forest canopy and the ground cover 2: the
          plants that form the understory

   understrapper
          [un.der.strap.per] n [[3]under + strapper one who harnesses
          horses] (ca. 1704): a petty agent or subordinate: underling

   understrength
          [un.der.strength] adj (1925): deficient in strength; esp:
          lacking sufficient or prescribed personnel

   [1]understudy
          [un.der.study] vi (1874): to study another actor's part in
          order to substitute in an emergency ~ vt: to prepare
          (as a part) as understudy; also: to prepare as understudy
          to (as an actor) [2]un.der.study n (1882): one who is
          prepared to act another's part or take over another's
          duties

   undersupply
          [un.der.sup.ply] n (1848): an inadequate supply or amount

   [1]undersurface
          [un.der.sur.face] n (1733): underside [2]un.der.sur.face
          adj (ca. 1934): existing or moving below the surface

   undertake
          [un.der.take] vb -took ; -tak.en ; -tak.ing vt (14c) 1: to
          take upon oneself: set about: attempt <~ a task> <~ to
          learn to swim> 2: to put oneself under obligation to
          perform; also: to accept as a charge or responsibility
          <the lawyer who undertook the case> 3: guarantee, promise
          ~ vi, archaic: to give surety or assume responsibility

   undertaker
          [un.der.tak.er] n (1615) 1: one that undertakes: one that
          takes the risk and management of business: entrepreneur
          2: one whose business is to prepare the dead for burial
          and to arrange and manage funerals 3: an Englishman taking
          over forfeited lands in Ireland in the 16th and 17th
          centuries

   undertaking
          [un.der.tak.ing] n (15c) 1 a: the act of one who undertakes
          or engages in a project or business b: the business of
          an undertaker 2: something undertaken: enterprise 3:
          pledge, guarantee

   undertenant
          [un.der.ten.ant] n (1546): one who holds lands or tenements
          by a sublease

   under-the-counter
          [under-the-counter] adj [fr. the hiding of illicit wares
          under the counter of stores where they are sold] (1926):
          surreptitious and usu. irregular or illicit <~ liquor
          sales>

   under-the-table
          [under-the-table] adj (1948): covert and usu. unlawful <~
          payoffs>

   underthrust
          [un.der.thrust] vt -thrust ; -thrust.ing (1893): to insert
          (a faulted rock mass) into position under a passive rock
          mass

   undertone
          [un.der.tone] n (1806) 1: a low or subdued utterance
          or accompanying sound 2: a quality (as of emotion) underlying the
          surface of an utterance or action 3: a subdued color; specif:
          a color seen through and modifying another color

   undertow
          [un.der.tow] n (1817) 1: the current beneath the surface
          that sets seaward or along the beach when waves are breaking
          upon the shore 2: an underlying current, force, or tendency
          that is in opposition to what is apparent

   undertrick
          [un.der.trick] n (1903): any of the tricks by which a declarer
          in bridge falls short of making the contract

   underused
          [un.der.used] adj (1960): not fully used

   underutilize
          [un.der.uti.lize] vt (1951): to utilize less than fully or
          below the potential use -- un.der.uti.li.za.tion n

   undervaluation
          [un.der.val.u.a.tion] n (1653) 1: the act of undervaluing
          2: a value below the real worth

   undervalue
          [un.der.val.ue] vt (1599) 1: to value, rate, or estimate
          below the real worth <~ stock> 2: to treat as having
          little value <was undervalued as a poet>

   underwater
          [un.der.wa.ter] adj (1627) 1: lying, growing, worn, or operating
          below the surface of the water 2: being below the waterline
          of a ship -- underwater adv

   underway
          [un.der.way] adj (1743): occurring, performed, or used while
          traveling or in motion <~ replenishment of fuel>

   under way
          [under way] adv [prob. fr. D onderweg, fr. MD onderwegen,
          lit., under or among the ways] (1751) 1: in motion: not
          at anchor or aground 2: into motion from a standstill
          3: in progress: afoot <preparations were under way> <the
          season got under way with a bang>

   underwear
          [un.der.wear] n (ca. 1879): clothing or an article of clothing
          worn next to the skin and under other clothing

   under weigh
          [under weigh] adv [by folk etymology] (1777): under way

   [1]underweight
          [un.der.weight] n (1596): weight below normal, average, or
          requisite weight [2]underweight adj (1890): weighing
          less than the normal or requisite amount

   underwhelm
          [un.der.whelm] vt [under + overwhelm] (1949): to fail to
          impress or stimulate

   [1]underwing
          [un.der.wing] n (1535) 1: one of the posterior wings of an
          insect 2: any of various noctuid moths (esp. genus Catocala)
          that have the hind wings banded with contrasting colors
          (as red and black)--called also underwing moth 3: the
          underside of a bird's wing [2]underwing adj (1896): placed
          or growing underneath the wing <~ rockets>

   underwood
          [un.der.wood] n (14c): undergrowth, underbrush

   underwool
          [un.der.wool] n (1939): short woolly underfur

   underworld
          [un.der.world] n (1608) 1: the place of departed souls: hades
          2 archaic: earth 3: the side of the earth opposite to
          one: antipodes 4: a social sphere below the level of
          ordinary life; esp: the world of organized crime

   underwrite
          [un.der.write] vb -wrote ; -writ.ten ; -writ.ing vt (15c)
          1: to write under or at the end of something else 2:
          to set one's name to (an insurance policy) for the purpose
          of thereby becoming answerable for a designated loss
          or damage on consideration of receiving a premium percent:
          insure on life or property; also: to assume liability
          for (a sum or risk) as an insurer 3: to subscribe to:
          agree to 4 a: to agree to purchase (as security issue)
          usu. on a fixed date at a fixed price with a view to
          public distribution b: to guarantee financial support
          of ~ vi: to work as an underwriter

   underwriter
          [un.der.writ.er] n (1622) 1: one that underwrites: guarantor
          2 a: one that underwrites a policy of insurance: insurer
          b: one who selects risks to be solicited or rates the
          acceptability of risks solicited 3: one that underwrites
          a security issue

   undescended
          [un.de.scend.ed] adj (1701): retained within the inguinal
          region rather than descending into the scrotum <an ~
          testis>

   undesigning
          [un.de.sign.ing] adj (1697): having no ulterior or fraudulent
          purpose: sincere

   [1]undesirable
          [un.de.sir.able] adj (1667): not desirable: unwanted --
          un.de.sir.abil.i.ty n -- un.de.sir.able.ness n --
          un.de.sir.ably adv
          [2]undesirable n (1883): one that is undesirable

   undeviating
          [un.de.vi.at.ing] adj (1732): keeping a true course: unswerving
          <served their country with ~ loyalty and devotion> --
          un.de.vi.at.ing.ly adv

   undies
          [un.dies] n pl [by shortening & alter.] (1900): underwear;
          esp: women's underwear

   undine
          [un.dine] n [NL undina, fr. L unda wave--more at water] (1657):
          an elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus inhabiting
          water: water nymph

   undiplomatic
          [un.dip.lo.mat.ic] adj (ca. 1828): not diplomatic; esp: tactless
          -- un.dip.lo.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   undirected
          [un.di.rect.ed] adj (1596): not directed: not planned or
          guided <~ efforts>

   undisguised
          [un.dis.guised] adj (ca. 1500): not disguised or concealed:
          frank, open -- un.dis.guis.ed.ly adv

   undissociated
          [un.dis.so.ci.at.ed] adj (1899): not electrolytically dissociated

   undo
          [un.do] vb -did ; -done ; -do.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1: to open
          or loose by releasing a fastening 2: to make of no effect
          or as if not done: make null: reverse 3 a: to ruin the
          worldly means, reputation, or hopes of b: to disturb
          the composure of: upset <she's come undone> c: seduce
          3 ~ vi: to come open or apart -- un.do.er n

   undock
          [un.dock] vi (1750): to move away from a dock (as at sailing
          time) ~ vt: uncouple <~ the shuttle from the space station>

   undogmatic
          [un.dog.mat.ic] adj (1857): not dogmatic: not committed to
          dogma -- un.dog.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   undoing
          [un.do.ing] n (14c) 1: an act of loosening: unfastening 2:
          ruin; also: a cause of ruin <greed was to prove his ~>
          3: annulment, reversal

   undone
          [un.done] adj (14c): not done: not performed or finished

   undouble
          [un.dou.ble] vb (ca. 1611): unfold, unclench

   undoubled
          [un.dou.bled] adj (1598): not doubled

   undoubted
          [un.doubt.ed] adj (15c): not doubted: genuine, undisputed
          -- un.doubt.ed.ly adv

   undramatic
          [un.dra.mat.ic] adj (1754): lacking dramatic force or quality:
          unspectacular -- un.dra.mat.i.cal.ly adv

   undrape
          [un.drape] vt (1869): to strip of drapery: unveil

   undraw
          [un.draw] vt -drew ; -drawn ; -draw.ing (1677): to draw aside
          (as a curtain): open

   undreamed
          [un.dreamed] also undreamt adj (1611): not dreamed: not thought
          of: unimagined <technical advances ~ of a few years ago>

   [1]undress
          [un.dress] vt (1596) 1: to remove the clothes or covering
          of: divest, strip 2: expose, reveal ~ vi: to take off
          one's clothes: disrobe [2]undress n (1683) 1: informal
          dress: as a: a loose robe or dressing gown b: ordinary
          dress--compare full dress 2: the state of being undressed

   undressed
          [un.dressed] adj (1535): not dressed: as a: partially, improperly,
          or informally clothed b: not fully processed or finished <~ hides>
          c: not cared for or tended <an ~ wound> <~ fields>

   undrinkable
          [un.drink.able] adj (1611): unsuitable or unpleasant to drink

   undrunk
          [un.drunk] adj (1637): not swallowed

   und so weiter
          [und so wei.ter] [G] foreign term : and so on

   undue
          [un.due] adj (14c) 1: not due: not yet payable 2: exceeding
          or violating propriety or fitness: excessive

   undulant
          [un.du.lant] adj (ca. 1830) 1: rising and falling in waves
          2: having a wavy form, outline, or surface <played her
          approach shot onto the ~ green>

   undulant fever
          [undulant fever] n (1896): a persistent human brucellosis
          marked by remittent fever, pain and swelling in the joints,
          and great weakness and contracted by contact with infected
          domestic animals or consumption of their products

   [1]undulate
          [un.du.late] or un.du.lat.ed adj [L undulatus, fr. (assumed)
          L undula, dim. of L unda wave--more at water] (1658):
          having a wavy surface, edge, or markings <the ~ margin
          of a leaf> [2]un.du.late vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [LL undula
          small wave, fr. (assumed) L] vi (1664) 1: to form or
          move in waves: fluctuate 2: to rise and fall in volume,
          pitch, or cadence 3: to present a wavy appearance ~ vt:
          to cause to move in a wavy, sinuous, or flowing manner
          syn see swing

   undulation
          [un.du.la.tion] n (1646) 1 a: a rising and falling in waves
          b: a wavelike motion to and fro in a fluid or elastic
          medium propagated continuously among its particles but
          with little or no permanent translation of the particles
          in the direction of the propagation: vibration 2: the
          pulsation caused by the vibrating together of two tones
          not quite in unison 3: a wavy appearance, outline, or
          form: waviness

   undulatory
          [un.du.la.to.ry] adj (1728): of or relating to undulation:
          moving in or resembling waves: undulating

   undulatory theory
          [undulatory theory] n (ca. 1828): wave theory

   unduly
          [un.du.ly] adv (14c): in an undue manner: excessively

   undutiful
          [un.du.ti.ful] adj (1582): not dutiful -- un.du.ti.ful.ly
          adv -- un.du.ti.ful.ness n

   undying
          [un.dy.ing] adj (14c): not dying: immortal, perpetual

   unearned
          [un.earned] adj (13c) 1: not gained by labor, service, or
          skill <~ income> 2: scored as a result of an error by
          the opposing team <an ~ run>

   unearned increment
          [unearned increment] n (1871): an increase in the value of
          property (as land) that is due to no labor or expenditure
          of the owner but to natural causes (as the increase of
          population) that create an increased demand for it

   unearth
          [un.earth] vt (15c) 1: to dig up out of or as if out of the
          earth: exhume <~ a hidden treasure> <~ a forgotten photo
          album> 2: to make known or public: bring to light <~
          a plot> syn see discover

   unearthly
          [un.earth.ly] adj (1611): not earthly: as a: not terrestrial
          <~ radio sources> b: preternatural, supernatural <an
          ~ light> c: weird, eerie <~ howls> d: not mundane: ideal
          <~ love> e: absurd 1, ungodly <getting up at an ~ hour>
          -- un.earth.li.ness n

   unease
          [un.ease] n (14c): mental or spiritual discomfort: as a:
          vague dissatisfaction: misgiving b: anxiety, disquiet
          c: lack of ease (as in social relations): embarrassment

   uneasily
          [un.eas.i.ly] adv (14c): in an uneasy manner

   [1]uneasy
          [un.easy] adj (13c) 1: causing physical or mental discomfort
          <~ news of captures and killings --Marjory S. Douglas>
          2: not easy: difficult 3: marked by lack of ease: awkward,
          embarrassed <gave an ~ laugh> 4: apprehensive, worried
          5: restless, unquiet 6: precarious, unstable <an ~ truce>
          -- un.eas.i.ness n [2]uneasy adv (1596): uneasily

   uneconomic
          [un.eco.nom.ic] or un.eco.nom.i.cal adj (1840): not economically
          practicable <~ transportation routes>; also: costly,
          wasteful <an ~ nuclear technology>

   unedited
          [un.ed.it.ed] adj (1829): not edited: as a: left unrevised
          b: not yet edited <~ books> <~ films>

   unemotional
          [un.emo.tion.al] adj (1876): not emotional: as a: not easily
          aroused or excited: cold b: involving a minimum of emotion:
          intellectual -- un.emo.tion.al.ly adv

   unemployable
          [un.em.ploy.able] adj (1887): not acceptable for employment
          -- un.em.ploy.abil.i.ty n -- unemployable n

   unemployed
          [un.em.ployed] adj (1600): not employed: a: not being used
          b: not engaged in a gainful occupation c: not invested
          -- unemployed n

   unemployment
          [un.em.ploy.ment] n (1888) 1: the state of being unemployed:
          involuntary idleness of workers; also: the rate of such
          unemployment 2: unemployment compensation

   unemployment compensation
          [unemployment compensation] n (1944): compensation paid at
          regular intervals (as by a government agency) to an unemployed
          worker and esp. one who has been laid off--called also
          unemployment benefit

   unemployment insurance
          [unemployment insurance] n (1923): social insurance against
          involuntary unemployment that provides unemployment compensation
          for a limited period to unemployed workers; also: unemployment
          compensation

   unencumbered
          [un.en.cum.bered] adj (1722): free of encumbrance

   unending
          [un.end.ing] adj (1661): never ending: endless -- un.end.ing.ly
          adv

   un-English
          [un-En.glish] adj (1633) 1: not characteristically English
          2: not agreeing with standard or generally accepted usage
          of the English language

   [1]unequal
          [un.equal] adj (1565) 1 a: not of the same measurement, quantity,
          or number as another b: not like or not the same as another
          in degree, worth, or status 2: not uniform: variable,
          uneven 3 a: badly balanced or matched <an ~ contest>
          b: contracted between unequals <~ marriages> c archaic:
          not equable 4 archaic: not equitable: unjust 5: inadequate,
          insufficient <~ to the task> -- un.equal.ly adv [2]unequal
          n (1600): one that is not equal to another [3]unequal
          adv (1602) archaic: in an unequal manner <~ match'd --Shak.>

   unequaled
          [un.equaled] or un.equalled adj (1600): not equaled: unparalleled

   unequivocably
          [un.equiv.o.ca.bly] adv [by alter.] (1917) nonstand: unequivocally

   unequivocal
          [un.equiv.o.cal] adj (1784) 1: leaving no doubt: clear, unambiguous
          2: unquestionable <production of ~ masterpieces --Carole Cook>

   unequivocally
          [un.equiv.o.cal.ly] adv (1794): in an unequivocal manner

   unerring
          [un.err.ing] adj (1621): committing no error: faultless,
          unfailing -- un.err.ing.ly adv

   UNESCO
          [UNESCO] abbreviation United Nations Educational, Scientific,
          and Cultural Organization

   unessential
          [un.es.sen.tial] adj (ca. 1656) 1: not essential: dispensable,
          unimportant 2 archaic: void of essence: insubstantial

   un-European
          [un-Eu.ro.pe.an] adj (1846): not characteristically European

   uneven
          [un.even] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: unequal 1a b: odd 3a
          2 a: not even: not level or smooth: rugged, ragged <large
          ~ teeth> <~ handwriting> b: varying from the straight
          or parallel c: not uniform: irregular <~ combustion>
          d: varying in quality <an ~ performance> 3: unequal 3a
          <an ~ confrontation> syn see rough -- un.even.ly adv
          -- un.even.ness n

   uneventful
          [un.event.ful] adj (1800): marked by no noteworthy or untoward
          incidents: placid -- un.event.ful.ly adv -- un.event.ful.ness
          n

   unexampled
          [un.ex.am.pled] adj (1610): having no example or parallel:
          unprecedented

   unexceptionable
          [un.ex.cep.tion.able] adj [un- + obs. exception to take exception,
          object] (1664): not open to objection or criticism: beyond
          reproach: unimpeachable -- un.ex.cep.tion.able.ness n --
          un.ex.cep.tion.ably adv

   unexceptional
          [un.ex.cep.tion.al] adj (1806): not out of the ordinary:
          commonplace

   unexercised
          [un.ex.er.cised] adj (14c) 1: having terms that are not implemented
          <~ options> 2: not subjected to exercise <~ muscles>

   unexpected
          [un.ex.pect.ed] adj (ca. 1586): not expected: unforeseen
          -- un.ex.pect.ed.ly adv -- un.ex.pect.ed.ness n

   unexploited
          [un.ex.ploit.ed] adj (1888): not exploited or developed:
          not taken advantage of

   unexpressive
          [un.ex.pres.sive] adj (1600) 1 obs: ineffable 2: not expressive:
          failing to convey the feeling or meaning intended

   unfading
          [un.fad.ing] adj (1652) 1: not losing color or freshness
          2: not losing value or effectiveness -- un.fad.ing.ly
          adv

   unfailing
          [un.fail.ing] adj (14c): not failing or liable to fail: a:
          constant, unflagging <~ courtesy> b: everlasting, inexhaustible
          <a subject of ~ interest> c: infallible, sure <an ~ test>
          -- un.fail.ing.ly adv

   unfair
          [un.fair] adj (1700) 1: marked by injustice, partiality,
          or deception: unjust 2: not equitable in business dealings
          -- un.fair.ness n

   unfairly
          [un.fair.ly] adv (1713): in an unfair manner

   unfaith
          [un.faith] n (15c): absence of faith: disbelief

   unfaithful
          [un.faith.ful] adj (15c): not faithful: a: not adhering to
          vows, allegiance, or duty: disloyal b: not faithful to
          marriage vows c: inaccurate, untrustworthy -- un.faith.ful.ly
          adv -- un.faith.ful.ness n

   unfallen
          [un.fall.en] adj (1653): not morally fallen: innocent 1a

   unfalsifiable
          [un.fal.si.fi.able] adj (ca. 1934): not capable of being
          proved false <~ hypotheses>

   unfaltering
          [un.fal.ter.ing] adj (1727): not wavering or weakening: firm
          -- un.fal.ter.ing.ly adv

   unfamiliar
          [un.fa.mil.iar] adj (1594): not familiar: a: not well-known:
          strange <an ~ place> b: not well acquainted <~ with the
          subject> -- un.fa.mil.iar.i.ty n -- un.fa.mil.iar.ly
          adv

   unfashionable
          [un.fash.ion.able] adj (1648) 1: not in keeping with the
          current fashion <~ clothes> 2: not favored socially <~
          neighborhoods> -- un.fash.ion.able.ness n -- un.fash.ion.ably
          adv

   unfasten
          [un.fas.ten] vt (15c): to make loose: as a: unpin, unbuckle
          b: undo <~ a button> c: detach <~ a boat from its moorings>

   unfathered
          [un.fa.thered] adj (1597) 1: having no father: illegitimate,
          bastard 2: having no known origin <~ slanders>

   unfathomable
          [un.fath.om.able] adj (1640): not capable of being fathomed:
          a: impossible to comprehend b: immeasurable

   unfavorable
          [un.fa.vor.able] adj (1548) 1 a: opposed, contrary b: expressing
          disapproval: negative <~ reviews> 2: not propitious:
          disadvantageous 3: not pleasing -- un.fa.vor.able.ness
          n -- un.fa.vor.ably adv

   unfavorite
          [un.fa.vor.ite] adj (ca. 1934): not being a favorite; esp:
          being regarded with special disfavor or dislike

   unfazed
          [un.fazed] adj (1945): not fazed: undaunted

   unfeeling
          [un.feel.ing] adj (bef. 12c) 1: devoid of feeling: insensate
          <an ~ corpse> 2: devoid of kindness or sympathy: hardhearted,
          cruel <an ~ wretch> -- un.feel.ing.ly adv -- un.feel.ing.ness
          n

   unfeigned
          [un.feigned] adj (14c): not feigned or hypocritical: genuine
          syn see sincere -- un.feigned.ly adv

   unfetter
          [un.fet.ter] vt (14c) 1: to free from fetters <~ a prisoner>
          2: emancipate, liberate <~ the mind from prejudice>

   unfettered
          [un.fet.tered] adj (1601): free, unrestrained

   unfilial
          [un.fil.ial] adj (1611): not observing the obligations of
          a child to a parent: undutiful -- un.fil.ial.ly adv

   unfiltered
          [un.fil.tered] adj (ca. 1775) 1: not filtered <~ wine>; also:
          not modified, processed, or refined <~ commercial publicity
          material --Paul Grimes> 2: lacking a filter <an ~ cigarette>

   unfindable
          [un.find.able] adj (1791): not capable of being found

   unfinished
          [un.fin.ished] adj (1539): not finished: a: not brought to
          an end or to the desired final state b: being in a rough
          state: unpolished c: subjected to no other processes
          (as bleaching or dyeing) after coming from the loom

   [1]unfit
          [un.fit] adj (1545): not fit: a: not adapted to a purpose:
          unsuitable b: not qualified: incapable, incompetent c:
          physically or mentally unsound -- un.fit.ly adv -- un.fit.ness
          n [2]unfit vt (1611): to make unfit: disable, disqualify

   unfitted
          [un.fit.ted] adj (1592): not adapted: unqualified

   unfitting
          [un.fit.ting] adj (1534): not fitting: unsuitable

   unfix
          [un.fix] vt (1597) 1: to loosen from a fastening: detach,
          disengage 2: to make unstable: unsettle

   unflagging
          [un.flag.ging] adj (1715) 1: not flagging: tireless 2: unrelenting
          2 -- un.flag.ging.ly adv

   unflappable
          [un.flap.pa.ble] adj [[1]un- + [1]flap (state of excitement)
          + -able] (1954): marked by assurance and self-control
          -- un.flap.pa.bil.i.ty n -- un.flap.pa.bly adv

   unflattering
          [un.flat.ter.ing] adj (1581): not flattering; esp: unfavorable
          -- un.flat.ter.ing.ly adv

   unfledged
          [un.fledged] adj (1611) 1: not feathered: not ready for flight
          2: not fully developed: immature <an ~ writer>

   unflinching
          [un.flinch.ing] adj (1728): not flinching or shrinking: steadfast,
          uncompromising -- un.flinch.ing.ly adv

   unfocused
          [un.fo.cused] also un.fo.cussed adj (1886) 1: not adjusted
          to a focus 2: not concentrated on one point or objective
          <~ rage>

   unfold
          [un.fold] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to open the folds of: spread
          or straighten out: expand <~ed the map> b: to remove
          (as a package) from the folds: unwrap 2: to open to the
          view: reveal; esp: to make clear by gradual disclosure
          and often by recital ~ vi 1 a: to open from a folded
          state: open out: expand b: blossom 2: develop, evolve
          <as the story ~s> 3: to open out gradually to the view
          or understanding: become known <a panorama ~s before
          their eyes> -- un.fold.ment n

   unfolded
          [un.fold.ed] adj (1683): not folded

   unforgettable
          [un.for.get.ta.ble] adj (1806): incapable of being forgotten:
          memorable -- un.for.get.ta.bly adv

   unforgiving
          [un.for.giv.ing] adj (1713) 1: unwilling or unable to forgive
          2: having or making no allowance for error or weakness
          <an ~ environment where false moves can prove fatal --Jaclyn
          Fierman> -- un.for.giv.ing.ness n

   unformed
          [un.formed] adj (14c): not arranged in regular shape, order,
          or relations; esp: immature, undeveloped

   [1]unfortunate
          [un.for.tu.nate] adj (15c) 1 a: not favored by fortune:
          unsuccessful, unlucky <an ~ young man> b: marked or accompanied
          by or resulting in misfortune <an ~ decision> 2 a: infelicitous,
          unsuitable <an ~ choice of words> b: deplorable, regrettable <an
          ~ lack of taste> [2]unfortunate n (1683): an unfortunate person

   unfortunately
          [un.for.tu.nate.ly] adv (ca. 1548) 1: in an unfortunate manner
          <the marriage turned out ~> 2: it is unfortunate <~ for
          him your letter has let the cat out of the bag --G. B.
          Shaw>

   unfounded
          [un.found.ed] adj (1648): lacking a sound basis: groundless,
          unwarranted

   unfreeze
          [un.freeze] vt -froze ; -fro.zen ; -freez.ing (1584) 1: to
          cause to thaw 2: to remove from a freeze

   unfrequented
          [un.fre.quent.ed] adj (1588): not often visited or traveled
          over

   unfriended
          [un.friend.ed] adj (1513): having no friends: not befriended

   unfriendliness
          [un.friend.li.ness] n (ca. 1684): the quality or state of
          being unfriendly: hostility

   unfriendly
          [un.friend.ly] adj (15c): not friendly: as a: hostile,
          unsympathetic b: inhospitable, unfavorable

   unfrock
          [un.frock] vt (1644): defrock

   unfrozen
          [un.froz.en] adj (1596): not frozen <~ ground>

   unfruitful
          [un.fruit.ful] adj (14c): not fruitful: as a: not producing
          offspring: barren b: yielding no valuable result: unprofitable
          <an ~ conference> -- un.fruit.ful.ly adv -- un.fruit.ful.ness
          n

   unfunded
          [un.fund.ed] adj (ca. 1775) 1: not funded: floating <an ~
          debt> 2: not provided with funds <~ schools>

   unfurl
          [un.furl] vt (1641): to release from a furled state ~ vi:
          to open out from or as if from a furled state: unfold

   unfussy
          [un.fussy] adj (1825): not fussy: as a: not particular: unconcerned
          b: not cluttered with pretentious or nonessential matters:
          uncomplicated -- un.fuss.i.ly adv

   ungainly
          [un.gain.ly] adj (1611) 1 a: lacking in smoothness or dexterity:
          clumsy b: hard to handle: unwieldy 2: having an awkward
          appearance: ugly -- un.gain.li.ness n

   ungenerosity
          [un.gen.er.os.i.ty] n (1757): lack of generosity

   ungenerous
          [un.gen.er.ous] adj (1641): not generous: a: petty, mean
          b: deficient in liberality: stingy -- un.gen.er.ous.ly
          adv

   ungird
          [un.gird] vt (bef. 12c): to divest of a restraining band
          or girdle: unbind

   ungirt
          [un.girt] adj (14c) 1: having the belt or girdle off or loose
          2: lacking in discipline or compactness: loose, slack

   unglue
          [un.glue] vt (ca. 1548): to separate by or as if by dissolving
          an adhesive

   unglued
          [un.glued] adj (1922): upset, disordered

   ungodliness
          [un.god.li.ness] n (1526): the quality or state of being
          ungodly

   ungodly
          [un.god.ly] adj (1526) 1 a: denying or disobeying God: impious,
          irreligious b: contrary to moral law: sinful, wicked
          2: outrageous <gets up at an ~ hour>

   ungotten
          [un.got.ten] or un.got adj (15c) 1 obs: not begotten 2: not
          obtained

   ungovernable
          [un.gov.ern.able] adj (1673): not capable of being governed,
          guided, or restrained syn see unruly

   ungracious
          [un.gra.cious] adj (13c) 1 archaic: wicked 2: not courteous:
          rude 3: not pleasing: disagreeable -- un.gra.cious.ly
          adv -- un.gra.cious.ness n

   ungrammatical
          [un.gram.mat.i.cal] adj (1654): not following rules of grammar
          -- un.gram.mat.i.cal.i.ty n

   ungrateful
          [un.grate.ful] adj (1533) 1: showing no gratitude: making
          a poor return 2: disagreeable; also: thankless -- un.grate.ful.ly
          adv -- un.grate.ful.ness n

   ungrudging
          [un.grudg.ing] adj (ca. 1774): being without envy or reluctance

   ungual
          [un.gual] adj [L unguis nail, claw, hoof--more at nail] (1834):
          of, relating to, or resembling a nail, claw, or hoof

   unguard
          [un.guard] vt [back-formation fr. unguarded] (1745): to leave
          unprotected

   unguarded
          [un.guard.ed] adj (ca. 1593) 1: vulnerable to attack: unprotected
          2: free from guile or wariness: direct, incautious --
          un.guard.ed.ly adv -- un.guard.ed.ness n

   unguent
          [un.guent] n [ME, fr. L unguentum--more at ointment] (15c):
          a soothing or healing salve: ointment

   unguis
          [un.guis] n, pl un.gues [L--more at nail] (ca. 1790): a nail,
          claw, or hoof esp. on a digit of a vertebrate

   [1]ungulate
          [un.gu.late] adj [LL ungulatus, fr. L ungula hoof, fr. unguis
          nail, hoof] (1839) 1: having hoofs 2: of or relating
          to the ungulates [2]ungulate n [NL Ungulata, fr. LL,
          neut. pl. of ungulatus] (ca. 1842): a hoofed typically
          herbivorous quadruped mammal (as a ruminant, swine, camel,
          hippopotamus, horse, tapir, rhinoceros, elephant, or
          hyrax) of a polyphyletic group formerly considered a
          major mammalian taxon (Ungulata)

   Unh
          [Unh] abbreviation unnilhexium

   unhair
          [un.hair] vt (14c) archaic: to deprive of hair

   unhallow
          [un.hal.low] vt (1535) archaic: to make profane

   unhallowed
          [un.hal.lowed] adj (bef. 12c) 1: not blessed: unconsecrated,
          unholy 2 a: unsanctioned by or showing lack of reverence
          for religion: impious, profane b: contrary to accepted
          standards: immoral

   unhand
          [un.hand] vt (1602): to remove the hand from: let go

   unhandsome
          [un.hand.some] adj (1530): not handsome: as a: not beautiful:
          homely b: unbecoming, unseemly c: lacking in courtesy
          or taste: rude -- un.hand.some.ly adv

   unhandy
          [un.handy] adj (1664) 1: hard to handle: inconvenient 2:
          lacking in skill or dexterity: awkward -- un.hand.i.ly
          adv -- un.hand.i.ness n

   unhappily
          [un.hap.pi.ly] adv (14c) 1: unfortunately 2 <~, medicine
          has not yet found a cure --Diana Trilling> 2: in an unhappy
          manner: without pleasure <practiced law ~ for a few years>

   unhappy
          [un.hap.py] adj (14c) 1: not fortunate: unlucky 2: not cheerful
          or glad: sad, wretched 3 a: causing or subject to misfortune:
          inauspicious b: infelicitous, inappropriate -- un.hap.pi.ness
          n

   unhealthy
          [un.healthy] adj (1595) 1: not conducive to health <an ~
          climate> 2: not in good health: sickly, diseased 3 a:
          dangerous, risky b: bad, injurious c: morally contaminated:
          corrupt, unwholesome <an ~ imagination> -- un.health.i.ly
          adv -- un.health.i.ness n

   unheard
          [un.heard] adj (14c) 1 a: not perceived by the ear b: not
          given a hearing 2 archaic: unheard-of

   unheard-of
          [un.heard-of] adj (1592): previously unknown; esp: unprecedented

   unhesitating
          [un.hes.i.tat.ing] adj (1753): not hesitating: not checked
          or qualified -- un.hes.i.tat.ing.ly adv

   unhinge
          [un.hinge] vt (1616) 1: to remove (as a door) from the hinges
          2: to make unstable: unsettle, disrupt <~ the balance
          of world peace> <pressure that would ~ a less experienced
          person>

   unhitch
          [un.hitch] vt (1706): to free from or as if from being hitched

   unholy
          [un.ho.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1: showing disregard for what is
          holy: wicked 2: shocking, outrageous -- un.ho.li.ness
          n

   unhood
          [un.hood] vt (1575): to remove a hood or covering from

   unhook
          [un.hook] vt (1611) 1: to remove from a hook 2: to unfasten
          by disengaging a hook 3: to free from a habit or dependency

   unhoped
          [un.hoped] adj (14c) archaic: not hoped for or expected

   unhorse
          [un.horse] vt (14c): to dislodge from or as if from a horse

   unhouseled
          [un.hou.seled] adj (1532) archaic: not having received the
          Eucharist esp. shortly before death

   unhurried
          [un.hur.ried] adj (ca. 1774): not hurried: leisurely
          -- un.hur.ried.ly adv

   uni
          [uni] abbreviation uniform

   uni-
          [uni-] prefix [ME, fr. MF, fr. L, fr. unus--more at one]:
          one: single <unicellular>

   unialgal
          [uni.al.gal] adj (1914): of, relating to, or derived from
          a single algal individual or cell <a ~ culture>

   Uniate
          [Uni.ate] or Uni.at n [Ukrainian uniat, uniyat one in favor
          of the union of the Greek and Roman Catholic churches,
          fr. uniya union, fr. Pol unija, fr. LL unio--more at
          union] (1833): a Christian of a church adhering to an
          Eastern rite and discipline but submitting to papal authority
          -- Uniate adj

   uniaxial
          [uni.ax.i.al] adj (ca. 1828) 1: having only one axis 2: of
          or relating to only one axis

   unicameral
          [uni.cam.er.al] adj [uni- + LL camera room, chamber--more
          at chamber] (1853): having or consisting of a single
          legislative chamber -- uni.cam.er.al.ly adv

   UNICEF
          [UNICEF] [United Nations International Children's Emergency
          Fund, its former name] abbreviation United Nations Children's
          Fund

   unicellular
          [uni.cel.lu.lar] adj (1858): having or consisting of a single
          cell

   unicorn
          [uni.corn] n [ME unicorne, fr. OF, fr. LL unicornis, fr.
          L, having one horn, fr. uni- + cornu horn--more at horn]
          (13c): a mythical animal generally depicted with the
          body and head of a horse, the hind legs of a stag, the
          tail of a lion, and a single horn in the middle of the
          forehead

   unicorn plant
          [unicorn plant] n (1796): devil's claw

   unicycle
          [uni.cy.cle] n [uni + -cycle (as in tricycle)] (1869): a
          vehicle that has a single wheel and is usu. propelled
          by pedals -- uni.cy.clist n

   unidimensional
          [uni.di.men.sion.al] adj (1883): one-dimensional --
          uni.di.men.sion.al.i.ty n

   unidirectional
          [uni.di.rec.tion.al] adj (1883) 1: involving, functioning,
          moving, or responsive in a single direction 2: not subject
          to change or reversal of direction -- uni.di.rec.tion.al.ly
          adv

   unidirectional current
          [unidirectional current] n (1883): direct current

   unification
          [uni.fi.ca.tion] n (1851): the act, process, or result of
          unifying: the state of being unified

   unifoliate
          [uni.fo.li.ate] adj [uni- + L folium leaf--more at blade]
          (1849) 1: having only one leaf 2: unifoliolate

   unifoliolate
          [uni.fo.li.o.late] adj [uni- + LL foliolum leaflet, dim.
          of L folium leaf] (ca. 1859) of a leaf: compound but
          having only a single leaflet and distinguishable from
          a simple leaf by the basal joint

   [1]uniform
          [uni.form] adj [MF uniforme, fr. L uniformis, fr. uni- +
          -formis -form] (1538) 1: consistent in conduct or opinion
          <~ interpretation of laws> 2: having always the same
          form, manner, or degree: not varying or variable 3: of
          the same form with others: conforming to one rule or
          mode: consonant 4: presenting an unvaried appearance
          of surface, pattern, or color <~ red brick houses> 5:
          relating to or being convergence of a series whose terms
          are functions in such manner that the absolute value
          of the difference between the sum of the first n terms
          of the series and the sum of all terms can be made arbitrarily
          small for all values of the domain of the functions by
          choosing the nth term sufficiently far along in the series
          -- uni.form.ly adv -- uni.form.ness n [2]uniform vt (ca.
          1681) 1: to bring into uniformity 2: to clothe with a
          uniform [3]uniform n (1748): dress of a distinctive design
          or fashion worn by members of a particular group and
          serving as a means of identification; broadly: distinctive
          or characteristic clothing Uniform (ca. 1956)--a communication
          code word for the letter u

   uniformitarian
          [uni.for.mi.tar.i.an] n (1840) 1: an adherent of the doctrine
          of uniformitarianism 2: an advocate of uniformity --
          uniformitarian adj

   uniformitarianism
          [uni.for.mi.tar.i.an.ism] n (1865): a geological doctrine
          that existing processes acting in the same manner as
          at present are sufficient to account for all geological
          changes--compare catastrophism

   uniformity
          [uni.for.mi.ty] n, pl -ties (15c) 1: the quality or state
          of being uniform 2: an instance of uniformity

   unify
          [uni.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [LL unificare, fr. L uni- + -ficare
          -fy] (1502): to make into a unit or a coherent whole:
          unite -- uni.fi.able adj -- uni.fi.er n

   unilateral
          [uni.lat.er.al] adj (1802) 1 a: done or undertaken by one
          person or party b: of, relating to, or affecting one
          side of a subject: one-sided c: constituting or relating
          to a contract or engagement by which an express obligation
          to do or forbear is imposed on only one party 2 a: having
          parts arranged on one side <a ~ raceme> b: occurring
          on, performed on, or affecting one side of the body or
          one of its parts <~ exophthalmos> 3: unilineal 4: having
          only one side -- uni.lat.er.al.ly adv

   unilineal
          [uni.lin.e.al] adj (1952): tracing descent through either
          the maternal or paternal line only

   unilinear
          [uni.lin.e.ar] adj (1851): developing in or involving a series
          of stages usu. from the primitive to the more advanced
          <a ~ cultural sequence>

   unilingual
          [uni.lin.gual] adj [uni- + L lingua tongue, language--more
          at tongue] (1866): composed in or using one language
          only

   unillusioned
          [un.il.lu.sioned] adj (1926): free from illusion

   unilocular
          [uni.loc.u.lar] adj (1753): containing a single cavity

   unimaginable
          [un.imag.in.able] adj (1611): not imaginable or comprehensible
          -- un.imag.in.ably adv

   unimpeachable
          [un.im.peach.able] adj (1784): not impeachable: not to be
          called in question: not liable to accusation: irreproachable,
          blameless -- un.im.peach.ably adv

   [1]unimproved
          [un.im.proved] adj (1602) obs: not reproved or admonished
          [2]unimproved adj (1665): not improved: as a: not tilled,
          built on, or otherwise improved for use <~ land> b: not
          used or employed advantageously <wasted time and ~ opportunities>
          c: not selectively bred for better quality or productiveness

   uninhibited
          [un.in.hib.it.ed] adj (1880): free from inhibition; also:
          boisterously informal -- un.in.hib.it.ed.ly adv --
          un.in.hib.it.ed.ness n

   uninitiate
          [un.ini.tiate] adj (1801): not initiated: inexperienced --
          uninitiate n

   uninterest
          [un.in.ter.est] n (1890): lack of interest

   uninterested
          [uninterested] adj (1661): not interested: not having the
          mind or feelings engaged usage see disinterested

   uninucleate
          [uni.nu.cle.ate] adj (1885): having a single nucleus <a ~
          yeast cell>

   [1]union
          [union] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL union-, unio oneness, union,
          fr. L unus one--more at one] (15c) 1 a: an act or instance
          of uniting or joining two or more things into one: as
          (1): the formation of a single political unit from two
          or more separate and independent units (2): a uniting
          in marriage; also: sexual intercourse (3): the growing
          together of severed parts b: a unified condition: combination,
          junction <a gracious ~ of excellence and strength> 2:
          something that is made one: something formed by a combining
          or coalition of parts or members: as a: a confederation
          of independent individuals (as nations or persons) for
          some common purpose b (1): a political unit constituting
          an organic whole formed usu. from previously independent
          units (as England and Scotland in 1707) which have surrendered
          their principal powers to the government of the whole
          or to a newly created government (as the U.S. in 1789)
          (2) cap: the federal union of states during the period
          of the U.S. Civil War c cap: an organization on a college
          or university campus providing recreational, social,
          cultural, and sometimes dining facilities; also: the
          building housing such an organization d: the set of all
          elements belonging to one or more of a given collection
          of two or more sets--called also join, sum e: labor union
          3 a: a device emblematic of the union of two or more
          sovereignties borne on a national flag typically in the
          upper inner corner or constituting the whole design of
          the flag b: the upper inner corner of a flag 4: any of
          various devices for connecting parts (as of a machine);
          esp: a coupling for pipes or pipes and fittings [2]union
          adj (1707): of, relating to, dealing with, or constituting
          a union; esp, cap: of, relating to, or being the side
          favoring the Union in the U.S. Civil War <Union troops>

   union card
          [union card] n (1874) 1: a card certifying personal membership
          in good standing in a labor union 2: something that resembles
          a union card esp. in being necessary for employment or
          in providing evidence of in-group status

   union church
          [union church] n (1847): a local church uniting members of
          diverse denominational backgrounds in an interdenominational
          congregation

   unionisation, unionise
          [un.ion.i.sa.tion, union.ise] Brit var of unionization, unionize

   unionism
          [union.ism] n (1845): the principle or policy of forming
          or adhering to a union: as a cap: adherence to the policy
          of a firm federal union between the states of the United
          States esp. during the Civil War period b: the principles,
          theory, advocacy, or system of trade unions

   unionist
          [union.ist] n (1799): an advocate or supporter of union or
          unionism

   unionization
          [union.i.za.tion] n (1896) 1: the quality or state of being
          unionized 2: the action of unionizing

   unionize
          [union.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1890): to organize into
          a labor union ~ vi: to form or join a labor union

   unionized
          [unionized] adj (1900): characterized by the presence of
          labor unions <~ states>

   union jack
          [union jack] n (1674) 1: a jack consisting of the union of
          a national ensign 2 cap U&J: the state flag of the United
          Kingdom consisting of the union of the British national
          ensign

   union shop
          [union shop] n (1904): an establishment in which the employer
          by agreement is free to hire nonmembers as well as members
          of the union but retains nonmembers on the payroll only
          on condition of their becoming members of the union within
          a specified time

   union suit
          [union suit] n (1892): an undergarment with shirt and drawers
          in one piece

   uniparental
          [uni.pa.ren.tal] adj (1900): having or involving a single
          parent; esp: parthenogenetic -- uni.pa.ren.tal.ly adv

   unique
          [unique] adj [F, fr. L unicus, fr. unus one--more at one]
          (1602) 1: being the only one: sole <his ~ concern was
          his own comfort> <I can't walk away with a ~ copy. Suppose
          I lost it? --Kingsley Amis> <the ~ factorization of a
          number into prime factors> 2 a: being without a like
          or equal: unequaled <could stare at the flames, each
          one new, violent, ~ --Robert Coover> b: distinctively
          characteristic: peculiar 1 <this is not a condition ~
          to California --Ronald Reagan> 3: unusual <a very ~ ball-point
          pen> <we were fairly ~, the sixty of us, in that there
          wasn't one good mixer in the bunch --J. D. Salinger>
          syn see strange -- unique.ly adv -- unique.ness n usage
          Many commentators have objected to the comparison or
          modification (as by somewhat or very) of unique; the
          statement that a thing is either unique or it is not
          has often been repeated by them. Objections are based
          chiefly on the assumption that unique has but a single
          absolute sense, an assumption contradicted by information
          readily available in a dictionary. Unique dates back
          to the 17th century but was little used until the end
          of the 18th when, according to the Oxford English Dictionary,
          it was reacquired from French. H. J. Todd entered it
          as a foreign word in his edition (1818) of Johnson's
          Dictionary, characterizing it as "affected and useless."
          Around the middle of the 19th century it ceased to be
          considered foreign and came into considerable popular
          use. With popular use came a broadening of application
          beyond the original two meanings (here numbered 1 and
          2a). In modern use both comparison and modification are
          widespread and standard but are confined to the extended
          senses 2b and 3. When sense 1 or sense 2a is intended,
          unique is used without qualifying modifiers.

   [1]unisex
          [uni.sex] n (1966): the state or condition of not being
          distinguishable (as by hair or clothing) as to sex [2]unisex adj
          (1968) 1: not distinguishable as male or female <a ~ face>
          2: suitable or designed for both males and females <~ clothes>

   unisexual
          [uni.sex.u.al] adj (ca. 1802) 1: of, relating to, or restricted
          to one sex: a: male or female but not hermaphroditic
          b: diclinous <a ~ flower> 2: unisex -- uni.sex.u.al.i.ty
          n

   unison
          [uni.son] n [MF, fr. ML unisonus having the same sound, fr.
          L uni- + sonus sound--more at sound] (1575) 1 a: identity
          in musical pitch; specif: the interval of a perfect prime
          b: the state of being so tuned or sounded c: the writing,
          playing, or singing of parts in a musical passage at
          the same pitch or in octaves 2: a harmonious agreement
          or union: concord -- unison adj -- in unison 1: in perfect
          agreement: so as to harmonize exactly 2: at the same
          time: simultaneously

   [1]unit
          [unit] n [back-formation fr. unity] (1570) 1 a: the first
          and least natural number: one b: a single quantity regarded
          as a whole in calculation 2: a determinate quantity (as
          of length, time, heat, or value) adopted as a standard
          of measurement: as a: an amount of work used in education
          in calculating student credits b: an amount of a biologically
          active agent (as a drug or antigen) required to produce
          a specific result under strictly controlled conditions
          3 a: a single thing, person, or group that is a constituent
          of a whole b: a part of a military establishment that
          has a prescribed organization (as of personnel and materiel)
          c: a piece or complex of apparatus serving to perform
          one particular function d: a part of a school course
          focusing on a central theme e: a local congregation of
          Jehovah's Witnesses [2]unit adj (1844): being, relating
          to, or measuring one unit

   unitage
          [unit.age] n (1935) 1: specifications of the amount constituting
          a unit 2: amount in units

   unitard
          [uni.tard] n [uni- + leotard] (1961): a close-fitting one-piece
          garment for the torso, legs, feet, and often the arms

   unitarian
          [uni.tar.i.an] n [NL unitarius, fr. L unitas unity] (1687)
          1 a often cap: one who believes that the deity exists
          only in one person b cap: a member of a denomination
          that stresses individual freedom of belief, the free
          use of reason in religion, a united world community,
          and liberal social action 2: an advocate of unity or
          a unitary system -- unitarian adj, often cap -- uni.tar.i.an.ism
          n, often cap

   unitary
          [uni.tary] adj (1861) 1 a: of or relating to a unit b: based
          on or characterized by unity or units 2: having the character
          of a unit: undivided, whole -- uni.tar.i.ly adv

   unit cell
          [unit cell] n (1915): the simplest polyhedron that embodies
          all the structural characteristics of and by indefinite
          repetition makes up the lattice of a crystal

   unit character
          [unit character] n (1902): a natural character inherited
          on an all-or-none basis; esp: one dependent on the presence
          or absence of a single gene

   unit circle
          [unit circle] n (1955): a circle having a radius of 1

   [1]unite
          [unite] vb unit.ed ; unit.ing [ME, fr. L unire, fr. unus
          one--more at one] vt (15c) 1 a: to put together to form
          a single unit b: to cause to adhere c: to link by a legal
          or moral bond 2: to possess (as qualities) in combination
          ~ vi 1 a: to become one or as if one b: to become combined
          by or as if by adhesion or mixture 2: to act in concert
          syn see join -- unit.er n [2]unite n [obs. unite united,
          fr. ME unit, fr. LL unitus, pp.] (1604): an old British
          gold 20-shilling piece issued first by James I in 1604
          for the newly united England and Scotland--called also
          Jacobus

   united
          [unit.ed] adj (1552) 1: made one: combined 2: relating to
          or produced by joint action 3: being in agreement: harmonious
          -- unit.ed.ly adv

   United Nations Day
          [United Nations Day] n (1947): October 24 observed in commemoration
          of the founding of the United Nations

   United States
          [Unit.ed States] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1617): a
          federation of states esp. when forming a nation in a
          usu. specified territory <advocating a United States
          of Europe>

   unitive
          [uni.tive] adj (1526): characterized by or tending to produce
          union

   unitize
          [unit.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1860) 1: to form or convert
          into a unit 2: to divide into units <the added cost of
          unitizing bulk products> -- unit.i.za.tion n

   unit membrane
          [unit membrane] n [fr. its being the basic structural unit
          of the cell] (1959): a 3-layered membrane that consists
          of an inner lipid layer surrounded by a protein layer
          on each side

   unit rule
          [unit rule] n (1884): a rule under which a delegation to
          a national political convention casts its entire vote
          as a unit as determined by a majority vote

   unitrust
          [uni.trust] n (1970): a trust from which the beneficiary
          receives annually a fixed percentage of the fair market
          value of its assets

   units place
          [units place] n (1937): the place just to the left of the
          decimal point in a number expressed in the Arabic system
          of writing numbers

   unit train
          [unit train] n (1964): a railway train that transports a
          single commodity directly from producer to consumer

   unit trust
          [unit trust] n (1936) 1 Brit: mutual fund 2: an investment
          company whose portfolio consists of long-term bonds that
          are held to maturity

   unity
          [uni.ty] n, pl -ties [ME unite, fr. MF unite, fr. L unitat-,
          unitas, fr. unus one--more at one] (14c) 1 a: the quality
          or state of not being multiple: oneness b (1): a definite
          amount taken as one or for which 1 is made to stand in
          calculation <in a table of natural sines the radius of
          the circle is regarded as ~> (2): identity element 2
          a: a condition of harmony: accord b: continuity without
          deviation or change (as in purpose or action) 3 a: the
          quality or state of being made one: unification b: a
          combination or ordering of parts in a literary or artistic
          production that constitutes a whole or promotes an undivided
          total effect; also: the resulting singleness of effect
          or symmetry and consistency of style and character 4:
          a totality of related parts: an entity that is a complex
          or systematic whole 5: any of three principles of dramatic
          structure derived by French classicists from Aristotle's
          Poetics and requiring a play to have a single action
          represented as occurring in one place and within one
          day 6 cap: a 20th century American religious movement
          that emphasizes spiritual sources of health and prosperity

   univ
          [univ] abbreviation universal, university

   [1]univalent
          [uni.va.lent] adj (1898) 1: monovalent 1 2: being a chromosomal
          univalent [2]univalent n (1912): a chromosome that lacks
          a synaptic mate

   univalve
          [uni.valve] n (1668) 1: a mollusk with a shell consisting
          of one valve; esp: gastropod 2: the shell of a univalve
          -- univalve adj

   univariate
          [uni.var.i.ate] adj (1928): characterized by or depending
          on only one random variable <a ~ linear model>

   [1]universal
          [uni.ver.sal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L universalis, fr. universum
          universe] (14c) 1: including or covering all or a whole
          collectively or distributively without limit or exception
          2 a: present or occurring everywhere b: existent or operative
          everywhere or under all conditions <~ cultural patterns>
          3 a: embracing a major part or the greatest portion (as
          of mankind) <a ~ state> <~ practices> b: comprehensively
          broad and versatile <a ~ genius> 4 a: affirming or denying
          something of all members of a class or of all values
          of a variable b: denoting every member of a class <a
          ~ term> 5: adapted or adjustable to meet varied requirements
          (as of use, shape, or size) <a ~ gear cutter> -- uni.ver.sal.ly
          adv -- uni.ver.sal.ness n [2]universal n (1553) 1: one
          that is universal: as a: a universal proposition in logic
          b: a predicable of traditional logic c: a general concept
          or term or something in reality to which it corresponds:
          essence 2 a: a behavior pattern or institution (as the
          family) existing in all cultures b: a culture trait characteristic
          of all normal adult members of a particular society

   universal donor
          [universal donor] n (1922): a person who belongs to ABO blood
          group O and can donate blood to any recipient

   universal grammar
          [universal grammar] n (1751): the study of general principles
          believed to underlie the grammatical phenomena of all
          languages; also: such principles viewed as part of an
          innate human capacity for learning a language

   universalism
          [uni.ver.sal.ism] n (1805) 1 often cap a: a theological doctrine
          that all human beings will eventually be saved b: the
          principles and practices of a liberal Christian denomination
          founded in the 18th century orig. to uphold belief in
          universal salvation and now united with Unitarianism
          2: something that is universal in scope 3: the state
          of being universal: universality -- uni.ver.sal.ist n
          or adj, often cap

   universalistic
          [uni.ver.sal.is.tic] adj (1872): of or relating to the whole:
          universal in scope or nature

   universality
          [uni.ver.sal.i.ty] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being
          universal 2: universal comprehensiveness in range

   universalize
          [uni.ver.sal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1642): to make universal:
          generalize -- uni.ver.sal.i.za.tion n

   universal joint
          [universal joint] n (1676): a shaft coupling capable
          of transmitting rotation from one shaft to another not collinear
          with it--called also universal coupling

   universal motor
          [universal motor] n (1925): an electric motor that can be
          used on either an alternating or a direct current supply

   Universal Product Code
          [Universal Product Code] n (1974): a combination of a bar
          code and numbers by which a scanner can identify a product
          and usu. assign a price

   universal recipient
          [universal recipient] n (1922): a person who belongs to ABO
          blood group AB and can receive blood from any donor

   Universal time
          [Universal time] n (1882): greenwich mean time

   universe
          [uni.verse] n [L universum, fr. neut. of universus entire,
          whole, fr. uni- + versus turned toward, fr. pp. of vertere
          to turn--more at worth] (1589) 1: the whole body of things
          and phenomena observed or postulated: cosmos: as a: a
          systematic whole held to arise by and persist through
          the direct intervention of divine power b: the world
          of human experience c (1): the entire celestial cosmos
          (2): milky way galaxy (3): an aggregate of stars comparable
          to the Milky Way galaxy 2: a distinct field or province
          of thought or reality that forms a closed system or self-inclusive
          and independent organization 3: population 4 4: a set that contains
          all elements relevant to a particular discussion or problem
          5: a great number or quantity <a large enough ~ of stocks ...
          to choose from --G. B. Clairmont>

   universe of discourse
          [universe of discourse] (1881): an inclusive class of entities
          that is tacitly implied or explicitly delineated as the
          subject of a statement, discourse, or theory

   university
          [uni.ver.si.ty] n, pl -ties [ME universite, fr. MF universite,
          fr. ML universitat-, universitas, fr. L universus] (14c)
          1: an institution of higher learning providing facilities
          for teaching and research and authorized to grant academic
          degrees; specif: one made up of an undergraduate division
          which confers bachelor's degrees and a graduate division
          which comprises a graduate school and professional schools
          each of which may confer master's degrees and doctorates
          2: the physical plant of a university

   univocal
          [univ.o.cal] adj [LL univocus, fr. L uni- + voc-, vox voice--more
          at voice] (1599): having one meaning only -- univ.o.cal.ly
          adv

   unjoined
          [un.joined] adj (1538): not joined

   unjust
          [un.just] adj (14c) 1: characterized by injustice: unfair
          2 archaic: dishonest, faithless -- un.just.ly adv --
          un.just.ness n

   unkempt
          [un.kempt] adj [un- + kempt combed, neat] (1579) 1: deficient
          in order or neatness <~ individuals> <~ hotel rooms>;
          also: rough, unpolished <~ prose> 2: not combed <~ hair>

   unkenned
          [un.kenned] adj (14c) chiefly dial: unknown, strange

   unkennel
          [un.ken.nel] vt (1575) 1 a: to drive (as a fox) from a hiding
          place or den b: to free (dogs) from a kennel 2: to bring
          out into the open: uncover

   unkind
          [un.kind] adj (13c) 1: not pleasing or mild: inclement <an
          ~ climate> 2: lacking in kindness or sympathy: harsh,
          cruel -- un.kind.ness n

   [1]unkindly
          [un.kind.ly] adj (13c): not kindly -- un.kind.li.ness n [2]unkindly
          adv (14c): in an unkind manner <dwells ~ long on his final decline
          --A. H. Johnston>

   unkink
          [un.kink] vt (1891): to free from kinks: straighten ~ vi:
          to become lax or loose: relax

   unknit
          [un.knit] vb -knit or -knit.ted ; -knit.ting (bef. 12c):
          undo, unravel

   unknowable
          [un.know.able] adj (14c): not knowable; esp: lying beyond
          the limits of human experience or understanding --
          un.know.abil.i.ty n

   [1]unknowing
          [un.know.ing] adj (14c): not knowing -- un.know.ing.ly adv
          [2]unknowing n (14c): ignorance

   [1]unknown
          [un.known] adj (14c): not known or not well-known; also:
          having an unknown value <an ~ quantity> [2]unknown n
          (1597) 1: one that is not known or not well-known; esp:
          a person who is little known (as to the public) 2: something
          that requires discovery, indentification, or clarification:
          as a: a symbol (as x, y, or z) in a mathematical equation
          representing an unknown quantity b: a specimen (as of
          bacteria or mixed chemicals) required to be identified
          as an exercise in appropriate laboratory techniques

   Unknown Soldier
          [Unknown Soldier] n (1923): an unidentified soldier whose
          body is selected to receive national honors as a representative
          of all of the same nation who died in a war and esp.
          in one of the world wars

   unlace
          [un.lace] vt (14c) 1: to loose by undoing a lacing 2 obs:
          undo, disgrace

   unlade
          [un.lade] vb -lad.ed ; -laded or -lad.en ; -lad.ing vt (14c)
          1: to take the load or cargo from 2: discharge, unload
          ~ vi: to discharge cargo

   unlash
          [un.lash] vt (1748): to untie the lashing of

   unlatch
          [un.latch] vt (1642): to open or loose by lifting the latch
          ~ vi: to become loosed or opened

   unlawful
          [un.law.ful] adj (14c) 1: not lawful: illegal 2: not morally
          right or conventional -- un.law.ful.ly adv -- un.law.ful.ness
          n

   unlay
          [un.lay] vb -laid ; -lay.ing vt (1726): to untwist the strands
          of (as a rope) ~ vi: untwist

   unleaded
          [un.lead.ed] adj (ca. 1891) 1: not having leads between the
          lines in printing 2: not treated or mixed with lead or
          lead compounds <~ fuels>

   unlearn
          [un.learn] vt (15c) 1: to put out of one's knowledge or memory
          2: to undo the effect of: discard the habit of

   unlearned
          [un.learned] adj (15c) 1: possessing inadequate learning
          or education; esp: deficient in scholarly attainments
          2: characterized by or revealing ignorance 3: not gained
          by study or training syn see ignorant

   unleash
          [un.leash] vt (ca. 1671): to free from or as if from a leash:
          let loose

   [1]unless
          [un.less] conj [ME unlesse, alter. of onlesse, fr. on + lesse
          less] (1509) 1: except on the condition that: under any
          other circumstance than 2: without the accompanying circumstance
          or condition that: but that: but [2]unless prep (ca.
          1532): except possibly: except

   unlettered
          [un.let.tered] adj (14c) 1 a: lacking facility in reading
          and writing and ignorant of the knowledge to be gained
          from books b: illiterate 2: not marked with letters syn
          see ignorant

   unlicked
          [un.licked] adj (1593) 1: lacking proper form or shape 2
          archaic: not licked dry

   [1]unlike
          [un.like] adj (13c): not like: as a: marked by lack of resemblance:
          different <the two books are quite ~> b: marked by inequality:
          unequal <contributed ~ amounts> -- un.like.ness n [2]unlike prep
          (1593): not like: as a: different from b: not characteristic
          of c: in a different manner from

   unlikelihood
          [un.like.li.hood] n (1548) 1: improbability 2: something
          unlikely

   unlikeliness
          [un.like.li.ness] n (1614): improbability

   unlikely
          [un.like.ly] adj (14c) 1: not likely: improbable 2: likely
          to fail: unpromising

   unlimber
          [un.lim.ber] vt (1802) 1: to detach the limber from and so
          make ready <~ a gun for action> 2: to prepare for operation
          or performance <~ed his banjo and began to play> ~ vi:
          to perform the task of preparing something for action

   unlimited
          [un.lim.it.ed] adj (15c) 1: lacking any controls: unrestricted
          2: boundless, infinite 3: not bounded by exceptions:
          undefined -- un.lim.it.ed.ly adv

   unlink
          [un.link] vt (1600): to unfasten the links of: separate,
          disconnect ~ vi: to become detached

   unlinked
          [un.linked] adj (1966): not belonging to the same genetic
          linkage group <~ genes>

   unlisted
          [un.list.ed] adj (1644) 1: not appearing on a list; esp:
          not appearing in a telephone book <~ numbers> 2: being
          or involving a security not listed formally on an organized
          exchange: over-the-counter

   unlive
          [un.live] vt (1614): annul, reverse

   unload
          [un.load] vt (1523) 1 a (1): to take off: deliver (2): to
          take the cargo from b: to give outlet to: pour forth
          <~ed her bitter feelings> 2: to relieve of something
          burdensome, unwanted, or oppressive <~ed the pack animals>
          <~ed himself to his friend> 3: to draw the charge from
          <~ed the gun> 4: to sell or dispose of esp. in large
          quantities: dump 5: to hit or propel with a great release
          of power <~ed his ninth homer> ~ vi 1: to perform the
          act of unloading 2: to release or deliver something esp.
          with power <~ed on the ball> -- un.load.er n

   unlock
          [un.lock] vt (15c) 1: to unfasten the lock of 2: open, undo
          3: to free from restraints or restrictions <the shock
          ~ed a flood of tears> 4: to furnish a key to: disclose
          ~ vi: to become unfastened or freed from restraints

   unlooked-for
          [un.looked-for] adj (1535): not foreseen: unexpected

   unloose
          [un.loose] vt (14c) 1: to relax the strain of <~ a grip>
          2: to release from or as if from restraints: set free
          3: to loosen the ties of <~ traditional social bonds>

   unloosen
          [un.loos.en] vt (15c): unloose

   unlovely
          [un.love.ly] adj (14c): not likable: disagreeable, unpleasant
          -- un.love.li.ness n

   unluckily
          [un.luck.i.ly] adv (1530): unfortunately <~, it has a nasty
          way of turning to rain --Ambrose Bierce> <his ascent
          being ~ a little out of the perpendicular --T. L. Peacock>

   unlucky
          [un.lucky] adj (1530) 1: marked by adversity or failure <an
          ~ year> 2: likely to bring misfortune: inauspicious 3:
          having or meeting with bad luck <~ people> 4: producing
          dissatisfaction: regrettable -- un.luck.i.ness n

   unmade
          [un.made] adj (13c): not made <an ~ bed>

   unmake
          [un.make] vt -made ; -mak.ing (15c) 1: to cause to disappear:
          destroy 2: to deprive of rank or office: depose 3: to
          deprive of essential characteristics: change the nature
          of

   unman
          [un.man] vt (ca. 1600) 1: to deprive of manly vigor, fortitude,
          or spirit 2: castrate, emasculate syn see unnerve

   unmanly
          [un.man.ly] adj (ca. 1547): not manly: as a: being of weak
          character: cowardly b: effeminate -- un.man.li.ness n

   unmanned
          [un.manned] adj (1544) 1: not manned <an ~ spaceflight> 2
          of a hawk: not trained

   unmannered
          [un.man.nered] adj (1594) 1: marked by a lack of good manners:
          rude 2: characterized by an absence of artificiality:
          unaffected -- un.man.nered.ly adv

   [1]unmannerly
          [un.man.ner.ly] adv (14c): in an unmannerly fashion [2]unmannerly
          adj (14c): not mannerly: discourteous -- un.man.ner.li.ness
          n

   unmarried
          [un.mar.ried] adj (14c): not married: a: not now or previously
          married b: being divorced or widowed -- unmarried n

   unmask
          [un.mask] vt (1602) 1: to remove a mask from 2: to reveal
          the true nature of: expose ~ vi: to remove one's mask

   unmeaning
          [un.mean.ing] adj (1704) 1: lacking intelligence: vapid 2:
          having no meaning: senseless

   unmediated
          [un.me.di.at.ed] adj (1648): not mediated: not communicated
          or transformed by an intervening agency <experience ~
          by artifice>

   unmeet
          [un.meet] adj (ca. 1529): not meet: unsuitable, improper

   [1]unmentionable
          [un.men.tion.able] adj (1837): not fit or allowed to be mentioned
          or discussed: unspeakable [2]unmentionable n (1928):
          one that is not to be mentioned or discussed: as a pl:
          [3]pant 1 b pl: underwear

   unmerciful
          [un.mer.ci.ful] adj (15c) 1: not merciful: merciless 2: excessive,
          extreme <chatted for an ~ length of time> -- un.mer.ci.ful.ly adv

   unmindful
          [un.mind.ful] adj (14c): not conscientiously aware, attentive,
          or heedful: inattentive, careless

   unmistakable
          [un.mis.tak.able] adj (1666): not capable of being mistaken
          or misunderstood: clear -- un.mis.tak.ably adv

   unmitigated
          [un.mit.i.gat.ed] adj (1599) 1: not lessened: unrelieved
          <sufferings ~ by any hope of early relief> 2: being so
          definitely what is stated as to offer little chance of
          change or relief <an ~ evil> -- un.mit.i.gat.ed.ly adv
          -- un.mit.i.gat.ed.ness n

   unmold
          [un.mold] vt (ca. 1900): to remove from a mold

   unmoor
          [un.moor] vt (15c): to loosen from or as if from moorings
          ~ vi: to cast off moorings

   unmoral
          [un.mor.al] adj (1841) 1: having no moral perception or quality;
          also: not influenced or guided by moral considerations
          2: lying outside the bounds of morals or ethics: amoral
          -- un.mo.ral.i.ty n

   unmuffle
          [un.muf.fle] vt (1611): to free from something that muffles

   unmuzzle
          [un.muz.zle] vt (1601): to free from or as if from a muzzle

   unmyelinated
          [un.my.elin.at.ed] adj (1919): lacking a myelin sheath

   unnail
          [un.nail] vt (15c): to unfasten by removing nails

   unnatural
          [un.nat.u.ral] adj (15c) 1: not being in accordance with
          nature or consistent with a normal course of events 2
          a: not being in accordance with normal human feelings
          or behavior: perverse b: lacking ease and naturalness:
          contrived <her manner was forced and ~> c: inconsistent
          with what is reasonable or expected <an ~ alliance> syn
          see irregular -- un.nat.u.ral.ly adv -- un.nat.u.ral.ness
          n

   unnecessarily
          [un.nec.es.sar.i.ly] adv (1594): not by necessity: to an
          unnecessary degree

   unnecessary
          [un.nec.es.sary] adj (1548): not necessary

   unnerve
          [un.nerve] vt (1601) 1: to deprive of courage, strength,
          or steadiness 2: to cause to become nervous: upset --
          un.nerv.ing.ly adv syn unnerve, enervate, unman, emasculate
          mean to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity
          for effective action. unnerve implies marked often temporary
          loss of courage, self-control, or power to act <unnerved
          by the near collision>. enervate suggests a gradual physical
          or moral weakening (as through luxury or indolence) until
          one is too feeble to make an effort <a nation's youth
          enervated by affluence and leisure>. unman implies a
          loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit <a soldier
          unmanned by the terrors of battle>. emasculate stresses
          a depriving of characteristic force by removing something
          essential <an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards>.

   unnilhexium
          [un.nil.hex.i.um] n [NL, fr. unnil- (fr. L unus one + nil
          nothing, zero) + Gk hex six + NL -ium--more at one, nil,
          six] (1981): the chemical element of atomic number 106

   unnilpentium
          [un.nil.pen.ti.um] n [NL, fr. unnil- + Gk pente five + NL
          -ium--more at five] (1981): the chemical element of atomic
          number 105

   unnilquadium
          [un.nil.qua.di.um] n [NL, fr. unnil- + quadri- + -ium] (1979):
          the chemical element of atomic number 104

   unnumbered
          [un.num.bered] adj (14c) 1: innumerable 2: not having an
          identifying number <~ pages>

   uno animo
          [uno ani.mo] [L] foreign term : with one mind: unanimously

   unobtrusive
          [un.ob.tru.sive] adj (1743): not obtrusive: not blatant,
          arresting, or aggressive: inconspicuous -- un.ob.tru.sive.ly
          adv -- un.ob.tru.sive.ness n

   unoccupied
          [un.oc.cu.pied] adj (14c): not occupied: as a: not busy:
          unemployed b: not lived in: empty

   unorganized
          [un.or.ga.nized] adj (ca. 1828) 1: not organized: as a: not
          brought into a coherent or well-ordered whole b: not
          belonging to a labor union 2: not having the characteristics
          of a living organism

   unorthodox
          [un.or.tho.dox] adj (1657): not orthodox -- un.or.tho.dox.ly
          adv

   unorthodoxy
          [un.or.tho.doxy] n (ca. 1704) 1: the quality or state of
          being unorthodox 2: something (as an opinion or doctrine)
          that is unorthodox

   unp
          [unp] abbreviation unpaged  Unp abbreviation unnilpentium

   unpack
          [un.pack] vt (15c) 1 a: to remove the contents of <~ a trunk>
          b: unburden, reveal <must ... ~ my heart with words --Shak.>
          2: to remove or undo from packing or a container <~ed
          his gear> 3: to analyze the nature of by examining in
          detail: explicate <~ a concept> ~ vi: to engage in unpacking
          a container -- un.pack.er n

   unpaged
          [un.paged] adj (1874): having no page numbers

   unpaid
          [un.paid] adj (14c) 1: not paid <an ~ volunteer> 2: not paying
          a salary <an ~ position>

   unpaired
          [un.paired] adj (1648) 1: not paired; esp: not matched or
          mated 2: characterized by the absence of pairing <electrons
          in the ~ state>

   unpalatable
          [un.pal.at.able] adj (1682) 1: not palatable: distasteful
          2: unpleasant, disagreeable -- un.pal.at.abil.i.ty n

   unparalleled
          [un.par.al.leled] adj (1594): having no parallel; esp: having
          no equal or match: unique in kind or quality

   unparliamentary
          [un.par.lia.men.ta.ry] adj (1626): contrary to the practice
          of parliamentary bodies

   unpeg
          [un.peg] vt (1602) 1: to remove a peg from 2: to unfasten
          by or as if by removing a peg

   unpeople
          [un.peo.ple] vt (ca. 1533): depopulate

   unpeopled
          [un.peo.pled] adj (ca. 1586): not filled with or occupied
          by people

   unperfect
          [un.per.fect] adj (14c): imperfect

   unperson
          [un.per.son] n (1949): an individual who usu. for political
          or ideological reasons is removed completely from recognition
          or consideration

   unpick
          [un.pick] vt (ca. 1775): to undo (as sewing) by taking out
          stitches

   unpile
          [un.pile] vt (1611): to take or disentangle from a pile

   unpin
          [un.pin] vt (14c) 1: to remove a pin from 2: to loosen, free,
          or unfasten by or as if by removing a pin

   unplaced
          [un.placed] adj (1512) 1: not placed: not having a definite
          or assigned place <taxonomically ~ organisms> 2: not
          finishing in one of the first three places in a horse
          race

   unpleasant
          [un.pleas.ant] adj (1538): not pleasant: not amiable or agreeable:
          displeasing <~ odors> -- un.pleas.ant.ly adv

   unpleasantness
          [un.pleas.ant.ness] n (1548) 1: the quality or state of being
          unpleasant 2: an unpleasant situation, experience, or
          event

   unplug
          [un.plug] vt (ca. 1775) 1 a: to take a plug out of b: to
          remove an obstruction from 2 a: to remove (as an electric
          plug) from a socket or receptacle b: to disconnect from
          an electric circuit by removing a plug <~ the refrigerator>

   unplumbed
          [un.plumbed] adj (1623) 1: not tested with a plumb line 2
          a: not measured with a plumb b: not thoroughly explored

   unpolarized
          [un.po.lar.ized] adj (ca. 1828): not polarized; specif: having
          a random pattern of vibrations

   unpolitical
          [un.po.lit.i.cal] adj (1643): apolitical 1

   unpopular
          [un.pop.u.lar] adj (1647): not popular: viewed or received
          unfavorably by the public -- un.pop.u.lar.i.ty n

   unprecedented
          [un.prec.e.dent.ed] adj (1623): having no precedent: novel,
          unexampled -- un.prec.e.dent.ed.ly adv

   unpregnant
          [un.preg.nant] adj (1602) obs: inept 1

   unpretending
          [un.pre.tend.ing] adj (1697): unpretentious

   unpretentious
          [un.pre.ten.tious] adj (1859): free from ostentation, elegance,
          or affectation: modest <~ homes> -- un.pre.ten.tious.ly
          adv -- un.pre.ten.tious.ness n

   unprincipled
          [un.prin.ci.pled] adj (1644): lacking moral principles:
          unscrupulous -- un.prin.ci.pled.ness n

   unprintable
          [un.print.able] adj (1871): unfit to be printed

   unprofessed
          [un.pro.fessed] adj (15c): not professed <an ~ aim>

   unprofitable
          [un.prof.it.able] adj (14c): not profitable: producing no
          gain, good, or result -- un.prof.it.able.ness n -- un.prof.it.ably
          adv

   unpromising
          [un.prom.is.ing] adj (1663): appearing unlikely to prove
          worthwhile or result favorably -- un.prom.is.ing.ly adv

   unpronounced
          [un.pro.nounced] adj (1611): not pronounced; esp: mute

   unpublishable
          [un.pub.lish.able] adj (1815): unprintable

   Unq
          [Unq] abbreviation unnilquadium

   unqualified
          [un.qual.i.fied] adj (1556) 1: not fit: not having requisite
          qualifications 2: not modified or restricted by reservations:
          complete <an ~ denial> -- un.qual.i.fied.ly adv

   unquestionable
          [un.ques.tion.able] adj (1631): not questionable: indisputable
          <~ evidence> -- un.ques.tion.ably adv

   unquestioning
          [un.ques.tion.ing] adj (ca. 1828): not questioning: not expressing
          or marked by doubt or hesitation <~ obedience> --
          un.ques.tion.ing.ly adv

   unquiet
          [un.qui.et] adj (1523) 1: not quiet: agitated, turbulent
          2: physically, emotionally, or mentally restless: uneasy
          -- un.qui.et.ly adv -- un.qui.et.ness n

   unquote
          [un.quote] n (1915)--used orally to indicate the end of a
          direct quotation

   unravel
          [un.rav.el] vt (1603) 1 a: to disengage or separate the threads
          of: disentangle b: to cause to come apart by or as if
          by separating the threads of 2: to resolve the intricacy,
          complexity, or obscurity of: clear up <~ a mystery> ~
          vi: to become unraveled

   unread
          [un.read] adj (15c) 1: not read: left unexamined 2: lacking
          the experience or the benefits of reading <~ in political
          science>

   unreal
          [un.re.al] adj (1605): lacking in reality, substance, or
          genuineness: artificial, illusory; also: incredible,
          fantastic

   unrealistic
          [un.re.al.is.tic] adj (1865): not realistic: inappropriate
          to reality or fact -- un.re.al.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   unreality
          [un.re.al.i.ty] n (1751) 1 a: the quality or state of being
          unreal: lack of substance or validity b: something unreal,
          insubstantial, or visionary: figment 2: ineptitude in
          dealing with reality

   unreason
          [un.rea.son] n (1827): the absence of reason or sanity:
          irrationality, madness

   unreasonable
          [un.rea.son.able] adj (14c) 1 a: not governed by or acting
          according to reason <~ people> b: not conformable to
          reason: absurd <~ beliefs> 2: exceeding the bounds of
          reason or moderation <working under ~ pressure> --
          un.rea.son.able.ness n -- un.rea.son.ably adv

   unreasoned
          [un.rea.soned] adj (1790): not founded on reason or reasoning

   unreasoning
          [un.rea.son.ing] adj (1751): not reasoning; esp: not moderated
          or controlled by reason <~ fear> -- un.rea.son.ing.ly
          adv

   unreconstructed
          [un.re.con.struct.ed] adj (1867): not reconciled to some
          political, economic, or social change <an ~ rebel>; also:
          holding stubbornly to a particular belief, view, place,
          or style <an ~ New Yorker>

   unreel
          [un.reel] vt (1567) 1: to unwind from a reel 2: to perform
          successfully <~ed a 66-yard pass play> 3: reel off 2
          ~ vi 1: to become unwound 2: to be presented <the dress
          rehearsal ~ed flawlessly>

   unreeve
          [un.reeve] vt -rove or -reeved ; -reev.ing (1600): to withdraw
          (a rope) from an opening (as a ship's block or thimble)

   unregenerate
          [un.re.gen.er.ate] adj (1589) 1: not regenerate <the ~ condition
          of humanity> <~ pagans> 2 a: not reformed: unreconstructed
          <~ liberals> <~ Confederates> b: obstinate, stubborn
          <struggling against ~ impulses> <his ~ competitiveness>
          -- un.re.gen.er.ate.ly adv

   unrelenting
          [un.re.lent.ing] adj (1588) 1: not softening or yielding
          in determination: hard, stern <an ~ leader> 2: not letting
          up or weakening in vigor or pace: constant <the ~ struggle>
          -- un.re.lent.ing.ly adv

   unremarked
          [un.re.marked] adj (ca. 1775): not remarked: unnoticed

   unremitting
          [un.re.mit.ting] adj (1728): not remitting: constant, incessant
          -- un.re.mit.ting.ly adv

   unrequited
          [un.re.quit.ed] adj (ca. 1542): not requited: not reciprocated
          or returned in kind <~ love>

   unreserve
          [un.re.serve] n (1751): absence of reserve: frankness

   unreserved
          [un.re.served] adj (1539) 1: not limited or partial: entire,
          unqualified <~ enthusiasm> 2: not cautious or reticent:
          frank, open 3: not set aside for special use -- un.re.serv.ed.ly
          adv -- un.re.served.ness n

   unrest
          [un.rest] n (14c): a disturbed or uneasy state: turmoil

   unrestrained
          [un.re.strained] adj (ca. 1600) 1: not restrained: immoderate,
          uncontrolled <~ proliferation of technology> 2: free
          of constraint: spontaneous <felt happy and ~> -- un.re.strain.ed.ly
          adv -- un.re.strained.ness n

   unrestraint
          [un.re.straint] n (1804): freedom from or lack of restraint

   unriddle
          [un.rid.dle] vt (ca. 1586): to find the explanation of: figure
          out, solve <~ a puzzle> <no trouble unriddling three-part
          syllogisms --New Yorker>; also: to make understandable:
          explain <just trying to ~ the man --Helen Dudar>

   unrig
          [un.rig] vt (ca. 1580): to strip of rigging <~ a ship>

   unrighteous
          [un.righ.teous] adj (bef. 12c) 1: not righteous: sinful,
          wicked 2: unjust, unmerited <intolerable and ~ interference
          in their lives --W. W. Wagar> -- un.righ.teous.ly adv
          -- un.righ.teous.ness n

   unripe
          [un.ripe] adj (13c) 1: not ripe: immature 2: not ready: unprepared
          -- un.ripe.ness n

   unrivaled
          [un.ri.valed] or un.ri.valled adj (1591): having no rival:
          incomparable, supreme

   unroll
          [un.roll] vt (15c) 1: to unwind a roll of: open out: uncoil
          2: to spread out like a scroll for reading or inspection:
          unfold, reveal ~ vi: to be unrolled: unwind

   unroof
          [un.roof] vt (1598): to strip off the roof or covering of

   [1]unround
          [un.round] vt (1874) 1: to pronounce (a sound) without lip
          rounding or with decreased lip rounding 2: to spread
          (the lips) laterally [2]unround adj (1958): pronounced
          with the lips not rounded

   unruffled
          [un.ruf.fled] adj (1659) 1: poised and serene esp. in the
          face of setbacks or confusion 2: not ruffled: smooth
          <~ water> syn see cool

   unruly
          [un.ruly] adj [ME unreuly, fr. un- + reuly disciplined, fr.
          reule rule] (15c): not readily ruled, disciplined, or
          managed <an ~ crowd> <a mane of ~ hair> -- un.rul.i.ness
          n syn unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory,
          recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive
          to government or control. unruly implies lack of discipline
          or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness
          or turbulence of behavior <unruly children>. ungovernable
          implies either an escape from control or guidance or
          a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling
          oneself or being controlled by others <ungovernable rage>.
          intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance
          or control <intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste
          dump>. refractory stresses resistance to attempts to
          manage or to mold <special schools for refractory children>.
          recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance
          of authority <acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace>.
          willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's
          own way <a willful disregard for the rights of others>.
          headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint,
          advice, or suggestion <a headstrong young calvary officer>.

   UNRWA
          [UNRWA] abbreviation United Nations Relief and Works Agency

   uns
          [uns] abbreviation unsymmetrical

   unsaddle
          [un.sad.dle] vt (14c) 1: to take the saddle from 2: to throw
          from the saddle ~ vi: to remove the saddle from a horse

   unsaid
          [un.said] adj (bef. 12c): not said; esp: not spoken aloud

   unsatisfactory
          [un.sat.is.fac.to.ry] adj (ca. 1650): not satisfactory --
          un.sat.is.fac.to.ri.ly adv -- un.sat.is.fac.to.ri.ness
          n

   unsaturate
          [un.sat.u.rate] n (1934): an unsaturated chemical compound

   unsaturated
          [un.sat.u.rat.ed] adj (1758): not saturated: as a: capable
          of absorbing or dissolving more of something <an ~ solution>
          b: able to form products by chemical addition; esp: containing
          double or triple bonds between carbon atoms

   unsaved
          [un.saved] adj (1648): not saved; esp: not absolved from
          eternal punishment: not regenerate

   unsavory
          [un.sa.vory] adj (13c) 1: insipid, tasteless 2 a: unpleasant
          to taste or smell b: disagreeable, distasteful <an ~
          assignment>; esp: morally offensive

   unsay
          [un.say] vt -said ; -say.ing (15c): to make as if not said:
          recant, retract

   unsayable
          [un.say.able] adj (1870): not sayable: not easily expressed
          or related

   unscathed
          [un.scathed] adj (14c): wholly unharmed: not injured

   unschooled
          [un.schooled] adj (1589) 1: not schooled: untaught, untrained
          <an ~ woodsman> 2: not artificial: natural <~ talent>

   unscientific
          [un.sci.en.tif.ic] adj (ca. 1775): not scientific: as a:
          not used in scientific work b: not being in accord with
          the principles and methods of science <~ management of
          woodlands> <an ~ survey> c: not showing scientific knowledge
          or familiarity with scientific methods -- un.sci.en.tif.i.cal.ly
          adv

   unscramble
          [un.scram.ble] vt (ca. 1920) 1: to separate (as a conglomeration
          or tangle) into original components: resolve, clarify
          2: to restore (scrambled communication) to intelligible
          form -- un.scram.bler n

   unscrew
          [un.screw] vt (1605) 1: to draw the screws from 2: to loosen
          or withdraw by turning ~ vi: to become or admit of being
          unscrewed

   unscripted
          [un.script.ed] adj (ca. 1950): not following a prepared script

   unscrupulous
          [un.scru.pu.lous] adj (1803): not scrupulous: unprincipled
          -- un.scru.pu.lous.ly adv -- un.scru.pu.lous.ness n

   unseal
          [un.seal] vt (15c): to break or remove the seal of: open

   unsealed
          [un.sealed] adj (14c): not sealed

   unseam
          [un.seam] vt (1592): to open the seams of

   unsearchable
          [un.search.able] adj (14c): not capable of being searched
          or explored: inscrutable -- un.search.ably adv

   unseasonable
          [un.sea.son.able] adj (15c) 1: occurring at other than the
          proper time: untimely 2: not being in season 3 a: not
          normal for the season of the year <~ weather> b: marked
          by unseasonable weather <an ~ summer> -- un.sea.son.able.ness
          n -- un.sea.son.ably adv

   unseat
          [un.seat] vt (1596) 1: to dislodge from one's seat esp. on
          horseback 2: to remove from a place or position; esp:
          to remove from political office

   [1]unseemly
          [un.seem.ly] adj (14c): not seemly: as a: not according with
          established standards of good form or taste <~ bickering>
          b: not suitable for time or place: inappropriate, unseasonable
          syn see indecorous -- un.seem.li.ness n [2]unseemly adv
          (14c): in an unseemly manner

   unseen
          [un.seen] adj (13c) 1: not seen or perceived 2: sight 1 <an
          ~ translation>

   unsegregated
          [un.seg.re.gat.ed] adj (1905): not segregated; esp: free
          from racial segregation

   unselected
          [un.se.lect.ed] adj (ca. 1891): not selected: chosen at random

   unselective
          [un.se.lec.tive] adj (ca. 1925): not marked by selection:
          random, indiscriminate -- un.se.lec.tive.ly adv

   unselfish
          [un.self.ish] adj (1698): not selfish: generous -- un.self.ish.ly
          adv -- un.self.ish.ness n

   unsell
          [un.sell] vt -sold ; -sel.ling (ca. 1929) 1: to dissuade
          from a belief in the truth, value, or desirability of
          something <ads that ~ the public on energy consumption>
          2: to discourage a belief in the truth, value, or desirability
          of <I unsold the coat he wanted and sold him another>

   unset
          [un.set] adj (14c): not set: as a: not fixed in a setting:
          unmounted <~ diamonds> b: not firmed or solidified <~
          concrete>

   unsettle
          [un.set.tle] vt (1598) 1: to loosen or move from a settled
          state or condition: make unstable: disorder 2: to perturb
          or agitate mentally or emotionally: discompose ~ vi:
          to become unsettled

   unsettled
          [un.set.tled] adj (1591): not settled: as a (1): not calm
          or tranquil: disturbed <~ political conditions> (2):
          likely to vary widely esp. in the near future: variable
          <~ weather> (3): not settled down <~ dust> b (1): not
          decided or determined: doubtful <an ~ state of mind>
          (2): not resolved or worked out: undecided <an ~ question>
          c: characterized by irregularity <an ~ life> d: not inhabited
          or populated <~ land> e: mentally unbalanced f (1): not
          disposed of according to law <an ~ estate> (2): not paid
          or discharged <~ debts> -- un.set.tled.ness n

   unsettlement
          [un.set.tle.ment] n (1648) 1: an act, process, or instance
          of unsettling 2: the quality or state of being unsettled

   unsettling
          [un.set.tling] adj (1665): having the effect of upsetting,
          disturbing, or discomposing <~ images of the war> --
          un.set.tling.ly adv

   unsew
          [un.sew] vt -sewed ; -sewn or -sewed ; -sew.ing (14c): to
          undo the sewing of

   unsex
          [un.sex] vt (1605) 1: to deprive of sex or sexual power 2:
          to deprive of the qualities typical of one's sex

   unshackle
          [un.shack.le] vt (1611): to free from shackles

   unshaped
          [un.shaped] adj (1572): not shaped: as a: not dressed or
          finished to final form <an ~ timber> b: imperfect in
          form or formulation <~ ideas>

   unshapen
          [un.shap.en] adj [ME, fr. [1]un- + shapen, pp. of shapen
          to shape] (14c): unshaped

   unsheathe
          [un.sheathe] vt (ca. 1542): to draw from or as if from a
          sheath or scabbard

   unship
          [un.ship] vt (15c) 1: to take out of a ship: discharge, unload
          2: to remove (as an oar or tiller) from position: detach
          ~ vi: to become or admit of being detached or removed

   unshod
          [un.shod] adj (bef. 12c): not wearing or provided with shoes

   [1]unsight
          [un.sight] vt (1615): to prevent from seeing [2]unsight adj
          (ca. 1622): not sighted or examined

   unsightly
          [un.sight.ly] adj (15c): not pleasing to the sight: not comely
          -- un.sight.li.ness n

   unskilled
          [un.skilled] adj (1581) 1: not skilled in a branch of work:
          lacking technical training <an ~ worker> 2: not requiring
          skill <~ jobs> 3: marked by lack of skill <produced ~
          poems>

   unskillful
          [un.skill.ful] adj (1565): not skillful: lacking in skill
          or proficiency -- un.skill.ful.ly adv -- un.skill.ful.ness
          n

   unslakable
          [un.slak.able] adj (1820): unable to be slaked: unquenchable
          <an ~ thirst> <an ~ desire for excellence>

   unsling
          [un.sling] vt -slung ; -sling.ing (1630) 1: to take off the
          slings of esp. aboard ship: release from slings 2: to
          remove from being slung <unslung the carbine>

   unsnap
          [un.snap] vt (1862): to loosen or free by or as if by undoing
          a snap

   unsnarl
          [un.snarl] vt (1555): to disentangle a snarl in

   unsociable
          [un.so.cia.ble] adj (1600) 1: having or showing a disinclination
          for social activity: solitary, reserved 2: not conducive
          to sociability -- un.so.cia.bil.i.ty n -- un.so.cia.ble.ness
          n -- un.so.cia.bly adv

   unsocial
          [un.so.cial] adj (1731): lacking a taste or desire for society
          or close association; also: marked by or arising from
          such a lack <an ~ disposition> -- un.so.cial.ly adv

   unsold
          [un.sold] adj (14c): not sold

   unsophisticated
          [un.so.phis.ti.cat.ed] adj (1630): not sophisticated: as
          a: not changed or corrupted: genuine b (1): not worldly-wise:
          lacking social or economic sophistication (2): lacking
          complexity of structure: simple, straightforward <an
          ~ analysis> <~ rhythms> syn see natural

   unsophistication
          [un.so.phis.ti.ca.tion] n (1825): lack of or freedom from
          sophistication

   unsought
          [un.sought] adj (13c): not searched for or sought out <~
          compliments>

   unsound
          [un.sound] adj (14c): not sound: as a: not healthy or whole
          b: not mentally normal: not wholly sane c: not firmly
          made, placed, or fixed d: not valid or true: invalid,
          specious -- un.sound.ly adv

   unsoundness
          [un.sound.ness] n (1586) 1: the quality or state of being
          unsound 2: something (as a disease, injury, or defect)
          that causes one to be unsound

   unsparing
          [un.spar.ing] adj (ca. 1586) 1: not merciful or forbearing:
          hard, ruthless 2: not frugal: liberal, profuse -- un.spar.ing.ly
          adv

   unspeak
          [un.speak] vt (1605) obs: unsay

   unspeakable
          [un.speak.able] adj (14c) 1 a: incapable of being expressed
          in words: unutterable b: inexpressibly bad: horrendous
          2: that may not or cannot be spoken <the bawdy thoughts
          that come into one's head -- the ~ words --L. P. Smith>
          <~ collections of consonants --Rosemary Jellis> -- un.speak.ably
          adv

   unsportsmanlike
          [un.sports.man.like] adj (1754): not characteristic of or
          exhibiting good sportsmanship: not sportsmanlike

   unspotted
          [un.spot.ted] adj (14c): not spotted: free from spot or stain;
          esp: free from moral stain

   unsprung
          [un.sprung] adj (1600): not sprung; esp: not equipped with
          springs

   unstable
          [un.sta.ble] adj (13c): not stable: not firm or fixed: not
          constant: as a: not steady in action or movement: irregular
          <an ~ pulse> b: wavering in purpose or intent: vacillating
          c: lacking steadiness: apt to move, sway, or fall <an
          ~ tower> d (1): liable to change or alteration <an ~
          economy> <~ weather> (2): readily changing (as by decomposing)
          in chemical composition or biological activity e: characterized
          by lack of emotional control syn see inconstant -- un.sta.ble.ness
          n -- un.sta.bly adv

   [1]unsteady
          [un.steady] vt (1532): to make unsteady [2]unsteady adj (1598):
          not steady: as a: not firm or solid: not fixed in position:
          unstable b: marked by change or fluctuation: changeable
          c: not uniform or even: irregular -- un.stead.i.ly adv
          -- un.stead.i.ness n

   unstep
          [un.step] vt (1853): to remove (a mast) from a step

   unstick
          [un.stick] vt -stuck ; -stick.ing (1706): to release from
          a state of adhesion

   unstinting
          [un.stint.ing] adj (1845): not restricting or holding back:
          giving or being given freely or generously <an ~ volunteer>
          <~ praise> -- un.stint.ing.ly adv

   unstop
          [un.stop] vt (14c) 1: to free from an obstruction: open 2:
          to remove a stopper from

   unstoppable
          [un.stop.pa.ble] adj (1836): incapable of being stopped --
          un.stop.pa.bly adv

   unstrap
          [un.strap] vt (1828): to remove or loose a strap from

   unstressed
          [un.stressed] adj (1883) 1: not bearing a stress or accent
          <~ syllables> 2: not subjected to stress <~ wires>

   unstring
          [un.string] vt -strung ; -string.ing (1611) 1: to loosen
          or remove the strings of 2: to remove from a string 3:
          to make weak, disordered, or unstable <was unstrung by
          the news>

   unstructured
          [un.struc.tured] adj (1936): lacking structure or organization:
          as a: not formally organized in a set or conventional
          pattern <an ~ question> <feel insecure in an ~ situation>
          b: not having a system or hierarchy typical of an organized
          society

   unstuck
          [un.stuck] adj (1934): brought into a state of disarray,
          discomposure, or incoherence <the deal came ~>

   unstudied
          [un.stud.ied] adj (14c): not studied: as a: not acquired
          by study b: not forced: not done or planned for effect

   unsubstantial
          [un.sub.stan.tial] adj (15c): not substantial: lacking substance,
          firmness, or strength -- un.sub.stan.ti.al.i.ty n --
          un.sub.stan.tial.ly adv

   unsuccess
          [un.suc.cess] n (ca. 1586): lack of success: failure

   unsuccessful
          [un.suc.cess.ful] adj (1617): not successful: not meeting
          with or producing success -- un.suc.cess.ful.ly adv

   unsung
          [un.sung] adj (15c) 1: not sung 2: not celebrated or praised
          (as in song or verse) <an ~ hero>

   unsurprising
          [un.sur.pris.ing] adj (1671): not surprising or unexpected

   unsurprisingly
          [un.sur.pris.ing.ly] adv (1950) 1: as is not surprising <matters
          complicate, ~ --Stanley Kauffmann> 2: in an unsurprising
          manner <the story ended ~>

   unswathe
          [un.swathe] vt (14c): to free from something that swathes

   unswear
          [un.swear] vb -swore ; -sworn ; swear.ing vi (1596) archaic:
          to unsay or retract something sworn ~ vt, archaic: to
          recant or recall (as an oath) esp. by a second oath

   unswerving
          [un.swerv.ing] adj (1694) 1: not swerving or turning aside
          2: steady, unfaltering <~ loyalty>

   unsymmetrical
          [un.sym.met.ri.cal] adj (ca. 1755): asymmetric --
          un.sym.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   untangle
          [un.tan.gle] vt (1550): to loose from tangles or entanglement:
          straighten out syn see extricate

   untapped
          [un.tapped] adj (ca. 1775) 1: not subjected to tapping <an
          ~ keg> 2: not drawn upon or utilized <as yet ~ markets>

   untaught
          [un.taught] adj (14c) 1: not instructed or trained: ignorant
          2: natural, spontaneous <~ kindness>

   unteach
          [un.teach] vt -taught ; -teach.ing (1532) 1: to cause to
          unlearn something 2: to teach the contrary of

   untenable
          [un.ten.a.ble] adj (1647) 1: not able to be defended 2: not
          able to be occupied -- un.ten.a.bil.i.ty n

   untented
          [un.tent.ed] adj [[1]un- + obs. E tented, pp. of tent to
          probe] (1605) archaic: not probed or dressed <the ~ woundings
          of a father's curse --Shak.>

   untether
          [un.teth.er] vt (ca. 1775): to free from a tether

   unthink
          [un.think] vt -thought ; -think.ing (ca. 1600): to put out
          of mind

   unthinkable
          [un.think.able] adj (15c) 1: not capable of being grasped
          by the mind 2: being contrary to what is reasonable,
          desirable, or probable: being out of the question --
          un.think.abil.i.ty n -- un.think.ably adv

   unthinking
          [un.think.ing] adj (1676) 1: not taking thought: heedless,
          unmindful 2: not indicating thought or reflection 3:
          not having the power of thought -- un.think.ing.ly adv

   unthought
          [un.thought] adj (ca. 1548): not anticipated: unexpected--often
          used with of <an unthought-of development>

   unthread
          [un.thread] vt (1595) 1: to draw or take out a thread from
          2: to loosen the threads or connections of 3: to make
          one's way through <~ a maze>

   unthrone
          [un.throne] vt (1611): to remove from or as if from a throne

   untidy
          [un.ti.dy] adj (14c) 1 a: not neat: slovenly b: not neat
          or orderly in habits or procedure <an ~ mind> 2 a: not
          neatly organized or carried out <an ~ manuscript> b:
          conducive to a lack of neatness <~ tasks like bathing
          the baby --New Yorker> -- un.ti.di.ly adv -- un.ti.di.ness
          n

   untie
          [un.tie] vb -tied ; -ty.ing or -tie.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1:
          to free from something that ties, fastens, or restrains:
          unbind 2 a: to disengage the knotted parts of b: disentangle,
          resolve <~ a traffic jam> ~ vi: to become loosened or
          unbound

   [1]until
          [un.til] prep [ME, fr. un- up to, until (akin to OE oth to,
          until, OHG unt up to, until, OE ende end) + til, till
          till] (13c) 1 chiefly Scot: to 2--used as a function
          word to indicate continuance (as of an action or condition)
          to a specified time <stayed ~ morning> 3: before 2 <not
          available ~ tomorrow> <we don't open ~ ten> [2]until
          conj (14c): up to the time that: up to such time as <play
          continued ~ it got dark> <never able to relax ~ he took
          up fishing> <ran ~ he was breathless>

   [1]untimely
          [un.time.ly] adv (13c) 1: at an inopportune time: unseasonably
          2: before the due, natural, or proper time: prematurely
          <went ~ to the grave> [2]untimely adj (1535) 1: occurring
          or done before the due, natural, or proper time: too
          early: premature <~ death> 2: inopportune, unseasonable
          <an ~ joke> <~ frost> -- un.time.li.ness n

   untimeous
          [un.time.ous] adj (15c) chiefly Scot: untimely

   untiring
          [un.tir.ing] adj (1822): not becoming tired: indefatigable
          <an ~ worker> -- un.tir.ing.ly adv

   untitled
          [un.ti.tled] adj (1590) 1 obs: having no title or right to
          rule 2: not named <an ~ novel> 3: not called by a title
          <~ nobility>

   unto
          [un.to] prep [ME, fr. un- up to, until + to] (14c) 1: to
          2--used as a function word to indicate reference or concern
          <they became a world ~ themselves --Anne T. Fleming>

   untold
          [un.told] adj (15c) 1: too great or numerous to count:
          incalculable, vast 2 a: not told or related b: kept secret

   untouchability
          [un.touch.abil.i.ty] n (1919): the quality or state of being
          untouchable; esp: the state of being an untouchable

   [1]untouchable
          [un.touch.able] adj (1567) 1 a: forbidden to the touch: not
          to be handled b: exempt from criticism or control 2:
          lying beyond reach 3: disagreeable or defiling to the
          touch [2]untouchable n (1909): one that is untouchable;
          specif: a member of a large formerly segregated hereditary
          group in India having in traditional Hindu belief the
          quality of defiling by contact a member of a higher caste

   untouched
          [un.touched] adj (14c) 1: not subjected to touching: not
          handled 2: not described or dealt with 3 a: not tasted
          b: being in the first or a primeval state or condition
          4: not influenced: unaffected

   untoward
          [un.to.ward] adj (1526) 1: difficult to guide, manage, or
          work with: unruly, intractable 2 a: marked by trouble
          or unhappiness: unlucky b: not favorable: adverse, unpropitious
          <~ side effects> 3: improper, indecorous -- un.to.ward.ly
          adv -- un.to.ward.ness n

   untread
          [un.tread] vt (1592) archaic: to tread back: retrace

   untried
          [un.tried] adj (1526) 1: not tested or proved by experience
          or trial 2: not tried in court

   untrod
          [un.trod] or un.trod.den adj (1593): not trod: untraversed

   untroubled
          [un.trou.bled] adj (15c) 1: not given trouble: not made uneasy
          2: calm, tranquil

   untrue
          [un.true] adj (bef. 12c) 1: not faithful: disloyal 2: not
          according with a standard of correctness: not level or
          exact 3: not according with the facts: false -- un.tru.ly
          adv

   untruss
          [un.truss] vt (1577) 1 archaic: untie, unfasten--used in
          the phrase untruss one's points 2 archaic: undress ~
          vi, archaic: to unfasten or take off one's clothes and
          esp. one's breeches

   untruth
          [un.truth] n (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: disloyalty 2: lack of
          truthfulness: falsity 3: something that is untrue: falsehood

   untruthful
          [un.truth.ful] adj (ca. 1843): not containing or telling
          the truth: false, inaccurate <~ report> syn see dishonest
          -- un.truth.ful.ly adv -- un.truth.ful.ness n

   untune
          [un.tune] vt (1598) 1: to put out of tune 2: disarrange,
          discompose

   untutored
          [un.tu.tored] adj (1593) 1 a: having no formal learning or
          training b: naive, unsophisticated 2: not produced or
          developed by instruction: native <~ shrewdness> syn see
          ignorant

   untwine
          [un.twine] vt (15c) 1: to unwind the twisted or tangled parts
          of: disentangle 2: to remove by unwinding ~ vi: to become
          disentangled or unwound

   untwist
          [un.twist] vt (1538): to separate the twisted parts of: untwine
          ~ vi: to become untwined

   untwisted
          [un.twist.ed] adj (1575): not twisted

   unused
          [un.used] adj (14c) 1: not habituated: unaccustomed <~ to
          crowds> 2: not used: as a: fresh, new <set an ~ canvas
          on the easel> b: not put to use: idle <~ land> c: not
          consumed: accrued <~ sick leave>

   unusual
          [un.usu.al] adj (1582): not usual: uncommon, rare -- un.usu.al.ly
          adv -- un.usu.al.ness n

   unutterable
          [un.ut.ter.able] adj (ca. 1586): being beyond the powers
          of description: inexpressible -- un.ut.ter.ably adv

   unvalued
          [un.val.ued] adj (1586) 1 obs: invaluable 2 a: not important
          or prized: disregarded b: not appraised

   unvarnished
          [un.var.nished] adj (1604) 1 a: not adorned or glossed: plain,
          straightforward <told the ~ truth> b: artless, frank
          <the ~ candor of old people and children --Janet Flanner>
          2: not coated with or as if with varnish: crude, unfinished

   unveil
          [un.veil] vt (1599) 1: to remove a veil or covering from
          2: to make public: divulge, reveal ~ vi: to throw off
          a veil or protective cloak

   unveiled
          [un.veiled] adj (1606): not veiled: open, revealed

   unvocal
          [un.vo.cal] adj (1773) 1: not eloquent or outspoken: inarticulate
          2: not musical: discordant

   unvoice
          [un.voice] vt (1637): devoice

   unvoiced
          [un.voiced] adj (1859) 1: not verbally expressed 2: voiceless
          2

   unwarrantable
          [un.war.rant.able] adj (1612): not justifiable: inexcusable
          -- un.war.rant.ably adv

   unwary
          [un.wary] adj (1579): not alert: easily fooled or surprised:
          heedless, gullible -- un.wari.ly adv -- un.wari.ness
          n

   [1]unwashed
          [un.washed] adj (14c) 1: not cleaned with or as if with soap
          and water 2: ignorant, plebeian -- un.washed.ness n [2]unwashed
          n (1830): an ignorant or underprivileged group: rabble--usu.
          used with great <the great ~>

   unwatchable
          [un.watch.able] adj (1886): not suitable or fit for watching:
          tending to discourage watching

   unwearied
          [un.wea.ried] adj (13c): not tired or jaded: fresh
          -- un.wea.ried.ly adv

   unweave
          [un.weave] vt -wove ; -wo.ven ; -weav.ing (1542): disentangle,
          unravel

   unweeting
          [un.weet.ing] adj (14c) archaic: unwitting -- un.weet.ing.ly
          adv, archaic

   unweight
          [un.weight] vt (ca. 1939): to reduce momentarily the force
          exerted by (as a ski) upon a surface by shifting the
          weight or position of one's body ~ vi: to unweight something
          by shifting the weight or position of one's body

   unwell
          [un.well] adj (15c) 1: being in poor health: ailing, sick
          2: undergoing menstruation

   unwholesome
          [un.whole.some] adj (13c) 1: detrimental to physical, mental,
          or moral well-being: unhealthy <~ food> <~ pastimes>
          2 a: corrupt, unsound b: offensive to the senses: loathsome
          -- un.whole.some.ly adv

   unwieldy
          [un.wieldy] adj (1530): not easily managed, handled, or used
          (as because of bulk, weight, complexity, or awkwardness):
          cumbersome -- un.wield.i.ly adv -- un.wield.i.ness n

   unwilling
          [un.will.ing] adj (bef. 12c): not willing: a: loath, reluctant
          <was ~ to learn> b: done or given reluctantly <~ approval>
          c: offering opposition: obstinate <an ~ student> -- un.will.ing.ly
          adv -- un.will.ing.ness n

   unwind
          [un.wind] vb -wound ; -wind.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to cause to
          uncoil: wind off: unroll b: to free from or as if from
          a binding or wrapping c: to release from tension: relax
          2 archaic: to trace to the end <~ing the labryinth and
          bringing the hero out --Laurence Sterne> ~ vi 1: to become
          uncoiled or disentangled: unfold 2: to become released
          from tension

   unwisdom
          [un.wis.dom] n (bef. 12c): lack of wisdom: foolishness, folly

   unwise
          [un.wise] adj (bef. 12c): lacking wisdom or good sense: foolish,
          imprudent -- un.wise.ly adv

   unwish
          [un.wish] vt (1594) obs: to wish away

   unwitting
          [un.wit.ting] adj (bef. 12c) 1: not knowing: unaware <kept
          the truth from their ~ friends> 2: not intended: inadvertent
          <an ~ mistake> -- un.wit.ting.ly adv

   unwonted
          [un.wont.ed] adj (1553) 1: being out of the ordinary: rare,
          unusual 2: not accustomed by experience -- un.wont.ed.ly
          adv -- un.wont.ed.ness n

   unworldly
          [un.world.ly] adj (1707) 1: not of this world: unearthly;
          specif: spiritual 2 a: not wise in the ways of the world:
          naive b: not swayed by mundane considerations -- un.world.li.ness
          n

   unworn
          [un.worn] adj (ca. 1586) 1 a: not impaired by use: not worn
          away b: not worn: new 2: not jaded: fresh, original

   unworthy
          [un.wor.thy] adj (13c) 1 a: lacking in excellence or value:
          poor, worthless b: base, dishonorable 2: not meritorious:
          undeserving <~ of attention> 3: not deserved: unmerited
          <~ treatment> 4: inappropriate to one's condition or
          station <actions ~ of a gentleman> -- un.wor.thi.ly adv
          -- un.wor.thi.ness n

   unwrap
          [un.wrap] vt (14c): to remove the wrapping from: disclose
          <~ a package> <~ evidence in a criminal case>

   unwreathe
          [un.wreathe] vt (1591): uncoil, untwist

   unwritten
          [un.writ.ten] adj (14c) 1: not expressed in writing: oral,
          traditional 2: containing no writing: blank

   unwritten constitution
          [unwritten constitution] n (1890): a constitution not embodied
          in a single document but based chiefly on custom and
          precedent as expressed in statutes and judicial decisions

   unwritten law
          [unwritten law] n (1641): law based chiefly on custom rather
          than legislative enactments

   unyielding
          [un.yield.ing] adj (1658) 1: characterized by lack of softness
          or flexibility 2: characterized by firmness or obduracy
          -- un.yield.ing.ly adv

   unyoke
          [un.yoke] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to free from a yoke or harness
          2: to take apart: disjoin ~ vi 1 archaic: to unharness
          a draft animal 2 archaic: to cease from work

   unzip
          [un.zip] vt (1939): to zip open ~ vi: to open by or as if
          by means of a zipper

   up...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]up
          [up] adv [partly fr. ME up upward, fr. OE up; partly fr.
          ME uppe on high, fr. OE; both akin to OHG uf up and prob.
          to L sub under, Gk hypo under, hyper over--more at over]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): in or into a higher position or level;
          esp: away from the center of the earth (2): from beneath
          the ground or water to the surface (3): from below the
          horizon (4): upstream (5): in or into an upright position
          <sit ~>; esp: out of bed b: upward from the ground or
          surface <pull ~ a daisy> c: so as to expose a particular
          surface 2: with greater intensity <speak ~> 3 a: in or
          into a better or more advanced state b: at an end <your
          time is ~> c: in or into a state of greater intensity
          or excitement d: in a continual sequence: in continuance
          from a point or to a point <from third grade ~> <at prices
          of $10 and ~> <~ until now> 4 a (1): into existence,
          evidence, prominence, or prevalence <put ~ several new
          buildings> (2): into operation or practical form b: into
          consideration or attention <bring ~ for discussion> 5:
          into possession or custody 6 a: entirely, completely
          <button ~ your coat> b--used as an intensifier <clean
          ~ the house> 7: in or into storage: by <lay ~ supplies>
          8 a: so as to arrive or approach b: in a direction conventionally
          the opposite of down: (1): to windward (2): northward
          (3): to or at the top (4): to or at the rear of a theatrical
          stage 9: in or into parts 10: to a stop--usu. used with
          draw, bring, fetch, or pull 11: for each side <the score
          is 15 ~> [2]up adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: risen above the horizon
          <the sun is ~> b: standing c: being out of bed d: relatively
          high <the river is ~> <was well ~ in her class> e: being
          in a raised position: lifted <windows are ~> f: being
          in a state of completion: constructed, built g: having
          the face upward h: mounted on a horse <a new jockey ~>
          i: grown above a surface <the corn is ~> j (1): moving,
          inclining, or directed upward <the ~ escalator> (2):
          bound in a direction regarded as up 2 a (1): marked by
          agitation, excitement, or activity (2): positive or upbeat
          in mood or demeanor b: being above a former or normal
          level (as of quantity or intensity) <attendance is ~>
          <the wind is ~> c: exerting enough power (as for operation)
          <sail when steam is ~> d: ready; specif: highly prepared
          e: going on: taking place <find out what is ~> 3 a: risen
          from a lower position <men ~ from the ranks> b: being
          at the same level or point <did not feel ~ to par> c
          (1): well informed: abreast <~ on the news> (2): being
          on schedule <~ on his homework> d: being ahead of one's
          opponent 4 a: presented for or undergoing consideration
          <contract ~ for negotiation>; also: charged before a
          court <~ for robbery> b: being the one whose turn it
          is <you're ~ next> 5 of a quark: having an electric charge
          of +2/3, zero charm, and zero strangeness--compare [4]down
          6 -- up against : confronted with: face-to-face with
          <the problem we are up against> -- up to 1: capable of
          performing or dealing with <feels up to her role> 2:
          engaged in <what is he up to> 3: being the responsibility
          of <it's up to me> [3]up prep (1509) 1 a--used as a function
          word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at
          a higher point of <went ~ the stairs> b: up into or in
          the <went ~ attic> 2 a: in a direction regarded as being
          toward or near the upper end or part of <lives a few
          miles ~ the coast> <walked ~ the street> b: toward or
          near a point closer to the source or beginning of <sail
          ~ the river> 3: in the direction opposite to <sailed
          ~ the wind> [4]up n (1536) 1: one in a high or advantageous
          position 2: an upward slope 3: a period or state of prosperity
          or success 4: [3]upper [5]up vb upped or in vi 2 up ;
          upped ; up.ping ; ups or in vi 2 up vi (1643) 1 a: to
          rise from a lying or sitting position b: to move upward:
          ascend 2--used with and and another verb to indicate
          that the action of the following verb was either surprisingly
          or abruptly initiated <he ~ and married a showgirl> ~
          vt 1: raise, lift 2 a: to advance to a higher level:
          (1): increase (2): promote 1a b: raise 8d, e

   UP
          [UP] abbreviation underproof, Upper Peninsula (of Michigan)

   up-and-coming
          [up-and-com.ing] adj (1926): gaining prominence and likely
          to advance or succeed -- up-and-com.er n

   up and down
          [up and down] adv (12c) 1: to and fro <paced up and down>
          2: alternately upward and downward <jump up and down>
          3 archaic: here and there esp. throughout an area 4:
          with regard to every particular: thoroughly <knew the
          territory up and down> -- up and down prep

   up-and-down
          [up-and-down] adj (ca. 1755) 1: marked by alternate upward
          and downward movement, action, or surface 2: perpendicular

   up-and-up
          [up-and-up] n (1863): an honest or respectable course--used
          in the phrase on the up-and-up

   Upanishad
          [Upa.ni.shad] n [Skt upanisad] (1805): one of a class of
          Vedic treatises dealing with broad philosophic problems
          -- Upa.ni.shad.ic adj

   upas
          [upas] n [Indonesian Malay pohon upas poison tree] (1783)
          1: a tall tropical Asian tree (Antiaris toxicaria) of
          the mulberry family with a latex that contains poisonous
          glucosides used as an arrow poison; also: a poisonous
          concentrate of the juice or latex of a upas 2: a poisonous
          or harmful influence or institution

   [1]upbeat
          [up.beat] n (1869) 1: an unaccented beat in a musical measure;
          specif: the last beat of the measure 2: an increase in
          activity or prosperity <business that is on the ~> [2]upbeat
          adj (1947): cheerful, optimistic

   up-bow
          [up-bow] n (ca. 1890): a stroke in playing a bowed instrument
          in which the bow is moved across the strings from the
          tip to the heel

   upbraid
          [up.braid] vt [ME upbreyden, fr. OE upbregdan, prob. fr.
          up up + bregdan to snatch, move suddenly--more at braid]
          (14c) 1: to criticize severely: find fault with 2: to
          reproach severely: scold vehemently syn see scold --
          up.braid.er n

   upbringing
          [up.bring.ing] n (1520): early training; esp: a particular
          way of bringing up a child <had a strict ~>

   upbuild
          [up.build] vt -built ; -build.ing (1513): build up

   UPC
          [UPC] abbreviation Universal Product Code

   upcast
          [up.cast] n (1890): something cast up

   upchuck
          [up.chuck] vb (1936): vomit

   up close
          [up close] adv or adj (1851): at close range

   upcoast
          [up.coast] adv (1909): up the coast

   upcoming
          [up.com.ing] adj (1944): forthcoming, approaching

   up-country
          [up-coun.try] adj (1835): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of an inland, upland, or outlying region -- up-country
          n -- up-country adv

   [1]update
          [up.date] vt (1910): to bring up to date [2]up.date n (1965)
          1: an act or instance of updating 2: current information
          for updating something 3: an up-to-date version, account,
          or report

   updo
          [up.do] n, pl updos [upswept hairdo] (1938): an upswept hairdo

   updraft
          [up.draft] n (ca. 1887): an upward movement of gas (as air)

   upend
          [up.end] vt (1823) 1: to set or stand on end; also: overturn
          1 2 a: to affect to the point of being upset or flurried
          <a ... literary shocker, designed to ~ the credulous
          matrons --Wolcott Gibbs> b: defeat, beat ~ vi: to rise
          on an end

   upfield
          [up.field] adv or adj (ca. 1934): in or into the part of
          the field toward which the offensive team is headed

   up-front
          [up-front] adj (1945): being or coming in or at the front:
          as a (1): being in a conspicuous or leading position
          (2): frank, forthright b: playing in a front line (as
          in football) c: paid or payable in advance

   up front
          [up front] adv (1937) 1: in or at the front 2: in advance
          3: in an up-front manner: frankly

   [1]upgrade
          [up.grade] n (1873) 1: an upward grade or slope 2: increase,
          rise [2]up.grade vt (1901): to raise or improve the grade
          of: as a: to improve (livestock) by use of purebred sires
          b: to advance to a job requiring a higher level of skill
          esp. as part of a training program c: to raise the quality
          of d: to raise the classification and usu. the price
          of (a product) without improving the quality e: to extend
          the usefulness of (as a device)

   upgrowth
          [up.growth] n (1844): the process of growing upward: development;
          also: a product or result of this

   upheaval
          [up.heav.al] n (1838) 1: the action or an instance of upheaving
          esp. of part of the earth's crust 2: extreme agitation
          or disorder: radical change; also: an instance of this

   upheave
          [up.heave] vt (14c): to heave up: lift ~ vi: to move upward
          esp. with power -- up.heav.er n

   [1]uphill
          [up.hill] n (1548): rising ground: ascent [2]up.hill adv
          (1607) 1: upward on a hill or incline 2: against difficulties
          <seemed to be talking ~ --Willa Cather> [3]up.hill adj
          (1613) 1: situated on elevated ground 2 a: going up:
          ascending b: being the higher one or part esp. of a set;
          specif: being nearer the top of an incline 3: difficult,
          laborious

   uphold
          [up.hold] vt -held ; -hold.ing (13c) 1 a: to give support
          to b: to support against an opponent 2 a: to keep elevated
          b: to lift up syn see support -- up.hold.er n

   upholster
          [up.hol.ster] vt -stered ; -ster.ing [back-formation fr.
          upholstery] (1864): to furnish with or as if with upholstery
          -- up.hol.ster.er n

   upholstery
          [up.hol.stery] n, pl -ster.ies [ME upholdester upholsterer,
          fr. upholden to uphold, fr. up + holden to hold] (1649):
          materials (as fabric, padding, and springs) used to make
          a soft covering esp. for a seat

   UPI
          [UPI] abbreviation United Press International

   upkeep
          [up.keep] n (1884) 1: the act of maintaining in good condition:
          the state of being maintained in good condition 2: the
          cost of maintaining in good condition

   upland
          [up.land] n (1566) 1: high land esp. at some distance from
          the sea: plateau 2: ground elevated above the lowlands
          along rivers or between hills -- upland adj -- up.land.er
          n

   upland cotton
          [upland cotton] n (1819): a widely cultivated American cotton
          plant (Gossypium hirsutum) having short- to medium-staple
          fibers

   upland sandpiper
          [upland sandpiper] n (ca. 1890): a large No. American sandpiper
          (Bartramia longicauda) that frequents fields and prairies--called
          also upland plover

   [1]uplift
          [up.lift] vt (14c) 1: to lift up: elevate; esp: to cause
          (a portion of the earth's surface) to rise above adjacent
          areas 2: to improve the spiritual, social, or intellectual
          condition of ~ vi: rise -- up.lift.er n [2]up.lift n
          (ca. 1845) 1: an act, process, result, or cause of uplifting:
          as a (1): the uplifting of a part of the earth's surface
          (2): an uplifted mass of land b: a bettering of a condition
          esp. spiritually, socially, or intellectually c (1):
          influences intended to uplift (2): a social movement
          to improve esp. morally or culturally 2: a brassiere
          designed to hold the breasts up

   uplink
          [up.link] n (1968) 1: a communications channel for transmissions
          to a spacecraft; also: the transmissions themselves 2:
          a facility on earth for transmitting to a spacecraft

   upload
          [up.load] vt (1983): to transfer (information) from a microcomputer
          to a remote computer usu. with a modem

   upmanship
          [up.man.ship] n (1959): one-upmanship

   upmarket
          [up.mar.ket] adj (1972): upscale <~ store> -- upmarket adv

   upmost
          [up.most] adj (1560): uppermost

   [1]upon
          [up.on] prep (13c): on [2]up.on adv (14c) 1 obs: on the surface:
          on it 2 obs: the reafter, thereon

   [1]upper
          [up.per] adj [ME, compar. of [2]up] (14c) 1 a: higher in
          physical position, rank, or order b: farther inland <the
          ~ Mississippi> 2: constituting the branch of a bicameral
          legislature that is usu. smaller and more restricted
          in membership and possesses greater traditional prestige
          than the lower house 3 a: constituting a stratum relatively
          near the earth's surface b cap: being a later epoch or
          series of the period or series named <Upper Cretaceous>
          <Upper Paleolithic> 4: northern <~ Manhattan> [2]upper
          n (1789): one that is upper: as a: the parts of a shoe
          or boot above the sole b: an upper tooth or denture c:
          an upper berth -- on one's uppers : in straitened circumstances:
          destitute [3]upper n [up + [2]-er] (ca. 1968) 1: a stimulant
          drug; esp: amphetamine 2: something that induces a state
          of good feeling or exhilaration

   upper case
          [upper case] n (1683): a type case containing capitals and
          usu. small capitals, fractions, symbols, and accents

   [1]uppercase
          [up.per.case] adj [fr. the compositor's practice of keeping
          capital letters in the upper of a pair of type cases]
          (1738): capital 1 [2]uppercase n (ca. 1916): capital
          letters [3]uppercase vt -cased ; -cas.ing (1949): to
          print or set in capital letters

   upper-class
          [upper-class] adj (1837): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the upper class

   upper class
          [upper class] n (1839): a social class occupying a position
          above the middle class and having the highest status
          in a society

   upperclassman
          [up.per.class.man] n (1871): a member of the junior or senior
          class in a school or college

   upper crust
          [upper crust] n (1836): the highest social class or group;
          esp: the highest circle of the upper class -- upper-crust
          adj

   uppercut
          [up.per.cut] n (1842): a swinging blow (as in boxing) directed
          upward with a bent arm -- uppercut vb

   upper hand
          [upper hand] n (15c): mastery, advantage, control <was determined
          not to let the opposition get the upper hand>

   uppermost
          [up.per.most] adv (15c): in or into the highest or most prominent
          position -- uppermost adj

   upperpart
          [up.per.part] n (1526): a part lying on the upper side (as
          of a bird)

   upper respiratory
          [upper respiratory] adj (1950): of, affecting, or being the
          part of the respiratory system that includes the nose,
          nasal passages, and nasopharynx <upper respiratory tract>
          <upper respiratory infection>

   uppish
          [up.pish] adj (ca. 1734): uppity -- up.pish.ly adv -- up.pish.ness
          n

   uppity
          [up.pi.ty] adj [prob. fr. up + -ity (as in persnickity, var.
          of persnickety)] (1880): putting on or marked by airs
          of superiority: arrogant, presumptuous <~ technicians>
          <a small ~ country> -- up.pi.ti.ness also up.pi.ty.ness
          n

   upraise
          [up.raise] vt (14c): to raise or lift up: elevate

   uprate
          [up.rate] vt (1965): upgrade; specif: to improve the power
          output of (as an engine)

   uprear
          [up.rear] vt (14c) 1: to lift up 2: erect ~ vi: rise

   [1]upright
          [up.right] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: perpendicular, vertical b:
          erect in carriage or posture c: having the main axis
          or a main part perpendicular <~ freezer> 2: marked by
          strong moral rectitude -- up.right.ly adv -- up.right.ness
          n syn upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous,
          honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for
          what is morally right. upright implies a strict adherence
          to moral principles <a stern and upright minister>. honest
          stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor,
          fairness <known for being honest in business dealings>.
          just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of
          what is right or equitable <workers given just compensation>.
          conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense
          governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to
          follow one's conscience <conscientious in the completion
          of her assignments> <scrupulous in carrying out the terms
          of the will>. honorable suggests a firm holding to codes
          of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of
          honor and duty <a difficult but honorable decision>.
          [2]upright adv (1590): vertically upward: in an upright
          position [3]upright n (1683) 1: the state of being upright:
          perpendicular <a pillar out of ~> 2: something that stands
          upright; esp: a football goalpost--usu. used in pl. 3:
          upright piano

   upright piano
          [upright piano] n (ca. 1890): a piano with vertical frame
          and strings--compare grand piano

   [1]uprise
          [up.rise] vi up.rose ; up.ris.en ; up.ris.ing (14c) 1 a:
          to rise to a higher position b (1): stand up (2): to
          get out of bed c: to come into view esp. from below the
          horizon 2: to rise up in sound -- up.ris.er n [2]up.rise
          n (15c) 1: an act or instance of uprising 2: an upward
          slope

   uprising
          [up.ris.ing] n (13c): an act or instance of rising up; esp:
          a usu. localized act of popular violence in defiance
          usu. of an established government syn see rebellion

   upriver
          [up.riv.er] adv or adj (1774): toward or at a point nearer
          the source of a river

   uproar
          [up.roar] n [by folk etymology fr. D oproer, fr. MD, fr.
          op up (akin to OE up) + roer motion; akin to OE hreran
          to stir] (1526): a state of commotion, excitement, or
          violent disturbance

   uproarious
          [up.roar.i.ous] adj (1819) 1: marked by uproar 2: very noisy
          and full 3: extremely funny <an ~ comedy> -- up.roar.i.ous.ly
          adv -- up.roar.i.ous.ness n

   uproot
          [up.root] vt (ca. 1620) 1: to remove as if by pulling up
          2: to pull up by the roots 3: to displace from a country
          or traditional habitat syn see exterminate -- up.root.ed.ness
          n -- up.root.er n

   uprush
          [up.rush] n (1871) 1: an upward rush (as of gas or liquid)
          2: a sudden increase

   ups and downs
          [ups and downs] n pl (1659): alternating rise and fall esp.
          in fortune

   upscale
          [up.scale] adj (1966): relating to, being, or appealing to
          affluent consumers; also: of a superior quality -- upscale
          adv or vt

   [1]upset
          [up.set] vb -set ; -set.ting vt (1677) 1: to thicken and
          shorten (as a heated bar of iron) by hammering on the
          end: swage 2: to force out of the usual upright, level,
          or proper position: overturn 3 a: to trouble mentally
          or emotionally: disturb the poise of b: to throw into
          disorder c: invalidate d: to defeat unexpectedly 4: to
          cause a physical disorder in; specif: to make somewhat
          ill ~ vi: to become overturned syn see discompose --
          up.set.ter n [2]up.set n (1804) 1: an act of overturning:
          overturn 2 a (1): an act of throwing into disorder: derangement
          (2): a state of disorder: confusion b: an unexpected
          defeat 3 a: a minor physical disorder <a stomach ~> b:
          an emotional disturbance <went through a big ~ after
          his father's death> 4 a: a part of a rod (as the head
          on a bolt) that is upset b: the expansion of a bullet
          on striking [3]up.set adj (1805): emotionally disturbed
          or agitated <was too ~ to speak to him>

   upset price
          [up.set price] n (1814): the minimum price set for property
          offered at auction or public sale

   upshift
          [up.shift] vi (1952): to shift an automotive vehicle into
          a higher gear -- upshift n

   upshot
          [up.shot] n (1604): the final result: outcome

   [1]upside
          [up.side] n [[2]up + [1]side] (1927) 1: an upward trend (as
          of prices) 2: a positive aspect [2]up.side prep [perh.
          fr. [1]up + -side (as in alongside)] (1929): up on or
          against the side of <layin' in this death cell, writin'
          my time ~ the wall --Lonnie Johnson> <if they wish to
          knock a thug ~ the head, they do so --Robert MacKenzie>

   upside down
          [up.side down] adv [alter. of ME up so doun, fr. up + so
          + doun down] (15c) 1: in such a way that the upper and
          the lower parts are reversed in position 2: in or into
          great disorder -- upside-down adj

   upside-down cake
          [upside-down cake] n (1930): a cake baked with its batter
          covering an arrangement of fruit (as pineapple) and served
          fruit side up

   upsilon
          [up.si.lon] n [MGk y psilon, lit., simple y; fr. the desire
          to distinguish it from oi, which was pronounced the same
          in later Greek] (1621) 1: the 20th letter of the Greek
          alphabet 2: any of a group of unstable electrically neutral
          elementary particles of the meson family that have a
          mass about 10 times that of a proton

   upspring
          [up.spring] vi -sprang or -sprung ; -sprung ; -spring.ing
          (bef. 12c) 1: to spring up 2: to come into being

   [1]upstage
          [up.stage] adv (1870) 1: toward or at the rear of a theatrical
          stage 2: away from a motion-picture or television camera
          [2]upstage adj (1918) 1 [[3]upstage]: haughty 2: of or
          relating to the rear of a stage [3]up.stage vt (1921)
          1: to draw attention away from 2: to force (an actor)
          to face away from the audience by staying upstage 3:
          to treat snobbishly [4]up.stage n (ca. 1931): the part
          of a stage that is farthest from the audience or camera

   [1]upstairs
          [up.stairs] adv (1596) 1: up the stairs: on or to a higher
          floor 2: to or at a high altitude or higher position
          <kicked ~ to company management> 3: in the head: intellectually
          <a little slow ~ --Tom Clancy> [2]up.stairs adj (1782):
          situated above the stairs esp. on an upper floor <an
          ~ bedroom> [3]up.stairs n pl but sing or pl in constr
          (1842): the part of a building above the ground floor

   upstanding
          [up.stand.ing] adj (bef. 12c) 1: erect, upright 2: marked
          by integrity -- up.stand.ing.ness n

   [1]upstart
          [up.start] vi (14c): to jump up (as to one's feet) suddenly
          [2]up.start n (1555) 1: one that has risen suddenly (as
          from a low position to wealth or power): parvenu; esp:
          one that claims more personal importance than is warranted
          2: a start-up enterprise -- up.start adj

   upstate
          [up.state] n (1901): the chiefly northerly sections of a
          state; also: the chiefly rural part of a state when the
          major metropolitan area is in the south -- up.state adv
          or adj -- up.stat.er n

   upstream
          [up.stream] adv or adj (1681) 1: in the direction opposite
          to the flow of a stream 2: toward a portion of the production
          stream closer to basic extractive or manufacturing processes
          <make most of its money ~, selling cheap crude ... to
          refineries --John Quirt>

   upstroke
          [up.stroke] n (1828): a stroke (as of a pen) made in an upward
          direction

   upsurge
          [up.surge] n (1917): a rapid or sudden rise

   [1]upsweep
          [up.sweep] vi -swept ; -sweep.ing (1791): to sweep upward
          [2]upsweep n (ca. 1891) 1: an upward sweep 2: an upswept
          hairdo

   upswept
          [up.swept] adj (1938): swept upward; esp: brushed up to the
          top of the head <~ hair>

   upswing
          [up.swing] n (1924) 1: an upward swing 2: a marked increase
          or improvement--often used in the phrase on the upswing

   uptake
          [up.take] n [Sc uptake to understand] (1816) 1: understanding,
          comprehension <quick on the ~> 2: a flue leading upward
          3: an act or instance of absorbing and incorporating
          esp. into a living organism

   up-tempo
          [up-tem.po] adj (1948): having a fast-moving tempo (as in
          jazz)

   [1]upthrow
          [up.throw] vt -threw ; -thrown ; -throw.ing (1600): to throw
          or thrust upward [2]upthrow n (1807): an upward displacement
          (as of a rock stratum): upheaval, upthrust

   [1]upthrust
          [up.thrust] vt (1845): to thrust up; esp: to elevate (a part
          of the earth's surface) in an upthrust ~ vi: to rise
          with an upward thrust [2]upthrust n (1846): an upward
          thrust; specif: an uplift of part of the earth's crust

   uptick
          [up.tick] n [[2]up + [3]tick] (1955): increase, rise

   uptight
          [up.tight] adj (1934) 1 a: being tense, nervous, or uneasy
          b: angry, indignant c: rigidly conventional 2: being
          in financial difficulties -- up.tight.ness n

   uptilt
          [up.tilt] vt (1849): to tilt upward

   uptime
          [up.time] n (1958): time during which a piece of equipment
          (as a computer) is functioning or able to function

   up to
          [up to] prep (13c) 1--used as a function word to indicate
          extension as far as a specified place <sank up to his
          knees in the mud> 2--used as a function word to indicate
          a limit or boundary <up to 50,000 copies a month> <worked
          up to the last minute>

   up-to-date
          [up-to-date] adj (1888) 1: extending up to the present time:
          including the latest information <~ maps> 2: abreast
          of the times: modern <~ methods> -- up-to-date.ly adv
          -- up-to-date.ness n

   up-to-the-minute
          [up-to-the-minute] adj (1912) 1: extending up to the immediate
          present: including the very latest information 2: marked
          by complete up-to-dateness

   [1]uptown
          [up.town] adj (1838) 1: of or relating to uptown 2: upscale,
          fashionable -- uptown adv [2]up.town n (1844): the upper
          part of a town or city; esp: the residential district

   uptrend
          [up.trend] n (1926): an upturn esp. in business or economic
          activity

   [1]upturn
          [up.turn] vt (1567) 1: to turn up or over 2: to direct upward
          ~ vi: to turn upward [2]up.turn n (1864): an upward turn
          esp. toward better conditions or higher prices

   [1]upward
          [up.ward] or up.wards adv (bef. 12c) 1 a: in a direction
          from lower to higher <the kite rose ~> b (1): toward
          the source (as of a river) (2): toward the interior (as
          of a region) c: in a higher position <held out his hand,
          palm ~> d: in the upper parts: toward the head: above
          <from the waist ~> 2: toward a higher or better condition
          or level <young lawyers moving ~> 3 a: to an indefinitely
          greater amount, figure, or rank <from $5 ~> b: toward
          a greater amount or higher number, degree, or rate <attendance
          figures have risen ~> 4: toward or into later years <from
          youth ~> [2]upward adj (1607) 1: directed toward or situated
          in a higher place or level: ascending 2: rising to a
          higher pitch -- up.ward.ly adv -- up.ward.ness n

   upward mobility
          [upward mobility] n (1949): the capacity or facility for
          rising to a higher social or economic position -- upwardly
          mobile adj

   upwards of
          [upwards of] also upward of adv (1721): more than: in excess
          of <they cost upwards of $25>

   upwell
          [up.well] vi (1885): to well up; specif: to move or flow
          upward

   upwelling
          [up.well.ing] n (1868): the process or an instance of rising
          or appearing to rise to the surface and flowing outward;
          esp: the process of upward movement to the surface of
          marine often nutrient-rich lower waters esp. along some
          shores due to the offshore drift of surface water (as
          from the action of winds and the Coriolis force)

   upwind
          [up.wind] adv or adj (1838): in the direction from which
          the wind is blowing

   ur...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]ur-
          [ur-] or uro- comb form [NL, fr. Gk our-, ouro-, fr. ouron
          urine, fr. ourein to urinate--more at urine] 1: urine
          <uric> 2: urinary tract <urology> 3: urinary and <urogenital>
          4: urea <uracil> [2]ur- or uro- comb form [NL, fr. Gk
          our-, ouro-, fr. oura tail--more at ass]: tail <uropod>
          [3]ur- prefix, often cap [G, fr. OHG ir-, ur- thoroughly
          (perfective prefix)--more at abide] 1: original: primitive
          <ur-form> 2: original version of <urtext> 3: prototypical:
          arch- <ur-anticommunist>

   uracil
          [ura.cil] n [ISV [1]ur- + acetic + -il (substance relating
          to)] (1890): a pyrimidine base that is one of the four
          bases coding genetic information in the polynucleotide
          chain of RNA--compare adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine

   uraeus
          [urae.us] n, pl uraei [NL, fr. LGk ouraios, a kind of snake]
          (1832): a representation of the sacred asp (Naja haje)
          appearing in ancient Egyptian art and esp. on the headdress
          of rulers and serving as a symbol of sovereignty

   Ural-Altaic
          [Ural-Al.ta.ic] n (1853): a postulated language family comprising
          the Uralic and Altaic languages -- Ural-Altaic adj

   Uralian
          [Ura.li.an] adj (1801) 1: of or relating to the Ural mountains
          2: uralic

   [1]Uralic
          [Ural.ic] n (1861): a language family comprising the Finno-Ugric
          and Samoyed languages [2]Uralic adj (1880): of, relating
          to, or constituting the Finno-Ugric and Samoyed languages

   Urania
          [Ura.nia] n [L, fr. Gk Ourania]: the Greek Muse of astronomy

   Uranian
          [Ura.ni.an] adj (1844): of or relating to the planet Uranus

   uraninite
          [ura.ni.nite] n [G Uranin uraninite (fr. NL uranium) + E
          -ite] (1879): a mineral that is basically a black octahedral
          or cubic oxide of uranium which contains thorium, lead,
          and rare earth elements and is the chief ore of uranium

   uranium
          [ura.ni.um] n, often attrib [NL, fr. Uranus] (ca. 1797):
          a silvery heavy radioactive polyvalent metallic element
          that is found esp. in pitchblende and uraninite and exists
          naturally as a mixture of three isotopes of mass number
          234, 235, and 238 in the proportions of 0.006 percent,
          0.71 percent, and 99.28 percent respectively

   uranium 235
          [uranium 235] n (1940): a light isotope of uranium of mass
          number 235 that when bombarded with slow neutrons undergoes
          rapid fission into smaller atoms with the release of
          neutrons and energy and that is used in nuclear power
          plants and atomic bombs

   uranium 238
          [uranium 238] n (1942): an isotope of uranium of mass number
          238 that is the most abundant and stable uranium isotope,
          that is not fissionable but can be used to produce a
          fissionable isotope of plutonium, and that has a half-life
          of 4.51E9 years

   uranium hexafluoride
          [uranium hexa.flu.o.ride] n (1899): a volatile compound of
          uranium and fluorine that is used in one major process
          of enriching uranium in uranium 235

   uranography
          [ura.nog.ra.phy] n [Gk ouranographia description of the heavens,
          fr. ouranos sky + -graphia -graphy] (1675): the construction
          of celestial representations (as maps)

   Uranus
          [Ura.nus] n [LL, fr. Gk Ouranos] 1: the sky personified as
          a god and father of the Titans in Greek mythology 2:
          the planet seventh in order from the sun

   uranyl
          [ura.nyl] n [ISV, fr. NL uranium + ISV -yl] (1850): a bivalent
          radical

   urate
          [urate] n [F, fr. urique uric, fr. E uric] (1800): a salt
          of uric acid -- urat.ic adj

   urban
          [ur.ban] adj [L urbanus, fr. urbs city] (1619): of, relating
          to, characteristic of, or constituting a city

   urbane
          [ur.bane] adj [L urbanus urban, urbane] (ca. 1623): notably
          polite or finished in manner: polished syn see suave
          -- ur.bane.ly adv

   urbanisation, urbanise
          [ur.ban.i.sa.tion, ur.ban.ise] Brit var of urbanization,
          urbanize

   urbanism
          [ur.ban.ism] n (1889) 1: the characteristic way of life of
          city dwellers 2 a: the study of the physical needs of
          urban societies b: city planning 3: urbanization

   urbanist
          [ur.ban.ist] n (1930): a specialist in city planning
          -- ur.ban.is.tic adj -- ur.ban.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   urbanite
          [ur.ban.ite] n (1897): a person who lives in a city

   urbanity
          [ur.ban.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1535) 1: the quality or state
          of being urbane 2 pl: urbane acts or conduct

   urbanization
          [ur.ban.i.za.tion] n (1888): the quality or state of being
          urbanized or the process of becoming urbanized

   urbanize
          [ur.ban.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1884) 1: to cause to take
          on urban characteristics <urbanized areas> 2: to impart
          an urban way of life to <~ migrants from rural areas>

   urbanology
          [ur.ban.ol.o.gy] n (1961): a study dealing with specialized
          problems of cities (as planning, education, sociology,
          and politics) -- ur.ban.ol.o.gist n

   urban renewal
          [urban renewal] n (1954): a construction program to replace
          or restore substandard buildings in an urban area

   urban sprawl
          [urban sprawl] n (1958): the spreading of urban developments
          (as houses and shopping centers) on undeveloped land
          near a city

   urbi et orbi
          [ur.bi et or.bi] [L] foreign term : to the city (Rome) and
          the world: to everyone

   urceolate
          [ur.ce.o.late] adj [NL urceolatus, fr. L urceolus, dim. of
          urceus pitcher] (1760): shaped like an urn <the ~ corolla
          of a blueberry>

   urchin
          [ur.chin] n [ME, fr. MF herichon, hericon, fr. (assumed)
          OF eriz, fr. L ericius, fr. eris; akin to Gk cher hedgehog]
          (14c) 1 archaic: hedgehog 1 a 2: a mischievous youngster:
          scamp 3: sea urchin

   urd
          [urd] n [Hindi] (ca. 1934): an annual Asian legume (Vigna
          mungo syn. Phaseolus mungo) widely grown in warm regions
          for its edible blackish seed, for green manure, or for
          forage; also: the seed

   Urdu
          [Ur.du] n [Hindi urdu, fr. Per zaban-e-urdu-e-mualla language
          of the Exalted Camp (the imperial bazaar in Delhi)] (1796):
          an Indo-Aryan language that has the same colloquial basis
          as standard Hindi, is an official language of Pakistan,
          and is widely used by Muslims in urban areas of India

   -ure
          [-ure] n suffix [ME, fr. OF, fr. L -ura] 1: act: process
          <exposure> 2: office: function; also: body performing
          (such) a function <legislature>

   urea
          [urea] n [NL, fr. F uree, fr. urine] (1806): a soluble weakly
          basic nitrogenous compound that is the chief solid component
          of mammalian urine and an end product of protein decomposition,
          is synthesized from carbon dioxide and ammonia, and is
          used esp. in synthesis (as of resins and plastics) and
          in fertilizers and animal rations

   urea-formaldehyde
          [urea-formaldehyde] n (1928): a thermosetting synthetic resin
          made by condensing urea with formaldehyde

   urease
          [ure.ase] n (1892): an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis
          of urea

   uredinium
          [ure.din.i.um] n, pl -ia [NL, fr. L uredin-, uredo burning,
          blight, fr. urere to burn--more at ember] (1905): a usu.
          reddish or black mass of hyphae and spores of a rust
          fungus forming pustules that rupture the host's cuticle
          -- ure.din.i.al adj

   uredospore
          [ure.do.spore] also ure.dio.spore or ure.din.io.spore n [NL
          uredium uredinium (fr. L uredo) + E -o- + spore] (1875):
          one of the thin-walled spores that are produced by the
          uredinial hyphae of rust fungi and spread the fungus
          vegetatively

   ureide
          [ure.ide] n (1857): a cyclic or acyclic acyl derivative of
          urea

   uremia
          [ure.mia] n [NL] (ca. 1857) 1: accumulation in the blood
          of constituents normally eliminated in the urine that
          produces a severe toxic condition and usu. occurs in
          severe kidney disease 2: the toxic bodily condition associated
          with uremia <the patient was in ~> -- ure.mic adj

   ureotelic
          [ureo.tel.ic] adj [urea + -o- + tel- + -ic; fr. the fact
          that urea is the end product] (1924): excreting nitrogen
          mostly in the form of urea <~ mammals> -- ureo.te.lism
          n

   ureter
          [ure.ter] n [NL, fr. Gk oureter, fr. ourein to urinate--more
          at urine] (1543): a duct that carries away the urine
          from a kidney to the bladder or cloaca -- ure.ter.al
          or ure.ter.ic adj

   urethane
          [ure.thane] or ure.than n [F urethane, fr. ur- [1]ur- + eth-
          eth- + -ane] (1838) 1 a: a crystalline compound that
          is the ethyl ester of carbamic acid and is used esp.
          as a solvent and medicinally as an antineoplastic agent
          b: an ester of carbamic acid other than the ethyl ester
          2: polyurethane

   urethra
          [ure.thra] n, pl -thras or -thrae [LL, fr. Gk ourethra, fr.
          ourein to urinate] (1634): the canal that in most mammals
          carries off the urine from the bladder and in the male
          serves also as a genital duct -- ure.thral adj

   urethritis
          [ure.thri.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1823): inflammation of the urethra

   urethroscope
          [ure.thro.scope] n [ISV] (1868): an instrument for viewing
          the interior of the urethra

   [1]urge
          [urge] vb urged ; urg.ing [L urgere to press, push, entreat--more
          at wreak] vt (1560) 1: to present, advocate, or demand
          earnestly or pressingly <his conviction was upheld on
          a theory never urged at his ... trial --Leon Friedman>
          2: to undertake the accomplishment of with energy, swiftness,
          or enthusiasm <~ the attack> 3 a: solicit, entreat b:
          to serve as a motive or reason for 4: to force or impel
          in an indicated direction or into motion or greater speed
          <the dog urged the sheep toward the gate> 5: stimulate,
          provoke ~ vi: to declare, advance, or press earnestly
          a statement, argument, charge, or claim -- urg.er n [2]urge
          n (ca. 1618) 1: the act or process of urging 2: a force
          or impulse that urges; esp: a continuing impulse toward
          an activity or goal

   urgency
          [ur.gen.cy] n, pl -cies (1540) 1: the quality or state of
          being urgent: insistence 2: a force or impulse that impels
          or constrains: urge

   urgent
          [ur.gent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L urgent-, urgens, prp. of
          urgere] (15c) 1 a: calling for immediate attention: pressing
          <~ appeals> b: conveying a sense of urgency 2: urging
          insistently: importunate -- ur.gent.ly adv

   -urgy
          [-urgy] n comb form [NL -urgia, fr. Gk -ourgia, fr. -ourgos
          working, fr. -o- + ergon work--more at work]: technique
          or art of dealing or working with (such) a product, matter,
          or tool <metallurgy>

   -uria
          [-uria] n comb form [NL, fr. Gk -ouria, fr. ouron urine,
          fr. ourein to urinate--more at urine] 1: presence of
          (a specified substance) in urine <albuminuria> 2: condition
          of having (such) urine <polyuria>; esp: abnormal or diseased
          condition marked by the presence of (a specified substance)
          <pyuria>

   urial
          [uri.al] n [Panjabi hureal] (1860): an upland wild sheep
          (Ovis vignei) of southern and central Asia which is reddish
          brown and the males of which have a beard from the neck
          to the chest

   uric
          [uric] adj (1797): of, relating to, or found in urine

   uric acid
          [uric acid] n (1800): a white odorless and tasteless nearly
          insoluble acid that is the chief nitrogenous waste present
          in the urine esp. of lower vertebrates (as birds and
          reptiles), is present in small quantity in human urine,
          and occurs pathologically in renal calculi and the tophi
          of gout

   uricosuric
          [uri.co.su.ric] adj [irreg. fr. uric] (ca. 1947): relating
          to or promoting the excretion of uric acid in the urine

   uricotelic
          [uri.co.tel.ic] adj [uric + -o- + tel- + -ic; fr. the fact
          that uric acid is the end product] (1924): excreting
          nitrogen mostly in the form of uric acid <birds are typical
          ~ animals> -- uri.co.tel.ism n

   uridine
          [uri.dine] n [ISV [1]ur- + -idine] (1911): a pyrimidine nucleoside
          that is composed of uracil attached to ribose, is derived
          by hydrolysis from nucleic acids, and in the form of phosphate
          derivatives plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism

   Uriel
          [Uri.el] n [Heb Uri'el]: one of the four archangels named
          in Hebrew tradition

   Urim and Thummim
          [Urim and Thum.mim] n pl [part trans. of Heb urim wethummim]
          (1537): sacred lots used in early times by the Hebrews

   urin-
          [urin-] or urino- comb form [ME, fr. OF, fr. L, fr. urina
          urine]: [1]ur- <urinogenital> <urinary>

   urinal
          [uri.nal] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL, fr. L urina] (13c) 1: a
          vessel for receiving urine 2 a: a building or enclosure
          with facilities for urinating b: a fixture used for urinating

   urinalysis
          [uri.nal.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL, irreg. fr. urin- + analysis]
          (1889): chemical analysis of urine

   urinary
          [uri.nary] adj (1578) 1: relating to, occurring in, affecting,
          or constituting the organs concerned with the formation
          and discharge of urine <~ system> <~ calculi> 2: of,
          relating to, or for urine 3: excreted as or in urine

   urinary bladder
          [urinary bladder] n (1728): a membranous sac in many vertebrates
          that serves for the temporary retention of urine and
          discharges by the urethra

   urinate
          [uri.nate] vi -nat.ed ; -nat.ing (1599): to discharge urine:
          micturate -- uri.na.tion n

   urine
          [urine] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L urina, fr. urinari to dive;
          akin to Skt var water and perh. to Skt varsati it rains,
          Gk ourein to urinate] (14c): waste material that is secreted
          by the kidney in vertebrates, is rich in end products
          of protein metabolism together with salts and pigments,
          and forms a clear amber and usu. slightly acid fluid
          in mammals but is semisolid in birds and reptiles --
          urin.ous adj

   urinogenital
          [uri.no.gen.i.tal] adj (1836): urogenital

   urinometer
          [uri.nom.e.ter] n [ISV] (1843): a small hydrometer for determining
          the specific gravity of urine

   urn
          [urn] n [ME urne, fr. L urna] (14c) 1: a vessel that is typically
          an ornamental vase on a pedestal and that is used for
          various purposes (as preserving the ashes of the dead
          after cremation) 2: a closed vessel usu. with a spigot
          for serving a hot beverage <a coffee ~>

   uro-
          [uro-] --see ur-

   urocanic acid
          [uro.ca.nic acid] n [[1]ur- + canine + -ic; fr. its being
          first obtained from the urine of a dog] (ca. 1903): a
          crystalline acid that is normally present in human skin

   urochordate
          [uro.chor.date] n [NL Urochordata, former group name, fr.
          [2]ur- + chordatus having a notochord, fr. chorda notochord,
          fr. L, string, cord--more at cord] (1948): tunicate --
          urochordate adj

   urochrome
          [uro.chrome] n (1864): a yellow pigment to which the color
          of normal urine is principally due

   urodele
          [uro.dele] n [F urodele, ultim. fr. Gk oura tail + delos
          evident, showing--more at ass] (1842): any of an order
          (Caudata syn. Urodela) of amphibians (as newts) that
          have a tail throughout life -- urodele adj

   urogenital
          [uro.gen.i.tal] adj [ISV] (1848): of, relating to, or being
          the organs or functions of excretion and reproduction

   urokinase
          [uro.ki.nase] n (1952): an enzyme that is produced by the
          kidney and found in urine, that activates plasminogen,
          and that is used therapeutically to dissolve blood clots
          (as in the heart)

   urol
          [urol] abbreviation urological, urology

   urolith
          [uro.lith] n [ISV] (ca. 1900): a calculus in the urinary
          tract

   urolithiasis
          [uro.lith.ia.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1860): a condition that is
          characterized by the formation or presence of calculi
          in the urinary tract

   urologic
          [uro.log.ic] also uro.log.i.cal adj (1855): of or relating
          to the urinary tract or to urology

   urologist
          [urol.o.gist] n (1889): a physician who specializes in the
          urinary or urogenital tract -- urol.o.gy n

   -uronic
          [-uronic] adj suffix [Gk ouron urine]: connected with urine--in
          names of certain aldehyde-acids derived from sugars or
          compounds of such acids <hyaluronic>

   uronic acid
          [uron.ic acid] n (1925): any of a class of acidic compounds
          that contain both carboxylic and aldehydic groups, are
          oxidation products of sugars, and occur combined in many
          polysaccharides and in urine

   uropod
          [uro.pod] n [ISV [2]ur- + Gk pod-, pous foot--more at foot]
          (ca. 1890): either of the flattened lateral appendages
          of the last abdominal segment of a crustacean; broadly:
          an abdominal appendage of a crustacean

   uropygial gland
          [uro.py.gi.al gland] n (1870): a large gland that occurs
          in most birds, opens dorsally at the base of the tail
          feathers, and usu. secretes an oily fluid which the bird
          uses in preening its feathers--called also oil gland

   uropygium
          [uro.py.gi.um] n [NL, fr. Gk ouropygion, fr. ouro- [2]ur-
          + pyge rump] (1771): the fleshy and bony prominence at
          the posterior extremity of a bird's body that supports
          the tail feathers

   urostyle
          [uro.style] n [ISV [2]ur- + Gk stylos pillar--more at steer]
          (1875): a long unsegmented bone that represents a number
          of fused vertebrae and forms the posterior part of the
          vertebral column of frogs and toads

   Ursa Major
          [Ur.sa Ma.jor] n [L (gen. Ursae Majoris), lit., greater bear]:
          a constellation that is the most conspicuous of the northern
          constellations, is situated near the north pole of the
          heavens, and contains the stars forming the Big Dipper
          two of which are in a line indicating the direction of
          the North Star--called also Great Bear

   Ursa Minor
          [Ursa Mi.nor] n [L (gen. Ursae Minoris), lit., lesser bear]:
          a constellation that includes the north pole of the heavens
          and the stars which form the Little Dipper with the North
          Star at the tip of the handle--called also Little Bear

   ursine
          [ur.sine] adj [L ursinus, fr. ursus bear--more at arctic]
          (ca. 1550) 1: of or relating to a bear or the bear family
          (Ursidae) 2: suggesting or characteristic of a bear <a
          lumbering ~ gait>

   Ursuline
          [Ur.su.line] n [NL Ursulina, fr. Ursula St. Ursula, legendary
          Christian martyr] (1693): a member of any of several
          Roman Catholic teaching orders of nuns; esp: a member
          of a teaching order founded by St. Angela Merici in Brescia,
          Italy, in 1535

   urtext
          [ur.text] n [G, fr. [3]ur- ur- + Text text] (ca. 1932): the
          original text (as of a musical score)

   urticaria
          [ur.ti.car.ia] n [NL, fr. L urtica nettle] (ca. 1771): an
          allergic disorder marked by raised edematous patches
          of skin or mucous membrane and usu. intense itching and
          caused by contact with a specific precipitating factor
          (as a food, drug, or inhalant) either externally or internally
          -- ur.ti.car.i.al adj

   urticate
          [ur.ti.cate] vi -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [ML urticatus, pp. of
          urticare to sting, fr. L urtica] (1843): to produce wheals
          or itching; esp: to induce urticaria -- ur.ti.ca.tion
          n

   urus
          [urus] n [L, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG uro aurochs--more
          at aurochs] (1601): aurochs 1

   urushiol
          [uru.shi.ol] n [ISV, fr. Jp urushi lacquer + ISV [1]-ol]
          (1908): a mixture of pyrocatechol derivatives with saturated
          or unsaturated side chains of 15 or 17 carbon atoms that
          is an oily toxic irritant principle present in poison
          ivy and some related plants (genus Rhus) and in oriental
          lacquers derived from such plants

   us...
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   us
          [us] pron [ME, fr. OE us; akin to OHG uns us, L nos] objective
          case of we

   US
          [US] [L ubi supra] abbreviation where above mentioned; United
          States, [L ut supra] as above

   USA
          [USA] abbreviation United States Army, United States of America

   usable
          [us.able] also use.able adj (14c) 1: capable of being used
          2: convenient and practicable for use -- us.abil.i.ty
          n -- us.able.ness n -- us.ably adv

   USAF
          [USAF] abbreviation United States Air Force

   usage
          [us.age] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. us use] (14c) 1 a: firmly established
          and generally accepted practice or procedure b: a uniform
          certain reasonable lawful practice existing in a particular
          locality or occupation and binding persons entering into
          transactions chiefly on the basis of presumed familiarity
          c: the way in which words and phrases are actually used
          (as in a particular form or sense) in a language community
          2 a: the action, amount, or mode of using <a decrease
          in the ~ of electricity> b: manner of treating <suffered
          ill ~ at the hands of his captors> syn see habit

   usance
          [us.ance] n (14c) 1: usage 1a 2: use, employment 3 a obs:
          usury b: interest 4: the time allowed by custom for payment
          of a bill of exchange in foreign commerce

   USCG
          [USCG] abbreviation United States Coast Guard

   USDA
          [USDA] abbreviation United States Department of Agriculture

   [1]use
          [use] n [ME us, fr. OF, fr. L usus, fr. uti to use] (13c)
          1 a: the act or practice of employing something: employment,
          application <he made good ~ of his spare time> b: the
          fact or state of being used <a dish in daily ~> c: a
          method or manner of employing or applying something <gained
          practice in the ~ of the camera> 2 a (1): habitual or
          customary usage (2): an individual habit or group custom
          b: a liturgical form or observance; esp: a liturgy having
          modifications peculiar to a local church or religious
          order 3 a: the privilege or benefit of using something
          <gave him the ~ of her car> b: the ability or power to
          use something (as a limb or faculty) c: the legal enjoyment
          of property that consists in its employment, occupation,
          exercise, or practice <she had the ~ of the estate for
          life> 4 a: a particular service or end <put learning
          to practical ~> b: the quality of being suitable for
          employment <saving things that might be of ~> c: the
          occasion or need to employ <took only what they had ~
          for> 5 a: the benefit in law of one or more persons;
          specif: the benefit or profit of property established
          in one other than the legal possessor b: a legal arrangement
          by which such benefits and profits are so established
          6: a favorable attitude: liking <had no ~ for modern
          art> [2]use vb used ; us.ing vt (14c) 1 archaic: accustom,
          habituate 2: to put into action or service: avail oneself
          of: employ 3: to consume or take (as liquor or drugs)
          regularly 4: to carry out a purpose or action by means
          of: utilize; also: manipulate 2b <used him only as a
          means up the corporate ladder> 5: to expend or consume
          by putting to use--often used with up 6: to behave toward:
          act with regard to: treat <used the prisoners cruelly>
          7: stand 1d <the house could ~ a coat of paint> ~ vi--used
          in the past with to to indicate a former fact or state
          <claims winters used to be harder> <didn't ~ to smoke
          so much> syn use, employ, utilize mean to put into service
          esp. to attain an end. use implies availing oneself of
          something as a means or instrument to an end <willing
          to use any means to achieve her ends>. employ suggests
          the use of a person or thing that is available but idle,
          inactive, or disengaged <looking for better ways to employ
          their skills>. utilize may suggest the discovery of a
          new, profitable, or practical use for something <an old
          wooden bucket utilized as a planter>.

   used
          [used] adj (14c) 1: employed in accomplishing something 2:
          that has endured use; specif: secondhand <a ~ car> 3:
          accustomed, habituated

   useful
          [use.ful] adj (1595) 1: capable of being put to use; esp:
          serviceable for an end or purpose 2: of a valuable or
          productive kind <do something ~ with your life> -- use.ful.ly
          adv

   usefulness
          [use.ful.ness] n (1617): the quality of having utility and
          esp. practical worth or applicability

   useless
          [use.less] adj (1593): having or being of no use: a: ineffectual
          b: not able to give service or aid: inept -- use.less.ly
          adv -- use.less.ness n

   user
          [us.er] n (15c): one that uses

   user fee
          [user fee] n (1967): an excise tax often in the form of a
          license or supplemental charge levied to fund a public
          service--called also user's fee

   user-friendly
          [us.er-friend.ly] adj (1977): easy to learn, use, understand,
          or deal with -- user-friendliness n

   USES
          [USES] abbreviation United States Employment Service

   use up
          [use up] vt (1833): to exhaust of strength or useful properties
          <land that has been used up>

   USG
          [USG] abbreviation United States government

   USGA
          [USGA] abbreviation United States Golf Association

   USGS
          [USGS] abbreviation United States Geological Survey

   Ushak
          [Ushak] var of oushak

   [1]usher
          [ush.er] n [ME ussher, fr. MF ussier, fr. (assumed) VL ustiarius
          doorkeeper, fr. L ostium, ustium door, mouth of a river--more
          at ostium] (14c) 1 a: an officer or servant who has the
          care of the door of a court, hall, or chamber b: an officer
          who walks before a person of rank c: one who escorts
          persons to their seats (as in a theater) 2 archaic: an
          assistant teacher [2]usher vb ush.ered ; ush.er.ing vt
          (1596) 1: to conduct to a place 2: to precede as an usher,
          forerunner, or harbinger 3: to cause to enter: introduce
          <a new theory ~ed into the world> ~ vi: to serve as an
          usher <~ at a wedding>

   usherette
          [ush.er.ette] n (1925): a girl or woman who is an usher (as
          in a theater)

   usher in
          [usher in] vt (ca. 1600) 1: to serve to bring into being
          <a discovery that ushered in a period of prosperity>
          2: to mark or observe the beginning of <ushered in the
          new year with much merrymaking> syn see begin

   USIA
          [USIA] abbreviation United States Information Agency

   USMC
          [USMC] abbreviation United States Marine Corps

   USN
          [USN] abbreviation United States Navy

   usnea
          [us.nea] n [NL, fr. Ar ushnah moss] (ca. 1597): any of a
          genus (Usnea) of widely distributed lichens (as old-man's
          beard) that have a grayish or yellow pendulous freely
          branched thallus

   USNR
          [USNR] abbreviation United States Naval Reserve

   USNS
          [USNS] abbreviation United States Naval Ship

   USO
          [USO] abbreviation United Service Organizations

   USP
          [USP] abbreviation United States Pharmacopeia

   USPS
          [USPS] abbreviation United States Postal Service

   usquebaugh
          [us.que.baugh] n [Ir uisce beathadh] (1581) Irish & Scot:
          whiskey

   USS
          [USS] abbreviation United States ship

   USSR
          [USSR] abbreviation Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

   USTA
          [USTA] abbreviation United States Tennis Association

   usu
          [usu] abbreviation usual, usually

   [1]usual
          [usu.al] adj [ME, fr. LL usualis, fr. L usus use] (14c) 1:
          accordant with usage, custom, or habit: normal 2: commonly
          or ordinarily used <followed his ~ route> 3: found in
          ordinary practice or in the ordinary course of events:
          ordinary -- usu.al.ly adv -- usu.al.ness n -- as usual
          : in the accustomed or habitual way <as usual they were
          late> syn usual, customary, habitual, wonted, accustomed
          mean familiar through frequent or regular repetition.
          usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness
          <my usual order for lunch>. customary applies to what
          accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of
          an individual or community <the customary waiting period
          before the application is approved>. habitual suggests
          a practice settled or established by much repetition
          <an habitual morning routine>. wonted stresses habituation
          but usu. applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully
          cultivated <his wonted determination>. accustomed is
          less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed
          habit or invariable custom <accepted the compliment with
          her accustomed modesty>. [2]usual n (1589): something
          usual

   usufruct
          [usu.fruct] n [L ususfructus, fr. usus et fructus use and
          enjoyment] (ca. 1630) 1: the legal right of using and
          enjoying the fruits or profits of something belonging
          to another 2: the right to use or enjoy something

   [1]usufructuary
          [usu.fruc.tu.ary] n (ca. 1618) 1: one having the usufruct
          of property 2: one having the use or enjoyment of something
          [2]usufructuary adj (1710): of, relating to, or having
          the character of a usufruct

   usurer
          [usu.rer] n (14c): one that lends money esp. at an exorbitant
          rate

   usurious
          [usu.ri.ous] adj (1610) 1: practicing usury 2: involving
          usury: of the character of usury -- usu.ri.ous.ly adv
          -- usu.ri.ous.ness n

   usurp
          [usurp] vb [ME, fr. MF usurper, fr. L usurpare to take possession
          of without legal claim, fr. usu (abl. of usus use) +
          rapere to seize--more at rapid] vt (14c) 1 a: to seize
          and hold (as office, place, or powers) in possession
          by force or without right <~ a throne> b: to take or
          make use of without right <~ed the rights to her life
          story> 2: to take the place of by or as if by force:
          supplant <must not let stock responses based on inherited
          prejudice ~ careful judgment> ~ vi: to seize or exercise
          authority or possession wrongfully -- usur.pa.tion n
          -- usurp.er n

   usury
          [usu.ry] n, pl -ries [ME, fr. ML usuria, alter. of L usura,
          fr. usus, pp. of uti to use] (14c) 1 archaic: interest
          2: the lending of money with an interest charge for its
          use; esp: the lending of money at exorbitant interest
          rates 3: an unconscionable or exorbitant rate or amount
          of interest; specif: interest in excess of a legal rate
          charged to a borrower for the use of money

   ut...
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   ut
          [ut] n [ME, first note in the diatonic scale, fr. ML, fr.
          the syllable sung to this note in a medieval hymn to
          St. John the Baptist] (14c): a syllable used for the
          first note in the diatonic scale in an early solmization
          system and later replaced by do

   UT
          [UT] abbreviation Universal time, Utah

   UTC
          [UTC] abbreviation Coordinated Universal Time

   ut dict
          [ut dict] [L ut dictum] abbreviation as directed

   Ute
          [Ute] n, pl Ute or Utes [short for earlier Utah, Utaw, fr.
          AmerSp Yuta] (1776) 1: a member of an American Indian
          people orig. ranging through Utah, Colorado, Arizona,
          and New Mexico 2: the Uto-Aztecan language of the Ute
          people

   utensil
          [uten.sil] n [ME, vessels for domestic use, fr. MF utensile,
          fr. L utensilia, fr. neut. pl. of utensilis useful, fr.
          uti to use] (14c) 1: an implement, instrument, or vessel
          used in a household and esp. a kitchen 2: a useful tool
          or implement syn see implement

   uterine
          [uter.ine] adj [ME, fr. LL uterinus, fr. L uterus] (15c)
          1: born of the same mother but by a different father
          2: of, relating to, or affecting the uterus <~ cancer>

   uterus
          [uter.us] n, pl uteri also uter.us.es [L, belly, womb; prob.
          akin to Gk hoderos belly, Skt udara] (1615) 1: an organ
          of the female mammal for containing and usu. for nourishing
          the young during development previous to birth--called
          also womb 2: a structure in some lower animals analogous
          to the uterus in which eggs or young develop

   Uther
          [Uther] n: a legendary British king and father of Arthur

   util
          [util] abbreviation utility

   utile
          [utile] adj [MF, fr. L utilis] (15c): useful

   utile dulci
          [uti.le dul.ci] [L] foreign term : the useful with the agreeable

   utilise
          [uti.lise] Brit var of utilize

   [1]utilitarian
          [util.i.tar.i.an] n (ca. 1780): an advocate or adherent of
          utilitarianism [2]utilitarian adj (1802) 1: of or relating
          to or advocating utilitarianism 2: marked by utilitarian
          views or practices 3 a: of, relating to, or aiming at
          utility b: exhibiting or preferring mere utility <spare
          ~ furnishings>

   utilitarianism
          [util.i.tar.i.an.ism] n (1827) 1: a doctrine that the useful
          is the good and that the determining consideration of
          right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences;
          specif: a theory that the aim of action should be the
          largest possible balance of pleasure over pain or the
          greatest happiness of the greatest number 2: utilitarian
          character, spirit, or quality

   [1]utility
          [util.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME utilite, fr. MF utilite, fr.
          L utilitat, utilitas, fr. utilis useful, fr. uti to use]
          (14c) 1: fitness for some purpose or worth to some end
          2: something useful or designed for use 3 a: public utility
          b (1): a service (as light, power, or water) provided
          by a public utility (2): equipment or a piece of equipment
          to provide such service or a comparable service 4: a
          program or routine designed to perform or facilitate
          esp. routine operations (as copying files or editing
          text) on a computer [2]utility adj (1851) 1: capable
          of serving as a substitute in various roles or positions
          <a ~ infielder> 2 a: kept to provide a useful product
          or service rather than for show or as a pet <~ livestock>
          <a ~ dog> b: being of a usable but inferior grade <~
          beef> 3: serving primarily for utility rather than beauty:
          utilitarian 4: designed or adapted for general use <a
          ~ knife> 5: of or relating to a utility <a ~ company>

   utilize
          [uti.lize] vt -lized ; -liz.ing [F utiliser, fr. utile] (1807):
          to make use of: turn to practical use or account <I'm
          a great person for utilizing waste power --Robert Frost>
          syn see use -- uti.liz.able adj -- uti.li.za.tion n --
          uti.liz.er n

   ut infra
          [ut in.fra] [L] foreign term : as below

   [1]utmost
          [ut.most] adj [ME, alter. of utmest, fr. OE utmest, superl.
          adj., fr. ut out, adv.--more at out] (bef. 12c) 1: situated
          at the farthest or most distant point: extreme <the ~
          point of the earth --John Hunt> 2: of the greatest or
          highest degree, quantity, number, or amount <a matter
          of ~ concern> [2]utmost n (bef. 12c) 1: the most possible:
          the extreme limit: the highest attainable point or degree
          <the ~ in reliability> 2: the highest, greatest, or best
          of one's abilities, powers, and resources <will do our
          ~ to help>

   Uto-Aztecan
          [Uto-Az.tec.an] n [Ute + -o- + Aztec] (1891): a family of
          American Indian languages spoken by peoples from the
          U.S. Great Basin south to Central America -- Uto-Aztecan
          adj

   utopia
          [uto.pia] n [Utopia, imaginary and ideal country in Utopia
          (1516) by Sir Thomas More, fr. Gk ou not, no + topos
          place] (1610) 1: an imaginary and indefinitely remote
          place 2 often cap: a place of ideal perfection esp. in
          laws, government, and social conditions 3: an impractical
          scheme for social improvement

   [1]utopian
          [uto.pi.an] adj, often cap (1551) 1: of, relating to, or
          having the characteristics of a utopia; esp: having impossibly
          ideal conditions esp. of social organization 2: proposing
          or advocating impractically ideal social and political
          schemes <~ idealists> 3: impossibly ideal: visionary
          <recognised the ~ nature of his hopes --C. S. Kilby>
          4: believing in, advocating, or having the characteristics
          of utopian socialism <~ doctrines> <~ novels> [2]utopian
          n (ca. 1873) 1: one that believes in the perfectibility
          of human society 2: one that proposes or advocates utopian
          schemes

   utopianism
          [uto.pi.an.ism] n (ca. 1661) 1: a utopian idea or theory
          2 often cap: the body of ideas, views, or aims of a utopian

   utopian socialism
          [utopian socialism] n (ca. 1923): socialism based on a belief
          that social ownership of the means of production can
          be achieved by voluntary and peaceful surrender of their
          holdings by propertied groups -- utopian socialist n

   utopism
          [uto.pism] n (1888): utopianism 2 -- utopist n -- uto.pis.tic
          adj

   utricle
          [utri.cle] n [L utriculus, dim. of uter leather bag] (1731):
          any of various small pouches or saccate parts of an animal
          or plant body: as a: the part of the membranous labyrinth
          of the inner ear into which the semicircular canals open
          b: a small usu. indehiscent one-seeded fruit with thin
          membranous pericarp -- utric.u.lar adj

   utriculus
          [utric.u.lus] n [L, small bag] (1847): utricle a

   ut supra
          [ut su.pra] [L] foreign term : as above

   [1]utter
          [ut.ter] adj [ME, remote, fr. OE utera outer, compar. adj.
          fr. ut out, adv.--more at out] (15c): carried to the
          utmost point or highest degree: absolute, total <~ darkness>
          <~ strangers> -- ut.ter.ly adv [2]utter vb [ME uttren,
          fr. utter outside, adv., fr. OE utor, compar. of ut out]
          vt (15c) 1 obs: to offer for sale 2 a: to send forth
          as a sound b: to give utterance to: pronounce, speak
          c: to give public expression to: express in words 3:
          to put (as currency) into circulation; specif: to circulate
          (as a counterfeit note) as if legal or genuine <~ false
          tokens> 4: to put forth or out: discharge ~ vi: to make
          a statement or sound syn see express -- ut.ter.able adj
          -- ut.ter.er n

   [1]utterance
          [ut.ter.ance] n [ME uttraunce, modif. of MF outrance--more
          at outrance] (15c) archaic: the last extremity: bitter
          end [2]ut.ter.ance n (15c) 1: something uttered; esp:
          an oral or written statement: a stated or published expression
          2: vocal expression: speech 3: power, style, or manner
          of speaking

   [1]uttermost
          [ut.ter.most] adj [ME, alter. of uttermest, fr. [1]utter
          + -mest (as in utmest utmost)] (14c) 1: outermost 2:
          extreme, utmost [2]uttermost n (14c): utmost <to the
          ~ of our capacity --H. S. Truman>

   uv...
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   UV
          [UV] abbreviation ultraviolet

   uvarovite
          [uva.rov.ite] n [G Uwarowit, fr. Count Sergei S. Uvarov d.
          1855 Russ. statesman] (1837): an emerald green calcium-chromium
          garnet

   uvea
          [uvea] n [ML, fr. L uva grape] (1525): the posterior pigmented
          layer of the iris; also: the iris and ciliary body together
          with the choroid coat -- uve.al adj

   uveitis
          [uve.itis] n [NL] (ca. 1848): inflammation of the uvea of
          the eye

   uvula
          [uvu.la] n, pl -las or -lae [ME, fr. ML, dim. of L uva cluster
          of grapes, uvula; prob. akin to Gk oa service tree, OE
          iw yew--more at yew] (14c): the pendent fleshy lobe in
          the middle of the posterior border of the soft palate

   uvular
          [uvu.lar] adj (1843) 1: of or relating to the uvula <~ glands>
          2: produced with the aid of the uvula <a ~ sound>

   uw...
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   UW
          [UW] abbreviation underwriter

   ux...
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   ux
          [ux] [L uxor] abbreviation wife

   uxorial
          [ux.o.ri.al] adj [L uxorius] (1800): of, relating to, or
          characteristic of a wife

   uxoricide
          [ux.or.i.cide] n (1860) 1 [ML uxoricidium, fr. L uxor wife
          + -i- + -cidium -cide]: murder of a wife by her husband
          2 [L uxor + E -i- + -cide]: a wife murderer

   uxorious
          [ux.o.ri.ous] adj [L uxorius uxorious, uxorial, fr. uxor
          wife] (1598): excessively fond of or submissive to a
          wife -- ux.o.ri.ous.ly adv -- ux.o.ri.ous.ness n

   uz...
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   Uzbek
          [Uz.bek] or Uz.beg n (1616) 1: a member of a Turkic people
          of Uzbekistan and adjacent regions of central Asia 2:
          the Turkic language of the Uzbek people

   v...
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   v
          [v] n, pl v's or vs often cap, often attrib (15c) 1 a: the
          22d letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic representation
          of this letter c: a speech counterpart of orthographic
          v 2: five in Roman numerals 3: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter v 4: one designated v esp. as the 22d in order
          or class 5: something shaped like the letter V

   v
          [v] abbreviation vector, velocity, verb, verse, verso, versus,
          very, vice, victory, vide, voice, voltage, volume, vowel
          V abbreviation vanadium, volt

   V/STOL
          [V/STOL] abbreviation vertical or short takeoff and landing

   V-1
          [V-1] n [G, abbr. for Vergeltungswaffe 1, lit., reprisal
          weapon 1] (1944): robot bomb

   V-2
          [V-2] n [G, abbr. for Vergeltungswaffe 2, lit., reprisal
          weapon 2] (1944): a rocket-propelled bomb of German invention

   V-8
          [V-8] n (1942): an internal combustion engine having two
          banks of four cylinders each with the banks at an angle
          to each other; also: an automobile having such an engine

   V-day
          [V-day] n [victory day] (1941): a day of victory

   V-engine
          [V-en.gine] n (ca. 1922): an internal combustion engine whose
          cylinders are arranged in two banks forming an acute
          or right angle

   V neck
          [V neck] n (1905): a V-shaped neck of a garment; also: a
          garment (as a sweater) with a V-shaped neck -- V-necked
          adj

   V sign
          [V sign] n (1942): a sign made by raising the index and middle
          fingers in a V and used as a victory salute or a gesture
          of approval

   va...
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   Va
          [Va] abbreviation Virginia VA abbreviation Veterans Administration,
          vicar apostolic, vice admiral, Virginia, visual aid, volt-ampere

   vac
          [vac] abbreviation vacuum

   vacancy
          [va.can.cy] n, pl -cies (1599) 1 archaic: an interval of
          leisure 2: physical or mental inactivity or relaxation:
          idleness 3 a: a vacating of an office, post, or piece
          of property b: the time such office or property is vacant
          4: a vacant office, post, or tenancy 5: empty space:
          void; specif: an unoccupied site for an atom or ion in
          a crystal 6: the state of being vacant: vacuity

   vacant
          [va.cant] adj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L vacant-, vacans, prp. of
          vacare to be empty, be free] (14c) 1: not occupied by
          an incumbent, possessor, or officer <a ~ office> <~ thrones>
          2: being without content or occupant <a ~ seat in a bus>
          <a ~ room> 3: free from activity or work: disengaged
          <~ hours> 4: devoid of thought, reflection, or expression
          <a ~ smile> 5: not lived in <~ houses> 6 a: not put to
          use <~ land> b: having no heir or claimant: abandoned
          <a ~ estate> syn see empty -- va.cant.ly adv -- va.cant.ness
          n

   vacate
          [va.cate] vb va.cat.ed ; va.cat.ing [L vacatus, pp. of vacare]
          vt (1643) 1: to make legally void: annul 2 a: to deprive
          of an incumbent or occupant b: to give up the incumbency
          or occupancy of ~ vi: to vacate an office, post, or tenancy

   [1]vacation
          [va.ca.tion] n, often attrib [ME vacacioun, fr. MF vacation,
          fr. L vacation-, vacatio freedom, exemption, fr. vacare]
          (14c) 1: a respite or a time of respite from something:
          intermission 2 a: a scheduled period during which activity
          (as of a court or school) is suspended b: a period of
          exemption from work granted to an employee for rest and
          relaxation 3: a period spent away from home or business
          in travel or recreation <had a restful ~ at the beach>
          4: an act or an instance of vacating [2]vacation vi -tioned
          ; -tion.ing (1896): to take or spend a vacation -- va.ca.tion.er
          n

   vacationist
          [va.ca.tion.ist] n (1885): a person taking a vacation

   vacationland
          [va.ca.tion.land] n (1927): an area with recreational attractions
          and facilities for vacationists

   vaccinal
          [vac.ci.nal] adj (ca. 1860): of or relating to vaccine or
          vaccination

   vaccinate
          [vac.ci.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing vt (1803) 1: to inoculate
          (a person) with cowpox virus in order to produce immunity
          to smallpox 2: to administer a vaccine to usu. by injection
          ~ vi: to perform or practice vaccination -- vac.ci.na.tor
          n

   vaccination
          [vac.ci.na.tion] n (1800) 1: the act of vaccinating 2: the
          scar left by vaccinating

   vaccine
          [vac.cine] n [L vaccinus, adj., of or from cows, fr. vacca
          cow; akin to Skt vasa cow] (1803) 1: matter or a preparation
          containing the virus of cowpox in a form used for vaccination
          2: a preparation of killed microorganisms, living attenuated
          organisms, or living fully virulent organisms that is
          administered to produce or artificially increase immunity
          to a particular disease -- vaccine adj

   vaccinee
          [vac.ci.nee] n (1889): a vaccinated individual

   vaccinia
          [vac.cin.ia] n [NL, fr. vaccinus] (1803) 1: cowpox 2: the
          virus that is the causative agent of cowpox -- vac.cin.i.al
          adj

   vacillate
          [vac.il.late] vi -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [L vacillatus, pp. of
          vacillare to sway, waver--more at wink] (1597) 1 a: to
          sway through lack of equilibrium b: fluctuate, oscillate
          2: to waver in mind, will, or feeling: hesitate in choice
          of opinions or courses syn see hesitate -- vac.il.lat.ing.ly
          adv -- vac.il.la.tor n

   vacillation
          [vac.il.la.tion] n (15c) 1: an act or instance of vacillating
          2: inability to take a stand: irresolution, indecision

   vacuity
          [va.cu.i.ty] n, pl -ties [L vacuitas, fr. vacuus empty] (1541)
          1: an empty space 2: the state, fact, or quality of being
          vacuous 3: something (as an idea) that is vacuous or
          inane

   vacuolate
          [vac.u.o.late] or vac.u.o.lat.ed adj (1859): containing one
          or more vacuoles <highly vacuolated cells>

   vacuolation
          [vac.u.o.la.tion] n (1858): the development or formation
          of vacuoles

   vacuole
          [vac.u.ole] n [F, lit., small vacuum, fr. L vacuum] (1853)
          1: a small cavity or space in the tissues of an organism
          containing air or fluid 2: a cavity or vesicle in the
          cytoplasm of a cell usu. containing fluid--see cell illustration
          -- vac.u.o.lar adj

   vacuous
          [vac.u.ous] adj [L vacuus] (1655) 1: emptied of or lacking
          content 2: marked by lack of ideas or intelligence: stupid,
          inane <a ~ mind> <a ~ expression> 3: devoid of serious
          occupation: idle syn see empty -- vac.u.ous.ly adv --
          vac.u.ous.ness n

   [1]vacuum
          [vac.u.um] n, pl vac.u.ums or vac.ua [L, fr. neut. of vacuus
          empty, fr. vacare to be empty] (1550) 1: emptiness of
          space 2 a: a space absolutely devoid of matter b: a space
          partially exhausted (as to the highest degree possible)
          by artificial means (as an air pump) c: a degree of rarefaction
          below atmospheric pressure 3 a: a state or condition
          resembling a vacuum: void <the power ~ in Indochina after
          the departure of the French --Norman Cousins> b: a state
          of isolation from outside influences <people who live
          in a ~ ... so that the world outside them is of no moment
          --W. S. Maugham> 4: a device creating or utilizing a
          partial vacuum; esp: vacuum cleaner [2]vacuum adj (1825)
          1: of, containing, producing, or utilizing a partial
          vacuum <separated by means of ~ distillation> 2: of or
          relating to a vacuum device or system [3]vacuum vt (1922):
          to use a vacuum device (as a vacuum cleaner) on ~ vi:
          to operate a vacuum device

   vacuum bottle
          [vacuum bottle] n (1910): thermos

   vacuum cleaner
          [vacuum cleaner] n (1903): a household appliance for cleaning
          (as floors, carpets, or upholstery) by suction--called
          also vacuum sweeper

   vacuum flask
          [vacuum flask] n (1917): thermos

   vacuum gauge
          [vacuum gauge] n (ca. 1864): a gauge indicating degree of
          rarefaction below atmospheric pressure

   vacuum-packed
          [vacuum-packed] adj (ca. 1926): having much of the air removed
          before being hermetically sealed

   vacuum pan
          [vacuum pan] n (1833): a tank with a vacuum pump for rapid
          evaporation and condensation (as of sugar syrup) by boiling
          at a low temperature

   vacuum pump
          [vacuum pump] n (ca. 1858): a pump for exhausting gas from
          an enclosed space

   vacuum tube
          [vacuum tube] n (1859): an electron tube evacuated to a high
          degree of vacuum

   vade mecum
          [va.de me.cum] n, pl vade mecums [L, go with me] (1629) 1:
          a book for ready reference: manual 2: something regularly
          carried about by a person

   vade retro me, Satana
          [va.de re.tro me, Sa.ta.na] [L] foreign term : get thee behind
          me, Satan

   VADM
          [VADM] abbreviation vice admiral

   vadose
          [va.dose] adj [L vadosus shallow, fr. vadum, n., shallow,
          ford; akin to L vadere to go--more at wade] (1894): of,
          relating to, or being water or solutions in the earth's
          crust above the permanent groundwater level

   va et vient
          [va et vient] [F] foreign term : coming and going: active
          movement: traffic

   vae victis
          [vae vic.tis] [L] foreign term : woe to the vanquished

   vag
          [vag] abbreviation vagrancy

   vag-
          [vag-] or vago- comb form [ISV, fr. NL vagus]: vagus nerve
          <vagal> <vagotomy>

   [1]vagabond
          [vag.a.bond] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL vagabundus, fr. L vagari
          to wander] (15c) 1: moving from place to place without
          a fixed home: wandering 2 a: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a wanderer b: leading an unsettled, irresponsible,
          or disreputable life -- vag.a.bond.ish adj [2]vagabond
          n (15c): one leading a vagabond life; esp: tramp -- vag.a.bond.age
          n -- vag.a.bond.ism n [3]vagabond vi (1586): to wander in the
          manner of a vagabond: roam about

   vagal
          [va.gal] adj [ISV] (1854): of, relating to, mediated by,
          or being the vagus nerve -- va.gal.ly adv

   vagarious
          [va.gar.i.ous] adj (1798): marked by vagaries: capricious,
          whimsical -- va.gar.i.ous.ly adv

   vagary
          [va.ga.ry] n, pl -ries [prob. fr. L vagari to wander, fr.
          vagus wandering] (1573): an erratic, unpredictable, or
          extravagant manifestation, action, or notion syn see
          caprice

   vagile
          [vag.ile] adj [ISV, fr. L vagus wandering] (ca. 1890): free
          to move about <~ organisms> -- va.gil.i.ty n

   vagina
          [va.gi.na] n, pl -nae or -nas [L, lit., sheath] (1682) 1:
          a canal in a female mammal that leads from the uterus
          to the external orifice of the genital canal 2: a canal
          that is similar in function or location to the vagina
          and occurs in various animals other than mammals

   vaginal
          [vag.i.nal] adj (1726) 1: of or relating to a theca 2: of,
          relating to, or affecting the genital vagina -- vag.i.nal.ly
          adv

   vaginismus
          [vag.i.nis.mus] n [NL, fr. L vagina] (1866): a painful spasmodic
          contraction of the vagina

   vaginitis
          [vag.i.ni.tis] n [NL] (1846): inflammation of the vagina
          or of a sheath (as a tendon sheath)

   vagotomy
          [va.got.o.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (ca. 1903): surgical division
          of the vagus nerve

   vagotonia
          [va.go.to.nia] n [NL] (ca. 1915): excessive excitability
          of the vagus nerve resulting typically in vasomotor instability,
          constipation, and sweating -- va.go.ton.ic adj

   vagrancy
          [va.gran.cy] n, pl -cies (1641) 1: vagary 2: the state or
          action of being vagrant 3: the offense of being a vagrant

   [1]vagrant
          [va.grant] n [ME vagraunt, prob. modif. of MF waucrant, wacrant
          wandering, fr. OF, fr. prp. of waucrer, wacrer to roll,
          wander, of Gmc origin; akin to OE wealcan to roll--more
          at walk] (15c) 1 a: one who has no established residence
          and wanders idly from place to place without lawful or
          visible means of support b: one (as a prostitute or drunkard)
          whose conduct consti tutes statutory vagrancy 2: wanderer,
          rover [2]vagrant adj (15c) 1: wandering about from place
          to place usu. with no means of support 2 a: having a
          fleeting, wayward, or inconstant quality b: having no
          fixed course: random -- va.grant.ly adv

   vagrom
          [va.grom] adj [by alter.] (1599): vagrant

   vague
          [vague] adj vagu.er ; vagu.est [MF, fr. L vagus, lit., wandering]
          (1548) 1 a: not clearly expressed: stated in indefinite
          terms <~ accusation> b: not having a precise meaning
          <~ term of abuse> 2 a: not clearly defined, grasped,
          or understood: indistinct <only a ~ notion of what's
          needed>; also: slight <a ~ hint of a thickening waistline>
          <hasn't the vaguest idea> b: not clearly felt or sensed:
          somewhat subconscious <a ~ longing> 3: not thinking or
          expressing one's thoughts clearly or precisely <~ about
          dates and places> 4: lacking expression: vacant 5: not
          sharply outlined: hazy syn see obscure -- vague.ly adv
          -- vague.ness n

   vagus nerve
          [va.gus nerve] n [NL vagus nervus, lit., wandering nerve]
          (1840): either of the 10th pair of cranial nerves that
          arise from the medulla and supply chiefly the viscera
          esp. with autonomic sensory and motor fibers--called
          also vagus

   vail
          [vail] vt [ME valen, partly fr. MF valer (short for avaler
          to let fall) & partly short for ME avalen to let fall,
          fr. MF avaler, fr. OF, fr. aval downward, fr. a to (fr.
          L ad) + val valley--more at at, vale] (14c): to lower
          often as a sign of respect or submission

   vain
          [vain] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L vanus empty, vain--more at
          wane] (14c) 1: having no real value: idle, worthless
          2: marked by futility or ineffectualness: unsuccessful,
          useless <~ efforts to escape> 3 archaic: foolish, silly
          4: having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's
          appearance or achievements: conceited syn see futile
          -- vain.ly adv -- vain.ness n -- in vain 1: to no end:
          without success or result 2: in an irreverent or blasphemous
          manner <you shall not take the name of the Lord your
          God in vain --Deut 5:11 (RSV)> syn vain, nugatory, otiose,
          idle, empty, hollow mean being without worth or significance.
          vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value
          <vain promises>. nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance
          <a monarch with nugatory powers>. otiose suggests that
          something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance
          or a superfluity <a film without a single otiose scene>.
          idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect
          <idle speculations>. empty and hollow suggest a deceiving
          lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness <an
          empty attempt at reconciliation> <a hollow victory>.

   vainglorious
          [vain.glo.ri.ous] adj (15c): marked by vainglory: boastful
          -- vain.glo.ri.ous.ly adv -- vain.glo.ri.ous.ness n

   vainglory
          [vain.glo.ry] n (14c) 1: excessive or ostentatious pride
          esp. in one's achievements 2: vain display or show: vanity

   vair
          [vair] n [ME veir, fr. OF vair, fr. vair, adj., variegated,
          fr. L varius variegated, various] (14c): the bluish gray
          and white fur of a squirrel prized for ornamental use
          in medieval times

   Vaishnava
          [Vaish.na.va] n [Skt vaisnava of Vishnu, fr. Visnu Vishnu]
          (1815): a member of a major Hindu sect devoted to the
          cult of Vishnu -- Vaishnava adj -- Vaish.na.vism n

   Vaisya
          [Vais.ya] n [Skt vaisya, fr. vis settlement; akin to Gk oikos
          house--more at vicinity] (1665): a Hindu of an upper
          caste traditionally assigned to commercial and agricultural
          occupations

   val
          [val] abbreviation value, valued

   valance
          [va.lance] n [ME vallance, perh. fr. Valence, France] (15c)
          1: a drapery hung along the edge of a bed, table, altar,
          canopy, or shelf 2: a short drapery or wood or metal
          frame used as a decorative heading to conceal the top
          of curtains and fixtures -- va.lanced adj

   vale
          [vale] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF val, fr. L valles, vallis; perh.
          akin to L volvere to roll--more at voluble] (14c) 1:
          valley, dale 2: world <this ~ of tears>

   valediction
          [val.e.dic.tion] n [L valedicere to say farewell, fr. vale
          farewell + dicere to say--more at diction] (1614) 1:
          an act of bidding farewell 2: valedictory

   valedictorian
          [val.e.dic.to.ri.an] n (1759): the student usu. having the
          highest rank in a graduating class who delivers the valedictory
          address at the commencement exercises

   [1]valedictory
          [val.e.dic.to.ry] adj [L valedicere] (1651): of or relating
          to a valediction: expressing or containing a farewell
          [2]valedictory n, pl -ries (1779): an address or statement
          of farewell or leave-taking

   valence
          [va.lence] n [LL valentia power, capacity, fr. L valent-,
          valens, prp. of valere to be strong--more at wield] (1884)
          1: the degree of combining power of an element as shown
          by the number of atomic weights of a univalent element
          (as hydrogen) with which the atomic weight of the element
          will combine or for which it can be substituted or with
          which it can be compared 2 a: relative capacity to unite,
          react, or interact (as with antigens or a biological
          substrate) b: the degree of attractiveness an individual,
          activity, or object possesses as a behavioral goal

   valence band
          [valence band] n (1953): the range of permissible energy
          values that are the highest energies an electron of an
          atom can have and still be associated with the atom and
          be used to form bonds--compare conduction band

   valence electron
          [valence electron] n (1923): a single electron or one of
          two or more electrons in the outer shell of an atom that
          is responsible for the chemical properties of the atom

   Valencia orange
          [Va.len.cia orange] n [Valencia, Spain] (1858): a sweet orange
          of a juicy thin-skinned cultivar grown in the U.S.--called
          also Valencia

   Valenciennes
          [Va.len.ci.ennes] n [Valenciennes, France] (1717): a fine
          bobbin lace

   -valent
          [-valent] adj comb form [ISV, fr. L valent-, valens] 1: having
          a (specified) valence or valences <bivalent> <multivalent>
          2: having (so many) chromosomal strands or homologous
          chromosomes <univalent>

   valentine
          [val.en.tine] n (15c) 1: a sweetheart chosen or complimented
          on St. Valentine's Day 2 a: a gift or greeting sent or
          given esp. to a sweetheart on St. Valentine's Day; esp:
          a greeting card sent on this day b: something (as a movie
          or piece of writing) expressing uncritical praise or
          affection: tribute

   Valentine's Day
          [Valentine's Day] also Valentine Day n (1668): saint valentine's
          day

   valerate
          [val.er.ate] n (1852): a salt or ester of valeric acid

   valerian
          [va.le.ri.an] n [ME, fr. MF or ML; MF valeriane, fr. ML valeriana,
          prob. fr. fem. of valerianus of Valeria, fr. Valeria, Roman
          province formerly part of Pannonia] (14c) 1: any of a genus
          (Valeriana of the family Valerianaceae, the valerian family)
          of perennial herbs many of which possess medicinal properties
          2: a drug consisting of the dried rootstock and roots of the garden
          heliotrope (Valeriana officinalis) formerly used as a carminative
          and sedative

   valeric acid
          [va.le.ric acid] n [valerian; fr. its occurrence in the root
          of valerian] (1857): any of four isomeric fatty acids
          or a mixture of these; esp: a liquid acid of disagreeable
          odor obtained from valerian or made synthetically and
          used esp. in organic synthesis

   [1]valet
          [va.let] n [MF vaslet, varlet, valet young nobleman, page,
          domestic servant, fr. (assumed) ML vassellittus, dim.
          of ML vassus servant--more at vassal] (1567) 1 a: a man's
          male servant who performs personal services (as taking
          care of clothing) b: an employee (as of a hotel or a
          public facility) who performs personal services for customers
          2: a device (as a rack or tray) for holding clothing
          or personal effects [2]valet vt (1840): to serve as a
          valet

   valet de chambre
          [va.let de cham.bre] n, pl va.lets de chambre [F, lit., chamber
          valet] (1646): valet 1a

   valet parking
          [valet parking] n (1960): a service that provides parking
          of motor vehicles by an attendant

   [1]valetudinarian
          [val.e.tu.di.nar.i.an] n [L valetudinarius sickly, infirm,
          fr. valetudin-, valetudo state of health, sickness, fr.
          valere to be strong, be well--more at wield] (1703):
          a person of a weak or sickly constitution; esp: one whose
          chief concern is being or becoming a chronic invalid
          [2]valetudinarian adj (1713): of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a valetudinarian: sickly, weak

   valetudinarianism
          [val.e.tu.di.nar.i.an.ism] n (1839): the condition or state
          of mind of a valetudinarian

   [1]valetudinary
          [val.e.tu.di.nary] adj [L valetudinarius] (1581): valetudinarian
          [2]valetudinary n, pl -nar.ies (1665): valetudinarian

   valgus
          [val.gus] adj [NL, fr. L, bowlegged] (1884): of, relating
          to, or being a deformity in which an anatomical part
          is turned outward away from the midline of the body to
          an abnormal degree <~ deformity of the ankle> -- valgus
          n

   Valhalla
          [Val.hal.la] n [G & ON; G Walhalla, fr. ON Valholl, lit.,
          hall of the slain, fr. valr the slain (akin to OE wael
          slaughter, the slain) + holl hall; akin to OE heall hall]:
          the great hall in Norse mythology where the souls of
          heroes slain in battle are received

   valiance
          [val.iance] n (15c): valor

   valiancy
          [val.ian.cy] n (15c): valor

   [1]valiant
          [val.iant] adj [ME valiaunt, fr. MF vaillant, fr. OF, fr.
          prp. of valoir to be of worth, fr. L valere to be strong--more
          at wield] (14c) 1: possessing or acting with bravery
          or boldness: courageous <~ soldiers> 2: marked by, exhibiting,
          or carried out with courage or determination: heroic
          <~ feats> -- val.iant.ly adv -- val.iant.ness n [2]valiant
          n (1609): a valiant person

   valid
          [val.id] adj [MF or ML; MF valide, fr. ML validus, fr. L,
          strong, fr. valere] (1571) 1: having legal efficacy or
          force; esp: executed with the proper legal authority
          and formalities <a ~ contract> 2 a: well-grounded or
          justifiable: being at once relevant and meaningful <a
          ~ theory> b: logically correct <a ~ argument> <~ inference>
          3: appropriate to the end in view: effective <every craft
          has its own ~ methods> 4 of a taxon: conforming to accepted
          principles of sound biological classification -- va.lid.i.ty
          n -- val.id.ly adv syn valid, sound, cogent, convincing,
          telling mean having such force as to compel serious attention
          and usu. acceptance. valid implies being supported by
          objective truth or generally accepted authority <a valid
          reason for being absent> <a valid marriage>. sound implies
          a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds <a
          sound proposal for reviving the economy>. cogent may
          stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or
          lucidity of presentation <the prosecutor's cogent summation
          won over the jury>. convincing suggests a power to overcome
          doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept <a convincing
          argument for welfare reform>. telling stresses an immediate
          and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter
          <a telling example of bureaucratic waste>.

   validate
          [val.i.date] vt -dat.ed ; -dat.ing (1648) 1 a: to make legally
          valid b: to grant official sanction to by marking c:
          to confirm the validity of (an election); also: to declare
          (a person) elected 2: to support or corroborate on a
          sound or authoritative basis <experiments designed to
          ~ the hypothesis> syn see confirm

   validation
          [val.i.da.tion] n (ca. 1656): an act, process, or instance
          of validating; esp: the determination of the degree of
          validity of a measuring device

   valine
          [va.line] n [ISV, fr. valeric (acid)] (1907): a crystalline
          essential amino acid that is one of the building blocks
          of plant and animal proteins

   valise
          [va.lise] n [F, fr. It valigia] (1615): suitcase

   Valium
          [Val.ium] trademark--used for a preparation of diazepam

   Valkyrie
          [Val.ky.rie] n [G & ON; G Walkure, fr. ON valkyrja, lit.,
          chooser of the slain; akin to OE waelcyrige witch, ON
          valr the slain, OHG kiosan to choose--more at choose]:
          any of the maidens of Odin who choose the heroes to be
          slain in battle and conduct them to Valhalla

   vallate
          [val.late] adj [L vallatus, pp. of vallare to surround with
          a wall, fr. vallum wall, rampart--more at wall] (1878):
          having a raised edge surrounding a depression <~ papillae
          of the tongue>

   vallecula
          [val.lec.u.la] n, pl -u.lae [NL, fr. LL, little valley, dim.
          of L valles valley--more at vale] (1859): an anatomical
          groove, channel, or depression; esp: one between the
          base of the tongue and the epiglottis -- val.lec.u.lar
          adj

   valley
          [val.ley] n, pl valleys [ME valey, fr. OF valee, fr. val
          valley--more at vale] (14c) 1 a: an elongate depression
          of the earth's surface usu. between ranges of hills or
          mountains b: an area drained by a river and its tributaries
          2: a low point or condition 3 a: hollow, depression b:
          the place of meeting of two slopes of a roof that form
          on the plan a reentrant angle

   valley fever
          [valley fever] n [fr. its prevalence in the San Joaquin valley
          of California] (1938): coccidioidomycosis

   Valois
          [Va.lois] adj [Philippe de Valois (Philip VI of France)]
          (ca. 1888): of or relating to the French royal house
          that ruled from 1328 to 1589

   valonia
          [va.lo.nia] n [It vallonia, fr. MGk balanidia, pl. of balanidion,
          dim. of Gk balanos acorn--more at gland] (1722): dried
          acorn cups esp. from a Eurasian evergreen oak (Quercus
          macrolepis syn. Q. aegilops) used in tanning or dressing
          leather

   valor
          [val.or] n [ME, fr. MF valour, fr. ML valor value, valor,
          fr. L valere to be strong--more at wield] (15c): strength
          of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter
          danger with firmness: personal bravery

   valorize
          [val.o.rize] vt -rized ; -riz.ing [Pg valorizar, fr. valor
          value, price, fr. ML] (ca. 1906): to enhance or try to
          enhance the price, value, or status of by organized and
          usu. governmental action <using subsidies to ~ coffee>
          -- val.o.ri.za.tion n

   valorous
          [val.or.ous] adj (15c): valiant -- val.or.ous.ly adv

   valour
          [val.our] chiefly Brit var of valor

   valpolicella
          [val.po.li.cel.la] n, often cap [Valpolicella, district in
          northern Italy] (1903): a dry red Italian table wine

   Valsalva maneuver
          [Val.sal.va maneuver] n [Antonio Maria Valsalva d. 1723 Ital.
          anatomist] (1886): the process of making a forceful attempt
          at expiration while holding the nostrils closed and keeping
          the mouth shut for the purpose of testing the patency
          of the eustachian tubes or of adjusting middle ear pressure--called
          also Valsalva

   valse
          [valse] n [F, fr. G Walzer--more at waltz] (1796): waltz;
          specif: a concert waltz

   [1]valuable
          [valu.able] adj (1589) 1 a: having monetary value b: worth
          a good price 2 a: having desirable or esteemed characteristics
          or qualities <~ friendships> b: of great use or service
          <~ advice> -- valu.able.ness n -- valu.ably adv [2]valuable
          n (ca. 1775): a usu. personal possession (as jewelry)
          of relatively great monetary value--usu. used in pl.

   valuable consideration
          [valuable consideration] n (1638): an equivalent or compensation
          having value that is given for something acquired or
          promised (as money or marriage) and that may consist
          either in a benefit accruing to one party or a loss falling
          upon the other

   valuate
          [val.u.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing (1873): to place a value
          on: appraise

   valuation
          [val.u.a.tion] n [MF, fr. valuer to value, fr. value] (1529)
          1: the act or process of valuing; specif: appraisal of
          property 2: the estimated or determined market value
          of a thing 3: judgment or appreciation of worth or character
          -- val.u.a.tion.al adj -- val.u.a.tion.al.ly adv

   valuator
          [val.u.a.tor] n (1731): one that valuates; specif: one that
          appraises

   [1]value
          [val.ue] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL valuta, fr. fem.
          of valutus, pp. of L valere to be worth, be strong--more
          at wield] (14c) 1: a fair return or equivalent in goods,
          services, or money for something exchanged 2: the monetary
          worth of something: marketable price 3: relative worth,
          utility, or importance <a good ~ at the price> <the ~
          of base stealing in baseball> <had nothing of ~ to say>
          4 a: a numerical quantity that is assigned or is determined
          by calculation or measurement <let x take on positive
          ~s> <a ~ for the age of the earth> b: precise signification
          <~ of a word> 5: the relative duration of a musical note
          6 a: relative lightness or darkness of a color: luminosity
          b: the relation of one part in a picture to another with
          respect to lightness and darkness 7: something (as a
          principle or quality) intrinsically valuable or desirable
          <sought material ~s instead of human ~s --W. H. Jones>
          8: denomination 2 -- val.ue.less adj -- val.ue.less.ness
          n [2]value vt val.ued ; val.u.ing (15c) 1 a: to estimate
          or assign the monetary worth of: appraise <~ a necklace>
          b: to rate or scale in usefulness, importance, or general
          worth: evaluate 2: to consider or rate highly: prize,
          esteem <~s your opinion> syn see estimate, appreciate
          -- val.u.er n

   value-added tax
          [value-added tax] n (1935): an incremental excise that is
          levied on the value added at each stage of the processing
          of a raw material or the production and distribution
          of a commodity and that typically has the impact of a
          sales tax on the ultimate consumer

   valued
          [val.ued] adj (1595): having a value or values esp. of a
          specified kind or number--often used in combination <real-valued>

   value-free
          [val.ue-free] adj (1948): making or having no value judgments
          <~ distinctions> <~ economics>

   value judgment
          [value judgment] n (1899): a judgment assigning a value (as
          good or bad) to something

   valuta
          [va.lu.ta] n [It, value, fr. (assumed) VL valuta] (1920)
          1: the agreed upon or exchange value of a currency 2:
          foreign exchange 2

   valvate
          [val.vate] adj (1829): having valves or parts resembling
          a valve; esp: meeting at the edges without overlapping
          in the bud (as in the calyx of a mallow)

   valve
          [valve] n [L valva; akin to L volvere to roll--more at voluble]
          (14c) 1 archaic: a leaf of a folding or double door 2
          [NL valva, fr. L]: a structure esp. in a vein or lymphatic
          that closes temporarily a passage or orifice or permits
          movement of fluid in one direction only 3 a: any of numerous
          mechanical devices by which the flow of liquid, gas,
          or loose material in bulk may be started, stopped, or
          regulated by a movable part that opens, shuts, or partially
          obstructs one or more ports or passageways; also: the
          movable part of such a device b: a device in a brass
          instrument for quickly channeling air flow through an
          added length of tube in order to change the fundamental
          tone by some definite interval c chiefly Brit: electron
          tube 4 [NL valva, fr. L]: one of the distinct and usu.
          movably articulated pieces of which the shell of some
          shell-bearing animals (as lamellibranch mollusks, brachiopods,
          and barnacles) consists 5 [NL valva, fr. L] a: one of
          the segments or pieces into which a dehiscing capsule
          or legume separates b: the portion of various anthers
          (as of the barberry) resembling a lid c: one of the two
          encasing membranes of a diatom -- valved adj -- valve.less
          adj

   valvula
          [val.vu.la] n, pl -lae [NL, dim. of L valva] (1615): a small
          valve or fold

   valvular
          [val.vu.lar] adj (1797) 1: resembling or functioning as a
          valve; also: opening by valves 2: of, relating to, or
          affecting a valve esp. of the heart <~ heart disease>

   valvulitis
          [val.vu.li.tis] n [NL] (ca. 1891): inflammation of a valve
          esp. of the heart

   vamoose
          [va.moose] vi va.moosed ; va.moos.ing [Sp vamos let us go,
          suppletive 1st pl. imper. (fr. L vadere to go) of ir
          to go, fr. L ire--more at wade, issue] (1840): to depart
          quickly

   [1]vamp
          [vamp] vb [[2]vamp] vt (1599) 1 a: to provide (a shoe) with
          a new vamp b: to piece (something old) with a new part:
          patch <~ up old sermons> 2: invent, fabricate <~ up an
          excuse> ~ vi: to play a musical vamp -- vamp.er n [2]vamp
          n [ME vampe sock, fr. OF avantpie, fr. avant- fore- +
          pie foot, fr. L ped-, pes--more at vanguard, foot] (1654)
          1: the part of a shoe upper or boot upper covering esp.
          the forepart of the foot and sometimes also extending
          forward over the toe or backward to the back seam of
          the upper 2 [[1]vamp]: a short introductory musical passage
          often repeated several times (as in vaudeville) before
          a solo or between verses [3]vamp n [short for vampire]
          (ca. 1911): a woman who uses her charm or wiles to seduce
          and exploit men -- vamp.ish adj [4]vamp vt (ca. 1915):
          to practice seductive wiles on

   vampire
          [vam.pire] n [F, fr. G Vampir, fr. Serbo-Croatian vampir]
          (1734) 1: the reanimated body of a dead person believed
          to come from the grave at night and suck the blood of
          persons asleep 2 a: one who lives by preying on others
          b: a woman who exploits and ruins her lover 3: vampire
          bat -- vam.pir.ish adj

   vampire bat
          [vampire bat] n (1790): any of several Central and So. American
          bats (Desmodus rotundus, Diaemus youngi, and Diphylla
          ecaudata of the subfamily Desmodontinae of the family
          Phyllostomidae) that feed on the blood of birds and mammals
          and esp. domestic animals and that are sometimes vectors
          of equine trypanosomiasis and of rabies; also: any of
          several other bats (as of the families Megadermatidae
          and Phyllostomidae) that do not feed on blood but are
          sometimes reputed to do so

   vampirism
          [vam.pir.ism] n (1794) 1: belief in vampires 2: the actions
          of a vampire

   [1]van
          [van] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L vannus--more at winnow] (14c)
          1 dial Eng: a winnowing device (as a fan) 2: wing 1a
          [2]van n [by shortening] (1610): vanguard [3]van n [short
          for caravan] (1829) 1 a: a usu. enclosed wagon or motortruck
          used for transportation of goods or animals; also: caravan
          2a b: a multipurpose enclosed motor vehicle having a
          boxlike shape, rear or side doors, and side panels often
          with windows c: a detachable passenger cabin transportable
          by aircraft or truck 2 chiefly Brit: an enclosed railroad
          freight or baggage car [4]van vt vanned ; van.ning (1840):
          to transport by van

   vanadate
          [van.a.date] n [NL vanadium + E [1]-ate] (1835): a salt derived
          from vanadium pentoxide and containing pentavalent vanadium

   vanadium
          [va.na.di.um] n [NL, fr. ON Vanadis Freya] (1833): a grayish
          malleable ductile metallic element found combined in
          minerals and used esp. to form alloys (as vanadium steel)

   vanadium pentoxide
          [vanadium pentoxide] n (1885): a yellowish red crystalline
          compound used esp. in glass manufacture and as a catalyst

   Van Allen belt
          [Van Al.len belt] n [James A. Van Allen] (1958): a belt of
          intense radiation in the magnetosphere composed of energetic
          charged particles trapped by the earth's magnetic field;
          also: a similar belt surrounding another planet

   vanaspati
          [va.nas.pa.ti] n [Skt, forest tree, soma plant, lit., lord
          of the forest, fr. vana forest + pati lord, master--more
          at potent] (1941): a hydrogenated vegetable fat used
          as a butter substitute in India

   vandal
          [van.dal] n [L Vandalii (pl.), of Gmc origin] (1555) 1 cap:
          a member of a Germanic people who lived in the area south
          of the Baltic between the Vistula and the Oder, overran
          Gaul, Spain, and northern Africa in the 4th and 5th centuries
          a.d., and in 455 sacked Rome 2: one who willfully or
          ignorantly destroys, damages, or defaces property belonging
          to another or to the public -- vandal adj, often cap
          -- Van.dal.ic adj

   vandalise
          [van.dal.ise] Brit var of vandalize

   vandalism
          [van.dal.ism] n (1798): willful or malicious destruction
          or defacement of public or private property

   vandalistic
          [van.dal.is.tic] adj (1897): of or relating to vandalism

   vandalize
          [van.dal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1845): to subject to vandalism:
          damage -- van.dal.i.za.tion n

   vanda orchid
          [van.da orchid] n [NL, fr. Hindi vanda mistletoe, fr. Skt,
          a parasitic plant] (1943): any of a large genus (Vanda)
          of Indo-Malayan epiphytic orchids often grown for their
          loose racemes of showy flowers--called also vanda

   Van de Graaff generator
          [Van de Graaff generator] n [Robert J. Van de Graaff d. 1967
          Am. physicist] (1937): an apparatus for the production
          of electrical discharges at high voltage commonly consisting
          of an insulated hollow conducting sphere that accumulates
          in its interior the charge continuously conveyed from
          a source of direct current by an endless belt of flexible
          nonconducting material

   van der Waals forces
          [van der Waals forces] n pl [Johannes D. van der Waals d.
          1923 Du. physicist] (1926): the relatively weak attractive
          forces that act on neutral atoms and molecules and that
          arise because of the electric polarization induced in
          each of the particles by the presence of other particles

   Vandyke
          [Van.dyke] n [Sir Anthony Vandyke] (1755) 1 a: a wide collar
          with a deeply indented edge b: one of several V-shaped
          points forming a decorative edging c: a border of such
          points 2: a trim pointed beard -- van.dyked adj

   Vandyke brown
          [Vandyke brown] n [fr. its use by the painter Vandyke] (ca.
          1850): a natural brown-black pigment of organic matter
          obtained from bog earth or peat or lignite deposits;
          also: any of various synthetic brown pigments

   vane
          [vane] n [ME (southern dial.), fr. OE fana banner; akin to
          OHG fano cloth, L pannus cloth, rag] (15c) 1 a: a movable
          device attached to an elevated object (as a spire) for
          showing the direction of the wind b: one that is changeable
          or inconstant 2: a thin flat or curved object that is
          rotated about an axis by a flow of fluid or that rotates
          to cause a fluid to flow or that redirects a flow of
          fluid <the ~s of a windmill> 3: the web or flat expanded
          part of a feather--see feather illustration 4: a feather
          fastened to the shaft near the nock of an arrow -- vaned
          adj

   vanguard
          [van.guard] n [ME vantgard, fr. MF avant-garde, fr. OF, fr.
          avant- fore- (fr. avant before, fr. LL abante) + garde
          guard--more at advance] (15c) 1: the troops moving at
          the head of an army 2: the forefront of an action or
          movement -- van.guard.ism n -- van.guard.ist n

   [1]vanilla
          [va.nil.la] n [NL, fr. Sp vainilla vanilla (plant and fruit),
          dim. of vaina sheath, fr. L vagina sheath, vagina] (1662)
          1 a: vanilla bean b: a commercially important extract
          of the vanilla bean that is used esp. as a flavoring
          2: any of a genus (Vanilla) of tropical American climbing
          epiphytic orchids [2]vanilla adj (1846) 1: flavored with
          vanilla 2: lacking distinction: plain, ordinary

   vanilla bean
          [vanilla bean] n (1874): the long capsular fruit of a vanilla
          (esp. Vanilla planifolia) that is an important article
          of commerce

   vanillin
          [van.il.lin] n (ca. 1868): a crystalline phenolic aldehyde
          that is extracted from vanilla beans or prepared synthetically
          and is used esp. in flavoring and in perfumery

   Vanir
          [Va.nir] n pl [ON]: a race of Norse gods who become united
          with the Aesir

   vanish
          [van.ish] vb [ME vanisshen, fr. MF evaniss-, stem of evanir,
          fr. (assumed) VL exvanire, alter. of L evanescere to
          dissipate like vapor, vanish, fr. e- + vanescere to vanish,
          fr. vanus empty] vi (14c) 1 a: to pass quickly from sight:
          disappear b: to pass completely from existence 2: to
          assume the value zero ~ vt: to cause to disappear --
          van.ish.er n

   vanishing cream
          [vanishing cream] n (1916): a cosmetic preparation that is
          less oily than cold cream and is used chiefly as a foundation
          for face powder

   vanishingly
          [van.ish.ing.ly] adv (1870): so as to be almost nonexistent
          or invisible <the difference is ~ small>

   vanishing point
          [vanishing point] n (1797) 1: a point at which receding parallel
          lines seem to meet when represented in linear perspective
          2: a point at which something disappears or ceases to
          exist

   vanity
          [van.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME vanite, fr. OF vanite, fr. L vanitat-,
          vanitas quality of being empty or vain, fr. vanus empty,
          vain--more at wane] (13c) 1: something that is vain,
          empty, or valueless 2: the quality or fact of being vain
          3: inflated pride in oneself or one's appearance: conceit
          4: a fashionable trifle or knicknack 5 a: [3]compact
          a b: a small case or handbag for toilet articles used
          by women 6: dressing table

   vanity fair
          [vanity fair] n, often cap V&F [Vanity-Fair, a fair held
          in the frivolous town of Vanity in Pilgrim's Progress
          (1678) by John Bunyan] (1816): a scene or place characterized
          by frivolity and ostentation

   vanity plate
          [vanity plate] n (1966): a license plate bearing letters
          or numbers designated by the owner of the vehicle

   vanity press
          [vanity press] n (1950): a publishing house that publishes
          books at the author's expense--called also vanity publisher

   vanner
          [van.ner] n (1927): a person who owns a usu. customized van

   vanpool
          [van.pool] n (1973): an arrangement by which a group of people
          commute to work in a van -- van.pool.ing n

   vanquish
          [van.quish] vt [ME venquissen, fr. MF venquis, preterit of
          veintre to conquer, fr. L vincere--more at victor] (14c)
          1: to overcome in battle: subdue completely 2: to defeat
          in a conflict or contest 3: to gain mastery over (an
          emotion, passion, or temptation) syn see conquer -- van.quish.able
          adj -- van.quish.er n

   vantage
          [van.tage] n [ME, fr. AF, fr. MF avantage--more at advantage]
          (14c) 1 archaic: benefit, gain 2: superiority in a contest
          3: a position giving a strategic advantage, commanding
          perspective, or comprehensive view 4: advantage 4 --
          to the vantage obs: in addition

   vantage point
          [vantage point] n (1865): a position or standpoint from which
          something is viewed or considered; esp: point of view

   vanward
          [van.ward] adj (1820): located in the vanguard: advanced
          -- vanward adv

   vapid
          [va.pid] adj [L vapidus flat-tasting; akin to L vappa vapid
          wine and perh. to L vapor steam] (ca. 1656): lacking
          liveliness, tang, briskness, or force: flat, dull <a
          gossipy, ~ woman, obsessed by her own elegance --R. F.
          Delderfield> <London was not all ~ dissipation --V. S.
          Pritchett> syn see insipid -- va.pid.ly adv -- va.pid.ness
          n

   vapidity
          [va.pid.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1721) 1: the quality or state
          of being vapid 2: something vapid

   [1]vapor
          [va.por] n [ME vapour, fr. MF vapeur, fr. L vapor steam,
          vapor] (14c) 1: diffused matter (as smoke or fog) suspended
          floating in the air and impairing its transparency 2
          a: a substance in the gaseous state as distinguished
          from the liquid or solid state b: a substance (as gasoline,
          alcohol, mercury, or benzoin) vaporized for industrial,
          therapeutic, or military uses; also: a mixture (as the
          explosive mixture in an internal combustion engine) of
          such a vapor with air 3 a: something unsubstantial or
          transitory: phantasm b: a foolish or fanciful idea 4
          pl a archaic: exhalations of bodily organs (as the stomach)
          held to affect the physical or mental condition b: a
          depressed or hysterical nervous condition [2]vapor vi
          va.pored ; va.por.ing (15c) 1 a: to rise or pass off
          in vapor b: to emit vapor 2: to indulge in bragging,
          blustering, or idle talk -- va.por.er n

   vapor barrier
          [vapor barrier] n (ca. 1941): a layer of material (as roofing
          paper or polyethylene film) used to retard or prevent
          the absorption of moisture into a construction (as a
          wall or floor)

   vaporetto
          [va.po.ret.to] n, pl -ret.ti also -ret.tos [It, dim. of vapore
          steamboat, fr. F vapeur, fr. bateau a vapeur steamboat]
          (1926): a motorboat serving as a canal bus in Venice,
          Italy

   vaporing
          [va.por.ing] n (ca. 1630): the act or speech of one that
          vapors; specif: an idle, extravagant, or high-flown expression
          or speech--usu. used in pl.

   vaporise
          [va.por.ise] Brit var of vaporize

   vaporish
          [va.por.ish] adj (ca. 1644) 1: resembling or suggestive of
          vapor 2: given to fits of the vapors -- va.por.ish.ness
          n

   vaporize
          [va.por.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1803) 1: to convert (as
          by the application of heat or by spraying) into vapor
          2: to cause to become dissipated ~ vi 1: to become vaporized
          2: vapor 2 -- va.por.iz.able adj -- va.por.i.za.tion
          n

   vaporizer
          [va.por.iz.er] n (ca. 1846): one that vaporizes: as a: atomizer
          b: a device for converting water or a medicated liquid
          into a vapor for inhalation

   vapor lock
          [vapor lock] n (1926): partial or complete interruption of
          flow of a fluid (as fuel in an internal combustion engine)
          caused by the formation of bubbles of vapor in the feeding
          system

   vaporous
          [va.por.ous] adj (1527) 1: consisting or characteristic of
          vapor 2: producing vapors: volatile 3: containing or
          obscured by vapors: misty 4 a: ethereal, unsubstantial
          b: consisting of or indulging in vaporings -- va.por.ous.ly
          adv -- va.por.ous.ness n

   vapor pressure
          [vapor pressure] n (1875): the pressure exerted by a vapor
          that is in equilibrium with its solid or liquid form--called
          also vapor tension

   vapor trail
          [vapor trail] n (1941): contrail

   vaporware
          [va.por.ware] n (1984): a new computer-related product that
          has been widely advertised but is not yet available

   vapory
          [va.pory] adj (1598): vaporous, misty

   vapour
          [va.pour] chiefly Brit var of vapor

   vaquero
          [va.que.ro] n, pl -ros [Sp--more at buckaroo] (1826): herdsman,
          cowboy

   var
          [var] abbreviation variable, variant, variation, variety,
          various  VAR abbreviation visual-aural range, volt-ampere
          reactive

   vara
          [va.ra] n [AmerSp, fr. Sp, pole, fr. L, forked pole, fr.
          fem. of varus bent, bow-legged] (1831): a Texas unit
          of length equal to 33.33 inches (84.66 centimeters)

   vari-
          [vari-] or vario- comb form [L varius] 1: varied: diverse
          <varicolored> 2: variation: variability <variometer>

   varia
          [var.ia] n pl [NL, fr. L, neut. pl. of varius various] (1926):
          miscellany; esp: a literary miscellany

   [1]variable
          [var.i.able] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L variabilis, fr. variare
          to vary] (14c) 1 a: able or apt to vary: subject to variation
          or changes <~ winds> <~ costs> b: fickle, inconstant
          2: characterized by variations 3: having the characteristics
          of a variable 4: not true to type: aberrant--used of
          a biological group or character -- var.i.abil.i.ty n
          -- var.i.able.ness n -- var.i.ably adv [2]variable n
          (1816) 1 a: a quantity that may assume any one of a set
          of values b: a symbol representing a variable 2: something
          that is variable 3: variable star

   variable rate mortgage
          [variable rate mortgage] n (1975): adjustable rate mortgage

   variable star
          [variable star] n (1788): a star whose brightness changes
          usu. in more or less regular periods

   varia lectio
          [va.ria lec.tio] pl va.ri.ae lec.ti.o.nes [L] foreign term
          : variant reading

   variance
          [var.i.ance] n (14c) 1: the fact, quality, or state of being
          variable or variant: difference, variation <yearly ~
          in crops> 2: the fact or state of being in disagreement:
          dissension, dispute 3: a disagreement between two parts
          of the same legal proceeding that must be consonant 4:
          a license to do some act contrary to the usual rule <a
          zoning ~> 5: the square of the standard deviation syn
          see discord -- at variance : not in harmony or agreement

   [1]variant
          [var.i.ant] adj (14c) 1 obs: variable 2: manifesting variety,
          deviation, or disagreement 3: varying usu. slightly from
          the standard form <~ readings> [2]variant n (1848): one
          of two or more persons or things exhibiting usu. slight
          differences: as a: one that exhibits variation from a
          type or norm b: one of two or more different spellings
          (as labor and labour) or pronunciations (as of economics
          ) of the same word c: one of two or more words (as geographic
          and geographical) or word elements (as mon- and mono-)
          of essentially the same meaning differing only in the
          presence or absence of an affix

   variate
          [var.i.ate] n (1899): random variable

   variation
          [var.i.a.tion] n (14c) 1 a: the act or process of varying:
          the state or fact of being varied b: an instance of varying
          c: the extent to which or the range in which a thing
          varies 2: declination 6 3 a: a change of algebraic sign
          between successive terms of a sequence b: a measure of
          the change in data, a variable, or a function 4: the
          repetition of a musical theme with modifications in rhythm,
          tune, harmony, or key 5 a: divergence in the characteristics
          of an organism from the species or population norm or
          average b: something (as an individual or group) that
          exhibits variation 6 a: a solo dance in classic ballet
          b: a repetition in modern ballet of a movement sequence
          with changes -- var.i.a.tion.al adj -- var.i.a.tion.al.ly
          adv

   varicella
          [var.i.cel.la] n [NL, irreg. dim. of variola] (ca. 1771):
          chicken pox

   varicocele
          [var.i.co.cele] n [NL, fr. L varic-, varix + NL -o- + -cele]
          (1736): a varicose enlargement of the veins of the spermatic
          cord

   varicolored
          [vari.col.ored] adj (1665): having various colors: variegated
          <the ~ breeding plumage of a bird>; also: of various
          colors

   varicose
          [var.i.cose] also var.i.cosed adj [L varicosus full of dilated
          veins, fr. varic-, varix dilated vein] (ca. 1730) 1:
          abnormally swollen or dilated <~ veins> 2: affected with
          varicose veins <~ legs>

   varicosity
          [var.i.cos.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1842) 1: the quality or
          state of being abnormally or markedly swollen or dilated
          2: varix

   varied
          [var.ied] adj (1588) 1: various, diverse 2: variegated 1
          -- var.ied.ly adv

   variegate
          [var.ie.gate] vt -gat.ed ; -gat.ing [L variegatus, pp. of
          variegare, fr. varius various + -egare (akin to L agere
          to drive)--more at agent] (1653) 1: to diversify in external
          appearance esp. with different colors: dapple 2: to enliven
          or give interest to by means of variety -- var.ie.ga.tor
          n

   variegated
          [var.ie.gat.ed] adj (1661) 1: having discrete markings of
          different colors <~ leaves> 2: varied 1

   variegated cutworm
          [variegated cutworm] n (1922): a widespread noctuid moth
          (Peridroma saucia) whose larva is destructive to crops

   variegation
          [var.ie.ga.tion] n (1646): the act of variegating: the state
          of being variegated; esp: diversity of colors

   varier
          [var.i.er] n (1860): one that varies

   [1]varietal
          [va.ri.e.tal] adj (1866) 1: of, relating to, or characterizing
          a variety <~ name>; also: being a variety in distinction
          from an individual or species 2: of, relating to, or
          producing a varietal [2]varietal n (1950): a wine bearing
          the name of the principal grape from which it is made

   variety
          [va.ri.e.ty] n, pl -ties [MF or L; MF variete, fr. L varietat-,
          varietas, fr. varius various] (15c) 1: the quality or
          state of having different forms or types: multifariousness
          2: a number or collection of different things esp. of
          a particular class: assortment 3 a: something differing
          from others of the same general kind: sort b: any of
          various groups of plants or animals ranking below a species:
          subspecies 4: variety show

   variety meat
          [variety meat] n (ca. 1946): an edible part (as the liver
          or tongue) of a slaughter animal other than skeletal
          muscle

   variety show
          [variety show] n (1882): a theatrical entertainment of successive
          separate performances (as of songs, dances, skits, acrobatic
          feats, and trained animal acts)

   variety store
          [variety store] n (ca. 1768): a retail store that carries
          a wide variety of merchandise esp. of low unit value

   vario-
          [vario-] --see vari-

   variola
          [va.ri.o.la] n [NL, fr. ML, pustule, pox, fr. LL, pustule,
          prob. fr. varius various] (1543): smallpox

   variometer
          [var.i.om.e.ter] n (ca. 1900) 1: an instrument for measuring
          magnetic declination 2: an aeronautical instrument for
          indicating rate of climb

   [1]variorum
          [var.i.o.rum] n [L variorum of various persons (gen. pl.
          masc. of varius), in the phrase cum notis variorum with
          the notes of various persons] (1728) 1: an edition or
          text with notes by different persons 2: an edition containing
          variant readings of the text [2]variorum adj (1763):
          relating to or being a variorum; also: variant <~ readings>

   [1]various
          [var.i.ous] adj [L varius] (1552) 1 archaic: variable, inconstant
          2: varicolored <birds of ~ plumage> 3 a: of differing
          kinds: multifarious b: dissimilar in nature or form:
          unlike <animals as ~ as the jaguar and the sloth> 4:
          having a number of different aspects or characteristics
          <a ~ place> <a ~ talent> 5: of an indefinite number greater
          than one <stop at ~ towns> 6: individual, separate <rate
          increases granted in the ~ states> syn see different
          -- var.i.ous.ness n [2]various pron, pl in constr (1877):
          an indefinite number of separate individuals greater
          than one <conversations with people from ~ of the schools
          --Patricia Linden>

   variously
          [var.i.ous.ly] adv (1627) 1: in various ways: at various
          times <was ~ occupied teaching, farming, and clerking>
          2: by various designations <known ~ as principal, headmaster,
          and rector>

   varisized
          [vari.sized] adj (1936): of various sizes

   varistor
          [va.ris.tor] n [vari- + resistor] (1937): an electrical resistor
          whose resistance depends on the applied voltage

   varium et mutabile semper femina
          [va.ri.um et mu.ta.bi.le sem.per fe.mi.na] [L] foreign term
          : woman is ever a fickle and changeable thing

   varix
          [var.ix] n, pl var.i.ces [ME, fr. L varic-, varix] (14c):
          an abnormally dilated and lengthened vein, artery, or
          lymph vessel; esp: a varicose vein

   varlet
          [var.let] n [ME, fr. MF vaslet, varlet young nobleman, page--more
          at valet] (15c) 1 a: attendant, menial b: a knight's
          page 2: a base unprincipled person: knave

   varletry
          [var.let.ry] n (1606) archaic: rabble

   varmint
          [var.mint] n [alter. of vermin] (1539) 1: an animal considered
          a pest; specif: one classed as vermin and unprotected
          by game law 2: a contemptible person: rascal; broadly:
          person, fellow

   [1]varnish
          [var.nish] n [ME vernisch, fr. MF vernis, fr. OIt or ML;
          OIt vernice, fr. ML veronic-, veronix sandarac] (14c)
          1 a: a liquid preparation that when spread and allowed
          to dry on a surface forms a hard lustrous typically transparent
          coating b: the covering or glaze given by the application
          of varnish c (1): something that suggests varnish by
          its gloss (2): a coating (as of deposits in an internal
          combustion engine) comparable to varnish 2: outside show:
          [1]gloss 3 chiefly Brit: a liquid nail polish -- var.nishy
          adj [2]varnish vt (14c) 1: to apply varnish to 2: to
          cover or conceal (as something unpleasant) with something
          that gives a fair appearance: [2]gloss 3: adorn, embellish
          -- var.nish.er n

   varnish tree
          [varnish tree] n (1758): any of various trees yielding a
          milky juice from which in some cases varnish or lacquer
          is prepared; esp: a Japanese sumac (Rhus verniciflua)

   varsity
          [var.si.ty] n, pl -ties [by shor tening & alter. fr. university]
          (1646) 1 Brit: university 2 a: the principal squad representing
          a university, college, school, or club esp. in a sport
          b: regular 1d

   Varsovian
          [Var.so.vi.an] n [F varsovien, fr. Varsovie Warsaw] (1764):
          a native or resident of Warsaw, Poland

   Varuna
          [Var.u.na] n [Skt Varuna]: a chief Vedic god responsible
          for natural and moral order in the cosmos

   varus
          [var.us] n [NL, fr. L, bent, knock-kneed] (1800): a deformed
          position of a bodily part characterized by bending or
          turning inward toward the midline of the body to an abnormal
          degree <a moderate right metatarsus ~ --Jour. Amer. Med.
          Assoc.> -- varus adj

   varve
          [varve] n [Sw varv turn, layer; akin to ON hvarf ring, OE
          hweorfan to turn--more at wharf] (1912): a pair of layers
          of alternately finer and coarser silt or clay believed
          to comprise an annual cycle of deposition in a body of
          still water -- varved adj

   vary
          [vary] vb var.ied ; vary.ing [ME varien, fr. MF or L; MF
          varier, fr. L variare, fr. varius various] vt (14c) 1
          a: to make a partial change in: make different in some
          attribute or characteristic b: to make differences between
          items in: diversify 2: to present under new aspects <~
          the rhythm and harmonic treatment> ~ vi 1: to exhibit
          or undergo change <the sky was constantly ~ing> 2: deviate,
          depart 3: to take on successive values <y varies inversely
          with x> 4: to exhibit divergence in structural or physiological
          characters from the typical form syn see change -- vary.ing.ly
          adv

   varying hare
          [varying hare] n (1781): snowshoe hare

   vas
          [vas] n, pl va.sa [NL, fr. L, vessel] (1651): an anatomical
          vessel: duct -- va.sal adj

   vas-
          [vas-] or vaso- comb form [NL, fr. L vas] 1: vessel: as a:
          blood vessel <vasomotor> b: vas deferens <vasectomy>
          2: vascular and <vasovagal> 3: vasomotor <vasoactive>

   vasa efferentia
          [va.sa ef.fer.en.tia] n pl [NL, lit., efferent vessels] (ca.
          1860): the 12 to 20 ductules that lead from the rete
          of the testis to the vas deferens and except near their
          commencement are greatly convoluted and form the compact
          head of the epididymis

   vascular
          [vas.cu.lar] adj [NL vascularis, fr. L vasculum small vessel,
          dim. of vas] (1672) 1: of or relating to a channel for
          the conveyance of a body fluid (as blood of an animal
          or sap of a plant) or to a system of such channels; also:
          supplied with or made up of such channels and esp. blood
          vessels <a ~ tumor> <a ~ system> 2: marked by vigor and
          ardor: spirited, passionate -- vas.cu.lar.i.ty n

   vascular bundle
          [vascular bundle] n (ca. 1884): a strand of specialized vascular
          tissue of higher plants consisting mostly of xylem and
          phloem

   vascular cylinder
          [vascular cylinder] n (ca. 1889): stele

   vascularization
          [vas.cu.lar.i.za.tion] n (1818): the process of becoming
          vascular; also: abnormal or excessive formation of blood
          vessels (as in the retina or on the cornea)

   vascular plant
          [vascular plant] n (1861): a plant having a specialized conducting
          system that includes xylem and phloem: tracheophyte

   vascular ray
          [vascular ray] n (1672): a band of usu. parenchymatous cells
          partly in the xylem and partly in the phloem of a plant
          root or stem that conducts fluids radially and appears
          in a cross section like a spoke of a wheel

   vascular tissue
          [vascular tissue] n (1815): plant tissue concerned mainly
          with conduction; esp: the specialized tissue of higher
          plants consisting essentially of phloem and xylem

   vasculature
          [vas.cu.la.ture] n [L vasculum vessel + E -ature (as
          in musculature)] (ca. 1927): the arrangement of blood vessels
          in an organ or part

   vasculitis
          [vas.cu.li.tis] n, pl -lit.i.des [NL, fr. L vasculum vessel]
          (ca. 1900): inflammation of a blood or lymph vessel

   vasculum
          [vas.cu.lum] n, pl -la [NL, fr. L, small vessel] (1782):
          a usu. metal and commonly cylindrical or flattened covered
          box used in collecting plants

   vas deferens
          [vas def.er.ens] n, pl va.sa def.er.en.tia [NL, lit., deferent
          vessel] (1578): a spermatic duct esp. of a higher vertebrate
          that in the human male is a thick-walled tube about two
          feet (0.61 meters) long that begins at and is continuous
          with the tail of the epididymis and eventually joins
          the duct of the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory
          duct

   vase
          [vase] n [F, fr. L vas vessel] (1563): a usu. round vessel
          of greater depth than width used chiefly as an ornament
          or for holding flowers -- vase.like adj

   vasectomize
          [va.sec.to.mize] vt -mized ; -miz.ing (1900): to perform
          a vasectomy on

   vasectomy
          [va.sec.to.my] n, pl -mies [ISV] (1899): surgical division
          or resection of all or part of the vas deferens usu.
          to induce sterility

   Vaseline
          [Vas.e.line] trademark--used for petroleum jelly

   vasoactive
          [va.so.ac.tive] adj (ca. 1921): affecting the blood vessels
          esp. in respect to the degree of their relaxation or
          contraction -- va.so.ac.tiv.i.ty n

   vasoconstriction
          [va.so.con.stric.tion] n [ISV] (1899): narrowing of the lumen
          of blood vessels esp. as a result of vasomotor action

   vasoconstrictive
          [va.so.con.stric.tive] adj (1890): inducing vasoconstriction

   vasoconstrictor
          [va.so.con.stric.tor] n (1877): an agent (as a sympathetic
          nerve fiber or a drug) that induces or initiates vasoconstriction

   vasodilation
          [va.so.di.la.tion] or va.so.di.la.ta.tion n [ISV] (1896):
          widening of the lumen of blood vessels

   vasodilator
          [va.so.di.la.tor] n (1881): an agent (as a parasympathetic
          nerve fiber or a drug) that induces or initiates vasodilation

   vasomotor
          [va.so.mo.tor] adj [ISV] (1865): of, relating to, or being
          nerves or centers controlling the size of blood vessels

   vasopressin
          [va.so.pres.sin] n [fr. Vasopressin, a trademark] (1927):
          a polypeptide hormone secreted by the posterior lobe
          of the pituitary gland that increases blood pressure
          and decreases urine flow--called also antidiuretic hormone

   vasopressor
          [va.so.pres.sor] adj (1928): causing a rise in blood pressure
          by exerting a vasoconstrictor effect -- vasopressor n

   vasospasm
          [va.so.spasm] n [ISV] (ca. 1909): sharp and often persistent
          contraction of a blood vessel reducing its caliber and
          blood flow -- va.so.spas.tic adj

   vasotocin
          [va.so.to.cin] n [vaso- + oxytocin] (ca. 1963): a polypeptide
          pituitary hormone of most vertebrates below mammals that
          is prob. the phylogenetic precursor of oxytocin and vasopressin

   vasovagal
          [va.so.va.gal] adj (ca. 1923): of, relating to, or involving
          both vascular and vagal factors

   vassal
          [vas.sal] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML vassallus, fr. vassus servant,
          vassal, of Celt origin; akin to W gwas young man, servant]
          (14c) 1: a person under the protection of a feudal lord
          to whom he has vowed homage and fealty: a feudal tenant
          2: one in a subservient or subordinate position -- vassal
          adj

   vassalage
          [vas.sal.age] n (1594) 1: the state of being a vassal 2:
          the homage, fealty, or services due from a vassal 3:
          a position of subordination or submission (as to a political
          power)

   [1]vast
          [vast] adj [L vastus; akin to OHG wuosti empty, desolate,
          OIr fas] (1575): very great in size, amount, degree,
          intensity, or esp. in extent or range syn see enormous
          -- vast.ly adv -- vast.ness n [2]vast n (1604): a boundless
          space <the ~ of heaven --John Milton>

   vastitude
          [vas.ti.tude] n [L vastitudo, fr. vastus] (1623): immensity,
          vastness

   vasty
          [vasty] adj (1596): vast <call spirits from the ~ deep --Shak.>

   [1]vat
          [vat] n [ME fat, vat, fr. OE faet; akin to OHG vaz vessel,
          Lith puodas pot] (13c) 1: a large vessel (as a cistern,
          tub, or barrel) esp. for holding liquors in an immature
          state or preparations for dyeing or tanning 2: a liquor
          containing a dye converted into a soluble reduced colorless
          or weakly colored form that on textile material steeped
          in the liquor and exposed to the air is converted by
          oxidation to the original insoluble dye and precipitated
          in the fiber [2]vat vt vat.ted ; vat.ting (1784): to
          put into or treat in a vat

   VAT
          [VAT] abbreviation value-added tax

   vat dye
          [vat dye] n (ca. 1903): a water-insoluble generally fast
          dye used in the form of a vat liquor--called also vat
          color

   vat-dyed
          [vat-dyed] adj (ca. 1947): dyed with one or more vat dyes

   vatic
          [vat.ic] adj [L vates seer, prophet; akin to OE woth poetry,
          OHG wuot madness, OIr faith seer, poet] (1603): prophetic,
          oracular

   Vatican
          [Vat.i.can] n [L Vaticanus Vatican Hill (in Rome)] (1555)
          1: the papal headquarters in Rome 2: the papal government
          -- Vatican adj

   vaticinal
          [va.tic.i.nal] adj [L vaticinus, fr. vaticinari to foretell,
          prophesy] (1586): prophetic

   vaticinate
          [va.tic.i.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L vaticinatus, pp.
          of vaticinari, fr. vates + -cinari (akin to L canere
          to sing)--more at chant] (ca. 1623): prophesy, predict
          -- va.tic.i.na.tor n

   vaticination
          [va.tic.i.na.tion] n (1603) 1: prediction 2: the act of prophesying

   vatu
          [va.tu] n, pl vatu [prob. alter. of Vanuatu] (1981): the
          basic monetary unit of Vanatu

   vaudeville
          [vaude.ville] n [F, fr. MF, popular satirical song, alter.
          of vaudevire, fr. vau-de-Vire valley of Vire, town in
          northwest France where such songs were composed] (1739)
          1: a light often comic theatrical piece frequently combining
          pantomime, dialogue, dancing, and song 2: stage entertainment
          consisting of various acts (as performing animals, acrobats,
          comedians, dancers, or singers) -- vaude.vil.lian n or
          adj

   Vaudois
          [Vau.dois] n pl [MF, fr. ML Valdenses] (1560): waldenses

   [1]vault
          [vault] n [ME voute, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL volvita turn,
          vault, fr. fem. of volvitus, alter. of L volutus, pp.
          of volvere to roll--more at voluble] (14c) 1 a: an arched
          structure of masonry usu. forming a ceiling or roof b:
          something (as the sky) resembling a vault c: an arched
          or dome-shaped anatomical structure 2 a: a space covered
          by an arched structure; esp: an underground passage or
          room b: an underground storage compartment c: a room
          or compartment for the safekeeping of valuables 3 a:
          a burial chamber b: a prefabricated container usu. of
          metal or concrete into which a casket is placed at burial
          -- vaulty adj [2]vault vt (14c): to form or cover with
          or as if with a vault: arch [3]vault vb [MF volter, fr.
          OIt voltare, fr. (assumed) VL volvitare to turn, leap,
          freq. of L volvere] vi (1538) 1: to bound vigorously;
          esp: to execute a leap using the hands or a pole 2: to
          do or achieve something as if by a leap ~ vt: to leap
          over; esp: to leap over by or as if by aid of the hands
          or a pole [4]vault n (1576): an act of vaulting: leap

   vaulted
          [vault.ed] adj (1533) 1: built in the form of a vault: arched
          2: covered with a vault

   vaulter
          [vault.er] n (ca. 1552): one that vaults; esp: an athlete
          who competes in the pole vault

   [1]vaulting
          [vault.ing] n (1512): vaulted construction [2]vaulting adj
          (1593) 1: reaching or stretching for the heights <~ ambition>
          <a ~ imagination> 2: designed for use in vaulting or
          in gymnastic exercises <a ~ block> -- vault.ing.ly adv

   vaulting horse
          [vaulting horse] n (ca. 1875) 1: a gymnastics apparatus used
          in vaulting that consists of a padded rectangular or
          cylindrical form supported in a horizontal position above
          the floor 2: an event in which vaults are made over a
          vaulting horse

   [1]vaunt
          [vaunt] vb [ME, fr. MF vanter, fr. LL vanitare, freq. of
          (assumed) L vanare, fr. L vanus vain] vi (15c): to make
          a vain display of one's own worth or attainments: brag
          ~ vt: to call attention to pridefully and often boastfully
          <people who ~ their ingenuity> syn see boast -- vaunt.er
          n -- vaunt.ing.ly adv [2]vaunt n (15c) 1: a vainglorious
          display of what one is or has or has done 2: a bragging
          assertive statement

   vaunt-courier
          [vaunt-cou.ri.er] n [MF avant-courrier, lit., advance courier]
          (1560) archaic: forerunner

   vaunted
          [vaunt.ed] adj (1579): highly or widely praised or boasted
          about <his own much ~ ferocity --Calvin Tomkins>

   vauntful
          [vaunt.ful] adj (1590): vainglorious, boastful

   vaunty
          [vaunty] adj (1724) Scot: proud, boastful, vain

   vav
          [vav] var of waw

   vavasor
          [vav.a.sor] or vav.a.sour n [ME vavasour, fr. MF vavassor,
          prob. fr. ML vassus vassorum vassal of vassals] (14c):
          a feudal tenant ranking directly below a baron

   vaward
          [va.ward] n [ME vauntwarde, vaward, fr. ONF avantwarde, fr.
          avant before (fr. LL abante) + warde guard, fr. warder
          to guard--more at advance, reward] (1597) archaic: the
          foremost part: forefront <the ~ of our youth --Shak.>

   vb...
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   vb
          [vb] abbreviation verb, verbal

   vc...
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   VC
          [VC] abbreviation veterinary corps, vice-chancellor, vice-consul,
          Victoria Cross, Vietcong

   VCR
          [VCR] n [videocassette recorder] (1971): a videotape recorder
          that uses videocassettes

   vd...
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   VD
          [VD] abbreviation vapor density, various dates, venereal
          disease

   VDRL
          [VDRL] abbreviation venereal disease research laboratory

   VDT
          [VDT] abbreviation video display terminal

   VDU
          [VDU] abbreviation visual display unit

   ve...
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   Veadar
          [Ve.adar] n [Heb we-Adhar, lit., and Adar (i.e., the second
          Adar)] (ca. 1864): the intercalary month of the Jewish
          calendar following Adar in leap years--see month table

   [1]veal
          [veal] n [ME veel, fr. MF, fr. L vitellus small calf, dim.
          of vitulus calf--more at wether] (14c) 1: the flesh of
          a young calf 2: calf; esp: vealer [2]veal vt (1847):
          to kill and dress (a calf) for veal

   vealer
          [veal.er] n (ca. 1895): a calf grown for or suitable for
          veal

   vealy
          [vealy] adj (1769) 1: resembling or suggesting veal or a
          calf 2: immature

   [1]vector
          [vec.tor] n [NL, fr. L, carrier, fr. vehere to carry--more
          at way] (1846) 1 a: a quantity that has magnitude and
          direction and that is commonly represented by a directed
          line segment whose length represents the magnitude and
          whose orientation in space represents the direction;
          broadly: an element of a vector space b: a course or
          compass direction esp. of an airplane 2 a: an organism
          (as an insect) that transmits a pathogen b: pollinator
          a 3: a sequence of genetic material (as a transposon
          or the genome of a bacteriophage) used to introduce specific
          genes into the genome of an organism -- vector adj --
          vec.to.ri.al adj -- vec.to.ri.al.ly adv [2]vector vt
          vec.tored ; vec.tor.ing (1941) 1: to guide (as an airplane,
          its pilot, or a missile) in flight by means of a radioed
          vector 2: to change the direction of (the thrust of a
          jet engine) for steering

   vector product
          [vector product] n (1878): a vector c whose length is the
          product of the lengths of two vectors a and b and the
          sine of their included angle, whose direction is perpendicular
          to their plane, and whose direction is that in which
          a right-handed screw with axis c will move along c when
          a is rotated into b--called also cross product

   vector space
          [vector space] n (1937): a set representing a generalization
          of a system of vectors and consisting of elements which
          comprise a commutative group under addition, each of
          which is left unchanged under multiplication by the multiplicative
          identity of a field, and for which multiplication by the
          multiplicative operation of the field is commutative, closed,
          distributive such that both c(A plus B) = cA plus cB and (c plus
          d)A = cA plus dA, and associative such that (cd)A = c(dA) where
          A, B are vectors and c, d are elements of the field

   vector sum
          [vector sum] n (ca. 1890): the sum of a number of vectors
          that for the sum of two vectors is geometrically represented
          by the diagonal of a parallelogram whose sides represent
          the two vectors being added

   Veda
          [Ve.da] n [Skt, lit., knowledge; akin to Gk eidenai to know--more
          at wit] (1734): any of four canonical collections of
          hymns, prayers, and liturgical formulas that comprise
          the earliest Hindu sacred writings

   vedalia
          [ve.da.lia] n [NL, genus name] (1889): an Australian ladybug
          (Rodolia cardinalis) introduced to many countries to
          control scale insects

   Vedanta
          [Ve.dan.ta] n [Skt Vedanta, lit., end of the Veda, fr. Veda
          + anta end; akin to OE ende end] (1788): an orthodox
          system of Hindu philosophy developing esp. in a qualified
          monism the speculations of the Upanishads on ultimate
          reality and the liberation of the soul -- Ve.dan.tism
          n -- Ve.dan.tist n

   Vedantic
          [Ve.dan.tic] adj (1882) 1: of or relating to the Vedanta
          philosophy 2: vedic

   Vedda
          [Ved.da] or Ved.dah n [Sinhalese vedda hunter] (1681): a
          member of an aboriginal people of Sri Lanka

   Veddoid
          [Ved.doid] n (1928): a member of an ancient race of southern
          Asia characterized by wavy to curly hair, chocolate-brown
          skin color, and slender body build -- Veddoid adj

   vedette
          [ve.dette] n [F, fr. It vedetta, alter. of veletta, prob.
          fr. Sp vela watch, fr. velar to keep watch, fr. L vigilare
          to wake, watch, fr. vigil awake--more at vigil] (ca.
          1702): a mounted sentinel stationed in advance of pickets

   Vedic
          [Ve.dic] adj (1848): of or relating to the Vedas, the language
          in which they are written, or Hindu history and culture
          between 1500 b.c. and 500 b.c.

   vedi Napoli e poi mori
          [ve.di Na.po.li e poi mo.ri] [It] foreign term : see Naples
          and then die

   vee
          [vee] n (ca. 1883) 1: something shaped like the letter V
          2: the letter v

   veejay
          [vee.jay] n [video jockey] (1981): an announcer of a program
          (as on television) that features music videos

   veena
          [vee.na] var of vina

   veep
          [veep] n [fr. v. p. (abbr. for vice president)] (1949): vice
          president

   [1]veer
          [veer] vt [ME veren, of LG or D origin; akin to MD vieren
          to slacken, MLG viren] (15c): to let out (as a rope)
          [2]veer vb [MF virer, fr. OF, to throw with a twisting
          motion, perh. modif. of L vibrare to wave, propel suddenly--more
          at vibrate] vi (1582) 1 of the wind: to shift in a clockwise
          direction--compare back 2: to change direction or course
          3: to wear ship ~ vt: to direct to a different course;
          specif: wear 7 syn see swerve -- veer.ing.ly adv [3]veer
          n (1611): a change in course or direction <a ~ to the
          right>

   veery
          [vee.ry] n, pl veeries [prob. imit.] (1838): a thrush (Catharus
          fuscescens) common in the eastern U.S.

   veg
          [veg] abbreviation vegetable

   veg
          [veg] n, pl veg (1918) chiefly Brit: vegetable

   Vega
          [Ve.ga] n [NL, fr. Ar (al-Nasr) al-Waqi', lit., the falling
          (vulture)]: a star of the first magnitude that is the
          brightest in the constellation Lyra

   vegan
          [veg.an] n [by contr. fr. vegetarian] (1944): a strict vegetarian
          who consumes no animal food or dairy products; also:
          one who abstains from using animal products (as leather)
          -- veg.an.ism n

   [1]vegetable
          [veg.e.ta.ble] adj [ME, fr. ML vegetabilis vegetative, fr.
          vegetare to grow, fr. L, to animate, fr. vegetus lively,
          fr. vegere to enliven--more at wake] (15c) 1 a: of, relating
          to, constituting, or growing like plants b: consisting
          of plants: vegetational 2: made or obtained from plants
          or plant products 3: resembling or suggesting a plant
          (as in inertness or passivity) [2]vegetable n (1582)
          1: plant 1b 2: a usu. herbaceous plant (as the cabbage,
          bean, or potato) grown for an edible part that is usu.
          eaten as part of a meal; also: such edible part 3: a
          human being whose mental and physical functioning is
          severely impaired (as from accident or disease)

   vegetable ivory
          [vegetable ivory] n (1842) 1: the hard white opaque endosperm
          of the ivory nut that takes a high polish and is used
          as a substitute for ivory 2: ivory nut

   vegetable marrow
          [vegetable marrow] n (1816): any of various smooth-skinned
          elongated summer squashes with creamy white to deep green
          skins

   vegetable oil
          [vegetable oil] n (1797): an oil of plant origin; esp: a
          fatty oil from seeds or fruits

   vegetable oyster
          [vegetable oyster] n (ca. 1818): sals ify

   vegetable pear
          [vegetable pear] n (1887): chayote

   vegetable wax
          [vegetable wax] n (1815): a wax of plant origin secreted
          commonly in thin flakes by the walls of epidermal cells

   vegetably
          [veg.e.ta.bly] adv (1651): in the manner of or like a vegetable

   vegetal
          [veg.e.tal] adj [ML vegetare to grow] (15c) 1: vegetable
          2: vegetative 3: of or relating to the vegetal pole of
          an egg or to that part of an egg from which the endoderm
          normally develops <~ blastomeres>

   vegetal pole
          [vegetal pole] n (1896): the point on the surface of an egg
          that is diametrically opposite to the animal pole and
          usu. marks the center of the protoplasm containing more
          yolk, dividing more slowly and into larger blastomeres
          than that about the animal pole, and giving rise to the
          hypoblast of the embryo

   [1]vegetarian
          [veg.e.tar.i.an] n [[2]vegetable + -arian] (1839) 1: one
          who believes in or practices vegetarianism 2: herbivore
          [2]vegetarian adj (1849) 1: of or relating to vegetarians
          2: consisting wholly of vegetables, fruits, and sometimes
          eggs or dairy products <a ~ diet>

   vegetarianism
          [veg.e.tar.i.an.ism] n (ca. 1851): the theory or practice
          of living on a diet made up of vegetables, fruits, grains,
          nuts, and sometimes eggs or dairy products

   vegetate
          [veg.e.tate] vb -tat.ed ; -tat.ing [ML vegetatus, pp. of
          vegetare to grow] vi (1605) 1 a: to grow in the manner
          of a plant; also: to grow exuberantly or with proliferation
          of fleshy or warty outgrowths b: to produce vegetation
          2: to lead a passive existence without exertion of body
          or mind ~ vt: to establish vegetation in or on

   vegetation
          [veg.e.ta.tion] n (1564) 1: the act or process of vegetating
          2: inert existence 3: plant life or total plant cover
          (as of an area) 4: an abnormal growth upon a body part
          -- veg.e.ta.tion.al adj

   vegetative
          [veg.e.ta.tive] adj (14c) 1 a (1): growing or having the
          power of growing (2): of, relating to, or engaged in
          nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive
          functions <a ~ nucleus> b: promoting plant growth <the
          ~ properties of soil> c: of, relating to, or involving
          propagation by nonsexual processes or methods 2: relating
          to, composed of, or suggesting vegetation <~ cover> 3:
          of or relating to the division of nature comprising the
          plant kingdom 4: affecting, arising from, or relating
          to involuntary bodily functions 5: vegetable 3 -- veg.e.ta.tive.ly
          adv -- veg.e.ta.tive.ness n

   vegete
          [ve.gete] adj [L vegetus--more at vegetable] (1639) archaic:
          lively, healthy

   veggie
          [veg.gie] also veg.ie n [by shortening & alter.] (1955) 1:
          vegetable 2 slang: vegetarian

   veg out
          [veg out] vi vegged out ; veg.ging out [short for vegetate]
          (1980): to spend time idly or passively

   vehemence
          [ve.he.mence] n (15c): the quality or state of being vehement:
          intensity

   vehement
          [ve.he.ment] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L vehement-, vehemens,
          vement-, vemens] (15c): marked by forceful energy: powerful
          <a ~ wind>: as a: intensely emotional: impassioned, fervid
          <~ patriotism> b (1): deeply felt <a ~ suspicion> (2):
          forcibly expressed <~ denunciations> c: bitterly antagonistic
          <a ~ debate> -- ve.he.ment.ly adv

   vehicle
          [ve.hi.cle] n [F vehicule, fr. L vehiculum carriage, conveyance,
          fr. vehere to carry--more at way] (1612) 1 a: an inert
          medium (as a syrup) in which a medicinally active agent
          is administered b: any of various media acting usu. as
          solvents, carriers, or binders for active ingredients
          or pigments 2: an agent of transmission: carrier 3: a
          medium through which something is expressed, achieved,
          or displayed 4: a means of carrying or transporting something:
          conveyance: as a: motor vehicle b: a piece of mechanized
          equipment

   vehicular
          [ve.hic.u.lar] adj (1616) 1 a: of, relating to, or designed
          for vehicles and esp. motor vehicles b: transported by
          vehicle c: caused by or resulting from the operation
          of a vehicle <~ homicide> 2: serving as a vehicle

   [1]veil
          [veil] n [ME veile, fr. ONF, fr. L vela, pl. of velum sail,
          awning, curtain] (13c) 1 a: a length of cloth worn by
          women as a covering for the head and shoulders and often
          esp. in Eastern countries for the face; specif: the outer
          covering of a nun's headdress b: a length of veiling
          or netting worn over the head or face or attached for
          protection or ornament to a hat or headdress c: any of
          various liturgical cloths; esp: a cloth used to cover
          the chalice 2: the cloistered life of a nun 3: a concealing
          curtain or cover of cloth 4: something that hides or
          obscures like a veil 5: a covering body part or membrane:
          as a: velum b: caul [2]veil vt (14c): to cover, provide,
          obscure, or conceal with or as if with a veil ~ vi: to
          put on or wear a veil

   veiled
          [veiled] adj (1593) 1 a: having or wearing a veil or a concealing
          cover <a ~ hat> b: characterized by a softening tonal
          distortion 2: obscured as if by a veil: disguised <~
          threats>

   veiling
          [veil.ing] n (14c) 1: veil 2: any of various light sheer
          fabrics

   [1]vein
          [vein] n [ME veine, fr. OF, fr. L vena] (14c) 1 a: a narrow
          water channel in rock or earth or in ice b (1): lode
          2, 3 (2): a bed of useful mineral matter 2: blood vessel;
          esp: any of the tubular branching vessels that carry
          blood from the capillaries toward the heart 3 a: any
          of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leaf
          b: any of the thickened cuticular ribs that serve to
          stiffen the wings of an insect 4: something suggesting
          veins (as in reticulation); specif: a wavy variegation
          (as in marble) 5 a: a distinctive mode of expression:
          style b: a pervasive element or quality: strain c: a
          line of thought or action 6 a: a special aptitude: talent
          b: a usu. transitory and casually attained mood c: top
          form: fettle -- vein.al adj [2]vein vt (1502): to pattern
          with or as if with veins

   veined
          [veined] adj (ca. 1529): patterned with or as if with veins:
          having venation: streaked <a ~ leaf> <~ marble> <~ cheese>

   veiner
          [vein.er] n (1895): a small V gouge used in wood carving

   veining
          [vein.ing] n (1826): a pattern of veins: venation

   veinlet
          [vein.let] n (1831): a small vein

   veiny
          [veiny] adj (1611): full of veins: noticeably veined

   vel
          [vel] abbreviation vellum, velocity

   velamen
          [ve.la.men] n, pl ve.lam.i.na [NL, fr. L, covering, fr. velare
          to cover, fr. velum curtain] (1882): the thick corky
          epidermis of aerial roots of an epiphytic orchid that
          absorbs water from the atmosphere

   velar
          [ve.lar] adj [NL velaris, fr. velum] (1876) 1: formed with
          the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate
          2: of, forming, or relating to a velum and esp. the soft
          palate -- velar n

   velarium
          [ve.lar.i.um] n, pl -ia [L, fr. velum curtain] (1834): an
          awning over an ancient Roman theater or amphitheater

   velarization
          [ve.lar.i.za.tion] n (1915) 1: the quality or state of being
          velarized 2: an act or instance of velarizing

   velarize
          [ve.lar.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1915): to modify a sound
          by a simultaneous velar articulation

   Velcro
          [Vel.cro] trademark--used for a closure consisting of a piece
          of fabric of small hooks that sticks to a corresponding
          fabric of small loops

   veld
          [veld] or veldt n [Afrik veld, fr. D, field; akin to OE feld
          field] (1835): a grassland esp. of southern Africa usu.
          with scattered shrubs or trees

   veliger
          [ve.li.ger] n [NL, fr. velum + -ger bearing, fr. gerere to
          bear] (1877): a larval mollusk in the stage when it has
          developed the velum

   velleity
          [vel.le.i.ty] n, pl -ties [NL velleitas, fr. L velle to wish,
          will--more at will] (1618) 1: the lowest degree of volition
          2: a slight wish or tendency: inclination

   [1]vellum
          [vel.lum] n [ME velim, fr. MF veelin, fr. veelin, adj., of
          a calf, fr. veel calf--more at veal] (15c) 1: a fine-grained
          unsplit lambskin, kidskin, or calfskin prepared esp.
          for writing on or for binding books 2: a strong cream-colored
          paper [2]vellum adj (1565) 1: of, resembling, or bound
          in vellum 2: slightly rough <paper with a ~ finish>

   veloce
          [ve.lo.ce] adv or adj [It, fr. L veloc-, velox] (ca. 1823):
          in a rapid manner--used as a direction in music

   velocimeter
          [ve.lo.cim.e.ter] n [velocity + -meter] (1842): a device
          for measuring speed (as of fluid flow or sound)

   velocipede
          [ve.loc.i.pede] n [F velocipede, fr. L veloc-, velox + ped-,
          pes foot--more at foot] (1818): a lightweight wheeled
          vehicle propelled by the rider: as a archaic: bicycle
          b: tricycle c: a 3-wheeled railroad handcar

   velocity
          [ve.loc.i.ty] n, pl -ties [MF velocite, fr. L velocitat-,
          velocitas, fr. veloc-, velox quick; prob. akin to L vegere
          to enliven--more at wake] (ca. 1550) 1 a: quickness of
          motion: speed <the ~ of sound> b: rapidity of movement
          <[my horse's] strong suit is grace & personal comeliness,
          rather than ~ --Mark Twain> c: speed imparted to something
          <the power pitcher relies on ~ --Tony Scherman> 2: the
          rate of change of position along a straight line with
          respect to time: the derivative of position with respect
          to time 3 a: rate of occurrence or action: rapidity <the
          ~ of historical change --R. J. Lifton> <the narrative
          leaps from one frantic episode to another with impressive
          ~ --James Atlas> b: rate of turnover <the ~ of money>

   velodrome
          [ve.lo.drome] n [F velodrome, fr. velo cycle (short for velocipede)
          + -drome] (1895): a track designed for cycling

   velour
          [ve.lour] or ve.lours n, pl velours [F velours velvet, velour,
          fr. MF velours, velour, fr. OF velous, fr. OProv velos,
          fr. L villosus shaggy, fr. villus shaggy hair--more at
          velvet] (ca. 1706) 1: any of various fabrics with a pile
          or napped surface resembling velvet used in heavy weights
          for upholstery and curtains and in lighter weights for
          clothing; also: the article of clothing itself 2: a fur
          felt (as of rabbit or nutria) finished with a long velvety
          nap and used esp. for hats

   veloute
          [ve.lou.te] n [F, lit., velvetiness, fr. MF vellute, fr.
          OProv velut velvety, fr. (assumed) VL villutus] (1830):
          a white sauce made of chicken, veal, or fish stock and
          cream and thickened with butter and flour

   velum
          [ve.lum] n, pl ve.la [NL, fr. L, curtain] (1753) 1: a membrane
          or membranous part resembling a veil or curtain: as a:
          soft palate b: an annular membrane projecting inward
          from the margin of the umbrella in some jellyfishes (as
          the hydromedusans) 2: a swimming organ that is esp. well
          developed in the later larval stages of many marine gastropods

   velure
          [ve.lure] n [modif. of MF velour] (1587) obs: velvet; also:
          a fabric resembling velvet

   [1]velvet
          [vel.vet] n [ME veluet, velvet, fr. MF velu shaggy, fr. (assumed)
          VL villutus, fr. L villus shaggy hair; akin to L vellus
          fleece--more at wool] (14c) 1: a clothing and upholstery
          fabric (as of silk, rayon, or wool) characterized by
          a short soft dense warp pile 2 a: something suggesting
          velvet b: a characteristic (as softness or smoothness)
          of velvet 3: the soft vascular skin that envelops and
          nourishes the developing antlers of deer 4 a: the winnings
          of a player in a gambling game b: a profit or gain beyond
          ordinary expectation -- vel.vet.like adj [2]velvet adj
          (14c) 1: made of or covered with velvet; also: clad in
          velvet 2: resembling or suggesting velvet: velvety <a
          ~ voice>

   velvet ant
          [velvet ant] n (1748): any of various solitary usu. brightly
          colored and hairy fossorial wasps (family Mutillidae)
          with the female wingless

   velvet bean
          [velvet bean] n (1898): an annual legume (Mucuna deeringiana
          syn. Stizolobium deeringianum) grown esp. in the southern
          U.S. for green manure and grazing; also: its seed often
          used as stock feed

   velveteen
          [vel.ve.teen] n (1776) 1: a clothing fabric usu. of cotton
          in twill or plain weaves made with a short close weft
          pile in imitation of velvet 2 pl: clothes made of velveteen

   velvety
          [vel.vety] adj (1752) 1: soft and smooth like velvet <~ hair>
          2: smooth to the taste: mild <a ~ wine>

   Ven
          [Ven] abbreviation venerable

   ven-
          [ven-] or veni- or veno- comb form [L vena]: vein <venipuncture>
          <venography>

   vena
          [ve.na] n, pl ve.nae [ME, fr. L] (14c): vein

   vena cava
          [ve.na ca.va] n, pl ve.nae ca.vae [NL, lit., hollow vein]
          (1598): any of the large veins by which in air-breathing
          vertebrates the blood is returned to the right atrium
          of the heart -- vena ca.val adj

   venal
          [ve.nal] adj [L venalis, fr. venum (acc.) sale; akin to Gk
          oneisthai to buy, Skt vasna price] (1652) 1: capable
          of being bought or obtained for money or other valuable
          consideration: purchasable; esp: open to corrupt influence
          and esp. bribery: mercenary <a ~ legislator> 2: originating
          in, characterized by, or associated with corrupt bribery
          <a ~ arrangement with the police> -- ve.nal.i.ty n --
          ve.nal.ly adv

   venation
          [ve.na.tion] n [L vena vein] (1646): an arrangement or system
          of veins (as in the tissue of a leaf or the wing of an
          insect)

   vend
          [vend] vb [L vendere to sell, v.t., contr. for venum dare
          to give for sale] vi (1622): to dispose of something
          by sale: sell; also: to engage in selling ~ vt 1 a: to
          sell esp. as a hawker or peddler b: to sell by means
          of vending machines 2: to utter publicly

   Venda
          [Ven.da] n (1908): a Bantu language spoken by a people of
          the northern Transvaal; also: a member of this people

   vendee
          [vend.ee] n (1547): one to whom a thing is sold: buyer

   vendetta
          [ven.det.ta] n [It, lit., revenge, fr. L vindicta--more at
          vindictive] (1855) 1: blood feud 2: an often prolonged
          series of retaliatory, vengeful, or hostile acts or exchange
          of such acts <waged a personal ~ against those who opposed
          his nomination>

   vendeuse
          [ven.deuse] n [F, fem. of vendeur salesman, fr. MF] (1913):
          a saleswoman esp. in the fashion industry

   vendible
          [vend.ible] or vend.able adj (14c): capable of being vended:
          salable -- vend.ibil.i.ty n

   vending machine
          [vending machine] n (ca. 1895): a coin-operated machine for
          selling merchandise

   vendor
          [ven.dor] also vend.er n [MF vendeur, fr. vendre to sell,
          fr. L vendere] (1594) 1: one that vends: seller 2: vending
          machine

   vendue
          [ven.due] n [obs. F, fr. MF, fr. vendre] (1668): a public
          sale at auction

   [1]veneer
          [ve.neer] n [G Furnier, fr. furnieren to veneer, fr. F fournir
          to furnish, equip--more at furnish] (1702) 1: a thin
          sheet of a material: as a: a layer of wood of superior
          value or excellent grain to be glued to an inferior wood
          b: any of the thin layers bonded together to form plywood
          2: a protective or ornamental facing (as of brick or
          stone) 3: a superficial or deceptively attractive appearance,
          display, or effect: facade, gloss [2]veneer vt (1728)
          1: to overlay or plate (as a common wood) with a thin
          layer of finer wood for outer finish or decoration; broadly:
          to face with a material giving a superior surface 2:
          to cover over with a veneer; esp: to conceal (as a defect
          of character) under a superficial and deceptive attractiveness
          -- ve.neer.er n

   veneering
          [ve.neer.ing] n (ca. 1706) 1: a veneered surface 2: material
          used as veneer

   venerable
          [ven.er.a.ble] adj (15c) 1: deserving to be venerated--used
          as a title for an Anglican archdeacon or for a Roman
          Catholic who has been accorded the lowest of three degrees
          of recognition for sanctity 2: made sacred esp. by religious
          or historical association 3 a: calling forth respect
          through age, character, and attainments; broadly: conveying
          an impression of aged goodness and benevolence b: impressive
          by reason of age <under ~ pines> syn see old -- ven.er.a.bil.i.ty
          n -- ven.er.a.ble.ness n -- ven.er.a.bly adv

   venerate
          [ven.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L veneratus, pp. of venerari,
          fr. vener-, venus love, charm--more at win] (ca. 1623)
          1: to regard with reverential respect or with admiring
          deference 2: to honor (as an icon or a relic) with a
          ritual act of devotion syn see revere -- ven.er.a.tor
          n

   veneration
          [ven.er.a.tion] n (15c) 1: respect or awe inspired by the
          dignity, wisdom, dedication, or talent of a person 2:
          the act of venerating 3: the condition of one that is
          venerated

   venereal
          [ve.ne.re.al] adj [ME venerealle, fr. L venereus, fr. vener-,
          venus love, sexual desire] (15c) 1: of or relating to
          sexual pleasure or indulgence 2 a: resulting from or
          contracted during sexual intercourse <~ infections> b:
          of, relating to, or affected with venereal disease <a
          high ~ rate> c: involving the genital organs <~ sarcoma>

   venereal disease
          [venereal disease] n (1658): a contagious disease (as gonorrhea
          or syphilis) that is typically acquired in sexual
          intercourse--compare std

   [1]venery
          [ven.ery] n [ME venerie, fr. MF, fr. vener to hunt, fr. L
          venari--more at venison] (14c) 1: the art, act, or practice
          of hunting 2: animals that are hunted: game [2]venery
          n [ME venerie, fr. ML veneria, fr. L vener-, venus sexual
          desire] (15c) 1: the pursuit of or indulgence in sexual
          pleasure 2: sexual intercourse

   venesection
          [ve.ne.sec.tion] n [NL venae section-, venae sectio, lit.,
          cutting of a vein] (1661): the operation of opening a
          vein for letting blood: phlebotomy

   Veneti
          [Ven.e.ti] n pl [L Veneti] (1881) 1: an ancient people in
          Gaul conquered by Caesar in 56 b.c. 2: an ancient people
          in northeastern Italy allied politically to the Romans

   venetian blind
          [ve.ne.tian blind] n [Venetian of Venice, Italy] (1770):
          a blind (as for a window) having numerous horizontal
          slats that may be set simultaneously at any of several
          angles so as to vary the amount of light admitted

   venetian glass
          [venetian glass] n, often cap V (ca. 1845): often colored
          glassware made at Murano near Venice of a soda-lime metal
          and typically elaborately decorated (as with gilt, enamel,
          or engraving)

   Venetian red
          [Venetian red] n (ca. 1753): an earthy hematite used as a
          pigment; also: a synthetic iron oxide pigment

   Venetic
          [Ve.net.ic] n [L veneticus of the Veneti, fr. Veneti] (1902):
          the language of the ancient Veneti of Italy -- Venetic
          adj

   venge
          [venge] vt venged ; veng.ing [ME, fr. MF vengier, fr. OF]
          (14c) archaic: avenge

   vengeance
          [ven.geance] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. vengier to avenge, fr. L
          vindicare to lay claim to, avenge--more at vindicate]
          (14c): punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury
          or offense: retribution -- with a vengeance 1: with great
          force or vehemence 2: to an extreme or excessive degree

   vengeful
          [venge.ful] adj [obs. E venge revenge] (1586): revengeful:
          as a: seeking to avenge b: serving to gain vengeance
          -- venge.ful.ly adv -- venge.ful.ness n

   veni-
          [veni-] or veno- --see ven-

   venial
          [ve.nial] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL venialis, fr. L venia favor,
          indulgence, pardon; akin to L venus love, charm--more
          at win] (14c): of a kind that can be remitted: forgivable,
          pardonable; also: meriting no particular censure or notice:
          excusable <~ faults> -- ve.nial.ly adv -- ve.nial.ness
          n

   venial sin
          [venial sin] n (14c): a sin that is relatively slight or
          that is committed without full reflection or consent
          and so according to Thomist theology does not deprive
          the soul of sanctifying grace--compare mortal sin

   venipuncture
          [ve.ni.punc.ture] n (ca. 1903): surgical puncture of a vein
          esp. for the withdrawal of blood or for intravenous medication

   venire
          [ve.ni.re] n [venire facias] (1665): an entire panel from
          which a jury is drawn

   venire facias
          [ve.ni.re fa.ci.as] n [ME, fr. ML, you should cause to come]
          (15c): a judicial writ directing the sheriff to summon
          a specified number of qualified persons to serve as jurors

   venireman
          [ve.ni.re.man] n (1776): a member of a venire

   venison
          [ven.i.son] n, pl venisons also venison [ME, fr. OF veneison
          hunting, game, fr. L venation-, venatio, fr. venari to
          hunt, pursue; akin to Skt vanoti he strives for--more
          at win] (14c): the edible flesh of a game animal and
          esp. a deer

   Venite
          [Ve.ni.te] n [ME, fr. L, O come, fr. venire to come; fr.
          the opening word of Ps 95:1--more at come] (13c): a liturgical
          chant composed of parts of Psalms 95 and 96

   veni, vidi, vici
          [ve.ni, vi.di, vi.ci] [L] foreign term : I came, I saw, I
          conquered

   Venn diagram
          [Venn diagram] n [John Venn d. 1923 Eng. logician] (1918):
          a graph that employs closed curves and esp. circles to
          represent logical relations between and operations on
          sets and the terms of propositions by the inclusion,
          exclusion, or intersection of the circles

   venography
          [ve.nog.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1935): roentgenography of a vein
          after injection of an opaque substance

   [1]venom
          [ven.om] n [ME venim, venom, fr. OF venim, fr. (assumed)
          VL venimen, alter. of L venenum magic charm, drug, poison;
          akin to L venus love, charm--more at win] (13c) 1: poisonous
          matter normally secreted by some animals (as snakes,
          scorpions, or bees) and transmitted to prey or an enemy
          chiefly by biting or stinging; broadly: material that
          is poisonous 2: ill will, malevolence [2]venom vt (14c):
          envenom

   venomous
          [ven.om.ous] adj (14c) 1: full of venom: as a: poisonous,
          envenomed b: noxious, pernicious <expose a ~ dope ring
          --Don Porter> c: spiteful, malevolent <~ criticism> 2:
          having a venom-producing gland and able to inflict a
          poisoned wound <~ snakes> -- ven.om.ous.ly adv -- ven.om.ous.ness
          n

   venous
          [ve.nous] adj [L venosus, fr. vena vein] (1626) 1: of, relating
          to, or full of veins <a ~ rock> <a ~ system> 2 of blood:
          having passed through the capillaries and given up oxygen
          for the tissues and become charged with carbon dioxide
          -- ve.nous.ly adv

   [1]vent
          [vent] vt [ME, prob. fr. MF esventer to expose to the air,
          fr. es- ex- (fr. L ex-) + vent wind, fr. L ventus--more
          at wind] (14c) 1: to provide with a vent 2 a: to serve
          as a vent for <chimneys ~ smoke> b: discharge, expel
          c: to give often vigorous or emotional expression to
          3: to relieve by means of a vent syn see express [2]vent
          n (1508) 1: an opportunity or means of escape, passage,
          or release: outlet <finally gave ~ to his pent-up hostility>
          2: an opening for the escape of a gas or liquid or for
          the relief of pressure: as a: the external opening of
          the rectum or cloaca: anus b: pipe 3c, fumarole c: an
          opening at the breech of a muzzle-loading gun through
          which fire is touched to the powder d chiefly Scot: chimney,
          flue -- vent.less adj [3]vent n [ME vente, alter. of
          fente, fr. MF, slit, fissure, fr. fendre to split, fr.
          L findere--more at bite] (15c): a slit in a garment;
          specif: an opening in the lower part of a seam (as of
          a jacket or skirt) -- vent.less adj

   ventage
          [vent.age] n (1602): a small hole (as a flute stop)

   ventail
          [ven.tail] n [ME, fr. MF ventaille, fr. vent wind] (15c):
          the lower movable front of a medieval helmet

   venter
          [ven.ter] n [AF, fr. L, belly, womb; perh. akin to OHG wanast
          paunch, L vesica bladder, Skt vasti] (1544) 1: a wife
          or mother that is a source of offspring 2: a protuberant
          and often hollow anatomical structure: as a: the undersurface
          of the abdomen of an arthropod b: the swollen basal portion
          of an archegonium in which an egg develops

   ventifact
          [ven.ti.fact] n [L ventus + E artifact] (1911): a stone worn,
          polished, or faceted by windblown sand

   ventilate
          [ven.ti.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [LL ventilatus, pp. of
          ventilare, fr. L, to fan, winnow, fr. ventus wind--more
          at wind] (1527) 1 a: to examine, discuss, or investigate
          freely and openly: expose <ventilating family quarrels
          in public> b: to make public: utter <ventilated their
          objections at length> 2 archaic: to free from chaff by
          winnowing 3 a: to expose to air and esp. to a current
          of fresh air for purifying, curing, or refreshing <~
          stored grain>; also: oxygenate, aerate <~ blood in the
          lungs> b: to subject the lungs to ventilation <artificially
          ~ a patient in respiratory distress> 4 a of a current
          of air: to pass or circulate through so as to freshen
          b: to cause fresh air to circulate through (as a room
          or mine) 5: to provide an opening in (a burning structure)
          to permit escape of smoke and heat

   ventilation
          [ven.ti.la.tion] n (1519) 1: the act or process of ventilating
          2 a: circulation of air <a room with good ~> b: the circulation
          and exchange of gases in the lungs or gills that is basic
          to respiration 3: a system or means of providing fresh
          air

   ventilator
          [ven.ti.la.tor] n (1743): one that ventilates: as a: a contrivance
          for introducing fresh air or expelling foul or stagnant air
          b: respirator 2

   ventilatory
          [ven.ti.la.to.ry] adj (1850): of, relating to, or provided
          with ventilation <~ capacity of the lung>

   ventr-
          [ventr-] or ventro- comb form [L ventr-, venter belly]: ventral
          and <ventrolateral>

   [1]ventral
          [ven.tral] adj [F, fr. L ventralis, fr. ventr-, venter] (1739)
          1 a: of or relating to the belly: abdominal b: being
          or located near or on the anterior or lower surface of
          an animal opposite the back 2: being or located on the
          lower surface of a dorsiventral plant structure -- ven.tral.ly
          adv [2]ventral n (1834): a ventral part (as a scale or
          fin)

   ventral root
          [ventral root] n (ca. 1923): the one of the two roots of
          a spinal nerve that passes ventrally from the spinal
          cord and consists of motor fibers--compare dorsal root

   ventre a terre
          [ven.tre a terre] [F] foreign term : belly to the ground:
          at very great speed

   ventricle
          [ven.tri.cle] n [ME, fr. L ventriculus, fr. dim. of ventr-,
          venter belly] (14c): a cavity of a bodily part or organ:
          as a: a chamber of the heart which receives blood from
          a corresponding atrium and from which blood is forced
          into the arteries--see heart illustration b: any of the
          system of communicating cavities in the brain that are
          continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord--see
          brain illustration

   ventricose
          [ven.tri.cose] adj [NL ventricosus, fr. L ventr-, venter
          + -icosus (as in varicosus varicose)] (1756): markedly
          swollen, distended, or inflated esp. on one side <~ corollas>

   ventricular
          [ven.tric.u.lar] adj (1822): of, relating to, or being a
          ventricle <~ fibrillation> <~ pressure> <~ myocardium>

   ventriculus
          [ven.tric.u.lus] n, pl -li [NL, fr. L, dim. of venter] (1693):
          a digestive cavity: as a: stomach b: gizzard 1a c: the
          digestive part of an insect's stomach

   ventriloquism
          [ven.tril.o.quism] n [LL ventriloquus ventriloquist, fr.
          L ventr-, venter + loqui to speak; fr. the belief that
          the voice is produced from the ventriloquist's stomach]
          (ca. 1797): the production of the voice in such a way
          that the sound seems to come from a source other than
          the vocal organs of the speaker -- ven.tri.lo.qui.al
          adj -- ven.tri.lo.qui.al.ly adv

   ventriloquist
          [ven.tril.o.quist] n (ca. 1656): one who uses or is skilled
          in ventriloquism; esp: one who provides entertainment
          by using ventriloquism to carry on an apparent conversation
          with a hand-manipulated dummy -- ven.tril.o.quis.tic
          adj

   ventriloquize
          [ven.tril.o.quize] vb -quized ; -quiz.ing vi (1844): to use
          ventriloquism ~ vt: to utter in the manner of a ventriloquist

   ventriloquy
          [ven.tril.o.quy] n (1584): ventriloquism

   ventrolateral
          [ven.tro.lat.er.al] adj (1835): ventral and lateral

   ventromedial
          [ven.tro.me.di.al] adj (1908): ventral and medial

   [1]venture
          [ven.ture] vb ven.tured ; ven.tur.ing [ME venteren, by shortening
          & alter. fr. aventuren, fr. aventure adventure] vt (15c)
          1: to expose to hazard: risk, gamble <ventured a buck
          or two on the race> 2: to undertake the risks and dangers
          of: brave <ventured the stormy sea> 3: to offer at the
          risk of rebuff, rejection, or censure <~ an opinion>
          ~ vi: to proceed esp. in the face of danger -- ven.tur.er
          n [2]venture n (15c) 1 obs: destiny, fortune, chance
          2 a: an undertaking involving chance, risk, or danger;
          esp: a speculative business enterprise b: a venturesome
          act 3: something (as money or property) at hazard in
          a speculative venture -- at a venture : at random <a
          certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king
          --1 Kings 22:34 (AV)>

   venture capital
          [venture capital] n (1943): capital (as retained corporate
          earnings or individual savings) invested or available
          for investment in the ownership element of new or fresh
          enterprise--called also risk capital -- venture capitalist
          n

   venturesome
          [ven.ture.some] adj (1661) 1: involving risk: hazardous <a
          ~ journey> 2: inclined to court or incur risk or danger:
          daring <a ~ hunter> syn see adventurous -- ven.ture.some.ly
          adv -- ven.ture.some.ness n

   venturi
          [ven.tu.ri] n [G. B. Venturi d. 1822 Ital. physicist] (1887):
          a short tube with a tapering constriction in the middle
          that causes an increase in the velocity of flow of a
          fluid and a corresponding decrease in fluid pressure
          and that is used esp. in measuring fluid flow or for
          creating a suction (as for driving aircraft instruments
          or drawing fuel into the flow stream of a carburetor)

   venturous
          [ven.tur.ous] adj (1565): venturesome -- ven.tur.ous.ly adv
          -- ven.tur.ous.ness n

   venue
          [ven.ue] n [ME venyw action of coming, fr. MF venue, fr.
          venir to come, fr. L venire--more at come] (1531) 1 a:
          the place or county in which take place the alleged events
          from which a legal action arises b: the place from which
          a jury is drawn and in which trial is held <requested
          a change of ~> c: a statement showing that a case is
          brought to the proper court or authority 2: locale 1

   venule
          [ve.nule] n [L venula, dim. of vena vein] (ca. 1850): a small
          vein; esp: any of the minute veins connecting the capillaries
          with the larger systemic veins

   Venus
          [Ve.nus] n [ME, fr. L Vener-, Venus] 1: the Roman goddess
          of love and beauty--compare aphrodite 2: the planet second
          in order from the sun

   Venusberg
          [Ve.nus.berg] n: a mountain in central Germany containing
          a cavern where in medieval legend Venus held court

   Venushair
          [Ve.nus.hair] n (1548): a delicate maidenhair fern (Adiantum
          capillus-veneris) that grows chiefly on wet calcareous
          rocks

   Venusian
          [Ve.nu.sian] adj (1874): of or relating to the planet Venus

   Venus's-flower-basket
          [Ve.nus's-flow.er-bas.ket] n (1872): any of several glass
          sponges (genus Euplectella) of the western Pacific and
          Indian oceans--called also Venus flower basket

   Venus's-flytrap
          [Ve.nus's-fly.trap] n (1770): an insectivorous plant (Dionaea
          muscipula) of the sundew family of the Carolina coast
          with the leaf apex modified into an insect trap--called
          also Venus flytrap

   ver
          [ver] abbreviation verse

   veracious
          [ve.ra.cious] adj [L verac-, verax--more at very] (1677)
          1: truthful, honest 2: marked by truth: accurate -- ve.ra.cious.ly
          adv -- ve.ra.cious.ness n

   veracity
          [ve.rac.i.ty] n, pl -ties (ca. 1623) 1: devotion to the truth:
          truthfulness 2: power of conveying or perceiving truth
          3: conformity with truth or fact: accuracy 4: something
          true <makes lies sound like veracities>

   veranda
          [ve.ran.da] or ve.ran.dah n [Hindi varanda] (1711): a usu.
          roofed open gallery or portico attached to the exterior
          of a building

   verandaed
          [ve.ran.daed] also ve.ran.dahed adj (1818): having a veranda

   verapamil
          [ve.rap.a.mil] n [ISV valeric (acid) + -apam- (prob. alter.
          of amino + propyl) + nitrile] (1967): a calcium channel
          blocker used esp. in the form of its hydrochloride

   veratridine
          [ve.rat.ri.dine] n [veratrine + -idine] (1907): a poisonous
          alkaloid occurring esp. in sabadilla seed

   veratrine
          [ve.ra.trine] n [NL veratrina, fr. Veratrum, genus of herbs]
          (1822): a poisonous irritant mixture of alkaloids from
          sabadilla seed that has been used as a counterirritant
          and insecticide

   veratrum
          [ve.ra.trum] n [NL, genus name, fr. L, hellebore] (1577):
          hellebore 2

   verb
          [verb] n [ME verbe, fr. MF, fr. L verbum word, verb--more
          at word] (14c): a word that characteristically is the
          grammatical center of a predicate and expresses an act,
          occurrence, or mode of being, that in various languages
          is inflected for agreement with the subject, for tense,
          for voice, for mood, or for aspect, and that typically
          has rather full descriptive meaning and characterizing
          quality but is sometimes nearly devoid of these esp.
          when used as an auxiliary or linking verb -- verb.less
          adj

   [1]verbal
          [ver.bal] adj [MF or LL; MF, fr. LL verbalis, fr. L verbum
          word] (15c) 1 a: of, relating to, or consisting of words
          <~ instructions> b: of, relating to, or involving words
          rather than meaning or substance <a consistency that
          is merely ~ and scholastic --B. N. Cardozo> c: consisting
          of or using words only and not involving action <a ~
          protest> 2: of, relating to, or formed from a verb <a
          ~ adjective> 3: spoken rather than written <a ~ contract>
          4: verbatim, word-for-word <a ~ translation> 5: of or
          relating to facility in the use and comprehension of
          words <~ aptitude> -- ver.bal.ly adv [2]verbal n (1530):
          a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those
          of a noun or adjective--compare gerund, infinitive, participle

   verbal auxiliary
          [verbal auxiliary] n (ca. 1958): an auxiliary verb

   verbalism
          [ver.bal.ism] n (1787) 1 a: a verbal expression: term b:
          phrasing, wording 2: words used as if they were more
          important than the realities they represent <the emancipation
          of science from ~ --G. A. L. Sarton> 3 a: a wordy expression
          of little meaning b: verbosity

   verbalist
          [ver.bal.ist] n (ca. 1609) 1: one who stresses words above
          substance or reality 2: a person who uses words skillfully
          -- ver.bal.is.tic adj

   verbalize
          [ver.bal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vi (1609) 1: to speak or
          write verbosely 2: to express something in words ~ vt
          1: to convert into a verb 2: to name or describe in words
          -- ver.bal.i.za.tion n -- ver.bal.iz.er n

   verbal noun
          [verbal noun] n (ca. 1706): a noun derived directly from
          a verb or verb stem and in some uses having the sense
          and constructions of a verb

   [1]verbatim
          [ver.ba.tim] adv [ME, fr. ML, fr. L verbum word] (15c): in
          the exact words: word for word [2]verbatim adj (1737):
          being in or following the exact words: word-for-word

   verbatim ac litteratim
          [ver.ba.tim ac lit.te.ra.tim] [L] foreign term : word for
          word and letter for letter

   verbena
          [ver.be.na] n [NL, genus of herbs or subshrubs, fr. L, leafy
          branch used ceremonially or medicinally--more at vervain]
          (1562): vervain; esp: any of numerous garden plants of
          hybrid origin widely grown for their showy spikes of
          white, pink, red, or blue flowers which are borne in
          profusion over a long season

   verbiage
          [ver.biage] n [F, fr. MF verbier to chatter, fr. verbe speech,
          fr. L verbum word] (ca. 1721) 1: a profusion of words
          usu. of little or obscure content <such a tangled maze
          of evasive ~ as a typical party platform --Marcia Davenport>
          2: manner of expressing oneself in words: diction <sportswriters
          guarded their ~ so jealously --Raymond Sokolov>

   verbicide
          [ver.bi.cide] n [L verbum word + E -cide] (1858) 1: deliberate
          distortion of the sense of a word (as in punning) 2:
          one who distorts the sense of a word

   verbid
          [ver.bid] n (1914): verbal

   verbigeration
          [ver.big.er.a.tion] n [ISV, fr. L verbigerare to talk, chat,
          fr. verbum word + gerere to carry, wield--more at word]
          (1886): continual repetition of stereotyped phrases (as
          in some forms of mental illness)

   verbose
          [ver.bose] adj [L verbosus, fr. verbum] (1672) 1: containing
          more words than necessary: wordy <a ~ reply>; also: impaired
          by wordiness <a ~ style> 2: given to wordiness <a ~ orator>
          syn see wordy -- ver.bose.ly adv -- ver.bose.ness n --
          ver.bos.i.ty n

   verboten
          [ver.bo.ten] adj [G, fr. OHG farboten, pp. of farbioten to
          forbid (akin to OE forbeodan to forbid), fr. far-, fur-
          for- + biotan to offer--more at bid] (1912): not allowed:
          forbidden; esp: prohibited by dictate

   verb sap
          [verb sap] (1841): verbum sap

   verbum sap
          [ver.bum sap] [short for NL verbum sapienti (sat est) a word
          to the wise (is sufficient)] (1818): enough said--used
          to indicate that something left unsaid may or should
          be inferred

   verbum sat sapienti est
          [ver.bum sat sa.pi.en.ti est] [L] foreign term : a word to
          the wise is sufficient

   verdant
          [ver.dant] adj [modif. of MF verdoyant, fr. prp. of verdoyer
          to be green, fr. OF verdoier, fr. verd, vert green, fr.
          L viridis, fr. virere to be green] (1581) 1 a: green
          in tint or color <~ grass> b: green with growing plants
          <~ fields> 2: unripe in experience or judgment: green
          9a, b -- ver.dan.cy n -- ver.dant.ly adv

   verd antique
          [verd an.tique] or verde an.tique n [It verde antico, lit.,
          ancient green] (1745): a green mottled or veined serpentine
          marble or calcareous serpentine much used for indoor
          decoration esp. by the ancient Romans

   verderer
          [ver.der.er] also ver.der.or n [AF, fr. OF verdier, fr. verd
          green] (ca. 1538): a onetime English judicial officer
          in charge of the king's forest

   verdict
          [ver.dict] n [alter. of ME verdit, fr. AF, fr. OF ver true
          (fr. L verus) + dit saying, dictum, fr. L dictum--more
          at very] (1533) 1: the finding or decision of a jury
          on the matter submitted to it in trial 2: opinion, judgment

   verdigris
          [ver.di.gris] n [ME vertegrez, fr. OF vert de Grice, lit.,
          green of Greece] (14c) 1 a: a green or greenish blue
          poisonous pigment resulting from the action of acetic
          acid on copper and consisting of one or more basic copper
          acetates b: singly hydrated normal copper acetate 2:
          a green or bluish deposit esp. of copper carbonates formed
          on copper, brass, or bronze surfaces

   verdin
          [ver.din] n [F, a green songbird of Indochina, alter. of
          verdon, verdun bunting, yellowhammer, fr. vert green,
          fr. OF verd, vert] (1881): a very small yellow-headed
          titmouse (Auriparus flaviceps) found from Texas to California
          and southward

   verdure
          [ver.dure] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. verd green] (14c) 1: the greenness
          of growing vegetation; also: such vegetation itself 2:
          a condition of health and vigor -- ver.dur.ous adj

   verdured
          [ver.dured] adj (ca. 1718): covered with verdure

   [1]verge
          [verge] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L virga rod, stripe] (15c) 1 a
          (1): a rod or staff carried as an emblem of authority
          or symbol of office (2) obs: a stick or wand held by
          a person being admitted to tenancy while he swears fealty
          b: the spindle of a watch balance; esp: a spindle with
          pallets in an old vertical escapement c: the male intromittent
          organ of any of various invertebrates 2 a: something
          that borders, limits, or bounds: as (1): an outer margin
          of an object or structural part (2): the edge of roof
          covering (as tiling) projecting over the gable of a roof
          (3) Brit: a paved or planted strip of land at the edge
          of a road: shoulder b: brink, threshold <a country on
          the ~ of destruction --Archibald MacLeish> [2]verge vi
          verged ; verg.ing (1787) 1: to be contiguous 2: to be
          on the verge or border [3]verge vi verged ; verg.ing
          [L vergere to bend, incline--more at wrench] (1610) 1
          a of the sun: to incline toward the horizon: sink b:
          to move or extend in some direction or toward some condition
          2: to be in transition or change

   verger
          [verg.er] n (15c) 1 chiefly Brit: an attendant that carries
          a verge (as before a bishop or justice) 2: a church official
          who keeps order during services or serves as an usher
          or a sacristan

   veridical
          [ve.rid.i.cal] adj [L veridicus, fr. verus true + dicere
          to say--more at very, diction] (1653) 1: truthful, veracious
          <tried ... to supply ... a ~ background to the events
          and people portrayed --Laura Krey> 2: not illusory: genuine
          <it is assumed that ... perception is ~ --George Lakoff>
          -- ve.rid.i.cal.i.ty n -- ve.rid.i.cal.ly adv

   verifiable
          [ver.i.fi.able] adj (1593): capable of being verified --
          ver.i.fi.abil.i.ty n -- ver.i.fi.able.ness n

   verification
          [ver.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1523): the act or process of verifying:
          the state of being verified

   verify
          [ver.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME verifien, fr. MF verifier,
          fr. ML verificare, fr. L verus true] (14c) 1: to confirm
          or substantiate in law by oath 2: to establish the truth,
          accuracy, or reality of syn see confirm -- ver.i.fi.er
          n

   verily
          [ver.i.ly] adv [ME verraily, fr. verray very] (14c) 1: in
          truth: certainly 2: truly, confidently

   verisimilar
          [veri.sim.i.lar] adj [L verisimilis] (1681) 1: having the
          appearance of truth: probable 2: depicting realism (as
          in art or literature) -- veri.sim.i.lar.ly adv

   verisimilitude
          [veri.si.mil.i.tude] n [L verisimilitudo, fr. verisimilis
          verisimilar, fr. veri similis like the truth] (1603)
          1: the quality or state of being verisimilar 2: something
          verisimilar -- veri.si.mil.i.tu.di.nous adj

   verism
          [ve.rism] n [It verismo, fr. vero true, fr. L verus] (1892):
          artistic use of contemporary everyday material in preference
          to the heroic or legendary esp. in grand opera -- ve.rist
          n or adj -- ve.ris.tic adj

   verismo
          [ve.ris.mo] n [It] (ca. 1908): verism; also: realism 3

   veritable
          [ver.i.ta.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. verite] (15c): being
          in fact the thing named and not false, unreal, or imaginary--often
          used to stress the aptness of a metaphor <a ~ mountain
          of references> -- ver.i.ta.ble.ness n -- ver.i.ta.bly adv

   verite
          [ve.ri.te] n [cinema verite] (1966): the art or technique
          of filming (as a motion picture) so as to convey candid
          realism

   verity
          [ver.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME verite, fr. MF verite, fr. L veritat-,
          veritas, fr. verus true] (14c) 1: the quality or state
          of being true or real 2: something (as a statement) that
          is true; esp: a fundamental and inevitably true value
          <such eternal verities as honor, love, and patriotism>
          3: the quality or state of being truthful or honest <the
          king-becoming graces, as justice, ~ --Shak.>

   verjuice
          [ver.juice] n [ME verjus, fr. MF, fr. vert jus, lit., green
          juice] (14c) 1: the sour juice of crab apples or of unripe
          fruit (as grapes or apples); also: an acid liquor made
          from verjuice 2: acidity of disposition or manner

   vermeil
          [ver.meil] n [MF, fr. vermeil, adj.--more at vermilion] (1590)
          1: vermilion 2: gilded silver -- vermeil adj

   vermi-
          [vermi-] comb form [NL, fr. LL, fr. L vermis--more at worm]:
          worm <vermiform>

   vermicelli
          [ver.mi.cel.li] n [It, fr. pl. of vermicello, dim. of verme
          worm, fr. L vermis] (1669): pasta made in long solid
          strings smaller in diameter than spaghetti

   vermicide
          [ver.mi.cide] n (1849): an agent that destroys worms

   vermicular
          [ver.mic.u.lar] adj [NL vermicularis, fr. L vermiculus, dim.
          of vermis] (1672) 1 a: resembling a worm in form or motion
          b: vermiculate 2: of, relating to, or caused by worms

   vermiculate
          [ver.mic.u.late] or ver.mic.u.lat.ed adj [L vermiculatus,
          fr. vermiculus] (1605) 1: tortuous, involute 2: full
          of worms: worm-eaten 3 a: vermiform b: marked with irregular
          fine lines or with wavy impressed lines <a ~ nut> --
          ver.mic.u.la.tion n

   vermiculite
          [ver.mic.u.lite] n [L vermiculus little worm] (1824): any
          of various micaceous minerals that are hydrous silicates
          resulting usu. from expansion of the granules of mica
          at high temperatures to give a lightweight highly water-absorbent
          material

   vermiform
          [ver.mi.form] adj [NL vermiformis, fr. vermi- + -formis -form]
          (ca. 1730): resembling a worm in shape

   vermiform appendix
          [vermiform appendix] n (1778): a narrow blind tube usu. about
          three to four inches (7.6 to 10.2 centimeters) long that
          extends from the cecum in the lower right-hand part of
          the abdomen

   vermifuge
          [ver.mi.fuge] adj (1697): serving to destroy or expel parasitic
          worms: anthelmintic -- vermifuge n

   vermilion
          [ver.mil.ion] also ver.mil.lion n [ME vermilioun, fr. OF
          vermeillon, fr. vermeil, adj., bright red, vermilion,
          fr. LL vermiculus kermes, fr. L, little worm] (13c) 1:
          a bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulfide;
          broadly: any of various red pigments 2: a vivid reddish
          orange

   vermin
          [ver.min] n, pl vermin [ME, fr. MF, fr. (assumed) VL verminum,
          fr. L verminare to be infested with maggots, have racking
          pains, fr. vermina racking pains] (14c) 1 a: small common
          harmful or objectionable animals (as lice or fleas) that
          are difficult to control b: birds and mammals that prey
          on game c: animals that at a particular time and place
          compete (as for food) with humans or domestic animals
          2: an offensive person

   verminous
          [ver.min.ous] adj (ca. 1616) 1: consisting of or being vermin:
          noxious 2: forming a breeding place for or infested by
          vermin: filthy <~ garbage> 3: caused by vermin <~ disease>

   vermouth
          [ver.mouth] n [F vermout, fr. G Wermut wormwood, fr. OHG
          wermuota--more at wormwood] (1806): a dry or sweet aperitif
          wine flavored with aromatic herbs and often used in mixed
          drinks

   [1]vernacular
          [ver.nac.u.lar] adj [L vernaculus native, fr. verna slave
          born in the master's house, native] (1601) 1 a: using
          a language or dialect native to a region or country rather
          than a literary, cultured, or foreign language b: of,
          relating to, or being a nonstandard language or dialect
          of a place, region, or country c: of, relating to, or
          being the normal spoken form of a language 2: applied
          to a plant or animal in the common native speech as distinguished
          from the Latin nomenclature of scientific classification
          3: of, relating to, or characteristic of a period, place,
          or group; esp: of, relating to, or being the common building
          style of a period or place -- ver.nac.u.lar.ly adv [2]vernacular
          n (ca. 1706) 1: a vernacular language, expression, or
          mode of expression 2: the mode of expression of a group
          or class 3: a vernacular name of a plant or animal

   vernacularism
          [ver.nac.u.lar.ism] n (ca. 1841): a vernacular word or idiom

   vernal
          [ver.nal] adj [L vernalis, alter. of vernus, fr. ver spring;
          akin to Gk ear spring, Skt vasanta] (1534) 1: of, relating
          to, or occurring in the spring <~ equinox> <~ sunshine>
          2: fresh or new like the spring; also: youthful -- ver.nal.ly
          adv

   vernalization
          [ver.nal.i.za.tion] n (1933): the act or process of hastening
          the flowering and fruiting of plants by treating seeds,
          bulbs, or seedlings so as to induce a shortening of the
          vegetative period -- ver.nal.ize vt

   vernation
          [ver.na.tion] n [NL vernation-, vernatio, fr. L vernare to
          behave as in spring, fr. vernus vernal] (1793): the arrangement
          of foliage leaves within the bud

   Verner's law
          [Ver.ner's law] n [Karl A. Verner] (1878): a statement in
          historical linguistics: in medial or final position in
          voiced environments and when the immediately preceding
          vowel did not bear the principal accent in Proto-Indo-European,
          the Proto-Germanic voiceless fricatives derived from
          the Proto-Indo-European voiceless stops and the Proto-Germanic
          voiceless fricative s derived from Proto-Indo-European
          s became voiced fricatives represented in various recorded
          Germanic languages by b, d, g, and r

   vernicle
          [ver.ni.cle] or ver.na.cle n [ME vernicle, fr. MF veronique,
          vernicle, fr. ML veronica] (14c): [2]veronica

   [1]vernier
          [ver.ni.er] n [Pierre Vernier] (1766) 1: a short scale made
          to slide along the divisions of a graduated instrument
          for indicating parts of divisions 2 a: a small auxiliary
          device used with a main device to obtain fine adjustment
          b: any of two or more small supplementary rocket engines
          or gas nozzles on a missile or a rocket vehicle for making
          fine adjustments in the speed or course or controlling
          the attitude--called also vernier engine [2]vernier adj
          (1788): having or comprising a vernier

   vernier caliper
          [vernier caliper] n (ca. 1876): a measuring device that consists
          of a main scale with a fixed jaw and a sliding jaw with
          an attached vernier

   vernissage
          [ver.nis.sage] n [F, day before an exhibition opens reserved
          for artists to varnish and put finishing touches to their
          paintings, lit., varnishing, fr. vernis varnish--more
          at varnish] (1912): a private showing or preview of an
          art exhibition

   [1]veronica
          [ve.ron.i.ca] n [NL, genus of herbs] (1527): speedwell [2]veronica
          n [ML, fr. Veronica, legendary saint of the 1st cent. a.d.] (ca.
          1700): an image of Christ's face said to have been impressed on the
          cloth that St. Veronica gave him to wipe his face with on the way
          to his crucifixion; also: a cloth resembling the legendary one
          of St. Veronica [3]veronica n [Sp veronica, fr. St. Veronica]
          (1926): a pase in bullfighting in which the cape is swung slowly
          away from the charging bull while the matador keeps his feet in the
          same position

   Veronique
          [Ve.ro.nique] adj [F Veronique Veronica] (1907): prepared
          or garnished with usu. white seedless grapes <sole ~>

   verruca
          [ver.ru.ca] n, pl -cae [L, wart, hillock; akin to Lith virsus
          summit and prob. to OE wearte wart--more at wart] (1565)
          1: a wart or warty skin lesion 2: a warty elevation on
          a plant or animal surface

   verruca vulgaris
          [verruca vul.ga.ris] n [NL, lit., common verruca] (1903):
          wart 1a

   verrucose
          [ver.ru.cose] adj (1686): covered with warty elevations

   versal
          [ver.sal] adj [short for universal] (1592) archaic: entire,
          whole <as pale as any clout in the ~ world --Shak.>

   versant
          [ver.sant] adj [L versant-, versans, prp. of versare, versari
          to turn, occupy oneself, meditate] (1645) 1 archaic:
          experienced, practiced 2: conversant

   versatile
          [ver.sa.tile] adj [F or L; F, fr. L versatilis turning easily,
          fr. versare to turn, freq. of vertere] (1605) 1: changing
          or fluctuating readily: variable <a ~ disposition> 2:
          embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills; also:
          turning with ease from one thing to another 3 a (1):
          capable of turning forward or backward: reversible <a
          ~ toe of a bird> (2): capable of moving laterally and
          up and down <~ antennae> b of an anther: having the filaments
          attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely
          4: having many uses or applications <~ building material>
          -- ver.sa.tile.ly adv -- ver.sa.tile.ness n

   versatility
          [ver.sa.til.i.ty] n (ca. 1755): the quality or state of being
          versatile <a writer of great ~>

   vers de societe
          [vers de so.ci.e.te] n [F, society verse] (1796): witty and
          typically ironic light verse

   [1]verse
          [verse] n [ME vers, fr. OF & OE; both fr. L versus, lit.,
          turning, fr. vertere to turn--more at worth] (bef. 12c)
          1: a line of metrical writing 2 a (1): metrical language
          (2): metrical writing distinguished from poetry esp.
          by its lower level of intensity (3): poetry 2 b: poem
          c: a body of metrical writing (as of a period or country)
          3: stanza 4: one of the short divisions into which a
          chapter of the Bible is traditionally divided [2]verse
          vb versed ; vers.ing vi (bef. 12c): to make verse: versify
          ~ vt 1: to tell or celebrate in verse 2: to turn into
          verse [3]verse vt versed ; vers.ing [back-formation fr.
          versed, fr. L versatus, pp. of versari to be active,
          be occupied (in), pass. of versare to turn] (1673): to
          familiarize by close association, study, or experience
          <well versed in the theater>

   verset
          [vers.et] n [ME, fr. OF, dim. of vers verse] (13c): a short
          verse esp. from a sacred book (as the Koran)

   versicle
          [ver.si.cle] n [ME, fr. L versiculus, dim. of versus verse]
          (14c) 1: a short verse or sentence (as from a psalm)
          said or sung by a leader in public worship and followed
          by a response from the people 2: a little verse

   versicular
          [ver.sic.u.lar] adj [L versiculus little verse] (1812): of
          or relating to verses or versicles

   versification
          [ver.si.fi.ca.tion] n (1603) 1: the making of verses 2 a:
          metrical structure: prosody b: a particular metrical
          structure or style 3: a version in verse of something
          orig. in prose

   versifier
          [ver.si.fi.er] n (14c): one that versifies; esp: a writer
          of light or inferior verse

   versify
          [ver.si.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME versifien, fr. MF versifier,
          fr. L versificare, fr. versus verse, line] vi (14c):
          to compose verses ~ vt 1: to relate or describe in verse
          2: to turn into verse

   version
          [ver.sion] n [MF, fr. ML version-, versio act of turning,
          fr. L vertere to turn--more at worth] (1582) 1: a translation
          from another language; esp: a translation of the Bible
          or a part of it 2 a: an account or description from a
          particular point of view esp. as contrasted with another
          account b: an adaptation of a literary work <the movie
          ~ of the novel> c: an arrangement of a musical composition
          3: a form or variant of a type or original <an experimental
          ~ of the plane> 4 a: a condition in which an organ and
          esp. the uterus is turned from its normal position b:
          manual turning of a fetus in the uterus to aid delivery
          -- ver.sion.al adj

   vers libre
          [vers li.bre] n, pl vers li.bres [F] (1902): free verse

   vers-librist
          [vers-li.brist] n [F vers-libriste] (1916): a writer of free
          verse

   verso
          [ver.so] n, pl versos [NL verso (folio) the page being turned]
          (1839) 1: the side of a leaf (as of a manuscript) that
          is to be read second 2: a left-hand page--compare recto

   verst
          [verst] n [F verste & G Werst; both fr. Russ versta; akin
          to L vertere to turn] (1555): a Russian unit of distance
          equal to 0.6629 mile (1.067 kilometers)

   versus
          [ver.sus] prep [ML, towards, against, fr. L, adv., so as
          to face, fr. pp. of vertere to turn] (15c) 1: against
          2: in contrast to or as the alternative of <free trade
          ~ protection>

   vert
          [vert] abbreviation vertebrate, vertical

   vert
          [vert] n [ME verte, fr. MF vert, fr. vert green--more at
          verdant] (15c) 1 a: green forest vegetation esp. when
          forming cover or providing food for deer b: the right
          or privilege (as in England) of cutting living wood or
          sometimes of pasturing animals in a forest 2: the heraldic
          color green

   vertebra
          [ver.te.bra] n, pl -brae or -bras [L, joint, vertebra, fr.
          vertere to turn] (1578): one of the bony or cartilaginous
          segments composing the spinal column, consisting in some
          lower vertebrates of several distinct elements which
          never become united, and in higher vertebrates having
          a short more or less cylindrical body whose ends articulate
          by pads of elastic or cartilaginous tissue with those
          of adjacent vertebrae and a bony arch that encloses the
          spinal cord

   vertebral
          [ver.te.bral] adj (ca. 1681) 1: of, relating to, or being
          vertebrae or the vertebral column: spinal 2: composed
          of or having vertebrae

   vertebral canal
          [vertebral canal] n (1831): a canal that contains the spinal
          cord and is delimited by the arches on the dorsal side
          of the vertebrae--called also spinal canal

   vertebral column
          [vertebral column] n (1822): spinal column

   [1]vertebrate
          [ver.te.brate] adj [NL vertebratus, fr. L, jointed, fr. vertebra]
          (1826) 1 a: having a spinal column b: of or relating
          to the vertebrates 2: organized or constructed in orderly
          or developed form [2]vertebrate n [NL Vertebrata, fr.
          neut. pl. of vertebratus] (1826): any of a subphylum
          (Vertebrata) of chordates that possess a spinal column
          including the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and
          fishes

   vertex
          [ver.tex] n, pl ver.ti.ces also ver.tex.es [L vertic-, vertex,
          vortic-, vortex whirl, whirlpool, top of the head, summit,
          fr. vertere to turn] (1570) 1 a: the point opposite to
          and farthest from the base in a figure b: a point (as
          of an angle, polygon, polyhedron, graph, or network)
          that terminates a line or curve or comprises the intersection
          of two or more lines or curves c: a point where an axis
          of an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola intersects the
          curve itself 2: the top of the head 3: a principal or
          highest point: summit <the ~ of the hill>

   vertical
          [ver.ti.cal] adj [MF or LL; MF, fr. LL verticalis, fr. L
          vertic-, vertex] (1559) 1 a: situated at the highest
          point: directly overhead or in the zenith b of an aerial
          photograph: taken with the camera pointing straight down
          or nearly so 2 a: perpendicular to the plane of the horizon
          or to a primary axis: upright b (1): located at right
          angles to the plane of a supporting surface (2): lying
          in the direction of an axis: lengthwise 3 a: relating
          to, involving, or integrating economic activity from
          basic production to point of sale <~ monopoly> b: of,
          relating to, or comprising persons of different status
          <the ~ arrangement of society> -- vertical n -- ver.ti.cal.i.ty
          n -- ver.ti.cal.ly adv -- ver.ti.cal.ness n syn vertical,
          perpendicular, plumb mean being at right angles to a
          base line. vertical suggests a line or direction rising
          straight upward toward a zenith <the side of the cliff
          is almost vertical>. perpendicular may stress the straightness
          of a line making a right angle with any other line, not
          necessarily a horizontal one <the parallel bars are perpendicular
          to the support posts>. plumb stresses an exact verticality
          determined (as with a plumb line) by earth's gravity
          <make sure that the wall is plumb>.

   vertical angle
          [vertical angle] n (1571): either of two angles lying on
          opposite sides of two intersecting lines

   vertical circle
          [vertical circle] n (1559): a great circle of the celestial
          sphere whose plane is perpendicular to that of the horizon

   vertical file
          [vertical file] n (1906): a collection of articles (as pamphlets
          and clippings) that is maintained (as in a library) to
          answer brief questions or to provide points of information
          not easily located

   vertical union
          [vertical union] n (1933): industrial union

   verticil
          [ver.ti.cil] n [NL verticillus, dim. of L vertex whirl] (1793):
          a circle of similar parts (as flowers around a stem or
          sensory hairs around an antennal joint) about the same
          point on the axis: whorl

   verticillate
          [ver.ti.cil.late] adj (ca. 1793): arranged in verticils

   verticillium wilt
          [ver.ti.cil.li.um wilt] n [NL Verticillium, fr. verticillus]
          (1916): a wilt disease of various plants that is caused
          by a soil-borne imperfect fungus (genus Verticillium)

   vertiginous
          [ver.tig.i.nous] adj [L vertiginosus, fr. vertigin-, vertigo]
          (1608) 1 a: characterized by or suffering from vertigo
          or dizziness b: inclined to frequent and often pointless
          change: inconstant 2: causing or tending to cause dizziness
          <the ~ heights> 3: marked by turning: rotary <the ~ motion
          of the earth> -- ver.tig.i.nous.ly adv

   vertigo
          [ver.ti.go] n, pl -goes or -gos [L vertigin-, vertigo, fr.
          vertere to turn] (1528) 1 a: a disordered state in which
          the individual or the individual's surroundings seem
          to whirl dizzily b: a dizzy confused state of mind 2:
          disordered vertiginous movement as a symptom of disease
          in lower animals; also: a disease (as gid) causing this

   vertu
          [ver.tu] var of virtu

   vervain
          [ver.vain] n [ME verveine, fr. MF, fr. L verbena leafy branch;
          akin to L verber rod, Lith virbas, and perh. to Gk rhabdos
          rod] (14c): any of a genus (Verbena of the family Verbenaceae,
          the vervain family) of chiefly American plants that have
          bracted spicate flowers, a regular corolla with a 5-lobed
          limb, and a fruit that separates into four nutlets

   verve
          [verve] n [F, fantasy, caprice, animation, fr. L verba, pl.
          of verbum word--more at word] (1697) 1 archaic: special
          ability or talent 2 a: the spirit and enthusiasm animating
          artistic composition or performance: vivacity b: energy,
          vitality

   vervet monkey
          [ver.vet monkey] n [F vervet] (1893): a monkey of any of
          several African races of a guenon (Cercopithecus aethiops)
          having the face, chin, hands, and feet black--called
          also vervet

   [1]very
          [very] adj veri.er ; -est [ME verray, verry, fr. OF verai,
          fr. (assumed) VL veracus, alter. of L verac-, verax truthful,
          fr. verus true; akin to OE waer true, OHG wara trust,
          care, Gk era (acc.) favor] (13c) 1 a: properly entitled
          to the name or designation: true <the fierce hatred of
          a ~ woman --J. M. Barrie> b: actual, real <the ~ blood
          and bone of our grammar --H. L. Smith d.1972> c: simple,
          plain <in ~ truth> 2 a: being exactly as stated <the
          ~ heart of the city> b: exactly suitable or necessary
          <the ~ thing for the purpose> 3 a: absolute, utter <the
          veriest fool alive> b: unqualified, sheer <the ~ shame
          of it> 4--used as an intensive esp. to emphasize identity
          <before my ~ eyes> 5: mere, bare <the ~ thought terrified
          him> 6: being the same one: selfsame <the ~ man I saw>
          7: special, particular <the ~ essence of truth is plainness
          and brightness --John Milton> syn see same [2]very adv
          (14c) 1: in actual fact: truly <the ~ best store in town>
          <told the ~ same story> 2: to a high degree: exceedingly
          <~ hot> <didn't hurt ~ much>

   very hard
          [very hard] adj (ca. 1943) of cheese: suitable chiefly for
          grating

   very high frequency
          [very high frequency] n (1920): a radio frequency between
          ultrahigh frequency and high frequency

   Very light
          [Ve.ry light] n [Edward W. Very d. 1910 Am naval officer]
          (1917): a pyrotechnic signal in a system of signaling
          using white or colored balls of fire projected from a
          special pistol

   very low-density lipoprotein
          [very low-density lipoprotein] n (1977): vldl

   very low frequency
          [very low frequency] n (1938): a radio frequency between
          low frequency and voice frequency

   Very pistol
          [Ve.ry pistol] n (1915): a pistol for firing Very lights

   Very Reverend
          [Very Reverend] (ca. 1828)--used as a title for various
          ecclesiastical officials (as cathedral deans and canons, rectors
          of Roman Catholic colleges and seminaries, and superiors of some
          religious houses)

   vesical
          [ves.i.cal] adj [L vesica bladder--more at venter] (1797):
          of or relating to the urinary bladder <~ burning>

   vesicant
          [ves.i.cant] n [L vesica bladder, blister] (1661): an agent
          (as a drug or a chemical weapon) that induces blistering
          -- vesicant adj

   vesicle
          [ves.i.cle] n [MF vesicule, fr. L vesicula small bladder,
          blister, fr. dim. of vesica] (1578) 1 a: a membranous
          and usu. fluid-filled pouch (as a cyst, vacuole, or cell)
          in a pla nt or animal b: a small abnormal elevation of
          the outer layer of skin enclosing a watery liquid: blister
          c: a pocket of embryonic tissue that is the beginning
          of an organ 2: a small cavity in a mineral or rock

   vesicular
          [ve.sic.u.lar] adj [NL vesicula vesicle, fr. L, small bladder]
          (1715) 1: containing, composed of, or characterized by
          vesicles <~ lava> 2: having the form or structure of
          a vesicle 3: of or relating to vesicles -- ve.sic.u.lar.i.ty
          n

   vesicular stomatitis
          [vesicular stomatitis] n (ca. 1903): an acute virus disease
          esp. of various domesticated animals (as horses and cows)
          that is marked by erosive blisters in and about the mouth
          and that much resembles foot-and-mouth disease

   vesiculate
          [ve.sic.u.late] vb -lat.ed ; -lat.ing vt (1865): to make
          vesicular ~ vi: to become vesicular -- ve.sic.u.la.tion
          n

   [1]vesper
          [ves.per] n [ME, fr. L, evening, evening star--more at west]
          (14c) 1 cap, archaic: evening star 2: a vesper bell 3
          archaic: evening, eventide [2]vesper adj (1791): of or
          relating to vespers or the evening

   vesperal
          [ves.per.al] adj (ca. 1623): vesper <a ~ breeze>

   vespers
          [ves.pers] n pl but sing or pl in constr, often cap [F vespres,
          fr. ML vesperae, fr. L, pl. of vespera evening; akin
          to L vesper evening star] (1611) 1: the sixth of the
          canonical hours that is said or sung in the late afternoon
          2: a service of evening worship

   vespertilian
          [ves.per.til.ian] adj [L vespertilio bat, fr. vesper] (1874):
          of, relating to, or resembling a bat <flaunts ~ wing
          and cloven hoof --Robert Graves>

   vespertine
          [ves.per.tine] adj [L vespertinus, fr. vesper] (1502) 1:
          of, relating to, or occurring in the evening <~ shadows>
          2: active, flowering, or flourishing in the evening:
          crepuscular

   vespid
          [ves.pid] n [ultim. fr. L vespa wasp--more at wasp] (ca.
          1900): any of a cosmopolitan family (Vespidae) of chiefly
          social wasps that usu. live in colonies like bees --
          vespid adj

   vespine
          [ves.pine] adj [L vespa wasp] (1843): of, relating to, or
          resembling wasps and esp. vespid wasps

   vessel
          [ves.sel] n [ME, fr. MF vaissel, fr. LL vascellum, dim. of
          L vas vase, vessel] (14c) 1 a: a container (as a hogshead,
          bottle, kettle, cup, or bowl) for holding something b:
          a person into whom some quality (as grace) is infused
          <a child of light, a true ~ of the Lord --H. J. Laski>
          2: a watercraft bigger than a rowboat; esp: ship 1 3
          a: a tube or canal (as an artery) in which a body fluid
          is contained and conveyed or circulated b: a conducting
          tube in the xylem of a vascular plant formed by the fusion
          and loss of end walls of a series of cells

   [1]vest
          [vest] vb [ME, fr. MF vestir to clothe, invest, fr. L vestire
          to clothe, fr. vestis clothing, garment--more at wear]
          vt (15c) 1 a: to place or give into the possession or
          discretion of some person or authority; esp: to give
          to a person a legally fixed immediate right of present
          or future enjoyment of (as an estate) b: to grant or
          endow with a particular authority, right, or property
          <the retirement plan ~s the workers absolutely with the
          company's contribution after 10 years of continuous employment>
          2: to clothe with or as if with a garment; esp: to robe
          in ecclesiastical vestments ~ vi 1: to become legally
          vested 2: to put on garments; esp: to put on ecclesiastical
          vestments [2]vest n [F veste, fr. It, fr. L vestis garment]
          (1613) 1 archaic a: a loose outer garment: robe b: clothing,
          garb 2 a: a man's sleeveless garment for the upper body
          usu. worn under a suit coat; also: a similar garment
          for women b: a protective usu. sleeveless garment (as
          a life preserver) that extends to the waist c: an insulated
          sleeveless waist-length garment often worn under or in
          place of a coat 3 a chiefly Brit: a man's sleeveless
          undershirt b: a knitted undershirt for women 4: a plain
          or decorative piece used to fill in the front neckline
          of a woman's outer garment (as a waist, coat, or gown)
          -- vest.like adj

   vesta
          [ves.ta] n [L Vesta] 1 cap: the Roman goddess of the
          hearth--compare hestia 2: a short match with a shank of wax-coated
          threads; also: a short wooden match

   [1]vestal
          [ves.tal] adj (15c) 1: of or relating to the Roman goddess
          Vesta 2 a: of or relating to a vestal virgin b: chaste
          [2]vestal n (1549): vestal virgin

   vestal virgin
          [vestal virgin] n (1600) 1: a virgin consecrated to the Roman
          goddess Vesta and to the service of watching the sacred
          fire perpetually kept burning on her altar 2: a chaste
          woman

   vested
          [vest.ed] adj (1766) 1: fully and unconditionally guaranteed
          as a legal right, benefit, or privilege <the ~ benefits
          of the pension plan> 2: having a vest <a ~ suit>

   vested interest
          [vested interest] n (1818) 1 a: an interest (as a title to
          an estate) carrying a legal right of present or future
          enjoyment b: a right vested in an employee under a pension
          plan 2: a special concern or stake in maintaining or
          influencing a condition, arrangement, or action esp.
          for selfish ends 3: one having a vested interest in something;
          specif: a group enjoying benefits from an existing economic
          or political privilege

   vestee
          [vest.ee] n (1915) 1: dickey; esp: one made to resemble a
          vest and worn under a coat 2: vest 4

   vestiary
          [ves.ti.ary] n [ME vestiarie, fr. MF, vestry--more at vestry]
          (15c) 1: a room where clothing is kept 2: clothing, raiment

   vestibular
          [ves.tib.u.lar] adj (ca. 1839): of, relating to, or functioning
          as a vestibule

   vestibule
          [ves.ti.bule] n [L vestibulum] (1728) 1: any of various bodily
          cavities esp. when serving as or resembling an entrance
          to some other cavity or space: as a: the central cavity
          of the bony labyrinth of the ear or the parts of the
          membranous labyrinth that it contains b: the part of
          the left ventricle below the aortic orifice c: the space
          between the labia minora containing the orifice of the
          urethra d: the part of the mouth cavity outside the teeth
          and gums 2 a: a passage, hall, or room between the outer
          door and the interior of a building: lobby b: an enclosed
          entrance at the end of a railway passenger car 3: a course
          that offers access (as to something new) -- ves.ti.buled
          adj

   vestibule school
          [vestibule school] n (1918): a school organized in an industrial
          plant to train new workers in specific skills

   vestibulocochlear nerve
          [ves.tib.u.lo.co.chle.ar nerve] n (1962): auditory nerve

   vestige
          [ves.tige] n [F, fr. L vestigium footstep, footprint, track,
          vestige] (1602) 1 a (1): a trace, mark, or visible sign
          left by something (as an ancient city or a condition
          or practice) vanished or lost (2): the smallest quantity
          or trace b: footprint 1 2: a bodily part or organ that
          is small and degenerate or imperfectly developed in comparison
          to one more fully developed in an earlier stage of the
          individual, in a past generation, or in closely related
          forms syn see trace -- ves.ti.gial adj -- ves.ti.gial.ly
          adv

   vesting
          [vest.ing] n (1944): the conveying to an employee of the
          inalienable right to share in a pension fund esp. in
          the event of termination of employment prior to the normal
          retirement age; also: the right so conveyed

   vestment
          [vest.ment] n [ME vestement, fr. MF, fr. L vestimentum, fr.
          vestire to clothe] (14c) 1 a: an outer garment; esp:
          a robe of ceremony or office b pl: clothing, garb 2:
          a covering resembling a garment 3: one of the articles
          of the ceremonial attire and insignia worn by ecclesiastical
          officiants and assistants as indicative of their rank
          and appropriate to the rite being celebrated -- vest.men.tal
          adj

   vest-pocket
          [vest-pocket] adj (1848) 1: adapted to fit into the vest
          pocket <a ~ edition of a book> 2: of very small size
          or scope

   vest-pocket park
          [vest-pocket park] n (1966): a very small urban park

   vestry
          [ves.try] n, pl vestries [ME vestrie, prob. modif. of MF
          vestiarie, fr. ML vestiarium, fr. L vestire; fr. its
          use as a robing room for the clergy] (14c) 1 a: sacristy
          b: a room used for church meetings and classes 2 a: the
          business meeting of an English parish b: an elective
          body in an Episcopal parish composed of the rector and
          a group of elected parishioners administering the temporal
          affairs of the parish

   vestryman
          [ves.try.man] n (1614): a member of a vestry

   [1]vesture
          [ves.ture] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. vestir to clothe--more at vest]
          (14c) 1 a: a covering garment (as a robe or vestment)
          b: clothing, apparel 2: something that covers like a
          garment [2]vesture vt ves.tured ; ves.tur.ing (1555):
          to cover with vesture: clothe

   vesuvian
          [ve.su.vi.an] n [Vesuvian] (1853): a match used esp. formerly
          for lighting cigars Ve.su.vi.an adj (1673) 1: of, relating
          to, or resembling the volcano Vesuvius 2: marked by sudden
          outbursts <has a ~ temper, but quickly controls himself
          --Sidney Shalett>

   vesuvianite
          [ve.su.vi.an.ite] n (ca. 1888): idocrase

   [1]vet
          [vet] n (1862): veterinarian, veterinary [2]vet vt vet.ted
          ; vet.ting (1891) 1 a: to provide veterinary care for
          (an animal) or medical care for (a person) b: to subject
          (a person or animal) to a physical examination or checkup
          2: to subject to expert appraisal or correction: evaluate
          [3]vet adj or n (1848): veteran

   vetch
          [vetch] n [ME vecche, fr. ONF veche, fr. L vicia; perh. akin
          to L vincire to bind] (14c): any of a genus (Vicia) of
          herbaceous twining leguminous plants including some grown
          for fodder and green manure

   vetchling
          [vetch.ling] n (1578): any of various leguminous herbs (genus
          Lathyrus and esp. L. pratensis)

   veteran
          [vet.er.an] n [L veteranus, fr. veteranus, adj., old, of
          long experience, fr. veter-, vetus old--more at wether]
          (1509) 1 a: an old soldier of long service b: a former
          member of the armed forces 2: a person of long experience
          in some occupation or skill (as politics or the arts)
          -- veteran adj

   Veterans Day
          [Veterans Day] n (1952): November 11 set aside in commemoration
          of the end of hostilities in 1918 and 1945 and observed
          as a legal holiday in the U.S. to honor the veterans
          of the armed forces

   veterans' preference
          [veterans' preference] n (ca. 1941): preferential treatment
          given qualified veterans of the U.S. armed forces under
          federal or state law; specif: special consideration (as
          by allowance of points) on a civil service examination

   veterinarian
          [vet.er.i.nar.i.an] n (1646): a person qualified and authorized
          to practice veterinary medicine

   [1]veterinary
          [vet.er.i.nary] adj [L veterinarius of beasts of burden,
          fr. veterinae beasts of burden, fr. fem. pl. of veterinus
          of beasts of burden; akin to L veter-, vetus old] (1790):
          of, relating to, or being the science and art of prevention,
          cure, or alleviation of disease and injury in animals
          and esp. domestic animals [2]veterinary n, pl -nar.ies
          (1861): veterinarian

   veterinary surgeon
          [veterinary surgeon] n (ca. 1802) Brit: veterinarian

   vetiver
          [vet.i.ver] n [F vetiver, fr. Tamil vettiver] (ca. 1858):
          an East Indian grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) cultivated
          in warm regions esp. for its fragrant roots which are
          used esp. in woven goods (as mats) and in perfumes; also:
          its root

   [1]veto
          [ve.to] n, pl vetoes [L, I forbid, fr. vetare to forbid]
          (1629) 1: an authoritative prohibition: interdiction
          2 a: a power of one department or branch of a government
          to forbid or prohibit finally or provisionally the carrying
          out of projects attempted by another department; esp:
          a power vested in a chief executive to prevent permanently
          or temporarily the enactment of measures passed by a
          legislature b (1): the exercise of such authority (2):
          a message communicating the reasons of an executive and
          esp. the president of the U.S. for vetoing a proposed
          law [2]veto vt (1706): to refuse to admit or approve:
          prohibit; also: to refuse assent to (a legislative bill)
          so as to prevent enactment or cause reconsideration --
          ve.to.er n

   veto-proof
          [ve.to-proof] adj (1972): having enough potential votes to
          be enacted over a veto or to override vetoes consistently
          <a ~ bill>

   vex
          [vex] vt vexed also vext ; vex.ing [ME, fr. MF vexer, fr.
          L vexare to agitate, harry; prob. akin to L vehere to
          convey--more at way] (15c) 1 a: to bring trouble, distress,
          or agitation to <the restaurant is ~ed by slow service>
          b: to bring physical distress to <a headache ~ed him
          all morning> c: to irritate or annoy by petty provocations:
          harass <~ed by the children> d: puzzle, baffle <a problem
          to ~ the keenest wit> 2: to shake or toss about syn see
          annoy

   vexation
          [vex.a.tion] n (15c) 1: the act of harassing or vexing: troubling
          2: the quality or state of being vexed: irritation 3:
          a cause of trouble: affliction

   vexatious
          [vex.a.tious] adj (1534) 1 a: causing vexation: distressing
          b: intended to harass 2: full of disorder or stress:
          troubled -- vex.a.tious.ly adv -- vex.a.tious.ness n

   vexed
          [vexed] adj (1657): debated or discussed at length <a ~ question>

   vexedly
          [vexed.ly] adv (1748): with vexation

   vexillology
          [vex.il.lol.o.gy] n [L vexillum] (1959): the study of flags
          -- vex.il.lo.log.ic or vex.il.lo.log.i.cal adj -- vex.il.lol.o.gist
          n

   vexillum
          [vex.il.lum] n, pl -la [L; akin to L velum curtain, awning]
          (1726) 1: a square flag of the ancient Roman cavalry
          2: the web or vane of a feather

   vf...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   VF
          [VF] abbreviation very fair, very fine, video frequency,
          visual field, voice frequency

   VFD
          [VFD] abbreviation volunteer fire department

   VFR
          [VFR] abbreviation visual flight rules

   VFW
          [VFW] abbreviation Veterans of Foreign Wars

   vg...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   VG
          [VG] abbreviation very good, vicar-general

   vh...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   VHF
          [VHF] abbreviation very high frequency

   vi...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   vi
          [vi] abbreviation verb intransitive, [L vide infra] see below
          VI abbreviation Virgin Islands, viscosity index, volume
          indicator

   via
          [via] prep [L, abl. of via way--more at way] (1779) 1: by
          way of 2: through the medium or agency of; also: by means
          of

   viable
          [vi.a.ble] adj [F, fr. MF, fr. vie life, fr. L vita--more
          at vital] (ca. 1832) 1: capable of living; esp: capable
          of surviving outside the mother's womb without artificial
          support <the normal human fetus is usually ~ by the end
          of the seventh month> 2: capable of growing or developing
          <~ seeds> <~ eggs> 3 a: capable of working, functioning,
          or developing adequately <~ alternatives> b: capable
          of existence and development as an independent unit <the
          colony is now a ~ state> c (1): having a reasonable chance
          of succeeding <a ~ candidate> (2): financially sustainable
          <a ~ enterprise> -- vi.a.bil.i.ty n -- vi.a.bly adv

   viaduct
          [via.duct] n [L via way, road + E aqueduct] (1816): a long
          elevated roadway usu. consisting of a series of short
          spans supported on arches, piers, or columns

   vial
          [vi.al] n [ME fiole, viole, fr. MF fiole, fr. OProv fiola,
          fr. L phiala--more at phial] (14c): a small closed or
          closable vessel esp. for liquids

   via media
          [via me.dia] n [L] (1834): a middle way

   viand
          [vi.and] n [ME, fr. MF viande, fr. ML vivanda food, alter.
          of L vivenda, neut. pl. of vivendus, gerundive of vivere
          to live--more at quick] (15c) 1: an item of food; esp:
          a choice or tasty dish 2 pl: provisions, food

   viaticum
          [vi.at.i.cum] n, pl -cums or -ca [L--more at voyage] (1562)
          1: the Christian Eucharist given to a person in danger
          of death 2 a: an allowance (as of transportation or supplies
          and money) for traveling expenses b: provisions for a
          journey

   vibe
          [vibe] n (1967): vibration 4 <seems to be in on every conversation,
          every deal, every ~ that is winging through the room --Albert
          Goldman>--usu. used in pl. <got bad ~s from him>

   vibes
          [vibes] n pl (1940): vibraphone -- vib.ist n

   vibraharp
          [vi.bra.harp] n [fr. Vibra-Harp, a trademark] (1930): vibraphone
          -- vi.bra.harp.ist n

   vibrance
          [vi.brance] n (1921): vibrancy

   vibrancy
          [vi.bran.cy] n (ca. 1890): the quality or state of being
          vibrant

   vibrant
          [vi.brant] adj (1616) 1 a (1): oscillating or pulsating rapidly
          (2): pulsating with life, vigor, or activity <a ~ personality>
          b (1): readily set in vibration (2): responsive, sensitive
          2: sounding as a result of vibration: resonant <a ~ voice>
          3: bright 4 <a ~ orange> -- vi.brant.ly adv

   vibraphone
          [vi.bra.phone] n [L vibrare + ISV -phone] (1926): a percussion
          instrument resembling the xylophone but having metal
          bars and motor-driven resonators for sustaining the tone
          and producing a vibrato -- vi.bra.phon.ist n

   vibrate
          [vi.brate] vb vi.brat.ed ; vi.brat.ing [L vibratus, pp. of
          vibrare to brandish, wave, rock--more at wipe] vt (1616)
          1: to swing or move to and fro 2: to emit with or as
          if with a vibratory motion 3: to mark or measure by oscillation
          <a pendulum vibrating seconds> 4: to set in vibration
          ~ vi 1 a: to move to and fro or from side to side: oscillate
          b: fluctuate, vacillate <~ between two choices> 2: to
          have an effect as or as if of vibration <music, when
          soft voices die, ~s in the memory --P. B. Shelley> 3:
          to be in a state of vibration: quiver 4: to respond
          sympathetically: thrill <~ to the opportunity> syn see swing

   vibratile
          [vi.bra.tile] adj (ca. 1826) 1: characterized by vibration
          2: adapted to or used in vibratory motion <the ~ organs
          of insects>

   vibration
          [vi.bra.tion] n (1655) 1 a: a periodic motion of the particles
          of an elastic body or medium in alternately opposite
          directions from the position of equilibrium when that
          equilibrium has been disturbed (as when a stretched cord
          produces musical tones or particles of air transmit sounds
          to the ear) b: the action of vibrating: the state of
          being vibrated or in vibratory motion: as (1): oscillation
          (2): a quivering or trembling motion: quiver 2: an instance
          of vibration 3: vacillation in opinion or action: wavering
          4 a: a characteristic emanation, aura, or spirit that
          infuses or vitalizes someone or something and that can
          be instinctively sensed or experienced--often used in
          pl. b: a distinctive usu. emotional atmosphere capable
          of being sensed--usu. used in pl. -- vi.bra.tion.al adj
          -- vi.bra.tion.less adj

   vibrato
          [vi.bra.to] n, pl -tos [It, fr. pp. of vibrare to vibrate,
          fr. L] (ca. 1876): a slightly tremulous effect imparted
          to vocal or instrumental tone for added warmth and expressiveness
          by slight and rapid variations in pitch -- vi.bra.to.less
          adj

   vibrator
          [vi.bra.tor] n (1862): one that vibrates or causes vibration:
          as a: a vibrating electrical apparatus used in massage
          or for sexual stimulation b: a vibrating device (as in
          an electric bell or buzzer)

   vibratory
          [vi.bra.to.ry] adj (1728) 1: consisting in, capable of, or
          causing vibration or oscillation 2: characterized by
          vibration

   vibrio
          [vib.rio] n, pl -rios [NL, Vibrion-, Vibrio, fr. L vibrare
          to wave] (ca. 1864): any of a genus (Vibrio) of short
          rigid motile bacteria typically shaped like a comma or
          an S -- vib.ri.on.ic adj

   vibrion
          [vib.ri.on] n [NL Vibrion-, Vibrio] (1882): vibrio; also:
          a motile bacterium

   vibriosis
          [vib.ri.o.sis] n, pl -o.ses [NL, fr. Vibrio] (1950): abortion
          in sheep and cattle caused by a bacterium (Campylobacter
          fetus syn. Vibrio fetus) that invades the uterine and
          placental capillaries, interferes with fetal nutrition,
          and causes the death of the developing fetus

   vibrissa
          [vi.bris.sa] n, pl vi.bris.sae [ML, fr. L vibrare] (ca. 1693)
          1: one of the stiff hairs that are located esp. about
          the nostrils or on other parts of the face in many mammals
          and that often serve as tactile organs 2: one of the
          bristly feathers near the mouth of many and esp. insectivorous
          birds that may help to prevent the escape of insects

   viburnum
          [vi.bur.num] n [NL, fr. L, a viburnum] (ca. 1731): any of
          a genus (Viburnum) of widely distributed shrubs or trees
          of the honeysuckle family with simple leaves and white
          or rarely pink cymose flowers

   vic
          [vic] abbreviation vicinity  Vic abbreviation Victoria

   vicar
          [vic.ar] n [ME, fr. L vicarius, fr. vicarius vicarious] (14c)
          1: one serving as a substitute or agent; specif: an administrative
          deputy 2: an ecclesiastical agent: as a: a Church of England
          incumbent receiving a stipend but not the tithes of a parish
          b: a member of the Episcopal clergy or laity who has charge
          of a mission or chapel c: a member of the clergy who exercises
          a broad pastoral responsibility as the representative of a prelate
          -- vic.ar.ship n

   vicarage
          [vic.ar.age] n (15c) 1: the benefice of a vicar 2: the house
          of a vicar 3: vicariate 1

   vicar apostolic
          [vicar apostolic] n, pl vicars apostolic (1766): a Roman
          Catholic titular bishop who administers a territory not
          organized as a diocese

   vicarate
          [vic.ar.ate] n (1883): vicariate

   vicar-general
          [vicar-general] n, pl vicars-general (15c): an administrative
          deputy of a Roman Catholic or Anglican bishop or of the
          head of a religious order

   vicarial
          [vi.car.i.al] adj [L vicarius] (1617) 1: vicarious 1 2: of
          or relating to a vicar

   vicariance
          [vi.car.i.ance] n (1957): fragmentation of the environment
          (as by splitting of a tectonic pla te) in contrast to
          dispersal as a factor in promoting biological evolution
          by division of large populations into isolated
          subpopulations--called also vicariance biogeography

   vicariant
          [vi.car.i.ant] adj [trans. of G vikarirend, prp. of vikarieren
          to act as a substitute, fr. Vikar representative, proxy,
          fr. MHG vicar, fr. L vicarius substitute] (1952): of,
          relating to, or being the process of vicariance or organisms
          that evolved through this process <the possible ~ origin
          of the Antillean arthropod fauna> -- vicariant n

   vicariate
          [vi.car.i.ate] n [ML vicariatus, fr. L vicarius vicar] (1610)
          1: the office, jurisdiction, or tenure of a vicar 2:
          the office or district of a governmental administrative
          deputy

   vicarious
          [vi.car.i.ous] adj [L vicarius, fr. vicis change, alternation,
          stead--more at week] (1637) 1 a: serving instead of someone
          or something else b: that has been delegated <~ authority>
          2: performed or suffered by one person as a substitute
          for another or to the benefit or advantage of another:
          substitutionary <a ~ sacrifice> 3: experienced or realized
          through imaginative or sympathetic participation in the
          experience of another 4: occurring in an unexpected or
          abnormal part of the body instead of the usual one <bleeding
          from the gums sometimes occurs in the absence of the
          normal discharge from the uterus in ~ menstruation> --
          vi.car.i.ous.ly adv -- vi.car.i.ous.ness n

   Vicar of Christ
          [Vicar of Christ] (1570): pope 1

   vice-
          [vice-] prefix [ME vis-, vice-, fr. MF, fr. LL vice-, fr.
          L vice, abl. of vicis]: one that takes the place
          of <vice-chancellor>

   [1]vice
          [vice] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L vitium fault, vice] (14c) 1 a:
          moral depravity or corruption: wickedness b: a moral
          fault or failing c: a habitual and usu. trivial defect
          or shortcoming: foible <suffered from the ~ of curiosity>
          2: blemish, defect 3: a physical imperfection, deformity,
          or taint 4 a often cap: a character representing one
          of the vices in an English morality play b: buffoon,
          jester 5: an abnormal behavior pattern in a domestic
          animal detrimental to its health or usefulness 6: sexual
          immorality; esp: prostitution syn see fault, offense
          [2]vice chiefly Brit var of vise [3]vice prep [L, abl.
          of vicis change, alternation, stead--more at week] (1770):
          in the place of <I will preside, ~ the absent chairman>;
          also: rather than

   vice admiral
          [vice admiral] n [MF visamiral, fr. vis- vice- + amiral admiral]
          (1520): a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard
          who ranks above a rear admiral and whose insignia is
          three stars

   vice-chancellor
          [vice-chan.cel.lor] n [ME vichauncellor, fr. MF vischancelier,
          fr. vis- + chancelier chancellor] (15c) 1: an officer
          ranking next below a chancellor and serving as deputy
          to the chancellor 2: chief administrative officer in
          a British university 3: a judge appointed to act for
          or to assist a chancellor

   vice-consul
          [vice-con.sul] n (1559): a consular officer subordinate to
          a consul general or to a consul

   vicegerency
          [vice.ge.ren.cy] n, pl -cies (1596): the office or jurisdiction
          of a vicegerent

   vicegerent
          [vice.ge.rent] n [ML vicegerent-, vicegerens, fr. LL vice-
          + L gerent-, gerens, prp. of gerere to carry, carry on]
          (1536): an administrative deputy of a king or magistrate

   vicennial
          [vi.cen.ni.al] adj [LL vicennium period of 20 years, fr.
          L vicies 20 times + annus year; akin to L viginti twenty--more
          at vigesimal, annual] (ca. 1859): occurring once every
          20 years

   vice presidency
          [vice presidency] n (1804): the office of vice president

   vice president
          [vice president] n (1574) 1: an officer next in rank to a
          president and usu. empowered to serve as president in
          that officer's absence or disability 2: any of several
          officers serving as a president's deputies in charge
          of particular locations or functions -- vice presidential
          adj

   viceregal
          [vice.re.gal] adj (1836): of or relating to a viceroy or
          viceroyalty -- vice.re.gal.ly adv

   vice-regent
          [vice-re.gent] n (1556): a regent's deputy

   vicereine
          [vice.reine] n [F, fr. vice- + reine queen, fr. L regina,
          fem. of reg-, rex king--more at royal] (1823) 1: the
          wife of a viceroy 2: a woman who is a viceroy

   viceroy
          [vice.roy] n [MF vice-roi, fr. vice- + roi king, fr. L reg-,
          rex] (1524) 1: the governor of a country or province
          who rules as the representative of a king or sovereign
          2: a showy American nymphalid butterfly (Limenitis archippus)
          closely mimicking the monarch in coloration but smaller

   viceroyalty
          [vice.roy.al.ty] n (1703): the office, jurisdiction, or term
          of service of a viceroy

   viceroyship
          [vice.roy.ship] n (1609): viceroyalty

   vice squad
          [vice squad] n (1905): a police squad charged with enforcement
          of laws concerning gambling, pornography, prostitution,
          and the illegal use of liquor and narcotics

   vice versa
          [vice ver.sa] adv [L] (1601): with the order changed: with
          the relations reversed: conversely

   vichyssoise
          [vi.chys.soise] n [F, fr. fem. of vichyssois of Vichy, fr.
          Vichy, France] (1939): a soup made of pureed leeks or
          onions and potatoes, cream, and chicken stock and usu.
          served cold

   Vichy water
          [Vi.chy water] n (ca. 1858): a natural sparkling mineral
          water from Vichy, France; also: an imitation of or substitute
          for this

   vicinage
          [vic.i.nage] n [ME vesinage, fr. MF, fr. vesin neighboring,
          fr. L vicinus] (14c): a neighboring or surrounding district:
          vicinity

   vicinal
          [vic.i.nal] adj [L vicinalis, fr. vicinus neighbor, fr. vicinus,
          adj., neighboring] (ca. 1623) 1: of or relating to a
          limited district: local 2: of, relating to, or substituted
          in adjacent sites in a molecule <a ~ disulfide group>

   vicinity
          [vi.cin.i.ty] n, pl -ties [MF vicinite, fr. L vicinitat-,
          vicinitas, fr. vicinus neighboring, fr. vicus row of
          houses, village; akin to Goth weihs village, OCS visi,
          Gk oikos, oikia house] (1560) 1: the quality or state
          of being near: proximity 2: a surrounding area or district:
          neighborhood 3: neighborhood 3b

   vicious
          [vi.cious] adj [ME, fr. MF vicieus, fr. L vitiosus full of
          faults, corrupt, fr. vitium vice] (14c) 1: having the
          nature or quality of vice or immorality: depraved 2:
          defective, faulty; also: invalid 3: impure, noxious 4
          a: dangerously aggressive: savage <a ~ dog> b: marked
          by violence or ferocity: fierce <a ~ fight> 5: malicious,
          spiteful <~ gossip> 6: worsened by internal causes that
          reciprocally augment each other <a ~ wage-price spiral>
          -- vi.cious.ly adv -- vi.cious.ness n syn vicious, villainous,
          iniquitous, nefarious, corrupt, degenerate mean highly
          reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct.
          vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral
          depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive
          violence <a vicious gangster>. villainous applies to
          any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic
          <a villainous assault>. iniquitous implies absence of
          all signs of justice or fairness <an iniquitous system
          of taxation>. nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of
          time-honored laws and traditions of conduct <the nefarious
          rackets of organized crime>. corrupt stresses a loss
          of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle
          or sworn obligations <city hall was rife with corrupt
          politicians>. degenerate suggests having sunk to an esp.
          vicious or enervated condition <a degenerate regime propped
          up by foreign powers>.

   vicious circle
          [vicious circle] n (ca. 1792) 1: a chain of events in which
          the response to one difficulty creates a new problem
          that aggravates the original difficulty 2: an argument
          or definition that begs the question

   vicissitude
          [vi.cis.si.tude] n [MF, fr. L vicissitudo, fr. vicissim in
          turn, fr. vicis change, alternation--more at week] (ca.
          1576) 1 a: the quality or state of being changeable:
          mutability b: natural change or mutation visible in nature
          or in human affairs 2 a: a favorable or unfavorable event
          or situation that occurs by chance: a fluctuation of
          state or condition <the ~s of daily life> b: a difficulty
          or hardship attendant on a way of life, a career, or
          a course of action and usu. beyond one's control c: alternating
          change: succession

   vicissitudinous
          [vi.cis.si.tu.di.nous] adj [L vicissitudin-, vicissitudo]
          (ca. 1846): marked by or filled with vicissitudes

   victim
          [vic.tim] n [ME vyctym, fr. L victima; perh. akin to OHG
          wih holy] (15c) 1: a living being sacrificed to a deity
          or in the performance of a religious rite 2: one that
          is acted on and usu. adversely affected by a force or
          agent <the schools are ~s of the social system>: as a
          (1): one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under
          any of various conditions <a ~ of cancer> <a ~ of the
          auto crash> <a murder ~> (2): one that is subjected to
          oppression, hardship, or mistreatment <a frequent ~ of
          political attacks> b: one that is tricked or duped <a
          con man's ~> -- vic.tim.hood n

   victimise
          [vic.tim.ise] Brit var of victimize

   victimize
          [vic.tim.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1830) 1: to make a victim
          of 2: to subject to deception or fraud: cheat -- vic.tim.i.za.tion
          n -- vic.tim.iz.er n

   victimless
          [vic.tim.less] adj (1965): having no victim: not of a nature
          that may produce a complainant <gambling is usually a
          ~ crime>

   victor
          [vic.tor] n [ME, fr. L, fr. vincere to conquer, win; akin
          to OE wigan to fight, Lith veikti to be active] (14c):
          one that defeats an enemy or opponent: winner -- victor
          adj Victor (1942)--a communications code word for the
          letter v

   victoria
          [vic.to.ria] n [Queen Victoria] (ca. 1864): a low four-wheeled
          pleasure carriage for two with a folding top and a raised
          seat in front for the driver

   Victoria Cross
          [Victoria Cross] n (1856): a bronze Maltese cross awarded
          to members of the British armed services for acts of
          remarkable valor

   Victoria Day
          [Victoria Day] n [Queen Victoria] (1901) 1: formerly May
          24 and now the Monday preceding May 25 observed in Canada
          as a legal holiday 2: commonwealth day

   [1]Victorian
          [Vic.to.ri.an] adj (1839) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of the reign of Queen Victoria of England or the art,
          letters, or tastes of her time 2: typical of the moral
          standards, attitudes, or conduct of the age of Victoria
          esp. when considered stuffy or hypocritical [2]Victorian
          n (1876) 1: a person living during Queen Victoria's reign;
          esp: a representative figure of that time 2: a typically
          large and ornate house built during Queen Victoria's
          reign

   Victoriana
          [Vic.to.ri.ana] n [Queen Victoria + E -ana] (1940): materials
          concerning or characteristic of the Victorian age; also:
          a collection of such materials

   Victorianism
          [Vic.to.ri.an.ism] n (1905) 1: a typical instance or product
          of Victorian expression, taste, or conduct 2: the quality
          or state of being Victorian esp. in taste or conduct

   victorious
          [vic.to.ri.ous] adj (14c) 1 a: having won a victory b: of,
          relating to, or characteristic of victory 2: evincing
          moral harmony or a sense of fulfillment: fulfilled --
          vic.to.ri.ous.ly adv -- vic.to.ri.ous.ness n

   victory
          [vic.to.ry] n, pl -ries [ME, fr. MF victorie, fr. L victoria,
          fr. victor] (14c) 1: the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist
          2: achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or
          endeavor against odds or difficulties

   Victrola
          [Vic.tro.la] trademark--used for a phonograph

   [1]victual
          [vict.ual] n [alter. of ME vitaille, fr. MF, fr. LL victualia,
          pl., provisions, victuals, fr. neut. pl. of victualis
          of nourishment, fr. L victus nourishment, way of living,
          fr. vivere to live--more at quick] (1523) 1: food usable
          by people 2 pl: supplies of food: provisions [2]victual
          vb -ualed or -ualled ; -ual.ing or -ual.ling vt (1558):
          to supply with food ~ vi 1: eat 2: to lay in provisions

   victualler
          [vict.ual.ler] or vict.ual.er n (1568) 1: the keeper of a
          restaurant or tavern 2: one that provisions an army,
          a navy, or a ship with food 3: an army or navy provision
          ship

   vicuna
          [vi.cu.na] n [Sp vicuna, fr. Quechua wik'una] (1604) 1: a
          wild ruminant (Vicugna vicugna syn. Lama vicugna) of
          the Andes from Peru to Argentina that is related to the
          llama and alpaca 2 a: the wool from the vicuna's fine
          lustrous undercoat b: a fabric made of vicuna wool; also:
          a sheep's wool imitation of this

   vide
          [vi.de] vb imper [L, fr. videre to see--more at wit] (1565):
          see--used to direct a reader to another item

   videlicet
          [vi.de.li.cet] adv [ME, fr. L, fr. videre to see + licet
          it is permitted, fr. licere to be permitted] (15c): that
          is to say: namely

   [1]video
          [vid.eo] n [L videre to see + -o (as in audio)] (1937) 1:
          television; also: the visual portion of television 2:
          videotape: as a: a recording of a motion picture or television
          program for playing through a television set b: a videotaped
          performance of a song often featuring an interpretation
          of the lyrics through visual images <a rock ~> [2]video
          adj (1938) 1: being, relating to, or used in the transmission
          or reception of the television image <~ channel>--compare
          audio 2: being, relating to, or involving images on a
          television screen or computer display <~ terminal>

   videocassette
          [vid.eo.cas.sette] n (1970) 1: a case containing videotape
          for use with a VCR 2: a recording (as of a movie) on
          a videocassette

   videocassette recorder
          [videocassette recorder] n (1976): vcr

   videoconferencing
          [vid.eo.con.fer.enc.ing] n (1977): the holding of a conference
          among people at remote locations by means of transmitted
          audio and video signals -- vid.eo.con.fer.ence n

   videodisc
          [vid.eo.disc] or vid.eo.disk n (1967) 1: a disc similar in
          appearance and use to a phonograph record on which programs
          have been recorded for playback on a television set;
          also: optical disk 2: a recording (as of a movie) on
          a videodisc

   video game
          [video game] n (1973): an electronic game played by means
          of images on a video screen and often emphasizing fast
          action

   videography
          [vid.e.og.ra.phy] n (1972): the practice or art of recording
          images with a video camera -- vid.e.og.ra.pher n

   videoland
          [vid.eo.land] n (1967): television as a medium or industry

   videophile
          [vid.eo.phile] n (1966): a person fond of video; esp: one
          interested in video equipment or in producing videos

   videophone
          [vid.eo.phone] n (ca. 1950): a telephone equipped for transmission
          of video as well as audio signals so that users can see each other

   [1]videotape
          [vid.eo.tape] n (1953): a recording of visual images and
          sound (as of a television production) made on magnetic
          tape; also: the magnetic tape used for such a recording
          [2]videotape vt (1958): to make a videotape of <~ a show>
          <~ the president's speech>

   videotape recorder
          [videotape recorder] n (1953): a device for recording and
          playing back videotapes--called also video recorder

   videotex
          [vid.eo.tex] also vid.eo.text n [[2]video + -tex (alter.
          of text)] (1978): an electronic data retrieval system
          in which usu. textual information is transmitted via
          telephone or cable-television lines and displayed on
          a television set or video display terminal; esp: such
          a system that is interactive--compare teletext

   video verite
          [video ve.ri.te] n [cinema verite] (1969): the filming or
          videotaping of a television program (as a documentary)
          so as to convey candid realism

   vidette
          [vi.dette] var of vedette

   vidicon
          [vid.icon] n, often cap [[2]video + iconoscope] (1950): a
          camera tube using the principle of photoconductivity

   viduity
          [vi.du.ity] n [ME (Sc) viduite, fr. MF viduite, fr. L viduitat-,
          viduitas, fr. vidua widow--more at widow] (15c): widowhood

   vie
          [vie] vb vied ; vy.ing [modif. of MF envier to invite, challenge,
          wager, fr. L invitare to invite] vi (1577): to strive
          for superiority: contend, compete ~ vt, archaic: wager,
          hazard; also: to exchange in rivalry: match -- vi.er
          n

   Vienna sausage
          [Vi.en.na sausage] n [Vienna, Austria] (ca. 1902): a short
          slender frankfurter

   Vietcong
          [Viet.cong] n, pl Vietcong [Vietnamese Viet-cong] (1957):
          a guerrilla member of the Vietnamese communist movement

   Vietminh
          [Viet.minh] n, pl Vietminh [Vietnamese Viet-Minh, short for
          Viet-Nam Doc-Lap Dong-Minh League for the Independence
          of Vietnam] (1945): an adherent of the Vietnamese communist
          movement from 1941 to 1951

   Vietnamese
          [Viet.nam.ese] n, pl Vietnamese (1947) 1: a native or inhabitant
          of Vietnam 2: the language of the largest group in Vietnam
          and the official language of the country -- Vietnamese
          adj

   vieux jeu
          [vieux jeu] [F] foreign term : old game: old hat

   [1]view
          [view] n [ME vewe, fr. MF veue, vue, fr. OF, fr. fem. of
          veu, vu, pp. of veeir, voir to see, fr. L videre--more
          at wit] (15c) 1: the act of seeing or examining: inspection;
          also: survey <a ~ of English literature> 2 a: a mode
          or manner of looking at or regarding something b: an
          opinion or judgment colored by the feeling or bias of
          its holder <in my ~ the conference has no chance of success>
          3: scene, prospect <the lovely ~ from the balcony> 4:
          extent or range of vision: sight <tried to keep the ship
          in ~> <sat high in the bleachers to get a good ~> 5:
          something that is looked toward or kept in sight: object
          <studied hard with a ~ to getting an A> 6: the foreseeable
          future <no hope in ~> 7: a pictorial representation syn
          see opinion -- in view of : in regard to: in consideration
          of -- on view : open to public inspection: on exhibition
          [2]view vt (1523) 1: to look at attentively: scrutinize,
          observe <~ an exhibit> <~ the landscape> 2 a: see, watch
          <~ a film> b: to look on in a particular light: regard
          <doesn't ~ himself as a rebel> 3: to survey or examine
          mentally: consider <~ all sides of a question> -- view.able
          adj

   viewdata
          [view.data] n (1975): a videotex system usu. employing telephone
          lines

   viewer
          [view.er] n (15c): one that views: as a: a person legally
          appointed to inspect and report on property b: an optical
          device used in viewing c: a person who watches television

   viewership
          [view.er.ship] n (1954): a television audience esp. with
          respect to size or makeup

   viewfinder
          [view.find.er] n (1889): a device on a camera for showing
          the area of the subject to be included in the picture

   view halloo
          [view hal.loo] interj (1761)--used in fox hunting on seeing
          a fox break cover

   viewing
          [view.ing] n (1535): an act of seeing, watching, or taking
          a look; esp: an instance or the practice of watching
          television

   viewless
          [view.less] adj (1603) 1: not perceivable: invisible 2: affording
          no view 3: expressing no views or opinions -- view.less.ly
          adv

   viewpoint
          [view.point] n (1855): point of view, standpoint

   viewy
          [viewy] adj (1848) 1: possessing visionary, impractical,
          or fantastic views 2: spectacular or arresting in appearance:
          showy

   vig
          [vig] n (1968): vigorish

   viga
          [vi.ga] n [Sp, beam, rafter] (1844): one of the heavy rafters
          and esp. a log supporting the roof in American Indian
          and Spanish architecture of the Southwest

   vigesimal
          [vi.ges.i.mal] adj [L vicesimus, vigesimus twentieth; akin
          to L viginti twenty, Gk eikosi] (ca. 1656): based on
          the number 20

   vigil
          [vig.il] n [ME vigile, fr. OF, fr. LL & L; LL vigilia watch
          on the eve of a feast, fr. L, wakefulness, watch, fr.
          vigil awake, watchful; akin to L vigere to be vigorous,
          vegere to enliven--more at wake] (13c) 1 a: a watch formerly
          kept on the night before a religious feast with prayer
          or other devotions b: the day before a religious feast
          observed as a day of spiritual preparation c: evening
          or nocturnal devotions or prayers--usu. used in pl. 2:
          the act of keeping awake at times when sleep is customary;
          also: a period of wakefulness 3: an act or period of
          watching or surveillance: watch

   vigilance
          [vig.i.lance] n (1533): the quality or state of being vigilant

   vigilance committee
          [vigilance committee] n (1835): a committee of vigilantes

   vigilant
          [vig.i.lant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L vigilant-, vigilans,
          fr. prp. of vigilare to keep watch, stay awake, fr. vigil
          awake] (15c): alertly watchful esp. to avoid danger syn
          see watchful -- vig.i.lant.ly adv

   vigilante
          [vig.i.lan.te] n [Sp, watchman, guard, fr. vigilante vigilant,
          fr. L vigilant-, vigilans] (1865): a member of a volunteer
          committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily
          (as when the processes of law appear inadequate); broadly:
          a self-appointed doer of justice -- vig.i.lan.tism n

   vigil light
          [vigil light] n (ca. 1931): a candle lighted devotionally
          (as in a Roman Catholic church) before a shrine or image--called
          also vigil candle

   vigintillion
          [vi.gin.til.lion] n, often attrib [L viginti twenty + E -illion
          (as in million)--more at vigesimal] (ca. 1903)--see number
          table

   vigneron
          [vi.gne.ron] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF vineron, fr. vine, vigne
          vine, vineyard] (15c): winegrower

   [1]vignette
          [vi.gnette] n [F, fr. MF vignete, fr. dim. of vigne vine--more
          at vine] (1751) 1: a running ornament (as of vine leaves,
          tendrils, and grapes) put on or just before a title page
          or at the beginning or end of a chapter; also: a small
          decorative design or picture so placed 2 a: a picture
          (as an engraving or photograph) that shades off gradually
          into the surrounding paper b: the pictorial part of a
          postage stamp design as distinguished from the frame
          and lettering 3 a: a short descriptive literary sketch
          b: a brief incident or scene (as in a play or movie)
          -- vi.gnett.ist n [2]vignette vt vi.gnett.ed ; vi.gnett.ing
          (1853) 1: to finish (as a photograph) in the manner of
          a vignette 2: to describe briefly -- vi.gnett.er n

   vigor
          [vig.or] n [ME, fr. MF vigor, fr. L, fr. vigere to be vigorous]
          (14c) 1: active bodily or mental strength or force 2:
          active healthy well-balanced growth esp. of plants 3:
          intensity of action or effect: force 4: effective legal
          status

   vigorish
          [vig.o.rish] n [perh. fr. Ukrainian vygrash or Russ vyigrysh
          winnings, profit] (1912) 1: a charge taken (as by a bookie
          or a gambling house) on bets; also: the degree of such
          a charge <a ~ of five percent> 2: interest paid to a
          moneylender

   vigoroso
          [vi.go.ro.so] adj or adv [It, lit., vigorous, fr. MF vigorous]
          (ca. 1724): energetic in style--used as a direction in
          music

   vigorous
          [vig.or.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. vigor] (14c) 1:
          possessing vigor: full of physical or mental strength
          or active force: strong <a ~ youth> <a ~ plant> 2: done
          with vigor: carried out forcefully and energetically
          <~ exercises> -- vig.or.ous.ly adv -- vig.or.ous.ness
          n syn vigorous, energetic, strenuous, lusty, nervous
          mean having or showing great vitality and force. vigorous
          further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing
          of freshness or robustness <as vigorous as a youth half
          his age>. energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity
          <an energetic campaigner>. strenuous suggests a preference
          for coping with the arduous or the challenging <the strenuous
          life on an oil rig>. lusty implies exuberant energy and
          capacity for enjoyment <a lusty appetite for life>. nervous
          suggests esp. the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness
          resulting from mental vigor <full of nervous energy>.

   vigour
          [vig.our] chiefly Brit var of vigor

   Viking
          [Vi.king] n [ON vikingr] (1807) 1 a: one of the pirate Norsemen
          plundering the coasts of Europe in the 8th to 10th centuries
          b not cap: sea rover 2: scandinavian

   vil
          [vil] abbreviation village

   vile
          [vile] adj vil.er ; vil.est [ME, fr. OF vil, fr. L vilis]
          (14c) 1 a: morally despicable or abhorrent <nothing is
          so ~ as intellectual dishonesty> b: physically repulsive:
          foul <a ~ slum> 2: of little worth or account: common;
          also: mean 3: tending to degrade <~ employments> 4: disgustingly
          or utterly bad: obnoxious, contemptible <~ weather> <had
          a ~ temper> syn see base -- vile.ly adv -- vile.ness
          n

   vilification
          [vil.i.fi.ca.tion] n (1630) 1: the act of vilifying: abuse
          2: an instance of vilifying: a defamatory utterance

   vilify
          [vil.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME vilifien, fr. LL vilificare,
          fr. L vilis cheap, vile] (15c) 1: to lower in estimation
          or importance 2: to utter slanderous and abusive statements
          against: defame syn see malign -- vil.i.fi.er n

   vilipend
          [vil.i.pend] vt [ME, fr. MF vilipender, fr. ML vilipendere,
          fr. L vilis + pendere to weigh, estimate] (15c) 1: to
          hold or treat as of little worth or account: contemn
          2: to express a low opinion of: disparage

   vill
          [vill] n [AF, fr. OF ville village] (1596) 1: a division
          of a hundred: township 2: village

   villa
          [vil.la] n [It, fr. L; akin to L vicus village--more at vicinity]
          (1611) 1: a country estate 2: the rural or suburban residence
          of a wealthy person 3 Brit: a detached or semidetached
          urban residence with yard and garden space

   villadom
          [vil.la.dom] n (1880) Brit: the world constituted by villas
          and their occupants

   village
          [vil.lage] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. ville
          farm, village, fr. L villa] (14c) 1 a: a settlement usu.
          larger than a hamlet and smaller than a town b: an incorporated
          minor municipality 2: the residents of a village 3: something
          (as an aggregation of burrows or nests) suggesting a
          village 4: a territorial area having the status of a
          village esp. as a unit of local government

   villager
          [vil.lag.er] n (1570): an inhabitant of a village

   villagery
          [vil.lage.ry] n (1590): villages

   villain
          [vil.lain] n [ME vilain, vilein, fr. MF, fr. ML villanus,
          fr. L villa] (14c) 1: an uncouth person: boor 2: villein
          3: a deliberate scoundrel or criminal 4: a scoundrel
          in a story or play 5: a person or thing blamed for a
          particular evil or difficulty <automation as the ~ in
          job ... displacement --M. H. Goldberg>

   villainess
          [vil.lain.ess] n (1586): a woman who is a villain

   villainous
          [vil.lain.ous] adj (15c) 1 a: befitting a villain (as in
          evil, depraved, or vile character) <a ~ attack> b: being
          or having the character of a villain: depraved <the ~
          foe> 2: highly objectionable: wretched syn see vicious
          -- vil.lain.ous.ly adv -- vil.lain.ous.ness n

   villainy
          [vil.lainy] n, pl -lain.ies (13c) 1: villainous conduct;
          also: a villainous act 2: the quality or state of being
          villainous: depravity

   villanella
          [vil.la.nel.la] n, pl -nel.le [It, fr. villano villein, peasant,
          fr. ML villanus] (1596) 1: a 16th century Italian rustic
          part-song unaccompanied and in free form 2: an instrumental
          piece in the style of a rustic dance

   villanelle
          [vil.la.nelle] n [F, fr. It villanella] (1877): a chiefly
          French verse form running on two rhymes and consisting
          typically of five tercets and a quatrain in which the
          first and third lines of the opening tercet recur alternately
          at the end of the other tercets and together as the last
          two lines of the quatrain

   villatic
          [vil.lat.ic] adj [L villaticus, fr. villa] (1671): rural

   -ville
          [-ville] n suffix [-ville, suffix occurring in names of towns,
          fr. F, fr. OF, fr. ville village]: place, category, or
          quality of a specified nature <dullsville>

   villein
          [vil.lein] n [ME vilain, vilein--more at villain] (14c) 1:
          a free common villager or village peasant of any of the
          feudal classes lower in rank than the thane 2: a free
          peasant of a feudal class lower than a sokeman and higher
          than a cotter 3: an unfree peasant standing as the slave
          of a feudal lord but free in legal relations with respect
          to all others

   villenage
          [vil.len.age] n [ME vilenage, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. vilein,
          vilain] (14c) 1: tenure at the will of a feudal lord
          by villein services 2: the status of a villein

   villiform
          [vil.li.form] adj [ISV] (1849): having the form or appearance
          of villi

   villosity
          [vil.los.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1777) 1: the state of being villous
          2: a villous patch or area

   villous
          [vil.lous] adj [ME, fr. L villosus hairy, shaggy, fr. villus]
          (14c) 1: covered or furnished with villi 2: having soft
          long hairs <leaves ~ underneath>--compare pubescent

   villus
          [vil.lus] n, pl vil.li [NL, fr. L, tuft of shaggy hair--more
          at velvet] (ca. 1704): a small slender often vascular
          process: as a: one of the minute finger-shaped processes
          of the mucous membrane of the small intestine that serve
          in the absorption of nutriment b: one of the branching
          processes of the surface of the chorion of the developing
          embryo of most mammals that help to form the placenta

   vim
          [vim] n [L, accus. of vis strength; akin to Gk is strength,
          Skt vaya meal, strength] (1843): robust energy and enthusiasm

   VIN
          [VIN] abbreviation vehicle identification number

   vina
          [vi.na] n [Skt vina] (1788): a stringed instrument of India
          having usu. four strings on a long bamboo fingerboard
          with movable frets and a gourd resonator at each end

   vinaceous
          [vi.na.ceous] adj [L vinaceus of wine, fr. vinum wine--more
          at wine] (1688): of the color wine

   vinaigrette
          [vin.ai.grette] n [F, fr. vinaigre vinegar] (1699) 1: a sauce
          made typically of oil and vinegar, onions, parsley, and
          herbs and used esp. on cold meats or fish--called also
          vinaigrette dressing, vinaigrette sauce 2: a small ornamental
          box or bottle with perforated top used for holding an
          aromatic preparation (as smelling salts)

   vinal
          [vi.nal] n [polyvinyl alcohol] (ca. 1939): a synthetic textile
          fiber that is a long-chain polymer consisting largely
          of vinyl alcohol units

   vinblastine
          [vin.blas.tine] n [contr. of vincaleukoblastine, fr. vinca
          + leukoblast developing leukocyte, fr. leuk- + -blast]
          (1962): an alkaloid from Madagascar periwinkle used esp.
          in the form of its sulfate to treat human neoplastic
          diseases

   vinca
          [vin.ca] n [NL, short for L vincapervinca periwinkle] (1868):
          [1]periwinkle

   Vincentian
          [Vin.cen.tian] n (1854) 1: a member of the Roman Catholic
          Congregation of the Mission founded by St. Vincent de
          Paul in Paris, France, in 1625 and devoted to missions
          and seminaries 2: a native or inhabitant of the island
          of St. Vincent -- Vincentian adj

   Vincent's angina
          [Vin.cent's angina] n [Jean Hyacinthe Vincent d. 1950 Fr.
          bacteriologist] (ca. 1903): Vincent's infection in which
          the ulceration has spread to surrounding tissues (as
          of the pharynx and tonsils)--called also trench mouth

   Vincent's infection
          [Vincent's infection] n (ca. 1922): a progressive painful
          disease of the mouth that is marked esp. by dirty gray
          ulceration of the mucous membranes, spontaneous hemorrhaging
          of the gums, and a foul odor to the breath and that is
          associated with the presence of large numbers of a bacillus
          (Fusobacterium nucleatum syn. F. fusiforme) and a spirochete
          (Treponema vincentii syn. Borrelia vincentii) in the
          lesions--called also trench mouth

   vincible
          [vin.ci.ble] adj [L vincibilis, fr. vincere to conquer--more
          at victor] (1548): capable of being overcome or subdued

   vincit omnia veritas
          [vin.cit om.nia ve.ri.tas] [L] foreign term : truth conquers
          all things

   vincristine
          [vin.cris.tine] n [vinca + L crista crest + E [2]-ine--more
          at crest] (ca. 1962): an alkaloid from Madagascar periwinkle
          used esp. in the form of its sulfate to treat some human
          neoplastic diseases (as leukemias)

   vinculum
          [vin.cu.lum] n, pl -lums or -la [L, fr. vincire to bind]
          (1661) 1: a unifying bond: link, tie 2: a straight horizontal
          mark placed over two or more members of a compound mathematical
          expression and equivalent to parentheses or brackets
          about them (as in a-b-c=a-[b-c])

   vinculum matrimonii
          [vin.cu.lum ma.tri.mo.nii] [L] foreign term : bond of marriage

   vindaloo
          [vin.da.loo] n [prob. fr. Konkani vindalu, fr. Indo-Portuguese
          (Pg creole of India) vinh d'alho, lit., wine of garlic,
          fr. Pg vinho de alho] (1888): a curried dish of Indian
          origin made with meat or shellfish, garlic, and wine
          or vinegar

   vindicable
          [vin.di.ca.ble] adj (1647): capable of being vindicated

   vindicate
          [vin.di.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L vindicatus, pp. of
          vindicare to lay claim to, avenge, fr. vindic-, vindex
          claimant, avenger] (1570) 1 obs: to set free: deliver
          2: avenge 3 a: to free from allegation or blame b (1):
          confirm, substantiate (2): to provide justification or
          defense for: justify c: to protect from attack or encroachment:
          defend 4: to maintain a right to syn see exculpate, maintain
          -- vin.di.ca.tor n

   vindication
          [vin.di.ca.tion] n (1613): an act of vindicating: the state
          of being vindicated; specif: justification against denial
          or censure: defense

   vindicative
          [vin.dic.a.tive] adj (1521) 1 obs: vindictive, vengeful 2
          archaic: punitive

   vindicatory
          [vin.di.ca.to.ry] adj (1647) 1: providing vindication:
          justificatory 2: punitive, retributive

   vindictive
          [vin.dic.tive] adj [L vindicta revenge, vindication, fr.
          vindicare] (1616) 1 a: disposed to seek revenge: vengeful
          b: intended for or involving revenge 2: intended to cause
          anguish or hurt: spiteful -- vin.dic.tive.ly adv --
          vin.dic.tive.ness n

   vin du pays
          [vin du pays] or vin de pays [F] foreign term : wine of the
          locality

   [1]vine
          [vine] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF vigne, fr. L vinea vine, vineyard,
          fr. fem. of vineus of wine, fr. vinum wine--more at wine]
          (14c) 1: grape 2 2 a: a plant whose stem requires support
          and which climbs by tendrils or twining or creeps along
          the ground; also: the stem of such a plant b: any of
          various sprawling herbaceous plants (as a tomato or potato)
          that lack specialized adaptations for climbing [2]vine
          vi vined ; vin.ing (1796): to form or grow in the manner
          of a vine

   vinedresser
          [vine.dress.er] n (1560): a person who cultivates and prunes
          grapevines

   vinegar
          [vin.e.gar] n [ME vinegre, fr. MF vinaigre, fr. vin wine
          (fr. L vinum) + aigre keen, sour--more at eager] (14c)
          1: a sour liquid obtained by fermentation of dilute alcoholic
          liquids and used as a condiment or preservative 2: ill
          humor: sourness 3: vim

   vinegared
          [vin.e.gared] adj (1861): flavored or marinated with vinegar

   vinegar eel
          [vinegar eel] n (ca. 1839): a minute nematode worm (Turbatrix
          aceti) often found in great numbers in vinegar or acid
          fermenting vegetable matter

   vinegar fly
          [vinegar fly] n [fr. its breeding in pickles] (1901): drosophila

   vinegarish
          [vin.e.gar.ish] adj (1648): vinegary 2

   vinegary
          [vin.e.gary] adj (ca. 1730) 1 a: resembling vinegar: sour
          b: flavored with vinegar 2: disagreeable, bitter, or
          irascible in character or manner

   vinery
          [vin.ery] n, pl -er.ies (15c): an area or building in which
          vines are grown

   vineyard
          [vine.yard] n (14c) 1: a planting of grapevines 2: a sphere
          of activity: field of endeavor <toilers in the ~ of diplomacy
          --Daniel Schorr>

   vineyardist
          [vine.yard.ist] n (1848): a person who owns or cultivates
          a vineyard

   vingt-et-un
          [vingt-et-un] n [F, lit., twenty-one] (1772): blackjack 5

   viniculture
          [vi.ni.cul.ture] n [L vinum + ISV -i- + culture] (1871):
          viticulture

   vinifera
          [vi.nif.era] adj [NL, fr. L vinifer wine-producing, fr. vinum
          wine] (1900): of, relating to, being, or derived from
          a common European grape (Vitis vinifera) that is the
          chief source of Old World wine grapes and table grapes
          -- vinifera n

   vinification
          [vi.ni.fi.ca.tion] n [F, fr. vin wine + -i- + -fication]
          (1880): the conversion of fruit juices (as grape juice)
          into wine by fermentation

   vinify
          [vin.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [prob. back-formation fr.
          vinification] (1969) 1: to make wine from (grapes often
          of a specified kind) 2: to make (wine) from grapes

   vino
          [vi.no] n [It & Sp, fr. L vinum] (ca. 1919): wine

   vinosity
          [vi.nos.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1658): the characteristic body,
          flavor, and color of a wine

   vinous
          [vi.nous] adj [L vinosus, fr. vinum wine] (1664) 1: of, relating
          to, or made with wine <~ medications> 2: showing the
          effects of the use of wine 3: vinaceous -- vi.nous.ly
          adv

   [1]vintage
          [vin.tage] n [ME, alter. of vendage, fr. MF vendenge, fr.
          L vindemia grape-gathering, vintage, fr. vinum wine,
          grapes + demere to take off, fr. de- + emere to take--more
          at wine, redeem] (15c) 1 a (1): a season's yield of grapes
          or wine from a vineyard (2): wine; esp: a usu. superior
          wine all or most of which comes from a single year b:
          a collection of contemporaneous and similar persons or
          things: crop 2: the act or time of harvesting grapes
          or making wine 3 a: a period of origin or manufacture
          <a piano of 1845 ~> b: length of existence: age [2]vintage
          adj (1601) 1 of wine: of, relating to, or produced in
          a particular vintage 2: of old, recognized, and enduring
          interest, importance, or quality: classic 3 a: dating
          from the past: old b: outmoded, old-fashioned 4: of the
          best and most characteristic--used with a proper noun
          <~ Shaw: a wise and winning comedy --Time>

   vintager
          [vin.tag.er] n (1589): a person concerned with the production
          of grapes and wine

   vintage year
          [vintage year] n (1933) 1: a year of outstanding distinction
          or success 2: a year in which a vintage wine is produced

   vintner
          [vint.ner] n [ME vineter, fr. MF vinetier, fr. ML vinetarius,
          fr. L vinetum vineyard, fr. vinum wine] (15c) 1: a wine
          merchant 2: a person who makes wine

   viny
          [viny] adj vin.i.er ; -est (1570) 1: of, relating to, or
          resembling vines <~ plants> 2: covered with or abounding
          in vines

   vinyl
          [vi.nyl] n [ISV, fr. L vinum wine] (1863) 1: a univalent
          group derived from ethylene by removal of one hydrogen
          atom 2: a polymer of a vinyl compound or a product (as
          a resin or a textile fiber) made from such a polymer
          -- vi.nyl.ic adj

   vinyl alcohol
          [vinyl alcohol] n (1873): an unstable compound isolated only
          in the form of its polymers or derivatives

   vinyl chloride
          [vinyl chloride] n (1872): a flammable gaseous carcinogenic
          compound that is used esp. to make vinyl resins

   vinylidene
          [vi.nyl.i.dene] n [ISV vinyl + -ide + -ene] (1898): a bivalent
          group derived from ethylene by removal of two hydrogen
          atoms from one carbon atom

   vinyl resin
          [vinyl resin] n (1934): any of various thermoplastic resinous
          materials that are essentially polymers of vinyl compounds

   viol
          [vi.ol] n [ME, fr. MF viole viol, viola, fr. OProv viola
          viol] (15c): a bowed stringed instrument chiefly of the
          16th and 17th centuries made in treble, alto, tenor,
          and bass sizes and distinguished from members of the
          violin family esp. in having a deep body, a flat back,
          sloping shoulders, usu. six strings, a fretted fingerboard,
          and a low-arched bridge

   [1]viola
          [vi.o.la] n [ME, fr. L] (15c): violet 1a; esp: any of various
          garden hybrids with solitary white, yellow, or purple
          often variegated flowers resembling but smaller than
          typical pansies [2]vi.o.la n [It & Sp, viol, viola, fr.
          OProv, viol] (ca. 1724): a musical instrument of the
          violin family that is intermediate in size and compass
          between the violin and cello and is tuned a fifth below
          the violin -- vi.o.list n

   violable
          [vi.o.la.ble] adj (1552): capable of being or likely to be
          violated -- vi.o.la.bil.i.ty n -- vi.o.la.ble.ness n
          -- vi.o.la.bly adv

   violaceous
          [vi.o.la.ceous] adj [L violaceus, fr. viola violet] (1657):
          of the color violet

   viola da gamba
          [vi.o.la da gam.ba] n, pl vi.o.las da gamba or vi.o.le da
          gamba [It, leg viol] (1597): a bass member of the viol
          family having a range approximating the cello -- vi.o.list
          da gamba n

   viola d'amore
          [viola d'a.mo.re] n, pl violas d'amore or viole d'amore [It,
          viol of love] (ca. 1700): a tenor viol having usu. seven
          gut and seven wire strings

   [1]violate
          [vi.o.late] vt -lat.ed ; -lat.ing [ME, fr. L violatus, pp.
          of violare, prob. fr. violentus violent] (15c) 1: break,
          disregard <~ the law> 2: to do harm to the person or
          esp. the chastity of; specif: rape 3: to fail to show
          proper respect for: profane <~ a shrine> 4: interrupt,
          disturb <~ the peace of a spring evening --Nancy Larter>
          -- vi.o.la.tive adj -- vi.o.la.tor n [2]vi.o.late adj
          (1503) archaic: subjected to violation

   violation
          [vi.o.la.tion] n (15c): the act of violating: the state of
          being violated: as a: infringement, transgression; specif:
          an infringement of the rules in sports that is less serious
          than a foul and usu. involves technicalities of play
          b: an act of irreverence or desecration: profanation
          c: disturbance, interruption d: rape, ravishment

   violence
          [vi.o.lence] n (14c) 1 a: exertion of physical force so as
          to injure or abuse (as in effecting illegal entry into
          a house) b: an instance of violent treatment or procedure
          2: injury by or as if by distortion, infringement, or
          profanation: outrage 3 a: intense, turbulent, or furious
          and often destructive action or force <the ~ of the storm>
          b: vehement feeling or expression: fervor; also: an instance
          of such action or feeling c: a clashing or jarring quality:
          discordance 4: undue alteration (as of wording or sense
          in editing a text)

   violent
          [vi.o.lent] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L violentus; akin to L vis
          strength--more at vim] (14c) 1: marked by extreme force
          or sudden intense activity <a ~ attack> 2 a: notably
          furious or vehement <a ~ denunciation> b: extreme, intense
          <~ pain> <~ colors> 3: caused by force: not natural <a
          ~ death> 4 a: emotionally agitated to the point of loss
          of self-control <a mental patient becoming ~> b: prone
          to commit acts of violence <~ prison inmates> -- vi.o.lent.ly
          adv

   violent storm
          [violent storm] n (ca. 1881): storm 1c(1)

   violet
          [vi.o.let] n [ME, fr. MF violete, dim. of viole violet, fr.
          L viola] (14c) 1 a: any of a genus (Viola of the family
          Violaceae, the violet family) of chiefly herbs with alternate
          stipulate leaves and showy flowers in spring and cleistogamous
          flowers in summer; esp: one with smaller usu. solid-colored
          flowers as distinguished from the usu. larger-flowered
          violas and pansies b: any of several plants of genera
          other than that of the violet--compare dogtooth violet
          2: any of a group of colors of reddish blue hue, low
          lightness, and medium saturation

   violin
          [vi.o.lin] n [It violino, dim. of viola] (1579): a bowed
          stringed instrument having four strings tuned at intervals
          of a fifth and a usual range from G below middle C upward
          for more than 4 1/2 octaves and having a shallow body,
          shoulders at right angles to the neck, a fingerboard
          without frets, and a curved bridge -- vi.o.lin.ist n
          -- vi.o.lin.ist.ic adj

   violoncello
          [vi.o.lon.cel.lo] n [It, dim. of violone, aug. of viola]
          (ca. 1724): cello -- vi.o.lon.cel.list n

   viomycin
          [vio.my.cin] n [violet + -mycin; fr. the color of the soil
          organism] (1950): a polypeptide antibiotic that is produced
          by several soil actinomycetes (genus Streptomyces) and
          is administered in the form of its sulfate in the treatment
          of tuberculosis

   VIP
          [VIP] n, pl VIPs [very important person] (1933): a person
          of great influence or prestige; esp: a high official
          with special privileges

   viper
          [vi.per] n [MF vipere, fr. L vipera] (1526) 1 a: a common
          Eurasian venomous snake (Vipera berus) that attains a
          length of two feet (0.6 meter), varies in color from
          red, brown, or gray with dark markings to black, and
          is usu. not fatal to humans; broadly: any of a family
          (Viperidae) of venomous snakes that includes Old World
          snakes (subfamily Viperinae) and the pit vipers b: a
          venomous or reputedly venomous snake 2: a vicious or
          treacherous person

   viperine
          [vi.per.ine] adj (ca. 1550): of, relating to, or resembling
          a viper: venomous

   viperish
          [vi.per.ish] adj (1755): spitefully vituperative: venomous

   viperous
          [vi.per.ous] adj (1535) 1: viperine 2: having the qualities
          attributed to a viper: malignant, venomous -- vi.per.ous.ly
          adv

   viper's bugloss
          [viper's bugloss] n (1597): a coarse Old World herb (Echium
          vulgare) of the borage family that is naturalized in
          No. America and has showy blue tubular flowers with exserted
          stamens--called also blueweed

   virago
          [vi.ra.go] n, pl -goes or -gos [ME, fr. L viragin-, virago,
          fr. vir man--more at virile] (14c) 1: a loud overbearing
          woman: termagant 2: a woman of great stature, strength,
          and courage -- vi.rag.i.nous adj

   viral
          [vi.ral] adj (1937): of, relating to, or caused by a virus
          -- vi.ral.ly adv

   virelay
          [vir.e.lay] n [ME, fr. MF virelai] (14c): a chiefly French
          verse form consisting of stanzas of indeterminate length
          and number with alternating long and short lines and
          interlaced rhyme (as abab bcbc cdcd dada)

   viremia
          [vi.re.mia] n [NL, fr. virus + -emia] (1946): the presence
          of virus in the blood of a host -- vi.re.mic adj

   vireo
          [vir.eo] n, pl -e.os [L, a small bird, fr. virere to be green]
          (1834): any of various small insectivorous American oscine
          birds (family Vireonidae and esp. genus Vireo) that are
          chiefly olivaceous and grayish in color

   vires
          [vires] pl of vis

   virescence
          [vi.res.cence] n (ca. 1888): the state or condition of becoming
          green; esp: such a condition due to the development of
          chloroplasts in plant organs (as petals) normally white
          or colored

   virescent
          [vi.res.cent] adj [L virescent-, virescens, prp. of virescere
          to become green, incho. of virere to be green] (1826)
          1: beginning to be green: greenish 2: developing or displaying
          virescence

   virga
          [vir.ga] n [NL, fr. L, branch, rod, streak in the sky suggesting
          rain] (1938): wisps of precipitation evaporating before
          reaching the ground

   [1]virgate
          [vir.gate] n [ML virgata, fr. virga, a land measure, fr.
          L, rod] (1655): an old English unit of land area equal
          to one quarter of a hide or one quarter of an acre [2]virgate
          adj [NL virgatus, fr. L, made of twigs, fr. virga] (1821):
          shaped like a rod or wand <a ~ one-flowered branch>

   [1]virgin
          [vir.gin] n [ME, fr. OF virgine, fr. L virgin-, virgo young
          woman, virgin] (13c) 1 a: an unmarried woman devoted
          to religion b cap: virgo 2 a: an absolutely chaste young
          woman b: an unmarried girl or woman 3 cap: virgin mary
          4 a: a person who has not had sexual intercourse b: a
          person who is inexperienced in a usu. specified sphere
          of activity <a ~ in politics> 5: a female animal that
          has never copulated [2]virgin adj (14c) 1: free of impurity
          or stain: unsullied 2: chaste 3: characteristic of or
          befitting a virgin: modest 4: fresh, unspoiled; specif:
          not altered by human activity <a ~ forest> 5 a (1): being
          used or worked for the first time (2) of a metal: produced
          directly from ore by primary smelting b: initial, first
          6 of a vegetable oil: obtained from the first light pressing
          and without heating

   [1]virginal
          [vir.gin.al] adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of a virgin or virginity; esp: pure, chaste 2: pristine,
          unsullied -- vir.gin.al.ly adv [2]virginal n [prob. fr.
          L virginalis of a virgin, fr. virgin-, virgo] (1530):
          a small rectangular spinet having no legs and only one
          wire to a note and popular in the 16th and 17th centuries--often
          used in pl.--called also pair of virginals -- vir.gin.al.ist
          n

   virgin birth
          [virgin birth] n (1652) 1: birth from a virgin 2 often cap
          V&B: the theological doctrine that Jesus was miraculously
          begotten of God and born of a virgin mother

   Virginia bluebells
          [Vir.gin.ia bluebells] n pl [Virginia, state of the U.S.]
          (ca. 1922): bluebell 2b

   Virginia creeper
          [Virginia creeper] n (1704): a common No. American tendril-climbing
          vine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) of the grape family with
          palmately compound leaves and bluish black berries--called also
          woodbine

   Virginia fence
          [Virginia fence] n (1671): worm fence--called also Virginia
          rail fence

   Virginia ham
          [Virginia ham] n (1824): a dry-cured, smoked, and aged ham
          esp. from a peanut-fed hog

   Virginia pine
          [Virginia pine] n (1897): a pine (Pinus virginiana) of the
          eastern U.S. that has short needles occurring in pairs--called
          also Jersey pine

   Virginia rail
          [Virginia rail] n (1813): an American long-billed rail (Rallus
          limicola) that has gray cheeks

   Virginia reel
          [Virginia reel] n (1817): an American dance in which two
          lines of couples face each other and all couples in turn
          participate in a series of figures

   Virginia snakeroot
          [Virginia snakeroot] n (1694): a birthwort (Aristolochia
          serpentaria) of the eastern U.S. with oblong leaves cordate
          at the base and a solitary basal very irregular flower

   virginibus puerisque
          [vir.gi.ni.bus pu.e.ris.que] [L] foreign term : for girls
          and boys

   virginity
          [vir.gin.i.ty] n, pl -ties (14c) 1: the quality or state
          of being virgin; esp: maidenhood 2: the unmarried life:
          celibacy, spinsterhood

   Virgin Mary
          [Virgin Mary] n: the mother of Jesus

   virgin's bower
          [virgin's bower] n (1597): any of several usu. small-flowered
          and climbing clematises (esp. Clematis virginiana)

   virgin wool
          [virgin wool] n (1915): wool not used before in manufacture

   Virgo
          [Vir.go] n [L (gen. Virginis), lit., virgin] 1: a zodiacal
          constellation on the celestial equator that lies due
          south of the handle of the Big Dipper and is pictured
          as a woman holding a spike of grain 2 a: the 6th sign
          of the zodiac in astrology b: one born under the sign
          of Virgo -- Vir.go.an n

   virgo intacta
          [vir.go in.tac.ta] [L] foreign term : untouched virgin

   virgule
          [vir.gule] n [F, fr. L virgula small stripe, obelus, fr.
          dim. of virga rod] (1837): diagonal 3

   viricidal
          [vi.ri.ci.dal] adj [NL virus + E -i- + -cide] (1924): virucidal
          -- vi.ri.cide n

   virid
          [vir.id] adj [L viridis green] (1600): vividly green: verdant

   viridescent
          [vir.i.des.cent] adj [L viridis green] (ca. 1847): slightly
          green: greenish

   viridian
          [vi.rid.i.an] n [L viridis] (1882): a chrome green that is
          a hydrated oxide of chromium

   viridity
          [vi.rid.i.ty] n [ME viridite, fr. MF viridite, fr. L viriditat-,
          viriditas, fr. viridis] (15c) 1 a: the quality or state
          of being green b: the color of grass or foliage 2: naive
          innocence

   virile
          [vir.ile] adj [MF or L; MF viril, fr. L virilis, fr. vir
          man, male; akin to OE & OHG wer man, Skt vira] (15c)
          1: having the nature, properties, or qualities of an
          adult male; specif: capable of functioning as a male
          in copulation 2: energetic, vigorous 3 a: characteristic
          of or associated with men: masculine b: having traditionally
          masculine traits esp. to a marked degree 4: masterful,
          forceful -- vir.ile.ly adv

   virilism
          [vir.il.ism] n (1922): the appearance of secondary male
          characteristics in the female

   virility
          [vi.ril.i.ty] n (1586): the quality or state of being virile:
          a: manhood b: manly vigor: masculinity

   virion
          [vi.ri.on] n [F, fr. virien viral (fr. virus virus) + -on
          [2]-on] (1959): a complete virus particle that consists
          of an RNA or DNA core with a protein coat sometimes with
          external envelopes and that is the extracellular infective
          form of a virus

   virl
          [virl] n [ME virole--more at ferrule] (15c) Scot: ferrule
          1

   viroid
          [vi.roid] n [NL virus + E -oid] (1971): any of several causative
          agents of plant disease that consist solely of a single-stranded
          RNA of low molecular weight arranged in a closed loop
          or a linear chain

   virology
          [vi.rol.o.gy] n [NL virus + ISV -logy] (ca. 1935): a branch
          of science that deals with viruses -- vi.ro.log.i.cal
          or vi.ro.log.ic adj -- vi.ro.log.i.cal.ly adv -- vi.rol.o.gist
          n

   virtu
          [vir.tu] n [It virtu, lit., virtue, fr. L virtut-, virtus]
          (1722) 1: a love of or taste for curios or objets d'art
          2: productions of art esp. of a curious or antique nature:
          objets d'art

   virtual
          [vir.tu.al] adj [ME, possessed of certain physical virtues,
          fr. ML virtualis, fr. L virtus strength, virtue] (1654)
          1: being such in essence or effect though not formally
          recognized or admitted <a ~ dictator> 2: of, relating
          to, or using virtual memory 3: of, relating to, or being
          a hypothetical particle whose existence is inferred from
          indirect evidence <~ photons>--compare real 3

   virtual image
          [virtual image] n (1859): an image (as seen in a plane mirror)
          formed of points from which divergent rays (as of light)
          seem to emanate without actually doing so

   virtuality
          [vir.tu.al.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1646) 1: essence 2: potential
          existence: potentiality

   virtually
          [vir.tu.al.ly] adv (15c) 1: almost entirely: nearly 2: for
          all practical purposes <~ unknown>

   virtual memory
          [virtual memory] n (1959): external memory (as magnetic disks)
          for a computer that can be used as if it were an extension
          of the computer's internal memory--called also virtual
          storage

   virtual reality
          [virtual reality] n (1989): an artificial environment which
          is experienced through sensory stimuli (as sights and
          sounds) provided by a computer and in which one's actions
          partially determine what happens in the environment

   virtue
          [vir.tue] n [ME virtu, fr. OF, fr. L virtut-, virtus strength,
          manliness, virtue, fr. vir man--more at virile] (13c)
          1 a: conformity to a standard of right: morality b: a
          particular moral excellence 2 pl: an order of angels--see
          celestial hierarchy 3: a beneficial quality or power
          of a thing 4: manly strength or courage: valor 5: a commendable
          quality or trait: merit 6: a capacity to act: potency
          7: chastity esp. in a woman -- vir.tue.less adj -- by
          virtue of or in virtue of : through the force of: by
          authority of

   virtuosa
          [vir.tu.o.sa] n [It, fem. of virtuoso] (1668): a girl or
          woman who is a virtuoso

   virtuosity
          [vir.tu.os.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1673) 1: a taste for or interest
          in virtu 2: great technical skill (as in the practice
          of a fine art)

   virtuoso
          [vir.tu.o.so] n, pl -sos or -si [It, fr. virtuoso, adj.,
          virtuous, skilled, fr. LL virtuosus virtuous, fr. L virtus]
          (1651) 1: an experimenter or investigator esp. in the
          arts and sciences: savant 2: one skilled in or having
          a taste for the fine arts 3: one who excels in the technique
          of an art; esp: a highly skilled musical performer (as
          on the violin) 4: a person who has great skill at some
          endeavor <a computer ~> <a ~ at public relations> --
          vir.tu.o.sic adj -- virtuoso adj

   virtuous
          [vir.tu.ous] adj (14c) 1: potent, efficacious 2 a: having
          or exhibiting virtue b: morally excellent: righteous
          3: chaste syn see moral -- vir.tu.ous.ly adv -- vir.tu.ous.ness
          n

   virtute et armis
          [vir.tu.te et ar.mis] [L] foreign term : by valor and arms--motto
          of Mississippi

   virucidal
          [vi.ru.cid.al] adj [NL, virus + E -cide] (1925): having the
          capacity to or tending to destroy or inactivate viruses
          <~ agents> <~ activity> -- vi.ru.cide n

   virulence
          [vir.u.lence] n (1663): the quality or state of being virulent:
          as a: extreme bitterness or malignity of temper: rancor
          b: malignancy, venomousness <ameliorate the ~ of a disease>
          c: the relative capacity of a pathogen to overcome body
          defenses

   virulency
          [vir.u.len.cy] n (ca. 1617): virulence

   virulent
          [vir.u.lent] adj [ME, fr. L virulentus, fr. virus poison]
          (14c) 1 a: marked by a rapid, severe, and malignant course
          <a ~ infection> b: able to overcome bodily defensive
          mechanisms <a ~ pathogen> 2: extremely poisonous or venomous
          3: full of malice: malignant <~ racists> 4: objectionably
          harsh or strong -- vir.u.lent.ly adv

   viruliferous
          [vir.u.lif.er.ous] adj [virulence + -iferous] (ca. 1899):
          containing, producing, or conveying an agent of infection
          and esp. a virus <~ insects>

   virus
          [vi.rus] n [L, venom, poisonous emanation; akin to Gk ios
          poison, Skt visa; in senses 2 & 4, fr. NL, fr. L] (1599)
          1 archaic: venom 1 2 a: the causative agent of an infectious
          disease b: any of a large group of submicroscopic infective
          agents that are regarded either as extremely simple microorganisms
          or as extremely complex molecules, that typically contain a protein
          coat surrounding an RNA or DNA core of genetic material but
          no semipermeable membrane, that are capable of growth and
          multiplication only in living cells, and that cause various
          important diseases in humans, lower animals, or plants; also:
          filterable virus c: a disease caused by a virus 3: something that
          poisons the mind or soul <the force of this ~ of prejudice --V.
          S. Waters> 4: a computer program usu. hidden within another
          seemingly innocuous program that produces copies of itself and
          inserts them into other programs and that usu. performs a malicious
          action (as destroying data)

   vis
          [vis] n, pl vi.res [L--more at vim] (1601): force, power

   vis
          [vis] abbreviation visibility, visible, visual

   [1]visa
          [vi.sa] n [F, fr. L, neut. pl. of visus, pp.] (1831) 1: an
          endorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities
          denoting that it has been examined and that the bearer
          may proceed 2: a signature of formal approval by a superior
          upon a document [2]visa vt vi.saed ; vi.sa.ing (ca. 1847):
          to give a visa to (a passport)

   visage
          [vis.age] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. vis face, fr. L visus sight,
          fr. videre to see--more at wit] (14c) 1: the face, countenance,
          or appearance of a person or sometimes an animal 2: aspect,
          appearance <grimy ~ of a mining town> -- vis.aged adj

   [1]vis-a-vis
          [vis-a-vis] prep [F, lit., face-to-face] (1755) 1: face-to-face
          with 2: in relation to 3: as compared with [2]vis-a-vis
          n, pl vis-a-vis (ca. 1757) 1: one that is face-to-face
          with another 2 a: escort, date b: counterpart 3: tete-a-tete
          1 [3]vis-a-vis adv (1870): in company: together

   Visayan
          [Vi.sa.yan] var of bisayan

   viscacha
          [vis.ca.cha] n [Sp vizcacha, fr. Quechua wisk'acha] (1604):
          any of several So. American burrowing rodents (genera
          Lagostomus and Lagidium) closely related to the chinchilla

   viscera
          [viscera] pl of viscus

   visceral
          [vis.cer.al] adj (1575) 1: felt in or as if in the viscera:
          deep <~ conviction> 2: not intellectual: instinctive,
          unreasoning <~ drives> 3: dealing with crude or elemental
          emotions: earthy <a ~ novel> 4: of, relating to, or located
          on or among the viscera: splanchnic -- vis.cer.al.ly
          adv

   viscid
          [vis.cid] adj [LL viscidus, fr. L viscum birdlime--more at
          viscous] (1635) 1 a: having an adhesive quality: sticky
          b: having a glutinous consistency: viscous 2: covered
          with a sticky layer -- vis.cid.i.ty n -- vis.cid.ly adv

   viscoelastic
          [vis.co.elas.tic] adj [viscous + -o- + elastic] (1935): having
          appreciable and conjoint viscous and elastic properties
          <such ~ materials as asphalt>; also: constituting or
          relating to the state of viscoelastic materials <~ data>
          <~ properties> -- vis.co.elas.tic.i.ty n

   viscometer
          [vis.com.e.ter] n [viscosity + -meter] (ca. 1883): an instrument
          with which to measure viscosity -- vis.co.met.ric adj
          -- vis.com.e.try n

   [1]viscose
          [vis.cose] n [obs. viscose, adj., viscous] (1896) 1: a viscous
          golden-brown solution made by treating cellulose with
          caustic alkali solution and carbon disulfide and used
          in making rayon and films of regenerated cellulose 2:
          viscose rayon [2]viscose adj (1900): of, relating to,
          or made from viscose

   viscosimeter
          [vis.co.sim.e.ter] n [ISV viscosity + -meter] (ca. 1868):
          viscometer -- vis.cosi.met.ric adj

   viscosity
          [vis.cos.i.ty] n, pl -ties [ME viscosite, fr. MF viscosite,
          fr. ML viscositat-, viscositas, fr. LL viscosus viscous]
          (15c) 1: the quality or state of being viscous 2: the
          property of resistance to flow in a fluid or semifluid
          3: the ratio of the tangential frictional force per unit
          area to the velocity gradient perpendicular to the direction
          of flow of a liquid--called also coefficient of viscosity

   viscosity index
          [viscosity index] n (1929): an arbitrary number assigned
          as a measure of the constancy of the viscosity of a lubricating
          oil with change of temperature with higher numbers indicating
          viscosities that change little with temperature

   viscount
          [vis.count] n [ME viscounte, fr. MF viscomte, fr. ML vicecomit-,
          vicecomes, fr. LL vice- vice- + comit-, comes count--more
          at count] (15c): a member of the peerage in Great Britain
          ranking below an earl and above a baron -- vis.count.cy
          n -- vis.county n

   viscountess
          [vis.count.ess] n (15c) 1: the wife or widow of a viscount
          2: a woman who holds the rank of viscount in her own
          right

   viscous
          [vis.cous] adj [ME viscouse, fr. LL viscosus full of birdlime,
          viscous, fr. L viscum mistletoe, birdlime; akin to OHG
          wihsila cherry, Gk ixos mistletoe] (14c) 1: viscid 2:
          having or characterized by viscosity <~ flow> -- vis.cous.ly
          adv -- vis.cous.ness n

   viscus
          [vis.cus] n, pl vis.cera [L (pl. viscera)] (1651) 1: an internal
          organ of the body; esp: one (as the heart, liver, or
          intestine) located in the great cavity of the trunk proper
          2 pl: heart 4

   [1]vise
          [vise] n [MF vis screw, something winding, fr. L vitis vine--more
          at withy] (1500) 1: any of various tools with two jaws
          for holding work that close usu. by a screw, lever, or
          cam 2: something likened to a vise <economic ~ of slow
          growth and rampant price increases --David Milne> --
          vise.like adj [2]vise vt vised ; vis.ing (1602): to hold,
          force, or squeeze with or as if with a vise [1]vi.se
          vt vi.sed or vi.seed ; vi.se.ing [F, pp. of viser to
          visa, fr. visa] (1810): visa [2]vise n (1842): visa

   Vishnu
          [Vish.nu] n [Skt Visnu] (1638): the preserver god of the
          Hindu sacred triad--compare brahma, siva

   visibility
          [vis.i.bil.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1581) 1: the quality or state
          of being visible 2 a: the degree of clearness of the
          atmosphere; specif: the greatest distance toward the
          horizon at which prominent objects can be identified
          with the naked eye b: capability of being readily noticed
          c: capability of affording an unobstructed view d: publicity
          2d 3: a measure of the ability of radiant energy to evoke
          visual sensation

   visible
          [vis.i.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L visibilis, fr.
          visus, pp. of videre to see] (14c) 1 a: capable of being
          seen <stars ~ to the naked eye> b: situated in the region
          of the electromagnetic spectrum perceptible to human
          vision <~ light>--used of radiation having a wavelength
          between about 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers 2 a:
          exposed to view <the ~ horizon> b: conspicuous 3: capable
          of being discovered or perceived: recognizable <no ~
          means of support> 4: accessible 4 5: devised to keep
          a particular part or item always in full view or readily
          seen or referred to <a ~ index> -- vis.i.ble.ness n --
          vis.i.bly adv

   visible speech
          [visible speech] n (1865) 1: a set of phonetic symbols based
          on symbols for articulatory position 2: speech reproduced
          spectrographically

   Visigoth
          [Vis.i.goth] n [LL Visigothi, pl.] (1611): a member of the
          western division of the Goths -- Vis.i.goth.ic adj

   [1]vision
          [vi.sion] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L vision-, visio, fr. videre
          to see--more at wit] (14c) 1 a: something seen in a dream,
          trance, or ecstasy; esp: a supernatural appearance that
          conveys a revelation b: an object of imagination c: a
          manifestation to the senses of something immaterial <look,
          not at ~s, but at realities --Edith Wharton> 2 a: the
          act or power of imagination b (1): mode of seeing or
          conceiving (2): unusual discernment or foresight <a man
          of ~> c: direct mystical awareness of the supernatural
          usu. in visible form 3 a: the act or power of seeing:
          sight b: the special sense by which the qualities of
          an object (as color, luminosity, shape and size) constituting
          its appearance are perceived and which is mediated by
          the eye 4 a: something seen b: a lovely or charming sight
          -- vi.sion.al adj -- vi.sion.al.ly adv [2]vision vt vi.sioned
          ; vi.sion.ing (1795): envision

   [1]visionary
          [vi.sion.ary] adj (1648) 1 a: of the nature of a vision:
          illusory b: incapable of being realized or achieved:
          utopian <a ~ scheme> c: existing only in imagination:
          unreal 2 a: able or likely to see visions b: disposed
          to reverie or imagining: dreamy 3: of, relating to, or
          characterized by visions or the power of vision 4: having
          or marked by foresight and imagination <a ~ leader> <a
          ~ invention> syn see imaginary -- vi.sion.ar.i.ness n
          [2]visionary n, pl -ar.ies (1702) 1: one whose ideas
          or projects are impractical: dreamer 2: one who sees
          visions: seer

   visioned
          [vi.sioned] adj (1510) 1: seen in a vision <a ~ face> 2:
          produced by or experienced in a vision <~ agony> 3: endowed
          with vision: inspired

   visionless
          [vi.sion.less] adj (1820) 1: sightless, blind <~ eyes> 2:
          lacking vision or inspiration <a ~ leader>

   [1]visit
          [vis.it] vb vis.it.ed ; vis.it.ing [ME, fr. OF visiter, fr.
          L visitare, freq. of visere to go to see, freq. of videre
          to see] vt (13c) 1 a archaic: comfort--used of the Deity
          <~ us with Thy salvation --Charles Wesley> b (1): afflict
          <~ed his people with distempers --Tobias Smollett> (2):
          inflict, impose <~ed his wrath upon them> c: avenge <~ed
          the sins of the fathers upon the children> d: to present
          itself to or come over momentarily <was ~ed by a strange
          notion> 2: to go to see in order to comfort or help 3
          a: to pay a call on as an act of friendship or courtesy
          b: to reside with temporarily as a guest c: to go to
          see or stay at (a place) for a particular purpose (as
          business or sightseeing) d: to go or come officially
          to inspect or oversee <a bishop ~ing his parishes> ~
          vi 1: to make a visit; also: to make frequent or regular
          visits 2: chat, converse [2]visit n (1621) 1 a: a short
          stay: call b: a brief residence as a guest c: an extended
          stay: sojourn 2: a journey to and stay or short sojourn
          at a place 3: an official or professional call or tour:
          visitation 4: the act of a naval officer in boarding
          a merchant ship on the high seas in exercise of the right
          of search

   visitable
          [vis.it.able] adj (1605) 1: subject to or allowing visitation
          or inspection 2: socially eligible to receive visits

   visitant
          [vis.i.tant] n (1599) 1: visitor; esp: one thought to come
          from a spirit world 2: a migratory bird that appears
          at intervals for a limited period -- visitant adj

   visitation
          [vis.i.ta.tion] n (14c) 1: an instance of visiting: as a:
          an official visit (as for inspection) b: [2]wake 3 c:
          temporary custody of a child granted to a noncustodial
          parent <~ rights> 2 a: a special dispensation of divine
          favor or wrath b: a severe trial: affliction 3 cap: the
          visit of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth recounted in Luke
          and celebrated July 2 by a Christian feast

   visitatorial
          [vis.i.ta.to.ri.al] adj (1688): of or relating to visitation
          or to a judicial visitor or superintendent

   visiting
          [visiting] adj (1949): invited to join or attend an institution
          (as a university) for a limited time <a ~ professor>
          <a ~ fellow>

   visiting card
          [visiting card] n (1782): a small card presented when visiting
          that bears the name and sometimes the address of the
          visitor

   visiting fireman
          [visiting fireman] n (1926): a usu. important or influential
          visitor whom it is desirable or expedient to entertain
          impressively

   visiting nurse
          [visiting nurse] n (ca. 1924): a nurse employed by a hospital
          or social-service agency to perform public health services
          and esp. to visit sick persons in a community

   visitor
          [vis.i.tor] n (15c): one that visits; esp: one that makes
          formal visits of inspection

   visive
          [vi.sive] adj [ML visivus, fr. L visus, pp. of videre to
          see--more at wit] (1543) archaic: of, relating to, or
          serving for vision

   vis medicatrix naturae
          [vis me.di.ca.trix na.tu.rae] [L] foreign term : the healing
          power of nature

   visor
          [vi.sor] n [ME viser, fr. AF, fr. OF visiere, fr. vis face--more
          at visage] (14c) 1: the front piece of a helmet; esp:
          a movable upper piece 2 a: a face mask b: disguise 3
          a: a projecting front on a cap for shading the eyes b:
          a usu. movable flat sunshade attached at the top of an
          automobile windshield -- vi.sored adj -- vi.sor.less
          adj

   vista
          [vis.ta] n [It, sight, fr. visto, pp. of vedere to see, fr.
          L videre--more at wit] (1644) 1: a distant view through
          or along an avenue or opening: prospect 2: an extensive
          mental view (as over a stretch of time or a series of
          events)

   VISTA
          [VISTA] abbreviation Volunteers in Service to America

   vistaed
          [vis.taed] adj (1835) 1: affording or made to form a vista
          2: seen in or as if in a vista

   [1]visual
          [vi.su.al] adj [ME, fr. LL visualis, fr. L visus sight, fr.
          videre to see] (1603) 1: of, relating to, or used in
          vision <~ organs> 2: attained or maintained by sight
          <~ impressions> 3: visible 4: producing mental images:
          vivid 5: done or executed by sight only <~ navigation>
          6: of, relating to, or employing visual aids -- vi.su.al.ly
          adv [2]visual n (1938): something (as a picture, chart,
          or film) that appeals to the sight and is variously used
          (as for illustration, demonstration, or promotion)--usu.
          used in pl.

   visual acuity
          [visual acuity] n (1889): the relative ability of the visual
          organ to resolve detail that is usu. expressed as the
          reciprocal of the minimum angular separation in minutes
          of two lines just resolvable as separate and that forms
          in the average human eye an angle of one minute

   visual aid
          [visual aid] n (1911): an instructional device (as a chart,
          map, or model) that appeals chiefly to vision; esp: an
          educational motion picture or filmstrip

   visual field
          [visual field] n (1880): the entire expanse of space visible
          at a given instant without moving the eyes--called also
          field of vision

   visualise
          [vi.su.al.ise] Brit var of visualize

   visualization
          [vi.su.al.i.za.tion] n (1883) 1: formation of mental visual
          images 2: the act or process of interpreting in visual
          terms or of putting into visible form 3: the process
          of making an internal organ visible by the introduction
          (as by swallowing, by an injection, or by an enema) of
          a radiopaque substance followed by roentgenography

   visualize
          [vi.su.al.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1863): to make visible:
          as a: to see or form a mental image of: envisage b: to
          make (an organ) visible by roentgenographic visualization
          ~ vi: to form a mental visual image

   visualizer
          [vi.su.al.iz.er] n (1886): one that visualizes; esp: a person
          whose mental imagery is prevailingly visual

   visual literacy
          [visual literacy] n (1971): the ability to recognize and
          understand ideas conveyed through visible actions or
          images (as pictures)

   visual purple
          [visual purple] n (1878): a photosensitive red or purple
          pigment in the retinal rods of various vertebrates; esp:
          rhodopsin

   vita
          [vi.ta] n, pl vi.tae [L, lit., life] (1939) 1: a brief biographical
          sketch 2: curriculum vitae

   vital
          [vi.tal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L vitalis of life, fr. vita
          life; akin to L vivere to live--more at quick] (14c)
          1 a: existing as a manifestation of life b: concerned
          with or necessary to the maintenance of life <~ organs>
          <blood and other ~ fluids> 2: full of life and vigor:
          animated 3: characteristic of life or living beings 4
          a: fundamentally concerned with or affecting life or
          living beings: as (1): tending to renew or refresh the
          living: invigorating (2): destructive to life: mortal
          b: of the utmost importance 5: recording data relating
          to lives 6: of, relating to, or constituting the staining
          of living tissues syn see essential -- vi.tal.ly adv

   vital capacity
          [vital capacity] n (1852): the breathing capacity of the
          lungs expressed as the number of cubic inches or cubic
          centimeters of air that can be forcibly exhaled after
          a full inspiration

   vitalism
          [vi.tal.ism] n (1822) 1: a doctrine that the functions of
          a living organism are due to a vital principle distinct
          from physicochemical forces 2: a doctrine that the processes
          of life are not explicable by the laws of physics and
          chemistry alone and that life is in some part self-determining
          -- vi.tal.ist n or adj -- vi.tal.is.tic adj

   vitality
          [vi.tal.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1592) 1 a: the peculiarity
          distinguishing the living from the nonliving b: capacity to live
          and develop; also: physical or mental vigor esp. when highly
          developed 2 a: power of enduring b: lively and animated character

   vitalize
          [vi.tal.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1678): to endow with vitality:
          animate -- vi.tal.i.za.tion n

   vitals
          [vi.tals] n pl (ca. 1610) 1: vital organs (as the heart,
          liver, lungs, and brain) 2: essential parts

   vital signs
          [vital signs] n pl (ca. 1919): signs of life; specif: the
          pulse rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and often
          blood pressure of a person

   vital statistics
          [vital statistics] n pl (1837) 1: statistics relating to
          births, deaths, marriages, health, and disease 2: facts
          (as physical dimensions or quantities) considered to
          be interesting or important; esp: a woman's bust, waist,
          and hip measurements

   vitamin
          [vi.ta.min] n [L vita life + ISV amine] (1912): any of various
          organic substances that are essential in minute quantities
          to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act
          esp. as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the
          regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide
          energy or serve as building units, and are present in
          natural foodstuffs or sometimes produced within the body

   vitamin A
          [vitamin A] n (1920): any of several fat-soluble vitamins
          (as retinol) found esp. in animal products (as egg yolk,
          milk, or fish-liver oils) or a mixture of them whose
          lack in the animal body causes epithelial tissues to
          become keratinous (as in the eye with resulting visual
          defects)

   vitamin B
          [vitamin B] n (1920) 1: vitamin b complex 2 or vitamin B1
          : thiamine

   vitamin B12
          [vitamin B12] n (1948) 1: a complex cobalt-containing compound
          that occurs esp. in liver, is essential to normal blood
          formation, neural function, and growth, and is used esp.
          in treating pernicious and related anemias and in animal
          feed as a growth factor--called also cyanocobalamin 2:
          any of several compounds similar to vitamin B12in action
          but having different chemistry

   vitamin B2
          [vitamin B2] n (1928): riboflavin

   vitamin B6
          [vitamin B6] n (1934): pyridoxine or a closely related compound
          found widely in combined form and considered essential
          to vertebrate nutrition

   vitamin B complex
          [vitamin B complex] n (1928): a group of water-soluble vitamins
          found esp. in yeast, seed germs, eggs, liver and flesh,
          and vegetables that have varied metabolic functions and
          include coenzymes and growth factors--called also B
          complex--compare biotin, choline, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid

   vitamin C
          [vitamin C] n (1920): a water-soluble vitamin found in plants
          and esp. in fruits and leafy vegetables or made synthetically
          and used in the prevention and treatment of scurvy and
          as an antioxidant for foods--called also ascorbic acid

   vitamin D
          [vitamin D] n (1921): any or all of several fat-soluble vitamins
          chemically related to steroids, essential for normal
          bone and tooth structure, and found esp. in fish-liver
          oils, egg yolk, and milk or produced by activation (as
          by ultraviolet irradiation) of sterols: as a or vitamin
          D2 : calciferol b or vitamin D3 : cholecalciferol

   vitamin E
          [vitamin E] n (1925): any of several fat-soluble vitamins
          that are chemically tocopherols, are essential in the
          nutrition of various vertebrates in which their absence
          is associated with infertility, degenerative changes
          in muscle, or vascular abnormalities, are found esp.
          in leaves and in seed germ oils, and are used chiefly
          in animal feeds and as antioxidants

   vitamin G
          [vitamin G] n (1929): riboflavin

   vitamin H
          [vitamin H] n (ca. 1935): biotin

   vitamin K
          [vitamin K] n [Dan koagulation coagulation] (1935) 1: either
          of two naturally occurring fat-soluble vitamins essential
          for the clotting of blood because of their role in the
          production of prothrombin--called also respectively vitamin
          K1, vitamin K2 2: any of several synthetic compounds
          closely related chemically to natural vitamins K1 and
          K2and of similar biological activity

   vita nuova
          [vi.ta nuo.va] [It] foreign term : new life

   vitelline
          [vi.tel.line] adj [ME, fr. MF vitellin, fr. ML vitellinus,
          fr. L vitellus] (15c) 1: resembling the yolk of an egg
          esp. in yellow color 2: of, relating to, or producing
          yolk

   vitelline membrane
          [vitelline membrane] n (1845): a membrane that encloses the
          egg proper, corresponds to the plasmalemma of an ordinary
          cell, and in many animals forms the fertilization membrane
          by separating from the plasma membrane immediately after
          fertilization

   vitellogenesis
          [vi.tel.lo.gen.e.sis] n [NL, fr. L vitellus + NL -o- + genesis]
          (1947): yolk formation

   vitellus
          [vi.tel.lus] n [L] (1728): the egg cell proper including
          the yolk but excluding any albuminous or membranous envelopes;
          also: yolk 1c

   vitiate
          [vi.ti.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [L vitiatus, pp. of vitiare,
          fr. vitium fault, vice] (1534) 1: to make faulty or defective:
          impair <the comic impact is vitiated by obvious haste
          --William Styron> 2: to debase in moral or aesthetic
          status <a mind vitiated by prejudice> 3: to make ineffective
          <fraud ~s a contract> syn see debase -- vi.ti.a.tion
          n -- vi.ti.a.tor n

   viticulture
          [vi.ti.cul.ture] n [L vitis vine + E culture--more at withy]
          (1872): the cultivation or culture of grapes esp. for
          wine making -- vi.ti.cul.tur.al adj -- vi.ti.cul.tur.al.ly
          adv -- vi.ti.cul.tur.ist n

   vitiligo
          [vit.i.li.go] n [NL, fr. L, tetter] (1842): a skin disorder
          manifested by smooth white spots on various parts of
          the body

   vitrectomy
          [vit.rec.to.my] n, pl -mies [vitreous humor + -ectomy] (1968):
          surgical removal of all or part of the vitreous humor

   [1]vitreous
          [vit.re.ous] adj [L vitreus, fr. vitrum glass] (1646) 1:
          of, relating to, derived from, or consisting of glass
          2 a: resembling glass (as in color, composition, brittleness,
          or luster): glassy <~ rocks> b: characterized by low
          porosity and usu. translucence due to the presence of
          a glassy phase <~ china> 3: of, relating to, or constituting
          the vitreous humor [2]vitreous n (1869): vitreous humor

   vitreous humor
          [vitreous humor] n (1663): the clear colorless transparent
          jelly that fills the eyeball posterior to the lens--see
          eye illustration

   vitreous silica
          [vitreous silica] n (1925): a chemically stable and refractory
          glass made from silica alone--compare quartz glass

   vitrify
          [vit.ri.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [MF vitrifier, fr. L vitrum
          glass] vt (1594): to convert into glass or a glassy substance
          by heat and fusion ~ vi: to become vitrified -- vit.ri.fi.able
          adj -- vit.ri.fi.ca.tion n

   vitrine
          [vi.trine] n [F, fr. vitre pane of glass, fr. OF, fr. L vitrum]
          (1880): a glass showcase or cabinet esp. for displaying
          fine wares or specimens

   vitriol
          [vit.ri.ol] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. ML vitriolum, alter. of LL
          vitreolum, neut. of vitreolus glassy, fr. L vitreus vitreous]
          (14c) 1 a: a sulfate of any of various metals (as copper,
          iron, or zinc); esp: a glassy hydrate of such a sulfate
          b: oil of vitriol 2: something felt to resemble vitriol
          esp. in caustic quality; esp: virulence of feeling or
          of speech -- vit.ri.ol.ic adj

   vitta
          [vit.ta] n, pl vit.tae [NL, fr. L, fillet; akin to L viere
          to plait--more at wire] (1819) 1: stripe, streak 2: one
          of the oil tubes in the fruits of plants of the carrot
          family

   vittles
          [vit.tles] n pl (14c): victuals

   vituperate
          [vi.tu.per.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L vituperatus, pp. of
          vituperare, fr. vitium fault + parare to make, prepare--more
          at pare] vt (1542): to abuse or censure severely or abusively:
          berate ~ vi: to use harsh condemnatory language syn see
          scold -- vi.tu.per.a.tor n

   vituperation
          [vi.tu.per.a.tion] n (15c) 1: sustained and bitter railing
          and condemnation: vituperative utterance 2: an act or
          instance of vituperating syn see abuse

   vituperative
          [vi.tu.per.a.tive] adj (1727): uttering or given to censure:
          containing or characterized by verbal abuse -- vi.tu.per.a.tive.ly
          adv

   vituperatory
          [vi.tu.per.a.to.ry] adj (1586): vituperative

   viva
          [vi.va] interj [It & Sp, long live, fr. 3d pers. sing. pres.
          subj. of vivere to live, fr. L--more at quick] (ca. 1700)--used
          to express goodwill or approval

   [1]vivace
          [vi.va.ce] adv or adj [It, vivacious, fr. L vivac-, vivax]
          (1683): in a brisk spirited manner--used as a direction
          in music [2]vivace n (ca. 1683): a musical composition
          or movement in vivace tempo

   vivacious
          [vi.va.cious] adj [L vivac-, vivax, lit., long-lived, fr.
          vivere to live] (ca. 1645): lively in temper, conduct,
          or spirit: sprightly syn see lively -- vi.va.cious.ly
          adv -- vi.va.cious.ness n

   vivacity
          [vi.vac.i.ty] n (15c): the quality or state of being vivacious

   vivandiere
          [vi.van.diere] n [F, fem. of MF vivandier, fr. ML vivanda
          food--more at viand] (1848): a female sutler

   vivarium
          [vi.var.i.um] n, pl -ia or -i.ums [L, park, preserve, fr.
          vivus alive--more at quick] (1853): a terrarium used
          esp. for small animals

   [1]viva voce
          [vi.va vo.ce] adv [ML, with the living voice] (1563): by
          word of mouth: orally [2]viva voce adj (1654): expressed
          or conducted by word of mouth: oral [3]viva voce n (1842):
          an examination conducted viva voce--called also viva

   vivax malaria
          [vi.vax malaria] n [NL vivax, specific epithet of Plasmodium
          vivax, parasite causing tertian] (ca. 1941): malaria
          caused by a plasmodium (Plasmodium vivax) that induces
          paroxysms at 48-hour intervals

   vive la difference
          [vive la dif.fe.rence] [F] foreign term : long live the difference
          (between the sexes)

   vive la reine
          [vive la reine] [F] foreign term : long live the queen

   vive le roi
          [vive le roi] [F] foreign term : long live the king

   viverrid
          [vi.ver.rid] n [NL Viverridae, fr. Viverra, type genus, fr.
          L viverra ferret; akin to OE acweorna squirrel, Lith
          vovere] (1902): any of a family (Viverridae) of carnivorous
          mammals (as a civet, a genet, or a mongoose) that are
          rarely larger than a domestic cat but are long, slender,
          and like a weasel in build with short more or less retractile
          claws and rounded feet -- viverrid adj

   vivers
          [vi.vers] n pl [MF vivres, pl. of vivre food, fr. vivre to
          live, fr. L vivere] (1536) chiefly Scot: victuals, food

   Vivian
          [Viv.i.an] or Viv.i.en n: the mistress of Merlin in Arthurian
          legend--called also Lady of the Lake

   vivid
          [viv.id] adj [L vividus, fr. vivere to live--more at quick]
          (1638) 1: having the appearance of vigorous life or freshness:
          lively <a ~ sketch> 2 of a color: very strong: very high
          in chroma 3: producing a strong or clear impression on
          the senses: sharp, intense; specif: producing distinct
          mental images <a ~ description> 4: acting clearly and
          vigorously <a ~ imagination> syn see graphic -- viv.id.ly
          adv -- viv.id.ness n

   vivific
          [vi.vif.ic] adj [L vivificus] (1551): imparting spirit or
          vivacity

   vivify
          [viv.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [MF vivifier, fr. LL vivificare,
          fr. L vivificus enlivening, fr. vivus alive--more at
          quick] (1545) 1: to endue with life or renewed life:
          animate <rains that ~ the barren hills> 2: to impart
          vitality or vividness to <concentrating this union of
          quality and meaning in a way which vivifies both --John
          Dewey> syn see quicken -- viv.i.fi.ca.tion n -- viv.i.fi.er
          n

   viviparity
          [vi.vi.par.i.ty] n (1864): the quality or state of being
          viviparous

   viviparous
          [vi.vip.a.rous] adj [L viviparus, fr . vivus alive + -parus
          -parous] (1646) 1: producing living young instead of
          eggs from within the body in the manner of nearly all
          mammals, many reptiles, and a few fishes 2: germinating
          while still attached to the parent plant <the ~ seed
          of the mangrove> -- vi.vip.a.rous.ly adv

   vivisect
          [viv.i.sect] vb [back-formation fr. vivisection] vt (1864):
          to perform vivisection on: subject to vivisection ~ vi:
          to practice vivisection -- viv.i.sec.tor n

   vivisection
          [viv.i.sec.tion] n [L vivus + E section] (1707) 1: the cutting
          of or operation on a living animal usu. for physiological
          or pathological investigation; broadly: animal experimentation
          esp. if considered to cause distress to the subject 2:
          minute or pitiless examination or criticism -- viv.i.sec.tion.al
          adj -- viv.i.sec.tion.ist n

   vixen
          [vix.en] n [(assumed) ME (southern dial.) vixen, alter. of
          ME fixen, fr. OE fyxe, fem. of fox] (1590) 1: a shrewish
          ill-tempered woman 2: a female fox -- vix.en.ish adj

   vixere fortes ante Agamemnona
          [vix.e.re for.tes an.te Aga.mem.no.na] [L] foreign term :
          brave men lived before Agamemnon

   viz
          [viz] abbreviation videlicet

   vizard
          [viz.ard] n [alter. of ME viser mask, visor] (ca. 1555) 1:
          a mask for disguise or protection 2: disguise, guise

   vizcacha
          [viz.ca.cha] var of viscacha

   vizier
          [vi.zier] n [Turk vezir, fr. Ar wazir] (1599): a high executive
          officer of various Muslim countries and esp. of the Ottoman
          Empire -- vi.zier.ate n -- vi.zier.ial adj -- vi.zier.ship
          n

   vizor
          [vi.zor] var of visor

   vizsla
          [vizs.la] n [Hung] (1945): any of a breed of hunting dogs
          of Hungarian origin that resemble the weimaraner but
          have a rich deep red coat and brown eyes

   vj...
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   VJ
          [VJ] abbreviation veejay

   vl...
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   VLDL
          [VLDL] n [very low-density lipoprotein] (1977): a plasma
          lipoprotein that is produced primarily by the liver with
          lesser amounts contributed by the intestine, that contains
          relatively large amounts of triglycerides compared to
          protein, and that leaves a residue of cholesterol in
          the tissues during the process of conversion to LDL--compare
          hdl

   VLF
          [VLF] abbreviation very low frequency

   vm...
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   VMD
          [VMD] [NL veterinariae medicinae doctor] abbreviation doctor
          of veterinary medicine

   vn...
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   VNA
          [VNA] abbreviation Visiting Nurse Association

   vo...
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   VOA
          [VOA] abbreviation Voice of America

   voc
          [voc] abbreviation vocational, vocative

   vocab
          [vocab] abbreviation vocabulary

   vocable
          [vo.ca.ble] n [MF, fr. L vocabulum, fr. vocare to call, fr.
          vox voice--more at voice] (1530): term; specif: a word
          composed of various sounds or letters without regard
          to its meaning

   vocabular
          [vo.cab.u.lar] adj [back-formation fr. vocabulary] (1608):
          of or relating to words or phraseology: verbal

   vocabulary
          [vo.cab.u.lary] n, pl -lar.ies [MF vocabulaire, prob. fr.
          ML vocabularium, fr. neut. of vocabularius verbal, fr.
          L vocabulum] (1532) 1: a list or collection of words
          or of words and phrases usu. alphabetically arranged
          and explained or defined: lexicon 2 a: a sum or stock
          of words employed by a language, group, individual, or
          work or in a field of knowledge b: a list or collection
          of terms or codes available for use (as in an indexing
          system) 3: a supply of expressive techniques or devices
          (as of an art form)

   vocabulary entry
          [vocabulary entry] n (ca. 1934): a word (as the noun book),
          hyphenated or open compound (as the verb book-match or
          the noun book review), word element (as the affix pro-),
          abbreviation (as agt), verbalized symbol (as Na), or
          term (as man in the street) entered alphabetically in
          a dictionary for the purpose of definition or identification
          or expressly included as an inflected form (as the noun
          mice or the verb saw) or as a derived form (as the noun
          godlessness or the adverb globally) or related phrase
          (as one for the book) run on at its base word and usu.
          set in a type (as boldface) readily distinguishable from
          that of the lightface running text which defines, explains,
          or identifies the entry

   [1]vocal
          [vo.cal] adj [ME, fr. L vocalis, fr. voc-, vox voice--more
          at voice] (14c) 1 a: uttered by the voice: oral b: produced
          in the larynx: uttered with voice 2: relating to, composed
          or arranged for, or sung by the human voice <~ music>
          3: vocalic 4 a: having or exercising the power of producing
          voice, speech, or sound b: expressive c: full of voices:
          resounding d: given to expressing oneself freely or insistently:
          outspoken e: expressed in words 5: of, relating to, or
          resembling the voice <~ impairment> -- vo.cal.i.ty n
          -- vo.cal.ly adv [2]vocal n (1582) 1: a vocal sound 2:
          a usu. accompanied musical composition for the human
          voice: song; also: a performance of such a composition

   vocal cords
          [vocal cords] n pl (1852): either of two pairs of folds of
          mucous membranes that project into the cavity of the
          larynx and have free edges extending dorsoventrally toward
          the middle line

   vocal folds
          [vocal folds] n pl (1924): the lower pair of vocal cords
          each of which when drawn taut, approximated to the contralateral
          member of the pair, and subjected to a flow of breath
          produces the voice

   [1]vocalic
          [vo.cal.ic] adj [L vocalis vowel, fr. vocalis vocal] (1814)
          1: marked by or consisting of vowels 2 a: being or functioning
          as a vowel b: of, relating to, or associated with a vowel
          -- vo.cal.i.cal.ly adv [2]vocalic n (1924): a vowel sound
          or sequence in its function as the most sonorous part
          of a syllable

   vocalise
          [vo.cal.ise] Brit var of vocalize

   vocalism
          [vo.cal.ism] n (ca. 1859) 1: vocalization 2: vocal art or
          technique: singing 3 a: the vowel system of a language
          or dialect b: the pattern of vowels in a word or paradigm

   vocalist
          [vo.cal.ist] n (1834): [1]singer

   vocalize
          [vo.cal.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1669) 1: to give voice
          to: utter; specif: sing 2 a: to make voiced rather than
          voiceless: voice b: to convert to a vowel 3: to furnish
          (as a consonantal Hebrew or Arabic text) with vowels
          or vowel points ~ vi 1: to utter vocal sounds 2: sing;
          specif: to sing without words -- vo.cal.i.za.tion n --
          vo.cal.iz.er n

   vocation
          [vo.ca.tion] n [ME vocacioun, fr. L vocation-, vocatio summons,
          fr. vocare to call, fr. vox voice--more at voice] (15c)
          1 a: a summons or strong inclination to a particular
          state or course of action; esp: a divine call to the
          religious life b: an entry into the priesthood or a religious
          order 2 a: the work in which a person is regularly employed:
          occupation b: the persons engaged in a particular occupation
          3: the special function of an individual or group

   vocational
          [vo.ca.tion.al] adj (1652) 1: of, relating to, or concerned
          with a vocation 2: of, relating to, or being in training
          in a skill or trade to be pursued as a career -- vo.ca.tion.al.ly
          adv

   vocationalism
          [vo.ca.tion.al.ism] n (1924): emphasis on vocational training
          in education -- vo.ca.tion.al.ist n

   [1]vocative
          [voc.a.tive] adj [ME vocatif, fr. MF, fr. L vocativus, fr.
          vocatus, pp. of vocare] (15c) 1: of, relating to, or
          being a grammatical case marking the one addressed (as
          Latin Domine in miserere, Domine "have mercy, O Lord")
          2 of a word or word group: marking the one addressed
          (as mother in "mother, come here") -- voc.a.tive.ly adv
          [2]vocative n (ca. 1522) 1: the vocative case of a language
          2: a form in the vocative case

   vociferant
          [vo.cif.er.ant] adj (1609): clamorous, vociferous

   vociferate
          [vo.cif.er.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing [L vociferatus, pp. of
          vociferari, fr. voc-, vox voice + ferre to bear--more
          at voice, bear] vt (1599): to utter loudly: shout ~ vi:
          to cry out loudly: clamor -- vo.cif.er.a.tion n -- vo.cif.er.a.tor
          n

   vociferous
          [vo.cif.er.ous] adj (ca. 1611): marked by or given to vehement
          insistent outcry -- vo.cif.er.ous.ly adv -- vo.cif.er.ous.ness
          n syn vociferous, clamorous, blatant, strident, boisterous,
          obstreperous mean so loud or insistent as to compel attention.
          vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out
          <vociferous cries of protest and outrage>. clamorous
          may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding
          or protesting <clamorous demands for prison reforms>.
          blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive
          loudness <blatant rock music> <a blatant clamor for impeachment>.
          strident suggests harsh and discordant noise <heard the
          strident cry of the crow>. boisterous suggests a noisiness
          and turbulence due to high spirits <a boisterous crowd
          of party goers>. obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive
          noisiness and resistance to restraint <the obstreperous
          demonstrators were removed from the hall>.

   vocoder
          [vo.cod.er] n [voice coder] (1939): an electronic mechanism
          that reduces speech signals to slowly varying signals
          which can be transmitted over communication systems of
          limited frequency bandwidth

   vodka
          [vod.ka] n [Russ, fr. voda water; akin to OE waeter water]
          (ca. 1803): a colorless liquor of neutral spirits distilled
          from a mash (as of rye or wheat)

   vodka martini
          [vodka martini] n (1948): a martini made with vodka instead
          of gin

   vodun
          [vo.dun] also vo.doun n [Haitian Creole] (1920): voodoo 1

   vogie
          [vo.gie] adj [origin unknown] (1712) Scot: proud, vain

   vogue
          [vogue] n [MF, action of rowing, course, fashion, fr. OIt
          voga, fr. vogare to row] (1571) 1 archaic: the leading
          place in popularity or acceptance 2 a: popular acceptation
          or favor: popularity b: a period of popularity 3: one
          that is in fashion at a particular time syn see fashion
          -- vogue adj

   vogue la galere
          [vogue la ga.lere] [F] foreign term : let the galley be kept
          rowing: keep on, whatever may happen

   voguish
          [vogu.ish] adj (1926) 1: fashionable, smart 2: suddenly or
          temporarily popular -- vogu.ish.ness n

   [1]voice
          [voice] n [ME, fr. OF vois, fr. L voc-, vox; akin to OHG
          giwahanen to mention, Gk epos word, speech, Skt vak voice]
          (14c) 1 a: sound produced by vertebrates by means of
          lungs, larynx, or syrinx; esp: sound so produced by human
          beings b (1): musical sound produced by the vocal folds
          and resonated by the cavities of head and throat (2):
          the power or ability to produce musical tones (3): singer
          (4): one of the melodic parts in a vocal or instrumental
          composition (5): condition of the vocal organs with respect
          to production of musical tones (6): the use of the voice
          (as in singing or acting) <studying ~> c: expiration
          of air with the vocal cords drawn close so as to vibrate
          audibly (as in uttering vowels and consonant sounds as
          /v/ or /z/) d: the faculty of utterance <lost my ~> 2:
          a sound resembling or suggesting vocal utterance 3: an
          instrument or medium of expression <the party became
          the ~ of the workers> 4 a: wish, choice, or opinion openly
          or formally expressed <claimed to follow the ~ of the
          people> b: right of expression; also: influential power
          5: distinction of form or a system of inflections of
          a verb to indicate the relation of the subject of the
          verb to the action which the verb expresses <active and
          passive ~s> -- with one voice : without dissent: unanimously
          [2]voice vt voiced ; voic.ing (15c) 1: to express in
          words: utter <~ a complaint> 2: to adjust for producing
          the proper musical sounds 3: to pronounce (as a consonant)
          with voice syn see express

   voice box
          [voice box] n (1912): larynx

   voiced
          [voiced] adj (1593) 1: having or furnished with a voice esp.
          of a specified kind--often used in combination <soft-voiced>
          2: uttered with vocal cord vibration <a ~ consonant>

   voiceful
          [voice.ful] adj (ca. 1611): having a voice or vocal quality;
          also: having a loud voice or many voices -- voice.ful.ness
          n

   voiceless
          [voice.less] adj (1535) 1: having no voice: mute 2: not voiced:
          surd <a ~ consonant> -- voice.less.ly adv -- voice.less.ness
          n

   voice mail
          [voice mail] n (1981): an electronic communication system
          in which spoken messages are recorded or digitized for
          later playback to the intended recipient

   voice-over
          [voice-over] n (ca. 1947) 1 a: the voice of an unseen narrator
          speaking (as in a motion picture or television commercial)
          b: the voice of a visible character (as in a motion picture)
          expressing unspoken thoughts 2: a recording of a voice-over

   voice part
          [voice part] n (1776): voice 1b(4)

   voiceprint
          [voice.print] n [voice + fingerprint] (1962): an individually
          distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics
          that is spectrographically produced

   voicer
          [voic.er] n (1879): one that voices; specif: one that voices
          organ pipes

   voice vote
          [voice vote] n (1924): a parliamentary vote taken by calling
          for ayes and noes and estimating which response is stronger

   [1]void
          [void] adj [ME voide, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL vocitus, alter.
          of L vocivus, vacivus empty, fr. vacare to be empty]
          (14c) 1 a: not occupied: vacant <a ~ bishopric> b: not
          inhabited: deserted 2: containing nothing <~ space> 3:
          idle, leisure 4 a: being without: devoid <a nature ~
          of all malice> b: having no members or examples; specif,
          of a suit: having no cards represented in a particular
          hand <bid a ~ suit as a slam signal> 5: vain, useless
          6 a: of no legal force or effect: null <a ~ contract>
          b: voidable syn see empty -- void.ness n [2]void n (1616)
          1 a: opening, gap b: empty space: emptiness, vacuum 2:
          the quality or state of being without something: lack,
          absence 3: a feeling of want or hollowness 4: absence
          of cards of a particular suit in a hand orig. dealt to
          a player [3]void vb [ME, fr. MF vuidier, fr. (assumed)
          VL vocitare, fr. vocitus] vt (14c) 1 a: to make empty
          or vacant: clear b archaic: vacate, leave 2: discharge,
          emit <~ excrement> 3: nullify, annul <~ a contract> ~
          vi: to eliminate solid or liquid waste from the body
          -- void.er n

   voidable
          [void.able] adj (15c): capable of being voided; specif: capable
          of being adjudged void -- void.able.ness n

   voidance
          [void.ance] n (14c) 1: the act of voiding 2 of a benefice:
          the state of being without an incumbent

   voided
          [void.ed] adj (ca. 1539): having the inner part cut away
          or left vacant with a narrow border left at the sides--used
          of a heraldic charge

   voila
          [voi.la] interj [F, lit., see there] (1739)--used to call
          attention, to express satisfaction or approval, or to
          suggest an appearance as if by magic

   voila tout
          [voi.la tout] [F] foreign term : that's all

   voile
          [voile] n [F, veil, fr. L vela, neut. pl. of velum] (1889):
          a fine soft sheer fabric used esp. for women's summer
          clothing or curtains

   voir dire
          [voir dire] n [AF, fr. OF, to speak the truth] (1676): a
          preliminary examination to determine the competency of
          a witness or juror

   vol
          [vol] abbreviation volcano, volume, volunteer

   volant
          [vo.lant] adj [MF, fr. L volant-, volans, prp. of volare
          to fly] (1572) 1: having the wings extended as if in
          flight--used of a heraldic bird 2: flying or capable
          of flying 3: quick, nimble

   volante
          [vo.lan.te] adj [It, lit., flying, fr. L volant-, volans,
          prp.] (ca. 1854): moving with light rapidity--used as
          a direction in music

   Volapuk
          [Vo.la.puk] n [Volapuk, lit., world's speech, fr. vola of
          the world (gen. of vol world, modif. of E world) + puk
          speech, modif. of E speak] (1885): an artificial international
          language based largely on English but with some root
          words from German, French, and Latin

   volar
          [vo.lar] adj [L vola hollow in the palm of the hand or sole
          of the foot] (1814): relating to the palm of the hand
          or the sole of the foot; specif: located on the same
          side as the palm of the hand <the ~ part of the forearm>

   [1]volatile
          [vol.a.tile] adj [F, fr. L volatilis, fr. volare to fly]
          (1605) 1: readily vaporizable at a relatively low temperature
          2: flying or having the power to fly 3 a: lighthearted,
          lively b: easily aroused <~ suspicions> c: tending to
          erupt into violence: explosive 4 a: unable to hold the
          attention fixed because of an inherent lightness or fickleness
          of disposition b: characterized by or subject to rapid
          or unexpected change 5: difficult to capture or hold
          permanently: evanescent, transitory -- vol.a.tile.ness
          n -- vol.a.til.i.ty n [2]volatile n (1686): a volatile
          substance

   volatile oil
          [volatile oil] n (1800): an oil that vaporizes readily; esp:
          essential oil

   volatilise
          [vol.a.til.ise] Brit var of volatilize

   volatilize
          [vol.a.til.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1657): to make volatile;
          esp: to cause to pass off in vapor ~ vi: to pass off
          in vapor -- vol.a.til.iz.able adj -- vol.a.til.i.za.tion
          n

   vol-au-vent
          [vol-au-vent] n [F, lit., flight in the wind] (1828): a baked
          patty shell filled with meat, fowl, game, or seafood
          in sauce

   [1]volcanic
          [vol.ca.nic] adj (1774) 1 a: of, relating to, or produced
          by a volcano b: characterized by volcanoes <a ~ range>
          c: made of materials from volcanoes 2: explosively violent:
          volatile <~ emotions> -- vol.ca.ni.cal.ly adv [2]volcanic
          n (1894): a volcanic rock

   volcanic glass
          [volcanic glass] n (ca. 1840): natural glass produced by
          the cooling of molten lava too rapidly to permit crystallization

   volcanicity
          [vol.ca.nic.i.ty] n (1836): volcanism

   volcanism
          [vol.ca.nism] n (ca. 1864): volcanic action or activity

   volcano
          [vol.ca.no] n, pl -noes or -nos [It vulcano, fr. L Volcanus,
          Vulcanus Vulcan] (1613) 1: a vent in the crust of the
          earth or another planet from which usu. molten or hot
          rock and steam issue; also: a hill or mountain composed
          wholly or in part of the ejected material 2: something
          of explosively violent potential

   volcanological
          [vol.ca.no.log.i.cal] also vol.ca.no.log.ic adj (ca. 1891):
          of, relating to, or involving volcanology or volcanic
          phenomena <~ processes that shape the planets>

   volcanology
          [vol.ca.nol.o.gy] n (1886): a branch of science that deals
          with volcanic phenomena -- vol.ca.nol.o.gist n

   [1]vole
          [vole] n [F, prob. fr. voler to fly--more at volley] (1679):
          grand slam 1 [2]vole n [earlier vole-mouse, fr. vole-
          (of Scand origin; akin to ON vollr field) + mouse; akin
          to OE weald forest--more at wold] (1805): any of various
          small rodents (Microtus and related genera) that typically
          have a stout body, rather blunt nose, and short ears,
          inhabit both moist meadows and dry uplands and do much
          damage to crops, and are closely related to muskrats
          and lemmings

   volition
          [vo.li.tion] n [F, fr. ML volition-, volitio, fr. L vol-
          (stem of velle to will, wish) + -ition-, -itio (as in
          L position-, positio position)--more at will] (1615)
          1: an act of making a choice or decision; also: a choice
          or decision made 2: the power of choosing or determining:
          will -- vo.li.tion.al adj

   volitive
          [vol.i.tive] adj (1660) 1: of or relating to the will 2:
          expressing a wish or permission

   volkslied
          [volks.lied] n, pl volks.lie.der [G, fr. Volk people + Lied
          song] (ca. 1854): a folk song

   [1]volley
          [vol.ley] n, pl volleys [MF volee flight, fr. voler to fly,
          fr. L volare] (1573) 1 a: a flight of missiles (as arrows)
          b: simultaneous discharge of a number of missile weapons
          c: one round per gun in a battery fired as soon as a
          gun is ready without regard to order d (1): the flight
          of the ball (as in volleyball or tennis) or its course
          before striking the ground; also: a return of the ball
          before it touches the ground (2): a kick of the ball
          in soccer before it rebounds (3): the exchange of the
          shuttlecock in badminton following the serve 2 a: a burst
          or emission of many things or a large amount at once
          <received a ~ of angry letters> <a ~ of praise> b: a
          burst of simultaneous or immediately sequential nerve
          impulses passing to an end organ, synapse, or center
          [2]volley vb vol.leyed ; vol.ley.ing vt (1591) 1: to
          discharge in or as if in a volley 2: to propel (an object)
          while in the air and before touching the ground; esp:
          to hit (a tennis ball) on the volley ~ vi 1: to become
          discharged in or as if in a volley 2: to make a volley;
          specif: to volley an object of play (as in tennis) --
          vol.ley.er n

   volleyball
          [vol.ley.ball] n (1896): a game played by volleying an inflated
          ball over a net; also: the ball used in this game

   volplane
          [vol.plane] vi vol.planed ; vol.plan.ing [F vol plane gliding
          flight] (1909) 1: to glide in or as if in an airplane
          2: glide 3

   Volsci
          [Vol.sci] n pl [L] (ca. 1909): a people of ancient Italy
          dwelling between the Latins and Samnites

   Volscian
          [Vol.scian] n, pl Volscians (1513) 1: a member of the Volsci
          2: the Italic language of the Volsci -- Volscian adj

   [1]volt
          [volt] n [F volte, fr. It volta turn, fr. voltare to turn,
          fr. (assumed) VL volvitare, freq. of L volvere to roll--more
          at voluble] (1688) 1: a leaping movement in fencing to
          avoid a thrust 2 a: a tread or gait in which a horse
          going sideways makes a turn around a center b: a circle
          traced by a horse in this movement [2]volt n [Alessandro
          Volta] (1873): the practical meter-kilogram-second unit
          of electrical potential difference and electromotive
          force equal to the difference of potential between two
          points in a conducting wire carrying a constant cur rent
          of one ampere when the power dissipated between these
          two points is equal to one watt and equivalent to the
          potential difference across a resistance of one ohm when
          one ampere is flowing through it

   voltage
          [volt.age] n (1890) 1: electric potential or potential difference
          expressed in volts 2: intensity of feeling

   voltage divider
          [voltage divider] n (1922): a resistor or series of resistors
          provided with taps at certain points and used to provide
          various potential differences from a single power source

   voltaic
          [vol.ta.ic] adj [Alessandro Volta] (1812): of, relating to,
          or producing direct electric current by chemical action
          (as in a battery): galvanic <~ cell>

   volt-ampere
          [volt-am.pere] n (1896): a unit of electric measurement equal
          to the product of a volt and an ampere that for direct
          current constitutes a measure of power equivalent to
          a watt

   volte-face
          [volte-face] n [F, fr. It voltafaccia, fr. voltare to turn
          + faccia face, fr. (assumed) VL facia--more at volt,
          face] (1819): a reversal in policy: about-face

   voltmeter
          [volt.me.ter] n [ISV] (1882): an instrument (as a galvanometer)
          for measuring in volts the differences in potential between
          different points of an electrical circuit

   voluble
          [vol.u.ble] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L volubilis, fr. volvere
          to roll; akin to OE wealwian to roll, Gk eilyein to roll,
          wrap] (15c) 1: easily rolling or turning: rotating 2:
          characterized by ready or rapid speech: glib, fluent
          syn see talkative -- vol.u.bil.i.ty n -- vol.u.ble.ness
          n -- vol.u.bly adv

   [1]volume
          [vol.ume] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L volumen roll, scroll, fr.
          volvere to roll] (14c) 1 a: a series of printed sheets
          bound typically in book form: book b: a series of issues
          of a periodical c: album 1c 2: scroll 1a 3: the amount
          of space occupied by a three-dimensional object as measured
          in cubic units (as quarts or liters): cubic capacity
          4 a (1): amount; also: bulk, mass (2): a considerable
          quantity b: the amount of a substance occupying a particular
          volume c: mass or the representation of mass in art or
          architecture 5: the degree of loudness or the intensity
          of a sound; also: loudness syn see bulk -- vol.umed adj
          [2]volume vb vol.umed ; vol.um.ing vt (1815): to send
          or give out in volume ~ vi: to roll or rise in volume
          [3]volume adj (ca. 1945): involving large quantities
          <offered ~ discounts>

   volumeter
          [vol.u.me.ter] n [ISV, blend of volume and -meter] (1829):
          an instrument for measuring volumes (as of gases or liquids)
          directly or (as of solids) by displacement of a liquid

   volumetric
          [vol.u.met.ric] adj (1857): of, relating to, or involving
          the measurement of volume -- vol.u.met.ri.cal.ly adv

   voluminosity
          [vo.lu.mi.nos.i.ty] n (1782): the quality or state of being
          voluminous

   voluminous
          [vo.lu.mi.nous] adj [LL voluminosus, fr. L volumin-, volumen]
          (1611) 1: consisting of many folds, coils, or convolutions:
          winding 2 a: having or marked by great volume or bulk:
          large <long ~ tresses>; also: full <a ~ skirt> b: numerous
          <trying to keep track of ~ slips of paper> 3 a: filling
          or capable of filling a large volume or several volumes
          <a ~ literature on the subject> b: writing or speaking
          much or at great length -- vo.lu.mi.nous.ly adv --
          vo.lu.mi.nous.ness n

   voluntarism
          [vol.un.ta.rism] n (1838) 1: the principle or system of doing
          something by or relying on voluntary action or volunteers
          2: a theory that conceives will to be the dominant factor
          in experience or in the world -- vol.un.ta.rist n --
          vol.un.ta.ris.tic adj

   [1]voluntary
          [vol.un.tary] adj [ME, fr. L voluntarius, fr. voluntas will,
          fr. velle to will, wish--more at will] (14c) 1: proceeding
          from the will or from one's own choice or consent 2:
          unconstrained by interference: self-determining 3: done
          by design or intention: intentional <~ manslaughter>
          4: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will
          <~ behavior> 5: having power of free choice 6: provided
          or supported by voluntary action <a ~ organization> 7:
          acting or done of one's own free will without valuable
          consideration or legal obligation -- vol.un.tar.i.ly
          adv -- vol.un.tar.i.ness n syn voluntary, intentional,
          deliberate, willing mean done or brought about of one's
          own will. voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of
          choice or action without external compulsion <a voluntary
          confession>. intentional stresses an awareness of an
          end to be achieved <the intentional concealment of vital
          information>. deliberate implies full consciousness of
          the nature of one's act and its consequences <deliberate
          acts of sabotage>. willing implies a readiness and eagerness
          to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another <willing
          obedience>. [2]voluntary n, pl -tar.ies (1598) 1 a: a
          prefatory often extemporized musical piece b: an improvisatory
          organ piece played before, during, or after a religious
          service 2: one who participates voluntarily: volunteer

   voluntaryism
          [vol.un.tary.ism] n (1835): voluntarism -- vol.un.tary.ist
          n

   voluntary muscle
          [voluntary muscle] n (1788): muscle (as most striated muscle)
          under voluntary control

   [1]volunteer
          [vol.un.teer] n [obs. F voluntaire (now volontaire), fr.
          voluntaire, adj., voluntary, fr. L voluntarius] (ca.
          1618) 1: a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses
          a willingness to undertake a service: as a: one who enters
          into military service voluntarily b (1): one who renders
          a service or takes part in a transaction while having
          no legal concern or interest (2): one who receives a
          conveyance or transfer of property without giving valuable
          consideration 2: a volunteer plant 3 cap [Volunteers
          of America]: a member of a quasi-military religious and
          philanthropic organization founded in 1896 by Commander
          and Mrs. Ballington Booth [2]volunteer adj (1649) 1:
          being, consisting of, or engaged in by volunteers <a
          ~ army> <~ activities to help the mentally handicapped>
          2: growing spontaneously without direct human control
          or supervision esp. from seeds lost from a previous crop
          <~ corn plants> [3]volunteer vi (ca. 1755): to offer
          oneself as a volunteer ~ vt: to offer or bestow voluntarily
          <~ one's services>

   volunteerism
          [vol.un.teer.ism] n (1844) 1: voluntarism 1 2: the act or
          practice of doing volunteer work in community service

   volupte
          [vo.lup.te] [F] foreign term : pleasure: sensuality

   voluptuary
          [vo.lup.tu.ary] n, pl -ar.ies (ca. 1610): a person whose
          chief interests are luxury and the gratification of sensual
          appetites -- voluptuary adj

   voluptuous
          [vo.lup.tuous] adj [ME, fr. L voluptuosus, irreg. fr. voluptas
          pleasure, fr. volup pleasurable; akin to Gk elpesthai
          to hope, L velle to wish--more at will] (14c) 1 a: full
          of delight or pleasure to the senses: conducive to or
          arising from sensuous or sensual gratification: luxurious
          <a ~ dance> <~ ornamentation> b: suggesting sensual pleasure
          by fullness and beauty of form <~ nudes> 2: given to
          or spent in enjoyments of luxury, pleasure, or sensual
          gratifications <a long and ~ holiday --Edmund Wilson>
          syn see sensuous -- vo.lup.tuous.ly adv -- vo.lup.tuous.ness
          n

   volute
          [vo.lute] n [L voluta, fr. fem. of volutus, pp. of volvere
          to roll--more at voluble] (ca. 1696) 1: a spiral or scroll-shaped
          form 2: a spiral scroll-shaped ornament forming the chief
          feature of the Ionic capital 3 a: any of various marine
          gastropod mollusks (family Volutidae) with a thick short-spired
          shell b: the shell of a volute -- volute or vo.lut.ed
          adj

   volutin
          [vo.lu.tin] n [G, fr. NL volutans, specific epithet of the
          bacterium Spirillum volutans in which it was first found]
          (1908): a granular basophilic substance that is thought
          to be a nucleic acid compound and that is common in microorganisms

   volva
          [vol.va] n [NL, fr. L volva, vulva integument--more at vulva]
          (ca. 1753): a membranous sac or cup about the base of
          the stipe in many gill fungi

   volvox
          [vol.vox] n [NL, fr. L volvere to roll] (1798): any of a
          genus (Volvox) of flagellated unicellular green algae
          that form spherical colonies

   volvulus
          [vol.vu.lus] n [NL, fr. L volvere] (1679): a twisting of
          the intestine upon itself that causes obstruction

   VOM
          [VOM] abbreviation volt-ohmmeter

   vomer
          [vo.mer] n [NL, fr. L, plowshare] (ca. 1704): a bone of the
          skull of most vertebrates that is situated below the
          ethmoid region and in the human skull forms part of the
          nasal septum -- vo.mer.ine adj

   [1]vomit
          [vom.it] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L vomitus, fr. vomere to vomit;
          akin to ON vama seasickness, Gk emein to vomit] (14c)
          1: an act or instance of disgorging the contents of the
          stomach through the mouth; also: the disgorged matter
          2: emetic [2]vomit vi (15c) 1: to disgorge the stomach
          contents 2: to spew forth: belch, gush ~ vt 1: to disgorge
          (the contents of the stomach) through the mouth 2: to
          eject violently or abundantly: spew 3: to cause to vomit
          -- vom.it.er n

   vomitory
          [vom.i.to.ry] n, pl -ries [LL vomitorium, fr. L vomere; fr.
          its disgorging the spectators] (1730): an entrance piercing
          the banks of seats of a theater, amphitheater, or stadium

   vomitus
          [vom.i.tus] n [L] (ca. 1899): material discharged by vomiting

   [1]voodoo
          [voo.doo] n, pl voodoos [Louisiana Creole voudou, prob. fr.
          Ewe vodu tutelary deity, demon] (1850) 1: a religion
          that is derived from African polytheism and ancestor
          worship and is practiced chiefly in Haiti 2 a: a person
          who deals in spells and necromancy b (1): a sorcerer's
          spell: hex (2): a hexed object: charm -- voodoo adj [2]voodoo
          vt (1880): to bewitch by or as if by means of voodoo:
          hex

   voodooism
          [voo.doo.ism] n (1865) 1: voodoo 1 2: the practice of witchcraft
          -- voo.doo.ist n -- voo.doo.is.tic adj

   VOR
          [VOR] abbreviation very-high-frequency omnidirectional radio
          range

   voracious
          [vo.ra.cious] adj [L vorac-, vorax, fr. vorare to devour;
          akin to OE acweorran to guzzle, L gurges whirlpool, Gk
          bibroskein to devour] (1635) 1: having a huge appetite:
          ravenous 2: excessively eager: insatiable <a ~ reader>
          -- vo.ra.cious.ly adv -- vo.ra.cious.ness n syn voracious,
          gluttonous, ravenous, rapacious mean excessively greedy.
          voracious applies esp. to habitual gorging with food
          or drink <teenagers are often voracious eaters>. gluttonous
          applies to one who delights in eating or acquiring things
          esp. beyond the point of necessity or satiety <an admiral
          who was gluttonous for glory>. ravenous implies excessive
          hunger and suggests violent or grasping methods of dealing
          with food or with whatever satisfies an appetite <a nation
          with a ravenous lust for territorial expansion>. rapacious
          often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness
          or avarice <rapacious developers indifferent to environmental
          concerns>.

   voracity
          [vo.rac.i.ty] n (1526): the quality or state of being voracious

   vorlage
          [vor.la.ge] n [G, lit., forward position, fr. vor fore +
          Lage position] (1936): the position of a skier leaning
          forward from the ankles usu. without lifting the heels
          from the skis

   -vorous
          [-vorous] adj comb form [L -vorus, fr. vorare to devour]:
          eating: feeding on <frugivorous>

   vortex
          [vor.tex] n, pl vor.ti.ces also vor.tex.es [NL vortic-, vortex,
          fr. L vertex, vortex whirlpool--more at vertex] (1652)
          1 a: a mass of fluid (as a liquid) with a whirling or
          circular motion that tends to form a cavity or vacuum
          in the center of the circle and to draw toward this cavity
          or vacuum bodies subject to its action; esp: whirlpool,
          eddy b: a region within a body of fluid in which the
          fluid elements have an angular velocity 2: something
          that resembles a whirlpool <the hellish ~ of battle --Time>

   vortical
          [vor.ti.cal] adj (1653): of, relating to, or resembling a
          vortex: swirling -- vor.ti.cal.ly adv

   vorticella
          [vor.ti.cel.la] n, pl -cel.lae or -cellas [NL, fr. L vortic-,
          vortex] (1787): any of a genus (Vorticella) of stalked
          bell-shaped ciliates

   vorticism
          [vor.ti.cism] n [L vortic-, vortex] (1914): an English abstract
          art movement from about 1912-15 embracing cubist and
          futurist concepts -- vor.ti.cist n

   vorticity
          [vor.tic.i.ty] n (1888) 1: the state of a fluid in vortical
          motion; broadly: vortical motion 2: a measure of vortical
          motion; esp: a vector measure of local rotation in a
          fluid flow

   vorticose
          [vor.ti.cose] adj (1783) archaic: vortical

   votaress
          [vo.ta.ress] n (1589): a female votary

   votarist
          [vo.ta.rist] n (1603): votary

   votary
          [vo.ta.ry] n, pl -ries [L votum vow] (1546) 1 archaic: a
          sworn adherent 2 a: enthusiast, devotee b: a devoted
          admirer 3 a: a devout or zealous worshiper b: a staunch
          believer or advocate

   [1]vote
          [vote] n [ME (Sc), fr. L votum vow, wish--more at vow] (15c)
          1 a: a usu. formal expression of opinion or will in response
          to a proposed decision; esp: one given as an indication
          of approval or disapproval of a proposal, motion, or
          candidate for office b: the total number of such expressions
          of opinion made known at a single time (as at an election)
          c: an expression of opinion or preference that resembles
          a vote d: ballot 1 2: the collective opinion or verdict
          of a body of persons expressed by voting 3: the right
          to cast a vote; specif: the right of suffrage: franchise
          4 a: the act or process of voting <brought the question
          to a ~> b: a method of voting 5: a formal expression
          of a wish, will, or choice voted by a meeting 6 a: voter
          b: a group of voters with some common and identifying
          characteristics <the labor ~> 7 chiefly Brit a: a proposition
          to be voted on; esp: a legislative money item b: appropriation
          [2]vote vb vot.ed ; vot.ing vi (1552) 1: to express one's
          views in response to a poll; esp: to exercise a political
          franchise 2: to express an opinion <consumers ... ~ with
          their dollars --Lucia Mouat> ~ vt 1: to choose, endorse,
          decide the disposition of, defeat, or authorize by vote
          2 a: to adjudge by general agreement: declare b: to offer
          as a suggestion: propose <I ~ we all go home> 3 a: to
          cause to vote in a given way b: to cause to be cast for
          or against a proposal 4: to vote in accordance with or
          in the interest of <~ your conscience> <voted their pocketbooks>

   voteless
          [vote.less] adj (1672): having no vote; esp: denied the political
          franchise

   voter
          [vot.er] n (ca. 1578): one that votes or has the legal right
          to vote

   voting machine
          [voting machine] n (1900): a mechanical device for recording
          and counting votes cast in an election

   votive
          [vo.tive] adj [L votivus, fr. votum vow] (1597) 1: consisting
          of or expressing a vow, wish, or desire <a ~ prayer>
          2: offered or performed in fulfillment of a vow or in
          gratitude or devotion -- vo.tive.ly adv -- vo.tive.ness
          n

   votive candle
          [votive candle] n (1824) 1: a candle lit in devotion or gratitude
          2: a small squat candle

   votive mass
          [votive mass] n (1738): a mass celebrated for a special intention
          (as for a wedding or funeral) in place of the mass of
          the day

   votress
          [vo.tress] n [by alter.] (1590) archaic: votaress

   vou
          [vou] abbreviation voucher

   [1]vouch
          [vouch] vb [ME vochen, vouchen, fr. MF vocher, fr. L vocare
          to call, summon, fr. vox voice--more at voice] vt (14c)
          1: to summon into court to warrant or defend a title
          2 archaic a: assert, affirm b: attest 3 archaic: to cite
          or refer to as authority or supporting evidence 4 a:
          prove, substantiate b: to verify (a business transaction)
          by examining documentary evidence ~ vi 1: to give a guarantee:
          become surety 2 a: to supply supporting evidence or testimony
          b: to give personal assurance syn see certify [2]vouch
          n (1603) obs: allegation, declaration

   vouchee
          [vouch.ee] n (15c): a person for whom another vouches

   [1]voucher
          [vouch.er] n [MF vocher, voucher to vouch] (ca. 1523) 1:
          an act of vouching 2 a: a piece of supporting evidence:
          proof b: a documentary record of a business transaction
          c: a written affidavit or authorization: certificate
          d: a form or check indicating a credit against future
          purchases or expenditures [2]voucher vt (1609) 1: to
          establish the authenticity of 2: to prepare a voucher
          for [3]voucher n [[1]vouch + [2]-er] (1612) archaic:
          one that guarantees: surety

   vouchsafe
          [vouch.safe] vt vouch.safed ; vouch.saf.ing (1587) 1 a: to
          grant or furnish often in a gracious or condescending
          manner b: to give by way of reply <refused to ~ an explanation>
          2: to grant as a privilege or special favor syn see grant
          -- vouch.safe.ment n

   voulu
          [vou.lu] [F] foreign term : willed: contrived or forced

   voussoir
          [vous.soir] n [F, fr. (assumed) VL volsorium, fr. L volvere
          to roll--more at voluble] (1728): one of the wedge-shaped
          pieces forming an arch or vault--see arch illustration

   Vouvray
          [Vou.vray] n [F, fr. Vouvray, village in France] (1885):
          a semidry to semisweet white wine from the Loire Valley
          of France that is often produced as a sparkling wine

   [1]vow
          [vow] n [ME vowe, fr. OF vou, fr. L votum, fr. neut. of votus,
          pp. of vovere to vow; akin to Gk euchesthai to pray,
          vow, Skt vaghat sacrificer] (14c): a solemn promise or
          assertion; specif: one by which a person is bound to
          an act, service, or condition [2]vow vt (14c) 1: to promise
          solemnly: swear 2: to bind or consecrate by a vow ~ vi:
          to make a vow -- vow.er n [3]vow vt [ME, short for avowen]
          (14c): avow, declare

   vowel
          [vow.el] n [ME, fr. MF vouel, fr. L vocalis--more at vocalic]
          (14c) 1: one of a class of speech sounds in the articulation
          of which the oral part of the breath channel is not blocked
          and is not constricted enough to cause audible friction;
          broadly: the one most prominent sound in a syllable 2:
          a letter or other symbol representing a vowel--usu. used
          in English of a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y

   vowelize
          [vow.el.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1883): to furnish with vowel
          points

   vowel point
          [vowel point] n (1764): a mark placed below or otherwise
          near a consonant in some languages (as Hebrew) and representing
          the vowel sound that precedes or follows the consonant
          sound

   vowel rhyme
          [vowel rhyme] n (1838): assonance 2b

   vox et praeterea nihil
          [vox et prae.te.rea ni.hil] [L] foreign term : voice and
          nothing more

   vox populi
          [vox po.pu.li] n [L, voice of the people] (ca. 1550): popular
          sentiment

   vox populi vox Dei
          [vox po.pu.li vox Dei] [L] foreign term : the voice of the
          people is the voice of God

   [1]voyage
          [voy.age] n [ME, fr. OF voiage, fr. LL viaticum, fr. L, traveling
          money, fr. neut. of viaticus of a journey, fr. via way--more
          at way] (14c) 1: an act or instance of traveling: journey
          2: a course or period of traveling by other than land
          routes 3: an account of a journey esp. by sea [2]voyage
          vb voy.aged ; voy.ag.ing vi (15c): to take a trip: travel
          ~ vt: sail, traverse -- voy.ag.er n

   voyageur
          [voya.geur] n [CanF, fr. F, traveler, fr. voyager to travel,
          fr. voyage voyage, fr. OF voiage] (1793): a man employed
          by a fur company to transport goods to and from remote
          stations esp. in the Canadian Northwest

   voyeur
          [voy.eur] n [F, lit., one who sees, fr. MF, fr. voir to see,
          fr. L videre--more at wit] (1900) 1: one obtaining sexual
          gratification from seeing sex organs and sexual acts;
          broadly: one who habitually seeks sexual stimulation
          by visual means 2: a prying observer who is usu. seeking
          the sordid or the scandalous -- voy.eur.ism n -- voy.eur.is.tic
          adj -- voy.eur.is.ti.cal.ly adv

   vp...
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   VP
          [VP] abbreviation variable pitch, various places, verb phrase,
          vice president

   vr...
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   VRM
          [VRM] abbreviation variable rate mortgage

   vroom
          [vroom] vi [imit. of the noise of an engine] (1965): to operate
          a motor vehicle at high speed or so as to create a great
          deal of engine noise

   vs...
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   vs
          [vs] abbreviation verse, versus  VS abbreviation veterinary
          surgeon, [L vide supra] see above

   vss
          [vss] abbreviation verses, versions

   vt...
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   vt
          [vt] abbreviation verb transitive  Vt abbreviation Vermont
          VT abbreviation vacuum tube, variable time, Vermont,
          voice tube

   VTOL
          [VTOL] abbreviation vertical takeoff and landing

   VTR
          [VTR] abbreviation videotape recorder

   vu...
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   VU
          [VU] abbreviation volume unit

   vug
          [vug] n [Corn dial. vooga underground chamber, fr. L fovea
          small pit] (1818): a small unfilled cavity in a lode
          or in rock -- vug.gy adj

   Vulcan
          [Vul.can] n [L Volcanus, Vulcanus]: the Roman god of fire
          and metalworking--compare hephaestus

   vulcanian
          [vul.ca.ni.an] adj (1602) 1 cap: of or relating to Vulcan
          or to working in metals (as iron) 2: of or relating to
          a volcanic eruption in which highly viscous or solid
          lava is blown into fragments and dust

   vulcanicity
          [vul.ca.nic.i.ty] n (1873): volcanism

   vulcanisate, vulcanisation, vulcanise
          [vul.ca.ni.sate, vul.ca.ni.sa.tion, vul.ca.nise] Brit var
          of vulcanizat e, vulcanization, vulcanize

   vulcanism
          [vul.ca.nism] n (1877): volcanism

   vulcanizate
          [vul.ca.ni.zate] n [back-formation fr. vulcanization] (1926):
          a vulcanized product

   vulcanization
          [vul.ca.ni.za.tion] n (1846): the process of treating crude
          or synthetic rubber or similar plastic material chemically
          to give it useful properties (as elasticity, strength,
          and stability)

   vulcanize
          [vul.ca.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing [ISV, fr. L Vulcanus Vulcan,
          fire] vt (1846): to subject to vulcanization ~ vi: to
          undergo vulcanization -- vul.ca.niz.er n

   vulcanized fiber
          [vulcanized fiber] n [fr. Vulcanized Fibre, a trademark]
          (ca. 1884): a tough substance made by treatment of cellulose
          and used for luggage and electrical insulation and in
          packaging

   vulcanology
          [vul.ca.nol.o.gy] n [ISV] (1858): volcanology -- vul.ca.nol.o.gist
          n

   Vulg
          [Vulg] abbreviation Vulgate

   vulgar
          [vul.gar] adj [ME, fr. L vulgaris of the mob, vulgar, fr.
          volgus, vulgus mob, common people] (14c) 1 a: generally
          used, applied, or accepted b: understood in or having
          the ordinary sense <they reject the ~ conception of miracle
          --W. R. Inge> 2: vernacular <the ~ name of a plant> 3
          a: of or relating to the common people: plebeian b: generally
          current: public <the ~ opinion of that time> c: of the
          usual, typical, or ordinary kind 4 a: lacking in cultivation,
          perception, or taste: coarse b: morally crude, undeveloped,
          or unregenerate: gross c: ostentatious or excessive in
          expenditure or display: pretentious 5 a: offensive in
          language: earthy b: lewdly or profanely indecent syn
          see common, coarse -- vul.gar.ly adv

   vulgar era
          [vulgar era] n (1716): christian era

   vulgarian
          [vul.gar.i.an] n (1804): a vulgar person

   vulgarise
          [vul.gar.ise] Brit var of vulgarize

   vulgarism
          [vul.gar.ism] n (ca. 1676) 1: vulgarity 2 a: a word or expression
          originated or used chiefly by illiterate persons b: a
          coarse word or phrase: obscenity

   vulgarity
          [vul.gar.i.ty] n, pl -ties (1579) 1: something vulgar 2:
          the quality or state of being vulgar

   vulgarize
          [vul.gar.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1709) 1: to diffuse generally:
          popularize 2: to make vulgar: coarsen -- vul.gar.i.za.tion
          n -- vul.gar.iz.er n

   Vulgar Latin
          [Vulgar Latin] n (1818): the nonclassical Latin of ancient
          Rome including the speech of plebeians and the informal
          speech of the educated established by comparative evidence
          as the chief source of the Romance languages

   vulgate
          [vul.gate] n [ML vulgata, fr. LL vulgata editio edition in
          general circulation] (1728) 1 cap: a Latin version of
          the Bible authorized and used by the Roman Catholic Church
          2: a commonly accepted text or reading 3: the speech
          of the common people and esp. of uneducated people

   vulgus
          [vul.gus] n [prob. alter. of obs. vulgars English sentences
          to be translated into Latin] (1856): a short composition
          in Latin verse formerly common as an exercise in some
          English public schools

   vulnerable
          [vul.ner.a.ble] adj [LL vulnerabilis, fr. L vulnerare to
          wound, fr. vulner-, vulnus wound; prob. akin to L vellere
          to pluck, Gk oule wound] (1605) 1: capable of being physically
          wounded 2: open to attack or damage: assailable 3: liable
          to increased penalties but entitled to increased bonuses
          after winning a game in contract bridge -- vul.ner.a.bil.i.ty
          n -- vul.ner.a.ble.ness n -- vul.ner.a.bly adv

   [1]vulnerary
          [vul.ner.ary] adj [L vulnerarius, fr. vulner-, vulnus] (1599):
          used for or useful in healing wounds <~ plants> [2]vulnerary
          n, pl -ar.ies (1601): a vulnerary remedy

   vulpine
          [vul.pine] adj [L vulpinus, fr. vulpes fox; perh. akin to
          Gk alopex fox--more at alopecia] (1628) 1: of, relating
          to, or resembling a fox 2: foxy, crafty

   vulture
          [vul.ture] n [ME, fr. L vultur] (14c) 1: any of various large
          raptorial birds (families Accipitridae and Cathartidae)
          that are related to the hawks, eagles, and falcons but
          have weaker claws and the head usu. naked and that subsist
          chiefly or entirely on carrion 2: a rapacious or predatory
          person -- vul.tur.ish adj

   vulturine
          [vul.tur.ine] adj (1647) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of vultures 2: rapacious, predatory <~ legislators>

   vulturous
          [vul.tur.ous] adj (1623): resembling a vulture esp. in rapacity
          or scavenging habits

   vulva
          [vul.va] n, pl vul.vae [NL, fr. L volva, vulva womb, female
          genitals; akin to Skt ulva womb and perh. to L volvere
          to roll--more at voluble] (ca. 1577): the external parts
          of the female genital organs -- vul.val or vul.var adj

   vulvovaginitis
          [vul.vo.vag.i.ni.tis] n [NL] (1897): coincident inflammation
          of the vulva and vagina

   vv...
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   vv
          [vv] abbreviation verses, vice versa

   vy...
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   vying
          [vying] pres part of vie

   w...
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   w
          [w] n, pl w's or ws often cap, often attrib (15c) 1 a: the
          23d letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic representation
          of this letter c: a speech counterpart of orthographic
          w 2: a graphic device for reproducing the letter w 3:
          one designated w esp. as the 23d in order or class 4:
          something shaped like the letter W W n (1960): w particle

   w
          [w] abbreviation warden, water, week, weight, Welsh, west,
          western, white, wicket, wide, width, wife, with, withdrawal,
          work  W abbreviation energy, [G Wolfram] tungsten; watt

   w/o
          [w/o] abbreviation without

   w/w
          [w/w] abbreviation wall-to-wall

   W Aust
          [W Aust] abbreviation Western Australia

   W particle
          [W particle] n [weak] (1963): either of two particles about
          80 times heavier than a proton that along with the Z
          particle are transmitters of the weak force and that
          can have a positive or negative charge

   wa...
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   WA
          [WA] abbreviation Washington, Western Australia

   wabble
          [wab.ble] var of wobble

   Wac
          [Wac] n [Women's Army Corps] (1943): a member of the Women's
          Army Corps

   wacked-out
          [wacked-out] var of whacked-out

   wacko
          [wacko] adj [by alter.] (1975): wacky -- wacko n

   wacky
          [wacky] adj wack.i.er ; -est [perh. fr. E dial. whacky fool]
          (ca. 1935): absurdly or amusingly eccentric or irrational:
          crazy -- wack.i.ly adv -- wack.i.ness n

   [1]wad
          [wad] n [ML wadda] (1573) 1: a small mass, bundle, or tuft:
          as a: a soft mass esp. of a loose fibrous material variously
          used (as to stop an aperture, pad a garment, or hold
          grease around an axle) b (1): a soft plug used to retain
          a powder charge or to avoid windage esp. in a muzzle-loading
          gun (2): a felt or paper disk used to separate the components
          of a shotgun cartridge c: a small mass of a chewing substance
          <a ~ of gum> 2: a considerable amount (as of money) 3
          a: a roll of paper money b: money [2]wad vt wad.ded ;
          wad.ding (1579) 1 a: to insert a wad into <~ a gun> b:
          to hold in by a wad <~ a bullet in a gun> 2: to form
          into a wad or wadding; esp: to roll or crush into a tight
          wad 3: to stuff or line with some soft substance -- wad.der
          n

   wadding
          [wad.ding] n (1627) 1: wads or material for making wads 2:
          a soft mass or sheet of short loose fibers used for stuffing
          or padding

   [1]waddle
          [wad.dle] vi wad.dled ; wad.dling [freq. of wade] (1592)
          1: to walk with short steps swinging the forepart of
          the body from side to side 2: to move clumsily in a manner
          suggesting a waddle -- wad.dler n [2]waddle n (1691):
          an awkward clumsy swaying gait

   [1]waddy
          [wad.dy] n, pl waddies [Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language
          of the Port Jackson area) wadi stick, wooden weapon]
          (ca. 1790) Austral: club 1a [2]waddy vt wad.died ; wad.dy.ing
          (1833) Austral: to attack or beat with a waddy [3]wad.dy
          or wad.die n, pl waddies [origin unknown] (1897) West:
          cowboy

   [1]wade
          [wade] vb wad.ed ; wad.ing [ME, fr. OE wadan; akin to OHG
          watan to go, wade, L vadere to go] vi (13c) 1: to step
          in or through a medium (as water) offering more resistance
          than air 2: to move or proceed with difficulty or labor
          3: to set to work or attack with determination or vigor--used
          with in or into <~ into a task> ~ vt: to pass or cross
          by wading -- wad.able or wade.able adj [2]wade n (1665):
          an act of wading <a ~ in the brook>

   Wade-Giles
          [Wade-Giles] n [Thomas F. Wade d. 1895 Brit. diplomat & Herbert
          A. Giles d. 1935 Brit. sinologist] (1943): a system for
          romanizing Chinese ideograms in which tones are indicated
          by superscript numbers and consonantal aspiration is
          indicated by an apostrophe--compare pinyin

   wader
          [wad.er] n (1673) 1: one that wades 2: shorebird; also: wading
          bird 3 pl: high waterproof boots or a one-piece waterproof
          garment usu. consisting of pants with attached boots
          that are used for wading (as when fishing)

   wadi
          [wa.di] n [Ar wadiy] (1839) 1: the bed or valley of a stream
          in regions of southwestern Asia and northern Africa that
          is usu. dry except during the rainy season and that often
          forms an oasis: gully, wash 2: a shallow usu. sharply
          defined depression in a desert region

   wading bird
          [wading bird] n (ca. 1843): any of an order (Ciconiiformes)
          of long-legged birds (as herons, bitterns, storks, and
          flamingos) that wade in water in search of food

   wading pool
          [wading pool] n (1921): a shallow pool of portable or permanent
          construction used by children for wading

   wadmal
          [wad.mal] or wad.mol or wad.mel n [ME wadmale, fr. ON vathmal,
          lit., standard cloth, fr. vath cloth, clothing + mal
          measure; akin to L metiri to measure--more at weed, measure]
          (14c): a coarse rough woolen fabric formerly used in
          the British Isles and Scandinavia for protective coverings
          and warm clothing

   waesucks
          [wae.sucks] interj [Sc wae woe (fr. ME wa) + sucks, alter.
          of E sakes--more at woe] (ca. 1774) Scot--used to express
          pity

   Waf
          [Waf] n [Women in the Air Force] (1948): a member of the
          women's component of the air force formed after World
          War II

   [1]wafer
          [wa.fer] n [ME, fr. ONF waufre, of Gmc origin; akin to MD
          wafel, wafer waffle] (14c) 1 a: a thin crisp cake, candy,
          or cracker b: a round thin piece of unleavened bread
          used in the celebration of the Eucharist 2: an adhesive
          disk of dried paste with added coloring matter used as
          a seal 3 a: a thin disk or ring resembling a wafer and
          variously used (as for a valve or diaphragm) b: a thin
          slice of semiconductor (as silicon) used as a base for
          an electronic component or circuit [2]wafer vt wa.fered
          ; wa.fer.ing (1748) 1: to seal, close, or fasten with
          a wafer 2: to divide (as a silicon rod) into wafers

   waff
          [waff] n [E dial. waff to wave] (1600) 1 chiefly Scot: a
          waving motion 2 chiefly Scot: puff, gust

   [1]waffle
          [waf.fle] n [D wafel, fr. MD wafel, wafer; akin to OE wefan
          to weave] (1744): a crisp cake of batter baked in a waffle
          iron [2]waffle vi waf.fled ; waf.fling [freq. of obs.
          woff to yelp, of imit. origin] (1868) 1: equivocate,
          vacillate; also: yo-yo, flip-flop 2: to talk or write
          foolishly: blather <can ~ ... tiresomely off the point
          --Times Lit. Supp.> -- waf.fler n [3]waffle n (ca. 1888):
          empty or pretentious words: tripe

   waffle iron
          [waffle iron] n (1794): a cooking utensil having two hinged
          metal parts that shut upon each other and impress surface
          projections on waffles that are being cooked

   wafflestomper
          [waf.fle.stomp.er] n [fr. the pattern left by the soles]
          (1972): a hiking boot with a lug sole

   [1]waft
          [waft] vb [(assumed) ME waughten to guard, convoy, fr. MD
          or MLG wachten to watch, guard; akin to OE waeccan to
          watch--more at wake] vi (ca. 1562): to move or go lightly
          on or as if on a buoyant medium ~ vt: to cause to move
          or go lightly by or as if by the impulse of wind or waves
          -- waft.er n [2]waft n (1607) 1: something (as an odor)
          that is wafted: whiff 2: a slight breeze: puff 3: the
          act of waving 4: a pennant or flag used to signal or
          to show wind direction

   waftage
          [waft.age] n (1558): the act of wafting or state of being
          wafted; broadly: conveyance

   wafture
          [waf.ture] n (1601): the act of waving or a wavelike motion

   [1]wag
          [wag] vb wagged ; wag.ging [ME waggen; akin to MHG wacken
          to totter, OE wegan to move--more at way] vi (13c) 1:
          to be in motion: stir 2: to move to and fro or up and
          down esp. with quick jerky motions 3: to move in chatter
          or gossip <scandal caused tongues to ~> 4 archaic: depart
          5: waddle ~ vt 1: to swing to and fro or up and down
          esp. with quick jerky motions: switch; specif: to nod
          (the head) or shake (a finger) at (as in assent or mild
          reproof) 2: to move (as the tongue) animatedly in conversation
          -- wag.ger n [2]wag n (1589): an act of wagging: shake
          [3]wag n [prob. short for obs. E waghalter gallows bird,
          fr. E [1]wag + halter] (ca. 1553) 1: wit, joker 2 obs:
          a young man: chap

   [1]wage
          [wage] n [ME, pledge, wage, fr. ONF, of Gmc origin; akin
          to Goth wadi pledge--more at wed] (14c) 1 a: a payment
          usu. of money for labor or services usu. according to
          contract and on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis--often
          used in pl. b pl: the share of the national product attributable
          to labor as a factor in production 2: recompense, reward--usu.
          used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr. <the ~s of sin
          is death --Rom 6:23 (RSV)> -- wage.less adj [2]wage vb
          waged ; wag.ing [ME, to pledge, give as security, fr.
          ONF wagier, fr. wage] vt (15c): to engage in or carry
          on <~ war> <~ a campaign> ~ vi: to be in process of occurring
          <the riot waged for several hours --Amer. Guide Series:
          Md.>

   wage earner
          [wage earner] n (1885): a person who works for wages or salary

   [1]wager
          [wa.ger] n [ME, pledge, bet, fr. AF wageure, fr. ONF wagier
          to pledge] (14c) 1 a: something (as a sum of money) risked
          on an uncertain event: stake b: something on which bets
          are laid: gamble <do a stunt as a ~> 2 archaic: an act
          of giving a pledge to take and abide by the result of
          some action [2]wager vb wa.gered ; wa.ger.ing vi (1602):
          to make a bet ~ vt: to risk or venture on a final outcome;
          specif: to lay as a gamble: bet <~ $5 on a horse> --
          wa.ger.er n

   wage scale
          [wage scale] n (1902): a schedule of wage rates for related
          tasks; broadly: the general level of wages in an industry
          or region

   wage slave
          [wage slave] n (1886): a person dependent on wages or a salary
          for a livelihood

   wageworker
          [wage.work.er] n (1876): wage earner

   waggery
          [wag.gery] n, pl -ger.ies (1594) 1: mischievous merriment:
          pleasantry 2: jest; esp: practical joke

   waggish
          [wag.gish] adj (1589) 1: resembling or characteristic of
          a wag <a ~ friend> <a ~ prose style> 2: done or made
          in waggery or for sport: humorous <~ spoofs of popular
          songs> -- wag.gish.ly adv -- wag.gish.ness n

   [1]waggle
          [wag.gle] vb wag.gled ; wag.gling [freq. of [1]wag] vt (1594):
          to move frequently one way and the other: wag ~ vi: to
          reel, sway, or move from side to side: wag -- wag.gly
          adj [2]waggle n (ca. 1866) 1: an instance of waggling:
          a jerky motion back and forth or up and down 2: a preliminary
          swinging of a golf club head back and forth over the
          ball before the swing

   waggon
          [wag.gon] chiefly Brit var of wagon

   [1]Wagnerian
          [Wag.ne.ri.an] adj [Richard Wagner] (1873): of, relating
          to, characteristic, or suggestive of Wagner or his music
          or theories [2]Wagnerian n (1882): an admirer of the
          musical theories and style of Wagner

   Wagnerite
          [Wag.ner.ite] n (1855): wagnerian

   [1]wagon
          [wag.on] n [D wagen, fr. MD--more at wain] (15c) 1 a: a usu.
          four-wheel vehicle for transporting bulky commodities
          and drawn orig. by animals b: a lighter typically horse-drawn
          vehicle for transporting goods or passengers c: paddy
          wagon 2 Brit: a railway freight car 3: a low four-wheel
          vehicle with an open rectangular body and a retroflex
          tongue made for the play or use (as for carrying newspapers)
          of a child 4: a small wheeled table used for the service
          of a dining room 5: a delivery truck <milk ~> 6: station
          wagon -- off the wagon : no longer abstaining from alcoholic
          beverages -- on the wagon : abstaining from alcoholic
          beverages [2]wagon vi (1606): to travel or transport
          goods by wagon ~ vt: to transport (goods) by wagon

   wagoner
          [wag.on.er] n (1544) 1: a person who drives a wagon or transports
          goods by wagon 2 cap, obs: bootes

   wagonette
          [wag.on.ette] n (ca. 1858): a light wagon with two facing
          seats along the sides behind a transverse front seat

   wagon-lit
          [wa.gon-lit] n, pl wagons-lits or wagon-lits [F, fr. wagon
          railroad car + lit bed] (1884): a railroad sleeping car

   wagon master
          [wagon master] n (1645): a person in charge of one or more
          wagons

   wagon train
          [wagon train] n (1810): a column of wagons (as of supplies
          for a group of settlers) traveling overland

   wagtail
          [wag.tail] n (1510): any of various chiefly Old World oscine
          birds (family Motacillidae) related to the pipits and
          having a trim slender body and a very long tail that
          they habitually jerk up and down

   Wahhabi
          [Wah.habi] also Wa.habi n [Ar wahhabiy, fr. Muhammad b. 'Abd
          al-Wahhab (Abdul-Wahhab) d. 1787 Arab. religious reformer]
          (1807): a member of a puritanical Muslim sect founded
          in Arabia in the 18th century by Muhammad ibn-Abdul Wahhab
          and revived by ibn-Saud in the 20th century -- Wah.hab.ism
          n -- Wah.hab.ite adj or n

   wahine
          [wa.hi.ne] n [Maori & Hawaiian, woman] (1773) 1: a Polynesian
          woman 2: a female surfer

   [1]wahoo
          [wa.hoo] n, pl wahoos [origin unknown] (1770): winged elm
          [2]wahoo n, pl wahoos [Dakota wahu, fr. wa- arrow + hu
          wood] (1857): a shrubby No. American spindle tree (Euonymus
          atropurpureus) having purple capsules which in dehiscence
          expose the scarlet-ariled seeds--called also burning
          bush [3]wahoo n, pl wahoos [origin unknown] (ca. 1900):
          a large vigorous mackerel (Acanthocybium solandri) that
          is common in warm seas and esteemed as a food and sport
          fish [4]wa.hoo interj (ca. 1924) chiefly West--used to
          express exuberance or enthusiasm or to attract attention

   wahwah pedal
          [wah.wah pedal] var of wa-wa pedal

   [1]waif
          [waif] n [ME, fr. ONF, adj., lost, unclaimed, prob. of Scand
          origin; akin to ON veif something flapping, veifa to
          be in movement--more at wipe] (14c) 1 a: a piece of property
          found (as washed up by the sea) but unclaimed b pl: stolen
          goods thrown away by a thief in flight 2 a: something
          found without an owner and esp. by chance b: a stray
          person or animal; esp: a homeless child -- waif.like
          adj [2]waif n (1530): waft 4

   [1]wail
          [wail] vb [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON vaela, vala to
          wail; akin to ON vei woe--more at woe] vi (14c) 1: to
          express sorrow audibly: lament 2: to make a sound suggestive
          of a mournful cry 3: to express dissatisfaction plaintively:
          complain ~ vt, archaic: bewail -- wail.er n [2]wail n
          (15c) 1: the act or practice of wailing: loud lamentation
          2 a: a usu. prolonged cry or sound expressing grief or
          pain b: a sound suggestive of wailing <the ~ of an air-raid
          siren> c: a querulous expression of grievance: complaint

   wailful
          [wail.ful] adj (1544) 1: uttering a sound suggestive of wailing
          2: expressing grief or pain: sorrowful, mournful -- wail.ful.ly
          adv

   wailing wall
          [wailing wall] n (1919) 1 cap: a surviving section of the
          wall which in ancient times formed a part of the enclosure
          of Herod's temple near the Holy of Holies and at which
          Jews traditionally gather for prayer and religious lament
          2: a source of comfort and consolation in misfortune

   wain
          [wain] n [ME, wagon, chariot, fr. OE waegn; akin to MD wagen
          wagon, OE wegan to move--more at way] (bef. 12c) 1: a
          usu. large and heavy vehicle for farm use 2 cap [short
          for Charles's Wain]: big dipper

   [1]wainscot
          [wain.scot] n [ME, fr. MD wagenschot, prob. fr. wagen wagon
          + schot shot, crossbar] (14c) 1 Brit: a fine grade of
          oak imported for woodwork 2 a (1): a usu. paneled wooden
          lining of an interior wall (2): a lining of an interior
          wall irrespective of material b: the lower three or four
          feet (about one meter) of an interior wall when finished
          differently from the remainder of the wall [2]wainscot
          vt -scot.ed or -scot.ted ; -scot.ing or -scot.ting (ca.
          1570): to line with or as if with boards or paneling

   wainscoting
          [wain.scot.ing] or wain.scot.ting n (1580) 1: wainscot 2
          2: material used to wainscot a surface

   wainwright
          [wain.wright] n (bef. 12c): a maker and repairer of wagons

   waist
          [waist] n [ME wast; akin to OE waestm growth, weaxan to grow--more
          at wax] (14c) 1 a: the narrowed part of the body between the thorax
          and hips b: the greatly constricted basal part of the abdomen
          of some insects (as wasps and flies) 2: the part of something
          corresponding to or resembling the human waist: as a (1): the part
          of a ship's deck between the poop and forecastle (2): the middle
          part of a sailing ship between foremast and main mast b: the middle
          section of the fuselage of an airplane 3: a garment or the part
          of a garment covering the body from the neck to the waistline
          or just below: a: bodice 1 b: blouse 4: waistline 1b -- waist.ed
          adj

   waistband
          [waist.band] n (1584): a band (as of trousers or a skirt)
          fitting around the waist

   waistcoat
          [waist.coat] n (1519) 1: an ornamental garment worn under
          a doublet 2 chiefly Brit: vest 2a -- waist.coat.ed adj

   waistline
          [waist.line] n (1896) 1 a: an arbitrary line encircling the
          narrowest part of the waist b: the part of a garment
          that covers the waistline or may be above or below it
          as fashion dictates 2: body circumference at the waist

   [1]wait
          [wait] vb [ME, fr. ONF waitier to watch, of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG wahta watch, OE waeccan to watch--more at wake]
          vt (14c) 1: to stay in place in expectation of: await
          2: to delay serving (a meal) 3: to serve as waiter for
          <~ tables> ~ vi 1 a: to remain stationary in readiness
          or expectation <~ for a train> b: to pause for another
          to catch up--usu. used with up 2 a: to look forward expectantly
          <just ~ing to see his rival lose> b: to hold back expectantly
          <~ing for a chance to strike> 3: to serve at meals--usu.
          used in such phrases as wait on tables or wait on table
          4 a: to be ready and available <slippers ~ing by the
          bed> b: to remain temporarily neglected or unrealized
          -- wait on also wait upon 1 a: to attend as a servant
          b: to supply the wants of: serve 2: to make a formal
          call on 3: to wait for -- wait up : to delay going to
          bed: stay up usage American dialectologists have evidence
          showing wait on (sense 3) to be more a Southern than
          a Northern form in speech. Handbook writers universally
          denigrate wait on and prescribe wait for in writing.
          Our evidence from printed sources does not show a regional
          preference; it does show that the handbooks' advice is
          not based on current usage <settlement of the big problems
          still waited on Russia --Time> <I couldn't make out ...
          whether Harper was waiting on me for approval --E. B.
          White> <the staggering bill that waited on them at the
          white commissary downtown --Maya Angelou>. One reason
          for the continuing use of wait on may lie in its being
          able to suggest protracted or irritating waits better
          than wait for <for two days I've been waiting on weather
          --Charles A. Lindbergh> <the boredom of black Africans
          sitting there, waiting on the whims of a colonial bureaucracy
          --Vincent Canby> <doesn't care to sit around waiting
          on a House that's virtually paralyzed --Glenn A. Briere>.
          Wait on is less common than wait for, but if it seems
          natural, there is no reason to avoid it. [2]wait n [ME
          waite watchman, public musician, wait, fr. ONF, watchman,
          watch, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG wahta watch] (14c)
          1 a: a hidden or concealed position--used chiefly in
          the expression lie in wait b: a state or attitude of
          watchfulness and expectancy <anchored in ~ for early
          morning fishing --Fred Zimmer> 2 a: one of a band of
          public musicians in England employed to play for processions
          or public entertainments b (1): one of a group who serenade
          for gratuities esp. at the Christmas season (2): a piece
          of music by such a group 3: an act or period of waiting
          <a long ~ in line>

   waiter
          [wait.er] n (15c) 1: one that waits on another; esp: a person
          who waits tables (as in a restaurant) 2: a tray on which
          something (as a tea service) is carried: salver

   waiting game
          [waiting game] n (1890): a strategy in which one or more
          participants withhold action temporarily in the hope
          of having a favorable opportunity for more effective
          action later

   waiting list
          [waiting list] n (1897): a list or roster of those waiting
          (as for election to a club or admission to an educational
          institution)

   waiting room
          [waiting room] n (1683): a room (as in a doctor's office)
          for the use of persons (as patients) who are waiting

   wait out
          [wait out] vt (1941): to await an end to <wait the storm
          out>

   waitperson
          [wait.per.son] n (1976): a waiter or waitress

   waitress
          [wait.ress] n (1834): a woman who waits tables (as in a restaurant)
          -- waitress vi

   waive
          [waive] vt waived ; waiv.ing [ME weiven, fr. ONF weyver,
          fr. waif lost, unclaimed--more at waif] (14c) 1 archaic:
          give up, forsake 2: to throw away (stolen goods) 3 archaic:
          to shunt aside (as a danger or duty): evade 4 a: to relinquish
          voluntarily (as a legal right) <~ a jury trial> b: to
          refrain from pressing or enforcing (as a claim or rule):
          forgo 5: to put off from immediate consideration: postpone
          6: to dismiss with or as if with a wave of the hand <waived
          the problem aside> 7: to place (a ball player) on waivers;
          also: to release after placing on waivers syn see relinquish

   waiver
          [waiv.er] n [AF weyver, fr. ONF weyver to abandon, waive]
          (1628) 1: the act of intentionally relinquishing or abandoning
          a known right, claim, or privilege; also: the legal instrument
          evidencing such an act 2: the act of a club's waiving
          the right to claim a professional ball player who is
          being removed from another club's roster--often used
          in the phrase on waivers denoting the process by which
          a player to be removed from a roster is made available
          to other clubs <was placed on ~s before being released>

   Wakashan
          [Wa.kash.an] n (ca. 1895): a family of American Indian languages
          spoken in coastal areas of British Columbia and northwest
          Washington

   [1]wake
          [wake] vb woke also waked ; wo.ken or waked also woke ; wak.ing
          [partly fr. ME waken (past wook, pp. waken), fr. OE wacan
          to awake (past woc, pp. wacen); partly fr. ME wakien,
          waken (past & pp. waked), fr. OE wacian to be awake (past
          wacode, pp. wacod); akin to OE waeccan to watch, L vegere
          to enliven] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to be or remain awake
          b archaic: to remain awake on watch esp. over a corpse
          c obs: to stay up late in revelry 2: awake--often used
          with up ~ vt 1: to stand watch over (as a dead body);
          esp: to hold a wake over 2 a: to rouse from or as if
          from sleep: awake--often used with up b: stir, excite
          <woke up latent possibilities --Norman Douglas> c: to
          arouse conscious interest in: alert--usu. used with to
          <woke the publishers to the fact that there was an enormous
          ... audience --Harrison Smith> -- wak.er n [2]wake n
          (13c) 1: the state of being awake 2 a (1): an annual
          English parish festival formerly held in commemoration
          of the church's patron saint (2): vigil 1a b: the festivities
          orig. connected with the wake of an English parish church--usu.
          used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr. c Brit: an annual
          holiday or vacation--usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl.
          in constr. 3: a watch held over the body of a dead person
          prior to burial and sometimes accompanied by festivity
          [3]wake n [of Scand origin; akin to ON vok hole in ice]
          (ca. 1547) 1: the track left by a moving body (as a ship)
          in a fluid (as water); broadly: a track or path left
          2: aftermath 3 -- in the wake of 1: close behind and
          in the same path of travel <in the wake of trappers and
          ... riflemen came ... settlers --Amer. Guide Series:
          Ind.> 2: as a result of: as a consequence of <power vacuums
          left in the wake of the second world war --A. M. Schlesinger
          b1917>

   wakeful
          [wake.ful] adj (1549): not sleeping or able to sleep: sleepless
          -- wake.ful.ly adv -- wake.ful.ness n

   wakeless
          [wake.less] adj (1824): sound, unbroken <~ sleep>

   waken
          [wak.en] vb wak.ened ; wak.en.ing [ME waknen, fr. OE waecnian;
          akin to ON vakna to awaken, OE waeccan to watch] vi (bef.
          12c): awake--often used with up ~ vt: to rouse esp. out
          of sleep: wake

   wakener
          [wak.en.er] n (1573) archaic: one that causes to waken

   wakerife
          [wake.rife] adj [ME (Sc) walkryfe, fr. walk awake (fr. waken,
          walken to wake) + ryfe rife] (15c) Scot: wakeful, alert

   wake-robin
          [wake-rob.in] n (ca. 1530) 1: trillium 2: jack-in-the-pulpit

   wake-up
          [wake-up] adj (1946): serving to wake up <a ~ call> <a ~
          cup of coffee>

   waking
          [wak.ing] adj (1567): passed in a conscious or alert state
          <every ~ hour>

   Waldenses
          [Wal.den.ses] n pl [ME Waldensis, fr. ML Waldenses, Valdenses,
          fr. Peter Waldo (or Valdo)] (1537): a Christian sect
          arising in southern France in the 12th century, adopting
          Calvinist doctrines in the 16th century, and later living
          chiefly in Piedmont -- Wal.den.sian adj or n

   Waldorf salad
          [Wal.dorf salad] n [Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City]
          (1902): a salad made typically of diced apples, celery,
          nuts, and mayonnaise

   [1]wale
          [wale] n [ME, fr. OE walu; akin to ON volr staff and perh.
          to ON valr round, L volvere to roll--more at voluble]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a streak or ridge made on the skin esp.
          by the stroke of a whip: weal b: a narrow raised surface:
          ridge 2: any of a number of strakes usu. of extra thick
          and strong planks in the sides of a wooden ship--usu.
          used in pl. 3 a: one of a series of even ribs in a fabric
          b: the texture esp. of a fabric 4: a horizontal constructional
          member (as of timber or steel) used for bracing vertical
          members [2]wale vt waled ; wal.ing (15c): to mark (as
          the skin) with welts [3]wale n [ME (Sc & northern dial.)
          wal, fr. ON val; akin to OHG wala choice, OE wyllan to
          wish--more at will] (14c) 1 dial Brit: choice 2 dial
          Brit: the best part: pick [4]wale vb (14c) dial Brit:
          choose

   waler
          [wal.er] n, often cap [New So. Wales, Australia] (1849):
          a horse from New So. Wales; esp: a rather large rugged
          saddle horse of mixed ancestry formerly exported in quantity
          from Australia to British India for military use

   Walhalla
          [Wal.hal.la] n [G]: valhalla

   [1]walk
          [walk] vb [partly fr. ME walken (past welk, pp. walken),
          fr. OE wealcan to roll, toss, journey about (past weolc,
          pp. wealcen) and partly fr. ME walkien (past walked,
          pp. walked), fr. OE wealcian to roll up, muffle up; akin
          to MD walken to knead, press, full] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a
          obs: roam, wander b of a spirit: to move about in visible
          form: appear c of a ship: to make headway 2 a: to move
          along on foot: advance by steps b: to come or go easily
          or readily c: to go on foot for exercise or pleasure
          d: to go at a walk 3 a: to pursue a course of action
          or way of life: conduct oneself: behave <~ warily> b:
          to be or act in association: continue in union <the British
          and American peoples will ... ~ together side by side
          ... in peace --Sir Winston Churchill> c: walk out <the
          workers didn't like the new contract so they ~ed> 4:
          to go to first base as a result of a base on balls 5
          of an inanimate object a: to move in a manner that is
          suggestive of walking b: to stand with an appearance
          suggestive of strides <pylons ~ing across the valley>
          6 of an astronaut: to move about in space outside a spacecraft
          ~ vt 1 a: to pass on foot or as if on foot through, along,
          over, or upon: traverse, perambulate <~ the streets>
          <~ a tightrope> b: to perform or accomplish by going
          on foot <~ guard> 2 a: to cause (an animal) to go at
          a walk: take for a walk <~ing a dog> b (1): to cause
          to move by walking <~ed her bicycle up the hill> (2):
          to haul (as an anchor) by walking round the capstan 3:
          to follow on foot for the purpose of measuring, surveying,
          or inspecting <~ a boundary> 4 a: to accompany on foot:
          walk with <~ed her home> b: to compel to walk (as by
          a command) c: to bring to a specified condition by walking
          <~ed us off our feet> 5: to move (an object) in a manner
          suggestive of walking 6: to perform (a dance) at a walking
          pace <~ a quadrille> 7: to give a base on balls to --
          walk away from 1: to outrun or get the better of without
          difficulty 2: to survive (an accident) with little or
          no injury -- walk off with 1 a: to steal and take away
          b: to take over unexpectedly from someone else: steal
          1d <walked off with the show> 2: to win or gain esp.
          by outdoing one's competitors without difficulty -- walk
          on : to take advantage of: abuse -- walk over : to treat
          contemptuously -- walk the plank 1: to walk under compulsion
          over the side of a ship into the sea 2: to resign an
          office or position under compulsion -- walk through 1:
          to go through (as a theatrical role or familiar activity)
          perfunctorily (as in an early stage of rehearsal) 2:
          to guide (as a novice) through an unfamiliar or complex
          procedure step-by-step 3: to deal with or carry out perfunctorily
          [2]walk n (14c) 1 a: an act or instance of going on foot
          esp. for exercise or pleasure <go for a ~> b: space walk
          2: an accustomed place of walking: haunt 3: a place designed
          for walking: a: a railed platform above the roof of a
          dwelling house b (1): a path specially arranged or paved
          for walking (2): sidewalk c: a public avenue for promenading:
          promenade d: ropewalk 4: a place or area of land in which
          animals feed and exercise with minimal restraint 5: distance
          to be walked <a quarter mile ~ from here> 6 Brit: a ceremonial
          procession 7: manner of living: conduct, behavior 8 a:
          the gait of a biped in which the feet are lifted alternately
          with one foot not clear of the ground before the other
          touches b: the gait of a quadruped in which there are
          always at least two feet on the ground; specif: a four-beat
          gait of a horse in which the feet strike the ground in
          the sequence near hind, near fore, off hind, off fore
          c: a low rate of speed <the shortage of raw materials
          slowed production to a ~> 9: a route regularly traversed
          by a person in the performance of a particular activity
          (as patrolling, begging, or vending) 10: characteristic
          manner of walking <his ~ is just like his father's> 11
          a: social or economic status <all ~s of life> b (1):
          range or sphere of action: field, province (2): vocation
          12: base on balls

   walkabout
          [walk.about] n (1908) 1: a short period of wandering bush
          life engaged in by an Australian aborigine as an occasional
          interruption of regular work 2: a walking tour: walking
          trip

   walkathon
          [walk.a.thon] n [walk + -athon] (1932): a walk covering a
          considerable distance organized esp. to raise money for
          a cause

   walkaway
          [walk.away] n (1888): an easily won contest

   walker
          [walk.er] n (14c) 1: one that walks: as a: a competitor in
          a walking race b: a peddler going on foot c: a temporary
          male escort of socially prominent women attending usu.
          public events 2: something used in walking: as a: a framework
          designed to support a baby learning to walk or an infirm
          or handicapped person b: a walking shoe

   walkie-talkie
          [walk.ie-talk.ie] n (1939): a compact easily transportable
          battery-operated radio transmitting and receiving set

   [1]walk-in
          [walk-in] adj (1926) 1: large enough to be walked into <a
          ~ closet> 2: arranged so as to be entered directly rather
          than through a lobby <a ~ apartment> 3 a: being a person
          who walks in without an appointment <a ~ blood donor>
          b: of or relating to such persons <~ clinic> [2]walk-in
          n (1944) 1: a walk-in refrigerator or cold storage room
          2: an easy election victory 3: one who walks in without
          an appointment

   [1]walking
          [walk.ing] n (15c) 1: the action of one that walks <~ is
          good exercise> 2: the condition of a surface for one
          going on foot <the ~ is slippery> [2]walking adj (15c)
          1 a: able to walk: ambulatory <the ~ wounded> b: being
          the personification of a nonhuman quality or thing <a
          ~ encyclopedia> 2 a: used for or in walking <~ shoes>
          b: characterized by or consisting of the action of walking
          <a ~ tour> 3: that moves or appears to move in a manner
          suggestive of walking; esp: that swings or rocks back
          and forth <~ beam> 4: guided or operated by a person
          on foot <a ~ plow>

   walking catfish
          [walking catfish] n (1968): an Asian freshwater catfish (Clarias
          batrachus of the family Clariidae) that is able to move
          about on land and has become established in Florida waters

   walking delegate
          [walking delegate] n (1889): a labor union representative
          appointed to visit members and their places of employment,
          to secure enforcement of union rules and agreements,
          and at times to represent the union in dealing with employers

   walking leaf
          [walking leaf] n (1826): any of a family (Phylliidae) of
          phasmid insects with wings and legs resembling leaves

   walking papers
          [walking papers] n pl (1825): dismissal, discharge--called
          also walking ticket

   walking pneumonia
          [walking pneumonia] n (1964): a usu. mild pneumonia caused
          by a mycoplasma (Mycoplasma pneumoniae) and characterized
          by malaise, cough, and often fever

   walking stick
          [walking stick] n (1580) 1: a stick used in walking 2 usu
          walk.ing.stick : stick insect; esp: a phasmid insect
          (Diapheromera femorata) common in parts of the U.S.

   Walkman
          [Walk.man] trademark--used for a small portable radio or
          cassette player listened to by means of headphones or
          earphones

   walk-on
          [walk-on] n (1902) 1: a minor part (as in a dramatic production);
          also: an actor having such a part 2: a college athlete
          who tries out for an athletic team without having been
          recruited or offered a scholarship

   walk out
          [walk out] vi (1840) 1: to leave suddenly often as an expression
          of disapproval 2: to go on strike -- walk out on : to
          leave in the lurch: abandon, desert

   walkout
          [walk.out] n (1888) 1: strike 3a 2: the action of leaving
          a meeting or organization as an expression of disapproval

   walkover
          [walk.over] n (1838) 1: a one-sided contest: an easy or uncontested
          victory 2: a horse race with only one starter

   walk-through
          [walk-through] n (1940) 1: a perfunctory performance of a
          play or acting part (as in an early stage of rehearsal)
          2: a television rehearsal without cameras

   [1]walk-up
          [walk-up] adj (1919) 1: located above the ground floor in
          a building with no elevator <a ~ apartment> 2: consisting
          of several stories and having no elevator <a ~ tenement>
          3: designed to allow pedestrians to be served without
          entering a building <the ~ window of a bank> [2]walk-up
          n (1924): a building or apartment house of several stories
          that has no elevator; also: an apartment or office in
          such a building

   walkway
          [walk.way] n (1792): a passage for walking: walk

   Walkyrie
          [Wal.ky.rie] n [G Walkure & ON valkyrja]: valkyrie

   [1]wall
          [wall] n [ME, fr. OE weall; akin to MHG wall; both fr. L
          vallum rampart, fr. vallus stake, palisade; perh. akin
          to ON volr staff--more at wale] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a high
          thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an
          enclosure chiefly for defense--often used in pl. b: a
          masonry fence around a garden, park, or estate c: a structure
          that serves to hold back pressure (as of water or sliding
          earth) 2: one of the sides of a room or building connecting
          floor and ceiling or foundation and roof 3: the side
          of a footpath next to buildings 4: an extreme or desperate
          position or a state of defeat, failure, or ruin--usu.
          used in the phrase to the wall 5: a material layer enclosing
          space <the ~ of a container> <heart ~s> 6: something
          resembling a wall (as in appearance, function, or effect);
          esp: something that acts as a barrier or defense <a ~
          of reserve> <tariff ~> -- walled adj -- wall-like adj
          -- up the wall slang: into a state of intense agitation,
          annoyance, or frustration <the noise drove me up the
          wall> [2]wall vt (13c) 1 a: to provide, cover with, or
          surround with or as if with a wall <~ in the garden>
          b: to separate by or as if by a wall <~ed off half the
          house> 2 a: immure b: to close (an opening) with or as
          if with a wall [3]wall vb [ME (Sc) wawlen, prob. fr.
          ME wawil- (in wawil-eghed walleyed)] vi (15c) of the
          eyes: to roll in a dramatic manner ~ vt: to roll (one's
          eyes) in a dramatic manner

   wallaby
          [wal.la.by] n, pl wallabies also wallaby [Dharuk (Australian
          aboriginal language of the Port Jackson area) walaba]
          (ca. 1798): any of various small or medium-sized kangaroos
          (esp. genus Macropus)--compare rock wallaby

   Wallace's line
          [Wal.lace's line] n [Alfred Russel Wallace] (1868): a hypothetical
          boundary that separates the highly distinctive floras and faunas
          of the Oriental and Australian biogeographic regions and passes
          between the islands of Bali and Lombok in Indonesia, between Borneo
          and Sulawesi, and between the Philippines and the Moluccas

   wallah
          [wal.lah] n [Hindi -vala one in charge, fr. Skt pala protector,
          fr. palayati, parayati he guards; akin to Skt piparti
          he brings over, saves, OE faran to go--more at fare]
          (1782): a person who is associated with a particular
          work or who performs a specific duty or service--usu.
          used in combination <the book ~ was an itinerant peddler
          --George Orwell>

   wallaroo
          [wal.la.roo] n, pl -roos [Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language
          of the Port Jackson area) walaru] (1827) 1: a large reddish
          gray kangaroo (Macropus robustus)--called also euro 2:
          either of two kangaroos (Macropus antelopinus and M.
          bernardus) related to the wallaroo

   wallboard
          [wall.board] n (1906): a structural boarding of any of various
          materials (as wood pulp, gypsum, or plastic) made in
          large rigid sheets and used esp. for sheathing interior
          walls and ceilings

   wallet
          [wal.let] n [ME walet] (14c) 1: a bag for carrying miscellaneous
          articles while traveling 2 a: a folding pocketbook with
          compartments for personal papers and usu. unfolded paper
          money; also: billfold b: a container that resembles a
          money wallet: as (1): a usu. flexible folding case fitted
          for carrying specific items (as tools or fishing flies)
          (2): folder 3

   walleye
          [wall.eye] n [back-formation fr. walleyed] (1523) 1 a: an
          eye with a whitish or bluish white iris b: an eye with
          an opaque white cornea 2 a: strabismus in which the eye
          turns outward away from the nose b: an eye affected with
          divergent strabismus 3: a large vigorous No. American
          freshwater food and sport fish (Stizostedion vitreum)
          that has prominent eyes and is related to the perches
          but resembles the true pike--called also walleyed pike

   walleyed
          [wall.eyed] adj [by folk etymology fr. ME wawil-eghed, part
          trans. of ON vagl-eygr walleyed, fr. vagl beam (akin
          to Gk ochleus bar, OE wegan to move, carry) + eygr eyed--more
          at way] (15c) 1: having walleyes or affected with walleye
          2: marked by a wild irrational staring of the eyes

   walleye pollack
          [walleye pollack] n (1907): pollack 2

   wallflower
          [wall.flow.er] n (1578) 1 a: any of several Old World herbaceous
          or somewhat woody perennial plants (genus Cheiranthus)
          of the mustard family; esp: a hardy erect herb (C. cheiri)
          widely cultivated for its showy fragrant flowers b: any
          of a related genus (Erysimum) of plants with showy flowers
          2: a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains
          on the sidelines of a social activity (as a dance)

   Walloon
          [Wal.loon] n [MF Wallon, adj. & n., of Gmc origin; prob.
          akin to OHG Walah Celt, Roman, OE Wealh Celt, Welshman--more
          at welsh] (1567) 1: a member of a people of southern
          and southeastern Belgium and adjacent parts of France
          2: a French dialect of the Walloons -- Walloon adj

   [1]wallop
          [wal.lop] vb [ME walopen to gallop, fr. ONF waloper] vi (1579)
          1: to boil noisily 2 a: to move with reckless or disorganized
          haste: advance in a headlong rush b: wallow, flounder
          ~ vt 1 a: to thrash soundly: lambaste b: to beat by a
          wide margin: trounce 2: to hit with force: sock -- wal.lop.er
          n [2]wallop n [ME, gallop, fr. ONF walop, fr. waloper
          to gallop] (ca. 1823) 1 a: a powerful blow: punch b:
          something resembling a wallop esp. in suddenness of force
          c: the ability (as of a boxer) to hit hard 2 a: emotional,
          sensory, or psychological force or influence: impact
          <a novel that packs a ~> b: an exciting emotional response:
          thrill 3 Brit: beer

   walloping
          [wal.lop.ing] adj (ca. 1847) 1: large, whopping 2: exceptionally
          fine or impressive: smashing

   [1]wallow
          [wal.low] vi [ME walwen, fr. OE wealwian to roll--more at
          voluble] (bef. 12c) 1: to roll oneself about in an indolent
          or ungainly manner 2: to billow forth: surge 3: to devote
          oneself entirely; esp: to take unrestrained pleasure:
          delight 4 a: to become abundantly supplied: luxuriate
          <a family that ~s in money> b: to indulge oneself immoderately
          <~ing in self-pity> 5: to become or remain helpless <allowed
          them to ~ in their ignorance> -- wal.low.er n [2]wallow
          n (15c) 1: an act or instance of wallowing 2 a: a muddy
          area or one filled with dust used by animals for wallowing
          b: a depression formed by or as if by the wallowing of
          animals 3: a state of degradation or degeneracy

   wall painting
          [wall painting] n (1688): fresco

   [1]wallpaper
          [wall.pa.per] n (1827): decorative paper for the walls of
          a room [2]wallpaper vt (1924): to provide the walls of
          (a room) with wallpaper ~ vi: to put wallpaper on a wall

   wall plate
          [wall plate] n (14c): plate 5

   wall plug
          [wall plug] n (1888): an electric receptacle in a wall

   wall rock
          [wall rock] n (1876): a rock through which a fault or vein
          runs

   wall rocket
          [wall rocket] n (1611): any of several Old World herbs (genus
          Diplotaxis) of the mustard family; esp: a yellow-flowered
          European herb (D. tenuifolia) adventive in No. America

   Wall Street
          [Wall Street] n [Wall Street, New York City, site of the
          New York Stock Exchange] (1836): the influential financial
          interests of the U.S. economy

   Wall Streeter
          [Wall Street.er] n (1885): a person who is involved in Wall
          Street

   wall system
          [wall system] n (1968): a set of shelves often with cabinets
          or bureaus that can be variously arranged along a wall

   wall-to-wall
          [wall-to-wall] adj (1946) 1: covering the entire floor <~
          carpeting> 2 a: covering or filling one entire space
          or time <a party crammed with ~ bodies> b: occurring
          or found everywhere: ubiquitous

   wally
          [wal.ly] adj [prob. fr. [3]wale] (ca. 1520) Scot: fine, sturdy

   wallydraigle
          [wal.ly.drai.gle] n [origin unknown] (1508) chiefly Scot:
          a feeble, imperfectly developed, or slovenly creature

   walnut
          [wal.nut] n [ME walnot, fr. OE wealhhnutu, lit., foreign
          nut, fr. Wealh Welshman, foreigner + hnutu nut--more
          at welsh, nut] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a nut of any of a genus
          (Juglans of the family Juglandaceae, the walnut family)
          of trees; esp: the large edible nut of a Eurasian tree
          (J. regia) with a hard richly figured wood b: a tree
          that bears walnuts c: the wood of a walnut that is often
          used for cabinetmaking and veneers 2: a moderate reddish
          brown

   Walpurgisnacht
          [Wal.pur.gis.nacht] n [G] (1822): walpurgis night

   Walpurgis Night
          [Wal.pur.gis Night] n [part trans. of G Walpurgisnacht, fr.
          Walpurgis St. Walburga d. a.d. 779 Eng. saint whose feast
          day falls on May Day + G Nacht night] (1823) 1: the eve
          of May Day on which witches are held to ride to an appointed
          rendezvous 2: something (as an event or situation) having
          a nightmarish quality

   walrus
          [wal.rus] n, pl walrus or wal.rus.es [D, of Scand origin;
          akin to Dan & Norw hvalros walrus, ON rosmhvalr] (1728):
          a large gregarious marine mammal (Odobenus rosmarus of
          the family Odobenidae) related to the seal that is found
          in Arctic seas, has long ivory tusks, a tough wrinkled
          hide, and stiff whiskers, and feeds mostly on bivalve
          mollusks

   Walter Mitty
          [Wal.ter Mit.ty] n [Walter Mitty, daydreaming hero of a story
          by James Thurber] (1949): a commonplace unadventurous
          person who seeks escape from reality through daydreaming
          -- Walter Mit.ty.ish adj

   [1]waltz
          [waltz] n [G Walzer, fr. walzen to roll, dance, fr. OHG walzan
          to turn, roll--more at welter] (1781) 1: a ballroom dance
          in 3/4 time with strong accent on the first beat and
          a basic pattern of step-step-close 2: music for a waltz
          or a concert composition in 3/4 time [2]waltz vi (ca.
          1794) 1: to dance a waltz 2: to move or advance in a
          lively or conspicuous manner: flounce 3 a: to advance
          easily and successfully: breeze--often used with through
          b: to approach boldly--used with up <can't just ~ up
          and introduce ourselves> ~ vt 1: to dance a waltz with
          2: to grab and lead (as a person) unceremoniously: march
          -- waltz.er n

   [1]wamble
          [wam.ble] vi wam.bled ; wam.bling [ME wamlen; akin to Dan
          vamle to become nauseated, L vomere to vomit--more at
          vomit] (14c) 1 a: to feel nausea b of a stomach: rumble
          1 2: to move unsteadily or with a weaving or rolling
          motion [2]wamble n (1552) 1: a wambling esp. of the stomach
          2: a reeling or staggering gait or movement

   wame
          [wame] n [ME, alter. of wamb--more at womb] (15c) chiefly
          Scot: belly

   Wampanoag
          [Wam.pa.no.ag] n, pl Wampanoag or Wampanoags [Narraganset,
          lit., easterners] (1676): a member of an American Indian
          people of Rhode Island east of Narragansett Bay and neighboring
          parts of Massachusetts

   wampum
          [wam.pum] n [short for wampumpeag] (1636) 1: beads of polished
          shells strung in strands, belts, or sashes and used by
          No. American Indians as money, ceremonial pledges, and
          ornaments 2: money

   wampumpeag
          [wam.pum.peag] n [Massachuset wampompeag, fr. wampan white
          + api string + -ag, pl. suffix] (1627): wampum

   [1]wan
          [wan] adj wan.ner ; wan.nest [ME, fr. OE wann dark, livid]
          (14c) 1 a: suggestive of poor health: sickly, pallid
          b: lacking vitality: feeble 2: dim, faint 3: languid
          <a ~ smile> -- wan.ly adv -- wan.ness n [2]wan vi wanned
          ; wan.ning (1582): to grow or become pale or sickly

   wand
          [wand] n [ME, slender stick, fr. ON vondr; prob. akin to
          OE windan to wind, twist--more at wind] (15c) 1: a slender
          staff carried in a procession: verge 2: a slender rod
          used by conjurers and magicians 3: a slat 6 feet by 2
          inches used as a target in archery; also: a narrow strip
          of paper pasted vertically on a target face 4: any of
          various pipelike devices; esp: the rigid tube between
          the hose and the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner 5: a handheld
          device used to enter information (as from a bar code)
          into a computer

   wander
          [wan.der] vb wan.dered ; wan.der.ing [ME wandren, fr. OE
          wandrian; akin to MHG wandern to wander, OE windan to
          wind, twist] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to move about without
          a fixed course, aim, or goal b: to go idly about: ramble
          2: to follow a winding course: meander 3 a: to deviate
          (as from a course): stray b: to go astray morally: err
          c: to lose normal mental contact: stray in thought ~
          vt: to roam over -- wander n -- wan.der.er n syn wander,
          roam, ramble, rove, traipse, meander mean to go about
          from place to place usu. without a plan or definite purpose.
          wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a
          fixed course <fond of wandering about the square just
          watching the people>. roam suggests wandering about freely
          and often far afield <liked to roam through the woods>.
          ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's
          course or objective <the speaker rambled on without ever
          coming to the point>. rove suggests vigorous and sometimes
          purposeful roaming <armed brigands roved over the countryside>.
          traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes
          be purposeful <traipsed all over town looking for the
          right dress>. meander implies a winding or intricate
          course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering <the
          river meanders for miles through rich farmland>.

   [1]wandering
          [wandering] adj (bef. 12c): characterized by aimless, slow,
          or pointless movement: as a: that winds or meanders <a
          ~ course> b: not keeping a rational or sensible course:
          vagrant c: nomadic <~ tribes> d of a plant: having long
          runners or tendrils [2]wandering n (14c) 1: a going about
          from place to place--often used in pl. 2: movement away
          from the proper, normal, or usual course or place--often
          used in pl.

   Wandering Jew
          [Wandering Jew] n 1: a Jew of medieval legend condemned by
          Christ to wander the earth till Christ's second coming
          2 not cap W: any of several plants (genera Zebrina and
          Tradescantia) of the spiderwort family; esp: either of
          two trailing or creeping plants (Z. pendula and T. fluminensis)
          cultivated for their showy and often white-striped foliage

   Wanderjahr
          [Wan.der.jahr] [G] foreign term : year of wandering

   wanderlust
          [wan.der.lust] n [G, fr. wandern to wander + Lust desire,
          pleasure] (1902): strong longing for or impulse toward
          wandering

   [1]wane
          [wane] vi waned ; wan.ing [ME, fr. OE wanian; akin to OHG
          wanon to wane, OE wan wanting, deficient, L vanus empty,
          vain] (bef. 12c) 1: to decrease in size, extent, or degree:
          dwindle: as a: to diminish in phase or intensity--used
          chiefly of the moon b: to become less brilliant or powerful:
          dim c: to flow out: ebb 2: to fall gradually from power,
          prosperity, or influence syn see abate [2]wane n (14c)
          1 a: the act or process of waning <strength on the ~>
          b: a period or time of waning; specif: the period from
          full phase of the moon to the new moon 2 [ME, defect,
          fr. OE wana; akin to OE wan deficient]: a defect in lumber
          characterized by bark or a lack of wood at a corner or
          edge

   wangle
          [wan.gle] vb wan.gled ; wan.gling [perh. alter. of waggle]
          vi (ca. 1820) 1: to extricate oneself (as from difficulty):
          wiggle 2: to resort to trickery or devious methods ~
          vt 1: shake, wiggle 2: to adjust or manipulate for personal
          or fraudulent ends 3: to make or get by devious means:
          finagle <~ an invitation> -- wan.gler n

   wanigan
          [wan.i.gan] or wan.ni.gan n [Ojibwa wanikkan pit] (ca. 1848):
          a shelter (as for sleeping, eating, or storage) often
          mounted on wheels or tracks and towed by tractor or mounted
          on a raft or boat

   wanion
          [wan.ion] n [fr. the obs. phrase in the waniand unluckily,
          lit., in the waning (moon), fr. ME, fr. waniand, northern
          prp. of wanien, wanen to wane] (1549) archaic: plague,
          vengeance--used in the phrase with a wanion

   Wankel engine
          [Wan.kel engine] n [Felix Wankel d. 1988 Ger. engineer] (1961):
          an internal combustion rotary engine that has a rounded
          triangular rotor functioning as a piston and rotating
          in a space in the engine and that has only two major
          moving parts

   wanna-be
          [wan.na-be] n [fr. the phrase want to be] (1981): a person
          who wants or aspires to be someone or something else
          or who tries to look or act like someone else

   [1]want
          [want] vb [ME, fr. ON vanta; akin to OE wan deficient] vi
          (13c) 1: to be needy or destitute 2: to have or feel
          need <never ~s for friends> 3: to be necessary or needed
          4: to desire to come, go, or be <the cat ~s in> <~s out
          of the deal> ~ vt 1: to fail to possess esp. in customary
          or required amount: lack <the answer ~ed courtesy> 2
          a: to have a strong desire for <~ed a chance to rest>
          b: to have an inclination to: like <say what you ~, he
          is efficient> 3 a: to have need of: require <the motor
          ~s a tune-up> b: to suffer from the lack of <thousands
          still ~ food and shelter> 4: ought--used with the infinitive
          <you ~ to be very careful what you say --Claudia Cassidy>
          5: to wish or demand the presence of 6: to hunt or seek
          in order to apprehend <~ed for murder> syn see desire
          [2]want n (14c) 1 a: deficiency, lack <suffers from a
          ~ of good sense> b: grave and extreme poverty that deprives
          one of the necessities of life 2: something wanted: need,
          desire 3: personal defect: fault syn see poverty

   want ad
          [want ad] n (1897): a newspaper advertisement stating that
          something (as an employee, employment, or a specified
          item) is wanted

   [1]wanting
          [want.ing] adj (15c) 1: not present or in evidence: absent
          2 a: not being up to standards or expectations b: lacking
          in ability or capacity: deficient [2]wanting prep (1693)
          1: less, minus <a month ~ two days> 2: without <a book
          ~ a cover>

   [1]wanton
          [wan.ton] adj [ME, fr. wan- deficient, wrong, mis- (fr. OE,
          fr. wan deficient) + towen, pp. of teen to draw, train,
          discipline, fr. OE teon--more at tow] (14c) 1 a archaic:
          hard to control: undisciplined, unruly b: playfully mean
          or cruel: mischievous 2 a: lewd, bawdy b: causing sexual
          excitement: lustful, sensual 3 a: merciless, inhumane
          <~ cruelty> b: having no just foundation or provocation:
          malicious <a ~ attack> 4: being without check or limitation:
          as a: luxuriantly rank <~ vegetation> b: unduly lavish:
          extravagant -- wan.ton.ly adv -- wan.ton.ness n [2]wanton
          n (1526) 1: a pampered person or animal: pet; esp: a
          spoiled child 2: a frolicsome child or animal 3 a: one
          given to self-indulgent flirtation or trifling--used
          esp. in the phrase play the wanton b: a lewd or lascivious
          person [3]wanton vi (1582): to be wanton or act wantonly
          ~ vt: to pass or waste wantonly or in wantonness -- wan.ton.er
          n

   wapentake
          [wa.pen.take] n [ME, fr. OE waepentaec, fr. ON vapnatak act
          of grasping weapons, fr. vapn weapon + tak act of grasping,
          fr. taka to take; prob. fr. the brandishing of weapons
          as an expression of approval when the chief of the wapentake
          entered upon his office--more at weapon, take] (bef.
          12c): a subdivision of some English shires corresponding
          to a hundred

   wapiti
          [wa.pi.ti] n, pl wapiti or wapitis [Shawnee wapiti, lit.,
          white rump] (1806): elk 1b

   wappenschawing
          [wap.pen.schaw.ing] n [ME (northern dial.) wapynschawing,
          fr. wapen weapon (fr. ON vapn) + schawing, gerund of
          schawen to show, fr. OE sceawian to look, look at--more
          at weapon, show] (15c): an inspection or muster of soldiers
          formerly held at various times in each district of Scotland

   war
          [war] abbreviation warrant

   [1]war
          [war] n, often attrib [ME werre, fr. ONF, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG werra strife; akin to OHG werran to confuse]
          (12c) 1 a (1): a state of usu. open and declared armed
          hostile conflict between states or nations (2): a period
          of such armed conflict (3): state of war b: the art or
          science of warfare c (1) obs: weapons and equipment for
          war (2) archaic: soldiers armed and equipped for war
          2 a: a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism b:
          a struggle or competition between opposing forces or
          for a particular end <a class ~> <a ~ against disease>
          c: variance, odds 3 -- war.less adj [2]war vi warred
          ; war.ring (13c) 1: to be in active or vigorous conflict
          2: to engage in warfare [3]war adv or adj [ME werre,
          fr. ON verri, adj., verr, adv.; akin to OE wiersa worse--more
          at worse] (13c) chiefly Scot: worse [4]war vt warred
          ; war.ring (15c) Scot: worst, overcome

   war baby
          [war baby] n (1901): a person born or conceived during a
          war

   [1]warble
          [war.ble] n [ME werble tune, fr. ONF, of Gmc origin; akin
          to MHG wirbel whirl, tuning peg, OHG wirbil whirlwind--more
          at whirl] (14c) 1: a melodious succession of low pleasing
          sounds 2: a musical trill 3: the action of warbling [2]warble
          vb war.bled ; war.bling vi (15c) 1: to sing in a trilling
          manner or with many turns and variations 2: to become
          sounded with trills, quavers, and rapid modulations in
          pitch 3: sing ~ vt: to render with turns, runs, or rapid
          modulations: trill [3]warble n [perh. of Scand origin;
          akin to obs. Sw varbulde boil, fr. var pus + bulde swelling]
          (ca. 1585) 1: a swelling under the hide esp. of the back
          of cattle, horses, and wild mammals caused by the maggot
          of a botfly or warble fly 2: the maggot of a warble fly
          -- war.bled adj

   warble fly
          [warble fly] n (1877): any of various dipteran flies (family
          Oestridae) whose larvae live under the skin of various
          mammals and cause warbles

   warbler
          [war.bler] n (1611) 1: one that warbles: singer, songster
          2 a: any of numerous small Old World oscine birds (family
          Sylviidae) many of which are noted songsters and are
          closely related to the thrushes b: any of numerous small
          brightly colored American oscine birds (family Parulidae)
          with a usu. weak and unmusical song--called also wood
          warbler

   warbonnet
          [war.bon.net] n (1845): an American Indian ceremonial headdress
          with a feathered extension down the back

   war bride
          [war bride] n (1916) 1: a woman who marries a serviceman
          ordered into active service in time of war 2: a woman
          who marries a serviceman esp. of a foreign nation met
          during a time of war

   war chest
          [war chest] n (1901): a fund accumulated to finance a war;
          broadly: a fund earmarked for a specific purpose, action,
          or campaign

   war club
          [war club] n (1776): a club-shaped implement used as a weapon
          esp. by American Indians

   war crime
          [war crime] n (1906): a crime (as genocide or maltreatment
          of prisoners) committed during or in connection with
          war--usu. used in pl. -- war criminal n

   war cry
          [war cry] n (1748) 1: a cry used by a body of fighters in
          war 2: a slogan used esp. to rally people to a cause

   [1]-ward
          [-ward] also -wards adj suffix [-ward fr. ME, fr. OE -weard;
          akin to OHG -wart, -wert -ward, L vertere to turn; -wards
          fr. -wards, adv. suffix--more at worth] 1: that moves,
          tends, faces, or is directed toward <riverward> 2: that
          occurs or is situated in the direction of <leftward>
          [2]-ward or -wards adv suffix [-ward fr. ME, fr. OE -weard,
          fr. -weard, adj. suffix; -wards fr. ME, fr. OE -weardes,
          gen. sing. neut. of -weard, adj. suffix] 1: in a (specified)
          spatial or temporal direction <upward> <afterward> 2:
          toward a (specified) point, position, or area <earthward>

   [1]ward
          [ward] n [ME, fr. OE weard; akin to OHG warta act of watching,
          OE warian to beware of, guard, waer careful--more at
          wary] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the action or process of guarding
          b: a body of guards 2: the state of being under guard;
          esp: custody 3 a: the inner court of a castle or fortress
          b: a division (as a cell or block) of a prison c: a division
          in a hospital; esp: a large room in a hospital where
          a number of patients often requiring similar treatment
          are accommodated 4 a: a division of a city for representative,
          electoral, or administrative purposes b: a division of
          some English and Scottish counties corresponding to a
          hundred c: the Mormon local congregation having auxiliary
          organizations (as Sunday schools and relief societies)
          and one or more quorums of each office of the Aaronic
          priesthood 5: a projecting ridge of metal in a lock casing
          or keyhole permitting only the insertion of a key with
          a corresponding notch; also: a corresponding notch in
          a bit of a key 6: a person or thing under guard, protection,
          or surveillance: as a: a minor subject to wardship b:
          a person who by reason of incapacity (as minority or
          lunacy) is under the protection of a court either directly
          or through a guardian appointed by the court--called
          also ward of court c: a person or body of persons under
          the protection or tutelage of a government 7: a means
          of defense: protection -- ward.ed adj [2]ward vt [ME,
          fr. OE weardian; akin to OHG warten to watch, ON vartha
          to guard, OE weard ward] (bef. 12c) 1: to keep watch
          over: guard 2: to turn aside (something threatening):
          deflect--usu. used with off

   war dance
          [war dance] n (1711): a dance performed (as by American Indians)
          in preparation for battle or in celebration of victory

   warded
          [ward.ed] adj (1572): provided with a ward <a ~ lock>

   warden
          [war.den] n [ME wardein, fr. ONF, fr. warder to guard, of
          Gmc origin; akin to OHG warten to watch] (13c) 1: one
          having care or charge of something: guardian, keeper
          2 a: regent 2 b: the governor of a town, district, or
          fortress c: a member of the governing body of a guild
          3 a: an official charged with special supervisory duties
          or with the enforcement of specified laws or regulations
          <game ~> <air raid ~> b: an official in charge of the
          operation of a prison c: any of various British officials
          having designated administrative functions <~ of the
          mint> 4 a: one of two ranking lay officers of an Episcopal
          parish b: any of various British college officials whose
          duties range from the administration of academic matters
          to the supervision of student discipline

   wardenship
          [war.den.ship] n (15c): the office, jurisdiction, or powers
          of a warden

   [1]warder
          [ward.er] n [ME, fr. AF wardere, fr. warde act of guarding,
          of Gmc origin; akin to OHG warta act of watching] (15c)
          1: watchman, porter 2 Brit a: warden b: a prison guard
          [2]war.der n [ME, staff, perh. fr. warden to ward] (ca.
          1548): a truncheon used by a king or commander in chief
          to signal orders

   ward heeler
          [ward heeler] n (1888): a worker for a political boss in
          a ward or other local area

   wardress
          [ward.ress] n (1878): a woman supervising female prisoners
          (as in a prison)

   wardrobe
          [ward.robe] n [ME warderobe, fr. ONF, fr. warder to guard
          + robe robe] (14c) 1 a: a room or closet where clothes
          are kept b: clothespress c: a large trunk in which clothes
          may be hung upright 2 a: a collection of wearing apparel
          (as of one person or for one activity) <a summer ~> b:
          a collection of stage costumes and accessories 3: the
          department of a royal or noble household entrusted with
          the care of wearing apparel, jewels, and personal articles

   wardroom
          [ward.room] n (1758): the space in a warship allotted for
          living quarters to the commissioned officers excepting
          the captain; specif: the mess assigned to these officers

   wardship
          [ward.ship] n (15c) 1 a: care and protection of a ward b:
          the right to the custody of an infant heir of a feudal
          tenant and of the heir's property 2: the state of being
          under a guardian

   [1]ware
          [ware] adj [ME war, ware careful, aware, fr. OE waer--more
          at wary] (bef. 12c) 1: aware, conscious <was ~ of black
          looks cast at me --Mary Webb> 2 archaic: wary, vigilant
          [2]ware vt wared ; war.ing [ME, fr. OE warian; akin to
          OHG biwaron to protect, OE waer aware] (bef. 12c): to
          beware of: avoid--used chiefly as a command to hunting
          animals [3]ware n [ME, fr. OE waru; akin to MHG ware
          ware and prob. to Skt vasna price--more at venal] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: manufactured articles, products of art or craft,
          or farm produce: goods--often used in combination <tinware>
          b: an article of merchandise 2: articles (as pottery
          or dishes) of fired clay <earthenware> 3: an intangible
          item (as a service or ability) that is a marketable commodity
          [4]ware vt wared ; war.ing [ME, fr. ON verja to clothe,
          invest, spend--more at wear] (14c) Scot: spend, expend

   [1]warehouse
          [ware.house] n (14c): a structure or room for the storage
          of merchandise or commodities [2]ware.house vt (1799)
          1: to deposit, store, or stock in or as if in a warehouse
          2: to confine or house (a person) in conditions suggestive
          of a warehouse

   warehouseman
          [ware.house.man] n (1635): a person who manages or works
          in a warehouse

   warehouser
          [ware.hous.er] n (ca. 1927): warehouseman

   wareroom
          [ware.room] n (1811): a room in which goods are exhibited
          for sale

   warfare
          [war.fare] n [ME, fr. werre, warre war + fare journey,
          passage--more at fare] (15c) 1: military operations between
          enemies: hostilities, war; also: an activity undertaken
          by a political unit (as a nation) to weaken or destroy another
          <economic ~> 2: struggle between competing entities: conflict

   warfarin
          [war.fa.rin] n [Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (its
          patentee) + coumarin] (1950): a crystalline anticoagulant
          compound used as a rodent poison and in medicine

   war footing
          [war footing] n (1847): the condition of being prepared to
          undertake or maintain war

   war game
          [war game] n (1828) 1: a simulated battle or campaign to
          test military concepts and usu. conducted in conferences
          by officers acting as the opposing staffs 2: a two-sided
          umpired training maneuver with actual elements of the
          armed forces participating

   war-game
          [war-game] vt (1942): to plan or conduct in the manner of
          a war game <war-gamed an invasion --Newsweek> ~ vi: to
          conduct a war game

   war hawk
          [war hawk] n (1798): one who clamors for war; esp: an American
          jingo favoring war with Britain around 1812

   warhead
          [war.head] n (1898): the section of a missile containing
          the explosive, chemical, or incendiary charge

   warhorse
          [war.horse] n (1653) 1: a horse used in war: charger 2: a
          person with long experience in a field; esp: a veteran
          soldier or public person (as a politician) 3: something
          (as a work of art or musical composition) that has become
          overly familiar or hackneyed due to much repetition in
          the standard repertoire

   warison
          [war.i.son] n [prob. a misunderstanding by Sir Walter Scott
          in the Lay of the Last Minstrel (1805) of ME waryson
          reward, fr. ONF warison defense, possessions, fr. warir
          to protect, provide, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG werien
          to defend--more at weir] (1805): a bugle call to attack

   Warks
          [Warks] abbreviation Warwickshire

   warlike
          [war.like] adj (15c) 1 obs: ready for war: equipped to fight
          2: fit for, disposed to, or fond of war: bellicose 3:
          of, relating to, or useful in war 4: befitting or characteristic
          of war or a soldier

   warlock
          [war.lock] n [ME warloghe, fr. OE waerloga one that breaks
          faith, the Devil, fr. waer faith, troth + -loga (fr.
          leogan to lie); akin to OE waer true--more at very, lie]
          (14c) 1: a man practicing the black arts: sorcerer--compare
          witch 2: conjurer

   warlord
          [war.lord] n (1856) 1: a supreme military leader 2: a military
          commander exercising civil power by force usu. in a limited
          area -- war.lord.ism n

   [1]warm
          [warm] adj [ME, fr. OE wearm; akin to OHG warm warm and prob.
          to Lith virti to cook, boil] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having or
          giving out heat to a moderate or adequate degree b: serving
          to maintain or preserve heat esp. to a satisfactory degree
          <a ~ sweater> c: feeling or causing sensations of heat
          brought about by strenuous exertion 2: comfortably established:
          secure 3 a: marked by strong feeling: ardent b: marked
          by excitement, disagreement, or anger <the argument grew
          ~> 4: marked by or readily showing affection, gratitude,
          cordiality, or sympathy <a ~ welcome> <~ regards> 5:
          emphasizing or exploiting sexual imagery or incidents
          6: accompanied or marked by extreme danger or duress
          7: newly made: fresh <a ~ scent> 8: having the color
          or tone of something that imparts heat; specif: of a
          hue in the range yellow through orange to red 9: near
          to a goal, object, or solution sought -- warm.ish adj
          -- warm.ness n [2]warm vt (bef. 12c) 1: to make warm
          2 a: to infuse with a feeling of love, friendship, well-being,
          or pleasure b: to fill with anger, zeal, or passion 3:
          to reheat (cooked food) for eating--often used with over
          4: to make ready for operation or performance by preliminary
          exercise or operation--often used with up ~ vi 1: to
          become warm 2 a: to become ardent, interested, or receptive--usu.
          used with to or toward <~ed to the idea> b: to become
          filled with affection or love--used with to or toward
          3: to experience feelings of pleasure: bask 4: to become
          ready for operation or performance by preliminary activity--often
          used with up [3]warm adv (bef. 12c): warmly--usu. used
          in combination <warm-clad>

   warm-blooded
          [warm-blood.ed] adj (1793) 1: having warm blood; specif:
          having a relatively high and constant body temperature
          relatively independent of the surroundings 2: fervent
          or ardent in spirit -- warm-blood.ed.ness n

   warmed-over
          [warmed-over] adj (1887) 1: not fresh or new: stale <~ ideas>
          2: heated again <~ beans>

   warmer
          [warm.er] n (ca. 1595): one that warms; esp: a device for
          keeping something warm <a hand ~>

   warm front
          [warm front] n (ca. 1921): an advancing edge of a warm air
          mass

   warmhearted
          [warm.heart.ed] adj (ca. 1520): marked by ready affection,
          cordiality, generosity, or sympathy -- warm.heart.ed.ness
          n

   warming pan
          [warming pan] n (15c): a long-handled covered pan filled
          with live coals that is used to warm a bed

   warmly
          [warm.ly] adv (1529) 1: in a manner characterized or accompanied
          by warmth of emotion 2: in a manner that causes or maintains
          warmth

   warmonger
          [war.mon.ger] n (1590): one who urges or attempts to stir
          up war: jingo -- war.mon.ger.ing n

   warmouth
          [war.mouth] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1883): a freshwater sunfish
          (Lepomis gulosus) chiefly of the eastern U.S.--called
          also warmouth bass

   warm spot
          [warm spot] n (1951): a lasting affection for a particular
          person or object

   warmth
          [warmth] n (13c) 1: the quality or state of being warm in
          temperature 2: the quality or state of being warm in
          feeling <a child needing human ~ and family life> 3:
          a glowing effect produced by the use of warm colors

   warm-up
          [warm-up] n (1915) 1: the act or an instance of warming up;
          also: a preparatory activity or procedure 2: a suit for
          exercise or casual wear consisting of a jacket or sweatshirt
          and pants--often used in pl.--called also warm-up suit

   warm up
          [warm up] vi (1846): to engage in exercise or practice esp.
          before entering a game or contest; broadly: to get ready

   warn
          [warn] vb [ME, fr. OE warnian; akin to OHG warnon to take
          heed, OE waer careful, aware--more at wary] vt (bef.
          12c) 1 a: to give notice to beforehand esp. of danger
          or evil b: to give admonishing advice to: counsel c:
          to call to one's attention: inform 2: to order to go
          or stay away--often used with off ~ vi: to give a warning
          -- warn.er n

   [1]warning
          [warn.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: the act of warning: the state
          of being warned <he had ~ of his illness> 2: something
          that warns or serves to warn; esp: a notice or bulletin
          that alerts the public that a tornado has been reported
          in the immediate vicinity or that the approach of a severe
          storm is imminent [2]warning adj (ca. 1552): serving
          as an alarm, signal, summons, or admonition <~ bell>
          <~ shot> -- warn.ing.ly adv

   warning coloration
          [warning coloration] n (ca. 1928): conspicuous coloration
          possessed by an animal (as an insect) otherwise effectively
          but not obviously defended that serves to warn off potential
          enemies

   warning track
          [warning track] n (1966): a usu. dirt or cinder strip around
          the outside edge of a baseball outfield to warn a fielder
          when running to make a catch that the fence is near--called
          also warning path

   war of nerves
          [war of nerves] (1939): a conflict characterized by psychological
          tactics (as bluff, threats, and intimidation) designed
          primarily to create confusion, indecision, or breakdown
          of morale

   [1]warp
          [warp] n [ME, fr. OE wearp; akin to OHG warf warp, OE weorpan
          to throw, ON verpa] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a series of yarns
          extended lengthwise in a loom and crossed by the weft
          b: foundation, base <the ~ of the economic structure
          is agriculture --Amer. Guide Series: N.C.> 2: a rope
          for warping or mooring a ship or boat 3 [[2]warp] a:
          a twist or curve that has developed in something orig.
          flat or straight <a ~ in a door panel> b: a mental twist
          or aberration -- warp.age n [2]warp vt (14c) 1: to arrange
          (yarns) so as to form a warp 2 a: to turn or twist out
          of or as if out of shape; esp: to twist or bend out of
          a plane b: to cause to judge, choose, or act wrongly
          or abnormally: pervert c: distort 1 <intellect and learning
          ... ~ed by prejudices --Irving Wallace> d: to deflect
          from a course 3: to move (as a ship) by hauling on a
          line attached to a fixed object ~ vi 1: to become warped
          2: to move a ship by warping syn see deform -- warp.er
          n

   war paint
          [war paint] n (1826) 1: paint put on parts of the body (as
          the face) by American Indians as a sign of going to war
          2: makeup 3a

   warp and woof
          [warp and woof] n (1842): foundation, base <the vigorous
          Anglo-Saxon base had become the warp and woof of English
          speech --H. R. Warfel>

   war party
          [war party] n (1755) 1: a group of American Indians on the
          warpath 2: a usu. jingoistic political party advocating
          or upholding a war

   warpath
          [war.path] n (1755) 1: the route taken by a party of American
          Indians going on a warlike expedition or to a war 2:
          a hostile course of action or frame of mind

   warp beam
          [warp beam] n (ca. 1833): a roll on which warp is wound for
          a loom

   warp knit
          [warp knit] n (1946): a knit fabric produced by machine with
          the yarns running in a lengthwise direction--compare
          weft knit -- warp-knit.ted adj -- warp knitting n

   warplane
          [war.plane] n (ca. 1911): a military airplane; specif: one
          armed for combat

   war power
          [war power] n (1766): the power to make war; specif:
          an extraordinary power exercised usu. by the executive branch
          of a government in the prosecution of a war

   [1]warrant
          [war.rant] n [ME, protector, warrant, fr. ONF warant, modif.
          of a Gmc noun represented by OHG werento guarantor, fr.
          prp. of weren to warrant; akin to OHG wara trust, care--more
          at very] (14c) 1 a (1): sanction, authorization; also:
          evidence for or token of authorization (2): guarantee,
          security b (1): ground, justification (2): confirmation,
          proof 2 a: a commission or document giving authority
          to do something; esp: a writing that authorizes a person
          to pay or deliver to another and the other to receive
          money or other consideration b: a precept or writ issued
          by a competent magistrate authorizing an officer to make
          an arrest, a seizure, or a search or to do other acts
          incident to the administration of justice c: an official
          certificate of appointment issued to an officer of lower
          rank than a commissioned officer d (1): a short-term
          obligation of a governmental body (as a municipality)
          issued in anticipation of revenue (2): an instrument
          issued by a corporation giving to the holder the right
          to purchase the capital stock of the corporation at a
          stated price either prior to a stipulated date or at
          any future time -- war.rant.less adj [2]warrant vt [ME,
          fr. ONF warantir, fr. warant] (14c) 1 a: to declare or
          maintain with certainty: be sure that <I'll ~ he'll be
          here by noon> b: to assure (a person) of the truth of
          what is said 2 a: to guarantee to a person good title
          to and undisturbed possession of (as an estate) b: to
          provide a guarantee of the security of (as title to property
          sold) usu. by an express covenant in the deed of conveyance
          c: to guarantee to be as represented d: to guarantee
          (as goods sold) esp. in respect of the quality or quantity
          specified 3: to guarantee security or immunity to: secure
          <I'll ~ him from drowning --Shak.> 4: to give warrant
          or sanction to: authorize <the law ~s this procedure>
          5 a: to give proof of the authenticity or truth of b:
          to give assurance of the nature of or for the undertaking
          of: guarantee 6: to serve as or give adequate ground
          or reason for <promising enough to ~ further consideration>

   warrantable
          [war.rant.able] adj (1581): capable of being warranted: justifiable
          -- war.rant.able.ness n -- war.rant.ably adv

   warrantee
          [war.ran.tee] n (1706): the person to whom a warranty is
          made

   warrant officer
          [warrant officer] n (1693) 1: an officer in the armed forces
          holding rank by virtue of a warrant and ranking above
          a noncommissioned officer and below a commissioned officer
          2: a commissioned officer ranking below an ensign in
          the navy or coast guard and below a second lieutenant
          in the marine corps

   warrantor
          [war.ran.tor] also war.rant.er n (1583): one that warrants
          or gives a warranty

   warranty
          [war.ran.ty] n, pl -ties [ME warantie, fr. ONF, fr. warantir
          to warrant] (14c) 1 a: a real covenant binding the grantor
          of an estate and his heirs to warrant and defend the
          title b: a collateral undertaking that a fact regarding
          the subject of a contract is or will be as it is expressly
          or by implication declared or promised to be 2: something
          that authorizes, sanctions, supports, or justifies: warrant
          3: a usu. written guarantee of the integrity of a product
          and of the maker's responsibility for the repair or replacement
          of defective parts

   warranty deed
          [warranty deed] n (1779): a deed warranting that the grantor
          has a good title free and clear of all liens and encumbrances
          and will defend the grantee against all claims

   warren
          [war.ren] n [ME warenne, fr. ONF, prob. of Gmc origin; akin
          to OHG werien to defend, protect--more at weir] (15c)
          1 chiefly Brit a: a place legally authorized for keeping
          small game (as hare or pheasant) b: the privilege of
          hunting game in such a warren 2 a (1): an area (as of
          uncultivated ground) where rabbits breed (2): a structure
          where rabbits are kept or bred b: the rabbits of a warren
          3 a: a crowded tenement or district b: a maze of passageways
          or cubbies

   warrener
          [war.ren.er] n (13c) 1: gamekeeper 2: a person who maintains
          a rabbit warren

   warrior
          [war.rior] n, often attrib [ME werriour, fr. ONF werreieur,
          fr. werreier to make war, fr. werre war--more at war]
          (14c): a man engaged or experienced in warfare; broadly:
          a person engaged in some struggle or conflict <poverty
          ~s>

   war room
          [war room] n (1914) 1: a room at a military headquarters
          where maps showing the current status of troops in battle
          are maintained 2: a room (as at a business headquarters)
          used for conferences and planning that is often specially
          equipped (as with computers, maps, or charts)

   warsaw grouper
          [war.saw grouper] n [warsaw modif. of AmerSp guasa] (1949):
          any of several large groupers (esp. Epinephelus nigritus)--called
          also warsaw

   warship
          [war.ship] n (1533): a naval vessel

   warsle
          [war.sle] or wars.tle vb [ME werstelen, warstelen, alter.
          of wrestlen, wrastlen] (14c) Scot: wrestle, struggle
          -- warsle n, Scot

   war story
          [war story] n (1981): a story of a memorable personal experience
          typically involving an element of danger, hardship, or
          adventure <politicians swapping war stories from past
          campaigns>

   wart
          [wart] n [ME, fr. OE wearte; akin to OHG warza wart, OCS
          vredu injury] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a horny projection on the
          skin usu. of the extremities that is caused by a virus--called
          also verruca vulgaris b: any of numerous similar skin
          lesions 2: an excrescence or protuberance resembling
          a true wart; esp: a glandular excrescence or hardened
          protuberance on a plant 3 a: one that suggests a wart
          esp. in smallness, unpleasantness, or unattractiveness
          b: defect, imperfection--often used in the phrase warts
          and all -- wart.ed adj -- wart.less adj -- warty adj

   warthog
          [wart.hog] n (1840): a wild African hog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus)
          which has large protruding tusks and the males of which have two
          pairs of rough warty excrescences on the face

   wartime
          [war.time] n, often attrib (14c): a period during which a
          war is in progress

   warts-and-all
          [warts-and-all] adj (1930): showing defects or imperfections
          frankly: not idealized <a ~ biography>

   war whoop
          [war whoop] n (1739): a war cry esp. of American Indians

   wary
          [wary] adj war.i.er ; -est [[1]ware, fr. ME war, ware, fr.
          OE waer careful, aware, wary; akin to OHG giwar aware,
          attentive, L vereri to fear, Gk horan to see] (15c):
          marked by keen caution, cunning, and watchful prudence
          esp. in detecting and escaping danger syn see cautious
          -- war.i.ly adv -- war.i.ness n

   war zone
          [war zone] n (1914) 1: a zone in which belligerents are waging
          war 2: a designated area esp. on the high seas within
          which rights of neutrals are not respected by a belligerent
          nation in time of war

   was
          [was] [ME, fr. OE, 1st & 3d sing. past indic. of wesan to
          be; akin to ON vera to be, var was, Skt vasati he lives,
          dwells] past 1st & 3d sing of be

   wasabi
          [wa.sa.bi] n [Jp] (1903): a condiment that is prepared from
          the thick pungent greenish root of an Asian herb (Eutrema
          wasabi) of the mustard family and is similar in flavor
          and use to horseradish; also: the root 2: the herb that
          yields wasabi

   [1]wash
          [wash] vb [ME, fr. OE wascan; akin to OHG waskan to wash
          and perh. to OE waeter water] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to cleanse
          by or as if by the action of liquid (as water) b: to
          remove (as dirt) by rubbing or drenching with liquid
          2: to cleanse (fur) by licking or by rubbing with a paw
          moistened with saliva 3 a: to flush or moisten (a bodily
          part or injury) with a liquid b (1): to wet thoroughly:
          drench (2): to overspread with light: suffuse c: to pass
          a liquid (as water) over or through esp. so as to carry
          off material from the surface or interior 4: to flow
          along or dash or overflow against <waves ~ing the shore>
          5: to move, carry, or deposit by or as if by the force
          of water in motion <houses ~ed away by the flood> 6 a:
          to subject (as crushed ore) to the action of water to
          separate valuable material b: to separate (particles)
          from a substance (as ore) by agitation with or in water
          c (1): to pass through a bath to carry off impurities
          or soluble components (2): to pass (a gas or gaseous
          mixture) through or over a liquid to purify it esp. by
          removing soluble components 7 a: to cover or daub lightly
          with or as if with an application of a thin liquid (as
          whitewash or varnish) b: to depict or paint by a broad
          sweep of thin color with a brush 8: to cause to swirl
          <~ing coffee around in his cup> 9: launder 3 <how the
          mob ~es its money through corrupt bankers --Vincent Teresa>
          ~ vi 1: to wash oneself or a part of one's body 2: to
          become worn away by the action of water 3: to clean something
          by rubbing or dipping in water 4 a: to become carried
          along on water: drift <cakes of ice ~ing along> b: to
          pour, sweep, or flow in a stream or current <waves of
          pioneers ~ing westward --Green Peyton> 5: to serve as
          a cleansing agent <this soap ~es thoroughly> 6 a: to
          undergo laundering <this dress doesn't ~ well> b (1):
          to undergo testing successfully: work 4 <an interesting
          theory, but it just won't ~> (2): to gain acceptance:
          inspire belief <the story didn't ~ with me> -- wash one's
          hands of : to disclaim interest in, responsibility for,
          or further connection with [2]wash n (15c) 1 a: a piece
          of ground washed by the sea or river b: bog, marsh c
          (1): a shallow body of water (2): a shallow creek d West:
          the dry bed of a stream--called also dry wash 2 a: the
          act or process or an instance of washing or being washed
          b: articles to be washed, being washed, or having been
          washed 3: the surging action of waves 4 a: worthless
          esp. liquid waste: refuse b: an insipid beverage c: vapid
          writing or speech 5 a: a sweep or splash esp. of color
          made by or as if by a long stroke of a brush b: a thin
          coat of paint (as watercolor) c: a thin liquid used for
          coating a surface (as a wall) 6: lotion 7: loose or eroded
          surface material of the earth (as rock debris) transported
          and deposited by running water 8 a: backwash 1 b: a disturbance
          in the air produced by the passage of an airfoil or propeller
          9: a situation in which losses and gains or advantages
          and disadvantages balance each other [3]wash adj (1634)
          1: washable <~ fabric> 2: involving essentially simultaneous
          purchase and sale of the same security <spurious market
          activity resulting from ~ trading>

   Wash
          [Wash] abbreviation Washington

   washable
          [wash.able] adj (1821): capable of being washed without damage
          -- wash.abil.i.ty n

   wash-and-wear
          [wash-and-wear] adj (1956): of, relating to, or constituting
          a fabric or garment that needs little or no ironing after
          washing

   washateria
          [wash.a.te.ria] also wash.e.te.ria n [[2]wash + -ateria or
          -eteria (as in cafeteria)] (1937) chiefly Southern: a
          self-service laundry

   washbasin
          [wash.ba.sin] n (1812): washbowl

   washboard
          [wash.board] n (1742) 1: a broad thin plank along a gunwale
          or on the sill of a lower deck port to keep out the sea
          2: baseboard 3 a: a corrugated rectangular surface that
          is used for scrubbing clothes or as a percussion instrument
          b: a road or pavement so worn by traffic as to be corrugated
          transversely

   washbowl
          [wash.bowl] n (1816): a large bowl for water that is used
          to wash one's hands and face

   washcloth
          [wash.cloth] n (ca. 1900): a cloth that is used for washing
          one's face and body--called also facecloth, washrag

   wash down
          [wash down] vt (1600) 1: to move or carry downward by action
          of a liquid; esp: to facilitate the passage of (food)
          down the gullet with accompanying swallows of liquid
          <pizza washed down with beer> 2: to wash the whole length
          or extent of <washed down and scrubbed the front porch>

   wash drawing
          [wash drawing] n (1889): watercolor painting in or chiefly
          in washes esp. in black, white, and gray tones only

   washed-out
          [washed-out] adj (1796) 1: faded in color 2: depleted in
          vigor or animation: exhausted

   washed-up
          [washed-up] adj (1928): no longer successful, skillful, popular,
          or needed

   washer
          [wash.er] n (13c) 1: a flat thin ring or a perforated plate
          used in joints or assemblies to ensure tightness, prevent
          leakage, or relieve friction 2: one that washes; esp:
          washing machine

   washerman
          [wash.er.man] n (1715): laundryman; also: a man operating
          any of various industrial washing machines

   washerwoman
          [wash.er.wom.an] n (1632): a woman whose occupation is washing
          clothes: laundress

   washhouse
          [wash.house] n (1577): a building used or equipped for washing;
          esp: one for washing clothes

   washing
          [wash.ing] n (13c) 1: the act or action of one that cleanses
          with water 2: material obtained by washing 3: articles
          washed or to be washed: wash

   washing machine
          [washing machine] n (ca. 1754): a machine for washing; esp:
          one for washing clothes and household linen

   washing soda
          [washing soda] n (1865): a transparent crystalline hydrated
          sodium carbonate--called also sal soda

   Washington pie
          [Wash.ing.ton pie] n [George Washington] (1905): cake layers
          put together with a jam or jelly filling

   Washington's Birthday
          [Washington's Birthday] n [George Washington] (1829) 1: February
          22 formerly observed as a legal holiday in most of the
          states of the U.S. 2: the third Monday in February observed
          as a legal holiday in most of the states of the U.S.--called
          also Presidents' Day

   wash out
          [wash out] vt (1555) 1: to wash free of an extraneous substance
          (as dirt) 2 a: to cause to fade by or as if by laundering
          b: to deplete the strength or vitality of c: to eliminate
          as useless or unsatisfactory: reject 3 a: to destroy
          or make useless by the force or action of water <the
          storm washed out the bridge> b: rain out <the game was
          washed out> ~ vi 1: to become depleted of color or vitality:
          fade 2: to fail to meet requirements or measure up to
          a standard

   washout
          [wash.out] n (1873) 1 a: the washing out or away of something
          and esp. of earth in a roadbed by a freshet b: a place
          where earth is washed away 2: one that fails to measure
          up: failure: as a: one who fails in a course of training
          or study b: an unsuccessful enterprise or undertaking

   washrag
          [wash.rag] n (1890): washcloth

   washroom
          [wash.room] n (1806): a room that is equipped with washing
          and toilet facilities: lavatory

   washstand
          [wash.stand] n (1789) 1: a stand holding articles needed
          for washing one's face and hands 2: a washbowl permanently
          set in place and attached to water and drainpipes

   washtub
          [wash.tub] n (1602): a tub in which clothes are washed or
          soaked

   washup
          [wash.up] n (1884): the act or process of washing clean

   wash up
          [wash up] vt (1751) 1: to get rid of by washing <wash up
          the spilled milk> 2: exhaust, finish ~ vi 1: to wash
          one's face and hands 2 Brit: to wash the dishes after
          a meal 3: to be deposited by or as if by a swell of waves
          <seaweed washed up on the shore>

   washwoman
          [wash.wom.an] n (1590): washerwoman

   washy
          [washy] adj wash.i.er ; -est (1615) 1 a: weak, watery <~
          tea> b: deficient in color: pallid c: lacking in vigor,
          individuality, or definiteness 2: lacking in condition
          and in firmness of flesh

   wasn't
          [wasn't] (ca. 1849): was not

   wasp
          [wasp] n [ME waspe, fr. OE waeps, waesp; akin to OHG wafsa
          wasp, L vespa wasp] (bef. 12c) 1: any of numerous social
          or solitary winged hymenopterous insects (esp. families
          Sphecidae and Vespidae) that usu. have a slender smooth
          body with the abdomen attached by a narrow stalk, well-developed
          wings, biting mouthparts, and in the females and workers
          an often formidable sting, and that are largely carnivorous
          and often provision their nests with caterpillars, insects,
          or spiders killed or paralyzed by stinging for their
          larvae to feed on--compare bee 2: any of various hymenopterous
          insects (as a chalcid or ichneumon fly) other than wasps
          with larvae that are parasitic on other arthropods --
          wasp.like adj WASP or Wasp n, often attrib [white Anglo-Saxon
          Protestant] (1957): an American of Northern European
          and esp. British ancestry and of Protestant background;
          esp: a member of the dominant and the most privileged
          class of people in the U.S.--sometimes used disparagingly
          -- Wasp.dom n -- Wasp.ish adj -- Wasp.ish.ness n -- Waspy
          adj

   waspish
          [wasp.ish] adj (1566) 1: resembling a wasp in behavior; esp:
          snappish, petulant 2: resembling a wasp in form; esp:
          slightly built -- wasp.ish.ly adv -- wasp.ish.ness n

   wasp waist
          [wasp waist] n (1870): a very slender waist -- wasp-waist.ed
          adj

   [1]wassail
          [was.sail] n [ME waes haeil, fr. ON ves heill be well, fr.
          ves (imper. sing. of vera to be) + heill healthy--more
          at was, whole] (13c) 1: an early English toast to someone's
          health 2: a hot drink that is made with wine, beer, or
          cider, spices, sugar, and usu. baked apples and is traditionally
          served in a large bowl esp. at Christmastime 3: riotous
          drinking: revelry [2]wassail vi (14c) 1: to indulge in
          wassail: carouse 2 dial Eng: to sing carols from house
          to house at Christmas ~ vt: to drink to the health or
          thriving of

   wassail bowl
          [was.sail bowl] n (1606) 1: a bowl that is used for the serving
          of wassail 2: wassail 2

   wassailer
          [was.sail.er] n (1634) 1: one that carouses: reveler 2 archaic:
          one who goes about singing carols

   Wassermann reaction
          [Was.ser.mann reaction] n [August von Wassermann] (1911):
          the complement-fixing reaction that occurs in a positive
          complement-fixation test for syphilis using the serum
          of an infected individual

   Wassermann test
          [Wassermann test] n (1909): a test for the detection of syphilitic
          infection using the Wassermann reaction--called also Wasserman

   wast
          [wast] archaic past 2d sing of be

   wastage
          [wast.age] n (1756): loss, decrease, or destruction of something
          (as by use, decay, erosion, or leakage); esp: wasteful
          or avoidable loss of something valuable

   [1]waste
          [waste] n [ME waste, wast; in sense 1, fr. ONF wast, fr.
          wast, adj., desolate, waste, fr. L vastus; in other senses,
          fr. ME wasten to waste--more at vast] (13c) 1 a: a sparsely
          settled or barren region: desert b: uncultivated land
          c: a broad and empty expanse (as of water) 2: the act
          or an instance of wasting: the state of being wasted
          3 a: loss through breaking down of bodily tissue b: gradual
          loss or decrease by use, wear, or decay 4 a: damaged,
          defective, or superfluous material produced by a manufacturing
          process: as (1): material rejected during a textile manufacturing
          process and used usu. for wiping away dirt and oil <cotton
          ~> (2): scrap (3): an unwanted by-product of a manufacturing
          process, chemical laboratory, or nuclear reactor <toxic
          ~> <hazardous ~> <nuclear ~> b: refuse from places of
          human or animal habitation: as (1): garbage, rubbish
          (2): excrement--often used in pl. (3): sewage c: material
          derived by mechanical and chemical weathering of the
          land and moved down sloping surfaces or carried by streams
          to the sea [2]waste vb wast.ed ; wast.ing [ME, fr. ONF
          waster, fr. L vastare, fr. vastus desolate, waste] vt
          (13c) 1: to lay waste; esp: to damage or destroy gradually
          and progressively <reclaiming land wasted by strip-mining>
          2: to cause to shrink in physical bulk or strength: emaciate,
          enfeeble 3: to wear away or diminish gradually: consume
          4 a: to spend or use carelessly: squander b: to allow
          to be used inefficiently or become dissipated 5: kill;
          also: to injure severely ~ vi 1: to lose weight, strength,
          or vitality--often used with away 2 a: to become diminished
          in bulk or substance b: to become consumed 3: to spend
          money or consume property extravagantly or improvidently
          syn see ravage -- waste one's breath : to accomplish
          nothing by speaking [3]waste adj [ME waste, wast, fr.
          ONF wast] (14c) 1 a (1): being wild and uninhabited:
          desolate (2): arid, empty b: not cultivated: not productive
          2: being in a ruined or devastated condition 3 [[1]waste]
          a: discarded as worthless, defective, or of no use: refuse
          <~ material> b: excreted from or stored in inert form
          in a living body as a byproduct of vital activity <~
          disposal in birds> 4 [[1]waste]: serving to conduct or
          hold refuse material; specif: carrying off superfluous
          water 5: wasted 4

   wastebasket
          [waste.bas.ket] n (1850): a receptacle for refuse and esp.
          for wastepaper--called also wastepaper basket

   wasted
          [wasted] adj (15c) 1: laid waste: ravaged 2: impaired in
          strength or health: emaciated 3 archaic: gone by: elapsed
          <the chronicle of ~ time --Shak.> 4: unprofitably used,
          made, or expended <~ effort> 5 slang: intoxicated from
          drugs or alcohol

   wasteful
          [waste.ful] adj (14c): given to or marked by waste: lavish,
          prodigal -- waste.ful.ly adv -- waste.ful.ness n

   wasteland
          [waste.land] n (14c) 1: barren or uncultivated land <a desert
          ~> 2: an ugly often devastated or barely inhabitable
          place or area 3: something (as a way of life) that is
          spiritually and emotionally arid and unsatisfying

   wastepaper
          [waste.pa.per] n (1585): paper discarded as used, superfluous,
          or not fit for use

   waste pipe
          [waste pipe] n (ca. 1512): a pipe for carrying off waste
          fluid

   waster
          [wast.er] n (14c) 1 a (1): one that spends or consumes
          extravagantly and without thought for the future (2): a dissolute
          person b: one that uses wastefully or causes or permits waste
          <a procedure that is a ~ of time> c: one that lays waste: destroyer
          2: an imperfect or inferior manufactured article or object

   wastewater
          [waste.wa.ter] n (15c): water that has been used (as in a
          manufacturing process): sewage

   wasting
          [wast.ing] adj (13c) 1: laying waste: devastating 2: undergoing
          or causing decay or loss of strength <~ diseases such
          as tuberculosis>

   wastrel
          [wast.rel] n [irreg. fr. [2]waste] (ca. 1841) 1: vagabond,
          waif 2: one who dissipates resources foolishly and
          self-indulgently: profligate

   Wat
          [Wat] abbreviation Waterford

   [1]watch
          [watch] vb [ME wacchen, fr. OE waeccan--more at wake] vi
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: to keep vigil as a devotional exercise
          b: to be awake during the night 2 a: to be attentive
          or vigilant b: to keep guard 3 a: to keep someone or
          something under close observation b: to observe as a
          spectator <the country ~ed as stocks fell sharply> 4:
          to be expectant: wait <~ for the signal> ~ vt 1: to keep
          under guard 2 a: to observe closely in order to check
          on action or change <being ~ed by the police> b: to look
          at: observe <sat and ~ed the crowd> c: to look on at
          <~ television> <~ a ball game> 3 a: to take care of:
          tend b: to be careful of <~es his diet> 4: to be on the
          alert for: bide <~ed her opportunity> -- watch it : look
          out: be careful <watch it when you handle the glassware>
          -- watch one's step : to proceed with extreme care: act
          or talk warily -- watch over : to have charge of: superintend
          [2]watch n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the act of keeping awake to
          guard, protect, or attend b obs: the state of being wakeful
          c: a wake over a dead body d: a state of alert and continuous
          attention e: close observation: surveillance f: a notice
          or bulletin that alerts the public to the possibility
          of severe weather conditions occurring in the near future
          <winter storm ~> 2 a: any of the definite divisions of
          the night made by ancient peoples b: one of the indeterminate
          intervals marking the passage of night--usu. used in
          pl. <the silent ~es of the night> 3 a: lookout, watchman
          b archaic: the office or function of a sentinel or guard
          4 a: a body of soldiers or sentinels making up a guard
          b: a watchman or body of watchmen formerly assigned to
          patrol the streets of a town at night, announce the hours,
          and act as police 5 a (1): a portion of time during which
          a part of a ship's company is on duty (2): the part of
          a ship's company required to be on duty during a particular
          watch (3): a sailor's assigned duty period b: a period
          of duty: shift c: a term as holder esp. of an overseeing
          or managerial office <the business grew on her ~> 6:
          a portable timepiece designed to be worn (as on the wrist)
          or carried in the pocket--compare clock

   watchable
          [watch.able] adj (1954): worth watching -- watchable n

   watch and ward
          [watch and ward] n (14c) 1: continuous unbroken vigilance
          and guard 2: service as a watchman or sentinel required
          from a feudal tenant

   watchband
          [watch.band] n (1924): the bracelet or strap of a wristwatch

   watch cap
          [watch cap] n (1886): a knitted close-fitting usu. navy-blue
          cap worn esp. by enlisted men in the U.S. navy in cold
          or stormy weather

   watchcase
          [watch.case] n (1671): the outside metal covering of a watch

   [1]watchdog
          [watch.dog] n (1610) 1: a dog kept to guard property 2: one
          that guards against loss, waste, theft, or undesirable
          practices [2]watchdog vt (1902): to act as a watchdog
          for

   watcher
          [watch.er] n (1509): one that watches: as a: one that sits
          up or continues awake at night b: watchman c (1): one
          that keeps watch beside a dead person (2): one that attends
          a sick person at night d: a person who closely follows
          or observes someone or something <a Supreme Court ~>--often
          used in combination <celebrity-watchers> e: a representative
          of a party or candidate who is stationed at the polls
          on an election day to watch the conduct of officials
          and voters

   watch fire
          [watch fire] n (1801): a fire lighted as a signal or for
          the use of a guard

   watchful
          [watch.ful] adj (1548) 1 archaic a: not able or accustomed
          to sleep or rest: wakeful b: causing sleeplessness c:
          spent in wakefulness: sleepless 2: carefully observant
          or attentive: being on the watch -- watch.ful.ly adv
          -- watch.ful.ness n syn watchful, vigilant, wide-awake,
          alert mean being on the lookout esp. for danger or opportunity.
          watchful is the least explicit term <the watchful eye
          of the department supervisor>. vigilant suggests intense,
          unremitting, wary watchfulness <eternally vigilant in
          the safeguarding of democracy>. wide-awake applies to
          watchfulness for opportunities and developments more
          often than dangers <wide-awake companies latched onto
          the new technology>. alert stresses readiness or promptness
          in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity <alert traders
          anticipated the stock market's slide>.

   watchmaker
          [watch.mak.er] n (1630): one that makes or repairs watches
          or clocks -- watch.mak.ing n

   watchman
          [watch.man] n (15c): a person who keeps watch: guard

   watch night
          [watch night] n (1742): a devotional service lasting until
          after midnight esp. on New Year's Eve

   watch out
          [watch out] vi (1845): to be vigilant or alert: be on the
          lookout <you'd better watch out> <watch out for the tree]>

   watch pocket
          [watch pocket] n (1831): a small pocket just below the front
          waistband of men's trousers

   watchtower
          [watch.tow.er] n (1544): a tower for a lookout

   watchword
          [watch.word] n (15c) 1: a word or phrase used as a sign of
          recognition among members of the same society, class,
          or group 2 a: a word or motto that embodies a principle
          or guide to action of an individual or group: slogan
          <"safety" is our ~> b: a guiding principle <change is
          the ~ for both parties>

   [1]water
          [wa.ter] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE waeter; akin to OHG
          wazzar water, Gk hydor, L unda wave] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          the liquid that descends from the clouds as rain, forms
          streams, lakes, and seas, and is a major constituent
          of all living matter and that when pure is an odorless,
          tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid oxide of
          hydrogen which appears bluish in thick layers, freezes
          at 0 degrees C and boils at 100 degrees C, has a maximum
          density at 4 degrees C and a high specific heat, is feebly
          ionized to hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, and is a poor
          conductor of electricity and a good solvent b: a natural
          mineral water--usu. used in pl. 2: a particular quantity
          or body of water: as a (1) pl: the water occupying or
          flowing in a particular bed (2) chiefly Brit: lake, pond
          b: a quantity or depth of water adequate for some purpose
          (as navigation) c pl (1): a band of seawater abutting
          on the land of a particular sovereignty and under the
          control of that sovereignty (2): the sea of a particular
          part of the earth d: water supply <threatened to turn
          off the ~> 3: travel or transportation on water <we went
          by ~> 4: the level of water at a particular state of
          the tide: tide 5: liquid containing or resembling water:
          as a (1): a pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparation made
          with water (2): a watery solution of a gaseous or readily
          volatile substance--compare ammonia water b archaic:
          a distilled fluid (as an essence); esp: a distilled alcoholic
          liquor c: a watery fluid (as tears, urine, or sap) formed
          or circulating in a living body d: amniotic fluid; also:
          bag of waters 6 a: the degree of clarity and luster of
          a precious stone b: degree of excellence <a scholar of
          the first ~> 7: watercolor 8 a: capital stock not representing
          assets of the issuing company and not backed by earning
          power b: fictitious or exaggerated asset entries that
          give a stock an unrealistic book value -- above water
          : out of difficulty [2]water vt (bef. 12c) 1: to moisten,
          sprinkle, or soak with water 2: to supply with water
          for drink 3: to supply water to 4: to treat with or as
          if with water; specif: to impart a lustrous appearance
          and wavy pattern to (cloth) by calendering 5 a: to dilute
          by the addition of water--often used with down <~ down
          the punch> b: to add to the aggregate par value of (securities)
          without a corresponding addition to the assets represented
          by the securities ~ vi 1: to form or secrete water or
          watery matter (as tears or saliva) 2: to get or take
          water: as a: to take on a supply of water b: to drink
          water

   water bag
          [water bag] n (1638) 1: a bag for holding water; esp: one
          designed to keep water cool for drinking by evaporation
          through a slightly porous surface 2: the fetal membranes
          enclosing the amniotic fluid--used esp. of domestic animals

   water balance
          [water balance] n (1911): the ratio between the water assimilated
          into the body and that lost from the body; also: the
          condition of the body when this ratio approximates unity

   water ballet
          [water ballet] n (1926): a synchronized sequence of movements
          performed by a group of swimmers

   water bear
          [water bear] n (1852): tardigrade

   Water Bearer
          [Water Bearer] n: aquarius 1, 2a

   water bed
          [water bed] n (1844): a bed whose mattress is a watertight
          bag filled with water

   water beetle
          [water beetle] n (ca. 1668): any of numerous oval flattened
          aquatic beetles (esp. family Dytiscidae) that swim by
          means of their fringed hind legs which act together as
          oars

   waterbird
          [wa.ter.bird] n (15c): a swimming or wading bird--compare
          waterfowl

   water biscuit
          [water biscuit] n (ca. 1790): a cracker of flour and water
          and sometimes fat

   water blister
          [water blister] n (1895): a blister with a clear watery content
          that is not purulent or sanguineous

   water bloom
          [water bloom] n (1903): an accumulation of algae and esp.
          of blue-green algae at or near the surface of a body
          of water

   water boatman
          [water boatman] n (1815) 1: back swimmer 2: any of various
          aquatic bugs (family Corixidae) with one pair of legs
          modified into paddles

   waterborne
          [wa.ter.borne] adj (ca. 1559): supported or carried by water
          <~ commerce> <~ infection>

   water boy
          [water boy] n (1859): one who keeps a group (as of football
          players) supplied with drinking water

   waterbuck
          [wa.ter.buck] n, pl waterbuck or waterbucks (1850): an antelope
          (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) of sub-Saharan Africa that commonly
          frequent streams or wet areas

   water buffalo
          [water buffalo] n (ca. 1890): an often domesticated Asian
          buffalo (Bubalus bubalis syn. B. arnee)

   water bug
          [water bug] n (1750): any of various small arthropods and
          esp. insects that frequent damp or wet places: as a:
          german cockroach b: water boatman c: any of various large
          aquatic bugs (family Belostomatidae) with the hind legs
          flattened and used for swimming

   water cannon
          [water cannon] n (1964): a large truck-mounted nozzle for
          directing a high-pressure stream of water (as at a crowd
          of rioters or demonstrators)

   water chestnut
          [water chestnut] n (1854) 1: any of a genus (Trapa and esp.
          T. natans of the family Trapaceae, the water-chestnut
          family) of Old World aquatic herbs sometimes grown as
          ornamentals; also: its edible nutlike spiny fruit 2:
          a whitish crunchy vegetable used esp. in Chinese cooking
          that is the peeled and often sliced tuber of a sedge
          (Eleocharis dulcis syn. E. tuberosa) native to Asia but
          widely cultivated elsewhere; also: the tuber or the sedge
          itself

   water clock
          [water clock] n (1601): an instrument designed to measure
          time by the fall or flow of a quantity of water--called
          also clepsydra

   water closet
          [water closet] n (1755) 1: a compartment or room for defecation
          and excretion into a toilet bowl 2: a toilet bowl and
          its accessories

   watercolor
          [wa.ter.col.or] n (1596) 1: a paint of which the liquid is
          a water dispersion of the binding material (as glue,
          casein, or gum) 2: the art or method of painting with
          watercolors 3: a picture or design executed in watercolors
          -- watercolor adj -- wa.ter.col.or.ist n

   watercooler
          [wa.ter.cool.er] n (1846): a device for dispensing refrigerated
          drinking water

   watercourse
          [wa.ter.course] n (1510) 1: a natural or artificial channel
          through which water flows 2: a stream of water (as a
          river, brook, or underground stream)

   watercraft
          [wa.ter.craft] n (1566) 1: skill in aquatic activities (as
          managing boats) 2 a: ship, boat b: craft for water transport

   watercress
          [wa.ter.cress] n (14c): any of several water-loving cresses;
          esp: a perennial European cress (Nasturtium officinale)
          naturalized in the U.S. and used esp. in salads or as
          a potherb

   water cycle
          [water cycle] n (1928): hydrologic cycle

   water dog
          [water dog] n (14c) 1: any of several large American salamanders;
          esp: any of a genus (Necturus of the family Proteidae)
          with external gills 2: a person (as a skilled sailor)
          who is quite at ease in or on water

   water down
          [water down] vt (1850): to reduce or temper the force or
          effectiveness of -- wa.tered-down adj

   waterer
          [wa.ter.er] n (1549): one that waters: as a: a person who
          obtains or supplies drinking water b: a device used for
          supplying water to livestock and poultry--called also
          drinker

   waterfall
          [wa.ter.fall] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: a perpendicular or very steep
          descent of the water of a stream b: an artificial waterfall
          (as in a hotel lobby or a nightclub) 2: something resembling
          a waterfall

   water flea
          [water flea] n (ca. 1585): any of various small active dark
          or brightly colored aquatic crustaceans (as a daphnia
          or cyclops)

   [1]waterflood
          [wa.ter.flood] n (1928): the process of waterflooding an
          oil well [2]waterflood vi (1928): to pump water into
          the ground around an oil well nearing depletion in order
          to loosen and force out additional oil

   waterfowl
          [wa.ter.fowl] n (14c) 1: a bird that frequents water; esp:
          a swimming bird 2 waterfowl pl: swimming game birds as
          distinguished from upland game birds and shorebirds

   waterfowler
          [wa.ter.fowl.er] n (1968): a hunter of waterfowl -- wa.ter.fowl.ing
          n

   waterfront
          [wa.ter.front] n (1766): land, land with buildings, or a
          section of a town fronting or abutting on a body of water

   water gap
          [water gap] n (1756): a pass in a mountain ridge through
          which a stream runs--compare wind gap

   water garden
          [water garden] n (1891) 1: a garden in which aquatic plants
          predominate 2: a garden built about a stream or pool
          as a central feature

   water gas
          [water gas] n (1851): a poisonous flammable gaseous mixture
          that consists chiefly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen
          with small amounts of methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen,
          is usu. made by blowing air and then steam over red-hot
          coke or coal, and is used as a fuel or after carbureting
          as an illuminant

   water gate
          [water gate] n (14c) 1: a gate (as of a building) giving
          access to a body of water 2: floodgate

   Watergate
          [Wa.ter.gate] n [Watergate, apartment and office complex
          in Washington, D.C.; fr. the scandal following the break-in
          at the Democratic National Committee headquarters there
          in 1972] (1973): a scandal usu. involving abuses of office,
          skulduggery, and a cover-up

   water gauge
          [water gauge] n (ca. 1706): an instrument to measure or find
          the depth or quantity of water or to indicate the height
          of its surface esp. in a steam boiler

   water glass
          [water glass] n (1612) 1: a glass vessel (as a drinking glass)
          for holding water 2: an instrument consisting of an open
          box or tube with a glass bottom used for examining objects
          in or under water 3: a substance that consists usu. of
          the silicate of sodium, is found in commerce as a glassy
          mass, a stony powder, or dissolved in water as a viscous
          syrupy liquid, and is used esp. as a cement, a protective
          coating, and as a fireproofing agent

   water gun
          [water gun] n (1951): water pistol

   water hammer
          [water hammer] n (ca. 1890): a concussion or sound of concussion
          of moving water against the sides of a containing pipe
          or vessel (as a steam pipe)

   water haul
          [water haul] n [fr. the figure of a fishing net that catches
          nothing but water] (1823): a fruitless effort

   water heater
          [water heater] n (ca. 1876): an apparatus for heating and
          usu. storing hot water (as for domestic use)

   water hemlock
          [water hemlock] n (1764): a tall poisonous Eurasian perennial
          herb (Cicuta virosa) of the carrot family; also: any
          of several poisonous No. American plants (esp. Cicuta
          maculata and C. douglasii) of the same genus

   water hen
          [water hen] n (ca. 1529): any of various birds (as a coot
          or gallinule) of the rail family

   water hole
          [water hole] n (ca. 1653) 1: a natural hole or hollow containing
          water 2: a hole in a surface of ice

   water hyacinth
          [water hyacinth] n (ca. 1890): a showy floating aquatic plant
          (Eichhornia crassipes of the family Pontederiaceae) of
          tropical America that often clogs waterways (as in the
          southern U.S.)

   water ice
          [water ice] n (1818): a frozen dessert of water, sugar, and
          flavoring

   watering can
          [watering can] n (1692): a vessel usu. with a spout used
          to sprinkle or pour water esp. on plants--called also
          watering pot

   watering hole
          [watering hole] n (1955): a place where people gather socially;
          esp: watering place 3

   watering place
          [watering place] n (15c) 1: a place where water may be obtained;
          esp: one where animals and esp. livestock come to drink
          2: a health or recreational resort featuring mineral
          springs or bathing 3: a place (as a nightclub, bar, or
          lounge) where drink is available

   waterish
          [wa.ter.ish] adj (1542): somewhat watery -- wa.ter.ish.ness
          n

   water jacket
          [water jacket] n (1869): an outer casing which holds water
          or through which water circulates to cool the interior;
          specif: the enclosed space surrounding the cylinder block
          of an internal combustion engine and containing the cooling
          liquid

   water jump
          [water jump] n (1875): an obstacle (as in a steeplechase)
          consisting of a pool, stream, or ditch of water

   waterleaf
          [wa.ter.leaf] n, pl -leafs (1760): any of a genus (Hydrophyllum
          of the family Hydrophyllaceae, the waterleaf family)
          of perennial No. American woodland herbs with lobed or
          pinnate toothed leaves and cymes of bell-shaped flowers

   waterless
          [wa.ter.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1: lacking or destitute of water:
          dry 2: not requiring water (as for cooling or cooking)
          -- wa.ter.less.ness n

   water level
          [water level] n (1563) 1: an instrument to show the level
          by means of the surface of water in a trough or in a
          U-shaped tube 2: the surface of still water: as a: the
          level assumed by the surface of a particular body or
          column of water b: the waterline of a vessel

   water lily
          [water lily] n (15c): any of various aquatic plants (esp.
          genera Nymphaea and Nuphar of the family Nymphaeaceae,
          the water-lily family) with floating leaves and usu.
          showy flowers; broadly: an aquatic plant (as a water
          hyacinth) with showy flowers

   waterline
          [wa.ter.line] n (ca. 1625): a line that marks the level of
          the surface of water on something: as a (1): the point
          on the hull of a ship or boat to which the water rises
          (2): a line marked on the outside of a ship that corresponds
          with the water's surface when the ship is afloat on an
          even keel under specified conditions of loading b: shoreline
          1

   waterlog
          [wa.ter.log] vt [back-formation fr. waterlogged] (1779):
          to make waterlogged

   waterlogged
          [wa.ter.logged] adj [[1]water + log to accumulate in the
          hold] (ca. 1776) 1: so filled or soaked with water as
          to be heavy or hard to manage <~ boats> 2: saturated
          with water <~ soil>

   waterloo
          [wa.ter.loo] n, pl -loos [Waterloo, Belgium, scene of Napoleon's
          defeat in 1815] (1816): a decisive or final defeat or
          setback

   water main
          [water main] n (1803): a pipe or conduit for conveying water

   waterman
          [wa.ter.man] n (15c): one who works or lives on the water:
          as a: a man who makes his living from the water (as by
          fishing) b: a boatman who plies for hire usu. on inland
          waters or harbors

   watermanship
          [wa.ter.man.ship] n (1882): the business, skill, or art of
          a waterman: as a: technique or expertness in rowing b:
          technique or expertness in swimming

   [1]watermark
          [wa.ter.mark] n (1678) 1: a mark indicating the height to
          which water has risen 2: a marking in paper resulting
          from differences in thickness usu. produced by pressure
          of a projecting design in the mold or on a processing
          roll and visible when the paper is held up to the light;
          also: the design of or the metal pattern producing the
          marking [2]watermark vt (1866) 1: to mark (paper) with
          a watermark 2: to impress (a given design) as a watermark

   watermelon
          [wa.ter.mel.on] n (1615) 1: a large oblong or roundish fruit
          with a hard green or white rind often striped or variegated,
          a sweet watery pink, yellowish, or red pulp, and usu.
          many seeds 2: a widely grown African vine (Citrullus
          lanatus syn. C. vulgaris) of the gourd family that bears
          watermelons

   water meter
          [water meter] n (ca. 1858): an instrument for recording the
          quantity of water passing through a particular outlet

   water milfoil
          [water milfoil] n (1578): any of a genus (Myriophyllum of
          the family Haloragaceae) of aquatic plants with finely
          pinnate submersed leaves

   water mill
          [water mill] n (15c): a mill whose machinery is moved by
          water

   water moccasin
          [water moccasin] n (1821) 1: a venomous semiaquatic pit viper
          (Agkistrodon piscivorus) chiefly of the southeastern
          U.S. that is closely related to the copperhead--called
          also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin 2: an American
          water snake (genus Nerodia)

   water mold
          [water mold] n (1899): an aquatic fungus (as of the genus
          Saprolegnia)

   water nymph
          [water nymph] n (14c): a nymph (as a naiad, Nereid, or Oceanid)
          associated with a body of water

   water oak
          [water oak] n (1687): any of several American oaks (esp.
          Quercus nigra) that thrive in wet soils

   water of crystallization
          [water of crystallization] (1791): water of hydration present
          in many crystallized substances that is usu. essential
          for maintenance of a particular crystal structure

   water of hydration
          [water of hydration] (1889): water that is chemically combined
          with a substance to form a hydrate and can be expelled
          (as by heating) without essentially altering the composition
          of the substance

   water on the knee
          [water on the knee] (ca. 1934): an accumulation of inflammatory
          exudate in the knee joint often following an injury

   water ouzel
          [water ouzel] n (1622): dipper 2

   water parting
          [water parting] n (1859): divide 2a

   water pepper
          [water pepper] n (ca. 1538): an annual smartweed (Polygonum
          hydropiper) of moist soils with extremely acrid peppery
          juice

   water pimpernel
          [water pimpernel] n (ca. 1760): either of two small white-flowered
          herbs (Samolus valerandi of Eurasia and S. floribundus syn.
          S. parviflorus of America) of the primrose family that grow in wet
          places

   water pipe
          [water pipe] n (15c) 1: a pipe for conveying water 2: a smoking
          device that consists of a bowl mounted on a vessel of
          water which is provided with a long tube and arranged
          so that smoke is drawn through the water where it is
          cooled and up the tube to the mouth

   water pistol
          [water pistol] n (1905): a toy pistol designed to squirt
          a jet of liquid--called also water gun, squirt gun

   water plantain
          [water plantain] n (ca. 1538): any of a genus (Alisma of
          the family Alismataceae, the water-plantain family) of
          marsh or aquatic herbs with acrid sap and scapose 3-petaled
          flowers

   water polo
          [water polo] n (1884): a goal game similar to soccer that
          is played in water by teams of swimmers using a ball
          resembling a soccer ball

   waterpower
          [wa.ter.pow.er] n (1817) 1: the power of water employed to
          move machinery 2: a fall of water suitable for being
          used to move machinery

   water privilege
          [water privilege] n (1804): the right to use water esp. as
          a source of mechanical power

   [1]waterproof
          [wa.ter.proof] adj (1736): impervious to water; esp: covered
          or treated with a material (as a solution of rubber)
          to prevent permeation by water -- wa.ter.proof.ness n
          [2]waterproof n (1799) 1: a waterproof fabric 2 chiefly
          Brit: raincoat [3]waterproof vt (1841): to make waterproof
          -- wa.ter.proof.er n

   waterproofing
          [wa.ter.proof.ing] n (1845) 1 a: the act or process of making
          something waterproof b: the condition of being made waterproof
          2: something (as a coating) capable of imparting waterproofness

   water rat
          [water rat] n (1552) 1: a rodent that frequents water 2:
          a waterfront loafer or petty thief

   water-repellent
          [wa.ter-re.pel.lent] adj (1896): treated with a finish that
          is resistant but not impervious to penetration by water

   water-resistant
          [wa.ter-re.sis.tant] adj (1921): water-repellent

   water right
          [water right] n (1793): a right to the use of water (as for
          irrigation); esp: riparian right

   water sapphire
          [water sapphire] n (ca. 1741): a deep blue cordierite sometimes
          used as a gem

   waterscape
          [wa.ter.scape] n (ca. 1854): a water or sea view: seascape
          1

   water scorpion
          [water scorpion] n (1681): any of numerous aquatic bugs (family
          Nepidae) with the end of the abdomen prolonged by a long
          breathing tube

   watershed
          [wa.ter.shed] n (1803) 1 a: divide 2a b: a region or area
          bounded peripherally by a divide and draining ultimately
          to a particular watercourse or body of water 2: a crucial
          dividing point, line, or factor: turning point -- watershed
          adj

   water shield
          [water shield] n (ca. 1818): an aquatic plant (Brasenia schreberi)
          of the water-lily family having floating oval leaves with
          a gelatinous coating and small dull purple flowers; also: any
          of a related genus (Cabomba)

   [1]waterside
          [wa.ter.side] n (14c): the margin of a body of water: waterfront
          [2]waterside adj (1663) 1: employed along the waterside
          <~ workers>; also: of or relating to the workers along
          the waterside <a ~ strike> 2: of, relating to, or located
          on the waterside <a ~ cafe>

   water ski
          [water ski] n (1931): a ski used in planing over water while
          being towed by a speedboat -- wa.ter-ski vi

   water-skier
          [wa.ter-ski.er] n (1931): one that water-skis

   waterskiing
          [wa.ter.ski.ing] n (1931): the sport of planing and jumping
          on water skis

   water snake
          [water snake] n (1601): any of various snakes (esp. genus
          Nerodia formerly included in the genus Natrix) that frequent
          or inhabit fresh waters and feed largely on aquatic animals

   water-soak
          [wa.ter-soak] vt (1791): to soak in water

   water spaniel
          [water spaniel] n (1566): a spaniel of either of two breeds:
          a: american water spaniel b: irish water spaniel

   water spot
          [water spot] n (1939): a physiological disorder of citrus
          fruits in the rainy season in which the epidermal air
          spaces of the rind become filled with liquid

   waterspout
          [wa.ter.spout] n (14c) 1: a pipe, duct, or orifice from which
          water is spouted or through which it is carried 2: a
          funnel-shaped or tubular column of rotating cloud-filled
          wind usu. extending from the underside of a cumulus or
          cumulonimbus cloud down to a cloud of spray torn up by
          the whirling winds from the surface of an ocean or lake

   water sprite
          [water sprite] n (1798): a sprite believed to inhabit or
          haunt water: water nymph

   water sprout
          [water sprout] n (ca. 1892): an extremely vigorous shoot
          from an adventitious or latent bud on a tree--compare
          sucker 2

   water strider
          [water strider] n (1849): any of various long-legged bugs
          (family Gerridae) that move about on the surface of the
          water

   water supply
          [water supply] n (ca. 1882): a source, means, or process
          of supplying water (as for a community) usu. including
          reservoirs, tunnels, and pipelines

   water table
          [water table] n (15c) 1: a stringcourse or similar member
          when projecting so as to throw off water 2: the upper
          limit of the portion of the ground wholly saturated with
          water

   water taxi
          [water taxi] n (1928): a boat functioning (as within a harbor)
          as a taxi

   waterthrush
          [wa.ter.thrush] n (ca. 1813): either of two No. American
          warblers (Seiurus noveboracensis and S. motacilla) found
          near freshwater (as a stream)

   watertight
          [wa.ter.tight] adj (14c) 1: of such tight construction or
          fit as to be impermeable to water except when under sufficient
          pressure to produce structural discontinuity 2: leaving
          no possibility of misconstruction or evasion <a ~ lease>
          -- wa.ter.tight.ness n

   water tower
          [water tower] n (ca. 1883): a tower or standpipe serving
          as a reservoir to deliver water at a required head

   water turkey
          [water turkey] n (1836): a New World anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)

   water vapor
          [water vapor] n (1880): water in a vaporous form esp. when
          below boiling temperature and diffused (as in the atmosphere)

   water-vascular system
          [water-vascular system] n (1870): a system of canals in echinoderms
          containing a circulating watery fluid that is used for the movement
          of the tentacles and tube feet

   water wagon
          [water wagon] n (1904): a wagon or motortruck equipped with
          a tank or barrels for hauling water or for sprinkling
          -- on the water wagon : abstaining from alcoholic beverages:
          on the wagon

   water wave
          [water wave] n (1882): a method or style of setting hair
          by dampening with water and forming into waves -- wa.ter-waved
          adj

   waterway
          [wa.ter.way] n (15c) 1: a way or channel for water 2: a navigable
          body of water

   waterweed
          [wa.ter.weed] n (1842): any of various aquatic plants (as
          a pondweed) with inconspicuous flowers--compare water
          lily

   waterwheel
          [wa.ter.wheel] n (15c) 1: a wheel made to rotate by direct
          action of water 2: a wheel for raising water

   water wings
          [water wings] n pl (1907): a pneumatic device that buoys
          the body of a swimmer and is used esp. in learning to
          swim

   water witch
          [water witch] n (1817): one that dowses for water -- water
          witch.ing n

   water witcher
          [water witch.er] n (1917): water witch

   waterworks
          [wa.ter.works] n pl (ca. 1586) 1: an ornamental fountain
          or cascade 2: the system of reservoirs, channels, mains,
          and pumping and purifying equipment by which a water
          supply is obtained and distributed (as to a city) 3:
          the shedding of tears: tears

   waterworn
          [wa.ter.worn] adj (1815): worn, smoothed, or polished by
          the action of water

   watery
          [wa.tery] adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: consisting of, filled with,
          or surrounded by water b: containing, sodden with, or
          yielding water or a thin liquid <a ~ solution> <~ vesicles>
          2 a: resembling water or watery matter esp. in thin fluidity,
          soggy texture, paleness, or lack of savor <~ blood> <~
          sunlight> <a ~ soup> b: exhibiting weakness and vapidity:
          wishy-washy <a ~ writing style> -- wa.ter.i.ly adv --
          wa.ter.i.ness n

   waterzooi
          [wa.ter.zooi] n [Flem, fr. water water + zooi quantity of
          cooked food] (1949): a stew of fish or chicken and vegetables
          in a seasoned stock thickened with cream and egg yolks

   WATS
          [WATS] abbreviation Wide-Area Telecommunications Service

   Watson-Crick
          [Wat.son-Crick] adj (1964): of or relating to the Watson-Crick
          model <~ helix> <~ structure> <~ base pairs>

   Watson-Crick model
          [Watson-Crick model] n [J. D. Watson & F. H. C. Crick] (1958):
          a model of DNA structure in which the molecule is a cross-linked
          double-stranded helix, each strand is composed of alternating
          links of phosphate and deoxyribose, and the strands are
          cross-linked by pairs of purine and pyrimidine bases
          projecting inward from the deoxyribose sugars and joined
          by hydrogen bonds with adenine paired with thymine and
          with cytosine paired with guanine--compare double helix

   watt
          [watt] n [James Watt d. 1819] (1882): the absolute
          meter-kilogram-second unit of power equal to the work done at the
          rate of one joule per second or to the power produced by a current
          of one ampere across a potential difference of one volt: 1/746
          horsepower

   wattage
          [watt.age] n (1903): amount of power expressed in watts

   Watteau
          [Wat.teau] adj [Antoine Watteau] (1873) 1 of women's dress:
          having back pleats falling loosely from neckline to hem
          2 of a hat: shallow-crowned and having a wide brim turned
          up at the back to hold flower trimmings

   watt-hour
          [watt-hour] n (1888): a unit of work or energy equivalent
          to the power of one watt operating for one hour

   [1]wattle
          [wat.tle] n [ME wattel, fr. OE watel; akin to OHG wadal bandage]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a fabrication of poles interwoven with
          slender branches, withes, or reeds and used esp. formerly
          in building b: material for such construction c pl: poles
          laid on a roof to support thatch 2: a fleshy dependent
          process usu. about the head or neck (as of a bird) 3
          Austral: acacia 2 -- wat.tled adj [2]wattle vt wat.tled
          ; wat.tling (14c) 1: to form or build of or with wattle
          2 a: to form into wattle: interlace to form wattle b:
          to unite or make solid by interweaving light flexible
          material

   wattle and daub
          [wattle and daub] n (1808): a framework of woven rods and
          twigs covered and plastered with clay and used in building
          construction

   wattlebird
          [wat.tle.bird] n (1819): any of several Australasian honeyeaters
          (genus Anthochaera) having fleshy pendulous ear wattles

   wattmeter
          [watt.me.ter] n [ISV] (1887): an instrument for measuring
          electric power in watts

   Watusi
          [Wa.tu.si] n, pl Watusi also Watusis (1899): tutsi

   [1]wave
          [wave] vb waved ; wav.ing [ME, fr. OE wafian to wave with
          the hands; akin to waefan to clothe and perh. to OE wefan
          to weave] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to motion with the hands or
          with something held in them in signal or salute 2: to
          float, play, or shake in an air current: move loosely
          to and fro: flutter 3 of water: to move in waves: heave
          4: to become moved or brandished to and fro 5: to move
          before the wind with a wavelike motion <field of waving
          grain> 6: to follow a curving line or take a wavy form:
          undulate ~ vt 1: to swing (something) back and forth
          or up and down 2: to impart a curving or undulating shape
          to <waved her hair> 3 a: to motion to (someone) to go
          in an indicated direction or to stop: flag, signal <checked
          his name and waved him on> <waved down a passing car>
          b: to gesture with (the hand or an object) in greeting
          or farewell or in homage c: to dismiss or put out of
          mind: disregard--usu. used with aside or off d: to convey
          by waving <waved farewell> 4: brandish, flourish <waved
          a pistol menacingly> syn see swing [2]wave n (1526) 1
          a: a moving ridge or swell on the surface of a liquid
          (as of the sea) b: open water 2 a: a shape or outline
          having successive curves b: a waviness of the hair c:
          an undulating line or streak or a pattern formed by such
          lines 3: something that swells and dies away: as a: a
          surge of sensation or emotion <a ~ of anger swept over
          her> b: a movement sweeping large numbers in a common
          direction <~s of protest> c: a peak or climax of activity
          <a ~ of buying> 4: a sweep of hand or arm or of some
          object held in the hand used as a signal or greeting
          5: a rolling or undulatory movement or one of a series
          of such movements passing along a surface or through
          the air 6: a movement like that of an ocean wave: as
          a: a surging movement of a group <a big new ~ of women
          politicians> b: one of a succession of influxes of people
          migrating into a region c (1): a moving group of animals
          of one kind (2): a sudden rapid increase in a population
          d: a line of attacking or advancing troops or airplanes
          e: a display of people in a large crowd (as at a sports
          event) successively rising, lifting their arms overhead,
          and quickly sitting so as to form a swell moving through
          the crowd 7 a: a disturbance or variation that transfers
          energy progressively from point to point in a medium
          and that may take the form of an elastic deformation
          or of a variation of pressure, electric or magnetic intensity,
          electric potential, or temperature b: one complete cycle
          of such a disturbance 8: a marked change in temperature:
          a period of hot or cold weather 9: an undulating or jagged
          line constituting a graphic representation of an action
          -- wave.less adj -- wave.less.ly adv -- wave.like adj
          Wave n [Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service]
          (1942): a woman serving in the navy

   wave band
          [wave band] n (1923): a band of radio-wave frequencies

   waved
          [waved] adj (1599): having a wavelike form or outline: as
          a: having wavy lines of color: watered <~ cloth> b: marked
          by undulations: curving <the ~ cutting edge of a bread
          knife>

   wave equation
          [wave equation] n (1926): a partial differential equation
          of the second order whose solutions describe wave phenomena

   waveform
          [wave.form] n (1845): a usu. graphic representation of the
          shape of a wave that indicates its characteristics (as
          frequency and amplitude)--called also waveshape

   wave front
          [wave front] n (ca. 1864): a surface composed at any instant
          of all the points just reached by a vibrational disturbance
          in its propagation through a medium

   waveguide
          [wave.guide] n (1932): a device (as a duct, coaxial cable,
          or glass fiber) designed to confine and direct the propagation
          of electromagnetic waves (as light); esp: a metal tube
          for channeling ultrahigh-frequency waves

   wavelength
          [wave.length] n (1850) 1: the distance in the line of advance
          of a wave from any one point to the next point of corresponding
          phase 2: a particular course or line of thought esp.
          as related to mutual understanding <two people on different
          ~s>

   wavelet
          [wave.let] n (ca. 1810): a little wave: ripple

   wave mechanics
          [wave mechanics] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1926) 1:
          the mathematical description of atomic and subatomic
          particles in terms of their wave characteristics 2: quantum
          mechanics

   wave number
          [wave number] n (1873): the number of waves per unit distance
          of radiant energy of a given wavelength: the reciprocal
          of the wavelength

   wave of the future
          [wave of the future] (1940): an idea, product, or movement
          that is viewed as representing forces or a trend that
          will inevitably prevail

   wave packet
          [wave packet] n (1928): a pulse of radiant energy that is
          the resultant of a number of wave trains of differing
          wavelengths

   [1]waver
          [wa.ver] vi wa.vered ; wa.ver.ing [ME; akin to OE waefre
          restless, wafian to wave with the hands--more at wave]
          (14c) 1: to vacillate irresolutely between choices: fluctuate
          in opinion, allegiance, or direction 2 a: to weave or
          sway unsteadily to and fro: reel, totter b: quiver, flicker
          <~ing flames> c: to hesitate as if about to give way:
          falter 3: to give an unsteady sound: quaver syn see swing,
          hesitate -- wa.ver.er n -- wa.ver.ing.ly adv [2]waver
          n (1519): an act of wavering, quivering, or fluttering
          [3]wav.er n (1835): one that waves

   wavery
          [wa.very] adj (1820): that waves: wavering

   waveshape
          [wave.shape] n (1907): waveform

   wave theory
          [wave theory] n (1833): a theory in physics: light is transmitted
          from luminous bodies to the eye and other objects by
          an undulatory movement--called also undulatory theory

   wave train
          [wave train] n (1897): a succession of similar waves at equal
          intervals

   wavy
          [wavy] adj wav.i.er ; -est (ca. 1586) 1: rising or swelling
          in waves; also: abounding in waves <~ hair> 2: moving
          with an undulating motion: fluctuating; also: marked
          by wavering 3: marked by undulation: rolling -- wav.i.ly
          adv -- wav.i.ness n

   waw
          [waw] n [Heb waw] (14c): the 6th letter of the Hebrew alphabet

   wa-wa pedal
          [wa-wa pedal] n [imit.] (1968): an electronic device that
          is connected to an amplifier and operated by a foot pedal
          and that is used (as with an electric guitar) to produce
          a fluctuating muted effect

   [1]wax
          [wax] n [ME, fr. OE weax; akin to OHG wahs wax, Lith vaskas]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a substance that is secreted by bees and
          is used by them for constructing the honeycomb, that
          is a dull yellow solid plastic when warm, and that is
          composed of a mixture of esters, cerotic acid, and
          hydrocarbons--called also beeswax 2: any of various substances
          resembling beeswax: as a: any of numerous substances of plant
          or animal origin that differ from fats in being less greasy,
          harder, and more brittle and in containing principally compounds
          of high molecular weight (as fatty acids, alcohols, and saturated
          hydrocarbons) b: a solid substance (as ozokerite or paraffin wax)
          of mineral origin consisting usu. of hydrocarbons of high molecular
          weight c: a pliable or liquid composition used esp. in uniting
          surfaces, excluding air, making patterns or impressions,
          or producing a polished surface 3: something likened to wax
          as soft, impressionable, or readily molded 4: a waxy secretion;
          esp: cerumen 5: a phonograph recording -- wax.like adj [2]wax
          vt (14c) 1: to treat or rub with wax usu. for polishing
          or stiffening 2: to record on phonograph records [3]wax vi [ME, fr.
          OE weaxan; akin to OHG wahsan to increase, Gk auxanein,
          L augere--more at eke] (bef. 12c) 1 a: to increase in size,
          numbers, strength, prosperity, or intensity b: to grow in volume
          or duration c: to grow toward full development 2: to increase
          in phase or intensity--used chiefly of the moon, other satellites,
          and inferior planets 3: to assume a (specified) characteristic,
          quality, or state: become <~ indignant> [4]wax n (14c): increase,
          growth--usu. used in the phrase on the wax [5]wax n [perh. fr.
          [3]wax] (1854): a fit of temper: rage

   wax bean
          [wax bean] n (1897): a kidney bean with pods that turn creamy
          yellow to bright yellow when mature enough for use as
          snap beans

   waxbill
          [wax.bill] n (1757): any of numerous Old World oscine birds
          (family Estrildidae and esp. genus Estrilda) having white,
          pink, or reddish bills of a waxy appearance

   waxed paper
          [waxed paper] n (1853): paper coated or treated with wax
          to make it resistant to water and grease and used esp.
          as a wrapping

   waxen
          [wax.en] adj (bef. 12c) 1: made of or covered with wax 2:
          resembling wax: as a: easily molded: pliable b: seeming
          to lack vitality or animation: pallid c: lustrously smooth

   waxer
          [wax.er] n (ca. 1875) 1: a device for applying wax 2: one
          whose work is applying or polishing with wax

   waxing
          [wax.ing] n (15c) 1: the act of applying wax (as in polishing)
          2: the process of removing body hair with a depilatory
          wax

   wax light
          [wax light] n (1599): a wax candle: taper

   wax moth
          [wax moth] n (1766): a dull brownish or ashen pyralid moth
          (Galleria mellonella) with a larva that feeds on the
          comb wax of the honeybee

   wax museum
          [wax museum] n (1953): a place where wax effigies (as of
          famous historical persons) are exhibited

   wax myrtle
          [wax myrtle] n (1806): any of a genus (Myrica of the family
          Myricaceae, the wax-myrtle family) of trees or shrubs
          with aromatic foliage; esp: a shrub (M. cerifera) of
          the eastern U.S. having small hard berries with a thick
          coating of white wax used for candles

   wax palm
          [wax palm] n (ca. 1828): any of several palms that yield
          wax: as a: an Andean pinnate-leaved palm (Ceroxylon alpinum
          syn. C. andicola) whose stem yields a resinous wax used
          in candles b: carnauba

   wax paper
          [wax paper] n (ca. 1844): waxed paper

   waxwing
          [wax.wing] n (1817): any of a genus (Bombycilla) of American
          and Eurasian chiefly brown to gray oscine birds (as a
          cedar waxwing) having a showy crest, red waxy material
          on the tips of the secondaries, and a yellow band on
          the tip of the tail

   waxwork
          [wax.work] n (1697) 1: an effigy in wax usu. of a person
          2 pl but sing or pl in constr: wax museum

   waxy
          [waxy] adj wax.i.er ; -est (1552) 1: made of, abounding in,
          or covered with wax: waxen <a ~ surface> <~ berries>
          2: resembling wax: as a: readily shaped or molded b:
          marked by smooth or lustrous whiteness <a ~ complexion>
          -- wax.i.ness n

   [1]way
          [way] n [ME, fr. OE weg; akin to OHG weg way, OE wegan to
          move, L vehere to carry, via way] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a thoroughfare
          for travel or transportation from place to place b: an
          opening for passage <this door is the only ~ out of the
          room> 2: the course traveled from one place to another:
          route 3 a: a course (as a series of actions or sequence
          of events) leading in a direction or toward an objective
          <led the ~ to eventual open heart operations --Current
          Biog.> b (1): a course of action <took the easy ~ out>
          (2): opportunity, capability, or fact of doing as one
          pleases <always manages to get her own ~> c: a possible
          decision, action, or outcome: possibility <they were
          rude--no two ~s about it> 4 a: manner or method of doing
          or happening; also: method of accomplishing: means b:
          feature, respect <in no ~ resembles her mother> c: a
          usu. specified degree of participation in an activity
          or enterprise <active in real estate in a small ~> 5
          a: characteristic, regular, or habitual manner or mode
          of being, behaving, or happening <knows nothing of the
          ~s of women> b: ability to get along well or perform
          well <she has a ~ with kids> <a ~ with words> 6: the
          length of a course: distance <has come a long ~ in her
          studies> <still have a ~ to go> 7: movement or progress
          along a course <worked her ~ up the corporate ladder>
          8 a: direction <is coming this ~> b: participant--usu.
          used in combination <three-way discussion> 9: state of
          affairs: condition, state <that's the ~ things are> 10
          a pl but sometimes sing in constr: an inclined structure
          upon which a ship is built or supported in launching
          b pl: the guiding surfaces on the bed of a machine along
          which a table or carriage moves 11: category, kind--usu.
          used in the phrase in the way of <doesn't require much
          in the ~ of expensive equipment --Forbes> 12: motion
          or speed of a ship or boat through the water syn see
          method -- all the way : to the full or entire extent:
          as far as possible <ran all the way home> <seated all
          the way in the back> -- by the way : by way of interjection
          or digression: incidentally -- by way of 1: for the purpose
          of 2: by the route through: via -- in a way 1: within
          limits: with reservations 2: from one point of view --
          in one's way also in the way 1: in a position to be encountered
          by one: in or along one's course <an opportunity had
          been put in my way --Ellen Glasgow> 2: in a position
          to hinder or obstruct -- on the way or on one's way :
          moving along in one's course: in progress -- out of the
          way 1: wrong, improper <didn't know I'd said anything
          out of the way> 2 a: in or to a secluded place b: unusual,
          remarkable <there's nothing out of the way about the
          plan> 3: done, completed <got his homework out of the
          way> -- the way 1: in view of the manner in which <you'd
          think she was rich, the way she spends money> 2: like,
          as <we have cats the way other people have mice --James
          Thurber> [2]way adj (1799): of, connected with, or constituting
          an intermediate point on a route <visited five major
          countries plus ~ points> [3]way adv (1849) 1 a: away
          7 <is ~ ahead of the class> b: by far: much <ate ~ too
          much> 2: all the way <pull the switch ~ back> -- from
          way back : of long standing <friends from way back>

   waybill
          [way.bill] n (1821): a document prepared by the carrier of
          a shipment of goods that contains details of the shipment,
          route, and charges

   wayfarer
          [way.far.er] n [ME weyfarere, fr. wey, way way + -farere
          traveler, fr. faren to go--more at fare] (15c): a traveler
          esp. on foot -- way.far.ing adj

   wayfaring tree
          [wayfaring tree] n (1597): a Eurasian shrub (Viburnum lantana)
          that has large ovate leaves and dense cymes of small
          white flowers and is common along waysides

   waygoing
          [way.go.ing] n (1633) chiefly Scot: the act of leaving: departure

   Wayland
          [Way.land] n [OE Weland]: an heroic smith of Germanic legend

   waylay
          [way.lay] vt -laid ; -lay.ing (1513): to lie in wait for
          or attack from ambush

   wayless
          [way.less] adj (12c): having no road or path

   Way of the Cross
          [Way of the Cross] (1868): stations of the cross

   way-out
          [way-out] adj (1954): far-out

   ways
          [ways] n pl but sing in constr [ME wayes, fr. gen. of [1]way]
          (1588): way 6 <a long ~ from home>

   -ways
          [-ways] adv suffix [ME, fr. ways, gen. of way]: in (such)
          a way, course, direction, or manner <sideways>

   ways and means
          [ways and means] n pl (15c) 1: methods and resources for
          accomplishing something and esp. for defraying expenses
          2 often cap W&M a: methods and resources for raising
          the necessary revenues for the expenses of a nation or
          state b: a legislative committee concerned with this
          function

   wayside
          [way.side] n (15c): the side of or land adjacent to a road
          or path -- wayside adj -- by the wayside : out of consideration:
          into a condition of neglect or disuse--usu. used with
          fall

   way station
          [way station] n (1850) 1: an intermediate station between
          principal stations on a line of travel (as a railroad)
          2: an intermediate stopping place

   wayward
          [way.ward] adj [ME, short for awayward turned away, fr. away,
          adv. + -ward] (14c) 1: following one's own capricious,
          wanton, or depraved inclinations: ungovernable 2: following
          no clear principle or law: unpredictable 3: opposite
          to what is desired or expected: untoward <~ fate> syn
          see contrary -- way.ward.ly adv -- way.ward.ness n

   wayworn
          [way.worn] adj (1788): wearied by traveling

   wb...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Wb
          [Wb] abbreviation weber  WB abbreviation water ballast, waybill,
          weather bureau, westbound, wheelbase

   WBC
          [WBC] abbreviation white blood cells

   WBF
          [WBF] abbreviation wood-burning fireplace

   wc...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   WC
          [WC] abbreviation water closet, without charge

   WCTU
          [WCTU] abbreviation Women's Christian Temperance Union

   wd...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   wd
          [wd] abbreviation wood, word, would  WD abbreviation War
          Department

   we...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   we
          [we] pron, pl in constr [ME, fr. OE we; akin to OHG wir we,
          Skt vayam] (bef. 12c) 1: I and the rest of a group that
          includes me: you and I: you and I and another or others:
          I and another or others not including you--used as pronoun
          of the first person plural--compare i, our, ours, us
          2: [1]i--used by sovereigns--used by writers to keep
          an impersonal character

   We
          [We] or Wed abbreviation Wednesday

   weak
          [weak] adj [ME weike, fr. ON veikr; akin to OE wican to yield,
          Gk eikein to give way, Skt vijate he speeds, flees] (14c)
          1: lacking strength: as a: deficient in physical vigor:
          feeble, debilitated b: not able to sustain or exert much
          weight, pressure, or strain c: not able to resist external
          force or withstand attack 2 a: mentally or intellectually
          deficient b: not firmly decided: vacillating c: resulting
          from or indicating lack of judgment or discernment d:
          not able to withstand temptation or persuasion <the spirit
          is willing but the flesh is ~> 3: not factually grounded
          or logically presented <a ~ argument> 4 a: not able to
          function properly b (1): lacking skill or proficiency
          <tutoring for ~er students> (2): indicative of a lack
          of skill or aptitude <history was my ~est subject> c:
          wanting in vigor of expression or effect 5 a: deficient
          in the usual or required ingredients: dilute <~ coffee>
          b: lacking normal intensity or potency <~ strain of virus>
          6 a: not having or exerting authority or political power
          <~ government> b: ineffective, impotent 7: of, relating
          to, or constituting a verb or verb conjugation that in
          English forms the past tense and past participle by adding
          the suffix -ed or -d or -t 8 a: bearing the minimal degree
          of stress occurring in the language <~ syllable> b: having
          little or no stress and obscured vowel sound <'d is the
          ~ form of would> 9: tending toward a lower price <a ~
          market> 10: ionizing only slightly in solution <~ acids
          and bases> -- weak.ly adv syn weak, feeble, frail, fragile,
          infirm, decrepit mean not strong enough to endure strain,
          pressure, or strenuous effort. weak applies to deficiency
          or inferiority in strength or power of any sort <students
          too weak to resist peer pressure>. feeble suggests extreme
          weakness inviting pity or contempt <a feeble attempt
          to get out of bed>. frail implies delicacy and slightness
          of constitution or structure <a frail teenager who was
          unable to enjoy contact sports>. fragile suggests frailty
          and brittleness unable to resist rough usage <a reclusive
          poet too fragile for the rigors of this world>. infirm
          suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due
          to old age or crippling illness <infirm residents requiring
          constant care>. decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down
          from long use or old age <the dowager's faithful, decrepit
          retainers>.

   weak anthropic principle
          [weak anthropic principle] n (1985): anthropic principle
          a

   weaken
          [weak.en] vb weak.ened ; weak.en.ing vt (1530) 1: to make
          weak: lessen the strength of 2: to reduce in intensity
          or effectiveness ~ vi: to become weak -- weak.en.er n
          syn weaken, enfeeble, debilitate, undermine, sap, cripple,
          disable mean to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor.
          weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness,
          or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power
          <a disease that weakens the body's defenses against infection>.
          enfeeble implies an obvious and pitiable condition of
          weakness and helplessness <enfeebled by starvation>.
          debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment
          of strength or vitality <the debilitating effects of
          surgery>. undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something
          working surreptitiously and insidiously <a poor diet
          underm ines your health> <drugs had sapped his ability
          to think>. cripple implies causing a serious loss of
          functioning power through damaging or removing an essential
          part or element <crippled by arthritis>. disable suggests
          a usu. sudden crippling or enfeebling <disabled soldiers
          received an immediate discharge>.

   weakfish
          [weak.fish] n [obs. D weekvis, fr. D week soft + vis fish;
          fr. its tender flesh] (1791) 1: a common marine bony
          fish (Cynoscion regalis of the family Sciaenidae) that
          is a sport and food fish of the eastern coast of the
          U.S.--called also sea trout 2: any of several fishes
          congeneric with the weakfish

   weak force
          [weak force] n (1971): a fundamental physical force that
          governs interactions between hadrons and leptons (as
          in the emission and absorption of neutrinos) and is responsible
          for particle decay processes (as beta decay) in radioactivity,
          that is 1E5 times weaker than the strong force, and that
          acts over distances smaller than those between nucleons
          in an atomic nucleus--called also weak interaction, weak
          nuclear force--compare electromagnetism 2a, gravity 3a(2),
          strong force

   weakhearted
          [weak.heart.ed] adj (1549): lacking courage: fainthearted

   weakish
          [weak.ish] adj (1594): somewhat weak <~ tea>

   weak-kneed
          [weak-kneed] adj (1863): lacking willpower or resolution

   weakling
          [weak.ling] n (1548): one that is weak in body, character,
          or mind -- weakling adj

   weakly
          [weak.ly] adj (1577): feeble, weak -- weak.li.ness n

   weak-minded
          [weak-mind.ed] adj (1716): having or indicating a weak mind:
          a: lacking in judgment or good sense: foolish b: feebleminded
          -- weak-mind.ed.ness n

   weakness
          [weak.ness] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being weak;
          also: an instance or period of being weak <agreed in
          a moment of ~ to go along> 2: fault, defect 3 a: a special
          desire or fondness <has a ~ for chocolates> b: an object
          of special desire or fondness <pizza is my ~>

   weak side
          [weak side] n (1940) 1: the side of a football formation
          having the smaller number of players; specif: the side
          of a formation away from the tight end 2: the side of
          a court or field (as in basketball or soccer) away from
          the ball -- weak.side adj

   weak sister
          [weak sister] n (1857): a member of a group who needs aid;
          also: something that is weak and ineffective as compared
          with others in the group

   [1]weal
          [weal] n [ME wele, fr. OE wela; akin to OE wel well] (bef.
          12c) 1: a sound, healthy, or prosperous state: well-being
          2 obs: body politic, commonweal [2]weal n [alter. of
          wale] (ca. 1798): welt

   weald
          [weald] n [the Weald, England, fr. ME weeld, fr. OE weald
          forest--more at wold] (bef. 12c) 1: a heavily wooded
          area: forest <the Weald of Kent> 2: a wild or uncultivated
          usu. upland region

   wealth
          [wealth] n [ME welthe, fr. wele weal] (13c) 1 obs: weal,
          welfare 2: abundance of valuable material possessions
          or resources 3: abundant supply: profusion 4 a: all property
          that has a money value or an exchangeable value b: all
          material objects that have economic utility; esp: the
          stock of useful goods having economic value in existence
          at any one time <national ~>

   wealthy
          [wealthy] adj wealth.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: having wealth:
          extremely affluent 2: characterized by abundance: ample
          syn see rich -- wealth.i.ly adv -- wealth.i.ness n

   wean
          [wean] vt [ME wenen, fr. OE wenian to accustom, wean; akin
          to OE wunian to be used to--more at wont] (bef. 12c)
          1: to accustom (as a child) to take food otherwise than
          by nursing 2: to detach from a source of dependence <being
          ~ed off the medication> <~ the bears from human food
          --Sports Illus.>; also: to free from a usu. unwholesome
          habit or interest <~ him off his excessive drinking>
          <settling his soldiers on the land ... , ~ing them from
          habits of violence --Geoffrey Carnall> 3: to accustom
          to something from an early age--used in the passive esp.
          with on <students ~ed on the microcomputer> <I was ~ed
          on greasepaint --Helen Hayes> <the principles upon which
          he had been ~ed --J. A. Michener>

   weaner
          [wean.er] n (1579) 1: one that weans 2: a young animal recently
          weaned from its mother

   weanling
          [wean.ling] n (1532): a child or animal newly weaned -- wean.ling
          adj

   [1]weapon
          [weap.on] n [ME wepen, fr. OE waepen; akin to OHG waffan
          weapon, ON vapn] (bef. 12c) 1: something (as a club,
          knife, or gun) used to injure, defeat, or destroy 2:
          a means of contending against another [2]weapon vt (bef.
          12c): arm

   weaponless
          [weap.on.less] adj (bef. 12c): lacking weapons: unarmed

   weaponry
          [weap.on.ry] n (1844) 1: weapons 2: the science of designing
          and making weapons

   [1]wear
          [wear] vb wore ; worn ; wear.ing [ME weren, fr. OE werian;
          akin to ON verja to clothe, invest, spend, L vestis clothing,
          garment, Gk hennynai to clothe] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to bear
          or have on the person <wore a coat> 2 a: to use habitually
          for clothing, adornment, or assistance <~s a toupee>
          <~ glasses> b: to carry on the person <~ a sword> 3 a:
          to hold the rank or dignity or position signified by
          (an ornament) <~ the royal crown> b: exhibit, present
          <wore a happy smile> <commend the book for ~ing its research
          so lightly --Brad Leithauser> c: to show or fly (a flag
          or colors) on a ship 4 a: to cause to deteriorate by
          use b: to impair or diminish by use or attrition: consume
          or waste gradually <letters on the stone worn away by
          weathering> 5: to produce gradually by friction or attrition
          <~ a hole in the rug> 6: to exhaust or lessen the strength
          of: weary, fatigue 7: to cause (a ship) to go about with
          the stern presented to the wind 8 Brit: to accept or
          tolerate without complaint: put up with--usu. used in
          negative constructions <your mates wouldn't ~ it --Colin
          MacInnes> ~ vi 1 a: to endure use: last under use or
          the passage of time <material that will ~ for years>
          b: to retain quality or vitality 2 a: to diminish or
          decay through use <the heels of his shoes began to ~>
          b: to diminish or fail with the passage of time <the
          effect of the drug wore off> <the day wore on> c: to
          grow or become by attrition or use 3 of a ship: to change
          to an opposite tack by turning the stern to the wind--compare
          tack -- wear.er n -- wear on : irritate, fray -- wear
          the trousers or wear the pants : to have the controlling
          authority in a household -- wear thin 1: to become weak
          or ready to give way <my patience was wearing thin> 2:
          to become trite, unconvincing, or out-of-date <an argument
          that quickly wore thin> [2]wear n (15c) 1: the act of
          wearing: the state of being worn: use <clothes for everyday
          ~> 2 a: clothing or an article of clothing usu. of a
          particular kind; esp: clothing worn for a special occasion
          or popular during a specific period b: fashion, vogue
          3: wearing quality: durability under use 4: the result
          of wearing or use: diminution or impairment due to use
          <wear-resistant surface>

   [1]wearable
          [wear.able] adj (1590): capable of being worn: suitable to
          be worn -- wear.abil.i.ty n [2]wearable n (1711): garment--usu.
          used in pl.

   wear and tear
          [wear and tear] n (1666): the loss, injury, or stress to
          which something is subjected by or in the course of use;
          esp: normal depreciation

   wear down
          [wear down] vt (1803): to weary and overcome by persistent
          resistance or pressure

   weariful
          [wea.ri.ful] adj (15c) 1: causing weariness; esp: tedious
          2: full of weariness: wearied -- wea.ri.ful.ly adv --
          wea.ri.ful.ness n

   weariless
          [wea.ri.less] adj (15c): tireless -- wea.ri.less.ly adv

   [1]wearing
          [wear.ing] adj (15c): intended for wear <~ apparel> [2]wearing
          adj (1811): subjecting to or inflicting wear; esp: causing
          fatigue <a ~ journey> -- wear.ing.ly adv

   wearisome
          [wea.ri.some] adj (15c): causing weariness: tiresome
          -- wea.ri.some.ly adv -- wea.ri.some.ness n

   wear out
          [wear out] vt (14c) 1: tire, exhaust 2: to make useless esp.
          by long or hard usage 3: erase, efface 4: to endure through:
          outlast <wear out a storm> 5: to consume (as time) tediously
          <wear out idle days> ~ vi: to become useless from long
          or excessive wear or use

   [1]weary
          [wea.ry] adj wea.ri.er ; -est [ME wery, fr. OE werig; akin
          to OHG wuorag intoxicated and perh. to Gk aoros sleep]
          (bef. 12c) 1: exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor,
          or freshness 2: expressing or characteristic of weariness
          3: having one's patience, tolerance, or pleasure exhausted--used
          with of 4: wearisome -- wea.ri.ly adv -- wea.ri.ness
          n [2]weary vb wea.ried ; wea.ry.ing vi (bef. 12c): to
          become weary ~ vt: to make weary syn see tire

   weasand
          [wea.sand] n [ME wesand, fr. (assumed) OE waesend gullet;
          akin to OE wasend gullet, OHG weisunt windpipe] (bef.
          12c): throat, gullet; also: trachea

   [1]weasel
          [wea.sel] n, pl weasels [ME wesele, fr. OE weosule; akin
          to OHG wisula weasel] (bef. 12c) 1 or pl weasel : any
          of various small slender active carnivorous mammals (genus
          Mustela of the family Mustelidae, the weasel family)
          that are able to prey on animals (as rabbits) larger
          than themselves, are mostly reddish brown with white
          or yellowish underparts, and in northern forms turn white
          in winter 2: a light self-propelled tracked vehicle built
          either for traveling over snow, ice, or sand or as an
          amphibious vehicle [2]weasel vi wea.seled ; wea.sel.ing
          [weasel word] (1900) 1: to use weasel words: equivocate
          2: to escape from or evade a situation or obligation--often
          used with out

   weaselly
          [wea.sel.ly] also wea.sely adj (1838): resembling or suggestive
          of a weasel

   weasel word
          [weasel word] n [fr. the weasel's reputed habit of sucking
          the contents out of an egg while leaving the shell superficially
          intact] (1900): a word used in order to evade or retreat
          from a direct or forthright statement or position

   [1]weather
          [weath.er] n [ME weder, fr. OE; akin to OHG wetar weather,
          OCS vetru wind] (bef. 12c) 1: the state of the atmosphere
          with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm
          or storm, clearness or cloudiness 2: state or vicissitude
          of life or fortune 3: disagreeable atmospheric conditions:
          as a: rain, storm b: cold air with dampness 4: weathering
          -- under the weather 1: ill 2: drunk 1a [2]weather vb
          weath.ered ; weath.er.ing vt (15c) 1: to expose to the
          open air: subject to the action of the elements 2: to
          bear up against and come safely through <~ a storm> <~
          a crisis> ~ vi: to undergo or endure the action of the
          elements [3]weather adj (ca. 1625): of or relating to
          the side facing the wind--compare lee

   weatherability
          [weath.er.abil.i.ty] n (1947): capability of withstanding
          the weathering process <~ of a plastic>

   weather-beaten
          [weath.er-beat.en] adj (1530) 1: toughened, tanned, or bronzed
          by the weather <a ~ face> 2: worn or damaged by exposure
          to weather

   weatherboard
          [weath.er.board] n (ca. 1540) 1: clapboard, siding 2: the
          weather side of a ship -- weath.er.board.ed adj

   weatherboarding
          [weath.er.board.ing] n (1632): clapboards, siding

   weather-bound
          [weath.er-bound] adj (1590): kept in port or at anchor or
          from travel or sport by bad weather

   weather bureau
          [weather bureau] n (1871): a bureau engaged in the collection
          of weather reports as a basis for weather predictions,
          storm warnings, and the compiling of statistical records

   weather-burned
          [weath.er-burned] adj (1906): browned by sun and wind

   weathercast
          [weath.er.cast] n [[1]weather + [2]forecast] (1866): a weather
          forecast esp. on radio or television

   weathercaster
          [weath.er.cast.er] n (1607): a weather forecaster esp. on
          radio or television

   weathercock
          [weath.er.cock] n (13c) 1: a vane often in the figure of
          a cock mounted so as to turn freely with the wind and
          show its direction 2: a person or thing that changes
          readily or often

   weather deck
          [weather deck] n (1850): a deck having no overhead protection
          from the weather

   weathered
          [weath.ered] adj (1789) 1: seasoned by exposure to the weather
          2: altered in color, texture, composition, or form by
          such exposure or by artificial means producing a similar
          effect <~ oak>

   weather eye
          [weather eye] n (1839) 1: an eye quick to observe coming
          changes in the weather 2: constant and shrewd watchfulness
          and alertness

   weatherglass
          [weath.er.glass] n (1626): a simple instrument for showing
          changes in atmospheric pressure by the changing level
          of liquid in a spout connected with a closed reservoir;
          broadly: barometer

   weathering
          [weathering] n (1548): the action of the elements in altering
          the color, texture, composition, or form of exposed objects;
          specif: the physical disintegration and chemical decomposition
          of earth materials at or near the earth's surface

   weatherize
          [weath.er.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1943): to make (as a house)
          better protected against winter weather (as by adding
          insulation) -- weath.er.i.za.tion n

   weatherly
          [weath.er.ly] adj (1729): able to sail close to the wind
          with little leeway

   weatherman
          [weath.er.man] n (1859): one who reports and forecasts the
          weather: meteorologist

   weather map
          [weather map] n (1871): a map or chart showing the principal
          meteorological elements at a given hour and over an extended
          region

   weatherperson
          [weath.er.per.son] n (1974): a person who reports and forecasts
          the weather: meteorologist

   weatherproof
          [weath.er.proof] adj (1620): able to withstand exposure to
          weather without damage or loss of function -- weatherproof
          vt -- weath.er.proof.ness n

   weather ship
          [weather ship] n (1946): a ship that makes observations for
          use by meteorologists

   weather station
          [weather station] n (ca. 1895): a station for taking, recording,
          and reporting meteorological observations

   weather strip
          [weather strip] n (1846): a strip of material to cover the
          joint of a door or window and the sill, casing, or threshold
          so as to exclude rain, snow, and cold air--called also
          weather stripping -- weath.er-strip vt

   weather vane
          [weather vane] n (ca. 1721): vane 1a

   weather-wise
          [weath.er-wise] adj (14c) 1: skillful in forecasting changes
          in the weather 2: skillful in forecasting changes in
          opinion or feeling <a ~ politician>

   weatherworn
          [weath.er.worn] adj (1609): worn by exposure to the weather

   [1]weave
          [weave] vb wove or weaved ; wo.ven or weaved ; weav.ing [ME
          weven, fr. OE wefan; akin to OHG weban to weave, Gk hyphainein
          to weave, hyphos web] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to form (cloth)
          by interlacing strands (as of yarn); specif: to make
          (cloth) on a loom by interlacing warp and filling threads
          b: to interlace (as threads) into cloth c: to make (as
          a basket) by intertwining 2: spin 2--used of spiders
          and insects 3: to interlace esp. to form a texture, fabric,
          or design 4 a: to produce by elaborately combining elements:
          contrive b: to unite in a coherent whole c: to introduce
          as an appropriate element: work in--usu. used with in
          or into 5: to direct (as the body) in a winding or zigzag
          course esp. to avoid obstacles ~ vi 1: to work at weaving:
          make cloth 2: to move in a devious, winding, or zigzag
          course esp. to avoid obstacles [2]weave n (1581) 1: something
          woven; esp: woven cloth 2: any of the patterns or methods
          for interlacing the threads of woven fabrics [3]weave
          vi weaved ; weav.ing [ME weven to move to and fro, wave;
          akin to ON veifa to be in movement--more at wipe] (1596):
          to move waveringly from side to side: sway

   weaver
          [weav.er] n (14c) 1: one that weaves esp. as an occupation
          2: weaverbird

   weaverbird
          [weav.er.bird] n (1826): any of numerous Old World passerine
          birds (family Ploceidae) that resemble finches and mostly
          construct elaborate nests of interlaced vegetation

   weaver's knot
          [weaver's knot] n (1532): sheet bend--called also weaver's
          hitch

   [1]web
          [web] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to ON vefr web, OE wefan to weave]
          (bef. 12c) 1: a fabric on a loom or in process of being
          removed from a loom 2 a: cobweb, spiderweb b: a network
          of silken thread spun esp. by the larvae of various insects
          (as a tent caterpillar) and usu. serving as a nest or
          shelter 3: a tissue or membrane of an animal or plant;
          esp: that uniting fingers or toes either at their bases
          (as in humans) or for a greater part of their length
          (as in many waterbirds) 4 a: a thin metal sheet, plate,
          or strip b: the plate connecting the upper and lower
          flanges of a girder or rail c: the arm of a crank 5:
          something resembling a web: a: snare, entanglement <a
          ~ of intrigue> <ensnarled in a ~ of folly --David A.
          Stockman> b: an intricate pattern or structure suggestive
          of something woven: network <a ~ of little roads> <a
          complex ~ of relationships> 6: the series of barbs implanted
          on each side of the shaft of a feather: vane 7 a: a continuous
          sheet of paper manufactured or undergoing manufacture
          on a paper machine b: a roll of paper for use in a rotary
          printing press 8: the part of a ribbed vault between
          the ribs -- webbed adj -- web.like adj [2]web vb webbed
          ; web.bing vi (1604): to construct or form a web ~ vt
          1: to cover with a web or network 2: ensnare, entangle
          3: to provide with a web

   webbing
          [web.bing] n (1796) 1: a strong narrow closely woven tape
          designed for bearing weight and used esp. for straps,
          harness, or upholstery 2: trap 3c

   webby
          [web.by] adj (1661): of, relating to, or consisting of a
          web

   weber
          [we.ber] n [Wilhelm E. Weber d. 1891 Ger. physicist] (1891):
          the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of magnetic
          flux equal to that flux which in linking a circuit of
          one turn produces in it an electromotive force of one
          volt as the flux is reduced to zero at a uniform rate
          in one second

   webfed
          [web.fed] adj (1947): of, relating to, or printed by a web
          press

   webfoot
          [web.foot] n (1765) 1: a foot having webbed toes 2: an animal
          having web feet -- web-foot.ed adj

   web member
          [web member] n (ca. 1890): one of the several members joining
          the top and bottom chords of a truss or lattice girder

   web-offset
          [web-off.set] n, often attrib (1959): offset printing by
          web press

   web press
          [web press] n (1875): a press that prints a continuous roll
          of paper

   web spinner
          [web spinner] n (ca. 1907): an insect that spins a web; esp:
          any of an order (Embioptera syn. Embiidina) of small
          slender insects with biting mouthparts that live in silken
          tunnels which they spin

   webster
          [web.ster] n [ME, fr. OE webbestre female weaver, fr. webbian
          to weave; akin to OE wefan to weave] (12c) archaic: weaver
          1

   webwork
          [web.work] n (1790): web 5b <a vast ~ of real estate holdings>

   webworm
          [web.worm] n (1797): any of various caterpillars that are
          more or less gregarious and spin large webs

   wed
          [wed] vb wed.ded also wed ; wed.ding [ME wedden, fr. OE weddian;
          akin to MHG wetten to pledge, OE wedd pledge, OHG wetti,
          Goth wadi, L vad-, vas bail, security] vt (bef. 12c)
          1: to take for wife or husband by a formal ceremony:
          marry 2: to join in marriage 3: to unite as if by the
          bond of marriage ~ vi: to enter into matrimony -- wed.der
          n

   we'd
          [we'd] (1603): we had: we would: we should

   Weddell seal
          [Wed.dell seal] n [James Weddell d. 1834 Eng. navigator]
          (1914): a vocal Antarctic hair seal (Leptonychotes weddelli)
          noted for its deep dives in search of food

   wedding
          [wed.ding] n, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1: a marriage ceremony
          usu. with its accompanying festivities: nuptials 2: an
          act, process, or instance of joining in close association
          3: a wedding anniversary or its celebration--usu. used
          in combination <a golden ~>

   wedding cake
          [wedding cake] n (1648) 1: a usu. elaborately decorated and
          tiered cake made for the celebration of a wedding 2:
          something (as a large building) likened to a wedding
          cake esp. in elaborate ornamentation

   wedding march
          [wedding march] n (1850): a march of slow tempo and stately
          character composed or played to accompany the bridal
          procession

   wedding ring
          [wedding ring] n (14c): a ring often of plain gold or platinum
          given by the groom to the bride during the wedding service;
          also: a similar ring given by the bride to the groom
          in a double-ring service

   wedel
          [we.del] vi [G Wedeln] (ca. 1963): to ski downhill by means
          of wedeln

   wedeln
          [we.deln] n [G, fr. wedeln, lit., to fan, wag the tail, fr.
          Wedel fan, tail, fr. OHG wadal; akin to ON veli bird's
          tail] (ca. 1957): a style of skiing in which a skier
          rhythmically swings the rear of the skis from side to
          side while following the fall line

   [1]wedge
          [wedge] n [ME wegge, fr. OE wecg; akin to OHG wecki wedge,
          Lith vagis] (bef. 12c) 1: a piece of a substance (as
          wood or iron) that tapers to a thin edge and is used
          for splitting wood and rocks, raising heavy bodies, or
          for tightening by being driven into something 2 a: something
          (as a policy) causing a breach or separation b: something
          used to initiate an action or development 3: something
          wedge-shaped: as a: an array of troops or tanks in the
          form of a wedge b: the wedge-shaped stroke in cuneiform
          characters c: a shoe having a heel extending from the
          back of the shoe to the front of the shank and a tread
          formed by an extension of the sole d: an iron golf club
          with a bro ad low-angled face for maximum loft [2]wedge
          vb wedged ; wedg.ing vt (15c) 1: to fasten or tighten
          by driving in a wedge 2 a: to force or press (something)
          into a narrow space: cram b: to force (one's way) into
          or through <wedged his way into the crowd> 3: to separate
          or force apart with or as if with a wedge ~ vi: to become
          wedged

   wedged
          [wedged] adj (1552): shaped like a wedge

   wedgie
          [wedg.ie] n (1939) 1: a shoe having a wedge-shaped piece
          serving as the heel and joining the half sole to form
          a continuous flat undersurface 2: the condition of having
          one's clothing wedged between the buttocks esp. from
          having one's pants or underpants yanked up from behind
          as a prank--often used with get or give

   Wedgwood
          [Wedg.wood] trademark--used for ceramic wares (as bone china
          or jasper)

   wedgy
          [wedgy] adj (1799): resembling a wedge in shape

   wedlock
          [wed.lock] n [ME wedlok, fr. OE wedlac marriage bond, fr.
          wedd pledge + -lac, suffix denoting activity] (13c):
          the state of being married: marriage, matrimony -- out
          of wedlock : with the natural parents not legally married
          to each other

   Wednesday
          [Wednes.day] n [ME, fr. OE wodnesdaeg (akin to ON othinsdagr
          Wednesday); akin to OE Woden Odin and daeg day] (bef.
          12c): the fourth day of the week -- Wednes.days adv

   wee
          [wee] adj [ME we, fr. we, n., little bit, fr. OE waege weight;
          akin to OE wegan to move, weigh--more at way] (15c) 1:
          very small: diminutive 2: very early <~ hours of the
          morning>

   [1]weed
          [weed] n [ME, fr. OE weod weed, herb; akin to OS wiod weed]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a plant that is not valued where
          it is growing and is usu. of vigorous growth; esp: one
          that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants
          (2): a weedy growth of plants b: an aquatic plant; esp:
          seaweed c (1): tobacco (2): marijuana 2 a: an obnoxious
          growth, thing, or person b: something like a weed in
          detrimental quality; esp: an animal unfit to breed from
          [2]weed vi (bef. 12c): to remove weeds or something harmful
          ~ vt 1 a: to clear of weeds <~ a garden> b (1): to free
          from something hurtful or offensive (2): to remove the
          less desirable portions of 2: to get rid of (something
          harmful or superfluous)--often used with out [3]weed
          n [ME wede, fr. OE waed, gewaede; akin to ON vath cloth,
          clothing and perh. to Lith austi to weave] (bef. 12c)
          1: garment--often used in pl. 2 a: dress worn as a sign
          of mourning (as by a widow)--usu. used in pl. b: a band
          of crape worn on a man's hat as a sign of mourning--usu.
          used in pl.

   weeder
          [weed.er] n (15c): one that weeds; specif: any of various
          devices for removing weeds from an area

   weedy
          [weedy] adj (15c) 1: abounding with or consisting of weeds
          2: resembling a weed esp. in rank growth or ready propagation
          3: noticeably lean and scrawny: lanky -- weed.i.ness
          n

   week
          [week] n [ME weke, fr. OE wicu, wucu; akin to OHG wehha week
          and perh. to L vicis change, alternation, OHG wehsal
          exchange] (bef. 12c) 1 a: any of a series of 7-day cycles
          used in various calendars; esp: a 7-day cycle beginning
          on Sunday and ending on Saturday b (1): a week beginning
          with a specified day or containing a specified holiday
          <the ~ of the 18th> <Easter ~> (2): a week appointed
          for public recognition of some cause <Fire Prevention
          Week> 2 a: any seven consecutive days b: a series of
          regular working, business, or school days during each
          7-day period 3: a time seven days before or after a specified
          day <last Sunday ~>

   weekday
          [week.day] n (15c): a day of the week except Sunday or sometimes
          except Saturday and Sunday

   weekdays
          [week.days] adv (1777): on weekdays repeatedly: on any weekday
          <takes a bus ~>

   [1]weekend
          [week.end] n (1638): the end of the week; specif: the period
          between the close of one working or business or school
          week and the beginning of the next [2]weekend vi (1901):
          to spend the weekend [3]weekend adj (1935): active in
          a specified role only on weekends or part-time <a ~ father>
          <~ athletes>

   weekend bag
          [weekend bag] n (1921): a suitcase of a size to carry clothing
          and personal articles for a weekend trip--called also
          weekend case

   weekender
          [week.end.er] n (1880) 1: one that vacations or visits for
          a weekend 2: weekend bag

   weekends
          [week.ends] adv (1892): on weekends repeatedly: on any weekend
          <travels ~>

   weeklong
          [week.long] adj (1898): lasting a week

   [1]weekly
          [week.ly] adv (15c): every week: once a week: by the week
          [2]weekly adj (15c) 1: occurring, appearing, or done
          weekly 2: reckoned by the week [3]weekly n, pl weeklies
          (1833): a weekly newspaper or periodical

   weeknight
          [week.night] n (1859): a weekday night

   weeknights
          [week.nights] adv (1965): on weeknights repeatedly: on any
          weeknight

   ween
          [ween] vt [ME wenen, fr. OE wenan; akin to ON vaena to hope
          and prob. to L venus love, charm--more at win] (bef.
          12c) archaic: imagine

   weenie
          [wee.nie] n (ca. 1906) 1: frankfurter 2 slang: penis 3: nerd
          <computer ~s>

   weeny
          [wee.ny] also ween.sy adj [alter. of wee] (ca. 1781): exceptionally
          small: tiny

   weep
          [weep] vb wept ; weep.ing [ME wepen, fr. OE wepan; akin to
          OHG wuoffan to weep, OCS vabiti to call to] vt (bef.
          12c) 1: to express deep sorrow for usu. by shedding tears:
          bewail 2: to pour forth (tears) from the eyes 3: to exude
          (a fluid) slowly: ooze ~ vi 1: to express passion (as
          grief) by shedding tears 2 a: to give off or leak fluid
          slowly: ooze b of a fluid: to flow sluggishly or in drops
          3: to droop over: bend

   weeper
          [weep.er] n (14c) 1 a: one that weeps b: a professional mourner
          2: a small statue of a figure in mourning on a funeral
          monument 3: a badge of mourning worn esp. in the 18th
          and 19th centuries 4 pl: long and flowing side-whiskers
          5: tearjerker

   weep hole
          [weep hole] n (1851): a hole (as in a wall or foundation)
          that is designed to drain off accumulated water

   weepie
          [weep.ie] n (1928): tearjerker

   weeping
          [weep.ing] adj (bef. 12c) 1: tearful 2 archaic: rainy 3:
          having slender pendent branches

   weeping willow
          [weeping willow] n (ca. 1731): an Asian willow (Salix babylonica)
          introduced into No. America that has slender pendent
          branches

   weepy
          [weepy] adj (1863): inclined to weep: tearful

   weet
          [weet] vb [ME weten, alter. of witen--more at wit] (14c)
          archaic: know

   weevil
          [wee.vil] n [ME wevel, fr. OE wifel; akin to OHG wibil beetle,
          OE wefan to weave] (bef. 12c): any of a superfamily
          (Curculionoidea) of beetles which have the head prolonged into
          a more or less distinct snout and which include many that are
          injurious esp. as larvae to nuts, fruit, and grain or to living
          plants; esp: any of a family (Curculionidae) having
          a well-developed snout curved downward with the jaws at the tip and
          clubbed usu. elbowed antennae -- wee.vily or wee.vil.ly adj

   weft
          [weft] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to ON veptr weft, OE wefan to
          weave--more at weave] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a filling thread
          or yarn in weaving b: yarn used for the weft 2: web,
          fabric; also: an article of woven fabric

   weft knit
          [weft knit] n (1943): a knit fabric produced in machine or
          hand knitting with the yarns running crosswise or in
          a circle--compare warp knit -- weft-knit.ted adj -- weft
          knit.ting n

   weigela
          [wei.ge.la] n [NL, fr. Christian E. Weigel d. 1831 Ger. physician]
          (1846): any of a genus (Weigela) of showy shrubs of the honeysuckle
          family; esp: one (W. florida) of China widely grown for its usu.
          pink or red flowers

   [1]weigh
          [weigh] vb [ME weyen, fr. OE wegan to move, carry, weigh--more
          at way] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to ascertain the heaviness of
          by or as if by a balance 2 a: outweigh b: counterbalance
          c: to make heavy: weight--often used with down 3: to
          consider carefully esp. by balancing opposing factors
          or aspects in order to reach a choice or conclusion:
          evaluate 4: to heave up (an anchor) preparatory to sailing
          5: to measure or apportion (a definite quantity) on or
          as if on a scales ~ vi 1 a: to have a certain heaviness:
          experience a specific force due to gravity b: to register
          a weight (as on a scales)--used with in or out--compare
          weigh in 2: to merit consideration as important: count
          <evidence will ~ heavily against him> 3 a: to press down
          with or as if with a heavy weight b: to have a saddening
          or disheartening effect 4: to weigh anchor syn see consider
          -- weigh.able adj -- weigh.er n [2]weigh n [alter. of
          way] (1777): way--used in the phrase under weigh

   weigh down
          [weigh down] vt (14c) 1: to cause to bend down: overburden
          2: oppress, depress

   weigh-in
          [weigh-in] n (1939): an act or instance of weighing in as
          a contestant esp. in sport

   weigh in
          [weigh in] vi (1868) 1: to have oneself or one's possessions
          (as baggage) weighed; esp: to have oneself weighed in
          connection with an athletic contest 2: to enter as a
          participant

   [1]weight
          [weight] n [ME wight, weght, fr. OE wiht; akin to ON vaett
          weight, OE wegan to weigh] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the amount
          that a thing weighs b (1): the standard or established
          amount that a thing should weigh (2): one of the classes
          into which contestants in a sports event are divided
          according to body weight (3): poundage required to be
          carried by a horse in a handicap race 2 a: a quantity
          or thing weighing a fixed and usu. specified amount b:
          a heavy object (as a metal ball) thrown, put, or lifted
          as an athletic exercise or contest 3 a: a unit of weight
          or mass b: a piece of material (as metal) of known specified
          weight for use in weighing articles c: a system of related
          units of weight 4 a: something heavy: load b: a heavy
          object to hold or press something down or to counterbalance
          5 a: burden, pressure b: the quality or state of being
          ponderous c: corpulence 6 a: relative heaviness: mass
          b: the force with which a body is attracted toward the
          earth or a celestial body by gravitation and which is
          equal to the product of the mass and the local gravitational
          acceleration 7 a: the relative importance or authority
          accorded something b: measurable influence esp. on others
          8: overpowering force 9: the quality (as lightness) that
          makes a fabric or garment suitable for a particular use
          or season--often used in combination <summer-weight>
          10: a numerical coefficient assigned to an item to express
          its relative importance in a frequency distribution 11:
          the degree of thickness of the strokes of a type character
          syn see importance, influence [2]weight vt (1647) 1:
          to oppress with a burden <~ed down with cares> 2 a: to
          load or make heavy with or as if with a weight b: to
          increase in heaviness by adding an ingredient 3 a: weigh
          1 b: to feel the weight of: heft 4: to assign a statistical
          weight to 5: to cause to incline in a particular direction
          by manipulation <the tax structure ... which was ~ed
          so heavily in favor of the upper classes --A. S. Link>
          6: to shift the burden of weight upon <~ the inside ski>

   weighted
          [weight.ed] adj (ca. 1732) 1: made heavy: loaded <~ silk>
          2 a: having a statistical weight attached <a ~ test score>
          b: compiled or calculated from weighted data <a ~ mean>
          3: inclined 1

   weightless
          [weight.less] adj (ca. 1547): having little weight: lacking
          apparent gravitational pull -- weight.less.ly adv --
          weight.less.ness n

   weight lifter
          [weight lifter] n (1897): one that lifts barbells in competition
          or as an exercise -- weight lifting n

   weight man
          [weight man] n (ca. 1949): an athlete who competes in any
          of the field events in which a weight is thrown or put

   weight room
          [weight room] n (1973): a room containing equipment for weight
          training

   weight training
          [weight training] n (1955): a system of conditioning involving
          lifting weights esp. for strength and endurance

   weighty
          [weighty] adj weight.i.er ; -est (15c) 1 a: of much importance
          or consequence: momentous b: solemn 2 a: weighing a considerable
          amount b: heavy in proportion to its bulk <~ metal> 3:
          powerful, telling <~ arguments> syn see heavy -- weight.i.ly
          adv -- weight.i.ness n

   weimaraner
          [wei.ma.ra.ner] n [G, fr. Weimar, Germany] (1943): any of
          a breed of large light gray usu. short-haired pointers
          of German origin

   weiner
          [wei.ner] var of wiener

   weir
          [weir] n [ME were, fr. OE wer; akin to ON ver fishing place,
          OHG werien, werren to defend] (bef. 12c) 1: a fence or
          enclosure set in a waterway for taking fish 2: a dam
          in a stream or river to raise the water level or divert
          its flow

   [1]weird
          [weird] n [ME wird, werd, fr. OE wyrd; akin to ON urthr fate,
          OE weorthan to become--more at worth] (bef. 12c) 1: fate,
          destiny; esp: ill fortune 2: soothsayer [2]weird adj
          (15c) 1: of, relating to, or caused by witchcraft or
          the supernatural: magical 2: of strange or extraordinary
          character: odd, fantastic -- weird.ly adv -- weird.ness
          n syn weird, eerie, uncanny mean mysteriously strange
          or fantastic. weird may imply an unearthly or supernatural
          strangeness or it may stress queerness or oddness <weird
          creatures from another world>. eerie suggests an uneasy
          or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers
          are at work <an eerie calm preceded the bombing raid>.
          uncanny implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness
          <an uncanny resemblance between total strangers>.

   weirdie
          [weird.ie] or weirdy n, pl weird.ies (1894): weirdo

   weirdo
          [weirdo] n, pl weird.os (ca. 1955): a person who is extraordinarily
          strange or eccentric

   Weird Sisters
          [Weird Sisters] n pl: fates

   weisenheimer
          [wei.sen.hei.mer] var of wisenheimer

   weka
          [weka] n [Maori] (1845): a flightless New Zealand rail (Gallirallus
          australis)

   welch
          [welch] var of welsh Welch var of welsh

   [1]welcome
          [wel.come] vt wel.comed ; wel.com.ing [ME, fr. OE welcumian,
          wylcumian, fr. wilcuma, n.] (bef. 12c) 1: to greet hospitably
          and with courtesy or cordiality 2: to accept with pleasure
          the occurrence or presence of <~s danger> -- wel.com.er
          n [2]welcome interj [ME, alter. of wilcume, fr. OE, fr.
          wilcuma desirable guest (akin to OHG willicomo desirable
          guest); akin to OE willa, will desire, cuman to come--more
          at will, come] (12c)--used to express a greeting to a
          guest or newcomer upon arrival [3]welcome adj (12c) 1:
          received gladly into one's presence or companionship
          <was always ~ in their home> 2: giving pleasure: received
          with gladness or delight esp. in response to a need <a
          ~ relief> 3: willingly permitted or admitted <he was
          ~ to come and go --W. M. Thackeray> 4--used in the phrase
          "You're welcome" as a reply to an expression of thanks
          -- wel.come.ly adv -- wel.come.ness n [4]welcome n (1525)
          1: a greeting or reception usu. upon arrival 2: the state
          of being welcome <overstayed their ~>

   welcome mat
          [welcome mat] n (1946): something likened to a mat placed
          before an entrance as a sign of welcome

   [1]weld
          [weld] vb [alter. of obs. E well to weld, fr. ME wellen to
          boil, well, weld--more at well] vi (1599): to become
          or be capable of being welded ~ vt 1 a: to unite (metallic
          parts) by heating and allowing the metals to flow together
          or by hammering or compressing with or without previous
          heating b: to unite (plastics) in a similar manner by
          heating c: to repair (as an article) by this method d:
          to produce or create as if by such a process 2: to unite
          or reunite closely or intimately -- weld.able adj [2]weld
          n (1831) 1: a welded joint 2: union by welding: the state
          or condition of being welded

   welder
          [weld.er] n (ca. 1828): one that welds: as a or wel.dor :
          one whose work is welding b: a machine used in welding

   weldment
          [weld.ment] n (1941): a unit formed by welding together an
          assembly of pieces

   [1]welfare
          [wel.fare] n [ME, fr. the phrase wel faren to fare well]
          (14c) 1: the state of doing well esp. in respect to good
          fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity 2 a: aid
          in the form of money or necessities for those in need
          b: an agency or program through which such aid is distributed
          [2]welfare adj (1904) 1: of, relating to, or concerned
          with welfare and esp. with improvement of the welfare
          of disadvantaged social groups <~ legislation> 2: receiving
          public welfare benefits <~ families>

   welfare state
          [welfare state] n (1941) 1: a social system based on the
          assumption by a political state of primary responsibility
          for the individual and social welfare of its citizens
          2: a nation or state characterized by the operation of
          the welfare state system

   welfarism
          [wel.far.ism] n (1949): the complex of policies, attitudes,
          and beliefs associated with the welfare state -- wel.far.ist
          n or adj

   welkin
          [wel.kin] n [ME, lit., cloud, fr. OE wolcen; akin to OHG
          wolkan cloud] (12c) 1 a: the vault of the sky: firmament
          b: the celestial abode of God or the gods: heaven 2:
          the upper atmosphere

   we'll
          [we'll] (1578): we will: we shall

   [1]well
          [well] n [ME welle, fr. OE welle; akin to OE weallan to bubble,
          boil, OHG wella wave, Lith vilnis] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an
          issue of water from the earth: a pool fed by a spring
          b: source, origin 2 a: a pit or hole sunk into the earth
          to reach a supply of water b: a shaft or hole sunk to
          obtain oil, brine, or gas 3 a: an enclosure in the middle
          of a ship's hold to protect from damage and facilitate
          the inspection of the pumps b: a compartment in the hold
          of a fishing boat in which fish are kept alive 4: an
          open space extending vertically through floors of a structure
          5: a space having a construction or shape suggesting
          a well for water 6 a: something resembling a well in
          being damp, cool, deep, or dark b: a deep vertical hole
          c: a source from which something may be drawn as needed
          7: a pronounced minimum of a variable in physics <a potential
          ~> [2]well [ME, fr. OE wellan to cause to well; akin
          to OE weallan to bubble, boil] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to rise
          to the surface and usu. flow forth <tears ~ed from her
          eyes> 2: to rise like a flood of liquid <longing ~ed
          up in his breast> ~ vt: to emit in a copious free flow
          [3]well adv bet.ter ; best [ME wel, fr. OE; akin to OHG
          wela well, OE wyllan to wish--more at will] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: in a good or proper manner: justly, rightly b: satisfactorily
          with respect to conduct or action <did ~ in math> 2: in a kindly
          or friendly manner <spoke ~ of your idea> 3 a: with skill
          or aptitude: expertly <paints ~> b: satisfactorily c: with good
          appearance or effect: elegantly <carried himself ~> 4: with careful
          or close attention: attentively 5: to a high degree <~ deserved the
          honor> <a well-equipped kitchen>--often used as an intensifier
          or qualifier <there are ... vacancies pretty ~ all the time
          --Listener> 6: fully, quite <~ worth the price> 7 a: in a way
          appropriate to the facts or circumstances: fittingly, rightly
          b: in a prudent manner: sensibly--used with do 8: in accordance
          with the occasion or circumstances: with propriety or good reason
          <cannot ~ refuse> 9 a: as one could wish: favorably b: with
          material success: advantageously <married ~> 10 a: easily, readily
          <could ~ afford a new car> b: in all likelihood: indeed <it may
          ~ be true> 11: in a prosperous or affluent manner <he lives ~> 12:
          to an extent approaching completeness: thoroughly <after being
          ~ dried with a sponge> 13: without doubt or question: clearly
          <~ knew the penalty> 14: in a familiar manner <knew her ~> 15:
          to a large extent or degree: considerably, far <~ over a million>
          usage see good -- as well 1: in addition: also <there were other
          features as well> 2: to the same extent or degree: as much <open
          as well to the poor as to the rich> 3: with equivalent, comparable,
          or more favorable effect <might just as well have stayed home>
          [4]well interj (bef. 12c) 1--used to indicate resumption
          of discourse or to introduce a remark 2--used to express surprise
          or expostulation [5]well adj (bef. 12c) 1 a: prosperous, well-off
          b: being in satisfactory condition or circumstances 2: being
          in good standing or favor 3: satisfactory, pleasing <all's ~ that
          ends well> 4: advisable, desirable <it might be ~ for you to leave>
          5 a: free or recovered from infirmity or disease: healthy <a ~ man>
          b: completely cured or healed <the wound is nearly ~> 6: pleasing
          or satisfactory in appearance 7: being a cause for thankfulness:
          fortunate <it is ~ that this has happened> syn see healthy usage
          see good

   well-adjusted
          [well-ad.just.ed] adj (1692): well-balanced 2

   well-advised
          [well-ad.vised] adj (14c) 1: acting with wisdom, wise counsel,
          or proper deliberation: prudent 2: resulting from, based
          on, or showing careful deliberation or wise counsel <~
          plans>

   well-appointed
          [well-ap.point.ed] adj (1530): having good and complete equipment:
          properly fitted out <a ~ house>

   wellaway
          [wel.la.way] interj [ME welaway, fr. OE weilawei, lit., woe
          lo woe, alter. of walawa, fr. wa woe + la lo + wa woe--more
          at woe] (bef. 12c) archaic--used to express sorrow or
          lamentation

   well-balanced
          [well-ba.lanced] adj (1629) 1: nicely or evenly balanced,
          arranged, or regulated <a ~ diet> <a ~ attack in football>
          2: emotionally or psychologically untroubled

   well-being
          [well-be.ing] n (ca. 1613): the state of being happy, healthy,
          or prosperous: welfare

   wel l-beloved
          [wel l-be.loved] adj (14c) 1: sincerely and deeply loved
          <my ~ wife> 2: sincerely respected--used in various ceremonial
          forms of address

   wellborn
          [well.born] adj (bef. 12c): born of noble or wealthy lineage

   well-bred
          [well-bred] adj (1597) 1: having or displaying good breeding:
          refined 2: having a good pedigree <~ swine>

   well-conditioned
          [well-con.di.tioned] adj (15c) 1: characterized by proper
          disposition, morals, or behavior 2: having a good physical
          condition: sound

   well deck
          [well deck] n (1888): a space on the weather deck of a ship
          lying at a lower level between a raised forecastle or
          poop and the bridge superstructure

   well-defined
          [well-de.fined] adj (1704) 1: having clearly distinguishable
          limits, boundaries, or features <a ~ scar> 2: clearly
          stated or described <~ policies>

   well-disposed
          [well-dis.posed] adj (14c): having a good disposition; esp:
          disposed to be friendly, favorable, or sympathetic

   well-done
          [well-done] adj (15c) 1: rightly or properly performed 2:
          cooked thoroughly

   Wellerism
          [Wel.ler.ism] n [Sam Weller, witty servant of Mr. Pickwick
          in the story Pickwick Papers (1836-37) by Charles Dickens]
          (1839): an expression of comparison comprising a usu.
          well-known quotation followed by a facetious sequel (as
          " 'every one to his own taste,' said the old woman as
          she kissed the cow")

   well-favored
          [well-fa.vored] adj (15c): good-looking, handsome --
          well-fa.vored.ness n

   well-fixed
          [well-fixed] adj (1822): having plenty of money or property

   well-found
          [well-found] adj (1793): fully furnished: properly equipped
          <a ~ ship>

   well-founded
          [well-found.ed] adj (14c): based on excellent reasoning,
          information, judgment, or grounds

   well-groomed
          [well-groomed] adj (1886) 1: well-dressed and scrupulously
          neat <~ men> 2: made neat, tidy, and attractive down
          to the smallest details <a ~ lawn>

   well-grounded
          [well-ground.ed] adj (14c) 1: having a firm foundation <~
          in Latin and Greek> 2: well-founded

   well-handled
          [well-han.dled] adj (15c) 1: managed or administered efficiently
          2: having been handled a great deal <~ goods for sale>

   wellhead
          [well.head] n (14c) 1: the source of a spring or a stream
          2: principal source: fountainhead 3: the top of or a
          structure built over a well

   wellhead price
          [wellhead price] n (1953): the price less transportation
          costs charged by the producer for petroleum or natural
          gas

   well-heeled
          [well-heeled] adj (1897): having plenty of money: well-fixed

   wellie
          [wel.lie] or wel.ly n, pl wellies [by shortening & alter.]
          (1961) chiefly Brit: wellington--usu. used in pl.

   well-informed
          [well-in.formed] adj (15c) 1: having extensive knowledge
          esp. of current topics and events 2: thoroughly knowledgeable
          in a particular subject

   Wellington
          [Wel.ling.ton] n [Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington]
          (1817): a boot having a loose top with the front usu.
          coming to or above the knee--usu. used in pl.

   well-intentioned
          [well-in.ten.tioned] adj (1598): well-meaning

   well-knit
          [well-knit] adj (15c): firmly knit <a ~ group>; esp: firmly
          and strongly constructed, compacted, or framed <a ~ drama>

   well-known
          [well-known] adj (15c): fully or widely known

   well-meaning
          [well-mean.ing] adj (1532) 1: having good intentions <~ but
          misguided idealists> 2: based on good intentions <~ advice>

   well-meant
          [well-meant] adj (15c): well-meaning 2

   wellness
          [well.ness] n (1654): the quality or state of being in good
          health esp. as an actively sought goal <~ clinics> <lifestyles
          that promote ~>

   well-nigh
          [well-nigh] adv (12c): almost, nearly <~ impossible>

   well-off
          [well-off] adj (1733) 1: being in good condition or favorable
          circumstances <doesn't know when he's ~> 2: having no
          lack--usu. used with for 3 a: being in easy or affluent
          circumstances: well-to-do b: suggesting prosperity <the
          house had a sleek ~ look>

   well-oiled
          [well-oiled] adj (1847): smoothly functioning <a ~ political
          machine>

   well-ordered
          [well-or.dered] adj (1589) 1: having an orderly procedure
          or arrangement <a ~ household> 2: partially ordered with
          every subset containing a first element and exactly one
          of the relationships "greater than", "less than", or
          "equal to" holding for any given pair of elements --
          well-or.der.ing n

   well-read
          [well-read] adj (1596): well informed or deeply versed through
          reading <~ in history>

   well-rounded
          [well-round.ed] adj (1875): fully or broadly developed: as
          a: having a broad educational background <schools that
          turn out ~ graduates> b: comprehensive <a ~ program of
          activities>

   well-set
          [well-set] adj (14c) 1: well or firmly established <~ in
          his own values --William Johnson> 2: strongly built <a
          ~ athlete>

   well-spoken
          [well-spo.ken] adj (15c) 1: speaking well, fitly, or courteously
          2: spoken with propriety <~ words>

   wellspring
          [well.spring] n (bef. 12c): a source of continual supply
          <a ~ of information>

   well-taken
          [well-tak.en] adj (1761): well-grounded, justifiable <your
          point is ~>

   well-thought-of
          [well-thought-of] adj (1579): being of good repute

   well-timed
          [well-timed] adj (ca. 1656): happening at an opportune moment:
          timely <a ~ announcement>

   well-to-do
          [well-to-do] adj (1825): having more than adequate financial
          resources: prosperous <a ~ family>

   well-turned
          [well-turned] adj (1616) 1: symmetrically shaped or rounded:
          shapely 2: concisely and appropriately expressed <a ~
          phrase> 3: expertly rounded or turned <a ~ column>

   well-wisher
          [well-wish.er] n (1590): one that wishes well to another
          -- well-wish.ing adj or n

   well-worn
          [well-worn] adj (1621) 1 a: made trite by overuse: hackneyed
          <a ~ quotation> b: having been much used or worn <~ shoes>
          2 archaic: worn well or properly

   welsh
          [welsh] vi [prob. fr. Welsh, adj.] (1905) 1: to avoid payment--used
          with on <~ed on his debts> 2: to break one's word: renege <~ed
          on their promises> -- welsh.er n Welsh n [ME Walsche, Welsse, fr.
          walisch, welisch, adj., Welsh, fr. OE waelisc, welisc Celtic,
          Welsh, foreign, fr. OE Wealh Celt, Welshman, foreigner, of Celt
          origin; akin to the source of L Volcae, a Celtic people
          of southeastern Gaul] (bef. 12c) 1: the Celtic language of the
          Welsh people 2 pl in constr: the natives or inhabitants of Wales
          3: welsh pony -- Welsh adj

   Welsh black
          [Welsh black] n (1919): any of a breed of hardy medium-sized
          thick-haired horned black cattle of Welsh origin that
          are raised for meat and milk

   Welsh cob
          [Welsh cob] n (1947): any of a breed of medium-sized cobby
          horses that were developed by interbreeding Welsh mountain
          ponies with larger horses

   Welsh corgi
          [Welsh corgi] n (1926): a short-legged long-backed dog with
          foxy head of either of two breeds of Welsh origin: a:
          cardigan welsh corgi b: pembroke welsh corgi

   Welshman
          [Welsh.man] n (13c): a native or inhabitant of Wales

   Welsh mountain pony
          [Welsh mountain pony] n (1947): any of a breed of small sturdy
          ponies native to the mountains of Wales that do not exceed
          12.2 hands (124 centimeters) in height

   Welsh pony
          [Welsh pony] n (1771): a pony of any of several breeds of
          Welsh origin; esp: any of a breed of riding and light
          draft ponies measuring 12.2 to 13.2 hands (124 to 134
          centimeters) in height

   Welsh rabbit
          [Welsh rabbit] n (1725): melted often seasoned cheese poured
          over toast or crackers

   Welsh rarebit
          [Welsh rare.bit] n [by alter.] (1785): welsh rabbit

   Welsh springer spaniel
          [Welsh springer spaniel] n (ca. 1929): any of a breed of
          red and white or orange and white small-eared springer
          spaniels of Welsh origin

   Welsh terrier
          [Welsh terrier] n (1885): any of a breed of wiry-coated terriers
          resembling Airedales but smaller and developed in Wales
          for hunting

   Welshwoman
          [Welsh.wom.an] n (15c): a woman who is a native or inhabitant
          of Wales

   [1]welt
          [welt] n [ME welte] (15c) 1: a strip between a shoe sole
          and upper through which they are stitched or stapled
          together 2: a doubled edge, strip, insert, or seam (as
          on a garment) for ornament or reinforcement 3 a: a ridge
          or lump raised on the body usu. by a blow b: a heavy
          blow [2]welt vt (15c) 1: to furnish with a welt 2 a:
          to raise a welt on the body of b: to hit hard

   weltanschauung
          [welt.an.schau.ung] n, pl weltanschauungs or welt.an.schau.ung.en
          often cap [G, fr. Welt world + Anschauung view] (1868):
          a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world
          esp. from a specific standpoint

   Weltbild
          [Welt.bild] [G] foreign term : conception of the world

   [1]welter
          [wel.ter] vi wel.tered ; wel.ter.ing [ME; akin to MD welteren
          to roll, OHG walzan, Lith volioti, L volvere--more at
          voluble] (14c) 1 a: writhe, toss; also: wallow b: to
          rise and fall or toss about in or with waves 2: to become
          deeply sunk, soaked, or involved 3: to be in turmoil
          [2]welter n (1596) 1: a state of wild disorder: turmoil
          2: a chaotic mass or jumble <a bewildering ~ of data>
          [3]welter n (1900): welterweight

   welterweight
          [wel.ter.weight] n [welter (prob. fr. [1]welt) + weight]
          (ca. 1892): a boxer in a weight division having a maximum
          limit of 147 pounds--compare lightweight, middleweight

   weltschmerz
          [welt.schmerz] n, often cap [G, fr. Welt world + Schmerz
          pain] (1875) 1: mental depression or apathy caused by
          comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal
          state 2: a mood of sentimental sadness

   [1]wen
          [wen] n [ME wenn, fr. OE; akin to MLG wene wen] (bef. 12c):
          an abnormal growth or a cyst protruding from a surface
          esp. of the skin [2]wen var of wynn

   [1]wench
          [wench] n [ME wenche, short for wenchel child, fr. OE wencel;
          akin to OHG wankon to totter, waver and prob. to OHG
          winchan to stagger--more at wink] (14c) 1 a: a young
          woman: girl b: a female servant 2: a lewd woman: prostitute
          [2]wench vi (1599): to consort with lewd women; esp:
          to practice fornication -- wench.er n

   wend
          [wend] vb [ME, fr. OE wendan; akin to OHG wenten to turn,
          OE windan to twist--more at wind] vi (bef. 12c): to direct
          one's course: travel ~ vt: to proceed on (one's way):
          direct Wend n [G Wende, fr. OHG Winida; akin to OE Winedas,
          pl., Wends] (1786): a member of a Slavic people of eastern
          Germany

   [1]Wendish
          [Wend.ish] adj (1614): of or relating to the Wends or their
          language [2]Wendish n (1617): the West Slavic language
          of the Wends

   went
          [went] [ME, past & pp. of wenden to wend] past of go

   wentletrap
          [wen.tle.trap] n [D wenteltrap winding stair, fr. MD wendeltrappe,
          fr. wendel turning + trappe stairs] (1758): any of a family
          (Epitoniidae) of marine snails with usu. white shells; also: one
          of the shells

   wept
          [wept] past and past part of weep

   we're
          [we're] (1608): we are

   were
          [were] [ME were (suppletive sing. past subj. & 2d sing. past
          indic. of been to be), weren (suppletive past pl. of
          been), fr. OE waere (sing. past subj. & 2d sing. past
          indic. of wesan to be), waeron (past pl. indic. of wesan),
          waeren (past pl. subj. of wesan)--more at was] past 2d
          sing, past pl, or past subjunctive of be

   weren't
          [weren't] (1865): were not

   werewolf
          [were.wolf] n, pl were.wolves [ME, fr. OE werwulf (akin to
          OHG werwolf werewolf), fr. wer man + wulf wolf--more
          at virile, wolf] (bef. 12c): a person transformed into
          a wolf or capable of assuming a wolf's form

   wergild
          [wer.gild] or wer.geld n [ME wergeld, fr. OE, fr. wer man
          + -geld, alter. of gield, geld payment, tribute--more
          at geld] (13c): the value set in Anglo-Saxon and Germanic
          law upon human life in accordance with rank and paid
          as compensation to the kindred or lord of a slain person

   wert
          [wert] archaic past 2d sing of be

   Wertfreiheit
          [Wert.frei.heit] [G] foreign term : freedom from value judgments:
          ethical neutrality

   weskit
          [wes.kit] n [alter. of waistcoat] (1856): vest 2a

   Wesleyanism
          [Wes.ley.an.ism] n (1774): methodism 1; specif: the system
          of Arminian Methodism taught by John Wesley -- Wes.ley.an
          adj or n

   [1]west
          [west] adv [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG westar to the west and
          prob. to L vesper evening, Gk hesperos] (bef. 12c): to,
          toward, or in the west [2]west adj (bef. 12c) 1: situated
          toward or at the west <the ~ exit> 2: coming from the
          west <a ~ wind> [3]west n (12c) 1 a: the general direction
          of sunset: the direction to the left of one facing north
          b: the compass point directly opposite to east 2 cap
          a: regions or countries lying to the west of a specified
          or implied point of orientation b: the noncommunist countries
          of Europe and America 3: the end of a church opposite
          the chancel 4 often cap a: the one of four positions
          at 90-degree intervals that lies to the west or at the
          left of a diagram b: a person (as a bridge player) occupying
          this position during a specified activity

   westbound
          [west.bound] adj (1881): traveling or heading west

   west by north
          [west by north] (1760): a compass point that is one point
          north of due west: N78 degrees 45 minutes W

   west by south
          [west by south] (1577): a compass point that is one point
          south of due west: S78 degrees 45 minutes W

   wester
          [west.er] vi west.ered ; west.er.ing [ME westren, fr. [1]west]
          (14c): to turn or move westward <the half moon ~s low
          --A. E. Housman>

   [1]westerly
          [west.er.ly] adj or adv [obs. wester western] (15c) 1: situated
          toward or belonging to the west <the ~ end of the farm>
          2: coming from the west <a ~ breeze> [2]westerly n, pl
          -lies (1876): a wind from the west

   [1]western
          [west.ern] adj [ME westerne, fr. OE; akin to OHG westroni
          western, OE west] (bef. 12c) 1 a: coming from the west
          <a ~ storm> b: lying toward the west 2 cap: of, relating
          to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated
          West: as a: steeped in or stemming from the Greco-Roman
          traditions b: of or relating to the noncommunist countries
          of Europe and America c: of or relating to the American
          West 3 cap: of or relating to the Roman Catholic or Protestant
          segment of Christianity <Western liturgies> -- west.ern.most
          adj [2]western n (1612) 1: one that is produced in or
          characteristic of a western region and esp. the western
          U.S. 2 often cap: a novel, story, motion picture, or
          broadcast dealing with life in the western U.S. esp.
          during the latter half of the 19th century

   Western blot
          [Western blot] n [after Southern blot] (1983): a blot that
          consists of a nitrocellulose sheet containing spots of
          protein for identification by a suitable molecular probe
          and is used esp. for the detection of antibodies -- Western
          blotting n

   Westerner
          [West.ern.er] n (1599) 1: a native or inhabitant of the West;
          esp: a native or resident of the western part of the
          U.S. 2: one advocating the adoption of western European
          culture esp. in 19th century Russia

   western hemisphere
          [western hemisphere] n, often cap W&H (1624): the half of
          the earth comprising No. and So. America and surrounding
          waters

   westernisation, westernise
          [west.ern.i.sa.tion, west.ern.ise] Brit var of westernization,
          westernize

   westernization
          [west.ern.i.za.tion] n, often cap (1904): conversion to or
          adoption of western traditions or techniques

   westernize
          [west.ern.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing often cap vt (1837): to
          imbue with qualities native to or associated with a western
          region and esp. the noncommunist countries of Europe
          and America ~ vi: to become westernized

   western omelet
          [western omelet] n (1951): an omelet made usu. with diced
          ham, green pepper, and onion--called also Denver omelet

   western red cedar
          [western red cedar] n (1886): red cedar 2; also: its wood

   western saddle
          [western saddle] n, often cap W (1897): a deep-seated saddle
          with a high pommel and broad skirts and fenders used
          orig. by cattlemen--called also stock saddle--see saddle
          illustration

   western sandwich
          [western sandwich] n (1926): a sandwich filled with a western
          omelet--called also Denver sandwich

   western swing
          [western swing] n (1973): swing music played typically on
          country-music instruments (as guitar, fiddle, or steel
          guitar)

   West Germanic
          [West Germanic] n (1894): a subdivision of the Germanic languages
          including English, Frisian, Dutch, and German

   West Highland white terrier
          [West Highland white terrier] n (ca. 1904): any of a breed
          of small white long-coated terriers developed in Scotland--called
          also Westie

   westing
          [west.ing] n (1628): westerly progress: a going westward

   Westm
          [Westm] abbreviation Westmeath, Westmorland

   west-northwest
          [west-northwest] n (15c): a compass point that is two points
          north of due west: N67 degrees 30 minutes W

   Westphalian ham
          [West.pha.lian ham] n [Westphalia, Germany] (1664): a ham
          of distinctive flavor produced by smoking with juniper
          brush

   West Saxon
          [West Saxon] n (14c) 1: a member or a descendant of the Saxons
          who occupied England largely south of the Thames, west
          of the Downs, and east of Dartmoor 2: a dialect of Old
          English used as the chief literary dialect in England
          before the Norman Conquest

   west-southwest
          [west-southwest] n (1555): a compass point that is two points
          south of due west: S67 degrees 30 minutes W

   [1]westward
          [west.ward] adv or adj (bef. 12c): toward the west -- west.wards
          adv [2]westward n (1652): westward direction or part
          <sail to the ~>

   [1]wet
          [wet] adj wet.ter ; wet.test [ME, partly fr. pp. of weten
          to wet & partly fr. OE waet wet; akin to ON vatr wet,
          OE waeter water] (bef. 12c) 1 a: consisting of, containing,
          covered with, or soaked with liquid (as water) b of natural
          gas: containing appreciable quantities of readily condensable
          hydrocarbons 2: rainy 3: still moist enough to smudge
          or smear <~ paint> 4 a: drunk 1a <a ~ driver> b: having
          or advocating a policy permitting the manufacture and
          sale of alcoholic beverages <a ~ county> <a ~ candidate>
          5: preserved in liquid 6: employing or done by means
          of or in the presence of water or other liquid <~ extraction
          of copper> 7: overly sentimental 8 Brit a: lacking strength
          of character: weak, spineless <thought him ~ and violence
          petrified him --William Golding> b: belonging to the
          moderate or liberal wing of the Conservative party --
          wet.ly adv -- wet.ness n -- all wet : completely wrong:
          in error -- wet behind the ears : immature, inexperienced
          syn wet, damp, dank, moist, humid mean covered or more
          or less soaked with liquid. wet usu. implies saturation
          but may suggest a covering of a surface with water or
          something (as paint) not yet dry <slipped on the wet
          pavement>. damp implies a slight or moderate absorption
          and often connotes an unpleasant degree of moisture <clothes
          will mildew if stored in a damp place>. dank implies
          a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness
          <a prisoner in a cold, dank cell>. moist applies to what
          is slightly damp or not felt as dry <treat the injury
          with moist heat>. humid applies to the presence of much
          water vapor in the air <a hot, humid climate>. [2]wet
          n (bef. 12c) 1: water; also: moisture, wetness 2: rainy
          weather: rain 3: an advocate of a policy of permitting
          the sale of intoxicating liquors 4 Brit: one who is wet
          [3]wet vb wet or wet.ted ; wet.ting [ME, fr. OE waetan,
          fr. waet, adj.] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to make wet 2: to urinate
          in or on ~ vi 1: to become wet 2: urinate -- wet one's
          whistle : to take a drink esp. of liquor

   wetback
          [wet.back] n [fr. the practice of wading or swimming the
          Rio Grande where it forms the U.S.-Mexico border] (1929):
          a Mexican who enters the U.S. illegally--sometimes taken
          to be offensive

   wet bar
          [wet bar] n (1967): a bar for mixing drinks (as in a home)
          that contains a sink with running water

   wet blanket
          [wet blanket] n (1857): one that quenches or dampens enthusiasm
          or pleasure

   wet down
          [wet down] vt (1840): to dampen by sprinkling with water

   wet dream
          [wet dream] n (1851): an erotic dream culminating in orgasm
          and in the male accompanied by seminal emission

   wether
          [weth.er] n [ME, ram, fr. OE; akin to OHG widar ram, L vitulus
          calf, vetus old, Gk etos year] (bef. 12c): a male sheep
          castrated before sexual maturity; also: a castrated male
          goat

   wetland
          [wet.land] n (1778): land or areas (as tidal flats or swamps)
          containing much soil moisture--usu. used in pl.

   wet nurse
          [wet nurse] n (1620): a woman who cares for and suckles children
          not her own

   wet-nurse
          [wet-nurse] vt (1784) 1: to act as wet nurse to 2: to give
          constant and often excessive care to

   wet suit
          [wet suit] n (1955): a close-fitting suit made of material
          (as sponge rubber) that traps a thin layer of water against
          the body to retain body heat and that is worn (as by
          a skin diver) esp. in cold water

   wettability
          [wet.ta.bil.i.ty] n (1913): the quality or state of being
          wettable: the degree to which something can be wet

   wettable
          [wet.ta.ble] adj (1885): capable of being wetted

   wetter
          [wet.ter] n (1737): one that wets; also: wetting agent

   wetting agent
          [wetting agent] n (1927): a substance that by becoming adsorbed
          prevents a surface from being repellent to a wetting
          liquid and is used esp. in mixing solids with liquids
          or spreading liquids on surfaces

   wettish
          [wet.tish] adj (1648): somewhat wet: moist

   wet wash
          [wet wash] n (1916): laundry returned damp and not ironed

   we've
          [we've] (1742): we have

   Wex
          [Wex] abbreviation Wexford

   wf...
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   wf
          [wf] abbreviation wrong font

   WFTU
          [WFTU] abbreviation World Federation of Trade Unions

   wh...
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   wh
          [wh] abbreviation which, white  WH abbreviation watt-hour,
          withholding

   WHA
          [WHA] abbreviation World Hockey Association

   [1]whack
          [whack] vb [prob. imit. of the sound of a blow] vt (1719)
          1 a: to strike with a smart or resounding blow b: to
          cut with or as if with a whack: chop 2 chiefly Brit:
          to get the better of: defeat ~ vi: to strike a smart
          or resounding blow -- whack.er n [2]whack n (1736) 1
          a: a smart or resounding blow; also: the sound of or
          as if of such a blow b: a critical attack 2: portion,
          share 3: condition, state 4 a: an opportunity or attempt
          to do something <take a ~ at it> b: a single action or
          occasion <borrowed $50 all at one ~> -- out of whack
          1: out of proper order or shape <threw his knee out of
          whack> 2: not in accord <feeling out of whack with her
          contemporaries --S. E. Rubin>

   whacked-out
          [whacked-out] adj (1967) 1: worn-out, exhausted 2: wacky
          <a ~ parody> 3: stoned <~ on drugs>

   [1]whacking
          [whack.ing] adj (1806): very large: whopping [2]whacking
          adv (1853): very <a ~ good story>

   whacko
          [whacko] var of wacko

   whack off
          [whack off] vb (1969): masturbate--usu. considered vulgar

   whack up
          [whack up] vt (ca. 1893): to divide into shares

   whacky
          [whacky] var of wacky

   [1]whale
          [whale] n, pl whales often attrib [ME, fr. OE hwael; akin
          to OHG hwal whale and perh. to L squalus sea fish] (bef.
          12c) 1 or pl whale : cetacean; esp: one (as a sperm whale
          or killer whale) of larger size 2: one that is impressive
          esp. in size <a ~ of a difference> <a ~ of a good time>
          -- whale.like adj [2]whale vi whaled ; whal.ing (1700):
          to engage in whale fishing [3]whale vt whaled ; whal.ing
          [origin unknown] (ca. 1790) 1: lash, thrash 2: to strike
          or hit vigorously 3: to defeat soundly

   whaleback
          [whale.back] n (1886): something shaped like the back of
          a whale

   whaleboat
          [whale.boat] n (1682) 1: a long narrow rowboat made with
          both ends sharp and raking, often steered with an oar,
          and formerly used by whalers for hunting whales 2: a
          long narrow rowboat or motorboat resembling the original
          whaleboats and often carried by warships and merchant
          ships

   whalebone
          [whale.bone] n (1601) 1: baleen 2: an article made of whalebone

   whalebone whale
          [whalebone whale] n (1725): baleen whale

   whaler
          [whal.er] n (1684) 1: a person or ship engaged in whale fishing
          2: whaleboat 2

   whale shark
          [whale shark] n (ca. 1885): a shark (Rhincodon typus) of
          warm waters that has small teeth, feeds chiefly on plankton
          strained by its gill rakers, may attain a length of up
          to 60 feet (18.3 meters), and is the largest known fish

   whaling
          [whal.ing] n (1688): the occupation of catching and extracting
          commercial products from whales

   [1]wham
          [wham] n [imit.] (1739) 1: a solid blow 2: the loud sound
          of a hard impact [2]wham or wham.mo adv (1924): with
          violent abruptness <everything seemed to be going well,
          when ~ the deal fell through> [3]wham vb whammed ; wham.ming
          vt (1925): to propel, strike, or beat so as to produce
          a loud impact ~ vi: to hit or explode with a loud impact

   whammy
          [wham.my] n, pl whammies [prob. fr. [1]wham] (1940) 1 a:
          a supernatural power bringing bad luck b: a magic curse
          or spell 2: a potent force or attack; specif: a paralyzing
          or lethal blow

   [1]whang
          [whang] n [alter. of ME thong, thwang] (1536) 1 dial a: thong
          b: rawhide 2 Brit: a large piece: chunk 3: penis--often
          considered vulgar [2]whang vt (1684) 1 dial: beat, thrash
          2: to propel or strike with force ~ vi: to beat or work
          with force or violence [3]whang n [imit.] (ca. 1824):
          a loud sharp vibrant or resonant sound [4]whang vi (1875):
          to make a whang ~ vt: to strike with a whang

   whangee
          [whan.gee] n [prob. modif. of Chin (Beijing) huang bamboo]
          (1790) 1: any of several Chinese bamboos (genus Phyllostachys)
          2: a walking stick or riding crop of whangee

   whap
          [whap] var of whop

   wharf
          [wharf] n, pl wharves also wharfs [ME, fr. OE hwearf embankment,
          wharf; akin to OE hweorfan to turn, OHG hwerban, Gk karpos
          wrist] (bef. 12c) 1: a structure built along or at an
          angle from the shore of navigable waters so that ships
          may lie alongside to receive and discharge cargo and
          passengers 2 obs: the bank of a river or the shore of
          the sea

   wharfage
          [wharf.age] n (15c) 1 a: the provision or the use of a wharf
          b: the handling or stowing of goods on a wharf 2: the
          charge for the use of a wharf 3: the wharf accommodations
          of a place: wharves

   wharfinger
          [wharf.in.ger] n [irreg. fr. wharfage] (1552): the operator
          or manager of a commercial wharf

   wharfmaster
          [wharf.mas.ter] n (1618): the manager of a wharf: wharfinger

   [1]what
          [what] pron [ME, fr. OE hwaet, neut. of hwa who--more at
          who] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1)--used as an interrogative expressing
          inquiry about the identity, nature, or value of an object
          or matter <~ is this> <~ is wealth without friends> <~
          does he earn> <~ hath God wrought> (2)--often used to
          ask for repetition of an utterance or part of an utterance
          not properly heard or understood <you said ~> b (1) archaic:
          who 1--used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about
          the identity of a person (2)--used as an interrogative
          expressing inquiry about the character, nature, occupation,
          position, or role of a person <~ do you think I am, a
          fool> <~ is she, that all our swains commend her --Shak.>
          c--used as an exclamation expressing surprise or excitement
          and frequently introducing a question <~, no breakfast>
          d--used in expressions directing attention to a statement
          that the speaker is about to make <you know ~> e--used
          at the end of a question to express inquiry about additional
          possibilities <is it raining, or snowing, or ~> f chiefly
          Brit--used at the end of an utterance as a form of tag
          question <a clever play, ~> 2 chiefly dial: [4]that 1,
          which 3, who 3 3: that which: the one or ones that <no
          income but ~ he gets from his writings>--sometimes used
          in reference to a clause or phrase that is yet to come
          or is not yet complete <gave also, ~ is more valuable,
          understanding> 4 a: whatever 1a <say ~ you will> b obs:
          whoever -- what for 1: for what purpose or reason: why--usu.
          used with the other words of a question between what
          and for <what did you do that for> except when used alone
          2: harsh treatment esp. by blows or by a sharp reprimand
          <gave him what for in violent Spanish --New Yorker> --
          what have you : whatnot <novels, plays, short stories,
          travelogues, and what have you --Haldeen Braddy> -- what
          if 1: what will or would be the result if 2: what does
          it matter if -- what of 1: what is the situation with
          respect to 2: what importance can be assigned to -- what's
          what : the true state of things <knows what's what when
          it comes to fashion> -- what though : what does it matter
          if <what though the rose have prickles, yet 'tis plucked
          --Shak.> [2]what adv (bef. 12c) 1 obs: why 2: in what
          respect: how <~ does he care> 3--used to introduce prepositional
          phrases in parallel construction or a prepositional phrase
          that expresses cause and usu. has more than one object--used
          principally before phrases beginning with with <~ with
          unemployment increasing> <~ with the war, ~ with the
          sweat, ~ with the gallows, and ~ with poverty, I am custom-shrunk
          --Shak.> [3]what adj (13c) 1 a--used as an interrogative
          expressing inquiry about the identity, nature, or value
          of a person, object, or matter <~ minerals do we export>
          b: how remarkable or striking for good or bad qualities--used
          esp. in exclamatory utterances and dependent clauses
          <~ mountains> <remember ~ fun we had> <~ a suggestion>
          <~ a charming girl> 2 a (1): whatever 1a (2): any <ornament
          of ~ description soever> b: the ... that: as much or
          as many ... as <rescued ~ survivors they found>

   what all
          [what all] pron (1702): whatnot

   whatchamacallit
          [what.cha.ma.call.it] n [alter. of what you may call it]
          (1928): thingamajig

   [1]whatever
          [what.ev.er] pron (14c) 1 a: anything or everything that
          <take ~ you want> b: no matter what <~ he says, they
          won't believe him> c: whatnot <buffalo or rhinoceros
          or ~ --Alan Moorehead> 2: what 1a(1)--used to express
          astonishment or perplexity <~ do you mean by that> [2]whatever
          adj (14c) 1 a: any ... that: all ... that <buy peace
          ... on ~ terms could be obtained --C. S. Forester> b:
          no matter what <money, in ~ hands, will confer power
          --Samuel Johnson> 2: of any kind at all--used after the
          substantive it modifies with any or with an expressed
          or implied negative <in any order ~ --W. G. Moulton>
          <no food ~> [3]whatever adv (1870): in any case: whatever
          the case may be--sometimes used interjectionally to suggest
          the unimportance of a decision between alternatives

   what-if
          [what-if] n (1970): a suppositional question

   whatness
          [what.ness] n (1611): quiddity 1

   [1]whatnot
          [what.not] pron [what not?] (1540): any of various other
          things that might also be mentioned <paper clips, pins,
          and ~> [2]whatnot n (1602) 1: a nondescript person or
          thing 2: a light open set of shelves for bric-a-brac

   whatsit
          [what.sit] or what.sis also what-is-it n [whatsit & whatsis
          contr. of what-is-it] (ca. 1882): thingamajig

   whatsoever
          [what.so.ev.er] pron or adj (13c): whatever

   whaup
          [whaup] n, pl whaup also whaups [imit.] (ca. 1512) chiefly
          Scot: a European curlew (Numenius arquata)

   wheal
          [wheal] n [alter. of [1]wale] (1808): a suddenly formed elevation
          of the skin surface: as a: welt b: a flat burning or
          itching eminence on the skin

   wheat
          [wheat] n, often attrib [ME whete, fr. OE hwaete; akin to
          OHG weizzi wheat, hwiz, wiz white--more at white] (bef.
          12c) 1: a cereal grain that yields a fine white flour,
          is the chief breadstuff of temperate climates, is used
          also in pastas (as macaroni or spaghetti), and is important
          in animal feeds 2: any of various annual grasses (genus
          Triticum and esp. T. aestivum and T. turgidum) of wide
          climatic adaptability that are cultivated in most temperate
          areas for the wheat they yield 3: a light yellow

   wheat bread
          [wheat bread] n (14c): a bread made of a combination of white
          and whole wheat flours as distinguished from bread made
          entirely of white or whole wheat flour

   wheat cake
          [wheat cake] n (1772): a pancake made of wheat flour

   wheatear
          [wheat.ear] n [back-formation fr. earlier wheatears wheatear,
          prob. by folk etymology or euphemism fr. white + arse]
          (1591): any of various small thrushes (genus Oenanthe);
          esp: a white-rumped one (O. oenanthe) of Eurasia and
          northern No. America

   [1]wheaten
          [wheat.en] adj (bef. 12c): of, relating to, or made of wheat
          [2]wheaten n (ca. 1931): a pale yellowish to ruddy fawn
          color characteristic of the coat of some dogs

   wheat germ
          [wheat germ] n (1897): the embryo of the wheat kernel separated
          in milling and used esp. as a source of vitamins and
          protein

   wheat rust
          [wheat rust] n (1884): a destructive disease of wheat caused
          by rust fungi; also: a fungus (as Puccinia graminis)
          causing a wheat rust

   Wheatstone bridge
          [Wheat.stone bridge] n [Sir Charles Wheatstone] (1872): a
          bridge for measuring electrical resistances that consists
          of a conductor joining two branches of a circuit

   whee
          [whee] interj (1898)--used to express delight or exuberance

   wheedle
          [whee.dle] vb whee.dled ; whee.dling [origin unknown] vt
          (ca. 1661) 1: to influence or entice by soft words or
          flattery 2: to gain or get by wheedling <~ one's way
          into favor> ~ vi: to use soft words or flattery

   [1]wheel
          [wheel] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE hweogol, hweol; akin
          to ON hvel wheel, Gk kyklos circle, wheel, Skt cakra,
          L colere to cultivate, inhabit, Skt carati he moves,
          wanders] (bef. 12c) 1: a circular frame of hard material
          that may be solid, partly solid, or spoked and that is
          capable of turning on an axle 2: a contrivance or apparatus
          having as its principal part a wheel: as a: a chiefly
          medieval instrument of torture designed for mutilating
          a victim (as by stretching or disjointing) b: bicycle
          c: any of many revolving disks or drums used as gambling
          paraphernalia d: potter's wheel e: steering wheel 3 a:
          an imaginary turning wheel symbolizing the inconstancy
          of fortune b: a recurring course, development, or action:
          cycle 4: something resembling a wheel in shape or motion:
          as a: a round flat cheese b: a firework that rotates
          while burning c: a propeller on a boat 5 a: a curving
          or circular movement b: a rotation or turn usu. about
          an axis or center; specif: a turning movement of troops
          or ships in line in which the units preserve alignment
          and relative positions as they change direction 6 a:
          a moving or essential part of something compared to a
          machine <the ~s of government> b: a directing or controlling
          force c: a person of importance esp. in an organization
          <a big ~> 7: the refrain or burden of a song 8 a: a circuit
          of theaters or places of entertainment b: a sports league
          9 pl, slang: a wheeled vehicle; esp: automobile -- wheel.less
          adj [2]wheel vi (13c) 1: to turn on or as if on an axis:
          revolve 2: to change direction as if revolving on a pivot
          <the battalion would have ~ed to the flank --Walter Bernstein>
          <her mind will ~ around to the other extreme --Liam O'Flaherty>
          3: to move or extend in a circle or curve <birds in ~ing
          flight> <valleys where young cotton ~ed slowly in fanlike
          rows --William Faulkner> 4: to drive or go on or as if
          on wheels or in a wheeled vehicle ~ vt 1: to cause to
          turn on or as if on an axis: rotate 2: to convey or move
          on or as if on wheels or in a wheeled vehicle; esp: to
          drive (a vehicle) at high speed 3: to cause to change
          direction as if revolving on a pivot 4: to make or perform
          in a circle or curve -- wheel and deal : to make deals
          or do business esp. shrewdly or briskly

   wheel and axle
          [wheel and axle] n (ca. 1773): a mechanical device consisting
          of a grooved wheel turned by a cord or chain with a rigidly
          attached axle (as for winding up a weight) together with
          the supporting standards

   wheel animal
          [wheel animal] n (1788): rotifer

   wheel animalcule
          [wheel animalcule] n (1834): rotifer

   [1]wheelbarrow
          [wheel.bar.row] n (14c): a small usu. single-wheeled vehicle
          that is used for carrying small loads and is fitted with
          handles at the rear by which it can be pushed and guided
          [2]wheelbarrow vt (1721): to convey in a wheelbarrow

   wheelbase
          [wheel.base] n (1886): the distance in inches between the
          front and rear axles of an automotive vehicle

   wheel bug
          [wheel bug] n (1815): a large No. American bug (Arilus cristatus)
          that has a high serrated crest on its prothorax and preys
          on other insects

   wheelchair
          [wheel.chair] n (ca. 1700): a chair mounted on wheels esp.
          for the use of disabled persons

   wheeled
          [wheeled] adj (1606) 1: equipped with wheels <~ vehicles>
          2: moving or functioning by means of wheels <~ traffic>

   wheeler
          [wheel.er] n (1683) 1: one that wheels 2: a draft animal
          (as a horse) pulling in the position nearest the front
          wheels of a wagon 3: something (as a vehicle or ship)
          that has wheels--used esp. in combination <side-wheeler>

   wheeler and dealer
          [wheeler and dealer] n, pl wheelers and dealers (1966):
          wheeler-dealer

   wheeler-dealer
          [wheel.er-deal.er] n (1954): a shrewd operator esp. in business
          or politics

   wheelhorse
          [wheel.horse] n (1708) 1: a horse (as in a tandem) in a position
          nearest the wheels 2: a steady and effective worker esp.
          in a political body

   wheelhouse
          [wheel.house] n (1835): pilothouse

   wheelie
          [wheel.ie] n (ca. 1965): a maneuver in which a wheeled vehicle
          (as a bicycle) is momentarily balanced on its rear wheel
          or wheels

   wheeling
          [wheel.ing] n (15c) 1: the act or process of one that wheels
          2: the condition of a road relative to passage on wheels

   wheel lock
          [wheel lock] n (1670): a gun's lock for a muzzle-loading
          firearm in which sparks are struck from a flint or a
          piece of iron pyrites by a revolving wheel

   wheelman
          [wheel.man] n (1865) 1 a: helmsman b: the driver of an automobile
          2: cyclist

   wheelsman
          [wheels.man] n (1866): one who steers with a wheel; esp:
          helmsman

   wheel-thrown
          [wheel-thrown] adj (1975): made on a potter's wheel <~ pottery>

   wheelwork
          [wheel.work] n (1670): wheels in gear and their connections
          in a machine or mechanism

   wheelwright
          [wheel.wright] n (13c): a maker and repairer of wheels and
          wheeled vehicles

   [1]wheen
          [wheen] adj [ME (Sc) quheyne, fr. OE hwaene, hwene, adv.,
          somewhat, fr. instr. of hwon little, few] (14c) dial
          Brit: few 2 [2]wheen n (1680) dial Brit: a considerable
          number or amount

   [1]wheeze
          [wheeze] vi wheezed ; wheez.ing [ME whesen, prob. of Scand
          origin; akin to ON hvaesa to hiss; akin to OE hwaest
          action of blowing, Skt svasiti he blows, snorts] (15c)
          1: to breathe with difficulty usu. with a whistling sound
          2: to make a sound resembling that of wheezing [2]wheeze
          n (1834) 1: a sound of wheezing 2 a: an often repeated
          and widely known joke used esp. by entertainers b: a
          trite saying or proverb

   wheezy
          [wheezy] adj wheez.i.er ; -est (1818) 1: inclined to wheeze
          2: having a wheezing sound -- wheez.i.ly adv -- wheez.i.ness
          n

   [1]whelk
          [whelk] n [ME welke, fr. OE weoloc; akin to MD willoc whelk
          and perh. to L volvere to turn--more at voluble] (bef.
          12c): any of numerous large marine snails (as of the
          genus Buccinum); esp: one (B. undatum) much used as food
          in Europe [2]whelk n [ME whelke, fr. OE hwylca, fr. hwelian
          to suppurate] (bef. 12c): papule, pustule

   whelm
          [whelm] vb [ME] vt (14c) 1: to turn (as a dish or vessel)
          upside down usu. to cover something: cover or engulf
          completely with usu. disastrous effect 2: to overcome
          in thought or feeling: overwhelm ~ vi: to pass or go
          over something so as to bury or submerge it

   [1]whelp
          [whelp] n [ME, fr. OE hwelp; akin to OHG hwelf whelp] (bef.
          12c) 1: any of the young of various carnivorous mammals
          and esp. of the dog 2: a young boy or girl [2]whelp vt
          (13c): to give birth to--used of various carnivores and
          esp. the dog ~ vi: to bring forth young

   [1]when
          [when] adv [ME, fr. OE hwanne, hwenne; akin to OHG hwanne
          when, OE hwa who--more at who] (bef. 12c) 1: at what
          time <~ will you return> 2 a: at or during which time
          b: and then 3: at a former and usu. less prosperous time
          <brag fondly of having known him ~ --Vance Packard> [2]when
          conj [ME, fr. OE hwanne, hwenne, fr. hwanne, hwenne,
          adv.] (bef. 12c) 1 a: at or during the time that: while
          <went fishing ~ he was a boy> b: just at the moment that
          <stop writing ~ the bell rings> c: at any or every time
          that <~ he listens to music, he falls asleep> 2: in the
          event that: if <a contestant is disqualified ~ he disobeys
          the rules> 3 a: considering that <why use water at all
          ~ you can drown in it --Stuart Chase> b: in spite of
          the fact that: although <quit politics ~ I might have
          had a great career in it> 4: the time or occasion at
          or in which <tomorrow is ~ we must decide> <humor is
          ~ you laugh --Earl Rovit> [3]when pron (14c): what or
          which time <life-long homes for those ... who have lived
          here since ~ --Kim Waller> [4]when n (1616): the time
          in which something is done or comes about <troubled his
          head very little about the hows and ~s of life --Laurence
          Sterne>

   whenas
          [when.as] conj [ME (Sc) when as, fr. ME when + as] (15c)
          archaic: when

   [1]whence
          [whence] adv [ME whennes, fr. whenne whence (fr. OE hwanon)
          + -s, adv. suffix, fr. -s, gen. sing. ending; akin to
          OHG hwanan whence, OE hwa who] (13c): from what place,
          source, or cause <then ~ comes this paradox --Changing
          Times> -- from whence : from what place, source, or cause
          <no one could tell me from whence the gold had come --Graham
          Greene> [2]whence conj (14c) 1: from what place, source,
          or cause <inquired ~ the water came --Maria Edgeworth>
          2 a: from or out of which place, source, or cause <the
          lawless society ~ the ballads sprang --DeLancey Ferguson>
          b: by reason of which fact: wherefore <nothing broke
          -- ~ I infer that my bones are not yet chalky --O. W.
          Holmes d.1935>

   whencesoever
          [whence.so.ev.er] conj (1511): from whatever place or source

   [1]whenever
          [when.ev.er] conj (14c): at any or every time that [2]whenever
          adv (1667): at whatever time

   [1]whensoever
          [when.so.ev.er] conj (14c): whenever [2]whensoever adv (1526)
          obs: at any time whatever

   [1]where
          [where] adv [ME, fr. OE hwaer; akin to OHG hwar where, OE
          hwa who--more at who] (bef. 12c) 1 a: at, in, or to what
          place <~ is the house> <~ are we going> b: at, in, or
          to what situation, position, direction, circumstances,
          or respect <~ does this plan lead> <~ am I wrong> 2 archaic:
          here, there <lo, ~ it comes again --Shak.> [2]where conj
          (13c) 1 a: at, in, or to what place <knows ~ the house
          is> b: at, in, or to what situation, position, direction,
          circumstances, or respect <shows ~ the plan leads> c:
          the place or point at, in, or to which <couldn't see
          from ~ he was sitting> <kept that horse and gentled him
          to ~ I finally rode him --William Faulkner> 2: wherever
          <goes ~ she likes> 3 a: at, in, or to which place <the
          town ~ she lives> b: at or in which <has reached the
          size ~ traffic is a problem> <two fireplaces ~ you can
          bake bread in the ovens --Randall Jarrell> 4 a: at, in,
          or to the place at, in, or to which <stay ~ you are>
          <send him away ~ he'll forget> b: in a case, situation,
          or respect in which <outstanding ~ endurance is called
          for> 5: that <I've read ~ they do it that way in some
          Middle Eastern countries --Andy Rooney> [3]where n (15c)
          1: place, location <the ~ and the how of the accident>
          2: what place, source, or cause <I know ~ that comes
          from> -- where it's at 1 a: a place of central interest
          or activity b: something (as a topic or field of interest)
          of primary concern or importance <education is where
          it's at> 2: the true nature of things -- where one is
          at : one's true position, state, or nature

   [1]whereabouts
          [where.abouts] also where.about adv [ME wheraboutes (fr.
          wher aboute + -s, adv. suffix) & wher aboute, fr. where,
          wher where + about, aboute about--more at whence] (14c):
          about where: near what place <~ is the house> [2]whereabouts
          also whereabout conj (14c) 1 obs: on what business or
          errand 2: near what place: where <know ~ he lives> [3]whereabouts
          n pl but sing or pl in constr, also whereabout (1605):
          the place or general locality where a person or thing
          is <their present ~ are a secret>

   [1]whereas
          [where.as] conj [ME where as, fr. where + as] (14c) 1 a:
          while on the contrary b: although 2: in view of the fact
          that: since--used esp. to introduce a preamble [2]whereas
          n (1795) 1: an introductory statement of a formal document:
          preamble 2: a conditional or qualifying statement

   whereat
          [where.at] conj (15c) 1: at or toward which 2: in consequence
          of which: whereupon

   [1]whereby
          [where.by] conj (13c): by, through, or in accordance with
          which [2]whereby adv (14c) obs: by what: how

   [1]wherefore
          [where.fore] adv [ME wherfor, wherfore, fr. where, wher +
          for, fore for] (13c) 1: for what reason or purpose: why
          2: therefore [2]wherefore n (1590): an answer or statement
          giving an explanation: reason <wants to know the whys
          and ~s>

   wherefrom
          [where.from] conj (15c): from which

   [1]wherein
          [where.in] adv (13c): in what: in what particular or respect
          <~ was I wrong> [2]wherein conj (15c) 1 a: in which:
          where <the city ~ he lives> b: during which 2: in what
          way: how <showed me ~ I was wrong>

   whereinto
          [where.in.to] conj (1539): into which

   [1]whereof
          [where.of] conj (13c) 1 archaic: with or by which 2: of what
          <knows ~ she speaks> 3 a: of which <books ~ the best
          are lost> b: of whom [2]whereof adv (15c) archaic: of
          what <~ are you made --Shak.>

   [1]whereon
          [where.on] conj (13c) 1 archaic: on what <tell me ~ the likelihood
          depends --Shak.> 2: on which <the base ~ it rests> [2]whereon adv
          (15c) archaic: on what <~ do you look --Shak.>

   wheresoever
          [where.so.ev.er] conj (13c): wherever

   wherethrough
          [where.through] conj (13c): through which

   [1]whereto
          [where.to] adv (13c): to what place, purpose, or end <~ tends
          all this --Shak.> [2]whereto conj (14c): to which

   whereunto
          [where.un.to] adv or conj (15c): whereto

   whereupon
          [where.up.on] conj (14c) 1: on which 2: closely following
          and in consequence of which

   [1]wherever
          [wher.ev.er] adv (13c) 1: where in the world <~ did you get
          that tie> 2: anywhere at all <explore northward or ~
          --Bernard De Voto> [2]wherever conj (14c) 1: at, in,
          or to any or all places that <thrives ~ he goes> 2: in
          any circumstance in which <~ it is possible, we try to
          help>

   [1]wherewith
          [where.with] pron (13c) archaic: that with or by which--used
          with an infinitive <so shall I have ~ to answer him --Ps
          119:42 (AV)> [2]wherewith adv (13c) obs: with what <~
          shall it be salted --Mt 5:13 (AV)> [3]wherewith conj
          (14c): with or by means of which <metal tools ~ to break
          ground --Russell Lord>

   [1]wherewithal
          [where.with.al] conj [where + [2]withal] (1534): wherewith
          [2]wherewithal pron (1583): wherewith [3]wherewithal
          n (1659): means, resources; specif: money <didn't have
          the ~ for an expensive dinner>

   wherry
          [wher.ry] n, pl wherries [ME whery] (15c) 1: any of various
          light boats: as a: a long light rowboat made sharp at
          both ends and used to transport passengers on rivers
          and about harbors b: a racing scull for one person 2:
          a large light barge, lighter, or fishing boat varying
          in type in different parts of Great Britain

   [1]whet
          [whet] vt whet.ted ; whet.ting [ME whetten, fr. OE hwettan;
          akin to OHG wezzen to whet, waz sharp] (bef. 12c) 1:
          to sharpen by rubbing on or with something (as a stone)
          <~ a knife> 2: to make keen or more acute: excite, stimulate
          <~ the appetite> -- whet.ter n [2]whet n (ca. 1628) 1
          dial a: a spell of work done with a scythe between the
          time it is sharpened and the time it needs to be sharpened
          again b: time, while 2: something that sharpens or makes
          keen: a: goad, incitement b: appetizer; also: a drink
          of liquor

   [1]whether
          [wheth.er] pron [ME, fr. OE hwaether, hwether; akin to OHG
          hwedar which of two, L uter, Gk poteros, OE hwa who--more
          at who] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: which one of the two 2
          archaic: whichever one of the two [2]whether conj (bef.
          12c)--used as a function word usu. with correlative or
          or with or whether to indicate (1) until the early 19th
          century a direct question involving alternatives; (2)
          an indirect question involving stated or implied alternatives
          <decide ~ he should agree or raise objections> <wondered
          ~ to stay>; (3) alternative conditions or possibilities
          <see me no more, ~ he be dead or no --Shak.> <seated
          him next to her ~ by accident or design> -- whether or
          no or whether or not : in any case

   whetstone
          [whet.stone] n (bef. 12c): a stone for whetting edge tools

   whew
          [whew] n [imit.] (1513): a whistling sound or a sound like
          a half-formed whistle uttered as an exclamation <gave
          a long ~ when he realized the size of the job>--used
          interjectionally chiefly to express amazement, discomfort,
          or relief

   whey
          [whey] n [ME, fr. OE hwaeg; akin to MD wey whey] (bef. 12c):
          the watery part of milk that is separated from the coagulable
          part or curd esp. in the process of making cheese and
          that is rich in lactose, minerals, and vitamins and contains
          lactalbumin and traces of fat -- whey.like adj

   whey-face
          [whey-face] n (1605): a person having a pale face (as from
          fear) -- whey-faced adj

   whf
          [whf] abbreviation wharf

   [1]which
          [which] adj [ME, of what kind, which, fr. OE hwilc; akin
          to OHG wilih of what kind, which, OE hwa who, gelik like--more
          at who, like] (bef. 12c) 1: being what one or ones out
          of a group--used as an interrogative <~ tie should I
          wear> <kept a record of ~ employees took their vacations
          in July> 2: whichever <it will not fit, turn it ~ way
          you like> 3--used as a function word to introduce a nonrestrictive
          relative clause and to modify a noun in that clause and to refer
          together with that noun to a word or word group in a preceding
          clause or to an entire preceding clause or sentence or longer unit
          of discourse <in German, ~ language might ... have been the medium
          of transmission --Thomas Pyles> <that this city is a rebellious
          city ... : for ~ cause was this city destroyed --Ezra 4:15 (AV)>
          [2]which pron (bef. 12c) 1: what one or ones out of a group--used
          as an interrogative <~ of those houses do you live in> <~ of you
          want tea and ~ want lemonade> <he is swimming or canoeing, I don't
          know ~> 2: whichever <take ~ you like> 3--used as a function word
          to introduce a relative clause--used in any grammatical relation
          except that of a possessive--used esp. in reference to animals,
          inanimate objects, groups, or ideas <the bonds ~ represent the debt
          --G. B. Robinson> <the Samnite tribes, ~ settled south and
          southeast of Rome --Ernst Pulgram>--used freely in reference
          to persons as recently as the 17th century <our Father ~ art
          in heaven --Mt 6:9 (AV)>, and still occas. so used but usu. with
          some implication of emphasis on the function or role of the person
          rather than on the person as such <chiefly they wanted husbands,
          ~ they got easily --Lynn White>--used by speakers on all
          educational levels and by many reputable writers, though
          disapproved by some grammarians, in reference to an idea expressed
          by a word or group of words that is not necessarily a noun or noun
          phrase <he resigned that post, after ~ he engaged in ranching
          --Current Biog.> usage see [4]that

   [1]whichever
          [which.ev.er] adj (14c): being whatever one or ones out of
          a group: no matter which <its soothing ... effect will
          be the same ~ way you take it --Punch> [2]whichever pron
          (15c): whatever one or ones out of a group <take two
          of the four elective subjects, ~ you prefer>

   whichsoever
          [which.so.ev.er] pron or adj (15c) archaic: whichever

   whicker
          [whick.er] vi whick.ered ; whick.er.ing [imit.] (1753): neigh,
          whinny -- whicker n

   whid
          [whid] vi whid.ded ; whid.ding [Sc whid silent rapid motion]
          (1728) Scot: to move nimbly and silently

   [1]whiff
          [whiff] n [origin unknown] (1591) 1 a: a quick puff or slight
          gust esp. of air, odor, gas, smoke, or spray b: an inhalation
          of odor, gas, or smoke c: a slight puffing or whistling
          sound 2: a slight trace or indication 3: strikeout [2]whiff
          vi (1591) 1: to move with or as if with a puff of air
          2: to emit whiffs: puff 3: to inhale an odor 4: strike
          out 3 ~ vt 1 a: to carry or convey by or as if by a whiff:
          blow b: to expel or puff out in a whiff: exhale c: smoke
          3 2: fan 8

   whiffet
          [whif.fet] n [prob. alter. of whippet] (1839): a small, young,
          or unimportant person

   whiffle
          [whif.fle] vb whif.fled ; whif.fling [prob. freq. of whiff]
          vi (1568) 1 a of the wind: to blow unsteadily or in gusts
          b: vacillate 2: to emit or produce a light whistling
          or puffing sound ~ vt: to blow, disperse, emit, or expel
          with or as if with a whiff

   [1]whiffler
          [whif.fler] n [alter. of earlier wifler, fr. obs. wifle battle-ax]
          (1539) Brit: one that clears the way for a procession [2]whif.fler
          n [whiffle] (1607) 1: a person who frequently changes opinions
          or course 2: a person who uses shifts and evasions in argument

   whiffletree
          [whif.fle.tree] n [alter. of whippletree] (ca. 1806): the
          pivoted swinging bar to which the traces of a harness
          are fastened and by which a vehicle or implement is drawn

   Whig
          [Whig] n [short for Whiggamore, member of a Scottish group
          that marched to Edinburgh in 1648 to oppose the court
          party] (ca. 1680) 1: a member or supporter of a major
          British political group of the late 17th through early
          19th centuries seeking to limit the royal authority and
          increase parliamentary power--compare tory 2: an American
          favoring independence from Great Britain during the American
          Revolution 3: a member or supporter of an American political
          party formed about 1834 in opposition to the Jacksonian
          Democrats, associated chiefly with manufacturing, commercial,
          and financial interests, and succeeded about 1854 by
          the Republican party -- Whig adj -- Whig.gism n

   Whiggery
          [Whig.gery] n (1714): the principles or practices of Whigs

   Whiggish
          [Whig.gish] adj (1684) 1: characteristic of Whigs or Whiggery
          2: of, relating to, or characterized by a view which
          holds that history follows a path of inevitable progression
          and improvement and which judges the past in light of
          the present

   whigmaleerie
          [whig.ma.lee.rie] n [origin unknown] (1730) 1 chiefly Scot:
          whim 2 chiefly Scot: an odd or fanciful contrivance:
          gimcrack

   [1]while
          [while] n [ME, fr. OE hwil; akin to OHG hwila time, L quies
          rest, quiet] (bef. 12c) 1: a period of time esp. when
          short and marked by the occurrence of an action or a
          condition: time <stay here for a ~> 2: the time and effort
          used (as in the performance of an action): trouble <worth
          your ~> [2]while conj (12c) 1 a: during the time that
          <take a nap ~ I'm out> b: as long as <~ there's life
          there's hope> 2 a: when on the other hand: whereas <easy
          for an expert, ~ it is dangerous for a novice> b: in
          spite of the fact that: although <~ respected, he is
          not liked> 3: similarly and at the same time that <~
          the book will be welcomed by scholars, it will make an
          immediate appeal to the general reader --Brit. Book News>
          [3]while prep (15c) dial Brit: until [4]while vt whiled
          ; whil.ing (1635): to cause to pass esp. without boredom
          or in a pleasant manner--usu. used with away <~ away
          the time>

   [1]whiles
          [whiles] conj [ME, fr. while + -s, adv. suffix--more at whence]
          (13c) archaic: while [2]whiles adv (15c) chiefly Scot:
          sometimes

   [1]whilom
          [whi.lom] adv [ME, lit., at times, fr. OE hwilum, dat. pl.
          of hwil time, while] (13c) archaic: formerly [2]whilom
          adj (1837): former

   whilst
          [whilst] conj [ME whilest, alter. of whiles] (14c) chiefly
          Brit: while

   whim
          [whim] n [short for whim-wham] (1697) 1: a capricious or
          eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind:
          fancy 2: a large capstan that is made with one or more
          radiating arms to which a horse may be yoked and that
          is used in mines for raising ore or water syn see caprice

   whimbrel
          [whim.brel] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1531): a small curlew
          (Numenius phaeopus) chiefly of the northern regions of
          No. America and Eurasia; broadly: any small curlew

   [1]whimper
          [whim.per] vi whim.pered ; whim.per.ing [imit.] (1513) 1:
          to make a low whining plaintive or broken sound 2: to
          complain or protest with or as if with a whimper [2]whimper
          n (ca. 1700) 1: a whimpering cry or sound 2: a petulant
          complaint or protest

   whimsical
          [whim.si.cal] adj [whimsy] (1653) 1: full of, actuated by,
          or exhibiting whims 2 a: resulting from or characterized
          by whim or caprice; esp: lightly fanciful b: subject
          to erratic behavior or unpredictable change -- whim.si.cal.i.ty
          n -- whim.si.cal.ly adv -- whim.si.cal.ness n

   whimsy
          [whim.sy] also whim.sey n, pl whimsies also whimseys [irreg.
          fr. whim-wham] (1605) 1: whim, caprice 2: the quality
          or state of being whimsical or fanciful <the designer's
          new line showed a touch of ~> 3: a fanciful or fantastic
          device, object, or creation esp. in writing or art

   whim-wham
          [whim-wham] n [origin unknown] (1500) 1: a whimsical object
          or device esp. of ornament or dress 2: fancy, whim 3
          pl: jitters

   whin
          [whin] n [ME whynne, of Scand origin; akin to Norw kvein
          bent grass] (15c): gorse

   whinchat
          [whin.chat] n [whin] (1678): a small brown and buff European
          singing bird (Saxicola rubetra) of grassy meadows

   [1]whine
          [whine] vb whined ; whin.ing [ME, fr. OE hwinan to whiz;
          akin to ON hvina to whiz] vi (13c) 1 a: to utter a high-pitched
          plaintive or distressed cry b: to make a sound similar
          to such a cry <the wind whined in the chimney> 2: to
          complain with or as if with a whine 3: to move or proceed
          with the sound of a whine <the bullet whined ... across
          the ice --Berton Roueche> ~ vt: to utter or express with
          or as if with a whine -- whin.er n -- whin.ing.ly adv
          [2]whine n (1633) 1 a: a prolonged high-pitched cry usu.
          expressive of distress or pain b: a sound resembling
          such a cry 2: a complaint uttered with or as if with
          a whine -- whiny or whin.ey adj

   whing-ding
          [whing-ding] n [by alter.] (ca. 1945): wingding

   whinge
          [whinge] vi whinged ; whing.ing or whinge.ing [fr. (assumed)
          ME, fr. OE hwinsian; akin to OHG winson to moan] (12c)
          Brit: to complain fretfully: whine

   [1]whinny
          [whin.ny] vb whin.nied ; whin.ny.ing [prob. imit.] vi (1530):
          to neigh esp. in a low or gentle way ~ vt: to utter with
          or as if with a whinny [2]whinny n, pl whinnies (ca.
          1823) 1: the neigh of a horse esp. when low or gentle
          2: a sound resembling a neigh

   whinstone
          [whin.stone] n [whin, a hard rock] (1513): basaltic rock:
          trap; also: any of various other dark resistant rocks
          (as chert)

   [1]whip
          [whip] vb whipped ; whip.ping [ME wippen, whippen; akin to
          MD wippen to move up and down, sway, OE wipian to wipe]
          vt (14c) 1: to take, pull, snatch, jerk, or otherwise
          move very quickly and forcefully <whipped out his gun
          --Green Peyton> 2 a (1): to strike with a slender lithe
          implement (as a lash or rod) esp. as a punishment (2):
          spank b: to drive or urge on by or as if by using a whip
          c: to strike as a lash does <rain whipped the pavement>
          3 a: to bind or wrap (as a rope or fishing rod) with
          cord for protection and strength b: to wind or wrap around
          something 4: to belabor with stinging words: abuse 5:
          to seam or hem with shallow overcasting stitches 6: to
          overcome decisively: defeat 7: to stir up: incite--usu.
          used with up <trying to ~ up a new emotion --Ellen Glasgow>
          8: to produce in a hurry--usu. used with up <a sketch
          ... an artist might ~ up --N.Y. Times> 9: to fish (water)
          with rod, line, and artificial lure 10: to beat (as eggs
          or cream) into a froth with a utensil (as a whisk or
          fork) 11: to gather together or hold together for united
          action in the manner of a party whip ~ vi 1: to proceed
          nimbly or quickly <whipping through the supper dishes
          --C. B. Davis> 2: to thrash about flexibly in the manner
          of a whiplash <a flag ... whipping out from its staff
          --H. A. Calahan> -- whip.per n -- whip into shape : to
          bring forcefully to a desired state or condition [2]whip
          n (14c) 1: an instrument consisting usu. of a handle
          and lash forming a flexible rod that is used for whipping
          2: a stroke or cut with or as if with a whip 3 a: a dessert
          made by whipping a portion of the ingredients <prune
          ~> b: a kitchen utensil made of braided or coiled wire
          or perforated metal with a handle and used in whipping
          4: one that handles a whip: as a: a driver of horses:
          coachman b: whipper-in 1 5 a: a member of a legislative
          body appointed by a political party to enforce party
          discipline and to secure the attendance of party members
          at important sessions b often cap: a notice of forthcoming
          business sent weekly to each member of a political party
          in the British House of Commons 6: a whipping or thrashing
          motion 7: the quality of resembling a whip esp. in being
          flexible 8: a flexible vertical rod radio antenna--called
          also whip antenna -- whip.like adj

   whipcord
          [whip.cord] n [fr. its use in making whips] (14c) 1: a thin
          tough cord made of braided or twisted hemp or catgut
          2: a cloth that is made of hard-twisted yarns and has
          fine diagonal cords or ribs

   whip hand
          [whip hand] n (1680) 1: positive control: advantage 2: the
          hand holding the whip in driving

   whip in
          [whip in] vt (1742) 1: to collect or keep together (members
          of a political party) for legislative action 2: to keep
          (hounds in a pack) from scattering by use of a whip

   whiplash
          [whip.lash] n (ca. 1580) 1: the lash of a whip 2: something
          resembling a blow from a whip <the ~ of fear --R. S.
          Banay> 3: whiplash injury

   whiplash injury
          [whiplash injury] n (ca. 1953): injury resulting from a sudden
          sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a
          person in a vehicle that is struck head-on or from the
          rear by another vehicle)

   whipper-in
          [whip.per-in] n, pl whip.pers-in (1739) 1: a huntsman's assistant
          who whips in the hounds 2: whip 5a

   whippersnapper
          [whip.per.snap.per] n [alter. of snippersnapper] (1700):
          a diminutive, insignificant, or presumptuous person

   whippet
          [whip.pet] n [prob. fr. [1]whip] (1610): any of a breed of
          small swift slender dogs that are widely used for racing

   whipping
          [whipping] n (1540) 1: the act of one that whips: as a: a
          severe beating or chastisement b: a stitching with small
          overcasting stitches 2: material used to whip or bind

   whipping boy
          [whipping boy] n (1647) 1: a boy formerly educated with a
          prince and punished in his stead 2: scapegoat 2

   whipping cream
          [whipping cream] n (1921): a cream suitable for whipping
          that by law contains not less than 30 percent butterfat

   whipping post
          [whipping post] n (1600): a post to which offenders are tied
          to be legally whipped

   whippletree
          [whip.ple.tree] n [perh. irreg . fr. whip + tree] (1733):
          whiffletree

   whippoorwill
          [whip.poor.will] n [imit.] (1709): a nocturnal nightjar
          (Caprimulgus vociferus) of eastern No. America with a loud repeated
          call suggestive of its name

   whippy
          [whip.py] adj whip.pi.er ; -est (1867) 1: unusually resilient:
          springy <a ~ fishing rod> 2: of, relating to, or resembling
          a whip

   whip-round
          [whip-round] n (1887) chiefly Brit: a collection of money
          made usu. for a benevolent purpose <had a ~ to help the
          couple pay for a Paris honeymoon --The People>

   [1]whipsaw
          [whip.saw] n [[2]whip] (1538): a narrow pit saw averaging
          from 5 to 7 1/2 feet (1.5 to 2.3 meters) in length [2]whipsaw
          vt (1842) 1: to saw with a whipsaw 2: to beset or victimize
          in two opposite ways at once, by a two-phase operation,
          or by the collusive action of two opponents <wage earners
          were ~ed by inflation and high taxes>

   whipsawed
          [whip.sawed] adj (1892): subjected to a double market loss
          through trying inopportunely to recoup a loss by a subsequent
          short sale of the same security

   whip scorpion
          [whip scorpion] n (ca. 1890): any of an order (Uropygi) of
          arachnids somewhat resembling true scorpions but having
          a long slender caudal process and no sting

   whip stall
          [whip stall] n (1924): a stall during a vertical climb in
          which the nose of the airplane whips violently forward
          and then downward

   [1]whipstitch
          [whip.stitch] vt (1592): whip 5 [2]whipstitch n (1640): a
          shallow overcasting stitch

   whipstock
          [whip.stock] n (ca. 1530): the handle of a whip

   whipworm
          [whip.worm] n (1875): a parasitic nematode worm (genus Trichuris)
          with a body that is thickened posteriorly and that is
          very long and slender anteriorly; esp: one (T. trichiura)
          of the human intestine

   [1]whir
          [whir] also whirr vb whirred ; whir.ring [ME (Sc) quirren,
          prob. of Scand origin; akin to Dan hvirre to whirl, whir]
          vi (15c): to fly, revolve, or move rapidly with a whir
          ~ vt: to move or carry rapidly with a whir [2]whir also
          whirr n (1677): a continuous fluttering or vibratory
          sound made by something in rapid motion

   [1]whirl
          [whirl] vb [ME, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON hvirfla
          to whirl; akin to OHG wirbil whirlwind, OE hweorfan to
          turn--more at wharf] vi (14c) 1: to move in a circle
          or similar curve esp. with force or speed 2 a: to turn
          on or around an axis like a wheel: rotate b: to turn
          abruptly around or aside: wheel 3: to pass, move, or
          go quickly <~ed down the hallway> 4: to become giddy
          or dizzy: reel <my head is ~ing> ~ vt 1: to drive, impel,
          or convey with or as if with a rotary motion 2 a: to
          cause to turn usu. rapidly on or around an axis: rotate
          b: to cause to turn abruptly around or aside 3 obs: to
          throw or hurl violently with a revolving motion -- whirl.er
          n [2]whirl n (15c) 1 a: a rapid rotating or circling
          movement b: something undergoing such a movement 2 a:
          a busy or fast-paced succession of events: bustle <a
          ~ of activity> <the social ~> b: a confused or disturbed
          mental state: turmoil <a ~ of febrile excitement --Emily
          Skeel> 3: an experimental or brief attempt: try <gave
          it a ~>

   whirligig
          [whirl.i.gig] n [ME whirlegigg, fr. whirlen to whirl + gigg
          top--more at gig] (15c) 1: a child's toy having a whirling
          motion 2: merry-go-round 3 a: one that continuously whirls,
          moves, or changes b: a whirling or circling course (as
          of events)

   whirligig beetle
          [whirligig beetle] n (1855): any of a family (Gyrinidae)
          of beetles with two pairs of eyes and clubbed antennae
          that live mostly on the surface of water where they swim
          swiftly about in circles

   whirlpool
          [whirl.pool] n (1529) 1 a: a confused tumult and bustle:
          whirl b: a magnetic or impelling force by which something
          may be engulfed <refusing to be drawn into this ~ of
          intrigue --A. D. White> 2 a: water moving rapidly in
          a circle so as to produce a depression in the center
          into which floating objects may be drawn: eddy, vortex
          b: whirlpool bath

   whirlpool bath
          [whirlpool bath] n (ca. 1916): a therapeutic bath in which
          all or part of the body is exposed to forceful whirling
          currents of hot water

   [1]whirlwind
          [whirl.wind] n (14c) 1: a small rotating windstorm of limited
          extent 2 a: a confused rush: whirl b: a violent or destructive
          force or agency [2]whirlwind adj (1614): resembling a
          whirlwind esp. in speed or force <a ~ campaign> <a ~
          romance>

   [1]whirly
          [whirly] adj (15c): marked by or exhibiting a whirling motion
          [2]whirly n, pl whirl.ies (1914): a small whirlwind

   whirlybird
          [whirly.bird] n (1951): helicopter

   whirry
          [whir.ry] vb whir.ried ; whir.ry.ing [perh. blend of whir
          and hurry] vt (1582) Scot: to convey quickly ~ vi, Scot:
          hurry

   [1]whish
          [whish] vb [imit.] vt (1518): to urge on or cause to move
          with a whish ~ vi 1: to make a sibilant sound 2: to move
          with a whish esp. at high speed <an elevator ... ~es
          down to the lower level --Natalie Cooper> [2]whish n
          (ca. 1802): a rushing sound: swish

   whisht
          [whisht] vi [ME; imit.] (15c) chiefly Irish: hush--often
          used interjectionally to enjoin silence

   [1]whisk
          [whisk] n [ME wisk, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON visk
          wisp; akin to OE wiscian to plait] (14c) 1: a quick light
          brushing or whipping motion 2 a: a usu. wire kitchen
          utensil used for beating food by hand b: a flexible bunch
          (as of twigs, feathers, or straw) attached to a handle
          for use as a brush [2]whisk vi (15c): to move nimbly
          and quickly ~ vt 1: to move or convey briskly <~ed the
          children off to bed> 2: to mix or fluff up by or as if
          by beating with a whisk <~ egg whites> 3: to brush or
          wipe off lightly

   whisk broom
          [whisk broom] n (1857): a small broom with a short handle
          used esp. as a clothes brush

   whisker
          [whis.ker] n [sing. of whiskers mustache, fr. [2]whisk] (ca.
          1600) 1 a: a hair of the beard b pl (1) archaic: mustache
          (2): the part of the beard growing on the sides of the
          face or on the chin c: hairbreadth <lost the race by
          a ~> 2: one of the long projecting hairs or bristles
          growing near the mouth of an animal (as a cat or bird)
          3: an outrigger extending on each side of the bowsprit
          to spread the jib and flying jib guys--usu. used in pl.
          4 a: a shred or filament resembling a whisker b: a thin
          hairlike crystal (as of sapphire or copper) of exceptional
          mechanical strength used esp. to reinforce composite
          structural material -- whis.kered adj -- whis.kery adj

   whiskey
          [whis.key] or whis.ky n, pl whiskeys or whiskies [Ir uisce
          beathadh & ScGael uisge beatha, lit., water of life]
          (1715) 1: a liquor distilled from the fermented mash
          of grain (as rye, corn, or barley) 2: a drink of whiskey
          Whiskey (ca. 1952)--a communication code word for the
          letter w

   whiskey sour
          [whiskey sour] n (ca. 1889): a cocktail usu. consisting of
          whiskey, sugar, and lemon juice shaken with ice

   [1]whisper
          [whis.per] vb whis.pered ; whis.per.ing [ME, fr. OE hwisperian;
          akin to OHG hwispalon to whisper, ON hvisla--more at
          whistle] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to speak softly with little
          or no vibration of the vocal cords esp. to avoid being
          overheard 2: to make a sibilant sound that resembles
          whispering ~ vt 1: to address in a whisper 2: to utter
          or communicate in or as if in a whisper [2]whisper n
          (1595) 1: something communicated by or as if by whispering;
          esp: rumor <~s of scandal> 2 a: an act or instance of
          whispering; esp: speech without vibration of the vocal
          cords b: a sibilant sound that resembles whispered speech
          3: hint, trace

   whisperer
          [whis.per.er] n (1547): one that whispers; specif: rumormonger

   [1]whispering
          [whispering] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: whispered speech b: gossip,
          rumor 2: a sibilant sound: whisper [2]whispering adj
          (1547) 1: making a sibilant sound 2: spreading confidential
          and esp. derogatory reports <~ tongues can poison truth
          --S. T. Coleridge> -- whis.per.ing.ly adv

   whispering campaign
          [whispering campaign] n (1920): the systematic dissemination
          by word of mouth of derogatory rumors or charges esp.
          against a candidate for public office

   whispery
          [whis.pery] adj (1834) 1: resembling a whisper 2: full of
          whispers

   [1]whist
          [whist] vi [ME; imit.] (14c) dial Brit: to be silent: hush--often
          used interjectionally to enjoin silence [2]whist adj
          (15c): quiet, silent [3]whist n [alter. of earlier whisk,
          prob. fr. [2]whisk; fr. whisking up the tricks] (1663):
          a card game for four players in two partnerships that
          is played with a pack of 52 cards and that scores one
          point for each trick in excess of six

   [1]whistle
          [whis.tle] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE hwistle; akin to ON
          hvisla to whisper] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a small wind instrument
          in which sound is produced by the forcible passage of
          breath through a slit in a short tube <police ~> b: a
          device through which air or steam is forced into a cavity
          or against a thin edge to produce a loud sound <a factory
          ~> 2 a: a shrill clear sound produced by forcing breath
          out or air in through the puckered lips b: the sound
          produced by a whistle c: a signal given by or as if by
          whistling 3: a sound that resembles a whistle; esp: a
          shrill clear note of or as if of a bird [2]whistle vb
          whis.tled ; whis.tling vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to utter a
          shrill clear sound by blowing or drawing air through
          the puckered lips b: to utter a shrill note or call resembling
          a whistle c: to make a shrill clear sound esp. by rapid
          movement <the wind whistled> d: to blow or sound a whistle
          2 a: to give a signal or issue an order or summons by
          or as if by whistling b: to make a demand without result
          <did a sloppy job so he can ~ for his money> ~ vt 1 a:
          to send, bring, signal, or call by or as if by whistling
          b: to charge (as a basketball or hockey player) with
          an infraction 2: to produce, utter, or express by whistling
          <~ a tune> -- whis.tle.able adj -- whistle in the dark
          : to keep up one's courage by or as if by whistling

   whistle-blower
          [whis.tle-blow.er] n (1970): one who reveals something covert
          or who informs against another <pledges to protect ~s
          who fear reprisals --Wall Street Jour.> -- whis.tle-blow.ing
          n

   whistler
          [whis.tler] n (bef. 12c): one that whistles: as a: any of
          various birds; esp: any of numerous Australian and Polynesian
          oscine birds (esp. genus Pachycephala) that are related
          to the shrikes and have a whistling call b: a large mountain
          marmot (Marmota caligata) of northwestern No. America
          c: a broken-winded horse d: a very-low-frequency radio
          signal that is generated by lightning discharge, travels
          along the earth's magnetic-field lines, and produces
          a sound resembling a whistle of descending pitch in radio
          receivers

   [1]whistle-stop
          [whis.tle-stop] n, often attrib (ca. 1925) 1 a: a small station
          at which trains stop only on signal: flag stop b: a small
          community 2: a brief personal appearance esp. by a political
          candidate usu. on the rear platform of a train during
          the course of a tour [2]whistle-stop vi (1952): to make
          a tour esp. in a political campaign with many brief personal
          appearances in small communities

   whistling
          [whistling] n (14c): the act or sound of one that whistles:
          whistle

   whistling swan
          [whistling swan] n (1785): a native No. American swan (Cygnus
          columbianus syn. Olor columbianus) that calls with a
          soft musical note, breeds in the Arctic tundra, and winters
          in shallow fresh or salt water esp. along the eastern
          and western coasts of the U.S.

   whit
          [whit] n [ME, prob. alter. of wiht, wight creature, thing--more
          at wight] (15c): the smallest part or particle imaginable:
          bit <what some people will do for a ~ of publicity --Patrick
          Quinn>

   [1]white
          [white] adj whit.er ; whit.est [ME, fr. OE hwit; akin to
          OHG hwiz white and prob. to OCS svetu light, Skt sveta
          white, bright] (bef. 12c) 1 a: free from color b: of
          the color of new snow or milk; specif: of the color white
          c: light or pallid in color <~ hair> <lips ~ with fear>
          d: lustrous pale gray: silvery; also: made of silver
          2 a: being a member of a group or race characterized
          by reduced pigmentation and usu. specif. distinguished
          from persons belonging to groups marked by black, brown,
          yellow, or red skin coloration b: of, relating to, characteristic
          of, or consisting of white people c: marked by upright
          fairness 3: free from spot or blemish: as a (1): free
          from moral impurity: innocent (2): marked by the wearing
          of white by the woman as a symbol of purity <a ~ wedding>
          b: unmarked by writing or printing c: not intended to
          cause harm <a ~ lie> <~ magic> d: favorable, fortunate
          <one of the ~ days of his life --Sir Walter Scott> 4
          a: wearing or habited in white b: marked by the presence
          of snow: snowy <a ~ Christmas> 5 a: heated to the point
          of whiteness b: notably ardent: passionate <~ fury> 6
          a: conservative or reactionary in political outlook and
          action b: instigated or carried out by reactionary forces
          as a counterrevolutionary measure <a ~ terror> 7: of,
          relating to, or constituting a musical tone quality characterized
          by a controlled pure sound, a lack of warmth and color,
          and a lack of resonance 8: consisting of a wide range
          of frequencies--used of light, sound, and electromagnetic
          radiation -- whit.ish adj [2]white n (bef. 12c) 1: the
          achromatic object color of greatest lightness characteristically
          perceived to belong to objects that reflect diffusely
          nearly all incident energy throughout the visible spectrum
          2 a: a white or light-colored part of something: as (1):
          a mass of albuminous material surrounding the yolk of
          an egg (2): the white part of the ball of the eye (3):
          the light-colored pieces in a two-handed board game;
          also: the player by whom these are played (4): the area
          of a page unmarked by writing, printing, or illustration
          b (1) archaic: a white target (2): the fifth or outermost
          circle of an archery target; also: a shot that hits it
          3: one that is or approaches white in color: as a: white
          clothing--often used in pl. b: white wine c: a white
          mammal (as a horse or a hog) d (1): a white-colored product
          (as flour, pins, or sugar)--usu. used in pl. (2): any
          of numerous butterflies (subfamily Pierinae of the family
          Pieridae) that usu. have the ground color of the wings
          white and are related to the sulphur butterflies 4 pl:
          leukorrhea 5: a person belonging to a light-skinned race
          6 often cap: a member of a conservative or reactionary
          political group [3]white vt whit.ed ; whit.ing [ME, fr.
          white, adj.] (bef. 12c) archaic: whiten

   white amur
          [white amur] n [amur fr. Amur River] (1968): grass carp

   white ant
          [white ant] n (1684): termite

   white ash
          [white ash] n (1683): an American ash (Fraxinus americana)
          having compound leaves with a pale green or silvery white
          underside; also: its hard brownish wood

   whitebait
          [white.bait] n (1758) 1: the young of any of several European
          herrings and esp. of the common herring (Clupea harengus)
          or of the sprat (C. sprattus) 2: any of various small
          fishes likened to the European whitebait and used as
          food

   white bass
          [white bass] n (1813): a No. American freshwater bony fish
          (Morone chrysops of the family Percichthyidae) that is
          used for food

   white bean
          [white bean] n (1969): a dried white kidney bean seed; also:
          a plant that is a source of white beans

   whitebeard
          [white.beard] n (15c): an old man: graybeard

   white birch
          [white birch] n (1789) 1: paper birch; also: gray birch 2:
          either of two European birches (Betula pubescens and
          B. pendula) with white or ash-colored bark that are often
          planted as ornamentals in the U.S.

   white blood cell
          [white blood cell] n (1885): any of the blood cells that
          are colorless, lack hemoglobin, contain a nucleus, and
          include the lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils,
          and basophils--called also white blood corpuscle

   white book
          [white book] n (15c): an official report of government affairs
          bound in white

   white-bread
          [white-bread] adj (1979): being, typical of, or having qualities
          (as blandness) associated with the white middle class

   whitecap
          [white.cap] n (1773): a wave crest breaking into white foam--usu.
          used in pl.

   white cedar
          [white cedar] n (1674) 1: a strong-scented evergreen swamp
          tree (Chamaecyparis thyoides) of the cypress family that
          occurs along the eastern coast of the U.S. and that has
          smaller leaves than an arborvitae and globose cones with
          peltate scales; also: its wood 2: northern white cedar

   white cell
          [white cell] n (1861): white blood cell

   white chip
          [white chip] n (1897) 1: a white-colored poker chip usu.
          of minimum value 2: a thing or quantity of little worth--compare
          blue chip

   white chocolate
          [white chocolate] n (1923): a confection of cocoa butter,
          sugar, milk solids, lecithin, and flavorings

   white clover
          [white clover] n (bef. 12c): a Eurasian clover (Trifolium
          repens) with round heads of white flowers that is widely
          used in lawn and pasture grass-seed mixtures and is an
          important source of nectar for bees--called also white
          Dutch clover

   white-collar
          [white-col.lar] adj (1920): of, relating to, or constituting
          the class of salaried employees whose duties do not call
          for the wearing of work clothes or protective clothing--compare
          blue-collar

   white crappie
          [white crappie] n (ca. 1926): a silvery No. American sunfish
          (Pomoxis annularis) with 5 or 6 protruding spines on
          the dorsal fins that is used as a panfish and often for
          stocking small ponds

   white-crowned sparrow
          [white-crowned sparrow] n (1839): a migratory sparrow (Zonotrichia
          leucophrys) that breeds in northern and western No. America and has
          a grayish breast, pink bill, and head striped with black and white

   whited
          [whit.ed] adj (14c) 1: covered with white or whiting and
          esp. with whitewash 2: made white: whitened

   whited sepulcher
          [whited sepulcher] n [fr. the simile in Mt 23:27 (AV)] (1582):
          a person inwardly corrupt or wicked but outwardly or
          professedly virtuous or holy: hypocrite

   white dwarf
          [white dwarf] n, pl white dwarfs (1924): a small whitish
          star of low intrinsic brightness usu. with a mass approximately
          equal to that of the sun but with a density many times
          larger

   white elephant
          [white elephant] n (15c) 1: an Indian elephant of a pale
          color that is sometimes venerated in India, Sri Lanka,
          Thailand, and Myanmar 2 a: a property requiring much
          care and expense and yielding little profit b: an object
          no longer of value to its owner but of value to others
          c: something of little or no value

   whiteface
          [white.face] n (1709) 1: a white-faced animal; specif: hereford
          2: dead-white facial makeup <a clown in ~>

   white-faced
          [white-faced] adj (1595) 1: having a wan pale face 2: having
          the face white in whole or in part--used esp. of an animal
          otherwise dark in color

   white feather
          [white feather] n [fr. the superstition that a white feather
          in the plumage of a gamecock is a mark of a poor fighter]
          (ca. 1785): a mark or symbol of cowardice--used chiefly
          in the phrase show the white feather

   whitefish
          [white.fish] n (15c) 1 a: any of various freshwater salmonid
          food fishes (esp. of genera Coregonus and Prosopium)
          b: any of various fishes resembling the true whitefishes
          c Brit: any of various market fishes with white flesh
          that is not oily 2: the flesh of a whitefish esp. as
          an article of food

   white flag
          [white flag] n (1600) 1: a flag of plain white used as a
          flag of truce or as a token of surrender 2: a token of
          weakness or yielding

   white flight
          [white flight] n (1967): the departure of white families
          usu. from urban neighborhoods undergoing racial integration
          or from cities implementing school desegregation

   whitefly
          [white.fly] n (ca. 1889): any of numerous small homopterous
          insects (family Aleyrodidae) that are injurious plant
          pests

   white-footed mouse
          [white-foot.ed mouse] n (1869): any of various largely nocturnal
          mice (genus Peromyscus) of No. and Central America typically
          having whitish feet and underparts; esp: a common woodland
          mouse (P. leucopus) of No. America

   white friar
          [white friar] n, often cap W&F [fr. his white habit] (15c):
          carmelite

   white-fringed beetle
          [white-fringed beetle] n (1939): any of a genus (Graphognathus)
          of So. American flightless beetles of which one (G. leucoloma)
          has been accidentally introduced into the southeastern
          U.S. where it is a pest on cultivated plants

   white gas
          [white gas] n (1926): unleaded gasoline--called also white
          gasoline

   white gold
          [white gold] n (1666): a pale alloy of gold esp. with nickel
          or palladium that resembles platinum in appearance

   white goods
          [white goods] n pl (ca. 1871) 1 a: white fabrics esp. of
          cotton or linen b: articles (as sheets, towels, or curtains)
          orig. or typically made of white cloth 2: major household
          appliances (as stoves and refrigerators) that are typically
          finished in white enamel

   white grub
          [white grub] n (ca. 1817): a grub that is a destructive pest
          of grass roots and is the larva of various beetles and
          esp. june bugs

   Whitehall
          [White.hall] n [Whitehall, thoroughfare of London in which
          are located the chief offices of British government]
          (1827): the British government

   whitehead
          [white.head] n (ca. 1931): milium

   white-headed
          [white-head.ed] adj (1525) 1: having the hair, fur, or plumage
          of the head white or very light 2: specially favored:
          fortunate--used esp. in the phrase white-headed boy

   white heat
          [white heat] n (ca. 1710) 1: a temperature (as for copper
          and iron from 1500 degrees to 1600 degrees C) which is
          higher than red heat and at which a body becomes brightly
          incandescent 2: a state of intense mental or physical
          strain, emotion, or activity

   white hole
          [white hole] n (1971): a hypothetical extremely dense celestial
          object that radiates enormous amounts of energy and matter--compare
          black hole 1

   white hope
          [white hope] n (1911) 1: a white contender for a boxing
          championship held by a black; also: one who is felt to represent
          whites 2: one from whom much is expected; esp: a person undertaking
          a difficult task

   white-hot
          [white-hot] adj (1820) 1: being at or radiating white heat
          2: ardently zealous: fervid

   White House
          [White House] n [the White House, mansion in Washington,
          D.C., assigned to the use of the president of the U.S.]
          (1811) 1: the executive department of the U.S. government
          2: a residence of the president of the U.S.

   white hunter
          [white hunter] n (1945): a white man serving as guide and
          professional hunter to an African safari

   white knight
          [white knight] n (1951) 1: one that comes to the rescue of
          another; esp: a corporation invited to buy out a second
          corporation in order to prevent an undesired takeover
          by a third 2: one that champions a cause

   white-knuckle
          [white-knuck.le] also white-knuck.led adj (1974): showing
          or causing tense nervousness <a ~ ride on a roller coaster>

   white lead
          [white lead] n (15c): any of several white lead-containing
          pigments; esp: a heavy poisonous basic carbonate of lead
          of variable composition that is marketed as a powder
          or as a paste in linseed oil, has good hiding power,
          and is used chiefly in exterior paints

   white lightning
          [white lightning] n (1915): moonshine 3

   white line
          [white line] n (15c): a band or edge of something white;
          esp: a stripe painted on a road and used to guide traffic

   white list
          [white list] n (1900): a list of approved or favored items--compare
          blacklist -- white-list.ed adj

   white-livered
          [white-liv.ered] adj [fr. the former belief that the choleric
          temperament depends on the body's producing large quantities
          of yellow bile] (1549): pusillanimous, lily-livered

   whitely
          [white.ly] adv (14c): with an effect of whiteness: so as
          to show or appear white

   white man's burden
          [white man's burden] n ["The White Man's Burden" (1899),
          poem by Rudyard Kipling] (1911): the alleged duty of
          the white peoples to manage the affairs of the less developed
          nonwhite peoples

   white matter
          [white matter] n (ca. 1847): neural tissue that consists
          largely of myelinated nerve fibers, has a whitish color,
          and underlies the gray matter of the brain and spinal
          cord or is gathered into nerves

   white metal
          [white metal] n (1613) 1: any of several light-colored alloys
          used esp. as a base for plated silverware and ornaments
          and novelties 2: any of several lead-base or tin-base
          alloys (as babbitt) used esp. for bearings, fusible plugs,
          and type metal

   white mustard
          [white mustard] n (1731): a Eurasian mustard (Brassica hirta)
          grown for its seeds which yield mustard and mustard oil

   whiten
          [whit.en] vb whit.ened ; whit.en.ing vt (14c): to make white
          or whiter <snow ~ed the hills> ~ vi: to become white
          or whiter

   whitener
          [whit.en.er] n (1611): one that whitens; specif: an agent
          (as a bleach) used to impart whiteness to something

   whiteness
          [white.ness] n (bef. 12c) 1: the quality or state of being
          white: as a: white color b: pallor, paleness c: freedom
          from stain: cleanness 2: white substance

   whitening
          [whitening] n (1601) 1: the act or process of making or becoming
          white 2: something that is used to make white: whiting

   white noise
          [white noise] n (1943): a heterogeneous mixture of sound
          waves extending over a wide frequency range

   white oak
          [white oak] n (1634): any of various oaks (esp. Quercus alba
          of eastern No. America) with acorns that mature in one
          year and leaf veins that never extend beyond the margin
          of the leaf; also: its hard strong durable wood

   white oil
          [white oil] n (ca. 1900): any of various colorless odorless
          tasteless mineral oils used esp. in medicine and in pharmaceutical
          and cosmetic preparations

   whiteout
          [white.out] n [white + blackout] (1942): a surface weather
          condition in a snow-covered area (as a polar region)
          in which no object casts a shadow, the horizon cannot
          be seen, and only dark objects are discernible; also:
          a blizzard that severely reduces visibility

   white pages
          [white pages] n pl (1952): the section of a telephone directory
          that lists individuals and businesses alphabetically

   white paper
          [white paper] n (1899) 1: a government report on any subject;
          esp: a British publication that is usu. less extensive
          than a blue book 2: a detailed or authoritative report

   white pepper
          [white pepper] n (14c): a pungent condiment that consists
          of the fruit of an East Indian plant (Piper nigrum) ground
          after the black husk has been removed

   white perch
          [white perch] n (1775) 1: a silvery anadromous bass (Morone
          americana) chiefly of the coast and coastal streams of
          the eastern U.S. 2: freshwater drum 3: white crappie

   white pine
          [white pine] n (1682) 1 a: a tall-growing pine (Pinus strobus)
          of eastern No. America with long needles in clusters
          of five--called also eastern white pine b: any of several
          trees that resemble the white pine esp. in having leaves
          in bundles of five 2: the wood of a white pine and esp.
          of the eastern white pine

   white-pine blister rust
          [white-pine blister rust] n (1911): a destructive disease
          of white pine caused by a rust fungus (Cronartium ribicola)
          that passes part of its complex life cycle on currant
          or gooseberry bushes; also: this fungus

   white potato
          [white potato] n (ca. 1890): potato 2b

   white rice
          [white rice] n (1923): rice from which the hull and bran
          have been removed by milling

   white room
          [white room] n (1961): clean room

   White Russian
          [White Russian] n (1850) 1: belorussian 2: a cocktail made
          of vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream or milk

   white rust
          [white rust] n (ca. 1848): any of various plant diseases
          caused by a fungus (genus Albugo of the order Peronosporales)
          and characterized by the presence of masses of white
          spores that escape through ruptures of the host tissue;
          also: a fungus causing a white rust

   white sale
          [white sale] n (1914): a sale of white goods

   white sauce
          [white sauce] n (1723): a sauce consisting essentially of
          a roux with milk, cream, or stock and seasoning

   white sea bass
          [white sea bass] n (1884): a large croaker (Atractoscion
          nobilis) of the Pacific coast that is an important sport
          and food fish

   white shark
          [white shark] n (1674): great white shark

   white slave
          [white slave] n (1882): a woman or girl held unwillingly
          for purposes of commercial prostitution

   white slaver
          [white slav.er] n (1912): one engaged in white-slave traffic

   white slavery
          [white slavery] n (1857): enforced prostitution

   whitesmith
          [white.smith] n (14c) 1: tinsmith 2: a worker in iron who
          finishes or polishes the work

   white space
          [white space] n (1849): the areas of a page without print
          or pictures

   white spruce
          [white spruce] n (1770) 1: any of several spruces; esp: a
          widely distributed spruce (Picea glauca) of coniferous
          forests of Canada and the northern U.S. that has short
          stiff blue-green needles and slender cones 2: the wood
          of a white spruce; esp: the light pale tough straight-grained
          wood of the common white spruce (Picea glauca) used esp.
          for construction and as a source of paper pulp

   white sucker
          [white sucker] n (ca. 1902): a common and widespread edible
          sucker (Catostomus commersoni) of the U.S. and Canada

   white supremacist
          [white supremacist] n (1945): an advocate of or believer
          in white supremacy

   white supremacy
          [white supremacy] n (1867): a doctrine based on a belief
          in the inherent superiority of the white race over the
          black race and the correlative necessity for the subordination
          of blacks to whites in all relationships

   whitetail
          [white.tail] n (1872): white-tailed deer

   white-tailed deer
          [white-tailed deer] n (1849): a No. American deer (Odocoileus
          virginianus) with a rather long tail white on the undersurface
          and the males of which have forward-arching antlers

   whitethroat
          [white.throat] n (1676): any of several birds with white
          on the throat: as a: an Old World warbler (Sylvia communis)
          with rusty upper parts and largely pale buff underparts
          b: white-throated sparrow

   white-throated sparrow
          [white-throat.ed sparrow] n (1811): a common brown sparrow
          (Zonotrichia albicollis) chiefly of eastern No. America
          with a black-and-white striped crown and a white patch
          on the throat

   white-tie
          [white-tie] adj (1936): characterized by or requiring the
          wearing of formal evening clothes consisting of white
          tie and tailcoat for men and a formal gown for women
          <a ~ dinner>--compare black-tie

   white trash
          [white trash] n sing but pl in constr (1831): poor white--usu.
          used disparagingly

   whitewall
          [white.wall] n (1953): an automobile tire having a white
          band on the sidewall

   white walnut
          [white walnut] n (1743) 1: butternut 1 2: the light-colored
          wood of a butternut

   [1]whitewash
          [white.wash] vt (1591) 1: to whiten with whitewash 2 a: to
          gloss over or cover up (as vices or crimes) b: to exonerate
          by means of a perfunctory investigation or through biased
          presentation of data 3: to hold (an opponent) scoreless
          in a game or contest -- white.wash.er n [2]whitewash
          n (1689) 1: a liquid composition for whitening a surface:
          as a: a preparation for whitening the skin b: a composition
          (as of lime and water or whiting, size, and water) for
          whitening structural surfaces 2: an act or instance of
          glossing over or of exonerating 3: a defeat in a contest
          in which the loser fails to score

   whitewashing
          [white.wash.ing] n (1663): an act or instance of applying
          whitewash; also: whitewash 3

   white water
          [white water] n (1586): frothy water (as in breakers, rapids,
          or falls) -- white-water adj

   white way
          [white way] n [the Great White Way, nickname for the theatrical
          section of Broadway, New York City] (1909): a brilliantly
          lighted street or avenue esp. in a city's business or
          theater district

   white whale
          [white whale] n (ca. 1834): a cetacean (Delphinapterus leucas)
          that is about 10 feet (3.0 meters) long and white when
          adult--called also beluga

   white wine
          [white wine] n (14c): a wine ranging in color from faintly
          yellow to amber that is produced from the juice alone
          of dark- or light-colored grapes

   whitewing
          [white.wing] n (1898): a person and esp. a street sweeper
          wearing a white uniform

   whitewood
          [white.wood] n (1663) 1: any of various trees with pale or
          white wood: as a: tulip tree 1 b: an Australian tree
          (Atalaya hemiglauca) of the soapberry family 2: the wood
          of a whitewood; esp: tulipwood 1

   whitey
          [whit.ey] n, often cap (1828): the white man: white society--usu.
          used disparagingly

   white zinfandel
          [white zinfandel] n (1976): a blush wine made from zinfandel
          grapes

   [1]whither
          [whith.er] adv [ME, fr. OE hwider; akin to L quis who and
          to OE hider hither--more at who, hither] (bef. 12c) 1:
          to what place <~ will they go> 2: to what situation,
          position, degree, or end <~ will this abuse drive him>
          [2]whither conj (bef. 12c) 1 a: to what place <knew ~
          to go --Daniel Defoe> b: to what situation, position,
          degree, or end 2 a: to the place at, in, or to which
          b: to which place 3: to whatever place

   whithersoever
          [whith.er.so.ev.er] conj (14c): to whatever place <will go
          ~ you lead>

   whitherward
          [whith.er.ward] adv (13c) archaic: toward what or which place

   [1]whiting
          [whit.ing] n [ME, fr. MD witinc, fr. wit white; akin to OE
          hwit white] (15c): any of various marine food fishes:
          as a: a common European fish (Merlangus merlangus) of
          the cod family b: silver hake [2]whiting n [ME, fr. gerund
          of whiten to white] (15c): calcium carbonate ground into
          fine powder, washed, and used esp. as a pigment and extender,
          in putty, and in rubber compounding and paper coating

   whitlow
          [whit.low] n [ME whitflawe, whitflowe, whitlowe] (14c): a
          deep usu. suppurative inflammation of the finger or toe
          esp. near the end or around the nail--called also felon

   Whitmonday
          [Whit.mon.day] n [Whitsunday + Monday] (1557): the day after
          Whitsunday observed as a legal holiday in England, Wales,
          and Ireland

   Whitsun
          [Whit.sun] adj [ME Whitson, fr. Whitsonday] (14c): of, relating
          to, or observed on Whitsunday or at Whitsuntide

   Whitsunday
          [Whit.sun.day] n [ME Whitsonday, fr. OE hwita sunnandaeg,
          lit., white Sunday; prob. fr. the custom of wearing white
          robes by those newly baptized at this season] (12c):
          pentecost 2

   Whitsuntide
          [Whit.sun.tide] n (13c): the week beginning with Whitsunday
          and esp. the first three days of this week

   [1]whittle
          [whit.tle] n [ME whittel, alter. of thwitel, fr. thwiten
          to whittle, fr. OE thwitan; akin to ON thveita to hew]
          (15c) archaic: a large knife [2]whittle vb whit.tled
          ; whit.tling vt (1552) 1 a: to pare or cut off chips
          from the surface of (wood) with a knife b: to shape or
          form by so paring or cutting 2: to reduce, remove, or
          destroy gradually as if by cutting off bits with a knife:
          pare <~ down expenses> ~ vi 1: to cut or shape something
          (as wood) by or as if by paring it with a knife 2: to
          wear oneself or another out with fretting -- whit.tler
          n

   whittling
          [whit.tling] n (1854) 1: the act or art of whittling 2: a
          piece cut away in whittling

   whittret
          [whit.tret] n [ME whitrat, fr. white, whit white + rat rat]
          (15c) chiefly Scot: weasel

   whity
          [whity] or whit.ey adj (1593): somewhat white: whitish--usu.
          used in combination

   [1]whiz
          [whiz] or whizz vb whizzed ; whiz.zing [imit.] vi (1547)
          1: to hum, whir, or hiss like a speeding object (as an
          arrow or ball) passing through air 2: to fly or move
          swiftly esp. with a whiz ~ vt: to cause to whiz; esp:
          to rotate very rapidly [2]whiz or whizz n, pl whiz.zes
          (1620) 1: a hissing, buzzing, or whirring sound 2: a
          movement or passage of something accompanied by a whizzing
          sound [3]whiz n, pl whiz.zes [prob. by shortening & alter.]
          (1914): wizard 3 <a ~ at math>

   whizbang
          [whiz.bang] also whizz.bang n (1915): one that is conspicuous
          for noise, speed, excellence, or startling effect --
          whiz-bang adj

   whiz kid
          [whiz kid] also whizz kid n [[3]whiz] (ca. 1942): a person
          who is unusually intelligent, clever, or successful esp.
          at an early age

   whizzer
          [whiz.zer] n (1881): one that whizzes; esp: a centrifugal
          machine for drying something (as grain, sugar, or nitrated
          cotton)

   WHO
          [WHO] abbreviation World Health Organization

   who
          [who] pron [ME, fr. OE hwa; akin to OHG hwer, interrog. pron.,
          who, L quis, Gk tis, L qui, rel. pron., who] (bef. 12c)
          1: what or which person or persons--used as an interrogative
          <~ was elected?> <find out ~ they are>--used by speakers
          on all educational levels and by many reputable writers,
          though disapproved by some grammarians, as the object
          of a verb or a following preposition <~ did I see but
          a Spanish lady --Padraic Colum> <do not know ~ the message
          is from --G. K. Chesterton> 2: the person or persons
          that: whoever 3--used as a function word to introduce
          a relative clause--used esp. in reference to persons
          <my father, ~ was a lawyer> but also in reference to
          groups <a generation ~ had known nothing but war --R.
          B. West> or to animals <dogs ~ ... fawn all over tramps
          --Nigel Balchin> or to inanimate objects esp. with the
          implication that the reference is really to a person
          <earlier sources ~ maintain a Davidic ancestry --F. M.
          Cross>--used by speakers on all educational levels and
          by many reputable writers, though disapproved by some
          grammarians, as the object of a verb or a following preposition
          <a character ~ we are meant to pity --Times Lit. Supp.>
          usage see whom, that -- as who archaic: as one that:
          as if someone -- as who should say archaic: so to speak
          -- who is who or who's who or who was who : the identity
          of or the noteworthy facts about each of a number of
          persons

   whoa
          [whoa] vb imper [ME whoo, who] (15c)--a command (as to a
          draft animal) to stand still

   who'd
          [who'd] (1640): who had: who would

   whodunit
          [who.dun.it] also who.dun.nit n [alter. of who done it?]
          (1930): a detective story or mystery story

   whoever
          [who.ev.er] pron (13c): whatever person: no matter who--used
          in any grammatical relation except that of a possessive
          <sells to ~ has the money to buy>

   [1]whole
          [whole] adj [ME hool healthy, unhurt, entire, fr. OE hal;
          akin to OHG heil healthy, unhurt, ON heill, OCS celu]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): free of wound or injury: unhurt (2):
          recovered from a wound or injury: restored (3): being
          healed <~ of an ancient evil, I sleep sound --A. E. Housman>
          b: free of defect or impairment: intact c: physically
          sound and healthy: free of disease or deformity d: mentally
          or emotionally sound 2: having all its proper parts or
          components: complete, unmodified <~ milk> <a ~ egg> 3
          a: constituting the total sum or undiminished entirety:
          entire <owns the ~ island> b: each or all of the <took
          part in the ~ series of athletic events> 4 a: constituting
          an undivided unit: unbroken, uncut <a ~ roast suckling
          pig> b: directed to one end: concentrated <promised to
          give it his ~ attention> 5 a: seemingly complete or total
          <the ~ idea is to help, not hinder> b: very great in
          quantity, extent, or scope <feels a ~ lot better now>
          6: constituting the entirety of a person's nature or
          development <educate the ~ student> 7: having the same
          father and mother <~ brother> syn see perfect -- whole.ness
          n syn whole, entire, total, all mean including everything
          or everyone without exception. whole implies that nothing
          has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away <read
          the whole book>. entire may suggest a state of completeness
          or perfection to which nothing can be added <the entire
          population was wiped out>. total implies that everything
          has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered <the
          total number of people present>. all may equal whole,
          entire, or total <all proceeds go to charity>. [2]whole
          n (14c) 1: a complete amount or sum: a number, aggregate,
          or totality lacking no part, member, or element 2: something
          constituting a complex unity: a coherent system or organization
          of parts fitting or working together as one -- in whole
          : to the full or entire extent: wholly--usu. used in
          the phrase in whole or in part -- on the whole 1: in
          view of all the circumstances or conditions: all things
          considered 2: in general: in most instances: typically
          [3]whole adv (14c) 1: wholly, entirely <a ~ new age group
          --Henry Chauncey> 2: as a complete entity

   whole cloth
          [whole cloth] n (1840): pure fabrication--usu. used in the
          phrase out of whole cloth

   whole gale
          [whole gale] n (ca. 1805): wind having a speed of 55 to 63
          miles (88 to 101 kilometers) per hour

   wholehearted
          [whole.heart.ed] adj (1840) 1: completely and sincerely devoted,
          determined, or enthusiastic <a ~ student of social problems>
          2: marked by complete earnest commitment: free from all
          reserve or hesitation <gave the proposal ~ approval>
          syn see sincere -- whole.heart.ed.ly adv

   whole-hog
          [whole-hog] adj (1829): committed without reservation:
          thoroughgoing <a ~ patriot>

   [1]whole hog
          [whole hog] n (1829): the whole way or farthest limit--usu.
          used adverbially in the phrase go the whole hog [2]whole
          hog adv (1844): to the fullest extent: without reservation:
          completely <accepting whole hog the standards ... of
          the majority --R. B. Kaplan>

   whole-life
          [whole-life] adj (1845): of, relating to, or being life insurance
          with a fixed premium for the life of the policyholder
          and a cash value that can be redeemed on sale of the
          policy or can be the basis of low-interest loans

   whole note
          [whole note] n (1597): a musical note equal in time value
          to four quarter notes or two half notes--see note illustration

   whole number
          [whole number] n (1557): any of the set of nonnegative integers;
          also: integer

   whole rest
          [whole rest] n (ca. 1890): a musical rest corresponding in
          time value to a whole note--see rest illustration

   [1]wholesale
          [whole.sale] n (15c): the sale of commodities in quantity
          usu. for resale (as by a retail merchant) [2]wholesale
          adj (1642) 1: performed or existing on a large scale
          esp. without discrimination <~ slaughter> 2: of, relating
          to, or engaged in the sale of commodities in quantity
          for resale <a ~ grocer> [3]wholesale adv (1759): in a
          wholesale manner [4]wholesale vb whole.saled ; whole.sal.ing
          vt (1800): to sell (something) in quantity usu. for resale
          ~ vi: to sell in quantity usu. for resale

   wholesaler
          [whole.sal.er] n (1857): a merchant middleman who sells chiefly
          to retailers, other merchants, or industrial, institutional,
          and commercial users mainly for resale or business use

   wholesome
          [whole.some] adj (13c) 1: promoting health or well-being
          of mind or spirit 2: promoting health of body 3 a: sound
          in body, mind, or morals b: having the simple health
          or vigor of normal domesticity 4 a: based on well-grounded
          fear: prudent <a ~ respect for the law> b: safe <it wouldn't
          be ~ for you to go down there --Mark Twain> syn see healthful,
          healthy -- whole.some.ly adv -- whole.some.ness n

   whole-souled
          [whole-souled] adj (1834): moved by ardent enthusiasm or
          single-minded devotion: wholehearted

   whole step
          [whole step] n (ca. 1899): a musical interval (as C-D or
          G-A) comprising two half steps--called also whole tone

   whole wheat
          [whole wheat] adj (1880): made of ground entire wheat kernels

   wholistic
          [who.lis.tic] var of holistic

   wholly
          [whol.ly] adv [ME hoolly, fr. hool whole] (14c) 1: to the
          full or entire extent: completely <a ~ owned subsidiary>
          2: to the exclusion of other things: solely <a book dealing
          ~ with herbs>

   whom
          [whom] pron, objective case of who [ME, fr. OE hwam, dat.
          of hwa who] (bef. 12c)--used as an interrogative or relative--used
          as object of a verb or a preceding preposition <to know for ~ the
          bell tolls --John Donne> or less frequently as the object
          of a following preposition <the man ~ you wrote to> though now
          often considered stilted esp. as an interrogativ e and esp. in oral
          use--occas. used as predicate nominative with a copulative verb
          or as subject of a verb esp. in the vicinity of a preposition
          or a verb of which it might mistakenly be considered the object
          <~ say ye that I am --Mt 16:15 (AV)> <people ... ~ you never
          thought would sympathize --Shea Murphy> usage Observers of the
          language have been predicting the demise of whom from about 1870
          down to the present day <one of the pronoun cases is visibly
          disappearing--the objective case whom --R. G. White (1870)> <whom
          is dying out in England, where "Whom did you see?" sounds affected
          --Anthony Burgess (1980)>. Our evidence shows that no one--English
          or not--should expect whom to disappear momentarily; it shows every
          indication of persisting quite a while yet. Actual usage of who and
          whom--accurately described at the entries in this dictionary--does
          not appear to be markedly different from the usage of Shakespeare's
          time. But the 18th century grammarians, propounding rules and
          analogies, rejecting other rules and analogies, and usu. justifying
          both with appeals to Latin or Greek, have intervened between us and
          Shakespeare. It seems clear that the grammarians' rules have had
          little effect on the traditional uses. One thing they have
          accomplished is to encourage hypercorrect uses of whom <whom shall
          I say is calling?>. Another is that they have made some people
          unsure of themselves <said he was asked to step down, although
          it is not known exactly who or whom asked him --Redding (Conn.)
          Pilot>.

   whomever
          [whom.ev.er] pron objective case of whoever

   [1]whomp
          [whomp] n [imit.] (1926): a loud slap, crash, or crunch [2]whomp
          vi (1942): to strike with a sharp noise or thump ~ vt
          1: to hit or slap sharply 2: to defeat decisively: trounce
          3: to create or put together esp. hastily--usu. used
          with up

   whomp up
          [whomp up] vt (1949): to stir up: arouse

   whomso
          [whom.so] pron objective case of whoso

   whomsoever
          [whom.so.ev.er] pron objective case of whosoever

   [1]whoop
          [whoop] vb [ME whopen, fr. MF houpper, of imit. origin] vi
          (14c) 1: to utter a whoop in expression of eagerness,
          enthusiasm, or enjoyment: shout 2: to utter the cry of
          an owl: hoot 3: to make the characteristic whoop of whooping
          cough 4 a: to go or pass with a loud noise b: to be rushed
          through by acclamation or with noisy support <the bill
          ~ed through both houses> ~ vt 1 a: to utter or express
          with a whoop b: to urge, drive, or cheer on with a whoop
          2: to agitate in behalf of 3: raise, boost <~ up the
          price> -- whoop it up 1: to celebrate riotously: carouse
          2: to stir up enthusiasm [2]whoop n (1593) 1 a: a loud
          yell expressive of eagerness, exuberance, or jubilation--often
          used interjectionally b: a shout of hunters or of men
          in battle or pursuit 2: the cry of an owl: hoot 3: the
          crowing intake of breath following a paroxysm in whooping
          cough 4: a minimum amount or degree: the least bit <not
          worth a ~>

   whoop-de-do
          [whoop-de-do] or whoop-de-doo n [prob. irreg. fr. [2]whoop]
          (1929) 1: noisy and exuberant or attention-getting activity
          (as at a social affair or in a political campaign) 2:
          a lively social affair 3: agitated public discussion
          or debate

   [1]whoopee
          [whoop.ee] interj [irreg. fr. [2]whoop] (1845)--used to express
          exuberance [2]whoop.ee n (1924) 1: boisterous convivial
          fun: merrymaking--usu. used with make 2: sexual play--usu.
          used with make

   whoopee cushion
          [whoopee cushion] n (1953): a cushion that makes a sound
          like the breaking of wind when sat upon

   whooper
          [whoop.er] n (1660): one that whoops; specif: whooping crane

   whooper swan
          [whooper swan] n (1880): a chiefly Eurasian swan (Cygnus
          cygnus) with a yellow and black bill--compare trumpeter
          swan

   whooping cough
          [whooping cough] n (ca.1670): an infectious disease esp.
          of children caused by a bacterium (Bordetella pertussis)
          and marked by a convulsive spasmodic cough sometimes
          followed by a crowing intake of breath--called also pertussis

   whooping crane
          [whooping crane] n (ca. 1730): a large white nearly extinct
          No. American crane (Grus americana) noted for its loud
          trumpeting call

   whoopla
          [whoop.la] n [alter. of hoopla] (1931) 1: hoopla 2: boisterous
          merrymaking

   whoops
          [whoops] var of oops

   [1]whoosh
          [whoosh] n [imit.] (1880): a swift or explosive rush; also:
          the sound created by such a rush--often used interjectionally
          [2]whoosh vi (1909): to rush past or move explosively
          <cars ~ing along the expressway> ~ vt: to move (a person
          or thing) with or as if with a whoosh

   [1]whop
          [whop] vt whopped ; whop.ping [ME whappen, alter. of wappen
          to throw violently] (15c) 1: to pull or whip out 2 a:
          beat, strike b: to defeat totally [2]whop n (15c): a
          heavy blow: thump

   whopper
          [whop.per] n [[1]whop] (ca. 1785) 1: something unusually
          large or otherwise extreme of its kind 2: an extravagant
          or monstrous lie

   whopping
          [whop.ping] adj (ca. 1625): extremely large; also: extraordinary,
          incredible

   [1]whore
          [whore] n [ME hore, fr. OE hore; akin to ON hora whore, horr
          adulterer, L carus dear--more at charity] (bef. 12c)
          1: a woman who engages in sexual acts for money: prostitute;
          also: a promiscuous or immoral woman 2: a male who engages
          in sexual acts for money 3: a venal or unscrupulous person
          [2]whore vb whored ; whor.ing vi (1583) 1: to have unlawful
          sexual intercourse as or with a whore 2: to pursue a
          faithless, unworthy, or idolatrous desire ~ vt, obs:
          to corrupt by lewd intercourse: debauch

   whoredom
          [whore.dom] n [ME hordom sexual immorality, idolatrous practices,
          fr. ON hordomr adultery, fr. horr] (12c) 1: the practice
          of whoring: prostitution 2: faithless, unworthy, or idolatrous
          practices or pursuits

   whorehouse
          [whore.house] n (14c): a building in which prostitutes are
          available: bordello

   whoremaster
          [whore.mas.ter] n (14c): a man consorting with whores or
          given to lechery

   whoremonger
          [whore.mon.ger] n (1526): whoremaster

   whoreson
          [whore.son] n, often attrib (14c) 1: bastard 2: a coarse
          fellow--used as a generalized term of abuse

   Whorfian hypothesis
          [Whorf.ian hypothesis] n [Benjamin Lee Whorf d. 1941 Am.
          anthropologist] (1954): a theory in linguistics: one's
          language determines one's conception of the world

   whorish
          [whor.ish] adj (1535): of or befitting a whore

   whorl
          [whorl] n [ME wharle, whorle, prob. alter. of whirle, fr.
          whirlen to whirl] (15c) 1: a drum-shaped section on the
          lower part of a spindle in spinning or weaving machinery
          serving as a pulley for the tape drive that rotates the
          spindle 2: an arrangement of similar anatomical parts
          (as leaves) in a circle around a point on an axis 3:
          something that whirls, coils, or spirals or whose form
          suggests such movement: swirl <~s of snow> 4: one of
          the turns of a univalve shell 5: a fingerprint in which
          the central papillary ridges turn through at least one
          complete circle

   whorled
          [whorled] adj (ca. 1776): having or arranged in whorls <leaves
          ~ at the nodes of the stem>

   whortleberry
          [whor.tle.ber.ry] n [alter. of earlier hurtleberry, fr. ME
          hurtilberye, irreg. fr. OE horte whortleberry + ME berye
          berry] (1578) 1: a European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus);
          also: its glaucous blackish edible berry 2: blueberry

   [1]whose
          [whose] adj [ME whos, gen. of who, what] (bef. 12c): of or
          relating to whom or which esp. as possessor or possessors
          <~ gorgeous vesture heaps the ground --Robert Browning>,
          agent or agents <the law courts, ~ decisions were important
          --F. L. Mott>, or object or objects of an action <the
          first poem ~ publication he ever sanctioned --J. W. Krutch>
          [2]whose pron, sing or pl in constr (13c): that which
          belongs to whom--used without a following noun as a pronoun
          equivalent in meaning to the adjective whose <tell me
          ~ it was --Shak.>

   whosesoever
          [whose.so.ev.er] adj (1611): of or relating to whomsoever
          <~ sins ye remit --Jn 20:23 (AV)>

   whoso
          [who.so] pron (12c): whoever

   whosoever
          [who.so.ev.er] pron (13c): whoever

   who's who
          [who's who] n, often cap both Ws (1917) 1: a compilation
          of brief biographical sketches of prominent persons in
          a particular field <a who's who of sports figures> 2:
          the leaders of a group: elite; also: a listing of such
          figures

   whr
          [whr] abbreviation watt-hour

   whs
          [whs] or whse abbreviation warehouse

   whsle
          [whsle] abbreviation wholesale

   whump
          [whump] vi [imit.] (1897): bang, thump -- whump n

   [1]why
          [why] adv [ME, fr. OE hwy, instr. case of hwaet what--more
          at what] (bef. 12c): for what cause, reason, or purpose
          <~ did you do it?> [2]why conj (bef. 12c) 1: the cause,
          reason, or purpose for which <know ~ you did it> <that
          is ~ you did it> 2: for which: on account of which <know
          the reason ~ you did it> [3]why n, pl whys (14c) 1: reason,
          cause <wants to know the ~s and wherefores> 2: a baffling
          problem: enigma [4]why interj (1519)--used to express
          mild surprise, hesitation, approval, disapproval, or
          impatience <~, here's what I was looking for>

   whydah
          [whyd.ah] n [alter. of widow (bird)] (1783): any of various
          mostly black and white African weaverbirds (genera Euplectes
          and Vidua) often kept as cage birds and distinguished
          in the male by long drooping tail feathers during the
          breeding season

   wi...
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   wi
          [wi] abbreviation when issued  WI abbreviation West Indies,
          Wisconsin, wrought iron

   WIA
          [WIA] abbreviation wounded in action

   [1]wick
          [wick] n [ME weke, wicke, fr. OE weoce; akin to OHG wiohha
          wick, MIr figid he weaves] (bef. 12c): a bundle of fibers
          or a loosely twisted, braided, or woven cord, tape, or
          tube usu. of soft spun cotton threads that by capillary
          attraction draws up to be burned a steady supply of the
          oil in lamps or the melted tallow or wax in candles [2]wick
          vt (1949): to carry (as moisture) by capillary action--often
          used with away <a fabric that ~s away perspiration>

   Wick
          [Wick] abbreviation Wicklow

   [1]wicked
          [wick.ed] adj [ME, alter. of wicke wicked] (13c) 1: morally
          very bad: evil 2 a: fierce, vicious <a ~ dog> b: disposed
          to or marked by mischief: roguish <does ~ impersonations>
          3 a: disgustingly unpleasant: vile <a ~ odor> b: causing
          or likely to cause harm, distress, or trouble <a ~ storm>
          4: going beyond reasonable or predictable limits: of
          exceptional quality or degree <throws a ~ fastball> --
          wick.ed.ly adv [2]wicked adv (1980): very, extremely
          <~ fast>

   wickedness
          [wick.ed.ness] n (14c) 1: the quality or state of being wicked
          2: something wicked

   wicker
          [wick.er] n [ME wiker, of Scand origin; akin to Sw dial.
          vikker willow, ON veikr weak--more at weak] (14c) 1:
          a small pliant twig or branch: osier, withe 2 a: wickerwork
          b: something made of wicker -- wicker adj

   wickerwork
          [wick.er.work] n (1719): work consisting of interlaced osiers,
          twigs, or rods <a cage of ~>

   wicket
          [wick.et] n [ME wiket, fr. ONF, of Gmc origin; akin to ON
          vik corner, vikja to move, turn] (13c) 1: a small gate
          or door; esp: one forming part of or placed near a larger
          gate or door 2: an opening like a window; esp: a grilled
          or grated window through which business is transacted
          3 a: either of the two sets of three stumps topped by
          two crosspieces and set 66 feet apart at which the ball
          is bowled in cricket b: an area 10 feet wide bounded
          by these wickets c: one innings of a batsman; specif:
          one that is not completed or never begun <win by three
          ~s> 4: an arch or hoop in croquet

   wicking
          [wick.ing] n (1847): material for wicks

   wickiup
          [wick.i.up] n [Fox (Algonquian language of the Fox, Sauk,
          and Kickapoo Indians) wikiyapi house] (1852): a hut used
          by the nomadic Indians of the arid regions of the western
          and southwestern U.S. with a usu. oval base and a rough
          frame covered with reed mats, grass, or brushwood; also:
          a rude temporary shelter or hut

   wid
          [wid] abbreviation widow, widower

   widdershins
          [wid.der.shins] adv [MLG weddersinnes, fr. MHG widersinnes,
          fr. widersinnen to go against, fr. wider back against
          (fr. OHG widar) + sinnen to travel, go; akin to OHG sendan
          to send--more at with, send] (1513): in a left-handed,
          wrong, or contrary direction: counterclockwise--compare
          deasil

   widdy
          [wid.dy] n, pl widdies [ME (Sc), fr. ME withy] (15c) 1 Scot
          & dial Eng: a rope of osiers 2 Scot & dial Eng: a hangman's
          noose

   [1]wide
          [wide] adj wider ; wid.est [ME, fr. OE wid; akin to OHG wit
          wide] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having great extent: vast <a ~
          area> b: extending over a vast area: extensive <a ~ reputation>
          c: extending throughout a specified area or scope--usu.
          used in combination <nationwide> <industry-wide> d: comprehensive,
          inclusive <a ~ assortment> 2 a: having a specified extension from
          side to side <3 feet ~> b: having much extent between the sides:
          broad <a ~ doorway> c: fully opened <wide-eyed> d: lax
          4 3 a: extending or fluctuating considerably between limits
          <a ~ variation> b: straying or deviating from something
          specified--used with of <the accusation was ~ of the truth>
          4 of an animal ration: relatively rich in carbohydrate as compared
          with protein syn see broad -- wide.ness n [2]wide adv wid.er
          ; wid.est (bef. 12c) 1 a: over a great distance or extent: widely
          <searched far and ~> b: over a specified distance, area,
          or extent--usu. in combination <expanded the business country-wide>
          2 a: so as to leave much space or distance between b: so as to pass
          at or clear by a considerable distance <ran ~ around left end>
          3: to the fullest extent: completely, fully <~ open>

   wide-angle
          [wide-an.gle] adj (1878) 1: having or covering an angle of
          view wider than the ordinary--used esp. of lenses of
          shorter than normal focal length 2: having, involving
          the use of, or relating to a wide-angle lens <a ~ shot>

   wide-awake
          [wide-awake] adj (1818) 1: fully awake 2: alertly watchful
          esp. for advantages or opportunities syn see watchful

   wideawake
          [wide.awake] n (1837) 1: a soft felt hat with a low crown
          and a wide brim 2: sooty tern

   wideband
          [wide.band] adj (1935): broadband

   wide-body
          [wide-body] n (1968): a large jet aircraft

   wide-eyed
          [wide-eyed] adj (1853) 1: having the eyes wide open esp.
          with wonder or astonishment 2: having or marked by unsophisticated
          or uncritical acceptance or admiration: naive <~ innocence>

   widely
          [wide.ly] adv (1579) 1: over or through a wide area <has
          traveled ~> 2: to a great extent <departed ~ from the
          previous edition> 3: by or among a large well-dispersed
          group of people <a ~ known political figure> 4: over
          a broad range <persons with ~ fluctuating incomes --Current
          Biog.>

   widemouthed
          [wide.mouthed] adj (1593) 1: having one's mouth opened wide
          (as in awe) 2: having a wide mouth <~ jars>

   widen
          [wid.en] vb wid.ened ; wid.en.ing vt (1650): to increase
          the width, scope, or extent of ~ vi: to become wide or
          wider -- wid.en.er n

   wide-open
          [wide-open] adj (1852): having virtually no limits or restrictions
          <a ~ town>

   wideout
          [wide.out] n (1979): wide receiver

   wide-ranging
          [wide-rang.ing] adj (1816): extensive in scope: comprehensive
          <~ interests>

   wide receiver
          [wide receiver] n (1968): a football receiver who normally
          lines up several yards to the side of the offensive formation

   wide-screen
          [wide-screen] adj (1931): of or relating to a projected picture
          whose aspect ratio is substantially greater than 1.33:1

   widespread
          [wide.spread] adj (1705) 1: widely diffused or prevalent
          <~ public interest> 2: widely extended or spread out
          <low, ~ hood and fenders --Time> <a ~ erosion surface
          --C. B. Hitchcock>

   wide-spreading
          [wide-spread.ing] adj (1591): stretching or extending over
          a wide space or area <~ thatch roofs --Nat'l Geographic>

   widget
          [wid.get] n [alter. of gadget] (1926) 1: gadget 2: an unnamed
          article considered for purposes of hypothetical example

   widish
          [wid.ish] adj (1845): somewhat wide

   [1]widow
          [wid.ow] n [ME widewe, fr. OE wuduwe; akin to OHG wituwa
          widow, L vidua, Skt vidhava, L -videre to separate] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a woman who has lost her husband by death and
          usu. has not remarried b: grass widow 2 c: a woman whose
          husband leaves her alone frequently or for long periods
          to engage in a usu. specified activity <a golf ~> 2:
          an extra hand or part of a hand of cards dealt face down
          and usu. placed at the disposal of the highest bidder
          3: a single usu. short last line (as of a paragraph)
          separated from its related text and appearing at the
          top of a printed page or column [2]widow vt (14c) 1:
          to cause to become a widow or widower 2 obs: to survive
          as the widow of 3: to deprive of something greatly valued
          or needed

   widower
          [wid.ow.er] n [ME widewer, alter. of wedow widow, widower,
          fr. OE wuduwa widower; akin to OE wuduwe widow] (14c):
          a man who has lost his wife by death and usu. has not
          remarried

   widowerhood
          [wid.ow.er.hood] n (1796) 1: the fact or state of being a
          widower 2: the period during which a man remains a widower

   widowhood
          [wid.ow.hood] n (bef. 12c) 1: the fact or state of being
          a widow 2: the period during which a woman remains a
          widow 3: widowerhood

   widow's cruse
          [widow's cruse] n [fr. the widow's cruse of oil that miraculously
          supplies Elijah during a famine (I Kings 17:8-16)] (1816):
          an inexhaustible supply

   widow's peak
          [widow's peak] n (1849): a point formed by the hairline in
          front

   widow's walk
          [widow's walk] n (1937): a railed observation platform atop
          a usu. coastal house

   width
          [width] n [[1]wide] (1627) 1: the horizontal measurement
          taken at right angles to the length: breadth 2: largeness
          of extent or scope 3: a measured and cut piece of material
          <a ~ of calico>

   wie geht's?
          [wie geht's?] [G] foreign term : how goes it?

   wield
          [wield] vt [ME welden to control, fr. OE wieldan; akin to
          OHG waltan to rule, L valere to be strong, be worth]
          (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly dial: to deal successfully with:
          manage 2: to handle (as a tool) esp. effectively <~ a
          broom> 3 a: to exert one's authority by means of <~ influence>
          b: have at one's command or disposal <did not ~ appropriate
          credentials --G. W. Bonham> -- wield.er n

   wieldy
          [wieldy] adj (14c): capable of being wielded easily

   wiener
          [wie.ner] n [short for wienerwurst] (1900): frankfurter

   Wiener schnitzel
          [Wie.ner schnit.zel] n [G, lit., Vienna cutlet] (1862): a
          thin breaded veal cutlet

   wienerwurst
          [wie.ner.wurst] n [G, fr. Wiener of Vienna + Wurst sausage]
          (1889) 1: vienna sausage 2: frankfurter

   wienie
          [wie.nie] n [by shortening & alter. fr. wienerwurst] (1897):
          frankfurter

   wife
          [wife] n, pl wives [ME wif, fr. OE wif; akin to OHG wib wife]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a dial: woman b: a woman acting in a specified
          capacity--used in combination <fishwife> 2: a female
          partner in a marriage -- wife.hood n -- wife.less adj

   [1]wifelike
          [wife.like] adv (1598): in a wifely manner [2]wifelike adj
          (1613): wifely

   wifely
          [wife.ly] adj (bef. 12c): of, relating to, or befitting a
          wife -- wife.li.ness n

   Wiffle
          [Wif.fle] trademark--used for a hollow plastic ball with
          cutouts in one hemisphere

   wifty
          [wif.ty] adj [origin unknown] (1979): ditsy

   [1]wig
          [wig] n [short for periwig] (1675) 1 a: a manufactured covering
          of natural or synthetic hair for the head b: toupee 2
          2: an act of wigging: rebuke [2]wig vb wigged ; wig.ging
          vt (1829): to scold severely: rebuke ~ vi, slang: to
          lose one's composure or reason: flip--usu. used with
          out

   wigan
          [wig.an] n [Wigan, England] (ca. 1875): a stiff plain-weave
          cotton fabric used for interlining

   wigeon
          [wi.geon] or wid.geon n, pl wigeon or wigeons or widgeon
          or widgeons [origin unknown] (1513): any of several freshwater
          ducks (genus Anas): as a: an Old World duck (Anas penelope)
          with a large white patch on each wing and in the male
          with a red brown head and a buff crown b: baldpate 2

   wigged
          [wigged] adj (1777): wearing a wig esp. of a specified kind
          <the mute, blond-wigged ... member of the team --Current
          Biog.>

   wigged-out
          [wigged-out] adj (1970) slang: having lost touch with reality:
          crazy

   [1]wiggle
          [wig.gle] vb wig.gled ; wig.gling [ME wiglen, fr. or akin
          to MD or MLG wiggelen to totter; akin to OE wegan to
          move--more at way] vi (13c) 1: to move to and fro with
          quick jerky or shaking motions: jiggle 2: to proceed
          with or as if with twisting and turning movements: wriggle
          ~ vt: to cause to wiggle [2]wiggle n (1816) 1: the act
          of wiggling 2: shellfish or fish in cream sauce with
          peas -- wig.gly adj

   wiggler
          [wig.gler] n (1859) 1: a larva or pupa of the mosquito--called
          also wriggler 2: one that wiggles

   [1]wight
          [wight] n [ME, creature, thing, fr. OE wiht; akin to OHG
          wiht creature, thing, OCS vesti thing] (bef. 12c): a
          living being: creature; esp: a human being [2]wight adj
          [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON vigr skilled in fighting
          (neut. vigt); akin to OE wigan to fight--more at victor]
          (13c) archaic: valiant, stalwart

   wiglet
          [wig.let] n (1831): a small wig used esp. to enhance a hairstyle

   [1]wigwag
          [wig.wag] vb [E dial. wig to move + E wag] vt (1892) 1: to
          signal by wigwagging 2: to cause to wigwag ~ vi 1: to
          send a signal by or as if by a flag or light waved according
          to a code 2: to make a signal (as by waving the hand
          or arm) [2]wigwag n (1886): the art or practice of wigwagging

   wigwam
          [wig.wam] n [Eastern Abenaki wikewam house] (1628): a hut
          of the American Indians of the Great Lakes region and
          eastward having typically an arched framework of poles
          overlaid with bark, rush mats, or hides; also: a rough
          hut

   wilco
          [wil.co] interj [will comply] (ca. 1938)--used esp. in radio
          and signaling to indicate that a message received will
          be complied with

   [1]wild
          [wild] adj [ME wilde, fr. OE; akin to OHG wildi wild, W gwyllt]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: living in a state of nature and not ordinarily
          tame or domesticated <~ duck> b (1): growing or produced
          without human aid or care <~ honey> (2): related to or
          resembling a corresponding cultivated or domesticated
          organism c: of or relating to wild organisms <the ~ state>
          2 a: not inhabited or cultivated <~ land> b: not amenable
          to human habitation or cultivation; also: desolate 3
          a (1): not subject to restraint or regulation: uncontrolled;
          also: unruly (2): emotionally overcome <~ with grief>;
          also: passionately eager or enthusiastic <was ~ to own
          a toy train --J. C. Furnas> b: marked by turbulent agitation:
          stormy <a ~ night> c: going beyond normal or conventional
          bounds: fantastic <~ ideas>; also: sensational d: indicative
          of strong passion, desire, or emotion <a ~ gleam of delight
          in his eyes --Irish Digest> 4: uncivilized, barbaric
          5: characteristic of, appropriate to, or expressive of
          wilderness, wildlife, or a simple or uncivilized society
          6 a: deviating from the intended or expected course <~
          spelling --C. W. Cunnington> <the throw was ~>; also:
          tending to throw inaccurately b: having no basis in known
          or surmised fact <a ~ guess> 7 of a playing card: able
          to represent any card designated by the holder -- wild.ish
          adj -- wild.ness n [2]wild adv (1549): in a wild manner:
          as a: without regulation or control b: off an intended
          or expected course [3]wild n (1596) 1: a sparsely inhabited
          or uncultivated region or tract: wilderness 2: a wild,
          free, or natural state or existence

   wild bergamot
          [wild bergamot] n (1843): a fragrant No. American herbaceous
          mint (Monarda fistulosa) having a terminal capitate cluster
          of rather large pink or purple flowers

   wild boar
          [wild boar] n (13c): an Old World wild hog (Sus scrofa) from
          which most domestic swine have been derived

   wild card
          [wild card] n [wild card, playing card with arbitrarily determined
          value] (1972) 1: one picked to fill a leftover playoff
          or tournament berth after regularly qualifying competitors have all
          been determined 2: an unknown or unpredictable factor

   wild carrot
          [wild carrot] n (ca. 1538): queen anne's lace

   [1]wildcat
          [wild.cat] n, pl wildcats (14c) 1 a: a cat (Felis silvestris)
          of Eurasia and Africa that resembles but is heavier in
          build than the domestic tabby cat and is usu. held to
          be among the ancestors of the domestic cat b or pl wildcat
          : any of various small or medium-sized cats (as the lynx
          or ocelot) c: a feral domestic cat 2: a savage quick-tempered
          person 3 a: wildcat money b: a wildcat oil or gas well
          c: a wildcat strike [2]wildcat adj (1838) 1 a (1): financially
          irresponsible or unreliable <~ banks> (2): issued by
          a financially irresponsible banking establishment <~
          currency> b: operating, produced, or carried on outside
          the bounds of standard or legitimate business practices
          <~ insurance schemes --H. H. Reichard> c: of, relating
          to, or being an oil or gas well drilled in territory
          not known to be productive d: initiated by a group of
          workers without formal union approval or in violation
          of a contract <a ~ strike> <~ work stoppages> 2 a of
          a cartridge: having a bullet of standard caliber but
          using an expanded case or a case designed for a bullet
          of greater caliber necked down for the smaller bullet
          b of a firearm: using wildcat cartridges [3]wildcat vi
          wild.cat.ted ; wild.cat.ting (1883): to prospect and
          drill an experimental oil or gas well or sink a mine
          shaft in territory not known to be productive

   wildcatter
          [wild.cat.ter] n (1883) 1: one that drills wells in the hope
          of finding oil in territory not known to be an oil field
          2: one that promotes unsafe and unreliable enterprises;
          esp: one that sells stocks in such enterprises 3: one
          that designs, builds, or fires wildcat cartridges and
          firearms 4: a worker who goes out on a wildcat strike

   wild celery
          [wild celery] n (1874): tape grass

   wildebeest
          [wil.de.beest] n, pl wildebeests also wildebeest [Afrik wildebees,
          fr. wilde wild + bees ox] (1824): gnu

   wilder
          [wil.der] vb [prob. irreg. fr. wilderness] vt (1613) 1 archaic:
          to lead astray 2 archaic: bewilder, perplex ~ vi, archaic:
          to move at random: wander -- wil.der.ment n, archaic

   wilderness
          [wil.der.ness] n [ME, fr. wildern wild, fr. OE wilddeoren
          of wild beasts] (13c) 1 a (1): a tract or region uncultivated
          and uninhabited by human beings (2): an area essentially
          undisturbed by human activity together with its naturally
          developed life community b: an empty or pathless area
          or region <in remote ~es of space groups of nebulae are
          found --G. W. Gray d.1960> c: a part of a garden devoted
          to wild growth 2 obs: wild or uncultivated state 3 a:
          a confusing multitude or mass: an indefinitely great
          number or quantity <I would not have given it for a ~
          of monkeys --Shak.> b: a bewildering situation <those
          moral ~es of civilized life --Norman Mailer>

   wilderness area
          [wilderness area] n, often cap W&A (1928): an often large
          tract of public land maintained essentially in its natural
          state and protected against introduction of intrusive
          artifacts (as roads and buildings)

   wild-eyed
          [wild-eyed] adj (1817) 1: having a wild expression in the
          eyes 2: consisting of or favoring extreme or visionary
          ideas <~ schemes>

   wildfire
          [wild.fire] n (12c) 1: a sweeping and destructive conflagration
          esp. in a wilderness or a rural area 2: greek fire 3:
          a phosphorescent glow (as ignis fatuus or fox fire) 4:
          a destructive leaf-spot disease of tobacco caused by
          several strains of a bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae)
          -- like wildfire : very rapidly

   wildflower
          [wild.flow.er] n (1797): the flower of a wild or uncultivated
          plant or the plant bearing it

   wildfowl
          [wild.fowl] n (bef. 12c): a game bird; esp: a game waterfowl
          (as a wild duck or goose) -- wild.fowl.er n -- wild.fowl.ing
          n

   wild geranium
          [wild geranium] n (1840): a common geranium (Geranium maculatum)
          of eastern No. America with deeply parted leaves and
          flowers of rosy purple; also: any of several related
          geraniums

   wild ginger
          [wild ginger] n (1804): a No. American perennial herb (Asarum
          canadense) of the birthwort family with a pungent creeping
          rhizome

   wild-goose chase
          [wild-goose chase] n (1592): a complicated or lengthy and
          usu. fruitless pursuit or search

   wild hyacinth
          [wild hyacinth] n (1847): any of several plants with flowers
          suggestive of hyacinths: as a: a camas (Camassia scilloides)
          of the central U.S. and southern Ontario with white racemose
          flowers b: bluebell 2a c: any of several western No.
          American plants (genus Brodiaea) of the lily family with
          grasslike basal leaves and variously colored flowers

   wild indigo
          [wild indigo] n (1744): baptisia; esp: a tumbleweed (Baptisia
          tinctoria) with bright yellow flowers and trifoliolate
          leaves

   [1]wilding
          [wild.ing] n [[1]wild + [2]-ing] (ca. 1525) 1 a: a plant
          growing uncultivated in the wild either as a native or
          an escape; esp: a wild apple or crab apple b: the fruit
          of a wilding 2: a wild animal [2]wilding adj (1697):
          not domesticated or cultivated: wild

   wildland
          [wild.land] n (1813): land that is uncultivated or unfit
          for cultivation

   wildlife
          [wild.life] n, often attrib (1879): living things and esp.
          mammals, birds, and fishes that are neither human nor
          domesticated

   wildling
          [wild.ling] n (1840): wilding

   wildly
          [wild.ly] adv (14c) 1: in a wild manner <was talking ~> 2:
          extremely 2 <~ popular>

   wild marjoram
          [wild marjoram] n (1550): oregano 1

   wild mustard
          [wild mustard] n (1597): charlock

   wild oat
          [wild oat] n (15c) 1: any of several wild grasses (genus
          Avena); esp: a European annual weed (A. fatua) common
          in meadows and pastures 2 pl: offenses and indiscretions
          ascribed to youthful exuberance--usu. used in the phrase
          sow one's wild oats

   wild pansy
          [wild pansy] n (ca. 1900): johnny-jump-up

   wild pink
          [wild pink] n (1814): an American catchfly (Silene caroliniana)
          of the eastern U.S. with pink or whitish flowers

   wild pitch
          [wild pitch] n (1867): a baseball pitch not hit by the batter
          that cannot be caught or controlled by the catcher with
          ordinary effort and that enables a base runner to advance--compare
          passed ball

   wild rice
          [wild rice] n (1748): a tall aquatic No. American perennial
          grass (Zizania aquatica) that yields an edible grain;
          also: the grain

   wild rye
          [wild rye] n (ca. 1500): any of several grasses (genus Elymus)

   wild sarsaparilla
          [wild sarsaparilla] n (1814): a common No. American perennial
          herb (Aralia nudicaulis) of the ginseng family with long-stalked
          basal compound leaves, umbels of greenish flowers, and
          an aromatic root used as a substitute of true sarsaparilla

   wild type
          [wild type] n (1914): a phenotype, genotype, or gene that
          predominates in a natural population of organisms or
          strain of organisms in contrast to that of natural or
          laboratory mutant forms; also: an organism or strain
          displaying the wild type -- wild-type adj

   Wild West
          [Wild West] n (1849): the western U.S. in its frontier period
          characterized by roughness and lawlessness -- Wild West
          adj

   wildwood
          [wild.wood] n (12c): a wood unaltered or unfrequented by
          humans

   [1]wile
          [wile] n [ME wil, prob. of Scand origin; akin to ON vel deceit,
          artifice] (12c) 1: a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare
          or deceive; also: a beguiling or playful trick 2: skill
          in outwitting: trickery, guile syn see trick [2]wile
          vt wiled ; wil.ing (14c) 1: to lure by or as if by a
          magic spell: entice 2 [by alter.]: while

   [1]will
          [will] vb, past would pres sing & pl will [ME (1st & 3d sing.
          pres. indic.), fr. OE wille (infin. wyllan); akin to
          OHG wili (3d sing. pres. indic.) wills, L velle to wish,
          will] vt (bef. 12c): desire, wish <call it what you ~>
          ~ verbal auxiliary 1--used to express desire, choice,
          willingness, consent, or in negative constructions refusal
          <no one would take the job> <if we ~ all do our best>
          <~ you please stop that racket> 2--used to express frequent,
          customary, or habitual action or natural tendency or
          disposition <~ get angry over nothing> <~ work one day
          and loaf the next> 3--used to express futurity <tomorrow
          morning I ~ wake up in this first-class hotel suite --Tennessee
          Williams> 4--used to express capability or sufficiency
          <the back seat ~ hold three passengers> 5--used to express
          probability and often equivalent to the simple verb <that
          ~ be the milkman> 6 a--used to express determination,
          insistence, persistence, or willfulness <I have made
          up my mind to go and go I ~> b--used to express inevitability
          <accidents ~ happen> 7--used to express a command, exhortation,
          or injunction <you ~ do as I say, at once> ~ vi: to have
          a wish or desire <whether we ~ or no> usage see shall
          -- if you will : if you wish to call it that <a kind
          of preoccupation, or obsession if you will --Louis Auchincloss>
          [2]will n [ME, fr. OE willa will, desire; akin to OE
          wille] (bef. 12c) 1: desire, wish: as a: disposition,
          inclination <where there's a ~ there's a way> b: appetite,
          passion c: choice, determination 2 a: something desired;
          esp: a choice or determination of one having authority
          or power b (1) archaic: request, command (2) [fr. the
          phrase our will is which introduces it]: the part of
          a summons expressing a royal command 3: the act, process,
          or experience of willing: volition 4 a: mental powers
          manifested as wishing, choosing, desiring, or intending
          b: a disposition to act according to principles or ends
          c: the collective desire of a group <the ~ of the people>
          5: the power of control over one's own actions or emotions
          <a man of iron ~> 6: a legal declaration of a person's
          wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property
          or estate after death; esp: a written instrument legally
          executed by which a person makes disposition of his or
          her estate to take effect after death -- at will : as
          one wishes: as or when it pleases or suits oneself [3]will
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to order or direct by a will b: to
          dispose of by or as if by a will: bequeath 2 a: to determine
          by an act of choice b: decree, ordain <Providence ~s
          it> c: intend, purpose d: to cause or change by an act
          of will; also: to try to do so ~ vi 1: to exercise the
          will 2: choose

   willed
          [willed] adj (14c) 1: having a will esp. of a specified kind--usu.
          used in combination <strong-willed> 2: deliberate

   willemite
          [wil.lem.ite] n [G Willemit, fr. Willem (William) I d. 1843
          king of the Netherlands] (ca. 1841): a mineral consisting
          of a silicate of zinc, occurring in hexagonal prisms
          and in massive or granular forms, and varying in color

   willet
          [wil.let] n, pl willet [imit.] (1791): a large American shorebird
          (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) that resembles the greater
          yellowlegs but has a thicker bill and gray legs and that
          displays a black and white wing pattern when in flight

   willful
          [will.ful] or wil.ful adj (13c) 1: obstinately and often
          perversely self-willed 2: done deliberately: intentional
          syn see unruly -- will.ful.ly adv -- will.ful.ness n

   William Tell
          [Wil.liam Tell] n: an heroic archer in Swiss legend who complies
          with an order to shoot an apple off his son's head

   willies
          [wil.lies] n pl [origin unknown] (ca. 1896): a fit of nervousness:
          jitters--used with the

   willing
          [will.ing] adj (14c) 1: inclined or favorably disposed in
          mind: ready 2: prompt to act or respond 3: done, borne,
          or accepted by choice or without reluctance 4: of or
          relating to the will or power of choosing: volitional
          syn see voluntary -- will.ing.ly adv -- will.ing.ness
          n

   williwaw
          [wil.li.waw] n [origin unknown] (1842) 1 a: a sudden violent
          gust of cold land air common along mountainous coasts
          of high latitudes b: a sudden violent wind 2: a violent
          commotion

   will-less
          [will-less] adj (1747) 1: involving no exercise of the will:
          involuntary <~ obedience> 2: not exercising the will
          <~ slaves>

   will-o'-the-wisp
          [will-o'-the-wisp] n [Will (nickname for William) + of +
          the + wisp] (1661) 1: ignis fatuus 1 2: a delusive or
          elusive goal -- will-o'-the-wisp adj

   willow
          [wil.low] n [ME wilghe, wilowe, fr. OE welig; akin to MHG
          wilge willow] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus (Salix of
          the family Salicaceae, the willow family) of trees and
          shrubs bearing catkins of apetalous flowers and including
          forms of value for wood, osiers, or tanbark and a few
          ornamentals 2: an object made of willow wood; esp: a
          cricket bat -- wil.low.like adj

   willow herb
          [willow herb] n (1578): any of a genus (Epilobium) of herbs
          of the evening-primrose family; esp: fireweed b

   willowware
          [wil.low.ware] n (ca. 1885): dinnerware that is usu. blue-and-white
          and that is decorated with a story-telling design featuring a large
          willow tree by a little bridge

   willowy
          [wil.lowy] adj (1766) 1: abounding with willows 2: resembling
          a willow: a: pliant b: gracefully tall and slender

   willpower
          [will.pow.er] n (1874): energetic determination

   will to power
          [will to power] (1907) 1: the drive of the superman in the
          philosophy of Nietzsche to perfect and transcend the
          self through the possession and exercise of creative
          power 2: a conscious or unconscious desire to exercise
          authority over others

   willy-nilly
          [wil.ly-nil.ly] adv or adj [alter. of will I nill I or will
          ye nill ye or will he nill he] (1608) 1: by compulsion:
          without choice 2: in a haphazard or spontaneous manner

   Wilms' tumor
          [Wilms' tumor] n [Max Wilms d. 1918 Ger. surgeon] (ca. 1910):
          a malignant tumor of the kidney that primarily affects
          children and is made up of embryonic elements

   Wilson's disease
          [Wil.son's disease] n [Samuel A. K. Wilson d. 1937 Eng.
          neurologist] (ca. 1915): a hereditary disease that is determined
          by an autosomal recessive gene and is marked esp. by cirrhotic
          changes in the liver and severe mental disorder due
          to a ceruloplasmin deficiency and resulting inability to metabolize
          copper

   [1]wilt
          [wilt] archaic pres 2d sing of will [2]wilt vb [alter. of
          earlier welk, fr. ME welken, prob. fr. MD; akin to OHG
          erwelken to wilt] vi (ca. 1691) 1 a: to lose turgor from
          lack of water <the plants ~ed in the heat> b: to become
          limp 2: to grow weak or faint: languish ~ vt: to cause
          to wilt [3]wilt n (1855) 1: an act or instance of wilting:
          the state of being wilted 2 a: a disorder (as a fungus
          disease) of plants marked by loss of turgidity in soft
          tissues with subsequent drooping and often shriveling--called
          also wilt disease b: a destructive virus disease of various
          caterpillars marked by visceral liquefaction and shriveling
          of the body

   Wilton
          [Wil.ton] n [Wilton, borough in England] (1774): a carpet
          woven with loops like the Brussels carpet but having
          a velvet cut pile and being generally of better materials

   Wilts
          [Wilts] abbreviation Wiltshire

   wily
          [wily] adj wil.i.er ; -est (14c): full of wiles: crafty syn
          see sly -- wil.i.ly adv -- wil.i.ness n

   [1]wimble
          [wim.ble] n [ME, fr. AF, fr. MD wimmel auger; akin to MLG
          wimmel auger] (13c): any of various instruments for boring
          holes [2]wimble vt wim.bled ; wim.bling (15c) archaic:
          to bore with or as if with a wimble

   wimp
          [wimp] n [origin unknown] (1920): a weak, cowardly, or ineffectual
          person -- wimp.i.ness n -- wimp.ish adj -- wimp.ish.ness n -- wimpy
          adj

   [1]wimple
          [wim.ple] n [ME wimpel, fr. OE; perh. akin to OE wipian to
          wipe] (bef. 12c) 1: a cloth covering worn over the head
          and around the neck and chin esp. by women in the late
          medieval period and by some nuns 2 Scot a: a crafty turn:
          twist b: curve, bend [2]wimple vb wim.pled ; wim.pling
          vt (13c) 1: to cover with or as if with a wimple: veil
          2: to cause to ripple ~ vi 1 archaic: to fall or lie
          in folds 2 chiefly Scot: to follow a winding course:
          meander 3: ripple

   wimp out
          [wimp out] vi (1982): to behave like a wimp: chicken out;
          esp: to choose the easiest course of action

   [1]win
          [win] vb won ; win.ning [ME winnen, fr. OE winnan to struggle;
          akin to OHG winnan to struggle and prob. to L venus sexual
          desire, charm, Skt vanas desire, vanoti he strives for]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to get possession of by effort or
          fortune b: to obtain by work: earn <striving to ~ a living
          from the sterile soil> 2 a: to gain in or as if in battle
          or contest b: to be the victor in <won the war> 3 a:
          to make friendly or favorable to oneself or to one's
          cause--often used with over <won him over with persuasive
          arguments> b: to induce to accept oneself in marriage
          4 a: to obtain (as ore, coal, or clay) by mining b: to
          prepare (as a vein or bed) for regular mining c: to recover
          (as metal) from ore 5: to reach by expenditure of effort
          ~ vi 1: to gain the victory in a contest: succeed 2:
          to succeed in arriving at a place or a state -- win.less
          adj -- win.na.ble adj [2]win n (1862): victory; esp:
          first place at the finish (as of a horse race)

   wince
          [wince] vi winced ; winc.ing [ME wynsen to kick impatiently,
          fr. (assumed) ONF wincier to turn aside, of Gmc origin;
          akin to OHG wankon to totter--more at wench] (ca. 1748):
          to shrink back involuntarily (as from pain): flinch syn
          see recoil -- wince n

   [1]winch
          [winch] n [ME winche roller, reel, fr. OE wince; akin to
          OE wincian to wink] (bef. 12c) 1: any of various machines
          or instruments for hauling or pulling; esp: a powerful
          machine with one or more drums on which to coil a rope,
          cable, or chain for hauling or hoisting: windlass 2:
          a crank with a handle for giving motion to a machine
          (as a grindstone) [2]winch vt (1529): to hoist or haul
          with or as if with a winch -- winch.er n

   Winchester
          [Win.ches.ter] adj [fr. the code name used by the original
          developer] (1973): relating to or being computer disk
          technology that permits high-density storage by sealing
          the rigid metal disks within the disk drive mechanism
          as protection against dust

   [1]wind
          [wind] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG wint wind,
          L ventus, Gk aenai to blow, Skt vati it blows] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: a natural movement of air of any velocity;
          esp: the earth's air or the gas surrounding a planet
          in natural motion horizontally b: an artificially produced
          movement of air c: solar wind, stellar wind 2 a: a destructive
          force or influence b: a force or agency that carries
          along or influences: tendency, trend <withstood the ~s
          of popular opinion --Felix Frankfurter> 3 a: breath 4a
          b: breath 2a c: the pit of the stomach: solar plexus
          4: gas generated in the stomach or the intestines 5 a:
          compressed air or gas b archaic: air 6: something that
          is insubstantial: as a: mere talk: idle words b: nothing,
          nothingness c: vain self-satisfaction 7 a: air carrying
          a scent (as of a hunter or game) b: slight information
          esp. about something secret: intimation <got ~ of the
          plan> 8 a: musical wind instruments esp. as distinguished
          from strings and percussion b pl: players of wind instruments
          9 a: a direction from which the wind may blow: a point
          of the compass; esp: one of the cardinal points b: the
          direction from which the wind is blowing -- wind.less
          adj -- wind.less.ly adv -- before the wind : in the same
          direction as the main force of the wind -- close to the
          wind : as nearly as possible against the main force of
          the wind -- have the wind of 1: to be to windward of
          2: to be on the scent of 3: to have a superior position
          to -- in the wind : about to happen: astir, afoot <change
          is in the wind> -- near the wind 1: close to the wind
          2: close to a point of danger: near the permissible limit
          -- off the wind : away from the direction from which
          the wind is blowing -- on the wind : toward the direction
          from which the wind is blowing -- to the wind or to the
          winds : aside, away <threw caution to the wind> -- under
          the wind 1: to leeward 2: in a place protected from the
          wind: under the lee [2]wind vt (15c) 1: to detect or
          follow by scent 2: to expose to the air or wind: dry
          by exposing to air 3: to make short of breath 4: to regulate
          the wind supply of (an organ pipe) 5: to rest (as a horse)
          in order to allow the breath to be recovered ~ vi 1:
          to scent game 2 dial: to pause for breath [3]wind vb
          wind.ed or wound ; wind.ing [[1]wind] vt (1586) 1: to
          cause (as a horn) to sound by blowing: blow 2: to sound
          (as a call or note) on a horn <wound a rousing call --R.
          L. Stevenson> ~ vi: to produce a sound on a horn [4]wind
          vb wound also wind.ed ; wind.ing [ME, fr. OE windan to
          twist, move with speed or force, brandish; akin to OHG
          wintan to wind, Umbrian ohavendu let him turn aside]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a obs: weave b: entangle, involve c:
          to introduce sinuously or stealthily: insinuate 2 a:
          to encircle or cover with something pliable: bind with
          loops or layers b: to turn completely or repeatedly about
          an object: coil, twine c (1): to hoist or haul by means
          of a rope or chain and a windlass (2): to move (a ship)
          by hauling on a capstan d (1): to tighten the spring
          of <~ a clock> (2) obs: to make tighter: tighten, tune
          (3): crank e: to raise to a high level (as of excitement
          or tension)--usu. used with up 3 a: to cause to move
          in a curving line or path b archaic: to turn the course
          of; esp: to lead (a person) as one wishes c (1): to cause
          (as a ship) to change direction: turn (2): to turn (a
          ship) end for end d: to traverse on a curving course
          <the river ~s the valley> e: to effect by or as if by
          curving ~ vi 1: bend, warp 2 a: to have a curving course
          or shape: extend in curves b: to proceed as if by winding
          3: to move so as to encircle something 4: to turn when
          lying at anchor [5]wind n (14c) 1: a mechanism (as a
          winch) for winding 2: an act of winding: the state of
          being wound 3: coil, turn 4: a particular method of winding

   windage
          [wind.age] n [[1]wind] (ca. 1710) 1 a: the space between
          the projectile of a smoothbore gun and the surface of
          the bore b: the difference between the diameter of the
          bore of a muzzle-loading rifled cannon and that of the
          projectile cylinder 2 a: the amount of sight deflection
          necessary to compensate for wind displacement in aiming
          a gun b (1): the influence of the wind in deflecting
          the course of a projectile (2): the amount of deflection
          due to the wind 3: the surface exposed (as by a ship)
          to the wind

   windbag
          [wind.bag] n (1827): an exhaustively talkative person

   wind-bell
          [wind-bell] n (1901) 1: wind chime--usu. used in pl. 2: a
          bell that is light enough to be moved and sounded by
          the wind

   windblast
          [wind.blast] n (1942): the destructive effect of air friction
          on a pilot ejected from a high-speed airplane

   windblown
          [wind.blown] adj (1600): blown by the wind; esp: having a
          permanent set or character of growth determined by the
          prevailing winds <~ trees>

   wind-borne
          [wind-borne] adj (1842): carried by the wind <~ pollen> <~
          soil deposits>

   windbreak
          [wind.break] n (1861): a growth of trees or shrubs serving
          to break the force of wind; broadly: a shelter (as a
          fence) from the wind

   windbreaker
          [wind.break.er] n [fr. a trademark] (1918): an outer jacket
          made of wind-resistant material

   wind-broken
          [wind-bro.ken] adj (1603) of a horse: affected with pulmonary
          emphysema or heaves

   windburn
          [wind.burn] n (1925): irritation of the skin caused by wind
          -- wind.burned adj

   Windcheater
          [Wind.cheat.er] trademark--used for a windbreaker

   windchill
          [wind.chill] n (1939): a still-air temperature that would
          have the same cooling effect on exposed human skin as
          a given combination of temperature and wind speed--called
          also chill factor, windchill factor, windchill index

   wind chime
          [wind chime] n (1927): a cluster of small often sculptured
          pieces (as of metal or glass) suspended so as to chime
          when blown by the wind--usu. used in pl.

   wind down
          [wind down] vi (1952) 1: to draw gradually toward an end
          2: relax, unwind ~ vt: to cause a gradual lessening of
          usu. with the intention of bringing to an end

   winder
          [wind.er] n [[4]wind] (1552): one that winds: as a: a worker
          or machine that winds thread and yarn b: a key for winding
          a mechanism (as a clock) c: a step that is wider at one
          end than at the other (as in a spiral staircase)

   windfall
          [wind.fall] n (15c) 1: something (as a tree or fruit) blown
          down by the wind 2: an unexpected, unearned, or sudden
          gain or advantage

   wind farm
          [wind farm] n (1980): an area of land with a cluster of wind
          turbines for driving electrical generators

   windflower
          [wind.flow.er] n (1551): anemone 1

   windgall
          [wind.gall] n (ca. 1534): a soft tumor or synovial swelling
          on a horse's leg in the region of the fetlock joint

   wind gap
          [wind gap] n (1769): a notch in the crest of a mountain ridge:
          a pass not occupied by a stream--compare water gap

   wind harp
          [wind harp] n (1813): aeolian harp

   windhover
          [wind.hov.er] n (1674) Brit: kestrel

   [1]winding
          [wind.ing] n (bef. 12c) 1: material (as wire) wound or coiled
          about an object (as an armature); also: a single turn
          of the wound material 2 a: the act of one that winds
          b: the manner of winding something 3: a curved or sinuous
          course, line, or progress [2]winding adj (1530): marked
          by winding: as a: having a curved or spiral course or
          form <a ~ stairway> b: having a course that winds <a
          ~ road>

   winding-sheet
          [wind.ing-sheet] n (15c): a sheet in which a corpse is wrapped

   winding-up
          [wind.ing-up] n (ca. 1858) Brit: the process of liquidating
          the assets of a partnership or corporation in order to
          pay creditors and make distributions to partners or shareholders
          upon dissolution

   wind instrument
          [wind instrument] n (1582): a musical instrument (as a trumpet,
          clarinet, or organ) sounded by wind; esp: one sounded
          by the player's breath

   windjammer
          [wind.jam.mer] n (1880): a sailing ship; also: one of its
          crew -- wind.jam.ming n

   [1]windlass
          [wind.lass] n [ME wyndlas, alter. of wyndas, fr. ON vindass,
          fr. vinda to wind (akin to OHG wintan to wind) + ass
          pole; akin to Goth ans beam] (15c): any of various machines
          for hoisting or hauling: as a: a horizontal barrel supported
          on vertical posts and turned by a crank so that the hoisting
          rope is wound around the barrel b: a steam or electric
          winch with horizontal or vertical shaft and two drums
          used to raise a ship's anchor [2]windlass vt (1834):
          to hoist or haul with a windlass

   windlestraw
          [win.dle.straw] n [(assumed) ME, fr. OE windelstreaw, fr.
          windel basket (fr. windan to wind) + streaw straw] (bef.
          12c) Brit: a dry thin stalk of grass

   [1]windmill
          [wind.mill] n (14c) 1 a: a mill or machine operated by the
          wind usu. acting on oblique vanes or sails that radiate
          from a horizontal shaft; esp: a wind-driven water pump
          or electric generator b: the wind-driven wheel of a windmill
          2: something that resembles or suggests a windmill; esp:
          a calisthenic exercise that involves alternately lowering
          each outstretched hand to touch the toes of the opposite
          foot 3 [fr. the episode in Don Quixote by Cervantes in
          which the hero attacks windmills under the illusion that
          they are giants]: an imaginary wrong, evil, or opponent--usu.
          used in the phrase to tilt at windmills [2]windmill vt
          (1914): to cause to move like a windmill ~ vi: to move
          like a windmill; esp: to spin from the force of wind

   window
          [win.dow] n, often attrib [ME windowe, fr. ON vindauga, fr.
          vindr wind (akin to OE wind) + auga eye; akin to OE eage
          eye--more at eye] (13c) 1 a: an opening esp. in the wall
          of a building for admission of light and air that is
          usu. closed by casements or sashes containing transparent
          material (as glass) and capable of being opened and shut
          b: windowpane c: a space behind a window of a retail
          store containing displayed merchandise d: an opening
          in a partition or wall through which business is conducted
          <a bank teller's ~> 2: a means of entrance or access;
          esp: a means of obtaining information <a ~ on history>
          3: an opening (as a shutter, slot, or valve) that resembles
          or suggests a window 4: the transparent panel or opening
          of a window envelope 5: the framework (as a shutter or
          sash with its fittings) that closes a window opening
          6: chaff 4 7: a range of wavelengths in the electromagnetic
          spectrum to which a planet's atmosphere is transparent
          8 a: an interval of time within which a rocket or spacecraft
          must be launched to accomplish a particular mission b:
          an interval of time during which certain conditions or
          an opportunity exists <a ~ of vulnerability> 9: an area
          at the limits of the earth's sensible atmosphere through
          which a spacecraft must pass for successful reentry 10:
          any of the areas into which a computer display may be
          divided and on which distinctly different types of information
          are displayed -- win.dow.less adj -- out the window :
          out of existence, use, or consideration

   window box
          [window box] n (ca. 1885): a box designed to hold soil for
          growing plants at a windowsill

   window dressing
          [window dressing] n (1895) 1: the display of merchandise
          in a retail store window 2 a: the act or an instance
          of making something appear deceptively attractive or
          favorable b: something used to create a deceptively favorable
          or attractive impression -- win.dow-dress vt -- window
          dresser n

   windowed
          [win.dowed] adj (15c): having windows esp. of a specified
          kind--often used in combination

   window envelope
          [window envelope] n (1914): an envelope having an opening
          through which the address on the enclosure is visible

   windowpane
          [win.dow.pane] n (1819) 1: a pane in a window 2: tattersall

   window seat
          [window seat] n (ca. 1745) 1: a seat built into a window
          recess 2: a seat next to a window (as in a bus or airplane)

   window shade
          [window shade] n (1810): a shade or curtain for a window

   window-shop
          [win.dow-shop] vi (1922): to look at the displays in retail
          store windows without going inside the stores to make
          purchases -- win.dow-shop.per n

   windowsill
          [win.dow.sill] n (1703): the horizontal member at the bottom
          of a window opening

   windpipe
          [wind.pipe] n (1530): trachea 1

   wind-pollinated
          [wind-pol.li.nat.ed] adj (1884): pollinated by wind-borne
          pollen

   windproof
          [wind.proof] adj (1616): impervious to wind <a ~ jacket>

   wind rose
          [wind rose] n [G Windrose compass card] (1846): a diagram
          showing for a given place the relative frequency or frequency
          and strength of winds from different directions

   [1]windrow
          [wind.row] n (ca. 1534) 1 a: a row of hay raked up to dry
          before being baled or stored b: a similar row of cut
          vegetation (as grain) for drying 2: a row heaped up by
          or as if by the wind 3 a: a long low ridge of road-making
          material scraped to the side of a road b: bank, ridge,
          heap [2]windrow vt (1729): to form (as hay) into a windrow

   windscreen
          [wind.screen] n (1858) 1: a screen that protects against
          the wind 2 chiefly Brit: windshield

   wind shake
          [wind shake] n (1545): shake in timber attributed to high
          winds

   wind shear
          [wind shear] n (1941): a radical shift in wind speed and
          direction that occurs over a very short distance

   windshield
          [wind.shield] n (1902): a transparent screen (as of glass)
          in front of the occupants of a vehicle

   wind sock
          [wind sock] n (1928): a truncated cloth cone open at both
          ends and mounted in an elevated position to indicate
          the direction of the wind

   Windsor chair
          [Wind.sor chair] n [Windsor, England] (1740): a wooden chair
          with spindle back, raking legs, and usu. a saddle seat--called
          also Windsor

   Windsor knot
          [Windsor knot] n [prob. after Edward, Duke of Windsor] (1947):
          a symmetrical necktie knot that is wider than the usual
          four-in-hand knot

   Windsor tie
          [Windsor tie] n (1895): a broad necktie usu. tied in a loose
          bow

   wind sprint
          [wind sprint] n (1948): a sprint performed as a training
          exercise to develop breathing capacity esp. during exertion

   windstorm
          [wind.storm] n (14c): a storm marked by high wind with little
          or no precipitation

   Windsurfer
          [Wind.surf.er] trademark--used for a sailboard

   windsurfing
          [wind.surf.ing] n (1969): the sport or activity of riding
          a sailboard -- wind.surf vi

   windswept
          [wind.swept] adj (1812): swept by or as if by wind

   wind tee
          [wind tee] n (1932): a large weather vane shaped like a horizontal
          letter T on or near a landing field

   windthrow
          [wind.throw] n (1916): the uprooting and overthrowing of
          trees by the wind

   wind tunnel
          [wind tunnel] n (1911): a tunnellike passage through which
          air is blown at a known velocity to investigate air flow
          around an object (as an airplane part or model) placed
          in the passage

   wind turbine
          [wind turbine] n (1909): a wind-driven turbine for generating
          electricity

   wind up
          [wind up] vt (1583) 1: to bring to a conclusion: end 2 a:
          to put in order for the purpose of bringing to an end
          <winds up the meeting> b Brit: to effectuate a winding
          up ~ vi 1 a: to come to a conclusion b: to arrive in
          a place, situation, or condition at the end or as a result
          of a course of action <wound up as millionaires> 2: to
          make a pitching windup

   [1]windup
          [wind.up] n (1665) 1 a: the act of bringing to an end b:
          a concluding act or part: finish 2 a: a series of regular
          and distinctive motions (as swinging the arms) made by
          a pitcher preparatory to releasing a pitch b: an exaggerated
          backswing (as in tennis) [2]windup adj (1784): operated
          by a spring mechanism wound by hand

   [1]windward
          [wind.ward] n (1549): the side or direction from which the
          wind is blowing -- to windward : into or in an advantageous
          position [2]windward adj (1627): being in or facing the
          direction from which the wind is blowing--compare leeward

   windway
          [wind.way] n (ca. 1875): a passage for air (as in an organ
          pipe)

   windy
          [windy] adj wind.i.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): windswept
          (2): marked by strong wind or by more wind than usual
          b: violent, stormy 2: flatulent 1 <a ~ bellyache> 3 a:
          verbose, bombastic b: lacking substance: empty -- wind.i.ly
          adv -- wind.i.ness n

   [1]wine
          [wine] n, often attrib [ME win, fr. OE win; akin to OHG win
          wine; both fr. L vinum wine, prob. of non-IE origin;
          akin to the source of Gk oinos wine] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          the fermented juice of fresh grapes used as a beverage
          b: wine or a substitute used in Christian communion services
          2: the usu. fermented juice of a plant product (as a
          fruit) used as a beverage 3: something that invigorates
          or intoxicates 4: a dark red [2]wine vb wined ; win.ing
          vi (1829): to drink wine ~ vt: to give wine to <wined
          and dined his friends>

   wine cellar
          [wine cellar] n (14c): a room for storing wines; also: a
          stock of wines

   wine cooler
          [wine cooler] n (1815) 1: a vessel or container in which
          wine is cooled 2: a usu. carbonated beverage that contains
          a mixture of wine and fruit juice

   wineglass
          [wine.glass] n (1709): a stemware drinking glass for wine

   winegrower
          [wine.grow.er] n (1844): a person who cultivates a vineyard
          and makes wine

   winepress
          [wine.press] n (1526): a vat in which juice is expressed
          from grapes by treading or by means of a plunger

   winery
          [win.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1882): a wine-making establishment

   wineshop
          [wine.shop] n (1848): a tavern that specializes in serving
          wine

   wineskin
          [wine.skin] n (1821): a bag that is made from the skin of
          an animal (as a goat) and that is used for holding wine

   wine taster
          [wine taster] n (1632) 1: one who tastes and evaluates wine
          esp. professionally 2: a small shallow vessel used to
          sample wine

   winey
          [win.ey] var of winy

   [1]wing
          [wing] n, often attrib [ME winge, of Scand origin; akin to
          Dan & Sw vinge wing; akin to Skt vati it blows--more
          at wind] (13c) 1 a: one of the movable feathered or membranous
          paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect
          is able to fly; also: such an appendage even though rudimentary
          if possessed by an animal belonging to a group characterized
          by the power of flight b: any of various anatomical structures
          esp. of a flying fish or flying lemur providing means
          of limited flight 2: an appendage or part resembling
          a wing in appearance, position, or function: as a: a
          device worn under the arms to aid a person in swimming
          or staying afloat b: ala c: a turned-back or extended
          edge on an article of clothing d: a sidepiece at the
          top of an armchair e (1): a foliaceous, membranous, or
          woody expansion of a plant esp. along a stem or on a
          samara or capsule (2): either of the two lateral petals
          of a papilionaceous flower f: a vane of a windmill or
          arrow g: sail h: an airfoil that develops a major part
          of the lift which supports a heavier-than-air aircraft
          i chiefly Brit: fender d 3: a means of flight or rapid
          progress 4: the act or manner of flying: flight 5: a
          side or outlying region or district 6: a part or feature
          usu. projecting from and subordinate to the main or central
          part <the servants' ~ of the mansion> 7 a: one of the
          pieces of scenery at the side of a stage b pl: the area
          at the side of the stage out of sight 8 a: a left or
          right section of an army or fleet: flank b: one of the
          offensive positions or players on either side of a center
          position in certain team sports; also: flanker 9 a: either
          of two opposing groups within an organization or society:
          faction b: a section of an organized body (as a legislative
          chamber) representing a group or faction holding distinct
          opinions or policies--compare left wing, right wing 10
          a: a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a group and
          lower than a division b: two or more squadrons of naval
          airplanes 11: a dance step marked by a quick outward
          and inward rolling glide of one foot 12 pl: insignia
          consisting of an outspread pair of stylized bird's wings
          which are awarded on completion of prescribed training
          to a qualified pilot, aircrew member, or military balloon
          pilot -- wingy adj -- in the wings 1: out of sight in
          the stage wings 2: close at hand in the background: readily
          available <had a plan waiting in the wings> -- on the
          wing 1: in flight: flying 2: in motion -- under one's
          wing : under one's protection: in one's care [2]wing
          vt (1591) 1 a: to fit with wings b: to enable to fly
          or move swiftly 2 a: to traverse with or as if with wings
          b: to effect or achieve by flying 3: to let fly: dispatch
          <would start to ~ punches --A. J. Liebling> 4 a: to wound
          in the wing: disable the wing of <~ed the duck> b: to
          wound (as with a bullet) without killing <~ed by a sniper>
          5: to do or perform without preparation or guidelines:
          improvise <~ing it> ~ vi: to go with or as if with wings:
          fly

   wing and wing
          [wing and wing] adv (1781): with sails extended on both sides

   wingback
          [wing.back] n (1933): an offensive back in football who lines
          up outside the tight end; also: the position of such
          a player

   wing bar
          [wing bar] n (1855): a line of contrasting color across the
          middle of a bird's wing made by markings on the wing
          coverts

   wing case
          [wing case] n (1661): elytron

   wing chair
          [wing chair] n (1904): an upholstered armchair with high
          solid back and sides that provide a rest for the head
          and protection from drafts

   wing commander
          [wing commander] n (1914): a commissioned officer in the
          British air force who ranks with a lieutenant colonel
          in the army

   wing covert
          [wing covert] n (1815): one of the feathers covering the
          bases of the wing quills

   wingding
          [wing.ding] n [origin unknown] (1944): a wild, lively, or
          lavish party

   winged
          [winged] adj (14c) 1 a (1): having wings <~ seeds> (2): having
          wings of a specified kind--used in combination <strong-winged>
          b: using wings in flight 2 a: soaring with or as if with
          wings: elevated b: swift, rapid

   winged bean
          [winged bean] n (1910): an Asian twining legume (Psophocarpus
          tetragonolobus) cultivated in warm regions for its edible
          high-protein 4-winged pods; also: its pod

   winged elm
          [winged elm] n (1820): an elm (Ulmus alata) of the U.S. having
          twigs and young branches with prominent corky projections

   winger
          [wing.er] n (1896): a player (as in soccer or ice hockey)
          in a wing position

   wing-footed
          [wing-foot.ed] adj (1591) 1: having winged feet 2: swift

   wingless
          [wing.less] adj (1591): having no wings or very rudimentary
          wings -- wing.less.ness n

   winglet
          [wing.let] n (1816): a small wing; also: a small nearly vertical
          airfoil at an airplane's wingtip that reduces drag by
          inhibiting turbulence

   winglike
          [wing.like] adj (ca. 1804): resembling a wing in form or
          lateral position

   wingman
          [wing.man] n (1942): a pilot who flies behind and outside
          the leader of a flying formation

   wing nut
          [wing nut] n (ca. 1900): a nut with wings that provide a
          grip for the thumb and finger

   wingover
          [wing.over] n (1927): a flight maneuver in which a plane
          is put into a climbing turn until nearly stalled after
          which the nose is allowed to fall while the turn is continued
          until normal flight is attained in a direction opposite
          to that in which the maneuver was entered

   wing shooting
          [wing shooting] n (1881): the act or practice of shooting
          at game birds in flight or at flying targets

   wingspan
          [wing.span] n (ca. 1917): the distance from the tip of one
          of a pair of wings to that of the other; also: span 2c

   wingspread
          [wing.spread] n (1897): the spread of the wings: wingspan;
          specif: the extreme measurement between the tips or outer
          margins of the wings (as of a bird or insect)

   wing tip
          [wing tip] n (ca. 1908) 1: a toe cap having a point that
          extends back toward the throat of the shoe and curving
          sides that extend toward the shank 2: a shoe having a
          wing tip 3 a: the edge or outer margin of a bird's wing
          b usu wingtip : the outer end of an airplane wing

   [1]wink
          [wink] vb [ME, fr. OE wincian; akin to OHG winchan to stagger,
          wink and perh. to L vacillare to sway, Skt vancati he
          goes crookedly] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to shut one eye briefly
          as a signal or in teasing 2: to close and open the eyelids
          quickly 3: to avoid seeing or noting something--usu.
          used with at 4: to gleam or flash intermittently: twinkle
          5 a: to come to an end--usu. used with out b: to stop
          shining--usu. used with out 6: to signal a message with
          a light ~ vt 1: to cause to open and shut 2: to affect
          or influence by or as if by blinking the eyes [2]wink
          n (14c) 1: a brief period of sleep: nap 2 a: a hint or
          sign given by winking b: an act of winking 3: the time
          of a wink: instant <quick as a ~> 4: a flicker of the
          eyelids: blink

   winker
          [wink.er] n (1549) 1: one that winks 2: a horse's blinder

   [1]winkle
          [win.kle] n [by shortening] (1585): [2]periwinkle [2]winkle
          vi win.kled ; win.kling [freq. of wink] (1791): twinkle
          [3]winkle vt win.kled ; win.kling [[1]winkle; fr. the
          process of extracting a winkle from its shell] (1918)
          chiefly Brit: to displace, extract, or evict from a position--usu.
          used with out

   winner
          [win.ner] n (14c): one that wins: as a: one that is successful
          esp. through praiseworthy ability and hard work b: a
          victor esp. in games and sports c: one that wins admiration
          d: a shot in a court game that is not returned and that
          scores for the player making it

   winner's circle
          [winner's circle] n (1951): an enclosure near a racetrack
          where the winning horse and jockey are brought for photographs
          and awards

   Winnie
          [Win.nie] n [winner + -ie] (ca. 1944): an award presented
          annually by a professional organization for notable achievement
          in fashion design

   [1]winning
          [win.ning] n (14c) 1: the act of one that wins: victory 2:
          something won: as a: a captured territory: conquest b:
          money won by success in a game or competition--usu. used
          in pl. [2]winning adj (15c) 1 a: of or relating to winning:
          that wins <the ~ ticket> b: successful esp. in competition
          <a ~ team> 2: tending to please or delight <a ~ smile>
          -- win.ning.ly adv

   winnock
          [win.nock] n [ME (Sc) windok, windowe] (15c) Scot: window

   [1]winnow
          [win.now] vb [ME winewen, fr. OE windwian to fan, winnow;
          akin to OHG winton to fan, L vannus winnowing fan, ventus
          wind--more at wind] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): to remove
          (as chaff) by a current of air (2): to get rid of (something
          undesirable or unwanted): remove--often used with out
          <~ out certain inaccuracies --Stanley Walker> b (1):
          separate, sift <an old hand at ~ing what is true and
          significant --Oscar Lewis> (2): select 2 a: to treat
          (as grain) by exposure to a current of air so that waste
          matter is eliminated b: to free of unwanted or inferior
          elements: pare 3: to blow on: fan <the wind ~ing his
          thin white hair --Time> ~ vi 1: to separate chaff from
          grain by fanning 2: to separate desirable and undesirable
          elements -- win.now.er n [2]winnow n (1580) 1: a device
          for winnowing 2 a: the action of winnowing b: a motion
          resembling that of winnowing

   wino
          [wino] n, pl win.os (ca. 1915): one who is chronically addicted
          to drinking wine

   winsome
          [win.some] adj [ME winsum, fr. OE wynsum, fr. wynn joy; akin
          to OHG wunna joy, L venus desire--more at win] (bef.
          12c) 1: generally pleasing and engaging often because
          of a childlike charm and innocence 2: cheerful, gay --
          win.some.ly adv -- win.some.ness n

   [1]winter
          [win.ter] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG wintar winter and perh.
          to Lith vanduo water, OE waeter--more at water] (bef.
          12c) 1: the season between autumn and spring comprising
          in the northern hemisphere usu. the months of December,
          January, and February or as reckoned astronomically extending
          from the December solstice to the March equinox 2: the
          colder half of the year 3: year <happened many ~s ago>
          4: a period of inactivity or decay [2]winter vb win.tered
          ; win.ter.ing vi (14c) 1: to pass the winter 2: to feed
          or find food during the winter--used with on ~ vt: to
          keep, feed, or manage during the winter [3]winter adj
          (15c) 1: of, relating to, or suitable for winter <a ~
          vacation> <~ clothes> 2: sown in the autumn and harvested
          in the following spring or summer <~ wheat> <~ rye>--compare
          summer

   winter aconite
          [winter aconite] n (1794): a small European perennial herb
          (Eranthis hyemalis) of the buttercup family grown for
          its bright yellow flowers which often bloom through the
          snow

   winterberry
          [win.ter.ber.ry] n (1759) 1: an eastern No. American shrub
          (Ilex verticillata) of the holly family with clusters
          of axillary flowers, usu. bright red berries, and deciduous
          leaves that turn black in the fall--called also black
          alder 2: a shrub (Ilex laevigata) of the holly family
          similar to the winterberry but of more restricted range

   winter crookneck
          [winter crookneck] n (ca. 1909): any of several crooknecks
          that are winter squashes of the pumpkin group noted for
          their keeping qualities

   winterer
          [win.ter.er] n (1783): one that winters; specif: a winter
          resident or visitor

   winter flounder
          [winter flounder] n (1814): a rusty brown flounder
          (Pseudopleuronectes americanus of the family Pleuronectidae) of the
          northwestern Atlantic important as a market fish esp. in winter

   wintergreen
          [win.ter.green] n (1548) 1: any of a genus (Pyrola of the
          family Pyrolaceae, the wintergreen family) of evergreen
          perennial herbs (as the shinleafs) that have basal leaves
          and racemose flowers 2 a: any of a genus (Gaultheria)
          of evergreen plants of the heath family; esp: a low creeping
          evergreen shrub (G. procumbens) of No. America with white
          flowers and spicy red berries--compare checkerberry b
          (1): an essential oil from this plant (2): the flavor
          of this oil <~ lozenges>

   winterize
          [win.ter.ize] vt -ized ; -iz.ing (1934): to make ready for
          winter or winter use and esp. resistant or proof against
          winter weather <~ a car> -- win.ter.i.za.tion n

   winter-kill
          [win.ter-kill] vt (ca. 1806): to kill (as a plant) by exposure
          to winter conditions ~ vi: to die as a result of exposure
          to winter conditions -- winterkill n

   winterly
          [win.ter.ly] adj (1559): of, relating to, or occurring in
          winter: wintry

   winter melon
          [winter melon] n (ca. 1900) 1: any of several muskmelons
          (as a casaba or honeydew melon) that are fruits of a
          cultivated vine (Cucumis melo indorus) 2: a large white-fleshed
          melon that is the fruit of an Asian vine (Benincasa hispida)
          and is used esp. in Chinese cooking

   winter quarters
          [winter quarters] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1641): a
          winter residence or station (as of a military unit or
          a circus)

   winter savory
          [winter savory] n (1597): a perennial European mint (Satureja
          montana) with leaves used for seasoning--compare summer
          savory

   winter squash
          [winter squash] n (1775): any of various hard-shelled squashes
          that belong to cultivars derived from several species
          (esp. Cucurbita maxima, C. moschata, and C. pepo) and
          that can be stored for several months

   wintertide
          [win.ter.tide] n (bef. 12c): wintertime

   wintertime
          [win.ter.time] n (14c): the season of winter

   win through
          [win through] vi (1644): to survive difficulties and reach
          a desired or satisfactory end

   wintle
          [win.tle] vi win.tled ; win.tling [perh. fr. Flem windtelen
          to reel] (1786) 1 Scot: stagger, reel 2 Scot: wriggle

   wintry
          [win.try] also win.tery adj win.tri.er ; -est [OE wintrig,
          fr. winter] (bef. 12c) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of winter 2 a: weathered by or as if by winter: aged,
          hoary b: cheerless, chilling <a ~ greeting> -- win.tri.ness
          n

   winy
          [winy] adj win.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: having the taste or qualities
          of wine: vinous 2 of the air: crisply fresh: exhilarating

   [1]winze
          [winze] n [alter. of earlier winds, prob. fr. pl. of [5]wind]
          (1757): a steeply inclined passageway in a mine [2]winze
          n [Flem or D wensch wish] (1785) Scot: curse

   [1]wipe
          [wipe] vb wiped ; wip.ing [ME wipen, fr. OE wipian; akin
          to OHG wifan to wind around, L vibrare to brandish, and
          prob. to ON veipa to be in movement, Skt vepate it trembles]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to rub with or as if with something
          soft for cleaning b: to clean or dry by rubbing c: to
          draw, pass, or move for or as if for rubbing or cleaning
          2 a: to remove by or as if by rubbing b: to expunge completely
          <~ from memory the gruesome scenes --Amer. Guide Series:
          Del.> 3: to spread by or as if by wiping ~ vi: to make
          a motion of or as if of wiping something -- wipe one's
          boots on : to treat with indignity -- wipe the floor
          with or wipe the ground with : to defeat decisively [2]wipe
          n (1550) 1 a: blow, strike b: jeer, gibe 2 a: an act
          or instance of wiping b: a transition from one scene
          or picture to another (as in movies or television) made
          by a line moving across the screen 3: something (as a
          towel) used for wiping

   wiped out
          [wiped out] adj (1965) slang: intoxicated, high

   wipeout
          [wipe.out] n (1921) 1: the act or an instance of wiping out:
          complete or utter destruction 2: a fall or crash caused
          usu. by losing control

   wipe out
          [wipe out] vt (1535): to destroy completely: annihilate ~
          vi: to fall or crash usu. as a result of losing control

   wiper
          [wip.er] n (1552) 1: one that wipes 2 a: something (as a
          towel or sponge) used for wiping b: a moving contact
          for making connections with the terminals of an electrical
          device (as a rheostat) c: a usu. motor-driven arm with
          a flexible blade for wiping a window (as the windshield
          of an automobile or airplane)

   [1]wire
          [wire] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE wir; akin to OHG wiara
          fine gold work, L viere to plait, and prob. to Gk iris
          rainbow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: metal in the form of a usu.
          very flexible thread or slender rod b: a thread or rod
          of such material 2 a: wirework b: the meshwork of parallel
          or woven wire on which the wet web of paper forms 3:
          something (as a thin plant stem) that is wirelike 4 pl
          a: a system of wires used to operate the puppets in a
          puppet show b: hidden influences controlling the action
          of a person or organization 5 a: a line of wire for conducting
          electrical current--compare cord 3b b: a telephone or
          telegraph wire or system; esp: wire service c: telegram,
          cablegram 6: fencing or a fence of usu. barbed wire 7:
          the finish line of a race 8: wirehair -- wire.like adj
          -- under the wire 1: at the finish line 2: at the last
          moment [2]wire vb wired ; wir.ing vt (15c) 1: to provide
          with wire: use wire on for a specific purpose 2: to send
          or send word to by telegraph 3: to connect by or as if
          by a wire ~ vi: to send a telegraphic message -- wir.er
          n

   wire cloth
          [wire cloth] n (1798): a fabric of woven metallic wire (as
          for strainers)

   wired
          [wired] adj (15c) 1: reinforced by wire (as for strength)
          2: furnished with wires (as for electric connections)
          3: bound with wire <a ~ container> 4: having a wirework
          netting or fence 5: feverishly excited

   wiredraw
          [wire.draw] vt (1598) 1: to draw or stretch forcibly: elongate
          2: to draw or spin out to great length, tenuity, or overrefinement:
          attenuate -- wire.draw.er n

   wiredrawn
          [wire.drawn] adj (1603): excessively minute and subtle <curious
          speculations, ~ comparisons, obsolete erudition --Virginia
          Woolf>

   wire fox terrier
          [wire fox terrier] n (1929): a wirehaired fox terrier

   wire fraud
          [wire fraud] n (1976): fraud committed using a means of electronic
          communication (as a telephone)

   wire gauge
          [wire gauge] n (1833) 1: a gauge esp. for measuring the diameter
          of wire or the thickness of sheet metal 2: any of various
          systems consisting of a series of standard sizes used
          in describing the diameter of wire or the thickness of
          sheet metal

   wire gauze
          [wire gauze] n (1816): a gauzelike wire cloth

   wire grass
          [wire grass] n (1751): any of various grasses or rushes having
          wiry culms or leaves: as a: a European slender-stemmed
          meadow grass (Poa compressa) widely naturalized in the
          U.S. and Canada b: any of several coarse grasses (genus
          Aristida) with a 3-awned lemma that grow extensively
          in open dry, sandy, or sterile areas esp. of the southeastern
          and south-central U.S.

   wirehair
          [wire.hair] n (1884): a wirehaired dog or cat

   wirehaired
          [wire.haired] adj (1801): having a stiff wiry outer coat
          of hair--used esp. of a dog or cat--compare rough, smooth

   wirehaired pointing griffon
          [wirehaired pointing griffon] n (1929): any of a breed of
          dogs of Dutch origin that both hunt and retrieve and
          have a long head and a harsh wiry often chestnut or white
          and chestnut colored coat

   wirehaired terrier
          [wirehaired terrier] n (ca. 1885): wire fox terrier

   [1]wireless
          [wire.less] adj (1894) 1: having no wire or wires 2 chiefly
          Brit: of or relating to radiotelegraphy, radiotelephony,
          or radio [2]wireless n (1903) 1: wireless telegraphy
          2: two-way wireless transmission of sound using radio
          waves 3 chiefly Brit: radio

   wireless telegraphy
          [wireless telegraphy] n (1898): telegraphy carried on by
          radio waves and without connecting wires--called also
          wireless telegraph

   wireless telephone
          [wireless telephone] n (1894): radiotelephone

   wireman
          [wire.man] n (ca. 1548) 1: a maker of or worker with wire;
          esp: lineman 1 2: wiretapper

   wire netting
          [wire netting] n (1801): a wire cloth coarser than wire gauze

   wirephoto
          [wire.pho.to] n [fr. Wirephoto, a trademark] (1935): a photograph
          transmitted by electrical signals over telephone wires

   wire-puller
          [wire-pull.er] n (1832): one who uses secret or underhanded
          means to influence the acts of a person or organization
          -- wire-pull.ing n

   wire recorder
          [wire recorder] n (1943): a magnetic recorder using a thin
          wire as the recording medium -- wire-re.cord.ing n

   wire rope
          [wire rope] n (1841): a rope formed wholly or chiefly of
          wires

   wire service
          [wire service] n (1944): a news agency that sends out syndicated
          news copy to subscribers by wire or by satellite transmission

   [1]wiretap
          [wire.tap] vi (1904): to tap a telephone or telegraph wire
          in order to get information ~ vt: to tap the telephone
          of [2]wiretap n (1948) 1: the act or an instance of wiretapping
          2: an electrical connection for wiretapping

   wiretapper
          [wire.tap.per] n (1893): one that taps telephone or telegraph
          wires

   wirework
          [wire.work] n (1587) 1: a work of wires; esp: meshwork, netting,
          or grillwork of wire <plan the ~ for new circuitry> 2:
          walking on wires esp. by acrobats

   wireworm
          [wire.worm] n (1790): any of the slender hard-coated larvae
          of various click beetles that include some destructive
          esp. to plant roots

   wiring
          [wir.ing] n (1809) 1: the act of providing or using wire
          2: a system of wires; esp: an arrangement of wires used
          for electric distribution

   wirra
          [wir.ra] interj [oh wirra, fr. Ir a Mhuire, lit., Mary]]
          (1829) Irish--usu. used to express lament, grief, or
          concern

   wiry
          [wiry] adj wir.i.er ; -est (1588) 1 a archaic: made of wire
          b: resembling wire esp. in form and flexibility c of
          sound: produced by or suggestive of the vibration of
          wire <the violinist ... often let his tone go nasal and
          ~ --D. J. Henahan> 2: being lean, supple, and vigorous:
          sinewy -- wir.i.ly adv -- wir.i.ness n

   wis
          [wis] vb [by misdivision fr. iwis (understood as I wis, with
          wis taken to be an archaic pres. indic. of [1]wit)] (1508)
          archaic: know

   Wis
          [Wis] or Wisc abbreviation Wisconsin

   Wisd
          [Wisd] abbreviation Wisdom

   wisdom
          [wis.dom] n [ME, fr. OE wisdom, fr. wis wise] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: accumulated philosophic or scientific learning:
          knowledge b: ability to discern inner qualities and relationships:
          insight c: good sense: judgment d: generally accepted belief
          <challenges what has become accepted ~ among many historians
          --Robert Darnton> 2: a wise attitude or course of action 3: the
          teachings of the ancient wise men syn see sense Wisdom
          n: a didactic book included in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old
          Testament and corresponding to the Wisdom of Solomon in the
          Protestant Apocrypha

   Wisdom of Solomon
          [Wisdom of Sol.o.mon] : a didactic book included in the Protestant
          Apocrypha

   wisdom tooth
          [wisdom tooth] n [fr. being cut usu. in the late teens] (1848):
          the third molar that is the last tooth to erupt on each
          side of the upper and lower jaws in humans

   [1]wise
          [wise] n [ME, fr. OE wise; akin to OHG wisa manner, Gk eidos
          form, idein to see--more at wit] (bef. 12c): manner,
          way <in any ~> [2]wise adj wis.er ; wis.est [ME wis,
          fr. OE wis; akin to OHG wis wise, OE witan to know--more
          at wit] (bef. 12c) 1 a: characterized by wisdom: marked
          by deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity
          for sound judgment b: exercising sound judgment: prudent
          2 a: evidencing or hinting at the possession of inside
          information: knowing b: possessing inside information
          c: crafty, shrewd 3 archaic: skilled in magic or divination
          4: insolent, smart-alecky, fresh -- wise.ly adv -- wise.ness
          n syn wise, sage, sapient, judicious, prudent, sensible,
          sane mean having or showing sound judgment. wise suggests
          great understanding of people and of situations and unusual
          discernment and judgment in dealing with them <wise beyond
          his tender years>. sage suggests wide experience, great
          learning, and wisdom <the sage advice of my father>.
          sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment <the
          sapient musings of an old philosopher>. judicious stresses
          a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions
          <judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal
          measure>. prudent suggests exercise of the restraint
          of sound practical wisdom and discretion <a prudent decision
          to wait out the storm>. sensible applies to action guided
          and restrained by good sense and rationality <a sensible
          woman who was not fooled by flattery>. sane stresses
          mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness <remained
          sane even in times of crises>. [3]wise vb wised ; wis.ing
          vt (1905): to give instruction or information to: teach--usu.
          used with up ~ vi: to become informed or knowledgeable:
          learn--used with up [4]wise vt wised ; wis.ing [ME, fr.
          OE wisian; akin to ON visa to show the way, OE wis wise]
          (bef. 12c) 1 chiefly Scot a: direct, guide b: advise,
          persuade 2 chiefly Scot: to divert or impel in a given
          direction: send

   -wise
          [-wise] adv comb form [ME, fr. OE -wisan, fr. wise manner]
          1 a: in the manner of <crabwise> <fanwise> b: in the
          position or direction of <slantwise> <clockwise> 2: with
          regard to: in respect of <dollarwise>

   wiseacre
          [wise.acre] n [MD wijssegger soothsayer, modif. of OHG wizzago;
          akin to OE witega soothsayer, witan to know] (1595):
          one who pretends to knowledge or cleverness; esp: smart
          aleck

   wiseass
          [wise.ass] n (1971): smart aleck

   [1]wisecrack
          [wise.crack] n (1924): a clever or sarcastic remark [2]wisecrack
          vi (1924): to make a wisecrack -- wise.crack.er n

   wised-up
          [wised-up] adj (1926): knowing 1

   wise guy
          [wise guy] n (1896): smart aleck

   wise man
          [wise man] n (bef. 12c) 1: a man of unusual learning, judgment,
          or insight: sage 2: a man versed in esoteric lore (as
          of magic or astrology); esp: magus 1b

   wisenheimer
          [wi.sen.hei.mer] n [[2]wise + -enheimer (as in family names
          such as Guggenheimer, Oppenheimer)] (1904): smart aleck

   wisent
          [wi.sent] n [G, fr. OHG wisant--more at bison] (1866): a
          European bison (Bison bonasus) sometimes considered conspecific
          with the No. American buffalo (B. bison)--called also
          aurochs

   wisewoman
          [wise.wom.an] n (14c): a woman versed in charms, conjuring,
          or fortune-telling

   [1]wish
          [wish] vb [ME wisshen, fr. OE wyscan; akin to OHG wunsken
          to wish, Skt vanchati he wishes, vanoti he strives for--more
          at win] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to have a desire for (as something
          unattainable) <~ed he could live his life over> 2: to
          give expression to as a wish: bid <~ them good night>
          3 a: to give form to (a wish) b: to express a wish for
          c: to request in the form of a wish: order d: to desire
          (a person or thing) to be as specified <cannot ~ our
          problems away> 4: to confer (something unwanted) on someone:
          foist ~ vi 1: to have a desire: want 2: to make a wish
          syn see desire -- wish.er n [2]wish n (14c) 1 a: an act
          or instance of wishing or desire: want b: an object of
          desire: goal 2 a: an expressed will or desire: mandate
          b: a request or command couched as a wish 3: an invocation
          of good or evil fortune on someone

   wisha
          [wisha] interj [Ir mhuise] (1826) chiefly Irish--used as
          an intensive or to express surprise

   wishbone
          [wish.bone] n [fr. the superstition that when two persons
          pull it apart the one getting the longer fragment will
          have a wish granted] (1853) 1: a forked bone in front
          of the breastbone in a bird consisting chiefly of the
          two clavicles fused at their median or lower end 2: a
          variation of the T formation in which the halfbacks line
          up farther from the line of scrimmage than the fullback
          does

   wishful
          [wish.ful] adj (1593) 1 a: expressive of a wish: hopeful
          b: having a wish: desirous 2: according with wishes rather
          than reality -- wish.ful.ly adv -- wish.ful.ness n

   wish fulfillment
          [wish fulfillment] n (1908): the gratification of a desire
          esp. symbolically (as in dreams, daydreams, or neurotic
          symptoms)

   wishful thinking
          [wishful thinking] n (1932): the attribution of reality to
          what one wishes to be true or the tenuous justification
          of what one wants to believe

   wishing
          [wish.ing] adj (ca. 1530) 1 archaic: wishful 2: regarded
          as having the power to grant wishes <threw a coin in
          the ~ well>

   wish list
          [wish list] n (1972): a list of desired but often realistically
          unobtainable items

   wish-wash
          [wish-wash] n [redupl. of [2]wash] (1786) 1: a weak drink
          2: insipid talk or writing

   wishy-washy
          [wishy-washy] adj [redupl. of washy] (ca. 1693) 1: lacking
          in character or determination: ineffectual 2: lacking
          in strength or flavor: weak -- wishy-wash.i.ness n

   [1]wisp
          [wisp] n [ME] (14c) 1: a small handful (as of hay or straw)
          2 a: a thin strip or fragment b: a thready streak <a
          ~ of smoke> c: something frail, slight, or fleeting <a
          ~ of a girl> <a ~ of a smile> 3 archaic: will-o'-the-wisp
          -- wisp.i.ly adv -- wisp.i.ness n -- wispy adj [2]wisp
          vt (1753) 1: to roll into a wisp 2: to make wisps of
          <a cigarette ~ing smoke at the corner of his mouth --Raymond
          Chandler> ~ vi: to emerge or drift in wisps <her hair
          began to ~ into her eyes --Mary Manning>

   wispish
          [wisp.ish] adj (1896): resembling a wisp: insubstantial

   Wissenschaft
          [Wis.sen.schaft] [G] foreign term : learning: science

   wist
          [wist] vt [alter. of wis] (1508) archaic: know

   wisteria
          [wis.te.ria] or wis.tar.ia n [NL Wisteria, fr. Caspar Wistar
          d. 1818 Am. physician] (1842): any of a genus (Wisteria)
          of chiefly Asian mostly woody leguminous vines that have
          pinnately compound leaves and long racemes of showy blue,
          white, purple, or rose papilionaceous flowers and that
          include several grown as ornamentals

   wistful
          [wist.ful] adj [blend of wishful and obs. E wistly intently]
          (1714) 1: full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy;
          also: inspiring such yearning <a ~ memoir> 2: musingly
          sad: pensive -- wist.ful.ly adv -- wist.ful.ness n

   [1]wit
          [wit] vb wist ; wit.ting pres 1st & 3d sing wot [ME witen
          (1st & 3d sing. pres. wot, past wiste), fr. OE witan
          (1st & 3d sing. pres. wat, past wisse, wiste); akin to
          OHG wizzan to know, L videre to see, Gk eidenai to know,
          idein to see] (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: know 2 archaic: to
          come to know: learn [2]wit n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG
          wizzi knowledge, OE witan to know] (bef. 12c) 1 a: mind,
          memory b: reasoning power: intelligence 2 a: sense 2a--usu.
          used in pl. <alone and warming his five ~s, the white
          owl in the belfry sits --Alfred Tennyson> b (1): mental
          soundness: sanity--usu. used in pl. (2): mental capability
          and resourcefulness: ingenuity 3 a: astuteness of perception
          or judgment: acumen b: the ability to relate seemingly
          disparate things so as to illuminate or amuse c (1):
          a talent for banter or persiflage (2): a witty utterance
          or exchange d: clever or apt humor 4 a: a person of superior
          intellect: thinker b: an imaginatively perceptive and
          articulate individual esp. skilled in banter or persiflage
          -- at one's wit's end or at one's wits' end : at a loss
          for a means of solving a problem syn wit, humor, irony,
          sarcasm, satire, repartee mean a mode of expression intended
          to arouse amusement. wit suggests the power to evoke
          laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity
          and swift perception esp. of the incongruous <a playful
          wit>. humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous,
          the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express
          these usu. without bitterness <a sense of humor>. irony
          applies to a manner of expression in which the intended
          meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed
          <the irony of the title>. sarcasm applies to expression
          frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut
          or wound <given to heartless sarcasm>. satire applies
          to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines,
          or institutions either by direct criticism or more often
          through irony, parody, or caricature <a satire on the
          Congress>. repartee implies the power of answering quickly,
          pointedly, or wittily <a dinner guest noted for repartee>.

   witan
          [wi.tan] n pl [OE, pl. of wita sage, adviser; akin to OHG
          wizzo sage, OE witan to know] (1807): members of the
          witenagemot

   [1]witch
          [witch] n [ME wicche, fr. OE wicca, masc., wizard & wicce,
          fem., witch; akin to MHG wicken to bewitch, OE wigle
          divination, and perh. to OHG wih holy--more at victim]
          (bef. 12c) 1: one that is credited with usu. malignant
          supernatural powers; esp: a woman practicing usu. black
          witchcraft often with the aid of a devil or familiar:
          sorceress--compare warlock 2: an ugly old woman: hag
          3: a charming or alluring girl or woman -- witch.like
          adj -- witchy adj [2]witch vt (14c) 1: to affect injuriously
          with witchcraft 2 archaic: to influence or beguile with
          allure or charm ~ vi: dowse

   witchcraft
          [witch.craft] n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the use of sorcery or magic
          b: communication with the devil or with a familiar 2:
          an irresistible influence or fascination

   witch doctor
          [witch doctor] n (1718): a professional worker of magic usu.
          in a primitive society who often works to cure sickness

   witchery
          [witch.ery] n, pl -er.ies (1546) 1 a: the practice of witchcraft:
          sorcery b: an act of witchcraft 2: an irresistible fascination

   witches' brew
          [witches' brew] n (1929): a potent or fearsome mixture <a
          witches' brew of untamed sex and brutality --Harrison
          Smith>

   witches'-broom
          [witch.es'-broom] n (1881): an abnormal tufted growth of
          small branches on a tree or shrub caused esp. by fungi
          or viruses

   witches' Sabbath
          [witches' Sabbath] n (ca. 1676): a midnight assembly of witches,
          devils, and sorcerers for the celebration of rites and
          orgies

   witchgrass
          [witch.grass] n [prob. alter. of quitch (grass)] (1790) 1:
          quack grass 2 [[1]witch]: a No. American grass (Panicum
          capillare) with slender brushy panicles that is often
          a weed on cultivated land

   witch hazel
          [witch ha.zel] n [witch, a tree with pliant branches, fr.
          ME wyche, fr. OE wice; prob. akin to OE wican to yield--more
          at weak] (ca. 1542) 1: any of a genus (Hamamelis of the
          family Hamamelidaceae, the witch-hazel family) of shrubs
          or small trees with slender-petaled yellow flowers borne
          in late fall or early spring; esp: one (H. virginiana)
          of eastern No. America that blooms in the fall 2: an
          alcoholic solution of a distillate of the bark of a witch
          hazel (H. virginiana) used as a soothing and mildly astringent
          lotion

   witch-hunt
          [witch-hunt] n (1885) 1: a searching out for persecution
          of persons accused of witchcraft 2: the searching out
          and deliberate harassment of those (as political opponents)
          with unpopular views -- witch-hunt.er n -- witch-hunt.ing
          n or adj

   [1]witching
          [witch.ing] n (bef. 12c): the practice of witchcraft: sorcery
          [2]witching adj (14c): of, relating to, or suitable for
          sorcery or supernatural occurrences <the very ~ time
          of night --Shak.>

   witch of Agnesi
          [witch of Agne.si] n [Maria Gaetana Agnesi d. 1799 Ital.
          mathematician; witch, trans. of It versiera cubic curve
          (influenced by It versiera female demon)] (1875): a plane
          cubic curve that is symmetric about the y-axis and approaches
          the x-axis as an asymptote that is constructed by drawing
          lines from the origin intersecting an upright circle
          tangent to the x-axis at the origin and taking the locus
          of points of intersection of pairs of lines parallel
          to the x-axis and y-axis each pair of which consists
          of a line parallel to the x-axis through the point where
          a line through the origin intersects the circle and a
          line parallel to the y-axis through the point where the
          same line through the origin intersects the line parallel
          to the x-axis through the point of intersection of the
          circle and the y-axis and that is given by an equation
          whose left side is x squared multiplied by y and whose
          right side consists of the factor (2a - y) multiplied
          by 4 times the square of a--called also witch

   witchweed
          [witch.weed] n (1904): any of a genus (Striga) of yellow-flowered
          Old World plants of the snapdragon family that are damaging
          root parasites of grasses (as sorghum and maize) and
          that include one (S. lutea) which is an introduced pest
          in parts of the southeastern U.S.

   [1]wite
          [wite] vt wit.ed ; wit.ing [ME, fr. OE witan; akin to OHG
          wizan to blame, OE witan to know] (bef. 12c) chiefly
          Scot: blame [2]wite n (13c) chiefly Scot: blame, responsibility

   witenagemot
          [wi.te.na.ge.mot] or wi.te.na.ge.mote n [OE witena gemot,
          fr. witena (gen. pl. of wita sage, adviser) + gemot gemot]
          (bef. 12c): an Anglo-Saxon council made up of a varying
          number of nobles, prelates, and influential officials
          and convened from time to time to advise the king on
          administrative and judicial matters

   with
          [with] prep [ME, against, from, with, fr. OE; akin to OE
          wither against, OHG widar against, back, Skt vi apart]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: in opposition to: against <had a fight
          ~ his brother> b: so as to be separated or detached from
          <broke ~ her family> 2 a--used as a function word to
          indicate a participant in an action, transaction, or
          arrangement <works ~ his father> <a talk ~ a friend>
          <got into an accident ~ the car> b--used as a function
          word to indicate the object of attention, behavior, or
          feeling <get tough ~ him> <angry ~ her> c: in respect
          to: so far as concerns <on friendly terms ~ all nations>
          d--used to indicate the object of an adverbial expression
          of imperative force <off ~ his head> e: over, on <no
          longer has any influence ~ them> f: in the performance,
          operation, or use of <the trouble ~ this machine> 3 a--used
          as a function word to indicate the object of a statement
          of comparison or equality <a dress identical ~ her hostess's>
          b--used as a function word to express agreement or sympathy
          <must conclude, ~ you, that the painting is a forgery>
          c: on the side of: for <if he's for lower taxes, I'm
          ~ him> d: as well as <can pitch ~ the best of them> 4
          a--used as a function word to indicate combination, accompaniment,
          presence, or addition <heat milk ~ honey> <went there ~ her> <his
          money, ~ his wife's, comes to a million> b: inclusive of <costs
          $5 ~ the tax> 5 a: in the judgment or estimation of <stood well
          ~ her classmates> b: in or according to the experience or practice
          of <~ many of us, our ideas seem to fall by the wayside --W.
          J. Reilly> 6 a--used as a function word to indicate the means,
          cause, agent, or instrumentality <hit him ~ a rock> <pale ~ anger>
          <threatened ~ tuberculosis> <he amused the crowd ~ his antics>
          b archaic: by the direct act of 7 a--used as a function word
          to indicate manner of action <ran ~ effort> <acknowledge your
          contribution ~ thanks> b--used as a function word to indicate
          an attendant fact or circumstance <stood there ~ his hat on>
          c--used as a function word to indicate a result attendant
          on a specified action <got off ~ a light sentence> 8 a (1):
          in possession of: having <came ~ good news> (2): in the possession
          or care of <left the money ~ her mother> b: characterized
          or distinguished by <a person ~ a sharp nose> 9 a--used
          as a function word to indicate a close association in time <~ the
          outbreak of war they went home> <mellows ~ time> b: in proportion
          to <the pressure varies ~ the depth> 10 a: in spite of:
          notwithstanding <a really tip-top man, ~ all his wrongheadedness
          --H. J. Laski> b: except for <finds that, ~ one group of omissions
          and one important addition, they reflect that curriculum --Gilbert
          Highet> 11: in the direction of <~ the wind> <~ the grain>

   [1]withal
          [with.al] adv [ME, fr. with + all, al all] (13c) 1: together
          with this: besides <a supporter of all constructive work
          and ~ an excellent businessman --A. W. Long> 2 archaic:
          therewith 1 3: on the other hand: nevertheless [2]withal
          prep (14c) archaic: with--used postpositively with a
          relative or interrogative pronoun as object

   withdraw
          [with.draw] vb -drew ; -drawn ; -draw.ing [ME, fr. with from
          + drawen to draw] vt (13c) 1 a: to take back or away:
          remove <pressure upon educational administrators to ~
          academic credit --J. W. Scott> b: to remove from use
          or cultivation c: to remove (money) from a place of deposit
          d: to turn away (as the eyes) from an object of attention
          <withdrew her gaze> e: to draw (as a curtain) back or
          aside 2 a: to remove from consideration or set outside
          a group <withdrew his name from the list of nominees>
          <withdrew their child from the school> b (1): take back,
          retract (2): to recall or remove (a motion) under parliamentary
          procedure ~ vi 1 a: to move back or away: retire b: to
          draw back from a battlefield: retreat 2 a: to remove
          oneself from participation b: to become socially or emotionally
          detached <had withdrawn farther and farther into herself
          --Ethel Wilson> 3: to recall a motion under parliamentary
          procedure -- with.draw.able adj

   withdrawal
          [with.draw.al] n (1749) 1 a: the act of taking back or away
          something that has been granted or possessed b: removal
          from a place of deposit or investment c (1): the discontinuance
          of administration or use of a drug (2): a period following
          the discontinuance of an addicting drug that is marked
          by often painful physical and psychological symptoms
          <a heroin addict going through ~> 2 a: retreat or retirement
          esp. into a more secluded or less exposed place or position
          b: an operation by which a military force disengages
          from the enemy c (1): social or emotional detachment
          (2): a pathological retreat from objective reality (as
          in some schizophrenic states) 3: retraction, revocation
          <threatened us with ~ of consent> 4 a: the act of drawing
          someone or something back from or out of a place or position
          b: coitus interruptus

   withdrawing room
          [withdrawing room] n (1591): a room to retire to (as from
          a dining room); esp: drawing room

   withdrawn
          [with.drawn] adj (1615) 1: removed from immediate contact
          or easy approach: isolated 2: socially detached and unresponsive:
          exhibiting withdrawal: introverted -- with.drawn.ness
          n

   withe
          [withe] n [ME, fr. OE withthe; akin to OE withig withy] (bef.
          12c): a slender flexible branch or twig; esp: one used
          as a band or line

   [1]wither
          [with.er] vb with.ered ; with.er.ing [ME widren; prob. akin
          to ME weder weather] vi (14c) 1: to become dry and sapless;
          esp: to shrivel from or as if from loss of bodily moisture
          2: to lose vitality, force, or freshness ~ vt 1: to cause
          to wither 2: to make speechless or incapable of action:
          stun <~ed him with a look --Dorothy Sayers> [2]wither
          n (1607) chiefly Brit: withers

   withering
          [withering] adj (1579): acting or serving to cut down or
          destroy: devastating <a ~ fire from the enemy> -- with.er.ing.ly
          adv

   witherite
          [with.er.ite] n [G Witherit, irreg. fr. William Withering
          d. 1799 Eng. physician] (1794): a mineral consisting
          of a carbonate of barium in the form of white or gray
          twin crystals or columnar or granular masses

   withe rod
          [withe rod] n (1846): a No. American viburnum (Viburnum
          cassinoides) with tough slender shoots

   withers
          [with.ers] n pl [prob. fr. obs. E wither- against, fr. ME,
          fr. OE, fr. wither against; fr. the withers being the
          parts which resist the pull in drawing a load--more at
          with] (1580) 1: the ridge between the shoulder bones
          of a horse--see horse illustration 2: a part corresponding
          to the withers in a quadruped other than a horse

   withershins
          [with.er.shins] var of widdershins

   withhold
          [with.hold] vb -held ; -hold.ing [ME, fr. with from + holden
          to hold--more at with] vt (13c) 1: to hold back from
          action: check 2 archaic: to keep in custody 3: to refrain
          from granting, giving, or allowing <~ permission> 4:
          to deduct (withholding tax) from income ~ vi: forbear,
          refrain syn see keep -- with.hold.er n

   withholding tax
          [withholding tax] n (1940): a deduction (as from wages, fees,
          or dividends) levied at a source of income as advance
          payment on income tax

   [1]within
          [with.in] adv [ME withinne, fr. OE withinnan, fr. with +
          innan inwardly, within, fr. in] (bef. 12c) 1: in or into
          the interior: inside 2: in one's inner thought, disposition,
          or character: inwardly <search ~ for a creative impulse
          --Kingman Brewster, Jr.> [2]within prep (12c) 1--used
          as a function word to indicate enclosure or containment
          2--used as a function word to indicate situation or circumstance
          in the limits or compass of: as a: before the end of
          <gone ~ a week> b (1): not beyond the quantity, degree,
          or limitations of <live ~ your income> (2): in or into
          the scope or sphere of <~ the jurisdiction of the state>
          (3): in or into the range of <~ reach> <~ sight> (4)--used
          as a function word to indicate a specified difference
          or margin <came ~ two points of a perfect mark> <~ a
          mile of the town> 3: to the inside of: into [3]within
          n (15c): an inner place or area <revolt from ~> [4]within
          adj (1748): being inside: enclosed <the ~ indictment>

   withindoors
          [with.in.doors] adv (1581): indoors

   with-it
          [with-it] adj (1959): socially or culturally up-to-date <the
          intelligent, disaffected, ~ young --Eliot Fremont-Smith>

   [1]without
          [with.out] prep [ME withoute, fr. OE withutan, fr. with +
          utan outside, fr. ut out--more at out] (bef. 12c) 1:
          outside 2--used as a function word to indicate the absence
          or lack of something or someone <fight ~ fear> <left
          ~ him> <looks ~ seeing> [2]without adv (bef. 12c) 1:
          on the outside: externally 2: with something lacking
          or absent <has learned to do ~> [3]without conj (14c)
          chiefly dial: unless <you don't know about me ~ you have
          read a book --Mark Twain> [4]without n (15c): an outer
          place or area <came from ~>

   withoutdoors
          [with.out.doors] adv (1617): outdoors

   withstand
          [with.stand] vt -stood ; -stand.ing [ME, fr. OE withstandan,
          fr. with against + standan to stand] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          to stand up against: oppose with firm determination;
          esp: to resist successfully b: to be proof against: resist
          the effect of <~ the impact of a landing --Current Biog.>
          2 archaic: to stop or obstruct the course of syn see
          oppose

   [1]withy
          [withy] n, pl with.ies [ME, fr. OE withig; akin to OHG wida
          willow, L vitis vine, viere to plait--more at wire] (bef.
          12c) 1: willow; esp: osier 1 2: a flexible slender twig
          or branch (as of osier): withe [2]withy adj [withe] (1598):
          flexibly tough

   witless
          [wit.less] adj (bef. 12c) 1: destitute of wit or understanding:
          foolish 2: mentally deranged: crazy <drive one ~ with
          anxiety --William Styron> -- wit.less.ly adv -- wit.less.ness
          n

   witling
          [wit.ling] n (1693) 1: a would-be wit 2: a person of little
          wit

   witloof
          [wit.loof] n [D dial. witloof chicory, fr. D wit white +
          loof foliage] (1885): chicory 1; also: endive 2

   [1]witness
          [wit.ness] n [ME witnesse, fr. OE witnes knowledge, testimony,
          witness, fr. [2]wit] (bef. 12c) 1: attestation of a fact
          or event: testimony 2: one that gives evidence; specif:
          one who testifies in a cause or before a judicial tribunal
          3: one asked to be present at a transaction so as to
          be able to testify to its having taken place 4: one who
          has personal knowledge of something 5 a : something serving
          as evidence or proof: sign b: public affirmation by word
          or example of usu. religious faith or conviction <the
          heroic ~ to divine life --Pilot> 6 cap: a member of the
          Jehovah's Witnesses [2]witness vt (14c) 1: to testify
          to: attest 2: to act as legal witness of 3: to furnish
          proof of: betoken 4 a: to have personal or direct cognizance
          of--see for oneself <~ed the historic event> b: to take
          note of <our grammar -- ~ our verb system--is a marvel
          of flexibility, variety, and exactitude --Charlton Laird>
          5: to constitute the scene or time of <structures ...
          which this striking Dorset hilltop once ~ed --Times Lit.
          Supp.> ~ vi 1: to bear witness: testify 2: to bear witness
          to one's religious convictions <opportunity to ~ for
          Christ --Billy Graham> syn see certify

   witness-box
          [wit.ness-box] n (1806) chiefly Brit: an enclosure in which
          a witness sits or stands while testifying in court

   witness stand
          [witness stand] n (1853): a stand or an enclosure from which
          a witness gives evidence in a court

   witted
          [wit.ted] adj (14c): having wit or understanding--usu. used
          in combination <dull-witted> <quick-witted>

   witticism
          [wit.ti.cism] n [witty + -cism (as in criticism)] (1651):
          a cleverly witty and often biting or ironic remark

   [1]witting
          [wit.ting] n (14c) 1 chiefly dial: knowledge or awareness
          of something: cognizance 2 chiefly dial: information
          obtained or communicated: news [2]wit.ting adj (ca. 1520)
          1: cognizant or aware of something: conscious 2: done
          deliberately: intentional -- wit.ting.ly adv

   wittol
          [wit.tol] n [ME wetewold, fr. weten, witen to know + cokewold
          cuckold--more at wit] (15c) 1 archaic: a man who knows
          of his wife's infidelity and puts up with it 2 archaic:
          a witless person

   witty
          [wit.ty] adj wit.ti.er ; -est (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: having
          good intellectual capacity: intelligent 2: amusingly
          or ingeniously clever in conception or execution <the
          costumes are sumptuous and ~ --Virgil Thomson> <the musical
          background is ... often ~ --Wolcott Gibbs> 3: marked
          by or full of wit: smartly facetious or jocular 4: quick
          or ready to see or express illuminating or amusing relationships
          or insights -- wit.ti.ly adv -- wit.ti.ness n syn witty,
          humorous, facetious, jocular, jocose mean provoking or
          intended to provoke laughter. witty suggests cleverness
          and quickness of mind <a witty remark>. humorous applies
          broadly to anything that evokes usu. genial laughter
          and may contrast with witty in suggesting whimsicality
          or eccentricity <humorous anecdotes>. facetious stresses
          a desire to produce laughter and may be derogatory in
          implying dubious or ill-timed attempts at wit or humor
          <facetious comments>. jocular implies a usu. habitual
          fondness for jesting and joking <a jocular fellow>. jocose
          is somewhat less derogatory than facetious in suggesting
          habitual waggishness or playfulness <jocose proposals>.

   wive
          [wive] vb wived ; wiv.ing [ME, fr. OE wifian, fr. wif woman,
          wife] vi (bef. 12c): to marry a woman ~ vt 1: to marry
          to a woman 2: to take for a wife

   wives
          [wives] pl of wife

   wiz
          [wiz] n (1902): wizard 3

   [1]wizard
          [wiz.ard] n [ME wysard, fr. wis, wys wise] (15c) 1 archaic:
          a wise man: sage 2: one skilled in magic: sorcerer 3:
          a very clever or skillful person [2]wizard adj (1579)
          1 archaic: having magical influence or power 2 archaic:
          of or relating to wizardry: enchanted 3 chiefly Brit:
          worthy of the highest praise: excellent

   wizardly
          [wiz.ard.ly] adj (1588) 1: having characteristics of a wizard
          2: marvelous in construction or operation <uses ~ circuitry
          to distort images --Time>

   wizardry
          [wiz.ard.ry] n, pl -ries (1583) 1: the art or practices of
          a wizard: sorcery 2 a: a seemingly magical transforming
          power or influence <electronic ~> b: great skill or cleverness
          in an activity

   [1]wizen
          [wiz.en] vb wiz.ened ; wiz.en.ing [ME wisenen, fr. OE wisnian;
          akin to OHG wesanen to wither, Lith vysti] vi (bef. 12c):
          to become dry, shrunken, and wrinkled often as a result
          of aging or of failing vitality ~ vt: to cause to wizen
          [2]wizen adj [alter. of wizened] (1786): that is wizened

   wk...
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   wk
          [wk] abbreviation week, work

   wkly
          [wkly] abbreviation weekly

   wl...
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   WL
          [WL] abbreviation waterline, wavelength

   wm...
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   wm
          [wm] abbreviation wattmeter

   wmk
          [wmk] abbreviation watermark

   wn...
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   WNW
          [WNW] abbreviation west-northwest

   wo...
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   WO
          [WO] abbreviation warrant officer

   woad
          [woad] n [ME wod, fr. OE wad; akin to OHG weit woad, L vitrum]
          (bef. 12c): a European herb (Isatis tinctoria) of the
          mustard family formerly grown for the blue dyestuff yielded
          by its leaves; also: this dyestuff

   [1]wobble
          [wob.ble] vb wob.bled ; wob.bling [prob. fr. LG wabbeln;
          akin to OE waefre restless--more at waver] vi (1657)
          1 a: to move or proceed with an irregular rocking or
          staggering motion or unsteadily and clumsily from side
          to side b: tremble, quaver 2: waver, vacillate ~ vt:
          to cause to wobble -- wob.bler n -- wob.bli.ness n --
          wob.bly adj [2]wobble n (1699) 1 a: a hobbling or rocking
          unequal motion (as of a wheel unevenly mounted) b: an
          uncertainly directed movement 2: an intermittent variation
          (as in volume of sound)

   Wobbly
          [Wob.bly] n, pl Wobblies [origin unknown] (1914): a member
          of the Industrial Workers of the World

   WOC
          [WOC] abbreviation without compensation

   Woden
          [Wo.den] n [OE Woden]: odin

   wodge
          [wodge] n [prob. alter. of wedge] (1860) chiefly Brit: a
          bulky mass or chunk: lump, wad

   [1]woe
          [woe] interj [ME wa, wo, fr. OE wa; akin to ON vei, interj.,
          woe, L vae] (bef. 12c)--used to express grief, regret,
          or distress [2]woe n (13c) 1: a condition of deep suffering
          from misfortune, affliction, or grief 2: ruinous trouble:
          calamity, affliction <economic ~s> syn see sorrow

   woebegone
          [woe.be.gone] adj [ME wo begon, fr. wo, n. + begon, pp. of
          begon to go about, beset, fr. OE began, fr. be- + gan
          to go--more at go] (14c) 1: strongly affected with woe:
          woeful 2 a: exhibiting great woe, sorrow, or misery <a
          ~ expression> b: being in a sorry state <~ tattered clothes>
          -- woe.be.gone.ness n

   woeful
          [woe.ful] also wo.ful adj (14c) 1: full of woe: grievous
          <~ prophecies> 2: involving or bringing woe 3: lamentably
          bad or serious: deplorable <~ ignorance> -- woe.ful.ly
          adv -- woe.ful.ness n

   wog
          [wog] n [perh. short for golliwog] (ca. 1929) chiefly Brit:
          a dark-skinned foreigner; esp: one from the Middle East
          or Far East--usu. used disparagingly

   wok
          [wok] n [Chin (Guangdong) wohk] (1952): a bowl-shaped cooking
          utensil used esp. in stir-frying

   woke
          [woke] past and past part of wake

   woken
          [woken] past part of wake

   wold
          [wold] n [ME wald, wold, fr. OE weald, wald forest; akin
          to OHG wald forest, ON vollr field] (bef. 12c) 1: a usu.
          upland area of open country 2 cap: a hilly or rolling
          region--used in names of various English geographical
          areas <Yorkshire Wolds>

   [1]wolf
          [wolf] n, pl wolves often attrib [ME, fr. OE wulf; akin to
          OHG wolf wolf, L lupus, Gk lykos] (bef. 12c) 1 pl also
          wolf a: any of various large predatory canids (genus
          Canis) that live and hunt in packs and resemble the related
          dogs; esp: gray wolf--compare coyote, jackal b: the fur
          of a wolf 2 a (1): a fierce, rapacious, or destructive
          person (2): a man forward, direct, and zealous in amatory
          attentions to women b: dire poverty: starvation <keep
          the ~ from the door> c: the maggot of a warble fly 3
          [G; fr. the howling sound] a (1): dissonance in some
          chords on organs, pianos, or other instruments with fixed
          tones tuned by unequal temperament (2): an instance of
          such dissonance b: a harshness due to faulty vibration
          in various tones in a bowed instrument -- wolf.like adj
          -- wolf in sheep's clothing : one who cloaks a hostile
          intention with a friendly manner [2]wolf vt (1862): to
          eat greedily: devour

   wolfberry
          [wolf.ber.ry] n (ca. 1834): a white-berried No. American
          shrub (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) of the honeysuckle
          family

   wolf dog
          [wolf dog] n (1652) 1: any of various large dogs formerly
          kept for hunting wolves 2: the offspring of a wolf and
          a domestic dog

   wolfer
          [wolf.er] n (1872): a hunter of wolves

   wolffian body
          [wolff.ian body] n, often cap W [Kaspar Friedrich Wolff]
          (ca. 1844): mesonephros

   Wolffian duct
          [Wolffian duct] n (1879): the duct of the mesonephros that
          persists in the female chiefly as part of a vestigial
          organ and in the male as the duct system leaving the
          testis and including the epididymis, vas deferens, and
          ejaculatory duct

   wolffish
          [wolf.fish] n (1569): any of several large marine blennies
          (genus Anarhichas of the family Anarhicadidae) having
          strong canine teeth in the front of the jaws and molar
          teeth on the sides and that feed chiefly on shellfish,
          starfish, and sea urchins

   wolfhound
          [wolf.hound] n (1786): any of several large dogs used esp.
          formerly in hunting large animals (as wolves)

   wolfish
          [wolf.ish] adj (1570) 1: of or relating to wolves 2 a: suggestive
          of a wolf <~ mongrel dogs --Hoffman Birney> <a ~ and
          withdrawn youth --Marshall Frady> b: befitting or characteristic
          of a wolf <a ~ appetite> -- wolf.ish.ly adv -- wolf.ish.ness
          n

   wolf pack
          [wolf pack] n (1941): a group of submarines that make a coordinated
          attack on shipping

   wolfram
          [wol.fram] n [G] (1757) 1: wolframite 2: tungsten

   wolframite
          [wol.fram.ite] n [G Wolframit, fr. Wolfram] (ca. 1868): a
          mineral that consists of a tungstate of iron and manganese
          usu. of a brownish or grayish black color and slightly
          metallic luster, occurs in monoclinic crystals and in
          granular or columnar masses, and is used as a source
          of tungsten

   wolfsbane
          [wolfs.bane] n (1548): monkshood; esp: a highly variable
          yellow-flowered poisonous European herb (Aconitum vulparia)

   wolf spider
          [wolf spider] n (1608): any of various active wandering ground
          spiders (family Lycosidae)

   wolf whistle
          [wolf whistle] n (1946): a distinctive whistle sounded by
          a boy or man to express sexual admiration for a girl
          or woman in his vicinity

   wollastonite
          [wol.las.ton.ite] n [William H. Wollaston] (1823): a triclinic
          mineral consisting of a native calcium silicate occurring
          usu. in cleavable masses

   Wolof
          [Wo.lof] n (1823): a Niger-Congo language of Senegambia

   wolverine
          [wol.ver.ine] n, pl wolverines [prob. irreg. fr. wolv- (as
          in wolves)] (1574) 1 pl also wolverine a: a carnivorous
          usu. solitary mammal (Gulo gulo) of the weasel family
          of northern forests and associated tundra that is blackish
          with a light brown band on each side of the body and
          is noted esp. for its strength b: the fur of the wolverine
          2 cap: a native or resident of Michigan--used as a nickname

   woman
          [wom.an] n, pl wom.en [ME, fr. OE wifman, fr. wif woman,
          wife + man human being, man] (bef. 12c) 1 a: an adult
          female person b: a woman belonging to a particular category
          (as by birth, residence, membership, or occupation)--usu.
          used in combination <councilwoman> 2: womenkind 3: distinctively
          feminine nature: womanliness 4: a female servant or personal
          attendant 5 a chiefly dial: wife b: mistress c: girlfriend
          2 -- woman adj -- wom.an.less adj

   womanhood
          [wom.an.hood] n (14c) 1 a: the state of being a woman b:
          the distinguishing character or qualities of a woman
          or of womankind 2: women, womenkind

   womanise
          [wom.an.ise] Brit var of womanize

   womanish
          [wom.an.ish] adj (14c) 1: characteristic of or suitable for
          a woman 2: unsuitable to a man or to a strong character
          of either sex: effeminate <~ fears> -- wom.an.ish.ly
          adv -- wom.an.ish.ness n

   womanize
          [wom.an.ize] vb -ized ; -iz.ing vt (1593): to make effeminate
          ~ vi: to pursue multiple casual relationships with women
          -- wom.an.iz.er n

   womankind
          [wom.an.kind] n sing but sing or pl in constr (14c): womenkind

   [1]womanlike
          [wom.an.like] adj (15c): womanly [2]womanlike adv (15c):
          in the manner of a woman

   womanly
          [wom.an.ly] adj (13c) 1: having qualities generally associated
          with a woman 2: appropriate in character to a woman --
          wom.an.li.ness n

   woman of letters
          [woman of letters] (1818) 1: a woman who is a scholar 2:
          a woman who is an author

   woman of the street
          [woman of the street] (1928): prostitute

   womanpower
          [wom.an.pow.er] n (1938): women available and prepared for
          work (as in industry or a particular line of endeavor)

   woman's rights
          [woman's rights] n pl (1840) 1: legal, political, and social
          rights for women equal to those of men 2: feminism 2

   woman suffrage
          [woman suffrage] n (1867): possession and exercise of suffrage
          by women

   womb
          [womb] n [ME wamb, womb, fr. OE; akin to OHG wamba belly]
          (bef. 12c) 1: uterus 2 a: a cavity or space that resembles
          a womb in containing and enveloping b: a place where
          something is generated -- wombed adj

   wombat
          [wom.bat] n [Dharuk (Australian aboriginal language of the
          Port Jackson area) wambat] (1798): any of several stocky
          Australian marsupials (genera Vombatus and Lasiorhinus
          of the family Vombatidae) resembling small bears

   womenfolk
          [wom.en.folk] also wom.en.folks n pl (1833): women

   womenkind
          [wom.en.kind] n (14c): female human beings: women esp. as
          distinguished from men

   women's rights
          [women's rights] n pl (1632): woman's rights

   women's room
          [women's room] n (ca. 1937): ladies' room

   wommera
          [wom.mera] var of woomera

   [1]won
          [won] vi wonned ; won.ning [ME, fr. OE wunian--more at wont]
          (bef. 12c) archaic: dwell 2a, abide 2 [2]won past and
          past part of win [3]won n, pl won [Korean won] (ca. 1917):
          the basic monetary unit of North Korea and South Korea

   [1]wonder
          [won.der] n [ME, fr. OE wundor; akin to OHG wuntar wonder]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a cause of astonishment or admiration:
          marvel <it's a ~ you weren't killed> b: miracle 2: the
          quality of exciting amazed admiration 3 a: rapt attention
          or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or
          new to one's experience b: a feeling of doubt or uncertainty
          [2]wonder vb won.dered ; won.der.ing vi (bef. 12c) 1
          a: to be in a state of wonder b: to feel surprise 2:
          to feel curiosity or doubt ~ vt: to be curious or in
          doubt about -- won.der.er n [3]wonder adj (12c): wondrous,
          wonderful: as a: exciting amazement or admiration b:
          effective or efficient far beyond anything previously
          known or anticipated

   wonder drug
          [wonder drug] n (1939): miracle drug

   wonderful
          [won.der.ful] adj (bef. 12c) 1: exciting wonder: marvelous,
          astonishing <a sight ~ to behold> 2: unusually good:
          admirable -- won.der.ful.ly adv -- won.der.ful.ness n

   wonderland
          [won.der.land] n (1790) 1: an imaginary place of delicate
          beauty or magical charm 2: a place that excites admiration
          or wonder

   wonderment
          [won.der.ment] n (1535) 1: astonishment, surprise 2: a cause
          of or occasion for wonder 3: curiosity about something

   wonderwork
          [won.der.work] n (bef. 12c): a marvelous act, work,
          or accomplishment

   wonder-worker
          [won.der-work.er] n (1599): one that performs wonders

   wonder-working
          [won.der-work.ing] adj (1594): producing wonders

   wondrous
          [won.drous] adj [ME, alter. of wonders, fr. gen. of [1]wonder]
          (15c): that is to be marveled at: extraordinary -- wondrous
          adv, archaic -- won.drous.ly adv -- won.drous.ness n

   wonk
          [wonk] n [origin unknown] (1954): nerd

   wonky
          [won.ky] adj [prob. alter. of E dial. wankle, fr. ME wankel,
          fr. OE wancol; akin to OHG wankon to totter--more at
          wench] (1919) 1 Brit: unsteady, shaky 2 Brit: awry, wrong

   won't
          [won't] (1652): will not

   [1]wont
          [wont] adj [ME woned, wont, fr. pp. of wonen to dwell, be
          used to, fr. OE wunian; akin to OHG wonen to dwell, be
          used to, Skt vanoti he strives for--more at win] (bef.
          12c) 1: accustomed, used <got up early as he is ~ to
          do> 2: inclined, apt <revealing as letters are ~ to be
          --Gladys M. Wrigley> [2]wont vb wont ; wont or wont.ed
          ; wont.ing vt (15c): accustom, habituate ~ vi: to have
          the habit of doing something [3]wont n (1530): habitual
          way of doing: use syn see habit

   wonted
          [wont.ed] adj (15c): usual or ordinary esp. by reason of
          established habit <spoke with his ~ slowness> syn see
          usual -- wont.ed.ly adv -- wont.ed.ness n

   wonton
          [won.ton] n [Chin (Guangdong) wahn-tan] (1934): filled pockets
          of noodle dough served boiled in soup or fried

   woo
          [woo] vb [ME wowen, fr. OE wogian] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to sue
          for the affection of and usu. marriage with: court 2:
          to solicit or entreat esp. with importunity 3: to seek
          to gain or bring about ~ vi: to court a woman -- woo.er
          n

   [1]wood
          [wood] adj [ME, fr. OE wod insane; akin to OHG wuot madness--more
          at vatic] (bef. 12c) archaic: violently mad [2]wood n
          [ME wode, fr. OE widu, wudu; akin to OHG witu wood, OIr
          fid tree] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a dense growth of trees usu.
          greater in extent than a grove and smaller than a forest--often
          used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr. b: woodland 2
          a: the hard fibrous substance consisting basically of
          xylem that makes up the greater part of the stems, branches,
          and roots of trees or shrubs beneath the bark and is
          found to a limited extent in herbaceous plants b: wood
          suitable or prepared for some use (as burning or building)
          3 a: something made of wood b: a golf club having a thick
          wooden head; also: a golf club having a similar head
          made of metal -- out of the woods : clear of danger or
          difficulty [3]wood adj (1538) 1: wooden 2: suitable for
          cutting or working with wood <a ~ saw> 3 or woods : living,
          growing, or existing in woods <woods trails> [4]wood
          vi (1630): to gather or take on wood ~ vt: to cover with
          a growth of trees or plant with trees

   wood alcohol
          [wood alcohol] n (1861): methanol

   wood anemone
          [wood anemone] n (1657): any of several anemones; esp: one
          (Anemone quinquefolia) of No. America with solitary often
          pink-tinged flowers

   wood betony
          [wood bet.o.ny] n [ME betone, fr. OF betoine, fr. L vettonica,
          betonica, fr. Vettones, an ancient people inhabiting
          the Iberian peninsula] (1657): a lousewort (Pedicularis
          canadensis) of eastern No. America with yellow or reddish
          flowers in bracted spikes

   woodbine
          [wood.bine] n [ME wodebinde, fr. OE wudubinde, fr. wudu wood
          + bindan to tie, bind; fr. its winding around trees]
          (bef. 12c) 1: any of several honeysuckles; esp: a Eurasian
          twining shrub (Lonicera periclymenum) 2: virginia creeper

   woodblock
          [wood.block] n (1837): woodcut -- wood-block adj

   wood-boring
          [wood-bor.ing] adj (1815): excavating galleries in wood in
          feeding or in constructing a nest--used chiefly of an
          insect

   wood carving
          [wood carving] n (1847): the art of fashioning or ornamenting
          objects of wood by cutting with a sharp handheld implement;
          also: an object of wood so fashioned or ornamented --
          wood-carv.er n

   woodchat shrike
          [wood.chat shrike] n (1781): a European shrike (Lanius
          senator)--called also woodchat

   woodchopper
          [wood.chop.per] n (1779): one engaged esp. in chopping down
          trees

   woodchuck
          [wood.chuck] n [by folk etymology fr. a word of Algonquian
          origin; akin to Narraganset ockqutchaun woodchuck] (1674):
          a grizzled thickset marmot (Marmota monax) chiefly of
          Alaska, Canada, and the northeastern U.S.--called also
          groundhog

   woodcock
          [wood.cock] n, pl woodcocks (bef. 12c) 1 or pl woodcock :
          a widespread Old World woodland bird (Scolopax rusticola)
          that is related to the sandpipers and snipes; also: a
          smaller related game bird (Scolopax minor syn. Philohela
          minor) of eastern No. America 2 [fr. the ease with which
          the woodcock is snared] archaic: simpleton

   woodcraft
          [wood.craft] n (14c) 1: skill and practice in anything relating
          to the woods and esp. in maintaining oneself and making
          one's way in the woods 2: skill in shaping or constructing
          articles from wood

   woodcut
          [wood.cut] n (1662) 1: a relief printing surface consisting
          of a wooden block with a usu. pictorial design cut with
          the grain 2: a print from a woodcut

   woodcutter
          [wood.cut.ter] n (1761): one that cuts wood

   woodcutting
          [wood.cut.ting] n (1683) 1: the action or occupation of cutting
          wood or timber 2: the producing of woodcuts

   wood duck
          [wood duck] n (1777): a showy American duck (Aix sponsa)
          which nests in tree cavities and the males of which have
          a large crest and iridescent plumage varied with green,
          purple, black, white, and chestnut

   wood ear
          [wood ear] n (1917): tree ear

   wooded
          [wood.ed] adj (1605): covered with growing trees

   wooden
          [wood.en] adj (1538) 1: made or consisting of wood 2: lacking
          ease or flexibility: awkwardly stiff -- wood.en.ly adv
          -- wood.en.ness n

   wood engraving
          [wood engraving] n (1816) 1: a relief printing surface consisting
          of a wooden block with a usu. pictorial design cut in
          the end grain 2: a print from a wood engraving

   woodenhead
          [wood.en.head] n (1831): blockhead

   woodenheaded
          [wood.en.head.ed] adj (ca. 1854): dense, stupid

   wooden Indian
          [wooden Indian] n (1879): a wooden image of a standing American
          Indian brave used esp. formerly as a sign for a cigar
          store

   woodenware
          [wood.en.ware] n (1647): articles made of wood for domestic
          use

   wood fiber
          [wood fiber] n (1875): any of various fibers in or associated
          with xylem

   [1]woodland
          [wood.land] n (bef. 12c): land covered with woody vegetation:
          timberland, forest -- wood.land.er n [2]woodland adj
          (14c) 1: growing, living, or existing in woodland 2:
          of, relating to, or being woodland

   woodlore
          [wood.lore] n (1918): knowledge of the woods

   woodlot
          [wood.lot] n (1643): a restricted area of woodland usu. privately
          maintained as a source of fuel, posts, and lumber

   wood louse
          [wood louse] n (1611): a terrestrial isopod crustacean (suborder
          Oniscoidea) with a flattened elliptical body often capable
          of being rolled into a ball--called also pill bug, sow
          bug

   woodman
          [wood.man] n (15c) 1: woodsman 2 cap [Modern Woodmen of America
          & Woodmen of the World]: a member of either of two independent
          benevolent and fraternal societies

   woodnote
          [wood.note] n [fr. its likeness to the call of a bird in
          the woods] (1632): verbal expression that is natural
          and artless

   wood nymph
          [wood nymph] n (1577): a nymph living in woods--called also
          dryad

   woodpecker
          [wood.peck.er] n (ca. 1530): any of numerous birds (family
          Picidae) with zygodactyl feet, stiff spiny tail feathers
          used in climbing or resting on tree trunks, a usu. extensile
          tongue, a very hard bill used to drill the bark or wood
          of trees for insect food or to excavate nesting cavities,
          and generally showy parti-colored plumage

   woodpile
          [wood.pile] n (ca. 1552): a pile of wood (as firewood) --
          in the woodpile : doing or responsible for covert mischief

   wood pulp
          [wood pulp] n (1866): pulp from wood used in making cellulose
          derivatives (as paper or rayon)

   wood pussy
          [wood pussy] n (ca. 1899): skunk

   wood rat
          [wood rat] n (1763): any of numerous cricetid rodents (esp.
          genus Neotoma) of No. and Central America with soft fur,
          well-furred tails, and large ears

   wood ray
          [wood ray] n (1925): xylem ray

   woodruff
          [wood.ruff] n [ME woderove, fr. OE wudurofe, fr. wudu wood
          + -rofe (of unknown origin)] (bef. 12c) 1: any of a genus
          (Asperula) of Old World herbs of the madder family 2:
          a small Eurasian and No. African sweet-scented herb (Galium
          odoratum syn. Asperula odorata) used in perfumery and
          for flavoring wine

   [1]woodshed
          [wood.shed] n (1844) 1: a shed for storing wood and esp.
          firewood 2: a place, means, or session for administering
          discipline [2]woodshed vi -shed.ded ; -shed.ding [prob.
          fr. the former use of woodsheds for private practicing]
          (1936): practice; esp: to practice on a musical instrument

   wood shot
          [wood shot] n (1927) 1: a golf shot played with a wood 2:
          a stroke in a racket game in which the ball or shuttlecock
          is hit with the frame of the racket rather than the strings

   woodsman
          [woods.man] n (1688): a person who frequents or works in
          the woods; esp: one skilled in woodcraft

   wood sorrel
          [wood sorrel] n (1525): any of a genus (Oxalis of the family
          Oxalidaceae, the wood-sorrel family) of herbs with acid
          sap, compound leaves, and regular flowers; esp: either
          of two stemless herbs (O. montana of No. America and
          O. acetosella of Eurasia) with trifoliolate leaves

   wood spirit
          [wood spirit] n (1842): methanol

   wood stork
          [wood stork] n (1884): a white stork (Mycteria americana)
          with black wing flight feathers and tail that frequents
          wooded swamps from the southeastern U.S. to Argentina--called
          also wood ibis

   woodstove
          [wood.stove] n (1847): a stove that uses wood for fuel

   wood sugar
          [wood sugar] n (ca. 1900): xylose

   woodsy
          [woodsy] adj (1860): characteristic or suggestive of woods

   wood tar
          [wood tar] n (1857): tar obtained by the destructive distillation
          of wood either as a deposit from pyroligneous acid or
          as a residue from the distillation of the acid or of
          wood turpentine

   wood tick
          [wood tick] n (1668): any of several ixodid ticks: as a:
          a widely distributed tick (Dermacentor andersonii) of
          western No. America that is a vector of Rocky Mountain
          spotted fever b: american dog tick

   wood turning
          [wood turning] n (ca. 1876): the art or process of fashioning
          wooden pieces or blocks into various forms and shapes
          by means of a lathe

   wood turpentine
          [wood turpentine] n (ca. 1909): turpentine 2b

   wood warbler
          [wood warbler] n (1817): warbler 2b

   woodwind
          [wood.wind] n (1876) 1: any of a group of wind instruments
          (as a clarinet, flute, oboe, or saxophone) that are characterized
          by a cylindrical or conical tube of wood or metal usu.
          ending in a slightly flared bell, that produce tones
          by the vibration of one or two reeds in the mouthpiece
          or by the passing of air over a mouth hole, and that
          usu. have finger holes or keys by which the player may
          produce all the tones within an instrument's range 2
          pl: the woodwind section of a band or orchestra

   woodwork
          [wood.work] n (1650) 1: work made of wood; esp: interior
          fittings (as moldings or stairways) of wood 2: a place
          or state of concealment, seclusion, or anonymity <witnesses
          came out of the ~ when a reward was offered>

   [1]woodworking
          [wood.work.ing] adj (1872): used for woodworking [2]woodworking
          n (1875): the act, process, or occupation of working
          wood into a useful or desired form -- wood.work.er n

   woodworm
          [wood.worm] n (1725): an insect larva (as of a furniture
          beetle) that bores esp. in dead wood; also: an infestation
          of woodworms

   [1]woody
          [woody] adj wood.i.er ; -est (14c) 1: abounding or overgrown
          with woods 2 a: of or containing wood or wood fibers:
          ligneous <~ tissues> b: having woody parts: rich in xylem
          and associated structures <~ plants> 3: characteristic
          of or suggestive of wood <wine with a ~ flavor> -- wood.i.ness
          n [2]woody or wood.ie n, pl woodies [alter. of [3]wood]
          (1961): a wood-paneled station wagon

   [1]woof
          [woof] n [alter. of ME oof, fr. OE owef, fr. o- (fr. on)
          + wefan to weave--more at weave] (bef. 12c) 1 a: weft
          1a b: woven fabric; also: the texture of such a fabric
          2: a basic or essential element or material [2]woof vi
          [imit.] (1804) 1: to make the low gruff sound typically
          produced by a dog 2: to express oneself in a usu. stylized
          boastful, aggressive, or exaggeratedly deceitful manner
          [3]woof n (1839) 1: a low gruff sound typically produced
          by a dog 2: a low note emitted by sound reproducing equipment

   woofer
          [woof.er] n (1935): a loudspeaker usu. larger than a tweeter,
          responsive only to the lower acoustic frequencies, and
          used for reproducing sounds of low pitch--compare tweeter

   wool
          [wool] n, often attrib [ME wolle, fr. OE wull; akin to OHG
          wolla wool, L vellus fleece, lana wool] (bef. 12c) 1:
          the soft wavy or curly hypertrophied undercoat of various
          hairy mammals and esp. the sheep made up of a matrix
          of keratin fibers and covered with minute scales 2: a
          product of wool; esp: a woven fabric or garment of such
          fabric 3 a: a dense felted pubescence esp. on a plant:
          tomentum b: a filamentous mass--usu. used in combination--compare
          mineral wool, steel wool

   wooled
          [wooled] also woolled adj (ca. 1859): having wool esp. of
          a specified kind--used in combination <long-wooled>

   [1]woolen
          [wool.en] or wool.len adj (bef. 12c) 1: made of wool 2: of
          or relating to the manufacture or sale of woolen products
          <~ mills> <the ~ industry> [2]woolen or woollen n (14c)
          1: a fabric made of wool and esp. of woolen yarns having
          a fuzzy or napped face (as for use in clothing
          or blankets)--compare worsted 2: garments of woolen fabric--usu.
          used in pl.

   wool fat
          [wool fat] n (1875): wool grease esp. after refining: lanolin

   wool-gather
          [wool-gath.er] vi (1850): to indulge in woolgathering --
          wool.gath.er.er n

   woolgathering
          [wool.gath.er.ing] n (1553): indulgence in idle daydreaming

   wool grease
          [wool grease] n (1875): a fatty slightly sticky wax coating
          the surface of the fibers of sheep's wool--compare wool
          fat

   [1]woolly
          [wool.ly] also wooly adj wool.li.er ; -est (1578) 1 a: of,
          relating to, or bearing wool b: resembling wool 2 a:
          lacking in clearness or sharpness of outline <a ~ TV
          picture> b: marked by mental confusion <~ thinking> 3:
          marked by boisterous roughness or lack of order or restraint
          <where the West is still ~ --Paul Schubert>--used esp.
          in the phrase wild and woolly -- wool.li.ly adv -- wool.li.ness
          n [2]wool.ly also wool.ie or wooly n, pl wool.lies also
          wool.ies (ca. 1865) 1: a garment made from wool; esp:
          underclothing of knitted wool--usu. used in pl. 2 West
          & Austral: sheep

   woolly aphid
          [woolly aphid] n (1842): any of several plant lice (esp.
          genus Eriosoma) covered with a dense coat of white
          filaments--called also woolly aphis

   woolly bear
          [woolly bear] n (ca. 1841): any of various rather large very
          hairy moth caterpillars; esp: one of a tiger moth

   woolly-headed
          [wool.ly-head.ed] adj (1650) 1: having hair suggesting wool
          2: marked by vague or confused perception or thinking

   woolly mammoth
          [woolly mammoth] n (1933): a heavy-coated mammoth (Mammuthus
          primigenius) of the colder parts of the northern hemisphere

   woolpack
          [wool.pack] n (14c) 1: a wrapper of strong fabric into which
          fleeces are packed for shipment 2: the complete package
          of wool and wrapper

   woolsack
          [wool.sack] n (14c) 1 archaic: woolpack 2 2: a cushion that
          is the official seat of the Lord Chancellor or his deputy
          in presiding over the House of Lords

   woolshed
          [wool.shed] n (1850): a building or range of buildings (as
          on an Australian sheep station) in which sheep are sheared
          and wool is prepared for market

   woolskin
          [wool.skin] n (15c): a sheepskin having the wool still on
          it

   woolsorter's disease
          [wool.sort.er's disease] n (1880): pulmonary anthrax resulting
          esp. from inhalation of bacterial spores (Bacillus anthracis)
          from contaminated wool or hair

   wool stapler
          [wool stapler] n (1709): a dealer in wool

   woomera
          [woom.era] n [Dharvk (Australian aboriginal language of the
          Port Jackson area) wumera] (1817): a wooden rod with
          a hooked end used by Australian aborigines for throwing
          a spear

   woops
          [woops] var of oops

   woozy
          [woo.zy] adj woo.zi.er ; -est [origin unknown] (1897) 1:
          mentally unclear or hazy <seems a little ~, not quite
          knowing what to say --J. A. Lukacs> 2: affected with
          dizziness, mild nausea, or weakness -- woo.zi.ly adv
          -- woo.zi.ness n

   wop
          [wop] n, often cap [It dial. guappo swaggerer, tough, fr.
          Sp guapo, prob. fr. MF dial. vape, wape weak, insipid,
          fr. L vappa wine gone flat] (1908): italian--usu. used
          disparagingly

   Worcester
          [Worces.ter] n (1802): low-fired porcelain containing a frit
          and steatite produced at Worcester, England, from about
          1751--called also Worcester china, Worcester porcelain

   Worcestershire sauce
          [Worces.ter.shire sauce] n [Worcestershire, England, where
          it was orig. made] (1843): a pungent sauce whose ingredients
          include soy, vinegar, and garlic

   [1]word
          [word] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG wort word, L verbum, Gk
          eirein to say, speak, Hitt weriya- to call, name] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: something that is said b pl (1): talk, discourse
          <putting one's feelings into ~s> (2): the text of a vocal
          musical composition c: a brief remark or conversation
          <would like to have a ~ with you> 2 a (1): a speech sound
          or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates
          a meaning without being divisible into smaller units
          capable of independent use (2): the entire set of linguistic
          forms produced by combining a single base with various
          inflectional elements without change in the part of speech
          elements b (1): a written or printed character or combination
          of characters representing a spoken word <the number
          of ~s to a line>--sometimes used with the first letter
          of a real or pretended taboo word prefixed often as a
          humorous euphemism <we were not afraid to use the d ~
          and talk about death --Erma Bombeck> <the first man to
          utter the f ~ on British TV --Time> (2): any segment
          of written or printed discourse ordinarily appearing
          between spaces or between a space and a punctuation mark
          c: a number of bytes processed as a unit and conveying
          a quantum of information in communication and computer
          work 3: order, command <don't move till I give the ~>
          4 often cap a: logos b: gospel 1a c: the expressed or
          manifested mind and will of God 5 a: news, information
          <sent ~ that he would be late> b: rumor 6: the act of
          speaking or of making verbal communication 7: saying,
          proverb 8: promise, declaration <kept her ~> 9: a quarrelsome
          utterance or conversation--usu. used in pl. <they had
          ~s and parted> 10: a verbal signal: password -- good
          word 1: a favorable statement <put in a good word for
          me> 2: good news <what's the good word> -- in a word
          : in short -- in so many words 1: in exactly those terms
          <implied that such actions were criminal but did not
          say so in so many words> 2: in plain forthright language
          <in so many words, she wasn't fit to be seen --Jean Stafford>
          -- of few words : not inclined to say more than is necessary:
          laconic -- of one's word : that can be relied on to keep
          a promise--used only after man or woman -- upon my word
          : with my assurance: indeed, assuredly <upon my word,
          I've never heard of such a thing> [2]word vi (13c) archaic:
          speak ~ vt: to express in words: phrase

   wordage
          [word.age] n (1829) 1 a: words b: verbiage 1 2: the number
          or quantity of words 3: wording

   word-association test
          [word-association test] n (1946): a test of personality and
          mental function in which the subject is required to respond
          to each of a series of words with the first one that
          comes to mind or with one of a specified class of words

   wordbook
          [word.book] n (1598): vocabulary, dictionary

   word class
          [word class] n (1914): a linguistic form class whose members
          are words; esp: part of speech

   word for word
          [word for word] adv (14c): in the exact words: verbatim

   word-for-word
          [word-for-word] adj (1611): being in the exact words: verbatim

   word-hoard
          [word-hoard] n [trans. of OE wordhord] (ca. 1869): a supply
          of words: vocabulary

   wording
          [word.ing] n (1649): the act or manner of expressing in words:
          phraseology

   wordless
          [word.less] adj (15c) 1: not expressed in or accompanied
          by words 2: silent, speechless -- word.less.ly adv --
          word.less.ness n

   wordmonger
          [word.mon.ger] n (1590): a writer who uses words for show
          or without particular regard for meaning

   word-mongering
          [word-mon.ger.ing] n (1879): the use of empty or bombastic
          words

   word-of-mouth
          [word-of-mouth] adj (1802): orally communicated; also: generated
          from or reliant on oral publicity <~ customers> <a ~
          business>

   word of mouth
          [word of mouth] (1553): oral communication; esp: oral often
          inadvertent publicity

   word order
          [word order] n (1892): the order or arrangement of words
          in a phrase, clause, or sentence

   wordplay
          [word.play] n (1855): verbal wit

   word processing
          [word processing] n (1970): the production of typewritten
          documents (as business letters) with automated and usu.
          computerized typing and text-editing equipment -- word
          process vb

   word processor
          [word processor] n (1970): a keyboard-operated terminal usu.
          with a video display and a magnetic storage device for
          use in word processing; also: software (as for a computer
          system) to perform word processing

   wordsmith
          [word.smith] n (1896): a person who works with words; esp:
          a skillful writer -- word.smith.ery n

   word square
          [word square] n (ca. 1879): a series of words of equal length
          arranged in a square pattern to read the same horizontally
          and vertically

   word stress
          [word stress] n (ca. 1914): the manner in which stresses
          are distributed on the syllables of a word--called also
          word accent

   wordy
          [wordy] adj word.i.er ; -est (12c) 1: using or containing
          many and usu. too many words 2: of or relating to words:
          verbal -- word.i.ly adv -- word.i.ness n syn wordy, verbose,
          prolix, diffuse mean using more words than necessary
          to express thought. wordy may also imply loquaciousness
          or garrulity <a wordy speech>. verbose suggests a resulting
          dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision
          <the verbose position papers>. prolix suggests unreasonable
          and tedious dwelling on details <habitually transformed
          brief anecdotes into prolix sagas>. diffuse stresses
          lack of compactness and pointedness of style <diffuse
          memoirs that are so many shaggy-dog stories>.

   wore
          [wore] past of wear

   [1]work
          [work] n [ME werk, work, fr. OE werc, weorc; akin to OHG
          werc, Gk ergon, Av varezem activity] (bef. 12c) 1: activity
          in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform
          something: a: sustained physical or mental effort to
          overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result
          b: the labor, task, or duty that is one's accustomed
          means of livelihood c: a specific task, duty, function,
          or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger
          activity 2 a: energy expended by natural phenomena b:
          the result of such energy <sand dunes are the ~ of sea
          and wind> c: the transference of energy that is produced
          by the motion of the point of application of a force
          and is measured by multiplying the force and the displacement
          of its point of application in the line of action 3 a:
          something that results from a particular manner or method
          of working, operating, or devising <careful police ~>
          <clever camera ~> b: something that results from the
          use or fashioning of a particular material <porcelain
          ~> 4 a: a fortified structure (as a fort, earthen barricade,
          or trench) b pl: structures in engineering (as docks,
          bridges, or embankments) or mining (as shafts or tunnels)
          5 pl but sing or pl in constr: a place where industrial
          labor is carried on: plant, factory 6 pl: the working
          or moving parts of a mechanism <~s of a clock> 7 a: something
          produced or accomplished by effort, exertion, or exercise
          of skill <this book is the ~ of many hands> b: something
          produced by the exercise of creative talent or expenditure
          of creative effort: artistic production 8 pl: performance
          of moral or religious acts <salvation by ~s> 9 a: effective
          operation: effect, result <wait for time to do its healing
          ~> b: manner of working: workmanship, execution 10: the
          material or piece of material that is operated upon at
          any stage in the process of manufacture 11 pl a: everything
          possessed, available, or belonging <the whole ~s, rod,
          reel, tackle box, went overboard> <ordered pizza with
          the ~s> b: subjection to drastic treatment: all possible
          abuse--usu. used with get <get the ~s> or give <gave
          them the ~s> -- at work 1: engaged in working: busy;
          esp: engaged in one's regular occupation 2: having effect:
          operating, functioning -- in the works : in process of
          preparation, development, or completion -- in work 1:
          in process of being done 2 of a horse: in training --
          out of work : without regular employment: jobless syn
          work, labor, travail, toil, drudgery, grind mean activity
          involving effort or exertion. work may imply activity
          of body, of mind, of a machine, or of a natural force
          <too tired to do any work>. labor applies to physical
          or intellectual work involving great and often strenuous
          exertion <farmers demanding fair compensation for their
          labor>. travail is bookish for labor involving pain or
          suffering <years of travail were lost when the house
          burned>. toil implies prolonged and fatiguing labor <his
          lot would be years of back-breaking toil>. drudgery suggests
          dull and irksome labor <an editorial job with a good
          deal of drudgery>. grind implies labor exhausting to
          mind or body <the grind of the assembly line>. syn work,
          employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, metier, business
          mean a specific sustained activity engaged in esp. in
          earning one's living. work may apply to any purposeful
          activity whether remunerative or not <her work as a hospital
          volunteer>. employment implies work for which one has
          been engaged and is being paid by an employer <your employment
          with this firm is hereby terminated>. occupation implies
          work in which one engages regularly esp. as a result
          of training <his occupation as a trained auto mechanic>.
          calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation
          or profession <the ministry seemed my true calling>.
          pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed
          with zeal or steady interest <her family considered medicine
          the only proper pursuit>. metier implies a calling or
          pursuit for which one believes oneself to be esp. fitted
          <acting was my one and only metier>. business suggests
          activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs
          <the business of managing a hotel>. [2]work adj (14c)
          1: used for work <~ elephant> 2: suitable or styled for
          wear while working <~ clothes> 3: involving or engaged
          in work <~ gang> <~ hours> [3]work vb worked or wrought
          ; work.ing [ME werken, worken, fr. OE wyrcan; akin to
          OE weorc] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to bring to pass: effect <~
          miracles> 2 a: to fashion or create a useful or desired
          product by expending labor or exertion on: forge, shape
          <~ flint into tools> b: to make or decorate with needlework
          ; esp: embroider 3 a: to prepare for use by stirring
          or kneading b: to bring into a desired form by a gradual
          process of cutting, hammering, scraping, pressing, or
          stretching <~ cold steel> 4: to set or keep in motion,
          operation, or activity: cause to operate or produce <a
          pump ~ed by hand> <~ farmland> 5: to solve (a problem)
          by reasoning or calculation--often used with out 6 a:
          to cause to toil or labor <~ed their horses nearly to
          death> b: to make use of: exploit c: to control or guide
          the operation of <switches are ~ed from a central tower>
          7 a: to carry on an operation or perform a job through,
          at, in, or along <the salespeople ~ed both sides of the
          street> <a sportscaster hired to ~ the game> b: to greet
          and talk with in a friendly way in order to ingratiate
          oneself or achieve a purpose <politicians ~ing the crowd>
          <~ed the room> 8: to pay for or achieve with labor or
          service <~ed my way through college> <~ed my way up in
          the company> 9 a: to get (oneself or an object) into
          or out of a condition or position by gradual stages b:
          contrive, arrange <we can ~ it so that you can take your
          vacation> 10 a: to practice trickery or cajolery on for
          some end <~ed the management for a free ticket> b: excite,
          provoke <~ed myself into a rage> ~ vi 1 a: to exert oneself
          physically or mentally esp. in sustained effort for a
          purpose or under compulsion or necessity b: to perform
          or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or
          continuous repeated operations <~ed all day over a hot
          stove> c: to perform work or fulfill duties regularly
          for wages or salary 2: to function or operate according
          to plan or design <hinges ~ better with oil> 3: to exert
          an influence or tendency 4: to produce a desired effect
          or result: succeed 5 a: to make way slowly and with difficulty:
          move or progress laboriously <~ed up to the presidency>
          b: to sail to windward 6: to permit of being worked:
          react in a specified way to being worked <this wood ~s
          easily> 7 a: to be in agitation or restless motion b:
          ferment 1 c: to move slightly in relation to another
          part d: to get into a specified condition by slow or
          imperceptible movements <the knot ~ed loose> -- work
          on 1: affect <worked on my sympathies> 2: to strive to
          influence or persuade -- work upon : to have effect upon:
          operate on: influence

   workable
          [work.able] adj (1545) 1: capable of being worked 2: practicable,
          feasible <a ~ system> -- work.abil.i.ty n -- work.able.ness
          n

   workaday
          [work.a.day] adj [alter. of earlier workyday, fr. obs. workyday,
          n. workday] (1554) 1: of, relating to, or suited for
          working days 2: ordinary, prosaic

   workaholic
          [work.a.hol.ic] n [work + -aholic, alter. of -oholic (as
          in alcoholic)] (1968): a compulsive worker -- workaholic
          adj -- work.a.hol.ism n

   workbag
          [work.bag] n (1775): a bag for implements or materials for
          work; esp: a bag for needlework

   workbasket
          [work.bas.ket] n (1743): a basket for needlework

   workbench
          [work.bench] n (1781): a bench on which work esp. of mechanics,
          machinists, and carpenters is performed

   workboat
          [work.boat] n (1937): a boat used for work purposes (as commercial
          fishing and ferrying supplies) rather than for sport or for
          passenger or naval service

   workbook
          [work.book] n (1910) 1: a worker's manual 2: a booklet outlining
          a course of study 3: a record of work done 4: a student's
          book of problems to be solved directly on the pages

   workbox
          [work.box] n (1605): a box for work instruments and materials

   work camp
          [work camp] n (1933): a camp for workers: as a: prison camp
          1 b: a short-term group project in which individuals
          from one or more religious organizations volunteer their
          labor

   workday
          [work.day] n (15c) 1: a day on which work is performed as
          distinguished from a day off 2: the period of time in
          a day during which work is performed -- workday adj

   worked
          [worked] adj (1740): that has been subjected to some process
          of development, treatment, or manufacture <a newly ~
          field>

   worked up
          [worked up] adj (1903): emotionally aroused: excited

   worker
          [work.er] n (14c) 1 a: one that works esp. at manual or industrial
          labor or with a particular material--often used in combination
          b: a member of the working class 2: any of the sexually
          underdeveloped and usu. sterile members of a colony of social ants,
          bees, wasps, or termites that perform most of the labor and
          protective duties of the colony

   worker-priest
          [worker-priest] n (1949): a French Roman Catholic priest
          who for missionary purposes spends part of each weekday
          as a worker in a secular job

   workers' compensation
          [workers' compensation] n (1948): a system of insurance that
          reimburses an employer for damages that must be paid
          to an employee for injury occurring in the course of
          employment

   work ethic
          [work ethic] n (1951): a belief in work as a moral good

   workfare
          [work.fare] n [work + welfare] (1968): a welfare program
          in which recipients are required to perform usu. public-service
          work

   work farm
          [work farm] n (1953): a farm on which persons guilty of minor
          law violations are confined

   workfolk
          [work.folk] or work.folks n pl (15c): working people; esp:
          farm workers

   workforce
          [work.force] n (1943) 1: the workers engaged in a specific
          activity or enterprise <the factory's ~> 2: the number
          of workers potentially assignable for any purpose <the
          nation's ~>

   workhorse
          [work.horse] n (1543) 1: a horse used chiefly for labor as
          distinguished from driving, riding, or racing 2 a (1):
          a person who performs most of the work of a group task
          (2): a hardworking person b: a markedly useful or durable
          vehicle, craft, or machine c: horse 7

   workhouse
          [work.house] n (1652) 1 Brit: poorhouse 2: a house of correction
          for persons guilty of minor law violations

   work in
          [work in] vt (1675) 1: to insert or cause to penetrate by
          repeated or continued effort 2: to interpose or insinuate
          gradually or unobtrusively <worked in a few topical jokes>

   [1]working
          [work.ing] n (14c) 1: the manner of functioning or operating:
          operation--usu. used in pl. 2: an excavation or group
          of excavations made in mining, quarrying, or tunneling--usu.
          used in pl. [2]working adj (1613) 1: engaged in work
          <a ~ journalist> 2: adequate to permit work to be done
          <a ~ majority> 3: assumed or adopted to permit or facilitate
          further work or activity <~ draft> 4: spent at work <~
          life> 5: being in use or operation <a ~ farm>

   working asset
          [working asset] n (ca. 1914): an asset other than a capital
          asset

   working capital
          [working capital] n (ca. 1901): capital actively turned over
          in or available for use in the course of business activity:
          a: the excess of current assets over current liabilities
          b: all capital of a business except that invested in
          capital assets

   working class
          [working class] n (1789): the class of people who work for
          wages usu. at manual labor

   working-class
          [working-class] adj (1839): of, relating to, deriving from,
          or suitable to the class of wage earners <~ virtues>
          <~ family>

   working day
          [working day] n (15c): workday

   working dog
          [working dog] n (1891): a dog fitted by size, breeding, or
          training for useful work (as draft or herding) esp. as
          distinguished from one fitted primarily for pet, show,
          or sporting use

   working fluid
          [working fluid] n (1903): a fluid working substance

   workingman
          [work.ing.man] n (1638): one who works for wages usu. at
          manual labor

   working papers
          [working papers] n pl (1928): official documents legalizing
          the employment of a minor

   working substance
          [working substance] n (1897): a usu. fluid substance that
          through changes of temperature, volume, and pressure
          is the means of carrying out thermodynamic processes
          or cycles (as in a heat engine)

   workingwoman
          [work.ing.wom.an] n (1853): workwoman

   workless
          [work.less] adj (15c): being without work: unemployed --
          work.less.ness n

   workload
          [work.load] n (1943) 1: the amount of work or of working
          time expected or assigned 2: the amount of work performed
          or capable of being performed (as by a mechanical device)
          usu. within a specific period

   workman
          [work.man] n (bef. 12c) 1: workingman 2: artisan

   workmanlike
          [work.man.like] adj (1739): characterized by the skill and
          efficiency typical of a good workman

   workmanly
          [work.man.ly] adj (1545): workmanlike

   workmanship
          [work.man.ship] n (1523) 1: something effected, made, or
          produced: work 2: the art or skill of a workman: craftsmanship;
          also: the quality imparted to a thing in the process
          of making <a vase of exquisite ~>

   workmate
          [work.mate] n (1851) chiefly Brit: a fellow worker

   workmen's compensation insurance
          [workmen's compensation insurance] n (ca. 1917): workers'
          compensation

   work of art
          [work of art] (1834) 1: a product of one of the fine arts;
          esp: a painting or sculpture of high artistic quality
          2: something giving high aesthetic satisfaction to the
          viewer or listener

   work off
          [work off] vt (1678): to dispose of or get rid of by work
          or activity

   work out
          [work out] vt (1534) 1 a: to bring about by labor and exertion
          <work out your own salvation --Phil 2:12 (AV)> b: to
          solve (as a problem) by a process of reasoning or calculation
          c: to devise, arrange, or achieve by resolving difficulties
          <after many years of wrangling, worked out a definite
          agreement --A. A. Butkus> d: develop <the final situation
          is not worked out with psychological profundity --Leslie
          Rees> 2: to discharge (as a debt) by labor 3: to exhaust
          (as a mine) by working ~ vi 1 a: to prove effective,
          practicable, or suitable <how this will actually work
          out I don't know --Milton Kotler> b: to amount to a total
          or calculated figure--used with at or to 2: to engage
          in a workout <works out in gymnasiums ... to keep in
          shape --Current Biog.>

   workout
          [work.out] n (ca. 1894) 1: a practice or exercise to test
          or improve one's fitness for athletic competition, ability,
          or performance 2: a test of one's ability, capacity,
          stamina, or suitability

   work over
          [work over] vt (1874) 1: to do over: rework <saved the play
          by working the first act over> 2: to subject to thorough
          examination, study, or treatment <shelf stock worked
          over by shoppers> 3: to beat up or manhandle with thoroughness
          <the gang worked me over>

   workpeople
          [work.peo.ple] n pl (1708) chiefly Brit: workers, employees

   workpiece
          [work.piece] n (1926): a piece of work in process of manufacture

   workplace
          [work.place] n (ca. 1828): a place (as a shop or factory)
          where work is done

   work print
          [work print] n (1937): a completely edited motion-picture
          print used as a guide in cutting the original negative
          from which the final production prints will be made

   workroom
          [work.room] n (1828): a room used for work

   workshop
          [work.shop] n (1562) 1: a small establishment where manufacturing
          or handicrafts are carried on 2: workroom 3: a usu. brief
          intensive educational program for a relatively small
          group of people that focuses esp. on techniques and skills
          in a particular field

   work song
          [work song] n (1911): a song sung in rhythm with work

   workstation
          [work.sta.tion] n (1931) 1: an area with equipment for the
          performance of a specialized task usu. by a single individual
          2 a: an intelligent terminal or personal computer usu.
          connected to a computer network b: a powerful microcomputer
          used esp. for scientific or engineering work

   work stoppage
          [work stoppage] n (1945): concerted cessation of work by
          a group of employees usu. more spontaneous and less serious
          than a strike

   work-study program
          [work-study program] n (1946): a program planned to give
          high school or college students work experience

   worktable
          [work.ta.ble] n (1790): a table for holding working materials
          and implements; esp: a small table with drawers and other
          conveniences for needlework

   work-to-rule
          [work-to-rule] n (1950): the practice of working to the strictest
          interpretation of the rules as a job action

   work up
          [work up] vt (15c) 1: to stir up: rouse 2: to produce by
          mental or physical work <worked up a comedy act> <worked
          up a sweat in the gymnasium> ~ vi: to rise gradually
          in intensity or emotional tone

   workup
          [work.up] n (1939): an intensive diagnostic study

   work-up
          [work-up] n (1903): an unintended mark on a printed sheet
          caused by the rising of spacing material

   workweek
          [work.week] n (1921): the hours or days of work in a calendar
          week <40-hour ~> <a 5-day ~> <a shortened ~>

   workwoman
          [work.wom.an] n (ca. 1530): a woman who works

   [1]world
          [world] n [ME, fr. OE woruld human existence, this world,
          age (akin to OHG weralt age, world); akin to OE wer man,
          eald old--more at virile, old] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the earthly
          state of human existence b: life after death--used with
          a qualifier <the next ~> 2: the earth with its inhabitants
          and all things upon it 3: individual course of life:
          career 4: the inhabitants of the earth: the human race
          5 a: the concerns of the earth and its affairs as distinguished
          from heaven and the life to come b: secular affairs 6:
          the system of created things: universe 7 a: a division
          or generation of the inhabitants of the earth distinguished
          by living together at the same place or at the same time
          <the medieval ~> b: a distinctive class of persons or
          their sphere of interest <the academic ~> <the sports
          ~> 8: human society <withdraw from the ~> 9: a part or
          section of the earth that is a separate independent unit
          10: the sphere or scene of one's life and action <living
          in your own little ~> 11: an indefinite multitude or
          a great quantity or distance <makes a ~ of difference>
          <a ~ away> 12: the whole body of living persons: public
          <announced their discovery to the ~> 13: kingdom 5 <the
          animal ~> 14: a celestial body (as a planet) -- for all
          the world : in every way: exactly <copies which look
          for all the world like the original> -- in the world
          : among innumerable possibilities: ever--used as an intensive
          <what in the world is it> -- out of this world : of extraordinary
          excellence: superb [2]world adj (13c) 1: of or relating
          to the world <a ~ championship> 2 a: extending or found
          throughout the world: worldwide <brought about ~ peace>
          b: involving or applying to part of or the whole world
          <a ~ tour> <a ~ state>

   world-beater
          [world-beat.er] n (ca. 1888): one that excels all others
          of its kind: champion

   world-class
          [world-class] adj (1950): being of the highest caliber in
          the world <a ~ polo player>

   world federalism
          [world federalism] n (1950) 1: federalism on a worldwide
          basis 2 cap W&F a: the principles and policies of the
          World Federalists b: the body or movement composed of
          World Federalists

   world federalist
          [world federalist] n (1951) 1: an adherent or advocate of
          world federalism 2 cap W&F: a member of a movement arising
          after World War II advocating the formation of a federal
          union of the nations of the world with limited but positive
          governmental powers

   worldling
          [world.ling] n (1549): a person engrossed in the concerns
          of this present world

   worldly
          [world.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1: of, relating to, or devoted
          to this world and its pursuits rather than to religion
          or spiritual affairs 2: worldly-wise syn see earthly
          -- world.li.ness n

   worldly-minded
          [world.ly-mind.ed] adj (1601): devoted to or engrossed in
          worldly interests -- world.ly-mind.ed.ness n

   worldly-wise
          [world.ly-wise] adj (15c): possessing a practical and often
          shrewd understanding of human affairs syn see sophisticated

   world power
          [world power] n (1860): a political unit (as a nation or
          state) powerful enough to affect the entire world by
          its influence or actions

   world premiere
          [world premiere] n (1925): the first regular performance
          (as of a theatrical production) anywhere in the world

   World Series
          [World Series] n [fr. World Series, annual championship of
          U.S. major-league baseball] (1951): a contest or event
          that is the most important or prestigious of its kind
          <the World Series of the equestrian world>

   world's fair
          [world's fair] n (1850): an international exposition featuring
          exhibits and participants from all over the world

   world-shaking
          [world-shak.ing] adj (1598): earthshaking

   world soul
          [world soul] n (1848): an animating spirit or creative principle
          related to the world as the soul is to the individual
          being

   worldview
          [world.view] n (1858): weltanschauung

   world war
          [world war] n (1909): a war engaged in by all or most of
          the principal nations of the world; esp, cap both Ws:
          either of two such wars of the first half of the 20th
          century

   world-weary
          [world-wea.ry] adj (1768): feeling or showing fatigue from
          or boredom with the life of the world and esp. material
          pleasures -- world-wea.ri.ness n

   [1]worldwide
          [world.wide] adj (1632): extended throughout or involving
          the entire world [2]worldwide adv (1892): throughout
          the world

   [1]worm
          [worm] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE wyrm serpent, worm; akin
          to OHG wurm serpent, worm, L vermis worm] (bef. 12c)
          1 a: earthworm; broadly: an annelid worm b: any of numerous
          relatively small elongated usu. naked and soft-bodied
          animals: as (1): an insect larva; esp: one that is a
          destructive grub, caterpillar, or maggot (2): shipworm
          (3): blindworm 2 a: a human being who is an object of
          contempt, loathing, or pity: wretch b: something that
          torments or devours from within 3 archaic: snake, serpent
          4: helminthiasis--usu. used in pl. 5: something (as a
          mechanical device) spiral or vermiculate in form or appearance:
          as a: the thread of a screw b: a short revolving screw
          whose threads gear with the teeth of a worm wheel or
          a rack c: a spiral condensing tube used in distilling
          d: archimedes' screw; also: a conveyor working on the
          principle of such a screw 6: a usu. small self-contained
          computer program that invades computers on a network
          and usu. performs a malicious action -- worm.like adj
          [2]worm vi (1610): to move or proceed sinuously or insidiously
          ~ vt 1 a: to proceed or make (one's way) insidiously
          or deviously <~ their way into positions of power --Bill
          Franzen> b: to insinuate or introduce (oneself) by devious
          or subtle means c: to cause to move or proceed in or
          as if in the manner of a worm 2: to wind rope or yarn
          spirally round and between the strands of (a cable or
          rope) before serving 3: to obtain or extract by artful
          or insidious questioning or by pleading, asking, or
          persuading--usu. used with out of 4: to treat (an animal) with
          a drug to destroy or expel parasitic worms

   worm-eaten
          [worm-eat.en] adj (14c) 1 a: eaten or burrowed by worms <~
          timber> b: pitted 2: worn-out, antiquated

   wormer
          [worm.er] n (ca. 1934): a drug used in veterinary medicine
          to worm an animal

   worm fence
          [worm fence] n (1652): a zigzag fence consisting of interlocking
          rails supported by crossed poles--called also snake fence,
          Virginia fence

   worm gear
          [worm gear] n (ca. 1876) 1: worm wheel 2: a gear of a worm
          and a worm wheel working together

   wormhole
          [worm.hole] n (1593): a hole or passage burrowed by a worm

   wormseed
          [worm.seed] n (15c): any of various plants whose seeds possess
          anthelmintic properties: as a: any of several artemisias
          b: a goosefoot (Chenopodium ambrosioides)

   worm's-eye
          [worm's-eye] adj (1908): seen from ground level or from the
          lowest levels of a hierarchy <the bird's-eye view of
          the executive and the ~ view of the employee --Current
          Biog.>

   worm snake
          [worm snake] n (1885): a reddish terrestrial colubrid snake
          (Carphophis amoenus) of the eastern U.S.

   worm wheel
          [worm wheel] n (1677): a toothed wheel gearing with the thread
          of a worm

   wormwood
          [worm.wood] n [ME wormwode, alter. of wermode, fr. OE wermod;
          akin to OHG wermuota wormwood] (15c) 1: artemisia; esp:
          a European plant (Artemisia absinthium) that has silvery
          silky-haired leaves and drooping yellow nearly globular
          flower heads and yields a bitter dark green oil used
          in absinthe 2: something bitter or grievous: bitterness

   wormy
          [wormy] adj worm.i.er ; -est (15c) 1: containing, abounding
          in, or infested with or as if with worms <~ flour> <a
          ~ dog>; also: damaged by worms: worm-eaten <~ timbers>
          2: resembling or suggestive of a worm

   worn
          [worn] past part of wear

   worn-out
          [worn-out] adj (1589): exhausted or used up by or as if by
          wear

   worriment
          [wor.ri.ment] n (1833): an act or instance of worrying; also:
          trouble, worry

   worrisome
          [wor.ri.some] adj (1845) 1: causing distress or worry 2:
          inclined to worry or fret -- wor.ri.some.ly adv -- wor.ri.some.ness
          n

   [1]worry
          [wor.ry] vb wor.ried ; wor.ry.ing [ME worien, fr. OE wyrgan;
          akin to OHG wurgen to strangle, Lith verzti to constrict]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 dial Brit: choke, strangle 2 a: to harass
          by tearing, biting, or snapping esp. at the throat b:
          to shake or pull at with the teeth <a terrier ~ing a
          rat> c: to touch or disturb something repeatedly d: to
          change the position of or adjust by repeated pushing
          or hauling 3 a: to assail with rough or aggressive attack
          or treatment: torment b: to subject to persistent or
          nagging attention or effort 4: to afflict with mental
          distress or agitation: make anxious ~ vi 1 dial Brit:
          strangle, choke 2: to move, proceed, or progress by unceasing
          or difficult effort: struggle 3: to feel or experience
          concern or anxiety: fret -- wor.ried.ly adv -- wor.ri.er
          n -- not to worry : there is no need to be concerned:
          don't worry syn worry, annoy, harass, harry, plague,
          pester, tease mean to disturb or irritate by persistent
          acts. worry implies an incessant goading or attacking
          that drives one to desperation <pursued a policy of worrying
          the enemy>. annoy implies disturbing one's composure
          or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty
          attacks <you're doing that just to annoy me>. harass
          implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that
          exhaust one's nervous or mental power <harassed on all
          sides by creditors>. harry may imply heavy oppression
          or maltreatment <the strikers had been harried by thugs>.
          plague implies a painful and persistent affliction <plagued
          all her life by poverty>. pester stresses the repetition
          of petty attacks <constantly pestered with trivial complaints>.
          tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance
          or rouse to wrath <malicious children teased the dog>.
          [2]worry n, pl worries (1804) 1 a: mental distress or
          agitation resulting from concern usu. for something impending
          or anticipated: anxiety b: an instance or occurrence
          of such distress or agitation 2: a cause of worry: trouble,
          difficulty syn see care

   worry beads
          [worry beads] n pl (1956): a string of beads that can be
          fingered to keep one's hands occupied

   worrywart
          [wor.ry.wart] n (1936): one who is inclined to worry unduly

   [1]worse
          [worse] adj, comparative of bad or of ill [ME werse, worse,
          fr. OE wiersa, wyrsa; akin to OHG wirsiro worse] (bef.
          12c) 1: of more inferior quality, value, or condition
          2 a: more unfavorable, difficult, unpleasant, or painful
          b: more faulty, unsuitable, or incorrect c: less skillful
          or efficient 3: bad, evil, or corrupt in a greater degree:
          more reprehensible 4: being in poorer health: sicker
          [2]worse n (bef. 12c): one that is worse <thought he
          was an atheist and ~ --Van Wyck Brooks> [3]worse adv,
          comparative of bad or of ill (bef. 12c) 1: in a worse
          manner: to a worse extent or degree 2: what is worse

   worsen
          [wors.en] vb wors.ened ; wors.en.ing vt (13c): to make worse
          ~ vi: to become worse

   worser
          [wors.er] adj or adv (15c) archaic: worse <I cannot hate
          thee ~ than I do --Shak.>

   [1]worship
          [wor.ship] n [ME worshipe worthiness, respect, reverence
          paid to a divine being, fr. OE weorthscipe worthiness,
          respect, fr. weorth worthy, worth + -scipe -ship] (bef.
          12c) 1 chiefly Brit: a person of importance--used as
          a title for various officials (as magistrates and some
          mayors) 2: reverence offered a divine being or supernatural
          power; also: an act of expressing such reverence 3: a
          form of religious practice with its creed and ritual
          4: extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion
          to an object of esteem <~ of the dollar> [2]worship vb
          -shiped or -shipped ; -ship.ing or -ship.ping vt (13c)
          1: to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural
          power 2: to regard with great or extravagant respect,
          honor, or devotion ~ vi: to perform or take part in worship
          or an act of worship syn see revere -- wor.ship.er or
          wor.ship.per n

   worshipful
          [wor.ship.ful] adj (14c) 1 a archaic: notable, distinguished
          b chiefly Brit--used as a title for various persons or
          groups of rank or distinction 2: giving or expressing
          worship or veneration -- wor.ship.ful.ly adv -- wor.ship.ful.ness
          n

   worshipless
          [wor.ship.less] adj (1765): lacking worship or worshipers

   [1]worst
          [worst] adj, superlative of bad or of ill [ME werste, worste,
          fr. OE wierresta, wyrsta, superl. of the root of OE wiersa
          worse] (bef. 12c) 1: most corrupt, bad, evil, or ill
          2 a: most unfavorable, difficult, unpleasant, or painful
          b: most unsuitable, faulty, unattractive, or ill-conceived
          c: least skillful or efficient 3: most wanting in quality,
          value, or condition -- the worst way : very much <such
          men ... need indoctrination the worst way --J. G. Cozzens>--often
          used with in <wanted a new bicycle in the worst way>
          [2]worst adv, superlative of ill or illy or of bad or
          badly (bef. 12c) 1: to the extreme degree of badness
          or inferiority 2: to the greatest or highest degree <groups
          who need the subsidies ~ lose out --T. W. Arnold> [3]worst
          n, pl worst (14c): one that is worst -- at worst : under
          the worst circumstances [4]worst vt (1636): to get the
          better of: defeat

   worst-case
          [worst-case] adj (1964): involving, projecting, or providing
          for the worst possible circumstances or outcome of a
          given situation

   worsted
          [wor.sted] n [ME, fr. Worsted (now Worstead), England] (13c):
          a smooth compact yarn from long wool fibers used esp.
          for firm napless fabrics, carpeting, or knitting; also:
          a fabric made from worsted yarns -- worsted adj

   [1]wort
          [wort] n [ME, fr. OE wyrt root, herb, plant--more at root]
          (bef. 12c): plant; esp: an herbaceous plant--usu. used
          in combination <lousewort> [2]wort n [ME, fr. OE wyrt;
          akin to MHG wurze brewer's wort, OE wyrt root, herb]
          (bef. 12c): a liquid formed by soaking mash in hot water
          and then fermented to make beer

   [1]worth
          [worth] vi [ME, fr. OE weorthan; akin to OHG werdan to become,
          L vertere to turn, Lith versti to overturn, Skt vartate
          he turns] (bef. 12c) archaic: become--usu. used in the
          phrase woe worth [2]worth adj [ME, fr. OE weorth worthy,
          of (a specified) value; akin to OHG werd worthy, worth]
          (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: having monetary or material value
          2 archaic: estimable -- for all one is worth : to the
          fullest extent of one's value or ability [3]worth n (bef.
          12c) 1 a: monetary value <farmhouse and lands of little
          ~> b: the equivalent of a specified amount or figure
          <a dollar's ~ of gas> 2: the value of something measured
          by its qualities or by the esteem in which it is held
          <a literary heritage of great ~> 3 a: moral or personal
          value <trying to teach human ~> b: merit, excellence
          <a field in which we have proved our ~> 4: wealth, riches
          [4]worth prep (13c) 1 a: equal in value to b: having
          assets or income equal to 2: deserving of <well ~ the
          effort> -- worth one's salt : of substantial or significant
          value or merit

   worthful
          [worth.ful] adj (bef. 12c) 1: full of merit <a good and ~
          person> 2: having value <the ~ aspects of their culture>

   worthless
          [worth.less] adj (1588) 1 a: lacking worth: valueless <~
          currency> b: useless <~ to continue searching> 2: contemptible,
          despicable -- worth.less.ly adv -- worth.less.ness n

   worthwhile
          [worth.while] adj (1900) 1: being worth the time or effort
          spent 2: worthy 1 -- worth.while.ness n

   [1]worthy
          [wor.thy] adj wor.thi.er ; -est (13c) 1 a: having worth or
          value: estimable <a ~ cause> b: honorable, meritorious
          <~ candidates> 2: having sufficient worth or importance
          <~ to be remembered> -- wor.thi.ly adv -- wor.thi.ness
          n [2]worthy n, pl worthies (14c): a worthy or prominent
          person

   -worthy
          [-wor.thy] adj comb form 1: fit or safe for <a seaworthy
          vessel> 2: of sufficient worth for <a newsworthy event>

   [1]wot
          [wot] pres 1st & 3d sing of wit [2]wot vb wot.ted ; wot.ting
          [ME, alter. of witen--more at wit] (14c) chiefly Brit:
          know--often used with of

   would
          [would] past of will [ME wolde, fr. OE; akin to OHG wolta
          wished, desired] (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: wished, desired
          b archaic: wish for: want c (1): strongly desire: wish
          <I ~ I were young again>--often used without a subject
          and with that in a past or conditional construction <~
          that I had heeded your advice> (2)--used in auxiliary
          function with rather or sooner to express preference
          <he ~ sooner die than face them> 2 a--used in auxiliary
          function to express wish, desire, or intent <those who
          ~ forbid gambling> b--used in auxiliary function to express
          willingness or preference <as ye ~ that men should do
          to you --Lk 6:31 (AV)> c--used in auxiliary function
          to express plan or intention <said we ~ come> 3--used
          in auxiliary function to express custom or habitual action
          <we ~ meet often for lunch> 4--used in auxiliary function
          to express consent or choice <~ put it off if he could>
          5 a--used in auxiliary function in the conclusion of
          a conditional sentence to express a contingency or possibility
          <if he were coming, he ~ be here now> b--used in auxiliary
          function in a noun clause (as one completing a statement
          of desire, request, or advice) <we wish that he ~ go>
          6--used in auxiliary function to express probability
          or presumption in past or present time <~ have won if
          I had not tripped> 7: could <the barrel ~ hold 20 gallons>
          8--used in auxiliary function to express a request with
          which voluntary compliance is expected <~ you please
          help us> 9--used in auxiliary function to express doubt
          or uncertainty <the explanation ... ~ seem satisfactory>
          10: should <knew I ~ enjoy the trip> <~ be glad to know
          the answer>

   would-be
          [would-be] adj (1647): desiring, professing, or having the
          potential to be

   wouldest
          [would.est] archaic past 2d sing of will

   wouldn't
          [wouldn't] (ca. 1828): would not

   wouldst
          [wouldst] archaic past 2d sing of will

   [1]wound
          [wound] n [ME, fr. OE wund; akin to OHG wunta wound] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: an injury to the body (as from violence, accident,
          or surgery) that involves laceration or breaking of a
          membrane (as the skin) and usu. damage to underlying
          tissues b: a cut or breach in a plant due to external
          violence 2: a mental or emotional hurt or blow 3: something
          resembling a wound in appearance or effect; esp: a rift
          in or blow to a political body or social group [2]wound
          vt (bef. 12c): to cause a wound to or in ~ vi: to inflict
          a wound [3]wound past and past part of wind

   [1]wounded
          [wound.ed] n pl (bef. 12c): wounded persons [2]wounded adj
          (14c): injured, hurt by, or suffering from a wound

   woundless
          [wound.less] adj (1579) 1: free from wounds: unwounded 2
          obs: invulnerable <the ~ air --Shak.>

   wove
          [wove] past of weave

   [1]woven
          [woven] past part of weave [2]wo.ven n (1930): a woven fabric

   wove paper
          [wove paper] n [wove (archaic pp. of weave)] (1815): paper
          made with a revolving roller covered with wires so woven
          as to produce no fine lines running across the grain--compare
          laid paper

   [1]wow
          [wow] interj (1513)--used to express strong feeling (as pleasure
          or surprise) [2]wow n (1920): a striking success: hit
          [3]wow vt (1924): to excite to enthusiastic admiration
          or approval [4]wow n [imit.] (1932): a distortion in
          reproduced sound consisting of a slow rise and fall of
          pitch caused by speed variation in the reproducing system

   wowser
          [wow.ser] n [origin unknown] (1899) chiefly Austral: an obtrusively
          puritanical person

   wp...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   WP
          [WP] abbreviation weather permitting, wettable powder, white
          phosphorus, without prejudice, word processing, word
          processor

   WPA
          [WPA] abbreviation Works Progress Administration

   wpc
          [wpc] abbreviation watts per candle, watts per channel

   WPI
          [WPI] abbreviation Wholesale Price Index

   WPM
          [WPM] abbreviation words per minute

   wpn
          [wpn] abbreviation weapon

   wr...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   WR
          [WR] abbreviation warehouse receipt, world record

   WRAC
          [WRAC] abbreviation Women's Royal Army Corps

   [1]wrack
          [wrack] n [ME wrak, fr. MD or MLG; akin to OE wraec something
          driven by the sea] (14c) 1 a: a wrecked ship b: wreckage
          c: wreck d dial: the violent destruction of a structure,
          machine, or vehicle 2 a: marine vegetation; esp: kelp
          b: dried seaweeds [2]wrack n [ME, fr. OE wraec misery,
          punishment, something driven by the sea; akin to OE wrecan
          to drive, punish--more at wreak] (15c) 1: ruin, destruction
          2: a remnant of something destroyed [3]wrack vt (1562):
          to utterly ruin: wreck [4]wrack vb [by alter.] (ca. 1555):
          [4]rack [5]wrack n (1591): [3]rack 2 [6]wrack n (1796):
          [1]rack

   wrackful
          [wrack.ful] adj (1558): destructive

   WRAF
          [WRAF] abbreviation Women's Royal Air Force

   wraith
          [wraith] n, pl wraiths [origin unknown] (1513) 1 a: the exact
          likeness of a living person seen usu. just before death
          as an apparition b: ghost, specter 2: an insubstantial
          form or semblance: shadow 3: a barely visible gaseous
          or vaporous column -- wraith.like adj

   [1]wrangle
          [wran.gle] vb wran.gled ; wran.gling [ME; akin to OHG ringan
          to struggle--more at wring] vi (14c) 1: to dispute angrily
          or peevishly: bicker 2: to engage in argument or controversy
          ~ vt 1: to obtain by persistent arguing or maneuvering:
          wangle 2 [back-formation fr. wrangler]: to herd and care
          for (livestock and esp. horses) on the range [2]wrangle
          n (1547) 1: an angry, noisy, or prolonged dispute or
          quarrel 2: the action or process of wrangling

   wrangler
          [wran.gler] n (ca. 1515) 1: a bickering disputant 2 [short
          for horse-wrangler, prob. part trans. of MexSp caballerango
          groom]: a ranch hand who takes care of the saddle horses;
          broadly: cowboy

   [1]wrap
          [wrap] vb wrapped ; wrap.ping [ME wrappen] vt (14c) 1 a:
          to cover esp. by winding or folding b: to envelop and
          secure for transportation or storage: bundle c: enfold,
          embrace d: to coil, fold, draw, or twine (as string or
          cloth) around something 2 a: surround, envelop b: to
          suffuse or surround with an aura or state <the affair
          was wrapped in scandal> c: to involve completely: engross--usu.
          used with up 3: to conceal or obscure as if by enveloping
          4: to enclose as if with a protective covering 5: to
          finish filming or videotaping <~ a movie> ~ vi 1: to
          wind, coil, or twine so as to encircle or cover something
          2: to put on clothing: dress--usu. used with up 3: to
          be subject to covering, enclosing, or packaging--usu.
          used with up 4: to come to completion in filming or videotaping
          [2]wrap n (15c) 1 a (1): wrapper, wrapping (2): material
          used for wrapping <plastic ~> b: an article of clothing
          that may be wrapped round a person; esp: an outer garment
          (as a coat or shawl) c: blanket 2: a single turn or convolution
          of something wound round an object 3 pl a: restraint
          b: a shroud of secrecy <a plan kept under ~s> 4: the
          completion of a schedule or session for filming or videotaping
          [3]wrap adj (1948): wraparound 1

   [1]wraparound
          [wrap.around] n (1924) 1: a garment (as a dress) made with
          a full-length opening and adjusted to the figure by wrapping
          around 2: an object that encircles or esp. curves and
          laps over another [2]wraparound adj (1926) 1: made to
          be wrapped around something and esp. the body <a ~ skirt>
          2 a: shaped to follow a contour; esp: made to curve from
          the front around to the side <~ sunglasses> <~ terraces>
          b: extending laterally to the outermost limits of the
          field of vision <a ~ movie screen>

   wrapper
          [wrap.per] n (15c) 1: that in which something is wrapped:
          as a: a tobacco leaf used for the outside covering esp.
          of cigars b (1): jacket 3c(1) (2): the paper cover of
          a book not bound in boards c: a paper wrapped around
          a newspaper or magazine in the mail 2: one that wraps
          3: an article of clothing worn wrapped around the body

   wrapping
          [wrap.ping] n (14c): something used to wrap an object: wrapper

   wrap up
          [wrap up] vt (ca. 1568) 1: summarize, sum up 2 a: to bring
          to a usu. successful conclusion b: cinch, sew up <has
          the nomination wrapped up>

   wrap-up
          [wrap-up] n (1951) 1: a summarizing report 2: a concluding
          part: finale

   wrasse
          [wrasse] n, pl wrasses also wrasse [Corn gwragh, wragh hag,
          wrasse] (ca. 1672): any of a large family (Labridae)
          of elongate compressed usu. brilliantly colored marine
          bony fishes that usu. bury themselves in sand at night
          and include important food fishes as well as a number
          of popular aquarium fishes

   [1]wrath
          [wrath] n [ME, fr. OE wraeththo, fr. wrath wroth--more at
          wroth] (bef. 12c) 1: strong vengeful anger or indignation
          2: retributory punishment for an offense or a crime:
          divine chastisement syn see anger [2]wrath adj [alter.
          of wroth] (1535) archaic: wrathful

   wrathful
          [wrath.ful] adj (14c) 1: filled with wrath: irate 2: arising
          from, marked by, or indicative of wrath -- wrath.ful.ly
          adv -- wrath.ful.ness n

   wrathy
          [wrathy] adj (1828): wrathful

   wreak
          [wreak] vt [ME wreken, fr. OE wrecan to drive, punish, avenge;
          akin to OHG rehhan to avenge and perh. to L urgere to
          drive on, urge] (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: avenge b: to
          cause the infliction of (vengeance or punishment) 2:
          to give free play or course to (malevolent feeling) 3:
          bring about, cause <~ havoc>

   wreath
          [wreath] n, pl wreaths [ME wrethe, fr. OE writha; akin to
          OE writhan to twist--more at writhe] (bef. 12c): something
          intertwined into a circular shape; esp: garland, chaplet

   wreathe
          [wreathe] vb wreathed ; wreath.ing [wreath] vt (1530) 1 a:
          to shape into a wreath b: interweave c: to cause to coil
          about something 2: to twist or contort so as to show
          folds or creases 3: to encircle or adorn with or as if
          with a wreath ~ vi 1: to twist in coils: writhe 2 a:
          to take on the shape of a wreath b: to move or extend
          in circles or spirals

   wreathy
          [wreathy] adj (1644) 1: having the form of a wreath 2: constituting
          a wreath

   [1]wreck
          [wreck] n [ME wrek, fr. AF, of Scand origin; akin to ON rek
          wreck; akin to OE wrecan to drive] (13c) 1: something
          cast up on the land by the sea esp. after a shipwreck
          2 a: shipwreck b: the action of wrecking or fact or state
          of being wrecked: destruction 3 a: a hulk or the ruins
          of a wrecked ship b: the broken remains of something
          wrecked or otherwise ruined c: something disabled or
          in a state of ruin or dilapidation; also: a person or
          animal of broken constitution, health, or spirits [2]wreck
          vt (15c) 1: to cast ashore 2 a: to reduce to a ruinous
          state by or as if by violence b: shipwreck c: to ruin,
          damage, or imperil by a wreck d: to involve in disaster
          or ruin 3: bring about, wreak <~ havoc> ~ vi 1: to become
          wrecked 2: to rob, salvage, or repair wreckage or a wreck

   wreckage
          [wreck.age] n (1837) 1: the act of wrecking: the state of
          being wrecked 2 a: something that has been wrecked b:
          broken and disordered parts or material from something
          wrecked

   wrecker
          [wreck.er] n (1802) 1 a: one that searches for or works on
          the wrecks of ships (as for rescue or for plunder) b:
          tow truck 2: one that wrecks; esp: one whose work is
          the demolition of buildings

   wrecker's ball
          [wrecker's ball] n (1967): a heavy iron or steel ball swung
          or dropped by a derrick to demolish old buildings--called
          also wrecking ball

   wrecking bar
          [wrecking bar] n (1924): a small crowbar with a claw for
          pulling nails at one end and a slight bend for prying
          at the other end

   wren
          [wren] n [ME wrenne, fr. OE wrenna; akin to OHG rentilo wren]
          (bef. 12c) 1: any of a family (Troglodytidae) of numerous
          small more or less brown oscine singing birds; esp: a
          very small widely distributed bird (Troglodytes troglodytes)
          that has a short erect tail and is noted for its song
          2: any of various small singing birds resembling the
          true wrens in size and habits

   [1]wrench
          [wrench] vb [ME, fr. OE wrencan; akin to OHG renken to twist
          and perh. to L vergere to bend, incline] vi (bef. 12c)
          1: to move with a violent twist; also: to undergo twisting
          2: to pull or strain at something with violent twisting
          ~ vt 1: to twist violently 2: to injure or disable by
          a violent twisting or straining 3: change; esp: distort,
          pervert 4 a: to pull or tighten by violent twisting or
          with violence b: to snatch forcibly: wrest 5: to cause
          to suffer mental anguish: rack -- wrench.ing.ly adv [2]wrench
          n (1530) 1 a: a violent twisting or a pull with or as
          if with twisting b: a sharp twist or sudden jerk straining
          muscles or ligaments; also: the resultant injury (as
          of a joint) c: a distorting or perverting alteration
          d: acute emotional distress: sudden violent mental change
          2: a hand or power tool for holding, twisting, or turning
          an object (as a bolt or nut) 3: monkey wrench 2

   [1]wrest
          [wrest] vt [ME wrasten, wresten, fr. OE wraestan; akin to
          ON reista to bend and prob. to OE wrigian to turn--more
          at wry] (bef. 12c) 1: to pull, force, or move by violent
          wringing or twisting movements 2: to gain with difficulty
          by or as if by force, violence, or determined labor [2]wrest
          n (14c) 1: the action of wresting: wrench 2 archaic:
          a key or wrench used for turning pins in a stringed instrument
          (as a harp or piano)

   [1]wrestle
          [wres.tle] vb wres.tled ; wres.tling [ME wrastlen, wrestlen,
          fr. OE wraestlian, freq. of wraestan] vi (bef. 12c) 1:
          to contend by grappling with and striving to trip or
          throw an opponent down or off balance 2: to combat an
          opposing tendency or force <wrestling with his conscience>
          3: to engage in deep thought, consideration, or debate
          4: to engage in or as if in a violent or determined struggle
          <wrestling with cumbersome luggage> ~ vt 1 a: to engage
          in (a match, bout, or fall) in wrestling b: to wrestle
          with <~ an alligator> 2: to move, maneuver, or force
          with difficulty -- wres.tler n [2]wrestle n (1593): the
          action or an instance of wrestling: struggle; esp: a
          wrestling bout

   wrestling
          [wres.tling] n (bef. 12c): a sport or contest in which two
          unarmed individuals struggle hand to hand with each attempting
          to subdue or unbalance the other

   wretch
          [wretch] n [ME wrecche, fr. OE wrecca outcast, exile; akin
          to OHG hrechjo fugitive, OE wrecan to drive, drive out--more
          at wreak] (bef. 12c) 1: a miserable person: one who is
          profoundly unhappy or in great misfortune 2: a base,
          despicable, or vile person

   wretched
          [wretch.ed] adj [ME, irreg. fr. wretch] (12c) 1: deeply afflicted,
          dejected, or distressed in body or mind 2: extremely or deplorably
          bad or distressing <was in ~ health> <a ~ accident> 3 a: being
          or appearing mean, miserable, or contemptible <dressed in ~ old
          clothes> b: very poor in quality or ability: inferior
          <~ workmanship> -- wretch.ed.ly adv -- wretch.ed.ness n

   [1]wriggle
          [wrig.gle] vb wrig.gled ; wrig.gling [ME, fr. or akin to
          MLG wriggeln to wriggle; akin to OE wrigian to turn--more
          at wry] vi (15c) 1: to move the body or a bodily part
          to and fro with short writhing motions like a worm: squirm
          2: to move or advance by twisting and turning 3: to extricate
          or insinuate oneself or reach a goal as if by wriggling
          ~ vt 1: to cause to move in short quick contortions 2:
          to introduce, insinuate, or bring into a state or place
          by or as if by wriggling -- wrig.gly adj [2]wriggle n
          (1709) 1: a short or quick writhing motion or contortion
          2: a formation or marking of sinuous design

   wriggler
          [wrig.gler] n (1631): one that wriggles; esp: wiggler 1

   wright
          [wright] n [ME, fr. OE wyrhta, wryhta worker, maker; akin
          to OE weorc work--more at work] (bef. 12c): a worker
          skilled in the manufacture esp. of wooden objects--usu.
          used in combination <shipwright> <wheelwright>

   wring
          [wring] vb wrung ; wring.ing [ME, fr. OE wringan; akin to
          OHG ringan to struggle, Lith rengtis to bend down, OE
          wyrgan to strangle--more at worry] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to
          squeeze or twist esp. so as to make dry or to extract
          moisture or liquid <~ a towel dry> 2: to extract or obtain
          by or as if by twisting and compressing <~ water from
          a towel> <~ a confession from the suspect> 3 a: to twist
          so as to strain or sprain into a distorted shape <I could
          ~ your neck> b: to twist together (clasped hands) as
          a sign of anguish 4: to affect painfully as if by wringing:
          torment <a tragedy that ~s the heart> ~ vi: squirm, writhe
          -- wring n

   wringer
          [wring.er] n (14c): one that wrings: as a: a machine or device
          for pressing out liquid or moisture <a clothes ~> b:
          something that causes pain, hardship, or exertion

   [1]wrinkle
          [wrin.kle] n [ME, back-formation fr. wrinkled twisted, winding,
          prob. fr. OE gewrinclod, pp. of gewrinclian to wind,
          fr. ge-, perfective prefix + -wrinclian (akin to wrencan
          to wrench)--more at co-] (15c) 1: a small ridge or furrow
          esp. when formed on a surface by the shrinking or contraction
          of a smooth substance: crease; specif: one in the skin
          esp. when due to age, worry, or fatigue 2 a: method,
          technique b: a change in a customary procedure or method
          c: something new or different: innovation 3: imperfection,
          irregularity -- wrin.kly adj [2]wrinkle vb wrin.kled
          ; wrin.kling vi (1523): to become marked with or contracted
          into wrinkles ~ vt: to contract into wrinkles: pucker

   wrist
          [wrist] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to MHG rist wrist, ankle, OE
          wraestan to twist--more at wrest] (bef. 12c) 1: the joint
          or the region of the joint between the human hand and
          the arm or a corresponding part on a lower animal 2:
          the part of a garment or glove covering the wrist

   wristband
          [wrist.band] n (1571) 1: the part of a sleeve covering the
          wrist 2: a band encircling the wrist

   wristlet
          [wrist.let] n (ca. 1847): a band encircling the wrist; esp:
          a close-fitting knitted band attached to the top of a
          glove or the end of a sleeve

   wristlock
          [wrist.lock] n (1921): a wrestling hold in which one contestant
          is thrown or made helpless by a twisting grip on the
          wrist

   wrist pin
          [wrist pin] n (ca. 1875): a stud or pin that forms a journal
          (as in a crosshead) for a connecting rod

   wrist shot
          [wrist shot] n (ca. 1899): a quick usu. short-range shot
          in ice hockey made while the puck is against the blade
          of the stick by snapping the blade quickly forward

   wristwatch
          [wrist.watch] n (1896): a small watch that is attached to
          a bracelet or strap and is worn around the wrist

   wrist wrestling
          [wrist wrestling] n (1968): a form of arm wrestling in which
          opponents interlock thumbs instead of gripping hands

   wristy
          [wristy] adj wrist.i.er ; -est (1867): involving or using
          a lot of wrist movement (as in stroking a ball)

   writ
          [writ] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OE writan to write] (bef. 12c)
          1: something written: writing <Sacred Writ> 2 a: a formal
          written document; specif: a legal instrument in epistolary
          form issued under seal in the name of the English monarch
          b: an order or mandatory process in writing issued in
          the name of the sovereign or of a court or judicial officer
          commanding the person to whom it is directed to perform
          or refrain from performing an act specified therein <~
          of detinue> <~ of entry> <~ of execution> c: the power
          and authority of the issuer of such a written order--usu.
          used with run <outside the United States where ... our
          ~ does not run --Dean Acheson>

   writable
          [writ.able] adj (1782): capable of being put in writing

   write
          [write] vb wrote ; writ.ten also writ or dial wrote ; writ.ing
          [ME, fr. OE writan to scratch, draw, inscribe; akin to
          OHG rizan to tear and perh. to Gk rhine file, rasp] vt
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: to form (as characters or symbols) on
          a surface with an instrument (as a pen) b: to form (as
          words) by inscribing the characters or symbols of on
          a surface c: to spell in writing <words written alike
          but pronounced differently> d: to cover, fill, or fill
          in by writing <wrote ten pages> <~ a check> 2: to set
          down in writing: as a: draw up, draft <~ a will> b (1):
          to be the author of: compose <~s poems and essays> (2):
          to compose in musical form <~ a string quartet> c: to
          express in literary form <if I could ~ the beauty of
          your eyes --Shak.> d: to communicate by letter <~s that
          they are coming> e: to use or exhibit (a specific script,
          language, or literary form or style) in writing <~ Braille>
          <~s French with ease> f: to write contracts or orders
          for; esp: underwrite <~ life insurance> 3: to make a
          permanent impression of 4: to communicate with in writing
          <we'll ~ you when we get there> 5: ordain, fate <so be
          it, it is written --D. C. Peattie> 6: to make evident
          or obvious <guilt written on his face> 7: to force, effect,
          introduce, or remove by writing <~ oneself into fame
          and fortune --Charles Lee> 8: to take part in or bring
          about (something worth recording) 9 a: to introduce (information)
          into the storage device or medium of a computer b: to
          transfer (information) from the main memory of a computer
          to a storage or output device 10: sell <~ a stock option>
          ~ vi 1 a: to make significant characters or inscriptions;
          also: to permit or be adapted to writing b: to form or
          produce written letters, words, or sentences 2: to compose,
          communicate by, or send a letter 3 a: to produce a written
          work b: to compose music -- write one's own ticket :
          to select a course of action or position entirely according
          to one's wishes -- writ large : on a larger scale or
          in a more prominent manner <the problems of modern totalitarianism
          are only our own problems writ large --Times Lit. Supp.> -- writ
          small : on a smaller scale

   write-down
          [write-down] n (1932): a deliberate reduction in the book
          value of an asset (as to reflect the effect of obsolescence)

   write down
          [write down] vt (1588) 1: to record in written form 2 a:
          to depreciate, disparage, or injure by writing b: to
          reduce in status, rank, or value; esp: to reduce the
          book value of ~ vi: to write so as to appeal to a lower
          level of taste, comprehension, or intelligence

   write-in
          [write-in] n (1932) 1: a vote cast by writing in the name
          of a candidate 2: a candidate whose name is written in

   write in
          [write in] vt (14c) 1: to insert in a document or text 2
          a: to insert (a name not listed on a ballot or voting
          machine) in an appropriate space b: to cast (a vote)
          in this manner

   write-off
          [write-off] n (1905) 1: an elimination of an item from the
          books of account 2: a reduction in book value of an item
          (as by way of depreciation)

   write off
          [write off] vt (1682) 1 a: to reduce the estimated or book
          value of: depreciate b: to take off the books: cancel
          <write off a bad debt> 2: to regard or concede to be
          lost <most were content to write off 1979 and look optimistically
          ahead --Money>; also: dismiss <was written off as an
          expatriate highbrow --Brendan Gill>

   write out
          [write out] vt (1548): to write esp. in a full and complete
          form

   writer
          [writ.er] n (bef. 12c): one that writes: as a: author b:
          one who writes stock options

   writerly
          [writ.er.ly] adj (1957): of, relating to, or typical of a
          writer

   writer's block
          [writer's block] n (1950): a psychological inhibition preventing
          a writer from proceeding with a piece

   writer's cramp
          [writer's cramp] n (1853): a painful spasmodic cramp of muscles
          of the hand or fingers brought on by excessive writing

   write up
          [write up] vt (15c) 1: to make a write-up of 2: to report
          (a person) esp. for some violation of law or rules

   write-up
          [write-up] n (1885) 1: a written account; esp: a flattering
          article 2: a deliberate increase in the book value of
          an asset (as to reflect the effect of inflation)

   writhe
          [writhe] vb writhed ; writh.ing [ME, fr. OE writhan; akin
          to ON ritha to twist] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to twist into
          coils or folds b: to twist so as to distort: wrench c:
          to twist (the body or a bodily part) in pain 2: intertwine
          ~ vi 1: to move or proceed with twists and turns 2: to
          twist from or as if from pain or struggling 3: to suffer
          keenly -- writhe n

   writhen
          [writh.en] adj [ME, fr. OE, fr. pp. of writhan] (bef. 12c):
          being twisted or contorted <~ trees> <a ~ smile>

   writing
          [writ.ing] n (13c) 1: the act or process of one who writes:
          as a: the act or art of forming visible letters or characters;
          specif: handwriting 1 b: the act or practice of literary
          or musical composition 2: something written: as a: letters
          or characters that serve as visible signs of ideas, words,
          or symbols b: a letter, note, or notice used to communicate
          or record c: a written composition d: inscription 3:
          a style or form of composition 4: the occupation of a
          writer; esp: the profession of authorship -- writing
          on the wall : handwriting on the wall

   writing desk
          [writing desk] n (1611): a desk that often has a sloping
          top for writing on; also: a portable case that contains
          writing materials and has a surface for writing

   writing paper
          [writing paper] n (1548): paper that is usu. finished with
          a smooth surface and sized and that can be written on
          with ink

   Writings
          [Writ.ings] n pl [trans. of LHeb kethubhim] (14c): hagiographa

   writ of assistance
          [writ of assistance] (1706) 1: a writ issued to a law officer
          (as a sheriff or marshal) for the enforcement of a court
          order or decree; esp: one used to enforce an order for
          the possession of lands 2: a writ used esp. in colonial
          America authorizing a law officer to search in unspecified
          locations for unspecified illegal goods

   writ of certiorari
          [writ of certiorari] (ca. 1532): certiorari

   writ of error
          [writ of error] (15c): a common law writ directing an inferior
          court to remit the record of a legal action to the reviewing
          court in order that an error of law may be corrected
          if it exists

   writ of extent
          [writ of extent] (ca. 1861): a writ formerly used to recover
          debts of record to the British crown and under which
          the lands, goods, and person of the debtor might all
          be seized to secure payment

   writ of habeas corpus
          [writ of habeas corpus] (1771): habeas corpus

   writ of mandamus
          [writ of mandamus] (ca. 1861): mandamus

   writ of prohibition
          [writ of prohibition] (ca. 1876): a writ issued by a superior
          court to prevent an inferior court from acting beyond
          its jurisdiction

   writ of right
          [writ of right] n (15c) 1: a common law writ for restoring
          to its owner property held by another 2: a writ granted
          as a matter of right

   writ of summons
          [writ of summons] (1660): a writ issued on behalf of the
          British monarch summoning a lord spiritual or a lord
          temporal to attend parliament

   WRNS
          [WRNS] abbreviation Women's Royal Naval Service

   wrnt
          [wrnt] abbreviation warrant

   [1]wrong
          [wrong] n [ME, fr. OE wrang, fr. (assumed) wrang, adj., wrong]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: an injurious, unfair, or unjust act:
          action or conduct inflicting harm without due provocation
          or just cause b: a violation or invasion of the legal
          rights of another; esp: tort 2: something wrong, immoral,
          or unethical; esp: principles, practices, or conduct
          contrary to justice, goodness, equity, or law 3: the
          state, position, or fact of being or doing wrong: as
          a: the state of being mistaken or incorrect b: the state
          of being guilty syn see injustice [2]wrong adj wrong.er
          ; wrong.est [ME, fr. (assumed) OE wrang, of Scand origin;
          akin to ON rangr awry, wrong; akin to OE wringan to wring]
          (13c) 1: not according to the moral standard: sinful,
          immoral <thought that war was ~> 2: not right or proper
          according to a code, standard, or convention: improper
          <it was ~ not to thank your host> 3: not according to
          truth or facts: incorrect <gave a ~ date> 4: not satisfactory
          (as in condition, results, health, or temper) 5: not
          in accordance with one's needs, intent, or expectations
          <took the ~ bus> 6: of, relating to, or constituting
          the side of something that is usu. held to be opposite
          to the principal one, that is the one naturally or by
          design turned down, inward, or away, or that is the least
          finished or polished -- wrong.ly adv -- wrong.ness n
          -- wrong side of the tracks : a run-down or unfashionable
          neighborhood [3]wrong adv (13c) 1: without accuracy:
          incorrectly <guessed ~> 2: without regard for what is
          proper or just 3: in a wrong direction 4 a: in an unsuccessful
          or unfortunate way b: out of working order or condition
          5: in a false light <don't get me ~> [4]wrong vt wronged
          ; wrong.ing (14c) 1 a: to do wrong to: injure, harm b:
          to treat disrespectfully or dishonorably: violate 2:
          defraud--usu. used with of 3: discredit, malign -- wrong.er
          n syn wrong, oppress, persecute, aggrieve mean to injure
          unjustly or outrageously. wrong implies inflicting injury
          either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves
          <a penal system that had wronged him>. oppress suggests
          inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting
          more than one can perform <a people oppressed by a warmongering
          tyrant>. persecute implies a relentless and unremitting
          subjection to annoyance or suffering <a child persecuted
          by constant criticism>. aggrieve implies suffering caused
          by an infringement or denial of rights <a legal aid society
          representing aggrieved minority groups>.

   wrongdoer
          [wrong.do.er] n (15c): one that does wrong; esp: one who
          transgresses moral laws

   wrongdoing
          [wrong.do.ing] n (14c) 1: evil or improper behavior or action
          2: an instance of doing wrong

   wronged
          [wronged] adj (ca. 1547): being injured unjustly: suffering
          a wrong

   wrongful
          [wrong.ful] adj (14c) 1: wrong, unjust 2 a: having no legal
          sanction: unlawful b: illegitimate -- wrong.ful.ly adv
          -- wrong.ful.ness n

   wrongheaded
          [wrong.head.ed] adj (1732): stubborn in adherence to wrong
          opinion or principles <a ~ policy> -- wrong.head.ed.ly
          adv -- wrong.head.ed.ness n

   wrote
          [wrote] past and dial past part of write

   wroth
          [wroth] adj [ME, fr. OE wrath; akin to OHG reid twisted,
          OE writhan to writhe] (bef. 12c): intensely angry: highly
          incensed: wrathful

   [1]wrought
          [wrought] past and past part of work [2]wrought adj [ME,
          fr. pp. of worken to work] (14c) 1: worked into shape
          by artistry or effort <carefully ~ essays> 2: elaborately
          embellished: ornamented 3: processed for use: manufactured
          <~ silk> 4: beaten into shape by tools: hammered--used
          of metals 5: deeply stirred: excited--often used with
          up <gets easily ~ up over nothing>

   wrought iron
          [wrought iron] n (1678): a commercial form of iron that is
          tough, malleable, and relatively soft, contains less
          than 0.3 percent and usu. less than 0.1 percent carbon,
          and carries 1 or 2 percent of slag mechanically mixed
          with it

   wrung
          [wrung] past and past part of wring

   WRVS
          [WRVS] abbreviation Women's Royal Voluntary Service

   [1]wry
          [wry] vb wried ; wry.ing [ME wrien, fr. OE wrigian to turn;
          akin to MHG rigel kerchief wound around the head, Gk
          rhiknos shriveled, Av urvisyeiti he turns] vi (14c):
          twist, writhe ~ vt: to pull out of or as if out of proper
          shape: make awry [2]wry adj wry.er ; wry.est (1523) 1:
          having a bent or twisted shape or condition <a ~ smile>;
          esp: turned abnormally to one side <a ~ neck> 2: marked
          by perversity: wrongheaded 3: cleverly and often ironically
          or grimly humorous -- wry.ly adv -- wry.ness n

   wryneck
          [wry.neck] n (1585) 1: either of two Old World woodpeckers
          (Jynx torquilla or J. ruficollis) that differ from the
          typical woodpeckers in having soft tail feathers and
          a peculiar manner of writhing the neck 2: torticollis

   ws...
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   WSW
          [WSW] abbreviation west-southwest

   wt...
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   wt
          [wt] abbreviation weight  WT abbreviation watertight, wireless
          telegraphy

   wtd
          [wtd] abbreviation wanted

   wu...
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   Wu
          [Wu] n [Chin (Beijing) Wu, historical kingdom coextensive
          with the dialect area] (1908): a group of Chinese dialects
          spoken principally in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces

   wud
          [wud] adj [alter. of [1]wood] (1772) chiefly Scot: insane,
          mad

   wulfenite
          [wul.fen.ite] n [G Wulfenit, fr. F. X. von Wulfen d. 1805
          Austrian mineralogist] (1849): a tetragonal mineral that
          is a complex oxide of lead and molybdenum and occurs
          esp. in bright orange-yellow tabular crystals

   wunderbar
          [wun.der.bar] [G] foreign term : wonderful

   wunderkind
          [wun.der.kind] n, pl wun.der.kin.der [G, fr. Wunder wonder
          + Kind child] (1891): a child prodigy; also: one who
          succeeds in a competitive or highly difficult field or
          profession at an early age

   wurst
          [wurst] n [G, fr. OHG] (1855): sausage

   wurzel
          [wurzel] n [short for mangel-wurzel] (ca. 1888): mangel

   wuther
          [wuth.er] vi [alter. of whither to rush, bluster, hurl] (ca.
          1825) dial Eng: to blow with a dull roaring sound

   wv...
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   WV
          [WV] or W Va abbreviation West Virginia

   WVS
          [WVS] abbreviation Women's Voluntary Services

   ww...
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   WW
          [WW] abbreviation warehouse warrant, with warrants, world
          war

   wy...
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   Wyandot
          [Wy.an.dot] n (1749): a member of an American Indian group
          formed in the 17th century by Hurons and other Indians
          fleeing the Iroquois

   wyandotte
          [wy.an.dotte] n [prob. fr. Wyandotte Wyandot] (1884): any
          of a U.S. breed of medium-sized domestic fowls raised
          for meat and eggs

   Wycliffite
          [Wyc.liff.ite] n [John Wycliffe] (1580): lollard -- Wycliffite
          adj

   wye
          [wye] n (1857) 1: a Y-shaped part or object 2: the letter
          y

   wyliecoat
          [wy.lie.coat] n [ME (Sc) wyle cot] (15c) 1 chiefly Scot:
          a warm undergarment 2 chiefly Scot: petticoat

   wynd
          [wynd] n [ME (Sc) wynde, prob. fr. wynden to wind, proceed,
          go, fr. OE windan to twist--more at wind] (15c) chiefly
          Scot: a very narrow street

   wynn
          [wynn] or wyn n [OE wynn, lit., joy--more at winsome] (bef.
          12c): a runic letter used in Old English and Middle English
          to represent the consonant /w/

   wyvern
          [wy.vern] n [alter. of ME wyvere viper, fr. ONF wivre, modif.
          of L vipera] (1610): a mythical animal usu. represented
          as a 2-legged winged creature resembling a dragon

   x...
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   [1]x
          [x] n, pl x's or xs often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 24th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic x 2: ten in Roman numerals 3: a graphic
          device for reproducing the letter x 4: one designated
          x esp. as the 24th in order or class, or the first in
          an order or class that includes x, y, and sometimes z
          5: an unknown quantity 6: something shaped like or marked
          with the letter X [2]x vt x-ed also x'd or xed ; x-ing
          or x'ing (ca. 1849) 1: to mark with an x 2: to cancel
          or obliterate with a series of x's--usu. used with out
          X adj (1950) of a motion picture: of such a nature that
          admission is denied to persons under a specified age
          (as 17)--used before the adoption of NC-17

   x
          [x] abbreviation cross, ex, experimental, extra

   x-axis
          [x-ax.is] n (1886) 1: the axis in a plane Cartesian coordinate
          system parallel to which abscissas are measured 2: one
          of the three axes in a three-dimensional rectangular
          coordinate system

   x-coordinate
          [x-co.or.di.nate] n (1927): a coordinate whose value is determined
          by measuring parallel to an x-axis; specif: abscissa

   x-height
          [x-height] n (ca. 1945): the height of a lowercase x used
          to represent the height of the main body of a lowercase
          letter

   x-intercept
          [x-in.ter.cept] n (ca. 1939): the x-coordinate of a point
          where a line, curve, or surface intersects the x-axis

   x-irradiation
          [x-ir.ra.di.a.tion] n, often cap (1927): x-radiation 1

   x-radiation
          [x-ra.di.a.tion] n, often cap (1896) 1: exposure to X rays
          2: radiation composed of X rays

   x-ray
          [x-ray] vt, often cap (1899): to examine, treat, or photograph
          with X rays

   x-section
          [x-sec.tion] n [x, rebus for cross] (1962): cross section
          -- x-sec.tion.al adj

   xa...
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   xanth-
          [xanth-] or xantho- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. xanthos]:
          yellow <xanthene>

   xanthan gum
          [xan.than gum] n [xanth- (fr. NL Xanthomonas, genus name)
          + [3]-an] (1964): a polysaccharide that is produced by
          fermentation of carbohydrates by a gram-negative bacterium
          (Xanthomonas campestris of the family Pseudomonadaceae)
          and is a thickening and suspending agent used esp. in
          pharmaceuticals and prepared foods--called also xanthan

   xanthate
          [xan.thate] n (1831): a salt or ester of any of various thio
          acids

   xanthene
          [xan.thene] n (1898) 1: a white crystalline heterocyclic
          compound; also: an isomer of this that is the parent
          of the colored forms of the xanthene dyes 2: any of various
          derivatives of xanthene

   xanthene dye
          [xanthene dye] n (1930): any of various brilliant fluorescent
          yellow to pink to bluish red dyes that are characterized
          by the presence of the xanthene nucleus

   xanthine
          [xan.thine] n [ISV] (1857): a feebly basic compound that
          occurs esp. in animal or plant tissue, is derived from
          guanine and hypoxanthine, and yields uric acid on oxidation;
          also: any of various derivatives of this

   xanthone
          [xan.thone] n [IS V] (ca. 1894): a ketone that is the parent
          of several natural yellow pigments

   xanthophyll
          [xan.tho.phyll] n [F xanthophylle, fr. xanth- + -phylle -phyll]
          (1838): any of several neutral yellow to orange carotenoid
          pigments that are oxygen derivatives of carotenes; esp:
          lutein

   xe...
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   xebec
          [xe.bec] n [modif. of F chebec, fr. Ar shabbak] (1756): a
          usu. 3-masted Mediterranean sailing ship with long overhanging
          bow and stern

   xen-
          [xen-] or xeno- comb form [LL, fr. Gk, fr. xenos stranger,
          guest, host] 1: guest: foreigner <xenophobia> 2: strange:
          foreign <xenolith>

   xenia
          [xe.nia] n [NL, fr. Gk, hospitality, fr. xenos host] (1899):
          the effect of genes introduced by pollen esp. on endosperm
          and embryo development

   xenobiotic
          [xe.no.bi.ot.ic] n (1965): a chemical compound (as a drug,
          pesticide, or carcinogen) that is foreign to a living
          organism -- xenobiotic adj

   xenodiagnosis
          [xe.no.di.ag.no.sis] n [NL] (ca. 1929): the detection of
          a parasite (as of humans) by feeding a suitable intermediate
          host (as an insect) on supposedly infected material (as
          blood) and later examining the host for the parasite
          -- xe.no.di.ag.nos.tic adj

   xenogeneic
          [xe.no.ge.ne.ic] adj [xen- + -geneic (as in isogeneic)] (1961):
          derived from, originating in, or being a member of another
          species

   xenograft
          [xe.no.graft] n (1961): heterograft

   xenolith
          [xe.no.lith] n (1894): a fragment of a rock included in another
          rock -- xe.no.lith.ic adj

   xenon
          [xe.non] n [Gk, neut. of xenos strange] (1898): a heavy,
          colorless, and relatively inert gaseous element that
          occurs in air as about one part in 20 million by volume
          and is used esp. in thyratrons and specialized flashtubes

   xenophile
          [xe.no.phile] n [ISV] (1948): one attracted to foreign things
          (as styles or people)

   xenophobe
          [xe.no.phobe] n [ISV] (1922): one unduly fearful of what
          is foreign and esp. of people of foreign origin -- xe.no.pho.bic
          adj -- xe.no.pho.bi.cal.ly adv

   xenophobia
          [xe.no.pho.bia] n [NL] (1903): fear and hatred of strangers
          or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign

   xenotropic
          [xe.no.tro.pic] adj (1973): replicating or reproducing only
          in cells other than those of the host species <~ viruses>

   xer-
          [xer-] or xero- comb form [LL, fr. Gk xer-, xero-, fr. xeros]:
          dry <xeric> <xerophyte>

   xeric
          [xe.ric] adj (1926): characterized by, relating to, or requiring
          only a small amount of moisture <a ~ habitat> <a ~ plant>--compare
          hydric, mesic

   xeroderma pigmentosum
          [xe.ro.der.ma pig.men.to.sum] n [NL, lit., pigmented dryness
          of the skin] (1884): a genetic condition inherited as
          a recessive autosomal trait that is caused by a defect
          in mechanisms that repair DNA mutations (as those caused
          by ultraviolet light) and is characterized by the development
          of pigment abnormalities and multiple skin cancers in
          body areas exposed to the sun

   xerography
          [xe.rog.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1948) 1: a process for copying graphic
          matter by the action of light on an electrically charged
          photoconductive insulating surface in which the latent
          image is developed with a resinous powder 2: xeroradiography
          -- xe.ro.graph.ic adj -- xe.ro.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   xerophilous
          [xe.roph.i.lous] or xe.ro.phile adj (1863): thriving in or
          tolerant or characteristic of a xeric environment --
          xe.roph.i.ly n

   xerophthalmia
          [xe.roph.thal.mia] n [LL, fr. Gk xerophthalmia, fr. xer-
          xer- + ophthalmia ophthalmia] (ca. 1656): a dry thickened
          lusterless condition of the eyeball resulting esp. from
          a severe systemic deficiency of vitamin A -- xe.roph.thal.mic
          adj

   xerophyte
          [xe.ro.phyte] n (1897): a plant structurally adapted for
          life and growth with a limited water supply esp. by means
          of mechanisms that limit transpiration or that provide
          for the storage of water -- xe.ro.phyt.ic adj -- xe.ro.phyt.ism
          n

   xeroradiography
          [xe.ro.ra.di.og.ra.phy] n (1949): radiography used esp. in
          mammographic screening for breast cancer that produces
          an image using X rays in a manner similar to the way
          an image is produced by light in xerography

   xerothermic
          [xe.ro.ther.mic] adj (1904) 1: characterized by heat and
          dryness 2: adapted to or thriving in a hot dry environment

   xerox
          [xe.rox] vt [fr. Xerox] (1965) 1: to copy on a Xerox copier
          2: to make (a copy) on a Xerox copier Xe.rox trademark--used
          for a xerographic copier

   xi...
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   xi
          [xi] n, pl xis [Gk xei] (1823): the 14th letter of the Greek
          alphabet

   xiphisternum
          [xi.phi.ster.num] n, pl -na [NL, fr. Gk xiphos sword + NL
          sternum] (ca. 1860): xiphoid process

   xiphoid
          [xi.phoid] n [NL xiphoides, fr. Gk xiphoeides, fr. xiphos]
          (ca. 1860): xiphoid process -- xiphoid adj

   xiphoid process
          [xiphoid process] n (1873): the segment of the human sternum
          that is the third and closest to the feet

   xu...
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   xu
          [xu] n, pl xu [Vietnamese, fr. F sou sou] (1948) 1: a coin
          formerly minted by South Vietnam equivalent to the cent
          2: a monetary unit of Vietnam equal to 1/100 dong

   xy...
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   xyl-
          [xyl-] or xylo- comb form [L, fr. Gk, fr. xylon] 1: wood
          <xylophone> 2: xylene <xylidine>

   xylan
          [xy.lan] n [ISV] (ca. 1894): a yellow gummy pentosan that
          yields xylose on hydrolysis and is abundantly present
          in plant cell walls and woody tissue

   xylem
          [xy.lem] n [G, fr. Gk xylon] (1873): a complex tissue in
          the vascular system of higher plants that consists of
          vessels, tracheids, or both usu. together with wood fibers
          and parenchyma cells, functions chiefly in conduction
          of water and dissolved minerals but also in support and
          food storage, and typically constitutes the woody element
          (as of a plant stem)--compare phloem

   xylem ray
          [xylem ray] n (1875): a vascular ray or portion of a vascular
          ray located in xylem--called also wood ray--compare phloem
          ray

   xylene
          [xy.lene] n [ISV] (1851): any of three toxic flammable oily
          isomeric aromatic hydrocarbons that are di-methyl homologues
          of benzene and are usu. obtained from petroleum or natural
          gas distillates; also: a mixture of xylenes and ethyl
          benzene used chiefly as a solvent

   xylidine
          [xy.li.dine] n [ISV] (1850): any or a mixture of six toxic
          liquid or low-melting crystalline isomeric amino derivatives
          of the xylenes used chiefly as intermediates for azo
          dyes and in organic synthesis

   xylitol
          [xy.li.tol] n (1891): a crystalline alcohol that is a derivative
          of xylose, is obtained esp. from birch bark, and is used
          as a sweetener

   xylography
          [xy.log.ra.phy] n [F xylographie, fr. xyl- + -graphie -graphy]
          (1816): the art of making engravings on wood esp. for
          printing -- xy.lo.graph n -- xy.log.ra.pher n -- xy.lo.graph.ic
          also xy.lo.graph.i.cal adj

   xylol
          [xy.lol] n [ISV] (1851): xylene

   xylophagous
          [xy.loph.a.gous] adj [Gk xylophagos, fr. xyl- + -phagos -phagous]
          (1739): feeding on or in wood

   xylophone
          [xy.lo.phone] n (1866): a percussion instrument consisting
          of a series of wooden bars graduated in length to produce
          the musical scale, supported on belts of straw or felt,
          and sounded by striking with two small wooden hammers
          -- xy.lo.phon.ist n

   xylose
          [xy.lose] n [ISV] (ca. 1894): a crystalline aldose sugar
          that is not fermentable with ordinary yeasts and occurs
          esp. as a constituent of xylans from which it is obtained
          by hydrolysis

   y...
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   y
          [y] n, pl y's or ys often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 25th letter of the English alphabet b: a graphic
          representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic y 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter y 3: one designated y esp. as the 25th in
          order or class or the second in order or class when x
          is made the first 4: something shaped like the letter
          Y Y n (ca. 1915): ymca, ywca

   y
          [y] abbreviation yard, year, yeoman  Y abbreviation yttrium

   [1]-y
          [-y] also -ey adj suffix [ME, fr. OE -ig; akin to OHG -ig
          -y, L -icus, Gk -ikos, Skt -ika] 1 a: characterized by:
          full of <blossomy> <dirty> <muddy> <clayey> b: having
          the character of: composed of <icy> <waxy> c: like: like
          that of <homey> <wintry>--often with a disparaging connotation
          <stagy> 2 a: tending or inclined to <sleepy> <chatty>
          b: giving occasion for (specified) action <teary> c:
          performing (specified) action <curly> [2]-y n suffix,
          pl -ies [ME -ie, fr. OF, fr. L -ia, fr. Gk -ia, -eia]
          1: state: condition: quality <beggary> 2: activity, place
          of business, or goods dealt with <chandlery> <laundry>
          3: whole body or group <soldiery> [3]-y n suffix, pl
          -ies [ME -ie, fr. AF, fr. L -ium]: instance of a (specified)
          action <entreaty> <inquiry> [4]-y --see -ie

   y-axis
          [y-ax.is] n (1875) 1: the axis of a plane Cartesian coordinate
          system parallel to which ordinates are measured 2: one
          of the three axes in a three-dimensional rectangular
          coordinate system

   y-coordinate
          [y-co.or.di.nate] n (1927): a coordinate whose value is determined
          by measuring parallel to a y-axis; specif: ordinate

   y-intercept
          [y-in.ter.cept] n (ca. 1939): the y-coordinate of a point
          where a line, curve, or surface intersects the y-axis

   ya...
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   yabber
          [yab.ber] n [prob. modif. of Wuywurung (Australian aboriginal
          language of the Melbourne area) yaba speak] (1855) Austral:
          talk, jabber <all ~ and chatter ceased around the campfires
          --Francis Birtles> -- yabber vi

   [1]yacht
          [yacht] n [obs. D jaght, fr. MLG jacht, short for jachtschiff,
          lit., hunting ship] (1557): any of various recreational
          watercraft: as a: a sailboat used for racing b: a large
          usu. motor-driven craft used for pleasure cruising [2]yacht
          vi (1836): to race or cruise in a yacht

   yacht club
          [yacht club] n (1834): a club organized to promote and regulate
          yachting and boating

   yachting
          [yacht.ing] n (1836): the action, fact, or pastime of racing
          or cruising in a yacht

   yachtsman
          [yachts.man] n (1862): a person who owns or sails a yacht

   yagi
          [ya.gi] n [Hidetsugu Yagi b1886 Jp. engineer] (1943): a highly
          directional and selective shortwave antenna consisting
          of a horizontal conductor of one or two dipoles connected
          with the receiver or transmitter and of a set of nearly
          equal insulated dipoles parallel to and on a level with
          the horizontal conductor

   yahoo
          [ya.hoo] n, pl yahoos (1726) 1 cap: a member of a race of
          brutes in Swift's Gulliver's Travels who have the form
          and all the vices of humans 2: a boorish, crass, or stupid
          person -- ya.hoo.ism n

   [1]yak
          [yak] n, pl yaks also yak [Tibetan gyagk] (1795): a large
          long-haired wild or domesticated ox (Bos grunniens syn.
          B. mutus) of Tibet and adjacent elevated parts of central
          Asia [2]yak n [imit.] (1948) 1 slang: laugh 2 slang:
          joke, gag [3]yak also yack vi yakked also yacked ; yak.king
          also yack.ing [prob. imit.] (1949): to talk persistently:
          chatter [4]yak also yack n (1950): persistent or voluble
          talk

   yakitori
          [ya.ki.to.ri] n [Jp, grilled chicken, fr. yaki broil, roast
          + tori bird] (1962): bite-sized marinated pieces of beef,
          seafood, or chicken on skewers

   yam
          [yam] n [earlier iname, fr. Pg inhame & Sp name, of African
          origin; akin to Fulani nyami to eat] (1657) 1: the edible
          starchy tuberous root of various plants (genus Dioscorea
          of the family Dioscoreaceae) used as a staple food in
          tropical areas; also: a plant producing yams 2: a moist-fleshed
          and usu. orange-fleshed sweet potato

   yamen
          [ya.men] n [Chin (Beijing) yamen] (1747): the headquarters
          or residence of a Chinese government official or department

   yammer
          [yam.mer] vi yam.mered ; yam.mer.ing [ME yameren, alter.
          of yomeren to murmur, be sad, fr. OE geomrian; akin to
          OHG jamaron to be sad] (15c) 1 a: to utter repeated cries
          of distress or sorrow b: whimper 2: to utter persistent
          complaints: whine 3: to talk persistently or volubly
          and often loudly <caused the purists to ~ for censorship
          --D. W. Maurer> -- yammer n

   yang
          [yang] n [Chin (Beijing) yang] (1671): the masculine active
          principle in nature that in Chinese cosmology is exhibited
          in light, heat, or dryness and that combines with yin
          to produce all that comes to be

   [1]yank
          [yank] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1864): a strong sudden pull:
          jerk [2]yank vi (1822): to pull on something with a quick
          vigorous movement ~ vt 1: to pull or extract with a quick
          vigorous movement 2: to remove in or as if in an abrupt
          manner <~ed the story from the evening edition> Yank
          n (1778): yankee

   yanqui
          [yan.qui] n, often cap [Sp, fr. E [1]Yankee] (1928): a citizen
          of the U.S. as distinguished from a Latin American

   yantra
          [yan.tra] n [Skt] (1877): a geometrical diagram used like
          an icon usu. in meditation

   [1]yap
          [yap] vi yapped ; yap.ping [imit.] (1668) 1: to bark snappishly:
          yelp 2: to talk in a shrill insistent way: chatter --
          yap.per n [2]yap n (1826) 1 a: a quick sharp bark: yelp
          b: shrill insistent talk: chatter 2: an unsophisticated,
          ignorant, or uncouth person: bumpkin 3 slang: mouth

   [1]yard
          [yard] n [ME, fr. OE geard enclosure, yard; akin to OHG gart
          enclosure, L hortus garden] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a small usu.
          walled and often paved area open to the sky and adjacent
          to a building: court b: the grounds of a building or
          group of buildings 2: the grounds immediately surrounding
          a house that are usu. covered with grass 3 a: an enclosure
          for livestock (as poultry) b (1): an area with its buildings
          and facilities set aside for a particular business or
          activity (2): an assembly or storage area c: a system
          of tracks for storage and maintenance of cars and making
          up trains 4: a locality in a forest where deer herd in
          winter [2]yard adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or employed
          in the yard surrounding a building <~ light> 2: of, relating
          to, or employed in a railroad yard <a ~ engine> [3]yard
          vt (1758) 1: to drive into or confine in a restricted
          area: herd, pen 2: to deliver to or store in a yard ~
          vi: to congregate in or as if in a yard [4]yard n [ME
          yarde, fr. OE gierd twig, measure, yard; akin to OHG
          gart stick, L hasta spear] (bef. 12c) 1: any of various
          units of measure: as a: a unit of length equal in the
          U.S. to 0.9144 meter b: a unit of volume equal to a cubic
          yard 2 a: a great length or quantity <remembered ~s of
          facts and figures> b slang: one hundred dollars 3: a
          long spar tapered toward the ends to support and spread
          the head of a square sail, lateen, or lugsail 4: a slender
          horn-shaped glass about three feet tall; also: the amount
          it contains <a ~ of ale> -- the whole nine yards : all
          of a related set of circumstances, conditions, or details
          <who could learn the most about making records, about
          electronics and engineering, the whole nine yards --Stephen
          Stills>--sometimes used adverbially with go to indicate
          an all-out effort

   [1]yardage
          [yard.age] n [[1]yard] (1867) 1: the use of a livestock enclosure
          for animals in transit provided by a railroad at a station
          2: a charge made by a railroad for the use of a livestock
          enclosure [2]yardage n [[4]yard] (1900) 1 a: an aggregate
          number of yards b: the length, extent, or volume of something
          as measured in yards 2: yard goods

   yardarm
          [yard.arm] n (1553): either end of the yard of a square-rigged
          ship

   yardbird
          [yard.bird] n [[1]yard] (ca. 1941) 1: a soldier assigned
          to a menial task or restricted to a limited area as a
          disciplinary measure 2: an untrained or inept enlisted
          man

   yard goods
          [yard goods] n pl (1905): fabrics sold by the yard: piece
          goods

   yard grass
          [yard grass] n [[1]yard] (1822): a coarse annual grass (Eleusine
          indica) with digitate spikes that is widely distributed
          as a weed--called also goosegrass

   yard line
          [yard line] n (1949): any of a series of marked or imaginary
          lines one yard apart on a football field that are parallel
          to the goal lines and that indicate the distance to the
          nearest goal line

   yard-long bean
          [yard-long bean] n (1926): the edible 1- to 3-foot (0.3-
          to 0.9- meter) long thin stringless fruit of a plant
          of a subspecies (Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalis) of
          the cowpea; also: the plant

   yardman
          [yard.man] n (ca. 1825) 1: a person employed to do outdoor
          work (as mowing lawns) 2: a person who works in the yard
          of a commercial establishment; esp: one who supervises
          the handling of building materials in a lumberyard 3:
          a railroad hand employed in yard service

   yardmaster
          [yard.mas.ter] n (1864): the person in charge of operations
          in a railroad yard

   yard sale
          [yard sale] n (1972): garage sale

   yardstick
          [yard.stick] n (1816) 1 a: a graduated measuring stick three
          feet (0.9144 meter) long b: a standard basis of calculation
          2: a standard for making a critical judgment: criterion
          syn see standard

   yare
          [yare] adj [ME, fr. OE gearu; akin to OHG garo ready] (bef.
          12c) 1 archaic: set for action: ready 2 or yar a: characterized
          by speed and agility: nimble, lively b: handy 1c, maneuverable
          -- yare adv, archaic -- yare.ly adv, archaic

   yarmulke
          [yar.mul.ke] also yar.mel.ke n [Yiddish yarmlke, fr. Pol
          jarmulka & Ukrainian yarmulka skullcap, of Turkic origin;
          akin to Turk yagmurluk rainwear] (1903): a skullcap worn
          esp. by Orthodox and Conservative Jewish males in the
          synagogue and the home

   [1]yarn
          [yarn] n [ME, fr. OE gearn; akin to OHG garn yarn, Gk chorde
          string, L hernia rupture, Skt hira band] (bef. 12c) 1
          a: a continuous often plied strand composed of either
          natural or man-made fibers or filaments and used in weaving
          and knitting to form cloth b: a similar strand of another
          material (as metal, glass, or plastic) 2: a narrative
          of adventures; esp: a tall tale [2]yarn vi (1812): to
          tell a yarn -- yarn.er n

   yarn-dye
          [yarn-dye] vt (1885): to dye before weaving or knitting

   yarrow
          [yar.row] n [ME yarowe, fr. OE gearwe; akin to OHG garwa
          yarrow] (bef. 12c): a widely naturalized strong-scented
          Eurasian composite herb (Achillea millefolium) with finely
          dissected leaves and small usu. white corymbose flowers;
          also: any of several congeneric plants

   yashmak
          [yash.mak] also yas.mak n [Turk yasmak] (1844): a veil worn
          by Muslim women that is wrapped around the upper and
          lower parts of the face so that only the eyes remain
          exposed to public view

   yataghan
          [yat.a.ghan] n [Turk yatagan] (1819): a long knife or short
          saber that lacks a guard for the hand at the juncture
          of blade and hilt and that usu. has a double curve to
          the edge and a nearly straight back

   yauld
          [yauld] adj [origin unknown] (1786) chiefly Scot: vigorous,
          energetic

   yaupon
          [yau.pon] n [Catawba yapa, fr. ya- tree + pa leaf] (1709):
          a holly (Ilex vomitoria) of the southeastern U.S. that
          has smooth elliptical leaves with emetic and purgative
          properties

   yautia
          [yau.tia] n [AmerSp yautia, fr. Taino] (1899): any of several
          aroid plants (genus Xanthosoma and esp. X. sagittifolium)
          chiefly of tropical America with starchy edible shaggy
          brown tubers that are cooked and eaten like yams or potatoes;
          esp: one of these tubers

   [1]yaw
          [yaw] n [origin unknown] (1546) 1: the action of yawing;
          esp: a side to side movement 2: the extent of the movement
          in yawing [2]yaw vi (1586) 1 a of a ship: to deviate
          erratically from a course (as when struck by a heavy
          sea); esp: to move from side to side b of an airplane,
          spacecraft, or projectile: to turn by angular motion
          about the vertical axis 2: alternate <restlessly ~ing
          between apparent extremes --Martin Kasindorf>

   yawl
          [yawl] n [LG jolle] (1670) 1: a ship's small boat: jolly
          boat 2: a fore-and-aft rigged sailboat carrying a mainsail
          and one or more jibs with a mizzenmast far aft

   [1]yawn
          [yawn] vb [ME yenen, yanen, fr. OE ginian; akin to OHG ginen
          to yawn, L hiare, Gk chainein] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to open
          wide: gape 2: to open the mouth wide usu. as an involuntary
          reaction to fatigue or boredom ~ vt 1: to utter with
          a yawn 2: to accomplish with or impel by yawns <his grandchildren
          ~ed him to bed --L. L. King> [2]yawn n (1602) 1: gap,
          cavity 2: a deep usu. involuntary intake of breath through
          the wide open mouth often as an involuntary reaction
          to fatigue or boredom; also: a reaction resembling a
          yawn <a ... success at the box office but drew only ~s
          from critics --Current Biog.> 3: [5]bore

   yawner
          [yawn.er] n (1687) 1: one that yawns 2: something that causes
          boredom <the show was a real ~>

   yawning
          [yawn.ing] adj (bef. 12c) 1: wide open: cavernous <a ~ hole>
          <a dreadful, ~ gap of ... weeks --Times Educational Supp.>
          2: showing fatigue or boredom by yawns <a ~ audience>
          -- yawn.ing.ly adv

   [1]yawp
          [yawp] or yaup vi [ME yolpen] (14c) 1: to make a raucous
          noise: squawk 2: clamor, complain -- yawp.er n [2]yawp
          also yaup n (1824) 1: a raucous noise: squawk 2: something
          suggestive of a raucous noise; specif: rough vigorous
          language

   yawping
          [yawp.ing] n (1876): a strident utterance

   yaws
          [yaws] n pl but sing or pl in constr [prob. fr. an English-based
          creole of the Caribbean] (1679): an infectious contagious
          tropical disease caused by a spirochete (Treponema pertenue)
          closely resembling the causative agent of syphilis and
          marked by ulcerating lesions with later bone involvement--called
          also frambesia

   yc...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   yclept
          [yclept] or ycleped [ME, fr. OE geclipod, pp. of clipian
          to cry out, name] past part of clepe

   yd...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   yd
          [yd] abbreviation yard

   ye...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   [1]ye
          [ye] pron [ME, fr. OE ge; akin to OHG ir you--more at you]
          (bef. 12c): you 1--used orig. only as a plural pronoun
          of the second person in the subjective case and now used
          esp. in ecclesiastical or literary language and in various
          English dialects [2]ye definite article [fr. the use
          of the letter y by printers and scribes of late ME to
          represent the letter thorn] (1551) archaic: the <Ye Olde
          Gifte Shoppe>

   [1]yea
          [yea] adv [ME ye, ya, fr. OE gea; akin to OHG ja yes] (bef.
          12c) 1: yes--used in oral voting 2: more than this: not
          only so but--used as a function word to introduce a more
          explicit or emphatic phrase <yet the impression, ~ the
          evidence, is inescapable --J. G. Harrison> [2]yea n (13c)
          1: affirmation, assent 2 a: an affirmative vote b: a
          person casting a yea vote

   yeah
          [yeah] adv [by alter.] (1902): yes

   yean
          [yean] vi [ME yenen, fr. (assumed) OE geeanian, fr. OE ge-,
          perfective prefix + eanian to yean; akin to L agnus lamb,
          Gk amnos] (1548): to bring forth young--used of a sheep
          or goat

   yeanling
          [yean.ling] n (1637): lamb, kid 1a

   year
          [year] n [ME yere, fr. OE gear; akin to OHG jar year, Gk
          horos year, hora season, hour] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the period
          of about 365 1/4 solar days required for one revolution
          of the earth around the sun b: the time required for
          the apparent sun to return to an arbitrary fixed or moving
          reference point in the sky c: the time in which a planet
          completes a revolution about the sun <a ~ of Jupiter>
          2 a: a cycle in the Gregorian calendar of 365 or 366
          days divided into 12 months beginning with January and
          ending with December b: a period of time equal to one
          year of the Gregorian calendar but beginning at a different
          time 3: a calendar year specified usu. by a number <died
          in the ~ 1900> 4 pl: a time or era having a special significance
          <their glory ~s> 5 a: 12 months that constitute a measure
          of age or duration <her 21st ~>--often used in combination
          <a year-old child> b pl: age <an adult in ~s but a child
          in understanding>; also: the final stage of the normal
          life span 6: a period of time (as the usu. nine-month
          period in which a school is in session) other than a
          calendar year

   yearbook
          [year.book] n (1710) 1: a book published yearly as a report
          or summary of statistics or facts: annual 2: a school
          publication that is compiled usu. by a graduating class
          and that serves as a record of the year's activities

   [1]year-end
          [year-end] n (1872): the end of usu. the fiscal year [2]year-end
          adj (1899): made, occurring, or existing at the year-end
          <a ~ report>

   yearling
          [year.ling] n (15c): one that is a year old: as a: an animal
          one year old or in the second year of its age b: a racehorse
          between January 1st of the year after the year in which
          it was foaled and the next January 1st -- yearling adj

   yearlong
          [year.long] adj (1813): lasting through a year

   [1]yearly
          [year.ly] adj (bef. 12c) 1: reckoned by the year 2: occurring,
          appearing, made, done, or acted upon every year or once
          a year: annual [2]yearly adv (bef. 12c): every year:
          annually

   yearn
          [yearn] vi [ME yernen, fr. OE giernan; akin to OHG geron
          to desire, L hortari to urge, encourage, Gk chairein
          to rejoice] (bef. 12c) 1: to long persistently, wistfully,
          or sadly 2: to feel tenderness or compassion syn see
          long -- yearn.er n -- yearn.ing.ly adv

   yearning
          [yearn.ing] n (bef. 12c): a tender or urgent longing

   year of grace
          [year of grace] (14c): a calendar year of the Christian era
          <the year of grace 1993>

   year-round
          [year-round] adj (1924): occurring, effective, employed,
          staying, or operating for the full year: not seasonal
          <a ~ resort> -- year-round adv -- year-round.er n

   yea-sayer
          [yea-say.er] n (1920) 1: one whose attitude is that of confident
          affirmation 2: yes-man

   [1]yeast
          [yeast] n [ME yest, fr. OE gist; akin to OHG jesen, gesen
          to ferment, Gk zein to boil] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a yellowish
          surface froth or sediment that occurs esp. in saccharine
          liquids (as fruit juices) in which it promotes alcoholic
          fermentation, consists largely of cells of a fungus (family
          Saccharomycetaceae), and is used esp. in the making of
          alcoholic liquors and as a leaven in baking b: a commercial
          product containing yeast plants in a moist or dry medium
          c (1): a minute fungus (esp. Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
          that is present and functionally active in yeast, usu.
          has little or no mycelium, and reproduces by budding
          (2): any of various similar fungi (esp. orders Endomycetales
          and Moniliales) 2 archaic: the foam or spume of waves
          3: something that causes ferment or activity <were all
          seething with the ~ of revolt --J. F. Dobie> [2]yeast
          vi (1819): ferment, froth

   yeasty
          [yeasty] adj yeast.i.er ; -est (1598) 1: of, relating to,
          or resembling yeast 2 a: immature, unsettled b: marked
          by change c: full of vitality d: frivolous 1a, 2 -- yeast.i.ness
          n

   yech
          [yech] or yecch interj (1969)--used to express rejection
          or disgust

   yegg
          [yegg] n [origin unknown] (1903): safecracker; also: robber

   [1]yell
          [yell] vb [ME, fr. OE giellan; akin to OHG gellan to yell,
          OE galan to sing] vi (bef. 12c) 1: to utter a loud cry,
          scream, or shout 2: to give a cheer usu. in unison ~
          vt: to utter or declare with or as if with a yell: shout
          -- yell.er n [2]yell n (14c) 1: scream, shout 2: a usu.
          rhythmic cheer used esp. in schools or colleges to encourage
          athletic teams

   [1]yellow
          [yel.low] adj [ME yelwe, yelow, fr. OE geolu; akin to OHG
          gelo yellow, L helvus light bay, Gk chloros greenish
          yellow, Skt hari yellowish] (bef. 12c) 1 a: of the color
          yellow b: become yellowish through age, disease, or discoloration:
          sallow c: having a yellow or light brown complexion or skin
          2 a: featuring sensational or scandalous items or ordinary news
          sensationally distorted <~ journalism> b: mean, cowardly
          -- yel.low.ish adj [2]yellow n (bef. 12c) 1: something yellow
          or marked by a yellow color: as a: a person having yellow or light
          brown skin b: the yolk of an egg 2 a: a color whose hue resembles
          that of ripe lemons or sunflowers or is that of the portion of the
          spectrum lying between green and orange b: a pigment or dye that
          colors yellow 3 pl: jaundice 4 pl but sing in constr: any
          of several plant diseases caused esp. by mycoplasma-like organisms
          and marked by yellowing of the foliage and stunting [3]yellow
          vt (1598): to make yellow: give a yellow tinge or color to <~ed
          by time> ~ vi: to become or turn yellow

   yellow bile
          [yellow bile] n (1881): a humor believed in medieval physiology
          to be secreted by the liver and to cause irascibility

   yellow birch
          [yellow birch] n (1787): a No. American birch (Betula
          alleghaniensis syn. B. lutea) with thin lustrous gray or yellow
          bark forming plates with ragged edges in older trees; also: its
          strong hard dark brown to reddish brown wood

   yellow-dog
          [yel.low-dog] adj (1880) 1: mean, contemptible 2: of or relating
          to opposition to trade unionism or a labor union

   yellow-dog contract
          [yellow-dog contract] n (1920): an employment contract in
          which a worker disavows membership in and agrees not
          to join a labor union in order to get a job

   yellow dwarf
          [yellow dwarf] n (1928): any of several virus diseases esp.
          of cereal grasses (as oats and barley) characterized
          by yellowing and stunting

   yellow fever
          [yellow fever] n (1739): an acute destructive infectious
          disease of warm regions marked by sudden onset, prostration,
          fever, albuminuria, jaundice, and often hemorrhage and
          caused by a virus transmitted by the yellow-fever mosquito

   yellow-fever mosquito
          [yellow-fever mosquito] n (1905): a small dark-colored mosquito
          (Aedes aegypti) that is the usual vector of yellow fever

   yellowfin tuna
          [yel.low.fin tuna] n (1922): a rather small and nearly cosmopolitan
          tuna (Thunnus albacares) with yellowish fins--called also yellowfin

   yellow-green alga
          [yellow-green alga] n (1930): any of a class (Xanthophyceae
          of the division Chrysophyta) of algae with the chlorophyll
          masked by brown or yellow pigment

   yellowhammer
          [yel.low.ham.mer] n [alter. of earlier yelambre, fr. (assumed)
          ME yelwambre, fr. ME yelwe yellow + (assumed) ME ambre
          yellowhammer, fr. OE amore; akin to OHG amaro yellowhammer,
          amari emmer] (1556) 1: a common Palearctic finch (Emberiza
          citrinella) having the male largely bright yellow--called
          also yellow bunting 2: yellow-shafted flicker

   yellow jack
          [yellow jack] n (1836) 1: yellow fever 2: a yellowish carangid
          marine food fish (Caranx bartholomaei) found from Massachusetts
          to Brazil

   yellow jacket
          [yellow jacket] n (1796) 1: any of various small yellow-marked
          vespid wasps (esp. genus Vespula) that commonly nest
          in the ground and can sting repeatedly and painfully
          2 slang: pentobarbital esp. in a yellow capsule

   yellow jessamine
          [yellow jessamine] n (1709): a twining evergreen shrub (Gelsemium
          sempervirens of the family Loganiaceae) with fragrant
          yellow flowers--called also yellow jasmine

   yellowlegs
          [yel.low.legs] n pl but sing or pl in constr (1772): either
          of two American shorebirds with yellow legs: a: greater
          yellowlegs b: lesser yellowlegs

   yellow ocher
          [yellow ocher] n (15c) 1: a mixture of limonite usu. with
          clay and silica used as a pigment 2: a moderate orange
          yellow

   yellow pages
          [yellow pages] n pl, often cap Y&P (1908): the section of
          a telephone book that lists business and professional
          firms alphabetically by category and that includes classified
          advertising; also: a listing of products or services
          that is independently published

   yellow perch
          [yellow perch] n (1805): a common No. American freshwater
          bony fish (Perca flavescens) of the perch family that
          is yellowish with dark green bands and is an excellent
          food and sport fish

   yellow peril
          [yellow peril] n, often cap Y&P (1898) 1: a danger to Western
          civilization held to arise from expansion of the power
          and influence of eastern Asian peoples 2: a threat to
          Western living standards from the influx of eastern Asian
          laborers willing to work for very low wages

   yellow pine
          [yellow pine] n (1709) 1: any of several No. American pines
          (as a Ponderosa pine or longleaf pine) with yellowish
          wood 2: the wood of a yellow pine

   yellow poplar
          [yellow poplar] n (1774) 1: tulip tree 1 2: tulipwood 1

   yellow rain
          [yellow rain] n (1979): a yellow substance reported to occur
          as a mist or as spots on rocks and vegetation in Southeast
          Asia and variously held to be a chemical warfare agent
          used in the Vietnam War or a natural substance similar
          if not identical to pollen or the feces of bees

   yellow-shafted flicker
          [yel.low-shaft.ed flicker] n (1888): a flicker of eastern
          No. America that is golden yellow on the underside of
          the tail and wings, has a red mark on the nape, and in
          the male has a black streak on each cheek

   yellow spot
          [yellow spot] n (1869): macula lutea

   yellowtail
          [yel.low.tail] n, pl yellowtail or yellowtails (1709): any
          of various fishes having a yellow or yellowish tail:
          as a: any of several carangid fishes (genus Seriola);
          esp: a sport fish (S. lalandei) of the California coast
          and southward that reaches a length of about three feet
          (one meter) b: silver perch a c: a common snapper (Ocyurus
          chrysurus) that is a sport and food fish of the tropical
          western Atlantic and West Indies and is olive above and
          broadly striped with yellow along the sides and on the
          tail--called also yellowtail snapper

   yellowthroat
          [yel.low.throat] n (1702): any of several largely olive American
          warblers (genus Geothlypis); esp: one (G. trichas) with
          yellow breast and throat and a whitish belly

   yellowware
          [yel.low.ware] n (1785): pottery made from buff clay and
          covered with a yellowish transparent clay

   yellowwood
          [yel.low.wood] n (1666) 1: any of various trees having yellowish
          wood or yielding a yellow extract; esp: a leguminous
          tree (Cladrastis lutea) of the southern U.S. having showy
          white fragrant flowers and yielding a yellow dye 2: the
          wood of a yellowwood tree

   [1]yelp
          [yelp] n [[2]yelp] (1501): a sharp shrill bark or cry (as
          of a dog); also: squeal [2]yelp vb [ME, to boast, cry
          out, fr. OE gielpan to boast, exult; akin to OHG gelph
          outcry] vi (1553): to utter a sharp quick shrill cry
          <dogs ~> ~ vt: to utter with a yelp

   yelper
          [yelp.er] n (1673) 1: one that yelps; esp: a yelping dog
          2: an instrument used by hunters to produce a call or
          whistle imitating the yelp of the wild turkey hen

   [1]yen
          [yen] n, pl yen [Jp en] (1875): the basic monetary unit of
          Japan [2]yen n [obs. E argot yen-yen craving for opium,
          fr. Chin (Guangdong) yin-yahn, fr. yin opium + yahn craving]
          (1906): a strong desire or propensity: longing; also:
          urge [3]yen vi yenned ; yen.ning (1919): to have an intense
          desire: long, yearn

   yen-shee
          [yen-shee] n [Chin (Guangdong) yin-si, fr. yin opium + si
          excrement, filth] (1882): the residue formed in the bowl
          of an opium pipe by smoking

   yenta
          [yen.ta] n [Yiddish yente, fr. the name Yente] (1923): one
          that meddles; also: blabbermouth, gossip

   yeo
          [yeo] or yeom abbreviation yeomanry

   yeoman
          [yeo.man] n [ME yoman] (14c) 1 a: an attendant or officer
          in a royal or noble household b: a person attending or
          assisting another: retainer c: yeoman of the guard d:
          a naval petty officer who performs clerical duties 2
          a: a person who owns and cultivates a small farm; specif:
          one belonging to a class of English freeholders below
          the gentry b: a person of the social rank of yeoman 3:
          one that performs great and loyal service <did a ~'s
          job in seeing the program through>

   [1]yeomanly
          [yeo.man.ly] adv (14c) archaic: in a manner befitting a yeoman:
          bravely [2]yeomanly adj (1576) 1: of, relating to, or
          having the rank of a yeoman 2: becoming or suitable to
          a yeoman: sturdy, loyal

   yeoman of the guard
          [yeoman of the guard] (ca. 1520): a member of a military
          corps attached to the British royal household that serves
          as ceremonial attendants of the sovereign and as warders
          of the Tower of London

   yeomanry
          [yeo.man.ry] n (14c) 1: the body of yeomen; specif: the body
          of small landed proprietors of the middle class 2: a
          British volunteer cavalry force created from yeomen in
          1761 as a home defense force and reorganized in 1907
          as part of the territorial force

   yep
          [yep] adv [by alter.] (1891): yes

   -yer
          [-yer] --see -er

   yerba mate
          [yer.ba ma.te] n [AmerSp yerba mate, fr. yerba herb + mate
          mate] (1839): mate

   [1]yerk
          [yerk] vt [ME, to bind tightly] (ca. 1520) 1 dial: to beat
          vigorously: thrash 2 dial: to attack or excite vigorously:
          goad [2]yerk n (1581) 1 Scot: a lashing out: kick 2 dial:
          jerk 1

   [1]yes
          [yes] adv [ME, fr. OE gese] (bef. 12c) 1--used as a function
          word to express assent or agreement <are you ready? Yes,
          I am> 2--used as a function word usu. to introduce correction
          or contradiction of a negative assertion or direction
          <don't say that] Yes, I will> 3--used as a function word
          to introduce a more emphatic or explicit phrase 4--used
          as a function word to indicate uncertainty or polite
          interest or attentiveness [2]yes n (1712): an affirmative
          reply: yea

   yeshiva
          [ye.shi.va] also ye.shi.vah n, pl yeshivas or ye.shi.vot
          [LHeb yeshibhah] (1851) 1: a school for talmudic study
          2: an Orthodox Jewish rabbinical seminary 3: a Jewish
          day school providing secular and religious instruction

   yes-man
          [yes-man] n (1913): a person who agrees with everything that
          is said; esp: one who endorses or supports without criticism
          every opinion or proposal of an associate or superior

   yester
          [yes.ter] adj (1577) archaic: of or relating to yesterday

   [1]yesterday
          [yes.ter.day] adv [ME yisterday, fr. OE giestran daeg, fr.
          giestran yesterday + daeg day; akin to OHG gestaron yesterday,
          L heri, Gk chthes] (bef. 12c) 1: on the day last past:
          on the day preceding today 2: at a time not long past:
          only a short time ago <I wasn't born ~> -- yesterday
          adj [2]yesterday n (bef. 12c) 1: the day last past: the
          day next before the present 2: recent time: time not
          long past 3: past time--usu. used in pl.

   [1]yesternight
          [yes.ter.night] adv [ME, fr. OE gystran niht, fr. giestran
          yesterday + niht night] (bef. 12c) archaic: on the night
          last past [2]yesternight n (1513): the night last past

   yesteryear
          [yes.ter.year] n [yesterday + year] (1870) 1: last year 2:
          time gone by; esp: the recent past -- yesteryear adv

   yestreen
          [yes.treen] n [ME (Sc) yistrevin, fr. yisterday + evin evening,
          alter. of ME even] (1785) chiefly Scot: last evening
          or night -- yestreen adv

   [1]yet
          [yet] adv [ME, fr. OE giet; akin to OFris ieta yet] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: in addition: besides <gives ~ another reason>
          b: even 2c <a ~ higher speed> c: on top of everything
          else: no less <had wells going dry. Between two large
          lakes, ~ --J. H. Buzard> 2 a (1): up to now: so far <hasn't
          done much ~>--often used to imply the negative of a following
          infinitive <have ~ to win a game> (2): at this or that
          time: so soon as now <not time to go ~> b: continuously
          up to the present or a specified time: still <is ~ a
          new country> c: at a future time: eventually <may ~ see
          the light> 3: nevertheless, however -- as yet : up to
          the present or a specified time -- yet again : one more
          time <arrived late yet again> [2]yet conj (13c): but
          nevertheless: but

   yeti
          [ye.ti] n [Tibetan] (1937): abominable snowman

   yeuk
          [yeuk] vi [ME (northern) yukyn, fr. OE giccan--more at itch]
          (15c) chiefly Scot: itch

   yew
          [yew] n [ME ew, fr. OE iw; akin to OHG iwa yew, MIr eo] (bef.
          12c) 1 a: any of a genus (Taxus of the family Taxaceae,
          the yew family) of evergreen trees and shrubs with stiff
          linear leaves and fruits with a fleshy aril: as (1):
          a long-lived Eurasian tree or shrub (T. baccata)--called
          also English yew (2): a low straggling bush (T. canadensis)
          of the eastern U.S. and Canada b: the wood of a yew;
          esp: the heavy fine-grained wood of English yew 2 archaic:
          an archery bow made of yew

   yi...
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   [1]yield
          [yield] vb [ME, fr. OE gieldan; akin to OHG geltan to pay]
          vt (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: recompense, reward 2: to give
          or render as fitting, rightfully owed, or required 3:
          to give up possession of on claim or demand: as a: to
          give up (as one's breath) and so die b: to surrender
          or relinquish to the physical control of another: hand
          over possession of c: to surrender or submit (oneself)
          to another d: to give (oneself) up to an inclination,
          temptation, or habit e: to relinquish one's possession
          of (as a position of advantage or point of superiority)
          <~ precedence> 4 a: to bear or bring forth as a natural
          product esp. as a result of cultivation <the tree always
          ~s good fruit> b: to produce or furnish as return <this
          soil should ~ good crops> c (1): to produce as return
          from an expenditure or investment: furnish as profit
          or interest <a bond that ~s 12 percent> (2): to produce
          as revenue: bring in <the tax is expected to ~ millions>
          5: to give up (as a hit or run) in baseball <~ed two
          runs in the third inning> ~ vi 1: to be fruitful or productive:
          bear, produce 2: to give up and cease resistance or contention:
          submit, succumb 3: to give way to pressure or influence:
          submit to urging, persuasion, or entreaty 4: to give
          way under physical force (as bending, stretching, or
          breaking) 5 a: to give place or precedence: acknowledge
          the superiority of someone else b: to be inferior <our
          dictionary ~s to none> c: to give way to or become succeeded
          by someone or something else 6: to relinquish the floor
          of a legislative assembly syn yield, submit, capitulate,
          succumb, relent, defer mean to give way to someone or
          something that one can no longer resist. yield may apply
          to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument,
          persuasion, or entreaty <yields too easily in any argument>.
          submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or
          conflict to the will or control of another <a repentant
          sinner vowing to submit to the will of God>. capitulate
          stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply
          either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness
          in the face of an irresistible opposing force <officials
          capitulated to the protesters' demands>. succumb implies
          weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or
          an overwhelming power to the opposing force <a stage
          actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood>. relent implies
          a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the
          upper hand <finally relented and let the children stay
          up late>. defer implies a voluntary yielding or [2]yield
          n (15c) 1: something yielded: product; esp: the amount
          or quantity produced or returned <~ of wheat per acre>
          2: the capacity of yielding produce

   yielder
          [yield.er] n (1590): one that yields: as a: a person who
          surrenders, concedes, or gives in b: something that yields
          produce or products

   yielding
          [yield.ing] adj (1533) 1: productive <a high-yielding wheat>
          2: lacking rigidity or stiffness: flexible 3: disposed
          to submit or comply

   yikes
          [yikes] interj [prob. alter. of yoicks] (1957)--used to express
          fear or astonishment

   yin
          [yin] n [Chin (Beijing) yin] (1671): the feminine passive
          principle in nature that in Chinese cosmology is exhibited
          in darkness, cold, or wetness and that combines with
          yang to produce all that comes to be

   yip
          [yip] vi yipped ; yip.ping [imit.] (1907) 1: to bark sharply,
          quickly, and often continuously 2: to utter a short sharp
          cry -- yip n

   yippee
          [yip.pee] interj (1914)--used to express exuberant delight
          or triumph

   yippie
          [yip.pie] n [Youth International Party + -ie (as in hippie)]
          (1968): a person belonging to or identified with a politically
          active group of hippies

   yips
          [yips] n pl [origin unknown] (1962): a state of nervous tension
          affecting an athlete (as a golfer) in the performance
          of a crucial action <had a bad case of the ~ on short
          putts>

   yl...
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   -yl
          [-yl] n comb form [Gk hyle matter, material, lit., wood]:
          chemical and usu. univalent group <ethyl>

   ylang-ylang
          [ylang-ylang] n [Tag] (1876) 1: a tree (Cananga odorata syn.
          Canangium odoratum) of the custard-apple family of the
          Malay Archipelago, the Philippines, and adjacent areas
          that has very fragrant greenish yellow flowers 2: a perfume
          distilled from the flowers of the ylang-ylang tree

   yo...
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   yo
          [yo] interj [ME yo, io, interj.] (15c)--used esp. to call
          attention, to indicate attentiveness, or to express affirmation

   yob
          [yob] n [backward spelling for boy] (1908) Brit: yobbo

   yobbo
          [yob.bo] n, pl yobbos or yobboes [yob + [1]-o] (1922) 1 Brit:
          lout, yokel 2 Brit: hoodlum

   yock
          [yock] var of [2]yak

   yod
          [yod] n [Heb yodh] (1735): the 10th letter of the Hebrew
          alphabet

   [1]yodel
          [yo.del] vb -deled or -delled ; -del.ing or -del.ling [G
          jodeln] vi (1838): to sing by suddenly changing from
          a natural voice to a falsetto and back; also: to shout
          or call in a similar manner ~ vt: to sing (a tune) by
          yodeling -- yo.del.er n [2]yodel n (1849): a song or
          refrain sung by yodeling; also: a yodeled shout or cry

   yoga
          [yo.ga] n [Skt, lit., yoking, fr. yunakti he yokes; akin
          to L jungere to join--more at yoke] (1820) 1 cap: a Hindu
          theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity
          of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize
          its distinction from them and attain liberation 2: a
          system of exercises for attaining bodily or mental control
          and well-being -- yo.gic adj, often cap

   yogh
          [yogh] n [ME] (14c): the letter used esp. in Middle English
          chiefly to represent voiced and voiceless velar and palatal
          fricatives

   yogi
          [yo.gi] also yo.gin n [Skt yogin, fr. yoga] (1619) 1: a person
          who practices yoga 2 cap: an adherent of Yoga philosophy
          3: a markedly reflective or mystical person

   yogurt
          [yo.gurt] also yo.ghurt n [Turk yogurt] (1625): a fermented
          slightly acid often flavored semisolid food made of whole
          or skimmed cow's milk and milk solids to which cultures
          of two bacteria (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus
          thermophilus) have been added

   yohimbine
          [yo.him.bine] n [ISV, fr. yohimbe, a tropical African tree
          (Corynanthe yohimbe) from which it is obtained] (1898):
          an alkaloid that is a weak blocker of alpha-adrenergic
          receptors and has been used as an aphrodisiac

   yoicks
          [yoicks] interj (1774)--used as a cry of encouragement to
          foxhounds

   [1]yoke
          [yoke] n, pl yokes [ME yok, fr. OE geoc; akin to OHG joh
          yoke, L jugum, Gk zygon, Skt yuga, L jungere to join]
          (bef. 12c) 1 a: a wooden bar or frame by which two draft
          animals (as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for
          working together b: an arched device formerly laid on
          the neck of a defeated person c: a frame fitted to a
          person's shoulders to carry a load in two equal portions
          d: a bar by which the end of the tongue of a wagon or
          carriage is suspended from the collars of the harness
          e (1): a crosspiece on the head of a boat's rudder (2):
          the control device for an airplane's ailerons that is
          mounted on a column which also serves to operate the
          elevator f: a frame from which a bell is hung g: a clamp
          or similar piece that embraces two parts to hold or unite
          them in position 2 pl usu yoke : two animals yoked or
          worked together 3 a (1): an oppressive agency (2): servitude,
          bondage b: tie, link; esp: marriage 4: a fitted or shaped
          piece at the top of a skirt or at the shoulder of various
          garments [2]yoke vb yoked ; yok.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1 a
          (1): to put a yoke on (2): to join in or with a yoke
          b: to attach a draft animal to; also: to attach (a draft
          animal) to something 2: to join as if by a yoke 3: to
          put to work ~ vi: to become joined or linked

   yokefellow
          [yoke.fel.low] n (1526): a close companion: mate

   yokel
          [yo.kel] n [perh. fr. E dial. yokel green woodpecker, of
          imit. origin] (ca. 1812): a naive or gullible inhabitant
          of a rural area or small town

   yolk
          [yolk] also yoke n [ME yolke, fr. OE geoloca, fr. geolu
          yellow--more at yellow] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the yellow spheroidal mass
          of stored food that forms the inner portion of the egg of a bird
          or reptile and is surrounded by the white--see egg illustration
          b archaic: the whole contents of an ovum consisting
          of a protoplasmic formative portion and an inert nutritive portion
          c: material stored in an ovum that supplies food to the developing
          embryo and consists chiefly of proteins, lecithin, and cholesterol
          2 [akin to MD ieke yolk (of wool), OE eowu ewe]: oily material
          in unprocessed sheep wool consisting of wool fat, suint, and debris
          -- yolked adj -- yolky adj

   yolk sac
          [yolk sac] n (1861): a membranous sac that is attached to
          an embryo and encloses food yolk, that is continuous
          in most forms through the vitelline duct with the intestinal
          cavity of the embryo, that being abundantly supplied
          with blood vessels is throughout embryonic life and in
          some forms later the chief organ of nutrition, and that
          in placental mammals is nearly vestigial and functions
          chiefly prior to the elaboration of the placenta

   yolk stalk
          [yolk stalk] n (1900): the narrow tubular stalk connecting
          the yolk sac with the embryo

   [1]yon
          [yon] adj [ME, fr. OE geon; akin to OHG iener, adj., that,
          Gk ene day after tomorrow] (bef. 12c): yonder [2]yon
          pron (14c) dial: that or those yonder [3]yon adv (15c)
          1: yonder 2: thither <ran hither and ~>

   [1]yond
          [yond] adv [ME, fr. OE geond; akin to OE geon] (bef. 12c)
          archaic: yonder [2]yond adj (13c) dial: yonder

   [1]yonder
          [yon.der] adv [ME, fr. yond + -er (as in hither)] (14c):
          at or in that indicated more or less distant place usu.
          within sight [2]yonder adj (14c) 1: farther removed:
          more distant 2: being at a distance within view or at
          a place or in a direction known or indicated [3]yonder
          pron (14c): something that is or is in an indicated more
          or less distant place

   yoni
          [yo.ni] n [Skt, vulva] (1799): a stylized representation
          of the female genitalia symbolizing the feminine principle
          in Hindu cosmology--compare lingam -- yo.nic adj

   yoo-hoo
          [yoo-hoo] interj (ca. 1924)--used to attract attention or
          as a call to persons

   yore
          [yore] n [ME, fr. yore, adv., long ago, fr. OE geara, fr.
          gear year--more at year] (14c): time past and esp. long
          past--usu. used in the phrase of yore

   you
          [you] pron [ME, fr. OE eow, dat. & accus. of ge you; akin
          to OHG iu, dat. of ir you, Skt yuyam you] (bef. 12c)
          1: the one or ones being addressed--used as the pronoun
          of the second person singular or plural in any grammatical
          relation except that of a possessive <~ may sit in that
          chair> <~ are my friends> <can I pour ~ a cup of tea>--used
          formerly only as a plural pronoun of the second person
          in the dative or accusative case as direct or indirect
          object of a verb or as object of a preposition--compare
          thee, thou, ye, your, yours 2: one 2a

   you-all
          [you-all] pron (1824) chiefly Southern: you--usu. used in
          addressing two or more persons or sometimes one person
          as representing also another or others

   you'd
          [you'd] (1602): you had: you would

   you'll
          [you'll] (1592): you will: you shall

   [1]young
          [young] adj youn.ger ; youn.gest [ME yong, fr. OE geong;
          akin to OHG jung young, L juvenis] (bef. 12c) 1 a: being
          in the first or an early stage of life, growth, or development
          b: junior 1a c: of an early, tender, or desirable age
          for use as food or drink <fresh ~ lamb> <a ~ wine> 2:
          having little experience 3 a: recently come into being:
          new b: youthful 5 4: of, relating to, or having the characteristics
          of youth or a young person 5 cap: representing a new or rejuvenated
          esp. political group or movement -- young.ish adj -- young.ness
          n [2]young n, pl young (bef. 12c) 1 pl a: young persons: youth
          b: immature offspring esp. of lower animals 2: a single recently
          born or hatched animal -- with young : pregnant--used of a female
          animal

   youngberry
          [young.ber.ry] n [B. M. Young fl 1900 Am. fruit grower] (1927):
          the large sweet reddish black fruit of a cultivar of
          a hybrid bramble closely related to the boysenberry and
          loganberry and grown in the western and southern U.S.;
          also: a bramble bearing youngberries

   younger
          [youn.ger] n (bef. 12c): an inferior in age: junior--usu.
          used with a possessive pronoun <is several years his
          ~>

   youngest
          [youn.gest] n, pl youngest (13c): one that is the least old;
          esp: the youngest child or member of a family

   youngling
          [young.ling] n (bef. 12c): one that is young; esp: a young
          person or animal -- youngling adj

   youngster
          [young.ster] n (1589) 1 a: a young person: youth b: child
          2: a young mammal, bird, or plant esp. of a domesticated
          or cultivated breed or type

   younker
          [youn.ker] n [D jonker young nobleman] (1513) 1: a young
          man 2: child, youngster

   your
          [your] adj [ME, fr. OE eower; akin to OE eow you--more at
          you] (bef. 12c) 1: of or relating to you or yourself
          or yourselves esp. as possessor or possessors <~ bodies>,
          agent or agents <~ contributions>, or object or objects
          of an action <~ discharge> 2: of or relating to one or
          oneself <when you face the north, east is at ~ right>
          3--used with little or no meaning almost as an equivalent
          to the definite article the <a trait ... that sets him
          apart from ~ average professor --James Breckenridge>

   you're
          [you're] (1593): you are

   yours
          [yours] pron, sing or pl in constr [ME fr. your + -s -'s]
          (1526): that which belongs to you--used without a following
          noun as a pronoun equivalent in meaning to the adjective
          your--often used esp. with an adverbial modifier in the
          complimentary close of a letter <~ truly> -- yours truly
          : i, me, myself <I can take care of yours truly>

   yourself
          [your.self] pron (14c) 1 a: that identical one that is you--used
          reflexively <you might hurt ~>, for emphasis <carry them
          ~>, or in[ ]absolute constructions b: your normal, healthy,
          or sane condition 2: oneself

   yourselves
          [your.selves] pron pl (1523) 1: those identical ones that
          are you--used reflexively <get ~ a treat>, for emphasis,
          or in absolute constructions 2: your normal, healthy,
          or sane condition

   youth
          [youth] n, pl youths often attrib [ME youthe, fr. OE geoguth;
          akin to OE geong young--more at young] (bef. 12c) 1 a:
          the time of life when one is young; esp: the period between
          childhood and maturity b: the early period of existence,
          growth, or development 2 a: a young person; esp: a young
          male between adolescence and maturity b: young persons
          or creatures--usu. pl. in constr. 3: the quality or state
          of being youthful: youthfulness

   youthful
          [youth.ful] adj (1590) 1: of, relating to, or characteristic
          of youth 2: being young and not yet mature 3: marked
          by or possessing youth 4: having the vitality or freshness
          of youth: vigorous 5: having accomplished or undergone
          little erosion -- youth.ful.ly adv -- youth.ful.ness
          n

   youth hostel
          [youth hostel] n (1929): hostel 2b

   youthquake
          [youth.quake] n [youth + earthquake] (1966): the impact of
          the values, tastes, and mores of youth on the established
          norms of society

   you've
          [you've] (1691): you have

   [1]yowl
          [yowl] vb [ME] vi (13c) 1: to utter a loud long cry of grief,
          pain, or distress: wail 2: to complain or protest with
          or as if with yowls ~ vt: to express with yowling [2]yowl
          n (15c): a loud long mournful wail or howl (as of a cat)

   [1]yo-yo
          [yo-yo] n, pl yo-yos [perh. fr. a language of the Philippines]
          (1915) 1: a thick grooved double disk with a string attached
          to its center which is made to fall and rise to the hand
          by unwinding and rewinding on the string 2: one that
          resembles a yo-yo esp. in moving up and down unexpectedly
          or repeatedly 3: a stupid or foolish person [2]yo-yo
          adj (1932): shifting back and forth or up and down uncertainly
          or unexpectedly [3]yo-yo vi yo-yoed ; yo-yo.ing (1967):
          to move from one position to another repeatedly: fluctuate

   yr...
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   yr
          [yr] abbreviation year, younger, your

   yrbk
          [yrbk] abbreviation yearbook

   yt...
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   ytterbium
          [yt.ter.bi.um] n [NL, fr. Ytterby, town in southern Sweden]
          (1879): a metallic element of the rare-earth group that
          resembles yttrium and occurs with it and related elements
          in several minerals

   yttrium
          [yt.tri.um] n [NL, fr. yttria yttrium oxide, irreg. fr. Ytterby,
          town in southern Sweden] (1822): a metallic element usu.
          included among the rare-earth metals which it resembles
          chemically and with which it usu. occurs in minerals

   yu...
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   yuan
          [yu.an] n, pl yuan [Chin (Beijing) yuan] (1914) 1: the basic
          monetary unit of the People's Republic of China 2: the
          dollar of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

   yuca
          [yu.ca] n [NL jucca, fr. Taino yuca] (1555): cassava

   yucca
          [yuc.ca] n [NL, fr. Sp yuca, of unknown origin] (1664) 1:
          any of a genus (Yucca) of sometimes arborescent plants
          of the agave family that occur in warm regions chiefly
          of western No. America and have long often rigid fibrous-margined
          leaves on a woody base and bear a large panicle of white
          blossoms 2: cassava

   [1]yuck
          [yuck] var of [2]yak [2]yuck also yuk interj (1966)--used
          to express rejection or disgust <spending hours over
          some dish and getting, "~, I hate that" --Anne Dowie>

   yucky
          [yucky] adj [[2]yuck] (1970): offensive, distasteful

   yuga
          [yu.ga] n [Skt, yoke, age--more at yoke] (1784): one of the
          four ages of a Hindu world cycle

   yuk
          [yuk] var of [2]yak

   yule
          [yule] n, often cap [ME yol, fr. OE geol; akin to ON jol,
          a pagan midwinter festival] (bef. 12c): the feast of
          the nativity of Jesus Christ: christmas

   yuletide
          [yule.tide] n, often cap (15c): christmastide

   yummy
          [yum.my] adj yum.mi.er ; -est [yum-yum] (1899): highly attractive
          or pleasing; esp: delicious, delectable

   yum-yum
          [yum-yum] interj (1878)--used to express pleasurable satisfaction
          esp. in the taste of food

   [1]yup
          [yup] var of yep [2]yup n (1983): yuppie

   yuppie
          [yup.pie] n, often cap [prob. fr. young urban professional
          + -ie] (1983): a young college-educated adult who is
          employed in a well-paying profession and who lives and
          works in or near a large city

   yurt
          [yurt] n [Russ dial. yurta, of Turkic origin; akin to Turk
          yurt home] (1784): a circular domed tent of skins or
          felt stretched over a collapsible lattice framework and
          used by pastoral peoples of inner Asia; also: a structure
          that resembles a yurt usu. in size and design

   z...
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   z
          [z] abbreviation zero, zone  Z or ZD abbreviation zenith
          distance

   z
          [z] n, pl z's or zs often cap, often attrib (bef. 12c) 1
          a: the 26th and last letter of the English alphabet b:
          a graphic representation of this letter c: a speech counterpart
          of orthographic z 2: a graphic device for reproducing
          the letter z 3: one designated z esp. as the 26th in
          order or class or the third in order or class when x
          is made the first 4: something shaped like the letter
          Z 5: wink 1--usu. used in pl. <catch some z's before
          dinner> Z n (1967): z particle

   z-axis
          [z-ax.is] n (ca. 1949): one of the axes in a three-dimensional
          rectangular coordinate system

   z-coordinate
          [z-co.or.di.nate] n (ca. 1956): a coordinate whose value
          is determined by measuring parallel to a z-axis

   za...
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   zabaglione
          [za.ba.glio.ne] n [It] (1899): a whipped dessert consisting
          of a mixture of egg yolks, sugar, and usu. Marsala wine
          that is often served on fruit

   zaddik
          [zad.dik] n, pl zad.dik.im [Yiddish tsadek, fr. Heb saddiq
          just, righteous] (1873) 1: a righteous and saintly person
          by Jewish religious standards 2: the spiritual leader
          of a modern Hasidic community

   zaftig
          [zaf.tig] adj [Yiddish zaftik juicy, succulent, fr. zaft
          juice, sap, fr. MHG saf, saft, fr. OHG saf--more at sap]
          (ca. 1936) of a woman: having a full rounded figure:
          pleasingly plump

   [1]zag
          [zag] n [zigzag] (1793) 1 a: one of the sharp turns, angles,
          or alterations in a zigzag course b: one of the short
          straight lines or sections of a zigzag course at an angle
          to a zig 2: zig 2 [2]zag vi zagged ; zag.ging (1900):
          to execute a zag--usu. contrasted with zig

   zaire
          [zaire] n, pl zaires or zaire [F zaire, fr. Zaire, former
          country in central Africa] (1967): the basic monetary
          unit of Zaire

   zamia
          [za.mia] n [NL, fr. L zamiae nuces, false MS reading for
          azaniae nuces pine nuts] (1819): any of a genus (Zamia
          of the family Zamiaceae) of American cycads with a short
          thick woody base, a crown of palmlike leaves, and oblong
          cones

   zamindar
          [za.min.dar] or ze.min.dar n [Hindi zamindar, fr. Per, fr.
          zamin land + -dar holder] (1683) 1: a collector of the
          land revenue of a district for the government during
          the period of Mogul rule in India 2: a feudal landlord
          in British India paying the government a fixed revenue

   zamindari
          [za.min.dari] or ze.min.dary n, pl -dar.is or -dar.ies [Hindi
          zamindari, fr. Per, fr. zamindar] (1757) 1: the system
          of landholding and revenue collection by zamindars 2:
          the land held or administered by a zamindar

   zander
          [zan.der] n, pl zander or zanders [G] (1854): a pike perch
          (Stizostedion lucioperca) of central Europe related to
          the walleye

   [1]zany
          [za.ny] n, pl zanies [It zanni, a traditional masked clown,
          fr. It dial. Zanni, nickname for It Giovanni John] (1588)
          1: a subordinate clown or acrobat in old comedies who
          mimics ludicrously the tricks of the principal: merry-andrew
          2: a slavish follower: toady 3 a: one who acts the buffoon
          to amuse others b: nut, kook [2]zany adj za.ni.er ; -est
          (1616) 1: being or having the characteristics of a zany
          2: fantastically or absurdly ludicrous -- za.ni.ly adv
          -- za.ni.ness n

   [1]zap
          [zap] interj [imit.] (1929) 1--used to express a sound made
          by or as if by a gun 2--used to indicate a sudden or
          instantaneous occurrence [2]zap vb zapped ; zap.ping
          vt (1942) 1 a: to get rid of, destroy, or kill esp. with
          or as if with sudden force b: to hit with or as if with
          a sudden concentrated application of force or energy
          c: to irradiate esp. with microwaves 2 a: to propel suddenly
          or speedily b: to transport instantaneously 3: to avoid
          watching (as a television commercial) by changing channels
          esp. with a remote control or by fast-forwarding a videotape
          ~ vi 1: to move with speed or force 2: to change television
          channels using a remote control [3]zap n (1963): a pungent
          or zestful quality: zip; also: a sudden forceful blow

   zapateado
          [za.pa.te.ado] n [Sp, fr. zapatear to strike or tap with
          the shoe, fr. zapato shoe] (1845): a Latin-American dance
          marked by rhythmic stamping or tapping of the feet

   zapateo
          [za.pa.teo] n [Sp, fr. zapatear] (1922): zapateado

   zapper
          [zap.per] n (1969): one that zaps: as a: an electronic device
          designed to attract and kill insects b: a person who
          habitually changes channels (as to avoid commercials)
          c: a remote control device used for zapping

   zappy
          [zap.py] adj (1969): zippy

   zareba
          [za.re.ba] or za.ri.ba n [Ar zaribah enclosure] (1849): an
          improvised stockade constructed in parts of Africa esp.
          of thorny bushes

   zarzuela
          [zar.zue.la] n [Sp, prob. fr. La Zarzuela, royal residence
          near Madrid where it was first performed] (1888): a usu.
          comic Spanish operetta

   zayin
          [za.yin] n [Heb] (1823): the 7th letter of the Hebrew alphabet

   ze...
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   zeal
          [zeal] n [ME zele, fr. LL zelus, fr. Gk zelos] (15c): eagerness
          and ardent interest in pursuit of something: fervor syn
          see passion

   zealot
          [zeal.ot] n [LL zelotes, fr. Gk zelotes, fr. zelos] (1537)
          1 cap: a member of a fanatical sect arising in Judea
          during the first century a.d. and militantly opposing
          the Roman domination of Palestine 2: a zealous person;
          esp: a fanatical partisan

   zealotry
          [zeal.ot.ry] n, pl -ries (1656): excess of zeal: fanatical
          devotion

   zealous
          [zeal.ous] adj (1535): filled with or characterized by zeal
          <~ missionaries> -- zeal.ous.ly adv -- zeal.ous.ness
          n

   zeatin
          [ze.a.tin] n [NL Zea, genus of grasses including Indian corn
          + kinetin--more at zein] (1963): a cytokinin first isolated
          from the endosperm of Indian corn

   zebra
          [ze.bra] n, pl zebras [Pg zebra, zebro wild ass, perh. fr.
          L equiferus, kind of wild horse, fr. equus horse + ferus
          wild--more at equine, fierce] (1600) 1 pl also zebra
          : any of several fleet African mammals (Equus burchelli,
          E. grevyi, and E. zebra) related to the horse but distinctively
          and conspicuously patterned in stripes of black or dark
          brown and white or buff 2 [fr. the shirts patterned in
          black and white stripes worn by football referees]: referee
          2 3: zebra crossing -- ze.brine adj or n

   zebra crossing
          [ze.bra crossing] n (1950) Brit: a crosswalk marked by a
          series of broad white stripes to indicate a crossing
          point at which pedestrians have the right of way

   zebra finch
          [zebra finch] n (1889): a small largely gray-and-white Australian
          waxbill (Poephila guttata) that has black bars on the
          tail coverts and is often kept as a cage bird

   zebra fish
          [zebra fish] n (1771): any of various barred fishes; esp:
          a very small blue-and-silver-striped Indian danio (Brachydanio
          rerio syn. Danio rerio) often kept in the tropical aquarium

   zebra mussel
          [zebra mussel] n (1883): a freshwater Eurasian lamellibranch
          mollusk (Dreissena polymorpha) that was accidentally
          introduced into the Great Lakes and is spreading to surrounding
          waterways where it colonizes and clogs water intake pipes
          and competes with native fish for food

   zebrawood
          [ze.bra.wood] n (1783) 1: any of several trees or shrubs
          having mottled or striped wood: as a: any of various
          leguminous African timber trees (genus Brachystegia)
          b: a tall So. American timber tree (Astronium fraxinifolium)
          of the cashew family 2: the wood of a zebrawood

   zebu
          [ze.bu] n [F zebu] (1774): any of various breeds of domestic
          oxen developed in India that are often considered conspecific
          with the common ox (Bos taurus) or sometimes as a separate
          species (B. indicus) and are characterized by a large
          fleshy hump over the shoulders, a dewlap, pendulous ears,
          and marked resistance to the injurious effects of heat
          and insect attack

   zecchino
          [zec.chi.no] n, pl -ni or -nos [It--more at sequin] (1617):
          sequin 1

   zechin
          [ze.chin] n [It zecchino] (1575): sequin 1

   zed
          [zed] n [ME, fr. MF zede, fr. LL zeta zeta, fr. Gk zeta]
          (15c) chiefly Brit: the letter z

   zee
          [zee] n (1677): the letter z

   zein
          [ze.in] n [NL Zea, genus of grasses including Indian corn,
          fr. Gk zeai, pl., wheat; akin to Skt yava barley] (1822):
          a protein from Indian corn that lacks lysine and tryptophan
          and is used esp. in making textile fibers, plastics,
          printing inks, coatings, and adhesives and sizes

   zeitgeber
          [zeit.ge.ber] n [G, fr. Zeit time + Geber giver] (1964):
          an environmental agent or event (as the occurrence of
          light or dark) that provides the stimulus setting or
          resetting a biological clock of an organism

   zeitgeist
          [zeit.geist] n, often cap [G, fr. Zeit + Geist spirit] (1884):
          the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate
          of an era

   zelkova
          [zel.ko.va] n [NL, fr. Russ zel'kova, zel'kva, fr. Georgian
          dzelkva] (ca. 1890): a tall widely spreading Japanese
          tree (Zelkova serrata) of the elm family that is often
          used as an ornamental and shade tree in place of the
          American elm because of its resistance to Dutch elm disease

   zemstvo
          [zemst.vo] n, pl zemstvos [Russ; akin to Russ zemlya earth,
          land, L humus--more at humble] (1865): one of the district
          and provincial assemblies established in Russia in 1864

   zenana
          [ze.na.na] n [Hindi zanana, fr. Per, fr. zan woman] (1760):
          harem 1a

   zener diode
          [ze.ner diode] n, often cap Z [Clarence M. Zener b1905 Am.
          physicist] (1957): a silicon semiconductor device used
          esp. as a voltage regulator

   zenith
          [ze.nith] n [ME senith, fr. MF cenith, fr. ML, fr. OSp zenit,
          modif. of Ar samt (ar-ra's) way (over one's head)] (14c)
          1: the point of the celestial sphere that is directly
          opposite the nadir and vertically above the observer
          2: the highest point reached in the heavens by a celestial
          body 3: culminating point: acme <at the ~ of his powers
          --John Buchan>

   zenithal
          [ze.nith.al] adj (1860) 1: of, relating to, or located at
          or near the zenith 2: showing correct directions from
          the center <a ~ map>

   zeolite
          [ze.o.lite] n [Sw zeolit, fr. Gk zein to boil + -o- + Sw
          -lit -lite, fr. F -lite--more at yeast] (ca. 1777): any
          of various hydrous silicates that are analogous in composition
          to the feldspars, occur as secondary minerals in cavities
          of lavas, and can act as ion-exchangers; also: any of
          various natural or synthesized silicates of similar structure
          used esp. in water softening and as adsorbents and catalysts
          -- ze.o.lit.ic adj

   zephyr
          [zeph.yr] n [ME Zephirus, west wind (personified), fr. L
          Zephyrus, god of the west wind & zephyrus west wind,
          zephyr, fr. Gk Zephyros & zephyros] (1611) 1 a: a breeze
          from the west b: a gentle breeze 2: any of various lightweight
          fabrics and articles of clothing

   zeppelin
          [zep.pe.lin] n [Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin] (1900): a rigid
          airship consisting of a cylindrical trussed and covered
          frame supported by internal gas cells; broadly: airship

   zerk
          [zerk] n [Oscar U. Zerk d. 1968 Am. (Austrian-born) inventor]
          (1926): a grease fitting

   [1]zero
          [ze.ro] n, pl zeros also zeroes [F or It; F zero, fr. It
          zero, fr. ML zephirum, fr. Ar sifr] (1604) 1 a: the arithmetical
          symbol 0 denoting the absence of all magnitude or quantity
          b: additive identity; specif: the number between the
          set of all negative numbers and the set of all positive
          numbers c: a value of an independent variable that makes
          a function equal to zero 2: the number represented by
          the symbol 0 3 a (1): the point of departure in reckoning;
          specif: the point from which the graduation of a scale
          (as of a thermometer) begins (2): the temperature represented
          by the zero mark on a thermometer b: the setting or adjustment
          of the sights of a firearm that causes it to shoot to
          point of aim at a desired range 4: an insignificant person
          or thing: nonentity 5 a: a state of total absence or
          neutrality b: the lowest point: nadir 6: something arbitrarily
          or conveniently designated zero [2]zero adj (1810) 1
          a: of, relating to, or being a zero b: having no magnitude
          or quantity: not any <~ growth> c (1): having no phonetic
          manifestation <the ~ modification in the past tense of
          cut> (2): having no modified inflectional form <a ~ plural>
          2 a of a cloud ceiling: limiting vision to 50 feet (15
          meters) or less b of horizontal visibility: limited to
          165 feet (50.3 meters) or less [3]zero vt (1913) 1: to
          determine or adjust the zero of (as a rifle) 2 a: to
          concentrate firepower on the exact range of--usu. used
          with in b: to bring to bear on the exact range of a target--usu.
          used with in ~ vi 1: to adjust fire on a specific target--usu.
          used with in 2: to close in on or focus attention on
          an objective--usu. used with in

   zero-based
          [zero-based] or zero-base adj (1970): having each item justified
          on the basis of cost or need <~ budgeting>

   zero coupon
          [zero coupon] adj (1979): of, relating to, or being an investment
          security that is sold at a deep discount, is redeemable
          at face value on maturity, and that pays no periodic
          interest <zero coupon municipal bonds>

   zero gravity
          [zero gravity] n (1951): the state or condition of lacking
          apparent gravitational pull: weightlessness

   zero hour
          [zero hour] n [fr. its being marked by the count of zero
          in a countdown] (1917) 1 a: the hour at which a planned
          military operation is scheduled to start b: the time
          at which a usu. significant or notable event is scheduled
          to take place 2: a time when a vital decision or decisive
          change must be made

   zero-sum
          [zero-sum] adj (1944): of, relating to, or being a situation
          (as a game or relationship) in which a gain for one side
          entails a corresponding loss for the other side

   zeroth
          [ze.roth] adj (1896): being numbered zero in a series; also:
          zero 1 <the ~ power of a number>

   zero tillage
          [zero tillage] n (1963): no-tillage

   zero vector
          [zero vector] n (ca. 1901): a vector which is of zero length
          and all of whose components are zero

   zero-zero
          [zero-zero] adj (ca. 1939) 1: characterized by or being atmospheric
          conditions that reduce ceiling and visibility to zero 2: limited[
          ]to zero by atmospheric conditions

   zest
          [zest] n [obs. F (now zeste), orange or lemon peel (used
          as flavoring)] (ca. 1674) 1: a piece of the peel or of
          the thin outer skin of an orange or lemon used as flavoring
          2: an enjoyably exciting quality: piquancy 3: keen enjoyment:
          relish, gusto -- zest.ful adj -- zest.ful.ly adv -- zest.ful.ness
          n -- zest.less adj

   zester
          [zest.er] n (1973): a small utensil for peeling zest

   zesty
          [zesty] adj zest.i.er ; -est (1930): having or characterized
          by zest

   zeta
          [ze.ta] n [Gk zeta] (1823): the 6th letter of the Greek alphabet

   zeugma
          [zeug.ma] n [L, fr. Gk, lit., joining, fr. zeugnynai to join;
          akin to L jungere to join--more at yoke] (1523): the
          use of a word to modify or govern two or more words usu.
          in such a manner that it applies to each in a different
          sense or makes sense with only one (as in "opened the
          door and her heart to the homeless boy")

   zi...
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   zibeline
          [zib.e.line] or zib.el.line n [MF, sable, fr. OIt zibellino,
          of Slav origin; akin to Russ sobol' sable] (1892): a
          soft lustrous wool fabric with mohair, alpaca, or camel's
          hair

   zidovudine
          [zi.do.vu.dine] n [by shortening & alter. fr. azidothymidine]
          (1987): azidothymidine

   [1]zig
          [zig] n [zigzag] (1840) 1 a: one of the sharp turns, angles,
          or alterations in a zigzag course b: one of the short
          straight lines or sections of a zigzag course at an angle
          to a zag 2: a sharp alteration or change of direction
          (as in a process or policy) <the quick ~s and zags of
          his international maneuverings --N.Y. Times> [2]zig vi
          zigged ; zig.ging (1940): to execute a zig--usu. contrasted
          with zag

   ziggurat
          [zig.gu.rat] n [Akkadian ziqqurratu] (1877): an ancient
          Mesopotamian temple tower consisting of a lofty pyramidal structure
          built in successive stages with outside staircases and a shrine
          at the top

   [1]zigzag
          [zig.zag] n [F] (1712): one of a series of short sharp turns,
          angles, or alterations in a course; also: something having
          the form or character of such a series <a blouse with
          green ~s> <endured the ~s of policy --Richard Bernstein>
          [2]zigzag adv (ca. 1730): in or by a zigzag path or course
          [3]zigzag adj (1750): having short sharp turns or angles
          <a ~ trail> [4]zigzag vb zig.zagged ; zig.zag.ging vt
          (1777): to form into a zigzag or move along a zigzag
          course ~ vi: to lie in, proceed along, or consist of
          a zigzag course

   zilch
          [zilch] adj or n [origin unknown] (ca. 1966): zero, nothing

   zillion
          [zil.lion] n [z + -illion (as in million)] (1934):
          an indeterminately large number <~s of mosquitoes> -- zil.lionth
          adj

   zillionaire
          [zil.lion.aire] n [zillion + -aire (as in millionaire)] (1946):
          an immeasurably wealthy person

   zin
          [zin] n, often cap (1980): zinfandel

   [1]zinc
          [zinc] n, often attrib [G Zink] (1651): a bluish white crystalline
          metallic element of low to intermediate hardness that is ductile
          when pure but in the commercial form is brittle at ordinary
          temperatures and becomes ductile on slight heating, occurs
          abundantly in minerals, is an essential micronutrient for both
          plants and animals, and is used esp. as a protective coating for
          iron and steel [2]zinc vt zinced or zincked ; zinc.ing or zinck.ing
          (1841): to treat or coat with zinc: galvanize

   zinc blende
          [zinc blende] n (1842): sphalerite

   zinc chloride
          [zinc chloride] n (1851): a poisonous caustic deliquescent
          salt used esp. as a wood preservative, drying agent,
          and catalyst

   zincite
          [zinc.ite] n [G Zinkit, fr. Zink] (1854): a brittle deep-red
          to orange-yellow hexagonal mineral that consists essentially
          of zinc oxide and occurs in massive or granular form

   zinc oxide
          [zinc oxide] n (1849): an infusible white solid used esp.
          as a pigment, in compounding rubber, and in pharmaceutical
          and cosmetic preparations

   zinc oxide ointment
          [zinc oxide ointment] n (1936): an ointment that contains
          about 20 percent of zinc oxide and is used in treating
          skin disorders

   zinc sulfate
          [zinc sulfate] n (1851): a crystalline salt used esp. in
          making a white paint pigment, in printing and dyeing,
          in sprays and fertilizers, and in medicine as an astringent,
          emetic, and weak antiseptic

   zinc sulfide
          [zinc sulfide] n (1851): a fluorescent white to yellowish
          compound used esp. as a white pigment and a phosphor

   zinc white
          [zinc white] n (1847): a white pigment that consists of zinc
          oxide

   zineb
          [zin.eb] n [zinc + ethylene + bis-] (1950): a zinc-containing
          agricultural fungicide used on fruits and vegetables

   zinfandel
          [zin.fan.del] n [origin unknown] (1896): a dry red table
          wine made from a small black grape that is grown chiefly
          in California; also: the grape

   [1]zing
          [zing] n [imit.] (1911) 1: a shrill humming noise 2 a: an
          enjoyably exciting or stimulating quality: zest <really
          put some ~ into this industry --Erwin Fine> b: a sharply
          piquant flavor <barbecue sauce with ~> [2]zing vi (1920)
          1: to make or move with a humming sound 2: zip, speed
          ~ vt 1: to hit suddenly: zap 2: to criticize in a pointed
          or witty manner

   zinger
          [zing.er] n (1955) 1: something causing or meant to cause
          interest, surprise, or shock 2: a pointed witty remark
          or retort

   zingy
          [zingy] adj zing.i.er ; -est [[1]zing] (1945) 1: enjoyably
          exciting <a ~ musical> 2: strikingly attractive or appealing
          <wore a ~ new outfit> 3: sharply piquant <a ~ salad>

   zinnia
          [zin.nia] n [NL, fr. Johann G. Zinn d. 1759 Ger. botanist]
          (1767): any of a small genus (Zinnia) of tropical American
          composite herbs and low shrubs with showy flower heads
          and long-lasting ray flowers

   [1]zip
          [zip] vb zipped ; zip.ping [imit. of the sound of a speeding
          object] vi (1852) 1: to move, act, or function with speed
          and vigor 2: to travel with a sharp hissing or humming
          sound ~ vt 1: to impart speed or force to 2: to add zest,
          interest, or life to--often used with up 3: to transport
          or propel with speed [2]zip n (1875) 1: a sudden sharp
          hissing or sibilant sound 2: energy, vim -- zip.less
          adj [3]zip n [origin unknown] (ca. 1900): nothing, zero
          <the final score was 27 to ~> [4]zip n (1920) chiefly
          Brit: zipper [5]zip vb zipped ; zip.ping [back-formation
          fr. zipper] vt (1932) 1 a: to close or open with or as
          if with a zipper b: to enclose or wrap by fastening a
          zipper 2: to cause (a zipper) to open or shut ~ vi: to
          become open, closed, or attached by means of a zipper
          [6]zip n, often cap Z&I&P (1965): zip code

   zip-code
          [zip-code] vt (1964): to furnish with a zip code

   zip code
          [zip code] n, often cap Z&I&P [zone improvement plan] (1963):
          a number that identifies each postal delivery area in
          the U.S.

   zip fastener
          [zip fastener] n (1927) chiefly Brit: zipper

   zip gun
          [zip gun] n (1950): a crudely homemade single-shot pistol

   [1]zipper
          [zip.per] n [fr. Zipper, a trademark] (1926): a fastener
          consisting of two rows of metal or plastic teeth on strips
          of tape and a sliding piece that closes an opening by
          drawing the teeth together [2]zipper vt (1930): [5]zip

   zippered
          [zip.pered] adj (1939): equipped with a zipper

   zippy
          [zip.py] adj zip.pi.er ; -est (1904): full of zip: brisk,
          snappy

   ziram
          [zi.ram] n [zinc + dithiocarbamate] (1949): an organic zinc
          salt used esp. as an agricultural fungicide

   zircon
          [zir.con] n [G, modif. of F jargon jargoon, zircon, fr. It
          giargone] (1794): a tetragonal mineral consisting of
          a silicate of zirconium and occurring usu. in brown or
          grayish square prisms of adamantine luster or sometimes
          in transparent forms which are used as gems

   zirconia
          [zir.co.nia] n [NL, fr. ISV zircon] (1797): a white crystalline
          compound used esp. in refractories, in thermal and electric
          insulation, in abrasives, and in enamels and glazes--called
          also zirconium oxide

   zirconium
          [zir.co.ni.um] n [NL, fr. ISV zircon] (1808): a steel-gray
          strong ductile metallic element with a high melting point
          that occurs widely in combined form (as in zircon), is
          highly resistant to corrosion, and is used esp. in alloys
          and in refractories and ceramics

   zit
          [zit] n [origin unknown] (ca. 1966) slang: pimple 1

   zither
          [zith.er] n [G, fr. L cithara cithara--more at cither] (1850):
          a stringed instrument having usu. 30 to 40 strings over
          a shallow horizontal soundboard and played with pick
          and fingers -- zith.er.ist n

   ziti
          [zi.ti] n, pl ziti [It, pl. of zito, alter. of zita piece
          of tubular pasta, prob. short for maccheroni di zita,
          lit., bride's macaroni] (ca. 1845): medium-sized tubular
          pasta

   zizith
          [zi.zith] n pl [Heb sisith] (1675): the fringes or tassels
          worn on traditional or ceremonial garments by Jewish
          males as reminders of the commandments of Deut 22:12
          and Num 15:37-41

   zl...
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   zloty
          [zlo.ty] n, pl zlo.tys or zloty [Pol zloty] (1915): the basic
          monetary unit of Poland

   zo...
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   zo-
          [zo-] or zoo- comb form [Gk zoi-, zoio-, fr. zoion; akin
          to Gk zoe life--more at quick] 1: animal: animal kingdom
          or kind <zooid> <zoology> 2: motile <zoospore>

   -zoa
          [-zoa] n pl comb form [NL, fr. Gk zoia, pl. of zoion]: animals--in
          taxa <Metazoa> <Protozoa>

   zoantharian
          [zo.an.thar.i.an] n [ultim. fr. zo- + Gk anthos flower--more
          at anthology] (1887): any of a subclass (Zoantharia)
          of anthozoans having a hexamerous arrangement of tentacles
          or septa or both and including most of the recent corals
          and sea anemones -- zoantharian adj

   zodiac
          [zo.di.ac] n [ME, fr. MF zodiaque, fr. L zodiacus, fr. Gk
          zoidiakos, fr. zoidiakos, adj., of carved figures, of
          the zodiac, fr. zoidion carved figure, sign of the zodiac,
          fr. dim. of zoion living being, figure; akin to Gk zoe
          life] (14c) 1 a: an imaginary band in the heavens centered
          on the ecliptic that encompasses the apparent paths of
          all the planets except Pluto and is divided into 12 constellations
          or signs each taken for astrological purposes to extend 30 degrees
          of longitude b: a figure representing the signs of the zodiac and
          their symbols 2: a cyclic course <a ~ of feasts and fasts --R.
          W. Emerson> -- zo.di.a.cal adj

   zodiacal light
          [zodiacal light] n (1734): a diffuse glow seen in the west
          after twilight and in the east before dawn

   zoea
          [zo.ea] n, pl zo.eae or zo.eas [NL, fr. Gk zoe life] (ca.
          1890): a free-swimming planktonic larval form of many
          decapod crustaceans and esp. crabs that has a relatively
          large cephalothorax, conspicuous eyes, and fringed antennae
          and mouthparts

   zoftig
          [zof.tig] var of zaftig

   [1]-zoic
          [-zoic] adj comb form [Gk zoikos of animals, fr. zoion animal--more
          at zo-]: having a (specified) animal mode of existence <holozoic>
          <saprozoic> [2]-zoic adj comb form [Gk zoe life]: of, relating to,
          or being a (specified) geological era <Archeozoic> <Mesozoic>

   zoisite
          [zois.ite] n [G Zoisit, fr. Baron Sigismund Zois von Edelstein
          d. 1819 Slovenian nobleman] (1805): an orthorhombic mineral
          that consists of a basic silicate of calcium and aluminum
          and is related to epidote

   zombie
          [zom.bie] also zom.bi n [prob. fr. Kongo nzambi god] (ca.
          1871) 1 usu zombi a: the supernatural power that according
          to voodoo belief may enter into and reanimate a dead
          body b: a will-less and speechless human in the West
          Indies capable only of automatic movement who is held
          to have died and been supernaturally reanimated 2 a:
          a person held to resemble the so-called walking dead;
          esp: automaton b: a person markedly strange in appearance
          or behavior 3: a mixed drink made of several kinds of
          rum, liqueur, and fruit juice -- zom.bie.like adj

   zombify
          [zom.bi.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1946): to turn (a human being)
          into a zombie -- zom.bi.fi.ca.tion n

   zombiism
          [zom.bi.ism] n (1932): the beliefs and practices of the cult
          of the zombi

   zonal
          [zon.al] adj (1873) 1: of, relating to, affecting, or having
          the form of a zone <a ~ boundary> 2: of, relating to,
          or being a soil or a major soil group marked by well-developed
          characteristics that are determined primarily by the
          action of climate and organisms esp. vegetation--compare
          azonal, intrazonal -- zon.al.ly adv

   zona pellucida
          [zo.na pel.lu.ci.da] n, pl zo.nae pel.lu.ci.dae [NL, transparent
          zone] (1841): the transparent more or less elastic outer
          layer or envelope of a mammalian ovum often traversed
          by numerous radiating striae

   zonation
          [zo.na.tion] n (1902) 1: structure or arrangement in zones
          2: distribution of kinds of organisms in biogeographic
          zones

   [1]zone
          [zone] n [ME, fr. L zona belt, zone, fr. Gk zone; akin to
          Lith juosti to gird] (15c) 1 a: any of five great divisions
          of the earth's surface with respect to latitude and
          temperature--compare frigid zone, temperate zone, torrid zone
          b: a portion of the surface of a sphere included between two
          parallel planes 2 archaic: girdle, belt 3 a: an encircling
          anatomical structure b (1): a subdivision of a biogeographic region
          that supports a similar fauna and flora throughout its extent (2):
          such a zone dominated by a particular life form c: a distinctive
          belt, layer, or series of layers of earth materials (as rock)
          4: a region or area set off as distinct from surrounding
          or adjoining parts 5: one of the sections of an area or territory
          created for a particular purpose: as a: a zoned section of a city
          b: any of the eight concentric bands of territory centered
          on a given postal shipment point designated as a distance bracket
          for U.S. parcel post to which mail is charged at a single rate
          c: a distance within which the same fare is charged by a common
          carrier d: an area on a field of play e: a stretch of roadway
          or a space in which certain traffic regulations are in force
          [2]zone vt zoned ; zon.ing (1795) 1: to surround with a zone:
          encircle 2: to arrange in or mark off into zones; specif:
          to partition (a city, borough, or township) by ordinance into
          sections reserved for different purposes (as residence or business)
          -- zon.er n [3]zone adj (1795) 1: zonal 1 2: of, relating to,
          or being a system of defense (as in basketball or football)
          in which each player guards an assigned area rather than
          a specified opponent

   zone refining
          [zone refining] n (1952): a technique for the purification
          of a crystalline material and esp. a metal in which a
          molten region travels through the material to be refined,
          picks up impurities at its advancing edge, and then allows
          the purified part to recrystallize at its opposite edge--called
          also zone melting -- zone-refined adj

   zonk
          [zonk] vb [prob. imit.] vt (1950): stun, stupefy; also: strike,
          zap--often used with out ~ vi: to pass out from or as
          if from alcohol or a drug--often used with out

   zonked
          [zonked] adj (ca. 1959): stupefied by or as if by alcohol
          or a drug

   zonked-out
          [zonked-out] adj (1967): zonked

   zoo-
          [zoo-] --see zo-

   zoo
          [zoo] n, pl zoos [short for zoological garden] (ca. 1847)
          1 a: zoological garden b: a collection of living animals
          usu. for public display 2: a place, situation, or group
          marked by crowding, confusion, or unrestrained behavior
          <the convention was a ~>

   zooecium
          [zo.oe.ci.um] or zo.e.ci.um n, pl -cia [NL, fr. zo- + Gk
          oikia house--more at vicinity] (1880): a sac or chamber
          secreted and lived in by a bryozoan zooid

   zoogenic
          [zoo.gen.ic] adj [ISV] (ca. 1864): caused by or associated
          with animals or their activities <~ humus>

   zoogeography
          [zoo.ge.og.ra.phy] n [ISV] (1868): a branch of biogeography
          concerned with the geographical distribution of animals
          and esp. with the determination of the areas characterized
          by special groups of animals and the study of the causes
          and significance of such groups -- zoo.ge.og.ra.pher
          n -- zoo.geo.graph.ic or zoo.geo.graph.i.cal adj --
          zoo.geo.graph.i.cal.ly adv

   zooid
          [zo.oid] n (1851): one of the asexually produced individuals
          of a compound organism (as a bryozoan, hydroid, or coral
          colony)

   zookeeper
          [zoo.keep.er] n (1924): one who maintains or cares for animals
          in a zoo

   zooks
          [zooks] interj [short for gadzooks] (1634) archaic--used
          as a mild oath

   zool
          [zool] abbreviation zoological, zoology

   zoolatry
          [zo.ol.a.try] n [NL zoolatria, fr. zo- + LL -latria -latry]
          (1817): animal worship

   zoological
          [zoo.log.i.cal] also zoo.log.ic adj (1807) 1: of, relating
          to, or occupied with zoology 2: of, relating to, or affecting
          lower animals often as distinguished from humans --
          zoo.log.i.cal.ly adv

   zoological garden
          [zoological garden] n (1829): a garden or park where wild
          animals are kept for exhibition

   zoology
          [zo.ol.o.gy] n [NL zoologia, fr. zo- + -logia -logy] (1669)
          1: a branch of biology concerned with the classification
          and the properties and vital phenomena of animals 2 a:
          animal life (as of a region): fauna b: the properties
          and vital phenomena exhibited by an animal, animal type,
          or group -- zo.ol.o.gist n

   [1]zoom
          [zoom] vb [imit.] vi (1886) 1 a: to move with a loud low
          hum or buzz b: to go speedily: zip 2 of an airplane:
          to climb for a short time at an angle greater than that
          which can be maintained in steady flight so that the
          machine is carried upward at the expense of stored kinetic
          energy 3: to focus a camera or microscope on an object
          using a zoom lens so that the object's apparent distance
          from the observer changes--often used with in or out
          4: to increase sharply <retail sales ~ed> ~ vt: to cause
          to zoom [2]zoom n (1918) 1 a: an act or process of zooming;
          esp: a sharp upward movement b: an image created by zooming
          2: a zooming sound 3: zoom lens

   zoom lens
          [zoom lens] n (1936): a lens (as of a camera or projector)
          in which the image size can be varied continuously while
          the image remains in focus

   zoomorphic
          [zoo.mor.phic] adj [ISV] (1872) 1: having the form of an
          animal <a ~ orchid> 2: of, relating to, or being a deity
          conceived of in animal form or with the attributes of
          an animal -- zoo.morph n

   -zoon
          [-zoon] n comb form, pl -zoa [NL, fr. Gk zoion]: animal:
          zooid <spermatozoon>

   zoonosis
          [zoo.no.sis] n, pl -no.ses [NL, fr. zo- + Gk nosos disease]
          (1876): a disease communicable from animals to humans
          under natural conditions -- zoo.not.ic adj

   zoophilic
          [zoo.phil.ic] or zo.oph.i.lous adj (1886): having an attraction
          to or preference for animals; esp, of an insect: preferring
          animals to humans as a source of food

   zoophyte
          [zoo.phyte] n [Gk zoophyton, fr. zoi-, zozo- + phyton plant--more
          at phyt-] (1621): an invertebrate animal (as a coral or sponge)
          more or less resembling a plant in appearance or mode of growth

   zooplankter
          [zoo.plank.ter] n [zo- + plankter] (1943): a planktonic animal

   zooplankton
          [zoo.plank.ton] n (1901): plankton composed of animals --
          zoo.plank.ton.ic adj

   zoosporangium
          [zoo.spo.ran.gi.um] n [NL] (1874): a spore case or sporangium
          bearing zoospores

   zoospore
          [zoo.spore] n [ISV] (1846): an independently motile spore;
          esp: a motile usu. naked and flagellated asexual spore
          esp. of an alga or lower fungus -- zoo.spor.ic adj

   zoosterol
          [zo.os.ter.ol] n (1926): a sterol (as cholesterol) of animal
          origin--compare phytosterol

   zootechnical
          [zoo.tech.ni.cal] adj (1926): of or relating to the technology
          of animal husbandry -- zoo.tech.nics n pl but sing or
          pl in constr

   zoot suit
          [zoot suit] n [coine d by Harold C. Fox b1910 Am. clothier
          and bandleader] (1942): a suit of extreme cut typically
          consisting of a thigh-length jacket with wide padded
          shoulders and peg pants with narrow cuffs -- zoot-suit.er
          n

   zooty
          [zooty] adj (1946): typical of a zoot-suiter: flashy in manner
          or style <a ~ haircut>

   zooxanthella
          [zo.o.xan.thel.la] n, pl -lae [NL, fr. zo- + xanth- + -ella
          (dim. suffix)] (ca. 1891): any of various symbiotic dinoflagellates
          that live within the cells of other organisms (as reef-building
          coral polyps)

   zori
          [zo.ri] n, pl zori also zoris [Jp zori] (1823): a flat thonged
          sandal usu. made of straw, cloth, leather, or rubber

   zoster
          [zoster] n [L, fr. Gk zoster girdle; akin to Gk zone zone]
          (ca. 1706): herpes zoster

   zounds
          [zounds] interj [euphemism for God's wounds] (ca. 1600)--used
          as a mild oath

   zowie
          [zow.ie] interj [imit. of the sound of a speeding vehicle]
          (1912)--used to express astonishment or admiration esp.
          in response to something sudden or speedy

   zoysia
          [zoy.sia] n [NL, alter. of Zoisia, fr. Karl von Zois d. 1800
          Ger. botanist] (1924): any of a genus (Zoysia) of creeping
          perennial grasses of southeastern Asia and New Zealand
          having fine wiry leaves and including some suitable for
          lawn grasses esp. in warm regions

   zu...
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   zucchetto
          [zuc.chet.to] n, pl -tos [It, dim. of zucca gourd, head]
          (1853): a small round skullcap worn by Roman Catholic
          ecclesiastics in colors that vary according to the rank
          of the wearer

   zucchini
          [zuc.chi.ni] n, pl -ni or -nis [It, pl. of zucchino, dim.
          of zucca gourd] (1929): a summer squash of bushy growth
          with smooth cylindrical usu. dark green fruits; also:
          its fruit

   [1]Zulu
          [Zu.lu] n, pl Zulu or Zulus (1824) 1: a member of a Bantu-speaking
          people of Natal 2: the Bantu language of the Zulus -- Zulu adj
          [2]Zulu (1952)--a communications code word for the letter z

   Zuni
          [Zu.ni] n, pl Zuni or Zunis [AmerSp Zuni] (1834) 1: a member
          of an American Indian people of western New Mexico 2: the language
          of the Zuni people

   zuppa inglese
          [zup.pa in.gle.se] n, often cap I [It, lit., English soup]
          (1941): a dessert consisting of sponge cake and custard
          or pudding that is flavored with rum, covered with cream,
          and garnished with fruit

   zw...
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   zwieback
          [zwie.back] n [G, lit., twice baked, fr. zwie- twice (fr.
          OHG zwi-) + backen to bake, fr. OHG bahhan--more at twi-,
          bake] (1894): a usu. sweetened bread enriched with eggs
          that is baked and then sliced and toasted until dry and
          crisp

   zwitterion
          [zwit.ter.ion] n [G, fr. Zwitter hybrid (fr. OHG zwitaran,
          fr. zwi-) + Ion ion--more at twi-] (1906): a dipolar
          ion -- zwit.ter.ion.ic adj

   zy...
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   zydeco
          [zy.de.co] n, often attrib [perh. modif. of F les haricots
          beans, fr. the Cajun dance tune Les Haricots Sont Pas
          Sales] (1960): popular music of southern Louisiana that
          combines tunes of French origin with elements of Caribbean
          music and the blues and that features guitar, washboard,
          and accordion

   zyg-
          [zyg-] or zygo- comb form [NL, fr. Gk, fr. zygon--more at
          yoke] 1: yoke <zygomorphic> 2: pair <zygodactyl> 3: union
          <zygospore>

   zygapophysis
          [zyg.apoph.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [NL] (1854): any of the articular
          processes of the neural arch of a vertebra of which there
          are usu. two anterior and two posterior

   zygodactyl
          [zy.go.dac.tyl] adj [ISV zyg- + Gk daktylos toe] (1831):
          having the toes arranged two in front and two behind--used
          of a bird

   zygodactylous
          [zy.go.dac.ty.lous] adj (ca. 1828): zygodactyl

   zygoma
          [zy.go.ma] n, pl -ma.ta also -mas [NL zygomat-, zygoma, fr.
          Gk zygoma, fr. zygoun to join, fr. zygon yoke] (ca. 1684)
          1 a: zygomatic arch b: a slender bony process of the
          zygomatic arch 2: zygomatic bone

   zygomatic
          [zy.go.mat.ic] adj (1709): of, relating to, constituting,
          or situated in the region of the zygoma and esp. the
          zygomatic arch

   zygomatic arch
          [zygomatic arch] n (1825): the arch of bone that extends
          along the front or side of the skull beneath the orbit

   zygomatic bone
          [zygomatic bone] n (1709): a bone of the side of the face
          below the eye that in mammals forms part of the zygomatic
          arch and part of the orbit--called also cheekbone

   zygomatic process
          [zygomatic process] n (1741): any of several bony processes
          that enter into or strengthen the zygomatic arch

   zygomorphic
          [zy.go.mor.phic] adj (1875): having one or more similar parts
          unequal in size or form so that the whole structure is
          capable of division into essentially symmetrical halves
          by only one longitudinal plane passing through the axis
          <the flower of the pea is ~> -- zy.go.mor.phy n

   zygosity
          [zy.gos.i.ty] n [prob. fr. -zygous] (1946): the makeup or
          characteristics of a particular zygote

   zygospore
          [zy.go.spore] n [ISV] (1864): a thick-walled spore of some
          algae and fungi that is formed by union of two similar
          sexual cells, usu. serves as a resting spore, and produces
          the sporophytic phase of the plant--compare oospore

   zygote
          [zy.gote] n [Gk zygotos yoked, fr. zygoun to join--more at
          zygoma] (ca. 1887): a cell formed by the union of two
          gametes; broadly: the developing individual produced
          from such a cell -- zy.got.ic adj

   zygotene
          [zy.go.tene] n [ISV] (1911): the stage of meiotic prophase
          which immediately follows the leptotene and during which
          synapsis of homologous chromosomes occurs -- zygotene
          adj

   -zygous
          [-zygous] adj comb form [Gk -zygos yoked, fr. zygon yoke--more
          at yoke]: having (such) a zygotic constitution <heterozygous>

   zymase
          [zy.mase] n [ISV] (1875): an enzyme or enzyme complex of
          yeast that promotes fermentation of sugar

   -zyme
          [-zyme] n comb form [Gk zyme leaven]: enzyme <lysozyme>

   zymogen
          [zy.mo.gen] n [ISV] (1877): an inactive protein precursor
          of an enzyme secreted by living cells and activated by
          catalysis (as by a kinase or an acid)--called also proenzyme

   zymogram
          [zy.mo.gram] n (1957): an electrophoretic strip (as of starch
          gel) or a representation of it exhibiting the pattern
          of separated enzymes and esp. isoenzymes after electrophoresis

                                   * * *
